POLLS: Tension as results trickle in

...towards a better life for the people

**

VOL. 25: NO. 62372

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

Election held in Rivers, ECOWAS declares presidential 50 polls acceptable INEC insists •P.8

POLLS: Tension as results trickle in

By Our Reporters

L

AGOS — THE nation was in suspense, yesterday, as results from last Saturday ’s presidential and National Assembly elections continued to trickle in.

At press time, only Ekiti and Osun States had fully declared results of the elections.

•Gov Aliyu loses Senate seat •Mark, Ekweremadu return PRESIDENTIAL RESULTS EKITI

Ilejemeje: PDP-3,799, Ekiti South West: PDP-10,220; Efon: PDP- 5,699, Irepodun/Ifelodun:PDP-11,895; Oye: PDP-11,262; Emure: PDP- 6,822 ; Ikere: PDP-14,091; Ekiti West: PDP-10,003, Ado: PDP-25,419, Ikole: PDP-13,306; Gbonyin: PDP- 8,792; Ekiti East: PDP-11,922 ; Moba: PDP- 8,687; Ise/Orun: PDP-9,158; Ido/Osi: PDP 12,479;

OSUN

Boluwaduro: APC- 5288, Egbedore: APC- 9577 Ila: APC- 11576, Boripe: APC-12152, Ife North: APC-8369, Ife South: APC-9793, Ife East: APC-12513, Olorunda: APC- 23,342, Atakumosa West: APC- 6639, Ife East: APC 12513, Odo Otin: APC-13351, Isokan: APC-10187, Orolu: APC-8466, Atakunmosa East: APC 6639, Ifelodun: APC 17040, Irepodun: APC-12485, Ayedaade: APC- 13560, Olaoluwa: APC 8125,

APC- 3,000.

APC -7,195.

APC-3,103 APC- 7,970.

APC- 8,574.

APC 5,353.

APC- 7,990.

APC-8,001 APC-14,414 APC-10,026.

APC 6,334 APC-8,274.

APC- 7,492 APC 5,675 APC 7,433

PDP-4413.

PDP- 6507.

PDP- 7647 PDP- 7457 PDP- 7921 PDP-9283 PDP-15532 PDP-7958 PDP-4734 PDP-15532 PDP-10230 PDP-6974 PDP-6360 PDP-4734 PDP 9847 PDP-7750 PDP- 9466 PDP 5910

KANO

Kibiya: Gabasawa: Bagwai: Kunchi: Tsanyawa: Gaya:

OGUN

Odeda: Imeko Afon: Sagamu: Ijebu Ode: Remo North: Ewekoro: Obafemi-Owode: Ijebu North-East: Odogboolu: Abeokuta North:

OYO

OYO WEST: ATISBO: SAKI WEST: ATIBA: IWAJOWA: ONA ARA: IBARAPA EAST: IDO: OLUYOLE: KAJOLA: AFIJIO: OORELOPE: IREPO: ITESIWAJU:

APC- 23,000; APC-31,000; APC- 3 8,750; APC-24,542; APC-32,662; APC -38,085;

PDP- 4,999 PDP- 8,840 PDP 8,159 PDP 2,921 PDP 4,819 PDP 1,888

APC-11,102; APC-7,657; APC-15,761, APC -14,043, APC- 6,164, APC -9,626, APC -15,207, APC- 7638, APC -11623, APC 21213,

PDP -4,456 PDP-12,153 PDP -17,263 PDP -8,972 PDP -9,278 PDP -3,227 PDP -5,786.

PDP-6163.

PDP -11405.

PDP 5,742

APC-16,431; APC-9,090; APC- 7,208; APC-16,755; APC-8,715; APC- 12,291; APC-10,482; APC-17,235; APC-19,642; APC-14,538; APC- 8,001; APC-9,425; APC-10,380; APC-7,257;

PDP- 5,381.

PDP-6,392 PDP-5,368 PDP- 6,443 PDP-7,389 PDP-7,175 PDP-7,009 PDP- 6,538 PDP-6,956; PDP- 11,045 PDP-5,738 PDP -5,384 PDP -4,979 PDP-7,605

COLUMNISTS:

Move on, Nigeria

•P.19

Guess who is dollarising the economy! •P.44

Mr & Mrs

Continues on page 5

stabs husband to Three INEC staff Woman death over PDP, APC killed in Benue 7 presidential candidates C M Y K

Continues on Page 2

6

2—Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

POCKET CARTOON

38,085 votes to PDP 1,888.

PALM SUNDAY: President Goodluck Jonathan (middle); Executive Secretary, Christian Pilgrims

Commission, Mr. John Kennedy (2nd left); former Chaplain, Aso Villa Chapel, Rev. William Okoye (left); Administrator, Aso Villa Chapel, Mr. Abba Mshelia (2nd right) and wife of the Chaplain, Aso Villa Chapel, Mrs. Martha Onwuzurumba during a special rendition by children of the Aso Villa Sunday School during the service to mark Palm Sunday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

POLLS: Tension as results trickle in Continues from Page 1 President Goodluck Jonathan, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP won all 16 local government areas of Ekiti but lost in Osun.

In the National Assembly results declared, the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark was in pole position to become the only senator to have survived since 1999 having won all five of the seven local government areas in his Benue South Senatorial District.

However, Governor Babangida Aliyu lost in his Senate bid. He lost in all the wards of Niger East Senatorial District to David Umaru of the All

Progressives Congress, APC. The incumbent senator for Niger South, Senator Zainab Kure also lost in her bid to return to the Senate.

President Jonathan, who returned to Abuja on Saturday night after voting in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Vanguard learnt, had strategy sessions with senior officials of the PDP in the Presidential Villa on the ensuing development.

ABIA: Orji wins Governor Theodore Orji was returned as senator for the Abia Central Senatorial District, beating his All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA challenger, Emmanuel

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

If man’s life is ever worth the living, it is when he has attained this vision of Soul, and of beauty.

And once you have seen it, you will never be seduced again by the charm of gold, and material things…and when one discerns this beauty, one will perceive the true virtue, not virtue’s semblance — Socrates

S

OCRATES lived in Athens, Greece his entire life (469-399 BC), cajoling his fellow citizens to think hard about questions of truth and justice, convinced as he was that “the unexamined life is not worth living.”

While claiming that his wisdom consisted merely in “knowing that he knew nothing,” Socrates did have certain beliefs, chief among them that happiness is obtainable by human effort.

Specifically, he recommended gaining rational control over your desires and harmonizing the different parts of Soul. Doing so would produce a divine-like state of inner tranquility that the external would could not influence.

Through his influence on Plato and Aristotle, a new era of philosophy was inaugurated and the course of western civilization was decisively shaped.

Nweke by 65,653 votes to 46,070 votes.

The Presidential election results so far announced in Kogi State by the various returning officers in 11 local governments shows that the APC, won in six local governments while the PDP won in five local governments.

The results were announced at the INEC headquarters under the supervision of the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Halilu Hussain Pai, and security agents.

In Delta State, deputy leader of the House of Representatives, Rep. Leo Ogor easily beat off a challenge from his APC opponent to coast home for a record fourth term in the House.

Trends from states, however, showed President Jonathan in a stiff fight against his APC challenger in most sections of the country with the president losing ground in Kwara, and most of the South-West states, sections of the country that projected him to victory in 2011.

In Osun, Buhari polled 254,739 votes while Jonathan scored 168, 476 while in Ekiti, Jonathan polled 176,474 votes to 120,332 polled by Buhari.

In the FCT, results released from two council areas showed that in Abaji Area Council, Buhari beat Jonathan in the presidential poll by 10,853 votes to 7,762 votes, according to the

results released by the Returning Officer, Dr. Abdullahi Mohammed Evuti of the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Abuja.

He also announced that Buhari polled 15, 348 to beat the PDP candidate who scored 13,091 votes in the contest in the area council.

KANO: Buhari in comfortable lead in 7 LGAs Buhari, at press time, was in a comfortable lead in seven local government areas announced by INEC yesterday afternoon.

The results announced by the returning officer, Professor Mohammed Hamisu, former Vice Chancellor of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi indicated that in Albasu local government area APC scored 34,000 votes, while PDP polled 3,047 votes.

In Kibiya, APC posted 23,000 votes while PDP scored 4,999.

Also in Gabasawa council area, the APC received 31,000 votes, while the PDP polled 8, 840 votes.

In Bagwai local council, the APC scored 38,750 votes against PDP 8,159; Kunchi Council, the APC scored 24,542 votes as against PDP 2,921 votes.

In Tsanyawa local government area, APC polled 32,662 votes to PDP 4,819 while in Gaya local council, APC pulled

OGUN: Buhari wins in 7 LGAs

In Ogun State, results of the 10 local government areas released, showed that Buhari had won seven with three local government areas going to Jonathan.

The local government areas released so far are Obafemi-Owode, Abeokuta North, Odogboolu, Odeda, Imeko-Afon, Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode, Remo-North, Ewekoro, and Ijebu North-East.

Details are as follows: Odeda Local Government (number of registered voters -63,935 number of accredited voters 17,463); APC -11,102; PDP -4,456 Total valid votes -16,152 Voided votes -775 Total votes cast -16,927.

Imeko Afon Local Government (number of voters registered -35,31, number of accredited voters -23,481); APC 7,657; PDP -12,153. Valid votes cast -20,466, void votes -1,122.

Sagamu Local Government (number of registered voters 77,955; number of accredited voters 37,772) APC -15,761, PDP -17,263.

Ijebu Ode Local Government (number of registered voters 55,127; number of voters accredited -25,973. APC -14,043, PDP -8,972.

Remo North Local Government (number of registered voters 39,180; number of accredited voters 16,960) APC -6,164, PDP -9,278.

Ewekoro Local Government (number of registered voters 62,425; number of accredited voters 14,193) APC -9,626, PDP -3,227.

Obafemi-Owode Local Government (number of registered voters 74,871; number of

accredited voters 24,402) APC -15,207, PDP -5,786.

Ijebu North-East (number of registered voters 36058; number of accredited voters 15214); APC- 7638, PDP -6163.

Odogbolu local government (number of registered voters 70658; number of accredited voters 25752). APC 11623, PDP -11405.

Abeokuta North local government (number of registered voters -12 5485; number of accredited voters 30556); APC 21213, PDP 5,742.

Meanwhile, at press time, APC was maintaining a clear lead in the Presidential election in the state as it has won 12 local governments while the PDP won seven councils.

One council was still being expected.

The only local government yet to be declared at press time was Ipokia.

OYO

Results so far declared in Oyo State showed Buhari winning six out of the seven local government areas so far declared.

KAJOLA: APC-14,538; PDP- 11,045; AFIJIO: APC- 8,001; PDP-5,738; OORELOPE: APC9,425; PDP -5,384; IREPO: APC-10,380; PDP -4,979; ITESIWAJU: APC-7,257, PDP-7,605.

ENUGU

Results trickling in from Enugu showed that PDP won 21,700 votes in Ezeagu Local Government Area as against APC’s 407 in the presidential election.

In Isiuzo, PDP polled 21,225 while APC secured 239 votes. In Aninri, PDP scored 22,660 as against the 178 scored by the APC In Udi, home of Governor Sullivan Continues on Page 5

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015— 3

C M Y K

4 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015—5

Continues from Page 2 Chime, PDP polled 31,354 while APC polled 1020.

KATSINA Daura: Buhari defeated President Jonathan in in Sakin Yara “A”, Kofar Baru in Daura local government of Katsina State. Of 501 votes cast in the presidential polls, APC got 499, PDP got nothing while three votes were voided.

Similarly, in the National Assembly elections, APC polled 478 for Senate, PDP 18, the People’s Democratic Movement, PDM got three votes while three votes were invalidated.

APC also took the day in the House of Representatives contest as it scored 500 votes while PDP and APGA polled one each.

KWARA: APC in clear lead ILORIN: INEC in Kwara State said results from Saturday’s election will not be formally known until much later today.

Spokesman for INEC in the state, Jacob Ayanda, disclosed this in an interview yesterday saying only results from Isin and Oke-Ero out of the 16 local governments had arrived the c o m m i s s i o n ’ s headquarters as at about 3.00 pm.

Vanguard, however, gathered that, results collated from polling centres across the state yesterday indicated that APC was in clear lead with most leaders of the PDP in the state losing their polling units in the election.

The PDP had won only in Oke-Ero local government area while the race for Ekiti, home council of the PDP governorship candidate, Senator Simon Ajibola, was still too close to call.

Among those who lost were Minister of National Planning, Dr. Suleiman Abubakar; Kwara Central senatorial candidate, Alhaji AbdulRazak AbdulRahaman; business mogul and close associate of First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, Hajia Bola Shagaya and her son, Sherrif who contested the House of Representatives seat for Ilorin West and Asa federal constituency.

According to the collation, Suleiman lost to

the APC in his polling unit with the PDP scoring 27 votes against 377 for the APC in the Presidential slot while PDP again scored only 29 votes against 386 for the APC for the Senate and 35 votes against 385 for the House of Representatives.

The PDP polled 159 against 367 for APC in the presidential slot in AbdulRazaq’s unit, 265 against 278 for the Senate and 313 against 227 for the House of Representatives.

Shagaya also lost to the APC in her Ojuekun Sarunmi Unit 02 where APC polled 149 against 88 for the House of Representatives and 140 against 90 for the Senate.

However, the PDP scored 143 votes against 83 for the APC in the presidential race at the polling unit.

ONDO: Collation Officer arrested for allegedly tampering with result sheets Results of the presidential election were as at last night being declared and out of the 12 declared at press time, the APC won in seven local government areas while the PDP won in five.

Meanwhile, a Collation Officer has been arrested by the police for allegedly tampering with the election result sheets that were submitted to him after the voting.

The State REC, Olusegun Agbaje, said the man had been taken to the police headquarters for interrogation over alleged mutilation of collation forms.

Agbaje pointed out that the allegation is under investigation by the police.

Addressing newsmen yesterday, Prof. Jega said the winner of the presidential election would most likely be declared today as he cautioned against announcements by u n a u t h o r i s e d declarations.

Jega speaks on Rivers crisis Meantime, Professor Attahiru Jega, INEC Chairman, has said the commission had received the formal petition by the APC in Rivers State that there was no election in the state even as he promised that the petition would be investigated.

According to him, supplementary elections

PROTEST:

A cross section of All Progressives Congress, APC, supporters in Rivers State during a protest demanding the cancellation of Presidential and National Assembly elections, in Port Harcourt, yesterday. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

POLLS: Tension as results trickle in took place yesteerday in a few polling units in some states. They include Lagos with 90 polling units, Kebbi, 16; Adamawa, 25; Niger, 6; Yobe, 37 and Borno, eight polling units. Others are Jigawa, 37 polling units; Kano, 13; Taraba, 116 while Abuja had two.

Similarly, the chief electoral umpire added that he had also heard of the torching of the INEC office in Rivers State even as he said that he had notified the Police of the development and they have promised to carry out a thorough investigation.

He said: “We are concerned about what is happening in Rivers State. This morning (yesterday) I received a letter from the APC party calling for the cancellation and rescheduling of the election in Rivers State.

We have started investigations into what happened and if our staff are involved, we will apply the appropriate sanctions.

“We received many allegations and complaints that in some places some supervisory officers disappeared with result sheets, in fact we saw lapses more than we envisaged. In other places we received allegations and accusations that adhoc staff were substituted.”

Use of card readers was a huge success —Jega On the use of the card reader machine for the

conduct of the polls, Jega said it was a huge success despite the noticeable lapses in some places which he put at 0.25 per cent of the over 150,000 card readers.

He said: “It is also gratifying to note that the card readers worked well in the majority of polling units, even though there were some areas where difficulties were experienced (and) necessitated additional guidelines by the commission to allow for manual accreditation of voters, as announced yesterday (Saturday).

"So far, Osun, Kebbi, Ekiti, Adamawa, Borno, Jigawa, Anambra, Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi States reverted to manual-only accreditation of voters in some polling units.

Investigation into what accounted for the difficulties with the card reader is ongoing.”

The chairman further agreed that there were attacks by people suspected to be members of the Boko Haram insurgents who attacked a polling centre in Gombe State which left some people dead including two ad-hoc staff on duty.

Another area of concern was the issue of underaged voters in Taraba State, a development Jega condemned even as he said he had mandated the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state to investigate.

Meanwhile, the APC, in Ekiti State has asked INEC, to charge the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kolapo Olusola,

for election violence.

APC’s call followed his alleged directive to his security aide, to shoot an APC member, Jide Owolabi, in Ikere-Ekiti, during Saturday ’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

It also asked INEC to cancel the election result in Ire-Ekiti over allegation of violence and ballot snatching.

Reacting to the two incidents, Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, said in a statement that the two incidents were well plotted as strategic plans by the PDP to have undue advantage to win the ballot.

He alleged that the deputy governor’s action in the Ikere-Ekiti incident was a reckless display of lawlessness and flagrant abuse of power to

intimidate the opposition for advantage at the poll.

He said: “What happened in Ikere-Ekiti was a pre-meditated incident to cow the opposition to submission.

We had earlier raised the alarm to the plan by top officials of Governor Ayodele Fayose’s administration to employ violence and intimidation to cow our members to enable them manipulate the electoral process. We wrote the security agencies, including both local and international human rights organs, about PDP’s plan.

Yesterday’s (Saturday’s) incident was just a manifestation of the fears we raised.

The APC spokesman said the INEC and security agencies should not allow the attempted murder to go uninvestigated.

Presidential results Continues from page 1

BORNO

Marte: Kala Balge: Askira Uba: Ngala: Kukuwa: Mobbar Abadam Ngazai Kaga Mafa Dikwa Gwoza Gubio Munguno Bama Guzamala

APC 426; APC 1766APC, 5220 APC 2764; APC 5662, APC 4487, APC 2657, APC, 3521, APC 6133 APC 7140, APC 3031, APC 15702, APC 6481 APC 5461, APC 11133 APC 2720

PDP 742 PDP 98 PDP, 1308 PDP 241 PDP 230 PDP 108 PDP 70 PDP 211 PDP 202 PDP 178 PDP 114 PDP 1414 PDP 306 PDP 181 PDP 193 PDP 397

6 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

Man, 40 charged with car theft

By Bartholomew Madukwe & Jane Echewodo

L

AGOS—A 40-year old man, Kareem Kolade, has been charged before an Ikeja Magistrate’s court in Lagos for allegedly stealing a Toyota Camry car valued at N1.5 million.

The accused, whose address remain unknown, was alleged to have committed the alleged crime at No. 2 Kehinde Babatunde Street, Okerube, Ikotun area of Lagos.

Kolade was arraigned by the police on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

However, when the charge was read to him before Magistrate Abimbola Komolafe, he pleaded not guilty.

Count 2 read: “That you Kareem Kolade ‘m’ and others at large on February 22, 2015 at No. 2 Kehinde Babatunde Street, Okerube Ikotun in the Lagos Magisterial District did steal one Toyota Camry valued at N1.5 million, property of one Amusire Oluwaseun Felix.”

According to the police prosecutor, Inspector Eranus Nnamonu, the offence is punishable under Section 285 (9b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.

Magistrate Abimbola Komolafe granted the accused bail in the sum of N250,000 with two surety that are to be blood relations and must show evidence of tax payment for the period of three years.

The matter was adjourned to April 30, 2015.

Woman stabs husband to death over PDP, APC presidential candidates

By Evelyn Usman

L

AGOS—Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old pregnant woman who allegedly stabbed her husband to death during a quarrel over who would emerge winner between the Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressives Congress, APC presidential candidates, while voting was on-going , weekend, at Ejigbo area of the state.

The incident, which threw the densely populated area into disarray, occurred at about 12noon inside the couple’s one room apartment at 81 Military zone junction.

There were different accounts on how tragedy struck. A version of the account said the couple had divergent views on their choice of presidential candidates. While the husband was said to have decided to vote for the PDP, his wife, simply called Onyiyechi, reportedly chose to vote for the presidential candidate of the APC. An argument which degenerated into a fight over whose choice would hold sway reportedly ensued between them.

In the process, Onyiyechi allegedly stabbed her husband with a kitchen knife in the chest region.

Another version said the deceased, whose identity could not be immediately ascertained, told his pregnant wife to take the okro she was grating inside the room, to the veranda which also served as kitchen , an instruction she reportedly disobeyed, following which an argument which led to a fight occurred.

Visit to the scene

When Vanguard visited the

scene of the incident yesterday, the couple’s apartment was under lock .

Their neighbours however described the suspect as an amicable person who had never quarreled with anyone since she moved into the building.

One of the tenants who spoke on condition of anonymity told Vanguard that they did not witness how the suspect allegedly stabbed her husband.

But he explained that : “ We were all outside waiting to vote when Onyiyechi rushed out, shouting for help. Out of curiosity, we all ran inside, only to discover blood all over the ground, on entering their apartment. ''On closer observation, we noticed that the blood was from her husband chest region. We met him on the ground. Before we could rush him to the hospital, he gave up the ghost.

Perhaps, he would have survived the attack had Onyiyechi called for help early. From all indication, it was clear that she attempted to manage the situation immediately the incident occurred. It was when she discovered that the situation had overwhelmed her that she raised alarm. ''I do not know the name of her husband. We only know that of his wife, who we fondly call Onyiyechi. The irony of this matter is that she is not cantankerous. ''She has never beaten a little child, let alone to fight with any neighbor. Again on that day, we saw both of them together. They were seen sitting outside, one hour before the incident occurred. Policemen from Ejigbo later came to remove the corpse to the Isolo morgue”.

Gunmen kill one, set electoral materials ablaze in Bauchi

By Suzan Edeh

B

AUCHI—UNKNOWN gunmen yesterday attacked Alkaleri and Kirfi local government areas of Bauchi State.

An unconfirmed report said one person was killed during the attack, while a police station and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence command were set ablaze.

It was learned that the gunmen attacked polling units in the area.

Bauchi State Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed, who confirmed the attack, said the gunmen came in a convoy of ten vehicles and destroyed many electoral materials in the polling units.

DSP Mohammed said the gunmen also attacked Kirfi and C M Y K

Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters, but were repelled and pursued towards Dindima Town, along Bauchi-Gombe Road by security personnel.

According to the police spokesman, the area has been cordoned off by combined security forces and effort is being intensified to restore normalcy in the Area.

In a related development, gunmen also attacked a polling unit in Darazo Local Government Area in Bauchi state on Saturday evening.

It was learnt that the gunmen who stormed the polling unit in about six vehicles rented the air with gunshots forcing electorates to ran for saftey.

The Police Public Relation Officer of Bauchi Command, DSP

Haruna Mohammed, who confirmed the attack said the gunmen set electoral materials at the poling unit ablaze.

He said: “On March 28, 2015, at about 1430hrs, unknown gunmen in about six vehicles and two boxers motorcycles stormed Bagurun Primary School in Yautara Ward of Darazo L. G. A of Bauchi and fired sporadic gunshots in the air forcing electorates at the polling unit to scamper for safety.

“Suspects gathered all the electoral materials on display and set them ablaze. However, the timely intervention of combined security forces comprising the police and Army forced the suspects to abandon their mission and escaped to unknown destination.''

.The house where the tragedy occurred.

30-year-old killed for buying cigarette on credit

By Esther Onyegbula

L

AGOS—OPERATIVES of Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, are currently investigating the murder of 30-year-old Idowu Malik, aka Ori-gold who was supposedly murdered by one Ali Mustapha at Ikotun area of Lagos.

It was learned that the suspect, Ali Mustapha, a petty trader, operates a mini kiosk where he sells household items and other consumables like cigarettes to residents in the neighbourhood.

Vanguard gathered that, at about 7pm that evening, the victim, Idowu, came to Ali’s shop to purchase a stick of cigarette, which he purportedly bought on credit.

An hour later Idowu came back to Ali’s shop and demanded for another stick of cigarette without paying for the previous one.

Trouble, however began when Ali refused to sell another stick of cigarette to the victim on credit, a reaction that didn’t go well with Idowu.

What followed was a confrontation that later

degenerated into a brawl.

During the fight, Ali allegedly hit Idowu on his head with a huge stick. Vanguard learned he reportedly bled to death before he got help.

Suspect's Confession

Confessing to the crime, 42year-old Ali Mustpha said: “I am from Kwara State, I have a shop where I sell articles, that evening Ori-gold came to buy a stick of cigarette from me without paying. Later, he came back and asked for another stick, when I refused, he got very angry and attacked me. While we were fighting, I hit his head with a stick.

“Before I knew what was happening, blood was gushing out from his head and he collapsed. When the bleeding became serious, neighbours assisted and rushed him to a nearby hospital (names withheld) at Ikotun.

Unfortunately, he was confirmed dead on arrival by the doctor on duty. ''I was arrested by the Ikotun Divisional police before I was transferred to State Criminal Investigation Department. We had no misunderstanding before the incident”.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015 — 7

Three INEC staff killed in Benue

By Peter Duru

M

AKURDI—THREE adhoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Benue State were reported

to have died, in the course of election duties in the state.

The Resident Commissioner of INEC in the state, Prof. Istfanus Dafwang, made this known yesterday while briefing reporters at the state headquarters of

Police recover N9m from dead armed robbers who raided Owo banks

By Dayo Johnson

A

KURE—THE police in Ondo State have recovered N9 million from the six of the fifty armed robbers who raided four banks at Owo last week.

Two police women and four others, including an ASP and seven civilians were killed by the robbers who stormed the banks at about 4pm last Friday.

Also shot dead by the robbers were a bank manager and his deputy who reportedly refused to cooperate with them on arrival at the bank Report had it that the robbers trailed some cash that were deposited in the banks, in view of last Saturday’s elections.

The six robbers were shot dead by policemen who engaged them in a shoot out that lasted for two hours.

The two women police and the ASP were shot dead at the police station on arrival by the robbers who destroyed the station with gunshots.

Some vehicles, including that of the DPO of the station, was taken away but later recovered hours later after by the police.

23 assorted fire arms, including 9000rounds of ammunition, 11 dynamites, 100 magazines, ten smoke hand grenade, three steel helments, police berets and uniforms, nine exotic vehicles, were recovered from the robbers.

APC youth leader clubbed to death in Edo

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN CITY—A Youth leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, was weekend clubbed to death and his body set ablaze by thugs alleged to be loyal to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party at Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

The youth leader, Igie

Osayande, was said to have met his untimely death when thugs, allegedly led by one Osamede, invaded Ward 9, Units 9, 10 and 11 at Obagienevbosa, off Sapele Road, in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area.

According to the APC agent in Ward Unit 11, Mr Sunny Osagiede, trouble started when the said Osamede, who according to him, is not from the community, stormed the area with thugs

Katsina Police Commissioner dies

K

AT S I N A — T H E Nigeria Police has announced the death of Alhaji Muhammad Hurdi, the Katsina State commissioner of police.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Aminu Sadiq, announced the demise of Hurdi in a statement issued yesterday in Katsina.

Sadiq said Hurdi died on March 27, after a protracted illness.

He said that the late commissioner joined the C M Y K

service in 1988 as ASP cadet officer and rose through the ranks to the rank of a commissioner.

The PPRO said that Hurdi would be remembered as a patriotic and dedicated officer who gave his best in the service of his fatherland.

The Deputy Commissioner of police, Mr Bala Zama Senche, in the statement, prayed to God to grant the deceased eternal rest and gave the family fortitude to bear the lost.

INEC in Makurdi.

Prof. Dafwang said the commission also recorded the destruction of its materials at an unnamed location in Guma local government area of the state.

He said amongst the dead was a female ad-hoc staff who died on Saturday morning in an accident at Oju local government area, while on her way to her duty post.

“She was being taken by a motorcycle rider to her unit and he was probably over-speeding when the front of the bike apparently pulled off leading to the gahstly accident that claimed her life.

“The other two died Sunday morning in an accident on their way back to Makurdi from Vandeikya where they took part in the conduct of the elections,” he said.

Prof.

Dafwang, who acknowledged that the exercise went on peacefully across the state, however, called for prayers to ensure that the coming governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections went without hitches.

At the time of this report, collation of results were still ongoing at Makurdi INEC office.

demanding to be accredited long after accreditation had closed and voting had commenced.

Osagiede said: “Osamede’s efforts to get accreditation were rebuffed by the Presiding Officer who told him that voting had already commenced.

He was then prevailed upon by the policeman on duty at the unit to leave the area.”

He added that the crisis escalated when the said Osamede received a call later from the PDP and SDP agents in the ward that the PDP was losing.

“He returned to the ward after the calls with his boys and scattered the ballot boxes and tore the ballot papers into shreds.

“In an attempt to resist them, the APC youth leader, Igie Osagiede, was attacked by the thugs and clubbed to death. ‘’His body was also set ablaze. My Mercedes Benz 190 was damaged and the youth leader ’s Mercedes Benz ML 350 4Matic was set ablaze.”

He said the body of the deceased man had been deposited in a morgue.

When contacted, Edo State police command said the matter was being investigated.

By Bose Adelaja

L

AGOS—TWO people were roasted to death, while four others suffered burns of various degrees during a fire outbreak which occurred in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, yesterday.

The victims were the owner of the apartment and three others, as well as the casualties, including a 4-year-old boy and a year old girl, who were said to be guests in the apartment .

Eye witnesses’ account said the victims came for refuge in Lekki as a result of the elections, unknown to them that they had embarked on a journey of no return.

The inferno reportedly started

.The razed house

Inferno claims two, injures four at Lekki around 5am due to an explosion in the kitchen.

One of the victims who noticed the fire, was said to have raised the alarm which attracted sympathisers to the scene and the victims were evacuated before the arrival of fire fighters but the bodies were found hiding under the bed as their hosts did not remember to rescue them.

The bodies were later deposited in the morgue, while other victims of the fire were taken to the hospital for treatment.

8 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

ECOWAS declares Nigeria’s presidential poll acceptable A

BUJA—THE ECOWAS Observer Mission (EOM) has declared that Saturday ’s Presidential election is acceptable and meet the criteria of being free and transparent.

The declaration was made by the mission’s head and former President of Ghana, John Kuffour, in Abuja on Sunday.

Kuffour expressed satisfaction with the commitment made by the

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, security agencies and various entities on the electoral process.

He observed that the turnout of voters was generally high with a laudable participation of women and young people who displayed commendable level of patience and discipline.

“Security agents were present at most of the polling stations and on patrols in and around the cities as peaceful atmosphere prevailed in most parts of the country,” he said.

The mission also noted that INEC officials demonstrated good knowledge and compliance with voting procedures.

He also noted that agents of the major political parties, including All Progressives

INEC ON PRESIDENTIAL POLL: From left, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC Commissioner, Engr. Dr Nuru Yakubu; INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega and INEC National Commissioner, Col. Mohammed Hammanga (retd) addressing journalists on the Presidential Election in Abuja, yesterday. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.

Congress, Labour Party and the People Democratic Party, were in attendance in most polling units.

“The process of counting at the polling stations and the subsequent collations at designated centres were successful and in accordance with the Electoral Act. “Some of the challenges the mission observed during the exercise included the late arrival of INEC officials in many polling stations and malfunctioning of Card Readers across the country,” he said.

Kuffour further said the elections were still ongoing in some affected polling units were elections had been extended by one day.

He said the mission also observed that there was insufficient and/or nonavailability of electoral materials in some polling units which led to delay in accreditation and voting processes.

“Cases of attempt to snatch ballot papers were reported in some polling stations leading to instances of uproar, shootings and sporadic violence in the affected polling stations.

“Despite efforts by the relevant agencies to secure the electoral exercise, explosions were also recorded in some parts of the country,” He said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the EOM is part of the ECOWAS sustained efforts to support the consolidation of democracy and good governance in Nigeria.

The mission is also in line with ECOWAS guidelines on election-monitoring.

Women give birth to babies in bush fleeing from insurgents

B

A U C H I — T W O pregnant women gave birth to babies in the bush yesterday morning while fleeing from suspected Boko Haram insurgents that attacked Gunti Gumi village of Alkaleri Local Government area in Bauchi state.

An eye witness, Malam Bala Kurba, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the insurgents stormed the village, forcing the residents to take to their heels.

“The pregnant women were among those who fled the village.

I was also in the bush when I saw a group of women battling to assist the two pregnant women deliver their babies.

“The women gave birth successfully and were taken to a nearby community, where they were kept,” said Kurba, who is the Manager of the Bauchi State government-owned Community FM Radio station in Alkaleri.

Bauchi Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Haruna Mohammed, confirmed the

attack in a statement issued yesterday.

He said some unknown gunmen in a convoy of 10 vehicles attacked some towns in Alkaleri and Kirfi Local Government Areas.

“Today 29/3/2015 at about 12.25 am, unspecified numbers of unknown gunmen in a convoy of over ten

vehicles, stormed many polling units in Kirfi and Alkaleri Local Government areas, destroying many election materials.

“The hoodlums further attacked Kirfi and Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters, but were repelled and pursued towards Dindima Town along Bauchi

Gombe Road.

“Meanwhile, operations are still on-going. The entire areas have been cordoned-off by combined security forces and effort is being intensified to restore normalcy in the area.

“Members of the public are urged to remain calm and disregard rumour from mischief makers,” he said.

Police arrest INEC officer in Taraba for collecting bribe from politician

By John Mkom

J

ALINGO—THE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC resident commissioner in Taraba State, Alhaji Ahmed Makama has confirmed that his Electoral Officer in Ibbi local government area of Taraba state was in the police net at the police headquarters in Jalingo for allegedly collecting bribe from a politician from the area to manipulate election results.

The Electoral Officer who was attached to Ibbi to conduct the Saturday presidential and National Assembly elections was manhandled by angry youths in Ibbi for allegedly collecting 20 million naira bribe from a staunch politician in Ibbi to change the result of the state house of representative within the area.

The elections in Nwonyo II ward of Ibbi local government area was suspended by INEC as a result of the crisis that broke out between youths of the area and the Electoral Officer in the local government on Saturday.

He however explained that affected Electoral Officer has been replaced by a Head of Department of the commission to conduct the elections.

“Yes the Electoral Officer in Ibbi was allegedly arrested over collection of money from a politician and he is under police custody.

I informed the national chairman and he asked me not to secure his bail and I am not going to do that until the police concludes the investigation,” he said.

CARD READER FAILURE: Plot to rig elections — PFN

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

A

B U J A — T H E Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, has decried the malfunctioning of the Smart Card Readers, SCR, in some states at the Presidential and National Assembly elections on Saturday and attributed it as a plot by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to favour their preferred candidates and party.

Specifically, Chairman of PFN, Cross River State, Pastor Lawrence Ekwok accused the INEC, of having a deliberate plan to disenfranchise voters in the presidential and National Assembly elections especially in the state.

Pastor Ekwok told Vanguard that the Card Reader did not work in many places in Calabar Metropolis and Calabar South even when the electorate came out in large numbers before 8am

to be accredited.

He said, “As I am talking to you now, many of the electorate who came out early are disappointed with the process. The Card Readers did not work in many places. In my unit, Bassey Aqua, very close to Immigtation office at Atimbo, Calabar Metropolis, not one person was accredited at about 11.30 am. At Grand Hotel, Atimbo, it is only one or two Card Readers that are working.

“At the polling unit at

immigration, Atimbo, accreditation started about 11.30am. It is a deliberate ploy to rig the election in Favour of a political party.

People came out about 8am, I left my wife in the house, up till 12pm, no accreditation.

“As people came out to participate in the election and waited for a long time without being accredited, they went back without voting.

Officials of INEC told me that the Card Readers are not working because there is no network.''

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015 — 9

By Ben Agande

A

BUJA—THE former Chaplain of the Presidential Villa during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime and the Founding General Overseer of the All Christians Fellowship Mission, Abuja, Rev. (Dr.) William Okoye, yesterday pointedly told president Goodluck Jonathan that he made mistakes in office and urged him to correct those mistakes if he wins the presidential election.

In a sermon to Mark Palm Sunday, Rev. Okoye said though the president has achieved so much in office, many Nigerians do not seem to appreciate these achievements.

He said the disposition by the president that he was not desperate to remain in office was a welcome relief as he does not see politics as a do or die affair.

“If God gives us another opportunity there are three things we must do: One, we must acknowledge God as our source of victory and helper.

Two, review all you have done in the past, learn from past mistakes because you have done well but you must admit you have made mistakes.

Thirdly, repackage the mistakes you have made so that you can launch out in full force. Every leader in public office is in a position of trust we must account for the position we have been given and do things right” he said.

Unlike the boisterous attendance that characterised the Villa chapel services in the past, yesterday’s was sparsely attended with only a few of the President’s family members and aides, Chairperson Civil service Commission, Executive Secretary National Christian Pilgrims Commission and a couple from the diplomatic community.

Reverend Okoye noted that those who said President Jonathan has not performed in his four years in office were either being mischievous or economical with the truth as his achievements were glaring for all to see.

According to him, if performance was a yardstick for election, the president’s performance would have guaranteed a sure victory, adding that Nigerians have done their bit by voting while the rest now lies in God’s hands.

The clergy whose message was titled “Victory Rest with The Lord”, and using the text from Proverbs 21:31, said there is nothing the Jonathan administration has not done to move the nation forward.

He said its only God that puts people in authority and called on the congregation to respect them.

He admonished the president that people in their usual sycophantic nature will go to various places claiming they prayed and will want to take the

You made mistakes, ex-Aso Rock chaplain tells Jonathan glory as facilitators of victory when the result goes the way of the principle, urging President Jonathan not to make that mistake but attribute the victory (if he eventually wins) to God and not to man.

“It is God that puts people in authority and we have done all we have to do, we have to look to him (God) and I believe we are going to sing a new song,” he said.

He added: “Thank God we have a President who wants to serve and not engage in do or die politics. Some of us were here during the third term agenda and I kicked against it from this alter.

“As a villa chaplain under Obasanjo, the third term agenda was not originally his idea , hence he rejected it when it was suggested. But those behind it went and repackaged and presented it to him and he bought it. When he told me I kicked against it but before you knew it he was sidelining me and so I was forced to use the pulpit to tell him God was not with him on this matter because the idea was not God’s and that was why the idea failed.

“Thank God we have a

WORKSHOP: From left; Head, Operations, Central Securities Clearing System Plc, Mr. Joseph Mekiliuwa; Head, Product Management, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Dipo Omotoso and Head, Global Markets, Stanbic IBTC, Mr. Sam Ocheho; at a workshop on retail bonds organized by Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Ltd in Lagos. president that says I want to serve but I’m not desperate.

So it is not a question of do or die thing.

‘Election not do-or-die'

“This election is not a do or die. If we loss we will go and use the experience to serve humanity. So there is nothing to worry about. I know with what

this government has done if given opportunity in another four years Nigeria will be better. That is why we are not to be proud because God resist the proud”.

In his short remarks, the Aso Villa Chaplain, Venerable Obioma Onwuzurumba, expressd happiness that the elections held despite wicked insinuations that the

president didn’t want it to hold because he wanted to stay longer in power.

“It was said the President will not allow elections to hold because he wanted to hold unto power but it held. A friend of mind sent me a text that God has chosen who will govern before the foundation of the world and we just voted to authenticate that person” he said.

Civil Society Situation Room tasks INEC on gov poll guidelines ...Decries logistical, operational lapses

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

A

BUJA—THE Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, yesterday, commended the dedication and orderliness of Nigerians during the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

However, it tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to make clear what guidelines will govern the accreditation process during the April 11 polls.

In a preliminary statement it issued on the conduct of the 2015 presidential and National Assembly elections yesterday, the Situation Room which is a coalition of over 60 Nigerian Civil Society Groups involved in election monitoring, described as unacceptable, the inability of INEC to deploy its officials and election materials on time to allow for a timely commencement of polls.

“Reports received by the Situation Room indicate that officials and materials did not reach significant number of polling stations by the time of poll opening. This delayed accreditation and voting led to continuation of polls till late into the night in many places.

“INEC’s delays in commencement and closing of polls subjected the voters, some of whom arrived very early at the polling stations, to untoward experiences. The Situation Room insists that the experience of late commencement of polling will not recur and that INEC will not stretch the patience of the Nigerian voter beyond tolerable level in future elections”, it stated.

Nevertheless, the Situation Room insisted that diligence and sacrifice of Nigerians during the elections was a reflection and testimony of their deep commitment to democratic governance.

“We commend the courage of voters in Gombe state who persisted in participating in the election despite the terrorist attack.

“The Situation Room notes that the voters endured severe difficulties during the elections as a result of several operational and logistical lapses by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“In this regard, the Situation Room wishes to draw urgent attention to three critical areas

of challenges: (1) late commencement of elections; (2) challenges with accreditation process; (3) performance of the security agencies; (4) use of social media.

“The Situation Room fully supports the transition from manual to biometric accreditation of voters introduced by INEC. However, we are concerned by reports of challenges with the accreditation process resulting in the suspension of the use of card readers and reversal to manual accreditation. This failure has undermined the full benefit anticipated by the use of biometric technology and imposed unnecessary hardship on Nigerians.

“We call on INEC to make clear what guidelines will govern the accreditation process during the April 11, 2015 elections. We urge the Commission to make a clear and definitive statement on these elections taken into account needs to correct its own deficiencies and inform the Nigerian public as to what to expect.

“We also call on INEC to intensify its outreach to the public providing full

information on situations as they develop and guidelines for the conduct of the remaining aspects of the elections.

“The Situation Room is deeply concerned about the reports of interference in the electoral process in some states, especially Rivers and Imo States. Also, reports of failure by security agencies to prevent havoc by non-state groups in some polling units were received.

“These developments raise concern that the collation of results may be compromised if appropriate actions are not taken to safeguard the credibility of the exercise. We appeal to political parties and politicians to exercise restraint and desist from the use of violence in the electoral process. We urge the security agencies and officials to conduct themselves according to established standards of professional conduct.

“The Situation Room notes with deep concern the growing use of hate and dangerous speech in the social media. At a time when INEC is carrying out the delicate task of collation of results, unrestrained comments and spread of hate in the social media can only trigger needless tension and anxiety across the country.''

10—Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

Buhari floors Jonathan in Obanikoro, Bode George, Agbaje’s wards L

AGOS—EARLY results in Lagos State indicate that the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, is winning Lagos by a wide margin.

Results collated in different polling units revealed that Buhari defeated Jonathan in the ward of Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and the PDP governorship candidate, Jimi Agbaje. In Obanikoro’s ward, polling unit 013, Gerald, Ikoyi, Buhari scored 62 to defeat Jonathan, who polled 38.

In Agbaje’s ward in Apapa, Buhari polled 127 votes to beat Jonathan, who scored 60 votes.

At polling unit CPU 032 in Ifako Ijaiye, Buhari won by scoring 83 as against Jonathan’s 77 votes.

In Agege Local Government Area, Ward 11, unit 006, Buhari led Jonathan by 23 to 10 while in polling unit 007 in the same ward, Buhari won by 130 to Jonathan’s 69 votes.

In polling unit 009, Ward II, Agege, Buhari won by scoring 117 votes, while Jonathan polled 71. At polling unit 010, ward II, Buhari defeated

Jonathan by scoring 139 votes as against Jonathan’s 81.

In Ward II, unit 011, Buhari won by 95 against Jonahan's 35 votes. Likewise, in polling unit 012, ward II, Agege, Buhari won by 66 votes as against 54 polled by Jonathan.

In the ward of the PDP Lagos Governorship candidate, Jimi Agbaje, Buhari won by a landslide, polling 127 votes as against 60 scored by Jonathan.

In polling unit 047, Bola

Tinubu’s ward in Alausa, Buhari polled 180 votes while Jonathan scored 55. In polling unit 008, Ward C, Buhari scored 95 as against 55 polled by the president.

In polling unit 003, Ikeja, Buhari polled 67 and Jonathan 58 while in polling unit 009, ward F, in Ikeja, Buhari also led Jonathan by 49 to 39 votes.

Likewise, in polling unit 38, Ward B, Buhari defeated Jonathan by 75 to 53 votes

From left: Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosu;National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; wife of Ogun State governor, Mrs Funsho Amosu and Senator Gbenga Ashafa, during the 63rd birthday prayer for the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, at his residence, in Ikoyi, Lagos.

while in polling unit 037, Alausa, Buhari led Jonathan by 82 to 28 votes.

In polling unit 012, Ward C, Jonathan led Buhari by 69 to 65 votes and also in polling unit 5, in Ikeja, Jonathan defeated Buhari by 86 to 67 votes.

In Ward G3, where Governor Babatunde Fashola voted, Buhari won by a landslide, scoring 317 votes as against 135 votes polled by

Jonathan.

The result in Unit 005, in Egbe-Idimu Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Alimosho, showed that Buhari defeated Jonathan by polling 220 votes as against 137 polled

by Jonathan.

Other results: Surulere: Ward G1, Unit 38: A Presidential – APC – 111, PDP – 76; Senatorial: APC – 105, PDP – 77, LP – 2; House of Reps: APC – 112, PDP – 66.

BIRTHDAY: From left: For mer Commissioner for Information,Mr Dele Alake; Prince Eludoyin; wife of Lagos State governor, Abimbola Fashola; National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and Mr Demola Seriki, at the occasion.

Rescheduled election in Oshodi–Isolo fails to hold zAs APC candidates sweep Lagos Island

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

T

HE rescheduled election in some parts of Oshodi area of Lagos State failed to hold yesterday, while it was held in other designated areas such as Eti-Osa, Lagos Island and Egbe in old Alimosho council area.

Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, it was gathered, were unable to conduct the rescheduled election in some parts of Oshodi area because of unresolved differences between representatives of two leading parties, APC and PDP, over the number of units where the election should be held.

As at 4.00pm on Sunday, INEC officials were not at the points to conduct the rescheduled election in 28 polling units in Oshodi with residents waiting endlessly for them to come.

At polling units 054 and 055 on Salami Street, residents complained bitterly that INEC officials refused to show up to hold the election. The policemen deployed in the units expressed fatigue as a result of the long wait.

At Uinit 056, Akiodu Street,

C M Y K

INEC officials did not show up as at 3.30pm with frustration written on the faces of residents who were eager to cast their votes. Similarly, at polling Unit 060 on Abdulrasak Street, officials did not show up as at 4.00pm.

Some members of the Community Development Association, CDA, who spoke on anonymity, said there were 28 polling units in which INEC failed to conduct election on Saturday, saying that even on Sunday, (yesterday) there was no presence of the officials in any of the units.

According to an electorate, Kehinde Akande at polling unit 055, said: “We have been here since morning and INEC officials have not come. On Saturday, we were here from morning till evening and they did not come. People even left the church today (yesterday) to vote but they couldn’t vote as INEC officials failed to show up.”

Another voter lamented that he and others had been waiting for INEC officials since morning to no avail as no information had gotten to them on why they failed to show up.

According to Mr. Wole Adigun, “We are not happy. I have been here since 8.00am and INEC officials have not turned up. They must come and hold this election.

Meanwhile, the INEC Electoral officer in Oshodi/ Isolo, Mr Adeola Adekunle, who admitted some challenges in the area, explained that a decision would be reached amongst the political parties on how the exercise would be conducted later.

However, re-scheduled elections were held in some parts of Kosofe, Somolu, EtiOsa and Egbe councils where elections did not hold on Saturday, as INEC officials were on ground for the conduct.

Lagos Senatorial result

In a result announced yesterday by INEC officials at the Sura collation centre, Alhaji Yakub Balogun, All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate for Lagos Island Constituency II, polled 16,437 votes to defeat his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, opponent, Rahman Saleweh who polled 7,305 votes.

Dr. Dolapo Badru also of APC, Lagos Island Constituency I, polled 15,389 votes to defeat his PDP opponent Mrs. Adeoti Lukman who polled 5,732 votes.

However, at press time, Senator Oluremi Tinubu of

the APC was having a comfortable lead in the contest for Lagos Central District ahead of her opponent, Ade Dosumu of the PDP. The rescheduled election result at Eti-Osa for the senatorial is being awaited at press time.

Aregbesola eulogises Tinubu at 63

T

HE governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday described the former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, as a formidable political warrior whose exploits have advanced the cause of democracy in the country.

Aregbesola, in a special birthday greeting in honour of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, said Nigeria’s democracy in the future would depend largely on the sacrifices already made by the likes of Tinubu.

In a statement on behalf of the governor by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola extolled the virtues of Tinubu, whom he said had been a

visionary, and committed to the institution of good governance and enduring democratic ideals in Nigeria.

He said: “At 63, he represents the most formidable bundle of energy in the fight for the installation of a true democratic society in our country. From a humble professional beginning, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has emerged as the most creative public financial manager of all times that I have met.

“He has equally emerged a giant political figure whose contributions have enriched our political, history.

“The history of Nigeria’s modern democracy would be incomplete without the struggles and sacrifices made

by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015—11

PDP blasts APC over alleged false alert on security agencies

By Henry Umoru

A

B U J A — N AT I O N A L leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP yesterday took a swipe at the opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, APC over its claim that the Federal Government was trying to use security agencies to alter the results of the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

In a statement by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the PDP described the alarm by APC as yet another level of desperation.

Metuh said, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has noted yet another false alert by the APC claiming that the Federal Government was trying to use security agencies to alter the results of the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

The APC, in its desperation and quest to cause confusion has forgotten that ballots are publicly counted at the polling booths and results declared in the presence of the voters, party agents and observers.

“They have forgotten that from the polling units, the ballots are taken to the ward for collation; from the wards they get to the local government and subsequently to the senatorial zones for further collation before they

get to the states, all in the presence of party agents and election observers before they get to the national level for final collation.

“It is an obvious fact that agents of political parties and election observers at every level of the collation have the

results as they move from the polling booths. We therefore ask, at what level will the security chiefs get involved as the APC claims?

“Our question is, is it that the APC believes it is losing the elections and as such resorted to crying wolf and seeking to

use every means to discredit the process, create tension in the polity and truncate our democracy?

“For us, as a law-abiding party, we are waiting for INEC to conclude its collation process and announce the results of the elections.”

PRESENTATION: L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Temitope Enterprises and First National Winner in the 2014 Lafarge Partners’ Award, Alhaji Buraimoh Osunlola; Chairman, Lafarge Africa Plc, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye and Managing Director, WAPCO Operations, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mrs Adepeju Adebayo, during the presentation of star prize, a brand new Sport Utility Vehicle to AlhajiOsunlola in Lagos, yesterday.

Impose curfew in volatile areas before releasing election results —CAN

T

HE Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has advised that adequate security measures be put in place in volatile areas across the country before the announcement of election results.

Rev. Shuaibu Byel, the CAN Chairman, North East Zone, made the suggestion in an interview, in Bauchi State yesterday.

Byel said the measure would help in averting post-election violence, especially with regard to the outcome of the presidential election.

He said: “Past experience clearly showed that postelection violence erupted immediately the result was announced, particularly the presidential election result.

That was what happened in 2011. We should learn from past experience.”

Byel commended the

Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for conducting a peaceful and successful election, with just minor hitches caused by the malfunction of the Smart Card Readers in some areas.

He equally commended the electorate for coming out enmasse to exercise their civic right.

According to him, this is a clear indication that Nigeria’s democracy has come to stay and is gradually growing to maturity.

“The process was generally peaceful, people turned out en-masse, like never before in the history of elections in this country, usually characterised with apathy,” he added.

The CAN chairman urged politicians, as well as the electorate, to embrace the outcome of election in good faith and accept it as the will of God.

“Contestants and the supporters should embrace the spirit of sportsmanship.

Anyone who loses should accept the outcome and try again another time. The

person that won should return God’s favour by being a good leader and a true representative of the people,” he advised.

Lanihun, Ibadan businessman, dies at 69

I

B A DA N— A L H A J I Mufutau Ajadi Lanihun, an Ibadanbased businessman and philanthropist, is dead.

Popularly known as Olowo ti nfowo sanu, due to his generosity, Lanihun died at the age of 69.

A senior member of the Lanihun family confirmed his death on Sunday evening in Ibadan.

Also confirming the death, Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni, the Chairman of the Muslim Community of Oyo State, said that the late Lanihun would be greatly missed, particularly because of his kindness, generosity and philanthropic assistance to mankind and Muslims in particular.

Sanni recalled Lanihun’s contributions to the education sector, saying that he built schools and gave scholarships to many indigent students.

Lanihun, who had not been seen in the public lately due to his protracted illness, died at his Ibadan residence on Sunday.

His remains were interred at his Oke-Ado residence in Ibadan, with the Chief Imam of Ibadan, Sheikh Suara Haruna, leading the Janazah prayers for the repose of his soul.

Prominent Islamic scholars, among other personalities, witnessed the Janazah prayers.

One of them, Alhaji Abdul Salam, said that Lanihun would always be remembered for his contributions to the development of Ibadan, especially in the areas of education and commerce.

Until his death, Lanihun, who was the Giwa Adinni of Yoruba land, had several other religious and traditional titles.

Group blames low voter turnout on alleged into inter-ethnic crises threat from neighbours between 2003 and 2004.

By Daniel Gumm

W

ARRI—THE low turnout of Itsekiri voters in the Warri North Local Government Area, Delta State, has been blamed on the reported rumour of threat of war in the council.

Speaking to Vanguard on telephone, an Itsekiri youth and leader of a communitybased organisation, the Benin

River Forum, Mr Esimi Nanna, said that in the past few weeks prior to the elections, many residents of Itsekiri communities in the Benin River axis have deserted their communities as a result of the rumours that Itsekiri communities were going to be attacked by their neighbours in a manner reminiscent of the 2003 experience which culminated

According to Mr. Nanna, “Such rumour was deliberately fabricated and spread to frighten Itsekiri in the different communities, and this has succeeded in drastically reduced Itsekiri voters, who out of fear deserted their communities for areas considered safer.

“Such persons were unfortunately disenfranchised through no fault of theirs."

C M Y K

12—Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

POLLS: Police assault, stop Vanguard journalist from monitoring result collation

By Festus Ahon, Egufe Yafugborhi, Akpokona Omafuaire, Godwin Oghre & Ochuko Akuopha

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SABA—POLICE officers attached to Ughelli Police ‘A’ Division, Delta State, yesterday, assaulted and stopped journalists present at the Ughelli office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from monitoring the collation of result of Saturday ’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.

Lamenting his ordeal after spending close to one hour behind the counter, Vanguard’s Perez Brisibe, said that when he got to the INEC collation centre at 6:15a.m., an officer attached to the Counter Terrorism Unit, CTU barked at him, asking who he was, adding that after showing the officer his INEC media accreditation card, the officer said: “Is that why you are walking freely into the premises? In short leave this place now.”

According to Perez, while trying to explain to the officer the need to allow him access the collation centre, two other officers accosted him from behind saying, “Who gave you the guts to talk back to an officer? Obey the order and get out of this premises.”

This he said was followed by slaps and punches from other officers including a female CTU officer, who freely used a horse wipe on him.

He said: “In obeying their order, I was walking out and trying to inform my colleagues of what had transpired when two of them pounced on me again saying, 'You are making calls abi? In short, we are locking you up'.

“At that point, they dragged me across the main road like a common criminal to the police station, dumped me in a tear gassed passage way leading to the cell and forced me to sit on the bare floor after confiscating my phone and tearing my shirt to shreds.

“While on the floor, I noticed a senior police officer at the counter. That was when I raised my voice, calling his attention and telling him that was a journalist. After showing him my INEC accreditation tag and telling him that his men had assaulted and bundled me behind the counter for no clear reason, he ordered that I be released immediately.”

Recounting his ordeal, the publisher of Advocate Newspaper, Mr. Shedrack

C M Y K

Onitsha, who had gone to the station to inquire on the position of things with the detained journalist, was also assaulted by police officers on the order of the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Mr. Hassan Galadima.

According to Mr. Onitsha, "When I got to the station, after identifying myself, I told the officer at the counter that my colleague was detained. The officer said: 'Do you want to join him behind the counter or what?'

"It was at that point that an officer at the counter I later identified as the DPO barked at me saying, 'Who is this madman; my friend buddle him out of this place.' At that point, one of the officers implementing the order, bundled me and threw me

outside the station after giving me multiple slaps.”

Calling on the police leadership to call their men to order, the journalists called for the immediate transfer of the DPO, Mr. Galadima from the area. …Delta LG boss attacks journalists In another development, thugs loyal to the Ethiope East Local Government Area Chairman, Chief Faith Majemite, weekend, assaulted journalists present at the INEC office, Isiokolo.

Trouble started when a chieftain of the Labour Party, LP, Dr Festus Arunaye, accosted Chief Majemite in company of her armed police escort and thugs inside the

INEC office for allegedly presiding over distribution of voting materials.

Thugs loyal to the council boss threatened to break the camera of the AIT correspondent and the Vanguard reporter who attempted to capture the scuffle on camera, saying: “After this election, I will find you to your house and you will have yourself to blame.”

On her part, Chief Majemite questioned the presence of Dr Arunaye in the INEC office while Arunaye alleged that Chief Majemite harassed him when he raised alarm over her presence inside the INEC office despite warning by the electoral umpire against the presence of politicians with their armed escorts at the various INEC centres.

PROTEST: Rivers State APC governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside, (M); his runing Mate Asita O. Asita (L); Sen. Magnus Abe (behind Dakuku) and Hon Victor Giadom (R) during a sit-down protest at the entrance to INEC headquaters in Rivers State, over the Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

INEC office in Rivers set ablaze

By Jimitota Onoyume & Davies Iheamnachor

candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr Dakuku HE office of the Peterside, were among Independent National chieftains of the party that led Electoral Commissions, INEC, about 2,000 members of the in Emohua Local Government party to occupy the Rivers State Area, Rivers State, has been set office of the Independent ablaze by suspected political National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Aba Road, Port thugs.

Vanguard gathered that at Harcourt for several hours, demanding dawn, the building, located in yesterday, cancellation of Saturday ’s Emohua, administrative headquarters of the council election.

They threatened to occupy the which houses the electoral body, office till Prof. Attahiru Jega, had been razed by persons Chairman of the commission, alleged to be aggrieved. gives them another date for the The development may not be election. unconnected with the alleged Peterside told Vanguard at the irregularities recorded in venue of the protest that Saturday’s election in the state. members of his party were not No result of the elections in allowed to vote, adding that the state has been announced they were demanding for an so far. opportunity to exercise their Meanwhile, Senator Magnus Abe, and the state governorship franchise.

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He said about 10 members of his party were allegedly killed at different locations in the state with 55 others allegedly arrested by the Police as part of alleged effort to whittle down the party’s force in the state.

“We are here to register our protest that there were no elections in the state on Saturday. Over 10 of our members were killed, 55 of them arrested by the Police. We want to see the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner because she played a key role in subverting the will of democracy in the state,” he said.

When reminded that the presidential candidate of his party, General Muhamadu Buhari (rtd) said he would not support cancellation of the election when he voted,

Udom lauds peaceful conduct of presidential poll

By Tom Moses

U

YO—PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has expressed satisfaction with the electorate in the state over their peaceful conduct during the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

He also commended the prompt walk-around by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in recommending the use of manual accreditation and voting due to the problems associated with the use of smart card reader across the nation.

Speaking with journalists at his polling unit in Awa Iman, Onna Local Government Area, Emmanuel praised the people for their peaceful conduct during the elections.

“You can look around here, the feeling you get is like a typical Sunday morning where people peacefully make their way to their various churches. We have always said that elections will be peaceful and orderly and what we are seeing here is a manifestation of that belief,” he said.

Peterside said the statement was relative.

“The General Buhari only spoke against cancellation of the elections in specific cases. He did not say there should be no cancellation where there was no election,” he added.

Senator Abe who represents Rivers South-East senatorial district, said the Caretaker Committee Chairman of his Gokhana Local Government Area, Mr Kadilo Kabari, was allegedly beaten to a pulp at the Police station in the council, where they went to report alleged hijack of election materials.

Senator Abe who linked INEC in the state with the alleged rigging said the National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, would have conducted a better election in the state if he was the state Resident Electoral commissioner.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015—13

Large turnout as postponed elections hold in Delta LG zAs Uduaghan expresses satisfaction with electoral process

By Festus Ahon, Egufe Yafugborhi, Akpokona Omafuaire, Godwin Oghre, Perez Brisibe & Ochuko Akuopha

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SABA—AS Nigerians await the results of Saturday's Presidential and National Assembly elections, the polls were, yesterday held in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, even though voting materials arrived late in the area.

Also on Saturday, materials arrived late to most of the wards and polling units in Udu, while enthusiastic voters were all out waiting to get accredited and to cast their votes.

There was, however, an incident at Aladja where over 13,000 registered voters were on the verge of being disenfranchised following tension generated by underdelivery of materials meant for the House of Representatives election in the community.

Onyo Leo, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, official sent to the Aladja Ward 10, explained: “I was not the one sent there on Saturday. When I took over Sunday, I was given the initial materials and only got there to discover that there was a shortfall of about 3,000 ballot papers for the House of Reps election.”

Meanwhile, the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has expressed satisfaction with the turnout of voters for the presidential elections held Saturday.

Addressing newsmen shortly after voting at Unit 1, Ward 6, Abigborodo, in Warri North Local Government Area of the state, Uduaghan observed that though accreditation commenced late, the turnout of voters for the elections was impressive.

At Otovwodo Primary School, Ughelli, where the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr Steve Oru, voted, accreditation started at 10a.m.

Speaking to newsmen moments after he was accredited, Oru, said: “The card reader is not functioning well, it took a long time to capture me and the same process is going on in other places.”

In Okpare-Olomu, where voting materials arrived at 4p.m., Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, said: “I am very angry and sad. Voting is supposed to stop in the next couple of hours. I’m here I have not been accredited to vote. The community is full, people have been waiting

since 6a.m., to vote. We don’t know what is happening now.”

At Ovwor-Olomu, Olorogun John Oguma, said: “This is after 3p.m., and nothing is going on now. The deputy governor is from here. I was listening to the news just now, and the President said the governor of Delta State called the governor of Anambra State also, and they were complaining. Anambra is not

a PDP state. Why must Gen Muhammadu Buhari spend less than five minutes for accreditation and the President of Nigeria could not be accredited within 10 minutes. Four card readers failed.”

Similarly, the South-South Zonal Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Cairo Ojougboh, who voted at polling unit 2 in Ward 6, Alihami, Agbor, Ika South

Local Government Area of the state, expressed satisfaction with the peaceful conduct of the people.

On the card reader, Ojougboh urged Nigerians to bear with INEC and expressed concern that it was being used for experimentation in a crucial and decisive election like the presidential election.

He, however, charged the people to remain calm and peaceful.

SWEARING-IN: From left: Ms Nengi Rufus Spiff (Women Affairs); Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State; Mr. Tubonah Talbot Nengi (Special Duties-East) and Mr. Freedom Josiah Osain, (Tourism Development), after the swearing-in of newly appointed commissioners in the state.

Oshiomhole threatens to drag Army before ICC

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has petitioned the Commander of the 4 Brigade Headquarters of the Nigerian Army in Benin City, Brig-Gen. Olajide Laleye, complaining of what he described as illegal deployment of soldiers in Owan federal constituency and other parts of Edo North senatorial district by one LtColonel Abiodun Uwadia (rtd), Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, during Saturday's National Assembly and Presidential elections in Edo State.

The governor threatened to drag the authorities of the Nigerian Army before the International Criminal Court at the Hague following alleged terror unleashed on All Progressives Congress, APC, members and journalists covering the elections in Edo North and Central senatorial

districts by soldiers.

Oshiomhole in the petition, said: “Reports reaching me indicated that Lt Col. Uwadia (rtd) had illegally and unconstitutionally deployed not less than three trucks of soldiers to Owan federal constituency who were used

to harass and intimidate members of the APC in the federal constituency. As I write, the said retired Lt Col, is also issuing threats and directing the soldiers to shoot at sight any APC member that resists his directives during and after the elections."

Rivers elections credible —PDP

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IVERS State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said that the conduct of the presidential and National Assembly elections in the state on Saturday was credible and reflects the overwhelming wish of the people of Rivers State to support President Goodluck Jonathan and candidates of the party.

State Chairman of the PDP, Mr Felix Obuah, in a statement in Port Harcourt, yesterday, said: “Rivers State is a traditional PDP state and if the elections are conducted a million times, the PDP will win here. Was the All Progressives Congress, APC, expecting Rivers people to vote for another presidential candidate other than President Jonathan? That must be a wishful thinking.”

He condemned the alleged resort to violence and falsehood by members of the APC and denied allegations of violence levelled against members of the PDP. On the call by the APC for the cancellation of the polls in Rivers State, the PDP said there was nothing in the conduct of the elections that will warrant such call, describing the call as the behaviour of bad losers.

The party said allegations of violence against its members were diversionary and orchestrated by the APC to disrupt the elections, when it became clear to members of the APC in Rivers State that PDP would win.

Edo PDP condemns suspension of election in He accused Edo State Deputy Orhionmwon LG Governor, Odubu, of allegedly

By Gabriel Enogholase

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ENIN—THE decision by the Edo State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to suspend the presidential and National Assembly elections in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state has been condemned by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, leaders in the area who accused the commission of collaborating with the Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius

Odubu, to postpone the polls.

The PDP council chairman, Mr. Nosakhare Okunbor, said that elections had been held in seven of the 12 Wards in the council before the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Mike Igini unilaterally suspended voting in the remaining five wards.

He is, therefore, demanding that elections in the remaining five wards be conducted not later than Monday or Tuesday as was done in other areas where elections were inconclusive.

introducing violence and attempting to hijack electoral materials meant for the council.

Okunbor, said: “We are surprised at the attitude of the Deputy Governor who has introduced violence, hijacked electoral materials, and terrorized the people of Urhonigbe and Orhomenken.”

However, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Mr. Kelly Odaro described the allegations as baseless, frivolous and without any iota of truth.

14—Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

Ex-NDDC boss,Timi Alaibe, Jonathan’s aide call for calm over card reader hitches

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By Samuel Oyadongha

ENAGOA—FORMER Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Timi Alaibe, and the Special Assistant to the President on Domestic Matters, Dr. Waripamowei Dudafa, have called for calm among eligible voters in Bayelsa State, not captured by the card reader due to noticeable hitches, saying the hitches cannot change the decision of Nigerians at the poll.

Alaibe who voted at Igbainnwari ward in Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa without any card reader hitch, said the eligible voters should be peaceful and take advantage of the alternative measure put in place by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and support the democratic process.

Dudafa described the hitches witnessed with the use of card reader as disappointing but insisted the people should be calm and not allow such technical matters to provoke violence.

Alaibe, who described the process as “seamless,” said “I will advise people to be peaceful and as we have come this far,

we have to support the process to succeed.”

Speaker of the Bayelsa State of Assembly, Kombowei Benson, described as “disappointing” the failure of the card reader to capture his data at unit 2, in Southern Ijaw Ward 3, Korokorosei, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

Benson, who arrived unit 2, in Southern Ijaw Ward 3, at 2.40p.m., for accreditation alongside his wife, Mrs Ayibapreye Benson, were made to fill incident forms, as the card readers failed to capture their biometrics.

The Speaker blamed INEC for poor preparation despite the shift in the earlier February 14 and 28, dates to March 28, adding that the massive failure of the card readers across polling units in his constituency was an embarrassment to the electorate.

He, however, commended the peaceful manner voters in his constituency conducted themselves during voting, pointing out that the huge turnout of voters in his unit at Korokorosei and across the entire Southern Ijaw constituency 4, was informed by earlier sensitisation exercise carried out by the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, at the grassroots.

R-L: Past District Governor,Richard Giwa-Osagie;Chief Mrs Eniola Fadayomi, guest speaker; Dr Aloysius Dele Balogun,District Governor 2014-2015 Rotary District 9110 and his wife Mrs Yemisi Balogun at the Rotary International District 9110, Nigeria 2015 Annual Dinner and Dance held in Lagos at Grandeur Events Centre Oregun Lagos. Photo: AKEEM SALAU L-R: Tawanda Gumbo, Transitional Leader, Akintola Williams Deloitte; Tope Aladenusi, Talent Partner; Anthony Olukoju, Risk Advisory Leader and Mike Vincent, West Africa Advisory Leader, while receiving the “Best Company to Work For in Nigeria” award by the Great Place To Work Institute in Lagos

INEC cancels election results of 2 polling units in Kano

K

ANO—THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano, yesterday, announced the cancellation of election results of two polling units in two local government areas of the state. INEC Assistant Director Public Affairs, Alhaji Lawal Garba, said

this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano said the results were cancelled following their tampering by suspected thugs in the areas. He said, “The results were cancelled in a polling unit in Kibiya Local Government Area and Jodade Polling Unit in Kunci Local Government

Area., stressing that some people suspected to be thugs forced the electoral officers to change the election results.

Garba also said that the commission had conducted election in 13 polling units in two local government areas of the state following the hitches recorded during the Saturday’s elections.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015—15

BOMB BLAST IN ENUGU: We're yet to

arrest perpetrators – PPRO …. SGF Anyim expresses shock

By Austin Ogwuda

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“So, its a failed attempt for whatever purpose it was planted. I was told that some were detonated. I was told nobody was injured. ‘’So, if there is any incident and is under control, we don’t need to make mountains out

of it. Whatever be the mission for which they planted the bombs, it has failed,” Anyim said.

Newly deployed Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Dan Bature, who raced to the scene shortly after the incident, addressed hordes of journalists who were also on

hand to get first hand information at the spot.

He told reporters at the scene: “We are trying to get whatever information we can get, whatever is their motive we don’t know. “Whoever is responsible we don’t know but what I am assuring you is that nobody was hurt.

NUGU — NO arrest has so far been made in connection with the suspected bomb blast that occurred at a polling unit located in a primary school in Enugu on Saturday shortly before accreditation of voters.

This came as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, expressed shock over the dastardly act.

Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, told Vanguard yesterday that “the explosion was being speedily handled with a view to unmasking perpetrators.”

Anyim, while fielding questions from newsmen at his country home, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, weekend, said he was shocked to hear about the blast and wondered how such an act could be perpetrated in “Enugu of all places.”

He, however, said he was equally glad to know that the INVESTITURE: From left, 1st Vice President, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, Mr. Rotimi incident did not claim innocent Olamiyin; President and Chairman of Governing Council, NIMN, Mr. Ganiyu Koledoye, and a fellow lives or affected the election of the institute, Alhaji Layi Labode, during the investiture of Koledoye in Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau negatively.

POLLS: Anxiety heightens over delayed results

By Francis Igata

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NUGU — A palpable trepidation is rife in Enugu State over the delay in announcement of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC,on the presidential and National

Assembly elections.

Vanguard’s visit to EnuguNorth Local Government Area, where Enugu-East senatorial district result will be announced, showed that INEC officials were still collating results.

The result will show who won among former governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke

Nnamani; candidate of Peoples Democratic Change, PDC; incumbent, Senator Gil Nnaji of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Nwabueze Okafor of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and Dr. Ben Nwoye, Enugu State chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC. An inquiry to ascertain when the

2 APGA chieftains abducted by unknown persons

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

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NEWI — TWO All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, chieftains, Ikeobi Ejiofor and Mr. Chinoyelum Egolum, were, yesterday, abducted by unknown people in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Ejiofor, who is the chairman of Anaocha Local Government Area, was abducted in his town, Obeledu, while Mr. Egolum was abducted in Nri. Speaking with newsmen at Aguluzigbo, National Chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh, decried the level of violence that characterised the presidential and National Assembly elections in Anambra Central senatorial alone, allegedly sponsored by his

opponents.

“The level of violence going on in this senatorial zone is very unfortunate, I got a report now that the executive chairman of my local government, Ikeobi Ejiofor, was abducted at Obeledu, his hometown and taken away by

unknown persons.

"Another APGA chieftain, Mr Egolum, was abducted at Nri. “Aguluzigbo is very quiet and calm because I do not go with thugs; a lot of our people are here and so many of them have not voted, yet this place has been peaceful.

electoral umpire will be ready with the result indicated that it might spill over to today as the body appeared overwhelmed with the challenges emanating from the elections.

For Enugu-West senatorial zone where Deputy Senate President,Ike Ekweremadu, was the sole candidate, results was, however, still not ready at the time of filing this report, even as an aide to the DSP noted that they were being tossed around by INEC. On Enugu-North senatorial zone where result of the winner between Chuka Utazi of the PDP, Joseph Okolagu of APC and Willy Ezugwu of APGA, was being collated, expectant newsmen gathered around the Nsukka Local Government Area secretariat, waiting for the result to no avail.

N3.6BN PROBE : ENSUBEB denies existence of fraud

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HE EXECUTIVE Chairman of Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board, ENSUBEB, Nneka Onuora, has blamed the dust raised over the issue of N3.6 billion contract for renovation of schools, which necessitated inquiry by the state House of Assembly, to alleged communication gap between her Board and the Assembly.

She told reporters in Enugu that she had cleared the air when she appeared before the House both with oral and written submissions detailing how the said money was utilised.

She said: “Within one year and nine months under my stewardship, the Board has embarked on verifiable 488 projects in primary and junior

secondary schools in the state, whereas previous Boards from 1999 to 2013, spanning about 14 years, had undertaken a cumulative of only 513 projects .”

Onuora added that currently, the Board had achieved 75 per cent completion of renovation of 488 school buildings in the state, involving 80 different contractors at a cost of N3.6 billion.

Why we appealed against N500m damages judgment — NCC

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HE NIGERIAN Commissions Commission, NCC, has rejected the judgment and award of N500 million damages to All Progressives Congress APC, describing it as a misapplication of justice by the presiding judge.

In a statement from the counsel to the Commission, Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN), the NCC said it had already gone to the Court of Appeal against the judgment on account of eight grounds, having learned that the trial judge misdirected itself in law and on facts when it awarded N500 million as damages and compensation to APC. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria averred that the trial judge erred in law when he dismissed the Appellant’s Notice of Preliminary Objection of March 2, 2015, which challenged the competence of the suit on the grounds that same was unmeritorious.

He averred that the trial judge erred in law when he held that APC disclosed cause of action against the applicant.

Employability training for graduates holds in Enugu

By Austin Ogwuda

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NUGU — TRAINING of fresh graduates from school under the Graduate Internship Scheme, GIS, courtesy of the Federal Government’s Subsidy Reinvestment and E m p o w e r m e n t Programme, SURE-P, was held in Enugu weekend.

Project Director of GIS at the three-day orientation training for interns and firms’ representatives, P.M. Papka, said: “The thrust of GIS is to bridge the gap between school and labour market and to provide the graduates with something to do and somewhere to go while they continue their job search.

“During the period of internship, therefore, they have a chance to build a platform on which their future will rest."

16—Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

APC wants Anambra elections cancelled

By Vincent Ujumadu

Aganga, Uranta hail voting process

By Dapo Akinrefon

M

INISTER OF Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, has commended the voting process of the Presidential

and National Assembly election, saying that the process was impressive and smooth.

Speaking after casting his ballot Ward 8, Polling Unit 012, Eti-Osa Local government, along Gerrard

Road, Ikoyi, the minister praised the efforts of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the efforts put into the exercise, describing it as highly professional.

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WKA — THE All Progressives Congress, APC, in Anambra State last night demanded the cancellation of Saturday’s presidential and national assembly elections to make room for the use of card readers in conducting the exercise.

Senatorial candidate of APC for Anambra central and former governor of the state, Senator Chris Ngige told reporters in Awka that it was an irony that card readers that worked in most parts of the country failed to work in Anambra State, adding that it was part of the rigging plan by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to do what the party is well known for.

Ngige said: “Jega should cancel the election in Anambra and give us smart card guided election.

Anambra has been known to be the hub of election rigging and we cannot allow this continue “The election has been very peaceful in most parts of the country and we also want peaceful, free and credible election in Anambra State.”

The APC chieftain said that he was aware that voting was reopened in places where elections were held on Saturday, adding that the idea was to give room for the padding of figures as the result of the election from the various wards.

LAUNCH: Category Manager, Tea & Spreads, Unilever, Vivian Ihaza; Brand Manager, Blue Band Spread, Ogechukwu Anozie; Brand Building Director, Foods, Nsima Ogedi-Alakwe, and Communication Channels Manager, Diran Adenugba, at the launch of the new Blue Band 180g ‘Spread for Bread’ sachet.'

Umeh, Ndukwe flay card readers' malfunction during polls

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

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NEWI — TWO All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, senatorial candidates for Anambra South and Central senatorial zones, Chief Dr. Ernest Ndukwe and Chief Victor Umeh, have described as an embarrassment the malfunction of the card reader in last weekend’s presidential and the National Assembly elections in some states of the

....Don’t declare any PDP candidate winner in Anambra, Uba tells INEC

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA — PEOPLE’S Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain in Anambra State, Chief Chris Uba, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, not to declare any candidate of the party winner in the state and National Assembly election.

The reason he adduced for this was the fact that there were still pending cases involving all PDP candidates in Anambra State at the Supreme and Federal High Courts.

According to Uba, INEC will be erring in law, if any of the PDP candidates was declared winner without the

Aganga who had his accreditation at exactly 11.50am and voted by 2.55pm, noted that the process had been very successful and impressive, stating that it took him less than 3 minutes to get accredited. "It was smooth, very organized and we must commend INEC for that. Together we can make history, Nigeria is on the verge of history and we must show the world that we are much advanced in what we do," he said.

Also, the Secretary General of the Nigeria National Summit Group, NNSG, Mr. Tony Uranta, hailed the massive turn-out of Nigerians to exercise their civic rights, stating that regardless of the hitches, the process might still come out credible.

He said “I am happy that people have come out; people came out as early as 6:30 am and waited patiently to cast their votes.

“I am prayerful, regardless of the fact that the card readers are malfunctioning serially all over the country, regardless of the fact that there was an explosion of some kind in Enugu, ... underage voters in some Northern states, I want to believe that this is going to turn out to be very credible and peaceful polls.”

determination of the pending cases.

Vanguard recalls that Uba’s faction of PDP had gone to the Supreme Court, praying for an injunction to restrain INEC from issuing certificate of return to any candidate of PDP for the 2015 National Assembly election in Anambra State, pending the determination of the suit fixed for hearing on June 9, 2015.

Furthermore, Uba said the removal of names of PDP candidates on the ballot paper

by INEC was illegal, adding that nobody should be issued certificate of return in Anambra PDP. Uba said: “For now PDP has no candidate in the election.

People voted for the party and not candidates.”

federation.

Speaking at Oraifite, his home town, Chief Ndukwe, who was the former Vice Chairman Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC, said: “The problem of card readers in the state was quite embarrassment to many of us, in my home town Oraifite, there is no polling booth where the card reader is operational.

“In fact, it was even compounded by the fact the card readers were known not to be working, and people were agitating to vote, it was not until around 1pm that they got authorization to start manual accreditation.’ ‘’Because of the environment we are operating and the large voter’s turnout that characterized this particular election, the voting entered into the night, and in many of these locations you don’t have electricity, so there was confusion that might lead to issues that may not be palatable.

“You know because of our believe in the democratic set up in the country, we have subjected and submitted ourselves to this process, also because we have a lot of confidence in the popularity of my candidature, we also think that no matter what condition, we will still find victory in the election, is just that one would have wanted it to be different.

“Many of the voters came out with plenty of enthusiasm for the election, in fact watchers said that

they have not seen this kind of voter turnout like witnessed today in this environment, so it is interesting that this kind of thing happened.

‘’I hope that for the future, some of these things might be minimized so that people will not have to suffer undue hardships just because they want to cast their votes.

2 Anambra millionaires allegedly trade punches over polls result

By Vincent Ujumadu

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WKA —TWO oil magnets from Anambra State (names withheld) allegedly traded punches over the outcome of election results at the headquarters of Ihiala Local Government Area, weekend, between two business moguls belong to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. It was gathered that one of the millionaires supported the candidate of All Progressives

Grand Alliance, APGA, for the House of Representatives in Ihiala, who was coasting to victory at the time of the incident.

According to an eyewitness, the other millionaire, who from Nnewi, another federal constituency, came to Ihiala and as argument ensured, slapped the other millionaire from Ihiala.

The incident attracted the attention of the security aides of the two men, who shot sporadically into the air, making people to scamper for safety.

ISGN calls for national integration

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SABA — THE need to break ethnic, religious and political boundaries towards building a greater and stronger Nigeria has been re-emphasised in a communique issued at the National Integration Round Table, at Nicon Hotel, Abuja, organised by the Integration Summit Group Nigeria, ISGN, with the theme, National Integration; Panacea for Peaceful Coexistence.

The convener of the roundtable, Dr. Chris Ekiyor ,recalled that the idea of convening the group was borne out of his experience as the

President of Ijaw Youth Congress, IYC, which provided him the opportunity to rethink the need to break ethnic, religious and political boundaries, which led to the formation of ISGN. ISGN, he said, is aimed at providing a veritable platform for Nigerians to come together to discuss and imbibe a new ideology of national integration.

Ekiyor also pointed out that the nation’s diversity should actually be her strength as envisaged by the founding fathers.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015— 17

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18 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2014 THE signing of two peace accords within three months underlines imperative for peace before, during and after the elections.

President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Maj-Gen Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress, APC, signed the first accord in Abuja on 14 January. Among witnesses were former United Nations Secretary-General, Dr. Kofi Annan and former SecretaryGeneral of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku.

Just before the presidential and National Assembly elections, on March 28, the National Peace Committee on the 2015 Elections invited Jonathan and Buhari for the second accord. The timing was important. Many Nigerians saw the contestants hugging themselves, days to the elections. In view of the over-heated campaigns, and pockets of violence in some places, a second accord was apposite. It was obvious that though the candidates conducted themselves responsibly, during the campaigns, the same could not be said for their political parties and supporters.

In total disregard of the first accord, PDP and APC freely engaged in politics of calumny. Violence around the country, included the President severally targeted

Let P eace Peace Initiatives Continue and hampered from campaigning freely in parts of the North, while gunfire and explosives hit APC members and rallies, especially in Rivers State. Both sides sponsored “hate” documentaries and campaign advertisements rather than investing their energies in selling their programmes to the electorate.

The atmosphere of grave apprehension over post-election violence was rife, and the Peace Committee considered it necessary to commit the major contenders to another accord to douse the tension. It seemed to have worked with the few reports of violent incidents.

General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the Chairman of the Peace Committee and the

convener, Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, deserve commendations. Their work would resume on higher notes, with the announcement of the results. Committee members would have to draw from personal relationships to rein in many leaders, whose fragmented view of peace accounts for post-election violence. They are not necessarily the candidates.

The Committee also needs to identify investors - other stakeholders - in the expensive electoral campaigns.

They expect to benefit from their candidates’ victory. If their candidates lose, they are most likely to engage their frustrations in sponsoring violence, in the vain hope that disruption of the polity could work in their favour. The governorship elections are no less prone to violence, but could benefit from peaceful acceptance of the presidential election result. Candidates should tune down their messages, which are mainly personal attacks on opponents.

Nigerians should realise that a peaceful atmosphere is important for the elected to implement programmes they canvassed before the polls. Without peace, our country is endangered. We need a country to engage in elections and democracy.

OPINION ByBobson Gbinije “We must define democracy as that form of government and of society which is inspired above every other, with the feeling and consciousness of the dignity of man” -Thomas Mann (1875-1955) AN has an insatiable and venomously gluttonous appetite for power. Power is authority, prerogative, jurisdiction, force and domination. When political power is given to a man, he uses it autocratically and sadistically to oppress the people and perpetuate himself in office.

Hence, in contemporary times there is a disastrous rise of misplaced power. Indeed, power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.

The dialectics and dynamics of power in contemporary times entails the entrenchment of democracy, liberty, rule of law, constitutionality, due process and electoral laws. To justify their continued stay in power, tyrants all over the world are now rewriting the nuts and bolts of democracy by the manipulation of constitutions, political skullduggery and Machiavellian maneuvers. They perpetuate their stay in office and seek political relevance by amending and doctoring the constitution to legitimize the illegitimacy of their stay in power.

This metastatic political malady and lunacy of self-perpetuation through a so – called amended constitution has become the political mantra of most leaders in Africa and Asia. We now have constitutional despots all over Africa and Asia. The political theatrics entails the

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Upholding democratic tenets Head of State, using his political surrogates to head so- called democratic institutions and electoral laws are written, then the constitution is amended to reflect an extension of his tenure of through an electoral process manipulated in his favour, befuddled by low voters' turn out and voters' intimidation. True democracy is now being sacrificed on the altar of solipsism and political catalepsy.

President Hosni Mubarak ruled Egypt for more than 20 years through orchestrated and farcical elections which he won by over 70% of the vote cast. It was rumoured before his political waterloo that after he is tired of ruling Egypt, he intends to handover to his son who was then being groomed to take over from him.

Historically, Egypt had a dynasty that was established by the Ottoman viceroy

As Nigeria undergoes the political engineering and social re-ordering process we call on our leaders on all fronts to uphold the rule of law and all democratic tenets

Mohamed Ali (1798-1801). King Farouk took over, but was toppled in a military coup in 1952. The radical Gamel Abdul Nasser (1918 – 1970) became president in 1954. He nationalized the Suez Canal and made Egypt the champion of Arab Nationalism. President Anwar Sadat came in but was assassinated in 1981and in 1981 President Hosni Mubarak took over the reins of leadership in Egypt until he was toppled.

Late Gnassingbe Eyadema of Togo ruled for over 30 years subjecting the constitution to his political whims. His son, Faure Eyadema has also followed his father's footsteps. Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe has been in power for over 20years. President Paul Biya of Cameron, president Yoweri Musaveni of Uganda, Late Muamar Gaddafi of Libya, Mwai Kibaki of Kenya etc, are/were leaders who want/ed to remain in powers forever.

Before now, we saw and have seen despots like late Idi Amin Dada, Jean Bokassa, Hastings Kamuzu Banda and General Sani Abacha etc. President Olusegun Obasanjo wanted to manipulate the constitution also to prolong a third term stay in power?

The quest in contemporary times to give a semblance of democracy to national Zeitgeist is because of America and Britain’s instruction to all countries to democratize or face financial starvation.

It has however turned out to be a double edged guillotine as most despots are now

using the democratization excuse to manipulate their constitutions and to prolong their stay in office. Even locally, clubs, Associations, Unions, groups’ chairmen and officials are also imbibing the concept of constitutional manipulation.

Power is not the exclusive preserve of a cabal or selected few. It is the democratic right of each and every human being.

Despots and powers psychopaths will continue to hold-on to power through deliberate recrimination, manipulation and flagellation of the citizenry, unless the citizens stand-up for their rights. The oneparty state syndrome must be resisted by the citizenry. It was Steve Bike who said “We must learn to accept that no group, however benevolent, can ever handover power to the vanquished on a plate. We must accept that the limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress”.

Finally, those who hold on to power require a modicum of mental virtuosity and self-control. Hence, the essayist Robert Burton (1577-1640) posited in his book the Anatomy of Melancholy that, “conquer thy self, till thou hast done this, thou art but a slave for it is almost as well to be subjected to another’s appetite as to thine own”. As Nigeria undergoes the political engineering and social reordering process we call on our leaders on all fronts to uphold the rule of law and all democratic tenets.

•Mr. Gbinije, a social critic, wrote from Warri, Delta State.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015—19

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S you read this, I am certain that the winner of the presidential election of Saturday, 28th March 2015, is known, either officially or from all reasonable indicators. I am also sure that the election lived up to its billing as the most closely contested in the history of Nigeria, with the presidential election of 12th June 1993 coming a close second.

Definitely, this was one election which brought the eyes of the whole world upon us. Our friends out there (including those who pretend to be) were loud and clear with their opinions and concerns that we conduct a free, fair and credible election. In fact, one of those “friends”, the United States of America, seemed so interested in that election that its President, Barack Obama, took the unprecedented step of making a recorded broadcast telling us his expectations, as if Nigeria were one of America’s overseas colonies and dependencies.

That broadcast left many of our people with mixed feelings. Some were angry that a superpower that turned down our bid for sophisticated weapons to tackle terrorism in our country, perhaps because of our aggressive anti-gay policies; our former number one oil customer who ditched us after its breakthrough in shale oil technology (though it continued to buy from other countries); America, whose foreign relations experts doom-said our country seven years ago predicting our disintegration, dared to mount a platinum pulpit and sanctimoniously preach to us as if our wellbeing causes them sleepless nights.

Love from abroad But on a deeper reflection, we have to bear in mind that what Obama did with five days to the election, had nothing to do with America’s love or hate for Nigeria. In a way, it was in the interest of America that our elections went well and produced a peaceful and acceptable outcome. Nigeria, with a touted population of over 170 million people, would be a worldwide dilemma if anything went terribly wrong.

Supposed we witnessed a re-enactment of our dark past in the 1960s when elections and censuses triggered military coups, pogroms, a brutal civil war and nearly forty years of military rule? What if we played out another Rwanda/Burundi where ethnic tensions boiled over and led to the massacre of over a million people within four months; or Kenya, a hitherto peaceful country that has been spared of military intervention which suddenly dissolved into a cyclone of race-related killings in which most political leaders were blamed;

Move on, Nigeria or even another Cote d’Ivoire, where a sitting president lost an election and refused to hand over, but was flushed out by military force?

Those other countries are smaller and much more manageable entities. Should a massive collapse of sanity take place in Nigeria, the scope of the disaster will be difficult for the world to handle, and America, being the self-assigned policeman of the world, will feel the heat. Nigeria is already a place of interest for terrorists such as Al Qaeda, Islamic State and their confederate Jihadists all over the Middle East and Africa. The collapse of Nigeria could spiral terrorism out of control, and it will not just be Islamic terrorism we would be talking about. We already have other angry groups, most of them well armed, such as the Niger Delta militants, the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra/Biafra Zionist Movement (MASSOB/BZM), the recharged Odua

We must join hands with the president-elect to resume the work that the campaigns disrupted.

There is no need crying over spilt milk. Don’t listen to those who want to make you their cannon fodder. No politician’s ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian

People’s Congress (OPC) and the rampaging Fulani Janjaweed (which goes by the misnomer of “Fulani herdsmen”) shellacking minority communities in the Middle Belt.

No alternative to peace With all these in mind, we, Nigerians, must beware of the potential danger before us. We must realise that there is no alternative to peaceful comportment, irrespective of who has been declared the winner of the presidential election.

Neither President Goodluck Jonathan nor General Muhammadu Buhari is bigger than Nigeria. Neither the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nor the All Progressives Congress (APC) is more important than Nigeria. They are all Nigeria’s children. There was once a time when a certain Chief Moshood Abiola and General Sani Abacha put this country on knife-edge. But when they were “miraculously” withdrawn from the scene by unseen hands within a matter of thirty days, the country got a breather. That was how we started the journey to the current democracy. That is what we mean by the saying: “no one is bigger than Nigeria”.

It all depends on us, the followers. It depends how we react to the promptings of the politicians whom we support. We must ask ourselves this question: when a politician threatened, between sobs, that the blood of baboons and dogs would mix, who did he have in mind as “baboons” and “dogs”? Certainly, he was not referring to his children and family members. He was not even talking about his opponents, his opponents’ children or family members. Before they strike the match to set off the explosion of violence, politicians make sure that they and their children and close family members are far away from the fight.

They send their misguided supporters to kill and be killed.

After a while, when the law enforcement agencies have arrested the situation, they and their families crawl out of hiding.

Meanwhile, those killed are gone for good. A new government assumes power, and life goes on. Before long, the former antagonists will be shaking hands and embracing each other at the Council of State meetings. They could negotiate a “unity” government to offset their losses.

They may even become members of the same political party a few years down the line in a realignment of forces. Who could have believed that former political gladiators, Olusegun Obasanjo, Chris Ngige, Rotimi Amaechi, Atiku Abubakar and others would one day be in one camp rooting for the same presidential candidate whom they fought in the past? Never be any politician’s dog or baboon!

Anybody who kills or dies for a politician is the greatest fool. Why should you kill or die for a politician who will never do the same for you? This same politician will not even know you exist when he gets there. Four years down the line, you will still be complaining and looking for the elusive “change”.

Time for governance

Having voted for a candidate of your choice, be a sport and accept the outcome. You have done your bit. Put pressure on those elected to do their own.

Whoever lost the Saturday presidential election must call the winner and congratulate him. The winner should also extend his hands of fellowship to the losers. That way, there will be no loser but Nigeria will be the winner. We will all be winners. The wounds of electioneering will quickly heal and Nigeria will move on.

It is one thing to win an election but yet another to face the job it brings. We are faced with serious security challenges, particularly the task of finishing off Boko Haram in the North East. We have an economy that is threatened by worldwide oil burst. We also have an economy that has become the biggest in Africa and the 26th largest in the world, needing to be harnessed for the benefit of all Nigerians, not just a few people at the top. We have a polity severely broken by warlike campaigns between the PDP and APC. We must join hands with the president-elect to resume the work that the campaigns disrupted. There is no need crying over spilt milk. Don’t listen to those who want to make you their cannon fodder. No politician’s ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian.

OPINION Still on Wammako and Sambo Dasuki

By Moshood Isah

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HE crucial political and security situation in the country should ordinarily compel every political office holder to maintain decorum while discussing critical issues affecting the nation. The least expected of any state governor now is baseless, unsubstantiated allegations against the Federal Government or any of its security agencies.The story of a certain Murtala Nyako of Adamawa state is supposed to be a lesson for Nigerians on rumour mongering and audacious accusations without evidence.

Governors are the chief security officers of their states and are expected to cooperate with security forces to ensure safety of the citizens they swore to protect. Recent statements credited to the Governor of Sokoto State, Aliyu Wammako is not in any way favourable to the good people of Sokoto State, his political party or the nation as a whole.It was really nauseating reading a statement credited to Wammako accusing the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mohammad Sambo Dasuki of some unimaginable allegations.

The Governor has taken an infamous stride by accusing the National Security Adviser of planning to rig the forthcoming elections in favor of the ruling Peoples Democratic party.Without any credible evidence, Aliyu Wammako alleged that the NSA held a secret meeting with some university dons in three states some days ago in a bid to induce them so that they would announce the results of

the presidential poll even before the conclusion of the election. This is not only demeaning the NSA but also attacking the credibility of revered scholars. While Wammako continues to perceive Dasuki as opponent, the largest percentage of other Nigerians see the NSA as as a respected gentleman who has avoided any form of hobnobbing with politicians.

Despite his effort to eschew partisan politics as his office demands, Governor Wammako may have sworn to drag Sambo Dasuki through the mud of Nigerian politics. In what seems like a desperate effort to soil the image of the NSA who has drawn a very thick line between his job and politics, the Sokoto State governor has curiously sustained his mudslinging of Dasuki.Although, Dasuki did not dignify Wammako’s empty accusation with a response, well-meaning Nigerians have continued to Dasuki did wonder why the Chief Security Officer of a state will stoop to not dignify this unenviable level. If Wammako’s anything, governors especially from the northern parts of the empty country are expected to laud accusation and encourage the National Security Adviser on the recent with a strides of the Military against insurgency in the country. While response

Dasuki is engrossed in the daunting task of sustaining the tempo of the intense battle against terrorism, the least expected from governors like Wammako is moral support and encouragement. Thus, it would be in the best interest of all Nigerians and the North in particular to allow Dasuki concentrate on the all-important duty of working out ways to overcome insecurity in that part of the country. It is no more news that, Colonel Sambo Dasuki has been at the forefront of trying to ensure that the nation returns to the path of peace necessary for the elections and even development.

Facilitating the Multinational Joint Force, which have ensured that the nation has effectively incapacitated insurgency in Nigeria is a feat the nation is very proud of.

The postponement of elections, which was first mooted by Dasuki has now become a heroic move as it has ensured that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was able to distribute over 80percent Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).

If there is anyone who has been up and doing to see to it that, the nation has a peaceful and credible polls, it is no other than the highly respected National security adviser.

If the statement by INEC is anything to go by, then residents of recently liberated towns will have the opportunity of returning home in time for elections and freely exercise their franchise *Mr. Isah, a political analyst,wrote from Abuja.

20—Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

I also messed up Nigeria

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By Elisa Otome

S many that will read the above title, some will be shocked to stupor; many will say it is impossible while others will retrospectively ask the question how? Every reaction is to be expected knowing the kind of man I have grown to be.

Yesterday while walking home in the cold hissing winds, that was caressing Louisville to gloominess; I suddenly felt an unhealthy disturbance in my bowel. The intensity of the churning sound emanating from my bowels evoked a sensation that put some speed to my footsteps. I immediately went to the rest room with number 2 on my mind; I stood up to realize that there was some dispersed urine on the toilet plate. I had to hurriedly get back to the lab I muttered, I will clean it up when I get back home I thought. At the door, my mind quickly went back to the toilet plate, again, I muttered; no need, after all nobody visits me and moreover it is my house; I will clean it when I get back home. Then whispered the solemn voice, what if you forget and someone decides to visit with the hope of using the toilet? Without a waste of time I quickly pulled out the toilet paper and wiped the plate. Hmm! I began to ponder thoughtfully, it didn’t take seconds and didn’t take anything away from my time when I got back to the lab.

On my way to the lab, thoughts flooded my sub-consciousness, taking me aback to my days in Nigeria and in Obafemi Awolowo University otherwise known as

the most beautiful campus in Africa. Indeed Ife, was quite a beauty when I got in, the wondrous edifice have their supposed fixating walls blighted with a disarray of posters. Many of these posters are a caricature elaborating the desecrating nature of students as some of them were torn to menacing shapes and sizes. Some were further painted to ridicule some of the authorities and members of SUG (student union government). Ife was indeed beautiful with the loitering of feces on sidewalks, nearby bushes, plantation and academic halls. They said when a man is surrounded by so many ugly women; they all become goddesses in his eyes. Our nose and life styles became norm to the horrific smells that prevailed in the halls to the extent that some students will still use a toilet burdened by piles of decayed feces. Sometimes on your way to take your shower, you will see students squatting on bare floor defecating at the expense of the toilet even when it is clean enough. Unfortunately, Ife was not akin alone to these nonchalance and I-don’t-care attitude. I visited so many higher institutions during my stay in Nigeria, FUTO, UNILAG, UI, FUTA, ABU, JOS etc. name it. Behold many of these institutions don’t understand what civilization is after all, Satan himself will be afraid to do what was done to the buildings, environment, classrooms, cafeterias sport centres and hostels of these institutions.

Thoughts flooded my subconsciousness as I began to walk listlessly to the lab. I remembered sometime while in Nashville, I hastily bought a sandwich and ate as I went. I folded the wrap in my pocket and searched earnestly for a trash can until I got home. Concomitantly, I remembered the loitering papers from roasted corn, plantain or yam or even suya that rummaged the ambit of Lagos and many cities of Nigeria I was opportune to visit. I thought perhaps it was my poor

I gave excuses for all the wrongs, nonchalance and I-don’t-care attitude. I kept quiet when I was supposed to speak out, I did nothing when it was callous to sit on the fence, and I looked on and cheered when jungle justice was being meted out to someone

background, but the rich and powerful were not exempted.

Many saw it as their right to desecrate and liter the environment with feculence, dirt and all manner of scuz.

Thoughts flooded my subconsciousness as I walked back to the lab. I was in Nigeria to renew my passport sometime in 2013.

All effort to do everything right was a waste of time. Everyone was sorting their way through with extra amount of money. I had no choice; I had to pay my way through. Thoughts flooded my sub-consciousness when I went to the ministry of works to visit my friend, we have chatted for almost three hours before I realized he was actually at work.

When I asked him about it, he said don’t worry, today is work free day. But I saw him dismissed clients, ignored customers and completely did nothing. How can Monday be a work free day? The thoughts began to flow as I recalled all the things we took for granted that have ultimately become the harvest of lawlessness, corruption, idleness, indiscipline, selfishness, bribery, exam malpractices, lying, cruelty and all manners of crime that is prevalent in the Nigerian state at the moment. We have sown the seed of unhealthy society and followership and thus we are reaping the harvest of bad cum insincere leadership.

Now as I walk, the tears started dripping from my eyes solemnly.

I messed up Nigeria as well I thought. I contributed in many ways to these anomalies. I gave excuses for all the wrongs,

UPU, Ogboru and Emerhor

By Ben Etaghene

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HE philosophy that gave birth to Uvwiamuge declaration was applauded as sound thinking by many within and outside Urhobo land and envied its originators. But with time it suffered illusion due to poor interpretation on the whims and caprices of individuals because of political bias and the undue presence of money. It led to many undesirable and sometimes shameless use of the press which by any rational analysis is tantamount to the proverbial dancing naked at the market place.

History is, in fact, a very bad teacher otherwise many of these participant observers would do well to recollect the era of late Dr. Frederick Esiri as the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) president general, the emergence of late Chief James Edewor, then Chief David Ejoor and the litigation by F. Esiri which more or less (in view of a comparable circumstance) put the Union into interregnum until the arrival of Chief James Ibori as governor. He single handedly revived the Union from an imminent doom which starred us all in the face then. Chief Ibori said at the time that: “it was a shame when other cultural groups like Afenifere, Arewa, N’digbo, et al were playing vital roles in the political affairs in their different areas of operation but the UPU, the oldest of them all was moribund.”

A delegation of Urhobo elders led by Chief Ofotuku was sent to Esiri to withdraw the legal suit which he obliged them. This development paved the way for the Congress of 1999 in which late Chief Benjamin Okumagba was elected the president general. Ame re asiava mwe ‘kpavwe. There is need to thread softly and to eschew these frequent unguarded utterances, unwarranted developments, press releases and uncontrolled

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publications. The UPU should not be sacrificed on the altar of the audacity of the ambition of two men who have all it takes to sort themselves out.

Though I read one of those banner headlines where Chief O’tega Emerhor screamed it would be an insult for him to step down for Chief Great Ogboru. There is nothing like insult in political lexicon.

Politicians always scheme to win. Look at these scenarios: In the last American presidential elections, Milt Romney won the presidential ticket of the Republican Party. He picked Senator Paul Ryan as his vice presidential running mate. The senator had earlier contested very fiercely for the party ticket with him. Romney reasoned that the sitting senator (Paul Ryan) would handle the senate constituency to his advantage if they had won. That is superlative political calculation and late President Ronald Reagan chose George W. Bush (Snr) who had earlier in their contest for the Republican ticked called Ronald Reagan’s economic proposals “voodoo economics.”

Reagan knew that Bush as a former CIA boss was in possession of vital information they would need later. So politics is the ability to manipulate conflicting ideas into useful and manageable winning formular.

These American politicians are either multi millionaires or multi billionaires who do not make references to their wealth except once under heat of debate

Politics is the ability to manipulate conflicting ideas into useful and manageable winning formular

Senator Paul Ryan in reaction to the vice president, Joe Bidden’s question quipped “Romney could pay all our salaries, that is how wealthy he is, a remark regretted after and his boss told him he did not like it. But here Emerhor’s aides make a singsong of how wealthy he is and that he was the one sponsoring Great Ogboru when he was in DPP. He learnt from Ogboru, no doubt. A message the boss reiterated on a visit to Sapele. Likewise Chief O’tega Emerhor has promised Delta State the sum of 10billion to develop the state. This is wrong. No leader should spend his personal money to run a government.

What the people need is your sterling ideal. This is why am amazed that nothing is being said so far on manifestoes.

In all honesty, the governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduagha has continually urged the candidates to roll out what they plan to do if elected. Two weeks ago, I listened to Great Ogboru on Bronz FM Benin City. I was thrilled when he explained his philosophy on grassroots development emanating from the local government to let the People say what they want and it remains the duty of government to provide such needs. The people’s General has been consistent on this development pattern since day one in 2003 when he entered Delta State politics. It will check corruption and enhance productivity and accountability.

This political pyramid is an innovation that must be given a chance.

In fact, in 2007, my media house- The Bulletin prepared a proposal aimed at locating the developmental needs of every community or neighborhoods in each of the 25 LGAs in the state as a basis for meeting the people at their points of need.

It was made available to the then governorship candidates to commission us for the study. We expected the man who won that election to contact us. After that, I

nonchalance and I-don’t-care attitude. I kept quiet when I was supposed to speak out, I did nothing when it was callous to sit on the fence, and I looked on and cheered when jungle justice was being meted out to someone.

I gave bribe because I feared I had no choice, I criticized destructively when I should have been constructive and provide some solutions. I encouraged idleness in the face of so much work. Oh how much I had contributed to the nose-diving trajectory Nigeria is experiencing today.

Today I ask myself what has changed. I was in Nigeria by the end of last year and when I went out with my younger brother, I remembered pocketing the plastic bag and bottle of water in search of a trash can. I found none until I got home. At the bus stop, I waited for my turn. I went to one of the fast food restaurant with a friend and realized there was no tissue paper at the restroom, I went to the manager to report, unfortunately he was giving excuses and said there was nothing he could do about it but I stood my ground and insisted until he went out to buy a bag of tissue. My friend was pulling me to forget about it, no more I yelled. I can’t be a party to indolence and mischief. What has changed I still ask, could it be because I have been exposed to something else? Or could it be because Nigerians knew no better? I honestly doubt it, I just really think it’s because I realized I also messed up Nigeria.

•Mr. Otome, an assistant research scientist, wrote from University of Louisville, KY, USA.

wrote a letter to Dr.Uduaghan in an article form to consider the Great Ogboru developmental pyramid approach with all seriousness. Set campaign grudges apart and if need be invite the originator for a detailed talk. No reply, no thanks.

Same approach I took after the late President Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua won, about the ministry of Niger Delta. It was initially an Atiku Abubakar idea. I equally advised that he should invite Atiku. Whether he ever read my letter or not but he set up the ministry with Chief Ekaete as first ministry. He was a civil servant. Then Elder Peter Orubebe – a preacher. Lately Dr. Peter Oru. It would have been different if Alhaji Atiku Abubakar had had an input.

Two years ago, the Delta State governor assigned Kenneth Okpara as commissioner for economic planning to go round the state to attempt to unravel the pyramid developmental formular. The findings perhaps are locked up somewhere.

Coming back to the main point of this triumuirate of the UPU, Ogboru and Emerhor people should be wary of careless talks. We read of people like Onokpasa saying Ogboru has made bargain with this and that. That he has tried four times is not an enough reason to be discouraged.

All that matters is the ambition and zeal in him. He is a man of innovative ideas.

Reagan tried seven times before he became US president. Milt Romney has tried four times. He wanted to come back again but for that New York Times editorial. He may ignore it all the same.

Recently Ogboru has told us he would build a refinery in Delta State. Okowa: I’ll revive DSC. This is a federal establishment mark you.Emerhor; I’ll give 10billion Let us put these on the scale of relevance, need and workability. Deltans shine your eyes.

•Mr. Etaghene, editorial director of the Bulletin, wrote from Sapele, Delta State.

MARCH 30, 2015

CBN restricts banks ttoo par tner partner with two insurance companies on bancassurance products

By ROSEMARY ONUOHA

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From left: President Goodluck Jonathan, Minister of Finance Dr.Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Minister of Agriculture Akinwumi Adesina, Vice President African Development Bank Solomon Asamoa and Country Director World Bank Marie Francoise Marie Nelly during the Presidential Launching ceremony of Development Bank of Nigeria held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida.

Nigerian domestic Airlines lose N1.3 billion to elections

BY LAWANI MIKAIRU & DANIEL ETEGHE

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he cancellation of all Domestic flights on Saturday and the subsequent cancellations of all domestic flights on election days will cost Nigerian domestic airlines daily revenue loss of about N1.3 Billion.

Though, according to the Acting General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, Mrs. Olajumoke Adetona, the airspace will not be closed.

All the domestic airlines, namely : Arik Air, Aero Contractor, Dana Air, Medview Air, AirPeace, Asman Air,

and FirstNation did not operate any domestic flights on Saturday, March th 28 and they will also not operate on Saturday 11 th April because of restrictions in vehicular and physical movements on these elections days. Passengers had to reschedule th their flight on the 28 of March.

Arik Air and Aero Contractors will mostly affected by the suspension of flights on elections days. “Arik and Aero control over 65 per cent of the market and each lost an estimated N242 million on Saturday March 28 as Aero has the highest load factor per aircraft.” Arik Air which has “about 40 per cent market share operates an average of 120 flights daily, followed

by Aero that operates about 70 flights daily” were compelled to cancel their

flights schedules for Saturday, when the Presidential and National Assembly elections held.

Speaking on the suspension of flights on election days, the Acting General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Mrs. Olajumoke Adetona, told Vanguard that “I learnt from information I heard from INEC over the radio that there is not going to be movement between the hours of 8am and 5pm on Saturday which is the election day.”

“But that is not to say that the airspace will be closed to flight operations for the day. As soon as the election is over flights can take off Continues on page 22

he Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has restricted each bank to partner with only two insurance companies on bancassurance products with immediate effect.

In a letter to all banks on guidelines on bancassurance products signed by Director of Banking Supervision, Mrs. Tokunbo Martins, the CBN stated that banks shall conduct a thorough due diligence/periodic assessment for the selection of partner insurance companies on bancassurance, which would be restricted to two insurance companies.

Bancassurance is an arrangement in which insurance companies leverage on the customer base of banks to sell insurance products to banks’ customers. The referral model entails that a bank refers its customers to its partner insurance companies. In return, the bank receives a commission on each lead closed by the insurance company. The bank is not involved in marketing the products.

According to the CBN guideline, banks shall not engage in any other model of bancassurance other than that permitted under these guidelines and for which approval has been obtained from the CBN. The guideline notes, “Banks shall not offer banking products that incorporate insurance features. Banks shall not offer free premium payments as a feature of any of their products.

The referral model of bancassurance arrangement between a bank and an insurance company shall not be valid without an executed bancassurance Continues on page 22 C M Y K

22 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

Cover Story

VOCATION AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION – A KEY TO IMPROVING NIGERIA’S DEVELOPMENT. PART 4

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L-R: Prince Dapo Adelegan, Deputy President , Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC); Chief Michael Olawale-Cole, Past President, NBCC; Prince Adeyemi Adefulu, President NBCC and Mrs. M.R. Adetutu Adeleke, Past President NBCC at the NBCC ExtraOrdinary General Meeting held in Lagos, on Thursday March 26, 2015 to present the 2013 Annual Reports and Financial Account of the Chamber.

Nigerian domestic Airlines lose about N1.3 billion daily to elections Continues from page 21 immediately even there are going to be some of our staff that will man the equipment at the airport at the various stations in case of any eventuality that will warrant flight operations for that day.”

But after a meeting of the domestic airlines operators on last Wednesday, a decision was reached that there will not be domestic flights on election days.

Speaking with Vanguard on the cancellation of flights, Dana Air Chief Commercial officer, Mr Obi Mbanuzuo said the airlines decided not to fly on election day since there will be restrictions on movement from 8am to 5pm.

And the possibility of starting flight operations for the day from 6pm is remote as most passengers will rather defer their journey to the next day.

On lost of revenue for the day, Mbanuzuo said the airlines will loose millions of Naira on ticket sales. But he refused to give exact figure or amount the airlines will loose.

He however agreed it will run into billions. He added that this is one of the economic sacrifices the airlines have to make to deepen Nigeria’s democracy.

Speaking also, Business Development Manager, Medview Airline Mr. Isiaq Na’Allah told Vanguard that “As in what we are going to lose if we don’t fly, I can’t say anything on that for now. I cannot tell you categorically that we are not going to fly on Saturday which is the election day. So far we have not received any Notice to Air men (NOTAM) from NAMA that the airspace will be closed for that day. “ C M Y K

“We are yet to decide whether we are going to fly or not. In fact we are going for a meeting and we are going to deliberate on it as our main agenda for the meeting, so maybe by the end of the meeting, I will have a clearer picture if we are going to fly or not.”

Aviation agencies will also be loosing revenue as most of

the charges they collect from the airlines will not be collected on election days. “ FAAN current statistics shows that it and other government agencies now handle over 14 million passengers traffic, over 300,000 air traffic including overfly and over 200 million kilogramme cargo import and export.”

CBN restricts banks to par tner with two insur ance partner insurance companies on bancassurance products agreement. Banks shall not undertake any insurance marketing, underwriting or claim settlement. Banks shall ensure that no risks are transferred to it and shall not assume any fiduciary responsibility or liability for any consequences, financial or otherwise, arising from the subscription to insurance policies by customers. Banks shall ensure that only bancassurance products approved by relevant regulatory authority are offered to their customers by the insurance companies.

Banks shall not enter into bancassurance agreement with insurance companies who do not hold a valid operational license from National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).”

The guideline also states that the offering of bancassurance products by a bank is subject to the CBN’s approval.

The CBN also mandated

that a bank that intends to offer bancassurance products is required to submit extract of Board resolution approving the bancassurance product (approved by NAICOM) and the insurance companies it proposed to partner with; draft bancassurance agreement between the bank and the insurance company, which should at the minimum set out: the bancassurance products to be offered; the duties and responsibilities of each of the parties under the arrangement during and upon termination of the contract; the conditions for the termination of the agreement; commissions and fees to be charged (as approved by NAICOM and CBN); the duration of the contract and whether it is renewable; dispute resolution mechanism and measures to safeguard confidential information; disclaimer that the products shall be underwritten by the insurance company with no Continues on page 23

he focus is on the roles of technology and vocational education in enhancing entrepreneurial skills that will equip students for entrepreneurship education in Information and Communication Technology (ICT.) driven technological environment. The world has become globalized and the future prosperity depends on comparative advantage.

This comparative advantage hinges on people and their technical or technological sophistication. Towards this, some crucial entrepreneurial and technical skills needed by the students in colleges of education (technical), polytechnics and universities to meet the trends in a global economy is analyzed.

Technology education is to be considered as the key agent of technology development, either as a way of developing human capacity, increasing the shield work force for modernization, industrialization, environmental development or as a matter of personnel freedom, developing capability and empowerment. Technology education is increasingly recognized to be central to both the origins of technological development and challenges and to the prospects for successfully dealing with them (Alam, 2009).

Decision makers at all levels, need timely, reliable access to knowledge generated by technology and technical education to introduce rational policies that reflect a better global understanding of complex technical, economic, social, cultural and article issues concerning the society, and our environment. Technical decision making and priority setting is an integral part of overall development planning and formation of technology development strategies.

Above all, technology education is a human right and, as such, should receive priority in the allocation of national resources. It has become very necessary not to only keep technology education bound to the role of manufacturing skilled manpower but also to economic development and global economy. In Nigeria, technology education was previously not seen as fundamental for national development, or for the economic development, but for the school dropouts, and other social and political development within the nation and for individuals. Hallak (1990) argues that technology education is also linked to human resources development and that this has an impact on more than just economic growth, but also an impact on the wider development of individuals and societies. According to him, it contributes to: (a). Individual creativity, improved participation in the economic, social and cultural roles in society. (b). Improved understanding of an individual and heir respect for others, thus promoting social cohesion and material understanding (c) Improvement in health and nutrition. (d). Improved chances of economic development. (e). Improved technological development. (f). Socio-cultural change. (g). Democracy and equality (h). Ecological development/quality of life (increasing people’s awareness of their environments).

From our analysis so far, it is clear that modernization and economic development, depends on investment and appreciation of modern trends in technology education.

Te c h n o l o g y education is increasingly recognised to be central to both the origins of technological development and challenges.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015 — 23

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ertainly the great challenge facing Nigeria today is that of leadership.

Leadership at all levels, in government, public sector institutions and businesses run by Nigerians lack effective leadership. Most are there either by chance or through godfatherism. Many have no idea what makes a leader.

Instead of getting things done the right way, Nigerian leaders cut corners to achieve perceived success that is not deep-rooted. The Nigerian economy is where it is today because of leadership failure.

No matter the pretence by some past leaders, they have grossly failed the nation.

Some have openly pursued their personal interest at the expense of the general good of the people. Many leaders were begged to lead, who had no idea of how to develop the nation’s resources. Successful leaders do not start out asking; What do I want to do? They ask, What needs to be done? Then they ask, of the things that would make a difference, which are right for the nation? They don’t tackle things they are not good at.

They make sure other necessities get done, but not by them.

This is the bane of the Nigerian elite. They want to take credit for everything good and do not see the strength in others. They surround themselves with those who hero-worship them and sing their praises not those who have the capacity to get things done.

The famous management expert, Peter Druker said that “successful leaders make sure that they succeed." They are not afraid of the strength in others. Andrew Carnegie wanted to put on his gravestone, “Here lies a man who knew how to put into his service more able men than he was himself. If Nigerian leaders were sensitive to the

Who will fix the economy? needs of the people, they will appoint to positions of responsibility men and women who have the capacity, knowledge and drive to deliver on their assignment. But what do you find? You discover that mediocres who can only do the bidding of their masters get appointed.

Effective leaders check their performance. They write down what they hope to achieve if they take on the assignment. They put away their goals periodically and then review their performance against the goals. This way, they find out what they do well and what they do poorly. They also find out whether they picked the truly important things to do. There are many Nigeriann leaders who are exceedingly good at execution, but exceedingly poor at picking the important things. They are magnificent at getting the unimportant things done. They have an impressive record of achievement on trivial matters. Do Nigerian political leaders ever take stock of their performance? Do they ever move around the country to see what has been done and not done in order to take corrective measures?

It is only during electioneering campaign that presidential candidates and those aspiring to become governors move around begging for votes. Once elected, they never feel the pulse of the electorate until the next election. How then will they know how the people are faring? That is why they are always out of touch with reality. They hear what their praise singers want them to hear.

Leaders either through their body language or free speech communicate in the sense that people around

It is only during electioneering campaign that presidential candidates and those aspiring to become governors move around begging for votes

them know what they are trying to do. They are purpose-driven, yes, mission-driven. Can we say this of the nation’s leaders that they are purposedriven? No, they are not because Nigerian leaders could not be purpose-driven and Nigeria is held hostage by petrol importers. Do Nigerian leaders know how to establish a mission? Do they know how to say no to wrong doings by those they appointed?

A critical question for Nigerian leaders is: When will they stop pouring resources into things that will only achieve their purpose? The most dangerous traps for a leader are those near-successes where everybody says that if you just give it another big push, it will go over the top.

Since 1986, Nigeria has been pursuing economic diversification, resources upon resources have been poured into the economy without any meaningful success. Why do policymakers go round in circles in Nigeria on the issue of the economy?

It is sad that everyday, some form of falsehood is being peddled by one political party or the other; it is either to boast of

Business & Economy Hytera participates in Securex West Africa 2015

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ytera, a world leading professional mobile communications solution provider has show cased its latest digital two-way radio

portfolio at Securex West Africa 2015 in the Eko Convention Centre.

Hytera solution has been

CBN restricts banks Continues from page 22

recourse to the bank in terms of claims or any legal proceedings between the insurance company and the bank’s customer; and other relevant information.

The CBN also mandated that banks shall disclose in the notes to the annual financial statements referral commission earned from bancassurance products and that banks should ensure compliance with these guidelines as any breach of the guidelines shall attract

sanctions in accordance with Section 64 (1) of the BOFIA 2004 in addition, the bank may be prohibited from offering bancassurance products.

Recall that in 2010, the CBN regulation on the scope of banking activities and ancillary matters No. 3, 2010 was issued to repeal the universal banking model, which hitherto permitted banks to engage in non-core banking financial activities either directly or indirectly through designated subsidiaries.

globally and locally in Nigeria, adopted by Government & Public Security, Utility, Transport, and Enterprises, which receive benefits of higher operational efficiency and security due to the advanced voice and data features.

Hytera, the first provider launching DMR Tier III trunking radios in 2010, offers the most complete DMR portfolio, including portable two-way radio, mobile radio, repeater, infrastructure and applications, and showcases some of the key products at the exhibition, from costeffective radios like PD3, PD5& PD6 series, to high-end radios, such as PD705/PD785, which can support DMR trunking mode, smallest DMR radios X1p/X1e, intrinsically safe DMR radio PD795 Ex for

Hytera, the first p r o v i d e r launching DMR Tier III trunking radios in 2010, offers the most complete DMR portfolio, oil & gas industry.

Hytera, one of the few that masters both protocols, also boasts full series of TETRA radios, including portable, mobile, infrastructure and applications. Besides the PT580H portable radio & MT680 mobile radio, in this year, Hytera takes a new Tetra portable radio in this expo, the smallest & most beautiful Tetra radio Z1p.

achievements that do not exist in reality or to accuse the other party’s members of wrongdoing. Apparently, no party does wrong because the other party has to dig up its dirt. True selfintrospection does not exist in the Nigerian political arena.

There are so many wrong happenings going on in Nigeria presently. Have you asked yourself why those in positions to best speak out against these negative developments remain in a perennial state of muteness?

They consider their self interest first.

Why are most people in prominent positions politically and/or corporately, have not publicly expressed their opinion on which candidate is best suited at this time to move Nigeria forward? They are just playing both sides, so that they do not suffer adverse direct or indirect consequences if the 'other' candidate wins. Most of them are waiting to show their allegiance to the 'winner' regardless of whom that is.

Madness is on free exhibition as all sense of decorum is thrown out of the door for riches by supposedly educated people. People who want to lead the country are running amok.

Who will fix the nation’s economy?

Bringing infrastructure and terminals of both DMR and Tetra solutions, Hytera highlights emergency communication system, smart dispatch system in Securex 2015.

“Nigeria is a very important market for Hytera. Our clients here adopt both digital technologies DMR and TETRA well, since they want the best technologies and solutions out there. Hytera is one of the few radio communication providers who can provide complete solutions for public safety & security, transportation, oil & gas industries and companies.

Hytera is committed to deliver more”, commented Mr. Dylan Liu, Marketing Director of Hytera. “This year is the 3rd time we participate in Securex West Africa. We want our customers to know who we are and prove that Hytera is a top brand in professional mobile radio field.”

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24 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

Business & Economy be processed without delay.

He added that there would be “timely closure to tax audits.

No room for tax evaders

FirstBank restates commitment to boost Financial Literacy

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irst Bank of Nigeria Limited, has reiterated its commitment to drive financial literacy among the youth and un-banked segment of the economy.

Speaking at the CBN Financial Literacy Day event in Ado-Ekiti recently, the Executive Director, Lagos and West for FirstBank, Gbenga Shobo, said the bank is firmly committed to the achievement of financial inclusion in Nigeria and would continue to work towards this aspiration by extending banking services to under-banked businesses, communities and individuals across the country with our extensive network of over 850 branches. “Beyond this, we recognize that Financial Literacy is a key enabler in our quest for Financial Inclusion and that we must begin by ensuring that our children are properly empowered with a sound financial education.

FirstBank would continue to assist the Nigerian child and young adult to build a prosperous future by extending financial education and services to them early in life”, he said.

As part of the CBN Adopt A School program of the financial literacy day, Shobo took over 200 students of Tinuola International School, Ado Ekiti through the basic concepts of making money, savings and investments while letting them know that their capacity to make informed decisions will make them better adults in the future.

6 ships laden with petrol arrive in Lagos

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ix ships laden with 157,200 tonnes of petrol have arrived Lagos ports awaiting to berth.

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) stated this in its daily publication - ‘Shipping Position’ in Lagos. The publication indicated that 10 other ships containing kerosene, aviation fuel, base oil, bulk rice and containers were also waiting to berth. It noted that 33 other ships were expected to arrive at the ports from March 26 to April 19.

The publication stated that the expected ships would sail in with petrol, aviation fuel, kerosene, fish, general cargo, bulk wheat, steel products, vehicles and bulk sugar.

It stated that 26 other ships were discharging crude palm oil, soya beans, rice, fish, bulk salt, fertilisers, containers, general cargo, steel products, petrol, bulk gas, diesel, base oil and bulk gypsum.

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*From Right: Past District Governor,Richard Giwa-Osagie;Chief Mrs Eniola Fadayomi,Guest Speaker;Dr Aloysius Dele Balogun,District Governor 2014-2015 Rotary District 9110 and His Wife Mrs Yemisi Balogun.At the Rotary International District 9110,Nigeria 2015 Annual Dinner and Dance held in Lagos at Grandeur Events Centre Oregun Lagos.PHOTO;AKEEM SALAU

I ‘ll boost economy through simplified tax administration — FIRS boss …says multiple taxation to end …no frivolous exemptions

By EMMA UJAH, Abuja Bureau Chief

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he Acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue service, Mr. Samuel Ogungbesan, yesterday, unveiled his strategic policy measures, saying he would simplify tax administration in the country and make it easy for individuals and corporate organizations to pay their taxes.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja, he said that he would be professional and strengthen the economy through a robust tax administration while plugging every leakage in the system.

According to Mr. Ogungbesan, his team would be led by “professionalism , integrity, efficiency”, in what he described as a “ nation building” task , as the FIRS staff work towards raking in

I promise to run a professional, competent and 21st Century tax agency

revenue to enable the government deliver on it development responsibilities.

“I promise to run a professional, competent and st 21 Century tax agency which every Nigerian will be proud of. We shall continue to be transparent and be candid in our interactions and relationships with all taxpayers and stakeholders.

“I have a passion for professional tax work and all

things that edify the human soul. I promise to discharge my duties with all the strength that God has given me. I am convinced positive personal values impact on all work, more so revenue collection”, he assured. The new helmsman pledged to ensure an FIRS where requests for Tax Identification Numbers, TIN, Tax clearance Certificates and other such requests from members of the public would

The Chairman warned however that tax evaders would have difficulties in the days ahead as according to him, the service’s processes were being strengthened to bring in all those who were outside the system. His words, “We will deepen our operations to include key sectors like the telecommunications, power, aviation and banking. We will not lose sight of non-filers and players in the informal; sector. Tax evaders will have no hiding place. I promise you, working with my team, we will ensure that happens. I assure you, tax dodgers will have no place under this regime”.

Dealing with multiple taxation

While focusing on deepening the organisation’s overall revenue generation for the government, Mr. Ogungbesan said that steps were already being taken towards eliminating multiple taxation, which has been identified as a major problem of private sector operators in the country.

According to him, multiple taxes on the same business discourage investors and therefore counter-productive and that a legal document to streamline taxes in the country was already before the Attorney-General of the Federation with a view to coming out with a law to make taxation less cumbersome for businesses. The chairman said that the list of taxes to be collected across board among the three tiers of government would eliminate the problem of unnecessary levies at various levels.

Dockworkers call off warning strike

By GODWIN ORITSE

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HE Dockworkers Branch of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has called off a 3-day warning strike it commenced on Monday.

The strike was called off yesterday while in its second day. Dockworkers under the union had on Monday downed tools as they commenced a three-day warning strike to press home demands for negotiation of wages with their employers.

Confirming the suspension of the strike yesterday, Dockworkers Branch President of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju told newsmen that the dockworkers had been asked to go back to work with immediate effect.

He said, “The strike has been called off and the workers have been asked to go back to work after the terminal operators promised to meet out demands.

“We have given them seven days ultimatum to meet our demand or we embark on full scale strike.”

The negotiation for wage increase between the workers and terminal operators started late last year. It would be recalled that MWUN had warned in November last year that plans by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to reverse charges at the nation’s seaports could impair the ability of terminal operators to increase their workers’ salaries and meet other obligations.

In a letter with reference number MWUN/ HMT/FMT/WDR/360 dated 10th November 2014 and sent to the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, a copy of which was sighted by Vanguard the Union said that it was “alarmed that an institution with or without known legal authority to perform the duties of Port Regulator could evolve such biased directive targeting terminal operational costs alone with dire consequences on our members”.

The letter signed by the union’s SecretaryGeneral, Comrade Aham Ubani stated that the NSC’s directive on the reduction of storage charges at the nation’s seaports would negatively affect the welfare of dockworkers and hamper port efficiency.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015 — 25

Homes & Housing

Housing development can generate 12m jobs annually —FMBN

By YINKA KOLAWOLE

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he development of 720,000 housing units required annually to bridge the national housing deficit of about 17 million units can potentially generate 12 million jobs in the country every year.

Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Mr Gimba Ya’u Kumo, made this submission, recently, at the commissioning of 102 units of the ministerial pilot housing scheme in Suleja, Niger State.

According to him, with proper planning and effective implementation of appropriate policies, the deficit could turn out to be a blessing in disguise, with its potential employment generating opportunities in the country. He noted that with an average of 17 jobs created per housing units, the annual construction of 720,000 housing units would create more than 12 million jobs every year.

“The national housing deficit of 17 million units currently recorded in the country may well be the panacea for creating over 12 million new jobs every year through the construction of the annual requirement of 720,000 new housing units per annum at the average rate of 17 jobs per housing units delivered,” he asserted.

Ya’u Kumo said the develoment of the ministerial pilot housing scheme is fully funded by FMBN, adding that the housing units are the first of such similar projects planned for the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria as part of government’s efforts to bridge the housing gap in the country. He said the 102 housing units were made up of 32 units of one-bedroom bungalow, 40 units of twobedroom bungalows, and 30 units of three bedroom bungalows, all delivered at affordable prices for off-takers.

The FMBN boss said the scheme would be implemented in the six geopolitical zones of the country for the benefit of Nigerians, especially contributors to the National Housing Scheme (NHS), adding that under the arrangement, the government provides construction financing and in most cases, unencumbered land for housing development. He declared that the bank is committed to the development of the nation’s housing sector,

adding that the bank was ready to contribute its quota, both directly and indirectly, to the goals of job creation and wealth generation through housing development.

In her speech at the event, Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs Akon Eyakenyi, said the commissioning of the project demonstrates government’s desire to make affordable houses accessible to low income earners in the country.

“I am happy about the efforts of the present administration to place the housing sector in the epicentre of the transformation agenda in order to fully harness its potential for sustainable and equitable growth. This pilot ministerial housing scheme, which is being carried out in all geopolitical zones in the country, is expected to deliver about 2,600 houses when completed. This effort also demonstrates that with prudent management, a great deal can be achieved within the shortest possible time. This is one way of achieving affordability for the low income

earners,” she said.

The minister disclosed that the ministry provided the land for the project, FMBN provided the fund, while the

developers were responsible for the actual construction based on specifications and timelines.

•Artist impression of the Azuri Peninsula at Eko Atlantic City

Firm unveils Azuri Peninsula at Eko Atlantic City

BY KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

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errs Eko Development Company Ltd, a real estate development company dedicated to creating luxury residences, has commenced the construction of the first phase of a new community, named Azuri Peninsula, at the emerging Eko Atlantic City.

Eko Atlantic City located beside the Bar beach, Victoria Island, is sitting over 10 million square metres of land reclaimed from the Atlantic Ocean. It is being developed

by South Energyx Nigeria Limited.

The Azuri Peninsula, sitting on 127, 507 square metres of land, is situated in the Marina District of Eko Atlantic City.

When completed, it would be part of a curated community that will offer a superlative lifestyle in homes of unparalleled quality, according to the developers.

Speaking on the mixed-use development at the site last week, Ibiene Ogolo, Chief Responsibility Officer, Eko

Development Company Ltd, noted that the multi-billion naira project comprises 120 luxury apartments, 12 superluxury simplexes and two superb villas as well as seven fine town house apartments that make up the first phase, with a three-year completion period.

Pointing out that the architectural design of Azuri Peninsula was handled by Gensler, a global design firm, Ogolo said the project offers the optimum place to live, work, play and invest. He disclosed that 80 per cent of part of the project that has been released to the market has been sold. “Azuri Peninsula offers a unique and luxurious urban lifestyle by the delightful marina-front of the Marina District in the vibrant new Eko Atlantic City.

There will be a five star marina and yacht club with an attractive promenade, highend shops, cafes and a wealth of amenities in a curated and sophisticated environment.

The landmark scheme is also close to the Business District in the new city, which is destined to be the new

financial centre of Lagos”.

Explaining the choice of Azuri as name, Ogolo said: “The developers have carefully chosen a brand name that resonates. ‘Azuri’ combines the African word ‘Zuri’ meaning beautiful, with Azure which suggests a radiant sea. The first phase of this marina-front project showcases exceptionally crafted two and four bedroom luxury apartments, six bedroom simplexes and seven bedroom villas which are arranged across marina town house apartments and three outstanding residential towers: ‘Zuna’ (meaning abundance), ‘Orun’ (meaning heaven) and ‘Oban’ (meaning king), which comprises up to 26 floors.

“The podium towers are carefully positioned to maximise views of the marina and garden-piazzas. Located on the ground floor are retail spaces while ample underground car parking is to be found on the lower ground level. Gensler ’s panel of interior designers is creating spacious and elegant apartments with a selection of design palettes.

US mortgage applications hit 3-month high

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o r t g a g e applications soared to the highest level since January last week, thanks to the lowest interest rates since February. Total volume rose 9.5 percent for the week ended March 20 from the previous week on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA).

Applications to refinance loans increased 12 percent week to week and are up 35 percent from a year ago.

Applications for mortgages to purchase a home, which are an indicator of future home sales, rose 5 percent and are now 3 percent higher than a year ago.

“Low mortgage rates and more importantly continued improvements in the job market are the likely drivers behind this increase,” said Michael Fratantoni, MBA chief economist.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances decreased to 3.90 percent from 3.99 percent, with points decreasing to 0.37 from 0.40 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent loan-to-value ratio (LTV) loans, according to the MBA survey.

Developer partners US firm to rebuild Malaysian Gardens

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lobal Formwork (Nig) Ltd, the developer of Malaysian Gardens in Abuja, said it has finalised partnership arrangement with an American company to kick start the project.

Special Assistant to the Executive chairman, Global Formwork Nigerian Ltd., Victor Uzomba, said that the New York based American real estate firm having been satisfied with the project concept has signed a joint venture agreement with Global Formwork thus setting the stage for eventual kick starting of the project.

Malaysian Gardens was launched by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2004 and is standing on 500 hectares with 14085 housing units is in Saraji District, Apo, Abuja.

26 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

Banking & Finance

Union Bank achieves ISO2700:2013 certification

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nion Bank of Nigeria Plc has been officially certified to the internationally recognised ISO27001:2013 standard for Information Security. The bank was awarded the certificate following a rigorous audit process conducted by the British Standards Institute (BSI), in partnership with Information Value Chain consulting firm, Digital Jewels.

ISO 27001:2013 is an information security standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electro technical Commission (IEC), under the joint ISO and IEC subcommittee. The standard specifies the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and improving information security management across systems, people and processes. It also includes requirements for the assessment and treatment of information security risks specifically tailored to the needs of an organization.

Commenting on the achievement, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive of Union Bank, Mr. Emeka Emuwa said “Since we began implementing our transformation initiatives in 2014, we have continued to improve our systems and processes to deliver optimal service levels to our customers.

Keystone Bank unveils Pink Network for Women

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omen participation in Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, SMEs, in Nigeria has received an inspiring and creative boost from Keystone Bank Limited, as the Bank recently unveiled The Pink Network, an initiative for women entrepreneurs and professionals to share business ideas and interact.

Speaking during the premiere interactive session held at the Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos, Otunba (Mrs.) ‘Debola Osibogun, President/Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Bankers, CIBN, said “Keystone Bank Limited has creatively set up this platform to cater for the dreams and aspirations of women SMEs and the professional working class women.”

While commending the Bank, the CIBN President also said “This initiative, beyond supporting the Central Bank’s Financial Inclusion Policy,

*Jibril Aku, MD/CEO Ecobank Nigeria

*Ladi Balogun, MD/CEO FCMB

Banks intensify efforts to attract patronage from SMEs

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

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cobank and First City Monument Bank (FCMB) have heightened the competition to attract patronage from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

SMEs have increasingly become the focus in the banking industry, with banks introducing products and services targeted at attracting patronage from them. This is beside the N220 billion established by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) last year. In line with this trend, Ecobank unveiled the SME Club which offers preferential business support, products and services to its teeming SME customers across the country, while FCMB on its part unveiled an empowerment programme for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) to enhance their financial, marketing and management skills.

Ecobank SME Club

The Club also serves as a platform for adding value to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through information mining, networking and capacity building.

According to Jibril Aku, Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, the massive empowerment for the SMEs is in line with the Bank’s vision “to contribute to the economic development and

financial integration of Africa.

There is no better way to grow Africa and her component countries other than by empowering our SMEs, the engine of growth. Today our bank, the Pan African bank celebrates our SMEs as we recognize your impact and contributions to the growth of our economy.”

Kingsley Aigbokhaevbo, Executive Head, Business Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, in giving an overview of the project, explained that the objectives of developing the SME Club are along the path of developing a cohesive and enduring strategic framework that focuses on growing and tracking the progress of the SMEs, adding that the SME club members will become catalyst to economic growth and transformation of the country.

Sunkanmi Olowo, Head of SME, Ecobank Nigeria,

explained that the SME Club offers preferential business support, products and services. “The benefits to customers are numerous. It offers business/capacity development and technical assistance; provides business, accounting, tax, legal and other services and platforms; B2B linkage across Africa; access to market information, economic updates, exchange rate information; international markets and finance; online marketing/sales (24/7); active support from government backed organisations and quarterly working sessions led by experts.

He added that “The Club also offers VIP lounge; priority access to banking services; Ecobank Webmall, the panAfrican online shop; Ecobank Omni; the pan-African corporate online banking platform and partner benefits on our loyalty programme; preferred services in over 37 countries with Ecobank footprints across Africa.”

FCMB Empowerment Initiative

There is no better way to grow Africa and her component countries other than by empowering our SMEs, the engine of growth Banks intensify efforts to attract SME businesses

The programme is aimed at equipping SME operators with the necessary skills they can readily deploy to effectively operate, grow their businesses and bottom-lines.

Speaking at a press conference held in Lagos, FCMB’s Executive Director, Lagos and South-west, Mr. Olufemi Bakre, said that the training was conceived by the Bank to build the capacity of SMEs by exposing them to

modern and innovative skills that would help them realise their objectives. This, he added is in line with one of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) focal areas of the Bank and its value as a helpful financial institution. According to him, ‘’FCMB realises that SMEs play pivotal roles in the growth of the nation’s economy. We also understand that a number of factors combine to determine the success or failure of SMEs”.

Mr. Bakre assured that, ‘’we are focused on being a strategic partner to such businesses, considering the huge opportunities they offer in the areas of job creation, poverty eradication and economic development.

Tagged ‘’FCMB Capacity Building Initiative: Empowering the Nigerian SMEs”, the empowerment programme is in partnership with Shopping Internet Services Limited. It involves series of free training and radio programmes cutting across various topical issues concerning SMEs. The pilot phase of the exercise, which the Bank has aptly christened cluster marketing, kicked-off in Lagos recently and will last for five months after which it will be extended to other parts of the country for another eighteen months. Apart from Shopping Internet Services Limited, the training has been endorsed by stakeholders such as the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Jobberman Limited, House of Tara and Metro FM, which will broadcast the training on radio. The course content and the resource persons, who are highly experienced, have been carefully chosen to ensure participants derive maximum benefits from the training. Among the topics are, SME Challenges and Key Skills/Knowledge of a Successful Entrepreneur; Effective marketing of SME Products or Service; Managing Distributors, Resellers, and Agents for Success; Pricing Strategies to Increase Sales; How To Make The Best Use of Your Banking Relationship; Identifying Biggest Business Opportunities, among others.

Also speaking, the Group Head, Business Banking Group of the Bank, Mr. George Ogbonnaya, stated that FCMB is committed to building a strong SME base in the country. He added that apart from funding SMEs, the bank developed a product, known as FCMB Personal Business Account (PBA) to offer protection to traders and other business owners against unexpected disasters, such as fire and flood incidents.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015 — 27

Banking & Finance This centre should be notfor-profit and be wholly dedicated to managing banking risk, with special focus on fraud,

Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Jibril Aku lecturing students of Government Secondary School, Lugbe, Abuja on ‘How to Grow Your Money’ during the 2015 Financial Literacy Day recently.

NeFF mulls banking risk information centre to tackle financial crime

BY JONAH NWOKPOKU

T

he Nigeria electronic Fraud Forum, NeFF has said it plans to set up banking risk information centre to tackle all forms of fraud in the financial services sector.

Director, Banking and Payments Systems Department, CBN, Dipo Fatokun disclosed while speaking at the Nigeria electronic Fraud Forum, NeFF held in Lagos He said that following a tour to South Africa in 2014 by NeFF to understudy the operations of the South Africa Banking Risk Information Centre’s success on combating financial crime, with a view to adopting some strategies to enhance the security of our payment space, forum has recommended setting-up of an independent Nigeria Banking Risk Information Centre, NIBRIC which should be owned by the banks but orchestrated by Central Bank of Nigeria.

“This centre should be notfor-profit and be wholly dedicated to managing banking risk, with special focus on fraud,” he said.

According to him, “The model for NIBRIC should be derived from the South Africa model, in comparison with other models such as SIBSS in Portugal, UK Card Association, etc., taking

cognizance of our peculiar environment; NIBRIC should start small, think big and scale up fast; The first phase of NIBRIC should be commercial crime and the immediate setting up of a forensic

laboratory and a Security Operations Centre.

He also explained that the forum has entered into collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to tackle card fraud in NonEMV environments as part of its commitment “to creating a

safer payment system, increasing user confidence and facilitating collaboration among players in the payments ecosystem.”

Speaking on the recent circular by the CBN that bank customers must inform their banks before using their cards overseas, he said it was an attempt to tackle payment fraud in non-EMV environment.

He said: “You remember that before now, we have issued a secular on the use of cards on non Europay, MasterCard, and Visa, EMV environment. That was what we observed to be the pattern, that people are using social engineering tactics to get card information of unsuspecting members of the public. And they will now clone these cards. And because some of the environments are NonEMV compliant yet, they will use these cards to conduct transactions abroad on PoS.

Banks won’t charge customers for BVN cards –NIBSS

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anaging Director of the Nigeria I n t e r b a n k Settlement System (NIBSS), Mr. Ade Shonubi, has said that bank customers would not be charged for the Biometric Verification Number (BVN) cards that would be issued to them after they have completed their registration The BVN is an initiative aimed at protecting bank customers and further strengthening the Nigerian banking system. It is an initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in conjunction with the Bankers’ Committee meant to address the safety of customers’ funds, avoids losses through compromise of personal identification numbers and other criminal activities in the industry.

The NIBSS boss, who is responsible for the implementation of the BVN said: “We are giving the BVN cards out for free. The cost is borne by the Bankers’

Committee, which considers the whole biometric project very important. They have been bearing the cost; the cost of the cards, cost of almost everything else that has to do with the BVN.” Shonubi, who stated that the number of bank customers that have so far obtained their BVN has been quite encouraging, said that going by the current high level of compliance by customers, he was optimistic that banks will achieve their targets of customer registration.

In a statement from the Bankers’ Committee, he said that lenders would soon commence the distribution of the BVN cards, stressing that the cards are ready and are with the banks awaiting collection by customers.

He said: “I have gotten my BVN card. I would encourage banks’ customers to talk to their banks as well. They have been printing them and sending them to the banks to distribute to the branches

where you have enrolled, you would be sent an SMS. For those that have given email address, it would be sent their emails.”

As part of efforts to encourage enrolment on the BVN, the CBN directed banks to only honour transactions over N100 million from customers with BVN from March 2015. Such transactions according to the apex bank include but not limited to, money transfers, loans, and contingencies, among others.

The regulator also urged all bank customers to register for their BVN by June 2015, warning that any bank customer without a BVN would be deemed to have inadequate know-yourcustomers (KYC) by that date. BVN involves the registration of customers in the financial system using biometric technology making accounts more secure using unique identifiers such as fingerprints.

First Bank, Omatek partner to boost solar energy

BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

F

irst Bank Nigeria Plc, FBN, says its partnership with Omatek Group Plc on solar energy will save Nigeria 90 percent of Energy consumption.

Group Executive, Commercial Banking, First bank, Mrs. Cecilia Majekodunmi , represented

by Emmanuel Ogundipe, Group Head, Lagos Mainland 3 of FBN, disclosed at the facility tour of the Omatek Solar Energy Plant constructed to help improve power in Nigeria, said what the partnership stands to deliver to Nigeria is that the country will save at least 90 percent in terms of energy consumption and the cost associated with it. “If Nigeria (ns) eventually embrace the project.”

According to her, “ we believe it is a project that only banks that are forward looking will key into, that is why the bank is ahead in partnering with the Omatek Group in this initiative.”

Skye Bank restates commitment to entrepreneurship

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roup Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Skye Bank Plc. Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, has restated the commitment of the top lender to build a virile and mutually beneficial partnership with its customers and business partners, irrespective of the challenges in the operating environment.

He disclosed this yesterday in Lagos at the bank’s business roundtable which focused on distributive trade that brought together leading players in that sector.

Oguntayo who said the forum was organized as a relationship deepening platform – to enable the Bank know and understand the aspirations of the businessmen and receive feedback from them, said the meeting would also help the bank fashion solutions to the challenges faced by the businessmen.

28 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

Corporate Finance

NIM inducts UBA senior executives

By JONAH NWOKPOKU

T

he Nigeria Institute of Management, NIM has inducted over 100 senior executives of United Bank for Africa into the membership of the institute as professional managers.

At the induction at the UBA head office in Lagos, the Group Managing Director of UBA, Philip Oduoza while congratulating the inductees and commending NIM for the training, said the programme was a great opportunity for UBA as it will help the senior executives not only become professionals managers but also update their skills and knowledge.

On his part, President and Chairman of Council, Dr. Nelson Uwaga, in an address charged the inductees to show more commitment to their responsibilities as managers and to let their new portfolio reflect in their attitude to work, the institute and the nation.

He said the institute has been in the forefront of reorientating Nigerians on attitudinal change in order to develop highly effective citizenry as change can only evolve through people with the right mindset, education and proper orientation to redirect events that would reshape the country.

He told the inductees that as professional managers, they have become ambassadors of the institute with unique behaviour in the values of the institute which include: Integrity, transparency, responsibility, accountability, equity, fairness, efficiency and effectiveness.

He said: “As professional managers, you are expected to show commitment in upholding the standards enshrined in the code. This will reflect credit not only to yourself and the organisation you work for but also to the management profession and the institute. In your day-today work, you will be confronted with situations in which you may have to make difficult choices. In such situations, let your choices and decisions be guided entirely by the professional and personal qualities entailed in the code of professional management practice.”

In this way, he said, both the institute and their members would contribute meaningfully to the development of the country to the ideal nation that everyone craves for.

From left : Second Vice President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr. Dapo Adekoje, President, CIS, Mr. Albert Okumagba, Special Assistant to Education Minister, Hon. Nasir Muhammad and First Vice President, CIS, Mr. Oluwaseyi Abe during courtesy visit of Hon Muhammad to Council Members of CIS in Lagos.

Financial institution tasked to develop products to maintain competitive edge

By JONAH NWOKPOKU

A

professor of Accountancy, Ben Osisioma has charged the financial services sector to develop products and show financial leadership in order to maintain competitive edge in the industry as well as drive productivity and sustainable growth.

He gave the charge while delivering a lecture at the induction of United Bank for Africa, UBA top management into the Nigeria Institute of Management, NIM, in Lagos.

Speaking on the theme: ‘Financial leadership in dire economic straits: Maintaining a competitive edge,’ Osisioma said it has become imperative that financial leaders show more leadership, adding that the recent economic meltdown was as a result of failure of corporate gate-keepers and that it was a signal for reevaluation of financial leadership.

According to him, “Finance leaders must leverage the capacities of the finance function to provide insight and commercial support that will drive sustainable decision making and bring a broader market focus to support the strategy of the business. They must accelerate strategic growth across the enterprise, catalysing change, leading the transformation train, and creating enormous competitive advantage for their firms. The challenge of financial leadership is a deliberate call to transit from mere

pedestrianism and rank opportunism, to become a transformation agent in organisation and society.”

“This is the quintessential challenge of financial leadership for these dire

Finance leaders must leverage the capacities of the finance function to provide insight and commercial support that will drive sustainable decision making

economic times,” he added.

Speaking further, he said: “Financial leadership demands a stepping up that will enable the executive demonstrate an understanding of the business - involvement in areas such as strategic planning, enterprise risk management and decision support, and ability to influence key internal and external stakeholders via communications, negotiation and collaboration skills.”

Financial leadership, he said, “Requires Chief Finance Officers to meaningfully contribute to the current and future investment profile of their firms, participate in the

broader corporate vision, and advocate and produce strategic transformation.”

He added: “Where financial leadership is in practice, finance executives will demonstrate a clear compelling vision of the organisation clearly aligned with the shortand long-term strategic goals of the firm. Such an organisation will be adept at change management, focussed on improving the use of information, building better partnerships and promoting growth and innovation throughout the company.”

Osisioma noted that times have changed, and very drastically too, and that “Successful organizations in the past, required an internal focus, structured interaction, self-sufficiency, and a topdown approach,” but “today, the rules of the game have changed as organizational structure must reflect an external focus, flexible interaction, interdependency, and a bottom-up approach.”

He said: “Effective organizational forms are driven by three fundamental and closely related factors. First is Globalization - the need for global coordination and innovation which is forcing constant experimentation and adjustment to get the right mix of local initiative, information flow, leadership and corporate culture; next is Internet - which provides the ability to access a vast array of information instantaneously in nano seconds, providing a seamless connection that brings together far-flung customers, employees and suppliers who can work together in real time. And then, there is Speed - cutting edge technology which allows employees, suppliers and freelancers to access one another online, developing new markets,and new products.

FSDH Merchant Bank records 76.33% rise in 2014 pre-tax profit

By JONAH NWOKPOKU

F

SDH Merchant Bank, Nigeria’s merchant banking services provider has reported a 76.33 per cent rise in 2014 profit before tax to N3.64 billion for the financial year ended December 31, 2014.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FSDH Merchant Bank Limited, Mr. Rilwan Belo-Osagie who disclosed this during a pre-AGM press briefing in Lagos also said that the bank’s revenue rose to N114.5 billion as the total value of the bank’s asset in 2014.

He said “the Board of Directors is recommending the sum of N747.62 million as dividend payment for the year ended December 31 2014, which translates to 26.75k per share.” He also said that “the size of the group’s shareholders’ funds stood at N25.4 billion as at December 31, 2014, which represents a 7 percent increase from the

position of N23.7 billion for the financial year ended 31 December, 2013.”

According to him, “The Group achieved a Profit before Tax (PBT) of N3.64 billion for the financial year ended December 31 2014. This represents an increase of 76.33% over the Profit Before Tax of N2.07 billion for the year ended December 31 2013. Profit After Tax attributable to the group was N3.028 billion which is 15.72 per cent above the N2.62 billion for the previous year.”

He added: “Earnings per share (EPS) for the group was 104 kobo, which is 11 kobo more than the 93 kobo that was earned in the previous financial year.” He told news men that, “The increase in profitability was as a result of three major factors, namely increase in interest income and fees from the growth in our loan book, income from securities trading and income from our investment activities,” adding that “during the period under review, all our subsidiaries posted profits.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015 — 29

Corporate Finance

CBN, IFC to establish NCR to stabilize MSME financing

BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation, IFC will in June 2015 establish a national collateral Registry, NCR to stabilize Micro Small and Medium Enterprise, MSME financing in Nigeria.

The establishment of NCR is to boost the confidence of Nigerian banks in playing active role in financing the MSME sector in Nigeria.

Dr. Mudashiru Olaitan represented by the Assistant Director, MSME Development Fund, Mr. Tobin Jonathan, disclosed this at a 3 day workshop on the N220B MSME Development Fund organized by the Bankers’ Committee’s sub-committee on Economic Development, Sustainability & Gender in collaboration with the CBN in line with the vision of the Governor of the Central Bank, Mr. Godwin Emefiele to promote financing to the MSME sector.

In his own presentation titled “Collateral Registry and MSME Financing”, Olaitan said the Project Manager of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Ubong Awah said, IFC is collaborating with CBN to establish a National Collateral Registry to stabilize MSME financing and also boost the confidence

of Nigerian banks in playing active roles in financing the sector in Nigeria. According to him, the MSME sector is an important catalyst for economic growth and financing the sector needs serious attention. “As an organization, IFC is bringing the experience we have garnered over the years across geographies to bridge the knowledge gaps and to lay emphasis on the fact that

globally, collateral for MSME is moving away from fixed assets to movable assets, hence the need to establish a collateral registry for the financial industry. We are excited to partner with Central Bank on this initiative”, Awah said.

According to the apex bank, MSMEs are the engine room for economic growth, vehicle for job creation, tools for poverty alleviation and

wealth creation for any country ’s economy. In his welcome presentation the Director, Development Finance Department of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Mudashiru Olaitan represented by the Assistant Director, MSME Development Fund, Mr. Tobin Jonathan, said the workshop was organized to cross-fertilize ideas and bridge the knowledge about the MSME sector by the lending institution and to also correct the wrong perception of the risky nature of the sector.

FG commences screening of youths for entrepreneurship training

By PETER EGWUATU

T

he

Federal Government h a s commenced screening of Nigerian youths for entrepreneurship training with the launch at the weekend of the Youths Entrepreneurship Strategy in Oil and Gas Industry.

Besides, part of the #220 billion set aside for Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSME) through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would be utilized to fund the

Youth Entrepreneurship Strategy.

It will be recalled that the Chattered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Anabel Leadership Academy to mobilize 150,000 youths annually for the institute’s Professional Diploma in Securities and Investment.

Okoye had earlier stated that the beneficiaries of the institute’s training would be integrated into the Youths Entrepreneurship Strategy.

Will

Addressing the youths at the launch organized by Anabel Leadership Academy in Abuja at the weekend, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga said the Federal Government was fully determined to empower the youths as the power of the youth in the economic development cannot be underrated Aganga explained that Nigerian youths form a very substantial segment of the population; hence they must be empowered in order to stem

the tide of unemployment, poverty, hunger and squalor.

He noted that the federal government had created a window of opportunities through legislation and the youths should take advantage of these opportunities. “Apart from empowerment through entrepreneurship training and certification, you must take advantage of the power reform and industrialization. These are windows of opportunities.

The greatest asset you have now is your brain and that is where the future is, he said.

C M Y K

30 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

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Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015 — 31

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32 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

Insurance

Expert urges youths to exploit agriculture Linkage Assurance gets Bbbstatus L

i n k a g e

Assurance Plc has been affirmed a Bbbstatus by Agusto&Co, a rating agency.

This was contained in the rating agency’s released rating result for 2015 on the insurer. According to Agusto&Co, the rating reflects Linkage Assurance satisfactory financial condition and adequate capacity to meet claims obligation as well as a “Stable Outlook “.

According to the agency, the insurer’s capacity to bear risk improved during the period under review.

Linkage Assurance capital to net premium income stood at 717% indicating the insurer ’s strong capacity to support business risks 7.2 times in FY2013.

Linkage’s Solvency margin of 764.4% (Q3 2014: 933.3%) also exceeded the regulatory minimum requirement of 15% and the insurance industry’s average of 198.3%. The rating confirms Linkage has strong capitalization to support its underwriting risk.

Linkage Assurance as a general business insurer plays very well also in the oil & gas and motor insurance market spaces of the industry paying over N803M in claims as at Q3 in 2014.

Managing Director of Linkage Assurance Plc, Mr. GUS Wiggle reiterated the company ’s focus stating that the company is continually committed to providing protection that counts to its clients.

C M Y K

Stories by ROSEMARY ONUOHA

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r.

Friday Ejam, C h i e f Executive Officer of Jubuckz Nigeria Limited said his company is determined to change the thinking of young Nigerians towards farming and encourage them to exploit opportunities in agribusiness.

Mr. Ejam, who spoke with newsmen in Lagos, said he has been in the forefront of those championing for the adoption of agribusiness as the major driver of the Nigerian economic growth.

He explained that Nigerian youths are losing out of the enormous opportunities in the sector due to a negative perception towards farming.

He believes that government policies should play a leading role in encouraging young people to go into agribusiness.

“Government should establish youth agriculture business investment initiative in the country. Take the National Youth Service (NYSC) for instance, can serve as a platform. Instead of young graduates wasting an entire year doing next to nothing, the government should ensure that these youths get the needed training in both the operation and business of agriculture. By the time they finish the service year, you’ll discover that they would not head to the cities for white collar jobs that are simply not there, they are ready for business” he explained. The large scale commercial farmer further noted that access to funding, land and so forth are all within the power of the government to provide in order to encourage the youths.

Ejam, who spent close to a decade in the banking industry before he voluntarily resign to explore the extremely large opportunities in agribusiness, explained that the Nigerian agricultural sector is rapidly transforming into a modernized, productive and competitive force. “The available opportunities in agriculture through agribusiness SMEs are enormous. The value chain in agribusiness consists of but not limited to farming, processing, preservation, storage, packaging, distribution, breeding, farm machinery, transportation, marketing, seed supply and so forth”. The Jubuckz boss believes that the energy, knowledge and enthusiasm of the youthful population hold the key that will unlock and

L-R: Head of Project & Design, Mr. Timi Adebayo, General Manager, Technologies, Mrs Gbemisola Adejumo, National Sales Manager, Mr. Kehinde Oyedeji and Technical Manager, Mr. Humphrey Okorie all of Halogen Technologies at the SECUREX West Africa Exhibition held at Eko Hotel & Convention, Lagos

boost food supply as well as grow the Nigerian economy.

He noted, “The nature of global agricultural market is changing in terms of technology, quality and standards. I am one of those that believe that it is time for the bulk of the youths, many of whom are well educated and entrepreneurial, to step up and play key roles in the emerging opportunities.

Agribusiness is a veritable

platform to do that”.

According to the entrepreneur, Jubockz Nigeria Limited is an integrated agribusiness company established to explore opportunities presented by virtue of Nigeria’s journey towards becoming agriculturally industrialized economy. He revealed that the company is focused on plantain farming and its food derivatives. This

decision, he said, was borne out of a strong believe that plantain farming can boost job creation, youth empowerment and ultimately wealth creation. He commended the federal government in its effort to support the agricultural sector and wants the government to attract the youths into the sector by collaborating with commercial banks to provide loans at single digit rates as well as to make them to have access to land.

John Holt increases IPP focus ...Introduces full generator range

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ohn Holt Plc has announced that its Independent Power Plants Unit now has the capacity to develop, build & manage power projects of all sizes, and supply power equipment such as transformers, hybrid generators, gas generators and pre–paid meters. According to a statement signed by the Head of Production/Service, Mr. Ben Iheakam, the unit has a robust assortment of power services, including power plant management, energy audits, capacity building, technical training, power system redesign services and power management.

The statement indicated that the gas generators are fuelled by natural gas to produce electricity for homes and industries.

The gas generators have proved to be a useful backup device for electricity provision when regular supply fails. The gas generators are dependable, cost effective and eco- friendly.

It also stated that John Holt hybrid generators combine advanced generator technology with integrated renewable energy for the most fuel-efficient, off-grid power available. The hybrid generator integrates solar panels and/or wind turbines seamlessly with the generator via direct connection with the inverter. The John Holt hybrid generator charges the batteries either through solar and/or wind turbines, public

mains or by running the engine thereby consuming up to 90% less fuel than a conventional generator.

According to the statement, for other needs, John Holt has also announced the introduction of the John Holt premier range of diesel generators covering models from 12.5kVA to 2,200kVA. The Premier range is powered by genuine Perkins engines (UK), manufactured to exacting standards by world class manufacturers in Europe and assembled by John Holt’s highly skilled team of technicians in compliance with the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP).

Iheakam stated that among several key features, the generators have an in-built Automatic Transfer Switch (A.T.S) function in the Panel which with only minor electrical adjustments at minimal cost allows the generating set to either start or shut down automatically when power from the mains or another source fails or is restored.

Iheakam noted that the premier range of diesel generators also boasts a maintenance alarm which is programmed in the panel to beep and alert the user anytime the generating set is due for service maintenance.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015 — 33

Trend & Innovations

10 technology trends to watch in Africa in 2015 F

rom smartphones to cargo drones, technology has the potential to transform the future of Africa. These 10 trends show how innovation can ripple through societies, boost economies and help the continent skip over development hurdles.

Wi-fi

Droneports:

Because connectivity defines modern prosperity, and because Africa will not be able to build roads fast enough to manage its growth, the continent will be the first to adopt cargo drones at massive scale. But drones need somewhere to land. So in 2015 we will see the first concepts for droneports out of Africa.

They will be clean-energy, open to sky and nature, and mix the civic quality of early Victorian railway stations with souks and the latest airport technology – in other words, the petrol station of the 21st century.

Robotics

It’s not just flying robots that hold economic promise for Africa. The ongoing Ebola outbreak in West Africa has reinforced the lessons of Fukushima. In the kind of emergency where it’s dangerous for humans to be in contact with one another, robotics can help to screen for radiation or for infectious disease. Currently, there are not enough advanced robots to do the remote tasks we need them to do. It might seem counterintuitive to promote robotics in the context of high youth unemployment and pervasive poverty. But African economies will engineer efficiencies through automation that they would otherwise not be able to afford.

Look to the Africa Robotics Network and research universities inside and outside Africa, which will spread robotics beyond humanitarian use into the production of robots. In particular, there will be more research into robotics for healthcare and search-andrescue functions.

Space The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) astronomy project in South Africa’s Kalahari desert promises to massively advance space science in Africa. The SKA’s goal is to map the early C M Y K

Will 2,000 steps a day suffice for African city-dwellers? Will cholesterol tracking influence food choices?

universe using radio telescopes, and the first phase of the project is capped at $740 million. The necessary computing architecture will be among most advanced on the planet. SKA will eventually produce more data than the rest of the world’s astronomy projects combined. In 2015, we will also see private space initiatives, including the South African investor Elon Musk’s Space X begin consideration of

sounds of Earth recorded on it. Among them is a greeting in the Chewa language of central and southern Africa: “How are you, people of other planets?” Google Translate is now available in 10 African languages.

However, Translators without Borders points out that Africa has 2,000 languages. Only 242 of these are used in the media and just 63 are used in the judicial systems. That means

There are not enough advanced robots to do the remote tasks we need them to do, it might seem counterintuitive to promote robotics in the context of high youth unemployment and pervasive poverty private launch sites in Africa, ahead of the many rocket launches expected to take place before NASA sends humans to Mars in 2035. Located on the equator and with plenty of space, Africa has the potential to be a major player in space exploration.

Translation Voyager I has entered interstellar space. Fastened to it is a gold disc with the

the poorest and most vulnerable Africans struggle to make themselves understood. Creating living dictionaries for hundreds more African languages will be a significant undertaking in 2015, not just for heavyweights such as Google and IBM’s Project Watson, but for start-ups, too. It is cheap and profitable: Babel has never looked so promising in Africa.

Tech spaces

Tshimologong Pre cinct is a technology accelerator of Wits University in Johannesburg, which has the backing of companies such as IBM and Microsoft. As much as 40% of South Africa’s GDP is generated within a short drive of Tshimologong and many students live in the area, so reorienting the precinct around technology makes sense. Similarly, in Kenya, the Gearbox makerspace for design and rapid prototyping will move into the railway district in downtown Nairobi.

The year 2015 will see similar initiatives from Dakar to Durban as city planners, property developers and technologists realize they can work together to produce jobs and vitality.

Augmented reality

This year may be too soon for augmented reality to hit the market in Africa, but it is not too soon to begin planning for it. How might an African second life, visited by commuters on crowded minibuses, differ from augmented realities in industrialized countries?

Wearable technologies

Africa is coming late to wearables because of the cost, but in 2015 will see them gain market share through cheap smart watches and health trackers. That will subtly challenge present behaviour for wealthier early adopters.

A study by iPass, an American wi-fi provider, suggests that wi-fi hotspots will proliferate on the planet, but continue to lag in Africa.

It predicts that in 2018 there will be a wi-fi beacon for every 20 people on Earth, but only one beacon for every 400 Africans. So, the year 2015 will see a more concerted push towards spreading wi-fi more equitably around Africa. Suborbital satellites using solar sailplane technology will close financing. These great and graceful craft always aloft in the stratosphere will usefully compete with high-altitude “loons”, white-space radio frequency and low-tech stratospheric repeaters. A related activity will be to make the most of the available bandwidth by installing the best available spam filters.

Smartphones again

The migration from dumb phones to smartphones is so obvious a trend that it can often be overlooked, but new guesstimates form Cisco underline the extent of the coming change. In South Africa, Cisco says, internet usage will grow from 710 megabytes a month to 7.2 gigabytes in 2019. Most of this will be on newly purchased smartphones and their related devices, such as wearables and augmented reality. And where South Africa goes, the larger African economies follow.

Futurism

The year 2015 will see a move towards futurism among African intellectuals, with avant-garde artists and writers anticipating Africa’s forthcoming acceleration in their works. Concepts will include new technologies, the loss of wildlife species, the creation of cities and the longer view of transhumanism and interstellar travel. Wider discussions about technology will take place. A good example is South African film director Neill Blomkamp and his latest blockbuster, Chappie, set in Johannesburg: “Humanity’s last hope is not human.”

Author: Jonathan Ledgard is Director of a future Africa initiative at EPFL and a longtime Africa correspondent at the Economist.

34 —Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

C

“

on-SOLUDO-tion created no additional jobs in the banking sector.

On the contrary, it led to massive retrenchments. It is quite possible that Soludo no longer goes to the banking hall himself.

Otherwise, if he had a favourite bank in 2004 and still visits that bank today, he would know how many people had been sacked.

Since OCEANIC, BankPHB and Intercontinental banks, among others, were taken over by the survivors of the “Con-SOLUDO-tion calamity, hundreds of their branches had been closed.

Yet, Soludo, eager to blame Okonjo-Iweala for N30 trillion lost under her watch, was even dismissing the charge about AMCON being a drain of everybody ’s funds to rescue the banks which were looted by Soludo’s “friends”. Even the list of AMCON clients includes the main beneficiaries of “Con-SOLUDO-tion”.

Other Nigerians,

BATTLE OF TWO TRUTH BENDERS:

Okonjo-Iweala and Soludo - 4 undernourished as we are, are still being forced to bail out those who robbed the banking system under Soludo.

When Soludo claimed that “As I see the new Access bank, Zenith, GTB, Fidelity…..I cannot but feel that we have taken a giant step forward”, he forgot that if Sanusi had not exposed the fraud going on under Soludo and forced the banks to clean up their acts, there would be no bank left in Nigeria about which we can be proud. At, any rate, we had no choice but to move forward in 2009. The unrelenting increase in the price of crude oil, bringing more funds into the eco-system also helped a great deal.

Without that, the banks

would never have recovered so well.

This search for truth will not be complete if mention is not made of two serious blunders made by Soludo while he was CBN Governor. One, the campaign to coin some of our power denomination currencies was a massive

Even the list of AMCON clients includes the main beneficiaries of “Con SOLUDOtion”.

failure despite the entire colossal amount spent on it. Only God knows what has happened to the mountains of coins produced. Two, conversion from conventional paper for minting currencies was announced with all the fanfare and hubris Soludo could command. Substrate we were told would last almost forever and defy the “Nigerian treatment”. The evidence on the streets today emphatically refutes that assertion. And, now the entire exercise is wrapped in scandal. Again, Soludo brushed these aside in his write-up. Very unprofessional.

Finally, Soludo is asking for a debate. It is doubtful there will be one – especially after Soludo

stopped his revelations with part 1. There is a strong possibility that he had received an offer which he cannot refuse to stop.

Obviously, the timing of the releases is bad for Jonathan. But, if ever there is going to be a debate, permit me to offer my services as a moderator. If ever there were two highly placed economists who combined to ruin Nigeria, by acts of commission or omission, Soludo and Okonjo-Iweala should both step up to receive the prize. That is what Soludo is saying about the Minister and that is what the CME is saying about Soludo. I have the records to prove both of them right about their charges against each other.

Micro-Finance

ITF trains 74,000 youths in technical, vocational Skills Stories by PROVIDENCE OBUH

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he Industrial Training Fund (ITF), has trained 74, 000 young Nigerians in different technical and vocational skills, said Director General, Mrs. Juliet Chukkas Onaeko.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement forum in Lagos, themed: “Zero Oil Policy and Economic Growth: The ITF Perspective,” Onaeko said that the training programme was ongoing.

According to her “So far, 74, 000 young Nigerians have been trained in different technical and vocational trade areas. Some of the trainee secured employment immediately after completion of their training, while a large number of them have established businesses of their own and are doing well.”

“The Technical Skills Development Program is being run using facilities of employers in different parts of the country and ITF Skills Training Centres. So far, over 2,300 trainees have benefited from this partnership.

“We have also entered into technical collaboration with C M Y K

Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria (CTIN), for the training of craftsmen and Artisans in the construction industry.”

She said the Federal Government has introduced various policies to reform the economy in other to place it on sustainable economic growth and stability.”

Explaining further she said “ As a proactive organization, we have acquired four mobile workshops to complement our existing industrial skills Training Centres. These will increase accessibility to skills training in all nooks and crannies of the country and ensure that our young men and women acquire relevant skills to fit into existing and new jobs.

“The ITF has also refocused its training programme to equip two million youth annually with employable and life skills required for self and paid employment. We hope that the outcome will be drastic reduction in unemployment and restiveness across the country.”

Additionally, she said most of the trainees secure

employment immediately after completion of their training, while large number of them have established businesses on their own and are doing well.

She appealed to the stakeholders for support and collaboration to consolidate on the ongoing training programmes in the different sectors of the economy.

“This laudable programme is on-going and we need your support and collaboration to strengthen and consolidate it,” she said.

From left: Head, Public Affairs Unit, ITF, Mrs Dorothy Ojaide, Director General, ITF, Mrs Juliet Chukkas Onaeko, at the ITF, Organised Private Sector (OPS) seminar in Lagos.

Credit managers highlights causes of credit failure

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he reason why bank customers would borrow money and default in repayment has been highlighted by the credit managers in the country, Institute of Credit Administration, ICA Nigeria.

Also, Chairman/MD, Mobil Oil Nigeria Mr. Adetunji Oyebanji, has been installed as the new President and Chairman of the 3 rd Governing Council of the Institute, alongside 11 man team, with the induction of 47 Fellows, 37 Members and four Associates into the institute.

In his paper titled:”The Causes of Credit Failure,” Fellow, ICA and Head, Upstream Oil & Gas, Corporate Banking Group, Sterling Bank Plc, Dr. Luka Marne, listed: Wrong or unclear facility purpose; wrong facility structure; inadequate understanding of applicant’s business structure; improper customer profiling; improper monitoring system; poor credit appraisal; fund mismatch (using short term fund for long term project) among others as the causes of credit

failure.

Marne describe bad credit as a past failure to keep up with your credit agreement, an amount owed by a debtor that is unlikely to be paid due to a company going into liquidation, adding that credit is the trust which allows one party to provide money or resources to another party where that second party does not reimburse the first party immediately; but instead arrange to repay those resources at a later date

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015 — 35

Tax Matter

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lectronic-Taxpay is an online self-service tax payment system which gives taxpayers the opportunity to pay their taxes through their banks’ online payment portals.

It is an initiative of FIRS in collaboration with Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS). It is meant to facilitate payments of taxes from the comfort of taxpayers’ offices or homes. Taxpayers can pay using the electronic channels provided by their banks such as the banks’ internet banking platform, branches and mobile banking platforms.

Conditions to be met by taxpayer before using e-Taxpay platform * Register and obtain your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) *Have an account with any bank of your choice and subscribe to the internet banking function of your bank. *Have ufficient funds in the account to cover the tax liability/transaction.

Steps to take to make payment through e-Taxpay platform Having registered and received a TIN, an active internet banking account and sufficient funds, then; * Decide the channel to use; * If you decide on internet banking channel, log on to your bank’s internet banking platform e.g. GTBank Online Banking, FirstOnline, etc; * In the case of GTBank Online Banking, select the “Payment” option in the menu; * Then select “NIBSS E-Bills payments” under the “Payment” option; * Select the account to debit from, to continue; * Once inside the NIBSS E-Bills payments, select “New Request” to start a new payment. This will take you to the NIBSS platform; * Then select “FIRS e-Taxpay” from the displayed list services that the NIBSS platform provides, in order to start the tax payment in particular; * You then enter your TIN (FIRS/JTBTIN) or the TIN of the taxpayer you want to pay for; * Click “verify” to validate that the TIN belongs to the taxpayer making the payment; *A pop-up will appear with the TIN

Electronic tax payment is an initiative of FIRS in collaboration with Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS). It is meant to facilitate payments of taxes from the comfort of taxpayers’ offices or homes.

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E-Taxpay Payment…

Promoting Transparency tax payment system

in

From Left: Mr. Achillis Amawhe, Director Inter Affairs Department FIRS, Altaf Fajandar, South Africa, Ediretje Mokara, Director, Finance and Corporate Affairs ATAF, John Kinyuy, Cameroon, Gershen Takavada, Commissioner General Zimbabwe Revenue Authority & Chairman ATAF, Ag. Executive Chairman FIRS, & Chairman of ATAF Finance & Audit Committee, Logan wort, Executive Secretary ATAF, Elizebeth Storbeck , Institutional Development Officer ATAF, Mamadou Abbes, Senegal, Mr. Femi Edga, Secondy of FIRS to ATAF, Mr. Shegun Sosimi, Assistant Director, Technical to Chairman FIRS, at ATAF Finance and Audit Committee meeting held in Abuja. details. If ok, then go to the next stage; *Select the tax type (e.g. Company Income Tax, Pre-Operation Levy, Value Added Tax, etc.); *Enter the amount to be debited (tax sum being paid); *Accept service charge for the bank (if applicable); *Confirm that all the information provided are correct and valid; *Submit the request.

After a successful transaction, the system will generate an ‘eacknowledgement’ which can be printed online, or sent to a specified e-mail address.

The ‘eacknowledgement’ is a confirmation of the transaction of payment of tax to FIRS which would be presented to FIRS field office for the issuance of statutory FIRS receipt to the taxpayer.

A TAXPAYER SHOULD PLEASE ENSURE THE ‘e-acknowledgement’ IS SUBMIT TED TO THE TAX OFFICE OF DOMICILE TO GET A GOVERNMENT TAX RECEIPT FOR THE PAYMENT MADE. Real time notifications: The platform also notifies the taxpayer and FIRS through SMS alert and real time email. FIRS can view payment transactions and reports online, in real time.

Tax types that can be paid using the e-Taxpay channel: e-Taxpay can be used to pay all tax types and levies collected by FIRS. They include:

*Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) *Education Tax (ET) *Companies Income Tax (CIT) *Value Added Tax (VAT) *Personal Income Tax (PAYE for residents of FCT and non-Residents) *Withholding Tax (WHT). This requires a schedule to be uploaded on the platform; *National Information Technology Development Fund Levy (NITDEF) *Capital Gains Tax (CGT) *Pre-Operation Levy (POL) *Stamp Duties (SD) and late filing penalty Documentation required when the taxpayer wants to pay tax: *Compute tax payable *Fill the relevant selfassessment forms *Prepare the relevant schedules *Make the payment (CIT/ PAYE/WHT/VAT).

Benefits of using e-Taxpay *Promotes transparency in tax payment system; *Boosts taxpayer confidence and trust in the tax system; *Promotes voluntary compliance by taxpayers; *Convenience, time and cost saving for the taxpayers as they can do it themselves within the confine of their offices without going to the banking hall.

The platform is safe and

Taxpayers can pay using the electronic channels provided by their banks such as the banks’ internet banking platform, branches and mobile banking platforms

secure.

Security of the e-Taxpay Platform The e-Taxpay service is safe and secure. The e-Taxpay platform leverages on the security measures provided by the service channels of the banks in addition to that of NIBSS and FIRS.

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36 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

E - Commerce

Easy Taxi launches cashless payment option

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asy Taxi has unveiled an in-app cashless payment option, 'Easy Taxi Pay' that will enable customers to add their credit/debit card details and pay for a ride by simply tapping their smart phone screen.

The application also provides a detailed summary of the payment information after each ride via email. With this new payment method, customers using Easy Taxi will now have the widest range of payment options available to them from cash, to M-pesa paid directly to the driver, and now credit card / debit cards. Easy Taxi is excited to provide customers with the option of paying for their rides using their credit/ debit cards. With this new mode of payment, we hope to further enhance our customer’s convenience and overall experience,” said Lauren Gray, Marketing Director at Easy Taxi.

To ensure that all transactions made with Easy Taxi are safe and secure, Easy Taxi is working with Amsterdam based payment services company Adyen, to process the credit and debit transactions.

Adyen is a licensed acquirer of Visa and Mastercard, adhering to the security for both card companies.

Red Star, DealDey partner to drive ecommerce

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n a strategic bid to enhance e-commerce industry in Nigeria, Red Star Express Plc, a logistics solutions provider said it’s in a partnership with DealDey to take online shopping business to another height.

DealDey, an online store in Nigeria appointed Red Star Express to handle its logistics, by providing its customers with the option of picking-up their DealDey orders at over 20 Red Star Express locations nationwide.

Speaking on the partnership, the Managing Director of Red Star Express, Mr. Sule Bichi, said the world is a global village, characterized by technological advancement. Thus Red Star Express strongly believes in creating new opportunities to enable Nigerians enjoy products of technological advancement as their peers from developed countries."

This is aimed at building stronger future and positively contributing to the economic development of our country through job creation,” Mr. Bichi stated.

How to save more through electronic payment Stories By JONAH NWOKPOKU

E

lectronic payment solutions provider, Remita has offered new ways to improve efficiency, and save more money through electronic payment.

At a breakfast meeting titled: ‘Declining revenues – time for new ideas’ Remita said given the declining revenues confronting the nation and disrupting operations and targets of some businesses, it has become imperative for businesses to begin to think of new ways of improving efficiency by curtailing wastes through electronic payments.

Managing Director of SystemSpecs, the operator of Remita, Mr. John Obaro said the company has come up with new ideas, ‘7 Remita ideas’ to help businesses and individuals improve on their incomes and management of resources.

Some of the ideas according to Obaro, include: “making and monitoring all payments through a single platform, improvement of payment collection process through adoption of electronic invoicing, automation of payroll processes through a one-stop pay-roll preparation and payment platforms and improvement of operational efficiency through generation of electronic schedules.”

Also speaking during the meeting, the Managing

The federal government could halt the trend of declining revenue by blocking leakages through Information and Communication Technology.

Director of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane who gave a keynote address on Nigeria’s declining revenue, said the federal government could halt the trend of declining revenue by blocking leakages through Information and Communication Technology, ICT. He said ICT has the capacity

to transform tax revenue collection, improve services to tax payers, adding that buying and selling could be more efficient using e-‘payment as it will lead to improved resources management which will in turn lead to increase in revenue.

On his part, former Executive Director of First Bank of Nigeria, Kehinde

AWARD - Leonard Palka, (left) MD, AshakaCem Plc, receiving his award from Kabelo Makwane ,MD, Microsoft Nigeria Limited at the 2015 BusinessDay top 25 CEOs award in Lagos.

Shoptomydoor, MasterCard offer free ocean shipping with 0.10.20 promo

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igeria’s international online shop, Shoptomydoor.com and payment processor, MasterCard have entered into partnership to reward international shoppers through a free ocean shipping service.

The promo will see MasterCard holders from all Nigerian banks enjoying an exclusive 12.5 per cent discount from Shoptomydoor.com for all purchases shipped through

their platform from March till th June 30 , 2015.

Tagged ‘Promo 0.10.20’ Shoptomydoor said the promo is a special Easter offer that will start on Thursday, 26th of March and end on the 14th of April, 2015.

According to Shoptomydoor, “Promo 0.10.20 is basically a $0 or free ocean shipping on all items from all USA stores, $10 flat rate air shipping on all fashion items of any quantity from select stores and $20 flat

CSR: Carmudi.com renovates Berger auto market

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Lawanson said there needs to be a robust engagement by ICT players to bring over 60 million unbanked population into the financial system, adding that for Nigeria to arrest the revenue fall, it needs to develop its export sector, support local investments by protecting local market and enhance local performance.

nline car marketplace, Carmudi.com has as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, renovated the Berger auto market in Lagos, with the aim of creating a cleaner and more conducive environment for the automobile dealers and their customers.

During the event, Carmudi Nigeria staff and several car dealers, armed with brooms, paint brushes and carpentry tools, renovated the market structures which consisted of cleaning the market and surrounding areas, repairing

of depleted exteriors, and painting the structures in the Carmudi blue and white colours. Speaking at the event, Managing Director of Carmudi Nigeria, Christian Keller, said: “At Carmudi we aim to create the absolute best experience for our customers, and creating a more welcoming environment through this renovation is just the beginning. We have listened to the concerns and needs of the dealers which is why we are here today to paint Berger market."

rate shipping on cell phones, tablets and laptops of any quantity via air from select stores.

This affords MasterCard users the ability to shop top brands on huge discounts sale during the Easter promo from the USA with guaranteed delivery to Nigeria.”

Speaking on the promo, President/CEO of shoptomydoor.com, Nduka Udeh, said: “This exclusive promo for all MasterCard customers from any Nigerian bank, old and new, avails Nigerians the opportunity to shop directly from top brand online stores in the USA without paying a processing fee as seen with other platforms. Direct shopping of apparels, laptops, cell phones, tablets and more items from selected stores in the USA is now a norm as these stores now accept Nigerian issued cards directly."

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015 — 37

38 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

People in Business

*Ankara footwear

*Bead necklaces and earrings

Every woman must have at least one skill – Joy Okolie

By EBELE ORAKPO

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rs Joy Okolie is t h e Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Esvic Enterprises, a business outfit that is into skills acquisition and fashion accessories.

In this chat with Financial Vanguard in Abuja recently, the graduate of Catering and Hotel Management from the Kaduna Polytechnic, speaks on her business, the challenges, and says she tries to ensure that every woman acquires at least one skill by making the training affordable. Excerpts: What we do: “Presently, we are into skills acquisition programmes where I train women in beadmaking, hat-making, ankara shoes and bags, twine bags, shoes, tailoring, hairdressing etc. We organise talk shows where we talk to women on the importance of skills, why it is necessary for every woman to have at least one skill that she can always fall back on. I really look forward to expanding my business, to have a training centre where people can come in any time for training and you just pay a token. We try to make our training affordable,” she said.

Why women and youths need these skills: “My reason for focusing on women and youths basically

is that for the women, most men will tell you they want their wives to be housewives, they don’t want them to work and the reason is that if the wife is working, there will be nobody to take care of the children. But if you have a skill, you can operate from your house, thereby having the opportunity to still take care of your family.

“That is why I am really trying to encourage women that instead of sitting down at home doing nothing or gossiping and roaming up and down, they can use that time to learn a skill that the family can fall back on. You know there are times a man may be broke, if the wife has a skill and use it, definitely, little money will be coming in to support the family."

Youths: “I encourage the youths to also learn a skill because it is impossible for government to provide jobs for everybody. Let us not deceive ourselves. But if you have a skill, even after your education and you cannot get a job, you can fall back on it and you will not be frustrated.

And peradventure you don’t get a job, you develop yourself on the skill and you can make a living out of it. That is why I really want everybody to learn at least one skill,” she said.

Civil servants: Okolie thinks that civil servants also need to learn a skill or two.

She said: "As a civil servant,

you should have a skill. You discover that most civil servants after they retire get frustrated because the pension does not come when they need it. But if you have a skill, after your retirement, you can still use it. Don’t wait till you retire before you learn a skill. By the time you retire, you might be too old to learn one but if you already have one, you will just develop it and live a happy life.”

Training cost: Asked how much the trainings cost, Okolie said: “Bead-making is N10,000 for a two-month period, but they buy all the materials because anything they make is their personal property. For

*Mrs. Joy Okolie...I encourage the youths to learn a skill because it is impossible for government to provide jobs for everybody

...instead of sitting down at home doing nothing or gossiping and roaming up and down, women can use that time to learn a skill that the family can fall back on

ankara, we charge N15,000, for one month period, hatmaking is N10,000 for one month. The twine bag costs N10,000; tying of head-tie is N10,000. For tailoring and hairdressing, we have not decided on the price yet since we have not really started.”

Raw materials: “We get our beads mainly from Lagos because they are cheaper and you get different varieties. The materials we use in making the ankara shoes and bags we get from our local markets here.”

Challenges: “The major challenge we have is the cost of acquiring a venue for training. For you to really get a spacious place, is capital intensive, costing as much as N2 million. I asked myself: If I use N2 million to rent a shop, what am I going to use equip it? We need to buy sewing machines, filing machines for making shoes, dryers, weaving machines etc so by the time we use N2 million to rent the shop, what are we going to use to equip it?” she asked, noting that it has been a major challenge.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015 — 39

Aviation

L-R: Managing Partner, Consultants Collaborative Partnership LLP, Arc Femi Williams; Partner, Engr. Sunday Ibironke, Partner, Arc Enahoro Zedomi (Right) with children from Down Syndrome Foundation, during CCP’s 25th Anniversary Charity Walk for the Foundation in Lagos.

NAAE ask FG to hasten clearance of navigational equipment

By LAWANI MIKAIRU

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he National Association of Air Traffic Engineers, NAA E , h a s called on government to expedite the clearance of Aeronautical Information Service equipment at the Lagos wharf to allow installation and take off of the automation of AIS project .

This is just as the body has decried the absence of spare parts for equipment across the airports in the country.

Speaking at the occasion marking the 33rd NAAE day celebrations in Lagos, the National President of NAAE Engr Ebenezer Makanjuola said “AIS automation ought to have started long ago but due to bureaucracy in the system.

We are appealing to Government to expedite action on the AIS project.”

He further explained that

Our greatest challenge today is spare parts, for Navigational equipment, communications equipment and we are facing this because of the lacuna in the system

the lack of spare parts has negatively affected the performance of equipment at airports across the country.

“Our greatest challenge today is spare parts, spare parts for our Navigational equipment , communications equipment and we are facing

this today because of the lacuna in the system, government is aware of it and they are doing something about it” Acknowledging the ageing equipment, Makanjuola said there can never be a perfect system adding that there were

bound to be failure in every system hence there were professionals to attend to them in times of need. “If there is no failure , there won’t be engineers. December 14 in the UK the whole system failed and they called off all the flights. Nobody should premise what is happening on the engineers or equipment.”

He appealed to the government as a matter of urgency expedite action on the clearance of Aeronautical Information Service equipment at the Lagos wharf to allow for installation to enable the automation of AIS project.

Makanjuola revealed that there has never been any accident traceable to air traffic engineers as a result of negligence in the past 25 years.

The NAAE president also noted that over 20 engineers will be retiring this year from NAMA but added that there “ was no cause for alarm as management has been training and retraining people to take over from the ageing system as regards manpower development “ He assured the flying public that the Nigerian Airspace is safe, secured and reliable and to ignore any negative statement about the Airspace adding that only the user will tell when equipment is not functioning.

Arik, CFM partner to train Nigerian aircraft engineers

By LAWANI MIKAIRU

A

rik Air and aircraft engine manufacturer, CFM International have started discussion on the training of Nigerians on aircraft engine maintenance and repairs.

The discussion took firm ground last Monday when the President of CFM, Jean-Paul Ebanga visited the headquarters of Arik Air at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos to affirm the importance of the airline to the company and also show commitment to the planned partnership.

Ebanga who toured Arik Air’s facilities at its headquarters said that he was impressed by the progress the airline has recorded in just eight years of its commercial operations, adding that Arik would soon be one of the leading airlines in Africa.

“What the Chairman of Arik Air, Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide is doing right now is to do, not to talk. He is bringing the needed change in air transport in Nigeria. In three to four years from now Africa will be the most populated continent with growing middle class. We have CFM engines in many aircraft operating in Africa. So we grow with Africa’s economy as the middle class becomes empowered by the on-going economic growth. I think the population of CFM engines in Africa is the biggest one. I think we have about 900 engines flying all over Africa and the engines are behaving very

well,” Ebanga said.

According to the Chairman of Arik Air, Arumemi-Ikhide “This training is an invaluable contribution of Arik Air to government’s local content development policy and as discussion progresses, it is expected that the airline would select intelligent, bright and young Nigerians that would be trained by CFM, which is the manufacturer of Arik Air Boeing 737 New Generation (NG) engines.”

On the partnership, Arumemi-Ikhide said “We set up two working groups made up of people from their side and our side and we are looking at issues of Harmattan on our engines and you know we are going to build MRO. They are going to let us know what role they will play there. We are going to start a lot of work locally but they must have to be of international standard. Nigerians are well trained. We have skilled people all over the world. Like he said, it is one step after the other but government must support. Without government’s support, we cannot do anything,” he said.

The President of CFM also observed that for African airlines to be competitive they have to operate new and modern equipment as Arik Air is doing, engage the services of skilled manpower and operate modern system that would dovetail with operators in other parts of the world because every airline in the world is competing at the same level because all have access to the same market.

FG projects N14 trillion for Nigeria aviation sector

By LAWANI MIKAIRU & DANIEL ETEGHE

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he Federal Government has projected about N14 trillion investment plan to develop the country ’s aviation industry in the short, medium and long term as part of measures to develop the sector to compete with other countries in passenger growth and also contribute to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The investment portfolio of USD 62 billion, (about N15 trillion), the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka said is attainable because Nigeria was strategically located from where airlines can easily connect with other African countries, Europe and the Middle East as its population size and demography is a huge asset.

He also said that the aviation industry has contributed about $0.7 billion (N137.9 billion) to the Nigerian Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Speaking at the Aviation Executive Business Forum in Lagos, Mr. Chidoka said a projected investment of USD 12 billion in the short and midterm by 2018 will result in passengers’ growth to between 12 and 25 million while the long term investment of USD 50 billion by 2043 will ferry 110 million passengers.

Chief Chidoka explained that government will create the enabling environment that will offer decent returns on investment to every stakeholder in the industry and contribute to the country’s GDP that currently stand at 0.4 percent.

He also said part of the action plans include stimulating both local and foreign direct investment, facilitate government intervention and guarantees as well as reduce industry risk and expand credit and aviation finance tailored to industry requirement.

The minister said “as we gradually transit into a new era of aviation business, this government is ready to make sure that those turning the wheels of the industry do so with ease” According to him, the current GDP in Nigeria was $80.3 billion (N15,819 trillion) affirming that the industry had been under utilised thus preventing it from becoming a major regional opportunity as a hub of West Africa.

40 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

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Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015 — 41

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42 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

Economy

External reserve hits new low, below 4 months import Stories by EMEKA ANAETO, Economy Editor

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he stress of dwindling oil revenue is mounting on the economy as external reserve drops below USD30 billion last week, indicating less than four months import bill. The decline which came with last week’s withdrawals for meeting forex demands put the total figure at USD29.9 billion.

The international standard for healthy reserves is six months import cover, which for Nigeria should be about USD48 billion. Nigeria’s external reserves had crossed USD60 billion mark, indicating over eight months cover, or literally excess reserve of over USD10 billion a year ago just before the oil price decline.

The pressure on the reserves was worsened by the relentless defense of the Naira

by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) since last year even when it was clear that the exchange rate was unsustainable at official rate

CBN had attributed the pressure on the external sector to unscrupulous demand for foreign exchange and had subsequently scrapped its auction system early this month

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•Okonjo-Iweala, Cordinating Minister of the Economy. of N155/ USD1 before the apex bank was forced to accept a devaluation to N199/ USD1 in the fourth quarter 2014. At current level the reserve has hit below its lowest point in the past 10 years.

CBN had attributed the pressure on the external sector to unscrupulous demand for foreign exchange and had subsequently scrapped its auction system early this month. Also the apex bank is going after the

dollarization of the domestic economy which it felt had added to the unwholesome demand for the resources already in depletion by supply crash.

A continued decline in external reserve at current rate would trigger a call from either the International Monetary Fund or the World Bank, which will both be keen on offering financial assistance, according to economy observers.

With the pressures it is clear that the Federal Government would resort to external borrowings to manage the challenges. Apparently in anticipation of this development the Finance Minister and the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala, had in January this year, hinted of plans to augment capital spending with “external long-term concessional borrowings for

infrastructure projects”.

Among those being courted to provide the funds are the World Bank and China.

According to economy experts ‘’Nigeria may continue to explore other options in addressing its revenue gap problems so as to avoid dialling the IMF/ World Bank, but should the oil crisis linger longer than expected, and Nigeria’s foreign revenue continues to dwindle, that call may become inevitable.

Nigeria’s federally collected revenue is likely to decline further by about 25 per cent this quarter. The chief executive officer, Financial Derivatives Company Limited (FDC), Mr. Bismarck Rewane had alluded to this pessimistic future in a presentation recently in Lagos saying that the declining revenue will serve as a wake-up call for Nigeria.

According to him, decline in prices of other commodity is unlikely to cushion the effect of lower oil exports on the balance of trade, adding that the wake –up call would essentially focus on improving domestic tax income while diversifying export earnings sources.

UK dominates capital imports into Nigeria in Q4, 2014 *Surprises from Saudi Arabia and Egypt

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he source of the greatest value of capital imported to Nigeria continues to be the United Kingdom, with USD1.9 billion imported in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2014, representing 43.2 per cent of the total according to a releases by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

But this figure represented a continuation of the decline seen since the Q2. The Q4 figure was less by USD939.7 million or 32.6 per cent below Q3 value of USD2.9 billion.

Marginal declines were also observed in Nigeria’s second largest source of capital, the United States of America (USA). From its 2014 peak of USD1.1 billion, it declined by USD54.6 million or 4.8 per cent to USD1.07 billion in Q4. Nevertheless, its share of the total increased quarter-on-quarter, by 6.6 percentage

points to a Q4 value of 23.9 per cent.

Year-on-year, the value of capital imported from the USAs capital imports remained relatively similar, declining by USD44.5 million or 3.98 per cent, and retaining 23.9 per cent of the total, a marginal 0.02 percentage points more than the following year.

Saudi Arabia provided the third largest source of capital inflows to Nigeria. After seeing a sharp increase in imports in Q3 to USD375 million, there was a further rise of USD60.5 million or 16.1 per cent to reach USD435.5 million in Q4. This increased its share of the total from 5.7 per cent in Q3 to 9.7 per cent in Q4.

Year-on-year growth in Saudi Arabia capital imports to Nigeria remained exceptionally high, with an increase

of USD428.4 million or 6,006.8 per cent from the USD7.1 million imported just in 2013.

Unexpectedly, Egypt ranked fourth.

With inflows of USD282.1 million in Q4, it showed a rise of USD231.1 million or 453.2 per cent from the preceding quarter, and USD279.1 million or 9,222.2 per cent from that of the preceding year. Its share of the total subsequently rose from a negligible 0.06 per cent in Q4 of 2013, to 6.3 per cent in the same quarter of the following year (2014).

Notable also is the continued decline in the contribution of capital from Belgium. In the Q4 of 2014 Belgium capital import was USD79.9 million or 1.8 per cent of the total, a decline of USD253.1 million or 75.99 per cent from the Q3 total of USD333.03 million, or 5.1 per cent of the total.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015 — 43

Advertising & Promotions

‘Brands are created to satisfy an identified market’ T

he Carbonated Soft Drink, CSD segment market is witnessing intense competition where only consumer-centric brands will survive. John Ajayi, Publisher of MarketingEdge/Marketing Consultant, spoke on marketing strategy and branding activities of CSDs, while using the Share-A-Coke campaign as example .

Princewill Ekwujuru reports.

Branding efforts by organizations Looking at Nigeria’s marketing environment, one can say without any equanimity that branding efforts by most organizations are not yet it for now. In this area, I want to categorize businesses in Nigeria in to two - the indigenous and multinational businesses.

For the multinationals, one can say they are trying as they are marketing driven. They have supported their businesses with good branding efforts. But when you look at indigenous businesses in Nigeria, they are still doing more of trading.

They don’t believe in branding efforts. They don’t believe on how to get to the consumer and creating identity for their products. Most Nigerian indigenous brands are still operating at the periphery of product marketing.

Peripheral play It is a challenge of perception. How do they see marketing and branding.? Do they see it as a waste of resources or an opportunity to ambush the consumer out there by creating products?

Unfortunately some of the products remain ‘me-too’ when there is no clear cut identity for them in the market place. But for multinationals, when they develop their products, they make every effort to create a niche area for it and create identity for it. They also make the brand to represent something before the consumers. This goes a long way to drive profitability and market success for the brands.

Local businesses are still in a

state of indecision of really driving their business with genuine marketing efforts.

Marketing strategy and branding This will occur if all the marketing plans and activities are in sync. At the end of the day, what you achieve as a company matters. You have a product and corporate brand and the ultimate motive is to satisfy an identified need in a particular market and it was because of that the product was created. That product must have offering such as value, excellence and promise. The totality of the efforts including packaging and other marketing ‘Ps’ are a key in terms of marketing strategy. And when you want to do your branding, all these elements must be in sync so that at the end of the day you have a brand. You see how Cowbell introduced its products and called it ‘Cowbell our milk’. They came with sachet that resonates with people. Not only that the brand was visible to consumers.

Promasidor was able to perfect its marketing strategy with branding efforts.

Chikki noodles supports Unizik kiddies fiesta

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Perfected marketing and branding strategies Another one is Orijin bitters drink from the stable of Guinness. The coming of Orijin into the market is something that is great. Before them, we had different variants of bitters and some of them were poorly branded. And some of them did not have credible and authentic connection with majority of

In all honesty, in this sector there is no other brand that comes up first than Coke.

bitter consumers. But the brand owners of Orijin conducted research to identity the brand need of the consumer to create a product. In marketing, a brand can choose marketing strategy good for it either below the line or above the line. As a marketing person, you must be able to identify the element in the mix that would work well for your brand promotion.

Assessing CSD campaigns In all honesty, in this sector there is no other brand that comes up first than Coke. The history of Coke is interesting because Coke was major brand that remained in the conscioussness of the consumers during world war.

At that time, other brands were not advertising but Coke kept on advertising. Till tomorrow, Coke has been a leading brand globally. According to Interbrand rating, Coke remained number one not that it is the most profitable, but because of top of the mind awareness creation.

Lafarge Distributors Win Cars, Cash Prizes and Gargets at Lafarge Customers’ Award Stories by PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

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t was a reward of loyalty for many distributors of Lafarge Africa Plc who smiled home with valuable prizes including cars, cash and electronic gadgets at the 2014 Partners Award.

The event, which held in Lagos saw Alhaji.

Olasunkanmi Olaoshun of Temitope Enterprises emerge as the First National Winner and went home with a brand new Sport Utility Vehicle, while Engr. Basiru Atinsola, CEO, Oyinbashy Enterprises came second and smiled home with a Hyundai Sonata Executive Car. Others who smiled home with brand new cars include Alhaji Rasheed Ishola, CEO, Rasheed Ishola Ventures Limited who was presented a KIA Cerato Car for being the third national winner and Mr. Innocent Okafor Obi, CEO, Rosent Investment

Limited, based in the Eastern Part of the country, who got a Hyundai ix35 jeep for winning the special recognition award for outstanding performance. Aside the cars, other distributors, corporate partners and outstanding sales staff of the company also won various electronic gadgets and volume of cement products. Speaking at the event, Chairman, Lafarge Africa Plc, Chief Olusegun Osunkeyedescribed the ceremony, which was th the 10 edition, as a rewarding scheme put together by the company to impact on, and empower their trade partners, who have contributed, in no small measure, to the continued growth and overall well-beingof the organization.

“Today, we are witnessing the tenth consecutive edition of this open demonstration of our company’s appreciation of your role as a key stakeholder and partner in our business with the theme “Rewarding Business Excellence”,

hikki noodles from the stable of Chikki Food Industries Limited has thrown its weight behind the 8th annual inter-house-sports festival of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Primary and Nusery School, Awka, Anambra state.

The brand which saw the sponsorship of the inter house sports as part of its social responsibility donated the cash sum of N100,000 and volumes of Chikki products.

Receiving the gift items that included 40 cartons of Chikki noodles and 40 cartons of Chikki Chips was the Vice Chancellor of Unizik, Professor J.E Ahanekwu who expressed gratitude to the company for their support while pledging continued partnership with the organisation in future activities.

The Inter house sports event which took place at the University’s sports complex kicked off with the pupils treated to moments of fun and trills.

The high point of the event was the formal presentation of the official Chikki mascot which went about distributing Chikki products.

Unilever re-enters Lux into market in 3 variants

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et to further ignite the spark in the relationship of the over 45% women who believe scent helps boost their confidence more than any other factor. n Lux beauty soap from the stable of Unilever Nigeria plc has introduced 3 new variants to the lux collection.

Unveiling the three new variants - Velvet Touch, Soft Touch & Soft Caress last weekend at the ‘House of Lux’ event in Lagos, the Brand Building Director, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr. David Okeme while highlighting the features of the Lux collection noted that, “The new Lux collection gives seductively soft and fragrant skin that inspires and empowers women everywhere to ignite the spark in their relationship. His words, “Infused with delicate floral notes and softening silk essence, our transformed beauty soap range sensuously lathers and scents, leaving the skin irresistible to touch”. The event which was hosted by celebrity couple, Osas Ighodalo and Gbenro Ajibade also had Nigeria’s leading fashion designer, Mai Atafo show case some of his works.

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44 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015 Email:lesleba@lesleba.com, lesleba@gmail.com Blog page:www.lesleba.com/blog2 Website: www.lesleba.com Tel:0805 220 1997

agricultural value chain would also attract below 3% interest rates; better still, a more level playing field would be created for all sectors.

Clearly, the committee’s reiteration of their standing recommendations for the sustenance of the mandatory sequestering of, or the need to keep significant percentages of bank deposits idle, have clearly failed as a strategy to bring down inflation to international best practice levels below 2%.

Ironically, the committee’s recommendations clearly go against the grain of an apparent shortage of cheap loanable funds to jump-start the real sector, particularly the small and medium Enterprise subsector. Clearly, a f t e r about a year ’s practice, indications are that the strategy of high monetary policy rate of 13% and equally abnormally high cash reserve ratios have also failed, as cost of funds remain well in excess of 20% while inflation inches steadily towards the oppressive level of 9%! Thus, the MPC’s recommendations are therefore clearly antisocial and antagonistic to industrial and economic growth and should therefore be urgently dismantled.

Clearly, the CBN and MPC have continued to tackle the symptoms rather than the actual cause of the systemic surplus Naira which is obviously induced whenever CBN deliberately substitutes fresh Naira creations as allocations for monthly distributable dollar revenue.

Sadly, the Naira will continue to depreciate with systemic excess liquidity induced by CBN’s misguided strategy and the economy will inevitably become increasingly dollarized if this payments system subsists.

SAVE THE NAIRA, SAVE NIGERIA!!

Guess who is dollarising the economy! “….The committee observed that its previous decisions needed time for their effects to fully permeate the economy and therefore “all eleven members unanimously ” voted to maintain the current position!!

The above is a summary of the conclusion reached by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) at its latest meeting held between 23-24th March, 2015. Incidentally, the MPC has the critical statutory responsibility for advising the CBN on an appropriate strategy for managing the supply of money at the optimal level that would progressively grow the economy. Curiously, there are few countries who are more abundantly blessed than Nigeria, yet relatively less endowed nations in Europe and Asia, boast superior social infrastructure while their citizens enjoy consumer lifestyles that entice our people to desperately seek the “greener pastures” abroad and sadly join the brain drain.

Evidently, good leadership should galvanise human and material resources to the benefit of the greater good in a progressive nation; however, the recognition of the critical central role of money in running a modern economy makes it imperative that a responsible government should be circumspect and embrace discipline in how it creates or increases the supply of money. Clearly, if a government pursues a flash in the pan populist agenda and prints so much money so that everyone can have some, ultimately, there would be so

much more money than goods to buy, and you may need to pay N100, 000 or more for a mere loaf of bread!

Thus, abundant natural endowments will not save an economy if there is always surplus cash or excess liquidity in the economy as inflation will continue to spiral to make the local currency eventually worthless, such that everyone will sensibly seek to conserve their income or wealth in any other currency or instrument that is perceived to be relatively more secure and stable. For example, the unyielding Naira Depreciation from stronger than N1=$1 to the current rate of N200=$1 has led to preference for dollar holdings; consequently, more commercial transactions are now concluded in dollars, thus enthroning the “phenomenon of currency substitution and partial dollarization in the economy ”; a development which the MPC Communiqué decries and sadly recognizes to have also significantly fuelled the unusually high demand for forex.

Consequently, the Committee, reaffirmed that “the Naira remained the currency of transaction in the economy and therefore advised the CBN to take all possible measures to address the development”.

Clearly, the threat of dollarisation has been decried by all former CBN Governors, particularly, since the return to civil rule in 1999. Curiously, the Naira was preferred when the Naira exchange rate was much stronger than the dollar; incidentally, the Naira was widely accepted internationally, and some commercial outlets which

enjoyed huge Nigerian patronage in London and elsewhere actually priced their products in Naira; you might say that we Nairaised the business in such locations!

Nevertheless, in order to reverse the increasing present flight from the Naira, the Committee enjoined the CBN “to continue to fine tune demand management measures as well as implement appropriate supply enhancing strategies to ensure effective demand and utilization of foreign exchange in the country”.

Clearly, from the preceeding, the Committee obviously believes that the run on the Naira is the result of excessive demand for the

The threat of dollarisation has been decried by all former CBN Governors dollar because of reduced dollar supply. The MPC is certainly right, but the question that clearly begs for an answer is where do all the seemingly boundless supply of Naira come from to buy up all the dollars offered for sale every time? Surely, the more the supply of available Naira values against centrally rationed dollar supplies, the weaker will be the Naira, and such depreciation will further induce public adoption of other safer currencies as a store of value for their income.

Indeed, in recognition of the serious consequences of

excess Naira supply, the committee unanimously voted to sustain those measures that should make much of the bloated systemic Naira surplus inaccessible to potential borrowers, so as to curtail spending and restrain inflation and avert the discomforting possibility of ultimately having to pay N100,000 or more for a loaf of bread, if inflation goes out of control.

Consequently, the committee recommended that CBN should maintain the deterrent/punitive 13% current interest rate on those loans which commercial banks seek from the Apex Bank to meet their urgent cash requirements. Thus, the banks are in turn ‘forced’ to charge higher interest rates of 20% plus on loans to borrowers which include the critical operators who can provide employment opportunities in the real sector. ironically, higher cost of funds also promote higher production costs and ultimately increase prices of goods and services to fuel the rate of inflation, and thwart the efforts of the CBN to establish price stability.

Conversely, in the absence of suffocating Naira surplus, and the attendant threat of inflation, CBN could, irrespective of the level of crude price/revenue, effortlessly reduce the cost of its loans to banks to below 2% as in robust and more successful economies elsewhere: thus, interest on bank loans would correspondingly fall below 10% without any need for CBN’s unheeded ‘hypocritical’ sermons to banks to reduce interest rates; similarly, projects in the

Business & Economy SON destroys substandard goods worth N500m

By NAOMI UZOR

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he Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has destroyed fake and substandard goods worth N500 million.

Speaking at the occasion of the formal destruction of fake and substandard goods at Sagamu dump site, Ogun state, the Head, Inspectorate and Compliance Directorate, SON, Engr. Bede Obayi, said, the destruction exercise was carried out to completely do away with sub-standard goods which failed the SON test carried out on the products.

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“We have told Nigerians to run away from such life danger products, they pose dangers to life and ruin the nation’s economy. These sub-standard products evacuated in nine trucks from our Ogba warehouse worth millions of naira were intercepted by our vigilant enforcement and monitoring personnel at various points from the ports and border stations” he said.

Furthermore he said”We are destroying this huge volume of goods that create jobs for foreigners, Nigeria gets nothing but economic losses. It is not a pleasant job destroying

these products but we owe it as a duty to save Nigerians by burning these products. It is our service to our country and the core mandate of our agency that forms the basis of zero tolerance for substandard goods of which a national coalition campaign was launched across the country in 2014" he said.

He stressed that the agency has repeatedly appealed to importers to bring in goods that meet the minimum requirements of the Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) and that give consumers value for their hard earned money.

Omoh Gabriel Babajide Komolafe Clara Nwachukwu Peter Egwuatu Yinka Kolawole Favour Nnabugwu Godwin Oritse Godfrey Bivbere Michael Eboh Franklin Alli Ifeyinwa Obi Rosemary Onuoha Nkiruka Nnorom CONTRIBUTORS Princewill Ekwujuru Jonah Nwokpoku Naomi Uzor Providence Obuh LAYOUT

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Group Business Editor Deputy Business Editor Energy Editor Asst. Business Editor Snr Bus. Correspondent Insurance Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Energy Reporter Industry/Agric. Reporter Maritime Reporter Insurance Reporter Capital Market Reporter

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Media/Marketing E-Commerce Industry Micro Finance Graphics Department

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Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015 —45

Nigeria launches Ebola, maternal, child health dialogue platform

By Sola Ogundipe

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N an attempt to check the menace of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, and its potential effects on maternal and child health issues in Nigeria and environs, Ebola Alert, an organization that uses social media and digital technology to combat Ebola is partnering the Wellbeing Foundation, an organization focused on improving Maternal, Newborn & Child Health, MNCH, issues have implemented a web-based Ebola and Maternal & Child Health initiative conversation known as #EbolaMNCHat. Estimates by the UNFPA show that in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, more than 800,000 women will give birth over the next 12 months. Of these, more than 120,000 could die of complications in pregnancy and childbirth if life-saving emergency obstetric care is not provided.

At the signing of the #EbolaMNCHat MoU, in Lagos, last week, Vanguard Health Features gathered that the conversation, is scheduled to take place over a six-month duration and will involve fortnightly chat sessions over web-based platforms between experts and key stakeholders.

The #EbolaMNCHat will focus on emerging science of Ebola and how it affects MNCH in the country and beyond, giving priority to emerging issues as they relateto Ebola and capacity building for healthcare workers on minimizing morbidities and mortalities that may result from the challenges posed by Ebola Virus Disease.

It is expected that the knowledge development exercise will help strengthen evidence and expand knowledgeexperience which will be applied by frontline healthcare workers who will be working in the areas of maternal, newborn and child health, in and around Ebolaaffected and Ebola-prone areas, and also related diseases in developing countries and other parts of the world.

By Chioma Obinna

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• L-R: CEO, Ebola Alert , Dr. Lawal Bakare and Technical & Policy Lead, Wellbeing Foundation, Dr Luther-King Fasehun, with the signed MoU for #EbolaMNCHat Technical &Policy Head, Wellbeing Foundation, Dr. Luther-King Fasehun,

The #EbolaMNCHat will focus on emerging science of Ebola and how it affects MNCH in the country and beyond

Sugar acid neutraliser toothpaste debuts from Colgate

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S part of measures to enable Nigerians prevent cavities and other oral challenges, Colgate Palmolive, a leading global oral care specialist, recently introduced its brand of toothpaste with sugar acid neutraliser.

The new product, Colgate Maximum Cavity Protection Plus Sugar Acid Neutraliser toothpaste, is specially formulated to offer a new standard of care in preventing cavities and is intended for consumers who are primarily or exclusively interested in deriving the best protection against cavities from their toothpaste.

At the unveiling in Lagos recently, Colgate Marketing Director, East & West Africa, Mr. Chris Hall stated: "Colgate Maximum Cavity Protection plus Sugar Acid Neutraliser toothpaste is a breakthrough in the treatment and prevention of cavities.

With regular twice daily use, the Sugar Acid Neutraliser formula works to neutralize harmful acids that are formed by bacteria from sugar, to reduce early caries while also strengthening and

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Project Smile kicks off ‘Adopt-a-Smile’ campaign

restoring enamel to help prevent cavity formation."

Colgate Maximum Cavity Protection plus Sugar Acid Neutraliser toothpaste has been demonstrated in various clinical studies to be more efficacious at reducing cavities than conventional toothpaste with fluoride alone."

Hall said the product, which is a result of years of research and technological breakthrough, is formulated to reduce and prevent cavities by strengthening teeth and decreasing de-mineralization by acids.

Colgate Palmolive Nigeria Marketing Director, Mrs. Hannah Oyebanjo explained that "Sugar Acid Neutraliser technology actually works biologically by targeting the primary cause of caries, the plaque biofilm, to reduce the effects of acids produced from sugars before they can harm the teeth.

Specifically, it promotes the beneficial activity of arginolytic bacteria that convert arginine into ammonia to directly neutralize the "sugar acids" in plaque, creating a healthier environment for the teeth."

noted: “Reducing mortalities and morbidities around maternal, newborn and child health has been a major problem for developing countries, with the Ebola outbreak in West Africa has simply complicated the entire scene.

“Some of what we know need to be refined within a framework that seeks to build the resilience of our health systems,are no more applicable given the peculiar care process of pregnancy, child birth, and child care.”

Founder, Ebola Alert, Dr. Lawal Bakare noted that “With strategic focus on different pain areas like this, we believe we can start developing capacities that will be supportive in this ongoing Ebola outbreak, and can support emerging protocols applied to ensure a definitive stop to Ebola.”

N this year’s World Oral Health Day, foremost Smile makeover initiative, Project Smile continued promotion of oral health issues and the importance of oral hygiene through its “Project Smile 3.0” with a parallel theme as the World Oral Health Day 2015- ‘Smile for life!’campaign through the newly introduced 'Adopt-a-Smile' initiative.

Speaking in Lagos, a dentist and an orthodontist, Dr. Amy Traore-Shumbusho noted that the World Oral Health Day is a parallel platform and serves as launch pad for the Project Smile initiative as set aside by the World Dental Federation to give attention to oral healthcare and dental matters on a global scale.

“Last year, on this platform, we said we would celebrate healthy smiles as a demonstration of the WOHD theme in 2014.

We have done that by transforming the lives of nine Nigerians who never thought they could have a confident smile. On May 24, 2014 when three nominees out of 15 nominees emerged winners and additional six nominees were sponsored by individuals on sympathetic grounds, we delivered on our promise to ‘Celebrate Healthy Smiles’. Today, on this same platform, we are aligning with the WOHD 2015 theme- ‘Smile for life!’ to seek and impact the lives of persons who suffer from social stigma due to deformed or flawed dentition such as overcrowded, protruding and discoloured teeth and far more complex cases.” She explained.

Shumbusho said the initiative was designed to take sponsorship of Project Smile to a new dimension by engaging individuals to sponsor the smile makeover treatment of the other nominees who couldn't emerge wimmers.

“As we launch Project Smile 3.0, I am excited to announce to the public that an 8-week call-for-entry/call-to-entry begins today. Contestants can visit the Project Smile website with their required bio data, picture, and story in no more 360 words.”

• L-R: Oral Care Consultant, Mrs. Oge Mac Johnson; Profession Manager, East/West Africa, Mr. Chestin Twigg; Marketing Director, Mrs. Hannah Oyebanjo and Brand Manager, Mr. Gbadesola Adenrele, all of Colgate PalmOlive Nigeria, during the MCP+SAN Toothpaste in Lagos.

46—Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

•Voting in progress

PRESIDENTIAL/NASS POLLS: Lessons for gov, state assembly elections

Possible sabotage

By Jude Opara

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ERTAINLY the much anticipated March 28 presidential and National Assembly elections may have come and gone but the echoes from that exercise is one that will surely linger for a very long time to come.

The election also came with mixed reactions not necessarily about the result or who won or lost but concerning the conduct of the exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the activities of other stakeholders involved in the electoral process including the security agencies.

From all indications, there is this urgent need for the electoral body to take a critical look at its operations especially given the way the much celebrated smart card reader performed on the election day; a development that forced INEC to make a belated adjustment to the electoral guidelines by calling for the accreditation of voters manually.

Making card readers functional In fact, the card reader was a huge embarrassment to INEC in most places as it failed to read the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) of many people including that of President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife Patience.

In his polling unit in Otuoke, President Jonathan was visibly embarrassed and livid when after

operatives on how to function on Election Day. Though, most of them performed very creditably, but a few others were unnecessarily overzealous.

I encounter this soldier who stopped me on my way to INEC office around 9am, and he said I was wrong to be on the road after 8am. Even as I wore my INEC approved accreditation jacket for the media with an approved car pass, the soldier said he was told not to allow anybody on the road after 8am.

All my explanations that I was a journalist and not an INEC staff did not impress him until after he was begged by other people he stopped including those who were going to where they registered before he allowed us to continue with our journey.

Now haven talked much about the issues we experienced with the card reader, most Nigerians who spoke on the Election Day still believed that despite all the imperfections, the device was better than when it was not introduced. The argument is that it has the tendency to reduce to its barest minimum the incidents of rigging in elections.

INEC who felt embarrassed even after apologizing to the President for his experience at the polling unit has promised to investigate what actually happened.

•President Jonathan: PDP candidate

•Jega: Electoral umpire

four card readers were brought, none of them could capture his finger prints, which resulted in the issuance of the incident form to him and his wife.

May be because it happened to the number one citizen of the country, would INEC have been patient enough to bring another card reader when the first one failed to read the bio date of the voter if he was just an ordinary citizen?

Another lapse that INEC must quickly address before the April 11 governorship and state assembly elections is the issue of logistics. It is worrisome that in most places it took the commission over five to seven hours to send materials and personnel to the polling units even as hundreds of voters were on ground waiting.

near total failure as materials and the ad-hoc staff arrived very late and this forced elections to extend into the night in most of the polling units. INEC has blamed the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) for the delay but Nigerians will like to see an improvement in the subsequent elections.

Early arrival of electoral officers, materials In Abuja, for instance, it was a

Retraining of electoral officers INEC must also do more in the training and retraining of the staff whether ad-hoc or not. There were some embarrassing reports that in some places the electoral officials did not know how to operate the card reader machines while there was another sorry story of officials forgetting to bring the card reader. It is like a farmer forgetting his hoe and cutlass while heading to the farm.

Everybody also saw how the electoral officer who attended to President Jonathan was very

The commission fell short of talking about a possible sabotage but the body language of the national commissioners who briefed the media during the election said it all.

Another puzzle is why the widespread failure of the device which during the demonstration in 12 states only had issues with the capturing of finger prints of some people and not the widespread •Gen Buhari: APC candidate failure to read the PVCs. Provision of materials: The issue of River State is also one that INEC uneasy as if he was not given must make a categorical statement any prior training of how to on because the accusation of a likely deliberate plot to favour handle the device.

Security operatives: One some candidates against some other area that needs others is not a good one. Reports attention the security that INEC did not provide the result sheets in many places should be addressed.

In a television interview on Saturday, INEC Chairman, Prof.

Attahiru Jega, in spite the From all indications, imperfections said he was hopeful of an election that will be there is this urgent better than the 2011 edition that was said to have been widely need for the free, fair and credible. He argued electoral body to that the areas that were badly take a critical look at affected by the failure of the card reader which forced the its operations postponement were 305 polling especially given the units out of the nearly 120,000.

Apart from addressing these way the much challenges Nigerians want a celebrated smart system that will guarantee their safety and this reflected in the card reader large turnout of voters despite performed on the the palpable fear about the outbreak of crisis. election day

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015—47

Unanswered questions in Rivers THE Saturday Presidential and National Assembly election has left River State with too many unanswered questions. The questions that have remained unresolved now are, were there really fake result sheets at the polls as alleged by the APC? Or is it just mere propaganda? Will elections be conducted in the units where it could not be concluded?

Fake result sheets

By Davies Iheamnachor

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HE questions remain controversial and unresolved the more they are asked, although they remain the only question left for the INEC to answer.

The election which held peacefully in nearly all other parts of the country was, however, a different story in Rivers State where a number of casualties were recorded.

Even significant was the fact that Governor Chibuke Amaechi, refused to be accredited for the election at his voting point on the fact that the result sheet for the election was not available.

The violence and the absence of result sheets have brought into question the credibility of the election if not in the country, but in Rivers, a state that until now had traditionally harvested about two million votes for the PDP. The APC in the state has consistently maintained that no election was conducted in the state, alleging that there was a total breach of the electoral processes. They said that INEC

unit,” he said.

The polling officer had claimed that the result sheet was not given to him among other materials as he said that the result sheet will be provided later.

It was as such not surprising that the development led to exchange of insults between Governor Amaechi and the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Dame Gecila Khan.

Amaechi accused Khan who is from nearby Bayelsa State of conniving with the PDP to rig the Rivers election in favour of his brother, President Goodluck Jonathan.

•Amaechi: Refused to vote

failed to provide election results sheets to all the polling units across the state.

All the candidates for the election on the platform of APC have called on INEC to cancel the results from Rivers alleging that the election also witnessed harassment, violence, manipulations and other electoral vices.

But the candidates of the PDP who may have been favoured in the same process insist that the election was free, fair and violent free. They claim that the election was devoid of rigging and that every polling unit had the original result sheet for the elections.

The PDP governorship candidate, Nyesom Wike after voting at his unit in

•Wike: PDP gov candidate

Rumuepirikom said the election in the state followed the INEC principle. He said the APC is making noise because it is not on ground in the state, adding that the result sheets were original.

There is every indication that any of the parties may contest the validity of the results on the ground of the alleged malpractice. The APC has alleged that the election in the state was a connived plan between the PDP and INEC to foist its desire on the people.

Governor Amaechi’s body language spoke as much when he refused to be accredited on Saturday when he arrived his ward 8, unit 14 in Ubima community, Ikwerre LGA having found out that there

were no result sheets.

“I will not accept accreditation until you provide the result sheet meant for this

The violence and the absence of result sheets has brought into question the credibility of the election if not in the country, but in Rivers

He accused Khan of sending fake result sheets to some LGA in the state, adding that result sheets were not sent to some wards at all.

Khan on her part accused the governor of whipping up sentiments denying knowledge of the confiscation of result sheets.

The voters who just spoke to Vanguard have expressed displeasure with the nonarrival of the INEC officials to the wards till 4:30pm. Some of the voters who were still waiting at the time said they will wait till night.

Vanguard gathered that the elections that were rescheduled to hold in some places where it could not be concluded Saturday, could not hold yesterday.

Following this development the APC leaders in Rivers have staged a protest to the INEC office calling for the cancellation of the held election in the state.

SMART CARD READERS: INEC’s excuse

By Dapo Akinrefon

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HE shocker for the president was evident on nationwide television. For more than 20 minutes the president could not get his Permanent Voter’s Card, PVC matched by his fingerprints as the miracle device, Card Reader failed to work. Another device was brought, still no show.

Again another one and still no way, and not even a fourth reader waved the president through, forcing the officials to rely on the manual accreditation of President Goodluck Jonathan, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in last Saturday’s presidential election.

The story was the case in many other areas of the country, though with less spectacle.

The innovation to Nigeria’s electoral process, the Smart Card

•Card reader

Reader, SCR, was welcomed with mixed reactions especially by the two major political parties, the PDP and the All Progressives Congress, APC. While the PDP

raised serious objections to its use, the APC on the other hand, demanded the use of the card readers, insisting even when the device failed in some places last Saturday, that the election in those places be postponed until the devices were made to work.

The INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, however, gave his assurance that the card readers would go a long way in preventing rigging in the nation’s electoral process.

Indeed, angry reactions trailed the use of this new electronic device as it was argued that Nigeria was not prepared to utilise this technology.

Some of the devices failed to read the biometric data of voters who turned up to perform their civic duties at various polling stations across the country.

Why card readers malfunctioned – INEC In a bid to clear the air on why the technology failed, INEC indicted some of its officials.

The commission said one of the reasons the card readers deployed for Saturday ’s presidential and parliamentary polls failed was because its officials failed to remove the protective film on the lens of the equipment.

Reviewing the conduct of the exercise, Mr. Kayode Idowu, the spokesperson to the INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega, said that reports that the devices may have failed to function as a result of the non-removal of the protective film on the face of the lens of the card reader may have been true.

Idowu said “We (INEC) received reports that some of the

card readers may have failed to function because officials that handled the devices may have failed to remove the protective film covering on the face of lens.”

He said the film may have blocked the lens of the card reader, making it difficult for it to read the biometric data in the PVCs presented by voters for scanning.

The spokesperson, who admitted this was not the only flaw identified in the new electoral process deployed during the election, said the Commission had taken note of the challenges and would effect corrections in subsequent elections to ensure that the exercise was more credible and acceptable.

48—Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

By Gbenga Oke

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UR democracy is under siege in Imo — Okorocha IMO state had their collation centres raided by Military, I am not telling you about what happened yesterday but what is happening as I am talking with you right now. It is ongoing now and if you go to Ngor Okpalla now, you will see the military going inside the collating centres with the returning officers.

As at yesterday when they arrested the youths who are supposed to vote, boys and girls, some of them were students of Rochas foundation who schooled in my village.

Those students were registered and when they came to vote, they arrested them and kept them in a cell. When I came there, I called the Director of Security Service, he said to me that they are under-aged and I argued who is underaged? I said can you keep a minor in a cell for 48 hours?

I told him they are not underage and they are registered with their PVCs. He told me they came from another place to vote. I told him it is not possible for them to come from another place to vote. I asked him to check their PVCs so he could ascertain if it correlates with where they are.

Worrisome happenings I also called the Army commander and he told me it was the DSS who directed him that I should talk to him. From time to time, I spoke with them but there was no result. But the most shocking thing is that immediately after the elections, yesterday, those children were released and they let them go.

What is happening is very worrisome, the way the military has conducted themselves right now in this state is very sad.

Let me tell you, it is a frightening situation. Even as a governor, I went to one of the centres myself and one of my aides was trying to video my discussion with the military, they beat the hell out of him in my presence and put a gun on his head.

I have never seen this kind of thing in my life before, this is assault and intimidation, it is something I cannot imagine.

I just want the world to understand that Imo State is passing through difficult times and our democracy is under danger here.

Okorocha was caught in the act — Emeka Ihedioha Our constitution says children and the under-aged should not be allowed to vote and he has said that the children from Okorocha Foundation were prevented from voting.

•Okorocha: Our democracy is under siege in Imo

•Ihedioha: Okorocha was caught in the act

The battle in Imo IMO State, the only foothold of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the Southeast was keenly contested last Saturday. The campaign in the state was led by Governor Rochas Okorocha for the APC and Chief Emeka Ihedioha, the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Besides their different interests in having their parties win the presidential and National Assembly elections, both men are also squaring up in the forthcoming governorship election.

It was as such not surprising that the two men brought passion and puff to the campaign.

Following the reported arrest of some officials of the state government and graduates of the Okorocha Foundation, the two men, in different interviews, monitored on Channels Television, gave their accounts on what happened.

First, he has admitted that they were children, the children are under-aged and of course you know they are not eligible to vote. As a matter of fact, I think the security

I just want the world to understand that Imo State is passing through difficult times and our democracy is under danger here — Okorocha

agencies were being lenient with those children otherwise, they should have been candidates for prison. So, you cannot begin to undermine the election process in such a manner and expect the nation to fold its arms and let you do what you ought not to do.

The security agencies were at their best because where you notice issues of mal-practice the security agencies reacted immediately. I will give you an instance, yesterday at my ward, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okorocha was picked up for issues bothering on electoral malpractice because he was trying to arm twist the process outside the polling booth. Stories are abound all over Imo State that eight aides of the governor were arrested with riffles, life ammunitions in their homes. Are they telling me that because there is election, everybody should go and get riffles in their homes?

These are facts that can be verified from security agencies that they were carrying

machete, guns and without the security agencies there would have been a lot of bloodshed in Imo state. So I commend them for their actions and I can

Our constitution says children and the under-aged should not be allowed to vote and he has said that the children from Okorocha Foundation were prevented from voting — Ihedioha

say what they did is what brought about peace in the state. The governor wanted a lawless situation because he has lost touch with the people and he is aware people are ready to vote him out. APC is not popular in Imo State, the PDP remains on top. In all the results that have come from Owerri Zone, PDP won in virtually all the electoral wards and the situation is not different from all over the state.

Collation in my ward lasted till late last night yesterday except some other wards I am not aware of but I am surprised the governor is saying all he said.

That soldiers are involved is untrue, where were they involved? Basically the military were involved to maintain law and order. What has happened is that there was importation of arms by the governor and his party and they want their people to cause a lot of mayhem and based on tip off, we acted. Or are you saying because a governor wants to win election, we should become a lawless state? Or because he wants the members of his party to win elections, then the security agencies should fold their arms at the expense of peace and security which is the primary responsibility of government.

The truth of the matter is that he intended to massively rig but he was caught in the act and that is why he is running from pillar to post, so he has been giving wrong impression across the nation.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015 —49

Amaechi was right for taking Patience to ICC — Kuti

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HE head of Ransome Kuti’s dynasty and founder of the Nigerian Network of Non-Governmental Organizations, NNNGO, Ms. Yemisi Ransome Kuti, has said that Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State was right in taking the first lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan to the International Criminal Court of Justice, ICC, for making unguarded utterances during her campaign tours in the country.

Kuti, at the launching of The Women’s Situation Room for 2015 general elections in Abuja, said, yesterday, that the governor was right, if he decided to take the first lady to the ICC for making some utterances to incite people for violence, when she ought to have acted in the opposite as the mother of the nation, adding that the First lady had not represented the country well in some of her recent utterances.

She said, “I think, Amaechi was right, if he is taking her to court, fine, he should do so. The utterances of Mrs. Jonathan have not represented our country well. I am afraid, a lot of things she said has cast a bad light on women as a whole. Women are known to be more constrained in their approach and in our statements because we look at so many sides before we utter statements. But the language of diplomacy ought not be found in the purview of women alone; when one is in public office, he or she should not be speaking as an individual because he has a responsibility to speak with some level of constraints, discipline, ensuring that he is in that position to create peace within the people; that why his statements should not be the one that upset or breed acrimony.

“As a mother of the nation because of her position, she has a greater responsibility than any other woman to ensure that her statements are geared towards bringing peace, justice and creating more love among her people than to create division. That is why I think Amaechi was right in taking her to ICC.”

ECOWAS asks Jonathan, Buhari to accept election results in good faith •EU set to release its report on polls today

By Victoria Ojeme

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ESPITE the hitches that occasioned last Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly polls, the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has asked the presidential candidates to accept the results at the polling stations across the country in good faith.

The ECOWAS Observations Mission in a preliminary report released in Abuja on Sunday, asked aggrieved candidates to seek legal redress as stipulated in Nigeria’s laws rather than resort to any other action.

The ECOWAS Director of Political Affairs, Dr Remi Ajibewa at a preliminary declaration yesterday in Abuja, said,”despite the pockets of incidents and logistical challenges, the ECOWAS Observation Mission is persuaded that the general election of March 28, 2015 meets the criteria of being free and transparent.

“The Mission also commends the enthusiasm, maturity, patience and sense of civic responsibility demonstrated by the electorate. It hopes that the same spirit of

respect for order and discipline will characterise the rest of the electoral process.

The commission noted that the late arrival of materials in many polling booths only contributed to delay in accreditation of voters and voting process.

The African Union Election Observer Mission, Amos Sawyer

said that the team visited 319 polling units comprising 69% urban and 31% rural centres to monitor the elections.

Sawyer, who is the former Liberian President, said, “The outcome of the elections showed that 100% of the PVCs were authenticated while 59% did not authenticate the fingerprints.

L-r: Sir Ezekiel Ainabe, Ojomo of Ekpoma, Chief Ernest Shonekan, former Head of Interim Government and his mentor, Dr. Christopher Abebe, at the dedication of two gigantic buildings built and donated by Chief Shonekan to the Ezekiel College of Theology, Ujoelen, Ekpoma, Edo State

Presidential polls in Lagos, violence free — CP

By Esther Onyegbula

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AGOS State Commissioner of Police, CP Kayode Aderanti, said, yesterday, that the presidential election held in the state last Saturday was violence free except for a few hitches by hoodlums who attempted to truncate the process.

Aderanti who spoke during the joint monitoring exercise by the Lagos State police and other security agencies to ensure a violence free accreditation and voting process across the state during the elections said he was impressed with the entire security situation.

His words: ''The voters were orderly and conducted themselves properly, because they know this is the opportunity they have to vote for their choice representative. As you can see most of the areas that were monitored recorded no violence except for a few polling units in Lagos like Ayilara around Ojuelegba area that was attacked as hoodlums attempted to scuttle the process”.

At one of the affected polling units, Funmi Oyenuga, INEC officer at 022 polling unit in Ayilara told Vanguard that at about 3.00pm on Saturday some

hoodlums attacked 022 polling unit in Ayilara. The thugs attacked voters with broken bottles, in an unsuccessful attempt to scuttle the electoral process, poured out the ballot papers into the drainage systems when they could not successfully escape with the ballot boxes”.

Group cautions FG on elections

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North of the nation and its people for the

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“In the polling units visited by the AU observers, 23 percent opened on time. Out of the 77 % of the polling units that opened late, 57 %opened beyond an hour,” Sawyer said.

The EU Observer Mission in Nigeria is set to release its preliminary report on the election today.

USLIMS in the country, yesterday, warned the Federal Government not to cause a repeat of the June 12 1993 debacle by promptly releasing the Presidential and National Assembly elections conducted last Saturday.

The Muslims Rights Concern, an advocacy group, which works for Muslims in Nigeria in a statement made available to the media in Abuja, asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to take urgent steps to make the results available to Nigerians, who waited patiently to cast their votes last Saturday.

MURIC also called on the Federal Government and the Nigerian security agencies to fully respect INEC’s independence.

It warned that it was not in the interest

security agencies to be breathing down the neck or arm-twisting INEC in the course of the election.

In the statement which was signed by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC drew the attention of the Federal Government to the annulment of the June 12 election, which was won by the late MKO Abiola but which was criminally annulled by the government, thereby setting Nigeria on fire.

It said: “We call Federal Government’s attention to the June 12 debacle. The June 12, 1993 general election which was widely believed to have been won by Chief M. K. O. Abiola was the most peaceful, most free and most fair in the annals of Nigeria’s history. Yet the results were most criminally and callously annulled by the then military government."

Taking off from the Lagos State Police Command, the security chiefs led by Commissioner of Police CP Kayode Aderanti boarded a chopper at the Police College in Ikeja to Badagry, Seme border Epe and Ikorodu to monitor the accreditation process.

50—Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

Angry youths invade Ugep collation centre

By Emmanuel Una

A

NGRY youths have surrounded Ugep, the headquarters of Yakurr Local Government Area in Cross River State, following the invasion of the place by soldiers, whom the youths claim came on the instructions of the Cross River State governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, to stop the announcement of his former Chief of Staff, Dr Alex Egbona, who is said to be leading the House of Representatives contest for the Abi/Yakurr federal constituency.

The soldiers who arrived the collation centre at 10 a.m., yesterday, chased away the youths who were monitoring the collation of the result at the council headquarters and took over the entire premises.

“Dr Egbona is leading and we were waiting for the announcement of the result when the soldiers came in and chased us out and one of them confided in us that they were here on the instruction of the governor that they should not allow Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to announce Alex as the winner. They may have to kill all of us before they change that result,” one of the youths told Vanguard.

Delta Community mobilises for Okowa

By Akpokona Omafuaire

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ARRI— THE Abala people of Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State, have warned against electoral violence as they mobilises support for Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP gubernatorial candidate.

They also lamented the abandonment of their 18km road by Inter Bau many years after it was awarded.

Speaking at the Abala Development Union, ADU, general meeting at the residence of Chief Pius Nwaefulu, its Warri branch chairman, they lamented that only a paltry 35 percent of the job has been done throwing the people into great pains as a major agrarian community with the movement of goods to market.

Election held in Rivers, INEC insists • say Amaechi erred to ask for result sheet before election commenced

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— Resident Electoral Commissioner, Rivers State, Dame Gesilia Khan, last night, said elections held in the 23 local government areas of the state.

In a statement, she said the agent of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Ikwerre Local Government Area, Mr Steve Worgu, signed for all documents, including result sheets for Ikwerre council, the governor’s local government area.

“The presidential, senatorial and House of Representatives elections held in the 23 Local government areas in the Rivers State on March 28, 2015,” she said, adding that at the time Governor Rotimi Amaechi demanded for the result sheets in his ward at Ubima, voting had not started.

She said, “At the stage Governor Amaechi complained of not

POLLS: Ogboru assure Deltans of better environment, health care

By Festus Ahon

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SABA—DELTA State governorship candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Chief Great Ogboru has assured Deltans of a better environment, health care, transportation and sustainable development that will enhance the lives of the people when he is elected as governor.

Ogboru at a town hall meeting with professional bodies in Asaba, the state capital, said he will turn the state from what he described as shanty state to a modern developed state that will be the envy of other states in the federation.

Noting that his administration will work for a re-invigorated and dynamic economy, he said he will bring about a new change in the value system.

He added that if the value system of any society was not taken care of, that society according to him, will go into a state of chaos and anarchy.

Stressing the need for a paradigm shift in the way things are done in the society, Ogboru said that a society that lacked a value system was apt to experience decadence in various sectors of the economy.

He said that he was committed to bringing the needed transformation to the state where justice, fairness, equity, peace and unity would reign, adding that a responsible government must take steps to develop the state by investing in projects that would bring returns to Deltans.

sighting the election result sheet, voting has not commenced, that was merely accreditation stage which has nothing to do with result sheets. Please note that the governor of Rivers State went to the poll as a voter and not as a governor.

“INEC wishes to inform the general public that the law does not permit everyone to be shown the result sheet, hence all

political parties were expected to have their party agents at the distribution centres to ensure that the martial both sensitive and non sensitive are all complete before election officials proceed to the field. Also the agent at the polling units are expected to ensure that materials are complete before election commences. Where there is a shortfall the party agent will

have it in their report and submit complaint to INEC. “It is on record that APC accredited political party agent who was present at the INEC office Ikwerre council office, Steve Worgu, signed that the materials both sensitive and non sensitive distributed at the council were complete, including result sheets before the officials proceeded to the field.”

L-R: Mr. Micah Michael, Government Community Relation Officer, Abuja Region, MTN; Dr. Bello Ibrahim, Ohi of Adavi; Mallam Siyaka Suberu, Chairman, Adavi Community and Mr. Rasheed Disu, Distributor Account executive, MTN at the commissioning of a borehole water project donated by MTNF to Nagazi-Ogaminana Community, Adavi Local Government, Kogi State

A-Ibom APC won't accept falsified results — Capt Ewang

By Chioma Onuegbu, Uyo HE Akwa Ibom State chairman, Buhari Campaign Organisation, Group Captain Samuel Ewang (rtd), has warned that All Progressives Congress, APC, will not accept any falsified results in 2015 general elections.

Ewang, former military administrator of Ogun and Rivers

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states, said that the party will reject any results short of what had been obtained from the fields.

Addressing newsmen in Uyo, Ewang alleged that some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC had been lobbied by the Akwa Ibom State governor and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,

to falsify the results of Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.

He alleged that with the cooperation of the people of Akwa Ibom State, the APC swept the polls in over 90 per cent of the units, which for the first time, signified a free and fair election held throughout the state on March 28 since 2007.

Emerhor tasks INEC on election results

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LL Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in Delta State, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, has called on the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof.

Attahiru Jega to cancel results in all electoral units where original copies of INEC result sheets were missing before voters exercised their franchise.

Emerhor in a statement by his Director of Media and Political Communication, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, said that the rigging process starts automatically in a situation where original copies of INEC results get missing before voting commences, adding that in most of the polling units across the country, particularly in Delta

State, the original copies of the result sheets were nowhere near the polling units. He said that the units result sheets ought to be recorded and signed by INEC officials and agents of political parties after votes were counted, so as to ensure the genuineness of the process.

The APC state governorship candidate said that in most polling units in the three senatorial districts in Delta State, INEC had no original result sheets which implies that election riggers hijacked the process in collaboration with some unscrupulous INEC officials to rig the elections in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and Labour Party.

The practice, according to Emerhor, is for the original copy

of the result sheet per polling unit to be displayed for voters to see before accreditation commences, pointing out that voting becomes absolutely useless where the original copies of election results have been stolen by riggers who secretly fill in figures in their favour for the INEC Resident Electoral Commission to announce as final results.

Emerhor said that unless INEC authorities rejects the results of polling units that had no original copies of the INEC result sheets before votes were counted, Nigerians and indeed Deltans will stay away from the governorship elections slated for April 11, 2015.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015— 51

•From top: Director General of NIMR, Prof. Innocent Ujah, and Head Research Group, NIMR, Prof Oni Idigbe. Right: A TB patient under treatment in a hospital.

We need to create more awareness about TB in Nigeria

By Chioma Obinna & Damilola Akingbade

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ITH over 480 000 people affected with multidrugresistant tuberculosis, MDR-TB, in 2013 globally, Nigerian researchers identified awareness creation on the prevention, management and treatment of Tuberculosis, TB, in communities remains as panacea to reducing the burden of the disease in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the World Health organisation, WHO, has called on countries of the world to intensify efforts aimed at ending TB burden in the world.

Statistics from the WHO show that an estimated 9 million new cases of TB occur globally, out of which three million cases are missed, either not diagnosed, not treated or diagnosed but not registered by the National TB programmes, NTPs. Researchers at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Researcher, NIMR, who spoke in Lagos are worried that Nigeria remains among 11 high TB burden countries that contribute 15 percent of the three million missed cases of TB, globally.

Decrying that it is unacceptable that Nigeria ranks 3rd among the 11 countries, they said despite control efforts by the Federal Government, Nigeria does not meet any of the Millennium Development Goals, MDG, 3 targets in reducing TB incidence, prevalence and mortality rates.

The Director- General, NIMR, Prof. Emmanuel Ujah, said the death toll from the disease is still unacceptably high and efforts to

combat it must be accelerated if the global targets, set within the context of the MDGs, are to be met.

Ujah who enumerated the ongoing strategies in conducting research on TB said 2015 marks a transition from MDGs to post – 2015 development frame, adding that within the context, the WHO has developed a post – 2015 global TB strategy called “the End TB Strategy”.

The goal of the strategy is to end the global TB epidemic by 2035 with targets of 95 percent reduction in TB deaths and 90 percent reduction in TB incidence. The strategy also targets a zero catastrophic costs for TB affected families by 2020.

He emphasised the need to intensify efforts towards reaching those that have been infected but do not have the information on where to access the diagnosis and

treatment.

Ujah argues for need to also intensify outreach efforts to at – risk communities and slums, screening of HIV infected individuals for TB, capacity building through training and research, adequate laboratory support system, treatment and funding.

In his contribution, Head, NIMR Research Group, Prof. Oni Idigbe said if diagnosed and managed effectively, TB is curable. “We have all the weapons to diagnose and manage the disease but by 2015, TB remains a big challenge. It was documented that 37 million people were cured of TB within 2010 and 2013 because they were effectively diagnosed and efficiently cured using the right

PSN tasks FG on National drug distribution guidelines

By Sola Ogundipe

TB remains a big challenge, but 37 million people were cured 2010-2013 because they were effectively diagnosed and efficiently cured using the right congregation of drugs

congregation of drugs. Why are we having new cases of TB? On the three million detected people that are lost due to lack of care, he lamented that one case of TB has the potential of infecting 12 people every year. “You can now imagine how many people these three million people would have infected every year. That is why WHO in the past three years had insisted that we locate these three million people to make sure we get them treated and cured and that is the only way we can get to zero TB world.” ''The burden of TB in Nigeria was further made worse by challenges of HIV co-infection, drug-resistant TB and TB among children. 'We are even going beyond multi drug resistance TB cases as we are now having cases

of Extremely Drug Resistant TB in Nigeria, ''Even with all the efforts of the Federal Government in providing substantial human and financial resources to control TB in Nigeria, many people still do not make themselves available for treatment. ''This shows that we still need to reach out to those people in the rural communities where TB cases seem to be rampant and educate them to curb the spread of the disease, '' he said.

Challenges: “We are also having challenges because; we are not enforcing adequate legislation to control TB drugs.

Ideally for all the National programmes across the world you get your drugs from the global drug facility which is a division in stop TB partnership and then for the second line drugs, it's absolutely controlled by what you call the green light committee of the stop TB partnership but hope is not lost, all these TB drugs we are talking about were developed about 40 years ago but I tell you that there are two new TB drugs that have just come into the pipeline. There is the one we call the Bedaquiline and then the celadadmin, all of these drugs when they come in they have the potential of changing the epidemiology of TB, because these drugs can cure both susceptible and resistant TB, but our fear is that let us not mismanage these drugs.”

In his lecture tagged; “Efforts on Tuberculosis Control”, Clinical Sciences Division, NIMR, Dr Dan Onwujekwe noted that DOTS is still an assured strategy for TB control and that innovative non – DOTS modifications achieved high acceptance treatment success rate in NIMR as one stop shop facility for HIV/TB management.

He noted that health workers managing TB/HIV should assess and factor in individual patient constraints in devising innovative ways of improving TB treatment outcomes.

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ORRIED by incessant postponement of the takeoff date of the proposed sealing of all unauthorised open drug markets in the country, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, has urged the Federal Ministry of Health to reenergise the Steering Committee of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines to begin work immediately on realisable goals and targets of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines in 2015.

Making the call in a letter to the Supervising Minister of

Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan, President, PSN, Pharm Olumide Akintayo, remarked that another postponement of the take-off date compels relevant stakeholders to treat the strategic National Drug Distribution Guidelines with contempt and levity.

“We at the PSN are worried in the light of realities that intense politicking appears to continue to take its toll on governance at all levels from the Federal and State Governments to LGAs,” he said.

Akintayo recalled that the original take-off date and proposed sealing of all unauthorised open drug markets

was fixed for June 30, 2014, and postponed till July 1, 2015 few days to official commencement in 2014.

“From all indications not much has happened since last year when the take-off dates were adjusted except the recent dialogue between stakeholders and International Finance Corporation in March 2015.”

He called on the government to reach out to operators in open markets to enable them strategise on how to regularise their business in tandem with existing laws and the National Drug Distribution Guidelines.

52—Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

TRAINING: From left, Alhaji Basiru Bakare, Director, Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation, Ogun State Agriculture Development Programme, OGADEP; Ms. Oluwaseyi Ashade, Sustainability Manager, British American Tobacco West Africa; Mr. Ola-Davis David, Deputy General Manager, CHI Farms Limited, and Ms. Abimbola Okoya, General Manager, British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation, at the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation’s training of Ogun State Women in poultry farming, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

L-R: Prince Dapo Adelegan, Deputy President , Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC); Chief Michael Olawale-Cole, past president, NBCC; Prince Adeyemi Adefulu, president NBCC and Mrs. M.R. Adetutu Adeleke, past president NBCC at the NBCC Extra-Ordinary General Meeting held in Lagos, to present the 2013 Annual Reports and Financial Account of the Chamber.

INSECURITY: INEC postpones election indefinitely in 18 polling units in Yobe

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AUCHI — BAUCHI State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Bauchi, Alkaleri and Kirfi towns, following attacks by insurgents in Alkaleri and Kirfi Local Government Areas of the state.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Permanent

Secretary, Specialties Services, Malam Abdu Illelah, and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Bauchi.

The statement said that Gov. Isa Yuguda approved the curfew as part of measures to protect lives and property, adding that it was with immediate effect.

The statement said report reaching the state government indicated that there was fierce battle between the military and suspected insurgents a few kilometres outside Bauchi town.

“The insurgents had earlier attacked Kirfi and Alakaleri Local Government Areas of the

Bauchi govt imposes 24-hour curfew on Bauchi, Alkaleri, Kirfi

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AMATURU — MR. Habu Zarma, Resident Electoral Commissioner in Yobe, on Sunday said INEC had postponed elections indefinitely in 18 polling units in Geidam Local Government Area of the state due to security challenges.

He told newsmen in Damaturu that security challenges in the council area had scared adhoc staff from going to conduct election in the affected units on Saturday and Sunday.

“Elections could not hold in those areas on Saturday and Sunday due to security challenges.

“The commission will meet to consider the position of the affected units,” the commissioner said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that rescheduled elections were ongoing in 18 polling units in Fika, Potiskum and Yunusari Local Government Areas on Sunday.

The commissioner said the elections were shifted in 10 polling units in Fika, four in Potiskum and and four in

Yunusari Local Government Areas due to late delivery of electoral materials.

“The elections are currently taking place peacefully in the affected polling units in the three Local Government Areas

except Geidam,” Zarma said.

The Presidential and National Assembly elections were conducted peacefully in other council areas on Saturday across the state.

state.

“In view of the imminent danger this development could have on Bauchi metropolis and its environs, Gov. Isa Yuguda has approved a 24hour curfew with immediate effect, to protect lives and property.”

“All residents are advised to remain indoors and be lawabiding until the military takes control of the situation, after which the curfew would be reviewed,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Malam Mohammed Abubakar, has kicked against the curfew.

Abubakar told newsmen that the decision was politically motivated.

APC wins Ikorodu Federal Constituency seat

I

KORODU (Lagos State) March 29, 2015 (NAN) The APC Candidate Mr Babajimi Benson has been declared winner of the House of Representative elections for Ikorodu Federal Constituency.

Mr Falobi Oluwole Victor, the Returning Officer, made the declaration on Sunday, at the INEC office in Ikorodu.

He said that the total number of accredited voters was 89,129.

According to him, the total votes cast were 82,828; with total number of valid votes being 77,877 and total number of rejected votes, 4951.

He gave a breakdown of the votes per political party as AD, 216; APC, 48,789; PDP, 28,691; LP 165; and MPPP, 16. “I, Falobi Oluwole Victor, hereby declare

APC candidate winner of this election simply because he scored the highest score of 48,789,” Falobi said. In an interview with NAN, Mr Babajimi Benson, said he was pleased to have been declared winner of the elections.

“I am grateful to the people of Ikorodu for their support and for making me their choice. I will endeavour to sponsor bills that, when passed, would further the economy and quality of life of Ikorodu residents,’’ he said.

Election results: NUJ cautions media houses

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BUJA—THE Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Sunday advised all media houses in the country to desist from announcing election results not released by INEC. The President of the union, Malam Mohammed Garba, gave the advice in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He said that extant electoral laws and guidelines mandated

only INEC as the sole authority to announce poll results.

Garba urged Nigerians to remain calm as they await the outcome of the final result from INEC. He further advised Nigerians to shun unauthorised announcement of election results which was capable of inciting violence. Garba, however, expressed happiness with the peaceful conduct of the elections across the country.

NAUTH tasks staff on diligence

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NEWI—Staff of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, NAUTH, Anambra State have been enjoined to carry out their official assignments diligently.

The chief medical director of the hospital Prof.

Anthony Igwebe, gave the charge at the first annual merit award organized by the board and management of the hospital for some deserving staff of NAUTH. According to him, as workers in the hospital they were expected at all times to show commitment to work and deliver satisfactory services especially to patients.

While congratulating the newly appointed board chairman of NAUTH, Dr. Sylvanus Ebigwei, said the award would no doubt spur the staff to be more proactive in discharging their duties.

Speaking, Dr. Ebigwei, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic party, PDP, used the occasion to commend President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for his overall transformation agenda, while urging the staff to be prayerful in spite constraints faced by them.

Minister of Health, Alhaji Alhasan who was represented by Dr. Ukot, commended the hospital staff for their overall dedication to duty and urged them not to relent.

Highlight of the ceremony was presentation of certificate to the deserving awardees drawn from different departments of the hospital by the board chairman, Dr. Ebigwei.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015 —53

CHRISTIANS MARK PALM SUNDAY

Rt. Rev. David Akinyemi, Bishop of The African Church (3rd Left) and some members of St. Paul's African Church, Ilupeju, Lagos during year 2015 Palm Sunday Sercice procession in Ilupeju, Lagos yesterday

Procession along the Street of Lagos by th Methodist Church of the Trinity Tinubu, Lagos, Lagos, for the celebration of Palm Sunday. Photo:Biodun Ogunleye

L-r: The Cathedral Curate, Rev. Joseph Adeniyi, the Provost, Very Revd Samuel Nwaeze with The Cathedral Chaplain, Rev. Samuel Fayomi and the People's Warden, John Akinola at the Blessing of Palm Fronds For The Palm Sunday Service at the Cathedral of St. Michael, Kaduna, yesterday. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

The symbolic donkey ride by Jesus into Jerusalem by a boy during the procession by Christian faithful of St Mary Catholic Church Oke Padre Ibadan, yesterday. Photo:Dare Fasube

Palm Sunday: Clerics admonish Christians on exemplary living

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BUJA— REV. Fr. George Ehusani, the Chaplain of Lux Terra Leadership Foundation Chapel, Apo, Abuja, has admonished Christians not to celebrate Christ with palms on one day and crucify him on Friday by their sins.

Fr. Ehusani who gave the charge in his Palm Sunday sermon in Abuja, said, ''As you celebrate Christ today by carrying palms and escorting him triumphantly into Jerusalem, continue to exalt him by living holy and exemplary lives.”

He also admonished Christians against posting or promoting offensive jokes on the clergy, the church or Christianity on social media.

According to him, promoting offensive jokes that maligned the clergy or Christians is an indication that one has not fully grasped the true essence of Christianity.

“For a Christian to see an offensive joke about a pastor, a priest, a church, or Christianity in general and laugh over it and even forward to others shows a lack of understanding of the religion. If you truly understand what Christianity is, you will immediately delete such a joke and not promote it.”

In a separate interview, Rev. Fr Christian Anyanwu, the Director

of Communications, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja, explained that Palm Sunday marked the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem.

He said, ''It marks the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, where He was recognised as king and people were rejoiced over it.”

The cleric advised Christians to reflect on their lifestyles, effect a change and become ambassadors of Christ in their various churches and communities. ''We need to become ambassadors of Christ and be a light to the people and we should not get carried away with the things of this earth,”

Anyanwu said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the Holy Week which is the last week of Lent. On Palm Sunday, Christians celebrate the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, the week before His death and resurrection as foretold by prophet Zechariah.

For many Christian churches, Palm Sunday, often referred to as “Passion Sunday,” marks the beginning of Holy Week which concludes on Easter Sunday. In many Christian churches, Palm Sunday includes a procession of the assembled worshippers

carrying palms, representing the palm branches the crowd scattered in front of Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem.

According to the Bible, people cut branches from palm trees, laid them across Jesus’ path and waved them in the air. They greeted Jesus not as the spiritual Messiah who would take away the sins of the world, but as a potential political leader who would overthrow the Romans.

Their shout “Hosanna” meant “save now.” In ancient times, palm branches symbolised goodness and victory. They were often depicted on coins and important buildings.

SURE-P : GIS to empower 50,000 graduates with work experience

By Ediri Ejoh & Tare Youdeowei

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HE Graduate Internship Scheme, GIS, designed by the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P for graduates to be placed in interested and viable firms for mentoring and enhancement of employability is set to target no fewer than 50, 000 graduates for the initiative.

Speaking during at opening of a three-day orientation training for interns and representatives of firms in Benin-city, Edo State, Abubakar Sani Jega of the Federal

Ministry of Finance, who was represented by the National Coordinator of Scheme, Mr. Peter Papka, disclosed that the scheme is doggedly determined to achieve the target of supporting, developing and strengthening core skills with potentials to empower the graduates.

Jega said: “Other objectives of the scheme include to provide the interns an opportunity to share experiences with other participants, including firm representatives on opportunities and challenges in the workplace, as well as expose them to

opportunities for life after internship.”

Commending the Federal Government led by President Goodluck Jonathan for the initiative, a consultant with SIGADEP Consults, Innocent Moses, said: “The rich content of the training which cuts across work etiquette, personal appreciation and development, improve employability and a dose of how to optimize the internship period must be optimised by you all to optimize the opportunity to turn around your fortune.”

Delta NURTW petitions IGP over Warri area commander

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AT I O N A L Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, has asked the Inspector General of police and Delta State Commissioner of Police to call the Area commander of Warri Zone, to order over the use his police officers to disrupt union activities and imposing an illegal executive.

The group noted that its body is run by a constitution and an elected executive, whose tenure will expire in 2016.

The union in a statement after its emergency meeting of at Effurun, Delta State by its Chairman, Mr Arhiyor, alleged that the soldiers and police actions were political, alleging that it was due its refusal to back an Social Democratic Party, SDP, for the House of Assembly.

54—Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

Presidential & National Assemby elections around Nigeria

Leader, Yoruba Obas Conflicts Resolution Committee, Olugbo of UgboLand, Oba Obateru Akinruntan, casting his vote, at Ward 3, Ugbo, Ondo State during the presidential and National Assembly elections.

Rivers State APC Governorship Candidate, Dakuku Peterside, (middle), his running mate, Asita Asita (left), Senator Magnus Abe (behind Dakuku), and Hon. Victor Giadom (right), all sitting down at the entrance of INEC Headquaters, in Rivers State, in protest over weekend's presidential and National Assembly elections, in the state.

Osun State governor's wife, Sherifat Aregbesola, and Aregbesola's mother, Alhaja Sarat, casting votes at Unit 4, Ward 8, Ifofin, Ilesa East Local Government Area, Osun State

Hon Abike Dabiri -Erewa being attended to by INEC officials to cast her vote at Ward E Itele 1 in Ikorodu, Lagos.

Empty Ikorodu/Ojota Road, weekend C M Y K

Senator Oluremi Tinubu casting her vote at Unit 034,Ward 09,in Ikoyi Obalende LCDA Ikoyi,Lagos

Members of Church of Nigerian Anglican Communion, CONAC, Election Observer team led by Bishop of Badagry diocese, Bishop Babatunde Adeyemi

...Abeokuta Expressway

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015—55

Presidential & National Assembly elections around Nigeria

Iyana -Ipaja Market, shut down Warri South Council Chairman, Mr. Richard Mofe Edema, receiving directives from an electoral officer before his accreditation, inWarri.

An old man riding a bicycle to cast his vote at Ward EC 30, Magodo.

Security man near a polling centre, in Abuja.

Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji casting his vote at Ugba Ward 1 in Umuahia North LGA of Abia State

The South West Presidential Campaign Cordinator for President Goodluck Jonathan, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, being accredited for voting at Ward 1 Unit 2 Oke Akaran in Ona Ara Local Government.

Some INEC staff, collating election results at Ward 21, General Muhammadu Buhari Way, Kaduna

Despite the downpour, some still waiting to cast their votes, at Ikotun-Igando road, in Alimosho Local Government Area.

Professor Chike Anibeze, Chairman of the National Board of Eye Centre, voting in the Presidential election in his Aguobu Owa community in Ezeagu Local Govt of Enugu State

Voters defy the rain at Ward 007, Agege

Delta State Head of Service, Mr. Origho being Voters waiting for accreditation at a polling centre in Benin, Edo State accredited in Warri.

Members of Millilet Foundation, an INEC observer team, giving numbers to electorate as they await INEC officials at Asokoro 11, New Capital Primary School, Kwame Nkrumah Crescent, Asokoro, Abuja, FCT.

56 — VANGUARD, MONDAY, MARCH 30 , 2015

BRIEFS

Fifth Kenyan minister steps aside for graft probe

UN Ebola force warns against complacency as fight enters last lap

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HE head of the UN’s Ebola fighting force yesterday warned against complacency as the battle against the disease entered its final lap while also hailing Guinea for tightening surveillance.

Mauritanian Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed’s comments came a day after Guinea announced a health emergency in five regions in the south-west and west for 45 days.

Guinean President Alpha Conde announced a series of measures on Saturday, including the temporary closure of hospitals and clinics where there have been cases of Ebola.

Since the Ebola outbreak began in Guinea in December 2013, more than 24,000 people in nine countries have been infected with the virus, and over 10,000 of them have died. All but a handful of those deaths have occurred in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

“On behalf of the international community

T

M Michaelle Jean, secretary-general of the International Francophone Organization, holds photos of patients who recovered from the Ebola virus in Conakry recently. and the United Nations, I hail this brave decision,” Ould Cheikh Ahmed said.

“Guinea has made tremendous efforts,” he said. “There have been very positive results but we

are now at the most critical moment... the last phase in the fight against Ebola.”

“Our biggest enemy today is complacency,” he said.

The World Health Organization declared in

Terrorism out!”, they marched to the Bardo Museum, the scene of an attack in which 21 tourists and a Tunisian died.

Meanwhile, French President Francois Hollande and other world leaders attended a ceremony at the museum. Hours earlier,

From left: Tunisia’s President Beji Caid Essebsi joined by Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo, Poland’s President Bronislaw Komorowski and France’s President Francois Hollande

January that the epidemic was finally declining in west Africa after the three countries at the epicentre recorded a steady drop in cases.

Tunisian authorities said that they had killed one of the prime suspects in the attack.

Speaking at the museum, Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi paid tribute to his citizens’ defiance.

“The Tunisian people proved today that they do not bow to terrorism, and that as one man and one woman, they defend the nation.

When Tunisia is targeted, the whole nation stands as one.”

Gunmen stormed the museum in Tunis on 18 March. British, Japanese, French, Italian and Colombian tourists were among the dead.

On Sunday, President Hollande announced that Huguette Dupeu, a Frenchwoman injured in the attack, had died from her wounds.

Arab nations plans joint military force

E

GYPT’s president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi

•Abdel Fattah el-Sisi

fifth Kenyan government minister yesterday vacated her post , three days after President Uhuru Kenyatta said officials cited in a report by an anti-corruption watchdog should step aside pending investigation.

Kenyatta’s spokesman said Lands Minister Charity Ngilu had acted in line with the president’s instruction that anyone criticized in the confidential report should move aside, regardless of rank.

Kenyatta has promised to take personal charge of

fighting corruption, seen as a major obstacle to business and law enforcement and as a deterrent to investment in Kenya.

On Saturday, ministers in charge of Energy and Petroleum, Transport and Infrastructure, Labor and Agriculture and Fisheries also stepped aside. Other cabinet ministers have been asked to temporarily handle the workload of the five. Kenyatta made the fight against graft a priority on taking office in 2013, but critics say he has so far failed to rid his government of corrupt officials.

Hardline Mali rebel demands stall hopes for peace

Mass rally in Tunisia over Bardo Museum attack HOUSANDS of demonstrators have taken to the streets of Tunis for an anti-terrorism march.

Chanting “Tunisia is free!

A

has said that Arab leaders have agreed to form a united military force to combat the “challenges” the region is facing at a conference dominated by a Saudiled offensive on Houthi fighters in Yemen.

Abdel Fattah el-Sisi made the comment

yesterday at the closing session of a two-day Arab League summit held in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh.

“Assuming the great responsibility imposed by the great challenges facing our Arab nation and threatening its capabilities, the Arab

leaders had decided to agree on the principle of a joint Arab military force,” he said.

Sisi has repeatedly called for concerted Arab and Western action against what he sees as an existential threat posed by groups operating in Libya and elsewhere.

EDIATORS in northern Mali’s conflict underestimated the radicalization of a new generation at the heart of a separatist movement, a misstep that left the peace process in tatters after rebels refused to sign a proposed deal.

Gambling on pushing through an agreement, Algerian mediators organized only a handful of face-to-face meetings between the government and the Tuareg-led insurgents, participants said; too few to overcome the mutual mistrust accumulated by four rebellions in the desert

north since independence in 1960.

Western and regional diplomats want a deal that will break the cycle of uprisings, freeing up foreign peacekeepers and Malian troops to tackle Islamist militants and drug traffickers criss-crossing the vast ungoverned spaces of the Sahara desert.

Al Qaeda-linked fighters in northern Mali fought alongside the separatists during their last uprising, launched three years ago in the town of Kidal, before the better-armed militants seized control of the rebellion.

Nigeria election: Gunmen kill 15

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UNMEN killed at least 15 people including an opposition politician near polling stations in northeast Nigeria at the weekend , casting an ominous shadow over the closest electoral contest since the end of military rule in 1999.

The tense race pits President Goodluck Jonathan against former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari for the favor of an electorate divided along a complex mix of ethnic, regional and

in some cases religious lines.

The poll is seen as the first election in Africa’s most populous nation in which an opposition candidate has a serious chance of unseating the incumbent, and widespread fears it could trigger violence are already becoming reality.

Islamist Boko Haram insurgents launched several attacks on voters in the northeast, killing three in Yobe state and three more in Gombe state, police said.

14 die as Somalia ends Shebab hotel siege

S

OMALI forces brought an end to an hours-long gun and bomb siege on a Mogadishu hotel by AlQaeda-linked Shebab militants at the weekend , with the government giving a final toll of 14 dead.

The war-torn country’s ambassador to Switzerland Yusuf BariBari was among those

killed in the dramatic attack that began on Friday at the Maka al Mukarama hotel, used by politicians, diplomats and businessmen.

Members of Somalia’s We s t e r n - b a c k e d government were meeting at the venue at the time, located on an arterial road linking the presidential palace to the airport, a Shebab spokesman said.

VANGUARD, MONDAY, MARCH 30 , 2015 —57

BRIEFS

U.S led coalition launches 17 airstrikes on ISIS

Iran nuclear talk: World leaders explore U compromises I especially threatened by the possibility of a nuclear-armed Iran, said the details of a possible framework agreement emerging from the talks in the Swiss city of Lausanne were even worse than it feared.

Officials warned that deep disagreements remained over several sticking points in Lausanne. Nevertheless, they said that in recent days the two sides have been closing in on a preliminary deal that could be summarized in a brief document of several pages that may or may not be released.

Several officials told Reuters that Tehran had indicated a willingness to cut the number of centrifuges it uses to fewer than 6,000, thereby slowing its program, and to send most of its enriched U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (L) and Iran’s Foreign Minister uranium stockpiles for Mohammad Javad Zarif pose for a photograph before resuming talks over storage in Russia.

Iran’s nuclear programme in Lausanne recently

RAN and six world powers tried to break an impasse in nuclear negotiations yesteterday even as officials cautioned that attempts to reach a preliminary deal by a deadline in two days could yet fall apart.

The six powers including the United

States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China want at least a 10-year suspension of Iran’s most sensitive nuclear work.

Tehran, which denies it trying to develop a nuclear weapons capability, is demanding an end to international

sanctions that are crippling its economy.

The two sides explored compromises in areas including numbers of centrifuges used to enrich uranium that Iran could operate, and its nuclear enrichment work for medical research.

But Israel, which feels

Germanwings crash: 78 DNA strands isolated

F

IVE days after Germanwings flight 4U 9525 crashed in the French Alps killing all 150 on board, investigators say they have isolated 78 DNA strands.

However, they denied German media reports that body parts of co-pilot Andreas Lubitz had been identified.

The cockpit voice recorder suggested he crashed the plane deliberately.

A transcript leaked to German media revealed the frenzied final minutes, with the pilot, locked out of the cockpit, shouting “open the damn door!”

Recovery teams have so far only reached the mountain side on foot or by helicopter to continue the search for human remains as well as parts of the aircraft, including the flight

data recorder which is still missing.

Marseille prosecutor Brice Robin said an access road was being built to the remote site.

Mr Robin said work on the road, which would give allterrain vehicles access to the

area, could be completed by Monday evening.

The German newspaper Bild published a transcript of the final minutes of the flight as caught on the cockpit voice recorder. It has not been independently verified.

It shows the captain, who has been named in media as Patrick Sondenheimer, telling Lubitz he was not able to go to the toilet before take off, to which the copilot replies he can go at any time.

Access to the crash site is very difficult for the recovery teams

Air Canada flight slides off Halifax runway, injures passengers been a very unsettling cooperating fully with

A

N Air Canada (AC.TO) plane slid off a runway and suffered heavy damage while landing in the east coast city of Halifax yesterday.

However, the incident sent more than 20 passengers and crew to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The incident happened shortly after midnight. The airline said in an update on Sunday afternoon that all but one of those admitted to hospitals had now been released.

“We at Air Canada are greatly relieved that no one was critically injured. Yet we fully appreciate this has

experience,” Air Canada Chief Operating Officer Klaus Goersch said in a statement.

Air Canada said the Airbus A320 flying from Toronto was carrying 133 passengers and five crew members. The airline did not give the cause of the accident but said it was

investigators.

It was snowing heavily at the airport at the time of the accident. Passengers interviewed by local media described a “big flash” before landing and speculated the flight may have struck a power line, but this was not confirmed by the authorities.

.S.-led warplanes continued to hammer ISIS positions around the pivotal Iraqi battleground city of Tikrit, stepping in at the Iraqi Prime Minister’s request to get at what a spokesman called “difficult targets.”

Meanwhile, the U.S. Military had announced last Thursday that its allies conducted 17 airstrikes around Tikrit, going after three ISIS checkpoints, two bridges, two staging areas and other targets such as a roadblock and a “command and control facility.”

The idea is that this aerial bombardment will pave the way for Iraqi forces to go in and take control on the ground.

“The ongoing Iraqi and coalition airstrikes are setting the conditions for offensive action,” said Lt. Gen. James L. Terry, commanding general of the U.S.-led coalition.

Iraqi forces have tried multiple times to win back Tikrit since the group, which calls itself the Islamic State, conquered the city in June as part of its campaign to amass an expansive Islamic caliphate.

Afghan court jails AP photojournalist’s killer

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N Afghan police officer who shot and killed a veteran Associated Press photographer during the country’s 2014 presidential election has been sentenced to 20 years in prison, a Supreme Court official told Reuters yesterday.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to give statements to the press.

A second AP reporter was injured in the attack, which took place in eastern Khost

province while they were sitting in their car inside a government compound.

Anja Niedringhaus, 48, a German national, was killed instantly while Canadian reporter Kathy Gannon who had covered conflict in Afghanistan for 30 years survived the shooting.

The police officer had initially been sentenced to death, but that decision was overturned by an appeals court and the Supreme Court upheld that ruling, the court official said.

Bombing in Yemen intensifies as region aligns against Houthis

I

N just a few weeks’ time, good relations with neighbors have become a matter of survival for Yemen President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi.

Just this weekend, he rallied regional allies in Egypt, while they bombarded his enemies in his country.

After Houthi rebels occupied the capital Sanaa weeks ago, Hadi’s government fled. When the President called for military intervention to beat back their attempt to overthrow him, adjacent countries answered this week with a grand

airstrike operation.

In the darkness of early Saturday, their jets increased the hail of ordnance on Sanaa, as Saudi-led operation Determination Storm went into its fourth day.

Hadi was in Sharm elSheikh to meet with the region’s leaders at the Arab League summit.

Yemen has been plunged into chaos since the Houthi rebels Shiite Muslims who have long felt marginalized in the majority Sunni country began seizing control of the capital and other areas of the country in

Iam glad to have my life back, says Amanda Knox

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tearful Amanda Knox said she was glad to have her life back after an eight-year legal drama that gripped the United States, Britain and Italy.

Knox made a brief statement after Italy ’s Supreme Court overturned her murder conviction late Friday.

She was prosecuted

after the semi-naked body of British student Meredith Kercher, 21, her throat slashed, was found in November 2007 in the apartment the two women shared.

Raffaele Sollecito, Knox’s Italian boyfriend, was convicted as well. He was cleared along with Knox on Friday night.

58 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

CANCER; Many of you may be tempted and give in to the urge to gamble either with love or other important issue to the detriment of your cause. Be practical.

LEO; This is not the right time to take happenings along your career line for granted. Prepare for important domestic challenge. Keep your family secrets.

VIRGO; You may over inflate your ego to the resentment of people that matter. Watch what you do with money before 12.31pm. Try to be more diplomatic.

LIBRA; If care is not taken you would mislead others before 12.31pm while you are close to minor but costly mistakes from 12.31pm. Be wise with money.

SCORPIO; After initial confusion before 1pm you find your bearing and assert yourself but you will need to prepare to take care of oppositions that may come up suddenly.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

T

HE holy writ made us to understand that in this world, we will face a lot of trouble; but even at that, the s c r i p t u r e admonished us to

Be of good cheer be of good cheer because, He has overcome the world.

I believe no matter how much we try, we could still encounter

TERROR MUDA

problem. But do not mortgage your tomorrow for the trials of today. In spite of everything, lift up your spirit. No matter how bad

in “Never say goodbye”

the situation appears to be, be of good cheer. For it is the cheerful spirit that attracts the assistance of the necessary power and force.

By Lanre Kehinde

SAGITTARIUS; It is important you don’t allow friends mislead you before 12.31pm no matter how genuine their intention. Watch what you do with your health. Tomorrow is your best day.

CAPRICORN; Take it easy along your career/business line during the morning period so that costly mistakes will not make things difficult for. Take your social life seriously.

AQUARIUS; What may look like a very good advice from younger members within your base of operation may eventually lead to avoidable trouble.

PISCES; Miscalculation is possible before 12.31pm that is why you will need to be as practical as possible and refuse to take people for granted throughout.

ARIES; Yes it is good to take partnership related issue seriously but priority attention must be given to money.

Watch what you tell others before 12.31pm.

TAURUS; If you take your new ideas too seriously they would mislead you. But taken good advice from your influential friends can prove helpful. As the Moon fluctuates during AM period it is important you practical till after 12.31pm.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

GEMINI; Provided you don’t allow mid-morning blues to get better off you will eventually live up to expectation at work. Take good care of your health, 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,

What’s my sesitive part?

Dear Joshua, I ma interested in your daily analysis in Vanguard Newspapers. The truth is your daily horoscope column always work for me and now I just cant do without reading my Star in your papers.

My believe is since you can be as accurate as possible writing daily horoscope you are in a better position to analyse my health which is very important to me. I want to know which area(s) of my body should be taken more seriously.

Rotimi, Lagos.

Dear Rotimi, According to your natal horoscope you have gone above danger zones of your life health-wise. But then what you will find here-under will be of benefit. Thanks for your commendation.

Opposition between the Sun (an indicator of basic selfhood) and difficult Saturn during your birth hour pointed to a very tough beginning in life but luckily for you both Spiritual Neptune in powerful Scorpio and steady Pluto in healthy Virgo were at positive angles to your natal Sun thus, your chances of surviving are more than the delicate ones. More so as your natal Sun and Moon are members of strongest Star signs-health wise.

Certainly Saturn must have brought you a few number of health related challenges raging from skin, bone, sometimes the stomach and importantly headache . Since you were able to survive infancy and middle age you have very good chances of living to a very old age. While the ailments stated here can easily be managed by yourself one important organ of your body that must be managed by medical expert is your HEART because of many placement in heart related Star sign. This is not to say you must have heart problem but here is an organ you in particular must take very seriously. Yes fever is common in Africa and today fear of STDs is the beginning of good health. STDs are mentioned here because of your natal planets is sexual Scorpio. Mind you nothing fatalistic here, but mere warnings.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015 — 59

Mashaba: We dominated Eagles Siasia hails Akpeyi for saving Eagles F

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AFANA Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba was delighted with his side’s showing in their 1-1 draw with Nigeria in Nelspruit on Sunday An 85th minute scorcher by Russian-based Ahmed Musa - who captained the Super Eagles side on the day and an added time strike

by Mamelodi Sundowns’s Bongani Zungu ensured a share of the spoils in the friendly international at the Mbombela Stadium.

“I would like to say congratulations to the boys, we played very well. I think our combinations worked well today, we created numerous chances to win the game but didn’t take them, but we played well and well done to the players today,” Mashaba told reporters at the postmatch conference The industrious Andile Jali squandered a glorious opportunity to head the home side into the lead in the 63rd minute when he missed a penalty although Nigerian goalkeeper, George Akpey did very well to deny the Belgianbased man with a one handed save.

Nonetheless, Mashaba believes they had numerous chances before

Continues from pg 59 Nelspruit yesterday.

Bafana Bafana dominated most of the game, and the Nigerian team were bereft of ideas with Andile Jali denied from the spot by goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi who turned out to be the hero of the Eagles.

Ahmed Musa looked to have provided the sucker punch with five minutes remaining, but Zungu popped up with virtually the last kick of the game to earn a draw for the home side.

Aaron Samuel forced Itumeleng Khune into an early save. The burly forward dusted himself off after being fouled by Erick Mathoho before firing his left-footed free-kick from 25 yards straight at the South African stopper, who was up to the task.

The hosts conjured up their first chance with six minutes on the clock. A well worked one-two between Bongani Zungu and Thulani Hlatshwayo culminating in a first time effort by the Sundowns man, who was denied by a leaping Akpeyi in the

•Mashaba then to go ahead.

“I don’t want to talk about the missed penalty, because like I said, we had numerous chances to win the game before and after the penalty to go ahead.

But it was a good performance, the boys should hold their heads up high,” Mashaba said.

He lamented the lack of leadership on the field, citing it could have helped the younger men out on the field seeing they were the dominant side throughout.

“We were all over these guys, a quarter of the game and that’s when you need leaders to control the boys

•Musa and take over. But it [the game] has given us an idea as to where we are headed in carrying out our

vision and also something to work on for our upcoming games,” Mashaba said.

EURO 2018 results Scotland N. Ireland‘ Georgia Romania Albania

6 2 0 1 2

South Africa Tanzania Botswana Brazil Zambia Ivory Coast

1 1 1 1 2 1

Gibraltar Finland Germany Faroe Islands Armenia

Friendlies

Nigeria Malawi Mozambique Chile Rwanda Equatorial Guinea

1 1 2 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 1

•Siasia

Eagles!

Nigerian goals.

Nigeria enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the opening half-hour, but South Africa looked dangerous on the counter with Thulani Serero, Tokelo Rantie and Sibusiso Vilakazi linking up well. The latter saw his header attempt following a swift move fly wide in the 22nd minute.

Leon Balogun produced a superb block to deny Rantie three minutes later.

The Bournemouth striker found himself with a sight at goal, but the Super Eagles defender was in the right place at the right time to deny the Bafana Bafana speedster.

Bafana Bafana started to dominate as the half grew on, with Oupa Manyisa directing his free-kick from close range just over Akpeyi’s crossbar in the 38th minute.

Shakes Mashaba’s men ended the half on a positive note, with Rantie’s pass just out of reach of a Serero who would’ve had an easy finish had he better timed his surge into the area.

ORMER Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia has thumped up goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi for his good display during yesterday ’s 1-1 draw against Bafana Bafana in a friendly tie at the Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit.

Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw with the side’s captain, Ahmed Musa scoring the opener in the 85th minute while a defensive blunder by Godfrey Oboabona allowed South Africa a stoppage time equaliser from striker Bongani Zungu.

The Warri Wolves shot stopper had earlier in

Both teams were restricted to shots from range in early exchanges of the second stanza, with Serero and Musa sending respective free-kick attempts wide of goal.

Bafana Bafana had a perfect opportunity to open the scoring just after the hour mark after Serero was brought down inside the area. Jali duly stepped up but was denied by Akpeyi before Nelson Ogbonnaya almost turned the rebound into the back of his own net.

South Africa continued to push forward as they went in search of their first win over their rivals 11 years, but as is often the case the hosts were punished for failing to make their dominance count.

CSKA Moscow attacker Musa cut in from the left flank before curling an unstoppable effort past Khune from the edge of the area in the 85th minute.

With time running out the Super Eagles looked to have won it, but Zungu pounced after Akpeyi parried Thuso Phala’s close range effort in the third minute of stoppage time.

Amokachi

Continues from Backpage

said after the game.

“Ninety-eight percent of the players are having their first, second or third caps.

“It is a fair result but when you are winning and one goal up, conceding is not good’’, he said

the game, saved Eagles when he stopped a penalty that would have given the South Africans the lead in a largely lackluster encounter.

Siasia said Akpeyi stood out for him in the encounter and would have ended the clash a winner if not for the momentary loss of concentration from the back men.

“The goalkeeper is the best player on match day against South Africa but his defence let him down at the crucial moment.

“Akpeyi deserved a victory in the clash to compensate his five-star performance in the game.

“It’s unfortunate they allowed what would’ve been a deserved victory to slip off their hands at the most inauspicious time.

“I congratulate the captain on match day, Ahmed Musa for the wonderful opening goal against South Africa.

“Musa at times plays as if he wasn’t there, a bit listless and anonymous but he remains a good player.

“His solo goal effort is wonderful on his special day as the captain of the side,” added Siasia

All Africa Games Continues from pg 59 the U-23 team to a goalless draw in Abuja.

Siasia determined to shock the Zambians in their home yesterday extended invitations to Flying Eagles goalkeeper Dele Alampasu, Taiwo

Awoniyi, Bernard Bulbwa, Mustapha Abdullahi and Musa Mohammed.

According to the Media officer of Dream team, Timi Ebikagboro, the five players are to report to the team’s Febson Hotel camp with their international passports.

Maradona Continues from pg 59 to be an “advocate for corruption”.

The Argentina legend travelled to Vienna this week to meet with the current vice-president, who is also facing competition in the election from Portugal’s Luis Figo and Netherlands’ Michael van Praag.

Maradona held a meeting with his girlfriend Rocio Oliva, his lawyers, Prince Ali

and the Fifa vicepresident’s cousin and came away convinced the Jordanian deserves to win the May 29 vote.

“I want to offer him my support to help change Fifa once and for all,” Maradona told Ole. “I have seen for myself how the Prince has helped to grow the sport’s support in the region.

“I have said a thousand times that I am not an advocate for corruption. I want to help change football for the better.”

Maradona is set to travel the world in the coming two months leading Prince Ali’s campaign to oust Blatter - who is aiming for his fifth term in the position - and garner more votes than Figo or Van Praag.

Blatter ’s popularity has taken a hit in the past couple of years due to scandals surrounding the awarding of World Cup finals to Russia and Qatar, along with a subsequent lack of transparency in Fifa investigations over potential bribes.

60 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

Vanguard CLASSIFIED

Liverpool All-Star charity match

Balotelli outshines Suarez, Torres L

UIS Suarez and Fernando Torres returned to Anfield on Sunday but Mario Balotelli outshone both, scoring one and setting up another in a 2-2 draw in the Liverpool All-Star charity match.

Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher captained teams at a soldout Anfield and were

joined by a host of players from Liverpool’s past and present, as well as a number of star names from the football world including Thierry Henry and Chelsea captain John Terry.

But it was the half-time introduction of former Liverpool heroes Suarez and Torres which brought the ground to its feet as

the pair played together for the first time.

However, it was current Liverpool striker Balotelli who took centre stage, taking just nine minutes to give Team Carragher the lead, beating Brad Jones with a low leftfooted strike.

Carragher’s side were two goals to the good in the 23rd minute with

ALL STARS . . . Jamie Carragher All Stars’ Lucas Leiva and Marion Balotelli with Steven Gerrard All Stars’ Thierry Henry and Steven Gerrard sharing jokes after their game.

Balotelli, who has scored just four goals for the club since arriving last summer, involved again as Didier Drogba latched onto the Italian’s inchperfect through ball, before rounding Jones to tap the ball home into the empty net.

Gerrard’s men were handed a lifeline just before the break and it was the captain himself beating former team-mate Pepe Reina from the spot after Martin Kelly brought down Jerome Sinclair.

Gerrard’s side were back in it and at half-time he sent for the cavalry as former Anfield heroes Suarez and Torres came onto the field with Henry one of the players to make way.

And it was not long before the Kop was in full voice, chanting the names of their former stars as Torres combined with Gerrard, only for the skipper to fire his shot over the cross bar.

I have nothing to prove — Bale R

EAL Madrid star Gareth Bale insists he pays no attention to his

•Bale

critics and stated he has nothing to prove.

The forward has been the

main focus of scorn from the Spanish media and Real supporters following the capital club’s difficult start to 2015, with the former Tottenham man’s car damaged after the 2-1 Clasico defeat against Barcelona.

However, Bale gave a timely reminder of the talent that saw Real shell out a club-record fee for his services in September 2013 with a starring role in Wales’ 3-0 victory against Israel in last Saturday’s Euro 2016 qualifying contest.

The 25-year-old set up

Aaron Ramsey for the first, before scoring twice in the second half in Haifa.

“I don’t need to answer the critics,” Bale said.

“I know, and everyone around me knows, what I can do.

“There are ups and downs in football. You have to take it with a pinch of salt and all you can do is respond with your performances on the pitch, like that.

“I don’t feel I need to prove anyone wrong or right, I just need to play my football.”

Vidic rules out return to Man United

N

EMANJA Vidic will likely stay at Internazionale next season, claims his agent, therefore ruling out a possible return to Manchester United.

The Serbian international was a huge influence at Old Trafford following his move from Spartak Belgrade in January 2006, winning a host of honours before leaving at the end of last season when his contract expired. But as the Reds have looked far from solid without his pres-

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Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015— 61

C M Y K

62 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

Murray outclasses Giraldo

Australia win fifth cricket World Cup

A

USTRALIA crushed fellow tournament co-hosts New Zealand by seven wickets in the Cricket World Cup at the MCG yesterday to claim the title for a fifth time.

New Zealand, who beat Australia in Auckland earlier in the competition during the pool stages, set a target of just 184 after they elected to bat first only to be dismissed for 183.

Grant Ellioot fired 83 off 82 balls but it was Australia bowlers Mitchell Johnson and James Faulkner who starred with the ball as they took three wickets each.

A

NDY Murray booked his place in the fourth round of the Miami Open with a consummate 6-3 6-4 victory against Santiago Giraldo.

Murray, who suffered a surprise defeat to the world No 31 Colombian in straight sets at last year’s Madrid Masters, gained revenge to move to within one win of a landmark 500 tour-level career victories.

The 27-year-old would become the ninth active player to record a half century of wins should he beat South Africa’s Kevin Anderson, who defeated Leonardo Mayer from Argentina in straight sets.

•Mayweather Jr.

Mayweather: I'll give fans value for their money W

BC/WBA welterweight and junior middleweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. (47-0, 26KOs) is pushing himself to the limit in training camp.

Mayweather is a few weeks away from the biggest fight of his career. He faces career rival Manny Pacquiao, the WBO’s champion at welterweight on May 2nd from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The fight is already going to be the biggest money maker in the history of boxing.

Mayweather is slated to make $180 million dollars from the contest.

Althought his nickname is ‘Money ’ Mayweather wants to beat Pacquiao in very

impressive fashion so the fans can get their money’s worth on fight night.

“Everyone talks about the money, the money, the money,” Mayweather said to the Associated Press. “I want the fight to live up to the magnitude that it is. That’s what it is really about.”

“My mentality in the sport of boxing is to win first always but, of course, you always want to give people their money’s worth. There’s been fights I look at and say I’m not really pleased with that even though I won. We’re pushing ourselves extremely hard. If the fight was today I could go out and perform and look well.”

Pacquiao’s form rises in sparring C

•Pacquiao

Djokovic survives Klizan’s test

W

•Djokovic

ORLD number one and defending champion Novak Djokovic overcame a mid-match swoon to beat Slovak Martin Klizan 6-0, 5-7, 6-1 on Saturday in his Miami Masters opener.

Djokovic, the top seed who is looking for a fifth Miami Masters crown, had to work for his 6-0, 5-7, 6-1 second-round victory over Klizan.

The world number one, who beat Roger Federer last weekend for the Indian Wells crown in California, is hoping to duplicate his North American March hardcourt title double of last year.

In fact, the Serb is bidding to become the first man to complete the sweep three times.

He looked well on his way to a quick win when he snapped up the opening set against his 41st-ranked opponent in 23 minutes.

He won the first seven games before Klizan got onto the scoreboard and appeared set to serve out a quick victory with a 5-3 lead in the second.

ELEBRATED Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach was very happy with what he saw from eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao after he sparred nine rounds with three different sparring partners and followed up with eight rounds on the punchmitts on Saturday.

Top Rank publicist Fred Sternburg relayed the information to the BoxingScene.com/ Standard after speaking with Roach. Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao on the speedball.

Roach’s assistant trainer Marvin Somodio said that Pacquiao sparred two rounds with 21-year-old Chicago native Kenneth Simms Jr., who has a record of 5-0 with 2 knockouts, followed by four rounds with a welterweight by the name of “Kendre,” who is also undefeated with a record of 12-0 with 5 knockouts, and three rounds with a fighter from San Diego, whose name the trainer wasn’t sure of.

“Manny was good,” said Somodio.

Despite it being a long week, Somodio said Pacquiao followed the fight strategy for the showdown with Floyd Mayweather on May 2.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015 — 63

Brazil's revival continues under Scotland hit Gibraltar for 6 Dunga R

OBERTO Firmino came off the bench to net the only goal in Brazil’s 1-0 friendly win over Chile at the Emirates Stadium yesterday.

In a battling affair, the Hoffenheim man replaced the ineffective Luiz Adriano on the hour-mark and struck the winner with a coollytaken finish 11 minutes later.

The clash saw two of the modern game’s biggest superstars in opposition, but neither Neymar nor Alexis Sanchez - on his home ground - had a significant impact.

Sanchez did show some touches of brilliance, while Neymar was involved in the game’s most controversial moment in the first half when Chile midfielder Gary Medel stood on his leg in an off-the-ball incident which went unseen.

The two sides’ previous meeting came in the round of 16 in last year ’s World Cup, a game which saw Brazil

S

SAMBA ... Roberto Firmonio celebrates his goal for Brazil against Chile

Romania top after beating Faroe Islands

R

OMANIA remain top of UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying Group F, Claudiu Ke’erü’s fourth goal for his country just about enough to see off the Faroe Islands in Ploiesti.

Ke’erü tidied up from a rebound in the 21st minute to put Romania in front, but Anghel Iordanescu’s side lost some of their sparkle after the break, the visitors threatening to follow up their sensational 1-0 victory at Greece last time out with another eye-catching result on their travels.

Home fans could have no complaints after 30 minutes, goalkeeper Gunnar Nielsen the only thing that stood between the Faroes and oblivion. He made a superb early stop from Raul Rusescu’s long shot, and fended away a Ke’erü effort after Mihai Pintilii sent him through on goal. However, the 28year-old was wrong-footed for Romania’s opener: the defensive wall deflected Alexandru Maxim’s freeC M Y K

Claudiu Ke’erü after scoring for Romania

kick onto the post and Ke’erü was first to the loose ball.

The Faroese mustered just one shot in the first 45 minutes, yet had begun to summon sterner resistance by the interval. Nielsen kept their hopes up in the second half; on 65 minutes, he repelled another Maxim free-kick with his left hand, then fended away Adrian Popa’s header from the rebound with his right.

COTLAND kept up their push at the top of Group D thanks to a heavy victory over Gibraltar in which Steven Fletcher scored a hat-trick and the visitors made history.

The win, while ultimately comfortable, came after a topsy-turvy opening half-hour that included the visitors’ first-ever competitive strike. Lee Casciaro was the player who wrote his name into his nation’s history books, cancelling out Shaun Maloney ’s 18th-minute penalty with a slick breakaway goal.

Yet that effort – deserved and expertly dispatched though it was – ultimately proved a mere consolation after the match was settled in the space of ten first-half minutes. That was all it took for Scotland

•Fletcher of Scotland to turn a stalemate into a 4-1 lead, with Fletcher, Maloney and Steven Naismith all on target.

Fletcher, whose scrappy headed goal after 29 minutes settled Scottish nerves, celebrated with particular gusto, and no wonder. It was, after all, just the Sunderland AFC forward’s second international goal – and his first in six years.

Germany gun down Georgia G

ERMANY got their E u r o p e a n Championship qualifying campaign back on track with a hard-fought 2-0 win in Georgia yesterday.

First-half goals from Marco Reus and Thomas Mueller gave World Cup winner Germany their first away win in Group D. Joachim Loew’s side moved level on 10 points with Poland and Scotland, which routed Gibraltar 6-1 in Glasgow..

Reus, who twice also hit the crossbar, scored in the 39th minute when he was free to scoop the ball inside the near post after Mario Goetze tried forcing his way past a number of defenders.

Mueller sealed the result five minutes later with a lightly deflected effort.

Georgia were pegged back for long periods in Kakhaber Tskhadadze’s first game as coach.

G E R M A N MACHINES ...

Marco Reus (R) of G e r m a n y celebrates with Mario Götze

Northern Ireland beat Finland

K

YLE Lafferty fired a double against Finland to ensure Northern Ireland remain just a point behind Group F leaders Romania going into the final five games

of the Euro 2016 qualifiers.

Norwich striker Lafferty, who is on loan at Caykur Rizespor, scored both goals during the first half to ensure

Northern Ireland claimed all three points.

Finland scored a late consolation goal in the closing stages of the match through Berat Sadik.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

Maradona blasts Blatter, backs Prince Ali D

IEGO Maradona has thrown his support behind Fifa presidential candidate Prince Ali bin AlHussein rather than incumbent Sepp Blatter by insisting he refuses

•Maradona

Continues on Page 59

All Africa Games qualifier: Siasia turns to F\Eagles

Colourless Eagles!

•S/Africa 1 Nigeria 1

D

A

REAM team’s coach, Samson Siasia has turned to victorious Flying Eagles players for succour as he battles to overcome Zambia in the return leg of the All Africa Games qualifier in Lusaka.

The Zambians battled

Continues on Page 59

Serena Williams cruised into the Miami Open third round with a comfortable victory over Monica Niculescu

stoppage time goal from Bongani Zungu secured a 1-1 draw for South Africa against a Nigerian team that lacked colour and understanding in an international friendly match played at the Mbombela Stadium in

Continues on Page 59

•Akpeyi

It’s a fair game — Amokachi The Super Eagles looked to be securing a 1-0 win over Shakes Mashaba’s side but Bongani Zungu popped up in stoppage time to

ensure both sides earn a share of the spoils.

“It is fair, coming away from home after losing to Uganda,” Amokachi

Continues on Page 59

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 2 Trivial (5) 7 Goad (4) 8 Use (6) 9 Long (5) 11 Beaker (3) 13 Frenzied (3) 15 Exclude (4) 16 Fixed (3) 18 Aperture (4) 19 Illegal (7) 20 Accepted (4) 22 Pace (4) 23 Drums (7) 25 Require (4) 27 Attempt (3) 28 Gull (4) 30 Father (3) 31 Performed (3) 33 Perfect (5) 36 Debase (6) 37 Absent (4) 38 Famous (5)

DOWN 1 Drug (5) 2 Snoop (3) 3 Beverage (3) 4 Longing (3) 5 Fitting (3) 6 Regional (5) 10 Stagger (4) 11 Compete (7) 12 Turned (7) 13 Blotchy (7) 14 Despair (7) 16 Slumbered (5) 17 Cheap (5) 18 Man’s (3) 21 Goat (3) 24 Parched (4) 26 Keen (5) 29 Emulate (5) 32 Married (3) 33 Tavern (3) 34 Newt (3) 35 Youth (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Level 5, System 8. Dodge 10, Recite 11, Emit 14. Malice 15, Acrobat 18, Den 19, Tee 21, Deft 23, Repay 24, Shut 27, Dig 29, Sea 31, Deposed 32, Stench 34, Data 35, Lopped 38, Royal 39, Rioted 40, Prompt.

DOWN: 2, Ewe 3, Editor 4, Lot 5, Seem 6, Soiled 7, Modest 9, Debated 12, Mad 13, Time 16, Cosh 17, Tepid 20, Eagerly 22, Free 24, Sister 25, Used 26, Tenant 28, Couple 30, Act 33, Hard 36, Oar 37, End.

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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