None of my ministers is corrupt

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62661

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015

US renews collaboration with Nigeria, neighbours 9 against Boko Haram

Mixed reactions trail reduction in 8 pump price of petrol

None of my ministers is corrupt —BUHARI •Explains why he can't release Biafra leader, Kanu •Says Ex-NSA, Dasuki committed atrocities against Nigeria •Insists Ndigbo occupy strategic positions in his cabinet •Promises to implement payment of N5,000 stipend to poor Nigerians •FG ready to negotiate with Boko Haram without conditions if...

By Emmanuel Aziken, Emma Ujah, Clifford Ndujihe, Dapo Akinrefon, Charles Kumolu, Godfery Bivbere, Joseph Erunke, Nkiruka Nnoorom, Emmanuel Elebeke, Jonah Nwokpoku, Ediri Ejoh & Prince Okafor

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B U J A — PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, made a robust defence of the integrity of all 36 ministers in his cabinet challenging anyone with a contrary view to present evidence against such a minister.

Speaking in his first media chat, the president

Continues on Page 5

Right of Reply:

Aribisala’s vitriolic attacks on Info minister absurd 31

Mr & Mrs

P.17

P.19

MODIBBO

JOSEF OMOROTIONMWAN

KAWU Defeating despair, reinforcing hope

The budget: 'We heard this before'

COLUMNISTS:

DEHUMANIZED—Abdullahi Fahad (left) and Peter O. Solomon (right) apprehended by the Lagos State Governor’s Convoy, for locking a citizen, Dahiru Lawal in the boot of a car, at Mile 12, Ikorodu Road, Lagos, yesterday. See Page 10.

Kanu never apologised to President Buhari 16 — Father, IPOB

2—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015— —3

C M Y K

4—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015—5

POCKET CARTOON

INSPECTION—From left: Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu; Acting Director-General, Projects Development Institute (PRODA), Dr Edwin Oriaku; Senior Engineer, PRODA, Rev. Promise Amarah and Pencil Development Programmer, PRODA, Mr Godfrey Ihezie, during an inspection tour of PRODA in Enugu, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

None of my ministers is corrupt —BUHARI Continues from Page 1 said the first gains of the war against corruption would become evident by the end of March, next year, even as he accused erstwhile National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) of having allegedly committed atrocities against Nigeria through reckless disbursement of billions of government funds.

The president made his first dismissal of the agitation for Biafra stating that Igbo were in strategic position in the cabinet including holding the petroleum and labour portfolios besides the stewardship of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. President Buhari also assured of the administration’s readiness to implement the N5,000 monthly transfer to

vulnerable Nigerians even as he said the campaign promise did not emanate from him but from his then running mate, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo. He also frowned at the allocation of N47.7 billion for the purchase of vehicles by the National Assembly even after the lawmakers had collected car loans from the government.

The president, who expressed his readiness to negotiate with any credible leadership of the Boko Haram sect for the release of the kidnapped Chibok girls also disclosed his readiness to consider a ban on the use of hijab should the trend of bombing through young veiled girls continue.

Noting the dire economic conditions facing the country,

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO HERE is a king and a fool in every man, the one you choose to feed is what the world will see. It's up to you.

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TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Follow three rules; Respect yourself, Respect others, and take responsibility for your actions— Dalai Lama

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AKING full responsibility for one’s life is the key to living a life of absolute freedom. It means to stop blaming others, the unreasonable demanding employer, ungrateful children, unpredictable weather; irritating spouse, unreliable friend, unreliable government, unfavorable circumstances, and even the feeling that life’s not fair on us.

Blaming everybody else is great until you’ve got no one to blame but yourself. Instead, realize that you are the creator of your own life story.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE He who wants to prepare a medicine for the eyes must not add pepper.

President Buhari was, nevertheless, against the immediate devaluation of the naira even as he revealed that N1.5 trillion had been recovered into the federation account through the implementation of the Treasury Single Account.

The president also spoke on the fate of the Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, saying that he had allowed the Kaduna State government and the military authorities to take the lead in the investigations.

He affirmed that the cleric had over time overstepped his bounds to the distress of the communities he lived.

On the panel that interviewed the president yesterday were Kayode Akintemi, Channels TV; Dr. Ngozi Anyaegbulam, Media World International; Munir Dan Ali, Daily Trust and Ibanga Isine, Premium Times.

On the ministers

“I don’t think I tolerate corruption, I don’t think I picked anybody that I know will embarrass my government. But if you have any evidence about any of my ministers, I accept responsibility for the 36 ministers that I have.

“I don’t think I took anybody among the ministers who has got a case in court. Tell me one out of the 36. I don’t think I will deliberately make that mistake.”

Asked if he would sack any of the ministers if he or she is charged to court for corruption, he said: “No, I will insist that the case go through the courts.”

On the location and condition of the Chibok girls, he said he would be prepared to negotiate with credible elements in the Boko Haram leadership if there is precise intelligence that could

help return the girls to their parents. He, however, affirmed that presently he did not superior intelligence on the fate of the girls.

“We are still keeping our options open. If a credible leadership of Boko Haram can be established and they tell us where those girls are, we are prepared to negotiate with them without any precondition. This we have made absolutely clear. But while they are keeping the Chibok girls, they must not get away with the idea that we will not attempt to secure the rest of Nigeria.

“We have no firm intelligence on where they are physically and what condition they are in.

But what we believe from our intelligence, they keep taking the girls around, they are not keeping all the girls in one place, we don’t know how many divisions they made of them and where they are.

On the crisis in Kaduna involving followers of the Shite leader, Sheikh ElZakzaky, he said: “I expect the Kaduna State Government to set up a judicial inquiry because it happened in Kaduna, in one of the cities and it has been there for the last twenty years from what I have been reading from papers. They will occupy a federal highway, sometimes from Kano to Kaduna. This is what I heard.

“We have a system of investigation, the military that was involved too have a tradition of investigation and I am the head of the federal government, I have to wait for the official report before I can come out as head of the federal government and make a statement. So I am allowing the Army and the Kaduna State government to submit their report of inquiry.

Meanwhile it does not mean that the police, the SSS and other directorate involved are not doing their own part of constitutional role.

Frowning at the activities of the group, he said: “Unfortunately it is very serious. How can any group proclaim statehood in a state? I don’t want to speak about it in details now, I better leave it still after the report of the inquiry but there are a number of clips I saw, where some excited teenagers were visually hitting the chest of a general, mounting road blocks and threatening them with missiles.

On the contentious issue of subsidy, the president said that by the end of the next quarter that there would be no more talk about subsidy in

the price of petroleum.

Money recovered

“Money has been recovered but whatever we recover, has to end up in court because I feel personally that Nigerians are entitled to know the truth and the truth will be what the court has discovered by the submission made to them in terms of documentation and the documentation includes the bank statement of where our money was lodged, when it was lodged and how much. Whether it is petrol from NNPC or Customs and Excise or money directly from the Central Bank of Nigeria.”

Told that he was limited in his disclosure of his assets, the president said that he had declared his assets at least four times in the past.

The president expressed reservation on proposals by the National Assembly to commit N47.7 billion to purchase new vehicles after members had collected car loans from the government.

N5,000 monthly stipend for the less privileged

“When my VP was quoted, how can I come here and disown it? First, I believe in getting facts, how many are involved?

How are we going to do it? Is it state by state or geo-political zone by geo-political zone? In trying to get the bottom of the problem, a lot of work has to be done and if it is undertaken, we have to look at it very well.”

On Dasuki, Kanu and others

Asked on the alleged flouting of court orders by the state on the issue of Dasuki and detained Biafran agitator, Nnamdi Kanu, he said: “Technically, if you see the kind of atrocities those people committed, if they jump bail? I am sorry to say this publicly...the for mer president just wrote to

the governor of the CBN and said give N40 billion to someone while you have two million Internally Displaced Persons, what kind of country do you want to run?

“The one you called Kanu, do you know he has two passports? One Nigerian, one British and he came to this country without using any passport? Do you know that he brought sophisticated equipment into this country and started broadcasting for Radio Biafra? There is a treasonable charge against him and I hope the court will listen to the case.

Biafra and marginalisation of Ndigbo

“They say they are marginalised but they have not defined the extent of marginalisation.

Who is marginalising them? Where? Do you know? Choosing a minister is not a matter of ethnicity, it is a matter of the constitution. I am limited by what the constitution says that there must be a member of the executive council from each state. There is a lot of partisan politics in it. Who is the Minister of State for Petroleum? Is he not an Igbo? Who is the governor of the CBN? Is he not an Igbo? Who is the Minister of Labour?

Who is the Minister of Science and Technology?

What do they want? I stood elections and I won, I am limited by the constitution, I have a member of every state in the Federal Executive Council and I have to listen to them when I sit as chairman. That is the limit the constitution gave me”.

Asked if he would consider banning the use of hijab in the face of the continued use of veiled girls in suicide missions in the Northeast, the president said: “Placing ban on hijab is not enough. However, if this continues it will be banned. Because it is for the safety of the people generally.”

6—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31 , 2015

2 policemen, civilian killed as lorry rams into Police checkpoint in Anambra

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

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NITSHA—TWO mobile policemen and a civilian were Tuesday evening feared dead when a tipper driver allegedly lost control of his vehicle as a result of brake failure and rammed into a police checkpoint at New Tarzan Junction, along Enugu/ Onitsha Expressway, Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

But, the Divisional Police Officer at Ogidi, Hassan Musa, confirmed to newsmen yesterday that only one policeman lost his life in the incident, while two others were hospitalized, adding that the driver is currently in police custody.

The incident, according to a source, occurred as the tipper driver was descending the hill and on approaching the police checkpoint, lost control of the vehicle as a result of alleged

brake failure and rammed into another lorry carrying a container that fell on the policemen.

Some eye-witnesses at the scene of the incident blamed the tipper driver for reckless driving, while others blamed the policemen for always creating artificial traffic jam along the road in a bid to extort money from commercial motorists.

According to one of the

eye-witnesses who preferred anonymity, “those mobile policemen were drafted to that checkpoint few weeks ago when the police authorities sent many policemen to Onitsha in the aftermath of the recent protests by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB and since then the policemen had turned that checkpoint into an extortion point.”

WATER FOR LIFE: Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, queue for water at NEMA's displaced peoples camp in Fufore, Yola, Adamawa State, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

Police kill robbery suspect in Delta, arrest 2

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By Perez Brisibe

GHARA—THE Delta State Police command says its patrol team killed a robbery suspect in Ughelli and recovered a Volkswagen car snatched from its owner at gunpoint by two armed men while driving out of her compound at Ekeredjebor, Ughelli.

In a statement released yesterday by the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Celestina Kalu, the state command said it also arrested another suspect who was attempting to deprive a bank customer of his money at EcoBank, Warri.

DSP Celestina Kalu disclosed that the suspect was gunned down along Robert Alloy Street off Uloho Avenue during a gun duel with the patrol team while two of his gang members were

also arrested.

While giving the names of the arrested suspects as Isaac Aghofine, 22 and Innocent Eyeba, 19, the Police image maker disclosed that following information that the gang was operating in the

area, the Divisional Police Officer; DPO for ‘A’ Division immediately detailed the patrol team to the scene where they engaged the bandits in a shootout.

Items recovered from the suspects, according to Kalu,

include two double barrel cut-to-size guns, one locally made pistol, and some mobile phones, adding that investigation into the matter is ongoing.

40-year-old man docked for alleged forgery, car theft

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS—A 40-yearold man, Sunday Arowolo, was yesterday charged before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court for alleged forgery and stealing of an unregistered car valued at N2.5 million.

The defendant, whose address was not given, is facing a three count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and stealing preferred against him by the police.

The prosecutor, Inspector Stephen Molo, told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offences in July 7, 2014.

He said the incident took place at 25, Ayo Ajileye Street, Ori-Okuta area of Ikorodu at about 10am.

Molo alleged that the defendant and others who are still at large stole a Toyota Matrix belonging to one Mrs Ifeyinwa Anueyiagu, which is valued at N2.5million.

The prosecutor further stated that the defendant sold the car after forging its documents, noting that the offences committed are punishable under sections 409, 285 (10) and 363 of the criminal law of Lagos state 2011.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges against him when the charge was read.

However, Magistrate P. A Adekomaya granted the defendant bail in the sum of N300, 000, with two responsible sureties in like sum.

The case has been adjourned till January 19, for mention.

I collect N10,000 to deliver stolen cars —Suspect

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

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BA—A 28-year-old robbery suspect, Agbawo Ejiogu, has revealed how he collected N10,000 each to deliver stolen cars from Port Harcourt, Rivers State to Aba, Abia State, where they are sold to buyers in the city.

Ejiogu, a member of a gang that specializes in snatching cars in Port Harcourt and ferrying them to Aba where

they are sold, was one of the armed robbery and kidnapping suspects paraded by the Abia State Commissioner of Police at the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, Obehie Police Division, Ukwa West local council.

In an interview with Vanguard, Ejiogu who claimed to be a commercial bus driver said that he has

been in the business of ferrying stolen cars from Port Harcourt to Aba for more than six months.

“I charge the sum of N10, 000 per stolen car delivered from Port Harcourt to Aba for my oga who is now at large.

It is a business I have been doing for more than six months now. When you pay, we deliver the car to any place of your choice in Aba,”

he said.

Other suspects in the car snatching business paraded by the CP include Iwuagwu Ugonna, Ndubuisi Ekeh, Stephen Ikechukwu, Chigozie Ngozi, Dandy Job, Chiemezue Egwuonwu and Albert Iheariochi.

Ejiogu further told Vanguard that his gang works with some car dealers who resell such stolen cars to some unsuspecting buyers in Aba.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31 , 2015—7

EBONYI MOB ATTACK:

hospitalised, guns snatched

By Peter Okutu Simon Ebegbulem

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BAKALIKI—TWO policemen attached to Ebonyi State Police command were yesterday attacked and their AK-47 rifles snatched by a mob when they made attempts to arrest a suspect in Ohaukwu local government area of the State.

The officers were reported to have gone to Amofia Ngbo of Ohaukwu local government area to arrest a man who allegedly

stabbed his creditor for demanding to be paid money he owed, but were prevented by members of the community from carrying out the arrest of the suspect.

An eyewitness who did not want his name in print told Vanguard that the policemen insisted that the suspect must be arrested and swooped on him.

Another source added that following the attack on the policemen by the youths, stern looking policemen in large

2 cops numbers stormed the area late in the evening and allegedly destroyed the community’s properties.

He disclosed that houses were razed in the alleged police reprisal attack.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP George Okafor confirmed the incident.

He explained that the policemen attacked in the ugly episode were responding to treatment and that their AK-47 rifles were still missing.

Okafor added that some arrests have been made in connection with the incident.

Gunmen abduct DELSUTH consultant neurologist ...demand N15 million ransom

By Perez Brisibe

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G H A R A –

UNIDENTIFIED gunmen who abducted a consultant neurologist with the Delta State Teaching Hospital, DELSUTH, Oghara, have demanded N15million ransom for his release.

The consultant, Dr. Obiabo Yahaya, is the DELSUTH chairman of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, MDCAN and was

said to have been abducted on Tuesday at about 8:30pm while trying to enter his compound at Amukpe, Sapele.

Confirming the abduction yesterday, President of the DELSUTH Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, Dr. Innocent Okocha told Vanguard that his abductors have already made contact with his family demanding a ransom of N15 million.

Dr. Okocha, while

appealing for the release of the victim, stated that from information gathered, he was trailed home by his abductors who whisked him to an unknown destination.

He said: “Though the matter has been reported to the security operatives in the area, including the police, it is indeed saddening that doctors who risk their lives to render humanitarian services to the public are gradually becoming endangered species especially within Oghara and its environs.”

....As Police rescue 2 kidnap operations. victims in Rivers He said: “On storming the

By Davies Iheamnachor

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ORT HARCOURT— THE Rivers State Police Command said it has rescued two kidnap victims from their abductors, after a serious gun battle with the kidnappers.

The command said the two victims identified as Mr. Jackson Sunday and Mrs. Mary Monday were rescued, Wednesday, after the Anti-kidnapping Squad of the Rivers State Police command stormed a kidnappers hideout in Ogbakiri waterfront in Emohua Local Government Area of the state.

The Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP. Ahmad Muhammad, who disclosed this to newsmen said the two victims were freed in two separate coordinated rescue operations by the tactical unit of the command, revealing that

the victims were kidnapped on different days at Rumuodara and Rumuigbo respectively.

Muhammad added that three of the suspected kidnappers were fatally wounded during the

hideout, the suspected kidnappers found guarding the victims engaged our men in gun duel. Three unidentified suspected kidnappers were fatally wounded while the victims were rescued unhurt."

KETU KILLINGS: ‘Why

deceased killer cop went to the hotel'

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By Evelyn Usman

A G O S — L AT E Sergeant Steven James, the killer Mobile policeman, who shot twin brothers and their friend to death before killing himself with same rifle, in front of Paulson Hotel, Ketu, Lagos, Sunday, was said to have gone on an illegal duty at the hotel to raise money for the just celebrated Christmas.

This is just as the Police has ordered for the prosecution of those who sold alcoholic drinks to the killer cop that fateful day.

Vanguard reliably gathered that the late James attached to MOPOL 22 was making last minute efforts to raise money to celebrate the just concluded Christmas.

He was said to have confided in one of his colleagues that he intended to make what was described as quick money, this season.

In order to achieve his aim, he was said to have boycotted his official duty post at a branch of First Bank, where he was posted to in October, saying customers at the bank were not friendly to policemen.

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015

By Henry Umoru, Sebastine Obasi, Michael Eboh, Ediri Ejoh & Prince Okafor

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BUJA— MIXED reactions, yesterday, trailed the announcement by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) that petrol will now sell for N86.50 in January 2016 with some Nigerians hailing the decision while others argued that it was nothing to celebrate.

In its reaction, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), described the reduction as a continuation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government by deception In a statement, yesterday, by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party noted that besides its deceptive element, the reduction in the N87per litre pump price to N86 and N86.50 per litre for the retail outlets of the NNPC and retail outlets of private business concerns respectively offered too little to cheer.

Metuh said: “After heightened expectations occasioned by the promise to review the N87 per litre pump price of petrol made by the administration amid crippling scarcity of the product during the Christmas season, the announcement of this tokenism has come as a disappointing anticlimax, considering that only in January this year, the PDP Federal Government reduced the pump price from N97 to N87 per litre."

Also speaking, Managing Director, Highcap Securities Limited, Mr. David Adonri, said: “There are discordant tunes from government. About a week ago, comment by Minister of Finance that fuel subsidy will gradually disappear starting with increase to N97 per litre was widely reported.

Now government is saying price will reduce by 50 kobo in January.

“The remedy is for government to deregulate the energy industry fully and allow prices of petroleum products be determined by market forces. Under current economic condition, no subsidy on consumption in any form by government is sustainable.

Also speaking, Olisemeka Ojieh, Managing Director, MD, Petrocarbon Engineering Limited, said reduction is insignificant.

“I welcome the reduction. It is good but not good enough. If I fill my tank with 60 litres, I only save N30 compared to the previous price. In my opinion, the reduction is too small and relatively insignificant to get the attention and praise of the average Nigerian,” he said.

For Billy Harry, President, Coalition of South-South Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, FOSSCCIMA, the reduction is a welcome development, but called on the Federal Government to carry along stakeholders before making such decisions that affect the lives of Nigerians.

He said: “It is a good decision.

Everything that will make Nigerians get a better standard of living is welcome. In announcing

LECTURE: From left, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Prof. Sam Eze; Vice Chancellor, Prof. Luke Anike; representative of Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Mohammed Haruna and Managing Director, Science Equipment Development Institute, Prof. Samuel Ndubuisi during ESUT 2015 post graduate public lecture, in Enugu.

Mixed reactions trail reduction in pump price of petrol It's too little to cheer —PDP this, I believe the Federal Government has already taken into view the thoughts of several difficulties that are facing the Nigerian citizens. It is a good idea. I just hope that it is properly monitored and implemented.”

He, however, kicked against the disparity in prices, stating that the price should be uniformed.

He said: “There is no need to have the 50 kobo difference in terms of the independent or major market. The reason is because all the products are coming in from the same source.

Even if the products are coming in from private importers, it is also being regulated by PPPRA. So, whatever the consideration is that have given that advantage of price, N86 flat would have been beneficial to Nigerians.

“Like I say, before the minister or any government official stand up to make pronouncements affecting Nigerians, they should always go back to the Nigerian public, stakeholders, minimally to know their views on those issues. The reason is if we allow the ministers and those that are in power to start telling us what they think, they would not know what we feel should be good enough for the economy, neither would they know what our own input or take would be.

“It is very simple to understand. If a minister wakes up today to say he is reducing price, it means he will also wake up tomorrow to increase price unilaterally. That is not what we should be looking forward to at this time. We should be looking forward to engaging the Nigerian populace in every single decision making process, because it is even beneficial to the polity.

“Petroleum products belong to all Nigerians, so let Nigerians take decision on what should be done.

“But if fuel price is reduced, let us also be sure that it meets the requirements of Nigerians, if not, they should get back to the drawing board to ask

Nigerians if an increase or reduction is actually necessary.

Also commenting, SouthWest Chairman of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, Tokunbo Korodo, said the reduction in the price of petrol was a welcome

development.

Korodo urged the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to ensure total compliance with the new directive by all filling stations and private depots in 2016.

“Nigerians will embrace and love the present administration more if they can do more on the reduction.

Nothing should stop them (government) from continuing to reduce the price gradually,” he added.

We're not part of corrupt practices while in power — PDP Backs Buhari on anti-corruption war Urges him to probe some serving ministers, associates Vows any convicted member shall face disciplinary action

By Henry Umoru

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BUJA— NATIONAL leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said, yesterday, that as a party, it was never part of any corrupt practices while in power for 16 years, just as it stressed that it was in support of President Muhammadu Buhari’s present anti-corruption war as part of moves to place Nigeria among one of the tops in the world.

The party said, however, that if the war must be seen to be successful, President Buhari must also carry out a holistic work by investigating some of his serving ministers and associates that even more grievous allegations have been levelled against.

The PDP, however, vowed that any member so convicted shall also face intra party disciplinary action and would be severely sanctioned accordingly.

A communique signed by the National Vice Chairman,

PDP South-South and Sectretary, Body of PDP Vice Chairmen, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, after a meeting in Abuja, yesterday, read: “That the body supports the anti corruption drive of the Buhari’s administration. The body affirms that if corruption is not eradicated, the growth of Nigeria as a nation will remain stunted. We, therefore, dissociate the party completely from any corrupt practices while the party was in power.

“The body notes with great concern the various allegations and charges against some PDP members that served in government, even as these allegations and charges are yet to be proven, we call on the President to also investigate some of his serving ministers and associates that even more grievous allegations have been levelled against.

“As a result, the body wishes to affirm that the PDP as a party dissociates itself

from any of its members so indicted. Any member so convicted shall also face intra party disciplinary action and will be severely sanctioned accordingly. That the party stands steadfastly by the ideals of the G-34 founding fathers of the party.

“That the 'Principle of the Rule of Law' which was a cardinal focal point of the party while in government remains sacrosanct and immutable.

“That the body enjoins all PDP party members to remain resolute and await the pending repositioning of the party where square pegs will be placed in square holes and justice and equity will prevail.

“Furthermore we reaffirm that mediocres will no longer be allowed to govern the affairs of the party. Power will now be returned to the people at the grassroots.

“We make bold to say that those who are corrupt have left the party and those who left are indisputably mercenaries and soldiers of fortune."

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015—9

Buhari'll not shield APC members who misuse security votes —Lai Mohammed Defends proposal to buy BMW cars with N3.6bn Why we've not brought back Chibok girls

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

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AGOS— THE Federal Government will not shield any high profile member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, involved in the alleged misuse of security funds, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said yesterday.

Mohammed, at a session with media men in Lagos, yesterday, also cited the administration’s unwillingness to risk the lives of the kidnapped Chibok girls for the restraint in taking the final salvo to the Boko Haram insurgents in Sambisa forest.

While calling on the media not to glamourise the insurgents in their activities, Mohammed defended the administration’s proposals to expend N3.6 billion on the purchase of BMW cars in fiscal 2016.

Daring the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to move beyond speculations to name any APC member involved in the alleged misuse of security funds, the minister said calls by the PDP to constitute a truth commission to probe the utilisation of security funds were unnecessary given that all the confessions made by those involved in the alleged deal were undisputed.

“We do not see the nexus between the revelation coming out now and a truth commission,” Mohammed said, adding that the call by the PDP on the president to reveal the source of his campaign fund was wrongly directed.

He said: “What the PDP is looking for is just distractions. If there is any allegation against any member of the APC, make the allegation open. All we are hearing are whispers. If there is evidence provide them in the open.”

On purchase of BMW cars

Mohammed also restated the determination of the Buhari administration to maintain the path of frugality as he dismissed insinuations that the proposal to purchase N3.6 billion worth of cars was misdirected. He said the proposal could have been meant for the Conference Visitors Unit, which is responsible for shepherding visiting foreign leaders.

“It is quite possible that some of the BMW cars being referred to are for the use of the VIPs. What I can assure you is that this government is very prudent in its spending. I can tell you that no minister bought a new car, all of us inherited the cars used by our

predecessors. This is the last government that you can accuse of extravagance,” the minister said.

Why we've not brought back Chibok girls

Mohammed also reaffirmed that the military has realised its objective of suppressing the insurgency, saying that most of the area occupied by the insurgents have been liberated.

He said that the remaining two local government areas under the control of the insurgents were in the thick of the Sambisa Forest as he disclosed that the military was being cautious because of the kidnapped girls from Chibok and other victims of the insurgents that may suffer collateral damage.

Noting that the insurgents were now contained to attack soft targets such as markets, motor parks, mosques, churches and entertainment centres, killing innocent men, women and children, he said: "Not unexpectedly, the dying and desperate insurgents have carried out some attacks on soft targets in the North-East during this festive season.

"This is cowardly, dastardly and condemnable. We commiserate with the state governments and the families of those who died or were injured in the attacks which, as I said earlier, are like the death pangs of a dying horse. ‘’These attacks are part of the propaganda that has been launched by Boko Haram and

their fellow terrorists, ISIS, to seek to remain relevant in the face of massive routing by our gallant troops, and to also discredit our committed and patriotic troops. But the attacks do not shake our resolve a bit, in our determined quest to rid our nation of terrorists and ensure the security of our citizens ‘’The fact that Boko Haram has continued to carry out attacks on soft targets is not an indication that they still have capacity. As I have said many times, the attacks will not end with the expiration of the deadline, since insurgencies are not conventional warfares in which the guns could be silenced with an armistice. But I also said that the attacks will taper off with time, with better awareness among the citizenry and enhanced intelligence gathering by the security agencies."

Naira strengthens by 0.4% against dollar

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AGOS — THE Naira, yesterday, strengthened against the dollar as currency speculators feared that the apex bank might come up with policies that might be unfavourable to them in 2016.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Naira gained N1, an appreciation of 0.4 per cent, to exchange at N226 to the dollar as against its previous value of N227.

However, at the official interbank window, the Naira continued to exchange at N197 to the dollar just as available apex bank’s record puts the price of crude oil at $36.09.

Traders at the parallel market told NAN that the appreciation was fuelled by currency speculators.

FG declares tomorrow as public holiday

By Omeiza Ajayi

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SUMMIT: From left, former Ecobank Chairman, Chief John Odeyemi; Chief Executive Officer, Financial Reporting Council, Mr. Jim Obazee; Group Chief Finance Officer, UBA Plc, Mr. Ugo Nwaghodoh; past Chairman, Financial Regulatory Council, Mr. M.A. Popoola and Head Financial Control, UBA Plc, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, at a summit by Financial Reporting Council, in Lagos.

BUJA—THE Federal Government has declared Friday, January 1, 2016 as public holiday to mark the New Year celebration.

The declaration was made on behalf of the Federal Government by the Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd).

He called on Nigerians, irrespective of their religious inclinations, to inculcate the spirit of the season as exemplified by love, joy and peaceful co-existence.

Dambazau also urged all Nigerians to continue to promote the unity of the country in its progress towards building a nation devoid of rancour and bitterness.

US renews collaboration with Nigeria, neighbours against Boko Haram

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BUJA — THE United States, US, government has restated its commitment to help Nigeria and its neighbours to counter terrorism acts by Boko Haram.

A statement issued by the US Embassy in Abuja, yesterday, however, said that much still needed to be done to ensure that the people of Nigeria and its neighbours lived in peace.

“The United States remains committed to helping Nigeria and its neighbours counter Boko Haram’s senseless acts of terror.

“Despite much progress over the past year — due in

large part to newly bolstered Nigerian and regional efforts — more work remains to ensure the people of Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria can live in peace.

“The conflict has affected the lives of communities across the Lake Chad Basin region with some 2.5 million internally displaced people and more than 170,000 Nigerian refugees forced to flee their homes,” the statement said.

It said the US had provided various forms of support for Nigeria and its neighbours in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency.

It said: “The United States

provides advisors, intelligence, training, logistical support and equipment to our African partners as they work to defeat Boko Haram.

“We also support those affected by Boko Haram’s violence through on-going humanitarian aid and victim support services.

“The United States will continue working with our partners in the region to identify new opportunities to support their efforts to stop Boko Haram’s wanton violence and restore order in the Lake Chad Basin region.”

The US condemned the

terrible attacks carried out by Boko Haram in Nigeria from December 25 to December 28 as well as other recent attacks in Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. It also extended condolences to the families of the victims.

“Boko Haram killed dozens of innocent people who were targeted as they went about their daily lives—attending service at a mosque, shopping in a neighbourhood market or simply travelling down a road.

We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and we stand with the people of Nigeria and the region in the fight against Boko Haram,” it said.

10 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31 , 2015

TRESPASS: Woman, sues commissioner, others

Ambode rescues boy brutalised by Airforce cadets

By Evelyn Usman

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS—THE Lagos state Commissioner for Lands, the Attorney General of Lagos State, and Ikeja Saddle Club, has been dragged before a Lagos High Court, by a woman Josephine Momoh over alleged trespass on a land belonging to her.

The claimant, who resides at 23, Fagbemi Street, Shasha area of Lagos state is asking the court through her lawyer, Ola Sobowale, to restrain the three defendants from further trespassing on a parcel of land situated at Isheri, near Olowora, in Kosofe Local Government area of the state.

She explained that the land could be better described on Plan No. TJ/ LA/47/77 and dated 12th July, 1977 made by Surveyor J. Theophilus John, a licensed surveyor.

Momoh, said that the land in dispute is a portion of a piece of land which was originally settled upon by Ikumoworo, who was the first Onikoro of Oruba Agboyi and also the Onikoro of Isheri several years ago in accordance with Yoruba Native Law and Custom.

She explained that the said Ikumoworo was survived by three children upon which the land devolved jointly by way of inheritance to Yoruba native Law and Custom, noting that one of the three sub heads of the branch family cannot take a decision to sell any portion of the land without the consent of others.

Momoh is asking the Lagos state High Court, to declare that she is entitled to the statutory right occupancy over that piece of land situated along Isheri/ Olowora Road, within Kosofe local government area of Lagos, particularly delineated on Survey Plan No. TJ/LA/47/77 dated 12th July 1977.

She is also, seeking for a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, servants and privies from further trespassing on the said land.

The 1st and 2nd Defendants through their counsel, Mrs O.G Adedeji of Lagos State Ministry of Justice denied the allegations, stating that the said subject site falls within the parcel of land acquired by the Lagos State government in 1969.

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boss and other traders begged them to stop beating me but they refused . Even some policemen around pleaded with them but they continued beating me.

“They put me inside the boot and insisted on taking me away. It was at that point that the convoy of the Governor arrived to my rescue.“

He added that he lost his cell phone and the sum of N5, 000 which he had on him.

On their parts, the cadets admitted to have put Lawal in the boot of their car, disclosing that their intention was to take him to the Airforce base.

According to Abdullahi : “ We came visiting a friend . On our way out, we heard a bang on the car , followed by the shattering of our windscreen .

At the same time we saw Lawal attempting to escape.

“We ran inside the market and dragged him (Lawal) here . . I asked who he was working with because I wanted to see his boss since I know he(Lawal) cannot repair my damaged windscreen.

I put him inside the boot so that his colleagues would go and call the boss. But I did not lock the boot. When his boss came and saw what his boy did , he could not do anything. I therefore told my colleague that we should hand him over to Airforce police at the Airforce Base” Abdullahi said.

AGOS—GOVERNOR Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State yesterday in Ketu area of Lagos, rescued an artisan who was being brutalised by two personnel of the Nigerian Airforce for breaking the windscreen of their Chrysler Stratus car with registration number KRD 267 DV. The Airforce personnel who gave their identities as cadets Peters O. Solomon and Abdullahi Fahad, claimed to be attached to the Logistic Command, Airforce Base, Ikeja.

However, when the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Squadron Leader Reginald Obi-Obasi was contacted, he said he was not aware of the incident.

The artisan identified as Dahiru Lawal ,who was beaten to a pulp, was reportedly locked up inside the car trunk to be driven to an unknown destination when the governor’s convoy showed up.

Gasping for breath as he was ordered to be brought out of the boot of the car, Lawal narrated his ordeal, saying “ I was carrying a load for a customer from Mile 12., when it mistakenly fell on the car and shattered its windscreen. Out of fear, I ran into the market when I realised the occupants were uniform men. They pursued me SNATCHED FROM THE JAWS OF DEATH: Dahiru Lawal, who was cargoed in the trunk of and caught up with me inside the the car of Air Force Cadets; Abdullahi Fahad and Peter Solomon at Mile 12, Lagos, being market. They started beating me interviewed by Government House Correspondents, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, yesterday. and dragged me to their car. My He was rescued by the conoy of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who arrested the naval men.

GUBER POLLS: Ladoja takes Ajimobi to Supreme Court

By Ola Ajayi

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BADAN–THE Appeal Court in Ibadan delivered its judgment on the petition filed by a former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja against the election of the incumbent Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the exgovernor has finally filed processes contesting the judgment in the Supreme Court.

This was disclosed by the

Senior Media Assistant to Ladoja, Alhaji Lanre Latinwo, yesterday.

Ladoja, who expressed disappointment at the outcome of the appeal, was the governorship candidate of Accord Party while the governor contested on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the April 11 election.

Latinwo, who said the processes were filed yesterday at the apex court expressed

dissatisfaction over alleged delay in the release of a copy of the judgment by the panel.

To him, the delay was a calculated attempt to frustrate challenging the panel’s decision.

Chief Ladoja’s aide claimed that if not by divine intervention and determination of Ladoja and his legal team, it would have been difficult getting the processes filed.

“Senator Ladoja wondered why the Appeal Court panel, knowing full well that the trust and confidence in God. Lamenting that many were not appellants have 14 enjoying peace of mind today because days within which their ways are not pleasing to God, to challenge the Adeboye said that for any person or outcome of the nation to have peace, the individual or nation should please God by doing what is right and depart from iniquity.

In his words: “There could be marital, financial, career war, but there is a God who can defeat any problem, He can give you victory.

But you must play your own part.

When a child of God lacks peace, he should look inward. Ask yourself, What is it that I am supposed to be doing that I have not been doing. Or, what am I not supposed to do that I have done.”

NATIONAL DEVT: Adeboye sues for peace

By Olayinka Latona

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AGOS—THE General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has urged Nigerians to pursue peace and virtues that would strengthen the nation’s existence.

Adeboye made the appeal during ‘Let’s Go A-Fishing’ programme, an annual event of the church organized

by RCCG, Region 1 at CMD field, Magodo, Lagos.

Speaking on the theme of the programme: “Peace that surpasses”, the cleric, who listed different types of challenges people go through that rob them of peace, assured Nigerians that victory is sure for those who can put their

appeal, refused to release the judgment which is the most vital document required by the Supreme Court.

“The judgment was released at about 4:30pm on Tuesday, December 29, while Wednesday December 30 was the last day the appellants have to contest the verdict. Despite this barrier erected against justice, Senator Ladoja was able to beat the deadline.

“Ladoja gave glory to God that the obvious conspiracy against the honest pursuit of justice failed woefully. We have filed the requisite documents at the Apex Court. Senator Ladoja reiterates his belief in the Supreme Court to render due justice his petition and that of Accord,” the statement said.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015 — 11

Amosun signs 2016 appropriation Bill into law To enforce free education

By Daud Olatunji

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BEOKUTA—OGUN State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun , yesterday, signed the 2016 appropriation Bill into law with a firm pledge that it would be implemented to the letter.

Amosun who assented to the bill in his Office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, noted that the budget was well thought out and ambitious as the present administration did not allow the economic situation in the country to dampen its spirit.

He said that contrary to the notion that second term governors do lesser work, his administration would use the three and half years left to work round the clock to give the best to the development of Ogun State and bring a new lease of life to its people. ‘’The N200.2billion budget was well thought out and ambitious in spite of the economic situation in the country, and I assure you that all hands will be on deck to generate revenue to make it work”Amosun said.

While thanking the Speaker, Suraj Adekunbi and the entire members of the State House of Assembly for expediting action on quick passage of the Bill, especially during budget defence and for keeping to the tradition of

assenting to the Bill before the year runs out, Governor Amosun assured that the State at large would have better story to tell in the coming year.

Speaking earlier, Adekunbi, said that the present administration since inception had been running a participatory government which

By Rotimi Ojomoyela informed the need for the House to swing into action to ensure HE Peoples Democratic speedy passage of the Bill, Party, PDP, in Ekiti state has appreciating the collective efforts of all and sundry for their inputs described as childish, the way the state chapter of the All during the budget defence.

Progressives Congress, APC, is Free education for children ‘peddling falsehood’ citing the Meantime, the state government claim by the opposition that the has asserted that its free education State Governor, Mr Ayodele policy was aimed at giving children Fayose’s trip to Dubai cost the from different social background government N250 million.

According to the PDP, “It is equal opportunity to acquire obvious that the economic qualitative education.

The State Commissioner for devourers in the APC believed Education, Science and that the Fayose-led government Technology, Mrs Modupe Mujota, must also be pilfering the State stated this yesterday, when she the way they did when they ran received members of the Standing the State like a fiefdom for four Committee of the All Nigerian years.”

The PDP, which also warned the Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, ANCOPSS, APC to stop harbouring suspected Ogun State branch in her office in criminals, alleged that some APC leaders led by a top security officer Abeokuta.

She said it was the desire of the who worked with former Governor State Government to have every Kayode Fayemi was at the Ado Ekiti child in the State in school, adding Prisons on Monday to see those that huge investment in the being tried for their alleged

Ondo police kill 2 alleged robbers parade 11 others

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—DETECTIVES in Ondo State have shot dead two suspected armed robbers while 11 others were arrested over armed robbery incidences and car snatching operations.

Police Commissioner in the state Mike Ogbodu said this in Akure while briefing newsmen of the activities of the command Ogbodu said two other suspects who specialise in car snatching were also arrested by the men of the command.

According to him 14 stolen vehicles were recovered from the syndicate specialize in hijacking of trucks along Benin / Ore road The Police boss said that one Ayo Okunmagba reported to the police in Ore that one of his trucks, loaded with petroleum product valued at about N4 million was hijacked at gunpoint at Akinfosile area of the state.

Ogbodu said his men swung into action and the truck was later recovered in a petrol filling station around J3 area along Lagos Ore road while offloading the product in a filling station.

...As govt suspends 3 principals, 23 teachers over indiscipline

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education sector was not a misplaced priority. ‘’It is the desire of the State Governor, Senator Ibikunle

By Dayo Johnson

KURE—THREE secondary school Principals and 23 teachers have been suspended indefinitely by the Ondo state government over alleged lackadaisical attitude to work and indiscipline.

Chairman of the State teaching service commission in the state, Mr Francis Igbasan said this in Akure at the presentation of promotion letters to 2,500 teachers in the state.

Igbasan said that during an unscheduled visit of members of the commission to over 72 secondary schools across the state, it was discovered that the affected principals and teachers were undisciplined.

Amosun to have every child in school and that is why the free and qualitative education was implemented to provide equal

opportunity to every child, even with those in the rural areas to actualise their dreams”, she said.

Ekiti PDP carpets APC over Fayose’s alleged N250m foreign trip the auspices

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involvement in kidnappings in the State and the murder of former National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) boss, Omolafe Aderiye.

According to a release issued in Ado Ekiti by the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Jackson Adebayo; “The APC in Ekiti State should perish the thought of lying and manipulating themselves back to power as they did in 2010 because Ekiti people can no longer be conned by people whose only interest is the stealing of the collective wealth of the State.”

The PDP, which maintained that Governor Fayose did not spend N250 million on any foreign trip, challenged the APC and its leaders to approach the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), since their government in Abuja claimed to be fighting corruption.

Meantime, an interest group in Ekiti state civil service under

of the Enlightened Workers’ Forum (EWF) has accused Governor Ayo Fayose of spending N2.5 billion to maintain street lights in Ado Ekiti, the state capital in one year.

They wondered why a government that is struggling to pay salary of workers could cough out such huge amount of money on street lights that only run for three hours from 7.00 pm to 10.00 pm daily.

Reacting to the allegation, the Commissioner for Public Utilities, Deji Adesua, described the EWF members as “mischievous individuals who clustered together to discredit a government that is trying its best to make life easier for Ekiti people.

Adesua said: “Everybody knows that spending such an amount to maintain streetlights is not feasible in Ekiti of today.

I want you to ask them how much is the allocation that comes to Ekiti every month?

12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015

Dickson’s failed visit to Buhari, sign of desperation —APC He didn't visit Aso Rock to see Buhari —PDP

By Samuel Oyadongha

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ENAGOA—THE All Progressives Congress, APC, in Bayelsa State, yesterday, described as a “sign of desperation” and “acceptance of defeat,” Tuesday’s surprise visit by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the state governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, to the Presidential Villa for audience with President Muhammadu Buhari.

But the PDP in the state dismissed as misleading, the claim that Dickson’s visit to the Villa was to lobby the President for soft landing in respect of the outcome of the re-run election.

The APC, in a statement by the Director, Media and Publicity of the Sylva/Igiri Campaign Organisation, Chief Nathan Egba, expressed joy that the audience sought by Dickson was not granted by President Buhari.

According to the APC, “Our investigations reveal that Dickson is quite unsettled ahead of the January 9 re-run election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, which is a stronghold of the APC and he is now reportedly looking for a soft landing after he actually loses the Bayelsa governorship seat.

“President Buhari should be wary of the desperate Dickson, whose main plan is to win the election through the use of violence.

“We are confident that the APC candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, will win convincingly in Southern

Ijaw council and the other 101 polling units across the state, because Bayelsa people are yearning to be part of the national change movement.”

But the PDP in the state, in a statement in Yenagoa by the Director of Media and Publicity for the Restoration Campaign Organisation, Jonathan Obuebite, said the claims by the APC were a set of lies and figments of their imagination.

He said: “The claim of the APC is filled with lies. It is sad for APC in Bayelsa State to think that the governor would visit Aso Villa without any previous

appointment.

“It is almost like a no brainer for any discerning mind to know that nobody just wakes up in the morning, gets dressed and heads straight to the Presidential Villa without being invited or having a prior appointment.

“For crying out loud, it is inconceivable for anyone to assume, much less believe, that the governor of an oil-rich state that contributes over 40 percent of the nation’s wealth would be denied access to see the President,” he stated.

Obuebite dismissed the

report, describing it as “not worthy of any response.”

He said the governorship election had already been won and lost, and therefore, not surprising that the APC in Bayelsa State was still carrying on in their usual deception as if they still stand a chance.

“The APC has lost and they know it. No amount of propaganda and blackmail will return them as winners. They have been roundly rejected by the people and we truly sympathise with them because the APC is finished in Bayelsa State,” Obuebite said.

STRANDED PASSENGERS: Stranded passengers at Sam Jaja Park, waiting for vehicles to travel for the New Year celebration in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday.

Wike vows to complete projects abandoned by previous govt

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, yesterday assured that his administration will continue with every project of importance abandoned by the previous administration.

The governor who spoke in Port Harcourt while commissioning the AbolomaWoji Road bridge, promised to take development to every part of the state despite the drop in the financial strength of the state.

He said his government will discourage waste of public funds by making sure that every project of value abandoned by the previous government was completed.

Earlier, Commissioner for Works, Engr Kevin Wachukwu, said that Wike's administration inherited the expansion component of the road at the

earthwork stage from “the bridge abutment measuring 1.35km in a swampy and marshy area.”

He said that the AbolomaWoji Road bridge

commissioned was a dual carriage way of 1.672 kilometres.

On his part, the Commissioner for Information, Dr Austin Tam-

George, said that the administration of former Governor Chibuike Amaechi had the highest record of abandoned projects since 1967 in the state.

200 A-Ibom youths to acquire skills in anywhere in power sector He explained that the contemporaries the world.

By Ishola Balogun KWA Ibom State Government has sponsored 200 youths from the state for a one year training at the National Power Training Institute, Abuja, where they will acquire kills in power generation, distribution and maintenance.

Addressing the youths before their departure at the Government House, Uyo, Governor Udom Emmanuel charged them to justify the huge investment on them and make the best out of the training.

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programme which was designed to train them on power generation, distribution and maintenance, was an initiative of the Federal Government meant for 100 participants per session and that he decided to increase the number to 200 to open up more opportunities for indigenes of the state.

Meanwhile, in another development the governor has promised to implement free and qualitative education policy that would help every Akwa Ibom child stand out among his

Emmanuel, who was the guest speaker at the 8th Teachers’ Award for Excellence in Akwa Ibom State Public Secondary Schools, organised by Inoyo Toro Foundation in Uyo, announced plans to establish 10 model secondary schools in the 10 federal constituencies of the state.

He said the institutions, when established, will address the basic educational needs and develop talents that would enable every Akwa Ibom child to rise and achieve his full potential.

Police rescue two kidnap victims in Rivers

By Davies Iheamnachor

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ORT HARCOURT— THE Rivers State Police Command says it has rescued two kidnap victims from their abductors, after a gun battle with the kidnappers.

The command said the two victims identified as Mr. Jackson Sunday and Mrs. Mary Monday, were rescued yesterday, after the Antikidnapping Squad of the Rivers State Police command stormed the kidnappers' hideout ai Ogbakiri waterfront, in Emohua Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking, the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Mr. Ahmad Muhammad, said that three of the suspected kidnappers were fatally wounded during the shootout.

Muhammad said that the two victims were freed in two separate coordinated rescue operations by the tactical unit of the command, adding that the victims were kidnapped on differentdays atRumuodaraand Rumuigbo respectively.

“On storming the hideout, the suspected kidnappers found guarding the victims engaged our men in gun duel. Three of the suspected kidnappers were fatallywoundedwhilethevictims were rescued unhurt," he said.

Yuletide: Rep fetes constituents in Delta

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By Festus Ahon

SABA—THE member representing Aniocha/Oshimili federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Mrs Onyemaechi Mrakpor, yesterday, appreciated the people of the four local government areas that make up her constituency in the spirit of the yuletide with gift items worth millions of naira for the mandate they gave her.

Mrakpor, who was a twoterm member of the Delta State House of Assembly before going to the National Assembly, undertook the thank you tour of Oshimili North, Oshimili South, Aniocha South and North Local Government Areas, where she expressed deep gratitude to the people of the four councils, who trooped out enmass to welcome her for the support they gave her in the April, 2015 poll.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015—13

Delta to sanction PFAs over delay in payment of pension claims

By Festus Ahon

to do that, but let us wait and see in the next two weeks.”

On the worries expressed by stakeholders over the continuity of the release of funds by the state government for the purpose of pension benefits, Edevbie said: “The only way we can reduce skepticism on the part of the pensioners is by paying more money. If this is a regular thing and we release money regularly, I think the skepticism

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SABA—DELTA State Government, yesterday, said it would sanction any Pension Fund Administrator, PFA, that does not pay pension claims to pensioners in the state within the next two weeks.

State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. David Edevbie, during the disbursement of payment schedules of the N2 billion recently released by the state government from the bailout fund to the 15 PFAs operating in the state, said the PFAs must comply with the deadline for the payment of pensioners’ benefits as contained in the payment schedule to avoid the wrath of the state government.

He said: “We will monitor them and where there is any delay, we will find out the reason for the delay and if the reason, in our opinion, is caused by ineptitude or deliberate by any PFA, we will change the PFA. It is that simple.

There is no reason why the PFAs will deliberately want to delay payment.

“This is a small amount of money compared to the amount they have under their control. I think it is just a natural skepticism that people have. There is no reason in my opinion why a PFA would deliberately delay payments to pensioners. Why should they do that? It is not even in their interest

would fade away. With time, we will prove to them that we are here to help.

In her address, the state Chairman, Bureau for State Pensions, Mrs. Siakpere Christiana, noted that the only way retirees would appreciate the gesture of the state government was when the PFAs and PFCs in the state pay retirees their benefits as directed by the state government.

“Today's ceremony provides

an opportunity to further explain the workings of the Contributory Pension Scheme to stakeholders and it is in this regards that I wish to state that the new Pension Scheme is highly regulated by the National Pension Commission to the extent that all payments to workers and retirees must be done through the Retirement Savings Accounts of the workers via the Central Bank,” she explained.

THE KINGS OF DANCE: From left: Manager, Sponsorships, Etisalat Nigeria, Orah Egwu; Head, Events and Sponsorships, Etisalat Nigeria, Modupe Thani; Content Director, Corporate Dance World, Ibrahim Suleiman and Manager, Public Relations, Etisalat Nigeria, Chineze Amanfo, at the stage performance of the Etisalat-sponsored Avalanche - The Kings of Dance, held at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

Rivers re-run: We’ll clear all NASS seats —PDP

By Davies Iheamnachor

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ORT HARCOURT— DEPUTY Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State has expressed confidence that his party will reclaim all the National Assembly seats in the rerun election, expected to be conducted anytime soon by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the state.

The state PDP deputy chairman, Pastor Mowan Etete, who doubles as the Special Adviser to Governor Nyesom Wike on Political Matters, spoke while fielding questions from newsmen on the fate of the party in the rerun polls.

Etete said that it was evident that the PDP would win all the seats annulled by the Appeal Court, adding that the party has an over-whelming support which Governor Wike also enjoys.

Etete assured that with the efforts made so far by the governor in the areas of infrastructure and security,

the election in the state would be violence-free.

Etete said: “I see no reason why we will not win back the Assembly seats at the poll. If election is all about the people, we will win better now than before.

Wike is providing quality services that Rotimi

Amaechi did not provide in his time. If you look at the allocation that came in Amaechi’s time and compare that to what is coming in now, you will only see that Wike has surpassed Amaechi by far in just six months in terms of service delivery.

Don't abandon Maritime Varsity, Ijaws beg Buhari

By Egufe Yayfugborhi

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ARRI—IJAW in Gbaramatu, Warri South-West Local Government area, Delta State, have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari against abandoning the Federal Maritime University, Okerenkoko, as a result of alleged corrupt dealings surrounding establishment of the institution.

The appeal was expressed in Warri, yesterday, by Chief Michael Johnny, a critic of Chief Government Ekpemukpolo (Tompolo) who is being fingered by the Economic and Financial Crimes

Commission, EFCC, over alleged shady deals on the Maritime University.

Johnny, who addressed newsmen, said, “The only thing we have is this Maritime University. I appeal to the Minister of Transport to allow work commence in the university."

“No intimidation will deter the people from voting for the PDP. Bayelsans are not as resolute as Rivers people.

But they are able to vote their minds. We are a more resolute people, so no intimidation will deter us."

Gov Emmanuel tasks A-Ibom in Diaspora on industrialisation

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By Tom Moses

YO—GOVERNOR Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, yesterday, called on Akwa Ibom people in the Diaspora to use their international exposure and connections to attract investments and contribute to the industrialisation drive of his administration.

Governor Emmanuel made the call while exchanging views with members of Ibibio Peoples Union, United States Chapter, who called on him at Government House, Uyo. He said their wealth of experience, particularly in technology, would be of immense importance to the industrialisation, employment generation and wealth creation agenda which his administration was vigorously pursuing to ensure that every Akwa Ibom youth earned a living rather than beg for it.

The governor also charged them to use the period of their visit to enlighten the youths on the need to develop their potentials and create a means of livelihood for themselves rather than wait for the proverbial golden fleece abroad.

He announced plans to upgrade technical schools with facilities to equip the students with requisite technological skills to drive the industries.

14—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015—15

OYC accuses soldiers of molesting S'East/S'South travellers at Onitsha bridge

By Anayo Okoli

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MUAHIA—OHANAEZE Youth Council has condemned what it called the alleged molestation of Easterners travelling home for Christmas and new year celebrations at Onitsha Head Bridge, Anambra State allegedly

by soldiers from the 302 Battalion of the Nigerian army in Onitsha.

In a statement by its National President, Mazi Okechukwu, the council said: “The officers and men of the 302 Battalion of the Nigerian Army at Onitsha appear to have a different agenda in that town. They appear to be there for [alleged]

ethnic cleansing.

“In the past one month, these raw soldiers have [allegedly] killed more than 20 unarmed Igbo youths. This time around, they waylay Igbos returning home for Christmas and New Year holidays and rough-handle a lot of them.

“We can no longer tolerate this brazen act on our own land. We are neither at war nor a conquered

people. Mr. President should intervene in this matter before it turns into another thing. We have the right to protect the dignity of our people.

“The army is provoking us by their brazen acts in the South East and South South. We hope there is no cabal in the Nigerian Army that is pursuing an ethnic agenda and cleansing against Ndigbo.”

NBA urges Anambra State govt, JUSUN to call off strike

T

HE COMMIT TEE of branch Chairmen and Secretaries of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Anambra State, yesterday in Obeledu, Anaocha Local Government Area of the state has urged the state government and the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, to call off the 10 months strike action, which has paralysed court activities in the state.

In a resolution passed at the meeting convened by the ViceChairman of Pan African Lawyers Union, PALU, Mr Emeka Obegolu at which all the seven branches of NBA in Anambra State and stakeholders were represented, the meeting discussed the state of the legal profession in the state with particular reference to the ongoing strike by JUSUN that has paralysed court activities in the state for almost one year.

The meeting commended the efforts of parties in all the negotiated agreements reached so far to resolve the matter, noting that the outstanding

issues were minimal, hence urged all parties to resolve them.

The NBA also regretted the sufferings of all awaiting trial inmates and litigants in the

Anambra State and therefore, called on the state government and JUSUN to call off the strike and open the courts in the interest of the residents of Anambra.

STAKEHOLDERS' EVENING: From left,Dr. Austin Eruotor, President, White House Hotels; Mr. David Okeme, President, Advertisers Association of Nigeria, ADVAN; Ediri Ose-Ediale, Executive Secretary, ADVAN; Aare Fatai Odesile, BOT Chairman, ADVAN, and Allen OseEdiale, Leader, Shepherdfield/ Network Crest, at the end of the year stakeholders' evening hosted by White House Hotels, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau

Police arrest 2 over killing of Enugu lawyer

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—OPERATIVES of the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, Enugu Police Command have arrested two

suspects in connection with the alleged murder of Ejimofor Ozongwo of Okwojo Ngwo in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.

It will be recalled that the

deceased, a former Secretary of the Enugu State Committee on Adada State Movement, was last Wednesday killed at Okwojo Ngwo, following a land dispute.

Ozongwu, a lawyer, in his late

How I collect N10, 000 to deliver stolen cars from Port Harcourt to Aba —Robbery suspect

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

A

BA—A 28 year old robbery suspect, Agbawo Ejiogu, has revealed how he collects N10, 000 to deliver each stolen car from Port Harcourt, Rivers State to Aba, Abia State, where they are sold to buyers in the city.

Ejiogu, one of the armed robbery and kidnapping suspects paraded by the Abia State Commissioner of Police at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Obehie Police Division, Ukwa West Local Government Area of the state, is an alleged member of the gang that specializes in snatching cars in Port

The association also resolved to ensure that each party obeys and fulfils its obligations under the agreement in the overall interest of the state.

Harcourt and ferrying them to Aba, where they are sold.

In an interview with journalists, Ejiogu, who claimed to be a commercial bus driver, said that he had been in the business of ferrying stolen cars from Port Harcourt to Aba for more than six months.

“I charge the sum of N10, 000 per stolen car delivered from Port Harcourt to Aba for my Oga, who is now at large.

It is a business I have been doing for more than six months now. When you pay, we deliver the car to any place of your choice in Aba.” Other suspects in the car snatching business paraded by the police include

Iwuagwu Ugonna, Ndubuisi Ekeh, Stephen Ikechukwu, Chigozie Ngozi, Dandy Job, Chiemezue Egwuonwu and Albert Iheariochi.

Ejiogu further said that his gang works with some car dealers, who resell such stolen cars to some unsuspecting buyers in Aba. Also paraded were two members of a kidnapping gang, Chigozie Ngozi, a native of Amavoukwu in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area and Chiemezue Egwuonwu, who confessed that that their duties were to take care of kidnapped victims and ensure their release after ransom had been paid.

50s, was reportedly killed over a disputed piece of land in his village, Ngwo, near Enugu at 2p.m. on the said date A version of the story has it that the late lawyer had gone to inspect the disputed land and when he sighted land his opponents on the dispute, he fired some gun shots to scare them away.

Ozongwu was said to have in the course of scaring them, wounded the President- General of the town’s union, whose supporters then pursued him and killed him.

Another version is that a group of youths in the area sighted him while inspecting the land and pursued him and killed him and afterwards ran over his corpse with a vehicle to make sure that he would not be revived.

Some of the detectives who arrived the scene around 5p.m., were said to have taken the corpse to an unknown hospital mortuary for autopsy.

Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amaraizu confirmed the arrest to Vanguard, adding that the names of the suspects would not be revealed for security reasons.

Flood victims get N60m relief materials in Anambra

By Vincent Ujumadu

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WKA—ANAMBRA State Government has distributed relief materials worth N60 million to riverine communities affected by this year’s flood disaster.

The affected communities are in Ayamelum, Anambra East, Anambra West, Ogbaru, Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Awka North, Idemili South Ekwusigo and Ihiala Local Government Areas.

The materials were delivered to the victims by the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, through the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA. Items received include several bags of rice, beans, garri, mattresses, palm and vegetable oil, blankets, bundles of wrappers, mats and buckets.

Others were bags of cement, bundles of zinc, ceiling boards and nails, which are to be used to reconstruct damaged and submerged houses in the affected areas.

Yuletide: Anosike gives succour to 500 widows, children

By Enyim Enyim

O

NITSHA— SUCCOUR came the way of 500 widows and 100 children in Anambra East Local Government Area,Anambra State this yuletide as Senator Emma Anosike gave them with food items, including wrappers and blankets for aged women.

Speaking with reporters at Umueri after the occasion, Anosike said the empowerment programme was an annual event he instituted to touch the lives of the poor in the area.

“I decided to be doing this to touch the lives of the poor in society because l came from a low but humble background and l quite know what it means to be at that level.”

Anosike said he had ran the empowerment programme for five years, adding that last year he empowered 2,000 indigent and physically challenged persons that were given wheel chairs.

16—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015

Kanu never apologised to President Buhari —Father, IPOB ...Release Kanu now, right activist tells Buhari

By Anayo Okoli, Chimaobi Nwaiwu & Nwabueze Okonkwo

F

ATHER OF detained Biafran activist, Nnamdi Kanu, His Royal Majesty, Eze Israel Kanu, has denied reports that his detained son has apologised to President Mohammadu Buhari for allegedly referring to him as a terrorist.

Also, the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, dismissed the same report, saying that their leader had at no time apologised to President Buhari.

Similarly, Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign

Igwe of EnugwuUkwu to celebrate Igu Aro tomorrow

T

HE TRADITIONAL ruler of EnugwuUkwu in Anambra State, His Royal Highness Igwe Ralph Ekpeh will be celebrating his fifth Igu Aro ceremony tomorrow.

A statement by Mr. Same Ekpe, said the event which is the 58th in its series, commenced with masquerade festival on December 26, 2015.

The forum attracted thousands of visitors to the Obu Umunri Square venue of the event.

There were also visits to Obu Okpalanakala, the ancestral home of Umunri and Nkpume Onyilienyi, on December 29, 2015.

The statement further said that Umunri colloquium will hold, adding that there will be conferment of chieftaincy titles on some prominent Nigerians, including Chief Innocent Chukwuma of Innoson Group.

Igwe Ekpeh

State of Biafra, MASSOB, has described as completely false, the calculated and systematic attempt by agents of Federal Government to discredit IPOB and MASSOB with the claim that Kanu has apologised over his comments against some Nigerians.

MASSOB leader, Mr. Uchenna Madu, in a statement, said, the news in the media that Nnamdi Kanu had apologised to Buhari was a complete falsehood and a calculated and systematic attempt by agents of the Federal Government to discredit, disorganize and frustrate the agitation for actualization of aBiafran State.

Eze Kanu said his son’s alleged apology was the handiwork of the enemies of the struggles for Biafran emancipation, pointing out that his son had never regretted his actions in the cause liberating his marginalized people.

According to the monarch, who spoke with newsmen in Umuahia, Abia State, his son could not have apologised to anybody since he was fighting a just cause and has not violated any law to warrant any apologies to anybody.

Fabrications Eze Kanu said, however, that he was not surprised at such fabrications, and maintained that he would never advise his son to give up his fight for a sovereign State of Biafra since it was the wishes of the people.

He reinforced his unflinching support for his son, who he noted was championing a just cause.

He advised leaders to stop trying to project his son in bad light through the internet, and accused some media houses of collaborating with the Federal Government to portray his son in a bad light and also frustrate the agitation for independent Biafra.

He appealed to President Buhari to free his son, insisting that his son has done nothing to warrant his unlawful detention even against the judgments of courts.

IPOB in a statement, yesterday in Umuahia through its spokesman, Emma Powerful, dismissed the media report as “a blatant lie and cheap propaganda by its sponsors to create the wrong impression that Kanu is backing out of the Biafran project.”

IPOB accused the Federal Government of planting the said report to dampen the morale of Kanu’s followers and other Biafran agitators.

Tissue of lies “It is an insult to the entire Biafran Republic for anyone to expect any apology from Kanu over his activities towards facilitating Biafra’s autonomy.

The purported report that Kanu had apologised to Buhari over Biafra is not only a tissue of lies

HAND-OVER: Governor Rochas Okorocha, handing over a copy of the '2016 Budget of Consolidation and Continuity' to the Clerk of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Chris Duru, Tuesday, but a lame attempt by the enemies of Biafra to cause disaffection among the agitators.

“This latest trick is nothing but part of the grand design by the Federal Government to blackmail our leader and weaken the confidence of IPOB members in him.

“We are not surprised at this concocted trash because government is already intimidated by Kanu’s rising popularity and following among the good people of Biafra. Kanu will rather prefer to die in detention than apologise to anybody over his efforts to actualize self-determination for the oppressed people of Biafra,” it added.

Also, IPOB National Coordinator, Mr. Chidiebere Onwudiwe, dismissed the publication, describing same as “the machinations of the Department of State Service, DSS, to save its face having been disgraced by the courts with granting of Kanu bail.

“The publication was totally false and should be ignored by the public. No amount of intimidation, harassment, torture, killings, arrest and blackmail can make Kanu apologise for anything. Nothing will ever make us to stop the agitation for the actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra.

“DSS is not sincere, if they have respect for the constitution of Nigeria, they would have released Kanu as directed by the courts, instead, they are looking for new charges to jail him, but they will fail again, as they have discovered that they will not make any progress in their quest to jail Kanu. They are now looking for soft-landing to chicken out of the case with the claim that Kanu is apologising, a claim that does not hold water.”

IPOB urged media to beware of the false claims by DSS, saying

that “Kanu is not disturbed in any way over his long incarceration, his spirit is very high and he will be received like a hero he is, any day they are tired of holding him and decides to release him.

“Kanu is in detention for us, we are here for him, DSS should stop embarrassing itself with the false information they are churning out to the public. If they are honest in what they are claiming about Kanu’s apology, they should publish the copy of the said apology as an advert in the newspapers so that the world can see. If they say they culled it from the statement he wrote in DSS detention, how then did it become an apology to people.”

Madu added: “The agitation for the actualization of Biafra has gained international prominence and sympathy even before Nnamdi Kanu's arrest and detention, and his current detention has further strengthened the agitation, so this latest move and campaign of calumny by enemies and oppressors of Biafrans is a sign that they are jittery, frustrated and are afraid of the fast rising and global acceptance of Biafrans struggle for actualization of state of Biafra.

A true Biafran “MASSOB and IPOB shall never be discouraged, frustrated, disorganized, dislocated or relent on the non-violent Biafran actualization because of this false statement credited to Nnamdi Kanu. Mazi Kanu as a true Biafran can never compromise the integrity, confidence and trust of Biafra freedom fighters no matter the condition, subjection or oppression by DSS and Nigerian government.

“This Nigerian Government latest move to discredit IPOB and MASSOB has propelled us to redouble our efforts and strategies on Biafra agitation, we shall

intensify our non-violence approach as MASSOB and IPOB march ahead for Biafra actualization.”

Also, human rights activist and Archdeacon of Oyi Anglican Archdeaconry in Anambra State, Venerable Joseph Nweke has advised President Buhari to release Nnamdi Kanu without further delay.

He said Kanu’s continued detention due to disobedience to court orders could be likened to the Biblical Pharoah, who refused to allow the Israelites to leave Egypt and also the Biblical St. John, the Apostle, who could not be killed by the enemies, even after they threw him into hot oil.

Wrath of God Venerable Nweke, who spoke at St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Ogbunike in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, during a church service to mark St. John the Apostles Day, specifically called on Buhari not to harden his heart to avoid attracting the wrath of God like Nebuccadnezzar did and was turned into a beast as a punishment.

Nweke, who is also the Director of Civil and Political Affairs, Anambra State chapter, said he had gradually followed the charges preferred against Kanu logically and came to a conclusion that he did not do anything to warrant his continued detention against all the orders of various courts of competent jurisdiction.

He contended that even if Kanu had a case to answer in the law courts, he should first be released from the detention while his trial in court continued.

“This is a voice of reason. I foresee a situation where God visited His anger on Buhari if he failed to release Kanu from the detention. So, I am advising Mr. President to release him in order to escape that wrath,” he said.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015— —17

2

015. What a year in our lives! I have thought long and hard about this year, trying to come to terms with its many colours and shades; the ups and downs that made it such an incredible year in the life of our dear country. I honestly think the stand out moment, one which has defined the Nigerian spirit profoundly, was that encounter between PDP chieftain Peter Godsday Orubebe and the former INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega.

The tension was palpable and could very well be cut with a knife! The former minister was acting out what was clearly a premeditated plan to scuttle the process that was already underway and was to be the culmination of the most closely fought elections in Nigeria’s recent history. As he ranted and postured, it was clear to all who watched television that morning, that this was a defining moment for Nigeria.

The wrong move was going to upturn the applecart, as our country was taken to the edge of the precipice. Nigeria’s fate hung on the riposte that Attahiru Jega was to deliver to the impetuous Orubebe. Cool as could be, and with all his experience, education, upbringing and character rolled up into a historical moment, Jega delivered what the French call a coup-depoing!

Latent possibilities In putting Godsday Orubebe firmly in his place, with eggs to his face, Nigeria was yanked away from the brinks.

The courageous act of one man, at a defining historical moment, reflected the very best of the Nigerian spirit, showing the latent possibilities that have not often been harnessed enough for the common good.

2015 took us to the depth of despair at so many levels of our national life, and the revelations of the past couple of weeks that the media have dubbed as “DASUKIGATE”, must be up there in the hall of infamy. In the decades of studying and commenting on the ways of the Nigerian ruling class, I have sometimes wondered if there are crimes that can truly shock me, issuing forth from the repertoire of our rulers. But the incredible manner that funds meant to arm the military were just shared must be extremely frightening indeed.

Freebie and sharing spree: Here was a state

system that had its back to the wall, with a ragtag insurgency, flipping the underbelly up for the scrutiny of the whole world. It seemed the most natural expectation that its operatives will double up, in the effort to arm the military to put up a decent fight against the Boko Haram insurgency in order to restore state pride.

What they did was treat the

C M Y K

Defeating despair, reinforcing hope monies as freebie and then go on a sharing spree (some have described the process as “obtainment”). Some of the reasons given included efforts to pray for the incumbent president’s re-election.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Nigerian soldiers were sent to war, without adequate provision of arms. Many of these gallant soldiers were killed while those who chose to speak out about the true nature of the operations were rounded up, court-marshaled and sentenced to death in many cases. For those who were sharing the funds, nothing about the plight of our fighting men and women, bothered them. They also couldn’t even ‘give a damn’, in a manner of speaking, about the fate of the Nigerian people in the ravaged communities.

If that was a very low point in 2015, it should also not escape our reckoning, that the emergence of the Buhari presidency has also been the trigger that allowed the country to discover exactly what transpired. That the various allegations surfaced at all, owed so much to the fact that the Nigerian people dared to vote for change! The hind place of the Nigerian fowl of iniquity was exposed in its naked nastiness for the country

How the economy will be made to function for the people, must be properly articulated as fast as possible.

The scenario in the land can easily build up into despair and loss of hope in the government. That must not be allowed to happen

to see just how rotten things went, in just one area of national life. When that is extrapolated into other sectors of our national life, we won’t need a soothsayer to know just how viciously Nigeria has been maltreated over the years. This has been an unlucky country in so many ways, but nothing can be more disconcerting than being saddled with a ruling class without a sense of history and purpose, about their responsibility to their country.

When rulers turn stealing of the nation’s resources into the main reason for being in power, they cheapen completely, the whole notion of being a national elite of power.

This is because power ordinarily should be deployed for the common good.

Nigeria’s misfortune is to be saddled with a ruling class with the mentality of gangsters!

The brazen manner in which monies are stolen, defy a rational parameter of apprehension in many cases.

And the fact that this trend takes place at all levels of the nation underlies the depth of the rot that we are talking about. Nigeria is in trouble and the roots of the trouble are deeply planted in the subsoil of its politics as well as the economic choices foisted on the country, by its rulers.

Power and capacity It is in that sense, and against the backdrop of the incredible levels of corruption in the Nigerian system, that I have always pitied Muhammadu Buhari. He has taken on a battle that will test his staying power and capacity to stay focused on the objective.

Buhari is also surrounded by many politically-exposedindividuals; these include heads of important arms of the governance structure of the country, who are today the poster boys of corruption. They have accumulated huge sums of money and are used to buying off people and institutions to ward off their day of reckoning. And for as long as these individuals remain in circulation, then Buhari himself is endangered.

They will pay whatever sums necessary, to render the fight against corruption ineffective, because they know that in the long run, they will be called to account. They also realise that

Buhari is running a race against time; he has only four years and a maximum of eight at hand, to carry out his battle against an entrenched structure of corruption which literally now runs on autopilot within the Nigerian state system.2015 has taught a lesson that the struggle against corruption is very much the struggle for the survival of Nigeria. Yet so strong and entrenched are the forces of corruption that no one can even predict which of the two will carry the day: corruption or the forces determined to crush it! There are very few members of the nation’s ruling class with the genuine enthusiasm of Muhammadu Buhari to fight corruption and his success or failure in the anti-corruption drive will be one of the main issues that will determine his place in contemporary Nigerian history.

Electoral process I think the change of government, through the electoral process has to be recognised as a major victory for our country in 2015. In voting the PDP out of power, people power found its expression in Nigeria and it reinforced the capacity of the Nigerian people to make an informed choice to endorse or reject an administration in power. The genie has escaped the bottle and nobody can return the Nigerian people to the old position, moving forwards. Our people now know that their votes count, and can be an effective way to check the irresponsibility of our rulers. It is this power of the people that is central to the processes of democratic order of life. Power belongs to the people in a democracy, but if and when power is abused, then the people can issue a regime or individual a swift

rejection. Before 2015, it seemed impossible that an incumbent administration and political party can lose power.

But after 2015, no one in his right senses would bet against the Nigerian people exercising that power in future, to dump any other party of power.

Politics, power or economics must work together in the people’s interest not as avenues of enrichment of members of the ruling elite.

Where this isn’t the norm, we all know that something has gone wrong. Nigeria has been more unlucky than most countries, but the awareness which translated into the change of government in 2015, must never be taken for granted by the nation’s rulers.

It can be harnessed again and again, as is done in every democratic nation.

Fortunes of the world 2015 has also hit our economy hard. A mono economy that depends on the fortunes of the world oil market is always a step away from crisis. When the world oil market went into meltdown, Nigerians knew we were in soup. The past few months have seen the virtual collapse of the nation’s economy and there is hardly any family that is not going through a crunch. It has become very, very difficult for people to afford basic decencies of life, because money is not available to meet the basics for most families in our country today. The battle for economic survival and economic development must be central to the programmes of the government of Muhammadu Buhari. It was Lenin that described politics as a concentrated expression of economics. How the economy will be made to function for the people, must be properly articulated as fast as possible.

The scenario in the land can easily build up into despair and loss of hope in the government. That must not be allowed to happen. The Nigerian people voted for change in 2015. It was their way to defeat hopelessness and despair. They were hopeful that things could and would change for the better. What needs to be done is to reinforce the tendencies that will give hope to the mass of our people.

That is a duty that should define the New Year, 2016, in our country! I will like to wish the reader a most fulfilling New Year, 2016.

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015 LAST Sunday’s brutal killing of the Oyesunle twins, Taiwo and Kehinde and their friend, Adesanya Adegoke in Ketu, Lagos by a drunken policeman, Sergeant Stephen James, was another evidence of our scant regard for life.

The Oyesunles had encountered Sergeant James in a pub in Ketu, and clearly there was an exchange between the trio and the equally deceased Policeman. An account said in a drunken rage over an attempt to restrain him,Sergeant James shot the trio to death for their audacity in challenging him. James who could not live with what he did also shot himself.

The incident has undoubtedly sickened many Nigerians who in the past have seen drunken and mentally unbalanced security officers misuse arms, procured with public fund.

Drunks in uniform must be fished out If the general public is aghast at the development, the feeling of the family members of the victims could well be imagined. Particularly distressing is the condition of the mother of the Oysesunle twins, Madam Beatrice Oyesunle who it seemed, had been dependent on her only two sons.

In the light of the latest development, we are worried over the conduct in public of gun wielding

policemen considering the fact that nothing was heard from the police high command when recent cases of drunken policemen were mentioned in the Lagos area.

Some of the recent cases include, the case of a heavily drunk policeman who molested two female food vendors in Obalende on April 18, 2014, because they did not offer him what he wanted.

Also, early in the morning of March

OPINION Ugwuanyi and the burden of governance

By Ejioffor Alamu

I

T is an axiomatic fact that a leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way. But most times, the encumberances and challenges associated with leadership often derail leaders. But the ability to overcome such challenges, differentiates a leader from others.

Mounting the saddled as governor of Enugu State, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was faced with several challenges enough to weigh any leader down. But he has not allowed the challenges to derail his administration as he has tackled them headlong. This has manifested in his leadership style. Before his emergence as governor, Ugwuanyi has always shown leadership in his various fields of endeavour including when he was in the House of Representatives for 12 years.

No wonder his choice as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, consensus governorship candidate by the state party stakeholders ahead of the party primaries received overwhelming support and endorsements from the people. Even though a particular aspirant for the coveted seat who felt he has the ears of the powers-that-be then, tried to scuttle his ambition, but majority people of the people and God made it possible. Not because of his wealth or power, but because of his track record which spoke volumes. Ugwuanyi’s victory at the polls was not a surprise to many, considering that all indices ahead of the polls were in his favour.

On assumption of office, many had wanted or expected Ugwuanyi to commence

political vendatta against his predecessor, Mr. Sullivan Chime, and other political opponents, especially his co-aspirant and former senator who have refused all entreaties to sheath the sword and embrace Ugwuanyi. But it is now obvious that such political witch-hunt is not in his character. It would be recall that during his electioneering campaign, he neither engaged anybody in a war of words nor cast aspersion against any.

For the months he has been on the saddle, Ugwuanyi’s administration has carried everybody in the state along, irrespective of the party affiliations. His government policies and decisions have been altruistic, humane and eclectic. His open door policy of governance has taken his government to the people at the grassroots. In Enugu today, residents and people do not only see their governor on television or read government policies on newspapers, they are consulted before such policies and programmes are formulated and pronounced.

Daily, with the exception of weekend, which he sometimes jettisoned, Ugwuanyi attends to urgent State matters. It was a promise he made in his inaugural speech and he is keeping to it.

In the areas of human empowerment,

Ugwuanyi’s leadership style is an indication that there are better days ahead for the people of the state

workers’ welfare and infrastructural developments, Ugwuanyi’s government has made several remarkable and laudable strides, this is inspite of the dwindling revenue in the country. Determined to fulfill his promise to provide equitable distribution of dividends of democracy in the state and constitute a broadbased committee for developing the entire zones of the state, Ugwuanyi constituted a committee on Enugu State Urban Renewal with Arc. Chris Offor as its chairman. It was after this that the state government awarded contract for the construction of several roads across the state. Such roads that are currently undergoing construction include the ever busy dilapidated Ninth mile Corner Ngwo road, Abakpa Nike and Nike Lake Roads, OpiNsukka dual carriage way, AmankwoAmeke-Amah brewing junction, 9th Mile by-pass, Ohom Oba junction-Imilike AniEzimo Agu- Imilike- Ogbodu Aba- Obollo EtitiAmalla-Obollo –Afor- Udenu Ring Roads.

Others are Enugu Road-Nsukka- Junction Umuezebi Road, post office -RoundaboutOdenigbo Roundabout, Ogurugu road– Ikenga Hotels Junction and Obechara Road Junction-Umuakashi-mechanic villageIkenga Hotels Junction. Unlike in the past, the road contracts were awarded to reputable companies.

Before the award of the road contracts, Governor Ugwuanyi commissioned 15km Inter-Town- Connection (ITC) 2.5MVA Injection Sub-Station at Ezi-Nze in Udi Local Government Area that will provide electricity to communities across Udi, UzoUwani and Igbo-Etiti Local Government

5, 2015, a tipsy policeman was spotted at Cele Bus-Stop in Surulere in a state of drunken stupor.

On August 7, 2015, in the Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos, a heavily drunk and armed policeman turned himself into a spectacle.

In the light of the above, the conditions under which the nation’s security forces bear their arms need to be re-examined, to wit, a reexamination of their mental state.

Such a review should also include making superior officers bear some measure of responsibility for the actions of their subordinate officers that carry arms.

The developments also call for a reappraisal of the curriculum of the police training colleges.

Indeed, the police authorities need to reassure the public that the very men and women who are delegated to protect them do not become agents of death.

Areas of the state. His government has also procured vehicles for security agencies; completed the impassable Ogbete Main Market entrance road project, continued the rehabilitation work at Airport Roundabout/ Orie Emene/ St. Patrick’s College/EkeObinagu road project.

Also the government has rehabilitated roads in New Haven Mbanefo II, constructed drains, culverts, earthworks, asphalt wearing course at Ugwogo Nike Ikem Road.

The governor has laid foundation stone for a 200-bed Ultra Modern Specialist Hospital at Amalla, Orba in Udenu Local Government Area; site and services of Trinity Housing Estate by Enugu State Housing Development Corporation (ENHDC), located along old Airport Road, Enugu.

Also not left out in the scheme of things are the workers in the state. On assumption of office, the governor clear the backlog of salaries and arrears owed workers. Since then his government has not relented in ensuring that workers’ welfare are taken care of as at when due. He has consistently engaged them in dialogue in a bid to carry them along as partners in progress. That was why when some politicians in the state recently tried to pitch the workers against the government through misrepresentation of facts, the workers quickly resisted the plot.

Ugwuanyi’s leadership style is an indication that there are better days ahead for the people of the state. It is also a true manifestation of his readiness to provide good leadership and governance, virtues that are in short supply in the country.

Mr. Alamu, an undergraduate , wrote from Enugu, Enugu State.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31 31,, 2015 – 19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

The Budget: ‘We Heard This Before’

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E remember Alexander Pope (1688-1744), “For forms of government, let fools contest. That which is best administered is best”. This is mainly true of budgeting systems.

Nigerian governments have experimented with virtually every form of budgeting ever known to man but like Hamlet’s opinion of drinking, budgets have been honoured more in the breach than in the observance.

For too long, the basic difference between business and government has been principally in the way their functionaries are paid. In business, people are paid for satisfying customers but in government people are paid out of a budget allocation, which changes substantially what is meant by performance.

Over the years, under the traditional line-item budgeting system, the importance of a department kept being measured mainly by the size of its budget and its staff strength.

On the mode of budget presentation, in the First Republic, when we had the parliamentary system, the Federal budget was

presented to parliament by Chief Festus Okotieboh, then Minister of Finance.

With our change to the presidential system of government, in 1979, the annual budget was presented to the National Assembly by the President, in keeping with the practice in the United States of America from where we virtually imported the new system.

This system continued into the ill-fated Third Republic and far into the Fourth Republic until President Musa Yar’Adua became so ill that he was unable to perform the function. The Minister of Finance stood in the garb.

Initially, President Goodluck Jonathan performed the function rather creditably until the last two years of his administration, when he developed cold feet, sometimes citing the possibility of being booed by opposition legislators on the floor, as reason for abdicating the responsibility to the Finance Minister.

Once more, we are back on track, and President Muhammadu Buhari has just presented his first budget estimates to the National

Assembly.

As for the form of budgeting, the President Shehu Shagari-led administration toyed with the idea of the Planning-ProgrammingBudgeting System, PPBS. PPBS normally seeks to accomplish the injection of greater rationality into the process by first planning goals and objectives; then developing programmes to achieve the goals; and finally budgeting for projects within each programme.

There is hardly any need to ask if Shagari’s PPBS succeeded when the regime that brought it about was an abysmal failure.

The President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is harping on the zero-based budgeting system, where the basic objectives of a programme are examined by taking an if-we-areto-start-afresh look, that is to say that each programme is challenged for its very existence in every budget cycle.

Every budget has its jargons, which are probably intended to confuse the citizenry. The more confused we are the better for government officials. However, in whatever language it is coated, a budget is nothing more than the financial plan of an organisation for a given period.

There are holes to pick in every budget. For example, at a time of

On presentation, the 2016 appropriation looked like business as usual, hence President Buhari had no problem reading clearly into our minds and lips – we heard this before

Reformation and the Nigeria Police Force (2) the people so much shall it display all the Continued from yesterday pg. 18

By Godwin Etakibuebu

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HIS was the only reason the military government in 1986, visited both the Police Force and one of its officers; Alozie Ogugbiaja, a Superintendent of Police and then Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer with a hell-like-fury because the latter “dared in comparing police rank with that of the army”. Alozie’s conclusion in that comparative analysis that “the Army rank of Major General is equivalent of a Commissioner of Police” was more of the last straw that break the Camel’s back than the insinuation that “they have time to plan coups because there is no much work occupying their times than drinking of beer and pepper-soup”. The rival between these two organisations is real and it has denied the police force tangible developments over the years.

Having established some factors militating against having a proper and functional police force as the concept of creation vis-à-vis loyalty to State, brutalisation of the citizenry, bitter rivalry between the Army and the Police due to the narration above, it will be appropriate to identify other contributing factors that are inimical against effective police organisation in Nigeria. But before we go into that let the fact be established that the name “Nigeria Police Force” set the organisation far away from Nigerians. Of all the Military and Para-military institutions, Customs, Immigration, Civil Defence, Prisons, Drug Agency etc etc, in Nigeria, it is only the Police; which “is senior to all of them”, that is called “Nigeria Police Force” as against “Nigerian Police Force”.

It therefore does not belong to the people of Nigeria but the Nigerian State. What belongs to the State from the Colonial days till date, cannot, at the same time belong to the people and as long as it is removed from

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wicked vices against the Nigerian people to the gratitude of the Nigerian State, represented by all sorts of “sell-out” leaders.

For any meaningful reformation of the Police to take place, there shall be absolute need to revert the organisation to the ownership of the People. Some may ask the question, what is there in a name?There is much in a name and this should be the starting point for the reformation of the Police Force.

If that is done, then we can now shift attention to the modus operandi of recruitment and training for the Force.

These suffered colossal damage under the military government even till date because it is only retired military officers who are still running Nigeria except may be, the six years of the Goodluck Jonathan administration. At least, President Jonathan upgraded the Police Academy in Kano to a degree awarding institution, which brings that institution on the same level with the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna. We need to do much in the area of recruitment, training and retraining, at least to meet with world’s best practises in the industry.

Starting with recruitment, we need to appreciate President Buhari who ordered recruitment of 10,000 men, in the force there is no female gender hence they are all “men and officers”, on the very day he was inaugurated as president. As good as that gesture might be, it is however defective in many ways.

One, shall the 10,000 to be recruited be only officers on the rank of Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police or Cadet Inspectors

It is therefore an exercise of “doomsday conspiracy” to give arms and ammunition to any policeman below the rank of inspector

global economic melt-down, when nations similarly situated with Nigeria are seeking ways and means of returning to part-time legislatures that meet occasionally to pass Bills and approve the President's Budget, there is a provision of a whopping N175 billion for the National Assembly in the current Estimates. This is a height of insensibility to our economic plight – when State Governors are declining payment of the N18,000 minimum wage to the toiling masses. After all, budgeting is also about getting priorities right.

Again, the legislature has no business in project execution.

Nigeria is perhaps the only nation where the bogus idea of constituency projects still thrives.

The so-called constituency projects constitute a distortion on the budgetary process and a rip-off of the tax-payer.

In the past, we had cases where the nation’s budget only succeeded in making a few individuals richer than the Federal Government.

Budgetary allocations have been used as slush funds for all manner of operations. Budgets provided veritable sources of stealing and graft. They appeared attractive at presentation but zero on execution.

In all, what has remained missing is the type of fiscal discipline that propels a good budget. We have also not seen a National Assembly that could have the courage and patriotism to devise a budget cycle, which would by superior legislation, compel vital actions to be taken on the budget by specific dates.

Elsewhere, we have seen budget cycles of 20 months of hard work from the date of initial conception to the beginning of execution – in

or shall all of them be Constables? I want to believe that the 10,000 to be recruited could be shared into three or two categories mentioned above but when shall this recruitment commence? When next shall there be another recruitment after this first batch of 10,000 because this figure is a far cry from the United Nation’s expected ratio of “one policeman to four hundred citizens” as against the Nigerian’s one policeman to about four thousand citizens, and this is even the figure of some years back when Nigeria had a population of less than one hundred million people.

Two, one hopes that the recruitment shall come with provision of equipment, training and retraining just like the military, suitable accommodations, provision of logistics, mostly arms and ammunitions, uniforms, boots, torchlights, means of mobility like bicycles, motor bikes, horses, motor vehicles, boats, helicopters, communication gadgets and many other items; without which an otherwise functional police organisation becomes as dead as dodo. There is urgent need of upward review of salaries in the Police Force, to bring it at par with what it takes in the military.

Though l know this would be difficult for President Buhari to accomplish because he contributed negatively to the topic of “overequipping the Police Force”, when issues that instigated and justified the December 31st 1983 coup were being discussed in his 3rd Division Headquarters in Jos, he was General officer Commanding the Division then, during the Chief of Army Staff Conference of November the same year.

Aftermath of that conference was the seizure of all Rover Cars acquired by the police for efficient pursuit and control of crime by the military within one week after the December coup. Okay, PMB is now a “born-again” democrat; as such he would look into the welfare of the Police favourably!

There are other serious areas that must be touched if reformation of the Police is to leave an enduring legacy for future generation.

First is to pay serious attention to the modus operandi of recruitment and the qualification of those [recruited and trained] that must carry arms and those that must

spite of which party is in power or the system of budgeting adopted.

A nation’s budget is not a haphazard document. It must be meticulously planned and carefully consummated.

Under a 20-month budget cycle, the budget for Fiscal Year 2016, for instance, would have started

by April 2014 with budget call from departmental budget offices… culminating in the President’s presentation of the Appropriation Bills to the National Assembly by January 2015. The Bills would have been assigned to the relevant Committees, which must report them out by specific dates, not later than June 2015. All legislative actions would have been completed and Appropriation Bill signed into law not later than October 2015.

But coming to Nigeria, what do we have? We have a fire brigade approach in which the budget proposals for next year, just in fulfillment of all righteousness, are thrown into the National Assembly a few days before the end of this year. The debates on the Bill would linger on and the Bill would be haphazardly passed by July of the Fiscal Year for which it is intended, thus reducing the effective life span to barely five months.

That explains why the recurrent budget would perform at near100% level while the capital budget would be limping around 19%.

On presentation, the 2016 appropriation looked like business as usual, hence President Buhari had no problem reading clearly into our minds and lips – we heard this before! Will execution make the essential difference? Time will tell.

Here’s wishing our esteemed audience the very best of 2016.

not handle arms. In Ghana, unless a policeman attains the rank of Inspector, he must not carry arm and this is for good precautionary measure. A Primary School Leaving Certificate holder, recruited and trained at the Police College for only six months or even one year, enlisted into service and issued arms and ammunition for duty-post of patrol or any other assignment, is nothing but suicide bomber of the types of those young and illiterate girls in the North East of Nigeria that Boko Haram’s Jihadists are using. I decided on giving examples of those girls from the north for good reason so as to emphasise the danger of the point being made.

It is therefore an exercise of “doomsday conspiracy” to give arms and ammunition to any policeman below the rank of inspector because those within these ranks – constables to sergeants – are from the lowest ebb of the society, both in education and exposures. They are just the “Area Boys” or thugs of Lagos Island. It is my candid recommendation that a secondary school leaving certificate holder should not be given a place in a modern police organisation that thrives on intelligence made possible with acquisition of information technology’s knowledge in a globalised world. It is my vision that the minimum entering point into the Police Force, even as a constable, should be OND or ND holders while retaining first degree as minimum for the officers’ cadre.

I need to spend more time on these two steps of recruitment and training because of the role-function expected from any person in uniform as a policeman. Fact is that once we get the decision wrong on the type of person to recruit, what class of person and what strata of society the recruit comes from, we would have missed the whole essence of the exercise.

Emphasise must put on the educational calibre, and plus continuous training of the persons needed in the Police Force for the desired officers and men of our dream-police organisation to emerge.

Continues tomorrow on pg. 18 •Mr. Etakibuebu, a veteran investigative journalist, wrote from Lagos.

20—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015

Day lawmakers, residents engaged Ambode on 2016 budget

By Mike Ebonugwo HE memory of what happened in the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday, December 17, 2015 will remain evergreen in the minds of many Lagosians for a very long time to come. It was the day Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode in a colourful ceremony, presented the 2016 budget to the state legislators.

As early as 8am, the Assembly complex at Alausa was already a beehive of activities as many Lagosians trooped to the venue to have a vantage view of the proceedings in the Assembly. Journalists were not left out as they tried to position themselves for the coverage of the event. Every available space in the chamber, including the gallery, was filled to capacity awaiting the arrival of the Governor.

It was indeed a carnival of sorts as drumming and dancing by various interest groups went on unabated outside the assembly complex. Despite what appeared to be a lax atmosphere, the security was water- tight and that provided a conducive environment for many state officials, politicians and lawmakers to hug and exchange pleasantries.

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Budget presentation The waiting did not last long as Governor Ambode and members of his entourage arrived for the budget presentation. Ambode who was clad in a flowing agbada, was ushered into the chambers by the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa and the state chairman of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, Chief Henry Ajomale. Delivering the budget speech, Governor Ambode thanked the lawmakers for their co-operation and dedication in handling the re-ordering of the 2015 budget to meet the aspirations of Lagosians.

The 2016 budget, tagged: “The People’s Budget,” according to the Governor, would promote massive investment in security, transportation,traffic management, physical and social infrastructural development and enhance job creation.

“We plan to strategically build new infrastructure while we continue to maintain existing ones.

Wealth and empowerment creation will receive a lot of attention as we commence the imple-

mentation of the employment trust scheme for which we’ll set aside N25b over a four-year period,”Ambode said.

A budget of N662.588 billion was proposed by the government, with recurrent expenditure put at 278.909 billion naira and capital at N383.678 billion.

Ambode explained that his government intends to focus on current challenges of security, gridlock, as well as physical and social infrastructure development in 2016 Responding after the presentation, Speaker Obasa lauded Ambode’s efforts at further developing the state. He assured the Governor of the lawmakers’ unflinching support to ensure the growth and development of the state His words: “As you all know, our state, Lagos, the Centre of Excellence, has continued to be seen both within and outside the country as the very place where good governance is the norm, which readily explains why our state is home to all Nigerians, having maintained the status of a mega city.

It is, for instance, on record today that even leading members of opposition parties in our country readily attest to the fact that Lagos State remains the positive response point when good governance is being discussed.

“Here in Lagos state, the three tiers of government - the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary have always been striving to put our people first in all we do. The House of Assembly comprises industrious, brilliant and diligent men and women who are making a

Here in Lagos state, the three tiers of government the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary have always been striving to put our people first in all we do

•Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa and Governor Ambode at the assembly complex difference in their various constituencies.”

The Speaker stated that despite the distinct statues of the three organs, they have continued to collaborate regularly to deliver democratic dividends to Lagosians. He added that this had in no way prevented the lawmakers from performing their constitutional duties.

“This has obviously resulted in the first class opinion that our dear state has attained in our country today, which makes Lagos the symbol of good governance. The recent commissioning and handing over of patrol vehicles, armoured personnel carriers (APCs), gunboats and helicopters to the Nigerian Police and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) to combat crime in the state among other things is a pointer to this affirmation,” he said.

Continuing, the Speaker said: “Let me therefore assure all Lagosians that the Lagos State

House of Assembly shall continue to promote the best practices in the governance of our dear state. You can be rest assured that all honourable members of this Assembly shall continue to put you – our people - first in all that we do.”

Economic empowerment He assured that “In treating this budget, we will not forget that we are trustees for the people. A lot has been done in the area of job creation and economic empowerment of Lagosians, but there is an urgent need to create more opportunities for our people.

More jobs will definitely lead to greater economic growth.”

Worried by the worsening traffic gridlock in many parts of Lagos, the Speaker call on the Governor to find lasting solution to the problem. “We will like to call the attention of the governor to

the situation of traffic jams in the State, which I believe he is so much aware of and has taken steps to manage since his assumption of office. Though this might not be his making but an inherited circumstance, we must continue to proffer lasting solutions to it. It is our thought that addressing the issues of traffic in the state will further simplify the ease of movement. We need not be reminded that easy movement of people and goods is pivotal to the development of the economy of any state,” he said Speaking after the budget presentation, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Tobi Onajobi described the event as unique in view of the promise it holds for Lagos residents.

“I must confess that I am proud to be a Nigerian once again.

What we witnessed shows that there is hope for our country if our leaders can get it right,” he said.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015

VISIT: Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State (3rd right); Chairman. High Hope International Group Skyrun Corporation, Mr. Xie Shao (2nd right); General Manager of the corporation, Mr. Gu Xin (3rd left); Investment Deputy Vice Manager, Mr. Sophie Lee (2nd left); former Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperative and Empowerment, Jayeoba Ismail Adekunle Alagbada (right) and Executive Deputy General Manager of the corporation, Vincent Yang during a visit to the governor at his Ikeja, Lagos residence.

Survey reveals Lagos employers offer least remuneration

By Jonah Nwokpoku

A

SURVEY conducted by Nigeria’s online job portal, Jobberman.com in conjunction with the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, NBS has shown that employers within Lagos pay the least starting salary when compared to what other employers offer outside the State.

The report which was released recently provided a holistic overview of online recruitment activities of companies and job applicants over a five month period, that is, from May to September 2015. It looked at which industries posted more jobs;

what sectors employ more and which industries pay the highest salaries, including the trends to look out for in 2016.

According to the report, the average salary offered by Lagos employers stood at N78, 538 compared to N139, 818 offered by employers outside

1.60

$3,206.00

-5. 00

$15.13

0. 35

$36. 93 -0. 41

196 290.7268 215.0512 198.3203 1.6274 0.3056 270.7026 30.2493 52.211 28.7356 271.4012

SELLING 196.5 291. 4685 215.5998 198.8263 1.6315 0.3156 271. 3931 30.3269 52.442 28.8089 272.0936

197 292. 2101 216. 1484 199.3322 1. 6357 0.3256 272. 0837 30.4045 52.4774 28.8822 272.7859

CBN Exchange rate as at 30/12/2015 C M Y K

By Babajide Komolafe OMMITTEE of e-banking Industry Heads (CeBIH) has called for deployment of electronic payments services focused on the lifestyle of the financially excluded people in the country.

CeBIH Chairman, Mr. Tunde Kuponiyi made this call at the just concluded retreat of the group in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

Kuponiyi stressed that e-payment services, especially mobile payments, focused on lifestyle of the financially excluded are critical to achieving the nation’s financial inclusion goal.

He said, “The inclusion service must address what this segment spend money on typically and in short must address their lifestyle”.

Making a case for the use of mobile payments to drive financial inclusion, Kuponiyi, who is also the Head, Cards and e-Banking for Ecobank Nigeria Limited said, “The latest report on BVN suggests that we have a total of twenty million accounts in this system.

This clearly is an indication of the banked populace and also emphasizes the need for financial inclusion with its attendant benefits. EFINA reports that Nigeria has over 148 million

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$36. 96 -0. 83

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

possible sample bias.”

It further pointed out that, “Of the vacancies with salary information listed outside Lagos, 31 per cent were categorised as Consulting, which commanded the highest average salary out of all the job categories at N212, 397 compared to the overall

average of N98, 294.

Consulting is also the job category for which the most salaries are listed as 22 per cent of the salary information listed refers to consulting.”

The survey also showed that in the period under review, job applications increased by over 50 per cent between May and September, 2015, with about 34 per cent jump between July and August.

This was a clear reflection of the employment crisis bedevilling the nation as the survey further pointed out that “the significant gap between the number of vacancies that were available each month, and the number of job applications that were received meant that there was an overall average of 53 applications per one job vacancy.

The report further revealed that Trade and Services posited as the biggest employers of labour over the period with 68 per cent of vacancies. The sector, it added, also received 45 per cent of all the job applications.”

According to the report, “The number of job applications more than doubled from 64, 886 in May to 136, 899 in September with Trade and Services, Consulting and ICT/ Telecommunications receiving 44 per cent, 13 per cent and 9 per cent of the job applications respectively.”

Financial inclusion: CeBIH calls for lifestyle-focused e-payment services

$123.05

CURRENCY BUYING

the State. This shows that the mean starting salary outside Lagos is significantly higher.

However, the report noted that while “On the surface of it, this may appear surprising given the status of Lagos as a commercial centre; it is also almost certainly a result of the small sample size and

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mobile phone (GSM) subscribers and this makes the mobile platform a veritable way of reaching the unbanked for financial inclusion as a lot more people are on this mobile platform than any other platform. “ The good thing about the mobile phone and in fact any device that has internet connectivity is that it can be used as a payment device and this is what will significantly enhance inclusion not only as store of value but also as a payment platform.

Payment platform It is imperative as we develop the mobile to enhance inclusion to also look at acceptance of payment from the mobile as the process won’t be concluded till value is really added to the financially excluded that we want included financially” Speaking further, he said that achieving the nation’s financial inclusion goal of reducing the population of financially excluded to 20 percent of adult population by 2020, requires collaboration among the various stakeholders in the financial services sector.

He said, “The implementation of the National Financial

Inclusion Strategy requires the collaboration of multiple stakeholders, these include: Providers which are the institutions that provide financial products and services, as well as their partner infrastructure and technology.

“Enablers which are regulators and public institutions responsible for setting regulations and policies on financial inclusion. “Supporting institutions which are institutions that enhance and support the CBN’s efforts to achieve the national financial inclusion goals. They include development partners and experts committed to supporting the Nigerian people and government through technical assistance/aid and similar programmes.

“An inclusive financial sector is characterized by the diversity of financial services providers, the level of competition between them, and the legal and regulatory environments that ensure the integrity of the financial sector and access to financial services for all.

“It is critical for regulators and policy makers to create an enabling policy environment to actively promote both the demand for and the supply of financial services to the unbanked and under-banked.”

22—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015

There were several mobile apps developed in 2015 for job seekers, and it’s conceivable that they’ll continue to grow in popularity

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BUSINESS

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Trends for job seekers in 2016 Looking to change jobs next year? Here’s what every job seeker needs to know.

ITH the newyear comes renewed interest in changing jobs. If you want to move into a career poised for growth or one that is more stable, consider this first. While it may be tempting to drastically change careers, it may make more sense to switch companies within your current industry. You’ll be able to leverage your knowledge of systems, processes and customer behaviors within your field. Often, a change in company culture and management is enough to reignite your enthusiasm for the work you do. Plus, changing industries is more difficult. You’ll have to work harder to prove you have the relevant skills.

If it has been a while since you last looked, you may want to brush up on some job-search trends and what to look out for in 2016.

1.

Mobile, analytics, automation and health care technology will continue to flourish. According to a statement from Dan Finnigan, CEO of Jobvite, this is true even though there’s been a decline in growth within some areas of the tech sector.

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Fastest-growing industries There is room for technical innovation within these sectors that touch upon some of the fastest-growing industries.

Anything health carerelated holds potential for opportunity given the aging population. And we are just beginning to learn to make sense of the reams of data collected on potential buyers and customers.

2. School is not as important as skills earned. According to Finnigan, “although a college degree remains essential, as time goes on, we will see increased acceptance of grads from modest, more inexpensive schools who have the key skills needed.”

This means you must take control of your skill development on a continual basis. Stay ahead of the curve and attend online classes to build the skills you’ll need to stay in demand.

Everyone, not just those in technology, needs to pay attention to skills employers look for and often have difficulty finding. You will find community colleges starting to offer certificate training and master’s degree programs with more specific focus.

3. Talent communities are better than career sites. If you’ve C M Y K

ever been disillusioned by the generic job postings lacking detail on a career site, there’s hope. Talent communities are interactive discussions between human resources, employees and potential employees where real questions get asked and answered. Not only do talent communities save you from wasting time applying to jobs that don’t “fit,” they also serve as a platform to keep you in the pipeline for jobs that may come available in the future. These communities tend to play better on your mobile device, too, for an improved user experience. Most importantly, companies that create and use talent communities are seeing better and faster hiring results.

Established talent communities, such as Dice’s talent community for IT professionals or Mediabistro’s community within the communications industry, become go-to online destinations for professionals looking for almost any information related to their field. Look for a talent community in your niche.

4. Mobile solutions make headway. You rely on your mobile device to stay connected and get things done.

This includes finding and applying for jobs. There were several mobile apps developed in 2015 for job seekers, and it’s conceivable that they ’ll continue to grow in popularity.

Switch and Jobr both work like Tinder, the online dating app, where you swipe through to the jobs that interest you. These apps still lack some of the personal interaction millennial job seekers crave, but the apps cater to the instant-gratification generation.

5. Virtual work is worth considering. Finding a new job gets easier if you eliminate the geographic boundaries. The technology exists, and more companies have embraced the idea of a virtual workforce.

Managing remote workers requires more effort, but with improvements in collaborative tools and the reduced costs associated with a virtual workforce, companies are finally beginning to adopt this practice.

Embrace change. We all live in an ever-changing world. The best way to keep up with change is to stay current. Begin to acquire new skills, keep abreast of trends and learn everything you can about your current industry. Don’t become complacent or fall asleep at the wheel. Your career needs someone alert to drive it forward!

Letter

of

employment

New Year’s resolutions employers can make to boost productivity EMPLOYERS might be hoping that their workers are making New Year ’s resolutions to set clearer goals, work more efficiently or cut out Facebook during office hours.

But employers should also make a few New Year ’s resolutions for themselves.

Here are eight resolutions for employers that could significantly improve their workplaces and work products.

1. Give employees their evenings and weekends back. American workers are increasingly finding that their 9-to-5 jobs now expect them to be available to answer calls and emails over the weekend and well into the evening. While some jobs truly require this, many don’t. It’s simply happening because technology has made it easier. As this trend impacts more people, employers who get serious about limiting intrusions into employees’ time off will have an easier time attracting and retaining good employees who want to be able to leave their jobs at the office. On a similar note .

2. Help people take time o f f . Many employees don’t use all the vacation time that their benefits package offers. This may be because they don’t feel that their workload allows it or because their manager or workplace culture signals that time off is for slackers. But well-rested, refreshed employees are more

productive and won’t burn out.

You’re likely to have a stronger staff in the long run.

3. Do more to guard against racial and gender bias at w o r k . Educate managers about the research showing that women are often labeled as abrasive, aggressive or rude when displaying the same behavior that is seen as evidence of strong leadership in men. Let them know that African-Americans are often perceived as having a “negative attitude” while white employees who behave similarly get a pass. When hiring, find ways to combat unconscious bias, such evaluating candidates against

a clear list of must-haves, not factors that don’t truly correlate with success on the job, such as rapport with the interviewer or an Ivy League degree.

Train hiring managers to use evidence-based methods to evaluate candidates, such as job-related exercises and simulations, and even remove identifying details from applications, so that managers can assess candidates without knowing their race or gender.

4. Distribute perks evenly or based on merit, not based on who asks the loudest. In many offices, people who ask for extras, such as more time off, better projects, professional development or higher raises, are more likely to get them.

Outspoken employees

When hiring, find ways to combat unconscious bias, such evaluating candidates against a clear list of musthaves, not factors that don’t truly correlate with success on the job

But not everyone will speak up and ask for extras, which means that your most outspoken employees may get a disproportionate share of resources. Instead, make a point of examining how perks and benefits are distributed.

Resist the easy path of giving more based on who speaks first o r negotiates salary best.

5. Put more into training and developing staff. As companies have tried to do more work for less money, their employees often bear the brunt of those sacrifices. Budgets for training and development have taken a particular hit, which has

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015 — 23

,

If you want to retain your best people, ensure that their contributions are recognized – both through open praise and by compensation that reflects their worth to your organization – and gives them a reason to stay

& YOU left employees in a position where they ’re expected to produce results and stay current on trends without getting much training and professional development.

Make this the year that you invest in your employees as a long-term investment in your organization. And speaking of development …

6.

Give more feedback. Many mangers don’t give enough feedback to their staff members, even though feedback is one of the strongest tools managers have for getting better results from their teams.

Simply articulating the areas in which you’d like to see an employee improve or describing what you’d like to see done differently can go a long way toward making that change happen.

And positive feedback will generally keep people motivated and displaying the behaviors that drove the praise in the first place. Employers should push managers to make feedback a regular part of their conversations with staff

members. For example, they could set aside time for it in weekly check-ins.

7. Take on performance problems. Managers should measure their own performance by the lowest performers on their teams.

Managers are often tempted to take credit for what their top performers achieve, but the real measure is how they handle people who are struggling. Too often, managers shy away from the tough conversations, coaching work and accountability that’s crucial to a high-performing team.

8.

Appreciate people. Employers often underestimate the impact of making sure that great employees hear that they’re valued and why. If you want to retain your best people, ensure that their contributions are recognized – both through open praise and by compensation that reflects their worth to your organization – and gives them a reason to stay.

Banish these toxic thoughts at work

P

EOPLE can be toxic — and so can thinking patterns. In fact, how you think can make a big difference in how well you do at work. To ensure that your new year gets off to a good start, here are five toxic thoughts to nix before they sabotage your career success.

1. “I deserve this promotion.”

A feeling of entitlement, though tempting, is something to avoid at any point in your career. While you may feel that you’ve earned an advancement opportunity through hard work, bosses and colleagues will feel resentful if your attitude suggests that you believe you’re owed something special. “Lack of humility makes people in senior roles appear to be dictators or slots to staff below them, and makes junior people appear overeager and ungrateful,” says Matt Paddock, general manager at Grow, a digital agency based on Norfolk, Virginia. “Not that we need to spend every minute of every workday convincing those around us that we’re worthy, but just thinking of the workplace as a level playing field can help you avoid all kinds of bad behavior.”??

2. “I must have done something wrong.”

Assuming the worst about yourself and others is a real buzzkill for teamwork. If your boss passes you in the hall and doesn’t say, “Hi,” it doesn’t mean that she has it in for you.

She may have been deep in thought. “When people assume the worst possible intent of others, that gets in their way of building productive working relationships with them,” says Karlyn Borysenko, principal at Zen Workplace, which uses psychology to help individuals and organizations navigate challenges at work.

“The best way to get out of this type of thinking is to adopt a questioning mindset. Ask yourself, ‘What other explanations could there be for this?’ before assuming one specific explanation.”

3. “I dropped the ball and am going to get fired.”

Each workday presents multiple opportunities for snafus and mix-ups — but imperfection in the office is business as usual.

Unless the error is truly something that will hurt the company, chances are that it can be fixed, and others will understand since they also make mistakes at work. That’s why it’s best to avoid “catastrophisizing” — or expecting things to be worse than the situation merits — about every little thing that goes wrong.

“With deadlines to meet and competition high, it makes sense that people would catastrophize about being unable to complete their work or the possibility of being demoted,” says Ash Nadkarni, a psychiatrist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and an instructor at Harvard Medical School.

,

Whose role is it to run your organization's vision?

“Action springs not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility.”…Dietrich Bonhoeffer

negates the true fact that “people support what they help create”. When this happens, the people involve might not work with their minds and hearts the way they ought to.

I

T is a big risk when the leaders are the only people that understand the vision of an organisation.

There is yet a bigger risk when they chose to run with the vision alone. Developing the vision is the first step; the second and most important step is running with the vision. Two pertinent questions to ask are: who owns the vision of an organisation, and who runs with the vision?

The CEO (with the board or senior management) is expected to develop the vision of any organisation. The vision helps them to know where they are going to, and what their end state results will look like. That does not mean that the CEO or senior management owns the vision.

As soon as any vision is being developed, it ceases to be the CEO’s “property”. Everyone in the organisation now owns the vision.

Core strategies Running with the vision is akin to implementing core strategies that will help organisations achieve their end state. The CEO’s job is not to implement the core strategies, his primary roles are planning and change.

Employees implement the change, in order words they run with the vision.

I am disturbed. Why is it that in most organisations, only the senior management sees the organisational “big picture”? These people constitute about 20-30 percent in population. What happens to the other 70 percent who are middle officers? These groups of people in one way or the other are expected to run with the vision. Can you see why I am disturbed? Why is it easier for senior management to see the big picture? The answer is because they have been taken to a “helicopter ride”

Points to ponder:

BY ‘UJU ONWUZULIKE

Leaders are to lead and navigate change in a way that will yield sustainable results

and from 5000 feet above the ground level they were able to see the big picture. The CEO must ensure that everyone in the organisation sees and knows where the organisation is going to – this is a critical task.

Whenever I am teaching Strategic Thinking to organisations, I always include a slide titled “Danger”. Why danger? Yes, there is a big danger when the CEO or Senior Management thinks that his/her idea is best and only idea. Nobody has the monopoly of best ideas. When the ideas of some group of people (younger officers) are disregarded and slighted, it

For a CEO to achieve the organisation’s vision, everyone in the organisation must begin to see the “big picture”.

Mildly speaking, some employees do not know what their vision statement is. They also do not know what their core values are, so what guides them and what have they been doing?

Leaders and Managers must avoid “DAD” syndrome when running the affairs of the entire organisation.(“DAD” stands for: Deciding – Announcing – Defending).

But rather must enforce “Parallel Involvement Process”where the views of employees are valued. Being a leader does not confer us the right to use veto powers on subordinates. Remember people support what they help create.

Final Note: It is not enough to have a vision. We need to have processes and structures in place that will help us achieve the vision. Remember structures influences behavior.

The roles of leaders are to lead and navigate change in a way that will yield sustainable results. These results are achieved collectively. Senior management and the collective workforce should not focus on their personal goals but rather on the goals of the organisation. It is much easier to achieve one’s personal goal(s) after helping the organisation’ achieve its goal first.

Call or email us for your views or perspectives.

Email: uju@hainescentre.com Mobile: 09091142093 C M Y K

24—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015 — 25

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26—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015

Buhari’s imprints in 2015 as the presidente th HIS inauguration ay 29 heralded of Nigeria on Mera. Coming under dawn of a new change, President the hysteria of uhari is seemingly Muhammadu B the lot of many poised to betterg by his imprints in Nigerians goin onths of 2015. the last seven m

•President Buhari

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

H

IS campaign promises were predicated on three key issues: stamping out insecurity, ridding the country of entrenched corruption and providing employment for the teeming jobless Nigerians.

And so, he set out to work immediately after his swearing in.

Foreign trips: From every conceivable stance, nothing was so worrisome to President Buhari before his election on March 28 than the billowing terrorists attacks on Nigeria.

Thus, soon after his inauguration, he embarked on trips to some African and European countries to solicit their help to bring down the Boko Haram insurgents terrorizing Nigeria.

Systematic briefings First, he visited the Niger Republic. Then Chad Republic; the G7 meeting in Berlin, Germany; the African Union Meeting in South Africa and the Republic of Cameron.

Thereafter, he visited the United States of America, USA, again Cameroon and Benin Republic to round off his collaboration seeking tours within the Lake Chad subregion.

At the home front, President Buhari took time to distill dirt through the gamut of the nation’s civil service by taking systematic briefings from permanent secretaries of the ministries and other heads of agencies.

Appointment of Service Chiefs: Later, the president made some deliberate political appointments into various offices such as the Secretary to the Government of the C M Y K

Federation, SGF and the Chief of Staff.

As a strategy to win the war against insurgency, the president, on July 13, appointed new Service Chiefs.

They were Major-General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin as Chief of Defence Staff; Major-General T.Y. Buratai as Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as Chief of Naval Staff; Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar as Chief of Air Staff; Air Vice Marshal Monday Riku Morgan as Chief of Defence Intelligence and MajorGeneral Babagana Monguno (rtd.) as National Security Adviser,NSA. He was to later give the military chiefs a deadline, which terminates this December to win the antiterrorism war. So far, the war has witnessed some kudos as the attacks according some analysts have reduced.

Ministerial appointments: Following his pledge to appoint ministers by the end

We will sit down to see how we can rehabilitate industries. We will do this in order to clear the problem of unemployment. This is extremely dangerous for our country

September, President Buhari on September 30 sent a list of his ministers to the Senate for screening and confirmation.

The exercise lasted for the whole of October and on November 11, he inaugurated the ministers and made himself the Petroleum Resources Minister.

The minister included Chris Ngige (Anambra) Minister of Labour & Employment; Kayode Fayemi- (Ekiti) Minister of Solid Minerals; Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) Minister of Transportation; Babatunde Fashola (Lagos) Minister of Power, Works and Housing; Abdulrahman Dambazau (Kano) Minister of Interior; Aisha Alhassan (Taraba) Minister of Women Affairs; Ogbonaya Onu (Ebonyi) Minister of Science and Technology; Kemi Adeosun (Ogun) Minister of Finance; Abubakar Malami (Kebbi) Minister of Justice & AttorneyGenera and Sen Hadi Sirika (Katsina) Minister of State, Aviation.

There were also Barrister Adebayo Shittu (Oyo) Minister of Communication; Suleiman Adamu (Jigawa) Minister of Water Resources; Solomon Dalong (Plateau) Minister for Youth and Sports; Ibe Kachikwu (Delta) Minister of State, Petroleum; Osagie Ehanire (Edo) Minister of State, Health; Audu Ogbeh (Benue) Minister of Agriculture; Udo Udo Udoma (Akwa Ibom) Minister of Budget & National Planning and Lai Mohammed (Kwara) Minister of Information.

The rest of the ministers were Amina Mohammed (Gombe) Minister of Environment; Ibrahim Usman Jibril (Nasarawa) Minister of State, Environment; Hajia Khadija Bukar Ibrahim (Yobe) Minister

of State, Foreign Affairs; Cladius Omoleye Daramola (Ondo) Minister of State, Niger Delta; Prof Anthony Onwuka (Imo) Minister of State, Education; Geoffrey Onyema (Enugu) Minister of Foreign Affairs; Dan Ali (Zamfara) Minister of Defence; Barr James Ocholi (Kogi) Minister of State, Labour & Employment; Zainab Ahmed (Kaduna) Minister of State Budget and National Planning; Okechukwu Enelamah (Abia) Minister of Trade, Investment & Industry; Muhammadu Bello (Adamawa) Minister of Federal Capital Territory; Mustapha Baba Shehuri (Bornu) Minister of State, Power; Aisha Abubakar (Sokoto) Minister of State, Trade & Investment; Heineken Lokpobiri (Bayelsa) Minister of State, Agriculture; Adamu Adamu (Bauchi) Minister of Education; Isaac Adewole (Osun) Minister of Health; Abubakar Bawa Bwari (Niger) Minister of State, Solid Minerals and Pastor Usani Uguru (Cross River) Minister of Niger Delta.

War on corruption President Buhari has been very unequivocal against corruption since he assumed office. According to him, the economy has been raped and plundered by the previous governments especially the immediate past one headed by former president Goodluck Jonathan. And so, indicted past officials would be made to account for their stewardship.

To kickstart the investigation, the president empowered the office of the NSA to set up a 13 man probe panel on August 24 on arms and ammunitions purchases by late President

Musa Yar ’Adua and Jonathan’s regimes. The findings of the panel were earth-shaking.

At the centre of the scary revelations is the former NSA, Col Sambo Dasuki. Charges pressed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have been taken to the courts.

Economy: Indeed, the economy is down and President Buhari has been making efforts to revive it. First, he insisted on the implementation of the Single Treasury Account, TSA which has reduced even the financial recklessness within the public sector. Through the TSA, the government is also trying to save money for the country to invest in capital projects.

Knocks against Buhari’s regime so far: In all these, the government has got some knocks, bashings especially from the opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP. First was the fact that it took President Buhari seven months to inaugurate his cabinet. Most Nigerians who were not comfortable with development linked the delays to the unpreparedness of the All Progressives Congress, APC and inarticulate way of governance by the present government.

Corresponding impact Also, another issue that recently became disturbing was the many foreign trips the president has made. Many people, at a time, began to see the trips as too many without corresponding impact on the country’s economy.

Buhari in 2016: The government of President Mohammadu Buhari in 2016 is pexpected to be eventful. This is expectedly so because not in the economic history of Nigeria has a government proposed over N6 trillion as its budget for any fiscal year. Besides, not also in the recent past has a government allocated 30 percent of the national budget to capital projects. It is also expected that the government would create jobs to reduce unemployment in the country.

Speaking at a dinner he organised in honour of the visiting Alumni Association of the Indian Defence Services Staff College, DSSC, Wellingon, led by the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Ghanashyam recently, Buhari said: “We will sit down to see how we can rehabilitate industries. We will do this in order to clear the problem of unemployment.

This is extremely dangerous for our country. We are meeting after the budget to see how to revive industry and secure the economy.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015—27

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

Shame.

It was an embarrassment that shook the foundations of the party. The situation was compounded by the decision of the authorities to charge the president of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki with the offence of false declaration of assets at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

Inevitably, the issues concerning the election of principal officers caused a division in the party leading to the party’s deputy spokesman, Mr. Timi Frank calling for the resignation of Chief John OdigieOyegun as national chairman and Alhaji Lai Mohammmed as party spokesman.

A bid to rally the party together with the holding of the first major National Executive Committee, NEC meeting on July 3 did not help matters. It only offered the first formal meeting between the president and Saraki in a party function.

Meanwhile, the party was also troubled in its selection of candidates for the Kogi and Bayelsa 2015 governorship elections. Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State who conducted the first primaries in Bayelsa had a face off with the leading candidate, Timipire Sylva, a former governor of the state upon allegations by the latter that the Edo State governor was being influenced against him. A second primary led to the emergence of Sylva.

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EGISTERED in 2013, the APC was a merger of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, All Nigerians Peoples Party, ANPP, Congress for Progressives Change, CPC and a faction of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and elements of the Democratic Peoples Party, DPP. It had at the twilight of 2014, through a ballot process, chosen the former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari as its presidential candidate. Buhari in turn picked former Attorney-General of Lagos State, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, as his running mate for the 2015 election.

January 2015 To all Nigerians, February 14 and 28 were the dates for the presidential/National Assembly and Governorship/State assembly polls respectively. It was as such not surprising that most of the political parties paid little attention to the Yuletide break that gave yield to 2015.

The tension gripping the nation, however, lessened a little about two weeks to the election when the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, announced the postponement of the election for six weeks upon security considerations among others.

The presidential election was thus shifted to March 28.

For APC, “change” was the message. And it permeated.

Also, for the PDP, the message of continuity and transformation agenda sank deeper. But both were to be tested at the April polls.

Gains of the party The party ’s presidential candidate, Buhari, upon the postponement in mid February travelled to the United Kingdom where he delivered a lecture at the Chatham House. it was the APC’s introduction to the international community and an opportunity for the party to show its readiness to engage the world.

At the polls, apart from the presidential, the APC also benefited in the National Assembly elections as many of the party’s candidates who contested the elections swam to victory on the coattails of the APC’s popular presidential candidate, Buhari.

It was double victory for the opposition party which meant that for the first time the ruling PDP was being removed from its place of dominance in the executive and legislative branches of government.

The gains of the party were consolidated in the governorship and state legislative elections that followed on April 11 as the C M Y K

•Oyegun: APC chairman

APC:

The difficult pangs of leadership UNDER two years of its formation, the All Progressives Congress, APC made the historic translation from opposition party to the ruling party in Nigeria. party took command of PDP's fortresses in Bauchi, Benue, Plateau, Kaduna among others.

The challenge of power: Getting power was one thing for the APC, but managing power became another thing.

The inauguration of President Buhari on May 29 seemed to change things for many people in the party. A number of party operatives who were in the forefront of the campaign for change were a little embarrassed as those who took the levers of government seemed not to pay attention to them.

Fundamental to the development was the appointment, in late August, of a former banker, Abba Kyari as chief of staff to the president. Kyari was not part of the inner APC circle that had flowed with the general since his years in the political wilderness. Many of them rather knew Buhari’s long serving chief of staff, Col. Ahmed Ali (retd.) who was to the dismay of many sent to head the Customs.

Even more disturbing for the party was the matter of determining the new leadership of the National Assembly as the party was almost divided at the centre.

The scheme by some in the party’s leadership to impose

some favourites as presiding officers of the National Assembly exposed the underbelly of the party as the PDP moved in to foist its choice of lawmakers as presiding officers of the National Assembly.

Getting power was one thing for the APC, but managing power became another thing, the inauguration of President Buhari on May 29 seemed to change things for many people in the party

•Tinubu: APC leader On the fateful day of the inauguration of the National Assembly, majority of the senators-elect and members-elect were waiting for a meeting with the president that never held in the International Conference Centre when PDP senators-elect moved in with renegade members of the APC to elect Senator Bukola Saraki as Senate President.

Senator Ike Ekweremadu of the PDP was elected as Deputy Senate President on the fateful day. In the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara was elected as Speaker while Yusuf Lasun was elected as his deputy.

At the end of the election it was evident that all but Lasun, the deputy speaker had in the recent past been members of the PDP. The development was a hard swallow for the APC as many party puritans sought to reverse the development. But try as they did, it only worsened the unity of the party and on June 25, 2015 party members brought infamy to their party when they openly fought in the chamber of the House of Representatives.

As some House members shouted Dogara! Dogara! and his antagonists shouted Party Supremacy, the PDP members in the House rubbed in by chorusing APC! Shame! APC!

Second primary In Kogi State, a similar primary also ended in much discord as two time former governor of the state Prince Abubakar Audu was alleged to have manipulated the process to favour him. Though many of the aspirants like the youthful Alhaji Yahaya Bello refused to decamp, they were, however, indifferent towards him.

That was until Audu died a day after the election that he was on the way to winning.

Bello who was second in the primaries has now been asked by the party to replace Audu, a decision that has already fractured the party as Audu’s running mate, James Faleke has taken the party to court.

President Buhari’s stance on the issues especially concerning the candidates in the elections has been the subject of much speculation. The president did not attend the campaigns in Kogi and Bayelsa to support the APC candidates.

APC and challenge of fulfilling its promises Riding to power on the hysteria of change, APC promised to tackle basically corruption, insecurity and unemployment.

The party is faced with the serious problem of delivering on its many promises in the face of falling revenue and increasing discord within the party leadership.

28—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015

The Judiciary and the burden of justice in 2015

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

T

HE year 2015 was quite an eventful one for the judiciary.

Aside the determination of election disputes by different tribunals across the federation, the year under review also witnessed the prosecution of many politically exposed persons over alleged economic sabotage.

Remarkably, the year kickedoff on a low-point, as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed and other Justices of the Supreme Court were on January 5, locked out of their respective offices by protesting members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN. The Union which embarked on a nationwide indefinite strike, equally prevented Justices of the Appeal Court and Judges of both High and Lower Courts within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, from conducting any form of legal activity.

JUSUN protest was aimed at compelling the federal government to comply with a court judgment that granted financial autonomy to the judiciary.

Financial autonomy Meantime, with the 2015 general election looming, legal activities commenced with so many political matters, prominent among which was plethora of cases that sought to disqualify President Muhammadu Buhari from participating at the poll.

Most of the suits queried Buhari’s eligibility to contest the presidential election on the premise that he lacked the basic educational qualification.

Similarly, the Court of Appeal in Abuja, on March 3, cleared the legal coast for ex-President Goodluck Jonathan to seek for a re-election.

The appellate court held that Jonathan was legally qualified to run for a second term in office, saying his first tenure as substantive President of Nigeria commenced on May 29, 2011.

Stay of execution of 12 soldiers : On March 12, the Court of Appeal in Abuja stayed the execution of the death sentence that was passed on two of the 12 Nigerian soldiers that were convicted in 2014 by a Military Court

Supreme Court in session Martial over their alleged complicity in acts of mutiny.

The soldiers were on September 15, 2014, condemned to death by the General Court Marshal which sat at the Army Headquarters Garrison, Mogadishu Cantonment in Abuja.

They were charged with offences that ranged from disobedience to particular order, insubordination, false accusation, criminal behaviour, conspiracy to commit mutiny and mutiny under the Armed Forces Act 2004.

FG sues NASS: The Federal Government, on April 22, dragged the National Assembly to the Supreme Court, seeking for an order nullifying all the proposed amendments to the 1999 constitution.

In an originating summons it filed through a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, FG, prayed the apex court to declare as unconstitutional, the amendments as proposed by the lawmakers.

It contended that the said Fourth Alteration Act 2015, was not passed with the mandatory requirement of four-fifths majority of members of the Defendant (National Assembly), and the mandatory due processes provided for under the relevant sections of the extant Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,

Tribunal: Dangote assures Ibeju Lekki communities of improved welfare C M Y K

1999, as amended.

Extradition of Okoyomon to the UK: Justice Evoh Chukwu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on May 4, ordered the extradition of the former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Security, Minting and Printing Company, NSMPC, Mr. Ehidiamhen Okoyomon to the United Kingdom to face corruption charges.

EFCC arraigns Sylva: The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,EFCC, on May 18, re-arraigned the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Timipre Sylva, on a six-count criminal charge bordering on al-

Most of the suits queried Buhari’s eligibility to contest the presidential election on the premise that he lacked the basic educational qualification

Pg 30

leged diversion of public funds to the tune of N6.5billion.

Sylva, who was previously arraigned before the court on June 5, 2012, pleaded not guilty to all the six-count charge against him. The charge was eventually withdrawn on June 1.

The Supreme Court, on June 5, ordered Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited to pay the sum of N30,288,681 to four communities in Delta State.

The apex court found the company culpable for the oil spillage that adversely affected the communities ýabout 32 years ago.

The benefiting communities were Obotobo, Sokebolo, Ofogbene (Ezon Burutu) and Ekeremor Zion (Ezon Asa). Some leaders of the communities had in 1983, dragged the oil company before a High Court of the then Bendel State.

Criminal charge The Federal High Court in Abuja, on June 10, dismissed a 42count criminal charge pending against the Former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva.

Trial Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed ruled that the charge which was preferred against the erstwhile governor by the EFCC, constituted an abuse of court process.

Sylva was in the charge, alleged to have used three separate companies and siphoned the sum of N19.2 billion from the Bayelsa State treasury. ...Nyako and Ikedi Ohakim too: Similarly, the EFCC, on July 8, separately docked former Governors of Adamawa

and Imo State, Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd) and Ikedi Ohakim before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court over allegations bordering on money laundering, abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds.

Whereas Nyako was accused of diverting over N40billion from the Adamawa State treasury between January 2011 and December 2014, Ohakim on the other hand was alleged to have amassed about $2m from the public coffers and used same to acquire a mansion at the Asokoro District of Abuja.

Illegal diversion of funds Nyako was arraigned alongside his son, Abdulaziz and two others, Zulkifikk Abba and Abubakar Aliyu. They are answering to a 37-count criminal charge dated July 7.

Five companies that allegedly served as conduit pipes for the illegal diversion of the fundsBlue Opal Limited, Sebore Farms & Extension Limited, Pagoda Fortunes Limited, Tower Assets Management Limited and Crust Energy Limited, were equally charged as the 5th to 9th accused persons.

On July 10, the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee, LPPC, conferred the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, on 21 senior lawyers in the country.

The new SANS emerged from a total list of 124 applicants.

Stephen Oronsaye: The EFCC, on July 13, arraigned the former

Continues on page 29

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015—29

The Judiciary and the burden of justice in 2015 Continues from page 28 Head of Service of the Federation, Mr. Stephen Oronsaye before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a 24-count criminal c h a r g e .

Orasanye was alleged to have used some companies and diverted over N1.9billion from the national treasury under the guise that the funds were used for biometric data capture project.

He was docked alongside his alleged accomplice, Mr. Osarenkhoe Afe. On July 14, Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the same high court, granted bail to the former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido and his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha.

Justice Ademola Adeniyi of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on August 31, struck out the suit that sought to remove the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu from office ýon the premise that ýthe Senate Standing Orders 2015, that produced them, was forged.

Justice Adeniyi terminated further hearing oýn the matter after the plaintiffs who are five Senators, Abu Ibrahim, Kabir Marafa, Ajayi Boroffice, Olugbenga Ashafa and Suleiman Hunkuni, applied to withdraw the suit.

On September 1, the Federal Government docked the erstwhile National Security Adviser, NSA, to President Goodluck Jonathan, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd) before the Federal High Court in Abuja, over his alleged possession of illegal firearms. The Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, sitting in Abuja, on September 18, ordered the arrest of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki following his refusal to appear in court to face a 13-count criminal charge that was preferred against him by the Federal Government.

The tribunal which was headed

by Justice Danladi Umar, directed the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr. Solomon Arase and other relevant security agencies in ýthe country to arrest the Senate President and produce him in court for trial. Saraki was eventually arraigned before the CCT on September 22.

EDITORIAL TEAM Innocent Anaba ( Head) Wahab Abdulah Ikechukwu Nnochiri Dayo Benson (Supervising Editor) 08056180119 dayobenson@yahoo.com

Tribunal affirms Akpabio, Ambode’s election: On October 14, the Akwa Ibom State National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuj, affirmed the former governor of the state, Godswill Akpabio, as the winner of Akwa Ibom North-West S e n a t o r i a l S e a t .

In its judgement, the Justice Goddy Anunihu-led tribunal dismissed the petition that was lodged against Akpabio’s election by the Allý Progressives Congress, APC, and its candidate for the Senatorial District, Chief Inibehe Okori.

The Supreme Court, on October 20, upheld the election of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State.The apex court, in a unanimous judgment by a panel of seven Justices, struck out the appeal that was lodged before it by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the April 11 governorship election in Lagos State, Mr. Olujimi Agbaje.

The panel which was led by Justice Tanko Muhammad, held that Agbaje’s appeal was devoid of merit.

On October 21, the Akwa Ibom State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal that sat in Abuja ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct re-run election in 18 Local Government Areas in the State.

The tribunal headed by Justice Sadiq Umar, said it was satisfied that over 500, 000 electorates in the local government area were disenfranchised during the governorship election that held in the state on April 11, 2015.

According to the panel, the petition which was filed against governor Emmanuel Udom of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, by the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its candidate at the poll, Chief Umana Okon Umana, succeeded in part.

Rivers

On October 24, the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal that sat in Abuja, nullified the April 11 governorship election that brought governor Nyesom Wike to power.

The three-man panel tribunal headed by Justice Suleiman Ambrosa, upheld the petition that

From left: Justice Mahmud Mohammed, Chief Justice of Nigeria and Bob Osamor, Deputy Director-General, Nigerian Law School during the just concluded call to bar ceremony, in Abuja. was lodged against the election ýby the All Progressives Congress and it gubernatorial candidate in the state, Dr. Dakuku Peterside.

The tribunal maintained that the petitioners successfully proved that the governorship pollý was characterised by violence and corrupt practices.

Dasuki

On November 3, the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court

On December 24, the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja declined to nullify the election of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State

gave the former NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), the nod to travel abroad for medical treatment.

Trial Justice Ademola Adeniyi hinged his decision to give Dasuki ýthree weeks medical leave abroad on his “deteriorating health condition.”

candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, Senator Aisha Jumai Alhassaný, as the bona-fide winner of the April 11 governorship poll in the state.

Saraki’s lawyers stage walk-out

The Federal Government, on November 9, docked the erstwhile Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Peter Orubebe, before the CCT on a four-count criminal charge bordering on money laundering and alleged bribery to the tune of N70milion.

On November 10, the EFCC, docked the former governor of Benue State, Mr. Gabriel Suswam, before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja over a ninecount criminal charge bordering on money laundering.

Suswam who piloted the affairs of Benue State from 2007 to 2015, was arraigned ýalongside his former Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Omodachi Okolobia over allegation that they looted about N3.1 billion, being proceeds of shares owned by the Benue State government and Benue Investment and Property Company Ltd.

Following the decision of the CCT to commence full-blown hearing on the 13-count criminal charge against the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, despite the pendency of an appeal before the Supreme Court, all his lawyers, on November 5, staged a walk out on the tribunal.

Saraki’s legal team, comprising of three Senior Advocates of Nigeria and 24 lawyers, through their leader Mr. Mahmud Magaji, SAN, said they were not comfortable to take part in what they termed “judicial rascality.”

On November 7, the Taraba State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal that sat in Abuja, nullified the election of Governor Darius Ishaku of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The tribunal headed by Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar declared the gubernatorial

Orubebe, Suswam, Dokpesi docked

Continues on page 30

30—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015

California judge tasks Nigeria on ADR

By Onozure Dania

S

From right: Bob Osamor, Deputy Director-General, Nigerian Law School, Enugu; Ume Kalu, Attorney General, Abia; P. Nnadi, Chief Judge, Imo; Aloy Nwankwo, Chief Judge, Ebonyi; Ichie L. Ezeofor, Prof. O. Ikpeze, at Law School, Enugu dinner.

Tribunal: Dangote assures Ibeju Lekki communities of improved welfare

By Bartholomew Madukwe

T

HE Group Head, Health, Safety, Environment and Community Affairs- Dangote Group, Alhaji Abdulraman Zubairu, has told the tribunal inquiring into the October 12 civil disturbances in the Lekki Free Trade Zone that the affected communities would get an improved welfare after his partners were able to assess their need by January 11, 2016.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had inaugurated a tribunal of enquiry to investigate the cause of the civil unrest at Lekki free trade zone.

Zubairu noted that Dangote Group was already holding meetings with stakeholders of Ibeju Lekki, which was attended by four permanent secretaries, including Lagos

State Ministry of Environment.

“The Community Development Plan (CDP) will come up with various ways of meeting the need of the people; it will come with entrepreneurial skill acquisition.

“We have proven to the Tribunal that we followed the due course of the law. We acted in line with the instruction of the EIA Act 86 of 1992. We have international partners like the African Development Bank (ADB) that will never partner without EIA taking its gue course,” Zubairu explained.

It would be recalled that unknown gun men attacked and shot dead, the Managing Director of Lekki Free Trade Zone, Alhaji Tajudeen Disu.

Following this development, the leaders of Okunraiye community, one of the host commu-

nities of the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, then filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit before a Lagos High Court.

Surajudeen Salami, who deposed to the affidavit on behalf of the community, said government forced them out of their homes as well as deprived them of their means of livelihoods – farming and fishing.

Salami recalled that on October 12, the community leaders agreed to meet with Dangote Group to discuss the use of their land for a project by the company, especially the provision of job opportunities for youths of the community.

The community were protesting the “forceful acquisition” of their land by the Lagos State government.

TAKEHOLDERS in the judiciary sector have been advised to make sure that law students are not only taught how to litigate but also how to resolve disputes through the Alternative Dispute Resolution ADR. A United States District Court, Northern District of California Judge, James Ware, said for Nigeria to make ADR part of societal norms that is embraced by all, it has to change its perspective.

Judge James disclosed this during the 2015 Chief G. O. Sodipo annual memorial lecture that was held at the Regional Centre for Commercial Arbitration, Alfred Rewane Road, Ikoyi, Lagos Titled: ‘Alternative Dispute Resolution At a Glance’, where the retired jurist was a guest speaker and delivered a paper titled: ‘Five Principles That Led U.S. Courts To Adopt ADR.’ He urged the Nigerian judiciary to emulate the justice system of the United States whose mission of system of justice is the just, speedy and inexpensive resolution of disputes.

In his words: ‘Teach them to litigate, effective rules of evidence, legal logic but also teach them to negotiate; to mediate; the miracle of dialogue; that compromise to not defeat; because by definition it involves give and take; introduce them to the bar as new litigators and solicitors but also as skilled at figuring out what is necessary to resolve disputes.’

Also speaking on: ‘Arbitration and Mediation in Nigeria How it Works’, Mrs. Olusola Adegbonmire, said that arbitration and mediation were two Alternative Dispute Resolution procedures that are just beginning to gain ground in Nigeria although they have been in existence in different forms for many years.

Delivering her paper entitled: “Arbitration Clauses”, Mrs. Obosa Akpata, said that for any arbitration to become enforceable

The Judiciary and the burden of justice in 2015 Continues from page 29 On November 27, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the appointment of 30 new Judges for the Federal High Court.

Former Chairman of DAAR Communications Plc and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi was on December 9, docked before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged N2.1billion fraud.

Dokpesi was arraigned before trial Justice Gabriel Kolawole along with his firm, Daar Investment and Holdings Ltd, he was later granted bail to the tune of N400 million.

On December 14, the EFCC, arraigned the former NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd) before an

Abuja High Court sitting at Maitama over a fresh 19-count criminal charge.

Dasuki was docked alongside the erstwhile Director of Finance in the Office of the NSA, Mr. Shuaibu Salisu, former Executive Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Commission, NNPC, Aminu Baba-Kusa, as well as his companies, Acacia Holding Limited and Reliance Referal Hospital Limited.

The accused persons were alleged to have illegally diverted over N13.6billion from the national treasury.

On December 15, an Abuja High Court at Maitama sacked the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Uche Secondus.

The court order followed a suit that was filed by the erstwhile Special Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan on Political Matters, Mr. Ahmed Gulak.

Nnamdi Kanu charged On December 22, the Federal Government slammed a fresh sixcount criminal charge against the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.Kanu was charged before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court alongside two others, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.

The trio were accused of committing treasonable felony, an

offence punishable under Section 41(C) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

On December 24, the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja declined to nullify the election of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State.

The appellate court, in a unanimous judgment by a fiveman panel of Justices, dismissed two separate appeals that sought to nullify the outcome of the April 11 governorship election in the state.The two appeals were lodged by candidates of the Labour Party, LP,Chief Great Ogboru and that of the ýAll Progressives Congress, APC, Olorogun O’ tega Emerhor.

by the court, parties involved must have consented to resolve their dispute by arbitration which must state clearly that parties have agreed to a binding arbitration.

She said that parties must consider a number of factors when drafting their arbitration agreement which include: number of arbitrators to be appointed; method of selecting the arbitrators; where parties decide on an institutional arbitration, the proper name of the institution must be inserted; language of the arbitration; applicable arbitration law and arbitration rules; choice of arbitrator; confidentiality and the seat of the arbitration.

She also stated that where the arbitration agreement is silent on any of these factors, the rules of the applicable law would apply.

“One of the advantages of arbitration is the autonomy enjoyed by the parties in deciding how they want their arbitration conducted. The parties can exercise this autonomy when drafting their arbitration agreement to ensure that they derive the utmost benefit from the process.

“Considering the effect (positive or negative) an arbitration agreement could have on the process and outcome of the arbitration proceedings, parties owe an obligation to themselves to ensure that they carefully tailor their arbitration agreement to suit their peculiar needs while ensuring that the essential requirements of a valid arbitration are satisfied.”

Essential requirements Also speaking at the event, Chief Akingbola Akinola, in his paper titled: ‘Enforcement of Arbitral Awards’, noted that arbitration as an alternative to litigation must not lose its primary benefit of speedy dispensation of j u s t i c e .

He urged the judiciary, parties and indeed stakeholders to err on the side of caution when it comes to recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards so as to avoid relegating the arbitration to the level of litigation.

He said: “If parties who have agreed on going through with arbitration would after the conclusion of arbitration process be subjected to a cumbersome and time consuming process of enforcement of award, then, it will appear that they would have been better off with litigation.”

In his welcome address, former Dean, School of Law and Security Studies, Babcock University, Professor Bankole Sodipo, while listing past speakers and chairmen since inception of the annual lecture 15 years ago, said he made no attempt to deal with the issues because lecture aims at stimulating discussion; identifying challenges; influencing formulation and execution of policy.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015—31

Aribisala’s vitriolic attacks on Info minister absurd

Seven reasons that show Lagos is working under Ambode AS the administration of Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, marks its seventh month in office, Steve Ayorinde, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy offers seven irrefutable reasons that confirm that the Epe-born cerebral technocrat is the right man for the job:

By Steve Ayorinde

S

ECURITY: As Nigeria’s economy suffers a near recession due to falling oil prices, with 27 states out of 36 states in the country needing bail-out funds to offset salary arrears, Lagos has been witnessing an unprecedented influx of people from far and near, thereby putting pressure on social infrastructure and security. The crime rate naturally increased momentarily but Governor Ambode rose to the occasion with an unprecedented donation of assets worth about N4.8bn to the Nigeria Police.

With three patrol helicopters, two gun boats, drones, patrol vehicles and powerbikes, armoured personnel carriers, bullet-proof vests and other security gadgets while also rebranding the Rapid Response Squad as the “good guys” with insurance schemes against incidentals, Ambode’s gesture has returned confidence to Lagosians and investors alike.

He has taken the state’s Security Trust Fund to a new height and has smartly shifted the burden of responsibility in terms of policing Nigeria’s most-populated and prosperous state to the Police, which is no longer expected to offer excuses of being illequipped.

•Roads: One of Ambode’s greatest assets is that he listens and is very responsive. He inherited a state whose inner roads were in a very bad shape. In an election year, road infrastructure tends to suffer since attention is usually given to political campaigns. The rains also compounded the woes in a state that is already below sea level.

There were complaints and they got to Ambode. Rather than fret, however, he responded swiftly, first through Operation Zero Tolerance for potholes across the states and then by reconstructing hitherto abandoned roads. He has fully delivered the Ayobo-Ipaja Road and Ikotun-Ejigbo Road.

Brown Street at Oshodi is half-way done; while a lane of the Okota-Ago Palace Way is ready for use this week, preparatory to its full completion in February 2016. More than 300 roads have already been repaired and rehabilitated across the states through the Public Works By first Corporation, thereby easing off traffic. restructuring Nowhere is the state’s neglected, from Akilo Road in Ogba to exposure to Opebi Road in Ikeja commercial and then all the way down to Oyinkan banks, Abayomi Drive in Ambode Ikoyi, Ambode’s saved the “roads to greatness” are visible. Together state about with the 57 Local N3bn C o u n c i l Development Areas, monthly in a total of 114 inner debt servicing roads – two per LCDA -have been

Lagos State governor, Ambode awarded for completion next year and to crown it all, the governor has approved the construction of flyover bridges at two of Lagos’ most problematic traffic zones – Ajah and Abule Egba.

•Economy: One key antecedent of Governor Ambode is the fact that he was instrumental to the frog-leap of the state’s Internally Generated Revenue from a paltry N600m to N6bn while he was accountant general. And so, a competent manager of resources is expected of this Fulbright scholar.

In seven months, he has sufficiently demonstrated his mettle in this regard, by first restructuring the state’s exposure to commercial banks, thereby saving the state about N3bn monthly in debt servicing.

He has re-jigged the Lagos Internal Revenue Service to do away with multiple taxations but expand the tax net instead so that those hitherto not captured will be brought on board. He has sent to the House of Assembly the Employment Trust Fund Bill through which the newly created Ministry of Employment and Wealth Creation will administer a yearly N6.3bn intervention soft loan to stimulate economy, sustain small businesses and create jobs.

Expansion of the tax net Lagos Global, the office saddled with investment drive in the state has demonstrated capacity in making Lagos the bride to which every global investment suitor is attracted.

Ambode has paid more than N11bn in pension arrears and benefits to retirees and has streamlined the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy to land owners.

In ending the year, the governor practically wowed Lagos with a budget proposal of N665.588bn with a capital to recurrent ratio of 58:42 that proposes N383,678bn for capital expenditure. No other state; not even the Federal Government, has been this proactive with capital expenditure ratio in their budget forecast.

•BRT Expansion: Social infrastructure has always defined the success of successive administrations, particularly in Lagos State.

Ambode is on a smooth ride here with the commissioning of Bus Rapid Response (BRT) extension from Mile 12 to Ikorodu. Through the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Ambode in November commissioned a project that included the widening of the 13.5km road with two additional lanes and the placing of BRT lanes in the middle of the road with over 400,000 passengers now being transported daily on the more than 400 brand new, high-capacity buses (which residents now joyfully call Continues on page 33

RIGHT OF REPL Y REPLY

By Brian e Ebden

D

EAR Mr. Aribisala, I have been resident in Nigeria for eight and a half years now and have been following Nigerian politics keenly over this time.

Frankly, your vitriolic attack on an Honourable Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria seriously borders on libel and defamation of character. Your indecorous and ridiculous remarks cast serious aspersions on both your character and intellect as it seems that you lack the ability to comprehend the English language. The Honourable Minister stated (which you did as well) inter alia that “Today, I can report that the war against Boko Haram is largely won.” How is it even possible to read total victory into these words I ask?

Cast your mind back to one year ago Sir, when Boko Haram controlled 20 of the 27 LGAs in Borno State as well as few in Adamawa and Yobe. Today, as we speak, all these LGA’s have been liberated and particularly, Bama which, as I recall, the Honourable Minister of Information visited a week or two ago in full view of the nation’s media.

Suicide bombers Personally, I believe that both the President and Minister of Information are erring on the side of caution by not claiming a thorough routing of Boko Haram, which it evidently is.

Having said that, the recent attacks in Maiduguri was not in a convoy as you mentioned but by 14 child suicide bombers sent into the city during the early hours of the morning. Again, Sir, you liberally use words and statements to suit your own myopic view of this situation.

Let me assist you to recall the 2011 attacks in Mumbai, the train bombings in Madrid in 2004 and again at their airport in 2006, the London bombings in 2005 and the recent attacks in Paris, not forgetting 9/11 - I ask you, could these attacks have been averted?

We all know the answer to that, yet you literally and falsely create a difficult situation for any country to manage into both a failure by the Federal Government and a claim

Your indecorous and ridiculous remarks cast serious aspersions on both your character and intellect as it seems that you lack the ability to comprehend the English language

that the Honourable Minister be fired for lying.

To give someone such as yourself a better perspective on the tremendous job both the Nigerian Army and the Federal Government have done to the world’s most dangerous terror group (according to the Global Terrorism Index which you incidentally quote) in such a short space of time needs your and everyone else’s commendation NOT condemnation.

The similarity and comparison between the war against ISIS/ISIL/ IS and most of the world (US, UK, France, Russia, China, Australia, Norway, Finland et al) and the battle against Boko Haram is that there have been and are definable results in the Nigeria theatre.

The Honourable Minister then went on the say that “Boko Haram can no longer carry out any spectacular attack” which is selfevident when one recalls the horrific massacre in Baga in January of this year, where more than 2,500 people were brutally slaughtered as well as the full scale assault on the Maiduguri Army Barracks in May. Subsequent to the installation of President Buhari administration, there has not been a single large scale attack and hence the Honourable Minister is absolutely correct in his statement.

Then, to add insult to injury, you equate the Honourable Minister of Information with the Iraqi Comical Ali. It is a downright insult to equate a man of the Minister’s intellect and competency with a bumbling fool of man in the person of Iraqi Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf. More elaboration on this foolish comparison is completely unnecessary.

Election period You also raised issues of quotes and supposed quotes during the election period, most of which have been succinctly dealt with in the past and proven to be false. However, the issue of the Naira to the US Dollar should be contextually spoken about once the President and his administration have had significant time to deal with the issue.

As you should know, Foreign Direct Investment into Nigeria fell remarkably from more than $8 Billion in 2011 to just over $600 Million this year and it is a direct result of not only poor fiscal management by the previous regime but also the uncertainty by investors with regard to the state of insecurity.

Naturally, the decline of the Naira against the Dollar is relative to FDI and investor confidence in the country. This is a mess which the previous government should take responsibility for, and not the current administration.

Personally, I believe that it is indeed people such as yourself who continually paint a dim and dismal picture of the country instead of quoting facts and utilising correct contexts to frame and argue a point.

I trust that the Honourable Minister drags you to a court of law and sues your person with the maximum contempt it deserves.

•Brian e Ebden is a Public Affairs Analyst

32—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015

A-Ibom Assembly elects first female Deputy Speaker

By Chioma Onuegbu

U

YO—THE lawmaker representing Okobo state constituency and Chair Person, House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Welfare Matters, Mrs. Felicia Bassey, has been elected the Deputy Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

In a statement in Uyo, yesterday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Mr. Kufre Okon, said Bassey emerged the first female Deputy Speaker during Tuesday's plenary, to replace the former Deputy Speaker, Mr. Effiong Bassey, representing Oron/Udung Uko state constituency, whose election was nullified last week by the Appeal Court in Abuja.

It added that the Speaker, Mr. Onofiok Luke, who administered the oath of office on the new Deputy Speaker charged her to live up to the expectation of the sixth Assembly while discharging her legislative duties.

The statement added that other members who spoke after the plenary described her new office as well

deserved, and expressed confidence in her ability to discharge the functions of the office optimally.

Meanwhile, the 2016 Appropriation Bill presented before the House by Governor Udom Emmanuel last Tuesday has passed its second reading on the floor of the House and has been referred to the House

Committee on Appropriation and Finance for necessary action.

According to the statement, the lawmakers after deliberating on the general principles and content of the bill concluded that the financial expertise in the structuring of the 2016 budget amidst ongoing economic

challenges in the country was laudable.

They added: “The composition of the 2016 budget sent to the House by the Executive reflects that the administration of Governor Emmanuel is truly committed to its industrialization agenda for Akwa Ibom State."

CALL TO BAR: Miss Toritseyemi Ugbeye (middle) with her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Ebiyon Ugbeye, at her call to bar, in Abuja.

Edo Labour leaders give kudos to Oshiomhole’s deputy for achievements

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN—ORGANISED labour in Edo State has attributed the developmental strides of the Governor Adams Oshiomhole-led administration in the state to the cordial working relationship between the governor and his deputy, Dr Pius Odubu.

The labour leaders, led by the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Mr Emmanuel Ademokun, chairman of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, in the state, Mr Charles Orosanye, commended the role played by the deputy governor during some agreements between the state government and the labour unions in the state and assured of their support for Odubu in his future endeavours.

They spoke during a visit to Odubu, who also is one of the governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2016 governorship election in the state, at his residence in

Benin City.

According to Ademokun “We recall how firmly you stood by us when we had industrial disharmony in Edo State.

When the state was on fire, I know the role you played to bring the situation under control.

“We know you have few months left, we just pray to God Almighty that by next year God will expand your coast. We don’t know what

tomorrow has for us, but God Almighty will direct you aright and anytime you call on us, we will be there for you. We are there for you because you stood behind our governor, he came and today he is one of the best governors in the entire country.”

Responding, Odubu, who expressed joy over the visit, noted that Governor Oshiomhole's administration was the first to adopt the

minimum wage for workers, adding: “Today, we are paying salaries as and when due. For the first time in history, civil servants in Edo State were promoted to Grade Level 17. People who before now were deprived of Permanent Secretary appointments were promoted to PS. I assure you that upward movement will continue. It shall be forward ever, backward never.”

100 indigent persons benefit from free healthcare in Delta

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—OVER 100 indigenes and residents of Ogwashi-Uku town, Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta State, have benefited from a free medical treatment by the Adaigbo Cultural Organisation, ACO, as part of its community development and humanitarian service to the people.

The beneficiaries were provided with diabetes, eye defect, high blood pressure and hyparthietics

treatments after they had undergone free medical diagnosis that was also conducted by the medical team of the organisation to ascertain their health conditions.

Some of the participants with cases of cataracts and high blood pressure were scheduled for operations and further treatments respectively with the organisation taking care of the bills.

President of ACO, Mr. Jonny Ubaka in a chat with newsmen, said the medical outreach was to

help the people, especially those who could not afford medical care due to financial constraints and other reasons.

“We are doing this just to help our people. We are funding it by taxing ourselves because we don’t have support yet from any of the international bodies but we are believing God that with time, we will get help from them. This programme has so far cost us over N2 million," he said.

Ex-militant leader lauds Buhari over payment of salaries

By Ochuko Akuopha

O

LEH—CHAIRMAN of Phase Three of the Presidential Amnesty Program in Delta State, Mr John Abugor, has commended President Muhammudu Buhari and the Coordinator of the programme, BrigadierGeneral Paul Boro (retd), for the payment of exmilitants' outstanding salaries.

He said that with the release of funds for the payment of the salaries, the President had demonstrated that he meant well for ex-militants in the Niger Delta region.

Fielding questions from newsmen, yesterday, Abugor described Buhari as a go-getter who was out to turn the fortunes of the Niger Delta ex-militants around for good.

He urged the President to look into the issues of training for ex-militants leaders and documentation of those who have not been integrated into the amnesty programme.

Arewa community lauds Delta govt over appointment into state Pilgrims' Board

A

REWA community in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State has commended the appointment of the Sariki (leader) of the community, Alhaji Suleiman Jauro, as member of Delta State Pilgrim Board.

The community also congratulated the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, on his recent Court of Appeal victory, saying it was a victory for all Deltans.

Addressing newsmen at Jauro's residence in Effurun, spokesman of the group, Voke Haruna, said the event was to celebrate the Sariki's appointment and the victory of Okowa at the Court of Appeal.

An elated Jauro thanked the people for their show of solidarity for Okowa, whom he described as a detribalized and gifted leader, adding that the Court of Appeal judgment has again confirmed that Okowa was massively voted for by Deltans.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015—33

Seven reasons that show Lagos is working under Ambode Continues from page 31 Ambode’s Buses) which now ply the corridor from Ikorodu to CMS. •Street Lights Project: When words filtered out that Governor Ambode might not approve the staggering N500m for Christmas decorations contract this year because of the porlous state of the, many thought he would be seen as not keeping faith with his promise of continuity. But it has turned out that not only is the governor a prudent manager of resources, he is also getting his priorities right. He encouraged corporate players like banks to beautify Lagos with Christmas decorations as their

Lagos State own Corporate Social Responsibility while he chose to focus on an enduring beautification project for

Lagosians – to light up the citystate. And to fulfill his promise, the Lagos metropolis has been lit up in the past week with

Ambode’s street light project brightening up major parts of the metropolis from Victoria Island to Ikoyi, all the way down to Third Mainland bridge, down to Alapere, Berger and Ikeja-Ogba environs.

•One Lagos Fiesta and inclusive government: One of the campaign promises of Governor Ambode is to run a government of inclusion and bring governance back to the people. He demonstrated this in September when he flagged off his quarterly

town-hall meetings that saw him render account of his stewardship directly to the people. He has promised that the town-hall meetings will move from one senatorial district to another in order to constantly feel the pulse of the electorate. But the governor has added to the layer in this yuletide season by expanding the erstwhile Lagos Countdown Concert to a fiveday, five-venue all-inclusive celebration tagged One Lagos Fiesta. Rather than have it in one day and at the Bar beach as was previously the case, Ambode has creatively decentralized the concept of fun, entertainment and culture. Each division in Lagos – Epe, Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja and Lagos Island – are now experiencing simultaneous endof-the-year merriments with local as well as popular artistes touring the state. Even politicians, traditional rulers and all stakeholders are now taking ownership of the project in their zones.

‘One Lagos’ has since become the buzzword all over town with the governor, who has now finally taken up residence in his official Alausa, Ikeja abode, personally witnessing the flag-off of the fiesta on Sunday at the Agege stadium where the Ikeja zonal fiesta is holding.

•Healthy Lagos, healthy workforce: Governor Ambode recognizes that health is wealth and here is one area where his impact is being felt in spite of the huge challenges occasioned by the influx of people from other states and neighboring countries on Lagos hospitals.

Influx of people from other states The governor has improved on healthcare facilities in the state by injecting additional 46 ambulances to the existing pool with an additional 14 new ambulance points thereby bringing existing ambulance points to 25 all in a bid to reduce maternal mortality and tackle emergencies.

The governor has brought peace to the lingering crisis within the medical circle. He has stopped the contentious casualisation of medical doctors who were employed some years ago as casuals in the state civil service by regularizing the employment status of workers. But he’s also aware of the need for a healthy and motivated workforce which is why he has also extended the Accident Insurance Policy for its workforce to cover accidents recorded outside working hours.

34—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015

Dec salaries before Xmas: Group lauds Ugwuanyi

FG to commence revamping of Enugu coal next year

By Francis Igata

E

By Francis Igata

NUGU—DETERMINED to make good its campaign promises, the All Progressives Congress, APC, South-East geopolitical zone chapter, yesterday, said that the Federal

E

NUGU—A leading socio-political pressure group, Anyi Ejebe Nsukka Campaign Volunteers, AENV, yesterday, eulogized Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for the payment of December salaries to workers in the state before Christmas, not minding the harsh economic realities in the country occasioned by crude oil glut in the global market.

The group said, that Ugwuanyi’s resolve to put smiles on the faces of civil servants, especially during the festive season was a testament to his leadership prowess which was why he took his campaigns to every part of the state during last general election which culminated in his victory at the poll.

In a chat with Vanguard, President, AENV, Mr. Beloved Dan-Anike said, “We are not surprised that the governor defied the prevailing economic indices to ensure that the welfare of the workforce is not lowered, especially during and after the festive season.

“It takes a visionary helmsman who has the overall interest of the state at heart to go the extra mile of paying its workers to enable them celebrate the Christmas. It is imperative to bring this to the front burner as other states in the South East zone and the country were unable to pay December salary before Christmas."

Government has concluded plans by 2016, to commence the process that will culminate in the revamping of the moribund coal industry in Enugu State.

It said the action will boast electricity generation through coal fired power plants and provide employment for the teeming

unemployed youths in the region and reverse the groundswell of agitation for a Biafran nation.

Welcoming scores of decampees who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to APC, in Eke Ward, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, South-East spokesperson of APC Caucus, Mr.

Polymer scientists plead with FG

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—THE Polymer Institute of Nigeria, PIN, has appealed to the Federal Government to religiously pursue the development of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry with a view to providing the needed raw materials for industries that will ultimately create jobs.

National President of PIN, Dr.

Paul Mamza, in a chat with Vanguard in Owerri, Imo State noted that using raw materials locally was a better economic measure than importing everything.

“The development of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry will help provide the nation’s raw material need for our industries. It makes more economic sense than importing all and everything the

nation needs to run the machines in our industries,” Mamza said.

Mamza, who is an Associate Professor of Polymer Science and Technology in the Chemistry Department of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, observed with dismay that although a lot of research goes on in the nation’s universities and research institutes, the needed synergy between the institutions and the industry remains largely missing.

Osita Okechukwu said: “President Muhammad Buhari has concluded arrangements to fulfil his campaign promise to Enugu people of re-activating Enugu coal deposits for power generation.

“Recall my brothers and sisters that Mr. President made the pledge to revamp Enugu coal on January 10, this year at Okpara Square, Enugu. It is this campaign pledge that he is set to redeem by jump-starting the project in 2016.

“This reminds me of the criticism that President Buhari’s 2016 budget deficit of N2.2 billion is unrealistic. To be sincere the fear is misplaced. It is misplaced because Nigerians will harvest from the President’s high profile ratings by the international community."

Police arrest 20 suspects in Onitsha on Christmas, Boxing days Chimaobi Nwaiwu

N

NEWI—THE Fegge Division of Nigerian Police, Onitsha South Local

Government Area of Anambra State, have arrested over 20 people between December 24 and 27, 2015 for various alleged criminal offenses, just as it recovered all

their loot.

The Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of Fegge Police Division, Mr. Rabiu Garba, yesterday, said, that most of the

Gunmen invade cleric’s house

By Kelechukwu Iruoma

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HE COUNTRY home of an Abuja-based cleric, Pastor Francis Irabor, founder of Great Calling Ministry, GCM, in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State, has been invaded by gunmen.

The gunmen, it was gathered drove to the house around 2a.m., on Christmas Day, in a 504 saloon car with a concealed number plate. They overpowered the security-guard, forced him into the house, and met an elderly woman with a little girl.

The gunmen demanded for

Pastor Francis Irabor and his family. The old woman replied them in Pidgin English that, “They don travel to Obodo Oyinbo.”

The gunmen, it was learned held the guard, ransacked the whole house and found nothing.

They told the old woman that they had gone to his Abuja residence, but could not find the pastor. They promised to come back anytime.

The gunmen, angry that they missed their target, reportedly shot the guard and left him in a pool of his blood, taking him for dead. He was later rushed to a

nearby hospital for treatment.

It will be recalled that Irabor recently escaped an assassination attempt in Abuja, when he was coming back from church. The suspected armed men shattered the windscreen of his SUV with gun-shots and escaped when they noticed that he was accompanied by a policeman.

He was also kidnapped on Abuja Lokoja expressway, when he was on his way back from Uromi in Edo State, where he attended the funeral ceremony of his in-law, though he miraculously escaped after hearing the captors’ decision to behead him.

arrested suspects used the period of Christmas and Boxing Day holidays to burgle houses, whose owners had travelled, and others used the period to commit other criminal offences believing that the coast was clear.

“The suspects were arrested through surveillance, monitoring, and physical patrol. We have three cases of burglary and they were all arrested. We arrested two people that burgled Transglobe Pharmaceutical Warehouse, we have another group that burgled the house of a woman living in America,” he said.

He said he personally led his men to arrest the suspects, adding that they even arrested people outside Fegge Division of the Nigerian Police in the course of their monitoring and patrol duties, including a child trafficking syndicate now in detention and a kidnapping gang that tried their operations during Christmas celebrations.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

On N6.08trn 2016 budget

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commend President Buhari and the APC led government on the thoughtfulness demonstrated in putting together the framework of this budget, however, the most important part is its implementation. -Mrs. Jennifer Otuu, Business woman

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he budget is lacking in substance and direction needed to move the country forward industrially and economically. It is now official that the Nigeria's economy has shrunk significantly. Miss Hope Macaulay, Worker

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he outcome will not be different from other budget since 1999 because the Federal Government needs to decentralize first by power devolution to the federating units. -Miss Ogochukwu Onwuatuegwu, Student

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hat is key is for the budget to be able to turn around the economy.

In the past, revenues from other sources other than oil had been treated as secret deals, hence our inability to finance our budget. -Mr. Nezifi Hassan, Worker

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resident Buhari is doing it slowly and steadily. The first time in three years that a Nigerian president would personally present a budget before the National Assembly; he even apologised for fuel scarcity. Mr. Bela Ekpoh, Self Employed

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t pains me to hear President Buhari blame the previous administration eight months after being sworn-in as president. This administration needs to work on its economic policy, it brought us to this state. -Mr. Ejike Ogbenna, Footballer

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015 — 35

Plateau Assembly rejects Lalong’s request to extend LG Transition C'ttee bosses' tenure

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Embattled Kogi speaker sues for peace

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OS—THE Plateau State House of Assembly yesterday rejected the request by the State Governor, Simon Lalong, to extend the tenure of the Management Committee Chairmen of the 17 local government areas of the State by six months.

The Management Committee Chairmen were sworn in October this year and were to vacate office by the end of January, 2016 as initially approved by the State Assembly.

At a plenary session shortly before the presentation of the 2016 budget by the State Governor, at the State House of Assembly complex in Jos, the Speaker of the House, Mr. Peter Azi read a communication of the Governor’s request seeking the extension to enable the State government set in motion modality for the Local Government Councils elections in the State.

But the Member representing Riyom constituency, Daniel Dem,

By Boluwaji Obahopo

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CHRISTMAS CAROL: From left: Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Ijebu-Ode, Rt. Revd Ayo Awosoga; founder of First City Monument Bank, FCMB Group, Otunba Subomi Balogun and Provost of the Cathedral Church of Our Saviour, Ijebu-Ode, Very Revd Rotimi Oludipe,during the Christmas carol organized by Otunba Subomi Balogun at Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. observed that the six month extension contradicted the agreement made in the floor of the House which said for whatever circumstances, “only

two month” would be added to the Management Committee Chairmen and not six month as requested by the Governor.

Having recalled the

observation from Dem, the House unanimously resolved for the tenure to be extended by two months.

Lalong presents N154bn budget proposal to Assembly

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

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OS—PLATEAU State Governor, Simon Lalong, yesterday presented the 2016 budget proposal tagged “Budget of Rescue and Hope” put at One Hundred and Fifty Four Billion, Seventy Two Million, Five Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Four Hundred and Forty Two Naira (N154,072,570,442.00) to the State House of Assembly.

The proposed budget shows a drop of 28.5% from the 2015 budget which stood at Two Hundred and Fifteen Billion, Four Hundred and Sixty Five Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Five Thousand, Four Hundred and Eighteen Naira, (N215,465,835,418.00).

The governor noted that the drop

in the budget is to reflect realities on ground and the adoption of zero based budget in line with the Federal Government’s directive.

“This is the first budget to be

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gave details of the 2016 budget which is made up of N75,019,373,878.00) representing 48.7% of the total budget as Recurrent Expenditure.

‘NASS unaware of fuel subsidy removal, electricity tariff hike' Assembly is, that is going to be

By Dapo Akinrefon

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EADER of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila has said that the National Assembly is not aware of the fuel subsidy removal and the hike in electricity tariff,

Rail transportation panacea to road crashes — ALIERO HAIRMAN, Senate Committee on Customs, Senator Adamu Aliero, has reiterated that rail transportation remains the only option and solutions in reducing the numerous road accidents in the country.

He made this known while commiserating with Anambra and Delta States Governments over the Nnewi gas explosion leading to loss of lives and the death of the Central Bank Bank, CBN, Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele’s mother respectively.

Adamu Aliero said use of rail transport would have prevented the death of scores of innocent people that accompanied the Nnewi gas explosion.

presented to this House, the 8th Assembly, under my administration.

After giving an overview of the performance of 2015 budget which he said was poor, Lalong

“Rail transport, the Senate, had said is the only option and solution in reducing drastically accidents on our roads. Instead of engaging trucks all the time, particularly on long distance and deplorable roads, taking such goods through the rail would be a better option. It will not only eliminate or reduce accident, it is also cheaper, more convenient and more importantly, there would be less pressure on roads.

He added “I am really touched by the lost of innocent lives. I share in the grief of the Anambra State government in this irreparable loss; I can only pray that the good Lord will give their loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.”

noting that the Federal Government is yet to communicate its decision to the Assembly.

Giving a report of activities of the House of Reps in the 8th Assembly from June to December, Gbajabiamila said subsidy removal and electricity hike ‘’is just being speculated’’.

The lawmaker said ‘’well, all I have heard is pronouncement as far as the electricity tariff is concerned. As you know, a lot of the distributors and players in that industry do not have the tariff reflect their operation cost.

While the government does not want anyone to lose money or doing business at a loss, it is paramount we take the interest of the masses into consideration.’’

He, however, noted that if the federal government must remove subsidy or hike electricity tariff, it must be done through legislation.

On the issue of fuel subsidy, he said ‘’I think the same thing goes. The government, I am not aware, has communicated its position to the National Assembly. If you ask me what the position of the National

a debate that we are going to have because people have different opinion.’’

Commending the House in the last six months, Gbajabiamila ‘’I will say that the House has done well. If you are assessing the House within the six months, of course, the House has done well but we cannot assess the House within six months of a four year tenure.

OKOJA—THE embattled Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt (Hon) Momoh-Jimoh Lawal, has appealed to his members to sheath their swords and close ranks to move the state forward.

Lawal made the call on the floor of the House during the presentation of the 2016 Budget by the state Governor, Capt. Idris Wada Tuesday.

The Speaker described the members as elder statesmen and patriots who should not sacrifice the interest of the state on the altar of selfish interests.

“As elder statesmen and patriots, I wish to appeal that we sheath our swords and close ranks to move the state forward. As members of one house and one family, we cannot do without having misunderstanding among ourselves.

“What we must always guide against is a situation where we allow rancour and bitterness to linger on and our differences unresolved.

Lawal added “As trustees and representatives of the people, much is expected of us by the electorate. We cannot afford to sacrifice the interest of the state at the altar of personal and selfish interests.

“Rather than bickering here and there and heating up the polity, we should rather unite and work together to ensure that the unity of the state is maintained.”

Cashew traders move to increase output

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HE National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) is looking at increasing its current production capacity from 180,000 metric tons to 500,000 metric tons in 2020.

The association said that Nigeria can use cashew business to unlock the diversification of the economy with provision of enabling environment by the government.

Speaking at a meeting between stakeholders in the cashew business and shipping companies in Lagos yesterday, the National President of the association, Mr. Tola Faseru, said the cashew business generated over $250 million

from the 180,000 metric tons produced this year with over 3,000 jobs created.

He said the meeting with the shipping companies was important as the shippers play important role in the cashew value chain, “the shipping companies are important in the value chain, so the need to let them know the commodity is a sensitive one that needs the utmost care in handling.”

Faseru added that Nigeria’s cashew has gained international attention and that the market is getting bigger in Vietnam and Indian, so “we are looking at the shipping lines to see how they will facilitate the business.”

36—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015

VISIT: Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State (left) with Chairman, High Hope International Group, Skyrun Corporation, Mr. Xie Shao, during a visit to the Governor at his Ikeja, Lagos residence.

SIGNING: John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria (left) and Daddy Showkey, GOtv Ambassador, during the signing of a new deal, at MultiChoice Office, Tiamiyu Savage, Victoria Island, Lagos.

EVENING WITH MTN: From left: Former Super Eagles International, Austin Okocha, Emmanuel Chukwuemeka, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, his wife, Chinyelu and ace artiste, Davido, during an Evening With MTN at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.

FAMILY PRAISE: Onyeka Onwenu (right) with her group, performing at the Inspiration 92.3 fm Xmas family Praise Jam 2015 in Lagos.

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GET TOGETHER: From left: Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Olabisi Ariyo, Chairman, SUBEB, Dr. Ganiyu Sopeyin, deputy governor of Lagos State, Dr. Idiat Adebule, and the representative of the wife of the governor, Mrs Nike Joseph, cutting the cake to commemorate end of the year/get together organized for Head teachers and Directors in Public Primary Schools by SUBEB in Lagos.

OLEUM SYN CAR DIAGNOSTICS: From left: Head of Diagnostics, Automedics, Mr. John Quincy, Head, Sales, Mr. Babafemi Olabiyi, CEO, Mr. Abayomi Awobokun, and Head, Lubes, Mrs. Lilian Ikokwu, all of Oando Marketing Plc., during the free car Oleum Syn Diagnostics for car owners by the company at National Stadium in Lagos.

PRESENTATION: From left: Head, Lagos Office, Thoughtful House Foundation, Ms Judith Ogun, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Ltd, SIAML, Mrs. Bunmi Dayo-Olagunju, and Head, Business Development, SIAML, Mr. Babalola Obilana, at the presentation of cheque to Thoughtful House Foundation in Lagos.

COMISSIONING: From left: Hon. Jubril Emilagba, representing Executive Secretary Lagos Mainland LCDA, Mrs. Omolola Essien, Mrs. Aminee representing Executive Chairman SUBEB, Dr. Ganiyu Sopeyin; Education Secretary, Lagos Mainland Local Government Education Authority, Hon. Adebisi Adetona; Chairman Board of Trustees Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Libraries, ZODML, Mrs Ifeoma Esiri and CEO, ZODML, Ms Ego Mbagwu, at the commissioning of five libraries donated to five schools in Lagos.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015—37

Kids hawking: any prospects of being in the four walls of a classroom?

Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu

Education 2015: One step forward, two steps backward As 10m children continue to be out of school

By Amaka Abayomi & Tare Youdeowei W ITH a couple of hours to 2016, we at Vanguard Learning bring you a collection of stories that shaped 2015.

N492,034bn education budget: Tagged ‘A Budget of Transition and Hope’ the immediate past Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, presented to the National Assembly the N4.3 trillion 2015 budget.

Of this amount, N492,034 billion (less than 12% of the annual budget) was allocated to the education sector, an amount which stakeholders have said ought to be increased for there to be any meaningful impact on the sector.

Meaningful impact This is a far cry from the 26% recommended by UNESCO, and if education in Nigeria were better funded, Nigeria would parade the best statistics in the world in health, education, security, economy, environment, agriculture,and in other sectors. We will have a country which the Chairman of the NUC Board, Alhaji Maitama Sule, envisions to be paradise on earth. A country that will C M Y K

lead Africa to claim the 21st century.

EFA by 2015? When the Education for All by 2015 Millennium Development Goal was postulated in 2000, skeptics doubted the ability of countries like Nigeria to live up to that goal in a 15-year time frame. With a few hours to 2016, Nigeria's hope of overcoming its educational challenges are more bleak as UNESCO, in a report titled ’70 Year- Wait for Primary School’, says it would take more than 70 years before all children will have access to primary education.

According to the report, 57 million children, over 10.5 million of whom are Nigerians, remain without schools and at the current rate, it will be 2086 before poor, rural African girls have access to primary education. In poor countries, one in four young people is unable to read a single sentence. The study also raises concerns about the quality of education in many poorer countries.

Performance in WAEC: Of the 1,593,442 that sat for the examination, 616,370 (38.68%) obtained credits in five subjects and above, including English Language and Mathematics, a trend that has continued from 2013.

According to the Head of National Office, WAEC, Dr. Charles Eguridu, 118,101 results of candidates, (7.41%)

were withheld due to exam malpractice.

The poor performance has been put down to a lack of preparation and teaching facilities, and an inadequate number of quality teachers. To defeat the menace and also curb examination malpractice, Eguridu said proper technology had been deployed.

Chibok girls still missing: 573 days after over 200 school girls were taken from their school hostels in Chibok, Borno State, by Boko Haram militants, they are yet to be found despite a global social media campaign and pleas from international leaders.

This led to closure of schools in the state for several months, thereby increasing the number of school children who are out of school.

There still remains a yawning gap in the teacher:pupil ratio such that average classroom sizes in Nigeria has about 80 pupils to a teacher, and the Nigerian teacher is still poorly paid and unmotivated

In May, it was reported that the Nigerian military had reclaimed most of the areas previously controlled by Boko Haram, including many of the camps in the Sambisa forest where it was suspected the girls had been kept. Although many women had been freed, none of the Chibok girls have been found.

It was reported that some of the girls had been sold into slavery for N2,000 each, others had been forcibly married to Boko Haram fighters and they may have been killed, though the state government said it suspected the girls were being kept in underground bunkers.

Stakeholders react Pointing out that no real progress occurred in the education sector in the course of the year, the National Coordinator, Education Rights Campaign, Mr. Hassan Soweto, said rather, the sector witnessed reverses and alarming regression hallmarked by the failure to meet any of the EFA goals.

He said “over 10 million

6-3-3-4 system failed for lack of political will —Osanyin PG. 38

children continue to be out of school partly as a result of Boko Haram insurgency but also due to the inability of many poor working class families to afford the cost of tuition.

"But even this figure hides the alarming fate of the girlchild as over 6 million of the 36 million girls out of school globally are Nigerians.

“There still remains a yawning gap in the teacher:pupil ratio such that average classroom sizes in Nigeria has about 80 pupils to a teacher and the average Nigerian teacher is still poorly paid and unmotivated.

"All of these have contributed to the annual mass failure being recorded in examinations conducted by WAEC and NECO. “At the tertiary level, the sordid conditions remain unchanged. In some ways, they have worsened as hundreds of thousands are still unable to gain admission.

"Over 50 years after independence, Nigeria is still unable to provide enough public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education to cater for its teeming youth population in search of education and skills.

Despite Post-UTME and other gimmicks being employed to extract more and more money from the pockets of parents, admission remains a racket where only those who know who or can pay the heavy price gets admitted.

Continues on Page 38

Education should be given priority — PG. 39 Okowa

38—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015

6-3-3-4 system failed for lack of political will —Osanyin

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AWARD: From left, Dr. Pascal Anosike, Director, Centre for African Entrepreneurship and Leadership, University of Wolverhampton, UK; Prof Anthea, Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Wolverhampton; Prof. Geoff Layer, Vice Chancellor, University of Wolverhampton; Mrs. Ajoke Ogunsan, CEO, Executive Trainers; Dr. Ayo Ogunsan, Chairman, Executive Trainers and Mr. Miceal Barden, Dean, University of Wolverhampton Business School, during the African Best Higher Education Training Award to Executive Trainers Ltd at the university, in United Kingdom.

Education 2015: One step forward, two steps backward Continues from page 37 “Fees are soaring and welfare conditions of students are dropping fast. In UNILAG, students live like pigs on bed-bug infested mattresses. Same for OAU and UI where undergraduate students, female students inclusive, now have to take their bath and defecate in surrounding bushes because of the unsightly condition of the toilets and bathrooms.

These are top varsities and if they are this bad, then imagine what happens in the stateowned varsities!

This year alone, about four undergraduate students died as a result of the inadequacies of their varsities’ health centres. Not only is education a ‘debt’ sentence, it has equally become a ‘death’ sentence.

“To cap it all, at the tertiary level especially, education has been turned into a business and students into customers. There is hardly any public academic institution where average fee is not twice or thrice the national minimum wage.

"This situation continues to force many students out of school. So bad is the situation now that many educated parents now stand the chance of having illiterate children who can neither read nor write.

"This is especially more so given the low wages many working class families have to survive on and the gale of job losses now ravaging the country.”

Agreeing, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Federal Wing, Comrade Emeka Okonta, stressed that nothing fantastic happened in the sector but is optimistic that 2016 would be better.

Giving kudos to the former Minister of Education, Professor Rukayat Rufai, for her achievements, Dr. Shinaayomi Akintolure

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Education consultant at A-Z Royal Consult, said though there were some improvements compared to what it was in 2014, but not enough to make the desired impact.

He said “primary schools are basically the responsibility of the local government.

States like Lagos, Cross River, Ondo, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo recorded some improvement, but in Osun State, education in 2015 was zero. This is because the governor of the state is crumbling education by mixing public, private, Muslim and Christian schools together.

“I commend the Lagos State government for the mass recruitment of teachers for primary schools, but in terms of infrastructure, though government built additional classroom, students still sit on the floor due to inadequate seats.

"The cost of building

This year alone, about four undergraduate students died as a result of the inadequacies of their varsities’ health centres. Not only is education a ‘debt’ sentence, it has equally become a ‘death’ sentence

classrooms and adequately furnishing them is very minimal compared to what the government has in its coffers, and if they can meet the UNESCO benchmark for the annual budget for education, we would move on.

“At the secondary level, the only improvement I can point at is the WAEC result which was better than last year ’s because they still face the problem of inadequate infrastructure as they build classrooms and laboratories without chairs or facilities.

"For instance, a school with a population of 3,000 students is given 10 computers, and you begin to wonder what would that do? Nevertheless, it is better than nothing and that is still a step in the right direction.

“For tertiary level, kudos has to be given to Tertiary Education Intervention Fund, TETFUND for doing wonderfully well in most of our tertiary institutions in 2015. Initially they give the funds to the Vice Chancellors, Provosts and Rectors and that gave room for corruption.

"Now TETFUND tells the schools how much is allotted to them for the year and asks them what they want to use it for, then goes ahead to provide such.

“However, the admission policy in 2015 was bad as JAMB narrowed the choice of two varsities to one, thereby putting students in a tight corner as they were forced to pick one varsity, college of education and one polytechnic with the aim of decongesting the varsities and giving the colleges of education and polytechnics the opportunity to admit more students.

“One of the worst things that happened in 2015 was picking Mallam Adamu Adamu for minister for education and putting a Professor, Tony Onwuka, under him.

By Dayo Adesulu

EAD, Early Childhood Education, Faculty of Education, University of Lagos, Professor Florence Ajike Osanyin, has stated that the 6-3-3-4 system of education failed as a result of lack of political will in planning, data sourcing, provision of facilities, teacher preparation and the infamous take-over of mission schools.

Delivering Home Science Association's 50th anniversary lecture on: The Relevance and Adequacy of Nigerian Education to Globalisation to mark the HSA, Nursery and Primary School, Ikoyi, Osanyin said: "The failure of the system has led to the lingering crisis in the education system today."

According to her, Vision 20:20:20 was intended to position Nigeria to be one of the top economies in the world. She explained that the results of the 2010 Nigeria Education Data Survey showed that primary school attendance ratio increased pupil repetition and drop out rates reduced, while overall adult literacy rate was 71.6 per cent.

Osanyin who noted that the education crisis in Nigeria is not only one of access, but also quality, pointed out that the large number of children emerging from schools with limited literacy or numeracy skills is worrisome.

Quoting the 2012 EFA Global Monitoring Report on 'Youth and Skills, Putting Education to Work', She said "that among young men aged 15 to 29 in 2008 who had left school after six years of schooling, 28 per cent were illiterate and 39 per cent were semi illiterate."

She added that UNICEF 2015 global monitoring report on EFA 2000-2015 showed that there are 58 million children out of school.

"Out of this number, 25 million are in the rural areas and from poorest of the world."

Meanwhile, Mrs Folasade Bakare, President the Home Science Association, said that the theme of 50 years celebration seeks to acknowledge the far reaching impact they have made in the education of hundreds of children across the country. According to her, "HSA graduates are numbered among distinguished Nigerians in different fields of endeavour. The Association has since birthed more institutions, a first-class co-educational secondary school with full boarding facilities at Alakuko, nursery and primary schools, day care centre for market men and women and a fully equipped vocational education institute."

ZODML donates 5 libraries

By Tare Youdeowei

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ACCHEUS Onumba Diiaezue Memoria Libraries (ZODML), a non profit organisation dedicated to building libraries so everyone can educate themselves, has donated and commissioned libraries to Christ Church Primary School, Odunfa, Ebute Meta, Salvation Army Primary School, Okobaba, Ebute Meta, Akoka Primary School, Akoka, LMLG School Complex, Fadeyi and Kadara Primary School, Kadara Ebute Meta, Lagos.

Speaking at the commissioning, Chief Executive Officer ZODML, Ms Ego Mbagwu, said; “The libraries are meant to serve seven schools in the mainland. I am happy ZODML is making its first journey into Lagos Mainland.

"The success recorded in these libraries made us bring the libraries to the Mainland. We hope that with your cooperation we would be able to make a success of the library. It is not enough to put a library in a place and the books would gather dust. We hope that you would make the children read.”

Responding, Education Secretary Lagos Mainland LGEA, Mr. Adebisi Adetona, said; “We appreciate the seed you are sowing today. You may not know the gravity of what you are doing but as the years go by, when leaders emerge; these children will think of you and appreciate you.

“Head teachers note that the books are to be put to adequate use. Encourage the pupils to read there, do not lock books up.

Let us see ensure that the culture of reading being implanted in our pupils.”

Assuring ZODML that the libraries would be equitably used, Chairman SUBEB, Dr. Ganiyu Sopeyin, through Mrs Aminee, said; “I implore parents to buy story books for their children so they do not just read in school but they continue at home. We have monitoring officers going round to monitor the libraries and I am sure ZODML will not regret giving the children these libraries.”

Chairman Board of Trustees, ZODML, Mrs ifeoma Esiri, “I am impressed that you have already established monitoring teams to monitor the libraries. The most important thing for us is the impact on the students. I promise that every year we would try to establish five or six libraries. If you are true to the monitoring and we see the impact, you will be our first choice for additional libraries, as we are looking for partnerships that would help the organisation’s mission work.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015—39

Education should be given priority —Okowa

By Tare Youdeowei & Chris Onuoha

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ELTA State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has stressed the need for re-evaluation of education in the country.

Speaking in Lagos at the luncheon of Old Boys Association of Ughelli Government College, Lagos branch, the Governor said education should be given priority to uplift its standard.

Okowa who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Professor Chiedu Ebie, said that as part of his strategic wealth creation agenda for Deltans ‘SMART’ to ensure that education improves in Delta State, the Governor will convene a summit early next year to reviewe education in the 21st

century with focus on capacity building for teachers and mentorship drive to encourage and inspire the young ones in school.

He said, “In Delta State, we have 435 secondary and 1,100 primary schools, and you would agree with me that it’s not an easy task to reach to everyone but ensuring that standard is very high. Being that there is a drop in the standard - infrastructural decay and even lack of quality, the Governor is convening stakeholder’s meeting in form of an education summit to hold in the first quarter of 2016.

"At the summit, we intend to xray the state of our schools and educational systems and ask what can be done and how to go about it. I think, with the

education summit, we should be able to address some of these issues and come up with solutions.

"But funding continues to be very important and we have to look at how we can bridge the funding gap.”

While speaking on the falling standard in both public and some of the private owned schools, he said, “We have responsibility as regulators. We are looking at how to review the policies as relates to private schools so that we can extend our oversight functions and ensure the standard is improved.

"Essentially, the main focus of this administration is to ensure that we improve the standard of education to provide quality education across board."

PRESENTATION;From left, VP Admin, Command Day Secondary School, Ojo, Mrs. Adunke Hassan, the winning team: Miss Tobiloba, Master Olaniyi Olagunju, Miss Blessing Piabari, Quiz Master, Mr. Towoeni Jimoh, presenting their awards from the term's cummulative quizes and debates to the Commandant of the school, Lt-Col. U. A. Ndana.

African Hospitality Academy debuts P ROSPECTS of career opportunities in the hotel and hospitality industry in Nigeria and other African countries have received a tremendous boost with the debut of the African Hospitality Academy in Lagos.

The Academy, operated with the support of The Hague Hotel Schools of the Netherlands, intends to revolutionise and enhance the nation’s hotel and hospitality industry by training Nigerians and providing employment for them.

Speaking during the open day of the Academy at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Festac, Founder of the Academy, Mr. Amaechi Ndili, said the initiative became necessary as the country is not turning out enough graduates for the industry.

Ndili, an entrepreneur and investor in the hotel and hospitality industry, said “gaps in the skills sets, were limiting available opportunities. I realised that with respect to manpower among West Africans, within the industry, not only was there a skills set gap, the opportunities within the industry are so vast that we

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would not have possibility of careers therein.

“The Academy was born because we are not turning out enough quality graduates to take over, .”

“Part of what we intend to do is help the graduates secure employment. As soon as they graduate, we will be spreading them around the country and even to countries in the subregion. Applicants must have some form of tertiary education in any discipline to qualify to register.”

Speaking, the Dean of Faculty, The Hotel School, The Hague, Mr. Peter Starks said The Hague Hotel School is ranked among the top five hospitality business schools in the world and wants to be in Africa.

“Your GDP generally runs around 2.4% yearly, while hospitality runs around 4.6% yearly which means the potential to grow is there. This is Africa’s growth story of the 21st Century.”

Entries for OAU Centre for Distance Learning commences

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FTER the successful completion of examinations for its 317 students currently enrolled in the eLearning programme, the Obafemi Awolowo University Centre for Distance Learning (OAUCDL) has commenced applications for its 2015/2016 Degree programmes in Accounting, Economics and Nursing.

The programme was introduced in April 2014, upon the Nigerian Universities Commission’s (NUC) approval, while students in the eLearning programme receive lectures at their various locations through the tablet device (VigiTabs) given to them when admitted.

In statement, OAUCDL’s Director, Prof Michael Adeyeye, said the eLearning programme is a step in the right direction and the existing higher institutions can only admit one-third of degree seeking Nigerians.

Continuous denial will not help our universities (2)

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was in Uyo two weeks ago when an NTA news item brought me up short. Unfortunately, there was no writing material around to record the name of the official in one of the agencies under the Federal Ministry of Education who was being interviewed. Apparently, officials in the Ministry and its agencies had been invited to Aso Rock to brief the President about the education sector. The President had asked them why Nigerian universities had such low ratings among African and global universities. What startled me was the reply reported to have been given to Buhari.

False claims made to the President include the following. University of Ibadan is now ranked eighth in Africa and a few Nigerian universities have joined the first 1,000 in a recent ranking exercise. Expectedly, the fellow did not reveal the name of the organisation which carried out the study; so there was no way to verify. I think the omission was deliberate.

With the wind of change blowing through the Federal Government, it is certain that the Ministry of Education should quickly follow NNPC, NPA, Police, Customs Service, DSS and Aviation in the purge that is expected. Even the official being interviewed knows that there had been a pervasive decline in the quality of education from the primary to the tertiary levels. So, how on earth can we be improving our standing in the African and global league tables when we are spending less, not more, on our universities? Let me point out some of the fallacies involved in what the visitors (including NUC, NBTE etc) told Buhari.

In 2014, less than 30 per cent of capital allocations to the universities were released. In 2015, second quarter capital allocations are just now being disbursed. On the whole, budgetary allocations to universities declined in 2014 and are set to decline further in 2015. Meanwhile, tuition and other fees charged by the universities had remained frozen because decisions on funding education in 2014/2015 were driven by the 2015 Elections which did not end until April. By then, the universities were locked into the funding deficit they have experienced since the Structural Adjustment Programme, SAP. One does not need to be an economist to understand that no improvement can take place when funds are dwindling. The most obvious question to ask those who went to brief Buhari is: how were they able to perform the magic of improving service delivery with the paucity of funds?

Service delivery Meanwhile, the testimonies from the universities themselves expose the lies that were fed to the President. In the October 25, 2015 interview published in PUNCH, Professor Ibidapo-Obe had referred to Nigerian universities as “ghettos”. A more apt description would be difficult to find. The first question that leaps to one’s mind on reading that is: can anything good come out of barrios? Most probably not.

Professor Okebukola, former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, NUC, had been associated with more Nigerian universities than just about anybody on earth. In an interview with Charles Abah, published in PUNCH, October 27, 2015, page 27, he had this to say when asked questions about research in Nigerian universities.

“Here we need at least five things. We need to provide the necessary infrastructureforconductingqualityresearch;whichisnowgrosslylacking.

Second, we need to build research capacity of university staff to align with modern methodologies. Many of our researchers are still living in the past…Thirdly, we need to provide grants to support quality research.

Nigeria is one of the countries which is low down in the global league of investment in research…Fourthly, we need to improve the intellectual honesty of our researchers…Fifthly, we need to have better compensation package for award-winning researchers….”

With so many deficits in the area of research, and with the situation getting worse daily, why are we denying our low ranking compared with other countries?

On April 22, 2015, the Ondo State University of Medical Sciences became the 140th university approved by the NUC in Nigeria; and the 31st to offer medical and health-related courses. But, the annual budgets of all 31 put together, cannot be anything near that of one single American Medical School. The equipment and facilities are often obsolete. Dr LekePitan,formerCommissionerofHealthinLagosStateunderGovernor Bola Tinubu, once told this writer how he went to the USA and discovered obsolete medical equipment in a hospital warehouse and requested for them to be sent to Lagos.

They were light years more modern than what the hospitals in the Centre of Excellence paraded in its own Teaching Hospital. Back in 1980, as the Country Sales Manager for Smith Kline and French (now part of GlaxoSmithKline), I requested for the company to provide free of charge endoscopes to medical schools at Lagos, Ibadan, Benin, Nsukka, and Ahmadu Bello. I was at one of those schools three years ago and saw the old endoscope damaged and packed away in one corner of the Internal Medicine section. It has not been replaced. Nobody uses that oldscrapanymore.Thatshouldtellussomethingaboutmedicaleducation.

40 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31 , 2015

2016: FG votes N66bn for Lagos-Ibadan expressway

By Jonah Nwokpoku

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HE Federal Government has budgeted a total of N66 billion for the rehabilitation of Lagos-Ibadan expressway; N30,000,000,000 for rehabilitation of LagosShagamu-Ibadan dual carriageway section (I) in Lagos State, and N36,000,000,000 for rehabilitation of Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan dual carriageway section (II) in Oyo state.

This is even as the office of the President and that of the Vice President will spend a total of N32, 964,218 to fuel generator in 2016 while a total sum of N115, 410,472 will be spent on motor vehicle fuel, fuel for generators and gas for cooking.

These were contained in the breakdown of the 2016 appropriation bill as reflected in the State house headquarters and Ministry of Works, Power and Housing budgets presented by President Muhammad Buhari last week to the joint section of the National Assembly in Abuja.

The budget showed that the state house headquarters will spend a total of N90, 499,510 on fuel, a breakdown of which indicates that N58, 894, 281 will be spent on motor vehicle fuel, N24,660,308 on plant/ generator fuel and N6,944,921 on cooking gas/fuel while the office of the Vice of President will spend a total of N24,910,962; N14,115,896 on motor vehicle fuel, N8,303,910 on plant/generator fuel, and N2,491,156 on cooking gas/fuel.

Meanwhile the Presidency will also spend a total of N27 million on purchases of vehicle gadgets like C-caution (triangles), fire extinguishers and towing ropes of booster cables. The presidency will also expend N30, 000,000 on purchases of tool boxes, motorized jacks, diagnostic machines, tyre changing machine and

kits pressure machine.

More so, the ongoing renovation of the Presidential guest house is expected to gulp a total of N387, 980,200, while complete furnishing of the entire rooms in the guest house will take N45, 000,000.

Other expenditures captured in the state house budget, include: “Purchase of office equipment at N67, 129,028, purchase of canteen/ kitchen equipment, N89, 172,300 and wildlife conservation, N326, 084,876.”

Further highlights of the budget also indicates that “construction and provision of recreational facilities, an ongoing project, will cost N764, 671,015; linking of cable to driver’s rest room at the presidential villa, N322,421,971; linking of cable from guest house generator house to gate, N213,873,953; Installation of electrical lightings and fittings, N618,604,265; Electrical installation of distribution boards and other cables, N191,592,132; Provision of stage curtains and electrical drive, N22,861,449; Installations of electrical materials and luminaries, N10,416,146.”

The federal government has also within the budget allocated N308,000,000 for construction of VIP wing at State House Medical Centre, while a total of N3,219,555,017 will be expended on procurement of medical equipment.

The budget also indicates that N32, 386,724 has also been earmarked for purchase of generators for state house Lagos liaison office.

Meanwhile, anti graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has been allocated N2, 550,003,881 for construction of new head office building and another N77, 912,910 for construction of office building.

TERRORISM: How female suicide bombers deceive Nigerians by, Defence Chief

By Kingsley Omonobi

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HIEF of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonosakin has disclosed how female suicide bombers deceive unsuspecting members of the public requesting assistance to perform religious obligation to enable them gain access to soft target spots, thereby detonating improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs and killing innocent citizens.

According to General Olonosakin the female suicide bombers approach their victims, asking for water to perform ablution and other favours in a bid to enter designated areas and detonate their bombs.

Consequently, he has warned the civil populace to be suspicious of such strange females asking for water for ablution or any other favours, maintaining that all those intrigues are calculated to gain access

to designated areas to detonate their bombs.

The Defence Chief advised the citizens of the country to be wary of the latest tactics of the terrorists to perpetuate their evils acts, especially in Mosques, Churches, market places, motor parks and other social gathering.

General Olonisakin spoke at the occasion of end of year 2015 conference with Principal Staff Officers of the Defence Headquarters.

Meanwhile, General Olonisakin has effected a restructuring of the Defence Headquarters, with the establishment of the office of Campaign Planning, Coordinating Centre for Naval Component, Theatre Commander and Deputy Theatre Commander in Operation LAFIYA DOLE. Also, a new ‘Theatre Media Office’ has been established to coordinate the operational activities of the Armed Forces. The Theatre Media Office will

interface with the media and general public in the North East.

A statement signed by Brigadier General Rabe said: “The restructuring, according to the CDS, became expedient in order to inject new tactics, operations and robust initiatives to attain efficiency and professionalism in the major operations nationwide where rule of law and human rights are strictly adhered to.”

The CDS affirmed his commitment to indivisible Nigeria, stating that the military will continue to fight for the unity of our dear country.

He emphasized that Nigeria remains one nation, one destiny.

He maintained that the Armed Forces is working round the clock in the fight against terrorism, illegal oil bunkering, cattle rustling and other forms of illegalities and crimes that are plaguing our nation.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015 —41

Eating fish, meat before rice controls blood sugar — STUDY

By Sola Ogundipe

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HIS information will interest people living with diabetes. The next time you are served a plate of rice, it is advisable to eat the fish or meat before the rice. Japanese researchers say they have established that eating fish and meat before rice can help control blood sugar in people with diabetes because it slows down the stomach.

Now whether or not you agree with this finding, researchers at the Kansai Electric Power Medical Research Institute are convinced that dietary therapy focusing on the sequence of food intakes may lead to diabetes prevention and treatment.

In a three-day research project involving 12 patients with type 2 diabetes and 10 healthy people, the group monitored changes in blood sugar levels four hours after the subjects had meals in which rice was consumed either first or last.

When boiled mackerel and grilled beef were eaten 15 minutes before rice, their sugar levels were about 30 percent and 40 percent lower, respectively, compared with when they ate rice first.

From their findings, eating fish and beef first promoted the secretion of incretin, a gastrointestinal hormone, which slowed stomach motility and thus the rise in blood sugar.

Several other studies note that vegetarian and vegan (no meat, fish, eggs, dairy, or honey) diets help prevent, control, and even reverse diabetes.

It is expected that this technique may become even more effective if vegetables are eaten ahead of fish, meat and rice.

Ordinarily, fish just happens to bring the added benefit of heart-healthy

HIV: NACA warns against risky behaviour

On a plate of rice, experts say you should eat the fish or meat first. omega-3 fatty acids but previous studies say fish intake may increase type 2 diabetes risk by increasing blood sugar levels. However, diabetics are known to gain control of their blood sugar levels by following approved dietary

guidelines and recommendations.

As a rule, moderate consumption of all food items including meat and fish is key. The recommendation is to check blood sugar as directed by the healthcare provider.

Condom vending machine kills man

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MAN died on Christmas day after apparently trying to blow up a condom vending machine in Germany.

The 29-year-old was brought into hospital with a head injury by two other men who first told doctors their colleague injured himself falling downstairs.

But suspicious medical staff called police.

The men subsequently admitted that they had tried to blow up the machine and the victim was injured by a piece of flying metal from the blast.

He later died of his injuries.

Officers say the suspects apparently got into a car after priming the explosion but the 29-year-old failed to close his door and was hit by debris when the machine exploded.

Police alerted to the explosion in the town of Schoeppingen, close to the border with the Netherlands, found condom packets and cash lying on the ground, apparently untouched.girls who are the main carriers of water.

HE National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, has called on Nigerians to avoid engaging in risky behaviour that can propel the spread of HIV. Making the call in a special yuletide message, Director General of the Agency, prof John Idoko, said Nigerians should share and show the symbol of love responsibly so that as a nation, the spread of HIV in Nigeria can be halted.

“Christmas is that season of joy where the birth of Christ is celebrated around the World. This period, we demonstrate the joy with loved ones by spending quality time together and exchange variety of gift items among ourselves.

However, there is a worrisome aspect now festering during festive season, and this is the indiscriminate sexual and other negative activities during this period which can lead to uninformed decision making.

NACA is appealing to the general public that, in sharing gifts among our loved ones, we should not share HIV and to also demonstrate our love by avoiding risky sexual behaviour.

It has become imperative that the high prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS among adults and youths in the country calls for the need to engage in discussions on the transmission and prevention of HIV/ AIDS at this period of Christmas.

Increased public awareness and advancements in medication has over the years led to remarkable strides in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS among individuals.

NACA calls for coordinated effort by parents and guardians of adolescents to help by starting and maintaining a conversation with their wards about their sexual decisions which should include facts about HIV/AIDS.

What is an Epidural Injection?

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AIN specialists perform injections into muscles, joints, nerves and many structures all over the body.

Most of the time we inject a combination of anti inflammatory medication (steroid), a local anaesthetic (temporary) or type of alcoholic (permanent) destructive agent.

One of the commonest procedures we do is the epidural injection. It is similar to what anaesthetists do for pain relief in labour.

What is it ?

The epidural space is located around the outer covering of the spinal cord. It runs from the base of the skull to the bottom of the spine. Not only do nerve fibres carry pain signals through this space to the brain, but inflammation and arthritic changes can occur in and around other structures within the spinal canal area.

The local anaesthetics we inject temporarily block the function of the nerves while the steroids reduce inflammation and improve the chances of longer-term pain relief. These steroids should not be confused with ANABOLIC steroids that sportsmen use to build up muscles.

Unfortunately no company to this day actually produces a steroid licensed specifically for the epidural space, but those preparations that we have been using since the early 1970s are considered to be very safe by national and international organisations.

Why an epidural?

We give epidurals for patients with back/leg pain or neck/arm/shoulder pain that is due to inflammation of the nerves, arthritis in the neck or back. Our aim is to reduce pain, improve mobility and facilitate physiotherapy.

doctor@lagospainclinic.com How is it done?

The injection can be done with you sitting up, lying on your side or lying face down.An IV cannula may or may not be placed first at the back of your hand. The Doctor will select the area he wishes to inject and clean with an antiseptic.

The Doctor is expected to talk you through as everything is going on behind your back, so to say. He may or may not use a special xray called fluoroscopy to guide his needle placement. This is more likely if you are lying face down for the procedure.

What are the benefits?

The goal is pain reduction. This may be evident from a reduction in medications, more mobility, better sleep, or better response tomphysiotherapy. The relief may take days or weeks to take effect and may not be 100% complete.

In some patients, there may be no relief at all.“What are the side effects?

There are situations whereby we may reconsider the need for an epidural and also situations whereby we absolutely must not do an epidural. These must be discussed with your pain specialist.

In addition, the side effects can be due to the actual injection, the local anaesthetic or the steroid. They can be mostly mild and self limiting but a few can be severe and require special treatment. They must be discussed with the pain specialist as part of your right of informed consent.

Advice/Precaution It is very important to let the Pain Clinic know at least a week in advance: If you are allergic to any medications If you are on blood thinning medications (like warfarin, aspirin, Plavix, ticlid, heparin) If you have an infection. If you have an infection near the proposed site of injection If you have had a recent steroid/cortisone injection If you think you might be pregnant If you are a diabetic on insulin If you have had a recent heart attack or vaccination.

You should try to continue your normal activities or try to increase your activity and reduce your painkillers if the injection appears to be successful.

A follow/up appointment in would have been arranged by the Pain Clinic for the Doctor to review the effects of the injection.

Research evidence suggests that epidural steroid injections work well for back and leg pain especially if due to disc problems. If the scan of the spine shows more of narrowing than inflammation, the injections are not quite as effective.

Evidence also advices that the best results are obtained when the injections are repeated two to three times, 2-3 weeks apart. Relief, if successful, may last 4 to 12 months.

42 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015

Burundi President threatens to fight AU peacekeepers

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•Activists say Russian aircraft have been bombing the town of Sheikh Miskeen for days

Syria conflict: Troops battle rebels for key southern town Nawa. The Local Co-

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OVERNMENT forces are battling rebels for control of a strategically important town in southern Syria.

An army statement said troops and militiamen were advancing into Sheikh Miskeen on several fronts and had reached the main square.

Opposition activists said there were fierce clashes around the town and a heavy bombardment by Russian aircraft.

The government’s offensive is the first in the south since Russia launched air strikes in support three months ago.

The region is the last where secular and nationalist rebel factions still hold substantial territory, and Sheikh Miskeen lies on one of the main routes from Damascus to the city of Deraa and the Jordanian border.

The army said on Wednesday afternoon that troops had taken control of eastern and northern parts of Sheikh Miskeen and

reached the town’s main square. Earlier, a military source told the state news agency, Sana, that “terrorist organisations” inside Sheikh Miskeen had suffered heavy losses in the past two days and had started moving their operations centre to nearby

Clinton: What ISIS is doing is “genocide”

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ILLARY Clinton has condemned ISIS nefarious activities , calling the terror group’s attacks against Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East “genocide.”

“We have enough evidence,” Clinton said at a town hall event in New Hampshire on Tuesday night, adding that, “What is happening is genocide, deliberately aimed at destroying not only the lives but wiping out the existence of Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East in territory

Bill Cosby charged with drugging, sexually assaulting woman

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ILL Cosby yesterday was charged with drugging and sexually assaulting a woman at his home 12 years ago the first criminal charges brought against the comedian out of the torrent of allegations that destroyed his good-guy image as America’s Dad. The case sets the stage for perhaps the biggest Hollywood celebrity trial of the mobile-all-the-time era and could send the 78-yearold Cosby to prison in the twilight of his life and barrierbreaking career.

Prosecutors accused him of plying former Temple University employee Andrea Constand with pills and wine, then penetrating her with his fingers without her consent, while she was drifting in and out of consciousness, unable to resist or cry out.

She was “frozen, paralyzed, unable to move,” Montgomery County District Attorney-elect Kevin Steele

ordination Committees, an opposition activist network, reported that there had been fighting around Sheikh Miskeen on Wednesday between rebels and advancing government forces, which it said were backed by Russian warplanes.

said. In court papers, prosecutors said the drugs were the cold medicine Benadryl or some other, unidentified substance.

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ERMANY would have registered just over a million migrants by the end of 2015 financial year, a regional newspaper said yesterday, roughly in line with the latest predictions but still about five times more than last year.

Germany, Europe’s biggest economy and magnet for migrants partly due to generous social benefits, is taking in more refugees from the Middle East and Africa than any other EU state, but authorities are struggling to house the dramatic influx of migrants.

Any violation of those principles would be considered “an attack on the country and every Burundian will stand up and fight against them,” he said.

Other government officials have already criticised the AU proposal saying it would violate the country’s sovereignty.

If the deployment goes ahead, it would be the first time the AU uses its power to deploy a force without a country’s consent.

A clause in the organisation’s charter

allows it to intervene in a member state because of grave circumstances, which include war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.

Diplomatic moves to prevent a civil war in Burundi have recently accelerated with the UN, the European Union and the East African Community fearful of the impact of worsening violence both on the local population and the region.

The government has said there is no threat of genocide.

•Burundian refugees attend a rally addressed

by Tanzania Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, at Nduta refugee camp in Kigoma, Tanzania.

CAR goes to poll after years of conflict

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*Hillary Clinton controlled by ISIS.” The Democratic frontrunner said she was asked earlier in the campaign whether ISIS’ attacks on religious minorities including Christians, Kurdish Muslims and Yazidi women — in Syria and Iraq represented genocide, but wasn’t sure at the time.

Over 1m migrants registered in Germany in 2015

By Emeka Aginam, with agency report

URUNDI’S President Pierre Nkurunziza has threatened to fight African Union (AU) peacekeepers if they are deployed to the country.

The AU announced two weeks ago that it would send 5,000 troops to protect civilians in the country, even without the government’s consent.

“Everyone has to respect Burundi borders", Mr Nkurunziza said in his first public response to the AU plan.

At least 400 people have been killed and 220,000 displaced since April.

The violence began after Mr Nkurunziza announced he would seek a third term in office. He survived a coup attempt in May, and secured a landslide victory in disputed elections in July.

There have been fears that the violence could spiral into civil war and possible ethnic conflict.

Under Burundi’s constitution, foreign troops can only intervene if the warring parties ask for it, or if there is no legitimate government in place, the president said in comments broadcast on state radio.

Citing unpublished government figures, the Saechsische Zeitung reported that the authorities expect about 125,000 asylum seekers to have registered on Germany’s EASY system in December, down considerably from 206,000 last month. That brings the overall figure to 1.09 million people.

A spokeswoman for the Interior Ministry declined to confirm the numbers which will be available in early January but Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said in a statement the numbers were falling slightly.

OTERS in the Central African Republic flocked to the polls yesterday in presidential and parliamentary elections seen as vital to restore stability after years of inter-religious bloodshed.

Queues had formed in the capital Bangui even before the start of polling in the deeply poor country, which

was finally taking place amid high security after several delays.

Voting was extended beyond the scheduled 1500 GMT close in numerous stations where logistical hitches had delayed voting, including the flashpoint Muslim enclave known as PK-5.

UN troops were

•Residents wait to cast their vote at the polling station in Bangui

patrolling the neighbourhood which has been a focal point in clashes between rebels from the Muslim minority and Christian militias and where five people were killed during a referendum on December 13 that paved the way for the vote.

But the enthusiasm of people to try to turn the page on years of instability was undimmed.

“I am voting because I’m patriotic. To rebuild the country, the hospitals and schools,” 27-year-old Ousmann told AFP. His sentiments were echoed by another voter, civil administrator Philippe Bodo.

“We have to change the destiny of the country. But this time the will of the people must not be hijacked,” he said.

Rwandan pastor jailed for life for genocideera crimes case was referred from the

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Rwandan pastor accused of leading and coordinating attacks on minority Tutsis during Rwanda’s 1994 genocide has been sentenced to life imprisonment, Rwanda’s high court said yesterday.

In the genocide, an estimated 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed by dominant Hutu forces in 100 days.

Jean Uwinkindi, who once led the Kayenzi Pentecostal

church in the rural outskirts of the capital Kigali, was convicted of crimes of genocide and crimes against humanity committed during the slaughter.

“The court finds that there were killings of the Tutsi at Rwankeri and Kanzenze hills and that the attacks were led by Uwinkindi,” said Judge Kanyegeri Timothee.

Uwinkindi, 64, was arrested in Uganda in 2010 and the following year his

International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, in Tanzania, to the Rwandan national court system. It was the first such referral.

At the time, the ICTR said that legal reforms in Rwanda, including scrapping the death penalty for genocide suspects held in Tanzania or at large, had made the transfer possible.

The former pastor said he planned to appeal.

Vanguard,THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015—43

South-South states breaching pension law, laments PenCom Stories by Victor Ahiuma-Young

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HE implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, which came into existence in 2004 following the Pension Reform Act, PRA, as amended, has remained a major issue in some states 11 years after its inception.

Top among the states breaching the PRA 2004, as amended (in 2014), are the states in the South-South region of the country.

Besides the obvious problem of guaranteed payment of pensions to workers of this region after their working life, the non-implementation of the CPS, has equally denied states in this region numerous benefits associated with the scheme.

At a recent sensitization programme for the people of the South-South zone on developments brought about by the PRA 2014, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Director-General of the National Pension Commission, PenCom, Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, decried the level of implementation of the CPS in the zone, lamenting that “no state in the South-South geopolitical zone has fully implemented the Contributory Pension Scheme.”

Stages of implementation According to her: “It is note worthy that many States have adopted the Contributory Pension Scheme and are at various stages of its implementation. However, no State in the South-South geopolitical zone has fully implemented the Contributory Pension Scheme. This situation has denied the States the obvious advantages of the Contributory Pension model including its sustainability as a system, robust framework that eliminates the incentives for corruption in benefits administration and ability to access the pool of investible pension funds to drive economic and infrastructural development in their respective domains.

I would therefore passionately appeal to all the States and Local Governments in the South-South geopolitical zone to step-up their efforts to implement the Contributory Pension Scheme in order to avail themselves and their employees of the numerous opportunities and benefits of the Scheme.

PenCom has established functional offices in

•Cross section of pensioners during verification exercise the six geo-political zones in Nigeria, with it South-South Zonal Office located in Calabar, Cross Rivers State, to facilitate and offer the needed technical assistance to States and Local Governments. Individuals and organizations may equally approach our zonal offices nearest to them to seek information and assistance from PenCom on any pension matter.”

Problems of pension administration: Recalling developments leading to PRA, the Director General said “you would recall the myriad of challenges encountered in the administration of pensions in Nigeria, which compelled the Federal Government to embark on the 2004 pension reform.

The Federal Government enacted the Pension Reform Act 2004 which established the Contributory Pension Scheme to replace the Defined Benefits Pension Scheme, which become unsustainable.

economy as at date. Indeed, our achievements in the implementation of Contributory Pension Scheme has earned Nigeria a position as Africa’s hub on pension matters. The maiden and the 2nd editions of the prestigious World Pension Summit ‘Africa Special’ were hosted in Abuja in 2014 and October 2015 respectively.

Nigeria also received three out of five Awards at the maiden edition of the Africa Pension Award held on 6 October, 2015 in Abuja.”

Why PRA 2004 was amended: Giving insight into the reasons for the amendment of 2004, Mrs. Anohu-Amazu, explained that after 10 years of implementation of CPS, it became imperative to review and improve on the law saying,

Objectives of the reform It is heartwarming to note that within a decade of the implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme in Nigeria, the story of pension administration is changing into to a positive narrative.

“The Scheme has so far delivered all the major objectives of the reform. We are proud state that since its establishment eleven years ago, there had been no case of malpractice recorded in the administration of the Contributory Pension Scheme in Nigeria. In addition, the Scheme has so far generated over N5.03 trillion worth of pension assets invested in various sectors of the Nigerian

The Act has set the standard and framework within which States and Local Governments are required to adopt and implement the Scheme for the benefits of their respective employees

“it is apposite to note that no human endeavor is perfect and continuous improvement is imperative.

Thus, the experiences and lessons gathered by PenCom in the ten years of implementation of the pension reform necessitated the revision of the 2004 Act. After an extensive review, stakeholder consultations and legislative scrutiny, a new Pension Reform Act 2014 was enacted, which came into effect on 1st July 2014. The purpose of this conference is, therefore, to sensitize our major stakeholders and participants in the South-South geopolitical zone on the new provisions and developments ushered in by the Pension Reform Act 2014.

Pension matters “The 2014 Act re-enacted the copious provisions of the repealed 2004 Act, which include inter alia, the establishment of the Contributory Pension Scheme, with all its features, as well as the National Pension Commission as the sole regulator and supervisor of pension matters in Nigeria. In addition, there are also new developments introduced by the Pension Reform Act 2014, which, I believe, our resource persons would highlight and discuss in details today.

However, permit me to state that under the 2014 Act, the Contributory Pension Scheme now covers employees of State and Local Governments in Nigeria. The Act has set the standard and framework within which States and Local Governments are required to adopt and implement the Scheme for the benefits of their respective employees.”

Unpaid severance, other benefits of PHCN staff will be paid, labour assures NATIONAL Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, has assured about 5000 former workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria of Nigeria, PHCN, whose severance benefits and Pensions are yet to be paid, that the union is doing its best to ensure they get their entitlements.

General Secretary of the union, Mr. Joe Ajaero, gave the assurance in his report of activities of National Executive Council, NEC, to the 5th Quadrennial /10th National Delegates Conference of the union, which took place in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

According to him: “Severance packages and Pension component have been paid to members nationwide. Regrettably, we still have about 5,000 cases of unpaid, partial payment and short payment of severance benefits and pension. The union is working round the clock to ensure that the affected members receive respite.”

He told delegates that “until recently, payment of pensions to retired PHCN staff was very problematic, frustrating and often pitched the managements and government against the union. After pay-off, the sector has migrated to the new Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS. Those affected by disengagement and have attained the age of 50 years are already receiving their pensions.

Whereas, we were operating the old pension scheme prior to privatization, with a hope to having a closed pension policy, government and the National Pension Commission, PenCom, put pressure on us which led to migration to the Pension Fund Administrators, PFAs, (on the platform of CPS).”

It will be recalled that in a recent interview with Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Ajaero, had said “we had a common pension fund that was operating in PHCN before government said it was going to pay the gratuity and pension of workers after privatisation. But as we speak government has not fulfilled that obligation because of about 50, 000 staff of PHCN, everybody has one case or the other on unpaid benefits. About 5, 000 of that number has not been paid their gratuity or severance over two years after privatization and most of them are not working.

44—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015

Why I wrote on the ripple effects of Slave trade ----Onyenyeonwu, author of Sixth Finger

By Japhet Alakam HE Umutu Cafe, located at Muritala Mohammed Airport 2 venue of the unveiling of a new book written by Chux Onyenyeonwu and in attendance were a select group of writers who came to see the creative work of art.

Indeed, the powerful cover design, superb printing as well as the contents were so classic that many wondered whether it was the work of a first timer or not, but it was so.

The book entitled: “The Sixth Finger”a historical facts and complimenting dramatic fictional events is the reward of many years of intense research

by Chux Onyenyeonwu.

The unveiling of the 531 page book in Lagos last week marked the author’s debut in the literary world.

In the 98 chapter book, which is his very first attempt, Onyenyeonwu examines the Trans-Atlantic slave trade from an African perspective. It traces the life-changing journey of the slaves who, after being displaced from their homeland and separated from their families, were forced into a new life in Cuba and the Americas. Two centuries later a series of bi-

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zarre circumstances causes their descendants to cross paths in London. What will become of this strange meeting?

At the epic occasion, the author who linked the unveiling to that of the old proverbial expression of the chickens coming home to roost said that “The Sixth Finger that was sold into slavery with its head bowed in shame, today returns to its homeland with its head held high to haunt every vestige of evil in the land and the diaspora that has continued to enslave the helpless and innocents with impunity.”

Speaking on why it took him so long to come out, the author said he had to weave fact and fiction, history and specu-

• Chux Onyenyeonwu, slave not yet over

In the 98 chapters book , the author weaves fact and fiction, history and speculation to recreate one of the most violent and volatile episodes in African history

lation to recreate one of the most violent and volatile episodes in African history: The Trans-Atlantic slave trade. “in my desire to better the master wordsmiths that sculptured my writing skills, I painstakingly upped the bars to come up with a more difficult but plausible saga of a breed of people scattered in four continents with varied cultures. It was one of the most difficult tasks and punishments, that I have ever inflicted on myself, sometimes

I was tempted to just give up, and resort to simple and easy way out.

But that was not part of my tutelage in the university life, which posits that the best prizes only come to those who go beyond the normal call of duty. With the finished work before our eyes, I trade over, but am glad that I chose the more challenging terrain, to prove that The Sixth Finger, whether you believe it or not, is God in the affairs of men.” he added.

On what he wants to project through the book, the well travelled man of God said, “well the story like I said, don’t forget I’m a man of God in the first place. I have always wanted to agree that God is involved in every man’s life.

There is no time or a particular period that God is not aware of

Kakadu the iconic stage musical lights-up Lagos theatre

By Prisca Sam-Duru

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HE iconic, international and award winning stage musical, Kakadu by popular demand returned with an improved cast. The dance drama which was staged on December 29th and 30th 2015, will be on again from 1st to the 3rd of January 2016.

Kakadu The Musical, Nigeria’s first ever contemporary stage musical, which is an exciting and eclectic blend of music, drama and dance is a tribute to the period and infinite possibilities of Nigeria in the sixties and early seventies.

Wonderful music It uses the famous Lagos nightclub of the sixties as a backdrop for an era, which gave birth to wonderful music and the distinctive social life that followed the birthing of a young nation!

It has been described as “ complete theatre that educates and enlightens while it entertains”.

A must see for every Nigerian, Kakadu returns this time with a new cast and re-invig-

•Back To School by Bob Nosa displayed during the exhibition

• A scene from the iconic Kakadu the Musical orated music.

According to the writer and producer of the stage musical, Uche Nwokedi SAN, “The Kakadu storyline catches the watershed years in Nigeria’s history”.

Kakadu the Musical is the journey of four friends through a time of infinite possibilities.

It is a story of peace and war, of friendships and broken promises, and of innocence. It has a powerful plot and a captivating storyline that looks at the 1960s Lagos as a nation celebrates the end of colonialism and the birth of a new na-

tion. Lagos as a city was as colourful then and as hedonistic as any cosmopolitan city in the world.

Produced by the Playhouse

A must see for every Nigerian, Kakadu returns this time with a new cast and invigorated music

Initiative, Kakadu The Musical won awards and the commendations of many organizations including an award from the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) as the “Most Outstanding Total Stage Performance for 2013”. Kakadu The Musical was Nigeria’s official cultural export and cultural performance at the World Economic forum in Davos Switzerland in 2014.

The musical returns courtesy of MTN Foundation and Access Bank Plc.

what is happening. So there was a need to prove that even though there was slavery, that forced the blacks to be in America today, there was a kind of divine arrangement. It was like it happened by accident.

So, I needed to sell that to people that in everything, God was part of it.”

On the target audience, he pointed out that it is for everybody, that is why it is international. It was written with international audience in mind and that is why when we have to produce, we have to go to the US where we can get the best technology. And we are looking at the youths today who are not aware of their past.

The author who said that he was indebted to Haley’s film, the Roots which he watched when he was small. “Well, I am mostly a reader, a veracious one and when I read Roots, there was a challenge. I was touched at how Kunta Kinte, the major character in the film refused to change his identity despite the suffering.

Major character in the film On the title, he said, “One thing the writer must always do is to ensure that the title or the headline must be catchy, it must make someone ready to know the story behind the headline.

So, when I started writing the book, there were so many titles available.

"Somewhere along the line, when the volume became heavy, the question was how are the books going to be identified over 200 years and in different places. I needed a kind of book that would be water tight. And that is how I arrived at the Sixth Fingers. The six fingers one would say, contains things that happened in these stories because, I had it in my family."

In his view, “although the slave trade is over, the aftermath is still there. Blacks have not been fully integrated into their respective Diaspora societies whether in U.S., Cuba, Brazil and elsewhere. Blacks over there still have the mentality of slavery; they need to free themselves mentally too."

Continuing, he said that the blacks in the Diaspora who have contributed immensely towards the deveoplment of the world economy are not accorded their rightful place as they are still put down in their host societies. Without black labour in the plantations, he also decried the modern-day slavery deployed by Americans in the guise of visa Lottery through which blacks enslave themselves anew by working menial jobs .

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015 — 45

AFCON: Musa wants six points against Egypt S

UPER Eagles cap tain, Ahmed Musa, insists positive results against Egypt in Nigeria’s next two Afcon qualifiers are vital, if the Super Eagles are to return to the top of African football.

Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea following a shoddy qualification campaign and currently trail leaders, Egypt by two points in Group G of 2017 Afcon qualifying.

The Super Eagles will face the Pharaohs in two qualification games in March 2016 and Musa says nothing short of good results from both fixtures will be tolerated.

“We know we have very tough games against Egypt in the New Year.

“We know we have to win at home against them in March (2016)

O

PUSHING... Musa Ahmed forging ahead during a match and also go to Cairo and win there. They are going to be tough matches but we know the importance of the games.

“Without wins in those matches, we will not

qualify for the Afcon so we are working very hard to see that we win those two games,” Musa said. The CSKA Moscow forward also took the time to discuss the state

of health of head coach, Sunday Oliseh who is currently indisposed.

“I always talk to the coach and I hope by the grace of God, he will be well soon,” he said.

CHAN: Nigeria will go far —Abdullahi S

UPER Eagles defender, Shehu Abdullahi said the team will do more than the bronze medal it won in the 2014 CAF African Nations Championship as the 2016 edition beckons in Rwanda.

Shehu, who was in the bronze medal winning squad in South Africa added that the team has experience and potentials to reach the final.

“I was part of the last team that won the bronze medal in 2014 when the championship was held in South Africa,” Shehu said. I enjoyed every bit

of it even though we didn’t win the cup but it was a beautiful experience all the same.

“This team has the potential to go far and possibly win the cup. We have a lot of talent in the squad that can do Nigeria proud.”

Shehu also advised the team to be focused and play their best in the tournament as this will give them the muchneeded exposure to the world and expose their talents.

“My advice for them is to give their best for the

country. This is a good opportunity for them because the Chan is a good tournament to show their talent to the world,” he said. They also have to work hard, work as a team and listen to their coaches. If they do that I’m sure they can bring

LYMPIC Eagles captain, Azubuike Okechukwu has backed the national Under-23 team to do well at the Rio 2016 Olympics, after winning the CAF tournament in Senegal.

The team is likely to start preparations in February 2016, and Azubuike stated that the team with the calibre of players in the squad can hold its ground against tough opponents like Brazil and Argentina who denied Nigeria the gold at the Beijing 2008 Olympics with a 1-0 win. “ We have top players around the world who are capable of holding their own against any team. ‘ I would like to play against Argentina or Brazil. I believe playing against such top teams and their big name play-

ers like Neymar for Brazil will make for a good show.

I6 teams will play in the group stages of the Men’s football event of the Summer Games in Brazil.

The draw for the final competitions shall take place at least three months prior to the opening match of the final competitions.

Iheanacho vows to keep working at City

IOC boss urges scandal-free Olympic world must live sports in 2016 up to the public’s expec-

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PORTS organizations must work harder than ever in 2016 to clean up their act after a year of corruption and doping scandals that

tarnished the Olympic movement, IOC President Thomas Bach said Wednesday in a New Year’s message.

Bach said the entire

*STRONG SHOWING... Usain Bolt beats Justin Gatlin at the World Championships in Beijing. Athletics was rocked with doping scandal in 2015.

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Rio Olympics: Azubuike targets good outing

tations of integrity and heed his call from a year ago to “change or be changed.”

“One just needs to look at the events over the last 12 months to realize that this message is even more urgent today to safeguard the credibility of sports organizations and to protect clean athletes,” Bach said. “Undoubtedly, recent developments in some sports cast a shadow across the whole world of sport.”

While Bach didn’t cite any sports by name, he was clearly referring to the corruption scandal that has enveloped soccer governing body FIFA and the allegations of bribery and doping coverups involving the IAAF and Russia’s track and field program.

Noting the public’s growing demand for ethical behaviour by athletes and sports bodies,

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ORMER Golden Eaglets star, Kelechi Iheanacho has vowed to keep working hard to earn a first place team with Manchester City.

He made a late minute appearance for City in their 0-0 draw at Leicester City and as Manuel Pellegrini pursue the English Premier League title, Iheanacho is hoping to make more impact like he did at Crystal Palace when he scored a last gasp winner. City are away to Watford this weekend.

“It’s a great moment but it’s not the best moment because the best moments are yet to come,” he tells Bleacher Report.

“The game is very, very important, and the three points were the most important. I was excited and happy, but I keep

working hard and moving on.” Iheanacho’s career at City really began to develop this summer when he made a huge impact on the club’s preseason tour. He scored a goal against Roma and impressed with his allround display. His vision, touch and skill were immediately apparent, but it was perhaps the confidence he displayed that was most exciting.

It’s led to praise from his manager.

“I feel confident when he says those things and I’m very grateful for him saying them to me,” Iheanacho says. “He’s giving me more confidence to play and I thank him as well for giving me the opportunity to play in the first team. I will do well and I will do great things in this team.”

46 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015

Usman joins Salami to opt out of CHAN M

IDFIELDER U s m a n Mohammed is set to become the second Nigeria player to opt out of next month’s CHAN in Rwanda ahead of a move to Norwegian club Lillestrom, according to one of his representatives.

Warri Wolves striker Gbolahan Salami was the first Eagles player to stay away from the CHAN training camp in Abuja because he hopes to sign for a foreign club next week, which will make him ineligible for the competition

Mikel Continues from BP arrival of Guus Hiddink as interim boss has helped the Blues start to recover from a low of 16th place in the Premier League.

“The atmosphere has improved since the change of manager,” Mikel said.

“Jose is a fantastic manager, but sometimes football is a cruel game and you have to move on.”

Mikel added: “He came back to the club a second time and won two trophies but now he is gone. Is it the right decision? We will only see in the future.”

The champions dismissed Mourinho on 17 December - at that moment they were only

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one point above the relegation zone - and turned to Hiddink to rescue their season.

Dutchman Hiddink also managed the Blues on a temporary basis for the final three months of the 2008-09 campaign.

Mikel is one of only a few players, along with defenders John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic, who were at the club during Hiddink’s first spell, which ended in FA Cup glory.

“He (Hiddink) hasn’t changed much yet, but he was here before and he knows the place and all the staff,” Mikel said.

“We are down there in the table for a reason so he can not come in and perform miracles.

reserved for players featuring in their various home leagues.

Nigeria U23 star Usman is still with the Eagles training in Abuja, but his representative has insisted he will not be flying out with the rest of the team for a

“We have had three games now without losing, so (we) are making the right steps.”

Mikel, who got limited game-time under Mourinho, making only two starts in five league appearances, could not explain Chelsea’s meek title defence this season.

“It is difficult when you are not playing, as you do not really know what the problems are,” Mikel added.

“I was not playing that much under Mourinho. It was a collective thing - the players and the manager were not performing.”

Chelsea, currently 14th in the table with 20 points, travel to Crystal Palace on Sunday, hoping to register their first win under Hiddink.

training tour of South Africa on Saturday prior to the CHAN. “We have agreed a deal with Lillestrom along with top Norwegian agent Atta Aneke and Usman will not be travelling with the Eagles to South Africa because he has to report to Lillestrom on January 15,” said the player’s Amsterdam-based representative.

•Usman

U23 Eagles Continues from BP Algeria and South Africa will represent Africa while Senegal will be involved in a play-off to determine their qualification to the Rio Games.

Salami Continues from BP the upcoming CHAN. “It appears Gbolahan Salami does not want to go to CHAN in Kigali, but rather interested in a European deal. We can only wish him good luck in his quest for greener pasture elsewhere.

“However, Eagles have moved on in their preparations for the upcoming CHAN and his absence will be an opportunity for other players to step up, excel and become known.

“Salami became known on a day so it’s up to other players in camp to grab the rare chance to prove themselves.

“The players’ response to training has been excellent we just hope and pray they will be able to reproduce the performance on match day.

“The assistant coaches have been doing a good job in the absence of head coach, Sunday Oliseh who is constantly in touch with the team as well as dishing out instructions regularly,” said Ibitoye.

Ibitoye also disclosed that Sharks’ defender, Chima Akas is recovering rapidly from the slight knock he picked in training.

“Akas reported to camp on Sunday due to poor weather on Saturday contrary to impression that he is still missing.

“Akas picked a slight knock but he is doing very well at the moment so he remains a key member of the Eagles CHAN team,” said Ibitoye.

The bronze winners are expected to depart on Saturday to Pretoria, South Africa where they are billed to engage Ivory Coast, Angola, among others in buildup matches.

Eagles will open their CHAN title account on January 18 against the Nigerien opposite at the Stade Regional Nyamirambo, Kigali before taking on other Group C opponents, Tunisia and Guinea on January 22 and 26 respectively.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015 —47

‘ll be ‘busy’ in Hiddink keen to keep Fabregas, Remy Arsenal January – Wenger G A

UUS Hiddink has played down talk that the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Loic Remy could leave Chelsea in January, but remains open to the possibility of new arrivals.

Fabregas did not feature in the 0-0 draw with Manchester United on Monday, with reports suggesting the Spain midfielder had asked for a transfer. Meanwhile, Aston Villa boss Remi Garde has expressed an interest in signing Remy.

But interim Chelsea boss Hiddink told a media conference on Wednesday: “I think we need all our players here until the end of the season. Chelsea is still in a position where it needs to improve.

“We need all players for the moment so we don’t talk about rumours wherever they come from.

Ronaldo hits back at Fabio Capello

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ORMER Brazil international Ronaldo has hit back at Fabio Capello, claiming the manager was “outdated” by the time he joined Real Madrid for a second time.

Capello, who spent the 2006-07 season in Spain, said earlier in the week that Ronaldo was a great player, but also a “negative group leader” at Madrid.

“We sold him in January and the atmosphere within the group changed completely,” the 69-yearold said at the Globe Soccer Awards.

However, speaking to Folha de S.Paulo, Ronaldo responded to the Italian’s claims.

“Capello was a great trainer in his time, around the 1990s. When he came to Real Madrid he was already finishing and didn’t motivate the players,” he said.

“[Fabregas is] coming in with a smile on his face and I like that, when players do not come in with a wornout face.”

Hiddink has injury doubts over Remy (calf), Radamel Falcao (muscle) and Gary Cahill (ankle) for Sunday’s visit to Crystal Palace.

Asked about the prospect of January arrivals, Hiddink added: “We of course know that the window is wide open so we’ll see.

“I’m not going to talk too much in advance as it’s a little bit when or if. I’ll talk inside our house.

spectacular second goal from Cristiano Ronaldo helped Real Madrid earn a3-1 victory over Real Sociedad yesterday evening at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid.

Ronaldo converted a first half penalty before his match-winner, which was later followed by a Lucas Vázquez insurance goal, to give Los Blancos all three points against a very solid Real Sociedad side.

Embattled manager Rafa Benítez made just one change from the 102 win over Rayo Vallecano, with Nacho in for an injured Sergio Ramos in defense.

Otherwise, the back was the same with Keylor Navas in goal and a back four with the aforementioned Nacho, plus Danilo, Pepe and Marcelo. Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and James composed the middle, while the BBC of Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Ronaldo took their usual spots in attack.

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•Fabregas

•Remy

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ANCHESTER City boss Manuel Pellegrini expects to be without

•GREAT!...Real Madrid’s forward, Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his brace

Vincent Kompany for at least another three to four weeks after the captain suffered a new calf tear.

Kompany returned from injury as a substitute on Boxing Day but lasted only nine minutes before limping off again, and scans have revealed he has aggravated the same calf but with a different problem.

The Belgium international, 29, missed the goalless draw against Leicester City on Tuesday night and Pellegrini revealed he will be out for at least another three to four weeks.

“Vincent has an injury, a second degree tear of the calf,” Pellegrini said following the stalemate at the King Power Stadium.

Lewandowski: I’ll be better after winter break

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AYERN Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has vowed to score even more goals after the winter break following a stunning first half of the season.

Lewandowski has netted 23 times in 26 club appearances so far this term, but feels he can still improve.

West Brom boss praises Anichebe ESTBROM manager Tony Pulis has praised Nigeria striker Victor Anichebe for his performance against Newcastle United.

Pulis surprised everyone by putting Anichebe in the starting line up and said he is a top player.

“He (Anichebe) is a top

elin, Tomas Rosicky, Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta are all currently sidelined, meaning defender Calum Chambers had to play central midfield in the 2-0 victory over Bournem-outh.

FC Basel midfielder Mohamed Elneny reportedly underwent a medical in Paris on Tuesday ahead of signing for the Gunners, but Wenger confirmed he needs more recruits.

Kompany faces four weeks out

Madrid vs Sociedad: Ronaldo rescues Real A

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•Ronaldo

RSENE Wenger admits Arsenal are more than likely to bring in new signings in the January transfer window to supplement their title charge.

Arsenal stayed top of the Premier League after Leicester could only manage a draw with Manchester City on Tuesday night but are riddled with injuries, especially in midfield.

Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere, Francis Coqu-

player,” Pulis remarked.

“He’s shown that, he was handful for them and they couldn’t handle him.” The game against Newcastle a United which ‘The Baggies’ won was his first start since May. He joined West Brom last summer in a £6 million deal from Everton.

“It’s definitely been my best half-season at Bayern to date. I’ve scored lots of goals in the Bundesliga and the Champions League,” Lewandowski told Bayern’s official website.

“In the past few years I’ve usually done better after the winter break than before. I don’t mind if that happens again this time.

“I’ll definitely do everything I can because the most important games are coming up. We’ve all got to show what we can do.”

Lewandowski enjoyed a sensational game against Wolfsburg in late September, when he came off the bench at half-time and scored five times in nine minutes to seal a 5-1 win for Bayern.

•Lewandowski —I’ll be better

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015

CHAN: ‘Eagles won’t miss Salami’

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UPER Eagles spokesman, Toyin Ibitoye has said the side have moved on with the absence of captain and Warri Wolves striker,

Chelsea better without Mourinho – Mikel S

UPER Eagles midfielder John Mikel Obi says Chelsea are heading in the right direction after three games unbeaten since boss Jose Mourinho was sacked.

Mikel believes the Continues on Page 46

Gbolahan Salami.

The former 3SC marksman has been missing in the Super Eagles CHAN team preparing for the forthcoming biennial football showpiece next month in Kigali, Rwanda.

Salami is said to be more interested in securing a foreign club than participating in the championship designed for African players plying their trade in their domestic leagues.

Ibitoye said the likely absence of the strongly built goal poacher will prove to be a rare opportunity for his replacements to shine at

Continues on Page 46

•Gbolahan

Rio Olympics: U23 Eagles open camp February T

NEW LEASE OF LIFE: Mikel starts against Man U. A rare sight under former Chelsea boss, Mourinho

•Siasia

HE U-23 national team, the DreamTeam will start the first phase of camping ahead of the football tournament of the 2016 Olympics in February, head coach, Samson Siasia has disclosed.

“We will start the first phase of camping in February, hopefully the clubs will release their players. We know how the Olympics is.

“We realise that clubs

will need their players’ services but it is also a national service.

“I’m elated by our performance at the U-23 AFCON in Senegal and qualification to the Olympics. We got many text messages from Nigerians who commended us,” Siasia revealed.

Nigeria, winners of the football gold at the Atlanta ’96 Olympics and silver at Beijing 2008 Olympics, alongside Continues on Page 46

QUICK CR OSS WORD CROSS OSSWORD

T OD AY'S PUZZLE ODA

FRI DAY'S ANS WERS FRID ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Ascertain (6) 5 Employed (4) 8 Reckon (5) 9 Regret (3) 10 Blessing (4) 11 Intense (4) 12 Precipitous (5) 13 Reviewer (6) 16 Rotate (4) 18 Win (4) 20 Tree (3) 22 Mournful (3) 23 Elderly (3) 24 Ceremony (4) 25 Sentimental (4) 28 Devastate (6) 30 Felony (5) 32 Rebel (4) 33 Against (4) 34 Wrath (3) 35 Eerie (5) 36 Oven (4) 37 Means (6)

DOWN 1 Embellish (6) 2 Shabbiest (8) 3 Animal (6) 4 Competitor (9) 5 Experience (7) 6 Pace (4) 7 Cheat (4) 8 Lettuce (3) 14 Usual (9) 15 Offer (3) 17 Uncooked (3) 19 Dog (8) 20 Sicken (3) 24 Encourage (7) 26 Consuming (6) 27 Cure (6) 29 Journey (4) 30 Hood (4) 31 Finish (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 3, Scope 9, Loiter 10, Larder 11, Water 12, Sale 15, Nice 17, Startle 20, Ton 21, Eagle 23, Eros 25, Mind 26, Robed 28, Spy 30, Defence 33, Item 35, Rota 36, Regal 38, Torrid 39, Solace 40, Beret.

DOWN: 1, Gloss 2, Villa 3, Sew 4, Cradle 5, Plea 6, Ear 7, Admit 8, Green 13, Attempt 14, Error 16, Conduct 19, Elm 22, Eider 24, Sot 27, Debase 28, Sixty 29, Yearn 31, Nomad 32, Eager 34, Cede 36, Rib 37, Lot.

How to Play Sudoku

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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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