Ex-ICPC boss, others tackle Jonathan

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62309

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

Nigerians'll appreciate me after I leave office —Jonathan >>9

CORRUPTION:

Ex-ICPC boss, others tackle Jonathan

By Demola Akinyemi & Monsur Olowoopejo

•Say corruption is escalating and we cannot pretend •‘People accept bribe with impunity now’ •Why FG'll not release audit report of $20bn crude oil fund —Fashola

I

LORIN — FORMER President of the Court of Appeal and pioneer Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related offences Commission, ICPC, Justice Mustapha Akanbi (retd) yesterday in Ilorin gave the President Goodluck

Continues on Page 5

COLUMNISTS:

2014, Nigeria’s •P.19 year of insurgency

CRASHED AIRASIA PLANE: ABOVE: A family member of passengers onboard the crashed Malaysian air carrier AirAsia flight QZ8501 receives medical assistance after watching news reports showing an unidentified body floating in the Java sea, inside the crisiscentre set up at Juanda International Airport in Surabaya on December 30, 2014, while (TOP LEFT& LEFT) items retrieved from the Java sea.

Photos: AFP

ABANDONED ROAD PROJECT: Fears

as

erosion threatens Anambra community See Pull-out inside

Buhari's academic Man defiles 9-yr-old daughter, records intact —Maduekwe >>8 impregnates >>7 another

Okowa’s running mate and the self-inflicted humiliation of the Isokos •P.19

Mr & Mrs

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014—3

C M Y K

4 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 —5

POCKET CARTOON

VISIT: From left: President Goodluck Jonathan; Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State; Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Justice Kate Abiri and the Amanyanabo of Bonny, His Royal Highness Diette Spiff during a visit to the President by Bayelsa State elders and leaders at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Corruption: Ex-ICPC boss, others tackle Jonathan Continues from Page 1 Jonathan administration a hard knock over the manner it has handled the issue of corruption, saying the escalation of graft in all spheres of the nation’s economy is disturbing.

Similarly, a legal luminary based in Ilorin, Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali (SAN), criticised the present administration for its stance on corruption, saying: “The President believes that there is no corruption in Nigeria but petty stealing.”

They spoke on a day Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State accused President Jonathan of not releasing the audit report of the missing $20 billion crude oil fund because the re-

port allegedly indicted some of his loyalists.

In his address at a public lecture on corruption, with the theme: “The bane of our society ” organised by Amicus International Club of Ilorin, Justice Akanbi said people now accept bribes with impunity because nothing is being done about corruption.

Corruption is escalating His words: “The clouds have thickened, corruption is escalating and we cannot pretend.

The Transparency International put us at the position of 136th cor r upt nation. You cannot deny it even though it is a perception. Honestly, I

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

do not see what is being done about corruption now.

“Speaking for myself, I ask this question: Does it mean all the governors are corruption-free, does it mean all the legislators are corruption-free; does it mean the judiciary is corruptionfree? We know that it is happening but people are not being arrested, no action is being taken and the end result is that people accept bribes with impunity now.

“At least, if they had taken few people to court, we would have known that something is being done. There is a general lull and the fight against corruption has gone down completely. That is why we are gearing up the tempo now so that people can be aware of it.

No gov arrested Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out — John Wooden This story always brings a mirth of laughter and such joy is good medicine for Soul, but there is wisdom to learn also.

A little boy wanted a taste of molasses from the large barrel by the door of an old-fashioned country store.

He slid a box beside the barrel, stepped up on it and leaned over the rim as far as possible, stretching out his finger toward the sweet goo below. He stretched and strained and toppled headfirst into the barrel.

Dripping with molasses, he stood up, lifted his eyes heavenward and was heard to utter, “Lord, help me to make the most of this fantastic opportunity.”

It does seem that some people seem to luck into these things, don’t they? It’s as if they were in the right place at the right time and they just fell into it. But that is not the way it happens.

Those people who seize opportunities others seem to miss, find them for one specific reason: they have trained themselves to look for possibilities in every circumstance and every obstacle.

”Now, when you look at many people wanting to be governors, is it because they want to serve their people or that they want to go and chop and chop? It is apparent that many of them want to enrich themselves because they know that when you go there you make money and become wealthy, which is the same as going to the legislature. Yet people are suffering, there is no development, there is corruption, kidnapping and the ills of the society have gone on

the ascendancy.

"Honestly, look at these governors, how many of them have been arrested? We know about Oduahgate and the billions of naira that Sanusi alleged that was missing. The terrible thing is that the judiciary is not helping.

Someone said he was alleged to have taken about N30 billion and he said it was N20 billion but was fined about N750 million by the judiciary.”

President believes there's no corruption in Nigeria In his contribution, Mallam Ali noted that as Nigerians "we know that corruption makes all of us poorer in the short and long run. Even for those who are stealing our money, they are poorer; what is the essence of money you have stolen and you cannot display whatever you have acquired with it? You build houses outside of Nigeria; you are not proud to tell people you have built such houses and you buy big cars and keep them as if they are items of antiquity.

He said: "The saddest aspect is that when you take this money out of Nigeria, you are malnourishing our economy and nourishing the economies of the countries that are already nourished. It is a no-win situation for those who are corrupt, those who condone it and the rest of us.”

On the current anti corruption crusade of President Jonathan, he said: ”I have said this before, there is no drive against corruption by the current government and that is quite obvious because the President believes that there is no corruption in Nigeria. He believes that what is going on is petty stealing. So if he doesn’t believe there is corruption, you can’t hold him for not driving any anti corruption war.

If somebody doesn’t believe there is a problem then he would not be obliged to look for solution.”

Don't sell your votes On the forthcoming 2015 general elections, Ali said:”People should know that elections come and go but Nigeria remains. Those of us who are parents should tell our children not to allow themselves to be used as cannon fodders by people who are looking for power. Let us remind our children that the children of politicians will not take part in thuggery at rallies and campaigns. Their own children are safely tucked away in Europe, America and other places, totally out of harm.

"I also tell those of us who are electorate not to sell our votes; when you sell your votes you lose the moral rights to ask how you are governed.

Once you sell your vote you cannot ask the people who are elected how they discharge their mandate.”

Why FG'll not release audit report of missing $20bn crude fund Still on corruption, Governor Fashola said President Jonathan will not release the audit re-

port of the missing $20 billion crude oil fund because he knew the content of the report indicted some of his loyalists.

Similarly, the running mate to General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, APC governorship candidate in Lagos, said the People’s Democratic Party, PDP led Federal Government had become a virus to the country and mismanaged every sector of the economy.

They all spoke at a Town Hall meeting with artisans, tradesmen and farmers in the state, in Ikeja.

Fashola said: “Prior to the 2011 election, he (Jonathan) promised to fight corruption in the country regardless of the person involved, but the President has refused to release the audit report of the missing $20 billion crude oil fund. We know that the audit has been completed.

The president is shielding the report. He is doing this because he knew the content of the report but he must release the report.

“Even in 2011, the President promised to ensure that the country moved beyond producing and exporting crude oil to exporting refined petroleum products because Nigeria has no reason to import kerosene. But today, we have not moved beyond where we were in 2011.

“In politics, promises are important and that is why no one should make promises one cannot fulfil. And that is why we said that the time for ‘I have no shoe’ is over.

This campaign will be on what the present governments have done.

And that will help me to Continues on Page 51

6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

Police kill 2 robbery suspects in Warri

Loaded all over in Oshodi, L a g o s , yesterday.

PHOTO: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

By Egufe Yafugborhi

W

ARRI—POLICE in Delta State have gunned down two robbery suspects and arrested two others, while on stop-andsearch duty on Ogunu Road, Warri South Local Government Area of the state.

A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Celestina Kalu, said that the suspects, Oghenero and Michael, fell to police bullets during a gun duel and were part of a four-man gang caught operating on a tricycle.

She said: “Items recovered from them include one cut-to-size locally-made gun, one live cartridge, one battle axe and one tricycle, with number plate AKU 027 QB. “Meanwhile, the arrested suspects are undergoing investigation at the Area Commander ’s Office, Warri, while the corpses of the deceased armed robbers had been deposited in the morgue for autopsy.”

FCT police recover 203 cattle

By Kingsley Omonobi

A

BUJA—THE Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Command has recovered 203 cattle stolen by rustlers, who have been raiding neighbouring states such as Nasarawa, Niger and Kogi.

FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr. Wilson Inalegwu, who made the disclosure while fielding questions from newsmen, said in December alone, the command’s operatives also recovered 17 stolen vehicles out of which 14 had been returned to their owners.

He said some suspects were arrested and arms and ammunition recovered.

Explaining the arrest of the cattle, he said: “There is an ongoing collaboration with traditional chiefs, village heads and neighbouring states to ensure we put the menace of cattle rustling to an end.

Our patrol teams have been active.”

We went into drug trafficking for Christmas money— SUSPECTS z14 arrested; drugs dissolved into towels, T-shirts

By Evelyn Usman & Ifeanyi Okolie

O

PERATIVES of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have smashed a drug trafficking syndicate, with the arrest of 14 suspects.

The suspects were alleged to have dissolved some of the drugs, worth N3 million, in water and absorbed in two towels and a T-shirt, while others were industrially packed in tin foods and body cream packs.

Eight of the suspects, according to Lagos Airport NDLEA Commander, Mr Hamza Umar, were apprehended at the point of smuggling the substance, which tested positive to cocaine, into the country from Brazil and Argentina, while six others were intercepted while attempting to smuggle the drugs to Hong Kong, Dubai, Italy and Brazil.

He said: “Four of the suspects were apprehended aboard flight Royal Air Maroc, on their way from Brazil.

The luggage

“Okafor, 25, was caught with 13.735kg cocaine in tin food; Okeke, 29, was arrested with 3.425kg cocaine absorbed in towels; Akpobome, 32, was found with 1.730kg of cocaine absorbed in T-shirt; Ani, 37, was found with 300 grammes of cocaine; Madububa, 38, ingested 845 grammes of cocaine; Amuka, 26, ingested 1.505kg cocaine, while Ijoganu, 25, ingested 1.240kg of cocaine.

“Others include Obiefuna, 40,

who was found with 500 grammes of cocaine; Ogbodu, 48, was caught with 1.650kg of cocaine; Nwakama, 32, was caught with 1.060kg of cocaine; Egbueme, 31, was found with 1.190kg of cocaine; Nwachukwu, 38, was found with 975 grammes of heroin/ cocaine; Adebayo, 30, was caught with 5kg of cannabis and Oforegbu was caught with 505 grammes of cocaine.”

means to celebrate Christmas.”

Divine intervention

On his part, Egbueme described his arrest as divine after he was told that the offence of drug trafficking in his destination country attracts capital punishment.

According to him, “I used to sell used amplifiers in Abuja, until I met a former secondary

school classmate, who currently lives in Tanzania. He sent the drugs to me and assisted me with my travel documents and other expenses.

“I ingested 55 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.190kg. I had no idea of the punishment for drug traffickers in Hong Kong until I was arrested.

“God has rescued me from death and I will never smuggle drugs again in my life.”

Describing the arrest and seizures as a good way to end the year, Chief Executive of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade assured that the agency will continue to detect hidden drugs and prosecute offenders, adding that the suspects would be charged to court soon.

Christmas money

During investigation, some of the suspects reportedly told operatives that they went into the business to raise money to celebrate Christmas and New year.

For instance, Akpobome said that he was promised N2 million if he succeeded in smuggling 1.730kg of cocaine absorbed in a T-shirt from Argentina to Nigeria.

Okafor said he was promised N10 million, while Nwakama said he would have been paid over N1 million had the trip not been botched.

Okafor, alleged to have been arrested with the largest quantity of drugs which was concealed inside tin foods, said: “I was tempted into drug trafficking because I had no one to help me financially.

“I travelled to Brazil a year ago in search of job. But I ended up hawking toys in Brazil to sustain myself. Along the line, a friend promised to pay for my ticket to Nigeria to spend the end of year festive season.

“He was the person that gave me the drugs packed inside tin foods. I agreed because the amount will assist in no little

One of the packages.

Building set ablaze, as brothers row over inheritance

By Dayo Johnson

A

KURE—TWO persons have been arrested and detained by the Police for allegedly setting a building ablaze in Ondo town, Ondo State, over disagreement on the owner of some shops within the building.

Vanguard gathered that two brothers had disagreed over the ownership of the shops in the building they inherited from their late father.

One of them, identified as Rotimi, reportedly mobilized

some miscreants who torched the building after a shouting match with his brother.

The building, located at Odosida area of Ondo town, housed a set of shops and a private secondary school.

The miscreants are being detained at Enuowa Police Station, while investigation into the matter is ongoing.

Contacted, the state Police Command image maker, Wole Ogodo, said his office had not been briefed by the Divisional Police Office, DPO, of Ondo town on the incident.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014—7

OIL SPILL:

Food items donated by the Inspector General to wives of late police officers in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

“How my husband defiled our 9-yr-old daughter, impregnated another”

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—A 55-year-old man, identified as Osaro, has been arrested by men of the Edo State Police Command for allegedly defiling his nineyear-old daughter.

Osaro, according to his wife, Stella, had earlier impregnated their 17-year-old daughter, just as she told newsmen at the Ogida Police Division, Benin, that she recently returned to her husband's house after he said he had repented.

She said: “My husband wanted to sleep with my second daughter. He later succeeded in sleeping with my other daughter. After impregnating the girl, he begged me several times to forgive him.

“He started the church I attended and confessed what he had done. The church members begged me and I accepted him. He has already paid my bride price so I went back.

“After we had settled, my husband started with our daughter again. The little girl told me what she was going through in the hands of her father. I asked my husband, but he denied. He said he had stopped the act since he

repented.

“One afternoon, I caught him with our daughter. I went to the church and vowed that I cannot continue with the marriage. I am tired of forgiving him all the

time.

“On Christmas Day, he drove me outside at about 8 p.m. He was alone inside with the children. The next day, my daughter told me what he did

to her. When I decided to check my daughter’s private part, he wanted to beat me, but neighbours intervened.”

The victim asked police to jail her father.

Austria contacts Nigeria Police over murder of Edo-born Austrian

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN—THE Austrian government has contacted the Nigerian Police over the death of an Edo State-born lady, Ms Rose Aifuwa, who was allegedly murdered on Christmas eve by her boyfriend, Festus, popularly known as Two Million.

The incident occurred at Upper Mission Extension in Benin. The suspect allegedly knocked the mother of three down with his car, which dragged her for over 500 meters, after the deceased requested the suspect to pay her money, estimated at over N10 million.

Vanguard learned from the state Police command that the Austrian government had called to find out what happened,

following information that the deceased flew into Nigeria with her Austrian passport.

It was learned that the suspect, who is a spare parts dealer, was married to an Igbo woman here in Nigeria, but had been overseeing his lover’s investment here in Nigeria.

It was gathered that the deceased, who has a dual citizenship, had been supplying the suspect with spare parts for sales, but found out that the suspect did not remit the cash after sales.

Trouble started when the decease arrived Nigeria early December and asked for her money from the suspect.

Vanguard was informed that on December 24, the suspect passed the night at the residence of the deceased and that while he was about

leaving in the morning, the deceased insisted that he pay the money owed her.

The suspect ran into his vehicle and hit the deceased, who had run after him. He dragged the body under the vehicle and eventually dumped the mangled body at Lucky Way Junction, on AuchiBenin Road.

The suspect, who was arrested by the police was taken to the scene of the incident, yesterday, by detectives and it was discovered that he dragged the body along the road for over 500 meters.

The suspect was said to have confessed to killing his lover.

The Edo State Police Commissioner, Folunso Adebanjo, said a crack team of detectives was investigating the matter.

Another Ondo FMC doctor attacked by gunmen

By Dayo Johnson

A

KURE—BARELY a week after a medical doctor of the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Owo, died mysteriously in a fire incident in Akure, Ondo State, another doctor of the hospital, Muyiwa Alonge, has escaped death as gunmen invaded his house.

Vanguard gathered that the gunmen broke into his home in Aule, in Akure metropolis, on Christmas day.

It will be recalled that Dr. David Oguntuase, a Paediatrician, died in a mysterious fire incident that gutted his private hospital in Akure.

His family and professional colleagues in the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, had alleged that he was assassinated before his clinic was torched by his assailants.

Speaking with newsmen in Akure, Dr. Alonge said that his attackers broke down his door,

brandishing dangerous weapons and threatened to kill him.

He said: “They actually did not ask for anything. They said they came to kill me. For over 30 minutes, I pleaded with them and prayed, and somehow they changed their minds.”

Alonge said he was hit with a metal and manhandled in the presence of his wife and children.

He said: “I can only say that I escaped with my life through

the help of God. They came at about 2a.m. They were two that came in and we suspected that there were others waiting outside.

The gunmen eventually went away with my computers, money and phones.”

Contacted, the Police image maker, Wole Ogodo, said the matter had not been brought to his attention. He promised to get across to this reporter as soon as the signal was forwarded to his office.

A-Ibom monarch seeks $100m annual compensation for community

By Tom Moses

I

BENO—THE people of Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have demanded a yearly payment of $100 million as damages from ExxonMobil, over oil spills and destruction of their environment caused by the operations of the American oil company.

Speaking on the state of residents of the community at his palace in Ibeno, yesterday, the Paramount Ruler, Owong Effiong Achianga, lamented that its exploration activities of Mobil had brought untold hardship on his people. He urged the company to cushion the effects of oil exploration activities in the area by paying at least, $100 million yearly to the people.

The monarch said the demand became important as Mobil had continued to default in paying the correct compensation due the area over oil spills.

Task force reclaims N2bn property from land grabbers

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

M

EN of the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit, yesterday, raided the hideout of suspected land grabbers in Gbagada area of the state and reclaimed seized property worth N2 billion.

The officials, led by the Chairman, Bayo Sulaiman, stormed Gbagada around 10a.m., and immediately took over the seized estate, while suspected thugs, who had hitherto laid siege on the property took to their heels on sighting the armed men.

Vanguard learned that the property, an estate, was built by private company in 2007 with a bank loan of over N1.5 billion.

The High Court of Lagos had restrained the family from encroaching on the land, but it went ahead to seize the property.

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

By Kingsley Omonobi, Levinus Nwabughiogu & Joseph Erunke

T

HE controversies trailing the failure of All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, MajorGeneral Muhammadu Buhari (retd), to present his academic qualifications as requirement for the February 14, 2015 contest thickened yesterday with Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, saying it lacked the power to screen candidates for any election.

The Army also said Buhari knows the procedure for obtaining documents from his military file just as the Head, Media and Publicity of the Buhari Support Organization, BSO, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, debunked insinuations that Buhari’s academic records were in doubt.

INEC had released the names of presidential candidates and their running mates, including their academic qualifications, on Monday.

However, Buhari’s academic qualifications were not displayed, which generated controversy in the polity.

In an affidavit he deposed to at a High Court in the Federal Capital Territor y, Abuja, Buhari said all his certificates were with the Secretary, Military Board.

Army spokesman

Contacted on the issue yesterday, Army spokesman, Brigadier-General Olajide Laleye, said the APC standard bearer knows how to get his documents if he wanted He said: “General Buhari, like every officer, whether serving or retired, knows very well the procedure for obtaining documents from his file. Besides, this is his fourth time.”

INEC

Asked why it accepted nomination forms without academic qualifications, the electoral umpire said it lacked power to screen candidates in any election in the country.

The commission said it was the responsibility of political parties to screen candidates and forward those successful in the exercise to it, saying it can only act where there is any objection raised against the candidature of any nominee forwarded to it by any party.

Mr. Kayode Idowu, Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, while answering reporters’ questions yesterday, on the implications of Buhari’s action, insisted that the commission has not seen anything wrong in what Buhari did.

Asked whether the former Head of State presented certificates in the previous

Tuface Idibia, music star and host of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, (right) and his Togolese co-host, Maurise Acotie, at the maiden edition of the award held in Lagos.

Buhari’s academic records intact—MADUEKWE zWe lack mandate to screen candidates, says INEC zHe knows how to get his records from military file—ARMY SPOKESMAN elections he vied for, Idowu bluntly refused to comment, saying he had no answer to it.

Below is how the interview went: Buhari did not submit his academic qualifications to INEC, saying it is with the Secretary, Military Board. Is it the responsibility of the commission to go to the Military Board to verify the authenticity of his credentials?

I won’t speak on individual.

I can only speak in general terms. No, I won’t comment on individual candidate on this issue.

On the implications of candidate’s failure to submit or present their academic credentials to INEC...

When parties file their nominees, the law requires that INEC should display those nominees for claims and objections.

If objections are made to those claims, the commissions reverts to the political parties because the statutory mandate is on the parties to nominate their candidates and not to allow INEC to choose their candidates for them.

INEC would have to revert to the political parties to say ‘there is a challenge to the credentials that you have filed to the criteria that you have cited for any particular

nominee. So do the needful by addressing it, either by verifying it and see whether it is true or by showing that it is not true and sort it out.’

It is their job; they sort it out before they bring their nominee to the commission.

So, the commission has no role in disqualifying candidates.

If for instance, there is an objection that so and so person did not submit credentials as required by law, what happens?

I don’t see the basis for that objection. It is not only in INEC. It is the case everywhere. Sometimes, you submit affidavit.

It is not new; you can submit affidavit, attestation in place of the original certificate. If there is a challenge to what the commission has, the commission reverts to the party because the commission does not even have the capacity to reject candidates.

For now, I am not aware of any issue for which the commission will revert to the party.

Now that there is a challenge in Buhari’s candidacy in respect of his failure to submit academic qualifications, will the commission revert to the party?

Which challenge? Are you the one challenging?

What if the issue comes up?

Wait until then. Don’t throw up any issue that has not come up. The issue has not arisen.

Which certificate did he present in the previous elections that he contested in 2003, 2007 and 2011 presidential elections?

I have said it that I can’t respond to individual candidate’s issue here. You people are trying to drag INEC to a needless phrase.

I don’t want to discuss individuals.

Does INEC have the mandate of screening candidates for elections?

INEC does not screen candidates because INEC does not reject candidates.

INEC, in seeing what parties have submitted, display it for claims and objections. If there are objections, it takes it up with the parties.

‘Smear campaign against Buhari won't fly’

Speaking with Vanguard on the subject, Maduekwue said it was a well orchestrated strategy by Buhari’s detractors to sway the minds of the public against him, assuring that

they would not succeed.

The opponents, he said, were afraid of Buhari’s candidacy hence the smear campaign against him.

He wondered how a former military Head of State and three-time presidential candidate would suddenly be found wanting in his academic qualifications.

Maduekwue said: “There should be no iota of doubt about General Muhammadu Buhari’s qualification. The records are there.

“He was not just a school prefect but a Head Boy. In ages past, you cannot enter the military school if there is any questionable mark about your school certificate or WAEC result as it were.

“So, that is clear. Your entry must be on acceptable pass mark before going to the military academy. Of course, the records are there both in Nigeria and outside Nigeria for anybody to cross check. We thank God we now live in the age of Internet.

“I want to disabuse the minds of Nigerians that there is no iota of truth in the smear campaign.

We know that all that has been going for the General is his integrity.

“He has lived on that for the past decades. So his integrity cannot be subsumed at this time of his age. I want to state categorically that there is no problem with his academic records.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 —9

Nigerians'll appreciate my good work after I leave office —Jonathan A

By Ben Agande

President Jonathan enjoined the people of Bayelsa State to pray for the country, adding that he will continue to do his best for the country.

In his remarks, the governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson said the delegation was in the State House to show solidarity with the president and express appreciation to Nigerians for

supporting President Jonathan thus far.

He said: “We are here to show solidarity and to let everybody know that your people in Bayelsa are with you. It is in the spirit of Christmas that we are here on behalf of the people of Bayelsa to wish you, your government and family compliments of the season and a very happy,

prosperous and victorious 2015.

“We bring you prayers and strong message of solidarity.

We are here to thank Nigerians for their support for your government.”

The delegation was made up of traditional rulers, political leaders as well as religious leaders.

A Christmas card was later presented to the president.

BUJA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has said that Nigerians will appreciate the good work he has done for the country after he has left office.

Speaking yesterday when he received a delegation from Bayelsa State who paid him a Christmas visit, President Jonathan said he will continue to do his best in order to meet the expectations of not only Nigerians but especially the people of Bayelsa State.

According to President Jonathan, the seat of the president of the country belongs to the Nigerian people and only Nigerians can decide who occupies the seat at any point in time.

He said: “The new year is full of challenges.

Everywhere will be hot from the January 2. I am here by the Grace of God and the will of Nigerians. If I don’t do well the shame will be on you. I will do my best. I don’t expect praises now. Its when you leave that people will begin to compare you with others.

"I will do my best to address all the challenges we are having. I will do my best so that when I leave the people will compare what I have done and what others before did. The seat belongs to the country and it is only the country that can decide who occupies it.”

VOTERS' CARD: Vice President Namadi Sambo (left), after collecting his voter's card at the Kaduna North Secretariat of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Kaduna. Photo: State House, Abuja.

2015 BUDGET:

FG keeps Nigerians guessing

zDelay due to holidays —Bright Okogu, DG, Budget Office

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North

A

BUJA—THE Federal Government has continued to keep Nigerians and foreigners guessing by not making public the details of the 2015 budget, which was presented to the National Assembly about two weeks ago by the Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Although Okonjo-Iweala had promised to release the breakdown of the estimates to journalists immediately after the presentation as is the norm, it is not clear why she reneged on her pledge almost two weeks after the presentation on December 17, 2014.

Competent sources in the Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office of the Federation pointed to the fact that the only six copies of the voluminous

document were printed and given to relevant officials of the ministry while two went to the National Assembly leadership.

DG, Budget Office

However, the Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Dr. Bright Okogu, on Tuesday told one of our correspondents that the delay in making copies available to Nigerians was occasioned by the long Christmas holidays.

Okogu denied insinuations that the document was kept away because there was anything to hide.

According to him, there was no way the document could be uploaded on the Budget Office website as is the tradition when all the staff had proceeded on holidays officially declared by the government.

The director assured that the

document would be put up on the department’s website once the holidays were over.

But several sources said that the decision to blank out the media this year was deliberately taken to ensure that no negative report was made against the Presidency and its agencies considering the fact that ‘we are approaching election year’.

One of the top officials in the Federal Ministry of Finance pointed to the fact that the administration was unhappy that the media had been reporting ‘ negative and embarrassing things’ about details of the expenditure of this administration’ making a mockery of its open style of leadership.

The source said that the government was concerned that even the minute details of its expenditure items,

which should be kept secret were being bandied about by some careless journalists, thereby throwing the administration into unnecessary controversies.

“I can tell you that the media is the cause of its own problem. This time around, the breakdown is not likely to come as usual as, there is a deliberate move to keep the budget details away from the pubic as possible,” a source, which did not want to be quoted, said.

According to him, the decision to limit access to the detailed budget document was responsible for the printing of only six copies, which had since been shared to the appropriate principal officers in the ministry and the NASS.

2015: Flag Officer wants military personnel to support INEC

E

NUGU—THE Flag O f f i c e r Commanding, FOC, Eastern Naval Command, ENC, Rear Admiral Obiora Medani has urged military personnel to support the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to enable it conduct a peaceful 2015 general elections.

The outgoing FOC made the remark during a farewell parade organized in his honour to mark the end of his tour of duty as the Flag Officer Commanding ENC. Addressing officers, ratings and civilian staff of the Command, Rear Admiral Obiora Medani drew attention of the personnel to the huge security challenges that lie ahead during the coming elections.

He said it was the responsibility of the military to support the INEC in every way possible to ensure a peaceful and successful conduct of the 2015 Federal and State elections.

He further warned that military personnel must be strictly neutral in discharging whatever security responsibility they have been tasked to carry out in support of INEC. On the area of his stewardship as the Flag Officer Commanding, the outgoing FOC stated that the past ten months of his administration had been committed to strengthening operations by promoting values that enhanced the fighting efficiency in the Command.

He noted that the Command under his watch had keyed into and contributed significantly to the realization of the operational goals of the Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Usman Jibrin.

According to the FOC, this had been achieved through dogged fighting of illegal lifting of the country’s crude oil and illegal harvesting of the rich fishery resources in the Command’s maritime domain by foreign criminal elements and their local collaborators.

10— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

INCESSANT ROBBERIES: Police

counsel Lagos

residents L

By Ifeanyi Okolie

AGOS—IN a bid to fight crime effectively, the Lagos State Police Command yesterday appealed to residents to volunteer information to the police.

“They should report crimes at the nearest police station to make crime-fighting easier for the police.

“Lagosians should not hesitate to give information on crimes,” Mr Kenneth Nwosu, the command’s spokesman, said in Lagos.

He spoke against the backdrop of reports of robberies at different spots in the state.

“It is when they brief or inform the police on any crime that further steps can be taken to fight and control it.”

Nwosu said reported crimes had always helped police in their investigations.

According to him, reports had helped police’s quick intervention and response to crimes being committed.

The police spokesman assured the people of the combat readiness of the command to rid the state of crimes and protect lives and property.

NURTW boss seeks passengers’ support

Meantime, the National Union of Road Transport

Workers, NURTW, Lagos State chapter, yesterday urged passengers to support the union to ensure safety on roads and at motor parks during the New Year.

The state’s chairman of the union, Mr Tajudeen Agbede, said that passengers should be

security conscious to complement efforts of the union.

Agbede called on passengers to report all questionable luggage and personalities to the union’s security officers.

According to him, the union has appointed security

officers for parks to ensure security.

“The union has appointed a Chief Security Officer in each of its units across the state to beef up security so as to prevent sad incidents. “ We have trained all our security officers across units to ensure protection of lives and property in parks all over the state.

SHOPPING DASH: From left: Manager, Corporate Sales, South-South/South-East, Etisalat Nigeria, Mrs. Nneka Owolabi, an Etisalat Corporate Customer, Mr. Kanu Nnanna, Head, Regional Sales, South-South, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Enekwachi Aja, and Analyst, Events, Etisalat Nigeria, Martina Ogbebor, during the December Shopping Dash organized by Etisalat for its corporate customers at SPAR supermarket, Port-Harcourt, yesterday.

Blame Obasanjo for Nigeria's woes —Gani Adams

L

By Dapo Akinrefon

AG O S — N AT I O N A L Coordinator of Odu’a Peoples Congress, OPC, Otunba Gani Adams, yesterday berated former President Olusegun Obasanjo for allegedly laying the foundation of Nigeria’s current problems.

He also expressed worries over the conduct of the 2015 general elections noting that utterances made by politicians could lead to crisis.

Otunba Adams, who said this while addressing newsmen said the concern was borne out of genuine fears that no matter who wins the presidential election between President Goodluck Jonathan and General Mohammadu Buhari

OUR ERROR ON PAGE 10 of the paper of Tuesday, December 30, we erroneously quoted the former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Segun Osoba as saying that former President Olusegun Obasanjo begged Alliance for Democracy, AD, governors in 2003 for a third term. What he said was actually that Obasanjo begged for a second term. The error is regretted.

of All Progressives Congress, APC, the nation was likely going to erupt in violence.

According to him, if Buhari loses next year ’s election, crisis may erupt in the north, while the Niger Delta region is likely to be engulfed in

crisis if President Jonathan loses.

Blaming the former president for major problems confronting the country, he said “the very cabal that Jonathan complained about was created by Obasanjo. All the problems that are

existing in Nigeria today, the foundation was laid by Obasanjo.”

On the issue of a planned interim government, in case the 2015 poll became inconclusive, Adams said that could not be the solution.

Lagos fire services warns against fireworks

L

By Bose Adelaja

AGOS—THE Lagos State Fire Services has advised against the use of fire works especially now that the year is running to an end.

The fire services also said a total number of 23 emergency operations were carried out during the last Christmas celebrations.

A statement from the State Director, Razaq Fadipe said out of the cases, 19 were from fire outbreaks, 11 rescue calls and three false calls between the Christmas and boxing days.

Out of the emergency cases, Fadipe said the body of a 30 years old male was recovered from a swimming pool.

The State Fire services which considered the 23 cases to be outrageous called on the public

to be careful in handling petrochemical products, electrical / installations/appliances and other sensitive appliances in various homes. ‘’The Lagos State Fire Service considers these figures to be outrageous and therefore asked the Public to remember that we are fully in the dry season and should be careful in handling of petro-chemical products, electrical installations/ appliances and gas cookers/ cylinders. They should distance their children from playing with matches and entering the kitchens in their absence.

Candle sticks, kerosene lamps and all other naked fire that include bush burning and fireworks should also be handled with utmost care,’’ Fadipe asked the public to call the emergency nos 767 or 112

in time of distress adding ‘’The public should also remember that fireworks has been banned as it has resulted and contributed to many outbreak of fires,’’

25 ships with petroleum products, others arrive Lagos

L

AG O S — T W E N T YFIVE ships laden with petroleum products and other commodities have arrived at Lagos ports, according to the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA. The NPA said yesterday in Lagos that the ships were waiting to discharge their contents at the ports.

It said 12 of the 25 ships would discharge petrol, while a ship was laden with Low Pour Fuel Oil, LPFO. “The remaining 12 ships arrived at the ports with food items such as bulk rice, general cargo, bulk gypsum, fresh fish and bulk fertiliser.”

The NPA added that 44 ships carrying containers laden with assorted goods, foods, petroleum products and other commodities were expected to arrive at Lagos ports from December 30 to January 15, 2015.

“Two other ships are bringing into the country petrol and diesel, while two ships containing buckwheat and four others containing fresh fish are also being expected, ” it said.

The NPA said 15 other ships would arrive with charcoal, bulk rice, bulk salt, used vehicles, bulk sugar, bulk fertiliser, steel products, bulk ethanol and general cargo.

It also indicated that 27 other ships were discharging buckwheat, bulk rice, containers, bulk sugar, base oil, ethanol, general cargo, fertiliser and petroleum products.

According to reports 16 ships were waiting to discharge commodities and petroleum products at the various ports in Lagos.

Group floats platform for Jonathan, Agbaje

L

AGOS—SAMA Books Launch Services, has concluded plans for the launching of a platform, with the primary purpose of ensuring that 2/3 of the population of traders in big markets in Lagos cast their votes for President Goodluck Jonathan and Chief Jimi Agbaje in the 2015 general elections.

The event scheduled to take place on January 10, 2015 at the Lagos State Peoples Democratic

Party, PDP, Secretariat would have a former Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun, Prof. John Etu-Efeator as one of the co-sponsors.

A statement by the Director of Strategic Planning, Mr. Denis Alukagberie said the group which is known as The Four Cardinal Points, focuses on peace, stability, development and freedom.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 —11

OGUN PDP CRISIS: Daniel, Kuye, Dimeji

set to defect to SDP A

By Daud Olatunji

BEOKUTA—A strong indication has emerged that, a mass exodus of members and stalwarts of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State is currently looming.

This is coming as a former chairman of the House of Representatives' Committee on Aviation, Hon. Dave Salako has warned the national leadership of the PDP to either sanction the Chairman of its Mobilization and Organization Committee for the South West, Prince Buruji Kashamu or risk losing the 2015 elections in Ogun State.

Salako accused Kashamu of being allegedly responsible for the perennial crises rocking the PDP in Ogun State.

Vanguard reliably gathered that, this development, has prompted leaders of three of the major groups within the PDP in the state along their followers to begin defection into the newly introduced Social Democratic Party, SDP, in the state.

It was gathered that the recent loss of the three groups in the last congresses and recent primaries of the PDP in Ogun State prompted their action.

A former speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole and eight other aspirants had boycotted the party's governorship primary election which produced Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka.

On Monday, leaders of the Dimeji Bankole, Gbenga Daniel and Jubril Martins-Kuye groups reportedly met in Abeokuta, the state capital where they put finishing touches to their planned mass defection to the SDP. It was also reliably gathered that, on Monday night, former

governor, Gbenga Daniel held a secret meeting with the leader of the SDP in the state, Chief Olusegun Osoba in his Abeokuta residence.

A source told our correspondent that, apart from Daniel, other PDP leaders present at the meeting include a governorship aspirant of the party, Chief Anthony Ojesina; a former chairman of the PDP in the state, Chief Joju Fadairo, Chief Niyi Adegbenro, among others.

Vanguard further gathered that the general mood and consensus of the leaders at the meeting favoured the mass defection of the aggrieved members of the PDP into the SDP. When contacted, a leader of the Jubril Martins-Kuye group, Hon. Dave Salako declined to comment

on the issue.

But, he, however, stated that Kashamu had so far instituted over 40 cases in court against the leaders of the party at both the state and the national level, including the one he filed against the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu'azu.

He wondered why the PDP National Working Committee had been treating Kashamu whom he alleged had become fond of deliberately flouting all the directives of the party's national leadership as a sacred cow.

In his reaction, Kashamu said that Salako's outbursts should be ignored.

He added that Salako was still smarting from his inability to

realize his governorship ambition and profit from the party which he and members of his group abandoned since 2011.

Kasahamu in a statement by his Media Assistant, Austin Oniyokor said: "No careful observer of Ogun politics would be surprised at Dave Salako's outburst. He is rueing the devastating crash of his deputy governorship ambition and looking for whom to blame for his failed ambition. If there is anyone that should be sanctioned for working against the interest of the party, it should be Salako who, alongside his masters, abandoned the party since he lost his re-election bid in 2011 and now want to reap where he did not sow.''

BRIEFING: From left: Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, Ogun State Information Commissioner, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, Finance Commissioner and Taiwo Adeoluwa, SSG, during a briefing on issues relating to workers salaries, at Governor`s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, yesterday.

Photo: Wumi Akinola.

....As Bode Olajumoke calls for truce in Ondo PDP A

By Dayo Johnson

KURE—THE Senatorial Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the Ondo North Senatorial District of Ondo State, Dr. Bode Olajumoke yesterday called for truce in the crisis bedeviling the party.

He appealed to the aggrieved members of the party in the state to bury the hatchet and come fully on board for victory for the party in the 2015 elections.

This is coming as jubilation greeted the acceptance and clearance by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of the Senatorial and the House of Representatives' candidates.

The PDP supporters across the three senatorial district trooped to the streets to jubilate the diplay of the list of candidates.

Olajumoke while addressing PDP top shots in the District at his Campaign Organization office in Akungba Akoko, asked them to join hands with Governor Mimiko in his quest for victory for the Party.

He said plans are on for him to commence the tour of Local Government Areas from January 5, 2015 to meet party stalwarts and flag off their mobilization of the electorate to vote the PDP back into power at the state and

national levels.

According to him, there is no stronger alternative to the PDP in Ondo State, especially in the light of the coming together of the two leading parties in the state.

Former NYSC DG, Omojokun dies @ 79

A

KURE—FORMER DirectorGeneral of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Retired Maj.-Gen. Solomon Omojokun, has passed on at the age of 79.

Family spokesperson, Mrs Funmi Obilana, made this known in a statement made available to newsmen in Akure, yesterday.

Obilana said Omojokun died after a brief illness in his home town at Ilara Mokin in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State.

He added that, "Omojokun read

Mathematics and Physics at University College (now University of Ibadan) in 1958 and taught as science teacher in Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure before he was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1963.

"He served at various capacities as Commandant of Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Oshodi in 1970; DirectorGeneral, NYSC in 1975 until 1979 and was a Commandant of Nigerian Army Education Corps

from 1979 to 1984.

"He was the Federal Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity during Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s regime, after which, he retired in 1985.’’

Obilana added that the deceased was a Nigerian Ambassador to Cuba and Mexico between 1987 to 1991.

The spokesperson said the deceased is survived by a widow and children, adding that funeral arrangementswouldbeannouncedby the family soon.

Ondo promotes 4001 staff of public schools

By Dayo Johnson & Daud Olatunji

A

KURE—LETTERS of Promotion have been presented by the Ondo state government to 4,001 teaching and non teaching staff of Public Secondary Schools in the State.

The state government assured that the ongoing recruitment exercise of another 1,500 teachers will be completed before the end of January next year.

The Governor of the state, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, presented the letters of promotion to the beneficiaries during an interactive session for Principals of Public secondary schools in the state which held in Akure, the state capital.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Aderotimi Adelola, Governor Mimiko said the ceremony is in fulfilment of his promises on assumption of office, which includes, prioritizing the welfare of all workers in the state, particularly payment of salaries and prompt issuance of letters of promotion to deserving staff.

Folarin urges politicians to shun violence

I

By Dapo Akinrefon

B A D A N — GOVERNORSHIP candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Oyo State, Senator Teslim Folarin, has appealed to politicians to eschew violence and avoid mudslinging, if the primary motive of contesting is to serve the people.

In a statement by his Director of Media and Strategy, Victor Oluwadamilare, the governorship candidate said it was imperative for politicians to refrain from making inciting utterances.

“He said: “We must do nothing to promote violence and refrain ourselves from encouraging thuggery and hooliganism.

"What will be will be. we all eagerly await the new year 2015, all hands must be on deck to ensure an hitchfree election and smooth transition."

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

Banigo emerges Wike's running mate in Rivers

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT— GOVERNORSHIP candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State, Mr Nyesom Wike yesterday, announced, Dr Ipalibo Banigo (née Harry) as his running mate for the 2015 governorship election.

Wike, who addressed party faithful in Port Harcourt, said it took the party a fairly long search before it zeroed on Dr Banigo. Describing her as a woman of substance, Wike said it was time for women to occupy key positions in the mainstream politics of the state.

He said Banigo was the first female running mate to a governorship candidate in the state and would also emerge the first deputy governor of the state if the party wins the election in 2015.

“The challenge to pick the right person was very difficult because of the decay in governance. It took us long to come up with a name.

Admittedly, the search had been long and difficult.

"It became necessary to pick a proper person whose experience will add value to our programmes and vision.

She is a woman with an uncommon sense of duty, our

great party has a robust transition that is gender sensitive and inclusive. That is why we are given women room to be active,” he said.

Wike said the party will also inaugurate its campaign council today to coordinate the

various campaign committees to be set up.

On her part, Dr. Banigo, who was a former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Head of Service and later Secretary to the State Government, said she

accepted the offer with humility, promising to work harmoniously with the governorship candidate, Mr Wike. She appealed to all women to turn out en mass to vote for the PDP at all levels in the 2015 general polls.

PRAISE JAM: From left: Mr Jide Egbeyemi, Executive Management, Manufacturing an Construction, Law Union and Rock Insurance Plc; Mr Oluwaseun Adebola, Brand Manager; Mr. Bayo Dada, Executive Coordinator, Events, Inspiration 92.3 FM; Taiwo Oyelude, Chief Marketing Officer, Law Union and Rock Insurance PLC and Alozie Louis, Head of Retail, at the 2014 Inspiration 92.3 FM Christmas Family Praise Jam, in Lagos.

Edo commissioner demands justice over Ovia APC primaries

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—THE All Progressives Congress, APC, primaries held to elect the party’s flagbearer for Ovia federal constituency may have come and gone but the aftermath of the exercise has left a sour taste in the mouths of party faithful in the constituency. The primaries, held at Ozolua Model Primary School, Iguobazuwa, headquarters of Ovia South-West Local Government Area, was between the incumbent legislator representing the area, Isaac Osahon, Orobosa Omo-Ojo, a serving Commissioner in the Governor Adams Oshiomhole government and Mr. Charity Amwanyaevbo, who recently joined the APC from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The result of the congress is now before the House of Representatives Appeal panel set up by the party to look into the outcome of the primaries. The panel is yet to come out with its report, contrary to reports that one of the aspirants, Charity Amwanyaevbo, had been declared winner.

The primary election was going on smoothly until the counting of the votes of the contestants, when hell was let loose, as the tables where the sorted votes were arranged were allegedly overturned. One of the contestants in the primaries,

Orobosa Omo-Ojo, who is demanding for justice, in his petitions sent to the Inspector General of Police; National Chairman of APC; Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC; the governor of Edo State, Mr Oshiomhole and the House of Representatives Primaries Appeal Committee set up by the party, accused a serving

commissioner in the state, and some other aides of the state governor, of being responsible for the mayhem that disrupted the sorting and counting of the votes.

Omo-Ojo, until he was appointed by the state governor as commissioner, was the publisher of Midwest Herald Community Newspaper and now Commissioner for Transport in the

Oshiomhole administration.

In his petition to the Police IG, his counsel, L.E. Asirawede, alleged that one Dennis, Morrison and Andrew, apart from assaulting him at the venue of the primaries, perpetrated acts of physical violence against his person in their bid to pervert the electoral process in favour of their preferred aspirant.

Peterside promises equal opportunities in Rivers

By Gbenga Oke

G

OVERNORSHIP candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has promised equal opportunities for Rivers people if elected in next year’s election.

He also said that his government will go the extra mile to ensure that the fortunes of the state were changed.

Speaking at a reception organised in his honour by opinion leaders in Eleme, Rivers State, Peterside restated his commitment towards ensuring that opportunities were open to all Rivers people.

He said: “I promise equal opportunities for our people.

We shall create job opportunities through massive industrialization programme

and institutional support to small and medium scale businesses, SMEs. Those without means, who are interested in education, will also realise their dreams

because we fully appreciate the value of human capital development. Therefore, we will go the extra mile to ensure that our people are happy and fulfilled.”

Urhobo youths shun Goodluck Support Group the group’s meeting with the

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—COALITION of Urhobo Youths Organisation, CUYO, yesterday, said it had rebuffed moves by the Goodluck Support Group, GSG, to solicit its support for President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 general elections.

CUYO President, Mr. Mudiaga Abiri, who spoke with newsmen in Ughelli, Delta State, on the outcome of

leadership of GSG in the state, lamented that the Urhobo nation, as the fifth largest ethnic nationality in the country, had been unfairly treated by the Jonathan administration.

He said: “CUYO notes with dismay that by the 2011 general elections, it had about 25,273 unemployed Urhobo graduates in its data base and this number had risen to 31, 738 in 2014. The Jonathan administration has done nothing to reduce the figure."

Dickson calls for prayers against difficult times

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

E N A G O A — GOVERNOR Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has urged Bayelsans to pray for the leaders of the state and the President Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government to overcome the difficult circumstances the administration was going through.

Dickson made the call in his message to Bayelsans at the last edition of the state’s monthly praise night at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa.

Governor Dickson said that President Jonathan would emerge victorious in the 2015 elections because of his score card and credibility.

He said: “With constant prayers from Bayelsans and leaders at all levels, Jonathan will emerge victorious, because God answers prayers. I wish all Bayelsans a prosperous crises-free 2015. There will be security and peace across the land.”

Madam Asu for burial

M

ADAM Mary Asu, a community leader in Peretorugbene Community in Ekeremor Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, is dead, aged 90.

A family statement said she will be buried on January 30, 2015 in Peretorugbene Town after an all-night wake-keep.

She is survived by Mrs Alina Oluto, Mr Benjamin Asu, Mrs Esi Sagbana, John Asu Thomas Asu, Alex Asu and Mrs Gladys Teibowei and a host of relations.

Late Madam Asu

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014—13

Rivers PDP faults Horsfall’s call for Wike’s substitution

By Dapo Akinrefon

T

HE Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has faulted remarks by a former Nigerian security Chief, Chief Albert Horsfall, demanding that its governorship candidate for the 2015 general elections, Mr Nyesom Wike, to step down as the party ’s governorship candidate.

The party said such utterances amounted to daydreaming as such was against democratic principles.

Reacting to a statement credited to Chief Horsfall that Wike should be asked to step down or do so on his own within seven days, the party said: "Such remark is laughable and not achievable because directing or not directing elected candidates to proceed or not to proceed with their election mandate is not the responsibility of the party or any of its leaders.”

In a statement by Jerry Needam, Special Adviser, on Media to the state PDP Chairman, Mr. Felix Obuah, the party appealed to Rivers State indigenes to discountenance the call.

He said: “The party, as it is well known on December 8, 2014, conducted a well televised free and fair governorship primaries in the

commendable feat that the party made and will continue to uphold Wike, the winner of the primaries, until the final victory is achieved in 2015 general elections.

“It is, therefore, unthinkable and malicious for any one particularly, Chief Horsfall, who claims to be interested in the peace, security and development of Rivers State,

to contemplate acting against the popular choice and judgment of the people.”

It noted that “this latest action of Chief Horsfall, however, is not received by the party as a bolt from the blue, as he has over the period, conducted himself as a paid agent of the All Progressives Congress, APC, which obviously he is."

PROTEST: APC National Deputy Treasurer, Mr. Abubakar Suleja (left); Mr. Young Piero (right), during a protest at APC National Secretariat, Abuja, by members of Delta Coalition For Change, DCC, a political pressure group committed to the senatorial ambition of former NIMASA DG, Mr. Temisan Omatseye.

‘Why Edo APC Reps candidate must be voted out'

Edo PDP primaries: West-Idahosa alleges threat to life

T

B

HE Social Democratic Party, SDP, candidate for House of Representatives, Owan federal constituency, Edo State, Mr. Oarhe Dickson, has explained why the electorate must vote out the current lawmaker, who is of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Pally Iriase at next year’s general polls.

Oarhe, who described himself as the best choice and candidate for the election while addressing a crowd of his supporters and community youths in Uzebba, Owan West Local Government Area of the state, yesterday, also berated the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, aspirant for the position, Mr. Ambrose Imode, noting that the two lack all criteria to be adjudged competent to represent Owan federal constituency.

C M Y K

state, where all legitimately elected and accredited delegates from across the 23 local government areas of the state participated and which produced Chief Wike as the winner with a total of 1,083 votes, and was, therefore, declared the standard bearer of the PDP governorship ticket in Rivers State.

“This was a great and

By Gabriel Enogholase ENIN—A PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, senatorial aspirant, Mr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa, who recently lost the Edo South senatorial seat primaries to Mr. Matthew Urhoghide, has alleged threat to his life, three weeks after the primaries.

He said in a letter to the state

Chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, yesterday in Benin, that post mortem report on his late nephew, Perebowei Ogei, showed that he died from wounds inflicted on him with battle axes, jack knife among other weapons.

However, Orbih denied that West-Idahosa was left alone in his moment of grief, pointing out that the party issued a strongly worded statement condemning

the killing of Orbih's nephew.

He added that he led a team of PDP leaders to the residence of West-Idahosa to sympathise with him.

“I led a PDP team to the residence of West-Idahosa on the day of the attack and it was shown on television. We also condemned the killing in strong terms while charging the police to find the perpetrators of the heinous crime,” Orbih said.

Akpabio presents N462bn budget to state Assembly He said N253 billion constitutes

By Chioma Onuegbu

U

YO—GOVERNOR Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, yesterday, presented a budget of N462 billion for the 2015 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly.

The budget which is based on $55 per barrel, fell short of the 2014 budget with N36 billion.

Presenting the appropriation bill before the House in Uyo, Akpabio said the budget was aimed at completing ongoing projects in the state.

capital expenditure, while recurrent stands at N209 billion.

The appropriation bill allocated N18.3 billion to education.

Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr. Sam Ikon, commended the governor, saying that his administration had implemented the previous budgets to the letter.

He said that despite the fact that the governor had been the most abused and insulted, he has continued to execute projects for the benefit of the people of the state.

IYC intervenes in Odi crisis over N15bn FG compensation

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

E N A G OA — T H E Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, has condemned the crisis rocking the Odi community in KolokumaOpokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, arising from the management of the N15 billion compensation paid to the community as a result of the Odi massacre of 1999.

Some angry youths of the community had, penultimate weekend, attacked the Deputy Traditional Head of the Community, Chief Ebitimi Karuiru and other indigenes of the community, over their alleged involvement in the discrepancies over the sharing of the N15 billion compensation.

IYC in a statement, yesterday, in Yenagoa by its spokesman, Eric Omare, condemned the community leadership for betraying all those who paid the ultimate price and those alive fighting for justice for Odi community and the entire Ijaw nation.

Omare said that the N15 billion compensation was paid as a result of the military invasion the community suffered in 1999 hence, the IYC was of the view that the money should be channelled mainly into reconstruction of the community and the future educational development of indigent Odi indigenes.

14—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

Skye Bank completes take-over of Mainstreet Bank

By Nkiruka Nnorom

S

KYE BANK Plc has disclosed that it has taken full control of Mainstreet Bank Limited following the hand-over of the MBL to it by Asset M a n a g e m e n t Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON. In a notice informing the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, of the completion of the takeover, Skye Bank said that the hand-over followed approval by the relevant regulatory authorities.

The hand-over which took place December 18, 2014, saw the directors of Mainstreet Bank resigning their appointments and new management appointed in their stead.

In their place, an interim Management Board comprising of Mrs. Amaka Onwughalu, (Deputy Managing Director of Skye Bank), and Mr. Dotun Adeniyi (Executive Director of Skye Bank) was constituted.

Mrs. Onwughalu was appointed to the Board of Skye Bank Plc on November 30, 2008 and she is an astute bank administrator with over 27 year experience.

I didn’t endorse PDP candidate — Emir of Illorin

By Charles Kumolu

T

HE EMIR of Illorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari has dismissed reports that he has endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Kwara State, Senator Simeon Ajibola.

He also described the story as irresponsible, noting that it was an attempt to paint the emirate as partisan.

The monarch’s spokesperson, Alhaji Salihu Mohammed, who said this, called on the people of the state to disregard the report, saying that he had neither endorsed any candidate nor approved any political party.

He further said the Emir as a father of all political parties, did not slam his door.

Jonathan's taken aviation to global standards — PDP

By Soni Daniel

A

BUJA — PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s party, the Peoples Democratic Party, yesterday, X-rayed his performance in the aviation sector and concluded that he had taken it to an unprecedented high level.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh,

PDP said it was happy with the transformation in virtually every sector of the economy that have engendered greater economic productivity in the country.

The party said: “Under President Jonathan, rail services have returned, boosting not only commerce, but also national integration. Today, the LagosIbadan- Osogbo-Ilorin-MinnaKaduna-Zaria-Kano narrow gauge has been rehabilitated

with improved fast coaches providing regular services.

"The Enugu-Port HarcourtEnugu intercity train has been opened for operations while container cargo freight services from Apapa port complex have commenced.

Already, rehabilitation works on the Port Harcourt-AbaUmuahia-Enugu-MarkurdiLafia-Kuru-Bauchi-GombeAshaka-Maiduguri, as well as

PRESENTATION: From left, Chief Operating Officer, Broll, Mr. Daniel Eze; The Palms Shopping Mall promo winner, Mr. Chukwuma Emekume, and Head, Marketing, The Palms Shopping Mall, Mr. Tunji Folayan, during the grand finale and the presentation of a Kia Rio Car to the winner of The Palms Shopping Mall promo, in Lekki.

Experts blame IMF policies for Ebola crisis

By Babajide Komolafe, with agency report

P

ROFESSORS FROM three leading British universities say International Monetary Fund policies favoring international debt repayment over social spending contributed to the Ebola crisis by hampering health care in the three worst-hit West African countries.

Conditions for loans from the

IMF prevented an effective response to the outbreak that has killed nearly 8,000 people, the academics allege in a report in The Lancet Global Health journal this month.

The IMF denied the charges and quoted World Bank data to support its argument that its programs contributed to “significantly improved” health outcomes in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. In addition, the

ONDO: Court stops PDP’s list of

candidates

A

FEDERAL High Court sitting in Abuja, the Federal Capital territory, FCT, yesterday, stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from using any list of candidates from Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the purpose of the state House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate in 2015 general elections.

The court gave the order following an application for contempt brought before it by the state PDP chairman, Chief Olu Ogunye. The vacation judge, Justice A. R. Mohammed directed that whichever list of

candidates to be used for the 2015 elections from either of the parties to the suit should be determined

by Justice Adeniyi Ademola, whose order was violated by INEC. The court said the entire contempt proceedings and committal to prison application will be determined on January 6, 2015.

Justice Ademola had on December 18, directed that the leadership of PDP and INEC should relate with the Ogunyeled new executive in respect of conduct of primaries and elections into the Ondo State House of Assembly, the House of Representatives and the Senate.

multilateral finance agency provided $430 million to fight Ebola in West Africa.

“The IMF aims to become part of the solution to the crisis ... Yet, could it be that the IMF had contributed to the circumstances that enabled the crisis to arise in the first place?” asks the study, whose lead author is Cambridge University sociologist Alexander Kentikelenis. Co-authors are Lawrence King of Cambridge, Martin McKee of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and David Stuckler of Oxford University.

IMF lending requires governments to give priority to short-term economic objectives over investment in health, the authors said, citing IMF statistics that showed the terms of loans to Guinea, under an IMF austerity program for 21 years, Liberia, following one for seven years, and Sierra Leone, in one for 19 years.

Civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone in the 1990's also contributed to the long-term destruction of those countries’ health systems, said the report.

IMF policies contributed to “under-funded, insufficiently staffed, and poorly prepared health systems” in the three countries.

the branch line from Kafanchan to Kaduna are at completion stages and will be operational soon.

“In the same vein, work on the Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge rail line has reached advanced stage and is expected to become operational in the first quarter of 2015. This is in addition to the Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri standard gauge line, which is projected to resume full operation by the middle of 2015.

“Other segments of the new standard gauge speed train network are planned, with contract already awarded for the Lagos–Ibadan segment. Already, a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, for the construction of a new railway line that will run from Lagos to Calabar, extending to the Obudu Cattle Ranch has been signed.

“Passengers carried by rail has increased from one million in 2012 to 4.2 million in 2013 and still growing with the opening of new lines in 2014.

“On land transportation, the investment-friendly environment created by the Jonathan administration has resulted in increased participation of private individuals and companies in road mass transit, including those funded through SURE-P and other financing windows, thereby reducing the land transport challenges faced by Nigerians,” the statement said.

Giving an overview of the achievements in the water transport sector, the PDP noted that “the dredging of the River Escavos and River Niger from Warri to Baro in Niger State and the inland city ports in Onitsha have since been completed to create the much desired inland water channel for movement of personnel and goods “This is in addition to the acceleration of the dredging work at the Lokoja axis and the opening of coastal transport services. In the last three years, over 6.7 million passengers and over 1.6 million tonnes of cargo have been moved through this channel.

“In the same vein, extensive port reforms by the administration have paved the way for availability of twenty-four hour services with clearing time reduced from 39 days to 7 days for trouble-free cargo.

“On Aviation, it is incontrovertible that this sector, which in the past was denied desired attention, has been revamped and repositioned by President Jonathan.

“In line with the President’s Transformation Agenda, the aviation ministry and its parastatals were immediately restructured while obsolete infrastructure were either replaced or upgraded in all the major airports across the country."

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 — 15

Anglican Bishop condemns Obasanjo's attack on Jonathan

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI — ANGLICAN Bishop of Okigwe, Rt. Rev. Dr. Edward Osuegbu, has described the continuous attack on President Goodluck Jonathan by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as “shocking, most unfair and uncharitable, especially as a former occupier of the office of the President of Nigeria.”

Bishop Osuegbu, in a chat with Vanguard, accused Obasanjo of having done “worse things while in office.”

“Some of us who have been watching for many years now, know that it is the kettle calling the pot black. Obasanjo did similar things he is accusing the incumbent of and even worse”, Osuegbu said.

According to the fiery Anglican cleric, "Obasanjo is now taking pleasure in criticizing and calling President Jonathan all sorts of names because he wants to drag the President down. Possibly, Chief Obasanjo wants to drag the President down or wants him to go on his knees and coming to the retired army general to beg for support. That is most unfair”, Bishop Osuegbu said.

While saying that such

criticisms had never come from any past President of United States of America, USA, the cleric however said real statesmen only advised the incumbents and nobody got to hear about it.

“They do not make noise if their advice is not taken by the incumbent. It is also noteworthy that

no former President of the USA has ever castigated President Barrack Obama. This does not mean that Obama is infallible”, Osuegbu reasoned.

The Anglican cleric insisted that past presidents of America respected the office of the President of USA as if their lives

depended on it, stressing that was the one way of respecting their nation.

“In our own case, a former president is at the fore front of criticising, castigating and attacking an incumbent President with a view to destroying the system”, Osuegbu fumed.

PARLEY: Mrs. Ediri Ose-Ediale,Executive Secretary, ADVAN; Mr. Kachi Onubogu,ADVAN Executive council Member/Commercial Director, Promasidor Limited; Don Pedro Obaseki, Chief Executive Officer, Wawoo TV, and Mabel Onoruvie, General Manager, Pidgin TV Channel on WawooTV, during the press parley on the Advan-Wawootv Digitisation, in Whitehouse Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau

Lagos disburses N30bn to pensioners under CPS

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

T

HE LAGOS State Government has said it paid N30.479, 043.146,76, into the Retirement Saving Accounts, RSA, of 5,773 retired civil servants on the Contributory

Pension Scheme. CPS. The sum represents their benefits prior to the commencement of the CPS in 2007.

Presenting cheques worth N1, 547,072,068.70 to 234 state retirees on the CPS, during the 15th Retirement Bond Certificates

ceremony at Ikeja, DirectorGeneral, Lagos State Pension Commission, LASPEC, Mr. Rotimi Adekunle Hussain, said the programme was a clear affirmation of the present administration’s commitment to the welfare of its workforce, as well as ensuring a better and fulfilling

Ezinihitte stakeholders okay Okorocha for 2nd term

S

TAKEHOLDERS IN Ezinihitte Local government Area including the, women, men and youths, have thrown their weight behind the second term ambition of the Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.

The people said they are united together to ensure the victory of Governor Okorocha in 2015.

The people numbering over 17,000 including women, men and youths took the decision during the official declaration of the candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, for Ezinihitte State House of Assembly, Dr. Ifeanyi Nwachukwu, at Okpofe Central School.

Speaking during the ceremony, the APC State Chairman, Dr Hilary Eke, assured the state governor that the people of Ezinihitte would vote for all APC candidates to

ensure the continuity of his good work in the state.

Dr Ekeh said the people of Ezinihitte had benefitted a lot from the present administration led by Governor Okorocha, especially in the area of infrastructural development; pointing out that a lot of Mbaise

sons and daughters occupied enviable positions.

The APC Chairman made it clear that Imo people would never forget in a hurry the good work of Governor Okorocha and the only way to reward him was to ensure his victory in 2015.

life after retirement.

According to Hussain, “The administration of Governor Babatunde Fashola since the adoption of the Contributory Pension Scheme in 2007 has taken it as a point of duty and utmost importance to always organize the ceremony to present the retirees with their retirement benefits.

“As at the 14th Bond Certificates presentation held in November of this year, a total of 5,530 pensioners had been paid a total sum of N28, 931,971,078.06 only.

This implies that adding today’s presentation, the state government has paid into the Retirement Saving Accounts, RSA, of 5,773 retirees under CPS a total of N30.479,043.146,76, only”.

PDP chieftain denounces statement on Abia gov poll

By Charles Kumolu

A

CHIEFTIAN of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Sam Onukwe, has disassociated himself from a report where the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, was allegedly warned that the party might lose the 2015 governorship election in Abia State.

Onukwe in a statement

described the story credited to him as false and baseless.

The statement reads: ‘’I wish to unequivocally state that I am not the president of the phoney Abia Professionals Forum and that I neither issued nor authorised the said statement or press release. I have not written or caused to write and circulate any such statement or petition as allegedly quoted and published. ‘’The said publication is no

doubt from the stable of desperate politicians who will stop at nothing to create and orchestrate non-existent scenes and situations to scuttle the decision of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to field a worthy Ngwaman as its flag bearer for the governorship election in Abia State in 2015.

I call on all concerned to ignore the planted information and those behind it.’’

Premier beer out in 2015, says chairman

C

HAIRMAN, BOARD of Directors, Premier Breweries Plc, Onitsha, Prince Arthur Eze, yesterday said the company would commence full production of beer in the first quarter of 2015.

Eze said this while addressing shareholders of the company during the 2014 Annual General Meeting, AGM, of the company for the year ended March, 2014, held in Enugu.

He noted that with the assurances of the company’s technical partners and the level of reengineering so far achieved, the company would resume its leading role in the beer production industry in the country.

The chairman said electricity supply had been stabilised with the installation of a 500KVA generator while water supply was already in place from which the company produces the table water that was already in the market.

Eze explained that with about N1 billion share capital, the company settled a monthly electricity bill of N1 million and a salary bill of N3.4 million.

Farmers' group donates N5bn for Buhari's campaign

A

GROUP of yam farmers cutting across some northern states in the country yesterday pledged to support the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, General Mohammadu Buhari’s campaign in the 2015 general elections with N5 billion.

The group disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Jos. Reverend Jacob Musa, Public Relations Officer, PRO, of the farmers on the name “Buhari-Osibajo Presidential Appeal Campaign Fund, BOPCAF, said that farmers from Taraba, Nasarawa, Plateau, Adamawa, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Niger and Kaduna states as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, would feature at the occasion.

16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

11,500 Kano wheat farmers benefit from FG’s fertiliser

K

ANO—NO fewer than 11, 500 wheat farmers in Kano State will benefit from the Federal Government’s fertilisers and other farm inputs during the current dry season farming.

Alhaji Adamu Shehu, the Acting Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in the state, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano yesterday.

Shehu said the federal government had started distributing the commodity under its Growth Enhancement Scheme , GES, to the registered farmers in five designated centres across the state.

He said under the programme, each farmer would collect two bags of fertilisers and a 50 kg bag of hybrid seeds at a subsidised rate of N6, 500.

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Elechi presents N80bn appropriation bill to Ebonyi Assembly

By Peter Okutu

A

B A K A L I K I — GOVERNOR Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State, yesterday presented an appropriation bill of N80,017,929,870.00 (Eighty Billion, Seventeen Million, Nine Hundred and TwentyNine Thousand, Eight Hundred and Seventy Naira) to the state House of Assembly for passage into law.

In a surprise development, the warring factions of the house came together to receive the governor to present the budget led by the Speaker, Chukwuma Nwazunku.

The presentation thus ended speculations in the state that the budget might not be presented to the Assembly this year.

The sitting, however started three hours behind schedule as members during a closed-door meeting with Deputy Governor, Dave Umahi, and Governor Martin Elechi, discussed their lingering allowances.

Vanguard gathered that the

executive arm had been exploiting the crisis in the Assembly to delay the allowances meant for legislators and their constituents.

Tagged “budget of transmission and economic fulfillment”, the budget is 6 percent lower than last year’s budget of N85,634,933,972 According to Elechi, 47.48% of the budget or N39,991,977,780 billion was proposed as recurrent

expenditure while N42,025,952,090 billion or percent of the budget was for capital expenditure.

The governor, who commended the Assembly for the cordial relationship it had maintained with the executive even though in the last few months, there had been trials engendered by both internal and external factors.

Elechi noted that the 2014 budget of stabilization faced a lot of obstacles especially global economic meltdown, fluctuations

of crude prices which led to a shortfall in the expected revenue of both the federal government and that of the state even as its expenditure profile rose.

“Despite the numerous hiccups experienced over the years, we have a justification to say that we have consolidated on the performances of the past years; that we have reasonably, if not wholly, fulfilled our electoral promises to our people; and that we have created a brighter hope for the future generation”, he said.

‘We'll transform railway system for national devt'

K

ADUNA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, said yesterday that his administration had intensified efforts to modernise and transform the nation’s railway system for national prosperity and development.

The president, who spoke at the inauguration of Diesel Multiple Unit, DMU, passenger service for intracity Kaduna, said transforming and modernising the rail system

would facilitate national growth and development.

Jonathan, who was represented

by Vice President Namadi Sambo, said the essence of much attention to the railway system was to reduce the cost of moving goods and services across the country and make Nigerians happy.

He, however, lamented that in the last 30 years, the railway sector had suffered neglect by previous administrations and restated that the present administration had

rekindled hope in the lives of Nigerians and assured that effective and efficient rail system would continue to be their priority.

In his speech, Governor Muktar Yero of Kaduna State, observed that the railway system was the most affordable and easy means of transportation.

He said the state government had worked hard to improve its transportation system by acquiring and distributing vehicles to commuters to ease the transport system.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 — 17

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18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 NIGERIANS are getting to the reality that every part of the country wants to free space and whatever resources it can for itself. The arguments are not about who settlers are and who are the indigenes, they are about the fact that Nigerians are now grappling with issues of citizenship. It is an issue that deserves handling with uttermost sensibility and sensitivity.

How are citizens of a 54-year- old country unable to identify themselves?

Why are we not able to learn from other countries? Each time there is a conflagration in any part of the country, most of those who claim they are seeking solutions to the crisis are behind it.

Issues are deeper and we have to confront them with sincerity instead of exploring tribe, poverty, unemployment, and religion to create troubles throughout the country.

Legislations would not resolve this matter easily. Our Constitution already provides adequately for the rights of Nigerians. Section 42 (1) states, “A citizen of Nigeria of a particular community, ethnic group, place of origin,

By Eddie Onuzuruike

H

ISTORY of great nations and great men are catalogued by events.

Most of the events change the present, structure and shape the future.

The emergence of Abraham Lincoln 16th president of United States of America, Mahatma Gandhi of India, Winston Churchill of Britain and Nelson Mandela, to mention a few improved the conditions of their people and reshaped the future. The common denominator in these names was that these men had enough courage to preach, and demonstrate against injustices of man’s inhumanity to man.

They equally pushed against evil practices of their compatriots. In doing this, they did not only emancipate the physically enslaved, they liberated the minds and refined the mentality of the oppressors. For these acts of courage to realize their dreams, history and posterity have been generously kind to them.

These examples are not restricted only to foreign lands. Back home, we have our heroes whose experiences and actions have made interesting reading to the world.

Taking on one of these, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, a voracious reader, as a little boy read so much good that could come

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A Country Of Settlers sex, religion or political opinion shall not, by reason only that he is such a person – (a) be subjected either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any executive or administrative action of the government, to disabilities or restrictions to which citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religions or political opinions are not made subject; or (b) be accorded either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any such executive or administrative action, any privilege or other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religions or

political opinions.

(2) No citizen of Nigeria shall be subjected to any disability or deprivation merely by reason of the circumstances of his birth. These provisions, ordinarily, should have been enough to give Nigerians the right to live in any part of the country as citizens. Section 153 provides for a Federal Character Commission, for example, whose work, in the main counts against the provisions of Section 42.

The politicians can come up with all types of legislations, but it is clear that none of these can change things that ruin the country, if the attitude of those in authority is to pretend Nigerians are made for laws, instead of laws for Nigerians. Nigerian children lose admission to schools in States where their parents are not indigenes, though they pay taxes there. Nigerians are denied opportunities because of their origins, ethnic groups, sex and everything Section 42 abhors.

We have to look beyond legislation to free ourselves from the shackles of being settlers in our own country.

OPINION Abia politics and the game changers from America. One of the illuminating goodies is education. He was so influenced by what he read that he made up his mind to get there by all means. Little Azikiwe did not have the means as at that time to be in America but he sought a way. He was a stowaway- an illegal traveller in a ship.

This first attempt was bungled because he carried along his boyhood friend who got seasick and they were cast away by the sailors. At the final count, Zik made it, acquired all the education he could and came back to his fatherland, unlike many who would have remained and savoured the comfort zones.

These survivalist escapades equipped him for the leadership which saw him championing the total liberation and emancipation from the colonial government that resulted in the Nigeria of today. Zik, as he was popularly known, did not achieve these alone but nobody will deny the fact that his firebrand approach galvanized his compatriots to action.

Heroism is a continuous act. Its evolvement is hourly, daily and yearly.

Different situations yielded and still yields different heroes. The issue of

kidnapping and armed robbery in Abia made Chief T. A. Orji grow grey hairs overnight. But he was not panicky; he soldiered on till he won the serial battles for which he has become a great hero. On the political and social scales, he noticed the power imbalance in Abia State where one third of the three senatorial zones was continuously denied the governorship slot.

When he preached against it, many thought he only wanted to score a political point. Today he has justified this and history and chroniclers of events are not silent on this and other heroic act.

Oddly enough, this gross anomaly continued that most of the victims of the imbalance did not want to infuriate the powers that was and so ignored the boasts of people who prognosticated many years of domination of Ngwa people.

Chief T. A. Orji has put his words into action. He convinced the PDP caucus and the stakeholders who ratified the zoning in July 2014. Even the vocal and mischievous challenges from some Ngwa Royal and political class did not deter him.

Today, he has led the party primaries

to a successful selection of a veritable candidate who is from the Ukwa na Ngwa stock thus enlarging his legacies.

Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu the new PDP flag bearer come 2015, has vowed to continue with the Ochendo legacies which includes but not limited to the Airport and Seaport initiatives. The implication is that growth, innovations and people-oriented social indices will multiply and giant dreams of the present administration would be realized.

It is a pointer that at the end of it all, Abians are the greatest beneficiaries as new ideas and installations will litter the glorious land of Abia.

D r. Ikpeazu would not be building new markets, International Conference Centre, Government House E-Library and all. Already a foundation is in place, he will veer into other areas of social, economic and educational development.

Through these, Abia will progress and realize the dreams of the founding fathers enunciated in the Abia Charter of equity.

•Mr. Onuzuruike, a political analyst, wrote from Aba, Abia State.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014—19 —19

20 14, Nigeria’s yyear ear of 201 insurgency

I

T was and still is the single most talked-about issue in Nigeria in the last one year. Although its existence predated the Goodluck Jonathan administration, insurgency has been that single elephant of an issue that has dominated the room of national discourse in the last one year. It brought activists campaigning for the return of the Chibok girls out on the roads of Abuja on Christmas day 2014. It was on the lips of the hundreds of thousands of Nigerians that have been displaced from their homes in different parts of the north-east, and their families. The Pope didn’t forget to mention it in his Christmas message. And it would continue to dominate news about Nigeria until an end is put to it.

2014 would be best remembered

by Nigerians as that year in which marauding bands of castaways took on a national army and all but succeeded in putting it out of business. Not only was the Nigerian armed forces routed in series of encounters with the insurgents, many times members of the armed forces perpetrated acts of sabotage against their own organization, became mutinous and turned their weapons on their

own commanders. The discipline for which professional armed forces are famous around the world; the focus that gave the Nigerian armed forces a place of pride in Africa, was nowhere to be seen among those sent to the frontline to confront the insurgents. Poorly motivated and without the right or required resources to take on Shekau’s killers, the soldiers became their own worst enemies. 2014 must have the record for the highest number of soldiers sentenced to death for unsoldierly conduct. And except things get worse (which nobody prays for), its record would be hard to beat for a long time.

The tragedy that made the past year, perhaps, the worst for the Nigerian military started with the abduction of over 200 school girls from their school in Chibok on 14 April 2014. For many weeks following this unfortunate event, the Jonathan administration didn’t seem bothered to say nothing of knowing how to go about ensuring the rescue of the girls. But after many weeks of passing the buck and feeding Nigerians outright lies about the true condition of the school girls;

indeed after Abuja could no longer turn a deaf ear to global outcry to bring back the girls, the government finally started rousing itself from its deathly slumber. It made some gestures in the direction of seeking assistance from the rest of the world to rescue the girls. But after these apparent attempts at rescuing the girls, nothing worthy of report to Nigerians has since happened.

Surely, since the initial abduction in April, far more girls, their brothers, sisters and parents have been either abducted, displaced from their homes or killed by the same wanderer groups President Jonathan promised to bring to account on different occasions. As 2014 went into the ages, our dear president was still making promises to bring back the girls, improve the economy and make life more secure for Nigerians.

The next few weeks are bound to be very busy and interesting. With the February presidential elections within sight, this government can have nothing for Nigerians other than its strategy to fight for its existence. A multi-

Although its existence predated the Goodluck Jonathan administration, insurgency has been that single elephant of an issue that has dominated the room of national discourse

Okowa’s running mate and the self-inflicted humiliation of the Isokos

O “

KOWA’S running mate: Clark, Manager, Tompolo in a fierce battle,” so screamed the headline (Vanguard, 20 December 2014). I saw at once the chronicle of another humiliation foretold: of the three personalities mentioned, none is Isoko. But one should not deduce the facts of a newspaper story from its headline. So to the story I went but before another word,the context for my conclusion. I had recently come to the view that the Isoko people are poorly served by their leaders and expressed it openly on April 7 when I declared my intention (aborted precisely eight months later on December 7 at the APC primaries) to run for a seat in the House of Representatives.

Here is what I said in my declaration statement, published as “Isokoland deserves [a] better deal” in The Guardian April 8, 2014): “It is true that all of Nigeria suffers as much as we do, all except the treasury looters and their immediate circles of family and friends . . . Yet, the agony of Isokoland is special, being a major oil and gas producing part of the Niger Delta whose natural wealth alone bakes and re-bakes the so-called ‘National Cake’ which the rest of Nigeria shares among its corrupt power elite without as much as a crumb ever falling to us. . . .

Other than a few post offices, successive Nigerian governments . . . have not thought Isokoland deserving of a single act of acknowledgement that we are part of the nation. None of us, man or woman, has been deemed worthy of a ministerial or ambassadorial position, chairmanship of a governing board, headship of a federal C M Y K

ministry, department or agency (even of those specifically set up to address the marginalisation and ecological devastation of the Niger Delta). In short, to the Nigerian state, Isokoland is a ‘dark region,’ void of people save its oil, and its gas some of which is still flared today to further pollute their air and water!But part of the fault is ours. For too long the Isokos have been content to suffer in silence. While others, even those who have ruled and ruined Nigeria before and after independence, scream at the rooftop about their alleged marginalisation, the Isokos weep into their hands or cry themselves to sleep.”

And now that they have been overlooked yet again by not having the deputy governorship “conceded” to them, perhaps they will begin to take themselves more seriously and resolve to end their unending humiliation

billion Naira war chest is already in place. While oil prices continue to crash and state governments are struggling to meet their wage bills amid a belt-tightening regime of austerity imposed by Abuja, President Goodluck Jonathan was able to raise over N21 Billion in one single day to prosecute the war to keep his office. There is no doubt that more money would still be raised up to the eve of the election and beyond. Nigerians are perhaps now getting some insight into where and for what the billions of Naira that have either been declared missing or unaccounted for at the NNPC are. Of course, President Jonathan wouldn’t be the first to rake in so much electoral funds in questionable circumstances. But Nigerians would have expected him to copy the most appealing and admirable qualities of his predecessors, not their excesses.

After six straight years in office as president, Goodluck Jonathan ought to be confident enough to run his campaign on the record of his achievement. He ought not to allow any kind of under the table tactics in the prosecution of his reelection bid. But that increasingly seems a taller order than he can cope with. The reasons for this should be clear to any Nigerian.

There are no records to speak of in real terms. Much of what the administration catalogues as achievements are nondescript efforts it should be ashamed of.

On the question of security, for instance, this administration has failed abysmally. Otherwise, we would not be talking of 2014 as Nigeria’s year of insurgency.

Which is another way of saying that the past year was one of insecurity. The violence at the level of actual hostilities was just without compare. It was no less so at the systemic level with many

I came to this unflattering selfcriticism by way of two simple questions: “Who speaks for the Isokos? Who is willing to act on their behalf?”

Selflessly, I might have added. I answered thus: “Too often, those who purport to speak or act say and do just enough to be noticed and settled.”

Throughout this painful inward look, Cassius’s words to Brutus in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar buzzed in my head: “The fault is not in our stars but in us that we are underlings.” I restated this view of “the appalling state of the Isoko nation” in my tribute to the late Dr. Abel Ubeku (Vanguard, 18 June 2014), lamenting that since the death of the immortal James Ekpre Otobo, the Isokos have lacked a true leader of stature, and hence their “extreme and spiteful marginalisation to the point of ostracisation from Nigeria.”

And, consequently, their failure to get due respect and recognition even in their own state, never mind the nation at large. Either due to a crippling case of what might be called”minority complex” or a communal temperament more attuned to peaceful coexistence than aggressive self-interest,the Isokos seem to lack ambition. How else, for instance, can it be explained that none of its self-vaunted political office holders who love to boast of their power and connections (one in particular is fond of telling tales of his closeness to President Jonathan) ever thinks of running for Governor?Even in a year when there wasn’t enough space along the highways or at roundabouts for the billboards of aspirants to Government House, Asaba?

So I read the “Isoko nation kicks” section of the report with keen interest. And there I

state governments now unable to meet their obligations by their workers and contractors. What then is there to cheer about this administration beyond the chestthumping rhetoric of its ministers among other professional praisesingers and lackeys?

The past year was what it was because of the incompetence of the drivers of our national locomotive.

They have failed to live up to expectation. Their incompetence threatens to bring the national house down on us all. A president that came into office on a groundswell of national goodwill, at least in the southern part of this country, has squandered so much of it that its goodwill account is now in overdraft. If Nigeria must look to a better future it cannot continue at this level in which a national government rolls out the drum to celebrate the fact that its petroleum minister, in her capacity as Nigeria’s representative, became the first woman president of OPEC. If this is the kind of achievement that the Jonathan administration feels happy celebrating, then Nigerians have very little to look forward to from it even if they cannot be sure that the alternative might be better.

It surely doesn’t look like it could be worse. If anything, things could get better.

Providence has been kind to President Goodluck Jonathan as it has been kind to all of those who have had the privilege of ruling this country. That privilege must not be turned into a right or, indeed, a matter of sentiments in which anything but ability is allowed to determine who becomes Nigeria’s president in February 2015.

Goodluck Jonathan may be a good person. He may want the best for Nigeria. But his personal goodness or well wishes cannot substitute for competent and able leadership.

learnt that Isoko “elders and leaders of PDP” expected the deputy governorship to be given to them as a prize for good-neighbourliness.

Because since 2003 they had”continuously conceded” the Delta South senatorial seat to their Ijaw brothers. And “generously conceded the governorship to our Itsekiri brothers” in 2007. Therefore, “the position of Deputy Governor should be reciprocally ceded to the Isoko nation.”Hardly fighting words. It fell to the Isoko Development Union to make a more assertive claim.

Through Major-General Paul Omu (retd), its president, IDU declared that “only the political party that appoints an Isoko son or daughter as deputy governor will have the vote of our people,” adding for emphasis that “The consequence of this should not be lost to any discerning mind.”

For a people who boast the second oil field after Oloibiri (Uzere in 1959), and who contribute20 percent of Delta State’s quota of the oil and gas that fund the profligacy of Nigeria, being reduced to begging for their rights speaks volumes about their politics.

And now that they have been overlooked yet again by not having the deputy governorship “conceded” to them, perhaps they will begin to take themselves more seriously and resolve to end their unending humiliation.The consequences of quiet acquiescence after being placated with one or two second- and third-tier state or even federal appointments should not be lost on any discerning mind among them.

20 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

Boko Haram: Rage of Okada riders

By Ebele Orakpo

A

•Scene of the accident.

NARROW ESCAPE: How traders escape tanker accident

By Bose Adelaja

T

HEY had hoped to make brisk business that night but suddenly, the light went off and was not restored, forcing them to lock their shops and retire for the day earlier than expected.

In their frustration, they cursed the authorities of the Ikeja Power Distribution Company, Ikeja DISCO for falling to provide light even after giving them crazy electricity bills.

But the power outage turned out to be a blessing in disguise as a tanker rammed into the building where their shops were located. That was how traders and residents of No 32 Musa Adewokun Street in Ojota area of Lagos narrowly escaped death last Tuesday.

Vanguard Metro VM learnt that the epileptic power supply in the neighbourhood started on December 19, forcing businesses in the area to go to bed earlier than expected. One of the low-rise buildings in the compound had five shops occupied by

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people engaged in different articles of trade.

They had stocked their shops with goods in anticipation of bountiful sales during the festive period. A tailor who simply identified himself as Abbey occupied one of the shops. He told VM that he was also keeping late nights in a bid to get the clothes he was sewing for the Christmas ready.

The normal practice, according to him, was to put on the generator anytime there is power outage and continue to work with his 10 apprentices until dawn.

While some said the tanker was returning from a bunkering trip, others said the driver was being chased by policemen because he refused to “settle” them

But that Monday night, Abbey decided that he had spent a lot of money on fuel and was not prepared to spend more.

He therefore decided to ask his workers to leave for home immediately the lights went off. Abbey did not know that it was how God decided to spare his life and those of his staff.

Around 3am on Tuesday, December 23, 2014, Abbey and his family got a distress call which prompted them to rush to the shop. What they met was beyond their imagination. Right in front of his shop, he saw some residents scooping fuel from a tanker which rammed into the building. Four of the shops were completely pulled down while the remaining one was pulled down by sympathizers to avert further disaster.

A Golf car with number plate LND 914 AV which was neatly parked near the shops, was slightly damaged by the tanker whose driver escaped into thin air, apparently to avoid

being lynched.

When Vanguard Metro visited the scene around 8am, the tanker had been removed and taken to a nearby Police station while the victims tried to salvage what remained of their property.

Conflicting accounts of what caused the accident were given by onlookers. While some said the tanker was returning from a bunkering trip, others said the driver was being chased by policemen because he refused to “settle” them.

A relation of one of the victims, Nurudeen Obayomi, told Vanguard Metro that his brother was badly affected by the incident. According to him, some items in his shop were newly purchased.

Another victims who operates a super market said the incident had left him inconsolable. ‘’ I obtained a loan a couple of days ago to stock this shop with goods. I also sent for my younger brother to assist me during the Christmas sales. Where do I start from?” he lamented.

T the Otto Waff Bus-stop along the ApapaOshodi Expressway last Wednesday evening, a commercial bus popularly called Danfo, was parked with the driver on the driver’s seat while the conductor was hanging by the door, calling passengers.

Suddenly, two young men on two motorcycles, popularly called Okada, came on top speed, passed the commercial bus and came to an abrupt halt just behind the bus. The two cyclists alighted and the first one rushed to the bus conductor and before one could say okokobioko, started pummelling the conductor. Passers-by and those waiting to board a bus to their various destinations, were stunned by the unfolding drama. At this point, the second okada rider had joined in the fight and the bus driver came down to find out what was going on.

Within seconds, there were tens of okada riders who had come to help their ‘brother.’ A few of the passersby came to intervene when they saw that the bus conductor and his driver could be killed as they were already outnumbered. After much pleas, the first okada man started going back to his bike while still cursing the bus conductor and others that had nothing to do with the quarrel.

Some of his people then began to ask him what happened between him and the bus conductor. He explained to them in Hausa, that the conductor had called him Boko Haram.

“Why didn’t you stab him?” asked one of his friends to which he replied thus: “He is very lucky. If I were Boko Haram, will he have the guts to talk to me anyhow? We have tolerated them enough.”

“Wallahi, he is lucky. He has escaped today but he will not be lucky next time,” said another rider.

“We will begin to deal with them. This insult f must stop,” said one of the okada riders.

“Kwarai da gaskiya (very true). It is high time we began to teach them the lesson of their lives. They behave as if we are not Nigerians,” said another.

Aggrieved okada riders “I don’t blame them. We are receiving this insult from these infidels because of Jonathan. He is very lucky that he did not say that in the night. He would have been a dead man, I swear!” one of the aggrieved okada riders chipped in. “ We will make sure we remove their infidel brother in the next election. We are tired of tolerating them. Who do they think they are?”

Mr. A, a passerby who witnessed the whole thing, said: “These guys are unbelievable! They are on the wrong side of the road, speeding as if they have an appointment with hell, and yet they had the guts to attack someone who was on his right lane.”

“Oh, you haven’t seen anything yet. Sometimes they park their bikes right in the middle of the road, obstructing the flow of traffic and if you as much as complain, they will almost lynch you ,” said Mr. B, another passerby.

“But make I ask, why should the conductor call him Boko Haram? It’s a curse as far as they are concerned,” said another passer-by.

“And where are the Police, LASTMA and Road Safety guys? I thought okada riders were banned from major roads and expressways? Not only do we see them on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, but they go against traffic, constantly knocking people down,” said Mr. A. “I wonder oo. They will go into the streets pursuing law-abiding okada riders and seizing their motorcycles.

Meanwhile, they leave the law breakers to have a field day. Everything is just upside down in this country, especially Lagos,” said Mr. B. “We need the system to be sanitised. Most of these boys learn to ride on the job, so they are a risk to other road users. People call them Boko Haram because of the way they ride their okada on the highway. They practically terrorise road users,” said Mr. A. “These tankers are not helping matters. They have taken over the entire road. Just look at the traffic? It’s a nightmare,” said Ms. D to which Mr. A replied thus: “Oh, yesterday was the wake-keep, today is the funeral.

It is more than a nightmare!”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 — 21

Stanbic IBTC ETF over subscribed by 114 %, lists on NSE

By Emmanuel Elebeke

T

he Nigerian Bureau of Sta tistics, NBS, says it is undertaking a back casting exercise to re-compute the recently completed rebasing of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP. In a statement, the Bureau said the GDP estimate revisiting exercise for years prior to the new base year (2010) is aimed at ensuring a complete understanding of the country’s economic history and structural transformation especially over the last two decades.

The exercise, when completed, the Bureau said, would facilitate not only a direct comparison by sector/ economic activity, but will also enable policymakers and researchers understand more fully the effect of sectoral policy over the years.

In order to ensure that the estimates can be compared for both pre and post rebasing periods however, NBS said it is undertaking the exercise cautiously, pending the conclusion of the exercise.

However, it noted that the comparison between previous estimates of the sectoral and real GDP should be interpreted cautiously until the new exercise is concluded.

It will be recalled that the rebasing and re-benchmarking exercise of Nigeria’s National Account Estimates (including the Gross Domestic Product, GDP series) was concluded by the National Bureau of Statistics in July 2014, which ranked Nigeria as the biggest economy in Africa over South Africa.

By PETER EGWUATU

S From left: Marketing Manager, Innovation, Ms. Omosefe Odaro; Corporate Communications Manager, Ms. Olayinka Edmond and Corporate Relations Director, Mr. Sesan Sobowale all of Guinness Nigeria Plc, during a media brewery tour for Orijin at the

NBS revisits GDP benchmarking exercise The statistical exercise resulted in a revision of nominal and real GDP estimates as well as growth rates of GDP for the period 2010 to 2014, as the base year (i.e the reference year for computation) was adjusted from 1990 to 2010.

-$0.65

$2,975.00

$14.94

$10.00

-$0.05

$62.15 +$2.88 $56.91 CURRENCY BUYING DOLLAR 167 STERLING 259.6349 EURO 203.6064 FRANC 170.0957 YEN 1.3865 CFA 0.2935 WAUA 242.0204 RENMINBI 26.8337 RIYAL 44.4918 KRONA 27.3609 SDR 241.9329

+$2.41

CENTRAL 167.5 260.4123 204.216 169.2167 1.3906 0.3035 242.745 26.9145 44.625 27.4428 242. 6573

168 261.1896 204.8256 170.23 1.3948 0.3135 243.4696 26.9953 44.7582 27.5247 243.3816

CBN Exchange Rate as 30/12/2014

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recommends the exercise be carried out every five years.

In addition, NBS said new guidelines released by relevant international statistical bodies necessitated that it should also update its computational frameworks as at when due.

SEC postpones recapitalisation deadline to September 2015

By PETER EGWUATU

$175.0

The selection of a base year, according to NBS was determined by the availability of data as well as the stability of the general economy during that year.

Before the current rebasing project, Nigeria had not rebased since 1990, whereas, the UN Statistical Commission

T

he Securities and E x c h a n g e Commission, SEC, yesterday postponed the deadline for the recapitalisation of capital market operators from December 31, 2014 to September 30, 2015.

The commission in its website said that the Board of SEC at its meeting of December 22, 2014 reviewed the status report on the level of compliance by capital market operators, with the new minimum capital requirement which has a compliance deadline of December 31, 2014.

According to the commission “The Board expressed satisfaction with the efforts made by

all operators, particularly those who have complied with the new requirements. The Board, however, took cognizance of the effect of the global economic situation and approved an extension of the deadline for compliance with the new minimum capital requirements by nine months, to September 30, 2015.”

It will be recalled that SEC recently announced the decision to raise the minimum capital requirements for capital market operators under a new minimum capital structure expected to come into effect by January 1, 2015. The capital market regulator had said that under the new arrangement, the minimum capital base for brokers/ dealers had been increased by 329 per cent from the existing N70 million to N300 million.

When the policy takes off as planned, a stock broking firm currently operating with capital base of N40 million would be required to have N200 million, representing an increase of 400 per cent. The minimum capital base for dealers would increase by 233 per cent from N30 million to N100 million.

Also, issuing houses, which facilitate new issues in the primary market, would now be required to have a minimum capital base of N200 million, as against the current capital base of N150 million.

The capital requirement for underwriters would also double from N100 million to N200 million, while registrars would now have a minimum capital base of N150 million, as against the current requirement of N50 million.

tanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, yesterday disclosed that its Exchange Traded Fund, ETF was oversubscribed by 114 per cent, just as the fund was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE. Stanbic IBTC Asset Management listed N11.4million units of ETF on the NSE on Tuesday at N100 per unit and 42, 000 units was traded on the first day of listing, valued at N422,000.

The company on September 15 opened an Initial Public Offering (IPO) for the Stanbic IBTC ETF 30.

Stanbic IBTC Asset Management opened the offering with 10,000,000 units of the fund available at N100 each at par with a minimum subscription of 10,000 units and multiples of 5,000 units thereafter.

Speaking the Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management, mangers of the fund, Mr. Olumide Oyetan, said “ The offer was 114.41 percent over subscribed. We are quite happy with it and we have spoken with some people with responses to buy more if we list the second ETF. We are now at the forefront to promote the use of ETFs which is different from buying direct assets to singular securities as people normally do.

A lot of time as funds manager, people come to inquire from us which stock have potentials to give better returns and when you buy one unit here, you have access to the first 30 stocks on the floor of the Exchange (NSE 30).We are going to promote the culture of investing in ETFs in Nigeria. “ Continuing, he said “It’s just like taking out some insurance policies out of one’s life and begin to gamble on which other insurance policies would take your adequate cover. There is the need for the investors to learn how to invest and invest in the long-term securities like the ETFs, which he described as being cost effective and a way to gain access to our underlines without having to transact on each or any of the 30 underlined stocks.

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

,

However, in Nigeria, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority Act 2006 prescribe a minimum legal liability of US$100,000 per passenger on the domestic route

Inspenonline unveils nominees for 2014 award Stories by Rosemary Onuoha he Management of Inspenonline has released the names of nominees for the 2014 Nigerian Insurance and Pension (Inspen) Award.

A statement by the Editor, Chuks Udo Okonta, said the yearly award which is in eight categories will be contested by underwriting firms, Pension Fund Administrators, broking firms and individuals who distinguished themselves in 2014.

He noted that nominees for the Insurance Man of the year category are, the Managing Director Mansard Insurance Plc, Mrs Yetunde Ilori; Managing Director Leadway Assurance Limited, Mr Oye Hassan-Odukale; Group Managing Director, Custodian and Allied Plc, Mr. Wole Oshin; Managing Director AIICO Plc, Edwin Igbiti and former President Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) Fatai Lawal.

Those for Insurance Company of the Year are, Mansard Insurance Plc; AIICO Plc; Leadway Assurance Limited; Custodian and Allied Plc; Mansard Insurance Plc; Royal Exchange Plc and Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc. While those nominated for the Excellence Award are, Mr Oladipo Bailey; Professor Joe Irukwu and Mr Osaka Ogala.

He said institutions nominated for Best Professional Group Award are, Nigerian Insurers Association; Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers; Association of Registered Insurance Agents of Nigeria and Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria.

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Companies for Corporate Brand Award are, according to him are, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc; Leadway Assurance Limited and Mansard Insurance Plc. Firms nominated for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award are, Royal Exchange Plc; Cornerstone Insurance Plc; Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc; Leadway Assurance Limited and Guinea Insurance Plc. Firms nominated for the Pension Fund Administrator of the year are, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers; AIICO Pension Managers; Leadway Pensure PFA Limited; Legacy Pensions Limited; FUG Pensions Limited and PAL Pensions Limited.

Firms nominated for Insurance Broking Company of the year are YOA Insurance Brokers; Leverage Insurance Brokers; Scib Insurance Brokers; Worldmark Insurance brokers; Glanvill Enthoven Insurance Brokers.

Okonta noted that special awards will also be presented to firms that were able to make a comeback having been hit by challenges and individuals that have distinguished themselves.

He said voters are to vote for individuals and firms that have contributed immensely to the development of insurance and pension industry and by extension the nation, through mail to nspenonline@gmail.com or udochukwuyem@yahoo.com.

He said the awards presentation ceremony will hold by February 2015 in Lagos.

Gainers for Equities Company Name

Custodian & Allied

12/12/2014

19/12/2014

Close price

Close price

Difference

3.62

3.75

0.13

NEM Insurance

0.56

0.63

0.07

Mansard Insurance

3.15

3.21

0.06

AIICO Insurance

0.68

0.72

0.04

Continental Reinsurance

0.83

0.87

0.04

Losers for Equities

Royal Exchange

0.52

0.51

Ͳ0.01

Send comments & enquiries to insuranceandyou@yahoo.com C M Y K

INSURAN

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Air disasters: What next-of-kin of victims should know I

n 2014, some very devastating air disasters were recorded around the world. The most recent is the AirAsia flight QZ8501 bound for Singapore from Surabaya, Indonesia and carrying 162 people on board which went missing last Sunday morning, around an hour after it left Juanda International.

Indonesia’s search and rescue chief says he is “95 per cent sure” that the debris found so far in the water where the plane was last seen on the radar belong to the missing aircraft. Next-of-kin of the passengers and crew have also been informed to this effect.

Recall that a Malaysian

Airline Flight MH 370 went missing in March and remains missing. The flight was heading to China and had about 227 passengers on board with 12 crew members.

Also, another Malaysia Airline Boeing 777-200 MH – 17 from Amsterdam (Netherlands) to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)

From left: Mr. Ephraim Faloughi, Chairman, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc; Mr. Wale Agbeyangi, MD, CODROS Capital Limited; Mr. Oluseun Ajayi, Vice Chairman, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc at the signing ceremony of the proposed Rights Issue of the underwriting firm billed to commence in January, 2015.

Insurance of unity schools followed due process - Nicon

N

ICON Insurance Limited has said that its appointment as the sole underwriter of the Students Welfare Insurance Scheme, actually followed due process at the Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja.

In a statement, Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs of NICON Insurance Limited, Mr. Ade Adesokan said that the new scheme, which is the intellectual property of NICON Insurance Limited, was presented to the Federal Ministry of Education and due process was followed before its appointment as the underwriter.

Adesokan, the Company ’s Spokesperson also affirmed that the NICON Insurance Limited was democratised and privatised in 2006 and duly

acquired by Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim, as the core investor.

According to him, the appointment of the company as sole underwriter was based on the recommendations of the Committee put in place by the Tender Board of the Ministry where other insurance companies were screened.

His words, “Despite the fact the scheme is an intellectual property of NICON Insurance Limited, other insurance companies also participated actively before the company was finally appointed as the uinderwriter”.

“The Committee also noted that it was only NICON Insurance that has regional and branch offices in all the 36 States of the Federation where the Unity Schools were presently located”.

“The Committee also affirmed that only NICON Insurance’s branch network that could access the Unity Schools all over the Federation within an hour.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, the scheme was packaged under the normal Group Life and Personal Accident insurance cover”, Adesokan added.

According to him, “the statute that established NICON Insurance has not been repealed by any Act of Parliament; therefore the Company could insure the Assets and Liabilities of the Federal Government”.

“Other competitors in the insurance market should always think outside the box not relying on NICON Intellectual Property to reap where they did not sow”, he stated.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014,

,

CE & YOU disappeared from radar as it flew over Ukrainian airspace in July.

These and other air mishaps which happened in the course of the year have devastated families of passengers and crew members on board these aircrafts.

Although, nothing can make up for the loss of a person, next-of-kin of victims still have to exercise their rights to c o m p e n s a t i o n notwithstanding.

Third party legal liability It is compulsory for an aircraft to have third party legal liability insurance in place, aside from other voluntary covers which it can have.

The third party legal liability is effected by an aircraft operator to indemnify himself against all sums the insured would become legally liable to pay in respect of accidental injury/death or accidental property damage to third parties or to the public caused directly by the aircraft or falling of objects there from.

The limit of liability is usually agreed at inception of the policy. Various countries have set minimum limit for aircraft that would overfly their air space. This type of insurance is sometimes referred to as public legal liability insurance.

It is worthy of note that there was a convention in 1929 which set the stage for the future development of all international treaties. The convention has had a profound and lasting effects on the rights of passengers and obligations of air carriers. At this convention, participating

countries endorsed an Agreement/Protocol for the unification of certain rules relating to international carriage by air. It dealt with the carriers liability to passengers and goods including baggage. The various conventions are domesticated by member countries by passing appropriate legislation.

Accordingly, passenger liability claims fall under two main categories; which are claims for death, injury, loss or damage to property or delay arising out of carriage under a contract of carriage with a commercial carrier. Also claiming arising for death etc occurring on flights where the passengers are guests in a private aircraft or there is no contract of carriage.

However, in Nigeria, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority Act 2006 prescribe a minimum legal liability of US$100,000 per passenger on the domestic route. Prior to this Act, the limit was US$10,000 per passenger on the domestic route. The minimum combined single liability for insurance (CSL) for domestic operation only is specified based on Aircraft Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW (kg), number of passenger seating capacity and baggage and third party limit.

Claims Procedure

Claims procedure under Passenger Legal Liability entails that immediate notification be given to the airline who in turn will inform the insurance company. The passenger manifest together with the nationalities of the passengers should be

The accumulated pension assets in custody of Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs) are being privately managed by PFAs while the National Pension Commission (PenCom) regulates and supervises pension operators

G

The huge untapped market is fortuitous especially in the context of the consolidation in the insurance industry, he said.

Speaking further he noted that pre-consolidation, the capitalisation level of the entire insurance industry was below N30billion pointing that in the aftermath of consolidation, it stands at well over N200billion.

He said that consolidation has ushered in a lease of life to the insurance industry, an opportunity for it to reinvent and prime itself, not only to exploit the huge opportunities that abound in the Nigeria

,

From left: Managing Director, Sterling Capital Market Ltd, Mr. Gaventa Otono; Managing Director, Prestige Assurance Plc, Mr. Anand Mittal and representative of the Chairman/ Director, Mr. Olukayode Adewole during the completion board meeting on Rights Issue of Prestige Assurance Company in Lagos. obtained. Specimen air ticket; passenger flight coupons; statement of claim; as well as names of injured passengers should be obtained.

Also, you should obtain medical report in case of bodily injury/hospitals were treated; copies of any correspondence with the next of kin or passenger legal representative; death/burial certificate; name and addresses of the next of kin and the passengers.

Limit of liability

Limit of liability is governed by applicable local/ international laws or convention. Hence, insurers in handling liability claims employ the services of experts to assist. They may include external solicitors, surveyors, quality surveyors, engineers, medical personnel, etc.

The CPS is safe T

he Pension Reform Act, 2014 as amended ushered in a uniformed Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, for workers in both the private and public sectors in Nigeria.

The law, whose implementation started June, 2004 reformed the crisis-ridden unfunded and under-funded defined benefit pension schemes in the country.

Before then, the huge and increasing pension liabilities in the public sector needed to be addressed while most workers in the private sector were not covered by any form of retirement benefit scheme.

Royal Exchange boss asks insurers to take advantage of potential in sector roup Managing Director, Royal Exchange Assurance Plc, Mr. Chike Mokwunye has asked insurance operators to take advantage of huge potentials presented by the industry to develop strategies to boost their businesses.

Presenting a paper in Lagos he said that, with a penetration rate of less than one per cent, the industry boasts of a huge untapped market for the insurance industry and a massive opportunity for insurance companies of the likes of Royal Exchange and others.

— 23

market but also to optimize value in so doing.

According to him, a very key step towards doing this would be for the industry to systematically deepen public awareness and understanding of insurance and to tactfully manage popular expectations of insurance companies.

It does not appear as if there has been much of a concerted and sustained effort to deepen public awareness and appreciation of the value of the insurance industry in the past.

If there has been such an effort, then it probably has been as vibrant and sustained

as it ought to have been, given the degree of palpable ignorance that still exists out there with regard to the benefits and essence of insurance.

The Royal Exchange Group, he said, would need to work closely with the industry regulatory body, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM). In doing so helps to strengthen the body ’s regulatory prowess, enabling it to provide regulation that is proactive and robust enough to deliver long-term value for the industry and the country at large.

The inefficient administration of pension schemes and demographic shifts made defined benefit scheme unsustainable.

Under the new Contributory Pension Scheme, both employers and employees were mandated to contribute certain percentage of an employee’s total emoluments into a Retirement Savings Account (RSA) opened by the worker with a Pension Fund Administrator (PFA). The scheme, which is complemented by group life insurance to the tune of 300 per cent of the individual worker ’s emolument, also allows withdrawals under strict conditions.

The accumulated pension assets in custody of Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs) are being privately managed by PFAs while the National Pension Commission (PenCom) regulates and supervises pension operators.

Putting the challenges, gains, implementation drive and sustainability of the Contributory Pension Scheme into perspective; it is evident that breakthroughs have been recorded in the last ten years.

The number of contributors has increased, more workers in the private and informal sectors are covered and the scheme has continued to impact positively on the Nigerian economy.

The Contributory Pension Scheme had generated a pool of long term investible funds that is attractive to fund managers, investment advisers and capital market operators who want to access part of the fund for different purposes.

24 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

Sterling Bank to raise N31.0bn debt fund in 2015

By Peter Egwuatu

S

LISTING: From left: Executive Director, Business Development Division, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Haruna Jalo-Waziri; CEO, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited, Olumide Oyetan, and CEO, Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited, Dele Sotubo, at the listing of Stanbic IBTC Exchange Traded Fund, the Stanbic IBTC ETF 30, on the Exchange, yesterday.

Unity Bank targets emerging middle market businesses ...To consolidate on debt recovery

BY PETER EGWUATU

U

nity Bank Plc has disclosed its intention to focus on emerging middle market businesses as it drives to becoming Nigeria’s retail bank of choice by 2020, The bank also revealed that it is set to consolidate on its debt recovery exercise to improve its balance sheet in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

The Managing Director/ CEO, Unity Bank Pc, Mr. Henry James Semenitari disclosed this to newsmen in Lagos, while ex-raying the performance of the bank since its consolidation and the third quarter ended September, 2014.

According to him, “Our vision is to be Nigeria’s bank of choice by 2020 and we are poised to creating superior value to our stakeholders.”

He disclosed that the bank is poised to recover its loan from its customers, stressing that all debtors of the bank should repay their loan to avoid embarrassment.

In his words “We are determined to recover the loan we gave out to people or organisation. So, I advised all our debtors to retire their loan as we will all go out to chase them in order to recover our money. It is not unlawful to borrow but it is bad to default repayment. Already, we have embarked on aggressive recovery drive which has significantly improved our Non Performing Loan, NPL ratio from over 50 per cent to 20.43 per cent. The impact of the recovery drive will be felt

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more in the coming years which will improve our NPL ratio as projected : December 2015 – 10%; December 2016 –below 5%, which is the regulatory standard.

Semenitari , further disclosed that the bank is well situated within the agrarian belt of the country with lots of potentials in the agriculture sector.

According to him “Unity Bank is also leveraging on the historical position and spread to bridge the urban rural gap in the economy. At the same time, attain the National Financial Inclusion Strategy by reaching out to the un banked populace.

On its growth strategy, he said “Our growth strategy is strictly that of operational efficiency derived from our business model and strategic intent. This has resulted in improvement in all the key indices as reflected in our third quarter 2014 result. The growth is expected to continue in the foreseeable future .

Our strategic focus is as follows: Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, SMEs. The Bank is focusing on emerging middle market businesses. SME is key, as it grows the national Gross Domestic Product, GDP and is in line with the bank’s vision of retail bank of choice.

While commenting on the bank’s financial performance, the Unity Bank boss said “The bank recorded a tremendous growth from a loss position of N33.64 billion as at December 2013 to a profit position of N12.02 billion before tax as at last quarter, September 2014. The bank also recorded improvement of 37.2 per cent in operational efficiency with a cost to income ratio reduced from 95.7 per cent as at December 2013 to 60.03 per cent currently.The bank was recently recognized as one of the top 100 businesses in Nigeria by the Federal Government.”

Contininuing, he said “We have successfully completed our Rights Issue and Special Placement of about N40billion. The offer was over subscribed.

GTI ready to provide excellent service to investors, operators

G

TI Securities Limited, a member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and owner of Sub-Sahara Africa’s first private trading floor, has reassured the investing public that it is ready to provide excellent service in the capital market in the year 2015.

The Managing director, GTI Securities Limited, Tunde Oyekunle , in a statement said the company is poised to serve the investing public better with more customer-centred products and services and efficient communication system. He noted that GTI Securities, a member of the GTI Capital Group, is focused on its core

competence of trade execution and advisory and it has been positioned for greater market penetration and enhance strategic focus in stockbroking business.

“The new and transformed GTI is now poised to serve you better, as it is founded on the principles of financial possibilities for all your investment requirements and we are committed to ensuring that you fully maximize the rewarding investment opportunities present in the capital market through our formidable research team,” the investors’ note stated.

TERLING Bank Plc has concluded plans to raise multi -currency subordinated debt of N31.0 billion (US $ 200 million ) in 2015.

The Managing Director/CEO, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Yemi Adeola, who disclosed this to newsmen in Lagos said “Sterling Bank successfully completed equity issuance by way of rights to existing shareholders with net proceeds of N12.1 billion. We are in the process of concluding the private placement of N20 billion (US$120 million) to further support our capital position and we also plan to raise multi-currency subordinated debt of N31.0 billion (US$200 million) in the new year, 2015.

He stated that the bank is determined to becoming no. 6 bank in the country by 2020, as it has mapped out strategies to achieve the arduous task.

Commenting on the bank’s performance from 2006 to 2014, he stated that the bank has grown its branch network from 50 in 2006 to 173 in 2014.

According to him “On the deployment of Automated Teller Machines, ATMs, we have grown from nil position to 583, while market share by assets from one per cent to three percent. Our total assets has grown from N110 billion in 2006 to N1.04 trillion, while deposits grew from N75 billion in 2006 to N680 billion in 2014. Our equity capital has also grown from N26 billion in 2014 to N65 billion in 2014 while customer base up from 200,000 in 2006 to one million in 2014.”

On public recognition and awards, the Sterliong Bank boss said, we were the Best Performing Bank in the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACS) for 2013 announced by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Agric. Bank of the year award by the Agriculture Policy Research Network (APRNet) for outstanding contribution to the growth of the industry and Best Innovation Bank Award by Business Day following the launch of the Bank’s retail product Kia-Kia created to take care of the unbanked

Most Innovative Banking/ICT Product award Continuing, he stated that the bank was awarded the Most Innovative Banking/ICT Product of the year at the 10th Annual Nigeria Telecom Awards following the launch of Sterling Social Lender, that offer micro-credit via social media platforms and also had recognition as one of the top 100 companies by the Presidency. “We won Pearl Award for our contribution to economic growth of the country and were recognised as top top 100 most respected companies in Nigeria by BusinessDay and one of the companies that make up the NSE 30 Index with effect from January 1, 2015” he added.

While outlining the achievement the bank has recorded, Adeola disclosed that Sterling Bank plans to increase its ATM network to 1000 by 2015. “ We are in the process of changing our banking application, which is expected to be completed within the next 1218 months.

On corporate re-alignment, he said: “We have re-aligned our business by market segments for a more focused market reach.”

He further disclosed that the bank planned to partner with states to kit their highway managers and sweepers.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 — 25

DIARY z ARTEMIS &ITEA Cosummit Berlin Mar 10-11, 2015 z TelecoDays

Prague Marriott HotelPrague Czech Republic Mar 23-24 2015

Preview •From left: Chairman of Board of Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Mr. Peter Igoh; Secretary of USPF, Abdullahi Maikano; Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Engr. Eugene Juwah and Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Rahmon Bello, during the commissioning of Inter-Campus Connectivity (UniCC) project at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba.

This new machine prints food!

I

NVENTORS of the 3D printer, the machine that can build anything from toy cars to handguns, have unveiled a new prototype they hope will revolutionise home cooking.

The device, dubbed the “Foodini”, squirts out anything from pizza or pasta to cakes in a variety of shapes – from dinosaurs to spelling out names with letters.

Different ingredients are built up in layers following selection of a design on the device’s control panel.. The printing process is slow, but faster than regular 3D printing. Other than being capable of creating complex designs, such as very detailed cake decorations or food arranged in unusual shapes, the Foodini can be useful for recipes that require precision and dexterity, like homemade pizza or filled pasta.

Currently, the device only prints the food, which must be then cooked as usual.

But a future model will also cook the preparation and produce it ready to eat.

C M Y K

Closing access gap in Nigeria: The USPF example widest possible access to affordable telecommunications services for greater social eqLTHOUGH Nigeria's Information and uity and inclusion for the people of NigerCommunication Technology, ICT, mar ia.

Accordingly, the result of the access gap ket has recorded tremendous success while deploying 4G for commercial services, a feat study by USPF is expected to bridge digthat had put the country ahead of Europe ital divide across the country no matter the and China, identifying access locality. gap areas that needed the interRecall that in 2013, vention of the network operathe USPF carried out tors have remained a challenge a study with the obdue to lack of available data. jective of identifying But with the unveiling of the clusters of voice tenew Universal Service Provision lephony and transFund, USPF, website and the port network gap in Access gap access gap study recently in the country. study by USPF Lagos by the Ministry of ComThe result of the munications Technology during is expected to study however asthe recent industry stakeholders sisted the USPF in bridge digital forum, there seems to be light at designing projects divide across the and strategies to covthe end of the tunnel. From the forum, positive signals emerged er these gaps and country that challenges in getting a clear ensure that ICT conview of the true access gap within the country so that operator’s interventions are targeted at the appropriate communities and groups have been resolved.

The Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria to facilitate the achievement of national policy goals for universal access and universal service to information and communication technologies (ICTs) in rural, un-served and under-served areas in Nigeria.

The Fund is being managed to facilitate the

By Emeka Aginam

A

I N S I D E

BlackBerry classic enters mobile phone ecosystem

sumers irrespective of locality is connected in the 21st century Nigeria.

Earlier in her speech during the industry stakeholders forum to present the access gap study , the Chairman of the USPF Board, the Minister of Communications Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson, told the gathering that the USPF in pursuit of its mandate to stimulate the deployment and utilization of ICT services in un-served and underserved communities and groups in the country, has continued to play a leading role in promoting and deepening ICT access and availability in the rural areas of the country.

“The mandate of the fund is the backdrop against which it developed the SMP 20132017 to guide execution of sustainable ICT projects which will improve the quality of lives of Nigerians and facilitate socio economic development. In the USPF, the mantra is that access to ICT is not a privilege, but a right. We will continue to push forContinues on page 28

NITDA targets women, youths in knowledge-based economy

26 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

BY CHRIS UWAJE

2015 Cyberspace:

Cybersecurity implications for Nigeria

O

NE wise adage in the Information Technology, IT Landscape is “secure and control what you innovate."

This can only be done, if IT local content is given a special attention. How will Nigeria respond if the nation’s Internet Gateway is hacked and disabled for 24 hours during a business working day? 24 hours in Internet time-zone amounts to colossal man-years! Within that time-space, there will be expensive pandemonium at many critical levels: Government, Business, Financial Transactions, Crude Oil movement, Stock Exchange, Aviation, Communication, Social Media and many more.

Indeed, how easy is it to hack and how difficult is it to defend?

As we develop the Broadband to reach the under-served, harbour and accelerate more content, we must ensure that we can secure and control that superhighway.

Where are the cyber-warriors and champions to engage, respond and defend the Nation as well as restore life activities?

Critical action All the above translates into developing and taking two critical actions in 2015: First is to develop a comprehensive National IT Framework Bill and establish a distinct National Software Strategy and policy direction – incorporating the establishment of the ‘Office of the Information Technology General of the Federation’.

Secondly, we need to rework the Computer Science Curriculum and retool all our IT Lectures at all levels of education.

The above is crucial to fabricate a solid and sustainable foundation for IT-Nigeria.

2014 was a complex amphitheater for hackers and the hacked! But, going by lessons learned in the past few years, global hacking landscape is likely to be much more intensive and will multiply at many levels of National Data at Government, Corporate Business Domain and Social Media Platforms amongst others.

Today, there are more than 10 billion electronic devices connected to the Internet establishing a super-cluster of Inter-cloud digital activities.

These e-Government and business-fueled transactional activities are encapsulated in the crystal-ball called Cyberspace.

With the advent of IoT (Internet of Things), the challenges are likely to magnify many thousand folds for the IT landscape of the nations.

Currently the Cyberspace is inhabited by many e-Sharks who are responsible for our collective connectivity experiences with significant predominance of Cyberscrime and Cybersecirity.

It therefore focuses on the fact that humanity is currently caughtup with perhaps the largest and most complex digital spider-web architecture currently known to man – where Nigeria is passionately and perhaps naively trying to play digital catch-up through conspicuous consumption!

This makes Nigeria very vulnerable with cyberspace attacks which are capable of disrupting the current fragile state of digital information and data in the political, economic, financial, business and social processes. Indeed. Hackingattack is said to be easier than Hacking-defense – especially in a county like Nigeria where the deep-skill capacity and capability to defend our sovereign data and information systems is grossly inadequate.

Thumb estimates indicate that Nigeria needs at least 5,000 skilled ethical Hackers and Cyber-warriors to minimally ensure that we have a reliable response to Cyber attacks – both locally and internationally.

Currently, the number of ethical hackers in Nigeria is not available, but will be lucky to count 50!

Indeed, we need a standing Cyber Army. Recently, the Nigeria Team on Cyberlympics (Global Cybersecurity – Africa – Competition) came fourth – loosing first and second place to Sudan and third place to Egypt.

How best can we therefore defend our cyberspace? If we lose the control of our cyberspace recourses and capability, we lose all the benefits of the digital revolution!

However, questions are: What, as a nation do we want out of Cyberspace? What do we want to secure? How do we secure it?

Can the current Cybercrime and Cybersecurity approach and strategy yield the commensurate objective without first establishing the fundamental framework and dynamic scaffolding required to firmly host our national digital activity branches?

•To Be Continued

BlackBerry classic enters mobile phone ecosystem

By Emeka Aginam

R

ESPONDING to customers' demand for familiar design merged with security and speed of BlackBerry 10 for superior productivity, communications and collaboration, Canadian smart phone maker, BlackBerry Limited has recently introduced its latest flagship, BlackBerry Classic.

The smartphone was built to meet the needs of productive people who appreciate the speed and accuracy that could be found with a physical qwerty keyboard.

Now available through local carriers around the world and online through ShopBlackBerry.com and Amazon.com, the product has a variety of accessories including cases and chargers are also available.

Accordingly, the product is built on BlackBerry’s renowned secure operating system, with built-in protection against viruses, tampering and data leaks.

The device, according to the smart phone maker is private by default, protecting users with encrypted email, web browsing and BBM. “We listened closely to our customers’ feedback to ensure we are delivering the technologies to power them through their day – and that feedback led directly to the development of BlackBerry Classic,” John Chen, Executive Chairman and CEO at BlackBerry.

According to him, “BlackBerry Classic is the powerful communications tool that many BlackBerry Bold and Curve users have been waiting for. It’s the secure device that feels

familiar in their hands, with the a d d e d performance and agility they need to be competitive in today ’s busy world.”

He explained that, “this device underscores our commitment to helping BlackBerry users be at their most productive and respond to the demands of business from anywhere, at any time.

“By bringing back the trusted functionalities, incorporating our latest operating system and building a speedier browser, our users can feel confident they are using the best communications tool out there.”

Although familiar in appearance, the new device upgrades the BlackBerry Bold 9900 experience with three times faster browser, 60 percent more screen space, 50 percent longer battery life, greater variety of applications through BlackBerry world and the Amazon appstore Top features of the BlackBerry Classic that drive productivity, communications and collaboration will include: BlackBerry Keyboard & Trackpad The QWERTY keyboard has stood the test of time as the iconic BlackBerry feature that users know and trust. Crafted for optimal speed and accuracy, the BlackBerry Classic’s QWERTY keyboard gives users the control and confidence to communicate quickly and clearly using one hand with a trackpad and classic navigation keys.

NITDA targets women, youths in knowledge-based economy

By Emmanuel Elebeke

T

HE National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA has unveiled a framework to increase the participation of women and youth in the Nigerian ICT sector.

The Director General of the agency, Mr. Peter Jack, said the framework when implemented, has the capacity to leverage development of women and youths thereby stimulating the country’s development.

Presenting the document to

the members of the public, NITDA DG said the framework is in line with the NITDA mandate to use ICT as central tools and catalyst for development.

He said women and youth constitute large percentage of the country population and there is need to come up with strategic framework which aims at building a nation where they could realize their full potentials.

Jack stated that it was imperative that women and youths who make up the majority of the population are

not only carried along but are major players in shaping the direction of evolving a digital nation with sustainable peace, equity and improved quality of life.

“The effective use of information and knowledge is becoming the most critical factor for rapid economic growth and wealth creation, and for improving socioeconomic well-being and for Nigeria to be globally competitive in the 21st century, a critical factor would be our ability to harness our knowledge potential using ICT.

From left: NIRA president, Mrs. Mary Uduma; Member, NITDA Governing Board, Mr Harami Balami; Chairman CS2, Mr. Hakeem Ajijola; NITDA DG, Mr. Peter Jack; CPN president, Mrs. Sekinat Yusuf and wife of the Lead Consultant, Hajia Jumai Ajijola during a public presentation of the framework on women and youth in ICT.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014—27

Leverage on the potential of smart tech start-ups, Microsoft tells FG The Microsoft Mobility Summit was successfully held recently in Lagos to introduce tech savvy individuals to the Microsoft mobile-first and cloud-first world. At the event that attracted capacity audience, the company’s Country Manager, Kabelo Makwane in this interview with EMEKA AGINAM with optimism predicted that the next Bill gate, Steve Jobs and the likes could come out from the Nigerian market. Restating Microsoft’s commitment to unlock the economic opportunities in Nigeria and the rest of the African continent, he said that Nigeria should leverage on the potentials of young tech start-ups to build the economy.

Excerpts:

W

HAT is the Microsoft Mobility Summit about?

The Microsoft Mobility Summit is an exhibition that aims to introduce participants to the Microsoft mobile-first and cloudfirst world. The summit provides an invaluable opportunity to share in thought-provoking conversations with industry experts, Microsoft IT and Business Leadership and to foster relationships with peers who have similar technology and business interests.

One thing exciting about this event is that Nigeria is among the top mobile economies given the number of smart phones in the hands of many Nigerians. If you look at the penetration, it is not just phones but also tablets and other mobile devices. It means we need to leverage on the platform and the trend we see in this particular area which is mobility.

Offerings and capability We ask some questions like what does mobility mean for this market, and what can people do with the devices already in their hands to become more productive and that would take the country forward. We are excited about it and it is also an opportunity for Microsoft to inform, advice, educate as well as showcase our offerings and capability which is quite extensive in the space from mobile device to mobile apps, mobile solutions and across the spectrum of our portfolio.

Also, the fact that all of this capabilities are enabled through cloud computing, where we have a lot of offerings to take to the market makes it even more exciting.

What should participants look forward to at the Mobility Summit?

We have brought together people that are experts in areas around mobility and solutions.

We have brought our partners that would provide various mobile solutions, leveraging on the Microsoft platform. We have also brought our original equipment manufacturer partners like Dell, HP, Asus

among others who essentially sell what we call third party devices that we take to the market. So, we have brought a mix of people and our customers across multiple industries to include; financial services, manufacturing or retail etc. The whole essence is for people to come together and share ideas, learn and interact on how to leverage on mobility as a platform to drive more business development, customer engagement, small scale businesses and start -ups to grow their business and that is really the essence of having an event like this. In this platform, people can begin to share ideas on how to leverage on available mobile technology to run their businesses. You will appreciate that a small or medium enterprise does not have the financial capital nor the interest to start or begin to build a complex IT infrastructure and hire IT people to do things, leveraging platforms are there; cloud, mobile apps and mobile devices to run their business while they are on the goal to run their businesses.

Similarly, banks can begin to look into new customers and markets to leverage on mobile platform. Essentially a bank representative is working with a device that is enabled to capture

•Kabelo Makwane

data, open accounts at the same time is able to synchronize with the office. We create some interesting solutions for a lot of those institutions.

That is why the interest is quite vast in terms of the audience we have attracted here, and because everybody recognizes that there is an opportunity to become a mobile force economy.

What do you expect five years down the line?

It is a bit difficult to postulate that far but all I can say for now is that we have challenges reaching people in rural areas to offer them primary and basic health care services.

Opportunities for e-learning We want situations where medical care professionals would have good technologies to administer medical services efficiently and competently through these platforms.We could call this tele-medicine or e-health as it were. There are also opportunities for e-learning. We have kids in rural areas who do not have access to libraries or the platforms on which they can have some knowledge and learn. If you start putting devices in their hands, you start putting capabilities that would enable

them internet access which will translate into information that will educate and empower them.

This is essential to creating a bright future for these ones and those are the type of scenarios I see that are very relevant in our market.So e-learning could replace the traditional means of distributing text books. In some cases before text books reach students, they are already outdated.

Even in the oil and gas, for instance you want to send field agent to go and investigate broken oil pipelines and take pictures in the spot and diagnose as well and communicate to the office via mobile technology that can enable them resolve the problem while online. These are the scenarios that really will start to make sense for our market.

What is the role of the government in all this?

Government remains an essential part in the space. There are a lot of interventions that government does and I know that the government is very focused.

I can see quite a number of initiatives, huge amount of budgeting set aside to make meaningful interventions in the education and empowerment of young people. I think the reality is that government cannot do it alone; they need to partner with

industries and stake holders to come with a solution to resolve some of these challenges.

What has microsoft's experience been like in Nigeria?

Nigeria is very vibrant market .We have some smart minds and young developers coming on board. We should be taping into these potentials and harnessing from them because, it is not farfetched to envision the situation where the next Bill gate, Steve Jobs and the likes come out of this market. There are a lot of IT partners that are playing in the Nigeria market, and their challenge is mobilizing these ecosystem so that we begin to also make sure we have the right kind of investment like; building schools capability so that we have proficient technical local people.

We have done a lot in these areas of service and we continue to invest in this area of creating a broad skill set for everybody to benefit from.

Could you expound on Microsoft's role in assisiting Nigerian start ups?

We have recognized the need for incubation. It is about how do you build sustainable businesses, help these start ups not just end up been start ups but rather help them to be successful. Microsoft has supported a lot of start-ups in the ecosystem and we will continue to build and encourage for a better economy.

What solutions are you providing for the banking sector?

Nigerian banking sector has been enjoying a lot of attention from Microsoft. For instance, we have 635 offices , and a lot of customers use it. We have a lot of customers that are adopting cloud technology and it is available today.We have cloud OS online, dynamics share online, which is for customer relationship management. So, we are lending a lot of our cloud and we have a lot of apps in our store and a lot of capabilities that are cloud based lending to the market similarly to the rest of the international scene.

Ndukwe underscores importance of telecoms at Christmas

By Emmanuel Elebeke

T

HE Former Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, had described telecommunication infrastructure as a critical component of Christmas season. The former EVC stated this at Phase 3 annual Christmas Carol and Cocktail organised in Abuja.

He said telecom remained important at Christmas because it makes it possible for people to communicate, interact and share their joy at the season.

Ndukwe who expressed joy at the pace of development in the sector, urged Nigerians to support government and

operators in the sector to enable them offer better and improved network services to Nigerians and to the economy.

According to Ndukwe, telecom industry is an industry that affects all facets of the economy during Christmas, as people send lots of messages around the world, which could have been impossible without telecom.

“Telecom makes it possible for people to reach each other and send messages to loved ones, email and phone calls during the season. So, telecom is very important infrastructure for the Christmas and during the holiday period anywhere in the world. Hence the need for all to encourage the growth of the sector.

“Telecom is an industry that

•Dr. Ernest Ndukwe affects all facets of the economy, as you know, during Christmas, people send a lot of messages around the world, and this could have been impossible without telecom,” he said. He commended Phase 3 Telecom for doing well in the area of infrastructure

deployment and provision of access to network services.

In the area of equipment deployment and quality of service, the former NCC boss extolled the brevity of Phase 3 in breaking all barriers in expanding its infrastructural base within and across the confines of Nigeria.

“I am very proud of Phase 3 in the sense that Phase 3 was licensed during my tenure as EVC and over the years. They have done very well, maintained a good corporate profile and have expanded their businesses very much to the happiness of some of us who saw them when they were starting. It has been a big pleasure seeing them grow and become such a very important company they are.

28—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

Consumers' protection is our mandate — NCC

T

From left: Chairman, Airtel Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore (rtd); HRH, Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu and Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya at the premiere of Airtel Touching Lives TV series, in Lagos.

By Ediri Ejoh

HE Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has reiterated its commitment to the protection of telecom consumers in Nigeria by ensuring that they get the best quality service and value for money spent.

Making this known during the 69th edition of consumer outreach programme held in Badagr y, L agos State recently, the Executive C o m m i s s i o n e r, Stakeholders’ Management of the NCC, Mr. Okechukwu Itanyi, said

Why MTN invested $56m in 341 projects

By Emmanuel Elebeke T ELECOMS giant, MTN, says it has invested over $56 million into 341 projects across Nigeria, since inception in 2009.

The Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Nonny Ugboma, who revealed this recently at a function in Abuja, said the move was in tandem with MTN’s drive to extend hands of love to its host communities.

Ugboma said part of the projects was a special scheme initiated by the Foundation for Persons with Disability.

She said the gesture was in fulfilment of the company’s resolve to give back to the society as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, under the economic empowerment portfolio of the parent company.

Ugboma lamented the high illiteracy rate and poverty among persons with disability,

said the Foundation had intensified efforts through the projects to close the wide gaps.

To support the education of blind students, she said MTN Foundation has enhanced its Universities Connect Project by installing special software packages in all the computers in its digital libraries.

In addition, she explained that the Foundation had extended its annual scholarships to 451 blind students in universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education in the country.

“The MTN Foundation is committed to improving the quality of life in the key areas of health, education and economic empowerment.

“We will continue to impact the lives of our people, because Corporate Social Investment, is an integral part of our business strategy at MTN. In essence, we will continue to strive to put smiles on the faces of our people as long as

we remain in business,” she added.

Meanwhile, it was disclosed at the event that about 25 million Nigeria live with one form of physical disability or another, according to MTN Foundation.

Ugboma said disabled persons are described as the world’s largest minority, with about 10 per cent of the world’s population (650 million) people live with a disability, out which about 20 to 25 million people live in Nigeria with one form of disability or the other, hence the need to pay more attention to their plight.

With the occasion, Nigeria joined the rest of the world to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Through the annual observation, the United Nations aims to promote an understanding of disability issues; the rights of persons with disabilities and gains to be derived from the integration of

persons with disabilities in the political, social, economic and cultural life of communities.

The event was organised by the MTN Foundation in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

In his speech, the Minister of Women Affairs, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Ezekiel Oyemoni said the government had over the past four years engaged in promoting activities that would integrate persons with disabilities into the main stream of the society with zero tolerance to discrimination.

Particularly, he said government had given the persons with disability voice by sponsoring them to the 2014 global conference in which they made their opinion know to the world.

Closing access gap in Nigeria: USPF example Continues from page 25 ward frontiers of service until ICT for all is achieved.

“Whilst developing the SMP 2013-2017, it became clear that to make the dream of providing ICT access and availability to all in the industry a reality, we needed to get a clear view of the true access gap within the country so that our interventions are targeted at the appropriate communities and groups.

“Thus, the Access Gap study was conceptualized and has now culminated in the identification of over 200 subsidy clusters across the six geo political zones which represent the areas where telecommunication services are yet to reach.

“Subsequently, the USPF will

utilize these clusters to identify target areas, define universal access service (UAS) interventions and map the interventions to the appropriate communities.

We will also share the results of the study with the Telecoms Operators to enable them get a detailed view of the needs and demands of the market and assist them in developing roll out plans for these unreached areas”, the Minister explained. According to her, government would continue to collaborate with the Telecom Operators to closing access gap in the country and set Nigeria on the path of being a full digitalized nation.

Unveiling the new USPF website, the Secretary, USPF, Abdullahi Maikano explained that in

order to achieve the objective of the study, existing service areas were identified using Base station Data , BTS, supplied by mobile operators with geographical coordinates, address, among others.

Based on the methodology used, he said that this was followed by fieldwork, interviews, and drive tests to authenticate the service status of the areas identified.

Using inferences from the field activities, he informed that reliable service coverage during the study was assumed to be within 5 km of BTS, adding that areas beyond this threshold is taken as underserved.

Subsequently, areas considered underserved or unserved, ac-

cording to him were grouped and mapped into contiguous clusters on state by states basis.

“In all, a total of 207 clusters were established with an estimated population of about 36.8 million people. The clusters are grouped according to the five population density – North West, North East, North Central, South West, South South and South East” he said.

Speaking on how the prosed project would bridge the gaps, Mr. Parvet Iftihar of Global said that it would go a long way in helping telecoms operators to identify access gap.According to him, the cluster of ICT gap will also help operators to know what infrastructure to cover a particular area or region.

that the commission will not relent in creating an avenue whereby consumers, service providers and regulators will have to discuss on contemporary issues that is generating attention in the industry.

He explained that, “The focus of our outreach is to ensure that consumers get the best of quality service, value for money spent, timely and fair redress of complaints and protection from unwholesome practices of some service providers.”

At the programme tagged: “Broadband: what consumers should know,” he noted that the programme was part of efforts to educate consumers on their rights and privileges, and the role of the commission in protecting those rights.

Itanyi said the newly introduced broadband network will contribute to the growth of the Nigerian economy.“ This new innovation can promote a higher quality of life on a day to day basis. The multisectoral benefits of broadband have relevance to education, healthcare, public safety, and emergency response, among others.”

Represented by the Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs, Dr. Femi Atoyebi, Itanyi disclosed that a good broadband connection in any home has the capacity to send data far more quickly to the computer.

He cautioned families against misuse of broadband, saying that it contains many input devices that could be used for different purposes.

Also speaking, the Yonnugun of Badagr y Kingdom, head of women, Chief Mrs. Moiett Talabi, advised telecom operators to improve their services in order to justify the Subscribers’ confidence.

“We are appealing to all service provider to help our kingdom so that we also can enjoy from their cooperate service. We have association of widow, motherless home among others that need their help.” She said.

During the interactive session, subscribers used the opportunity to ask some pertinent questions including poor network, unsolicited messages and high service charges.

Also present at the occasion were Etisalat, MTN and Glo. The NCC noted that all complaints by the consumers would be addressed as soon as possible.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 — 29

C M Y K

30—Vanguard, WEDNJESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

Free food, eye treatment for Bayelsa community

By Samuel Oyadongha

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HEN the news went round the oil rich but rural communities of Ogbia council area of Bayelsa State that people with eye related ailments should converge on Otuoke, there was skepticism.

The 5-day food and medical mission was put in place by a Non Governmental Organisation, Body Enhancement Foundation, in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service, Trenuer, Dana Group and other organisations, at Otuoke Cottage Hospital.

It highlighted the high number of persons with eye-related ailments in the pollutionridden communities as a result of endless gas flaring and activities of the multinationals.

Persons tested and given drugs, and reading glasses, also benefitted from the free rice distributed at the venue.

The Founder and President, BEF, Modupe Ozoluwa, said the Foundation had undertaken the mission for 11 years and that Bayelsa was selected after a lucky dip by a group of medical doctors on the team.

"We are here to donate food items, 600 bags of 50 kg rice and to offer free medical mission to the people of Bayelsa State. We are doing this in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service, Immigration and other organisations.

"During this mission, which will take place for five days, comprising the eight local government areas in the state, we are offering free ophthalmology, giving away eye glasses, reading glasses, medication among others to the underprivileged individuals in the state.

"Every two months, what we do, is we randomly pick a state in Nigeria. It is a programme we have been doing for 11 years. We also do free reconstruction surgeries like deformities and cataract.

"Unfortunately, when people hear Bayelsa, the first thing they think of is that because the President is from the area.

They assumed that everybody is ok. That is a very wrong impression."

She said their experience over the years had shown that there is a great deal of

Ibuprofen has potential to ‘extend lifespans' — STUDY

T

• Cross section of beneficiaries of the Food & Medical Mission organised by Body Enhancement Foundation, in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service, Trenuer, Dana Group, etc., at Otuoke Cottage Hospital, Otuoke, Bayelsa State recently. need in the country, adding that for the good of the society, there was the urgent need for people to begin to reignite that spirit of help. She said the Foundation projected about 1,000 glasses to be given away while 145 bags of rice were estimated for each council area.

Ozoluwa said the Nigerian Customs Service, donated 600 bags of rice to the Foundation. She also appreciated the Dana Group for providing the eye medications, as well as the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Alhaji Shehu Gusua Ibrahim, a House of Representatives member, among others for their assistance to the Foundation.

Chairman of the occasion, Chief Amalate J. Turner, the Obigbo Mikimiki of Opume,

Ogbia kingdom in his remarks commended the Foundation for extending the gesture to Ogbia people.

Represented by the state commissioner for Lands and Survey, Surveyor Furoebi Akene, the paramount ruler urged the people to take advantage of the free eye treatment to take care of their eye problems, even as he called on other NGOs to emulate the gesture from the Body Enhancement Foundation.

Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, represented by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ayibatonye Owei, urged residents of the state to avail themselves of the opportunities provided, whild assuring the Foundation of assistance.

HE common over-the-counter antiinflammatory drug, Ibuprofen, could play a previously unknown role in extending lifespans, according to a new study.

Carried out by Texas A&M University, the research has indicated that the painkiller - often used to treat pain and fever - can extend the lives of multiple species, as well as helping them to live more healthily.

The phenomenon was first noted in baker's yeast, and then repeated using worms and flies. The effect was achieved by administering doses comparable to the recommended human dose, with the drug adding about 15 percent to the species' lives.

Although the process is not yet fully understood, it suggests that common therapies such as this could have wider usages and beneficial effects than are currently known.

Study leader Dr Michael Polymenis said: "It should be possible to find others like ibuprofen with even better ability to extend lifespan, with the aim of adding healthy years of life in people."

Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug and was created in the 1960s. It is used to provide relief for people with conditions such as toothache, migraines, flu, arthritis and period pain. Ibuprofen works as a painkiller by affecting chemicals in the body called prostaglandins, which are substances released in response to illness or injury.

How economic insecurity impacts diabetes control

I

NCREASED access to health insurance offered by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act may not improve diabetes control among lowincome patients because of social

•From left: Assistant Controller of Prisons, Anambra State, Mr. Edwin Akabueze, Wife of the Anambra State Governor, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano , with the Wife of the Chairman of Awka North LGA, Princes Ngozi Ilo and other members of the entourage during a visit to the Amawbia Prisons Anambra State.

determinants of health, which are outside the scope of medical practice, such as difficulty paying for food, medications, housing or utilities (material need insecurities), according to the study background.

Dr. Seth A. Berkowitz, of Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, and others sought to determine the association between material need insecurities and diabetes control and the use of health care resources. Their study of 411 patients included data from June 2012 through October 2013 collected at a primary care clinic, two community health centers and a specialty treatment centre for diabetes in Massachusetts.

The study found that, overall, 19.1 percent of patients reported food insecurity; 27.6 percent cited cost-related medication underuse; 10.7 percent had housing instability; 14.1 percent had trouble paying for utilities (energy insecurity); and 39.1 percent of patients reported at least one material need insecurity. Poor diabetes control (as measured by factors including hemoglobin A1c, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level or blood pressure) was seen in 46 percent of patients.

According to the study results, food

insecurity was associated with greater odds of poor diabetes control and increased outpatient visits but not increased emergency department (ED)/ inpatient visits.

Cost-related medication underuse was associated with poor diabetes control and increased ED/inpatient visits but not outpatient visits. Housing instability and energy (utilities) insecurity were associated with increased outpatient visits but not with diabetes control or with ED/outpatient visits. Having an increasing number of economic insecurities was associated with poor diabetes control and increased health care use.

"Health care systems are increasingly accountable for health outcomes that have roots outside of clinical care.

Because of this development, strategies that increase access to health care resources might reasonably be coupled with those that address social determinants of health, including material need insecurities.

In particular, food insecurity and costrelated medication underuse may be promising targets for real-world management of diabetes mellitus," the study concludes.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 — 31

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32 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

Nigerian s

One step forward

•Super Falcons

BY JACOB AJOM

N

igeria’s performance in the 2014 sporting calendar can best be described as inconsistent, incoherent and totally below par. Although the country recorded pockets of successes in a few isolated competitions, football, which is like the king of sports in Nigeria recorded the biggest casualty in the Super Eagles who failed to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, a competition they won in 2013 in South Africa.

Correspondingly, the reigning African Champions who rose to 5th in April rd 1994 ended 2014 as the 43 best national team in the world.

As unprecedented as Super Eagles collapse was, the women gave the country a lot to cheer. The country’s U20 Women’s team, the Falconets went to Canada 2014 FIFA World Cup and surpassed all expectations. The young ladies guided by Peter Devdebo shot their way to the final of the tournament and lost 0-1 to Germany. Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala was a delight to watch as she deservedly carted home the Adidas Golden Boot and the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Similarly, the senior women’s team, the Super Falcons re-emerged as the most dominant force in the continent as Coach Edwin Okon led them to a record 7th African title in Namibia in October. By that feat, the Falcons will lead Africa’s charge at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada. Interestingly, Asisat Oshoala who dazzled at the U-20 level and won the MVP in Namibia with the Falcons, will return to Canada, the land that made her one of the future stars to watch in world football. Already, expectations

are high that the African champions will not disappoint.

The lowest point in the country’s football during the year under review was the crisis that almost smeared the September 30 NFF Board elections in Warri. The crisis persisted long after the election that it took several interventions from the world football governing body, FIFA for the issues to be put to rest.

Nigeria became a laughing stock among the comity of nations. Indeed, the NFF crisis culminated in Nigeria’s non-qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations as to date, the national team is still without a head coach.

Taking a retrospective look at Nigerian football in 2014, former Nigeria international who later handled the national team, Christian Chukwu said, “although the Falconets got to the final of the FIFA U-20 Women;s World Cup and Falcons won the African Women Championship, the Eagles could not qualify for the 2015 Afcon and the crisis in the Nigeria Football Federation made it worse.”

Nigeria’s2 heroics at 0 1 the4 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow deserve special mention. The country’s contingent posted a sterling performance with 11 gold, 11 silver and 14 bronze medals, totaling 36 medals. Blessing Okagbare was star of the Games, winning a sprint double, while up and coming junior athlete Ese Brume won gold in the women long jump.

•Okagbare Nigeria also excelled in We i g h t l i f t i n g .

Boxing was not too good.

Fresh from winning the Commonwealth Games sprint double just two weeks earlier, Blessing Okagbare showed no signs of tiredness at the African championships in Marrakesh, Morocco. Okagbare won

Epidemic looms as refuse takes over Aba VOL. 1 NO 17

PAGE 2

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

The erosion ravaged access road to Forte Dike’s ancestral home in Umuaku Uli, Ihiala LGA.

A B A N D O N E D ROAD P R O J E C T :

Fears as erosion threatens Anambra community •Villagers send SOS to Gov Obiano

BY IKENNA ASOMBA

I

HIALA—RESIDENTS of Umuaku Uli, in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State have continued to lament the untold hardship they have been facing, following the abandonment of the only road linking their community to the ever-busy OnitshaOwerri expressway.

The community which is also the ancestral home of the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Inter and Intra Party Relations, Hon. Forte Dike, has however, called on Governor Willie Obiano to urgently come to their rescue before next rainy season.

They told South East Voice , that the road which is the only access road into and out of their community has been abandoned by the contractor, shortly after they (contractors) were mobilised during the last rainy season this year.

The residents alleged that their son and brother, Hon. Dike, who represents Ihiala Federal Constituency of Anambra State in the House of Representatives on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has turned deaf ears to their plight.

They lamented that they went through hell C M Y K

to access the community during the last rainy season, as a result of the deep gullies caused by erosion. When South East Voice visited the community, Tuesday, the road named Dike Avenue, after the lawmaker’s father, was found to be impassable by vehicles and tricycles, as only pedestrians and motorcycles could wade through the road.

Also seen on the road, were an abandoned heavy-duty construction equipment, woodendevices used in the construction of the drainage channels and two metallic-notice boards mounted on the road which read ‘’Caution: Slow down men at work, Tomline Ind. Co. Ltd.” Speaking to South East Voice, Nze Ephraim Ojimba, a youth leader berated the lawmaker for failing in his 2011 electoral promises of fixing the community’s only access road.

Ojimba said: “The horrible state of this road has really been giving most of us concern. The road has been left untarred for many years, but earlier this year, we learnt that our brother representing us in the House of Representatives, Hon. Dike, has

Contiunes on page 2

An abandoned heavy duty equipment.

Construction notice erected by the contractor at the site

ALSO IN THIS EDITION

Joy reigns as Basden Special Education Centre gets — PAGE 4 facelift

Urua Amada celebrates new monarch

— PAGE 7

C M Y K

2— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

Epidemic looms as refuse takes over Aba

BY FELIX OGBONNA

A

BA—THERE is apprehension in Aba, Abia State over possible outbreak of an epidemic following heaps of refuse at Emelogu Street, Ogbor Hill.

Apart from the stench oozing from the refuse, the road which links Ngwa road and other parts of the city has almost been completely blocked.

South East Voice visited the area and noticed that some traders and other residents of the area have abandoned their shops as a result of the stench which had fouled the atmosphere there.

The refuse which was said to have been abandoned by the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency, ASEPA, is posing a major health hazard to residents of the adjoining streets in the area such as Igwe Avenue, Panams, Esiulo and Acha.

Speaking to South East Voice, a shop owner in the area, Miss Florence Eke said the stench oozing from the

dump has led to some residents of nearby buildings and shop owners fleeing the area. Eke added that the residents of the area had on several occasions complained to ASEPA over the risk they face following its failure to

clear the refuse dump, but to no avail.

“I rented one of the shops adjacent to the refuse dump, but I can no longer stay there because of the stench oozing from the dump. We are suffering from the bad odour

from the refuse dump. We have complained severally to ASEPA but nothing has been done to evacuate the refuse.

Ever y year, we pay our sanitation fees but ASEPA will not fulfil its own obligation to the people. It is only through God’s help that we have not had a major outbreak of an epidemic. But God only helps those who help themselves.

The ASEPA must play its own part to save us from imminent danger. ‘’If you watch those shops by the roadside and buildings around Esiulo Street, you will discover that people have relocated because of the stench coming from the refuse dump. You cannot stay around here during rainy season. The odour is even less now because of the dry season.

Mountain of refuse in one of the affected areas.

Fears as erosion threatens Anambra community Contiuned from page 1 attracted a contractor to fix the road and we were elated.

“But our joy was cut short, during the last rainy season, when the contractor, abandoned the project, claiming that the rains would not allow them continue construction work. You have to see the hell people who have houses on that road go through just to access their homes.

“The road was impassable and it became nearly impossible for people to leave their homes even by foot or motorcycles. We are disappointed by the action of our lawmaker. This is the same person that came pleading for our votes with the Bible in hand during the 2011 House of Representatives election.

Another resident, Mazi Uche Ifeanyichukwu, said: “The road was not as horrible as this; not until the contractor came to site. They destroyed the road with their heavy-duty construction equipment and left the road uncompleted.

I must confess that our kinsmen in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja and those in diaspora are unwilling to come back home for this Yuletide because of the impassable nature of this road.

“Why would they come home? How do we expect them to come back home when they cannot access the community with their vehicles. We are really suffering because of the horrible state of this road. We are thus calling on Governor Willie Obiano to come to our rescue urgently, before another rainy season next year.”

However, efforts to speak to Hon. Dike as at the time of filing this report proved abortive as his phone was not connecting. A Short Message Service, SMS, sent to his phone was also not replied at press time.

“We pay our sanitation levy annually but I cannot see why the ASEPA people will always fail to evacuate the refuse, we cannot understand why they allow refuse heaps to litter the places and overflow to the road. Once in a while , they will come and remove a little but the greater part will be left here. We are appealing to ASEPA to come and evacuate this refuse.”

Other residents of the area who spoke to South East Voice, accused the ASEPA of playing with the health of the residents and shop owners in the area by failing to clear the refuse.

One of the residents who gave his name simply as Okechukwu told South East Voice that many of his neighbours had relocated from the area due to the stench oozing from the refuse dump. According to him, “Many of my co-tenants have relocated to other parts of the town due to the bad odour coming from the mountains of refuse. As you can see, anybody that passes this area must cover the nose to avoid inhaling the bad odour. If nothing is done to ensure a permanent solution to the problem, I will move my family out of this area too.”

A teacher in one of the schools on the Igwe Avenue, near the refuse dump said that many parents had complained that the refuse dump poses great health risk to their children. The Deputy General Manager, ASEPA, in Aba, Mr Iyke Anyatonwu was not available for comments when South East Voice called at his office.

YULETIDE: Ekweremadu's wife's lifeline for

Enugu-West widows

BY FRANCIS IGATA

E

ed for each widow. We will continue to identify with you and pray that next year will be better than this year,” she said.

such a manner that next year, we will increase the number of beneficiaries and quantity of items donated.”

NUGU — About 500 widows drawn from the Aninri,Awgu,Oji-river,Udi Beneficiary expresses and Ezeagu have benefited Ekweremadu speaks joy from the annual Christmas A widow, Mrs. Nkiru Onyia Also speaking, her husband, donation from Mrs. Ike Ekweremadu said: ”This expressed immense joy to the Nwanneka Ekweremadu, wife gesture is aimed at showing DSP’s wife even as she asked of Deputy Senate President, you appreciation for your for avenues where they could Ike Ekweremadu. support over the years. This be meaningfully engaged to The event, South East gesture will be sustained in fend for themselves and Voice learnt, was meant to families. share the joy of Christmas and identify with widows from the senatorial district.

According to Mrs. Ekweremadu,”we want to experience the Christmas season of joy with widows. We want to feed and cloth widows from these council areas.

“We have 500 bags of 25kg rice, 500 pieces of wrappers and N10,000 each have been earmark•Cross section of the widows and some of the items donated.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 —3

Another set of choristers on the occasion

Anambra monarch wades into Nkpor intra-communal crisis

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

O The choir singing on the occasion

Latter Day Saints Church holds Xmas concert

BY FELIX OGBONNA

A

BA—THE Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Aba, Abia State has held an interdenominational Christmas Concert at its headquarters at Okpu Umuobo in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Council area.

Welcoming members of the church and adherents of other religions, State President of the Church, Aba, President Kennedy Njoku, said the aim of the inter –denominational service which had its theme as ‘’Aba Celebrates Christ,’’ was to have people of other faiths come together to celebrate Jesus Christ and also realize that He is God’s gift to mankind."

He also said that the service was intended to correct the misconceptions some people had about the church, adding that the Christmas concert was meant to unify the followers of Jesus Christ.

“Usually every Christmas, we come together as one big family to celebrate Jesus Christ but this time around we chose to celebrate it with the society and people of other faiths to enable them know who we are. We want to also use this occasion to tell the world that Jesus Christ is God’s gift to mankind. That Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of our faith. “We also want to use this occasion to correct an impression the

people have about the church.

They say that we are not Christians and that we do not preach Jesus Christ. So, we want the world to hear us preach Christ, talk about Christ and speak about Christ. We believe that salvation is only through the name of Jesus Christ,’’ he said.

On the status of Joseph Smith in the church, Njoku described Smith as the founder of the Church as well as a prophet of God who was used as an instrument to restore the church to these modern times. “This church does not worship Joseph Smith, but sees him as a prophet of God. Smith is just a prophet of God or any other Christian leader like we have today. We have never equated him to Jesus Christ.”

In his homily on the occasion, Bishop of Aba Ngwa North Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Nathan Kanu, who took his readings from John 3: 16 and Isaiah 9: 6-7, said Jesus Christ is the greatest gift that God gave to mankind.

Kanu who was represented

by Venerable Samuel Baaba added that Jesus Christ was the only solution to the problems of the world. “Aba needs Jesus Christ because He is the only solution to our problems. God’s glory was restored through Jesus Christ through whom He reconciled Himself with the world. It is only those who call on the

name of the Lord that will be saved. We must embrace Christ to be saved.”

The inter denominational Christmas concert which was attended by members of the Anglican, Catholic and Pentecostal churches within Aba and environs also featured drama, debates and songs from choristers of the various denominations who presented melodious tunes to the delight of the congregation.

NITSHA—PERTURBED by the lingering communal crisis allegedly disturbing the peaceful co-existence and development at Nkpor Community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, the traditional ruler of the area, Igwe Christopher Ibegbunam has directed that an election should be conducted between now and January, 2015 to usher in a democratically elected town union executive.

He lamented that elongation of the tenure of the Interim Management Committee, IMC, of the area for an upward of eight years now saying that the action had created bad blood and deprived the people of their rights from the government over the period.

Ibegbunam who spoke at Nkpor Town Hall during an emergency general meeting he summoned with his cabinet members, said the IMC system of leadership in the area had become so outdated and irrelevant that an election must be conducted between this month and January, 2015.

In his speech, a prominent son of Nkpor, Chief Austin Udo commended the monarch and

his cabinet for the well thought out directive, wondering why the IMC members did not attend the crucial meeting.

Udo later moved a motion that the purported 2011 amended constitution of the town being foisted by the IMC be set aside at once to pave the way for a democratic election in the area.

Seconding the motion, a one-time elected PresidentGeneral of NDU and former member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Christian Okeke added that an election committee comprising of two persons from each of the five villages in Nkpor be set up with immediate effect to act as an electoral committee to ensure that the vision of Igwe and his cabinet was realised within a record time.

Governor Willie Obiano.

IBC pensioners get 14 months arrears, 26 months pending

BY CHINONSO ALOZIE WERRI—THE Imo State government has paid 14 out of the 40 months arrears of pension of the former staff of the state Broadcasting Corporation, IBC. Speaking, in Owerri, during their end of the year party, the Chairman of the pensioners, Comrade Chidi Madu said that, the government of Imo state under Rochas Okorocha, paid 14 m o n t h s pension, adding that part of the arrears was inherited f r o m Okorocha’s predecessor.

“This time last year, it was a h o p e l e s s Governor Rochas Okorocha

O

situation for the pensioners. It was through the collective effort of the members and the media that we were able to draw the attention of the government to our plight.

And because the government is a listening government, it considered our request and today we are happy,” he pointed out.

The Chairman, while acknowledging the role of the media in their struggle, also admitted that the former Commissioner for Information, Theodore Ekechi was at the forefront of the agitation and presenting their matter to Governor Rochas Okorocha.

In his remark, the former Director of Administration in the company, Ambrose Mbagwu, commended the doggedness of Chidi Madu, adding that he was fearless even when there were obstacles.

In her speech, the former Assistant Director of Programmes, Chinwe Kalu said that, the action of the government, would prolong the lives of the pensioners. Also speaking, Oha Boniface Anukam said that, God has wiped away their tears saying that it was for this reason, that he joined in the celebration.

C M Y K

4 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

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WKA—THE Special School for the Blind, Deaf and Dumb otherwise known as the Basden Memorial Special Education Centre, Isulo, in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, was among the 1,320 primary and secondary schools, categorized under (public and public-mission schools) across the three senatorial districts of the state that have been renovated by the state government. This was even as the schools have continued to receive direct government funding.

Governor Willie Obiano of the state had remembered the students and staff of Basden Memorial School for the Blind, Deaf and Dumb, which was established in 1996, to carter for special students for renovation.

The school which had been neglected by successive governments in the last 18 years in terms of infrastructure, as well as conducive learning and teaching environment, received the attention of the Obiano administration following the development of its blueprint expressed through the Wheel of Development.

The blueprint is anchored on four pillars including: agriculture, oil and gas, trade as well as commerce and industrialization.

It was against this backdrop that the government also distributed 25,000 computers with internet connectivity, 450 50KVA generators, and 500 school buses, as well as provision of sick bays, libraries to schools in the state.

*The newly rehabilitated Basden Memorial Special Education Centre, Isulo.

18 YEARS AFTER:

Infrastructure South East Voice undertook a three-day tour of schools in areas like Uli, Ihiala, Azia, Okija, Ozubulu, Oraifite, Oba, Obosi, Onitsha, Nnewi, Nnobi, Agulu, Adaziani, Neni and Isiakpu.

Other areas also visited include Nise, Nibo, Umuawulu, Mbaukwu, Awgbu, Amaopkala,Ndiowu, Ndikelionwu, Omogho, Awa, Ufuma, Ajalli, Nawfija, Isulo, Ekwulobia, Agulueze Chukwu, Onneh, Achina, Umuchu, Ugah, Achalla, Akpo, Nkpologwu and Nanka among others to confirm the renovation exercise.

In her reaction, the State’s Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha told South East Voice that for the Obiano’s administration, raising the infrastructural base of the schools was a priority.

According to her, providing comfort for secondary school students in the state ‘’goes beyond the erection of building and equipping it with state-ofthe-art equipment, but also focusing on pupils/students development and teacher improvement.

“In ensuring continuity in the administration of Anambra State, the government has gone into serious renovation of dilapidated structures and construction of new structures in basic education schools across the state. "Remarkably, there is an increase in the supervision and monitoring of these projects to achieve the administration’s vision of quality infrastructural development in the sector,” she said.

On the Universal Basic Education Projects, she said that the, “The construction of

C M Y K

Joy reigns as Basden Special Education Centre gets facelift

BY IKENNA ASOMBA 385 units of 4-classroom blocks, renovation of 862 units of 5classroom blocks giving a total of 1, 247 units of construction spread across the 21 local government areas in the state; construction of toilet facilities including 13 6-rooms VIP’s, procurement of pupils’ furniture including 629 twoseater wooden desk and 545 ECCD round tables and chairs.

“Others are construction of fencing round the school compound in 37 primary schools and two culverts in two primary schools. This has helped to create child-friendly

BY FRANCIS IGATA

E

environment and reduced the extent of infrastructural decay in schools, even as the 2014 matching grant of N952, 297, 297.30 has been released to UBEC Abuja.”

Speaking further she said to continuously meet the needs and challenges of education, the government has gone ahead to acquire two more secondary schools, Ebe Unity College, Ukpor, in Nnewi South Local Government Area, LGA. and Anthony Obaze Community Secondary School, Ochuche, in Ogbaru LGA, putting the number of secondary schools in the state to 256.

Contiunes on page 5

*Relics of old building block of Basden Memorial Special Education Centre, Isulo, Orumba South LGA of Anambra State.

Enugu East council road taken over by refuse

NUGU—Motorists and residents passing through the road leading to Enugu-East Local Government Area headquarters in Enugu State are grappling with stench and offensive odour from refuse dumps along both sides of the road.

They equally frowned at the absence of street lights on the lonely road leading to the council.

South East Voice visit to the road showed that domestic and industrial wastes were dumped indiscriminately along both sides of the road. Rural communities of Edem, Ibakwa, Amaorji and Alulu which consist the host communities of

the council headquarters had no dumpsters where wastes could be deposited, prompting most residents to resort to

dumping wastes along the road and drainage channels.

Medical expert comments

Refuse along the side of the road before the council gate.

A resident doctor,at the Enugu State Teaching Hospital, Dr. Thaddeaus Offor said,” such situation causes discomfort to the body metabolism which can trigger high blood pressure”.

Enviromentlist speak Also, a resident of the area, Chike Uche, who lamented the situation, maintained that apart from upsetting the serenity of the environment, government should quickly provide dumpsters in the area to avert the dangers of flooding occasioned by the blockage of drainage channels by residents who dump wastes in water ways and drainage channels.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 — 5

Sen Emodi fetes widows, motherless babies at Christmas

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA—FORMER presidential adviser on national assembly matters, Senator Joy Emodi has feted about 150 widows and over 45 inmates of the motherless babies in Anambra State as part of her annual Christmas celebration with the less privileged in the society.

The event, which is implemented yearly by Joy Emodi Foundation, JEF, saw the beneficiaries receive food items, including bags of rice, noodles, biscuits, toiletries, wrappers and cash to enable the women start small scale businesses and for the upkeep of the motherless babies.

Emodi established the Foundation many years ago to assist the less privileged in the society during the period of Christmas and whenever the need arose.The beneficiaries this year were the Nigeria Red Cross Society, Motherless Babies Home and widows drawn from all the 21 local government areas in Anambra State.

Though Senator Emodi is not

contesting any election this time around, she promised to continue with the programme because of the passion she has for the poor and the less privileged and urged wealthy Nigerians to come to the aide of such people in the society as government alone cannot cater for their needs all the time.

She said: “There are many people in Anambra State who are richer than the government and such people should always remember those who are in need. These widows have nobody to take care of their needs, especially at periods like Christmas and the only way they can be made happy is through our collective efforts by providing them with clothes, food and means of sustaining themselves.

“It gives me joy to visit these motherless babies and interact with the widows every year.

Sincerely speaking, I don’t feel comfortable enjoying the Christmas alone when these children and the widows are suffering.”

One of the widows, Mrs. Onyejagolo Okeke commended Emodi for

remembering them every Christmas, recalling that since she began the programme many years ago, they always looked forward to celebrating the Christmas with her.

She said: “I pray that God will continue to provide for you and give you the heart to remain generous as you have been doing. Whenever it is Christmas, I look forward to our meeting with Senator Emodi.

With this bag of rice, wrapper and cash to go with, I will celebrate the Christmas and New Year like any other person in my community.”

She also stated that the money given to her by the senator last year enabled her to meet her daily financial needs and sustain the small business she was able to establish with the money.

The matron of the Nigerian Red Cross Motherless Babies’ Home, Mrs. Bridget Ajaelu called on other politicians in the state to emulate Emodi because it requires so much to maintain the children in the home. The 45 babies in the home were in a celebration mood, with one of the inmates praying God to continue to

Emodi (middle) with the children in the home. bless Emodi, just as others took turns to pray that God should touch the heart of other Nigerians to remember them at Christmas.

Dr. Chinedu Nwaizugbe, who was among those that accompanied Emodi during the events, described her as an exceptional woman who is always eager to make people around her happy, adding that if every politician behaves like Emodi, there would be no tension in the political arena.

“Her period in the senate during which she represented Anambra North remains the

Joy as Basden Special Education Centre gets face-lift Contiuned from page 4 According to her, “Other infrastructural strides taken by the Willie Obiano administration include, completion of provision of power generating set to 420 schools in the state along with 50KVA generators to 110 schools; and 30KVA to 310 schools. Furthermore, internet facilities were provided

by Galaxy Backbone just as N30 million approved for St. Mary’s High School, Ifite Dunu for its rehabilitation. Five million approved as counterpart funding for the development of Community Education Resource Centre, CERC, by the state Ministry of Education, leading to the equipment of the Creche at the centre.”

Security “The government has also keyed into the safe school initiatives by the provision of Hilux Patrol vans to the 33 police stations in view of the increasing security network within the Nwafor Orizu College of Education environs; setting-up a six- member committee to look into cult

activities in the schools with a view to stemming the tide. All secondary schools in the state will be fenced in this order.

They include 10 Girls’ Boarding Secondary Schools in Awka Etiti, Mater Amabilis, Umuoji, Onitsha, Ozubulu, Anglican Girls Secondary School, Ogidi, GSS Oraifite, GSS Ojoto, GSS Igboukwu, GSS Uga and the Eastern Academy, Onitsha.

“Four security men and women called School Marshals are being trained for recruitment in all secondary and primary schools in the state. All these are geared towards reduction in the theft and vandalism of equipment in the schools, as well as securing lives.”

On teachers’ welfare and improvement, among other things, she said: “For Obiano’s administration, teachers’ welfare ranks very high in priority. As part of the strategy, there has been introduction of a rigorous recruitment exercise and revised remuneration for teachers to attract the best resources in Nigeria across all levels of education in the state.

Over 5000 additional teachers have been employed to ensure pupils –to- teacher ratio improves from 24:1 to 15:1.

“There has been deployment of 3000 NCE holders to various primary schools on April 1, 2014, thereby reducing staff vacancies existing in our primary schools especially in rural areas.

"Approval has been given for the payment of arrears of promotion exercise for the years 2012 and 2013 for tutorial and non tutorial staff, thus boosting the morale of teachers, and resulting in improved performance and productivity.”

Quality Assurance “Under the watch of Governor Obiano, a lot of structures are in place to ensure that this is effectively done. The monitoring and evaluation is squarely in place, through the provision of six project vehicles for the ministry of education to ensure effective monitoring, through the Quality Assurance Unit in the Ministry of Education. Two Toyota Hilux vans were also

approved for the Post Primary School Service Commission, PPSSC, to conduct intensive supervision and monitoring of the implementation of the new curriculum for quality service delivery just as Visitation Panels are in place at Anambra State University, Uli and Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe among others.” ‘’The administration has taken capacity building for teachers very seriously. Between June 16 and June 20, 2014, staff of the state Ministry of Education including directors, zonal education officers, area education officers and PROs among others were trained to others to key into the egovernance of this administration. Microsoft conducted the train-the-trainers’ workshop for 52 ICT demonstrators in schools among others. We are also retraining 256 principals, 100 internal Auditors of the PPSSC and 256 Bursars/teacher Bursars of PPSSC; partici-pation in Disease Ebola Virus Management Training, EVD, in 256 Secondary Schools among others.”

period for the people of the zone as she was able to touch the lives of most people in the area and this is why they were not happy that she is not vying for senate in 2015,” Nwaizugbe said.

REACH US DO you have any news of neglect or abandoned projects or your representative at the local, state or federal governments are not representing you well?

Do you have unique cultural activities coming up or any community news to tell us?

Emeka Mamah (Co-ordinator): 08033218645 Austin Ogwuda(Enugu): 08037136440 Francis Igata 08033387069 Vincent Ujumadu(Awka): 08035804090 Anayo Okoli(Umuahia): 08034046839 Chidi Nkwopara(Imo): 08033391108 Peter Okutu (Abakaliki): 08032680756 Chinenyeh Ozor (Nsukka): 08185664011 Nwabueze Okonkwo (Nnewi): 08037794782 Enyim Enyim (Onitsha): 08169297179 Or: e-mail us: easternvoice@yahoo.com

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6 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

A cross section of Ohuhu traditional rulers on the occasion.

First Lady being conferred with the Nkalari title by Eze Nwokenna.

Abia monarchs honour Patience Jonathan

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA—OHUHU, the sleepy community in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State was agog last Friday following the conferment of its highest traditional title of golden daughter of Ohuhu (Nkalari Ohuhu) on the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, by all the traditional rulers in Ohuhu Clan.

The clan said that the title was conferred on the First Lady because, the people cherished her so much. Dame Jonathan’s mother hailed from Ohuhu.

For Ohuhu community, the glamorous ceremony would remain a date to remember for a long time to come as the First Lady brought the high and mighty to her mother’s place of birth. .

Organized by the Ohuhu Welfare Union with the blessing of Ohuhu traditional rulers but facilitated by the Abia State Government, the First Lady also used the occasion to lay the foundation stone for Ohuhu Civic Centre.

The ceremony which was graced by various dance groups attracted many Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftains and candidates from the South East and South South zones for 2015, including the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, who is the party’s governorship candidate for Imo State; the Abia State candidate, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, and his Rivers State

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counterpart, Chief Nyesom Wike. Others were business mogul, Chief Arthur Eze, Chief Ifeanyi Uba, wives of governors of Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi, former Rivers Governor, Dr. Peter Odili and his wife, Justice Mary Odili, Speakers of Ebonyi and Abia States Houses of Assembly and some members of the National Assembly, among others.

Earlier, Governor Theodore Orji who was the chief host

welcomed the First Lady back to her roots and assured her that she was at home as her husband, President Jonathan did not need to lose sleep over Abia State votes as the state belonged to the PDP. As expected, the First Lady used the occasion to canvass for votes for her husband’s 2015 second term ambition.

According to her, President Jonathan has done well, particularly for the South East

zone and therefore needed their votes to remain in office to do more for them.

Accepting the honour bestowed on her, Dame Jonathan said the occasion was an opportunity to “meet and reunite with family members, old friends and associates,” noting that she was overwhelmed by the large turnout of people to receive her.

She also expressed gratitude to Governor Theodore Orji and his wife, Odochi for their efforts in ensuring that the ceremony was a success.

She further expressed happiness over the the show of solidarity and uncommon love

by Ohuhu people to her and her entourage, saying that it was a sign of unity and love among them. Mrs. Jonathan, however, noted that Ohuhu people had always played significant roles in the development of Nigeria and Abia State.

“Ohuhu people are known to be industrious, articulate and hard working; I am proud to be part of this community. Ohuhu land is very special in my mind.

We will collectively work to promote our great heritage and make it better,” Dame Jonathan

further said.

On politics, she said: “My dear people, you know that this is election time. I need not tell you what to do. A wise man says that a bird at hand is worth more than two in the bush. My husband is contesting for the second time. He has worked very hard to keep Nigeria one despite the odds.

“I am your daughter and I have no doubt that my husband is doing a lot to improve the lots of the South East, rehabilitating roads; the Second Niger Bridge is ongoing, Onitsha-Owerri road has been completed, EnuguOnitsha road is on-going, and I assure you that he will do a lot more if you give him your votes again.

“For the women, I urge you to take advantage of your numerical strength to vote for Jonathan to remain in office. He has liberated women from resistance tendency. Any person canvassing for the scrapping of the Office of First Lady, do not vote for him because such person does not have the interests of women at heart. Please be wise and vote for PDP candidates for the good of the country,” she added.

ICPC berths at Oko Poly *We won’t tolerate victimization, Rector warns

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA—THE Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences

Commission, ICPC, has taken the battle against corruption to the Federal Polytechnic, Oko in Anambra State where it has set up Anti Corruption and Transparency Unit,

ACTU, in collaboration with authorities of the institution.

The Rector, Professor Godwin Onu listed vices and unethical behaviours the unit would be concerned with as extortion of

Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko . Prof Godwin Onu with members of ICPC and ACTU of the institution

students by staff, undeserved award of scores after examinations, gratification, indecent dressing, political interference in the management of the polytechnic, and godfather syndrome, special requests for admission and employment, among others.

He said: “Virtually all aspects of life have an element of corruption entrenched in it and that gave rise to the establishment of an anti corruption and transparency unit in this institution, headed by a seasoned hand and backed by ICPC. “Corruption is at the very core of the survival of the nation’s tertiary institutions.

There is therefore no doubt that our ivory towers should be repositories of knowledge that has capacity to uplift knowledge that chastens vice

Contiunes on page 7

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 —7

Urua Amada community celebrates new monarch

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

O

NITSHA—THE people of Uru Amada village in Oraukwu, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, are celebrating their liberation from those they identified as their task masters, through the election of a new traditional ruler, Chief Patrick Oyeduba.

Oyeduba was enthroned following the dethronement of his predecessor, Obi Ogochukwu Akanegbu, over alleged autocratic activities.

However, the highpoint of the allegations against the former Obi was that he flouted the constitution by setting up a parallel leadership of the town’s union.

He was said to have done this after conducting another election that produced the parallel executive of the town union in January this year.

Speaking on the occasion, Oyeduba said that he did not contest for the seat but was appointed by the masses, assuring that he would rule with the fear of God to ensure absolute peace in the village, since he was by the virtue of his new position, a member of Igwe Oraukwu–in- Council.

The Chairman, Urua Amada Village Concerned Citizens Forum, Fabian Nwankwo, said that the former leadership of the town allegedly sold their land without remitting the proceeds to the public purse.

Nwankwo said that this expectedly sparked off controversy, following which,

A cross section of members of the Igwe’s cabinet a petition to the Oraukwu Congress was raised against Akanegbu. The congress was the umbrella town union of the community which in turn, set up a panel that investigated the allegations.

However, the installation

ceremony of Oyeduba, turned out to be a carnival of some sorts as different groups, citizens, friends and well wishers thronged to his palace to pay homage.

Different dancing groups were equally on the ground,

ICPC berths at Oko Poly Contiuned from page 6 and offers authority to virtue, instead of promoting corruption.

“Corruption is perverse to the mind; it lowers the man and his institution; it hobbles competence and hard work and destroys initiative and enterprise.

“With the establishment of ACTU and its formal inauguration in this Polytechnic, the dog has been empowered to bite and we hope that corruption will henceforth, be professionally checked in the Polytechnic.

We also hope that not only will the unit check corruption, but it will also advise on ways to strengthen the mechanism for preventing corruption. If we do what we are supposed to do at all times, we will not fear anything.”

According to him, ACTU has come to stay, adding that the management of the polytechnic would do everything in its powers to support the activities of the unit to ensure that office corruption was eliminated among staff and students.

The head of the Enugu zonal office of ICPC, Mr. Udonsi Arua, who was represented by Mr. Anselm Eze said with the directive by the Head of Service of the Federation that anti corruption units be set up in all government establishments, ACTU has become the eye of ICPC in the polytechnic.

He said: “ACTU unit in this school will from this moment be held responsible for non – adherence to rules and regulations governing operations of government business in this institution. You are advised not to abuse your office or use it to oppress and intimidate your colleagues.

While admonishing members of the unit to be steadfast and live above board and show good example, he assured them that ICPC and the management of the polytechnic would give them maximum support to enable them carry out their functions, even as he warned against victimizing people in the name of fighting corruption.

singing the praises of the new Obi. As a mark of his popularity, Oyeduba who is an Onitshabased businessman said that he did not contribute even a dime towards his installation, stressing that his desire was for God to give him the grace to justify the confidence reposed in him by his people.

The Oraukwu Regent-InCouncil, led by Chief Philemon Ochudo said on the occasion, that his group came to thank God for the successful coronation of the Obi Oyeduba. He prayed God to bless the entire Oraukwu people and those who wished the town well.

His words, “This Obi is blessed. God will grant him peaceful reign on the throne.

My advice is that he should obey the constitution of the Urua Amada village and the community. I pray that he will not take wrong steps, so that he will not have problems.”

Chief Chukwunweokwu Obi, the Chairman of Urua Amada village, said he was elated at the completion of the coronation and installation ceremony of their new Obi, saying that the day marked

the regaining of freedom for the entire community which hitherto had been subjected to servitude and oppression.

He said: “I feel very happy today. Today is my happiest day. We, in Urua Amada will not forget it in a hurry. It is a day of freedom; a day of joy and a day of celebration. We have been suppressed, intimidated, harassed, treated with disregard, disdain and disrespect by people who ruled this community as their personal enterprise. We have been liberated.”

Earlier in his sermon during a church service marking the ceremony, Rev. Charles Ohamisi, said that any foundation laid without God’s approval would definitely collapse and challenged the new Obi Ebubedike to build his foundation on God. Responding, Obi Ebubedike Patrick Oyeduba said, “I will ensure peace in Oraukwu, and Uru-Amada. I will rule with the fear of God in this community. I want the community to be totally committed to God. I will teach my people how to fish, not how they will eat fish.”

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8 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

Hurricane light at the post

Road leading to the health post

COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE OF OLD:

Hurricane lamps used during delivery of babies

BY CHINENYEH OZOR

N

S U K K A — H E A LT H workers still use hurricane lamps for the delivery of pregnancies and other emergency cases in Okeano,Ohebe-Dim Community Health Centre in Igbo –Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State due to lack of electricity.

When South East Voice visited the area, it gathered that the community had never seen electric light since history, just as the people had no accessible road network or pipe borne water.

It was learnt that the health post at Okeano village, which was established about 10years ago was the only one in the area servicing the community's thick population.

The three bed -room health post was a rented apartment.

The health post has three nurses and one security man as the only staff posted by the Igbo-Etiti Local Government Council.

An official who spoke to South East Voice on the condition of anonymity said that the health post lacked C M Y K

facilities to carry out any form of health services.

“We use hurricane lamp in emergency cases at night as there is neither electricity nor a generator to assist three of us in emergency situations.

God has been with us, we have not recorded any casualty even with the use of hurricane lamps to deliver women in labour at the health post” she noted.

Mrs. Ezugwu also said that drugs to the health post has been through drug revolving fund, DRF, and PATHS in part-nership with the state and local governments, explaining that drugs supplied to the health post squatted in a rented three rooms apartment were judiciously used for its purpose.

Just last month, three babies were delivered at the health post operating with only two material beds. For many years of the establishment of the health post, no effort has been made to erect a permanent structure, only recently women organization in Chinwa clan of Okeano , Ohebe-Dim community started moulding blocks for a

Health post in a rented building permanent site of the health post which services the entire community.

The security man attached to the health post, Mr. Augustus Odo said that the community lacks amenities to function like other communities in Igbo-Etiti and the state generally, pointing out that the health post lacks water as it depends on rainfall for water among other issues while ante-natals were carried out on Mondays and Wednesdays by the matron and two other nurses happily.

Landlord to the health post, Chief Ugwu Silvanus who spoke to South East Voice said that the building belonged to his late brother Ugwu Anselem, explaining that he gave out three rooms of the building on temporal use instead of it being occupied by rodents and reptiles.

Chief Ugwu noted that he is not in a hurry to recover the property as it is his

family's contribution to the community development, pending when a permanent structure will be erected for the health post which Chinwa village women have started moulding blocks for that purpose.” We are appealing to both Igbo-Etiti and the State government to assist Ohebe Dim community to have access road network, borehole and electricity. You can see, no mobile phone network functions in the community, we trek kilometres to the community secondary school and hill tops to make phone contact with others, yet the community cast their votes in general elections. Ohebe -Dim is in a sorry state that needed an urgent attention” he noted.

Contacted for comment on the pitiable situation of Ohebe-Dim health post, the Head of Department, HOD, Health, Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area, Mr. Simon Abugu said that the health post had been commissioned before he became the HOD, saying that,

to the best of his knowledge, the post was doing well.

Abugu, however, noted that the community should not wait for government to do everything for them but, instead, embark on communal projects in a bid to develop their area.

He said that the local government council embarked on Visit Every Community, VEC, to identify the problems facing each of them, adding that, during such consultative fora, communities echoed their teething problems in terms of roads, electricity, water and health facility among others.

“Ohebe –Dim community should send delegates to the local government council chairman to discuss their problems as regards the health post in the community.

The community can equally apply for assistance through ALGON, MDG’S and TETFUND like other communities that attracted boreholes, rural roads, transformers and health facilities,” he noted.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 — 33

sports in 2014:

rd, three steps backward

•Eagles

•Nigerian Contingent at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games

•Quadri

the 100m in a championships record. This time, not only did she face double world silver medalist, Murielle Ahoure of Cote’ d Ivoire, she also had to contest with a stiff -1.4m/s headwind. She dealt with both, though, and came through strong at the end to win in 11.00, taking 0.03secs off the championship record she set in 2010.

Nigeria also had an excellent outing at the 6th Commonwealth Taekwondo championships in Edinburgh. The country’s 16-man contingent won a total of 4 gold th and 2 bronze medals to finish 4 , the best ever finish by Nigeria.

Taekwondo Federation President, George Ashiru, who believes the feat in Edinburgh would help the country’s qualification for the 2016 Olympics, hopes that more support

from government and stakeholders would spur the team to greater heights.

“For us, 2014 was a watershed as we were able to attend a number of international tournaments while the domestic scene was equally active,” Ashiru recounted. “In terms of development, we took some giant strides as some of our coaches and referees attended international courses.

Indeed, two of our referees were declared best referees at two separate international events in 2014.

And that is no mean achievement.”

He also recalled that the year witnessed the discovery of young talents who will take over from the likes of Chika Chukwumerije. Some of them have already had

international exposure. “With the strides recorded by Emmanuel Peters and Chika Chukwumerije, we know that it takes at least 8years grooming before an athlete can get to the medal range at the Olympics. We are happy that we have recorded incremental improvements after an overall assessment of our programmes in the outgoing year.”

Table Tennis was another pace-setter in the year under review. With a vibrant leadership anchored by Enitan Oshodi, the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation ensured the ping pong players were busy all year round. They attended local and i n t e r n a t i o n a l championships. Above all the federation hosted major international

tournaments in Lagos, including the Lagos Classics, the Lagos Opens, among others. Portugal based Aruna Quadri rose from 237 in the world in February this year to 30 in November and now 31, according to the latest ITTF rankings.

Administratively, Nigerian sports witnessed the macabre dance. The new Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo was, at times, seen as a confused man whose every step took the country backward.

His inconsistencies, particularly in the crisis that engulfed the Nigeria Football Federation sort of fanned the embers in the football house.

After ensuring the ouster of the former NFF President, Aminu Maigari, the Minister goofed in events that led to the enthronement, albeit briefly, of an illegitimate board led by Chris Giwa.

His miscalculated dabble into the succession process at the Glass House was the sore point in his handling of the NFF crisis and, to a large extent, gave the Giwa FC boss the muscle to throw his weight about. Thank God all that is now history.

Aside the NFF crisis, Danagogo performed excellently. His support for the so-called lesser sports like Taekwondo, Weightlifting, Table Tennis, sports for the physically challenged, among others is legendary. His pragmatic approach to early preparation of athletes for international events was the tonic for the successes Nigeria recorded at the Commonwealth Games, the Commonwealth Taekwondo championship, among others.

Danagogo’s drive for developmental sports is also second to none. The young Minister led Nigeria to topple Africa at the African Junior Athletics Championships in Mauritius.

Domestically, the National Schools Sports Festival was also held in Otukpo.

In summary, Nigerian sports could have achieved more if the right things were done at the right time.

34—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 31, 2014

Patience Jonathan

T

Winnie Mandela/Folorunsho Alakija

Folorunsho Alakija

Winnie Mandela

HERE’S no period like election period when opponents are sparring and jarring at each other on a continuous basis.

Not surprisingly therefore, one of the prominent issues on cyberspace are on APC Presidential candidate Mohamadu Buhari’s ‘No First Lady’ Policy The First Lady, Patience Jonathan had urged Nigerian women not to vote for any politician who would not carry the womenfolk along in his or her administration.

Earlier, Buhari had said the First Lady position is unconstitutional and as such would be cancelled if he assumes power.

Mrs. Jonathan said this was because women make up the majority of the population of Nigeria and constitute the greater majority of the electorate.

Nigerian women should no longer go back to the kitchen. It is not our portion to go back to the kitchen.

We have women that are capable. We can contribute our quota to the development of Nigeria. We women are suffering but God will see us through,” she said, adding that the president had helped to alleviate the plight of

Dame Patience Jonathan

Nigerian women Unfortunately, blogosphere does not appear to see beyond her grammar blunders of the past.

Judith Amaechi

P

ERHAPS the two most iconic African women of modern Africa, South Africa’s Winnie Mandela and Nigeria’s Folorunsho Alakija have rocked blogosphere in the last couple of weeks as they grace the cover of international magazines.

The December/January issue of Forbes magazine features the 4th most iconic South African figure of all time and ex-wife of Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela and her daughter, Zindzi Mandela, while Hello has Africa’s wealthiest woman Folorunsho Alakija looking smoking on the cover.

W

IFE of the governor of Rivers State and emerging political bigwig Judith Amaechi is a reserved First Lady, but last week she appeared on blogosphere as Dame J and husband were photographed by paparazzi and the photos released.

While some commentators admired the couple and referred to them as “cute”, others thought it was all in the name of politics.

Judith Amaechi

Agbani Darego

A

Simone Gbagbo

Simone Gbagbo

M

EANWHILE, Ivory Coast’s former first lady Simone Gbagbo was trending last week on account of her trial for ”attempting to undermine the security of the state” in events leading to a bloody 2010-2011 crisis that left thousands dead.

Gbagbo, who has been held for three years and is wanted by an international court for crimes against humanity, entered the Abidjan court where she is standing trial with 82 others, to cheers and applause from the public.

The 65-year-old wife of expresident Laurent Gbagbo nicknamed the “Iron Lady” is being tried for her role in events leading to months of

post-election violence that left some 3,000 people dead and badly rattled the economy of the prosperous cocoa-producing nation.

Violence broke out in Ivory Coast in 2010 when Laurent Gbagbo refused to cede power to his rival Alassane Ouattara, who was declared the winner of a presidential poll.

Laurent Gbagbo himself has been held for three years in The Hague facing charges of crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC). But Ivory Coast has repeatedly refused to hand his wife over to the ICC on the same charge.

The presidential couple were arrested in April 2011.

FRICA’S first Miss World Agbani Darego got quite a bashing on the Nigerian blogosphere last week as photos of her as a Miss World judge appeared in social media, looking slimmer than ever.

Turning 31 last week, she had won the Miss World

beauty pageant at 18.

In addition, the Rivers State born model was given the prestigious award Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) and has worked with several international fashion houses like Oscar de la Renta, L’Oreal, Dior, Avon, Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren.

Agbani Darego

Annie Idibia

T

Annie Idibia

HE chosen one of classic crooner TuFace Idibia has been in the public eye for so long, most especially now that the deed has been done.

But last week, she was trending for a completely different reason: the selfie she had posted on Instagram of herself and her mother. The Nigerian cyberspace was wowed.

Now, though, she is accused of pandering too much to Western standards of beauty.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 31, 2014 — 35

FAYO williams is the executive director of rely distributors. having qualified as a pharmacist in 1982, she went on to do her masters in pharmaceutics which was awarded in 1985. She is a qualified master trainer under the International Labour Organisation (ILO). This has enabled her teach young entrepreneurs what she has learned in the business world.

Working with top pharmaceuticals at different stages gave her the edge she needed to carve her niche in the business world. Read on.

By Anino Aganbi

T

ELL us about Rely Rely supply ltd is a broad based pharmaceutical company. The idea was to carve a company where you would not be offering only retail like pharmaceuticals. I needed to have a broad base, this led me to choosing that name.

Generally, we are into health and safety supplies, we participate in tenders, we supply government agencies such as INEC, Ministry of Health, Lagos and Ogun State.

We pride ourselves in being professional, having candour, spirit, integrity and as such, we make sure our pharmaceuticals have not less than one year expiry and have good quality.

We have good network with a lot of the pharmaceutical companies and are able to get drugs to supply.

What prompted you into being a pharmacist?

I was very inquisitive growing up. I needed to know how the drugs you take work in the body so I took the appropriate steps to gain that knowledge.

First aid training I also picked interest in safety. I have been involved in making a range of first aid boxes. In addition to offering first aid training, we stage occupational health and training regularly whereby we teach people what to do in an emergency.

In your line of business, you discover most people take their health for granted. In such instances, what do you preach?

You must live a lifestyle of moderation. This should he your philosophy. You don’t over work, neither do you play too hard that you forget yourself.

There must be balance. This moderation must harness in every aspect of your life. When it comes to feeding, you must make the right choices which should be healthy choices. You should eat organic and healthy foods not necessarily indulging in processed foods at all times.

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Exercise your body. The body is like a machine. Most times people use their bodies and forget to maintain them. We preach behavioral changes especially in the way we consume alcohol. You should have a general practitioner your family uses. It’s unfortunate the kind of perception we have about health care.

The primary health care is the best for Nigeria where you have a health facility in your vicinity that you can easily turn to. There are different foods in Nigeria that can help to stay healthy like the African walnut, cooking with coconut oil, eating the avocado pear and lots of others. Generally, we need to seek for foods that have anti-oxidants so we can help our body stay healthy.

As a business woman, what has been your highest moment?

There has been a number of them and I believe the best is yet to come. I was able to deploy our rely range of first aid boxes on konga, an e-commerce platform and the very first sale was from kebbi state. It really thrilled me to know people out of town could be clamouring for our products. We have been able to make our mark in occupational health and safety.

What thrills me is going to places that people wouldn’t believe and finding our first aid boxes. That makes me feel fulfilled that we have been able to create a product that fills the need for the average Nigerian.

That is a comforting thought to me.

What aspect of safety are you involved in?

We are involved in occupational health and safety.

That is the health of a worker at work. In this case, we talk about fitness to work. Is a worker in the correct frame physically and psychologically? Is that worker tuned to really perform the day’s assignment? You talk about health risk assessment; many endeavours have an inherent risk element in the work environment. Is the air safe for the workers? Is the noise level appropriate or will

*Fayo Williams

Our products fill the needs of the average Nigerian — Fayo Williams, ED, Rely Distributors these workers suffer some sort of impairment with time?

What has your growth process been since inception?

Our growth process has been one that has been gradual. There is a whole lot more that can be said about us

The unfortunate thing is there are a lot of energy sources around us but our generation of power has been a source of concern. If we have greater focus on getting that particular sector working, the sky is the limit for the Nigerian entrepreneur

in terms of spread and offerings. We have been able to spread into consulting services, we have done projects for some international agencies. The growth of the organization has been one that is steady and we pray for greater growth in the future.

We have integrity issues at various points in the value chain and it is very disturbing.

Growing up, integrity was a core value. We should value things not on the material sense of it but in a situation where our input counts, our thought process counts and our integrity counts for something.

People tend to blame the government for the fall of businesses. Do you agree with that?

The business environment is extremely challenging; the taxation system is not SME friendly. The purchasing policy does not favour made in Nigerian goods. We should not forget that the SME sector is a very important one. This is a sector where we need to encourage growth so they can embark on job creation pretty fast and help reduce the unpleasant demography of

high unemployment figure.

The policies need to be improved. If a business fails, it does not fail because of the government per se. It could probably fail because the entrepreneur does not have the skills required to manage the business.

Endless holiday We should also have that caution. When you run a business is not the time to take an endless holiday or resume business hours late. Running a business is serious business and I would advise entrepreneurs to take it as such.

Challenges?

You have to deploy so much funds to getting power. The unfortunate thing is there are a lot of energy sources around us but our generation of power has been a source of concern.

If we have greater focus on getting that particular sector working, the sky is the limit for the Nigerian entrepreneur because we have a lot going for us in terms of the candour spirit and general drive. There is also the employability issue.

36—V ANGU ARD, WEDNESD AY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 36—VANGU ANGUARD, WEDNESDA

Shouldn’t my wife be slowing down?

Dear Bunmi,

I

Could I have fathered my friend’s wife’s child?

Dear Bunmi,

I

was my friend’s best man when he got married some years back and I have since got married too. The four of us are good family friends but I’d been secretly in love with my friend’s wife even before they got married. Last year, she

came to my office to ask me to assist in paying the school fees of her two children. I was about to have lunch then and asked her to join me. As she dished the food, I playfully slapped her back-side and she said nothing. In seconds, we were kissing passionately and the food was forgotten as we

In love with a free-loader Dear Bunmi, , have been with my boyfriend for over three years now and we have been living together for the past one year. I love him a lot and we intend to get married as soon as I am pregnant but in spite of my doctor telling me I am all right, nothing has happened.

My boyfriend refused to subject himselfto medical tests because he said he has fathered a child once.

Unfortunately, there is no evidence that he is thinking of the future. He spends money recklessly and borrows from me without paying me back.

Any time I refuse to give him money, he starves me of sex.

Rebecca, By e-mail.

I

Dear Rebecca, our boyfriend seems to have all he wants from life. If you want more, you have to make alternative plans. A man you’ve been with for five years refused to cooperate with you in your effort to make a baby, instead he spends your money freely and starves you of sex, yet you see a dim future?

I see no future here and you had better start thinking of what next to do’before you biological clock ticks over. You might be in love with him, but is he in love with you?

For now, I suggest you look for alternative accommodation with your options open.

Explore the possibility of finding a partner who shares the same dreams as you. Who knows, your man might even sit up when he realizes you’ve stopped being a door-mat.

Y

hurriedly made love and now she is pregnant with her third child. Apart from that first time we’ve had sex a few times and I always help, financially.

She said she wasn’t sure who of us is the father. That in the event that she has the child, it would be her husband’s even if the child looks like me.

My own children take after me and if this child were mine, I would know from its resemblance of me. I wouldn’t want another man to raise my child. What should I do in the event that the child turns out to be mine?

George, By e-mail.

Dear George, ou are worrying yourself for nothing. It is bad enough that you are being unfaithful with your friend’s wife without you wanting to completely break his home with a fear that is unfounded.

A child usually looks like whom you fantasise it to look like. Your lover has already told you what she intends to do with her child and I would respect her wish if I were you.

Have you thought of how your wife should feel about all this if she finds out?

In the meantime, think seriously of ending this relationship as you might burn your fingers if you don’t, and your friend finds out.

Y

They think he’s not good enough for me Dear Bunmi,

I

met and fell in love with a man who is a couple of years younger than I am,then married him shortly after. I’m in my early fifties and my four grown up children were against him from day one because they didn’t feel enough time had passed since their dad died.

My current husband is not an easy man to get along with.

He was made redundant just after we got married and is into contractual business that doesn’t seem to be bringing in anything substantial.

Sometimes he frightens me, accusing me of staring at other men when we’re out or insisting I’ve said something when I know I haven’t. If I disagree with him] ke goes

berserk. Most of the time, I take it, but every now and then, I have to run away. Then we miss each other and I end up getting back to him.

We’ve split up some eight times already because of the rift between him and my family. In fact I’m, currently staying with my eldest daughter as I write. My family says he’s dangerous and spineless and that I shouldn’t even think of going back. What do you think?

Uju, By e-mail.

Dear Uju, don’t think you should go back to the life you were living, but that’s not to say your marriage is over. It sounds as though it’s never really had a chance and your

I

husband’s tendency to control everything may be worse because of your family threatening to come between you. It’s time for a new start for you all.

Begin by getting your family together and telling them that you’re going to try and sort things out and need their help and not their interference. Then make an effort to talk to your husband or arrange for people he respects to counsel him.

If you can’t live together, then you should move to a neutral residence away from your family. In the meantime, make a vow that you will be happy whatever it takes.

Since your first husband’s death, you’ve been hounded by everyone, now start making your own decisions and abiding by them.

’VE been married to my wife for over six years now and we have two lovely children.

My problem is her insatiable appetite for sex. My wife wants sex - and everyday. The fact that she has kids hasn’t slowed her down and at times, whenever we made love and she doesn’t reach orgasm, she would reach for her vibrator.

I’ve protested that I found her behaviour with the vibrator disgusting, so she takes it to the bathroom.

She said it is better than being unfaithful to me, but I wonder if she wouldn’t be unfaithful given half a chance?

Louise, By e-mail.

Dear Louise, ou find your wife’s use of the vibrator distasteful because you think you’re not satisfying her sexually, but believe me, sex drives differ.

Your wife enjoys sex and there is nothing you can do about that apart from playing your part, which you have done. Since your best is not obviously good enough for her and she has found an alternative that is no threat to the marriage, I think you should leave her alone.

You’ll be surprised how widespread the use of vibrators are these days amongst married couples. Why don’t you ask her to include you in her sexual fantasy - you might just find it fascinating. So, next time she reaches for her vibrator, give her a helping hand!

Y

How do I get rid of this delinquent son?

Dear Bunmi,

I

am a single mother of two and my eldest son is driving me crazy. He is in his late twenties, a university drop-out and a drug addict.

He has sold everything valuable that’s not nailed down in the house.

He is abusive, eats any food without consideration for the rest of the family and brings in girls to sleep over for days.

Recently, he took my car without telling me. I thought the car was stolen and had contacted the police only for some men to come to see me with regards to papers to the car they wanted to buy offme.

Yes, my son had taken the car to them, collected a down payment and promised to bring the relevant papers so he could

collect the balance. I was shocked and heart-broken.

I don’t love my son any more; in fact, I want him out of my life. But I fear he could be really violent if I try to evict him. What do I do?

Helen, By e-mail.

Dear Helen, our legal responsibility towards your son stopped when he was twentyone. Thoughh looking after him after this age, is an obligation, it is not as of a right. The earlier you kicked him out, the more semblance of a normal life you would have with your other child. If you fear for your life, then seek the assistance of the Police. If he realises you’re no longer his puppet, he might just sit up.

Y

Why did he marry me?

Dear Bunmi,

A

FTER I discovered I was pregnant, my boyfriend of two years decided we should get married. I now have an 18-monthold son and my husband is in a hot affair with this woman he knew before we got married. As a matter of fact, almost everybody we knew were aware of the affair, yet no one told me especially since she is well known to me.1 feel betrayed by everyone and have left my matrimonial home. I would have gone mad if I had stayed.

Felicia, Bye-mail.

Dear Felicia, our friends who knew of your husband’s affair and kept quiet didn’t do so out of nastiness but fear of what might happen if the truth came out. They were afraid to be honest with you in case you turned on them and they might also be wary of interfering in your relationship, hoping that marriage might change your husband for the better.

Your husband is the love rat here and while you now have to get over his deceit, don’t think your friends betrayed you too. They obviously believed they were doing their best for you.

Y

Share your problems and release your burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos, or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014—37

•Tinubu: Steered the party towards reckoning

•Buhari: Presidential candidate

2014: The emergence

of true opposition

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

I

T was the case of some losing and others gaining.

Indeed, not many people thought that the implosion in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, prompted by the feud between its erstwhile national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Turkur and some governors on the party ’s platform in 2013 would continue in 2014.

But it did. In fact, with such a shocking quake. At the twilight of 2013, five PDP governors namely, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers), Alhaji Ahmed Abdulfatah (Kwara), Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano), Alhaji Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), and Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto) defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC. Not long afterwards, some 37 members of the House of Representatives followed suit in defecting to the APC, leaving the party bleeding profusely.

Major activities of the party in 2014 In February the APC commenced the process of registration of members in February a process that set the basis for the first formal open registration drive by a major political party in the country.

The registration of members

was followed by a series of congresses at which ward executives were picked for the various levels of the party starting from the ward, local government level, state, zonal and ending with the national convention in June.

The national convention which took place in Abuja was preceded by a series of intrigues in which major party stakeholders jostled for influence and positioning of acolytes in the national executive.

Merger committee At the end of the national convention, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, a former governor of Edo State was elected the national chairman.

He was supposedly backed by a national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who in concert with the party’s governors put forward most of those who were elected into the national executive committee.

The outcome of the convention, however, led to bad blood as one of the leading founders of the party Chief Tom Ikimi who chaired the merger committee walked out of the party leaving a stinker against Tinubu who he accused of aiming to frame the party into his personal image.

Ikimi had aspired to the

national chairmanship but was allegedly opposed by Tinubu.

Tinubu was to respond in another open letter in which he alleged that Ikimi’s past discretions were the reasons for the opposition.

Coming closely after the event as the year gracefully progressed towards elections were the fiesta of presidential declarations on APC’s platform.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was the first to declare his presidential ambition in Abuja on September 23. In quick succession, former Head of State, General Mohammadu Buhari also featured on October 17.

Incumbent Kano State governor, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso who eyed the presidential ticket became the third person to declare on October 28. He was also followed by a debutant in the race, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah, the Founder and Publisher of Leadership Newspaper who declared on November 4.

Like Kwankwaso, his counterpart in Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okoroacha on November 10, threw in his hat into the ring of contest.

With the five presidential aspirants, APC got set for a presidential primary elections.

Special developments Between September and

the party. He was later to be welcomed in the PDP. Analysts posited that his departure was felt in the APC. But in a similar vein, the party on October 28 recorded the entry of another big fish, this time, number 3 man in the political protocols of the country. He is Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

According to analysts, Tambuwal’s entry has boosted the chances of APC in winning the presidential election next year as he, too, has already grabbed the party ’s gubernatorial ticket in his home State, Sokoto.

November 19 APC ’s Salvation Rally Miffed by what they termed as the deteriorating state of things in Nigeria, chieftains and faithful of APC, on November 19 staged a protest rally in Abuja to register their displeasure.

Tagged “Salvation Rally”, the protest was essentially aimed at drawing the world’s attention to what they described as deliberate hijack of the Nigeria police and other security agencies by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Spate of insecurity October, APC however witnessed some storm and boom within its fold. Precisely on September 8, one of its founding fathers via the merger accord, Chief Tom Ikimi exited

The national convention which took place in Abuja was preceded by a series of intrigues in which major party stakeholders jostled for influence and positioning of acolytes in the national executive

They also condemned the increased spate of insecurity, killings, corruption, police brutality against official opposition and accused president Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP of gross incompetence and unprecedented display of impunity.

Leaders of the protest included the former Head of State, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari, River State Governor, Hon. Chibuike Ameachi and the national chairman of APC, Mr. John Oyegun.

Others who also made an appearance at the event that started at the popular Eagles Square in Abuja down to the police headquarters were former national chairman of the defunct All Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP, Ogbonnaya Onu, former governor of Osun State, Olagunseye Onyilola, APC’s deputy national chairman, north east, Senator Shuibu Lawal, Senator Ali Ndume, Shaba Lafiagi and Gbenga Ashafa and many more.

Presidential primary election Between December 10 and 11, the perimeters of Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos were full with people.

These were days APC delegates gathered to elect their presidential candidate.

The event featured the five

Continues on page 39

38—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

Big gains and bad losses

PDP IN 2014: THE year 2014 started on a sad note for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The party opened the year with the forced resignation of its national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur following some irreconcilable differences among stakeholders especially governors elected on the platform of the party.

BY HENRY UMORU, ASST POLITICAL EDITOR

•Mu'azu: PDP Game Changer

T

HE resignation of Tukur on January 15, 2014 was a problem carried over from the first days Tukur became national chairman in 2012 mainly carved by perceptions of arrogance and a determination to whittle down the influence of the governors.

In the wake of the problems in the party Governors Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Ahmed Abdulfatah (Kwara), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano), Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers) and former Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako left the PDP for the All Progressives Congress, APC in November 2013.

Tukur's resignation Tukur ’s resignation at the 63rd National Executive Committee, NEC meeting of the party opened yet another phase as the former governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, also from Tukur ’s North-East, took over on January 20, 2014.

Knowing full well that the position of a national chairman was a tight rope to walk judging from what happened to some of his predecessors, it dawned on Mu’azu that he must play the role of a bridge builder and healer of festering wounds.

Mu’azu also made no pretences on his desire to grow the membership base of the party with plans to admit all estranged members especially with the APC lurking in the corner ahead of the 2015 polls.

Gains While the party lost members in 2013, it, however, gained a

•Tukur: His exit led to peace in party sizeable number from the APC in 2014. Among those who crossed over to the APC were some former governors including Attahiru Bafarawa of Sokoto; Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff of Borno State. Also, erstwhile military governor of Lagos and Borno, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd); former Governor Achike Udenwa of Imo State returned to the PDP. Udenwa returned to the PDP alongside former Senator Ifeanyi Ararume; Senator Christy Anyanwu and among the most notable defections was that of the former Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the 2011 Presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. Ribadu is now the governorship candidate of the party in Adamawa State.

The party also gained from the defection of Senator Ehigie Uzamere who refused to register with the APC and the mass defection of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, former national

vice-chairman of the defunct ACN and his associates in Edo State.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State who left the PDP for Labour Party (LP) returned alongside former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and his supporters.

Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi after completing his term, also dumped his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA for the PDP. Losses: The party nevertheless lost some prominent officials, the most painful being Speaker Aminu Tambuwal of the House of Representatives whose exit for the first time opened the way for the opposition to have leadership of one of the two chambers of the National Assembly since the advent of democratic rule in 1999.

As a spinoff from the party primaries, the party also lost its second national chairman Senator Barnabas Gemade; former minister of state, Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom; former governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao-

•Jonathan: Presidential candidate Akala, Prince Tonye Princewill to opposition parties.

Recovering Ekiti Also in 2014, the party won the Ekiti State governorship election at the expense of the APC through its candidate, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.

However, the PDP was not lucky in Osun where its standard bearer, Senator Iyiola Omisore could not beat the incumbent and APC candidate, Rauf Aregbesola.

After a fierce battle with the APC for the Niger East Senatorial by- election following the death of a PDP senator, Dahiru Awaisu Kuta on June 12, 2014, the PDP retained the zone through Dr. Shem Zagbayi Nuhu.

Controversial primaries Controversies arising from the primaries at all levels remained thorny issues for the PDP. Aspirants who were schemed out protested from almost all the states of the federation with

Even the Oron people are not comfortable with the governor as they alleged marginalization and biased development of the state

letters to the national secretariat.

Some of the aggrieved aspirants have defected to other parties to pursue their aspiration.

Unlike in the past where aspirants contested for the party’s presidential ticket with the incumbent helmsman, President Jonathan was given the right of first refusal after many of the party organs adopted him as the sole candidate of the party for the presidential election.

First refusal The party’s effort to drum the claim of the right of first refusal as the practise in advanced democracies was reversed after the claim was debunked by this newspaper and Dr. Umar Ardo, a party chieftain from Adamawa State who took the party to court on the issue.

Two presidential aspirants that had shown interest but were fenced out, Dr Abdul Jelil Tafawa Balewa and wife of late Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, Prof. Akasoba Duke- Abiola were eventually given the opportunity, but no one was lost on the intents and desires of the party as concerning Jonathan who was ratified as the candidate at the special national convention.

The party also at that convention ratified the appointment of Mu‘azu as national chairman whose job before then had been threatened by a move to return Tukur as national chairman.

For his alleged role in that affair, Tukur was slapped with a one month suspension in November.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014—39

view that if Governor Elechi was sincere in his pronouncement that power would shift to the south senatorial district of the state, he would have insisted that Prof Onyebuchi be made the LP governorship candidate for the state, so as to compete with Engr. Dave Umahi but the reverse is the case.

The difficulties of the governor may have opened opportunity for the APC through its candidate, Senator Ucha to actualise his long term goal of becoming governor. He was a gladiator during the 2011 general election and subsequently

•Elechi: Boxed in

EBONYI:

Elechi's tight rope

THE ultimate humble pie for a governor is to look askance in the process of choosing his successor. It is no easy thing for Governor Martins Elechi.

By Peter Okutu

T

HE last governorship primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the state produced Engr. Dave Nweze Umahi from Ebony South zone as its candidate for the 2015 general elections.

While that of Labour party, LP, produced Arc. Edward Nkwegu from Ebonyi North zone, the All Progressive Congress, APC, produced Senator Julius Ucha from Ebonyi Central zone as its own candidate.

With the emergence of these candidates the political arena is now set for the political gladiators to woo Ebonyians on the need for them to be voted in the 2015 general election.

Since 1999, Ebonyi had remained a PDP state and produced all the governors of the state.

The dominance of the party has made it possible that even those who had left the party because of one grievance or the other had reasons to return to the party to run for elective position.

However, the situation this time is different given the overt support by the incumbent PDP governor to members of the opposition to wrest power from the PDP in the forthcoming elections at all state levels.

This was largely because the

governorship aspirant supported by the incumbent governor, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu lost out in the governorship primaries.

Engr. Dave Umahi, the incumbent deputy governor and PDP governorship candidate for 2015 beat Chukwu who was backed by Elechi in the primaries.

The governor has thus thrown his support behind the candidate of the Labour Party,

LP Arc. Edward Nkwegu has no record of being a politician.

Nkwegu is from the Northern Senatorial district which produced Governor Sam Egwu who ruled the state for eight years before the advent of Elechi who is from Central.

The argument by the political mainstream in the state was for power shift to the South, an argument that was pushed by the governor until his man, Chukwu lost out and he returned to his own North and settled on the LP candidate from the North senatorial district of the State.

Many southerners are of the

However, the situation this time is different given the overt support by the incumbent PDP governor to members of the opposition to wrest power from the PDP in the forthcoming elections at all state levels

fought his case up to the Supreme Court, albeit unsuccessfully.

Many people believe that he is presently exhausted financially and politically after two successive campaigns in 2007 and 2011 and would find it difficult pulling a strong has lost touch with the present realities in the political arena as he is no longer an incumbent senator and do not have enough resources to fund his electioneering campaigns in the 2015 general election.

Meanwhile, the PDP governorship candidate is building on the goodwill he had while he was chairman of the state chapter of the party.

In that position associates of Governor Elechi say that the governor ignorantly allowed the state chairman to be empowered to his own disadvantage.

As a robust politician, he was able to emerge as the PDP gubernatorial candidate after defeating seven aspirants in a landslide victory and that, despite the stiff hostility of the governor.

His emergence and decision to run for the exalted position took years of careful analysis, consultation and graphic arrangement to ensure his victory at the polls.

Painfully, however, was the way and manner Governor Elechi's candidate was edge out of the race despite his high sounding profile as former Minister of Health.

His endorsement by the governor without consultation with stakeholders made it a tough sell. It is an action that would haunt Chief Elechi for many years to come.

2014: The manifestation of true opposition Continues from page 37 contestants who had earlier been screened by the party’s special committee. They included the former Head of State, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, governors of Kano and Imo States, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso and Chief Rochas Okorocha, and the publisher of Leadership Newspaper, Sam Nda-Isaiah.

Kwankwanso and the Atiku anti-climax With a total vote of 3, 430, Buhari was declared winner of the election and thus emerged the presidential candidate of the APC. The shock for many inside and outside the party was the third place finishing of Atiku after

Buhari and Kwankwanso.

Atiku had taken the loss with equanimity even if he and his supporters were dazed by the outcome, especially finishing after Kwankwanso.

Video clips on the internet However, video clips from the event now circulating on the internet have shown that a number of delegates most of them in red caps reflective of the Kwankwansiya fellowship supportive of Kwankwanso voted twice during the convention. The fact which emerged immediately after the convention was allegedly buried by party chiefs who admitted that even though it did

not affect Buhari, but may have helped to have pushed up the determination of the second place.

Some convention officials had noticed the double voting by some of the delegates almost all of them wearing red caps and intercepted them.

One of the delegates could be heard in Hausa saying that the convention chairman asked them to either use the letter of accreditation or tag to obtain voting material.

However, about 390 of the delegates supposedly mostly supporters of Kwankwanso were alleged to have used the two to obtain voting materials allowing them to vote twice before they were shut out.

Party officials who reportedly

reviewed the issue were said to have played down the matter in order not to open up the party to a post-election crisis.

Given the number of votes involved estimated to be less than 400 it did not in any way impact the sweeping victory of Buhari even if it may have affected the second position.

Flowing from the convention, Buhari on December 18 named Professor Yemi Osinbajo as his running mate.

The choice immediately energised the party and put it in battle mode even if by year end, Buhari had only named Governor Amaechi as his campaign manager.

40 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER 31, 2014

OONI SIJUWADE:

The King clocks 85

By Adelegan Adegbola But be no afraid of greatness: Some men are born great, Some achieve greatness Some have greatness trusted upon them - William Shakespeare (1564 1616) in Twelfth Night or What You Will.

T

HIS aptly describes Arole Oodua, The Royal Eagle of the Yoruba, the keeper of the seal of Yoruba, the successor to the legendary throne of Oduduwa, whose paramountcy is historically incontrovertible, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, Arole Oodua, D.Litt, DCL, CFR. Ooni Sijuwade was born great, he achieved greatness and he has greatness thrust upon him.

Men of genius are admired, men of wealth are envied, men of power are feared, but only men of character are trusted. But believe it or not, greatness is not the gift of the majorities. Greatness is nurtured on vision and integrity.

The quintessential icon of African royalty and splendour of the Yoruba; the earthily head of his people, the preserver and occupier of the Yoruba sanctity; it is true that we all live under the same sky but we don't all have the same horizon. Old age is honourable.

Princely family His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Okunade Sijuwade, was born in Ile-Ife into the prestigious and princely family of Prince Adereti Sijuwade on Wednesday, January 1, 1930. Every time a baby is born, existence takes on a new meaning. Men of wisdom, of good conscience, articulate thinkers, people of character and faith like Okunade Sijuwade, the change agent are rare. He attended Rev. Kuti's Primary School, Abeokuta, Abeokuta Grammar School and Oduduwa College, Ile-Ife. And for his tertiary education, Kabiyesi attended the Advanced Business Management at Northampton, England as well as courses in Management in Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Scotland, West Germany and Israel. There is no stopping the young Prince Okunade Sijuwade who seemed to pattern himself after his father. "The journey to manhood is neither for the mediocrity nor for the lay-about,

but strictly for those who are focused, thoughtful, resourceful, persistent and hard working."

As a Prince, Okunade Sijuwade's business career was marked by more than an average fortune. Truly, it could be rightly said that fortune and baby luck smiled on him as a man.

Highly motivated, inspired and figuratively possessed by iron will, courage and prodigious industry, the Prince was destined to be a success in whatever he laid his hands on. The Prince, a prodigy, a whiz-kid, a precocious child, usually emphasized hard work as a cardinal principle. As a "Merchant Prince" on the go, he was focused on the way forward at all times. Life levels all men, but hard work, perseverance, dedication, education, and determination reveal the eminent ones.

Selfless service to humanity Lurren I. Lee once said, your life is your message to the world, make it inspiring. Kabiyesi Okunade Sijuwade's life story and the message it presents to the world are distinct and unique. He is a great man with a commitment to excellence, distinction, vision and selfless service to humanity.

In Yorubaland, 'Ade-Ori la fi m'oba, Ileke ni ti awon Ijoye' meanin"t the King is recognized by the crown on his head and the chief by the beads on their neck. Hard work is the surest road to success and one who wants to be successful in life and achieve greatness should develop an attitude for hard work.

Besides, for over forty-two years, Kabiyesi had cultivated the habit of sleeping for only four hours a day. However, his experience in the Nigerian business world where everybody seems to be actively looking for money at all costs, has taught him to make even the additional sacrifice of sleeping with one eye open! This habit, alas! has been characteristically difficult to shake off! Oba Okunade Sijuwade's work experience from the time he left college would read like the pages of an imaginary best-seller written by a graduate of Harvard School of Business. Furthermore, the route to the top for Kabiyesi began with a three-year stint in his father's own business followed by the two years adventure in the media, working for the Nigerian Tribune before proceeding to the

Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade at 85 United Kingdom for Business Management Studies. He joined the Leventis Group of Companies in Manchester in 1957 and he became the first African Management Trainee for two years.

And upon his return to Nigeria, he was first appointed the Sales Manager, Leventis Motors in the Old Western Nigeria. He later became the Adviser to the Chairman of Leventis Group of Companies.

In addition, by 1963, the magic that the Prince was using for the A. G. Leventis conglomerate seemed to have attracted the attention of the government of the Old Western Region of Nigeria, which soon took the young Prince on loan to manage the National Motors (Nigeria) Ltd., with one hundred and sixteen expatriate staff members under him.

Distributor of vehicles And shortly after, Prince Sijuwade rose by leaps and bounds.

He soon established his own Engineering Company, The WAATECO along with a few of his close friends. With 12 branches in Nigeria, almost 200 Russians on its staff had its headquarters in Lagos WAATECO became the distributor of vehicles, tractors and engineering products from the former USSR, thus pioneering commercial links with that communist bloc.

Knowledge, like power, is not evenly distributed throughout the society and from man to man.

And for a long time, the Prince remained one of the only handfuls of Nigerians doing business with both the capitalist West and the socialist East without getting embroiled in their Cold War politics or ideological differences.

However, the Prince was quite familiar with many of the leaders in the two camps - East and

West. Further, the years rolled by and the Prince also grew and rose to be an astounding success in the international business world.

And by 1973, he had moved the headquarters of his growing business empire to London where he could conveniently communicate with the entire commercial and business world thus making the entire world his domains. He convinced everyone that he had indeed arrived on the business scene. Thinkers ruled the world. No one has ever been a good leader without a leading mind. The mind is the cradle of dreams.

The enigmatic Prince of the Source became the Ooni of Ife on Saturday, December 6, 1980 and this made him automatically the Head, the Supreme Head of the Yoruba race, which has a population of about 80 million people both in Nigeria and in the Diaspora. He became the inheritor of the exalted and prestigious stool, Olofin Oduduwa, the legendary progenitor and founder of Yoruba race. The Ooni, is not only a first class ruler but the paramount ruler of the Source and a great race. He has a keen sense of duty; a sincere patriot, who has built bridges across na-

Olubuse II is a man of knowledge, who values academic eminence, he is a voracious reader. He is always ready with an apt quotation

tions, a statesman, a man of courage, a philanthropist extraordinary, a practical man of the world with an enviable touch of class, a wise man with a penetrating insight and vision. Ooni Okunade Sijuwade is an epitome of African monarch.

African monarch He is a man of boundless energy and an example of kingship par excellence, an initiator, an articulator, energizer and actualizer of development plans and movement towards the unity, peace and progress of Nigeria.

As the spiritual leader of the Yoruba and Africa at large, Ooni Sijuwade, Arole Oodua, has visited many countries of the world where the citizens are of Yoruba descent. On one of his historic visits to the Caribbean Islands, no sooner than the Ooni and his entourage arrived in Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, where there was no rainfall for over three years, that the heavens opened up and there was a down pour for hours and days in those countries. Ooni Okunade Sijuwade in his giant strides in his mission to unify the nation, became a shower of blessing.

Value shapes human progress and they are fundamentally the roles that leaders take but there seems to be a dearth of good example from most leaders of today. But Ooni Sijuwade offered himself to fill the gap.

On one occasion, Kabiyesi Olubuse II said "my stand, since I became the Ooni along with a large number of good traditional rulers of this country is for the people of the North, the East and the entire Yoruba people not only to see one another as brothers and sisters but to live and work together as one family," adding

Continues on page 41

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014—41

Ooni Sijuwade: The King clocks 85 Continues from page 40 that it is being theoretical to think that traditional rulership is anachronistic in a republican Nigeria. The acid test is acceptability by the people and the evidence is that what they have lost in executive power, they have gained in increased influence.

Kings should not be regarded as mere local figure heads, glorified but ignored; they should be properly integrated into the machinery of government at all levels in meaningful advisory roles so that changing governments can have the benefit of the continuity which traditional rulers represent in their community.

On another occasion, the Royal Eagle of the Yoruba, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, noted that the country needs constructive building and it can only be done by dedicated men and women of conviction and patriotism who can work round the clock to ensure that the nation keeps faith with its great destiny as one of the ma-

jor members of emancipated, progressive, stable and prosperous human communities on our planet. In terms of communications including physical and mental, the world is growing so small that Nigeria cannot hope to survive as a virile nation if it is contented to live by standard other than the highest and noblest in the world.

Social justice To fail to do this is to make ourselves and our future generations available as slaves to those in the world who live by the highest standards of service to society.

Oba Okunade Sijuwade enjoyed a rare intimacy with the sage, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his wife, Yeye Oodua sharing their zeal for social justice and democracy, Kabiyesi was over the years their disciple and one of the lieutenants of the late Sage.

Olubuse II is a man of knowledge, who values academic eminence, he is a

voracious reader. He is always ready with an apt quotation. A man of infinite courage, determination, perseverance, dedication and patience, he can see the other man's point of view with due respect. A man of great charm and charisma, Kabiyesi is extremely popular because his happy domestic life is the correct image of royalty. His home is indeed a model court in style and majesty. The Arole Oodua, he is very strong in health, outstanding in the family; he exalted himself in every areas of his life. His career has been a tale of unbroken success before, during and after his enthronement as Ooni of Ife in 1980. Arole Oodua talks philosophically and pragmatically on issues. Finally, Ile-Ife and its ruler, the Ooni deserve to be celebrated at all times if our past, present and the future would be meaningful in the global records. Kabiyesi, may your days be long. Amen.

Adegbola is author/publisher, Opitan Oodua

42 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

Honours for Adadevoh, others for containing spread of Ebola virus

By Ikenna Asomba

A

S 2014 goes into the archives today, corporate and nongovernmental organisations, NGOs have begun to honour those whose activities stood them out as heroes and heroines. It was against this backdrop that Leadership Watch, an NGO, recently honoured the late Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh whose timely intervention saved millions of Nigerians from contracting the deadly Ebola virus disease, EVD. Dr Adadevoh was a Senior Consultant at the First Consultant Medical Centre, FCMC, Obalende, Lagos, where the index Ebola Viru Disease victim, Patrick Sawyer died. The Liberian-American diplomat, was prevented from travelling to an ECOWAS event in Calabar by Dr Adadevoh when she realised that he was carrying the Ebola virus.

Adedavoh paid the supreme sacrifice on August 19, but her selfless and dedicated service, helped to stop the spread of the deadly virus. Leadership Watch which gathered eminent Nigerians to its 13th Annual Leadership Role Role Model Awards 2014, called on the Federal and Lagos State governments to immortalise Dr. Adadevoh and other medical personnel who lost their lives trying to treat EVD patients.

Special awards Apart from Adadevoh, other Nigerians and organisations given specials awards for their efforts in containing the dreaded virus included former Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris;, the Chief Medical Director of FCMC, Dr. Benjamin Ohaeri; National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC. The Founder/Chief Executive Officer, LW, Dr. Martins Iwuanyanwu said the NGO came up with the awards after a deep thought on those who laboured and sacrificed their lives to ensure that the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, did not spread round. “Of course we know the population of this country and the way we live as a people. If serious efforts were not made to contain the spread of Ebola, our case would have been worse today than what is being witnessed in

Mr. Simon Tachie, Director, Hospital Administration, First Consultant Medical Centre, and other staff of the hospital receiving the Leadership Watch, 13th Annual Leadership Role Model Awards 2014, on behalf of Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh Sierra-Leone, Guinea and Liberia.

It is so sad that in Nigeria, we forget so quickly. The entire world is applauding us that we have done so much to contain the spread of the EVD, but we have not thought of celebrating ourselves. In this regard, we are making a case for the Nigerian government to take care of the dependents of Dr. Adedavoh and other medical personnel who lost their lives. We also believe that the Lagos State Government has a role to play. There is no reason why one of the streets in the important parts of Lagos, should not be renamed after her,” he said.

The Director, Hospital Administration, FCMC, Mr. Simon Tachie who represented Dr. Benjamin Ohaeri, stated that the best way to immortalise those who died in the selfless service of containing the EVD was for government to build international centers across the states that will provide the necessary facilities to prevent the re-occurrence the disease.

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc, Mr. Tunji Oyebanji, who chaired the

occasion, explained that even though Nigerians have derailed, the selfless sacrifices made by Dr. Adadevoh and others to keep the country safe, shows that there is still hope for the country.

“The awards became imperative because as a nation, Nigerians have completely derailed. The focus today is all about here and

The awards became imperative because as a nation, Nigerians have completely derailed.

The focus today is all about here and now and what one can get immediately

now and what one can get immediately. But those nations that have grown and have become great, have had people who have made selfless sacrifices and do not think of themselves alone in doing things. However, I still have hope in Nigeria because of the sacrifices made by our medical practitioners to keep our country safe today. It shows that there are still few people in Nigeria who could make selfless sacrifices for the good of the populace,” he posited.

Meanwhile, a Deputy Director in the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Eniola Erinosho who represented the Health Commissioner, Dr. Jide Idris affirmed that the Governor Babatunde Fashola-led administration is not resting on its oars to ensure that the state is adequately prepared to combat a re-occurrence of the EVD. Disclosing the measures that have been put in place, Erinosho said: “Our preparedness is visibly seen in the large contingents from Lagos among the volunteers moving from Nigeria to Liberia, Guinea and Sierra-Leone.

Despite the fact that we have

contained Ebola in the state, the Lagos State Executive Council has made some decisions that all hands still need to be on deck, because the disease can still be imported again into the country.

“First, we are sustaining the Isolation Centres. We are still running clinical health services there, so that if there is any outbreak in the country, we can contain it effectively. Also, we ensure that those we have trained are together and are doing their routine work, so that if there is any outbreak, we can assemble them within few hours”.

“The state government has also embarked on research on the EVD, even as we intend to upgrade the Mainland Hospital into a Centre for Disease Control for emerging and highly pathogenic infections that can be managed in the country. We are working with a consortium now referred to as the Global Ebola Treatment Consortium. We are trying to see how we can use the plasma from survivors to produce drugs that can cure the disease,” he said.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 —43

By Charles Kumolu

I

N line with its primary fo cus of offering the best crossover platform to Nigerians, the 2014 Lagos Countdown, did not fall short of pre-event expectations. of a mind-blowing show.

The one-month programme which ends today, was so dazzling that Nigerians from all walks of life trooped to the Lagos Bar Beach, venue of the Countdown to celebrate the end of 2014 and witness the beginning of 2015.

Convened by the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency, LASAA, the event which started on December 1, 2014, lived up to fun seekers’ expectations. Not only had there been additional activities, The organisers who added more activities, improved on the quality of the stage shows and events. It was indeed, a gathering of who is who is the entertainment industry Last year’s event, was the third since the Countdown started. At the 2013 programme, the hitherto one -week event was extended to a full month, commencing from the first week of December and ending with the crossover night on December 31.

The high points included amazing and trilling fireworks which lasted for about 30 minutes. It was so captivating that many looked forward to the 2014 edition. The climax of the programme was a raffle draw in which the winner drove home a brand new Hyundai car, donated by one of the sponsors.

Different fireworks A participant in the 2013 Lagos Countdown, Emmanuel Adua told Vanguard Features that he was excited by the display of different fireworks.

Emmanuel, 35, said he had not seen anything like that since he was born.

“I had planned to stay till midnight but I ended up staying till day break. It was a wholesome experience, full of fun and excitement. I am looking forward to the grand finale of this year’s countdown. My experience last year is the first of its kind and I hope this year will offer much more,” he said.

In order to make it a money spinning platform for the state government, the Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola would want to make the yearly countdown, a monthly event. This, he said, will increase commerce and industry not only in the Bar Beach area, but also in the entire state.

Fashola, who spoke at the Lagos Countdown Festival of Light, also commended the management and staff of LASAA for the impressive planning and organisation of the countdown.

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, members of the state executive council and the sponsors of the Lagos Countdown 2014 at the Lagos Countdown Festival of Light held on Monday at the Bar Beach, Lagos.

NEW YEAR

Funfare as Lagos countdown heralds 2015 He traced the history of Lagos Countdown to 2004/2005 when his predecessor, Bola Tinubu decided to take the bull by the horn by reclaiming the Bar Beach shoreline lost to the Atlantic Ocean. He stated that it was Tinubu’s bold step at the time that saved the beach.

“Now the story of this count down is a long story. Sometime in 2004/2005, this place was not here. It took the courage of my predecessor to say this must stop. We have lost the road, all of the properties on this shoreline have disappeared and all that the Federal Government of Nigeria was doing was pumping sand here every two years only for it to be washed away.

It was that courage that brought about partnership with South Energies X and today, not only have we reclaimed the road, businesses are back and even more businesses are emerging at small and micro levels. After we have saved the beach, the next challenge was how do we turn nature’s asset, an Atlantic coastline into an opportunity for tourism, for economic development and for daily prosperity,” he said.

Continuing, Fashola said: “ The countdown started as the last few days event, has become the last whole month event. But for me, the work is

not finished. What we have done here for about a month now must now happen here, every month; from then on,

The one-month programme which ends today, was so dazzling that Nigerians from all walks of life trooped to the Lagos Bar Beach, venue of the Countdown to celebrate the end of 2014 and witness the beginning of 2015

every day. That is when the story will be complete. When there will be commerce and sport, when there will be signing, when there will be buying and selling and when the whole world will fly into this city and the state and to this country and say that I am going to Lagos State Bar Beach water front. That is the dream.”

While commending the management and staff of LASAA for a job well done, Fashola noted that the agency being dominated by youths is a testimonial to the competence and potentials embedded in Nigerian youths if given opportunity to take initiatives.

His words: “Let me also thank the leadership, the management, the men and officers of LASAA, the brand that I am very proud of. I continue to challenge LASAA and year on year, they have not only responded, they have moved the boundary of my challenge.

That is perhaps one of the many outfits that we have in Lagos now, led and run by young people.

LASAA is an example of what is possible if the right government, the right people allow Nigerian youths to lead instead of shouting them down.

Policies and programmes that challenge young people will bring out the best in them.

Lagos has shown through LASAA, through LIRS, through Electricity Board, through Public Works Corporation that things can be fixed if we entrust young people to take decisions.”

Managing Director of LASAA, Mr. George Noah said the previous editions of the countdown have been helpful in improving the quality and programmes. He assured that the agency will continue to improve on its performance.

“I think we have learnt a lot from the two previous editions and with that knowledge, we are going to improve on what we do in the successive years.

Superb lighting I must tell you that if you are not at this year’s countdown, you are going to miss a great deal because for the first time, we are going to introduce a superb lighting on stage that you have never seen before in any concert in Nigeria.

Just as the governor said, this is something that should be happening on a monthly basis. We want this 1.5km stretch to be for entertainment, for leisure, for commerce, for employment. We want people at the end of this countdown to know that they don’t need to go to Time-Square or Tafaga Square or Dubai to experience a crossover event.

We have a customized countdown crossover event comparable to anywhere in the world. Countdown in other countries like New York, London, Dubai and other cities is a one day affair, but for us, it is a one month affair. Lagos is a place where people work hard, enjoy very well that is the difference between Lagos Countdown and any other countdowns anywhere in the world,” Noah said.

44—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

Deeper Life retreat rekindles hope

By Olayinka Latona

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HE prevailing security, socioeconomic/financial challenges and other life-threatening troubles in Nigeria appear to have defied human efforts. For this reason, there is growing apprehension all over the land, particularly as Nigeria approaches an election year. The apprehension is exacerbated by predictions in certain quarters that the unity of the country could be threatened in the New Year.

It was against this backdrop that the Deeper Life Bible Church organised a twin event, 2014 December National Retreat and Miracle/Revival Programme which ran concurrently.

The event, aimed at equipping believers to know their stand in Christ and their inheritance in God, took place from Thursday, December 18 to Sunday, December 21, 2014, with a theme; 'Lifted up to higher ground & enrichment through God's visitation."

Preacher after preacher emphasised that to survive in today's sinful world, believers and saints of God must constantly look up to Jesus the Author and Finisher of their faith.

Addressing the mammoth crowd, Pastor William Folorunsho Kumuyi declared that 2015 is the year of God’s visitation, maintaining that God would give His people a cause to celebrate in the New Year.

“God will visit you in the New Year; the Lord will break everything holding you down. You will step into your Promised Land,” he predicted, stressing “things will turn around in your life. It is not what you see yesterday, it is not what you see today, a brighter day is coming; the coming days for you will be better than the

*Participants at the retreat good old days. The things of the past may be wonderful, the things of today and tomorrow will be more wonderful."

The cleric urged all not to be like those complaining, critical and murmuring Israelites in the Bible, admonishing Nigerians not to magnify present and past crises, but rather magnify the promises and plan of God. “For you to know that God has come to visit His people… nothing will stop your onward journey,” he said.

“God has not written you off. God has not forgotten you. There is a glorious day awaiting you; things will turn around… the bright future is starting today.”

Kumuyi also strongly admonished the crowd of worshippers and many sincere seekers across the world to take insightful look into their lives and prepare for life beyond now,

emphasizing that the return of the Lord is imminent.

He advised Nigerians not to seek powers outside the confines of the word of God, insisting that we do not need to kill ourselves to have worldly and ephemeral powers.

According to him, worldly attainments will fade away, whereas the word of God remains forever; "therefore, as Christians, we must constantly feed ourselves on the word of God, which must be our guide, and by so doing, we ultimately will make heaven."

The man of God stressed that it is worthless fighting for things that will not last beyond 60 to 70 years when we can strive for things well-pleasing to God and eventually attain a life that has no end, which is as blissful as it is glorious.

Kumuyi variously blessed the people

and urged them to be contented with the goodness and kindness of God which are more than sufficient to take care of them both here and hereafter, stressing that God, at all times must be their pillar of strength and cornerstone, and abiding refuge for every situation.

The programme also featured seminars under which several topics including; "Giving thanks, preceding request for great things", "Miracles following a session of praise in the enemy’s camp"; "Gratitude and praise that are pleasing God;" "Praising God after a great victory, and the place of thanksgiving in receiving answers to prayers."

Others include, God’s provisions from an unusual source; all round success for the righteous; irrevocable promises for steadfast and faithful believers; succeeding through trusting God’s promises, and bringing hope and help in unlikely ways.

While the retreat messages were tailored toward challenging believers to live a holy life and be agents of change in society through the propagation of the gospel via personal evangelism, the miracle/revival segment featured power ministrations

by Pastor Kumuyi.

In this session, many people who had been under the bondage of Satan got their freedom. Some of those who were taken to the camp as near-dead fellows received the power to live; blind eyes were opened. The dumb spoke, and those who had impaired movements leapt for joy as they suddenly began to walk properly; some abandoned their walking aids, some had mysterious objects that had lived in their bodies for many years, removed, and some who had threatening diseases and infirmity were delivered.

There were choir ministrations as well as orchestra performances, particularly during congregational songs.

A woman, Mrs. Toyin Adeyemi, who had been married for 19 years without a child climbed the stage to tell her story, how God took away the reproach.

Lord's Chosen on annual pilgrimage to Mgbidi

By Sam Eyoboka

A

MIDST doom prophesy against Nigeria suggesting a possible breakup of the nation, many religious organisations in the country have taken to spiritual renewal to avert the predicted disintegration of the country. Everyone is apprehensive of what may befall the country come 2015, and this has necessitated many open prayer meetings across the nation.

The Lord Chosen Charismatic Renewal Movement are not left out in this crusade to save the nation, as preparations are ongoing for their annual interdenominational powerpacked international crusade titled, ‘God will make you to rejoice' scheduled on the first week of January to usher in the New Year.

As usual the venue remains Mgbidi, a small town in Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State. Since 2007 when Mgbidi became a place of spiritual rebirth for the Chosen, hundreds of thousands from all over the world have taken it as a custom to converge at the town every January to pray for peace, financial and academic success, good health, etc.

And since it became obvious that the pilgrimage is result-oriented as participants received answers to their supplications, the place has been attracting more people from different backgrounds.

From the echoes of the last year’s event it is clear the event is no longer restricted to Chosen people as people from all walks of life and all parts of the world have chosen to be partakers of the spiritual renaissance taking place in Mgbidi in order to live throughout the year under the banner of divine protection, prosperity, health and affect the lives of people around them positively.

"Last year we had guests from Australia, North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa, and all have their lives transformed. There is no doubt revival is ongoing at Mgbidi.

"This year's programme is crucial to the nation's corporate existence because it is a year full of anxiety and uncertainty in the political and economic stability of the country. For Nigeria to survive all the prophecies of doom foretold against our country, we really need a rebirth.

"If we are to expect a total

transformation in this country, we need regeneration and if we are to actualise the dream of one peaceful Nigeria, it must be through prayer," said the Public Relations Officer of the church, Pastor Chidi Loius, noting "we need such gathering of the saints for prayer.

According to him, "if we need God’s intervention in next year’s election, in bringing to an end the thorny issue of insurgency, economic catastrophe and releasing of the innocent Chibok girls, we need a pilgrimage that is tested and proved which will bring result.

The only one that is assured right now is the rebirth taking place at Mgbidi this week."

Truly such religious conviction as encapsulated in Mgbidi revival is important to the society because it will help to regulate behaviour more especially now that there seems to be indiscipline, disorderliness and chaos in every sphere of the society.

"Since self restraint, cooperation and tolerance are highly needed in our society today; such spiritual renewal could bring about positive change.

Above all, this kind of revival also gives people something to believe in,

which can make them happier and more comfortable. It provides believers with a meaning for life and helps them work towards being productive persons," he noted.

As we journey to Mgbidi, it is imperative to note that our success "at the elections, economic improvement and social discipline of our generation vis-a-vis the future generation lies in what we can achieve through prayer.

It should not be a trip for vacation or sightseeing, but for prayer and supplication on behalf of the nation."

Like last year, it is expected that yokes shall be broken, diseases shall be cured, the afflicted shall be delivered. The General Overseer of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries, Pastor Lazarus Muoka who is expected to preside over the 3-day crusade has assured Nigerians that after the crusade, anxiety of what may befall the country will be dispelled.

He calls on all to participate in the program. Provisions for free vehicles have been made to convey people from designated points to the revival ground in all the states.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014—45

Youths denounce result of Rivers PDP senatorial primaries

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT— EKPEYE youths have described the Rivers West senatorial primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as a sham, threatening not to vote for the party in the 2015 governorship poll.

President-General, Ekpeye Youth Congress, EYC, Emenike Uriah, in a statement yesterday, reaffirmed the resolve of the people of the area to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan, adding that they were satisfied with his transformation agenda.

He said: “The Ekpeye Youth Congress is fully in support of President Jonathan. We will give him 100 percent vote in Ekpeyeland because of the success of his transformation agenda and our conviction that the Presidency should remain in the South South for a second term.”

The youths, who reaffirmed their support for the senatorial ambition of former deputy speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Chibudom Nwuche, accused former governor of the state,

Bomadi LG boss commends Otuaro, Okowa

B

O M A D I — CHAIRMAN of Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, Chief Oluwole Karetimi, has congratulated Chief Kingsley Otuaro on his selection as running mate to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship flagbearer in the state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, for the 2015 general elections.

Karetimi, in a congratulatory message shortly after Otuaro's emergence, said that Okowa’s choice was commendable and pledged to work with him.

He noted that Otuaro was a humble, dedicated and hard-working gentleman to work with, stressing that he will give Okowa the needed support during and after the elections in 2015.

He said: “I will work with him Otuaro because I see that Okowa has made the right and commendable choice. I commend him and will work with him.”

Dr. Peter Odili and the governorship candidate of the PDP, Mr. Nyesom Wike, of allegedly frustrating Nwuche's senatorial ambition.

“We, therefore, warn that Ekpeye youths will vote against the PDP governorship candidate and other PDP candidates in the 2015 general

elections, except in the presidential election, should Nwuche not fly the Rivers West senatorial district flag for 2015 general elections,” they said.

Uduaghan sacrificed ambition for Deltans —PDP CHIEFTAIN

By Festus Ahon

A

VISIT: Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar (2nd left); Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Muhammad Sidi (3rd right); Chief Medical Director, Gombe Specialist Hospital, Dr Reuben Maifantaya (2nd right), during the Director-General's visit to the hospital with the Transport Minister, to commiserate with the victims of the bomb explosion in Gombe.

Delta APC youths vow to resist alleged substitution of Reps candidate's name

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

E N I N — A L L Progressives Congress, APC, Youth Vanguard in Delta State has vowed to resist alleged moves by the leadership of the party to remove the name of Mr. Anigboro George, who it said won the party's primaries to represent Ethiope federal constituency in the House of Representatives and substitute him with that of Solomon Edojah, who recently defected to the party from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The group, in a statement in Benin, Edo State, by Mr. Charles Irikefe, insisted that George was elected by consensus to represent Ethiope federal constituency and fly the flag of the party in the February, 2015 general elections.

He said that the group was taken aback when it heard that the State Working Committee of the party, had perfected plans to substitute George's name with that of Edojah, who had defected to the APC. The group’s spokesman disclosed that the move was discovered when the leadership of the party refused to submit the elected

candidate’s Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Form, an indication that they were trying to substitute his name with that of another person.

Saying that although they

believed in the supremacy of the party, they will not however, close their eyes and allow the substitution, adding that justice must be done as the mandate given to George belongs to the people.

‘APC's Electoral C'ttee Chairman, DPO, others can attest to Omatseye’s victory'

By Daniel Gumm

W

ARRI—A GROUP, Delta Coalition For Change, DCC, committed to the Delta South senatorial ambition of former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, DirectorGeneral, Mr. Temisan Omatseye, has told the national leadership of All Progressives Congress, APC, that the Chairman, Electoral Committee of the party’s senatorial primaries held on December 8, at Oleh, Chief C. Ashibogwu, among other leaders of the party, could attest to the victory of Omatseye, thus making him the authentic candidate.

DCC, during a peaceful protest, yesterday, at the APC national secretariat in Abuja, against the alleged substitution of Omatseye’s name, President of the group, Mr. Young Piero, noted that the National Working

Committee of the APC “had sat over the matter and declared Omatseye the winner of the December 8, 2014 primaries, after the Chairman, Electoral Committee, Ashibogwu, Secretary of the committee, Lucky Demide, Chief Francis Okpozo, Chief Frank Kokori, the SAS and the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, of Oleh Division, all signed that it was free and fair.”

The group called on the National Chairman APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and the leadership of the party to immediately declare Omatseye the party’s Delta South senatorial candidate for the forthcoming 2015 polls.

The National Deputy Treasurer of APC, Abubakar Suleja, who addressed the placard carrying protesters, promised that the party leadership will address the issue.

S A B A — A CHIEFTAIN of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State, Chief Anthony Onoharigho, has described Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s love for Deltans as boundless, noting that he sacrificed his 2015 political interests for the overall interest of the state.

Speaking with newsmen at his OrhiaAbraka country home in Ethiope East Local Government Area, Onoharigho expressed astonishment at the manner in which Uduaghan gave up his senatorial ambition and jettisoned his support for Sir Tony Obuh’s governorship aspiration in the interest of peace and stability of the state.

He said: “I give kudos to Governor Uduaghan because he has proved beyond doubt that his love for the state is boundless. Not every incumbent governor can do what he has done."

Okolugbo urges Delta PDP to gear up towards 2015 polls

T

HE Commissioner representing Ndokwa nation on the board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Sir Ken Okolugbo, has cautioned members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, over the recent primary elections to be wary of excitement untill the main elections have been won.

He commended the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, for his democratic posture which allowed the emergence of candidates through a democratic process.

He also commended the governor for the inauguration of the campaign council and charged the party members to join hands and propel the party to victory in the governorship poll.

46—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

Peace returns to Abia communities after 11-yr inter-communal crisis

CAC boss honoured

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EGISTRARGENERAL of Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, Alhaji Bello Mahmud, has been presented with a Certificate of Performance in Service Delivery.

While presenting the certificate to Mahmud, President, Coalition of Civil Society Group, CCSG, Etuk Williams, described CAC’s performance as outstanding in line with President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda.

He said the decision to honour CAC was taken after content analysis of its services and mandate.

Mahmud thanked the coalition for finding him worthy and pledged his commitment to work for the progress of the commission and the country.

By Anayo Okoli

U

MUAHIA—PEACE has finally returned to Umudike, Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, after 11 years of fierce intercommunity crisis.

The crisis erupted in 2003, following the creation of Umudike-Ukwu autonomous community out of the present Umudike, by the state government.

Series of litigations followed, which favoured the new autonomous community.

However, the crisis was resolved Monday, following the formal admission of the maiden traditional ruler of the new Umudike-Ukwu, Eze Ben Oriaku, into the Ikwuano Council of Traditional Rulers.

Oriaku, who hosted all the traditional rulers in Ikwuano Local Government Area, including that of Umudike, Eze Onyekwe Anyaegbu, expressed joy over the resolution of the crisis.

Addressing the gathering, Chairman of the council, Eze

ICPMN repositions

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HE Institute of Chartered Portfolio Management of Nigeria, ICPMN, has announced plans to improve the welfare of members by the introduction of electronic identification card and an insurance package to all financial members.

The President/ Chairman of council, Chief Isaac Dada, represented by the institute’s Registrar, Dr. Chuks Akawo, made this known during the investiture of new members and conferment of honorary Fellowship awards to notable individuals in Lagos.

Godwin Chionye, urged the traditional rulers of the twosister communities to bury the hatchet and join hands to move their communities forward.

Describing the two

communities as one, Eze Chionye urged them to initiate actions and measures that would promote peace, unity, understanding and cooperation among their subjects.

We've not endorsed any presidential candidate —SOUTH-EAST TRADERS

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

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NEWI—AFTER its emergency executive meeting in Onitsha yesterday, South-East Markets Amalgamated Traders Association, SEMATA, declared that it had not adopted any presidential candidate for the 2015 elections.

SEMATA, however, said it would come up with one candidate after its general meeting in January 2015 and warned the traders not to distract its business with speculations of which

candidate it would support in 2015.

Executive members of SEMATA, who were at the meeting were Chief Ezenwankwo, from Anambra; Temple Udeh, SecretaryGeneral, Enugu; Chief Christian, Nwaubani, Vice President, Abia State; Mr. Martin Iwuozor, Treasurer, Imo State; Peter Oba, Financial Secretary, Ebonyi State; Chief Gozie Akudolu, Coordinator, Anambra; Jude Osuagwu, Aba, Abia State; Domnic Offoregbu, Public Relations Officer, and Christian Kalibe, Provost,

Community endorses Umahi for Ebonyi governorship

By Peter Okutu

A

BAKALIKI—THE people of Uburu community in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, yesterday, pledged their support and solidarity for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP governorship candidate, Mr. Dave Umahi, in 2015 general elections.

The representatives of the community, including the Chairman of Uburu Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Godwin

Responding, Eze Oriaku said he had already initiated peace moves with the Umudike community by visiting the traditional ruler, Eze Anyaegbu, who he referred to as his “father” and “business associate.”

Akpandu, Ambassador Gabriel Odii, youth organizations, women groups, clergymen and other stakeholders, who spoke at the occasion, stressed that they were solidly behind the candidacy of the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State.

The community leaders called on Umahi to carry everybody along in his administration if elected, adding that what would make him succeed if he became the next governor of the state was for him to imbibe the fear of

God, humility and total commitment to the course of all Ebonyi people, irrespective of geographical differences.

Responding, the PDP gubernatorial candidate said: “Nobody gave us any chance during the primary election; the battle was tough for me. I want to thank God for everybody’s assistance.

“It is not that Dave Umahi knows people, but Uburu people have God. I give all the thanks to God.”

among others.

President General of the association, Chief Okwudili Ezenwanko, said the meeting and the resolution members took became imperative to avoid disaffection and destruction of the long existing peaceful association among the traders.

He said: “We are very much aware that some traders, including our SEMATA members of executive may belong to one political party or the other or may even have sympathy for some candidates running for other political positions and know that different political parties are controlling South-East states.

“We do not want them to bring issues that can cause disaffection into our association. Different political parties have their strong bases in the five South-East states.

“We have equally resolved and unanimously agreed that we will have a general meeting of all the SEMATA executive and traders on January 2015, where we will adopt the party and the presidential candidate we will support and vote for, that will protect the interest of the traders in the South-East and other part of the country who are impressed with what SEMATA is doing in the South-East and the country in general.”

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

What is your New Year wish for Nigerians?

T

HE New Year is the time of unfolding horizons and the realization of dreams. May Nigerians rediscover new strength and be able to rejoice in the simple pleasures that life has to offer. I also want us to put up a brave front for all the challenges that may come our way in the new year.— Mr. Emmanuel Iyoke, Worker.

C M Y K

I

N this New Year, I wish that Nigerians will have a wonderful January, a lovely February, a peaceful March, a stress-free April, a fun-filled May, and joy that lasts from June to November, and finally a happy December.—Miss Ebereke Kelechi, SelfEmployed.

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N this New Year, may our leaders change their direction and not dates, change their commitments and not the calendar, change their attitude to leadership and not the actions, and bring about a positive change in our country.— Mr. Uche Mabia, Student.

A

S the new year approaches with hopes anew, I wish the country a Happy New year. May God give Nigerians the happiness and strength to overcome their past year failures as individuals and as a nation.— Miss Blessing Emmanuel, Self Employed.

T

HERE are things that should be left unsaid. So I take this moment to condole with every family that has lost someone to the Boko Haram insurgency. I wish them a joyous, wonderful and a more secured New Year.— Mr. Chinedu Chinweoda, Businessman.

A

S this year winds to an end, I wish all the negativity and difficulties to also end with the year and that 2015 will bring success and positive results to all Nigerians. I wish that the New Year will turns out to be a very special one for every Nigerian.— Miss Chioma Adigbonu, Accountant.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014— 47

Stop attacking Buhari, APC chieftain warns Lamido D

By Aliyu Dangida

UTSE—THE Chairman, fund raising committee for General Muhammadu Buhari Support Group, Mr Farouk Aliyu has cautioned Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido to desist from attacking the personality of General Buhari at political gatherings.

Aliyu in an interview with journalists after the fund raising campaign organised in Dutse, said “Though we know Governor Lamido has problem, because some times he talk in support of General Buhari by asking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP supporters to vote for him (Buhari) secretly during the forth coming elections.”

According to him Lamido openly criticised General Bahari and at the same time he showed support for President Goodluck Jonathan.

“For this, I am assuring you that in Jigawa, Buhari will get over two million votes and Jonathan will get only but one vote, that of Lamido himself.

“General Buhari has never talked about Sule Lamido in anyway, under whatever circumstances. Buhari is not

his mate, he is far ahead of Lamido. It is only Lamido that can double talk, criticise even Jonathan he always claimed to be supporting by asking his supporters not to vote for him.”

He also explained that Nigerians were ready to donate their money to

General Buhari because they trust him. “The money realised from Nigerians through the sale of scratch cards will be used in hiring vehicles for campaigns, payment of agents during election as well as other logistic in support of the party.”

According to Aliyu, Governor Lamido was pained for the defection of one of his reps member representing Birninkudu/ Buji federal constituency, Mr Sabo Nakudu, who is now the senatorial candidate of the APC in South-West senatorial zone.

VISIT: From left: Mr. Gbolahan Olutomiwa, Principal Manager, Large Enterprise, Bank of Industry, Mrs. Kofo Akinkugbe, MD/CEO, Secure ID and Mr Rasheed Olaoluwa, MD, Bank of Industry, during the visit of bank to the state of the art EMV Plant of Secure ID in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

How we spent N2.9bn on education, by Kogi govt L

By Boluwaji Obahopo

OKOJA—KOGI State Government, has said that it has so far expended the sum of N1.64 billion in upgrading primary schools in the state.

The governor of the state, Capt Idris Wada, who disclosed this yesterday at the commissioning of a rehabilitated/constructed schools

by Oladele Oyelola Foundation at Ayegunle Gbede, Iyah Gbede and Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of the state, said that the state government also expended another N1.35 billion in upgrading structures and facilities in select post Primary Schools

across the state.

Wada, represented by his Deputy, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, listed Abdulazeez Atta Memorial College Okene, Government Secondary School Dekina and St. Augustine’s College Kabba and Titcombe College, Egbe

2015:

I

By Bashir Adefaka •

BADAN—THE internship training organised by the Graduate Internship Scheme, GIS, under the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, of the Federal Ministry of Finance, put together for Oyo State beneficiaries will round up today, in Ibadan.

The training, run in collaboration with Axiom Learning Solutions Limited, is a three-day mentoring programme intended by the GIS to make otherwise unemployable graduate to fit into the

academic careers notwithstanding the economic status of my parents, I am propelled to improve the physical conditions of public schools in the state to what it was in the past.

L

By Abel Daniel

AFIA—THE Nasarawa State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has concluded arrangement to reconcile all aggrieved candidates, who contested and lost in the primary elections at the various levels under the party.

The recently concluded primary elections, which did not favour some staunch and loyal members of the party, who contested is creating fears in the minds of some state executive, that a repeat of what happened in 2011 election where most aggrieved members engaged in anti-party politics that led to their loss to Congress for Progressive Change, CPC. Meanwhile, the governorship candidate, Alhaji Yusuf Agabi and all the candidates under the party were formerly presented with the party flag. The candidates promised not the disappoint the party and the people of Nasarawa State if elected.

The state Chairman of the party, Chief Yunana Illiya, yesterday at a stakeholders meeting at the party secretariat in Lafia, pleaded with all the aggrieved candidates and their supporters not to dump the party because they could

Zamfara gov inaugurates 71-man campaign team

By Salisu Maradun

G

USAU—GOVERNOR Adbulaziz Abubakr of Zamfara State, has reiterated the determination of his

SURE-P: GIS trains graduates

in Ibadan

amongst some of the schools undergoing upgrade in the state.

“As a product of public school, and having enjoyed considerable leveling opportunities that made it possible for me to pursue my

Nasarawa PDP sets up reconciliatory c'ttee to pacify aggrieved members

employment sector. The government of the federation is responsible for training cost and N30,000 monthly salary paid to each intern for the one year internship period.

In his speech delivered by GIS national media officer, Mr. Tochukwu Ikezue, during the opening session of the training programme, on Monday, Director of Graduate Internship Scheme, Mr. Peter Pakpa said: “This administration recognises the private sector as the major employer of labour, but the sector requuires certain minimum skills from graduates in order to employ them."

administration to rebuild the state positively despite pressure and odds mounted on him by some undesirable elements.

The governor made the disclosure shortly after inaugurating a 71-man 2015 campaign committee held at the chamber of the Government House in Gusau , capital of the state.

He said the peace being

enjoyed in the state will continue no matter the difficulties in its maintenance.

According to him, the love that initially cut across the ethnic divides in the past in particularly Gusau, will be built on in time.

Yari also explained that all the project initiated by his government have been

completed while those ongoing will be completed and commissioned before the 2015 elections.

He said that his administration will not tolerate disrespect, dishonesty and crises, adding, “The 2015 general elections are almost around the corner, or I can say a matter of days."

Healthwise celebrates Xmas with less privileged

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By Onozure Dania

AGOS—AS part of its Christmas celebration the Producer of Healthwise, a Lagos State Health Advocacy Programme, TemitopeMorenike Adesegun, has given 400 less privileged children a Christmas treat.

The over 400 children who were at the party were drawn from Arrows of God Orphanage,

Citadel of Grace Orphanage, Divine Heritage Children Centre and House of Mercy Children Home, among other homes.

Adesegun, who has been running the television series for over two years, said she organised the party for the children to thank God and to those who have been behind her on the show over the years,

hence the Christmas party for the less privileged.

According to her, “I know that there are a lot of children who go to Fantasy Island, Shoprite and other fun places because they have people to take them there. Then, I thought about those who probably do not have anywhere to go to since there isn’t anyone to help with that.

So, I thought of organising something to make them happy and feel loved."

48—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

10th edition of Carnival Calabar 2014

The 10th edition of Carnival Calabar 2014, in Calabar, which held last Saturday, cannot be forgotten in a hurry. Vanguard brings you more of the pictures, with Masta Blasta band at display here. Photos: Nwankpa Chijioke

Sea Gull band

Members of the Freedom band Members of the Sea Gull band

Members of the Masta Blasta band.

Members of the Masta Blasta band

Sea Gull band.

C M Y K

Members of the Sea Gull band.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014—49

Nigerian, not Cameroon airforce bombed Boko Haram terrorists in North-east — DHQ

By Kingsley Omonobi

A

BUJA — FOLLOWING reports Tuesday, that Cameroonian air force jets on Monday launched air strikes on scores of Boko Haram terrorists who occupied a military base in Northern Cameroon and bombed them on the Nigerian side, the Defence Headquarters said yesterday that no foreign air force aircraft launched any airstrike on Nigeria’s territory.

Rather, DHQ in a post on its twitter handle, disclosed that the air strikes that killed Boko Haram terrorists in the said confrontation at the Nigerian divide of the border town with Cameroon was carried out by Nigerian Airforce fighter aircraft.

It said it will investigate the source of the information claiming that the air strikes were carried out by a foreign air force.

Cameroon’s minister of information, Issa Tchiroma had in a statement, said the coordinated

assaults on five towns and villages showed a change in tactics by Boko Haram fighters, adding that the group’s campaign to carve out an Islamic Caliphate has spread from North East Nigeria to neighbouring Cameroon.

He added that President Paul Biya ordered air strikes to flush out Boko Haram terrorists’ from Northern Cameroon.

However, Defence Spokesman, Major General Chris Olukolade said, “Ongoing highly Coordinated Air operation is

being conducted by the Nigeria Air force. No indication of any Foreign Force engaging in any part of Nigeria. We will investigate claims of Airstrikes by a Foreign Force on our Soil. This serves to satisfy peddlers of strange claims and stories” Continuing, Olukolade asked, “What could be the motive of Foreign Media outfits peddling false/exaggerated claims of a neighboring Army’s exploits on Nigerian soil?"

IGP reassures families of slain police officers

By Kingsley Omonobi

A

BUJA — AS part of his resolve to see to the welfare of all police personnel, the InspectorGeneral of Police, Suleiman Abba, yesterday, met with the families of deceased or missing police officers in the line of duty, assuring them the force will not abandon them.

The meeting was held in the premises of MOPOL 38 PMF Squadron, Akwanga, Nasarawa State where the families assembled.

Addressing the families, the IGP said the Force was concerned about the welfare of all its personnel as has been demonstrated in many ways since his assumption of duty.

He emphasized that he regreted the loss of any officer in line of duty, which the Force does everything humanly possible to prevent, adding that he was greatly disturbed about the

fate of the missing officers and felt the hurt of the families.

As part of efforts to cushion the pain in each family, the Force has presented the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (500,000.00) to them. The breakdown of the amount shows that N200,000 is from the Police Reward Fund, N200,000 from the Nigeria Police Welfare Insurance and N100,000 being donation from the office of the IGP. Meanwhile, the IGP has assured the families of the missing police officers that efforts are being made to trace and rescue them.

DISPLAY: Chairman, Association of Professional Talking Drum of Nigeria, Mr. Joseph Ayanniyi, Kwara South chapter, displaying his skills, at the crafting of talking drum in Oomu-aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, yesterday.

Tompolo, Urhobo royal fathers meet on 2015

By Emma Amaize

E

X-MILITANT LEADER and new power broker in Delta State, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, had a top-secret meeting for five hours,

yesterday, with 11 traditional rulers from the Delta Central senatorial district (Urhobo) at Jesse, Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state to drum support for President Goodluck Jonathan and People’s Democratic Party, PDP, standard

2015: LP denies endorsing President Jonathan

A

BUJA — MR Abdulkadri Abdulsalam, the National Chairman, Labour Party, on Tuesday said that the party had not endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2015 general elections.

Abdulsalam, who gave the clarification in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said the rumour had gone viral on social media.

He said the rumours had no base or truth.

“The party has not endorsed anybody; if we want to endorse anyone as a presidential candidate, we must hold a convention where we will collectively and democratically agree.

“No credible candidate has spoken with us for endorsement;

the information going round that we have endorsed Jonathan must be considered as rumour.

“Whatever is our intention to endorse any presidential candidate will be made known because we will definitely meet and endorse who ever we want as a presidential candidate,” he said.

However, he said that no credible candidate with the capacity and capability to compete for presidential position had emerged from Labour Party.

On the party’s score card for 2014, he said it had conducted different political education programmes and seminars for women and youths on the forthcoming 2015 general elections.

He recalled that the party’s convention was held successfully

on Oct. 11 in Akure, where he emerged as the National Chairman According to him, the party has given 40 per cent slots to women in its cabinet and relocated its National Secretariat from the noisy Garki market to a more suitable environment, among others.

bearer in the state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

He was said to be on his way to Warri after the session for another round of consultation with the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, at press time.

Tompolo’s meeting with Urhobo royal fathers was hosted by the Ovie of Idjerhe (Jesse) kingdom.

A source close to Tompolo told Vanguard, “His meeting with Urhobo royal fathers was not unconnected with 2015.”

However, a dependable source close to one of the royal fathers, said “He (Tompolo) spoke to them on the need to support President Jonathan and the Ijaw ethnic nationality because they the Urhobo stand to gain from such association.

Glo splashes end of year gifts on charity homes

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AT I O N A L TELECOM operator, Globacom has donated food items worth millions of Naira to charity organisations in Nigeria in the spirit of end of the year festivities.

The items comprising of edibles and essentials for children were delivered by senior staff of the company to several charity homes in different locations across the country, including Lagos, Ibadan, Benin, Enugu, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

Among the charity organisations which benefitted from the end of year bounty are Little Saints Orphanage, Palm Groove and Heritage Homes, Anthony Village, both in Lagos; Oluyole Cheshire Home, Sango and the Ibadan Motherless Babies’ Home in the Oyo State capital; Zion Orphanage, Lugbe and St Mary’s Children’s Home for Orphans in Abuja; Oronsaye Orphanage Home, Agbodo and Edo Orphanage in Benin; Nigerian Red Cross Motherless Babies’ Home, Ogbette and Abandoned Children’s Home in Enugu and Port Harcourt Children’ Home, Borokiri as well as Lifeline Orphanage in Port Harcourt.

The company said the donations were part of its initiatives of reaching out to the less privileged in the society. ‘’This is part of our Corporate Social Responsibility Programmes. It is meant to reassure the less privileged during this festive season that they are neither forgotten nor abandoned”.

According to Globacom: ‘’As we give our families and friends gifts to make them know that we love and care deeply for them, we must not forget that some children are out there are lacking in several respects, especially at Christmas, characterised by love, caring and giving."

Odjugo family remembers matriarch

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INE YEARS after the demise of their matriarch, the Odjugo family in Ethiope East Local Government Area in Delta State, has said that the vacuum created by the death of Mrs. Catherine Odjugo, aka African Mama, is yet to be filled.

A statement by Mr. Ejaeta Odjugo said, the deceased, who

died on December 31, 2005, promoted the interest of the girl child in her life time.

His words: ‘’Her passion for moral decency and the protection and propagation of the girl child rights knew no bound. For decades in the oil rich city of Warri , she taught, preached and

advocated for decent living, especially among the women folk.

That was her lot for several years where she led a Girls Awareness Campaign in Urhoboland (GACU), a movement she passionately championed and took to the United States of America in 2001.’’

50— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

We'll maintain the habit of proper visa processing—Indonesian envoy

By Vera Samuel Anyagafu & Prisca Sam-Duru

T

OP officials of the Indonesian embassy’s visa department have encouraged Nigerian travellers to Indonesia to maintain the habit of processing the travelling documentation ahead of planned travel dates.

The encouragement came following the embassy’s realisation that Nigerians who intend to migrate to Indonesia for different purposes have improved tremendously in the manner with which they handle visa processing.

In view of the aforementioned, the embassy has assured both

prospective travellers and Nigerians resident in Indonesia, the best of consular assistance, while also promising to continue to priorities entry permit to interested Nigerians, in addition to providing them conducive visa processing environment.

Also speaking on the need for Nigerian travelers to be in possession of valid travel documentation to avoid travel delay, the Indonesia embassy Trade Promotion Center’s Deputy Director, Bona Kusuma, said he was impressed with Nigerians participation at the recently concluded Indonesia Trade expo. He declared that Nigeria topped the list

of visitors in the recently concluded trade transactions in Indonesia, and this he said was as a result of the promise to prioritising entry permit to Nigerians who seek various categories of Indonesia visa.

Kusuma who also advised Nigeria visa seekers to Indonesia, said that it is important for intending travellers to contact the embassy and or consulate for proper guidance and or current regulations prior to departing Nigeria.

However, the ITPC’s Deputy Director, was quick to add that Nigeria recorded about 21.2 million dollars (N3.5 billion), which placed the country on the high-

est level of transaction among other visited countries investors.

He told Vanguard Consular Advisory (VCA) that the trade transaction afforded Nigerians the opportunity to explore varieties of businesses in Indonesia, as well as meet with businessmen from different countries across the globe.

According to Kusuma, who was expressive in relating his country’s interest to ensuring a stronger bi-trade relationship with Nigeria, and also in other key sectors of the Nigerian economy. “We are impressed with the display of good bi-trade relationship at the expo and in view of the this fact, we are assuring Nigerians that the embassy would henceforth, not relent in its promise to ensure that Nigerians who seek entry into Indonesia experience a first class and stress free visa processing.”

He said that the embassy was willing to address any bothering consular issue, in respect of visa processing and or visa issuance, stressing that, Nigeria and

Indonesia have long enjoyed the best of bi-national relationship.

“Participants were exposed to varieties of Indonesia products, ranging from food and beverages, margarine, soaps, sardine, paper, cosmetics and rubber products as well as barge and tug boats. The ‘Trade Expo Indonesia’ (TEI), is an annual event designed to promote high quality Indonesian-made products and services to the global market, improve business and investment networking.

It also provides opportunities for participants to interact oneon-one with different Indonesian products manufacturers, as well as products and services exhibitors from other countries”, Kusuma added Also expressing satisfaction with the growing interest of some Nigerians in doing business with Indonesia, Kusuma added, “I am optimistic that trade between Nigeria and Indonesia will rise above expectation in the coming year”, stressing that, “the Indonesian Government would continue to improve on its bi-national relationship with Nigeria in the years ahead, and in this regard, both countries would be able to continue to enhance products export, bridge and connect potential investors”.

British Click-Scolmore, now in Nigeria

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S part of its efforts to maintain strong bilateral trade relationship with the Nigerian government, Click Scolmore International, a British standard wiring devices production outfit, with strong base in Birmingham, UK, unveils various security accessories to Nigerians.

The company, which started exporting their expertise since 2010 with the support of the UK High Commission in Nigeria, intends to provide Nigerians with a world class, British standards wiring devices, such as lighting equipment (OVIA brand), wireless controls (INELS brand) and security products (ESP brand).

The introduction of the security equipment is in line with the NigeriaUnited Kingdom bitrade agreement and Scolmore is willing and ready to keep its promise to provide Nigerians with wiring outfits.

According to Scolmore Export Sales Manager, Mr. Jerome Leve, the firm indulges in install-

ing security devices in living space ‘environment residential’, hotel, and schools. And as a market eager for quality service, he said that, “Nigeria perfectly fits the Scolmore profile.

With United Kingdom Trade and Investment/ British High Commission support, in addition with our strong partnership with Absolute Lights and Switches Company in Nigeria we are optimistic to developing a strong enterprise, with major showrooms in Nigeria, for fact that our brands are affordable, durable and authentic."

The director said that apart from offices in both Lagos and Abuja, they are also looking forward to replicating their success in Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Owerri with the opening of 20 call centres by 2016.

“With the support of the UK Trade & Investment department of the British High Commission ClickScolmore International aim, is to become a reference in Nigeria as a competitive solution provider.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 —51

Corruption: Ex-ICPC boss, others tackle Jonathan Continues from Page 5 defend my record for eight years and I hope that the other party at the centre will have the courage to do so.”

PDP is a virus On activities of the PDP-led Federal Government under J o n a t h a n ’ s administration, Fashola said: “PDP is a virus.

Every aspect of our national life has been destroyed by this PDPled central government.

We gave the entire country to Jonathan to manage but he has mismanaged it. They have mismanaged every sector of the country’s economy and yet they claim that Nigeria has the best economy in Africa.

“If the Federal Government's claim on our economy was true, why is power supply yet to improve in Nigeria while smaller countries have gone to stabilise theirs? Why is it that we went to a smaller country to buy arms to fight Boko Haram.

“Even football, they have mismanaged it. The African Nations cup is the biggest showbiz in African soccer. While smaller nations qualified for the tournament, the big country could not qualify. They are like virus.

They have destroyed everything they have touched. And yet they vowed to claim Lagos and boost the economy of Lagos if they come to power in 2015 but they could not manage the country for four years. If you allow them, they will destroy the economy of Lagos.

“We have been hosting the sports festival for years. Lagos hosted it within one year and the Federal Government claimed that the event would be hosted yearly but since we hosted the event in 2013, none could be hosted in 2014.

It has been postponed.”

No one likes hunger, poverty Osinbajo added that the poor state of the nation’s economy had plunged many Nigerians into poverty, stressing that there must be a change of govern-

ment at the federal level to liberate Nigerians from poverty.

He noted that only those who love poverty and want to remain perpetually in hunger would vote for Jonathan in 2015.

Osinbajo said: “No one is ignorant of all that is happening to us in this country. No one likes hunger and poverty but people are hungry. In 2015, only those who love to continue to be hungry would prefer that the government in power at the centre remains there.

“By God’s grace, we would remove them from the seat of power. The people there presently cannot do anything because they don’t know how to. They lack the capacity and capability to govern the country. I pray for the farmers and artisans that the Lord will bless us in the coming year.”

There must be change of govt —Ambode In the same vein, Ambode said the APC, from the period of Bola Tinubu to Governor Babatunde Fashola had continuously provided good governance to the people of the state, saying if voted into power, his government would not deviate from the principle.

Ambode enjoined

Lagosians to vote enmass for the party during the governorship election as well as for the party ’s presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari.

According to Ambode, “our promise to you as a party is to provide good governance and leadership. We want to take good care of your businesses. If you have been making N1000 profit before, what we want for you is – after providing all the facilities you need for your business— your profit swells to N10,000.

“We know that when you make more profit, you will have more to take care of yourself, your children and your home.

We promise not to stress you with our policies. I also want to remind you that no matter what we do, if we do not take over the central government, we may be hindered in a way and may not be able to provide all that we want to provide for you.

“There must be change of government at the Federal level. APC must take over in Abuja. In Lagos, we remember where the former Governor Bola Tinubu started from and how Governor Fashola consolidated on his achievements and raised the bar, that is what we want to continue in Lagos.”

NiMet predicts sunny, misty weather conditions for today

A

BUJA — THE N i g e r i a n Meteorological Agency (NiMet), yesterday, predicted sunny and dry conditions in the central states today.

The prediction is contained in a Weather Outlook issued by NiMet’s Central Forecast Office (CFO) in Abuja.

NiMet predicted that the southern coastal areas would experience misty conditions in the morning and partly cloudy conditions in the

afternoon and evening.

“Misty conditions are likely expected over Ibadan, Ijebu Ode and Owerri in the early hours of the morning.

“Sunny and dry conditions are expected over the region from midmorning to night.”

The forecast shows that the Northern states will experience sunny and dry conditions during the forecast period.

It explained that sunny conditions meant that the region would experience intense sun.

52 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER 31, 2014 do not belong to any political party? Why is it so inappropriate for a President to reach out to a grieving and apprehensive Nigerian community, even for the purposes of extending sympathies and reassuring those who are on the verge of losing hope, having lost kith and kin, as well as property and a home they can call their own? Have we lost touch with our own humanity?

Our Constitution provides that the purpose of government is to safeguard life and property, yet empathy is sorely missing in governance. All we hear and see nowadays are the sundry advertorials rallying for support for the sustenance of a government that has so far appeared devoid of compassion; pleas that only appear hollow in the present circumstances.

A government devoid of empathy

By Maryam Uwais

T

ODAY, our country is wit nessing an unbelievable nightmare with the invasion by the murderous, senseless and bloodthirsty hounds in the name of Boko Haram. No fewer than a million Nigerian citizens have been displaced from their homes, while several thousands have been killed.

To compound the situation, many of our compatriots are still wandering aimlessly in the wilderness, their entire communities having been sacked. Relatively safer host communities have been compelled to absorb hundreds of internally displaced people without any preparation, while other homeless peoples have registered to live in various camps that have sprung up in Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Nassarawa States, as well as on the outskirts of the FCT. Today, first class traditional titleholders around Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States currently reside outside their domains because their palaces have been taken over by the insurgents.

Boko Haram flags have been hoisted victoriously on Nigerian soil, with villages and towns renamed by these blood-thirsty intruders.

Thirsty intruders Almost every day now, we awake to the frightening news of yet another onslaught or bomb explosion, with rumours of our military and local hunters battling to confront the Boko Haram insurgents and reclaim lost territories that are most often lost and won again in a matter of days.

However, the reality that will never go away is that of Chibok, a community in Borno State.

Chibok came to the limelight when the Boko Haram insurgents abducted 279 schoolgirls one dark night in April 2014. It took two weeks for the Federal Government to react, apparently not believing that the incident even occurred.

The #BringBackOurGirls coalition, initially comprising just a few concerned women and men, succeeded in drawing attention to the plight of the girls. However, even while the coalition has gone international and despite

MAR YAM UW AIS MARY UWAIS

all its efforts, it has not achieved its core objective: to ensure that the girls are brought back home to their parents, safe and alive.

Now that we have come to the end of the year, government officials seem more interested in the polls coming up in February 2015, than in rescuing the nation’s vulnerable women and girls, caught up and still held by the Boko Haram insurgents. Today, all that seems to matter, from the bickering going on in the public sphere, as well as the billions of naira being raised even from State Governments (that have been unable to pay the salaries of their civil servants), is the coming general election. It does not even matter if the very citizens expected to vote for these politicians are being incapacitated and killed in their thousands.

Common refrain The common refrain these days is that Nigerians should support the Government in its efforts to combat the insurgency. Reminding these people about the ordinary Nigerian citizens that have been missing for months on end is perceived as confrontational and anti-government. Criticising the manner in which the operations have been conducted, that have so far failed to rescue the girls, is perceived as standing with the opposition. Demanding that our military officers in the field be properly equipped and motivated before being sent out on the deadly missions against the insurgency, is considered un-

What culture are we borrowing from, where we are told pointedly that we must not express solidarity and compassion unless we have blood ties, share kinship with the victims of violence and injustice, or do not belong to any political party?

Money on propaganda

Map of Nigeria patriotic. The sincerity and patriotism of responsible Nigerians that continue to protest the absence of the girls, is put in question.

Nigerians are informed that in other climes such as America, when such calamities befall a nation, citizens would rush out with their flags, demonstrating and drumming up support for their government. They conveniently forget that in those countries, their governments do not hesitate to act swiftly, as proof that it cares for its citizens. Other governments go the extra mile to demonstrate that their citizens, no matter the class, gender, religion or ethnicity, are the heart and soul of the country.

In most of these countries being cited, their Presidents rush to the scenes of sudden disruption and violence, reaching out to the families of victims and survivors with words of solace, empathy and love. Indeed, there appears to be no limit to the extent that those governments would go to safeguard the rights of, and protect their own citizens.

Those governments certainly do not make feeble excuses for their inability to show love and concern. Neither do they attempt to physically (using hired thugs) or verbally (through government agencies and spokesmen) attack those who venture to express solidarity with the victims or survivors of crises.

In Nigeria, we have a Government where high-ranking public officials unabashedly inform the world that there is absolutely no benefit to the President visiting Chibok as such a trip would not 'bring back the girls'. The motives of concerned citizens who remind government and it's officials that it is their constitutional duty to protect and promote the welfare of citizens are denounced; official channels, sustained by tax payers money are utilised to lambast and discredit caring and conscientious Nigerian citizens, because after all, 'none of them are the biological parents of the missing girls'.

In our country today, members

of the BBOG coalition are condemned and castigated by government officials for standing up for the girls; innocent Nigerian girls whose only 'offence' appears to have been their desire to better themselves by acquiring an education. Massive resources are sourced and allocated for the sole purpose of harassing and intimidating perceived enemies of government, whereas the military personnel fighting the insurgency in the field are in dire need of such resources, being bereft of the requisite wherewithal to effectively confront and combat the enemy.

What type of solidarity and support for government can be engendered by such an assault on the natural inclination to support fellow citizens; with alienation and intimidation? What culture are we borrowing from, where we are told pointedly that we must not express solidarity and compassion unless we have blood ties, share kinship with the victims of violence and injustice, or

A government that actively demonstrates that it cares for its people will continue to engender support from the people.

Where a Government appears steeped in its own selfish and parochial wants, however, it would be foolhardy for it to expect solidarity from the majority of the populace.

Ironically, it is not nearly as costly to reach out and show compassion, as it is to lavish money on propaganda that seeks to garner support. All that is required is a swift, sincere and good faith response, whatever the circumstances. Indeed, our Government becoming proactive in so many spheres would do Nigerians (and the government) a world of good. Visiting the camps of internally displaced people this festive season, for instance, would be a good place to start. That singular act would expressly edify that Government identifies with the plight of suffering Nigerians, thereby reassuring that all hope is not lost.

In a country where so much adversity has happened to so many, we desperately need to keep hope alive.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014—53

Abia guber 20 15: Choice of Dr ezie 2015: Dr.. Ok Okezie Victor Ikpeazu Dear sir

T

HE morning of 8th December, 2014 started with a good weather with the usual hustling & bustling of the day, quite a normal day for non-politicians, But to many who are stakeholders in Abia politics, the political destiny of Abia State was about to be decided. The largest political party in Africa. The Peoples Democratic Party is about to conduct its governorship primaries in the state. That explains the uneasy calm that was noticeable from the morning of the previous day, people were seen in clusters discussing. Among the aspirants, some were heavily wealthy while some are mere participants.

By the morning of the D-day two titans have emerged, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu and Dr. Uche Ogah with odds favouring Dr. Uche Ogah. There were mixed feelings about his candidature.

Abians knows his type. They will come, presenting larger than life posture with promises to build castles in the air. But, Dr. Ikpeazu V. Okezie is a seasoned politician, administrator and lecturer, as

FG Auto policy:INNOSON’s exemplary role Dear sir

T

HERE is no doubt that the major aims of the federal government in implementing the National Automotive Policy are to provide the enabling environment for Nigeria’s emergence as an automobile manufacturing country, and the after effect of making new cars affordable to average Nigerians.

Furthermore, by implementing the policy, jobs will be created for our teeming young graduates, and other ancillary service industries will benefit.

In realization of this lofty ideals, the INNOSON Group started the manufacturing of locally made vehicles at their Nnewi plant ranging from buses, high capacity buses, trucks. Today, they have embarked on mass production of Nigerian made cars at affordable rates for as low N1.5 Million.

It must be noted that prior to INNOSON’S entrance into the automobile industry, Nigeria was mainly an import- dependent country as far as vehicles are concerned. We imported all manner of vehicles from different countries.

Of course, in the absence of a cohesive automobile policy, vehicles manufacturers from other countries found our shores a safe haven to sell their products. This was done without regard to the adverse implications in denying Nigerians needed jobs as well as capital flight associated with outright importation of foreign vehicles into the country.

The federal government having realized the benefits of supporting local manufacturers has through the instrumentality of law created the enabling environment for local automobile industries to thrive.

INNOSON in answering the clarion call pioneered the manufacturing of vehicles locally.

It is therefore pertinent that this forward- looking company continues to receive necessary government support, as a way of reciprocating their patriotism in promoting the Nigerian brand of vehicles.

Chukwudi Enekwechi,Abuja.

Kwechis19@yahoo.com

well as young, vibrant and enthusiastic with track record of quality performance in his previous endeavours in the state.

He is somebody who knows that leadership is all about taking risk while government is about managing the risk.

Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has been an active participant and a committed believer of the vision and mission of the Chief T.A. Orji administration with over ten years involvement in Abia politics. He has built bridges across all strata and has impacted in one way or the other in the life of a lot of people.

He served in the government before the present administration. He is a humble servant with intimidating credentials, having qualified as a Phd at a tender age. He is well positioned to learn from the mistake of 1999 – 2007 and as well improved on the many legacy projects his Excellency Ochendo Global, the icon of our time spread across the state. As an apostle of continuity, Dr. Ikpeazu knows that lack of continuity and shared vision has been central to slow pace of development in most part of the country. These could account for why the delegates voted for him enmass.

By 7p.m on that day Dr. Ikpeazu emerged as the Abia State gubernatorial candidate. Abia is essentially a PDP state and with a performing government which is characterized with a lot of developmental projects, many believe that Ochendo’s successor has emerged.

Mr. Martins .E. Eze,Umuahia, Abia State. 08034738309

Is Amaechi not being used?

Dear sir

G

OVERNOR Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State was recently appointed the Director General of the Buhari/ Osinbajo campaign. Amaechi, with his oversized ego, is thrilled by his new appointment. Some political observers think that Amaechi is being used by his political party, All Progressives Congress (APC), as his new office is a sinecure. Although there is a prestigious and grandiose ring to his title, he has very little influence on the campaign.

They believe that the man actually in charge of the campaign is Dele Alake.

Dele Alake was ` the Commissioner for Information in Lagos State under then Governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Rivers State is rich and Amaechi is notorious for his profligacy. He has shown no qualms in squandering state funds and splurging it in accordance to his whims and caprices. He is one of the biggest sponsors of APC. He, reportedly, spent excessive amount of money advancing the candidacy of his candidate for the APC chairman, Sam Jaja, and his own ambition to be the Vice presidential candidate for APC. Sam Jaja lost to a protégé of Bola Tinubu, John Odigie-Oyegun. And Amaechi lost to another acolyte of Bola Tinubu, Yemi Osinbajo. Again, to get Amaechi bankrolling the presidential campaign without any real influence over it, he was given an exalted but empty office.

For in essence, it is another Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s man, Dele Alake, the Director of Media and Communications of the Buhari/Osinbajo presidential campaign that is really in charge of the campaign.

Is Amaechi not being used?

Ishaku Adamu, Lagos.

Attacks on President Jonathan’s ambition

W

HY should a political party that should be busy planning on how to contest and win a free and fair election choose to attack the Presidency.

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is an office to be respected and not toiled with in the name of politics. President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is qualified to contest the 2015 Presidential election and like OBJ shall complete his second tenure. When God says “Yes” nobody can challenge him with a “No”. President Jonathan, ride on unrelenting and undeterred. Be sensitive!.

Anthony O. Obi Esq. Obinweaku Chambers, +2348056009586

Nigerian Police invasion of NASS

It is within the constitutional roles of the Nigerian Police to take appropriate steps to prevent crime moreso when there is a security breach. There is no immunity on members of the National Assembly to refuse submitting themselves to scrutiny or search.

It is an act of irresponsibility for members of the House to scale over the Assembly fence because they want to get in. Nigerians must learn to be respectful, patient and law-abiding Barr Anthony Obi. 2348056009586

Police teargased lawmakers

The recent happenings in the National Assembly is unfortunate. The Inspector General of Police should be redeployed to go and combat the Boko Haram insurgency instead of being used by politicians.

Anonymous 2347086091743

Still on Nigerian Police brutality

The Nigerian Police is being used to chase and deal with those against the presidency. This is the same policemen we have entrusted our electoral materials to. How can we expect a free and fair election under this circumstance?

Uduebor Osaro. +2348059826021

IGP and withdrawal of Tambuw al’s security aides ambuwal’s

IF the Inspector- General of Police who is supposed to protect all citizens irrespective of creed, tribe or politics, is so glaringly partisan by dancing to the tune of the presidency and the ruling PDP, even when such actions are

unconstitutional like the withdrawal of Speaker Tambuwal’s security aides, what hope does the ordinary people and the country at large have? Nigeria is indeed at a crossroads.

Osaro 08059826021

Insurgency and call on President Jonathan to resign

Recently, there have been calls for President Jonathan to resign from office, because of the Boko Haram insurgency. This is an unacceptable call. Recall the Nigeria-Biafra war of 1967-1970; why did Gen. Yakubu Gowon not resign as Nigeria’s Head of State, when the so called Police Action to stop Biafrans failed, leading to the eventual declaration of Full Military Action on Biafra?

If Gowon had hastily resigned at that particular time in history, who would have known the outcome of that historic war? For sure, in war, just like life, cowardice is not a positive virtue, for cowards die many times before their death. However, winners do not quit, only losers do.

President Jonathan is not a loser, he is a winner!

Chukwuma Dioka. Imo State.

08063286727.

Ekiti state elections

The reason Governor Fayemi failed to return to Ekiti Government House was not because he did not have the interest of the people at heart but because of his own theory of long term investment in the business of governance.

The masses that were already battling with poverty were not comfortable with his elitist theory. As Governor Fayose goes ahead with his populist ideology; he should also note some lessons that one can learn through Dr. Fayemi’s style of administration.

Anonymous writes in via email

Pastors and cash for arms scandal

I think Nigerian pastors should reduce their craze for private jets.

This is because it is now glaring from the way CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafotr leased out his own jet that the cost of maintenance of such jets is astronomical. They should rededicate themselves more to spiritual things that would take them and their congregation to heaven.

Francis 2348077296629

SAYINGS OF OUR ELDERS The game of life is the game of boomerangs. Our thoughts, deed and words return back to us sooner or later.

Be kind to get kindness back in return.

Simon Adewale08056180103, Send us your Sayings of Our Elders. They must be African sayings or proverbs. Biblical or English proverbs are unacceptable.

Address your sayings to: The Co-ordinator, Sayings of Our Elders,Vanguard Media Ltd., PMB 1007, Apapa,

54— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

Eschew violence in 2015, Folarin urges politicians

I

B A D A N — GOVERNORSHIP candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State, Senator Teslim Kolawole Folarin, has called on all politicians and major players of the democratic process to eschew violence and avoid mudslinging, if the primary motive of contesting was to serve the people.

Folarin, in a statement by his Director of Media and Strategy, Victor Oluwadamilare, said “We must do nothing to promote violence and refrain ourselves from encouraging thuggery and hooliganism.

“As we all eagerly await the new year 2015, all hands must be on deck to ensure an hitch- free election and smooth transition”, no individual ambition should be allowed to plunge Oyo State into a needless crisis, because when two elephants fight, it is the grasses that suffer. ''In everything we do or say, we should consider our people’s general interest and well being, since development only thrives in a peaceful and serene environment”.

Folarin, who said he did not subscribe to politics of life and death, advised youths who are being used as political thugs by wicked and conscienceless politicians for their inordinate ambitions, to desist and look for something meaningful to do instead of toying with their precious lives.

Since no politician will use their children as thugs, Folarin wondered why other people’s children should be used as sacrificial lambs.

Meanwhile, over 10,000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party from Ibadan South East and South West local government areas of Oyo State, led by Alhaji Rabiu Anisere on Monday, stormed Folarin's house to pledge their unflinching support for the PDP standard bearer.

They said they formerly belonged to the camps of Jumoke Akinjide, the FCT Minister of State and former deputy governor of the state, Taofeek Arapaja.

Tension in North East, ticking bomb — LAMIDO z‘No regret for supporting Jonathan in 2011 but...'

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North

D

UTSE—JIGAWA State Governor, Dr. Sule Lamido, yesterday described the rising tension in the Northern part of the country as a ticking bomb, which must be addressed urgently if Nigeria must survive as a nation.

According to him, the tension was so palpable that many concerned northerners have opted to relocate from their homes until after the next general election.

He regretted that neither the president nor his opponent has reined in their supporters, who appear to be on the prowl while the north was on fire because of their selfish political interests.

Asked why he went to see Babangida instead of reporting to the Villa in Abuja, Lamido told Vanguard that the Minna meeting was aimed at briefing the former leader, who had been away for sometime on the fast deteriorating security situation in the North East occasioned by incendiary claims by supporters of top politicians seeking to rule Nigeria and the failure by the leadership to curb worsening insurgency.

He said he hoped that by so doing, it would be possible to help mobilise all Nigerians of good conscience to work together to nip in the bud rising ethno religious tensions currently creating fear among Nigerians, particularly those in the Northern part of the country, and to create a sense of belonging, unity and peace.

Lamido maintained that despite his fac-off with President Goodluck Jonathan

over his failure to honour the promises he made to the people of the state four years ago, he would not dump the party, which he helped to set up along with eight others, who are now referred to as the G9.

He said that rather than dump the party, he would continue to seek the best possible way to help it to solve the myriads of challenges facing Nigeria as a country.

No regret supporting Jonathan in 2011

Lamido stated also that he did not regret supporting Jonathan in 2011 even though the support had not attracted any meaningful dividends to the state.

He warned however that the neglect of his people must be urgently addressed if the same support must be extended to the president in the next

presidential poll.

“My position must be made very clear. I am not asking for anything for myself because I have made it abundantly clear that I am not seeking any office as some of my colleagues have done but the promises made to Jigawa people must be fulfilled so as to give them a sense of belonging like others.

“What we are saying is that our own people, who toiled for the president through my intervention in 2011, must be given a fair share of the national cake for their support before we vote again.”

The position of Lamido on President Jonathan, which was aired live on Saturday from Dutse, the state capital, is said to have jolted the Presidency, which appears afraid to confront him so as not to worsen the

already bad situation as the election approaches.

“This explains why the Presidency and die-hard supporters of Jonathan like Clark and Dokubo have been reluctant to join issues with the governor since he decided to take on the President last weekend,” a source close to the Villa said on Tuesday.

“What has happened is entirely unexpected and it will be sorted out amicably and we believe the governor will give his total support to President Jonathan and not Buhari as some people have rushed to claim,” the source added.

It was learnt that the Presidency was however planning a peace deal with Lamido to enable him to give maximum support to Jonathan in the February 14 presidential poll.

DINNER: Chairman, Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), Gen. Martin Agwai flanked by the SURE-P Convener Communications, Malam Mohammed Garba (r) and the Director News, NTA, Mr. Sola Atere while the Executive Director, Editorial Operation, NAN, Mr. Isaac Ighure (2nd left) and another guest watch during SURE-P Correspondents' Dinner at Nicon Luxury Hotels, Garki, Abuja...Monday. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida.

Alleged missing N605m: Min of Niger Delta Affairs has case to answer — REPS on this very sensitive issue as by the officials of the ministry”.

By Emman Ovuakporie

A

BUJA—HOUSE of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Affairs has invited officials of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to appear before it to explain how an alleged N605million zonal intervention fund allocated to the ministry suddenly got missing.

Inside sources close to the committee told Vanguard that immediately the House reconvenes in January 2015,

the officials must trace the said money.

According to one of the sources, the money allocated to the ministry was to ensure that certain vital infrastructural development projects nearing completion are completed before next year ’s general election.

The source said, “We are inviting all the parties involved unfailingly by third week of January and all avenues would be explored to get positive results. As at last week Thursday where the money is domiciled cannot be confirmed

“We’ve asked questions on where the money was kept but nobody is willing to divulge any information on where the money was kept”.

“And the projects scattered all over the region are begging for attention while such a huge amount has grown wings into no specific account”.

“Contractors that monies due to them are yet to be paid are already threatening to abandon sites to register their anger”.

Another source privy to this development told Vanguard that”we are not going to rest on our oars until we achieve results

all members of our committee vowed to get to the bottom of this matter as soon as we resume next year”.

“A date will soon be communicated to all the top officials of the ministry which would be made public before the end of this year”.

“We will ensure that the missing is located before the end of next month,” the assured.

All attempts to reach the chairman of the committee, Warman Ogoriba, PDP, Bayelsa, to confirm the position of his committee on the missing money failed as all his lines were switched off as at press time.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 — 55

2015: Allow peace to reign, cleric begs politicians, journalists

Suswam presents N98.6bn appropriation bill to Benue lawmakers

O

N I T S H A — ARCHBISHOP of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Most Reverend Valerian Okeke, yesterday appealed to politicians and journalists to allow peace to reign in 2015.

Okeke told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Onitsha, Anambra, that Nigerians needed to maintain peaceful co-existence notwithstanding their obvious differences in terms of ethnicity and creed.

“When we look at the television, we see wars, violence, kidnappings and many more; we lament the fate of such people, we weep for them and pray for them. But here in Nigeria, we need to look inwards and keep our house in order. I call on the senators, the members of the house of assembly, the soldiers, the traders, the politicians, the priests, the bishops, the journalists, young and old, to join hands and ensure peace.

“Let us ensure peace because it is a duty that has to be done and it is a work that is ongoing.

Let us pray for peace – it is God’s gift and if we pray, God the author of peace will grant us our request. Let us shun violence, discord, hatred, impunity and all that negate peace. I pray for our country, Nigeria; I pray for all of you, I pray that God will grant us peace especially in this our country.”

The archbishop stressed the need for peace between religious groups, sects, politicians and even rivals.

The cleric, however, reminded Christians that Christ lived an exemplary life of peace and enjoined them to be messengers and angels of peace.

By Peter Duru

M

BIRTHDAY: Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State (2nd left); Human Rights activist Amitolu Shittu (middle); his wife, Mrs. Falilat Folasade Shittu (2nd right); Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Babatunde Badmos and his wife, Mrs. Ganiyat Badmos, during the 50th Birthday Anniversary of Comrade Amitolu Shittu at Leisure Spring Hotel, Osogbo on Sunday.

KANO BOMB BLASTS: ‘Zarau’s confessions clear Ndigbo'

By Clifford Ndujihe

I

GBO leaders have described as wicked rumour that Ndigbo were responsible for the December 10, 2014, twin suicide bomb explosions that claimed several lives in Kano.

Wondering how the Igbo could have been responsible for suicide blasts that rocked Kantin Kwan market in Kano, they said “the anti-Igbo rumour” was deliberately spread by religious leaders and local politicians to prepare grounds for the killing of Igbo after the February 14, 2015 presidential elections.

In a statement by Evangelist Elliot Uko, deputy secretary of the Igbo Leaders of Thought, ILT, and founder of the Igbo Youth

Movement, IYM, “but for the confessions of 13 year old Zarau Babangida who told the whole world how they arrived Kano from Bauchi on the suicide mission, the weavers and orchestrators of such wicked rumour would have set the stage for yet another ethnic pogrom, probably immediately after the February 14 presidential elections, depending on who wins.

Said Uko, who is also the leader of South-East Self Determination Coalition, SESDC: “We note with sadness that those who plot ethnic cleansing against Ndigbo have graduated to the level of deliberately spreading wicked but unfounded rumours, just to

IG donates N7m to wives of missing policemen

A

KWA N G A — T H E Inspector-General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, yesterday donated N7 million to 14 wives of the 35 police officers declared missing in Borno, to alleviate their suffering.

It will be recalled that the officers were declared missing after members of the Boko Haram sect invaded the Police Mobile Force Training School at Gwoza, on August 20.

Abba, however, said one of the officers had resurfaced about three months ago and had resumed duty.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that each of the women got N500, 000.

Apart from the cash, the inspector-general also gave 20 tubers of yam, one bag of rice and

one gallon of vegetable oil to each of the women and 84 other police wives whose husband had died in the line of duty.

Sixty-two widows of policemen that were ambushed and killed by members of the Omgbatse cult at Alakyo village in Nasarawa State on May 7, 2013, also got the foodstuff.

The inspector-general used the occasion to reassure that the search for missing police officers would be intensified until they were found either dead or alive.

“Those whose husbands are still missing, let me say that we are still pained, we are still hopeful and we have not stopped the efforts to trace them, wherever they are.

“And that, we will not relent until we are able to account for

each and every one of them, this I want to assure you.

“Without mincing word and with due consideration to the status of my office, we mean every word we say, the search continues, the hope is still there,” Abba said.

The I-G also assured the women that the force would not forget them whenever it mattered, particularly at a season like the yuletide which was a time to share with one another.

Abba also said that the outcome of investigation into the incident, as well as that of the panel constituted by the Nasarawa State Government on killing of the officers by the cult would be implemented appropriately.

He described the incident as one of the mishaps that had affected the police in recent years.

indict and blackmail Ndigbo in order to incite the indigenous population against Ndigbo. This heartless plot coming six weeks to the presidential elections gets us deeply worried. Had 13-yearold Zarau Babangida blown herself up as well on December 10, there would be no one to tell the world the truth and the antiIgbo rumour would have grown stronger, preparing the stage for mass killing of Ndigbo if the result of the February 14 presidential election flows a certain direction.

“The intelligence and all security agencies cannot claim to be unaware of the devilish intentions of the originators of the deadly rumour. There is no indication or proof that those behind the wicked plot have given up after the confession of 13-year-old Zarau Babangida.

The huge desire to visit mayhem on Ndigbo burns in the veins of certain people, who incidentally claim to be champions of one Nigeria.

“We hereby conclude by declaring that we know that the purveyors of the evil plans are still plotting on how to draw blood come February 14, 2015, should the result of the elections not favour them. We hereby alert the world that much as we believe in one Nigeria, we will not accept continued participation in a Nigeria project where certain people announce results of elections in their hearts several weeks to the election proper and are only too willing to apply the strategy of riots and bloodshed in order to achieve regime change.

We affirm that this time around, Ndigbo will not allow Igbo lives to be deliberately destroyed once again on the altar of one Nigeria.”

AKURDI— GOVERNOR Gabriel Suswam of Benue has presented the 2015 appropriation bill of over N98.6 billion to the Benue House of Assembly for consideration.

The bill shows a drop of 11 per cent in the 2014 appropriation estimates of N130 billion.

Suswam made the presentation yesterday in Makurdi during the assembly ’s plenary session.

Recurrent expenditure

According to the estimates, the recurrent expenditure will gulp N52.8 billion while capital expenditure stood at N45.7 billion.

The governor, who admitted the sharp drop in the appropriation bill, blamed it on the declining statutory allocations from the federation account.

Expected IGR

He said the state intended to rake in funds from statutory allocations, Value Added Tax and Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, and however, assured of his administration’s resolve to block all leakages to improve the revenue base of the state while appealing to the legislature to eensure the expeditious passage of the bill.

He stated that the state government had evolved new and smarter policies to sustain the delivery of democracy dividends to the people.

Suswam, who commended the cordial relationship between the executive and the other arms of government, attributed the success of his government to that cordiality.

Accellerated hearing

In a speech, the Speaker, Mr Terhile Ayua, assured the governor that the bill would be given accelerated hearing in spite of its late submission.

56 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

I didn’t kill my lover deliberately — Murder suspect

By Esther Onyegbula

‘I

NEVER told anyone that I stabbed my husband to death because I was drunk. Never did I go to any beer parlour on the day of the fight that led to his death “.

These were the exact words of Mrs Folashade Shodiya, the 27-year-old woman who allegedly stabbed her husband, Jude Igbedion to death last month, in Ikorodu area of Lagos, during a scuffle.

Folashade and her late husband, Jude Igbedion, reportedly moved into their one-room apartment located at TK Balogun street in IgboOlomu area of Ikorodu on November 4, 2014.

Barely five days later, residents were jolted from sleep following a disturbing sound from the couple’s apartment, which suggested that they were engaged in a fight. Time was 1.55am.

This followed shout of help from Folashade.

Different accounts A curious neigbour said to have gone to ascertain what the matter was, reportedly met 39-year-old Jude in the pool of his blood with a knife stuck in his heart. Effort to save his life was futile as he was discovered to have given up the ghost on getting to the hospital!

There were different accounts as to how tragedy struck. A version of the account had it that the couple were quarrelling over money before it degenerated into a fight.

Another version said fight broke out after Jude reprimanded his lover for drinking to stupor.

However, in this interview with Crime Alert, the mother of one described both versions as false, disclosing rather that her late hubby was a woman beater.

C M Y K

It was gathered that Folashade and the late Jude were live-inlovers and that the latter refused to carry out the marriage rites of the former owing to her cantankerous attitude, an action that was attributed to the cause of the lingering fued between them.

The true story Narrating what she described as the true story of how tragedy struck, a remorseful Folashade said: “I did not kill Jude deliberately. He was always in the habit of beating me. Most times after beating me, he would send me out of the house, saying he only allowed me to be living with him just to bear him children. At such times, I would go Dying Jude before he was rushed to the hospital. Inset: Instrument of death to my mother’s house and after some days, he would come begging and professing his love for me. case verbally, he resorted to ruthlessly. When it became How could I kill a man I “ Two days before the physical assault. He used our unbearable, I ran into the dated for seven years before unfortunate incident baby’s hanger to hit me kitchen and collected a knife moving into into his happened, he gave me the apartment?I gave birth to our with the intention of scaring him beaten of life as usual . The first child Amanda this year. away. battering was so sever that I She will be a year old in January At that point, he closed the had to park some of my 2015 and Jude had planned door and threatened “to kill me belongings to a friend’s place to throw a party to celebrate if I came out. He warned me around Ikorodu, in order to the birthday. never to enter his house again prevent him from killing me.

“I have no reason to kill him; and that I should go to wherever I did not kill Jude Again, he came looking for me it was in the process of I wanted to, that he would and pleaded passionately with deliberately. He defending myself that the never come to look for me. me to come back home. He unfortunate incident occurred.

But while I was trying to push said life was lonely without me was always in the Jude frustrated my life that I the door open, the kitchen knife and our one year-old baby habit of beating me. intended committing suicide I was holding mistakenly around . If I could turn back shortly before tragedy pierced into his chest because the hand of time, I would have Most times after occurred”, lamented he was just by the door, paid a deaf ear to his plea by beating me, he Falashade, the Abeokuta, apparently waiting to descend staying put in my friend’s Ogun state born suspect. on me . would send me out place.

She is currently at the State I swear, I didn’t mean to kill of the house, saying Criminal Investigation Jude . I couldn’t have done that And he died....

Department, Yaba, where the because I loved him so much . he only allowed me “Two days after I returned case was transferred to.

I raised the alarm that alerted home, the seeming peace was to be living with him Operatives however hinted that neighbours. Unfortunately, he short lived, as we had a mild just to bear him the case would be charged to could not make it, for he was argument over money related court soon. confirmed dead on reaching the issues. Instead of stating his children hospital.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014,

How we drug motorists to snatch their vehicles — suspect •says was introduced into robbery in prison

By Esther Onyegbula

A

RE you a cab driver who accepts snacks or drinks from your passengers? Or are you a motorist who shows kindness to stranded commuters by offering them a ride and along the line accepts edible substance from them? Then, you have to beware, as members of a robbery gang have devised such means to snatch vehicles from their unsuspecting victims.

This admonition is coming on the heels of the arrest of a suspected member of a robbery gang who confessed to have drugged motorists with sedatives with a view to facilitating their operation.

The suspect, Temidire Oriowo who hails from Osun state was arrested by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS while at the verge of selling one of the stolen vehicles in Osun state.

Preliminary investigation showed that the suspect drugged a snack which he gave to the unsuspecting owner of a Toyota Camry vehicle who offered him a ride, only for the owner to fall asleep midway.

His arrest as gathered followed information of the gang’s operation within the state reached the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Kayode Aderanti , who subsequently detailed the Commander, SARS, Abba Kyari to go on the gang’s trail.

Change of venues

He immediately gave me some sedatives and showed me how to use it, with a directive to always bring every stolen car to him for onward sales.

Mode of operation “What we do is to inject the sedatives into snacks , bottle water or any bottled drink before embarking on an operation.

We usually dressed properly like bankers or like one going for an important occasion .

Thereafter, we would board a private cab each . Midway into the journey I would ask the driver to help me purchase snacks from hawkers who usually sell in the traffic. Immediately he gives me the snacks, I would exchange them with the drugged ones and thereafter, offer the driver one. . Immediately the driver eats the snacks, he would fall asleep. Thereafter, I would push him out of the vehicle and zoom off with the car for onward sale to ready buyers.

The first time I tried it, I succeed in snatching a Toyota Camry at Okene, Kogi state, which I handed over to Akheem, who sold it and gave me N70, 000, with a promise to balance me N170, 000"”.

How I was arrested ”I was arrested while looking for a buyer of one of the stolen vehicles. My boss, Aheem, gave me a stolen Toyota Camry to sell when I went to him for financial assistance. That was the first time me he gave me a vehicle to sell.

Infact, I had to travel to Ile -Ife, Osun state , where the stolen vehicle was and drove it to Lagos. Since I didn’t have any ready buyer, I called one of my friends who was in prison to help me contact a buyer. He gave me one, who unknown to me is a policeman” Crime Alert gathered that operatives of SARS were on the trail of other fleeing members of the gang , adding that the suspect would soon be charged to court.

Crime Alert gathered that Oriowo was invited all the way from Osun state by the operatives who posed as buyers, only to be apprehended.

His arrest however did not come easy as operatives hinted that he kept changing venues with the supposed buyer until he met with the undercover cop at Katagora market to finalise sales of the Toyota Camry only to be named.

Introduced into robbery by an inmate In his confessional statement, the father of two disclosed that he was introduced into the new act of robbery by inmate , while serving his jail term.

According to the 29 year-old suspect who hails from Ilesha, Osun state: “ I was just released from ‘the Medium prison few weeks before I got into this mess. I was sent to prison because I was involved in an accident which resulted in the death of the victim.

I was arrested and charged to court , from where I was slammed a fouryear jail term .

While in prison, I met Akeem Kazeem , who talked me into robbery. He was released before me and gave me his contact. .

Immediately I was released, I travelled to Ogun state to visit him.

Fortunately for me, they were sharing the loot from a stolen Golf •The suspect, Temidire Oriowo 3 . I was given N20,000.

— 57

58 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31 , 2014

AFRICAN NEWS

‘Coup' foiled in Gambia

Envoy urges military action against Congo rebel group

A

N attempted coup by a group of soldiers in Gambia, while the country’s longstanding president was abroad has been foiled, military and diplomatic sources say.

The AFP news agency quoting military sources on yesterday said three coup plotters, including the alleged ringleader, were killed.

A Gambian diplomat said the presidential palace in the heart of the small city on the Gambia river was attacked at around 03:00 GMT, by armed men including members of the presidential guard.

“They wanted to overthrow the regime,” the military source said.

The pre-dawn assault triggered panic in the tropical city, while national radio went off air for several hours and state television was suspended.

Gambia is a tiny former British colony surrounded by Senegal on both its northern and southern borders.

It is ruled by President Yahya Jammeh, who took power at the age of 29 following a coup in 1994.

Human rights activists say Jammeh’s regime is repressive and has targeted political dissidents, journalists, and gays and lesbians.

T

•Mr Yahya Jammeh (middle)has won four elections marred by allegations of rigging.

US launches air strike in Somalia, targets al Shabaab

A

leader of the alShabab Islamist group was killed by a US air strike on Monday, Somali officials say.

The intelligence chief, named as Abdishakur, was part of a unit responsible for suicide attacks, security officials said.

US defence chiefs did not confirm whether the al-Shabab leader had died.

Washington has supported an African Union (AU) force which has driven the fundamentalist group from strongholds across the country since 2011.

On Monday the US said it had targeted a “senior leader ” of alShabab in the area of Saakow, about 320km (200 miles) west of the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

In a statement, the defence department said it was “assessing the results of the operation”.

But Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency said on Tuesday that the air strike had killed a militant it identified as Abdishakur, also known as Tahliil.

It said he had just re-

placed al-Shabab’s former intelligence chief, who was arrested a few days ago.

The agency added that two other al-Shabab members had also died in the joint US-Somali operation.

The development came three days after another top al-Shabab militant, Zakariya Ahmed Ismail Hersi, gave himself up to the Somali government.

Mr Hersi, a leading figure in the militant group’s intelligence wing, surrendered to police in the Gedo region.

In June 2012, the US state department offered $3m (£1.9m; 2.5m euros) for information leading to his capture.

HE Democratic Republic of Congo and U.N. peacekeepers should take military action against a Rwandan Hutu militia if it fails to meet a Jan. 2 deadline for disarmament, the U.S. envoy to Africa’s Great Lakes region said yesterday.

The Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, some of whose leaders are implicated in the 1994 Rwanda genocide, has failed to surrender unconditionally, envoy Russ Feingold said from Washington during a teleconference.

The militia, which has operated in eastern Congo since 2000, was granted a six-month reprieve from military action by two African regional bodies in July to give it more time to disarm.

Human rights groups accuse the militia of abuses and say it has been at the

Ebola patient move from Scotland to London

A

British health care worker who contracted the Ebola virus in West Africa has been transferred from Scotland to an isolation unit in London for specialist treatment.

The woman arrived at the Royal Free Hospital in north London yesterday. She was transferred from Glasgow on a military plane in a quarantine tent.

Egypt court bans Jewish festival for ‘moral offences’

A

•Al-Shabab militants have been driven out of the group’s strongholds in Somalia

Suicide bombing outside Libyan parliament

A

suicide bomber detonated a car laden with explosives in front of a hotel where Libya’s elected parliament was in session in the eastern city of Tobruk on Tuesday, wounding three deputies and eight others, the assembly’s spokesman said.

The bombing is the biggest attack on the parliament since it set up in Tobruk, near the Egyp-

tian border. The assembly, which was elected in June, shifted its seat to Tobruk for security reasons after violence in its planned location, the eastern port city of Benghazi, worsened.

The car exploded in a parking lot near the entrance gate to the hotel as lawmakers sat in a nearby hall, parliamentary spokesman Farraj Hashem told Reuters by

phone. Three deputies and eight hotel staff were wounded, he said.

Until now, Tobruk has been relatively secure compared to the rest of Libya, which has been in violent turmoil since Muammar Gaddafi was toppled nearly four years ago. A car bomb in November targeted the city, but not parliament itself.

court in Egypt has banned an annual Jewish festival held in honour of a 19th Century Moroccan rabbi.

The Alexandria Administrative Court said its decision was due to “moral offences” committed in previous years.

Locals had reportedly complained about the consumption of alcohol and mingling of men and women at the tomb of Yaakov Abuhatzeira in the town of Damanhur.

Jews, mostly from Israel and Morocco, have made pilgrimages there since Egypt’s 1979 peace deal with Israel.

However, they were prevented by court orders in 2001 and 2004.

And in 2012 the festival

heart of a regional conflict in eastern Congo since its inception. Many say its removal is essential to advancing peace.

“Any delay in military operations by the DRC (Congo) military and M O N U S C O (peacekeepers) after Jan. 2 will play into the FDLR’s hands and only serve to enable the group to commit human rights abuses,” Feingold said.

Only about 150 rankand-file fighters of an estimated 1,400 remaining combatants had surrendered, he said.

The group says it is committed to voluntary disarmament but calls the deadline unrealistic given the number of fighters and family members it needs to relocate to disarmament camps.

Feingold said the militia’s call for more delays is a stalling tactic.

was cancelled by the Egyptian authorities because of security concerns after the uprising that forced President Hosni Mubarak to resign.

Monday’s ruling will make the ban permanent unless a higher court overturns it on appeal.

The court also ordered the government to remove the tomb from the national antiquities and monuments list.

Abuhatzeira, also known as Abir Yaakov, was a rabbi and mystic from Morocco who died in Damanhur, some 160km (100 miles) northwest of Cairo in 1880. He was the grandfather of Yisrael Abuhatzeira, the noted kabbalist known as the “Baba Sali”.

Officials have not identified the patient, but she was named by colleague Martin Deahl as public health nurse Pauline Cafferkey.

She arrived in Britain on Sunday night from Sierra Leone and became ill Monday morning. Officials say she is the first patient diagnosed with Ebola inside Britain.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said “she is doing as well as can be expected in the circumstances.”

Cafferkey had worked with the charity Save the Children in Sierra Leone, one of the countries worst hit by the deadly disease.

In a diary published in the Scotland on Sunday newspaper before she returned, she said that “my nice communitynursing job in (Scotland) is far removed from this but at the moment this seems a lot more real.”

Officials are tracing passengers who traveled with Cafferkey on her journey home via Casablanca and London’s Heathrow Airport.

Paul Cosford, director for health protection for Public Health England, said the passengers were being contacted “on a very precautionary basis.”

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31 , 2014 —59

BRIEFS US sanctions may hamper dialogue on Iran, Syria — Russia

R

‘Bodies and debris’ found in AirAsia search I

NDONESIAN rescuers searching for an AirAsia plane carrying 162 people have pulled dozens of bodies and pieces of wreckage from the sea off the coast of Borneo.

Indonesia AirAsia’s Flight QZ8501, an Airbus A320-200, lost contact with air traffic control early on Sunday during bad weather on a flight from the Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore.

The navy on yesterday said 40 bodies had been recovered, Reuters news agency reported. Navy spokesman Manahan Simorangkir, however, told AFP just three bodies had been recovered and the larger figure had been a miscommunication.

An air force plane saw a “shadow ” on the seabed believed to be that of the missing Flight QZ8501, National Search and Rescue Agency chief Bambang Soelistyo told a news conference in Jakarta.

Indonesian officials have said that three pieces of airplane debris sighted off Kalimantan coast in the Java Sea were likely to be from missing AirAsia jet.

At a press conference yesterday, the head of the search and rescue mission, said that definitive debris, including an exit door from the Flight QZ8501 was found during the search.

Indonesia’s national broadcaster reported sighting bodies floating in the waters, and cited Indonesian officials as saying that there was a shadow of the plane underneath the sea.

“The debris is red and

white,” Djoko Murjatmodjo, acting director-general of air transportation at the Transportation Ministry, told reporters. “We are checking if it’s debris from the aircraft. It’s probably from the body of the aircraft.”

•At last,searchers have found what they think is the missing plane’s slide

G

E R M A N opposition lawmakers yesterday called for an investigation into reports that the country’s army

and foreign intelligence agency contributed to a NATO list of Taliban targets in Afghanistan, some of whom were killed.

Citing NATO documents, German newspapers Der Spiegel and Bild have reported that Germany was among the countries that added names of insurgents to the alliance’s Joint Prioritized Effects List, or JPEL. Germany had the third-largest contingent of troops participating in NATO’s International Security Assistance Force for Afghanistan, which ended this year.

Its participation in the

mission was questioned by many in Germany, partly because it was seen as a return to the country ’s militaristic past.

Jan van Aken, a lawmaker for the Left Party, called for a “comprehensive investigation” into whether information provided by the army or the foreign intelligence agency, BND, was used to kill specific individuals without trial.

“There needs to be swift clarity on whether the German army or the BND participated in targeted killings as part of the ISAF mission,” Green Party lawmaker Agnieszka Brugger said.

US to station 150 armoured vehicles in Europe HE United States plans by the end of next year to station around 150 tanks and armoured vehicles in Europe for use by U.S. forces training in Europe as part of the U.S. response to the Ukraine crisis, according to a U.S. military

Indian court clears top Modi aide of murder

T

HE head of India’s ruling party has been acquitted of three murder charges in a verdict immediately denounced by the opposition.

Amit Shah, the closest aide of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was cleared by a special court of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) yesterday of ordering police to carry out the extrajudicial killings of a gangster - Sohrabuddin Sheikh, his wife and his friend - when he served as home minister under Modi in the state of Gujarat almost a decade ago, Shah’s lawyer, Mitesh Amin, said.

Shah’s lawyer said his client was acquitted due to lack of evidence.

The opposition Congress, ousted in the national polls by the BJP, alleged there had been “government pressure” on the CBI to clear Shah.

The CBI has become “chained, caged and totally immobilised”, said Congress spokesman Ajoy Kumar.

Navalny says Putin’s regime must be destroyed

German opposition urges probe R into NATO ‘hit list’

•German troops who are part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), attend a memorial ceremony for slain soldiers, in the German Army’s Camp Marmal in Mazar-eSharif, May 8, 2013.

T

USSIA’S Foreign Ministry said yesterday that a widening of U.S. sanctions against Moscow this week may hamper bilateral cooperation on issues such as Iran’s nuclear program and the Syrian crisis.

“The actions by the United States are putting in doubt the prospects of bilateral cooperation on solving the situation around the Iranian nuclear program, the Syrian crisis and other acute international problems,” the ministry said.

“As Washington could have seen previously, we don’t leave such unfriendly acts without an answer,” the statement added.

commander.

Some of the tanks and vehicles - enough to equip an armoured brigade - could be “prepositioned” in Poland, Romania or the Baltic states, LieutenantGeneral Ben Hodges, commander of the U.S. Army in Europe, said in

a telephone interview with Reuters from Wiesbaden, Germany.

The United States and NATO partners have reinforced eastern Europe and have stepped up exercises to reassure newer members of the alliance made nervous by what they

see as Russian assertiveness. Russia denies any aggressive activity.

Hodges said he expected the U.S. contribution to this, known as “Operation Atlantic Resolve”, to go on throughout 2015 and into 2016.

USSIAN opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, was detained by police after breaking house arrest to join an opposition rally in Moscow.

“I was detained,” Navalny said on his Twitter account yesterday. “But they won’t be able to detain everyone”.

A Russian court gave Navalny a suspended sentence for embezzling money but jailed his brother for three-and-a-half years in a case seen as part of a campaign to stifle dissent.

He has been under house arrest since February.

Navalny called for mass protests to “destroy” President Vladimir Putin’s regime after being handed the suspended sentence at a hearing that was abruptly brought forward by two weeks.

A Moscow judge on Tuesday found both Navalny and his brother Oleg guilty of embezzlement and sentenced them to three and a half years in what is widely seen as a politically motivated case.

Court issues arrest warrant for top Korean executive

A

Seoul court has issued an arrest warrant for a former executive of South Korea’s top airline, who came under heavy criticism over a controversial ‘nut rage’ incident early this month.

Cho Hyun-ah attended a court session yesterday which reviewed the validity of her arrest warrant.

Cho had resigned as the airline’s vice-president for cabin service four days after a national uproar over her conduct aboard a Seoul-bound Korean Air flight from New York on December 5.

Cho, the eldest daughter of Korean Air chairman Cho Yang-ho, had forced the plane to return to the gate and kicked off the chief flight attendant because she had been served nuts in a bag, not on a plate.

Cho said the crew did not follow the proper procedure for serving nuts to first-class passengers.

The flight was subsequently returned to the gate, causing an 11-minute delay in its arrival at Seoul’s main gateway, Incheon International Airport. More than 250 passengers were on board.

60 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 GEMINI;. Other people will continue to have their says and if you try to indoctrinate them tensed atmosphere will be aggravated. Be patient.

CANCER; Entrance of romantic Venus into your Star Sign will enhance your prospects. Both financial and love related success are possible.

LEO; This is not the right time to rely on promises made by others. Continue to take matters-of-the-heart seriously.

Reason with your reliable associates.

VIRGO; Tension within the domestic scene will start to ease off. Yet you will need to watch what you do within your base till after 10.15pm tonight.

LIBRA; Both yourself and other important personalities to you are beginning to see things from same point of view making it easy for you to eliminate unnecessary rift

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

Behold the Great Shepherd (2)

I

guess you want to … know how to surrender to the devil.

The truth is that this is supposed to be a period of exceeding love. However, our actions and inactions, the things we do and

things we refuse to do all tend to portray us as sons and daughters of devil than that of our Heavenly Father. For

TERROR MUDA

instance, how do you celebrate our Lord Jesus Christ by being drunk? How do you relate acts of fornication to the birth

in “Never say goodbye”

of our Lord? Even our Lord Jesus Christ said it, if you love me, you will obey my commandment. So, as you mark His birth, do it within the ambit of the law. Don’t celebrate Christ by sinning.

By Lanre Kehinde

SCORPIO; Venus moves into a positive angle to your Star and encourages peaceful settlement. Exhibition of maturity on your part will favour you better.

SAGITTARIUS; Gradually you are dropping aggressive approach you have adopted in the last few days to the betterment of your cause. Remain practical till after 10.15pm CAPRICORN; Better than yesterday; however that is not to say you should throw caution to the wind. Improvement on your love life indicated. Try to comport yourself.

AQUARIUS; After a few days of fun you may need to settle down to serious business. Those of you working till very late evening will need to be more careful till after 10.15pm.

Reason with your tried and trusted old hands(friends) PISCES; Venus moves into a positive angle and boost your sparkling personality to the betterment of your cause.

Could be a nice day for the-young-at-heart ARIES; It is important you don’t allow your mind to wander unnecessarily so that minor but costly mistakes would be averted. Avoid late evening confusion.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

TAURUS; Recent tension generated by controversy over money will start to ease off. Be more vigilant if you are working lte in the evening.

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,

What should I expect?

Dear Joshua I want to know about my future, especially what I should expect from my love life both in the immediate and far future. However that is not to say I am not interested in good financial standing.

Adegbola, Owo.

Dear Adegbola, Although there will be a particular time you will need to be more careful so that you will not gamble with love as predicted under your love life.

What I wrote for you under career can equally go for your finance. The difference here is inability to hold on to your gains (profits) partially by the contact made between your natal Saturn and Venus as stated under your career and some other times by your love of LUXORY (easy life). Although the Saturn influence can be mitigated as I said under your career, the love of luxury comes from your stelliu-Taurus which must not be totally discouraged but should not be allowed to go beyond your control. Yes envy and jealousy can creep in as indicated by the oppositions between your natal Venus/Saturn in Taurus and Jupiter in Scorpio, but that is not enough excuse for either failure or manipulation of occult powers against you. Whatever anybody says and/or does GREAT FINANCIAL SUCCESS is your portion.

The most influential planet during your birth hour is Venus-the planet of MONEY and LOVE. You are the romantic type whose magnetic personality and open handedness are sources of big trap to his members of opposite sex. As handsome as you are you truly crave stability in your love life/home and the happiness you desired will be yours. You will need to watch carefully around and during your 42th year on earth as you may be tempted to gamble with matters-of-theheart.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 — 61

2015 AFCON Watch....2015 AFCON Watch...

Guinea name Constant in squad

Ivory Coast exclude Drogba from squad I

VORY Coast coach Herve Renard has excluded Didier Drogba and two other top stars from his 23-man squad for the upcoming African Cup of Nations.

The Frenchman also excluded Didier Zokora and Emmanuel Eboue from his team for the tournament to be staged in Equatorial Guinea next month.

Drogba had retired and pressure mounted for him to return but after it became clear he had no intention of rescinding his decision Renard named his squad without him.

Liverpool defender Kolo Toure will join his brother Manchester City’s Yaya in the Ivory Coast squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

The Reds defender will

G

UINEA coach Michel Dussuyer named Kevin Constant in his 23-man African Nations Cup squad despite the controversial midfielder ’s strained relationship with the country ’s football association.

The Trabzonspor player blamed “difficult relations” with his teammates and a lack of resources for the national team for his decision to quit the side in October before making himself available again.

•Constant

•Drogba

retire from international duty after the January tournament, some 15

years after winning his first cap for the Elephants.

Mashaba names 'killer' squad

Gyan blasts Sports Ministry over bonus G

HANA captain Asamoah Gyan says it is ‘unfair’ for the Sports Ministry to insist on embarking on the newly proposed payment system for the Black Stars without giving the players an opportunity to make an input.

The Deputy Sports Minister Vincent Oppong Asamoah revealed his outfit have resolved to pay the Black Stars a flat amount of $5000 per game at the group stage of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations regardless of the result.

The new pay system is being proposed to replace the old regime where each Black Stars player is given $10,000

for a win at the Nations Cup. But Gyan says the Sports Ministry ’s posturing on the issue is ‘unfair ’ to the Black Stars players since their input has been neglected.

“I haven’t met the Minister, I have met the board members of the GFA,” the Al Ain striker told GTV’s Sports Highlights show.

“I heard the Deputy Minister said ‘take it or leave it’ [the proposed new pay regime].

“I think it is not fair because we are in a democracy now.

“I don’t take decisions alone, I will have to meet the players and then we’ll take a decision.”

•Rantie

B

AFANA Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba has named his final 23-man squad ahead of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Equatorial Guinea.

The tactician had initially called up 34 players to undergo a training camp over the weekend, and the boss has now whittled that number down by 11

.says no easy games in AFCON

S

Cameroon call-up Chedjou

A

URELIEN Chedjou was called up by Cameroon yesterday after a six-month absence as replacement for defender Brice Nlate in the African Nations Cup squad.

Chedjou has not played for his country since this year’s World Cup but Nlate suffered a knee injury in a car accident and will not be fit for the 16-team tournament in Equatorial Guinea starting on January 17.

C M Y K

ahead of Sunday ’s friendly international against Zambia.

South Africa have been drawn in Group C, dubbed the ‘Group of Death’, which includes top-ranked African side Algeria, as well as Ghana and Senegal, for next year’s continental showpiece, which runs from January 17 to February 8.

•Gyan

HAKES Mashaba is refusing to write off any team’s chances at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, claiming any of the 16 sides headed to Equatorial Guinea are capable of winning the tournament.

“Don’t write any team off. Every team is capable of doing well and winning the tournament.”

“If we can get five points from the three games in our group, then we are through to the next round, but it doesn’t mean we will just go for the five points.

“We will fight for more than that and make sure we go past the group stage and take it from there.”

62 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

Transfer Centre....Transfer Centre ...Transfer Centre...

Bale key to our present and future

Wenger: I want Podolski to stay

•Real warn Man U

R

EAL Madrid have told Manchester United that Gareth Bale is not for sale at any price.

United have been linked with a summer move for Bale, who signed for the European champions in a worldrecord £85.3million transfer 16 months ago.

But the Welshman is going nowhere,

“Pardew’s deal not complete”

according to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, “We have not received an offer from Manchester or any other club for Gareth Bale,” Perez was quoted as saying on Marca’s website.

“We would never listen to any offer for Bale, no matter what the fee.”

Van Gaal refused to discuss a potential bid for Bale at a press conference last week.

“I discuss that with my CEO (Ed Woodward) and not with anyone of the media,” said the Dutchman, who spent £155m on six new players during his first transfer window as United boss.

A

RSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has labelled Inter Milan’s interest in forward Lukas Podolski as a “joke” and hopes the German forward stays at the Barclays Premier League club.

“That is a joke. Inter Milan is not serious,” said Wenger “It is nothing serious.

They talk, there is only talk.

“Podolski is a player of Arsenal Football Club and I want him to stay.

Apart from that, what it is to be professional is that as long as you are somewhere, you give your best to justify your wages and your love for the club,” said Wenger.

“I hope so (that he will still be here at the end of January), yes.”

•Bale

Man City eye Miranda M

ANCHESTER City have been alerted to the news that Atletico Madrid could be willing to sell defender Joao Miranda in the January transfer window.

The Daily Mirror claims Los Rojiblancos would offload the Brazilian centre-back for around •25m and City are watching developments as the player has already been an alleged target for Chelsea, Manchester United and Barcelona.

Miranda, 30, is believed to be open to a move to the Premier League, where he would likely demand a fouryear contract, and Sky Blues’ boss Manuel Pellegrini could be about to grant him his wish.

•Pardew

C

RYSTAL Palace c a r e t a k e r manager Keith Millen believes Alan Pardew’s arrival at the club has not yet been finalised.

“It’s not been signed and sealed and there are still negotiations to be had.

“Yesterday was a strange day with all the speculation, and I didn’t speak to the chairman until late in the evening.

“I spoke to the chairman at 11.30 last night and he said that compensation had been agreed and the club had permission to speak to Alan.

“I told the players that and I am preparing the team for Aston Villa.”

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•Wenger

You can’t ban us from transfer market •Barca ‘disagree’ with CAS verdict

•Enrique

B

ARCELONA have announced their ‘total disagreement’ with the decision handed down by the Court of Arbitration for Sport

(CAS) yesterday.

However, in a stronglyworded statement on the club’s website, Barca announced they consider the punishment excessive.

“FC Barcelona wishes to state, with all due respect for the sports authorities, that it totally disagrees with the verdict of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced today to confirm the sanction originally imposed b y F I FA , a s a consequence of the alleged breach of regulations on the international transfer of minor footballers."

Ibrahimovic nurses Roma hope

Z

•Miranda

•Ibrahimovic

L A T A N Ibrahimovic could look to finish his career in Serie A with Roma, according to reports in the Swedish Press.

The big striker is reportedly unhappy at current club Paris SaintGermain, with rumours that the Swedish

international has a stormy relationship with Coach Laurent Blanc.

According to Aftonbladet, Ibra’s preferred option is to return to Serie A, having starred for Juventus, Inter and Milan in the past, with Roma his ideal destination.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 — 63

Ameobi not ready for Eagles challenge — Sodje F

ORMER Super Eagles defender Efetobore Sodje has stated that Newcastle United youngster, Sammy Ameobi is not ready for a crack in the colours of the Nigeria senior national side.

The younger brother of Shola Ameobi is still pondering on whether to commit his international future to Nigeria.

Sodje believes the tricky winger is still learning and not ripe enough for the African Champions.

“He’s part of the Newcastle United team, but I don’t think he’s ready to take up a regular place in the first eleven.

“He has done well on the few occasions he has been in the starting line up but he’s not in the top 10 of best Nigerian players right now because he’s yet to convince,” Sodje said.

Sammy burst on to the first-team scene at the end of the 2010/11 season, making his Newcastle United debut as a second-half substitute in the penultimate game of the season at Chelsea.

months.

“It is sad that we, the defending champions, will not be in Equatorial Guinea to defend our title. The football world is disappointed, Africa is disappointed and Nigerians are disappointed,” West said.

“It should be a lesson for the NFF to have a family where only those with knowledge of football administration will be made to run football.

“The NFF should take note that Nigerian football is not only about the Super Eagles but also the U-17, the U-20 and the U-23 national teams. Hence, the structure for the success of these national teams in the international

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S

WEDISH club Kalmar have released striker Taiwo Awoniyi for the 2015 African Youth Championship (AYC) in Senegal.

Awoniyi, 18 in August 2015, is one of nine foreign-based professionals called up by Nigeria’s Flying Eagles for the AYC, which kicks off on March 8 in Dakar. •Awoniyi Awoniyi has since joined the Flying Eagles, with English Premier who resumed training League champions camp in Kaduna at the Manchester City over weekend. the release of Kelechi The other foreign-based Iheanacho and pro already with the Chidiebere Nwakali.

Junior Eagles is skipper The other overseas stars Musa Muhammed. invited by the Nigeria Flying Eagles team U20 team are Isaac secretary, Auwal Aliyu Success, Musa Yahaya, Ibrahim, further Moses Simon, Kingsley disclosed he has also Madu and Chidera Eze. been in constant contact

Taye Taiwo •Ameobi

2014 Glo-CAF Awards: Media accreditation begins Local and themselves in playing or

M

EDIA accreditation for 2014 GLO - CAF Awards has begun in earnest.

Taribo Continues from B/P

Swedish club release Awoniyi for AYC

arena in 2015 should be of utmost concern.”

One theme which consistently comes to the fore under these circumstances is the absence of former football players in the administrative branch of Nigerian football.

“We have exinternationals who are coaches already.

However, it is not all of us who can or should be coaches.

“We can contribute a lot in the day-to-day administration of football in Nigeria and introduce better policies that brought success in countries where we played.

“We have a lot of knowledge that can bring changes and development from the grassroots to the senior teams,” he added.

International journalists are expected from different parts of the world to cover the Awards, an annual soccer event that celebrates the best of African football including footballers, coaches and administrators who have distinguished

managing the game during the year under review.

Sources close to Globacom said that the accreditation exercise which is coordinated from CAF headquarters in Cairo opened on Monday, December 21 and will close on January 2nd, 2014.

Osaze Continues from B/P August 30 and there are no guarantees he will be fit to play before running out of contract at the end of the current season.

But Stoke manager, Mark Hughes, has thrown the winger some comfort and joy by saying, “There’s something in place, I think, so we will have discussions nearer the time.

“We’d like to think he would get back before the end of the season.

He might not make it, but even so he’s working exceptionally hard to make it.

The striker has already started light work out ahead of his anticipated return to action.

He admits the injury he suffered during the otherwise famous win at Manchester City at the end of August was a huge blow to absorb.

“I have just started running outside, which is a massive step for me. From now onwards hopefully things will accelerate a little bit for me,” he told the Stoke Sentinel “In terms of the minimum period I was told I would be out for, I am just over half way through that now.”

Continues from B/P still active and won’t mind getting an invite to represent Nigeria.

“I’m still very much in active football. At my club I play regularly and my manager keeps wondering why I’ve been shut out of the Nigeria national team,” Taiwo said.

“I am a Nigerian and if given the opportunity to do so, I will definitely do that with open arms.

Why not? I will surely come.

“This is my country and I will never turn down any invitation because that has always been my priority.”

Known for his prowess at free kicks due to his powerful left foot, the defender feels Nigeria is missing a lot of attributes.

“Most times, when we lose set pieces during international games, I feel very bad because I would have scored if I was there,” he said.

The 2006 CAF Young Player of the Year also dismissed claims that he had issues with Keshi which could have been responsible for his national team blackout.

“At Dynamo Kiev, I called to congratulate him on his appointment

and expressed my willingness to be a part of his team, he assured me all would be well but till date, he never deemed it fit to send me an invite to the national team,” he continued.

“He would not pick my calls and I kept wondering what was wrong. Anyway, I still respect him and I can tell you that I don’t have any issues with him, his assistants and those at the Nigeria Football Federation.”

On the inability of the reigning African champions to make it to Equatorial Guinea 2015, the former Olympique Marseille defender said it was a tragedy for the country despite tipping them to successfully defend their crown following their exploits at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

“It is a big disaster that the Super Eagles failed to make the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

“After our performance at the World Cup, I had boasted to my African teammates that Nigeria would successfully defend the title but unfortunately, we missed out. It’s a big shame,” he concluded.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

Hughes assures Osaze on new contract

E

N G L I S H Premiership side, Stoke City are ready to offer Peter Odemwingie a new deal, and are willing to do so even if he doesn’t

•Osaze

play again before his current contract expires.

The Nigeria international has been out with a cruciate knee ligament injury since

Continues on pg 63

Vision 2015:

Taribo seeks new direction for Nigerian football F

ORMER Nigeria International Taribo West said it would be prudent for the local football fraternity to put the disappointment of the outgoing year

behind them and focus on restoring the pride of the national team.

West said that while there was disappointment, the

Nigeria Football Federation should use all that has transpired this year as an important lesson and build on that in coming

Continues on pg 63

Taye Taiwo plots Eagles return B

URSASPOR defender Taye Taiwo has expressed his willingness to return to the Super Eagles if given a chance.

The former Olympic

•Taye Taiwo

Marseille of France player has appeared for the national team 53 times but has been shut out of the team since coach Stephen Keshi took over as coach.

Taiwo who has never hidden his passion to play for the Eagles feels his playing regularly in the Turkish top flight is a testimony that he is Continues on pg 63

•Taribo

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Renew (6) 5 Disgraced (6) 9 Combine (5) 10 Elf (6) 11 Festival (6) 12 Implant (5) 14 Frozen (4) 17 Yelp (3) 18 Tender (4) 20 Boat (5) 22 Senior (5) 23 Blasphemous (7) 24 Rescuer (5) 26 Liability (5) 29 Clothed (4) 30 Marshland (3) 32 Ballet-skirt (4) 33 Hell (5) 35 Elevated (6) 36 Election (6) 37 Repulse (5) 38 Evaded (6) 39 Staggered (6)

DOWN 1 Rural (6) 2 Hide (6) 3 Silent (4) 4 Foe (5) 5 Precipitous (5) 6 Leader (4) 7 System (6) 8 Swarthier (6) 13 Perplexed (7) 15 Waterway (5) 16 Drugged (5) 18 Precipitation (5) 19 Send (5) 21 Stray (3) 22 Finish (3) 24 Scratched (6) 25 Diverse (6) 27 Interment (6) 28 Pulled (6) 30 Paled (5) 31 Not ever (5) 33 Present (4) 34 Only (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 4, Sapid 7, Asleep 9, Fad 10, Gem 12, Folly 13, Tend 15, Refer 17, Deride 19, Easy 20, Scene 22, Ill 24, Tattled 27, Lea 28, Arena 31, Skua 33, Atoned 35, Siren 37, Wilt 38, Crass 39, Dub 41, Elk 42, Severe 43, Plate.

DOWN: 1, Cactus 2, Blonde 3, Peg 4, Safe 5, Adore 6, Illusion 8, Peri 11, Meditated 14, Dent 16, Fell 18, Real 21, Cockerel 23, Lean 25, Tear 26. Drew 29, Edited 30, Anthem 32, Asset 34, Onus 36, Isle 40, Bet.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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