NASS slams Presidency over failure to sign budget

...towards a better life for the people

**

VOL. 25: NO. 62906

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N200

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

Lagos Govt to begin STOCK MARKET CRASH: NSE prosecution of tax past presidents rally defaulters April 1 21 for solution to crisis11

NASS slams Presidency over failure to sign budget •Presidency insists budget 2016 won't be signed without details •Details'll be transmitted in 2 weeks — House of Reps •Senate Committee Chairman, Goje, chases journalists away from office •Refuses to speak on alleged non-inclusion of budget details

By Emman Ovuakporie, Joseph Erunke & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

A

BUJA—THE N a t i o n a l Assembly, NASS, declared, yesterday, that the Presidency would be ungrateful for the good job it did on the 2016 Appropriation Bill passed into law, last week, if President Muhammadu Buhari actually said he would not sign the document unless it was accompanied by the details.

NASS regretted that the Presidency failed to appreciate the herculean task it faced to pass the

Continues on Page 5

PDP'll produce Saraki's successor if he's removed —Nwaoboshi 8

Mr & Mrs NSE CLOSING GONG—From left: Dr. Raymond C. Obieri, Dr. Oba Otudeko, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, President, Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE; Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President, Dangote Group; Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo, 1st Vice President, NSE; Alhaji Aliko Mohammed, Mr. Goodie M. Ibru and Alhaji Umaru Kwairanga, National Council Member, NSE, at the Closing Gong Ceremony of NSE in Lagos, yesterday, Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

COLUMNISTS: Bola Tinubu @ 64: Vision, politics and national progress •P.17

Ranching, yes!

‘Grazing reserves', no!

•P.19

Importing our exports •P.19

Dutch investigators quiz Shell officials over OPL 245 9

2 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 — 3

4 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016—5

POCKET CARTOON

VISIT—Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (right), being received by the traditional ruler of Ugwulesi, Awgu Community, Enugu State, Igwe Godwin Nwobi during the governor's interventionist visit to the area to sympathize with families of the 76 farmers detained in a prison in Umuahia, Abia State over a clash with Fulani herdsmen.

NASS slams Presidency over failure to sign budget Continues from Page 1 budget, despite the errors contained in the different versions of the document submitted to the legislature and the litany of disapprovals by some ministers.

But the Presidency through its Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), Suleiman Abdulrahman Kawu, insisted that until the budget details were submitted for scrutiny, it would not be assented to by the President.

It was, however, drama in the office of Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Danjuma Goje, as he drove away journalists who were there to seek clarification on the budget controversy.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, yesterday, Chairman, House

Committee on Appropriation, Dr. Abdulmumin Jibrin, said the President was at liberty to assent to the budget or refuse to do so.

Jibrin said he was sure that the statement did not emanate from the Presidency as former President Olusegun Obasanjo assented to the budget during his administration without the details.

He, however, assured that details of the budget would be made available to the Presidency within the next two weeks, insisting that on its part the National Assembly, the budget had been passed.

He said: “There is nothing that has happened so far that is abnormal. Let me put it straight and clear that I doubt that such a statement could come

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO T is your level of proficiency at a thing that will determine the level of recognition you get.

Always strive for excellence and perfection. It's up to you.

I

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

As we express our gratitude, we must remember that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them —John F Kennedy

G

RATEFUL people have a higher sense of selfworth. I think that’s because when you’re grateful, you have the sense that someone else is looking out for you. Once you start to recognize the contributions that other people have made to your life, once you realize that other people have seen the value in you, you can transform the way you see yourself. Just because gratitude is good doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Practicing gratitude can be at odds with some deeply ingrained psychological tendencies but if we focus on gratitude, we’ll attract our heart desires.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE The palm wine tapper does not disclose all he sees on top of the palm tree.

from the Presidency, knowing fully the challenges we went through during the budgeting process.

“Ordinarily, the National Assembly should not have responded to the issues raised but we are duty-bound to put the issues into perspective and put records straight, even though we doubt very much if the Presidency will issue such a statement, knowing the challenges the budget has faced so far.

“The general public should note that the MTEF (Medium Term Expenditure Framework) and 2016 budget proposal came to NASS very late.

You will also recall that a lot of dust was raised over different versions of the budget circulated in the National Assembly.

Further, some ministers disowned the content of the budget during defence before NASS. “Amid these inconsistencies and discrepancies, the NASS had been deeply engrossed in perfecting the anomalies inherent in the 2016 Appropriation Bill. In order for the nation to move forward and avoid stagnation of administrative processes, the tradition is that the bill is passed and forwarded to the Presidency for assent, while the lawmakers continue to work on the details.

“There is nothing abnormal about this practice and yet nothing abnormal about a President assenting a budget before or after seeing the details. In any case, the budget details are usually sent within a week or two after passing the budget.

“In view of the inconsistencies, errors, omissions and padding that characterised the 2016 Budget, it would be unpatriotic of NASS to forward the budget details without being extra-

careful, meticulous and cautious in discharging its duties. This is to ensure we do not make same mistake that the executive made.

“We have been working day and night, we are doing our best, we have been very generous to the executive arm of government. With all these series of challenges in the course of working on the budget, I doubt very much that the executive arm of government or the Presidency, knowing what has transpired in the last few months, will be throwing stones at the National Assembly.”

Maintaining that it was not abnormal for President Buhari to sign the Appropriation Bill without the details, he said: “We have instances of President Olusegun Obasanjo signing the budget without the details; we came to Yar ’Adua who always preferred to see the details.

“For us in the National Assembly, we are trying to make sure that we do not make the same mistake the executive arm made.

“Mind you, whatever comes from the executive is a proposal. Maybe, that is why they get away with a lot of things. We cannot get away with such things that they came with because what we are sending to them is practically the law. So, there are lots of differences between what they do and what we are doing.

“I have heard people say the President has refused to assent or the President will refuse to assent. We have the power to appropriate and the National Assembly will continue to uphold its power of appropriation as enshrined in the constitution.

“There is no place in the world, no country in the world where the executive sends a budget to the parliament and expects that that budget goes back to the executive the way it was sent, it never happened.

“So there is no way the details will go back to the executive the way it was sent. We have been gracious enough, we have been generous enough.

We sent the envelope the way they brought it, apart from the N17 billion reduction.

“The N17 billion was a cut we did from the overheads, which we actually believed that there were lots of things that ought not to be included in the overhead.

So we cut off 10 per cent across lines, across all the MDAs, to be able to save that amount of money for the country, otherwise, all the envelopes were left the way they were. Even with that alone, I expect that the executive arm of government should be thankful.

“What we have done for

the executive arm of government in the last few months since the Buhari’s administration, I think if they are not thanking us, they cannot complain or throw stones at the National Assembly.

"He continued: “The 2016 Budget is the most challenging budget the NASS has ever passed in its recent history, taking into account the many controversies and omissions, particularly in NYSC, Prisons, Pensions, personnel shortfalls, among others.

The budget failed in many respects to connect with the policy thrust of the government."

National Assembly yet to forward budget details —Presidency

In his reaction, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), Abdulrahman Kawu, said after over a week the budget was passed by the National Assembly, it’s details had not been made available to President Buhari for him to scrutinise and append his assent.

He said: “In view of the ongoing debate about the 2016 Appropriation Bill passed by the National Assembly on Wednesday, March 23, 2016, I wish to use this medium to inform Nigerians that one week after the passage, the Presidency is yet to receive the budget details.

“As a former three-term member of the House and a two-term principal officer and presently the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly matters, (House of Representatives), I wish to shed light on the whole matter.

“First, the usual tradition of budget processes by the legislature and the Presidential assent is that if the two chambers pass different figures, they would then constitute a harmonization committee to harmonize their various positions, after which the appropriation committees of both chambers will work out the details.

“After working out the

details, they will forward it to Mr President for his assent. But this time around, the legislature has passed the same figures.

“Once the President gets the budget, he and his team will look at the details of what the National Assembly has passed. If there is any observation, he will send it back to the National Assembly, and if not, he will assent to it.

“This has been the practice since the inception of our present democratic dispensation in 1999. Now we are waiting for the National Assembly to finish with the details and transmit same to Mr President.

“For avoidance of doubt, the National Assembly has not transmitted any budget details to President Muhammadu Buhari, let alone for him to sign it.

“Thus, it is pertinent to inform Nigerians that the budget details are yet to reach the President for his scrutiny and subsequent assent.”

Meanwhile, chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Danjuma Goje, lost his cool as he berated his office assistants for allowing newsmen inside his office to seek clarification on the budget.

Goje, who was in his office with members of the committee, was approached by journalists to seek clarification on the budget controversy but instead of listening to the reporters, the senator turned to his office assistants and shouted at them for allowing the newsmen into his office.

The senator shouted: "Wa ya kira su? Wa ya kira su? (meaning:” who called them? who called them?")

Thereafter, he turned to the reporters and asked in Hausa: “Wa ya kira ku?(Meaning:” Who called you?").

The senator, who represents Gombe Central senatorial zone, used Hausa language to ask his aides who called the journalists and, thereafter returned to his office without uttering a word to the curious reporters and banged his office door against them."

6 — Vanguard, THURSDAY MARCH 31 , 2016

MISHAP: Boat operations resume at Ijede, Ikorodu

I

K O R O D U — B O AT operators at the Tarzan Jetty in Ijede, a suburb of Ikorodu, have resumed work after a boat mishap which claimed seven lives in the area two months ago.

The ill-fated boat, operated

by Aki Marine, was said to be conveying 17 passengers when the incident occurred.

Boat operators at the jetty had suspended boat services following the incident, as a mark of respect to the victims.

The boat, which was heading for Badore in Ajah from Ijede Town, was said to have hit a heap of scooped sand during the trip.

Mr Hakeem Balogun, the Operations Manager of Aki Marine, confirmed in Ijede, Ikorodu that partial boat services had resumed.

50 benefit from terminal operator’s scholarships

By Amaka Abayomi

L

AGOS—AP Moller Terminals Apapa Limited has awarded scholarships to 50 Nigerian undergraduate studying at local colleges and technical schools under its annual scholarship and intern-ship programme.

Speaking at a reception ceremony in honor of the recipients held at the Apapa Port, APM Terminals Apapa Managing Director, Andrew Dawes, noted that the annual scholarship and industrial training initiative was part of the company’s overall Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, which promotes active local community involvement throughout the APM Terminals Global Terminal Network.

He said “Over the four years of the scholarship programme, 2000 students have been provided with support and training. This is because we strongly believe in encouraging young students by providing professional industrial attachment opportunities to as many students as we can train each year. New jobs are created, but most importantly, we have a chance to impact the lives of these students and their future careers positively.”

Lagos’ll participate in Braithwaite’s burial — AMBODE

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

L

AGOS—GOVERNOR Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State and the Oba of Lagos, Oba Riliwan Akiolu, joined other eminent Nigerians who paid a condolence visit to the family of late Dr. Tunji Braithwaite in Victoria Island, yesterday, over the death of the legal luminary.

Other eminent Nigerians who stormed the home of the politician were: founder of Daar Communication Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, former Minister of State for Finance and others.

Speaking shortly after having a discussion with the wife of the late lawyer, Grace, Ambode said that the state government will celebrate the icon of the Braithwaite’s family.

According to him, “We are concerned about it. We will like to take deeper part in whatever the family is going to do because this is a great loss to Lagos State.

“This is a great loss of a great man in Lagos State. And we intend to celebrate him in that manner.

Braithwaite's name'll never die — GOV

“The name Braithwaite will never die. I believe strongly that any time one is reading any legal matter or any other issue that relate to constitutionalism in Nigeria, his own side of the story will remain indelible.

He also noted while signing the Condolence register, that Lagos State and “It’s good people celebrate the life and times of a great son of Lagos and a fine nationalist.”

Ambode stated that this was why he decided to visit the family and commiserate with them, saying “his death is a major loss not just to Lagos State, but also to Nigeria.

“Whatever it is that we do even as a government or as a party, they are things that always project us.

If there is any person that is on the side of the masses or the poor, this is one thing that Dr. Tunji Braithwaite believed in. He preached it; confessed it and fought it during his lifetime.

“Dr. Tunji Braithwaite happened to be on other side of political divide. His message was consistent and constant. He was always thoroughbred. That is why we have come here not only console or say just anything.

“But we must equally point out that everything I am also doing is on the side of the poor and is on the side of the majority, which he believed in; which he stood for during his lifetime.”

We have lost a nationalist — Oba Akiolu

Akiolu who sent a delegation of White Cap chiefs led by Chief Ayodele Oyekan, the Bajulaiye of Lagos, lamented that the death of Dr. Braithwaite came as a rude shock to him, saying “the country has lost a nationalist.”

CONDOLENCE VISIT: From left: widow of Dr Tunji Braithwaite, Mrs Grace Braithwaite; son, Akin; daughter, Omowunmi and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos, during Ambode's condolence visit to the Braithwaite family in Lagos, yesterday. Photo by Bunmi Azeez.

The oba said that as a father of Lagosians, he was still sad over the death of the legal luminary, noting “He rendered selfless service to humanity. And we will miss him.”

According to him: “We are proud to have him in Lagos. I want to appeal to the family to take heart and keep on with his legacies.

“I know him as a philanthropist.

He also contributed a lot to the development of country especially Lagos State.”

We''ll miss his courage, patriotism – Dokpesi

On his part, the founder of Daar Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, lamented that the country has lost one of the courageous and patriotic citizen.

His words, “We have lost one of the most courageous, patriotic and loving father of the nation. We will miss all these. He was a man that tells the truth irrespective of the cost. Nigerians with due respect are largely sycophant but Dr. Tunji Braithwaite is not a man who engage in such.

“My first impression when I met him in 1983 in Yola, was that this is a Nigerian who is committed to the peace, unity and progress of the country. He was committed to the wellbeing and progress of the younger generation. He stood against any form of oppression.

He is an Icon that needs to be celebrated.”

He was first anti-corruption crusader — DFID

Former South-West regional coordinator of Department for international Development, DFID, Dr. Adeshina Fagbenro-Byron, said that the country has lost a precious gift in Dr. Braithwaite.

His words, “And was the first articulate anti-corruption crusader. And that was why in 1983, he described corrupt officials as cockroaches and mosquitoes.

It was pathetic that many Nigerians didn’t understand him.

“And the truth was that these are parasites who feed where they

have not sowed. He lived what he preached. And he was a bridge between generations. He was a federalist and de-tribalised Nigerians.

How best to immortalise Braithwaite — CACOL

On how to immortalise the late Presidential Candidate of

Nigerian Advanced Party, NAP, Chairman, Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL, Mr. Debo Adeniran, said “he should be immortalised first, by everyone of us in the manner we redefine democracy to serve the interest of all especially the common man.''

AUTOPSY: LASU female student died naturally

L

AGOS—THE Lagos State University Students Union (LASUSU) yesterday said the autopsy report on the death of a 200 level female student confirmed that she died naturally.

Mr Tayo Sekoni, the LASUSU President, disclosed this yesterday in Lagos.

He spoke on the sideline of a news briefing organised by the union at the institution’s main campus in Ojo, Lagos.

Sekoni said the autopsy report confirmed that Gbadeyan’s death was natural and not caused by anyone.

He said that following the autopsy report, the students union filed a case on behalf of 11 students suspended by the university authority in connection with the incident

“Since nobody was connected to Gbadeyan’s death, the suspension had been lifted by the management.

He said the union taught it was unwise for the suspended students to be punished for a sin they did not commit and the university authority reasoned with the union.

“We, however pray her soul will rest in peace,” he said.

Miss Omolara Gbadeyan, a female student in the Department of Industrial Relations and Personnel Management, Faculty of Management Science in the university, died on Feb 11 at a party hosted by the History and International Studies Students Association at an event centre in Igando, Igando/Ikotun Local Government Development Area.

Be patient with Buhari, cleric urges Nigerians

By Etop Ekanem

A

cleric, Pastor Amanze George of God’s Own Covenant Mission for All Nations, Okota, Lagos has asked Nigerians, faced with current economic hardship, to be patient with the Muhammadu Buhari administration in the face of the current economic hardship in the country.

Pastor George who spoke during the church’s seventh anniversary, with the theme, “Success without sweat,” said a lot of changes are currently going on in the country, adding: “What

is happening now may be effect of where we are coming from. With time we will adapt to the changes that are ongoing in the country.”

On the current anti-graft war by the APC-led government, the cleric advised Buhari to do it with the fear of God, saying it should be all-embracing.

“The anti-graft war should not be selective, it should embrace all no matter the political affiliation.

If it’s selective, that is when it is bad,” he counselled.

In his sermon, Bishop Tom Samson of Christ Royal Family, Ikeja, who was the guest speaker, spoke on the theme, “Success without sweat.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 — 7

Fayose, Aluko trade words over brewing Ekiti crisis Fayose running from his shadows — Aluko; He's a present day Judas — GOV

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

A

D O - E K I T I — EMBATTLED erstwhile Secretary of the Ekiti State Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Tope Aluko may have drawn Governor Ayodele Fayose into a fresh verbal battle as he described him as a man running from his shadows, saying his day of reckoning is at hand.

He also said that there was nothing new in the arrest and detention of Ekiti lawmaker and some officials of the state, saying he suffered the same fate in the hands of the security agencies, according to him, “I have stayed 12 days with SSS, five days with police and five days with the the EFCC.” Speaking for the governor however, is his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka who described Aluko as the presentday Judas of Ekiti State, saying; “The man is a grade A scammer who is living large on the millions he is making from his present anti-Fayose agenda.”

Speaking with newsmen in AdoEkiti yesterday, Aluko said his confession about the alleged electoral maleficence in the June 21 2014, governorship election in Ekiti State has fetched him nothing but trouble, as even the All Progressives Congress, APC, members have been writing petitions against him.

According to the former PDP scribe, “the APC has been writing petition against me on what I said on Channels Television, and it came as a rude shock to me when

the government (Ekiti state government) said that I’m Judas, they are the Judas anyway, because they betrayed me. I am still a member of the Peoples’ Democratic Party. It is APC that is petitioning me over this issue I trashed out on channels television recently.

“They petitioned me, and I have stayed 12 days with SSS, five days with police and five days with the the EFCC . So I’m actually on bail from these security operatives.”

Aluko insisted that he remained a member of the PDP and secretary of the party in Ekiti.

“The security operatives invited me and I went, they did not maltreat me and I don’t know if

they would still charge me to court, but I’m actually on bail from the security agencies and my mind is free. I don’t know if they will still invite me tomorrow. I have said all I have to say on Channels Television and my mind is free. I’m not afraid if any agency invites me I will go.''

Olayinka, who insisted that Aluko has turned himself into tools in the hands of the All Progressives Congress (APC), added that; “Aluko and his likes can continue to run from pillar to post, all their efforts will come to nought and like the Biblical Judas, we will all live to see how those treating him like their man Friday now will dump him.”

The governor’s spokesperson said it was laughable that someone who was duly expelled from the PDP was still claiming to be member of the party, saying; “Can Aluko be member of PDP by force even when PDP has said he is not wanted?”

He said; “In saner climes, Aluko, who by himself confessed to have committed crime should be in jail by now.

“Finally, Aluko can continue with his journey of political perfidy. He can keep running while enjoying the proceeds of his political 419. But like the Biblical Judas, he can only run, he will be caught by his deeds one day.”

Olayinka said.

VISIT: Dr. John Olatunde Ayeni, Chairman, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Board of Directors (left) receiving a gift item from Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State when the management team of IBEDC paid a courtesy visit on the governor at his Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta office, yesterday.

2019: S-West PDP wants North to retain party chair

By Ola Ajayi

I

BADAN—LEADERS of the Peoples Democratic Party in the South West assembled yesterday in Ibadan and resolved that the national chairmanship position of the party should remain in the Northern part of the country so as to brighten the chances of the party in the 2019 elections.

This was part of the resolutions of members and chieftains of the party after a meeting that included leaders of the party in Osun, Lagos, Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo and Ogun States.The meeting was well-attended by prominent members from the national and zones of the party.

They included Senator Buruji Kashamu, Chairman, Organisation and Mobilization Committee, Olisa Metuh, National Publicity Secretary of the party,Teslim Folarin, former Senate Leader, Senator Ayo Adeseun who represented Oyo Central in the previous National Assembly, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo, former South West

leader, National Auditor, Adewole Adeyanju, Mrs Aduke Maina, Lagos State, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, National Vice Chairman, South West, Abdulahi Inai Basira and many others.

In a statement signed by

Senator Buruji, he said, leaders from the zone wanted the party to avoid the risk of shrinking into a regional party because of the deadline in the electoral fortunes of the party in the North. ”A North that is further

weakened by being denied the position of the national chairman of the party will feel marginalised; reconciling a further a disillusioned North will be an ardous task for a party in opposition,” he said.

BANK VS FIRM: Court rules in favour of Honeywell

By Innocent Anaba

T

HE Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos, has directed Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to re-assign a winding-up petition by Ecobank Nigeria Limited against Honeywell Flour Mills Plc to another judge.

Presiding judge, Justice Abimbola Obaseki-Adejumo said that justice demands that both sides must be heard. The court made no order as to cost.

The justice upheld an appeal

by Honeywell against an exparte order made by Justice Mohammed Yunusa of the Federal High Court, Lagos

last December 4.

The company appealed against partial freezing of its accounts following an application by Ecobank’s lawyer Mr Kunle Ogunba, SAN. Justice Yunusa had restrained chairman of Honeywell Group, Dr Oba Otukedo, the company ’s directors and subsidiaries from withdrawing from any bank or financial institution.

But Honeywell, through its lawyer Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, sought to discharge the order, contending that it was an abuse of court process.

Justice Yunusa in his ruling held that the company could

withdraw up to N60 million in a month pending when the suit is heard and determined to enable Honeywell Group meet its financial obligations by withdrawing N15million only per week.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, Honeywell appealed, insisting that it wants full access to its funds.

Ecobank had also appealed a ruling by Justice Mohammed Idris striking out contempt proceedings initiated against it by Achorage Leisures Limited, a subsidiary of Honeywell Group.

The judge also ordered parties to maintain status quo pending hearing of the plaintiffs’ suit against Ecobank.

ALLEGED INDISCRIMINATE ARREST: 11

lawmakers flee Ekiti

By Ola Ajayi

I

B A DA N — E L E V E N lawmakers in the Ekiti State House of Assembly yesterday said they could no longer sleep in their homes due to alleged persistent threats and intimidation by some policemen sent from police headquarters in Abuja.

In fact, as at now, they have temporarily fled the state apparently for fear of being arrested for some unfounded allegations by the policemen who they claimed were led by one CSP Mohammed Abubakar.

Though, the lawmakers, led by the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Segun Adewunmi said they would withstand anybody who tried to prevent them from doing their legislative duties, as at yesterday, they hinted that all the lawmakers had left the state.

Adewunmi said: “We assembled here and decided to leave Ekiti. As at now, the governor cannot find any member of the House of Assembly as the rest of our colleagues are out of the state.”

The lawmakers, who spoke with newsmen at the NUJ Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan alleged there was a clandestine move by the All Progressives Congress-led government to truncate democracy in the state.

They however sounded resolute, saying; “No amount of intimidation, arrest, harassment and monetary inducement will make us dance to the tune of those whose only interest is to truncate the Fayose-led government and return to power through the backdoor.''

Kingdom Advance Conference starts today

A

christian organisation, Lapis Lazuli Ministries, will begin its kingdom advance conference today, through Saturday at Landmark Event Centre, Oniru, off Ligali Ayorinde Street, Victoria Island, Lagos by 6.00pm to 9.00pm daily.

According to the founders of the ministry, Emmanuel Obafemi Bajomo and Dr. Minabelema Bajomo, the conference will restore lives, raise up foundations of many generations, foster unity across the body of Christ and impact nations.

Ministering is Dr. Randy Clark, with a team of Global Awakening Evangelists and members of the international ministry team.

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

40% of Nigerians hypertensive

ICPC signs MoU with NIDO on tracing, repatriation of stolen funds

—Cardiologist

By Sola Ogundipe

L

AGOS — A CONSULTANT cardiologist to Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi Araba and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Lagos, Dr Amam Mbakwem, has expressed worry about the growing incidence of hypertensive disorders in Nigeria, warning that currently, no less than 40 percent of adults in the country are hypertensive.

Speaking, yesterday, in Lagos during the 25th anniversary of Pfizer ’s commitment to cardiovascular health in Nigeria, Mbakwem, who is also Vice President, Nigerian Cardiac Society and affiliate member, European Society of Cardiology Working Group on Peripartum Cardiomyopathy, urged Nigerians to imbibe the habit of regular blood pressure monitoring towards reducing the risk of high blood pressure and other related diseases.

He said: “What we are looking today is hypertension because it is a big problem. We cannot but talk about it because hypertension in Nigeria has gone from 11 percent to 20 percent, now we are talking about 40 percent.

What this means is that in every 10 Nigerian adults, there is a possibility that four of them have high blood pressure.

“And the problem is not just about the numbers. High blood pressure can damage the brain because of stroke, it can damage the heart because it causes heart failure and and Ishaemic diseases like heart attack, and can damage the kidneys and the arteries,” she stated.

Also speaking, Medical Director and Chairman of the Country Medical Council, Pfizer Nigeria and East Africa Region, Dr. Kodjo Soroh, said prevention of hypertension was non-negotiable.

He said: “Twenty five years ago, Pfizer introduced into the market an innovative molecule that addresses the problem of high blood pressure that concerns black Africans in particular. Ever since this molecule was introduced 25 years ago, we have noticed that many lives have been saved.

“As it is currently, nearly 30 percent of Nigerians in a population of 170 million are hypertensive. High blood pressure is a silent killer. It is never noticed until there are complications including impotence, heart failure, kidney failure."

By Ben Agande

A

BUJA — THE Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission, ICPC, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO), Germany branch on whistleblowing on money laundering activities, recovery of proceeds of corruption, assets tracing and monitoring, technical assistance, anti-corruption ICT solutions, communication and research.

Chairman of the ICPC, Mr Ekpo Nta, who signed on behalf of the commission, called on

members of the community to cooperate with the Federal Government in the fight against corruption.

A statement by the commission’s head of communications, Mrs. Rasheedat Okoduwa, quoted the chairman, who performed the ceremony in Germany, as saying the commission was committed to creating strong institutions that would deter corrupt practices.

He said ICPC would continue to treat all petitions from NIDO members expeditiously through continuous investigation, prosecution and conduct of corruption risk assessments in relation to any person or public

institution that creates corruption bottlenecks for their investments, especially in the areas of property acquisition and business partnerships.

The commission chairman noted that given the government’s zero-tolerance for corruption, this was the best time for members of NIDO to complement the Federal Government’s job creation effort by investing in cottage industries in their home communities.

He reiterated the position by the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun that even if we successfully prosecute and jail every looter, ghost worker and other economic saboteur, there

is every risk that those caught will only be replaced by persons who are just as bad, or worse – unless we radically strengthen our systems and institutions.

The MoU was signed on behalf of NIDO Germany by her President, Kenneth Gbandi, who had also served as the African Representative on the Hamburg Senate Integration Advisory Council from 2011 to 2015.

The ICPC chairman later inducted all participants at the NIDO convention in Germany as members of the National Anti-corruption Volunteers Corps (NAVC) of ICPC and decorated them with special arm bands.

PDP'll produce Saraki’s successor if he's removed —Nwaoboshi Says Saraki’s trial purely political

By Henry Umoru

A

BUJA — CHAIRMAN, Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, PDP, Delta North, said yesterday that if President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, was removed from his present position by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, the opposition political party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, would produce his successor.

Nwaoboshi, who noted that Saraki had been obeying the court, said until he was proven guilty, no amount of blackmail would make senators elected on the platform of PDP shift ground and support for him.

"In any case, my party, the PDP, has resolved in our meeting to support him. So, there is no basis for him to resign,” he said.

Nwaobashi, former Delta State chairman of PDP, who spoke with journalists in Abuja, yesterday, described the present trial of Saraki as purely political.

He said: “We only need three and we have it. The calculation is very clear to me. The calculation is very clear for PDP. We know what it will take us.

When I told them that Saraki was going to win, I did a lot of mathematical calculations based on the facts on the ground and it is even clearer to me now that the PDP will win it.

"We will win it. If anybody is thinking that a PDP man is going to vote against a PDP candidate, he is telling you a lie. We have people and we know how to get the people from APC. "We will win and that will be very interesting. What is happening in America is going to happen in Nigeria. America has a Republican Senate but the executive is led by Democrats. So, it’s happening in different parts of the world. I can tell you with

VISIT: From left, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi; Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki; Leader of Colombia Parliamentarian delegation, Senator Edinson Delgado and Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Senator Andy Uba, during a visit of Colombia Parliamentarians to the Senate President at the National Assembly, Abuja. what’s on the ground that we will produce the next Senate President.”

No amount of blackmail'll make us shift ground

On whether Saraki should resign as Senate President, Nwaoboshi said: “I’m a lawyer, 27 years in the bar. He is not guilty. He has not been proven guilty. Let us first of all get to the point that he has been found guilty.

"The man has taken a plea of not guilty and the law is very clear. He’s deemed not to be guilty until it is proven. It’s a matter before the court. The prosecutor has the duty to prove his case before the onus will shift to him to defend.

"If the prosecutor doesn’t have a case, then what is he

defending? Take the example of Ndudi Elumelu; that was how they removed him as Chairman of Power Committee because he was taken to court. In the end, he was cleared.

“Look at the former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara, he went to court. People were saying he is in court, that he should be removed. He resigned as a result of pressure from the public. He went to court and won.

"The other woman in the House of Representatives, former speaker, Patricia Etteh; in fact, the House changed its own position.

But they had achieved what they wanted to achieve. There are so many examples like that.

"The man (Saraki) is going to court and he is obeying the court order. Until it is proven that he is guilty, no amount of blackmail

will make us shift our ground and our support for him. In any case, my party, the PDP, we’ve resolved in our meeting to support him.

So, there is no basis for him to resign.”

Asked whether Saraki should look at the soft landing option which looks like an olive branch, he said: “What is soft landing?

There is no soft landing. The case is on. Are they going to withdraw the case? Let him go through the distance and let us see who is right."

Saraki’s trial political

Senator Nwaoboshi, who noted that Senator Saraki’s trial was purely political, said: “You have seen it now. What is the intendment of an Act? Before he became a governor, he was supposed to make a declaration.’’

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016—9

Dutch investigators question Shell officials over OPL 245

By Sebastine Obasi, with agency report

L

AGOS — OFFICIALS of Shell, the multi-national oil firm at the heart of one of the largest oil heists in Nigeria, have been questioned by Dutch investigators for their roles in the deal.

Shell and Italian oil giant, Eni, had allegedly agreed to secretly pay $1.3 billion to Malabu through the Federal Government in 2011.

The money was meant for OPL 245, one of the largest oil blocks in Africa, which was awarded to Malabu in 1998 when Dan Etete was the petroleum minister under the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

After Shell and Eni paid the money into Nigeria’s accounts in JP Morgan Bank, London, the Federal Government transferred $801 million of the money into Malabu accounts controlled by Mr. Etete in Nigeria.

Mohammed Adoke, former Nigerian Attorney General, and Diezani Alison-Madueke, exPetroleum Minister, who both authorised the 2011 deals, have not appeared before anti-graft officials in Nigeria who are investigating the deal.

Adoke has denied any wrongdoing, saying he, as Attorney-General, only acted as an intermediary to resolve a multilayered contentious matter.

He said he was currently in school for an LLM at Leiden University in The Netherlands, and could not, therefore, appear before Nigerian anti-graft agency, EFCC. While Etete later claimed he only got $250 million from the money, it was learned that the rest was paid as bribes to several officials of the Nigerian government under the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

The OPL 245 deal, which is being investigated by officials in Nigeria, Italy, the UK and the U.S., has taken a new turn as antigraft officials in The Netherlands commenced their investigations into the scandal.

Dutch investigations

The Dutch investigations is led by the Dutch Financial Intelligence and Investigation Service, FIOD, and the Dutch Public Prosecutor.

While some Nigerian media had reported that Adoke was also questioned by the Dutch authorities in relation to the deal, an official involved in the investigation described the report as untrue.

“Adoke was not interviewed,” the official, who sought anonymity as he was not permitted to talk to the media, said.

He, however, said they were aware Adoke was in The

Netherlands and could be questioned as part of their investigations.

Shell has, however, confirmed its officials were questioned in relation to the deal.

It said: “We can confirm that representatives of the Dutch Financial Intelligence and Investigation Service (FIOD) and the Dutch Public Prosecutor recently visited Shell at its headquarters in The Hague."

Nigerian investigations

In Nigeria, the investigation of the OPL 245 deal is being led by the anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, which is

working with the Attorney General’s office, the Vice President’s office, and the presidential committee on anticorruption, headed by Professor Itse Sagay.

The Attorney General’s office had recommended that the settlement agreements that ceded the oil block to Shell in 2011 be cancelled.

It also recommended that Shell and Eni be prosecuted and fined for their roles in the deal. The office also recommended the prosecution of all Nigerian officials involved in the scam.

Controversy

A disagreement between the AGF’s office and that of the Vice

President, on who the block should return is one of the factors delaying the implementation.

While the AGF’s office wants the block returned to the original owners of Malabu, a similar resolution to that of the House of Representatives, the Vice President’s office wants the bloc to return to the federal government, based on the alleged fraudulent formation of Malabu.

While the EFCC says it is still investigating the scandal, the chairman of Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-corruption, Mr. Sagay, recently asked that Mr. Adoke, who is central to the scandal, be declared wanted by Nigerian authorities.

VISIT: From left, Mrs Yetunde Oni, Acting Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC; Dr Gijs Kleter, EU/Dutch Team Leader and Dr Abimbola Adegboyega, Deputy Director in Charge Laboratory Services during a visit of EU/Dutch Mission to Nigeria to NAFDAC Central Laboratory, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

Nigeria records 3,500 cyber attacks in last one year Loses $450m annually to attackers

By Emmanuel Elebeke

A

BUJA— NIGERIA has experienced 3,500 cyber attacks within the last one year, with over 70 per cent success rate and a loss of $450 million, Acting Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, has said.

Olatunji said this during a capability and capacity building training workshop organized by NITDA in partnership with its Malaysian counterpart, Malaysia Cyber Security Agency, in Abuja, yesterday.

Similarly, an IT consultant, Abdul-Hakeem Ajibola, said 0.80 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, equivalent to the cement sector, was lost to cybercrime.

According to th NITD boss, the country’s GDP lost $568.51 billion in 2014, which amounts to annual loss of $450 million, an equivalent

of N89.55 billion annual direct loss to the Nigerian economy, at the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, exchange rate of N199 to $1.

With the increasing penetration of technology into the economy and continuous loss to cybercriminals, he advised that measures must be put in place to mitigate the capacity of cybercriminals from taking advantage of the environment.

The NITDA boss, who lamented the outrageous rate of attacks in Nigeria, said the Federal Government had a lot of work to do to checkmate further attacks of public and private facilities.

He said: “We are preparing people to prepare against cybercrime, private and public sectors, within the last one year.

So, there is a lot of work to do.

“The high rate of attacks in Nigeria shows that we need to work harder to ward off these attackers to ensure that we prevent such attacks and even

where they take place, we ensure they are countered.”

He stated that Nigeria, like any other country, was facing many challenges from network design, security prevention as well as cyber-attack to cybercrimes, saying the need for effective security measures to create trust and confidence in the various platforms could not be overemphasised.

Olatunji further explained that the workshop was in fulfilment of NITDA’s mandate, particularly in the area of fostering the development and growth of information technology for sustainable socio-economic development in Nigeria.

He said the commitment of the Federal Government to effective ICT development in various sectors of the economy had led to the creation of requisite enabling environment for stakeholders to contribute to the level of ICT development in the country.

CISLAC to NASS, Buhari: Pass PIB to stem annual loss of N3trn

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

L

AGOS — THE Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, has urged the executive and legislative branches of the Federal Government to put the passage of Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, as a priority towards stopping the N3 trillion that is lost on account of the absence of the law.

CISLAC, in a statement, said the passage of the PIB would ease the worries of stakeholders in the sector as was exemplified by recent moves to break up the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. CISLAC in the statement issued by its executive director, Auwal Musa, said: “CISLAC recalls that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, had said Nigeria is losing $15 billion (N3 trillion) annually due to nonpassage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law.

"We note that despite the restructuring going on in the NNPC, the fundamental surgery that is required for the sector to be effective and accountable can only be found with the passage of this law, which has been elusive for the past 12 years.

“The recent confusion and hullaballoo around the restructuring or unbundling of the NNPC would not have occurred if the appropriate steps had been adopted.

"The present reforms in the sector are largely administrative and would be easy to reverse should appropriate legislative and institutional frameworks be put in place. This is what the PIB represents.

“It is, therefore, not only logical but also natural that a government that seeks to sanitize that sector turns to ensure the quick passage of the law as a matter of urgency.

"CISLAC calls on civil society, the media and all stakeholders to rally round and revive the campaign for the passage of this law.”

C M Y K

10 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

Man killed in Rivers over election victory cow

By Davies Iheamnachor

P

ORT HARCOURT—A young man was, Tuesday night, killed in his mother ’s presence in Rumuche community, Emohua clan in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, over a cow allegedly given to them by a political party to celebrate their victory.

The 23-year-old man, Mr. Uchenna Akor, Vanguard gathered, was allegedly dragged out of bed at about 10p.m. by armed men, suspected to be cultists.

A community source, Mr. Chizi Enyi, who related the incident to Vanguard, said Akor was shot in the presence of his mother, while she was pleading with the killers to spare him.

He said the disagreement that led to the killing started when one of the political parties gave a cow to its supporters in the area in celebration of its victory.

Akor allegedly sold the cow without the knowledge of others.

At press time, the Rivers State Police Command said it was yet to be briefed on the development.

Agip pipeline suspected bomber arrested

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

ENAGOA—Bayelsa State Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has confirmed the arrest of the suspected bomber of Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC’s pipeline located at Olugboboro community in Southern Ijaw LGA. NSCDC said the suspect is one of the suspected criminals who planted the dynamites that killed three oil workers last Saturday.

The Commandant of NSCDC, Mr. Desmond Agu, said the oil workers had successfully completed the repair work when the dynamites exploded and killed them.

He gave the name of the suspect as Seibagha Perekeyi and those on the run as Emekoko Taribo, Pani Bulogbo, James Komo and Samuel Joyce.

Barber, 37, rapes 7-yr-old girl

By Evelyn Usman

P

OLICE in Lagos have arrested a 37-year-old barber who allegedly raped a seven-year-old primary school pupil in Papa Ajao area of Mushin, Lagos, Tuesday.

The victim said she was given a packet of biscuit before the suspect, identified as Adelopo Yusuf, defiled her, saying on arrival from school Tuesday, she met their apartment locked with the whereabouts of her older siblings unknown.

Hungry, she then went to Yusuf’s barbing saloon to wait for her siblings, who gave her biscuit and accompanied her to her parents flat, which was still locked.

The father of one then laid her on a bench, pulled off her pant and had canal knowledge of her.

He cleaned her up with a rag before taking her back to his shop, where she waited until one of her older siblings arrived.

However, the bubble burst after the little girl narrated what transpired between her and Yusuf to her sibling who, thereafter, informed their parents. Yusuf was said to have initially denied, until doctor’s report from Mushin General Hospital confirmed that the girl’s hymen had been broken, signifying that there had been penetration.

Consequently, Yusuf was

He gave me biscuit—Victim

Police kill robber, recover arms, ammunition

By Esther Onyegbula

O

Suspect, Adelopo Yusuf. arrested. As at 5p.m. yesterday, the case was said to have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, SCIID, Yaba.

Meanwhile, spokesperson for Lagos State Police Command, Dolapo Badmus, a Superintendent, said the case was still being investigated.

FFICERS of Lagos State Police Command, Trinity Division, have killed an armed robbery suspect, who opened fire at policemen on routine patrol at Coconut Bus Stop along Apapa expressway.

It was learned that two robbers, who were on a motorbike, opened fire on a mobile policeman along Coconut axis of Apapa.

While leaving the scene, they also opened fire on a police patrol van, which they thought was after them.

Other operatives of Rapid Response Squad, RRS, who were alerted by the gunshots, gave the robbers a chase, shooting dead one of the robbers, while the other escaped.

Vanguard gathered that police recovered live ammunition and a pistol from the dead armed robber, while the mobile policeman, who was shot on the lap, is receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

An eyewitness, Alhaji Musa, a truck driver, said: “May be they wanted to collect the officer's rifle.”

POLICE TROUBLE: Sergeant dies during romp with Corporal’s wife

By Faith Ake

L

AGOS—A Police Sergeant, Jude Nwandudu, who slumped in a hotel in Iju area of Lagos State, weekend, has died at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, where he was rushed to.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the late Nwandudu, a father of four, went to the hotel in the company of the wife of an unnamed policeman, who lived in the same barracks with him, to unwind for the just-concluded Easter celebrations.

However, tragedy struck when, after a romp with his lover, Nwandudu slipped and fell in the bathroom while having a shower. He hit his head on the bath tub and collapsed. His lover raised the alarm that attracted members of staff of the hotel.

Report said Nwandudu, who was attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja, was rushed to a nearby hospital, from where he was transferred to LUTH, where he died.

His lover, as gathered, had been invited for questioning but was later released.

Widow's a Sergeant, too

Meanwhile, hell was said to have been let loose as the deceased’s widow, also a Police Sergeant, insisted that her late husband’s lover be held responsible for his death.

The latter ’s visibly angry husband, as gathered, had also asked her to pack out of his house for bringing shame to the family.

A neighbour, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “Nwandudu was recently transferred from Kogi State Police Command to SARS. It is unfortunate he died.”

There were rumours

It was also gathered that there were rumours earlier about a clandestine relationship between the deceased and the neighbour’s wife.

However, they both denied it. It almost resulted into a fight between the woman’s husband, who is a corporal, and the deceased.

Some people advised the

Corporal to report the matter to the Provost since the deceased was senior to him in rank.

A neighbour to the officers concerned said: “Now that he is dead, some people are attributing it to magun

(charm). The Corporal has since chased his wife away.”

Contacted, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Dolapo Badmus, a Superintendent, said Sergeant Nwandudu died in hospital after a brief illness.

Police confirm 10 dead, 2 arrested in Assa/Awarra crisis

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—IMO State Police Command has confirmed that 10 people died in the crisis which rocked the Assa/Awarra axis of Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Andrew Enwerem, who confirmed the number of casualties in a telephone interview yesterday, also said that police have arrested two people in connection with the incident.

He said: “Police have arrested two persons in connection with the incident, while the bodies of the slain victims have been deposited in a hospital morgue

for post-mortem examination.”

Giving an insight to what happened, Mr. Enwerem said that a gang of hoodlums, who were dressed in army uniform attacked the community, killing and maiming innocent people.

He said: “Police is aware that deadly cult groups have been ravaging parts of Ohaji. The report at our disposal has it that a gang of hoodlums, who were dressed in Army uniform, stormed the village and started shooting at anything and anybody on their way.

“The Command is working on all leads and we will not rest until we get to the root of the incident, as well as nab the perpetrators of the devilish act.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016—11

Stock market crash: NSE past presidents rally for solution to crisis

By Nkiruka Nnorom

F

OLLOWING THE continuous crash in equity prices at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) since the beginning of the year, past presidents of Council of the NSE have come together to find possible solutions to the current market crisis.

The primary market indicators of the NSE, the All Share Index (ASI) and the market capitalization of all listed equities have slumped significantly since the turn of the year, due to the pummeling oil prices in the international market, uncertainty in Nigeria's economic environment, foreign exchange crisis and the CBN’s insistence on defending the naira among others.

The All share Index for instance which stood at 27,028.39 points as at January 8, 2016 has slumped to 25,145.28 points at the close of business transactions yesterday, while the market capitalization which stood at N9.296 trillion as at the same day in January has fallen by N64 billion to N8.65 trillion as at close of transaction yesterday.

Also, foreign investors who formn the chunk of participants at the stock exchange withdrew total sum of N31.84 billion from the market as at February, 2016, representing 20.79 per cent from N26.36 billion withdrawn in January 2016.

Present at the meeting to deliberate on the way forward were the immediate past president of the council, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President, Dangote Group; Dr. Oba Otudeko,

Chairman, Honeywell Flourmills Plc; Dr. Raymond Obieri, Mallam Balama Mahu, Mr. Goddy Ibru, Alhaji Aliko Mohammed, and the incumbent president, Mr. Aigboje AigImoukhuede.

Speaking at the closing gong ceremony at the end of the meeting, Aig-Imoukhuede, said the meeting became necessary to tap from experiences of the past presidents in tackling the current challenges in the market.

He noted that the effort to demutualise the stock exchange and make it a listed entity that has been on-going also formed part of the deliberation.

He said: “The meeting was largely to brief the past presidents on market developments, especially in

the last five years. We also discussed critical projects the exchange has embarked upon, derivates, and most importantly, the demutualization project.

"The demutualization is a process that captures the importance of history to any exchange and obviously there are experiences over the years that could be valuable towards the successful implementation of the demutualization programme, which we take very seriously here on this exchange..

“The present circumstances that we face and of course, the future of the exchange has its root in the past; a number of past presidents have

commented on the current challenges facing most stock markets in the world, especially the challenge our market is facing at this point in time.

"Of course, different presidents here today faced different challenges during their tenure. We happen to be facing a global capital market challenge and certainly across a number of economic challenges,.

Aig-Imoukhuede, however, enjoined the investors as well as the stockbroking community to remain optimistic despite the lull, saying: “the market as we know experiences volatility from time to time and we have high as well as low points.

T

HE ABUJA Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ACCI, has expressed disappointment with the outcome of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Economic Retreat in Abuja, saying it failed to address fundamental issues.

The chamber, which is the umbrella body of all manufacturers and industrialists in the Federal Capital Territory, said what transpired at the retreat did not meet the expectations of Nigerians who advocated it, alleging also that the Organised Private Sector, OPS, was not carried along in the organisation of the summit.

President of ACCI, Mr. Tony Ejinkeonye, said: “We had

F

ORMER PRESIDENT,

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has appealed to African leaders to focus on good governance, equity and other variables that would bring about growth on the continent.

Obasanjo made this known at the recently concluded Commonwealth Day Service and The Commonwealth Africa Summit event in commemoration of the Commonwealth Week in London, organised by the Commonwealth Africa Initiative and GLEEHD Foundation.

The former President said: “If Globalisation means I open my door and you take things out but you close your own door to me, then to hell with globalisation.”

W

From left, Mr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN); former Justice of the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice George Oguntade; Constitutional lawyer, Prof. Ben Nwabueze; former Justice of the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice Samson Uwaifo, and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Saliu Modibo Belgore, at the Investiture of Fellows of Ben Nwabueze Centre for Studies in Constitutional Law and Related Subjects, at Nigerian Institute of International Affairs,NIIA, Lagos.

70 resolutions reached to revamp economy —Presidency official

By Emma Ujah , Abuja Bureau Chief

By Abiodun Alade

Zik’s wife pays tribute to exIGP, Adewusi

Buhari’s Economic retreat didn’t address fundamental issues —ACCI No,

Obasanjo calls for good governance in Africa

expected the National Economic Council to discuss possible ways of dragging out the Nigerian economy from the present recession.

“We expected to witness a conference where economic experts and stakeholders would join hands on approaches that would be geared towards rejuvenating the economy of our dear nation.”

The ACCI boss added that it was time to bring in the Organised Private Sector, OPS, to work with state actors in order to fashion out a realistic, measurable national economic recovery strategy, with clear milestones.

“We also believe that it is time to co-opt economic experts into the National Economic Council, given the current economic crises,” he said.

Mr. Ejinkeonye said that in the developed world, there were specific groups such as the German Economic Team, White House National Economic Council and United Kingdom Government Economic Services that were saddled with the responsibility of making sure that governments’ economic policies were strictly implemented.

“These sets of individuals also ensure that the government agenda are incorporated in the policy implementation. We believe that the government can emulate this model, which in our opinion can yield positive results,” he said.

The President regretted that the increase in the Monetary Policy Rate by the Central Bank of Nigeria from 11 per cent to 12 per cent would negatively affect

the manufacturing sector.

Ejinkeonye said: “We were astonished with the development. The CBN had in November 2015 eased the MPR from 13 to 11 per cent and the CRR from 25 to 20 per cent in order to advance the economy and boost critical growth sectors.

When contacted, a Presidency official, who pleaded anonymity said: “There is no way the federal government would leave out the private sector. In the first place, the ACCI did not mention what the fundamentals were but about 70 resolutions were reached at the economic retreat and government would work with these resolutions to revamp the nation’s economy.

IFE OF former President, Prof.

Uche Azikiwe has paid tribute to erstwhile Inspector General of Police, Chief Sunday Adewusi who passed on recently.

She said the deceased IG would forever be on the minds of Nigeria for his quintessential service to Nigeria.

Adewusi whose remains will be buried on April 8 at his Ogbomosho ,Oyo State home was an Aide de Camp, ADC, to the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe .

In her emotion laden tribute , Mrs. Azikiwe said the death of Adewusi was painful, but a clear fulfilment of the Biblical statement that everything that has a beginning must have an end.

She wrote: “... So the exit of Chief Sunday Adewusi from Mother Earth now, after a life well spent in rendering a meritorious service to Nigeria in the Police Force, is divine.”

She recalled: “According to my husband, late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, GCFR, Chief Sunday Adewusi, as his ADC, was a very accomplished, dignified, committed officer.

Meanwhile, late Adewusi's Day of Tribute will take place at MKO Abiola Hall, Ladoke Akintola University Technology, Ogbomoso.

12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

PDP decries slow release of Rivers re-run results ...says INEC has lost independence

A

By Ben Agande

BUJA—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has condemned the intermittent release of the results of the Rivers State rerun elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, saying it was an evidence that the commission has now become an agent of the All Progressives Congress, APCled Federal Government.

In an interview with newsmen in Abuja, the Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Uche Secondus, said that with the way the commission, under the leadership of Professor Mahmoud Yaquub, had fared so far, there was the fear that the forthcoming

elections in Edo and Ondo States may not hold.

According to Secondus, the PDP no longer has confidence in the ability of the commission to be impartial and fair in the conduct of elections.

He said: “Now, in Rivers State, because PDP won the election despite the intimidation by the military, the results are being released piecemeal because APC has failed woefully in all the constituencies.

“They haven’t fixed a date for another rerun because of APC. INEC is now being supervised by the leadership of APC and the Buhari administration. The commission is no longer

independent and we are losing confidence in it.

“In the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, election date was announced but suddenly because they knew APC was going to lose, they postponed the

exercise after we had spent money and time. All these show that INEC is now a parastatal under the APC. The danger is that this current leadership that will conduct the general election in 2019 has been compromised.

“The forthcoming Edo and Ondo States governorship elections are in danger. With what happened in Rivers State, Nigeria is in danger. There may be no election in 2019 with the way INEC is conducting itself.”

We'll commission several roads before May 29, says Wike

R

IVERS State governor, Mr Nyesom Wike has said that many of the ongoing road projects in the state will be completed and commissioned by the first anniversary of his administration on May 29.

Speaking, yesterday, while inspecting on-going road construction in Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre and Etche Local Government Areas of the state, Governor Wike said that the road construction projects will be

sustained during the rainy season because of the technology being applied.

He said that the state government will also fund the road projects constantly because of their relevance to the state’s economy.

The governor also said the state government was hosting national events to prove to the world that contrary to sponsored negative propaganda, the state was peaceful.

GCUOBA FAMILY DAY OUT: From left: Mr Charles Ike-Okoh, Editor, BusinessDay Sunday; Olorogun Clement Djebah, President, Government College Ughelli Old Boys Association, GCUOBA, Lagos Branch, and Cyril Ogude, Vice President, at the GCUOBA Family Day Out, held at McNeil Road, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Akeem Salau.

MATIG tasks Edo gov aspirants on corruption, job creation

M

EDIA Advocacy for Transparency in Government, MATIG, has called on all political parties and those seeking election as governor of Edo State on September 10, 2016, to come out with a clear-cut programmes that will eradicate corruption from governance in the state and provide sustainable jobs for the youths.

It said that it was encouraged by the dynamism and influx of governorship aspirants in Edo State jostling to take over from Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

In a statement, Secretary of MATIG, a group of media executives, whose objective is to ensure accountability, and judicious use of government resources for the common good of all, Orobosa Omo-Ojo, said: “We are aware of the interest and anxiety generated by the activities of politicians in Edo State and are encouraged by the dynamism and influx of aspirants seeking to C M Y K

govern the state from November 12, 2016.

“No doubt, the on-going contestation by aspirants will provide the electorate equitable opportunity to choose freely a candidate of their choice without coercion or gagging. We are encouraged by the promise made by an aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Blessing Agbomhere, to probe past rulers of the state.

“More so, we are gladdened by his determination to abolish corruption in Edo State at a time President Muhammadu Buhari is spearheading the war against corruption in the country. The APC governorship hopeful has equally promised to visit all the projects executed by the current administration to ascertain how much was spent on the projects.

“A g b o m h e r e ’ s revelation that he had received petitions from different groups and organisations on Airport Road, Central Hospital, the private university built

with state resources and others, is a welcome development and we shall provide broad-based support in this area at the appropriate time.

“We will not agree less with Agbomhere that the several allegations of corruption against the current government are hampering the chances of APC in the state.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016—13

A-Ibom Assembly passes confidence vote on Speaker

By Chioma Onuegbu

U

YO—MEMBERS of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly have unanimously passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of the Speaker, Mr Onofiok Luke.

The motion for the confidence vote was moved by Idongesit Ituen, member representing Itu state constituency, during yesterday’s plenary following social media reports alleging plans by some politicians from Uyo federal constituency to replace Luke with one of the members elected during the re-run poll held recently in the state.

The lawmakers in their separate contributions, described the media reports as uncalled for, stressing that they would continue to support Speaker Luke’s leadership.

They noted that his leadership has so far demonstrated transparency, accountability and effective representation and urged mischief makers to leave the House alone.

Member representing Ibiono Ibom state constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Information, Ime Okon said,

“The rumours going on in some quarters are mere distractions intended to make this House to lose focus.

“The Speaker has

demonstrated capacity. He has demonstrated efficiency and good leadership. The social media reports are mere distractions and

uncalled for because we will remain focused. So, my constituency and I have confidence in the leadership of the Speaker.”

INSPECTION: Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, acknowledging cheers from the people of Etche Local Government Area after inspecting Etche-Chokocho road, yesterday.

Edo 2016: Esele unveils three-point agenda

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—AHEAD of Edo State's governorship election slated for September 10, former President of Trade Union Congress, TUC, and governorship aspirant on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, Peter Esele, has unveiled a threepoint agenda he hopes to pursue if elected governor of the state.

Esele, who unveiled his agenda while speaking with some APC faithful who visited him at his country home in Ohordua, Esan South-East Local Government Area of the state, listed agriculture, promotion of culture and investment in education as his areas of priority.

He insisted that he wants to be a leader who will show the people how to stand on their own and urged the people to follow him if they believe he could change their lives and not because he hails from Edo Central senatorial district.

According to him, “The kind of leader I want to be is one who is a pathfinder. I will make life easy for our people. I want to show you how you can stand on your own.

What we have is a group of people gathering money for their personal interests.

“I am not contesting because I am an Esan man. I believe we are all one. Follow me if you believe I can take you to the next level.”

In his contribution, Deputy Publicity Secretary of APC, Jolly C M Y K

Ilegbinosa, said that the integrity group within the APC had vowed to support an aspirant that can deliver democracy dividends for the people.

He said he decided to support Esele because of his performance as the president of TUC. Spokesman for the Esan

Youth Movement, Solomon Okoduwa, said they believe Esele was the right person to take over from Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

Boko Haram's days numbered —Chief of Air Staff

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN—THE Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sodique Abubakar, yesterday, said that the days of the Boko Haram sect were numbered, stressing the commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces to stop the activities of terrorists in the country.

The Air Force boss, who expressed optimism that the provisions made for the Nigerian Air Force in the 2016 budget would improve its operations, said that the war against terror was at its “tail end.”

Abubakar stated this shortly after commissioning a medical laboratory at the NAF 81 Maritime Group in Benin City, Edo State.

He said: “We are at the tail end of the war against Boko Haram. One of their enclaves, Alagarnu, has just been taken over. I was in the North-East a few days ago and I believe that we are at the tail end of this operation.”

Abubakar explained that the

new projects, which include medical facilities, were to add value to the already existing equipment, adding that the focus of the Air Force was to promote a professional service and the welfare of its personnel, in addition to training.

“The last time we came, we

didn’t have a laboratory. But today, we have a well equipped laboratory.

Professionalism is not just about training and equipping the soldier but also taking care of the welfare of the soldier.

“A professional soldier can also fall sick. That is why we need to provide a laboratory, which we have done."

Pirate attacks: Boat operators in Delta threaten strike action

W

ARRI—MARITIME workers in Delta State have threatened to embark on strike and disrupt movements in the state’s waterways due to loss of lives and property as a result of incessant attacks by pirates on ferries and passengers plying the routes.

Leaders of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Water Transport Workers Union and Private Water Craft Operators in Delta State, who jointly relayed the workers’ plights in Warri, said that boat drivers and passengers have become daily targets of pirates in the state's

waterways, mostly on the Warri-Burutu routes.

Yakubu Biukeme, one of the leaders, lamented that the situation was causing loss of lives and property, blaming it on sloppy policing of the waterways by security operatives.

He said: “We are, therefore, alerting the Delta State and Federal Governments of the impending consequences of shutting down the waterways if the security lapses that have claimed the lives of our members, passengers and our boats are not addressed promptly.”

Rivers PDP challenges candidate's disqualification

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT— PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, has challenged the disqualification of its candidate for Akuku Toru constituency 2, Mr Tonye Alalibo, saying that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, lacks the powers to disqualify a candidate.

Rivers State Chairman of the party, Mr Felix Obua, who spoke through his media aide, Mr Jerry Needam, yesterday, said that the election petitions tribunal and the Appeal Tribunal also do not have powers to disqualify candidates for elections, when such an issue was not part of petitions brought before them.

Obuah who lauded the victory of his party in results of the re-run elections so far released, said his party’s candidate won in Akuku Toru Constituency 2.

According to him, the party participated in the elections because its logo was on the ballot paper and it was voted for.

DTHA not after anyone —Majority Leader

D

ELTA State House of Assembly has again refuted allegations of witch-hunting anyone as a result of the oversight function on the Independent Power Project, IPP. In a statement in Asaba, the House Leader, Mr. Tim Owhefere, emphasised the rule of law and the right to fair hearing.

According to him, what the House did was merely an oversight function in line with constitutional provisions.

“It was never intended as a probe against any individual,” Owhefere who doubles as the Chairman, House Committee on Information, said.

He also reaffirmed the commitment and resolve of the House to be fair and just in all matters that concern the welfare of Deltans.

14—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

APC crisis deepens, as party asks Minister to resign It’s a non-issue, says Sylva



By Omeiza Ajayi

A

BUJA—THE crisis of confidence in the All Progressives Congress, APC, is far from being over as the party has said it was no longer comfortable with the presence of the Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, in the Federal Executive Council, FEC. The party alleged that Mr. Lokpobiri bought the ministerial slot meant for Bayelsa State from the former governor of the state and APC chieftain, Chief Timipre Sylva.

Chairman of APC in Bayelsa State, Chief Timipa Orunimighe, who stated this at a parley with journalists in

Abuja, yesterday, also alleged that Sylva had also compiled and submitted names of some other non-APC members and submitted same to Secretary to Government of Federation, SGF, without input from the state executive of the party.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja at the APC national Secretariat, yesterday, the state chairman, who led other state excos, called on the Minister of State for Agriculture to honourably resign from office.

He said: “We also want to call on the Minister representing Bayelsa, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, the junior minister to

New monetary policy pulls out N744bn from circulation

By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

D

UE TO its new monetary policy drive the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, may be pulling out up to N1.0 trillion from circulation in the economy through the banking system in the first month of its new monetary policy.

Already N525 billion has been pulled out less than one week after the policy which seeks to tighten money supply, while additional N219 billion is slated to be pulled out next week, just as banks’ treasury executives said they were preparing their treasury plans for more mop ups estimated to be up to N300 billion within the next three weeks.

The apex bank had last week announced a reversal of its expansionary monetary policy which it had run for eight months, in favour of contractionary measures under which the Monetary Policy Rate, MPR, was increased to 12 per cent from 11 per cent while Cash Reserve Requirement, CRR, was hiked to 22.5 per cent from 20 per cent.

Both rate increases would effectively increase interest rates, cost of funds and yields on money market instruments floated by the apex bank while transferring huge cash from the banking system

into the government vault.

Of the N525 billion already pulled out, about N410 billion was quarantined in relation to the new CRR, while N115 billion was pulled out into Nigerian Treasury Bills, NTB, and with another N219 billion slated for mop up next week in NTB, the apex bank would have taken out a total of N744 billion by end of next week.

resign his appointment.

"Reason being that he also paid for the slot of his ministerial position and I also believe and those of us standing here know very well that he is not a member of the party.

“Why we are standing here before you today is because of the appointments that we feel were supposed to be given to those of us of the APC in Bayelsa. Its a pity to say that for somebody like Timipre Sylva who was supposed to be the leader of the party, today turned against the party and sold our party slots.

The Bayelsa APC leaders, therefore, called on President Muhammadu Buhari and national leaders of the party to intervene in the matter.

Meanwhile, in a swift reaction, Mr. Sylva dismissed allegations that he collected money from the minister to get nomination into the federal cabinet, saying he only did what he felt was right and equitable.

He said: “They felt that they are the ones that started the party and, therefore, we should not deal with anybody, who is coming late into the party.

Aviation stakeholders laud FAAN over ICAO audit

A

BUJA—AVIATION stakeholders and operators have commended the efforts of the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN, Engr. Saleh Dunoma, for guiding the agency through the International Civil Aviation Organisation ICAO, Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme, USOAP. As a seasoned aviator that supervised the remodelling programme of the nation’s airports, Dunoma took the challenge of closing the gaps earlier identified by ICAO with a deadline very close to the audit date.

But before the audit team arrived, the FAAN was able to meet the expectation of the world aviation body.

Reacting to the pass mark given to FAAN and the industry, the President of Air Transport Service Senior

Staff Association, ATSSSAN, Benjamin Okewu, said the agency merited the approval given it by ICAO. Okewu noted that initially, there were open items, but that a lot of work was done by FAAN, which addressed all the problems. ”I feel we merited the high score. During the last time, there were open items but a lot of those issues were addressed. The issue of training is gradual, so ICAO understands that this would happen over time and that it is ongoing.”

Also speaking in the same vein, the industry consultant and the CEO of Belujane Konsult, Chris Aligbe, said although the infrastructure status of the airports in the country might not attract a high rating, so much work had gone into safety and security.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 — 15

BIAFRA: Ask Buhari to release me from

prison, Kanu begs UK govt •Says ‘I'm a victim of travesty of justice

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

A

BUJA—THE detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, has urged the British Government to intervene in his case by asking President Muhammadu Buhari to release him from prison.

Kanu who is facing treason charge alongside two other pro-Biafra agitators, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi, approached the British government through his lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor.

Kanu, in a letter dated March 24 and addressed to the British High Commissioner in Abuja, described himself as a victim of travesty of justice and gross human rights violation.

He insisted that the President Buhari-led administration has violently abused his fundamental human rights through his prolonged detention in prison custody.

Even though Kanu said he was ready to answer to the charge against him, he however expressed doubt in the ability of the Nigerian government to accord him fair trial, saying he has so far been subjected to immense persecution.

British citizen

Stressing that he is a British citizen, Kanu told the UK government that he was wrongly arrested and put in detention.

“It is repeating the obvious to state that our client is a full British citizen, by virtue of which position he is entitled to all Rights, Privileges and Protection, guaranteed under the British Laws and conventions.

“We are therefore constrained in the circumstance, to formally notify the British Government vide this medium, of our well informed reservations, and apprehension, that our client is undergoing persecution in the charge above referred, and deliberate design by the persecutors to frustrate every effort of the Defense team aimed at giving our client a fair trial”.

Kanu, through his lawyer, contended that his detention from October 14, 2015 till January 20, 2016, without any lawful order of court, was not only unlawful, but was in flagrant disobedience of orders of courts of competent jurisdiction which he said directed his unconditional release and discharge.

Dual citizenship

“It is the position of our Law, that dual citizenship is a constitutional right of the citizens of Nigeria, clearly C M Y K

provided for under section 28 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended in 2011. Dual citizenship is not a crime under our Law.

Reservations on President's comment

“Our reservations on the President’s comment was underpinned by the findings made in the ruling delivered on February 29, 2016, by Hon.

Justice John Tsoho, wherein our client and the two other defendants were denied bail.

“Recalled that on December 29, 2015, during the Presidential Media Chat, the President told the whole world that Nnamdi Kanu cannot be granted bail, alleging that he came into the country without a valid travelling passport.

“This pronouncement was roundly condemned by both local and international commentators.

His pronouncement was viewed as a clear usurpation of the functions and powers of the judiciary.

“Though very regrettable and extremely unfortunate, Nnamdi Kanu was refused bail on January 29, 2016. In refusing him and other defendants bail, the court also cited the facts of his possession of dual passports as a flight risk, and as such held that he cannot be granted bail.”

Kanu maintained that Justice Tsoho denied him bail “in line with the pronouncement of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in his media chat telecasted live on December 29, 2015.”

SERVICE OF SONGS: Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State (left) and Rev. Uma Ukpai, at the service of songs in honour of the mother of the governor, at Osborn La Palm Hotel Event Centre in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state.

PDP faction storms INEC, accuses commission of bias ANAMBRA CENTRAL RE-RUN:

By Vincent Ujumadu & Omega Ajayi

A

BUJA—SOME members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Anambra State, yesterday, staged a protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Abuja asking the commission to respect a February 2016 Supreme Court judgment.

The protesters are the aggrieved House of Representatives candidates of the Ejike Oguebego-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party.

They slammed INEC for its continued delay to act on the Supreme Court judgment in respect of the rightful winners of the National Assembly seats in Anambra State in the 2015 general elections.

Speaking on behalf of other aggrieved candidates, Hon. Tony Office said the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu was wrong to have denied them audience despite several letters seeking to meet with him. While alleging INEC's bias, Office accused the former Acting Chairman of INEC, Amina Zakari, of being responsible for their plight.

According to him, it was Ms Zakari who superintended over INEC at the time their rights were trampled upon.

The protesters were prevented from gaining access to INEC premises and after about an hour, the leader of INEC security team asked their representative to come in and deliver their letter.

Although the National Chairman of INEC was not on ground to address the protesters, the Director of Security of INEC, Shettima Ngliladar, assured them that their demands would be passed on to the Chairman.

A case for fresh politicians

Meantime, the Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA, in Anambra State has called on voters in Anambra Central senatorial zone to shun those it described as old politicians who have been tried in various offices in the past and try fresh ones if they want the desired result.

Leader of the party in the state, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo told reporters at Umuchu in Aguata local government area that most of the politicians seeking to represent the people of Anambra Central senatorial zone in the postponed re-run election had all

been entrusted with public offices before and should therefore give way to the new and fresh hands.

According to Ezeemo, who was the PPA governorship candidate in the last election in Anambra State, those angling to represent the zone on the platform of the ruling and opposition parties in the state had their chances, adding that PPA has positioned itself with a creditable candidate that can adequately represent the zone and the state in the senate.

Innoson signs pact with Air Force to produce jet fighters' parts

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

O

NITSHA—THE Nigerian Air Force, yesterday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU with Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company, IVM, Nnewi, Anambra state for research and production of spare parts for its fighter jets.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, told newsmen in Nnewi, Anambra that the collaboration between the company and the Air Force had kept its jet fleet running for months now.

Abubakar, who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Planning, Air ViceMarshal James Gbum, said the MoU would further solidify the collaboration, improve local content and engineering as well as save the country a lot of foreign exchange used in importing the expensive parts.

He said: “Our war efforts will be in vain if we don’t do something to ensure we get spare parts because some of our fighter aircrafts that have formed the back-bone of our struggle against Boko Haram, were once down due to lack of spare parts and mainly the break assemblies of these aircrafts.

“The Air Chief immediately ordered our research and development cell in Kaji to start to research into this break assembly overhaul. They went ahead and carried out the research. However, the first proto-type they brought couldn’t pass the test.

“The Nigerian Air Force later discovered that Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company at Nnewi, Anambra State is very capable of collaborating with the Nigerian Air Force to achieve the required standards of overhauling our break assemblies.”

....As Ogirishi Igbo asks Obi to steer clear of re-run polls

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

O

NITSHA—THE Ogirishi of Igbo land and member of Board of Trustees, BoT of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka has advised former Governor Peter Obi tof Anambra state to steer clear of the forthcoming Anambra Central Senatorial re-run election and wait for another dispensation.

He said it would be the greatest mistake of the century for Obi to play a spoiler for APGA, his alma mater by

contesting under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the greatest opposition party, even when he was not originally in the list of contenders for the senatorial seat.

Speaking to newsmen at the palace of Igwe Peter Ezenwa, the traditional ruler of Oba community in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, during his 39th Ofala cultural festival, 40th year on the throne and 90th birthday celebrations, Ezeonwuka noted that Obi’s attempt to join the race at this stage is ill timed and a clear indication that he wants to do the right thing at a wrong time.

16 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016— —17

O

N Tuesday this week, notable members of the Nigerian elite gathered in Abuja for the Bola Tinubu Colloquium, which annually commemorates the politician’s birthday. This year, Bola Tinubu turned 64, and give or take a few sour notes, this must be a very happy year for a man that has become the indomitable figure of contemporary Nigerian politics.

Bola Tinubu, more than any other individual, has to be credited for the change that we now have in our country. This is because he was the one who moved decisively to embrace General Muhammadu Buhari, after the debacle of the 2011 election, which saw the two sides (CPC and ACN) unable to find a median point of agreement.

Tinubu would eventually cast his lots with former President Jonathan and almost immediately there came a realization that a very serious mistake had been made in the choice of president.

Bola Tinubu was not going to make the same mistake a second time. A very close observer of the earlier meetings between President Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu, express his surprise and admiration, having been shown a huge tome, which was a painstaking study that had been commissioned by Bola Tinubu, on the possibilities of a Buhari presidency by 2015.

Exploratory meetings Those early explorations moved fast, because it seemed barriers of prejudice were broken early enough and the two individuals, Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu, had discovered themselves and the fact that working together, might be the major step that Nigeria needed to make, in order to avoid a catastrophic failure.

So from those early exploratory meetings in London, the mustard seed of change was planted by these two gentlemen, and the eventual recruitment of other notable political actors and tendencies, were merely the final pieces in an elaborate jigsaw; once the two major individuals were singing from the same hymn book, we seemed destined for a major historical turning point in Nigeria.

For all discerning observers, the work that Bola Tinubu did with Muhammadu Buhari, helped to break a jinx and righted a major worry of our national history. It was the two gentlemen that successfully helped to achieve the elusive political alliance of the North and Southwest, which for long was the missing piece in our national political evolution.

We cannot underrate the importance of the achievement, because from the preIndependence election of 1959 right up to 2015, a re current problem has been the strong suspicion, bordering on animosity, between the political elite of the North and Southwest.

And for as long as that continued, it seemed as if Nigerian progress was always likely to be tenuous and fleeting at best; the mutual suspicion C M Y K

Bola Tinubu @ 64: Vision, politics and national progress which in many cases, came from throwbacks into pre-colonial Nigerian history, made things uncomfortable for any combination of the Nigerian political elite that was at the height of power, for as long as the Southwest remained the outsider.

This was afterall the region of remarkable political, economic, media and cultural power, and the most consciously modernist of all the elite groups in postindependence Nigerian society.

It was very clear that Nigeria needed that remarkable wealth and talent inside, not outside, the loop of power.

From Awo to 2015: And from Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s political years, till 2015, it was clear that the necessary political chemistry was not sufficiently in place, for us to achieve the levels of trust and political understanding to help effect the symmetry of thought and praxis that could deliver a successful political alliance that would then translate into victory.

That moment arrived only with the 2015 elections and the remarkable work that Bola Tinubu did with Muhammadu Buhari.

But 2015 was never likely to have come to fruition, without the near miss of 2011, and especially the manner that the Goodluck Jonathan presidency, threatened not only the ruling class project, but also the manner that it endangered the existence of Nigeria!

There was the need to work fast to prevent a hurtling into

perdition.

Luckily for Nigeria, many things had come together to strengthen the pan-Nigeria element to the Bola Tinubu worldview. For far too long, he played his politics very much within a secessionist perspective and the bitterness which was associated with the military’s annulment of the June 12 1993 elections, had not only created a massive structure of resistance, a resistance which Bola Tinubu actively participated in and financed; but as much as there was a determined effort to end military dictatorship, there was also an underlining tendency that wanted to work for a Southwest secession from Nigeria. That tendency oscillated between demands for “True Federalism” and the breakup of our country, and Bola Tinubu was one of the patron saints of the agitation.

But winning power from 1999 in Lagos state was also the platform of a new set of struggles; struggle against a suffocating centre under President Obasanjo; struggle to ensure survival at the regional level and struggle for party building which necessarily meant that the Bola Tinubu Tendency must become more national and begin to embrace the country as a whole constituency of political action.

There was also the fact that this combination of factors was also exposing the limitations of the provincial and ethnic parochialism that was for too long presented as a “progressive” approach to politics.

Tinubu's new approach

On the occasion of his 64th birthday, I think that Bola Tinubu has earned a truly remarkable place in contemporary Nigerian politics. A combination of vision; hard work; doggedness; team building and patriotic commitment can work wonders in politics!

More than most, Bola Tinubu was quickest to understand the limitations of the old approach to politics; the cul-de-sac it led to and the need to reach out. He had an incredible network of friends across Nigeria; had limitless funds to finance new panNigerian ambitions; had built a formidable network of intellectuals and technocrats able to study and analyze the portents of politics and he has the charisma that matched his vision along with a relentless and dogged ability to keep eyes on the ball to sustain and retain victory.

This rich background came into play as Nigeria itself was undergoing a truly remarkable demographic change, where old values have gradually become irrelevant for the majority of the citizens of Nigeria. These were mainly young people under the

age of 25, who are now 63% of our population and when stretched to the age of 35, are 75% of the population. Those who have dominated the values of politics, were sixty years old and above, and incidentally, that age bracket represents only 4% of today’s Nigeria.

The Ayo Adebanjos, Olanihun Ajayis, Tanko Yakasais, EK Clarks, Alex Ekwemes, had become truly passé, despite their best effort to keep the narratives of the 1950s to the 1970s alive. Bola Tinubu’s strength is to be able to think in new ways that can keep him relevant within the contemporary political space.

Building political relationship By being able to build the political relationship with Muhammadu Buhari, that eventually galvanised the political space in a manner that gave opposition politics a huge lift and ferried them into power, while expelling an arrogant PDP, that had boasted a 60-year hegemony in Nigeria, Bola Tinubu made a major contribution to national development. He fully embraced not just Nigeria, but made it clear that the way to be

progressive was to build the Nigerian house for all our peoples. This new phase is strengthening Bola Tinubu’s political role within the currents of Nigerian history. They are nevertheless also the most difficult, because he has to face a new set of adversaries with equally determined ambitions to fulfill on the national scene.

I have only ever met Bola Tinubu once and for just about twenty minutes. And what I asked of him was that whatever politics might come to throw at him, he should please ensure that the relationship he has built with President Muhammadu Buhari was not destroyed or weakened.

Symbolic element For me, that relationship has unique values, associated with the symbolic element that is nevertheless poignant within the flows of history; and that is the fact that it is within that relationship, that a NorthSouthwest alliance was finally successfully built; and eventually able to win power at the centre.

It is a fitting tribute to the political sagacity of the man, Bola Tinubu and his partner, Muhammadu Buhari. The moment in history found its truly remarkable individuals.

Of course, this narrative has not sought to underplay the roles of other individuals and political tendencies, in the change at hand, and indeed they all are collective heroes in this endeavour, but on the occasion of his 64th birthday, I think that Bola Tinubu has earned a truly remarkable place in contemporary Nigerian politics. A combination of vision; hard work; doggedness; team building and patriotic commitment can work wonders in politics!

My citizen Chukwuma wonderment

A

BOUT five years ago, I needed to purchase a “new” (Tokunbo) engine for a vehicle and was agonising just how I would do that. One of my younger brothers in Ilorin gave me the telephone number of a certain Chukwuma Enwereuzor in Lagos.

He told me that he had purchased some vehicle spare parts through the man; he transferred money and the guy delivered. Given the levels of mistrust within our social setting, I was loath to send the money, but I eventually did, and remarkably, Chukuma, delivered.

But not only did he deliver, he followed the good to a motor park; effected payment; collected waybill number and sent to me, and till I collected at my end, he was monitoring. That has set a pattern of relationship between us.

I would transfer money and then the cycle of service would be repeated by him. Last week, I effected a transfer of funds, and the same pattern was nearreligiously followed by Chukwuma; and it was on whatsApp, last week, that I finally

saw how he looked! He must be in his late thirties. The mechanic that was fixing the vehicle sent a message to me through my driver: “please thank the man that helped to buy your vehicle’s engine; he got you a very good engine; and he is a very nice man”!

It was that message that prompted this piece today. For too long, we have got used to stereotyping ourselves in Nigeria. But there is an incredible amount of good in our country, in people from all parts of Nigeria.

Of course, there is also a lot of bad, from everywhere as well.

But I think we should applaud those who do a decent job, working hard in their spaces, to earn an honest livelihood and in the process, making a vital contribution to Nigeria’s development. Mister Chukuma Enwereuzor is an example of such Nigerians.

In his honesty and dedicated labour, he has further deepened my love for our country as well as my appreciation of the humanity of all of us, no matter the background that we might come from.

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 NIGERIANS are passing through a sur vivalist phase as they are daily confronted by skyrocketing prices of goods. Cost of living is at an all time high owing to the high rate of inflation sweeping through the economy.

Prices of most consumer and nonconsumer items have soared out of the reach of the average Nigerian family, and there are few signs that things will get better anytime soon.

A recent Vanguard market survey revealed that prices of most staple food items and consumer goods have risen significantly. For instance, a bag of locally produced rice which sold for N9,000 in December now sells for N13, 000, while some of the imported varieties now sell between N14,000 and N15,000.

Also a big basin of the popular staple, gari, which previously sold for N1,500 now sells for N2,000, while one bucket of it which was

Curbing the soaring cost of living selling for N200 now sells for N500.

Prices of other food items like beans, bread, wheat flour, groundnut oil, palm oil, vegetables, yam, noodles, fish, meat, tomatoes and pepper, and others, have risen sharply. Even sachet water (“pure water”) which for years sold for N5 now wears a new price tag of N10.

To compound matters, Nigeria is currently experiencing another petroleum products supply crisis.

Only few filling stations have products in stock and consequently have been selling at well over the official pump prices. The scarcity of petrol has also triggered a

thriving black market, which sell to the public at exorbitant prices.

The inflationary trend has since been acknowledged by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) which recently declared that the current Consumer Price Index (CPI), indicates a double digit inflation rate, the worst in three years.

The combination of soaring prices of goods, lingering fuel scarcity and the prevailing poor electricity supply has left Nigerians reeling in pain.

Nigerians are looking up to the President Muhammadu Buhari-led

OPINION Dogara’s call for North east donor confab

By Turaki Hassan

T

HE Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has made calls for the convening of an international donor’s conference that would holistically tackled the economic and infrastructural needs of the northeast of Nigeria which has borne the brunt of the six-year violent uprising from adherents of the Jama'atu Ahlus-Sunnah Lidda'Awati Wal Jihad, known popularly as Boko Haram.

Dogara first made the call in a motion he sponsored in August last year, on the urgent need for rehabilitation, recovery, reconstruction and resettlement of the violence ravaged region.

Since then, at every fora, the Speaker has continued to champion the course of the north east while arguing that the region deserves global attention as a member of the international community.

His call is in line with what has been happening since the end of the World War II where international conferences like that held for Western Europe and Japan which were rebuilt following adoption of the American Marshall Plan, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Ukraine, Gaza and recently for Syria. There is therefore, no reason why same can’t be done for the north-east of Nigeria. It should be noted that, the scale of devastation, destruction and damage in the region far excedes what happened in some of the countries and regions listed above but which the international

community didn’t hesitate to support to rebuild.

The region, even before the violence erupted years ago, is one of the poorest in the world. A recent report by the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP said Borno state alone has lost trillions of Naira economic ally while not fewer than 20,000 people were killed even though most North east indigenes are of the view that this figure is grossly below the actual figure.

All one needs to be convinced about a call for such is to take a trip to some of the villages recently liberated in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. Communities were not only totally razed to the ground but one is left with no option than to conclude that the insurgents were all out to annihilate every living and non-living beings in the affected areas.

These fundamentalists succeeded in wasting large swaths of territories in those states, especially Borno state, which was the epicenter of the violence. Presently, officially over 2.2

Confab holds the solution to addressing the destruction in the northeast

million Nigerians are living as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in several states of the country including the Federal Capital Territory, while thousands others are refugees in Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic. Again, the number of IDPs is far more than 2.2 million as it ranges between 5 million to 5.5 million because majority of those displaced are not living camps but are being housed by relations both within and outside the affected areas.

To buttressed Dogara’s call, UNHCR’s Representative to Nigeria, Ms Angele Dikongue- Atangana, during the organisation’s 2015 stakeholders’ briefing, urged donors and partners to take a trip to the ‘field’ to see the level of destruction for a first hand assessement of the situation.

This is because there are dozens of villages in the northeast that have been totally destroyed.

The attack on Dalori is still fresh instance. It was reported that entire houses in the village were torched. The enormity of the task in rebuilding the area, especially the cost is something that even the federal government might not be able to take on alone. Hence the call for a donor conference.

This view is also shared by the Chairman, Presidential Committee on Northeast Initiative, retired Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma recently, when he said that conservatively, over two trillion naira (N2 trillion) will be required in the short-term to rebuild areas devastated by the Boko Haram insurgency.

He added that the rebuilding of the region would require the cooperation of all, considering that the magnitude of destruction

Federal Government to urgently introduce measures to address the situation. It is an obligation it owes the suffering masses and it should not wait until the situation gets out of hand.

The prevailing harrowing economic atmosphere is a great test of the Buhari administration’s capacity to govern effectively and solve problems lying before it, and Nigerians are tired of blame games.

We call on the Federal Government to expedite action on the passage of the 2016 Appropriation Bill into law and allow money to come into the system. The time has come for it to activate its economic agenda in full to provide succour to the people.

“Magic wands” are not required for effective governance. We expect government to be more coordinated and focused to bring the dividends of good governance to the people.

was beyond the means of the federal or state governments. He further noted that rebuilding the Northeast would demand maximum cooperation and resources.

The rebuilding effort by governors of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa are mere drops in a vast ocean of need that wouldn’t make much difference. For example, Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima has been building some houses in Bama and other local governments.

But without help from outside to address the destruction in over 20 local governments that were initially intermittently occupied and destroyed by the insurgents, it would not go far.

Moreso, the destruction in Gwoza and Bama, two of the worst-hit local governments in Borno and their current needs goes beyond even the complete federal allocations that accrue to Borno state for now. Same for other local governments in the state and other northeast states where their need stands beyond rebuilding houses.

But the utmost importance for the northeast is not only housing but health care, women and youth empowerment, education and agriculture. Sufficiently meeting these needs would require the involvement of the international community. As with these areas targeted, the people of the northeast and the region in general stand the chance of having positive multiplier effect roll back to them.

This is why the call by the Speaker for an international donor conference is apt, timely and holds the solution to addressing the destruction in the northeast.

•Mr. Hassan, is SA (Media & Public Affairs) to Rt. Hon. Speaker, House of Representatives.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31 31,, 2016 – 19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

Ranching, yes! ‘Grazing reserves’, no!!

I

N January 2016, the traditional ruler of Ubuluku in Aniocha Local Government of Delta State, Obi Agbogidi Akaeze Ofulue III, was kidnapped by suspected “Fulani herdsmen”.

They demanded a ransom of N100 million which, reports say, was paid by the family. But alas!

The royal father was found dead as a result of his ordeals at the hands of these agents of darkness.

A member of my tennis club, Dr. Kings Okpako; a popular alternative medicine practitioner and politician, suffered a similar fate at the hands of some “Fulani herdsmen” in 2014. He still wears scars around his feet to remind him of his enslavement in the bushes of his native Abraka town.

As their response to the ravaging effects of “Fulani herdsmen”, the Delta State Government appointed a Northerner as a Special Adviser to the Governor! They said it was a way of achieving “understanding” between the indigenes and Northerners in Delta State.

I have nothing against offering any Nigerian an appointment in any part of Nigeria. It is a noble

thing to do, but it must not be done as if rewarding evil deeds.

When Alhaji Umaru Altine, a Fulani from Sokoto was elected the first Lord Mayor of Enugu in 1952, it was as a reward for his services to community as a committed political disciple of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and his National Council for Nigeria and the Cameroons, NCNC. Such appointments are made to celebrate friendship and not to succumb to terrorism.

Now look at scenario number two: the same “Fulani herdsmen”, after successfully taking over isolated communities in Plateau State, spread their tentacles to neighbouring Nasarawa, Benue and other states further south.

The most trending “exploits” of these modern-day conquistadors was the invasion and occupation of Agatu communities in Benue State.

Guess how the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Audu Ogbeh, whose kinsmen now live as refugees in their own homeland, reacted to this? He regaled us with the story of how these invaders are “not Nigerians””.

He said many of them came from as far as Mauritania “because

they were told there was a Jihad being fought in Nigeria”.

Remember also that when the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, went to check the devastation of Agatu, he was more interested in reporting that the Fulani herdsmen lost over 10,000 cows to “cattle rustlers”, and that the attackers were “not Nigerians”.

Ogbeh and Arase never told us if the fact that they were “foreigners” excused their evil deeds, nor did they shed light on the reluctance of their Commander-in-Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari, to send a military expedition to flush out the “foreign invaders” in the same fashion that the military was unleashed on pro-Biafra agitators and Sheikh Ibrahim El Zakzaky’s sect in Zaria.

After all, the constitution mandates him to protect Nigeria from internal insurrection and external aggression. Why did he go after the pro-Biafrans while allowing the Fulani invaders to keep on killing, destroying and

Fulani people who oppose ranching, opting instead for “grazing reserves” are nursing a hidden agenda. They do not want their kinsmen who rear their cattle to benefit from education and the comforts of a settled, civilised lifestyle

Importing our exports ITH just a little push, Nigeria would perhaps a spell on us not to enjoy what have been able to show itself a we produce until it completes its merry goW blessed nation; but it is the lack of that round. In a sense, Uhunmwode Local essential push that has left us the way we are – impoverished!

Nigeria’s development process is not only disturbing but also pathetic – a country with all the natural and human endowments that nature can provide, yet more than 70% of the population live in abject poverty.

The missing link is to be found in our unwillingness to develop industrially.

Virtually all the things we import were originally produced by us and exported.

Sadly, we export crude oil and import fuel and petro-chemicals; we export cotton and import textiles; we export raw cocoa and import processed cocoa products; we export iron ore and import steel; and we export alumina and import aluminum products. That’s doing business in the reverse.

This is where we think that the much touted idea of diversification from oil to agriculture in Nigeria must be clearly defined in terms of industrialisation so that it does not translate to a situation where we would export all our cassava tubers and import the garri produced from them.

The moral message from Nigeria to the foreign countries is clear: take our raw materials to your place; employ your people to process them; and we will come and buy them as soon as they are processed.

This writer was in the House of Representatives Committee on Transport that visited various countries in the summer of 1981. In the Netherlands, we were taken to a Company that refined only crude oil from Nigeria; and the refined products were also exported exclusively to Nigeria.

We are also quickly reminded that even at the most elemental level, there is

C M Y K

Government Area of Edo State is the fruitbasket of Nigeria; but if you want to eat those sweet oranges from Ehor, you better go to Kano.

For some time now, those clever businessmen from Kano come to Uhunmwode to buy up orange trees in entire plantations and they come to harvest in due season. As for the pineapples, everything produced in Uhunmwode is sold off while the same Uhunmwode producers proceed to Oregbeni Market in Benin City to buy the part they want to eat. The Nigerian economy is now in a sad trajectory mainly because of our knack for foreign goods. In the beginning, our founding fathers planned the economy in order to fast-track development and move thousands of Nigerians out of poverty.

At that time, development plans mapped out schedules for building various types of hard and soft infrastructures such as roads, communication networks, schools, hospitals, etc.

Apart from the import substitution and export promotion policies; and the pioneer industrial schemes, the establishment of Oshogbo Machine Tools Factory, Ajeokuta Steel Mill; etc., were concrete efforts to lay the foundation for an industrial take-off.

Because of the demonstrated serious

Government must tackle squarely the issue of infrastructure, particularly power supply

displacing law-abiding Nigerians from their communities to gratify their livestock? We have been asking these questions, but there has been deafening silence from the occupant-in-chief Aso Villa. We will not stop until we hear from him.

Contrary to the decision of the Delta State Government to ingratiate themselves to the tormentors of their people by giving one of them a political appointment, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State made it abundantly clear that those thinking that the herdsmen will be rewarded with “grazing reserves” in Benue State are jokers. “It will never happen in this state”, he says.

I am writing this article in total opposition to the rumoured plans by the Federal Government to establish “grazing reserves” in all states of the Federation as a means of stopping the feud between nomadic cattle breeders and farmers. I understand that plans are upwind to persuade state governors to use their powers under the Land Use Act to confiscate parcels of land in their states for allocation to Fulani cattle breeders as “grazing reserves”. It is very disappointing that many governors, especially those in the Central and Southern parts of the country are already exploring ways of implementing this highly objectionable plot.

If this happens we will end up handing over lands belonging to indigenous families and communities gratis to nonindigene cattle breeders, thus rewarding them for their aggression and invasion of peaceloving communities. Any governor who accepts to implement this policy is an enemy of his people and a

betrayer of future generations of the owners of the land who are also entitled to inherit their ancestors’ patrimonies.

Aggressive Nomadism must not be allowed to become an avenue for ethnic expansionism and conquest of citizens protected by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

However, I am totally in support of creating a New Deal for animal agriculture in Nigeria. I am fully in support of Ogbeh’s intention to import nutritious Brazil grass to enhance livestock productivity.

But it must be done under a national policy of settling all livestock in Nigeria under a wellregulated ranching arrangement. We must create a package of incentives to modernise and optimise livestock farming just as we are doing for plant cultivation. Both must go pari passu. We must also have Nigeria billionaire ranchers.

We must set a national policy that no livestock will be allowed to wander around in towns, villages or bushes in Nigeria (say, by the year 2020). Anyone who wants to establish a ranch in any part of the country should buy or lease land for that purpose, just like people involved in other businesses.

Fulani people who oppose ranching, opting instead for “grazing reserves” are nursing a hidden agenda. They do not want their kinsmen who rear their cattle to benefit from education and the comforts of a settled, civilised lifestyle.

They don’t mean well for their people. Once again, I say “no” to “grazing reserves” but “yes” to better life for livestock farmers – in the secured comfort of their ranches!

ambition to become a productive economy, the domestic currency of that era remained strong against most convertible currencies.

The ascendency of crude oil in Nigeria’s development calculus altered all that. That was when the oil boom that was supposed to be a blessing became the oil doom that was more of a curse.

As a result of our lackadaisical attitude towards industrialisation, the unemployment and underemployment rates remain embarrassingly high. Even after the unbundling of the power sector, electricity supply has not improved an inch.

Rather, things are getting worse and the real sector remains virtually in a comatose state. In the immediate past dispensation, even where the economy was said to be growing at the rate of about 6 percent, the rate of unemployment rose to about 28 percent and even higher among youths.

We moved away from agriculture which is a renewable asset and moved into oil, which is a wasting asset. We failed to realise that it is perilous to finance national development solely on oil revenue, when the price of oil and the quantity we could produce were purely outside our control.

See where planlessness has led us? For too long, Nigerian leaders were simply rent seekers. The bulk of the nation’s imports were for consumption instead of capital goods that could aid further production.

Certainly, there is something fundamentally wrong with our system.

Our immediate past Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, told us that Nigeria spends N1 billion daily on rice importation – amounting to about N360 billion annually. Besides Nigeria spends N217

billion for the importation of sugar; and N97 billion annually is spent on the importation of fish.

In 2015 alone, Nigeria’s total import amounted to N16.42 trillion while her exports barely hit N9.72 trillion. The continued depletion of our foreign reserves plus the ever growing army of unemployed and under-employed youths are some of the prices we pay for our appetite for foreign goods instead of local ones.

If we are to get out of the woods, there is really no alternative to industrialisation.

Government must tackle squarely the issue of infrastructure, particularly power supply.

If we were to have 18 hours of electricity supply a day, growth would be enhanced; jobs would be created; and we would immediately be on the path to economic recovery.

No economy ever grows on generators with the concomitant high cost of diesel and petrol. The advanced economies we try to emulate have power supply for 24 hours a day, seven days a week. So their factories can plan and operate two or three shifts daily, thus creating jobs.

Again, for its welfare content and job creation, government must invest on housing for its people. Between planning and execution; between building materials and their handlers; between contractors and site workers; between food and water suppliers; between defaulting contractors and even the judiciary, the housing industry provides one quick-fix that can immediately re-invigorate the entire economy.

20 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 — 21

LIRS to begin prosecution of tax defaulters April

By Omoh Gabriel

payers have complied willingly by filing their returns in the last months, it is disheartening to note that in spite of all efforts by the LIRS, a large fraction of eligible taxpayers are still not complying, thereby failing to contribute to the common purse for the common good of all.

“In the wake of little or no proceeds from the federation account, the focus of the present administration in renewing infrastructure and general development of the State cannot be achieved by the attitude of those who deliberately refuse to discharge their civic responsibility to the State.

According to the statement “Without revenue, all of those things that facilitate our progress as a civilised community will not materialise, if there are no infrastructural developments like roads to get to business sites businesses cannot thrive, if we do not have all the services that government is compelled to offer e.g. securi-

L

AGOS State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) said yesterday that it will commence the prosecution of tax evaders and offenders in Lagos State beginning from April 1, 2016.

A statement signed by Monsurat Amasa, Head, Corporate Affairs Lagos State Internal Revenue Service said “Under the Personal Income Tax Act, a taxable person is statutorily required to file a return of income for the preceding year within 90days from the commencement of every year of assessment (March 31st is the deadline), whilst any employer of labour is required to file all emoluments paid to its employees for the preceding year, not later than 31st of January each year.

Enforcement of the tax laws Therefore any taxable person or corporate organisation that fails to file their tax returns with LIRS by the stipulated date is in breach of the provisions of the law, which is a criminal offence that is punishable under the tax laws.

“The LIRS, having put all the necessary machineries in place to ensure the enforcement of the tax laws with effect from April 1, 2016 has warned all erring taxpayers to comply; reiterating that the full weight of the law will be brought to bear on taxable persons who fail to file requisite returns as provided by the law. While many tax-

We have gone further to develop various initiatives to ease the methodology of paying taxes in Lagos

PROMO: From left, Regional Bank Head, Rivers and Bayelsa, Frank Anumele; winner of bi-monthly draw of the Fidelity ‘Save 4 Shelter’ savings promo, Odianosen Adodo; Executive Director, South, Fidelity Bank Plc, Aku Odinkemelu and Head, Savings Group, Fidelity Bank Plc., Janet Nnabuko, at a ceremony to hand over keys and title deeds of the property located at 7A, Rumuibekwe Housing Estate, Port Harcourt to Adodo, in Port Harcourt ty, education, healthcare, and law and order as it is been proffered by the court then we cannot make progress collectively.

“LIRS has in the last three months embarked on massive advocacy and enlightenment programmes, taking people through a process of education on the laws bordering on tax administration and the need and benefits of paying their taxes as at when due.

We have gone further to develop various initiatives to ease the methodology of paying taxes in Lagos, starting with the simplification of our tax payment processes, through the compression of the ‘Tax Form

A’ from 6 to 2 pages, introduction of new payment platforms, e-submission of annual returns, creation of the LIRS hotline and help desks in all tax stations, relaxation of requirements for replacement of lost e-TCC amongst others, all of which are focused on building convenience into the payment of taxes and subsequently promoting voluntary compliance.

We are now going to the next phase, which is enforcement and prosecution that is taking full advantage of the provisions of the tax laws to apprehend and prosecuted tax defaulters.

According to the Executive Chairman of LIRS, Mr. Olu-

folarin Ogunsanwo, “We have a robust database that captures all taxable individuals and firms in Lagos State as well as transactions for the purpose of audit, so there is no hiding place for any tax evader’’.

He therefore calls on every taxable person in Lagos State to take advantage of the window before the March 31st deadline to ensure that his or her tax return has been duly filed, adding that The Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice will through the Rapid Tax Prosecution Unit commence prosecution of tax defaulters in Lagos State without further notice.

Nigeria, China trade volume now N2.9trn $ 127.60

-0.95

$2,967.00 -3.00 $ 15.84

$39.45

-0.82

$38.72

-0.67

CURRENCY BUYING US DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

-0.10

196 278.0064 219.2848 201.0875 1.737 0.3159 274.0086 30.1451 52.2569 29.4082 274.0276

SELLING 196.5 278.7156 219.8442 201. 6005 1.7414 0.3259 274.7076 30.2224 52. 3902 29.4833 274.7267

197 279.4248 220.4036 202.1135 1.7458 0.3359 275.4066 30.2998 52.5235 29.5583 275.4257

CBN Exchange rate as at 29/03/2016

C M Y K

By Emmanuel Elebeke

T

HE trade volume between Nigeria and China is now N2.9 trillion. This was revealed during a courtesy visit by the Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, Xiaojie Gu, to the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu in Abuja.

According to the envoy, the latest trade volume was recorded as at the end of 2015.

Ambassador Gu, who described Nigeria as China’s third biggest trading partner in Africa, said that Nigeria is the second biggest market in terms of export in Africa.

He indicated increased China’s interest in investments and cooperation in the areas of agriculture, mining and infrastructural development and expressed optimism that the trade volume between the two countries would be enhanced against the backdrop that Nigeria is currently

diversifying her economy.

He further explained that Nigeria and China have been working assiduously to implement infrastructural projects in the country, particularly in the airport terminals.

He noted that Chinese companies had

Nigeria and China have been working assiduously to implement infrastructural projects in the country, particularly in the airport terminals

been executing the extension of four airport terminals in Nigeria, saying that Chinese government had approached China Exim Bank for the provision of infrastructural and concessionary loans to Nigeria.

In his response, the Minister pledged to honour all the agreements reached by Nigeria and China during his last visit to China, early in the year, which he said was fruitful.

Dr. Onu however, expressed the willingness of the Federal Government to work closely with Chinese government in the use of Science and Technology for the overall development of the country.

The Minister noted that the rapid socio-economic developments witnessed currently in China was as a result of the high premium the Chinese government attaches to the use of science, research, innovation and technology.

22—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

Business service providers must work to ensure that customers feel important

,

How to make customers love your business

,

BUSINESS

Risk management tips for SMEs

The greatest desire of human beings is a sense of importance.

People need to feel relevant, cared for and respected.

That is why people go the extra mile for things that give them that feeling. Things like money, love, status, beauty, power and relationships. Unfortunately, not many business people are aware of this.

A

CUSTOMER brings her money to your business which needs her patronage and referral to survive and at best she’s given a dry routine welcome. Not as much as a smile, or an offer of options were available to make the right choices.

If your business relationship with your customers leaves them feeling unnoticed, irrelevant and disrespected, they would soon stop coming. People would rather take their business where it is wanted. Business service providers must work to ensure that customers feel important.

So, here are some simple ways to make customers feel special: Pay attention Attention is the intangible currency that earns you lots of tangible cash. All it costs you is valid concern for your customers, an ability to observe their needs and solve their problems.

Smile People have problems and the least you can do is be the bright spot in their day.

Business environment If your business environment is full of sunshine and happy days, people will naturally gravitate in its direction.

Get personal Names, anniversaries and birthdays are very personal and just remembering them creates that distinct touch that tells people they are particularly special to you, seeing that you have gone the extra mile to take note of things that matter to them.

Be courteous Showing courtesy to people in the course of doing business will endear you to all and that will make your business unforgettable.

The process of identifying risks, assessing risks and developing strategies to manage risks is known as risk management. A risk management plan and a business impact analysis are important parts of your business continuity plan.

Are the risks internal or external?

By Olubusola Makinde Who might be involved or affected if an incident happens?

Y understanding potential risks Treating risks: This involves to your business and finding working through options to deal with ways to minimise their impacts, you unacceptable risks to your business. will help your business recover Unacceptable risks range in severity; quickly if an incident occurs. Types some risks will require immediate of risk vary from business to treatment while others can be business, but preparing a risk monitored and treated later. management plan involves a Risk analysis and common process. Your risk evaluation: This will help you management plan should detail your prioritise the risks that need to be strategy for dealing with risks treated. When you are developing a specific to your business. plan for treating the risks, consider It is important to allocate some the method of treatment, people time, budget and resources for responsible for treatment, costs preparing a good risk management involved, benefits of treatment, plan. This will help you meet your likelihood of success and ways to legal obligations for providing a safe measure the success of treatments. workplace and can reduce the A risk management plan is very key likelihood of an incident negatively and it is important to review your impacting on your business.

B

Tips to support and guide SMEs

Assess your business: Before you begin identifying risks, you need to assess your business, review your critical business activities, including your key services, resources and staff, and things that could affect them, such as power failures, natural disaster and illness. Assessing your business will help you work out which aspects you couldn’t operate without.

Identify risks to your business: When, where, why and how are risks likely to happen in your business?

Your risk management plan should detail your strategy for dealing with risks specific to your business

plan regularly to take into account any new risks associated with changes in your business or improvements in techniques for treating risks.

Risk treatment options: Avoid the risk - If it’s possible, you may decide not to proceed with an activity that is likely to generate risk. Alternatively, you may think of another way to reach the same outcome that doesn’t involve the same risks. This could involve changing your processes, equipment or materials.

Reduce the risk - You can reduce a risk by: reducing the likelihood of the risk happening - for example, through quality control processes, auditing, compliance with legislation, staff training, regular maintenance or a change in procedures, reducing the impact if the risk occurs - for example, through emergency procedures, off site data backup, minimising exposure to sources of risk, or using public relations.

Alternative suppliers Transfer the risk - You may be able to shift some or all of the responsibility for the risk to another party through insurance, outsourcing, joint ventures or partnerships. You may also be able to transfer risk by: cross-training staff so that more than one person knows how to do a certain task and you don’t risk losing essential skills or knowledge if something happens to one of your staff members through identifying alternative suppliers in case your usual supplier is unable to deliver, keeping old equipment (after it is replaced) and practicing doing

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 — 23

M

ISFORTUNE yet fortunate; devastated and rendered homeless but comforted. These are some of the words one can use to describe the victims of the North-East terrorist attack (Boko Haram) some of which have now relocated to Uhogua Internally Displaced Persons Camp, International Christian Center Mission, Edo State.

They can be said to be fortunate though in the midst of their misfortune due to displacement from their natural and traditional birth place. They are comforted by well-meaning Nigerians, especially Edo State Government who is collaborating with the camp Director, Pastor Folorunsho Solomon to give them security, shelter, education and feeding.

That’s not all; the wife of the State Governor, Mrs. Iara Oshiomhole has concluded arrangements through her pet project, We Care Trust’s “Project Focus” to empower 380 Internally Displaced Persons in the areas of skills and creative learning; computer training, creative art, farming, catering and food processing.

The training programme is scheduled to commence on Friday, April 1st and last till the end of Easter Holidays.

According to Mrs. Iara Oshiomhole, “About 380 persons would be captured in the empowerment programme while others would be engaged in what we termed “Sport Summer Camp”.

“There would be football, volleyball, basketball, table tennis among others” she explained.

The training which comes as a way of empowerment, is structured in such a way that they can start their own business with minimum startups and whenever anybody needs their services, they would be engaged and eke out a living thereby and also make what they usually go out to buy themselves.

Demonstration farms for the IDPs For the catering and food processing, 80 persons would be trained. There would be safety and hygiene training just as National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) would also be on ground to certify them.

They would be taught how to make “Kilishi” tapioca, coconut candy, fish drying, chinchin, gurundi, zobo, kunu among others.

For the creative art, 80 IDPs would be enrolled and they would be taught how to make clothes, tailoring, bags, slippers, sandals, different kinds of earrings, headbands, necklaces, bowtie, table mat, bangles and head flowers.

In addition, 80 others would be enrolled for the demonstration farms for the IDPs. There would be vegetables such as pepper, tomatoes, cucumber, green leaf vegetable among others.

It is expected that after training, they would be empowered to put it to practice and if they plant their vegetables in stages, they will harvest monthly, because vegetables grow fast coupled with the treated seedlings that would be provided.

The idea, according to Mrs. Oshiomhole is to empower the IDPs to feed the camp and save it from

C M Y K

Empowerment for 380 IDPs

Iara Oshiomhole starvation just as they would also source their own food themselves.

They would be taught in such a manner that the least of them can catchup. They are from the North and their major occupation is farming, so they would be trained in their line of passion which is easy for them to catch up and thereby give them hope of livelihood.

They would get training on how to construct their own fish pond in the simplest form and how to produce or

source their meal including how to raise snails.

“You need no expenditure to raise snails except their pen-housing. The gestation period for snails is three months and they begin to sell; don’t forget snails are the most expensive meat in the market”.

With this project, according to Mrs. Iara Oshiomhole, “food shortage in the IDP camp would be a thing of the past or would be half solved. They would also make money from it and above all, bring

a sense of relief. They can cater for themselves” she assured.

“You also do not need money to feed snails, apart from pawpaw, pawpaw leaf, egg shell, cassava leaf and moist control.

It is very easy to maintain” she explained.

It would be recalled that Mrs. Oshiomhole had through her We Care Trust’s “Project Focus” empowered 36 trainees who would be part of those to train the 380 IDPs.

Roundtable Conference:

Women in governance; the journey so far A

MIDST various studies that have reinforced the value women bring into politics and particularly governance, Nigeria is still lagging behind in opening up more spaces for women. For what it is worth, we seem to be taking a nose dive after making concerted efforts in the last administration to amplify the voices of women in governance. Today we have fewer female senators, ministers and are

still yet to produce a female governor.

Ayo Adio If truly we agree that women bring positive dynamism to governance and contribute more to the progress of a nation (as seen in Rwanda), then we must find the courage to turn received wisdom on its head and give women more opportunities to lead.

However, the kind of leadership

opportunities we advocate for women is not that which is based on sentiments or pressure from civil society but a socioeconomic environment that is meritocratic and admits women based on their competence and credibility.

Challenging perceived social norms Continues on page 24

24—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

Opinion

Imperative of Gender Equality for National Development

By Friday Okonofua

O

NE of my saddest days was when I watched the Senate on national television throw out the bill seeking gender equality in a hilarious and yet memorable session. I asked myself whether this was the same Senate that Nigerians voted for in 2015 with the expectation that they would be able to take the right decisions

to protect their rights and promote their social welfare and development. After days of reflection, I came to the conclusion that the best approach is to do an analysis to explain why gender equality is critical to national development and to show that gender equality is actually a prerequisite to national development aspirations, which

Women in governance; the journey so far Continued from page 23

can sometimes be daunting but an open and expansive conversation (or debate) about the issues creates the needed momentum to reverse such narratives. Therefore as a society, we must continue to hold open conversation about these key issues however uncomfortable it makes us feel, that is how progressive societies

are birth.

It is against this back drop that Become Change Institute have organized a roundtable governance meeting tagged WOMEN IN GOVERNANCE,THE JOURNEY SO FAR, holding at the Vanguard conference hall Apapa on April 2, by 10am.

Senate should promote rather than denigrate. My aim is to show that if our Senators are real patriots desiring the progressive growth and development of this country, then they should be at the forefront of those championing gender equality rather than inhibiting it. It would appear that people generally believe that women are being done a favour when gender equality is promoted. By contrast, the purpose of this article is to show that gender equality is in the overall national development interest, and to firmly propose that no real progress can be made by any country that ignores gender equality.

Natural balance Gender equality is simple construct that ensures that men and women are represented equally in social, economic and political spheres of life. This ought to be a natural expectation since the Almighty Lord in His Infinite Wisdom bestowed on the world a near equal sex ratio, and also ensured that both sexes have the same mental capability and socio-psychological fitness.

Although in some human capacities, males could be said to be superior to females, there are also several capacities where women are inordinately superior to men. Nature has provided for both sexes to be equal in the totality of skills needed to navigate the social corridor of human existence.

It can therefore never be in

Okonofua the interest of any country if one part of the gender equation is ignored or relegated to the background in terms of representation in various aspects of life.

What is known as the gender development index is the extent to which a country promotes equality in achievements between its men and women.

Countries with high gender development indices (which

mean that achievements between men and women are near equal) have been known to do better in overall development.

By contrast, countries with low gender development index (those with wide disparity in achievement between men and women) have continued to remain at the bottom of the development ladder. Another construct is gender empowerment index, which

Spa pros and cons Fuel queues everywhere, crazy traffic and heat enough to roast a barbecue; have all taking their toll. The bad economy is not making things any easier, either. As the summer holidays approach us, a spa holiday might be one to consider, regardless of cost implications. Here is why:Detox & Destress spa holiday not only rids your body of toxins and stress but also helps to clear your mind. It allows you to re-energise by cleansing your system, removing bad toxins and regenerating new blood back into your body, specifically targeting the liver, kidneys, lungs and skin.

Cleansing your body can consist of daily exercise, nutritious food and detox juices, combining these simple detox methods on a spa holiday can have an unparalleled impact on your mind and body.

Healthy ageing Many medical spas include

A

C M Y K

specialised skincare treatments such as nonsurgical facials, peels and exfoliation, as well as treatments to treat hyperpigmentation, acne, clogged pores and wrinkles.

Therapists can also provide you with personal skin care consultations and routines, so you can maintain your wellbeing long after your spa holiday is over.

Sleep Therapists can diagnose your specific sleeping habits and treat them. Treatments for sleep deprivation can include acupuncture, therapeutic massages, shiatsu, reiki or reflexology. The programmes

Spa

are likely to also include a special food diet to aid healthy sleep. Furthermore, the programme may incorporate advice on posture and sleeping positions, to encourage better sleep cycles.

Prevention The spa industry is now fully focused on preventing health

problems from arising, by identifying problems early and targeting them specifically. More spas are targeting stress related issues, which have been on the increase in recent years.

By using prevention techniques, focusing on antistress treatments and combining them with a fitness and nutrition regime,

spas aim to prevent people becoming unhealthy in later life. This adds not only to the health benefits of spa holidays but also to the financial benefits of living a healthy lifestyle.

Weight loss Whether you go to a spa specifically to lose weight or

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 —25

Imperative of Gender Equality for National Development means the extent to which women are represented in social, economic and political spheres of life. Again, countries with high gender empowerment index are those with high rates of representation of women in economic, political and social domains, and they often fare better in overall development and human living indicators.

Neglecting women in sociopolitical representation can never be in the interest of countries or communities. It is only in the interest of individuals who chose to do so.

A common phrase is that “no one can clap with one hand”.

By contrast, clapping with both hands is the physiological normative, and it often results in a better outcome. The poor representation of women in key areas of national development is similar to a country trying to clap with one hand. The results can only be predictably capricious and catastrophic.

Man-know-man politics Appointment based on meritocracy is the foundational basis of development. If appointments are based on merit, the best persons will be selected to lead key positions, and this would result in better developmental outcomes. This is what happens in developed countries, which accounts for their higher rate of development. We are not asking for affirmative action to get

women into positions, because if affirmative action is used, it often results in the wrong women being put in positions.

What is being argued is that if appointments to these positions are based on merit, women will naturally do well as compared to men. The situation where most positions are fought for in this country with iron-fist audacity, and with high temerity and mindlessness of purpose, it can only lead to the margination of women who do not have the power and agency to fight for those positions the same way that men do.

The bane of our democratic experience has been the total enthronement of “man-knowman” politics, the exclusion of a high performing segment of the populace, the marginalization of the marginalizable, godfatherism, and transcending ethnic bigotry. In all of these, women suffer inordinately more than men because they are inherently unable to deal with the situations as men do.

To prove that the social and political exclusion of women is not just a result of sociocultural disaffection for women, even the fight between men and men for socio-political space has become fiercer. At the end, only the highly muscular with greater physical assets wins the fight, with little room for thoughtfulness, high reason and astuteness.

Indeed, over the years it has become increasingly evident that brawn rather than brain

has taken over Nigeria’s sociopolitical firmament, and being physically assertive, militant and noisy has become a highly celebrated national ethos. By contrast, those who are internally reflective and thoughtful and who have considerations for orderliness, high intellect, candour and reasonableness are being increasingly excluded from all spheres of our socio-political life.

Marginalization: Clearly, one of the major challenges facing this country ’s development is the continued marginalization of a highly competent and effective segment of our population unable to contribute to national development because of the physical, social and cultural restrictions placed on them.

Women have been most adversely affected by this phenomenon, and unless the

Gender equality is in the overall national development interest, and to firmly propose that no real progress can be made by any country that ignores gender equality

situation is changed, this country is unlikely to achieve true integrated national development. Nobel Laureate and renowned international economist Armata Sen once said “development if not engendered, is endangered” – which eloquently illustrates the importance of gender equality in the development of nations.

If one of the mandates of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is to “see to the development and good governance of the country”, then it must immediately reverse its stance on the gender equality bill without further delay.

Promoting global development Inequality is currently seen as one of the remaining challenges facing human development. It is for that reason that the 17 Sustainable Development Goals passed in 2015 for promoting global development between 2015 and 2030 includes two goals (goals 5 and 10) aimed at promoting “gender equality” and “reducing inequalities” overall. These two goals are critical to attaining the other 15 goals, including goal 3 designed to promote all indices of good health.

As a medical doctor of several years’ experience, I cannot see this country achieving any of these goals, and indeed its desire to attain accelerated development, if it

ignores the equality of opportunities between men and women. I therefore most respectfully request the Nigerian Senate to modulate its action and pass the Equal Opportunity Bill as evidence of its commitment to promoting the growth and equitable development of this country.

Friday Okonofua is a renowned professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics. He is the pioneer Vice Chancellor of Ondo State University of Medical Sciences, Ondo State and founder of Women Health and Action Research Centre, a not-for-profit organization in Benin City, that focus on promoting female reproductive research. Prior to his appointment as the 1st Vice Chancellor of Ondo State University of Medical Sciences, he served as the Provost of the College of Medical Science, University of Benin and the Programme Officer of Ford Foundation’s West Africa office. Okonofua’s research interest is in the area of Public health, sexual and female reproductive health as well as Andrology, In recognition of his outstanding research and expertise in Gynecology and Obstetrics, he was appointed as Executive Director of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics and was the only African Gynecologist and Obstetrician shortlisted for the interview held in London on April 2005.

With Sandra and Child, 3,000 children have access to education — Sandra, Miss Globe

By Prisca Sam-Duru

W

ITH the view to helping the Nigerian child through with quality education and entrepreneurship skills,

simply relax, you are guaranteed to achieve both, as spa holidays allow you to unwind whilst also targeting your personal weight concerns. Weight loss can be achieved by following a combination of fitness activities and healthy diet plans, which include; physical examinations, medical plans, nutrition consultations and private sessions with a Personal Trainer, where you will have a personalized fitness programme to help reach your weight loss goals.

Sandra and Child, a nongovernmental organisation has flagged-off its Project 3,000 initiative tagged, “Lifting up children from poverty”.

Vanguard encountered the founder of the organisation, Miss Sandra Ogbebor, during the launch of her pet project in Lagos.

“The Project 3000 is an intervention and timely initiative especially owing to the high level of poverty ravaging homes due to the economy crisis the country is facing leading to drop outs and children used as child labour.

Also, the project is timely as it is a positive response to reducing the rate of youth involvement in societal vices such

as kidnapping, ritual killings, oil pipeline vandalisation and Boko Haram insurgency which have become prevalent. The Project 3,000 involves teaching at least a child who in turn teaches at least two or three other with the skills learned.

Sandra and Child is poised to assist the Nigerian child in all areas of life particularly education and entrepreneurship. Its objective is to help bring up children such that they learn skills that will engage them positively as they grown up.

The organisation has realised the uncommon importance of education to any given society and so, is committed to ensuring that the Nigerian child gets affordable and quality education.

As education plays a major development role in the child and society, we believe entrepreneurship is also important to tag along with the

quality education that Sandra and Child is giving to the children.

It included the entrepreneurship programme owing to the overwhelming level of unemployment in the country. On a yearly basis, tertiary institutions graduate individuals who are pushed into the labour market so, it has become necessary for us at Sandra and Child to use our God-given talents, opportunities and contacts to assist them through scholarships to live a meaningful life. This is purely to save the Nigerian child from untold bleak future that lies ahead of them even after graduation.

The centre believes that applying entrepreneurial trainings to the Nigerian children would help them become self reliant and in turn, become employers of labour.”

She said.

C M Y K

26 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

BY JOSEPHINE AGBONKHESE

Does the machine do the job?

W

ITH the issue of sex toys springing up from different crannies, the question that boggles the mind would be, Do women really use sex toys in this part of the world?

Hmmmm.

Interestingly enough, the issue of sex toys amongst women has always brought about bad blood among various people.

With a lot of views, some of which would seem to be holier than thou, whether we like it or not, this is an issue women should learn to come forth with and be honest about.

Is using a sex toy just a means to an end or a bright ray of hope at the end of the tunnel. A marriage saver or breaker? Would we even say it is fun between partners to spice up their sex lives using sex toys?

What do you do if you are not getting it from your husband/ partner.

Giving the option of having an extra marital affair as a woman and

having a sex toy, which is really the lesser of both evil.

What are really your options if you are in the mood and your husband is not.

Does the machine do the job or do you go to sleep like that and wake up cranky thereby taking it out on every other person who crosses your path that day.

A lot of women in Nigeria would not be caught owning up to having a sex toy but still it is a given fact that sex toys sell in Nigeria and shops are springing up everyday that deals in the sale of sex toys.

You would discover that American women are more liberated when it comes to issues like sex and sex toys.

When a man shares his fantasies with his partner, do women take the puritan act.

Basically, when you think sex toys, you think vibrators and dildos but they are extensive

Aspersions are being casted out the moment society finds out any woman dares admit she owns a sex toy, she is treated as an outcast

ranges of these products that spices up your relationship/ marriage. Step out in style and dare to be naughty with your spouse. Nothing trips a man more than having a woman who is willing to star in his very fantasy and is bold enough to tell her man what her expectations are when it comes to sex. For all you know, you have just saved your husband/partner the effort he would have spent looking for an extra curricular activity.

We live in a society where talking about sex or even sex toys are frowned against.

Aspersions are being casted out the moment society finds out any woman dares admit she owns a sex toy, she is treated as an outcast.

Opening up and communicating Some people might even go as far as calling her a whore.

Is she really or was she just bold enough to step out of the mold and state she likes being playful with her partner during sex. Besides if it’s okay with her man, who made us the judge and jury.

If your man seems to be tired of the “missionary act”, both parties should be able to open up and communicate about what you both want so you can have a fun sex life. If it is okay for a man to tell you what he wants from sex, then women need to be more open to their men. You’d be surprised that your man would stay home more often because for him, sex is no longer just a routine.

Lanre Da Silva Ajayi, Funmi Ladipo and others converge at ADM pre-launch conference

S

TAKEHOLDERS in the Nigerian fashion industry gathered on March 13 in Lagos to discuss how the fashion industry can leverage on E-Commerce for growth.

The event was organized by African Designers Mall in conjunction with Martell Nigeria.

The focus of the event was to educate and empower the attendees with the knowledge needed to make it in the fashion world using E-commerce.

Ebele Udoh, the founder of African Designers Mall (ADM) describes the inspiration behind the creation of ADM. “I love fashion a lot and one day I was shopping on this international platform, I said to myself we don’t have any African Mall where we can just shop and patronize any African designer of our choice. I incorporated E commerce C M Y K

into fashion. I thought about a name that is so catchy and then chose African Designers Mall.

Nigeria is ready for this because a lot of Nigerians are online shoppers and most of them shop fashion.

Because there is no online platform for fashion, they haven’t seen the need for it. We decided to organize this event because it’s a way to educate fashion entrepreneurs on how they can leverage technology for business success” Funmi Ladipo, Lanre Dasilva Ajayi, Maureen Ideozu and Olatunji Ashiru were part of the speakers who spoke at the event.

There was also a fashion show and choreography session at the event.

Stakeholders at an event

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 — 27

,

Discovering the right opportunity at the right time will lead to the growth of one's business

& YOU things manually in case your computer networks or other equipment cannot be used.

Insure adequately - Speak to your insurer to find out if you have the right insurance cover for your business. Be sure to clarify whether you are covered for the risks you have identified in your risk management plan. Keep in mind that insurance policies may have different definitions for certain incidents (e.g. flooding).

Accept the risk - You may accept a risk if it can’t be avoided, reduced or transferred. Other risks may be extremely unlikely and therefore too impractical or expensive to treat.

However, you will need to develop an incident, response and a recovery plan to help you deal with the consequences of the risk if it occurs. *Makinde is a Relationship Manager at Leadway Assurance Company Limited.

Firm unveils start-up programme for aspiring entrepreneurs

By Yinka Kolawole

I

N attempt to drive innovation and momentum for disruptive technologies in Nigeria, Sasware Nigeria has launched the Start-up in Residence (STAIR) program. According to Sasware, STAIR is a coentrepreneurship programme focused on aspiring entrepreneurs and newly founded start-ups who are looking to build a viable technology business.

The co-entrepreneurship program is an intensive 12 months resident program that aims to nurture entrepreneurs working on the next big idea on a focus sector that is of interest to Sasware.

Sasware further revealed that the STAIR program will run annually. It will create technology start-ups in specific areas in the economy. During the incubation period, Sasware and the entrepreneur would become a team that would define, develop and iterate a product to take to market.

As co-entrepreneur, Sasware would provide the business support skills needed to make a business succeed and would support the entrepreneurs at every phase of their company’s growth by being actively involved and providing multi-sector expertise and funding.

The program will, this year, focus on building Financial Technology (Fintech) companies that address the challenges the country and Africa still have with their financial systems. Future programme will focus on

other areas that Nigeria and Africa need innovation to grow the continent like; agric technology, government technology, renewable energy and manufacturing.

Financial inclusion: The focus on Fintech for 2016 is strategic. Financial inclusion for the almost one billion Africans and Nigeria, which houses Africa’s largest population of 170 miilion people, is a major issue limiting the development of the continent. As Africa economies move their populations out of poverty, the development of the financial system is key to unlocking the continent’s wealth and integrating the continent into the global financial system. And in some areas lead innovation in the development of the global financial system.

Mobile technology According to Ifeoma Uddoh, Sasware's COO: “Despite better access to technology with hundreds of millions accessing mobile technology, African people still struggle with access to financial services. From banking to insurance, mortgage and pension.

Technology is needed in these areas to disrupt the traditional financial services that have failed millions. The sector still requires more innovation to harness the impact of technology in the way Africans access financial services.”

Sasware is the technology investment subsidiary of Signal Alliance founded in 2014. The company was established to provide early seed funding for tech start-ups. It leverages on Signal Alliance’s almost 20 years experience in the tech industry to invest in upcoming start-ups that serve the increasing sophisticated Nigerian and African economies.

,

Discovering growth opportunities in organisations “If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn’t thinking”…George Patton

R

EGARDLESS of the industry we play, in both at one time or the other, we may have t h e i r asked this pertinent question: how can we thinking discover more opportunities for business and their growth? That question goes to show that actions. organisations are looking for one opportunity A p a r t or the other to improve their results. from the In reality, growth opportunities are not leaders, magical; they abound in the things we see t h e BY ‘UJU ONWUZULIKE every day, things we discuss about and collective things we do. Interestingly, we all live in employees the same environment, see what everyone must also learn how to be more strategic in sees, hear about the needs of people the their thinking and actions. Naturally people same way others do. As an organisation, your were not born strategic thinkers; we were born ability to think and act differently what others with our ‘biological thinking’. This is why often have seen from a ‘generalised perspective’ times we hear bosses telling their subordinates should be your focus and that is where to be more strategic. Any time I hear such opportunities for growth stem from. comment, I always pause to ask myself: how Discovering the right opportunity at the will they become strategic if they have not been right time will lead to the growth of one’s taught? Strategic thinking is business. What will fuel the a broader, disciplined and discovery is one’s ability to think more innovative way of differently. So the key question to thinking and is being learnt Remarkable ask is: is your organisation ready as a skill. results to discover opportunities others One major barrier that will would have seen but were not able always always come in the way of to see it as one due to their limited discovering new come when way of thinking? Like Albert Szentopportunities for the an Gyorgyi said, “Discovery consists organisation is the silo of seeing what everybody has seen organisation mentality. This happens and thinking what nobody else when individuals or certain stands out has thought”. This is true and it units/departments in an from the gives a competitive edge. Albert organisation decide not to Szent- Gyorgyi was simply share useful information or crowd encouraging individuals and collaborate with others in the organisations not to join the band same organisation. Apart wagon and conform to what everyone else from hampering new opportunities, it affects is doing but rather to sit back and think of productivity, reduces efficiency and how to do things differently. Remarkable employees’ morale and at the end of the day results always come when an organisation the organisation suffers. There is no way an stands out from the crowd and not individual or unit with such a silo mentality conforming to their old ways of doing things. will proffer any opportunity for business Interestingly, we have countless areas of growth. Traditionally, organisations have opportunities in and around us. encouraged analytical way of thinking, where the parts (including some units/departments) Customer are primary and the whole (the entire feedback system organisation) is secondary. Silo mentality festers because people in the workplace are When we see or hear about a customer jostling for resources, recognition and approval being treated poorly, processes being too at the expense of others and the entire cumbersome, approvals taking longer time organisation. But really, forward looking than necessary, heavy bureaucracy, lack of organisations have moved from analytical way customer feedback system, lack of employee of thinking to systems thinking – where the welfare, etc, what comes to our mind? whole (the entire organisation or country) is Someone might see it as mere problems that primary and the parts secondary. Importantly, will fizzle out with time, another will see it in systems thinking, cross functional teamwork as a time to sit back, think and do things is encouraged and this is where discoveries differently for his or her own organisation. for opportunities are hatched. There is no The latter is more positioned for growth. ‘either/or’ solution to discovering new Truly, leaders have major role to play in opportunities but so many ways. helping their organisations stand out. They Final note: are also expected to build more of future What will stand an organisation out is its businesses for their organisations and ability to see what others have seen but decides concentrate less on day to day managing of to think and do things differently. To be able the businesses. But having leaders that will to foster business opportunities and encourage help their organisations stand out and to also information sharing, organisations must deal build future business may not be possible squarely with the ‘Silo Mentality’ inherent in without a commitment to be more strategic. some organisations.

They must be committed to be more strategic

C M Y K

28—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

By Dayo Adesulu

universities, attract higher university and departmental cutoff marks.

For some Nigerian polytechnics, if JAMB fixes its cut-off mark at 150, institutions like Kwara State Polytechnic and Lagos State Polytechnic insist on 180 as cut-off points. The knowledge of the aforementioned will assist candidates to change institutions and courses of study before it’s too late.

T

HE Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has disclosed that the cutoff marks for universities and polytechnics will be made public in June, 2016.

Its Public Relations Officer, Dr Fabian Benjamin in a telephone conversation with Vanguard said: “JAMB will officially publish the 2016 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), cut-off marks for universities and polytechnics in June.”

He urged candidates of the 2016 UTME to ignore the cut-off marks from some websites and social media, stating that those cut-off marks were just the imagination of people.

You would recall that many websites over the past weeks had published that JAMB’s cut-off marks for university and polytechnic are 180 and 150 respectively.

Candidates seeking admission Having gone through the rigour of UTME examinations in the past weeks, candidates seeking admission in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education are expecting JAMB cut-off marks which will give candidates next line of action.

For any student to participate in post-UTME of the institutions of first and second choice, such candidate must beat JAMB 2016 cut-off mark, institution's of first choice cut-off mark, and departmental cut-off mark. To JAMB, the cut-off point for university and polytechnics are determined every year by the candidates’ over all performance.

Apart from JAMB setting

Education excellence: PGA unveils The Students’ Fortress in 99 schools Page 29

World Book D a y thoughts on education Page 30 C M Y K

Certificate of Recognition

UNVEILING: From left, Omotola Fawunmi,Executive Director, Positive Growth Africa, Dr. Yinka Ayandele, TG/PS Lagos Education District I; Special Guest of Honour; Mrs. Akin-Aderibigbe, representative of Lagos State Deputy Governor; Mrs Amidat Anifowoshe and Babs Olugbemi, Convener, Students Fortress Club, during the unveiling of the club in Lagos.

Varsities, polytechnics get cut-off marks in June — JAMB •150, 180 cut-off marks, not from JAMB •No admission for 1.1m candidates, says NUC entrance cut-off points for university and polytechnic applicants, each institution, also has its cut-off point for students seeking admission in the school.

In most cases, even when a student meets the cut-off mark of the institution, admission is not guaranteed if he does not meet the cut-off mark of the chosen course. Vanguard investigation revealed that all these measures

were put in place by universities to reduce the numbers of students seeking admission, especially where many students make the institution their first choice. Thus, most times, when JAMB gives cut-off mark as 160 or 180 to universities, universities like the University of Lagos (UNILAG), University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), University of Benin (UNIBEN), University of Ibadan (UI),

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) and others, give their institution’s cut-off marks. Such cut-off marks are usually higher than the JAMB cut-off marks.

Besides, students aspiring to study courses like Medicine, Engineering, Law and Mass Communication in many

Meanwhile,the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission had disclosed that 1.1 million students seeking admission into Nigerian universities will have their hope dashed, as only 400,000 out of the 1.5 million candidates that sat for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination in 2016 will gain admission.

Okojie who spoke recently in Abuja while handing over the Certificate of Recognition for the new Edo State University, Iyanmo to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, solicits for more universities in Nigeria.

He said: “I am always happy when a new university comes on board; what that means is that we are expanding and we are opening up access.’’

He admitted that the number of candidates that sit for UTME organised by JAMB every year outnumbered the available spaces in Nigerian universities.

He said that the new universities were needed to boost access to higher education while making sure that quality was not compromised.

ZODML inspires Kirikiri prisoners, others with libraries

By Tare Youdeowei & Elizabeth Uwandu RISON inmates spending years in the Nigerian Prisons can now further their education and be useful to themselves and the society after leaving the prison custody, as Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Libraries, ZODML has donated three equipped libraries to Kirikiri Maximum, Kirikiri Medium and Badagry prisons in Lagos.

Speaking at the commissioning of the libraries, the Controller General of Prisons, Dr Peter Ezenwa Ekpendu said: ‘’Inmates have passed the WASC and NECO examinations while in prison, and have also attended the Prison Centre of the Open University of Nigeria and excelled with good grades.’’

The Controller-General who accepted the offer, also

P

commended the CEO and the Board of Trustee of ZODML for keeping the Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue alive and for giving hope to the hopeless.

He said that the provision of the libraries will go a long way in enhancing inmates’ academic pursuits.

Ekpendu who spoke through the Deputy Controller-General, Mr Ogundele Emmanuel

Our Prison Libraries are a space for reading and personal development. They provide prison inmates studying for external exams and on Open University courses

maintained that one of the functions of the Nigerian Prisons Service is to reform the inmates by engaging them in educational and vocational programmes.

His words: ‘’These libraries commissioned today are for the use of inmates and staff. You will be able to broaden your knowledge as knowledge gained through self-discovery tends to endure longer. I therefore implore you officers, men and inmates of the affected prisons to make maximum use of these libraries since there is no limit to education.’’

Meanwhile, the CEO, ZODML, Ms Ego Mbagwu revealed that in order to fully reintegrate former prison inmates into society, educational intervention is vital, adding that education helps to increase employability, reduce recidivism, and ensure a better quality of life.

She said: ‘’Our Prison Libraries are a space for reading and personal development. They provide prison inmates studying for external exams and on Open University courses with learning tools and resources, from textbooks to reference books.’’

For prison inmates who are not aspiring to further education, she noted that ZODML has made magazines and non-academic books available to keep their minds active.

Her words: ‘’We opened our first Prison Library at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre in March 2013. Greatly encouraged by the impact it immediately had on its inmates, we went on to establish the three libraries we are commissioning today and our hope is that they will provide access to positive and constructive activities and support the inmates through their rehabilitation and on the road to a better future.’’

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31 2016—29

Education excellence: PGA unveils The Students’ Fortress in 99 schools

By Dayo Adesulu

N

O fewer than 4000 students from 99 secondary schools from District I, covering Agege, Alimosho and Ifako-Ijaye Local Government, stormed the Agege Stadium, Lagos to witness the unveiling of the Students’ Fortress Club’in the schools.

Disclosing reasons for such Club in schools, the Convener, Babs Olugbemi stated that without highly educated, literate, skilled, intellectually brilliant and self-confident youth, a nation is toying with its future, and undermining its existential capacity.

According to him, Nigeria has a large youthful population with 60.4 million youth within the learning age of 10-24 years as at 2014. In his breakdown, Olugbemi noted that the percentage of the youth with secondary education was 60 percent while those with postsecondary education were 19 percent.

Leadership and capacity building: He said: “The decline from 60 to 19 in the percent of students that progress the secondary education stage is a cause for concern for the future leadership and capacity building of Nigeria.” He pointed out that the scenario has directly

attributable to the low success rate recorded in the final secondary school examinations organised by the West Africa Examination Council, WAEC and the National Examination Council, NECO. He averred that the conference is timely and we’ll thought through interventions that will lead to the emergence of academically progressive youth, productive employees, customers and result-oriented leaders to support a strong Nigerian economy.

Determined to help students, he said, there will be online tutors for English, Mathematics, Biology and any other one subject after a student registered in www.thestudentsfortress.com.

Meanwhile, Mr Fela Durotoye in his keynote address urged the students to learn, adding that people who read are better informed to take right decision that affects organisation and the nation positively. According to him, the more you read, the better your ability to lead.

Durotoye, while motivating the students, tasked them to aspire to reach the peak of their educational career by studying hard, adding, “The higher you go in your education, the better you are to earn more.”

Said he, “A school certificate holder cannot earn more than

Musibau Salawu, Branch Manager (Koko Branch, Keystone Bank Ltd) delivering the Financial Literacy lecture to the students of Basaura Institute of Comprehensive Education, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.

N40,000 per month, working for five years. Just as a first decree holder cannot earn more than N80,000 per month, working for five years. And a Master degree holder, cannot earn more than N150,000 per month, working for five years. He opined that the road to success is to ensure you make a positive impact on everyone you meet and everywhere you go.

Potential to succeed Secondly, you should do your best in all you do, particularly the things you are naturally good at. You must do the right thing at all times regardless of who is doing the wrong.

On his part, Dr Maxwell Ubah, who was the guest speaker spoke on ‘The Lead to Success,’ revealed how he rose from nothing to someone through the encouragement from his class teacher. “My teacher helped me realised I have a potential to succeed. He said that you must realised that you can succeed, adding that if someone believes in you and you don’t believe in yourself, you cannot success.

He urged them to set objective goals for success. “Set a big goal for yourself, if eventually you can’t get to the star, you can land on the mountain.”

Ubah, who disclosed that he read from 2am - 6am while he was a student, insists that students must have action plans for success.‘’Determination, dedication and discipline are key to success,’’ he said.

According to the Medical Doctor, if you must succeed, you must pay the price, noting that you must discipline yourself to stay till you succeed. ‘’It is either you pay the price of discipline, or pay the price of regret. One way to measure a discipline person is the price he pays, he added.

Rapid Response System

*Rapid Response System device

*Mbanefo Obiora

Health, they say, is wealth, but the healthcare delivery system in most developing countries is nothing to write home about. Most times, even when the needed facility/treatment is available, help gets to the patient late for one reason or the other. To mitigate this, Mbanefo Obiora, a 400-level Computer Technology student at Babcock University, Ilishan Remo ,Ogun State came up with the Rapid Response System to help patients get the needed help in as short a time as possible. This device was one of the many exhibited at the 6th National Universities Research and Development Fair (NURESDEF) at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.

By Ebele Orakpo

L

IMITATIONS: “After reviewing the situation of Nigeria’s Health sector, I found out that we have a lot of limitations in the sector and I decided to go into this research.

I felt I needed to do something to bridge the gaps,” said Obiora.

Software: “I created a remote device and a software application in such a way that the software application communicates with the remote device through a radio frequency. The remote device then sends the Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates.

Network medium It does this by the individual simply pressing a button. It is not hindered by the internet or any network medium. All it does is communicate with the GPS satellite so it sends your GPS coordinates and when it sends the GPS coordinates, the software application decodes it and automatically brings it out on Google map, exactly locating the precise location of the individual that pressed the remote.

So with this, it was able to bridge the limitations in the Health sector because you won’t have to call or send text messages and end up not getting them delivered. So it enables improvement in the health sector and I feel that if this is implemented, it will help Nigeria in the long run and it will also help the economy in the long run both nationally and internationally. It will also reduce the death rate in Nigerian.

Reliability: There are actually four branches involved in the Rapid Response System. There is the afferent, the efferent, the administrator and the healthcare officials. These have to be in place for this to be implemented.

For instance, the Afferent is the device itself, the efferent is like the emergency team, so there must be particular procedures in place. The response team works with the device. So the administrator is just one step. The administrator responds to signals 247. He has a response team outside. They are going to implement this based of near-field communication. Whenever you press the remote, the closest hospital to you receives the signal based on your location. When this is to be implemented, there are other factors that need to be in place," said Obiora.

Glendora, FedEx partner on King’s College history book

By Amaka Abayomi

G

LENDORA International Limited and FedEx Red Star Express have entered into a partnership with the King’s College Old Boys’ Association Centenary Committee to distribute copies of the history of King’s College, titled ‘Floreat Collegium 100 Years of King’s College, Lagos’.

With the signing f the contract, Glendora would handle the sales and distribution of the books while FedEx Red Star Express would be in charge of delivering the books to interested buyers nationwide.

According to Chairman

Centenary Publication, Prince Tola Sotinwa, “the book is of deep historical value not only to past and present staff and students of King’s College, but to all Nigerians. So significant have the achievements of the College been throughout its existence that, in 2009, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, thought it fit to celebrate the Centenary of King’s College, Lagos.

“The celebration was flagged off at the UNESCO’s 34th General Assembly held in Paris, France, in 2007 and was the first time a secondary school in Africa

would be so honoured. In affirmation of the primacy of place of the institution, the 100th Foundation Day Lecture was delivered at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos Campus of the College by the then Director General of UNESCO, Mr. Koichiro Matsuura.”

Marketing Manager of FedEx Red Star, Mrs. Ngozi Ochokwu, said “we are glad to be part of this, and we are committed to safe and proper delivery of goods, and in this case we will ensure the centenary books are properly handled till they get to interested buyers nationwide.

We will make them available at all our outlets for easy purchase.”

*Beneficiaries with MSDF President/CEO.

30—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

World Book Day thoughts on education

By Henry-otis Amurun

“Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education.” - J.F. Kennedy.

I

N 2010 our NECO (National Examinations Council) National Average was said to be 2.8%; in other words, over 97% failure. This was a national disaster of course, though not as far as government was concerned.

The statistics have tended to look better in recent years, that is, if you consider statistics such as: 2012 38.81%; 2013 44.60%; 2014 31.28%, to be worthy of a country which prides itself as a continental giant.

Experts have attributed our consistent, egregiously parlous WAEC performance in large measure to problems with lesson comprehension due to failure of tuition.

In a Punch interview of May 9, 2010 Mrs. Solarin, a foremost educator said: “We are going wrong from the primary level. .. lf they (the children) are going on to secondary school, they have to learn to read in English ...

English has about 44 sounds and 26 letters, and tends to use these letters in various ways to represent the sounds. But most teachers don’t have any idea how these are taught.”

It is difficult to see how a nation hopes to develop when it has not the academic capacity to provide its children with the basic skills for reading and developing vocabulary.

Developing vocabulary Analogous views have been expressed about Mathematics.

In a Vanguard interview of April 5, 2013 Prof. Ngozi Azuka Osarenren of the Faculty of Education, University of Lagos, said: “In a subject like Mathematics, there are four key concepts which many of the Maths teachers themselves do not know. There are some aspects of the Syllabus which come out in their examinations that are not taught by the teachers because they do not even know it themselves ... “ Frightful report!

If the children have not been taught to spell and to read, how can they be expected a few years later to pass examinations set in English? How would they understand geography? How can any nation proceed into a new millennium on such educational credentials as a 97% failure in a regional examination?

We must begin from scratch, the process of redeeming our education, because “our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education.”

Glen Dorman, renowned

author of the book, Teach Your Child to Read, said: “Lack of reading and lack of intelligence go hand in hand in individuals and in nations.”

It is obvious then that we have a fundamental and urgent national problem. If it is not tacked quickly, all the talk about “Change” will remain mere political sloganeering designed to distract the people.

At a Reading and Writing Skills (RWS) workshop organized by The Pulitzar Reading Club, Nigeria (TPRCN) in a secondary school at Eruemukowharien (an oil producing village near Ughelli in Delta State), I was explaining the need for every student to create a personal compendium of new words and phrases.

The word “COMPENDIUM” had been deliberately chosen in an effort to demystify so-called ‘big words.’

Asked to spell that word, several students could not. The next step in an RWS lesson would be to syllabify the word and attempt to spell each syllable.

Thus I asked the next student (a boy in JS3) to spell the first syllable of ‘com - pen - dium.’

He could not, or perhaps did not understand me. So I asked him to spell a related word which means: ‘move to me’ or ‘move towards me.’ The poor fellow could not spell ‘come’ either.

The English teacher explained that most parents objected to their children repeating classes when they failed. This was in fact government policy at some point.

If our national pass in WAEC/ NECO is averaging 2.8 to 30%; if our children cannot spell; if our university graduates are being disparaged for showing low comprehension levels, these are clear evidence of a dysfunctional education system.

In a series on ‘Research-Based Practice in Early Reading’ published by the Regional

We must begin from scratch, the process of redeeming our education, because “our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education

COMPETITION: Cup donor, Toyin Sodipo, Mojisola Sodipo, with management and players of the first apex Schools Alagbado Lagos, the winner of the primary school category at the Tee&Tife inter schools cup final Educational Laboratory at Pacific Resources for Education and Learning, Honolulu, Hawaii, the research laboratory concluded as follows: “Of the many compelling reasons for providing students with instructions to build vocabulary, none is more important than the contribution of vocabulary knowledge to reading comprehension ...

"Given that students’ success in school and beyond depends in great measure upon their ability to read with comprehension, there is urgency in providing instruction that equips students with the skill and strategies necessary for lifelong vocabulary development.”

Steep descent to certain calamity The private sector evidently recognizes this need as well as its urgency, hence the scramble by proprietors of private schools, falling over one another to recruit Ghanaian teachers who appear to be better grounded than their Nigerian counterparts.

Unfortunately the education authorities in Nigeria do not seem concerned. Parents who can afford private schools or schools abroad have turned in those directions, while the Nigerian school system continues to careen in a steep descent to certain calamity.

About the same time as the momentous NECD failure of 2010, one new generation Bank stated that it would no longer recognize certificates from Nigerian universities. Other than a mild response from Prof.

Charles Soludo, (then the CBN Governor) who enjoined banks to provide requisite training for their fresh in-take, there was no reaction from government.

It must have been around the same time also that the National Universities Commission (NUC) announced the de-accreditation of certain courses in some frontline Nigerian universities.

These three events happening contemporaneously would have blown the dome right off

Parliament in some climes. Not in Nigeria however.

As far as the authorities here were concerned, nothing had gone amiss.

Several years ago, a committee of the American Senate, (or Congress) lamenting what it considered to be the fallen standard of American education said: “If the present standard of education in the United States of America were imposed on this country by a foreign power, it would have amounted to a declaration of war on the United States.” (Quoted from memory).

Yes! That is how conscientious governments react to impending danger; but not Nigeria, unfortunately where everyone (government, the university professor who certifies the unqualified teacher; the Nigerian who watches in silence) has made a declaration of war on the State through the imposition of a deleterious standard of education

on our nation. Was it Chinua Achebe or Wole Soyinka who said: “Many words do not fill a basket”? It would be sad to envision us as one huge basket nation, but enough has been said.

We must quickly proceed to action, take Sheila Solarin’s advice and start today to teach our children to spell and to read.

Even the Bible (Proverbs - 22: 6) is clear on the matter.

As the world celebrates World Book Day, we must begin to read again; we must give the book its pride of place in the family and in our nation.

We must be the examples to the children. Let us all make a binding commitment to begin this task today. There is no time to lose, because the rest of the world will not wait for us to catch on, or catch up.

Henry-otis Amurun (0812 198 1104), is the President of The Pulitzar Reading Club, Nigeria.

GSS Kabusa benefits from NSE intervention, gets over 600 books

By Tare Youdeowei TUDENTS of Government Secondary School, Kabusa, situated in a suburb in Abuja, have received over 600 science textbooks from the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, Maitama branch, as part of its just launched series of educational intervention programmes.

Speaking at the launch, Engr Israel Abraham, MNSE, Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers, disclosed that; “The intervention covers the following Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Further Mathematics because these subjects are the fulcrum needed by science students to proceed to the next stage of their academic pursuit in University or Polytechnic.”

While appreciating the effort of NSE, Abubakar Rilwanu,

S

Principal, Government Secondary School, Kabusa assured the team that the books will be judiciously used to improve the academic performance of the students.

“The performance of the students has improved significantly in the last few years and this timely intervention by the NSE will aid the effort of the academic team of the school.

The school was adjudged the rd 3 best school in Abuja owing to the performance of the students during the 2015 West African Senior Secondary School Examinations.”

Mr. Cosmas Okosun, Project Manager, NSE, added that there are other schools within Abuja and its environs that would benefit from the gesture of the NSE this year, as they would get over 600 books.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016—31

‘Your cornea could help restore someone’s sight’

By Sola Ogundipe

W

T

HE gift of sight is precious and thousands of people the world over are having their sight restored through cornea transplants every year.

However, since the first successful cornea transplant was reported in Olmütz, Moravia, (Czech Republic) in December 1905, the demand for corneas has increased drastically.

Thousands of people donate their corneas after their death, but there is a chronic shortage in countries like Nigeria where a significant number of visual impairment cases is due to corneal blindness - a condition that is reversible through cornea transplantation, also known as keratoplasty.

“Cornea transplants are successful sight-saving operations, with about 95 percent of grafts functioning after one year. More people could benefit from sight-saving transplants if more corneas were available,” said the Managing Director, The Eye Bank for Restoring Sight, Dr Mosunmade FaderinOmotosho.

She spoke in Lagos recently during a special breakfast meeting with the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, to assist cornea blind Nigerians restore their sight.

“Those who suffer from corneal blindness can have their sight restored if they can receive a healthy cornea from donors. As individuals, we can sign written permission for our corneas to be harvested at death, in order to restore the sight of a

GT Bank, others walk against autism

RESTORATION OF SIGHT: From left: Chief (Dr) Seinde Akinsete, Chairman, board of Trustees, Eye bank for Restoring Sight Nigeria; Chief Emeka Anyaoku, President, Metropolitan Club; Mrs Dakore Akande, Eye Bank Ambassador and Mr Folusho Phillips, Chairman, Fund Raising Committee at the breakfast fund raiser for Eye Bank for Restoring sight Nigeria recently in Lagos. Photo Lamidi Bamidele living blind person,” Faderin-Omotosho stated.

In her preentation, she explained that cornea transplant is very safe and effective. “We do not do tissue typing for corneas even abroad. There are no blood vessels in the cornea and that is why rejection rate is very low.

“You want to be sure that the cornea is from a healthy person. The recipient must also be in good health. He or she can also

donate later because later on the cornea heals and all that is left is just see a line.”

Also speaking, Eye Bank Ambassador, Mrs. Dakore Akande, urged more Nigerians to pledge their corneas.

“It is necessary to help somebody who is blind to see. To be able to donate your cornea is really a great legacy. I know it is tough, but we just have to be our brothers’ keeper and not just think about preserving ourselves.”

ORRIED about the poor awareness on Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD, among Nigerians, a group of Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, led

by Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, is staging a walk and cycling campaign around Lagos as part of activities to mark this year's World Autism Awareness Day on Saturday.

ASD is a complex pervasive developmental disorder. It is a lifelong developmental disability characterised by great difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people.

Unfortunately, in Nigeria, not much is known of it and stigmatisation of children living with the condition makes it even more difficult. The 8-kilometre walk kicks off from Town Planning Way, Ilupeju while the 55-kilometre cycling would take off by 6 from the Syrian Club, Ribadu Road Ikoyi.

Addressing journalists in Lagos, Senior Manager, Communications & External Affairs, GTBank, Oyinade Adegite said the walk and cycling campaign was part of the activities to kick- start the 6th edition of GTBank's Annual Autism programme which is designed to provide support for children with developmental disabilities, most especially the ASD. This year's programme would include the launch of the Bank's newly designed online community as well as free consultation service for children in Ogun and Lagos States. Participants at the walk would include children living with autism, their parents, families, friends. It is being organised in partnership with Patrick Speech and Language Centre, CDC and other Non governmental organisations.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

I

F somebody doesn’t have sexual urge and masturbates, is it bad? Secondly, as a health education student I also want to know, for the men who have anal sex, does it affect their anus? What are the disadvantages? Thanks – Michael Hello Michael. First of all, there is nothing wrong with masturbation. That is how the human body gets sexual relief in the absence of a partner to have sex with. This sexual relief is very important because it helps lower stress and depression levels and also helps keep rape and sexual violence in human society to a minimum. Secondly, if someone has no sexual urge, then they wouldn’t feel the need or desire to masturbate in the first place. So I take it that you are talking about a man who has no sexual urge towards women?

You also wanted to know the adverse effects of men having anal sex but people of all genders and sexual persuasions experiment with it as well so we will discuss it in general terms. Like all other forms of sex, anal sex does have risks such as bruising/bleeding due to lack of lubrication and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and bacterial infections when protection is absent. There is also a common assumption that frequent and prolonged anal sex will eventually loosen the anal muscles to the point where one begins to defecate uncontrollably.

In theory this makes sense but there is very little documentation to support this claim yet. Whatever you do, use protection and be smart about it- Uche I will like to order more of the Boss Rhino Gold. I tried it a few weeks ago after a friend recommended it and I cannot believe how it changed everything. At 58, it is as if I am a new man. My erections are strong again and I can perform well, last long and keep performing for days. Please I want the order sent to a Port Harcourt address which is where I will be for some time – Fredrick Hello. I am 50 years old and I am based in Onitsha.

Can I get the things I want from you delivered to me there? I want enhancers for me and my wife that have

no side effects. I want a penis enlargement cream, Stay Hard Delay cream for premature ejaculation and Sex Accelerator Orgasm Gel for my wife – Obiora Hello Obiora, your order can be delivered to any state of your choosing within Nigeria and yes the products you want have no side effects. We try very hard to only source and recommend products with no side effects – Uche Please do you have any solution to cold sex? Sometimes my wife’s vagina is just too cold and uncomfortable during intercourse and I don’t like it – Paul Vaginal temperatures change from time to time. This does not indicate a biological problem. But there is a lubricant that warms up skin tissue when applied on it. It is called Mood Warming Lubricant. Get it. It will help you – Uche Good day. There is a vibrator that my friend told me about that I want to buy. I don’t remember the name but I think it starts with an O. Olo or something like that.

Please do you have it and is it as good as she says it is?

Nkiru You must be talking about the Ovo vibrator. Yes we have some of them. The Ovo F10 and F11 are in stock. They are good. The designs are sleek, very modern and can be left in the open and nobody will know what they are.

They are very good clitoral vibrators – Uche I bought the Stubble Bunny Vibrator and Explosive Sex book from you. Great buy. Professional service.

Keep it up – Uche Thank you – Uche I used the Stiff Nights erection enhancer over the holiday as directed. It wasn’t bad at all. I never expected to enjoy it. Thanks - Chibuzor And that is it for today. Adults in need of these treatments/ novelties can call 08171912551, 08027901621 or 07086754515 for help or visit www.zeevirtualmedia.com Zee Virtual Media delivers all over Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com- Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

32 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 AQUARIUS; Continue to be more careful about proposals having to do with joint ventures. Yet that is not to say you can not take good advice. Prepare to work harder.

PISCES; You stand good chance to extend recent favourable events both at work and on matters-of-theheart. Watch what you sign before 5.36pm.

ARIES; Young-at-heart will be willing to give priority attention to sentimental related issues probably because of your recent success.

TAURUS; Refuse to become mentally arrogant or else you would be working against your own interest. Your love life will continue to enjoy favourable aspects.

GEMINI; Financial success is within your reach, especially if you back your old plans early in the day. The more family minded you are the better for you.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

Want to live in peace with your enemy?

T

HE holy writ says if our ways pleases the Lord, he will make our enemies to live in peace with us.I want to ask you a question:Are you living in peace and har-

mony with your neighbour?If you are not,then it is time for you to examine your relationship with your creator.If

TERROR MUDA

your relationship with your creator is smooth,there is no way your relationship with your neighbour won’t

in “Scavenger Elite”

benefit from it.You cannot be antagonistic towards your neighbour and expect your creator to be happy with you.Relate well with your creator and your enemies will be at peace with you.

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

CANCER; It is important you don’t allow others to mislead you in the name of giving you good advice before 5.36pm. Those travelling or moving around in search of love may be in for both an exciting and pleasurable day.

LEO; You will be in better position to consolidate on progress made recently. And it is wrong to take people for granted today……

VIRGO; Many people may be disappointed because of broken promises, therefore you will need to prepare your mind accordingly and refuse to take others for granted LIBRA; . You can make it a good day as both career advancement and financial success are closer to you. Secret lovers are in for an exciting day.

SCORPIO; Although there will be challenges here is a day when things will eventually go according to your plans. Don’t take friends for granted.

SAGITTARIUS; From now until next few days you will need to be as practical as possible along your career line; this is the wrong time to experiment with new ideas.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in “HEY’

By Andy Akman

CAPRICORN; You may not be in total control of your mind till around 5.36pm. That is to say you will need practical approach in all you do today. Be more co-operative.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat tr ological datee and place of bir th ttoo the As Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007, Should I Marry Her?

Dear Joshua, I want you to please tell me the home truth about a lady I have been going out with for the past four years. Suddenly she says if I am not ready to marry her I should be a man enough to let her go so that she will not be frustrated much.

I think she loves me but, there are other girls around trying showing green light.

Do not publish our data but be bunt enough to tell me if she is good for me so that I will know what to do.

Joshua, Asaba.

Dear Joshua, If you will continue to look into directions of so many ladies you may be seen as non-serious minded man. And I think at your age you are not getting younger; meaning that it is important you take the needed decision. Here-under I will analyse both of you (strength and weakness of the relationship and allow you to make your choice.

Good luck.

To a lay man this lady will go for just another lady next door and/or an ordinary person. However, even a Beginner-Astrologer/Beginner-Psychic will know that here is a person with rare talents as indicated by both the Sun, the Light and Planetary lined up when she was born.

If she decides to become a Spiritual person she will be great.

And if she takes to the academics she can become a Professor either along Scientific studies, Art lines and other professional callings. The level of her intelligence is phenomenon.

Certainly she is a beautiful lady by all standard. A GREAT WRITER and a KIND HEARTED PERSON although her kindness/generosity can affect her ability to hold on to money, but it is for a while.

Whoever want to marry this lady should know that here is a loyal and sensitive soul that must be taken care of in a special way or else the man would break her to the detriment of everybody. Like every other lady she is jealous and prankplaying in marital relationship will easily break her.

This man’s natal Uranus in close conjunction with many of the lady’s in Libra make this relationship almost the perfect union (but as there is no perfect relationship in the whole world) I will give it 80 percentage pass mark of compatibility.

Good relationships between the man’s natal Venus in Gemini to her heavenly bodies in Libra and Aquarius is another big plus, so also the lady’s Venus in Scorpio at a positive angle to the man’s Sun in Cancer meaning that there will always be free flow of true love between them. This relationship is both emotionally and physically compatible.

Freedom and jealousy are the major challenges for these two people. The lady is meant to be extremely prominent either through her Career or social life, if the man try to obstruct this, there would be serious problems capable of breaking things. Although she is open handed money wise, she is very jealous. And there is a great deal of temptation on the part of the man to result to violent (physical assault) if provoked as indicated by his Saturn (control at all cost) on her natal Mars (actions) meaning possible but avoidable trouble through control usage of powers and actions.

Now make your choice.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016—33

Security operatives nab alleged pipeline vandal in Bayelsa

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

ENAGOA—MEN of the Anti-Pipeline Vandalism Unit of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, have arrested one Seigbagha Perekeye over his alleged involvement in the vandalism of a pipeline belonging to Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC, at Olugboboro community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Meanwhile, leaders of Olugbo Kingdom in the council have condemned the rising spate of attacks on the oil company's facilities by suspected vandals as well as the tragic Easter holiday explosion allegedly triggered by dynamite left behind by the vandals that breached the Tebidaba-Brass delivery line in the area.

Security sources told Vanguard that the arrested suspect, an indigene of Olugboboro and four others now at large, were alleged masterminds of last Thursday's attack on Tebidaba-Brass pipeline.

The suspect and his cohorts were said to have ruptured a section of the Tebidaba-Brass pipeline around the Olugboboro-Tebidaba axis, with explosive devices believed to be dynamites.

“We are on the trail of the other suspects and they will not escape justice,” said an official of NSCDC, who pleaded anonymity.

It was gathered that the leaders of Olugbobiri community acted swiftly and apprehended one of the suspects, Perekeye, with the support of operatives of NSCDC and the youth body while the others fled the

community.

The leaders of the community, it was further gathered, alerted the oil company, which promptly shut in production to prevent the crude from spilling into the environment and also deployed personnel to clamp the ruptured pipeline.

Meanwhile, leaders of Olugbo Kingdom have condemned the incessant

attacks on Agip pipeline by suspected vandals.

Chairman, Community Development Committee, CDC, Olugbobiri community, Sabi Morgan, decried the unwholesome activities of the vandals in the area and reiterated the continued collaboration of the community with the security agencies to rid the area of vandals and other undesirable elements.

INVESTITURE: Sir Festus Ahon and his wife, Lady Vivian Ahon, shortly after their investiture as Knights of St. Christopher and Mary Magdalene, by the Anglican Bishop of Ughelli Diocess, Rt. Rev. Cyril Odutemu, in Ughelli, Delta State.

Owie hails Buhari’s apology over dissolution of varsity governing councils

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN—FORMER Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Rowland Owie, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent apology for dissolving the governing councils of universities and later retracing his steps when he discovered it was illegal, was an indication of the quality of a good leader.

He, however, urged the President to be wary of people he described as palace jesters, saying that Buhari's recent endorsement for a second term by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, was a bad omen for the President.

His words: “I thank President Buhari for having the humility to apologize for dissolving the governing councils earlier on and retracing his steps when he discovered it was against existing laws. That is a good leadership quality. However, I want to advise him against palace jesters that are always available in Aso Villa and in Government Houses in the states.

“I laughed when I read that

your party leaders told you that there is no vacancy in the villa in 2019. Mr President, don’t be deceived, there is

full vacancy from within and outside. There will be many contenders. Not too long ago, I saw posters of APC

candidates for FCT Council election 2016 carrying your photographs and those of the various candidates.”

Edo APC congress, litmus test for one-man one-vote “I will industrialise Edo State mantra —Ogiemwonyi by creating two industries/

By Charles Kumolu

A

leading governorship aspirant on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State, Mr Chris Ogiemwonyi, has said that the coming June congressional election will determine whether or not Edo people have truly imbibed the doctrine of “oneman one-vote,” even as he urged them to take their destinies in their hands.

Addressing Edo South delegates across the seven local governments of Oredo, Uhunwonde, Egor, IkpobaOkha, Orhiomwon, Ovia SouthWest and Ovia North-East, Ogiemwonyi said that people who acquire power through the back door were accountable only to their masters.

He promised to wipe out poverty from the state by engaging the jobless youths, who have certificates into the civil service and those who do

not have certificates to be inducted into the skill acquisition programme he will establish, adding that at the end of the programme, such category of persons will be given N5 million loan at 0% interest rate payable after one year.

factories each in the 18 local government areas, activate the more than 12 abandoned industries as well as revisit the contract for establishing the Gele Gele seaport so that the rate at which our youths are migrating to Lagos and overseas will be checked," he said.

Omo-Agege urges support for Buhari

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—THE senator representing Delta Central senatorial district, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has told Nigerians to continue to have faith and show support for the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in its effort to end insurgency, corruption and block leakages, which have hitherto drawn the country backward.

Omo-Agege, in a statement, stressed the need for Nigerians to draw strength from the

lessons of Easter which, according to him, “signifies love and sacrifice,” adding: “If we make the necessary sacrifices and do the right things, the same power that brought Jesus Christ from the grave, will roll away the stone blocking the door of Nigeria’s progress.”

Urging government at all levels to tackle social, economic and political challenges confronting the nation, he enjoined Nigerians to pray to God to deliver the nation from the grave of hopelessness to the shores of joy and resurrection.

Ogbe-Ijoh, Aladja communities urged to embrace peace

D

ELTA Ijaw Youth Assembly, DIYA, has called on leaders and youths of Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja communities in Delta State to sheathe their swords and embrace peace and dialogue in order to continue to live as neighbours.

President of DIYA, Mr Ebimobowei Oguma, in a statement through the group's Secretary, Gbaboyo Wurus, expressed shock that Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja communities that have lived in peace as neighbours over the years, could engage in conflict over issues that could be settled through dialogue.

The group commended the effort of the state government in bringing lasting peace to the warring communities as aides of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa have been on top of the matter.

According to DIYA, “It is not in the best interest of development for any community to engage in communal crisis as this is the time for peace, progress and development of Delta State."

Anti-graft war: Group wants FG to probe NDDC

A

non-governmental organisation, NGO, in the Niger Delta Region, Community Development Watch Initiative, CODWIN, has called on the Presidency and its anti-corruption agencies to investigate the financial activities of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, since the year 2000, when it was established.

In a statement by its President, Prince Henry Okpamen, the group said that the call had become imperative following the sorry state of the communities in the Niger Delta region and the litany of abandoned projects of the commission scattered across the nine states that make up the region.

It added that the group welcomed, with great expectations, the searchlight which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, was currently beaming on past activities of the NDDC.

34—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31 , 2016

Buhari's silence on attacks by Fulani herdsmen dangerous —PDP chieftain A

By Peter Okutu

BAKALIKI—A Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Chieftain in Ebonyi state, Chief Abia Onyike yesterday described the silence of President Muhammadu Buhari on the persistent and instalmental killings carried out by Fulani herdsmen in several parts of the country as dangerous and disturbing.

In a statement issued in Abakaliki, the PDP Chieftain charged the President to adopt a wholistic policy in its fight against terrorism, so as not to be seen as being selective in the way they deal with terrorist organizations in the country.

According to him, the menace of Fulani herdsmen has snowballed into a grave national security threat which requires a national emergency if national stability is to be maintained.

“The APC government must urgently address the persistent and instalmental killings by Fulani herdsmen being reported in several parts of the country, especially the most recent and widely reported case of the alleged massacre of over 300 persons in Agatu,Benue State.

“The deadly and vicious invasion by the herdsmen may snowball into a monumental human tragedy unless President Muhammadu Buhari decides to address the problem.

“The silence of President Muhammadu Buhari in the face of the security threat by the Fulani herdsmen has become disturbing and dangerous as the menace had spread to several states and geo-political zones in the country.

“Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari has been reacting to terrorist atrocities and killings in other parts of the world.

Some of the incidents he condemned included the recent killing of 18 persons in Ivory

Coast; the bombing and killings in Turkey and Belgium.

“Recall also that at a recent APC NEC meeting, President Muhammadu Buhari

condemned the killing of 4 or 5 persons during the re-run elections in Rivers state.

Nigeria cannot afford to relapse

into another round of organised militia violence after successfully containing the Boko Haram siege.”

Rep visits, donates food items, clothings to constituents PDP, office in Olodi Apapa, said continue as that is the promise I

L

By Anozie Egole

AGOS—THE Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, representing Ajeromi/Ifelodum in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon Rita Orji, has come to the aid of her constituents as she donated food stuffs, including bags of rice, beans, cartons of tomatoes and clothes to her constituents during the week.

The chairman, who spoke during the kick off of the tour at the Peoples Democratic Party,

the venture is in fulfilment to the promise she made during her campaign last year. She also visited all the wards in the constituency.

Speaking at the event, she said: “This is the fourth time I am doing this since I assumed office last year, it is a quarterly programme and this is to fulfil the promise I made to the people of Ajeromi/ Ifelodum federal constituency during the electoral campaign to always visit them and come to their rescue. There is no plan to stop this kind gesture as it will

made to the people. We have also embarked on a skill acquisition programme and at the end of the programme; the graduates will be empowered both in sowing and many other things.

"This is my own way of showing a little kindness to the people because many people are suffering. This is my own way to carter for them, put food on their table and clothe the naked. This is also my own way to appreciate them. What we are sharing to the people is not a party affair."

Citizens set up c'ttee to probe Ohaji killings

O

By Chidi Nkwopara

WERRI—SOME concerned citizens operating under the umbrella union of Ohaji Political Elite League, OPEL, have constituted an ad-hoc committee to critically look into the incessant crises bedeviling their communities, as well as enunciate ways of resolving them permanently.

This was the major resolution taken at an emergency meeting held in the country home of the member representing the constituency in the State House of Assembly, Mr. Orie.

The group was particularly irked by the incessant inter and intracommunal crises, leading to displacement of people from their homes, murder, looting and destruction of family houses in Awarra, Assa, Obile, Obitti and Umuapu communities in Ohaji/ Egbema local government area of Imo State.

The committee members were given only two weeks to submit their findings andrecommendationstothebody,which will eventually move same to the state government for study and possible implementation.

Addressing the participants earlier, the leader of the group, Dr. Goddy Esom Obodo,gavehiswordsthatOPELwould

cooperate with government and all the security agencies operating in the state to bring sanity and lasting solution to the periodic mayhem in their communities.

Speaking also, Mr. Orie reminded the Committee to do a thorough job, promising that he would make the report availabletothelegislatureforappropriate action.

t is amazing that Nigerians are being told to bear with the minister of petroleum for the lingering fuel scarcity across the nation but our leaders still enjoy private jets, electricity, good house and others. Mr Uche Ayambuba, Communicator

I

O

WA—THE Arts and Social Science Educators Foundation of Nigerian, ASSEFN, has lauded the contributions of Owa monarch, His Royal Majesty Obi Emmanuel Efeizomor, towards the development of Owa kingdom.

The association stated this during the 78th birthday celebration of the monarch who they described as a distinguished royalty, who has used his good office to turn Owa

kingdom in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State into a home of refuge for Nigerians.

Chairman of ASSEFN, Mr. Chuks Iwegbu, who said the association as a knowledgebased foundation is committed to making a great deal of difference in the world of academics, skill acquisition and competence building, hailed the opportunity granted them to be part of the monarch’s 78th birthday with the launch of a book “The Living

EJ did very well that Nigerians forgot anything like fuel scarcity.

I think this government should put aside pride and ask him questions. GEJ transformation would have been allowed to run to its conclusion. Mr Chinedu Odimegwu, Businessman

ell me why would a whole senate be inviting a minister of state for a big national emergency like acute fuel scarcity while ignoring the substantive minister of petroleum? This country is a nation of jokers. Mrs Toyin Jaiyeola, Graduate

Legend” at the palace ground in Owa Oyibu.

The book according to AASEFN will not only keep his majesty in prints, but to remind many in positions of authority that the world is watching every of their deeds with keen interest.

Mr. Iwegbu also lauded Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, for his committed visions towards technical and functional education in the state, saying that the state governor is indeed rewriting the history of the state in gold.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

As fuel scarcity persists T T G

s it that Nigerians will wait till November before getting fuel? It is high time we started condemning all condemnables for our leaders to seat up tight and work harder. Please let the federal government do something. Mr Nweze Jude, Self Employed

E

By Francis Igata

NUGU—NO fewer than 2500 nursing mothers are benefitting from a free medical care in Enugu State under the auspices of Childhood Neuropsychiatric Disorders Initiatives,CNDI. The CNDI Chairman, Dr. Muideen Owolabi Bakare, who briefed newsmen, yesterday, said the programme was taking place in Enugu and Lagos simultaneously.

He disclosed that the programme, taking place in two designated centres- St Patrick’s Hospital, Asata Enugu and Government Health Centre, Abakpa, was being supported by the Department for International Development, DFID. Bakare, a Consultant Psychiatrist, said the programme titled “Tracking Maternal Depression and Child Growth,” is focused on “identifying women with signs and symptoms of post-partum depression when they bring their children to immunization clinics at Primary Healthcare level.”

He further hinted that within the programme “interventions would be provided for women with signs and symptomsofpost-partumdepression identified at immunization clinics in primary healthcare level.”

Foundation lauds Owa monarch on community devt

PEOPLE SPEAK

I

2,500 nursing mothers get free medical care in Enugu

he meaningless appointments of PMB led to this fuel scarcity. Ibe GMDofNNPCandMinister for State Petroleum, then Buhari- President and Minister of Petroleum.

What do you expect, simple work over load.

Miss Kelechi Ebereke, Student

I

magine the kind of fire some Nigerians are putting on Kachikwu. I believe he knows what is right to do. But is there really fuel scarcity or some marketers are hoarding it. That is just it. Miss Constance Nduba, Model

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 — 35

Kogi governor’s wife boosts rural health, education

Mrs Buhari donates relief materials to Agatu crisis' victims

By Boluwaji Obahopo

L

OKOJA—WIFE of the governor of Kogi State, Mrs Rashida Bello, as part of efforts to boost healthcare services has renovated primary health care centres across the state She also donated hospital and medical equipment to the centres to ensure quality healthcare delivery to the people of the state, particularly in the rural communities.

The primary health care centres located in Ekirin/Adde, Ogugu and Agassa in Ijumu, Olamaboro and Okene local government area received medical equipment, drugs, delivery beds, lighting facilities, generators, tables and chairs for both doctors and patients, cleaning equipment, mosquito nets among others.

Speaking at the inauguration of the centres, Mrs. Bello said the move was to complement the efforts of her husband led government in health and education development.

According to her, the gesture, put together on the platform of her pet project; Kogi Women and Youth Empowerment Foundation, KOWYEF, was meant to give the people of the rural communities a sense of belonging, “My focus is on health and education as these are the sectors women and youth are mostly affected. With a well equipped primary health care centres, the rural people would not have to travel long distance before accessing qualitative health care.”

M

COMMISSIONING: From left; Rotarian Wale Ogunbadejo, Rotary District Governor Nominee; Rotn Mrs Lolade Temitope-Ogungbe, President, Rotary Club of Isolo; Senator Ganiyu Olarenwaju Solomon and Mrs Adeola George, Principal, Isolo Comprehensive Senior High School during the commissioning of one block of two classrooms at Isolo Comprehensive Senior High school, Isolo, Lagos, by Rotary Club of Isolo District 9110 Nigeria.

Why Yobe is making progress despite challenges — GAIDAM

By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor ABUJA — AS many states in the country find it difficult to stay afloat, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State, yesterday attributed the successes recorded by his administration to the adoption and application of sound economic and fiscal policies.

Governor Gaidam, who spoke at the opening of a two-day retreat for members of the State Executive Council, SEC, in Abuja, also said prudent management of its scarce resources and faithful implementation of its budget and policies had helped to stabilize the economy at a time many states could not pay the salaries of their workers. He said the reforms implemented in conjunc-

tion with the United Kingdombased Department for International Development, DfID, and the State Partnership for Accountability, Responsiveness and Capability, SPARC, had launched Yobe State into the league of prudent managers of public finance and good governance.

The governor said: “The cumulative effect of these reforms in Public Finance Management is the high standards of accountability and prudence manifested in the ability of the State Government to remain above board and keep paying salaries, overhead costs and even service some capital projects at a time when many states cannot pay staff salaries. As part of efforts to internalize the lessons learnt through our collaboration with SPARC, our administration

Senator Sani meets Fulani herdsmen, sues for peace ...Donates N1m to community for mini ranch

By Luka Binniyat

K

ADUNA—THE Senator representing, Kaduna Central on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Shehu Sani, yesterday went into the bush of Rafin Roro, Kasuwan Magani Chiefdom, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, to meet with leaders of Fulani herdsmen and impressed on them on the need for peace.

He also donated N1 million to the community to start a mini ranch, assuring that he was pursing bill, tagged the Nomadic Development Commission, that would take care of the basic issues confronting them.

The herdsmen however, complained to him that they were overwhelmed by spades of abduction of their members for ransom.

Addressing them, Sani said: “I have come into this bush, to keep to my campaign promise that I C M Y K

will return to you to tell you how I am representing you at the National Assembly and to also listen to your complains. You will see me even more in the future. I have come here out of my serious concern on what the Fulani man, not only in Kaduna, but Nigeria is going through “The Fulani man, is seen as a trouble maker, as a murderer and as people who don’t mean well for this country. I am also one of you and I am very disturbed by this development. The Fulani have been great contributors to civilization, to learning and in the spread of religion throughout Nigeria, West Africa and beyond.

I am here to advise you to do everything within your capacity and respect the laws of the land and to leave in peace with your neighbours. We must restore the good image of the Fulani. If you are offended, let the world know about your grievance and follow the law to pursue justice.

Earlier, the Chairman, of Miy-

etti Allah Cattle Herders Association,, North West zone, Ardo Ahamadu Suleiman, complained to the Senator that the spades of abduction of elderly Fulani men and young women had reached an overwhelming level.

has made it mandatory for MDAs to conduct their activities in a transparent manner and this has checked diversion of funds, misappropriations, revenue leakages and misuse of public funds.

“In addition, we have formed committees to verify execution of contracts, payment of outstanding pensions and gratuity and conduct of Bio-metric enrolment for verification of staff and salaries with the aim of eliminating ghost workers. Furthermore, we have set machinery for the establishment of Integrated Personnel Management Information System among others. To cap all our efforts of embracing reforms, we have formed a Governance Policy Advisory Committee under the Chairmanship of the Secretary to the State Government for the purpose of advising on and coordinating reform programmes.”

The governor disclosed that the state’s partnership with the UKDfID in the last five years had resulted in major achievements particularly in the areas of resultbased management, which had guided the state in its socio-economic reform agenda as well as the adoption of a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system for tracking budget performance.

AKURDI—WIFE of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, yesterday donated relief materials to persons displaced in the Agatu crisis, camped at the NOGOA Secondary School Makurdi.

Mrs. Buhari who was represented by the wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osibanjo, said her visit to the state was also to enable her obtain first hand information on crisis.

She condoled with victims of the crisis in Agatu and other crisis ridden areas of the state promising that they would not stand alone in their moment of grief.

Earlier, Governor Samuel Ortom insisted that Benue State was under the siege of marauding Fulani herdsmen who invaded the state from outside the country and urged the federal government to intervene to stem the killings.

According to the Governor, “the devastation and destruction in Benue state is more than what happened in the North East, we are under siege and those behind this are not the normal Fulanis who have lived with us over the years, they are from outside. Given our strategic position as the food basket of the nation, if the Federal Government does not stand up to stop the crisis, there will be shortage of food in the country next year.”

On her part, wife of the State Governor, Dr. Eunice Ortom who, lamented the trauma women and children were subjected to as a result of the crisis urged the feuding parties to sheath their swords.

Among items donated to the displaced persons by Mrs. Buhari were 200 bags of rice, 100 cartoons of Tomatoe paste, cooking oil, cartoons of sachet milk and other essential food items.

Polo Avenue moves to upgrade luxury industry

By Gloria Adukwu

P

OLO Avenue, Nigeria’s foremost connoisseur in luxury goods has stressed its commitment to re-defining Nigeria’s luxury industry.

It said part of the plans is to positively represent and promote the efforts of exceptional female talents across all spheres of the economy especially that of Nigerian women in luxury fashion.

Speaking at the unveiling of its ‘Urban Movement’ ready-to-wear collection, in collaboration with Omowunmi Label, Executive Director Polo Luxury Group, Jen-

nifer Obayuwana, said the commitments represented the company’s core values.

According to him: “The Polo Avenue platform will continue to celebrate the myriad of women entrepreneurs, business owners and executives by positively promoting their hard work, successes and industry achievements in showcasing their talents as an inspiration to women everywhere.”

While celebrating the Director of Omowunmi Labels, Omowunmi Akinnifesi, Obayuwana said her creativity and laudable accomplishments in

putting together an exceptionally stylish collection was astonishing.

Omowunmi Akinnifesi described her collection as one designed for the metropolitan woman who is actively on-thego. Boasting finely cut lines, bold colours and uniquely structural pieces, the unveiled collection targets women who daily require exclusively stylish and functional pieces.”

Polo Avenue, according to her, “exists to exclusively attract confident and discerning shoppers who are seeking unique and elegant additions to their personal style collection."

36—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

REACH FOR SKYE: From left— Business Development Manager, Skye Bank Plc, Alaba Branch, Mr. Mathins Obaze; winner of the N100,000, Mr. Razak Olugbenga; Group Head, Retail Banking, Skye, Nkolika Okoli; another winner, Mrs. Fowokan Bopo, and Business Development Manager, City Hall Branch, Taofeeqhat Arije, at the 10th cheque presentation to winners in the ongoing Skye Bank’s Reach for the Skye millionaire reward scheme in Lagos.

DIAMOND LITERACY DAY: Staff of Diamond Bank Plc and some students of Government Science Secondary School, Gwadabawa, Sokoto, during the bank's Financial Literacy Day as part of activities to mark this year's Global Money Week.

COMMISSIONING: From left— Director of Rural Community Devt, Ministry of Agric, Oyo State, Pastor Yode Ayanlowo; ED, British American Tobacco Nigerian Foundation, BATNF, Mrs. Oluwaseyi Ashade; the Aare of Ago-Are, HRH Oba Abodunrin Oyetunji Kofoworola, Ilufemiloye, Olakanla II; GM, BATNF, Abimbola Okoya; and Chairman, Management Committee of Ago-Are Cassava Cottage Industry, Chief Adedigba Josiah, during the commissioning and handover ceremony of the newly-rehabilitated Cottage by BATNF to the management committee of Ifelodun Ago-Are Parapo in Atisbo LGA.

EDO GOVERNORSHIP: From left— Member representing Ikpoba Okhai/ Egor Federal Constituency, Edo State, in the House of Representatives, Mr. E. J. Agbonayinma; the state's Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant, Mr. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, and Director-General, Iduoriyekemwen Campaign Organisation, Mr. Blessing Agbebaku, during Iduoriyekemwen's chat with journalists in Benin.

SCHOOL SPORTS: From left— Head Teacher, Mavir Foundation Nursery and Primary School, Mrs. Okedurum Nkechi; Proprietor, Mavir Schools, Mr. Mike Ugwu; Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Obioma Ebochue; and Principal, Mavirs Leaders College, Ewetayo Oluwafemi, giving complimentary hand shake to the Queen of Yellow House at the school's sixth annual interhouse sport competition in Lagos.

TAYNET LAUNCH: From left— Eyitayo Ladi-Arowa; her husband, Ladi Arowa, Managing Director, Adgenda Media Limited; Mrs. Stella Akinpelu of Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company, and Managing Director, Media Stamp, Feyisola Olukoya, at the launch of Taynet Aces Events in Lagos.

DONATION: From left— Principal, Children Correctional Centre for Junior Boys, Mr. Beecroft Adegoriola; President, Rotary Club, Yaba, Mr. Umar Toyin; District Governor, District 9110, Otunba Bola Onabadejo; Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Bayo Adewak; Mr. Ted Doherty; and District Secretary, Mr. Femi Adenekan, during the presentation of items to the centre at Sabo, Lagos.

HYPO CAMPAIGN: Hypo cleaning team during the Hypo Cleaning Campaign in Isashiland, Ojo, Lagos.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016—37

How I became no. 1 Best Seller on Amazon----Remi Owadokun Remi Owadokun is one of the foremost weight loss and healthy living consultants in the country. The half Brazilian half Nigerian, had battled with her own weight earlier in her life but used a technique she created to lose the weight. Today she teaches people all around the world this same technique and has become popular for it.

She’s making headlines not for her weight loss programme but as an author. Her book, How I lost 40 kg: the journey that changed my life has just been named number one best seller on Amazon. The book is the only Nigerian book to reach such selling status. She bares her mind in this chat .

By Japhet Alakam

C

ONGRATULALTIONS on your book topping the best seller list on Amazon?

Thank you very much, it is indeed an amazing privilege, considering it was barely available to the Nigerian audience due to Amazon’s Country restriction.

Becoming an Amazon bestselling Author to a mostly international audience is very encouraging. So yes, I am an Amazon International Best-selling Author, I no be local champion. It’s a good feeling.

How did you get to know that your book is number one?

Well once you create an account on Kindle Direct, you get statistics and you watch your book move up the ranks or fall depending on its relevance. But that is for me as an admin on the back end.

Anyone who searches for my name in the Kindle App will find the book and it’s details, the details will show where it is ranked on the best sellers list, that list is open to the general public. You can monitor how any book is doing on the ranks or if it made the list at all.

Periscope rockstar The ranks are updated hourly.

I made it to number 5 within the first hour and by the time it got to the eighth hour, I was holding on strong at number two. Today I am number one.

Did it come as a surprise or was it something you expected?

When I put my book on Kindle, I wanted to be a best seller, I went in with that goal in mind. I am a go getter so I will not say it was a surprise, I expected to be number one. When I got to number 2, I kept my fingers crossed.

I have to point out that just 3 weeks before I made my book available on Kindle, I met an amazing woman called Naomi Osemedua. She is popularly known as the Periscope Rockstar, she released a book called Socially Speaking.

In the book she talked about her journey on periscope and it made it to number 4 on the Amazon Best Sellers list. I got in touch with her and she gave me some amazing pointers. That also played a major role in my hitting the best sellers mark, she made me believe

that I could do it and that gave me psychological permission.

What was the motivation for writing the book?

I knew that I could not go to all the places I hope to go with my message in this lifetime with the time I have available and being one person. So I put myself on the internet which is the closest thing to being omni present. I printed my book so that it could go anywhere in the world without me being physically present. I am a Certified

When I put my book on Kindle, I wanted to be a best seller, I went in with that goal in mind. I am a goal getter so I will not say it was a surprise

By Japhet Alakam

F

or those who have followed the works of Mrs Chinze Ojobo, a well-travelled Nigerian artist who has exhibited most of her works in the United States of America and Europe, the works she displayed at the National Museum last week was a clear transformation from her formal paintings elements of strong hues and shades to a more intricate rendition mostly in installations.

With use of bold primary colours cut off from African fabrics beautifully displayed, contrasting with the burlap brownish background, and unique style, Chinze was able to announce to the world that she has finally arrived.

Accolades from admirers of art The works speak for themselves as her unique style of putting together art pieces which has won her accolades from admirers of art the world over was once more brought to the fore as she dazzled art enthusiasts with about 25 stunning works that addressed contemporary issues in the land.

In fact, if the works were dis-

Health Coach and as a coach there is a limit to the number of people I can work with, but with my book, I can coach millions of people whom I may never meet.

Being number one means a lot of sales, you must be very rich now?

I cannot tell you that. Do you want me to be robbed. Yes the money is rolling in, but I did not write the book just because I want to make money. The idea is to help people find the good health that they seek. If I make money on the side, it only means that I have reached a lot of people.

Is this your first book?

This is my first book as the only contributing author, yes. In 2003, I co-authored a book on youth and community development with 11 others in the United states.

Is there a sequel in the making?

Yes I am presently writing another book and have two other drafts in the pipeline. I should have my next book by the end of the year.

Tell us about your incredible journey to weight loss?

In 2013, I weighed 110kg, I was grossly overweight, suffered from low self esteem, suffered from one obesity related disease to the other (Migraines, pre-diabetes, hormonal imbalance) and one day I was sick and tired of living such a low quality lifestyle and decided it was time for permanent change.

• Remi Owadokun before the weight loss It took me 10 months to lose 40kg, I did not have a personal trainer, was not enrolled in the gym so I spent so much time doing trial and error. I did not know what to eat, what not to eat, how to exercise and what was best to do. I spent a lot of time and money experimenting on all the safe and natural methods.

Like everyone who has ever wanted to lose weight, you have tried and failed many times. So have I. I had tried several times and failed but this time I started, hit a number of bumps on the way but kept going.

• Remi Owadokun after Some believe when people lose so much weight, maybe you fat, you have not dealt with the root. When you do this, you they had undergone surgery, did are still leaving room for it to you do that?

No I never had to go through grow. What will happen when any medical procedure and I the things that caused you to personally don’t encourage that add weight returns? You do another surgery? So I usually and here is my reason.

When you do a surgery, you fix do not encourage quick fixes the symptom, which is fat, you and trust me there are so many have not dealt with what made quick fixes available.

Chinze tackles societal ills in Unfinished Business • Girl Child,one of the works displayed at the show played at the National Assembly before the equality bill was thrown out, the bill would have received a resounding yes. It was a unique demonstration of ingenuity, creativity and sense of innovation, a clear indication of what a man can do, a woman can do it better.

The exhibition titled Unfinished Business,an exhibition of contemporary arts and installations, which was a response to a series of unfinished issues which had bothered the artist for years was declared open by NIMASA boss, Chief Peterside Dakuku, on March 22.

Some of the works include,The Girl Child; Play to Win; Surulere at Sunset; Seed of Potential;Though I walk through the Shadow; Social Media; Royalty; Coronation; Politicians; The Marriage; Soulful Dirge and many others.

The works were so fascinating

that the chairman of the occasion, Chief Peterside Dakuku described it as amazing. The NIMASA boss who could not hide his feelings after going round the body of works tasked the youths to create employment for themselves with their talents so that they can be celebrated as Chinze. He commended the artist for the work, saying “she has got us thinking out of the box, when you come to an exhibition, what you are looking is for the identity of the people, their contemporary challenges, what’s happening in the society, the sense of entertainment and sense of appreciation, she has gone beyond all these”.

One of the works that caught the attention of many was the Social Media, that depicts two young ladies sitting together around a table with drinks but totally consumed with their iPad and iPod not realising that they

are so close to each other but yet so far away in thought. The work speaks volumes about the obsession of our youth with technology and the internet.

According to Dakuku, “the work addressed another social challenge, the lack of conversation in the land, we are not discussing about things that bother us, the sheer challenge we have. These days, there is a new culture that needs to addressed where people go out but they don’t talk, communicate, there is total communication gap.”

Another major artwork displayed tagged Girl Child which depicts images of little innocent girls with various facial and bodily expressions that speaks about how oppressed the girl child in our society is and how resilient they are no matter what life throws at them.

As a woman and mother that has passion for the Nigerian girl child, Chinze believes that the girl child issue is not yet over as there is so much the society can still do to protect them. She celebrates the girl child with the piece that speaks about the travails of the girl child in todays’ society and all they are subjected to from an adolescent age to adulthood.

38 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

National Human Rights Commission bogged down by muscle flexing

By Innocent Anaba

I

N 2010, stakeholders with the collaboration of the National Assembly and civil society successfully advocated the passage of the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, Amendment Act 2010 which amongst other things empowered the commission to compel to investigate human rights violations, register her decisions with the high court as equivalent to decisions of the high court and enforceable as such, get her finances as a first line charge on government finances, independent in its operations and not subject to the directives of any authority or person, secured tenure of members who cannot be removed before the end of their tenure without an act of misconduct which removal shall be concurred by the senate.

Amongst the comity of national human rights institutions, the statute of the Commission is adjudged to be the best. Stakeholders have, meanwhile called for the restructuring of the commission, with the appointment of capable hands to run it for the maximum benefit of Nigerians.

Hope of the common man Their argument is that if the NHRC is left in the hands of persons who know what to do, it should be able to be the hope of the common man and thus realize the dream of founding fathers and the government.

For the commission to move forward, stakeholders are of the view that the down turn of things must be arrested and reversed.

Its primary role: As noted by a rights activist, who spoke to Vanguard Law and Human Rights on condition of anonymity, playing that primary role for which it was set up, has lately not been the case with the rights body.

The Dr Chidi Odinkalu led commission was the first governing council to inherit the wonder NHRC statute of 2010 (tenure 2011-2015).

The council tried in a couple of landmark decisions to restore the confidence of Nigerians in the ability of the commission to protect the right of Nigerians.

claims for investigations and other official assignments carried out in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 had not yet been paid till date. The vouchers are rolled over every year. Joint Payment Vouchers of officers favoured by the authorities are separated from others and paid while that of unfavoured staff are left unpaid for years.

“Assignments, reports, projects and other activities formerly treated by staff are firmed out to consultants from one part of the country at huge costs. At the end of the day, such consultants are paid and there is no money to pay staff claims,” the source added.

Constituency projects Ben The decision of the body in the Apo Killings in Abuja is a case in point. The Baga, Borno State incident is also another case in point.

However, according to the activist, open disagreements, quarrels and lack of cooperation between the Executive Secretary, Prof Bem Angwe and the former Chairman, Dr Odinkalu, almost tore the council apart and pitched the staff between the Chairman and the Executive Secretary.

Staff welfare: According to him, as a result, staff welfare suffered, discipline was at the lowest ebb in the commission.

There were allegations of one sided employment of unemployable staff, carried out without regard to federal character, investigation and monitoring of complaints of human rights violation were allegedly dermined.

Odinkalu at both the state offices and headquarters is very low.

Some staff in Lagos office had once complained of the inept and lopsided leadership of the commission as well as the neglect of the state offices. It was alleged that staff members were transferred to where they are now redundant.

“Where the entire council has no local content in terms of institutional memory, strangers who do not have much stake in the organisation may take over pursuing their personal and self agenda to the detriment of the organisational goals and objectives,” the source said.

It is inevitable that where both the Chairman and Executive Secretary cannot agree on issues, the NHRC is bound to suffer and the staff whose faith are tied to the

Human rights violation Also there were allegation of lack of investigation vehicles and staff who used their salaries to investigate complaints are owed for twothree years. Only complaints from a particular state, where one of the henchmen hails from were claimed to be speedily investigated and remedied.

The state offices are in a sorry state both in infrastructure and funding. alleged the source.

The state offices are said to receive about N100,000 per annum to fund electricity, water, Internet, research, monitoring and investigation of complaints among others.

Another source, said most of the rents for the state offices are in arrears and staff morale

The case of inability of the former council to approve ordinary conditions of service for staff within four years of its tenure was cited as a case in point

commission are at the receiving end.

The case of inability of the former council to approve ordinary conditions of service for staff within four years of its tenure was cited as a case in point. The participation of the Chairman of NHRC in the River State Government probe panel without the approval of other council members was also attributable to the poor working relationship amongst the Dr. Odinkalu led Governing Council, whose tenure just expired. The general feeling of staff is that the past council did not touch their lives in any form.

Poor management The journey to this sorry state of the commission is as a result of poor management and misplaced priorities.

Concerned members of the public have expressed dismay at the inability of the commission to resolve complaints from Nigerians.

There are allegations that the investigation office of the commission has not been effective in handling complaints from members of the public.

There were claims of favouritism in official trips outside the country and that funds were allegedly approved directly for junior officers without input from their superiors thereby undermining management and departmental discipline.

“A management audit is indeed overdue for that Commission”, noted the source.

“We were shocked to find out from staff that some of their

When some of the staff in the zonal offices were asked to comment on the implementation of the constituency project of which they claimed that they were not involved and did not benefit from, they further drew attention to the implementation of the IDP project funded by the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR. “Enquiries on the management of the administration shows that administrative guidelines in employment and discipline are ignored and the administration department is not given a free hand to work professionally.

“Deployment of staff is not carried out professionally in the best interest of the Commission but to favour persons. Perceived juicy positions or less tedious departments are used to favour staff who are better qualified to contribute elsewhere.

Departments and units are created to favour particular officers. at present few staff are deployed where they were employed for or where they can be of maximum benefit to the Commission, square pegs in round holes all over the place.” It was further alleged.

“No aspect of the Commission's work has been spared by incompetence. The state and zonal offices are entirely neglected. Routine visits to the offices are neglected. Basic things like furniture, photocopier, Internet etc are sparingly functional at the state offices. There are no stationeries to work with and at times staff request complainants to supply transport to assist in the investigation of their complaints,” added the source.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 — 39

Osinbajo, CJN to speak at SBL 10th annual conference

By Dayo Benson

V

ICE president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo,SAN, and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmoud Mohammed among the dignitaries that will speak at this year ’s Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Section on Business Law, SBL,10th annual conference which will hold in Abuja.

This year’s conference which will hold between June 22-24, with the theme “Law and Economic Reform” will feature three sections where different topics will be discussed.

SBL chairman, Mr Asue Ighodalo, said the topics for this year ’s conference will be intellectually stimulating, adding that the NBA president, Mr Augustine Alegeh, SAN is being carried along with the planning.

According to the chairman, Conference Planning Committee, Dr Tunde Ajibade, SAN, the Vice president will speak on the topic”Africa Rising-Managing Africa’s Economies for the Benefit of its peoples” at the opening ceremony which will hold at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja.

Other confirmed attendees include, the Minister of Solid Minerals; Minister for Power,

L-R: Priscilla Ogwemoh, Treasurer, Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBASBL); Asue Ighodalo, chairman, and Babatunde Ajibade, SAN, chairman, 2016 conference, at the NBA, SBL press conference for the 10th annual business law conference in Lagos. works and Housing, Dr Kayode Fayemi and Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, respectively and Dr. Lanre Babalola who will all be chairing and speaking at various sessions.

The conference planning committee chairman explained that the sessions at this year’s conference will focus on laws

that directly impact on businesses in Nigeria–with a view to critically examining how certain laws could impede businesses and become disincentives to economic development and how to get better laws for positive growth.

This he said will afford the participants to look forward to a number of the key sessions at

the conference which include: Law reform and economic development, where questions on whether there is a nexus between Law Reform and Economic Development will be discussed.

Another topic for discussion, Managing Nigeria’s economy will enable participants to explore issues surrounding the

Reasoning of Supreme Court in Wike’s case (2)

By Olukayode Majekodunmi

The first part of this piece was published last week

I

T was further said by the Supreme Court that it was not enough for anyone that is challenging the outcome of an election on the premise that there was over-voting, to merely tender and rely on card reader reports, without linking same with the actual voters’ register. It said the card reader was only a technological innovation that was introduced to enhance the accreditation of voters for an election, with a view to identifying the actual owner of the voters’ card.

In dismissing the contention of APC and Peterside Dakuku that the Card Reader being a Certified Public Document represented the true position of what happened in Rivers State, the Apex court placed reliance on its recent decisions in Shikafi Vs. Yari and Okereke Vs. Umahi and declared that “in order to prove non-accreditation and over-voting, the 1st and 2nd respondents were bound to rely on the voters’ register in respect of all the affected local governments.”

It is instructive to note that the voters’ register tendered were only in respect of 11 out of 23 local governments. They were tendered from the bar and there was no attempt made to link them with exhibit A-9. It is also noteworthy that forms EC8A were

tendered in respect of only 16 out of 23 local government areas. On this, the Supreme Court held per K.M. O. Kekere –Ekun, JSC that “This cannot meet the required standard of proving over-voting polling unit by polling unit.

Furthermore, the voters’ register could not be jettisoned in the exercise.” The Supreme Court contended that the tendering of the exhibits from the bar, without their makers being called, amounted to “documentary hearsay”, saying the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal were wrong in placing reliance on them.

On the directive of INEC on the

use of Card Reader, the Court further held per Justice KekereEkun as follows: “I am of the view and I do hold that the tribunal and lower court were unduly swayed by the INEC directive on the use of the card reader. As held by this court, the INEC directives cannot be elevated above the provisions of the Electoral Act so as to eliminate manual accreditation of voters. This will remain so until INEC take steps to have the necessary amendments made to bring the usage of the card reader within the ambit of the substantive Electoral Act. It was for this reason that that I resolved these two issues in favour of the appellant.”

In going further on the issue of

Card Reader and the power of INEC to make regulations, citing sections 138(1b), (2) and 153 of the Electoral Act, the apex court noted or not based on the proper and dispassionate appraisal of evidence or that there was an error either of fact or law, which occasioned the miscarriage of justice.”

It said where a petitioner complains of non-compliance with the Electoral Act, he has the task to prove it polling unit by polling unit; ward by ward. And the standard of proof is on the balance of probability.

To be Continued

NCMG partners Industrial Court on conflict resolution

By Abdulwahab Abdulah

T

HERE is plan by the Country Chairman of the Negotiation and Conflict Management Group International, Justice Ayotunde Phillips (rtd.) to partner with the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, NIC on negotiation and conflict management.

At a stakeholders round meeting and presentation of award recently held at National Industrial Court, Ikoyi Lagos, Justice Philips, the immediate past Chief Judge of Lagos State enumerated the importance of alternative dispute resolution, saying the time is now for the industrial court to adopt the

system.

She said: “You have seen the importance and the power of alternative dispute resolution. We pride ourselves as the foremost propagator of ADR in Nigeria, we want to partner with you. “ We also want to tap into that drive that you have to help us to do even more. I have joined in, generation to generation, we are moving on, we now see in you somebody that we need to work with, more so, you are in office, there is so much that you can do for us than has been done now.

We are aware of your gazette. “ We’ve had the multi-door courthouse since 2002 in Lagos State; we started something and

it gets better, so that’s what we really want and you being a national court, you are going to make even more impact and that is why we are here today to acknowledge what you have done, to appreciate you for your forthrightness and for your vision and for your thinking outside the box. Not so many judges think outside the box.”

Also Founder, NCMG, Mr. Kehinde Aina appealed to the President of NICN, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mohammed Mahmud, the Global Chairman of NCMG and Justice Phillips to partner to change the judiciary and make the country great.

economic management of the country and the autonomy of the CBN. The topical issues around this subject will be discussed to shed light on practice and examine where reforms are needed.

Other topics include vehicle for doing business, which will answer the question whether Company and Allied Matters Act, CAMA is fit for a modern growing economy?

The session will also examine the Companies and Allied Matters Act and whether its provisions are adequate for a modern economy and if it serves as an aid or impediment to economic development in Nigeria. Its weaknesses will be identified and needed reforms will be proffered.

Also, the event will treat the topic-Future prospects for the oil industry as well as examining how to resolve dispute through Arbitration and conciliation. It will answer the question whether the Arbitration and Conciliation Act still suitable for its purpose and whether there should be an alternative enforcement mechanism to resolve postaward delay.

Commercial agriculture Other topic listed include reforming the law to promote commercial agriculture in Nigeria.

It will enable participants to examine what is required for the development of commercial agriculture and discuss the importance of the Land Use Act, (LUA) and other laws as an impediment.

The session will also provide answer to why has Nigeria’s solid mineral resources not been a source of economic development. This session will deal with the expectations that have been built up around Nigeria’s acclaimed rich endowment in solid minerals and explore the reasons why this resource has not been optimally exploited as well as examine the reforms required to make this happen.

It will also review the progress of the power sector reform initiatives in Nigeria thus far and its relationship with economic development under the topic-Power sector reform and economic development.

Lastly, the session will deal on the vision for Nigeria’s infrastructure development challenges faced by Nigeria and other developing African countries in bridging the infrastructure gap and leap frogging into the 21st Century will be discussed.

The NBA Section on Business Law (SBL) is the special arm of the Nigerian Bar Association, which engenders the development of commercial law and specialised commercial law practice in Nigeria.

40—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

LUCKY Imasuen served as deputy governor to Prof.

Oserheime Osunbor in Edo State between 2007 and 2008 when their election was upturned by the Court of Appeal.

Interestingly, both men have now switched from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP which gave them the platform to public office to the All Progressives Congress, APC. Even though Osunbor is still working to return to office in the forthcoming governorship election, Imasuen in this interview gives reasons why he is supporting another aspirant, Godwin Obaseki, for the governorship. Excerpts:

T

By Gabriel Enogholase

HE number of governorship aspirants in the APC are not less than 14 and you are said to be working for Godwin Obaseki one of the aspirants. Why do you support Obaseki?

Well, as far as I am concerned, the numbers of governorship aspirants is because of the success story of Comrade Adams Oshiomole. Why did I say so, it is because everybody wants to be identified with success.

The Comrade Governor has done wonderfully well, has reconstructed Edo State, transformed the State and where necessary constructed primary and secondary schools, changed all the roofs of these schools and now they have fences and gates.

In terms of road construction, the governor has done well in the three Senatorial districts. He has transformed Benin City from an ancient to modern city.

So, why your special interest in support of Godwin Obaseki?

I have read in the pages of newspapers that the comrade Governor now is supporting Godwin Obaseki and some people like it, others don’t.

Yes I am supporting Obaseki because Obaseki came to me to solicit for my support and I asked him a few questions and he answered me to my satisfaction.

Good history student I know some people are complaining, “we don’t know Obaseki, how much do you want to know Obaseki?

But his great grandfather, Agho Obaseki is accused of betraying Oba Ovonramwen following the British invasion of Benin?

Yes people are carrying this rumour that Agho Obaseki of blessed memory, the great grandfather of Godwin Obaseki betrayed the Binis. I don’t know where they got that information from. I am a good history student and a son of the palace; I think I call myself the son of the palace because I am a subject of the Oba. The Oba is my father. I know very well that the Obaseki’s respect the tradition of Benin. I know very well that the Obasekis have played many roles in the development of this kingdom.

They have joined the Oba of Benin to develop this kingdom.

The Agho Obaseki we are talking about died as the Iyase of Benin.

Before he became the Iyase and

before the invasion of the Benin Expire in 1897 by the British, Agho Obaseki was given the title Inneh of Benin. Once you are the Inneh of Benin, it shows that you are very close to the Oba. The Inneh of Benin is responsible for taking care of the wives and children of the Oba of Benin, after that, he elevated him to be the Iyase of Benin which is the number one chieftaincy title. Unfortunately, the incident of 1987 came about and that led to the deportation of the Oba of Benin to Calabar.

You know the rest. When Oba of Benin left for Calabar, there was a vacuum. Agho Obaseki was the highest Chieftaincy title holder in Benin.

He never tried to the best of my knowledge from what I have read in history to become the Oba of Benin. I don’t know, he may have played a role as the number one chief.

I don’t want to dwell on that because, you will recall that a few years later, information got to Benin that Oba Ovoranmwen has passed on and his son Oba Eweka became the Oba of Benin and after Oba Eweka became the Oba of Benin from around 1914 or so, few years later he passed on. His eldest son, Oba Akenzua who was a grandson of Oba Ovonramwen became the Oba. He also blessed one of the Obaseki, Gaius Obaseki and made him the Iyase, the highest Chieftaincy title in Benin.

After that our father came on board, the current Oba of Benin, Oba Erediauwa Uku’ Akpolokpolo. He did not only give them various titles, Justice Andrew Otutu Obaseki was made the Obaseki of Benin, a hereditary title and when you get that in Benin it show that yourself, your families has contributed immensely to the development of Benin Kingdom.

In addition to that there are

Yes I am supporting Obaseki because Obaseki came to me to solicit for my support and I asked him a few questions and he answered to my satisfaction

THE BATTLE FOR EDO:

The high

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

THE forthcoming governorship election in Edo State is a make or mar election for the different political tendencies in the state. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP which lost control of the state in 2008 vide the courts is seemingly desperate to regain control and the power brokers in the party with the notable exception of Senator Roland Owie seem determined to throw up Pastor Osaze IzeIyamu who ironically was the campaign manager of the incumbent, Adams Oshiomhole of the All Progressives

Congress, APC four years ago. Senator Owie and some other chieftains are, however, said to be inclined towards Chief Solomon Edebiri, who ironically also came from the other side, APC to join the PDP. On the side of the APC, it is a battle of intrigues with the outgoing governor, and a number of his aides said to be in support of the Chairman of the State Economic Management

By Emman Ovuakporie & JohnboscoHowever, Agbakwuru Team, Mr. Godwin Obaseki. the challenges against Obaseki are said to be burdensome, but the economic wonk is now

Oshiomhole’s good works 'll push Obaseki as gov — IMASUEN about 7 to 9 other Obaseki’s who are chiefs in the palace of the Oba of Benin.

Now my question is, if the Oba of Benin past and present believed that the great grandfather of Godwin Obaseki, Chief Agho Obaseki did wrong to the Benin Empire, how come they have continued to honor them with one of the highest chieftaincy titles?

Few years later, Gaius Obaseki became the Iyase of Benin, one of the highest chieftaincy titles. So •Imasuen and Oshiomhole: They are now flocking together you can see that these On that particular day, all the things are just mere rumor have all agreed including our designed to stain a very good father, Prince Edun Akenzua people will be at Ogbe stadium man from a very noble and that the comrade Governor’s and all those asking to be the shoe is very difficult to fill. Governor would have completed humble family.

The Obasekis are respecter of They congratulated him and their campaign tour of every ward Benin tradition. And I think those even prayed for him and wish and talking to the delegates and only one of them would emerged. people who are peddling these he could run one more term.

This is simply because the It is my hope that my aspirant rumors should desist from it and comrade Governor has done very will become a candidate that day focus squarely on the election at hand. They should advice well he has been a successful that is, Godwin Obaseki.

Then as the APC is doing its whoever that are contesting the Governor. But to the best of my knowledge, Prince Edun own primary election, the PDP election to go round like Obaseki Akenzua and members of the will also do its primary election, is doing, to convince people why they should be voted for instead elders form are not members of the labour APGA and other APC; they are doing the right political parties. of resulting to mudslinging.

At the end of the exercise, APC The Benin Leaders of Thought thing at the wrong time. will be represented by one headed by respectable Prince candidate; the labour, PDP, Edun Akenzua recently advised Primary APGA and every other political Governor Adams Oshiomhole election party will come out with one to create an open field for all candidate.

While did I say that, the the aspirants when they heard As far as I am concerned, it is he was supporting Obaseki. constitution of the APC is very What is your advice to this noble clear, the primary election will be at that time that the Benin held according to INEC Leaders of Thought can now group?

Well, the Benin Leaders of timetable, it is coming up in June invite the winners of this primary Thoughts headed by our father, and those who are authorized to elections to a meeting and then the Prince of Benin Edun vote in this election are clearly use whatever perimeter they Akenzua, a well known stated out in the constitution of want to use to judge their ability to govern and to be able to journalist, a father and the APC. 12 delegates from each of the continue from where Governor gentleman to core. I am happy that they met recently and yes 192 wards in Edo State, local Aliu Oshiomhole stopped.

Not until that time, it will unfair they said they have a report on government executives, then for them to decide who becomes state executive of the party and who should succeed the Comrade Governor. What other special delegates would the candidate of the APC. After gladdens my heart in their vote to decide who the the primary election, they will candidate listen to them; they can now purposeful meeting is that they governorship endorse anyone of their choice. becomes.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016—41

stake game progressively moving to confront the challenges including some flowing from ancient Benin history.

While the PDP field is generally said to be a two man race between two former APC chieftains, the challenge in APC is one laced with much intrigues with an early establishment frontrunner and entrenched forces like Kenneth Imasuagbon (Rice Man) and the outgoing deputy governor, Pius Odubu, who are bent on ensuring a level playing ground that

would produce what they claim as the best candidate.

Given the high stakes involved, the prospects of either party presenting the wrong candidate with inherent electoral deficits is a challenge that even the sponsors of the leading candidates are periodically reflecting on. None of the political patrons it is believed would want to make a mistake in the high stake game.

In two different interviews, agents of the two major parties in the state speak on the issues and their favoured aspirants in the coming showdown in the Heartbeat of the Nation.

How PDP ’ll produce Oshiomhole’s successor — REP EDIONWELE MR. Joseph Edionwele represents Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. In this interview, he says Edo people have passed through pains under the APC administration, expressing optimism that the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP would be victorious in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

I

N the next few months, Edo people will elect a new governor. How prepared is the PDP for the exercise?

It is not an issue of how prepared we are. In Edo state, we are ready for change. We have passed through a lot of pains and troubles. PDP will take over certainly by September.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole has not done anything. Nothing has changed. On roads, nothing has changed. In the health sector, nothing has changed. There is no legacy the governor is leaving behind.

But people have been praising the governor. What is your take on that?

What are they praising him for?

Is it that he paid bursaries to students? Or that the university is running well? Or workers are being paid? What has he done?

What are the things you think will work against APC in the election?

The taxes are too high.

Everyone is under the burden of heavy taxation. There is no employment in the state.

Pensioners are not being paid.

There is no infrastructure whatsoever in the state. There are no industries, either new or deactivated.

Capacity to employ: There is no sector you can point at and say Oshiomhole has performed well.

Even in the health sector, there

Edo State is an agrarian society. In the area of agriculture which ought to be main stay of the state’s e c o n o m y.

Oshiomhole has not done anything.

You know that the sector has the capacity to employ a number of people in the state. Even the Okpella cement factory is right there in his domain. The last we heard about it •Edionwele: PDP has planned how to was that Dangote take over in Edo was going to take over. We do not is nothing. We have less than know what the situation is right three surgeons in the whole of now. Oshiomhole has not built any hospital. Even the ones he Edo state.

What are the programmes the said he is building are collapsing PDP intends selling to the everyday. The only major road he is doing is Airport Road in electorate?

Benin City and that road was not in bad shape.

On loans: It is not just enough to take loans. He should be able to tell us what he did with the loans. When you are leaving government, you should be able to tell us one thing you did. Even the Lucky Igbinedion they are blaming, he established so many polytechnics and colleges of education. He built hostels in the state university and built roads in the school. He built a library.

He built the biggest hospital in the state that was named after Stella Obasanjo. Where are Oshiomhole’s projects? The only thing he is trying to do is the establishment of another university in his own village. Is it that we do not have a state university already? That is after increasing the school fees of Ambrose Alli University.

I even wrote a petition to the House of Representatives committee about the loan he applied for. Beside, it was not a new loan. The truth is that it is a good loan. What we have issues with is the implementation. The first one he took, what did he do with it? It is a good loan that would have helped stimulate the economy. But the manager of the loan is our problem.

We are trying to prune down the number of contestants because we are very sure that we will win the election. The people of Edo State are tired of Oshiomhole’s government

How united is Edo PDP ahead of the polls?

There is no crisis in Edo State PDP. We just did our congress and a new chairman emerged.

He was re-elected. We are set for the election. We are trying to prune down the number of contestants because we are very sure that we will win the election.

The people of Edo State are tired of Oshiomhole’s government. In the next two months, we will come out with our own candidate.

How will the party manage the issue of zoning?

I am Edo Central and it ought to be our turn, but the reality on ground shows that Edo South should take a shot.

Motions on extortion of our youths They are more in number. We sat and set up a committee. It is a consensus. It will not affect our chances. We consented to it.

Wining is the issue. It is not good to zone it to a place where you will not win.

How have you impacted on your constituents since your election?

If you were in the House, you will notice that we have raised motions that border on our roads.

We have raised motions on extortion of our youths looking for employments. We have raised a motion on juveniles being kept in regular prisons. We have also raised a motion on pensioners that have not been paid. So, we have raised a number of good motions for the wellbeing of Nigerians.

In this budget, we have made provisions to ensure that some of our roads are fixed. We have made some intervention funds available whereby some of our schools will be renovated and our women will be empowered. Our youths too will be empowered.

How Buhari can use education to fight corruption — Adetayo Mr Femi Adetayo is the Chief Executive Officer of Jade Consulting and Team Lead Academy for Talent, Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development. In this interview, he calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to use education as a tool in combating corruption. He also urges the president to do away with political jobbers around him. Excerpts:

W

HAT do you think is responsible for the nation’s current woes and how can it be addressed?

The major problem with Nigeria and most African countries is inadequate education. Our government has not done well with educating the citizens; when I say education I don’t mean school. I mean mental development which schooling is one of the places we can get it from.

Our schools only train students to come out and look for job and not to create jobs, our schools are not designed to develop

entrepreneurs.

How many schools in Nigeria have functional and up to date libraries? You can see why we don’t have a reading culture.

Government needs to invest in libraries, possibly in each local government area.

With proper education, corruption will reduce drastically; when people get educated they will go into their purpose and desired vocation, and a man walking in his purpose will have no need to steal, because he will be contented and satisfied with his occupation he will be at rest, enjoy what he is doing knowing

•Adetayo: Buhari needs young men around him that his business will only get better as the year goes by. In all of this, education is still the way out.

How do you think President Buhari can salvage the nation’s dwindling economy?

President Buhari needs competent and young men that have a feel of this generation around him. He needs men that believe in the future of Nigeria and not political jobbers.

He needs to focus on educating Nigerians, if the government is not careful they, will fight corruption in vain because corruption is a monster and only a bigger monster can drive away a smaller monster. Education is bigger than corruption.

Corrupt people should be jailed and if after all these noise no one goes to jail, I tell you the government will fail and we will get back to square one.

What I mean is this, education is the only thing that will combat corruption, educate Nigerians and they will be gainfully employed in business or jobs and they will not need to steal from government.

42—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31 16 31,, 20 2016

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

Adaji emerges President of NUTGTWN

SINCE last year after the global collapse of crude oil price, the issue of diversification of the Nigerian economy became louder.

A

T the 11th National Delegates’ Conference, NDC, of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, with the theme "Labour and Industry: Back to Basics", the drive to diversify the economy also featured.

Speaking, General Secretary of NUTGTWN, Issa Aremu, lamented that the issue of the diversification of the economy, was being presented in an unhelpful manner.

According to him: "Some people are now saying that we should move from oil sector to non-oil sector. I do not think it is oil sector versus non-oil sector. What we need is, whether is oil sector or non-Oil sector, textile, foot wears, agriculture, food and beverages, and so on, is to add value to our God given natural resources. Nigeria and Africa as a whole has abundant natural resources. We have limestone, cotton, ground nut, cocoa, gold and diamond, and others. Unfortunately, we are just exporting raw materials and importing the finished products.

M

•Sylvester Chimezie, Deputy General Secertary, Issa Aremu, General Secretary and John Adaji, President of NUTGTWN, after their swaering in ceremony in Kano

Labour seeks stakeholders’ confab on industrialization stakeholders’ meeting of all the investors on the way to revive industrialization in the country. In the textile sector, President Olusegun Obasanjo

Synthetic fiber " What we are doing in the oil and gas is that we are just exporting crude oil. All we need to do is to add value to this crude oil. We have been told that there are about 112 derivatives, other products from crude oil. You can get petroleum products, even synthetic fiber and we have some of our textile mills that are already using synthetic fiber especially in Port Harcourt and Lagos, that we get from petro-chemical."

"But today, Nigeria is not adding value. We think the solution is in industrialization and we have said so that in Textile alone, you can employ millions of our youths. In fact, in 2010, Bangladesh employed closed to three million workers in textile alone.

You can imagine what Nigeria can do in the sector.

All we need to do is to revive the factories. I will suggest two or three solutions. The first one is that President Buhari must start working the talk as he promised when he was campaigning, not just textile, but in all sectors because almost a year after, we have not seen much.

"I think the president has to sit down and convey a

President Buhari must start working the talk as he promised when he was campaigning, not just textile, but in all sectors

did similar thing in 1999, and he spent about two days discussing textile sector.

During that period, the sector stabilized, we stopped the collapse and new factories even came onboard.

We urge President Buhari to urgently convene stakeholders meeting on textile with a view to implementing the Nigeria industrial Revolution Plan, NIRP, and the National Cotton, Textile and Garment, NCTG, policy, under the Chairmanship of the Vice President of Nigeria.

There should be uninterrupted power supply.

That is very important because without electricity there cannot be industrialization. You cannot run industries based on generators. Also, we must stop smuggling.

The Comptroller General of

Customs is already doing a good job. But the effort must be intensified.

Industrial tour: Aremu acknowledged complaints by some Nigerians that the president travels a lot, saying the union was aware that the trips were necessary He said: “We want to now see the President more at home so that he can work the talk. It will be nice one day to see the President tour Sharada and Bompai in Kano, goes to Kakure and goes to Nasarawa industrial estate, industrial estates in Lagos such as Ikeja, Isolo, Ikorodu etc, in Aba, Onitsha, and other industrial estates across the country.

When he gets to these industrial estates that have been abandoned, he would see huge investments that he can revived and turn things around.”

Textile union seeks state of emergency on unemployment

T

HE 11th National Delegates Conference, NDC, NUTGTWN which took place Kano State recently, attracted over 600 delegates and observers drawn from textile factories and affiliated selfemployed Tailors’ Associations in the country and guests within and outside the country.

After exhaustive deliberations on socio-economic and political issues affecting the country, the conference resolved that there could not be union when there were no jobs.

Members frowned at the rate of unemployment in Nigeria and called on President Buhari to declare emergency in employment and lamented the

increasing violation of workers’ rights particularly the right to freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining.

A communiqué issued at the end of the conference, said “the Conference supports the NLC position that the right of workers to belong to the union is a settled issue. Even the 2014 National Conference endorsed it. The right to belong to the trade union is a fundamental human right and guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and ILO Conventions 87 and 98 which Nigeria is a signatory."

Delegates condemned "the attempt by the Kaduna State Government to make membership

of union conditional through filling of forms by the workers in the ongoing workers verification exercise. This is illegal and unacceptable. Workers right to belong to union is unconditional.

"We support for any decision by the NLC to defend the workers of Kaduna State and entire workers in Nigeria. NUTGTWN will work with other affiliates of IndustriALL, the NLC and TUC to strengthen the STOP Precarious Work Campaign and defend the rights of workers to join the union and collective bargaining."

The conference commended the prosecution of former Minister of Interior, Abba Moro over the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, recruitment exercise.

EMBERS of the National Union of Textile, Garment t and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, has elected a 15man executive to run the affairs of the union for the next four years.

The election which took place during the union's 11 th National Delegates’ Conference, NDC, in Kano, saw the emergence of John Adaji from Unitex Kaduna, as the new President.

Also given a fresh four years mandate was the union’s General Secretary, Issa Aremu.

Others are Abdul Adamu, 1st Deputy President (from ABC Polymer Ltd Kano), Babatunde Yusuf, 2 nd Deputy President (from Cotsyn Nig. Ltd. Lagos), Lawal Haruna, National Treasurer, (from Funtua Textiles Ltd), Aminu Suleiman, Deputy General Secretary, Sylvester Chimezie, Deputy General Secretary, Ismail Bello, Deputy General Secretary and Dele Ojo, Deputy General Secretary.

Special feature Also elected are Angela Ashi Ilabor, National Trustee (from Spintex Mills Lagos), Usman Gambo, National Trustee (from Nig. Spinners & Dyers Ltd. Kano), Martins Kundi, National Trustee (from Chellco Industries Ltd. Kaduna), Frank Francis Michael, National Trustee (from Dangote Agro Sacks, Ibese, Ogun State), Saibu R. Kadiri, National Auditor (from Sunflag Nigeria Ltd. Lagos), and Onabanjo O. Lateef, National Auditor (from Nichemtex Nig. Ltd. Ikorodu, Lagos).

The President, Zimbabwe Energy Workers Union, Angeline Chitambo led the team of Returning Officers that include representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC namely Chairperson, National Women Commission, Lucy Offiong and Rita Goyit.

Comrade Abdul-Moomin Gbana, Deputy General Secretary, Ghana Mine Workers Union was among the Returning Officers that conducted the election.

One special feature of the election was that all of them were elected unopposed.

Speaking, Adaji assured members that he and his team would take the union to a higher level, promising to improve the welfare of members.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 — 43

Libya’s UN-backed unity govt arrives Tripoli M

Mustafa, who hijacked an Egyptair plane giving a V-sign to journalists moments after appearing tired and drawn in court

Cyprus under pressure to extradite hijacker E

GYPT has asked Cyprustoextraditethe man accused of hijacking an airliner on Tuesday, Egyptian prosecutors say.

Seif al-Din Mustafa, described by Cypriot officials as being mentally disturbed, used a fake suicide belt to hijack the Egyptair flight and forced it to fly to Larnaca.

Egyptian prosecutors said Mr Mustafa should be

handed over under a 1996 bilateral extradition treaty.

He has been remanded in custody in Cyprus for eight days.

Possible charges include air piracy, kidnapping and threatening behaviour.

Mr Mustafa did not speak at his court appearance, but gave a victory sign as he was driven away by police.

The hijacking is believed to

Trump stands by aide over battery charge

U

.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump vowed on Wednesday to stand by his campaign manager despite the aide’s arrest over a misdemeanour battery charge, drawing criticism from rivals.

Trump, in a round of television interviews, played down the incident involving a reporter and campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, 42, who was arrested in Florida on Tuesday.

Trump also stood by comments he made Tuesday night that he was abandoning his pledge to support whoever eventually wins the nomination to be the party’s presidential candidate for the Nov. 8 election.

Police in Jupiter, Florida, charged Lewandowski with intentionally grabbing and bruising the arm of Michelle Fields, then a reporter for the conservative news outlet Breitbart, when she tried to question Trump at a campaign event on March 8.

Trump and Lewandowski had both initially denied the incident occurred.

Trump, a New York real estate magnate, is frontrunner to be the Republican nominee after running an insurgent campaign that has alarmed many in the party establishment.

Opponents have criticized not just his proposals on issues such as trade and immigration but his streams of insults toward rivals and the aggressive tone of his rallies.

have been motivated by a row betweenMrMustafa,58,and his ex-wife, who lives in Cyprus. Cypriot authorities have said the hijacking was not terrorism-related.

Egyptian authorities said security measures had been “fullyimplemented”beforethe flight.

CCTV footage released by theinteriorministryshowsMr Mustafa being frisked at two security checks and passing a slim bag through X-ray machinesatAlexandria’sBorg El Arab airport.

RENCH President Francois Hollande has dropped plans to change the constitution to strip militants convicted of terror attacks of their French nationality.

“A compromise appears out of reach,” Mr Hollande said after the two houses of parliament failed to agree the reforms.

The proposal followed November’s Paris attacks which killed 130 people.

But it ran into huge opposition and led to Justice Minister Christiane Taubira resigning in February.

“I noticed that parts of the opposition have been hostile to any revision of the constitution,” Mr Hollande

arrived in the Libyan capital by sea and set up a temporary seat of power at a naval base. The officials were prevented from flying

into Tripoli by the rival government.

A post on the unity government’s website confirmed the arrival.

S/Africa: Apex court to rule on Zuma's home improvements

S

OUTH Africa’s top court rules on Thursday on whether President Jacob Zuma must repay the state some of $16 million spent upgrading his private home, a judgement that could hit the scandal-plagued leader politically as well as financially.

In the latest twist to a sixyear saga over his sprawling Nkandla residence, the Constitutional Court must decide whether the findings of Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, a constitutionally mandated anti-graft watchdog, are binding.

If it says they are - and signs point in that direction - Zuma faces a bill that could run into millions of rand, and more heat from members of his African National Congress

(ANC) who fear his tarnished record will hurt the party in mid-year provincial elections.

After a string of scandals during his seven years in office,fromNkandlatoclaims over a love-child he has denied fathering, Zuma has been under intense pressure since December when his abrupt firing of finance minister Nhlanhla Nene sent the rand into a tail-spin.

In a surprising move last month, Zuma offered to pay back some of the money spent on Nkandla.

Hislawyer,JeremyGauntlett, thenadmittedtotheConstitutional CourtthattheirNkandladefence — based on the contention that all the improvements were security-related.

Suu Kyi to be given PM role

A

DRAFT bill seen by the BBC suggests Myanmar’s new government is to create a role similar to prime minister for pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Her National League for Democracy (NLD) party won landslide elections last year but she is barred from the presidency.

The new post would be as “Advisor to the State”. She already holds several government positions and has said she will rule Myanmar by proxy.

On Wednesday, her choice for presidency, Htin Kyaw, was sworn in.

He is Myanmar’s first elected civilian leader in more than 50 years.

France drops nationality-stripping plans

F

EMBERS of Libya’s UNbacked Government of National Accord arrived in the capital Tripoli on Wednesday, defying warnings by rival factions that it should not move there.

The Presidential Council was formed under a UNmediated peace deal late last year in an effort to end the political chaos and conflict that has beset the country since the uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi five years ago.

It is supposed to replace the two rival administrations - one based in Tripoli, the other in the eastern city of Tobruk - that have been battling each other for more than a year.

Tripoli’s self-declared government and armed groups that back it had in recent dayswarned the unity government not to travel to Tripoli.

But seven members of the council, including its head and Prime Ministerdesignate Fayez al-Sarraj,

said after a cabinet meeting.

“I deplore this attitude, because we have to do anything we can under these serious circumstances.”

But former president and leader of the opposition party, The Republicans, Nicolas Sarkozy, said Mr Hollande’s leadership was at fault.

Unity government PM Fayez Sarraj and his colleagues arrived at a naval base in Tripoli

Tanzania to slash wages

T

ANZANIAN President John Magufuli has promised to slash the salaries of senior civil servants, cutting the top wage threshold by almost two-thirds.

He told supporters that it was shameful that some top officials were earning $18,000 (£13,000) a month, while others were paid as little as $140.

Officials not ready to accept the new $7,000 monthly wage limit should “start looking for alternative jobs”, he said.

Mr Magufuli has promised to cut wasteful public expenditure in office.

The changes would come into effect in time for the start of the next financial year,

which starts on 1 July, the president said.

He likened the gulf in wages to a few “angels

residing in heaven”, while the majority “languished as if they were in hell.”

Stay of execution granted for dad who murdered kids

T

HE Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday granted a stay of execution for John Battaglia, the Dallas man accused of killing his two daughters.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton must now decided whether to challenge that decision.

Battaglia was scheduled to be executed Wednesday night for the 2001 murders of his daughters — ages 6

and 9.

Liberty wanted to be a ballerina. Faith was smart and made people laugh.

On May 2, 2001, the little girls were visiting Battaglia, their father, in his apartment near downtownDallas when the unthinkable happened.

“He tried to kill the children!”

Those are the chilling words from a 911 recording on the night that Liberty and Faith were murdered.

44 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

NFF may drag CAF to CAS Stories by Tony Ubani who was in Egypt

T

HE Nigeria Football Federation officials are yet to come to terms with Nigeria’s ouster from the Gabon Nations Cup but are considering options of dragging African Football Confederation to the Court of Arbitration in Sports.

The sudden withdraw-

al of Chad made it impossible for Nigeria to nurse any hope of picking a ticket as one of the best losers. ‘’It is rather unfortunate that Chad, one of the teams in the qualification group, suddenly pulled out of the race, leaving only three teams left in the group, and only the winner of the the group guaranteed qualification.

This appeared to have taken away our worst– case scenario of qualification.

However, our legal unit is looking at the propriety of changing the rules midstream’’, Demola Olajire, who is the Assistant Director of Communications of the NFF, said.

E

gypt coach Hector Cuper has praised the Super Eagles despite the 1-0 win over Nigeria which guaranteed the Pharaohs a place at Gabon 2017.

Egypt beat Nigeria 10 on Tuesday night at the Borg Al-Arab Stadium in Alexandria with Radwan Sobhi grabbing the winner which took Egypt to an unassailable seven points with only one game left in the series. The loss meant Ni-

Cuper praises Eagles geria will miss the Africa Cup of Nations for the second straight time after missing the 2013 in Equatorial Guinea.

Cuper praised the Nigerian team and said if the Nigeria Football Federation can keep the team they will be hard to beat. “We (Egypt) had a very good first half but a bad second half but I’m happy with what my

Egypt stop Nigerian supporters E GYPT can now laugh to scorn.

They have won on all fronts and sentenced Nigerians to another heartache of African Cup of Nations without our Green White Green flag.

*Ladipo

Pinnick

Continues from B/Page

gerians the first time he muted the idea of a foreign coach after former Manager, Sunday Oliseh quit. The attack from prominent Nigerians and indigenous coaches was much that many condemned Pinnick for trying to distract interim coach Samson Siasia who needed encouragement as he prepared for the first match against the Pharaohs of Egypt.

But after watching the Eagles succumb 1-0 to Egypt, a defeat that practically knocked off Nigeria from the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations even with a match to go, Pinnick said that there was no going back on the employment of foreign manager for the Eagles. ‘’I feel saddened that we could not get a favourable result from here. But, we remain proud of this team.

From what we have seen in their display, there is hope for Nigerian football. We’re going to get a foreign manager for the team. And we are going to ensure that Nigeria qualify for

With just one game remaining and only the group winners to qualify, the Eagles cannot conjure any miracle to bridge their five-point deficit to Egypt. If you looked well during the match, there was no presence of Nigeria’s Supporters Club members. The make-shift support was a cocktail of Nigerians living in Egypt whose voices were drowned by the mammoth and intimidating army of Pharaohs supporters. We can reveal that the Egyptian Embassy denied visas to the Nigerians as part of their ploy to deny the Super Eagles support.

Dr Rafiu Ladipo and his men may have finally been given the visa after Nigeria’s ouster.

Moses Continues from B/Page

the World Cup and do exceedingly well, too.

We’ll make them utilize all FIFA windows to play quality friendly matches. But, I must also commend the services of coach Samson Siasia who has shown his capacity in putting up a team we are all proud of.

Siasia will go back to his U-23 team and prepare a team that will win Olympic gold for Nigeria.

We’ll give him all the necessary tools he needs to achieve that. I com-

mend him’’, Pinnick said as the Nigerian delegation headed to the Alexandria airport for the return journey to Nigeria.

However, while addressing journalists in Abuja, the NFF President described as unfair calls for him to quit after Nigeria failed to qualify for next year ’s Nations Cup in Gabon.

"It’s very unfair for people to ask me to resign.

I was elected by the Congress and I’ll see off my mandate. Our Board has

won Africa Women’s Championship in Namibia, FIFA U-17 and we’ve qualified for almost all major competitions during this period.”

Pinnick also tendered an unreserved apology to Nigerians for their failure to qualify but insisted that there was hope on the team and promised a World Cup ticket as well as making Nigerians to walk with their noses in front at the World Cup and the Rio Olympics.

Siasia

why Siasia kept him on the bench when all the team needed was a terror like Iwobi. "I promised attacking football against Egypt in the return game. But Iwobi was ill. It was painful because I wanted him to even start the game and put pressure on the Egyptians. You cannot risk the health of your player or go against the Doctors. We work hand in hand. I feel pained he did not start but he justified the little time that he played.”

There were still questions on why Siasia also

benched Simon Moses Daddy, Belgian Club KAA Gent player who also showed promise in the first leg in Kaduna that ended 1-1. ‘’This is not the time for us to be finding faults on who played and who did not play. These boys did well and we should be proud of them. I invited them because we wanted a positive result. I understand how people feel but these boys have shown that Nigeria will soon take over the game in Africa and the world.

We should appreciate them’’, Siasia said.

Continues from B/Page

Pharaohs in Alexandria on Tuesday.

Iwobi whose introduction in the first leg against Egypt brought spark to the Eagles attack in Kaduna endured a lengthy time on the bench in Alexandria before coming in to substitute Umar Aminu after Egypt had scored their damaging goal against the Eagles. But the little time he played, he brought agony to the Egyptian defenders.

Many fans wondered

players did overall,”he said “Nigeria are a very good side with lots of players in the big leagues in Europe.

“I respect the Super Eagles players and I was edgy during the game but I’m happy we have been able to pull through. It’s a shame Nigeria won’t be at the Africa Cup of Nations,” Cuper added.

The Argentine coach also responded to why he didn’t play top striker Ahmed ‘Kouka’ Hassan during the win over the Eagles even as fans were calling on the coach to bring on the striker.

“I have nothing against Hassan, he is an important player for our team but I felt this wasn’t the kind of game I needed him,”Cuper said “He didn’t fit into my plans so that’s why he didn’t get to start. There are many other games and he will get his chance just like everyone else on the team.

•Super Eagles defender, Amuzie (r) in a tussle for the ball during the 2017 AFCON qualifier in Alexandra. Egyp beat Nigeria 1-0.

Cuper Continues from B/Page

the team’s next match against Tanzania.

Egypt defeated Nigeria 1-0 at home to move to the brink of qualifying for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 2010.

“We delivered an outstanding performance in the first half, but in the second we weren’t at our top level. Anyway, we got the three points since remaining on top of our group was the priority,” the Argentinean coach said after the match.

“I am happy with my players’ fighting spirit.

They did their best since they love their national team a lot.”

“All players are the same to me and my selections are based on the priorities of every match.

The absence of any player today doesn’t mean that he won’t be with us

as how fate played out to see the Eagles missing out from qualifying for next year ’s African Cup of Nations party in Gabon. ‘’It’s sad. It’s one of those things about this game. I feel bad that it ended this way ’’, he said. If he had scored the goal, it would have restored parity and kept Nigerians hoping and praying for a miracle.

But as it is, we’re still in a dream. again,” Cuper explained.

“I am proud to be Egypt’s coach and I am really happy with the big fan support for the team since I took charge,” the former Inter Milan coach added, referring to the presence of around 75,000 supporters at Borg El Arab stadium. Let me celebrate the victory and then we will talk about the Tanzania clash,” Cuper said when he was asked about the coming match in the qualifiers.

“The door of the national team will be open for new faces in the coming period,” he concluded.

The win cemented Egypt’s position on top of Group G with seven points, five clear of second-placed Nigeria who have now lost any chance of reaching Africa’s most prestigious tournament in Gabon next year.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 — 45 1

Crisis: Police seal Kogi Assembly complex No crisis in Assembly —Gov



By Levinus Nwabughiogu & Boluwaji Obahopo

L

OKOJA—KOGI State House of Assembly complex was yesterday sealed off by security agents on the orders of the National Assembly

following the protracted leadership crisis rocking the House.

This came as Governor Yahaya Bello of the state, denied any crisis in the Assembly, saying the House had been carrying out its normal legislative activities

without disruption or external interferences.

But contrary to the governor’s claim, the main entrance to the assembly complex was barricaded, by heavily armed policemen, preventing factional members billed to conduct

ministerial budget screening from accessing the complex.

The road leading to the complex was also barricaded by armed policemen, who subjected staff of the assembly to scrutiny and only allowed them in upon confirmation of their employment

Ignore pressure to devalue naira, AANI tells Buhari

By Gloria Adokwu

J

OS—ALUMNI Association of the National Institute, AANI, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari, to ignore the pressure to devalue the Naira, saying, “it is high time Nigeria diversified the economy to add

C M Y K

value to activities in the real sector of the economy.”

AANI in a statement by its President and Secretary General Major-General Lawrence Onoja (retd) and Issa Aremu, respectively at the end of its 36th Annual General Meeting, AGM, in Jos, Plateau State, said

Nigerians should stop exportation of raw materials.

"On the contrary through industrialization, Nigeria should produce most, if not all the goods it consumes. This is the only way to create sustainable jobs for the teaming youths.”

The statement said AANI

appreciated the ongoing effort to block the leakages in public financing.

It said: “With the introduction of Treasury Single Account, TSA, there is now transparency in public accounting and billions of naira are being saved through the elimination of ghost workers.”

status through their Identity Cards.

Vanguard gathered from one of the security agents at the gate that they were acting on the order of the Commissioner of Police, following a directive from the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

Speaking on the seal-off, a member from the embattled Speaker’s camp, Aliyu Akuh, said since the crisis remained unresolved and the other faction ignored the directive to return to status quo ante by the House of Representatives, there was no other option than to seal off the complex.

However, the factional Speaker, Umar Imam, who spoke to newsmen in Lokoja said, the action of the security operatives did not amount to seal-off, insisting that the Assembly was still performing its function.

According to him: “At our last sitting on Thursday March 24, we adjourned till April 12 to give room for budget defence. So we were not even sitting because we are on recess.

"We are on oversight function to speak with MDAs for their budget defence. So, as far as we are concerned, the Assembly has not been sealed because it is still functional, workers are working in the complex.

"By the time we finish with our recess and budget defence, we shall continue with other Assembly businesses.” However, the Committee on Appropriation, who were to conduct their budget screening at the Assembly complex, relocated to the Government House to carry out its function, as the Committee met with the Ministry of Information, and two other committees yesterday.

Speaking with State House Correspondents in Abuja, Governor Bello appealed to the people of the state to join him in rebuilding the state, insisting that the time of crisis was over.

He said: “My House is sitting and we have absolute peace in Kogi State. I am not aware of that the National Assembly is supposed to have taken over. The state is absolutely in peace and the legislative activities are ongoing.

"I am the executive and the executive is functioning and we are doing the best we can. The legislature is doing its own business and is on it. Members should remain calm. Kogi State has bled for long. This is not the time for crisis."

46 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 — 47

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

Victor Moses rues his missed goal

H

IS electrifying moves, turning and twisting three Egyptian defenders in a row and his ferocious shot that beat the Egyptian

goalkeeper but was stopped by the post remained one of the unlucky moments the Eagles would have drawn the game.

Victor Moses sent jitters to thousands of Egyptians each time he

received the ball. Jeers and cat-calls and pointing of laser lights on his face to distract him could not stop him. When the final whistle sounded, the West Ham player could not come to terms Continues on Page 44

Why I didn’t bring in Iwobi early —Siasia

C

OACH Samson Siasia has explained reasons why Arsenal wonder boy Alex Iwobi did not get a starting shirt in the all important game against the Continues on Page 44

*Siasia

I’m proud to be Egypt’s coach –Cuper

E

NPFL RESULTS El Kanemi Enyimba Ifeanyi Ubah Wikki

1 Akwa 3 2 Shooting 0 1 Nasarawa 0 4 Warri 0

•STOPPED: Super Eagles forward, Aminu Umar is checked by Egypt defender, Rami Rabia during the African Nations Cup qualifier at the Borg El Arab Stadium, Alexandria, Egypt Nigeria lost 1-0

GYPT’s coach Hec tor Cuper has hailed his players after Tuesday’s precious victory over Nigeria, saying that he would prefer to focus on celebrating rather than speaking about Continues on Page 44

*Cuper

It’s foreign coach or I quit •Siasia returns to U-23

By Tony Ubani who was in Egypt

P

RESIDENT of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Melvin Amaju Pinnick has

threatened to quit his position if Nigeria does not hire a foreign coach for the Super Eagles.

A distraught Pinnick who watched the Eagles

fail again to qualify for the 2017 African Cup of Nations coming up in Gabon promised to hire a foreign manager for the Eagles in two weeks time. ‘’There is nothing to worry about the payment

—Pinnick

of salary for the foreign manager. His wages is going to be taken care of by the private sector.

We’ve concluded that

and it will not cost Government anything’’.

Pinnick came under severe attacks from Ni Continues on Page 44

Pinnick

QUICK CROSSWORD

T OD AY'S PUZZLE ODA

THURSDAY'S ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Commemorative inscription on a tombstone (7) 7 Gaiety (9) 8 Rescue from harm or danger (4) 10 Pavements edge (4) 12 Leading principle (9) 14 Fashion show runway (7) DOWN 2 Golfer’s average (3) 3 Identical sibling (4) 4 Section (5) 5 Shattered (7) 6 Cut corn stalks (7) 9 View (5) 11 Cold white flakes (4) 13 Unwell (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Foal 3, Oral 7, Car 8, Entry 9, Bus 10, DNA 12, Asarule 15, One 16, Emu 18, Ion 19, Nacho 21, Dub 22, Puny 23, Grin.

DOWN: 1, Faced 2, Airbase 4, Rut 5, Layby 6, Desertion 11, Nan 12, Slender 13, Hem 15, Ownup 17, Urban 20, Can.

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 Advert Hotline: 09-2921024. 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.