Chibok burns again, as gunmen kill 51

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62176

We'll shock France — Yobo, Enyeama 56

**

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014

LASU to refund N69m excess fees to students

9

Chibok burns again, as gunmen kill 51 •Churches, houses razed; worshippers ambushed •Abuja bomb attack meant to intimidate us — Presidency M •Enugu church screens worshippers, bans handbags 13

BY HENRY UMORU & NDAHI MARAMA

•Ibadan flood: Death toll rises to 15

AIDUGURI— Gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram Islamic sect, yesterday, attacked some communities in Chibok and Biu local government areas of Borno State, killing no fewer than 51 people.

10

Continues on Page 5

COLUMNIST:

The forex market hoax: CBN Vs BDCs P.40

"Boko Haram 486": Handle with care •P.46

Mr & Mrs

NEW ARCHBISHOP OF IBADAN—New Archbishop of Ibadan (Nigeria) Gabriel Leke Abegunrin receives the Pallium from Pope Francis, during a mass for the new metropolitan archbishops and the solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, yesterday, at St Peter's Basilica in Vatican. AFP photo.

Police rescue kidnapped banker, nab suspect in Lagos C M Y K

6

2—V anguard, MOND AY, JUNE 30, 2014 2—Vanguard, MONDA

C M Y K

Vanguard, MOND AY, JUNE 30, 2014—3 MONDA

C M Y K

4—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014

Dangote launches noodles, pasta

Ramadan: Glo calls for for sober reflection

D

N

ANGOTE Noodles and Pasta, a subsidiaries of Dangote Flour Mills, are set to introduce the new and improved pasta and noodles brands in new exciting packs.

The company, in a statement said it was committed to providing quality products and build reputable brands that drive consumer preference.

It said: "In our never ending bid to achieve absolute consumer satisfaction, we have improved the formulation of Dangote Spaghetti now offering non-sticky strands, giving a great cooking experience that supercedes any brand in it’s category."

Dangote Pasta comes in three variants: Spaghetti Standard, Spaghetti Slim and Macaroni Elbow.

Dangote Noodles, the statement said, offers great tasting noodles at a great value. Made with the finest quality ingredients, Dangote Noodles guarantees great tasting meals every time.

FUNERAL SERVICE FOR LATE JUSTICE OPUTA: From left: Anyim Pius Anyim, Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Mrs. Kema Chikwe; Lady Mercy Orji and Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, during the funeral service for the late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Oguta, in Imo state.

Jonathan flays Bauchi, Kaduna attacks A

BUJA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has condemned Friday night’s bombing in the Bayan Gari area of Bauchi State.

In a statement issued yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, Jonathan also condemned the killings in the Southern part of Kaduna State.

He expressed his administra-

tion’s determination to bring the perpetrators to justice.

He commiserated with the families of those killed in the attacks and extended his sympathies to those who were injured or lost their property in “the wanton assaults on Bauchi and Kaduna States”.

The statement read in part: “President Jonathan reas-

Maku advocates special fund for families of fallen Labour activists

BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

A

BUJA—MINISTER of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, weekend, solicited for the establishment of a special fund to take care of the families of fallen activists in the labour and social movement who dedicated their lives to the struggle for democracy, freedom and welfare of the citizens.

He spoke in Abuja at the public presentation of a book on the biography of the Late Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, a former Deputy General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, who was murdered on May 4, 2012, while serving as the Principal Private Secretary of Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

When such a fund was established, the Minister said, it would support the economic and social well-being of the families of fallen activists as a mark of honour and appreciation for the sacrifices they

made to improve the way the society was governed.

He said: “If we have a standing fund for fallen comrades, it means that as workers, we will contribute, as public servants we will contribute, as business people, we will contribute according to our capacities and that will then make it possible for that foundation to reach out to the children of our fallen comrades.

“I have discovered that it is not easy for you to remember when you act as an individual because you are always overwhelmed by the daily pressures of the work you do but if there is a movement or an organisation that will constantly remind us because it is their duty to do so, then all of us can always make contributions for those who have fallen because this is our duty, it’s our responsibility to do so.”

The Minister attributed the return of democracy to Nigeria in 1999 to the struggle and sacrifices of activists rather than politicians, saying the nation owed the fallen activists a duty

to ensure that their families lived comfortably.

“When the annulment came (June 12), the people who made it impossible for the military to stay were not the politicians. They were those of us who were not members of registered political parties that said this game must end and we aroused Nigerians,” he said.

He paid tributes to the late Comrade Oyerinde for his struggle against apartheid and settler-colonialism in Southern Africa and the campaign for liberal democracy against communism since the university days .

According to him, the democracy which people like the late Oyerinde fought for Nigeria was now delivering results in different sectors of the economy under President Goodluck Jonathan as evidenced in the revival of the railways to provide alternative and affordable means of transportation, reforms in the power sector.

sures the people of Bauchi and Kaduna States that the Federal Government will continue to take all necessary action to apprehend the perpetrators of the dastardly attacks.

“The government will also restore the fullest possible security to all parts of the country.

“The president has directed all relevant Federal Government agencies to continue to speedily make emergency medical and relief assistance available to all those who were either injured or displaced by recent bombings and attacks.

“He urges all Nigerians to give maximum support and cooperation to the Armed Forces and security agencies who continue to work incessantly to end the menace of insecurity in the country within the shortest possible time.”

ATIONAL Telecommunications operator, Globacom, has wished Muslims in Nigeria divine strength and spiritual fulfilment as the holy month of Ramadan commences. The company also urged Muslim faithful to use the period to re-dedicate themselves to godliness, a life of discipline and devotion to Almighty Allah.

In a statement by the company’s Group Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Mohamed Jameel, Globacom called on “all Muslims to pray with one accord for themselves, their families, the nation and the world at large.”

Globacom said as Nigeria was currently passing through a trying phase in its development, Muslim faithful should pray for the peace and unity of the nation.

The company advised them to see the “Ramadan as a period of total spiritual cleansing, sober reflection and expression of love for other Faithful. We believe that this year’s Ramadan will usher in a new era of prosperity, love, peaceful co-existence and stability for our country,” the statement said. It urged Muslims to imbibe the teachings of Prophet Mohamed and continue to live a life of uprightness while upholding the tenet of the Islamic religion, which is peace.

“Globacom wishes all our Muslim brethren a very successful Ramadan period and we pray that the Almighty Allah will show benevolence to all faithful and our country as a whole,” it said.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014—5

POCKET CARTOON

DINNER—The 1974 set of the Nigerian Law School held its 40th anniversary of call to bar with a Lecture/Dinner at the WheatBaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos , weekend. From left: Mrs Modepeola Oguntade, Hon Justice George Oguntade, Hon Justice Ayotunde Phillips, Chief Judge of Lagos State; Dr Alex Ekwueme and wife Helen at the ceremony. Photo: Shola Oyelese.

Chibok burns again, as gunmen kill 51 Continues from page 1 Those killed were mostly Christian worshippers. Five churches including COCIN, EYN and Deeper Life Bible Church in Kwada village, about 10 kilometres from Chibok were also burnt down when the gunmen laid ambush on them during church service.

The attacks were carried out on a day the Federal Government said last week's bomb attack on Abuja was meant to intimidate the government and that it is a struggle for power.

It was in Chibok town that 276 female students of Government Girls Sec-

ondary School were abducted by terrorists on April 14 this year.

Boko Haram had two weeks ago written to Chibok communities threatening to carry out further attacks.

The attackers, according to report from locals in Chibok, made good their threat at a time the people were all in Church for the Sunday worship. A resident of one of the affected communities, Amos Bulus told Vanguard that, “the attackers killed and burnt houses after attacking worshippers in five churches in Kwada, before moving to Kautikari less than 8 kilometres to Chibok

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

‘Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.... Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand...’

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

The majority of men meet with failure because of their lack of persistence in creating new plans to take the place of those which fail — Napoleon Hill

N

APOLEON Hill, in one of his famous books made a distinction between people. And he said the difference between people who are able to live a fully functioning life and to attract riches and wellness and happiness and abundance and prosperity into their lives is that the people who do that have something that he called a “burning desire.”

And a burning desire is very different than just, “Oh, I’d really like to do well, I’d like to have my book do well, I’d like to have this music that I’m writing do well, I’d like people to know about it,” and so on.

A burning desire is much deeper, it’s like having an inner candle flame that, no matter what goes before you, it doesn’t even flicker. And this is something that you can experience if you believe in yourself.

There are so many people, who don’t give enough, and maybe just a little more effort would have made a difference – they have a desire but they don’t have the willingness and the fearlessness and the determination to follow through with their dreams.

C M Y K

town, killing and burning down people’s houses and property.

The security operatives were not on ground to defend us. In fact, those who ran into the bush were pursued and killed by the murderers.”

It was gathered from another source that the people living in Chibok town have fled their homes following the news of the attacks in Kwada and Kautikari.

A police officer, Peter Maina said he was called out from a Church service in Maiduguri, only to be informed that his brother was killed at Kwada when the insurgents attacked the village during church service.

Tears flow from Chibok natives Vanguard also gathered that Chibok natives resident in Maiduguri could not hold back tears, yesterday, when they learnt that some of their villages came under deadly attacks .

At Chikwarkir village in Biu Local Government Area, a resident, Mallam Audu Zira told Vanguard on phone that the terrorists came in pick up vehicles and motorcycles and opened fire on people before setting houses, and other property ablaze.

He said after killing one person, the terrorists carted away foodstuffs and motorcycles before they fled into the bush.

All efforts to reach spokesman of the Borno State police command, DSP Gideon Jibrin proved abortive as his line was switched off at the time of this report.

Sen. Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District also confirmed the multiple attacks on Chibok villages, yesterday, in a telephone interview in Maiduguri.

He said the Federal Government should do more by deploying more troops to the affected areas of Chibok to secure other villages from being attacked by Boko Haram insurgents.

“The military and other security agencies should do more by not only deploying more personnel, but cooperating fully with members of the Local Vigilante Group in fighting terrorism and insurgency in this part of the state. They know the terrains of Sambisa Forest and can track insurgents in their hideouts.

“The two should work as a team to end this Boko Haram insurgency that will clock five years

by July 29, 2014”, Ndume said.

Chibok girls: US reduces surveillance flights Meanwhile, the United States said weekend that it had reduced its surveillance flights in the search for more than 200 schoolgirls abducted

by Boko Haram members on April 14 this year but added that the overall effort was unchanged due to more flights by other countries.

“We don’t have any better idea today than we did before about where these girls are, but there has been no let up of the effort itself ”, Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby told reporters. Kirby said the same level of effort was being sustained now through international involvement.

A U S defence official speaking on condition of anonymity told Reuters that US flights had been reduced only after a body of intelligence had been gathered and that the cuts had been offset

by British and French support.

Boko Haram in Abuja to intimidate us — Presidency Meanwhile, the Presidency said, yesterday, that the activities of members of Boko Haram, resulting in massive killings and wanton destruction of property in some parts of the country was about the struggle for power, just as it vowed that as a government, it was too big to be disturbed by those it described as a handful of miscreants.

According to the Presidency, the mission of the Boko Haram Islamic sect in Abuja was to intimidate the Federal Government as well as cause confusion in the country.

Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, who spoke, yesterday, during a condolence visit to the Abuja office of New Telegraph to commiserate with the management and staff over the death of the organisation’s Managing Editor, North, Suleiman Bisalla, stressed that though the incessant bombings worry the Federal Government, it will not rest on its oars.

Bisalla died in last Wednesday’s bomb blast at Emmab Plaza, Wuse, Abuja.

Okupe, who described Bisalla’s death as most painful, said, “this country is not going under because of insurgency.

We are too big to be disturbed by a handful of miscreants. In the fullness of time, all those who have a hand in this will pay for it. It is about time we go a step further. Boko Haram is about the battle for the soul of this country; what can be the sense

behind killings if not struggle for power? God will help this country to overcome the menace. I want to assure Nigerians that Boko Haram may bomb us and destroy our property, but they cannot win the war.

We will prevail, we Nigerians will prevail.

“The activities of Boko Haram are generally incomprehensible, we do not understand what they stand for fully, what they want, who they really are; all we see is wanton violence against our people. No delineation of class, religion or ethnicity.

“By coming to Abuja is to intimidate government, it is not working, it is not going to work.

“At first, we thought it was Muslims fighting Christians, then we thought some Christians have seized the franchise and are also fighting Muslims. Now, we see that Boko Haram is fighting every body. It is fighting the soul of Nigeria,.

“The incessant nature of these bombings worries government, it is perplexing. But government is not resting on its oars and their activities will not dampen in any way the spirit and the commitment of government to protect lives and property of the citizens."

Okupe, who noted that the insurgents took the government and security agencies unawares against the backdrop that terrorism was new to Nigeria, said: “It is true, government was unprepared for it, our security agencies were unprepared for it but we are now ready for it. We will stop it. Let them go into any hole, hide anywhere, we have enough resources, men and material, committed people to round insurgency to the ground.

“What is painful is the attack on Nigerians just toiling for daily living.

95 per cent of them are not connected to politics but they are snatched away by the mindless act of a few."

6—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014

Drug trafficker indicts NDLEA staff

BY EVELYNUSMAN

L

AGOS — A CLEARING and forwarding agent arrested with 3kg of methamphetamine at the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company, NAHCO, shed by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has indicted a staff the agency attached to Anambra State Command of aiding him.

The chairman of the agency, Ahmadu Giade, has however said that the indicted staff identified as Ibidayin Godwin, would be prosecuted alongside the arrested suspect and three others.

The suspected drug trafficker identified as Adetoye Taiwa was reportedly arrested at the verge of exporting the hard drug to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

NDLEA Commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr. Hamza Umar explained: "We apprehended one Adetoye Taiwo, who is a clearing and forwarding agent, with 3kg of methamphetamine meant for export to Malaysia.

"In the process of investigation, he indicted Ibidayin Godwin, an officer of the NDLEA working at the Anambra State Command.

"We have also arrested three others, Taiwo Ososanya, Fatai Olawale Akera and Alhaji Yusuf Olayemi Bankole, who are being quizzed by our investigators."

Also speaking on the arrest, Giade said the agency would remain transparent in its operations, adding that it would not spare anyone found to be involved in drug trafficking.

He said: "The indictment of Godwin is in line with our policy of follow-up operation on every arrest and seizure made.

"I have institutionalised a culture of transparency in the NDLEA. Anybody indicted must be thoroughly investigated no matter how highly placed and if found guilty the law will take its course.

"The agency will continue to provide a level playing field for all. No stone must be left unturned in the quest for a drug-free society. We must bring every culprit to justice by turning our investigative searchlight in all directions."

According to him, the suspects would soon be charged to court following the establishment of a prima facie case of conspiracy, unlawful possession and exportation of nacortics against them.

Police rescue kidnapped female banker, nab suspect in Lagos

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

L

AGOS — THE Police in La gos State, weekend, burst a kidnap gang operating at Ajah area of state and rescued a female banker and one other, while a member of the gang was arrested.

Vanguard gathered that the female banker identified simply as Ladi and the other victim, identified as Patrick, were kidnapped by the gang last weekend at Elemoro area of Ajah while driving into their houses.

The kidnappers were said to have double crossed the victims with a Toyota Camry car and whisked them away in separate operations.

Police sources disclosed that the kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N100 million for the release of the victims but it was later reduced to N6 million.

A source further added that a combined team of SARS and SIB operatives were deployed to Ajah in search of the victims, but they succeeded on the sixth day as they found them abandoned in a forest at Elemoro area of Ajah.

According to the source, “the operatives tracked the kidnappers to a forest and while they were combing the place for the victims, they spotted a man who looked suspicions and arrested him. The man posed as a bricklayer, but af-

ter a short interrogation it turned out that he was a member of the kidnap gang and was taken into the forest in search of the victims who were later found while their kidnappers escaped.“

A

KURE — A Policeman was shot during a gun battle with an eight-man Fulani robbery gang at Oba Akoko area of Ondo State.

He is currently on admission in a private hospital following the bullet wound he sustained during the shoot-out with the robbers.

Two of the armed robbers, Aminu Abubakar 26, and Abubakar Umar, 33, were however arrested while others escaped during the about 30 min-

BY BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO

L

OKOJA — A middle-aged man in Ejegbo, Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State, Abimaje Ademu, has committed suicide over inexplicable frustration.

The late Abimaje, a transport worker, was said to have been frustrated after his three wives deserted him simultaneously and all efforts to bring the last one back failed.

A source from the commu-

A

BEOKUTA — A magistrate's court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta has remanded a 32-year-old man, Kazeem Odetayo, in prison for allegedly defiling a three-year-old girl.

The accused was reported to have inserted his finger into his victim’s private part on June 1, 2014 at Agbegilere Street, Itoku, Abeokuta.

nity said his corpse was found dangling from the ceiling of his room after returning from the motor park where he had gone for his daily work.

On returning home, he was said to have gone to his one-room apartment and hanged himself.

Though the deceased did not leave behind any note, the source said the late Abimaje had grown frustrated due to his inability to have a settled

home.

According to the source, “the deceased had been so lonely that he attempted suicide twice. He was also said to have sought love from his estranged wives but felt rejected.”

However, the Ankpa Divisional Police has conducted preliminary investigation and gave the relations the order to bury his remains in accordance with islamic rites.

Controversy trails teenager's murder in Benin

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

B

ENIN — CONTRO VERSY has continued to trail the killing of a 15-year-old teenager, identified as Lovely Omoregie, in Edo State, allegedly killed by policemen under question-

utes gun battle.

Six other suspects, according to Police source, escaped with bullet wounds and abandoned their weapons.

The abandoned weapons include five locally made barrel guns, one dane gun and three cutlasses Police source hinted that the robbers had been terrorising Ago-Ajayi/ Oba Akoko.

This compelled the people of the town to mobilise to the Police station at Oba Akoko to lodge a complaint.

Court remands man, 32, for defiling 3-yr-old girl

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

cated to Lagos three weeks ago. Our source also added that the suspect said the gang had planned to use the N6 million ransom to rent an apartment they would use as hideout.

Man commits suicide in Kogi over wives' desertion

Policeman shot in gun battle with robbers

BY DAYO JOHNSON

Vanguard gathered that the suspect, whose name was withheld as the policemen were still on the trail of other members of his gang, confessed that his gang was based in Delta State but relo-

The prosecutor, Inspector Sunday Eiggbejiale, told the court that the accused enticed the victim with snacks before defiling her.

However, the accused pleaded guilty to the one-count charge levelled against him.

The presiding magistrate, Martins Akinyemi, remanded the accused in prison and adjourned the case till July 10, 2014.

able circumstances.

According to reports, the deceased was killed on June 5 at about 11.00 am while he was playing card game with five of his friends in front of their residence, 20, Omoregie Street, off Upper Mission, Ikpoba Hill, Benin City.

Vanguard learnt that a police team from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Edo State Police Command drove into the compound and asked the young men why they were not in school at that time.

According to a source close to the deceased family, before the teenagers could respond the police allegedly handcuffed the boys and later shot the victim thrice and arrested five others.

The names of the teenagers, who were arrested after the late Lovely Omoregie was shot, are Magnus Ohenuwa, 24.

Maureen Omofonmwa, 19; Omorogie Osarodion, 17 (elder brother to the late Lovely); Akhere Okwueze,17 and Efosa Uwadia, 18.

Attempt to label the deceased robber

While the family of the deceased was left to mourn their dead, on June 6, the Edo State Police Command obtained a warrant from a Coroners Court after misinforming the magistrate that late Omoregie was shot at a scene of robbery. With the new development, the victim's family approached a counsel to take up the case.

Legal intervention

According to the family lawyer, Benjamin Iluobe, who spoke with Vanguard on phone, "I called the Investigating Police Officer, IPO, on phone and warned him that Omoregie should not be buried as an armed robber.

"I also called the Edo State Commissioner of Police not to allow his officers bury the victim as an armed robber. The Commissioner of Police ordered for the arrest of the six police officers responsible for the murder of the innocent teenager."

The Commissioner of Police also pleaded with me to see him in his office, but I gave him condition that the five other teenagers in custody be released. Which was why the CP ordered for the release of the teenagers.

"Immediately after their release, I proceeded to court on June 9 and obtained an exparte motion that restrains the police from burying the murdered teenager and the hospital from releasing the corpse to the police pending the determination of the motion on notice fixed for July 8.

Vanguard reliably gathered that there is a grand plot to cover up the case as those responsible for the death of Lovely Omoregie are senior officers and are offering monetary compensation to the family to discontinue the case.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014—7

Philips, Agbakoba, Clarke lament decline in quality of Law School products

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

L

AGOS —LAGOS State Chief Judge, Justice Ayotunde Phillips; former President of Nigeria Bar Association, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba; and Chief Robert Clarke, have said the quality of graduating Nigerian Law School students is nothing to write home about.

Speaking with Vanguard during the 40th anniversary of the 74 set of Nigerian Law School, in Lagos, the chief judge explained that the decline in the quality of Nigerian lawyers, who are newly called to Bar, is because the practice is purely different from theory taught in the school.

According to the chief judge, “ when you leave the Law School, you are just beginning to learn the practice of the profession. What we have done in the university is purely theory, and now we are going to put it in practice. You are going to find out that the practice is purely different from the theory.

“You have to first master the practice then the theory comes up from time to time. So, it's definitely not the same quality. Those coming out now, it will take them sometime, even the next 10 or 20 years, to master it.”

education and ethical system of the days of Ebironke, when they were teaching us, is gone. So in a word, the quality now is nothing to write home about.

“Now, the whole legal education infrastructure has collapsed, so you cannot expect to see the type of lawyers you saw graduate 40 years ago from the Nigerian Law School. The decay is unbelievable. It is a general Nigeria's problem that the national development infrastructure has collapsed.”

Agbakoba, who is a member of the ongoing National Conference and a Life-Bencher, noted that if he was to determine how many students would be

called to Bar annually, only 20 students would pass in every 1,000.

Don't start with charge and bail practices —Clarke

Lamenting the decline in the quality of graduating Nigerian Law School students, Clarke advised young lawyers not to allow monetary consideration to affect their way of starting their practice.

He said: “Young lawyers, who are coming into the profession should not allow monetary consideration to affect their way of starting their practice. They should try and fix themselves in reputable chambers and have pupillage of at least five, six or seven years before setting up theirs.

“The young lawyers should not start with private or charge and bail practices.

And I believe that the legal profession as of today has so many areas of professionalism that you can specialise in. The sky is the limit for anyone.”

According to him, the judges of 40 years ago were more determined in the dispensation of justice, without fear or favour, and this is due to many factors.

“As long as I would have wished to say that the quality of Nigerian lawyers and judges 40 years ago is the same with graduating Nigerian Law School students now, my conscience will not allow me to say so,” he added.

Legal education infrastructure had collapsed —Agbakoba

Agbakoba, on his part, said the whole legal education infrastructure had collapsed, adding that the education and ethical system of the days of Ebironke, when they were teaching them, is gone.

In his words: “The quality with today's graduating Nigerian Law School students has declined, compared to the quality of Nigerian lawyers and judges 40 years ago. The

Nigeria Ambassador to Ireland, Amb. Bolere Elizabeth Ketebu (right) presenting her letter of credence to Ireland President, Michael Higgins, in the country, weekend.

RAMADAN: Mark enjoins Muslims to pray against forces of evil

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

A

BUJA — SENATE President, Senator David Mark, has enjoined Muslims in the country to pray for peace, unity and continued survival of Nigeria as they begin fasting commencing the holy month of Ramadan.

Mark, in a goodwill message to Muslim faithful signed by his Chief Press Secretary, urged them to pray for the nation and her people to overcome the trying times.

According to him, “more than any time else, the nation requires your support and prayer to triumph over forces of evil facing the nation. Our security operatives have been over-stretched.

Our people are daily being killed needlessly. Our only hope is in the divine intervention of the Almighty creator to salvage the situation.

“It is has, therefore, become imperative that you commit yourselves to praying for the peace, unity and survival of Nigeria in this holy month of Ramadan.”

He also called for support and cooperation of all to the security operatives to combat the menace of insurgents ravaging the country.

The Senate President solicited religious tolerance between and among religious groups, pointing out that in spite of the challenges, especially insecurity, the unity of Nigeria should not be compromised.

2015: Useni, Gana, Wabara, Mantu, Ita-Giwa, others woo delegates to join NUF

BY HENRY UMORU

A

BUJA — AHEAD of 2015 Presidential election, strong indications emerged, weekend, that there were moves to strengthen the political structure of President Goodluck Jonathan as he plans to declare for his reelection bid through a group called National Unity Forum.

At the weekend, the arrow heads of the forum, former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Gen. Jerry Useni; ex- Senate President, Adolphus Wabara; former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu; former Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Florence

Ita-Giwa, among others gathered delegates to the on-going National Conference for an interactive dinner at the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

The event which had in attendance delegates from across the six geo-political zone was, according to the organisers, designed to further strengthen the unity of the country.

Nigeria yet to evolve into nation state —Wabara

Speaking at the event, Wabara and a delegate said despite the significance of Nigeria in the in-

ternational scene, it was yet to evolve into a true nation.

Wabara, who spoke on the backdrop of last Wednesday’s bomb blasts at a shopping mall in Wuse II, however, hailed President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration for convening the national conference which has brought together prominent Nigerians to help proffer solutions to some of the current challenges bedevilling the nation.

According to him, “after one century of existence as geo-political entity, Nigeria is yet to evolve into a nation state.

Though it plays important roles in the international arena, it lacks the structures that present it as a

developed nation.”

NUF not partisan —Ita-Giwa

Welcoming delegates to the official flag-off ceremony of the National Unity Forum (NUF), Senator Ita-Giwa, who noted that she was impressed with the calibre of delegates and very robust discourse and issues which helped to douse the initial scepticism associated with the 2014 conference, said there was need for a post conference platform to further bond the delegates as well as consolidate on the established relationship created at the conference.

According to her, “a lot has

been achieved from this forum, many of us belong to more than one forum.

This forum is not partisan. This is not a political thing and I don't believe in any agenda so to speak.”

In his remarks, Senator Ibrahim Mantu said the quality of debates at the conference had been very impressive, adding that it provides an opportunity for delegates who have never been used to the workings of the legislature to talk and interact anywhere in the world, just as he enjoined Nigerians to always opt for cordial co-existence among all ethnic groups as peace was a major factor for development.

8 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014

2015: Nigerians must defend, protect democracy — PROF ALKALI

BY HENRY UMORU

A

BUJA—SPECIAL Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Political Matters, Prof.

Rufai Ahmed Alkali has stressed the need for Nigerians to defend and protect the nation’s democracy if it must be sustained and guaranteed.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja weekend, Prof.

Alkali, warned that ahead of 2015 general elections, all Nigerians must rise against those he described as desperate politicians working hard to bring down democratic governance and structure in the country, adding that President Jonathan has transformed the electoral process to a level where every vote counts and Nigerians must build on these gains.

The Political Adviser said, “Since the President has committed himself to provide a level-playing field, it is our own duty also to follow suit. So far, PDP has been giving the lead and we have evidence to show that over the past three years or more every effort has been made to entrench a system of open accountability in the electoral system.

“You people are living witnesses on several occasions when Mr. President, during the 2011 election and subsequently at every opportunity he had to speak, has said two things on two different levels.

“One, he has said that as far as he was concerned any of his ambition is not worth the blood of any citizen in this country and when Mr. President speaks, I believe he speaks from his heart.

“Secondly, the mantra we used in the previous election has been, as the President has called it himself, one man one vote, one woman one vote, one youth one vote.

“So we thought that the line has been drawn, that issues of violence should not be part of our democratic culture at all. Issue of door-die should not be part of our democratic culture again.

“So we are calling on all Nigerians to be very mindful that as we are setting our attention now towards Osun State and subsequently elections, people should be very careful they are not be used by desperate politicians.''

Some Nigeria's past leaders not nationalistic — FG ...As NLC insists on unraveling Oyerinde's killer

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

A

BUJA—MINISTER of In formation, Mr. Labaran Maku has said that some past leaders who had ruled the country are not nationalists because they do not say things that should unite the country instead they pitch either one tribe against the order or one religion against the order.

The minister stated this at the book presentation on the struggles for a better Nigeria in honour of Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, Governor Adams Oshiomhole's late Principal Secretary of Edo State, who was murdered by yet-to-be identified assassins in 2012.

Maku advised the labour leaders and civil society organisa-

tions to rise and challenge leaders who want to retard the progress of the country country.

Maku said that the late Comrade Oyerinde lived a life of service for the fatherland and that based on his achievements within the shortest time, there was no need to mourn instead, he should be celebrated even as he commended the author of the book Lois Otse Adams for putting the struggles of the late former leader into a book.

He said, “Really we can laugh today because we have come to celebrate a life, not to mourn. The time for mourning Olaitan is gone, we are looking at his life from the positive side, to see what this

young man, our comrade did for our country, for the labour movement, for the student movement, for the civil society movement in Nigeria. He grew up not in the ways many young people are growing up today, he grew up in an era of struggles.

“For the country to move forward we need people who live the life of sacrifice and not those that consider self first “We are very worried today because this tradition is virtually dying out and the evidence that it is dying out is the rise of religion and tribe as the ideologies now in the country. In our days, it was very dishouroable for anybody to be described as a re-

VISIT: Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko (right) presenting a souvenir to the Chairman, Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority, Mr. Williams Makinde (middle), while the Managing Director, Revd. Ebenezer Mafayeyomi watches, during a visit to the Governor's Office, in Akure.

APC condemns terrorist attacks in Abuja, Bauchi ...Urges FG to review anti-terrorism strategy

L

AGOS—THE All Progres sives Congress, APC, has condemned last week’s terrorist attacks in Abuja and Bauchi that killed at least 37 people and injured many more, calling the Boko Haram group suspected to be behind the attacks despicable and inhuman in its misguided terror campaign.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party repeated its earlier statement that nothing can justify the spilling of the blood of innocent citizens, while commiserating with the families of the victims.

The party also called on the Federal Government to review its strategy in the fight against terrorism, saying whatever is being done now is definitely not working, hence the deadly terrorist attacks have almost become a daily affair.

‘’Whatever strategy being used by this Federal Government is not yielding enough positive results.

Otherwise, these terrorists would not have gone from carrying out their attacks on the outskirts of a city like Abuja, for example, to exploding a bomb right in the heart of the city as was witnessed in Wuse 2 last week. ‘’This government should realise that its raison d’etre is the security and welfare of Nigerians, and that it has failed woefully in this regard. Therefore, it should be humble enough to admit its limitations and then reach out to all stakeholders, including those in the opposition, to rejig its antiterror strategy and save more innocent citizens from being killed

by Boko Haram,’’ the party said.

The APC wondered in particular why Abuja has remained so

vulnerable to such attacks, considering the millions of Naira reportedly spent on the CCTV project that was supposed to help secure the city, asking: ‘’Or has this project again become a victim of the runaway corruption and incompetence for which this administration is renowned?’’

The party said instead of reaching out across partisan lines as the opposition has suggested before, the Federal Government has resorted to chasing shadows while the killing of innocent citizens intensifies. ‘’The scorecard of this Federal Government in the fight against terror is very dismal. Some 76 days after over 200 girls were abducted from Chibok, the girls are not any nearer home today than they were on the day they were abducted,'' it said.

ligious fanatic or a tribalist, you were devalued when you show these tendencies, but today we just believe that it is just about our tribe, it is about our religion, about our side of the country.

“These again in my opinion showed that the social movement led by the NLC, civil society organisations and all of us who have this orientation, we must rise and challenge those who want to take Nigeria back to the narrow part, we must rise and challenge because we are ready to fight for this country up to death.

“By ensuring that, the social movements like the NLC, the civil society organizations, trade unions, professional associations, organization of the people, we need to cultivate a consciousness about a country beyond tribe and religion, it is very important.

Descibing President Goodluck Jonathan as a role model and a true nationalist, he said the president was one leader “ you can say is not playing one part against the other”.

According to him, “I believe the political class have a challenge, all of us, today you even have people who have ruled Nigeria before but they are not nationalists, if you rise to be a leader of Nigeria before, it is expected that you should be a nationalist anything you say must be for Nigeria and nothing else and all of us in politics we must cultivate the idea that this country is greater than a smaller unit from where we come and that way we can cultivate the national consciousness in our children.

“We need to also use our positions to cultivate the spirit of oneness spirit of nationalism in our people especially now because if you look at how terrorism has become a part of our life because of the misreading of religion or misapplication of religious beliefs we know that this we can do away with if all our leaders promote the life of oneness.”

Also speaking, the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Abdulwahed Omar said that the ciecumstances surrounding the death of Oyerinde had not been resolved and that the labour union would ensure that it get to the end.

He said, “The most unfortunate thing is that till today we cannot say with absolute certainty that even the security agencies have been able to get at the real culprits not to talk of bringing them to book, this is something very serious that we cannot allow to continue to happen in Nigeria especially when it affect people who are committed Nigerians, people who mean well for Nigeria.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014 —9

LASU to refund N69m excess fees to students

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

L

AGOS—LAGOS State University, LASU, has said following the reduction of tuition fees, it will refund over N69 million excess fees paid by the students for the 2013/2014 academic session.

This came after the state government’s decision to refund the excess to all students who had paid for the 2013/

2014 academic session.

During consideration, the Management of the university noted the directive of the Governing Council that all payments in excess of the new approved school fees regime should be refunded to students.

In compliance with this directive, the Bursary Department has been ordered to commence the compilation of the list of affected students, the amount in-

volved and to proffer an appropriate mode of refund.

After an extensive deliberation on the refund, the university said refunds would be made to students by cheques and the comprehensive list of the beneficiaries, the amount to be refunded to each student would be uploaded on the university website, while roster for the distribution of the cheques to beneficiaries would be made available in due course.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor John Oladapo Obafunwa,

commended the state government’s efforts at repositioning LASU for excellence, adding that the students, as well as the university community would reciprocate the noble gesture by contributing their quota to the upliftment of the Institution.

Dangote, General Electric build skill centre

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

L

FORUM: From Left: A prominent Epe daughter, Mrs. Shade Agbalajobi; retired Supreme Court Justice, Hon. Justice George Oguntade and Mr. D. Afinowi at a forum of Epe Elders, Obas and prominent indigenes organised by the Epe Unity and Development Council to sue for co-operation and unity towards the 2015 Governorship elections.

AGOS—IN apparent support to the Federal Government’s resolve to enhance skilled labour in the country, General Electric Nigeria, GE, in collaboration with Dangote and Points of Light foundations, yesterday, launched a centre in Lagos, aimed at training Nigerian youths on different skill sets.

The centre brings to Nigeria, GE’s global Garages program, representing innovation and manufacturing centre where aspiring entrepreneurs can develop new skills and learn about advanced manufacturing technologies.

Garages Nigeria, as the centre will be called, will run through June to July, 11, 2014 at GE’s regional headquarters in Lagos.

At the centre, General Electric said participants would work with technical experts and use advanced hardware and software to bring their ideas to life.

Multichoice, 2 others charged with illegal lottery activities

BY INNOCENTANABA

L

AGOS—A satellite cable television provider, Multichoice Nigeria Limited and two of its officers, Mr. Tayo Ajala and Tomi Olugbemi have been arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos over alleged conspiracy, false inducement and using the premises of Multichoice company for lottery purposes.

In the 22 count charge brought by Police prosecuting counsel of the Police Enforcement Unit on National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Abuja, the accused: Multichoice Nigeria Limited, Tayo Aajala, Tomi Olugbemi, John Ugbe, Bisi Animashaun, Martins Mabutho, Busola Tejumola some of who are now at large between October 2013 and March 2014 allegedly conspired together to induce Nigerians to confer benefit on them by entering into contract of buying the product of Multichoice Nigeria limited by way of advance payment of DSTV Telecast monthly subscription upon promise that participants would win a price of expenses paid trip to Grammy award in USA and

Zamba 2014 return ticket to brazil in a lottery which they never fulfilled.

The accused persons who pleaded not guilty are currently on bail The court has adjourned till July 8 for the trial of the accused persons to commence.

The prosecution further alleged that Multichoice company and its officers and some at large same time and place conspired together to induce one Emmanuel Igoche and other citizen of the federal Republic of Nigeria to buy the product of Multichoice tagged

‘Return ticket to 2014 Grammy award’, by way of advance payment of DSTV Telecast monthly subscription upon the promise that participant would win a price of expenses paid trip to Grammy award in USA in a lottery they never fulfilled.

The accused persons were alleged to have promoted a scheme captioned ‘DSTV SAMBA 2014 Return ticket to Brazil’ under which a promise was made to members of the Nigerian public participating in the lottery to the effect that they

would win a price in a lottery.

They are also accused of establishing and keeping the premises of Multichoice company on Plot 1381Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos as a place for the purpose of lottery.

The offences are contrary to and punishable under sections 34(4)(f) of the National lottery Act 2005 Laws of the federation of Nigeria and sections 1(3)and 8 of the Advance fee fraud and other fraud related offences Act cap A6 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2006.

Indigenous firms, worst oppressors of petroleum workers — PENGASSAN

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

L

AGOS—PETROLE UM and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, has accused indigenous oil companies of being the worst oppressors of workers in the petroleum industry.

Speaking through Babatunde Ogun, the immediate past President of the association, PENGASSAN lamented that the local investors and employers, breached collective bargaining agreement, CBA, suppressed unionism and inflicted unfair policies on workers at will.

Mr. Ogun, who spoke with Vanguard in Lagos, said; “Hardly could you find any Nigerian companies where unions operate. What they do is suppress unions and oppress the workers. As I am talking to you in most Nigerian entities, there are no unions. It is only multinationals that will sit down and engage labour in bargain to resolve contentious issues.

Virtually all the banks we have are owned by Nigerians and you can hardly see any effective unionism in the banks.

They practise contract staffing to suppress unionism and that is the challenge we have in the industry.”

He condemned perceived clandestine moves by government to public refineries, and slammed the Bureau of Public Enterprise, BPE, and government’s pattern of divestments and privatisation as dysfunctional.

NAFDAC seals 400 illegal pharmaceutical outfits in Lagos, Kano

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

L

AG O S — N AT I O N A L Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, weekend shut over 400 pharmaceutical stores over sale and distribution of substandard, spurious, falsely labeled, falsified counterfeit medical products, SSFFC in Lagos and Kano states.

Disclosing this in Lagos, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, also said fake products valued at N700 mil-

lion were seized by the Federal Task Force consisting of NAFDAC, and other stakeholders such as the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, PCN, Nigeria Police Force, NPC and Nigeria Customs Service among others.

Among the areas raided by the taskforce included Idumota and Mushin in Lagos, as well as Sabon-Gari drug market in Kano State.

Orhii noted that the operation to seal the stores and confiscate products was code-named, ‘Operation Porcupine’, a follow-up

to ‘Operation Mamba’ in East Africa in 2008 and ‘Operation Cobra’ which took place in seven West African countries in 2011.

He explained that the medicines discovered included counterfeit and expired products such as antibiotics, aphrodisiacs with pornographic pictorials, antimalarials, multivitamins, endocrinals like misoprostol, expired oxytocin injection and controlled products like Tramadol and Diazepam.

Orhii said banned products such as Analgin injection, con-

doms with unapproved pictorials and improperly stored vaccines like Tetanus Toxoid were among the products. ”The Tramadol Hydrochloride capsules discovered contained 200mg as opposed to approved dosage form of 50mg,” he said.

Orhii said the crackdown was aimed at combating pharmaceutical crime including smuggling and sale of substandard counterfeit medicines at Sabon-Gari drug market, Kano where SSFFC medical products were seized and evacuated on June 24.

10 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014

‘Osun’s first raw gold before end of the year'

Urban devt: Aregbesola to pay N2bn compensation

O

O

SOGBO—GOVER NOR Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has promised to pay N2billion as compensation to owners of property affected by the urban renewal project of the government before the end of the year.

The affected people included landlords and tenants along the popular MDS corridor, FakunleOlaiya axis, Old-GarageIgbona-Ayetoro, Ogbaagbaa, Okefia-Rasco, Ajegunle-Moshalashi Gaji to Orita Baba Onisekere as well as Railway Line axis all in Osogbo, the state capital.

Aregbesola commended the peaceful manner the affected people conducted themselves while the separation exercise lasted.

The governor observed that he understood the pain and hardship the urban renewal project had brought the people.

According him, the developmental stride of the government, especially the urban renewal, is not an attempt to cripple people’s businesses or inflict pains on their means of livelihood but to further open the state to the international world for desirable investment. As at today, the administration has paid about N812 million as compensation to some of the affected people. I have also approved a sum of N2 billion as additional funds to those whose properties were affected.''

FG approves Polytechnic for Ile-Oluji

BY DAYO JOHNSON

A

KURE—THE Federal Government weekend announced the sitting of a federal polytechnic in Ile Oluji, in Ile Oluji-Oke Igbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko, disclosed this at the palace of the Jegun of Ile Oluji Oba Stephen Adedugbe.

He said that he received the letter announcing the establishment of the Polytechnic from the Federal Government and decided to locate it in Ile Oluji.

The announcement of the institution was contained in a letter by the Honourable Minister of State and Supervising Minister for Education, Nyesom Wike.

FLOOD DISASTER: The pedestrian bridge linking Apete a suburb in Ibadan was washed away on Saturday evening as a result overflooding of Apete River caused by heavy rain. It resulted in the drowning of 10 people. Photo by Dare Fasube

Ibadan flood: Death toll rises to 15

BY OLAAJAYI

I

BADAN—FIFTEEN people have so far been drowned in the flood occasioned by heavy downpour that fell for several hours on Saturday.

While 10 casualties were recorded at Apete area of Oyo State on Saturday, another five persons including three children of a woman taking refuge in a C&S church located around Olodo river were said to have been swept away by the raging flood.

Giving account of how the woman and her children were swept away, a man identified as Fatai Osuolale, said the church and some buildings were submerged.

According to him, rescue team were still searching for the bodies of the victims adding that one body had been found so far.

He added that a car was also seen floating on the flood noting that the owner escaped unhurt as he was seen after the flood had subsided trying to remove his car.

Meanwhile, the death of about 10 people at Apete area has triggered street protests by some irate youth who felt that the slow pace of work on the main bridge led to the death of the people.

During the protest, the youths van-

dalized the work station of the contractor handling the IjokodoApete road and the bridge linking the two communities.

On the casualties recorded at Apete area of the city, hundreds of residents were seen at the end of the bridge waiting for rescue operation to start.

Some of them were throwing stones and other objects at a combined team of security agents who were at the Ijokodo end of the road to maintain order.

Bassey Etum, one of the security men employed by the construction company said that

he had to run into the bush to escape being lynched.

He said, “After the river had overflown its banks, residents at the community said people drowned because of the bridge that collapsed. They vented their anger on the company and destroyed our machines and equipment. They stole computers and other office equipment too. There were six security men here when they came last night (Saturday night). They wanted to lynch us so we ran into a nearby forest. When we returned around 11pm, the whole place had been vandalized.”

Fayose’s election: Ekiti PDP, APC bicker over next move

BY GBENGAARIYIBI

A

DO EKITI—ALMOST 10 days after it was declared winner of the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, yesterday accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Governor Kayode Fayemi, of

plotting with some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to manipulate ballot papers and other materials used during the June 21 governorship election, with a view to using the manipulated ballot papers at the Tribunal.

In a swift reaction to the al-

Aregbesola, Amosun counsel Muslims at Ramadan

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

O

SOGBO—AS the holy month of Ramadan began weekend, Governors Rauf Aregbesola and Ibikunle Amosun of Osun and Ogun states, respectively, yesterday urged Muslims in Nigeria to pray for peace and security in the country.

In separate statements, the governors implored Muslim faithful to imbibe the Islamic principles of love, compassion, self discipline and obe-

SOGBO—ALL is now set for the mining of the first gold in Ilesha, in the State of Osun as the Governor Rauf Aregbesola, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an Australian mining firm, Andalusian Mining Industry.

This came as the leader of the mining firm, Colin Miller, told the governor that his company would present the first raw gold to the people of the state before the end this year.

The signing ceremony took place at the Government House, Osogbo yesterday with a moderate ceremony with the governor in attendance.

The governor said the Australian mining firm had conducted a geological survey which confirmed that there was a huge deposit of gold in Ilesha.

Aregbesola said the discovery had presented the state with a wonderful opportunity to partner with Andalusian in the breakdown, exploration and mining of gold in the state.

He said the people and the state look forward to having maximum advantage of the mining firm’s presence in the state The governor described gold mining in state as a major breakthrough to the government and a business opportunity for the state.

He said the government looked forward to speedy operation and intervention in the prospecting for gold before the end of the year.

The governor expressed hope that the state has joined the league of mining of non-oil mineral producing states in the country.

dience to constituted authority.

Aregbesola said Ramadan was a month in which Muslims redouble their spiritual efforts for the attainment of piety.

He tasked the Muslim ummah to use the holy month to pray fervently for peace and security in the nation and the State of Osun.

On his part, Governor Amosun in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Wakama, admonished

adherents of Islam to continue to pray for enduring unity, peace and progress of the country at all times.

“As we all know, Ramadan is one of the compulsory pillars of Islam that must be observed by all Muslims. With sincerity of purpose and supplication to the almighty Allah, I believe that we can overcome all our challenges as a nation,'' he said.

legation, APC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr Segun Dipe, said the allegation was unfounded.

“The PDP is only engaged in panic reaction. That is not possible as all stakeholders including INEC officials and party agents among others all endorsed result sheets at various stages. Our party should be counted out of such a move,” Dipe said.

However, speaking through its State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Pastor Kola Oluwawole, in a statement in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, PDP said; “The APC is not new to what is known as ‘ibo lehin ibo’ (voting after voting), hence our decision to alert the public.”

The party claimed it had it on good authority that some unscrupulous INEC officials were already being approached with millions of naira to carry out the devilish plan of voiding PDP votes, after which the APC will demand for ballot recount at the Tribunal.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014—11

Oshiomhole urges Oyegun to fight for democracy

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole, of Edo State, weekend, urged the new National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, to fight to protect the nation’s democracy.

He described Chief OdigieOyegun's election as National Chairman of APC as a demonstration by the party of his ability to take APC to the next level.

The governor, who spoke when he received the National Chairman and some APC chieftains in his office in Benin, said: “History is on your side as the first elected substantive chairman of our great party.

“You were a governor before me and you are assuming office at a very delicate period in our national political life, not only in terms of the challenges of a new party seeking power at various levels of government, including federal, but also at a time when there seems to be a lot of tension in the country and frightening security challenges.

“Politics by its very nature generates heat, and my leader, God will give you the wisdom to be able to raise the voice of APC in a way that reflects our collective consciousness about the will of the security of the country and yet engage in

robust partisan contestations for power.

“No one appreciates the importance of democracy more than you. As a governor who laboured hard to persuade voters to vote for you and you got elected, your tenure was cut short by forces beyond your control and not democratic process and so drawing from your own life experience, I am sure APC will play its role of protecting democracy.”

On the on-going crisis in Edo State House of Assembly, Oshiomhole said: “I know you are also aware of the fracas in the House

of Assembly where four lawmakers chose to be in collision with the law refusing court orders and even boasting that they will never comply with the court order.

“Every right thinking Edo person should appeal to everyone to obey the law particularly even as we speak, we are protected by the same court. The Court Injunction says ‘don’t declare our seats vacant’ and the House obeys it and another court injunction says ‘you are suspended’ and you disobey it be-

cause you belong to a federal ruling party. We can’t go on like that. Be assured that I will do whatever I can to ensure that the rule of law prevails in Edo State.”

Earlier, Chief Odigie-Oyegun commended the governor for maintaining neutrality between the two contestants from Edo State.

He said, “I congratulate you for the very able way you were able to pilot the affairs and for the help you gave to me which I am also sure you extended to the other party."

DEDICATION: Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State (right) and the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, His Grace, Most Revd. Nicholas Okoh, during the dedication of St. Philips Anglican Church, Owhelogbo, in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, yesterday. Photo: Henry Unini.

Edo Assembly crisis: Lawmakers must obey laws they make —Oshiomhole

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, weekend, said the crisis rocking the state House of Assembly had persisted because the four suspended lawmakers in the House had refused to obey a subsisting court order, saying, “Those who make laws must be seen to obey the laws they make.”

Speaking when he granted audience to the leadership of Edo Civil Society Organization, EDCSO, in Government House, Oshiomhole said he spoke to both parties on the need to settle the matter amicably to avoid distraction in their legislative duties.

He said: “When my attention was drawn to the issue, I spoke to the two sides on telephone. I said, you have to find a way to resolve this because I don’t want any distraction. Whether we like it or not, the time I spend explaining this and the time you have spent discussing among your-

selves to agree, is time we could have used for other things.”

Governor Oshiomhole maintained, “What is at stake is fundamental to the maintenance of peace and security. I can’t be a

governor presiding over anarchy. People who lead in making laws must be seen to obey the laws they make.

“I think, therefore, that on this occasion, the Civil So-

ciety which includes people who are committed to good governance, people who are committed to building a civilized society, have no choice but to tell those disobeying judicial order to go back and obey the order.”

Abandonment of NDDC projects unacceptable —Dickson

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

E N A G O A — BAYELSA State government, weekend, expressed concern over the alarming rate of abandoned Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, projects in the state over the years, describing the trend as unacceptable.

Governor Seriake Dickson, who spoke in Yenagoa, while inaugurating a 9-member special committee on the monitoring of NDDC projects, expressed concern that most of the projects awarded by the interventionist agency to complement development efforts in the

state had been abandoned.

He said that the committee was not set up to witch-hunt anybody, but to ensure that the state got its fair share of NDDC’s projects as a major contributor of the funds with which the commission executed its core mandate in the region.

According to him, “There are concerns that some projects are completed and payments made only on paper and because of the over politicisation of NDDC, you have a situation where people sit down in other places, get contracts awarded to themselves and their cronies, receive payments, but will not come on ground to do the jobs. Even when they come, they don’t ex-

ecute the jobs to the end. I appreciate the Federal Government for the various intervention programmes they have executed in this state using the NDDC. But, a number of Bayelsans are asking, why is it that most NDDC projects in some other neighbouring states are completed, visible and being used by their people?

“You see most of those projects in other states, but you don’t see many of them in Bayelsa.

Some have even asked, are we sure that our state benefits maximally according to our production, and our contribution to that fund. These are all relevant questions that we must find answers for our people."

Iwere Knights commiserate with Vanguard Publisher on mum’s death

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

W

ARRI—IWERE Knights Association, IKA, an Itsekiri social-cultural group, has condoled with Mr. Sam Amuka, Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers on the death of his mother, Madam Teshoma AmukaPemu, whose remains were laid to rest Friday at Oviri-Olomu, Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State.

In a statement by Taiye Ajiyen, President, and Gab Ejuwa, Publicity Secretary, the group described Madam AmukaPemu's death as a loss not only to the Amukas, but also to “her immediate community who gained a lot from her wealth of experience.

“We thank God for granting Mama very useful years on earth that were mostly beneficial to mankind.”

It prayed God to grant the Amuka family the grace to bear the irreparable loss.

Ramadan: Pray for peace in Nigeria, Amaechi urges Muslims

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

P

ORT HARCOURT— GOVERNOR Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has urged Muslims to use the period of Ramadan to pray for peace in the country.

The governor, who spoke through his media aide, Mr. Dave Iyofor, also called for prayers for the nation's leaders.

He said: “At this point in the life of our country where peace and safety of the citizens have become critical, it is evident that we need divine intervention in our nation. We need to pray for our leaders to know the right thing to do and have the political will to do it right for the good of our country.”

12—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014

Nigeria can't survive another four years under PDP —Oyegun

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—THE National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, yesterday, said it would be difficult for Nigeria to survive another four years under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, if things continued the way they were in the country, saying there were several unanswered questions in the last governorship election in Ekiti.

Oyegun, who spoke in Benin City, said his party decided to concede victory to the PDP in the governorship election in Ekiti State because it did not want anything that could make the people react negatively and violently.

He, however, hinted that the party would challenge the trampling on the fundamental human rights of the members before, during and after the election.

Urging Nigerians to embrace APC as the new party with a different agenda to fix Nigeria, he said: “We are presenting our party as new, and different. We have done the studies as people who truly care. There is no way we can prove it to you because we have never ruled this country, but we can tell you to look at our states. We are not pretending to be angels. Politics is not a seminary, neither is it the Papacy, but what is important is what one is doing with the lives of the people. That is what is critical.

“Are you restoring hopes to their lives are you making their lives better? If not for themselves, do they believe

that the lives of their children will be better? Are your policies concentrated on improving their lives? Are the sectors working in the interest of the ordinary Nigeria? Do we have power, do we have quality schools, do we have security, and do we have jobs? Can we continue in this kind of state? I have told people who are ready to listen that this country cannot survive another four years of PDP administration. There is no way it can survive it, so we

need people who have plans to start taking care of these issues, and that is what the APC represents.”

Ekiti poll

He claimed that many persons who had no business in Ekiti State were allowed into the state while those with concrete reasons to be there were denied entry, insisting that was what the party would challenge.

“Ekiti election, to some ex-

tent is still a mystery. It still has aspects that we are trying to unfold but the first point is, because we are a party of change, because we are a party that wants to show Nigerians that there is a different way of doing things, that the party doesn’t have to be bitter, inspite of all our reservations, the governor was advised to concede, inspite of our reservations for a lot of reasons," he added.

INSPECTION: Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State (left), and Mr. Kuet Joachim, a German technical staff, as the governor operates one of the metal machines at the Rivers State Technical/Vocational School in Port Harcourt.

Delta Central senatorial bye-election dispute: Court delivers judgment today

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

A

BUJA—THE Abuja Division of the Federal High Court will today determine whether or not it will cancel the bye-election held in Delta Central senatorial district on October 12, 2013, over allegation of electoral fraud.

All Progressives Party, APC, and its candidate at the election, Mr. Oghenetega Emerhor, filed the case before the court, challenging the result.

Defendants in the suit are the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Justice Evoh Chukwu slat-

ed the matter for judgment after all the parties argued their case and adopted their final written addresses.

The PDP had in a preliminary objection it filed before the court, sought a dismissal of the suit on the premise that it not only lacked merit, but was equally bereft of competence.

Besides, PDP, also challenged the jurisdiction of the high court to entertain the matter.

However, the plaintiffs had in the suit, alleged that PDP connived with one Mr. Olawale Dawodu, who is an official of INEC in Abuja, and smuggled in forged documents it said were relied upon to endorse the nomination form of Senator Edesiri Aguariavwodo who eventually won the election.

APC, alleged that in defiance

to the time limit set by INEC for the submission of nomination forms, PDP, not only failed to meet up with the

2015: Politicians shun Delta monarch's meeting on zoning

T

HE meeting summoned by the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Chike Edozien, to address the issue of zoning of political offices in Oshimili South Local Government Area, Delta State, weekend, failed to hold as politicians claimed they had taken a decision.

One of the political leaders, Dr. Frank Anukwu, said most politicians did not attend the meeting as a decision had been reached on the issue slated for discussion.

The chairman of PDP in Oshimili South Local Government Area, Evangelist Ebialim Maduemezie, also confirmed that the issue of zoning had been concluded and politicians were looking forward to victory in the forthcoming elections.

Political leaders in the area were said to have agreed to zone the chairmanship position to Oko/Okwe axis to pave the way for unity and equity and to ensure victory for Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the forthcoming local government elections in the state.

Some politicians had protested the zoning arrangement to the Asagba who volunteered to address the issue.

deadline, but bribed the INEC official to write a false date of receipt on the nomination form of its candidate.

Two burnt to death in Edo after an accident

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—TWO persons were burnt beyond recognition at the Oluku end of the Benin By-pass in Benin City, Edo State, following an accident involving a truck and a fuel tanker, weekend.

Four others were said to have sustained severe burns and were rushed to the Central Hospital, Benin for medical attention.

Vanguard learnt that the

accident occurred when an articulated Mark Truck rammed into a tanker loaded with 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, causing the tanker to catch fire with two other trailers along the Benin bypass.

Officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, who described the accident as “fatal” and attributed it to “wrongful overtaking,” quickly called in the Fire Service whose officials put out the fire.

Following the incident officials of the FRSC from Toll Gate and Uwan Esigie Command were detailed to control traffic at the scene while others were at the entrance of the by-pass diverting traffic to the city to avoid congestion near the scene.

The charred bodies of the dead victims have since been deposited at Benin Central Hospital morgue, according to the zonal commander, Mr. Charles Akpabio, who confirmed the accident.

Vanguard , MONDAY,JUNE 30, 2014 — 13

INSURGENCY: Enugu Churches screen worshippers zAs Catholic Church bans women handbags

BY TONY EDIKE

E

NUGU—AS part of efforts to forestall attack on the church

by Boko Haram insurgents who are feared to have invaded the South Eastern states, the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, yesterday, conducted thorough screening of its members before allowing them into the Sunday services.

The church also banned women from entering with handbags as part of the security measures.

Some Pentecostal churches within Enugu have also procured bomb detecting equipment with which they screened vehicles driven by worshippers into the premises of the churches within the state capital. Some churches have constructed iron barricades to prevent insurgents from hitting the church buildings with their vehicles.

The extra security measures by the churches, according to the church leaders, came on the heels of the recent discovery of two bombs in the Winners’ Chapel in Owerri, Imo State,

C M Y K

which were diffused by police bomb experts.

The arrest of more than 400 insurgents at Aba, Abia State, by soldiers who alleged that two other buses containing suspected insurgents that fateful night successfully escaped has further increased the anxiety among the people of the South East over the presence of insurgents in the

zone.

The Bishop of Enugu Catholic Diocese, Rt. Rev. Calistus Onaga, was said to have directed all parish priests within the Diocese to make the official announcement regarding the ban on female worshippers coming into the churches with handbag, during Sunday services

The bishop, who appealed to the church members to cooperate with the ushers and security men charged with maintaining security in the churches, explained that the exercise was not meant to embarrass the women or anybody, but borne out of the present disturbing insecurity challenges facing the nation.

Ihedioha worries over Imo debt profile

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI—THE Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, has cried out over the huge financial burden facing Imo State at present, arising from debts owed by the present government.

Ihedioha made his feelings known at a press conference to flag off his gubernatorial project in Owerri yesterday.

He said: “Today, there is a heavy financial burden on the state, arising from loans secured from commercial banks and debts owned to contractors, and

numerous court judgments.”

He was particularly irked by the number of court judgments against Governor Okorocha’s administration, and the several other matters pending in various courts.

“Court judgments have force for implementation. What matters is that these are debts owed by Imo State.

“The figures are enormous and frightening. The sad thing is that most people do not appreciate where the state has found itself,” he said.

The deputy speaker also decried the rots at Imo State

University, Owerri, which he said had brought frustrations to both law and medical students of the institution.

He, therefore, advised any aspirant angling to succeed Governor Okorocha to critically ascertain the state of Imo before throwing his hat in the governorship ring.

He debunked claims making the round that he had a hand in the humiliation Okorocha suffered during the burial of late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa and appealed to politicians to shun campaign of calumny in pursuit of their ambitions.

I won't contest election again —Obi

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA—IMMEDIATE past governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, said weekend that no amount of pressure would make him change his mind to go for any elective position in Nigeria.

Speaking with reporters at Ochuche in Ogbaru local government area of Anambra State, where his former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Dubem Obaze, received a chieftaincy title from all traditional rulers in Anambra North senatorial zone, Obi, however, said he was prepared to serve Nigeria in any capacity.

Obi’s entry into the venue of the ceremony sent jubilation among the audience, with most politicians who graced the occasion swarming his sitting position to greet and have a handshake with him.

14 —Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014

Ekweremadu raises alarm over fake facebook accounts

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAK-

WURU

A

BUJA—DEPUTY Senate President, Senator Ike Ekeremadu, has raised an alarm over many fake Facebook accounts opened by fraudsters in his name where they promised to give non-existing contracts and scholarships to unsuspecting citizens.

The alleged fraudsters in the many facebook accounts in the name of Senator Ekweremadu, disguised as the Deputy Senate president, promising their victims contracts, scholarships and bursary awards for students of the area he hailed from.

A statement by the Deputy Senate president, signed by his special adviser, media, Mr. Uche Anichukwu, titled, “Senator Ekweremadu has no facebook account,” advised the public to ignore any such request from anybody.

The statement read: “The attention of the Office of the Deputy President of the Senate has been drawn to the activities of impostors who open Facebook accounts in the name of His Excellency, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, CFR. “Their intents are to engage in shady deals and defraud

unsuspecting members of the public.

“Our teeming supporters and members of the public are hereby warned not to have anything to do with any of such Facebook accounts, as they have absolutely nothing to do with Senator Ike Ekweremadu or Office of the Deputy President of the Senate.

“Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu has no Facebook account and anyone dealing with or communicating with anyone who claims to be the Deputy President of the Senate on any matter, including contracts, appointments, scholarships, sponsorship, etc is certainly doing so at his or her or own risk. The person is obviously dealing with

fraudsters.

“His scholarship scheme and other empowerment programmes are handled by the Ikeoha Foundation, a nongovernmental organisation he founded in 1997. Annual scholarship programmes and bursary awards are usually advertised and the beneficiaries selected based on pre-determined criteria.”

PRESENTATION: From left: Rot. Kayode Aderinokun, book reviewer, Rot. Olugbemiga Olowu, Director General, Rotary District 9110 Nigeria, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, chairman of the occasion, Rot. Bayo Windapo, author of the book, and his wife, Mrs Titilayo Windapo, at the public presentation of the book, Pleasure in Fellowship, at the Rotary Centre, Ikeja GRA in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

ICPC can prosecute without petitions, Appeal Court rules

BY CALEB AYANSINA

A

BUJA—THE Court of Appeal sitting in Makurdi, Benue State, has ruled that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has powers to investigate and prosecute cases without receiving petition.

ICPC had approached the Court of Appeal, Makurdi Division,on June 21, 2011, asking the court to set aside the ruling of Nasarawa State High Court discharging and acquitting the Chairman of Toto Local Government and Director of Finance of the council of corrupt practices.

Justice I. A Ramalan, now retired judge of the State High Court 3, Lafia in Nasarawa State, had in his ruling on May 20, 2008, discharged and acquitted the two accused of “11 count charge of conspiracy, to inflate prices of stationeries; and furnishing of false information all contrary to sections 26 (1) (c); 22 (3); 19; and 16 of the ICPC Act.”

Why Nigeria's capital budget won't improve —Ndoma-Egba

BY JOHNBOSCO

AGBAKWURU

A

BUJA—SENATE Leader, Chief Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, has stated that the budgetary allocation for capital budget in the country would continue to be low, despite efforts of government, because of the size of the workforce and the increase in the number of states.

Senator Ndoma-Egba, who disclosed this in an interview in Abuja, also alleged that with the recent agitations by some groups and ethnic nationalities for

the creation of more states, it would reach a point where the budgetary provision for capital project would enter zero level.

He said despite the fact that the budget proposal prepared by the executive was always being sent to the National Assembly for approval, there was nothing the federal lawmakers could do as attempt to tamper with it could affect workers.

Explaining why the nation’s budget in recent times had remained below 30 per cent and the senate had not challenged the

executive about it, Senator Ndoma-Egba, who represents Cross River Central senatorial district on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said: “I think we should go to the roots of the matter. Recently, it was asked by your colleagues what I was expecting from the 2014 budget and I said nothing, nothing dramatic.

“Let’s go through it together. The 2014 budget has a recurrent component that is 76 per cent and capital component that is 24 per cent, what can you achieve with 24 per cent?"

Court halts implementation of FG/JOHESU agreement

BY VICTORIA OJEME

A

BUJA—THE National Industrial Court has stopped the Federal Government from implementing the agreement it reached

with the Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU. An order of interim injunction obtained from the court by the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, MDCAN, in the suit

number NICN/ABJ/177/ 2014, joined the Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Labour and Attorney General of the Federation as defendants.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014 —15

RAMADAN: Stop the killings, Gov Yero tells Boko Haram

BY ALIYU DANGIDA

K

ADUNA—AS Muslims begin their one month obligatory Ramadan fasting, Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Ramalan Yero has asked the Boko Haram insurgents to use the opportunity of prayers and self denial associated with the period to end the killing of innocent Nigerians.

Yero also, urged other Muslims in the country to use the advantage of the holy month by forging friendship among themselves on one hand, and with people of other religions on the other.

In a statement signed by his Director General, Media and Publicity, Mallam Ahmed Maiyaki, Yero said: “Let us seize this divine mercy through worship and prayers for Allah, the Almighty, to bring the present spate of insecurity in our land to an end. Ramadan is a period of enormous divine grace and salvation. It is, therefore, a time for us to pray for Allah’s mercy in bringing lasting peace and harmony to Kaduna State and Nigeria at large.”

The Governor furthermore, said he was rejoicing with ‘’Muslims for the sighting of the moon signaling the beginning of 29 or 30 days of mandatory fasting by all

adult-healthy, believers, asking them to take full advantage of the holy month by forging greater unity within them, (Ummah) as well as with adherents of other faiths in the country.

He also called on privileged Muslims to assist those in need especially in this holy month when Allah promises to reward kindness abundantly and urged the people of Kaduna State to continue to coexist peacefully

irrespective of their diversity, pointing out that, “we are all created by God Almighty and the only way to glorify God’s gift of life to us is by living peacefully with one another.”

BY LAWANI

MIKAIRU

L

WEDDING: His Eminence, Kanu Uche, Prelate Methodist Church Nigeria, Bishop Chibuzor Opoko, Secretary of Conference, and Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, during the wedding of Doris, daughter of Chief Uche Akwukwaegbu, the traditional prime minister of Ibeku ancient kingdom and Tolulope at All saints Methodist Church, Amuzukwu Ibeku, Abia State.

ARREST OF 486 SUSPECTED TERRORISTS: Kano indigenes allege turture by soldiers

BY ABDULSALAM

K

MUHAMMAD

ANO—KANO indigenes who were set free by securiy agents while on transit in Abia have painted a sordid tale of torture and maltreatment in the hands of security agents while in detention.

They were among the 486 suspects in a convoy of 35 buses who claimed they were on their way to Port Harcourt

REMODELING OF AIRPORTS: FAAN faults Senate c’ttee on ministry’s debt

in search of job but were intercepted by the military on suspicion of being insurgents.

Spokesman of the freed 29 Kano indigenes, Mudasir Aliyu Kumbosto during a courtesy call on Governor Kwankwaso at the Government House revealed that “ we were severely tortured and dehumanised in detention by security agents over a crime we did not

commit, at the military barracks in Abia.

“What happened to us questioned the unity and oneness of this country, and we view such treatment as discriminatory, rash to law abiding citizens who were in search of greener pasture in their homeland.”

Aliyu disclosed that they were denied access to the Kano State government delegation that came to see

them, lamenting that the action of the military was a gross violation of their rights.

He, however, thanked the governor for his effort in ensuring that they returned home safely and for giving each of them N20,000 to transport them back to their respective communities in the state.

In his speech, Kano State Governor, Rabi’u Kwankwaso advised the 29 indigenes of the state to continue to pursue legitimate businesses anywhere they found themselves in the country.

The governor argued that there was no law in the country that restricts any citizen from travelling and doing business lawfully anywhere, lamenting that what the security agents did to the travelers was a clear violation of their fundamental human rights.

AGOS—FACTS have emerged that the actual amount of debts incurred by the Federal Ministry of Aviation from the remodeling of the airports projects across the country is N148 billion and not N174 billion as announced by the Senate Committee on Aviation.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, which is the agency responsible for the execution of the projects, through its General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Yakubu Dati, revealed that in 2011, the federal government embarked on the rehabilitation, expansion and restructuring of airport terminals, the building of 14 new cargo terminals, provision of equipment for the Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, and the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, NIMET. Dati said: “The projects were divided into three phases and the contract value of phase one is N12.81 billion. Total amount already paid is N11.22 billion, with an outstanding balance of N1.58 billion. The contract value of phase two of the projects is put at N93.43 billion, while the total amount disbursed to the contractors is N53.97 billion leaving a balance of N39.50 billion. ”The third phase of the projects which is still at infant stage has contract value of N63.02 billion, while total amount paid is N4.21 billion and outstanding payments in this phase is N58.81 billion.

“The sub-total of the debts, therefore ,is N99.85 billion, which when added to the debts already approved by the Federal Executive Council, FEC, at N48.37 billion brings total outstanding debts to N148.23 billion.“ This amount from FAAN differs from the N174 billion that was declared by the Senate Committee on aviation by about N26 billion.

16— Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014

THE body counts from the war against terrorism are getting abnormal. Whether the losses are on the part of the security agencies or mere standbys, like school children, it is becoming clearer .that government needs to do more.

Terrorists may do all they can to make the country unsafe, but government has the responsibility to .not only protect us, it has to make us feel safe.

What we find more absurd is that the seasonal killings, their brutality, which the killers have .made their trademark, no longer shock.

The condemnations have thinned.

We have moved on with obviously more important matters like who becomes whatever in 2015. We forget the killings quickly in order to sustain the .pretence that the union is in sane state.

Nigeria has lost thousands of lives

Nothing Shocks Again to terrorists. Neither the numbers, nor those killed, appears to be important. Lives, no longer seem to count, they have become numbers, ordinary statistics, .kept for the records.

Which society watches its members decimated in this manner without being shocked into action? How can a society be so unfeeling when it cannot protect its young, its future?

Nigeria has failed to tell terrorists in succinct terms, that their actions would be punished. There .are no examples to deter them.

The choice of soft targets like schools, markets, entertainment centres and churches has become a signature of these attacks. The terrorists want attention, and bigger headlines. Our security agencies need to do more. Failure of intelligence and armed actions against terrorists is .not as bad as the unwillingness of many top Nigerians who can exert pressure on them to do so.

We cannot bring terrorists to account when we place personal and political considerations above millions of lives at risk. The lives at risk could be anyone’s as the indiscriminate attacks .have proved.

The war against terrorists can be won when we are pulling together.

Any group that can murder so mindlessly, including children, is a risk to everyone, even to its avowed supporters.

OPINION

BY FRANCIS EWHERIDO

D

O not be surprised that I am writing you an open letter. Shortly after you died, Nigerians went into a season of writing open letters; the bug has bitten me. I know this letter will meet you well, but I wonder if you are still interested in some of these issues judging by the posthumous message you sent through our friend.

But first things first, we are fine. Doye (your wife) and the children are doing okay. It is tough without you. Our occasional visits and calls cannot compensate for your absence, but they are fine. Mama too is fine, shaken but doing okay. The rest of us are doing fine, although some of us are still in shock. It is tough coming to terms with the suddenness of your death. But our faith in God remains intact. Nothing can separate us from the love of God, absolutely nothing.

So much has happened on the political scene since your departure. If God had not said otherwise, you would have been in the thick of it. General elections are less than a year away and the political tempo has increased. Some usually dormant volcanoes have become unusually active and some hitherto active volcanoes have gone quiet. The sand dunes have shifted so dramatically within the entire desert; many are helpless, clueless, stranded and confused. The continued alignment and realignment of the sand dunes is not helping matters. Very

C M Y K

Letter to Sen. Pius Ewherido few people seem to be spared. Who can truly tame nature? Who can accurately predict nature? Nature definitely has a mind of its own. Sometimes even the most powerful man on earth can be so limited and vulnerable that he looks the least powerful. The heart of the king is really in God’s hands. Truly only God is omnipotent.

Some people are painting Nigeria red; it is a cocktail of religion, misplaced ideology, politics, ineptitude and political strategy gone awry. There are bombings, mass killings and uncertainty. Over 200 kidnapped Chibok school girls are still unaccounted for over two months after.

We are gradually sliding into a Hobbesian state of nature; life has become so tentative and uncertain. Some people need to learn that a cheetah does not necessarily enjoy a kill because it made it. Sometimes lions and other stronger predators do snatch a cheetah’s kill.

Anyway, a National Conference to chart a future for Nigeria is on. Hopefully, it will address the major contentious issues and I pray that the will to implement the recommendations will be there.

Your bill on corporate manslaughter is still were you left it, but we were promised that it will be passed into law before the end of the Seventh Assembly. They are honourable and distinguished men and women and we believe them. We have also written to remind them and received reassurances. Whatever happens

ultimately, however, will not take away anything from you. You have played your part. Not much has happened on Delta Steel Company, Aladja, another project that was dear to your heart.

A few months ago, we were told that the former leadership of the Delta State House of Assembly ordered that your photograph be removed from among those of former speakers, that you were never one. People who heard wanted the family to write to the leadership of the Assembly. I told them that this matter was on before you passed on and you actually mentioned it to me. I also told them the family will not get involved. Sometimes in life, some things are better ignored.

Moreover, I thought your death should have ended all forms of political rivalry and acrimony. Anyway, your legislative imprint in the Delta State House of Assembly is massive – you sponsored eight bills that were passed into law in eight years and over 40 motions that were adopted. Those bills and motions, like your children, carry your DNA. They are not subject to interpretation, genuine, mischievous or dubious; nobody can take them away from you.

Expectedly, a bye election was held to fill the vacant seat you vacated. The state chairman of your former party said in a Sunday Guardian interview that even if the party fielded a goat to replace you, it would win. Very typical; does the leopard change its spots? Well the Nigerian Con-

stitution does not allow political parties to field animals as candidates in an election, so the party fielded a regular human being. The outcome of the bye election with the ensuing controversy has been in the public domain. I was not there so I have no firsthand knowledge of what transpired, but I suspect the absence of the cat provided the rats the opportunity to dance Azonto and Skelewu. Surely, your electoral value is now apparent and indisputable.

A Malaysian plane with over 239 people on board disappeared on March 8 this year and it has not been found. What a tragic and painful way to lose loved ones?

It is true what people say that “no matter how bad the situation is, it can be worse”.

Thank God you died surrounded by family (your wife and five of your seven siblings). Even if in tears your children paid their last respects. The Senate honoured you with a valedictory session aired on national television. The entire Urhobo Nation - only for the second time in history - also honoured you with a valedictory session. There were many other honours and accolades too numerous to mention here, not to talk of the outpouring of emotions and love within and without Nigeria.

A lot more has happened, but let us leave them for God (Ejovwok’Oghene). Continue to rest in the bosom of the Lord, our Ahwotu (crowd puller). We will always love you.

*Francis, brother to the late Senator Ewherido, wrote from Lagos

JUNE 30, 2014

CAC’s 24hrs business registration collapses •It’s not true — CAC

By JONAH NWOKPOKU

B

arely two years after it was commissioned by the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, the 24 hours registration of businesses by the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, has collapsed due to technical hitches occasioned by server failure.

As a result, business registration now takes between one to three months, while business name availability search takes more than one week.

During the course of the

investigation, this reporter applied for business name availability search at the CAC office at Alausa, Ikeja. He was asked to check back in nine days. When he sought to know why, the attendant at the availability section responded, “because it is not ready”.

Stakeholders, who spoke to Vanguard about this development, said that the process is frustrating and it discourages business owners from applying for business registration.

Recounting his ordeal in this regard, a business owner, Mr. Yemi said that he is yet to complete the

process of registering his business, since he commenced three months ago.

He said: “The whole thing is frustrating. I have been pursuing this registration for more than three months now. At some point I stopped and when I came back they demanded I do a revalidation. Now I have done that but they can’t find my documents. I have complained but they asked me to check back.”

Another customer who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he was an agent who helps people to register.

He acknowledged that the Commission had been meeting the 24 hours deadline immediately after the service was

launched but since late 2013, it has been having problems with its server. He said as a result of that, availability search now takes more than a week, sometimes up to three weeks.

This was confirmed by a notice at the Commission’s customer service section, dated 27th of January, 2014.

In the notice, the Commission apologised to customers for its inability to continue with the 24 hours business registration due to server problem. It added that customers should bear with the Commission as the problem would soon be rectified and the 24 hours service restored.

A lady attendant at the customer

Continues on page 18

169.90 3,153.00

17.00

-8.90 98.00

-0.57

113.18 -0.03 105.74 -0.10 CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING

*MEETING - From left: Executive Commissioner, Legal and Enforcement, Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Sa’adatu Bello; Director-General, Arunma Oteh and; Executive Commissioner, Corporate Services, Rt . Hon. Zakawanu Garuba, at the second Quarter Capital Market Committee meeting in Lagos.

DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

154.73 262.1436 209.9067 172.2668 1.5137 0.3011 237.6733 24.8278 41.2525 28.145 238.3306

155.23 262.9907 210.585 172.8234 1.5186 0.3111 238.4414 24.9085 41.3858 28.236 239.1008

155.73 263.8378 211.2633 173.3801 1.5235 0.3211 239.2094 24.9892 41.5191 28.3269 239.8709

CBN Exchange rate as at 27/06/14

18 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014

Cover Story

The Basic Guide to Starting Your Business Part 4 Daring successful business man has a mindset that is willing to take risks and tread on places people would not ordinarily want to tread. He would not chicken out at the slightest threat, so if you intend to start and own your business, you must have a die-hard mentality, otherwise you would quit before you even get started. It is also very important to consider the risks involved and your ability to handle them properly, since every business involves risks. Most business people are very comfortable with modest risk but quite uncomfortable with big risks. Although they are unwilling to gamble on long shots, they are more willing to take chances if their individual skills can affect the probability of success. Then will they have the courage to step out into the unknown and pursue their personal dreams.

Goal getter A successful business man has the mindset of not just setting goals but also achieving the desired result. He does not settle for less but always has his eyes on the prize. To him there are no impossibilities and failure is just part of the game. He does not believe in half measures but believes that he can go all the way

A

CAC’s 24hrs business registration collapses service desk also confirmed that due to server problem, the 24 hours registration has been put on hold. She said the Commission was working very hard to rectify the problem and return to 24 hours service.

24 hours registration mere propaganda

H

owever, another agent, Olajire Oladiran dismissed the 24 hours business registration as a mere propaganda, saying there was never anything like that in the first place.

Oladiran who is an Executive Director in a firm of Chartered Secretaries lamented the inability of the Commission to keep to its promise to offer 24 hour business name availability search at least.

He said, “The 24 hour registration is propaganda. It was the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olsegun Aganga who flagged this socalled 24 hours business registration sometimes in 2012. But then no one knew how they managed to do that for few weeks and then stopped. From November/ December, 2013 they stopped and have been making only excuses and promises.”

While unveiling the 24 hours business registration in November, 2012, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga said that, “The target is to ensure that companies are registered C M Y K

within two hours and to institute a vibrant and transparent companies’ registry, where services will be user-friendly.”

He had also at the time directed that a complaints register be opened for anyone who is not able to get his company registered within 24 hours. This he said was to show that, “We mean business and that we care about our customers.”

Oladiran however explained that despite such

,

Continues from page 18

But the 24 hour period was important for the availability search, because once the name is available, you will continue with the rest of the registration

,

promises, what the Commission was able to accomplish within 24 hours was business name availability search.

“Within that period, it was possible that you could drop your availability search today and within 24 hours really, if you check your mail, you will see it and then you wouldn’t

have to go back to the CAC office. It was a wonderful experience.

“But you see, all over the place CAC is advertising 24 hour registration but in reality the registration process would not have been completed within that time frame. But the 24 hour period was important for the availability search, because once the name is available, you will continue with the rest of the registration.

However along the line, the thing stopped and all we have been hearing is that the server has problem.

“Right now, sometimes availability search takes between three weeks and one month. But in all, the truth is that the registration does not take 24 hours; only availability search could be possible within that time.”

He however explained that what CAC may mean by the 24 hours business registration may be 24 hours express registration.

He said that, “In express registration, a customer is required to pay N50, 000 in addition to the regular fee, to have the registration completed in one day. But then because of their server problem, the 24 hours express registration is not even feasible at the moment.

Don’t forget that the 24 hours excludes the time you have waited for availability search to come out. It also excludes the days you

Continues on page 19

,

*AWARD - From left: Mr. Cyril Ekechi, Deputy Director/Tax Controller, Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS; Mr. Henry Akwara, Divisional Director, Claims & Risk Management, Mansard Insurance Plc; and Mr. Foluso Phillips, Executive Chairman, Phillips Consulting Group, at the Web Jurist Awards 2014 in Lagos.

A successful business man has the mindset of not just setting goals but also achieving the desired result

and this mentality inspires a lot of confidence in clients and customers and will keep them coming. A high level of energy also keeps the businessman trudging through road blocks because he has his eyes fixed on long term goals. It is important you are very energetic and vibrant as it will ensure that your business is up and running. You need to have a motivation from within and from those around you.

The man who invented electricity, tried ninety-nine times and failed; he got it right the 100th time! I dare say, that is the spirit you must possess, no matter how many times you fail, you keep trying it out until you get it right….bottom line you must delete the word IMPOSSIBLE from your dictionary. Period!

It’s very important you move with the right people and read books and materials that will prepare your mind and reposition your mindset towards positivity, because “if you can think it then you can be it”. Never forget “you are a product of your thoughts.” This reminds me of a Nigerian drama series that aired on the Nigerian national television network (NTA) in the early 90s, BASSEY& COMPANY. The lead act was fond of saying “if you want to be a millionaire, think like a millionaire”! As funny as it sounded then, it is still very true and applies to business. So permit me to say if you want to be a successful business man, then think like one!

If you are going to run a business of your own, you should find something that makes you really happy. This should be at the core of why you are even looking at going into business of your own, because if you try and make something work and you have no passion for it, it probably won’t work out. If you have passion for the industry that you are working in, you will have a good chance of making it work out.

What make a business great are the people that run it and the passion that they have for it. Keep this in mind when you are thinking of starting a business of your own.

From experience, many just jump into business because they are excited about an idea and haven’t really thought about the ‘ whys and wherefores’. Taking a moment to reflect on your motivations and defining your purpose will be time well spent.

A lot of people go into business for the sole reason of making money; this is not a good idea. It’s not a good idea because the main ingredient for success is missing. The main ingredient for success is passion, and it’s virtually impossible to maintain high-levels of energy when you’re doing something you don’t love. There will always be challenges in owning a business.

Your love and passion is what takes you through those challenges. Without that passion, you probably won’t make it.

,

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014 — 19

In this column two Mondays ago, we wrote on the need for a competition or anti-trust law in Nigeria. There were several reactions. But this was particularly interesting and I decided to let our readers have the benefit of knowing what is happening in some sectors of the Nigerian economy.

he responsibilty and portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment is to attract investment, encourage trade and develop a policy in promoting and retaining vital instruments and vehicles for economic development of Nigeria. It is also the objective of the Ministry (MTI) to sustain the economic development through private sectors as drivers in Trade and Investment. Consequently, the Ministry (MTI) is to promote competition in the sectors and not to promote and grant monopoly to any Institution, private sector and government agency. The Ministry (MTI) should work against Monopoly in the economy.

“Many businessmen”, observed Ayn Rand in her article, the Property Status of Airwaves, “of the mixed economy persuasion, resent the actual nature of capitalism; they believe that it is safer to hold a position, not by right, but by favour; they dread the competition of a free market and they feel that a bureaucrat’s friendship is much easier to win.

Pull, not merit, is their form of ‘social security’. They believe that they will always succeed at courting, pressuring or bribing a bureaucrat , who is ‘a good fellow’ they can ‘get along with’ and who can protect them from that merciless stranger; the abler competitor.”

Coercive monopoly is dangerous to any economy as reflected in economic history around the world. Consequently, it is the

COERCIVE MONOPOLY

responsibility of the Ministry (MTI) to guide and disseminate vital information and lessons to other government Ministries, Departments and Agencies against the negative nature, effect and danger of coercive monopoly and negative side in its promotion in the Nigerian economy.

For instance, when in 2005 the President declared OILSS. SIIFZ, LFTZ, OLOKOLA and LADOL as a Free Trade Zones, Ministry of Transport (MT) which was relevant to the approval was administratively informed by Mr. President because of the Presidential Circular PRES/99 of 22nd May, 2002 on Stoppage of Midstream Discharge of Cargo and Presidential Circular letter PRESS/00 of 22nd May, 2002 on Closure of Private Jetties Nationwide, which technically would affect the smooth running and operation of these free zones because the circulars preceded the declarations and if not taken care of the contents of the circulars, it would negatively affect the smooth running of the free zones. Naturally, the free zones are situated midstream being Islands and they should have entry and exit points by the concept of free zones. However, the Ministry of Transport concerned, tends to ignore the Presidential

declaration of the free zones because of its involvement in the operation of another player in the same field of free zones.

The player is a tenant in the ports where the Ministry of Transport has supervisory authority. Any time there was a change of guard at the Ministry of Transport; these Presidential Circular letters are dusted up and circulated with different intention. One example was Operational Guidelines for Handling Oil and Gas Related Cargoes issued out on Ref T’ 4316/S.35/ Vol. 1/ 213 of 15th November, 2007 from the Ministry (MT).

The Industry challenged the validity of such Circular knowing that Mr. President

,

T

By YUSUFU ABDULLAHI

27th March, 2008 against the dispensation of Mr. President on AGBAMI PROJECT where MV Enchanter destined to Lagos was told to go to Onne, Calabar and/or Warri to pay terminal charges after which the vessel could proceed to discharge its cargo in Lagos.

Nobody told the industry how the extra cost of round trips would be covered which the Office of the Chief Economic Adviser considered as economic sabotage.

The reason for this roundabout trips by ships, going to Onne, Calabar and/or Warri before off loading its cargo say, in Lagos, was because of the out- sourcing of the statutory responsibility of the Nigeria Ports Authority in awarding Managing Agent Contract to the same private operator in Onne, Calabar and Warri to monitor and supervise support vessel movement in the compulsory pilotage districts within the exclusive economic zone of Nigeria – both eastern and western districts. Though

Nobody told the industry how the extra cost of round trips would be covered which the Office of the Chief Economic Adviser considered as economic sabotage

had earlier approved on 17th May 2006, the dispensation that” importers of oil and gas cargo should be free to choose port of preference”. However the Ministry of Transport insisted and acted vides T. 0160/S. 103/C2/T1A/176 of

,

Mr. President had also asked the Ministry of Transport to annul the contract with the private operator, Ministry (MT) had not done so.

Realistically, the Ministry of Transport has turned the Presidential Circulars and

Cover Story Continues from page 18 waited for incorporation. So in reality there is nothing like 24 hours registration,” he said.

He noted that if the server worked efficiently, a business name search should not take more than three or four hours and within that period that they were able to offer 24 hours registration. He added that when the system was operating, his company was able to register up to six names and was able to get the certificates of incorporation for the companies within one week .

Delay, bad business for operators

Oladiran further noted that

directives into a coercive monopoly documents assisting that major player in the field of oil and gas logistic services to dominate the market. The intervention of the stakeholders in the industry through the Office of Chief Economic Adviser to the President resolved the issue where Mr. President forced the Ministry of Transport to withdraw its Circular Letter and reverted to the Presidential dispensation vide T. 4316/S. 35/T3/24 of 7 th August, 2008, of allowing importers of oil and gas cargo to choose port of preference.

But just as mentioned above that immediately there was a change of guard in the Ministry of Transport , the two Presidential Circular letters are dusted up and reinsured, more especially in this case where the Ministry of Transport had failed to satisfy the private operator’s goals and objectives in 2007, the new Minister of Transport reissued same Circular letter to the Nigeria Ports Authority reference T.0160/S. 139/C. 2/IV of 7th January, 2009 to the effect that “ STOPPAGE OF MIDSTREAM AND OFFSHORE DISCHARGE OF CARGO AND BAN OF PRIVATE JETTIES FROM HANDLING OCEAN GOING VESSEL” were still in effect and copied NNPC, Port Concessionaires, NAPIMS and Oil Producing Services/Project Companies, these agencies are the main business partners of the private operator and tenant

* To be continued ABDULLAHI is Chairman, Export Processing Zones and Free Trade Zones Reform Committee

CAC’s 24hrs business registration collapses this delay in business registration process has negative implications both for the CAC, operators and the Nigerian economy.

“This is taking a toll on the integrity of operators. This is because if a client is hearing of 24 hours registration from CAC and yet they are not even able to get availability within three days, this will sow doubts in their minds and the integrity of the operator will appear questionable," he lamented, adding that the trend will further lead to loss of business confidence.

Foreign investors

disappointed

He said, “There was this particular incident, the clients came from Hong Kong, they came through Benin Republic to Nigeria and they came through us and initiated a name search. They were waiting for the name search result to come out before they go back to Benin Republic, from where they will head back to Hong Kong. But they waited for three days, the result didn’t come out. They waited for one week and the result still didn’t come out.

They were very angry and left. Their contact person who

gave us the job was infuriated and questioned our competence. At the end of the day, everyone was frustrated.

They wasted their time, we missed the business opportunity and Nigeria lost them as investors.”

He added that, “This is also leading to loss of revenue on the part of CAC because any availability search initiated is paid for and if a particular name is not available, a client may have to pay again to initiate another search. The implication is that the more names they search for, the more money they make but now that availability takes like

three weeks, it means they will generate less revenue from name search.”

He noted that the idea of prompt and timely registration is essential if government wants entrepreneurship to have a ripple effect on the economy, since every business ought to be legally registered for that to happen.

Implications for Nigerian economy

O

ladiran said that the inability of CAC to offer prompt business registration has severe implications for the

Continues on page 33 C M Y K

20 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014

Business & Economy

Telecom subscribers appeal to FG to abolish arbitrary charges

T

he National Association of Telecom Subscribers (NATCOMS) have appealed to the Federal Government to abolish arbitrary charges by the network providers. Chief Dele Ogunbanjo, President of NATCOMS said in Lagos that the abolition of the charges would enhance the development of broadband and quality services by the operators.

Ogunbanjo lamented that the intervention of the Federal Government was necessitated by the multiple taxation by some state governments. He said that some state governments were charging between N500,000 and N800,000 monthly, on each mast.

“The telecoms operators are also charged N5,000 per metre as they laid their fibre optic cables across the country,” he said.

Ogunbanjo said the high charges and others like Right of Way restrictions and costs, as well as the security challenges “make things particularly difficult for the

ARSO advocates harmonising standards to boost international trade

T

he African Organisation Standardisation (ARSO) has reiterated the need for African countries to align with international standards, to improve their market access and boost regional trade. This was the view of stakeholders at the 20th General Assembly of ARSO in Kigali, Rwanda.

The stakeholders are from standardisation bodies from 16 African countries and the international agencies.

The President of ARSO, Dr Joseph Odumodu, noted that standards had become a tool in the fight for competitiveness and for creating barriers in regional trade. Odumodu emphasised the need for African standards to be a benchmark against international standards.

C M Y K

Dangote to halt cement imports into Cameroon with $140m investment

By FRANKLIN ALLI, with Agency report

T

he Dangote Group has so far sunk $140 million (about N23 billion) into its cement grinding plant in the Cameroonian economic capital city, Douala.

The investment, according to the company is to help the country to attain selfsufficiency in cement production and consumption and to halt importation of the commodity into the country, Nigeria as a reference point.

The grinding plant with a capacity of one million metric tons of cement a year and which will be upgraded to 1.5 million metric tons is located in an area called Base Elf on the shorelines of the River Wouri off the Atlantic coastline.

Investigation revealed that Cameroon imports about 500,000 metric tons of cement annually and that the yearly demand for cement is estimated at four million metric tons. Efforts by the government to boost domestic production saw supply increase from 1.6 million metric tons to an estimated 2.2 million metric tons leaving a shortfall of 1.8 million metric tons. To this end, the government invited private sector investment s in the sector. It was based on this that the government signed an investment agreement with

the Dangote Group in September 2011.

Abdullahi Bada, General Manager of the Doula plant, noted that the entry of Dangote into the Cameroonian cement industry is premised on the fact that for long, Africa has been a dumping ground for products over which we have comparative advantages and we have seize this opportunity, taking the bull by the horn to make sure Africa has comparative advantage, especially in the area of

cement manufacturing.

According to him, the first 50kg bag of 42.5 grade of cement from the plant will be available in the market from August this year.

“As a policy, Dangote Cement worldwide produces 42.5 grade cement because we take the healthy and safety of our people very seriously. We can’t rule out the fact that most of the builders and contractors in the rural areas lack engineers to monitor what they do; however, if you have a good product they will be

able to come out with standard constructions that will last and won’t endanger people’s lives.”

Regarding competition, he noted, “The cement industry in Cameroon is largely dominated by the Cinmenteries du Cameroun, CIMENCAM, owned by the French group Lafarge, which has for a long time been the only firm in this activity. The presence of the Moroccan group CIMAF whose annual production capacity is 500 tons; a Korean firm is also

*MEDIA DAY - From left: Mr. Edem Vindah, Corporate Brand & PR Manager, Nigerian Breweries; Mr. Sampson Oloche, Marketing Manager, Non-Alcoholic Drinks, Nigerian Breweries; Warebi Martha, CEO, Catwork Productions; Nnenna Herneson, Fayrouz Senior Brand Manager; Mai Atafo, Grand Finale Judge & Inspired by Mai, at the Fayrouz L’Original Media Day,held in Lagos.

Non-oil export hit $2.97bn in 2013 — NEPC

By PROVIDENCE OBUH

T

he value of non-oil products that moved out from Nigeria in 2013 rose to $2.97billionfrom$2.561billion in 2012, Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) revealed.

Speaking during the NEPC workshop in Lagos, Executive Director/CEO, NEPC, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, said that about 117 products were exported to 93 countries worldwide in 2013 as provided by Cobalt International Limited.

Awolowo said that Nigeria’s exports are no longer limited to the traditional markets of Europe, especially UK and products such as cocoa, bean, palmproduce,groundnutsand solid minerals.

He added that the increase in the number of products being exported and countries

destinations are strong indications of export diversification, pointing out that this is a measure of improvement in the Nigerian export culture.

According to him, “NEPC in its efforts to provide the platformforpenetratingtarget international market with made-in-Nigeria products spearheads Nigeria’s participation in International Trade Fairs/Exhibitions every year. This has largely succeeded in exposing Nigerian companies and organisations to the international market and opened up market contacts that have yielded much dividend to the individual companies and the nation in terms of increased in flow of foreign exchange.

“In the year 2013, 13 of such outings were spearheaded by the council. A total number

of 126 companies, mainly Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) benefited. On-the-spot sales and orders generated by these companies amounted to $627,108.23 and $3,716,920.51 respectively.

“Executed order as at the end of February 2014, that was reported to NEPC was $763,247.85. It is also on recorded that made-inNigeria products, especially in West African Sub-region market elicit great demand as customers marveled about the quality and wondered if they were ever produced in Nigeria.

“A number of indigenous SMEs that were introduced to the market in the year 2013, especially in processed foods and condiments are already making waves in Togo and Ghanamarketsamongstother markets being penetrated in

the region.

“Efforts to scale up the penetration of the regional market by made-in-Nigeria products led to the initiative of “Lome Trade Hub” which was kick started by the staging of a Solo Exhibition in Lome, Togo in the year 2013 and was closely followed-up with Nigeria’s participation at the 11thLomeInternationalTrade Fair same year. Already, large numbers of Nigerian companies that participated in the two trade events at Togo, have their Togolese representatives selling their various products in the market.

“Effortsathavingpermanent trade hub in place is yielding dividend and Togolese authorities have allocated a space at their trade fair complex to Nigeria and renovationworkisunderway,” he said.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014 — 21

Business & Economy

BY OMOH GABRIEL, Business Editor

T

S

ince the announcement of the policy on BDC stakeholders in the sector have raised issues and some out of selfish interest. Many of those who operate these BDCs are within the CBN and government quarters. They are individual who uses surrogates to ripe off the nation. The genuine BDC operators are few and do their business genuinely. Before the policy was made public some of these vested interests have already gone to work preparing the minds of operators on the line of action to take. In recent years the Nigerian economy has been highly dollarised. The dollarisation of the economy was decried by Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. In Economic parlance, dollarisation of an economy occurs when the inhabitants of a country use foreign currency parallel to or instead of the domestic currency as a store of value, unit of account, and/ or medium of exchange within the domestic economy.

Nearly every government functionary, from the presidency to governors, ministers, Bankers, and top business managers, spend dollars in Nigeria unhindered as if it has become a legal tender.

Where are these dollars coming from? Most of them

*PROMO - From left: Uche Onyia, winner of a 2.5 KVA generator; Dialose Chudey, winner of an LED TV; Isaiah Ajayi, Sales Representative - Festac, Nigerian Breweries ; and Oriyomi Idris, winner of a home theatre, at the Star Football Fan Park activation, held at Barbados Bar, Festac Town, on June 25

Diversion of foreign exchange from BDCs, an economic distortion are purchased from Bureau de Change. Bureau de Change is supposedly meant to serve small end users of foreign exchange. But the reverse is the case here in Nigeria. Many serve as a conduit pipe for political office holders to drain the nation through unhindered access to foreign exchange. In fact even the genuine small business men who go to some of these bureau de change purchase foreign to

,

he Central Bank of Ni geria (CBN) last week reduced the volume of weekly foreign exchange sales to Bureaux De Change (BDCs) by 70 per cent to $15,000 per BDC and announced a 250 per cent increase in the capital base for BDCs to N35 million from N10 million. In addition, the mandatory caution deposit was reviewed upward to N35 million from $20,000 per BDC while the licensing fee was raised to N1, 000,000 from N100, 000. Application fee and annual renewal fee was pegged at N100, 000 and N250, 000 respectively.

The apex bank also banned ownership of multiple BDCs, and said that membership of the Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) would no longer be a compulsory licensing requirement. “All existing BDCs and those currently operating with a Final Approval Letter are required to comply with the requirement on mandatory cautionary deposit by 15 July 2014 while all current applications are expected to comply with these new requirements,” the apex bank said.

the Nigerian economy. Many Nigerians are not aware that at the moment the CBN is trying to fight the high level of capital flight in the country.

Available data showed that in the week of 31st March 2014, a total of $4.8525 billion left Nigeria shores as transfers and payment to foreigners by Nigerians. In the week ending 30th April a total of $3.64 billion left the Nigerian shores.

Before then the average week-

Many serve as a conduit pipe for political office holders to drain the nation through unhindered access to foreign exchange. In fact even the genuine small business men who go to some of these bureau de change purchase foreign to import goods that are not necessary in the country.

import goods that are not necessary in the country.

How can Nigeria being importing took pick made from bamboo? Yet the nation complains of dwindling foreign reserve.

In Nigeria today, many residents store their value in dollars, liquid assets are moved freely around with the dollar as preferred currency. Those who offer bribe use the dollar. The incidence of the use of dollar in Nigeria has weakened the naira and Nigerians are losing confidence in their own currency The second fundamental issue that requires action to curb the excess use of forex in all quarters is the high level of capital flight that attends

,

ly international payment made by Nigerians was $1.7 billion. A total of $18.3 billion left the shores of Nigeria to foreign lands through official channels in twelve weeks in 2013.

The $18.3 billion went out of the country in the form of capital flight, which Nigerians indulged in. According to figures available at the Central Bank of Nigeria, the amount was remitted through banks, bureau de change, travel agencies and debt payment to foreign creditors to which Nigeria owes some money. This and the monthly withdrawals from the Federation Account have resulted in the depletion of the nation’s foreign reserves. The financial haemor-

rhage, which has been plaguing the nation for years due to the low productivity of the economy, has resulted in blame games in political and financial circles in the nation.

The foreign exchange out flows has resulted in an average of $1.7 billion leaving the shore of Nigeria every week as payment on travels, cash purchased from banks and Bureau De Change, letters of credit, direct remittances on behalf of expatriates working in Nigeria, Wholesale Dutch Auction and debt service payment. In the twelve weeks under consideration, a total of $89.647million was spent

by Nigerians in foreign travels. Cash sales in dollars

by Bureau De Change to small scale businesses and individuals amounted to $2.665 billion. In the twelve weeks, amount attributed to dollars sales through letters of credit opened on behalf of Nigerians for business purchases amounted to $365.810 million, while a total of $1.159billioin went out of the country as direct total remittances.

According to the CBN figures, within the twelve months, foreign exchange purchases through the official market of the Wholesale Dutch Auction sales stood at $13.906 billion and payment of interest on foreign loans by the Federal Government took out the sum of $144.83million out of the nation’s coffers.

A break down of the foreign exchange out flows from the CBN showed that in the week ending 20th September 2013,

the sum of $38.93 million was spent on travels, while cash sales to bureau de change and banks took out the sum of $263.575 million out of the nation’s foreign reserves. In the same vein, within the same week, the sum of $96.05million went out through letters of credit and the sum of $1.26billion was sold by CBN at the foreign exchange markets to Nigerians, who apply to buy goods and service abroad. This resulted in the depletion of Nigeria foreign reserves by a total of $1.708 billion in this particular week.

The new CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele when he assumed office said the vision of the Central Bank of Nigeria is to “be the Model Central Bank delivering price and financial system stability and promoting sustainable economic development”.

This vision draws inspiration from our understanding of the multiple mandate of the Bank to pursue both price and financial system stability as well as provide complementary developmental functions by creating an environment for Nigerians to live better and more fulfilled lives”. If all Nigerians must have a better life, then the CBN can not continue to serve the interest of the elites in society. It must focus on policies that support the masses. By cutting down on foreign exchange available to the few privileged Nigerians is the beginning of such policies.

Nigerians must know that the persistent domestic foreign exchange demand pressure is for political activities and not for productive purposes.

Allowing the political class to continue to put pressure on the exchange rate by the CBN gives cause for worry. If the CBN allows the pressure to continue it will suggest that the apex bank is dancing to the whims of the political class. Coupled with this, is the ever increasing dollarisation of the economy by the same political class. The CBN says it remains committed to defending the naira, even if this requires depleting the nation’s foreign reserves. It has identified the major threat to the naira as the build-up of political activities, resorting to dollarisation of the economy.

This remains a key risk to the stability of the naira. CBN policies should be supported to tackle this pressure point by insisting that all local payments, purchases be made in naira and refusing foreign exchange cover for imports that are not essential needs.

22 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014

Banking & Finance

First Bank sponsors journalists on international course

I

Agusto ugrades Access Bank rating to 'A+'

A

CCESS Bank Plc has been upgraded from “A” to “A+” with a stable outlook

by Agusto & Co. The rating, according to a statement by the bank, cements its position as a systemically important banking institution in Nigeria and reflects the full synergy of the merger with Intercontinental Bank Plc. According to the report by Agusto & Co, Access Bank achieved this by actualizing a good liquidity position, satisfactory capitalization as well as improved risk management framework which had a positive impact on asset quality.

The rating agency stated in their report that the Bank’s extensive network of 310 branches and cash centres has created improved visibility among the banking population and has translated to a significant market share across the key market indicators. NPLs to gross loans ratio stood at 2.4 per cent - the lowest recorded in the last five years and compares favorably with the industry average of 3.6 per cent.

The report further states that "Access Bank’s improved rating further corroborates the Bank’s enhanced capacity to execute larger transactions."

*From left: Chairman, International Chamber of Commerce Nigeria (ICCN), Mr. Babatunde Savage, in a handshake with the Assistant Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Services, Mr. Odunmbaku A.A, Chairman Emeritus, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, Executive Board Member (ICCN), Mr. Segun Fagboyegun

Can of worms in bank customer relationship

By BABJIDE KOMOLAFE

T

he relationship between banks and their customers is based on trust. There are indications that some banks and bankers are betraying this trust, by taking advantage of the ignorance of most customers to steal and defraud them via excess charges and sundry fees.

This reality was brought to the fore at the 2014 summit of Bank Customers Association of Nigeria (BCAN) held recently in Lagos. Though designed to create awareness among bank customers, it became an opportunity for regulators to open cans of worms in bank- customer relationship in the country.

“The realities are different from the theoretical expectations regarding duties and rights of banks and customers in the bankcustomer relationship”, said Umir Dutse, Director Consumer Protection Department of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

He said, “One key indicator of the reality of the banker/customer relationship is complaints management. Usually, complaints arise where customers perceive that their banks may have acted unethically or inappropriately.

The Consumer Protection Department (CPD) received and treated 1071 petitions

against financial institutions and got a refund of N2.955 billion in 2013. The total petitions received by the department from when it was an office at the inception of the Financial Policy and Regulation Department in March 2010 to May 2014 were 4,141. The petitions were generally for issues relating to excess charges, unauthorized deductions, dishonoured cheques, cheque conversion, foreign remittances, and ATM frauds. The cumulative refund, for the period of March 2010 to May 2014 was N14.69billion, and $1.1million.

“Instructively, excess charges constituted over 50 percent of the petitions the CPD had received and treated as at May, 2014. We have observed that many reasons accounted for this development. They included greed, and poor service delivery by banks as well as failure to adhere to the provisions of extant guidelines and agreements. For example, whereas Section 2.9 of the Revised Guide to Bank Charges (RGBC) requires that Management fee for a loan, which is one-off, should be negotiable subject to a maximum of 1 percent, it is common to see banks charge either more than one time or in excess of 1 percent as required by the Guide. Also, we had received many petitions where banks charged COT in excess of the provisions of the RGBC, or where banks introduced fees that were not initially in the agreement between them and their customers. In these, and

similar cases, the banks involved invariably breached the customer ’s right to fair treatment.”

D

utste’s disclosures were corroborated by the Consumer Protection Council (CPC). Head of CPC Lagos Office, Mr. Tam Tamunokonbia,. He noted that illegal bank charges, ATM frauds, and non- disclosure of terms and conditions, are some of the common complaints the Council receives from bank customers.

Citing recent examples, he said, “A lady’s N1.9 million

,

n continuation of its commitment to enhance capacity building in the media industry, First Bank of Nigeria Limited has sponsored selected Nigerian journalists across various media platforms for a four-day broadbased international Advanced Financial Journalism Course at the prestigious Press Association Centre in London, United Kingdom. The course which kicked off on Monday, June 23, 2014 will run till Thursday, June 26, 2014.

The highly successful international training programme is currently in its second year and falls under the Bank’s widely acknowledged intervention initiative tagged, “Media Thought Leadership Capacity Enhancement Initiative”.

As in the previous year, the journalists who cut across from different beats including online, electronic and print journalism will be trained in core financial journalism which will cover macro and micro economics reporting as well as

such customers. The reality we face is, however, different.

Every day, we are inundated with reports of poor or total lack of disclosure by some banks that refuse to inform their customers on the intricacies of products and services they offer to them.

Additionally, we had received not a few petitions where banks attempted to shy away from liability arising from the dishonesty of their staff who acted in ways that were inconsistent with their normal duties for which the banks never objected.”

Dutse said some customers have also been found to be dishonest in their relationship with their banks by trying to evade financial obligations to their banks. Others he said, also failed in their duty to protect and keep vital instruments and information like cheque book, ATM card, PIN and codes safe. “While, in a few cases, banks have been found to be liable in this regard, often, it is the customers who compromise these instruments and information. It is worthy to emphasis that where customers lose money as a result of their negligence, their bank cannot bear any liability.”

Addressing these violations of trust in the bank customer relationship, according to Dr. Uju Ogubunka, calls for increased awareness and education on the rights and obligations of banks and customers. The summit, he said is one of the efforts in BCAN in this regard.

He said, “This summit is borne out of the obvious need for banking business to be conducted based on values and best practices that not only promote and support fairness between providers and

“We are inundated reports of poor or total lack of disclosure by some banks that refuse to inform their customers on the intricacies of products and services they offer to them”

withdrawn in one week without alert – case in Enugu High Court. A Company was charged in excess of N1,984,662.40. Another in excess of N592,681.61. Yet another in excess of N552,597.01."

He said when confronted with these complaints, banks give defensive answers such as; “Customer compromised PIN numbers. CCTV Footage could not be generated; we are investigating and will get back; the customer signed an agreement; the customer was given the form; It is an error etc.” Speaking further Dutse said, “A bank is obligated to provide full disclosure to its customers regarding every product or services they offer

,

consumers of banking services but also the stability, growth and sustainability of the banking system, hence the economy. “Thus, this maiden edition is aimed at empowering participants to know their rights, privileges and of course obligations. It is also aimed at providing opportunity for them to share their experiences on what they expect from their banks and what they are getting.

The time has come when bank customers and indeed, consumers of banking and financial services should be knowledgeable on basics of the business in order to maximize their benefits and also protect themselves against any unfair treatment.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014 — 23

Banking & Finance

Trustfund Pensions declares N1bn profit …Shareholders laud performance

By FUNMI KOMOLAFE

T

RUSTFUND Pensions Plc, has declared a profit after tax of N1.005,792 billion, even as shareholders are expected to get a dividend of 25 kobo per share amounting to N250Million.

In the company’s financial result of the year, total income amounted to N3.897, 293 billion while profit before tax

was N1, 089,909billion.

From its financial analysis, the company’s profit after tax increased by 28 percent from N788 million in 2012 to N1.005,792 in 2013, fund under the management grew from N210.5billion in 2012 to N272.1billion in 2013 Addressing shareholders and others, at its 6th Annual General Meeting, AGM, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr. (Mrs) Ngozi Olejeme, said Trustfund

Pensions Plc had recorded another year of progress for the year ended 31 December, 2013, saying the financial results showed a healthy growth in adjusted earnings despite the challenging macro-economic environment.

According to her, “a lot of work went into improving the quality of earnings, increasing the proportion of our more resilient, visible income streams and cutting our exposure to volatile areas

such as benefit payments and fund management. We made good progress in the building of our long term goals in line with our strategic objectives.

Our actions in 2013 undoubtedly left the Company in a stronger position as we enter 2014. I commend the Board, Management and Staff of the Company for their fortitude and commitment.”

Speaking on the financial statements, she said “The

financial statements for the year ended 31 December, 2013 have been prepared in line with the International Financial Reporting Standards, IFRS. The Company’s Gross earnings and Profit after tax increased by 22% and 28% respectively resulting in a corresponding increase in the Total assets and Shareholders’ fund of 17% and 30% respectively.

“During the year under review, the Directors paid a final dividend of 23kobo per ordinary share on the issued capital of 1,000,000,000 for the financial year ended December 2012.

24 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014

Corporate Finance

NAHCO FTZ to boost shareholders’ value

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

S

hareholders of Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc(NAHCO) have expressed optimism about the future prospects of the company following the establishment of a new subsidiary, NAHCO FTZ to operate a free trade zone(FTZ) within the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos. NAHCO FTZ was recently given a licence by the Federal Government to operate a free trade zone, a development that is capable of attracting about $500 million investment into Nigeria.

The shareholders, who spoke at the yearly meeting with the management, said the new subsidiary, which is part of the NAHCO’s expansion initiative, will not only attract investment into the economy but will also boost the fortunes of all stakeholders of the company.

Some of the shareholders who spoke at the AGM include: the National Coordinator, I n d e p e n d e n t Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Sir Sunny Nwosu, the Chairman, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, mr. Boniface Okezie; Bishop Goodluck Akpore of Onitsha Zone S h a r e h o l d e r s Association, Alhaji Muktar Muktar, Mrs. Oludewa Thorpe and Mrs. Esther Augustine.

They commended the board and management for the FTZ idea and pledged to support the project that will take off fully this year. In his comment, Nwosu said, “NAHCO FTZ is a clear value to the company and its stakeholders. FTZ gives the company the opportunity to be a cargo hub for West Africa and entire Africa because those companies that are either importing or exporting will always like to pass through FTZ because they will not pay any duty for that. This gives NAHCO opportunity for growth.”

Earlier in his address, the Chairman of NAHCO, Mallam

Suleiman Yahyah, said already a management team has been put in place to run the affairs of the new subsidiary, adding that they are developing a 25-year master plan for NAHCO FTZ in that direction. ”NAHCO FTZ will afford us the opportunity to import goods in a borderless environment. It will also improve our shipment capacity and capabilities and give us a unique platform to service valueadded aviation-related business. This will enhance significantly air traffic into the country and bring for NAHCO Plc increased volume in form of cargoes.

“We also believe that when the FTZ comes into full operation, some of the exports that we lose to neighbouring counties would revert to us,” Yahyah said. Reviewing the performance of the company for the year ended December 31,

2013, the chairman said turnover rose by 11 percent from N7.4 billion to N8.1 billion, while profit after tax rose by 35 percent from N609 million to N820 million.

“Accordingly, the Board is pleased to recommend a modest increase of 20 percent in dividend payment from 25 kobo to 30 kobo. We have increased our liquidity position, cash flow and amount retained in the business in order to support future capital expenditure and our West Africa roll-out strategy,” he said.

Also speaking, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NAHCO, Mr. Kayode Oluwasegun-Ojo, said the company will build on the 2013 performance, saying that the team of resilient business development strategists is well positioned to secure emerging business opportunities for the company.

Fidelity Bank partners PayPal on payment processing

F

idelity Bank Plc has announced the acceptance of its payment Cards on the PayPal platform.

With this development, Fidelity Bank’s cardholders can now shop from the world’s major international Retailers with more flexibility and convenience.

Coming on the heels of the proposed nationwide adoption of the CBN’s cashless initiative from July 1, this move is seen as part of the bank’s efforts at boosting electronic payments and fostering ease of transactions.

PayPal, a global player in the e-commerce industry, offers a faster and effective means of conducting transactions over the internet and is being used by millions of customers across the world.

Divisional Head, Electronic Banking, Adedeji Olowe, who spoke on behalf of the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo, said

the introduction of PayPal is a deliberate attempt by the bank to make financial services easy and accessible to its customers.

Specifically, Olowe said that the development is in line with the bank’s commitment to consistently deploy innovative strategies to make life easier for its customers. “We believe that our customers will benefit immensely from this innovation and the registration process is straightforward.

He, however, explained that the bank would adopt a phased approach to deployment, saying, “Only shopping on international websites is available at this time, other services will be introduced in the coming months.”

While the surge in ecommerce has given rise to concerns about online security, the bank has allayed the fears of its customers by confirming that its Cards are protected with top-notch security tools.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014 — 25

Corporate Finance

NSE: Enlightenment, tax cut needed to jump start securities lending Stories by NKIRUKA NNOROM

E

nlightenment of market participants, potential lenders and borrowers, on how securities lending can help to boost the performance of the capital market is a major tonic needed to jump start securities lending in Nigeria.

There is also need to streamline existing tax structure, which currently covers stamp duty and transaction taxes, as well as tax on securities lending fee income and capital gain tax, said Mr. Jude Chiemeka, Chief Executive Officer of UBA Capital Plc. Securities lending is a capital market system that allows an investor to loan a stock or any other security to another investor or firm.

In borrowing a security, the borrower hopes to profit by selling the security and buying it back at a lower price. When a security is loaned, the title and the ownership is also transferred to the borrower.

Securities lending was approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, in quarter one, 2012, but feelers from the stock market indicate that it has not been operational.

Speaking while making a presentation on Issues in Securities Lending at the last Capital Market Committee meeting in Lagos, Chiemeka said the current fee of six percent will have to be revisited and possibly

reviewed down to two to three percent to align the cost structure with that of other international markets.

He said there is need to also revisit the collateral aspect, saying that it will address the fear factor arising from lending ones security to another investor.

Listing other boosts to securities lending, Chiemeka said, “Given the expected return on securities lending, the current margin requirement of between 135 percent and 160 percent will not attract investors.

“The responsibilities of all parties should be clearly understood and agreed on and participants as a matter

of prudence should carry out credit assessment of their counterparties.”

“The regulators should ensure that participants maintain adequate capital to cover the risks they undertake,” he added.

Moreover, he stated that if fully operational, the act will improve the participation of Market Makers, thereby deepening and providing the needed liquidity in the capital market.

In his response, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, emphasised that Securities Lending took off with Market Making in 2012, saying that

the Exchange has put the framework in place to facilitate full operation of the system.

He further stated that provision has already been made for Securities lending agents, who are saddled with the responsibility of loaning and borrowing securities on behalf of interested investors. “I believe a number of them have been registered by SEC but they still have not taken off operations and so, we are trying to address the concerns they have in order for them to actually start functioning as Securities Lending agents,” he said.

hareholders of NPF Microfinance Bank have approved distribution of N228.7 million dividends earlier recommended by the Board of Directors of the bank.

The dividend so approved translates to 10kobo per every 50 kobo ordinary share held by the shareholders.

Addressing shareholders at the 20th Annual General Meeting, AGM, in Lagos, the chairman, Mrs. Florence Adebanjo, said the bank set out in 2013 to conduct its business in a manner that will be beneficial to all its stakeholders and to strengthen its leadership

T

he Africa Finance Corporation, AFC, has become the mandated lead arranger of $1.305 billion prepayment facility for Glencore Energy UK. The facility will be used by Glencore to provide financing of up to $1.450 billion to Société des Hydrocarbures du Tchad, SHT, the national oil company of Chad.

The pre-payment facility will, in turn, be used by SHT to acquire Chevron Global Energy Inc’s 25 percent participating interest in the Doba consortium, which owns and operates oil producing assets in Chad.

AFC was one of the six Mandated Lead Arrangers of the pre-payment facility, the others being Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Banking, Deutsche Bank, FBN Bank (UK) Ltd, Natixis, and Société Generale Bank, with Citibank N.A. as the Account Bank. AFC’s contribution to the financing was USD100 million.

Dangote Cooperative gross earnings up by 68%

D

*COUNSELLING - From right: Mrs. M.T Iji, Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Education District 5, Lagos State; Rabi Isma, Director, Leadership and Organisational Development, Etisalat; Mr. Oziegbe Ip, Director, Special Duty Education District 5, Lagos State; and Mrs. Tonne Saheed, Senior Project Officer, LEARN at the Etisalat Career Counselling in Lagos. PHOTO BY AKEEM SALAU

NPF MfB shareholders approve N228.7m dividends S

AFC finances $1.3bn oil project in Chad

position in the microfinance bank sector.

She explained that the bank redirected its focus to increased microfinance activities by tailoring its services and delivery channels through improved technology in order to meet its clients’ needs.

Speaking on the financial performance, Adebanjo said, “”The results for the financial period under review are once again a testimony to the sound financial health of our bank.”

She stated that total assets grew from N7.690 billion in 2012 to N8.680 billion in the

year under review, representing an increase of 12.87 percent.

Total deposits, according to her, stood at N3.858 billion as at December 31, 2013, compared to N3.271 billion recorded in 2012, an increase of 17.95 percent.

“Profit before tax, however, dropped by 18.73 percent from N630 million in 2012 to N512 million. This was due to additional provision of N106 million made due to impairment in loans.

“The cheering news, however, is that a 100 percent of the profit made in the period under review came

from organic operational activities of the bank, which is sustainable as against a 46 percent write back to profit from capital market in the previous year’s result,” she said.

Speaking on the outlook, she said, “The Central Bank of Nigeria’ commitment to the pursuit of financial inclusion is expected to result in increased competition in the banking industry during the year as Deposit Money Banks intensify their efforts to gain the confidence of micro customers.

angote Group Staff Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society Limited, DANCOOPS, has declared gross earnings of N87.32 million in 2012 compared to N52.86 million in 2011, representing 68 percent increase.

Presenting the financial result for 2012 to members of th the co-operative during its 7 Annual General Meeting, AGM, in Lagos, the cooperative said it is also proposing a dividend payout of N34 million for members whose names appeared on its register as at the close of business as at 31st of December, 2012.

In an address, the President of the co-operative, Reuben Odetunde, told the members that the co-operatives’ total savings increased from N717.5 million in 2011 to N983.10 million, about 37 percent increase.

He also noted that the cooperative’s personal loan scheme, which is a strategic activity of the society to make loans available to members, has continued to attract strong patronage by members compared to the previous year.

C M Y K

26 —Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014 — 27

28 —Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014

Interview

How would you describe the level of education in the country?

It is still not where it should be. Yes government is doing so much to develop the sector but we are not there yet, that is why the private sector must come in and invest in the education sector if we really want our children to get quality education without having to pay so much for it.

It is so bad that most well to do and not so well to do strive to send their children abroad to obtain what they see as quality education.

Unfortunately, this has constituted a major drain on our foreign exchange earnings as a country. It is alleged that there are 75,000 Nigerians studying in various educational institutions in Ghana. Just estimate the amount of money these 75,000 students would have saved the country in dollars if they were in Nigerian universities.

Rolling back the years when I was an undergraduate studying International Relations, about 45 per cent of my classmates were foreigners from Equatorial Guinea, Niger Republic and even from France. Such people came for exchange programmes to understand the concept of international relations in Nigeria. Thus, beyond the capacity issues, the quality of education is very critical to make our people stay.

So what is the way out?

First and foremost, government must increase funding to the education sector and ensure that public schools are better equipped to compete fairly with the private institutions. Most importantly, there is a need for urgent intervention in the education sector by private sector companies because government cannot do it alone. This is why we have decided as a bank to focus on the sector. Sterling Bank’s intervention in the sector will help to ameliorate some of the challenges the sector faces.

Over the years, youth unemployment has remained one of the daunting challenges in Nigeria, as recent statistics show that over 25 million youths in the C M Y K

Government needs help to finance education sector — Sterling Bank country are unemployed.

This abysmal statistics is linked to, among others, the issue of employability as even where jobs abound, the lack of competence to handle them arises. This problem can be attributed to the declining quality of education in the country.

All this has necessitated our foray into education. We realise that Nigeria will require an investment of about $1 billion yearly for about 55 to 56 years to transform the education sector.

Our intervention in this sector will hopefully contribute to resolving the problem of unemployment. It will help Nigerians create their own businesses.

State governments are beginning to come up with initiatives to develop the education sector.

For instance, we are aware that Lagos State government has introduced the Lagos EKO project. We have similar projects in other states especially in the south west.

In what ways can the private sector support such initiatives?

The facts are there. We are the first bank in Nigeria to partner the Lagos EKO Project using our staff as volunteer teachers to teach different subjects, all of these are part of our corporate social responsibility to support education, to aid employment and bridge the estimated $1 billion gap that exists in terms of funding education in Nigeria.

Apart from that, Sterling Bank has also helped to improve the look and feel of some schools and we are also supporting with books, writing materials, as well as textbooks. Our books ‘My Little Money Book’ and ‘Funds’, is our way of providing a learning/teaching guide on saving, loans and other financial concepts.

Now what is Sterling Bank doing to support the sector?

The Bank’s focus on education is strategic. We are

looking at all actors in the value chain. For instance, the bank has set up an education desk to look at the total value chain of education, from suppliers of inputs to the end users.

The bank intends to use it’s expertise to contribute to the development of the sector through a •Mr. Shina Atilola, Group Head, Strategy & Communications, Sterling Bank Plc

,

T

he challenges in the education sector are so enormous that private institutions would need to lend the government a helping hand. Mr. Shina Atilola, Group Head, Strategy & Communications, Sterling Bank Plc in this interview explains what the Bank is doing to support the education sector.

We are the first bank in Nigeria to partner the Lagos EKO Project using our staff as volunteer teachers to teach different subjects, all of these are part of our corporate social responsibility to support education, to aid employment and bridge the estimated $1 billion gap that exists in terms of funding education in Nigeria

variety of initiatives.

Statistics from EFInA shows that 1.9million people are borrowing for education needs, meaning that there is a need in this sector. The bank intends to reduce the burden on parents occasioned by bulk payment of school fees through our school fees finance product. It provides convenience to parents and peace of mind that their children can stay in school while we finance their education.

We have also instituted scholarship opportunities for brilliant children that excel in competitions organised by the bank. Just recently, we concluded a Mathematics competition in collaboration with a school in Lagos. More than 1,000 children entered for this competition and top performers were beneficiaries of various cash awards. The winner got N500,000 scholarship support, the

,

second N300,000 scholarship support, and the third got N200,000 scholarship support. The scholarships were extended to the top 51 students: The student that came fourth got N150,000 while the fifth, sixth and seven positions got N125,000, N100,000, and N75,000 respectively. The remaining 44 students got N50,000 alongside books and other materials. We are doing all these to encourage healthy competition among students and at the end of the day develop the sector. I can assure you that by next year, the Mathematics competition will go national.

To encourage students improve on innovation and critical thinking another competition is ongoing for students between ages 5-12.

Basically, the kids are allowed to design and create the bank of their imagination which could be expressed as a

painting, drawing, writing or even through a presentation.

The most creative ideas will be shortlisted for various prizes. The first, second and third prize winners will go home with a scholarship awards of N500,000, N300,000 and N200,000 respectively. There will also be other cash awards, gadgets and other prizes to be won.

This initiative is aimed at identifying talents and harnessing same for global competitiveness.

It is also important l mention this. Sterling Bank supported the 2014 edition of the “We are The Future of our Nation” (WATFON) program, an initiative of Edumark Consult.

Over 3,500 final year students in various secondary schools attended the event aimed at providing leadership skills and career development knowledge yearly. We did this as a way of investing in our collective future and create the society we want by investing in our youth. This platform provided the children to meet with accomplished Nigerians, who have excelled in various fields and have thus become role models to inspire the children to greatness There is need for institutions to promote financial literacy among students which would prepare them with the ability to make informed financial judgments and effective decisions about the use and management of money from the young age which determines the child’s longterm financial security.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014 — 29

Homes & Housing Finance

FMBN partners Police, others to boost housing delivery

T

he clamour for a better standard of living for security officers and operatives in the country received a boost recently when President Goodluck Jonathan commissioned 1,000 housing units for the rank and file of the Nigeria Police in Dakwa, Abuja.

At the commissioning on 10 June, 2014 of the 1000-unit housing estate christened, Sunday Adewusi Housing Estate, consisting of three, two and one bedroom units, the President applauded the initiative of the Nigerian police in collaboration with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) to provide affordable housing for its officers and men.

Jonathan, who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, noted that the project which was developed through public-private partnership (PPP) between a developer and the Police Cooperative Society Ltd as financier will motivate members of the Police Force towards effective and efficient service delivery.

In his remark, InspectorGeneral of Police, Mohammed D. Abubakar, said that the vision behind the project was to provide comfortable houses for men and officers of the Nigeria Police. Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mr. Mike Okiro, on his part,

said that officers and men, who are beneficiaries, will pay for the houses through the NHF loans which the Nigeria Police has accessed to through FMBN. “These houses have been delivered at the lowest cost, which is made possible through equity contribution to relevant stakeholders,” he stated.

It would be recalled that President Jonathan last year commissioned the first modern police housing estate named after him in Lagos, where he commended the initiative of the Nigerian police in collaboration with FMBN to provide affordable housing for its officers and also reiterated the commitment of his administration to provision of affordable housing for Nigerians. The estate which comprises 200 units of 3bedroom flats was built under a PPP scheme financed

by Aso Housing and Loans and developed by Remax developers.

IGP Abubakar disclosed then that buyers would be expected to repay through a mortgage scheme made available by FMBN. He also noted that similar estates were being built in other parts of the country including Abuja, Kaduna and Kano.

The President also recently launched the National Housing Fund (NHF) e-Card and commissioned the FMBN-financed ‘Aviation Village’ housing estate in

*FMBN MD, Yaú Kumo

,

Stories by YINKA KOLAWOLE & FAVOUR NNABUGWU

Since the introduction of the e-collection platform, NHF collections have improved by more than 500 percent

Abuja. The estate was developed by Suntrust Real Estate Investment Limited, a private developer based on funding for both construction and infrastructure financing provided by FMBN to the tune of N2.4 billion. The estate which covers a land mass of 11.9 hectares comprises a total of 270 housing units made up of 144 units of 2 bedroom flats, 50 units of 3 bedroom semidetached bungalows and 76

Housing: AHCN seeks government guarantee for offshore funding A ssociation of Housing Corporations of Nigeria (AHCN) has called for provision of necessary government guarantee to enable its member organisations access offshore funding for housing development.

AHCN which is the umbrella body for all federal and state housing agencies, and housing research institutes, stated this in a communiqué issued after a two-day National Workshop on “Housing Sector in Nigeria in the last 50 Years” and its 41st Annual General Meeting to mark its Golden Jubilee. It noted that the existing funding arrangement for the provision of housing in Nigeria is grossly

inadequate, hence the need for support in providing government guarantees.

The communiqué signed by both the AHCN P r e s i d e n t , D r .

Ifenna Chukwujekwu and its Secretary General, D.A. HarYusuph, noted the availability of offshore funding for housing delivery and its attendant challenges, and identified collateral and bank guarantee as the main issue affecting smooth access to such offshore funding in the recent past.

While commending activities and roles of the association in housing development over the last 50 years, the communiqué noted the potentials of member organisations in

,

housing provision has not been fully realised. The association therefore urged housing agencies to explore the usage of instruments such as bond, stocks, mutual funds, insurance policies, Gold certificates, corporate guarantee, which are accepted by some lenders to secure offshore funding.

AHCN further identified availability of untapped resources and funds in trillions of naira lying fallow in pension and insurance funds, unclaimed dividends and other related instruments that could be harnessed to the real estate sector. It also called for pragmatic actions by member organisations that will enable them access funds for housing development from the capital market.

units of 3 bedroom detached bungalows.

“We are moving forward as a nation in our quest to reduce the housing deficit in Nigeria and I wish to commend FMBN for successfully delivering this project through the Estate Development Loan granted Sun Trust Investments,” the president stated.

Speaking at the occasion, Managing Director of FMBN, Mr. Kimba Ya’u Kumo, said mortgage arrangement has been made for beneficiaries. “Regarding this estate, FMBN has approved mortgage loans to 171 NHF contributors to the tune of N1.4 billion, out of which about 20 beneficiaries are occupying their houses as we speak. Mortgage loans for the remaining 99 units are being processed and would be concluded shortly,” he said.

The FMBN boss noted that the launch of the NHF e-Card was a huge step forward in delivering the advantages of speed, accuracy, transparency, accountability and superior customer experiences to NHF contributors. He said since the introduction of the e-collection platform, NHF collections have improved by more than 500 percent and has also assisted to ensure transparency and accountability.

“Mr. President would be pleased to know that we have begun to harvest the benefits of the NHF e-Collection platform, especially in the volume of NHF collections.

For instance, the rate of NHF collections rose significantly from about N700 million to over N2.2 billion per month.

We estimate a further 100 percent increase in monthly collections to about N4 billion per month before the end of Year 2014.

“By using the NHF eCollection platform web portal, a contributor can review his/her record of contributions online and print out a statement of account at a computer workstation from anywhere in the world. In addition, contributors can use the NHF e-Card as an e-Purse that can be loaded with extra cash to make purchases via POS terminals or online. The portion of funds being NHF contributions will however not be available for spending,” he stated.

Ogun slashes housing cost for civil servants

O

gun State government has reviewed downward the prices of housing units being sold by government to the state’s public servants.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun disclosed this in Abeokuta, the state capital, at a meeting to commemorate the Public Service Day. He said rather than making 20 percent initial payment previously required, workers will now pay 10 percent of the total cost of their choice housing units.

Amosun declared that a three-bedroom apartment which initially goes for N6.2 million has been reduced to N5.5 million, two-bedroom from N6 million to N5 million, while and a one-bedroom flat now goes for N4.5 million, from N5.5 million. He said the review was prompted by various complaints by public servants, who said there was no way they could afford the initial prices. He also announced approval of 27.5 percent teachers’ allowance, car and housing loans for the workers, adding that workers will begin to access the loans from October.

NSE moves to curb building collapse

N

igerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has initiated moves aimed at curbing incidences of building collapse in the country.

National President, NSE, Ademola Olurunfemi, who made theremarkinYola,said“theSociety is taking decisive measures to curb the disturbing number of cases of building collapse in the country.”

The NSE president, who was represented by National Vice President of the society, Kunle Mokolo, called on all state branches to partner with their respective state governments, professional bodies and other stakeholders to establish a “Development Control Unit” to eradicate the syndrome.

He said the unit will be responsible for overseeing all building projects in their respective areas. “These include the examination of professional level and ability of the contractors, the building equipment standard, feasibility study, design and up to the finishing level of the project,” he said.

30 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014 — 31

E - Commerce

E-commerce, logistics firms to drive growth in Sub-Saharan Africa — Report Stories by JONAH NWOKPOKU

A

recent study conducted by a global logistics and courier services firm, DHL has shown that online retail will continue to gain popularity in both developed and emerging markets over the next ten years and logistics companies will provide solutions that will further influence shopping habits.

Tagged DHL’s‘Global ETailing 2025’ the study analysed the role e-commerce will play in consumers’ lives in the year 2025, and how it will influence consumerism, retailing and logistics.

The study further explored future scen arios with possible alternatives of what ecommerce globally could look like for consumers and businesses in the future.

According to the study, different projections were based on a detailed analysis of the most influential factors effecting economies – from energy and raw material prices to technological, political and social factors, to retail and consumption patterns.

Other possible scenarios included: Hybrid consumer behaviour in convergent worlds of retailing, artificial intelligence in the digital retailing sphere, presentation in virtual communities and collaborative consumption in a regionalised retailing landscape.

Speaking on the report and how it affects Nigeria, DHL’s Country Manager in Nigeria, Mr. Randy Buday said, “The continuous improvement in broadband internet services, growing confidence in online payment and a population of over 160 million people has made Nigeria an already thriving e-commerce market.”

He said that Nigeria is fast

becoming a game-changer in African e-commerce.

“We constantly receive requests with regards to our services in the industry and as result we have been able to partner with companies like Jumia, Konga, 3AL and some other big players in the sector.”

He added that, “Some of the most challenging constraints for business operations in Nigeria are transport and logistics, and our logistics infrastructure now enables ecommerce firms like Jumia and Konga reach all of Nigeria’s thirty-six states.

On his part, Head of Marketing, DHL Express, Sub Saharan Africa, e-tailing, Mr. Sumesh Rahavendra, the sale

of goods and services through the Internet has exploded globally, especially in emerging countries.

He also affirmed that despite the various possible future scenarios, it is clear e-tailing will continue to boom. ”Currently, e-commerce already makes up 8 percent of the overall trading volume in Europe. Depending on the scenario, this share could rise up to 40 percent in developed countries and up to 30 percent in today’s emerging markets.

The factor which all scenarios have in common is that the competition in electronic retail, whether on global, national or regional level, will become more intense,” he said.

*INDUCTION: From left: Pedro Omontuemhen, Partner, PWC representing the Guest Speaker, the 50th President of ICAN, Chidi Ajaegbu and 2nd Deputy Vice President of ICAN, Isma'ila Zakari, at ICAN 40th induction ceremony of the Association of Accounting Technicians of West Africa.

Jovago partners TripAdvisor to facilitate hotel booking

N

igeria’s hotel booker, Jovago.com has entered into partnership with TripAdvisor, another hotel booking portal to make hotel booking easier for travelers.

In a statement, Jovago said,

the new partnership with TripAdvisor will afford travelers visiting the TripAdvisor site the opportunity to gain direct access to Jovago’s diverse selection of hotels in Africa.

It noted that whether

Tradestable unveils new platform to boost commerce

N

He further noted: “We don’t know for certain what the world will look like in 2025, but the study ’s various scenarios show how rapid the global retail sector, both online and offline, is changing and that logistics will be a focal point of these change processes.

He added: ”While etailing can facilitate the transaction of the changing consumer trends, the delivery of the product needs to be considered.

Many retailers put significant focus to attract customers, but more effort needs to be paid to facilitating flawless delivery to customers.

igeria’s classified ads platform, Tradestable.com.ng, has unveiled a new platform to boost the growth of commerce and trade in Nigeria. Tradestable said it undertook series of usability tests in order to release a platform that would truly serve the needs of both interested buyers and sellers, one of the first to be carried out by any online company in Nigeria.

“We wanted to make the site more intuitive and feel more modern. We listened to our users, and then decided to redesign based on their feedback. We want to provide the easiest way for anyone to buy and sell any kind of item,” said Tradestable’s Country Ambassad in Nigeria, Mr. Onyeka Akumah. The usability

test which was undertaken at Yaba College of Technology, Alaba International market and other key areas in Nigeria helped in the development of an intuitive platform which embodies feedback received from the different test subjects.

Users were asked many questions relating to the layout, navigation and overall feel of the website. They were also given several tasks to complete, such as posting a free ad, all the while giving feedback for improvements.

Akuma said the move became imperative for Tradestable because, “Nigerians are natural lovers of trade and commerce and Tradestable wants to support and set the pace for this drive through its easy-to-use platform, price

travelers are planning in advance from home or are looking to book hotels while already at the destination, TripAdvisor users will be able to book immediately exclusive deals on hotels on Jovago.com.

It said that users can now click directly on the hotel search result link of their choice to make their bookings easily, while also checking out the reviews made by other travelers.

Speaking on the partnership, TripAdvisor’s Senior Account Manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Adrian Hands said, “TripAdvisor is delighted to partner with Jovago to offer travelers a diverse selection of hotels across Africa.The partnership helps make booking these hotels as easy as clicking a button, whether travelers are on their desktop or mobile.”

StarTimes rewards customers, eyes digital TV penetration

S

tarTimes has reiterated its determination to further deepen the penetration of digital television in Nigeria, making it affordable to a vast majority of Nigerians in the next couple of months.

In furtherance of this aim, the company has undertaken the second draw of its Extra Time Promotion, with another 50 individuals winning 32 inch LED TV, while one customer, Mr. Emeka Collins, won the star prize of a brand new Toyota Yaris 2014 car.

The star prize winner for the June edition, Emeka Collins told the audience at the draw via telephone, that he joined the StarTimes network about a week ago and was attracted to the network because of the content. Speaking at the draw, Mr. Ayokunle Idowu, Branch Strategist, NTA-Star TV Network Limited, said the promotion is an avenue to enable every home enjoy digital television at an affordable rate, while also using it as an opportunity to give back to its customers and appreciate them for being on its platform.

Yahoo to buy YouTube content provider for $250 million

I

nternet giant, Yahoo has put in a bid of around $250 million to buy Fullscreen, a company which creates content for YouTube channels.

Yahoo is looking to expand its reach to young consumers through the acquisition of the company, which generates more than 3 billion monthly views on Google Inc’s YouTube.

Yahoo faces competition from private investment firm Chernin for control of the California-based company.

Chernin is already a shareholder in Fullscreen, having bought a stake in June last year along with the world’s largest advertising group, WPP and Comcast Ventures.

Chernin, owned by former News Corp executive Peter Chernin, is understood to have the right to buy Fullscreen at a previously-agreed price if other bidders do not offer at least $300 million.

Fullscreen was founded in 2011 by George Strompolos, a former Google executive.

C M Y K

32 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014 — 33

The story, written by Mr Udeme Ekwere, went on to inform Nigerians that “Notwithstanding the huge sum of money expended on the remodelling of the nation’s 22 airports, feelers are that none of them has met the minimum standard for certification by the regulator.”

Last year, on my SUNDAY VANGUARD page, I had published an article titled AVIATION MINISTER: TIME TO GO. Prior to that, I had also carpeted the former minister for incompetence – among other failures. The first article received a rejoinder from her Senior Personal Assistant, Mr Joel Obi. As usual, Joel Obi, disregarded the point of the article and went on to do what spokespersons for government officials do best – present half truths and outright falsehood as facts. I allowed Obi to expose himself and the Minister on my page because there was no doubt in my mind that truth will prevail. I knew that Ms Oduah would never last the distance as minister and that she would be out of office soon.

Despite the reluctance of President Jonathan to part with Oduah and the attempt to provide her with facesaving exit from office, the overwhelming truth remains unshakeable – her tenure of office had been characterised by profligacy and cheap propaganda. At least, Nigerians, except the people of her small village and the traditional rulers can now understand that all the former Minister had

Aviation ministry and the mess Oduah left behind achieved was a colossal waste of over N150 billion remodelling airports, without touching on the core need of safety.

Yet, safety, not remodeling was what was primarily required. Given the choice between safe or aesthetically appealing airports, there is no doubt in my mind that most of us travelling by air would rather land and take off safely than be buried in the most beautiful airports.

Furthermore, part of the N150 billion was spent without approval by the National Assembly (NASS), sometimes involving loans taken, again without approval from anyone. And, most of the work was so shoddily executed that observers and other experts believe they might not last more than a few years.

One expert quoted in the report had this to say: “The remodelling project has not in any way moved us forward from where we were before its commencement. The remodelling only focused on building terminal buildings.

Air safety, as far as airports are concerned, goes beyond that.” It is quite possible that Oduah knew this but she was also probably more interested in the political capital that could accrue from cosmetic “improvements” which could be used to deceive the gullible. It was not surprising therefore when, after the deal involving the two bullet proof cars blew open, her “defenders” were quick to

point to the 22 airports remodelled without reference to the fact that it was probably one of the most expensive wastes of public funds ever undertaken by a public official acting in contravention of our laws.

But, like all lies, those pertaining to the airports and her so called achievements have now been revealed to be just what they were – lies.

Many aviation experts point

,

“Airports may not be certified despite the N150 bn remodeling.” PUNCH, June 23, 2014.

The remodelling project has not in any way moved us forward from where we were before its commencement

,

to the need to resurface runways on which aircraft land and take off and which should receive more attention than landscaping of airports. But, like most Ministers, whose orientation is towards awarding contracts, however worthless the value to airport stakeholders, she had gone ahead to award contracts – just to claim she was working.

Two incidents of people walking unto the tarmac to stow away on aircraft from Nigeria point to the dangers inherent in not installing adequately secured perimeter fencing in all our airports. Admittedly, that is

not as glamorous as installing fancy restaurants or well lit advertising panels.

But, nobody, except kids on excursion, goes to an airport to see adverts – however ingenious. Travellers want to fly; aircraft operators want the planes to take off and land without problems and relatives, as well as coworkers, want their people back home after flying. A competent Aviation Minister must operate with one principle – SAFETY FIRST; EVERYTHING ELSE IS SECONDARY. What we now have are 22 airports where safety had been compromised for aesthetics; function had given way to features and the nation is standing still instead of moving forward – even if the décor had been altered for the better.

But, the matter now goes beyond the exposure of an under performed former Minister, it has revealed to the entire nation the need to go and find new funds in order to address the safety issues which the former Minister had ignored.

Furthermore, one of those airports, the former GATT Aviation airport is the subject of litigation which might result in the Federal Government losing the structure on account of breach of contract. When that happens, all the billions spent on remodelling the structure would have gone down the drain.

Let me end this article by recalling for our readers

what was written in April last year, about Ms Oduah. They, governments and their appointees, that is, never listen. Presidents and governors don’t know when to discharge; ministers and commissioners don’t know when to quit.

If you think aviation matters are unimportant, just remember that the attack on the World Trade Centre in New York in 2001 has opened the eyes of all right thinking people to the fact that those things flying over our heads are bombs.

And if that is not enough, DANA Airlines crash should serve a permanent notice that those in the plane and those below are perpetually imperiled each time an aircraft flies overhead. It is for these reasons that sane societies enact stringent regulations, to be implemented fully, before anyone can take a plane up.

The Joint Committee of the House has just told Nigerians, in that reported statement, that the Minister of Aviation had been allowing several bombs to fly over our heads with expired permit. Irrespective of whether it was inadvertent error or deliberate relaxation of the regulations, the Minister stands accused of risking the lives of millions of Nigerians. This is unpardonable.

At the moment, we don’t know how many planes are in that condition. But, even if it is only one, the Aviation Ministry has failed to discharge its primary responsibility to Nigerians and it is not a recent occurrence.

Visit: www.delesobowale.com or www.facebook.com/ Visit: biolasobowale

Cover Story Continues from page 19 Nigerian economy if things continue the way it is, including being unable to attract foreign investment that Nigeria currently craves.

He said, “One of the implications for the Nigerian economy is that the investors we are trying to attract will not be attracted. This is because business is done on trust and once the trust is not there from the beginning, things will not work out properly. So the investors we are trying to attract may not rally come.

“Also, money that should be generated and channeled to infrastructural development will not come.

For example, if operators are supposed to register like ten companies in a month but because of this delay of

,

CAC’s 24hrs business registration collapses availability not out in two weeks or four weeks, and we register one out of the ten companies that we are supposed to register, tell me how the operators or CAC themselves can make more money?

This is because the more companies that are registered

by CAC, the more they are better off financially. On the other hand, supposing you give me a name today, and by tomorrow the result is out showing that the name is not available, there are chances that you will initiate another search, thus paying another fee, meaning that they have generated income from availability twice in one week but if there is a delay in availability search, income generation will be sparse on

the part of both the operators and CAC and the Nigerian economy will not attract investors as it should. It also discourages more people from coming forward to register.”

CAC should apologise to Nigerians

Oladiran said given the fact that CAC was unable to keep their promise of 24 hours business registration, it should have come out to say so and seek help but instead they let people suffer unnecessary inconveniences.

He said as a result, CAC should tender unreserved apology to the general public.

“This idea of advertising twenty four hours and not

being able to meet up with it is pesky and frustrating. In fact, what I expect CAC to do is to apologise to the general public. If you have a problem and you come out and say so, people who have the solution will come out to help.”

However, when contacted, the Head Public Affairs of the commission, Mr. Williams Churchill who initially declined to comment, denied that the Commission was having challenges with its server and that the 24 hours registration was still effective.

When asked about the notice posted at the Lagos office of the Commission at Alausa, Ikeja apologising to customers for the Commission’s inability to continue with the 24 hours

registration due to server problem, he denied knowledge of such statement insisting that the Commission still offers 24 hours service.

According to him, “I can tell you that the 24 hours registration is still working.

There may be technical issues sometimes but that doesn’t mean that the 24 hours registration is not working. As for the statement apologising for inability of the Commission to continue with 24 hours registration, he said, “I am not aware of such notice.”

Asked if that does not imply a kind of disconnect between the headquarters and the zonal office, he declined to comment and then hung up the phone. Further attempt to contact him proved abortive.

C M Y K

34 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014

Tax Matters he organizations making the payments are required to withhold tax from such payments and pay over the withheld amounts to their respective relevant Tax Authorities within 30days of receipt of payment or credit by the person or entity suffering the Tax. The relevant tax authorities to receive the WHT tax transactions made by companies is FIRS and for individuals and unincorporated bodies subject to Rules of Residence is SIRS or FIRS. PERSON LIABLE TO DEDUCT WITHHOLDING TAX The payer of withholding tax in respect of any of the activities covered under the withholding tax regime shall include company (Corporate or non-corporate), Government Ministries and Department, Parastatals, Statutory bodies, Institutions and other established organization approved for the operations of Pay As you Earn System.

WHO IS TAXABLE *All Persons, Companies etc. who’s Incomes are liable to income tax, are subject to Withholding Tax. * However, exempt entities like Educational Institutions, Government Ministries, Parastatals and other Agencies of Government, are Agents for the collection of WHT. They are required to deduct WHT on any payment made to a taxable body and remit same to the relevant tax authority.

WITHHOLDING TAX IMPLICATION ON F O R E I G N TRANSACTIONS Non Resident Companies/ Enterprises The Revenue practice is that non-resident companies are not empowered to deduct anytype of WHT. These categories of enterprises are practically outside the regulatory monitoring and control of the FIRS. It will be impracticable for Revenue office to inspect the accounting books of these companies in order to confirm due deduction and remittance of WHT. Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) Transactions that are ordinarily not liable to tax in Nigeria are not liable to WHT in Nigeria. Thus contracts and supplies of goods and services performed entirely outside Nigeria by nonresident individuals are not liable to WHT. Nigeria has treaty agreements with about eight (8) countries and these countries are granted a C M Y K

ADMINISTRATION OF WITHHOLDING TAX (2) reduced rate of WHT deduction, usually at 75% of the generally applicable WHT rate. 7.5%. These countries include UK, Northern Ireland, Canada, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Pakistan, and Romania.

P E R M A N E N T ESTABLISHMENT (PE) PRINCIPLE EXISTS UNDER NIGERIA TAXATION The rules construe a PE where: * The company has a ‘‘fixed base’’ in Nigeria. * The company operates in Nigeria through a dependent agent authorized to conclude contracts or deliver goods on its behalf, * The company is executing a turnkey project in Nigeria, or * The operation between the company and its Nigeria affiliate does not appear to be at arm’s length. * ‘‘Fixed base’’ implies some degree of permanence and will include: * Facilities, such as a factory, office, branch, mine, oil or gas well * Activities, such as building, construction, assembly or installation * Provision of services in connection with the activities listed above.

,

T

construction, assembly or installation Provision of services in connection with the activities listed above.

OTHER TYPES OF INCOME NOT LIABLE TO WHT * Companies operating within the Free Trade Zones/ Export Processing Zones * Insurance premium * Turnover/Income from Dealership or Distributive trade * Telephone Bills are not subject to WHT

APPLICATION OF WITHHOLDING TAX Sections of CITA and PITA that provides for the deduction of withholding tax at the applicable rates below.

Types of payment Applicable rates Companies Individual Dividends, Interest, Rent 10% 10% Directors Fees 10% 10% Royalties 15% 15% Commission, Consultation, 10% 5% Technical, Service Fees Management fees 10% 5% Construction/Building Contracts 5% 5% Contracts, other than outright sales and purchase of goods in the ordinary course of business 5% 5%

Returns & Remittance Tax Returns are filed monthly with evidence of remittance and a detailed schedule of taxable transactions.

All Persons, Companies etc. who’s Incomes are liable to income tax, are subject to Withholding Tax

PRINCIPLES OF P E R M A N E N T ESTABLISHMENT * The rules construe a Permanent Establishment where: * The company has a ‘‘fixed base’’ in Nigeria. * The company operate in Nigeria through a dependent agent authorized to conclude contracts or deliver goods on its behalf, * The company is executing a turnkey project in Nigeria, or * The operation between the company and its Nigeria affiliate does not appear to be at arm’s length. ‘‘Fixed base’’ implies some degree of permanence and will include: Facilities, such as a factory, office, branch, mine, oil or gas well Activities, such as building,

Following payment and filing of returns, the revenue processes credit notes for the suppliers on whose income tax was deducted. · Credit notes can be used in applying for tax credit against current and future tax liabilities (i.e. where it is not final tax) · Remittances are due to either federal or state tax authorities.

Remittances due to Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS):

,

Submitted schedule should show the following details: Name of supplier Address Nature of Invoice payment Amount Rate @ Y% Tax

Service Date Date ·Returns for corporate suppliers should be filed within 21 days from end of month of transactions. · Returns for non –corporate suppliers should be filed within 30 days from end of month of transaction. ·In practice, tax returns are filed in the same month they occur. · Tax deducted should be remitted to the revenue in exchange for a receipt of payment. · Tax is payable in the currency of the qualifying transaction.

· Corporate entities, · Nonresident individuals, · Members of the armed forces and police, · Resident of Abuja, · Foreign officers.

Remittances due to state internal revenue service (SIRS): · All other individuals / partnerships resident in the state. · PAYMENT ON CURRENCY Section 64B of CITA empowers the tax authority that withheld tax must be remitted to the tax authority in the currency in which the deduction was made. This means that transactions made in foreign currency are to be remitted in the same currency and that the tax so withheld is to be remitted in the same currency. Simultaneously penalty for default would also be calculated in the same currency. · HOW TO CLAIM WITHHOLDING TAX CREDIT (CREDIT NOTES) A taxpayer from whom tax has been withheld is expected to gain withholding tax credit notes from the relevant tax authority via the deducting organization. All withheld taxes are forwarded to the tax authority, which in turn records the credit against the tax payer’s account, with a schedule containing details of the contract or service, on which basis the tax authority

issues a credit note. Assessed tax and related charges are usually entered as debits in the taxpayer’s tax account, while he is expected to pay only the difference between his assessed tax and withholding tax credit at the time of filing their own returns. · It is this credit note that a taxpayer uses as a set off against tax assessed within that year or if unutilized within that year can be applied based on the taxpayer request to transfer the credit balance in that year to offset or reduce debit balance of another year. · In cases where there is an excess charge of WHT on a taxpayer, the 2007 amendments to CITA (Section 63 (7)) have even further empowered FIRS to refund proven excess withholding tax to any taxpayer within 90 days of filing a claim.

OFFENCES AND PENALTIES OFFENCES Ø Failure to withhold tax or Ø Failure to remit or late remittance of the tax withheld Ø Non remittance of the tax withheld within the time limit stipulated by the Revenue.

PENALTIES a.

For Companies A fine of 200 percent of the tax not withheld or withheld but not remitted, plus interest at the prevailing commercial rate. b.

For Individuals & other Organizations A fine of the higher of N5,000 or 10% of the amount of tax due, plus the amount of tax deductible , or withheld but not remitted, plus interest at the prevailing commercial rate.

• Interest on Savings Account of less than N50, 000 paid by a Bank, is not subject to WHT. The WHT system has come to stay since it is a veritable source of revenue to Government. It enhances the collection efforts of Tax Authorities and it ensures that revenue is generated in advance. It is therefore imperative that the system should continue to be improved upon in the light of modern tax administration procedure. Usually an advance payment of tax provides information that an income source has been identified through a third party. Such information being provided by the payer should be readily available for use in accessing a potential taxpayer. Field officers should always be ready to follow up on such information.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014 — 35

36 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014

Appointment vicahiyoung@yahoo.com 08033348923

Sterling Bank appoints new directors

career with NBM Bank where he worked from 1987 till 2005.

During this period, he excelled in various marketing roles and was subsequently appointed as the bank’s Treasurer.

Following the consolidation exercise and the emergence of Sterling Bank in 2006, he was again assigned to Marketing, to head various regions in Lagos, a testament to the confidence placed in his abilities on the field.

S

TERLING Bank has announced the appointment of six persons including women into its Board, in a renewed effort to strengthen the Board in line with its corporate governance and sustainability culture.

The bank said the inclusion of women is in line with the gender ratio requirement of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The new board members whose appointments have been approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) include: Ms. Tamarakare Yekwe, Dr. (Mrs.) Omolara Akanji, Ighodalo, Raghavan Karthikeyan, Mr. Kayode Lawal (Executive Director) and Mr. Abubakar Suleiman (Executive Director) The Bank in a statement said that the appointment of the seasoned professionals with diverse experience in the private and public sectors would further enhance the capacity of the Board to deliver on its corporate goals.

The Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Yemi Adeola expressed his optimism that the Bank would benefit immensely from the wealth of experience of the six directors as their appointments were carried out on the basis of skills, rich professional experience and corporate governance best practice.

Tamarakare Yekwe, the current Principal Partner, ‘KareYekwe& Co. (Legal Practitioners & Consultants) was a member of the Governing Council, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and the Presidential Technical Committee on Housing and Urban Development.

She was the pioneer Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Bayelsa State; and has also served as a Director in a number of institutions including the Federal Savings Bank of Nigeria, Continental Merchant Bank of Nigeria Plc, International Merchant Bank Plc and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.

She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from the University of Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981.

Omolara Akanji, a member of the Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force, started her career with the CBN in 1978 as an Assistant Economist.

She rose through the ranks, retiring in December 2007 as the Director, Trade and Exchange Department and also served as a Consultant to the CBN between 2008 and 2011.

She holds a B.Sc. in Agricultural Economics from

NB Golden pen award holds July 3 •Abubakar the University of Ibadan, an M.Sc. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Reading, a Diploma in Statistics from the University of Kent, Mathematical Institute, and a PhD. Finance from the European-American University, Commonwealth of Dominica.

Asue Ighodalo is a Partner in Banwo& Ighodalo, a leading corporate and commercial law firm in Nigeria, which he founded in partnership in 1991.

His core practice areas are corporate finance, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, banking & securities, foreign investments & divestments, energy & natural resources, privatization and project finance.

A product of the prestigious Kings College, Asue obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree (BSc) in Economics from University of Ibadan in 1971, a LL.B in 1984 from London School of Economics and a BL in 1985 from the Nigerian Law

•Akanji

•Karthikeyan

•Lawal

•Yekwe

School. A member of several professional associations, Asue sits on the Board of several public and private companies.

Raghavan Karthikeyan replaces Mr. Rajiv Pal Singh who completed his tenure as a representative of State Bank of India (SBI) last year.

He is presently the Chief General Manager, International Banking in State

N

Bank of India (SBI) Mumbai and a Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB). Raghavan joined SBI in 1980 and has worked in various capacities across several aspects of banking. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from St. John’s College, Tirunelveli, India and a Master of Arts from Madurai University, India.

Kayode Lawal started his

IGERIAN Breweries Plc has announced that its 6th Golden Pen Award ceremony has been rescheduled to hold on Thursday, July 3, 2014.

But the venue remains the Lantana Hall of the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The ceremony was moved to Thursday July 3, 2014 from the earlier planned date of Monday, June 30, 2014 due to unforeseen circumstances.

The award will reward journalists who submitted outstanding reports on Education and Youth Empowerment in 2013. A total of 102 entries were received when submission closed for the award.

The award, which is the 6th in the series will reward ‘The NB Golden Pen Reporter of the Year’ with a special statuette and N1, 000, 000 (One million Naira), the ‘First runner up in the NB Golden Pen Reporter of the Year ’ category with a Special statuette and N300, 000 while the ‘Second runner up NB Golden Pen Reporter of the Year ’ will get a Special statuette and N200, 000.

Lambeth Trust appoints Lemo, Lawson Board members

L

ambeth Trust and Investment Company Limited, has appointed Mr. Tunde Lemo, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and Mr. Mr. Kehinde Lawanson, a former Executive Director of First Bank of Nigeria Plc, to its Board of Directors. The company has also appointed Mr. Benjamin

Oladapo as the new General Manager for the company.

According to a statement by the company, its shareholders’ funds is set to increase to N500 million when the current deposit for shares is capitalized, giving its future repositioning efforts a boost.

With this feat, the statement said the company’s fund would

exceed the minimum stipulated regulatory capital of N300 million ahead of the deadline of December 2014.

It noted that the new appointments to its Board and management had been approved by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). According to the statement “Mr. Tunde Lemo, a two-time Deputy Governor of

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and former Managing Director, Wema Bank Plc has over 29 years working experience that cut across Banking, Consulting and Conglomerates. had served on many corporations’ boards and currently sits on the board of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) among others.

Olaosebikan, KOFSOL Group MD,gets NISSGA award

M

•Lemo

ANAGING Director of Kofsol Group, Mrs. Kofo Olaosebikan, has been honoured with the Nigerian Selfless Gold Service Award, NISSGA, in the Business Category. Olaosebikan who received the award at a ceremony at the National Merit Award House, Abuja, was commended for an acknowledged track record of excellence and high performance in the business sector which has seen the KOFSOL Group evolved from modest beginning to becoming one of the leading companies in the print branding and

general services sector in Nigeria.

An alumnus of the University of Ibadan, Pan Atlantic University and the Redeemed Bible College of the RCCG, Olaosebikan started her working career with the Federal Government where she worked at the FDA, now NAFDAC before opting for an early retirement to become an entrepreneur in 1984.

She thereafter founded KOFSOL Group which also has subsidiary companies such as Precise Cleaning Services, Hanes ’n’ Dave and Daily Fashions Limited.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014 — 37

C M Y K

38 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014

Aviation

Stakeholders seek employment opportunities for jobless pilots

By DANIEL ETEGHE

S

takeholders in the aviation industry have called on the Federal Government to assist pilots to be gainfully employed as there are many pilots and engineers who are roaming the airports without jobs.

The stakeholders made this appeal during an award ceremony in honour of Princes Stella Oduah at Oriental Hotel, Lagos. Chairman of the occasion, former Minister of Aviation, Hon. Felix Hyat also called for the completion of the remodeling project in order to avoid projects being littered all over the airports in the country, abandoned.

Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer of Finum Aviation Services, Engineer Sheri Kyari said that there were a lot of aviation industry pilots and engineers who are unemployed pointing out that unemployment was one of the major challenges in the aviation sector just as he advised airline operators to work together in finding solutions to the numerous problems bedeviling the industry.

He however noted that the main reason for the occasion was to celebrate the Former Minister of Aviation, Princes Stella Oduah whose giant strides in the aviation sector has brought a lot of development to the country.

According to him, Princes Odauh was the minister who convinced the Federal Government to release funds for the remodeling of the twenty two airports across the country noting that “during the tenure of Princes Stella Oduah, that has been the only period that we have seen massive development in the aviation industry since the past forty years.

*TOUR - From Left: Engr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam, Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA; Dr Samuel Ortom, Supervising Minister of Avation; Engr.

Saleh Dunoma, Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN; and Engr. Benedict Adeyileka, Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, during the Minister's inspection tour of ongoing work at Murtala Mohammed International Airport on Wednesday. PHOTO: Kehinde Gbadamosi

Minister directs FAAN to re-absorb retired firemen

By LAWANI MIKAIRU & DANIEL ETEGHE

T

he Supervising Aviation Minister, Dr Samuel Ortom has directed Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, fire department to re-absorb the retired fire servicemen who retired from the services of the agency to address the lack of manpower and human capacity building challenge raised by the Acting General Manager, Fire Service, FAAN, Mr Rindap Domtur.

The Minister gave this directives at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, MMA, Lagos shortly after a tour/ inspection of the ongoing remodeling exercise .

rdfloor Limited, a digital marketing consultancy firm has officially opened shop to corporate Nigeria. 3rdFloor limited specialises in utilizing a range of digital assets to aid and improve the business performance of brands and organisations with the aim of creating a unique user experience and optimizing the overall digital engagement with brands.

According to Mr. Princewill Omorogiuwa, Chief Digital

,which according to him is far below what the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) approved for such category.

He added that for the past two years none of the fire staff has gone for recurrency training to revalidate their certificate, adding that ICAO requires each staff to revalidate his licence every two years.

Speaking also at the inspection, FAAN Managing Director , Engr Saleh Dunoma confirmed that the major challenge that FAAN fire has is in the area of staff.

According to him, “ We will

Missing US plane: We've handed it over to Cameroon airspace, says Abdulsalam

By LAWANI MIKAIRU & DANIEL ETEGHE

3rd Floor opens shop officially

3

Ortom, also said the ministry would take steps to address human capacity and upgrading of the department, adding that FAAN has been directed to employ more of the fire staff that had retired.

Acting General Manager, Fire Service, FAAN, Mr Rindap Domtur said the authority has a total of 600 fire staff across airport in the country and that the agency would require 1,500 personnel for effective performance.

Domtur also said the Murtala Muhammed Airport,MMA, Lagos, which is in Category 9 has 160

Enabler, 3rdFloor Limited, said after observing the recent trend of brand misrepresentation online, and the lack of strategic approach to digital marketing in the region, it became imperative for us to elevate the game by introducing 3rdFloor”. 3rdFloor is a sistercompany of Simon Page Business School – a leading provider of marketing, marketing communications and digital marketing training solutions in Africa.

take due process to temporarily re-absorb some FAAN Fire Service retirees across the country to occupy some post.

In aviation, we take issue of safety and security as priority .”

On the contractor in charge of cleaning the departure area, who the minister said was not cleaning the area properly ,the minister directed FAAN to ask the contractor to improve on the cleaning or else risk termination of the contract. The minister also said the Federal Government would not embark on new project in the aviation industry until the ongoing ones initiated by former Aviation Minister, Mrs Stella Oduah were completed.

Ortom assured that none of the ongoing projects in the sector would be abandoned, contrary to speculation in some quarters that the Aviation Ministry would abandoned the ongoing projects scattered across airports in the country most especially when about N174 billion has been expended on the projects.

He stated that what the Ministry would do is to prioritize the projects and that already some of the projects are about 70 to 80 per cent completed.

Ortom said that although some projects were recently suspended due to lack of fund, the contractors have resumed work since the Federal Government had signed the 2014 budget into law. “We have to prioritise our work here, we have been operating through Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) and we will continue to operate with it. We have done a lot.

During this cause of inspection, we have identified some works we have to tidy up.

We intend not to go on any new project until we tidy up these ones,’’ he said.

M

anaging Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, Engineer Ibrahim Abdulsalam has said that the US plane which was reported missing on Tuesday, last week by PANA had been officially handed over to Cameroon airspace.

The Four-seater plane, owned by a U.S. company, Global Aviation, took off from Kano in Nigeria at 1800 hours on Monday en route Libreville in Gabon, where it was scheduled to arrive at 2300 hours, after a stopover in Douala, Cameroon.

Engr. Abdulsalam told aviation reporters that the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency could not partake

in the search of the missing plane stressing that once an aircraft has left a country’s airspace there was nothing that country could do in case of any incident.

According to him,” the plane has gone out of Nigeria, we have handed it over to the Cameroon airspace. It is their own score since it didn’t happen in Nigeria airspace”.

However, the Cameroon Airspace station said the plane, with only the American pilot on board, did not make it to Douala.

It said the last contact the plane had with the control tower took place in Mongo, which is two hours flight from the Cameroonian economic capital.

Report says that search and rescue operations led by Cameroon’s civil aviation authorities have not yielded any positive results.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014 — 39

Advertising, Media & Marketing Stories by PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

A

midst battle for market space amongst various wine brands, Chapeau, a South African wine, marketed by Intercontinental Distillers Limited, IDL, has made an entry into the Nigerian market, penultimate week.

The Managing Director of IDL, Engr. Patrick Anegbe, said he was delighted the company has been able to come up with a natural wine to tell Nigerians what a good natural wine should be, as against other wines in the market which are synthetic.

Describing Chapeau as one of the best in Nigeria, Anegbe said the wine comes in three variants –Merlot, Cabernet sauvignon, all red wine, and Rose-”is made from well fermented fresh grapes to get the natural red wine, is different from what is find in the market, which are made of additives, sugar, alcohol and flavours.”

Chapeau, a French word, means hat, which is the insignia a short way of saying ‘I doff my hat,’ and this according to the Managing Director, is a befitting image for the product going by its quality.

Overtime, brands like Bordeaux, Beaujolau, Malbec, Chianti among others have been ruling the wine market but from indication and testimonies of those who sampled the wine agreed that the entrant of wine will expand competition in the winery market, said some consumers.

Winning through Customer Insight

S

*PRESENTATION - From left: John Esoimeme, Head of Sales, MultiChoice Nigeria; Adesoye Adeyinka of Y2K Plus a GOtv vendor and winner of Plasma TV and Engr. Sarumi Balarabi, MultiChoice Super Dealer during the GOtv Vendors Forum and Prize Presentation held in Lagos recently.

IDL unveils Chapeau wine O

n the unique selling point, the Brand Manager, Chapeau Wines of IDL, Chioma Alonge, said there are wines in Nigeria that are synthetic. For Chapeau, “it is 100 percent natural wine, with wholesome goodness, refreshing, nourishing, “consumers should just go for it.” She remarked.

She went further to say that people really don’t know the

differences in wine, there is limited knowledge about wine, so consumers just perceive everything that is red in a bottle is wine. “You know as doctors will always say, a glass of wine is good for the heart.

Today, we are saying not just any wine, a glass of good wine, a glass of natural wine is good for the heart.

A glass of chapeau natural wine a day is good for the heart.”

Boulos launches juice drinks

B

oulos Foods and Beverages Limited, a subsidiary of the Boulos Group has officially launched its juice drinks, Frootz and Frootzy, into the market; The Managing Director/ CEO, Boulos Boulos, said the company has made substantial investment in the factory to ensure that it delivers products of the highest value and quality. “We have enrolled specialist workers and also recruited the most promising local talents."

While noting that that the emergence of a new spectrum of middle class citizens was responsible for the company to venture into the fruit juice market.

The increasing population of Nigeria has been a major source of attraction of foreign direct investments into the country, an indication of a rising middle class society.

Continuing he stated; “the industry is vast and has arrays of product which are consumed daily. Do we talk of infant, teens and adult alike; this is the only industry that takes care of

the nourishment and well being of individuals from infancy to adulthood.” he said. According to him, the

company also plans to introduce a wide range of products into the Nigerian market before the end of the year.

Why Nigerians need to embrace local brands - Experts

M

arketing experts have said that for Nigerian brands to attain the international brand status, Nigerian consumers will have to demonstrate deeper loyalty towards domestic brands.

They also said that while it is imperative for a developing economy like Nigeria to embrace Foreign Direct Investments, FDI, it is also important to ensure the growth of local brands in a bid to reduce the participation of foreign brands in the market. Speaking at a book presentation: “Kill or Get Killed, the Marketing Killer Instinct, Chief Executive Officer, MarketingMix and Company Nigeria Limited, Mr. Akin Adeoya, urged Nigerians to emulate other African countries like Kenya where citizens demonstrates patriotism by identifying with locally made brands rather than on foreign brands.

Adeoya, who noted that the same cannot be said about Nigerians, noted that an average Nigerian does not sympathize with domestic brands an approach that need be changed if domestic brand will compete favorably with foreign brands. Speaking about the book, Adeoya described it as “The first serious attempt by an African marketing practitioner to pen down real life case studies, a great material, intellectual and nerve racking battles that characterises the rise and fall of brands in the Nigerian, and to an extent, the African theater of war for the consumer’s mind and wallet. He added that it will serve as a good reference point for the student and practitioners of marketing who want to learn more about the strategy and market approach that made top market brands outstanding.

erving customers without knowing them very well is akin to making a dress for a lady without having any idea whatsoever of her vital statistics. And the outcome is very similar. Dissatisfied customers!

A deep knowledge of customers is the foundation of marketing. To achieve excellence in service, we must look beyond the basic demographic variables of age, gender, ethnicity and socio-economic class and dig into the psychological underpinnings of customer needs. We need to understand the unspoken needs behind the expressed ones. We need to even understand the thought patterns of customers.

But we are not talking about an intellectual knowledge of the customer. We are talking about customer insight.

Lisa Fortini-Campbell, in her book Hitting the Sweet Spot, refers to insights as “unique combinations of information that give meaning to the marketplace.” She shows that to get the best out of all the facts about customers within the organisation, such facts must be transformed from mere data to information, then to insight which ultimately becomes an inspiration.

In today’s world, organisations collect so many bits and pieces of information about customers. (It must really be an antediluvian organisation that doesn’t have such information.) Most organisations today have so many methods of understanding customers including surveys (to measure customer satisfaction, service quality, etc), depth interviews, focus group interviews, complaint analysis, experimentation and ethnographic methods.

With advances in information technologies, collecting and analysing customer information have never been easier. Unfortunately, the sheer size of available information has further increased the complexities inherent in producing real customer insight.

In the words of Warren Bennis, “We have more information now than we can use, and less knowledge and understanding than we need. Indeed, we seem to collect information because we have the ability to do so, but we are so busy collecting it that we haven’t devised a means of using it.”

With tons and tons of information at their disposal, organisations may sometimes find it difficult to decide what is relevant and what is not. One distinguishing feature of organisations that have excelled in their chosen fields is that they are able to cut through the clutter and get to the real gems that can make a strategic difference.

Data mining is the fancy word for scouring through customer information in search of insights. It is the process of fishing out the nuggets hidden in the haystack of data. Those organisations that are able to convert customer insights into competitive advantage usually stand out.

When mobile phones first came to Nigeria, I hated the idea of having phones with long aerials. So, for me, cell phones with internal aerial were products of customer insight.

Another product of insight is the dual-SIM phone that allows subscribers have access to two different networks on the same phone. But considering that some Nigerians lug up to four handsets about, cell phone manufacturers are still a few steps short of real customer insight for Nigeria. Quad-SIM phones are what we need here!

The real challenge for most organisations in the modern world is not necessarily the lack of information but the inability to convert available information into insight coupled with the inability to act on the available insight.

At the end of the day, what matters is not really what organisations know but what they do with the knowledge in their possession. If the customer information you have does not help you to serve customers better or give them more valuable products, then you are not better than those who don’t have any information at all. And you cannot gain any competitive advantage with such information.

40 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014

Email:lesleba@lesleba.com, lesleba@gmail.com Blog page:www.lesleba.com/blog2 Website: www.lesleba.com Tel:0805 220 1997

The forex market hoax: CBN Vs BDCs from unauthorised forex dealers (black market?) to the official market, (BDCs?), while their interventions have similarly helped to stabilise and minimize opportunities for rent seeking in the market.

Beyond this, the BDC operators also claimed that about 5 million Nigerians would become unemployed to worsen the already grave unemployment situation in the country, if the new guidelines were effected.

The above notwithstanding, , the suspicions of the forex operators were confirmed barely a week later when CBN published new policy guidelines which were totally in consonance with the content of the earlier BDC advertorial.

Worse still, the CBN would now also punish any operator found to have ownership of multiple BDCs. The CBN noted that the new measures became necessary to “halt the depletion of the country ’s foreign reserves and the potential for financing of unauthorized transactions with foreign exchange procured from the CBN window”. Central Bank further alleged that the activities of the BDCs “have led to gradual dollarisation of Nigerian economy with adverse consequences for the successful conduct of monetary policy and the cashless policy initiatives of the monetary authority”.

The critical question, however, must be who in fact is damaging the Nigerian economy, the BDCs or Central Bank’s policies? Indeed, we have maintained in several articles in this column that

successful and focused economies do not liberally allocate official forex to Bureau De Change, as the forex income of BDCs in such countries, is normally derived from tourists and business travellers with modest forex requirements. The regular detection of millions of hard dollar cash at our border posts on several airline passengers to Europe, Dubai and

,

A

Trade Group under the umbrella of Concerned Bureau de change operators recently published a full page advert titled “Appeal against Ploy to decimate BDCs and Destabilise the Forex Market”; the advert claimed that the Central Bank was planning to reduce the number of BDCs in Nigeria, despite their contribution to the economy.

The association asserted that “there was no justification for the alleged plan to increase the mandatory caution deposit from $20,000 to the dollar equivalent of N35 million, with licensing fees also increasing from N100,000 to N1million”.

The BDC operators were concerned that more than 90 percent of the existing 3,000 members would be unable to increase their capital base from N10m to N35m as proposed in the alleged intended CBN plan.

The BDCs, consequently, foresee that the resultant restricted forex market would be exploited by the alleged sponsors of the proposed CBN guidelines to make quick money, with the usual adverse collaterals of currency round tripping, smuggling, capital flight and other sharp practices.

The BDC operators, therefore, argue that the proposed measures were misguided as their members could not be blamed for the heavy demand pressure in the foreign exchange market since CBN’s official statistics clearly show that out of the $14.8 billion sold by the apex bank in the first quarter of 2014, only $1.7 billion or 11.4 percent was directly sold to BDCs while the remaining 88.6 percent was sold to commercial banks.

Nonetheless, the association claimed that their presence in the market had in fact reduced the gap between the official and the parallel market exchange rates by diverting patronage

CBN has no business selling official dollars to BDCs, but the apex bank has regrettably found itself promoting this odious role because of its own selfish reluctance to release its obnoxious stranglehold monopoly on the foreign exchange market

,

elsewhere would not have been sold to BDCs by the Central Banks in any responsible economy.

Curiously, Nigeria’s official forex revenue which is denied as direct dollar allocation to the true beneficiaries, (i.e., the three arms of government and related agencies) become ironically available to BDCs for funding the activities of smugglers of those goods that flood our markets and destabilize the survival of our local industries. It is also presumptuous for the CBN to believe that the use of BDC forex sales can be sanitised by mere reduction in the number

of BDC operators. In reality, in spite of the new guidelines, the average forex allocation to BDCs which was reported to be about $1.7 billion in the first quarter of 2014 may simply become consolidated and made available to the market through a reduced number of outlets, thus facilitating a cartel, which will ultimately selfishly control the market to produce wide disparity between official and black market rates. onetheless, the concerned BDC operators’ claim of providing 5million job opportunities must be taken cautiously; in reality, the characteristic staff strength in most BDCs rarely exceeds 5 persons. Thus, 3,000 Bureau De Change operators may only actually create at best about 20,000 jobs despite their liberal access to possibly over $7bn of official foreign exchange annually.

Consequently, CBN’s new guidelines will not blow down the walls of corruption and rent seeking in the forex market.

Furthermore, the CBN seems to have also misguidedly blamed the activities of BDCs for the failure of its monetary strategy. Indeed, the CBN has no business selling official dollars to BDCs, but the apex bank has regrettably found itself promoting this odious role because of its own selfish reluctance to release its obnoxious stranglehold monopoly on the foreign exchange market. The CBN currently has a total monopoly of Naira supply, while also accounting for about 80 percent of Dollar sales in the market.

Curiously, the CBN in a

N

poisonous collaboration with its ‘Frankenstein’ BDCs and predatory commercial banks ‘altruistically ’ pretends to defend the Naira by regularly selling small rations of the federation’s dollars that it impounded after printing and substituting fresh supplies of Naira as monthly allocations of forex revenue to the three tiers of government.

Nonetheless, the CBN remains in denial that capital flight and a weaker Naira are equally induced by the excess Naira supply that it deliberately instigates in the money market with this subtle sleight of hand, which serially increases CBN’s so called “own reserves” as poverty depends nationwide.

Incidentally, the same excess Naira supply consciously induced by CBN also promotes a trail of adverse economic consequences, such as, inflation, high cost of funds, a weaker Naira and the collateral of increasing fuel prices and subsidy payments in excess of $12 billion annually! Indeed, the CBN cannot also deny that its self-inflicted burden of excess liquidity also forces government to disparately place it deposits at zero percent only to return and borrow from the same banks at double digit interest rates and thereafter warehouse these loans as idle funds.

The National Assembly cannot also deny knowledge of the wide advert impact of CBN’s obtuse and anti-social monetary strategy; consequently, Nigerians will not be surprised if the legislators insisted on the existing system where BDCs continue to have liberal access to foreign exchange allocations from the CBN window for liberal sale to customers.

SAVE THE NAIRA, SAVE NIGERIANS!!

Business & Economy

Firms bid for 500MW Sapele power plant N

igeria Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) has received from Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the names of Proton Energy amongst others, who have applied for power licenses for consideration for power purchasing agreement.

This is part of the processes stipulated in the award of licence and operation in the power sector for gencos.

This development, supports an endorsement of processes so far undertaken by Proton Energy in its bid for a licence to set up and operate a 500 megawat gas-powered plant in Sapele, Delta State.

Sam Amadi, chairman, NERC hinted on this, and noted that the commission now expects the company to complete all that is required of it in the entire process for a power licence.

“We expect that the company will expedite actions to ensure that all mandatory requirements is met and we expect correspondences from other bodies involved to confirm that Proton have met every requirements”.

To get tbe licence however, Proton will have to show evidences of satisfying the requirements of bodies like Transmission Company of Nigeria TCN, NBET and other

companies that are critical to the award of a power licence.

Managing Director, NBET, Rumundanka Wonodi confirmed that Proton Energy is on the list of power licence prospectors that have advanced in the processes and have been issued with the Power purchase agreement draft to kickstart negotiation.

“We got a list from NERC about those that have applied for licence and who we can consider for PPA. Proton Energy is on the list”.

Wonodi said the next stage for companies like Proton is to send a PPA draft to the prospectors to which responses are expected.

“We have sent a PPA draft and the first schedule to Proton to get it to understand the process and what is

required of it. What we expect from the company now, are list of issues and those that it had complied with” said Wonodi.

Omoh Gabriel Babajide Komolafe Clara Nwachukwu Peter Egwuatu Yinka Kolawole Favour Nnabugwu Godwin Oritse Godfrey Bivbere Michael Eboh Franklin Alli Ebele Orakpo Ifeyinwa Obi Rosemary Onuoha

-

Group Business Editor Deputy Business Editor Energy Editor Asst. Business Editor Snr Bus. Correspondent Insurance Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Energy Reporter Industry/Agric. Reporter Energy Reporter Maritime Reporter Insurance Reporter

CONTRIBUTORS Princewill Ekwujuru Nkiruka Nnorom Jonah Nwokpoku Naomi Uzor Providence Obuh LAYOUT

-

Media/Marketing Capital Market E-Commerce Industry Micro Finance Graphics Department

Vanguard, MOND AY, JUNE 30, 2014—41 MONDA

C M Y K

42—V anguard, MOND AY, JUNE 30, 2014 42—Vanguard, MONDA

My husband is the best for Osun —Sherifat Aregbesola STORIES B Y GBENGA OLARINOYE, OSOGBO

A

LHAJA Sherifat Aregbesola, wife of the APC candidate, Rauf Aregbesola has affirmed that her husband is best positioned to lead the state among the gubernatorial candidates available.

Speaking when she hosted Miss Zainab Olawale, winner of Spelling Bee competition at the Government

House, Osogbo, Mrs Aregbesola urged parents to give maximum support to Aregbesola in his desire to rule the state for a second term. She assured that her husband would continue with the laudable programmes of his government which she said cut across all strata of the economy in his second term in office.

Mrs. Aregbesola, who is the initiator of the Sheri Care Foundation SCARF, further disclosed

that the present administration in the state would identify talented students in all the public primary and secondary schools in the state, with a view to promoting their talents to the outside world.

She also noted that the efforts of the state government on the new education policies have started yielding good results with the outstanding performances of the students at both local and international competitions.

She said the students in the state have been trained on how to tackle challenges as they arise, hence their excellent performances at various competitions.

Miss Olawale who narrated her experience in Maryland, United States of America where she enjoyed her last holiday following her emergence as the winner of the competition said she competed with students from other countries of the world in various academic disciplines while in the United States.

She expressed gratitude to the state government for sponsoring her trip abroad, stressing that the knowledge she acquired would contribute to her success in life. Olawale, 12 is a student of Government Unity School, Osogbo.

Sherifat Aregbesola with Zainab Olawole

I will ensure religious harmony—Akinbade

A

GAINST the background of increased religious intolerane in the the state, the Labour Party flag bearer, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade has promised to ensure religious harmony in the state if elected into power.

Akinbade made the pledge weekend in Osogbo while interacting with about 1000 pastors from different denominations across the 30 local government areas of the state who converged on the state secretariat of Christian Association of Nigeria CAN. In a statement, his Director of Media, Mr. Kayode Oladeji said, the state has a history of a peaceful coexistence among various religious adherents.

He assured that nothing would be left to chance in ensuring that the state and its people live in peace, noting that no development could be achieved without peace. ”I want to assure you all that there won’t be segregation in my administration. Where there is fairness and equity, there will be no rancour. This, we shall pursue to the letter by the grace of God.” The gubernatorial

C M Y K

candidate who took time off to reel out some of his programmes, promised to improve the living standard of the people of the state through the provision of infrastructure and the development of health ,education among others.

”Nothing will be left undone.

In fact, we shall complete all uncompleted projects of the out going administration because government is a continuum.

But we will ensure due process, transparency and accountability in all we do”

I won’t sack workers, Aregbesola promises, pleads with workers

G

O V E R N O R Aregbesola, the APC candidate has alleged a grand conspiracy by his political enemies to misinform the citizenry of what he has described as an imaginary plan to sack workers in the state civil service.

The governor in a meeting with the Conference of Principals of secondary schools and head teachers of all elementary schools in the state said rather than sack the workers, he would improve on their welfare scheme even as he vowed not to relent on the payment of salaries and allowances despite what he alleged as a conspiracy to stifle allocations to the state ahead of the election. ”A responsible government has people at the centre of its policies. We are not in government but to make sure that the welfare of the people gets better by the day. ”Our government was able to survive the economic impasse brought about by injurious reduction in the federal allocation following the sacrifice of not forming cabinet for 10 months and not being frivolous with the excess crude, offering us opportunity to save about N5 billion,” Aregbesola said.

Appealing to the teachers to further make sacrifice in the interest of the state, the governor announced that despite the not-tooencouraging revenue accruing to the coffers of government, his administration still managed to sponsor some principals of secondary

schools to Tanzania for a workshop between 2012 and 2013.

He refuted the rumours making the rounds that his government will sack workers, saying when he came to the office in 2010 he was pressured to sack but he refused.

The governor, who said there was a grand plan to stifle the state with allocation until after the election, assured the teachers that his government will pay salaries as at when due with or without payment of allocation, adding that “I need your support; I need your understanding; I need your commitment to ensure a better state for all.”

Earlier in his remark, the Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, who doubles as the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC, Comrade Saka Adesiyan, highlighted some of the gray areas the teachers are desirous of government’s quick intervention.

The Labour leader listed contributory pension, special subvention for teachers in rural areas and international seminars and workshops as some of the areas needing urgent government attention.

Adesiyan noted that the interactive session with the government was an opportunity to disabuse the minds of some people, who are insinuating that the teachers do not support Aregbesola’s second term bid.

Adesiyan also commended the governor for paying salaries as well as 2014 leave bonus despite the shortfall in allocation.

Omisore gets more royal endorsements

I

N continuation of his quest to win the August 9th governorship election in Osun State, the Peoples Democratic Party PDP candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore has visited towns in Ayedire Local Government Area.

Addressing his teeming supporters in Olupona, Gbongan Araro, Ile Ogbo and Kuta, Senator Omisore assured the people that if elected, his administration would provide portable water and standard roads for them.

Senator Omisore noted that construction of Lagelu Olupona - Gbongan Road would be accelerated to ease

traffic problems in the areas.

He also reiterated his commitment to creating wealth in the state if elected by patronizing indigenous contractors and artisans in the execution of development projects.

Receiving the PDP governorship candidate in his palace, the Olu of Ile - Ogbo, Oba Habeeb Adetoyose Agbaje urged Senator Omisore to provide portable water and move the traditional stool to a deputy chairmanship or permanent membership of the Osun State Traditional Council.

He also pleaded with Senator Omisore to accord the people of the area the rightful po-

•Omisore acknowledging cheers in Osogbo sition they deserve once he is that was constructed by the preelected. vious PDP government will be Responding the PDP candi- completed to ease transportation date maintained that the road in the area. that link Ile-Ogbo with Iwo

V anguard anguard,, MONDAY, JUNE 30 , 2014 —43

Babalakin @ 54, a discourse in forbearance

BY DR. KABIR BELLO

Being the second part of excerpts from a paper presented under the auspices of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Benin city.

BY SAM OYOVBAIRE

I

N dealing with governance and pol itics, economic development and societal transformation, we need to concede to the government the way(s) it undertakes its policies, programmes and projects. Yet we should also grant to the the dynamics and dialectics of the theme media its perspective and strategy of for which as I have attempted to provide what it is set out to do. I had long ago only sketches in the preceding segment personally advanced the viewpoint that of this presentation. the media as a profession and as indusNigeria is presently under a national try with trained practitioners could eas- exercise of a National Conference with ily erect, wittingly or unwittingly, an a critical agenda or contents which had, agenda for the society. This agenda of in the past been dealt with in no fewer course could portend goodness, but from than four distinct periods after the end the perspective of the government such of the civil war in 1970. I have in mind agenda may appear subversive of the result of the committee and conferprogress or of its pursuit of goodness of ence of 1977-1979 which led to the 1979 the society. constitution; the exercise of a Political Can we not, therefore, see patent dif- Bureau leading to the conference in1988 ficulties of the government and the me- which gave rise to the aborted 1989 condia being partners in progress? Is such stitution; the overwhelming discourses partnership possible, or even plausi- of the Post-NADECO or annulled elecble? The process of democratization and tion era which dragged through 1994/ consolidation of democracy embody dif- 95 to the still-borne (Abacha regime) ficult challenges which the media must Draft Constitution; and the 2005 Olusedrive and the government must handle gun Obasanjo Political Reform Conferwith available resources. ence which was also aborted. In all of This problematic or dynamic is what these experiences, the relationship bethe late doyen of the print media, Baba- tween the government and the media tunde Jose, long ago called, Walking can best be described as confusing, inon a Tight Rope. How do we get the coherent and in certain respects, disasgovernment and the In an open society the governmedia to create the conditions or to democratize ment cannot but discharge its the delicate balance such responsibility and must be seen to that they can forge and sustain partnership rathso discharge its responsibility er than being mutual enemies to progress or as clogs in the dy- trous. It was the absence of partnership namism, dialectics and trajectory of in progress between the government and progress in the country? the media that once again inaugurated To conclude this brief thematic disqui- the process of the ongoing 2014 Nationsition on the government and the me- al Conference. What can we make of the dia as partners in progress: it should be current experience? Can we ascribe noted that the government is one struc- progress to the outpouring of the contured entity although we can distinguish tents of the current National Conference, between regimes, hence dictatorship as and do we see any partnership in distinct from constitutional and demo- progress between the government and cratic government. But the media al- the media in all of this? All we can say t h o u g h is that there exists a problematic seemingly relationship. To go beyond this generunited as alized viewpoint would be to take on a societal specific areas for comment so as to justiinstitution fy whether the government and the meand in ob- dia have partnered in any form that could j e c t i v e s result in progress. and motiSimilarly, in the area of national secuvations, it rity in contemporary times, we have had is multiple to face rounds of confusion between the in owner- government and the media. The govSAM O YOVB AIRE OY VBAIRE ship and ernment is correct to hold on to certain in pursuit of objectives. Hence, sections details of security information which if of the media may operate supportively made unduly available to the open sociof the government while other sections ety as can be extrapolated from the themay appear subversive or unduly an- sis of Karl Popper on The Open Society tagonistic to the government. and Its Enemies would in fact create A few contemporary experiences and gravely multiplex insecurity for the citilesson: We can spend considerable time zens. This is an understandable fact, in the discourses of the various aspects even with the Freedom of Information of the theme of the relationship between Act which is an “Act to make public the media and the government as part- records and information more freely ners in progress. For today’s discourse, available…. to the extent consistent with however, let me venture to touch only a the public interest and the protection of few areas of contemporary interest by personal privacy….. (and) public officway of bringing my guest speech to a ers from adverse consequences.” close. In doing so, please bear in mind To be continued

,

C M Y K

,

H

E clocks 54 tomorrow, Dr. Bolanle Olawale Babalakin, SAN, and the need to celebrate this Nigerian legal and business frontliner becomes necessary. It is not very often that such people with pedigree, sound education and exceptional achievements in business and philantrophy bestride the Nigerian landscape. This is even moreso when such an exceptional Nigerian has been the target of vilification and orchestrated witch-hunt over projects that ordinarily ought to be a thing of pride to our country.

But what I’d call the vilification of an oasis of genius in a desert of mediocrity, largely over the issues surrounding the Muritala Muhammed Airport 2 and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project should not deter a fair-minded person from applauding a thorough-bred intellectual on his special day. Never for once did his fortitude waver during that twin-faced ordeal that got to a head in late 2012.

What comes to mind each time the story of this enigma is being told is his surprising Wale Babalakin act of forbearance despite the of the land and was eventually declear injustice meted against him and his tained on trumped up allegations over proven track record of always staying on the failed bank saga. the right side of the law. And so I salute The failed bank saga opened with the tenacity and courage of this Gbonfanfare from the Abacha Government. gan, Osun State-born Cambridge-trained Babalakin was alleged to have taken lawyer. He had identified the path of hohundreds of millions of depositors’ nour and success early in life and his stomoney for his own personal benefit. ry is always refreshing to tell.

Prosecution by the press was the order After his youth service, Dr. Babalakin of the day. There were few discerning started his firm in July 1988. The firm has Nigerians who queried the action. Why blossomed and participated in all activiwas Babalakin being vilified so soon ties of the legal profession and now prides after his land was confiscated by itself as one of the largest law firms in Abacha? Was this not strong arm tacNigeria with over 60 lawyers practicing tics to cow him and make him unable in Abuja, Lagos and Port-Harcourt. It has to fight for his rights? On advice of his also produced three senior advocates becounsel, Chief Richard Akinjide, SAN tween year 2002 and now. an outstanding accountant and bankWhen I heard from the rumour mill at a er, Otunba Olutola Senbore was aptime that Dr. Babalakin started business pointed to look into the Why was Babalakin being vilified books of Babalakin in Trust Bank. so soon after his land was confiscat- Commercial The result was alarming. ed by Abacha?

Babalakin was not indebted to his bank. He just recently and that his success was bewas actually N11million in credit. The cause he was largely favoured by Chief debtor was a State Government which Olusegun Obasanjo, I decided to research acknowledged the debt and was willinto this issue. ing to pay but it was convenient for the The result I came up with was particupersecutors of Babalakin to ignore this larly alarming and totally contrary to this position. Babalakin challenged this postated position. By his 30th birthday in sition in Court and obtained the nec1990, Dr. Babalakin had built three housessary orders. He was subsequently rees in Victoria Island, living in one and leased from detention when it became renting the two others out. Before 1991, clear that the mischief of his persecuhe had built an eleven storey building on tors was unsustainable.

Campbell Street popularly known as The On his return from detention and Rooftop (named after his roof flat in Selundaunted by the excessive persecuwyn Gardens, Cambridge). The three tion which lasted 23 months, Babalakin houses in Victoria Island were named returned to his world of legal practice rumblings because of the furor and the and property development in 1998 and cacophony of noise that accompanied this gradually regained his position as a magnificent feat in 1990. leader in the two fields. He completed By 1992, he had commenced building his 13-storey building on Afribank of a block of 38 flats at Ikoyi which he Street which now houses his chambers later sold to the Nigeria Social Insurance and acquired more extensive real esTrust Fund (NSITF) formerly Nigerian tate.

Provident Fund (NPF). This is the famous In 2001, the domestic wing of the Bunu Sheriff Gardens on Probyn Road Murtala Mohammed Airport was Ikoyi. raised by fire. The forward-looking He also commenced the development administration of Chief Olusegun of the Hyatt Regency, Lagos. This project Obasanjo whose aviation sector was was conceived by Babalakin to ease the manned by Dr. Kema Chikwe decided strain on hospitality in Lagos in 1993. In to experiment with a design, build, 1993, Eko hotel was probably the only operate and transfer option (DBOT). hotel that was functioning between Ikoyi To be continued

,

The govt and the media: Partners in progress (2)

and Victoria Island. The design of the project received very high awards internationally. When construction commenced in February 1993, it was stopped abruptly and for no reason by the Government of General Sani Abacha.

It later transpired that Abacha and his cohorts saw the emergence of such a hotel as a direct threat to their own interest in the hospitality business. Babalakin was harassed and chased out

,

44 — V anguard Vanguard anguard,, MONDAY, JUNE 30 , 2014

BRIEFS

African migrants protest Israeli treatment

Vatican tribunal convicts former envoy for sex abuse A

tribunal in the Vatican has convicted the former papal envoy to the Dominican Republic for sex abuse and stripped him of the priesthood.

Jozef Wesolowski, who is originally from Poland, was recalled by the Church last year amid claims that he had abused boys in Santo Domingo. Wesolowski is the highest-ranking Vatican official to have been investigated for sex abuse.

Pope Francis has urged the Church to root out and punish abuse by priests.

Wesolowski had served as envoy to the Dominican Republic for five years. He was ordained as a priest and

bishop by his compatriot, Pope John Paul II. He has twomonthstoappealagainst the sentence. As a citizen of the Vatican, he also faces criminal charges in the city state, which could lead to a prison sentence.

Authorities in the Dominican Republic have also opened an investigation into Wesolowski, but have not charged him. Pope Francis last year strengthened the Vatican’s laws against child abuse. He has pledged a crackdown on clerics and employees of the Church who exploit minors, comparing their actions to a “satanic mass”.

Jozef Wesolowski has two months to appeal against the conviction

Iraq crisis: Fresh clashes over Tikrit I

RAQI government forces have continued an offensive to retake the northern city of Tikrit from Sunni rebels.

Aircraft have struck at rebel positions and clashes have broken out in various parts of the city, witnesses and officials have said.

Troops had reportedly pulled back to the nearby town of Dijla as Saturday’s initial offensive met stiff

resistance.

The city of Tikrit was captured by Sunni rebels on June 11 as they swept across large parts of northern Iraq.

“The security forces are advancing from different areas”, Lt-Gen Qassem Atta told journalists. “There are ongoing clashes.”

There was fighting in the northern Qadissiyah district, near the university

where troops established a foothold in the city a few days ago, witnesses told the Associated Press.

An unnamed official also told the agency of clashes around an air base formerly used by the US military, Camp Speicher.

Improvised devices Heavy fighting took place on Saturday between the Iraqi security forces and

Israeli air strikes hit targets in Gaza

T

Refugees have continued to pour into Iraqi Kurdistan to flee the fighting

HE military said it targeted 12 locations in Gaza yesterday , including “concealed” rocket launchers, weapons manufacturing sites and what it called “terror activity” sites.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli

Obama: European jihadists threaten US

U

C M Y K

S President Barack Obama has warned that “battle-hardened” Europeans who embrace jihad in Syria and Iraq threaten the United States because their passports mean they can enter the country without a visa.

Nearly 800 French citizens have spent time fighting in Syria’s civil war, according to latest estimates, and Belgium says 200 of its people have done the same.

Britain puts its number at 400.

Those holding French, Belgian and British

passports along with a host of other European countries — do not need visas to visit the United States, meaning they can potentially avoid scrutiny.

“We have seen Europeans sympathetic to their (militants’) cause traveling into Syria and may now travel into Iraq, getting battle-hardened.

Then they come back,” Obama warned in an interview that aired yesterday on the US broadcaster ABC. These combatants “have a European

armed men from different factions controlling Tikrit, resulting in many casualties on both sides, eyewitnesses and journalists told the BBC. Insurgents, led by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isis), were reported to have shot down a helicopter and captured the pilot.

passport. They don’t need visas to get into the United States,” he told “This Week.”

“Now, we are spending a lot of time, and we have been for years, making sure we are improving intelligence to respond to that.

“We have to improve our s u r v e i l l a n c e , reconnaissance, intelligence there.

Special forces are going to have a role.

And there are going to be times where we take strikes against organizations that could do us harm.”

government is ready “to broaden” the operation if necessary.

The army said the airstrikes were in retaliation for six rockets from Gaza that struck Israel the previous evening.

Two of those rockets hit a factory in the town of Sderot, setting it ablaze, the Associated Press news agency reported. Israeli Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, however, said limited military operations against armed groups in Gaza only strengthened Hamas. “The alternative is clear,” Lieberman said on Army Radio. “Either with each round we attack terror infrastructure and they shoot, or we go to full occupation.”

There has been an increase in rockets launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel this month, as the army continues a wide-ranging operation in the West Bank to search for three Israeli youths who went missing this month.

A

BOUT 1,000 African migrants protesting Israel’s policy on asylum-seekers have marched out of an open detention centre and were camped out near the southern border with Egypt.

The mainly Eritrean and Sudanese migrants left the Holot camp facility on Friday because Israel had not processed their claims for asylum, a statement by migrant activists said.

“We are going to stay near the border with Egypt until a solution is found so our rights are respected,” the statement said.

The sit-in came a day

after Israeli soldiers stopped the demonstrators from crossing the border.

The protesters, who are allowed out during the day, said that their march was to protest against their “inhuman and unlimited” detention at Holot.

One demonstrator said the authorities presented it as an “open facility ”, but it was “actually a prison”.

The migrants are calling on the United Nations to help resettle them elsewhere.

About 50,000 Africans have poured into Israel in recent years from Egypt in order to flee persecution and danger.

ISIL declares new ‘Islamic caliphate’

F

IGHTERS in Syria and Iraq have announced the establishment of a “caliphate”, referring to the system of rule that ended nearly 100 years ago with the fall of the Ottoman empire.

In an audio recording distributed online yesterday , the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) declared its chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as “the caliph” and “leader for Muslims everywhere”.

Baghdadi is believed to be the leader of ISIL, which announced that it is now called “The Islamic State”.

According to the statement, the new caliphate stretches from

Iraq’s Diyala province to Syria’s Aleppo.

“The Shura (council) of the Islamic State met and discussed this issue (of the caliphate)... The Islamic State decided to establish an Islamic caliphate and to designate a caliph for the state of the Muslims,” said ISIL spokesman Abu Mohammad al-Adnani.

“The words ‘Iraq’ and ‘the Levant’ have been removed from the name of the Islamic State in official papers and documents,” Adnani said, describing the caliphate as “the dream in all the Muslims’ hearts” and “the hope of all jihadists”.

Ukraine seeks EU support

U

KRAINE’s new president has enlisted support from the leaders of Germany and France for a call to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin as a ceasefire deadline looms.

President Petro Poroshenko is expected to be joined by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande on the scheduled phone call on Sunday to the Russian leader on the eve of the deadline.

Ye s t e r d a y ’ s teleconference is primarily meant to check on any visible shift in Moscow before the European Union and Washington consider unleashing biting sanctions against Russia’s financial and defence sectors starting today.

Both Ukraine and its Western allies have been seeking concrete steps from Russia to back the ceasefire between Kiev and pro-Russian militias in the hope of calming a deadly insurgency sparked by the country’s new westward course.

On Sunday, Ukraine’s military said there had been sporadic attacks by pro-Russian gunmen in the east, despite the ceasefire being in place.

The phone call also comes after pro-Kremlin rebels in Donetsk released four monitors from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) — one woman and three men — after being pressed by Putin to meet the terms of the tenuous truce with Kiev.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014—45

NiMet predicts localised rains on Monday

Air transport workers threaten strike over welfare IKEJA—THE Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, yesterday, threatened to call out its members on strike if the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, failed to meet its demands.

The National President of ATSSSAN, Mr. Benjamin Okewu, issued the threat in a statement in Lagos a copy of which was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Okewu said the union had demanded that all pending issues on workers’ welfare before the NCAA management should be resolved before July 5.

“It was gathered that so many outstanding employees’ files on welfare matters, allowances, travel claims, have been piled up on the desk of the Director-General of NCAA, Engr. Benedict Adeyileka, and unattended to since in the last 10 to 12 months,” he said.

He expressed the union’s displeasure with the way the aviation agencies were handling the 2014 staff training. The ATSSSAN boss also demanded that the union should be furnished with the staff training proposals by all agencies in the aviation sector.

The agencies are NCAA, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Federal Airport s Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology.

Okewu argued that human capacity development in the sector could not be ignored due to the expanding investment prospects and safety challenges in the industry worldwide.

T

L-R: Head, Media and Public Relations of Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Mr. Reuben Muoka; President, Movie Producers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Zik Zulu Okafor; Director, Public Affairs of NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo and Director, Financial Services of NCC, Mrs. Abigail Sholanke when the Abuja Chapter of Movie Producers of Nigeria, honoured the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah with an Award of Friend of Nollywood in Abuja

Insecurity: Ekiti Dep gov assures youths

N

IGERIAN youths have been charged not to be dismayed by insecurity and restiveness in some parts of the land but to look into the future with hope that all will be well.

The Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Prof Modupe Adelabu, who gave the charge, however, urged the youths to take the bull by the horns by being change agents who will arrest the drift and reshape the country.

Prof Adelabu who spoke, weekend, as at the graduation of some pupils at Grange School, on Harold Shodipo Crescent, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos State, said the youths have what it takes to secure a promising and brighter tomorrow for themselves as long as they refrain from folding their arms but rising up against injustice as future leaders.

She also reminded parents to pay due attention to the upbringing of their wards, stressing that a child’s development can only be total if the home and the school play complementing roles.

Besides, the deputy governor urged parents to prepare their

children for future leadership roles by bringing them up in the way of their Lord, even as she described education as the best legacy any parent could bequeath to his/her ward.

She told her audience that education has been given a priority attention as the fourth on the Eight-Point Agenda of the Ekiti State government under the leadership of Governor Kayode Fayemi, noting that education

Ex-EFCC chief joins Benue guber race

BY PETER DURU

M

AKURDI—IMMEDI ATE past commissioner in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Paul Harris Ogbole, has joined the Benue State gubernatorial race.

Ogbole declared to vie for the governorship position, weekend, when he led members of his campaign team and supporters on a courtesy visit to officials of the State Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Makurdi, the Benue

Forum blames politicians for Abuja blast

A

BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

BUJA—A POLITICAL pressure group, the Northern Alternative Forum, has condemned the recent bomb blast at Emab Plaza in Wuse Two, Abuja, which killed over twenty people and injured many others.

The group while sympathizing with victims and family of the dead, attributed the explosion to activities of some disgruntled politicians, who they believe are the brains behind the spate of bombings and killings in parts

of the country in order to malign and cast federal government in bad light ahead of the 2015 elections.

It said,“On behalf of our group and my family I wish to commiserate with the families of those who have lost their lives in the said attack. But most importantly I wish to draw the attention of Nigerians to activities of some disgruntled politicians who we believe are the brains behind the spate of bombings and killings in parts of the country in order to cast President Goodluck Jonathan and his gov-

and human capital development has been pursued with utmost seriousness since the administration took the saddle on October 16, 2010.

The deputy governor also charged the pupils to be good ambassadors of their homes and the school, which she noted has invested in them what they require for future challenges, assuring them that “light awaits you at the end of the tunnel”.

ernment in bad light ahead of the 2015 elections.

“We want Nigerians to know that what is happening in this country today is not anything about religion. This insurgency has been hijacked by politicians and we are calling on the politicians to desist, to stop making statements that are inflammatory.”

The forum said it was pained by the upsurge of attacks on innocent citizens and expresses confidence in the capacity of the Nigerian security forces to overcome the insurgency and return the country to the path of peace.

State capital.

He said he decided to join the race after due consultations with political stakeholders and his supporters who urged him to present himself for service of higher responsibility.

“I have come today to intimate the leadership of our great party of my decision to vie in the forthcoming 2015 governorship race in line with the wishes and aspirations of my supporters who are spread across the entire state as well as my well wishers. I am joining the race with the strong conviction that I will emerge victorious, given my support base, and together we shall all consolidate on the achievements of the Governor Gabriel Suswam led administration.

Receiving the team, the state Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, said the party was open to every member to ventilate his or her ideas and aspirations. “That is why we will continue to assure every member aspiring for one position or the other that we will avail you a level playing field and also continue to be impartial in all of our activities and disposition towards all aspirants so as to ensure a crisis free electoral process in our party,”Agbo said.

HE Nigerian Meteo rological Agency, NiMet, has predicted cloudy weather conditions, localised thunderstorms and localised rains in different parts of the country on Monday.

The predictions are contained in a Weather Outlook issued on Sunday in Abuja by NiMet’s Central Forecast Office, CFO. In the forecast, NiMet predicted that central states would experience cloudy conditions with chances of localised thunderstorms and rains over Abuja, Lokoja, Minna in the early hours of the morning.

It predicted that northern states would experience partly cloudy and cloudy conditions with chances of localised thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening.

“Morning rains are expected along the coast of both the south east and southwest of the southern coastal areas. Cloudy conditions are expected in the inland cities with prospect of isolated thunderstorms over Ilorin-Iseyin axis in the morning,” the agency predicted.

Muslims not terrorists — Oloyede

A

BUJA—Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the Secretary-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, has called on security agencies in the country to be fair and professional in the discharge of their duties.

Oloyede who gave the advice while delivering a keynote address at the 9th Ramadan Lecture of Muslim Media Professionals of Nigeria (MMPN) in Abuja described the security situation in the country as serious. The Islamic leader said Muslims in Nigeria were for peace as long as there was justice and fairness, adding, “Muslims are not responsible for the violence in the country.

Muslims are for peace. If there is any problem, it is a failure of the system.”

The NSCIA scribe said there “cannot be peace without justice. Our appeal is that Federal Government should be just to all segments of the society.”

Oloyede said in the spirit of the theme of the lecture, “Peace and Leadership: The Missing Link”, there should be more consultation and dialogue among the stakeholders in the country.

46—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014

I

AM returning to the sensitive issue of the 486 Northerners (mostly indigenes of Jigawa State) nabbed in Abia State on suspicion that they were members of the Boko Haram Islamic terrorist group.

Both states are of particular interest to me.

I have my native roots in Abia State. On the other hand, Jigawa is almost like my baby. I have watched it grow from infancy from the very day it was created in 1991. I have very valuable friends there, and this made it possible for me to track its progress from the status of the poorest state in Northern Nigeria in 2007 till date when it has overcome the tag of backwardness and emerged as one of the most infrastructurally developed states in Nigeria due to excellent political leadership over the past seven years.

About a week ago, the Nigerian Army and security agencies nabbed a convoy of 33 buses ferrying 486 people of Northern origin in Abia State, on the suspicion that they could be members of the Boko Haram terrorist group. This is not the first time Northerners have travelled to the South

‘Boko Haram 486': Handle with care see this kind of strange influx in his neighbourhood and fail to raise an eyebrow. On further investigation, we have already been informed that a high ranking, wanted Boko Haram kingpin has been discovered in their midst. The Coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mr Mike Omeri, also dropped an ominous hint that the findings about the 486

,

Even if Nigeria breaks up, northerners will still be coming, and southerners will be going to their sharia republic; there is an umbilical relationship that can never be cut even if we part ways politically

,

and vice versa. The suspicion was based on several factors.

The insurgents in the North brag they want to Islamise Nigeria. Eastern Nigeria has less than five per cent of its indigenes who subscribe to the Islamic faith.

“Abubakar Shekau”, the leader of Boko Haram, has been boasting that he would soon start targeting the South. Governor Kassim Shettima of Borno State, who is often seen as a hidden supporter of Boko Haram, recently warned that the terrorists would soon spread their activities to the South and other parts of the country. There have been reports that “Fulani herdsmen”, the murderous gangs attacking villages in North Central Nigeria and raping women, have infiltrated parts of Enugu State.

When, in the midst of it all a convoy of 33 buses carrying mostly young men with virtually no luggage, moves into Igbo land at 3am under the cover of darkness, there is bound to be suspicion that they are up to no good. No normal human being will

suspects would shock the nation, though he went no further than this.

All these establish a credible basis to justify the arrest of the suspects. I still believe that most of them might be innocent, law-abiding citizens fleeing to safer areas of the country where they believe there are economic opportunities.

I am not sure, though, if economic migrants usually go in such large numbers and convoys, without personal effects. I am not even sure if terrorists move in convoys.

What I suspect is that terrorists can hide among such innocuous groups of persons to move into new areas to plant their evil cells.

It is very crucial for us to see the arrest and ongoing interrogations as a purely security operation. The Abia State Government did not arrest the suspects.

They have no power to do so. It was the army and security agencies that nabbed them. That the military cantonment from which the soldiers were drawn is in Abia

State does not mean that the soldiers are Abia troops under the command of Governor Theodore Orji. The Abia State Government merely raised the alarm over possible threat to the citizens and residents of the state. It is their responsibility to do so. I do not see where the Jigawa State House of Assembly found the justification to threaten to sue the Abia State Government for raising an alarm over perceived security threats in its area of jurisdiction.

I can understand the usual rantings of the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF. ACF is an enemy of the North and Nigeria as a whole masquerading as the defender of Northern interests. ACF never supports justice for all. As far as ACF is concerned, what is good for Nigeria is not good for the North, but what is good for the North is good for Nigeria. The North must impose its regional interests on the rest of the country. That is what makes ACF happy. It does not work like that.

The myopia and mischief in the ACF’s assertion that the suspects are mere “traders” are obvious. If they were traders, where were their goods? We have been seeing Northern traders in the South since we were born. They are in our markets on a daily basis. They always come in trailers and trucks with their (usually) agricultural commodities such as livestock, poultry, rice, beans, yams, onions, peppers, watermelons, and what have you. People are always waiting to patronise them. They have been part and parcel of the economic landscape of the South even before Nigeria was born. Even if Nigeria breaks up, Northerners will still be coming, and

OPINION Ekiti: Forerunner to Nigeria decides 2015

BY JOSEPHINE BABATUNDE

N

OT even the most politically naïve Nigerian can fail to appreciate that the recent governorship election in Ekiti State is a forerunner to the 2015 presidential election. The two major candidates in Ekiti, incumbent Governor John Kayode Fayemi and Governor-elect Ayodele Fayose, represent the All Progressives Congress, APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, respectively. Taking this into consideration, the outcome of the Ekiti election was always going to be more than just a reflection of what the people think of these individuals. It was also a referendum on the political parties they represent. #EkitiDecides, the social media hash tag created by the Independent National Electoral Commission for Nigerians and the world at large to follow the

election online in real time, has been hailed as a universal success. Even die-hard critics of electoral processes in Nigeria, especially those in the civil society sector, have all conceded that the results announced, with Fayose as the winner, reflect the true will of the people.

An example worth mentioning here is that of Jibrin Ibrahim, Director of the Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, the civil society organisation which Governor Fayemi led before his foray into politics. Ibrahim declared: “Having spent a week observing the run up to and the election in Ekiti, it appeared clear to me that Fayemi was not rigged out; he was simply voted out by the people…”.

Also, the National Chairman of the Transition Monitoring Group, Alhaji Ibrahim Zikirullahi, said:

“The Ekiti election was generally conducted properly with most polling units opening on time and polling officials following the prescribed procedure. Voters and contestants can have confidence that the INEC result is a true reflection of the will of the voters of Ekiti State.”

It is important to reflect the views of these civil society leaders on #EkitiDecides because when #NigeriaDecides in 2015, they are the same people that Nigerians and the international community will look to before concluding if the poll has been conducted freely and fairly. Their verdict on #EkitiDecides is therefore a validation of President Goodluck Jonathan’s longstanding commitment to always ensure that all contestants have a level play-field at all elections in the country.

Indeed, let the truth be said:

Southerners will be going to their sharia republic. There is an umbilical relationship that can never be cut even if we part ways politically.

It is in the national interest that the 486 suspects are thoroughly processed by our security agencies. Those who are terrorists among them should be taken to justice.

The innocent ones should be freed to move on to their destination. But it must be established that they are not conspirators with the insurgents hiding among them.

It is very essential that the insurgency is not taken to any part of the South. Rather, we should all join hands to eliminate it from all corners of the North.

Northerners fleeing from Boko Haram insurgency are welcome to the South and should feel at home, PROVIDED they are willing to be law abiding, peaceful and ready to contribute to the progress and wellbeing of their host communities.

Century-long costly experiment A single bomb explosion traced to Boko Haram in the South could devastate Nigeria as we know it. It could be the final trigger for the end of a century-long, costly experiment. We must stand against it.

Northern leaders and all well meaning Nigerians should be interested in ensuring no innocent Northerner is maltreated and unjustly profiled in the South as a Boko Haram member just because he is from the North. We must fight the insurgents without perpetrating injustice.

The Jigawa State Government, JGSG, must close ranks with the Abia State Government, ABSG, to ensure that the security processing of the 486 is conducted professionally and patriotically. It does not call for political or ethnic sabre-rattling. After all, both state governments are led by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The platform for dialogue and prevention of unpleasant social problems from this fragile episode is there.

This does not call for government spokesmen being deployed to exchange hot words in the media. It could prove dangerous. Let the Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, pick his phone and call his Abia State counterpart, Chief TA Orji, and talk it over.

The success of #EkitiDecides, which is being celebrated today, would not have been possible without the commendable leadership shown by the very liberal and exceedingly tolerant President Jonathan. It is Jonathan’s leadership and statesmanship that has consistently allowed the will of the people to hold sway at every election conducted under his watch since he came into office.

Besides Ekiti, the list includes Ondo State governorship election, where the Labour Party won; Edo State governorship election, where the APC won, and Anambra State governorship election, where the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, won.

Without taking anything away from President Jonathan, it must be said though that perhaps the most significant outcome of #EkitiDecides is that after the people of Ekiti had expressed

themselves at the polls and the results were announced, incumbent Governor Fayemi immediately bowed to their wishes by conceding defeat. This is a first in the annals of Nigerian politics.

The rejection of Governor Fayemi and the APC at #EkitiDecides is a clear indication that the party is no match for the PDP. Even in the State of Osun, which is next in line in the elections timetable, the likelihood is that the PDP will trounce incumbent Governor Rauf Aregbesola. This is because he is a governor who has never been tested at the polls, having won his seat through a legal technicality in court. When Osun people go to the polls in August 2014, there is every possibility that the candidate of the PDP may triumph in a free and fair election devoid of violence. *Mrs. Babatunde, a social critic, wrote from Lagos.

—47 Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014—

S

ATURDAY'S governorship election in Ekiti State has a fundamental significance that appears to have eluded the punditry of most of those that have weighed in with analysis. Some say the victory was down to Governor-elect Ayo Fayose’s charisma which struck a welcome chord with the state’s flotsam and jetsam who constitute the vast majority. Others say that Governor Kayode Fayemi crushing defeat was because of his tenure's most successful record of under-performance. A third viewpoint is that Fayemi achieved as a Governor but ran an elitist campaign which, understandably, meant that he hollered through a loudhailer that, if anything, assailed the eardrums of those he rallied for a fresh mandate – the inhabitants of the trench towns.

Whatever is the truth of each of the viewpoints, the most important explanation for Fayemi’s landmark electoral walloping is that the man travelled in a vehicle the masses did not believe was capable of delivering them at a destination they would recognise. Who is going to readily board an aircraft certified by experts to have a 50 percent chance of crashing?

Thus, there was Governor Fayemi aboard a patently unsafe vehicle, screaming himself hoarse, asking disinterested voters to come ride with him. No, they responded emphatically, we ain’t gonna ride

to our doom! The people of Ekiti, the land of Professors, had their case made for them by the masses, the same masses that clearly saw what seasoned analysts are currently glossing over.

Let’s get to brass tacks. When the All Progressives Congress, APC, surfaced from a coalition of disparate political parties and a motley collection of strange political bedfellows, even people who were supposed to know much better joined the bandwagon of hailing it as an alternative to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. But the APC was alternative to nothing; it was far from an alternative even unto itself. The APC represented no option to any other political party. It was a rainbow coalition of all sorts. To the informed, therefore, it was obvious that the meretricious association would sooner come to grief. How could something constitute an alternative to something else when it did not posit any options, except abuses, diatribe and incendiary effluvia? APC cheerleaders did not want to answer this question. All they knew was that APC was the new dawn Nigeria was eagerly awaiting.

The APC took on President Goodluck Jonathan and abused him to very tiny pieces. They demonised him as a matter of course. They calumniated him with the constancy of a devout man’s daily prayers. They castigated the President with impunity. They even went abroad

The ordinary people know on which side their bread is buttered: the one who proclaimed that no Nigerian deserved to die on account of another’s political ambition is preferable to the proponents of fire and brimstone and returned with hired foreign champions of invectives and diatribe. They failed to understand that their mordant attacks and their broadsides did not represent a political alternative to the status quo. They refused to reckon with the fact that abuses do not win arguments. The point was made that people were not bound to love or support the Nigerian president. But the President happened to occupy a high constitutional position, a proposition that demanded the respect of all citizens.

The APC disagreed and continued with the abuses and the inflammatory remarks. A few samplers: This is Alhaji Ahmed Tinubu in The Punch of April 24, 2014: “They are already planning to rig elections but be ready to protect your votes; nobody serves you freedom a la carte. It is going to be rig and roast. We are prepared not to go to court but to drive you out.” This is General Muhammadu Buhari in the

Choices before Emir of Kano

A

BY ERIC TENIOLA

LHAJI Isa Kaita (1912-1994) was the Northern Region Minister for works between 1954 and 1957, and later Minister of Education between 1957 and 1966. He later became the Waziri of Katsina. Alhaji Kaita was one of the few closest advisers of the late Northern Region Premier Sir Ahmadu Bello (1909-1966), the Sardauna of Sokoto. In August 1963, Alhaji Kaita was dispatched to Lagos by his friend Sir Ahmadu Bello. The mission was to inform the then Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa(1912-1966) on the plan of the Premier to depose the then Emir of Kano, Sir Muhammadu Sanusi from the throne. When he got to Lagos he met the then Prime Minister in company of his five ministers, Alhaji Muhammadu Ribadu (1910-1965), Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Alhaji Zanna Bukar Suloma Dipcharima(1917-1969), Alhaji Maitama Sule and Alhaji Tudun Wada. The ministers advised against the premier’s decision.

Upon delivering the message, the then Prime Minister told Alhaji Kaita that the Sardauna should not act that way. “Tell the Sardauna that he should not do it, for Kano will be on fire.” The emissary told the Prime Minister and the five ministers present that: “I am not here for permission. I am here to inform you that the Sardauna had made up his mind, I'm afraid no going back”. That was how the meeting ended. Selection and deposition of traditional rulers is the sole responsibility of state governments.

The son of the Emir, Alhaji Aminu Sanusi who was serving in the Nigerian Embassy in Cairo, Egypt at that time, intervened on behalf of his father on the question of exile.

The Prime Minister discussed with the premier and the choice settled on Azare, headquarters of then Katagum Emirate in Northern Bauchi C M Y K

,

province. Two days later the Emir was dethroned and banished to Azare in the present Bauchi State. He later died in 1984. Some of the details of the deposition are contained on pages 603 to 605 of a book written by Mr. Trevor Clark titled: A RIGHT HONOURABLE GENTLEMAN on the life and times of Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Mr. Clark, a Briton, served as the deputy secretary to the executive council, the governor’s office in Kaduna. He was a personal friend of the Prime Minister.

Before the deposition, Mr Clark wrote that ”the Kano native finances had largely broken down, and in September 1962 could not meet its monthly staff wages bill nor its other debts; the water supply undertaking and the purchase-of-corn local industry in particular were not audited because they were virtually unauditable”.

In my interview as the National Assembly Editor of THE PUNCH newspaper, with Alhaji Isa Kaita in October 1983 while he was chairman of Code of Conduct Bureau, he said Sir Ahmadu Bello did not take that decision without consultation. He described the deposition as “A RIGHTEOUS ONE”. When I asked whether the late Premier had any regret in deposing Alhaji Muhammed Sanusi as the Emir before he too was murdered by the military on January 15,1956, his reply was “why should the Sardauna regret his actions, Sanusi was not deposed on mere statement, go and find out. Have you read the report of David Muffet?”

David Muffet, a Briton was appointed by Sir Ahmadu Bello to probe into Kano Native Financial affairs in 1963. Later Mr. Muffet wrote a book titled LET THE TRUTH BE TOLD. Unfortunately, Alhaji Isa Kaita, a former broadcaster could not write his autobiography to shed more light on the deposition of the Emir before he died in his house in Kaduna on November 26, 1994.

Vanguard of May 15, 2012: “God productive. The APC, despite the willing, by 2015, something will encompassing claims that it was happen. They either conduct free teeming with intellection, failed and fair elections or they go a very to pay attention to contemporary disgraceful way. If what history. Had they bothered about happened in 2011 should again the history of the last few years, it happen in 2015, by the grace of would have occurred to them that God, the dog and the baboon Ekiti was previously a PDP state would be soaked in blood.” This and that the current APC is Alhaji Nasir el-Rufai in Thisday governorship incumbency there of January 23, 2014: “The next and even in Osun State were election is likely going to be down to highly contentious violent and many people are judicial pronouncements.

Then it came down to the wire. going to die. And the only alternative to get power is to take And Fayose administered, not just it by force…”. And, finally, this is on Fayemi but on the APC itself, Governor Rauf Aregbesola: a resounding electoral bashing.

“Make sure you go to cast your Fayose won in all the 16 local ballots with everything. I am not government areas of the state. saying you should go there with Indeed, his victory was so total guns but the law does not frown that it left every APC bigwig speechless. This means that the against charms…”.

How can all this venom ordinary people of this country represent an alternative to peace know on which side their bread and respect for human life? Yet, is buttered. They found no viable the worst thing done by the APC alternative to the politics of the was to play politics with the one who ensured a free, fair, scourge of Boko Haram. Rather violent-free and credible than join hands to fight the gubernatorial election in Ekiti terrorists, the APC believed it State. They have in a most could convert the bombing, decisive way reiterated the fact killing, maiming and abductions that the one who proclaimed that of Nigerians into electoral votes! no Nigerian deserved to die on Back to Ekiti State, the abuses account of another’s political continued. The APC kept calling ambition is preferable to the Ayo Fayose a thug. They did not proponents of fire and brimstone. conclude a sentence until they That is why Dr. John Kayode had described him as an illiterate. Fayemi will soon vacate They claimed that he was not his Government House, Ado-Ekiti, own man, that he would at setting in motion a process that Government House, Ado Ekiti, be will systematically sweep away nothing other than an Abuja with their own brooms the last imposition. In all their vestiges of hate politics from the “progressive” wisdom they failed entity. to understand that railing at a man *Mr. Iloegbunam, a commentator connected with his people would on national issues, a journalist, ultimately turn out to be counter- wrote from Lagos.

,

BY CHUKS ILOEGBUNAM

,

Why Fayemi was trashed

Sanusi has two choices before him today: either to follow the footsteps of his great grandfather who transformed Kano or follow the footsteps of his grandfather Alhaji Muhammed Sanusi who was deposed after reigning for 10years

,

After the deposition of the Emir, the Turaki of Kano between 1927 and 1939 and district head of Dawakin Kudu, Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Abbas born in 1901 became the Emir.

His reign was less than 12 months before he died. He was succeeded by Alhaji Ado Bayero who died recently after reigning for 51 years.

The history of the deposed Emir was in sharp contrast with that of his father Alhaji Abdullahi Bayero who was Emir between 1926 and 1963.

Alhaji Abdullahi Bayero was the son of Emir Muhammadu Abbas. He was district head of Bichi before he was appointed the tenth Fulani Emir of Kano in 1926. He was officially installed in February 1927.

U

nder British supervision, he carried out some reforms of the Emirate government. The economic prosperity continued in his reign despite the slump going on in the post-Second World War years and considerable development was financed from Native Authority funds. By the early 1950s the Kano NA was spending over £1 million annually for its programmes. Under the Emir, whose good relations with the British were shown by a procession in which he and the governor took part in 1936,Kano became

important to the British a civil air route terminal (1936), air base in the Second World War, and a major groundnut centre as it had been since 1912. He encouraged many factories to be established in Kano.

He virtually turned Kano into a major trading centre across the whole of Africa. The Arabs turned Kano to their second home, hence the reason for many mulattoes in Kano today.

In 1934 Alhaji Abdullahi Bayero visited Britain and was received by King George V. He went to Mecca twice; the first time, in 1937, he travelled by car and became the first ever Emir of Kano to perform the Hajj; he performed it again in 1951, that time by air, and on his return opened a new mosque.

He followed the Reformed Tijaniyya Moslem Confraternity, and was much influenced by Sheikh Ibrahim Niass of Kaolack (Senegal), who preached it in Kano.

This well-remembered Emir died on December 25, 1953. Bayero University was named after him.

The son of the now ailing Emir of Azare, who hosted the deposed Emir of Kano for 21years, Baba Farouk, the Seriki Shirra, is today the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Water Resources. And the grandson of the deposed Emir is today the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Lamido Sanusi Lamido.

He is not the first son or grandson of a deposed traditional ruler to regain the throne of his father or that of his grandfather.

As for the present Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, in spite of his unfortunate detention in Jos prison during the General Sani Abacha era and the personal effort which the late Emir, Alhaji Ado Bayero made in securing his release without facing charges, he could boast of having a grandfather and a great grandfather as Emirs of Kano. A boast that can’t be disputed. *Mr. Teniola, a former director at the Presidency,wrote from Lagos.

48—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014

The example Obasanjo showed the world in peace making — Ita Giwa Senator Forence Ita-Giwa, daughter of one of the country’s pioneering female journalists, Mrs. Beatrice Ita and a former wife of one of the country’s most vibrant journalists ever, Mr. Dele Giwa, could be said to be a media baby. But beyond birth and marriage, Florence Ita-Giwa has unarguably earned her own name in the field of politics and community agitation.

Ita-Giwa trained as a nurse and subsequently worked as a medical representative before her election to the House of Representatives in the Third Republic. She was subsequently elected into the Senate at the advent of the Fourth Republic in 1999.

She made history when she became the first woman to become a principal officer in the National Assembly at the turn of the century when she was elected deputy leader of the then All Peoples Party, APP Senate Caucus. She, however, walked away from that position and the party in controversial circumstances when she stood against the plots of the Pius Anyim Senate leadership against President Olusegun Obasanjo in the period leading to the 2003 elections.

President Obasanjo was to appreciate her support after the election with her appointment as Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters.

Known around the country as Mama Bakassi on account of her support for the cause of the people of the Bakassi Peninsula, Ita-Giwa, after a hiatus in the political arena resurfaced as a delegate to the ongoing National Conference. In this interview she speaks on the success of the conference, the ceding of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon among other issues. Excerpts

W

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

hat is your assessment of the National Conference so far?

I have been so impressed. The quality of the debate going on and participation from eminent Nigerians has impacted tremendously on the confab. The depth of the conference too has been amazing. It has gone much deeper that I imagined. The level of research that has gone into it by delegates and their various committees too is so insightful.

it should be expunged, so be it.

Meanwhile, let us not forget that the government and perhaps, the National Assembly will have a say on this. So what I feel and what I want may not really count per se.

All we are agitating for is that the problems, challenges militating against our unity, our national development should be given preference and solved at once so that we can remain as one indivisible entity.

Bakassi is gone but your people are yet to get compensated for the destruction

,

It would have been a misplaced priority if the issue of ceding Bakassi to Cameroon led to war between both countries Nigerians within and outside the country have come to make their presentations. All of these put together make the conference so far a success.

I am very optimistic that government will implement the decisions of the confab but the modalities are what I can’t tell now. We are collaborating with the National Assembly so that we all will be working towards one goal and direction.

What is your take on the Confab’s recommendation for the abrogation of pension and gratuities for governors?

Decisions of delegates at the confab are binding on all of us because we have collective goals and mandate. The issue of pensions or gratuity is one of the issues on the ground. If at the end it is unanimously passed that

,

and alienation of their resources.

As their representative and their political leader, what are your expectations?

I raised the issue last week while contributing to the report of the Committee on Foreign Policy and Diaspora Matters. I argued that the ceding arrangement which was ordered by the International Court of Justice, ICC, in The Hague and carried out by ExPresident Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration was just to show to the world that two countries can settle a dispute without necessarily losing blood or staying perpetually in court.

I added that it would have been a misplaced priority if the issue of ceding Bakassi to Cameroon led to war between both countries because all that my people needed to be placated with was

better settlement through compensation.

I appealed to other stakeholders to prevail on the Federal •Ita-Giwa Government to adequately compensate the people of Bakassi even though they have been served in various capacities. relocated and I am happy that the President Goodluck Jonathan too confab graciously passed a is a man whom we all know as a motion urging the Federal man of honour. Someone who has Government to compensate my provided exemplary leadership people. As someone with and proven that he believes so privileged position and the much in the project called political leader of my people, I Nigeria. So I am optimistic that understood the fact that Nigeria the outcome of the conference will was obliged to abide by that ruling be an all-round success.

As a former federal lawmaker, and as such used Bakassi as a litmus test to show to the world do you support subjecting the that two countries can settle a outcome of the conference to a dispute without loss of blood and referendum or to the National Assembly for ratification? without staying forever in court.

If Nigerians want the outcome of the confab to be subjected to a Harrowing referendum, I have no problem experience with that. I am pro-people.

So I believe that having subjected my people to such Use of a harrowing experience and referendum suffering, they need to be Although there is no express adequately compensated. Those at the refugee camp should be provision for referendum in the taken out of that place. They have 1999 Constitution but I am also spent three Christmases there aware that other countries have and I want them to be adequately gone through constitution drafting and amendment with taken care of.

What faith do you have in the the use of a referendum, therefore, ours may not be an outcome of this conference?

I have strong faith. Nigerians exception. What I am saying in had yearned for this process for essence is that the final decision many years and now it has come should rest with the peoples’ to pass. Notably also is the calibre input at the end of the day to justify the relevance. of delegates here.

It is necessary that the people They are eminent Nigerians.

Men and women who have of this country give their

decisions a seal of approval in order to make the conference meaningful to the people. I am of the opinion that every Nigerian should be carried along whenever the country is taking decisions on matters that border on the lives of the people, their liberty and future of the nation.

Recently, you addressed the media alongside former Senate President Senator Adolphus Wabara and former Deputy Senate President Senator Ibrahim Mantu who are equally delegates at the conference under the aegis of the National Unity Forum. The development gave many the impression that you are pursuing the second term ambition of President Jonathan. Is it true?

The National Unity Forum is a platform to foster the unity of Nigeria. It is devoid of ethnic or political affiliations. It is a medium that helps us to exchange ideas and seek consensus and it has worked out very well.

It is also a platform for a post conference bonding. Come to think of it, with such calibre of Nigerians, do you think we need any mask to work for anyone? We obviously do not. It’s a PDP affair and we generate ideas that have placed us on a vantage position even at the confab.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014—49

ONE YEAR AFTER EWHERIDO:

New Permutations in Delta Senator Pius Ewherido emerged as a phenomenon in Delta State when he reshaped the political configurations in his native Delta State with his election as a senator on the platform of the opposition Democratic Peoples Party, DPP. He was a man many said was destined for higher office in Delta, but all the hopes on him crumbled at the point of death a year ago today

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

D

AYS after Senator Pius Ewherido died exactly a year ago today, a national officer of the then emerging All Progressives Congress, APC lamented in a private conversation that the party had written off Delta State.

“Between you and me, we have given up on Delta State, there is almost nothing we can do to win the state again with the death of Ewherido,” the officer, a member of the then interim national executive of the new party said.

The party had unwisely built its fortunes on only the senator. It was thus not surprising that despite a spirited effort by some of the dead senator’s associates that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP mobilised its

tion DPP to push the PDP to the point of extinction in Delta Central.

The PDP, which had by hook or crook depending on local political perceptions, had almost become the indomitable political platform in the senatorial district, nay Delta State, was demystified by the 2011 election in Delta Central.

Remarkably, Ewherido did it in style, but not before he overcame the initial opposition to him within the DPP. First he had to win the DPP senatorial ticket in a tough contest with Ede Dafinone, whose father, Senator David Dafinone occupied the same Senate seat in the second republic.

In the DPP primary, Ewherido prevailed albeit narrowly by 125 votes to the 108 polled by Dafinone.

In the senatorial contest,

The political permutations in his favour in the 2015 governorship race were simply enchanting

,

forces to regain the seat that Ewherido had occupied on the platform of the opposition Democratic Peoples Party, DPP. A lawyer, Ewherido started his political odyssey with his election for two terms to the Delta State House of Assembly between 1999 and 2007. In between that period he served as deputy speaker, and for one year when the House could not agree on a speaker, he served as acting speaker of the House.

Ewherido was to turn his back on the party after the 2006 governorship primaries.

Governorship primaries He was to join forces with Chief Great Ogboru, in the period leading to the 2011 general elections combining with him to undermine the dominance of the PDP in Delta Central.

The late Ewherido had in 2011, alongside his then comrade in arms, Chief Great Ogboru mobilised the opposi-

,

Ewherido dusted the incumbent senator at that time, Senator Adegeor Eferekaya and a political colossus of the region, Chief Ighoyota Amori.

Eferekaya a pharmacy lecturer who was elected to the Senate on the platform of the PDP in 2007 was in 2011 easily shoved aside by the PDP in favour of Amori, famously hailed by members of the PDP in Delta as the leader.

He was a local political enforcer who assumed a position in Delta State that many have nationally come to ascribe to Chief Tony Anenih.

In the famous contest in 2011, with Efekaraya flying the banner of the now defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Amori the flag bearer of the PDP and Ewherido the ticket bearer of the DPP, the election was declared in favour of the DPP which polled 102,313 votes, to beat the PDP to second place with 85,365 votes.

The incumbent senator, Eferakeya was credited with 10,190 votes to come third in

an election that shook the political landscape in Delta State.

Ewherido remarkably was able to pull in his coattails, o n e member of the House of Representatives and nine members of the State House of Assembly.

•Ewherido: It was an election result that almost brought the PDP to the point of extinction in Delta Central given that all nine members elected on the platform of DPP were from the region.

He was the only senator elected on the platform of the DPP in 2011. After his inauguration when senators met in party caucuses, Ewherido drifted on his own. It was a sort of joke among senators for Ewherido to be teased as a political loner. He often jabbed back that he was the leader of a party in the Senate!

He was arguably, the most productive of the four senators

Hailed as Iroko By his second year in the Senate, he had marshalled four bills, the most notable of which was the bill to punish the offence of corporate manslaughter.

It was a bill that divided him and some eminent lawyers in the Senate, but Ewherido was unflinching in his determination to make the big companies in the country to pay for the negligence he claimed had repeatedly killed many Nigerians in the work place. The bill is still making the rounds of the Senate even after a public hearing.

Despite his vivid attention to

the duty of leading the party in Delta.

His drift to the APC followed the not too secret discord he developed with Ogboru over the emergence of the APC. Ogboru sought to sustain the DPP as the main opposition in Delta, but Ewherido was not for that. As he told associates, a big fish in a small river would not thrive.

Ewherido’s decision to move into the big river of the APC and his decision to contest the Delta gubernatorial election in 2015 was bound to upset many especially Ogboru with whom he had broken ranks at the time of his death. The political permutations in his favour in the 2015 governorshi p race were simply enchanting.

Maternal ancestry

•Sen. Pius Ewherido and his wife that represented the Delta Central Senatorial District up to his time and only Senator Felix Ibru, may have come near him in terms of legislative activities.

Ewherido’s representation was symbolised by his repeated articulation on motions of interest to his constituency and the nation as a whole and his presentation of bills.

his duties in the Senate, Ewherido was also busy in his native Delta. It was one of the most open secrets that he was the leading contender for the Delta State gubernatorial ticket of the APC. Months before his death, the legwork with senior national leaders of the party had been completed to invest him with

Married to an Ijaw born wife from the famous Bozimo family in Delta South, and with a maternal ancestry flowing from Isoko in the same Delta South, and with the Delta Central at his feet, Ewherido was simply seen as well positioned for the governorship. But death spoilt all the permutations on June 30, 2013.

One year after, the political landscape the Iroko built around himself in Delta Central has been practically reshaped.

The PDP has drifted from the point of near extinction to retake its dominance. Ewherido’s own political family is drifting in three directions. Some are perching on to Ogboru, some are in the mainstream APC and quite a few have adjusted to reality and gone back to the PDP!

50—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014

Vanguard CLASSIFIED UDEH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Udeh Sussan Obiageli, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Anyim Sussan Obiageli. All former documents remain valid. National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and general public please take note.

OBODO—I, formerly known and addressed as Obodo Sunday Victor, now wish to be known and addressed as Nkemudilim Sunday Victor. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

KING—I, formerly known and addressed as King Tony, now wish to be known and addressed as O k w u m e Ifeanyichukwu Anthony. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

M E M E H — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Memeh Peace Uchechi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Osifihor Peace Uchechi. All former documents remain valid. Delta State Civil Service and the general public please take note.

ONUNKWO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Onunkwo Claret Ebere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nnamani Claret Ebere. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGUIKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oguike Chioma Juliet, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Henry Chioma Juliet.

All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

OKWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Uju Okwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omerecheta Uju. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EDUN—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Bolanle Olubukola Edun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Janet Bolanle Olufemi. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Nig. Ltd. and general public please take note.

AYO M I K E — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Ayomike Promise, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Promise Ibru Okpako. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OBIMMA—I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Obimma Amaechi Rebecca, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ojegbu Amaechi R e b e c c a Ifeakachukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

A N O R U E — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Anorue Ijeoma Sarah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Kanene Ijeoma Sarah. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

O K A F O R — I , formerly known and addressed as Okafor Chinedu, now wish to be known and addressed as Oba John Okafor Chinedu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

TOBENNA—I, formerly known and addressed as Akaeze Tobenna Henry, now wish to be known and addressed as Akaeze Henry Tobechukwu.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OMOGHENE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Tobore Omoghene, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Tobore Kenneth Omagbemi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Eket chiefs laud Uwemedimo, inventor of anti corrosive paint

C

HIEFS from Okon Clan in Eket local government area of Akwa Ibom State, have lauded Prof. Clement Uwemedimo for his contribution to the country’s development through the invention of the Anti Corrosive Paint.

The chiefs who gathered at Uwemedimo’s hometown, Ikot Ataku, presented the inventor with an award and noted that he has made Okon Eket and indeed Akwa Ibom State proud with his invention.

The award which was presented by the royal father elect of Okon Eket, Chief Akpabio Ekpotong Inyang commended Uwemedimo for his invention of the paint which was patented on August 5, 1999 with patent no. RP 13522.

Elder statesman An elder statesman in Akwa Ibom State, Prof.

Etie Ben, commended Uwemedimo’s courage in his legal pursuit to claim what was legally his. He urged both the state and federal governments to look into the case as justice delayed was justice denied.

Prof. Clement Uwemedimo who was full of joy appreciated his kinsmen for acknowledging his efforts and even going the extra mile to honour him with an award of king of the wealth of the ocean.

Uwemedimo said he was dedicating the award to the Almighty God who gave him the wisdom to invent and even went further to protect the invention by receiving the patent certificates.

He said he was also dedicating the award to his teaming patentees who have supported him immensely. He reaffirmed that his royalties will be used to create cottage industries across the country and to reward his teaming patentees.

Chief Effiong Ben who prayed at the ceremony called on the Judiciary not to sell Nigeria as depriving Prof Uwemedimo of his patent right which has already been decided by the Appeal Court would amount to dashing the hopes of the common man.

Vanguard, MOND AY, JUNE 30, 2014—51 MONDA

C M Y K

52 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014 — 58

I

France beatable despite solid midfield

,

would have loved to start this column without commenting on the distraction that has become an African phenomenon.

The loss of three African countries in this World Cup is traceable to off the field indiscipline, especially as regards financial greed and recklessness.

The moment disputes over money set in, distraction reigns supreme and this leads to divided interest and concentration.

In the case of Cote D’Ivoire, the country’s President would have learnt, too late that motivation can be negative. You do not wake up and tell the players “...if you win today, I will triple your bonus….”. they go into the field thinking about the bonus rather than what they had to do.

The Aminu Maigari regime saw this coming. As a member of the last board, he was part of the South African experience that decided to involve the players in the sharing of funds accruing from World Cup participation.

Before Brazil, everything was done to ensure that issues of money or lack of it do not arise. The NFF even went ahead to involve the chief coach in the choice of the base camp and friendly matches.

That the NFF even had to sign an undertaking that their allowances will be paid when FIFA releases the money is not good testimony to an event that is also about patriotism, personal glory and advancement and not necessarily a market place for trading and haggling.

This latest situation where the players have gone as far as addressing the Senate President, and his entourage made up of governors, Senators, Ministers, Members of the House of Representatives as “you guys” is unfortunate.

Unknown to them, the Senate President, who is one of their strongest supporters in government, hitherto believed that the NFF was the culprit in their money row saga, now has an alternative view.

I stand to be corrected, whether there is any record of players in this country who were cheated out of their bonuses to warrant the siege mentality that we are now

Today, the Mikel Obi led midfield must rise to the occasion and short circuit the French, not allow them take control of the midfield as the Argentines did

,

experiencing.

Imagine Ghanaian players forcing their President to charter a jet and fly $3 million dollars in CASH to Brazil! Very saddening. At the end of the day, they collected the money, jubilated all night and crashed out the next day, missing out on more money, history and glory, a clear case of penny wise, pound foolish.

I have heard so much, too much, and have decided to go to Brazil for an on the spot assessment, an eye witness situation….

Meanwhile I hold dear the declaration of Skipper Joseph Yobo that despite the one day protest which they did not train, they have put the issue behind them and were going all out to beat France today. I say Amen.

France is beatable. Every country is. Ask Spain, Italy and England….

Unlike Nigeria that had to fight tooth and nail in the

last match to guarantee qualification, France could afford the luxury of resting six players in their last group match against Ecuador and still not lose.

Against Nigeria, France will return to full force and this includes the dreaded midfield trio made up of Paul Pogba, Yohan Cabaye and Blaise Matuidi. The success of this French team has been hinged on this midfield’s dynamism, a combination that is as complimentary as it is lethal going forward.

Between them they have 94 caps, and 15 goals and counting.

The French tactic which they are not likely to abandon today, sees Cabaye operating in front of a very solid defence line made up of Patrice Evra, Bacary Sagna, Mamadou Sakho (If he is fit to start) and Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, with Matuidi to his left and Pogba (right) roving in front of him.

Cabaye is the midfield general, good passer of the ball with a tremendous capacity at taking shots at goal.

Matuidi delights in winning balls from the midfield and forging ahead to initiate attack, where Karim Benzema, Real Sociedad attacker Antoine Griezman and petite Mathieu Valbuena are waiting to be fed.

Pogba on his part contributes an athletic presence especially with aerial balls and with a knack for scoring goals.

This midfield stabilizes the team, works for others and have the capacity to switch at will.

Coach Didier Deschamps believes it is this midfield that will win the match for him “... The midfield is the soul of any football team. Ours has been the heart of the squad, giving us life. If they click as they have done so far, I see us emerging victorious…” He says.

Unfortunately, this plays out against a Nigerian team that was considered strong in midfield, pre Brazil, but that has so far disappointed. Today, the Mikel Obi led midfield must rise to the occasion and short circuit the French, not allow them take control of the midfield as the Argentines did.

Today, history beckons and the Super Eagles must grab opportunity with both legs.

Good luck Nigeria.

See you next week.

Algeria can settle Spain 1982 score with Germany U

NDERDOGS Algeria have the chance to settle a 32-year-old World Cup score and create a major Brazil 2014 upset by knocking out Germany in today’s last 16 clash.

The sides meet at Porto Alegre’s Beira-Rio Stadium, but the 1982 World

Cup in Spain remains a sore point in Algeria, three decades after ‘the shame of Gijon’.

Despite beating West Germany 2-1 in their group games, Algeria was eliminated after the Germans played out a mutually beneficial 1-0

win over Austria in Gijon.

Coach Joachim Loew has played down any talk of Algerian revenge being a factor in Porto Alegre.

“Why should players who weren’t even born then want revenge? I can’t understand that,”

said Loew.

But his opposite number Vahid Halilhodzic has said the team have “not forgotten” and spoken at length about the 1982 factor since reaching the knock-out stages.

But Algeria midfielder Hassan Yebda says the north Africans are equally interested in claiming a major scalp.

“We are a little bit optimistic,” said the Udinese midfielder cautiously.

“Germany are the best team here, we need the perfect game and it would be a sensation if we can reach the quarter-fi-

nals.”

And Loew has warned his side against complacency or looking beyond Algeria to a possible quarter-final against France or Nigeria in Rio de Janeiro next Friday.

ARS: Screening begins in Abuja, Ilorin

T

CELEBRATION ... Algerian players celebrate their Round of 16 qualification

HE Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja and the Kwara Football Academy in Ilorin will witness the convergence of hundreds of male and female kid football talents who want to participate in Season 4 of Africa’s biggest grassroots football development programme, the Airtel Rising Stars football competition. Screening exer-

cise begins today at the two zonal centres.

According to the organisers, the programmes in Abuja and Ilorin which runs through July 6 th , will run simultaneously. “From Monday to Wednesday coaches will carry out screening exercise and the formation of teams, while competition proper begins Thursday through Satur-

day,” a spokesman for the organisers said. The second zonal exercise will hold in Port Harcourt and Enugu from July 7th to 12.

He also disclosed that former Nigeria internationals like Garba Lawal, Mutiu Adepoju, Chioma Ajunwa and Ann Chiejine have been engaged as advisors for the zones.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014 — 53

Brazil 2014 World Cup Flicks Hungry in the midst of plenty

I

don’t know if you have ever found yourself in the midst of too much food and yet you are hungry.

There is food, yet hunger gnaws you. I am hungry for home-made food. The food that satisfies my soul. The food that I am used to. Not a hotel food. The same food that becomes tasteless because your choice is limited.

Nigerians are complaining of being hungry in the midst of plenty. We are told that Nigerians are everywhere in the world luckily we’ve discovered where to eat Nigerian meals. Ofe Nsala, Egusi with bitter-leaf, Ogbono, Okro, ewedu, Edikaikan with eba, pounded yam or amala.

It makes my mouth to water and my stomach to churn in excitement. But the distance to the place is another obstacle. Many have missed their way in the underground train, changing from blue light to red in the search for the elusive Nigerian dish. It is located in faraway town described as Ojuelegba by Nigerians. It is the downtown of Sao Paulo and everything is available.

They are many but Nwanyi Nnewi’s restaurant bubbles with long queues. It is difficult you get to her shop without seeing someone you know or hear one speaking your dialect.

If you decide to go with a taxi, you run the risk of getting angry with the numerous traffic lights and the annoying taxi drivers who deliberately choose the longer routes. How can you eat N500 plate of food and pay taxi fare of N1000? Do you buy food in your hotel and end up not touching it? The choice is yours. I know that we live in a strange world where the poor walk miles to get food, and the rich walk miles to digest food. Our own Onochie Anibeze bought food that he could not eat. “I don’t know what they poured on it. It’s like chewing-gum on my plate”, he said. We are counting the days. For me now, I take solace in Mother Teresa’s saying ‘’the hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread

And a child is born!

T

HE joy is indescribable when you have a new ad dition in your family. So much joy when your wife comes out from the labour room holding preciously to your child. The joy knows no bound when there are no additional bills for surgery or prolonged stay in the hospital that piles up bills. She puts to bed like Hebrew women and heads home. So much joy and the glory belongs to God. I joyfully welcome my baby to the World while I am on duty in far away Brazil. I miss my responsibility of staying by my wife’s side in the labour room to welcome my baby. It is many men’s fear. Many dread it like a plague.

I have been in the labour room three times to witness the labour, pain, agony, abuse, swearing and the joy that finally envelopes all the kicking and pushing before a baby comes with a cry. Those who refuse to cry are pinched to cry. A cruel way of welcoming a baby to the harsh realities of the world especially if you are born in Nigeria. Many would be surprised to this good news.

Men complain of hardship and suffering and working late in the office only to go home to face the home front.

Matrimonial work with so much bliss. It is this home work that made a man have seven children – all of them boys. He was in love with the work of God that he christened them Godfrey, God’s will, God’s power, God’s gift, Thank God, God’s time.

The seventh one was born at old age, when his bones were tired. The 7th one was remarkably ugly that the man agonized over it. And in keeping with the tradition of naming them after God, he christened him ‘’God forbid!”. Adekunle Salami has christened her ‘’Abidemi”, a baby born when the father is not around. What about a Bra-zilian name since I’m in Brazil?

C M Y K

GUESTURE . . . A fan cheers during a Group E match between Honduras and Switzerland

Missing many things

W

ITH the World Cup gone half way, reality is set ting in that we would soon come home. Come home to the land of my birth. Come home to the good and bad that I have missed. I know that we do not have light, no roads, erosion threatening many homes, and endless traffic logjams, robberies on the express ways especially in Mile 2.

The snail-speed construction that has kept many motorists sleep on the expressway. I miss everything but I dread the Mile 2 traffic. Those of us who work in that axis have grown more grey hairs (ask our News Editor Kayode and Kenneth). I learnt our own Adesere, a man of God was chased by hoodlums in Mile 2 when Victor’s car developed faults. Imagine rascals, thieves chasing a man of God! I could imagine Adesere in his kingly robes running a race for his life. A man who walks with candor and dignity being chased in the night! Many have lost their lives on that road while others have been beaten to stupor. I feel bad. Out here, the police are everywhere protecting all. The Police stand and watch men and women ogle, kiss for hours. The police watch the drunken stumble on the road and at times, help them to find a comfortable place to stay. Those who sleep on the streets are watched by Police. The Police even protects animals like dogs. They value life.

They respect even criminals until they are found guilty.

I miss work but I dread driving on that Mile 2 road. If these hoodlums could engage in a marathon with Adesere, they would make a meal of me. But, I must come back to my duty post praying that Angels encamp around me. Amen.

paid to look after the elderly.

Our youths are languishing without jobs after strikeprolonged education. Chai! There is God oo! Anyway, I decided to go to the club of the elderly the other day.

There is club for men and women who have hit 50 and beyond. They are still vibrant, agile and blood runs in their veins. They still remember their youths and replay it in their old ages. Old school music rents the air.

Shuffles on the dance floor, cigarette smoke everywhere and you wonder of the warning that says ‘cigarette is dangerous to health and smokers are liable to die young’.

A woman puffs smoke on my face and stretches her hand for a dance speaking Portuguese. I obliged and she became the heroine for getting a handsome black guy like me for dinner. An interpreter appears and asks me how much I can pay. Pay for what?”, I asked in amazement. ‘’They are old but loving. They are good with so much passion and experience. But they are cheap”, the interpreter who gets paid by the club as an intermediary said. My brain was fast. I now remember why most young men who leave Nigeria end up with old and fat women who have divorced their husbands and living with cats and dogs. A friend in USA who is married to a 75-yearold rich woman once told me he is patient with her. The woman loves him because she said he makes her feel younger. But what about this one holding my hand with wrinkles inter-twined with expired tattoos?.

Club for the elderly

O

YIBOS really know how to take care of their peo ple, old and young. Imagine paying able-bodied youths without jobs. Imagine catering for the elderly with all benefits. They are the ones truly called to service. There are so many old people’s homes in Brazil.

The states are responsible for them, giving them back what they gave to the growth of the country. It is in such homes you see many immigrants working and getting

GLEEFUL . . . Honduras fan cheers her team before the start of their match against Switzerland.

54 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014 — 58

Mark: Eagles must cultivate team spirit T HE President of the Senate, Senator David Mark has enjoined Super players and officials to cultivate and sustain team spirit as they face France today in the round of 16 for the 2014 World Cup. Senator Mark in a goodwill message to the team called on the Super Eagles to go all out to win the match against France.

He said history favours

the Nigerian lads to triumph in the encounter and that team work is the needed ingredients to excel in the competition.

In a statement which was signed by his chief Press Secretary, Mr. Paul Mumeh, the senate President advised the Super Eagles players and officials not to take anything for granted, commended the team for their success and commitment so far.

Don’t lose focus, Danagogo charges Eagles bonus row was over, “the

T

HE Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Dr Tamuno Danagogo has charged the Super Eagles not to lose focus and concentrate on how to overcome their opponents in today’s winnertakes-all clash with France.

“The players must realise that the entire country is behind them. They should go in there and demonstrate their resolve to succeed. They should exhibit the Nigerian spirit and soar above their opponents,” Danagogo said.

He said that now that the

players should put behind them every distraction and remain committed to the national cause. The federal government is absolutely behind them,” the Minister restated.

C M Y K

Netherlands through

K

laas-Jan Huntelaar scored a dramatic last minute penalty to put Holland through to the 2014 World Cup quarter-finals.

Giovani dos Santos scored in the 48th minute to give Mexico the lead before Wesley Sneijder levelled the score.

Deschamps Continues from BP toes against Nigeria.

Les Bleus take on the Super Eagles on Monday at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT) in Brasilia for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.

“It’s a huge satisfaction for me and my staff,” exJuventus Coach Deschamps told FIFA.

•Danagogo

Yobo

Continues from BP nobody in this World Cup and France cannot be an exception.

After overcoming the pecuniary problem that dimmed the Black Stars of Ghana and made the o n c e - d r e a d e d Indomitable Lions of Cameroon to become easy preys, the Eagles have promised not to go the way of their African brothers. Many say that the Nigerian team perform better under difficult times.

“We fear nobody,” the 31-year-old with magnetic gloves said.

“We have a culture for football. It’s our way of life. To be honest, we have great confidence in ourselves. We respect the French team but we are not afraid of any team in this competition”, he sounded.

The burning enthusiasm to add the Les Blues of France to their list of victims is so overwhelming.

Mexico's Hector Herrera (c) heads ball between Netherlands' defenders Stefan de Virj and Ron Vlaar

Captain and record bearer of the Eagles, Joseph Yobo who guns for his 10oth cap for Nigeria was as emphatic as Enyeama when he told his team mates that they have nothing to fear when they play France today.

“We’ve just played against the best forward in the world(Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, Aguero), so we’re ready to measure ourselves against anybody. I don’t see what we should be afraid of. I believe in this team, and I think we can do it”.

Yobo said that the Eagles have very good players who can match up to what the French think they have. ‘’We have one of the best goalkeepers in the World in Enyeama. We have Musa, Emenike, Mikel, Onazi and many others.

We are a good team and we are going to show it to the rest of the World tomorrow (today) in Brasilia”, he said.

“I’m proud of what the players have achieved.

We need to appreciate this moment: when you look at the other matches, you realise that this is a very difficult World Cup. “Some big nations have already been eliminated, but we’re still here.”

Keshi

Continues from BP Nigeria secure a place in the round of 16 at Brazil 2014.

The former Nigeria captain said. “For me, my team and country come before any personal glory.

“That we made the second round and are able to achieve this against all odds is all that matters.”

There have been suggestions in some quarters that Keshi’s achievement in winning the Nations Cup and taking his team to the knock-out stages has not been given the value it should by the international media.

“What is important is to focus on what lies ahead not Stephen Keshi and his record,” Keshi said.

Nigeria will face France for only the second time at senior level on Monday in Brasilia.

In their previous clash, the Super Eagles beat France 1-0 in a friendly in Saint Etienne in June 2009, but Keshi says it will be a different ball game against the French as Nigeria aim to equal Africa’s all time best.

Cameroon, Senegal and Ghana have all reached the

quarterfinals in 1990, 2002 and 2010 respectively.

“We are not bothered about the past but only interested in this present day,” Keshi added.

“My boys know what I expect and our opponents will not make life easy for them.

“The Super Eagles have never made it to the quarterfinals so they can make history of their own.

“There’s no motivation bigger than that.”

Keshi is one of only two men who has won the Nations Cup as a player and a coach - the other being Egypt’s Mahmoud ElGohary.

In 1994 Keshi captained the Super Eagles to their second continental success in Tunisia and 19 years later he was in charge of the side as they won the trophy for the third time in their history in South Africa.

He also led Togo to their first - and to date only appearance at the World Cup finals, but was sacked a few months before Germany 2006. He is the only African coach to have qualified two nations to the World Cup tournament.

Vanguard, MOND AY, JUNE 30, 2014—55 MONDA

C M Y K

VANGUARD, MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014 Today's Matches France Germany

vs vs

Netherlands

2

Nigeria Algeria

5 p.m.

9 p.m

Results Mexico

1

Nigeria ‘ll cause us problems bucking the – Deschamps for European trend at the

D

IDIER Deschamps praised France

We ‘ll shock France — Yobo, Enyeama warn

World Cup, but is on his Continues on Page 54

G

OALKEEPER V i n c e n t Enyeama has proved that he is a great asset to the Super Eagles in all the three matches they played to get a chance in the second round against France today at the Estadio Nacional de Brasilia.

Today again, his heroics are expected to see Nigeria move into the quarter finals if they overcome the firepower of a France attack that is hinged on Karim Benzema. On paper many rate the Super Eagles as the underdogs of this match, Enyeama has boldly told everyone that the Nigerian team fears Continues on Page 54

Keshi: Eagles can make history today

S

GETTING READY: Super Eagles skipper, Yobo Joseph (2nd left) trains in Brasilia with team mates ahead of today's World Cup match with France. Photo: AFP.

UPER Eagles coach Stephen Keshi says a place in the quarter-final should take precedence over his record as the first African to lead an African team to the second round at the FIFA World Cup. Last year he became the first black African coach to have won the Africa Cup of Nations in 21 years, and last Wednesday he helped Continues on Page 54

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 4 Choice (5) 7 Massaged (6) 9 Charge (3) 10 Youth (3) 12 Prompt (5) 13 Unfortunately (4) 15 Shy (5) 17 Demean (6) 19 Story (4) 20 Stadium (5) 22 Skill (3) 24 Clothes (7) 27 Pinch (3) 28 Artists’s stand (5) 31 Prima-donna (4) 33 Proper (6) 35 Rid (5) 37 Punt (4) 38 Combine (5) 39 Rodent (3) 41 Dolt (3) 42 Material (6) 43 Learnt (5)

DOWN 1 Fleet (6) 2 Scrape (6) 3 Solidify (3) 4 Fairy (4) 5 Shrill (5) 6 Soften (8) 8 Facts (4) 11 Vanish (9) 14 Despatch (4) 16 Lake (4) 18 Grain-store (4) 21 Glow (8) 23 Plant (4) 25 Assistant (4) 26 Pull (4) 29 Smother (6) 30 Preference (6) 32 Performer (5) 34 Stuff (4) 36 Precede (4) 40 Bath (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Grip 4, Cat 6, Made 9, Air 10, Attitude 11, Clad 14, Bar 16, Sweet 19, Conceded 21, Tenet 23, Relaxing 24, Fared 27, Wig 31, Curt 33, Overtake 34, Sue 35, Beer 36, Pay 37, Pant.

DOWN: 2, Rite 3, Pail 4, Crusader 5, Tier 6, Macaw 7, Ail 8, Drape 12, Scoff 13, Under 14, Bet 15, Renew 17, Equip 18, Tough 20, Delivery 22, Tag 25, Amuse 26, Enter 28, Coop 29, Stop 30, Skin 32, Rue.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-4548355. Advert Dept Hotline: 014544821; Abuja: 09-2341102, 09-2342704. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.