PDP suspends Amaechi's loyalists

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61871

PIB: Experts call for upward review of host communities' fund •P.9

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TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

Four Nigerian teenagers bag life jail for gang-killing in London •P.6

Delta State Reception for Vice-Admiral Ezeoba, new Naval Chief — See Page 16

PDP suspends Amaechi's loyalists •Rivers Speaker, 26 other lawmakers affected •The party leadership is lawless — House Leader •Nobody can clip wings of govs — Babangida Aliyu

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR, JIMITOTA ONOYUME AND WOLE MOSADOMI

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AGOS—THE politi cal forces against Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State cut sharper, yesterday, after 27 lawmakers loyal to the governor out of 32

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COLUMNISTS:

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•P.17

Mr & Mrs

TANKER FIRE—A burning fuel tanker by Kaduna State Polytechnic on Zaria-Kaduna Road, Sunday. Photo: NAN.

Don't manipulate —PG. 8 judiciary—Soyinka C M Y K

—PG.22

Top 10 performing stocks

2— Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

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C M Y K

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POCKET CARTOON

SURE-P—From left: Chairman, SURE-P Committee, Dr Christopher Kolade; a graduate intern, Mrs Kesiena Olaitan; Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and another Intern, Mr Idris Ishaq, at an Interactive Session on Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) by SURE-P in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

PDP suspends Amaechi's loyalists; Rivers Speaker, 26 others affected Continues from Page 1

in the State House of Assembly were suspended by the new leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PPD in the state. Their seats

were immediately declared vacant.

The action of the Felix Obuah led faction of the party opposed to the governor was immediately rebuffed by the

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

You are responsible for your performance, your career and your feelings. Take charge of your life.

TAKE HEART

I

BY ELLA RANDLE

F you have it to give, give it! If you know what to say, say it! If you know what needs to be done, do it! If there is some place you want to go, go now! What are you waiting for? Haven’t you figured out yet that you are the only one who can do what you do, the way you do it? Don’t you realise that the world is waiting for you? —Iyanla Vanzant Once you define your dream or goal, decide that you want to live this kind of happy and satisfied life. This may seem basic but many people never decide and commit fully to their dream. They simply keep “thinking” about it. Or, when the first obstacle appears and they give up. Make a commitment to yourself. Right now is not the time to worry about how to make it happen, or how you are going to move through your challenges. Instead, plant the seed of your dream inside of you and you commit to loving this seed until the day you can harvest the fruits of your efforts.

Honour your commitment to self. No one can let you down more than you can. Make a commitment about what you want and stand strong in your commitment. No matter how challenging, how fearful, or overwhelming it may seem, decide you are going for it! Why? For no other reason than because you want it. This is something you want for yourself and a choice you have made.

House leader, Hon. Chidi Floyd who decried the action of the new PDP executive as lawless and part of a set agenda directed at destabilizing the state.

The pressure against Amaechi nonetheless, Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum, Dr. Babangida Aliyu yesterday said attempts to clip the wings of the nation’s governors would be counterproductive as he said that those fighting the governors would come begging in 2015. Aliyu spoke while receiving secretaries of the PDP in the 19 Northern states.

It was not clear if he had knowledge of the latest perceived moves against Amaechi who is chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF. The National Secretariat of the party was yet to be communicated on the development in Rivers State last night just as there were mixed indications of a court action allegedly instituted by some elements in the House to stop Obuah from his action.

Obuah, who was penultimate week confirmed by the National

Secretariat of the party as the new state chairman of the party announced the suspension of the lawmakers at a press briefing at the state secretariat of the party in Port Harcourt.

He also declared the seats of the 27 lawmakers vacant.

The latest development follows last Saturday’s ban by federal authorities on the official aircraft of the Rivers State government from flying in the country.

Why they were suspended — Obuah Obuah, who was flanked by other executive members of his party, said the suspension followed an earlier ultimatum handed the lawmakers to reverse the suspension slammed on the elected Chairman, Vice Chairman and 17 councillors of the Obio Akpor Local Government Area last week.

"Furthermore, you will recall that on April 22, 2013, the party issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Rivers State House of Assembly to rescind

the order on the dissolution of Obio Akpor Council, which was flagrantly disobeyed. The party hereby, suspends all the 27 members of the House of Assembly that carried out such action while their matter is referred to Disciplinary Committee for further action.”

When reminded that those suspended had earlier vowed not to accord recognition to his leadership, Obuah, said he remained the authentic chairman of the party in the state.

It will be recalled that those suspended had in a statement pledged their loyalty to deposed Chairman of the party, Chief Godspower Ake. The leadership of Ake was sacked by an Abuja High court judgment recently, a verdict the Ake-led structure had appealed. The lawmakers had described the court judgment that sacked the Ake-led leadership as a travesty of justice.

Those suspended by the party are the Speaker of the House, Mr Amachree Otelemaba, Asari Toru I; Mr Augustine Paul, Abua/Odua; Ewor Nname, Ahoada East I; Nwuche Ibiso, Ahoada East II, Deputy Leader; Dr Chigbo Sam Eligwe, Ahoada West.

Others are Brown Onari, Akuku Toru I; Mr Anabaraba Benibo, Akuku Toru 2; Ikuinyi Owaji Ibani, Whip, Andoni; Horsfall Godstimes, Asaritoru 2; Aye Atamah, Bonny; Tonye Ezekiel, Degema; Chidi Lyold, Leader Emohua; Amadi Victor, Etche 1; Golden Chioma, Etche 2; Barikor Innocent, Gokana; Wanjoku Azubike, Ikwerre; Legborsi Nwidadah, Khana 1; Leyii Kwanee, Deputy Speaker Khana 2; Gift Nwokocha, ONELGA 1; Lucky Odili, ONELGA 2;

Belema Okpokiri, Okrika; Miller Anderson, Opobo/ Nkoro; Victoria Nyeche, PHALGA 1; Irene Inimgba, Deputy Whip, PHALGA 11 and Chief Felicia Taneh, TA I. The party also called on Governor Chibuike Amaechi to explain alleged issues over the ownership of the Bombardier aircraft that was recently grounded. According to Obuah, the aircraft allegedly belonged to Bank of Utah.

"From the records made available to us and the statements credited to the acting Director General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Joyce Nkemakolam, the Bombardier B.D 700 global express aircraft with registration number RS purportedly bought by the Rivers State Government was false as its registration showed that it is owned by the Bank of Utah trustee of Salt lake city, Utah, United States of America .

"The government of Rivers State led by Amaechi owes a public explanation to the entire people of Rivers State and PDP in particular as to the true owners of Bombardier BD, 700. He should also explain the identity and the role played by the Bank of Utah of USA in the purchase of the aircraft and the identity of the owners of the said company should be unveiled."

Reacting to the development yesterday, Hon. Floyd, the Majority Leader of the House told Vanguard on telephone that Obuah’s action was subjudice and an act of lawlessness.

“Unfortunately for them we already have an order of the High Court when we got information from some of their so-called supportContinues on Page 41

6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

4 Nigerian teenagers bag life jail for gang-killing in London

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ONDON — THE case of a very sad murder that took place months ago at Victoria Station in London is now over with four Nigerian teenagers sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Sofyen Belamouadden.

According to the The Daily Mail UK, a 15-yearold boy was hacked to death by a 20-man gang in London. All members of the gang have been arrested and charged. Sofyen Belamouadden had his life cut short at Victoria station in central London when he was chased and killed by the gang over youths.

Twenty teenagers were charged in connection with the attack, but three were cleared. Fifteen others have already been jailed for a total of 129 years.

Obi Nwokeh, 20, Christopher Omoregrie and Samson Odegbune, both 19, were given life sentences for murder last April with minimum terms of 18 years.

Victoria Osoteku, 20, the only female to be charged, was jailed for 12 years for manslaughter, along with three other youths.

This evil Oseteku was seen on CCTV kicking Sofyen in the head as he lay dying on the ground after the 12-second attack and also helped with buying the knives that were used in the fatal assault.

Sofyen was stabbed nine times in the body and suffered wounds to his heart, a lung and major blood vessels.

The victim had dreamed of playing football for England and his death has left his family devastated.

The attack was the horrific end of a minor confrontation the day before in the fast-food area of Victoria mainline station between pupils from the two schools, in which a youth received a bloodied nose.

Messages were sent by phone and on Facebook arranging the clash.

Sofyen died after being chased by about 20 pupils across the Terminus Way concourse and into the Underground station.

A youth led the charge with a Samurai sword. Others were armed with a flick knife and a Swiss army knife, machetes and screwdrivers.

Sofyen fell down the stairs into the ticket hall and was attacked on the ground by a smaller group.

Poly student, friend drown in river

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

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WERRI— A YOUNG boy believed to be a student of Federal Polytechnic, Nekede and his friend drowned, weekend, in Otamiri River.

The deceased were identified as Ebuka Onuora, a National Diploma student of Building Technology and his friend, Edozie Igwilo, who was billed to take the Unified Matriculation Examination, UME. Recounting what happened to newsmen in Owerri, a first year National Diploma Computer Science student of the institution, Mr. Chukwudi Okwuchukwu, said he was among the four students that went to the stream.

“I refused to join them in swim-

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GHELLI — A yet-to-be identified tanker driver, was Sunday burnt to death in an auto crash which occurred at AmukpeSapele, Sapele Local Government Area, Delta State.

The accident, which occurred at about 7a.m, threw residents of the area into mourning. Vanguard gathered that the tanker which carried fuel from Warri and

The four Nigerian teenagers sentenc

Gunmen kill 3 policemen, 2 others in Jigawa zAttack was robbery, not Boko Haram — Govt zAs acting gov, officials barred from ex-IG's home

BY ALIYU DANGIDA & TINA AKANNAM

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INGIM (JIGAWA)— It was a mild drama when the Jigawa state deputy governor and acting governor, Alhaji Ahmed Mahmoud; government officials and journalists were barred from the former Inspector General of Police, IGP, Hafiz Ringim’s country home in Ringim town that was attacked yesterday by unknown gunmen.

Meantime, the state government, weekend, said the unknown gunmen who attacked and killed five people in Ringim town were robbers and not members of Ahlissunah Lidda Await Wal Jihad known as Boko Haram, as being speculated.

The incident where the deputy governor was stopped from assessing the former IG’s home occurred when he led the delegation for an assessment tour on the level of damage done during the Sunday attack.

The delegation went round the affected places to see things for itself but was halted by one of the ex-IG’s house boys.

The unnamed house boy told the acting governor that he was instructed by his boss not to allow any government official gain access to his home because it

The bombed bank

wasn’t a government building and that no journalist would be allowed to take any photograph.

The team then turned back disappointed and headed towards the emir‘s palace.

Vanguard, however, observed that an Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC, stationed outside the former IG's residence was burnt while part of the building was set ablaze by the gunmen.

The state's acting governor, Alhaji Ahmed Mahmoud, said the gunmen were not Boko Haram sect members as people speculated, but robbers because

Tanker driver burnt to death in Delta

BY FESTUS AHON

ming. I was rather interested in taking photographs as they swam because an indigene had earlier warned us against swimming whenever it was dark but they refused to heed the advice,” Okwuchukwu said.

According to Ejiogu, a local diver was contracted to rescue the drowning boys, adding that after a while, the corpse of one of them was recovered.

“The body of the second boy was recovered on Sunday. The corpses have been deposited in the morgue with the aid of the Students Union Government of the polytechnic,” Ejiogu said.

Efforts to get the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mrs. Joy Elemoko, before press time failed as her mobile line could not be reached.

headed towards Benin City, Edo State lost control as it approached the Amukpe roundabout.

The tanker, which rammed into the roundabout at top speed, somersaulted six times, spilled its content in the process before it landed on its side with the driver trapped.

According to a dependable source, the tanker caught fire before sympathizers could come to the driver's rescue.

“Even men of the Federal Road Safety Commission that came could also not do anything. We all watched helplessly as the driver cried for help until he finally gave up the ghost.”

The source, who pleaded anonymity said: “Many drivers have lost their lives in this roundabout.

I think men of the FRSC should place a more visible sign at least 600 metres before the roundabout."

Police Patrol vehicle destroyed at the Police Divisional Headquarters, Ringim, in Jigawa State. PHOTO: NAN

their main target was the bank not the police station.

According to him, they intended to divert the attention of police first which was why they attacked the station. He called on the people of the town in particular and the state in general to continue to pray for peace and unity in the country.

Emir of Ringim, Dr. Sayyadi Abubakar Mahmud, commended the effort of the police in stopping the uproar from escalating and assured the residents that prayers would continue to be offered for peace and stability.

Two civilians, 3 policemen killed – Police Meanwhile, the Jigawa State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP Abdul Jinjiri, has confirmed that only five persons were killed made up of two civilians and three police officers, during the uproar.

Interestingly, the gunmen were said to have dismissed a group of kids who were reciting the Holy Quran in front of the police station before attacking it.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013—7

How I organised my petrol station’s robbery — Manager

BY EVELYN USMAN

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ced to life in prison for the murder in London.

Family of 7 dies in Katsina auto crash K ANKIA (KATSINA) – A GHASTLY motor accident has wiped out a family of seven on the Katsina-Kano road in Rimi Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, for the Police Command in the state, Aminu Sadiq, told Vanguard that the accident occured, Saturday, at about 8 p.m. at Lambar-Rimi town.

Sadiq, a Deputy Superintend-

ent of Police, DSP, said the accident occurred when a Peugeot car from Katsina and a Honda Civic car from Kano had a head-on collision.

He said five persons died on the spot, while two infants died later while four others sustained various degrees of injuries.

“Those who sustained injuries were rushed to the Katsina General Hospital for medical attention,” the PPRO said.

Sadiq who said the police were investigating the cause of the accident advised motorists to always obey traffic rules and regulations to reduce road accidents.

It was further gathered that the dead were said to be members of the family of one Alhaji Abashe Sarkin-Kasuwa of Kankia Local Government Area of the state.

They have been buried according to Islamic injunction in Kankia, their home town.

Aregbesola’s phone thief bags 45-yr jail term

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

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SOGBO — AN Osogbo High Court, yesterday, sentenced a 31-year-old Kelvin Igha Ighodalo to 45 years imprisonment without an option of fine for stealing a Sony Ericsson phone valued at N50,000 belonging to Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, during his swearing in ceremony in 2010.

However, the convict, who faced a six-count charge would only spend 10 years in prison on each of the first three charges while he also bagged five years jail term on each of the last three counts, as all the six counts charge will run concurrently.

The court was told that the convict had earlier served six years imprisonment in Ikoyi prison in connection with a murder case

from year 2005 to 2011.

Kelvin who was charged with conspiracy, obtaining property by false pretence, stealing, impersonation and advance free fraud, pleaded guilty to all the charges.

According to the charge sheet, Kelvin and others now at large on May 24, 2011 impersonated the governor by using his phone with intent to defraud and obtained N500,000 from Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran Owa-Obokun of Ijesha land.

The prosecutor, Mr. Biodun Badiora also told the court that the convict had earlier accosted one Shenge Rahman and defrauded him of N200,000.

The defence counsel, Mr. Amaechi Ngwu pleaded with the court to be lenient with his client by giving him minimum punishment.

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AKURDI — THE DirectorGeneral of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, yesterday, disclosed that four persons were allegedly killed in Gboko, Makurdi and Otukpo local government Areas of Benue State after fake procaine penicillin and gentamycin were administered on them.

Orhii who made this known at a one-day consumer awareness

and sensitization forum in Gboko urged Nigerians to stand up against the fakers of drugs in Nigeria “because they are worsethan armed robbers.”

He lamented that the porous nature of Nigerian borders was making it easier for fakers of drugs to penetrate the rural communities.

He said: “NAFDAC, as an agency that is very responsive to the needs of the people, decided to bring its campaign to Gboko because the rural areas are where

3 docked over alleged terror act in Lagos

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS— Three middle-aged men were arraigned, yesterday, before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court over an alleged act of terrorism and being in possession of explosive substances.

The defendants are Ebenezer Akinbolade, 45; John Damilola, 30 and Tolulope Vincent, 30.

The defendants who were arraigned before Magistrate Demi Ajayi are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, acts of terrorism and possession of explosive substances.

The police prosecutor, Barth Nwaokoye, told the court that the suspects committed the offence at 2.15 p.m on April 13 at Emco Guest House, along Yetkem Road, Lagos.

He said that the suspects armed with explosives attempted to harm one Alhaji Adewale Nurudeen.

Nwaokoye said that their acts were likely to promote terrorism and endanger life.

Man stabs cousin to death after a dream

BY PETER OKUTU

The convict In his judgment, Justice Jide Falola discountenanced the plea of the defence counsel and sentenced Kelvin to 10 years imprisonment without option of fine.

Fake injection kills four in Benue

BY PETER DURU

AGOS — OPERATIVES of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, FSARS, Adeniji Adele, Lagos, have arrested the manager of a petrol station located in Ojokoro area of Lagos, for allegedly masterminding the robbery operation in his company where N4. 6 million was carted away, last week.

Preliminary investigation by the operatives showed that the suspect, Ade Ilesanmi, allegedly connived with three members of a robbery gang to dispossess the company’s supervisor of the amount, while on her way to the bank.

The robbers, as gathered, stormed the petrol station on two motorcycles, shooting indiscriminately before snatching the money from the station’s supervisor, identified simply as Mary.

But in his confessional statement to the police, the suspect who is a graduate of English Language admitted to the crime, disclosing, however, that the robbers did not give him a dime from the loot.

According to him, “ I gave information about the money which was to be deposited in a bank to Kolabo, Fasaban and another member of the gang. The station’s supervisor and I usually go to the bank to deposit the money. As we were about leaving, I called them. They intercepted our vehicle, shooting into the air. In the process, they injured the supervisor but they did not touch me. I never told them to injure her. I only instructed them to take the money.

"My share of the amount was supposed to be N1.5 million. But since the operation, they never contacted me. Now I am made to suffer all alone,” said the 33 year-old man.

the poor, uneducated and vulnerable largely reside.”

He warned that the “fakers of drugs are becoming more sophisticated and daring, and because Nigeria carries a heavy disease burden, traffickers in these drugs are targeting our country”.

Orhii, however, disclosed that NAFDAC had approached the Federal Government for a N200 billion pharmaceutical intervention fund to provide funds for pharmaceutical companies to aid the production of drugs in the country.

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BAKALIKI — THE Ebonyi State Police Command, yester day, confirmed the killing of Chukwudalu Omege, 15, by his cousin, Uchechukwu Nwankwo, 25, after he allegedly dreamt that the deceased was among those plotting to take his life.

It was gathered that the suspect who immediately took a knife and stabbed his victim as he woke from the said horrible dream, resides at 7, Ibe Street, Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.

Briefing journalists at the Police Headquarters, Abakaliki, the Ebonyi Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Sylvester Igbo said the police got to know about the unfortunate incident when the murder case was reported at the Ekumenyi Police station by a member of the deceased family (name withheld).

According to him, “a report was made at the Ekumenyi Police Station that one Uchechukwu Nwankwo, aged 25 years, stabbed his cousin, one Chukwudalu Omege, aged 15 and the victim was rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki. Unfortunately, while the victim was receiving treatment at the FETHA, he died in the early hours of Saturday.

“On interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime. According to him, he was in a dream when he saw three men, and in that dream it was revealed to him that the three men were hatching plans to eliminate him. When he woke up, he prayed against it and went back to sleep.

“Again, he had another dream where two other people who were planning to kill him also were revealed to him.

“When he looked closely in a bid to identify the people, he identified his cousin (the deceased) and immediately he woke up, picked a machete, went after him and killed him.”

8—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

NCC orders MTN to collapse rates

BY ADEKUNLE ADEKOYA & MICHAEL EBOH

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ELECOMMUNICA TIONS regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission, has ordered MTN Nigeria to collapse the rates for its on-net and off-net voice services, which it said has a 300 per cent differential with effect from tomorrow, May 1.

The NCC, in a report titled, ‘Determination of dominance in selected communications markets in Nigeria,” signed

by Mr. Eugene Juwah, Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, said it plans to make a determination of pricing principle to address the rates charged for on-net and off-net voice calls for all other operators, to manage dominance in the market.

The NCC also disclosed that competition in the Nigerian mobile voice market is not highly competitive, and using what it called the HHI, said MTN with 44 percent of the market share has emerged the dominant operator in the mobile voice segment.

According to Juwah, an industry review showed phone calls between MTN customers cost three times lower than calls to other networks, indicative of the likely establishment of a calling club for MTN subscribers.

Juwah said, “As a result of the determination outlined above, the Commission has resolved to immediately enforce and implement accounting separation on the dominant operator; ensure that the differential between the onnet and off-net retail tariffs will immediately collapsed, while the tariff for on-net and off-net will be the same and subject to periodic review.

“The Commission may require the dominant operator to submit details on specific aspects of its operations from time as the need arises.”

Continuing, in the wholesale Leased Lines and Transmission Capacity market, which are in the upstream segment of the telecoms market, the NCC said the dominant operators, MTN and Glo jointly control 62 per cent of the market, and they shall be required to adhere to the following obligations as the Commission will come up with a price cap for wholesale services and price floor for retail services, and subject to periodic review.

Don't manipulate judiciary—Soyinka ...flays grounding of Rivers aircraft, says it's an act of pettiness

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

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ORT HARCOURT—NO BEL LAUREATE, Prof Wole Soyinka, yesterday, appealed to both the Federal and state governments not to manipulate the judiciary to avoid a complete breakdown of law and order in the country.

Professor Soyinka who spoke with newsmen at Government House, Port Harcourt noted that steps should be taken to overcome what he described as dark areas.

“I think that the judiciary right now while it is trying to reform itself, recognizes the fact that there are still some dark areas and I think it is the effect of the dark areas that seems to be creating a crisis in Rivers State right now. I am just alarmed, I am alarmed that it appears to me that the judiciary is being manipulated. That is the impression which I had and that is an alarm which should be sounded in every corner of the nation”.

Continuing, Prof Soyinka who warned against act of pettiness on the part of government over the grounded aircraft belonging to the Rivers State government said he was in Port Harcourt ahead of preparations for the 2014 Port Harcourt World Book festival.

“Witch-hunting is a very heavy word. Let me just say this generally that I hate evidence of pettiness in governance. I think pettiness at any level is unbecoming of any democratic situation. “That is all I want to say about that. I see that I cannot escape all what is going on. I have also asked some questions myself. I am a citizen of this nation, so I am affected personally by what is happening at the opposite end of the nation.

“Those who feel that any kind of transgression of the collective rights of groups will not have a kind of ripple effect which will affect other parts of the nation must be living in a cloud and so I am concerned, and I will be quite frank with you.

“I am very much concerned about the imbroglio in which the state (Rivers State) appears to be involved at the moment and my main comment is, for heaven’s sake, whatever happens internally between parties and so on, please don’t debase and don’t manipulate the judiciary.

That is my appeal to governance at all levels.

“Please do not manipulate the judiciary because when you do, you have chaos, you have total anarchy, you reduce the nation to a space of complete breakdown of law and order which is

what this nation had better avoid.

“I am glad that we are in a position to assist the Rivers State government using the instrumentality of literacy, educa-

tion, knowledge to counter the negativists, violent negativists as represented in movements like Boko Haram”.

On Boko Haram, Soyinka said the word should be replaced

with Book Hara, meaning positive response towards education.

Soyinka who said he was elated with Port Harcourt as the 2014 world book capital called for greater interest in reading.

AWARD—President Goodluck Jonathan (middle); Minister of Police Affairs, Capt. Caleb Olubolade (2nd left); IGP Mohammed Abubakar (right), at the presentation of award to ACP Okoro Damian-Nkem (left) during a ceremonial parade marking the 2013 Police Week in Abuja, yesterday.

Accused bombed ThisDay office with 12 gas cylinders — Witness zCourt okays secret trial as 4 masked witnesses testify

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

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BUJA—THE Abuja Divi sion of the Federal High Court, yesterday, heard how an alleged member of the Boko Haram sect, Mustapher Umar, bombed office of the ThisDay Newspaper in Kaduna State with 12 camp gas cylinders.

The revelation came to light on a day trial Justice Ademola Adeniyi issued an order barring members of the public from witnessing the trial, maintaining that henceforth, only lawyers in the matter and journalists would be allowed to attend the proceedings.

The order was made sequel to an application that was filed before the court by the Federal Government which is prosecuting the accused person.

Meantime, the government yesterday brought four masked witnesses that testified against Umar who was said to have on April 26, 2012, driven a white Honda Academy car with number plate AL 306 MKA laden with improvised explosives into the premises of SOJ Plaza occupied by three newspaper

houses.

Aside ThisDay office, two other media houses affected by that explosion which reportedly led to the death of about 10 persons were The Moment and Sun Newspapers.

In his testimony, the star prosecution witness who was simply identified as “Mr XYZ” due to the sensitive nature of the case, told the court that he personally saw the accused person when he threw the first explosive device that looked like a fire extinguisher, adding that three persons died instantly.

He told the court that initially when the accused person rammed his car into the building, people who gathered to help him out of the vehicle thinking it was an accident, were shocked when he started shouting “I have brought bombs to this place, it will explode any moment, you people should run oo!

“At that time people started beating him, asking him to go and remove the bomb and he said if he tried to remove it the bomb will explode. It was then that I tried to call the police through a security phone number that was given to people in Kaduna for such emergen-

cies. When I couldn’t get the police on phone, I quickly ran to a police station at Sabon-gari which is close to Kotangora road where the incident took place.

“At the station I saw that some other persons were already there, so some plain clothed detectives followed us and I paid for their Okada. As we got to the gate of the building, the accused threw something that looked like fire extinguisher and we heard a loud bang! Instantly, three persons died. In the pandemonium that ensued, he tried to escape through the fence but was caught by angry youths.

“By that time he had sustained injuries and was handed over to security operatives. However, the youths who were angry that the police prevented them from killing him at the spot, set his car ablaze, it was then that two other explosions went off.

“Shortly after, fire fighters arrived at the scene and were able to quench the fire, when the car was searched it was discovered that there were 12 camp gas cylinders inside it, three in front, three in the middle and six in the booth, and all of them were wired to the steering of the car,” he added.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013 — 9

PIB: Experts call for upward review of host communities' fund

BY HENRY UMORU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

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BUJA—SENATORS were, yesterday, told that passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, into law might lead to repeal of laws that established 10 agencies, including Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and preservation of five others.

Senators were also cautioned to x-ray the aspect of the PIB which gave the President powers of discretion and section that made the Minister of Petroleum an institution.

The experts have also stressed the need for an upward review of the 10 percent petroleum host community development fund which was designed for the development of the economic and social infrastructure of the communities.

These were some of the issues that came to the front burner, yesterday, at a one-day workshop by the Senate Joint Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, held at Bolingo Hotel, Abuja.

In his presentation, Professor Dagogo Fubara of Kariala Konsult Nigeria Limited, said the 10 percent of oil companies’ net profit to be set aside for host communities was not easily realizable.

Fubara, who described the figure as inconsequential and capable of defeating the purpose for which it was established, called for full royalties from oil and gas companies to oil producing communities.

He said: "The quantum is inconsequential for the purpose of the fund of the host communities. It is the practice all over the world that rents and royalties from oil and gas are paid to the host communities.

“All royalties and rents from oil and gas should be paid to the state, local government and communities where the oil and gas are extracted at a rate similar to what it was before the 1969 Petroleum Act.” In his presentation, a member of PIB drafting Committee and Director, Multi Oil and Gas Company Limited, Dr. Francis Adigwe, noted that the oil and gas sector formed the bedrock of the nation’s economy, contributing 80 percent to government’s revenue, 95 percent to the nation’s foreign earnings and 30 percent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP. He said passage of PIB into law would bring about the repeal of 10 acts, adding that not all laws relating to oil and gas would be repealed.

Passing of PIB 'll repeal 10 agencies According to him, the laws establishing the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund, Petroleum Equalization Fund, Petroleum Profit Tax, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production sharing

zEnlighten Senate on grey areas

Nigerian businesses borrow N1.59trn in 4 months

zCaution over powers of President, Petroleum Minister

BY MICHAEL EBOH, WITH AGENCY REPORT

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VISIT—HRM Oba Rilwan Akiolu, Oba of Lagos (left) receiving a gift from Mr Ifie Sekibo, MD/CEO, Heritage Bank during a courtesy call by the management of the bank to the Oba of Lagos at his palace in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

contract.

Other agencies are Motor Spirits (Returns), Associated Gas Re-injection and Oil Pipelines, adding that Minerals Oil Safety Regulation 1963, Petroleum (Drilling and Production) Regulations of November 1969 and Crude Oil (Transportation and Shipment) Regulations of December 1984 will also be repealed as a result of the PIB. Adigwe, however, explained that the existence of PIB law would bring about the creation of 10 new government agencies that would be coordinated by the Minister of Petroleum who is to be treated as an institution and not as a person in the bill.

On the powers of the minister in the PIB, Adigwe said: "The concept of the minister in PIB is an institution and not a person because provisions in the bill make a sitting Minister of Petroleum Resources to have sweeping powers such as power to coordinate and regulate the critical areas of the oil and gas sector.

“It will advise the President on the appointment of chief executive officers, including upstream petroleum inspectorate and the downstream, which are not available in the current Petroleum Act. “Also in the bill, power to nominate members of board of agencies as well as serve as the chairman of the board of National Asset Management Company are given to the minister.”

Speaking further on the Petroleum Host Community Fund, Fubara, said: “Having a single fund for all the communities as proposed in the bill will be unwieldy, unmanageable

and cumbersome to administer transparently, openly and expeditiously with accountability.

“Having distinct host community fund will be more definitive and enable each of the communities benefit maximally. It will also enhance peace and harmony between the companies and host communities.”

The resource person who disagreed with the power of the President to grant and lease oil blocs in special circumstances as stipulated in the new oil law, said such power was inconsistent with the objectives of the bill and advised that it should be removed.

According to him, “it is inconsistent with the objectives of the bill and leads to continuation of a lot of entrenched corruption and abuse of power, negating all other commercial processes established in the bill.”

Public hearing on PIB to hold in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kaduna Declaring open the workshop, Chairman of the Joint Committee, Senator Emmanuel Paulker, PDP, Bayelsa Central, noted that the workshop was designed to give senators an update information on the bill before the planned public hearing.

He said: “We are engaging services of professionals to enlighten us on the bill once more, so that when we go out for public hearing in various locations, we would be versed in everything concerning the bill.”

A member of the committee, Senator Danjuma Goje, PDP, Gombe Central and other com-

mittee members who spoke, said they learnt a lot and were now well equipped for the public hearing, especially provisions that had to do with the powers of the President and Minister of Petroleum over award and lease of oil blocs.

Okonjo-Iweala rated among global thinkers

BY UDUMA KALU, WITH AGENCY REPORT

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IGERIA’S Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been rated one of the top thinkers of the world.

Okonjo-Iweala was rated number 52 while the top three were Richard Dawkins, the Oxford evolutionary biologist who coined the term “meme” in The Selfish Gene 37 years ago, Ashraf Ghani, an Afghanistan minister who had a stint at the World Bank and Steven Pinker, long admired for his work on language and cognition.

The rating was done by the UK based Prospect magazine.

The magazine received worldwide attention in October 2005 when it published its list of the world’s top 100 top public intellectuals, which included Umberto Eco, Richard Dawkins, Steven Pinker and Christopher Hitchens.

USINESSES in Nigeria have borrowed over N1.59 trillion from both local and international banks through syndicated loan deals, since the beginning of 2013, according to reports from Reuters released yesterday.

This, according to the report, was driven by a growth in confidence among international banks as Nigeria makes effort to address transparency and credit risk concerns.

The report stated that MTN Nigeria became the latest borrower, when, a couple of days ago, it agreed a $3 billion (N477 billion) loan deal with Guaranty Trust Bank, Citigroup , Standard Chartered, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Development Bank and China Construction Bank, to expand its network.

Meanwhile, Dangote Group, West Africa’s largest conglomerate, is in talks to raise $3.5 billion loan to fund fertiliser and oil refinery projects with lead banks Barclays, Guaranty Trust Bank, Standard Bank and Standard Chartered.

It maintained that the two loans combined, almost matched the $7.96 billion (N1.266 trillion) Nigerian businesses raised throughout 2012, which is the country’s highest-ever annual loan volume Also this year, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, agreed a $1.5 billion corporate deal in January; Indorama Eleme took a $800 million project finance loan in mid-February to fund a $1.2 billion green field fertiliser project, and oil and exploration company, Neconde Energy marked its debut in the market with a $470 million corporate deal in early April.

Commenting on the increasing loan deals in Nigeria, a London-based banker who chose not to be named said, “The feeling is that Nigeria will have outstripped South Africa as the top market by 2015 from a loan market perspective. You have already seen that this year - you can not ignore Nigeria.

“Borrowers start getting into a finite space for tenors of five years or more, even for a strong credit. One thing that may get the deal get through is the Africa growth story.

“Nigerian banks have been through their reshuffle and I think there is a bit more trust and transparency from the banks than there previously was,” a second London-based banker said.

10—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

Lagos Assembly passes vote of confidence on Ikuforiji

Funsho Williams: Epileptic power supply destroys evidence BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

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AGOS—A prosecution witness (pathologist) in

the ongoing trial of six suspected killers of Engineer Funsho Williams, People’s Democratic Party, PDP, 2007 governorship candidate for

Lagos State, told a Lagos High Court in Igbosere, yesterday, that the postmortem conducted on the deceased in 2006 got damaged due to epileptic power supply.

The witness, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge

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EMBERS of Lagos State House of Assembly, yesterday, passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the House led by Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, saying it had performed satisfactorily in spite of the challenges.

The vote of confidence followed a motion moved

by Yinka Ogundimu, Agege Constituency 2, under Matters of Urgent Public Importance.

He said: “My intention is very clear on this motion, based on the performance of the leadership of the House in spite of all the traumatised period, a vote of confidence is declared for Mr. Speaker and the leadership.”

The lawmaker recalled the pronouncement of the presiding judge in the case against the Speaker, who said the case had witnessed unprecedented delay.

He added: “The judiciary has put in place measures to accelerate the hearing of the case, but has always been meeting a stumbling block.

"It is a time-wasting strategy they have adopted. This matter is more political than legal.”

WORKSHOP: From right— Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State; Prof. Foluso Okunmadewa, Task Team Leader, Community and Social Development Project, CSDP; and Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, a former Commissioner for Health, at the World Bank/CSDP Information Education and Communication Workshop, in Akure, yesterday.

Appeal Court faults Lagos on Al-Mustapha, Shofolahan's trial BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

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AGOS—COURT of Ap peal in Lagos, yesterday, expressed dissatisfaction with the Lagos State Government over the hearing of the appeal of Major Hamza AlMustapha, former Chief Security Officer, CSO, to late Head of State, General Sani

Abacha; and Alhaji Lateef Shofolahan, Protocol Officer in the campaign organisation of late M.K.O Abiola, against the judgment of the trial court, which sentenced them to death.

It will be recalled that Justice Mojisola Dada of a Lagos High Court had passed the death sentence by hanging on both of them after they

Colonial crime files on Nigeria hidden in London

BY UDUMA KALU, with Agency Reports

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S Nigeria prepares for her centennial celebration next year, British lawyers have revealed that a file containing Colonial Britain’s criminal activities in Nigeria are in secret boxes.

An online publication said the information is contained in 200 boxes of files: 1.5 tons of paper covering about 200 metres of shelving.

They are files on torture from 37 different colonies and protectorates, including Aden, Ceylon, Cyprus, Kenya, Malaya, Malta, Nigeria and Northern Rhodesia.

The Northern and Southern protectorates were amalgamated by the British colonial government in 1914, giving birth to Nigeria.

However, British lawyers and media, in a publication in The Guardian of London, weekend, said the secret government files from the final years of the British

empire containing its crimes in Nigeria and other colonies were hidden in London.

There is a 1960 file concerning Northern Cameroons, both of which the Foreign Office plans to withhold until 2029.

These files remain classified under the terms of Section 3.4 of the 1958 Public Records Act, which permits government departments to withhold from public view any historic document “required for administrative purposes” or that “ought to be retained for any other special reason.”

Last year, a Nigerian website, USA Africa Dialogue Series, accused the UK of destroying records of its colonial crimes. It said between 1954 and 1959, the regional governors in Nigeria were encouraged by the Colonial Office to send “chatty reports” mainly on socio-political developments and on personalities in

their regions.

But these governors, in spite of their cooperation in this regard, also demanded that their returns should be destroyed after they might have been digested.

A governor was said to have written “as you will see some of the comment is ‘hot’ and I should not like them to get too wide a circulation. I would be most grateful therefore, if after you read it you burn it.”

In the northern region, Sir Brian Sharwood-Smith (the colonial governor), pleaded that his “chatty reports” and other series to T. B. Williamson in the Colonial Office on his (Sir Brian’s) appraisal of the politicians and political situation should not be filed and were in fact to be (N.F.F.= Not For Filing) destroyed after SharwoodSmith’s retirement.

were arraigned on a fourcount charge of conspiracy and murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola in 1996, along LagosIbadan Expressway.

The appeal could not be heard yesterday as counsel to Lagos State Government, Mr. Femi Adamson, informed the appellate court, presided over by Justice Chuma Nweze, that the respondent had an application for extension of time dated April 29, 2013, to enable the state government file its respondent’s brief of argument.

Justice Nweze said: “Gentlemen, as you can see, it is not the fault of the court not to hear the appeal. Both counsel should desist from the attitude of filing applications late in any case.”

of forensic at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, Ovie Oyokomino, while testifying before the court, claimed that the perishable evidence such as blood samples and vitreous humour of the eye went bad due to interrupted power supply in the course of refrigeration.

Oyokomino informed the trial judge, Justice Ebenezer Adebajo, that he visited the scene of the crime at about 12:30p.m. with his men, following a distress call from the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, Zone II. According to the DCP, the mattress and cushion containing shoe prints were retrieved from the deceased’s house at Corporation Drive, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi and a bloodstained pink-coloured shirt was found in a Samsonite suitcase in the third bedroom.

Oyokomino said a green rope that was planted at various places within the premises was used by the alleged killers to secure access into the deceased duplex.

The Police Commissioner also told the judge that DNA materials were collected from the suspects and tested in a forensic lab in Britain, and that the suspects were released after the DNA report exonerated them.

Objection

Addressing the court, the prosecutor, Mrs O. A. AkinAdesomojo, noted that as a result of the bad state of what she termed perishable exhibits, it was necessary to obtain further samples so that those who may not be involved in the crime would be freed.

However, counsel to the defendants, Agbara Okezie, while objecting, noted that the prosecution had since July 27, 2006, when the deceased was murdered, to state their case, adding “it will be unfair to come through the back door to make another request.”

Justice Adebajo adjourned the matter till June 3 for continuation of trial.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013—11

Akinadewo resigns from Nigerian Compass

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ANAGING Editor of Nigerian Compass, Mr. Gabriel Akinadewo, has resigned from the organisation.

In a letter to the Chairman of Western Publishing Company Limited, publishers of Nigerian Compass and The Westerner, Aare Kola Oyefeso, he thanked the Chief Promoter and the Board for the opportunity given him to serve the organisation since 2008.

He said: “ I hereby resign as the Managing Editor of the Nigerian Compass. I want to thank the Chief Promoter and the Board for the opportunity given me to serve as the Weekend Editor, Editor and Managing Editor since May 26, 2008, when the newspaper hit the newstand. ” When asked about his future engagement, yesterday, Akinadewo said he, with people of likeminds, would explore the fresh opportunities “in the modern journalism world.”

Security challenges: Nigeria is going through trying moment — Jonathan KINGSLEY OMONOBI

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friendly police force that is timely in response time to distress.

In his address, Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar warned the criminal community in the country to brace up for a renewed crackdown by the Nigeria Police, following the wind of change that is now blowing through the force.

According to the IG, “A cultural re-orientation that is premised on adoption of international best policing practices is emerging, and the new police force will display team spirit, loyalty, zeal, courage, civility and renewed commitment towards confronting criminal elements”.

Declaring that the long term intention and strategic justification

for the police week celebration which is coming up after 37 years absence is to commence the process of restoring the lost glory of the force, the IG said, “the essence is to remind police officers that their efficiency rests solely on the extent of bonding with the public whom they are paid to protect.

“Inversely, the people have to accept the fact that no matter the level of private security contraption sewn around themselves, they still need a body of men and women, they can trust and rely on to protect the public space”, he said.

He paid tribute to “Officers who resist temptations, reject inducements and stand against threats and intimidation to firmly

uphold justice”.

“We recognize the sacrifice of officers and men who sweat it out under the scorching sun, the drizzling rains and the cold nights to stay alert in order to ensure the safety and security of members of the public”.

“We celebrate the gallantry of our men who daily engage deadly armed robbery gangs, kidnapping syndicates, murderers, fraudsters, rapists and other heinous crimes who target our children and youth community”, the IG said.

BUJA — PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday declared that Nigeria is currently going through a trying moment in terms of security. “This is a trying moment in this country in terms of security challenges”, the president said while commissioning seven helicopters, 500 patrol vans, and armoured personnel vehicles at the grand parade of the Police week, 2013 in Abuja.

He said “a lot of policemen have lost their lives to terrorism attacks. Let me use this opportunity to condole families of those who lost their lives. I want to assure you (families) that government will continue to care for the loved ones left behind”.

Stressing that the helicopters and patrol vans are necessary tools for the police to perform creditably, Jonathan said, “I expect these equipment will help improve the response time to distress calls to the police. I also want to advise the police to improve on the maintenance capability of the force. I have observed that the armed forces, now have very good and formidable teams that maintain their equipment and facilities.

The police should do same”.

According to him, the imperatives of the deadly ABAJIDE Omow security challenges confronting orare Representing the nation in the area of Osun East (Ife/Ijesa) Senterrorism, kidnapping and atorial District, has comOBY @ 50: From left: Celebrant's mother, Mrs. Cecilia Ujubuonu; former President Oluseother heinous crimes have mended the governor of gun Obasanjo; Pastor Chinedu Ezekwesili (husband); and celebrant, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, made it expedient that the 36 Osun State, Rauf Aregstates of the country acquire at her 50 years birthday celebration in Abuja, Sunday. besola, on the high level helicopters for the 36 Police of development in Osun Commands.

State.

He noted that the Nigeria Speaking during annuPolice has a duty to protect the al week celebration of the citizens from the land, air and National Association of sea and urged the police Osun State Students, hospitals would be paralysed. authorities to continue to ensure

BY OLA AJAYI careers.

NAOSS, 2013 , OmowNMA said it had kept quiet all training of the officers and men The professionals had called orare said if the previous this while because it did not want on modern policing methods on President Goodluck Jonathadministration had strived BADAN—THE face-off between to join issues with the allied that will take into account, the on infrastructural develmedical doctors and Nigerian w o r k e r s . an to take urgent steps that democratic environment of the would prevent innocent paopment, the state would nation. He added that what Union of Allied Healthcare Profes- The NMA said: “When the tients from suffering in hospihave developed more that sionals at the University College designation, medical laboratory Nigerians want is a people it is right now.

Hospital, Ibadan, worsened technologist, was changed to tals.

The National President of the yesterday, as the Nigerian Medi- medical laboratory scientist, in PUBLIC NOTICE cal Association, NMA, declared Nigeria, without retraining, we re- health professionals, Felix RHEMA IMPACT CHRISTIAN MINISTRY INT'L that if laboratory technologists were strained ourselves from pointing Faniran said they wanted to be The general public is hereby notified that the above named allowed to coordinate medical lab- out the embarrassing anomaly. appointed Chief Medical Dichurch with address at No. 3/5 Ojomo Close Ejigbo, Lagos oratory science, it would amount Names can have some rector of UCH, and that DepuState has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, to giving the work of a pilot to a psychological effects, as it is ty Chief Medical Advisory Abuja for registration under Part "C" of the Companies and Council on Energy, Special carpenter. turning out now. The world over, Allied Matters Act, cap. C-20 LFN 2004.

Duties, Dentistry, Laboratory Chairman of NMA in Oyo State, scientists become independent The Trustees Are: Professor Adefolarin Malomo, said practitioners only after a minimum and others should be scrapped.

1. Rev. Mashach S.O. Akeni - General Overseer/President this while speaking with newsmen of PhD and internship through He said, “the post of Chief 2. Pastor (Mrs.) Patricia Akeni Medical Director should be reat the NMA house in Ibadan.

3. Mr. Henry Oneriode Ikpegbu - Secretary post doctoral fellowship.” designated as Chief Executive 4. Mr. Onwubuya Ijeoma Peter The health professionals, Advising them to go for pro5. Mr. Isaac Ukwuoma comprising pharmacists, radiogra- grammes or positions they were Officer and made open to all Aim And Objective: phers, dieticians, medical labora- clamouring for, Prof. Malomo said, health professionals with To spread the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to all nations tory technologists and “those of them who wish to prac- proven competence and and establishing churches. physiotherapists, last week, gave tise science should go ahead bril- managerial expertise. All forms Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the a May 2 deadline to the Federal liantly to undertake Masters’ and of discrimination capable of Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Government to intervene in the per- doctoral degrees, join universities hindering capacity enhanceTigris Crescent, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. ceived marginalisation, failing where they can practise science ment of any group of profesSigned: Maria Ozah (Mrs.) which, activities in the teaching and reach the peak of a science sionals should be discarded”.

Solicitor

Omoworare lauds Osun gov

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UCH NMA, Allied Healthcare workers' crisis deepens

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12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

Ewherido renders account to constituents

Why Esan North-East LG polls were cancelled —EDSIEC boss

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

BY EMMA AMAIZE & FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI—SENATOR Pius Ewherido, representing Delta Central Senatorial district in the National Assembly, received a warm welcome from his constituents, weekend, for his quality representation, when he gave account of his service in the Senate.

Ewherido, the only Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, lawmaker in the National Assembly, told the people how he, in conjunction with his colleagues, fought for the setting up of an investigative panel to look into the privatisation of Delta Steel Company, DSC, Ovwian-Aladja, which led to the revocation of its sale to GOHIL. He said that the Asset Management Company of Nigeria had since assumed control of the company pending when a new management would take over, while the Senate had made appropriate recommendations for the company, workers and pensioners.

He added that he awarded scholarships to over 200 students from the district in tertiary institutions across the country, sponsored 30 constituents for skill acquisition and training under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and created entrepreneurial/empowerment scheme for over 320 youths and women in the district.

As he listed the projects he had embarked upon, including construction of classrooms at Olomu Grammar School, Otorere-Oloum, Adagrasa Primary School, Ugolo-Okpe, Egbo Primary School, Okuruvo, Okpara Waterside, which had been completed and the on-going ones in 2013 budget, the constituents began to shout his praise.

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ENIN—THE Chairman of Edo State Independent National Electoral Commission, EDSIEC, Mr. Solomon Ogoi, weekend, said that he was not hired by anyone to manipulate the local government elections in the state, insisting that the commission decided to cancel last Thursday's election in Esan North-East Local Government Area because there was no genuine result to announce to the public.

Ogoi, who spoke to Vanguard in Benin City, said it would be mischievous for any political party to accuse EDSIEC of conniving with the state government to manipulate the council elections, noting that the elections held peacefully in most of the councils, adding that politicians decided to cause confusion in some areas, which according to him must not be blamed on EDSIEC. On the cancellation of the elections in Esan North East,

he said: “I have heard several things as regards this election but I asked myself, which result do they want me to announce?

The elections there started very peacefully but politicians started the trouble and the Election Officers fled, no

ward returning officers and these people fled when the politicians started to fight.”

MEETING: From right: Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State; Director-General, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Asishana Okauru, and Dr. Afeikhena Jerome, National Coordinator, State Peer Review Mechanism, during the DG’s meeting with executive council of Delta State, in Asaba, yesterday.

Delta orders evacuation of residents from flood plains

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

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SABA—DELTA State Government says it had learnt lessons from last year’s nation-wide flooding that affected the state and has therefore, ordered persons living directly within the flood plains along the coastal regions to vacate immediately, following predictions by the relevant agencies, of another massive flooding this year.

Speaking with Vanguard in Asaba, yesterday, state Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Dr. Tony Nwaka, outlined the pro-active measures put in place to checkmate another flooding this year, noting that the state was fully prepared as it would not be taken unawares by another massive flooding.

He said: “We are saying that those who are directly on flood plains shouldn’t be living there at all. They should move permanently from there.

Buildings are not authorised to be constructed there. For their safety, they shouldn’t be there in their interest. “ In a related development, the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, during a recent interactive session, shed light on how far the state had managed the N500 million released to the state from the Federal Government over last year’s flooding.

He said: “We are very careful talking about the N500 million because people will hold us accountable for the handling of that money. We set up a committee headed by Justice Tabai, a retired Supreme Court judge, specifical-

ly to manage that N500 million. They (Committee) have put out their initial premium request of N262 million out of the N500 million.

“They are already going round various communities,

trying to deal with issues of agriculture and resettlement.

So the balance is still there.

When they finish and give account of what they had done, we will give them the balance.”

Minister raises alarm over theft of rail components

BY GODFREY BIVBERE

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INISTER of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, has raised alarm over the frequent theft of rail components on the Port Harcourt – Enugu rail line.

The minister, who frowned at the situation, charged the Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, Mr. Adeseyi Sijuwade, to deploy the railway police to theft-prone areas in order not to jeopardise the completion of the project.

Umar, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, after he was briefed on the level of work done so far on Lot 1 of the rehabilitation of the Eastern line rail service from Port Harcourt to Makurdi, said that regardless of the challenges, the 2013 completion date for the project remain realizable.

Speaking earlier, Sijuwade lamented the inability of the contractor handling the project,

ESER Contracting and Industry Company Incorporated, to access the main quarry for the project located at Ishiagu in Ebonyi State.

He said that the denial of access was seriously affecting the progress of work on the project and implored the minister to assist in resolving same.

2015: We'll confront anti-Jonathan group —Ex-militant leader

BY EMMA ARUBI

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ARRI—PRESIDENT of Movement for the Actualisation of the Dreams of Niger Deltans, MADND, a political pressure group, 'Commander' Oyimi, has warned that his men will take on any group bent on frustrating President Goodluck Jonathan from seeking a second term, come 2015.

Speaking to newsmen after an emergency meeting of the group in Warri, Delta

State, weekend, he said President Jonathan has 100 percent constitutional right to seek re-election in 2015, noting that “Niger Deltans would not be cowed by the activities of some faceless, ideologically misplaced persons to intimidate him out of the race.

“Those threatening to disintegrate the country because of Jonathans’ second tenure issue should know that there are people who are ready to pull the trigger.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013—13

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14—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

I pity Obi’s successor — Cleric

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

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WKA — THE Anglican Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Alexander Ibezim, is entertaining fear that the person who would succeed Governor Peter Obi might find it difficult to keep pace with his achievements in all sectors.

The cleric, who spoke after after receiving a cheque of N30 million from the governor for the rehabilitation of three secondary schools earlier handed over to the church, said after evaluating the state of things and development under Peter Obi in all sectors, he pitied those who will come after him as it will be difficult for them to meet with the standard set by the governor.

He made specific reference to education sector which the governor had turned around for the better.

We'll ensure total compliance of June 8 sit-at-home — MASSOB

BY OKONKWO EZE

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NITSHA — MOVEMENT for

the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, said yesterday it would mount a vigorous campaign to ensure total compliance with its June 8, 2013 sitat-home order.

Anambra East Regional Administrator of MASSOB, Osondu Okparaeke, who spoke after a closed-door meeting of the members at Umueri, reiterated that the Igbo, especially those resident in Anambra State and other South East areas, should observe the order to commemorate the killing of six Igbo traders at APO Village by the police near Abuja, as well as those killed in several parts of the north

by Boko Haram.

According to the MASSOB leader, the group would use the opportunity of the sitdown-order to mourn 45 of their members who were murdered and dumped inside Ezu River, in Anambra State.

C M Y K

DPR seals off 4 petrol stations

BY ANAYO OKOLI

products.

Two of the filling stations were sealed in Umuahia, while two others were shut down in the commercial city of Aba. They included Masters Energy on Akanu Ibiam Avenue, Umuahia, which was sealed for operating without licence and under-delivery of products.

Another branch of Masters

Energy on Aba Road, Umuahia, was also shut for operating without licence.

In Aba, Universal Oil on Aba-Owerri Road was sealed for selling fuel above N97 per litre and under-delivery of products to customers while AP filling station also on AbaOwerri Road, was partially sealed as one pump was isolated for under-delivery of gas.

However, at Charles Ben Moore filling station at Ubakala, Umuahia, where fuel was BA — ABIA State office sold for N100, the manager, of Department of PetroDavid Erugo, was ordered to leum Resources, DPR, has revert to the N97 or risked havsealed off four petrol stations ing the place closed down. He in the state for various offencimmediately compiled. es, including selling fuel Erugo, however, defended above the government aphis high price, saying they proved pump price of N97 per bought from major independlitre, operating without lient marketers at a higher price cence and under-delivery of since the filling station had not started getting delivery from the NNPC depot.

In his reaction, the operational controller of DPR, Aba office, Engr.

Patrick Orji, regretted that some marketers of petroleum products still engaged in acts of sabotage against the Federal Government by shortchanging customers.

Orji vowed that DPR would no longer fold its arms and watch oil marketers perpetrate all forms of anomalies in the name of doing business.

He warned that government guidelines, as they concerned the sale President Goodluck Jonathan welcoming Dr. Cletus Ilomuanya, Chairman, South East Tradition- of petroleum products al Council and other members of the delegation, during a courtesy call on the President, at the must be implemented to State House, Abuja. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida the letter.

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NHRC to investigate Baga fatalities

BY INNOCENT ANABA

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AGOS — THE National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, is to undertake an independent assessment of the incident in Baga, Borno State, between alleged insurgents and personnel of the uniformed services, with a view to establishing what actually transpired.

Chairman of the commission, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, said yesterday: “We have followed with committed concern the recent reports about the recent encounter in Baga, Borno State, between alleged insurgents and personnel of the uniformed services.

"While the exact identities of the parties involved, what triggered this incident, the specifications of ordnance that may have been deployed and the full extent of casualty count remain unclear, it seems evident that an incident of profound humanitarian and human rights significance occurred, resulting in fatalities.

“In order to understand what happened, it is necessary to undertake an independent and credible assessment of the situation in the affected locations. As an independent and statutory national institution for the protection of human rights, the NHRC has a responsibility to undertake this assessment and is willing to do so.

“For this purpose, the Commission has initiated separate consultations with relevant agencies as well as with people from the affected communities. An assessment will also involve a visit to the affected communities. The Commission will also take the opportunity of this insertion to undertake an independent assessment of the wider situation in North East Nigeria.

“For its part, the NHRC fully expects the agencies of the Federal Government as well as the Borno State Government to afford full cooperation to the Commission in the conduct of this important work."

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013—15

Atiku decries widespread poverty

.Says Westerners must not regard all Nigerians as crooks

BY EMMA AZIKEN, Political Editor

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Kaduna disburses N1.782bn SURE-P fund to 23 LGs T

HE KADUNA State government, yesterday, released about N1.782 billion to the 23 local government councils in the state from the SURE-P fund, the state Commissioner for Local Government,

Magaji Sadiq has said.

Sadiq spoke at a news conference in Kaduna, saying that the purpose was to ‘’debunk rumours that the state government withheld funds meant for the local government thereby making it

impossible for them to execute projects.’’

A breakdown of the figure showed that the Birnin Gwari Local Government received N94,655,654.

57; C h i k u n N98,137,409.52; Giwa81,156,211.52; KajuruN63,565,500.39 and Igabi- N103,677,971.87.

Others included IkaraN64,366,591.31; JabaN61,553,603.81; Jama’aN78,190,252.76; KachiaN86,263,863.66; Kaduna North- N80,478,276.55; Kaduna SouthN83,638,753.79; K a g a r k o N73,329,963.51 and Kaura- N67,217,678.68.

They also included, Kauru- N68,955,186.90; Kubau- N81,123,338.07; Kudan- N56,445,232.88; Lere- N86,557,357.93; M a k a r f i N59,160,352.38; Sabon Gari- N72, 998,222.45; Sanga- N60,629,121.95; Soba- N81,493,649.30; ZangoKatafN88,688,063.60 and Zaria- N90,224,424.82, bringing the total to N1, 782,706,682.37.

According to Sadiq, ‘’the fund was part of the 2012 SURE-P fund for the state.

AGOS — FORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar has bemoaned the high level of poverty in the country just as he has regretted that the end of military rule did not end the culture of political intolerance and impunity by political leaders in the country.

Atiku who spoke as a guest speaker at the Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations, Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday, lamented the overbearing attitude of Nigerian and other African leaders whom he said often see the opposition as enemies of the state.

In the same lecture, Atiku also rebuffed widespread insinuations that Nigeria is a nation of crooks; he asserted that most Nigerians were hardworking people in productive ventures wherever they are found in the world.

In his paper entitled, 'Deepening Democracy in Nigeria: Implications for Africa,' Atiku Abubakar said as a result of such lip-service to democratic principles, “disregard for rules and regulations and the utter impunity with which they are committed,” has led to what he called “the militarisation of democracy.”

From left: Senator Ayogu Eze, Arc Mike Onolememen, Works According to him, many retired Minister; and Hon. Ogbuefi Ozombachi, during the flag-off of military chiefs, who came into the construction of Ogruite-Umuida-Unadu-Odolu Road by power as politicians entered the Federal Government, in Enugu State, yesterday. democratic arena without being able to shed their military mind-sets, thereby exacerbating the culture of No road-map on desertification —Newton Jibunoh intolerance and entrenching impunity, which characterBY HENRY UMORU great idea, even along with with partnership with relevant ises political reality in National Assembly bodies.

BUJA — CHAIRMAN, Committee on Desertification.

Nigeria.

He, however, appreciated Senate Committee on The former Vice President, Saraki promised to push for Jibonuh’s willingness to share however, admitted that the Environment and Ecology, a Bill for an Act for the such rare knowledge he democratic challenges, did Senator Bukola Saraki, PDP, establishment of a possessed in order to move not stop the blossom of Kwara Central, said yesterday desertification commission Nigeria and Africa forward fundamental rights in the that Nigeria’s biggest challenge through the Ministry of economically. country including the at the moment was that of Environment to actualise it, freedom of speech, of corruption of ideas not of money.

According to him, there is the association and the liberty to criticise the government need to be more professional and were restored with the return reduce government dominance

BY CHARLES KUMOThe statement read,’’We wish in achieving the project of of democratic rule.

LU to place on record that the Painting a bleak picture of desertification.

AGOS — Commission and the Minister, Speaking when he received Dr poverty in Nigeria, he said: have continued to repose MINISTER of National Newton Jibunoh, a vast scholar “70 per cent of Nigerians are living below the poverty line and expert in desertification, Planning, Mr. Shamsudeen hope in the Vision, as a and maternal mortality at Senator Saraki, who noted that Usman has denied reports realistic long term growth and 840 deaths per 100,000 he was encouraged by Jibunoh’s quoting him as having said development roadmap for the high knowledge and passion for that Vision 2020 was no country, in line with this births. administration’s demonstrated According to him, Nigeria desertification, said: “ Nigeria’s longer realisable.

He clarified that he only determination, disposition ranks the 9th worst in the biggest challenge is corruption world in 2008 and 10th worst and not just corruption of money said that Vision 2020 would and capacity to do things be realized, if the nation did differently; to bring about in 2010 in terms of maternal but corruption of ideas.”

Commending the idea of late all that was required of it to change and the needed mortality. economic growth and strategic Umaru Musa succeed. these levels of poverty, President A statement yesterday by the development. maternal and infant Yar ’adua, who was interested in ‘’This determination is building trans-Sahara pipeline, Minister’s Technical Adviser, mortalities.

Atiku argued that the rate Senator Saraki noted that to Communication and Media, evident in the comprehensive of Nigeria’s economic achieve this good framework, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, Usman reforms going on in different growth of 6.5 per cent is far there was need for partnership, said that many analysts were sectors towards infrastructure promoting below what is required to where knowledge will be impressed that Nigeria has renewal, “quickly lift millions of transferred on salient issues that continued to record economic sustainable development and the growth of the nation’s would lead to the success of the progress over the years.

Nigerians out of poverty.

Nigeria’s biggest challenge is corruption — Saraki

.

A

EFCC suffers set-back in Gov Lamido's son's trial

BY ABDULSALAM MUHAMMAD

K

ANO — THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterady, suffered a set-back in its bid to convict the eldest son of Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, Alhaji Aminu Sule, over alleged money laundering offences.

This was because the exhibit form containing graphic details of the hard currency allegedly recovered from Sule at the point of arrest last year was not duly signed, forcing the Presiding Judge, Fatu Riman of Federal High Court, Kano, to throw out a vital exhibit filed by the EFCC. The Defence Counsel, Offiong Offiong had challenged the propriety of the exhibit, stressing that “the document cannot stand as exhibit in that the process contradicts several provisions of the Evidence Act.” Ruling on the issue, the judge said, ‘’the court is not a play ground that anything would go; as such the document brought by the EFCC lacks basic requirements to be accepted as an evidence”, and I have no choice than to throw it out,” and adjourned the matter till May 27 and 28 for continuation and further hearings of other evidences.

Usman denies report on Vision 2020

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economy.

"The point which the Minister has consistently been making is that the Nigerian Vision 20:2020 which is driving this administration’s transformation agenda, could still be realised if the nation did all that was required as captured in the comprehensive vision document.

"Even as some chose to ignore the remarkable achievements of this administration, many analysts are impressed that Nigeria has continued to record, economic progress over the years; a development that feeds into the country’s improving GDP ranking.

16—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

VICE ADMIRAL EZEOBA'S RECEPTION Delta State organised a reception in honour of Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba, the newly-appointed Chief of Naval Staff, in Asaba, Saturday. PHOTOS: Henry Unini.

From left— Mrs Ezeoba Vivian, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba, Chief of Naval Staff, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State and his wife Roli.

From left— Governor Uduaghan; Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), National Security Adviser; Lt-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, Chief of Army Staff; Air Marshal Alex Barde, Chief of Air Staff, and Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, Inspector-General of Police.

Vice Admiral Ezeoba, his wife and two children.

Vice Admiral Ezeoba, his wife, Vivian and his father.

Vice Admiral Ezeoba, his wife and mother.

From left— Governor Uduaghan, Prof. Pat Utomi, Mrs. Uduaghan and Chief Austin Izagbo.

A cross section of guests.

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From right— Vice Admiral Ezeoba, his wife, Vivian and Vice Admiral Dan Omatsola, former Chief of Naval Staff, and Chairman of the occasion.

From left— Governor Uduaghan, his wife, Roli, and Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013—17

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hold this country together from 29 July to 1 September 1966 when this country had no government! Then the military came and ruined everything. The GO must go. I don’t know what they have in the Civil Service Rules that replaced it and how many civil servants have seen it or even care about what it says. That was what I meant by loss of institutional memory.

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A letter to Yushau Shuaib issue either. What mattered was, who you were addressing at any particular time and HOW did you choose to address the person. I just suspect that nobody has ever advised you that when it comes to criticising any arm of the government you serve, being a civil servant imposes a limitation on you. I am sure the civil service habours thousands of other fine writers who could hold their own. Many of them have become much sought-after columnists after their civil service career. But they did not engage in histrionic social criticism as civil servants.

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et me narrate to you a personal experience. I was a young officer of Customs of Excise in 1976 when Alhaji Shehu Musa, Makaman Nupe, who had done a tour before as Administrative Secretary, came back as Director General of Customs and Excise. He came to Apapa Port, where I was the branch President of the Customs Union, to address staff. He said that he would welcome suggestions that could help his reorganisation of the Customs. He said his office was open 24 hours for such suggestions. So I wrote what I thought should be the new outlook of the PR Department, took the ferry to Marina, walked to Mosaic House and dropped it in Shehu Musa’s office.

Several weeks later, the Chief Collector in charge of Apapa sent for me. You wrote that you were “elated” and “jubilant” when the Minister of Finance telephoned you! And in a typical kissand-tell journalism that obtains, you even went to town with it. That is indecorous. When I was asked to go and see the Chief Collector, my stomach churned. Ten thousand rattle snakes played rugby in my spine. You don’t get summoned by the Principal Collector or Chief Collector unless it is a serious matter. When I literally crawled into his office, the first reassuring sign that I was not in serious trouble was that he was not scowling. So I began to breathe again.

He reached under a file, pulled out a letter—the butterflies again—and said,

BY ERIC TENIOLA

“ young man, congratulations! I don’t know what you wrote, but this is a letter of commendation for you from the DG!” Now my effort did not earn me only a letter of commendation, it also earned me a stern rebuke for not routing my memo through my bosses at Apapa, which is the appropriate channel to the DG. The Chief Collector warned me of the serious infraction of the General Orders that was. I just apologised and left. Months after, as a result of the reorganisation, the DG instructed that I be redeployed to Headquarters in the PR department where Chief Alex Akinyele (Baba rere) was the Czar! On the morning that I reported, Chief Akinyele completely excoriated me for not routing a copy of my memo to his office since he is the one in charge of

,

Y dear Yushau Shuaib, first accept my sincere sympathy for your recent travails. I am happy to glean from your narration syndicated in several newspapers that you were not, after all, fired, but redeployed from the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to the Ministry of Information.

I first read about your travails from some columnists. I must confess that their treatment of the subject put me off.

They followed the currently popular logic; if it is the Federal Government, it must be the wrong party; if it is a public official, he or she must be guilty even without proof; and if it is Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala or Stella Odua, cover her, not with the blood of Jesus, but with the murkiest grime! I am just telling you why I was put off by a few of those who commented on your case. They were simply on their high horses egging you with this “freedom of speech” and “democratic society” lines that seem to be cover for all manner of incivility.

This letter is not about whatever you wrote about the Honourable Minister of Finance. After reading your syndicated explanation I asked myself whether it was an answer to a query, an apology to your establishment, NEMA, an apology to Dr. Okonjo-Iweala or just a deliberate enlistment of the community of Public Affair analysts. After going through it over and over, I concluded that you were simply a victim of a society that has lost its institutional memory. This loss of institutional memory has contributed to the rot we are in today. We have forgotten the proper way of doing things. We have destroyed every known ethos. Those who are supposed to be custodians of the fine ethics that served us in the past are either ignorant themselves or too preoccupied with other interests to care.

I say this because nobody, including those egging you on with “freedom of speech” has given the slightest regard to the fact that YOU ARE A CIVIL SERVANT! And in the civil service there are dos and don’ts; there are channels for addressing vertical and horizontal relationships; there are ways of exercising your “free speech” different from the way a non-civil servant would!

I am not sure that what galled Dr. Okonjo-Iweala was so much of what you accused her of as the channel you chose to address her! The choice of channel is what was objectionable to her and I can tell you my brother, it is unacceptable for a civil servant. You were at that time, an image maker for a Federal establishment. Federal Government is one. You were not expected to be inside and pee inside; your job as image maker means you pee outside. You wrote: “When I moved to the Federal Civil Service I never stopped writing”. That is not the issue. The subjects of your obviously copious writings are not the

Your responsibility as a fine writer is to help this society retrieve those values that made us great in the past which this generation about to take over does not care about any more!

If you must be part of that recovery, then, you must not lose your head

,

PR Department. My lame excuse that he was not by boss then did not wash.

There were ways things were done in the civil service then. There were ways civil servants comported themselves and addressed superiors, no matter the vexation. And the General Order, GO, was rigidly guarded and followed. That was why the civil service was able to

y brother, let nobody egg you on to ruin what I can see is a promising career both as a civil servant and as a writer. As a spokesman for a Federal Parastatal, I am sure you could have availed yourself of access to several Government Offices. I believe that if, at the worst, you had gone to the Ministry of Finance with a memo, and had audience with your colleague there and said, there are unsavoury things being said about the Hon. Minister and that you felt so concerned that you would appreciate it if they addressed the matter, your plight would not be what it is today.

I want to believe you when you say that your article was not intended to embarrass the Hon. Minister. But the way it has worked out, you even inadvertently succeeded in embarrassing your own boss at NEMA and could have put his job on the line.

Don’t ever listen to anybody who lionises you that you can be a civil servant and also be a fiery activist at the same time. Ask anybody who tells you that what he thinks would be your fate if you worked in, say, Nigeria Airforce, and wrote that about a General in the Army or Navy. And let me tell you this.

Our society has lost it manners and now it is about to lose its mind. Your responsibility as a fine writer is to help this society retrieve those values that made us great in the past which this generation about to take over does not care about any more! If you must be part of that recovery, then, you must not lose your head.

By the way, I cut my journalism teeth in Lagos Weekend while I was an officer of Customs; young, flighty, Lucky Strikesmoking and a Fela devotee. Although I wrote hilarious commentaries on our societal foibles I dared not even do it with my real name. Indicating whether it was in my private capacity or not could not have made sense, because if anybody wanted to, he could accuse me of conflict of interest and all he needed to prove it was to show that Daily Times paid me for my articles. So I started experimenting with the brand called PINI JASON. And I did not go to Daily Times to collect the stipends until I was about to resign from Customs. My dear, learn your lesson from this and built a solid civil service career for yourself or come join us in this divide. You can’t walk on both sides of the road at the same time!

OPINION Lost in the global radar (2)

Continues from yesterday's pg. 17

24.United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), 197825.United Nations Peace Keeping Missions in Sierra Leone,1999In 1960 just before Nigeria’s independence, Nigeria signed a military pact with Great Britain so as to safeguard Nigeria’s security in the absence of fullfledged Nigeria army. Nigerian students demonstrated against the signing of the pact and the protests led to the cancellation of the pact by the Nigerian Government.

On February 13th, 1961 on the eve of the African Summit in Casablanca, Morocco, France tested an atomic bomb which contained Plutonium and had an explosive force equal to 10,000-14,000 tonnes of TNT half as powerful as the Hiroshima bomb, in the Sahara desert in the French Polynsia.

The radioactive fallout of the bomb affected people living in the remote part of the Sahara desert. The C M Y K

initiative on the protest against France was led by the Prime Minister of Nigeria, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa(1912-1966). Nigeria expelled France ambassador to Nigeria, closed Nigeria’s ports and airports to French ships and planes.

Sudan,Ghana,Egypt followed Nigeria’s step.

In April 1964, the third battalion of the Nigeria Army led by Lieutenant Colonel Pam was air lifted to Tanzania to help President Julius Nyerere of Tanzania to train a new army following the dissolution of the Tanzania army after the mutiny.

The arrival of the Nigeria troops allowed the British troops to depart. Between 1963 and 1965 world leaders were romancing not only our National leaders but the Regional leaders in Nigeria as well. For example, ArchBishop Makarios of Cyprus (1948-1977) was a personal friend of the Regional Premier of the Eastern Nigeria, Dr. Michael Iheonucura Okpara (1920-1984) while the Pegional Premier of the North Sir Ahmadu Bello (19091966) was so popular in Saudi Arabia and other Arab

states that a few days before he was assassinated, he was given access to Prophet Muhammad’s very tomb.

When the President of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Francis Kofi Nwia Nkrumah (1909-1972) visited Nigeria in 1962, he slept in the personal house of his friend, Chief Obafemi Awolowo (1909-1987) in his Okebola’s residence in Ibadan. Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe(1909-1996) was a personal friend of the former President of Haiti, Francois Duvalier (1907-1971) alias Papa Doc. We are aware of the relationship between Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and the British Prime Minister Harold Wilson.

So loved was Sir Tafawa Balewa by world leaders that the day he was assassinated, there was a letter in his Babariga from Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia (1913-1978),the then leader of opposition in Ghana, alerting him that there was to be a coup in Nigeria.

Continues on pg 18 *Mr. Teniola, a former director in the Presidency, wrote from Lagos.

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013 NIGERIANS are sharply divided over amnesty for terrorists who have held Northern Nigeria hostage. It is not the first time religious extremists are embarking on their avowed mission to force Islam on Nigeria, a multireligious, secular state. The only differences are the duration and the magnitude of loss of lives. The stridency of the movement’s leaders does not indicate any penitence.

The decision of some politicians to mix criminality with opposition politics has added new dimensions to efforts to end the insurgency. The clamour for amnesty, which the attackers have rejected, is coming from quarters without control over the group, which means there are no guarantees that amnesty will stop the attacks.

Some Nigerians believe amnesty would entice those among the terrorists who are tired to rejoin normal society as law abiding citizens.

They buttress their argument by pointing to the calming effect the policy had in the Niger Delta.

Terrorism in the North differs in objective and scope with the Niger Delta where the issue was economic justice. The ideological impetus

No Amnes ty F or Amnesty For Terroris ts errorists of Al Qaeda global terror network makes amnesty an inappropriate response to the challenge. The group has justified this stand by rejecting the offer.

Would amnesty change the belief of the terrorists? We are dealing with a faithpropelled terrorism with support from abroad.

Amnesty cannot pacify the group. A combination of methods – amnesty for those who want it and frontal battles with those who refuse it - should be applied. It was the case in the Niger Delta.

The terrorists are not fighting for our religion.

They are not fighting for political power. If they are, their methods would still be wrong, for they

are not legitimate, and no government would accept the wastes in lives.

Nigeria has to develop a zero tolerance strategy for dealing with the rebellion. It has taken too long. The first move would be to include firm conditions for amnesty to those who drop their arms and ask for pardon. They must understand that accepting amnesty means that they have stopped the rebellion.

Nothing short of this will suffice in tackling the terrorists.

The presidential amnesty committee should listen to the opinions of Nigerians, in order to avoid creating more problems while trying to solve one. Amnesty must be a balm. It should not be seen as a bonanza, or a political blackmail. It should leave Nigeria stronger and better respected.

If amnesty portrays Nigeria as weak, a state begging terrorists for peace, it would adversely affect government’s chances of dealing with future challenges.

More efforts and funds should be invested in assisting those displaced or victimised in the insurgency to return to normal life not on rewarding terrorists.

OPINION

BY ERIC TENIOLA Continued from Pg 17

E

VEN after the coup of 1966, General Gowon built personal friendship with other world leaders including Emperor Haile Selassie (1892-1975), Haman El-Hadji Diouri of Niger Republic, Gnassingbe Eyadema of Togo (1935-2005).

However, it was between 1975 and 1979 that we had dynamism in our foreign policy. In 1975, there was a pre independence struggle in Angola.

On one side we had the Moveiemento porpalar de libertacao de angola(MPLA) led by Dr. Antonio Agostinho Neto(1922-1979), on the other side was the frente nucional de libertacao de angola (FNLA) led by Holden Alvaro Roberto (1923-2007) and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola(UNITA) led Jonas Savimbi (1934-2002).

Both the FNLA and UNITA were sponsored by the apartheid South Africa along with the Western world.

In November 1975, General Murtala Ramat Muhammed (1938-1976) flew to Addis Ababa for the OAU conference and announced that “Africa has come of age, it is no longer under the orbit of any continental power. It should no longer take orders from any country however powerful. The

Lost in the global radar (3) fortunes of Africa are in our hands to make or mar ”. To the surprise of everyone he announced Nigeria’s recognition for the MPLA as the legitimate government in Angola. On February 4, 1976, he despatched his then deputy General Olusegun Obansanjo along with Chief Ebenezer Babatope to reassure the Angolans of the support of the government. Nine days later he was assassinated on his way to the office in Ikoyi, Lagos and General Obasanjo who succeeded him soldiered on with the execution of very bold and dynamic foreign policy.

In fact, Nigeria’s foreign Minister at that time Major General Naveh Garba (1943-2002) was so active during that period that my then boss Chief Abiodun Aloba alias Ebenezer Williams, pioneer General Manager of Nigeria Herald dubbed him “the foreign Minister of Africa”. During those years Ikeja airport correspondents like Dapo Aderinola,Seinde Dagunduro,late Kola Adeshina,Toye Akiyode,Tayo Falade,Mike Edemeyo, late Richard Amayo, Femi Ogunleye,Francis Emelefoun, Andre Diojemao, James Bello, Bisi Oloyede,Babson Adeyemi,Kunle Egbeyemi, Jimi

Aderiokun,Alhaji Adio Saka and others were in the super cadre among journalists for their daily coverage of world leaders visiting Nigeria.

In 1976, there was the Olympic games in Montreal, Canada, Nigeria led 22 African countries to pull out of the games because of New Zealand links with apartheid South Africa. The IOC had earlier been banned South Africa from participating in the Olympics because of its racial policy.

Nigeria also pulled out of the Edmonton commonwealth games in Canada in 1978 also because New Zealand had links with apartheid South Africa.

I

n 1980 Olympic games held in Moscow, President Shehu Shagari refused to heed the America request to boycott the Olympic games in spite of the America delegation including the famous Muhammed Alli that visited Nigeria and begged Nigeria not to take part whereas N i g e r, M a u r i t i u s , M a l a w i , Liberia,Ghana,Gambia,Chad,Cote Ivoire,Egypt and Gabon participated.

In 1986,General Ibrahim Babangida led 36 African and Carribean leaders to pull out of the Commonwealth

games over the British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher ’s dealings with apartheid South Africa.

The last time global focus was on Nigeria was when President Olusegun Obasanjo was elected President of the African Union, chairman of the Common wealth and chairman Non-aligned nations in 2004. Since then our status has reclined.

If we have been active, President Barak Obama of the USA would not have flown over our air space to visit Ghana on July 10, 2009. Although he has not visited his father ’s country, Kenya till date.

It is true he received our President in the White house on January 8th, 2011 but he should have included him when he met the four African leaders, President Mucky Sal of Senegal, President Earnest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone, Present Joyce Banda of Malawi and the Prime Minister of Cape Verde Mr. Pereira Nerves on March 28th this year at the White House.

Dante (1265-1321) wrote in his book Inferno "there is no greater sorrow than to recall in misery the time when we are happy”.

Concluded. *Mr. Teniola, a former director in the Presidency, wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, TUESDAY,APRIL 30, 2013— 19

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O appreciate the title of this news analysis a map has been generated. This map is a geopolitical map of the Central African Republic, CAR. It shows the geopolitical boundary of the CAR. Within this boundary, are located the primary neighbours of the CAR with shared boundaries: namely Chad, Sudan, Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo; five countries in all. Then there are the secondary neighbours with shared boundaries with the primary neighbours, namely: Gabon, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Egypt, Libya, Niger, Nigeria, nine countries; CAR’s primary and secondary neighbours are 15 countries, that is more than a quarter of the countries in Africa. Events in this small country impacts the primary neighbours directly and the secondary neighbours through spill-over. Through this map we can see that the CAR is not a faraway distant land. The geopolitical boundary is the boundary of refugee outflows determined by the civil wars in the CAR. This is lesson number one.

Africa is very much in CAR and CAR is in Africa. What happens in CAR is of societal relevance to her primary and secondary neioghbours.

Second lesson to be learnt is appreciating the knee-jerk on-theshelf-routine expression of concern by the international community whenever there is a violent change

of government. No attention is paid on daily basis to the politics of the society that foster violent nonconstitutional change of government. The assumption is that constitutional governance is the norm and violent change of government is the aberration. So the African Union temporarily

,

suspends the CAR from the organisation. On April 3, 2013, African leaders meeting on the CAR crisis in Chad declared they did not recognise Djotodia as President, and they proposed the formation of an inclusive transitional council and the holding of new election in 18 months rather than three years as announced

by Djotodia.

The problem with this advice is the formulaic response to violent change of government by the international c o m m u n i t y.

Their advice is premised on the assumption that election of governments guarantees their stability and their legitimacy; and no thought is given to the record of President Bozize's government, whether he governed constitutionally or not.

B

ad governments are not ostracized or punished for their policy and when rebels seize

The tale of two APCs

BY WILLY BOZIMO

W

HEN politicians cry to the high heav ens about some inanities as if their entire lives depended upon them for survival, discerning onlookers are always amazed.

The other day some opposition parties in Nigeria had agreed to team up and form a formidable party that can confront what they see as the political Albatross over their heads and their continued dwindling political fortunes since 1999 . They started by coining up a new name APC, which to some symbolises a war machine in the shape of an Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC. Quite a military hardware of collective or selective destruction which soldiers normally use to destroy the homes of opponents or used normally for coup plotting purposes .

What General Buhari and Tinubu had planned to do was the political equivalent of a political coup against the PDP-led Federal Government.

Since Muhammadu Buhari was a military General -cum-former Head of State and had participated in a coup which overthrew the civilian government during the second term regime of President Shagari in December 1983, it fitted the military imagery to coin a name reflecting APC. The parties in the merger plot are the ACN, ANPP and CPC and a sprinkling of APGA spearheaded by Rochas Okorocha, Governor of Imo State. No sooner the new name was rushed to the INEC Office in Abuja un-

C M Y K

der Professor Attahiru Jega’s watch , than a new party, African Progressive Party, APC, with same initials had been borne and also sent to INEC for registration as a new party.

That was not all: There is yet another APC in the offing- All Patriotic Citizens. This has gone to show the creativeness of the average Nigerian in manufacturing brand names with the lightning speed of sound.

There has been a great hullabaloo in the media and even the twitter world where most Nigerians are fighting over a brand name.For me, they seem to be missing the points at issue. Three original parties want to merge without their willingness to dissolve their old or former brand names and choose one of them as their new party, which effortlessly, would have allowed members of the old parties to march into the chosen one en masse.

But the grand old political foxes would not have any of such frivolities instead; every one of them wants to keep their original names in case of accidents or misadventure.

The leadership of the merging parties are clearly strange bedfellows- the progressive front led by the members of the Action Congress of Nigeria led by Ashiwaju Bola Tinubu, the former Governor of Lagos State; man who reportedly single-handedly bankrolled the party now in control of four states in South Western Nigeria and one in SouthSouth, Edo State.

They are clearly the bigger party wanting the merger with Buhari’s Congress for Pro-

power, they are regarded as dirty governors that can be made clean and respectable through the legitimation of election in the conflict situation culminating in the violent change of government.

Because it is forgotten that Francois Bozize himself came to power violently in 2003, they prescribe electoral constitutional government when the norm has been otherwise. The new warriorrebel President quickly accepted the condition prescribed for transforming him from rebel predator into a respected President.

“Speaking on April 4 Information Minister, Christophe Gazan Betty, said that Djotodia had accepted the proposals of the African leaders; suggesting that Djotodia would remain in office if he were to be elected to head the transitional council. Djotodia consequently signed a decree on April 6 for the formation of a transitional council, composed of 97 members, that would act as a transitional parliament. The council was tasked with electing an interim president to serve during an 18-month transitional period leading to new elections.”

Now consider this scenario. The 10-year government of Francois Bozize has been militarily overthrown and the military and police chiefs have pledged allegiance to the Caesar of Bangui, Djotodia. He is told he can keep the office he captured by war if he will submit himself to an election which his government will arrange and supervise. If he did not become President by election how is he going to be removable from office by elections?

Once more as in 2003, the international community prescribes the legitimation of violent capture of power through a post-victory election. CAR is thus set up for another round of rule by electorally legitimated warlords.

This was the prescription to the Malian sack of an elected government- an injunction to take the election shower that would legitimize their regime. To prescribe elections once again for

,

Africa in the Central African Republic politics

One cannot but be dismayed by the callous cynicism of the international community towards the African citizenry habituated to existence in condition of societal anarchy

If the merger is meant to overthrow PDP in the next ballot in 2015, let all members of the other parties join the PDP and try to overwhelm it with their numerical strength and fight for positions from within

,

gressive Change, CPC, with at least one state in Nassarawa and several senators and members of House of Representatives. CPC is more conservative with an oligarchic Northern base and his populist Sharia inclinations to corner the votes in the North in the coming presidential elections in three years away.

It is clear that Gen. Buhari would likely fly the flag for the merged parties, while Bola Tinubu would be the running mate; he is not likely to clinch the flag bearer as OBJ from the South West had been President of Nigeria before and another president from the Yoruba Oduduwa Republic would seem a tall order.

And where does that leave the ANPP, the oldest of the three parties working towards a marriage of convenience ? Where will the ANPP on whose platform Gen.Buhari had

the Central African Republic that has not known peace since the formal end of the Bush War (20042007) is to reveal the attitude of the international community to a citizenry that has known nothing but Hobbes’ state of war, wherein life has been actually short, nasty and brutal. One cannot but be dismayed by the callous cynicism of the international community towards the African citizenry habituated to existence in condition of societal anarchy and civil war conflicts.

Peter Biro in his piece titled "Central African Republic: A Deepening Crisis" chronicled the societal condition within which Francois Bozize ruled in Bangui. I quote from his article.

“When the long-running civil war in the Central African Republic, CAR, ended in 2007, observers hoped that peace would usher in a new era of economic recovery and development.

Instead, the country already one of the world’s poorest, faces a devastating humanitarian crisis that threatens to plunge the population even deeper into misery. According to the International Rescue Committee, large swatches of the country lack clean water and adequate food supplies, while suffering from high infant and maternal mortality rates, soaring rates of HIV infection and inadequate healthcare. Last year, the United Nations ranked the CAR 178th out of 179 countries in “human development”- an index that measures a country’s ability to guarantee its citizens a long and healthy life, access to education and a decent standard of living.

Moreover, decades of misrule, fighting between the government and rebels, and the ongoing menace of banditry have left people weakened and extremely vulnerable, said Boris Varnitzky, the IRC country director in CAR”.

Peter Biro wrote the above in the context of post-conflict peacebuilding! The 2004-2007 war is a war in CAR’s politics of violent change of government.

contested the presidency twice in the past 12 years or so in terms of positions within the new mega party? The ANPP led by Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu , a former Abia State Governor who feels optimistic about the eventual registration of the APC believes that at the end of the day they will triumph.

For most politicians, they are uncompromising optimists all the way. Whether they are headed for hell or heaven, they will shake their heads like the proverbial lizard who after falling off from the walls of new buildings will continue to shake its head literally saying ‘ I dey kampe’. If carpet crossing is allowed in our clime and most of the party constitutions, why do people make so much noise about registering a new party logo and name? How genuine are the politicians wanting to merge either as APC or Panadol or even Aspirin- all tablets for curing perpetual headaches.?

If the merger is meant to overthrow PDP in the next ballot in 2015 presidential election and and even state gubernatorial elections and take control of the Federal Government, they could do one or two things.

First, the unthinkable. Let all members of the other parties join the PDP and try to overwhelm it with their numerical strength and fight for the positions from within. The party had predicted through Prince Ogbulafor, a former chairman, that it would rule the country for the next 60 years.

If that is done, then all the noise about a fake APC sitting pretty at the INEC offices in Abuja would be of no consequence.

*Mr. Bozimo, a veteran journalist, wrote from Asaba, Delta State.

20—Vanguard , TUESDAY TUESDAY,, APRIL 30 , 2013

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2012 — 21

Zamfara to boost Nigeria’s cotton production ... Cotton producers seek special grant for export

BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

Z

AMFARA State Governor, Mr. Abdulaziz Abubakar, has stated that his administration will do everything possible to encourage farmers in the state to go into large scale agriculture, especially cotton production in order to restore the country ’s lost glory in agriculture.

The governor, made the declaration when the National Good Governance Team visited Inter Ginnery Cotton processing factory in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.

This is even as the National Association of Cotton Producers has appealed to the Federal Government to approve a special grant for cotton producers and merchants to enable them embark on large scale production and export of the product.

The governor, who lamented the dearth of cotton industry in Nigeria, regretted that the failure of the sector has resulted into the collapse of textile industry and agriculture in general.

Governor Abubakar, who blamed the collapse on government for having abandoned the producers in their difficult times, promised to revive the industry by encouraging the producers in

his state by making necessary inputs that would aid in turning the sector around. ”We are not supposed to be where we are, but we are supposed to be more advanced in terms of cotton production and export. ”Now, government has realised so many things, more

especially unemployment and if this is not addressed, it will not augur well for this country. ”This is why we decided to come up with so many programmes to support the industry for cotton production, export and other earnings,” he said.

Governor Abubakar, further

•FROM LEFT: Ime Umo, Managing Director, Hewlet Packard (HP) Nigeria; Jean-Paul Pinto, District Manager, HP Western, Southern, Eastern Africa; Ify Udoji, Category Manager, HP West Africa and Robinson Babatunde, Channel Manager, Intel Corporation Nigeria, at the unveiling of the new HP ElitePad 900 with Intel Atom Z2760 Processor, in Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salaa.

STB McCann risks AAAN sanction over N5bn Airtel account

BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

140.45

0.95

2,130.00

-11.00

17.69

0.02

104.23

-2.11

92.66

-0.60

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYA KRONA SDR

154.74 235.6535 200.1252 164.547 1.6082 0.2836 231.2676 24.9491 41.2618 26.8399 238.1139

155.24 236.415 200.7719 165.0787 1.6134 0.2936 232.0149 25.0302 41.3951 26.9266 238.8833

said that he has initiated a cotton agency to help farmers in the state get improved seeds, herbicides, market their produce and also ensure regulation. He added that the government has also intervened in the area of funding by summoning all the commercial banks in the state to discuss their roles in reviving the agric sector. ”We have met with the banks to do what they are supposed to be doing, because they are not only a profit agency, but are also supposed to give social services,” he said.

SELLING 155.74 237.1764 201.4185 165.6104 1.6186 0.3036 232.7622 25.1113 41.5285 27.0133 239.6527

CBN Exchange rate as at 29/04/2013

T

HE N5 billion Airtel Network Limited account taken over by STB Mc-Cann may have landed them in trouble as they are about to face sanction from the umbrella body of advertising agencies; Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, AAAN, for accepting the account.

This, according to report, is contrary to an industry agreement to reject all Airtel briefs pending the resolution of a legal dispute between Prima Garnet Ogilvy and Ogilvy Africa and its new agency, Scanad Nigeria.

The Airtel account, estimated at N5 billion, became a subject of litigation after the telecoms firm withdrew the account from Prima Garnet Ogilvy, PG, one of Nigeria’s leading advertising agencies and its global affiliate, Ogilvy & Mather.

Prima Garnet accused Ogilvy of establishing a new agency, Scanad Nigeria, owned by a Kenya-based Scangroup, which had reportedly acquired 51 percent of

Ogilvy Africa in a share swap to take over the account contrary to the terms of their affiliation agreement, which it said confers the right to all Ogilvy accounts in Nigeria to PG. But while the Lagos State High Court on December 19, 2012 had ordered that all parties in the dispute maintained the status quo pending the determination of substantive matter, the Board of Trustees and the Executive Board of AAAN had also issued a directive to all member agencies not to accept the Airtel account until that matter was resolved.

However, after a newspaper report (not Vanguard) published on Sunday, March 10, revealed that Airtel had appointed STB McCann as an interim agency, the newly appointed Managing Director, Mr. Anwar Saeed, was issued a query on March 13 by AAAN to explain the agency’s position on the report; the process leading to the agency’s appointment as an interim agency of Airtel Nigeria and to state the ethical consideration in the acceptance of the offer/ business of Airtel Nigeria.

NASS tasked on inclusion of metering system in PIB

By FRANKLIN ALLI

E

N V I R O N M E N TA L Rights Action/Friends of the Earth (ERA/FoEN) has called on the National Assembly to include Metering System as a new provision in the Petroleum Industry draft Bill before it is passed into law, if the economy is to get value from the PIB process.

It will be recalled that earlier, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, had projected that the Federal Government can save N474 billion annually from metering system in the oil and gas, including telecom sector.

“All over the world, there is legal meteorology which ensures that what you buy is accurate and legal. If you look at the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative Report, there is a lot of leakage in the oil and gas industry, either because the meters are not working or they are not installed at the right places. But for the first time, the president has given us approval to commence that operation across all sectors of the economy. We are starting with the oil and gas, telecoms and power sector. When the process is completed, we expect to save the country about $3billion (N474) billion and also generate revenue of about N17.4bn for the government.”

Briefing the press after the Public Hearing on the Draft PIB organised by the House of Representatives in Lagos and Port Harcourt, respectively, last week, Godwin Uyi Ojo, Executive Director ERA/FoEN, said: “Our demand is, we are asking for on the spot Metering System that will give us real- time measurement of the amount of oil that is taken per minute, per hour, per day.

This should be part and parcel of the Petroleum Industry Bill Process. The technology is already available for the oil industry and government should have the will power to invest in the technology. ” Ojo, who delivered a memorandum on behalf of ERA/FoEN and 50 other civil society groups at the Hearing, said ‘While we applaud the House for having organised the hearing, specifically, there are certain critical areas of the PIB that we want reviewed, deleted, reworded or reworked by the lawmakers in such a way that they conform to Companies and Allied Matters ACT (CAMA).

22— Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

CSCS: Getting shares’ statement with stress A

NOTHER organisation you need to know for profitable investment in shares is Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS).

Just as you cannot do without

the services of a stockbroker and a registrar, you cannot do without the services of CSCS, except you do not want to sell your shares, or buy from existing shareholders.

There are basically two ways to keep your money.

You either keep it in cash, in your pocket or wherever, or you keep it with a bank. In the case of the later, the bank opens account for you and you can obtain bank statement to ascertain how much you have. Similarly, you either keep your shares in certificates, or you take them to the CSCS (through your broker). CSCS opens an account in your name and, gives you a number (CSCS number).

A

nd if you choose to sell or buy, CSCS transfers shares from the seller ’s account to the buyer ’s account.

Thus, instead of share certificates, you can always obtain statement of your shares account from the CSCS anytime you need it, either to ascertain number of shares, or to use as evidence of your share investment. Thus, the CSCS is a bank for shares and other i n v e s t m e n t instruments traded

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

O

N the list of the top ten performing stocks last week are building materials giant - Dangote Cement, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Chemical and Allied Products, CAP, Guaranty Trust Bank, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, and Presco Plc. Others that made the list of top ten performing stocks include Glaxosmithkline Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, FBN Holdings Plc, and Learn Africa.

Dangote Cement Plc, which houses more than 25 percent of the Nigerian Stock Exchange’s market capitalisation, garnered N2.85 to close the market last week at N158.85 per share.

The shares have been able to gain N23.85 or 17.67 percent since the company was listed on the NSE in October, 2010.

Though the President, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, had promised

at the point of listing that more shares of the company will be sold to the public 18 months after listing to make up the minimum requirement for companies listed on the main board, the number of listed shares is still deficient by 5.11 percent with only 20 percent listed.

Howbeit,DangCem is presently the biggest cement manufacturing company in sub-Saharan Africa with presence in over 14 African countries.

Unilever Nigeria Plc, which manufactures and markets foods and food ingredients, including home and personal care products, gained N2.00 at the end of transactions last week to close at N55.00 per share. Of the two companies listed in personal and home care sector of the NSE, Unilever Plc’s shares are the most priced. While it has gained N27.04 or 99.28 percent capital appreciation year-to date, the second listed

on the stock exchange. Not keeping your shares with the CSCS or in a CSCS account is as risky as not keeping your money in a bank. Share certificates like cash, can be lost, stolen or damaged.

In addition to this, you can’t buy and sell shares on the

,

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

you go to the First Bank Branch at the ground floor to pay for the statement. It’s just N200 per statement. After that, you go back to the 12th floor to submit the form, and then come back the next day to collect the statement. Take note that the company has one

Not keeping your shares with the CSCS or in a CSCS account is as risky as not keeping your money in bank

stock exchange without a CSCS account. That is why you can’t make profitable investment in shares without knowing about the CSCS. The company ’s website (cscsnigeriaplc.com) offers a lot of essential information to investors. But the CSCS also reflects the widespread inefficiency and poor customer service in the stock market. A good example is the unnecessary bureaucratic process investors go through to obtain CSCS statement.

You first go to the 12th floor of the stock exchange building, where statement issuance unit is located, to obtain and fill a form bearing the account number of the company. Next

,

location, which is the stock exchange building. The implication is that investors across the country need to travel down to Lagos if they need a CSCS statement on the company ’s letterhead.

The question is why should a company performing such critical service like CSCS have one location? And why must investors suffer so much, just to pay N200, to obtain statement of account?

Investors have complained about this unnecessary bureaucracy, but because the company enjoys monopoly and seems not to be regulated, it has continued to take investors for granted.

Top 10 performing stocks equity in the same sector – PZ Cusson has risen by N19.48 or 92.67 percent. however, the first quarter financial statement for period ended March 31 st , 2013, published last week showed that the profit after tax declined to N1.26 billion. The revenue for the period was up by 1.1 per cent from N14.07 billion in March 2012, to N14.233 billion in the period under consideration.

CAP gained N1.70 to close as the third on the top ten gainers list for the week. It started the week at N37.00 and closed at N38.70 per share. CAP is listed on the building materials sector and manufactures paint and coatings.

GTB was the fourth top gainer during the week. Its share price closed at N25.55

after gaining N1.34 during the week’s trading. Beginning the year at N13.02, GTB has therefore gained N13.53 per share year-to-date to close at the present market price.

The bank recently raised the bar in Nigerian financial institutions with the unveiling of its ‘Social

Banking’ service on Facebook. The new offering allows the public open GTBank accounts and get Customer Service support on Facebook.

Stanbic IBTC Holding Plc closed as the fifth with N1.10 price gain to close at N13.36. It began the year at N10.64, recording N2.72 or 25.56 percentage increases.

Others top ten gainers are Presco Plc, which went up

by N0.97 to close at N24.50; Glaxo and Zenith Bank followed with N0.80 price gain apiece to close at N49.00 and N20.00 respectively. FBN Holdings and Learn Africa were the last two, rising by N0.69 and N0.60 to close at N19.60 and N2.12 respectively.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013 —23

Bank PHB no longer exists. It has been closed by the CBN. For your shares in Arm Aggressive fund contact First Registrars at Plot 2, Abebe Village Road Iganmu or call 234-1773086, 7743309, 2701078, 2701079 and for your Bagco investment issues, contact Flour Mills Registrars Limited on 3rd Floor BAGCO Building, 45, Eric Moore Road, Iganmu, Surulere, Lagos. P.O Box 341 A p a p a .

Tel: 234-01-7732568; E m a i l : enquiry@fmnregistrar.com

T

I need a genuine broker Please I want you to introduce me to a genuine broker, to open CSCS account with my certificates. (Mackson, Warri).

Investors Forum Sorry, we don’t recommend brokers to people. But you can obtain the list of registered stock brokers at http:// www.nse.com.ng/Regulation/ ForBrokers/Pages/DealingMembers.aspx .

How do I buy bond?

I want to buy bond. What is the process of buying? (Alalafia Temitope) Investors Forum You need to go through a stockbroker if you want to buy bonds.

I want to dematerialise bonus certificate of Firstbank Please sir, my broker said that my outstanding bonus share certificate can not be credited again into my CSCS account because of the Firstbank change of name. Is that true? If yes, how can they send me another certificate since I have been trying to reach them but to no avail. (Anusiaju Victor).

Investors Forum Contact First Registrars at Plot 2, Abebe Village Road Iganmu or call 234-1-773086, 7743309, 2701078, 2701079 No certificate or communication from Deap Capital, others

N Arunma Oteh, SEC DG

COMPLAINTS & INVESTIGATIONS

SEC suspends Aims Asset Management over fraudulent activity I bought 10,000 units of Nigeria Wire and Cable in 2008. But till date, I have not heard anything. The same goes with Daar Communications, Deap Capital and Linkage Assurance (Chif’ Iriri O) Investor Forum For your shares in Nigeria Wire and Cable, contact Wema Registrars at Plot 30, Oba Akran Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos. Tel: 017732181, 07028380379; or send message to enquiry@wemaregistrars.com For your shares in Deap Capital and Daar Communications, contact First Registrars at Plot 2, Abebe Village Road Iganmu or call 234-1-773086, 7743309, 2701078, 2701079.

For your shares in Linkage Assurance, contact Diamond Securities Limited via 59, Ogunlana Drive Surulere, Lagos.

No communication from Daar Communications I bought shares of Daar Communications seven years ago but up till now, I have not gotten share certificate or

,

he Securities & Exchange Commission has suspended Aims Asset Management Ltd for nonrefund of the sum of N300, 000.00 deposited by an investor under a Portfolio Investment Agreement.

In a statement posted on the SEC’s website, it noted that the investor deposited the sum of N300, 000.00 with the operator under a Portfolio Investment Agreement for a tenor of three years. At the expiration of the period and despite several demands, the operator failed/ refused to pay to the investor the invested sum and the returns.

The statement said, “Investigation on the matter revealed that the operator invested the investor’s money in the shares of Tetrazzini Foods Ltd, a private company whose shares are not traded on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and which is not regulated by the Commission.

This is contrary to the Portfolio Investment Agreement between the operator and the investor.”

“The Commission had on several occasions directed the operator to resolve the matter and upon its failure/refusal to do so, it was suspended from all capital market activities,” SEC further stated.

You need to go through a stockbroker if you want to buy bonds

,

received any notice. (Oyoyo) Investors Forum Contact First Registrars at Plot 2, Abebe Village Road Iganmu or call 234-1-773086, 7743309, 2701078, 2701079.

N

o refund from Bagco, No response from Arm Fund I bought shares of Arm Aggressive Fund, Bank PHB and Bagco during their respective IPOs. I only got certificate of Bagco, but not all my shares was allocated to me, and the remaining money I have not received. I still want to use the money to buy shares.

How do I get my certificate and remaining money? (James Okoro) Investors Forum

o dividend from Skye Bank, Neimeth and others Since I bought the shares of the following companies, I have not been paid dividend or sent notice of AGM. The companies are Daar Communications, Transcorp, Neimeth, Academy Press, Tripple G. and Skye Bank Investors Forum For Daar communications shares, contact First Registrars at Plot 2, Abebe Village Road Iganmu or call 234-1773086, 7743309, 2701078, 2701079.

For Transcorp, contact Africa Prudential Registrars Plc at 220B, Ikorodu

Road, Palmgrove, Lagos. You can call 01-8401153, 018931501, and 01-4606460 or send message to info@africaprudentialregistrars.com For Neimeth, contact Meristem Registrars Limited at 213, Herbert Macaulay Road, Yaba, Lagos. Tel: 01-28092504, 01-8920491-2. Email: info@meristemregistrars.com .

For Academy Press, contact Sterling Registrars Limited, Knight Frank Building (8th Floor) 24 Campbell Street, Lagos. Tel: 234-01-2635607.

For Skye Bank, contact City Securities at Primrose Tower, 2nd Floor, 17A Tinubu Street, Lagos. Tel: 234-1-2641298, 2341-7924462.

Dangote Sugar, where is my certificate?

I bought shares of Dangote Sugar Refinery in 2007, and since then I have not seen my certificate or heard from them.

I bought it from Intercontinental Bank, Warri Branch (Blessing Ochor) Investors Forum

Please contact Zenith Registrars Limited at Plot 89 Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island Extension, Lagos. Tel: 234-1-2708930-4.

E m a i l : enquiry@zenithregistrars.com First Bank where is my dividend?

I was not paid any dividend last year by Firstbank (Feyisetan Akeeb Kareem) Investors Forum Please contact First Registrars at Plot 2, Abebe Village Road Iganmu or call 234-1-773086, 7743309, 2701078, 2701079.

Honeywell Flour where is my share certificate?

I bought shares of Honeywell Flour Mills since 2009. Up till now, I have not gotten certificate or invitation to AGM (Eborh Benson, Agbor) Investors Forum Please contact First Registrars at Plot 2, Abebe Village Road Iganmu or call 234-1-773086, 7743309, 2701078, 2701079.

I want to receive dividend in my bank account I want to inquire if my dividend can be paid into my bank account? The broker in charge is late, and the post office I usually receive my letters is no longer in operation (David Rikefe Dodoye) Investors Forum Yes. Contact the registrar of the company; tell them you want to do e-dividend.

No dividend from Zenith bank, 2 others I am yet to be paid dividend by the following companies: Zenith Bank, Finbank Plc and Skye Bank. (Oni Felix A Company) For Finbank and Skye Bank, contact City Securities at Primrose Tower, 2nd Floor, 17A Tinubu Street, Lagos. Tel: 2341-2641298, 234-1-7924462.

For Zenith Bank, contact Zenith Registrars Limited at Plot 89 Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island Extension, Lagos, Tel: 234-1-2708930-4. Email:enquiry@zenithregistrars.com

COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS Do you have any challenge with your investment in the stock market or with any company (stockbroker, Registrar Company etc), write to vanguardinvestorsforum @gmail.com OR send text to 08157550673. We will INVESTIGATE AND REPLY

24 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30 , 2013

BRIEF

TRANSFORMATION:

DPR introduces truck monitoring

BY CLARA NWACHUKWU

D

EPARTMENT of P e t r o l e u m Resources, DPR, the regulator of oil and gas operations in Nigeria, has instituted the monitoring of trucks bearing crude or refined petroleum products, with a view to checking products adulteration, diversion and other unethical practices.

The Implementation of Trucking Policy Project, TPP, is in line with the ongoing transformation programme aimed at making the agency a world class petroleum industry regulator.

Explaining the rationale for the trucking project, DPR said that this is meant “to standardise and regulate the process of transportation of petroleum through tanker trucks using available best practices in the industry.”

Need for monitoring DPR argued that petroleum tanker trucks play a very important role in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Over 70 percent of petroleum products movement across the nation is done by tanker trucks. Tanker trucks have also been used to evacuate crude oil from wellheads to flow stations by the Marginal Field Operators, MFOs, recently.

“However, tanker trucks used for transportation of petroleum products are most times the source of product adulteration since some drivers siphon away products and replace the volume with a comparably cheaper product without considering the product quality.

“There have been cases where the siphoned volume was replaced with water! These tanker trucks are often involved in diversion of petroleum products to illegal destinations even across the border and are also used by vandals for evacuation of crude oil and products from vandalised pipelines.”

The regulator noted that trucking became imperative in products movement in view of the constant vandalism of products’ pipelines across the country. It noted that the development had led to huge financial losses on account of the millions of litres of petroleum products and crude oil, which are lost annually through these pipelines.

FG to earn $2.6bn from sale of power assets

BY SEBASTINE OBASI

T

Oil tankers It said, “These had led to increase on reliance on tanker trucks for movement of product and crude oil from one location to another. It has been observed that some of the tanker trucks used for this purpose are not in good state and often breaks down along the way. The breakdown of tanker trucks had led to many accidents with resulting loss of lives and properties.”

Streamlining types of trucks part from checking unethical practices, DPR further noted that the trucking policy is required to streamline the types of trucks used for distribution purposes. “Petroleum tanker trucks of various shapes and capacities are found on our roads every day. Their shapes range from rectangular to spherical, and there is neither a standard for their capacities nor limits to the volume they can convey while on the roads.

“These had led to roll-over of load tanker trucks, spilling of petroleum products, and fire claiming so many lives. This scenario has been a regular occurrence especially as the states of our roads continue to get worse due to lack of maintenance.”

The regulator enumerated the objectives of the policy to include: *Standardise tanker truck design and construction. * Create a database and make information on petroleum tanker trucks and their operations available for planning and other purposes. * Enhance better service delivery between stakeholders and transporters * Continuously keep petroleum tanker trucks in view and prevent them from being used for illegal operations. * Enhance tanker truck usage and road users’ safety. * Institute orderliness in trucking activities at the Depots.

The project, which is currently in the second phase, has trained about 80 eighty ad hoc staff and captured and uploaded screened data on about 5,700 tanker trucks into the database.

The regulator is also building a National

A

Control Centre, NCC, located in the DPR Abuja Zonal Office. “Remote monitoring of petroleum tanker truck activities all over the country would be done from this Center, with the Server in Lagos on standby, when commissioned,” it added.

Ongoing regulatory transformation ecalled that in September last year, the regulator began what it described as DPR Transformation Team, D-TT. Prior to this, its Extended Leadership Team, ELT, held a strategic planning workshop in March 2012, to acquaint staff on the transformation journey, with a view to soliciting their support for the transformation success.

The implementation of programme is based on a multi-approach predicated on Performance Management, Innovation and Technology, Culture & Change Management, Human Capital Management, and Risk Management.

Having set up a 12-member transformation team in April 2012 that is multi-functional and non-hierarchical, the team was mandated to achieve three major goals aimed at, strengthening the core of DPR’s activities; building on the strengthened core, in order to position as a world class organisation by the end of 2013.

DPR said the main objective of the transformation is to ensure, “To ensure the sustainable development of Nigeria’s Oil and Gas resources across the value chain for our stakeholders through effective regulation, while entrenching world class professionalism, accountability, and transparency.”

It noted that previous change initiatives had yielded positive results in the areas of Information Technology capability and empowerment, organisational structure redesign, staff deployment, and learning and development. The frameworks for the realisation of transformation success include work ethics, value system, public perception, communication, and service delivery, using people, skills, behaviours, work tools, and resources.

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HE Federal Government is to earn about $2.6 billion from the sale of power assets in 2013.

According to a statement by the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, the potential core investors in 15 of the successor companies carved out of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, had paid $559.45 million into the coffers of the government as at Thursday, March 21, 2013 deadline. That amount represents 25 percent of the total sum which the federal government is expecting from the sale of the 15 power companies. The transaction process of the two remaining successor companies of Afam Power Plc and Kaduna Distribution Plc are currently on going.

Out of the whole amount, $1.256 billion would be realized from preferred bidders of distribution companies (DISCOS), while the generation companies GENCOS) would yield $1.389 billion.

BPE also said that the core investors are expected to pay the 75 percent balance of the bid value of the assets in the next six weeks. The Bureau had on March 21, 2013, received $31 million from 4Power Consortium for the Port Harcourt Distribution Company; $27 million from North-South Power Company for Shiroro Power Plc and $31 million from Interstate Electric Limited for Enugu Distribution Company. These amounts represent the mandatory 25 percent bid value for the companies.

Similarly, Vigeo Consortium , the preferred bidder for Benin Distribution Company had paid $32.25 million; Transcorp/Woodrock Consortium, the preferred bidder for Ughelli Power Plc, paid $75 million; CMEC/EUAFRIC Energy JV, the preferred bidder for Sapele Power Plc, paid $50.24 million; Kann Consortium, the preferred bidder for Abuja Distribution Company, paid $41million, while Aura Energy, the preferred bidder for Jos Distribution Company, paid $20.46 million. Also, Mainstream Energy Limited the preferred bidder for Kainji Power Plc, paid $59.46 million, while Sahelian SPV, the preferred bidder for Kano Distribution Company paid $34.25 million.

The other bidders include Amperion Power Company Limited, the preferred bidder for Geregu Power Plc, which paid $33 million. Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Company, the preferred bidder for Ibadan and Yola Distribution Companies, which paid $42.25 million and $14.75 million for Ibadan and Yola Discos respectively; NEDC/KEPCO, the preferred bidder for Ikeja Distribution Company, which paid $32.75 million and West Power and Gas, the preferred bidder for Eko DistributionCompany, which paid $33.75 million.

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Oil & People

Why proposed EU oil, gas anticorruption law is good for Nigeria

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HE European Union (EU) recent decision to enact a law that will make oil, gas, mining and logging firms declare payments to governments, as part of efforts to end poverty in resource-rich nations is good for our country.

The EU law mandates companies to report payments at project as well as country level, beginning at a threshold of 100,000 Euros ($130,600). The new arrangement establishes rules ensuring that these companies disclose payments to governments (e.g. taxes on profits, royalties, and license fees) on a country and project basis where payments have been attributed to specific projects.

Oil and gas resources are often located in countries with high disposition of corruption.

Revenues from the sector are too often vulnerable to corruption and mismanagement, the oil and gas industries have the potential to bring great wealth to countries if they are managed properly. It is a known fact that the Nigerian oil and gas industry in particular, had acted in ways that were inconceivable, Oil rig corrupt and embarrassingly inefficient for much too long.

The EU agreement goes For example, Nigeria scored further than the U.S. law 27 out of a maximum 100 marks and is listed 139 of 176 (Dodd-Frank Act) in that it countries on Transparency includes the logging sector International’s corruption and covers large unlisted EU companies, as well as listed perceptions index of 2012.

The nature of the petroleum firms.

In July 2010, the U.S. industry makes it a natural Congress passed Section 1504 focus for enforcement of the Dodd-Frank Act, a authorities from developed requiring economies. Perhaps, this law measure may act as gradation to companies registered with the complaints of weak Securities and Exchange transparent regime in the Commission (SEC) to publicly proposed Petroleum Industry report how much they pay governments for access to oil, Bill (PIB).

•FELIX AYANRUOH felix.ayanruohlaw@gmail.com

gas and minerals. It is a powerful tool that allows investors to properly assess risk and citizens to see the value placed on their natural resources.

Together with the U.S. rules, the EU rules will cover 90 percent of the world’s major international extractive companies. The disclosure requirements will act as catalyst for change in developing countries. Citizens and local communities in resource-rich countries will

finally be to know what their governments are being paid by international oil companies for exploiting oil and gas fields, mineral deposits and forests.

The agreement will bring in a new era of transparency to an industry which is far too often shrouded in secrecy and help stem the tide of tax evasion and corruption as well as create the framework so both companies and governments can be held accountable on the use of revenues from natural resources.

Existing EU Accounting Directive regulates the information provided in the financial statements of all limited liability companies which are registered in the European Economic Area (EEA). The same disclosure requirement has been incorporated in the proposal to revise the Transparency Directive in order to include all companies which are listed on EU regulated markets even if they are not registered in the EEA and incorporated in a third country.

The proposed law will in conjunction with the UK’s anti – bribery act, the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and Section 1504 of the Dodd – Frank Act have serious consequences for corporations carrying on business in the hydrocarbon industry globally.

Corporations involved in bribery committed by persons performing services for or on their behalf anywhere in the world will be mandated by these laws to report such payments to the relevant reporting authorities. This reporting requirement may in some circumstances apply to joint venture relationships which are of course commonplace in the oil and gas industry.

PIB: Asiodu seeks immediate re-negotiation of PSCs

BY MICHAEL EBOH

A

former Chief Economic Adviser and Petroleum Minister, Mr. Philip Asiodu, has called on the Federal Government to immediately commence the re-negotiation of fiscal provisions in deep offshore Production Sharing Contracts, PSC, while the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, is been awaited.

“There is a suggestion in some government circles that decisions on auctioning of concessions blocks, renewal of Oil Mineral Leases, among others, must await the passage of PIB. This is a wrong approach.

“I can see no rational explanation for not negotiating within the existing contracts to optimize

Nigeria’s revenue up to the targets hoped for in PIB, while waiting for it to become law,” Asiodu said while delivering the keynote address at the 6th annual Nigerian Association for Energy Economic, NAEE, international conference in Lagos.

He maintained that there are many good things, similar to what the PIB hopes to achieve, which can be accomplished through negotiation and by acting with existing laws.

He disclosed that the PSCs executed in 1993 had three reopener conditions which include the re-negotiation of the fiscal terms if the price of oil rose to US$20 per barrel; if mega discoveries were made of reserves above 500 million barrels and after 10

years of the first contract.

He noted that the US$20 per barrel threshold was reached in the year 2000, reserves of 500 million was achieved within seven years by a few consortia while the 10-year date of the first contract elapsed in 2003.

“In the end, whatever the wishes of a nation in global competition to attract investment and partners in progress, it can only conclude internationally competitive contracts and must demonstrate a habit of respecting such contracts,” he noted.

He bemoaned the fact that promoters of gas-based industries have been engaging in futile discussions with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and the authorities in the sector for

over 10 years over appropriate pricing for gas.

He disclosed that in such situations, the country is driving investment to more investment-friendly countries, which are increasing on a yearly basis.

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e pointed out that the problems affecting the country’s oil and gas sector are the same problems which have over the years impacted negatively on all aspects of the national life.

According to him, things will only begin to improve if the government and national leadership will undergo a revolutionary change and embrace all the aspects of good governance.

“Eighteen months of sustained good governance will put Nigeria on

irreversible path to wealth, stability and greatness,” he maintained.

Continuing, Asiodu said, “The smoothest and least traumatic scenario is for the incumbent President, Dr, Goodluck Jonathan, with the authority derived from a universally acclaimed election to assume that role of imposing good governance in all aspects of our nation during the next two year.

“To this end, these entails: the rule of law; efficient and prompt administration of justice; predictability, objectively and consistency in government measures; respect for sanctity of contracts; imposing discipline and coordination in fixing salaries and allowances of all political office holders, among others.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013 — 29

Ikate residents flay PHCN for poor services

BY SEBASTINE OBASI

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OME Lagos resi dents under the aegis of Ikate Community Development Area, CDA, have complained of neglect and poor services by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, in the area.

In a petition to the Business Manager, PHCN Orile Business District, dated April 12, 2013, which was obtained by Vanguard, the residents decried the failure of PHCN to deploy pre-paid meters in the area, deliberate refusal to read old meters, distribution of outrageous bills, and erratic supply of electricity due to the recent connection of 16 additional streets to the Babalola feeder.

According to the community, their leaders met with the management of the District in 2012, on the deployment of pre-paid meters, and it was agreed that PHCN would distribute same.

The distribution com-

menced in June 2012, but only a few houses were given the pre-paid meters, whilst the larger parts of the community are yet to get the meters.

Upon enquiries, they were informed that PHCN had to stop the distribution of the meters due to a directive from above. However, the management promised that the marketing officers would do physical reading of the old meters to accurately determine the actual amount consumed.

Contrary to the agreement, the community alleged that the marketing officers refused to do physical reading of the houses with the old meters, but goes about entering the houses of residents to count their appliances, makes monetary demands on residents with threats of disconnection.

The community also alleged that PHCN continued to distribute bills on an incremental basis without reading the

meters. They argued that under the new tariff, the new rate should be N12.87 for one unit of energy, and as such, the highest consumption for an average residential building cannot exceed 400 units of energy in a month, which amounts to N5,148 including the N500.00 monthly fixed charge and value added tax, VAT. The residents also accused PHCN of the failure to provide regular or constant power supply to back up the outrageous bills being distributed.

For example, in the month of March 2013, the aggregate of power supply was less than 50 hours. “Yet PHCN comes up with bills of over N10,000 per consumer living in areas where electricity supply had been abysmally erratic,” they claimed.

The residents said they currently depend heavily on the use of generators, and so find it absurd that the PHCN should serve them with outrageous bills.

PHCN preferred bidders get certificates

BY NOEL ONOJA

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UCCESSOr compa nies of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), yesterday got their certificates after having successfully paid the statutory 25 percent initial bid fee to commence the take-over of the companies at the occasion of the Presidential Power Reform Transaction Signing Ceremony (PPRTSC) in Abuja.

The event, which had President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the Vice President Namadi Sambo, and other industry captains in attendance was described by the Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo, as ground-breaking; “This ceremony represents a major milestone in the government’s power reform initiative, as you will agree with me, and to the credit of my predecessor in office, we have made great strides and have recorded major success in the achievement of the power reform.”

Recall that after the bidding process conducted by the Bureau for Public Enterprise (BPE), 15 successor companies

emerged as preferred bidders including ten (10) Generating Companies (GenCos) and five (5) Distribution Companies (DisCos) who paid up 25 percent the initial bid prices for which they have received certificate for; these companies are also expected to the balance of 75 percent within the next six months.

Nebo identified some of the challenges cur-

rently facing the sector reforms to include overlapping due to the unprecedented size and scope of the reform programme, and also the outstanding unresolved labour issues.

He, however, pointed out that the “Resolution of the labour issues is at an advanced stage; we expect to conclude all labour severance settlement issues before the end of June 2013.

Total holds 2nd biennial CSR conference

BY NOEL ONOJA

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OTAL Upstream Company of Nigeria (TUCN) has held its second biennial corporate social responsibility conference (CSR) tagged “creating value for our stakeholders”.

The conference which was held in Abuja was aimed at addressing issues around creating value through local content development, capacity building, partnerships, local economic development, arts, culture and national development.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director/

CEO, Total, Mr. Guy Maurice, told participants that he believed the oil industry in Nigeria should act as a catalyst for the overall development of the economy and one of the ways to do that is to create value for all stakeholders.

“The upstream and downstream sectors of the oil industry are a long process chain of activities requiring various participants and expertise; this in turn generates activities in the manufacturing, transport, distribution, retail and other sub sectors of the economy,

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

‘Formulate policies to stimulate renewable energy’

BY MICHAEL EBOH

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HE Federal Government should formulate policies to galvanize the renewable energy sector of the economy and save Nigerians from the effect of the over N100 billion investment on generators by individuals and organizations in the country, said Mr. Bode Adefolu, Chief Executive Officer, Folub Eletrik Servz a power and renewable energy company.

According to him, average homes in our country now generate power for their consumption with different sizes and ratings of generators, while the government who is supposed to resolve this worrisome situation, is compounding this, by powering the street lights with diesel generators every night across the country.

“Factories survive on generators to be in business, offices are constantly running generators to keep operations alive. Banks are not absolved of these resources-draining activities, while the telecommunication service companies run with about 40,000 base stations scattered across the country with each station having a minimum of two diesel generators, which translate to 80,000 diesel generators discharging

carbon to the environment,” he stated.

Adefolu, in a paper titled, ‘Spending more on fuel to kill our environment,’ lamented the over-dependence on fossil fuel, despite its attendant damage to the environment, saying it is time that the country traced its steps and concentrate on other sources of power that will not be costly and which will be readily available for use.

He disclosed that the Federal Government is paying lip service to the development of renewable energy, and called on the

government to compel companies to use renewable energy as their alternative source of power generation.

He said, “It is sad to note that the telecommunication companies are not compelled to look for clean alternative power for the base stations by our government and regulatory bodies, when in other climes this is a norm for them to operate.

“One can imagine the immense benefits to the country, if all the street lights in this country are powered by solar and not diesel generators and if all our homes use renewable source of power.

“The government of the day must, as a matter of urgency,

make it a point of duty to enforce the use of renewable energy by certain parastatals like power, works, energy, and housing, while it should encourage others like communications, health and education to use it as well.”

Adefolu maintained that certain incentives should be put in place for anybody going off the grid to use alternative power source as it is been done in other climes.

According to him, the Solar Energy Society of Nigeria, Council for Renewable Energy of Nigeria as well as other renewable energy agencies should be consulted, challenged, as well as supported in formulating policies to galvanize the renewable energy sector of the economy. This is undisputed another goldmine for the economy.

From left: Dr. Lambert Aikhiovbare, Managing Director, Ehimade Nigeria Ltd; Mr. Goodluck Adagbasa, Manager, Deepwater Production Geoscience, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited and Mrs. Rita Umoren, Manager, Government and Public Affairs, Mobil Producing Nigeria during the Train-the-Trainer Workshop sponsored by ESSO, in Ibadan.

Addax Petroleum restates commitment to Nigerian Content

BY MICHAEL EBOH

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DDAX Petroleum Development (Nigeria) Limited has restated its commitment to the promotion of the local content initiative of the Federal Government.

Speaking at its celebration of the third anniversary of Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industr y, Mr. Cornelius Zegeelar, Senior Vice President/Managing Director, Addax Petroleum, said the company has over the years encouraged the development of local capacity in Nigeria as parts of its contribution to Nigeria’s economic development.

He stated that the company has complied fully with the requirements of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, and is currently building local capacity and competencies in the oil and gas sector.

Zegeeler, who was speaking on the theme of the celebration, titled, ‘Developing Nigerian Content: It all begins with you,’ maintained that the company is contributing positively to community development, youth empowerment, increasing indigenous participation in the oil and gas sector and is helping create linkages to other sectors of the economy.

He added that the company is determined to encourage Nigeria’s economy diversification, improving the education sector, empowering community youth, developing manpower, developing skills for young persons and implementing vocational training.

He said, “task of National Content Development and nation building does not lie with just the International Oil Companies, IOCs, or NCDMB. We all have a role

to play.

“The theme is about taking personal responsibility towards the realization of the national content goals of human capital development and national capacity building.

H

e highlighted Addax’s Nigerian content achievements to include; full compliance to all NCDMB tendering & contracting requirement; history of utilizing competent Nigerian contractors even on very complex projects; youth development initiatives & community projects aimed at empowering youths in our areas of operations; vendor development initiatives and an increased focus in the training and development of its employees.

Speaking via a live feed, Mr. Ernest Nwapa, Executive Secretary, NCDMB, commended the company for its commitment to the development of

the Nigerian Content initiative.

He said the NCDMB will continue to continue to support the company, ensuring that it operates without disturbances or any form of hindrance.

Nwapa, however, advised the company to continually partner and work with the community so that its impact will be felt in the community and the country in general.

Also speaking, Mr. Tunde Adelana, Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, NCDMB, said the NCDMB Act has helped create about 30,000 jobs in oil and gas industry and has also helped revive vast majority of local companies and industries that were either dying or redundant.

He stated that the celebration presents an opportunity to reassess the progress of the Nigerian Content initiative, thus far, in view of the impact of the policy on the economy.

BRIEF

PPPRA secretary, others win NAEE award

BY EDIRI EJOH AND WILLIAM JIMOH

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HE incumbent Executive Secretary of Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) Mr. Reginald Stanley has emerged one of this year’s National Association for Energy Economics (NAEE) award winners.

Speaking at the dinner and award nite in Lagos, the president of the association, Professor Adeola Adenikinju, said they are giving out the award to the winners in recognition of their contributions to the development of NAEE and Nigeria at large, adding that it is an honour well deserved.

Responding to the honour, Stanley, expresses his gratitude towards the NAEE’s, adding that it remains one of the non-profit organization of business in the country that have not been polluted.

He said he will continue to support the Goodluck Jonathan-led administration in its strife to ensure that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is passed for the national good.

Stanley said “I am very happy for this award and I can tell you frankly that you still have a high level of integrity, you are respected for what you are.

“We are fully aligned to the president’s reform agenda and Mr. President should expect 100 percent support from us.”

He said he is determined in his present assignment, to ensure positive public perception of an organization which has struggled to enjoy public approbation over the years.

Among others awarded at the event are, Professor Omowumi Iledare, the first African president elect of the International Association for Energy Economics(IAEE) and a renowned energy economics professor for achiever award, just as distinguished public service award was won by Dr. Timothy Okon, Group Coordinator, Corporate Planning and Strategy, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Vanguard , TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013 — 31

By Theodore Opara

Porche Centre unveils Panamera Platinum Edition T

HE Porsche Centre Lagos has unveiled the latest model of Porche Panamera, also known as the Platinum edition. The Panamera Platinum edition is competitely priced with the price starting from N22.5 million. Mr. Michael Wagner, Brand Manager, Porsche Centre Lagos who made this pronouncement in Lagos recently said prospective customers who drive home any of the Panamera unit will be privilege to go on a guarded tour to the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, Germany with a business class return ticket.

Also, as part of the incentive, Mr. Wagner said the customers will be shown round Porsche Travel Club Black Forest Day and offered three nights’ accommodation at Radisson Hotel, Stuttgart.

He also added that customers can alternatively get an option of 24 carat gold plated Porsche Blackberry phone with the customer’s name engraved on it. Porsche has steadily been bolstering its Panamera line since the car was first introduced, adding models like the V6 , Hybrid and GTS. Wagner said that Porche is targetting more market share with the Platinum edition which is priced N10 million less than the V8 version of the Panamera.

Also available as convincing overall Panamera 4, the Platinum exterior appearance.

Edition stands out with its Customers would also subtle, independent delight in the many design features in frequently requested platinum silver metallic extras that now come as combined and expanded standard equipment in the standard features with Platinum Edition. exclusive details. For instance, the lower half of the side view mirrors, the air-inlet grille lamellas; the air vent grille on the side which is designed specifically for the turbo ETERMINED to model with the trim on the take the fight against trunk lid and the rear fake and adulterated diffuser are all in platinum lubricants and silver metallic.

This is in addition to the transmission fluids to the of real interplay with one of the doorsteps automobile consumers, Edition’s five exterior finish colours that results leading engine oil and in an especially lubes producers have stands to harmonious and elegant booked showcase the best in the appearance.

The solid exterior sector at the Federal colours are offered in Palace Hotel, Victoria black or white with the Island, Lagos; venue of th options of metallic basalt the forthcoming 8 Lagos nd black, metallic carbon Motor Fair and 2 Autoparts Expo Nigeria. grey and metallic The lube giants heading mahogany lacquer for the show include: finishes. The black glossy finish used for the side Mobil [Mobil 1 and allied window strips creates a products]; Oando [Oleum

TNL, Globe, Weststar win TD Awards

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The debutant also comes with the automatically dimming interior and exterior mirrors that reduce glare from traffic behind you, and the 19-inch Panamera Turbo alloy wheels with red, black and

gold Porsche crest that highlights the sporty elegance of the vehicle.

That’s not all; the new black/luxor beige bicolour combination also creates an especially sumptuous interior

ambience and exclusively for the Panamera Platinum Edition is a part-leather interior package which comes as standard with a full optional leather package.

Lube producers take contest to Lagos Motor show D range of products], Performance Enhancing Products Limited (PEPCO) with its range of Bardahl products.

Others include: Ascon Oil limited [Motion plus ranges, Transguard and automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF}, Coin Ventures Limited [Pure Guard range of products] and, Lubcon limited with Lubcon products.

The companies believe that “a strategic platform as the 8th Lagos Motor fair offers is very ample for them to demonstrate to Nigerians the differences between

the genuine and faked products.

Vanguard Motoring gathered that more companies in the lube sector are finalising their participation. “ Virtually, all known names are indicating interest and foreign companies are even coming in their large numbers too.”

Meanwhile, over 50 Original Equipment Manufacturers [OEM] of automobile spare parts from Turkey , China , India , Germany and South Korea have booked space at the event which is fast becoming the

fastest growing auto fair in Africa. These companies have resolved to keep faith with their potential and existing customers as they have packaged series of offers ranging from budget cars to good pricing, special fair rebates and promotions, responsive customer care services and lots of supporting benefits for their customers so as to keep on driving the car on their dream. All these they promised to unveiled at the show ground”.

Agwu said, adding that no fewer than 20,000 visitors would grace the event.

LOBE Motors Holdings, Weststar Associates Limited and Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL) were among winners at the maiden annual edition of the Nigeria Transport Awards held at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. Globe Motors Holdings, an auto marketing company established in 1984, is a dealer in Toyota and Mercedes Benz vehicles as well as a distributor of Hyundai commercial vehicles. The company which also consult in other brands, won the prize of Most Outstanding Auto Company in After-Sales.

Speaking during the event, the Managing Director of Globe Motors, Mr. Victor Oguamalam, who accepted the award on behalf of his company, stated that the award would spur his company to do more in delivering even better services to its numerous customers cutting across different parts of the country.

Toyota Nigeria Limited which is the sole authorised distributor of Toyota vehicles in Nigeria with eight accredited dealers, was given an award as the Most Transparent Auto Company. According to the organisers, TNL was given the award based on its transparent dealings in its business transactions.

32—Vanguard , TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

Coin Ventures takes three unique car care products to Lagos Motor fair •Omni •Johnsen • Freezetone C

OIN Ventures Ltd, representatives of three leading America’s car care products, is storming the 8th Lagos Motors show with a whole range of products from their partners.

Coin Ventures represents Omni specialty packaging world producers of quality ATF and engine oil, Technical Chemical Company, makers of Johnsen Car care products as well as Freezetone products Inc., renowned producers of vehicle coolants and radiators additives.

Speaking to Vanguard Motoring on their participation, the managing director, Coin Ventures, Engineer Ike Okafor explained that the motor show and spare parts expo would offer his company the opportunity to educate their customers and motorists on the importance and

application of premium car care products like theirs.

“We will have direct contact with our existing customers and visitors at the fair ground to educate them on the use of quality products like Omni, Johnsen and Freetone products which will no doubt prolong the life span of their vehicles.

The Coin Ventures boss who is also a Catholic Knight explained Chief Okafor, a West Virginia University, USA, trained engineer, who retired from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, as Executive Director, explained that his passion for the automobile industry and the quest to offer worldclass products at affordable price led to research for the three brands.

“I have watched with pains, what people go through as a result of using low quality care

care products which often times leads to breakddown on the road and loss of investment in the car, hence, we have decided to offer these world-class products to Nigeria,” he said.

Continuing he said, “Out of interest and passion for the automobile industry, I decided to offer something unique and different to ensure

trouble-free motoring for my fellow countrymen,” he added. “As a petroleum engineer and with many years experience in the lubricant industry, I searched for products that have good Research and Development in the various categories and settled with the three that we are bringing to Nigerians.” _” According to him, price

was not the attraction in settling for them, but quality at the long run.

Although, the Coin Ventures boss said that profit was important but not key in the selection of their products.

The Coin Ventures boss remarked”that a typical United States company, would not cut corners to make profit hence, the product they bring to Nigeria is of the same

quality and standard with the ones in the American market.”

“The products I bring, are of the same quality urith the ones in the United States and Europe. They are certifiedoby”NAFDAC and I stake my integrity and honour as a Knight and American trained engineer in bringing the products,” he stated.

Lagos Assembly tasks NURTW on drivers' conduct

BY EBUN SESSOU

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HE Lagos State House of Assembly has advised the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTN) to set up a task force that would arrest, discipline and prosecute any driver that violate the rules and regulations of the Union.

Chairman, House Committee on Transportation, Commerce and Industries, Bisi Yusuf said this

during an interactive meeting with the Leadership of the Union at the Assembly Complex. Yusuf observed that within and outside the garages and parks, illegal possession of guns, selling of alcohol, violation of traffic law, indiscriminate parking to pick passengers as well as pollution of the environment especially urinating publicly have become the norms among commercial vehicle drivers, hence, an

Internal Task Force should be in place to arrest any erring member.

“We want to appreciate the effort of the new management team of the union in reducing crime rate at motor parks and garages. We are appealing to you to do more as the House wants you to intensify effort in arresting some bad eggs among you,” he stated.

Continuing, he said, “I want you to realize that

the State Government cannot do it alone, except you collaborate government effort at ensuring that the behaviours of your members are checkmated”.

The lawmaker also frowned at dirty condition of the motor parks, describing them as appalling and disheartens citing Alagba by OrileAgege Motor Park as an example.

Vanguard , TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013—33

By Theodore Opara

I

NDICATIONS that Toyota Nigeria Limited, (TNL) representatives of Toyota Motor Corporation is concluding plans for the setting up of a Toyota assembly plant in Nigeria emerged recently at the launch of the all-new Toyota RAV4 in Nigeria.

Chairman Toyota Nigeria Limited, Chief Michael Ade Ojo while speaking at the unveiling of the all-new Toyota RAV4 at Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja said that the company is giving serious consideration to the plan.

“This is a very serious thought. It is a serious plan that should materialise by the grace of God as soon as most of the conditions are met”, he said.

Although Chief Ade Ojo could not categorically state when the plant would be built, he said the company was currently carrying out a survey to obtain necessary data that would lead to the setting up of the plant, pointing out that the actualisation of the plan would depend on a number of factors.

Though the Toyota Nigeria boss could not disclose the factors under consideration, it is believed that the issue of infrastructure, security, patronage and protection, as well as exchange rate would be among the factors.

He said: “When we get most of the things required, I can assure you, we will get an assembly plant in Nigeria. It should be recalled that Toyota has for more than a decade, dominated the imported car chart into the country with average of 20,000 brand new cars imported annually. It is also believed that more than this figure comes in as grey import."

Speaking on the all-new Toyota RAV4, Chief Ade Ojo outlined the attributes of the compact sports utility

TNL planning Toyota plant in Nigeria — Ade Ojo vehicle which has dominated its class in the last two decades.

Continuing, he said: "There was no gain-saying the fact that the rich history of this model already imbues it with treasure house of attributes, peculiar only to all its siblings in our model line up.

“From its upgraded, trendier exterior, to its spacious interior design, the latest model of RAV4 will readily arouse in its freaks a driving pleasure, unparalleled in its class.

Indeed, it is a remarkable package of safety, comfort and performance in equal proportion” he said, adding that the all new RAV4 will not only fulfill

your mid SUV expectations, it will avail you value for your hard earned money.”

“Needless to say that the drive to surpass the expectations of our esteemed customers at all times is what stimulates us to continually push the

TALLION Motors and Dana Motors, are gunning for the Nissan and Renault brands in Nigeria. Unconfirmed report said that while Stallion has taken franchise for the Nissan brand, Dana Motors, representatives of Kia brand in Nigeria has sealed a deal to takeover the Renault brand.

The Nissan and Renault brands are represented in Nigeria by automotive giant, CFAO Group which before now

controls over seven brands in Nigeria. It has also been gathered that Kewalram, which deals on Mitsubishi with CFAO Automotive is making frantic effort to take full control of the Mitsubishi brand in Nigeria, thereby leaving the CFAO automotive group with very few franchises, especially Chinese brands. The CFAO automotive Group has for many decades dominated the Nigerian automotive industry but the recent

unveiling, the managing director, Toyota Nigeria Limited, Mr. C.K. Thampy described the launch as another milestone in the history of the company.

“I am delighted to see you all this evening when we mark the official introduction of the all-new

RAV4 into the Nigerian market. Today would go down as another milestone in the history of our company and I am indeed very happy that all of you are here today to add dignity to this historic moment,” he said.

Chinese Mayor leads trade delegation to 8th Lagos Motor Fair M

R. Gui Guangli, Deputy Mayor of Changchun Municipal People’s Government, Jilin Province of the People’s Republic of China is leading a Trade Delegation from the

Stallion, Dana, Kewalram go for Nissan, Renault, Mitsubishi

S

borderlines of technology to the benefit of all stakeholders in the industry, hence, our gathering at this historic moment to usher in another trailblazer, the all new generation RAV4, tonight,” he said.

Also speaking at the

development would no doubt affect its hold on the industry if it loses the franchise for these major brands especially Nissan and Mitsubishi.

The CFAO Group markets IVECO Commercial Vehicles, Peugeot, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Renault and few Chinese brands. But the recent development would leave it with slow moving brands in the Nigerian market since the Peugeot brand is already struggling to find its feet on the Nigeria market.

Province to the 8th Lagos Motor Fair and Autoparts Expo Nigeria schedule for Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, from May 10-16, 2013.

The visit which was facilitated by one of the new entrants into the fair, First Automobile Works [FAW] of China through its Nigerian office is aimed at demonstrating the desire of the automobile giant to make a lasting positive impact in the Nigerian automotive industry.

Mr. Guangli who is also the Head Economic and Trade Delegation of Chang Chung City will be attending the event with major players in the automotive business from the Province who are interested in investing in Nigeria especially in the automotive sector.

According to the organisers of the event, this visit which is to

further cement the robust economic relationship between Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China seeks to deploy the wealth of experience and resources of the private and public sector of the province in developing Nigeria’s automotive industry.

Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Agwu, Chairman Organising committee of the auto show said that it was a reward for the hardwork by his team since the inception of the event seven years ago.

According to him “it did not come as a surprise because we have been strategically working for the fair to gain international recognition and for about three editions now we have been seeing the prayer answered, but I must point out that we are not there yet.”

He commended FAW for the bold initiative and urged other participants to emulate them,

stressing that, developing the event and the international automobile calendar will bring lots of benefits to all stakeholders in the sector.

Mr. Agwu urged State governments and even Local Governments in Nigeria to emulate such as there are vistas of business deals and opportunities they could get from the auto show which they can harness to develop their road transport and automotive business sectors with the attendant multiplier effects on their economy.

Meanwhile the Chairman of the organizing committee has revealed that the 8th Lagos Motor Fair is packaged to ensure that both participants and visitors maximize fully the benefits and potentials that abound in the Nigerian automotive and road transport sector.

34—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

Mba: Gov Uduaghan, please act now – a rejoinder

Delta State emerged second overall best, even though the Ministry of Education has more statutory responsibilities in this regards, the Sports Commission only providing technical and supportive roles.

The Delta State Government initiated a sports summit in the month of October last year where members of the sporting press, stakeholders, ex-internationals and experts brainstormed and aggregated ideas to move sports forward in Nigeria. It is this summit that formed a template which other developmental programmes revolve.

A two-month athletics pro-

BY AMAJU MELVIN PINNICK

T

HE business of news gath ering and dissemination, if left in the hands of the Patrick Omorodions of this world, will earn the practitioners an odious reputation, which is reminiscent of the infamous era of tokenism and unethical tirade. It should not be so, not in the 21st Century, as facts remain sacred.

Writing this rejoinder, in reaction to an article with the abovementioned caption is not to dignify the writer. Rather, it is intended to put the records straight, jettison the impunity of half truths and entrench a culture of developmental journalism that does not thrive on ambush and cheap blackmail.

The author of the article in question, in his sports guard column of Vanguard of December 16, 2012 we can vividly recall, did accuse the Delta State Government of buying up already-made athletes to win national sports festival, lacking in grassroots sports development and canvassing for open sports festival to pave way for their elite athletes in Europe and America to compete and win, among others. We proudly canvassed for open sports festival because that is supposed to be the Nigeria’s version of the Olympics where elite sports form the basis of our participation and appearance in international sporting competitions like the Olym-

Map of Delta State

writer is not only throwing tantrums but deliberately carrying out a campaign of calumny with intent to denigrate, smear, abuse and diminish the visible developmental strides achieved in the sports arena by the Delta State Government.

The setting up of the Sports Commission in Delta State was a mission that was accomplished after months and years of painstaking legislation and rigorous bureaucratic processes. Today, the high and low have come to appreciate the paradigm shift which thrive on the policy of local content as exemplified in the practical approach to sports development by the administrators. If Miss Ese Brume, a student discovered at St. Theresa’s

Sports have brought about the desired peace in Delta State. The finger of God is in the State. It is only those with sinister motives that pretend to look at it from the other way

,

pics and the Commonwealth Games.

The National Sports Festival as it is now only encourage junior and intermediate sports while there is no relationship and defined transition between the juniors and intermediates on one hand, and between the intermediate and senior categories (elite) on the other hand. So, whether close or open sports festival, Delta State, with its sequence of programmes will always finish in a comfortable position as the structure of the Sports Commission had made it so.

While we took exception to the said article of last year, we maintained a dignified silence because it was golden to do so. We also believed that at the appropriate time, we would respond with facts and figures while consigning the vituperations of the columnist to the dustbin of yellow journalism.

In calculated ambiguity, every discerning mind knows that the

,

Grammar School, Ughelli (and now a Diploma student of UNIBEN) and Master Oduduru Divine of West-end Mixed Secondary School, Asaba amongst others who are products of grassroots initiatives have both become sensation in sprints and jump in today’s Nigeria, one cannot help but conclude that the author is up to some sort of mischief, using his column in the newspaper to fan the embers of disunity and also misinform the reading public.

The Delta State Sports Commission is patterned after the Chinese Model, where athletes are discovered, nurtured, conditioned and mentored; such that at any given competitive sports, a medal is sure to be won. While not sounding immodest, the hope of Nigeria picking a medal in the Olympics in the next 12 years lie on Delta State. This is so because the technical directorate of the Sports Commission concentrate on catchment areas as it relate to

Delta State governor, Uduaghan

the geographical/topographical terrain of athletes. For instance, swimmers have been discovered in the riverine areas of Torugbene and Obiaruku, wrestlers in remote Ijaw villages, cyclists in Agbor, Athletics and other sports have their catchment areas in the State. It is therefore no fluke when such athletes, after the necessary exposure, go on and on to win medals for the State and Nigeria. For instance, in the last sports festival held in Lagos which Delta State won in an unprecedented manner, 24 gold medals were garnered in swimming out of the 40 gold medals available in that sports.

High quality discovery In the just-concluded Africa Youth Athletics Championship (AYAC) held in Warri where 36 countries participated, about 40% of the athletes that represented Nigeria were from Delta State.

Of this 40%, 95% won medals generally, including the seven that accounted for the 13 gold medals won by Nigeria in the championship. Giving credence to the high quality discovery of athletes by the Delta State Sport Commission. The athletes are all products of grassroots development programmes and will no doubt form the bed rock of athletes that will represent the country in future.

In the last secondary school games held in Port Harcourt,

gramme christened the “Awoture Eleyae Athletic Championship” is around the corner in Delta State.

The programme, segmented into the Junior, Intermediate and Senior categories will start at the ward level to the local government levels and then to the senatorial levels.

It is both developmental, futuristic and basically a catch-themyoung initiative respectively while the senior category is majorly for mentoring or role modelling. Star athletes in the mould of Blessing Okagbare, Oghooghene Egwero et al will act as role models, while competing for their Local Government Areas.

From feelers, youths are warming up seriously for the forthcoming championship, to up the ante and possibly out-class the record set by the Odudurus in the African Youth Athletics Championship.

The Delta State Government cannot, must not and should not be faulted for funding sports.

The Government, ipso facto, has no regret doing this. Sports has taken the youths off the Streets, minimize crime and given direction and hope to the teeming population. The Delta State Sports Industry has generated employment opportunities and offered succour to thousands of people.

In terms of organization, Delta State is reputed for her professionalism, panache and finesse. The umbrella body of Athletics in Africa (CAA) were in awe of the organizational process displayed in

Warri and gave a verdict that the quality of AYAC could pass for the Elite Championships, even with the state of infrastructure at the Warri City Stadium. Similarly, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in the past had propounded similar view.

On Sunday Mba, it is amazing and preposterous that people can throw decorum to the winds to achieve their selfish interests. To further debase this noble pen profession, the author chastised Pa John Ojidoh, an 86-year-old wheel chair sports administrator for his comments on the Sunday Mba saga. Today, Pa Ojidoh and indeed all right thinking stakeholders are vindicated, whether or not it took the authorities of the Nigeria Football Federation (NF) time to give their verdict on the ownership of Sunday Mba. Agreed that Bruce Ijirigho is a proponent of grassroots sports revolution, it is not the character of the Delta State government through the Sports Commission to deprive one of her own from seeking greener pastures, within or outside the country. Truth to tell, we share useful ideas together till this moment, which shows that we are still bonded. Endurance Ojokolo, another Deltan is working for the Rivers State Government. There is mobility of labour, as people move to places they consider as ‘comfort zones’.

It is myopic, uncivilized and petty to think otherwise.

Pitiable figure Without mincing words, a Patrick Omorodion cut a pitiable figure of a fellow on a failed mission, deserted by pay masters and desperately seeking relevance by using ‘sports guard’ column as a platform. Constructive criticism is a veritable tool in governance which to all intents and purposes, help the cause of good service delivery to the people.

It is instructive to at this point advise Patrick Omorodion to tow the line of caution, civility and professionalism so that the organization he represents (which in our estimation is a tabloid of substance) is not caught in the web of libel. Some persons and their employers might not be patient enough. It would be unfortunate through the carelessness of an individual writer cause Vanguard newspaper to pay legal fees when the former seek legal redress.

When governments deliver on their promises, they should not be crucified or vilified. The Delta State Government welcome ideas from all and sundry, to make the society a better place for citizens, investors and the general public. Sports have brought about the desired peace in Delta State. The finger of God is in the State. It is only those with sinister motives that pretend to look at it from the other way.

Vanguard Vanguard,,

TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013 — 35

YOUR LUCK TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

GEMINI; This is not the right time for you to either gamble with money or take friends for granted. Secret lovers may be in for an exciting day.

CANCER; Success is within your reach, although you will need to seek all important supports of the influential people around you. Be more loving.

LEO; The more ambitious you are today the better for your cause. And here is a good day to plan for the future but you must do away with whatever can not be placed above board. Yong-at-heart among you may be in for a romantic day.

VIRGO; Even if you are tempted to gamble by whoever and/or whatsoever reason you must resist it or else you would be the loser. Being aggressive may help

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

I

AM sure virtually everyone knows the literal meaning of the word ‘truth’. However, truth in this piece transcends the ordinary meaning.

The word of God made us to under-

Obeying the truth stand that there is only one truth who is the life, the way and the resurrection.

Anyone that subscribe to this truth shall find life in abundance. He shall

be like the salt of the earth and the light of the world. His blessings shall be like the stars of the firmament. This truth is self-evident. It cannot be detracted

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye”

from. At every material time, this truth remains constant.

And every person including nations, that subscribes to this truth prospers.

Come, reconcile yourself to the truth today.

SHALLOM!

By Lanre Kehinde

LIBRA; Provided you are willing to co-operate with others things will not go out of hands but exhibition of inordinate ambition can earn you avoidable trouble.

SCORPIO; Element of luck will assist you. Those of you who are more hard working will have more positive things to show for your efforts. Take care of your health.

SAGITTARIUS; Many natives of this Zodiac sign will be excited either because of romantic interest within your working arena or practical advancement at work.

CAPRICORN; Reason with those you can take as veterans within your base of operation because if you want to force your way without carrying necessary and more experienced people along it would back-fire now or soonest AQUARIUS; The more creative you are the better for your cause. However is typical day when too much expectation can bring disappointment. Be more family minded.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

PISCES; If your priority is financial success you may not be disappointed provided you prepare for a few challenges. For now both your mental energy and physical attributes are enough to win you love not MONEY. Be more receptive.

ARIES; This is your day when both good luck and your personal efforts will bring you success. Try to be as caring as possible to those within your base.

TAURUS; Although there will be challenges at the end of it all you will have genuine cause to smile.

The more secretive you are the better for your cause. This is not the right time to ignore your sex life. Do away with unnecessary argument.

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,

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

When would my time come?

Dear Joshua, I have been following your works in the newspapers for many years and the truth is you are very good. I therefore want your in-depth analysis and tell me about my social life, and the time I am likely to have my much desired break-through in life.

Anonymous Nigeria.

Dear Anonymous, What you will find here-under will answer your questions YOUR SOCIAL LIFE Social life will always bring you attention good luck envy opposition and possibly fame. The best way for you not to be constant loser in the social world is to always study situation practically and know that your finance will not suffer (if it can not be beneficiary) from the setting before taking responsibility.

As for influential friends you will have them but never always take them for granted.

Sudden SUCCESS will come your way during your 42th year on earth and will serve as a breakthrough year you can build great foundation of endless success on. But the same 42th year will bring love related challenges you must manage with all maturity or else it will linger till after your 44th year on earth.

Commen3

by Lawrence Akapa

36—Vanguard , TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

Urhobo advocate indigenous VC for FUPRE

Anioma sets conditions for guber aspirant

BY FESTUS AHON

BY EMMA AMAIZE

U

GHELLI—URHOBO youths, under the auspices of Coalition of Urhobo Youth Organisations, weekend, advocated the appointment of an Urhobo indigene as substantive Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, FUPRE. The group, in a statement

by Mr. Eugene Ighofose, Mr. Anthony Orogun and Mr. Michael Igini and three others, said the appointment of an indigenous Vice Chancellor would stimulate growth, peace and development of the university.

It said: “There is no law in the country which prohibits a VC from working in his area.

“The Urhobo nation feel so marginalised that despite all our contributions to this country in terms of socio-economic and political development, we have been so downgraded and treated like aliens in our land.

“We have a lot of instances where indigenous VCs are working in the areas they came from.

"Federal University of Dutse, Jigawa State, one of

A

SABA—CHAIRMAN of Anioma Agenda in Delta State, Mr. Alex Onwuadiamu, has listed four qualities aspirants from the North Senatorial district must possess to be qualified to run for the governorship race in 2015 as candidate of the ethnic group.

Speaking at UbuluOkiti, Aniocha South Local Government Area, when the group paid a consultation visit to a former commissioner in the state, Chief Clement Ofuani, he said any aspirant interested in flying the flag of the district must be a technocrat, great social engineer, communicator and a great Deltan.

Leaders that attended the meeting were Delta State President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ifeanyichukwu Onwukamike, Sir Vincent Ugbelase, Mr. Mike Eku, Mr. Victor Uchuno, Chief Tony Ogbo, Mr. Oyibosochukwu Nwabueze and Mr. Ojeogbue Nnabuife.

MTN reality TV

the new federal universities, has Prof. Jibrilla Amin from Jigawa State as VC. “Federal University of Technology, Yola, in Adamawa

State, has Prof. Bashir Usman from Adamawa State" The group said there was no federal institution in the country that had ever had an

NLC tasks churches on job creation

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

W

ARRI—DELTA State Chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday, called on religious bodies, especially churches, to go beyond the education sector to building of factories that will create jobs for the unemployed youths across the country.

Chairman of state NLC, Mr. Akporegha Williams, spoke during a church service at World of Life Bible Church, Warri, as part of activities marking this year’s May Day celebration.

Williams said the church should particularly invest in agriculture and textile mill, which he said were high employment generating areas to provide jobs for the teeming unemployed Nigerians.

Williams praised the President of Christian Associa-

tion of Nigeria, CAN, Bishop Ayo Oritsejafor for his efforts at uniting Christians and non-Christians alike for peace to reign in the country.

He said: “While we commend the church’s effort in investing in the educational sector, we call on the church

M

BY JOSEPH ERUNKE

A

BUJA—A group, under the aegis of Ikot Ekpene Patriotic Front for Good Governance, IEPFGG, has described Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State’s recent declaration for the Akwa Ibom North-West senatorial seat as not only hasty but capable of distracting its current occupant,

Senator Aloysius Etok, from delivering democratic dividends to the constituency.

The group condemned last week’s open support for the governor’s ambition by state legislators from the senatorial district, through Mr. Udo Kieran, Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly.

National President of the group, Mr. Akpan Umoh, in

BY GODWIN OGHRE

S

APELE—NO fewer than 120 market men and women in Sapele, Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, received small scale business interest-free loan of N100,000 each from Sapele/Okpe Cooperative Society.

The scheme is being pi-

a statement in Abuja, said: “We consider such an action as retrogressive and highly condemnable, because as a performing senator, Aloysius Etok has the right to seek another term in office.

“The lawmakers’ action is desperation on their part to impress their benefactor. This shows that they lack understanding of how democracy works in modern societies.”

loted by the executive of Sapele Community.

The event was chaired by foremost Chartered Accountant in the country, Chief Ede Dafinone.

Chairman of the community, Mr. Moses Ogodo, who disbursed the loans to the recipients, weekend, said the loan was a revolving one.

Also, the Dafinone foundation, a non-governmental body set up in Sapele by the Dafinone family, weekend, graduated its fifth set of skilled men and women trained in catering management, hairdressing and tailoring.

One hundred and fourteen men and women, issued with the foundation’s certificates of training, also went home with starter packs, which include hair driers, sewing machines and cooking utensils.

Fifty-nine of them were trained in catering, 22 in hair dressing and 33 in tailoring.

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

to go beyond the educational sector and invest in agriculture and textile mill, because of their capacities to generate high number of jobs."

The CAN President lauded the leaders of the state NLC for seeking the face of God and prayed God to continue to give them direction.

Dafinone Foundation graduates 5th set

Akpabio's senatorial ambition faulted

TN Business Next Titan has made its debut on national and terrestrial television stations.

Aired for the first time, weekend, the television reality show's 16 selected contestants have been placed in an academy to be supervised and nurtured by seasoned entrepreneurs and international business consultants.

Urhobo indigene as VC or Registrar.

The group said of the 350 senior staff in FUPRE, less than 10 percent were Urhobo.

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

What's your take on rotational presidency?(3)

I

suspect that the many killings in the country are connected to the desire of some people to lay claim to the presidency. Rotational presidency will certainly take care of such issues as all will take their turn.— Miss Blessing Okolie, Teacher.

R

O TAT I O N A L presidency is good for Nigeria and I throw my weight behind it. Reason being that it gives equality to all zones, which makes the presidency a ‘turn-byturn’ issue. That way, there will be no scrabble.— Miss Georgina Christopher, Student.

I

do not think that Nigeria should embark on rotational presidency because that would cause more harm than good. I quite agree that some persons seem to see the issue of presidency as their right. But rotating the office will not work.— Mr. Igwe Ndubuisi, Engineer.

W

HETHER rotational presidency or not, Nigeria needs a sincere leader that is focused and determined to take this country to the next level. Well, if it is the rotational presidency that will bring the person, lets have it.— Mr. Onuigbo Emeka, Engineer.

I

do not agree with having rotational presidency because a particular zone might not have any capable person to occupy the post when it is its turn.

The risk is that any fool can then become President since it is their turn.— Miss Maame Lucina, Student.

H

ONESTLY, one can easily admit that Nigeria needs rotational presidency, going by what is happening. I still believe that giving eligible Nigerians the chance to vote and be voted for is the best type of presidency.— Mrs. Morayo Iyoke, Housewife.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013—37

Navy inaugurates website on crude oil theft

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

A

BUJA—FOLLOWING increased pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the Niger Delta, the Nigerian Navy has inaugurated a website on crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

A statement by Commodore Kabiru Aliyu, Director of Naval Information, said: “This is in furtherance of the directive of President Goodluck Jonathan to the Nigerian Navy to ensure that crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism are wiped out from the nation’s maritime environment.

The website, www.cot.navy.mil.ng provides details relating to exploration, nominations, approvals, movement and trans shipment of petroleum products as promulgated by relevant authorities."

UPF holds congress

BY AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE

W

ARRI—THE Urhobo Peoples Forum, an internet group with membership of over 3, 000 people of Urhobo ancestry, will, on Wednesday, hold its second Urhobo Youth Sovereign Congress, in Uvwiamuge-Agbarho, Delta State.

Mr. Nathanael Dortie, Coordinator of the group, in a statement, yesterday, in Warri, said that the programme was aimed at evolving a development plan that will enhance the employment opportunities of Urhobo youths in the global market place.

IYC suspends zonal chair

T

HE Western zone of Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, has slammed a sixmonth suspension on its chairman, Mr. Preye Okaba, for offences ranging from alleged inability to adequately represent the council, running council’s affair as a personal business and lack of respect for constituted authorities.

In a statement, his deputy, Miyenbai Legbe, was named as acting Chairman.

C M Y K

Edo PDP supporters protest LG polls in ...demand cancellation of polls Estako West

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—HUNDREDS of supporters of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Estako West Local Government Area of Edo State, yesterday, took to the streets of Auchi, the administrative headquarters of the council, in protest over the outcome of the April 20 local government elections in the area.

The protesters, who chanted songs and armed with placards of different inscriptions, marched through the Auchi Polytechnic Road, Igbe Road, Warrake Road, Igarra Road and the Benin-Auchi-Okene Highway but were stopped by soldiers stationed at the entrance to the local government secretariat from gaining entry into the council.

They demanded, among other things, the outright cancellation of the elections held throughout the state, and called for fresh elections.

Chairman of PDP in Estako West, Mr. Baba Idenebomhe and Mr. Sule Asemokhai, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, said that their protest

was to let Nigerians, and indeed the whole world, know that no election took place in Estako West on April 20, insisting that those who were sworn in as chairmen and councilors were not the representatives of the people.

Idenebomhe said: “We are protesting to let Nigerians

know that there was no election here. I want to let you know that election did not take place because we waited at the council secretariat from morning till night, there were no election materials, no result sheets and they brought materials that were incomplete.

“We are calling for the out-

BIRTHDAY THANKSGIVING MASS: Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama (right), and Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Victor Ochei, during the 50th birthday thanksgiving mass of Mrs. Gina Oghenechuvwen, wife of Delta State Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr. Chris Oghenechuvwen, at Iwhrekan, weekend.

N-Delta students demand N150,000 annual assistance

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—COALITION of Niger Delta Students, CONDS, weekend, demanded that students of the region in tertiary institution across the country, who scored a minimum grade point average of 2.5 be paid N150,000 annually by the Ministry of Niger Affairs as Students’ Special Assistance Scheme, SSAS. The student body, in a statement at the end of its quarterly joint executive meeting at Delta State University, Abraka, said the

scheme, if introduced, “ will go a long way to alleviate the sufferings of students from the Niger Delta region in their academic pursuits.”

CONDS, in the statement by its National President, Mr. Israel Uwejeyan and three others, said, “it will also clear the popular belief that it was only by carrying arms that one can get recognised or share from the common wealth of the Niger Delta region.

“If ex-militants in the region can receive like sum or more on a monthly basis, Niger Delta students see no reason why students who

have struggled to achieve the 2.5 grade point in tertiary institutions, despite the harsh economic situation amidst the rich natural endowment of the region, should not be given a minimum of N150,000 annually.

“The leadership and students of the Niger Delta region in tertiary institutions across the nation are willing, prepared and capable to pursue this resolve peacefully and legally to a favourable conclusion as we are tired of sitting and watching while only the violent are rewarded from the common wealth of the region."

Community alleges displacement by oil firm

BY EGUFE YAFUGBOHI

P

ORT HARCOURT— FOUR families in Rumuji, a community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, have declared a showdown with Total Exploration and Production, Total E&P, over alleged demolition of their homes by the oil company, last week.

The families, Ahunwo, Nyeso, Azubudu and Ogbo extended families, claimed that the demolished property were on their lands where Total was planning to build a

right cancellation of the entire election that took place on April 20, because there was no election. What happened was a manipulation of the entire electoral process. We want Nigerians to prevail on Governor Adams Ashiomole to conduct a fresh election that will be free and fair for the people of Edo State.”

new gas station.

Spokesperson for the families, Elder Obed Ogbudu, told Vanguard: “Total did not give any notice. All we saw was a caterpillar demolishing our houses. You can see we are now homeless.”

Youth leader of the families, Mr. Emmanuel Onu, who lost his family house to the demolition, however, explained: “When they approached us, we agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, to be signed with satisfactory compensation before we can vacate our lands.

“But Total failed to honour the normal process and decided to apply force. We are already in court at Isiokpo in a suit No IHC/98/2013 against Total E/P over the land. We were surprised that they came and destroyed our homes and displaced us while we are in court,” he added.

The families, who said they were no longer interested in any agreement with Total until court decision on the case, said the several residents displaced by the demolition had been sleeping in uncompleted buildings and in the open as a result of the development.

Oshodin’s emergence as UNIBEN VC based on merit —Binis in diaspora

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—BINI indigenes in Europe and the United States of America, have faulted the report that the current Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, UNIBEN, Prof.

Osayuki Oshodin, emerged due to the agitation of the Bini ethnic group for a Vice-Chancellor and not on merit.

Describing the report, by a national daily, as untrue and mischievous, the group said that apart from the fact that Prof.

Oshodin was eminently qualified for the position and hence deserved same, “what the Binis were fighting then was a cabal that made it impossible for qualified Binis to emerge as Vice Chancellor of the University on their soil and not that we wanted a Bini VC at all cost.”

A statement by Mrs. Rose Osayande, recalled that among all those who went for the interview, “Prof. Oshodin, was one of the best and that was why he was chosen. He became a Professor in 1991 and has served the University in many capacities before he was appointed Vice-Chancellor."

38—Vanguard , TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

NANDS gives award of excellence to Johnbull Edema

T

HE NATIONAL Association of Niger Delta Students (NANDS),

Corruption can be curbed — Obi

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

AWKA — GOVERNOR Peter Obi of Anambra State has said Nigeria had the capacity to curb corruption, insisting that what was required was for the people to manage the level of their greed.

Speaking during the opening ceremony of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, anti-corruption workshop in Awka, the governor observed that if all hands were on deck, corruption could be considerably reduced in no distant time.

The theme of the workshop was “Enhancing Economic Growth through Anti-Corruption Measures.”

Obi noted that though many other countries were not better in terms of corruption, their citizens were less greedy and show more patriotism.

“We are all responsible for the high level of greed and corruption in our country. We have no other country and therefore must do something urgently to curb the menace.”

yesterday, presented an award of excellence to Mr. Johnbull Edema, an activist, a philanthropist and a business mogul in the private sector of oil rich Niger Delta.

This was made known in a press statement duly signed by the National President of NANDS, Comrade Lucky Omonefe, on the occasion of award presentation of the “Pillars of the Niger Delta Struggle.”

Presenting the award, the National Vice President of NANDS, Comrade Christopher Onojaja, who represented the President, Comrade Omonefe said the leadership of the association was empowered by her constitution to present awards of excellence to deserving sons and daughters of Niger Delta origin that had contributed their quota to the development of the region.

Comrade Onojaja said: "Your choice for this prestigious award is in recognition of your numerous and laudable contribution to the Niger Delta liberation struggle which has brought so much attention and benefits to the region."

Expressing appreciation for the award, Mr. Edema, National Youths President of Deghele Youths (IYE DESCENDANTS) and Managing Director of Demack Merchant Ltd, said he felt challenged and committed to do even more to the struggle for a just Niger Delta.

IGP/First Bank: Court fixes May 22 for suit

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

T

HE DISAGREEMENT over the tripartite mortgage on a property at No. 46 Ogunlana Drive, Plot 452 Surulere, Lagos, owned by Poco Petroleum for which the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Abubakar, dragged First Bank Plc and two others before a Federal High Court in Abuja, has been adjourned by Justice A. Abdul-Kafarat to May 22 for hearing.

Also named in the four-count charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/ CR/158/2012, are officials of the bank, Olakunle Jegede and an external consultant to the bank, Mike Ejekie Edith.

First Bank Plc and others are accused of conspiracy and forgery as they were alleged to have forged a tripartite legal mortgage among First Bank, a customer, Poco

Petroleum Limited (PPL)and Chief Patrick Onwochei Chukwueloe Ozeih, having allegedly replaced Chief Ozeih with Poco Enterprises Nigeria Limited (PENL) in the document.

Count two accused the defendants of altering the tripartite mortgage “by superimposing Poco Enterprises Nigeria Limited on Chief Patrick Onwochei Chukwueloe Ozeih to make it look as if the legal mortgage was made among PPL, PENL and First Bank to enable First Bank take possession of the property.”

It was alleged in count three that the defendant “did alter a forged tripartite legal mortgage among PPL, PENL and First Bank by registering same at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Abuja, and obtained a CAC certificate of registration dated December 2, 2008.”

MASSOB: Sen. Chukwumerije faults S/Court on treason

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

L

AGOS — CHAIRMAN, Senate Committee on Education, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, has described the recent Supreme Court ruling on the leader of Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, and six others as a reprimand against anyone who took the part of nonviolence approach to issues.

He also linked the difficulty at tackling the Boko Haram crisis to the absence of a patriotic civil society.

Chukwumerije, who said this in Lagos, regretted that

other groups that took up arms against the state were granted amnesty, while MASSOB leadership was being tried for treason, despite being non-violent His words: ‘’Let me first concede to the Supreme Court because in the wisdom of law, I am not supposed to comment on it, but I will see that judgment as a supreme irony on what is happening in the country today. I see it as a supreme reprimand of any protester who takes the part of peace and peace resolution. ‘’MASSOB had all its life been against the use of violence. And what it is getting in reward is to be

charged for treason and other organisations from OPC, to the Niger Delta militants to the present Boko Haram are now being lionised and given amnesty and rewarded for taking up arms against the country.’’ ‘’I now see what is happening to MASSOB as a continuation of the civil war and discrimination against the Igbo, but I just want to state that when you continue cheating on people like this because you think they are down and out, you are creating a cesspool which would explode one day. It happened at the end of the first World War among the Germans."

Ihiala Local Government Woman leader of ACN, Mrs. Rita Iriele (right), rendering a thankful tune to the admiration of Senator Chris Ngige (2nd right), Hon. Charles Odedo, Dr. and Mrs. Francis Ezisi, Constituency Office Directors, shortly after receiving her local government empowerment.

CNPP raises alarm over rising debt profile

E

BY TONY EDIKE

N U G U — CONFERENCE of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), yesterday, expressed concern over the country’s rising debt profile, in spite of unprecedented revenue being

raked from oil and gas, taxation and custom duties.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, the CNPP said it is “enraged that President Goodluck Jonathan regime is rapidly rail-roading Nigeria back into Debt Trap”

NANS protests alleged move to reappoint former OkoPoly governing council chairman

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA — THE rumoured move by the federal government to reappoint Dr. Anene Uzuakpunwa as the chairman of the Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, has heightened tension in the polytechnic as the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, is threatening to make the institution ungovernable if Uzuakpunwa was reappointed.

Government announced the reconstitution of the governing councils of federal educa-

tional institutions last week, but that of Oko Polytechnic was conspicuously missing because it was gathered that a very influential godfather in the country was insisting that Uzuakpunwa should be reappointed.

During his last tenure as chairman of the governing council, Uzuakpunwa and management of the Polytechnic were often at loggerheads over award of contracts and allowances for committee members’ sittings as the former chairman was said to be insisting on taking the major decisions unilaterally.

even with huge revenue being generated from various sources.

The group recalled that when in 2006 Nigeria doled out $12.4 billion, which could have been used to provide electricity, to pay the odious Paris and London clubs' loan, “ we rejected it and was assured by the present Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, that Nigeria is out of the debt trap, especially when we pointed out that the loans she paid for were fraudulent loans obtained through corrupt and unjust methods by unconscionable military dictatorship. ”Unconscionable in the sense that 75 per cent of the 63 projects upon which the loans were borrowed failed.”

As ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo admitted in the House of Representatives in 2005, the CNPP noted “the people who gave the loans knew that the money was not being well spent wisely.

Perhaps they even took their own cut. Yet the ordinary people of Nigeria have to pay back the loan.”

Vanguard , TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013 —39

SIGNING—From left: Mike Jituboh, Executive Director, Special Projects, Globacom; Mohammed Jameel, Group Chief Operating Officer, Globacom; Zenghong Ma, Managing Director, ZTE; and Gladys Talabi, Executive Director Legal, Globacom at the signing of agreement on network expansion between Globacom and ZTE in Lagos, yesterday.

Photo: Akeem Salau.

CONFAB—From left; Chief Executive Officer, GFR Educational Services Limited, Princess Sarah Sosan; Wife of the Oyo State Governor, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi; Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola; and Senator Olorunimbe Mamora, during a conference on restoring quality teaching to primary education in Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau.

AWARDS—From left: Mr Manpreet Singh; Head of Marketing, Dufil Prima Foods Plc; Mr Tope Ashiwaju PR/Event Manager; Mr Deepak Singhal, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer; and Mr Tola Bademosi, MD, BD Consult Limited, during a briefing on the Indomie Independence Day awards in Lagos. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

CAMPAIGN—From left: Dr Olajumoke Oyenuga, Directorate of Disease Control, Lagos State Ministry of Health and Mr Francois Boussagol, MD Total Nigeria Plc during world malaria day campaign organised by Total Nigeria Plc at Kirikiri, Lagos.

Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

CAMPAIGN—From left: General Manager, Central (West & East Africa), Reckitt Benckiser, Ashok Bhasin; Mortein anti-malaria campaign spokesperson, Omawumi Megbele; and Commissioner for Health, Ogun State, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka, during the Mortein anti-malaria campaign, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

VISIT—From left: Senator Babajide Omoworare, representing Osun East (Ife/Ijesa) Senatorial District; Arc. Lanre Olayinka, Husband of Mrs Funmilayo Adunni Olayinka, the late Deputy Governor of Ekiti State; and Dr Kayode Fayemi, Governor of Ekiti State on a visit to the family of the deceased former deputy governor after her internment at Ado-Ekiti.

DINNER—From left: Chief Kessington Adebutu, chairman of the occasion; Bimbola Shodipo, Special Adviser to Governor Fashola on Taxation and Revenue; Mr. Feyisola Dinyo, Global President of Birch Freeman High School Old Boy's Association, BIFOBA, and his wife, Peju, during the Birch Freeman High School Old Boy's Association annual thanksgiving dinner at Lagoon Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

CONFAB—From left: Mr Timothy Adetayo, Principal-General, Babcock University High School; Mrs Olufunso Amosun, wife of Ogun State Governor; Prof. Olufunmilayo Sotonade, Chairman, Ogun State Counselling Association during the annual conference of Counselling Association of Nigeria, CASON, Ogun State Chapter, at Babcock University High School, Ilishan Remo, Ogun State. Photo: Diran Oshe.

AWARD—From left: Mr. Kunle Akinkugbe, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Irede Foundation; Mr. Chike Okogwu, Member; Mrs. Crystal Chigbu, President and Founder of Irede Foundation and Mr. Adeoye Abioye, Executive Director Theseabilities Ltd, during the 2013 Irede Foundation charity award in Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

40—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

Bauchi spends N10bn to renovate Yankari Games Reserve

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AUCHI—BAUCHI State Government said on Saturday that it spent about N10 billion to renovate and provide facilities at the Yankari Games Reserve.

Mr Ishola Michael, Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Isa Yuguda, stated this in Yankari, Bauchi State, while briefing members of the state chapter of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, and Heads of Media Organisations.

Michael explained that the renovation, which started in 2005 during the tenure of the past administration, had been on-going, adding that the reserve now wore a befitting look.

According to him, when completed, the reserve will be leased out to private organisations or individuals for efficient management that will ensure the recouping of the money spent.

CNPP asks EFCC to probe Yuguda's govt

BY SUZAN EDEH

B

AUCHI—THE Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and other related agencies to probe the administration of Governor Isa Yuguda in Bauchi State over alleged mismanagement of public funds running into several billions of Naira.

CNPP also, threatened to take legal action against the Bauchi State government for betraying the electorates by failing in the area of provision of democracy dividends.

Secretary of the CNPP, Yusuf Kakis made this known during an interview with Vanguard yesterday in Bauchi.

CONFERENCE—Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo (3rd Right) with other participants in a group photograph at the 7th Session Conference of the Community of Democracies in Ulaanbaatar Mongolia, yesterday. State House Photo.

Sultan urges parents to embrace immunisation against polio S

OKOTO—THE Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar 111, has appealed to parents in the North to allow their children to be immunised with the polio vaccine.

The Sultan made the appeal in Sokoto on Sunday at the launching of audio and video songs on polio, organised by the Rima FM Listeners Friendship Association.

He was represented by the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Mera. He said intensive researches had been conducted on the vaccine and it was found to be very safe.

“We wouldn’t have accepted it if the vaccine is not safe. NAFDAC also certifies all the batches of the vaccine imported into the country,” he said.

In his speech Gov. Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State commended the association for the gesture.

"The effort will help in further sensitising Nigerians on the dangers of polio and the need to eradicate it,” the governor, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Arzika Tureta, said.

Wamakko, who also noted the efforts of the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee, NTLC, on Polio and Routine Immunisation, urged the group to sustain the tempo.

The Minister of State for Health, Dr Ali Pate who spoke through Alhaji Ado Abdullahi, reiterated Federal

Government’s commitment to wiping out polio from the country.

Pate, however, cautioned against politicising the campaign against polio by some Nigerians and commended NTLC for its sustained efforts.

Dr Ado Mohammed, the Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency NPHCDA, expressed delight that no polio case had been recorded in the state this year.

Mohammed, who spoke through Shehu Abdulganiyu, said the agency was making frantic efforts together with all the

stakeholders to fully eradicate polio from Nigeria.

The Chairman of the association, Alhaji Nasiru Labaran, explained that the songs were produced with a view to further sensitising Nigerians on the dangers of polio.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the association conferred on Wamakko a merit award for his contributions to the success of the association’s activities.

Other recipients of awards at the occasion were the Sultan, Pate and the chairmen of Silame, Yabo, Tureta and Rabah Local Governments, among others.

Rights group condemns prolonged strike by Plateau lecturers

BY TAYE OBATERU

J

OS— A CIVIL rights group, Centre for the Advocacy of Justice and Rights, CAJR, has lamented the negative effect of the prolonged strike by lecturers in the Plateau State Government owned tertiary institutions, calling for a quick resolution to end the students’ pains.

The group in a statement singed by the Programme Manager, Adeniran Joseph, said the strike has inflicted misery on students as their education is being unduly prolonged through no fault of theirs.

Parents lament imposition of N10,000 fee in Benue schools

BY PETER DURU

M

AKURDI —PAR ENTS and guardians in Benue State are now grumbling over alleged imposition of N10,000 fee on secondary school students now preparing for their mock West African School Certificate Examination, WASCE, in their various schools.

About 50, 000 students are said to be involved in the mock examination through out the state.

Some of the aggrieved parents who spoke to Saturday Vanguard, yesterday, in

Makurdi on the development said the the imposition of the illegal fees on their wards as precondition to write the examination was another way of denying the children of the poor their right to education.

According to Mrs. Julia Nenga, a widow, whose two children are candidates in one of the secondary schools in Gwer Local Government Area, “parents were asked to pay N14,000 as registration fee for each of our children by their school. ”When we tried to draw the

attention of the school’s management to the fact that the stipulated official Mock Examination fee in Benue state was N4,000 they referred us to the State Examination Board. ”We also discovered that most schools in the state illegally imposed a registration fee of between N10,000 and N15,000 on their prospective candidates. We are pleading with the state government to intervene in this matter because some persons are raking billions of Naira from milking poor parents in the face of the economic challenges we are facing.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013 — 41

PDP suspends Amaechi's loyalists; Rivers Speaker, 26 others affected Continues from Page 5

ers that this was what they were up to and this is the next thing in the act because what they are doing is melodrama, it is Act two.

“Once we got hint of that we immediately approached the court for an interim order restraining them from taking such an action. The order of the court came this morning and apparently when they got wind of the matter in court, they now rushed to dish out their own suspension, so the matter is already subjudice. The matter has been adjoined to the May 5,” he added.

Noting that the action was a continuation of the plot against the peace of the party in the state, he said: “This is also to call on

C M Y

Nigerians that this is the real script that has been handed down to them.

This is a group of young men who can get judgment without buying forms (PDP congress forms), so you don’t expect them to play by the rules, this is a group of lawless people.”

Chief Olisa Metuh, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP when contacted last night, said the party was yet to receive news of the development.

“There is always a channel of communication and they have not been communicated and the NWC is not aware of such a development."

Nobody can clip wings of govs — Aliyu

Receiving state secretaries of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, (PDP) from the 19 Northern states in his office in Minna, yesterday, Governor Aliyu said the efforts to clip the wings of the governors would instead nudge them to do more for their people just as he affirmed that the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF is not being used to champion the presidential aspiration of any governor.

“Nobody can clip the wings of the governors.

At the party, presidential or other levels, anybody that thinks he can clip the wings of a governor is wasting his time,” the Niger State governor said. ”Instead of clipping, we

must strengthen the governors to be able to produce more because we use the forum to discuss who has done what and try to compare notes and encourage others to do more from the excellent jobs where necessary and also learn not to commit the same mistake where any governor has done wrong in the implementation stages since we have seen what such governor or governors have done,” Dr. Aliyu explained.

According to him, “ we don’t discuss who will be what. We hear a lot of noise on who wants to be president, vice president e.t.c but that is the work of God. However, we must continue to talk the truth and that is the only way for Nigeria to progress because if we

keep quiet, we will run into a lot of problems.”

The governor pointed out that the desire or move to clip the wings of the governors has led to a lot of crisis in the PDP and advised on the need to be cautious for the future of the party.

“Many of the crises of my party today are based on the desire to clip the wings of the governors and whether you call a governor the leader of the party or not and whether it is there in the constitution of the party or not, the governor is still the leader of the party because the party produced the governor and when there is a symbiotic relationship with the government of the party, the party will be as strong as the government it produced,” the governor remarked.

He said people should not forget so soon how the governors’ strength were used to attain political heights during elections and that if their

wings are to be clipped now, they would still be strong factors in the 2015 presidential election.

“We know what happened during our congresses; we know what we had to do to produce leadership of the party at the national level and how the governors were used. How will it be after that if they now want to clip their wings?

There will be 2015 and if you clip their wings now, you will be clipping your own wings and not the governors’ wings,” Gov. Aliyu declared.

Governor Aliyu also reiterated his support for the merger of the major opposition political parties into the All Progressive Congress, APC, saying that the evolving party should not be regarded as an enemy but as a friend of the PDP. “We should even embrace APC so that we don’t fight many political parties but fight only one."

42— Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

Kogi: Power show LOCAL governments in Kogi State have for long borne the brunt of the muscle flexing between successive governors and the State House of Assembly. The power show has in course of time paralysed democratic franchise at the local government level. Given that background, there are no reasons to cheer ahead of the forthcoming local government elections next month.

when the SIEC chairman, Barrister Ayo Olaniran who had earlier boasted that the election would not be cancelled again, swallowed his words and postponed the election to May 5th, 2013. It was the third postponement in a space of 12 months.

BY BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO

T

HE tenure of the last democratically elected council chairmen in Kogi state ended in July 2011 and ever since, the councils have become a fighting ground between Governor Idris Wada and the state House of Assembly each trying to exercise authority.

Once the tenure ended, Directors of Local Government (DLG) were mandated to take over the affairs of the councils as indication was given that elections will hold in May 2012.

However that was not to be as the Supreme Court cut short the elongated tenure of the then governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris.

Wada who succeeded him not surprisingly jettisoned the idea of holding council elections four months into his tenure, having been sworn into office in January 2012.

Though he was believed to have initially resisted the idea of appointing caretaker committees, the governor, however, was understood to have succumbed to pressures from his predecessor, Idris and other stakeholders to

•Wada: Is he following the path of his predecessor? of the tenure of the last democratically elected councils, the councils were continuously the subject of several attacks from the House of Assembly.

,

Though he was believed to have initially resisted the idea of appointing caretaker committees, the governor, however, was understood to have succumbed to pressures from his predecessor, Idris

appoint two Liaison officers for each of the 21 Local Government areas of the State.

The appointment of the liaison officers was, however, resisted by the State House of Assembly, but for reasons that subsequently emerged to be selfish motif. The opposition of the legislators emerged after the governor rejected some of the nominees proposed by them, notably those of one of the prominent principal officers of the house.

LG and State Assembly Even before the expiration

constitutional right to regulate the administration of the LGAs, but that it could not make the new law to take retroactive effect.

SIEC election

,

Three chairmen were suspended by that legislature and it was no secret that oversight visits by the legislators were considered as visitations from hell and the peak of the animosity was the truncation of the term of the councils from three to two years.

Though, the then governor, Idris refused to give assent to the bill, but his veto was overridden by the House of Assembly.

The chairmen at that time jointly sued the Assembly and won as the court ruled that though the Assembly had the

By last September the State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) rolled out another time table for council election which it fixed for December 20th, 2012.

It was, however, obvious the time table was a scheme from the executive to douse the tension that the appointment of Liaison officers generated given that no one thought the time frame to be viable.

It was as such not surprising

Will election hold?

The fate of the May 5th council election date itself hanging in the air as three political parties, the Action Congress of Nigeria, (ACN), All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) and Congress for Political Change (CPC) are challenging the neutrality of the SIEC chairman and other commissioners as they claim that a number of them are card carrying members of the ruling PDP. The three parties have presented what they claim is the campaign poster of Olaniran as a candidate in the 2011 PDP primaries for the Kabba/Bunu House of Assembly constituency.

The parties are also wary that what they claim to be the alleged bias of the KGSIEC in the last election when Olaniran was head of the electoral body could again be replayed.

The case which was filed in D e c e m b e r, 2012 is yet to be decided and hence apprehension about the feasibility of next month’s election.

CNPP kicks The state chapter of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) has, however, taken a position against the court action by the three parties describing it as vexatious.

The Chairman of the CNPP Barr. Abubakar Aliu at a press conference penultimate week chided the parties saying the court action was in total disregard of desire of the people.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013 —43

Senate:

Setting eyes on corporate killing

A CONDUCIVE atmosphere is in the horizon for workers as the Senate prepares a law to check the excesses of corporate organizations in their dealings with their workers.

I

T was a bill that exposed all the lawyers in the senate following the Senate President’s position that it was filled with legal technicalities, hence only lawyer-senators could speak on it.

This development threw a challenge as some senators who were hitherto, not known in the legal field, protested for not being given recognition to speak even as they took time to state when they were variously called to the bar.

The bill titled: “A Bill for an Act to create the Offence of Corporate Manslaughter and Matters Incidental therein, 2013, sponsored by Senator Pius Ewherido, DPP, Delta Central, seeks to create offences of corporate manslaughter to make corporate bodies, entities and agencies culpable for wilful acts of negligence, dereliction of duty and or gross incompetence that result in death of a person or persons.

Corporate manslaughter The bill proposed a fine of not less than N500,000 and not more than N500 million for any organisation found guilty of corporate manslaughter just as it provides that a person convicted under it would be liable to a minimum of three years and maximum of sevenyear prison terms with an option of fine from N100,000 to N1 million respectively.

In his lead presentation, Ewherido had told the Senate that he carried out an indebt research and came out with the bill following the Dana Air crash of June 3rd, 2012, at Iju, Ishaga, Lagos State where he noted that in spite of reported advice from the technical crew that the ill-fated MD-83 aircraft in its fleet was not safe for the flight, the management of Dana Air insisted on its flight.

He regretted that after the crash that claimed over 160 lives, the airline was not punished for what he alleged to be its criminal negligence apart from the compensation to individual victims.

According to the lawmaker, the provisions of the bill fall within the definition of killing in Section 308 of the Criminal Code of Nigeria but that the provisions of Sections 316 and

317, which create the offences of murder and manslaughter relevant to Section 308 only addressed one arm of the definition of killing.

But no longer had he finished his presentation than the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, PDP, Enugu West, stood up to lead an onslaught against the bill.

Even as he praised Ewherido’s ingenuity in coming up with the bill, Ekweremadu however, said in terms of content, he had not seen the corporate manslaughter laws of the two countries referred to by the lawmaker saying the bill was, at best, meant for the future.

He was supported by Senators Umaru Dahiru, PDP, Sokoto South, Joshua Lidani, PDP, Gombe South, Paulinus Igwe, PDP, Ebonyi Central and Heineken Lokpobiri, PDP, Bayelsa West.

Review of punishment

Defending the bill In his defence of the bill, Senator Solomon Ewuga, CPC, Nasarawa Central, supported the bill. He regretted that “corporate responsibility” was currently excluded in the country ’s laws, saying the time had come for the laws to be proactive.

Ewuga cited the issue of electronic evidence, now being accepted in other

,

BY JOSEPH ERUNKE

Some other stakeholders at the public hearing canvassed the need to extend the scope of the bill to include punishment for negligence which culminates in severe injury that render some people paralysed as well as other forms of incapacity.

NBA kicks: In its submission, at the public hearing held at the instance of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, faulted some sections of the bill which it noted, only spelt out punishment for culprits on conviction. It criticised the award of only N500, 000 or imprisonment terms of between three and five years for companies or individuals found guilty of such offence.

•Ewherido: Sponsor of the bill

as chairman of the committee, Senator Dahiru, one of the visible opponents of the bill, was saddled with the responsibility of the public hearing!

In his remark before the

In spite of reported advice from the technical crew that the ill-fated MD-83 aircraft in its fleet was not safe for the flight, the management of Dana Air insisted on its flight

jurisprudence in criminal evidence, adding that the time had come for Nigerian laws to be proactive in nature.

He disagreed with Ekweremadu that the bill was for the future and urged his colleagues to support the bill.

Debate

After a heated debate, the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, for more legislative input because of its farreaching implication on the nation’s criminal jurisprudence. Incidentally,

,

Senate position, Senate President, David Mark who presided over the plenary, said he deliberately limited the debate to senators who were lawyers because of the technicality of the bill.

Expectedly, given the circumstances that necessitated the initiation of the bill, it received wide support by stakeholders at a one-day public hearing held at the National Assembly on Monday, 22nd April, 2013.

At the event which was held in Senate Committee Room 022, the sponsor of the bill, Senator Pius Ewherido,

in his welcome address, emphasised that the bill sought to fill such lacuna in criminal and penal codes, repeating how he was touched by alleged reports that the technical crew of Dana Airline reported that the ill-fated MD83 aircraft was not airworthy, but was yet compel to fly by the management.

Corporate manslaughter While declaring the public hearing open, Senate President, David Mark, who was represented by the Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, described the move to create punishment for corporate manslaughter as a noble idea that must be accorded due attention.

All the people who spoke at the event threw their weight behind the bill, lamenting that the instance of Dana Air which led to gruesome destruction of human lives was hitherto not punished, adding that passing the bill into law would serve as a deterrent to organisations which treat human lives with levity.

The Nigeria Bar Association which was represented by Paul Erokoro, SAN, therefore called for a review of the punishment recommended in the bill for persons and organisations found guilty of corporate manslaughter, saying severe punishment was necessary so as to hold companies accountable for deaths caused by negligence, dereliction of duty and incompetence.

He reasoned that if mere bribe-for-contract scandal could attract such a huge fine, it would be ridiculous to impose only a paltry sum of N500, 000 on those whose acts of negligence cut off human lives in their prime ages.

He also advised the committee not to put a limit mark on the number of years that those convicted would be sentenced to, but should rather be left to the court to determine in accordance with the level of severity of such negligence.

In its position at the public hearing also, the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, called for the bill to also cover the interest of several Nigerians who lose their lives on the roads as a result of negligence on the part of drivers or transport organisations and wanted the scope extended to the road.

Senator Dahiru who presided over the hearing and had opposed the bill at the second reading, described the bill as legally and intellectually challenging.

He said the bill when passed into law, would greatly affect company law, criminal law and law of tort in the country.

It really would!

44—Vanguard, TUESD AY, APRIL 30, 2013 TUESDA

Tomori tasks President Jonathan on polio eradication

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

A

• In less than two decades, Nigeria transformed from being the most guinea worm endemic country in the world, to achieving a zero guinea worm disease case status. No case of guneaworm has been reported to date in any part of the country since November 2008. Nigeria currently stands on the threshold of history as it is on target to meet the World Health Organisation’s standard for certification as a guinea worm free country.

S Nigeria battles rejection of polio vaccination in the North, renowned Virologist, Professor Oyewale Tomori has alleged that Nigerian leaders are yet to show enough commitment needed to attain the global eradication deadline by 2018.

Oyewole, who is President, Nigerian Academy of Science, NAS, has subsequently called on President Goodluck Jonathan to accord polio eradication the kind of priority given the 2012 flood disaster in some parts of the country.

Speaking last week in Lagos at a media roundtable on vaccines organised by the African Health Journalists Association, AHJA, Oyewole expressed worry that the fight against polio in Nigeria

FG offers N25,000 reward for reports of verifiable Guinea worm cases

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE HEAD of Nigeria’s certification as a guinea worm free nation by the World Health Organisation, WHO, in June 2013, the Federal government is offering a cash reward of N25,000 for every report of authentic new guineaworm cases in any part of the country. In 2011, a N10,000 reward was offered for a similar report.

Nigeria has maintained a zero-case status for 52 months, as there has been no case of gunea worm reported to date in any part of the country.

The last verifiable guineaworm case reported in Nigeria was in November 2008, putting it on target to meet international certification for eradication.

Already, an International Certification Team from the WHO is expected to visit Nigeria as from June for an assessment of the country’s certification drive and to confirm whether the country retains a strong surveillance system to ensure any possible case is caught and reported early.

Disclosing the cash reward initiative in Lagos during a roundtable on Media and Advocacy for guinea worm disease eradication precertification activities, Assistant National Coordinator of the National Steering Committee of the Nigeria Guineaworm Eradication Programme, NIGEP, Mr. Babatunde Tokoya, said the reward motive was to sensitise the entire populace

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about the importance of gunea worm certification.

“Any suspected case of guineaworm disease is to be reported to the nearest health facility and if it is confirmed, the reporter will be given a cash reward of N25,000. All suspected cases can be reported through a toll free line 08001001000,” Tokoya affirmed.

He noted that between 2009 to date there have been 545 rumour cases of guineaworm out of which 21 were recorded between January and March 2013.

“Before Nigeria can be certified guineaworm free, we must meet four distinct criteria.

We must have at least 85 percent timely monthly reporting from all health

facilities, public and private primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities in the the 774 LGAs across the country.

Currently we have attained 57 percent.

Further, he said there must be at least 80 percent monthly reporting from all 774 LGAs in the states. “Currently we are at 83 percent completeness but 51 percent reported timely.

“We must have at least 80 percent monthly reporting from all 774 LGAs and at least 80 per cent of the general public in rural and urban areas knowing about the reward, and all health facility staff at national, State, LGA and health facility level must know about the case definition of guineaworm and appropriate

response to the cases. Currently we have attained 32 percent.

“All guineaworm disease rumours must be investigated immediately, within 24 hours of receiving the verbal or written report. Currently we are at 82 percent.

Further, Tokoya said adequate safe water supply and management in villages at risk must be maintained. “Currently we are at 97 percent.

There has been no confirmed case of the disease in Nigeria since the reported 38 cases in 2008, down from over 653,000 cases at the start of Guinea Worm Disease eradication campaign in 1987.

Guineaworm eradication Continues on page 46

was yet to have the desired impact towards ensuring that the country will be polio free by 2014.

“Has our President ever said anything on polio without stimulation from outside? The only time we’ve heard him make pronouncements are when he was invited by the Commonwealth, the United Nations or when Bill Gates came.

We are not putting enough into polio,” he remarked.

The Professor who is advocating ownership of the eradication programme at national, state and local government levels warned that unless the right things are done, Nigeria may not be polio free by 2014.

“We are not spending enough money on polio education in this country. I think we should do more. We have put money into it, but if we can properly monitor what we have now and spend it in a proper way, we will be able to get polio out of Nigeria.

“The hope is that by 2014, the world will have the last country with the last case of polio and by 2018, the world will be declared free of polio. We are taking a gamble because the year 2014 is only subject to the fact that Nigeria, Afghanistan or Pakistan will not have any case of polio in 2014.

“If one of these countries has just one polio case by 2014, it means we have to shift the year of eradication by an extra year. It is thus very important that we, as a country, must play our role otherwise we will be holding the world back. India is 10 times more than Nigeria, they made up their minds and put their acts together and they are working harder to ensure that polio does not come back. Population is not a problem but the problem is

Continues on page 46

Sex selection is ethical — AJAYI

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BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

FERTILITY expert, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi, has described sex selection (enabling couples select the sex of their children) as an important aspect of Assisted Reproductive Treatment, ART. Ajayi, who is Medical Director, Nordica Fertility Clinic, Lagos, Asaba and Abuja, told Good Health Weekly during a courtesy call to Vanguard last week that sex selection for now, is welcome.

“I have a clinic in Asaba and talk to men from Onitsha and see how they feel when they do not have a male child and I am not going to ignore it.

“If it was criminal to carry out sex selection,I would not be involved, but this is a man that has a need that can be met scientifically and we are not doing harm to anybody ion the process.”

Quoting the World Health

Organisation, WHO, Ajayi stated: “WHO describes health as a state of complete physical, emotional and mental well being, so if you are a man and you are have all girls, from the cultural point of view I do not think you will be healthy and my responsibility as a doctor is to help you if you are not healthy.

“There are two ways of doing sex selection - sperm sorting and PGD or you can combine the two. I do not see what is unethical about it so that’s why I say when we are setting up regulation for fertility treatment, we should be careful about it.

He recalled that Nigeria’s Population Dynamics showed that within the active age group, women are a little bit more than men according to the CIA Report 2012.

“At the point we see that the ratio is more than 1:1 then it may be justified to

• Dr. Abayomi Ajayi stop it, I have no problems with that, but for now, it is not a problem for us. When we talk abou what is ethical we cannot just bring a cultural practice from Sweden over to Nigeria, we should look at what obtains in our country..” he remarked.

Vanguard, TUESD AY, APRIL 30, 2013—45 TUESDA

In Lagos, maternal and child health is our priority, says Idris IN a bid to reduce the high Maternal Mortality ration, MMR, in Lagos, the State State Government commissioned a research which showed unacceptably high maternal mortality ratio of 555 per 100,000 live births higher than the national average put at 545 per 100,000 live births.

The research showed that Alimosho Local Government Area, LGA, has the highest Maternal Mortality Ratio with 826 per 100,000 live births while Lagos Island LGA has the lowest ratio of 310 per 100,000 live births. Following this, there have been worries in various quarters about the challenge of improving or redesigning another strategy towards reducing MMR to the barest minimum.

In this interview with Chioma Obinna, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, explains how the State intends to achieve a 30 percent reduction in the MMR by 2015. Excerpts:.

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ATERNAL Mortality Ratio in Lagos State: We commissioned a research to give us a baseline figure on what our maternal mortality is. The figure it gave us was 555 per 100,000 which is high and that is why we said it is unacceptable to us. And that is what brought about the launch of the maternal and child mortality programme in the state.

Now, we have baseline figure and we have set up strategies and

Mortality reduction programme in the state, precisely on October 18th, 2012 and that was supposed to be the first in the series of our implementation of the strategies.

Health education for mothers It has been shown that health education can reduce maternal mortality rate by 50 percent. This is why health education is our major stride. We have developed jingles in English and Yoruba language as part of services to go

,

If you can space your family properly it allows the body to adjust properly before you put on the burden on the body again.

Unfortunately, in this country from researches and statistics, the uptake of family planning commodities is very low

we are implementing programmes after a couple of years we will do re-assessment and see how far we are going.

But you cannot reduce maternal mortality 100 per cent.

It is not possible, even in the best of countries they cannot do that. You cannot educate all the people in one day. By 2015, we expect the MMR to have been reduced by 30 percent and if by 2015 we do another assessment we hope it would have gone beyond that. If not, we will amend our strategies and review why we are not achieving that and do what is right.

Efforts to check the high MMR: We have invested in infrastructural development of Primary Health Centers, building of Maternal and Child Care facilities, MCCs, training and retraining of health care providers, procurement of basic obstetrics drugs and consumables, and the production of behavioural change communication materials.

Governor Babatunde Fashola launched Maternal and Child

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down to the grassroots. The maternal hand booklet and child booklet was launched by the Governor, these books were developed specifically to contain

• Dr. Jide Idris information that mothers and children should know and they are supposed to be provided free.

These booklets contain history of each pregnancy up to four pregnancies. Right from the time the woman gets pregnant throughout the delivery and that is why it also ensures that the mother tries as much as possible to go for antenatal care. It serves first, as a documentation of the progress of pregnancy. It is also a way to capture some of these women to bring them within the healthcare net.

So it also serves as a record that the mother can keep. The same information here will be kept in the facility where they are. So even if the mother does not go to the same facility ‘A’ and she goes to another facility, with this booklet the doctor or health worker there will have a history of the pregnancy.

For the child: Each child under five years of age should have the booklet because it also contains a lot of information on the child when the child was born, what immunisation regime the child has been introduced from birth.

What kind of food and growth monitoring which is very essential. As the child visits the

facility they check the height, the weight, the growth all these things they chart. And these give an idea of whether the child is growing properly or not. As they chart, there is a graph that is being done. And there is what we call a standard graph of what is expected of a child.

Proper care and examinations Once you plot, if what you are plotting for that child falls below that standard it means there is something wrong with that child and that is why we need to refer that child for proper care and examination to nip the problem in the bud. It also contains the type of food you must give the child, personal hygiene. It is both educative and records. We have English and Yoruba.

Strategies: In the last couple of years in the context of this programme to reduce maternal and child mortality a number of strategies have been established by the ministry and those strategies cover the issues of infrastructure, health work force, advocacy and public sensitisation aimed at changing people behaviour and educate the

people, issue of monitoring activities as we go a long and how to ensure sustainability.

We are equipping and restructuring some of these facilities. We have trained staff on the use of some of the equipment and drugs and the training is a continuous thing and that training covers both staff at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

We have developed information education materials in terms of pamphlets, leaflets, postal and even jingles addressing specific topics that are relevant to this programme such as dangers signs of pregnancy, things people should check when they are pregnant, the need for ante natal care, the need for family planning, the need to immunise our children under five years of age, what nutrition and what kind of foods our pregnant women should eat and the kind of food for children.

Drama presentations We have contacted some of the artists to develop drama presentations. A lot of things have been put in place. But that is the supply side but what we are addressing now is the demand side, which prompted the issue of Town Hall meetings. The essence is to let people in the community know that all these things are available. We are get ting feed back from the dialogue so that we can amend as we go along.

Helplines: We have also created some help lines. They are 08074574109, 08074574108, 08074574110. Anybody can call these lines 24 hours of the day if there are problems or requirement of information concerning pregnancy or children .

Family planning services : If people adopt family planning practices, it is a very efficient way of reducing maternal mortality.

Pregnancy is a natural and physiological process. When a woman gets pregnant, there is a

Continues on Page 46

Look beyond the hospital theatre, NECA tasks doctors

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

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HE Association of General Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, AGPMPN, Lagos State Branch last week engaged its members in a business entrepreneurship session with a charge to draw up a succession plan that would ensure that their health facilities out lived them.

Giving the charge, a Consultant with the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association, NECA, Mrs Aderoju Odunsi tasked medical doctors to look beyond the theatres and build a stronger structure for their hospitals that would stand the test of time.

Odunsi noted that for health facilities to break even, medical doctors must operate hospitals as businesses enterprises.

On the negative attitude of some health workers towards their patients, she urged the medical practitioners to ensure routine training for their staff so as to equip them with best practices that is line with global trend.

In his presentation, a Consultant with the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, Mr. Benjamin Ben encouraged smaller hospitals to team up and form bigger hospitals adding that such merger could

• Dr. Jimmy Arigbabuwo. make it possible for them to obtain loans from financial institutions.“Though, the issue of customers not wanting to pay for health care services

demonstrates lack of appreciation for the provided services, but patients will pay if they find the right services at the right location.”

Newly appointed commissioner for Justice in Ogun State, Barrister Abimbola Akeredolu urged doctors to remove the garb of timidity, which they always use to robe themselves.

“If you do not market yourself, no one will do that for you,” she added.

Chairman, AGPMPN in Lagos, Dr. Jimmy Arigbabuwo stated: "The doctors in Lagos are prepared to operate beyond the heart sounds, sinus rhythm, arrhythmias, and murmurs of the stethoscope.”

46—Vanguard, TUESD AY, APRIL 30, 2013 TUESDA

Maternal and child health Continues frompage 45

•L-R: Chief Medical Director, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Professor Akin Oshibogun; Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Dr. Ifeanyi, Okowa; Member, Senate Committe on Health, Dr. Chris Ngige; Senior Consultant, LUTH, Professor Boniface Oye-Adeniran and Director of Administration, LUTH, Mr Ayo Olagunju, during a working visit of the Senate Committe on Health to LUTH.

N25,000 reward for guinea worm report Continues frompage 44 efforts, have been pushed by the NIGEP, focusing on surveillance, integrating guinea worm watch into other immunisation programmes and conscious efforts to improve water and sanitation in the 5,879 affected villages

Polio eradication Continues frompage 44 doing the right thing.”

He decried the poor routine immunisation coverage in the country, calling for intensified effort to take the country back to the days of 80 per cent coverage or more.

identified by NIGEP in 1998.

Member of the Steering Committee, Mr. Buki Ponle, said the roundtable was to discuss, among others, specific roles expected of the media and also to unfold plans for a Media Merit Award which will climax media activities on guineaworm eradication.

Guineaworm is infection with Dracunculus medinensis, a nematode worm. It is caused by drinking water containing water fleas habouring Dracunculus larvae.

There are no drugs for treatment but it can be prevented by protecting water sources and filtering potentially contaminated water.

modification of the physiology of that woman. So when you are pregnant, something unusual is happening and the body happens to react abnormally and that will be on for about nine months. After nine months, that body of the womb and every other thing requires a period of time to get back to normal.

If you can space your family properly it allows the body to adjust properly before you put on the burden on the body again.

Unfortunately, in this country from researches and statistics, the uptake of family planning commodities is very low.

One of the major reasons is cultural practices.

Cultural practices We have embarked on sensitisation, enlightening the people and putting up facilities very close to the grassroots. People must know the essence of family planning and the different methods available. It is a major component part of this programme.

Child spacing, when is the right time?

Throughout the period of nine months, pregnancy affects the brain, there is something we call post partum depression. It is common in some women.

After delivery, they will become depressed some people sometimes mistake it for madness but it is not. Sometimes people get pregnant even after delivery and the hypertension may remain. When people are pregnant the muscles in the uterus have stretched for not les than nine months. Some of these muscles may snap, some may get rigid because of this. That

is why it is necessary to give the body time for at least two years before the next pregnancy. This is because the two years will give you time to look after the baby, you have to breast feed the child and be responsible for the immunisation amongst other pressures on the body.

Challenges of unsafe abortion: It has been found to be a major cause of high maternal mortality and this is common amongst the younger youth even mothers.

Post abortion care is another major component of this programme. If you look at these vacuum extractions as part of the instrument we are providing them and we are training staff on how to use some of these equipment. Abortion can cause bleeding or perforation of the uterus and you must have facilities to be able to carter for these complications and this is why MCCs are there.

Drugs to reduce maternal mortality: One of the major reasons why women die is as a result of bleeding during pregnancy or during delivery. Another reason is eclampsia. A pregnant women may develop high blood pressure and when the urine is checked, it may contain protein.

When protein is above a particular level there is a problem. If care is not taken, the woman may start to convulse. Two drugs people that can reduce these problems are magnesium sulphate and oxytocin.

Magnesium sulphate is used for people with eclampsia. It reduces blood pressure etc. If it is time for a baby to be delivered it could be through Caesarean Section if the woman cannot deliver normally.

Oxytocin is used to reduce bleeding so that the person can be taken to the hospital where the problemcan be adequately dealth with.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

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ELLO again everybody and welcome. When it comes to sexual matters, nothing dominates our weekly discussions and enquiries like male performance issues and penis enlargement. This is of course due to the fact that men are the ones who are expected to perform while women are applauded for just showing up. So today, we have a new penis enlarger and erection enhancer for men called the Penis Enlargement Pump. The Penis Enlargement Pump gives men longer and thicker penises with consistent use and also enables men suffering from erectile dysfunction to get an erection by pumping for a few minutes. The Penis Enlargement Pump gives both instant and longer lasting results.

For female arousal and enjoyment, we have two new products. They are Nipple Nibblers Nipple and Clit Gel and Spot on G Spot Arousal Gel. These are two great products for women that help alleviate common complaints of vaginal dryness, sexual pain and low sexual arousal and they start working within minutes. The third new gel for women does not arouse, instead it contracts the vaginal walls for tighter and more pleasurable intercourse. It is called Like a Virgin Tightening gel. Just like the other two gels, Like a Virgin Tightening Gel can also be used as a regular lubricant for intercourse or for use with sex toys.

And finally for this week, we have five new movies for couples who want to better their love lives. For sex instruction and improvement of your sex skills, there is the How to Boost Your Libido DVD and the Ultimate Sex Party DVD. For adult viewing entertainment, we have Reckless, Pirates and Cheater. All three DVDs are feature films with the unique ability to appeal to women as well.

Let us now answer a few questions from our readers.

I lost my penile sensation from the head of my penis due to some injuries in the past. Can it be recovered? If yes, how and what will I do? I need your assistance – George

Dear George, I am sorry to hear this. In cases where there is such injury that ultimately leads to the loss of feeling in the penis, it is usually as a result of damage to the veins and nerve tissues of the penis as well.

This is a tough one. Depending on the extent of this damage, it may or may not be repairable. I did a bit of research regarding vein and tissue damage and I found that in some cases, simply avoiding sex for a period of time allows the body to heal these damaged tissues. I don’t know how long you have had this problem but you can try avoiding sex for a month or two.

Secondly, the other solution I found is that increasing blood flow to the penis may help. Of course when you talk about increasing blood flow, it means the use of aphrodisiacs like the ones we talk about regularly, examples of which are Xzen 1200 and Sex Voltz. So you can try those too. Remember that in this unique case of yours, there are no guarantees. If the nerve and venal damage you suffered is severe, these solutions may not work. But you have to try first. I really wish you luck. Sorry once again. You can also consult your doctor about this – Uche My husband suffers from premature ejaculation. But he is too embarrassed to get help. Please what can I get to help him? Thanks – Joke Premature ejaculation is quite common and so are the solutions. You can use a desensitising lubricant or wipe to control it. Lubricants like Max Control Spray will help him or he can use Sex on the Go Desensitizing Wipes to stop it each time you are about to have intercourse. You can see more premature ejaculation solutions on www.zeevirtualmedia.com – Uche Adults in need of these treatments and novelties can call us on 08027901621 or 08051924159 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. We deliver to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013—47

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48 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

From Left Wife of the Lagos State governor, Mrs Abimbola Fashola, Ogun State’s First Lady, Mrs Olufunso Amosun and the Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun at the “Ogun goes green” workshop held in Abeokuta

Sustainable development: Ogun flags off “going green” initiative

By JUDE NJOKU

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gun State last week blazed the trail in the fight to mitigate the devastating impacts of climate change with the flagging off of its “going green’ advocacy campaign in Abeokuta, the state capital.

“Going green” involves pursuing knowledge and practices that can lead to more environmentally friendly and ecologically responsible decisions and lifestyles, which will ultimately help to protect

,

Over time, as humans attempt to satisfy their basic needs; as corporations expand their business frontiers; as Governments provide basic infrastructures, we are all guilty of our indifference and nonchalant attitude to the environment as our host

,

the environment and sustain its natural resources for current and future generations A two-day international conference and workshop tagged UPLIFTing the Environment, Ogun Goes Green, put together by the State’s First Lady, Mrs Olufunso Amosun was used to cement the initiative. The conference which brought together over 700 representatives of state and national authorities, wives of state governors, diplomats, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, academics and experts from Europe, was declared open by the State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun. He bemoaned the nonchalant attitude to the environment and its attendant hazards on man. His words:”Over time, as humans attempt to satisfy their basic needs; as corporations expand their business frontiers; as Governments provide basic infrastructures, we are all guilty of our indifference and nonchalant attitude to the environment as our host. In our collective attempt to provide housing for our shelter; build roads; lay pipes for water and gas; and

rail lines, construct sea and airports for ease of transport of goods and services, we invented automobiles; explore crude oil, limestone and other natural resources; we cut down trees and destroy forests; we build dams and disrupt water ways; our industries and automobiles emit smoke and multiply the carbon percentage in the atmosphere. In all these, we believe we have been able to capture or defeat nature. Of course, we have built more

houses and provided more shelter; we have built more roads, pipe and rail lines, sea and airports; and designed more beautiful models of automobiles to transport goods and services faster than before. But, the important question we should ask ourselves is, at what price have we achieved all these?

As humans, we did not pay for all these developments.

But, we forced our host, the environment to pay, by degrading its natural

elements. Now, dangerous occurrences across the world like erosion, earthquakes, cyclones, typhoons, landslides, tsunamis, are all symptoms of the fact that the environmental resources that have sustained our existence are fast declining. As a result, the climate is changing; the water level of our oceans is fast rising as a result of melting glacier at the Polar Regions; the sun is now harsher on the exposed earth surface; and we are having more storms.

Consequently, all of us are in harm’s way. Apart from the psychological effects the environmental disasters have on the victims, the cost of bringing relief to the victims is also fast becoming a burden on Government”.

Amosun who lauded Messrs Knowledge Economic Network,KEN and International Center for Promotion of Enterprises for partnering with his wife’s Foundation to host the workshop, stressed the need for Public-Private Partnerships in the provision of the important policy instrument which will facilitate effective concern for environmental challenges.

The initiator of the “Going Green” project and wife of the Governor, Mrs Olufunso Amosun explained that going green means adopting some basic principles in our daily life. She listed these principles to include reduction of pollution, conservation of resources, energy conservation, reduction of waste production, protection of the earth’s ecological balance and recycling what you can.

The Ogun State First Lady who is using her Uplift Development Foundation to champion the “Ogun Goes Green” initiative, explained why the awareness campaign became imperative.

NCWS plans N20 billion Abuja research centre B y CHRIS OCHAY I

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n a bid to enhance the welfare and living standards of women in Nigeria, the National Council of Women Society, NCWS, has concluded arrangements to build a N20 billion research centre for gender issues in Abuja.

National President of NCW, Chief, Mrs., Nkechi Okemini Mba who disclosed this at an interactive session with journalists in Abuja, said, the centre would also serve as an advocacy and skills acquisition complex where experts and scholars would work on strategies and policies for the empowerment of Nigerian women.

The centre which is to be named, “Dame

Patience Jonathan Motherhood Centre”, according to the NCWS President, “would liaise with governments at all levels nationally and internationally for policy inputs that would lead to the domestication of all conventions and African protocols on issues concerning women.”

Explaining why the centre was named after the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, she said, the NCWS took the decision in view of the First Lady ’s contributions to the elimination of obstacles inhibiting the political and economic advancement of Nigerian women.

In addition to her direct interventions in issues concerning women, the first Lady has been working hard to ensure that more women are appointed into important positions in government.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013 — 49

Sada inaugurates new steel plant at Otta, promises enabling environment

By KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

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N600 m Ikeja Trinity Mall ready in June

By KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

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essrs Omais Investment Nigeria L i m i t e d , developers of the N600 million Trinity shopping plaza located along Awolowo Way in Ikeja, the Lagos State capital, have promised to deliver the project in June as stipulated in the contractual agreement which pegged the completion period of the mall at 18 months.

The company ’s Chief Executive Officer, Omochiere Aisagbonhi told newsmen at the project site last week, that the multi-million Naira project which was formally flagged off on December 13, 2011, had achieved 90 per cent completion. According to him, work on the outstanding 10 percent which involves putting finishing touches on the project, is ongoing.

Vanguard Homes & Property observed that skeletal jobs such as painting and landscaping were being undertaken by workmen. The three-storey shopping mall comprises 40 shop spaces of various shapes types.

The Omais boss explained that Mall will to provide shoppers and shop-owners with a fresh and ultimate novel experience in shopping.

“As you can see, we are putting finishing touches and the Mall is in the final completion stage, preparatory to formal opening in June, which is less than two months from now. Much of the spaces have been bought or leased by discerning shop owners who want to take advantage of the unique advantage that Trinity Mall has, in terms of its location, state-of-the-art

facilities and ambience. ‘’We still have a few shopping spaces left and we are in the process of allocating to clients on first come, first served basis. Some of the spaces have been taken up by

IT and Telecoms companies, Clothes and Accessories, Eatery and so on. We have spaces for banking hall, department store, bar or coffee shop, dry cleaners, sports and goods’’, Aisagbonhi noted.

Explaining that shopping

QSRBN President, Mallam Hussaini Dikko, Mr. Felix Ewah, a retired Director of Quantity Surveying in the Ministry of Lands, Housing & Urban Development and Mr. Henry Eteama, QSRBN Consultant at the maiden QSRBN stakeholders conference in Abuja

should not be stressful, he said “ it should be pleasurable to the person spending the money and satisfactory to the one providing the service”. ‘’Our aim, therefore, is to make shopping and other business transactions pleasant experience. This is why we have committed about N600 million to the completion of this project and we have spared no expense in making sure that the Mall meets all internationally acceptable standards. ‘A major attraction is that subscribers have very flexible payment plans spread over a comfortable period to enable them become part of a new experience in the provision of top-quality service and products for sale to discerning members of the public in a relaxed environment.

Small shops go for N15 million each for outright buy while a lease for 10 years is N6 million. The bigger shops attract higher prices

QSRBN boss decries high cost of construction in Nigeria …Says some projects are used for money laundering

By CHRIS OCHAY I

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BUJA: The Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria, QSRBN, weekend, blamed the current high cost of construction projects on the exclusion of quantity surveyors from performing their cost functions.

The construction cost experts claimed that such projects have become instruments for money laundering and corruption.

President of QSRBN, Mallam Husaini Adamu Dikko who stated this at the maiden stakeholders’ conference in

Abuja, called for patriotic action to block money leakages in the construction industry which according to him, had put construction costs in Nigeria highest above what is obtainable anywhere in the world.

He specifically noted that billions, if not trillions of Naira will be saved if the board is encouraged to develop and deploy capacity towards mandatory involvement in cost determination of governmentowned buildings and other construction projects.

Dikko who described the industry as a potent economic

driver that can be used to create wealth, generate employment and boost the economy, lamented that the country ranks high under category of imperfect project cost with high correlation for corruption and deliberate act of falsification.

The QSRBN boss maintained that there is need for the public to be sensitized on the invaluable role quantity surveyors play and urged stakeholders involved in the management of construction processes to ensure that quality control is not comprised.

he Federal government has promised to provide the enabling environment and level playing ground for operators in the mining and steel sub- sector of the economy. The Minister of Mines and Steel, Musa Muhammed Sada who made the promise, assured that the partnership effort with the private sector will guarantee the successful implementation of the government’s Backward Integration Programme.

The Minister who spoke last week during the official inauguration of Sun & Sand Industries Africa Nigeria limited, Otta, Ogun State, also assured the company which produces ferrous and nonferrous metal alloys for export, that the government will consider its formal request for Cadastral Mine Allocation .

Sada explained that from what he had seen at the company’s site, it is fully ready for mining.

“We cannot be thinking of this type of programme without people like you because you are in the business of making the programme a huge success.

Your company is an addition to steel production in Nigeria. You have become a partner in the steel sector of the national economy. My Ministry is ready to support your company because we know it will create job opportunities for Nigerians which is the main objective of the backward integration programme of the government”, Sada said.

Speaking earlier, the founder and managing director of the company, Shweta Satija described Sun & Sand Industries as one of the largest manufacturing facilities in Nigeria. The company produces alloys of aluminum, copper, lead and Aluminum wire rod. The company, he said, has large and diverse range of operations that include manufacturing and export of ferrous and nonferrous alloys such as aluminum alloys, copper alloys, tin alloys, lead alloys and wire rods.

Sun & Sand Industries according to him, is the first company in Africa to export engineering products to technologically advanced countries.

50 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

Deaths from defective PHCN poles worry residents •Owners ignore integrity test suggestion

By OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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HOUSANDS of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, electric poles across the Lagos metropolis are defective and could collapse at the slightest wind thrust.

Residents and road users have continued to raise the alarm on the precarious state of these electric poles and the need to carry out integrity and maintenance auditing on them to ascertain their durability by PHCN authorities in the state.

Two students electrocuted: Vanguard’s investigations show that about a year ago, two students were electrocuted on their way home from school when they unknowingly stepped on a life wire of a pole that fell during a heavy downpour accompanied by strong wind.

A teacher on Island too: Also, a teacher in one of the secondary schools on the Island, last year, lost his life when an electric pole fell on him as he was immediately electrocuted during an early morning rainfall accompanied by thunderstorm.

Latest danger: Last week during a heavy downpour not fewer than five electric poles belonging to PHCN collapsed around Central Business District, CBD, in Ikeja , Acme Road,to be precise close to Guiness and Peak Milk companies. As at press time, the electric poles were still lying on the road with the naked wire waiting to take lives through electrocution.

Ineffectiveness and insensitivity The fallen poles, to say the least are evidence of inefficiency, ineffectiveness and insensitivity of the PHCN authorities as they do not only pose danger to residents but cause traffic gridlock on the affected roads.

Many more of such poles are scattered across the metropolis without any move by the owners to rescue their poor state which leaves residents to their fate incase of an eventuality.

Some electric poles are actually falling and left in such positions for months. These is a dangerous trend that should be addressed without further delay as heavy rainfall with windstorm have started.

The warning: It will be recalled that Nigerian Meteorological Agency, has warned residents on expected heavy rainfall this year. The Director_General of NIMET, Dr Anthony Anuforom, said that the rainfall pattern in most parts of Nigeria was likely to be similar to that of 2012, while pointing out that the forecast was not automatic as the predictions could change due to climate change.

Anuforom said: ‘’The conditions that determine rainfall pattern over Nigeria have become more variable due to the effects of climate change and global warming.’’

What this simply means is that Niger i a n s should ex•Fallen pect heavy Electric Pole rainfall, because climate change will affect us too.

Lagos outlaws Makoko floating school •Community sues govt over stance

By MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

T

HE Lagos state government has outlawed the ultra modern Makoko Floating School barely seven months after the construction started. The school that is expected to address perennial flooding that truncate access to education by children of the community may never be allowed to operate after-all.

The three_storey building with an area of 220 metres was built on a foundation of 256 plastic drums and powered by solar panels suspended on the roof. It isaimed at achieving the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, Goal II, which is to boost universal primary education.

The floating school being built jointly by the residents of Makoko/Iwaya Waterfront community, Yaba Local Council Development Area, LCDA, United Nation Development Programme, UNDP and a private firm -NLE works, Nigeria, was expected to accommodate no fewer than 100 pupils and their teachers.

The founder of NLE, and promoter of the floating school, Mr. Kunle Adeyemi who spoke to Vanguard from his Netherland office, said that the structure would have served as an exten-

sion of the only existing school in the coastal community_ Whayinna Nursery and Primary school.

Adeyemi said that the ground floor of the three_storey building serves as an open recreational space for the pupils during the day and as a public arena for community activities after school hours.

While the first and the upper floors have classrooms that would have served primary classroom purposes.

Govt says it’s an illegal structure: Speaking on government’s position on the school, the Commissioner for Waterfront and Infrastructure Development in Lagos State, Prince Adesegun Oniru said; “The floating school has been illegal since inception. The owner of the floating school waited until there was a legal issue in the area before he commenced the construction of the school.”

According to him; “So as far as that floating school is concerned, it was erected without the permission of the state government.

“The simple answer to the floating school is that it is an illegal structure and it shouldn’t be there.”

The commissioner said that its development will affect the government’s redevelopment plan for the area, saying “This wouldn’t deter us to abandon our plan for

the area.”

Community sues govt Speaking on the floating school, secretary of the Makoko Waterfront Community, Mr. John Keke, who spoke to Vanguard on Phone said that the community and the government are already in court over the legality of several activi-

•Makoko-floating school

Insecurity: LAGBUScommences passengers, L

AGOS – LAGBUS Assets Management Ltd.– Operator of LAGBUS intra_city buses in Lagos State, has ordered its members of staff to start screening passengers and luggage to enhance security.

Mr Babatunde Disu, LAGBUS Managing Director, who gave this order, noted that the development became necessary following the current security challenges in the nation.

Disu advised commuters to co_operate with the routine checks and urged LAGBUS staff to be polite and courteous to passengers.

“We need to be security conscious in times like this,

and we must not be careless in our operations; our lives and that of our users are very important to us.

“You have the right to check the passengers and their luggage, and anyone who fails to summit should forfeit boarding.

“I am using this medium to urge our passengers to support this development as it became necessary following the recent bombing attack at a Kano motor park by the Boko Haram sect,” he said.

Speaking on the development, ASP John Umore, Officer_in_charge of the Bomb Detection Squad, Nigeria Police, Lagos

Command, urged LAGBUS staff to be watchful and vigilant of strange persons and luggage at bus stations and parks.

“You need to be watchful in the course of your duty. Check your buses properly before and after loading.

“We also want to encourage proper monitoring of goods brought to the parks, check what comes in and goes out of buses,” Umore said.

The police officer noted that Improvised Explosive Devices, I.E.D, – favoured by terrorists– could be in containers, like soft drink cans Umore added that drivers should guard against aban-

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013 — 51

o ultra modern ties of the residents of the waterfront community, saying; “I wouldn’t like to speak more on the issue because we were already in court.”

It will be recalled that the residents and various Non_Governmental Organisations, NGOs, sued the state government over the demolition of hundreds of structures, which the government claimed was embarked upon to address the environmental issues affecting the

community and to get rid of the shanties built close to the power line that passes through the community.

On the court case, Oniru however said; “We aren’t going to do anything that would amount to contempt of court. We will do what we need to do. If the owner of the structure got money to waste, he should continue. However we will not abort our plan.”

•sunborn yacht hotel

Controversial Yacht Hotel disappears from Lagos waters T

HE controversial N4.5 billion Sunborn Yacht Hotel, brought from England and moored on the Lagos waters for over four years, has finally disappeared from the state after the controversies surrounding its ownership.

It will be recalled that the custom built yacht, with 102 elegant suites, arrived the Lagos waters in November 2008 and instantly became a cynosure of all eyes.

The yacht, expected to serve as a four_star hotel, was, however , bedeviled by controversies since its arrival which led to it abandonment and subsequent rusting away on the water-ways.

When Vanguard visited the quay, by the Army Officers’ Mess at Marina, Lagos Island Local Government Area, there was no sign that such expensive and eye catching “I have received lots of com- structure ever plaints that our buses are dirty. berthed there.

Enquiries from As from now, officers should monitor the cleanliness of bus- the state governes. A vehicle that is dirty ment and even should not be allowed to load residents of the state yielded no passengers again,” he said.

Mr Yemi Odubela, Executive result as no one Director, LAGBUS, directed its could say specifmembers of staff to always ically what hapwear their identity cards to dis- pened to the tinguish them when on routine multi_purpose built yacht that checks.

“LAGBUS is one of the eyes moored on the of government in this time of state water for insecurity; so, we want all our over four years.

Commissioner staff to be at alert in the various parks and put on their for Tourism, Mr. identity cards for identifica- Oladisun Holloway, when asked tion’’. to comment on

luggage checks at parks doning of luggage, filthy environment and indiscriminate movement of strange persons and visitors.

Olu Ogunmankin, Deputy Head of Operations, LAGBUS,

urged its staff to desist from all forms of embarrassment of passengers, stressing that they should learn to be polite.

Ogunmankin advised LAGBUS drivers to always ensure that their vehicle doors were always closed when buses are waiting for loading, so as to prevent the throwing of susceptible objects into them.

He called for the cleanliness of LAGBUS buses, and ordered that no dirty bus should be allowed to ply any •Lagbus route henceforth.

the development denied the state government’s knowledge of the where about of the supposed ‘first African luxury hotel on water’.

According to Holloway; “As citizens of the state can’t find it, so is the state government also. The government can’t say precisely where the Yacht is berthed at present.”

The commissioner reiterated that “the state government doesn’t have any commitment in the yacht. And I don’t know why the residents of the state should be interested in whereabouts of the Sunborn yacht.

,

By OLASUNKANMI AKONI & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

The four-star hotel, originally owned by the City of London, was conceptualised as a leisure and business centre, to service the higher echelon of Lagos society

,

The four-star hotel, originally owned by the City of London, was conceptualised as a leisure and business centre to service the higher echelon of Lagos society. Mr. John Smart, a boat operator, said he could not say accurately the whereabouts of the four_storey multi_purpose built yacht, since removal last month.

According to Smart; “I cannot say the date when it was removed but all we saw on one fateful day was a large number of people who crowded the Sunborn Yacht and towed it away with another ship.

“They didn’t inform anyone where they will be taking the yacht to and since then we were yet to see it.”

So, the question on the lips of residents and concerned citizens which has remained unresolved is; “where is the Sunborn Yacht Hotel and who is behind the deal”. Time will tell.

52 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

Syria crisis: PM Halqi sur vives Damascus car bombing S

YRIAN Prime Minister Wael alHalqi has survived a car bomb attack in the capital, Damascus, state media has reported.

The blast in the capital’s western Mazzeh district targeted Mr Halqi’s convoy, state TV said, causing a number of casualties.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UKbased activist group, said one of Mr Halqi’s bodyguards was among several others killed.

It is unclear whether the blast was a suicide bombing or a planted device.

State television carried a brief interview with Mr Halqi, saying that it was filmed after the attack.

He appears assured but somewhat shaken in the interview, in which he talks about a meeting he

has just attended on the economy.

State TV said the blast happened at a busy intersection, near a public garden and a school. The upmarket neighbourhood is home to government buildings, the residences of several political figures and a military airport vital to the regime’s defences.

“I was walking in the street when suddenly there was a very powerful explosion and I saw a car burning and people running,” a witness told AFP. An unnamed Syrian official said the explosion was caused by a bomb placed underneath a parked car in the area, the Associated Press news agency reported.

An earlier report said it had been a suicide attack.

The Syrian Observatory

for Human Rights quoted medical sources as saying five civilians in the area were also killed.

The activist group quoted medical sources as saying Mr Halqi’s driver and another bodyguard were seriously injured.

Footage from the scene showed the charred remains of several vehicles, and a badly damaged bus. Debris and glass were strewn around a wide area, where onlookers had gathered.

Student shoots self in Ohio classroom A STUDENT at an allmale Catholic high school pulled out a gun in front of other students in his first-period classroom yesterday morning and shot

Mali breaks up suspected militant cell in Bamako

M

ALIAN security officer told Reuters a forces have group made up of 15 arrested at least eight people had been trained people suspected of by al Qaeda-linked plotting an attack in the MUJWA in Gao, a capital Bamako for the northern town, and were Islamist militant group planning to commit MUJWA, two senior bombings in Bamako security sources said when they were arrested.

“The group was yesterday. dismantled at the Malian officials said the beginning of March, but arrests were the first sign since it was a very that Islamist rebels battling French and sensitive issue we kept it African troops for control secret (until now),” said of Mali’s desert north the officer, who spoke on have activated cells in condition of anonymity.

He said the group was Bamako, which is located made up entirely of in the south.

Malian nationals and that A high-ranking military Cheetah Claws Botswana President Ian Khama

they had been living in Bamako’s Banankabougou district near a mosque.

A second security source confirmed arrests had taken place but put the number lower, at eight.

The discrepancy could not be immediately resolved.

Malian authorities gave no official comment.

France, assisted by some 2,000 troops from Chad, began a military offensive in January to drive out Islamist fighters who had seized twothirds of Mali a year earlier.

Cheetah Claws Botswana President

A

N overexcited cheetah jumped up from behind a fence and scratched the face of Botswana’s President Ian Khama, causing minor injuries, the southern African leader ’s spokesman said yesterday.

It was “a freak accident, not an attack,” spokesman

Jeff Ramsay told The Associated Press by telephone.

He said Khama did not go to the hospital but saw a doctor who gave him two stitches to his nose for the “minor wounds.”

Khama, 60, was asked about it when he appeared at public meetings in southeast

People stand near debris and a damaged vehicle after an explosion at alMezze neighbourhood in Damascus yesterday

Botswana with a plaster on his nose.

The cheetah is part of a menagerie kept by soldiers at the Botswana Defense Force barracks at Mogoditshane in Gaberone, the capital.

Ramsay said Khama went to watch the cheetahs being fed early

himself in an apparent suicide attempt, police said.

The youth was taken to a hospital, and there appeared to be no threat to other students at La Salle High School, an archdiocese school just west of Cincinnati. The school was immediately put on lockdown as a precaution, police said.

Students were later dismissed for the day, and the school posted a message on the announcement board in front of the building: “Please Pray for the Students of La Salle.”

At around 8 a.m., “a

student produced a gun inside one of the classrooms and shot himself, and we’re dealing with that now,” Green Township Police Chief Bart West told reporters.

School officials said the shooting was during the first class period of the day. No information was released immediately on the type of gun the student had.

West said the student apparently was trying to kill himself, but he had no other information on why he fired the shot.

He said authorities

weren’t aware of any threats made concerning the school or any other students. Authorities said all other students were safe.

Students, some in tears, gathered in the school gym. The school’s website said all students were safe and being released to parents “due to an attempted suicide involving one student.”

A school official said counselors were meeting with students, and officials were talking to students to try to learn more about the student who fired the shot.

Justices refuse Alabama’s immigration law appeal

T

HE Supreme Court yesterday rebuffed the state of Alabama, and gave a win to the Obama administration, by declining to review a lower court ruling that had blocked a controversial part of the state’s tough immigration law.

Alabama had asked the high court to review an appeals court decision to stop enforcement of the ‘harboring’ provision that made it illegal to harbor or transport anyone in the state who had entered the country illegally.

The appeals court had acted in 2012 at the

Obama administration’s request. The White House had said that Alabama’s law was trumped by federal immigration law.

The Alabama law, enacted in 2011, is considered one of the toughest state immigration statutes in the nation. The law also made it illegal to encourage people to either enter or stay in the country in violation of federal immigration laws.

The Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in two separate decisions, upheld

injunctions against the harboring provision and other parts of the law in August 2012.

A brief order issued by the court on Monday said Justice Antonin Scalia disagreed with the decision not to hear the case.

T h e O b a m a administration has challenged other provisions of the Alabama law, but they were not at issue in the case before the high court.

In 2012, the justices partially upheld a similar wide-ranging law enacted in Arizona.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013—53

C M Y K

54 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

Ronaldo to play with injury C

RISTIANO is still working hard to be match fit for the game against Borussia Dortmund. That said, he is still training alone. On Sunday, having won the derby, Real Madrid took its first training session focussed only on Tuesday’s game.

However, CR7 has been preparing for the upcoming European battle at the Bernabéu for

Zorc wary of Real fightback

much longer, specifically since the day after the defeat in Dortmund.

Cristiano felt a twinge during the warm-up prior to the first leg and he has been wrapped up in cotton wool since then, focussed solely on the return leg. Mourinho was not taking any risks and rested him for the derby.

Since last Thursday, Cristiano has trained fully focussed on the match against Lewandowski and co. On Sunday, the Portuguese exercised alone alongside physical trainer Carlos Lalín. He laced up his boots and exercised with the ball.

It was a very intensive training session, which made it clear that Cristiano would play in the all-important game no matter what.

Klopp: Nothing has been decided

B

ORUSSIA Dort mund coach Jurgen Klopp has warned his side against complacency during the second leg of their Champions League semi-final tie against Real Madrid.

The German club will head into Tuesday ’s clash with a 4-1 lead from the first leg played at home last week. ”We know we have to give it everything we have once more,” UEFA.com quotes him as saying. ”Even before the first leg we did not have the feeling that we could achieve a result which would allow us to travel to Madrid drunk and still go through. ”Now it is better than we would have dreamt, but nothing has been decided.”

Dortmund won the Champions League in 1997.

•Klopp

No excuses — Ramos

S •Ronaldo

•Lewandowski

T

HE Borussia Dort mund squad flew to Spain yesterday, knowing they still have a job to do to reach the Champions League final, according to director of sport Michael Zorc.

“We know well and good that Real have always been capable of turning games like this around in their history,” he said ahead of Tuesday night’s second leg in the Spanish capital.

“We know that they have enough quality to do so and they have shown it often enough already.

“We need to play as well as we did in the first leg if we are to reach the final.

“We know that Real Madrid will play differently at the Bernabeu to how they played in Dortmund,” Zorc said to Sport1 television.

“I think we’re going to come up against something very strong."

C M Y K

ERGIO Ramos has said that Ream Madrid would have no excuses should they fail to qualify for the final in Wembley.

“There is no bigger

Mourinho wants ‘ruthless’ Real ….says result won’t affect his future

J

•Mourinho

OSE Mourinho knows Real Madrid need to find their ruthless streak if they are to have any chance of reaching the Champions League final.

“We played against a player that scored four goals and wasn’t fouled in the whole game, whilst Cristiano (Ronaldo) was fouled five times and the game had barely begun.

It was like we were playing a friendly.

“Mentally and physically we need to be stronger.

“We have 90 minutes to play and we are 4-1 down. What I am concerned with is analysing what happened in Dortmund and what we have to do on Tuesday.

“My future won’t depend on that. ,” he said.

Babangida ready for Planet experience

F

ORMER Super Ea gles winger, Tijani Babangida will be the ‘Legend of the Night’ at the Heineken Champions Planet tonight, where fans would be watch live screening of the match between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund The Atlanta ‘96 Olympic gold medal winner over the weekend confirmed his intention to be part of the premium viewing experience again at the Heineken Champions Planet in Victoria Island, Lagos. “I watched FC Chelsea’s historic win

here at the Heineken Champions Planet last season. The frenzied atmosphere on the final day is something I would like to experience again, so I was very happy when this opportunity came about, I had no choice but to accept,” he said.

Having made a lot of friends during his last visit, tonight will be another opportunity for all his numerous admirers on social platforms like Facebook and Twitter to share the exciting moments of the match together with the legend.

motivation than playing in a UEFA Champions League final “I’ve been here for eight years and never played in one. There is nothing better – we have to believe we can get back into it “We want revenge. We have negative memories from the first leg and we want to play. We know our fans will support us from the first minute but that won’t be of any use if we are not focused on the game.".

•Ramos

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013 — 55

DStv Premier Basketball League:

NBBF, stakeholders trade words

BY JACOB AJOM

B

ASKETBALL stakeholders have cried foul over the non-release of sponsorship funds of N58 million naira to clubs participating in the 2012/2013 DStv Premier Basketball League season.

Though the new league season finally took off over the weekend with matches in the Atlantic and Savannah Conferences, stakeholders are not at peace with what the NBBF has described as 40% - 60% sharing formula for the 16 clubs.

In a statement by the stake holders made available to Sports Vanguard yesterday, they expressed worry over the fact that no monies had been credited to the accounts of clubs before the start of the league on April 26th, 2013. Clubs are particularly worried that given the new 28 games format which has made the over head cost extremely enormous as the N1.45m the federation intends to pay for was grossly

inadequate.

In his reaction, President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Tijani Umar challenged clubs in the countr y ’s top flight DSTV Basketball league to look for alternative sources of revenue instead of depending on the paltry amount they get as sponsorship funds.

Speaking to Sports Vanguard yesterday Umar said the

accusation was spurious and lacked logic.

“The money they are talking about got into our account only on Thursday and today is just Monday. How on earth do you think all the banking procedures could have been completed before the end of day today?” he asked, adding , “as I speak, one of the clubs is yet to forward their bank details to us.”

C M Y K

OLDEN Eaglets’ coach Manu Garba has said new players will be given opportunities to fight for places in the team ahead of the 2013 Fifa Under17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Eaglets were beaten 4-5 on penalties by the Baby Elephants of Ivory Coast in the final of the 2013 Africa U n d e r - 1 7 Championship in Marrakech, Morocco on Saturday after the pulsating encounter ended 1-1.

We ‘ll fortify team before World Cup — Eaglets coach Garba said his charges failed to live up to expectation when it mattered most.

“Frankly, whatever happened we should still be thankful to God since we didn’t bargain for this,” Garba said.

“We wanted to go back to Nigeria with the cup and gold medal and we created many chances and if we had taken them today (Saturday) the story would have been different.

“We’re going to fortify the team despite the fact that some of these players secured us the ticket to the World Cup and we’re going to look for quality replacements before going for the World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE),” he said.

Keita.

“Mahamadou was right in his decision though the call upset my team.

•Isaac Success

Union Bank wins Abba Bukar Ibrahim hockey championship

U

GET- TOGETHER: From left Larry Izamoje, Mitchell Obi and Dan Ngerem at the Lagos SWAN get-together in honour of Mitchell Obi over his election as the New AIPS Africa President

Sydney gold medals Continues from BP Secretary General of NOC, Honourable Tunde Popoola could not hold himself yesterday when he shouted that “the gold medals are here”.

The staff led by the Admin Manager, Emmanuel Nweri gathered and Popoola generously popped champagne for the gold medals.

The remaining five gold medals are for late Sunday Bada, Nduka Awazie, Jude Monye, Clement Chukwu and Fidelis Gazama.

Enefiok Udobong, the other member of the squad had received his medal because he was the first to return his silver medal to the International Olympic Committee, IOC. The USA team that won the gold medals were disqualified

G

because of late Antonio Pettigrew”s confession to having used banned performance-enhancing drugs at the time.

With Nigeria elevated to the top position, Jamaica were promoted to silver and Bahamas the bronze.

“This is a massive thing that calls for celebration and we are going to have an elaborate celebration for it. We want the President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan and other eminnent Nigerians in attendance”, an overwhelmed Popoola said.

NOC President, Engr Sani M. Ndanusa also congratulated the Nigerian athletes and praised them for writing Nigeria’s name in gold noting that it is an indication of good thing for Team Nigeria.

Mba Continues from BP interest” his parent club, Warri Wolves have said the player cannot play for the Flying Antelopes yet.

Rangers general manager Ozor Paul told MTNFootball.com that Mba is on the trip to Angola after his club reached an agreement with the player’s former club War ri Wolves because he is on “a national duty”.

But spokesman for Warri Wolves, Moses Etu dismissed the report as “a complete lie,” insisting that “to date, Rangers have not spoken a word with us on Mba.” The Warri Wolves spokesman said that “as far as we are concerned, no agreement has been reached between us and Rangers on Mba. If they go ahead and use him in their champions League match this weekend, they

lose the three points, even if they win the match.”

He accused Rangers of disrespecting NFF in the entire Mba transfer saga as the Coal City outfit had not initiated any discussion with them for the player.

“When they wanted Chigozie Agbim they came to us and we agreed for his release. It is on paper that they are going to pay us N8m on or before 15th of May for his transfer, but nothing has been said of Mba,” Etu reiterated.

Mba has yet to debut for Rangers after Warri Wolves demanded for a staggering transfer fee for the star forward who dazzled at the Nations Cup in South Africa, where the scored two tournament-defining goals against Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso.

NION Bank of Lagos male Hockey team at the weekend won the Abba Bukar Ibrahim Hockey championship in Abuja after a 2-0 victory over hard-fighting Plateau State team in the final.

Head Coach of Union Banks Men’s Hockey team, Tunde Odedokun attributed their fine run at the championship in Abuja to inspiration and motivation from Union Bank management led by Emeka Emuwa Odedokun said his players were committed to paying back management’s massive support to the team.

“Union Bank management under the Group Managing Director/CEO Emeka Emuwa has done so much to boost sports and the Hockey team has resolved not to let them down. Our only way of telling them ‘ well done’ is to keep winning our games until we are crowned champions,” said Odedokun who described drawn games against FCT and Yobe before their semifinal win against Delta force as tough. Odedokun urged his team to sustain the winning mentality as they filed out against plateau yesterday.

Linesman Continues from BP at the end of Sunday’s game in Grozny between Amkar Perm and local side Terek when a raging Musa Kadyrov dropped his flag and ran on to the pitch, attacking startled 18-year-old Amkar defender Ilya Krichmar.

‘The ref blew the final whistle and I started walking to our bench when suddenly someone came from behind, pushed me to the ground and began

kicking and punching me,’ Krichmar said.

He added: ‘Terek players then joined the attack.

Someone grabbed me by the throat, another hit me...bloodying my face.

‘Thank God, my teammates came to the rescue. Special thanks to Vlasov from Terek. We had known each other from a youth academy in St Petersburg and he helped me escape.’

Local authorities took swift action.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

Champions League

Real in mission ‘impossible’ against Dortmund

R

Sydney gold medals arrive HEROES: Nigerian 4x4 relay quartet after the race in Sydney 2000.

•President Jonathan to present medals to heroes

BY TONY UBANI

T

HE Nigeria O l y m p i c Committee, NOC, secretariat erupted in celebration yesterday when they received the remaining five gold medals won by Nigeria’s 4X400 metres relay quartet at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games following the disqualification of the USA team who were the original winners over dope violations.

Continues on Page 55

PUZZLE

•Benzema December 2011, when they lost to arch-rivals Barcelona.

Mba can’t play for Rangers — Wolves insist

BY JACOB AJOM

C

Life ban for linesman after attack on after assaulting a player Champions League player during a league match.

A

Russian assistant referee was given a life ban on Monday

The incident occurred

Continues on Page 55

Real vs Dortmund 7.45 p.m.

ONTRARY to reports that AFCON hero Sunday Mba could make his Rangers debut this weekend at Angola’s Recreativo Libolo because he had been cleared “in national Continues on Page 55

•Mba

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

EAL Madrid will tonight face what some observers consider an ‘impossible mission’ when they attempt to comeback from a 4-1 Champions League semifinal first leg deficit against Borussia Dortmund at the Santiago Beanebeu.

Robert Lewandowski scored all four goals in a memorable performance last week.

The nine-time Champions League winners’ home form in the competition is cause for optimism, with just two defeats from their last 19 games at the Bernabeu.

Real’s home record domestically is even better, having not lost a game in 26 fixtures, a run spanning back to

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Bargain (6) 5 Handbook (6) 8 Obstinate (8) 9 Exclude (4) 10 Expert (3) 12 Vapour (5) 15 Beaker (3) 17 Tree (3) 18 Stray (3) 19 Perform (3) 20 Sea-duck (5) 21 Imitate (3) 22 Fish (3) 23 Jewel (3) 24 Transgress (3) 26 Sweetmeat (5) 29 Favourite (3) 33 Lake (4) 34 Send (8) 35 Musician (6) 36 Nakedness (6)

DOWN 2 Garret (5) 3 Duct (4) 4 Perch (5) 5 Madness (5) 6 Mid-day (4) 7 Farewell (5) 10 Gather (5) 11 Consumed (5) 12 Ledge (5) 13 Finished (5) 14 Combine (5) 15 Confine (5) 16 Fold (5) 25 Perfect (5) 27 Speak (5) 28 Seed (5) 30 Eject (5) 31 Negate (4) 32 Employed (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS

ACROSS: 1, Tutu 4, Cad 6, Once 8, Hinder 9, Latent 10, Eye 12, Heart 14, Green 15, Goose 18, Renown 20, Robust 24, Evade 26, Scold 28, Eager 30, Ate 32, Furrow 33, Astute 34, Mend 36, Yarn.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 2, Unite 3, Undergo 4, Care 5, Dale 6, Outer 7, Confess 11, Yes 12, Her 13, Tow 17, Eva 19, Exclude 21, Ode 22, Beastly 23, Tar 25, Vat 27, Lurid 29, Enter 30, Away 31, East.

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

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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