Fear, unease as rivers violence claims 2 soldiers

...towards a better life for the people

**

VOL. 25: NO. 62807

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

Beheading of students: ABSU summons meeting of monarchs, landlords 16

Why we failed to pass budget — NASS 14 No fresh N37bn flaws in budget —FG

AHEAD OF TOMORROW'S RE-RUN POLLS:

Fear, unease as Rivers violence claims 2 soldiers •APC, PDP trade blames; ask for thorough investigation •Wike raises alarm on planned arrest of PDP Chairman •Peterside slams Wike for inciting statements •Court orders Military not to deploy soldiers to Rivers

By Henry Umoru, Ben Agande & Davies Iheanachor

P

-HARCOURT— AHEAD of tomorrow’s federal and state legislative elections in Rivers State, tension reached feverish pitch,

INEC READY FOR RIVERS RE-RUN POLLS

yesterday, after an Army Major and another soldier were killed in the latest burst of violence.

While the soldiers were killed in the creeks of Abonema in Akuku Toru Local Government Area supposedly by sea pirates, the capital city, PortHarcourt was also not spared as an unidentified young man was killed with a loaf of bread he was eating in his hand, in what is believed to be an assassination.

Meanwhile, the political gladiators were unsparing in their denunciations of the

Continues on Page 5

RIVERS RE-RUN: Electoral materials for tomorrow's Re-r un election in Rivers State being arranged and prepared ahead of the election at the INEC Headquarters in Port H a r c o u r t , y e s t e r d a y. P h o t o : Nwankpa Chijioke

COLUMNISTS: RANKING OF OBAS: The Controversy lingers See inside

Gathering to defend the weak •P.19

Economic concerns •P.17

2 feared dead, 10 houses burnt, 150 displaced in Ebonyi boundary clash

34

Oil, gas firms quit Anambra host community amid confusion 15

Mr & Mrs

2—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016—3

C M Y K

4—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

Alleged N400m fraud: Metuh asks judge to hands off trial I fear no evil, can't be intimidated —Judge

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

A

BUJA — EMBATTLED National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, has asked Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to hands off his trial.

Metuh, who is answering to a seven-count criminal charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, preferred against him, urged the Chief Judge of the High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, to transfer his casefile to another judge.

EFCC had in the charge signed by its Deputy Director of Litigation & Prosecution, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, alleged that Metuh received N400million from the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, prior to the 2015 presidential election.

It alleged that the fund was part of about $2.1 billion earmarked for the purchase of arms to prosecute the war against insurgency in the country.

The prosecuting agency told the court that the N400m was on the instruction of the former NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, retd, electronically wired from an account ONSA operated with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to Metuh, via account no.

0040437573, which his firm, Destra Investment Limited, operated with Diamond Bank Plc. The firm was also joined as the 2nd defendant in the matter.

Justice Abang had in a ruling he delivered on March 9, dismissed a no-case-submission Metuh filed through his consortium of lawyers, led by four Senior Advocates of Nigeria, saying the EFCC had, through evidence laid by eight witnesses, established that he had a criminal case to answer.

The court, therefore, adjourned the matter for the accused person to open his defence to the charge against him.

At the resumed sitting yesterday, Justice Abang drew attention of the parties to the petition Metuh lodged against him before the Chief Judge.

The petition, with Ref No. EES/ 01/11/03/16, dated March 11, 2016, was signed by one of the lawyers in Metuh’s team, Mr. Emeka Etiaba, SAN.

I fear no evil —Abang

However, Justice Abang, who disclosed that a copy of the petition was forwarded to him by the Chief Judge on March 16, at about 4pm, said he would not hands off the case.

He said: "I have a circular that was issued by my employer, the National Judicial Council, NJC, that whenever there is a petition in any matter seeking for transfer of a case pending before the judge, such a judge handling the case should continue to preside until a decision is taken on the petition.

"On account of that circular, I C M Y K

shall continue to preside until the Chief Judge takes a decision on Etiaba’s petition. Let it be known that whatever decision I take on this matter is in-line with my conscience and the law.

I fear no evil and I cannot be intimidated."

Berates Metuh’s lawyer

He further berated Metuh’s lawyer for not serving a copy of the petition on the prosecuting counsel, an action he said was in flagrant disobedience to the provision of Order 30 Rule 5 of the Rules of Professional Conduct of legal practitioners, 2007. ‘’The conduct of Etiaba is unethical. As a SAN, I expected that he should be aware of the law. The prosecution which

represents the Federal Republic of Nigeria ought to have been availed a copy of the petition," the judge noted.

Justice Abang said Metuh sought his disqualification from the case on three grounds: that all the rulings he previously delivered were in favour of the prosecution; that he refused to release the record of proceedings to him, as well as on the premise that they were classmates at the law school.

"I cannot be blackmailed. Even if the accused was my classmate, that does not change the fact of the case and the law,’’ Justice Abang fumed, stressing that the said record of proceeding was released to Metuh two days ago.

Earlier, EFCC lawyer, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, had told the court

that he was not aware of the petition.

Though Metuh’s lead counsel, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, failed to attend the proceeding on ground of illhealth, Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe, SAN, who represented the defendant, yesterday, however, told the court that the petition was endorsed by the entire defence team.

"My lord, any letter written by any member of the defence counsel is a decision of the defence team. I will leave it at that," Adedipe said.

Consequent upon a letter Ikpeazu, SAN, wrote to the court, indicating that he travelled out of jurisdiction for medical check-up, Justice Abang adjourned the matter till March 23.

Civil authority

Police begin deployment of logistics, officers in N-East Flag off ballots for 400 houses

By Kingsley Omonobi

A

BRIEFING: From left, Bolaji Okusaga, Managing Director, The Quadrant Company; Biodun Shobanjo, Chairman, Troyka Holdings and Jimi Awosika, Group Managing Director, Troyka Holdings at the media conference on the partnership deal between Publicis Groupe and Troyka Holdings in Lagos, yesterday.

BUJA— FOLLOWING the Federal Government’s directive that the Nigerian police deployed its personnel to recaptured territories from Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East, Police Headquarters said, yesterday, it would commence deployment of logistics and personnel to the zone today to establish civil authority.

The Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, who disclosed this at the second round-table on security stabilization in the North-East at Force Headquarters in Abuja, also said engagements with strategic stakeholders, particularly the military and local communities, were being pursued with vigour.

Describing the expected outcome of the second roundtable as one that will serve as working guide for the Police in planning for its deployment for security stabilization, restoration of civil authority and re-establishment of the criminal justice system in the NorthEast, Arase said the task that laid ahead of the police was to consolidate on what had so far been achieved.

Reps to probe CBN’s secret recruitment of 900

Flag off ballots for 400 houses

Move to repeal Peoples Bank Act

By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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BUJA — THE House of Representatives, yesterday, mandated its committees on Federal Character and Banking and Currency to probe the recruitment undertaken by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. The resolution to investigate the recruitment by the House followed a motion on matters of urgent public importance promoted

by Aliyu Madaki, APC, Kano.

In his submission, Madaki alleged that the said recruitment violated the federal character principle as due process was not followed in the exercise.

It was further alleged that top officials in government and the elite had their

relations employed into the apex bank at the time the recruitment was allegedly carried out.

Madaki explained that about 900 people were employed in the recruitment which had since drawn negative reactions over the way it was conducted.

“It lacks federal character, justice as stated in the constitution," he said.

He recalled that when Nigerians got wind of the exercise, the apex bank came out to deny the claims.

The CBN, speaking through its Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Isaac Okorafor, stated that it was not mandatory for the apex bank to advertise vacant positions for employment.

Okorafor, while denying that relations of top officials in government and elite were favoured in the recruitment process, said the bank obtained a waiver from the

Federal Character Commission, FCC, for the exercise.

To repeal Peoples Bank Act

Also yesterday, the House moved that the Peoples Bank Act be repealed.

Entitled "A bill for an Act to repeal the Peoples Bank of Nigeria, Act, Cap. P7 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (HB. 353),” the bill was sponsored by chairman of the House Committee on Sports Development, Goni Bukar Lawan (APC, Yobe).

Although the bill received stiff opposition from some members of the House, including the Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, it eventually scaled through when the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, who presided over plenary, put it to questions.

Also yesterday, the Inspector General of Police flagged off the balloting for allocation of Nigeria Police Force pre/post retirement houses for rank and file of the Force in Abuja.

He disclosed that 400 houses had been constructed in Adamawa, Benin, Enugu and Katsina states.

According to him, this is the first phase of the housing scheme to be constructed in the 36 states of the federation and FCT. He said the vision to construct houses was premised on the fact that one way of motivating personnel was to ensure that every member of the Nigerian Police force had a means of owning a home in any place of choice in Nigeria.

“The first batch of buildings is specifically built for the Inspectors, rank and file cadres of the force. ‘’These categories of police officers form the largest chunk of our workforce and regrettably live below the welfare line, hence welfare is paramount."

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18 , 2016—5

POCKET CARTOON Peterside slams Wike

necessary sacrifices to ensure sustainable peace, security of lives and property of all.”

Vanguard gathered that the incident occurred on the waterways and the officer involved was of the rank of a Major.

Meantime, the PDP and the APC in the state have expressed worries over the development.

Deputy Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Sam Wonosike describing the attack as painful said: “It is a really painful story to hear.

Security operatives should track those behind this evil act.”

On his part, spokesman of the APC in the state, Mr Chris Finebone, urged security operatives to intensify efforts to arrest those behind the incident.

“People should hearken to the call for peace.

When people take violence to security agents, then we begin to worry about unarmed voters whose only job is to go and cast their votes.

The APC governorship ca ndidate in the 2015 election, Dr. Dakuku Peterside blamed the killing on what he alleged as the provocative statements by the governor, who he alleged was camping 3,000 boys in the area of the attack on the soldiers.

Peterside, who is the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, in a statement issued by his special assistant (media) Mr. Sylvester Asoya said: “What has happened today (yesterday) reinforces our earlier position on the conflagration that is capable of resulting from the hate speeches of Wike and members of the PDP. “How can this needless loss of lives be explained on the eve of an election?

Those who are responsible for these unnecessary deaths and violence in Rivers State have indeed taken Rivers State and the entire country for a ride for too long.

“But we must not continue like this. This is a re-run election, not war.

We have all watched in the last couple of weeks, the governor’s utterances and instructions and we know that the fruits from his inciting speeches would be harvested in a matter of time. The world can now see the consequences of those statements.

“I think this madness must stop. Even as we prepare for this re-run election, there are information making the round that over 3,000 boys have already been imported into Abonema for Saturday's elections from neighbouring Delta and Bayelsa states. This is where we find ourselves today but we must all wake up and save Rivers State before it is too late.”

Rivers Govt blames APC

Another youth killed in Diobu

ISLAMIC CONFERENCE— From left, President Muhammadu

Buhari, Executive Secretary, World Muslim League, Saudi Arabia, Dr Abdullah Bin Abdul Moshin Al-Turki and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III at the International Islamic Conference on Peace and Stability in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

Fear, unease as Rivers violence claims 2 soldiers Continues from Page 1 who is marshalling the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, campaigns, yesterday, alleged plots by the rival All Progressives Congress, APC, to get the advantage in the polls through the arrest of leading PDP members, including state party chairman, Felix Obuah.

He vowed that the people of the state would resist what he described as a scheme by the APC to gain the advantage.

The governor ’s assertions were echoed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh; Senators Matthew Urhoghide, PDP, Edo South and Samuel Anyanwu, PDP, Imo East.

The claims were, however, countered by APC leader in the state and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who flayed what he called the governor ’s panicky political measures against the people through the declaration of two-day public holidays.

The death of the soldiers

was confirmed by the Army, yesterday, in a press statement issued by the spokesman of the 2 Brigade, Captain Lazarus Eli. He said the two died during a fierce gun battle in Abonnema, Akuku Toru Local Government Area.

The Brigade Commander of 2 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Stephenson Olabanji confirmed the attack before Captain Eli issued a formal confirmation on the casualties.

He said: "At about 11 am today, Thursday, March 17, 2016 (yesterday) troops on patrol in Abonema, Akuku Toru LGA of Rivers State had a fierce encounter with unknown gunmen. Our troops displayed extraordinary valour. Unfortunately, an officer and a soldier who sustained various degrees of injuries during the encounter lost their lives.

“We are in pursuit of the criminals and we will surely get them. All law abiding citizens are urged to go about their lawful activities. The army will continue to make

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO NFORMATION is good but learning is better, especially learning that entails building your capacity in line with the goals you intend to achieve.

It’s up to you.

I

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

We are each gifted in a unique and important way.

It is our privilege and our adventure to discover our own special light —Mary Dunbar

I

F you look at the bright side of life, your whole life becomes filled with light. This light affects not only you and the way you look at the world, but it also affects your whole environment and the people around you. If this attitude is strong enough, it becomes contagious. You become a beacon of light showing others the path to illumination.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE When a child throws his father up, his father's loincloth will cover his eyes.

In its reaction, the state government in a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information, Dr Austin Tam-George called for an international enquiry into the incident which he, however, blamed on APC agents.

The Commissioner said: “The Government and people of Rivers State are saddened by the unfortunate killing of the officer and another soldier. We call for an i n d e p e n d e n t i n t e r n a t i o n a l investigation to ascertain those behind the killings.

“However, we strongly believe that APCsponsored cultists may be behind the killing of these soldiers in their ugly plot to pitch innocent Rivers communities against the military."

Also, unknown gunmen on Wednesday night shot dead a youth at Abba street, by Iloabuchi Road, Diobu in Mile 1 area of Port Harcourt.

Eye witnesses said the gunmen drove in an SUV to where the victim sat with two other friends at about 9 pm and opened fire on him. The assailants reportedly ensured he died before they left the scene.

The deceased identified as Suo, reportedly held a loaf of bread when the gunmen shot him. Eye witnesses said the loaf of bread which was still on the scene had splashes of his blood as at yesterday morning.

It could not be confirmed if the victim was a member of any political party or if the attack was related to tomorrow’s election.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP

Ahmad Muhammad said he was yet to receive information on the incident.

Meanwhile, Governor Wike was leaving nothing to the imagination in his determination to retain the ascendancy of the PDP in the state, even as he flayed alleged actions by the APC controlled federal authorities to gain the advantage through intimidation of PDP officials.

The governor alleged that the Police High Command had put machinery in place to arrest the state PDP Chairman, Mr Felix Obuah before the re-run elections to give advantage to the APC. The governor also denounced the decision of the Police to declare the Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Area , Sabomabo Jackrich wanted, few days to the elections, adding that the police might have been influenced by political considerations. Jackrich, according to a police bulletin, was declared wanted following intelligence reports which led to the alleged discovery of arms and ammunition in his residence.

Speaking in Port Harcourt, yesterday during a radio phone-in programme, Governor Wike said the planned arrest of the PDP Chairman would be resisted by the people.

He lamented that the police actions were despite the support he had given the police in the state.

“Today, we received information that policemen from Abuja are in the state to arrest the PDP State Chairman. If the police want to arrest PDP leaders 48 hours to the election, the action is simply politically motivated,” he said. The police in Rivers State, however, denied knowledge of the planned arrest of Obuah.

Governor Wike also described as unfortunate reports credited to President Muhammadu Buhari on the violence in Rivers State, noting that the President never contacted him for explanation on the security situation in the state.

The governor's criticism of the president’s speech on the violence in the state was also echoed by Senators Urhoghide and Anyanwu

in separate interviews with Vanguard.

Senator Urhoghide in an interview urged the president not to be selective in his attitude towards violent eruptions saying: “As a party, the PDP is against election violence no matter the description, and of course, perpetrators of election violence should be brought to book, but President Buhari must not be selective."

Senator Anyanwu said, “Nobody will support violence, whether political or otherwise, Nigeria has gone beyond political violence and crisis.

President Buhari’s take on violence in Rivers State should not be like giving a dog a bad name just to hang it."

The national leadership of the PDP also weighing in on the development alleged a plot by the ruling APC to instigate violence in the state for the purpose of allowing security men to undermine the integrity of the elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has 24, 930 ad-hoc staff for the Rivers re-run polls.

Meanwhile, a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Wednesday, restrained the Chief of Defence Staff, the Brigade Commander of Amphibious Brigade and the Chief of Army Staff, from deploying military operatives for the re-run elections.

In a ruling delivered by Justice George Omereji in a suit filed by the PDP Chairman, Felix Obuah and the PDP, the Court ordered: “That an order of interim order be made and is hereby made restraining, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Brigade Commander, 2nd Amphibious Brigade, whether by themselves, their agents, servants, officers and operatives or privies from interfering with the applicants' right to freely participate in the government of Nigeria either directly or through freely chosen representatives, threaten to arrest, harass, intimidate, torture, incarcerate the applicants and their members during the rerun elections for the State and National Assembly on March 19, 2016."

See more reports on Pages 37 & 38

6 — Vanguard, FRIDAY MARCH 18 , 2016

We won’t privatise water provision, LASG assures protesters

By Bose Adelaja

L

AGOS State Government yesterday, said there were no plans whatsoever to privatise water in the state.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of the Chief of Staff, Governor’s Office, Mr Biodun Bamgboye said this at the governor ’s house, Alausa, Ikeja, while addressing a group of women protesting against government plans on water privatisation in the state.

He said the state Water Corporation is presently undergoing rehabilitation as the governor has allocated resources to resuscitate it.

The protesters, under the aegis of African Women Water Sanitation and Hygiene Network AWWASHN, were led

by Chairperson, Veronica Nwanya, Mrs Fehintola Macaulay - Odumosu, and Mrs Luisia Eikomun.

Don emphasises early practical exposure

By Gbenga Oke

A

Building Technology teacher at the Covenant University, Dr. Opeyemi Joshua, has said that students of tertiary institutions must be exposed to practical classes early to prepare them for the future.

He also said having practical knowledge will help in grasping the theory they were taught.

Speaking during an excursion of Covenant varsity students to Florencia Construction Company in Ajah area of Lagos, he said the purpose of the students visit was to make them have clear understanding of practical work after the theory was taught in the classroom.

Ambode re-opens Mile 12 market

By Olasukanmi Akoni

L

AGOS —GOVERNOR Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday, approved the immediate re-opening of troubled Mile 12 market that was shut following a violent clash which led to the loss of lives and property.

The Governor, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said the decision to re-open the market followed an agreement reached with all the stakeholders involved in the operation of the Mile 12 market.

Ayorinde added that the reopening was also as a result of the outcome of the stakeholders meeting held between the Market Men/Women, traditional leaders in the Agiliti and Maidan communities, as well as residents and Community Development Association, CDA. According to Ayorinde, other major agreements arrived with a consensus among the various stakeholders include: “Relocation of the Market to another suitable location as the existing market can no longer contain the traders; ban on the use of Commercial Motorcycles (Okada Riders) in the area; peaceful co-existence among all ethnic groups in the Market and environs; and removal of all shanties and illegal attachments/ structures within the Market area.”

Ambode shut the market on March 3, 2016, after a clash between residents and Okada operators in the Mile 12 area.

...Welcomes NECA'S offer to partner govt on job creation

Meanwhile, Governor Ambode also yesterday said his administration will continue to explore various avenues and partnerships to make youths in the state acquire the necessary skills to be gainfully employed as well as become job creators and innovators.

The governor who spoke when he received the Director General of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Mr Olusegun Oshinowo and representatives of various multinational companies

at the Lagos House, Ikeja, said youth unemployment is one part the of development issues on which his administration is committed to tackle headlong, aside security of lives and property and improving social infrastructure.

Welcoming an offer by the NECA to partner the State Government to enhance youth productivity and skill acquisition, Governor Ambode said the rate of unemployed youths in the country could spin negatively if collaborative efforts between

government and the Organised Private Sector (OPS) are not geared towards addressing it.

Earlier, DG of NECA, Mr. Oshinowo said that creating jobs for youths will go a long way to address issues of insecurity, commending the efforts made by the state so far, especially the setting up of the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment.

…Charges Chevron to help take youths off streets

Governor Ambode who also

received a delegation of Chevron Nigeria Limited led by its Managing Director, Mr. Clay Neff, thanked the group for its corporate social responsibility programmes in the state, saying that his administration will continue to enhance the existing partnership with the government.

He urged the group to key into the vision of his administration to create jobs for youths, especially through exchange programmes, skill acquisition and training programmes, which would see youths become engaged productively.

PARLEY: From left; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Hon. Abike DabiriErewa presenting a brochure to the Chaiman, Senate Committee on Diaspora, Senator Rose Oko, while Senator Umar Kurfi, a member of the committee looks on during an interactive meeting between Hon Abike and the committee at National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

NMA faults 11-year course duration for medical, dental students may now be 11 years, Vice knowledge and skill to be

By Chioma Obinna

L

AGOS—THE Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, yesterday faulted plans by the National Universities Commission, NUC, to jerk up the duration of medical education from six to 11 years, saying; “It is worrisome, convulsive, and capable of causing unnecessary tension among parents, students and other stakeholders.”

Reacting to a statement credited to the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Julius Okojie, who spoke through the Deputy Executive Secretary, Prof. Chiedu Mafiana at a function in Ondo, that the medical course duration

President of Commonwealth Medical Association and former President of the NMA, Dr. Osahon Enabulele said they have no knowledge of such policy for now.

The former NMA President, who demanded immediate explanation by NUC on the alleged increase said such decision cannot be taken without the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN, preeminently vested with the power to determine the standards of

attained by persons seeking to become members of the medical and dental profession and reviewing those standards from time to time, as expressed in section 1, subsection 2 (a) of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act CAP M8 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

According to him, if no clarification is offered immediately, Nigerians will be left to imagine and suffer from the innumerable consequences of

Nwabueze to unveil his centre for legal studies

By Yinka Ajayi

I

N a bid to curtail the abuse of law and order in Nigeria, renowned constitutional lawyer, Professor Ben Nwabueze (SAN) yesterday said he will unveil the Centre for Studies in Constitutional Law and Related Subjects on March 24.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria told newsmen that the centre leave a legacy that will outlive him, saying: “As I plan to celebrate my 85th birthday in a grand style, my aim is

to create a platform that would educate people on the importance of the Constitution and the rule of law in promoting the administration of justice and government in Nigeria as a whole as it affects every facet of Nigerian life.

“The passion for law and constitution as an aid to preserving the fabric of our society and human rights has made me a prolific champion of Nigerian Constitution for which I was one of the founding creators. The centre will be nongovernmental and a nonpartisan organisation.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016 — 7

Lagos starts Lekki Gardens buildings Structural Stability Test

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

L

AGOS State Government yesterday commenced Structural Stability Test on existing structures in Lekki Gardens in Eti-Osa Local Government, to ascertain the strength of the buildings.

This came nine days after a five-storey building under construction caved in, killing 34 persons and injuring 13 others.

When Vanguard visited the scene, officials of the Lagos state Material Testing Laboratory, LSMTL, were sighted conducting test on the buildings.

Speaking to newsmen at the scene of the collapsed building, Mr Rasheed Balogun, an engineer and Acting General Manager of LSMTL, said that the agency has commenced the test to avert another building collapse in the state.

Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, had on Tuesday directed that test be conducted on the structures and that the result will determine the fate of the structures.

Balogun explained that some of the test conducted were on the Structures Wire Pile test, Coring test, Non Destructive test, Pundit test and Soil test on the structures.

Vanguard however gathered that the residents have compiled with the directive of the state government to vacate the building until the completion of the tests.

It was learned that Police officers from the Eti-Osa division and Rapid Response Squad, RRS, operatives, were at the entrance of the sealed building to ensure no one had access to the buildings.

Sources said that additional private security officers have been deployed to the Lekki Garden Worldwide, owners of the structures to maintain strict adherence to the no entrance order especially for nonoccupants.

In an interview with Vanguard, a security official who identified himself simply as Olumide, said that since the Lagos State Safety Commission, LSSC and the State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, sealed the buildings, residents of the estate have not been allowed to stay there except when they came to take one or two things from their apartment.

Ekiti accuses DSS of killing detained lawmaker ...As agency produces him alive in Abuja

By Chris Ochayi & Rotimi Ojomoyela

A

DO-EKITI—THE alleged invasion of the State House of Assembly by operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, assumed a new dimension yesterday, as the government of Ekiti State disclosed that one of the detained lawmakers, Hon Afolabi Akanni has died in the agency's custody.

Akanni, representing Efon constituency, was arrested on March 4 and whisked to Abuja.

Akanni has since been in the custody of the DSS, despite the ruling of the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti, delivered by Justice Taiwo Taiwo, ordering the DSS to either release him or produce him in court on Wednesday, March 16.

At an emergency press conference in Ado Ekiti jointly addressed by Information Commissioner, Mr Lanre Ogunsuyi, the speaker of the Assembly, Hon Kola Oluwawole, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ajayi Owoseeni, Special Assistant on Communications to the governor, Lere Olayinka and Akanni’s lawyer, Mr Obafemi Adewale, the Commissioner for information said; “Information reaching us indicates that one of the abducted members of the Ekiti state House of Assembly, Hon. Afolabi Akanni has died in the custody of the Department of State Service”

Ekiti lawmaker, Afolabi, not dead – DSS

Meantime, the DSS yesterday, described as dangerous, the rumour making the rounds that one of the detained lawmakers,

Hon. Afolabi, died in its custody.

The DSS, which presented the hale and hearty Afolabi before newsmen at its headquarters in Abuja, further denied abducting the Ekiti lawmakers.

According to the agency; “This Press Conference has become necessary in order to debunk a rumour which is being dangerously spread in Ekiti State by some mischief makers to the effect that Hon. Afolabi has died in our custody.

“Nigerians and Ekiti people in particular are convinced to see that Afolabi is hale and hearty as he is being presented to the Press today (yesterday).

“You may have been aware of the recent situation in Ekiti State in which the DSS was accused of abducting the State Assembly’s legislators.

“The fact is that one of the members of the Assembly, Hon. Akanni Afolabi was duly invited by the Service over some serious breaches bordering on state security for which he has some explanations to make. These breaches fall under the purview of the DSS to investigate.

“The DSS warns all those who have planned to make a meat out of this to desist from it and stir clear from trouble as the Service will not hesitate to bring the full weight of the law against any one or persons that may engage in violent actions of any kind.''

How Fayose made me PDP chairman — Sheriff

Also, yesterday, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Modu Sheriff, revealed that Governor Ayodele Fayose and some other Nigerians installed

Aregbesola blames economic woes on varsities

By Gbenga Olarinoye & Josephine Agbonkhese

G

OVERNOR Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, yesterday, blamed the current economic challenges facing the country on the misguided desire of universities in the country to provide education in all fields, rather than pursue economic relevance by focusing on their specific areas of strength.

The governor who spoke at the commissioning of Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo’s Kings University in Ode-Omu, Osun State, argued that this was taking a toll on national growth and development with the continuous influx of job-seekers, rather than broadminded entrepreneurs and innovators, into the society which he lamented could no longer provide jobs like it did in the 80s.

“Does your society need all the disciplines? The answer is ‘No’. Even if it does, it can be best served when universities specialise in specific areas of learning to help the society. Nigeria no longer needs generalist universities any more but universities that will carve a niche for themselves in specific areas of societal needs.

Universities should therefore begin to equip students with capacities to enable them engage these areas of needs,” Aregbesola said.

Hon. Afolabi on parade by DSS, in Abuja, yesterday. him as the Chairman of the party.

Sheriff, who however, did not disclose the identities of those ‘other Nigerians’ that worked for his emergence, said it was never his intention to be the National

Chairman of the party.

Sheriff, who made the statement in Ado Ekiti at the PDP secretariat, promised to reignite the fortunes of the party back to what it used to be in 1999.

Ibinabo back in prison as bail bid fails

By Onozure Dania

L

AGOS—EMBATTLED star actress Ibinabo Fiberesima, who was convicted by the Court of Appeal in Lagos on March 11, was yesterday unable to secure bail from the Court due to incompetent application.

The three man-panel, presided over by Justice UI NdukweAnyanwu, said that the appellant failed to attach copies of the judgment that was delivered by the court which affirmed the five years jail sentence imposed on her.

The other Justices on the panel are Justice Samuel Oseji and Justice Tijani Abubakar.

When the matter came up yesterday, Ibinabo’s lawyer, Nnaemeka Amaechina

informed the court of an application dated March 14 stating that he had also served the application on the Lagos State government (respondent).

However, the application could not be heard as the court observed that the appellant failed to attach copies of the judgment of the court as exhibit thereby rendering the whole application incompetent.

Justice UI Ndukwe-Anyanwu, said the only option left was to strike out the application or adjourn it till further date for hearing.

Consequently, Amaechina sought for an adjournment to enable him do the needful. The court subsequently adjourned the matter till April 7 for hearing.

8—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016—9

Oil price rises to $40.71 as OPEC mends fences O

IL price rose, yesterday, after the world’s biggest suppliers firmed up plans to meet to discuss an output freeze.

Oil producers, including Gulf OPEC members, support holding talks next month on a deal to keep production at current levels, even if Iran declines to participate, OPEC sources said on Wednesday.

A meeting would increase the likelihood of the first global supply deal in 15 years.

US crude was up 65 cents at 39.11 dollars a barrel at 0452 GMT, having earlier risen as high as $39.38. Brent crude rose 38 cents to $40.71.

“A smaller than expected gain in inventories in the US also supported prices,” ANZ said in a morning note.

Crude inventories increased 1.3 million barrels in the week to March 11 to 523.2 million, a much smaller build than the 3.4 million-barrel increase expected by analysts.

The market is also rallying after a less hawkish US monetary outlook, as the US Federal Reserve held interest rates steady and indicated two rate hikes this year instead of

the four expected.

Qatari oil minister, Mohammed Bin Saleh AlSada, said producers from within and outside the

Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) will meet in Doha on April 17 to discuss plans for a freeze in output.

The initiative was supported by around 15 OPEC and nonOPEC producers, accounting for about 73 per cent of global oil production, the minister

said.

Since the freeze was first proposed last month, prices have recovered about 50 per cent from decade-low levels.

Oil price slump: Nigerian companies'll survive — Kachikwu Plans automation of fuel supply chain

By Michael Eboh & Grace Udofia

A

BUJA — MINISTER of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, yesterday, allayed fears that the volatility in the price of crude oil in the international market would plunge oil and gas companies and financial institutions in the country into bankruptcy.

According to him, Nigerian companies are resilient and will survive the plunge.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Sixth African Petroleum Congress and Exhibition, CAPE VI, in Abuja, Kachikwu, however, stated that only companies willing to embrace new technologies and adopt innovation would survive the difficult operating environment.

Kachikwu further noted that as parts of strategies to survive, the Federal Government was driving oil companies operating in the country back to full time work, while also looking at alternative funding sources for some of its oil projects and partnerships.

He said: “I think anybody who wants to survive in this climate today would need to put on the hat of thinking. It is not business as usual, but people are going to survive.

"The nice thing about adversity is that you get to make huge successes also. Companies that are ready to embrace new technologies and strategies and new ways of doing things are going to survive.

“It is not going to be for too

long. Nigeria, for example, has put its strategies around getting the oil companies back to full time work, and we are still looking at alternative funding sources, we are still looking at diverging more into our gas products to complement our oil production. New ideas of how to survive and how to multiply the sort of income that is available to you is key to survive. I think Nigerian companies are very resilient, they will survive.”

On fuel crisis

Also speaking on the unending fuel crisis in Nigeria, Kachikwu said the Federal Government was considering deploying information technology in the Premium

Motor Spirit, PMS, supply chain to end the perennial fuel queues witnessed across the country.

He said the Federal Government planned to computerize the supply process from export of the product down to the sale of the product to motorists.

According to him, computerisation is one of the key initiatives that are being considered in tackling the fuel shortages, especially as it would enable the tracking of products discharged from oil vessels and tankers to depots; then what was loaded from the depots by trucks.

He added that it would also help track what the trucks deliver to petrol stations and what was purchased by motorists.

PwC projects Nigeria's economy to rank top 10 in 2050

By Naomi Uzor

L

AGOS— PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), yesterday, projected that the Nigerian economy could rise through the world rankings to top 10 in 2050 with projected Gross Domestic Product, GDP, of $$6.4 trillion, surpassing Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Saudi Arabia.

Disclosing this at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI-PwC organised stakeholders forum on the state of the economy, tagged “Nigeria: Looking beyond oil,” Partner and Chief Economist, PwC Nigeria, Andrew Nevin, said Nigeria was the largest economy in Africa and 22nd globally.

He said to achieve this ranking, however, diversification from the economic over dependence on crude oil was required.

“Nigeria’s intrinsic potentialities lie beyond oil; harnessing these potentialities has become an imperative, given the expectations of lower for longer oil prices.

Based on recent trends, our report reviews the impact of low oil prices on key economic indicators and the real sector through an industry survey,” he said.

However, he said the transition to a nonoil economy would not be an easy task. He said based on a 2016 PwC interview of foreign companies across Nigeria, four concerns stood out as challenges with the business environment: corruption, inadequate infrastructure, low skill levels, and macroeconomic uncertainty.

“Our survey highlights the exchange rate as one of the top challenges facing industries in recent times. Capital controls, FX rationing, and restrictions on the importation of certain items are measures the CBN has implemented to preserve the foreign reserves and maintain currency stability,” he stated.

He noted that Nigeria needed to ensure sustainable fiscal management that was resilient to global oil price cycles.

Tax collection

He said: “Improving tax collection and administration have become imperative for achieving national growth objectives. Nigeria is a lowtaxed economy compared to its peer; in addition, challenges with arbitrary exemptions and enforcement have further constrained tax receipts. The framework for tax exemptions should be reviewed and approvals targeted at growth inducing sectors as government improves collection.

“Efficiency in government spending has to improve; there is room for substantial savings in capital outlays and operating expenditure across the three tiers of government. In addition, the government needs to be deliberate about increasing fiscal savings through a higher accretion to the Sovereign Wealth Fund which has investment objectives of diversification and improving long term economic prospects.”

The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, who was represented by Sen. Laah Danjuma, said following the shocking dip in crude oil prices from about $140 per barrel in 2013 to the prevailing rate of just below $40 per barrel, the Nigerian economy had continued to struggle against market indices as the pressure on foreign reserves had heightened.

Consequently, he said overdependence of the economy on dwindling fortunes from crude oil had led to immense pressure on the naira exchange rate, with varying degrees of impact on all sectors of the economy, adding that the macroeconomic outlook was, indeed, worrisome.

He said: “The present government has shown clear direction to business access in the economy. The challenges confronting us today call for proactive and strategic responses which must be supported by every responsible stakeholder of the Nigerian economy."

10—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

Wife, son allegedly make husband's murder look like suicide

A

49-year-old wife and her 31-year-old son were, yesterday, docked at an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos over the alleged murder of her 49-year-old husband, Lucky Bassey.

The accused, Grace Bassey and Benjamin Otu, were arraigned on a twocount charge of conspiracy and murder.

They were alleged to have connived together and killed the pastor by slitting his throat with a kitchen knife.

The prosecutor, Inspector Julius Babatope, told the court that the accused persons allegedly committed the offences on January 25 at about 4a.m., at their 23, Abari Str., IyanaIpaja residence, a Lagos suburb, and made it look like suicide.

He said that the offence contravened Sections 221 and 231 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

While, the magistrate, Mrs H. O. Omisore, refused to take the plea of the accused, saying that her court lacked the jurisdiction, Section 221 stipulates a lifetime in jail for the offenders if found guilty.

She, however, directed police to continue their investigation into the matter.

Omisore also directed the prosecutor to duplicate the case file and forward it to the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, DPP, for legal advice.

The magistrate also ordered the remand of the accused at the Ikoyi Prisons, pending when the court would receive legal advice from DPP’s office.

EDGY:An accident on Iganmu-Apapa Bridge, Lagos, yesteday. NAN PHOTO.

15 killed, as Fulani herdsmen invade another Benue community

By Peter Duru

M

AKURDI—THE incursion of suspected Fulani herdsmen into parts of Benue State took a worrisome dimension yesterday afternoon when they stormed Tombo in Buruku Local Government Area of the state, killing no fewer than 15 persons in a bloody shootout.

Vanguard learned that the marauders, who razed parts of the community, took over the deserted villages.

According to a source, who spoke to Vanguard on phone from the besieged community, “as I speak with you the people are shooting sporadically and the villagers are fleeing.

“The situation in Tombo at the moment is scary and we are helpless; it is as if we are in a war situation where the mission of the invaders is to occupy and take over our villages.

“It is a pathetic situation because corpses litter the community. Though one cannot give a specific number of casualties, it cannot be less than 15. I know it could be huge

because many have been wounded as bullets continue to fly around.

“The people are also burning houses, farms and food stuff as they move into the villages in what looked like a wellcoordinated attack.”

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer,

Police arrest cattle rustler in Delta

By Festus Ahon & Ochuko Akuopha

A

SABA—POLICE in Delta State have arrested one suspected cattle rustler at Emu Ebendo community, Ndokwa West Local Government Area.

Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, Celestina Kalu, who confirmed the arrest, said the Divisional Police Officer of the Kwale Division received a distress call “from one Alhaji Musa Saidu, a Fulani herdsman that a three-man armed cattle rustling gang shot

Bus conductor wounds passenger’s scrotum over fare A

bus conductor, Taheed Adekunle, who was accused of damaging a passenger ’s scrotum during dispute over transportation fare, was remanded in prison by a Tinubu Magistrate’s Court in Lagos yesterday.

Adekunle, 19, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault.

The magistrate, Mr. Ade Adefulire, ordered that the accused should be remanded C M Y K

in Kirikiri Prisons till the next date of adjournment for fact and sentencing.

The prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent Ignatius Okeke, told the court that the accused committed the offence on March 12 at about 5:50p.m., at Ajah Motor Park in Lagos.

Okeke said that the accused, during a dispute with a passenger, Samuel Amosun, over the high price of

Assistant Superintendent Moses Yamu, who confirmed that seven persons had been killed, said the incident occurred at about 3p.m.

Yamu disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Paul Yakadi, had led a team to the crisis zone to ascertain the cause of the renewed clash.

transportation fare from Ajah to Oshodi, kicked Amosun in the scrotum.

He said that the victim was presently on admission in hospital with swollen scrotum, adding that the offence contravened Section 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The magistrate adjourned the case till March 21 for sentencing, before he adjourned the case to April 12.

and killed three of his cows in a bush at Emu Ebendo quarters Kwale.

“Patrol teams and local vigilante quickly mobilised to the scene and observed that a cow was killed and most of its parts carted away.

“However, in the course of searching for the culprits, one Bright Aghanenu, 25, was accosted and arrested with dismembered cow parts and an unregistered Daylong motorcycle. The suspect confessed to the crime and mentioned his cohorts.

“Items recovered from the suspect’s house included one Russian-made double-barrelled long gun loaded with two cartridges, a single-barrelled long gun, fresh cow parts including the head and limbs, one blood-stained cutlass, two wraps of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, while four expended cartridges were earlier recovered at the scene.”

She said efforts to apprehend the other suspects had been intensified as investigation continues, appealing to the Fulani herdsmen in the area and their host community to continue to maintain peace and allow police investigate and bring the culprits to justice.

Nigeria, Benin police in shootout with 18-man robbery gang

By Evelyn Usman

A

TTEMPTS by an 18man trans-border robbery gang to unleash terror on some banks and bureau de-change operators at Seme, a border town in Lagos State was foiled by security agents from Nigeria and Benin Republic in the early hours of yesterday.

In the resultant shootout, which lasted close to 20 minutes, six suspected members of the gang were killed, three others were arrested, while others escaped with bullet wounds through the waters.

One speed boat, six loaded magazines, 883 live ammunition, dynamite and other dangerous weapons, such as house-breaking implements, were recovered.

The bandits attempted to enter into the country Wednesday evening, but were repelled by eagle-eyed joint security operatives.

They retreated and returned by sea yesterday.

Their openly-displayed weapons were said to have given them away.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who visited the scene in the company of the Regional Director, Department of Police, Benin Republic, Ogouchoro Severin; Customs Area Controller, Seme Border, Mr. Victor Dimka; Nigeria Immigration Area Controller, Seme Border, Mr. Barko, revealed that intelligence report was received two weeks ago on plans by robbers to attack some banks in Seme.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016—11

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12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

BIRTHDAY: Chief Erewa and Chief Mrs Kate Meggisson (2nd & 3rd right), flanked by Alaowei Broderick Bozimo; Rear Admiral Porbeni and Patricia Arawore, during the 70th birthday celebration.

FG lauds C-River's superhighway project

T Chief Erewa and Mrs Kate Meggisson cutting their 70th birthday cake

Tenant sets landlord ablaze in Edo

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—A tenant, Mr. Jeff Obasohan, has allegedly set his landlord, Pa Joseph Iyen, aged 83, ablaze in his residence on Uwa Street, between Second and Third East Circular Road, Benin City, in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State..

It was gathered that there had been a protracted quarrel between the octogenarian and his tenant over unpaid rent, while it was further learned that the late Pa Iyen had

issued the suspect a quit notice on two occasions, when he (Obasohan) allegedly refused to pay.

But the disagreement was said to have degenerated, Wednesday, leading to the tragedy and the elderly man was said to have died, following the severe burns he sustained in the fire.

The incident also drew the attention of residents in the area who thronged the scene to sympathize with the victim’s family.

The widow of the deceased, Mrs. Esther Iyen, alleged that the tenant had threatened her life and that of her late husband while he had also failed to

pay his electricity bill.

She said, “He does not pay his house rent, he does not pay the light bills. Since 2014, we said he should leave the house, I don’t want trouble.

He threatened to kill me or my husband. We took him to court. Then, my husband fell sick. Later, they said that the case had been struck out.”

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Osifo Abiodun, said that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

G

Commissioner for Information, Mr Patrick Ukah, Okowa remarked that consistently, the company has been showing acts of commendable corporate social responsibility.

He assured that as a result of the company’s CSR record, there will be continued partnership with government, just as government will ensure that its operations and activities in the state enjoy maximum protection.

“We are happy to say that Midwestern Oil and Gas has continued to be responsible in joining hands with government to develop its host communities," he said

Madam Udjoh for burial Okowa hails Midwestern oil firm on CSR niche RS Ese Udjoh of

M

Edjeba Village, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State, is dead, aged 87.

Funeral rites come up at Edjeba Baptist Church on April 2, 2016.

Interment and entertainment take place at her residence in Agbarha – Otor opposite St Mathias’ Anglican Church.

She is survived by children, grandchildren and great grand children.

Late Madam Ese Udjoh C M Y K

O V E R N O R Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has commended Midwestern Oil and Gas, MWOG, for contributing to the growth of its host communities through its many Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, programmes.

Okowa, while commissioning the Amenity Ward in Kwale General Hospital and the rehabilitated Akala Street, as well as the award of 40 scholarships to students, noted that Midwestern Oil and Gas, has over the years been a partner in the development of its host communities.

Represented by his

HE Federal Government has commended the ingenuity of the Cross River State Government for embarking on the 260km superhighway project.

Minister of Environment, Hajia Amina Muhammed gave the commendation when she led a team from her ministry to the project

site in Nsan, Akamkpa, yesterday.

She lauded the state government for conceiving the project which she noted was critical to the development of the state and its people.

According to her, “Everyone here is in agreement that infrastructure is the bedrock

upon which we can build sustainable development and this project will touch everybody particularly those at the grassroots. So this is a laudable vision.”

The minister said that she was also satisfied with plans put in place by the state government to maintain balance in the eco-system.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016—13

Nwaoboshi expresses concern over delayed payments by NDDC S

ENATOR Peter Nwaoboshi, Chairman of Senate Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has expressed concern over the level of abdication of responsibility in terms of paymrnt to contractors engaged in developing projects by the commission.

He addressed contractors and NDDC officials at the site of a major construction project at the Niger Delta University in Amassoma, Bayelsa State, when an inspection team comprising members of his committee toured NDDC projects throughout the nine states covered by the commission’s mandate.

While some members of the team expressed disappointment over the abandonment of some projects by the contractors and advocated holding a public hearing on the issue, the chairman said that in many of the cases, they had observed that the commission’s withholding of payments due to the contractors was clearly wrong.

He expressed the belief that in such cases, the first priority should be to encourage the NDDC to live up to its obligations so that the projects could be completed.

The two projects visited in Amassoma were students’ hostels that had been awarded over a decade ago. One of the main contractors, Blesson Akpuluma, the CEO of SAVRITE Construction, narrated his

experience in executing the projects.

He pointed out that when the projects were awarded, the site was inaccessible, adding that it was later shifted after a state government sand-filling initiative.

According to him, that was only one of several obstacles that had delayed the take-off of

construction, but when the NDDC agreed to send the contractors back to the site, they did not provide the necessary funding and payment of variations arising from the problematic nature of the projects.

Despite this, the contractors had re-commenced work and achieved a notable level of

completion.

Senator Nwaoboshi said, that the committee’s mandate was first to ensure that if the projects were viable, they should be completed and if it was determined that the contractors were properly deployed and ready to complete their tasks, they should be encouraged to do so.

VISIT: The Ooni of Ife, His Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, (left), and the Olu of Warri, HRM Ogiame Ikenwoli, during a thank you visit by the Olu to the Ooni, at Ile Ife.

DIYA, Ijaw leader congratulate Gbaramatu monarch

By Onozure Dania

I

JAW leader, Chief Beck Hitler, has congratulated His Royal Majesty, Williams Ogoba, Oboro Gbaruan III, the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State, on his successful and peaceful coronation by the kingmakers on Tuesday at Oporoza, Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state.

C M Y K

Also, Delta Ijaw Youth Assembly, DIYA, has called on Gbaramatu subjects to support the new Pere, saying that the new monarch has ushered in a new dawn of peace and development for the kingdom.

DIYA’s President, Ebimobowei Oguma, in a statement through its Secretary, Gbaboyo Wurus, said that the enthronement of a new king in the oil rich

Gbaramatu Kingdom at this point in time showed the peaceful nature of the people.

He called on the people to rally round their new monarch and support him to foster peace in their domain as that was the only way development could be achieved in the entire kingdom.

Pledging loyalty to the monarch, he urged the people to honour the traditional stool as the king symbolised the culture and tradition of the people.

On his part, Hitler, a chief from Gbaramatu, in a statement, yesterday in

Warri, also enjoined the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom to remain united and live in peace, just as he expressed gratitude to God for giving Gbaramatu people a new king, who is endowed with wisdom to rule efficiently and effectively.

He said: “God, in His wisdom, has given the people of Gbaramatu a new king who is a symbol of peace, love and unity among the people of Gbaramatu, no doubt his reign will attract development to the kingdom.”

Hitler, however, noted that a king would rule well when his subjects gives him the needed support and cooperation, adding, “I am optimistic that the new Gbaramatu monarch is God sent and therefore, the monarch should be supported by all sons and daughters of the kingdom.”

Oshiomhole lauds Army Chief over war on terror

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Yusuf Buratai, for his exemplary leadership style which has led to successes in the fight against terrorists, saying that his leadership style has motivated officers and men in the battlefield since he assumed office.

Speaking when Gen. Buratai paid him a courtesy visit at Government House Benin City, Oshiomhole said: “We in Edo State appreciate the leadership that you are providing for the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Nigerian Army in particular. We watched you on television and we saw a very senior officer meeting his officers and men right in the battle field, sharing the dust, the sun and all the deprivations, the sort of thing you sometimes see in foreign countries. I think that you are leading by example.

“Yes, Boko Haram has not exactly disappeared, but there is no doubt that they themselves will in their own way appreciate that things have changed, that the Nigerian side is better. They no longer have that audacity, that impunity to move freely without fear."

Deaconess Nunu passes on

A

former staff of Union Bank Plc, Deaconess Gladys Eduwuirofo Onoghomoren Adetoun Nunu, a.k.a. Ogbodu, is dead, aged 76.

The late Deaconess Nunu hailed from the families of late Pa Francis Ugiagbe Amayo, of Ikhueniro, Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Edo State and late Chief Johnson Nanna family of Koko, in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State.

Late Deaconess Nunu

14 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18 , 2016

NEW TELEGRAPH ECONOMIC SUMMIT: NIGERIA: BEYOND THE OIL ECONOMY; IN LAGOS, YESTERDAY. Photos by Akeem Salau.

From left; Chief Idi Farouk, Chairman, New Telegraph; Chief From left; Former Delta State governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan; Secretary to Lagos State Solomon Akoma (SAN), Director, New Telegraph and Dr Micheal Governor, Tunji Bello; Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief, New Telegraph Newspapers, Mrs. Pinder, Group General Manager, Sun Heaven Hotel.

Funke Egbemode; Geoscientist, Geology Department, Obafemi Awolowo University, Dr Adepelumi Abraham; Deputy Governor, Central Bank, Sarah Alade; Notable Journalist, Ray Ekpu and Minister for Solid Mineral and Natural Resources, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

From right; Mr Yinka Oyebade, Special Assistant From left; Mr Laurence Ani, Managing Editor on Media to Minister of Solid Minerals; Mojeed From left; Mr Taiwo Ahmed, Business Development North Abuja, New Telegraph; Juliet Bumah, Jamiu, Executive Editor, Upshot Media and Frank Manager; Ayodele Ojo, Editor and Yemi Ajayi, Managing Editor, & Sunday Telegraph and Wofia Samuel, Host Meke, SA, Media to Otunba Segun Runsewe.

Editor, Business & Strategy, all of New Telegraph.

Africa Oil/Gas Forum.

Why we failed to pass budget — NASS

By Soni Daniel, Babajide Komolafe, Peter Egwuatu, Emman Ovuakporie, Vanguard was told by a source Johnbosco Agbakwuru & the budget implementable. close to the Appropriations However, a source close to the Joseph Erunke

•‘No fresh N37bn flaws in budget'

A

BUJA—AMIDST fresh controversy over the passage of 2016 Appropriation Bill, the two houses of the National Assembly yesterday reneged on their assurances that the 2016 budget would be laid on Thursday, as it was neither laid nor mentioned on the Order Paper.

They also denied that their inability to table the budget was due to fresh flaws detected in some expenditure lines and entries amounting to over N37 billion.

But the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, yesterday, distanced itself from the alleged fresh flaws in the budget, expressing shock at attempts to raise fresh controversies about the budget.

The two chambers, however, explained that the postponement was to enable the National Assembly to be more thorough with the document to ensure that all figures were reconciled to make

National Assembly told Vanguard that the budget was ready to be laid and passed on Wednesday but was stepped down due to the political differences between the legislature and the executive.

This position was, however, refuted by the joint committees of the two houses on Media and Public Affairs, which said the budget would be ready to be laid and passed next week ahead of Easter break.

Recall that the joint Committees on Appropriations, led by Senator Danjuma Goje and Rep Abdulmumin Jibrin, had specifically announced that the budget would be laid on both Houses on March 16 and passed on March 17.

But as both chambers could not keep to the dates, Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep Abdulrasak Namdas, on Wednesday, told Vanguard that the budget would be laid yesterday to prepare for its passage next week.

Committees that the budget was ready as at the Wednesday, and that it was supposed to be laid but was not done due to some unresolved issues.

Addressing journalists yesterday, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Abdullahi Sabi and his House of Representatives counterpart, Namdas, maintained that barring any last minutes hitches, the budget will be passed next week.

Senator Sabi said, “You will recall we promised Nigerians that by today 17th March (yesterday), we will be able to pass the 2016 appropriation.

Yesterday (Wednesday) I also confirmed to you that today (yesterday) that same appropriation bill will be laid, barring any last minute technical hitches or otherwise.

“We are here to let you know that as of today (yesterday), we are unable to lay the 2016 appropriation bill and thus we are hoping next week that

process will be completed.’’

Corroborating his position, Namdas said: “We all know that the 2016 appropriation bill is one of the most important bills that we have in the National Assembly.

Therefore, we can not afford to make any mistake.

“In this 8th Assembly, this is the first appropriation bill we are working on. We have realised that it is better we do things that will be applauded by the entire country than to rush and make some mistakes that will not be in our interest.’’

On the alleged discovery of padding, he said, “Let me also reiterate that as official spokesmen of the two chambers, we are not here to corroborate rumours, neither are we here to lend credence to rumours.

No fresh N37bn flaws in budget

The Ministry of Budget and National Planning, yesterday, distanced itself from the alleged fresh flaws in the 2016 Budget with a total value of over N37 billion.

The ministry described as a shocking the attempt to raise fresh

controversy over the fiscal document after the legislature and the executive had met and harmonised the document ready for its passage into law.

A top official of the Budget and National Planning Ministry said that they were shocked to hear of the ‘discovery’ of new items amounting to N37 billion in the budget, which had been with the National Assembly since last year.

The official, who spoke in anonymity, wondered how the ‘new items’ crept into the budget document while still in the custody of the NASS.

Private sector reacts

In his reaction, Dr. Uju Ogubunka, President, Bank Customers Association of Nigeria, said: “ I am not surprised. More will be discovered or covered as long as quick deterrent action is not taken against those confirmed to have been involved.’’

Dr. Femi Egbesola, President, Association of Small Business Operators of Nigeria, said “It saddens us that even after further scrutiny as ordered by the President; there still exist such huge error. This development is not only highly embarrassing but also indicative of the rot that has been going on for years with the tax payers monies called corruption.’’

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016—15

Orient Petroleum, Alaigba Gas quit Anambra host community amid confusion •As BIM/MASSOB, APGA disagree on Gov. Obiano's performance

O

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

NITSHA—THE managements of Orient Petroleum Plc and Alaigba Gas Power company located at OtuUmolum Water-side in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State have abandoned their natural crude oil deposits drilling projects and deserted the host community, amid confusion and lack of explanation.

Governor Obiano had

barely a year ago, precisely on March 21, 2015 flagged-off the projects with a promise that his government would have completed work on the multi-million naira gas plant before March 2016.

Last weekend, the company workers were seen evacuating their construction equipment with over 25 long vehicles out of the community and effort to get in touch with the company ’s management proved abortive as they

maintained sealed lips.

Gov Obiano explains

However, Governor Obiano had during his recent chat with journalists, explained that the projects were being redesigned to tally with the proposed Anambra Airport project whereby the crude are harnessed and easily transported through the Airport by air to any destination.

Meanwhile, the Chief Ralph Uwazuruike-led Biafra Independence Movement, BIM and the Movement for

the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB have disagreed with the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA over the performance of Governor Willie Obiano in the last two years.

BIM/MASSOB, APGA

The representatives of BIM/MASSOB from Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo and Rivers states who converged at Umolum, last weekend, during the funeral ceremony of the late Mrs. Onwuoku Mocha, mother of Chris

Mocha, Biafra’s Director of Information, scored Obiano’s government low in terms of performance.

At the funeral ceremony which was attended by BIM members, zonal leaders from various districts, elders, regional administrators, regional directors, Biafra commandoes and deputy director of information, including some APGA chieftains, BIM/ MASSOB leaders disagreed with APGA chieftains on the style of

2016 BUDGET: FG won't tolerate corruption in building industry—Udoma

By Chris Ochayi

A

BUJA—THE Federal Government, yesterday, reiterated its commitment to apply zero tolerance for corruption in the construction of vital infrastructure, so such projects could contribute to poverty reduction, job creation and equity in the society.

Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, who stated this yesterday, while declaring open the 2016 National Project Cost Reduction summit organised by the Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria, QSRBN, in Abuja, vowed that the present administration would adopt appropriate cost control tools in execution of the 2016 budget.

The theme of the twoday summit is “Good Governance, Value-forMoney and Sustainable National Development.”

Senator Udoma noted that the pertinent issue before the summit was how proper costing of projects for the budget and development plan could be done to ensure value for money and prudent management of available resources.

The minister, who was represented by the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Hajia Zainab Ahmed, said: “The need to move in this direction has become inevitable in view of current fiscal constraint arising from fall in the price of oil and C M Y K

governance of the Obianoled Igbo party, saying he has not performed.

Aside Obiano’s performance which they rated low, Omenka also revealed that the soaring popularity of MASSOB/ BIM has already caught the attention of western nations to the extent that they are now contemplating to grant them the sovereignty of Biafra to correct all the wrongs and lopsided governance perpetrated by the past and present governors in South East/ South South regions.

government revenues.

“In the deliverance of good governance, proper project conception and implementation are germane. ‘’For instance, it is when the government provides essential facilities/ infrastructure, such as good roads, electricity, health care facilities, well equipped educational institutions e.t.c, that the desired improved living standard can be realized."

Col Conrad Nwawo dies @ 92

C

OLONEL CONRAD Nwawo (retd), of OnichaOlona, Aniocha North LGA, Delta State is dead, aged 92 years.

Late Col. Nwawo was among the first batch of Officer Cadets recruited into the Nigeria Army.

He saw action in the Congo following the military insurrection of the early 1960s, ending the Congo tour of duty with the distinguished Military Cross,MC. He was a former Military Attachee in 1966 in the Nigeria High Commission in London.

Hewasalsoanactivemember of the Retired Army, Navy and Airforce Officers Association, Asaba chapter, Delta State.

Heissurvivedbyason,grandchildren and many relations.

Late Col. Nwawo

16—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18 , 2016

ABSU summons meeting of monarchs, landlords •As Gov Ikpeazu orders investigation BEHEADING OF STUDENTS:

By Anayo Okoli

U

MUAHIA— FOLLOWING the gruesome beheading of two level 300 students of the Abia State University, Uturu, the management of the university has summoned the traditional rulers and landlords in Uturu community for a an emergency meeting today.

The meeting, according to the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Uche Ikonne would device means of ensuring that owners of houses in the area profile the people they give their houses to.

Meanwhile, the Abia State Governor, Dr. Ikpeazu has also directed

proprietors of commercial hostels in the university community to conduct regular identity audit of students living in their hostels.

Irked by the gruesome killing of the students by cult group, the governor said henceforth all proprietors of student commercial hostels must take responsibility for the activities that take place in their facilities, saying that this will require that they take interest in the identity, background and profile of the students living in their hostels.

To achieve this, the governor directed that the proprietors must conduct

regular identity audit of the inmates of the hostels as to be able to ascertain the credibility of the persons in their custody, adding that student hostels will no more be operated as a mere business venture available to whoever that can pay the price.

According to Prof. Ikonne, the university has enough hostels to accommodate the students and blamed the craze by students to stay offcampus on their zeal to be free.

Ikonne also called on parents to pick interest in the welfare of their wards in the university and know where they stay, saying that it was not enough to just give them moneywithoutknowingwherethe live.

ABIA NORTH RE-RUN: Don't go to tribunal, you've no case, Ohuabunwa tells Kalu

By Joseph Erunke

A

BUJA—SENATOR Mao Ohuabunwa, who was sworn in for the second time, Wednesday, by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, after winning a re-run election for Abia North Senatorial district,on March 12, has advised former governor of Abia State,Orji Uzor Kalu, not to head for the election tribunal.

Ohuabunwa said going to the election petition tribunal

by Kalu, who came second in the contest would be a waste of time because the former Abia governor had no genuine case arising from the contest.

He said contrary to the claim by the former governor that he was shortchanged, he (Ohuabunwa) evidently won the election, adding that he would defeat Kalu at the tribunal if the former insisted on going ahead to the court to seek redress.

This was even as he raised alarm over a fresh plot by his opponents in the election to use the judiciary to truncate his victory at the poll.

Speaking to newsmen,in Abuja,Ohuabunwa said there were high- level gang-up by some of his opponents in the last rerun to truncate his victory again.

He however expressed confidence in both the judiciary and INEC. Senator Ohuabunwa, who is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Primary Health and Communicable Diseases, also told journalists how the activities of some compromised collation C M Y K

agents deployed by the Independent National Electoral Commission

,INEC, almost marred the poll result.

BOKO HARAM: Sambisa

forest as big as Enugu —Buratai

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—THE Military High Command, yesterday, explained that the expanse of the Sambisa forest, in Borno State where the Boko Haram terrorists hibernate was largely responsible in the delay in flushing the insurgents out of their safe haven.

This is even as the Army revealed that an investigative panel has been set up to look into the alleged killing of members of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB,and the Indigenous People of Biafra,IPOB,protesting the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu,Radio Biafra Director,in Aba,Abia

State.

Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Tukur Burutai, stated this during a familiarization tour at the 82 Division, Enugu, yesterday.

According to the COAS,”we are already in Sambisa forest. But Sambisa is as big as Enugu state which needs thoroughplanningforlogisticsand other manpower needed. That accounts for the delay in flushing out the insurgents. The alleged incident of killing of MASSOB,IPOB members by the Army in Aba will be investigated.

“Sincemyappointment,wehave set out to build a professionally responsible Army in the discharge of its constitutional role which is the result of what we are seeing today. We have taken steps to ensure that education within the Army is paramount to ensure that troops operate within the rules of engagement.”

GOV POLLS: Ogiemwonyi'll

guarantee victory for APC'

B

E N I N — CHAIRMAN, League of Patriotic Lawyers, Mr. Abubakar Yesufu has said that the aspiration of a former Minister of State for Works, Chief Chris Ogiemwonyi would guarantee victory for the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State.

Yesufu, who said this after witnessing the flag off ceremony of Ogiemwonyi’s

governorship campaign in Edo North Senatorial District, described the latter as cerebral and capable of sustaining Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s legacies.

His words: ‘’Ogiemwonyi is balanced and cerebral and full of initiative, a fit and proper successor to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s visible and enduring legacies. ‘’Whether in the board room, party caucuses or assemblage of youths, Chris Ogiemwonyi’s passion for public service defies analysis."

VANGUARD, MARCH 18, 2016 —17

Economic concerns connect these dots. I can’t see coherence. I can’t see a roadmap. I can’t see what to hold on to.

“Agreed, Buhari is not an economist. But you don’t have to be an economist to lead a

I

OCCASIONALLY come across great articles written by fellow journalists that express my views, exactly and succinctly, using fine language that appeals to me.

I recently came across one such article that was penned by an esteemed professional colleague, Simon Kolawole (of ThisDay newspaper and The Cable online publication) last Sunday, on March 13. And I’ve decided, for the benefit of Vanguard readers, to simply quote Mr Kolawole, lock, stock and barrel, rather than just echo his views in my own words (which won’t be any better than his).

“I worry about Buhari’s speed and economic philosophy. I admit that he met enormous challenges on ground. Only a magician would have killed all the cockroaches, mosquitoes and rats within 10 months.

“The PDP brigade, still hurting from their humiliation in the general election, are trying to force the issue, trying to brand Buhari as a failure already — yet their party had 16 whole years to address power shortage, dependence on fuel imports, infrastructural decay, comatose healthcare and stunted education.

Golden opportunity They wasted a golden opportunity. They are certainly not in a good position to describe Buhari as a failure before his first anniversary in office.

“Nevertheless, I am very disturbed that Buhari does not yet have an economic direction.

Neither is there an anchor.

There is no clarity. What we are getting are mixed messages, bits and pieces here and there.

“I am hearing sweet statements and poetic promises, a lot of rhymes and alliterations, from APC leaders and ministers. There is no proper articulation so that we can have an idea of where we are headed.

There are so many dots that are not connecting. I have this impression everybody is just doing their own thing without any overarching strategy to C M Y K

Mr. President, we need to see your development blueprint; we want to understand your policies, programmes and strategies; we want to see the goals and the goalposts

President Muhammadu Buhari nation to prosperity. All you need is a damn good economic team worth its onions. The team must have an anchor. We are neck-deep in an economic crisis and this requires emergency reaction….It is good that Buhari is a patriot and an hon-

est man. It is good that Buhari means well. But meaning well does not solve these problems.

He must also do well. The economy is in limbo, let’s be honest about it….

Mr. President, it’s time to wake

up and smell the coffee. We need to see your development blueprint. We want to understand your policies, programmes and strategies. We want to see the goals and the goalposts. Your party says one thing today, you say another tomorrow.

That you met a mess on ground is the same reason the majority of voters chose you. If they wanted the mess to continue, they would have maintained the status quo. And while we cannot expect you to clear the mess in 10 months, we need a mental picture of where you are taking us….”

I have absolutely nothing to add to Mr Kolawole’s concerns, analysis and conclusions and heartily salute him for boldly making, in such an impressive manner, crucial points with which many extremely worried Nigerians will empathise at the moment.

Shame on them!

T

HE Nigerian branch of the InternationalFederationof Women Lawyers, FIDA, Nigeria has expressed outrage about comments made by the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, who (claiming to be motivated by genuine concernforNigerianwomanhood) advised men, including the Senate President, to marry second wives.

In a statement issued by FIDA’s Country Vice-President, Mrs. Inime Aguma, the lady lawyers describedNdume’srecommendation as demeaning and accused him of portraying women as “sex objects” and promoting gender discrimination.

The statement also quoted the Marriage Act (which forbids polygamy for persons married under the Act) and pointed out that in Article 21 of the ConventionontheEliminationofDiscrimination against Women (to which Nigeria is a signatory) states that “polygamous marriage contravenes a woman’s right to equality with men, and can have such serious emotional and financial consequences for her and her dependents that such marriage ought to be discouraged and prohibited.”

Meanwhile, the Senate – earlier on this week - rejected the Gender EqualityBill,whichwassponsored by the admirably forthright female Senate Minority Whip, Biodun Olujimi (PDP, Ekiti South), because her numerous opponents saidthatmostofitsprovisionswere in conflict with the 1999 Constitution and Sharia Law. Ndume and his fellow travellers (some of whom are Christians, in case you mistakenly think that misogyny is a purely Muslim phenomenon) should be thoroughly

Oby Ezekwesili ashamed of themselves!

Imagine Nigerian women being subjected to such stupid insults, unjust indignities and primitive prejudices in this day and age!

Primitive prejudices I agree, 100%, with the former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, who has reminded us of Plato’s observation that: “One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors”.

Sadly, I will never have the stomachfortherough-and-tumble of Naija-style politics. But I can use my media platform to support those who are tougher than I am and pray that the likes of Madame Biodun Olujimi will keep up the good fight.

If some beautiful, educated and successful female professionals and entrepreneurs insist on sharing husbands when they can get

Ali Ndume husbands of their own or survive and thrive – financially and emotionally - as singletons, I cannot prevent them from carrying on as if men (utterly useless specimens of masculinity included!) are glittering prizes who deserve the simultaneous attentions of more than one spouse.

If Nigerian women who have choices insist on regarding men as adorable demi-gods or indispensable meal tickets and are willing to compete with each other (viciously or subtly) to win the approval of one guy who is very pleasedwithhimselfforbeingable to secure the allegiance of more than one female, I can’t do anything about it.

But I will be thrilled if the law is changed.

Until then, let me speak for women who don’t have a choice – impoverished women who are pushed into polygamous unions by their circumstances or their parents. I also want to speak for first wives – I have quite a few

friends in this position - who have money and choices and abhor polygamy but stay (because they want to protect their children) with cheating husbands who impose extra wives on them.

I am divorced but I believe in marriage and love to meet happily married couples. And, as far as I and my church (Catholic) are concerned, the best marriages are monogamous and men should stop finding feeble excuses for misbehaving.

Responses to: donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk or to 0802 747 6458 OR 0811 675 9752 (texts only).

PLEASE KINDLY NOTE THAT UNLESS YOU REQUEST ANONYMITY, YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE PUBLISHED, WITH YOUR NAMES AND CONTACT DETAILS ATTACHED.

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016 “We will deal decisively with all sponsors of violence. I have given the security services clear directives in this regard. We will show that violence in any form will no longer be tolerated before, during and after the elections.”

With these belated but reassuring words, President Muhammadu Buhari signified the determination of the Federal Government to ensure that the rerun legislative polls in Rivers State billed for tomorrow will be conduct free, fair and safe manner.

We want to see these words matched with concrete action during these rerun elections in which many State House of Assembly, Senate and House of Representatives posts rendered vacant at the Election and Appeal Tribunals will be contested for by registered political parties.

In readiness for the elections, the Nigerian Police have sent the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 6, Mr Baba Bolanta, to take charge in addition

Rivers rerun polls must be free, peaceful to three Commissioners of Police already drafted. The Police have also mobilised 6,000 regulars as well as 16 units of the Police Mobile Force (MOPOL) who will join men and women of the Rivers State Police Command to provide security. The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Commission (NSCDC) have also deployed 2,000 personnel.

These and other underground security and military officials were mustered in view of the tension and violence that pervaded the run up to,

and during, the 2015 general elections as well as the build-up to the current rerun. The 2015 elections in the state were overshadowed by unprecedented spates of killings. For instance, a fact finding mission led by the former Chairman of the Nigerian Commission on Human Rights (NCHR), Prof Chidi Odinkalu, disclosed that 97 people were killed between November 2014 and April 2015.

While the All Progressives Congress. APC alleged that 32 of its members have already been killed

since the date for the rerun polls was fixed, Governor Nyesom Wike, who launched a special security programme recently, however, insisted that those killed were cult members who died during clashes between rival gangs.

We call on all stakeholders, especially Governor Wike and the leader of the APC in the state, Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, to stop their sabre-rattling and lead by example. All political parties must cooperate with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies for the elections to succeed.

We urge the INEC and security agencies to do their jobs professionally and not see themselves as agents of vested political interests so as not to encourage anyone to resort to “self-help” and compromise the safety of voters, electoral officials and innocent citizens.

The Rivers rerun polls must be free, fair, credible and peaceful.

OPINION Towards a flood-free Lagos ByAdenike Ademola

V

ERY soon, the rains will start pouring down. In Lagos, the rainy season is dreaded. Being an island surrounded by various bodies of water from the Lagos lagoon to different beaches scattered around the state, Lagos’ peculiar geographical status has far reaching flooding implications on the metropolis. Its topography which makes it essentially a low lying terrain up to 0.4 percent below the sea level is another critical issue.

Naturally, this brings about a huge flooding challenge.

However, in as much as flooding is a natural phenomenon, some human activities aggravate it. The common practice of building houses near rivers and other bodies of water (i.e., within natural floodplains) has contributed to the disastrous consequences of floods. In Lagos State, the building of houses near rivers and beaches is fast becoming a fad among the elite. These edifices usually come in the way of free flow of water bodies whenever there are heavy downpours.

These houses often come with poor drainage channels connecting them to the bigger canals and water channels. It is a wonder why the appropriate authorities allow this in the first place.

Similarly, poor and indiscriminate waste disposal is a major cause of flooding in the C M Y K

State. It is common sight to see people empty huge sacks of wastes in the drainage whenever it rains. And when such people are accosted, the rain will flush them off is the usually thoughtless response. In addition, commuters in both private and commercial vehicles litter the streets as they journey to their various destinations. This garbage end up in gutters and other drainage channels Furthermore, despite the designation of the last Saturday of every month as the general environmental sanitation day in the State, some residents still defy this directive by not utilising this period appropriately.

And to make matters worse, some cart pushers, illegal waste agent patronised by some residents, dump the refuse they have been paid to dispose off in canals and large drainage channels. This act often results

As we prepare for the rainy season, all hands must be on deck to ensure that all human induced actions that promote flooding are discontinued

in blockage of free flow of waste water, resulting in flooding whenever it rains, irrespective of the magnitude. This is often rampant in markets and other commercial centres. If only the perpetrators of these acts are aware of the consequences of their action!

Often times, the effects of flooding on the affected residents are unquantifiable and devastating. The menace of flooding has rendered many people homeless, while not a few landlords have been stripped of their only investments. Invariably, this has contributed immensely to the upsurge in the level of social problems in the society.

There is an increase in the army of the homeless, which has resulted in overcrowding in houses, all in attempts to play good neighbours and take these people in.

Also, it is not uncommon to see some senior citizens begging for alms to keep body and soul together, when their only investments have been destroyed by flooding. Infrastructures such as roads are not spared as a result of this menace of flooding. Many roads have been destroyed and the affected communities cut off from the rest of the state. This has affected economic, academic and social activities in these communities.

It is, therefore, important that both state and local government authorities continually enlighten the people about the enormity of the dangers posed by flooding and the need for them to stop every human induced action that results into

flooding. The management of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA, especially, should step up efforts to extend their services to the nooks and crannies of the state. This way, no one would have any rationale to engage in environmentally unfriendly activities.

As we prepare for the rainy season, all hands must be on deck to ensure that all human induced actions that promote flooding are discontinued.

Consequently, NGOs, Community Development Associations, the media, members of the Civil Society and all well meaning individuals and groups in the state should endorse attitudinal change towards the environment.

The struggle between man and nature has always been a protracted one. But it is certain that nature cannot conquer the resolve of a determined and united people whenever man decides to subdue nature and enforce dominion over the earth. All we need to do is to appreciate the value of preparedness and prevention of disaster rather than wait for the problem before taking action. While it is possible to blame government for poor health facilities, pitiable educational condition and weak infrastructure, tackling natural occurrences such as climate change challenge and flooding should be a collective responsibility that involves every segment of the society.

•Mr. Ademola, an environmental protection campaigner, wrote from Lagos.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016— —19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

Gathering to defend the weak E gathered in Abuja. A faithful “… to praise the creator W crowd of activists, on firm soil (and) contemplate academics, unionists, diplomats, God’s sky and ocean” students, lawyers and conscientious Nigerians. We were complemented by a platoon of ambassadors. It was Saturday March 12, 2016. The mood was sombre; tinged with the painful realisation that we were gathered to strategise against the monarchical elite of a brother African country who had decided to covet the riches of a sister country.

We were faced with a situation in which the Morocco Goliath had rampaged like a drunken bull through tiny Western Sahara; an underage David that has refused to yield to the bully or give up the fight to defend his homeland. But for greed and a sense of ancient glamour, I wonder why Morocco is occupying Western Sahara. I have travelled in beautiful Morocco. My favourite site is the magnificent architectural master piece; the 23-year Hassan II Mosque which protrudes into the loving arms of the Atlantic Ocean. In building the seventh largest mosque in the world with its 60-storey minaret and retractable roof, King Hassan II had said in 1980 that his objective is for the

Two years ago, I travelled by road from Casablanca through breathtaking landscape to beautiful Marrakesh. I wonder why a country so blessed with fantastic cities like Rabat would covet Laayoune which is the largest Saharawi town.

As the conscientious intellectual and fighter for oppressed peoples, Dr. Dipo Fashina told us “ The situation is a bit confusing because the Moroccan Government has been fraudulently passing off products from Western Sahara as Moroccan. The bulk of canned fish by various names, sold in Nigeria today, is packaged in Western Sahara yet they are labelled ‘product of Morocco’. The phosphate which Morocco mines in Western Sahara is claimed to be a product of Morocco as well”.

The issue of phosphate came up repeatedly as Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the symbol of Nigerian entrepreneurial skill, is about being conned by Morocco to buy phosphate stolen from Western Sahara. I told friends at the gathering that I am sure Dangote is unaware that he is being offered stolen goods by Morocco; now that he knows, he

needs to distance himself and his business from a country that preys on a smaller country.

A father figure at the gathering was the intellectual and former Chair of the United Nations (UN)Security Council, Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari. He was Foreign Affairs Minister in November 1984 when Nigeria granted the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (Western Sahara) diplomatic recognition.

In his Keynote Address he paraphrased former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan who argued that there can be neither peace nor development anywhere on earth unless people have the right to decide who will rule them, and their human rights are fully respected.

To him, the issues in Western Sahara can be summarised thus: First is that it is a Decolonisation Question, hence the goal is total freedom. Second, is the issue of peoples sovereignty over their territory. Third is, given Nigeria’s central role in the Africa Union admitting the

I told friends at the gathering that I am sure Dangote is unaware that he is being offered stolen goods by Morocco; now that he knows, he needs to distance himself and his business from a country that preys on a smaller country

Nigerian prisons ignored

By Clement Udegbe

T

WO great sons of Nigeria provide the line for today’s piece. The first is the late Prof. Chinua Achebe who said that there is a moral obligation, not to ally oneself with power against the powerless, while the next is Prof. Wole Soyinka who is convinced that the greatest threat to freedom is the absence of criticism.

Good leaders should accommodate criticisms whether constructive or not, because criticisms provide the balance with which life was made. No one should take decisions, and hold the reactions at the same time.

Our leaders should therefore learn to change, since they just cannot wield power and decision making and at the same control reactions to their actions, because that will bring much abhorred tyranny. Moreover, we are in the “change” mode in Nigeria, so let us all also change the way we look at ourselves.

An Ethiopian Proverb says that we must not make our choices based on surface level attraction, because the good look of a moron does not always stay like that.

Last week, Governor Okorocha of Imo State, was in London with his entourage, to address his people my people, at the very popular Chatham House, the same place where they presented General Muhamadu Buhari, GMB, as he then was, to the Western Media during the Presidential Campaigns in 2014.That APC outing was a success because Buhari won and became our President.

So Chief Okorocha copied them and went to Chatham House,but things turned out different from video clips that has gone C M Y K

viral in the social media .

An aggrieved agitator for IPOB challenged him, there was some commotion before the man was practically bullied, harassed and pushed out the place, by another man whom we are told is in the Imo House of Assembly, showcasing our leadership style to Oyibo people in London!

Chief Okorocha in his reaction asked the agitator in Igbo language “ Ima Onye Mbu?” meaning Do you know who I am?

He got answers that should shock any man, he was called the murderer by the agitator of the man’s parents and relations who were killed by Nigerian military and security forces when they shot at unarmed protesters for Birafra, under Okorocha’s supposed watch as Governor of Imo State.

Then IPOB followed up again on social media and in answer to that question ‘Ima Onye Mbu’ they opened a can of worms over Okorocha’s paternity, a serious matter for another day.

Poor Governor Okorocha, the same

As a lawyer, when I meet big ogas in prison, they will promise to look into the prison condition of inmates, they will do this and that, but once they regain their freedom they forget the prison

Saharawi as its 51st member, our country has the unfinished task of getting colonial Morocco to vacate. Fourth, after forty five years on the UN Agenda, the global body has clearly failed the Saharawi People, so it is left for Africa to take the lead. Fifth, that aggressive diplomacy by Morocco is undermining African solidarity. So what is required is redoubled efforts to set the last African colony, free.

Prof. Gambari warned that “The alternative to a peaceful solution will be the resumption of hostilities and the destabilisation of the whole West Africa, Africa and the world as a whole.”

The Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU) which put the gathering together, has taken concrete steps to assist in the liberation struggle. It awarded post graduate scholarships to three Saharawi in Nigerian universities, is helping to develop curriculum and fund mobilisation for the take-off of a Law Faculty at the University of Tifariti, Western Sahara, and in collaboration with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)organised the 2015 international conference on Africa’s Last Colon, in Abuja. Its President, Dr. Nasir Fegge Isa retold a story he heard from a diplomat that Morocco was like a thief caught with a stolen wallet with the judge (UN) asking the owner (Western Sahara)and the thief to go out and settle. Only for the owner to find the thief spending the stolen money, and discovering that the thief had also stolen his pin number and was withdrawing money from the victim’s account. Yet the judge insists on out-of-court settlement.

Chatham House that brought fame to his President, and APC during their campaigns is about to bring shame to him in Igbo land, where we often say that when the rat follows the lizard into the rain, when the lizard dries up, the rat will remain wet and it may spell doom for it.

While we await what happens next, that question “ Ima Onye Mbu ” that is “Do you know whom I am” deserves a closer and deeper look.

It could mean do you know that I can do and undo in Nigeria and elsewhere because I am rich, powerful, enjoy immunity, my party the APC, is the ruling party, I can therefore turn white black and vice versa; It could also mean do you know that Iam very far from what you think I am.

I have seen many who asked same question in the past. Some of them are still throwing their weight around, some died even in power, some were disgraced, while many ended up as inmates to our prison at one time or the other. OBJ was thrown into prison by his enemies, and his friends bought him out and made him our President; General Diya was thrown into prison by his enemy, he was brought out and saved by the whiskers; General Buhari as then was, was also thrown into prison by his enemies, and was brought out later and he is now our President; Chief Celiclia Ibru, an award winning globally acclaimed Banker was thrown into prison, and she secured her freedom later.

Many of our, powerful, mighty and celebrated men and women in all works of life, have found themselves at one time or the other in prison, yet they simply ignore the place, and move on when they come out. It is shocking to me!

Comrade Abbah Moro, was a Minister in charge of prisons under the President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan's past

Comrade Ayuba Wabba, the NLC President said Congress will soon open a Western Sahara Solidarity Fund and called on Dangote not to go ahead with doing business with Morocco especially on the stolen Saharawi phosphate, or face opposition from workers and be included in a Roll of Dishonour.

He added that a people determined, cannot be defeated.

Noted Pan African intellectual, Professor Adele Jinadu said the struggle to decolonise Western Sahara is an opportunity for Africans to build bridges across the Sahara linking Northern and Southern Africa, and extending it to Africans in the Diaspora.

Biodun Aremu, the Joint Secretary of the Labour and Civil Society Coalition (LASCO) who spoke on behalf of the Civil Society urged government and Nigerians to stop Dangote doing business with Morocco and cut all links including sporting with that country. He urged students and youths to establish chapters of the newly inaugurated Nigerian Movement for the Liberation of Western Sahara.

Ambassadors who made solidarity speeches included those of Tanzania, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Ghana, Botswana, Cuba and Algeria.

The leadership of the Nigerian Movement for the Liberation of Western Sahara was inaugurated by the Saharawi Foreign Minister Mohammed Salem Ould Salek assisted by its ambassador Oubi Bachir, under the chairmanship of former NLC President, Ali Chiroma. The President of the Movement is Prof. Gambari ,Prof Adele Jinadu, Vice President, Dr. Dipo Fashina. Sokoto State University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nuhu Yaqub and I were among the Ex-Officio members sworn-in. For me, it is a call to serve.

administration, during which he attended opening ceremonies of two prison reform seminars, organised by Gabriel Agunwa from Imo State, the first private person to invest his own hard earned money to call Nigeria to look into her prisons.

Comrade Moro usually stormed into the place, read his speech, zoomed out but nothing changed, and God made him an inmate of Nigerian prison later.

We read last week that General Badeh was remanded, and later granted bail, and is still an inmate as this piece is written.

We hear that he refused to eat their prison food, the usual white watery beans, watery soup with miserable balls of Eba, and yam with red palm oil etc.

As a Lawyer, when I meet big Ogas in prison, they will promise to look into the prison condition of inmates, they will do this and that, but once they regain their freedom they forget the prison.

Our prisons are mostly overcrowded and congested, where over forty persons share one room, without water, power or light, and decrepit environment, some with completely dilapidated buildings.

The prison condition of any nation is an indication of the conscience of that nation.

Our leaders have no conscience, thus, they leave our prisons as one of the worst in the world, and that’s why most of them will by God’s grace end up in prison one way or the other!

So, when they ask ‘Do you know who I am?’ I know for sure that they are Ogas on top who may end up in prison custody some day in the future, especially given the precedence being laid by this Change Agenda. Every action has a consequence, so when you scatter thorns don’t go barefoot.

*Mr Udegbe, a lawyer, can be reached at ceeaai@yahoo.com.

20—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2015

Card Reader bill scales second reading

Nigeria earned N400bn from solid minerals — CBN

By Joseph Erunke

A

B U J A — INDICATIONS emerged,yesterday, that the card reader, which was deployed in the last general election may become constitutional ahead of 2019 elections, as a bill seeking to incorporate it in the Electoral Act passed second reading in Senate.

While those in support of the bill said the amendment should be carried out without delay, as a way of consolidating the gains made in the conduct of the 2015 general election, those against argued that to avoid such an amendment running contrary to provisions of the 1999 Constitution as regards electoral process, the move should be suspended pending the amendment of the constitution itself.

By Yinka Kolawole & Charles Kumolu

N

KINGS VARSITY: From left— Senior Pastor, Kingsway International Christian Centre, KICC, and Chancellor/Founder, Kings University, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo; Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State; his Deputy, Mrs Titilayo Laoye-Tomori; and Mrs Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu at the commissioning of the university in Odeomu, Osun State, yesterday.

James Ocholi taught us loyalty—BUHARI

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

A

BUJA—PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, described late Minister of State for Labour, Mr. James Ocholi, as an epitome of humility in an

emotion-laden tribute, saying he was a force in the change agenda that brought about the government of All Progressives Congress, APC. The tribute, entitled James Ocholi Taught Us the Meaning of Loyalty, read: “How do I begin to pay tribute to a man who was the epitome of civility, the archetype of intellectualism, and the paragon of loyalty?

“How do I begin to mourn James O c h o l i , whom you can describe as one of my right hand men in the quest to reposition our country and fashion a land

of peace and prosperity, where no man is oppressed?

“We have this consolation: the departed has taught us fidelity, commitment and loyalty to party, to government, and to God. He will be sorely missed.

“A lot has been written about Ocholi since the tragic event of March 6, which took the life of our Minister of State, Labour and Employment, his wife, Blessing, and his son, Joshua. And a lot more will be written. He was a man among men, an Iroko in a forest of trees. How are the mighty fallen!

“Among many other positive and pleasant things, I will always remember Ocholi for his loyalty to our beloved country Nigeria, loyalty to our party, APC, and loyalty to our administration, in which he had served for just about four months, before death took him.”

IGERIA earned about N400 billion from solid minerals in 2015, which underscores the great prospects of the nation’s non-oil economy, even as the country expects to generate 1000 Mega watts of electricity from coal by 2020.

These were the submissions of Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and Dr. Kyode Fayemi, Minister of Solid Minerals Development in Lagos yesterday, at an economic summit by the New Telegraph newspapers on the theme, Nigeria: Beyond the Oil Economy.

In his address on Returning Nigeria to the Boom Days: Prospect of a Non-Oil Economy, Emefiele, represented by CBN’s Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Dr. Sarah Alade, noted that although the challenge of diversification of the economy is daunting, it was not insurmountable.

He said: “The prospects are great with the potentials in the agricultural, solid minerals and the creative industry sectors.

“The country has abundant arable land that can support all-yearround production of a wide variety of both cash and food crops, livestock and forestry.”

Senate backs Reps on Kogi Assembly

By Joseph Erunke

A

BUJA—THE Senate, yesterday, agreed with last week’s resolutions of the House of Representatives that the administration of Kogi House of Assembly be taken over by the National Assembly.

This came as the Senate declared the i m p e a c h m e n t proceedings embarked upon by five members of the Kogi State House of Assembly against the Speaker, Momoh Lawal, null and void.

The Senate, during plenary, insisted that following what members called “unparliamentary

conduct of members of the state legislature,” there was need to preserve the sanctity of the nation’s democracy by taking over the affairs in Kogi State.

The two chambers noted that in view of the fact that Kogi State House of Assembly could not perform its legislative functions due to intractable crisis and volatile security situation in the state, National Assembly must invoke the powers conferred on it by Section 11(4) of the Constitution to take over the legislative functions of Kogi State House of Assembly, pending the restoration of normalcy.

It also condemned the

role played by police in subverting the provisions of the constitution by providing cover for only five members, out of the 20 members of Kogi State House of Assembly, saying the action of the law enforcement agency was illegal.

It subsequently directed the Inspector General, Solomon Arase, to seal the state Assembly complex until the matter was resolved.

Senate’s action followed consideration of the report entitled Concurrence with the House of Representatives, submitted to it during plenary by the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

— 21

BoI shortlists 311 business proposals for funding

By Franklin Alli

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GROUND-BREAKING: From left, Director, CDL, (a subsidiary of First City Monument Bank, FCMB), Mrs. Funmi Adedibu; Chairman of the company and GMD/CEO of FCMB, Mr. Ladi Balogun; Managing Director of CDL, Mr. Akinwande Ademosu and another Director of the company, Mr. Shiba Ghosh, during the ground-breaking ceremony of the new head office of CDL.

Buhari names LADOL one of the most strategic investors in Nigeria P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has identified the unique contribution of the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics base (LADOL) as one of the strategic investments in the country that currently drives the nation’s economy.

Buhari made the statement when he opened proceedings at the sixth African Petroleum Congress and Exhibition (CAPE VI) in Abuja organised by the African Petroleum Producers Association (APPA).

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$3,071.00 31.00 $15. 71

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$39. 21

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The President, who was represented at the event by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), identified LADOL, which has invested over $600million in private investment, as one of the companies that currently adding the most value to the Nigerian economy through their ingenious investments.

This is coming as the Managing Director of LADOL, Dr. Amy Jadesimi, outlines

L A D O L h a s invested over $600million in private investment, as one of the companies that currently adding the most value to the Nigerian economy through their ingenious investments.

plans to further attract $5billion investments CURRENCY BUYING SELLING into the country through the LADOL Industrial US 196 196.5 197 Free Zone located in DOLLAR 276. 4188 277 . 124 278.

POUNDS 8291 Lagos within the next EURO 217. 4424 217. 9971 218. few years.

FRANC 5518 Dr. Jadesimi gave the YEN 198. 3203 198. 8263 199. indication, Thursday, CFA 3321 WAUA 1.7258 1.7302 1.7346 while delivering a RENMINBI 0.3128 0.3228 0. 3328 presentation at the event RIYAL 272. 4797 273. 1748 273. under the topic: Driving KRONA 8699 30.0558 30.133 30.

Economic Growth CBN Exchange rate as at 17/03/2016 Through Local Private C M Y K

Sector Investments in Nigeria.

She noted that given the spate of growth at the zone, “the success of LADOL has attracted new investors to Nigeria who partner with

HE Bank of Industry (BoI) has shortlisted 311 business proposals for funding under its Graduate Entrepreneurship Fund (GEF) Programme.

The financial intermediation exercise, which will see the bank provide an aggregate sum of N600.5 million for small businesses under the GEF scheme, hopes to provide intervention to 28 SME clusters out of the identified clusters in the country.

According to the bank, a breakdown of the applications received showed that applications received were spread across the six geopolitical zones with the South West ranking top with 130 applicants requesting for N252.5 million, followed by the North Central with 57 applicants requesting N110.2 million in loans and the North West ranking third with 42 applicants requesting N83.4 million.

Others are South -South, with 42 applications for N82.8 million, South East had 23 applicants requesting N38.47 million and 17 North East applicants requesting N33 million. credible Nigerian investors leading to the creation of dozens of similar facilities”.

She noted that in 2010 alone, 130 oil rigs were towed from Wes Africa past the tip of Africa

“After screening of the applications, 1,000 candidates were selected for the three-day capacity building programme which was held at seven designated training centres in Lagos and across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

“The three-day training programme was facilitated by top nine BOI partner Training Institutions in Nigeria and the Institutions have continued to provide advisory/mentorship support to the candidates in the processing of packaging their loan applications. This gesture from the respective trainers and the intensiveness as well as quality of the 3-day training has made it possible for many of the participants to submit bankable loan applications.

Online loan application “An online loan application portal was subsequently commissioned to enable the 800 candidates that successfully participated in the 3-day training submit their applications for a maxiacross the Indian Ocean to the Far East for repair adding that “ with LADOL and similar facilities now on ground, more of such ventures would be done in Nigeria.“

Access Bank records 44% growth in profit, declares 30k dividend

By Peter Egwuatu

A

CCESS Bank Plc has recorded a 44% growth in profit before tax to N 75 billion and proposed dividend of 30 kobo for the financial year, 2015.

According to the result released yesterday by the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, the bank posted gross earnings of N337.4 billion, representing an increase of 38 per cent over N245. 4 billion recorded in the preceding year 2014.

A review of the results further show that interest income and non-interest income contributing 62 per cent and 38 per cent , respectively of the profitability. Specifically, Interest Income grew by 17 per cent Year on Year to N 207.8billion in 2015 from N 176.9billion in 2014 as a result of improved income from lending activities and increased yield on investment securities. Non-Interest Income stood at N129.4 billion, up 89 per cent in 2015 from N 68.4bil-

lion in 2014, largely attributable to strong gains on Foreign Exchange, FX trading income, which reflects management’s ability to diversify the Bank’s revenue sources.

Operating Income increased to N234.8billin in 2015, representing a 39 per cent growth y/y on the back of increased earnings compared with N 168.4billion in the corresponding period of 2014 Profit After Tax (PAT) was up 53 per cent in 2015 to N 65.9billion from N 43.1billion in 2014, while Return On Average Equity (ROAE) was up by 20.4 per cent in 2015, from 16.5 per cent in 2014, indicative of the Bank’s commitment to maximising shareholder returns.

Risk-conscious growth The Balance sheet shows that Loans and Advances were up 25 per cent to N 1.41trillion in December 2015, from N 1.12trn in December 2014 , owing largely to risk-conscious growth in target sectors of the economy. Customer

Deposits totalled N 1.68trillion in the period, representing a 16 per cent increase from N 1.45trillion in December 2014, driven by enhanced customer engagement and an accelerated deposit mobilization drive. Total Assets closed at N 2.59trillion for the year , up 23 per cent y/y from N 2.10trillion in December 2014,thus reflecting overall business growth.

Commenting on the results, Group Managing Director/CEO, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe said “”This year’s results reinforce our resolve to generate sustainable returns despite challenging market conditions. We achieved strong financial progress in 2015 as the Group recorded a 44% growth in profit before tax to N 75 billion from N 52 billion in 2014, with significant contribution from our securities trading business.”

According to him “Guided by a robust risk management framework, our diversified business model yielded positive results as we grew the business cautiously and recorded sound prudential ratios.”

22—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

Some terminals we visited were like ghost towns --- ICRC boss investment, you will realize that there ports are being under-utilized.

We are trying to get these occupants to see the big picture of concessioning these terminals.

Like I always say, the most important ‘P’ in the Public Private Partnership is the ‘P’ that stands for partnership.

Partnership means bringing your assets, I bring mine, we join hands together to deliver efficiency at an affordable price. In thus kind of partnership, both the benefits and risks are shared by both parties.

In August 2015, we at ICRC had the opportunity to do presentation before Mr.

THE Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, ICRC, Mallam Aminu Diko recently went on a tour of some yet to be concessioned port formations across the country ahead of their concession process. In this interview with GODWIN ORITSE, the commission boss told Vanguard that the private is better equipped to run the port than government. Excerpts

W

President and what he said was that the ICRC’s function has the fulcrum of his government dynamic achievements noting that the country has been bled beyond reason.

There are no funds from to build new infrastructures.

Government does not have money to do these anymore and that is why government is partnering with the private sector who is seen as the engine of growth.

So we are encouraging both Nigerian and foreign investors to come and join hands with government to resuscitate the infrastructural deficit presently being experienced.

AS the Commission part of the concession extension granted some terminals recently ?

No the Infrastructure Regulatory Commission was not part of any extension process.

Why wasn’t the part of the extension process ?

Because we were not aware it.

But the commission was suppose to be at the fore-front of the process.

The concession was done by the National Council of Privatization Mallam Aminu Diko, DG ICRC. But you are suppose to monitor these processes so as to ensure that compliance is observed ?

By Godfrey Bivbere the Council, reaffirmed the shippers to report all the traders’ doorstep in ensurIf NPA does not bring it to Council’s commitment to protect genuine cases suffered in the ing that there is a government inour notice, we will not know Nigerian shippers against any hands of shipping companies as stitution in place to protect the about it except we stumble on MPORTERS of marble and form of extortion from service regards their consignments. the information like in the case interest of shippers as regards tiles under the aegis of United providers on arbitrary charges. of the one in question.

The compliance, monitoring trade facilitation.

Marble and Allied Dealers AsHe said that some importers and enforcement division officWe are aware that five According to him, “We are sociation, UMADA, have said were allegedly short-changed er, who spoke against the back- bringing our services to their concession were extended by that local manufacturers of the due to lack of knowledge of drop of issues raised doorsteps, to let them know that the National Council for products do not have the capacithe existence of the council. He by importers of tiles and marbles in the case of their shipment by Privatization and as you know, ty to meet local demand. noted that as part of its statutory at the Orile market and the or- way of import and export they the NCP is being headed by President of UMADA, Iyke role as an economic regulator for deals faced in the hands of ship- should come to Nigerian Shipthe office of the Vice President.

Onyekwelu, who disclosed this importers and exporters, the ping companies, adding that the pers council.”

What we intend to is to ask at an enlightenment exercise by Council stressed the need for NSC is bringing its services to for all the document relating to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, the extension and see what was NSC, said lack of capacity by lodone. cal manufacturers led to the high And if it was done volume of importation of these haphazardly, what will the items.

ICRC do ?

The president, though, noted I do not think that NCP will that Nigerian marbles and tiles do anything haphazardly but are the best globally. when we get to that bridge, we He noted that importation of will cross it. such items is faster when comThe fishing trawling firms in pared to locally made ones due Kirikiri terminals have said to lack of electricity supply, govthat they want to retain their ernment policies etc faced by current location because they Nigerian manufacturers. have invested so much in The UMADA President who some of the port facilities, how described the enlightenment prodo you hope to handle this gramme as an eye opener, called situation considering on the NSC to hold more of such government’s move to programme as traders now have concession the terminal ? to run to shippers Council when They are right and wrong in the need arises regarding their the sense that you have a lease SIGNING: From left, Mr. Laolu Saraki, Project Director, Badagry Dockyard Limited; Dr. consignments. through which hugh amount of Speaking earlier, Nanbol Nan- Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman; Mr. Harm Blaauw, Regional Director Africa, DAMEN Shipyard Limited; Mr. Chinedu Okpareke, Director; Mr. Femi Fadeni, Director (back left) and Mr. Ju Pil Seo of money was paid, you will not le, an official of the Commercial Hyundai Heavy Industries at the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement in Gorinchem, The be happy to relocate within a Shipping Services Department of Netherlands between BSMEC Offshore Nigeria Limited and DAMEN Shipyard Limited, proposed sort time. operators of the planned ship repair facility.

Nigerian marble, tiles manufacturers can’t meet local demand — Importers

I

Cost of relocation What you will be thinking about is the cost of relocation, who will bear the cost of relocation. Secondly, where are they being relocated, is the place conducive for their business, will it be adequate for future expansion purposes.

There is also the sentimental reason reason some of them are giving for not wanting to leaxe their current location.

Some were given concession in the port that were used, they went on to sub-let the space to others. Some of the terminals we went to were like ghost towns, if you consider the magnitude of the initial C M Y K

Amaechi threatens to probe freight forwarding groups over collections at ports

By Godwin Oritse

M

INISTER of Transporta tion, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi has directeded the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and others involved in the same practice to stop further collection of practicing fees which it has allegedly been collecting illegally at the ports.

At a meeting with the leadership of the five registered freight forwarding associations in Abuja on Tuesday, Amaechi also reportedly directed that all monies that have so far been collected in the

past years by ANLCA, must be accounted for.

He threatened to drag the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in to probe the collections.

Sources present at the meeting told Vanguard yesterday that Amaechi has equally directed the head of legal department of the ministry to visit the ANLCA secretariat as well as others in order to investigate the alleged illegal collections.ý ANLCA President, Prince Olayiwola Shittu reportedly told the Minister at the meeting that he (Minister) was not properly

briefed and that the money in question is being collected from only ANLCA members as dues to the association.

“What I understand is that the money belongs to the Federal Government and you are collecting it by force, I want this money accounted for and you must stop further collection.”

“If you don’t account for this money, I have asked the legal department to go out and find out the nitty gritty of all the collections and report back to me, so that if any federal government’s money is embezzled, I will direct EFCC

to go and arrestý all Presidents of the associations to give account of the money” When Vanguard contacted ANLCA President, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, he refused to comment on the matterý.

Shittu had attended the meeting with a member of the Board of Trustees and former President, Chief Ernest Elochukwu. However NAGAFF President, Chief Eugene Nweke was absent and there was no representation from his association.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016—23

VOL. 1: NO. 17

FRIDAY, MARCH 18 , 2016 monarch to the Alake of Egbaland, stoked the fire of controversy and has led to a series of arguments and counter-arguments over the rating of Obas in the SouthWest.

While the Alaafin of Oyo has failed to join in the debate, the Ooni of Ife has kept mum.

• Oba Sikiru Adetona, Awujale of Ijebuland; Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State and Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo

RANKING OF OBAS:

The controversy lingers

By Dapo Akinrefon

T

HE ranking of Yoruba Obas by the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo is gradually snowballing into a controversy.

The Alake, who received the new Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi Adeyeye at his palace on February 7, had said: “Ooni is one of the five principal Obas in Yoruba land. The others are in order of the way they are classified on a supremacy basis.

After the Ooni is the Alaafin of Oyo; after the Alaafin is the Oba of Benin; after the Oba of Benin, is the Alake of Egbaland and the fifth, and by no means the least, is the Awujale of Ijebuland.”

But the Egba monarch’s supremacy rating left a bitter taste in the mouth of the Binis, who rejected the ranking.

While setting the records straight, the Palace of the Oba of Benin faulted Alake’s remarks.

The Esogban of Benin and Odionwere of the Kingdom C M Y K

(traditional head), Chief David Edebiri, said the Alake of Egbaland, goofed when he said the Oba of Benin was third in the hierarchy of Obas.

Aside the Binis, the statement did not go down well with another monarch.

This time, a monarch from the South-West, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who has since replied the Alake.

Ooni of Ife’s unifying attempt Soon after ascending the stool, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, had hinted his resolve to unite Yorubaland.

Oba Ogunwusi stated that he has God’s mandate to unite the

Yoruba race.

To many, the statement was commendable following the division that had permeated the South West.

He said that his efforts in uniting Yoruba nation are already yielding positive results, adding that Yoruba will develop if it was a united front.

The Ooni of Ife said: “I am so happy and pleased with this visit. God speaks with me everyday on this move to unite the Yoruba nations and I can say that God is leading me through this unity move.”

To demonstrate his disposition for unity of the race, the Ooni of Ife embarked on a mission to Yoruba monarchs in the region.

In a surprise move and for the first time in seven decades, he became the first Ooni to visit Oyo town since 1937.

Oba Ogunwusi made history as he visited the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, to grace his 45th coronation anniversary thanksgiving, held at the Methodist Church, Apaara, Oyo State.

The visit put paid to the age long rivalry that had existed between the Ooni of Ife and Alaafin of Oyo. Alake’s rating Aside the Alaafin of Oyo, the Ooni of Ife’s ship berthed at the palace of the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Gbadebo.

Surprisingly, the visit of the Ife

IN THIS EDITION

MILE 12 MAYHEM: The role of Ketu, Ikosi monarchs’ rancour •Page 24

ONDO: The politics of removal, re-instatement of a female speaker •Page 26

Awujale, Alake tango However, the rating did not go down well with the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Adetona, who tonguelashed the Alake of Egbaland, over his recent ranking of Yoruba Obas.

Dismissing the ranking as self-serving, false and a misrepresentation of facts, Awujale said the Alake was not higher than him in order of ranking, maintaining that at best, he was a junior traditional ruler in Yoruba land.

To get the records, the Awujale advised the Alake straight to meet with former President Olusegun Obasanjo for proper tutelage.

Awujale said: “My advice to Alake, being a young and inexperienced traditional ruler, is that he should contact Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for proper education so as to save himself and his people from further embarrassment.

Picking holes in the ranking, the Awujale faulted the 1903 gazette the Alake based his categorisation on.

The big five “The Alake, while receiving the Ooni at his palace, said the Yoruba Obas (the Big Five so to say) had been categorised with the Ooni in the first position, followed by Alaafin, the Oba of Benin, with Alake coming fourth and the Awujale as the fifth in that order.

“He also went further to quote wrongly from a 1903 Gazette to support all the fallacies in his statement. When I learned of the statement, I made several calls to Alake until I eventually succeeded in finding out from him if those statements were actually made by him, which of course he vehemently denied.

“In a recent discussion between the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, and I, we also touched on the same issue and the Oba of Lagos told me that he too had asked Alake the same question, which he had again denied vehemently.

“Regrettably, however, when the said statement a few days

Continues on page 24

24 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

ONDO STATE

ONDO: The politics of removal, reinstatement of a female speaker •Jumoke Akindele: Embattled Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly

By Dayo Johnson

T

HE less than a year tenure of the first female Speaker of the Ondo state House of assembly, Rt Hon Jumoke Akindele would have ended unceremoniously last week except for mother luck.

Ironically, the speaker of the 40-year old state was booted out by the male dominated Assembly on the exact day women across the globe were marking International Women’s Day. What an irony for the Princess of Idepe in Okitipupa area of the state.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko was the angel God sent to deliver her as she walked through the “valley of the shadow of death” at 10pm-an unholy time to stab her in the back by her supposedly trusted colleagues.

Mimiko’s, timely intervention gave her a breather at the eleventh hour as she was delivered from the claws of the members of the Assembly. But suspicion has set in between her and the “18 coup planners”

Although Akindele was their main target, the coup planners would not want to be unfair to the women folk if she goes down alone so they threw the baby and the bath water away by sacking all the principal officers in the assembly in a blanket sweep.

But political observers in the state argued that the last has not been heard on the hullabaloo in the 8th assembly.

Their postulation is that if the sack of the speaker by 18 of the 26 members of the assembly had the input of the opposition All Progressive Congress, APC, then the people of the state should seat back for the unfolding season drama that may ultimately target the governor.

However, Iroko according to one of his aides “ is too experienced to be caught unawares in such a game”.

Although some of the aides of the governor said that he was privy to the frosty relationship between the speaker and her honourable colleagues but prefers that they “sort themselves out.” He was

however said not to have expected the matter to degenerate to that level.

The governor who was away in Abuja had to race back home to save the speaker and others from the mouth of the lions who were about swallowing them and consign their less than a year tenure to the dustbin of history.

His meeting with the warring lawmakers failed to resolve the crisis on the first day and had to continue the following day.

Vanguard gathered that the meeting which was held at the government house ground behind closed doors for over five hours, members reportedly tabled the sins of their prey and subsequently commitments were made by the governor and they came out beaming with smiles.

Few hours after the resolution the member returned to the plenary with the embattled Speaker presiding over the passage of the appropriation bill after jerking it up from N118b to N123.720b. It was amazing that the Lawmakers could not even wait till the following day to perform this constitutional duty.

The opposition APC cried foul and described the lawmakers as the walking stick of the executives.

Political analysts are of the view that the sack of the speaker, her deputy, Fatai Olotu and all the principal officers has created a sharp division amongst the members of the Assembly and henceforth things may never be the same again.

Timely intervention of the governor not withstanding, distrust will most likely prevail among them till further notice.

Vanguard learnt that the cup of the speaker became full a week ago and his “ boys” - as he, according to them, used to refer to them during official engagements - finalized their plan to boot her out.

But they chose an odd hour of the day which attracted condemnation across the sunshine state.

Questions were asked that if the lawmakers really wanted to go the hog by dealing with the Speaker they ought to have waited till the breaking of the day and not congregate in a beer parlour at 10pm to announce the sack of the Speaker, her deputy Fatai Olotu and all the principal officers.

The governor who was away in Abuja had to race back home to save the speaker and others from the mouth of the lions who were about swallowing them and consign their less than a year tenure to the dustbin of history

Political observers in the state are also at a loss as to the involvement of 14 PDP members who are first timers and who could best be regarded as the “Iroko foot soldiers” in the Assembly sack saga.

The involvement of four of the five members of the opposition party in the Assembly was understandable but that of the Iroko boys sent some signals that the executives may be in the know and may want to shake the Assembly following allegations of the infiltration of the opposition party ahead of the November governorship election in the state.

But aides to the governor have dismissed this, saying, what happened in the Assembly was a storm in atea cup which is normal in a democracy and more so in a party which allows internal democracy to reign.

It was also being rumoured that the whole drama was orchestrated by the members including those sacked to arm twist the governor who has become tight fisted and deprived them of their entitlements including official vehicles, quarters, three months salaries and allowances among other benefits during his second term in office.

Those who signed the impeachment notice which was leaked to journalists at about 10:30pm include Arowele Ayodeji ( Owo 1), Iroju Ogundeji ( Odigbo 1), Olusola Oluyede (Ose), Akindiose Olusiji ( Ondo East), Akintimehin I Tuyi (Idanre) and Akinruntan Abayomi (Ilaje 1) Others were Fajolu Abimbola ( Ileoluji –Okeigbo), Araoyinbo Olugbenga ( Akoko North East), Olusegun Ajimotokin (Irele), Jamiu Suleiman Maito ( Akoko North West 1), Felemu Olusegun ( Akoko South West II), Coker Adeniyi Malachi ( Ilaje II), Towase O Kuti ( Akoko South East) and Kazeem MOS (Akoko South West 1) Also involved was; Obadiah Vincent ( Ese Odo), Ade Adeniyi (Ondo West 1), Olamide George (Akure North) and Mukaila Musa ( Owo II), who all

RANKING OF OBAS:The controversy lingers Continues from page 23 later was continuously credited to Alake on the pages of newspapers, I expected him to deny it or issue a rebuttal, but he did not do so. Therefore, I consider it necessary to debunk the aforementioned falsehood and misrepresentation of facts from Ake Palace so as to put the records straight.

“In conclusion, I hereby strongly admonish Alake to refrain from making such unsavoury, unguarded and unfounded statements which if not checked, may seriously jeopardize the unity of Yoruba Obas and their people,” he C M Y K

added, Awujale’s comment uncivil — Alake Sensing the need to engage the Awujale, the Alake of Egbaland lampooned the Ijebu monarch describing his comments as indecent and uncivil.

Oba Gbadebo, a retired army Colonel maintained that his intention was not to whip up any controversy or demean anybody but to educate people.

The Alake spoke through his Adviser on Media Affairs, Chief Lai Labode, accompanied by Egba Council of Chiefs at a conference at the paramount ruler’s palace in Abeokuta.

He said: “The Alake’s reply

was predicated on the selfindulgence of our respected monarch to churn out outright historical falsehoods in the presence of knowledgeable Nigerians.”

The Alake, whose speech, entitled: ‘Putting the record straight: Egba’s response to Awujale’s allegations’, said he believed that Awujale’s audience would have taken his attempt to rewrite contemporary history as his personal views: “we feel compelled to state the facts for record purposes,” he said.

Lugard’s salary scale However, in his reply to all the allegations raised by Awujale against him, the Alake said his

intention is always to educate the public by stating the facts of history and for record purposes.

In his defence, the Alake buttressed his ranking above the Awujale, going to the archives to quote Lord Lugard’s Grading and Salaries of Obas in the Southern Province.

On the allegation by the Awujale that the Alake quoted wrongly from a 1903 government gazette, which was a newspaper publication, the statement said: “Alake quoted government Gazette, Colony of Lagos, Saturday, February 20,1903, page 100, paragraph 16. Gazette is a subsidiary legislation, which has force of

law and, therefore, a public document available for verification.”

Thread with caution – Oba of Lagos In an effort to douse the growing tension between the two monarchs, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu of Lagos has cautioned Yoruba traditional rulers against making statements capable of causing disaffection among the various traditional institutions in the country.

He was of the view that emphasis should be on fostering peaceful coexistence.

Akiolu said: “We, Yoruba Obas, are not supposed to be Continues on page 25

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016 —25

LAGOS STATE

•Oba of Lagos, Oba Riliwanu Akiolu (Centre) ending the acrimony between Oba of Ikosi, Oba Alamu Oloyede (left) and Oba of Ketu, Oba Isiaka Balogun (right) at his Palace in Lagos.

MILE 12 MAYHEM:

The role of Ketu, Ikosi monarchs’ rancour

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

T

HE clash between the Yoruba and Hausa Community in Mile 12, Kosofe Local Government, Lagos might have ended, but a shocking revelation emerged last Monday, on how the clash was escalated by the acrimony between the two Obas in the council.

The Obas were Oba of Ikosi, Oba Alamu Oloyede and Oba of Ketu, Oba Isiaka Balogun.

The acrimony between the Obas, Vanguard gathered started few years ago, as a boundary dispute. Both traditional leaders accused the other of trespassing on his land.

Sources said that in a bid to end the animosity between both traditional rulers, Oba of Lagos, Oba Riliwanu Akiolu, who also doubles as the Permanent Chairman of the traditional rulers in the state, organised a peace meeting at his palace for both Obas. But the traditional rulers failed to sheath their sword and accept the peace accord.

And when the Mile 12 clash which started from a commercial motorcycle popularly called Okada related accident became heightened, sources said that rather than the traditional leaders collaborating to quell the clash, both traditional leaders acted separately.

It was learned that this further exacerbated the clash which led to the death of over 10 persons in the community.

Speaking at a stakeholders forum organised by Akiolu for the Yorubas and the Hausa Community, to address the issue at his Palace, Lagos Island Local Government, Oloyede, lamented that after the peace meeting held at the Oba’s palace, he had visited Balogun on four different C M Y K

occasions to end the acrimony between them.

The Onikosi said: “He (Balogun) did not show any sign of accepting the peace accord held to address the issue. And there is need for us to work together in order to bring unity in the state.

Oloyede complained that the entire Mile 12 market community had no regard whatsoever for the monarch or constituted authorities.

Narrating his own side of the story, Balogun said, “It is very

Akiolu stressed that Lagos remains home for all Nigerians, but he would personally not allow room for indiscipline, thuggery or foreigners’ disrespect for the Lagos indigenes

unfortunate that the clash occurred. But we are ready to unite in Kosofe to ensure that such clash does not occur again.”

Speaking at the forum, Akiolu ordered the traditional rulers to sheath their swords and work together for the peace of the council.

He directed all the stakeholders to liase with the traditional rulers and Iyaloja General to proffer a lasting solution to the clash that had crippled business activities in the council.

The monarch also urged the traditional rulers to lead by example and be more committed to promoting peace in their domain.

The Oba, however, accused the rulers distancing themselves from the residents, saying “otherwise the disagreement, though natural in human communities, would not have escalated to full scale war.

“How many times did you hear that those (Hausa and Yoruba traders) around here fight? It can never happen around here. But you are too far from them. You said that they don’t respect you.

It is because you kept demanding money from them, which I don’t do around here (Lagos Island). That is why you will have no respect among them.

“Such crisis has to stop and culprits must be punished. Even if it my own kinsmen, they have to pay for this. I heard that the Lagos State House of Assembly has said that the market should be relocated. I will have to meet with the governor to know if relocation will be a better alternative,” he added.

Akiolu stressed that Lagos remains home for all Nigerians, but he would personally not allow room for indiscipline, thuggery or foreigners’ disrespect for the Lagos indigenes.

Sarkin Hausawa of Lagos, Aminu Yaro, who led the Hausa leaders to the Oba’s palace, said that the mayhem was unfortunate, as it occurred in a community that had accommodated them for several years.

Yaro, said while they would be unrelenting in promoting peaceful coexistence, the Hausa leadership would commence a reorientation programme for the Hausa all the state on how they should conduct themselves in Lagos.

RANKING OF OBAS:The controversy lingers Continues on page 25 making inflammatory statements.

All the Yoruba Obas should refrain from making statements capable of causing disunity. God gave us one thing in this Lagos; all those who make progress in this country started from Lagos. There is nowhere in Lagos we discriminate against anybody.”

Amosun wades in In an attempt to douse the tension created by the two first class obas, the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun met with the

Awujale of Ijebuland and the Alake of Egbaland.

Though the trio kept mum as to the outcome of the meeting, it was intended to broker peace between the two top Yoruba traditional rulers.

Ooni of Ife keeps mum While the controversy lingers, the Ooni of Ife has kept mum refusing to be drawn into a supremacy battle with any monarch in the country.

It is, however, evident that the Ife monarch’s desire is towards a united Yoruba race and peaceful Nigeria.

OGUN STATE

Man seeks justice over killing of his star son

By Daud Olatunji

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RAGEDY struck in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital penultimate Tuesday when a 13year-old boy, Imisioluwa Kehinde was crushed to death by a truck belonging to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) while coming from his school in the afternoon.

The boy whose ambition was to become a medical doctor had reportedly left his school to pick his younger brother , Ayomipo Kehinde and other two children of his neighbour at their school, around Oke-Ijeun, Sapon in Abeokuta when he met his sudden death.

An eye witness told Vanguard that Imisioluwa, a Junior School Pupil of African Church Grammar School, Ita-Eko, Abeokuta , was crushed by the truck when he wanted to cross a road which was undergoing expansion at OkeIjeun.

Vanguard gathered that, the accident occurred due to alleged reckless driving of the truck driver who reportedly disobeyed the traffic rule by facing on-coming vehicles known as one-way driving.

The tragic incident attracted the attention of passers-by who nearly lynched the driver of the truck as they attempted to set both the driver and the truck ablaze but, they were prevented by the policemen .

Vanguard gathered that the truck reportedly smashed Imisiokuwa’s head and killed him on the spot while his younger brother and two others sustained varying degrees of injury.

They were rushed to the State hospital, Ijaye for treatment while the corpse of Imisioluwa

was deposited at the state hospital morgue.

It was also gathered that the state Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Olamilekan Adegbite, visited the scene shortly after the incident and promised that justice will be done on the matter.

Imisioluwa, according to the findings, was a very hard working and useful child to the parents and his neighbours.

Though, the remains of Imisioluwa had been buried , but, his father, Oluwambe Kehinde however, complained about the alleged attempt to perverse justice on the side of the government and the police.

The father while describing his late son as kind hearted boy , lamenting that he had lost Imisioluwa who was helpful to the family at his tender age.

He also described him as a gentle, caring and a kind-hearted young boy who could do anything for the people around him and always wished to become a medical doctor so that he could help the poor and treat the sick ones around him.

“Imisioluwa had been helpful to me through his little daily contribution of N50 he had used the money to support me in buying last year Christmas clothes for the family.

“The N50 contribution was a deduction he always deducted from his daily allowance of N100 I gave him. And sometimes, Imisioluwa will borrowed me some money to get food for the family whenever I had no money. “ Imisioluwa had advised me and his mother not to give birth again, so that we will be able to cater for him by sending him and his siblings to school.

“So many times, my boy had represented his school, and had

always been of help to the community and neighbours, especially to an 80 year-old woman who lives in our place, in Isabo. “ Everyday after he came back from school, he would fetch water for us and also for the woman and when the woman was told about his death, the woman wept profusely .

“His death pained me because, about four people had promised to take him to Canada after his secondary school education, but , his dream had been short-lived."

While seeking justice, the father said since the death of his son, the government or police have not done anything about the incident, and the truck driver has also been •Imisioluwa who was crushed by released from police custody in the name of medical treatment. a truck

26— Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

OWAMBE

•Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), in a group photograph with Chairman/C.E.O, Kamjay Farm, Alhaji Bode Oyedele; Acting Director General, Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Mr. Dickson Onuoha; Director General, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Mr. Olusegun Oshinowo; Founder, Ruff & Tumble, Mrs. Adenike Ogunlesi; Commissioner for Wealth Creation & Employment; Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti; Head of Service, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola; Commissioner for Establishment & Training, Dr. Benson Akintola and others during a courtesy call to the Governor by Management of NECA, at the Lagos House, Ikeja

•Oba of Lagos, Oba Riliwanu Akiolu (Centre) ending the acrimony between Oba of Ikosi, Oba Alamu Oloyede (left) and Oba of Ketu, Oba Isiaka Balogun (right) at his Palace in Lagos.

•A cross section of students from schools under Education District 1, Agege at The Students

Fortress Conference: A gathering of students of the Lagos State Education District 1, in Ifako Ijaiye.

•Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right), presenting an Eyo statue to Olu of Warri, King Godfrey Ikenwoli Emiko, Ogiame Ikenwoli I, during a courtesy visit by the Olu of Warri, at the Lagos House, Ikeja.

THE TEAM EDITOR: Adeleke Adeseri 08054682557 (sms only)

•The TG/PS, Education District 1, Agege, Dr (Mrs) Yinka Ayandele , the host discussing with Mrs Akin Aderibigbe, the representative of Deputy Governor; Elder Felix Ohiwerei; Maxwell Ubah and Mrs Tope Odutola, the NAPPS Chairperson at The Students Fortress Conference: A gathering of students of the Lagos State Education District 1, in Ifako Ijaiye.

C M Y K

CORRESPONDENTS: Dapo Akinrefon Lagos Ola Ajayi Ibadan Gbenga Olarinoye Osogbo Dayo Johnson Akure Daud Olatunji Abeokuta Olasunkanmi Akoni Lagos Rotimi Ojomoyela Ekiti Monsuru Olowoepejo

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016—27

Peter Okoye’s manager denies P-Square’s break up •Psquare

By Iyabo Aina

F

OLLOWING the news making the rounds that Nigeria’s RnB stars, Peter and Paul Okoye of the P-Square fame have finally gone their separate ways, the former ’s new manager, Olatunde Michael has refuted the rumour, insisting that the singing twins are still together despite the odds.

Olatunde made this startling disclosure, while in a chat with

WG. “Peter is still very much with his brother, Changing his name to Mr.P has nothing to do with breaking up with his twin brother or going

solo,”Olatunde hinted.

Meanwhile, the duo’s publicist, Bayo Adetu was unable to confirm the news, stating that “there is no official

I

NTERNATIONAL award-winning singer and songwriter, Asa is billed to thrill dignitaries and select audience at the Grand Finale of the third edition of the Etisalat Prize

PAR, the purported largest chain of hypermarket stores was officially launched on Saturday, March 12th at the Ceddi Plaza by Former Nigerian/English Pro Footballer and Ambassador for Sports and Tourism -John Fashanu, alongside, the store’s management,TV Personality Rachel Bakam and other friends of SPAR. According to the company ’s spokesperson John Goldsmith, SPAR store in Ceddi Plaza was conceived and designed to cater to the various shopping needs of the aspiring people of Abuja. The product assortment of over 12,000 items were hand-picked

by SPAR to meet the various needs of all consumers. He added, “SPAR as a hypermarket brand, takes cognizance of the various kind of shopping missions and adapts its products and services in respect of choice, quality,

service and value to translate the entire shopping experience into a world class one.”According to the spokesperson,”SPAR is the only retail chain in Nigeria with Shopper Loyalty Program called SPAR Reward Card.

SPAR is family oriented and serves your every need from the moment you wake to the moment you retire to bed.’’

SPAR International has franchised the brand to Artee Group for Nigerian operations. SPAR Hypermarket stores with over 22,000 m2 of retail space spreading across 8 stores serves over 5 million shoppers annually. Apart from Ceddi Plaza, SPAR stores are located in Victoria Island, Lekki, Maryland Ikeja, MMA2, Abuja Wuse II and Port Harcourt. SPAR Hypermarket is set to significantly expand nationally in the near future, spreading to places like Calabar, Enugu, Asaba, and many more cities across Nigeria.

•John Fashanu, Rachel, the Piper and Folashade, Manager of Ceddi Plaza at the event.

C M Y K

stage name, ‘Mr P‘. His twin brother, Paul who is now called Rudeboy equally released his own debut single titled, “ Call heaven”, where he lamented the death of their parents and how it has affected the once enviable musical group.

Asa headlines Etisalat Prize for Literature grand finale

SPAR hypermarket berths in Abuja

S

statement to that effect, at least for now.”

However, recent events indicate that all is not well with the Okoye brothers. Earlier in the week. Peter unveiled his new management team and equally released his solo single, ‘Look into my Eyes‘ under his new

for Literature holding tomorrow, at the Intercontinental Hotel in Lagos.

Asa, who has a number of internationally recognized albums and chart-topping singles to her credit, will perform her most popular hits as well as tracks from her latest album “Bed of Stone”, at the event, which will

•Asa

have in attendance top government officials, writers, book critics and academics from across Africa.

Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher said, Asa’s performance is targeted at

creating a wholesome and entertaining experience that celebrates the growth and depth of Africa’s literary community. The Etisalat Prize for Literature is the first ever pan-African prize to celebrate first time writers of published fiction novels on the continent.

BET raises the curtain on ‘Top Actor’ Season 2

F

OR the past two weeks panAfrican reality series ‘Top Actor Africa’ has had acting Tobechi fans on the edge of their seats when Season 2 premiered on Tuesday, March 1.

Packed with nail-biting moments, and tense eliminations, the new series will keep viewers guessing as 12 wannabe actors strive for 13 weeks to prove their acting chops and score a career-boosting prize!

Host and South African movie star, Zikhona Sodlaka is back to front the second season.

Best known for her roles in “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” and the national soapie

“Generations”, Zikhona has played leading roles in many South Africa productions including “TshaTsha” and “Montana”, to name a few.

Aspiring thespians from across the continent underwent a jaw-dropping audition phase in the race to see who will win the coveted title of Top Actor Africa. The six gals and guys who made the final cut are: Shamilla Miller(South Africa), Simhle Belinda Plaatjies(South Africa),Farrell Drew(South Africa),Marilyn Sekgapane (South Africa), Jesse Suntele(South Africa), Hendrik Lombard (South Africa) andSabeloSibeko (South Africa). Flying the flag for East Africa are Kenyans LorreineWanguiGakuoandAlex Khayo, while Nigerian actors Tobechi Nneji, Uriel Oputa and Ifeanyi Dike are representing West Africa in the competition.

28—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016 with

PRINCE OSUAGWU

08050498513 princeosuagwu@gmail.com

Huawei revs up mobile phone market with G-Power

By Laju Iren WORLD magazine has concluded plans to hold the 2016 edition of its annual forum on March 24. The Forum, themed: Expanding Nigeria’s Digital Frontier In the Change Era will discuss subthemes as The Digital Financial Services and Financial Inclusion, expanding the Infrastructure and services ecosystem, the role of broadband infrastructure, digital Broadcasting Ecosystem, the question of the Nigerian content and ICT as Catalyst for economic rejuvenation.

Publisher of eWorld Magazine, Aaron Ukodie said Nigeria’s 2015 slide in performance in global ICT Development Index shows that the country was yet to overcome its digital divide challenges and derive maximum benefit from ICTs for her development.

He said Nigeria has not adequately situated itself in global growth in digital financial services in the form of mobile money so as to advance the trend and bring about inclusiveness.

According to him Digital financial services allow millions of people who are otherwise excluded from the formal financial system to perform financial transactions relatively cheaply, securely, and reliably.

e

By Laju Iren

T

ECHNOLOGY giant, Huawei says that G-Power smartphone, its newest entrant into the Nigerian market is bound to be a favourite among consumers across the country.

The G-power whose release is in partnership with online store, Jumia, boasts of a big battery with its 4000-mAh battery combining performance, simplicity, convenience and beauty.

According to the Country Manager, Huawei Consumer Business Group Nigeria, Mr. Leo Jiang, “The Huawei GPower is a mid range smartphone that is the best life and work partner for consumers all day long.

The G-Power smartphone provides about 90 hours of light usage, 48 hours of heavy usage, 39 hours of call time and 15 hours of web surfing.”

The Huawei G-Poweris the ideal and affordable smartphone which helps strike a perfect balance between simplicity and usability and represents the on-the-go lifestyle, youthful spirit and positive attitude of consumers.

Speaking further he added,

eWorld set to hold 2016 forum

Huawei G-Power

“Through a deeper understanding of smartphones and the consumer’s needs, Huawei G-Power is created with a power saving technologies 3.0. Its 5-megapixel frontfacing camera creates a funfilled ‘selfie’ experience and the 13-megapixel rear-facing camera makes its possible to takecrystal clear, professional quality, beautiful photos

The G-Power smartphone provides about 90 hours of light usage, 48 hours of heavy usage, 39 hours of call time and 15 hours of web surfing

during the day and night.

The G-Power features a sleek, simple and elegant design,dual sim compatible with a stunning 5” HD IPS touch screen display with 296 PPI to give users a clear and comfortable experience. The smartphone is available in white, black and gold colors and shaped in Bezier curve to offer users the most comfortable grip while handling The Huawei G-Power’s ultra snapshot function helps users capture spontaneous moments before it is too late and a 10 minutes charge supports 3-hours of talk time for consumers.The new Huawei G-Power smartphone will be available in Huawei retail partner stores in February 2016.

Broadband penetration Ukodie also stated that mobile broadband infrastructure and services that could enhance the digital life and its associated benefits are still at the low level and stakeholders need to be galvanized to achieve the 2018 broadband penetration projections.

Again, he said Nigeria is yet to access the benefits of digital broadcasting and talks about the Nigerian content were yet to achieve the desired results.

The eWorld Forum 2016 seeks to provide answers to these questions and provide a platform for stakeholders to once again address these vital issues and provide achievable roadmap and strategy for achieving stakeholders’ yearnings, especially in this era of Change.

The objective of the Forum is to identify the technology trends in digital financial services over the coming years and how the role of various stakeholders in this ecosystem will evolve. This will include identifying underlying frameworks, new business models and public private partnership arrangements necessary for digital financial services. The Forum would also create a platform for dialogue between the telecom and financial services regulators to discuss emerging issues and best practices for the policy and regulatory framework for financial inclusion and reexamine the roadmap for achieving the 2018 broadband projection.

Appzone’s Creditclub to serve under-banked population

By Prince Osuagwu

A

FRICA’s leading provider of home-grown banking and financial technology solutions, AppZone, has intensified focus on improving financial services access to the underbanked members of the informal sector by piloting Creditclub.

Creditclub is an alternative banking channel solution developed for licensed deposit money Banks with primary application in the area of delivering basic Banking services to remote customers outside traditional branches and in collaboration with affiliated third party entities.

Speaking on the development the company explained that “Banks can leverage AppZone’s shared Core Banking platform along with the Creditclub technology

and agent network to exploit the huge opportunity for customer acquisition and liquidity growth as well as to significantly increase

operating margins through low cost and relatively stable savings funds.”

“The CreditClub technology addresses branchless banking

challenges by providing a robust software core and embedded core b a n k i n g application that seamlessly integrates with portable mobile phones and POS devices as well as third party core b a n k i n g applications.

CreditClub also offers mobile banking self-service applications a n d functionality for issuing and managing debit cards. Using applications on mobile devices, agents are able to perform basic banking operations such as instant

account opening and debit card issuance, as well as cash deposits and withdrawals.

Other supported services include bills payments & funds transfers. The Instant card issuance feature allows Agents link non-personalized debit cards to newly created accounts of customers thereby allowing new customers access their funds at ATMs from day one.

The CreditClub agent network is currently being piloted in Lagos, Abia, Owerri, Oyo and Kwara with the ultimate goal to roll-out across the 36 states of Nigeria in 2016. ,CreditClub is a flagship product of AppZone limited; a Nigerian software company that was established in 2008 and has grown to become Africa’s No. 1 provider of home-grown software solutions for the financial services industry.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016—29

Sapele, power generation and permanent blackout

By Godwin Oghre Mr Gabriel Eyide is a Sapele based legal practitioner and management consultant. In this interview with Vanguard, he spoke on sundry state and national issues. Excerpt:

H

OW will you comment on the power sector, particularly in Sapele?

Power, though is in the concurrent list, both the federal and the state government should tackle it. Nigerians should stand up to their rights. If you do not have light you should not pay for what you did not consume. It is not within the power of BEDC to cut your wire from the main supply and take it away. They can only detach it and cap it from the supply point.

For Sapele to be producing electricity but not benefiting from light is very bad. It has an average of three power generating stations. The NIPP has two – that is, the hydro generating station and the gas/thermal generating station, and the Sapele power station. As I speak to you there is ongoing protest by residents of Sapele against the almost permanent blackout in the area.

The people are protesting every other day in the last five years, yet there has been no changes.

The blackout is now almost permanent. The whole town is in a state of economic comatose, social life in the area has died, several companies have gone moribund, trading has virtually stopped, artisans are lamenting and many more problems.

Economic comatose Above all, insecurity is in the upsurge following the near total blackout in the area.

Generally how will you rate the state and the federal government performances in your own town?

The last time I saw the glory of Sapele was during the time of Brig. Samuel Osagbovo Ogbemudia (retd), when he was governor of the defunct Bendel State. Successive governments till date, after Delta State was carved out of the old Bendel, have abandoned Sapele.

Take Crudes road as an example. It has long been abandoned. It is the only parallel road to Okpe road. It is the only road linking the Sapele skill acquisition centre to the town.

The road was awarded by Ibori at the sum of N65m. It was supervised by Amioku but the supervision was poorly done, and that was in 2005.

It is long overdue for rehabilitation. Civil servants are not receiving salaries as at when due just as in Udughan administration. Using only two parameters that is, the roads and

Sapele indigenes protesting permanent electricity blackout there erred. That is why the Niger Delta militancy originated from the killing of Ken Saro Wiwa.

What is your take on the 2016 budget, widely acclaimed to be controversial?

Budgeting is a yearly ritual in the executive arm of government, done to compare the nation’s income to her expenditure.

Buhari was taken aback because he did not first look into the •Gabriel Eyide...Sapele budget before presenting it to the indigenes are angry National Assembly. There would have been no problem if he had payment of civil servant salaries first looked into it.

All the same, he apologized he has not done well. As for the federal government, we are yet after he discovered the to see even her least performance abnormities in the budget. It all here. There is nothing on ground showed that the Nigerian civil to show that the federal and public service are the bane government knows that Sapele of the country. We must commend is existing in this country, the president for exposing them, particularly those selected with nothing at all.

Can you comment about the the responsibility for budgeting.

How will you judge President agitation for secession of Biafra?

Let me paraphrase Alhaji Buhari’s anti-corruption Adamu Ciroma, when he said, crusade?

Buhari’s coming is timely and “The new generation of Ibo boys do not know that even the whole he is God sent. Before now no country is too small for them, how one knew the depth of corruption much less a little enclave they are in this country. Before Buhari now calling Biafra, which is only came in, corruption has become one sixth of the country. The a way of life in the private and agitation is misguided and corporate life of Nigerians. The misdirected. Demography will war is for all Nigerians, not show that those agitating for Buhari alone.

Biafra were born after the civil war and do not know the Due process consequences of war. Maybe of law they want to reduce the geography of their business If we don’t eradicate corruption, spread and movement. corruption will eradicate us.

Economically and politically Before Gen. Muritala the agitation is against their Mohammed did what he did in interest. The same applies to the the time past, the degree of Ogonis. Truly, the military was corruption was not up to this. I wrong to have over-run Ogoni offer myself to work as one of the land just because a few people foot soldiers to Buhari in this fight against corruption and I know that so many Nigerians are waiting to join in the fight to stamp out corruption. I urge the media, which is the fourth estate of the realm, to put more effort in their drive against corruption.

The rule of law or due process For Sapele to be of law should not shade culprits who themselves did not apply the producing electricity rule or due process of law when but not benefiting they were perpetrating the crime. from light is very bad. Let the media conduct opinion poll to ascertain the number of It has an average of people in support of Buhari, and three power it will show that it will be more than those against him and generating stations mainly in PDP.

US-Nigeria HIV/AIDS partnership on track — Amb Entwistle

By Vera Samuel Anyagafu

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HE US government has debunked claims made in some articles that the United States is reducing HIV/AIDS funding to Nigeria.

According to the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador James F. Entwistle, there have been several inaccurate media reports lately, concerning the US government’s support to persons living with HIV and AIDS (PLHIV) in Nigeria. He said that claims made in some February 25, 2016 articles that the United States is reducing HIV/ AIDS funding due to Nigeria’s Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act are flatly untrue.

What is true, he disclosed, is that US funding decisions on international HIV/AIDS programmes are not linked to other governments’ views on same sex marriage or other LGBTI issues.

“Since 2004, the American people have provided $4.2 billion in HIV/ AIDS prevention, treatment, and care for millions of Nigerians through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), clearly a massive US commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, “Contrary to what is often reported, PEPFAR is committed to maintaining support for the more than 600,000 Nigerians it has placed on anti-retroviral therapy (ART). Last year alone, more than 8.5 million Nigerians were tested and counseled for HIV, and 55,000 women were provided drugs to prevent transmission of the virus to their unborn children with PEPFAR support. The patients on ART are receiving care in 490 LGAs located throughout Nigeria.

Country-wide, approximately 750,000 Nigerians receive ART”, Entwistle stated.

He also disclosed that the burden of HIV is not spread evenly throughout the country, expressing that surveillance data show that some parts of the country have higher rates of infection than others. “Approximately 3.4 million Nigerians are infected with the virus. More than one million of those are located in seven states where PEPFAR, in consultation with the Nigerian government, has PEPFAR chosen to scale up is services.

“According to committed the latest National AIDS Spending to Assessment, 75 maintaining percent of the national HIV support for r e s p o n s e the more programme is funded by than d o n o r s , 600,000 predominantly PEPFAR and the Nigerians Global Fund to it has Fight AIDS, placed on Tuberculosis, and Malaria.

As anticontributions from retroviral these sources are finite and have therapy

not increased in recent years, the only way HIV treatment has continued to be increased is by finding efficiencies and reducing costs. We are learning how to do more with the same amount of money or even less.

In 2017, the PEPFAR budget will shrink, but the U.S. government is committed to maintaining all PLHIV placed on treatment and to scaling up services in the highest burden, highest HIV prevalent areas.

We have selected those areas, 32 LGAs in seven states, because we can reach the greatest number of PLHIV in the areas of highest concentration with the fewest dollars. That means our limited budget can place more people on life-saving treatment by concentrating our efforts in a limited geographical area.

“By having the right mix of resources and services, we can gain control of the HIV epidemic and halt the transmission of the virus”, he added. Also noting that decisions concerning the PEPFAR program are based on the latest science, international standards, and best practices, he said, “PEPFAR is increasing support for countries with the highest burden of disease and in which the host government is shouldering increased responsibility for responding to the epidemic.

Funding decisions The United States seeks to engage and encourage the Nigerian government to mobilize greater resources for the HIV response in a new era of accountability, transparency, and impact. In no country, including Nigeria, are PEPFAR funding decisions related to a government’s position on issues related to gay and lesbian populations, as recently (and erroneously) reported in the press here in Nigeria”.

Epidemic control: Ambassador Entwistle, while defining epidemic control as the point at which the number of new HIV infections has decreased and falls below the number of AIDS-related deaths, said PEPFAR is committed to supporting the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS’ (UNAIDS) “9090-90” goal of having 90 percent of people living with HIV diagnosed, 90 percent of those diagnosed on ART, and 90 percent of those on ART virally suppressed. Doing so in a small number of prioritized geographic areas he told the forum, will provide proof of concept which is hoped will encourage the Nigerian government to invest more significantly, and in a more focused manner in the domestic HIV response.

30 —VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

Muslim SoulMates Do you seek a Muslim life partner?

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Jumada Al-Akhir 9, 1437 A.H.

Ese: Child marriage is about culture, not Islam (2) Continued from last week SLAMIC maturity age: For those who want to be anachronistic about Aisha’s, (r.a) marriage to the Prophet, she did not live with him until she reached the customary and Islamic maturity age and in accordance with the norms of the society at that time. Nobody complained, not even the enemies of Islam at that time because that was the norm.

According to Imam Ahmad Assawiy in his commentary (Tafsir Jalalain) on Suratul Mariam verses 15-27, Mariam the mother of Isa, one of the four women revered in Islam who Prophet Muhammad described as women of paradise gave birth to Isa at the age of 13. In fact he stated that there was an account which puts her age at 10.

It will be wrong to compare these special creatures of God with todays being, it is a great sin to also vilify them. In the recent century however, it was the practice for young girls of age 10-15 to be married. Today, in some countries, young girls of similar age go into marriage.

If it is the culture in one environment, that is not about Islam, it is about culture.

I

Age of puberty The Prophet did not rule that every Muslim must marry a nine-year-old girl. It is cultural, hence there is no clear age set in Islam for a girl to marry.

Maturity changes according to different societies, period and environment.

They are free to determine marriageable age, based on maturity and other social factors of that environment, but it must not be lower than the age of puberty which Islam has set.

Even at that, the desire to protect young people is a genuine desire; young girls who have not attained maturity cannot decide for themselves and so should stay with their parents until they attain maturity to consent to the marriage in order to cope with marriage and motherhood.

This is not something that should be looked at in the negative light.

Qur‘anic Teachings on Child Marriage: The Quran equates marriageable age with the ability to make mature and sound judgments: “Test the orphans until they reach the age of marriage ; if

you then find sound judgment in them, release their property to them… When you release their property to them, take witnesses in their presence.”

(Quran, 4:6) According to this verse, there is affinity between marriageable age and the age of mature intellect. It shows that children cannot take possesion responsibly, which also means marriageable age is equated with sound judgment.

To enter into such an immense, life-changing responsibility such as marriage, Islam recognises that it requires the ability to make sound judgment. The verse also talk about witnessses which is required in any marriage in

The religion has taught that when a man proposes to a woman, her consent and that of her parents are necessary and no relationship should exist if there is no consent

Islam because the institution of marriage is contractual in nature.

The Quran forbids forcing women to marry: “O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! It is not lawful for you to force women into marrying or holding on to them in marriage against their will.”

(Quran, 4:19) The immense responsibility of marriage is one that children do not possess the intellectual capacity to grasp thoroughly.

Therefore, children only entertain the idea of marriage if they are heavily influenced by their parents, which, as stated above in the Qur‘an, is severely discouraged.

The scholars agree that if marriage of a young girl will serve some very real interest for her, then her guardian may arrange a marriage for her, but if no real interest will be served for her by that, then he does not have the right to arrange a marriage when she is still a minor, until she can choose for herself and give consent. The caveat is that during the period between her betrothal and the consummation of her marriage, the young bride would reside with her parents until she is fully grown and able to cope with marriage and motherhood.

She must have the physical ability to be able to bear and nurture children. Again, when she is fully grown and she declines, she has the right to annul the marriage.

ELCOME to Muslim SoulMates in Vanguard. A unique platform for single Muslims who wish to find their potential marriage partners on this page. We have designed it to help you find perfect soul mates every Friday.

We will also give counsel where necessary in order to keep with the halal standard. Our aim is to further develop couples that could be blessed, compatible, enduring following Islamic injunctions. It promises to be a rewarding service just as we will treat all inquiries and submissions in confidence.

Send your profile, contact and details of who you want, not more than 75 words to isholaism@yahoo.co.uk. Names and contacts will not be published.

For those whose profile are published, they are advised to check their emails as we will revert to them for further information.

PROFILE 08: A single Muslim male, 30, Yoruba, and gainfully employed wants an educated Muslim lady for marriage. Preferably between 21-25 years.

PROFILE 09: A married Muslim male, from the South South, businessman desires to have an educated and God fearing Muslim lady or divorcee as second wife. Preferably not more than 40, from any part of the country.

PROFILE 10: A Muslim widower, 49, 5ft.6inches tall, into import and export business desires a God fearing lady, single or divorced for marriage. She must be literate and hails from any part of the country.

PROFILE 11: A young man, 5ft.8inch from South-West, wants a Muslim lady between 35 to 40 years as life partner. Preferably tall, light in complexion, literate and beautiful.

PROFILE 12: A young man, 6ft tall from South-West, currently based in Delta State wants a Muslim lady between 35 to 40 years as life partner. Preferably tall, light in complexion, literate and beautiful.

PROFILE 13: A gainfully employed young man, 5ft.7inch from South-West, currently based in South-South wants a Muslim lady between 30 to 35 years as life partner. Preferably tall, light in complexion, literate and beautiful.

NIKKAH: Former Miss Zainab Akinpelu was solemnized in Holy matrimony with AbdulWasi Owolabi. The event was held at Rontex 18 Event center, Igando, Lagos, recently.

NAHCON will refund N1.7b to 2015 Hajj pilgrims — Mukhtar •Action justifies FG’s zero tolerance for corruption —NACOMYO

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HE Executive Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Abdullahi Mukhtar, has said that the Commission would refund N1.7 billion to some 2015 Hajj pilgrims across the country.

Alhaji Mukhtar made the disclosure while inaugurating the 2016 Hajj Carriers Screening Committee in Abuja recently.

He explained that the money was for services not rendered to the pilgrims in terms of feeding, accommodation, change of accommodation, and for those who were unable to perform the Hajj last year.

The chairman said it was a tradition of NAHCON annually to make such refund but the

volume in 2015 was higher than the previous years.

Mukhtar said that the Commission had evolved a strategy to make sure that all those who were supported received what was entitled to them.

He added that “after the 2015 Hajj, the Account Department of NAHCON carried out a thorough reconciliation with all service providers, both the Nigerian service providers and the Saudi service providers.

“They were able to come up with substantial amount that will be refunded to all the state pilgrims’ welfare boards and agencies and this amount is to the tune of about N1.7 billion,” he said.

Mukhtar said NAHCON had set up machinery to create

awareness among the public who participated in 2015 Hajj to approach their respective pilgrims boards for the refund.

“We believe in the leadership of the state board, we appreciate their capacities to effect the refund in line with financial regulations and in line with the change agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari,” he said.

The executive chairman also assured that proper monitoring of the refund of the money would be carried out by the Commission and other agencies responsible at the federal level.

Meanwhile, National Council of Muslim Youth Organization, NACOMYO as lauded NAHCON for the refund, describing the action as a

wholesome development. It noted that NAHCON’s action underscored Federal government’s zero tolerance for corruption and a significant step and determination by the NAHCON headship to addressing sharp practices that are allegedly associated with the annual pilgrimage exercise.

It called on state pilgrims Agencies and boards to ensure that the concerned pilgrims are paid accordingly and with orderliness.

NACOMYO urged all stakeholders to evolve a robust synergy that will revamp Hajj operations and enhancement of pilgrims’ welfare and the realization of hajj mahbrur.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016—31

Ahmadiyya PH Conference

Jumada Al-Akhir 9, 1437 A.H.

Port-Harcourt agog as Ahmadiyya Youth wing holds inter-faith conference •Urges prayers for peace, unity of Nigeria

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HE Youth wing of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya Nigeria, rose from its two-day Inter-religious conference with a resolve that followers of their faith, should endevour to be committed to the establishment and sustenance of peace; and at all times ensure the building of enduring peace among people in their respective communities.

The 351 participants at the conference also resolved to intensify prayers for peace and unity of the country. The conference was held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, last week.

Among the issues discussed are Youth restiveness, insecurity in the country and how to foster religious tolerance among all faiths.

Youth Restiveness: The ever increasing rate of violence amongst Nigerian youths took the center stage as particpants blamed the issue on ignorance and poor monitoring of education system in Nigeria by all levels of governments.

The conference urged the federal government and other relevant government agencies to ensure proper monitoring of all educational institutions in Nigeria so as to ensure that Youths are given the right education, thus preventing crimes from happening and encouraging peace among all faiths.

sincere appreciation to the Ahmadi Muslim Youth Organization for this bold initiative and expressed their strong belief that if the presentation at the Peace Conference are given serious attention by all faiths, then we can achieve our aim by building a new world and be agents of reformation.

In his welcome address, the Sadr (National President) of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Nigeria, Comrade, Abdul Rafi’ Abdul Qadir reflected on the socio-economic, environmental, peace, security and political landscape of Nigeria, noting that only the youths (the leaders of tomorrow) can sustain efforts to reform the society from the present socio-economic and political challenges by literarily‘Building of a new world’.

He emphasised the need for all religions of the world to ensure strict adherence to the pristine teachings of their religion, adding that no religion encourages terrorism and intolerance of other religious groups.

According to him, the guiding principle of the Majlis Khuddam is Nations cannot be reformed

Religious tolerance Security: Participants at the Peace conference also praised the efforts of the Federal Government in the fight against Boko Haram terrorist organization and asked all religious leaders to further educate their followers on the need to promote religious tolerance.

Religious tolerance: It restated the need for Youths to continue to uphold the pristine teachings of their religion by promoting tolerance among all religious and ethnic groups in Nigeria.

International brotherhood: The Peace conference participants recognized the important role that international brotherhood plays in the sustenance of global peace.

The participants therefore called for all Religions and also youth organizations across the world to collaborate with one another to foster peace in their respective communities and the word at large.

Participants expressed their

Nations cannot be reformed without the reformation of the youths, and advised all youths from different religions to be reformed

without the reformation of the youths and advised all youths from different religions to be reformed.”

Abdul Qadir who earlier flagged off the ‘Stop the Crime’ campaign emphasized the need for all stakeholders in the society to come together and assist in the fight against crime by focusing on the causes of crime and also educating the younger generation on the need to shun all factors that can lead them to crime.

Dignitaries at the event include Natraj Das, Representative of the Hare Krishna Temple, Rivers State; Ekiye O Ekiye, Youth Leader, Christian Association of Nigeria, Rivers State; Abdul Qadri, Representative of the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State; Jai Ibrahim, Representative of the Nigerian Civil Defense, Rivers State; Oliver M. Wolugbom, National Orientation Agency, Rivers State.

From left: Dr Gani Enahoro, Dr Mash’hud Fashola, Maulana AK Nayyar during the Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya conference held in Port Harcourt.

From left: Leader of Hare Krishna in Rivers State, Mr Natraj Das; Rep of Police Commissioner, DSP Abdul-Qadri, Mr Jai Ibrahim of Nigerian Civil Defence, Mr Oliver Wolugbom of National Orientation Agency (NOA), and President (Sadr) Ahmadiyya Youth Wing, Abdul-Qadri, Abdul Rafi who presented books to guests.

Centenary celebration Others include National Leader of the Community in Nigeria, Dr Mashu’d Fashola, the Missionary In-Charge Maulvi Abdul KhaliqueNayyar, Dr Saeed Timehin (Lecturer, Lagos State University), Naib Amir, Southern region, Dr, Abdul Gani Enahoro, government officials and other non-Ahmadi guests.

Meanwhile, in line with the centenary celebration of Ahmadiyya in Nigeria, the Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya Nigeria also embarked on sensitization of Secondary School students on the dangers of drug abuse; paid courtesy visit to the Chief of Rumuoekini Community in Rivers State which was led by the Naib Amir, Alhaji (Dr.) AbdulGaniEnahoro; played a football match with the All Stars football team of Port Harcourt; carried out a free medical service for members of the community where 48 free eye glasses were distributed; over 100 persons were tested for hypertension and diabetes and over 300 malarial drugs distributed to both elders and children.

Participants expressed sincere appreciation to the Ahmadi Muslim Youth Organization for the bold initiative and expressed strong belief that if the presentation at the Peace Conference were given serious attention by all faiths, Nigeria could achieve enduring peace and unity.

From left: Central Missionary Ijebu Circuit of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Ogun State, Maulvi Aliu Giwa; President, Engr. Musliu Ali; Admin Manager, Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium, Mr. Orokade James; Chairman, Jasal Planning Committee Alhaji Mufadilu Bankole and Amir, Dr. Mashhud Adenrele Fashola, during the inspection of Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium for Ahmadi Youth All African Game (AYAAG) as part of 100 years Ahmadiyya Anniversary Celebration in Nigeria.

From left: Chairman, Mitv, Alhaji Murtadah Gbadeyanka; Amir, of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Dr. Mashhud Fashola Adenrele and Naib Amir and Missionary-inCharge, Maulvi AbdulKhalique Nayyar, during a live program as part of 100th anniversary celebration of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at in Nigeria.

32— Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016.

YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

AQUARIUS; Today’s full-Moon in Cancer warns you to take your health more seriously. Yet here is a day remarkable success can be your lots.

PISCES; Whatever happens you will have cause to smile. Yet you must not take your friends for granted, especially from 3pm. Take love more seriously.

ARIES; Unless you exercise great control domestic water can become heated with re-action from people within your base of operation. Protect your career.

TAURUS; Full-Moon’s influence can induce others to oppose some of your moves within your social circle.

Respect important view of your good friends.

GEMINI; Full-Moon across Cancer/Capricorn axis is capable of bringing avoidable personality clashes through financial transactions. If you rely too heavily on promises made by others from 3pm you can be painfully disappointed.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

God is watching

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IGHT from ages man has continued to look for ways of clothing his nakedness. Nakedness does not just mean not wearing clothes alone. It includes covering our evil deeds, wicked acts, ways and

sins etc.

As it was the days of the biblical Adam and Eve, so it is today.

When we commit heinous crime, we run for cover under the stone,

TERROR MUDA

under the water and under the dark, hoping and praying that we will not be caught.

We live a lie. We forget that air bear witness to our cruel act;

in “Scavenger Elite”

the sun by our shadow takes our photograph, and our conscience convicts us daily.

Beware, God is watching. Your sins will find you out.

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

CANCER; Full-Moon in your Star Sign’ll boost your confidence and can prompt you to become unnecessarily aggressive to the resentment of others. Take it easy please.

LEO; With the full-Moon across Cancer/Capricorn axis you are meant to do away with whatever can not be placed above board, especially if working today.

VIRGO; Today’s full-Moon in Cancer warns you not to nurse false hope and do away with self deceit so that you’ll not run into avoidable trouble. This is the wrong time to take your influential friends for granted, especially any time from 3pm today.

LIBRA;. Full-Moon across Cancer/Capricorn axis can bring you under the fire of enthusiasm but if care is not taken others may take undue advantage of your mind. Do away with whatever can heat your domestic water. Protect your image.

SCORPIO; Better than yesterday but because it’s a full-Moon day you are advised to take legal related issues more seriously. Minor misunderstanding possible from 3pm

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in “HEY’

By Andy Akman

SAGITTARIUS; Full-Moon in cancer warns you to be very careful with both your personal and/or others money and joint ventures too. Be more family minded.

CAPRICORN; Full-Moon in Cancer can bring you avoidable confrontation either from new contacts or old allies; try you best to avoid partnership crisis.

Exhibit maturity

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

What’s my personality?

Dear Joshua, Please keep my birth data and identity secret, but I want you to analyse my horoscope bluntly so that I can know who am I; talking about my personality.

Anonymous. Osogbo,

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Dear Anonymous, What you will find here under will prove useful if you take them seriously and utilise them.

ANALYSIS OF YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA/PLANETARY PLACEMENT Aries that hosted the most important heavenly body (the Sun) together with indicator of mental focus lens-Mercury, is known for special leadership quality and higher degree of positive aggressiveness. Yes you were endowed with leadership talents which can manifest either in the business world or POLITICS and probably both.

It is true that Aries can be very aggressive, but with many planets placed in more mild Star signs, with less than 50% of push-full influence, loving Venus as most influential planet when you were born, certainly aggression of Aries is greatly water down to the minimum . That is not to say you the timid type but yours is a balanced personality. You are gentle, honest and straight forward person. Preponderance of fixed and earth in your chart are pointers to the fact that you are the careful type who will not change his mind just for the fun of it. Then as peace loving Venus was the most influential planet when you were born, peace and harmony will always come first whenever you want to take any (important and/or) decisive action. Placement of mighty Sun (indicator of basic-self hood) the Moon (indicator of sub-conscious self/emotion) and the Stellium (that is more than two planets in one Star sign} in Aries, Pisces and Taurus respectively meant that basic characteristics of the three Star signs stated in this paragraph are highly pronounced in your inner-self.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016—33

Ex-Delta SSG, Macaulay visits Olu of Warri ...drums up support for Okowa

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By Festus Ahon

S A B A — I M M E D I AT E past Secretary to Delta State Government, SSG, Chief Ovuozourie Macaulay, has urged all ethnic groups in the state to remain united and steadfast in their support for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in his determination to take the state to greater heights.

Macaulay, when he paid a courtesy visit to the Olu of Warri, HRM Ogiame Ikenwoli, in his palace in Warri, also congratulated the monarch on his emergence as the king of the great ancient Warri Kingdom.

The former SSG, who was accompanied by traditional rulers of Ozoro and Umeh Kingdoms, youths, women and other prominent Isoko sons and daughters, including former Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties in the state, Pastor Powel Ojogho, said he was out of the country during the Olu's coronation, hence the visit.

Saying that the visit was also to strengthen and rejuvenate the bond between the Isoko and the Itsekiri, Macaulay charged the people of the state to remain united and join hands with the administration of Governor Okowa to build the state.

Insisting that the state was in good hands with Governor Okowa as the captain of the ship, he told the people to give the governor

the needed prayers, cooperation and support to actualize the SMART agenda which is aimed at bringing prosperity to all Deltans.

Macaulay said that the emergence of Okowa from Delta North as governor was in line with the principle of rotation of power in the state, adding that “Delta Central and Delta South

had, between 1999 and 2015, produced governors of the state.”

In his remarks, the Olu of Warri commended Macaulay and his entourage for the visit, adding that the visit was a show of love, unity and peaceful coexistence among different ethnic groups in the state.

He said: “We should be

bridge builders and promote peace at all times in line with the peace building agenda of the state government. God knows why he brought us together as one people. We should eschew bitterness and crisis. We should therefore, see ourselves as one big indivisible and united family so as to achieve our common goals.”

PRESENTATION: Capt Hosa Okunbo, Chairman, Wells Sam Carlos Farm (left), and Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, at the presentation of the Agro-business plan of Wells Sam Carlos Farm to the governor.

Buhari urged to check marginalisation of local contractors

By Daniel Gumm

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ARRI—THE Itsekiri, Ijaw and Ilaje Coastal Communities have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to speedily check what they described as the anti-local contractors activities of a “cabal” in Federal Government-owned institutions and organizations, particularly, the National Petroleum Investment Management Services, NAPIMS and Chevron Nigeria Limited.

In a letter to President Buhari earlier this week by Uyaesan Amaju (Itsekiri), Timiebi Jones (Ijaw) and Ogunmuyiwa Atolagbe (Ilaje), the group accused the cabal of being resolute in its determination to ensure that the status quo ante, which hitherto gave recognition to local contractors by companies in their areas of operations, was disregarded by openly marginalizing the Itsekiri, Ijaw and Ilaje Coastal Communities.

“We are aware that Chevron, a major oil company operating in the Itsekiri, Ijaw and Ilaje coastal communities, is bringing a “RIG” to the Area for use in their exploration and production of crude oil and gas, which as usual is a welcome development, but the circumstances surrounding the arrival of this RIG, the activities and job the rig is to carryout, is our major cause of concern.

C M Y K

“The said rig, on arrival, will operate with about 110 employees and also require the services of contractors to provide other materials and support services. Of these 110 employees, we were informed that the Itsekiri, Ijaw and Ilaje coastal communities were only

given 21 slots (that is, 7 slots apiece). The remaining 89 employees had been sourced and employed from outside the Itsekiri, Ijaw and Ilaje coastal communities. This percentage is less than 30 percent of the entire workforce a situation that is unacceptable to us.

“We are saying that workers cannot be brought from elsewhere within the country.

The point we are making is that being the ones that feel the brunt of oil and gas exploration and production activities, a sizeable percentage of the workforce ought to be given to us."

Navy vows to crush oil thieves in Niger Delta

By Samuel Oyadongha

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ENAGOA—THE Nigerian Navy has warned those engaged in criminal activities in the Niger Delta to relocate or get crushed.

The warning is coming on the heels of the acquisition of 15 gunboats to dominate the waterways of the region.

Speaking at the end of a threeday operation code named Exercise Projector, the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman, reiterated the readiness of the Navy to fish out crude oil thieves, pipeline vandals, sea robbers, kidnappers and other criminals operating in the region for prosecution.

Suleiman noted with sadness that economic crimes such as pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft and sea piracy had not only led to significant loss in revenue

accruable to the Federal Government, but led to damage of strategic oil installations.

On the just concluded exercise, the FOC said it was a choke point strategy in accordance with the directives

of the Chief of Naval Chief, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas to degrade miscreants and dislodge them from their hideouts.

Suleiman added that the operation would equally reduce criminal activities in the country.

Ekpan community crisis: Okwagbe seeks DTSG, FG intervention

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politician and opinion leader in Delta State, Olorogun Okwagbe, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, Delta State governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and the state Commissioner of Police, to intervene in the on-going community crisis in Ekpan so that they can broker a truce that will lead to a long lasting peace in the community.

Emphasizing the necessity for the intervention, Chief Okwagbe noted that peace was

a veritable tool needed by all stake holders to develop, adding that, the absence of peace has denied the community of many good opportunities.

He reaffirmed his confidence in the ability of Governor Okowa's administration to bring lasting peace at the end of the imbroglio.

Lambasting individuals who benefit from community crisis, the peace Ambassador maintained that the long arm of the law will soon catch up with miscreants whose days are numbered.

CODAF chides SPDC over gas flaring

By Ochuko Akuopha

O

L E H — C O M M U N I T Y Development Advocacy Foundation, CODAF, a nong o v e r n m e n t a l organisation, has condemned Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, for transferring some of its facilities to Nigeria Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, without addressing issues of gas flaring and decades of environmental degradation in oil bearing communities where it had operated.

Speaking at an advocacy meeting with women of Uzere community, Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State, Executive Director of CODAF, Mr. Richard Benin, however, told NDPC to accept responsibility for the lingering problems allegedly created by SPDC in the host communities.

Benin, who spoke on "Addressing the Health Impact Associated with Food Processing Around Gas Flare Sites Among Rural Women in the Niger Delta region," noted that women and their farm produce were being exposed to gas flares on a daily basis, adding, “This activity impacts on their health negatively and also poisons their food.

“There is hardship in the communities because of poor agricultural yields as a result of soil infertility arising from the gas flaring activities.”

Speaking on behalf of Uzere women, Mrs. Justina Bishop said: “We have been victimized by gas flaring and the activities of SPDC

PFN women hold confab

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OMEN of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Apapa/Surulere Province, will hold a conference on March 19, 2016, with the theme: Let Us Exalt Him. A statement by the organisers said the event which comes up at Four Square Gospel Church, Alaka at 10 a.m., will feature Christian culture and choral fiesta.

Rev. Mrs Rosaline Odiete, the Provincial Women Coordinator and all the women of PFN Apapa/ Surulere province, are expected to grace the occasion.

34—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18 , 2016

BOUNDARY DISPUTE:

2 feared dead, 1 missing

•10 houses burnt, 150 displaced

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By Peter Okutu

BAKALIKI—NO fewer than two persons were yesterday reportedly killed while one member of the affected community was declared missing as 10 houses were burnt and properties worth millions of naira looted following a resurgence of attack on the people of Ochienyim community in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State allegedly by some members of a neighboring community of Adadama in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State.

As a result of the attack, Vanguard learned that over 150 persons have now been displaced.

In a chat with newsmen on the recent attack on the community by militants from Adadama community, a youth leader in the affected community and relation to one of the victims, Mr. Samuel Nomeh gave the names of those killed by the attackers as Mr. Elijah Nomeh and Mr. Agashi Onuenyim.

Mr. Nomeh stated that at about 9am, some militants numbering more than 20 and armed with sophisticated weapons, invaded their community, shot sporadically, burnt houses and looted properties of the people of Ochienyim community in Ebonyi State.

According to him: “The attack was the 4th in the series of attacks by the people of Adadama community on our people since the Assistant Inspector General of Police in-charge of zone 6 called a meeting of the 2 communities asking for a cease fire.

“On February 17th 2016, the people of Adadama invaded our community with dangerous weapons but fortunately nobody was killed; we reported the invasion to the police. On the 19th, they also invaded our community but we were able to

resist them, because of the appeal of the AIG. We usually report the matter to him and usually we get assurance that such would not happen again but to the surprise of many, on the 8th of March 2016, they came in their numbers shooting and burnt 6 houses that faithful day.

“While we were still trying to recover from the shock of the invasion, they invaded our community again killing 2 persons, burnt 10 houses, looted our livestock and household appliances and displaced more than 150 persons especially women and children”.

Mr. Nomeh further recalled that

on the 24th of October 2015, the militants also attacked the community, shot a police officer, burnt 20 houses and abducted some persons from the community.

Mr. Nomeh who accused some top government officials of Cross River state of sponsoring the militants insisted that the sort of weapons the militants brandished were too sophisticated.

Contacted, the State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kelechi Igwe who expressed dismay over the development stated that the communal crisis was still being investigated.

Igwe who is the State Chairman of the Inter Boundary Committee

added that the Committee would soon visit the affected community to ascertain the level of destruction in the area, get statistics of all those affected and provide the necessary succour.

Meanwhile, another displaced victim and a mother of 7 who is currently taking refuge in a primary school building with her children, Mrs. Mary Ogeji regretted that in all the attacks, the people of the community have remained calm, hoping that the relevant authorities would come to their rescue.Mrs. Ogeji accused the state government of being insensitive towards the plight of the people, noting that no government official has visited the community to commensurate

COAS visits Onitsha, tasks army on professionalism

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

N

NEWI—THE Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai yesterday in Onitsha told officers and men of the 302 Artillary Regiment (General Support) to remain professional and responsive in the discharge of their duties, saying that if they observe the rules of their engagement, there will not be any issue of human rights violation in the discharge of their jobs.

Gen Burutai who was flanked by the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Attahiru, Commander of 302 Artillery Regiment, Col. Isah Abdullahi, and Commanding Officer 14 Field Engineer Regiment, Lt. Col. Sheriff Aremu told the officers and men that their colleagues in the North East are doing them proud and they should live up to their job in the state.

He acknowledged that the soldiers have a lot of problems militating against their jobs, but assured them that these problems are being addressed

especially accommodation and other issues, saying that in no distant time, those problems will be a thing of the past.

“I am here for the first time as the Chief of Army Staff to familiarize with you and know some of the problems you face, and the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari is sincere in addressing

your welfare issues and the only way to pay back for his genuine commitment is to work hard and according to the rules of your engagement.

“The barracks will be put in proper shape for you and I will like to urge you to be loyal and patriotic in the course of your duties, you have your rules of engagement and you must abide by it, as long as you work according to it," he said.

hy won’t there be fuel scarcity when the person who oversees activities of the petroleum ministry keeps travelling about? Can a father, who left his children in their time of need, understand their problem? Mr Uchenna Azuka, Graduate C M Y K

I

though this fuel scarcity will end by this past Monday, so why another sad news. I am really tired of sad news. I think Nigerians need to be standing on their words, especial when it comes to a matter of this magnitude.

Miss Cachet Uzi, Self Employed

L

AGOS—THE Redeemed Christian Church of God, Centre of Greatness Parish, Asiriabo, Isolo, annual programme, tagged, Shekinah 12 hours praise holds tomorrow.

According to the pastor in charge of the parish, Oguh Nnaoma Daniel, the Area 017, Lagos Province 48, annual programme is a privilege for all to come together to praise God for His faithfulness and encouraged all to always praise God, no matter the condition, as He is more than able to fix every problem.

The programme which takes off at 27 Asiriabo Street, from 8am to 8pm, features praise leaders such as Isaac, Wale, Area 017 Choir and others.

Meanwhile, the church carried out free medical screening for all where the Pastor who also is a Medical Laboratory Scientist encouraged Nigerians to always go for periodic medical screening, check ups and stop self medication.

Igbo language newspaper debuts in Owerri

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—MARCH 15, 2016, was another day of soul searching for Ndigbo as Imo State Government launched an Igbo newspaper, Ikoro Ndigbo, in Owerri, the state capital.

People from all walks of life started gathering at the Imo International Convention Centre, Owerri, IICCO, as early as eight o’clock and before Governor Rochas Okorocha, his Deputy, Prince Eze Madumere and the Speaker, Chief Acho Ihim arrived the venue, the hall had filled to the brim.

The event started with

traditional dances, Igbo plays, songs and beautiful recitations in Igbo language. Government aptly branded the outing as “the globalization of Igbo language.”

Addressing the audience, the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Chief Acho Ihim, promised that the lawmakers would do everything possible to ensure that Igbo language does not go extinct as predicted in some quarters.

The Speaker, who stated that Igbo language forms part of the custom and tradition of Ndigbo, also disclosed that already, a Bill for a Law to this effect has passed through the second reading in the

House of Assembly.

“The Bill for a law, for the teaching and learning of Igbo language has passed through second reading in the Assembly.

When the legislative engineering on the Bill is finished and signed into law by the Governor, it would be mandatory for the subject to be taught in all schools in the state,” Ihim said.

The Speaker expressed the hope that the Igbo language newspaper would further help the efforts of Archbishop Anthony J. V. Obinna of the Owerri Catholic Ecclesiastical Province and other groups in sustaining Igbo language.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

W

RCCG Centre of Greatness holds praise programme

On fuel scarcity in Nigeria

I

f I can recall, last weekend Kachikwu promised that fuel will be available throughout the country, by Monday. But today is Thursday and what are we still seeingscarcity. Infact, the fuel scarcity has worsened. Mr Elumah Friday, Civil Servant

I

do not understand what is happening in this country. Why do we keep having scarcity of fuel? We do supply fuel to other countries while we lack fuel, what a shame!

That is just what I have to say. Mr Joseph Nnanyereugo, Self Employed

P

lease the minister of petroleum/president should as a matter of urgency solve this scarcity issue. High cost of fuel is having negative impact on most Nigerians every hour, which is not the same with the fight against corruption. Miss Sophia Osuji, Graduate

I

t is obvious that the minister of petroleum is not fit for the position, also that his words should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Should he not resign, given the fact that he failed to provide fuel on Monday that he promised till date.

Mr Ogwu Nwachukwu, Communicator

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016 — 35

Kwara govt didn’t sack PTA chair for criticising Saraki

Akin Osuntokun’s sister for burial

M

—AHMED

By Demola Akinyemi

I

LORIN—KWARA State governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, has denied removing chairman of Parent Teachers Association, PTA, in the state for allegedly criticizing the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

Governor Ahmed said this in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Dr. Muideen Akorede, in Ilorin.

According to the statement, the PTA is a non-governmental organization which is not subject to governmental control, including removal or suspension of its officials.

The governor dismissed Sahara Reporters’ story which claimed that he punished the PTA chairman as the latest instalment in the online medium’s sponsored attacks on the person of Dr. Saraki.

Ahmed stressed that he and the Senate President fully supported the constitutionally-guaranteed freedom of expression and could neither have instigated nor directed the removal of the PTA chairman on account of his alleged criticism of Dr. Saraki.

He also described as false and mischievous the medium’s claim that the state government’s support for Dr. Saraki in his ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal was responsible for the delay in the payment of salaries of workers.

VISIT: From left; Damian Udeh, Head Regulatory, NTEL; Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman Association of Licenced Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and Professor Umar Danbatta, EVC of NCC during a courtesy call by ALTON executives to NCC.

Kogi to immortalise Ocholi As tributes pour in for late minister at valedictory court session

By Boluwaji Obahopo

L

OKOJA—GOVERNOR Yahaya Bello of Kogi State yesterday said the state government would immortalise the late Minister of State for Labour and Employment, James Ocholi (SAN) The governor, who made the declaration at the State High Court premises during the Valedictory court session organised in honour of the late minister, also promised to take adequate care of the four remaining children of the late minister.

Apart from Bello, the class of 1986 of the Nigerian Law School also pledged to assist the remaining members of the family

of the former minister.

The governor said the death of the Ocholis was shocking and had left the entire people of the state in mourning.

He said: “The outpouring of grief across the length and breadth of Nigeria, following his death and that of his wife and son, attests to the strength of his character as a well-loved gentleman, who’s impact is incomparable.

“Everyone from the President and commander in chief to the lowest beneficiary of his impact even in Dekina and everywhere mourn him for the great contribution he has offered to his generation.”

Also speaking, the leader of the class of ’86 of the Law School, Mr.

Joe Gadzama (SAN), said the over 2000 members of the class met in Abuja on Wednesday and had resolved to assist the children the late minister’s left behind.

His words: “Ocholi was a man of many parts, in the first place he was an iconic lawyer, he was an astute politician and a devout Christian, even as a politician he distinguished himself and stood out and represented us as a worthy ambassador among the politicians.

The Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Nasir Ajana, described Ocholi as a budding talent Kogi State indigenes were looking up to with the belief that his contributions to the nation at this auspicious period would impact on them positively.

N2bn MSME fund missing in Kogi, gov orders probe

By Boluwaji Obahopo

L

OKOJA—KOGI State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has ordered full investigation into the sudden disappearance of N2 billion MSME fund.

The governor made this known yesterday in Lokoja after an

unscheduled visit to some ministries in the state where the cans of worms at the State Ministry of Commerce and industry was revealed.

Vanguard gathered from sources in the ministry that the governor may have been privy to the issues to pay such unscheduled visit, adding that

the sleaze was in connection with the Kogi State/CBN MSME which was allegedly diverted by some top directors in the Ministry.

However, Bello immediately directed the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry to turn in a comprehensive report on the fund.

MULTIPLE SALARIES: Kwara to prosecute culprits

By Demola Akinyemi

I

LORIN—KWARA State governor, Dr Abdulfatah

Ahmed, has vowed to prosecute any civil servant found collecting multiple salaries in the state at the end of the on-going Bank

Taraba Assembly elects new speaker

By John Mkom

J

ALINGO—TARABA State House of Assembly yesterday re-elected Peter Abel Diah as new speaker, following the resignation of Mark Useni.

Diah had been a former speaker of the House of Assembly.

Mark Useni told his colleagues at plenary yesterday that his

RS. Gbonjubola Kolawole is dead.

The deceased passed on after a brief illness on March 6, 2016, at the age of 56.

She is survived by her husband, children and grand children and would be buried on March 18, 2016 at Okemesi Ekiti.

Burial service would commence at 10 am at Saint Michael Anglican Church after which interment would take at her residence.

She was the immediate elder sister to a former Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Chief Akin Osuntokun.

resignation was based on personal reasons and immediately after his resignation, his deputy, Muhamed Gwampo, presided over plenary.

When Gwampo called for election of a new speaker, the immediate past speaker, Useni, nominated a former speaker of the House, Peter Abel Diah, to be elected as new speaker.

Verification Number, BVN, alignment.

Governor Ahmed, who gave the warning in an interview with journalists in Ilorin, said: “It was criminal and ungodly for anyone to be collecting multiple salaries from the same source, while some of our brothers and sisters in parastatals and institutions are rarely able to collect their salaries on time.

“We will check how it is possible for multiple names to enter into one BVN. We must check what happened because if we don’t know what happened, we would not be able to check it in future.”

He also asked the ministry to collaborate with the Office of the Accountant General of the state for thorough investigation promised to get to the roots of the fraud.

Bello assured that he was ready to prosecute anyone found wanting in the MSMEgate that has shaken the ministry to its foundations, reiterated the determination of his administration to root out corruption from the civil service.

Late Mrs Kolawole

Obsequies for Mrs Azebamwan

T

HE remains of Mrs Franca Azebamwan, 52, who died on November 14, 2014 in Benin, will be laid to rest on Friday, April 1, after a Christian wake at her residence, Thomas Animashaun Str., Lagos, on Thursday, March 31.

This will be followed by a funeral service at the church cathedral. Reception is at the church premises. She is survived by a widow, children, grandchildren and relatives.

Late Mrs Azebamwan

Women group mobilises for prayers for Nigeria

By Nkiruka Nnorom

W

HEN Women Pray, WWP, International, an inter-denominational fellowship, has announced plans to mobilize women across the nation to pray for positive change in the country.

The prayer conference, tagged “Far above Rubies”, holds annually in commemoration of WWP’s anniversary.

The theme of this year ’s

conference is “God cannot Lie” and is schedule to hold on Saturday, April 9, 2016, at the Excel Event Center, Ikeja, Lagos Speaking ahead of the conference in Lagos, the South West Coordinator and Resident Pastor, Lagos 1 WWP, Pastor Temilade Zurike, explained that this year’s parley was expected to be an unusual session of intercession by women for their families, children, spouses and the nation.

36 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

C M Y K

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016—37

RIVERS SET FOR RE-RUN ELECTIONS:

Tension in the air

THE rerun election is to hold in the three senatorial districts in Rivers state.They are Rivers East, West and South East. It will also be conducted in 12 federal constituencies and 22 state constituencies. Invariably it is a state-wide election as it will hold in the 23 local government areas with each having 319 wards.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the election will be conducted in 5, 942 polling units with 24, 930 adhoc staff drawn from the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC , lecturers from three federal tertiary institutions. The electoral body also said there will 379 Collation Officers and 37 Returning officers recruited from the federal schools for the exercise.

•Wike

•Amaechi

Wike, Amaechi battle for political control

T

HOUGH their names are not on the ballot papers but the election is largely a battle between Governor Nyesom Wike and his predecessor, Mr Chibuike Amaechi who is now Minister of Transportation. They are the two personalities who will largely influence the direction of things at the state level.

They have gone round the three senatorial districts wooing voters for their party candidates.

Wike needs members of his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to win the state House of Assembly seats to gain firm control of the House given the significance of control of the

House to any governor.

A governor can be thrown out of his seat by the lawmakers if he does not exercise a good grip on the House and its activities.

He also needs his loyalists in the PDP to represent the state at the National Assembly, believing that it will enhance his synergy between his government and the lawmakers.

On his part, Amaechi apparently would want to use this rerun to prove that the defeat suffered by the APC in the last election was largely on account of the reported irregularities that characterised the election during which he could not even vote.

Police intensify patrol of PH ahead of Saturday

D

EPUTY Inspector General of Police, in-charge of Operations, DIG Sotonye Wakama revealed the presence of 16 units of heavily armed anti riot policemen among the arrangements being put in place to fortify security in the state before, during and immediately after the elections.

Port-Harcourt, the capital city is presently almost being saturated with the presence of security

men. Police vehicles have been driving in convoys, showing might all over the state capital and adjourning local government areas.

The Police is expected to work with the Navy to lock down the waterways during the election.

2,000 men have also been deployed to strengthen the force of 5000 men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSDC in the state.

Personalities that 'll shape rerun polls

By Our reporter

R

IVERS West Dr Peter Odili from Ogba Egbema Ndoni local government area is the former governor of the state with state-influence over the affairs of the PDP. Whether on ground or not, he will expected to deliver not just his local government, but the senatorial district in favour of the PDP candidate, Mr Osinakachukwu Ideozu whose emergence as candidate he was said to have influenced.

Bro Felix Obua also from Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local government area he is the state chairman of the PDP and will be under pressure to deliver all the candidates in his local government and senatorial zone.

APC Chibudom Nwuche from Ahoada is a former deputy speaker of the House of

•Odili: PDP

•Nwuche: APC

•Awuse: PDP

•Peterside: APC

Representatives with still considerable influence in Ahoada East/West. He lost the PDP primaries to Ideozu and crossed over to the APC. He would not want to suffer double jeopardy with the emergence of his rival as senator.

Chief G.U. Ake from Ogba Egbema Ndoni local government area, he is a former chairman of the state branch of the PDP with

strong tentacles in the area. He was among those who followed Former Governor Amaechi to the APC and he will be fighting to prove that Odili is no longer a factor in the politics of the area and the state.

Omuma and Port Harcourt.

Sergeant Awuse from Emohua is one of the strongest factors in the PDP in area.

Chief Glory Emeh, was chief of staff in the Celestine Omehia administration and served as commissioner of transport in the Odili administration is one of those pushing the APC agenda in Rivers East.

Chief Emeka Bekeis from

Emohua local government area is the state secretary of the APC.

Rivers East The local government areas are Emohua, Etche, Ikwerre, Obio Akpo, Ogubolo, Okrika ,

Rivers Southeast Rivers south East has Andoni, Eleme, Gokhana, Khana, Opobo Nkoro, Oyigbo amd Tai local government areas.

Among those pushing for the PDP in the area are Senator Lee

Continues on page 39

38—VANGUARD, FRIDAY,

MARCH 18, 2016

RIVERS RE-RUN: Fear everywhere polls — INEC Meanwhile, the INEC has vowed to conduct free and unbiased rerun elections.

The Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Aniede Ikoiwak on arrival in the state promised that all the political parties would be allowed equal playing field.

Ikoiwak who reiterated the stand of the commission, Wednesday, noted that all the electoral guidelines stipulated by the INEC on the conduct of an election would be followed strictly.

By Iheamnachor Davies

T

HE treasure base of the nation which is yet to recover from the pangs it experienced during the March 28th and April 11th 2015 general elections is again set to face another tussle between the two major political parties in Nigeria in court ordered rerun National and State legislative elections tomorrow.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had celebrated a landslide victory in the controversial 2015 elections when it captured all three Senate seats, all 13 House of Representatives seats and 31 out of 32 State House of Assembly seats.

The elections were slammed as a charade by the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its leader, Rotimi Amaechi, the immediate past governor of the state who gave as example, his inability to vote even as the sitting governor as the hallmark of the alleged charade.

His assertions were, however, debunked by the then minister of state for education, Nyesom Wike who accused the APC of crying wolf.

Following petitions from APC candidates, the elections in all three Senate constituencies, 12 of the 13 federal constituencies and 22 of the 32 state constituencies were annulled and hence the call for rerun tomorrow.

Inciting comments

•Nwogu: PDP Rivers South East

•Abe: APC Rivers South East

Assertion of bias With Amaechi and Wike now in reversed positions, the same assertion of bias is being made albeit differently.

Wike who is now governor just as Amaechi a year ago is alleging bias on the part of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and the same security agencies that Amaechi had just a year ago alleged collaborated with Wike to shut out the APC from the polls.

Today, the political situation in the state would at best be described in a simple and popular parlance, 'what goes around comes around.'

It appears that the APC is beginning to enjoy those rights and privileges that were at the disposal of the PDP in the last general elections with the appointment of Amaechi as the Minister of Transportation.

Amaechi had earlier vowed to regain the mandate of his party which he said was stolen by the ruling PDP in the state.

Like what happened during the 2015 elections, tension has been raised in the state because of the alleged antics being employed by both political parties to grab power.

It is thus not surprising that people are fidgeting that the elections would not be an easy

•Sekibo: PDP Rivers East

•Uchendu: APC Rivers East

The approach to tomorrow’s elections has been marked with much bloodletting which has now attracted the attention of the president leading to a face off between him and leaders of the PDP in other parts of the country.

The killings that are perceived to be politically motivated have induced fear in the minds of voters. Not surprisingly, many people are afraid that there would be violence by or before tomorrow given the inciting comments credited to some politicians in the state and their desperation to grab or hold on to power by all means.

In response, the Nigerian Police has deployed 6000 policemen led by the DIG, Mr. Wakama to complement those on ground to beef up security to ensure a peaceful and safe elections.

Residents relocate from Port Harcourt

T

•Ideozu: PDP Rivers West experience because the parties appear to be desperate.

The PDP has vowed its determination to hold on to what it got last year.

Speaking, Wednesday, in Port Harcourt at the stakeholders’ meeting ahead of the elections, the Rivers State Chairman of PDP, Bro Felix Obuah stated that amidst intimidations by the APC

•Amachree: APC Rivers West that his party will reclaim all the legislative seats.

Obuah complained that the APC was trying to rig the elections with the help of the security operatives deployed in the state. He urged his supporters to come out en mass to vote amidst intimidations from the APC. Speaking in the same function,

the Rivers State Chairman of the APC, Chief Davies Ikanya expressed confidence that his party would win all the seats.

Ikanya stated that his party was not interested in rigging, adding that it had not rigged elections before. He said that the APC would win overwhelmingly in a free, fair and credible election.

We'll conduct unbiased rerun

HERE is tension already in the air in Port Harcourt, capital of the state and adjourning local governments like Obio Akpor and Eleme local government areas.

Some residents were seen travelling out.

Those who volunteered comments to Vanguard at motor parks along Waterlines said they were afraid that there could be some degree of violence.

“I registered here in Diobu area of Port Harcourt but I fear the election might witness some incidents so I am travelling with my family to the East to be back on Monday morning”, Mr Ngozi said.

He was not alone as most of the travellers said they were using the period of the election and the two day work free days declared by the state government to cool off outside the state.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016—39

political persecution. The Senate President had approached several courts reaching the Supreme Court, which all refused to stop the trial.

The Senate President had among others, cited the fact that the authorities failed to abide by the provisions of the CCT Act which in Section 3 (d) stipulates that the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB should, first of all, notify a public officer of any issue the bureau may have against him or her before taking the case to the CCT. The Supreme Court, however, refused to consider that provision as it ruled that Saraki should face trial. Besides, Saraki had also sought to affirm the fact that the CCT as presently constituted does not form a quorum to try a case.

•Saraki: Under probe

What if Saraki is convicted?

Today’s scheduled resumption of the trial of the President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal undoubtedly affirms the present administration’s mantra that no one is above the law. However, the political drama that shadowed the emergence of Saraki as the country’s number three citizen also paints the matter of politics as an issue in the trial.

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

S

ARAKI is being tried on a 13 count charge including failure to declare his assets, operating a foreign bank account

among other charges bordering on the violation of the code of conduct for public officers.

Today’s formal resumption of trial follows Saraki’s failed efforts to cut short the trial on the basis of what he cited as bias and

Political witch-hunt But beyond the legalese is the whispering claim by associates of the Senate President that the case against him simply arose out of political witch-hunt. Their claim is that if Saraki had not become Senate President that the issues surrounding his assets declaration when he was governor more than six years ago would not have arisen.

They have also sought to point at the fact that of the more than 5,000 public officers expected to declare their assets to the CCB that only a few have been brought to trial; remarkably, the last high profile person to have been brought to trial was the former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose case in 2011 was generally alleged to have been a scheme by the former Goodluck Jonathan

administration to browbeat the then opposition leader.

Given Tinubu’s pre-eminence in the former opposition camp, it was alleged that the Jonathan administration wanted to humble him by making him face the CCT on issues that arose almost six years after he had left office.

Remarkably, the Jagban as he is famously hailed by political associates overcame what was alleged to have been the political persecution of the Jonathan administration by citing Section 3 (d) of the CCT Act, to wit, to say that he had not been previously served by the CCB on any anomalies on his assets declaration.

The Saraki team according to sources are also hoping to project that fact when his case comes up today. But beyond the trial is the unfolding snare for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in the continued trial of Saraki. A conviction for Saraki could further destabilise the Senate to the amazement of the APC. Unbeknown to many

Buhari’s problem is the presence of Senator Ike Ekweremadu in the office of Deputy President of the Senate and his anger is that Saraki helped Ekweremadu to that office

operatives of the APC, the party’s majority in the Senate outside senators aligned to Saraki may not be defensible. With the balance of the parties being APC, 59, PDP 44, and Labour 1 with four seats outstanding, the propensity of the mainstream APC to push through legislative proposals could be hampered should the about 30 APC senators aligned with Saraki team up with the opposition PDP. It is a danger that the leaders of the APC have yet to contemplate.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who could suffer the backlash the more according to sources, may not have serious issues with Saraki.

“Buhari’s problem is the presence of Senator Ike Ekweremadu in the office of Deputy President of the Senate and his anger is that Saraki helped Ekweremadu to that office.” The president’s angst against Ekweremadu is said not to be personal but rather, ideological. The president, sources said, is still miffed with the PDP and what the party did to him in his years in the opposition.

Should Saraki lose out in the emerging case, the Senate could be headed for a fresh leadership election in which the PDP now revitalised after its bruising losses in 2015, could as well challenge whosoever the APC could produce. Even with the lack of unity in the APC with its senators divided between the Unity Forum and Like Minds, it could become an enticement for the PDP to dare the APC by entering the fray with the assurance that APC senators inclined to Saraki could align with them.

APC: Is Oyegun on his way out?

By Omeiza Ajayi

F

OR weeks now the polity has been awash with speculations over the removal or otherwise of Chief John OdigieOyegun as the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC. With some party stakeholders said to have been scheming to send the septuagenarian former governor of Edo state packing, some observers thought he was not going to return as chairman when he decided to go on a 10day sick leave nearly three weeks ago.

To clear the air on the reason for his sudden leave, Oyegun said he was ill and needed to rest and quickly added he would come back.

“On Tuesday I was down with malaria, I managed on Wednesday to attend that crucial meeting at the presidency.

Yesterday, I had to go to the hospital just to be sure and today I am at work, full stop. So please, please, please I know the press is supposed to be imaginative

and steer the news but not when there is really nothing to steer. It is that simple...

“I have been chairman for how long now? Going to two years, and it has been a very intense period building the party and a very intense period putting government together up to this point. All that has happened is that I think I deserve a bit of a break and that will start effective Monday and in my absence, my deputy here, Engr Segun Oni, will cover my beat. It is that simple, it is that straightforward.

Any speculation about not being in the office is of no consequence”, he had said on February 26 while going on leave.

After 10 working days, Chief Oyegun resumed, putting paid to earlier speculations about the safety of his job.

However, there were fresh concerns, yesterday, following the visit of the Secretary to the Government of Federation, SGF, Engr. Babachir David Lawal, to the chairman. That visit was the second in seven days.

•Oyegun: APC chairman

Unfortunately, rather than address media concerns regarding the job of the chairman, both men kept mute.

Vanguard learned that the closed-door meeting with Pa Oyegun was to finalise arrangements for next week’s all important meetings of the party.

There are signals that the incumbent APC national chairman may be asked to step down during the meetings scheduled for next week. The frequent visits of the SGF, it was gathered, was to provide a soft landing for Chief Oyegun.

Engr. Babachir who visited the APC national secretariat, last Friday and had meeting with some national officers who were around, also visited yesterday and held another closed door

meeting with the national chairman and his deputy, South, Mr. Segun Oni. The meeting lasted for an hour.

All scheduled meetings of the party will run as planned, with the caucus on March 21, BoT March 22 and NEC on March 24.

While the APC leadership seems to be unperturbed by the air of uncertainty among party men and women regarding the fate of their chairman, those interested in Chief Oyegun’s job might have to wait for a long while as the party leader seems to be enjoying the confidence of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Personalities that 'll shape rerun polls Continues from page 37 Maeba a former senator who lost in the PDP governorship primaries.

APC Mr. Dakuku Peterside the director general of NIMASA and

immediate past governorship candidate of the party is leading the APC’s fight in the area. He would be complemented by the party chairman, Mr. Davies Ikanya who is from Andoni local government area, Mr. Victor Giadom, who is from Gokhana local government area and is a

former commissioner for Works in the Amaechi administration.

Mrs Ibim Semenitari is a leader of the APC in the state. She is currently the acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

40 — Vanguard, FRIDAY MARCH 18 , 2016

Vanguard CLASSIFIED CHINYERE—I, formerly known and addressed as Amaechi Augustine Chinyere, now wish to be known and addressed as Amaechi Augustine Chinyereaku.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MARCUS—I, formerly known and addressed as Otobore Marcus Odiase, now wish to be known and addressed as Otobore Macaulay Odiase. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EDOKPOLOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Edokpolor Florence Enoghayin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Odigie Florence Enoghayin. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NWAEKPE —I, formerly known and addressed as Nwaekpe Donald Chisom, now wish to be known and addressed as Ihesiene Donald Chisom. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name This is to confirm that Mrs. Callista Nted is the same person as Mrs. Emmanuel Callista Anthony. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ABIODUN—I, formerly known and addressed as Abiodun Ramatu, now wish to be known and addressed as Ibrahim Ramatu Moshood. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

GEORGE—I, formerly known and addressed as George Kuffre Bassey, now wish to be known and addressed as Udor Bassey Kuffre.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGUNLEYE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Elizabeth Olubukola Ogunleye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ohi-Odiai Elizabeth Olubukola. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ADENIRAN—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeniran Adejoke Saidat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Otunba Adeniran Adejoke Saidat. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGUNLEYE—I, formerly known and addressed as Ogunleye Ganiyat Adenike, now wish to be known and addressed as Adewuyi Ganiyat Adenike. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKOLI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okoli Chidinma Edith, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Enyolu Chidinma Edith. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AKIN-ALLI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Cynthia Modupe Akin-Alli, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sharon Modupe Imohiosen. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NOFISAT—I, formerly known and addressed as Babatunde Shalewa, now wish to be known and addressed as Babatunde Shalewa Nofisat. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

GAFAR—I, formerly known and addressed as Sanni Remilekun Rashidat, Gafar R e m i l e k u n Afolorunsho, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adelaja Remilekun Afolorunsho.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IBEANUSI—I, formerly known and addressed as Ibeanusi Sunday Peter, now wish to be known and addressed as Ibe Sunday Peter. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UDOMANENE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Udomanene Nduba Nwakaego Florence, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Uzu Nwakaego Florence. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OMADO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss. Rita Omado, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Rita Handsel Hans’Dion. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AGADAGA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Agadaga Efeturi, now wish to be known and addressed As Mrs. Andrew Efeturi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGISI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Eyituoyo Loretta Ogisi, now wish to known and addressed as Mrs. Eyituoyo Loretta Diegbe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EBENMELU—We, formerly known and addressed as: Ebenmelu Okechukwu Osita, Ebenmelu Se Nzikile Phylo, Ebenmelu Onyinyechi Blessing, Ebenmelu Munachimso Phylo, now wish to be known and addressed as Agukwe John Chibuike, Agukwe Se Nzikile Phylo, Agukwe Onyinyechi Blessing, Agukwe Munachimso Phylo. All former documents remain valid. General public, please take note.

LAMIDI —I, formerly known and address as Miss Lamidi Abimbola Basirat, now to be known and address as Mrs. Mustapha Abimbola Basirat. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UKOH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ukoh Uduak Juliet, now wish to known and addressed as Mrs. Bejor Uduak Juliet. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

O S U O H A — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss O s u o h a Chinonyerem, now wish to known and addressed as Mrs. Azuaru Chinonyerem.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

N WA M B U — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Gladen Nwambu, now wish to known and addressed as Miss Gladen Nwachukwu.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AY O T U N D E — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Elizabeth Oluremi Ayotunde, now wish to known and addressed as Mrs. Elizabeth Oluremi Alakija. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OLAITAN—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Olaitan Olufunke Anthonia Olasunkanmi, now wish to known and addressed as Mrs. Odejobi Olufunke Anthonia Olasunkanmi.

All former documents remain valid. Lagos State Government and general public please take note.

ORODE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Eseoghene Joy Orode, now wish to known and addressed as Mrs. Eseoghene Joy Emmanuel Porbeni.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EZEUNO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluchi Gloria Ezeuno, now wish to known and addressed as Mrs. Oluchi Gloria Ezeume. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

KAZEEM—I, formerly known and addressed as Kazeem Risikat Ajike, now wish to known and addressed as Lawal Risikat Ajike.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

N WAO B I KO R — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss N w a o b i k o r Nkechinyere, now wish to known and addressed as Mrs. Nkechinyere Oliver Nkwocha. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ECHIANU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chinwe Echianu, now wish to known and addressed as Mrs. Chinwe EchianuOrafu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ELWRAY—I, formerly known and addressed as Botosan Elwray Raymond, now wish to known and addressed as Botosan Orighoye Raymond. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

E H I K I OYA — I , formerly known and addressed as Ehikioya Okhainfeke Fidelia, now wish to known and addressed as Agboya Okhainfeke Fidelia.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AMAEFUNA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chetachukwu Perpetua Amaefuna, now wish to known and addressed as Mrs. Chetachukwu Perpetua Otiji. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EMENO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Emeno Biddy Friday, now wish to known and addressed as Mrs. Emeno Biddy Ekubi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ALEXANDER —I, formerly known and addressed as Amadi Alexander, now wish to be known and addressed as Amadi Cornelius Arinze. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Nig Plc and general public, please take note.

Confirmation of Name These names Suleiman Muhammed and Sule Nebiyu belong to the same person, but now wish to be known and addressed as Suleiman Muhammed. All former documents remain valid.

Any authority and general public, please take note.

E Z I U C H E — I , formerly known and addressed as Ugiri Adaugo Eziuche, now wish to known and addressed as Ukonu Adaugo Ugiri. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKONKWO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okonkwo Hope Nchekwube, now wish to known and addressed as Mrs. Ukaoha Hope Nchekwube.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Addition of Nname John Kehinde Saroke and John Kehinde SarokeAkpaja are one and same person, henceforth wish to be known and addressed as John Kehinde Saroke-Akpaja.

All former documents remain valid. UBA Bank Plc, UBTH Benin City and general public please take note.

O F UA L A G B A — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Elozino Abigail Ofualagba, now wish to known and addressed as Mrs. Elozino Ofualagba Egonmwan. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016 — 41

Vanguard CLASSIFIED DAUDA—I, formerly known and addressed as Dauda Danladi Usman, now wish to known and addressed as Adamu Danladi Usman. All former documents remain valid. FCMB Plc and general public please take note.

SAMUEL—I, formerly known and addressed as Samuel Ijo Isaiah, now wish to known and addressed as Ijo Isaiah Samuel. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ADENOLA—I, formerly known and addressed as Adenola Fatimah Adebusola, now wish to known and addressed as Afelumo Fatimah Adebusola.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Addition of Name DAVID—I, formerly known and addressed as Otu Paul, now wish to known and addressed as Otu Paul David. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

FANTY—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Fanty Ebipade Gbakena, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Fanty Ebipade Hastings. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

SINMISOLA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Awe Sinmisola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sinmisola Roseline Otega Etieti. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

JOLOMI—I, formerly known and addressed as Tetsola Kennedy Jolomi, now wish to be known and addressed as Utieyintsola Kennedy Jolomi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

FRANCA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Esegine F r a n c a Oghenerukevwe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ijala Franca Oghenerukevwe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IWUNZE—I, formerly known and addressed as Iwunze Kingsley, now wish to be known and addressed as Iwunze Christian. All former documents remain valid. Eco Bank Plc. and general public take note.

M AG DA L E N E — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Egede Okah Magdalene, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Etarigho Okah Magdalene.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of names That the names Mary Jane, Mary Jane Ikaka and Mary Ikaka belong to one and same person, now wish to be known and addressed as Mary Jane Ikaka. All former documents remain valid. Zenith Bank Plc. Eco Bank Plc. and general public take note.

Reconciliation of Name This is to confirm that the names Henry Idris Abdulkadir Onojaife and Henry Onojaife belong to one and same person, now wish to be known and addressed as Onojaife Henry Efe. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc. Eco Bank Plc. and general public take note.

Addition of Name AKPOPENAMONE— I, formerly known and addressed as Akpopenamone Lucky, now wish to be known and addressed as Akpopenamone Lucky Timileami. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

PAT I E N C E — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss P a t i e n c e Oghenebrume Obete, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. P a t i e n c e Oghenebrume Fere.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of names That the names Togbe Udubre Friday and Togbe Udumebraye Friday belong to one and same person, now wish to be known and addressed as Togbe Udumebraye Friday.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OYAIDE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Thelma Onome Oyaide, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Thelma Onome Ebbah. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OYEBAMIJI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oyebamiji Florence Olusola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Babatunde Florence Olusola. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Reconciliation of Name I, Mr John Innocent Oghenerume Kpekpen whose name appears in different document as John Kpekpen or Innocent Kpekpen now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mr John Oghenerume Kpekpen. Documents bearing the aforementioned names are valid. General public please note.

NKECHI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Iyeke Patience Nkechi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adaigbe Patience Nkechinyere. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

L AT I FAT — I , formerly known and addressed as Latifat Olaofe, now wish to be known and addressed as Latefat Olaofe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ENWEREZUBE—I, formerly known and addressed as Enwerezube Joy Somadila, now wish to be known and addressed as Opara Joy Somadila. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ENYI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Anayo Enyi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Anayo Ezeani. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name This is to state that I, Ivy Adodo is the same person as Ivbaria Jegbefumere Adodo.

All former documents remains valid. Access Bank Plc, UBA Plc and general public please take note.

OKOROMADU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okoromadu Patience, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chbudun Patience .

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OJI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oji Evelyn Onoriode, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omuye Evelyn OritseTsholaye. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of name This is to confirm that the name Alokpa Oritsesholayemi and Alokpa Olaye Praise is one and the same person but now wish to be known and addressed as Alokpa Olaye Praise .All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ADIDI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Magdalene Okeoghene Adidi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ezinore Okeoghene.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EKWEBELAM—I, formerly known and addressed as Faith C h i m a r a n m a Ekwebelam, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Faith Chimaranma Adesemowo.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

G O D W I N — I , formerly known and addressed as Godwin Odoh Alex, now wish to be known and addressed as Edache Alex Simon. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AMAEHULE—I, formerly known and addressed as Samuel Ichema Amaehule, now wish to be known and addressed as Samuel Uche Kelvin.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

INYAMA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Precious Ihuoma Inyama, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Precious Ihuoma Edet.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

A B AYO M I — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Abayomi Temilayo Ayobami, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ajadi Temilayo Ayobami. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UGHWANOGHO — I, was formerly known, called and addressed as Miss. Helen E. Ughwanogho, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Helen E. Onoshakpokae ( Nee Ughwanogho). All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ABONEJE —I, was formerly known, called and addressed as Aboneje Rose, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Aboneje Uduaghan Rose. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ERERO—I, was formerly known, called and addressed as Miss. Ajiroghene Jocelyn Erero, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Ajiroghene Ejele Diden. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AYIRI—I, was formerly known, called and addressed as Eyen Ayiri, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Eyen Anna. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EYITEMI—I, formerly known, called and addressed as Eyitemi Amrasavbore Lucky, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Amrasavbore Oscar Lucky. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NKEREUWEM—I, formerly known, called and addressed as Mr. N k e r e u w e m Augustine Udoh, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mr. Uwem Augustine Udoh. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKOH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okoh Kate Oghogho, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Kanu Kate Oghogho All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EMEKA—I, formerly known and addressed as Godson Emeka Nwachukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Barr.

Godson KilliweNwachukwu.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UKPU—I, formerly known and addressed as Ukpu Adoja, now wish to be known and addressed as Ukpu Francis. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Confirmation Of Name These names Alele Louis Oghenero, Alele Oghenero and Boramohwo Louis Oghenero is one and the same person now wish to be known and addressed as Alele Louis Oghenero.All former documents remain valid.General public take note.

42 — Vanguard, FRIDAY MARCH 18 , 2016

Vanguard CLASSIFIED ITEDJERE — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Endurance Itedjere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olayinka Endurance Itedjere.All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

DOUGLAS—I, formerly known and addressed as Evelyn Douglas, now wish to be known and addressed as Evelyn Debo.All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AMANGALA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Itologi Amangala, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Otobo Ataman Itologi.All former documents remain valid. Bayelsa State Universal Basic Education Board Okolobiri, General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name I, Sinivie Sakwe do hereby confirm that the name Sinivie Isa refers to one and same me.

I, now wish to be known and addressed as Sinivie Sakwe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name I, Fanoh Selefa Ebiyeibo do hereby confirm that the name Ebiyeibo Fano Solomon refers to one and same me. I, now wish to be known and addressed as Fanoh Selefa Ebiyeibo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name I, Daniel Oyinmiebi Tombiri do hereby confirm and state that my name was wrongly written as Tombiri Daniel Louis and Daniel Oyemaebi Tombiri.

I, now wish to be known and addressed as Daniel Oyinmiebi Tombiri. All former documents remain valid. Niger Delta University and general public please take note.

ADIMORA—I, formerly known and addressed as Ifeanyi Adimora, now wish to be known and addressed as Ikanone Ifeanyi Ovie. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OZEGBE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ozegbe Udoka Esther, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogiugo Udoka Esther.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

SHARON—I, formerly known and addressed as Aseroraye Sharon, now wish to be known and addressed as Aseroraye Believe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name I, Ifeta Ejiroghene Oluwatobi hereby confirm that the name Ifeta Ejiro Gloria as it appears on my NECO result refers to one and same me. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ECHIEJILE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Faith Mazor Echiejile, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Faith Mazor Akudihor. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ONOVUGHE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Onovughe Lilian Eseoghene and Miss Oborume Onovughe Lilian Eseoghene, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Emmanuel Lilian Eseoghene. All former documents remain valid. Delta State Polytechnic, Oghara, NYSC and general public please take note.

AKIDON—I, formerly known and addressed as Akidon Godwin Avwirorotoma, now wish to be known and addressed as Otu Godwin. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

O K A F O R — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Livina Okafor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Livina Chukwueloke.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MAMUS—I, formerly

remain valid. General public please take note.

ANNI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Anni Sarah Chinwe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Isaac Sarah Chinwe.

All former documents remain valid.

University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu State and general public please take note.

N Z E K W U — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Nzekwu Onyebuchi Rita, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oyana Onyebuchi Rita. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NDUBUISI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ndubuisi Ifunanya Love Cynthia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Alakwe Ifunanya Love Cynthia. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ALAAH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Alaah Charity Ngozi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Azubine Charity Ngozi. All former documents remain valid. WAEC, NYSC and general public please take note.

DIYEMOWEI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Diyemowei Ebiakpo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olisa Praise Ebiakpo.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKOYE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okoye C. Anthonia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Khumalo Anthonia Chinwe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKORO—I, formerly known and addressed as Ufuoma Okoro, now wish to be known and addressed as Ufuoma Masheni. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Reconciliation of Names The names Oliobi Maryann, Oliobi Patricia Obiageli, Mrs. Abanime Patricia Obiageli and Mrs. Abanime Patricia Maryann Obiageli refer to one and the same person. I now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abanime Patricia Maryann Obiageli. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

JACOB—I, formerly known and addressed as Jacob Akpan Affiah, now wish to be known and addressed as Akan Akpan Affiah. All former documents remain valid. The Supreme Court of Nigeria and Nigeria Bar Association too (SCN008620) and general public please take note.

NJOKU—I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs Helen Ekwutosi Njoku, now wish to be known and addressed as Princess Helen Ekwutosi Nwabueze. All former document remain valid. General public take note.

OVBA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ovba Mary Oghenekaro, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okeya Mary Oghenekaro.

All former document remain valid.General public take note.

WAKA—I formerly

take note.

B A B AT U N D E — I , formerly know as Ojo Babatunde Temidire now wish to be known as Temidire-Richard Oluwanifemi Ojo. All former documents remain valid. Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), ANAN, Plateau State Po l y, C r e s c e n t University,Leadway assurance,general public take note

OHWAVBORUA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Tejiri Rita Ohwavborua now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Tejiri Rita Khama . All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ONUWAJE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Winifred Alero Onuwaje now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Winifred Ajuwarami Ikomi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ANIGHORIGHO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Portia Anighorigho now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Portia Appeal . All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AKPINOKO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ufuoma Madewell Akpinoko now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ufuoma Madewell Ikpesa. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKOTIE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Uruemu Rachael Okotie now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Uruemu Rachael Oboba. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OBI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Obi Amaka Blessing now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Atikueke Amaka Blessing. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Names I hereby confirm that Olurotimi Olusegun Jonathan and Olusegun Olurotimi Ogunrayi belong to one and same me. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKOROCHA—I, formerly known and addressed as Okorocha Chidimma Sheryl, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Izugbo Chidimma Sheryl. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MENKITI —I, formerly known and addressed as Menkiti Victor Okwudili, now wish to be known and addressed as Abadom Victor Okwudili. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

A N O R U O — I , formerly known and and addressed as Miss Anoruo Chinelo Juliet, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. KizitoEjeahalaka Juliet Chinelo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Reconciliation of Name This is to certify that the Name(s) Ajaegbo Pepetua Azuka, Ezenyenwe Pepetua Azuka and Maduakonam Pepetua Azuka refers to one and same person that I now wish to be known and addressed as Maduakonam Pepetua Azuka. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

OKONGWU—I, formerly known as Miss Okongwu Chioma Uzoamaka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Onyeagba Chioma Uzoamaka. former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MBAEGBU—We, formerly known and addressed as Modestus Uzoma Mbaegbu, Ngozi Pcos Mbaegbu, Chimgozirim Victor Mbaegu, Chimzaram Chrysanthus Mbaegbu, Chidiomimi Mario Mbaegu, now wish to be known and addressed as Modestus Uzoma, Ngozi Pcos Uzoma, Chimgozirim Victor Uzoma, Chimzaram Chrysanthus Uzoma, Chidiomimi Mario Uzoma.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

known and addressed as Itoje Mamus, now wish to be known and addressed as Itoje Mamuyouvwin. All former

documents

known and addressed as Waka John, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. John Oshasha. All former document

remain

valid.General public

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016 — 43

Vanguard CLASSIFIED IJERE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Sandra Chidinma Nnenna Ijere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sandra Chidinma Nnenna Ejikonye. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OBASI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Obasi Helen Kelechi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mbah Sam Kelechi.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OWEN-OBASEKI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Harriet Iduzemwongie Owen-Obaseki, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Harriet Iduzemwongie Udom. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UBA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Uba Ihuoma Fortune, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ashikodi Ihuoma Fortune. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OTONNAH—I, formerly known and addressed as Otonnah Exodus Joshua, now wish to be known and addressed as Echem Joshua Exodus. All former documents remain valid. UNION BANK and the general public please take note.

Confirmation of Name This to confirm that the name Bugh Christiana Edo, refers to one and the same person as Christina Oboh- Bugh Gordon, now wish to be known and addressed as Christina ObohBugh Gordon. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EJOKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Ejoke Alago, now wish to be known and addressed Ejovwoke Alago. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

KALU —I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Kalu Goodluck Amarachi, wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ede-Eziaha Goodluck Amarachi.

All documents bearing former names remain valid. The general public should please take note.

NWALI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwali Ngozi Paschaline, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Nwebonyi Ngozi Paschaline.

All documents bearing former names remain valid. The general public should please take note.

NWOBA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Esther Chinyere Nwoba, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Esther Chinyere Nweke. All documents bearing former names remain valid. The general public should please take note.

MGBADA—I, formerly known and addressed as Mgbada Justina Nkwuda, now wish to be known and addressed as Nwebonyi Justina Nkwuda.

All documents bearing former names remain valid. The general public should please take note.

OBAKPORORO—I, formerly known and addressed as Otugoma Maria, now wish to be known and addressed as Otugoma Maria Obakpororo.

All documents bearing former names remain valid. The general public should please take note.

ESE—I, formerly known and addressed as Grace Arukusin, now wish to be known and addressed as Grace Arukusin Ese. All documents bearing former names remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Confirmation of Names This is to confirm that I am known and addressed as Efe Otaverho Ikwesiri, Ikoyo Ikwesiri and Ikoyo Ikwesiri Goodnews.

All documents bearing former names remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Confirmation of Names This is to confirm that I am known and addressed as Adidi Okoloko and Adidi Mary Okoloko. I now wish to bear Adidi Okoloko Mary. All documents bearing former names remain valid. The general public should please take note.

OTUOKPAZILOWA— I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Grace Otuokpazilowa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Grace Sunday Okoro.

All former documents remain valid. Dorben Polytechnic Abuja, GT Bank, Diamond Bank and the general public please take note.

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BOKOHARAM: Cameroon sentences 89 militants to death AMEROON has the BBC’s Hausa ser- 2009,killing some 20,000 C sentenced 89 mem- vice. The executions are people and displacing bers of Nigerian militant the first since a new anti- more than two million. group Boko Haram to death.

Some 850 alleged members of Boko Haram, which pledged allegiance to the Islamic State militant group (ISIS) in 2015, are being detained in Cameroon, according to

terror law was enacted in 2014 in Cameroon, which is part of a multinational force along with Nigeria and others aimed at combating the group’s spread in West Africa.

Boko Haram has been waging an insurgency in northeast Nigeria since

During 2015, the group upped its activities across Nigeria’s borders in Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

Boko Haram militants have been suspected of carrying out suicide bombings particularly in Cameroon’s far North region.

Pope emeritus warns of deep crisis in Church since Vatican II

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OPE Benedict XVI warns that the Catholic Church is facing a "deep crisis" following reforms of the Second Vatican Council that was held in the 1960s, the website LifeSite reports.

LifeSite reported on an interview granted to Avvenire, the daily newspaper of the Italian

Bishops' Conference, in which the retired Pontiff refers to a "two-sided deep crisis" in the Church.

Among Benedict's concerns are the belief that other religions are equal to Christianity in obtaining salvation and the change in dogma that lessens fears that one's eternal salvation can be lost.

The missionaries of the 16th century were convinced that the unbaptized person is lost forever," Benedict said. "After the [Second Vatican] Council, this conviction was definitely abandoned. The result was a two-sided, deep crisis. Without this attentiveness to the salvation, the Faith loses its foundation."

Trump warns of riots if not nominated

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epublican presi dential frontrunner Donald Trump has said that his supporters would likely riot if his party denies his nomination at the July convention.

In an interview with CNN on Wednesday

after a string of primary election victories, Trump warned that there could be a major uproar if he falls just short in the delegate count and loses in a rules fight.

Trump might fall short of the majority required, enabling the party estab-

lishment to put forward another name at the convention in Cleveland to formally pick its candidate.

"I don't think you can say that we don't get it automatically. I think you'd have riots. I think you'd have riots. I'm representing many, many milions of people,"

Syria: Kurds declare federal region in north

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he Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and several allied groups have voted to create an autonomous federation in the northern part of Syria.

PYD officials claimed autonomy for the Kurdish-controlled areas

on Thursday after two days of meetings with delegates of different communities in the region.

Representatives of the Kurdish, Arab, Assyrian communities and other ethnic groups met in the town of Rmeilan in Hassakeh province to dis-

cuss bringing three Kurdish-led autonomous areas under the umbrella of a federal system.

Taj Kordsh, a spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces, one of the groups involved, told Al Jazeera that the move had been made after many attempts.

Experts express worry over rising cases of kidney disease in Africa 20 to 50 in Africa.

By Chioma Obinna

A

s the world cel ebrated World Kidney Day, experts have decried growing cases of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among Africans.

In a statement made available to Vanguard, a Nephrologist with Apollo Hospitals in Ahmedabad, India, Dr Kavita Parihar who expressed worry over the alarming increase noted that although the disease was not restricted to Africans, the number of patients in the continent, including Nigeria, is worrisome.

According to him, CKD is four times more frequent in Africa than in the developed countries.

Parihar added that the disease also known as chronic kidney failure which is the gradual loss of kidney function, said

when it reaches an advanced stage dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes and wastes build up in the body.

Parihar expressed concern that CKD affects mainly young adults aged

"It is primarily due to hypertension and glomerular diseases, unlike developed countries, where the ailment presents in middle-aged and elderly patients and is predominantly due to diabetes mellitus and hypertension."

US govt condemns terrorist attacks in Nigeria

By Vera Samuel Anyagafu

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he United States government has condemned the recent terrorist attack at a mosque near Maiduguri, in which dozens of people were killed and injured. “According to a statement from the Public Affairs Department of the US Embassy, Nigeria, the government extended its condolences to the families of the latest victims of Boko Haram attacks.

The statement reads: ‘’Boko Haram continues to commit vicious attacks against innocent civilians, including children.

It has demonstrated repeatedly its disregard for the lives of the tens of thousands it has killed, raped, and injured and the millions it has displaced in the Lake Chad Basin region. “The United States will continue to support those affected by Boko Haram’s violence through ongoing humanitarian aid and victim support services.’’

44 —Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

Foreign based Eagles motivate us — Pinnick

By Jude Opara, Abuja

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RESIDENT of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick has paid glowing tribute to the Super Eagles players for what he described as the huge motivation the federation is getting from them ahead of the make or mar 2017 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) doubleheader qualifier against Egypt this month Pinnick told sports journalists in his office yesterday that he has been receiving calls from the foreign based players assuring him of their readiness to give their all to ensure that the nation goes to the tournament billed to take place in Gabon.

He also added that the coaching crew led by Samson Siasia is working round the clock to ensure that the boys were in good shape ahead of the clashes.

“I want to reveal to you that the boys are even motivating us by their rare show of concern about these two matches. Every now and then I receive their calls assuring me that they are ready to outclass the Egyptians. Yes they like every other Nigerian will like us to qualify and hopefully we will qualify.

“However on our own part, we are doing what is needful to make sure

that they give their best.

As we speak, the federal government has given us the approval and already we have started processing the payment of their outstanding allowance from their last match and I know that this time they will get all that is due to them.

“Even in Egypt, we have made arrangement for their comfort and I am convinced they will like the arrangement.”

Pinnick further used the opportunity to explain that it was not deliberate that the NFF could not meet most of its obligations, blaming such on the genera economic situation of the country at the moment.

Falconets draw Canada, Japan, Spain

Olympian, Chika Chukwumerije at a training session with pupils of the Taekwondo Club of The Brickhall School, Abuja

Zenith Bank Women Basketball League dunks off in Abuja tomorrow

A

LL is now set for the opening ceremony of the Zenith Bank Women Basketball League, which takes begins tomorrow at the sports hall of the

Eagles to fly Egypt Air to Alexandria

By Jude Opara, Abuja

A

HEAD of the high profile 2017 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier between the Super Eagles and the Pharaohs of Egypt next week, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has concluded arrangements for the team to fly to Alexandria via Egypt Air. The first leg of the twolegged encounter will take place in Kaduna on March 25 while the return leg has been scheduled for the Egyptian city of Alexandria on March 29.

President of the NFF, Amaju Pinnick told journalists in Abuja yesterday that the choice of Air Egypt was reached in consultation with the acting Super Eagles Coach Samson Siasia.

Pinnick

Egypt Messi Champions League.

22% of Brits claimed they find Leicester exciting to watch, ranking them above the last two season’s beaten finalists, Atletico Madrid and Juventus!

Moving away from the pitch slightly, British men get more excited about watching football than having sex.

56% of men in Britain stated watching their favourite team provides them with more excitement than getting intimate with their loved ones.

When asked to rate the two aspects of their lives they found most exciting, nearly one in three (30%) chose their football club, compared to less than one in five (16%) who chose their job.

reasons to be afraid going into two AFCON 2017 qualifiers against Egypt as the target remains to win the games.

Nigeria will host Egypt on March 25 in Kaduna with the return leg in Alexandria four days later in qualifying matches that could well determine the overall winners of the group.

Egypt are top of the qualifying group with six points from two matches, two points more than Nigeria, with only the group winners guaranteed automatic qualification to Gabon 2017.

The build-up to these matches has been noisy with both teams bullish of their chances and CSKA Moscow star forward Ahmed Musa has now restated his

belief Nigeria will triumph over the seventime African champions.

“I am calling on Nigerians and football fans to support us and keep praying for us as we will make the nation proud with victories over Egypt,” Musa told AfricanFootball.com “We are not afraid of Egypt. Why should we?

“We have top quality players who will do Nigeria and Nigerians proud in both games.

There is no reason to panic or fear Egypt, instead they should be the ones who should be afraid of us.”

Meanwhile, chairman of the NFF technical committee, Chris Green has called for respect for the Egyptians.

Egypt coach Hector Cuper recently announced the 25-man

National Stadium, Abuja.

Two games would be played with all the teams already in Abuja on Thursday to battle for the top prize. The teams include the defending champions, Dolphins BC, First Bank, Immigration, Sunshine Angels, First Deepwater, FCT Angels, Coal City Queens, Taraba Hurricanes, Zamfara Babes and Nasarawa Amazons.

Others are Oluyole Babes, GT 2000, IGP Queens, Delta Force, Benue Princess, Ahip Queens, Plateau Rocks and Customs, have arrived the venue of the competition.

First Bank was the first to arrive Abuja and that was two weeks ago and have played series of friendly games to put the team in good stead for the competition, while Dolphins are also hoping for a successful title defence.

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) have assured everyone that the competition will be hitchfree, noting that the teams squad that is set to face the Super Green Eagles in the two-legged African qualifiers on the 25th and 29th of March.

Green has also called Nigeria to turn their attention to the Pharaohs as a whole not just one player in the person of Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny.

“Elneny is just one player in the pack of 11 and so I don’t think we need to worry about one player,” Green told Africa’s pioneer sports radio station Brilla FM. “We need to wor ry about [Egypt’s whole] team, we must respect the Egyptians because they have a difficult team. But at the same time we are playing at home, we should be able to go forward at home,” he concluded.

would give the fans something to cheer about.

The NBBF President, Tijani Umar has promised to ensure the league becomes a better commodity, Umar assured that the NBBF would ensure better game schedule and expand the league system as soon as more money is made available.

He also called on sponsor to improve branding at game venues, make publicity better and ensure that branded products of the bank is made available to fans, noting that officiating will be better this year.

Also member of the technical committee say they are 100 per cent to organise a flawless competition.

Some dignitries expected at the opening ceremony include Hon. Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, Permanent secretary, key directors of the Sports ministry, Senate/House Committee Chairmen on Sports.

Nigeria’s Under-20 women’s national team will face Canada, Japan and Spain at the Fifa Under-20 Women’s World Cup, which starts in Papua New Guinea in November.

The Canadians and Nigerians are clearly the experienced sides in Group B of the tournament with Japan and Spain bringing up the rear.

Though tied on seven appearances apiece at the Under-20 Women’s World Cup, Nigeria’s Falconets are favourites to finish top of their group having played in the last four in the last three editions, including finish second on two occasions.

Nigeria will start their outing at the Under-20 Women’s World Cup against Japan at the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby on November before facing Canada in their second match three days later.

The Falconets round off their quest to finish among the top-two in their group at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, Port Moresby, against Spain on November 20.

•Dedevbo

Champions League:

Iwobi happy playing against Messi

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RSENAL youngster, Alex Iwobi has expressed delight with his performance against Barcelona in the champions league quarter-finals, in which the Gunners were dismissed 5-1 on aggregate.

Iwobi, only learnt he will be playing at the Nou Camp eight hours to the game, where he made a massive impact.

“It’s crazy, playing against the best players in the world,” he told Arsenal Player.

“It’s a young man’s dream. Especially at the age of 19, I never thought I would be here playing against the likes of Messi, Neymar and

Suarez. I’m just happy to be here.

“I didn’t know how to feel, I was buzzing, I just wanted to go and prove to the world what I would do. I wanted to see if I could match up to the best in the world.

I was buzzing when I saw the starting line up, I couldn’t wait to touch the pitch.

“I never thought I would get this far. Honestly I thought I was going to go on loan at the start of the season, but the manager has shown faith in me and I’m trying to repay that faith and prove him right every time I play.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016—45

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46—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016—47

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

Messi floors Ronaldo again

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ISSAN have teamed up with Loughborough University to find out what makes football so exciting for

fans British men find watching Lionel Messi more exciting than any other players in the Uefa

2017 AFCON qualifier:

No panic over Egypt •IN FLIGHT: Eagles Captain,

Ahmed Musa in perfect control of the ball, during Brazil 2014 World Cup.

Champions League, according to a survey by Nissan as part of their Excitement Index.

64% of Brits stated they found Messi exciting to watch with Barcelona team-mate Luis Suarez (47%) coming second and Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo (25%) coming third.

British fans are also looking forward to Leicester City’s imminent debut season in next season’s Uefa Continues on Page

— Musa •As Green calls for respect for the Pharaohs

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GAINST the back drop of intense hype being generated by the two-legged 2017 Afcon qualifiers between the Super Eagles and Pharaohs the match has generated a lot of interest among Nigerian football fans. The accompanying mind games from both camps have no doubt, increased the tension in Nigerians that some fans can’t wait to see the two African soccer giants clash in Kaduna.

But Nigeria captain, Ahmed Musa has been quick to douse tension and has declared that Nigeria do not have any Continues on Page

*Alex Iwobi (r) in contention with Lionel Messi for the ball in a UEFA Champions League match Wednesday. Barcelona beat Arsenal 3-1 at Nou Camp.

•Foreign based Eagles motivate us —Pinnick QUICK CROSSWORD

T OD AY'S PUZZLE ODA

FRI DAY'S ANS WERS FRID ANSWERS

—P.44

ACROSS 5 Exclude leave out (4) 6 Mark of a wound (4) 8 Requiring great effort (9) 9 From bottom to top (7) 13 Having more than one meaning (9) 15 In a slothful manner (4) 16 Outer covering of the body (4) DOWN 1 Balance composure (5) 2 Teller of falsehoods (4) 3 Consent, agreement (6) 4 Christian symbol (5) 7 Increase the size of (7) 10 Full of small stones (6) 11 Bowl sink (5) 12 Operating (5) 14 Trees with acorns (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACRSS: 1, Properly 6, Wave 7, Suet 8, Doc 9, Garb 11, Rite 13, Stabbing

DOWN: 1, Area 2, Speedboat 3, Prescribe 4, Lyre 10, Also 12, Tiny

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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