BUHARI: I belong to everyone and I belong to nobody

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SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015— 3

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Buhari, Osinbajo inauguration: How it happened

By Levinus Nwabughiogu & Joseph Erunke, Abuja

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari opened a new chapter in Nigeria’s history yesterday at his inauguration as the first president to take office from an incumbent with another political party vowing that the democratic credentials laid by his predecessor would be built upon.

At the inauguration witnessed by world leaders and all living former Nigerian leaders, Buhari affirmed his ascension to office put him at the service of all Nigerians pledging he would not be beholden to any private interest.

“I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody,” President Buhari said even as he put earlier pledges to deal decisively with the Boko Haram insurgency with the order to relocate the command and control centre fighting the insurgency to Maiduguri.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan was graceful in his exit yesterday. After handing over the instruments of office to his successor, the former president who was without his wife, made a dignified exit in an unmarked vehicle for a reception in Yenogoa, Bayelsa State.

The administration of the oath of office to the vicepresident, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and President Buhari by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmoud Mohammed was preceded by colourful military parade under the command of Lt. Col. Useni Braimah.

The handover commenced in earnest yesterday upon the arrival of Dr. Jonathan at about 10.19 a.m. He had been preceded by his deputy, Arc. Nnamadi Sambo and then vice-president-elect, Prof. Osinbajo.

Upon his arrival Christian and Islamic prayers were respectively offered by Rev (Dr) Israel Akanji, Chairman of the FCT Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, who represented CAN president, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, and the Deputy Chief Imam of Abuja Central Mosque, Dr Ibrahim Ahmad Bakare.

Following that, Lt. Col. Braimah sought permission from President Jonathan to commence the parade and Dr. Jonathan performing his last duty in office, gave the order and the military parade commenced.

Following the parade, Osinbajo with his wife, Dolapo mounted the dais to take the oath of office and oath of allegiance.

He was followed by Buhari who also with his wife, Aisha proceeded to take the same oaths and that was followed by the transfer of a copy of the constitution from Jonathan to Buhari.

Jonathan also transferred the instruments of office to his successor. From that point, Jonathan exited the stage following which the

military commander who had earlier sought permission from former President Jonathan to commence the parade now sought permission from President Buhari to end the parade.

His ascension into office was marked with the release of pigeons into the air and a 21 gun salute.

The new president then mounted an open roof Mercedez Benz G wagon with which he was driven round the Eagles Square as he acknowledged cheers from well wishers.

Following that the president then gave his inaugural address at the beginning of which he paid encomiums to former President Jonathan who he said had laid a positive foundation for democracy even as he pledged to build upon it.

In the address, he promised to be a president for all, to administer the country according to the constitution even as he pledged to deal with the challenges posed by corruption, insecurity.

Highlights of President Buhari’s inaugural speech 1. The most immediate is Boko Haram’s insurgency.

2. A few people have privately voiced fears that on coming back to office I shall go after them. These fears are groundless. There will be no paying off old scores. The past is prologue.

3. We have an opportunity. Let us take it.

4. We must not succumb to hopelessness and defeatism. We can fix our problems.

5. Daunting as the task may be it is by no means insurmountable.

6. As far as the constitution allows me I will try to ensure that there is responsible and accountable governance at all levels of government in the country.

7.With depleted foreign reserves, falling oil prices, leakages and debts the Nigerian economy is in deep trouble and will require careful management 8.The command centre will be relocated to Maiduguri and remain until Boko Haram is completely subdued.

9. We cannot claim to have defeated Boko Haram without rescuing the Chibok girls and all other innocent persons held hostage by insurgents.

10. An eccentric and unorthodox preacher with a tiny following was given posthumous fame and following by his extra judicial murder at the hands of the police 11. We shall overhaul the rules of engagement to avoid human rights violations in operations

Roll call of dignitaries •Mr John KerryUnited States Secretary of State •Jacob Zuma-South African President; •Mrs Ellen Johnson

Serleaf—Liberian President; •Robert Mugabe— President of Zimbabwe; •John Mahama— President of Ghana; •Yayaha Djameh— President of Gambia; •Ibrahim Boubacar Keita —President of Mali; •Alpha Condé – President of Guinea; •Ouattara Alassane – President of Cote’d Ivoire; •Paul Biya—President of Cameroon; •Idriss Déby— President of Chad Former Nigerian presidents and Heads of State at the occasion •General Yakubu Gowon; •Alhaji Shehu Shagari; •General Ibrahim Babangida; •General Abdulsalam Abubakar; •Chief Ernest Shonekan; •Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; •David Mark —Senate President; •Ike Ekweremadu — Deputy Senate President; •Emeka Ihedioha — Acting Speaker, House of Representatives; •Anyim Pius Anyim — Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF; •Atiku Abubakar— Former Vice President; •Chief John Oyegun – APC National Chairman;

From left: President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife Hajia Aisha Buhari after taking oath of office at the Eagle Square, Abuja, yesterday.

• A d a m s Oshiomhole—Edo State governor; •Asiwaju Bola Tinubu—former governor of Lagos State; •Chief Ogbonaya Onu; •Chibuike Ameachi— Immediate past governor of Rivers State; •Senator Osita Izunaso George Akume—APC Minority Leader in the Senate; •Senator Bukola Saraki; •Kayode Fayemi— former governor of Ekiti State; •Chief Emeka Anyaoku— former

Secretary General to the United Nations; •General T.Y. Danjuma— former Defence Minister •Alhaji Bamanga Tukur—for mer PDP chairman.

TIMELINES *10:19 am: Jonathan arrives, car wheeled into the premise *Singing of the national anthem *Prayers said by Rev (Dr) Israel Akanji and Dr Ibrahim Ahmad Bakare. *Buhari, Osinbajo take oaths of office, allegiance * 9:48 am—Buhari, in company of his wife, Aisha, arrive * 10:08 am: Buhari exchanges pleasantries

with dignitaries *10:36: Osinbajo takes oath of office administered by CJN, Justice Mahmud *10:42 am: Jonathan arrives * 10:46 am: Jonathan formally hands over to Buhari *10: 50 am Buhari takes oath of office * 11:12 am: Jonathan bows out, leaves Eagles Square *The release of pigeon, balloons, and 21 gun salute *Buhari driven round Eagles Square, acknowledging cheers *Buhari delivers inaugural speech Read full text of Buhari’s inaugural speech on page 11

Jonathan arrives Bayelsa to a rousing welcome •Says ‘I thought you would boo me’

By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa

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ENAGOA the Bayelsa State capital was yesterday locked down as the former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan returned home to a heroic welcome from Bayelsans who in their thousands converged at the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre to receive him.

Jonathan clad in black traditional Ijaw attire, accompanied by his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan who was decked in a flowing red frock and other retinue of aides arrived the Government House helipad at about 3pm and received by the Bayelsa state Governor, Seriake Dickson, his deputy, Rear Admiral John Gboribiogha Jonah (rtd) and other respected Bayelsa elders and chiefs.

The Jonathans were later driven in a

motorcade accompanied

by Governor Dickson and his wife Dr (Mrs) Rachel Dickson to the venue of a civic reception. There were thousands of supporters at about 3. 13 pm.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr.Goodluck Jonathan said he was overwhelmed by the large turnout of Bayelsans to welcome him in spite of noticeable short comings of his administration in terms of attracting dividend to the state. Jonathan said he had thought he would be booed and cursed by the people for some decisions made and development not attracted to the state.

The former President, who was accompanied to the state by some of his core loyalists including the Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi among other dignitaries,

said when he was about leaving Abuja for Bayelsa his home state, he had thought that because of some wrong decisions and perceived thinking by the people that they were not satisfied, and could boo him.

He said, “Because you are exposed to the decision of high office and the thought that you may not have satisfied the people, sometimes you think they will curse you or boo you. But instead, the people have decided to celebrate me.”

Jonathan who went down memory lane on how he was dragged into politics by some prominent Bayelsans, said sometimes he had thought that if he had stayed in Bayelsa, he would have done better as a Governor,”but I left to allow others grow politically.”

He promised to

dedicate his life to peace building across the country and the nation.

“Nigerian have given me so much and the only thing I can do with the rest of my life is to dedicate myself to peace building. We need peace and Development.

Political crisis doesn’t bring development. I believe the new administration will work with everybody. I am happy the new President said he does not belong to any clique but for Nigerians.”

Earlier in his welcome address, Governor Seriake Dickson, said though he was moved by emotion while waiting to receive the former President due to the fact that such duty would be the last to a President from Bayelsa, the people of the state were happy that the former President arrived the state safe.

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015

Britain announces fresh support for Buhari to end Boko Haram •Spearheads G7 backing for Nigeria’s new leader to end attacks •To drive more investments into Nigeria in support of Buhari’s effort to stabilise economy

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North

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P PA R E N T LY excited by the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari as Nigeria’s new President, United Kingdom has openly declared its readiness to work closely with Nigeria to end its security and economic challenges.

To start with, Britain says it is going to spearhead the group of seven developed nations (G-7 nations) to rally necessary support for Buhari to crush insurgency in Nigeria without further delay.

British Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, announced the new posture of his country towards Nigeria while speaking with Vanguard in Abuja on Friday shortly after attending Buhari’s inauguration as Nigeria’s 5th civilian president.

Hammond led British delegation to witness the swearing in of Buhari, who only returned to Nigeria on the eve of his inauguration, where he had gone to rub minds with Prime Minister, David Cameron, at Number 10 Downing Street.

The foreign secretary said that apart from discussing Boko Haram challenges in G7 meeting coming up later, Britain was ready to provide the Nigerian armed forces with needed technical

and surveillance equipment and training to be able to combat the menace of insurgency.

According to him, it is imperative that Boko Haram must be crushed in order to give the new administration the opportunity to settle down and tackle the economic development of Nigeria and give succour to the citizens.

Hammond said: “The emergence of Buhari has given us a new opportunity to help Nigeria with both technical and surveillance support to tackle the problems of Boko Haram.

“But we can only do that if the Nigerian armed forces comply with human rights requirements.

Happily BUhari has given us that assurance and we are going to help Nigeria in any way possible to tackle its problems.

The foreign secretary announced that with Nigeria/British trade volume peaking at £7 billion per year, Britain was ready to drive more investments into Nigeria to help boost its economy and stabilise the country, using Nigerian businessmen in the UK as the vehicle.

Hammond said that Britain was excited about what he called “Buhari’s realistic agenda” to tackle the economic and socioeconomic challenges so as to give hope to the masses.

Saturday Vanguard

learnt that the dispatch of Hammond by David Cameron to attend Buhari’s inauguration marked the beginning of fresh level of cooperation between Nigeria and Britain in recent years.

The relationship between the two countries hit the rocks following the alleged refusal by the European nation to sell military hardwares to Nigeria to tackle insurgency on the allegation that Nigerian troops could use them to commit human rights abuses.

Before Hammond’s visit on Thursday, the last British Foreign Secretary to visit Nigeria was Jack Straw about nine years ago.

•The immediate past President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan (2nd R), and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan (R), being received by the Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (3nd L), his wife, Dr (Mrs) Rachael Dickson (2nd L), and the Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, on his arrival at the Glory Land Helipad, Yenagoa shortly after a successful hand-over ceremony in Abuja. Photo by Goodluck Ayebatonye

Suicide bomber kills 6 in Borno Village

BY NDAHI MARAMA, Maiduguri

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HE Borno Police Command on Friday confirmed the killing of six persons after a sucide bomber attacked a venue of wedding fatiha in Tashan

Kano Gov begins with appointment of officers

By Abdulsalam Muhammad

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OVERNOR Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has retained the Secretary to the State Government, Rabi’u Sulaiman Bichi in a gale of appointments announced Friday morning in Kano. The appointment was shortly after his inauguration.

Bichi served the immediate past Governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso in the same capacity.

In a statement he personally signed, Ganduje also appointed Alhaji Usman Bala

Mohammed as his Principal Private Secretary.

Ganduje also announced Muhammad Auwal Na’iya named the new Head of Service.

The new Governor appointed the immediate past Director of Press to Kwankwaso, Baba Halilu Dantiye, mni, as DirectorGeneral, Media and Communications.

The statement announced Ameen K. Yassar as the Press Secretary to Governor Ganduje, while Bala Salihu would serve the Governor as Special Assistant, Print Media.

Alade in Hawul Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno.

Mr Aderemi Opadokun stated this in an interview with Journalists in Maiduguri on Friday.

Hawul is south and about 215 kilometres drive from Maiduguri which has suffered series of killings and bombings by insurgents in recent past.

Opadokun said 30 people were also injured during the attack. The attack happened while president Muhammadu Buhari in his inaugural speech was vowing to subdue Boko Haram.

“I confirm the report on

an alleged suicide bombing in Tashan Alade in Hawul LGA. The incident was reported to be at a wedding fatiha.

“Presently, six persons all males whose identities are unknown areconfirmed dead, while 30 others were injured,’’ he said.

Opadokun said that the police had commenced investigations on the issue.

“Investigation is in progress on the issue,” he said.

Opadokun said however that the inauguration of Gov. Kashim Shettima for a second term of office in Maiduguri was peaceful.

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015 — 7

Inauguration/Swearing-in

Governor Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai of Kaduna State taking the oath of office before the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Tanimu Zailani at the Murtala Muhammed Square,Kaduna yesterday. Pix:Olu Ajayi.

Niger State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, being sworn in by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Fati Lamin Abubakar at the Minna township stadium yesterday.

BY ABDULLAHI GARBA

to you just how deep a hole we have dug ourselves in the past several years.

“But this much we already know. Our finances are in shambles. Kaduna is the second most indebted state in our country.

“Our state is staggering under the weight of billions of naira in debt and other liabilities.

“As we all know, merely by walking the streets or seeing our neighbors everyday, the state of our state is abysmal.

“Our schools and hospitals, our roads and bridges, our villages, townsand cities, all are

Violence mars El-Rufa’i’s inauguration in Kaduna V

iolence er upted yesterday at the Murtala Mohammed Square venue of the inauguration of Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i as the Kaduna state Governor.

Scores of injured persons were rushed to the nearby Barau Dikko Hospital for medical attention.

Trouble started at about 11 am after El-Rufa’i took the Oath Office and the Oath of Allegiance when some unidentified youths started throwing missiles at the VIP stand, directed essentially at the Emir of Zazzau, Dr. Shehu Idris.

“Bring down the Emir so that we’ll kill him,” a cross section of the protesters demanded even as they engaged securitymen in physical combat.

The development forced El-Rufa’i to abandon his post-inauguration address midway when the podium gave way as the chaos intensified, overwhelming the security personnel.

A stray missile, sachet of “pure water,” exploded on the face of the Chief Judge of Kaduna state, Justice Tanimu Kelani, who administered the oaths on El-Rufa’i even as security evacuated the Governor and other dignatories from the VIP stand.

Journalists covering the programme were not spared either as some of them escaped with varying degrees of bruises and their

equipment smashed.

“It was a bad outing for us,” Tesem Akende, a TVC correspondent said.

According to him, “they attacked the TVC crew which I lead and our gadgets were broken.

“Some of my crew are being taken to the hospital as I speak with you.”

“What you saw would have been worse if Mukhtar Ramalan Yero (immediate past governor) was here,” a youth who identified himself as Musa said, adding that, “we wanted to also deal with him.”

Reports said that the

attack on the Emir may not be unconnected with his alleged partisanship posture during the electioneering campaigns.

Some of the reports claimed that the Emir openly canvassed support for Yero who also holds the traditional title of Dallatun Zazzau.

Incidentally, El-Rufa’i and Yero hail from Zaria.

Before he was interrupted, El-Rufa’i had described Kaduna as being in a difficult situation.

According to him, “as soon as we have all the facts in the coming weeks, we shall lay bare

Fmr Deputy go vernor or governor vernor,, Senat Senator att ac ouths in attac ackked bbyy angr angryy yyouths Adamawa

BY UMAR YUSUF

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MMIDIATE past Deputy governor of Adamawa State, Sa’ad Tahir and the senator representing Adamawa Central, Alhaji Bello Tukur, were manhandled by angry youths at the swearing in ceremony of Senator Mohammed Umar Bindow as the state governor.

Tahir represented former Governor Bala Ngillari at the ceremony held at the Mahmud Ribadu Square.

The incident started shortly after Tahir delivered his speech.

Tahir, who was intermittently booed while presenting his speech, was accosted by

the crowd immediately he alighted from the podium.

It took the intervention of security men and party chieftains to calm the situation, as he was whisked away by his security aides.

Former commissioners who accompanied the former deputy governor sneaked out of the venue of the ceremony on sensing danger.

Also, Tukur, who represented the Senate President at the event was not spared as his car was damaged, while his clothes were torn by the angry youths who pelted him with stones.

Tahir had earlier in his speech said the outgoing administration

had done much in the area of fighting insurgency, education and youth empowerment.

In his acceptance speech, the new governor, Bindow pledged to run an open door policy.

He said: “With God on our side, we shall overcome the problems bedeviling our state.

“I am therefore calling on all to join hands in moving the state to greater heights.

The APC government in Adamawa, will be government for all.

Therefore we will meet with security operatives and other stakeholders on the need to review the ban on motorcycle riding.’’

marks of backwardness.

“Too many of our children are hungry and in rags and on the streets. Our society is divided along religious and ethnic lines.

“Worse still, our state cannot stand on its own feet. We have become a state of beggars, a condition of dependency

that is an affront to our dignity and our humanity.

“The fact is that today Kaduna State cannot meet its obligations without handouts from the Federal Government.

“We cannot comfortably pay salaries of our teachers and nurses and civil servants.”

Aliyu sstt oned in Niger Niger,, smuggled out of ssttadium

BY WOLE MOSADOMI

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MMIDIATE past governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu was yesterday booed and stoned at the venue of the handing over ceremony in Minna.

Aliyu was at the Bako Kontagora Memorial Stadium for the transfer of power to his successor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello.

The former governor, who arrived at about 10.15 am was booed by the crowd as he walked to the podium.

Shouts of ‘Barawo’, ‘thief ’, ‘ole’, ‘change has come’, ‘ your time has gone,” filled the air.

Aliyu was not able to present his farewell speech as a result of the ensuing pandemonium.

Even as he was seated at the pavilion, stones and sachet water were hauled at him.

As a result of that, military men from 31 Artillery Brigade were drafted to the stadium in search of those behind the incidence.

It was gathered that former governor was earlier advised against attending the ceremony to forestall such occurrence.

The new governor , Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello and his Deputy,

Alhaji Mohammed Ketso were administered the oath of office and allegiance by the Chief Judge, Justice Lami Abubakar.

Immediately after the event tear-gas was shot into the air leading to stampede.

The former governor was smuggled out of the stadium amidst tight security led by the state Commissioner of Police to avoid being mobbed by the crowd.

The new Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello in his inaugural address titled,”Repositioning the State For Peace and Development,” said though he was taking over at a critical period, all would be done to put smiles on the faces of Nigerlites.

His words:”As the administration settles down, we will examine the books and study what is being handed over to us. As a follow up to the debt burden being bequeathed to us by the outgoing administration,I will like to use this opportunity to assure Nigerlites that this administration will carry out a forensic audit to determine our debt profile and bonds with a view to determining how these funds were applied and for which projects.’’

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015

South West Inauguration/Swearing-in Ambode creates Ministry of Employment, two other offices in Lagos

By Olasunkanmi Akoni, Ikenna Asomba & Monsur Olowoopejo

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U T G O I N G Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, yesterday, handed over the administration of the state to Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, as the 8th elected governor of the state along with his deputy, Dr Oluranti Adebule at a colourful and well attended inauguration and swearing-in ceremony, held at Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS, Lagos Island.

The dignitaries at the ceremony were former governors of the state; Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Rear Admiral Nduisi Kanu while former deputy governors in attendance were; Mr. Femi Pedro and Adebisi Sosan.

Also Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Senator Remi Tinubu and Senator Solomon Adeola, Oba of Lagos Rilwanu Akiolu, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Captains of Industries, state lawmakers, All Progressives Congress, APC, stalwarts, members of trade associations, students among others were in attendance.

Ambode, decked in white attire (Agabada) with a red cap to match, was sworn in by the Chief Judge of Lagos, Justice Funmilayo Atilade, at about 11.25am Earlier, Ambode’s deputy, Mrs. Oluranti Adebule, had been sworn in at about 11.19am by Atilade.

The governor, after inspecting the guard of parade mounted by members of the Nigeria Police Force, said, “As we collectively face the challenge to make Lagos a better place to live in, we must recognize our

strength in diversity. A common national identity where everybody counts.

I shall run an open government of inclusion that will not leave anyone behind. No matter your age, sex, tribe or any other Status, as long as you reside in Lagos, we will make Lagos work for you.

“I want to assure all of us that I will make your taxes work for you. You will surely get a transparent and incorruptible government that will give you good value for your taxes paid.

“We shall embark on continuous reforms in the public service. I am determined to demonstrate that the government belongs to the citizens. You have put us here as servants to serve you and not you serving us. Today we are committed to that creed.Moving forward, the Civil Service will be strengthened and made to respond to the needs of all citizens in the same manner, quality services are rendered in the private sector.

Creation of new ministry, offices Highpoint of the inaugural speech which attracted ovation from the crowd was the

F

OLLOWING the inauguration and taking of oath of office, yesterday, the new Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, announced the appointments of some key officers to work in the new administration.

The names of the officers are; Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief of Staff and Chief Press Secretary.

In a statement

•Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (left),being sworn-in by the State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Olatokunbo Olopade (right) at the M.K.O Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta yesterday.

•Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State taking oath of office at Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, Oyo State yesterday.

End of Amala politics — Ajimobi

By OLA AJAYI, Ibadan

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OVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi was yesterday sworn in by the Oyo State Chief Judge as a democraticallyelected governor to rule Oyo State twice noting that his emergence had effectively banished the era of ‘Amala politics’.

Pledging to consolidate on the peaceful atmosphere that characterized his first term, he stated that by reelecting him for another

Ambode appoints SSG, Chief of staff, press secretary

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

announcement by the newly sworn in governor of the creation of a new ministry and two offices.

According to Ambode “I want to assure the business community and corporate Lagos that the ease of doing business in Lagos will be improved upon earnestly. Lagos is open for greater business.

To this end, a new Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment (LAGOS GLOBAL) shall be created under the Governor ’s Office.

“We want you to fly into Lagos, start your business, find your way, live, work and enjoy in Lagos.

“As part of our reforms, a new Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment shall be established. This would specifically address the promise I made during the campaign on employment trust fund, labour exchange and entrepreneurship. This goal, we shall pursue vigorously.

“Allso, the Office of Civic Engagement shall be created under the Deputy Governor ’s Office to strengthen and enhance our promise on government of inclusion.

Everyone must have a voice in my administration.”

personally signed by Ambode, Mr. Tunji Bello, the immediate past Commissioner for the Environment, as the SSG, Mr. Samuel Olukunle, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of Chief of Staff as the new Chief of Staff.

Also, Mr. Abiodun Bamgboye has been appointed Principal Private Secretary, while Mr. Habib Adamson Aruna was appointed the Chief Press Secretary.

The appointments take immediate effect.

four years, an end has come to petty political grievances and unfounded allegations capable of destabilizing the collective resolve to move the state forward.

Though, the ceremony was glamorous in all respects with impressive turn-out and held in a peaceful atmosphere, former civilian governors in the state were conspicuously absent at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium.

The former governors that were absent at the ceremony include Senator Rashidi Ladoja, the governorship candidate of Accord who is currently challenging the declaration of the Ibadan-born-governor by the Independent National Electoral commission, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo.

Only two former military governors were among other eminent people that attended the epoch-making event.

They are Admiral Toye Sode and Colonel Ahmed Usman, both are former military administrators in the state.

Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, New Governor of Lagos State inspecting the Parade of honour after taking oath of office, during the Inauguration and Swearing-in Ceremony and Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule as Deputy Governor, at Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan, Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

•From left Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, New Governor of Lagos state Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Imediate past governor of Lagos, during the Inauguration and Swearing-in Ceremony of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode as Governor of Lagos state and Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule as Deputy Governor, at Tafawa Balewa Square Onikan, Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015 — 9

Inauguration/Swearing-in

It’s time for rural development

Enugu

By Francis Igata

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R. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was yesterday, sworn-in as the fourth executive governor of Enugu Statesinceitscreationin1991.

He was sworn in at the Michael Okpara Square at about 11.39 am.

His deputy,Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo who had a date with history as first female deputy governor of the state was earlier sworn in by the state ChiefJudge,JusticeInnocent Umezuruikeatabout11.26am Immediate past governor, Sullivan Chime had while handing over the reigns of powertoUgwuanyibeforean impressive crowd, assured the people of the state of improved service delivery by his successor.

Chime said,”I am handing over this constitution and consolidated transition report to you (Ugwuanyi) as the symbol of your authority. I thank God and the people of Enugu State for your support andprayersthroughoutthese eight years in office.

“I urge you to do same for Ugwuanyi to enable him do better than we did especially now that allocation from the centre is in an all time low.

The time for politics is over.

This is time for governance.

You should drop all garbs of politics and concentrate on governance to the people of Enugu State. I plead with politicians to allow you(Ugwuanyi)spacetosettle down to governance.

Ugwuanyi, in his inaugural speech , noted that his administration in line with his campaign promises, will

Ebonyi

recommit to continuing with the legacies of the Sullivan Chime’s administration and his road map for taking Enugu State to the next level.

According to the governor, ”I recommit myself to employment generation, enhanced social services and good governance, rural development and indeed, security and justice. We will deploy government services to create fair and equal opportunity for every willing citizen to make a living and create wealth,educate our children, and enjoy life in a peaceful and secure environment.

“Enugu State under us will pay special attention to rural development because majority of our people live in the rural areas. We will create more urban areas to boost economicgrowth.Inlinewith this,we must equip and modernize Nsukka, a Universitytownfoundedover half a century ago to compete with other University towns

Abia

By Anayo Okoli

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BIA State new Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu was sworn-in yesterday with a plea to Abia people to be ready to make sacrifice as hard decisions would be taken by his administration to move the state forward.

Ikpeazu who was sworn

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HE newly sworn-in Governor of Ebonyi state, Engr. Dave Umahi yesterday said his administration would create two more ministries to bring their number to 18.

The new ministries include those of Religious/Welfare and Planning, Design, Evaluation and Strategy.

Umahi spoke shortly after being sworn in as the third elected governor of the state at the Abakaliki Township C M Y K

•Enugu State Governor in parade after his swearing-in yesterday.

Be ready for sacrifices—Ikpeazu in at about 10.30am by the State Chief Judge, Justice Theresa Uzokwe however promised to take the state to a greater height.

According to him, Abians would be ready to make sacrifice and be ready to pay taxes in the effort to move the state forward as his administration would run prudent government.

Ikpeazu also promised

to be firm in plugging all loopholes and revenue leakages just as he said that the state internally generated revenue windows of the state would be reviewed to make them better.

He devoted a lot of his speech to talk on Aba, the commercial city which he promised to regenerate and make it better and promised that in 2016, the

Umahi to create 2 more ministries, establish trust fund

Governor Dave Umahi waving to the crowd after taking oath of office at the Abakaliki Township stadium yesterday

By Peter Okutu

in attracting technology and knowledge-basedbusinesses and other industrial support ventures,bearinginmindthat Nsukka is the second largest town in Enugu State.

“In the same vein, the 9th Mile Corner is a long overlookedeconomichubthat we need to harness to enjoy the full benefits of our newly acquired status as a Free Trade Zone. We will give attention to these places to speed up urban development, create fresh economic opportunities and reduce pressure on Enugu metropolis.”

ROLL CALL Dignitaries in attendance include: Deputy Senate President,Ike Ekweremadu, former senate president,Ken Nnamani, former governor, Enugu State,Okwesilieze Nwodo, former Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo,formerChairman,PDP, Enugu State chapter, Vita Abba, former deputy governor, Ifeanyi Itanyi.

Stadium.

The Oaths of Office were administered on the new deputy Governor, Dr Kelechi Igwe and Governor Umahi respectively by the state Chief Judge, Justice Alloy Nwankwo before a large crowdofcheeringsupporters.

He said that his government would also create special Security Trust Fund to assist the state government provide adequate security for very high profile public and private properties in the state.

“Our administration,

through an Act of the State House of Assembly, shall come up with a law to create security a Trust Fund which shall be maintained in the office of the Special Adviser on Security Matters.

“This fund will assist state government to provide adequate security to very high profile properties in the state, both public and private, through the use of electronic system, physical policing and othersophisticatedmeasures.

This will in turn reduce the cost of safe-guarding such properties and afford the owners 100% safety over them.

“Our administration shall have one control, evaluation andmonitoringsystemunder the office of a new Ministry of Planning, Design, Evaluation and Strategy.

Under this system, all projects’ designs will be checked,costsrecheckedand certificate of payments rechecked in line with work progress/quality and right pricing adopted.

“In the face of dwindling

revenue and unprecedented high debt profile, we are challenged to bring forward creative and intelligent ways of running a very smart administration. If we fail to do so, we might fall short of our manifesto commitments.

“Uncompleted projects in the state are vast and spread across the entire landscape, each carrying liabilities in hundreds of millions if not in billions of Naira.

“The state is swimming in a large sea of debts especially unpaid certificates and accumulated unpaid salaries to our civil servants both at state and local government levels. We are stepping into governance with serious financial challenges and negative balance sheet.

“Our administration will continuetomaintaintheoffice of the Special Adviser on Internal Security. So far, we are lucky with the security agencies in our state. We will, however, through the Special Adviser on Internal Security, assist all the security agencies in the state.’’

artisans in Aba would produce uniforms for the nation’s security and paramilitary agencies as the Government would provide the enabling environment for them.

The Governor also promised to be wearing throughout his days in office made-in-Aba clothes just as he promised to encourage the over 110,000 shoe makers and over 100, 000 bag makers to ensure that their products attain international quality.

Admitting that the task of governing the state would be “onerous and tedious”, Governor Ikpeazu extended hand of fellowship to those who contested the election with him, saying it was time to set aside their differences and work together to build the state.

He also commended the

former Governor; Chief Theodore Orji who he said did a lot for the state, saying he was personally indebted to him.

Earlier, in his speech shortly after he handed over the baton of leadership to Ikpeazu, Chief Orji said he was leaving Abia better than he met it, pointing out that Abia is well.

He however, said that the future of the state depends on the new governor and urged him to sustain the foundation he laid for the development of the state.

The swearing-in which commenced at the state’s International Conference centre later moved to a water-logged Umuahia Township Stadium where an inter-denominational church service was held to usher in the new Governor.

•Theodore Orji handing over mantle of leadership to Okezie Ikpeazu, the new Abia State Governor.

10 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015

Inauguration/Swearing-in

Okowa outlines five-point agenda for Delta

Delta

By Festus Ahon

T

HE people of Delta jubilated as the new Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa took oath of office at exactly 11:35am to take over the mantle of governance of the State.

Okowa clad in white ‘agbada’ arrived the cenotaph at 10:20am, venue of the inauguration ceremony, which was filled to capacity amidst cheers from Deltans who were already seated for the event and to catch a glimpse of their Governor.

The Governor, who was accompanied by his wife, Edith, his Deputy, Mr Kingsley Otuaro, family members and close political associates, was sworn in by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Marshal Umukoro.

The inauguration which lasted for about three hours caused traffic grid on all the roads leading to the cenotaph.

The outgone Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan who was dressed in Itsekiri traditional attire with his wife arrived the venue at 11: 13am beaming smiles of fulfilment.

In his inaugural speech which was heralded by entrance of

artificial elephant, Okowa said he would forward “Delta State Contributory Health Commission bill 2015; Technical and Vocational Education Board bill 2015 and Asaba Capital Development Agency bill 2015” to the State House of Assembly within one week of his inauguration as Governor.

He promised to give strength to the State Oil Producing Areas D e v e l o p m e n t C o m m i s s i o n , DESOPADEC law by restructuring the board and management in line with the Niger Delta D e v e l o p m e n t Commission, NDDC, model through an amendment bill.

Okowa said his government has

Rivers

By Jimitota Onoyume

G

OVERNOR Nyesom Wike yesterday appointed Justice Daisy Okocha as acting Chief Judge of the state.

Wike who announced the appointment shortly after he took the oath of office administered by the Chief Judge of Bayelsa state, Justice Kate Abiri at the Liberation stadium, Port Harcourt said it was

“outlined a five point agenda encapsulated in the acronym SMART which means; Strategic Wealth creation projects and provision of jobs for all Deltans; Meaningful peace building platforms aimed at political and social harmony; Agricultural reforms and a c c e l e r a t e d industrialization; Relevant Health and Education policies; Tr a n s f o r m e d environment through urban renewal”.

While congratulating President Mohammadu Buhari on his swearingin, he said he looked forward to a robust working relationship with him and the Federal Government.

INAUGURATION: Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (left) subscribing to the relevant Oaths as Governor of Delta State presided over by the Chief Judge of Delta State, Hon. Justice Marshal Umukoro (right) during the inauguration ceremony in Asaba yesterday. Photo: Henry Unini

Wike appoints Daisy acting Chief Judge for Rivers unfortunate that the crisis in the judiciary could linger on for close to a year.

The new governor who took his oath of office shortly after his deputy, Dr Ipalibo Banigo was administered similar oath as Deputy by Justice Abiri said the state judiciary would immediately resume activities from Monday when the acting Chief Judge would be sworn in.

At the colorful

ceremony attended by former governor Peter Odili, his wife, Justice Mary Odili and several other prominent Nigerians Wike also appointed Justice Christy Gabriel Nwankwo as Acting President, Rivers state Customary court of Appeal “We had severally condemned the prolonged absence of a State Chief Judge and closure of our courts and promised that these

Cross River Imoke snubs Duke at Ayade’s inauguration ceremony

Senator Ben Ayade, Governor of Cross River State (m) receiving flag from Senator Liyel Imoke (r) shortly after the governor was sworn-in yesterday.

By Emma Una, Calabar

C

OLD blood between Senator Liyel Imoke the immediate past governor of Cross River State and his predecessor, Mr Donald Duke were glaring on Friday at the International Conference Centre venue of the inauguration of Senator C M Y K

Ben Ayade where Imoke conspicuously left out Duke’s name in his list of recognition of dignitaries before delivering his valedictory speech.

Duke who came in with his wife, Onari from his Lagos base sat at the far corner of the hall a distance away from Imoke and his wife Obioma to observe the

proceedings. While acknowledging cheers from his friends and crowd who were obviously excited with his presence and after the event he simply walked off with his entourage without going over to share pleasantries with Imoke.

The event which held at the International Conference Centre

Calabar went on smoothly and attracted a mammoth crowd which cheered endlessly for the new governor, Senator Ben Ayade while delivering his inaugural speech in which he promised to set in motion a process for the realization of a new Cross River.

“We are witnessing the rise of a rainbow which marks the pollination of our metaphorical petals and the flinging open of the floodgate of possibilities, prosperity and I therefore urge you to look inwards and envision the future of our dear state and the role we must all play to make it a better place” He called on the people of the state to dream big because one can only be as big as his imagination and the state has “come to that bend in the river where we must all rise to our full height to envision and carve out a better future for ourselves and posterity”.

issues will not remain unresolved beyond a day after today. Therefore, in fulfillment of our promise to reopen our courts and restore normalcy to the State’s judiciary, I hereby, in exercise of my powers under section 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, appoint the most senior High Court Judge in Rivers State Judiciary, the Honourable Justice Daisy Okocha as the Acting Chief Judge of Rivers State. Her Lordship will be sworn in on Monday 1st June 2015, after which she will be required to immediately terminate the dark moments of our ignoble judicial history by reopening the courts for business. Under our watch, never again will the doors to justice be deliberately and punitively shut against the people of Rivers State.

In the same vein, I hereby, in exercise of the powers conferred upon me by section 281 (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, appoint the Honourable Justice Christy Gabriel-

Nwankwo, as the Acting President of the Rivers State Customary Court of Appeal following the indefinite suspension by the National Judicial Council (NJC) of the holder of that office.

Justice Christy will also be sworn in on Monday 1st June 2015.” , he said.

The governor further directed the authorities of the Rivers state University of Science and Technology to immediately reinstate sacked lecturers who protested alleged irregularities in the appointment of a Vice Chancellor for the university.

“Nigeria is a democracy and people are free to hold and express divergent views and opinions as well as to form trade unions for the purpose of collective bargaining without the fear or pain of any harm. As a government we shall not violate or tolerate the violation of the democratic and constitutional rights of Rivers State workers by any authority, be it public or private.”

The governor promised to provide pipe borne water in Abonnema, Gokhana and Khana local government areas within the first one hundred days.

•Wike being sworn in as Rivers State Governor yesterday.

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015—11

‘I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody’ Full text of the inaugural speech by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari following his swearing-in as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 29th May, 2015

I

am immensely grateful to God Who Has preserved us to witness this day and this occasion. Today marks a triumph for Nigeria and an occasion to celebrate her freedom and cherish her democracy. Nigerians have shown their commitment to democracy and are determined to entrench its culture.

Our journey has not been easy but thanks to the determination of our people and strong support from friends abroad we have today a truly democratically elected government in place.

I would like to thank President Goodluck Jonathan for his display of statesmanship in setting a precedent for us that has now made our people proud to be Nigerians wherever they are. With the support and cooperation he C M Y K

has given to the transition process, he has made it possible for us to show the world that despite the perceived tension in the land we can be a united people capable of doing what is right for our nation. Together we co-operated to surprise the world that had come to expect only the worst from Nigeria. I hope this act of graciously accepting defeat by the outgoing President will become the standard of political conduct in the country.

I would like to thank the millions of our supporters who believed in us even when the cause seemed hopeless. I salute their resolve in waiting long hours in rain and hot sunshine to register and cast their votes and stay all night if necessary to protect and ensure their votes count and were counted. I thank those who tirelessly carried the campaign on the social media. At the same time, I thank our other countrymen and women who did not vote for us but contributed to make our democratic culture truly competitive, strong and definitive.

I thank all of you.

Having just a few minutes ago sworn on the Holy Book, I intend to keep my oath and serve as President to

all Nigerians.

I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.

A few people have privately voiced fears that on coming back to office I shall go after them. These fears are groundless. There will be no paying off old scores. The past is prologue.

Our neighbours in the Sub-region and our African brethenen should rest assured that Nigeria under our administration will be ready to play any leadership role that Africa expects of it.

Here I would like to thank the governments and people of Cameroon, Chad and Niger for committing their armed forces to fight Boko Haram in Nigeria.

I also wish to assure the wider

Continues on page 12

12—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015

‘I’ll be President for all’ Continued from page 11 international community of our readiness to cooperate and help to combat threats of crossborder terrorism, sea piracy, refugees and boat people, financial crime, cyber crime, climate change, the spread of communicable diseases and other challenges of the 21st century.

At home we face enormous challenges.

Insecurity, pervasive corruption, the hitherto unending and seemingly impossible fuel and power shortages are the immediate concerns. We are going to tackle them head on. Nigerians will not regret that they have entrusted national responsibility to us. We must not succumb to hopelessness and defeatism. We can fix our problems.

In recent times Nigerian leaders appear to have misread our mission. Our founding fathers, Mr Herbert Macauley, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Malam Aminu Kano, Chief J.S. Tarka, Mr Eyo Ita, Chief Denis Osadeby, Chief Ladoke Akintola and their colleagues worked to establish certain standards of governance. They might have differed in their methods or tactics or details, but they were united in establishing a viable and progressive country. Some of their successors behaved like spoilt children breaking everything and bringing disorder to the house.

Furthermore, we as Nigerians must remind ourselves that we are heirs to great civilizations: Shehu Othman Dan fodio’s caliphate, the Kanem Borno Empire, the Oyo Empire, the Benin Empire and King Jaja’s formidable domain. The blood of those great ancestors flow in our veins. What is now

required is to build on these legacies, to modernize and uplift Nigeria.

Daunting as the task may be it is by no means insurmountable. There is now a national consensus that our chosen route to national development is democracy. To achieve our objectives we must consciously work the democratic system. The Federal Executive under my watch will not seek to encroach on the duties and functions of the Legislative and Judicial arms of government. The law enforcing authorities will be charged to operate within the Constitution. We shall rebuild and reform the public service to become more effective and more serviceable. We shall charge them to apply themselves with integrity to stabilize the system.

For their part the legislative arm must keep to their brief of making laws, carrying out over-sight functions and doing so expeditiously. The judicial system needs reform to cleanse itself from its immediate past. The country now expects the judiciary to act with dispatch on all cases especially on corruption, serious financial crimes or abuse of office.

It is only when the three arms act constitutionally that government will be enabled to serve the country optimally and avoid the confusion all too often bedeviling governance today.

Elsewhere relations between Abuja and the States have to be clarified if we are to serve the country better. Constitutionally there are limits to powers of each of the three tiers of government but that should not mean the Federal Government should fold its arms and close its eyes to what is going on in the states and local governments. Not least the operations of the Local Government Joint

Account. While the Federal Government can not interfere in the details of its operations it will ensure that the gross corruption at the local level is checked.

As far as the constitution allows me I will try to ensure that there is responsible and accountable governance at all levels of government in the country. For I will not have kept my own trust with the Nigerian people if I allow others abuse theirs under my watch.

However, no matter how well organized the governments of the federation are they can not succeed without the support, understanding and cooperation of labour unions, organized private sector, the press and civil society organizations. I appeal to employers and workers alike to unite in raising productivity so that everybody will have the opportunity to share in increased prosperity. The Nigerian press is the most vibrant in Africa. My appeal to the media today - and this includes the social media – is to exercise its considerable powers with responsibility and patriotism.

My appeal for unity is predicated on the seriousness of the legacy we are getting into.

With depleted foreign reserves, falling oil prices, leakages and debts the Nigerian economy is in deep trouble and will require careful management to bring it round and to tackle the immediate challenges confronting us, namely; Boko Haram, the Niger Delta situation, the power shortages and unemployment especially among young people. For the longer term we have to improve the standards of our education. We have to look at the whole field of medicare.

We have to upgrade our dilapidated

Continues on page 13 C M Y K

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015 — 13

We have an opportunity, let’s take it

Continued from page 12 physical infrastructure.

The most immediate is Boko Haram’s insurgency. Progress has been made in recent weeks by our security forces but victory can not be achieved by basing the Command and Control Centre in Abuja. The command centre will be relocated to Maiduguri and remain until Boko Haram is completely subdued. But we can not claim to have defeated Boko Haram without rescuing the Chibok girls and all other innocent persons held hostage by insurgents.

This government will do all it can to rescue them alive. Boko Haram is a typical example of small fires causing large fires.

An eccentric and unorthodox preacher with a tiny following was given posthumous fame and following by his extra judicial murder at the hands of the police. Since then through official bungling, negligence, complacency or collusion Boko Haram became a terrifying force taking tens of thousands of lives and capturing several towns and villages covering swathes of Nigerian sovereign territory.

Boko Haram is a mindless, godless group who are as far away from Islam as one can think of. At the end of the hostilities when the group is subdued the Government intends to commission a sociological study to determine its origins, remote and immediate causes of the movement, its sponsors, the international connexions to ensure that measures are taken to prevent a reccurrence of this evil. For now the Armed Forces will be fully charged with prosecuting the fight against Boko haram. We shall overhaul the rules of engagement to avoid

human rights violations in operations. We shall improve operational and legal mechanisms so that disciplinary steps are taken against proven human right violations by the Armed Forces.

Boko Haram is not only the security issue bedeviling our country. The spate of kidnappings, armed robberies, herdsmen/ farmers clashes, cattle rustlings all help to add to the general air of insecurity in our land. We are going to erect and maintain an efficient, disciplined people – friendly and well – compensated security forces within an over – all security architecture.

The amnesty programme in the Niger Delta is due to end in December, but the Government intends to invest heavily in the projects, and programmes currently in place.

I call on the leadership and people in these areas to cooperate with the State and Federal Government in the rehabilitation programmes which will be streamlined and made more effective. As ever, I am ready to listen to grievances of my fellow Nigerians.

I extend my hand of fellowship to them so that we can bring peace and build prosperity for our people.

No single cause can be identified to explain Nigerian’s poor economic performance over the years than the power situation. It is a national shame that an economy of 180 million generates only 4,000MW, and distributes even less.

Continuous tinkering with the structures of power supply and distribution and close on $20b expanded since 1999 have only brought darkness, frustration, misery, and resignation among Nigerians. We will not allow this to go on. Careful studies are under way during this transition to identify the quickest, safest and most cost-effective way

to bring light and relief to Nigerians.

Unemployment, notably youth unemployment features strongly in our Party’s Manifesto. We intend to attack the problem frontally through revival of agriculture, solid minerals mining as well as credits to small and medium size businesses to kick – start these enterprises. We shall quickly examine the best way to revive major industries and accelerate the revival and development of our railways, roads and general infrastructure.

Your Excellencies, My fellow Nigerians I can not recall when Nigeria enjoyed so much goodwill abroad as now. The messages I received from East and West, from powerful and small countries are indicative of international expectations on us. At home the newly elected government is basking in a reservoir of goodwill and high expectations. Nigeria therefore has a window of opportunity to fulfill our long – standing potential of pulling ourselves together and realizing our mission as a great nation. Our situation somehow reminds one of a passage in Shakespeare’s Julius Ceasar

There is a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life, Is bound in shallows and miseries.

We have an opportunity. Let us take it.

Thank you Muhammadu Buhari President Federal Republic of NIGERIA and Commander in-chief-of the Armed forces.

Buhari’s opportunity, Nigeria’s Chance

14 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015

—Dissecting the inaugural address on the arm of government to cleanse itself from its immediate past.

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, Political Editor

P

NOTHING WILL STOP HIM AGAINST CORRUPTION

resident Muhammadu Buhari ended his 1,972 word inaugural speech yesterday with the affirmation that the country now has an opportunity which must not be wasted.

Remarkably, the speech was laced with several opportunities before the nation some new opportunities and many others fallow opportunities that had constrained the country to a prostrate giant, useless at home and fickle abroad.

Constitutionally there are limits to powers of each of the three tiers of government but that should not mean the Federal Government should fold its arms and close its eyes to what is going on in the states and local governments. Not least the operations of the Local Government Joint Account.

GRACE Opening his speech, Buhari showed grace in the way and manner he poured encomiums on his vanquished challenger, former President Goodluck Jonathan when he said:

I would like to thank President Goodluck Jonathan for his display of statesmanship in setting a precedent for us that has now made our people proud to be Nigerians wherever they are.

It is also the duty of the president to raise the hope and spirit of the citizenry and that was exactly what the president did and Nigerians everywhere in the world hearing him who had until now hidden their green passports could raise their heads high once again.

NO ONE OWNS BUHARI While thanking Nigerians for the outpouring of support given to him and the sacrifices made especially in insisting that votes counted, the president gave the clincher that nearly everyone of his backers probably had been apprehensive of when he said:

Having just a few minutes ago sworn on the Holy Book, I intend to keep my oath and serve as President to all Nigerians. I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.

The fear that the new president would be held hostage to interest groups that supported his election had largely been raised. The president rightly repelled such putting it matter of fact that he would not be held hostage and that he would be a father figure to all.

The president also dismissed fears that he would be a vindictive person and go after those who had in the past hurt him.

A few people have privately voiced fears that on coming back to office I shall go after them. These fears are groundless.

There will be no paying off old scores. The past is prologue.

GIANT IN THE SUN Nigeria had in recent times lost its leadership role in the continent to the extent that the country would struggle with continental minions for prestige and honour in the comity of nations. The degrading of

•President Buhari Nigeria in the international community was seen in the positioning of the Nigerian president in the back row of photographs of international leaders.

Buhari yesterday asserted the re-emergence of Nigeria as Africa leader in the comity of nations.

Our neighbours in the Sub-region and our African brethren should rest assured that Nigeria under our administration will be ready to play any leadership role that Africa expects of it.

He was, however, not arrogant to forget the help offered by such continental minions at the worst of the nation’s degradation, pointedly appreciating the help offered by “the governments and people of Cameroon, Chad and Niger for committing their armed forces to fight Boko Haram in Nigeria.”

RULE OF LAW One of the most touching remarks by President Buhari yesterday was his point on his adherence to constitutionality.

“The Federal Executive under my watch will not seek to encroach on the duties and functions of the Legislative and Judicial arms of government. The law enforcing authorities will be charged to operate within the Constitution.

For their part the legislative arm must keep to their brief of making laws, carrying out over-sight functions and doing so expeditiously. The judicial system needs reform to cleanse itself from its immediate past.

Buhari by his assertion intends to operate within the ambit of the law. He has also thrown a challenge to other arms of government that they too should operate within the ambit of the law. By asserting that he would not encroach into the operations of other arms of government, it was a warning to National Assembly members who had taken oversight functions as another channel for corruption. “Keep to your brief”, the president warned yesterday. The president also dared the judiciary calling

The operation of the local government account has almost been put as the cesspool of corruption which has negatively impacted on the development of the local governments. In almost all the states of the country, it is the drainpipe used by governors to suck the local governments dry.

Buhari yesterday stated that he would not cross the boundaries placed on him in a constitutional democracy in his dealing with them, however, he has vowed not to be silent in the face of rapacious misuse of the funds of the local governments. In this respect, it is expected that as he has control of the financial police, that he would use the apparatus of the security agencies to check the misuse of the local government funds.

NO MORE DECREE 4 Thirty one years ago when he first came to power, General Buhari vowed to restrict press freedom essentially because of the sensational reportage of the ill-founded allegation on a missing N2.8 billion from the accounts of the country while he was minister of petroleum under the Olusegun Obasanjo military regime.

However, 31 years on even with more hostile reports including allegations of falsification of educational reports, death wishes and other hate campaigns against him, President Buhari showed how age has matured him appealing for restraint from the media.

My appeal to the media today - and this includes the social media – is to exercise its considerable powers with responsibility and patriotism.

RESTRATEGISING BOKO HARAM An inaugural speech would not have been complete without reference to Boko Haram, the very issue that exposed the underbelly of the former president. Buhari immediately showed leadership yesterday when he ordered that the command and control centre of the anti-insurgency campaign should be transferred to Maiduguri, the base of the operations. In effect, the officers and those who direct the war must be at the centre of it. It would not be a war that would be fought from Abuja anymore!

Reassuring the Niger Delta The president also reassured the Niger Delta with his assertion that the Amnesty Programme and other entitlements conceived by the former administration would not be disrupted, but the Amnesty Programme would not be extended beyond the December end date.

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

M

uhammadu Buhari made history yesterday on two fronts: the first person to defeat an incumbent president in an election and also, as the first person in Nigeria’s democratic history to have desired power and obtained it!

The six other Nigerian civilian heads of state who preceded him bumped into office by happenstance. Sir Abubakar Tafawa, the first and only prime minister of the country was a proxy for the real leader of the country at the time, Sir Ahmadu Bello, who preferred to operate from Kaduna. The next civilian leader of the country, President Shehu Shagari had sought the Senate but intrigues within the ruling National Party of Nigeria, NPN edged out the power seekers like Alhaji Adamu Ciroma and Maitama Sule and Moshood Abiola. Others outside the NPN like Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe simply did not make it.

The ill-fated Third Republic produced Chief Ernest Shonekan, who was foisted on the leadership of the country from the boardroom in 1993 while Abiola who sought power paid for his adventure with his life.

At the outset of the Fourth Republic, among those who aspired to leadership were the likes of Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Chief Don Etiebet, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi and Chief Jim Nwobodo but in the end, the establishment went for a man just ferried out of prison, General Olusegun Obasanjo. Obasanjo, it was remembered, had famously derided initial talk on the plot to make him president by asking journalists “how many presidents would you make of me?”

Following Obasanjo, several Nigerians including Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, arguably the Nigerian, who best prepared himself for the presidency, vied for the 2007 succession. However, the lot fell on Umaru Musa Yar‘adua, the retiring governor of Katsina State who according to reports had wanted to retire from politics and cater to his health before the lure of the presidency overcame his initial desire.

When the weight of the presidency forced him out of office, the constitution beckoned on his deputy, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, a man who had reportedly been famously quoted as saying that he preferred to be the governor of Bayelsa State to being vice-president.

All six of the country’s civilian leaders came to office by happenstance and were either prodded by others or by the circumstances around them. Buhari was, however, an exception.

Buhari

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015 — 15

makes history on two fronts Buhari had demonstrated leadership from the early days of his life. After graduating from the Kankia Primary School in 1955, the next year, he proceeded to the Katsina Provincial Secondary School where he became the monitor in Class 2, and he was subsequently, school prefect; a House Captain; and eventually he became the Head Boy of the school. He was also the head of the military cadet unit in the school, a development that apparently influenced his choice of the military as a profession.

Other professional choices he considered were farming and teaching.

His military career saw him hold command positions in several places, the last of which was as GOC of the 3rd Armoured Division, in Jos, from where he became military head of state in 1984.

The imprint of Buhari’s disciplined life was reflected in his leadership of the country in the 20 months he held sway until he was removed in an internal coup in August 1985.

Following that, Buhari returned to public life in 1994 when he was appointed the head of the Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund, PTF, an agency created by the Sani Abacha regime to use the funds realised from the increase in petrol prices in the development of infrastructure across the country.

It was in that period that Buhari’s outlook towards democracy changed following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the concomitant drive for democracy by the countries of the former communist enclave.

His sojourn into democracy was just before the 2003 presidential election. But surrounded

about by people who had made politics a profession, Buhari severally found himself the object of betrayal. Intrigues and betrayals by associates within his All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP in 2003 and 2007 forced him to form his own party, the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC ahead of the 2011 election. Even that was not of much help, forcing the general to out of frustration say at one time that he was through with his presidential aspiration.

But by that time his name had become a phenomenon that other power enthusiasts who had fallen out with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP saw him as the only instrument that could remove the PDP. Again, he offered himself and for once, a ruling party was dislodged from power by one of the few sincere men to have genuinely sought power for the benefit of the people.

BUHARI: PROMINENT NIGERIANS SPEAK Embark on people cantered policies, Mark urges Buhari

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru & Joseph Erunke, Abuja

N

I G E R I A N S yesterday reacted to the inaugural speech of President Muhammadu Buhari with Senate President David Mark saying political office holders must make service delivery to the people the centre of their policies and programmes.

Mark also said: “I have been an active participant during the Military era and in the current democratic dispensation. I am in a position to say without fear of contradiction that democracy is the best kind of government.

“It is a product of the wishes of the people. It is representative and participatory. Indeed people have a say and determine what they want through the ballot boxes.

“We all owe it a sacred duty to ensure peace and unity of the nation no matter how high or low our positions may be.”

Mark spoke at St. Mulumba Catholic Chaplaincy, Apo in Abuja to mark democracy day in the country.

“Political leaders must make service delivery to the people the centre of their policies and programmes. Leadership is only worth its name if the welfare and security of the people are guaranteed.”

The deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu also said: “We have witnessed the first transition of the instruments of power from one party to the other and the world has continued to pour encomiums on our immediate past President and Nigerians because this came without bloodshed, violence or break-up of the country as many had predicted”.

Fani- Kayode, Anenih, other Nigerians Speak on President Muhammadu Buhari’s Inaugural Speech Meanwhile, Nigerians yesterday reacted to the President Muhammadu Buhari’s inaugural speech yesterday.

Fani-Kayode: ‘’I believe his part of non vendetta will be true, all

Nigerians should join hands to see Nigeria move forward.

“I believe it was a promising speech and sincerely hope that he is true to what he has said especially on the issue that he will not be on a vendetta mission. I hope he is saying the right thing; hope his words will be proved to be truth.

“It is incumbent upon all of us as politicians to ensure that the next four years go on smoothly. I trust that all will be well and the country will move forward.”

Iyom Josephine Anenih Pioneer National Woman leader of the PDP and former Minister of Women Affairs and delegate to the 2014 National Conference.

“I like President Muhamadu Buhari’s speech. He was very kind to former President Jonathan by acknowledging the role he played in keeping Nigeria one and united.

His avowed blueprint when implemented will definitely spell a positive

Change for this country.

His speech was very states manly. Very reassuring to the nation.”

The Director- General, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, Asishana Okauru “ the speech is very encouraging. It has a lot of accommodation in it between the federal government and the states in moving the country forward and the NGF will be ready to participate fully. “ Festus Okoye: Executive Director, Human Rights Monitor and member of the 2014 National Conference: “The speech lifted the spirit of despair and fatalistic resignation that enveloped Nigeria in the last few years. It was both inspirational and uplifting. He clearly mapped out his navigational chart and direction. His pledge to be for all and for none is a clear indication that he will run a just and fair administration.”

HDP asks Buhari to probe Adoke, EFCC The Presidential candidate of Hope Democratic Party, HDP. The immediate past AGF, Mohammed Adoke, SAN, sabotaged the trial of some members of the the “cabal” behind the oil subsidy scam, which occasioned untold hardship on Nigerians within the past two months.

“Our position remains that the Attorney General of the Federation and other such Ministers, and the EFCC, who played a major role in the connivance and encouraging the fuel subsidy scam, should be probed to recover trillions of naira belonging to Nigerians now in their possession.

“We demand that the government of Buhari must do this to earn the respect and confidence of Nigerians and the international community and to assuage the embarrassment the government officials have caused the entire nation and the suffering people of Nigeria.”

16—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015

PETROLEUM SUBSIDY:

WHAT CORRUPTION

HAS MADE OF IT •More than one year budget has been lost to sleaze in the last nine years •How we are subsidizing dishonesty in the petroleum sector •Once we refine to meet our local needs, importation will st op and subsidy claims will end stop

BY SONNY ATUMAH INTRODUCTION

N

igeria has been entrapped by subsidy since 2011 when the Federal government envisioned the idea of subsidy removal. The regime of subsidy on petroleum products had been fraught with dishonesty or fraud as the case may be.

The argument had been whether Nigeria should jettison the subsidy scheme which C M Y K

had become a tube to siphon funds from the Nigerian commonwealth.

Between 2006 and 2014, over N7 .5trillion was paid out as subsidy claims by the Federal Government.

Funds for infrastructural and human capital development have been frittered on the utter of subsidy claims and payments to less than 40 corporate citizens in Nigeria.

As the administration of Muhammadu Buhari took office yesterday with enthusiasm, it is expected that this issue be addressed head-on for overall benefit of the Nigerian people

WHAT IS SUBSIDY? Subsidy in economics is the money paid by a government or an organization to reduce the cost of services of producing goods so that their prices can be kept low. It is to reduce the market price of an item below the cost of production. It is also called subvention.

It is economic benefit (such as tax allowance, or duty rebate), or financial aid (such as cash grant or soft loan), provided by government to support a desirable activity (such as exports) to keep prices of staples low, maintain the income of producers of critical or strategic products, maintain employment levels or induce investment or reduce unemployment.

Subsidy anywhere is a cushion; to enhance the welfare and wellbeing of the people. We have subsidy all over the world; both in the more developed and least developed countries. In the more developed countries like the United States, UK and other EU countries, China, all have subsidies in one form or the other for her citizens.

FOR SUBSIDY IN THE US The Weatherization Assistance Programme of President Jimmy Carter in 1977 has reduced heating bills for more than 5.5 million low income American families by 31 percent. That is subsidy.

Subsidies in the United States range from tax credit to free parking, registration, special lane use or cash. The United States offer consumer subsidies to purchasers of hybrid and electric cars. Drivers get up to $7500 credit. Automobile companies like GM, Ford and Chrysler have been Continues on page 17

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015—17

THE REFINERIES AND HOW WE GOT WHERE WE ARE Continues from page 16 encouraged through subsidies to produce and sell E85 (Flexible fuel) Vehicles that run on gasoline (85 percent) and ethanol (15 percent) blends.

Nearly 10 million flex fuel vehicles have been sold and the government has tax credit as subsidy for producers and users. Corn farmers in the Mid-west states are being encouraged to produce more for the ethanol content of Flex fuel/E85. Agriculture in the US is highly subsidized to encourage farmers and also to reduce the cost of farm produce for her people.

In Canada, subsidy for the use of Electric vehicles attract 8600 dollars subsidy.

IN THE UK One must point out this fact that the UK, housing, education, health and transportation are subsidized for her citizens. The various council flats and mortgages are to protect the people. The UK government in her recent immigration laws made sure that citizens are protected. If you are an immigrant for the purpose education, you are not allowed to seek employment.

This is to reduce the level unemployment for her citizens. Drivers are to get 5000 pounds electric car subsidy from government if they buy electric cars. That is subsidy.

SUBSIDY ON PLUG IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN EUROPE In Europe, the need to reduce the use of liquid fossil fuels has made the various governments especially the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) members to subsidise the use of Plug in electric vehicles. In France subsidy is up to 2000 euros and free parking; Germany-exemption from annual circulation tax for five years; Italy-75 percent reduction of tax rate; Spain-6000 euros tax incentive; Netherland-exemption from registration fee and road taxes amounting to 5324 euros over four years.

ASIA

In China, Plug in electric vehicle, there is exemption from taxes up to 7634 dollars while in Japan, it is between 2000 and 9000 dollars.

THE REFINERIES AND HOW WE GOT WHERE WE ARE As we discuss subsidy it is imperative we know where we are coming from to determine the right step forward. In the 1990s we started the importation of petroleum products into Nigeria as a result of inadequate maintenance of our four refineries. Our refining capacity went down to near zero that we had to rely wholly on importation of products.

1.Port Harcourt Refinery: Constructed in 1965 by Shell/BP with a refining capacity of 38,000 barrels per day. It was expanded after the civil war to 60,000 barrels per day. Report on this refinery is that it is old and practically dead.

2. Port Harcourt Refinery 2:It was an expansion of the old one in 1989 with a refining capacity of 150,000, bringing the total to 210,000 barrels per day. It was conceived as an export refinery to produce Premium Motor Spirit (PMS or petrol), Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). Specialty products were Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Jet Fuel etc.

Recent report on the facility is that of poor maintenance, unreliable for uninterrupted domestic production of products even at best of times.

3.Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company Ltd: Constructed in 1978 for a refining capacity of 125,000 barrels per day.

Report is not different from others. It has a history of corrosion problem, frequent shut down and the petrochemical section is comatose.

4.Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company Ltd: The Refinery came on stream in 1980. It was to produce LPG, PMS, DPK, AGO, Fuel Oil, Sulphuric acid, lube base oil, wax, asphalt, urea, powder and liquid biodegradable detergents, etc.

With a combined refining capacity of 445,000 barrels per day, we can get the following products when we refine locally- 47 percent

We started the importation of petroleum products into Nigeria as a result of inadequate maintenance of our four refineries comes out as PMS amounting to about 33,204,654litres; 10 percent comes out as DPK amounting to about 7,064,820; 23 percent comes out as AGO amounting to 16,249,086. There is other by products and derivatives like propane (4 percent); asphalt (3percent)and petrochemical feedstock (18 percent). The total is 105 percent because there is a five percent gain when we refine.

SUBSIDY IN NIGERIA Two products for our subsidy examination are PMS and DPK. The DPK in question here is the house hold kerosene (HHK) and not the second component, the aviation turbine kerosene (ATK). These products are the ones in contention in Nigeria.

It was reported that between 2006 and 2011, the Federal Government spent N3.655 trillion on PMS and DPK subsidy. In 2011 alone, N1.3 trillion was paid; revised to 2.19 trillion with the arrears paid in 2012 by the Ministry of Finance. In 2012, N888 billion was allocated for subsidy; N161.6 billion was also approved in a supplementary budget submitted by the President and passed by the National Assembly. In 2013, N971 billion was budgeted for subsidy; N832billion was released. In 2014, N971 billion was budgeted; N414 billion was released. In the 2015 budget, N143 billion was budgeted for PMS (N100billion) and DPK (N43 billion).

N154 billion was recently released to marketers.. N1.35 trillion was as DPK

Continues on page 18

18—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015

REFINING AS SOLUTION Continues from page 17 between 2012 and 2013. Between 2006 and 2014, over N5.63 trillion was paid out as subsidy claims by the Federal Government .Technically more than one year ’s budget had been lost to sleaze in the last nine years.

What are we really subsidizing? We are subsidizing dishonesty in the petroleum sector. In August 2011, the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), claimed that the landing cost of a litre of petroleum was N129.22; margin for transporters and marketers was N15.49; with the expected pump price put at N144.70 while the official pump price was N65.

Government increased the pump price to N140 and with protests and resolutions, it settled at N97 per litre.

Government enquiries that followed the protest proved some of us right. The Farouk Lawan Committee of the House of Representatives that investigated the operations of the downstream operations unraveled the rot in the sector. We all watched with amazement the discordant tunes over quantities imported and amounts approved and paid as subsidy by the operators. At present the pump price is N87 per litre.

Pricing of petroleum products depends on the vagaries of the market. It is a roller coaster business characterized by sudden, extreme, and often repeated changes. We neither determine the supply nor the demand side of the market. The middlemen in the supply chain that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) ‘employ’ are business men and women who invest to reap profit by whatever margin they decide. They are not more than 40 in number.

AGAINST SUBSIDY

Arguments have been put forward against subsidy in Nigeria. Some of us have been acting on the spur of the moment that since there is this artificial scarcity to hoodwink us we should stop subsidy. It is the fraud we should stop. We say this because we provide our water, electricity and most other basic needs the state should provide.

A former British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair recently asked President Buhari to remove subsidy on petroleum products in

Technically more than one year’s budget had been lost to sleaze in the last nine years.

What are we really subsidizing? We are subsidizing dishonesty in the petroleum sector Nigeria. That advice was quite unsolicited for; coming from a former leader of Britain, where the less privileged are adequately protected with all sorts of subsidies.

Nigerians have been bruised and battered without adequate health care, institutional and infrastructural decay that need upgrading.

I wish to remind Mr. Blair that Nigeria ceded the oil rich Bakassi Peninsula on the utter of Green peace agreement because people like him could not offer advice to

Nigeria when it mattered most.

REFINING AS SOLUTION We should have a holistic approach to the problem. Rehabilitating and upgrading our refineries could prove the magic wand.

Once we refine to meet our local needs, importation will stop. When we stop importation, subsidy claims would naturally be a thing of the past. Let us give ourselves a six-month period to work on our refineries, thereafter, we stop importation. Let us not mothball our refineries as it is happening to some refineries in Europe.

There is a large market for petroleum products in West Africa. Refining locally can bring down the price of products in Nigeria as it is in these countries that are petroleum producers: Venezuela (6cents a gallon); Saudi Arabia (45 cents a gallon) For now, we need to eliminate the middle men that have taken us on this circus journey. Before our refineries come on stream, let the NNPC import products directly and let us know exactly what we consume and what we pay.

CONCLUSION If Nigeria must get it right, we should refine locally to stop the corruption and issue of subsidy in the petroleum sector. That we spent N7.5 trillion in nine years on subsidy is not good commentary. There is subsidy all over the world and it acts as a cushion for the less privileged in the society.

Nigeria’s has not been well managed, resulting to the massive corruption now threatening our lives. That’s why people are calling for the end of subsidy. Our final solution is in refining to meet our local needs.

Sonny Atumah is a member of the Middle East Petroleum Club Email: satumah@yahoo.com

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015—19 EMMAAMAIZE, Regional Editor, South-South

G

OVERNOR Emmanuel Uduaghan’s first baptism as a troubleshooter was not as the chief executive of Delta State, but as a Commissioner under the administration of his political tutor and ex-governor, Chief James Ibori, starting from his very first day in public office in 1999.

The trial case was the Warri crisis and he remained a principal peace broker for the government until 2006 when he resigned as Secretary to the State Government, SSG, to contest for governorship.

In fact, he shot into prominence in the state with his role in the resolution of the crisis. His experiences in crisis management under Ibori seemed to have opened his eyes to the fact that there can be no good governance without sustainable peace.

He had also figured out during his stint that the best bed a man can sleep on is peace; therefore, it was not surprising that peace and security were among his threepoint agenda on emergence as governor in 2007.

There was ceaseless bombing of oil installations, kidnapping of hostages and insecurity on the waterways of the state and other parts of Niger Delta by the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger –Delta, MEND, which was prosecuting a struggle for self determination and resource control when he took over.

First masterstroke Uduaghan, the ‘Warri Boy’ came up with a homegrown approach that was exclusive to the state at the time. He identified the central characters in the struggle and constituted them into a special committee known as Delta Waterways and Security Committee, DWSC, Warri. The committee’s brief was to identify the criminal elements perpetuating illegalities on the waterways, give such intelligence information to security agencies and generally, maintain the peace on the waterways of the state.

The working group was a blend of militants and professionals, including lawyers, journalists, technocrats, clergy, community leaders and nongovernmental organizations.

Ex-militant leader and leader of the defunct MEND, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, was not personally in the committee, but he was well- represented. Some of his commanders were members of the committee. Virtually all the key ex-militant leaders in the state were members of the committee and the native intelligence learned from his grandmother was simply to give the rat the fish to keep.

The “give the rat fish to keep” strategy hindered the capacity of MEND to strike in the state and the leaders of the group complained openly to Tompolo whose hands, as it were, were tied because his foot soldiers were in-charge of DWSC. Former President, the late Umaru Yar’Adua later saw the governor’s native intelligence and bought into the amnesty package, which finally saw the militants surrendering their weapons in exchange for training and development of the region.

Some other governors were envious of the Uduaghan model, which worked like magic. He said it was a political solution that he invented, using the carrot option and the criminal justice system to contain criminals who refused to embrace the choice of peace and development of the state.

The E.K Clark hurdle Much as he tried to hit the ground running in his first tenure, the acrimony and bitterness over his emergence, led by no less a personality than the elder statesman and Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Clark, was a source of concern. He tried to manage the big man, Clark, for many years and as he later confessed, the daring confrontation and the court cases by Chief Great Ogboru

•Gov Emmanuel Uduaghan

UDUAGHAN fulfills last wish, exits power without crisis caused him quite some distractions.

Anybody who knew the doggedness of Chief Clark and how his group ran Ibori out of town, all in the bid to stop Uduaghan as governor would appreciate what the governor went through.

Uduaghan understood ab initio that to have dialogue is the beginning of a peaceful resolution and he explored every channel of communication to get the understanding and cooperation of the elder statesman and his group. Clark was later to own up that during his crisis with the governor, he was respectful to him and never insulted him unlike some other politicians that blew their lips.

Chief Clark would surely be happy that his ‘political son’ adhered to his counsel of leaving office in peace. It was a sermon he personally invited the governor to his house to preach and urged him not to act to the contrary. Once during a wrestling competition the Uduaghan government named after him, Clark apologised for haranguing Uduaghan in his early days as governor. It was an emotional speech for which Udaugha’s peace initiatives were highlighted.

EPZ debacle One of the things that tasked Uduaghan’s claim to peace negotiation was the gridlock between the Gbaramatu-Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic group over the location and ownership of the site for the Export

Uduaghan understood ab initio that to have dialogue is the beginning of a peaceful resolution and he explored every channel of communication to get the understanding and cooperation of the elder statesman and his group Processing Zone, EPZ project, otherwise known as the Delta Gas City in Ogidigben, Warri South-West local government area.

While Itsekiri said it was on its land, the Ijaw said it encroached on its territory and the Itsekiri ethnic nationality expected the governor, who has an Itsekiri blood to cut the Ijaw to size.

War was imminent as the Gbaramatu- Ijaw, apparently latching on the blood tie with President Goodluck Jonathan, who is from the neighboring Bayelsa State, used every tactics to sway Presidency and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to its side.

The Itsekiri leadership was understandably miffed with Uduaghan for his approach, which presented his ethnic

Continues on page 20

20—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015

•James Ibori

•Edwin Clark

•Ifeanyi Okowa

UDU AGHAN fulf ills las UDUA fulfills lastt wish, exits power without crisis Continues from page 19 group as a small fry. Some of the Itsekiri leaders scoffed at him for boasting that nobody would stop Jonathan from coming to perform the groundbreaking at the time, whereas Ijaw youths eventually stopped him. It took the personal intervention and visits to the state by President Jonathan and the subtlety of the governor to settle the cause of disagreement. Looking back at the episode, Uduaghan would have muttered: ‘Peace is costly, but it is worth the expense’.

Why I offered myself as political lamb What could have made nonsense of his peace efforts in the past eight years was his ambition to represent Delta South Senatorial district at the National Assembly, which clashed with that of the incumbent, Senator James Manager, an Ijaw by tribe who had served three terms in the senate.

Despite his spirited explanations, many are yet to come to terms with why he abandoned the bid. There are three distinct tribes, Itsekiri, Ijaw and Isoko in the Delta South Senatorial district and in the present political dispensation that started in 1999; the Isoko took the first shot with Senator Stella Omu. She did one term only because of the disagreement she had with Ibori and the mantle swung to the Ijaw with a tacit agreement that it would rotate among the ethnic groups.

However, since he entered in 2003, Senator Manager had done one, two, three terms and refused to surrender the position.

Uduaghan was practically the major hope of the Itsekiri and the Isoko to challenge Manager infraction and restore the rotational arrangement.

All Progressives Congress, APC, Senatorial candidate in the election, Prince Yemi Emiko, an Itsekiri like Uduaghan, told Saturday Vanguard days before the election, “The politics of seclusion and divisiveness which they play in PDP is what has happened in the instance (Uduaghan case) you just mentioned.”

“The governor by himself withdrew from the race because if he stood his grounds from the beginning and say I want to face the primary and whatever we see, let us take, that would have been different, but he voluntarily, as it were, withdrew. There might have been some pressure here and there, but he had a choice to stay and say I am going to stick by my ambition, but he said in the

interest of peace, in the interest of security of our people, that he is not going to pursue that race to a logical conclusion,” he said.

However, explaining why he withdrew less than two days to the primary paving way for Senator Manager to return unopposed, Uduaghan, the peace lover, told reporters at Asaba that he had a meeting with President Jonathan and the national chair, Adamu Muazu, at which the political situation in Delta State was decisively, examined, after which he decided to make a sacrifice by stepping down.

“I have to offer myself as a sacrifice to ensure that the political and security tension that had built up in recent times is reduced. In doing that I am aware that a lot of my followers will be very unhappy but I want to appeal to them that I have to do this for the sake of this state,” he said.

My most treasured achievement Many have continued to lambast the governor for his “peace sacrifice,” but an unperturbed Uduaghan, recently conferred with the “Silverbird 2014 Man of the Year Award,” retorted, “I am leaving a more peaceful Delta State than the one I met when I assumed office in 2007.” To him, making peace is a legacy that he he cherishes most.

Speaking at the inauguration of the N4.1 billion four-lane Warri-Effurun flyover constructed over the busy Effurun Roundabout in Uvwie Local Government Area of the state, last month, Uduaghan also described peace as his most cherished achievement, emphasizing that it was a prerequisite for the attainment of the other two legs of his three-point agenda.

Further clarifying the matter at a breakfast meeting with reporters in Warri, he said, “There were several build- ups leading to the primary. When I looked at the elections, there is heavy build up most especially in Delta South Senatorial elections and I asked myself, what I am going to do in the Senate if the process leading to that election would lead to another crisis in Warri.”

“I am sure you will have more to report as journalists but you will also not feel comfortable if there is no freedom in the city. We are enjoying some freedom and there is no curfew. I have the strong belief that if I had gone for the PDP senate primary, there would have been curfew in

Warri,” he said.

My desire His words, “I don’t want to leave office in a crisis situation. That is the reason I had to drop my senatorial ambition. I believe we do not have to go to the extent we go sometimes to seek power. We do not have to go to the extent of causing war or chaos.”

He explained that it was a similar intelligence report that President Goodluck Jonathan received, which made him to postpone the groundbreaking of the $16 billion Delta Gas City, which he finally performed March 26.

The most difficult to handle What appears to be his last test case in office was managing the fall-outs of the PDP primary won by Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, who many, logically thought he opposed his emergence. However, the adroit way he managed the upshots and prosecuted the campaign for Okowa’s election left many wondering if the governor, who never masked his agenda to have a Delta Northerner as his successor, did not play a quick one on them. Not a few now suspect that he employed a diversionary tactics that made them think he was against Okowa only to fall back to the hidden plan.

He had congratulated Okowa while counting was going on and the following day he flew with Okowa to Abuja to continue talks on how to ensure the senator became the governor. Speaking recently on his puzzling body language at the time, he said, “The details will come out in a book.

Let me reserve them for the future (laughs).

However, anybody who followed me from Day 1 would have known that I had always advocated for a power shift to Delta North.

But, you see, in politics, things happen along the line.”

“As the person managing the process, sometimes, you show your forehead; sometimes you show your lips; sometimes you show your hands, so it depends on the direction that people are heading at a particular time, you may be perceived to be heading to the right direction, but you are not. However, I am happy for somebody who started early and threw this Delta North issue on the political space, and it got a lot of us bashing, especially from Delta Central at that time. But we managed it, and I am quite glad about that. As a Deltan, the dream came true.”

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2015 — 21

BUHARI: Prominent Nigerians speak •He should eliminate corruption and instil discipline —Sagay •Buhari is ready to work for Nigeria —Tsav •The right man has come to lead Nigeria — Mohammed •Buhari cannot do it alone — Rickey Tarfa •To whom much is given, much is expected — Ozhekome •Let’s give Buhari a benefit of doubt—-Shetima •His speech lacks direction says Ajulo, LP scribe •Buhari’s inaugural speech is illusory and vague — Adegboruwa

BY DAPO AKINREFON, CHARLES KUMOLU & GBENGA OKE

N

OTABLE Nigerians were yesterday divided over the inaugural speech of President Muhammudu Buhari.

While some expressed optimism that the Buhari presidency will herald a new dawn for the nation, others were of the view that the speech fell short of the expectations of Nigerians.

Eminent Nigerians, who spoke to Vanguard on Buhari’s inaugural speech and their expectations from the new administration include legal icons, Professor Itse Sagay (SAN), Mr Rickey Tarfa (SAN), Chief Mike Ozhekome (SAN); a former Commissioner of Police for Lagos State, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav; Second Republic lawmaker, Dr Junaid Mohammed; National Secretary of the Labour Party, Mr Kayode Ajulo; the National President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Alhaji Yerima Shetima and Lagos based lawyer, Ebun-Olu-Adegboruwa.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo receiving President Sirleaf Johnson at the Inauguration luncheon.

Photos by Abayomi Adeshida

Buhari should eliminate corruption and instil discipline —Sagay Constitutional lawyer, Professor Sagay, SAN, urged President Buhari to eliminate corruption and instil discipline in the country.

Sagay said “in the latter part of the speech he made, it gladdens my heart. The first thing he has to do is to eliminate corruption and instil discipline. Those are the two things that are missing in this country.

Because of corruption, there is impunity, there is stealing, there is

C M Y K

trying to be immodest, I wrote in 1985 when General Buhari was overthrown, I said in time Nigerians will understand Buhari and that history will have a place for him.

The challenges he faced in 1985 have now become more amplified and he needs people who are upright to help him solve the problems”.

On his expectations from the new administration, he said, “I expect him to succeed but he must establish new benchmark as far as government cost is concerned, he must lift the economy even though it will take time and he should ensure that those who stole Nigeria’s money and too it outside the country, they should bring the money back so that we can use it to develop the economy. He must be ready to defeat the Boko Haram as well”.

Buhari is ready to work for Nigeria — Ts a v Also speaking, a retired Police Commissioner, Alhaji Tsav, said he was optimistic that the new president is ready to work for the country.

Tsav said: “It was a great and remarkable event. It was historical in every way. Buhari in his speech touched every thing that concerns Nigeria. That was a testimony that he has good plans for this country. Saying that the military command structure is going to be moved to Maiduguri was a sign of his determination to end the Boko Haram menace. No one was left in doubt that Buhari was going to do well. The hand over was symbolically . It was a great and remarkable event. It was e owe it a duty to support this government. Having shown the determination to confront our challenges, Buhari should be supported.’’

Buhari cannot do it alone — Rickey Tarfa Former Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State (l) exchanging greetings with the wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo while Vice Presient Yemi Osinbajo watches

wastage and there is total lack of consideration for other human beings by the few cabals, who are bleeding the country white. That is why today, we have been bled white and the country is nearly at the very bottom of its existence. We are virtually on our knees.”

Also, the legal icon said “the first thing is to

tackle corruption and then, introduce discipline and a lot of the losses we have made, will be recovered and we will be on our way back to political health.

On Buhari’s comments that Nigerians should not expect a miracle from him, Sagay said “what he (Buhari) meant by that is that we should not expect a magic

wand. We should give him time and that is fair.

We are going to give him time.”

The right man has come to lead Nigeria — Mohammed

In his reaction, Second Republic lawmaker, Dr Mohammed said expressed delight over

Buhari’s ascension to the presidency saying “the right man has come to lead Nigeria”.

He said, “to say I am happy is an understatement. I believe the right man became the President at the right time.

We have a leader whose patriotism is second to none and with every sense of belonging. Without

However, a legal practitioner, Mr Tarfa (SAN) said the incoming administration must identify the root causes of the problems Nigeria is going through saying “Buhari cannot do it alone.” He also said the new administration cannot tackle the problems alone adding that all Nigerians must be ready to join hands with him.

His words: “I want to be realistic in this situation.

Even though I quite agree continues on page 22

22— SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2015

continued from page 21 that expectations are very high but if we will not deceive ourselves, we have to first identify the root causes of those problems before we start tackling them. If we don’t identify, how do we forge ahead”.

“Expectations are very high and I believe the new President, Buhari will not fail us. But we also have to pray to God to give him the grace to face the challenges ahead. We all have expectations and I pray he will meet it”, Tarfa added.

To whom much is given, much is expected — Ozhekome

Reacting to the swearing in of the new administration, another legal practitioner, Chief Ozhekome (SAN) said the new administration should drop the mantra of opposition.

He said, “To whom much is given, much is expected.

The administration of President Buhari must understand tolerate opposition and try not to annihilate the opposition.

The President needs to understand that this is democracy, so he has to respect the civil liberties and right of Nigerians must not be trampled upon”.

Ozhekome added that “the new government must understand that they cannot do it alone, he needs the input of the two other arms of government namely the judiciary and the legislature to achieve its aims.”

On the fight against corruption, he said “I will advise that in fighting corruption, Mr President must understand that he needs to change the orientation and psyche of Nigerians”.

“The President must also understand that Nigerians are impatient people.

Today they shout hosanna and tomorrow, they will shout prosecute him. So he has to be careful in making his decisions and he must realize he is now a father of all nation and not the All Progressives Congress, APC. So he has to ensure he brings everybody together irrespective of party, religion or tribe”, he said.

Let’s give Buhari # a benefit of doubt —-Shetima, President, Arewa Youths

On his part, President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Alhaji Shetima called on Nigerians to give the new administration the benefit of doubt to deliver on his promises.

Shetima said “it is C M Y K

(L-R) Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Alhaji Joda exchanging greetings with the Wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo after a Presiential Inauguration Luncheon held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja. Photos by Abayomi Adeshida

President Paul Biya of Cameroon (l) exchanging greetings with the wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo obvious that we are transiting from one government to another without crisis. This is a welcome development and from all indications, democracy has come to stay. Let us not forget that expectations from this new government are high because the country is on the verge of collapse.”

He, however, said “I will urge Nigerians to remain resolute, calm and let us give the government a benefit of doubt. We should not expect magic over night but let us give him (Buhari) a benefit of doubt. The days of cheap blackmail, failed promises are over, now we are faced with a lot of challenges. We must be calm and see Nigeria as our home. The president must see himself as father of the nation.”

His speech lacks

direction says Ajulo, LP scribe In his remarks, Labour Party ’s secretary, Mr Ajulo picked holes in the president’s inaugural address saying the speech lacked direction.

He said “the speech was vague, not direct and very disappointing.

Yes, he mentioned that he will tackle the rot in the power sector but he never said how.

Nothing was mentioned on his government’s foreign policy despite having 40 foreign leaders listening to him.”

“He also needs to be reminded that election campaigns are over as he still sounded as if he is wooing electorates for votes. In a nutshell, the speech lacks direction and therefore a disappointment. He refused to dwell on burning issues like

unpaid salaries for Nigerian workers. He failed to say corruption will be tackled despite directing the Army command to overrun Boko Haram, a decision which is commendable”, Ajulo added.

Buhari’s inaugural speech is illusory and vague —Adegboruwa In his remarks, Lagos lawyer, Ebun- OluA d e g b o r u w a condemned the president’s speech saying it was illusory and vague.

The lawyer, in a statement, argued that President Buhari, in his speech failed to touch certain issues.

While he said the speech failed to show how certain problems he identified would be tackled, he said it fell short of a presidential speech for an

inauguration.

Listing areas that the new president failed to address to include foreign policy directive, issues relating to global warming and climate change, the violence in the Middle East, the general global economic downturn, the mode of tackling corruption among others, he said “it would seem that the President is still on the soap box, whereby promises and promises and intentions, are the order.”

He said “he is the President of Nigeria now and my expectation was that since March 28, 2015, when he won the election, when he received the certificate of return from INEC, when he got assurances from Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, that his election would not be contested, General Buhari would have outlined his main policy direction. But alas, that has not happened today”.

Fayose hails Buhari’s inaugural speech, says it brightens hope for Nigeria’s democracy Ekiti State Governor, Mr

Ayodele Fayose has hailed the inaugural speech of President Mohammadu Buhari, describing it as a sign that the president was ready to serve all Nigerians, not minding their political affiliation.

The governor said “the content of the president’s speech showed a man who is desirous of making a success of his administration.

According to the

statement issued by the gover nor ’s Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the governor also hailed the immediate past president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, saying; he laid foundation for democracy in Nigeria.

The governor said; “Nigerians, including those who voted and did not vote for President Buhari were eagerly waiting for his inaugural speech.

“The speech, if followed in practice shows that he is ready to govern Nigeria. It is a sign that the president is ready to live above board and lead a government that accommodates all.

“It is my prayer that the Almighty Allah will grant our president the courage and wherewithal to make a success of his administration and further deepen democratic governance, especially in a confederation like Nigeria by sustaining rule of law.

Speaking further, Governor Fayose, who urged the president to make sure that his name was not used surreptitiously by anyone to muscle the opposition, added that as the president of Nigeria, he had the constitutional duty to protect all Nigerians, not minding the political party they belong.

While praising former President Goodluck Jonathan for his love for peace and progress of the country, Governor Fayose said; “With what Dr Goodluck Jonathan did, history will never forget him as the man who laid an enduring foundation for democracy in Nigeria.”

He said the event of today midwifed by Dr Jonathan and President Buhari proved to the whole world that the black people of Africa were capable of piloting their own affairs.

Hon. Temi Harriman Hon. Temi Harriman, GMB Coordinator in Delta State and member of the Presidential Campaign Council, said:““I congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari on his inauguration.

The goodwill of Nigerians all Nigerians including the political opposition is indicative of his acceptance and the mandate given him to lead the change he has purposed. It is also gratifying that the international community by the presence shown today is willing to support us in at this time. I wish him all the best.

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015 —23

24 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015—25

B

Dear Muyiwa, Your column in the Vanguard of Saturday, May 23, 2015 that dwelt on Uncle Sam’s specific personality image from your own angle, prompted this letter.

I am certainly not taking over your usually rich column, but to make public Uncle Sam’s humanistic simplicity of life.

You know we both worked under him in the Punch Newspapers as reporters.

To me, he never allowed those under him to feel that he was a boss. He exhibited that simple and disciplined attitude of making one to feel very relaxed and humane. Let me recall a few instances.

Each time I met him when he came through Benin City enroute Sapele, his ancestral home, he would welcome one with “Usman, eat something,” pointing to a heavily stocked table of assorted edibles. But he would only take a bite.

When on the telephone, his chats usually make you feel good, loaded with pleasant offers – “Usman, come to Lagos for a few days with Okada…”.

Reminded that Okada airline was no more operating, he would hit back… “come by Okadaman or keke na pep.”

He would cut in, in a diction laden with humour. “Let your photo journalist follow me from Benin”, I would

C M Y K

What a way to go day workshop. Among his many assertions were (1) 110 million Nigerians were feeling the pangs of poverty. (2) 60 billion US dollar debt would be inherited by the new administration. (3) 21% of this year’s budget (about 953 billion Naira) will be used to service debts. (4) Twothirds of the states including the Federal Government, can’t pay salaries. His damning conclusion was that our economy was perhaps at its worst in the history of the

,

arely two weeks after the ‘prestigious Yale University’ awarded Dr of Humane Letters to Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for her economic transformation of Nigeria among other achievements, another ‘prestigious’ American institution, the CNN, announced somewhat gleefully, that the economy of the same country had shut down. Makes you question not only the claims, but the agenda of these American institutions.

Part of the citation of Dr OkonjoIweala— for those who missed it— reads “Shaped by the challenging experiences of your childhood in Nigeria, you have made economic reform your mission. As the Nigerian Co-ordinating Minister for Economic Development and Minister of Finance, you have tackled corruption and created a vision and plan for long term economic stability and worked to build a culture of transparency. With wisdom, a fierce dedication to doing what is right, and unflagging energy, you have transformed the economic landscape of your country”.

You read the words‘economic stability ’, ‘culture of transparency’,‘tackling of corruption’ and wonder what figures Yale University was relying upon for the assertions. Or more to the point, which country was it referring to?

One Sunday Iwalaiye, who must feel as you do, decided to petition the university to state that the claims do not represent the situation on the ground. He claimed in the petition, that ‘there is no evidence of economic transformation’, that our foreign reserves and excess crude oil accounts have been seriously depleted’, that ‘the Naira has crashed to its lowest ever ’, that ‘the culture of official corruption, and State resource mismanagement were honoured, celebrated, protected and defended under her leadership’. He concluded by saying ‘to give her an award, is a slap on 180 million Nigerians’. It is alleged that he had, as at the time of writing this, gotten over 2000 signatures.

A week after the Okonjo-Iweala award, the Vice President elect, Prof Osinbajo gave his own chilling account of the state of the economy at a two-

Lagos airports owned by the superrich; luxury yachts owned by the same set of people, exploring the enchanting islands of Lagos. We see private estates and high rise apartments in expensive areas of Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt also owned by the same people. We see private universities dotted all over the country but owned again by the same people. These are clear evidences that the wealth of the nation has been cornered by a select few under the watch of our World Bank executive.

To give her an award, is a slap on 180 million Nigerians’

nation.

Dr Okonjo-Iweala herself has not been quiet in defending her stewardship. It started with her robust defence of Prof Soludo’s scathing commentary on the handling of the economy under her watch. Of late, she has been telling whoever cares to listen that a lot has been achieved which ‘nobody can wish away’. Part of her stated achievements include (1) creating 1.4 million jobs a year. (2) Setting up a Mortgage Finance Institution to ease home ownership.

(3) Creating an Industrial Bank to help SMEs (4) Identifying and empowering a class of entrepreneurs.

(5) Financing and constructing better network of roads. And (6) maintaining economic stability in the face of dwindling oil revenue. Her verdict?

The economy has fared well under her watch.

What we the people however see are private jets parked at the Abuja and

,

Meanwhile, the rest of the people are struggling hard just to get by. The Channels TV carried a pathetic story last weekend. It was a story of a man whose income averaged500 Naira a day but has to take care of a wife and children in addition to a mother and stepsister and her child. His story, which unfortunately is very common, only became news because two children died of malnutrition. This is the kind of economy that has been built under the Jonathan administration and supervised by the co-ordinating Minister for the economy. This kind of economy, which has seen a yawning gap between the super rich and the extremely poor, has been supervised by a person whom Yale University said has ‘made social and economic reform her mission’.

To get a sense of how fragile and how susceptible to shocks our economy that has been ‘made stable’ by Dr OkonjoIweala is, we should look at recent

FROM MY MAIL BOX

RE YOU ARE WHAT YOU CONSUME respond.

Uncle Sam’s concern for people at all levels of life could have cut to size the nomadic and egoistic false attitude of many Nigerians, especially the politicians, who, in my observation, have turned Nigeria into a bleating and noisy he goat.

I am compelled further to reveal this: in one of my telephone chats with him, he asked if I was in Auchi (my hometown) or Benin City where I reside: “I don’t have a house of my own yet, so I don’t go there (Auchi) often,” I said. He laughed in a disarming diction: “So you no get where de dey go bury you when you die? As I tried to establish a defensive explanation that there was a public burial ground in Auchi, he quickly cut in: “send me your bank account details, yeye man,” terminating the chat with “say hello to your wife”.

Under one hour, I got a bank alert, I called him to register my profound appreciation. Uncle Sam cut in…” that na first installment o” ending with a

teasing laughter laced with an effective chuckle.

Finally, I ought not to have told him that I would facilitate the reception aspect of his late mother’s burial ceremony in Sapele with a Masquerade troupe from Etsako land to add colour. He laughed heartily for over twenty seconds and said “no worry yourself Mr. Culture”.

Were he to pick a card to contest for a political position in his ward, thousands of realistic Nigerians, including me would be his campaigners in his constituency as one man’s opinion can influence thousands of voters.

Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka did tell the nation that he

events. All hell has broken loose because oil now sells for 60 dollars a barrel. This is from a government that has been talking about diversification of the economy for six years. A government that has been forewarned that crude oil price was going to drop by no less a country than its biggest customer. Unfortunately, despite our having a World Bank guru, we didn’t have a dreaming Joseph to prepare us for the lean years – to quote Olusegun Adeniyi— after we had squandered the years of surplus. Yet 60 dollars -a-barrel is in itself higher than what most previous governments ever had! The appetite of this government—from its ten official jets to its billion Naira meal ticket—is just too large.

As I write now (Monday), the country is comatose. We are currently held ransom by oil subsidy corruption, greedy marketers, undisciplined tanker drivers and an inefficient credit administration. As at Monday morning, a litre of petrol was selling for six hundred naira. You can imagine the effect on the economy of a people gasping for air! You can imagine the effect on essential services! You can imagine the effect on those who need urgent medical attention! You can imagine the effect on livestock especially poultry which needs food, light and water 24/7. You can imagine the effect on the over all morale of the people who already feel short changed by government. Or the country which is losing over a billion Naira a day. Yet in all of this, not a word has been said by the Petroleum Minister, not a word by the Finance Minister and not a word from the President himself who claim rightly, to be in power until May 29.

Last Saturday, Chief Eric Teniola, a friend and colleague sent a text to me. He said; “Na wah o. The country has been shut down. No fuel. No light.

No job. No money”. This seems to summarise the injury inflicted on Nigerians by the Jonathan Government which has climaxed in the last month of its administration.

The echoes of this period will resound for a long time. What a way for a government to go.

had sixty (60) reasons why he wouldn’t vote for a particular presidential candidate in last March Presidential election.

Uncle Sam is neat in character, manners and relationship with people who have come across him in life.

I look forward to joining you and others to celebrate this fine gentleman who is humble and noiseless on June 13th, to celebrate his 80th birthday.

Sincerely yours, Usman Abudah 08023397100 Email:daggashabudah@gmail.com

26—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015

I

t is indeed the break of a new dawn, hackneyed as that phrase may begin to sound. But it really must be, especially if it is true that the darkest part of the night precedes the dawn. Several aspects of our economic life, professional life and even moral life may have dipped drastically before now in our history, but never to this level of utter decadence.

One complained about the intermittent power outage which had almost become he normal service, some two weeks ago.

But the experience of a total shut-out was unimaginable. It came to us in the Badia metropolitan area of Lagos gradually, like a gentle breeze from the lagoon, last week Thursday while the comprehensive “crippling” lasted.

First, it was the electricity supply—or NEPA, as the neighbourhood still insists on identifying it. That really was nothing. I mean, who does not have a generator?

We have three. We happily supply many of our neighbours with clean borehole filtered water, and have done so for over a decade.

The number has grown less these days, but the free service continues as long as there is electricity supply to operate the water pump.

Whenever NEPA failed, the generators take over. But next, in our season of discontent, there was shortage of fuel. The price of petrol went up and suddenly soared almost out of reach. But still no problem; we have a niece who runs a petrol station nearby. Even in the direct situation of supply shortage, petrol dealers always have a way of reserving a bit for their relatives and friends— particularly, uncles.

So I called my petroldealing niece on the phone.

No deal. I sent a message provide power for the water by the SMs and waited for pump. reply. No show. It was now As the day wore on, I past two o’clock in the gradually began to realize afternoon, so I decided to how powerless my walk the short distance to household was—and I the petrol station. And there mean how really powerI found my niece and other less. First, I became petrol dealers in a fierce

*a new dawn

,

However, they shall be here and see Boko Haram defeated; normal power established; corruption deflated; the economy renewed; our educational structures strengthened

argument with some policemen. Apparently, some hooligans—criminals, actually—had grouped together to stop the surreptitious sale of petrol throughout all the neighbourhood, except such sales were to them, so they could then proceed to re-sell the product at outrageous prices to members of the public. The dealers held that such a situation would not arise if the police were effective in curtailing the black market practice. In a scuffle that had ensued earlier, my niece had damaged her phone on the head of one of the hooligans, before the police, who had been standing idly by, then stepped in to stop the fight. Interesting as it was, it was not near to end my problem which, if you remember, is the provision of fuel for the generator to

C M Y K

,

heartless myself. I closed the external taps in the compound, and dismissed all water-seeking neighbours. I could not look some of them in the face. I just looked the other way and muttered, “No power, no fuel ...” I went to bed early, missing the news on television, and the probable calming effect which some cool music might have had on my frayed nerves.

O

f course, I slept very little. I got up in the morning with a very dry throat to the gradual realization of what was unfolding, in the way of massive discomfort, in my life. The fridge lad livened up; the water was becoming tepid after almost two days of neglect. The desktop had become inoperable, and the laptop had warned me that, if I did not supply it with adequate power, its battery

support in failure. Read them, if you need to perceive a dose of pure vitriol dripping out of the mind of mischief-makers. They even taunt Muhammadu Buhari, our President, to show how he thinks he can cure all these ills in one hundred days!

That is how imbecilic they get.

No one can achieve that in that period, and we all know it. It is their time to jeer and mock.

However, they shall be here and see Boko Haram defeated; normal power established; corruption deflated; the economy renewed; our educational structures strengthened; and a sense of purpose among the people of this country solidified. They have seen the cruel dawn. They shall live to see the glorious days.

•President Buhari would “go into hibernation”.

The lack of water soon knocked again at the door of my consciousness: water extends its problems beyond the kitchen—it penetrates into the bathroom. Well, it simply meant one didn’t flush for “everything”. In the meantime, airlines were grumbling about lack of aviation spirit; banks were whispering about diesel supply; telecoms were shrieking out warnings about regular services. And all of that affects me too.

T

he fuel shortage had so many reasons for its horrible existence which was turning our poor lives into a nightmare in the daytime. The motor unions had a version; the oils suppliers had their story, and the daddy—or is it “mummy” of them all, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the NNPC (whose matriarch is the Chairman of OPEC—” Ah! Ah”) all had their song and dance. What we didn’t have was the product. The roads had become cluttered up with tankers from all over Nigeria, vying for passage to pick up their consignment from one port—Apapa. That confusion should in itself go into the Guinness Book of World Records for the sheer monstrosity of the gridlock it caused. And that affected me too. It was a “mission

impossible” trying to get to work.

In short, everybody was in one way or another, confronted by the problems that linked themselves around the twin problems of lack of electricity and fuel supply. But then, there were other disruptions across the land. The Boko Haram were as rampant as ever.

Kidnappers were having a field day. The Labour Movement erupted. And without any direct postelection upheaval, as had been predicted in some quarters, there were industrial disputes everywhere. They could have been much worse, in fact, if the aspect of unpaid wages had taken centre stage.

S

ome sections of the foreign media, like the CNN, BBC, Arise etc, made a meal of the situation, as might have been expected. They began to use the word, “crippled” to describe our plight but, on the whole, we kept an even keel on the home front.

However, there is still the pocket of envy and evil-intentions which, up till now, is loaded by elements of ill-will who openly gloated at the disruptions which were caused by those they still

A glimpse into the nature of those glorious days. An ardent patriot sent in this reaction to the refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to allow State Governors to nominate the members of his cabinet for him: “If it is true that (President Muhammadu) Buhari has turned down ministerial nominees sent in by APC State Governors, that would be a step in the right direction. One of the greatest undoing of our present democratic dispensation is the near absolute political powe political affairs arrogated to the governors outside the tetters of the Constitution.

Having successfully cordoned off their States they make a power grab at the national level and tried to subject the (past) President to their control. When the Governors sneeze, Senators and Representatives catch a cold, and that should not be the case. To some National Assembly members, who value their political survival, the fear of governors is the beginning of wisdom. “

T

he writer refused to submit his name, but his views are solid. This is President Buhari’s first working day and may such policies continue to guide his footsteps. The moment the Governors’ Forum was formed, its members found a gathering point to inflate their relevance. Their substantial contribution to our political mores was the strengthening of “godfatherism” which they almost elevated to an element of political party structure. The in-coming governors must dismiss the dark past and emerge, spruce and clean, into the new dawn.

Time out.

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015 — 27

O

‘’Prodiga”, ‘’Lazzy”, ‘’VIP” and a host of many others. After spending two years on their scene, my music was received and appreciated, but l didn’t find fulfillment. So I decided to bring it back home, so that l can tap into my country’s resources before taking it to the shores of other countries. My parents have always been very supportive so I am in safe hands. I am currently signed to ‘’Enimis Entertainment” and ‘’Triple O” Entertainment owned by my immediate elder brother; Babatunde Ogunmekan and Chief Olayinka Ogunmekan respectively. There is always a point in every man’s life where he comes to the realization that ‘’Nothing Good Comes Easy”, that made me more determined.

luwaseyi Segun Moses Ogunmekan aka ‘’Ogunma” is a young artiste who is already making waves in the entertainment industry.

His songs and videos have made their way to top blogs and radio stations including Hip TV, Silver Bird- Music Africa and many others.

Ogunma has performed alongside major artistes in Nigeria and Ghana; he has been on stage with the likes of Ice Prince Zamani and Tobi Grey on MTV Base Listening party held at Unilag. He has worked with Eminic, and the popular Ghanaian trio known as VIP. In this chat with FLORENCE AMAGIYA and Sarumi Kehinde, he talks about schooling, his two years sabbatical in Ghana, challenges and his music comeback in Nigeria.

CHALLENGES GROWING UP I have had my own fair share of struggles, it is the same as any other upcoming artiste would say. Growing up was a bit tough but the grace of God was sufficient for us, my parents had to work hard to provide us (the children) with whatever we needed. Back then, I personally used my volition to make ends meet in any little way that I could. I went as far as washing cars and being a bricklayer for some time.

M

CHILDHOOD My childhood wasn’t a perfect one as l suffered what some other children suffered.

But all I can say is that, God is faithful and l am where l am today because of His grace. I am from a monogamous family, the second born of three siblings. I have tried several unimaginable things to make ends meet, even though l am very young; I have a mature heart that is in love with music and l do not intend to leave it anytime soon. Music was the only thing I could do right and obviously what my heart chose.

I can say that I have hustled my way to where I am today.

REASON FOR MUSIC Of course there are many youths who go into music for the wrong reasons; some go into music for the immediate gratification, which is money, some go into it because it is trending. But l went into music because I have a message for the youths who are my fans. I have a track titled ‘’Get Busy”

•Ogunma

I am not a di g i t a l artiste like s o m any today — Ogu nma which is receiving massive airplay as we speak.

EDUCATION I started out at District Primary School, Opebi, and then to Alwarul Islamic Model College which happened to be a single sex school system. I tried getting admission into the ‘’University of Lagos”, my dream school, but it was not easy. Right now, I am studying mechanical engineering at the ‘’University of Abeokuta” in Ogun state. I know that it would have sounded better if l were studying music; as well as becoming a musician, but engineering is my profession while music is my career.

,

USIC Music has always been part of me; it is the profession I chose. I am doing music because I have a lot of messages to pass across to the world, based on my environment, experience, even as a young man and the things that I do. My genre of music is a fusion of Afro-hip pop, RnB and Dancehall. I write my songs myself before going to the studio for recording. Right now, I am working towards releasing an album because I already have a lot of singles to my name. I believe that I have a lot to offer because my own brand of music is unique. I strive to inspire people on the perspective from which they should view life.

I have tried several unimaginable things to make ends meet, even though l am very young; I have a mature heart that is in love with music and l do not intend to leave it anytime soon.

,

Notwithstanding, even if I have all the money in the world I would not quit school.

PASSION Before now, l took a break to Ghana to begin my music career. While there, I met a young man named Friction, who happens to be the CEO of the popular Ghanaian trio VIP, he was very essential to my career growth in Ghanaian music industry. My hit track titled ‘’Nigerian Boys” is a song that endeared me to the general public. I got the opportunity to perform on live TV shows alongside great artists like ‘’Promxy”,

SACRIFICE If today, everybody who has ever been supportive of my career decides to take their hands off, the greatest sacrifice I can offer is to be steadfast. I would never stop doing music neither would I let the people who believe in me down. The financing would definitely be a hindrance but I thank God that He created me an industrious person. I intend to take my career way ahead even after people are satisfied with what I am doing. I get inspiration from every source around me and I write my songs easily.

NEXT FIVE YEARS I started playing the keyboard three years ago and in the next five years I would be much better at it. If l have my way in five years I would be doing great and a force to reckon with in the entertainment industry. At the moment my next single titled ‘’Galidator” is coming out soon, I am certain it would become a hit but I am looking up to God because by strength shall no man prevail. Many are called but few are chosen, that is the fact that keeps me going. I am not just a digital artiste; I can perform on stage with a live band. That is one edge I believe I have over most musicians like myself.

28 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015

With FLORENCE AMAGIYA 08061644307 email: daise4000@yahoo.com

Governor Ifeanyi OKOWA:

His high visions for Delta State

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and wife

dedicated Christian family from Owa-Alero HIS Excellency, Dr Ifeanyi OKOWA, was born into a humble and He cut his first educational tooth at the 1959.

July, 8th on in Ika North-East LGA of Delta State, 54 years ago, Edo College, Benin City, between 1970 and Iroro Primary School, Owa-Alero, and later attended the famous Certificate Examination in the then School r 1976. Okowa graduated with the second best result in the Highe Bendel State.

University of Ibadan, Oyo state. Young Thereafter, he went further to study medicine and surgery at the 1982, he worked briefly with the defunct in year Ifeanyi Okowa graduated in 1981 at age 22. After his service he went into private practice as director Bendel State Hospitals Management Board as a medical officer beforebranch at Boji-Boji, Owa. Dr. Okowa’s r at Victory Medical Centre, Igbanke in 1986. Later he opened anothe rendered free service to the very poor in the humanitarian disposition endeared him to his people as he often community. displays highly developed craftsmanship in According to people who have had dealings with the Senator, he to his supporters, can be seen in his ing accord ship, leader his work, and the evidence of his constructive to Ika Local Government Area in 1991. Then in growing political profile. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa served as secretary ment Council. Returning to Private MediGovern Local 1993 he served as the first chairman of Ika North East Democratic Movement and Peoples’ oots Grassr the in player al politic cal Practice in 1994, he was an active Democratic Party (PDP) at its formative Stage. ces in 1999. In 2001, he served as He became the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resour also served as Honourable Commissioner Honourable Commissioner for Water Resources Development. He in 2007. After three years as the ment for Health in 2003 and became the Secretary to Delta state Govern senatorial district in 2011 till the North Delta from r Senato a e Secretary to Delta state Government, he becam this edition, we bring to you an icon and gubernatorial election 2015 which was a tremendous success. In winner of 2015 gubernatorial election in Delta state.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Read on…

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HIS CREDENTIALS IN all of his years in politics, he has believed that bridge building among politicians and non-politicians was key in the successful performance of

assigned roles. This principle has helped him to build a large number of dedicated friends, political associates and partners in all fields of human endeavor across the state. These are friends he calls and relies upon in the journey of life.

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015 — 29

•Senator Ifeanyi Okowa waving at the people

•Senator Ifeanyi Okowa with former governor of Delta state and deputy governor

Having served as Senator and passed through various offices at both local and state government levels, he offers to serve his state as governor.

COMMITMENT Okowa believes in the unity of Delta State. Unity is fundamental, and it shall be the driving force of his leadership with equity, justice, peace and security as partners. He plans to implement policies that will deepen inter- communal relationships and the unique features and character of the

Delta state will be one in which there are gainful employment opportunities, a flourishing agriculture and agric- business sector, effective health and educational systems, and renewed urban infrastructure and security that would enhance continued economic growth and the prosperity of all Deltans C M Y K

state.

No one can doubt his deep knowledge and commitment to the people of Delta state, to all the communities, the aspirations of the people, and the tremendous challenges facing them. His faith in Delta state is limitless, unwavering, and bountiful. Even when his constituency became delimited by law to Delta North, he never ceased to be of service to the entire people of Delta state.

PROGRAMME It is an incontrovertible fact that the state and face of the Delta state economy and society have changed tremendously since 1999.

There has been progress in peace and security, physical infrastructural development, in human capital development, and in driving forward the living conditions of the people and communities of Delta state.

However, progress itself generates new challenges.

So it is not a case, therefore, that the achievements recorded in health and education and in peace and security are exhaustive and final. In fact, progress in these and other sectors have generated new challenges in developing Delta state.

Based on this reason and logic, his vision as governor of Delta state is, simply stated, to consolidate and advance the peace, progress, and prosperity of our beloved state. The following will be his primary areas of focus as governor of Delta State.

Strategic wealth creation projects and provision of

Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa pointing at one of the structures during an inspection tour at the NCC Digital Bridge Institute, Ugbolu, near Anwai in Oshimili North local government area of Delta State.

jobs for all Deltans.

Meaningful peace building platforms aimed at political/ social stability.

Agricultural reforms and accelerated industrialization.

Relevant health and educational policies.

Transformed environment through urban renewal.

ACHIEVEMENTS He has served the people of Delta state in various capacities: as Local Government Chairman, as Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, as Commissioner for Water Resources Development, as Commissioner for Health, as Secretary to Delta State

Government (SSG), and as Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME He has empowered Deltans through diverse empowerment schemes and programmes which he intends to improve upon as Governor of Delta State.

STYLE He sees himself as leader of a team, first of the Executive branch, and second, of the entire state.

His team will consist of men and women who have talent, knowledge, skills and flair

for management, team spirit and persons rooted in their communities. The Executive branch will be composed of resourceful persons with integrity and track records as models in their communities and the state. The composition shall reflect the character of Delta state.

With a revamped public service and an Executive branch under his watch, he envisions a Delta state that shall consciously promote a good working relationship with the state Legislature and Federal Government. In the same vein, the Local Governments shall be encouraged to work with the State Government through an economic planning board in a manner that our communities and the lives of our people shall be blessed and improved upon the tenure in which he is the Governor of Delta state.

PLEDGE

•L-R Victor Ochie, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan,Senator Okowa & Senator Victor Ndoma Egba

At the end of his tenure as Governor, Delta state will be one in which there are gainful employment opportunities, a flourishing agriculture and agricbusiness sector, effective health and educational systems, and renewed urban infrastructure and security that would enhance continued economic growth and the prosperity of all Deltans.

30 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015

By KEHINDE AJOSE 08024212530

ses M.I. expres llaborate desire to co askela, with Hugh Mour, Youssou N’Dothers Salif Keita,

Stop calling Jonathan a hero, says Adokiye

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HEN former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan called President Muhammadu Buhari af ter the 2015 presidential election to con cede defeat, many applauded him as a gentleman who has the interest of the country at heart. Many went as far as calling him the hero of our time. So were his many friends in the entertainment industry. But it seems singer and actress, Adokiye would remember the leader for a different reason. “ I feel really bad for the Nigerians calling President Jonathan a hero. Hero to who please?” she asked disdainfully. “ Why waste your saliva and brain on someone who has brought poverty, national blackout, danger, unemployment, terror and insecurity to our dear nation” she said.

“Don’t get me wrong, he was my president before now. His wife is even from my mum’s village, Ogu Bolo in Okrika and I know her home. So, they are my people. But my dear, he disappointed me. Someone that has seen poverty before but was blessed by God to change mankind.

What did he do? He forgot us and started forming ‘big man’ for Nigerians. I bet he thought the world was his. Thank God for his mercy for not allowing him to come back to complete his mission of doom” she declared.

She also took on those who worked under the former president in he chat with Showtime, saying they did not work in the interest of the masses.

“They were all heartless people. People that could not feel the pains of the poor who put them there to serve then.

If anybody by now is still calling Jonathan a hero that person should be checked” she added. Adokiye spoke with Showtime on Monday at the height of the fuel crisis across the nation.

M

•Adokiye Kyrian

Banky W in allwhite Ciroc reopening of ‘The Place’

•M.I

Why I am called Joe Bling -Joe Bling J

I

KEJA, a Lagos highbrow and the acclaim hub of nightclubbing in Nigeria is set for a new experience as the popular The Place Restaurant, Lounge & Nightclub launches its newly transformed, ultra-modern and state of the art Ikeja GRA Club tonight, Saturday, Ma 30th. Nigerian king of R&B and soul, Banky W on the bill of Ciroc will host the highlyanticipated grand reopening of he nightclub.

Speaking on the all-white Ciroc party and his choice as the host of he night, Banky W said, “Being a Ciroc ambassador has afforded me the privilege of attending parties in some of the world’s most impressive locations. With that being said, I’ve found that there’s still “no party like a Lagos party”. I’m excited to witness what The Place Ikeja GRA has in store for Lagos, and I’m honoured to be a part of their grand reopening. It will definitely be an epic celebration!”

Popular with Lagos ‘social elite and trendsetters, The Place Ikeja GRA has been totally refurbished to give night crawlers a unique clubbing experience.

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.I has expressed a desire to collaborate with a number of legendary African artistes including Hugh Maskela, Youssou N’Dour, Salif Keita and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

He disclosed this while responding to questions at the 2015 MTV Africa Music Awards announcement event at Cova Lounge, Victoria Island, Lagos. The superstar rapper further revealed that such collaborations are part of his ambition to connect the young African audience to the older generation of African musicians.

In his words,”I think we have done great in terms of creating a vibrant modern African music scene and the young audience really connects with that, but it would really be great to be able to connect the young audience with the older generation of African musicians. Africa has such a rich musical history and it would be a shame to lose part of that history. My ne

•Banky W

•Joebling

OSEPH Chijoke Obigbara a.k.a Joe Bling is a fast rising gospel artiste who believes music is a tool to inspire and make impact.The Anambra State Polytechnic graduate of Public Administration, recently released is debut album titled Grateful.In a chat with Showtime,the talented vocalist explains why he is called Joe Bling as opposed to a calmer name. “A .lot of people often asked me why I chose that name.The Bible says we are the light of the world and the salt of the earth.When you Bling, you shine.Therefore I see myself as a shining light in the music industry”.

Speaking on what music means to him, he said: “Music is a tool of expression I use it to express what I feel inside of me.If you don’t have music inside of you,you cannot give it.Music is a tool to inspire either in the right direction or in the negative direction.”

The gospel minister who said he has been influenced by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome,is preparing for his album launch and concert holding on May 31st 2015 by 4pm.The event will be held at Green Point Hotel, Ajao Estate, Lagos.

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015 —31

By AYO ONIKOYI, 08052201215

Mixed blessings of movie stars turned music divas (2)

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By Kehinde Ajose

AST week we brought you Omotola, Genevieve, Juliet Ibrahim, Jennifer Eliogu, and Ronke Ojo, looking at their fortunes since adding music to their portfolios, outside their familiar terrain of acting. This week, we continue with other movie stars who have either done music or doing music and see how they have fared in comparison to their comfort zone of acting.

•Dayo Amusa •Stella Damasus

•Susan Ekwe

Tonto Dikeh forging ahead against all odds When she took the bold step of stretching her star power to pursue a career in music, with the release of the songs Its Ova and Hi ,her stubborn insistence on promoting those singles gave her lots of airplays and downloads.

Considering her accomplishment as an actress, many perceived her music effort as something a bit over her head.

Some say Tonto Dike is qualified to play the role of a musician in a movie than in real life. Many have already lamented the disaster of giving up her promising acting career for a miserable music career. But since switching to music,Tonto has allowed nothing to stand in her way. songs like Hi, Ekebe ,Sheba featuring Solid star and Sugar rush are proof of her doggedness. Just last year, D’Banj signed her to his DB records.

generated lots of reviews. Her desire to make it in music saw her collaborating with Flavour in a song titled Nyem Something. With intense training the sexy diva might just be on her way to being the next Omawunmi but allocating time for music with hard demand of acting time has been her toughest nut to crack

Anita Joseph torn between time and passion When it comes to music,the curvaceous Anita Joseph goes by the name Nita J. She found another opportunity to flaunt her curves when she released the video for her dancehall song Time no dey in 2009 which

Dayo Amusa onto a big thing?

The movie Unforgivable gave her rave reviews. Paydab, her self-owned school, shows her knack for entrepreneurship and Blow my mind proves that the award-winning actress can sing too. Dayo Amusa isn’t ready to

•Tonto Dike

•Patience Ozokwor

relent any time soon. She goes by the stage name,Adufe when music is concerned. The enterprising actress recorded her first single in 2014 for her movie Unforgivable.This year, she unveiled another song titled Blow my mind. The highlife themed song shows her versatility as a vocalist.

Though Dayo’s music may not be making waves at the moment,she is capable of making it big if she gets better at it.

Music, a water too hot for Patience Ozokwor Once upon a time,Patience Ozokwor delved into music with the stage name Mama G.

The veteran actress expressed her musical talent, shot some music videos and was bent on conquering the music world.

Songs like Make we jolly, National moi moi, Adaeze and Iyo Ngwo Ngwo rocked the airwaves. She was confident she had found her forte in music. Suddenly, she lost that drive and nothing was heard about her music ever since.

Susan Ekwe on the right course?

Known as Harmony in the music industry,Susan Ekwe is quick to tell anyone that she is born to be an entertainer. The budding actress who broke into the movie industry with the movie

•Anita Joseph

Stella Damasus hitting the right notes to no effect?

Since her romance with Doris Simeon’s former husband, Daniel Ademinokan, there have been more negative media perception of his Nollywood screen diva than at any other time of her career. She made her name as an actress but later detoured into music. Though to some, it looked like an experiment but the result for Stella is the realisation that she has got some groove.

“Unlike many of her counterparts, who don’t understand what it means to be a vocalist,Stella has a soulful voice that can deliver the goods” observes a critic.

In Love me quick, she flaunts her vocal dexterity, hitting the right notes, displaying the needed breath control, blending effortlessly with the piano. Every one is patiently anticipating the direction her music cruise will take but it seems the diva isn’t taking the chance with both hands.

Desire also doubles as a singer.

Though her music venture is yet to give her major breakthroughs, the delectable diva isn’t discouraged as she keeps releasing music for her fans to feed on. Harmony who is signed on to HF music recently released Chocolate, an Afropop tune in which she featured Zeez.She sounded melodious as a result of the auto tune that was used in the song. Critics have said she sounds like Yemi Alade and might just be on her way to oust the Johnny crooner if she puts more attention on her fledgling music career. She also recently released another singer ‘Gat your back’ featuring Ghanaian Stoneboy and Cynthia Morgan C M Y K

32— SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015

Our journey so far

D’Prince opens up on Don Jazzy, D’Banj, album this year. I am trying to put some structures in place that is just it basically.

BY KEHINDE AJOSE AND ANOZIE EGOLE

W

hat song will you regard as your biggest song so far?

I can’t really say. It depends on what you mean. Do you mean biggest song commercially?

Not just commercially, but a song that changed the course of your career The song that gave me the big break should still be Omoba. That was the song that I actually took me on the road when I first came out.

•D’Prince

C M Y K

What really inspired the song?

When I composed the song, I was a new artiste. I was in the studio with Don Jazzy and we said what’s the best way to gain entrance into the industry and so the song came about. Since

,

S

tepping away from the shadows of elder brother Don Jazzy, Mavin Records artiste D’Prince has proven that he isn’t a flash in the pan. The ‘Take Banana’ crooner has released massive hit songs and has stamped his musical aptitude on the Nigerian entertainment scene. In this interview, D’Prince reveals why he has been out of circulation, the re-branding he has gone through, what it is like working with Don Jazzy, and how he intends to make his music evergreen, among other issues

Dorobucci is actually one of the biggest songs we have released, even from the Mohit days

, then, people stopped calling me D’Prince and started calling me Omoba. I think it actually served its purpose at the end of the day. It gave me another industry name.

What have you been working on?

Basically,we have different projects we are working on. I have been recording. I will be dropping another

How would you describe the Mavins crew hit song Dorobucci?

Dorobucci is actually one of the biggest songs we have released, even from the Mohit days. When we were in the studio, recording the song, It felt like when we were in Mohits ,the energy in the studio was crazy .We were certain the song was going to be a massive hit and it became that.

Who started calling you Omoba?

It depends on where I am. If I am in Delta state, people call me Omoba, if I go to the north they call me Omoba but in Lagos, some people call me D’Prince while others call me Omoba.

It just started spontaneously.

How many tracks should we expect from your new album?

We haven’t decided yet, but we will eventually pick the songs that will make the album. It’s Don Jazzy that actually decides.

Don Jazzy once said on the social media that there was a time he sold stuffs on the street, how true is that?

It’s true. I don’t actually come from a rich home. We were referred to as poor when we were growing up. Don Jazzy and my elder brother James sold different things like palp or eko or agidi.That was in Ajegunle. My mum had a little kiosk so my sister and I used to stay back to assist her. We helped her out one way or the other. You know how it is when children come back from school and your mum says:”Go and give them change”.

Things like that. I came from that kind of family.

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VOL. 1 NO 34

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015

•Ongoing demolition exercise in Enugu metropolis.

ECTDA to demolish 2,100 residential, business buildings in Enugu

By FRANCIS IGATA

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NUGU — There are indications that the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, ECTDA,will demolish 2,100 residential and business outfits in Enugu metropolis over alleged contravention of the state’s waterway policy.

This was even as over 200 shops have been demolished along the Legislative Quarters, Independence Layout, Otigba Junction and Abakpa.

Scene of demolition South-East Voice’s visit to the scene of demolition showed that affected victims wept uncontrollably as a D6 earth moving machine crushed their structures during the exercise.

Ifeoma Nwabueze, a victim whose tears rolled down freely, C M Y K

lamented that her source of livelihood had been extinguished.

She said:”Where will I go to now? My husband has no job.

The family depends on this shop for survival. I do not see how these shops offend government’s policy. These shops have been here before the Governor Sullivan Chime’s administration. How can it be demolished in the dying days of his administration.

Another victim, Basil Oke also wondered why there should be no human face in the demolition exercise, adding that there should some form of compensation for those affected.

Government’s stand Commissioner for ECTDA, Mr. Emmanuel Omeje while fielding questions from SouthEast Voice in his office explained that the shop owners contravened the

government green verge policy.

He said: ”The shops were built on government green verge. Shops should not be built within 10 metres away from the road. We issued the shop owners quit notice two years ago. They refused to quit.

“The shop owners do not

The commissioner said: "Shops were built on waterways,rail line,drainage channels will be demolished. But the demolition will be done in phases.”

have approval for those structures. They were built as government set backs. There will be no compensation for affected victims because we cannot legalise legality.

“By next week,we will demolish all the shops at the Computer Village,along Fire service. All the shops,left and right will be demolished. They built shops directly on railway lines which cannot be so. You cannot build shops within 6 meters away from the rail tracks.

“I was in one of the shops eating and train passed. The shop was vibrating and i asked the restaurant operator if she noticed what was happening.

We will demolish 2,100 residential and business outfits in Enugu metropolis that have contravened the waterway policy. All those that built on waterways,rail line,drainage channels will be demolished.

But the demolition will be done in phases.”

ALSO IN THIS EDITION

IGBOKAENYI: Philanthropist, Ezeemo remembers the forgotten tribe in PAGE 3 Anambra

Families worry over PAGE 7 abducted undergraduates in Aba

Abandoned leprosy settlement comes alive with donated items worth N20m PAGE 8

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015

By VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA — FOLLOWING the release of the fact sheet of Service Delivery Indicators, SDI, survey for 2013 in Anambra State, which exposed the problems in the health sector, stakeholders from the health departments in al the 21 local government areas of the state brainstormed in Awka to suggest ways of improving the situation.

The stakeholders were armed with the report of the survey sponsored by the World Bank, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Hanova Medical Limited.

During the two-day exercise, the stakeholders considered issues raised in the report point by point after which recommendations were made to the policy formulators of the state government on what should be done to put the health sector on the right track again.

According to the report, there was only 17.1 per cent adherence to clinical guidelines, while adherence by doctors, nurses/ midwives and para-professionals were 32.8 per cent, 21.7 per cent, 14.2 per cent and 10.8 per cent respectively.

Similarly, the absence of health workers from facilities ranged from 32.6 per cent in health posts to 48.5 per cent in secondary health facilities, while 42.8 per cent of doctors, 39.1 per cent of nurses, 44.4 per cent of para- cent.

The stakeholders who worked professionals were absent from groups, in their all facilities during unannounced in recommendations, agreed on the visits.

It was, however, observed that need to employ more staff, the necessary 43.9 per cent of excused absence provide was in the form of training, official infrastructure, including vehicles mission and approved absence, for monitoring activities, while 15 per cent and 8.6 per cent refrigerators for storing drugs at were unapproved absence and the right temperature, training and retraining of staff, improved sick/maternity.

The report said that only 15 per budgetary allocation to the sector.

Essentially, the survey centred cent of all health facilities had work plans, while 7.4 per cent on what health workers know, had quarterly implementation what they do, what they work plans, adding that availability of with, as well as management of work plans among the primary resources, supervision and tier health facilities was even financing.

Dr. Dale Ogunbayo, who lower, recording 14.4 per cent, compared to the secondary provided technical support for the facilities which stood at 51 per survey described the outcome as

•Participants at the presentation of Anambra State health SDI surveys.

Stakeholders brainstorm to reverse worrisome situation in health sector Stakeholders agreed on need to employ more staff, provide the necessary infrastructure, including vehicles for monitoring activities, refrigerators for storing drugs at the right temperature, training and retraining of staff, improved budgetary allocation to the sector.

an eye opener, adding that it would assist authorities to improve on areas the country was lagging behind.

According to him, rather than apportion blames, the best thing to do is to find the way forward, which was why the stakeholders who operate at the primary healthcare level to make the necessary input that will guide the state government in making policies that concern the health sector.

Some of the participants admitted that the report was not a surprise to them, noting that it revealed the anomalies which they had been complaining about anytime they had opportunity to

interact with officials of the ministry of health.

They observed that in some of the Primary Health Centres, there is only one staff and wondered the kind of result to expect from such a situation.

They also complained that local government chairmen were not helping matters as they are only interested in ventures that could yield money for them.

For instance, most of the stakeholders said that although all local governments have giant generating sets to power the entire local government, the chairmen abandoned them and procured only the small ones that light their offices, keeping the entire local government in darkness.

They also allege that drugs supplied to the health centers are not properly accounted for, leading to some health staff purchasing drugs they administer to patients and charging them money, when such services were expected to be provided free of charge.

Workshop calls for increased women participation in decision making processes

By OBIALUNAMMA NWADIOGBU

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KWULOBIA— PARTICIPANTS at a one-day workshop on enhancing the status of women have called for increased women participation in decision making processes as a stepping stone to attaining greater heights in all fields of human endeavour.

The workshop, which was organized at Awka by the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, MHWUN, Anambra State chapter, attracted resource persons and experts who enlightened women on their role in the quest for greater involvement in politics and trade union matters.

Chairperson of MHWUN in the state, Mrs. Chinwe Orizu, had set the tone for the event by urging women to be conscious of their capabilities which could be properly C M Y K

utilized to place them in vantage position to be leaders.

Orizu described the theme of the workshop ‘’Building Women; Building the Union’’ as timely especially now that there was seemingly apathy among women about politics and union leadership matters.

She also said that time had come for women to strive at excellence and shun all forms of negative biases that had held them down from effective participation in trade unionism.

In her welcome address, the state Chairperson, Women

Commission, Patricia Maduabum, said that the nation could enhance its productivity and guarantee gender equality by utilizing female experts. ‘’Women all over the world and Nigeria in particular today compete with their men counterparts in building the economy. For example, late Prof Dora Akunyili and Dr Okonjo Iweala Ngozi and so many others made enormous contributions to the development of this country,’’ she said, adding that the

•A cross section of resource persons at the workshop.

workshop was anchored on empowering women towards a better tomorrow in view of their potentials in transforming nations, as they had proved to be better managers of human resources and materials. ‘’In as much as we are still having some challenges concerning gender inequality, it beats my imagination that women themselves are the architects of their problems.

So at the end of this workshop, we will be better equipped for the challenges ahead towards building the unions and having a better Nigeria via women,’’ Maduabum added.

In her own paper, entitled 'Combating gender based violence in Nigeria;Issues and Challenges,' the Deputy Chairman, NLC, Oby Eze, stated that violence against women was an age long problem which must be addressed.

Eze named types of gender based violence to include, rape, sexual assault, incest, wife battering, forced marriages,

widow inheritance, female genital mutilation amongst others.

Proffering solution to the problems, she urged government to enact or reinforce sanctions to punish and redress acts of violence against women and girls, adding that NGOs should intensify awareness campaigns and report cases to appropriate authorities for further action.

Also, the South East Coordinator, Women Committee of MHWUN, Ify Oranye, whose paper was on 'Trade Unions and the challenges of gender mainstreaming,' suggested that 30 per cent affirmative action should be applied in workplace leadership positions.

She observed that certain factors militating against effective women participation in trade unionism included foul languages, timing of meetings often at midnights to discourage them, multiple roles in family, ante natal and post natal matters, among others, must be resolved to launch them to stardom.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015 — 3

•From left, Alhaji Ibrahim Romi, representing Prof.

Addison Wokocha, Chief Executive TRCN, Provost FCE Umunze Prof Ogbuagu (middle) and Sir A.I Udensi, Registrar of the College during TRCN induction.

•Newly inducted teachers in a group photograph with Provost and TRCN officials shortly after the ceremony.

TRCN inducts 784 graduands into teaching profession

By OBIALUNAMMA NWADIOGBU

E

KWULOBIA—THE Registrar and Chief executive of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, TRCN, Professor Addison Wokocha has asked fresh graduate teachers from the Federal College of Education, Technical, Umunze to take their induction into the council with the highest level of seriousness and commitment to professionalism.

Wokocha, who spoke at the maiden registration and induction ceremony for Masters, PDE, first degree and NCE programmes of the institution, said the induction was neccesitated by the clamour for professionalism in teaching in the country.

Commending the inductees, Wokocha who was represented on the occasion

by Alhaji Ibrahim Romi said that the induction which was done during graduation was aimed at checking quackery in the profession.

He said TRCN was poised to regulate teacher education, training and practice at all levels of the education system to match teachers’ quality, discipline, professionalism, reward and dignity to ensure international best practices.

According to him, the council was out to achieve such objectives by promoting excellence in education through effective registration, certification and licensing of teachers, and promoting professionalism through accreditation, monitoring and supervision of teachereducation programmes.

He then appealed to the inductees to hold the profession in high esteem as teaching was the father of all professions.

Earlier, the Provost of the college, Professor Josephat Ogbuagu urged the C M Y K

graduating teachers to take advantage of the opportunity that has exempted them from the rigours of the processes of being registered as teachers.

Ogbuagu said, “I want you to count yourselves fortunate to have this privilege of being inducted as full-fledged professional teachers by the TRCN. The college in affiliation with Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka has produced degree graduates as well as NCE and PDE with the latest contents that meet

He then appealed to the inductees to hold the profession in high esteem as teaching was the father of all professions.

general and specialist pedagogical requirements for professional registration and induction of teachers.

“That is why it started with Teacher Technical Certificate, TTC, which was in vogue at the inception of the college.

However, with the commencement of the PDE, TRCN has considered all other previously accepted programmes which had never been reviewed for more than 10 years now automatically closed down. ‘’This is

particularly true of TTC and other related programmes which pre-dated PDE.” He then advised those who were yet to get their TRCN certificates as teachers to do so in their own interest.

His words: “TRCN has provided a rich comprehensive professional standard for Nigerian teachers i “You should do this by showing good examples and being good ambassadors of the college in terms of knowledge, skills, attitudes, values and conduct.’’

Roadside motor parks on the rise in Abia

By FELIX OGBONNA

A

BA —Despite the efforts of the Abia State government to ensure that motorists in Aba make use of approved motor parks, more roadside motor parks are still springing up daily at many areas of the city.

From Asa, Park, Pound, St. Michaels, Hospital and Azikiwe roads at the city centre, transporters have converted every available space like filling stations, parking lots, entrance to buildings and pedestrian walkways to loading bays.

It is the same situation are the Waterside, Omoba and Opobo junctions on Ikot Ekpene road in Ogbor Hill, Brass junction, Ngwa/ Port Harcourt road junction, Factory road as well as the Osisioma Ngwa junction along the Enugu—Port Harcourt expressway where the number of roadside motor parks continues to rise daily.

South East Voice investigations at the Aba city centre showed that there were more than 15 roadside motor parks between the Aba city centre and Azikiwe/Asa road junction.

Chairman of the Abia State Task Force on Environment and Allied Matters, Capt. Awa Udonsi Agwu, rtd, had told

newsmen in Aba, that most motor park in the state were highly underutilized and called on transport operators to patronize them instead of using illegal parks.

His words, “Most transporters have abandoned the approved motor parks in every part of Aba. Out- going Gov. Theodore Orji recently built the Osisioma Ngwa Motor park with modern facilities. As I’m talking to you now, that park is highly underutilized. Another one is at the Burrow Pit/Enyimba Motor Park along the express way. There are Ehere, Ogbor Hill, Alaoji Flyover and

From Asa, Park, Pound, St. Michaels, Hospital and Azikiwe roads at the city centre, transporters have converted every available space like filling stations, parking lots, entrance to buildings and pedestrian walkways to loading bays.

•Roadside motor park in Aba.

Cemetery Motor parks. We are appealing to these transporters to use government approved motor parks.

“The Taskforce is determined to enforce the relocation to motor parks because the Aba Master Plan never included the sitting of motor parks at unapproved places. We have been appealing to the transport operators to relocate to the Aba Main Motor Park. From our deduction, these transporters prefer to load by the roadside, perhaps they make more profit there, but government is determined to return sanity to Aba.” U d o n s i f u r t h e r lamented that some transport companies have converted the Aba main motor park to a garage where they wash and maintain their vehicles, covering available spaces for transporters to load and offload their passengers.

4 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,

MAY 27, 2015

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KWULOBIA — IGBOKAENYI, one of the seven Igala speaking communities in Anambra State that had been abandoned over the years by both the local and state governments.

The seven Igala communities known as Olumbanasaa and located at Anambra West Local Government area of Anambra State include Ode, Igbedor, Odekpe, Alla, Onugwa, Odomagwu and Igbokaenyi.

The Olumbanasa is an island inside the River Niger and can only be accessed through water. However, Igbokaenyi Community has a population of less than 2,000 people. People hardly visit them.

The predominantly agrarian community has no potable water, electricity, access road, schools, GSM network and other social amenities in this 21st century that is characterized by globalization and technological innovations. and their sons and daughters who are resident outside.

And for his joy of felicitating with the abandoned, a philanthropist and Publisher, Orient Newspapers, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo took a trip to Igbokaenyi community.

The traditional ruler of the town, Igwe Osuji was not on seat but his spokesman, Dr. Okolo Paul, while giving more insight into the well-being of the community, described Igbokaenyi community as a macro minority, that is grossly marginalized and neglected in terms of infrastructure.

He narrated how he lost his day old child at Asaba hospital because they could not get to the hospital on time when his wife was on labour by midnight.

Hear him: “That was the day I cried to heaven as I watched my wife dying gradually in pains. I called the ferry men but they had all gone to bed. One of them that managed to answer me, charged N3,000 which I paid. Before we could get to hospital in Asaba, the neighbouring Delta State capital, the child had already died in its mother’s womb. My wife has been in unstable condition since then. She is still recuperating.”

Igbokaenyi appears to be the most neglected or forgotten tribe in Anambra State as government presence has not in any way been felt by the people, especially in the area of basic amenities and infrastructure.

According to a resident, Mr. Emmanuel Okolo, the only health centre in the community ‘’is as lifeless as a morgue as no health personnel or drugs could be found there.

The place can only be accessed through Illah in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State, at the river bank where C M Y K

•Ezeemo flanked by members of St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Igbokaenyi.

IGBOKAENYI: Philanthropist, Ezeemo remembers the forgotten tribe in Anambra

By OBIALUNAMMA NWADIOGBU visitors and even the indigenous people park their vehicles and then travel on ferry boats for over 30 minutes to the area before trekking for another 20 minutes to get to the heart of the community.

An Anglican priest in the community, Rev. Victor Ogbalu revealed that the area had no functional health centre or potable water.

He said: “When I came here last year, I met only seven

T

he 2015 general elections has become history but the sad memory of the event would remain evergreen in the minds of Obiangwu people in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State.

Their son and Labour Party, LP, candidate for Ngor Okpala state constituency seat in the House of Assembly, Mr. Andrew Ugwuezumba, was assassinated in cold blood. The suspected hired assassins had on the night of Tuesday, March 31, 2015, shot and killed Ugwuezumba a few metres from his ancestral home, as he was returning from a political meeting.

Apparently irked by stories bandied in their community that the police were not doing enough to apprehend and prosecute the alleged perpetrators of the heinous crime, scores of aggrieved women, clad in black blouses, staged a peaceful demonstration.

The women carried the campaign-flex banners of the slain politician, lamenting and raining curses on the killers of their illustrious son, as they protested on the roads in the

Igbokaenyi appears to be the most neglected or forgotten tribe in Anambra State as government presence has not in any way been felt by the people, especially in the area of basic amenities and infrastructure.

worshippers at St. Mary ’s Anglican church as the faithful.

I have not set my eyes on any politician or prominent person in this town. Social amenities are very serious issues here.

“For one to go to Onitsha or Awka, the state capital, you have to go to Asaba or Nzam and from here to Nzam will take about 30 minutes on a motorbike that will drop you at the river bank because there is no access road.

There is no single health facility here as we rely on the mercy of the patent medicine dealers. Pregnant women go to

Asaba or Onitsha to be delivered of their babies as the nurses posted here usually run away after reporting on the first day, complaining that there is no life here.

“The teachers posted here also run away after reporting and we have no single secondary school, except a lone primary school. Our children who passed common entrance examinations trek from here to our neighbouring town, Igbedor, which is about five kilometres from Igbokaenyi for their secondary education. That secondary school is the only one in the entire Olumbansaa communities.

“For water, that one is pitiable as we drink and do other domestic affairs from River Niger.

Sometimes, if you draw water from the well, it will be as clean as water from the borehole, but after some minutes, it will turn reddish which we treat with alum before drinking.

“We can’t talk of electricity supply because most children of 20 years and above who have not been to townships cannot describe what electricity is like, as they have never seen any since birth. My brother, we are in another world but I am happy we are very happy people as this place is as secured as anywhere you can think of in the world.”

Meanwhile, a philanthropist, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo, who was at Igbokaenyi at the time South East Voice visted and worshipped with the people at St. Mary’s Anglican Church in company of his ally and the Progressive People’s Alliance, PPA, state chairman in Anambra, Dr. Ralph Chikwenze, as well as Chief Ameke Oranwike, among other personalities, expressed shock that a community like Igbokaenyi existed in the state.

Ezeemo later donated food items, drinks and some packs of bottled water to the people.

When angry women blocked Imo Airport Road

By CHIDI NKWOPARA community before heading to the ever busy Imo Airport Junction where they held up traffic for over an hour.

The protesters marched to the parish priest in charge of the Catholic Church parish, the Traditional Ruler, Eze Samuel Odu, as well as other churches located in the community.

Addressing newsmen later, the President, Obiangwu Development Union, ODU, Woman Wing, Mrs. Rose Anyanwu, said that the women were “extremely unhappy over the mindless murder of an enterprising son of the town by suspected assassins.”

She further explained that they were angry over the

•Gov Rochas Okorocha dastardly killing of Ugwuezumba, especially as “there are feelers that some powerful forces are trying to conceal evidence and shield the culprits from facing the full weight of the law.”

Mrs. Anyanwu, who said that Obiangwu women had been fasting and praying for God’s intervention in exposing those who played any part in the murder, stressed that they “will

continue to cry to God and government until justice is done.

“The heartless killing of Ugwuezumba is a brazen assault on all the people of Obiangwu. We call on Imo State government, the police and other security agencies, to set machinery in motion to uravel and punish anybody found to be culpable,” Mrs. Anyanwu pleaded.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015 — 5

8 Ngwa communities avert bloody clash over control of market U

By ANAYO OKOLI

Commuters lament over uncompleted work at Enugu - Abakaliki expressway

By PETER OKUTU

A

BAKALIKI — COMMUTERS plying the Enugu-Abakaliki express way are grumbling over lack of road signs on a section of the road which should have been completed before the inauguration of the new government power this Friday.

The project which was started by the state government last year amid criticisms, has appeared to be an impossible task even as South East Voice learned that the outgoing administration was no longer willing to release funds for the project.

The state government decided to handle a section of the road at the Abakaliki end of the express-way by Ebonyi State University, EBSU, permanent site at Ohaukwu Local Government Area and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, state secretariat with a work plan of dualizing it to ease movement of vehicles and pedestrians into the state capital.

However, completion of the project is now a mission impossible as the state government said it was still working assiduously to ensure that April salaries of workers were paid without further delay as labour unions in the state

•Gov. Martins Elechi have threatened to embark on an indefinite strike, if nothing was done to improve their welfare.

The condition of the road had deteriorated so much in recent

“We have really suffered; vehicles have been damaged and unnecessary accidents have occurred on this road. This is a shame,’’ a motorist said.

times that commuters now find it difficult to navigate through the portion currently being dualized to avoid accident as the area was usually flooded.

Commuters, who spoke on condition of anonymity, criticized the state government for taking up a task that it would not complete.

“I really don’t know why the state government took up the dualization of the road in the first place; SETRACO took up the construction of the road from Enugu only to be halted by the state government when the contractor got to the permanent site of the university.

“We have really suffered; vehicles have been damaged and unnecessary accidents have occurred on this road.

This is a shame,’’ a motorist said. In an interview with South East Voice, the state Commissioner for Works and Transport, Mr. Chukwuma Nwandugo, who agreed that the project would not be completed by the present administration due to lack of funds, noted that all the essential materials needed for the execution of the project were already on site.

Nwandugo said that the 5.75 kilometre road project was being handled by CCECC at a cost of N4.2 billion, adding that when completed it would raise the aesthetic value of the Enugu-Abakaliki express way.

MUAHIA — BUT for the timely intervention of the Abia State House of Assembly, eight Ngwa communities would perhaps be fighting and maiming themselves following struggle for the control of a market jointly owned by them.

The cause of the fight was who among them should control the proceeds from the Umunna Nsulu Daily Market, said to be jointly owned by the sister communities. The communities which are in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Areas of Abia State include Umuosu, Ikputu Umuode, Umuezeukwu, Mbubo and Umuodeche.

The issue had raised tension in the area as youths in the various communities were already spoiling for war, which would have cause dbreach of the peace in the state. However, worried by the development, the Abia State House of Assembly mandated its committee on Security and Boundary Matters headed by the Deputy Speaker, Allwell Okere to wade into the crisis and find amicable solution.

The timely intervention by the House committee was said to have saved the situation from degenerating further, as acting on the mandate it summoned traditional rulers and leaders of thought in the affected communities to chat a way forward.

Following the peace of the meeting, the House set up a 13man committee selected from the affected communities to oversee the day to day affairs in the market.

The terms of reference to the market management committee included ensuring proper management and maintenance of the market, collection of all tolls

•Hon. Ude Okochukwu, Speaker, Abia state House of Assembly and equitable sharing of same among the communities in a manner that it would engender peace and harmony among the people.

In their remarks, two traditional rulers from the area, Eze Ikechukwu Adikwu and Eze F. C. Nwulu expressed gratitude to the House of Assembly over its intervention and urged the committee to discharge their responsibilities without fear or favour.

The timely intervention by the House committee was said to have saved the situation, as acting on the mandate it summoned traditional rulers and leaders of thought in the affected communities to chat a way forward.

Marine Market traders appeal to Obiano for assistance over borehole, toilet, road projects

By CHIMAOBI NWAIWU, Nnewi

T

raders at the Marine Modern Market Onitsha, one of the biggest markets after Onitsha Main Market and Ochanja Modern Market in Onitsha have appealed to the Chief Willie Obiano led Anambra State government to assist them to rehabilitate their abandoned borehole and toilet projects.

They also, asked the state government to build a link road between the market and the abattoir that was left uncompleted by successive administrations in the state.

Chairman of the Market Traders Association, Chief Vincent Ifeme who spoke in an interview with South East Voice said there was the need for the state government to assist the traders in developing the market to enable it collect more Internally Generated Revenue, C M Y K

IGR, through taxes, development levies and stallage fees from the market.

“The market currently has a make shift toilet that servers over 20,000 traders in the market and the arrangement of the toilets is capable of causing

an outbreak of epidemic in the market. The toilets that are needed in the market must work with a functional bore hole,” he said. Ifeme said that another problem facing the traders that needed urgent government’s intervention was the protracted dispute over the ownership of the land on which the market was built, between some individuals and families in Onitsha over which the traders had been caught in the

•The abandoned Water bore-hole project.

•Uncompleted road project that leads to butchers marked and Onitsha Main Market.

web of the intrigues.

“A popular Igbo adage says that when two elephants fight the grass suffers. That is the lot of the traders at Marine Modern Market Onitsha who are now caught in between the parties that are involved in the ownership tussle over the market land,” he added.

It was alleged that the traders in the market had for fear of losing their investments in the market, stopped development

of the market because for fear of losing such investments since they were not sure of what would happen in future, and this has adversely affected the growth of the market.

According to Ifeme, “the market is a shadow of itself due to the ownership crisis that has rocked it for over eight years before I assumed office.

“The marked has developed up to this level through self help and some individuals who donated lorry loads of stone to cover the deep gutter that divided the road into two until the former governor of the state Mr. Peter Obi intervened and constructed the major road that leads to the market.

There was no existing office complex for the market but I came in and erected an office that we are occupying today, I met a foundation for an office started by the man who made the market autonomous, Chief Enweremuozo Obikwelu.

6 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015

By FRANCIS IGATA

E

NUGU — MOTORISTS in Enugu State and environs have cried to relevant authorities at both the state and federal levels to intervene in what they described as the fraud associated with renewing or obtaining driver's licence in the state.

Investigations conducted by South-East Voice in the state showed that although the approved fee by the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, was N6,350, drivers were charged between N10,000 and N15,000 for the drivers's licence by the state Board of Internal Revenue, BIR. Victim laments A resident, Mr. Gambo Danjuma,a member of Civil Liberties Organisation,CLO, showed some of the receipts and bank payment slips issued to him by the BIR after he had paid N10,000 to the revenue agency.

He, however, said that some of the payments were not receipted by the BIR as part of the money collected went into private hands.

His word: “I paid N10,000 for my driver's licence which had expired at the BIR situated at Obianodu Street, Achara Layout, Enugu.

“I was given a form to fill and thereafter, directed to FRSC where I was issued a temporary driver's licence after the board had issued me a receipt of N6,350. After two months, I was directed to the BIR situated at Okpara Avenue for collection of the permanent driver's licence.

“When I got there, the attendant requested that I part with N50. I asked her, 'for what?' She said it was compulsory and that it was for text messages. I told her that I An anonymous did not receive any text FRSC official said: message and was not aware of "The state BIR issues such payment.

“It is not the amount that is the licence; the the issue but the volume of Vehicle Inspection people that paid the N50 which Officials, VIO, is not receipted. It goes into their pockets directly. It is conduct driving tests daylight robbery and and issue certificates corruption. There is no record for a fee which I anywhere for the N50 payment think is part of the and it makes things difficult for surplus on N10,000 the people.

FRSC source speaks motorists pay ."

•Payment slip of N6, 350 he paid for driver’s licence.

Motorists in Enugu cry out over inflation of driver’s licence fee An FRSC official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told South-East Voice that the official fee for driver's licence was N6,350.

According to the source, FRSC’s job is to harmonize the features of driver's licence nationwide.

He said: ”Before now, you will notice that driver's licence varied in features from state to state.

That is why we moved in to harmonize the features so that it will be identical.

How police rescued kidnapped Catholic priest

By CHIDI NKWOPARA

T

he question that is currently on the lips of Imo people is: Are we back to the dark evil days of kidnapping and armed robbery? To many, the definite answer is “ yes,” because no week passes without one tale or the other of people either robbed or abducted by armed hoodlums.

However, a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Phillip Ojimanu, who was recently kidnapped by these dreaded criminals at Uzoagba, Ikeduru Local Government Area of the state C M Y K

•IGP Solomon Arase is lucky as he was rescued by the anti-kidnap unit of state police command from the kidnappers den unhurt.

Stating how Ojimanu was rescued and his Nissan Sports

Utility Vehicle recovered, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Andrew Enwerem, said the priest was rescued from his abductors after a fierce gun battle with

•Gambo Danjuma “Now, the official fee is N6,350.

But it is the state governments that issue the licences. In their bid to generate revenue, they increased the fees. There is a tripartite arrangement in the process for procurement of a driver's licence.

The state BIR issues the licence, the vehicle

Inspection"Officials, VIO, conduct driving tests and issue certificates for a fee which I think is part of the surplus on N10,000 motorists pay and FRSC acquires materials and produces the driver's licence and send to the state BIR for issuance.”

the police.

Enwerem further said that one of the kidnappers, Ibeawuchi Uzor, was shot dead during the encounter, while three other suspects including Obinna Mba from Orodo, Mbaitoli Local Government Area; Celestine Emma Chukwuma, a native of Orsu Local Government Area and Frank Uche were arrested.

“The police shot one of the kidnappers, while the ring leader known as Bush, escaped through the back door,” the PPRO recounted.

He recalled how the police team that had been trailing the hoodlums eventually identified their hide-out at Orodo, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state and also traced the deadly gang to a local hotel in Aba, Abia State, where they had arranged to collect the ransom demanded from members of the priest’s family.

“Two of the hoodlums were

arrested in this hotel. The arrested suspects later took the police to their hideout in Orodo. On sighting the antikidnapping squad, the suspects engaged the police in a shoot out. In the ensuing gun duel, Ibewuchi Uzo was shot dead, while another member of the gang, Celestine Emma Chukwuma, was seriously wounded,” Enwerem said.

However, the badly wounded suspect, Celestine Emma Chukwuma, denied being a member of the gang and never negotiated for payment of ransom with anybody before the priest would be released, as alleged by the police.

“I was contracted by the leader of the group to build a pillar at his house and I decided to run when I saw the police because I won’t have the money to bail myself if I am arrested,” Chukwuma explained.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015 —7

Catholic Owerri Diocese to own community based radio station soon

Traditional ruler bemoans attack on subjects in Imo

By CHINONSO ALOZIE, Owerri

T

he Traditional ruler of Okwudor, Njaba Local Government Area, Imo State, His Royal Highness, Eze Anayochukwu Durueburo, Obi ll of Okwuodor, has pleaded with the state government to assist his subjects whose goods were vandalized at Eke Okwudor market by some youths during a burial procession.

He made this appeal while inspecting the level of damage caused by the youths who were said to have come from the neighbouring Awo Omamma in Oru East Local Government Area.

He said that the action of the suspected Awo Omamma youths which had contributed to the hardship of his people was deliberately planned and carried out, adding that in a normal situation such ceremony ought not be used to inflict untold hardship on the people.

He further said that, he was told that the particular young man (name withheld )who led other youths to carry out the dastardly act had been linked to so many conflicts in the community where he came from.

The traditional ruler also called on the concerned authorities to commence a thorough investigation of the matter to serve as a deterrent to others who had such bad intentions.

Confirming the matter, a member of the Transition Committee, Njaba Local

By FELIX OGBONNA

C M Y K

O

WERRI — Catholic Archbishop of Owerri A r c h d i o c e s e , M o s t Rev. A.J.V.Obinna, has said that the church has started the process of establishing a community based radio station in Imo State.

He spoke in Owerri during a briefing on the message of His Holiness, Pope Francis on the 49th Wo r l d Communication Day with the theme: Communicating with the family “A privileged Place of encounter with the Gift of Love”.

BAD ROAD: Traders beg Imo govt to intervene

By CHINOSO ALOZIE

•Rochas Okorocha Government Area, told South East Voice that the scene of the incident was an eyesore, saying that valuables destroyed included chairs, shops, and vehicles.

He also said that both the

He said that the action of the suspected Awo Omamma youths which had contributed to the hardship of his people was deliberately planned and carried out, adding that in a normal situation such ceremony ought not be used to inflict untold hardship on the people.

police and the Transition Committee Chairman of the Oru East Local Government Area, Mr. Lasbery Okaforanyanwu, were alerted over the matter on getting the information to enable them control the situation.

Commenting on the matter, the Chairman of Oru East, Mr. Okaforanyawu described the incident as ugly, saying that he would step into the case to ensure peace in the area, warning that those behind the dastardly act would not go scotfree.

Meanwhile, the Imo State Commissioner for Community Government Council, Val Mbamara in a meeting recently in Owerri with the heads of the CGC, including the traditional rulers, advised them to be in control of their various communities and take the issue of security of llivesof their subjects seriously.

O

WERRI — The Traders at Toronto Junction ,Umuchima, Umuoba, Owerri North Local Government Area in Imo State, have called on the state governor-elect, Chief Rochas Okorocha to fulfil his campaign promises by ensuring that the road was constructed.

Complaining over the hardship the bad road had brought to them, the traders who deal on weave-on materials said that since the commencement of the rainy season it had been very difficult to sell their goods as their customers were finding it difficult to access the area.

One of the traders, Chinasa Ike who spoke on the issue said that, she had been recording poor sales as a result of the development.

Another trader who simply identified himself as Mr

Vitalis told the South East Voice that his provision store, was always flooded each time it rained, leading to the destruction of his goods worth over N300,000 by flood.

A woman who sells food stuff said that the Imo State government was insensitive to the plight of the people attributing the cause of the bad road to the use of substandard materials for construction of drainage system adding that, the abandoned road project midway contributed largely to the sufferings being experienced by the people.

Speaking to the South East Voice, a driver Mr. Okechukwu Nze whose car broke down on the same road while trying to convey some goods to his friend in one of the villages said that he was disappointed over the situation.

Families worry over abducted undergraduates in Aba

T

he families of Mr. Joseph O. Azih and Theophilus Nwakanma residing at 9B and 14 Ahunanya Street, Umungasi, Aba, Abia State, respectively have cried over the fate of their abducted children; Martin Azih and Temple Nwakanma for about two years now.

Narrating the ordeal his family had been made to undergo since the disappearance of his son, Martin’s father, Joseph Azih, said his family had been mourning since the incident.

According to Azih: “My family has not known peace since Martin was abducted.

It has been mourning, mourning, mourning for me and my family. Imagine the pains we have been going through since August 2013

By CHINONSO ALOZIE

He said that the radio station would not only promote peace and unity but would ensure that the societal values were restored for the good of mankind.

According to him, through communication the understanding of the younger people would be shaped for them to be relevant in their environments.

Obinna also said that the odenigbo radio station would be sited had been supervised and ready to take off immediately the licence was obtained.

•Temple Nwakanma when the incident took place.

It is about a year and nine months now. Many people have defrauded us of our hard earned resources on the

•Martin Azih pretext of knowing where my son is being held, but all to no avail. It has not been easy; I have spent my little savings going from one place to another looking for my son.

We have petitioned Gov. Theodore Orji through our lawyer, yet nothing came out of it. I have decided to leave everything to God because nothing is hidden from Him.” Mr. Theophilus Nwakanma, who is the father of Temple Nwakanma, also said he had made several efforts to know the whereabouts of his son, but had also decided to leave everything to God. “What more can I do? I have searched for my son everywhere I am supposed to but I am yet to find him. I have decided to leave everything to God.” South East Voice gathered that the families had through their lawyer, David Ifedilinwoke, petitioned Gov. Orji, over the disappearance of their sons; Martin and

Temple who are undergraduates of the Imo State University and Federal Polytechnic, Nekede respectively.

South East Voice gathered that Martin and Temple were arrested on Friday, August 30, 2013 at Redeemed Street, World Bank Housing Estate, Abayi, Aba by members of the Scorpion Squad of the Abia State Vigilante Services while the families have continued to lament that since the said arrest; nobody had seen or heard from the two undergraduates.

According to the petition, “the parents of the duo lodged a report at the World Bank Police station and have searched other security formations across the state without success.”

8 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015

•Food items donated to them.

E

NUGU — The Oji River Leprosy Centre at Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State is in a desolate state following neglect by successive governments.

The centre, established in the early 60's to cater for the peculiar health challenges of people afflicted with leprosy during and after the civil war given the contagious nature of the ailment had been abandoned even as the sufferings of the patients were being compounded.

The prevailing harsh situation in the centre was said to have driven many of the inmates to the EnuguOnitsha express way, where they beg for alms on daily basis.

South-East Voice’s visit to the centre showed that most of the administrative buildings had caved in, even as the residential areas for patients were in tatters.

There was no visible means of water or power supply to the centre as both the borehole and the electric generator had since packed up.

•Chairman, Bina Foundation, Mr. Chris Atuegwu.

Abandoned Leprosy settlement comes alive as foundation donates items worth N20m

By FRANCIS IGATA A peep at the dispensary section showed that there were no drugs or medical personnel manning the clinic; a situation which had made the inmates seek medical assistance outside the settlement.

Rescue However, last week, Bina Foundation, a charitable organisation dedicated to alleviating the pains and suffering of people with special needs, came to their rescue with the donations of various items worth over N20 million.

The foundation arrived the

leprosy centre with medical doctors, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, nurses and social workers to conduct screening tests for common

Bina Foundation, a charitable organisation dedicated to alleviating the pains and suffering of people with special needs, came to their rescue with the donations of various items worth over N20 million.

ailments like malaria, diabetes, high blood pressure and glaucoma on the patients.

The doctors also performed eye examinations, provided medications,and reading glasses where necessary.

Other items donated also included educational materials, toiletries, wheel chairs and bags of rice among others.

Bina boss appeals Presenting the items, the founder of Bina Foundation, Mrs Ifeoma Atuegwu, appealed to governments at all levels, high spirited individuals, churches as well as local and international NGOs to come to the aid of the inmates to alleviate their sufferings.

She said,”we strive to improve the lives of people with special needs through skills acquisition, vocational training programmes, women empowerment, provision of free and quality medical services as well as general charity works.

“We also provide nutritional, educational, financial, emotional and psychological support. We will not relent in supporting the mentally, physical challenged, blind, deaf and orphans and vulnerable children, the aged, indigent widows and the marginalized in our society.

“We will ensure that this event is an annual exercise and will strive to improve on the donation in the years ahead.”

Water scarcity: Gov Elechi commissions N350m pipe production company in Ebonyi

By PETER OKUTU

A

BAKALIKI — EBONYI state government has commissioned an ultra-modern Pipe Production Company Limited at Ezzamgbo in Ohaukwu local government area of the state.

The company which is designed to produce polyethylene pipes was started by the outgoing administration in March 2014 and completed in December of the same year.

The project was conceived, evaluated and approved by the state Executive Council, EXCO, to enable speedy reticulation of water from Oferekpe Water treatment plants in Ikwo Local Government Area to different parts of the state. The equipment for the project were imported from China.

Speaking on the occasion, the state Commissioner for Public Utilities, Mr. Ben Okah said that the essence of the factory was not only for local C M Y K

consumption but to meet the pipe needs of the country and its neighbours.

“The machines consist of four pies manufacturing lines of diameters ranging from 25mm to 800mm and so

•Ultra-modern Pipe Production Company Limited at Ezzamgbo in Ohaukwu Local Government Area.

all our requirement for water piping will be met in this factory.

“The structure you are seeing was designed and built by an Exco Committee of Technical members at the cost of over N350 million and delivered in record time of seven months.

“It is called high density polyethylene pipe or HDPE or just PE pipes. It is a pipe that is corrosive free, leak free, no synthetic contaminants; almost frictionless and does not grow algae. This pipe is the most currently approved by WHO as best for drinking water. These pipes can also be used for irrigation, oil, gas sewage,” he added.

Commissioning the project, Governor Martin Elechi who expressed satisfaction over the establishment of the project, noted that it would enable the state government fulfil its promises of ensuring that water scarcity was a thing of the past in the state.

VOL. 1: NO. 13

FRIDAY, MAY 29 , 2015

•One of the injured during the crisis

By Gbenga Ariyibi

I

T all started as a minor argument between two persons, but later degenerated into a free-for-all which lasted for three consecutive days.

The face-off was between members of road transport workers and some traders of northern extraction in Ado Ekiti.

The resulting pandemonium crippled social and commercial activities in the town.

Worst hit were the biggest market in the town, known as Oja’ba and Atikankan where most of the Hausa reside.

The development led to the destruction of goods and properties worth millions of naira, while no fewer than 10 persons from both sides were said to have sustained various degree of injuries.

Trouble was said to have started in the night of Tuesday when the wife of one of the leaders of road transport

Three days of horror, pandemonium in Ekiti •As FFa ayose relocat es Hausa community relocates workers was allegedly molested.

Her bag which was alleged to have contained an undisclosed amount of money reportedly got missing in the process.

Cases of harassment of women and bag snatching had become a daily occurrence in the area.

It was learnt that an attempt by the enraged husband of the victim and his followers to find out who actually harassed his wife led into a fist- cuff.

Further investigation by Vanguard showed that about five vehicles belonging to the drivers were vandalized, while close to 15 houses and offices occupied by the Hausa were razed.

The development provided an opportunity for some cutlass wielding hoodlums to break into shops and cart away goods belonging to Hausa traders.

It took the personal intervention of the Ewi of Ado Ekiti,Oba Rufus Adejugbe and

IN THIS EDITION

OGUN EKITI: It's Fayose's SPEAKER: It is pastor and comrade in the struggle a YYe ewa question •Pages 2 Pages-3

Landmark projects Ambode can’t wish away •Page 7

the new Police Commissioner in the state , Mr. Etop James to bring sanity to the troubled community.

They led scores of regular and mobile police men to the

The development has led to the destruction of goods and properties worth millions of naira

spots to avert further break down of law and order.

It was however gathered that the traders, who lost their goods, have vowed to carry out a reprisal attack.

Claims that there were casualties, were dismissed by the state police command.

According to the Police image maker, Mr. Alberto Adeyemi , no one died as a result of the violence.

He said: “Nobody died in the incident contrary to reports, only two persons sustained pellet wounds while 22 others sustained various degrees of injuries. All the injured were taken to Police clinic in AdoEkiti where they are responding to treatment.”

Adeyemi urged the residents to go about their lawful businesses, adding that security arrangement had been made to forestall a recurrence.

To forestall another crisis, the state government promptly evacuated the Hausa community from Atikankan to Shasha, Ikere Road pending the return of normalcy.

The three -day curfew imposed by the state governor, Mr Ayo Fayose following the crisis has been lifted.

C M Y K

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015

OGUN STATE

OGUN SPEAKER: It is a Yewa question

By Daud Olatunji

NUMBER OF LEGISLA T ORS LEGISLAT

•APC: 17 •PDP: 9

O

N June 6, the new House of Assembly in Ogun State will be inaugurated and the new leadership would emerge.

Who will lead the 8th legislative house might be determined by some factors which include the choice of the governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

The present speaker, Mr. Suraj Adekumbi, is a Yewa man who was nominated by his party, the defunct, Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. Adekumbi was subsequently elected by 17 members of the defunct ACN upon the consensus reached between the party leadership at that time and the governor. However, Khadijat Adeleye-Oladapo who was presented by the party leaders for the office of deputy speaker, lost to the governor ’s nominee, Tola Banjo.

But, this time around, Amosun undoubtedly has almost total control of the All Progressives Congress, APC structure and is in pole position to determine who gets what in the legislature which is composed of 17 APC members and nine members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. After its inauguration, next week, the House will produce its speaker from the rank of APC lawmakers and the choice, according to the

Osun monarchs praying for President Jonathan during his visit.

•Adekunbi: Outgoing Ogun Speaker House rule must be a ranking lawmaker , but, can come from any of the parties.

The odd seems to be favouring the current Speaker of the assembly following the body language of the party leader-

ship.

Political wisdom is that the speaker would come from Ogun West where Adekumbi comes from given the fact that the governor is from Ogun Central and his deputy is from

Political wisdom is that the speaker would come from Ogun West where Adekumbi comes from given the fact that the governor is from Ogun Central and his deputy is from Ogun East

Ogun East.

But it is not Adekunmbi’s choice for the picking as three APC lawmakers were reelected from Ogun West, which consists of Yewa and the Awori. The possible threat to his aspiration for a second term from Ogun West could come from the chairman , House Committee on Finance

and Appropriation, Mr. Olusola Akanbi and Mr. Aina Akinpelu representing Ado-Odo/ Ota II and Ado-Odo/Ota I constituencies respectively.

Findings have shown that, the APC with its majority members at the house can, however, only boast of Adekunbi in the Yewa region as the other four Yewa seats were won by PDP candidates.

Though Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government gave Amosun the highest number of votes in the region-36,108, APC may not lead itself into crisis by fielding an Awori man as Speaker since the senator-elect for Ogun West senatorial district, Gbolahan Dada hails from the area.

This does not stop Akanbi and Akinpelu from contesting the speakership seat.

As the only APC lawmaker from Yewa, Adekunbi may have gotten the support of the party for the second term .

OSUN: Continuing the 2011 battle

By Gbenga Olarinoye, Osogbo

W

C M Y K

ITH a few days to the end of the current session of the Osun House of Assembly, the battle for the position of speaker is generally seen as a continuation of the battle that led to the enthronement of the incumbent, Najeem Folasayo Salaam.

The Salaam era witnessed a kind of peace in the state assembly and cordiality with the executive arm of government, the kind of which had not been experienced since the advent of the Fourth Republic.

The reason was simply because all the members were elected on the platform of the APC and were easily influenced by the intentions of the governor, Rauf Aregbesola.

Ahead of the inauguration of the House in 2011, the main contenders at that time were Salaam representing Ejigbo state constituency and Abio-

dun Adewale Awolola, of Egbedore state constituency.

Both of them coming from Osun West Senatorial District.

With both of them back in the House about to be inaugurated, there is much speculation that the 2011 battle may again be reignited.

This, somehow, has set a stage for an intense horse trading among the returning lawmakers and the newly elected ones, as the race towards choosing the assembly’s principal officers gathers pace.

Remarkably, both candidates for the post of speaker have noticeably similar, if not same legislative experience. They both experienced chequered careers having been first elected into the assembly in year 2007 on the platform of Action Congress, AC before they were sacked by the election tribunals. Both men, remarkably returned in 2011.

Factors that may shape

NUMBER OF LEGISLA T ORS LEGISLAT

•APC: 26 •PDP: 2 Speakership race Of particular significance is the makeup of the incoming assembly which will have two members elected on the platform of the opposition PDP. Also, 14 out of the present set of 26 APC lawmakers, will be returning in the next assembly with nine coming in as first termers.

Those pushing for Salaam’s return as speaker believe it will help consolidate on the existing harmonious relationship with the executive, while those plotting his exit are of the opinion that, members’ interest will be better protected by another lawmaker.

There is also the issue that Ejigbo axis of Ede Federal Constituency has returned a member to the next House of

•Salaam: Outgoing Osun Speaker Representatives and that is besides the fact that the outgoing senator for Osun West is also from Ejigbo axis.

The pro-change lawmakers, it was learnt, are pushing for switch in Speakership post to assuage the perceived bruised

ego of other areas of Ede Federal Constituency and Egbedore local government is believed to be prominent on the radar.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015 — 3

EKITI STATE

EKITI: It's Fayose's pastor and comrade in the struggle

By Gbenga Ariyibi, Ado Ekiti

T

HE contest for the plum position of Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly is unique and a matter of fact of no contest in the wholly PDP dominated House to be inaugurated next week.

It was an exercise that had been concluded a long time ago. Governor Ayo Fayose left without bothering himself for election last April devoted himself to ensuring that only trusted allies were positioned in the party to legislate in the new House.

Pastor Kola Oluwawole from Osan Ekiti in Boba Local government area according to informed sources is positioned to be the next speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and it is no surprise that members-elect are already deferring to him as the first among equals.

Governor Fayose is from Central Senatorial District, while his deputy, Dr Kolapo Olusola is from the South, a situation that has made it natural for the North senatorial District where Oluwawole comes from to produce the Speaker of the state House of Assembly based on the existing zoning

NUMBER OF LEGISLA T ORS LEGISLAT

•PDP: 26 •APC: 0

Pastor Kola Oluwawole from Osan Ekiti in Boba Local government area according to informed sources is positioned to be the next speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly of political offices.

Therefore, the contest for the

•Adewale Omirin: Outgoing Ekiti Speaker position of the Speakership of the seventh House of Assembly in Ekiti State was narrowed down to lawmakers from the North Senatorial District.

Before the party’s primaries early this year, only two people showed interest in the position. The two were Chief Gboyega Aribisogan from Ijesha Isu in Ekiti North Federal Constituency 1 and Pastor Oluwawole.

Remarkably, the duo are confidants of the governor

and his foot soldiers. However, for undisclosed reasons or for some unknown political calculations, Fayose took preference for Oluwawole. Indeed, when it became apparent that Fayose was leaning towards Oluwawole, all the others from Ekiti North who had eyes on the plum seat simply caved in, in deference to the desire of their political leader, Fayose.

Oluwawole has been a long time ally of Fayose and served as a commissioner during

Fayose’s first outing and was also a chief of staff to Fayose between 2003-2006.

Aside this, the pastor had been part of Fayose’s political struggles in and out of office.

He followed him to Labour Party when it appeared Fayose was not comfortable with the way PDP was being run in the state during the regime of Engr. Segun Oni and returned with him to the PDP just before the governorship election.

LAGOS: Five horse race NUMBER OF LEGISLA T ORS LEGISLAT

•APC: 32 •PDP: 8

•Adeyemi Ikuforiji: Outgoing Lagos Speaker

By Dapo Akinrefon

A

S the race to the speakership seat of the Lagos State House of Assembly gathers momentum,

the list of those angling for the plum position has been pruned to five.

Those believed to be in the running for the plum position of the speaker in the House

are the current deputy whip of the House, Mr. Rotimi Lateef Abiru, Adefunmilayo Tejuosho, representing Mushin constituency 1, Itori, Mudashiru Obasa, Agege 1, Lanre Ogunyemi representing Ojo II and Moshood Olanrewalu Oshun who is representing Lagos Mainland II. All the contestants are members of the APC which for the first time has a sizeable proportion of the PDP in the House to offer meaningful

opposition.

Given the stability that pervaded the tenure of the out-

All the contestants are members of the APC which for the first time has a sizeable proportion of the PDP in the House to offer meaningful opposition

going speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, it was not surprising that he recently urged the next set of lawmakers to look out for experienced and a team player to elect as the next speaker.

Ikuforiji gave the advice while speaking at the Quarterly Interaction & Long Service Award for Assembly staff in Alausa Ikeja.

He noted that all the returning aspirants were his allies and that whoever among them emerged as the next speaker would deliver.

The speaker advised the lawmakers to look for someone who is selfless and has the interest of taking the Assembly to greater heights rather than emphasising on zones.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015 — 5

OYO STATE

Permutation for Oyo Speaker

By Ola Ajayi, Ibadan

NUMBER OF LEGISLA T ORS LEGISLAT

•APC: 18 •ACCORD: 8 •LABOUR: 6 •PDP: 0

A

S the struggle for the position of speakership in the Oyo State House of Assembly intensifies, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state has said it would be a sheer waste of time for anybody to be running from pillar to post wanting to get selected.

Though the party has said zoning would not be one of the criteria for selecting who becomes the Speaker of the state eighth legislative arm, the political situation in the state may not make this happen.

The five geo-political zones in the state comprise Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun, and Ibarapa. Currently, two legislators, Mr. Michael Adeyemo representing Ibarapa East and Olusegun Olaleye Olaniyi aka radical representing Ibadan North 11 are contesting the highest legislative position in the legislative arm. Both of them are re-elected lawmakers and wield a lot of influence among their colleagues.

Another experienced legislator who could have equally been a credible aspirant for the position is Mr. Kola Bolomope who defected from Accord to APC before the election. But, he was not reelected. Out of the 32 seats available, APC has 18 seats, Accord 8 and Labour 6. The Peoples Democratic Party does not have a single seat in the House as against 8 which it had in 2011.

Even though, zoning would not be used, many observers believe the position will not emerge from Ibadan which produced Governor Abiola Ajimobi. Doing so,

Even though, zoning would not be used, many observers believe that the position will not emerge from Ibadan which produced Governor Abiola Ajimobi

•Monsurat Sunmonu: Oyo Speaker would run contrary to the political equation in the state.

While speaking with Vanguard on the modalities to be used in the selection of the Speaker, Chief Akin Oke, the State APC Chairman said it should not be a source of worry.

According to him, all necessary considerations would be used in selecting who becomes the speaker. While stressing that zoning is certainly not one of the criteria, he said the party would not compromise standard, experience, quality, integrity while

sourcing for the right candidate.

Chief Oke added that anybody lobbying for the position may as well be wasting his time as the party would soon call its members together to decide which zone produces the Speaker. To him, since the broom party has the majority in the House, it is certain that the party would produce the Speaker and wherever he comes from does not matter.

Underscoring the party’s consideration for quality, he alluded to the performance of the

out-going assembly saying the quality of the Speaker, Monsurat Sunmonu did a lot in steering the ship of the legislative arm.

He said, “It is a settled matter that zoning will not be used in choosing who becomes the Speaker. We will bring equity, fairness, quality, integrity and experience into consideration.

Zoning is not in our constitution and if anybody goes to court, the court will throw it out. All those running about for the position should have waited for the party.

Very soon, we will come together to brainstorm”.

Out of the two aspirants for the position, Olaniyi may not be considered because he comes from Ibadan as the city cannot produce both the governor and the Speaker at the same time while Ogbomoso, Ibarapa, Oke-Ogun and Oyo will look on. The pendulum may swing towards Michael Adeyemo who is seen to have every quality that a speaker should possess. He is matured and credible. He seems to enjoy the confidence of his colleagues who see him as a worthy candidate for the position. In addition, he comes from Ibarapa which appears to have been marginalized. By whatever standard, he is likely to be well-favoured.

A feminine flair in Ondo

By Dayo Johnson, Akure

F

ROM all indications, the present Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Jumoke Akindele who is the first female Speaker in the history of the state will remain in the position till next year October when the tenure of the governor Dr Olusegun Mimiko lapses.

The PDP will control 21 seats while the opposition APC will have five seats in the next House.

Her retention of the exalted position will only fail if she steps on banana peel which may make her colleagues revolt and kick her out.

But the relationship between her and other lawmakers seems cordial for now and if she could maintain this till October, she will definitely survive it.

The zoning configuration also gives her some latitude. The state governor comes from Ondo Central and the Deputy Governor is from Ondo North, a development that has opened her Ondo South to the third ranking position in the state.

NUMBER OF LEGISLA T ORS LEGISLAT

•PDP: 21 •APC: 5 This zoning arrangement may change at the end of Mimiko’s tenure in October, 2016 as the PDP in the state is believed to be muting the idea of picking its next governorship candidate in 2016 from the South where the present Speaker comes from.

If this sails through, then the speaker may be zoned to the North while the position of the Deputy is zoned to the Central senatorial district.

Many political observers believe that for now, the PDP will not tinker with the zoning which distributes the three most important positions across the three senatorial districts areas of the state.

Rt. Hon. Akindele became the speaker after the former Deputy Speaker, Hon Dare Emiola acted as the Speaker following the death of the former speaker Rt. Hon. Samuel Ajayi Adesina over a year

ago.

Since Akindele became the speaker, the house which had been in limbo came alive again.

Vanguard learnt that the party is not thinking of altering the status quo as regards the zoning of the position of the speaker.

An advantage for the incumbent speaker in the leadership contest in the next assembly is the fact that she would be the only ranking member from her Ondo South Senatorial District.

Those from the region who sought re-election failed.

Her major challenger for the office a year ago was Hon

•Ms Jumoke Akindele: Outgoing Ondo Speaker Oyebo Aladetan from Ilaje constituency. Unfortunately for him, the zoning permutation in the oil rich Ilaje constituency knocked out Aladetan from recontesting in the last Assembly election.

Aladetan who was the former Chairman House Committee on Information would have

thrown his hat in the ring after the expiration of the tenure of governor Mimiko in October.

The Speaker, Jumoke Akindele represents Okitipupa Constituency II. She is a lawyer and had served as the Chairman of House Committee on Education before her election.

6 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015

OSUN STATE

UNPAID SALARIES: Effects of strike bite harder

By Gbenga Olarinoye, Osogbo

T

HE people of Osun state are already groaning following the effects of the industrial action embarked by civil servants in the state.

Already, food vendors around the secretariat and commercial drivers plying the route are complaining of poor patronage.

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in the state had on Monday directed all civil servants to commence indefinite industrial action over non payment of their outstanding salaries.

NLC and other affiliate unions had issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government to pay the outstanding salaries.

Addressing newsmen in Osogbo, before the commencement of the industrial action, the NLC chairman, Comrade Jacob Adekomi, said apart from the issue of unpaid salaries, workers are also demanding payment of deductions from their contributory pension scheme.

He said: “I direct that an indefinite strike should be commenced by all the workers in the State of Osun as from Tuesday, 26th May, 2015 due to the failure of the government to accede to our legitimate demands, as

contained in our letter dated 12th May, 2015”.

Reacting to the development, Director of Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of Osun governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said: “The root of all these issues being raised is insufficient funds.

Regardless of the terrible

revenue crisis that has led us to this, we must bear in mind the very prudent manner the Aregbesola government has managed the affairs of Osun.

Therefore, workers can be certain that once the revenue complications are solved, all these issues will vanish. As a responsible government, we

would still appeal for understanding.”

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Najeem Salaam has asked the leadership of the workers to suspend the strike.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Goke Butika, Salaam

acknowledged that workers and political office holders were suffering as a result of delayed salaries.

He however called for patience to enable the new government take off with a view to correcting the anomalies.

•Osun State secretariat under lock and key

NLC, NMA, NUT set agenda for •Assess gov's first term Amosun

By Daud Olatunji

G

OVERNOR Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State would commence a fresh term today following his victory at the last governorship election in the state.

The governor had in 2011, contested and won on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria ,ACN. At the inception of his first term, Amosun had pledged to turn the state around within four years.

He anchored his programmes on a five-point agenda which are; affordable and qualitative education, efficient health care delivery, increased agricultural production, affordable housing/ urban renewal and employment generation.

Findings by Vanguard showed that the administration had actually achieved its goals in some key areas, while it

fumbled on others.

That was also corroborated by some professional associations in the state, as they maintained that Amosun did not perform badly.

Groups that gave their verdict in this regard are; Nigeria Labour Congress,NLC, Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Nigeria Union of Teachers and All Farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAN. The state Chairman of the NLC, Mr. Akeem Ambali, who scored Amosun high on road infrastructure, berated his performance in other aspects.

He however, lamented that rural roads did not get the same attention as urban roads.

The NLC further advised Amosun to revive the scrapped Ogun Road Maintenance Agency, OGROMA. He also said the governor has improved tremendously in his relationship with workers in contrast to what was obtainable in the early period of his

administration.

He said: “Amosun should pay all the deduction from our salaries. He should bring the NLC closer to his government. He should also employ more workers in all the 20 local government areas of the state. We want him to also look into the cases

•Gov Ibikunle Amosun

of Tai Solarin University of Education and Tai Solarin College of Education.

“So far, he has done averagely well within the last four years, but he needs to improve in other areas. We advise that he considers more technocrats and not politicians.”

On its part, the NUT through its state chairman, Mr. Dare Ilekoya claimed that education hardly received the needed

attention from the government.

He said: “ To some extent free education is a good policy if it is properly implemented. But we are not comfortable with the way it is being practised in Ogun. As far as Ogun State is concerned, free education is not being well implemented.”

Continuing, he said “We are still expecting the balance of our peculiar allowance. It has

not been paid since October last year. We hope that the governor will fulfil his promises without any further delay this time.”

On its part, the NMA scored the government low on the health sector.

Its state chairman, Dr. Mrs. Odewabi Adenike lauded Amosun for giving attention to the primary health sector, even as she lamented that the tertiary sector was neglected.

Adenike said: “Many state hospitals don’t have enough personnel. Staffing was not done in line with our expectations. The governor must make health accessible to people. Health insurance is needed. The rate of maternal mortality is high. It is so because health insurance is not made available to everyone. It was only being practised in communities in the state.”

The AFAN on its part said the governor deserved applause for his efforts on agriculture.

The AFAN said the administration has paid the state counterpart funding for cocoa development, noting that cocoa seedlings were available for the farmers.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015 — 7

LAGOS STATE

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

A

S Governor-elect, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode takes over the administration in Lagos State for the next four years today, he will be inheriting various ongoing projects under the infrastructural developments of the state government.

Fashola had also at public events announced plans to conduct the Lagos hand-over ceremony today in a low-key manner because of the economic reality of the state.

He urged Ambode to continue to support and complement developmental projects that will grow the economy of the state.

However, while thanking everyone for giving him and his out-going administration necessary support, Fashola, called on stakeholders and residents to give greater support to the incoming administration of Ambode for more growth and development of the residents and the state.

The followings are some of the projects needing urgent attention

by Ambode: Lagos-Badagry Expressway Despite the delay in completing the second phase of the ongoing N220 billion LagosBadagry Expressway expansion project, the Lagos State government has reaffirmed its resolve to complete the massive project.

Obviously, the 10 lane project would not be delivered by the Babatunde Fashola administration which had fixed an earlier date for the completion of the second phase of the ambitious scheme.

When the contract was awarded in January 2012 to Messrs China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, CCECC, the Lagos State government fixed January 2015, a 36-month period for its completion.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Kadri Hamzat an engineer, while assuring that the project would be completed and delivered after the expiration of the life of the Fashola administration, disclosed that the first phase or Lot 1 beginning from BabsAnimashaun in Suru-Lere to Mile Two has been fully completed.

Similarly, Phase 2A which is between Mazamaza and Agboju has reached 90 per cent completion while Phases 2B and 2C have attained 45 per cent and 10 per cent completion levels respectively.

Hamzat made this disclosure while reacting to the comment of the Minister of State for Works, who posited that without federal roads, Lagos State is nonexistent.

According to Hamzat, “The Phase 1 is practically completed while Phase 2A from Mazamaza to Agboju has recorded 80 per cent completion. Phases 2B and 2C of the project have reached 45 per cent and 10 per cent

•Fashola: Outgoing Lagos governor

•Ambode: Governor-elect

Landmark projects Ambode can’t wish away •As Fashola plans low inauguration ceremony respectively”.

Admitting that the project cannot be completed under Fashola’s administration, Hamzat noted that the government is a continuum, hence, the incoming administration is expected to continue with it.

The Commissioner attributed the slow pace of work by the contractors to factors such as the challenge of relocation of PHCN cables and NNPC pipelines as well as the request for an expanded Right of Way (RoW).

Obviously, the 10 lane project would not be delivered by the Babatunde Fashola administration which had fixed an earlier date for the completion of the second phase of the ambitious scheme

The Commissioner listed Federal roads taken over by the state government to include the Lagos-Badagry Expressway; Eko Bridge (34 expansion joints) and Mile 12 -Ikorodu Road.

N29bn Ikorodu Road expansion project Also the Mile 12-Ikorodu Road expansion project, which includes a Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, corridor, will definitely be commissioned by Ambode.

The 13.5 kilometer Road, which is about 97 percent completed, is already awaiting commissioning.

The new six-lane road is designed with two designated lanes for Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, at the median of the road. Also, pedestrian bridges are located in strategic points for residents to either cross the road or to access the BRT bus stations with the pedestrian walkway.

•Lagos Badagry expressway

One of the highlights of the project is that construction of the BRT lanes in the middle of the road will allow its buses operate unhindered from private or commercial vehicles except at designated new U-turn points.

Ilubirin, Ijora Badia, Housing projects •On-going construction of Ijora-Badia Lagos Homes Ownership Mortgage Scheme (LAGOS HOMS) Housing Estate, Ijora, built by Lagos State Government.

Work has reached an advanced stage at the Ilubirin, Ijora Badia, and Alausa Housing Estates under the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (Lagos HOMS), aimed at providing affordable accommodation to its teeming populace.

The Olubirin Housing Estate

in Ikoyi is a two phased estate of a total of 66 blocks of houses consisting of 1,254 apartments of 2 and 3 bedroom flats. The Phase 1, consisting of 33 blocks of flats, is currently under construction and making progress while the Ijora Badia Housing Estate consists of 1,008 flats of 2,3 and 4 bedroom apartments.

While inspecting the Ilubirin Housing project, Fashola, who expressed satisfaction with the progress of work at the site, however, said the limiting factor was fund, promising that the incoming government would continue to supply the funds as they come to enable the contractors finish the work.

Noting that the contract for the first phase of 33 blocks was awarded in March last year, the governor, who said the work on the site would have been finished by now, attributed the delay to “slow down in the economy, revenues to the State and all the concomitant effects” as well as “electioneering”.

Lekki Free Trade Zone, LFTZ to generate 1m jobs The Lagos State Government’s multi-billion Naira Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ), if properly managed is capable of generating about one million jobs. The planned Lekki deep sea port and Dangote Refinery are also underway.

Located in Lekki axis, the multibillion dollar Lekki Free Zone project covers 553.62 hectares of land or 20.20 percent for residential use, 575.03 hectares or 21.42 per cent for industrial use while Central Business District covers 226.43 hectares or 7.57 per cent with 150 hectares or five per cent as the start-up area.

The major players in the LFTZ project are NEPZA as a regulatory body established by the Federal Government in charge of free zones in Nigeria; Lagos State Government; Lekki Worldwide Investments Ltd (SPV) - a special vehicle set up

by Lagos State Government to promote, plan and coordinate local and foreign investors and developers for the four phases of the Lekki Free Zone; China Africa Lekki Investment Ltd – a consortium of Chinese companies involved in the development of Phase 1 and LFZDC, a joint venture company between the Lagos State Government and a Chinese Consortium authorised to develop and lease land for Phase One of the Four phase zone.

Lekki Free Trade Zone was established with a mission to develop an offshore economic growth zone, attract foreign investments, promote export, create job opportunities, minimize capital flight and establish a onestop global business haven. It is a product of a vision which is to engage directly in the economic development of Lagos State and Nigeria by providing a choice for investors in the most conducive free zone business environment

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015 — 7

Oluwafunmilola Kajopaiye & Oluwamuyiwa Adesina’s Wedding •Traditional Wedding, took place on 20 February 2015, while the white wedding was on 21 February 2015, at Grandeur Event centre Ikeja Lagos

•Oluwafunmilola Kajopaiye & Oluwamuyiwa Adesina on the dance floor •Oluwafunmilola Kajopaiye & Oluwamuyiwa Adesina during their traditional during their white wedding wedding Oluwamuyiwa Adesina and his friends prostrating before his wife’s family

Oluwafunmilola Kajopaiye’s parents handling her to Oluwamuyiwa Adesina’s parents

The propritress of At – Bet International School Amuwo Odofin Pupolola Atoyebi celebrated her 60th birthday on May 1, 2015

•Pupolola Atoyebi,her husband Remi Atoyebi & their children cutting her birthday cake

•Guests having a swell time at Pupolola Atoyebi's birthday

•Oluwafunmilola Kajopaiye flanked by her friends during her white wedding

•Pupolola Atoyebi, being sprayed on the dance floor

•Guests having fun at Oluwamuyiwa and Oluwafunmilol’s wedding

Pupolola Atoyebi & her husband Remi Atoyebi during her 60th birthday

8 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015

END OF THE ROAD: How Police arrested robber on wedding day

By Ola Ajayi & Bukola Ifegbayi, Ibadan

O

LUMIDE Asiyanbi, a suspected notorious robber, is not new in the business of making others cry by maiming and dispossessing them of their hard-earned monies and valuables.

Having participated in more than 10 different armed robbery operations, Asiyanbi has severally left behind sorrow, tears and serious psychological fear on his various victims.

Though, he was lucky to have escaped from all those operations, the cries of his victims might have reached the high heavens as he was later caught through the high powered intelligence of the Oyo State Police command led by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Muhammed Katsina.

Interestingly, Asiyanbi was arrested on a day he was tying a nuptial knot with his unsuspecting and unlucky

attack one of the first generation banks. As they came in, we picked them one after the other. We will soon charge them to court. You can see the pistol we believe might belong to one of the law enforcement agents. Knowing that the game was up, the suspect confessed that he had been

Interestingly, Asiyanbi was arrested on a day he was tying a nuptial knot with his unsuspecting and unlucky bride

•A Police officer chasing a robbery suspect bride.

The suspect, who is a 42 yearold man, was arrested when he was at the registry to sign the marriage certificate.

According to the police, he was among a six-man-robbery gang who had variously terrorised residents of Challenge area of Ibadan.

Giving insights as to how the suspect and his colleagues were pinned down, Mr Katsina said “he was about to wed before we caught him. We laid ambush for them for more than seven days.

When they decided to strike, it would have been one of the deadliest. They had wanted to

involved in 10 different robbery attacks before he was apprehended.”

For Asiyanbi, he narrated how he met his waterloo on his wedding day.

Hear him: “I am 42 year-old. I hail from Osun state, Ile-ife. I was arrested on my wedding day at the registry. We went to rob and we were caught along Challenge area. I was arrested on my wedding day. I met the gang leader, James Agba, last year, who told me that he knew how we could be getting regular money. He then initiated me into the gang. I have taken part in at least 10 operations since I joined

them.

"We are six in number. We use guns but the guns belong to James Agba and Alhaji Sulaiman.”

Asked how he got guns, James Agba, 35 years, an Urhobo man from Delta State said, “we got the guns in Abuja from my secondary school friend, Joel.

When I robbed four times, I was given a laptop and a phone. I bought the pistol from Emeka in Abuja. We collected phones and laptops in our four operations.”

Also arrested with the robbery suspects was a 63-year-old Ghanaian, James Matthew, who abandoned his security job and chose the path of destruction.

According to Matthew, “I am a security man at Ajibade area, Coca-cola in Ibadan. We use guns in our operations, but I don’t know where James was buying them from. Sulaiman and Alhaji, who are also in the gang, know how the guns were bought for our operations. I have fired shots at our targets but nobody was killed.”

While parading the suspects, the CP hinted that some suspected burglars were also arrested.

He disclosed that among the robbers were those, who allegedly used tranquillising drugs to force their victims to sleep after which they rob them of their valuables.

According to the CP, after the suspects had induced their victims to sleep, they would leave them for about thirty minutes.

He said: “we also arrested house breakers and burglars who perpetrate evil by injecting sleepinduced chemicals into the houses via the windows of innocent citizens of Nigerians who open their windows at night for fresh air as a result of the heat.

Thirty minutes after this unscrupulous act is done, they go and rob these people who might have been asleep almost to the point of coma”.

Items recovered from them include LCD television sets, laptops among other items.

Speaking further, Katsina said, “at times you park your vehicle in front of your house, by the time you wake up the following morning, your vehicle is gone.

So, we have decided to hunt them one after the other. But, in this case, this bus was snatched at Iwo, Osun state and this one from Akure.

This is what they use in damaging the ignition key no matter the type of vehicle, look at the owners of the vehicles as we return their vehicles to them.”

BITS BRIEFLY NDLEA storms Kashamu’s house in Lagos

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N commando-style,officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, stormed the Lekki residence of senator-elect (Ogun East, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP), Prince Buruji Kashamu.

Some of the officers, hooded (masked) and heavily armed, broke down the gates to the main residence. In addition, in an attempt to get to Kashamu, three doors in the duplex, where he resides, were broken in their bid to get at him.

It was learnt from very dependable sources in the office of the Chairman, Chief Executive of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, that there was indeed an extradition request on Kashamu.

Oyo, Osun workers begin strike over unpaid salaries Following directive from the national leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, civil servants in Oyo and Osun states embarked on an indefinite strike. In Oyo State, the union directed workers to proceed on strike from today over accumulated unpaid salary and pension arrears owed workers by the state government.

Addressing newsmen in Osogbo on Monday, Osun State NLC Chairman, Comrade Jacob Adekomi, told workers to down tools until demands placed before government are met. Apart from the issue of unpaid salaries, Adekomi said workers are also demanding payment of deductions for their contributory pension scheme, payment of pension and gratuities, among others.

Three kidnap suspects arrested in Ekiti The war against kidnapping waged by the Ekiti State government in conjunction with security agencies started yielding fruit with the arrest of two kidnap suspects.

The wife of the head of the kidnapping syndicate was arrested.

All three are undergoing interrogation.

Governor Ayo Fayose announced this in a broadcast. The governor said Olumide (31) and Folorunsho both from EsureEkiti were arrested between Ikere and Iju while trying to escape.

According to him, the wife of the leader of the kidnappers, Austin, who was believed to be preparing food and taking care of the victims, was also arrested. A manhunt has been launched for the remaining five kidnappers, who are believed to hail from Benin, Edo State.

SUPREME COURT: Omisore’s case lacks merit The Supreme Court upheld the victory of Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola in the August 9, last year, governorship election.

A seven-man panel, led by Justice John Fabiyi, upheld the concurrent decisions of the election tribunal and the Court of Appeal in the petition filed by Iyiola Omisore of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Justice Centus Chima Nweze, in the lead judgment, held that the two appeals by Omisore (SC/204/2015 and SC/204A/ 2015) were without merit and dismissed them.

He upheld the decision of the election petition tribunal and Court of Appeal to the effect that the appellant failed to lead credible evidence to support his claim of malpractices in the election.

Justice Nweze upheld the cross-appeal by Aregbesola and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), to the effect that the tribunal was wrong to have assumed jurisdiction over Omisore’s petition which, it found, was filed outside the seven days allowed under the Electoral Act.

THE TEAM Editor: Adeleke Adeseri

Correspondents: Ola Ajayi Gbenga Olarinoye Dayo Johnson Gbenga Ariyibi Dapo Akinrefon Daud Olatunji Olasunkanmi Akoni Monsuru Olowoepejo

Ibadan Osogbo Akure Ado Ekiti Abeokuta Lagos

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015 — 33

What church was that?

It’s a ‘white garment’ church, Cherubim and Seraphim. Music was around us. My dad also encouraged it. He bought us keyboard and some little drums and bells. It just became part of us. After my secondary school, everybody left for the U.K. One way or the other Don Jazzy met JJC and D’Banj. When he was leaving London to start Mohits with D’Banj, he asked me: “Guy, will you stay here to continue your music or join us?”.I joined them. That was how we left in 2005. Since then it’s been a struggle Do you still attend the church that groomed you musically?

Most times when we go back to that church it’s like a stampede. Whenever we go, people gather from various parts of Ajegunle to come to that church. It was becoming more like a show every Sunday. Whenever we have the time, we attend. It is not every time we go there. We attend a church that is close to where we live, we only attend our former church whenever they have a special programme.

What lessons have you learnt from your small beginning?

So far in my career, from the Mohits to Mavins era, I have learnt a lot, not just about music, but about life. It’s a delicate career, so we try to live extra careful, which is not something that it is easy to do. But we still try to live our own lives.

Can you share one of the lessons?

When we came back to the country, the first show we did was about 50,000 naira. That was in 2006.It was huge money then and coupled with the fact that we were new in the country. It is amazing how things have turned out for us. It just shows that if you put your mind at something, you can achieve that thing you set out to do.

In life, it’s the little belief you have that will take you far.

Did you ever imagine you will get to this level?

Anybody that is doing something must obviously hope to excel. I actually knew that with God and our music talents, we would go far. We give thanks to God. The songs you do these days are different from the ones you started out doing.

What is responsible for the change in your music?

Sometime last year, I had this re-orientation. It’s easier to make songs that are not

sensible and it will be a hit overnight. We have done it before. I was with Don Jazzy in the studio and he said I have to start recording new songs. I had told him before then that I wanted to start doing socially conscious songs. It took us weeks to deliberate if we should go that route or stick to our normal party music. We tried it out and I have started getting positive feedbacks. I am yet to visit any blog that writes negative comments about the songs. When you actually sing something reasonable, people will reason and understand you. I have realised that you just have to put out music that people can get something out of. Even it’s a party music; it should still have a message in it. Fela did it. He had great songs and they had a message.

How do you intend to make your music evergreen?

I thank God for the Mavin family- Don Jazzy, Tiwa, Dr Sid and others. I don’t believe that when it comes to music I am going to lack .I can’t tell you that I am going to be buying Bugatti’s every other day. Music is the only thing that a musician owes to his fans. If you have music, you will always be relevant, unless you deviate. Most of the old artistes are not relevant anymore because they didn’t keep up with releasing good music.

A lot of people had issues with the song Take Banana, what message were you trying to pass across?

You are taking me back to the Old Testament. Those days, our orientation was just to make a nice tune and also make it a party jam. I did Take Banana, I did Give it to me, they were big songs, but people felt the lyrics were bad. That is what the people want though. Most times, people buy these songs because that is want they want.

The fans blame the artiste for the bad lyrics and the artiste also says that is what the fans want. What do you think?

I think most A-list artistes know how to put a blend in the music. They make it playful and also still pass a message. You can always blend it.

Recently, your label mate Korede Bello performed Godwin in a church. A lot of people felt he shouldn’t have done that because he is a secular artiste. What do you think?

They have their point. It is one thing for a gospel artiste to perform in a church and another thing for secular artiste to perform gospel song in a church. Korede is saying that he can also go to the church and praise God. He has a right to praise God as a Christian, not as an artiste.

You know how it is, some people didn’t see it that way.

,

What role did church play in your music?

Church is close to our home, so we had the opportunity to always be in the church. Don Jazzy played music instruments in church, while I was a chorister.

For example, if I am eating cassava, I can just choose to put it on the internet so that people will talk about it

, Fela has inspired a lot of artistes. How has he inspired you?

When you mention Fela, freedom of speech comes to your mind. He made people understand that you can actually speak out and be heard. That is what Fela did.

Most of Fela’s songs were about the government, people and suffering. He was actually somebody that wanted to speak for the people. I admire that about him.

Artistes flaunt their wealth on social media and it gets misinterpreted by people.

You were recently criticized for doing that. What was your intention?

Most of the time, we do it to get attention. I know that if I do something like that, it will be all over the news. That’s all I can say. Go and check Jayz , Beyonce, Davido, Wizkid, DJ Khaleed, nobody ever post stuffs without that intention. If you are doing it, you know it will end up in the news.

Are you saying it’s intentional?

For example, if I am eating cassava, I can just choose to put it on the internet so that people will talk about it. Why is he eating cassava, why not Eba? It’s just still part of entertainment.

How do you balance Don Jazzy as your brother and boss?

Like I said before, our family is just different. We

•D’Prince

have a very strong bond. We all still live together regardless of our business relationship. We all stay in one big house. That’s how we have been even when we were in the UK.I was living in some other parts of London and my Don Jazzy was living in another part. We discovered that if the money he pays for his rent and the one I pay for mine is combined, it can be used to rent a bigger apartment. It’s actually a privilege having my brother as my producer.

Has there been a time when you had disagreements?

It’s a normal thing. Siblings

have disagreements.

What happens when it comes to making business decisions?

To be frank, I trust him enough with most of the decisions. Sometimes, I don’t even have to read the contract and he will sign it on my behalf. That is how much I trust him.

Do you miss D’Banj ?

I have been asked this question like one million times. I don’t know the answer you want to get, Yes or no? I don’t know. It is yes and no.

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34—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015

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SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015—35

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36—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015

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SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015—37

Win or lose, I’ll cry today

•Villa’s coach says of FA Cup final clash with Arsenal

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s a fledgling manager, winning the FA Cup would be a milestone for Tim Sherwood in any circumstances. Given his associations with Tottenham as both player and manager you would expect the prospect of beating Arsenal to win the FA Cup to have special meaning.

Yet there is something else about Sherwood and Arsenal, something about Sherwood and the current Arsenal manager, his predecessor in the job and a destinychanging moment that adds extra piquancy to Saturday’s final at Wembley.

It goes back to the late summer of 1996, when Sherwood was a titlewinning midfielder and captain of Blackburn Rovers and Bruce Rioch was in charge at Highbury. The two had a conversation, the outcome of which was already fixed in the player’s mind when Arsenal decided, despite finishing fifth in Rioch’s one season in charge, to entrust their future instead to a little known Frenchman coaching in Japan.

“I was living in Harpenden,” Sherwood said.

“It was summer and we had been talking. He phones me and I thought he was going to tell me what time to go to London Colney. But he was calling to tell me he’d been sacked.

“I was signing for Arsenal. We never spoke money but it was Arsenal – I think I would have gone and had a chat.”

It would have been a move to redefine Sherwood’s life. In all probability he would never then have joined Tottenham as a player, perhaps never joined their coaching staff and therefore never been promoted to manager. And never had to deny having been an Arsenal fan, about which he expects to be taunted again at Wembley.

“But they got rid of him [Rioch],” he continued, “and brought in some guy called Arsène Wenger.

He signed two midfielders called Vieira and Petit, who no-one had ever heard of, and I was going ‘who are they?’”

He pulls a face of mock bemusement and enjoys the laughter he has provoked. He loves to tell a story, to crack a sharp one-liner, against himself.

It is how he has been as far back as he can C M Y K

remember. The quality Rioch admired was Sherwood’s winning mentality, which also has not left him, given the way he has inspired a Villa side previously barely capable of scoring a goal to find the energy and purpose not only to reach Wembley but to escape relegation from the Premier League too. Fabian Delph, Christian Benteke, Tom Cleverley and others have emerged from the fog of Paul Lambert’s final months to look again like outstanding players; Jack Grealish, a teenager on the fringes of Lambert’s squad, is suddenly a name on the England manager ’s lips.

Yet Sherwood is not a hard-nosed winner. When Dick Advocaat could not keep back the tears after Sunderland had ground out the point – at Arsenal – that kept them in the Premier League, Sherwood was crying with him.

“I could feel for him, I knew what a relief that is,” he said. “It’s your life. I’m not complaining about it because it’s my choice to do this job. But it takes over everything.

“I never sleep through the night. I’m all right getting off but when I wake up, that’s it. I see pictures of players.

They used to be our players, now I think of the opposition.

I think that’s a good thing.”

Sherwood was at the wheel of his car for his survival moment. Villa’s midday thrashing at Southampton left him shellshocked but later Hull lost at Tottenham and all was well. “I was driving back to my house. I heard the Hull result on the radio. My hands were off the wheel and I was clenching my fists and going ‘ yes!’. The other drivers must have been thinking, ‘ what’s he doing’.”

The winning mentality has been part of him almost for ever. “You can play a five-a-side with the players and they all want to win. But it’s how much you want to win. I wanted to kill people to win. I used to cry when I was a kid when I couldn’t win, now I cry to myself when we don’t. It hurts me. It means so much and it’s got to mean that much to [the players].

“Someone made a comment after we got beat at Liverpool, when I was manager of Tottenham, that the players in the tunnel looked like they were waiting for a bus.

“They are different now, with the influx of foreign players. That doesn’t mean they don’t want to win. They still care. But I want them to care more than anything in the world.”

Sherwood talks about the Cup final as Villa’s “bonus ball” but never saw the Cup run as a hindrance to survival. “If you look at those back-to-back wins over West Brom in League and Cup, they were massive, they created momentum,” he said.

So was he ever an Arsenal fan? “No. People think I’ve got a cannon tattoo but I haven’t. Tim Lovejoy on Soccer AM got out this programme from when I was a player at Norwich, It says favourite ground: Highbury; favourite player: Liam Brady. I told him that a guy at Norwich changed them because he knew I was a Tottenham fan.

“I grew up in Borehamwood and you either supported Tottenham or Arsenal. I supported football. Can I say that?”

The final, he says, will be an open game. “[Arsenal] have talents all over the field. But we have players who can hurt them.

There is no point shackling ours and taking it on the chin until we get knocked out. We’ll go toe-to-toe and see what happens.”

Win or lose, there will be tears. “I’ll cry either way,” he said. “But I’m ready for that. Our blue Paul Smith suits come with a claret handkerchief. So I’m sorted.”

38— SATURDAY VANGUARD, MAY 30, 2015

Iheanacho, Pereira, Donsah, Stendera set to twinkle The 2015 edition of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup kicks off in New Zealand today, with 24 teams competing for glory. Paul Pogba of Juventus was the star player in Turkey two years ago, and this time out there are plenty of promising young talents who will be hoping to make a similarly good impression. Here are six players to look out for over the next one month.

Kelechi Iheanacho -Attacking midfielder (Nigeria, Manchester City)

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Andrija Zivkovic -Forward, Serbia, Partizan Belgrade

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NDRIJA Zivkovic is being watched by clubs all across Europe and will hope to add to his burgeoning reputation this summer. He was part of the Serbia squad that reached the semifinals of last year’s U-19 European Championship, producing three assists in his two appearances at the tournament proper. At the age of 18, Zivkovic has already made his senior international debut for his country and turned out more than 60 times for Partizan Belgrade.

With excellent technical attributes, good balance on the turn and the ability to use either foot, this nippy little leftfooted winger is a handful for any defender. Ten league goals at club level over the past two seasons show that he is a threat in front of goal. The likes of Adem Ljajic, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Lazar Markovic have all made their way through Partizan’s prolific academy in recent years, and in Zivkovic they and Serbia look to have yet another jewel.

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ELECHI Iheanacho was a key member of Nigeria’s spectacular performance at the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in the United Arab Arab Emirates. The Nigerian team won the competition, with Iheanacho being adjudged the most valuable player of the tournament.

Iheanacho it was who provided most of the assists for Nigeria’s goals at the competition, weaving his way into the mind of most fans, who were compelled to hail him for his outstanding display.

His chart-bursting display in the Middle East was not lost on top European sides, who battled each other for the player ’s signature.

Manchester City, backed the mega-bucks of Sheikh Mansour were the lucky ones to snap up the Owerriborn teen sensation.

Because he was not up to 18, Iheanacho was loaned to the MLS, where he was not found wanting as he held his own against more established players.

And as he prepares to spearhead Nigeria’s chase for the elusive U-20 trophy in New Zealand, Iheanacho would be boosted by reports credited to Man City’s head of recruitment Gary Worthington that Coach Manuel Pellegrini will include the Nigerian in the first-team squad.

Iheanacho, 18, scored twice against Manchester United’s Under-21s for the Elite Development Squad in Saturday’s derby win and admitted to M.E.N. Sport afterwards he was prepared to miss his flight to New Zealand, where he will take part in the Under-20 World Cup with Nigeria, in order to play for the first-team the

next day.

Like his EDS teammates, Iheanacho was overlooked for City’s 2-0 win over Southampton, however Head of Player Recruitment Gary Worthington insisted the teenager had a bright future with The Blues.

“Kelechi is back scoring goals after his injury. After what he showed in recent games like that against Manchester United, he is very much part of the first-team plans for next season,” Worthington told African Football.

After the win over United, Iheanacho gave thanks to coach Patrick Vieira for an important teamtalk.

“In the first half I was so nervous to play and I lost many balls,” he said.

“It was a big game against United, my first game against them. “But when I went in the dressing room at half-time the coach told me to work harder and be stronger, forget everything and concentrate. So in the second half it was a lot better.”

SATURDAY VANGUARD, MAY 30, 2015 — 39

Godfred Donsah -Midfielder | Ghana | Cagliari

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ODFRED Donsah has been one of the most talked about young players in Serie A this season after producing a series of impressive displays for relegated Cagliari. A small and agile box-to-box midfielder who cites Michael Essien as his role model, his energetic performances have attracted the attention of a number of clubs in both Italy and England.

Juventus are reported to be close to agreeing a €6 million fee for his services.

It is a deal that the Italian champions may wish to conclude sooner rather than later, as interest in the 18-year-old is only likely to intensify if he performs well for Ghana this summer.

He initially made his way to Europe as an illegal immigrant and had worked on a cacao plantation in his homeland prior to doing so. He has already risked a lot and worked incredibly hard to get where he is. In New Zealand, his star may rise even higher.

Angel Correa -Forward, Argentina, Atletico Madrid

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rgentina were the class of the field during the South American U-20 Championship in Uruguay earlier this year. After failing to qualify for the previous U-20 World Cup, the six-time winners played bold and attacking football in romping past their continental opponents to secure their place in New Zealand. And it was the fleetfooted forward Angel Correa who was their outstanding player of the tournament, with four goals and three assists.

The 20 year old has recovered admirably from the surgery he underwent last summer after a benign tumour was discovered on his heart during his medical with Atletico Madrid. A quick and direct dribbler with an keen eye for goal and for a pass, he had earlier made his name at San Lorenzo. He captained Argentina in Uruguay and can be expected to play a key role in any success they enjoy this summer.

Marc Stendera

-Attacking midfielder, Germany, Eintracht Frankfurt

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arc Stendera was a key part of the Germany side that qualified for this year’s U-20 World Cup by winning the European U-19 Championship in Hungary last summer. He scored once, provided four assists, including the one for Hany Mukhtar’s winning goal in the final against Portugal, and impressed with his industrious and incisive work behind Davie Selke up front. Selke received the endof-tournament awards but Stendera was just as influential.

The short and stocky 19 year old then carried that form into his first full campaign in the Bundesliga, where he produced three goals and five assists for Thomas Schaaf ’s entertaining Eintracht Frankfurt side. With a neat touch and a good eye for a pass, he will be the creative force behind Germany’s attempt to win just their second ever U-20 World Cup crown this summer.

Andreas Pereira -Attacking midfielder, Brazil, Manchester United

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NDREAS Pereira was born in Duffel in Belgium and played under-17 and under-18 football for the land of his birth before switching allegiance to Brazil, the land of his father. He was not involved in their fairly lacklustre qualification campaign but has been called into Rogerio Micale’s squad for the tournament proper after impressing at club level for the Manchester United side that won this year’s Under-21 Premier League title.

The 19 year old made his full Premier League debut off the bench at home to Tottenham Hotspur in March and signed a new three-year contract shortly thereafter. There are sure to be plenty of clubs monitoring his performances in New Zealand with a potential loan move in mind for next season.

A small, two-footed attacking midfielder with good touch and vision, he has all the qualities required to make a strong impression.

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40—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015

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SA TURD AY Vanguard, MA Y 30, 2 015—41 SATURD TURDA MAY

Lagos CJ’s daught er w eds hear t-thr ob daughter weds heart-thr t-throb

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t was a gathering of who’s who in Lagos penultimate Saturday when former Miss Adefemi Abimbola Atilade, daughter of Justice (Mrs) Olufunmilayo Atilade, Chief Judge of Lagos State and Archbishop Magnus Atilade wedded Oluwatosin Gabriel Ola, son of Mr and Mrs Niyi and Toyin Ola. The couple took their nuptial oaths at Ikoyi Baptist Church, Ikoyi, before moving to Harbour Point event centre in Victoria Island for the reception. Photos by Lamidi Bamidele

Bishop of Sapele, Anglican Communion aliv e and hear ty alive hearty

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he publication “Late Bishop of Sapele Anglican Diocese laid to rest” on this page last week was a grave error. The Rt. Rev. (Dr.) B.A. Erifeta, JP, Bishop of the Diocese of Sapele (Anglican Communion) is very much alive, hearty and of sound mind and body. Late Venerable Ehwe Okpara erroneously referred to as the Bishop of the Diocese of Sapele (Anglican Communion) was an Archdeacon under the Bishop B.A. Erifeta. He was a Priest in Charge of Christ Anglican Church, Sapele.

We are sorry for misleading the public and hereby tender sincere apology to his Lordship for the embarrassment.

L-R:Archbishop Magnus Atilade; bride's father, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade, Chief Judge of Lagos State, bride's mother and Justice Ayotunde Phillips, former Chief Judge of Lagos State The new couple, Mr and Mrs Oluwatosin Ola

R-L:Mr Niyi Ola, groom's dad, his wife, Toyin Ola, groom's mum and Mr Philip Ola L-R: Chief (Mrs) Kemi Nelson and Chief (Mrs) Eniola Fadayomi

Rt. Rev. (Dr.) B.A. Erifeta, JP, Bishop of the Diocese of Sapele (Anglican Communion).

L-R: Chief Bode Emmanuel; Lady Maiden Ibru and Mrs Viola Ombu.

Abiodun Adefulire and his wife, Adejoke, former Dep. Gov of Lagos State.

Swiss Spirit Hotel and Suites bags award

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wiss Spirit Hotel and Suites, Asaba, was recently honoured as the “Grassroots Hotel of the Year 2014” by Grassroots Newspaper Publishers Network, Southern Zone for hospitality, excellence and stewardship in service to the nation

Arc Ambby Okuhor, displaying the award.

Arc Ambby Okuhor, Chairman/CEO(middle), Mr. Charles Hickman, Operation Manager (2nd left), Mr.Godwin Irogue, Marketing Chairman/CEO Manager, Mr. Idris Saba, Financial Controller and Mr Bola, Accountant.

P ast or Emmanuel astor Isang weds PASTOR Emmanuel Isang recently took off the garb of bachelorhood to adorn that of matrimony when he wedded his beau, Rita E. Isang. Their wedding took place at Christ Expectant Church in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Pastor and Mrs Emmanuel Isang

Zhukkii Afro Designs

Nara Cole

Olayinca Clothing

42—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015

Massive by Fanny

Print wears new look at AFWN 2015

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ike the proverbial biblical rejected -stone that became the corner head, the once-despised print, has become the toast of many designers. From the simple Iro and Buba, designers have taken the print fabric to an enviable height.

This was the case at the justconcluded African Fashion Week Nigeria 2015, held in Lagos where 11 designers, students of the Yaba College of Technology and Zaris Fashion Academy, took to the runway showcasing amazing designs.

The two-day event, kicked off with these designers paying tribute to print manufacturing giant, DaViva, official sponsors of the show. The young designers in this designated segment, revealed the wide range of good use to which print could be put. Print was combined with sequins for glitz effect while chiffon, lace and other material were used to enhance the DaViva print.

The segment which came to close with Tiana Styling presenting a brilliant collection for children was watched by many fashion enthusiasts amongst whom was the Managing Director of DaViva, Mr. Jean-Paul Praggout

Enkay Stylings

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015—43

Models for King Hakbal

3 piece suit returns at Africa Fashion Week Nigeria 2015

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Model for King Hakbal at the AFWN 2015 Model for Big Ben Kilani C M Y K

he three piece suit, which is an uncommon yet striking accent and always going in and out of style, made a strong comeback this season as the 2 nd edition of the Africa Fashion Week Nigeria 2015 took centre stage. The two day event which held last Saturday and Sunday, at the Eko Hotel and Suits Lagos, witnessed a range of three piece suits in different colours, cuts, designs and fabrics for men with distinctive style.

For a man seeking a distinctive style, the three-piece suit has obvious merits. A man can safely assume he will be one of the only people wearing a vested suit at most social occasions Here are some style inspiration as presented by designers BigBenKilani and King Hakbal, at the AFWN runway.

Model for Big Ben Kilani at the AFWN 2015

King Hakbal

44—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015

08 116759 759 081 6759759

Aztec warriors, 21st centur y-style

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exican men, women and children hold fist fights in the street in honor 500-year-old tradition In a festival enlivened with music and mezcal booze, Mexican Indians held fist

fights Tuesday re-enacting battles with marauding Aztecs 500 years ago.

The battles among members of the Nahua Indian community were part of Carnival celebrations in the village of Zitlala in southern

Guerrero state.

Men, women and children donned masks in a makeshift arena in the town square in the village of 20,000 people about 120 miles south of Mexico City. One or more pairs of combatants, wearing skirts, fought for about four hours in fierce clashes that ended only when one of the fighters gave up or was simply knocked out.

The festival emerged more than 500 years ago to commemorate frequent battles with Aztecs, who would come to Nahua communities

seeking payment of tributes and to steal women.

In order to protect their daughters, sisters and girlfriends, back then men would wear skirts to try to fool the invaders, then engage them in hand to hand combat, said Jose, a 60-year old Indian who has taken part in these fights since he was 17.

The fighters, who come from several communities in the mountains of Guerrero, seek out a rival, look them right in the eye, and challenge them to a fightwhich often turns bloody.

Bloodshed was a necessary component of the ceremony. It was part of a merging of indigenous and Catholic beliefs and served as an offering to the gods to pray for rain to nurture harvests of corn, beans and pumpkins.

The fights are accompanied by bands playing wind instruments that add a merry element to the fiesta, which also features abundant food, flowers and candles.

‘Nak ed’ and blindf olded TTex ex as college sstudent tudent poses on ‘Naked’ blindfolded exas or per oject... libr ar perfformance ar artt pr project... librar aryy sstteps ffor ‘Naked’ and blindfolded Texas college student poses on library steps for performance art project ‘to show her body isn’t a sex object’ A Texas college student sat outside a university library for 45 minutes yesterday, seemingly with no clothes on, in the name of performance art.

Monika Rostvold, 22, stripped down to a flesh-colored thong and nipple pasties on campus at Texas State University, San Marcos, hoping to prove a point about sexuality. Rostvold, who from a distance indeed appeared to be wearing nothing, also cut herself off from the outside world by putting on a blindfold and wearing headphones.

Fellow students gathered around her during the nude vigil, held outside the Albert B. Alkek Library, and flooded social media with images of Rostvold,

who was swiftly dubbed ‘the naked chick’. At one point campus police even tried to intervene, but Rostvold said that they left her alone after her she persuaded them that her skimpy display was not against the law.

Rostvold, who is studying for a Fine Arts degree, said later that exposing her body so publicly was in fact an attempt to de-sexualize it.

Speaking to campus radio station KTSW, she said: ‘My body is beautiful, natural, this is what it’s supposed to be.

I’m trying to take away it being a sex object.’ Rostvold said her strategy for not getting distracted during her display was to ‘zone out’ and ignore everything around her. She said: ‘So I would just kinda just like zone out and go into this meditative stance and focus on my breathing and feel the sun - and

Gambia’s president warns homosexuals

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ambia’s president has said he will personally slit the throats of homosexuals in his country before adding that ‘no white person can do anything about it’ - likely referring to Western leaders.

President Yahya Jammeh, who has a history of outspoken comments against gay people, made the threats during a public speech during an agricultural tour around his African nation last week.

The 49-year-old, who has ruled the country since a coup in 1994, made the comments in the town of Farafeni while talking about how to create a stable environment for the country’s youth. According to Vice News, he said: ‘If you do it [in the Gambia] I will slit your throat — if you are a man and want to marry another man in this country and we catch you, no one will ever set eyes on you again, and no white person can do anything about it.’ In 2013 he asked parliament why he had never seen ‘a gay chicken or turkey’, and in 2014 he compared homosexuals to ‘vermin’.

In January this year he accused the U.S. of spearheading an evil homosexual empire, warning that ‘this evil empire of homosexuals will also go down the dirty drain and garbage of hell’

Last Supper

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54-year-old fatherof-three with cancer killed himself at a Swiss assisted suicide clinic against the wishes of his wife and children because he believed his death would be in their ‘best interests’.

Jeffrey Spector chose to die at Dignitas because he feared a ‘timebomb’ tumour on his spine would leave him completely paralysed and he did not want to become a burden on his family.

After a final meal with family on Thursday evening he died in Zurich on Friday afternoon.

Speaking just hours before

his death Mr Spector said: ‘My family disagree, but I believe this is in their best interests. Friends and most of all my family have urged me not to go through with it.

‘Rather than go late I am jumping the gun. I call it the least worst option. What I am doing is in the best long term interests of my family- they disagree with that of course but they do accept I have my own opinion.’

Although his wife and children had hoped to convince him not to go to Switzerland they said last night: ‘As a family we supported and respected Jeffrey’s decision 100 per cent’.

it really heightened my other senses.’

She added that she looked up nudity laws before and judged that so long she covered her nipples there would be no problem. The student, who also paints on canvas and has published nude works online, has said that her sexuality is a key part of her art.

In a statement on her blog, she said: ‘Being a female artist its hard not to recognize how overly sexualized women are in society’s culture.

‘Pop culture, as a young girl, told me how to be a seductive woman, while personal experiences lead me to question ideas about sensuality.

My vibrant color scheme and contemporary subject matter I deconstruct what is socially considered sexy.’

Mr Spector leaves behind widow, Elaine, 53, and three daughters, Keleigh aged 21, Courtney aged 19 and Camryn aged 15, who said in a statement despite their ‘difficult and painful time’ they respected his decision.

He died as his youngest daughter is thought to be taking her GCSEs and said: ‘I joined Dignitas and put one date off so that my daughter could do her exams. But I was going downhill’.

Lancashire Police said today they will look into circumstances of his death and if he freely went to the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland to take his own life - but said it was not a criminal investigation.

Assisted suicide is illegal in Britain and anyone helping loved ones to die may face prosecution. His case has reopened the debate about assisted dying because he chose suicide rather than to live under that constant threat his tumour could leave him paralysed from the neck down at any moment. The family had a poignant last meal together before he took a fatal dose of barbiturates with his wife Elaine, 53, at his side. Last night she and their three daughters said they were ‘in a state of allconsuming grief’, but added: ‘As a family we supported and respected Jeffrey’s decision 100 per cent.

‘Jeffrey ended his life with dignity and control which was his overwhelming desire.’

SATURDAY

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Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015—45

he recent marriage of Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, to Lara Fortes five years after he lost his first wife, Clara, to cancer generated a lot discourse in the mass, social and online media. The discussions ranged from the sensible to the absurd. Some questioned his decision to remarry; others why he married a foreigner and some why he married a much younger woman. Some others had issues with Oshiomhole’s complexion vis-a-vis the wife’s. And did I read the “beauty and the beast” comparism? Some alleged that Oshiomhole’s children were unhappy about his remarrying, even though some of the children attended the wedding, while one source quoted one of Oshiomhole’s

Widowhood and re-marriage

some consistency and pattern and they are settled.

They just want to get on with life. Death of a spouse becomes a major setback.

Where both lives were intertwined, it leaves a massive void and life can easily become empty and meaningless.

There are no easy decisions when widow(er)s decide to move on. If they decide to stay single, they can get lonely and depressed or constantly fall prey to the opposite sex.

Should they decide to remarry, they go into new relationships with all the potential heartaches and disappointments. They have to get used to new spouses who might be totally different from their late spouses to whom they have grown accustomed. A friend still links her father’s sudden death to this reason.

“My father would still have been alive if he didn’t marry that woman,” she alleged.

But it is not easy for many of these widowers. Some remarry to continue to meet their sexual needs within matrimony. Many remarry because they cannot cope

with household chores; they do not know how to run water for their bath or prepare a simple breakfast of tea and bread. They were thoroughly spoiled by their late wives.

Many widowers are aging or have health challenges and sometimes need assistance only wives can conveniently provide. Some are retirees who just want company. Do not forget that the primary reason for marriage is

,

sons as calling the father’s new wife a gold digger.

The burden of limelight is enormous. Widowers remarry everyday without raising dust; older men marry much younger women and they are commended for taking steps to recharge their old dying batteries.

Nigerian men have been marrying foreign women since we came in contact with the outside world and it has become acceptable.

When I got to Igbo land for the first time in the 80s, one of the cultural shocks I got was the large number of men married to taller women. Taller wives and shorter husbands were not many in Urhobo land where I grew up. Oshiomhole does all these and he is called unprintable names. Well, those knocking their heads on the wall can continue to do so while Oshiomhole savours his new found love.

My concern today is widowhood and remarriage.

The last thing any happily married person wants is the loss of a spouse. This is not because the spouse or marriage is perfect (which spouse or marriage is) but because they have found

responsibility of children who do not theirs?

Sometimes the man wants the woman, but not the children. What is she supposed to do? Throw them in the gutter or ship them to relatives who will turn them to house helps and second-class citizens?

Some cherish their newfound “freedom” and want to stay unmarried.

Remarrying means

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The challenges widows face on whether or not to remarry, including unfair practices against them, go on and on

companionship. Generally many widowers of all ages remarry for varying reasons.

But it is not so with widows.

Many widows in their 50s and above never remarry after the death of their husbands.

Remarriage tends to be more difficult for them. Many are still emotionally attached to their late husbands and simply refuse to remarry. Some do not remarry because no serious suitor has come for them.

Some have three, four or more dependent children. How many men will accept the

dropping the late husbands’ family name and some do not want to break that connection, sometimes out of love for the late husband or for the sake of the children.

The challenges widows face on whether or not to remarry, including unfair practices against them, go on and on.

What widow(er)s need from family and society are love, support and understanding. If you cannot give them these,

at least leave them alone. It is understandable that children and family of the late spouse want to protect his/her interest, but the surviving spouse has a life to pick up and live. Some of these family members also have personal, selfish and ulterior motives. When I hear people call the new wife to a rich widower a gold digger, I often ask whose gold is being dug here. If the owner of the goldmine is not complaining why are you swallowing pain killers for his non-existent headache?

The way I see it, if a widower remarries he has a responsibility to protect and take care of his dependent children from the previous marriage. But whether his grown up children who are now independent share in his inheritance or get financial support from him is entirely up to him. It is not an entitlement, although I advise that they benefit from his estate. I further advice that a widower who is remarrying gives the inheritance for the children from the first marriage inter vivos (while he is still alive) to avoid family feud between the children and the wife (and her children) after he is gone. This is especially so if the wife or the children have a winnertakes-all mentality.

Whether as a contract, covenant or sacrament, every marriage ends the moment one party dies. Should widowers/ widows remarry or stay single?

The final decision rests with them, na dem wear the shoe, although it would be nice if they consulted, or at least informed, their children and close family members before remarrying.

(Text Only)

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ime and again, stories crop up everywhere as to how the deep breathing and gentle exercises of yoga have helped individuals who’d almost lost hope of recovery to regain health.

I have myself, been fixed on all kinds of things in my very body by the practice of yoga. I haven’t had an attack of angina in the past 32 years. And that is heaven if you ask me.

It’s about time everybody was made to realise that irrespective of one’s condition—sick or well—the body can be given tremendous help in restoring health, and in safeguarding it. I like to tell my colleagues at Vanguard that, for years with the House and that I have the singular distinction of never having walked into the clinic on the premises for even panadol. And I put it down to my practice of yoga.

Below is a letter written to Indra Devi by someone who’d been introduced to yoga with her book, Forever Young, Forever Healthy.

St. Peterburg, Florida

Dear Miss Devi,

I became afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 17 and in a matter of months was helpless in bed with every joint of my body ankylosed. After 6 years the C M Y K

Health in double-quick time

The Plough

doctors gave me up and my parents brought me to Florida. Recently our neighbours introduced me to Yoga and in particular to your wonderful book, Forever Young, Forever Healthy.

breathing and following your diet suggestion and have faith in recovering fully.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this letter, and I thank you from my heart and soul.

Sincerely, Thelma L.

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his letter lends cre spine which have been so dence to the notion that tight. The shoulders, arms and ankles are also looser. dietary changes coupled I am now able to take full with exercise works wonsteps forward (with assist- ders. The body is totally at a •The Mountain Pose ance), and I go swimming handicap if it does not get drive. every other day in the Gulf exercise.

The extra oxygen you get Yes, if you exercise regularly, where I also exercise. I can started on the 60-day walk although stiff-kneed, into the system, the small you, “undoubtedly develop quick lemon juice plan and swim and float alone. rise in heart rate by working recovery powers. Even wounds also the lemon and orange I am doing the deep the muscles im- heal faster when we stay in good leaves tea.(it is delicious) as proves the body, shape. outlined in your book. I am the immune sysIt may sound too simple to unable to do the yoga tem gets a boost suggest to someone that their postures but another son of and the body’s redemption could depend on the same neighbourhood healing system learning to breath deeper. But works with me everyday can be easily that could be gospel truth. practising the movements I shifted to overBelow are some yoga postures can make. The results have and how they benefit the body. been remarkable. I am developing muscles and strength, Yoga Classes have increased mobility, par@ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos.

9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays •The Bridge ticularly in the hips and

I

46—SATURDAY VANGUARD, MAY 30, 2015 Aunty Julie, I’m in a steady relationship with a guy who tends to love me as much as I love him. It is true that every relationship has its ups and downs and in my own case, my guy suffers from occasional distrust. I have never cheated on him but he feels that I am doing so. He gets upset that sometimes my vagina is looser than other times. He thinks I’m cheating, but I’m not. I don’t know about my vagina being looser at certain times but I’m sure I have never cheated on him. What’s going on?

Erica, Lagos Dear Erica, I’m really worried about your boyfriend’s attitude which stems from ignorance. But he needs to understand women much more than he does especially their physiological make-up.

juliecoker100@yahoo.com

He thinks I’m cheating on him You must let your guy understand that women’s vaginas are less elastic when they are not sexually aroused. They become more elastic (looser) when they

are sexually excited . A woman may feel “tighter” to a man when she is less aroused, less comfortable, and having less pleasure than her partner. Hormonal

I’m done with this guy Dear Julie, I have been dating my guy for five years but things are not working out as they should. We have been having conflicts . I don’t think that I love him anymore! My friends think I should take things easy and give the relationship another chance but I’m confused. What should I do?

Juliana, Ughelli

Dear Juliana, Falling out of love with a boyfriend of five years is normal. Exploring your feelings regarding your boyfriend and the reasons why you may have fallen out of love with him may be a helpful first start for deciding what you “should” do.

Sometimes “falling out of love” is due to withheld anger, outgrowing the other partner, changing your mind, and/or developing or acknowledging different priorities.

Sometimes it has more to do with one’s self than it has to do with the other partner. Although it’s unclear whether you believe that falling out of love with your boyfriend is itself the “problem” or whether having problems with your boyfriend led you to fall out of love with him, it doesn’t hurt to be a little introspective and examine more closely what may have led you to feel (or not feel) the way that you do.

You seem conflicted about the thought of not loving your boyfriend anymore. As such, you may want to consider asking yourself the following questions. Does the fact that you may not love your boyfriend anymore bother you? How long have you felt this way? Do the two of you have mutual respect, friendship, and trust? Do you feel that your relationship is a caring

one? Does your relationship enhance or diminish who you are?

Do you feel that you need some time apart? Can you picture him as a life partner? What would your ideal relationship (with or without your boyfriend) look like?

Have you discussed this issue with someone you trust, such as a

friend? Even so, have you considered talking to your boyfriend about this?

While it may not be such a comfortable conversation to have, your boyfriend may certainly appreciate your honesty and your openness with your feelings.

In addition, he may be having his own feelings about the relationship as well.

Open and honest communication, in any

shifts during a woman’s menstrual cycle affect vaginal secretions and may affect vaginal elasticity. She may feel “looser” on certain days of her cycle than on others. Certain drugs, such as antihistamines or marijuana, may make the walls of the vagina feel dry so they seem “tighter.” Also, a woman’s vagina may feel tighter or looser in different positions for intercourse. Some men tend to be anxious about their sexual performance. Some have an exaggerated sense of jealousy.

It’s always best to discuss such problems with a partner or with a professional. But some men may put the blame on their partners because they are unable to recognize their own insecurities. Get talking with your guy and educate him.

relationship, is key to expressing wants, needs, and desires. Perhaps such a discussion would be a good opportunity to communicate what you like/don’t like about your relationship and how to improve it. Still, you may decide that taking some time apart would be a good experience for both of you, or that breaking up would be the way to go.

I feel guilty about cheating on him Aunty Julie, My guy and I have been together for the past 10 years. We have been living together but we are not married and my family is kicking. I have always felt like we had a pretty good relationship and although I am away for work quite often, I have never felt tempted to stray.

But last year, I met another guy at a conference and we clicked well and ended up talking for hours. However, one thing led to another and things happened that I never intended to happen. I’s not really a big deal but I’m actually dying inside over the guilt I have now. I haven’t seen the guy again but I am struggling because on one hand, I want to tell my partner but on the other, I feel like it will hurt him so much. I don’t know if it’s the right thing to do. At the same time, I also wonder to myself why this happened and if I’m happy in my relationship, what made this so available and easy? Is there something more, is there a reason this happened?

Laila, Kogi

Dear Laila, You are feeling guilty and confused.

You seem to care but wonder how you could do this at the same time. The truth

Who wears the pants A young couple, just married, were in their honeymoon suite on their wedding night. As they undressed for bed, the husband, who was a big burly man, tossed his pants to his bride and said, “here put these on.” She said “I can’t wear your pants.” “That’s right!!” said the husband, “and don’t you forget it. I’m the man who wears the pants in this family!” With that she flipped him her panties and said, “Try these on.” He tried them on and found he could only get them on as far as his kneecaps. He said, “Hell, I can’t get into your panties!” She said, “That’s right, and

Open and honest communication, in any relationship, is key to expressing wants, needs, and desires. Perhaps such a discussion would be a good opportunity to communicate what you like/don’t like about your relationship and how to improve it is, when our feelings, thoughts and behaviours don’t match, we enter the state of cognitive dissonance, which is usually difficult until we get aligned by either reassessing our values or changing our behaviours, so that things line up again.

You are struggling because you are evolving and growing from the situation inside you. But I’m curious if you are more troubled by telling your partner the truth or feeling the judgments. The biggest judge is the person in the mirror.

Just like you can love someone but not everything they do, you can love yourself but not everything you’ve done. That might be a starting point.

We often judge others for actions that don’t align with their personal value system or the value systems of communities, families and so on.

Everyone has their own value system and maybe it’s a good time to evaluate your own. Behaviours are deeper rooted and until you examine what that is for you, it may be unclear as to not only why this happened but what you want to do next.

C O C K - T A L E S that’s the way it’s going to be until you change your attitude.”

I can’t eat, drink, or sleep Ricky was telling his father about his new girlfriend.

He said, “Since I met her I can’t eat, drink, or sleep.”

“Why’s that?” asked his father.

“Because,” he said, “I’m broke.”

The wife is not speaking to me One night, this guy come into a bar and asks the bartender for a drink. Then he asks for another. After a couple more drinks, the bartender gets worried.

“What’s the matter?” the bartender asks.

“My wife and I got into a fight,” explained the guy “and now she isn’t talking to me for a whole 31 days.” The bartender thought about this for a while. “But, isn’t it a good thing that she isn’t talking to you?” asked the bartender.

“Yeah, except today is the last night.”

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015—47

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

Women who treat intimacy like ready meals!

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n the surface, it is completely realistic.

You want sex. You want it now. A willing partner has the hots for you and, if you had any sense, you would go for it. Who knows when the next opportunity would rear its head. Right? Well, wrong!

Not if you have a steady relationship with someone else.

When Yanju met Mercy at a stag night for a colleague, he believed she was the type he could fall for. “I was in between girlfriends and there she was, bossomy with a British accent. She had a well-paid job too and when I offered her a lift in my car, I expected her to turn it down because I thought she came in hers. But, she said she hated driving at night and had caged a lift from a friend to the party. My luck was in! I felt even luckier when she agreed to cone up to my flat for the proverbial ‘night cap’! When we got

blowing no-strings attached sex and I thought they were having me on.

“Obviously, I’d just been ‘sampled’ by the evergrowing brigade of girls who flirt with you, kissing you passionately before taking you to bed—only to tell you afterwards not to bring your hope up as they’ve got a boy-friend!

We’ve been together for close to two years now,’ she explained. ‘I don’t want to break his heart by being unfaithful.’ Another shocker! So, what has she just done? Shall we analyse what you’ve just said? I shouted at her completely frustrated.

Would you consider it cheating if your boyfriend took a random girl back to your flat, had wild sex with her and sent her packing?’

She confessed she would.

That she’d do something rather unpleasant to him involving a sharp kick to his tackle. After all, if her

Cheating isn’t about having sex, it’s about abusing trust

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home, we hardly touched our drinks before I was all over her! In minutes, we were in the bedroom—me naked, she naked! And, we made passionate love. She was insatiable, I was excited.

This was it, I whooped inside. She certainly passed the test of my dream girl.

What happened next landed my jaw on the floor. Mercy picked up her mobile, punched in some numbers and told the party at the other end she was on her way! It could be a girl-friend she shared a flat with, I thought. “You don’t need to go home tonight. It’s late.

Why don’t I take you back home early in the morning— it’s Saturday after all, no need to rush to work.” ‘That was my boy-friend,’ she said. ‘We live together and he would soon leave the party. He’s one of the organisers.’ Was I hearing right? My friends had often bragged about having mind-

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man had ended up in their bed without clothes and with another woman, he would have strayed. I remained gobsmacked! She would castrate a philandering boyfriend but excuse her own? I asked her to take a good look at her jaundiced view and ask herself: “Why is it different when I do it? ‘Oh, come on,’ she told me impatiently, hurriedly getting dress. ‘It’s just a bit of fun, it’s just sex! ‘I had the mind of pushing her into the cold night but it was too late to get a cab. If anything happened to her, it would be her fault. All the steamy romance we experienced before I took her to my bed had vanished. Instead, she was so anxious her guy would get home before she did, she virtually dashed out of my flat. When she didn’t see his car in the drive, she was overjoyed. She

stepped out of my car with a cherry wave. And, that was it. No, ‘when do I see you again?’ I didn’t even have her number. I felt really used as I drove back home.

My friends were right after all.

There are girls who like to have their cake, eat it, then take another slice behind their partner’s back. Do they consider this fun? Cheating isn’t about having sex, it’s about abusing trust; and cheats in denial, like Mercy, are even worse.”

When Amaka met Pat at a workshop, the two girls hit things off together,

exchanged phone numbers before going their separate ways. “I was flattered when she called the next day inviting me for lunch at a social club she belonged to,”Amaka recounted. “From then on, we started some sort of friendship, she was such fun and always interested in what was going on in my life that we bonded instantly. It’s sort of flattering when someone asks all about you and doesn’t talk about themselves most of the time.

“Whenever we went shopping, she would buy the same thing I did, which didn’t strike me as creepy, until later she had her hair braided just like mine. When my boyfriend joked she looked like my clone, I took it as a compliment. Then I got the shock of my life … I came back home early because a meeting was postponed and walked into the flat to find Pat on the couch having sex with my boyfriend! I didn’t ask any questions but yelled they should both leave my flat at once. I cried for months after and whenever I see her, which isn’t often, thank goodness, I feel like throwing up!

It’s a sad fact but there are some nymphomaniacs out there ready to sacrifice a good friendship for torried sex!”

Why older men are more sexually active than older women

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ge is no barrier to an active love life, research shows. For among the over-70s, more than half of men and almost a third of women say they are still sexually active. Of these, one in three say they have sex at least twice a month. the University of Manchester study was the first of its kind to include men and women aged 80-plus. It also found that love and affection stand the test of time, with many in their 70s and 80s saying they still indulge in frequent kissing.

Researchers did not examine why older men tend to be more sexually active than women, but it may be that they are more likely to have a younger partner. A woman’s longer lifespan is also thought to be relevant, with older women more likely to be widowed and thus living alone for longer. But as women get older, they believe that quality is more important than quantity where their sex lives are concerned, for the study revealed that while some have fewer nights of passion as they get older, they enjoy them more. Researchers said this is probably because older women accept that their sex lives are not going to improve.

The study of more than 6,000 English men and women aged 50-plus found that poor health and the loss of a partner are bigger obstacles to having sex than lack of desire. Researcher David Lee said: ‘We hope our findings improve public health

by countering stereotypes and misconceptions about late-life sexuality, and offer older people a reference against which they may relate their own experiences and expectations. The study, published in the German-based journal Archives of Sexual Behaviour, showed older Britons to be far from prudish about discussing their most intimate moments. Less than 3 per cent of those who took part refused to answer direct questions about their sex lives.

Dr. Lee said doctors should not be shy about broaching the subject. ‘A minority of older people remain sexually active but that minority is still quite a number of people who could arguably benefit from more open and equitable healthcare,’ he said. ‘Sexual health shouldn’t just be swept under the carpet.’

Caroline Abrahams, of the charity Age UK, said: ‘The fact this is the first time that people over 80 years old have been included in this kind of research highlights how often the public health needs of older people, including sexual health, are ignored or overlooked. With an ageing population it is important that providers of sexual health services understand the needs of older people in both clinical settings and when developing information and advice.’

48—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015

YETUNDE AREBI

The Police can be our friend (1)

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y first ever encounter with the Nigerian Police dates back as far as 1985, while a student at the College of Education, Ijanikin.

Thieves had broken into a friend’s room while she (Olanike Balogun, now a Lawyer, practising in London) slept over at mine.

Convinced that it would not be too difficult to fish out the culprits since it was a small community, we went to the Police. After explaining what happened and listing the items carted away as instructed, we were shocked when the Policeman started reeling out his theory of how the crime had taken place and who was responsible. Me! He said I had deliberately invited my friend to sleep over so that the place could be free for the buglers to operate.

Being the first suspect, I was to be arrested while they would continue with their investigation. For a few minutes, we were confused and argued vehemently with him until another officer came to rebuke him and took over the matter. They promised to come and visit the scene of the crime but never showed up, even though we were no longer interested in their investigation or catching the thieves anyway. The truth was that my friend was never invited. She’d walked in late that night clutching her pillow and complaining that she was having difficulties sleeping alone. I only obliged her accommodation in my bed. My impression since then was that the Nigerian Police Force was lazy and incompetent.

In February, 1996, I had another personal encounter with the Police. Heavily pregnant with my son, armed men broke into our compound

comprising of four flats, at Abule Egba. My very first experience with gun totting armed robbers. They laid siege for over two hours and managed to gain entry into three of the flats, mine last. Armed with necessary equipment to cut through irons and brick walls, at the end of the operation, they’d broken through roof and ceiling as well as iron doors and windows, leaving a trail of destruction. They fired almost 200 hundred shots, and we heard them shouting orders to each other about sub-machine guns and killing anyone who resisted the invasion.

The screaming from our neighbours only fuelled our imaginations of what might be going on in the various flats. When finally they arrived at our door, they informed us that they were already tired and were also aware that we are good people and would not want to hurt us. They would be glad if we opened the door for them and gave them what they wanted, money.

At that point, I was too scared and forced my husband to allow them in. My argument was, if they damaged anything to gain entrance, we would still be forced to spend money to effect repairs. (double wahala over dead body, as late Fela would put it) While all these went on, my neighbours, Mr and Mrs Gbenga Alara, (now resident in Abuja) managed to get a call through to the Police Station a few blocks away. According to them, the Police began questioning them on how they knew the intruders were armed men, what type of guns they brought, how many flats they had broken into and many other “interesting questions”. At the end, they showed up shortly after the robbers departed. They told us that they were actually in the area but on realising that the guys had superior weapons, they hid in an uncompleted building nearby. (Shoo!) Once

A THIN LINE I received this piece from a young friend who also runs a blog of her own. The photograph as well as what constitutes indecent exposure is a trending issue on the internet. Your responses or views to this topic are highly welcome. And if you want your contribution published on this page, please mail to, yetty5050@yahoo.co.uk or inthesunlovezone@yahoo.com cheers!

Few weeks ago, I came across a picture which I found distasteful and highly irrelevant. It was one of a woman who was using the toilet and at the same time breastfeeding her child who stood before her and sucked while she sat on the toilet seat and smiled for the camera. Looking at that picture I wondered why anyone would make such an image public and what message they wanted to pass across by showing it to C M Y K

the public. As though having to breast feed a child while using the toilet was not bad enough, it had to be posted on social media. I am pretty sure that image got a lot of back lash but my attention was drawn to the fact that people are not in the least bit discrete about their lives anymore. Rather, anyone can put up anything about their life and the lives of other people on social media without considering the consequences or effects such images could have on them and those who see them.

Public display of personal affairs (PDPA) as I like to call it seems to be the trend and things that should be kept private are brought out in the open for all to see. These days, you can tell by posts and comments what might be going on, in people’s lives and even fights are made public as people wash their dirty linen in public without shame. It is amusing to see some celebrities insult themselves on social media while others parade their relationships together with the issues that come along with them for the entire world to see.

The truth is some things are private and should be kept that way. It is not necessary to reveal everything that goes

again, they demanded an inventory of what was taken from all the flats, plus mobilization fee to fuel their vehicle to chase after the armed robbers.

But hold on, the drama did not end here. Now with the dawn of the morning, we realised we had been scammed. Littered all over the compound were spent fireworks, (bangers) of various sizes. Only two or three bullet shell casings were found. After the ordeal, we thought it wiser to let things be, rather than waste money on the Police to chase after ghost robbers. And while the other three families battled with effecting repairs to their flats, the birthing of my baby was more important to my family. He was born by Caesarean Section a few days after. Another robbery in 2010 would take me back to the Police, this time at Panti, and though they did make an effort this time, nothing came out of their investigation.

My other encounters with the Police besides these three remain the regular road blocks and inspection of vehicle papers (including being arrested for driving one-way. Believe me, if you are faced with Apapa traffic gridlock, you will drive half way if possible) and like many a Nigerian, I have great reservations for the Nigerian Police Force, having formed my own opinion about their professional conducts. Top on their list of sins is corruption which to me seems the bane of the average Nigerian and not exclusive to the Police. Perhaps, their primary role of ensuring safety of life and property of citizenry makes their activities very conspicuous and therefore damning.

Corruption appears to have eaten deep into the crevices of all their operations, such that it has become near impossible to expect a Policeman to perform his duties with upright diligence.

From the rank and file to the top echelon of its officers, many Policemen have been caught with their hands in the cookie jar at various times. Corruption and corrupt practices will not be wiped out anytime soon, at least, for as long as Government and the agencies in charge of Police affairs and management fail to provide an enabling environment for the rebirth and reorientation of officers and men. Inadequate staffing and dearth of quality professionals, training and equipment as well as provision of infrastructure and techniques of modern day intelligence gathering and investigation used in Policing pose huge challenges that must be addressed.

Ambassador Funke Marcu s Bello during a discussion at one of Vanguard Women’s Roundtable Conferences had expressed grave concern about the Nigerian Police Force, especially the welfare of its men. Having performed her one year Youth Service Programme in the Police, she opined that in order to understand the complexity of problems plaguing the Force, one needs to be in their midst. She described the situation as one so pathetic she would not wish her enemy to enroll in. From the dilapidated structures which serve as their barracks, to the ill equipped offices and Stations, to the unusual long working hours and insecurity of life and its attendant effects on their families, she described the Police as an endangered specie that Nigerian must empathise with and support to navigate out of the quagmire. The jubilation that greeted the announcement of the appointment and subsequent confirmation of the new Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Ehighato Arase within the rank and file of the Force as well as sections of the public, appears to be an indication that the man for the job may have been found after all.

To be continued next Saturday. Do keep a date and have a wonderful weekend.

on in a person’s life. Apart from the fact that it actually becomes boring after some time, it does nothing but bring disrespect because everyone feels they know everything about you and since you rub your issues in their faces, they begin to think that they possess the right to offer advice or make their opinions known, regarding your life since you’ve made it known to all. Social media is not a place to vent, even if you have issues. Most times situations are not made better just because the world knows about them. With the exception of certain things for which one could get answers from social media, there is not much one can get from publicizing every single happening in their life and there is definitely a thin between what is acceptable and what is plain unnecessary. We might as well save ourselves the trauma and be wise when it comes to sharing with the world, issues which are personal.

By Chinazo Okaro

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015 — 49

Inauguration/Swearing-in

JOS Jang absent as mammoth crowd witness Lalong’s inauguration

BY MARIE-THERESE NANLONG.

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m a m m o t h crowd yesterday took over the Rwang Pam stadium in Jos and its adjoining streets to witness the inauguration of Mr. Simon Lalong as the governor of Plateau State.

Immediate past governor, Jonah Jang was however absent at the event but his deputy, Mr. Ignatius Longjan handed over the mantle of leadership to the new governor.

The Chief Judge of the State, Justice Pius Damulak administered the oath of office to Lalong and his deputy, Prof. Sonni Tyoden.

The event was witnessed by political bigwigs from the All Progressives Congress, APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Religious leaders and traditional rulers also made impressive turnout at the event that was closely monitored by armed security agents.

Shortly after taking the oath of office, Lalong who was dressed in a dark blue suit, white shirt and lilac tie in his inaugural speech described the process which led to his victory as “an act of God.” Lalong said: “We have witnessed the hand of God in our dear state.

Never before in our history have we witnessed such yearning for change in the direction of governance.

Never before have our people

demonstrated such unity.

“Now is time for looking ahead, I am determined to create an environment of commitment, trust and cooperation rather than command and control.

We will revisit the issue of the creation of districts, chiefdoms and development areas. The policy thrust of our administration will anchor on peace, security and good governance, human capital development and

social welfare.

“To boost commerce and trade, the government shall re-examine all options for reconstructing our markets especially the burnt ultra-modern Jos Central Market. We will reposition the civil service for better productivity.

Our government will reinvigorate the civil service and review appointments, postings to conform with extant civil service rules and geo-political balancing.”

Mr. Simon Lalong being sworn in as governor of Plateau State.

Itsekiri Devt Congress advocates improved amnesty programme

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Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal being sworn in Sokoto.

KAWARA Ahmed sworn in for second term, create a prosperous state.

State home.’’ promises prosperity His words: ‘’ We will build “This administration will

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

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ESIDENTS of Ilorin yesterday came out en masse to witness the swearing-in ceremony of Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed as

the governor of Kwara State.

Ahmed was re-elected for a second term on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC. At the event which was held at Metropolitan Square in Ilorin, Ahmed pledged to

more schools, roads, hospitals, power projects and structures needed to get more of our youths working.

Businesses will grow, there will be food on more tables and greater prosperity for everyone who calls Kwara

BAUCHI Abubakar sworn in amidst tight security

BY SUZAN EDEH

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HE new governor f Bauchi State, Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar was yesterday sworn in amidst tight security.

Abubakar took the oath of office at 11:38 am while his deputy, Nuhu Gidado was administered same at 11: 17am. The oath was administered by the o

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GAINST the backdrop of calls on the President Muhhamadu Buhari, to consider scrapping the amnesty programme or leave it as it is, Itsekiri Development Congress, IDC, has said only “an improved programme” can effectively address the agitations that led to the programme’s creation.

IDC said: “The call for outright cancellation may not be too palatable

acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Rabi Umar.

While addressing a mammoth crowd during the swearing-in ceremony at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa stadium in Bauchi, Governor Abubakar lamented that he was inheriting an empty treasury.

His words: “This is a historic event because an opposition party has taken over the government of Bauchi

State, but the treasury is completely empty. For this reason, I beg our traditional and political leaders to explain to the people that the havoc was done by past administrations.’’

“For us to be able to correct this ugly situation, it will take a lot of time. Therefore it is not going to be magical. I am urging the good people of Bauchi State to understand with us. I am not saying we are shying

away from the challenge before us. I am assuring that we are equal to the task and we will do everything to bring the state out of financial quagmire” He commended the people for the sacrifice and endurance exhibited during the general election, saying the doggedness of the leaders of APC made the current change of leadership in the country possible.

upscale development and boost entrepreneurship.

Starting from today, we will begin the work of transforming our state to become the economic hub of North-Central. We will create a new frontier of prosperity where everyone will have the opportunity to better their lives.’’ ‘’To begin with, education is the pivot of development and the most tested route to economic empowerment. In line with this, we intend to enhance functional education and expand access to formal education.

“In keeping with our determination to bring portable water within the reach of all residents, we will expand the Malete and Okuta Waterworks and begin work on Oyun Water Works to meet the needs of our people.’’

given the pains of the Niger Delta people.

Equally, the call for sustenance of the programme as presently operated may not be the ultimate.”

In a statement by Emmanuel Okotie-Eboh, Chairman; Solomon Iwetan, Secretary, and Benson Ayokoste, Public Relations Officer, the group said if the incoming administration does not want to lose sight of the objectives of the amnesty programme, there was need for fairness and balance to give all the youths from the region a sense of belonging and retain the peace in Niger Delta, which are justifications for laying down their arms.

It said: “A group had 500 slots from which only 120 have benefited, whereas another has more than 5,000 beneficiaries. Payment has also been lopsided.

“We suggest that the leadership of the programme be overhauled and we recommend that, for fairness, an Itsekiri man should head the amnesty programme.”

The group also called for checkmating of what it called fraudulent practices in pipeline surveillance contracts, which it said had hindered the effective and efficient operation of the programme.

See more news on Page 61

50 —SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015

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SATURDAY

Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015—51

Lifestyle

Your feet say a lot about your health

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airlessness A complete lack of hair on your feet and toes may be a sign that you don’t have the best circulation. This is especially true if you’ve noticed hair loss. Test the pulse on your ankle. If you can’t find it, talk to your doctor.

Cold feet Hypothyroidism or an under active thyroid gland, can impact your body in a number of ways, including your feet. Are your feet always cold? If you’re experiencing other symptoms of hypothyroidism, including dry skin and hair, fatigue and unexplained weight gain, talk to your doctor.

Swollen, sore big toes A sore, swollen, red and warm big toe is a hallmark of gout. In fact, many people discover that they have gout because of issues with their big toe. A form of arthritis, gout is caused by elevated levels of uric acid in the bloodstream. Though it’s often associated with excessive meat consumption, just over 1 in 10 cases of gout are directly related to diet.

Dry, flaky skin

You don’t have to be a pro player to get athlete foot. If you notice the skin on your feet, especially between the toes, is unusually dry, flaky and itchy, this fungal infection may be the culprit.

Treat the area with an over-thecounter solution, and, if it doesn’t go away, talk to your doctor.

Smelly feet Luckily, having smelly feet is not necessarily a sign of anything nefarious. What they CAN be a sign of, though, is, not s u r p r i s i n g l y, improper hygiene.

Wash your feet regularly, stick to cotton socks and, if you’re prone to sweating, keep an extra pair of clean socks on hand. Another tip? Don’t wear the same shoes every single day!

undiagnosed fractures and anorexia are the biggest ones. if you’re having trouble walking, your best bet is to speak to your doctor.

Muscle spasms If you often find yourself with muscle spasm, but overuse or injury of the muscle don’t seem to be the culprit, you could be dehydrated or have one of a number of different vitamin or mineral deficiencies.

Potassium, calcium and even too-low levels of sodium in the bloodstream can make you more prone to these painful muscle spasms.

Unexplained numbness If your feet (and legs) feel numb, there are a number of possible culprits.

One of them is sitting for too long, but it can also be a sign of much more serious ailments, including Multiple Sclerosis, nerve damage and fibromyalgia.

•Your feet and toes Difficulty walking If staying on your feet is hard for you, there could be a number of issues at play.

Difficulty absorbing calcium,

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52—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015 he new president made many promises and politicians routinely make even promises they would not to keep.

The public may let him off on some but not on the pledges to rout the boko haram monster and to fight corruption. If there is one fight Buhari must not lose it is the fight to retain public support. While he has started adroitly by curtailing expectations on the war against terror, he cannot employ that strategy against corruption. The fight against corruption is the war the masses hired him for and it is a war that leaves him no room for excuses. And his performance on that front will determine how long they will abide with him as he grapples with an economy in a ditch.

Public disenchantment sets in easily , public expectations on corruption must be matched in words and in deed. The nation’s well-being will depend on much more than stemming corruption, but the symbolic value of a firm and diligent engagement against corruption and malfeasance in government can be politically lifesaving for his administration. With an increasingly harsh economic reality and a seething populace, patience will be short and the public’s mood may be mercurial and heroes can quickly become villains. Buhari is perhaps , after all , not a very fortunate man.

His pedigree as a brutal , no nonsense, austere and passionate building. Others may hold the leader would create a challenge for view that though they reached for him . On the one hand it feeds the only their opponents they widely held perception of managed to curb impunity in incorruptibility, inflexibility and part. single minded patriotism . These So how would Buhari prosecute are attributes many believe make this war that the ordinary man on him especially suited to lead the the street expects him to start nation out of the morass of winning from day one and which corruption . On the other hand, it might define his presidency? He marks him out as a man that should must soberly reflect on the reality be carefully watched. A man whose he is inheriting and set very clear passion for rectitude can tolerate objectives. He must approach the some excesses in the fight against fight with moral integrity serious crime. While many do not applying objective standards in a fear that he possesses the principled and consistent manner parochial vindictiveness of one his . Crime agencies must be seen as earlier predecessors, some are independent, impartial and worried that the fight against objective . Heavy- handed corruption may get overly zealous retributive approach alone can be and lose moral legitimacy. Great counter productive and a multiexpectations but diminished faceted approach that focuses on maneuverability. prevention may be more fruitful .

Fighting corruption as a military Jobs creation to curb dictator can be simple and unemployment will substantially simplistic. A military junta is help to curb vice more than accountable to no one. Fighting coercion. He must not purchase corruption with weak criminal apparent success at the cost of justice structures in a democratic moral legitimacy . He must seek society where corruption is to build enduring institutions and notoriously endemic but where rule systems. of law must be upheld is an entirely different subject matter . nd from a moral perspective Former EFCC chairman , Nuhu Buhari has many issues to Ribadu , once remarked that in navigate. Many Nigerians are not Nigeria corruption fights back law abiding because it often pays strongly against attempts to stem not to be. The system is lax and it.. Any committed change agent permissive and does not therefore necessarily has to be discourage corruption. Take the aggressive and creative. Effective business of importation of goods crime control under such for instance. Nearly every circumstances may demand importer and every clearing and periodic application of extra legal forwarding agent in Nigeria means of dubious morality to bridge engages in some form of gaps and institutional defects. corruption and stealing.

Obasanjo and Ribadu often Corruption is so customary in that discarded due process to drive that environment that it is impossible war which drew them international to remain competitive there applause . Buhari’s pedigree would without being corrupt. The system deny him that latitude. Because has in a sense failed all importers Buhari is a man that must prove to and clearing agents. Any many that he is now a democrat government desirous of change in and an adherent of rule of law, he that sector can, of course, recover can ill afford to jettison due process hundreds of billions and send in the fight against corruption. many to jail by probing the Many will however argue that Customs and freight forwarding Obasanjo and Ribadu failed. And activities in the last 10 years . But that they failed because their governments would lack moral methods lacked objectivity, were justification to apply criminal self serving and smacked of sanctions if they acted malice. Such law and order efforts irresponsibly by failing to firmly tragically undermine institution

Of Buhari, anti corruption w ar war ar,, punitive populism and hypocrisy

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regulate and therefore abet fraudsters while inhibiting conscientiousness . So Buhari must embrace regulatory reforms first. Every politician who wins any election in Nigeria has either directly or indirectly engaged in fraudulent acts. It is fraudulent to know the spending limits set by INEC for electoral campaigns and allow your agents spend many multiples of that limit and yet claim victory and moral high ground. I do not blame the politicians. Many good people have stayed away from politics because the environment is not properly regulated.

Thuggery , rigging and questionable funds rule our political contests.

Many good people , well aware of these short comings but conscious of the need not to abandon politics to rogues and nitwits delve into our murky politics in hope that they would sanitize the process at some point. If such a consequentialist reading of their involvement is permitted , would such an interpretation not foreclose any subsequent backward looking anti- corruption crusade? What is hypocrisy? Criminal law is supposed to be a society’s strong collective condemnation of gross deviance. A law that is not enforced and not obeyed is effectively no law. Any backward looking application of such a law would render such an enforcer morally vulnerable to charges of ‘retrospectivity’ or scapegoatism.

So does any politician or group of politicians who, in the course of political campaigns, deliberately and cynically desecrate fundamental electoral laws have any moral standing to engage in any massive probes of any other sector? I doubt that they have. I doubt that they can in good conscience, without appearing hypocritical, engage in such an exercise . They lack moral legitimacy for such a righteous posturing. Political and electoral reforms must top any genuine anticorruption crusade in Nigeria.

Nigerian politics has remained a high yielding money laundering enterprise.

And I suspect that President Jonathan was soft on corruption because he had a sensitive conscience.

I suspect that he prevaricated into so many quasi theories on ‘stealing and corruption’ and on ‘goats and barns’ because his conscience wouldn’t let

him fight corruption since he was a product and a beneficiary of a thoroughly corrupt system.

Perhaps it would take a man like late Gen Abacha to set up tribunals for all manner of failed ‘activities’ even while he looted the treasury with equanimity. And perhaps only a committed modern day political Pharisee will go searching for specks in other sectors while our electoral system is filled with logs of filth and corruption. Hypocrisy and politicians.

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t is true that the law is often applied selectively and that not every offender can be punished.

But if retribution is to have any desirable deterrent effect, rational choice theory suggests that the offender must appreciate that crimes will nearly always be punished and that criminal sanctions have the heft to make crimes unprofitable, a bad choice.

Public prosecutors ensure that prosecutorial activity retains moral legitimacy by having clear prospective guidelines that enable consistent, objective, application of standards in selecting cases so that the process is deemed impartial , and purposive.

Being subjective , whimsical , selectivity is unfair , immoral and leaves room for further corruption . Any anti -corruption war that seeks to achieve narrow political advantages or to appease a public baying for blood will be morally illegitimate and ultimately counter productive. And such demagoguery has in the past led many EFFC chairmen to engage in showy trial of innocent people on the pages of newspapers and to concentrate on arbitrary illegal detentions rather than the more productive , more normative diligent and thorough prosecuting.

Buhari’s anti corruption war can find easy legitimacy and can side step many moral constraints only if it is forward looking , painstaking and fair. But can Buhari ignore the mass looting of the treasury that has happened in the last few years and retain public support? I have my doubts.

Some shattering revelations will come to test his focus and agitate the public. So can he choose some and leave others and retain moral integrity? It’s difficult.

An ad hoc case by case approach would do him no good. Predictability rather than arbitrariness would help the cause of probity. He must have clear objective aims and standards. He may look backwards only when absolutely necessary and in the face of compelling evidence of theft of government funds of a gravity that can shock the conscience of the public. He must apply same standards against all men regardless of political , religious or ethnic affiliation. The far north is desolate but all convicted former governors are from the south.

The true test of objectivity in a political culture steeped in cynicism must be that if the criminal justice system must habour any bias then it must be against the president’s closest supporters.

Any government desirous of change in that sector can, of course, recover hundreds of billions and send many to jail by probing the Customs and freight forwarding activities in the last 10 years

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015— 53

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SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015— 55

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56—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015

ENUGU

Ezeilo makes history as first female deputy governor

The New Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi being inaugurated by the State Chief Judge, Justice Innocent Umezuluike at Okpara Square Enugu, yesterday. On his left is Cecilia Ezeilo, the deputy governor.

Photo by Ikechukwu Obi

BY FRANCIS IGATA

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he victory of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, at the April 11 poll,opened a new vista as his Deputy,Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo made history as the first, female deputy governor of the state.

Created in 1991,Enugu State has never had a woman occupy the exalted office of governor or deputy governor,the two top positions in the state that have essentially been dominated by men who relegated women to the background.

Excitement filled the air when at the end of last year, the announcement of Ezeilo as Ugwuanyi’s running mate for the governorship race hit the airwaves. The jubilation that followed pervaded the length and breath of the state.

Observers quickly poured encomiums and eulogies on Ugwuanyi’s decision which they said was a political masterstroke to woo majority of the women and youths mostly.

But political pundits were however not astonished at Ugwuanyi’s decision to run with a female deputy, hinging their stance on Ugwuanyi’s political prowess to galvanise the needed support for their victory.

Another school of thought maintained that Ugwuanyi was mindful of the wind of change blowing across the country as more women are occupying sensitive positions in government hitherto reserved for the men.During the President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to Enugu for his presidential rally at the Nnamdi Azikwe stadium last November,Ugwuanyi had described Ezeilo as a gift to the people of Enugu State insisting that his administration will have a human face having a mother as his deputy who would provide the soothing balm of peace and progress to calm political frayed nerves.

Ezeilo, a Lawyer and widow of late Chief Malachy Ezeilo, Igwe of Ezeagu and a oneC M Y K

time Commissioner for Works during the old Anambra State, learned the robe and shot to limelight riding on her husband’s crest.

EZEILO’S STRIDES She was elected into the Enugu State House of Assembly in 2011. During her stint at the House,she served as the Chairman,House Committee on Judiciary where she adopted the Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism,ADRM, as faster and better means of resolving public disputes arising from numerous public petitions sent to her committee.

It was during her rein that the legislature and judiciary experienced a pronounced industrial harmony as separate arms of government.

Her instincts as a mother may have inspired her motion while she was in the House for a bill to carter for the needs of people with special needs.

Her quest to empower and ensure jobs for the teeming unemployed women,youths in Enugu State, again, motivated her to move a motion for the reactivation of the moribund Cashew Industry,Ezeagu as a panacea to absolve women and youths of the state.

The soaring rate of auto crashes in the state caught her attention as she also, moved a motion at the House which sought to ensure that vehicle drivers undergo driving examinations before drivers licenses are issued to them.

The idea behind the motion was to reduce the increase rate of deaths occasioned by the auto crashes in the state.

ELATED RESIDENTS A cross section of residents in Enugu State could not hide their joy for the incoming administration of Ugwuanyi who

they described as the most gender friendly government in the annals of Enugu history.

Mrs. Mary-Jane Mbagwu who was visibly elated said,”May 29 has opened a new horizon for women empowerment in the state. Her position as deputy governor will add impetus for more women to aspire and attain more sensitive government positions.

“Ugwuanyi’s choice of female deputy has broken a jinx in the state and has endeared him to women and youths who form the greater majority of the electorate.

His choice of female deputy is a midas touch that will galvanise his re-election bid come 2019 when Enugu State will experience the most keenly contested election given an All Progressives Congress,APC, led administration at the centre.

Another respondent, Mrs. Ngozi Ossai charge the deputy governor not to lower her guard but rather, up her ante to justify the confidence reposed in her in the cause of discharging her duty.

According to her,”Ezeilo should roll her sleeves and brace up for the task ahead. She is carrying on her shoulders,the expectations of over 3million women and children of the state.

Issues of women empowerment,child rights,women battery,rape,child abuse,girl child education,maternal health cares services among others should be prominent in her agenda.

“She should walk in the path of late Prof. Dora Akuyili,Oby Ezekwesili among others to etch her name in gold.”

SERVICE DELIVERY A cross section of residents who spoke to Saturday Vanguard were upbeat that her tenure will mark the beginning of a new era in the area of service delivery.

Mr. Okey Agbo said,”I believe she will bring her wealth of experience to bear and assist her boss to ensure that good governance reins during her tenure. As a mother,I don’t see her allowing her wards to go hungry. The people of the state are her wards. So,she will work to see that policies and programmes of government impact positively on the lives of the people.

Amaechi Ukwuani urged the deputy governor to clean the tears of Enugu people in the misdeeds of the past.

According to him,”this administration should work assiduously to ensure that the teeming unemployed youths being churned out from over seven tertiary institutions in the state are engaged.

“Most of our graduates are engaged in menial jobs to keep there head above water. The situation is suffocating. This administration should clean our tears and ensure that jobs are created in all sectors of the economy.” Only time will tell if she will serve as a rallying point towards women emancipation in the scheme of things in Enugu State to bring it at per with contemporaries like Lagos, Ekiti, Anambra among others where women had hold sway as deputy governors.

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015— 57

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58—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015

100 DAYS FROM TODAY:

What Nigerians expect from Buhari

•Uranta

•Gani-Adams

BY EBUN SESSOU, ANOZIE EGOLE & ADERONKE ADEYERI

there is no power, it is difficult to survive.

One is practically incapacitated without power.

“He must also tackle corruption to a standstill by sealing up available means by which our money is being siphoned.

Those who are milking Nigerians, dipping their hands into the treasuries of the nation should be exposed.

“The $20 billion that was allegedly missing should be verified. He must look into the system and fight the monster called corruption. Once the resources are available and not being stolen, building industries, roads, and reviving the power sector will be possible. The resources of the nation can take Nigeria to the next level.”

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he expectations of Nigerians are high as Gen. Muhammadu Buhari assumes the mantle of leadership. Nigerians yearn for change at all cost, following the high campaign promises made by the new president. They expect his government to bring succour and put an end to the numerous problems the country is presently facing. Against this background, Saturday Vanguard went round to sample the opinions of prominent as well as ordinary Nigerians on their expectations 100 days from now.

Buhari must revive the energy sector

– Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, lawyer “Gen. Buhari should address the problems surrounding energy in this country as a matter of urgency. Power generation is critical to the development of this nation.

He should break the cabal controlling the importation of fuel, diesel, candles, rechargeable lamps and other imports that benefit importers to the detriment of the Nigerian populace, and revive the entire power sector so that the generation, transmission and distribution companies should be totally working. By this approach, generator and diesel importers will also be encouraged to invest in the power sector and become game changers instead of frustrating his efforts.

“It’s a cross Buhari has to carry. He was at this for 12 years. He contested in 2003, 2007, 2011, so by now, he should have a roadmap for the solutions to all the problems in Nigeria. I believe it is not our business how he will deliver.

“During his campaign, he promised Nigerians 20,000 megawatts in four years which means, in every one year, we should have 5,000 megawatts. So, it is too late to give excuses. Our business was to vote for him as president, which we did; we are waiting for results.

“We want to enjoy adequate electricity as soon as possible. There must be power in every home, office, mosque, church, bank, school among others. We are not interested in how he will do it. Power is critical to the economy of this nation and it must be addressed. Imagine the kind of hardship the country suffered recently when the entire country was grounded. If

He should operate truly democratic government

– Tony Uranta, human rights activist

“As a patriotic Nigerian living in Nigeria, it is in my enlightened self interest for President Buhari to succeed in keeping Nigeria a united, peaceful, justice-based country that prospers holistically and ensures the common good of all Nigerians. It is in the foregoing light that I join millions of Nigerians in welcoming President Buhari, even as I join millions more in wishing now ex-President Jonathan even greater heights.

“I will like to use this opportunity to remind the incoming president of the many promises he made to Nigerians, and what we eagerly expect within the first 100 days of his coming to office. We expect primarily that he will be able to stop the insecurity in the North-East once and for all. We also expect that he will radically transform the economy such that we will not have almahjiris in the North, beggars in the streets or anywhere else in Nigeria. And crime rate must be reduced generally, especially in the area of kidnapping, armed robbery and 419.

“Finally, I will not appear to be wishing him ill or to seem not to appreciate the enormous task ahead of him; we would expect that he would really and truly show us that this is a democratic civil regime coming in, which will be fully tolerant of the rights of civil society such as right of speech, right to information, right to association and other rights without, in anyway, becoming oppressive or intolerant.

“We wish him well. We hope that the

•Agbakoba press will still be vibrant under him as it was under the outgoing administration, and on that note, I say welcome President Muhammadu Buhari and we wish President Goodluck Jonathan the best and we look forward to him transforming himself into the leader of the African continent and black people worldwide.”

We expect transparency

– Gani Adams, leader, Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) “Within three months, he needs to sanitize the system. We expect transparency and he should shun corruption. We expect him to solve the problem of fuel scarcity and encourage private sectors to build refineries. Right now, Nigeria is faced with abject poverty due to lack of good infrastructure. He should revive our societal values.

President Buhari should ensure that all the civil society groups are given 100 percent support. He should also look into the report of the national confab.”

He should address fragile issues – Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), lawyer

“As soon as Buhari is sworn in, he should go to work. He should tackle fragile issues in the national system because there are so many fragile cracks that make the Nigerian system to be very weak and I expect these to be tackled by settling issues relating to constitution amendment, which will help to amend these cracks. He must reform our legal system.

“Secondly, he must tackle the economy agenda of the country that has given credence to unemployment and poverty.

He must do that by blocking all the leakages. 25 percent of our budget goes into the National Assembly. People should live on low profile. These will safe funds which will be used on meaningful things.

“Thirdly, he must remove oil subsidy, which has led to corruption, then introduce modular refineries so as to have it across the country. He should block all the loopholes in the power sector. He should also diversify the economy. Right now, we are solely dependent on petroleum and that was clearly shown in the recent fuel scarcity. We need new energy policy that does not depend on petroleum. The maritime sector is another area which needs attention. There are a

Continues on page 59

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015—59

•Onovo

•Declan

•Chief Foster

•Johnson

•Barrister Paul

•Emma Okechukwu

What Nigerians expect fr om Buhari from Continues from page 58 lot of expectations by Nigerians and we hope that the president will live up to them. He needs to re-define the education policy, especially in the area of university and vocational qualifications. We should look into solar energy. Another problem is to decentralize the affairs of the country.”

We need light, petrol and good cabinet – Declan Okpalaeke, journalist

“There should be long term course but short term measures. He is taking over power at a period when the country is perhaps at his lowest ebb. Everything seems to be collapsing. Petroleum has a huge effect on the economy; there is no fuel, no gas, no kerosene. There is crisis in the country. His first 100 days should concentrate on finding immediate solution to the immediate problems in the country.

He should ensure that there is free flow of essential things that will make life bearable for Nigerians; ensure that there is adequate petrol in the filling stations; ensure that even though we are not generating enough power, that what we produce is adequately distributed whilst he plans to find permanent solution to it.

“He should ensure that he gets the right people into his cabinet. People whose integrity and credibility are not in doubt.

If the right people are not in place, his noble ideas will be rubbished.”

He should keep all his promises

– Martin Onovo, Action Congress (AC) presidential candidate “As a matter of integrity, President Buhari needs to keep the promises made during his campaign. He needs to control corruption and that is not done in one night or 100 days but the direction can be set in one month.

“We need to get power, otherwise the economy will not survive. He must not give us excuses that we have heard in the past. There must be fuel. Security must be in place. The Nigeria Police, which is the first point of security, is in a terrible mess.

These are underlining critical requirement for national productivity. The idea of depending on other people to feed

ourselves is one indication that no matter the number of private jets we buy, we are still very poor. We need to contribute significantly to feeding ourselves. The country needs the right education for brighter future. The fact is that there are a lot of emergencies in all the sectors.”

The structure of change must be defined – Ladipo Johnson, legal

practitioner “The type of leadership he will be providing will dictate the level of his success. He needs to stabilize the country as quickly as possible. The structure of the real change we are clamouring for should be established. People must be accountable. Although it is usually very difficult to get result in the first 100 days,

Change must manifest in every facet of the country, especially power.

We need light and it must be permanent he can set good examples. Once that is done, Nigerians’ orientation will change; civil servants and politicians will know that it is not business as usual. But until he gets there, he wouldn’t know those priorities begging for attention.”

Expose the rot in governance – Paul Okoroafor, lawyer

“We believe President Buhari is highly disciplined. Now is the time to prove it.

As a democratic president, we are looking forward to having a transparent government. There must be enforcement and implementation of policies. We expect that he will be able to expose some of the rot in the power sector. We pay so much yet we don’t have light. He

should check why there is total darkness in the country.”

We need good road network – Foster Nwosu,

businessman “I am afraid that the Nigerian system may discourage him from being transparent. I will like him to work on electricity. I believe that if there is light, Nigerians will survive. He should also create an environment where our young people can explore different job opportunities. We need good road network as well.”

End fuel problem – Emma Okechukwu, trader

“We are hoping that as soon as he is sworn-in, fuel problem will be a thing of the past, hopefully paying for fuel at the rate of N87 per litre. And we also hope there will be constant light.”

Change must manifest –

Emmanuel Anyebe, scientist “Change must manifest in every facet of the country, especially power. We need light and it must be permanent.”

He should end corruption –

John Paul, surveyor “He is the sixth democratically elected president since 1960 and we thank God for having a man like him at this time.

He is a man we all know for his zero tolerance for corruption and he also has a very good military experience. Right now, he is the right man both for his experience and also for his fight against corruption. I want him to end corruption and insurgency. The incoming government should draw up policies that would alleviate poverty in the country.

Buhari should cut down the cost of governance because it is killing this country.”

My expectations are high

– Ugochukwu Alaeto, motorist “My expectations are high. I expect that fuel scarcity and epileptic power supply will be addressed. We are waiting for the change he promised during his campaign.”

60 —SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015

SATURDAY VANGUARD, MAY 30, 2015—61

Industrialisation is solution to mass unemployment (2) — Prof. Ogbimi In this edition, we serve you the concluding part of the interview on “industrialisation is solution to mass unemployment.” Enjoy it.

How can African nations, Nigeria in particular, be industrialized like Europe, America and Asia?

A very important result of our curiositydriven research is that all the industrialized nations of today were agricultural/artisan, non-industrialized and poor nations for 2000-3000 years. This finding suggests that the development process is a serious matter.

More importantly, the Euro-Asian experiences raise three fundamental questions. First, why did it take Caucasians and Asians 2000-3000 years to achieve modern industrialization? Second, what does industrialization entail? Third, how long will it take Nigeria and other African nations to achieve modern industrialization? Western social sciences have no scientific answer to any of these questions.

A crucial question still crying for a scientific answer from all those claiming to be experts in managing an economy is: WHAT DOES A NATION DO TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND INDUSTRIALIZATION (SEGI)? To this question we found out that many researchers had shown that mere capital

investment is not the primary source of SEGI. Further analysis, using algebraic techniques, showed that the intrinsic values of all capital assets (roads and bridges, railway lines, telecommunications networks, stadia, airport and seaports, machinery and equipment, real estate, furniture, etc.) depreciate with time and intensity of usage. The concept of depreciation is well known in economics and accountancy. Hence all capital assets are Depreciating Assets (DAs). A nation which emphasizes capital investments only invests on a decreasing investment function like that person pumping water into a profuselyleaking overhead water tank. Who is that man who fails to educate his three sons and builds estates for them to inherit? Is the man a sage or a fool? In the same vein, a nation which emphasizes erection of structures to

Oye Dynamix introduces emplo oolkit employyabilty skills ttoolkit Oye Dynamix is partnering SMEs and NGOs in the introduction of a job seeker ‘s toolkit designed to improve skills and create opportunities for graduates to get work.

This indigenous specialist learning and social development consultancy focuses on training and creating learning tools that meet the real needs of employment in Nigeria through its Job Ready Employability Programme (JobRed). It partners primarily with SMEs, NGOs and other organisations to provide staffing and corporate social responsibility (CSR) solutions through the same concept.

Speaking to journalists in a media chat in Lagos, Project Director, JobRed, Mrs. Ajo Afolabi-Balogun, said that there are 1.5million graduates yearly in Nigeria and 9 universities were recently given their operating licenses which increases the total number of universities to about 138. Social development and learning are the key focus areas of our company so considering the high rate of unemployment in the country, we believe it is our mandate to grow a Nigerian workforce with the appropriate skills and attitudes to sustain socioeconomic growth and development.”

“What our toolkit does is develop the employability skills of graduates of Nigerian universities through workshops and bespoke coaching sessions; and we simply create the opportunities for them to get jobs or internships through strategic partnerships.”

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According to her, “ we see personal development as a major building block to getting a job and as such we encourage participants to take ownership of their own growth process through a continuum of learning. We do not necessarily provide jobs and not everyone who attends our workshops will get a job. We do something basic but different. We bridge the gap between education and the world of work; simply put we match skills provision to enterprise needs.”

When asked how this project was born, the Project Director said, “We have a deep understanding of our people who are our graduates and the business processes of our market but more so, we are passionate about assisting both individuals and businesses succeed within the African emerging markets. JobRed evolved from us being at the forefront of a particular recruitment exercise of about 5,000 applicants. What we are doing is projecting, preparing ourselves to meet future labour market needs. So it is not only a natural extension of our business, it is the heart of our business.”

Explaining further, Afolabi-Balogun said, ‘’JobRed fosters a distinct new arm of the outsourcing industry that employs people within key entry level positions as principal staff particularly within SMEs and NGOs. It does not only provide workplace ready staff to our parnters, it provides solutions to meet, drive and grow their real business needs.”

Prof. Ogbimi the neglect of developing the people is a foolish nation.

On the other hand, our research revealed that learning is the primary source of sustainable economic growth, industrialization and development (SEGID). The newly-born baby, whether Caucasian, Asian or African, cries to announce its arrival in the world, if it is quite healthy. The baby soon begins to babble (learns how to talk) and acquires the skills and capability to talk and speak a language. All other skills are acquired through learning. Learning transforms an individual or nation from an undesirable status (UDS) into a desirable status (DES). Thus, it is learning that transforms a nation from the UDS characterized by agricultural/artisan economy, mass unemployment and poverty into the DES characterized by industrialization and wealth.

Nigerians must learn how to make the things Nigeria imports. Industrialization is promoted through learning. The intrinsic value of the learning-man or learning-woman appreciates in a compound fashion with learning intensity and time. Hence, the learning-man and learningwoman are Appreciating Assets (AAs). That means learning - education and training, is the primary source of SEGID. A nation which promotes education and training invests on an increasing investment function. Learning increases our knowledge, skills and capability to do things

including production.

Industrialization is a learning and capability-building process. Learning institutions increase the intrinsic values of the citizens of a nation and the intrinsic value of the nation.

Thus, when a person commences an educational or apprenticeship (training) scheme, he or she begins from the lowest or novice position. Usually, at the end of the first year of learning, the learning-person is promoted to the second level, having learnt the things scheduled for level one. At the end of the second year, the learning-person again, is moved to level three. The growth achieved this way is sustainable and promotes economic development. The learning person builds-up capabilities or competences. That is, his or her capabilities for doing things increase as long as he or she continues to learn. This also means that the learning person and nation move up the competence scale or ladder with increase in learning time and intensity.

The intrinsic value of the learning-person can be expressed in a quantitative manner.

In a nation where learning – education and training, is emphasized, there is continuous build-up of knowledge, skills and competences (KSCs). As the learning process continues, a point is reached where each type of KSCs begins to enjoy the supportive impact of all others and all of them together form an invisible KSCsnetwork, a sort of problem-attacking front.

The nation at that point achieves Industrial Revolution (IR) – a technological puberty.

The nation is described as an industrialized nation. That means, the nation achieves a unique knowledge-skills-competences status similar to achieving biological puberty in human beings. Industrialization like achieving puberty confers special advantages on an economy. The nation then enjoys the powers, or aftermath or fruits of industrialization. National productivity improves dramatically, the nation achieves economic diversification – the various sectors of the economy begin to perform efficiently and effectively.

Air ouching Liv es empo wer Airttel TTouching Lives empow erss more Nigerians One of the leading telecom service provider, Airtel Nigeria has empowered Hosea Gajere with walking ability after he was nominated for the Airtel Touching Lives programme, a social investment project aims at helping the downtrodden in the society.

Hosea Gajere who is resides in Kaduna was travelling with his brother to a neighbour town when they had accident. When they were taken to the hospital, it was discovered that the injury Hosea sustained on his legs was so severe that one of his legs had to be cut off. But Airtel came to rescue provided Hosea with a prosthetic leg and three months physiotherapy sessions to help him adjust to living with his condition and teaching him to walk again. All through Airtel Touching Lives programme.

“This revolutionary initiative which is broadcast through the Touching Lives TV series, has set the standard in needs –based CSR and set in motion an unstoppable cycle of giving that presented several individuals and communities with the foundation to build their dreams and fulfill their aspirations”.

“Season one of Airtel touching lives series addressed a wide spectrum of issues ranging from cerebral palsy to functional blindness, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS; while highlighting how the less-privileged in the society are empowered to actualize their dreams. Asides the less privileged, the show has also touched the lives of millions of Nigerians by inculcating in them the spirit of giving in order to impact on their

fellow Nigerians”.

The delighted Hosea Gajere thanked Airtel Nigeria for giving him a chance to walk and live again. He explained that the prosthetic leg will help return his life back to normalcy and he can be able to take care of his widowed mother.

“It’s like they have given me my leg back. I know this sounds strange but with this leg, I can walk as far as I want and carry out my daily activities just like before, especially without the help of anybody. With this leg, there is no limit for me,” Hosea Gajere said.

For Hosea the prosthetic leg also helped him regain his confidence. Before, he looked different and with the prosthetic leg he will no longer stand out in the crowd as the man with just one limb.

Hosea Gajere, an amputee has been able to get a prosthetic leg, but the underlying fact here is how many amputees are able to get prosthetic legs to walk again? Statistics from the United States reveal that the total number of amputees living in the US is about 1.7 million. Records also reveal the reason for these amputations. 69% of amputations are due to vascular diseases including diabetes and peripheral arterial disease; 22% are performed due to trauma; 4% of amputations are performed due to congenital anomalies and less than 2% is due to cancer. Amputation of the leg either above or below the knee is also the most common amputation surgery.

62— SATURDAY VANGUARD, MAY 30, 2015

SPANISH CUP FINAL:

Bilbao can’t stop Messi — Mascherano

..Barca’s treble chase continues tonight

B

Arsenal battle Aston Villa in David vs Goliath final

ARCELONa midfielder Javier Mascherano says the Blaugrana are in good physical and mental shape as they enter the decisive phase of the season.

Luis Enrique’s men have already wrapped up the League title and are now setting their sights on the Copa del Rey,, which final holds tonight at the Camp Nou and Champions League trophies, although the Argentine has issued a note of caution to expectant fans.

“We are at our peak and have been playing some good games, but nothing is guaranteed,” warned Mascherano in an interview with ESPN Radio Sur. “Also, we have a good feeling about the final three weeks of the campaign because we are fresh both physically and mentally, while the coaching staff have managed things really well with •Sanchez regard to rotations.

“After [the

T

HE oldest football competition in the world, the English FA Cup holds today at Wenbley Stadium, with Arsenal confronting Aston Villa for the right to win the last silverware on offer in England.

Arsenal, who are the defending champions of the most glamorous competition in the United Kingdom, appear to be the favourites to win a second FA Cup title in two years but they can’t start counting their chicks until they are hatched because of the unpredictable nature of the competition, where underdogs have shocked favourites in the final.

Aston Villa manager, Tim Sherwood will be counting on star striker Christian Benteke to fire in the goals against Arsene Wenger’s charges, who in turn will be banking on the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud to find the net.

It promises to be an interesting end to the football season in England, with both •FA Cup trophy set of fans looking forward to a feast of end-to-end football cause a shock against Arsenal. action.

“I believe we’re going to get a Goakkeeper Shay performance like we put in against Givenhas given a ‘Count Liverpool,” he told a news conference. me in’ FA Cup final “I know what the boys are capable of message to Sherwood. in one-off games. On big occasions, The 39-year-old keeper they’ve produced the goods and looks set to face Arsenal we need to do it one more time. at Wembley today “The boys performed on a after shaking off a huge stage as underdogs groin injury. against Liverpool, but we Given has been deserved to win that game No2 all season but and we’re hoping we can has been used for do the same.” all the games en Cup holders Arsenal route to the final. finished third in the And boss Premier League, 14 Sherwood said places above Villa, and that the beat them twice, by 3-0 veteran and 5-0, before keeper had Sherwood took over. trained on “Arsenal are probably Thursday the best footballing team and is up in the league,” he said. f o r “They are a top, top selection football team. They’ve Sherwood got players that can win a game said: “He has trained on their own. and we’re hopeful he’ll “I have a lot of respect for be alright. But the (manager) Arsene Wenger. He nature of this club is you sticks to his philosophy. I know can’t hold your breath. exactly how he’ll play.”

I’ve not yet made my Sherwood said he intends to decision on the keeper. counter Arsenal’s close-passing Kieran Richardson also style by attacking them in an trained , Ally Cissokho attempt to earn Villa the cup for the is fit and Jores Okore first time since 1957. also trained for the first “We intend to take the game to them. time. If everyone’s fit we The boys know they can make history. could play the same Someone can be a hero. It’s an team as the semi-finals.” opportunity for everyone to write the And Sherwood history books again.” believes his team can C M Y K

final match against] Deportivo we started preparing for the Copa del Rey and Champions League finals.

“We are aware of the euphoria of the supporters but they are going to be two very difficult games. Athletic [Bilbao] are a Cup team that is used to playing in finals.”

Asked about the continuity of Enrique on the Barcelona bench, the 30-yearold refused to engage in speculation over the Coach’s future.

“Barca is a club that is always surrounded by rumours and a place where peace is never achieved.

There are always different debates springing up.

“It’s been like this all season and we’ve learned how to focus on just the football.

•Messi

Sanchez banks on Wenger for glory

A

LEXIS Sanchez has opened up about his relationship with Arsene Wenger and described the Arsenal manager as “a legend” ahead of the FA Cup Final.

Sanchez has also explained why Arsenal is the perfect club for him and the reason the moved to Emirates Stadium last summer.

Speaking to BT Sport, Sanchez was full of praise for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

“He [Wenger] is a legend.

He is an Arsenal legend. You learn from him every day.

“Sometimes we discuss about things like I would like to train more, and he does not let me! But he definitely looks after me.”

Sanchez has revealed why he decided to join Arsenal despite interest from a host of other top European clubs.

“The reason why I moved to Arsenal is because there were a group of young players with the ambition to achieve things,” he said. “I thought that Arsenal was the perfect club for me, the perfect club to win titles and compete in every competition.”

Sanchez has watched videos

of Arsenal’s previous FA Cup wins this week and the 26-year-old is determined to end his first season in England with a trophy.

“The FA Cup is a competition with amazing history,” he said. “We watched a video about Arsenal’s previous wins and thanks to the clips I trained with even more motivation. I hope we can win the cup so the Arsenal supporters are happy.

“Arsenal is a magnificent club and I hope to win many titles here. I am going to do my very best to help the club achieve success.

“It has been a positive season but I have still got ambitions to win more. I would like to be closer to winning the Premier League title and get further in the Champions League.

Every time I play I do it with the same motivation. I want the team to grow more •Wenger and to compete in every competition we play.”

SATURDAY VANGUARD, MAY 30, 2015 — 63

FIFA U-20 World Cup:

Nigeria chase history

By John Egbokhan

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HE FIFA Under-20 World Cup has kicked off n New Zealand. 24 teams are featuring in the global competition for players below the age of 20, with Nigeria being tipped as one of the favourites to win the title. Since the competition started in 1979 in Tunisia,, the Flying Eagles are yet to lay their hands on the trophy and will be hoping for a change of fortune this time around when they begin their campaign against five-time champions Brazil on Monday..

The Flying Eagles are in group E, which also comprises the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea and Hungary, who they play on June 4 and June 7 respectively.

Nigeria’s games against Brazil, winners in1983, 1985, 1993, 2003 and 2011 is the standout game of the opening round, with Coach Manu Garba boasting that his side would not be intimidated by the glowing record of their south American giants.

“We might not have won this tournament since it started 1979 but I am confident that

pics/awoniyi, manu, final

we can give a very good account of ourselves against any team in this competition.

We are in the tournament to win and it starts with our opening match with Brazil, who are a very good side like •The Flying Eagles other teams here.

“My players are in the right frame of mind for this match decorated side in the a feast of football as young competition, having won six talents attempt to outshine and I believe that they will do titles and are going for an their best and live up to unprecedented seventh title each other for the ultimate prize expectations that they came this time around.. here with. It is going to be very The next one month promises tough but we Dortmund v are certainly ready to rumble with Brazil”, added Garba, who guided Nigeria to the FIFA U-17 title two years ago in Today’s German Cup final between the United Arab Dortmund and Wolfsburg at Berlin’s Olympic StaEmirates. dium will be go down in Despite their the history books as the huge strides in first where goalage-grade l i n e technology f o o t b a l l , w i l l make it’s Nigeria are yet debut in to win the FIFA Germany.

U-20 World Cup “Therewhile west coast fore this neighbors will be an Ghana have historic won it once game and while Argentina the first time are the most •Coach Manu Garba in a competitive match where the technology has been used here,” said

•Hopes for the best in football

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ORMER Super Eagles captain, Austin Okocha has congratulated Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa on his ascension to the top position.

Okowa was sworn-in yesterday by the Chief Judge of Delta

•Okocha

Wolfsburg:

Goal-line technology spices up German Cup final

Okocha congratulates Okowa

BY JOHN EGBOKHAN

In tomorrow’s matches, Qatar play Colombia, Mexico meet Mali, Uruguay confront Serbia while Portugal play Senegal.

State, Justice Marshall Umukoro at a colourful and well-attended ceremony in Asaba. Okocha, who is the elected Chairman of the Delta State Football Association said he was hopeful that Governor Okowa will continue the good works started by ex-Governor,

•Okowa

Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and fast-track the development of football in the Heart beat State.

The former PSG and Bolton midfielder added that he was looking forward to yhe support from Okowa to take Delta football to enviable heights and make the state a reference point in the country’s football landscape.

“We in the Executive Committee of the Delta State Football Association extend our congratulations to the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa on his swearing-in yesterday. “We are indeed celebrating Governor Okowa’ and hope for better days for our football. We strongly believe that the new Governor will fast-track the development of football in the state and hope for a fruitful working relationship with the new administration”, added Okocha.

DFB general secretary Helmut Sandrock.

The top clubs in Germany’s first two divisions voted last December in favour of bringing it in in time for next season.

Last year ’s Cup final was won 2-0 by Bayern Munich in extra time against Dortmund, but only after officials failed to spot that a header from Borussia defender Mats Hummels had crossed the line during the 90 minutes.

“The technology can only improve things,” said Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke.

“That was a clear goal — if it had counted, we would have won the final.”

Blatter wins FIFA vote amid corruption storm

S

epp Blatter won a fifth term as FIFA president on Friday in a dramatic end to an angry campaign dominated by a corruption storm that engulfed the leadership of world football.

His challenger Prince Ali bin al Hussein withdrew from the race after preventing Blatter from getting the required majority in the first round of voting.

Blatter, who had defied calls to resign, raised his arms in triumph and promised the congress to be the “commander” who “guides this boat FIFA” out of the corruption turmoil it has sunk into.The 79-year-old Blatter indicated he would not stand again saying he would handover a “strong” FIFA to “my successor” in four years.

Blatter fell seven votes short of the two thirds majority to win in the first round. He got 133 votes

to Prince Ali’s 73.

The brother of Jordan’s king still forced the vote into a second round, highlighting divisions within the scandal-tainted body that Blatter will struggle to overcome.

The prince thanked those “brave enough” to vote for him before announcing he was pulling out.

Blatter congratulated the prince on his performance.

The end of the campaign was overshadowed by the arrest on Wednesday of seven FIFA officials, including two vice presidents, accused by US authorities of taking tens of millions of dollars in bribes.

Swiss police are also investigating the award of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar which have also been surrounded by corruption allegations.

In a final plea for votes, Blatter vowed to lead FIFA out of the corruption controversy if reelected.

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 30, 2015

FIFA U-20 World Cup:

Iheanacho, Pereira, Donsah, Stendera set to twinkle as World Cup starts >>38,39

Nigeria chase history

>>62

Arsenal battle Aston Villa in David vs Goliath final

>>62 •Benteke

Okocha congratulates Okowa >>63

Blatter wins

CROSS WORD PUZZLE ACROSS

>>63 TODAY’S MATCHES FA CUP FINAL Arsenal v Aston Villa 5:30pm SPANISH CUP FINAL Barcelona v Ath.Bilbao 8:30pm GERMAN CUP FINAL Dortmund v Wolfsburg

7pm

TOMORROW’S U-20 WORLD CUP Qatar v Colombia 2am Mexico v Mali 2am Portugal v Senegal 5pm Uruguay v Serbia MONDAY, JUNE 1 Nigeria v Brazil

•Sanchez

2am

1)Former Kwara United Coach, Samson_(7) 5)Country in Africa (4) 7)Traditional Ruler of Ife(4) 8)Alcohol(3) 9)Musical Instrument (4) 10)Indian Currency(5) 13)Arrow (4) 15)Threesome(4) 17)Weird(5) 19)L.G.A in Akwa-Ibom (4) 21)Iran Capital City (6) 24)Former Nigerian President, Rtd. Major-General Aguiyi_(6) 27)L.G.A in Kwara State(4) 29)Former Minister of Technology, Professor Turner_(5) 31)Greek Alphabet (4) 33)L.G.A in Niger State (4) 34)Japanese Premiership Club (5) 37)Hausa Word for “Water”? (4) 38)Spot(3) 39)Croatian Currency (4) 40)Former Zambian President, Michael_(4) 41)Adamawa State Governor, Mr. Bala_(7) DOWN

1)Former Director of Currency Operations, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Mahmoud_(4) 2)L.G.A in Akwa-Ibom State (4) 3)State in Nigeria known as “The Power State”? (5) 4)England Capital City (6) 5)Ivory Coast Ëlephants”Midfielder, Cheik_(5) 6)Corps Marshall, Federal Roads Safety Corporation (FRSC), Mr. Boboye_(7) 11)Super Eagles Striker, Ikechukwu_(4) 12)Enyimba FC Striker, Daniel_(4) 14)Backwards(4) 16)Particles (4) 18)Manager (3) 20)Number (4) 21)Greek Prime Minister, Mr. Alexis_(7) 22)Vietnamese Currency Unit (3) 23)President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mr. Segun_(4) 25)President, Nigeria Labour C o n g r e s s ( N L C ) , Abdulwaheed_(4) 26)Precipitation(4) 28)Oyo State Capital (6)

Solution on page 21

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