Kano mosque, sin against God - POPE

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...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62288

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

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Kano mosque attack, sin against God — POPE See story on Page 5

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POCKET CARTOON trooped to hospitals to donate blood in response to the clarion call to assist victims of the blasts.

Blood donors troop to hospitals in Kano

DINNER—From left: Finance Minister, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Culture

Minister, Chief Edem Duke; CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele and Chairman Zenith Bank, Mr. Jim Ovia during the special presidential dinner to honour Nigerian artistes at the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, weekend.

Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Kano mosque attack, sin against God — POPE •Blood donors flood hospitals in Kano •Christians, Muslims must join hands to defeat terrorists – Tinubu •JNI, CAN, South-East govs, condemn attacks

By Sam Eyoboka, Clifford Ndujihe, Anayo Okoli, Abdulsalam Muhammad & Abel Daniel

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A G O S — C AT H O L I C Pontiff, Pope Francis has condemned the deadly attacks that occurred at the Emir of Kano’s Central mosque in Kano, which claimed about 200 lives, describing it as an “extremely serious sin against God.” Pope Francis made the comments yesterday, the final day of his trip to Turkey.

Apart from those killed, about 135 people were wounded when two suicide bombers blew themselves up and

gunmen opened fire during weekly prayers on Friday at the Grand Mosque in Kano.

In a meeting with Turkish political and religious officials, at the start of his second trip to the Middle East this year, the Pope further urged Muslim leaders to condemn the “barbaric violence” being committed in Islam’s name against religious minorities in Iraq and Syria.

The Pope’s comment is coming two days after the attack in Kano, which was also condemned by President Goodluck Jonathan, who has ordered full-scale investigation into the attack, emphasising his

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

He that can have patience can have what he will – Benjamin Franklin. Everything comes with time and wisdom.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Do something that’s greater than you, something that helps someone else be happy or suffer less. I promise, it will be an extremely rewarding experience. One you’ll likely remember forever— M & Angel Hack

I

T’S been proven that the thoughts we choose have everything to do with our emotions. Any stress signal is a way of alerting you to say the five magic words: ‘I want to feel good.’ This is your intention to be tranquil and stress free—and it’s a way of connecting to divine spirit.

Wayne Dyer surmises: Just watch babies, they’re in a constant state of love. How could they possibly be so joyful? Because they’re in harmony with the source. They have no resistance to being joyful— unlike adults. You didn’t come forth into this world to suffer, to be anxious, fearful or depressed.

Remember, your thoughts, not your world, cause you stress. And you can change your thoughts.

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administration’s commitment to ending the incessant attacks which the Red Cross says had displaced more than 400,000 persons.

Although no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, the Boko Haram sect is the prime suspect, as the group had carried out similar attacks in the past.

In like manner, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who condemned the attacks urged Christians and Muslims to join forces to defeat the terrorists.

Health workers suspend indefinite strike

To reduce the number of deaths arising from the attacks, the leadership of the Joint Health Workers Union has directed its members to return to duty, urgently.

The Secretary of the health workers' union, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir told journalists that its indefinite strike “is hereby suspended following the Friday attack on Kano central mosque where hundreds of worshippers were now rushed to the hospital.”

Members of the union at Aminu Kano teaching hospital and National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala had joined their counterpart across the country on indefinite strike over age-long demands from the Federal Government.

Meantime, thousands of residents, yesterday,

At Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, voluntary donors patiently waited to donate blood.

Chief Medical director of Aminu Kano Teaching hospital, Prof. Zakari Muhammed, confirmed that the hospital recorded large turn out of voluntary donors who were eager to assist the victims.

“The large turn out of people here this morning is quite impressive and we are very happy to have them and on our part we have deployed our staff to ensure the exercise went smoothly,” Professor Zakari said.

We won’t be deterred —JNI

Umbrella body of Islamic groups in Nigeria, Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, has said that it will not be deterred nor cowed by the way Muslims were being killed in Nigeria, particularly in the North.

In a statement by its Secretary General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, JNI said: "We are indeed shocked and pained beyond words over the news of the bomb blasts in Kano Central Mosque, which claimed the lives of over 100 innocent Muslims.

"But must blood be spilled to justify the extension of state of emergency? Why is it that anytime, the ineffective state of emergency is about to elapse and or an extension is being sought, attacks are carried out with sophistication? Are we really aware of the repercussions of spilling the blood of innocent souls? What is the essence of the government’s war on terror and its attendant huge budget? Where are the intelligence and security agencies? Can we afford to continue relying on them for our safety and security? Why? We ask ad infinitum with no satisfactory answers.

Without mincing words, Nigeria is being misgoverned to the brink!

"JNI condemns in the strongest term, these repeated acts of terror being unleashed on Muslims and calls on Muslims to remain calm and keep vigil over happenings around them; take all defensive measures within the purview of the laws to protect themselves since government has clearly failed."

Christians, Muslims must join hands to defeat terrorists – Tinubu

National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday, condemned the Kano terrorist attack, urging Christians and Muslims to join forces to check the terrorists.

Commiserating with the people of Kano and their Emir, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi Tinubu, in a statement by his media office said: “During the last few days, Nigeria has suffered intense attacks and grave loss of lives due to the evil work of terrorist group, Boko Haram.

Attacks against numerous locations in the North-East demonstrate how heinous and debased Boko Haram and those who sponsor it have become. So depraved, they have become heartless and filled with enmity against all that is good and proper. This was not the act of human beings. These attacks could only have come from the hands of those who do not know God or serve God. This is the act of godless people.

"Those of us who love peace, who love unity and who love Nigerian can never allow this vile group to achieve its objective – to turn us into a bloodied and divided nation. Nigeria can and will defeat this terrorist machine and those behind it. We have no other home. We have no other choice."

CAN condemns Kano blasts

Umbrella body of Christians in the country, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN also condemned Friday ’s attacks in Kano, saying that "the entire Christian community in Nigeria received the news of the latest in the series of bomb explosions, this time around at the

mosque near the emir’s palace in Kano, with shock and disbelief. This is most unfortunate given the number of people that lost their lives in their bid to offer prayers to their Almighty in the usual Friday worship at the mosque."

On behalf of the entire Christian community under the auspices of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), its President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor commiserated with the families of the victims especially those who lost their lives in the attack.

CAN said a recent interfaith meeting that had representations from the hierarchy of both faith in attendance emphasised the need for dialogue, mutual relations, cooperation and unity in the renewed fight against insurgency in the country.

Attacks ‘re barbaric –S/East govs

On their part, the South East Governors’ Forum (SEGF) while commiserating with the families of the victims, described last Friday’s Kano Mosque attacks as “senseless attack on innocent worshippers.”

The Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji who conveyed the condolences of the forum also commiserated with the people and government of Kano State over the unfortunate incident.

Mr & Mrs

6—Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

4 suspected cultists arrested for allegedly raping girl during initiation

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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KURE — THE Ondo State Police Command has arrested four suspected cultists for gang-raping a girl in Ondo town, after which they stole her handset.

According to the police, the victim (identity withheld) was raped as she was being initiated by the cultists.

The command said the rapists were among 14 cultists arrested alongside six suspected robbers, three burglars, one fraudster and four kidnappers terrorising the state.

Parading the suspects, the state Police Commissioner, Isaac Eke, said items recovered include N11,000 cash, a Toyota Camry marked FST 48 AC valued at N1.7 million, Scania Lorry marked KWC 232XA, among others.

Eke said the Toyota Camry which was stolen at Odode Idanre was recovered in Sapele, Delta State, by police detectives after one Afolabi Abiola took them there.

On the cult members arrested, the police chief said they had been responsible for murder, rape and stealing in Owo, Ondo and Akure towns.

According to him, the cultists were arrested by a team of Special Anti-Cultist Squad, SACS. Eke said one Alhassan Shittu was duped to the tune of N1.5 million by some fraudsters under the pretext of awarding him a cable contract.

He noted that one Jimoh Ogbo of Bako Kwali in Abuja was later arrested and had confessed and mentioned other members now at large.

The commissioner said seven suspected robbers used a lorry to block the Lagos/Ore expressway to rob a lorry loaded with 800 cartons of fish.

The lorry was later recovered by detectives in Onitsha, Anambra State, adding that two suspects had been arrested in connection with the robbery.

Eke added that three burglars were arrested after they stole foodstuff, handsets, laptops and other electronics.

By Dayo Johnson

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INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS: Children stand by their ration at the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, internally displaced persons transit camp at Girei, Yola in Adamawa State, Saturday. Photo: NAN. On the two policemen shot by suspected robbers, the commissioner said they died

in the course of duty.

According to him, the deceased were shot when they

were deployed to the area following alleged robbery report.

3 traders accuse Ladipo market leadership of harassment

By Ifeanyi Okolie

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AGOS — CRISIS is currently brewing at Aguiyi Ironsi International Trade Centre, L adipo, Lagos, following a recent attack on some traders who were accused of being against the current leadership of the market.

The traders, identified as Segus Adimdu, Toni Ayaegi and Ikechukwu Amuh, told Vanguard that they were attacked, robbed and thrown out of the market.

Vanguard gathered that the attack was prompted by their decision to accompany the ousted president of the market, Jonathan Okoli, to the National Assembly to protest against the current situation in the market.

One of the traders, Amuh, who spoke with Vanguard, also explained that they were at the Senate asking for an investigation into the alleged illegal arrest and detention of their president by the police and the take-over of the market leadership by a female police boss and an exchairman of Mushin Local Government Area.

According to him, “upon our return to the market, we were attacked by some thugs who pushed us out of our shops.

Our phones and money were taken from us, while the policemen stationed at the market prevented anyone from coming to our aid.

"When they were done, they pushed us out of the market through the back gate and warned us not to enter the market again. All these

happened in the presence of the current chairman of the market.

I don’t know what he intends to achieve by making us lose our means of livelihood."

Meanwhile, the current Public Relations Officer of the market, Emma Mbamara, in his reaction, denied the attack and said the market was peaceful and traders were going about their business without hitches.

He said: “Nothing of such happened. No trader was attacked, but we have received a petition from the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to report at the Command Headquarters today over that issue.

"As it is, we have extended our hands of fellowship to traders who are followers of the former president to return to the market and continue with their businesses.”

Policeman shot dead during clash between rival cult groups in P-Harcourt

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— A Policeman was reportedly shot dead during an exchange of fire between two rival cult groups at Amadiama area of Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Community sources who spoke to the Vanguard, said the cult groups had been involved in battle of supremacy

Two Adeyemi College of Education students die in auto crash after party

in the area for about two months.

The sources said the clash caused panic in the area as residents ran for their lives.

State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Muhammad, did not respond to a text message from our correspondent for comment on the

development.

Meanwhile, this incident came barely 48 hours after a similar incident happened in Omoku, headquarters of Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area where about 12 persons were shot dead in a reprisal attack by a cult group.

A mobile policeman was also allegedly shot dead in the

incident while some members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, were also consumed in the shoot-out.

Residents of Port Harcourt and Omoku area of the state have appealed for more security presence to help maintain law and order.

KURE — TRAGEDY struck at the weekend in Adeyemi College of Education, ACE, Ondo, following the death of two students of the institution, who were said have been knocked down by a commercial bus in the area.

Another student, said to be in coma, is currently receiving treatment at Ondo Trauma Centre in the community.

The incident occurred at about 10:45 pm during the programme, “Asun Night”, organised by the Alumni of the institution, as part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the ACE, at the campus of the institution last Friday.

It was reliably gathered that the incident which was said to have nearly marred the celebration, involved one Akinkuotu Toyosi, a part 3 student of English Department and Omobolawa Bola, a part 4 student of Physics Department.

They were said to be returning from the programme on the fateful day when the unfortunate incident occurred.

The two students were said to have died on the spot, following which students of the institution took to the streets in protest.

Consequently, security agencies in the community were said to have mobilised their members who were positioned in various locations in the area to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

When our correspondent visited the institution at about 10:30 am on Saturday, several students were seen blocking the highway linking Lipakala junction and Oka community.

In a chat with our correspondent, President of the Student Union Government, SUG, Isiaka Kamarudeen, described the death of his members as unfortunate, saying the protest was aimed at showing their grievances over the death of their fellow students.

Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014— 7

JTF arrests five over dynamite attack on Agip oil well in Bayelsa

By Samuel Oyadongha

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ENAGOA—FIVE persons have been reportedly arrested by security operatives over alleged involvement in multiple attacks on oil pipeline and Oil Well belonging to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company at Okoroma in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The attack, it was learned, was over a disputed security surveillance contract in the area.

Authorities of the Joint Task Force, JTF, however, confirmed that two persons were arrested over the incident, while one other died from injuries sustained from the blast.

The arrested youths, armed with improvised explosive device suspected to be dynamite, had a fortnight ago, allegedly masked themselves and attacked the oil well, known as Oil Well 7 and the Obama Oil Field pipeline connecting Brass Area of the Nigerian Agip Oil company, NAOC. But the suspects, identified as indigenes of Okoroma community, it was learned, have been released by the security agents.

The alleged release and nonprosecution of the youths has sparked off protest from the elders and youths of the community, who accused security agents of promoting alleged lawlessness and possible oil crimes.

The protesting indigenes of Okoroma clan, in a letter written by their counsel, Barr. Nnamdi Ugwu, argued that though the security agencies, led by operatives of the DSS and the JTF arrested those fingered in the bombing of Agip Oil well, the decision to release the suspects and failure to prosecute them had sent a wrong signal to other youths in the area to threaten to heighten cases of oil well attacks and other violent crimes against oil multinationals in the area.

The letter, which was sent to the state governor, Seriake Dickson, alleged that the five suspects were released from the custody of the security agency in suspicious circumstances.

According to community, the suspects boasted during arrest that their incarceration was temporary as they were working for a top politician from the area.

“The letter, dated November, 6th 2014 and written by the Nembe Council Chairman,

Eminah Beneth to the Deputy Governor, accusing Agip of divide and rule, is a prima facile evidence that the above stated crimes were planned and executed with the involvement of government officials.

“The manner in which the arrest and release of suspects was done is a direct catalyst to encouraging and enticing other people to resort to commission of crimes to drive home their demands. It is dangerous and foreign to our clan,” he said.

TRAFFIC SNARL: A long queue of commuters scrambling for Sango-Ota bound LAGBUS at Oshodi yesterday. Photo by Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

Two cops quizzed over expatriate construction workers' kidnap

By Samuel Oyadongha

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ENAGOA—TWO policemen are reportedly being questioned by the special squad of police and operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, over alleged role in last week’s abduction of three

expatriate construction workers at Emakalakala in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The policemen, it was learned from security sources, were on duty last Wednesday when some unidentified gunmen invaded the home of the expatriates

working with Elmerit, a construction firm, and whisked them away in a waiting boat.

The victims were identified as Muntaz Ahmad (Pakistani), Ghatar Abdul (Pakistani) and an accountant with the company, Sriri Rao (Indian).

Another unidentified expatriate

‘I went into robbery to fund my album launch'

By Esther Onyegbula

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AGOS—LAGOS State police command has arrested two members of a three-man armed robbery gang that specialised in snatching cars and terrorizing Lagos residents.

The two suspects identified as John Sunday, 25, and Onyekachi Oshomi, 24, were arrested in their hide-out in Lagos.

Parading the suspects, the Commissioner of Police, CP Kayode Aderanti, said the suspects were arrested after he got a tip-off that some robbers were planning to unleash terror in Lagos.

“Immediately, I directed the Special Anti-robbery squad, led

by Superintendent of Police, (SP) Kyari Abba with two decoy teams who stormed their hideout and arrested the suspects with a revolver pistol,” he said.

During interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crimes, including snatching of several cars within the metropolis.

The commissioner also said efforts had been stepped up to arrest other members still at large.

Confessing to the crimes, Sunday, a reggae artist, said: “I am a musician from Akwa Ibom State. I got into armed robbery to

raise money to launch my album.

“We were three in the gang, but the police arrested two of us. I need money to launch my album, titled Tureke reggae. I was hoping to make N100, 000 from the operation.”

The second suspect, Onyekachi Oshomi, 24, said: “I am from Enugu State; I was a commercial bus conductor before I joined the gang. Usually we operate along Agege- total-Oshodi route. I just got married but my wife is still in the village. I was looking for money to feed her whenever she comes to Lagos that was why I went into armed robbery.''

was said to have escaped the gunmen as he was not at home when they struck.

The policemen, it was learned, did not put up any resistance during the invasion and abduction of the expatriates.

The kidnappers, about six in number, were said to have entered the community through the river and left through same route with their victims firing into the air to scarce away the natives.

A community source said: “What we were told was that the policemen were taken away for interrogation. Emakalakala leadership also assisted the investigators by prevailing on indigenes to give clear account of the incident.

“We are also on the look out for strange faces that may be identified to assist in the investigation.”

The Secretary to the Amakalakala Development Committee, Daminikparo Sugurugho, said the community was calm and leadership ready to assist in the investigation.

Police nab 32-yr-old artisan for attempted rape of girl, 7

By Esther Onyegbula

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AGOS—THE police has arrested 32year-old tailor, identified as Akeem Ahmed, a.k.a Alfa, for allegedly attempting to rape a seven-year-old girl (names withheld), of 2nd Avenue, Okemoro, along Badagry expressway.

According to reports, the suspect, a next door neighbour to the victim’s parents, entered into their one-room apartment, after the victim’s mother had gone to church for rehearsals.

Vanguard gathered that while the victim and her four-year-old brother were fast asleep, Alfa pulled her shorts and tried to have carnal knowledge of her.

Fortunately, she woke up and found the suspect lying on top of her.

The suspect reportedly covered the victim’s mouth with his hands as she struggled to shout or alert neighbours.

However, trouble started after the victim opened up to her mother the next day about the ugly incident that occurred when she went to church.

The victim’s mother raised alarm and the issue was reported to the community’s Baale who ordered the immediate arrest of the suspect after interrogation, while the victim was taken to Badagry General Hospital for medical test and doctor’s report.

A Police source who spoke to Vanguard at Morrogbo Police Division on condition of anonymity, said initially the suspect denied the act but later admitted that he only touched the girl.

Vanguard reliably gathered from sources close to the victim’s family that since the incident occurred, the suspect’s family had been pleading to settle the matter amicably.

The source said: “Right now, the entire process is becoming frustrating, as the police investigating the case are demanding that the victim’s mother must provide logistics (transportation) to take them to court on Monday if she wants the case to be charged to court.''

8 — Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

Nigeria can defeat Boko Haram — Gowon, Okoh

By Caleb Ayansina

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BUJA — FORMER Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) and the Primate of All Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the Most Revd Nicholas Okoh, Sunday, called on Nigerians not to lose hope in the ability of the Federal Government to contain the current insurgency in some parts of the country.

They maintained that Nigerian troops were capable and experienced to handle Boko Haram fighters, adding that security operatives only need cooperation of the general populace.

The duo, who spoke separately at the 25th Silver Jubilee of the Inauguration of the Diocese of Abuja, Anglican Communion, with the theme; ‘Celebrating the Faithfulness of God’, in Abuja, noted that security was a responsibility of everybody.

Gowon said people should not see the ongoing problem as a religious war, as both Christians and Muslims were affected, assuring that the recent directive given to military would yield a positive result.

He said: “It is not about the Christians in the north, we are all affected. Federal Government has given a directive to security agencies to bring sanity in this area (north-east), and I assure you, they will. So, what they need is your prayer and your support.”

On his part, Okoh said the struggle to put an end to insurgency could not only be achieved by the Federal Government alone, as it requires the collective effort that was devoid of politics.

The Primate admonished Nigerians to be of good courage, adding: “God does not go on holiday in our case.”

The cleric in his sermon at the thanksgiving service called on Christian faithful to shun tribalism and sentiment, which he said had become the order of the day in the church of God. He noted that corruption had been a cog in the wheel of progress, affecting the country and the church.

Okoh expressed regret that people openly justified their corrupt practices.

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TERROR WAR: I’m against Jonathan's

move to borrow $1bn — Buhari

By Abdulsalam Muhammad

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ANO — FORMER Head of State and presidential hopeful of All Progressives Congress, APC, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), has kicked against moves by President Goodluck Jonathan to borrow $1 billion to prosecute insurgents in the North-East.

Buhari, who spoke in Kano shortly after he commiserated with victims of last Friday multiple blast at Kano Central Mosque, said there was “no basis or cogent reason why Nigeria must borrow money to fight insurgency."

According to him, "for 30 months as we fought civil war from here to the East, Nigeria never borrowed a dime, and Nigeria won the war that continued to keep us as a single entity."

Buhari stated that the revenue that accrued to the country when there was stability in oil market was enough to purchase military hardware to curtail the security challenges.

He argued that the lack of political will on the part of the sitting government, high level corruption and looting of national treasury were factors working against the war on terror.

Buhari lamented the

botched efforts by the National Assembly to conduct a public hearing on the matter, pointing out that from indications the “important national issue has once more been swept under the carpet.”

He expressed regret that despite open complaint on several occasions, the military prosecuting the war

complained of lack of sophisticated weapons but nothing significant has been done to address the challenge.

He said: “My worry and concern is that from 1999 to date Nigeria has got huge foreign earnings in dollars and yet no one can say where this money is. Nigeria, before

now, was having its national carrier with hundreds of shipping cargos, but today we are practically zero and no one can tell what happened, and now somebody wants to put the nation in another trouble by borrowing. The move is totally unacceptable to us."

WEDDING: From left: Hon. Adesina Muftau Adegbenro, bride's father; Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Kano State Governor and special guest of honour; Prince Bola Ajibola, former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice and Chief Dapo Durosinmi-Etti, groom's father, during the Nikkah ceremony between Khadijah Ifedayo Adegbenro, daughter of Hon. Adesina Muftau Adegbenro and Abdul-Gafaar Eniola Durosinmi-Etti, son of Chief Dapo DurosinmiEtti, at Lekki Central Mosque, Lekki Phase I, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

POWER: FG’s OLRN project fails to take off 11 months after flag-off

By Chris Ochayi

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BUJA— ELEVEN months after President Goodluck Jonathan flagged off the nationwide solarpowered off-grid rural electrification programme, tagged ‘Operation Light Up Rural Nigeria, OLRN, the project was yet to take off.

The off-grid project was the initiative of the Federal Ministry of Power to provide electricity to three rural communities in each of the senatorial district across the country.

The pilot scheme located in Durumi village, Mpape, of Bwari Area Council in Abuja, was commissioned by President Goodluck Jonathan on January 13, 2014, where he formally flagged off the nationwide solar-powered off-grid rural electrification programme.

The ministry partnered

with Schneider Electric of France and Phillips Electronics of The Netherlands for the Durumi project to deliver electricity to over 1,000 households.

However, the first of the project that was expected to cover over 109 other communities across the 36 states of the federation, could not take-off.

Jonathan while flagging off the OLRN said over 1,600 households would be fully connected to solar power in this first phase of OLRN in three communities in Abuja, assuring further that, “it is however not an alternative to grid connection in all our communities which we hope will be achieved in the near future.”

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo said the Operation Light-Up Rural Nigeria was conceived as a

fast-track mechanism to deliver electricity to thousands of rural communities in Nigeria that are not yet connected to the national grid.

He said the facility would be extended to those communities so far flung from the national grid that the challenges of delivery of electricity to them will remain daunting for quite a while.

Painting a bright picture of what each covered community would look like, Professor Nebo said the communities would be provided with a community energy hub equipped with enough power outlets for charging of electronic devices and refrigeration of perishables, while every house is furnished with several energy-saving bulbs of the light-emitting-diode species, as well as charging points for electronic devices and energy saving fans.

The surrounding of every household would be well lit, street and pathway lights would cover the entire community, such that there is no dark corner in the community. The community centre will also be well lit to enhance socio-cultural and economic activities.

The project which was expected to kick off immediately, however, remained on the drawing board 11 months after the President launched the pilot scheme.

Ministry officials who were expected to offer explanation as to why the project has failed were evasive as they were not ready to talk.

Efforts to also reach the Project Co-ordinator and Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of Power, Dr. Albert Okorogu, however, proved abortive as he could not be reached at press time.

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Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014 — 9

Entrepreneurship'll crush poverty in Nigeria —Utomi

By Princewill Ekwujuru & Prisca Sam-Duru

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AGOS — PROFESSOR Pat Utomi has described entrepreneurship as a major factor that can successfully crush poverty in Nigeria and the entire continent.

According to him, “at a time when there is so much confusion in Nigeria about what is the problem, the nation has the huge challenge of crushing poverty which can be done through raising a crop of successful entrepreneurs.

Utomi was the keynote speaker at the public presentation of a book,”Entrepreneurial Spirits Through the Seventeen Success Principles of Napoleon Hill”, written by Chief Poly Emenike, Managing Director, NEROS Pharmaceuticals Limited, at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos.

According to him,“Nigeria in terms of entrepreneurship, is not very strong but Nigerians have the spirit. The problem is that their environment makes it difficult for them to be entrepreneurs.

Government is the biggest problem, the regulators see position as power to oppress and get bribed rather than developing the economy of Nigeria.”

Speaking on the ”Triumph to the Human Spirit Through Enterprise”, Utomi regretted that “ we are in a generation in which success is measured

by the level of wealth but societies are not built that way. The author started on a humble note and grew through knowing that to know is to do, societies are built that way.”

He challenged Nigerians to venture into the impossible and see themselves succeeding beyond imagining, adding:

“Chief Emenike has made things easy and possible for this generation through the book but unfortunately, they are not reading. How do we get people to read?"

He, however, described the book as a priceless material capable of transforming a generation and challenged successful entrepreneurs to write books that will help

transform Nigeria, stressing: “You’re not a business success until you transfer your knowledge into a book."

Chairman of the occasion, former Group Managing Director of Diamond Bank, Mr. Emeka Onwuka, said reading the book will mark a turning point in the life of readers. He stated that the book was a must read for people aspiring to be successful.

AWARD: Pharm. Okey Akpa, Chairman, PMG-MAN/Managing Director, SKG Pharma; Mr. Wale Oyenuga, Managing Director, Evans Therapeutics Limited; Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Committee member, SURE-P and Dr. Khaliru Alhassan, Minister of Health during the presentation of Pharma Excellence award to Evans Therapeutics Limited at PMGMAN 2014 Forum in Abuja.

FG to begin clearance of police pensions arrears

By Kingsley Omonobi

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BUJA — THE Federal Government has concluded plans to clear the mess of corruption in the Police pension system and pay all outstanding arrears of g r a t u i t y, p e n s i o n a n d entitlements including the 33 per cent increment of former officers and men of the force.

Vanguard gathered that the first step to this arrangement will commence between December 8 and 18, 2014 when the Pension Transition Arrangement Directorate ( P TA D ) , h e a d e d b y M s .

Nellie Mayshak, will conduct what has been described as the last biometric verification of policemen who retired on or before June 30, 2007.

Family members and next of kin of deceased policemen

whose final entitlements have not been settled were also invited to the venues of first phase of the exercise which will take place in the six police zonal formations in the northern parts of the country.

The zones falling into the first phase are 1, 3, 4, 7, 10 and 12 with verification venues at Kano, Kaduna, Gombe, Makurdi, Jos and Bauchi.

The arrears will be paid with December pension but that inadequate logistics will push the verification for ex-policemen based in the south to early next year when theirs will also be paid immediately after.

Pension offices for the civil service, police,

customs, immigration and prisons department outside the contributory pension scheme were merged in November 2013 to form PTAD with Ms. Nellie Mayshak as Director General.

The Pension Reform Act 2014 has also merged all other treasury funded pension board of trustees like that of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), N i g e r i a n Po s t a l S e r v i c e (NIPOST), Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) and former National Electric Power Authority (NEPA).

An official disclosed that the biometric verification exercise will be a one off event as a comprehensive electronic data base was

being compiled to remove an instance whereby “old retired officers most of whom did not actually have a good life during service” will be repeatedly subjected to the indignity of queuing up every time.

“Nigerian policemen have suffered for so long that their children are the most disadvantaged among public officials in the country and we must find a way to remove this trend”, Mayshak was quoted as saying when discussing this new arrangement.

There are about 24,000 police pensioners currently receiving pensions across the country through the Government Integrated Financial Management System (GFMIS).

Suspected Fulani herdsmen kill 5 in Kogi

By Boluwaji Obahopo

L

OKOJA — FIVE persons have been reportedly killed by Fulani herdsmen who attacked Abugi community in Lokoja Local Government of Kogi State, yesterday.

Sources said trouble started fewer days ago after some Fulani herdsmen allegedly robbed and killed one Abdullahi Zakari, who was to deliver unspecified amount of money to someone in the neighbouring community.

Vanguard gathered that some aggrieved youths said to be unhappy with the killing of their kinsman, allegedly attacked one of the Fulani settlements in the area.

According to the source, the attack led to the death of one unidentified Fulani man.

It was gathered that following this development, some Fulani elders met with the paramount ruler of the community, Alhaji Kabir Isa II, with a view to seeking amicable resolution of the matter.

But rather than wait for the elders resolution, the Fulani herdsmen were alleged to have Sunday evening attacked the Abugi community, killed five persons and burnt houses and other valuables worth millions of naira.

The source said the K o g i S t a t e Po l i c e Command had drafted its officers to the area to maintain peace.

The command's Public Relation O f f i c e r, Elvis Aguegbo, said he could not comment on the issue as he was still with the police commissioner and would get back to the reporter.

10— Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

Withdraw from gov race, Lagos PDP tells Obanikoro .I’m committed to free primary — Obanikoro

By Dapo Akinrefon

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RISIS SEEMS to be brewing in the Lagos State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the leadership of the PDP from Lagos Island Local Government, yesterday, advised former Minister of State (Defence), Senator Musiliu Obanikoro to withdraw from the Lagos State governorship race.

But in a swift reaction, the Obanikoro Campaign Organisation said it is committed to a free and fair PDP primary.

Addressing a press conference in Lagos, leader of the party on Lagos Island, Engr. Kamal Giwa said, “the outcome of the state constituencies primary has shown that Senator Obanikoro is not popular within the Lagos PDP.” Giwa said “the handwriting on the wall clearly shows that Obanikoro is a forgotten politician as far as politics in Lagos is concerned.”

He, however, said that “it is clear that Obanikoro’s wings have been clipped and we want to advise him to withdraw from the governorship race forthwith because we know he wants to act as a spoiler for the opposition.”

Also, Mr. Nurudeen Lambe, who spoke on behalf of the PDP youths, said: “The results of the constituency elections of our party has shown that he has lost the governorship race in the PDP. This result shows Obanikoro is no longer popular on the Island and in Lagos.”

Meanwhile,in a swift reaction, the Obanikoro Campaign Organisation faulted the remarks, saying it is committed to a free and fair primary.

Obanikoro’s Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Ohimai Amaize said, “we appreciate the fact that youths are getting actively involved in the political process. We identify with the youths as springboard for Lagos development, however, we are committed to a free and fair PDP primary election.”

Obanikoro, however, said “if Jim Agbaje thinks he is unpopular, he should not use the youths as smokescreen. He should come out and test his popularity.”

C M Y K

PVCs: Fashola faults INEC over poor distribution

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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O V E R N O R B A B AT U N D E Fashola of Lagos State, y e s t e r d a y, d i s m i s s e d explanations being offered by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to defend its non-distribution of the Permanent Voters’ Cards, PVCs, in some parts of the state saying the commission’s request for reregistration, made no sense.

The governor and his wife, Abimbola, last Friday went back home disappointed as INEC pasted notices in some wards, including the governor’s Ward G3 Unit E002 in State Junior Grammar

School, Itolo Street, Surulere, directing the voters to embark on fresh registration scheduled to start on December 3, 2014, saying the unit had no PVCs. The governor's remarks came on the heels of a statement credited to the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the state, Dr. Adekunle Ogunmola, weekend, saying the nondistribution of PVCs at the governor’s and other polling units across the state was due to the loss of data captured during the registration in 2010 occasioned by the crash of the commission’s computing system.

According to the governor: “Honestly, as I said yesterday, (Saturday), I have temporary Voters Card. On one hand, you say we should go and register

again, but I have already registered, so why should I register again? It does not make any sense, because anyone can then say the governor registered twice.”

Asserting that his name has been on INEC database since he was 20, when the commission was known as Federal Electoral Commission, FEDECO, Fashola declared: “I have been voting since then. I voted in 1999, 2003, in 2007 and in 2011. Why should they say I should go and reregister?”

Reacting to INEC’s claim that its system crashed resulting in a shortfall in the number of registered voters, Fashola said there is inconsistency in the

commission’s utterances, saying it had become hard to believe the electoral body on anything.

He said: “I think they should stop hiding behind a finger and tell us truly what their reasons are. They have failed without any logical explanation for it.

The system can’t crash in part.

If you store data in one place, it's either you lose it or recover it. Where is the integrity of INEC if it is telling us that it does not have a data recovery system?”

When Vanguard visited some wards to monitor the ongoing second batch of PVCs distribution in nine local government areas of the state, INEC officials were absent. But on the notice board mounted at the centres, INEC apologized for inability to distribute the PVCs without stating the reasons. It only advised those who registered in the ward to come for fresh registration from December 3, 2014.

....INEC extends collection till today in Lagos

By Clifford Ndujihe

T

READING: Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state (left) with the Councillor of Ward G3 Hon. Edun Taiwo Adebayo, at Unit E002 State Junior Grammar School, Itolo, Surulere, Lagos, reading a notice of outright cancellation of voters registration by INEC, at his ward in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

Fayose’s aide carpets APC, denies N12bn private jet rumour

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KITI STATE Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose has counseled the immediate past governor of the State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, to face the reality of their permanent exit from government in Ekiti State and stop peddling falsehood in the social media.

He said: “Lying in social media will only make Ekiti people hate Fayemi and his APC the more.”

Special Assistant to the governor on Public Communications and New

Media, Lere Olayinka, said in a statement, yesterday, that it was an unintelligent way of lying for anyone to say that Governor Fayose bought a private jet worth N12 billion and had received N22 billion from the Federal Government.

Olayinka said: “The government has not received any special fund from the Federal Government since he assumed office.

“It is even an indictment on Fayemi for anyone associated with him to claim that Governor Fayose was able to get N22 billion special fund from Abuja

within one month. It is simply saying that Fayemi was grossly incompetent if he was governor for four years and could not get additional fund for Ekiti State," he added.

“Fayose did not buy any private jet and he has not received any N22 billion from Abuja.

“The truth is, Governor Fayose is working day and night to rescue Ekiti State from the financial mess that Fayemi and his government of financial devourers left it. “Very soon, his efforts will begin to yield results and the results will be seen by the entire people of Ekiti.”

O ENABLE Lagosians, who are yet to collect their Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, to do so, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has extended the on-going distribution of the cards by one day.

The second batch of the exercise began last Friday and was scheduled to end yesterday.

The exercise went on smoothly in most polling units, weekend, apart from little bottlenecks created mainly by impatience on the part of would-be-voters who were in a hurry to pick up the cards.

Speaking on the extension, Lagos INEC Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Femi Akinbiyi said: “The exercise will now end on Monday, December 1, 2014. This will allow more Lagosians to obtain their PVCs. All who are yet to collect their PVCs should take advantage of this extension to collect their PVCs.’’

Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014—11

My grouse with APC lawmakers, by Fayose A

By Gbenga Ariyibi

DO EKITI— GOVERNOR Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, yesterday, clarified that the frosty relationship between him and the All Progressives Congress, APC, lawmakers in the state stemmed from their decision to bring down his government.

Fayose accused the lawmakers of paying less attention to issues that would bring development to the state and pursuing their own narrow and selfish interests by demanding 10 per cent of the N2 billion SME loans before approving it.

This came as he announced a reduction in the school fees of Ekiti State University, EKSU, N50,000 to N30,000.

Governor Fayose, who spoke during a maiden edition of a radio/television programme Meet your Governor, in Ado Ekiti, weekend, also told the people of the state that his government had not received any special or ecological fund from the federal government as being speculated in certain quarters.

He said: “Adewale Omirin,

as the speaker, did not attend my inauguration. After the event, we met and talked and we agreed to work together.

They asked that their monthly running grant of N48 million be paid in full, even when other agencies have theirs slashed by 60 per cent or stopped totally because of poor

finances, we still gave them their full grant.

“The N2 billion loan for SMEs that we wanted to access from the CBN, they now said they should be given 10 per cent of it which is N200 million and I refused. They have a mindset and directive from their leaders that they

must cripple my government and I know the people of the state will not allow that.”

Fayose lamented the sorry state of finances of the state, noting that the immediate past administration led by Dr Kayode Fayemi, has plunged the debt profile of the state to N76 billion.

BRIEFING: NUJ President, Malam Muhammed Garba (right), and the Chairman, NUJ, Kaduna State Council, Malam Idris Yusuf, during a news conference on the state of the nation in Kaduna, yesterday.

Ogun PDP shops for neutral gov candidate

By Daud Olatunji

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B E O K U TA — A n indication has emerged that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has begun a search for a dark horse as the party's governorship candidate in Ogun State in the 2015 election.

Vanguard reliably gathered that the party took the decision following the internal wrangling rocking the party in the state over the choice of a governorship candidate.

The party's financier, Buruji Kashamu and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, were at daggers drawn over delegates list for the party’s primaries which prompted the National Working Committee to suspend the primaries.

But, in a bid to resolve the political logjam, the party was reported to be looking in the direction of an aspirant among the 10 aspirants who is believed to be neutral as the party's governorship candidate.

Vanguard reliably gathered that the party might field the former governorship aspirant of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, Remilekun Bakare, who recently dumped the All

progressives Congress, APC, for the PDP. A source within the party told our correspondent that Bakare’s choice was raised following his neutrality and his alleged influence in Ogun Central, the same zone with the incumbent governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

The choice of Bankole was reportedly being opposed by Kashamu who was said to have adopted a particular aspirant ahead of the

primaries.

Those who aspired to contest the governorship seat on the platform of the PDP include a member of House of Representatives from Yewa South/Ipokia, Abiodun Akinlade; former governorship candidate of the People’s Party of Nigeria, Gboyega Isiaka; former minister of mine and steel, Sharafa Ishola and a former governorship aspirant of defunct ACN Remilekun Bakare, among others.

Others were former member of House of Representatives, Kayode Amusan, Ogun State of Transformation Ambassador of Nigeria, Segun Adewale, former Chief of Staff to Daniel, Yomi Majekodunmi, fomer Chsirman of Abeokuta South local government, Yanju Lipede, former Deputy governor of the state, Rafiu Ogunleye and former commissioner of environment, Anthony Ojesina.

Insecurity: Nigeria in serious crisis —Aregbesola

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OVERNOR Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, yesterday, alerted Nigerians to the serious danger that lurks around in view of the spate of bombings in parts of the country.

He said that last Friday’s bombing of the Central Mosque in Kano has proved that the nation is in the throes of life-threatening crisis.

A statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication, quoted Aregbesola as stating these at the weekly prayer session of Nasrullahi -il Fathi Society of Nigeria, NASFAT, Osogbo branch, where he joined other adherents to pray for Nigeria and Osun.

The governor, who condemned the bombing in strong terms, said the gory pictures of the bombing demonstrated clearly that the country has a serious crisis at hand.

He averred that the mosque attack showed that the insurgency transcends narrow religious confines whic people, government, organisation and public analysts usually ascribe to the dastardly killings.

He argued that when a Muslim chose another fellow Muslim as target at a Friday (Jumat) congregation to strike at him, then this has gone beyond a the targeting of a

particular religion by another.

He stated that no reasonable Muslim can justify attacks of Christians and Churches let alone Mosques and Muslims as a means of propagating the Islamic faith.

“The Friday bombing of Emir ’s palace’s Mosque has proved ultimately and beyond any doubt that this country faces daunting challenges posed by the Boko Haram insurgents.

“Condemnable as the act is, yet it baffles one that a lot of us still deceive ourselves by reading religious colouration to this whole violence."

Atiku rules out consensus presidential candidate for APC

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—FORMER Vice President and a presidential aspirant of All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku has declared that issue of consensus Presidential candidate for the party was no longer feasible in the current political calculations.

He spoke in Akure after several meetings with delegates and Party leaders in the state as part of his mobilisation drive.

Atiku said “We have gone past the stage of reaching any consensus or producing a consensus candidate.”

He added that “ we have gotten past the era where someone can impose any candidate on the party ..

The aspirant said he is very optimistic that APC would conduct free and fair primaries.

According to him, “no one can impose candidate on the party and on the consensus issue, there is no way they can use consensus because we have grown beyond that. We are preparing for primaries.

Who are the party leaders? we are the leaders of the party and there won’t be imposition”.

When asked if he can defeat Gen Muhammadu Buhari, Alhaji Atiku said” let’s wait till when I would prove my popularity at the primaries proper.

He assured that he would emerge victorious in the contest irrespective of the seeming popularity of his main opponent.

The former Vice President who applauded the state delegates for receiving him, noted that he had been counting the numbers of delegates that would support his ambition in every states he visits.

At the Party secretariat, the state Chairman Hon Isaac Kekemeke said the party saw Atiku’s visit as that of an elder visiting members of his family.

12—Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

Terrorists to be held accountable —JONATHAN Commissions Federal High Court in Asaba

By Festus Ahon

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SABA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, weekend, commissioned the Federal High Court complex, Asaba, Delta State, saying that all perpetrators of terrorist acts in the country would be held accountable.

According to the President, the presence of Federal High Courts in virtually every state of the federation is a good development as it would bring justice closer to the people, adding: “This is in tandem with this administration’s determined efforts to expand access to justice for the people and ensure that Nigerians are able to access the courts for the purposes of resolving their disputes.”

The President, who spoke through the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, commended the Chief Judge and other judges of the court "for their hard work and immeasurable support for this administration’s resolve to hold accountable all the perpetrators of terrorist acts across the country.

“I have been duly informed that the practice directions issued by the court have contributed significantly to the reduction of trial delays and engendered speedy trial of

terrorism and allied offences.

It is my fervent hope that this edifice will further provide the necessary conducive environment for the court to excel in the discharge of its adjudicatory function.”

Jonathan also commended the Federal High Court for its implementation of innovative reform measures aimed at expanding access to justice and bring same closer to Nigerians.

He observed that the access to High Court by Nigerians would not have been possible “if deliberate steps were not taken to ensure the presence of the court in virtually every state in the federation.”

In his speech, Governor Uduaghan thanked the Federal Government for creating the Asaba Division of the Federal High Court in the state.

In particular, he commended

the erection of the High Court Complex, stressing that it “was built by the Federal Government and not the Delta State Government. The only contribution of the Delta State Government was the provision of land for this edifice.”

Uduaghan assured President Jonathan of the state government's commitment to partnering the Federal Government in its developmental efforts.

DONATION: From left: Registrar, Delta State University, Mr Ejiro Udjo; Deputy Vice Chancellor, Admin, Prof. Chukwuemeka Aloamaka; out-going Vice Chancellor, Prof. Eric Arubayi; Executive Director, South South and South East, Ecobank, Mr. Kingsley Umadia; Area Manager, Delta South, Chinedu Okonkwo and Area Manager, Delta Central, Emmanuel Duku, at the hand over of multi-million naira female hostel complex to Delta State University

by Ecobank in Abraka, Delta State, weekend.

EPZ land controversy: ICM carpets Etoromi W

ARRI—ITSEKIRI Consolidated Movement, ICM, has berated the Seipakumor of Gbaramatu, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, Lt.-Col. Satchie Etoromi (rtd), over statements credited to him that Itsekiri's claim of Ikpokpo community, Ugborodo, was due to alleged fraudulent court judgment.

ICM, an Itsekiri sociocultural group, in its reaction, described Chief Etoromi’s outburst as a slap on the Nigerian judiciary.

It said: “If there is anything called fraudulently obtained judgment, Chief Etoromi is a major beneficiary, as majority of the contracts he has executed as community representative, particularly through his biological affinity with Itsekiri, are products of his alleged fraudulently obtained judgments.”

ICM, in a statement by its Chairman, Mr. Oritsegbegbemi Besidone, sought to know why Etoromi, who said that he is from Itsekiri, has “continually made himself a tool of ethnic disharmony by the Gbaramatu Ijaws.”

ICM said that Etoromi’s insinuation in reference to a purported letter written by the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, dated December 29, 1984 to the effect that they (Itsekiri)

allowed their land to be occupied by the Ijaw as a price the Itsekiri had to pay in the interest of peace and progress in the defunct Warri Division, was a clear indication of “a

strategic script by Etoromi’s pay masters to forcefully take Itsekiri lands at the slightest opportunity in the name of peace in Warri.”

Rivers 2015: I've no part in zoning arrangement —WIKE areas of the state, adding that he insinuations in certain quarters,

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IVERS State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant and former Minister of State for Education, Mr Nyesom Wike, has said that he had never participated in any meeting where zoning of the governorship position was agreed upon in the state, noting that he was in the governorship race as a collective will of Rivers people.

Wike, through his aide on media, Mr Simeon Nwakaudu, in Port Harcourt, during an interactive session with newsmen, challenged anyone with the records of such an agreement to make them public.

He noted that claims by some politicians on the issue were their personal opinions.

The said that the spread of his associates and supporters cuts across the 23 local government

will win both the PDP governorship primaries and the governorship elections all over the state.

He said that contrary to

he will not spend his time probing the outgoing administration if elected as Rivers State was in dire need of development.

Delta 2015: Orubebe assures on wealth creation

By Chris Ochayi

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BUJA—A Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship hopeful in Delta State, Elder Godsday Orubebe, has promised to provide meaningful economic engagement and empowerment activities for the youths and women in the state if elected governor come 2015.

Speaking while on a campaign tour to Olabrakopre community in Warri, Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state, Orubebe said

that wealth creation through economic engagement and empowerment activities would be one of his cardinal programmes if elected.

The former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, who spoke through his campaign organisation in a statement in Abuja, said: “Most of the vices committed by youths today are as a result of idleness. When a man is engaged in productive venture, he can hardly think of involving himself in questionable activities.”

Ogeah lauds conduct of PDP Assembly primaries

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HE peaceful conduct of state Assembly primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State, has been described by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Chike Ogeah, as a sign of good things to come to the state.

Ogeah, in a statement, yesterday, said: “On November 29, the PDP conducted primaries into the Delta State House of Assembly. A common feature in all the local government areas is the peace, transparency and camaraderie that characterized the exercise.

“We commend the maturity and discipline displayed by all the contestants and the diligence of officials of the PDP that conducted the primaries. The peaceful conduct and outcome show that PDP in Delta State is one disciplined party."

Oarhe clinches Edo SDP ticket for House of Reps

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R Dickson Oarhe, has emerged House of Representatives candidate for Owan federal constituency, Edo State on the platform of Social Democratic Party, SDP. Oarhe, who emerged at the party ’s primaries through consensus, thanked members of the party for picking him.

“I thank your efforts, prayers and commitment towards my victory. And to party delegates who took time to travel down from both Owan West and Owan East Local Government Areas, I say I am truly indebted to you all. My vision to salvage our people from the shackles of pains, inflicted on the majority of our people through the weak and u n d e m o c r a t i c maneuverings of the few political elites, has been rekindled.

“I say, we shall jointly overcome. The best is here,” he said.

Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014—13

Ibori’s daughter, others win PDP House of Assembly primaries in Delta

By Emma Amaize, Victor Ahiuma-Young, Festus Ahon, Egufe Yafugborhi & Brisibe Perez

A

SABA—MS Erhiatake Ibori, daughter of former Governor James Ibori, Mr Godwin Abigor, Speaker Peter Onwasanya, Mr. Pius Labo, Elegbete Moses Odibo and Mr Reuben Azeze, were among the winners at People’s Democratic Party, PDP, primaries for the 2015 state House of Assembly elections conducted, weekend.

Erhiatake won the Ethiope West constituency battle, said to have been boycotted by other aspirants, while Abigor polled 23 votes to displace the incumbent Omawunmi Udoh to grab the Warri South Constituency I ticket and Izeze, a former student union leader, sailed home unopposed in Ughelli South constituency.

The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr Peter Onwasanya, won the Oshimili South slot and incumbent member, Mr Adolphous Ojo shrugged off his opponents to clinch the Ukwuani ticket.

Mr Onwusanya described weekend's PDP primaries as a pointer to the unity of purpose among party members.

He insisted that the party provided a level playing ground for aspirants to test their popularity and described the election as peaceful, free and fair and commended party members for comporting themselves peacefully throughout the election period.

Mr Friday Osanebi repeated the same feat in Ndokwa West, polling 49 against his fellow contestants, Emeke Ozegbe, Ann Izi, Sam Chukwuji, Chike Ugwumadu, who scored three, two, one and zero respectively.

Mr Kennedy Daubry, Burutu South constituency, emerged for a second term in the primary election held at Tuomo town.

Daubry, who is the incumbent member representing Burutu South, won the primary election with19 votes against the other two aspirants, who got 10 votes and four votes respectively.

Mr. Pius Labo emerged the party’s candidate in Bomadi, in the primaries held at St. Brendan’s College, Bomadi (former Government College).

Amongst those that contested for the party’s ticket were a former chairman of the party in the council, Labo, who clinched the ticket from the serving member in the state Assembly, representing the

constituency, Oboro Preyor as well as two female aspirants Eniye Ayaoge and Eniekebi Edein-otu.

Former Commissioner in charge of Special Duties (Infrastructures), Mrs. Oreze Esievo emerged the party’s flag-bearer in Isoko South and the Deputy Chief Whip of the House Assembly, Mr Johnson Erijo, was returned unopposed in Isoko South.

Incumbent Efe Ofobruku won in Uvwie just as Tim Owhefere emerged in Isoko South and Dennis Omovie in Warri South Constituency II. Omovie, gunning for a fourth term in the state House of Assembly received 21 votes to clinch the Warri South II ticket against Erutega Okumagba, Vincent Okudolo and Jackson Omatsola, who got five votes

put together with Augustine Chike supervising as PDP Returning Officer.

Former commissioner, Elegbete Moses Odibo and the DESOPADEC Commissioner, Mr Michael Diden, won in Udu and Warri North,respectively. Odibo dislodged the incumbent, Ketson Okoro. In the results announced by the PDP Returning Officer, Mrs. Flora Alatan, Odibo, polled 30 votes to edge out incumbent Okoro, who got 20 votes while Isreal Macauley got 12 votes.

In Aniocha North state constituency, Mr. Uzomah Idabor won the ticket, while Lady Angela Nwaka picked the Aniocha South ticket. Mr Isaac Ulebor won in Ika South, while Tony Elekeokwuri triumphed in Ika North East.

It was not clear who got the ticket yet in Sapele as the Majority Leader of the House, Chief Monday Igbuya and his fellow contestants found themselves at contrasting venues during the primaries.

There were parallel primaries in Sapele, but the Majority Leader of the House of Assembly Chief Monday Igbuya, told Vanguard on phone, yesterday, that he won.

Returning Officer in Sapele, Mr. Tobechukwu Okonkwo, has disclaimed reports that one Chief Felix Anirah was declared the winner of the elections, insisting that out of 62 accredited voters, 61 delegates voted for the incumbent lawmaker, Mr. Monday Igbuya, while Anirah scored one vote, just as the third aspirant, Chief Ayemonor Lucky, scored zero.

PERMANENT VOTER CARDS: APC governorship aspirant in Rivers State, Mr. Dakuku Peterside (right) and member of the party's Board of Trustees, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, display their Permanent Voter Cards after collection in Opobo Town, Saturday.

Why APC’ll win in 2015, by Buhari

By Simon Ebegbulem

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former Head of State and presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, has said that the high quality of projects embarked upon by Governor Adams Oshiomhole in Edo State was a testimony to how the APC government at the federal level will turn the fortunes of the country around when voted into power in 2015.

Speaking at the commissioning of the AyogwiriApana-Okpekpe Road in Etsako East Local Government Area of the state on Saturday, Buhari said having commissioned some other projects in Benin City, he has no doubt that Edo

State was blessed with one of the most dynamic governors in the country.

He said: “A road like this Okpekpe Road will boost the economy and it is something that only government can provide as has been done by the Edo State Government.

When the roads are bad, farmers cannot take their produce to the city for sale, even when they do, it will be expensive.

“Projects like this are a testimony of the high level thinking of the APC and how the APC government will transform the country for good when it wins the election at the federal level in 2015.”

In his remark, Governor Oshiomhole said: “Even to survey this road was quite

problematic. But at the end, it was done. The amount required to construct it was frightening.

But I said to myself, there is nothing that is good that comes cheap and we were convinced that rural Nigeria should benefit from development.

“If government should touch everybody, we must then spread development to every part of the state, hence no terrain should be considered too expensive to develop. So, we decided to construct this road. As you have seen, we decided to do the commissioning here and not in the village, so that you can see the amount of work done on this road.

“I feel fulfilled that God has used us to make a difference in the lives of ordinary citizens."

Amaechi laid solid foundation in Rivers — Peterside

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HE All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in Rivers State, Mr Dakuku Peterside, has said that Governor Rotimi Amaechi has laid a formidable foundation of service delivery in the state, so he has no reason not to perform well if he emerges governor in the 2015 general elections.

Peterside, weekend, when he addressed supporters at Kono Waterfront shortly after he collected his Permanent Voter Card in Opobo Town Ward 3, said: “I want to express appreciation to Governor Amaechi who made efforts to make Rivers State great. He is a visionary leader who came and transformed the state. He has laid a solid foundation for me.

“I am surprised to meet you people of Kono here because, I didn’t contact anybody to gather you here to meet with me.

But, I believe, you heard I was coming home and I will pass through this route to my town, Opobo, that was why you decided to gather here to receive me. Let me remind you all that Kono and Opobo have been two neighbouring towns, which share common interests. I am sure that nearly every Opobo person has a family in Kono and I know that if I come to Kono, every Kono person will receive me into their homes. I think, this is a time that every Kono person should begin to kneel down and thank God for locating us,” Peterside said.

He added that his administration, if voted into power, will eliminate poverty and build on the economic potentials of the state to achieve a better life for all Rivers people.

“When we assume power in 2015, I will wipe out poverty. I will ensure that the economic potentials are realistic in building a new Rivers State, and that I believe we can do with the help of God Almighty. All we need to do is to give our leaders support."

14 — Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014 — 15

BOKO HARAM: Don't blame the soldiers for poor performance —Buhari

By Austin Ogwuda

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NUGU — FORMER Military Head of State and a presidential aspirant of All Progressives Congress, APC, General Muhamadu Buhari, (retd), weekend, said it was wrong to blame Nigerian soldiers over the country's inability to root out Boko Haram insurgent.

According to him, since no attention had been paid to soldiers' complaints about lack of equipment to tackle the insurgents headlong, despite huge money voted for defence sector.

He spoke in Enugu while addressing state delegates of APC to the forthcoming presidential primaries of the party in Enugu.

Exonerating the Nigerian military, Buhari said, “Soldiers have been complaining that they are ill equipped, in spite of the trillions budgeted for defence in the last three years. If you consider the revenue Nigeria has generated since 1999, you will be shocked at how inefficient and corrupt PDP has been. Soldiers have been saying they are ill equipped, yet trillions have been voted for defence in the last three years. If we don’t vote out PDP

we will all be the losers. Cast your votes for us so that we can all fight this inefficiency and corruption.”

He observed that 2015 would turn out to be another landmark year in the country’s history and advised party members to get their Permanent Voters Cards, PVC’s as it was the only

ammunition to vote out PDP and also ensure that their votes counted in the 2015 general elections.

He was accompanied by former Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Malam Nasir El Rufai and Chief Audu Ogbe.

General Chris Eze (retd) who responded on behalf of other

delegates, described Buhari as the President Nigeria needed, noting that with him as President, Nigeria would once again, be sure of having a Commander and in Chief that knew his onion and recalled how the Maitasine sect was driven away from Nigeria into Chad during his (Buhari) reign as the Head of State.

AWARDS: Ebele Ogbue, Managing Director, UBA Europe (right); Charles Aigbe, Divisional Head, Marketing and Corporate Relations, UB (left), and Fiona Bruce of the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, at the Annual Banker Awards in London where UBA won Bank of the Year in Africa.

Vanguard reporter wins Pearl Awards Capital Market Reporter of the Year V

ANGUARD MEDIA Limited Capital Market Reporter, Peter Egwuatu, yesterday, was among individuals and corporate entities in the Nigerian Capital Market honoured at the 2014 PEARL Awards.

Egwuatu won the PEARL Awards 2014 Capital Market Reporter of the year.

Presenting the Award, Mr. Tayo Orekoya, President/Chief Executive, PEARL Awards Project said “the Award is part of your

recognition and outstanding performance in the reportage and objective analysis of activities in the Nigerian Capital Market, thereby contributing immensely to the development of the Nigerian Capital Market and economy as a whole.”

Meanwhile, the companies that won the Market Excellence Awards are: Arbico Plc (Turnover Growth); Roads Nigeria Plc (Earnings Yield); Arbico Plc (Return on Equity); Sterling

Bank Plc (Dividend Yield); Prescott Plc (Dividend Cover); MRS Oil Nigeria Plc (Net Asset Ratio); Dangote Cement Plc (Profit Margin Ratio); Forte Oil Plc (Share Price Appreciation) Thirteen other companies that won the Sectoral Leadership Awards include UAC Nigeria Plc, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Nestle Nigeria Plc, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, among others.

Other Special Honorary

Ex-Abia dep gov back on gov race

By Eric Ugbor

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BA — FORMER deputy governor of Abia State, Chris Akomas, has made a sudden return to the political scene amidst rousing welcome by hundreds of his supporters who thronged to Sam Mbakwe Airport Owerri to welcome him.

Akomas, who was governorship aspirant on the platform of Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA, in the last general elections, served as deputy to incumbent governor, Theodore Orji, in his first term in 2010, but contested against his former boss.

He lost the election and, thereafter, steered clear of the political scene until his recent foray into politics again.

Sources said he may contest under All Progressives Congress, APC. However, the mammoth crowd that greeted Akomas on arrival at Sam Mbakwe International Airport, Imo State, almost four years after staying off both national and state issues, showed that the former Abia number two still has his supporters intact.

Unconfirmed report has it that the former deputy governor may likely contest for the position of governorship in 2015 in the state under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Akomas, who made his first public appearance at the Palace of Enyi 1 of Aba, Eze Isaac Ikonne, said: “It is time for us to come together to make our state better. If there are people with

pockets of efforts to improve on Abia State, let us make those pockets of efforts into a sea or ocean that flows with force to make Abia and Nigeria better. Let us come together to improve on the welfare of our people, to grow our economy better than what we have today.”

On his absence from public scene, the former deputy governor said: “Let me confirm that politics is part of our living.

We are all political animals and once you are involved, you continue. I may not be making noise. I may not have made noise, but I have been in politics.

“There is time to be public and time to be private. It is time to come public so that our people’s situation can improve.”

Awardees include: Mr. Devakumar V .G Edwin, CEO, Dangote Cement Plc as Most Outstanding CEO Award; Chief Joseph Sanusi, former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Governor as the PEARL Special Recognition Award for Capital Market Development.

PEARL (Performance Earnings and Returns Leadership) Awards Project is a non profit, nonpartisan and non-governmental initiative which had over the years positioned itself as one of the most credible, distinguished and respected corporate events in Nigeria.

Pearl Awards was instituted in 1995.

Health sector to get $1m through innovation challenge

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I G E R I A’ S HEALTH-CARE sector is set to attract $1 million investment to Save One Million Lives of women and children from preventable causes such as malaria, malnutrition, lack of access to life-saving commodities, suboptimal supply chain systems amongst others.

This landmark investment which is driven by the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria, a public-private coalition aimed at mobilising Nigeria ‘s private sector to improve health outcomes, is via a Health Innovation Challenge (HIC).

This initiative, which is the first of its kind in Africa, will enable Nigeria accelerate progress in achieving health related MDGs as the 2015 target hots up.

The HIC, which will be launched on December 5th, 2014 by leading private sector business leaders in Nigeria including Herbert Wigwe (CEO, Access Bank and chair of the innovation challenge), Aliko Dangote,. Jim Ovia, will identify and support promising innovative models to improve healthcare service delivery in Nigeria’s comatose healthcare system Supported innovations include new technologies, unlocking markets and process innovations targeted at addressing evidencebased healthcare challenges that respond to various geopolitical and socio-cultural peculiarities in Nigeria.

Tinubu, Amosun to grace Iyalode Tinubu’s 127th remembrance

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ORMER GOVERNOR of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun are among the eminent personalities expected at the 127th historic remembrance ceremony of the late Iyalode of Egbaland, Iyalode Efunroye Tinubu, holding on December 3, 2014 at Kemta, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

In a press statement jointly signed by Chief Alaba Lawson (MFR), the fourth Iyalode of Egbaland and Mr. Lekan

Ademoye Tinubu, secretary of Tinubu family, all the Egba and other women will assemble at Ake Palace at 8 a.m. for procession to Iyalode Tinubu’s tomb at Ijokodo by 11am.

Series of other activities including Muslim prayer session and a thanksgiving service at the Cathedral of St. James African Church, IdiApe, Abeokuta on Sunday, December 7, 2014, have been listed as parts of the annual celebration.

16—Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

Abia town unions reject imposition of candidates

By Ikenna Asomba

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HEAD of 2015 governorship election in Abia State, national youth wing of the Abia State Town Unions Association, ASTUA, weekend, rejected attempts

by Governor Theodore Orji or any other individual to impose candidate on the citizens.

This came as ASTUA gave a one-week ultimatum to all aspirants to appear before it to unveil their plans for the state if elected.

Speaking during its executive meeting, in Lagos, tagged “Good Governance Advocacy Project,” President/Youth Leader of ASTUA, Ikenna James, noted that what the state needed at the moment was one who could transform it, especially in the areas of education, health, good roads and infrastructures, and not anointed individual from any of the political parties.

He said: “All the union is asking for is a level playing field for all the governorship candidates.

They should be given equal rights, so that the masses will vote for the right person."

‘Insurgency claims 200 Igbo in Borno'

By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri GBO Welfare Association, IWA, a socio-cultural body for Igbo people residing in Borno State, weekend, said more than 200 members of the Igbo community lost their lives and property worth millions of naira since the beginning of insurgency in the state.

President general of the association in the state, Chief Maclaw Nwaogu, gave the figures during the inauguration of the new executives and award ceremony at Barwee International Hotel in Maiduguri, the state capital.

Nwaogu appealed to Governor Kashim Shettima to assist the Ndigbo who had been rendered widows and orphans as well as other non indigenes, many of whom he said had migrated but still suffering destitution as a result of the loss of their breadwinners to the Boko Haram insurgency.

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2015: Kwankwaso flays endorsement of Jonathan

By Austin Ogwuda, Enugu

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ANO State governor and a presidential aspirant of All Progressives Congress, APC, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, yesterday, in Enugu described the adoption of President Goodluck Jonathan as the sole presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the 2015 general election as a sign of weakness.

Fielding questions from newsmen after meeting with APC delegates from Enugu, Ebonyi and Anambra States, Kwankwaso said, “I see that as a positive development for the party (APC). Weak parties have no candidates. Medium strong parties have, maybe one candidate. A mega party like APC should have as many candidates as possible.

“And not only number, you can also look at the quality. That shows clearly that God willing, come 2015, APC will defeat PDP. If you look at it in 1999, we had real primary elections in Jos, so also in 2003 when we had sitting President. 2007, we had primary election. We also had primary in 2011 when we also had a sitting president.

Now, PDP has gone from grace to grass. Today, they have only one candidate. They call it sole candidate. Jonathan is now the sole administrator of PDP. That is a sign of weakness of PDP. That also clearly shows that PDP has gone down, and God’s willing, we will kick it out, just like we are trying to kick out polio in the North”.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu and leaders of All Progressives Congress, in the Lagos Central Senatorial District, during courtesy visit to thank her supporters for her first term and to indicate interest in returning to the senate for 2nd term, at the Lagos Island Local Government, Lagos

Insecurity: Delta NLC appeals to Uduaghan

By Victor AhiumaYoung

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ELTA State Council of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, weekend, urged Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to tame the rising insecurity in the state, especially kidnapping of innocent citizens While applauding the recent release of the Delta State University, DELSU, lecturer, Dr. Nyerhouwo Tonukari, and his younger brother, Mr. Tega Tonukari, from kidnappers’ den, the congress said that organised labour in Delta State was shocked at the resurgence of activities of kidnappers in the state.

Chairman of the state NLC, Mr. Williams Akporeha, who spoke in Asaba, said while the union welcomed the release of Dr. Nyerhouwo Tonukari and Mr. Tega Tonukari, from kidnappers’ den "we condemn the upsurge in kidnapping activities in the state. We use this opportunity to appeal to the State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, to do all within his power to tame the rising insecurity in the state."He said he was appealing to those involved in the criminal activities that instead of taking to criminality such as kidnapping,

Anambra PDP factions issue new lists

By Vincent Ujumadu

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WKA—FACTIONS of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Anambra State, weekend, released different lists of perceived successful candidates for the State House of Assembly for next year’s elections after holding meetings in obscure places in Awka.

While those expected to vote at the primaries trooped to the earlier designated venues for the exercise in all the local government areas of the state as early as 8am, factional leaders stayed in hotels in Awka where they later released names.

At about 6pm on Saturday when it became obvious that there was not going to be any voting, those who assembled at the venues went home yet names of winners still emerged.

However, a team from the

national secretariat of the party was at Doris Hotels in a remote area of Awka where it conducted its own primaries, while another group led by Chief Kenneth Emeakayi held its primaries in another hall in Awka.

Though, the exercise was conducted by three different groups, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, which recognized the Ejike Oguebego group led by the self acclaimed god father, Chief Chris Uba, said it was satisfied with the exercise.

INEC spokesperson in the state, Mr. Frank Egbo, said the commission recognized and supervised the Mr Ejike Oguebego- led PDP during the State Assembly primaries.

According to Egbo, what INEC monitored was PDP primaries and not any faction, adding that it was not interested in any group except the party.

they should take the advantage of the numerous entrepreneurial initiatives being provided by the state government, particularly the N2 billion Central Bank of

Nigeria, CBN, development fund for micro, small and medium enterprises, launched recently in the state to build capacity and be self employed.

Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014 — 17

C M Y K

18 — Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014 THOSE aghast at attacks on judges in Ekiti State seem not to appreciate the implications of impunity. Criminals – of all shades – act mostly in the comfort that the law would not inconvenience them. Where they are able to intimidate law enforcement agents, they become more brazen.

Ekiti is the symptom, not the illness. The journey of diminishing the police, and other agencies of law enforcement, has arrived at a new bus stop, the judiciary. Threats to, and physical assaults on judges, in their courts, before the public, could be seen as the height of impunity, but it could get worse.

The biggest danger with impunity is that it bolsters the confidence of the criminals involved, and creates another level of lawlessness, where judges are not only afraid of a few slaps, but know their lives are at risk. Judgments would be affected, or some cases may not be heard, to protect the interests of criminals.

If judges can be assaulted while sitting, where would they be safe? If judges are not safe, who is safe? If thugs and their sponsors successfully cow the judiciary, they would over run the rest of us.

Ending Escalating Impunity Why do criminals prosper in a society with structures to maintain law and order? Why could the violation of courts, unimaginable years back, happen? The police, the first line of protection for the law, have been compromised. They are rented out to protect individual interests, rather than the society’s. It does not matter to the police if those interests obstruct justice. The setting is reminiscent of incidents in countries where drug barons and other criminals control the system. Violation of the judiciary by political barons is worse.

With power as their target, they acquire everything.

The executive deliberately minimises the powers of the judiciary through low allocation of resources and poor execution of policies that could enhance the constitutionally awarded freedom of the judiciary. These encumbrances mean that the criminals, who violated Ekiti courts, would not be punished. Would they?

Complaints about the low number of policemen at court premises, as a possible reason for the ease with which criminals assaulted judges in Ekiti, fail to address the motivation of the police. Are they interested in protecting justice? Did they perceive the incident in Ekiti as an affront to law and order? Did they not merely watch while the criminals operated?

Ekiti is not an isolated case. The judiciary is under much strain though the resistance Ekiti judges offered may not obtain elsewhere.

Until we punish this new wave of impunity, when we need justice we could discover there are no judges to dispense it because criminals have scared them away.

OPINION

By John Ainofenokhai

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s recent declaration to, once again, vie for the Presidency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has deepened the discourse on his achievements thus far. The opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, is crying itself hoarse that Jonathan has not achieved anything. The PDP, and several other groups sympathetic to the President, are presenting, yes, shouting an unending list of Jonathan’s achievements across all media platforms.

What then should the ordinary Nigerian believe?

To all intents and purposes, Jonathan and all the other Nigerians who aspire to ascend the Presidency on May 29, 2015, are applying for a job. Every Nigerian who is of voting age; has a valid voter card, and no legal impediment against casting a vote on February 14, 2015, is a potential employer of Jonathan and all the other presidential job seekers.

What do potential employers ask job seekers to do? Submit their curriculum vitae and if deemed suitable, they may be invited for an aptitude test and/or interview. At every job interview, job seekers can expect to answer one obligatory question among others. That mandatory question is: What have you accomplished thus far in your career that makes you believe you are the right candidate for this job?

Prior to his re-election bid declaration, many Jonathan sympathisers had complained that his accomplishments were under-reported, especially in the print media. Mindful of this anomaly and the fact that the propaganda machinery of his detractors is presently in overC M Y K

Why should Nigerians vote Jonathan again? drive to discredit him, Jonathan brought a long list of accomplishments to his declaration, an event that could be likened to a job interview.

The first significant accomplishments Jonathan mentioned were the commencement of the Presidential Initiative for the North East, establishment of the Victim Support Fund and the Safe School Initiative. He said: “The Presidential Initiative for the Northeast is focused on improving infrastructure and economic growth in the region. The Safe School Initiative is centred on creating a safe environment to encourage our children in the communities to acquire education. The Victim Support Fund, a partnership with the Private Sector, has raised about N60 billion, which will help to empower and rehabilitate victims of terror.”

Equally conscious of the fact that his employers face electricity challenges, President Jonathan signposted the direction in which he has led the country. According to him, in the electricity sector, “Nigeria has undertaken a most transparent and corruption free bidding process, attracting global commendation.

The on-going 450MW Azura Power Plant in Edo State is a testimony to the success of this transformation.” Jonathan further added: “We have also resumed development of our Hydro-Power potential, with the construction of the 700MW Zungeru Hydro-Power Plant, while construction work on the 3,050MW Mambilla Hydro-Power Plant is about to take off.”

Concerning potable water and provision of sanitation infrastructure, President Jonathan

said: “In the past three and a half years, the water sector has witnessed unprecedented improvement. Access to potable water is now 67%, up from 58% in 2010, while sanitation coverage is 41%, from 32% within the same period.”

As important as electricity and potable water may be, these things cannot be more important to Nigerians than food production.

Therefore, President Jonathan knew well enough to give a clear report of what he had done in that aspect. He said: “We are reforming the National Urban Water supply programmes in 12 states, with 385 formal and informal irrigation projects, covering... (an extensive) land area cultivated mostly by small holder farmers. This has yielded over three million metric tons of assorted grains and vegetables, with a market value of about N45 billion.”

Thereafter, Jonathan continued reciting his long list of 150 new Almajiri schools, railways and roads reconstructed, airports refurbished, and new bridges built around the country. But something that must have struck many Nigerians as innovative and interesting was what he had to say about the country’s major inland waterway.

While presenting the report of his leadership, Jonathan said: “My administration has successfully completed the dredging of the lower River Niger from Baro in Niger State to Warri in Delta State. The cheering news is that over 6.7 million passengers and over 1.6 million tons of cargo have been moved through this channel in less than three years.”

To illustrate his leadership in the rapid industrialisation of the country, President Jonathan reported: “Our support for cement production is unprecedented. We have increased our installed capacity from 16.5 million metric tons per annum in 2011 to 39.5 million metric tons per annum in 2014. Nigeria is now exporting cement.”

On the issue of jobs, the President stated: “Our efforts to create an enabling environment for job creation in different sectors of the economy, including the MSME sector, agriculture, housing and manufacturing have yielded results. Between the third quarter of 2012, when we started tracking jobs created and the end of 2013, 1.9 million jobs were created. To deepen our success in this area, I have created a Presidential Jobs Creation Board headed by the Vice President with the mandate to create at least two million jobs a year.”

Despite all that, perhaps the most important thing that President Jonathan said at his reelection bid declaration, which I consider a veritable enabler, is his claim to having provided an atmosphere for freedom of expression. Read him: “Let me re-affirm that under a Jonathan Presidency, your views, no matter how freely expressed, will not send you to prison or into exile.” This, for me, is fundamental and represents the greatest democracy dividend; and no other presidential aspirant has demonstrated that he can be as tolerant as Jonathan. For this and all the other reasons enumerated above, Jonathan will surely get the vote of this writer on February 14, 2015. *Mr Ainofenokhai, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Lagos

Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014— —19

Why our democracy is under threat

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By Dan Amor

AW Mefor’s recently published piece, “2015 AND ECHOES OF ANARCHY” is quite revealing. The piece captures the unguarded pronouncements of leading members of the major opposition political party in Nigeria, the All Progressives Congress, APC, as preparations for the 2015 general elections gather momentum. In it, the Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was quoted as saying at the Walk Rally of APC in Abuja recently that the party would form a parallel government should the outcome of the 2015 presidential election not favour it. Amaechi went as far as saying that his party would spearhead civil disobedience in the country if they lose the election.

The piece also alluded to such volatile statements made by other leading members of the APC, including its national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun who postulated that: “If we do not see any discernible change of attitude on the part of the government, then we will move to the next stage on the list of actions that our party intends to take to stop the rot being perpetuated by the PDP-led Federal Government.”

General Muhammadu Buhari, Amaechi’s preferred candidate for the 2015 presidential election for his party, was also reported to have said in 2012 that 2015 would be bloody.

Given these unsavory comments by so-called ‘democrats’ and ‘progressives’, it has indeed become too evident that the greatest obstacle to Nigeria’s political advancement which has culminated in its socioeconomicunderdevelopment,isthe

absence of sportsmanship on the part of our politicians to accept defeat at the polls. It is this same dilemma that brought about the fall of the First Republic, the abrupt end of the SecondRepublicandtheannulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by the late Chief M. K. O. Abiola.

It will be recalled that in a statement dated July 20, 2014 and released the following day, entitled: “PullBackNigeriaFromTheBrink”, Buhari said that Nigeria was headed for anarchy as the consequence of the impeachment threat to the then governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako. It was the lead story of one of the national dailies. The action of the estranged Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal who invaded the Lower Chamber of the National Assembly with members sympathetic to him is another clear evidence of the plan of the leading opposition political party to possibly unleash mayhem on the country. In fact, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, another chieftain of the APC has never hidden his preference for violence as against a decent and civilized political culture. He was recently summoned by the Directorate of State Security over his comment on the possibility of violence engulfing Nigeria if the 2015 election did not favour his party and that such violence would be necessary if it would be the only way to ensure the removal of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan from office.

What this portends is that the leading opposition party in the country is not even preparing for the elections but is busy arming its supporters to unleash violence in the

country in 2015. It is probable that this menace has assumed a conceptual historical trend in the country. The 1964 Western regional election crisis that culminated in the 1966 military coup was the handiwork of opposition politicians who had always demonstrated a high degree of intolerance and the lack of sportsmanship to accept defeat at the polls. The coupists were later to confess that they were induced by aggrieved politicians to take over power from their colleagues. In the political upheaval that buried the First Republic, the Northern traditionalists lost power to modernist members of the dominant class- administrators, military officers, members of the learned professions and businessmen- in their part of the country. This was what enhanced the cohesion of the dominant class in Nigeria as a whole. Ever since, dominant class interest has remained the name of the game.

Even in the Second Republic, the National Party of Nigeria, the main political vehicle of the conservative

Politicians who are sponsoring insurgency against their country must be stopped before it is too late

class was by far more practicable and viable than the conservative party of the First Republic. It was also by far the most broadly based of the five majorpartiesoftheSecondRepublic.

The avowedly socialistic Unity Party of Nigeria and the more avowedly Marxian socialist People’s Redemption Party were exceptionallywellrunpartiesaswere the Nigerian Peoples Party and its twin, the Great Nigerian Peoples Party. But in spite of their individual progressive bent and populist swagger, none of these parties threatened to unleash violence on the nation because it failed to control the central government. Of course, it was glaring that our politicians are bad losers who would not entertain anyrestraintincallingfortheremoval of a democratically elected government if electoral fortunes fail to favour them. But where has that taken the country to? The Second Republic opposition politicians bribed the military to overthrow the Shehu Shagari government in December 1983. Did the military spare the states controlled by the opposition parties? Were the opposition governors not rewarded with various prison terms as well as their colleagues in the ruling party by the Buhari/Idiagbon military junta? Some of them died shortly after they were released from prison.

Evenwhentheoppositionpoliticians of the Babangida still-born transition instigated the military to annul the June 12, 1993 election won by the Social Democratic Party, were they not forced into self-exile by the Abacha junta that succeeded the Babangida administration?

If the military had allowed the Shagari government to wobble and

fumble until they were able to hone their politics to a considerable art, Nigeria would have been in the league of the world’s medium powers and industrialized nations like the United Arab Republic, Malaysia or India. The political crisis in India, for instance, which resulted to the assassination of her Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Ghandi and the eventual assassination of her son and successor, Rajiv Ghandi, by a separatist wing of the party did not spur the Indian military high commandtocometothecentrestage of that nation’s politics until the politicians were able to sort out themselves. Today, India exports over half a million scientists annually to the Silicon Valley of the United States who manufacture made-inUS goods. This is the result of political stability in a developing country. India gained political independence from Britain in 1947.

But that country could achieve so much in the past 67 years because, unlike Pakistan,its closest neighbours, Indian military allowed politicians to make their mistakes until they consolidated the democratic advancement of their country.

So, those politicians who are desperate to capture power for the sake of it; who are sponsoring insurgency against their country in order to make the polity ungovernable for President Jonathan, must be stopped before it is too late. Some of them are even busy holding nocturnal meetings tryingtoinciteasectionofthemilitary to take over the government. Some have vowed to go into exile in 2015 rather than stay in Nigeria to see Jonathan continue as President of Nigeria.

•Mr Amor, a journalist and public affairs analyst, wrote from Abuja.

Hunters, Boko Haram and a maligned Army

By Johnson Momodu

THE story of David and Goliath re mains a popular and fascinating tale. A young shepherd slays a seasoned and — by some accounts— gigantic soldier. This story plays into the narrative of the underdog emerging triumphant despite overwhelming odds. And everybody loves a victorious underdog. Everybody likes to see the big, bad bully get his comeuppance. It is in this context that we need to interrogate the uplifting, yet highly implausible accounts of hunters with dane guns overpowering Boko Haram insurgents armed with rocket propelled grenades and armoured vehicles.

Additionally, the reported victory of hunters over Boko Haram terrorists is not just about portraying the Nigerian Army as either cowardly, incompetent, or both. In the run-up to the 2015 general elections, it should be clear that the reverberation of such portrayal goes beyond the Army. It aims at discrediting the Army’s Commander-in-Chief, President Goodluck Jonathan.

To grasp the essence of the entire hunters’ charade, look no further than the recent fulminations of Chief John OdigieOyegun, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress. According to Odigie-Oyegun’s confused logic, “President Goodluck Jonathan is so desperate to win re-election that it will now appear that there is a secret understanding that our security forces should turn a blind eye to the Boko

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Haram insurgency, so that the insurgents can occupy as much territory as possible and make elections impossible in these areas, knowing full well these are APC strongholds.

“Otherwise, how does one explain that local hunters carrying dane guns and amulets are capable of dislodging the dreaded Boko Haram while our once proud army, which has distinguished itself in and out of the country, has failed?”

Therein lies the illogicality of OdigieOyegun’s vituperations. How can hunters achieve what, in his own words, “our once proud army, which has distinguished itself in and out of the country, has failed” to achieve? It is s i m p l y unfathomable that a man of Odigie- The Oyegun’s stature President and could indulge in celebrating the the security incredible hunters’ forces, tale without taking cognisance of the including the fact that he is Nigerian simply joining in standing logic on Army, deserve its head. support, not Then again, Odigie-Oyegun is condemnation

not a man who lacks the ability to discern what is plausible and what isn’t. So in going ahead to indulge this hunters’ victory fantasy, it must be because he is interested in perpetrating the narrative of a failing Army. In so doing, Odigie-Oyegun continues the APC’s self-defeating tactic of maligning the Army, hoping ultimately to undermine the Army’s Commander-inChief. What a crying shame!

As the Canada-based Nigerian journalist, Tunde Asaju, posted on his Facebook page: “Some stories should not be written. The story of hunters killing 80 haramists breaks every law of plausibility. It doesn’t add up...”. Indeed, the hunters’ story beggars belief.

In all this hoopla about a purported victory by hunters, it is easy to forget that the Nigerian Army has foiled many Boko Haram attacks, a number of which simply go either unremarked or under-reported.

It is the same self-defeatist negativity propagated by the APC and its vocal media supporters that is behind the continuing attempt to diminish the good work being done by the security forces, including the Army, in stopping bomb attacks.

Lest we forget, at the inauguration of the Victims Support Fund Committee by President Jonathan not so long ago, it was made known that Nigerian security personnel prevent about a thousand attacks for each successful one carried out by the Boko Haram. This statistics, which Jonathan

revealed in his speech at the event, was the first official indication of the enormous scale of the insurgency crisis facing Nigeria today.

Speaking on the determination of the Federal Government to crush the terror group, Jonathan said: “It is now just a matter of time. I call on all Nigerians to stand together in support of our security agencies against terrorism. They are working night and day under difficult circumstances. It is unfortunate that when our security personnel prevent 1,000 attacks, it is the one attack that succeeds that makes headline news and tends to portray our security agencies as not doing enough.”

If Nigerian security forces prevent 1,000 attacks for each successful one carried out

by Boko Haram, the question all fair-minded Nigerians should ask is: How then can it be said that the security forces are losing the war against Boko Haram? How can the Nigerian Army, which continues to do its best under strenuous conditions, be so maligned by some of the same Nigerians that the soldiers are laying down their lives for?

Whatever the truth may be, it is certainly not encapsulated in the oversimplification which the hunters’ purported victory over Boko Haram represents. But in these times, when the excoriation of Jonathan •Mr Momodu, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Benin City.

20—Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

F

ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo is haunting his hand-picked former protégé, President Goodluck Jonathan, like a malevolent ghost. You may wonder why OBJ, after four years as a military ruler and another eight years as an elected president, is still butting like a stubborn, demonpossessed ram at the doors of Aso Villa, Abuja? What does he still want? What did he forget in the seat of power after occupying it for 12 years? Why can’t he just go home and enjoy his new-found affluence after his latest eight years as president during which he doubled as Minister of Petroleum Resource for six years?

If you put this question before Obasanjo he will tell you it is because he “loves” Nigeria; he is a great “nationalist”, and he cannot keep quiet when things are going wrong. He will conveniently hide the fact that he is the cause of many of our problems.

Political interests He will not accept responsibility. Instead, he will divert attention and point accusing fingers at others, making accusations that he is also guilty of a million times over. In the process, Obasanjo succeeds in hoodwinking a few gullible, uninformed Nigerians and raises applause among those whose political interests resonate with his objective of bringing down a sitting president.

But those of us who know him probably more than he knows himself are not carried away. We know his motives and methods all too well. Obasanjo’s estranged daughter, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, in a letter in January this year in which she disowned her father, told us Obasanjo believes in his heart

OBJ, the prowling goat seller he “owns” Nigeria. President Jonathan, in his own angry rejoinder to a windy, scathing attack by Obasanjo, likened the Ota poultry farmer to a goat seller who, after selling his goat and pocketing the money, still holds on to the goat’s tether rope. In other words, Obasanjo, after handpicking and installing people in power, seeks to control them. When they refuse to be at his beck and call, he starts to fight dirty in the public square because he has come to see the Nigerian seat of power as his personal booty.

After all, he fought the civil war and collected the instrument of surrender from Biafra. We have since heard the truth about how Obasanjo fought that war. One of the civil war commanders, Brigadier Godwin Alabi-Isama, in his book: The Tragedy of Victory, actually described OBJ as a coward. In various interviews after the book was published, he disclosed that Obasanjo has bullet wounds on his buttocks. This means he was shot while running away from enemy onslaught! But he makes loud noises about his civil war “heroism” and feels entitled to exclusive freebooting on our national estate.

Obasanjo is confronting GEJ because the president is a gentleman. He could not try it with the late President Umaru Yar ’ Adua, who was much tougher and savvier in the game of power than Jonathan. As sick as Yar’Adua was, he was able to curtail Obasanjo’s goat-seller

mentality and keep him tightly leashed. Those were the days when people like Nasir el Rufai actually bolted to America and only returned to become a troublemaker because Jonathan is a gentleman. This same Obasanjo troubled General Babangida when the latter was in power because Babangida respected him. But when he tried it with General Abacha, we know what happened.

Obasanjo came out of jail in 1998 looking like an exhumed corpse.

Besides, Obasanjo is a master in the game of hypocrisy. He likes to call other people thieves, and he is the first to accuse another person of being corrupt.

The idea is to divert attention from his own unquantifiable deeds that fabulously enriched him, both as a military leader and elected president. Sound Sultan, one of Nigeria’s most creative avant-garde musicians, has a song he entitled: "One day

People who destroyed Nigeria in their 40 years of total brigandage are ganging up as the “opposition” to return us to where they left us in 1999, and Obasanjo has become their fireeating generalissimo

bushmeat go catch de hunter".

In it he sang: “Ole de shout ole”.When you catch a pickpocket red-handed, to avoid being lynched he begins to shout: “ole!, ole!!”

(Thief!Thief!!).Was it not under Obasanjo that bags of money meant to induce lawmakers to impeach a political enemy of the president were displayed in the House of Representatives? Yet he calls MPs “looters”.

When Abacha raised the pump prices of petroleum in 1994 he established the Petroleum Trust Fund, PTF and used the proceeds to intervene in infrastructural reconstruction.

Where did Obasanjo put proceeds of eight price hikes that took fuel price from N22 to N65 per litre over eight years?

At least, Jonathan ploughs back his own increase from N65 to N97 into a fuel subsidy regime that guarantees steady fuel supply and funds for the implementation of Subsidy Reinvestment Programmes, SURE-P, nationwide. Fuel subsidy was bedevilled by corruption, but it is working. We are enjoying it. But we can’t see anything Obasanjo did with his own extra N43 per litre. Billions were sunk into the refineries but they never worked. Billions were wasted on Independent Power Plants, but turbines were imported and left for years at the ports because they could not be moved inland. Government companies were sold for pennies to fronts and cronies.

But in four years, Jonathan has laid down a clear agenda to overcome the challenges of the power sector. It is very slowgoing, but is moving forward, with zero reports of corruption in the sector which is now mainly in private hands.

Yes indeed, Jonathan has his problems as a leader. He is too laid back about fighting corruption. It doesn’t seem to bother him. President Jonathan is too much in the background

as my leader. I like my leaders there up front, inspiring me with words, deeds and examples. I like them tough and decisive, but always putting the interest of the nation first. I don’t like walking up front and looking back for my leader. Thirdly, I don’t like the way Jonathan has handled Boko Haram. If he had done the needful things two years ago, we would not have the second largest number of displaced persons in the world, with parts of our territory under devilish Salafist Islamists.

I also have reasons to believe that if the Jonathan regime was given the support it needed, it would have recorded more successes than any other in our history. The quest by regional hawks to snatch power by all means, tied to the Boko Haram terror war and jackal-like opposition, have taken a toll on all of us. No regime has been sabotaged by the same people it strives to save from their enemies the way some Northern leaders have undermined the Jonathan regime. People who destroyed Nigeria in their 40 years of total brigandage are ganging up as the “opposition” to return us to where they left us in 1999, and Obasanjo has become their fireeating generalissimo.

If Jonathan is a problem, Obasanjo created it by selecting him to pair with a terminally ill Yar ’Adua, so that he (OBJ) would call the shots from Ota. Yar’ Adua and Jonathan were his “Plan B” after he failed to grab third term. I agree with former Speaker, House of Representatives, Umar Ghali Na’Abba, that if Obasanjo looks into the mirror he will see the trouble with Nigeria.

The goat seller wants his goat back after pocketing his profit.

Well, Nigeria is not Obasanjo’s goat. The earlier he gets the message the better for him – and us all.

OPINION

By Jesutega Onokpasa

A

THLETICS Federation of Nigeria, AFN, President, Evangelist Solomon Omamoezi Ogba is one fellow I feel has been unfairly under-celebrated in Nigeria.

A consummate politician and sports administrator par excellence, Ogba, who has bagged a variety of academic qualifications, is currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Sports Management from the United States Sports Academy, Damphine, Alabama, United States of America. But Ogba’s pedigree can by no means be encapsulated within his academic profile. He is, without an iota of a doubt, a go-getter of uncommon achievement in public service.

Ogba was at a time, Sole Administrator of Sports in Delta before becoming Commissioner of Sports, two roles in which he recorded enviable successes, having led the state to a succession of tournaments firmly confirming Delta as the pre-eminent sporting state in Nigeria. In his other roles, he has similarly delivered sterling commitment to achieving results in a manner unambiguously establishing his status as a performer rather than a mere benchwarmer. As for his achievements as C M Y K

Solomon Ogba: Celebrating an achiever AFN President, they crucially signpost a paradigm shift in sports administration in a sports-loving nation where scant attention is paid to real development of sports. Indeed, his contribution to sports development in Delta State and Nigeria at large sufficiently sets him apart as the best Minister of Sports we have never had.

Ogba’s approach to sports administration obviously incorporates an astonishing zeal to produce results in defiance of the most profoundly contradicting odds, even to the extent of coughing out money from his own pocket in service to the fatherland.

The depth of patriotic stewardship Ogba has displayed throughout his sterling career in sports administration can easily be recommended as a template for rejuvenating sports as a unifier in our unfortunately critically divided nation.

Having proved beyond all reasonable doubt that he is indeed a sports administrator of exceptional commitment, profound patriotism and uncommon resourcefulness, it is rather perplexing that

he has, so far, not been presented with the challenge of being Minister for Sports.

Indeed it is time for the appointment of our Sports Minister to be entirely depoliticised to the effect that a Minister of Sports may come from any state regardless of the preferred equality of states in the federal cabinet. Sports is so crucial to our nation-building effort that even when a Minister or Minister of State has been appointed from each state, the Minister of Sports may come from any of those states entirely on the credentials of his competence and exploits in sports administration.

Always unassuming, never rushing to the front to be noticed and obviously too busy and focused to find time for self-aggrandizement, Ogba comes across as a man who is simply too purpose-driven to bother about hugging the limelight or blowing his own trumpet. What I would any day consider a tragedy with respect to our interface as a nation with Ogba, is the fact that such a remarkably resourceful fellow who put smiles on the faces of Nigerians

has clearly not been celebrated as much as he deserves nor accorded the quantum of honour he has undoubtedly earned.

Where are Ogba’s national awards for his exploits as a sports administrator in a country full of many who have received such awards with markedly controversial credentials?

How often have we recorded gold medals from international meets to the relief and delight of Nigerians across all our convoluted divides as Ogba has done in the face of excruciatingly daunting odds?

In fact, it can be safely asserted that Ogba has most commendably effected a renaissance of leadership in Nigerian athletics, an approach to sports administration that incontestably places him in the Hall of Fame of Nigerian sports. In the process, Ogba exemplified genuine leadership as service and personal sacrifice powered by a vision for the common good.

•Mr Onokpasa, a lawyer, wrote from Warri, Delta State.

Naira devaluation and the role of non-oil export agencies Page 23

DECEMBER 1, 2014 serve as backup for the local currency to prevent Nigeria returning to the pre-1983 era of foreign exchange rationing.

Pre-SFEM settlement

LECTURE - From left: Mr Victor Famuyibo , President / Chairman of Council CIPM, Mrs Oluseyi Williams Head of Service, Lagos State and Guest Speaker , Mr Femi Mokikan, Chairman of 18th Annual Public Lecture of CIPM Mr. Sunday Adeyemi , Registrar/ CEO CIPM. and Mrs Ifeoma Adeniyi National TreasurerDuring the 18th Annual Public Lecture of Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) in Lagos. Photo by Diran Oshe.

CRUDE PRICE FALL:

Currencies nosedive in oil economies zNaira devaluation to curb banks’ Eurobond desire zRussian Ruble suffers 1.2% fall z10% depreciation in Kazakhstani Tenge zMalaysia’s Ringgit hit five-year lows

By OMOH GABRIEL, BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE & PETER EGWUATU

T

HE unrelenting fall in the price of crude oil is taking its toll on the currencies of oil producing countries, leading to either

outright devaluation or heavy depreciation of such national currencies. Companies in these countries that are exposed to foreign exchange denominated loans will be hard pressed to pay back those facilities as they are now compelled to source more local currencies to pay

off such debt.

For companies with foreign inputs they will also be forced to source more local currencies at higher volume to continue operation. The Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, said it devalued the naira to stem the continued depletion of the nation’s external reserve which

It will be recalled that in 1982 when former president, Alhaji Shehu Shagari introduced austerity measures as a result of shortage of foreign exchange in the country, the CBN could not provide cover for money paid by private sector operators into its account to settle foreign suppliers.

The loans eventually became sovereign. About N2.6673 billion was paid by importers into the commercial banks that awaited foreign exchange cover from the Central Bank. A large portion of the money had been paid into the banks in 1983.

At the time, about N1.4285 billion was paid to the Central Bank, while the balance of N1.2388 billion which represents the advanced deposits paid by importers against letters of credit was outstanding with banks.

The backlog was caused by foreign exchange scarcity, which hit the country as the nation’s reserve was depleted and could not pay for one month of imports. Accordingly, CBN could not provide foreign exchange to facilitate the transfer of the money to overseas creditors before the introduction of the Second Tier Foreign Exchange Market (SFEM) in 1986. The hike in exchange rates put the importers who had already settled their bills in difficult position as they were being asked by their bankers to pay the new rates.

The importers, however, insisted that it was not proper for the banks to ask them to pay the prevalent exchange rates. According to most importers then, they paid in the N2.6673 billion into banks when the exchange rate was about N1.00 to $1.00. But with the devaluation of the naira, the Central Bank issued a guideline in which the settlement rate was fixed at the rate ruling as at September 26, 1986 of about N1 to $1.5, and importers were asked to pay the difference which, according to financial experts, amounted to N1.332 billion.

Nigerian banks' quest Continues on page 22 C M Y K

22 — Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

Cover Story

The Basic Guide to Starting Your Business Part 5 WHO IS AN generally in competition with ENTREPRENEUR? themselves and believe that here are many differing success or failure lies within views on what makes their personal control or someone an entrepreneur and influence. So it is very important what an entrepreneurial for you, when starting a venture is. The term itself is business, to be sure that you can believed to have originated identify opportunities, make the from French, coined by a most of them and have the French economist, Jeanwherewithal to thrive even in Baptiste Say, in about 1800, who the midst of risks and defined an entrepreneur as unforeseen circumstances and “one who undertakes an that is why carrying out a self enterprise , especially a analysis cannot be over contractor, acting as emphasized. intermediary between capital Entrepreneurs are leaders, and labour”. But it was first prime movers, authors, defined in English by the Irish pacesetters, investors and risk economist Richard Cantillon, bearers. They are usually as” a term applied to the type of pioneers who strategize and personality who is willing to formulate the rules for the take upon herself or himself a general interest of the new venture or enterprise and enterprise for others to follow. accepts full responsibility for An entrepreneur conceives an the outcome”. The definition of idea and brings it to life through entrepreneur is not limited, as systematic and well-articulated various writers and world planning, driven by the passion renowned entrepreneurs have and the need to achieve given it various meanings. For uncommon things. An instance, one of the great entrepreneur not only assumes motivational speakers and responsibility and the risk for a writers of our time Robert business operation with the Kiyosaki, in his book “Retire expectation of making a profit, Young, Retire Rich” defined an the entrepreneur also generally entrepreneur as “someone that decides on the product, sees an opportunity, puts acquires the facilities, and together a team, and builds a brings together the labour force, business that profit from the the capital and production opportunity”. As you can already materials.

Simply put see, the word entrepreneur is entrepreneurs are people who inexhaustible. According to the choose to see positivity where Merriam-Webster online an negativity abounds. Bear it in entrepreneur is “one who mind, however, that if a organizes, manages, and business succeeds, the assumes the risks of a business entrepreneur reaps the reward or enterprise”. A more detailed of profits; on the other hand, if it fails, he or she definition given by takes the loss.

Daile Tucker, an Successful entrepreneur entrepreneurs are not herself, who in her perfect people but are own words brilliant, productive, describes an An and articulate; it takes entrepreneur as “a entrepreneur both the heart and the person who has conceives an head to successfully decided to take run an control of his future idea and entrepreneurship. and become self brings it to Also note that an employed whether life through entrepreneur is an by creating his own inspirer, a motivator, systematic unique business or a coach, a great working as a and welllistener, attentive, member of a team”. articulated consistent and Something that planning, enthusiastic. keeps coming up A lot of people go about entrepreneurs driven by the into business for the is their ability to see passion and sole reason of making opportunities and the need to money; this is not a make the most of it, good idea. It’s not a achieve not minding the risks they will uncommon good idea because the main ingredient undertake. things for success is missing.

Entrepreneurs are

T

AWARD: Prince Adeyemi Adefulu, MFR, President and Chairman of Council, NigerianBritish Chamber of Commerce presenting 'Best CEO of the Year' Award to Mrs Bola Adesola, Managing Director / CEO, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria during the Chamber's Presidential Dinner & Award Night held in Lagos.

CRUDE PRICE FALL: Currencies nosedive in oil economies Continues from page 17

for foreign bonds over

In the present circumstance, Nigerian banks’ that have in recent time been rushing to the international capital market to raise funds will have to think twice before doing so. The overseas borrowing fiesta looks to be over in the wake of dramatic currency devaluation last week, but while risks are rising, repaying existing debt could be a problem for most.

Nigerian companies have rushed in recent years to take advantage of rock-bottom global borrowing costs and investors’ hunger for yield, selling some $5 billion in hard currency bonds since 2007, according to Thomson Reuters data. Of this, more than $2 billion was raised this year by financial institutions shoring up their balance sheets, Standard Chartered estimates.

and local 10-year yields surging to levels last seen in December 2011.

“The market reaction is very conventional. We see divergence between the winning countries over the decline of oil prices and the losing countries,” HSBC strategist Murat Toprak said.

The rouble has overshot - but if the oil price keeps going lower like that, this momentum may continue.”

Three-month forwards meanwhile imply a 10 per cent depreciation in oil-rich Kazakhstan’s Tenge.

In Nigeria, the Naira lost 1.3 percent and dollar bonds fell, just like in Angola.

Earlier, Malaysia’s Ringgit hit five-year lows, forcing the central bank to step in.

Societe Generale advised

Oil producers’ currencies in trouble

T

he oil price collapse has prompted currencies of oil economies from Nigeria to Malaysia to hit multi-year or all-time lows. In Russia, where energy accounts for two-thirds of exports, the rouble slumped 1.2 per cent and headed for its biggest monthly loss since 2009.

Moscow's dollardenominated stocks fell 2.6 per cent, set for their fifth month in the red. Russian bonds were also sold off; with dollar debt spreads over U.S. Treasuries at three-year highs C M Y K

The overseas borrowing bonanza looks to be over in the wake of dramatic currency devaluation last week, but while risks are rising, repaying existing debt could be a problem for most

buying Turkish lira versus rouble as a proxy for oil. “For a vast majority of emerging market countries, the sharp decline in oil prices may help reduce macro vulnerabilities,” SG wrote.

“This means local rates are going to perform strongly in high-yielding markets where inflation is set to decelerate.”

Indian and Turkish local 10year yields plunged to 16and 17-month lows on expectations that cheaper oil will lead to policy easing.

Non-oil currencies were kept in check by a firmer dollar, though Indian stocks touched new record highs, Chinese equity markets rose two per cent while Istanbul hit sixmonth peaks.

The currency’s woes have raised some fears about the impact on the balance sheets of companies and banks and have been reflected in some of Nigeria’s top banks’ Eurobonds. First Bank Holdings 7-year Eurobond issued in June traded at 97.27 after hitting a record low of 96.85 on Monday. Meanwhile Access Bank’s 7-year Eurobond issued the same month traded at a record low of 97.89.

Effects on banks

C

ommenting on the possible impacts on banks, Bismarck Rewane, Managing Director/Chief Executive, Financial Derivative Company said, “Banks capital adequacy ratio now is much higher than in the past. But there would be a gap, and that gap has to be covered. But they have Continues on page 23

Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014 — 23

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rude

oil prices extended their losses and sunk to fresh four-year lows late last week as expectations of a cut in OPEC oil production faded following the Saudi Arabian oil minister ’s comments a day earlier. On the New York Mercantile Exchange, light, sweet crude futures for delivery in January traded at $72.22 a barrel, down $1.47.

January Brent crude on London’s ICE Futures exchange fell $1.92, or 2.5%, to $75.83 a barrel.

The continuing slide in crude oil prices has led to the devaluation of the naira.

Many Nigerians are into the blame game again talking down on the apex bank. The CBN has been using the nation’s reserves to defend the naira and it has gotten to the point where it can no longer do so. Nigeria has devalued the naira each time there is a crash in oil prices.

It is sad that since 1986, Nigeria has embarked on economic adjustment that has led nowhere. It has continued to depend on crude oil export for much of its foreign exchange and revenue. In time past, Nigeria boasted of its resources from export of cocoa, cotton, rubber and groundnut. The expectation is that by now, Nigeria would no longer be exporting raw produce but semi or finished products. It is sad that Nigeria in this age and time, still exports crude oil and imports refined petroleum products in which a lot of foreign exchange is expended.

It exports raw cocoa and imports chocolate etc. Nigeria has no business importing refined petroleum products, chocolate, cotton, rubber and vegetable oil. Importation of these products has encouraged capital flight from Nigeria.

The capital flight that hit the Nigerian economy has continued unabated as

individuals and corporate bodies are still moving funds massively out of the country as well as changing from naira to dollar. In four weeks, a total of $4.7 billion went out of the country. For instance, the amount of foreign exchange flowing out of the country rose to $1.402 billion in a week. It moved astronomically to $1.071 billion. The foreign exchange outflow went further up to $2.019 billion. This gives a total of $4.701 billion in four weeks for which data were available. Indications are that at this rate, the country will finish up the reserves and will face acute shortage of foreign exchange for imports.

Unless and until Nigeria begins to add value to its primary produce, the local currency will continue to be weak and face devaluation whenever there is external shock. From 1967 to 1970, Nigeria fought a civil war without going into debt. After the civil war, development plans were embarked upon, Nigeria’s public finance was sound and healthy. But with the oil boom in the late 70s, the government and people of Nigeria focused only on easy money and threw the baby and the bath water through the window by neglecting its traditional sources of revenue.

Export-oriented institutions like Nigerian Import Export Bank (NEXIM) and Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) that would have helped the nation generate more foreign exchange have been criminally neglected by past administrations.

Mr. Robert Orya, Managing Director of NEXIM, had said that in 2012, NEXIM trade finance was in the region of N7.3 billion which saw Nigeria earning $58.655 million, with 4,386 new jobs created. Also in 2013, the bank assisted in financing N9.435 billion worth of exports from Nigeria which resulted again in the creation of an estimated 5, 661 jobs and foreign exchange earnings of $75.746 million. In the first five months of 2014, the bank spent N5.106

Naira devaluation and the role of non-oil export agencies billion financing non-oil export and has already provided $27.3 million in guarantee to exporters. It is estimated that about 24,139 jobs have been created this year alone through the bank’s intervention in non-oil exports.

Confirming growth in nonoil exports, the Central Bank of Nigeria said in its 2013 annual report that Nigeria’s non-oil exports that year reached $2.97 billion by year-

It is sad that since 1986, Nigeria has embarked on economic adjustment that has led nowhere.

It has continued to depend on crude oil export for much of its foreign exchange and revenue.

end, up from $2.56 billion recorded in 2012, a 16 per cent increase. In addition, non-oil exports to members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) reported a remarkable improvement of 20 per cent, with a total value of $375.339 million, as against $312.478 million recorded in 2012. This is also a huge improvement from $276.527 million reported in 2011.

Cocoa and cocoa preparations have continued to dominate the top 10 products exported from Nigeria to different parts of the world, according to the report, during the interactive session between the NEPC and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Export Promotion Group. In 2013, for instance, a total of $758,640,303 worth of cocoa and cocoa preparations was exported, translating to 36 per cent of world export. This was followed by sheep, goat skin and leather, sesame seeds, aluminum, rubber, tobacco products, cotton yarn, and woven fabrics. Others included copper, cashew nuts and edible nuts, prawn, shrimps, fish and crustaceans.

Nigeria is currently exporting tobacco products, plastics and rubber footwear, noodles and biscuits, polythene bags, milk products, iron and steel, insecticides, beverages, tomato paste and fruit juice to African countries like Ghana,

Niger, Togo, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, among others.

Revenues from crude oil sales account for nearly 90 per cent of monthly allocations to federal, state and local governments by the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC).

Mbam former chairman of the body described the revenues from solid minerals as very positive in the present administration’s bid to diversify the economy. The significance of this development may be lost to many Nigerians. For the first time in years, the solid minerals sector is contributing to the federation account. To have generated N1.7billion from solid minerals for distribution among the three tiers of government is an opportunity the nation should grab and encourage a further development of the non oil sector.

If this government decides to focus on non-oil sector, it can in a matter of four years turn the tide over the nation’s continued dependence on oil.

There is no magic in the exchange rate phenomenon. If an economy is productive and export-oriented, the higher the exchange rate, the cheaper its product to importers. This is why a country like Japan and now are not so much bothered by the exchange rate.

Nigerians must wake up and make their economy productive.

Cover Story Continues from page 22 enough of buffers, capital buffers to cover the gap, so there is no question about that. Definitely it would affect their profitability in the short run, but it won’t affect their liquidity confidence.

In the same vein, Mr. Opeyemi Agbaje, Senior Consultant/CEO, RTC Advisory Services Limited said, “Anybody that has a dollar exposure obviously, his debt would have increased.

But I am sure the banks have covered that risk because everybody knew the devaluation is imminent.

CRUDE PRICE FALL: Currencies nosedive in oil economies Everybody knew that there is no way this exchange rate can survive beyond March. So everybody that has a dollar exposure especially a bank, knowing that devaluation was inevitable, would have covered that exposure. I want to imagine, they would have tried their best to cover that exposure by putting dollars in their portfolio, especially because CBN was still

providing them with cheap dollars.

“So they would have covered that exposure. But yes it is a real issue, whether they cover it or not, it is still a real issue.

That cost has gone up by about 10 percent; the cost of servicing those debts has gone up by about 10 percent. But it goes beyond the banks. It affects anybody that has dollar exposure, even if it is payment

of school fees. But for banks, it is significant, I am only speculating, that I am sure, because they are professionals with their jobs, and it was clear that it was inevitable, they would have tried to cover that risk. Yes in the short term, next year, two years' time, yes you can expect that the banks will have challenges with their profitability”.

Ratings agency Fitch also pointed to the naira devaluation potentially spelling trouble for firms’ ability to service the foreign currency debt they owed Nigerian lenders, with a knock-on effect on banks’ asset quality.

“Inflationary pressures from the devaluation could also affect consumer disposable income and banks’ retail loans,” Fitch said in a note published last week.

Richard Segal, emerging markets analyst at Jefferies, noted that Nigerian banks'

Continues on page 24

24 — Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

Cover Story Continues from page 23 debt had performed far worse than the sovereign as the naira weakened but he added: “Neither the ability to pay of the banks, nor the capacity of the government to support them, has declined significantly.” One reason is that many Nigerian banks lend in foreign currency, predominantly U.S. dollars, to major companies active in the dominant oil, gas and power sectors. This has boosted banks’ assets and loans denominated in currencies other than the naira.

“A lot of the balance sheets of these Nigerian banks are already dollarised,” said Kato Mukuru, head of equities research at brokerage Exotix.

One thing is for sure: abundant Nigerian Eurobond issuance is unlikely to continue in the same volume as before. The central bank this week also imposed tighter restrictions on banks’ foreign currency borrowing.

“It is not the same environment...the whole issuance of the eurobond is likely to recede,” Standard Chartered’s Gadio said.

Naira devaluation: No effect on capital market, economy

S

ome stakeholders in the financial sector have continued to react on the recent devaluation of the Naira, saying it would not have fundamental effects on the financial markets, especially the capital market but may create artificial inflation in the country.

They commended the devaluation of the Naira (Nigeria’s legal tender) by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to a new official exchange rate at N168 to the United States (US) dollar from its previous rate of N155.

The move was stemmed from the recent free-fall of the Naira resulting from global oil price decline and high dollar demand. Also, benchmark interest rate was increased to 13 per cent from 12 per cent; indicating an appreciation of 100 basis points.

Right step

Commenting on the devaluation, Mr. Michael Oyebola, Managing Director/ Chief Investment Officer FBN Capital Asset Management commended the action and said it was a step in the right direction.

According to him “We are having a naira which is overvalued. CBN has to do something because of devaluation and oil price falling and for CBN to stem the ability for banks to keep C M Y K

UNVEILING - From left Mr Joseph Shitanta, Chief Operating Officer, African Cable TV; Mrs Mowunmi Fatoju, Marketing Consultant, Bridge House College, Ikoyi; Mr Geofrey Orketh, MD/CEO, African Cabke TV; Mrs Foluke Abdul-Rasaq, Vice President, Bank Director Association of Nigeria and Hon Don Etim, Commissioner of Works, Akwa Ibom State at the unveiling of African Cable Television in Lagos. Photo Lamidi Bamidele.

CRUDE PRICE FALL: Currencies nosedive in oil economies running the foreign exchange, CBN has to be very bold and that is exactly what they did.

“For the economy, we are an import dependent nation and if oil prices keep going down.

There may be economic slow down so it is good to tighten our belt.

Another operator in the nation’s capital market who pleaded anonymity said, “ It was imperative going by what is happening to the key produce, which is the oil that informs the devaluation. So it was also appropriate and long expected since the naira has not been defendent on the dollar.

The Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, said the devaluation of the Naira was the right move because the country’s revenue was down, explaining that before the devaluation, foreign investors had been selling their shares to take their money out, “but now that the value has been established that will stop.

According to him “Devaluation would help stop investors that were trying to pull out of the country from doing so. The decisions taken by members of the committee were “a very frank assessment of the economy. Monetary Policy Committee, MPC decisions established the independence of the central bank.

“They moved in the right direction and anytime you move prices to equilibrium, the economy moves in that direction. The exchange rate was priced in a distorted manner and with the MPC decision, it is gradually

getting to equilibrium and so the amount of imbalance would be reduced.”

On his part, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Cowry Asset Management Limited, Mr. Johnson Chukwu argued that the devaluation of the nation’s currency would lead to high cost of goods and services, saying that manufacturers would pass the high cost of forex to consumers.

Furthermore, Chukwu noted that it would lead to an uptick in inflation rate.

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owever, the Director General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Muda Yusuf who welcomed the decision to officially devalue

What the central bank has done will affect the cost of production, profit margins of organisations will drop and the cost of goods and services will increase

the Naira, maintained that raising the Monetary Policy Rate, MPR and Cash Reserve Ratio, CRR would affect profit margins of manufacturers in the country and thus may attract inflation.

“The devaluation is almost inevitable given the situation we have found ourselves as regards the falling oil prices and given that the value of the naira has depreciated significantly at the inter-bank market.

“But raising the MPR and private sector CRR was unnecessary and can be said to be an over kill. If you look at the list of items that were recently removed from the RDAS for importers, you will know that importers now get dollars at a very high cost.

“So, what the central bank has done will affect the cost of production, profit margins of organisations will drop and the cost of goods and services will increase,” he said.

To the Sub-Saharan Africa Economist at Renaissance Capital, Yvonne Mhango, the central bank’s decision would lead to greater flexibility of the exchange rate.

According to her, the adjustment of the exchange rate band implies that the new target (official) exchange rate band is N160-176/$1.

“This is typical of the central bank – they adjust to where the market is trading. Fall in oil price has undermined reserves position, and weakened central bank’s ability to defend the naira.

Forex reserves currently stand at seven months of import cover.

“Low oil prices are here to stay. MPC believes we are in an episode of low oil prices,

where fall in oil prices is permanent,” she explained.

The Head, Africa Macro Research, Standard Chartered Bank, Razia Khan who described the central bank’s decision as a big surprise also noted that the moves showed that the central bank has absolute commitment to dealing with current challenges.

“They have not shied away from the tightening needed to sustain current forex reserves. The official devaluation of the naira allows the RDAS to move within the range that straddles the interbank forex rate.

“While the market reaction to the RDAS move in the near-term will be important, we think that these measures deal as comprehensively as possible with the challenges facing Nigeria.

“While Nigeria cannot do much to influence the oil price, the combination of measures today sends a powerful signal to all stakeholders on the CBN’s intent to do what it can to preserve macroeconomic stability,” she stated.

The Chief Executive Officer, Enterprise Stockbrokers, Mr. Rotimi Fakayejo, expressed the view that the devaluation would be positive for the capital market.

This, he explained, was because it would attract foreign funds into the market as the equities were currently cheap and the dollar would give more naira.

He added that the move might also ease the impact of the political uncertainty in the country.

According to him The way it has been, there is likelihood that this (naira devaluation) would override the political uncertainty,” he said stressing that many foreign investors knew that Nigeria would overcome the current situation.

“We have been in situations that are more difficult than this. Also, by the time the party primaries have taken place, there is going to be more stability in the market.”

Fakayejo also said the gains of the last two day of equity trading could be linked to the move.

“When you look at the kind of volume it is easy to infer that. It had been speculated that the naira was going to be devalued and the immediate impact of that is the attraction of funds into the market and that has already started happening,” he said.

Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014 — 25

Business & Economy

RMRDC seeks government protection for herbal sector

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

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he Raw Material Research and Development Council, RMRDC, has emphasized the need for the Federal Government to formulate policies that will enhance development of herbal industry and facilitate the judicial and sustainable utilization of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, MAPs. The council also said there is need for rapid enhancement of research, development and commercialization of ‘such natural medicinal products in Nigeria where similar natural forest endowments abound’.

Delivering a paper at the closing ceremony of 2014 HerFest, tagged; “Commercial Cultivation of Nigeria’s MAPs as Raw material for Natural Products Development in Nigeria: Incentives & Challenges”, Director General/CEO, RMRDC, Dr. Hussaini Doko Ibrahim, said that if effectively harnessed, the industry can make a significant contribution to the national GDP. “The protection given to medicinal plants could be achieved through regulation and the introduction of sustainable wild harvesting methods, but the domestic cultivation is an option that could both reduce pressure on wild populations and solve some of the problems inherent

PRESENTATION - Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, member, Federal House of Representative from Ikorodu Constituency (right) presenting a Toyota Haice bus key and document to Alhaja Tafikat Allison, Iyaloja General of Ikorodu and Chief Moshood Laketu, Babaloja of Ikorodu during the presentation of the bus donated to Ikorodu market women and Men in Ikorodu, Lagos.

in the production of medicinal plant.

“This ranges from resource management, cultivation, shifting processing from consumer to source countries, species conservation to trade restriction or even trade bans,” he said.

To ensure long term survival of the herbal sector, he said that there is need to collaborate with the traditional practitioners and integrate their practices into modern Research & Development, R&D. “Despite the various challenges facing processing

and marketing of MAPs and their derivative raw materials development, Nigeria can still improve and excel in this virgin area if the issues of serious commitment, energy and resource mobilization as well as government political will are adequately addressed. All Asian countries including China, India and Malaysia started several decades ago from somewhere.

Looking at the global trend and specifically at countries like China, India, Malaysia etc, it is evidently very clear that Nigeria is obviously left

Naira devaluation'll have mixed effects on economy, says varsity don

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Startimes launches free decoder giveaway promo

r. Obida Wafure of the Economics Department, University of Abuja, says the recent devaluation of naira by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will have positive and negative ripple effects on the economy.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gwagwalada, FCT, Wafure, said that the devaluation would encourage local industries and also bring about closure of many that depend mainly imported raw materials.

The CBN had on Tuesday in Abuja announced the devaluation of naira by N13 as part of measures the bank said were aimed at strengthening the nation’s economy.

“Once a currency is devalued, there are negative and positive effects to the economy, especially at the value chain of every nation state, but the negative effect supersedes the positive effects. The negative effect is that it will increase the rate of importation and so many industries will be shut down as they will not afford to

import some raw materials.

“It will also lead to unemployment and lower the production capacity and thereby bring about inflation as the Growth Domestic Production (GDP) growth rate will fall.

“Our GDP growth rate is measured by the activities in the economy, so by the time inflation is going on, the economic activity of the country will fall.‘’ Wafure defined devaluation as when a currency is deliberately lowered to the value of the money of one country when exchanged with another country ’s currency and depreciation when lowered naturally. On the appointment of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Dieziani Allison-Madueke, as the first female OPEC President, the don described the development as a step in the right direction. He said that her appointment had lifted the image of Nigeria and women, particularly in Africa and internationally and would further encourage women.

behind in natural products R&D,” he said.

World-wide, he said that an estimated 9,000 (nine thousand) medicinal plant species are threatened. “As a result, conservation concepts and measures which have to meet future supply and the provision of species through conservation need to be put in place.”

Speaking on the market potential, he said the global market value of MAP’s is estimated at US$ 75 000-150 000 million annually, while the demand for medicinal plant based raw materials is growing at the rate of 15 to 25 percent annually.

He noted that according to an estimate of WHO, the demand for medicinal plants is likely to increase more to than US $5 trillion in 2050. Speaking, the Director General, Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, NNMDA, Mr. Tamunor Okujagu, said that the herbal industry has the capacity to generate huge income for the country, while calling on the government to put more resources into the sector.

He said that generally the government has put in place several schemes, the small and medium schemes, the micro schemes to support entrepreneurs, adding that recently the government mapped N220 billion into this kind of scheme.

s part of its commitment to commemorate the festive season and ensure every Nigerian enjoys digital TV experience, Pay-TV provider, NTA-Star Network StarTimes, has commenced a free decoder give-away promos for everyone during the yuletide season.

The offer, according to a statement by the company, is coming ahead of the 2015 digital switch over and is aimed at offering every Nigerian an opportunity to own set-boxes required for quality digital TV experience.

The company noted that from November 18, 2014 to January 31, 2015, StarTimes will be giving away one free StarTimes decoder to everyone who subscribes for one month unique bouquet or for two months classic subscription.

Multichoice to give out cars in Super cruise promo

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rospective and existing subscribers of Multichoice Nigeria, pay-tv platform, Digital Satellite Television,DStv and GOtv will stand a chance of winning of 20 Kia Rio cars, among other prizes, with the launch of the MultiChoice Super Cruise Promo.

General Manager Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho, while addressing the media at the launch of the promotion, in Ikeja, Lagos, recently, said MultiChoice was committed to consistently rewarding its loyal customers always.

He stressed that apart from the 20 Kia Rio cars, MultiChoice would also give away 100 Plasma TV screens, or 30 DStv Exploras decoders to DStv and GOtv subscribers.

Mabutho explained that to enter for the promotion, all that subscribers need to do is to buy a DStv decoder which comes with a dish and pay three months subscription on either Compact, Family or Access Bouquets.

“It’s so simple, once you buy the decoder and pay three months subscription, you automatically qualify for the weekly draw where you could win any of the amazing prizes,” he remarked.

Existing DStv subscribers can also enter the competition by ensuring they remain connected for three months.

26 — Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

Banking & Finance

Union Bank introduces hybrid account for SMEs

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nion Bank of Nigeria Plc. has introduced a new hybrid business account, specially tailored to cater to the needs of small businesses.

The new UnionEnterprise Hybrid Account gives growing businesses the flexibility of a current account with the benefits of a savings account.

It is suitable for businesses such as co-operative societies, trade associations, professional bodies, social clubs and Non-governmental organizations.

Speaking about the new product, Mr. Funwa Akinmade, Head of Retail Liabilities at Union Bank said, “Small businesses are integral to the Nigerian economy and it is important that we develop the right products and services to support them.

The launch of the UnionEnterprise Hybrid Account is our way of supporting small businesses through competitive and specialized offerings that are designed to help them grow.”

UBA launches Cashless December to encourage epayment

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nited Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has announced incentives to encourage the bank’s customers to use electronic channels for their transactions in December. Tagged UBA Cashless December, the initiative is aimed at encouraging non-cash transactions, in line with the CBN’s cashlite agenda.

From December 1 to December 31 2014, UBA customers who do transactions on U-Mobile, UDirect or pay with their Cards on the web and POS stand a chance to win great prizes. In addition, Cardholders who use the bank’s ATM valueadded services such as bill payment, airtime top up and funds transfer are eligible.

Prizes to be won include iPhone 6, airtime for phones, movie tickets, and shopping vouchers. These incentives are for new and existing UBA Customers.

“Going cashless during this festive period is not only convenient, but it also enhances your personal safety and protects your hard earned money” explained Dr. Yinka Adedeji, the Bank’s Divisional Head of e-Banking.

PoS transactions rises 191% to N241bn, says NIBSS zRecords 249% increases in profitability

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

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igeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) said that electronic payment through Point of Sale (PoS) terminals has risen by 191 percent to N241 billion in 2014.

The company also reported 249 percent increase in its profit before tax, which rose to N2.82 billion for the year ended December 31st 2013.

Chairman of NIBSS and Deputy Governor, Operations, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Alhaji Suleiman Barau disclosed this at the 2014 annual general meeting of the company held in Lagos on Friday.

Addressing shareholders of the company, Barau said, “The financial performance of our Company was greatly impacted by the impressive business activities recorded during the year. Gross Income grew by 32.33 percent to peak at N5.13 billion, up from the N3.88billion recorded in 2013. We closed the year with a Profit Before Taxation (PBT) of N2.82 billion representing a growth of 249.31% over prior year figure of N806.59million.

“NIBSS has witnessed tremendous growth in electronic payment trends on its platforms as consumers spending habits increasingly shift towards the use of alternative e-payment channels aside the Automated Teller Machines (ATM). This is evidenced by the historic recording of over 10,000,000 e- payment transactions on its platforms during the month of July 2014 compared to the average monthly transaction volume of 8,075,000 in 2013. This represents 24% growth and is a clear indication of the potential for e-payments in Nigeria and also the need for greater attention and investments to enhance NIBSS infrastructure.

“Both the NIBSS Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT) and NIBSS Instant Payment (NIP) products have enjoyed steady adoption over the

years, enhanced by the CBN mandate for Government and Corporate entities to make all salary and administrative payments electronic.

“The volume of NEFT transactions increased by 29.51% from 29.20million (N13.61trillion) in 2013 to 37.82million (N14.93trillion) in 2014 while customers’ affinity towards instant payment has seen NIP grow volume by 204.03% from 9.22million (N7.6trillion) in 2013 to 28.03million (N15.80trillion) in 2014.

“Cheque clearing as a key product of NIBSS have evolved over time from being

purely paper-based to electronic via the implementation of the Cheque Truncation System (CTS) deployed by NIBSS to the Banking Industry.

Through CTS, clearing period has reduced from T+3 to T+2 in Nigeria and consequently, Cheques processing increased to 15.40million (N7.79trillion) in 2014 compared to the 12.23million (N7.15trillion) recorded in 2013 representing an increase of 25.96%. “NIBSS serves as the Payments Terminal Service Aggregator (PTSA) for the financial industry as part of the Cashless Nigeria

Initiative which requires all PoS terminal operating within Nigeria to connect directly to NIBSS through the NIBSS Central Terminal Management System (CTMS).

“The CBN Cashless Initiative which was first piloted in 6 states aside Lagos was extended nationwide in July 2014. The incredible growth in PoS transaction volume by 191.24% to 15.17million (N241.51billion) in 2014 from the 5.21million (N95.29billion) in 2013 further testifies to the successful story of PoS deployment in Nigeria.”

AGM - From left: Mr. Ade Shonubi, MD/CEO- NIBSS; Alhaji Suleiman Barau, Chairman NIBSS & Deputy Governor Operations – CBN; and Mr. Oladele Agboola, Company Secretary, NIBSS PLC at the 2014 AGM of the company held in Lagos.

CeBIH calls for regulation that promotes innovation

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ommittee of e-banking Heads of Nigeria (CeBIH) has called for a regulatory environment that promotes innovation in the epayment industry.

CeBIH Chairman, Mr. Tunde Kuponiyi made this call during the annual retreat of the group held in Abuja, with the theme, “Payment System Vision 2020 – Creating an enabling environment through policy regulations”.

He said, “For the industry to prosper and for innovation to thrive, a sound complementary regulatory framework is very much required. Such a framework should provide a level playing field for all players to enable the customer to exercise his choices as regards choosing a particular service provider. Other important components for such a regulatory framework would also encompass customer protection issues, fraud prevention issues, security related issues and fair pricing.

Also speaking at the retreat, John Chaplin, a global retail payment expert advocated smart regulation for the payment system in Nigeria. He said though banks desire less regulation, regulation is critical to sustainable competition which is necessary for the growth of the payment industry. He said banks however have a right to better and smarter regulation.

“Frequent rule changes are a sign of bad

regulation and deter investment, industry must actively work with regulators to achieve a good outcome. Clear, consistent, even handed and risk-based regulation is the goal”, he said. Speaking further, he said that, “Leaving the market to market forces will lead to higher cost, which would drive out everybody. Hence the aim of regulation should is drive down cost”.

Kuponiyi said that the retreat was designed to discourse the changes and challenges of the Payment Vison 2020 20 in Nigeria and how this should lead to a paradigm shift in the way banks are doing their business, retaining and increasing their customer base. “The basic underlying current that runs through this changing landscape is the ever increasing reliance on technology to cater to the needs of customers and process vast number of transactions including payment transactions”, he said.

Commenting on some of the policies introduced by the CBN to enhance epayment in the country, Kuponiyi said, “The question is, are these positive strategic interventions toward the realisation of the vision 2020 20 or are they fragmented policies that will produce little or no impact in the overall scheme of things?

I believe that some of the policies have pointed the industry to the direction of the goldmine.

Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014 — 27

Banking & Finance

Naira depreciation persists in interbank, parallel market •External reserves down by $1.61bn as CBN sells $2.6bn •N415bn inflow deflates cost of funds

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

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he Naira fell to an all time low against the dollar at the interbank and parallel exchange markets despite measures announced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

At the interbank market, the Naira lost another 160 kobo against the dollar as the interbank rate rose to an all time high of N178.70 per dollar. Consequently, the naira depreciated by N13.05 or 7.87 percent against the dollar in November.

Similarly at the parallel market, the Naira lost N17 against the British Pounds Sterling, as N190 exchanged for one pound as at the end of Friday from N173 the previous week.

Foreign exchange dealers attributed the continued depreciation of the dollar to inadequate supply in the market. The inadequate supply it was gathered is being aggravated by expectation of further depreciation of the naira.

Last week the CBN announced 8.4 percent devaluation of the Naira by moving the midpoint of the official exchange rate to N168 per dollar from N155.

The apex bank also tightened money supply by raising the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) to 13 percent from 12 percent, and banks' cash reserve requirement (CRR) for private sector deposit to 20 percent from

N15 percent. These decisions were aimed at arresting the persistent depreciation of the naira, and restore calm and stability to the foreign exchange market. The increase in MPR was also aimed at encouraging foreign exchange inflows from foreign portfolio investors.

Vanguard investigation however revealed that these measures might not have the desired impact due to expectation of further depreciation of the naira. Speaking on condition of anonymity, Head Treasurer of a Tier 2 Bank told Vanguard that expectation of further depreciation is prevalent in the market. This expectation, he said is driven by developments in the international crude oil market and continued decline in the external reserves. “With decline in crude oil prices expected to persist, following the outcome of the OPEC meeting last week, and the continued decline in external reserve, the general belief is that the CBN might have to further devalue the Naira”.

According to a top bureaux de change operator, there is expectation that Naira would fall to N200 per dollar in the parallel market.

“Right now there is no dollar. Some people are begging for dollars to buy, while those who have said they would only sell when

the rate hits N200 per dollar.

A market analyst who spoke on anonymity said that the CBN needs to be more coordinated in its foreign exchange management approach so that the decisions of the MPC can have the desired impact. He noted that with the devaluation of the Naira, the official exchange rate and the interbank rate should fall within the new exchange rate band of plus or minus N168. But now the interbank rate is far out of this band, and it would continue except the CBN amends some of the recent

policy measures. He said the recent exclusion of six items from official market and transfer to the interbank market should be reversed, while the CBN should increase dollar sales at RDAS to meet demand.

"By so doing, the CBN would be able to ascertain the amount of demand, and also reduce pressure on the interbank rate and enhance appreciation of the Naira in the interbank market. Right now, the market keeps on absorbing intervention dollars sold by the apex bank, without clear indication of what the dollars are being demanded for," he said.

*External reserve down by $1.61bn as CBN sells $2.6bn

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The CBN has sold $31.7 billion through the RDAS sessions in 2014, representing 24.9 percent higher than the $25.37 billion sold in 2013

eanwhile the nation’s external reserve fell by $1.61 billion last month to $36.85 billion as at November 27th from, N38.46 billion.

Consequently the external reserve has fallen by $7.08 billion this year, from 43.93 billion. The decline in reserves reflects increased foreign exchange sales by the CBN in its bid to defend the Naira.

Last week, the CBN increased dollars sale by 50 percent at the bi-weekly Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS). Results of the RDAS sessions conducted during the week show that dollar sale rose to $765.85 million from $511 million the previous week, indicating 49.9 percent increase. Further

analysis show that the CBN sold $2.6 billion through the RDAS sessions in November, down by 13 percent from $3 billion sold in October. Consequently the CBN has sold $31.7 billion through the RDAS sessions in 2014, representing 24.9 percent higher than the $25.37 billion sold in 2013. This however excludes direct dollar sales by the CBN to banks to intervene in the interbank market.

N415bn inflow deflates cost of funds

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ost of lending in the interbank money market fell by 800 basis points following inflow of N415 billion from matured treasury bills.

On Wednesday, the CBN debited banks for the increase in CRR to 20 percent from 15 percent announced on Tuesday.

This led to the outflow of about N500 billion from the interbank money market, prompting sharp increase in cost of lending. As a result, average short term interbank interest rates rose from 10.3 percent the previous week to 20.65 percent on Wednesday.

However on Thursday, the market experienced inflow of N415 billion as a result of payment for matured treasury bills. The inflow prompted sharp decline in cost of funds between Thursday and Friday, with average short term rates closing at 11.73 percent.

C M Y K

28 — Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

Corporate Finance

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

Oil drops to 4 year low as OPEC decision hits oil stocks

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il slid to a four-year low after OPEC kept its oil production unchanged at the end of its meeting on Thursday, dragging down shares of energy companies, Gulf-region stocks, and the Norwegian krone.

Government bonds rose, with yields in Europe falling to record lows.

West Texas Intermediate crude tumbled 6.3 percent to $69.05 a barrel, and Brent fell below $72 a barrel for the first time since 2010. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index rose as data showed record-low German unemployment, while Canadian energy shares slid the most since 2011. Qatar and Oman led stocks lower in the Gulf, and Norway’s krone retreated to a five-year low. France’s 10year yield declined below one percent for the first time on record. Brazil’s Ibovespa fluctuated as former Treasurer Joaquim Levy was appointed as finance minister.

OPEC maintained its collective ceiling of 30 million barrels a day, Ali Al-Naimi, Saudi Arabia’s oil minister, said after the group’s meeting in Vienna.

European stocks rise as DAX jumps for 11th day

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uropean stocks extended a two-month high, as the DAX (DAX) Index rose for an 11th day after Germany’s jobless rate reached a record low.

Energy stocks fell the most in eight weeks after OPEC decided to keep its oil-output target.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index climbed 0.4 percent to 347.49 at the close of trading.

The DAX rose 0.6 percent, for its longest rally since May 2013, as a report showed the number of people out of work in Germany fell more than analysts had forecast. The unemployment rate was 6.6 percent, matching the revised number for the previous month. That follows the Ifo institute’s Nov. 24 report showing the nation’s business confidence improved. A separate release today showed economic sentiment in the euro area unexpectedly increased in November.

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hareholders in the nation’s capital market have cried to the Securies and Exchange Commission, SEC, to show more interest in their investment by protecting their funds from going down the drain.

It is on record that Nigerian shareholders have had reasons in the past to complain about some of the challenges that have shortchanged them.

Such complaints ranged from their inability to claim their dividends, to lack of information on how the market grows, as well as what some described as excessive use of pool voting by some companies to rip off a certain class of shareholders.

Others have complained about the harsh business environment that have not allowed companies to make good profit so that to pay out better dividends to its shareholders; while others complained of the inability of government, through its regulating agencies to clean up the environment.

When Vanguard spoke to some shareholders, they commended the commission for the training; they however, expressed divergent views on regulatory roles of SEC while some argued that there was nothing to cheer about.

For instance, Boniface Okezie, President of Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN), was one of those who expressed such thoughts.

He said such companies that declared their dividends for their shareholders should be commended because they could have invented any excuse to refuse to pay dividends, or even decide to plow the little profits they made back into the business “It is good that investors are coming to be enlightened, you have something to take home that you have learnt, you will be able to give out information to improve the market.”

“We have learnt more about classifying their investments, mutual funds and trust funds.

Well the major challenges for me are that the regulators are not forthcoming in protecting investors; the investors always bear the brunt.”

“I think SEC should be mindful and do more concerning the protection of shareholders, some of them have been swindled and they should set out effective rules to guide the market and there have been transparency in the market and I applauded them

PRESENTATION - From right: Permanent Secretary, Teachers Establishment and Pensions Office (TEPO) in Lagos State, Otunba Nurudeen Ojora-Adejiyan; the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye; Managing Director, Credit Direct Limited (CDL), Mr. Akinwande Ademosu; the Company’s Regional Head, Lagos & South-West, Mr. Abiodun Adigun and Head, Human Resources, Mr. Tunji Oladimeji, at the presentation of a bus to TEPO by CDL as part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility programmes in Lagos.

Protect our investment — Shareholders tell SEC in that aspect but they should be forthcoming in arresting this situation so that investors confidence will be boosted to remain in the market otherwise the confidence will continue to erode and people won’t want to invest in the market.”

For any company to declare dividend at all for its shareholders in the country today it calls for cheer and that company should be commended because it is not easy to do business in this country and make profit. The company could have decided to plough the profit back into the business and find any excuse not to pay dividend” he said.

He however said that posting dividends should not be enough for Nigerians to take their eyes off the important issues of shareholding and doing business in Nigeria. He, like several others, was not happy that government and its regulatory agencies have not made the business environment conducive for businesses in the country to thrive, make profits and subsequently pay dividends.

He said that government and its regulatory agencies have rather lived off the company rather than work to enhance the company. He said it was unfortunate that government have failed to recognise groups speaking out against the ills in the industry and fighting for its good, but chose to describe them as militants in the stock exchange.

One of the issues that the news brought was a recent call by a section of retail investors in Nigerian quoted companies on the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) to protect them from what they called “reap off of their funds”.

Okezie has however revealed that he and his colleagues had urged the SEC to protect shareholders.

Perhaps in reaction to accusations that regulatory agencies had not been doing enough, and to ensuring sound corporate governance in the nation’s capital market, urged SEC to wade into issues relating to corporate governance breaches in some companies.

Both the intervention and its outcomes affirmed Nigeria’s pole position in market regulation in Africa. It constituted a pathfinder on regulatory imperatives for multi market jurisdiction players in the robustly evolving African business landscape.

Mr Oyarinde Taiwo, President of Proactive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, PROSAN They have already deepened our knowledge about the capital market about some of the products they are having, like the lecture we just had this morning on investment scheme, they show us that there are other vehicles like collecting investment scheme where they can also

encourage members to be involved, they can really deepen our market and also encourage participation in the capital market.

“The major challenges of shareholders, which l have observed is mainly ignorance which I believe SEC is trying to fill in that gap. If you see some of the conducts and some of the ways the so called shareholder leaders are doing things you start to predict what will happen to their followers but I believe by the time they are able to handle the leadership, I believe we are going have a better shareholders and better capital market in the long run” As for the benefit from the academy, he remarked, “SEC is doing a very wonderful job let me give you an instance, I believe that some of the areas the world bodies are looking into is investors education which SEC has started two, three years ago which means they are in line with what is happening in the global front, so SEC is really doing their best which is a welcome development to the market.”

“As a backdrop to the pacesetting intervention, SEC Nigeria highlighted the consumer protection motivation by quickly assuring investing publics that the Commission would take all necessary steps to ensure that shareholders are protected.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014 — 29

30 — Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

Corporate Finance NSE, other stakeholders seek more investment in capital market

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head of the 2015 fiscal year, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) have called for more investment in the Nigerian Capital market as a way of further boosting the fortunes of the country’s economy.

While canvassing for increased investment in the stock market alongside other key stakeholders of the Nigerian Capital Market at the 2014 FCSL Asset Management Limited investors’ Forum held in Lagos , the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyema advised investors to exploit the emerging opportunities in the Nigerian Stocks at the moment to invest in the capital market.

“This is the best time to invest in the Nigerian

Capital market. We have restored confidence in the system through introduction of corporate governance, which allows companies to do business in a transparent and sustainable manner.

Investment in the Capital Market is long term and it is one which requires attention and the support of parties concerned, to grow”, Onyema advised.

He further dispelled the negative notion of continuous instability in the market. According to him, “Investors should know that the capital market is a cyclical market with up and down movements.

The market is full of risks. I encourage investor to seek professional advice from investment specialists and stockbrokers that will be able to manage

their investment in the market. Also, investors can personally manage and monitor their investment portfolios in a manner that will reduce risk and improve returns. Investors have to adopt appropriate techniques in making investment decisions, because the capital market is not for gamblers, it is not a game of chance but a game that requires informed decision”.

MoU SIGNING - The Regional Head, South South, South East (SSSE), Ecobank Nigeria, Chinedu Ibe executing the CAPMI Agreement with the Executive Director, SSSE, Kingsley Umadia; Area Manager, Port Harcourt North, Ochuko Amah; Regional Risk Manager, SSSE, Ignatius Agboneni during the signing of MoU between Ecobank and Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company in Port Harcourt.

SEC targets bond market to finance $3.9 trn infrastructure deficit Stories by PETER EGWUATU

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he Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC has said that it wants a bond market that will be

capable of financing the $3.9 trillion infrastructure deficits facing the country in the next 30 years.

The Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Ms Arunma Oteh, who stated this at the 4th Capital Market Committee retreat held in Abuja said” The bond market has a lot of room for growth with debt-toGDP ratio at only 11 percent compared to over 200 percent in Japan, 110 percent in Singapore, 103 percent in the United Kingdom, 103 percent in the United States (US) and over 60 percent in China.

All round, liquidity needs to improve well beyond its current level.

So we want a bond market that will enable us meet the infrastructure deficit estimated at USD3.9 trillion over the next 30 years. We want a market that does more for housing finance, enabling Nigeria close down the 17 million housing unit deficit while s u p p o r t i n g entrepreneurship by doing more for SMEs and startups. We want a capital market that combines all the elements needed to support Nigeria actualize her aspirations of peace and prosperity for all citizens.”

Commenting on where it wants the country to be in 2025, she said “Without any master plan in place, we have been able to grow our stock market by a cumulative

annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.52 percent over the last 10 years. I have no doubt, that with faithful implementation of these master plans our market will eventually emerge as one of the world’s deepest, most liquid and largest capital market that will not only contribute to the socioeconomic development of our dear country but will also serve as a global financial hub offering opportunities into other parts of Africa. Therefore we want to see our market in 2025 to be deep, highly liquid, broad and diversified market that is a multiple of Nigeria’s GDP. It must boast of one of the most efficient and favorable operating environments

that engenders best practice, innovation and competitiveness.”

Oteh, who spoke on the achievement of the Nigerian capital market since 2010 said “ We started by ensuring that investor confidence is restored, adopting a posture of zero tolerance to wrongdoing while strengthening our enforcement machinery through partnerships with the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and the Nigeria Police Force.

We instituted legal proceedings against over 260 individuals and entities for various forms of market infractions seeking to disgorge all illegally gotten wealth and restitute investors.

Shareholders commend Fidson third quarter performance

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hareholders have continued to commend Fidson Healthcare Plc on it’s recently released third quarter performance for 2014. Some of the shareholders of the company said, the performance is relatively good considering the in harsh operating environment.

Fidson Healthcare recently announced its financial results for the third quarter ended 30 September, 2014.

The result shows that turnover increased by about 4 per cent year-onyear to N7.5 billion, an increase of 54 per cent

quarter-on-quarter. Gross profit margin also rose by 6.0 per cent y-o-y to N4.1 billion, largely as a result of an improvement in the Cost of sales, which is currently at 45.1 per cent against 46.7 per cent as at half-year 2014.

Financial charges increased by 70 per cent to N315 million as against N185 million recorded last year. However, Profit before Tax (PBT) and Profit after Tax (PAT) margins increased from 7.5 per cent to 9.1 per cent and 5.3 per cent to 6.2 per cent respectively; compared with the same period last year giving an annualized EPS of N0.41.

Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014 — 31

Homes & Housing Finance

Housing finance: AMCON boss faults NMRC’s capital outlay Stories by YINKA KOLAWOLE

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hief Executive Officer of the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), Mr. Mustapha Chike-Obi, has faulted the guideline establishing Nigerian Mortgage Refinancing Company (NMRC), arguing that the agency lacked adequate capital, and called for increase in the minimum capital base of NMRC to about N10 trillion.

Speaking at the Legal Business Summit 2014 in L agos, Chike- Obi highlighted various pitfalls that could scuttle the objective of the NMRC of boosting homeownership in Nigeria. He noted that in spite of the lofty ideas behind setting up the company, the mirage of challenges on ground if not properly tackled will render it ineffective.

Some of the problems, according to him, include poor take-off capital, issues of enforcement of contract, absence of foreclosure laws and the general issues of equity contribution, period of recovery of loans and the uncertainty about what amount to recover in the case of breach of repayment plans.

NMRC was created to provide primary and secondary mortgage markets by raising long-term funds from the domestic capital market as well as foreign markets to provide accessible and affordable housing in the country. It has a N6 billion tier 1 capital, $300 million World Bank loan, while the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), through its Nigeria Infrastructure Fund (NIF), also approved a firm equity commitment of N1.6 billion in the NMRC. The AMCON boss said the recommended capital outlay could be raised by the Federal Government through its guarantee of 80 percent of mortgage loans in the country, with banks and insurance firms taking up 10 percent each of such loans.

“We want the banks to take the first 10 percent loss, insurance company 10 percent and the Federal Government 80 percent. By so doing, banks will be comfortable that if the

mortgages go bad, they can claim at least 80 per cent of that loan from the government,” he said. This according to him, would encourage the lenders to

create mortgage loans.

“What they have done is that they have taken a good idea, and watered it down.

There should be government guarantees not government

VISIT - From left: Philip Ikeazor, MD, Keystone Bank Limited and the Nigerian High Commissioner to Uganda, Ambassador Cornelius Omolade Oluwateru, when Ikeazor paid a courtesy visit to the Ambassador after a meeting on Nigerian investments in Uganda.

loans. The NMRC should only buy bad mortgage loans from the banks and should not be a direct lender in the mortgage business.”

He, however, said the government should not guarantee 100 percent of the loans because doing so could make the lenders to lend irresponsibly.

“There should be government guarantees not government loans.

The NMRC should only buy bad mortgage loans from the banks and should not be a direct lender in the mortgage business,” he said.

Chike-Obi noted that it still takes about 10 years for banks to sell properties collected as collateral, he said this discourages banks from lending to the mortgage sector.

“The issue of being able to foreclose quickly and efficiently is the biggest problem for banks,” he said, adding that the NMRC should also secure a foreclosure power, similar that of AMCON, which enables it to foreclose any property presented to it as collateral.

Lagos devotes 10% of 2015 budget to housing

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agos State government has set aside N49.03 billion, representing about 10 percent of its 2015 budget estimates to housing and community amenities.

Governor Babatunde Fashola disclosed this while presenting the State’s 2015 budget proposal of N489.69 billion to the House of Assembly for consideration, which is the same amount as that of 2014.

A breakdown of sectoral allocation of the budget shows that Education got the largest share of N82.11 billion or 16.6 percent as against N77.42 billion or 15.

81 percent recorded in 2014. This was followed by Housing and Community Amenities which got N49.03 billion or 10 percent as against N50.54 billion or 10.32 percent in 2014.

Recall that at the launching of the Lagos State Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (Lagos HOMS) on February 3, 2014, noted that the state government was saving N200 million monthly from its internally generated revenue (IGR) for construction of houses under the scheme.

“Part of the pride I have about this project is that we have not had to borrow money to fund any of these housing units.

Our progress so far is the result of rigorous

planning and financial discipline, savings and commitment. These projects have been fully funded from the taxes that our people have paid as monthly internally generated revenue (IGR).

About 3 years ago, when we took the view that the Lagos State Ministry of Housing on its own cannot deliver all the houses that Lagosians require without the active support and participation of private sector developers, this Scheme was born in my mind. The next hurdle was how to deliver it. We started saving N200million monthly, whether the internally generated revenue increased or decreased; and today, we are now saving N500million monthly, and it is possible to increase this as more people pay their taxes.

“The role of the Ministry of Housing will increasingly be that of a regulatory one, facilitating private sector housing development and enforcing housing regulations, leading research into systems building and cost saving initiatives that increase the affordability of homes and the speed of construction. Our ultimate plan is to be the guaranteed purchasers to developers who will acquire their own land, build to our specification and to our agreed prices.

FHA, FRSC partner on housing scheme

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he Federal Housing Authority (FHA) has entered into agreement with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to provide affordable housing for staff of the corps.

Under the deal, FHA will drive the implementation of its One-Man-One House policy for the staff of the organisation and meet the peculiar needs of FRSC staff.

This is the outcome of a meeting between the acting Managing Director of FHA, David Kpue and his FRSC counterpart, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, in Abuja.

Kpue said he was at the FRSC headquarters with his Management team to explore ways of partnering with the Corps towards providing affordable housing for its staff. He said FHA had developed a Public-Public Partnership housing delivery model to assist ministries, departments and agencies of government to execute their staff housing programmes.

Welcoming the FHA team earlier, the Corps Marshal, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi said the FRSCs vision was for every member of staff to have his own house before retirement in order to keep them focused on their primary duties.

Nigerian housing summit to hold in Abuja

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n a quest to create affordable housing for all Nigerians, the Nigerian Housing & Construction Summit and Expo 2015 is organizing a Housing Stakeholders Consultative Workshop tomorrow, December 2, 2014, in Abuja.

The theme of the workshop is “Housing Stakeholders Consultative Workshop Enabling Land, Finance and Concession for Affordable Housing Delivery”.

In furtherance of the objective of creating enabling environment for the development of the Housing sector, the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance and other key stakeholders in the housing sector is organizing a two -day Summit and Expo on “Nigeria Housing and Construction: Steps to Affordable Housing for All Nigerians” early in Q1, 2015.

32 — Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

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Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014 — 33

34 —Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

Tax Matters

Taxation of contract and direct labour procurement of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of government in Nigeria (1)

By ANUYA, F. O. (Ph.D)

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he Nigerian Tax Laws have provisions for the Taxation of contract Expenditure including those of Government, Ministry, Department and Agencies.

The withholding tax (WHT) provision was introduced into the tax system in 1997 with limited coverage to rent, dividends and directors fees.

Tax deduction at source has since been expanded to include: *All aspects of building, construction and related services. *All types of contract and agency arrangement, other than outright sale and purchase of goods and property in the ordinary course of business. *Consultancy, technical and professional services. *Management services. *Commissions *Interest and Royalty.

The introduction of WHT regime came about in order to address the problem of tax evasion although, there is the overriding objective of full disclosure, transparency, predictability and fairness.

Despite the huge Tax Revenue from award of contract and related source deductions, there is a growing interest in the usage of direct labour system in project procurement in Nigeria especially in the public sector. Direct Labour system is one of the several options of procurement used for project delivery process.

This type of system is regarded as in-house because procuring entity, as different from contractor ’s staff carry out the project delivery process and activities. One of the reasons for the preference for direct labour procurement is the Tax effect.

Government Ministries, Department and Agency consume the services of contractors and hence are to be charged VAT by contractors who execute contract for them.

This paper is intended to highlight how Government Expenditures are taxed in Nigeria and the extent to which direct labour procurement can be a Tax evasion scheme. This paper will not in any way address Tax issues relating to Corporate and Individual Expenditures.

THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT ACT 2007 C M Y K

From L-R: Coordinating Director, Modernisation Group of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Osy Chuke, 2.International Monetary Fund (IMF) Regional Advisor-Revenue Administration for West AFRITAC2, Faith Mazani, 3.Ag.Executive Chairman of FIRS, Alhaji Kabir Mashi and 4. Coordinating Director, Executive Chairman’s Direct Reports Group, FIRS, Hajia Queensley Seghosime during Mazani’s familiarisation visit to FIRS Revenue House, Abuja.

AND AWARD OF CONTRACT By the provisions of the Public Procurement Act 2007, the following should be noted about award of contract and Public Procurement:i. Procuring Entities should outsource those services that are either not part of their core business activity or for which there is a fluctuating requirement in terms of specialist skills or Equipment, or where the open market provides a more efficient and commercial alternative. ii. The approval and maintenance of monetary and prior review thresholds is important for the faithful implementation of the PPA. The thresholds establish relevant approving authorities and methodologies. “Monetary Thresholds” is defined in the interpretative section of the Act to mean the value limit in Naira set by the Bureau outside of which an approving authority may not award a procurement contract. iii. Procurement to be executed:a. by open competitive bidding, except as otherwise exempted; b. In a manner which is transparent, timely, and equitable for ensuring accountability and conformity with the Public Procurement Act and regulations deriving there from; c. With the aim of achieving

value for money and fitness for purpose; d. In a manner which promotes competition, economy and efficiency; and e. In accordance with the laid down procedures and timelines. iv. Where the Bureau has set prior review thresholds, no funds shall be disbursed from the Treasury/federation Account/ or any bank account of any procuring entity for any procurement falling above the set thresholds unless the cheque, warrant or other form of request for payment is accompanied by a “Certificate of ‘No Objection’ to Award of Contract” duly issued by the Bureau.

v. Subject to the monetary and prior review thresholds for procurements, the Parastatal Tenders’ Board of a government agency, Parastatal, or corporation or in the case of a ministry or extra-ministerial entity, the Ministerial Tenders’ Board shall be the Approving Authority for the conduct of public procurement. vi.

The following procedure shall be observed by ministries, extra ministerial offices, and other arms of government in implementing their procurement plans, viz; a. Advertise and solicit for bids in accordance with guidelines prescribed by the Bureau from time to time;

b. Invite two (2) credible persons as observers in every procurement process, one from a private sector professional organization relevant to the procurement and the other from nongovernment organization working in transparency, accountability and/or anticorruption areas; c. Receive, evaluate and make a selection of the bids in accordance with prescribed guidelines; d. Obtain the approval of the tenders board for the award of contract to successful bidder. e. Obtain “certificate of ‘No objection’ to award contract” from the Bureau where contract is outside the threshold. vii. All bidders in addition to requirements contained in any solicitation documents shall: a. Possess the necessary: *Professional and technical qualifications to carry out particular procurement *Financial capability; *Equipment and other relevant infrastructure; *Shall have adequate personnel to perform the obligations of the procurement contracts. b. Possess the legal capacity to enter into the procurement contract c. Not be in receivership, the subject of any form of insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings or the subject of any form of winding up petition or proceedings d. Must have fulfilled all its obligations to pay taxes, pensions and social security contributions. viii. P r o c u r e m e n t Approval Threshold (2012)

Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014 — 35

People in Business

Hairdressing made me an employer

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most of which went into renting of shop. "The shop was N3,000 a month for two years and an extra N50,000 for agreement and agent fees. I had to sell my phone and my sister-in-law lent me some money too.

For equipment, a friend of mine, an Igbo man that deals in hairdressing equipment gave me the equipment and asked me to be paying instalmentally. So every week, I made sure I paid in something into his account until I finished paying."

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Akeem Shobanke is t h e Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Ijesha, Lagos-based Uncle Super Hair Beauty Salon. In nthis chat with Financial Vanguard, he speaks on what led him to become a player in a field mostly regarded as a woman's field.

Excerpts:

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fter his primary and secondary s c h o o l education in Lagos, the native of Ogun Sttate decided to go and learn a trade as he could not make his papers that would have enabled him pursue a course in a tertiary institution. "I went to learn furniture making for a period of four years. Along the line, I lost my parents, so there was nobody to assist me financially to set up my business."

Going into hairdressing: Initially, Akeem had wanted to go into fashion designing but a visit to a friend's hairdressing salon changed his course.

"I went to a friend of mine who introduced me to hairdressing. He owns a salon and while in the salon, I observed all the activities going on and I picked up interest and decided to go into hairdressing.

"I was moved by the beauty I saw and one week later, I went back to him and asked if I could join him in the business just to learn. He said if I have an interest in the the business, I should come in.

He was joking but I was very serious. When I got there and started watching him work, I learnt really fast," he said.

Breakthrough: "One day, after being there for two months, he went on assignment (to do bridal hair) and left me and other staff in the salon.

"A customer came and there was no one to attend to her so I volunteered to attend to her but the others said: 'Ah ah!

You've been here for just two months and you want to do the job? No way!' I pleaded with them to give me a chance because I was convinced I could do it as I have been watching them work, moreover, I spent four years learning to make furniture.

"After weaving the hair for me, I started sewing. When I finished sewing, it was time to cut and they said I should not do the cutting or else I would

*Akeem Shobanke...Discipline is the principal thing in this business spoil the hair. I said there was no harm in trying, that they should allow me to do it. At that point, the lady told them to leave me alone to finish the job. "I was shaking but I summoned courage and began to do the cutting. When she looked at herself in the mirror, she could not believe that I started just two months earlier. When the boss came back and saw what I did, he was very impressed and began to give me more jobs to do.

Moving out: "After learning the trade, I decided to go elsewhere to look for a job. I applied and got a job at Andy Beauty Salon in Ojuelegba. They were impressed with my job and they started calling me

We make the customers beautiful so they can confidently go to work or party or wherever

Super because I was eager to learn all I could from everyone so they gave me the nickname, Super Whole.

After some time, a friend of mine got married and his wife was going on maternity leave and needed someone to take care of the salon until the wife resumed. So they asked me to manage the shop for three months after I left Andy Salon. "People got to know me in that area as the first male hairdresser in the Lawanson.

When the woman came back from maternity leave, I had to leave.

Setting up my own salon: "I went to a salon and told them I would want to be their stylist so we drew up a contract. The woman gave me the shop to manage and at the end of every month, I’d pay her a certain amount of money.

I worked hard and started saving some money. After two years, I decided to have a salon of my own in the same area because the woman said she wanted to close down and go into another business.

With the little money I saved and help from relations, today, I have three shops - one in Lawanson managed by my wife, another in Odo Eran managed by my staff and this one in Ijesha managed by me.

I am happily married with four children," he enthused.

Initial capital: Akeem said he started with an amouint below N200,000

Challenges: Speaking on the challenges, Akeem who has eight staff and over 20 apprentices in his employ, noted that the customer is his number one challenge. "When they come in and you tell them the price, they start bargaining, and for you to let them see what you can do, you have no option than to bring down the price so by the time they see what you can do, they would not mind adding a little money. Also, most of the apprentices today are not committed; excuses here and there so when you expect five people to work today, you may see two or three and you have to call to find out what was wrong.

They will never tell you they will be absent on a particular day so that you can make arrangements to fill the gap. We make the customers beautiful so they can confidently go to work or party or wherever.

I don’t go to parties.

"On Saturdays and Sundays, we come to work before seven in the morning for customers to come and see us ready.

Also, discipline is the principal thing in this business. You must be disciplined in every sense of the word; be always available for customers, don’t be a party goer. The customer should always find you at your duty post."

Power supply: "I don’t believe in PHCN, I always have my generator and fuel ready.

We spend N30,000 a week to power the three generators in the three shops. Once a customer comes in, we put on the generator until she leaves."

GTbank wins best bank award

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uaranty Trust Bank plc wins “Best Bank in Nigeria for 2014” by The Banker Magazine for promoting industry-wide excellence in Global Banking Ethics and adherence to the highest corporate governance standards.

The prestigious award ceremony which held at Intercontinental Hotel, Park Lane, London had in attendance more than 350 senior executives from well over 120 countries.

The Banker is the world’s leading monthly journal of records for the banking Industry, with over 90 years expertise in publishing development in the banking industry both Africa and on the global scale. For over 1000 applications collected, The Banker selects one winning bank for each of the 120 countries shortlisted.

Commenting on the award, Mr. Segun Agbaje, MD/CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank plc said “we are happy to receive this award” and attributed the bank’s achievements to the hardwork and commitment of its employees and loyalty of its customers.

Microsoft, BOI, Leadway, Banks bag SME Awards 2014

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his year ’s Nigerian SME Excellence Award and Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) ended on a high note last weekend with 15 corporate organisations and individuals clinching the coveted Nigerian SME Excellence Award.

Key amongst them are Microsoft Nigeria which bagged the award for its Office 360 product that aids efficient business management and Bank of Industry for its leadership role in real sector SME funding in Nigeria.

Also Leadway Assurance Limited bagged the award on the strength of its L-BOSS, a specialised business protection insurance package for SMEs while Interswitch bagged award for RetailPay, a payment system which gives SME businesses opportunity to maintain standard sales transaction records. Other Awardees at the ceremony include Fidelity Bank, GT Bank, Ecobank Nigeria, FCMB, Skye Bank, FBN Microfinance Bank and Enterprise Development Centre (EDC).

36 — Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

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Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014 — 37

“The principle is that those who are better off in society, and I hope they don’t mind, will be willing to share a bit more in remitting a bit more to the treasury than they normally do on those things.”

Minister of Finance, November, 16, 2014.

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iding behind a finger is a great deal more sensible than what that statement portrays. Read it again, and what comes through is a government which is reluctant, indeed, almost begging, to introduce more stringent progressive tax — even when every economist in the world knows that it is inevitable.

Irrespective of whether, they mind or not, the rich have to first of all pay. Then they have to pay more. In fact, what “they normally pay”, to use the Minister’s words, is frequently peanuts compared to what they should pay. Tax evasion is more common among the rich than among the poor.

I discovered that in 1981 when one of the UPN governors came to Lagos for a party meeting and he stopped

What Dr Okonjo-Iweala failed to tell us by in my late brother’s house.

My late brother was, at the time, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General for Lagos State, under Governor Jakande. He was lamenting his inability to fund adequately the free education policy of the state government and wandered how he could get more funds. I asked him if he was willing to demonstrate the will to obtain more funds for his programmes. He said yes. Then, I asked him to look at taxes paid by the rich compared with what they should be paying – starting with the richest five people in the state. When he protested that “They are very powerful”, I told him he was not prepared to succeed as a governor. The Minister of Finance will establish her government’s credibility when they are able to look Dangote, Otedola, Arthur Eze, Danjuma etc, in the face and dictate, instead of negotiating how much more they should pay and ensure they pay it. Everybody else will

be easy to discipline thereafter.

But, because the Minister is insincere and hesitant about the bold steps to take, the real burden of the austerity measures will fall on the middle class and the lower class. More of the middle class will sink to low class and more of the low class will join those now living

The danger with that approach to economic policy is that the Naira might soon go the way of Uganda’s currency, under General Idi Amin, when the Ugandan Central Bank Governor called it “tissue paper”

in poverty. It is inevitable and here is why.

STAGFLATION IS UNAVOIDABLE. Stagflation, which was a term coined from two economic phenomena, stagnation and inflation, occurs when GDP growth is declining and at the same time prices are going through the roof. With the price of crude going down and likely to stay down for some time, government spending will be slashed nationwide and people in those states which are heavily dependent on state governments will have less to spend. Meanwhile, the fall of crude will force currency devaluation and that will bring about inflation as prices of goods and services go up.

Contrary to the impression left by the Minister of Finance, retrenchment is certain, at federal, state and local governments and the private sector.

The one saving grace, abundant food supplies, this year, will be counter-balanced

by the fact that food might be cheaper next year but only those with money will benefit from the bonanza. Even that windfall will not extend to foods with high import content like pasta and noodles, sardines and imported processed foods.

Also unmentioned is the fact that with dwindling foreign exchange earnings, and with our debt obligations remaining the same, or rising, a greater percentage of our revenue will go towards debt servicing – unless we plan on debt default; which will lower our credit rating. Lower credit rating in turn means we pay higher interest rates for loans sourced from abroad. Domestic debt obligations will also claim a larger share of the income – unless, again, we plan to become dead beats to local creditors. Then, they will have to stop providing credit cover.

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38 — Vanguard, MONDAY,DECEMBER 1 , 2014

Micro-Finance

N9.6trn financing gap exists in MSMEs sector — Whensu Stories by PROVIDENCE OBUH

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he President, N a t i o n a l Association of Microfinance Banks, NAMB, Mr. Valentine Whensu, said that about N9.6 trillion financing gap exist in the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector.

Also, he said that out of the N220 billion

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Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund (MSMEDF) launched in September 2013, only five microfinance banks and nine states out of the 20 that applied have accessed the fund.

Whensu said this during NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW) roundtable workshop on how to access the N220 billion MSMEDF. According to him,

“Since the fund was launched in September last year, only five MfBs have accessed the fund and only nine states out of the 20 that applied have accessed the fund.

“There are 17, 284, 671 SMEs in Nigeria employing 32, 375, 460.

These MSMEs contribute a total of 79 percent to GDP. “N9.6 trillion financing gap in MSMEs sector in Nigeria, commercial bank loan to MSMEs at

a percentage of total credit decreased from 48 percent in 1992 to 0.2 percent in 2010, meaning that MfBs will give out this money.

“CBN started with a

good initiative of N220 billion for MSMEs but you can’t collect the money easily because there are conditions attached: 75 percent collateral in liquid form,

which is Treasury bill.

However, the CBN slashed the 75 percent collateral to 50 percent only last week but we are negotiating for zero collateral.

Dangote tasks young entrepreneurs to stay focused

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he Chairman, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, weekend, urged young

and upcoming entrepreneurs to always stay focused on achieving their dreams regardless

of the challenges of doing business in Nigeria.

He said this at the National Summit on Entrepreneurship and Innovation, with the t h e m e : ‘Entrepreneurship, Job creation and Poverty Reduction,’ in Lagos.

Dangote who was represented by Group Executive Director, Stakeholders’ Management & C o r p o r a t e Communications, Dangote Industries Ltd Mr. Mansur Ahmed, said that all entrepreneurs in the country face similar challenges, “therefore, focus should be on finding ways of moving the business forward and making it succeed, rather than dwelling on constraints.”

He maintained that young entrepreneurs must study and understand themselves and identify their skill, even as he challenged them to build the necessary skills and competence required to succeed.

“Young entrepreneurs should think big, dream big and aim high,” he said.

On the theme, he said “the theme is quite apt, as the three terms are clearly interwoven.

Entrepreneurs create jobs and when people are gainfully employed, the incidence of poverty is greatly reduced.

“This forum is coming at a time when Nigeria has been rated the largest economy in Africa with a gross domestic product (GDP) of $510billion (well above South Africa’s $350bn); the 26th largest economy in the world; and the leading destination for investment in Africa.”

However, he described the situation as a curious paradox that despite these excellent achievements, the level of unemployment in the country remains high.

Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014 — 39

E- Commerce

‘Nigeria needs legislation on e-commerce’ Deeper internet penetration to boost SMEs productivity

Stories by JONAH NWOKPOKU

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igeria needs a legislation that will protect e-commerce businesses and consumers in order to drive growth and boost opportunities in the sector, said Nduka Udeh, the President/CEO of Shoptomydoor.

He said the lack of legislation for the industry especially legislations relating to consumer protection has significantly affected the pace of growth of e-commerce in the country.

Nduka who stated this during an exclusive interview with the Vanguard noted that the scepticism about online business resulting from Nigeria’s reputation on efraud is affecting the sector and that it is further compounded by the lack of effective legislation that will address consumer concerns.

He said: “Government does not have a policy on ecommerce.

Look at Consumer Protection Council, CPC for example.

The legislation establishing the CPC, the last update on consumer protection, was in 1992. Till date, I don’t know of any updated consumer protection law that caters to e-commerce.”

This, he said, was necessary because, if a consumer buys items online, and it is not delivered, he should have a regulatory body that he can go to seek redress.

According to him, “If there

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PRESENTATION - From left: Mrs Bukki Ogunnusi, Public Relations Manager, Toyota Nigeria Ltd; Mr Andrew Ajuyah, Head, Marketing; Mr Godwin Ogagaoghene, Asst. Corps Marshal, Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone 2, Lagos, Federal Road Safety Corps and Mr. Nishant, Manager, Trainings & Workshop, Toyota during the presentation of The Car of the year 2014 Award to Toyota Nigeria Ltd at the Nigeria Auto Journalists Awards held in Lagos. Photo Lamidi Bamidele. is a law in place protecting the consumer, there will be an explosion in patronage in e-commerce. But because we don’t have that, a lot of people are scared. This is because the people are not sure that if they place any order that they will receive it or know what to do even if they receive it, but the item does not meet their standards.”

“These are some of the concerns that discourage people from embracing ecommerce. It is to counter some of these challenges that you see some of the companies like Jumia and Konga coming up with pay

on delivery. Is it a good method? It is not. This is because it leads to high operating cost on the part of these businesses. It reduces their profit and it has lots of negative effects on them as a business, preventing them from expanding. But in Nigeria, it is there because the consumers do not trust the online platform,” he added.

He therefore called on the government to put up legislation on e-commerce as the stage is set for ecommerce boom in the country if the right policies to support it are put in place.

“Government needs to put

Lamudi unveils white paper on real estate in emerging markets

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s part of activity to mark one year anniversary in the Nigerian property market, property portal, Lamudi.com has unveiled a white paper on real estate in the emerging markets.

The report is a result of research in the real estate sector in Nigeria including 28 other emerging markets where Lamudi also operates.

Managing Director of Lamudi Nigeria, Obi Ejimofor told journalists during the anniversary and the unveiling of the white paper in Lagos that the report was inspired by the need to address the dearth of data challenge in the sector and further assist players in the sector make informed decision.

“The research should be useful to every player in the real estate sector. It has nothing to do with competition because the sector is large enough for all players but anything we can do to improve housing affordability and access, is

acceptable. All of us need to do more.

We are celebrating 30,000 properties listed on our platforms but many more Nigerians are moving to the cities every minute. That is more than all the properties we have all together right now,” he said.

According to him, “The white paper is based on lots of surveys that we have from our suppliers and customers and not of the actual transactional activity.

For now if I am investor and I am looking at emerging markets and I am looking for where to invest in terms of the real estate sector, at least you can look at Nigeria, compare it with Ghana, Philippines or Mexico and see what the agents and the developers are saying and see where the growth is and then make informed decisions based on that macroeconomic view of the market.”

The report has been made available to the general public for download on the Lamudi website.

up legislation on ecommerce. We have reached that stage.

Nigeria’s e-commerce contribution to the GDP is less than one percent, even though it is believed that e-commerce is booming. If government puts up policies that encourages e-commerce, even if we stop at three percent which is the average globally, that amounts to about $10 billion to the GDP because of e-commerce.

So government has a big role to play,” he said.

icrosoft’s Chief Technology Officer, Olayinka Oni has identified greater internet penetration in Nigeria as a critical factor to increasing the productivity of small and medium enterprises, SMEs. Speaking on a Mara Mentor programme, Oni said, “People will get a lot more with broadband technology, especially through ecommerce which is said to contribute about 7 per cent to Nigeria’s GDP.” In a recent report by Ericsson Mobility, mobile broadband is becoming prominent in Sub-Saharan Africa as the region grows more reliant on mobile devices.

And as Nigeria continues to lead other sub-Saharan countries; despite the challenges with broadband c o n n e c t i v i t y, M r. O n i believes SMEs will be more productive with increased internet penetration.

He noted that “technology is here to stay and will continue to shape businesses” and thus advised business owners to acquaint themselves with technologies that would grow their businesses, while keeping an eye on online consumer behaviour and the latest trends in ICT.

EU lawmakers urge regulators to break up Google

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uropean Union l a w m a k e r s overwhelmingly backed a motion last week urging antitrust regulators to break up Google, the latest setback for the world’s most popular Internet search engine.

Google has been in the EU’s regulatory sights since 2010, and is also grappling with privacy issues, requests to scrub search results to comply with a court ruling, copyright concerns and tax controversies.

The non-binding resolution in the European Parliament is the strongest public signal yet of Europe’s concern with the growing power of U.S. tech giants. It was passed with 384 votes for and 174 against.

German conservative lawmaker and co-sponsor of the bill Andreas Schwab said it was a political signal to the European Commission, which is tasked with ensuring a level playing field for business across the 28country bloc.

“Monopolies in whatever market have never been useful, neither for consumers nor for the companies,” he said.

Schwab said he had nothing against Google and was a regular user.

Google declined to comment.

European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager has said she will review the case and talk to complainants before deciding on the next step.

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40 — Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

Aviation

NCAT enabling Act to be amended MMIA cargo warehouse will remain closed — Customs

By LAWANI MIKAIRU & DANIEL ETEGHE

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he Nigerian Customs Service said the Federal Government has agreed that the cargo shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport , Lagos will remain shut until terminal operators comply with new operational procedures that would not threaten national security and collection of revenue .

The cargo shed was shut last week following violation of procedures by clearing agents at restricted sections of the terminal, which officials of Nigerian Customs Service said constitute grave danger to security of the airports and the fiscal policies of government .

Addressing reporters , the Customs Area Comptroller, in charge of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command, Mr Taju Olarenwaju said government has directed officials to identify and allow passage for perishable goods , medical goods and diplomatic goods , which have remained trapped due to the crisis .

Olarenwaju said through the command’s internal check measures, goods that fall into the specialised category : perishable; medical and diplomatic would be isolated for facilitation, such that the importers do not suffer from the infraction caused by clearing agents, who are not ready to comply with operational procedures .

According to him “ The warehouse remains shut, until the agents and terminal managers show capacity to operate without threat to security .” He warned that the Nigeria Customs Service have the capacity to crush any violator, who as saboteurs and terrorists are set to threaten national security and the collection of revenue for government .

He said government in respect for international trade regulations would not want to close cargo warehouses at the airport, but it is constrained to take the decision because clearing agents have demonstrated that they are not ready to comply with C M Y K

By LAWANI MIKAIRU

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he Act establishing the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, Zaria, is to be amended soon, just as the college is putting final touches to arrangement to celebrate its 50th anniversary coming up next month.

This was made known by the college Rector, Captain Samuel Akinyele Caulcrick in an interview with journalists. He said the document is at present in the Ministry of Justice going through necessary legal fine tuning for amendment of the Act. According to Caulcrick “We are trying to change the Enabling Act. Don’t forget that the Act is one of the oldest in the aviation industry today. It is 50 years, it needs to be amended. We are in the process of achieving that”.

He also disclosed that document to this effect has gone to the Attorney-General of the Federation adding that “All we are waiting for is a directive from the Federal Executive Council before it is sent to the National assembly.”

He regretted that “the existing Act had strictly been treating the college as an arm of the Aviation Ministry, thus making it to have a lot of limitations. This is part of the constraints we have”.

Speaking on some of the efforts to move the college forward, the Rector noted that NCAT had secured temporary accreditation from the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE) to start Diploma courses. He further said that the entry

requirements of some of the courses offered were now first degree because they are professional courses.

“But we are not sure where we are, whether we are going to make the entry for all our courses, first degree, particularly flying because we need to capture them early. That is why in the past we take them after the School Certificate Examination but now we have over a million of Nigerians who are willing to go into aviation and have acquired their first degree at the age of 20 or 22. That is still okay for us because we have a limit.”

“So, we may raise the entry

requirement to that of first degree because we tried that in the past, it failed. It failed in the sense that the age at which those graduates came in, were beyond the age limit you have to capture them.

“But now that we have a lot of Nigerians who have acquired first degree at tender age, we may have to make the entry requirement a first degree. This is because like any other thing in life, you keep raising the bar, “he explained.

“When I came in , I discovered that the standard was a bit down, though not dangerously, what we are now doing is to bring it back to original and make it better,

so that our products will be the first choice anywhere in the world. That is our goal, we mean quality,” he emphasized.

Captain Caulcrick who embraced the advent of other aviation training schools in the country, said such development would make the industry to expand. “Yes, we want them to come in so that we can all raise the bar together through competition.”

He also disclosed that the process to have campuses outside Zaria was in the pipeline adding, “We are already in that process, it is in our budget this year, so that we can reach out to all corners of Nigeria.”

PROGRAMME - From left: Let’s Play Ambassador, Victor Ipkeba; Angela Ngerem; Dan Ngerem and Felix Awogu, General Manager, SuperSport West Africa during the SuperSport developmental programme called “Let’s Play” held in Owerri, Imo State.

Aviation experts task FG on upgrade of navigational aids

By DANIEL ETEGHE

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omen in Aviation, an umbrella body for female aviation professionals, have tasked the Federal Government to upgrade navigational facilities at the nation’s airports as a sure way of improving airports’ operations across the country.

Speaking during a seminar at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos Captain Faith Odushola, a pilot with Aero Airline, affirmed that despite the fact that most airports in Nigeria

have attained the Category One status, some of them still do not have the Instrument Landing System (ILS) in them.

She noted that when these navigational facilities are in place air transportation could be facilitated. According to her “Well I believe that government can improve on airport facilities so that they can be available for airlines to use for landing and all of that. I think that most of the airports in Nigeria now are in Category One yet some of them don’t have Instrument Landing System (ILS)” .

She added that a lot of Nigerians are yet to fly noting

that the reason was due to the high taxes leveled on the airlines by the Federal Government which is also transferred to the passengers as high fares and this has often scared a lot of air travelers away from flying.

Commenting on multiple entry by foreign airlines into the country, Captain Odushola said the situation was quite different in Europe as the practice in Nigeria was only killing the domestic airlines operations in the country. She said ”Local airlines should be able to have the market to go into, in Europe, you cannot have a foreigner coming to fly from

London to Amsterdam for example but here in Nigeria we can see almost all the foreign airlines flying into Lagos, flying into Abuja then you have taken away the Lagos – Abuja market from the local operators, this is not how it should be” Also speaking, Senior Supervisor, Ticketing and Reservation , Dana Airline, Mrs. Patience Umunnaehila also tasked the government to embark on the expansion of the tarmac and the boarding area of the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) noting that the place was always choked up as it hardly accommodate passengers.

Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014 — 41

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42 — Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

Insurance

IGI continues strategic restructuring Terrorism insurance still available —report

Stories by ROSEMARY ONUOHA

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ndustrial & General Insurance Plc has continued with part of the strategic restructuring initiated by the late Executive Vice Chairman Mr. Remi Olowude by appointing three professionals as board members.

They are Mr. Yayale Ahmed; Prof. Oladapo Afolabi, both former heads of service of the federation, and Mr. Ken Aigbinode, a chartered accountant.

A statement by the Principal Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr. Steve Ilo, said that their appointment was unanimously ratified by shareholders of the insurance company at its 21st annual general meeting held in Lagos.

Ilo said that they will fill existing vacancies on the board some of which arose following the death of some members, including two founding Directors, Pa Ola Vincent and Dr. Abdulateef Adegbite. The company ’s Founder and Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Remi Olowude, also passed away on 26 September, 2014 after a brief illness.

“This is part of a phased repositioning of the company as envisioned by the late EVC. It is an

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FORUM - From left: Head, Benefits Administration, Legacy Pension Managers Ltd, Mr. Musa Joda, General Manager, Legacy Pension Managers Ltd, Mr. Mai Moustapha, and Representative of the Managing Director, Legacy Pension Managers Ltd, Mr. Christopher Bajowa, at the just concluded Open Customer's Forum organised by Legacy Pension Managers Ltd on Retirees Savings Account ( RSA ) in Lagos.

ongoing reform aimed at engendering a more vibrant company that will pursue vigorously the late founder ’s vision of a world class organisation.

“We are poised to set new standards for competition in product innovation, service delivery and best practice, while delivering great value to all stakeholders. IGI is equipped with all the essential material, intellectual and human resources for driving this transfor mation. We are therefore approaching the future with confidence and great expectations.”

A native of Bauchi State, Ahmed has a Bachelor ’s

Degree in Political Science and a Master ’s Degree in Public Administration both from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He also has honorary Doctorate Degrees in Law and of Letters awarded by the University of Abuja and Bayero University, Kano respectively. He was appointed Head of Service of the Federation in 2000 and the Secretary to The Government of The Federation in 2008.

Afolabi, who has a PhD in Applied Chemistry, won a fellowship at Howard University, Washington as an International Atomic Energy Agency Fellow in

Premium Pension director moves up

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r.

Adamu Mele, the Executive Director, Business Development and Investment of Premium Pension Limited has been elevated to the fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers.

Mele who has been a member of the institute since 1994 was before the elevation an Associate Chartered Stockbrokers.

“I am highly appreciative of this recognition by the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers” said Mele.

“The institute is one of the most vibrant professional organisations in the country.

It handles activities regarding the capital market which in itself is a platform for raising long term capital for the economy.”

Managing Director of Premium Pension Limited, Mr. Wilson Ideva congratulated Mele on this feat which would rub off positively on the fortunes of the company and by extension, the pension industry.

“Mele’s elevation complements our

core value of professionalism and further brightens the future of the company” said Ideva. “A tested and well-grounded investment expertise is the primary ingredient for the growth of pension funds.”

Mele’s expertise covers economic and investment research, financial advisory services, asset management, capital market regulation and administration. He is a law graduate of the University of Maiduguri with an MBA from the University of Ado Ekiti. He has held several positions in financial management and administration in various organisations, including Head, Northern Region, of IBN Securities Limited (a subsidiary of First Inland Bank Limited) and CEO Tiddo Universal Securities Limited (Member Nigerian Stock Exchange. He is also an alumnus of New York Institute of Finance, Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Business School, Boston, U.S.A.

1983. He played a major role in organising the first Ecological Summit in 1988, which led to creation of the Federal Ministr y of Environment. He had a flourishing career in the civil service and was appointed Head of Service in 2010.

With experience in financial sector spanning over 25 years, Kenneth Aigbinode began his banking career in Barclays Bank in 1975. He worked for 10 years (1983 -1993) in Nigerian-American Merchant Bank, including a 6-month credit internship in Boston with the bank’s affiliate, Bank of Boston, USA. Between 1998 and 2003, he was in Fidelity Union Merchant Bank where he rose to become the Acting Managing Director. He oversaw the bank’s transformation from merchant banking to commercial banking, before joining New Nigeria Bank in 2004 as an Executive Director.

The Central Bank of Nigeria engaged him for 6 months in 2005 as part of an Interim Management Board to oversee the affairs of Assurance Bank towards an orderly liquidation.

Since 2005, Aigbinode has been consulting in telecommunications.

He currently oversees the telecoms portfolio of IGI Plc as Group Director.

.M. Best, a rating agency has said that terrorism insurance is still available globally in the open market, and that rates have been under pressure, reflecting the relatively low level of loss activity post-Sept.

11 and plentiful capacity in the reinsurance market.

The agency noted that Underwriting expertise for terrorist events has improved significantly in recent years, to an extent that terrorist risk can be underwritten in the open market. Furthermore, modelling has improved, with the three major catastrophe modelling companies all offering terrorism models, it said.

“However, A.M. Best expects the U.K. insurance sector to remain reliant on the backstop guarantee provided by the U.K. government for terrorism cover, given the magnitude of losses that could result from such an event,” said Catherine Thomas, director, analytics.

“In particular, losses resulting from nuclear, biological, chemical and radiological (NBCR) attacks could be very high and are extremely difficult to estimate. Terrorism risks are particularly technical and complex, and probabilistic modelling has clear limitations due to difficulties associated with identifying targets and estimating the frequency of attacks.

Deterministic analysis – whereby specific, hypothesised scenarios are analysed – tends to be favoured.” “The government currently charges a levy of 10% of Pool Re’s annual premium income in return for the unlimited backstop, and H.M. Treasury is now seeking to lift this fee,” added Yvette Essen, director, industry research - Europe & Emerging Markets. “It has been reported that the levy could be raised to 50% with effect on Jan. 1, 2015.”

All the most significant providers of commercial property insurance in the United Kingdom participate in Pool Re, including many overseas companies and Lloyd’s syndicates. A.M. Best does not anticipate taking any rating actions on U.K. insurers in response to an increase in the levy, as this is unlikely to alter the claimspaying ability of the scheme.

Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014 — 43

Advertising

Beer: Espousing inspiring brand values of a beverage genre Stories by PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

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eer is arguably the world’s oldest alcoholic beverage. Though technology and innovation may have changed how the exotic social drink is brewed and enjoyed today, the over 40,000 thriving beer brands across markets in the world today shares same unique characteristics: They are all made from the same four basic natural ingredients - namely: hops, barley, yeast and water.Other stories, claims, assertions, stereotypes, assumptions and conceptions about the beverage genre may pass as falsehoods, half-truths and blatant spurious claims; the fact that beer is a beverage drink made purely from four natural ingredients (hops, barley, yeast and water) is sacrosanct and indisputable.

Unfortunately today, this is one truthful story about the first known beverage drink man ever known that many are probably unaware of.

The need to properly put the positive story of this iconic beverage variety in proper perspective in the public space was what inspired one of the world’s largest brewers, Heineken International, owners of Nigerian Breweries Plcto embark on the onerous journey to tell the positive story of beer. Ultimately, the brewing industry hopes to challenge (with facts and empirical evidence) the agelong myths, misconceptions and unfounded stereotypes held against beer as a safe, nutritious and healthy beverage drink. The campaign

is aimed at presenting the real and correct image of beer as an alcoholic beverage drink.

The campaign narrative is simple. It focuses on tracing the rich and inspiring history and evolution of beer as a beverage drink; present tested and empirical evidence gathered from research findings by health researchers, nutritionists, and scientists that presents beer as safe, healthy and richly endowed beverage drink.

Scholars have not ceased

he chairman of Troyka Group, Mr. Biodun Shobanjo has been awarded the Most Influential Personality in Advertising in Africa.

The advertising czar was presented with the Award at the rd 3 ADM Award of Excellence in Development,Ghana 2014 recently.

Mr. Ayo Ilesanmi, Chief Executive Officer at Playhorse Communications Limited, publishers of the African Development Magazine, the Awards’ organizers, said in a statement that Shobanjo was counted worthy of the award ‘in appreciation of his contributions to the advertising industry in Africa.’ According to Mr Ilesanmi it has become

consuming public about beer and to seize the unique opportunity to ignite positive and informed conversations about the product.

An initial awareness campaign, which included key facts about beer, was designed for all employees. Core to We Love Beer, however, is the ambassadorship programme, which is initially being run in ten Operating Companies.

WORKSHOP - Mr. Asif Mohammed, (in Suit) Project Engineer, Daikin Middle East & Africa with Panaserv crew at Daikin split air conditioners technical training workshop, held in Lagos recently.

Simon Page fetes female Professionals

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s part of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative that is skewed toward fostering productivity at the workplace, Simon Page, recently organized Professional Divas Day for over 80 professional ladies

Shobanjo wins Most Influential Personality in Advertising Award

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wondering how beer, a much loved and consumed beverage drink, never enjoy the rave claim it deserves from the consuming public, by extension the public in in general.

Beginning with its own employees, Heineken initiated the We Love Beer programme to share the truths about beer and to dispel the negative myths.

Launched in September 2012, the global programme aims to engage, inspire, educate and excite the

necessary for African leaders to refocus on the continent so as not to reinforce the stronghold of neocolonialists that emphasise on minor divisive tendencies to milk Africa.

‘There is no better time for business leaders of African origin to position to harness the economic strengths of domestic economies of the nation states of Africa. No one else is going to develop Africa but Africans,’ he said. He explained that acknowledging giant strides of illustrious sons and daughters of Africa was ADM’s small way of thanking those who have demonstrated faith in developing Africa by investing their God-given resources in the hope that it gingers both present.

from middle to senior management levels, drawn from various industries like M a n u f a c t u r i n g , Telecommunication, Finance and Advertising agencies.

The Divas Day event which took place at the La Mango Restaurant and Bar in GRA Ikeja, Lagos, treated female executives to free pampering session like Massage, Body Polishing, Make-up/Facial, Pedicure, Board, pool games and Competitions /Photo Contest.

Commenting on the initiative, Head of Operations, Simon Page Business Schools, Tomi Ajiboye, stated that apart from offering Marketing, marketing communication, digital marketing and marketing strategy courses, Simon Page constantly rewards its students for their outstanding performance.

“Last year, we noticed that more women won of the awards despite the huge stress in family and workplace. This gave birth to this initiative where we can pamper them with nice music, massage and good

food.

The selection process is a combination of those women who distinguished themselves in their professional work and other women in the society. We are looking at doing this initiative more often in Lagos and hope to do it in other States as Simeon Page Business School expands”.

On Air Personality with Cool WAZOBIA and Cool TV, Tolulope Adeleru Balogun, maintained that the Divas Day initiative helps to put female Professionals in their best health and mental state.

“It is a great feeling to bring women together under a stress-free environment to gossip, drink and have a great time. Companies should recognise that when it comes to the working women, they need to help them to contribute more so that they can contribute more to the company.

Microsoft Mobile to reward customers with 12 cars in ‘Lumia Christmas’ celebration

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ith the yuletide around the corner, Microsoft Mobile Devices said its going to commence a ‘Lumia Christmas’ promotion with which it intends to give out 12 cars. According to a release the promotion aims to make the yuletide a special season for its customers, whilst the promotion which runs from th November 24 to December st 31 2014 will see 12 lucky Lumia smartphone and tablet buyers drive away with a brand new Ford Figo car as well as gift items.

Joseph Umunakwe, General Manager, Microsoft Mobile Devices and Services, West Africa stated, “We are very proud of our Lumia smartphones and tablets and how it continues to connect more people to our suite of productivity services, whilst providing them a rich smartphone experience at amazing price points. This is our little way of rewarding our consumers, ensuring they close this year and begin the New Year on a high note.”

He explained that “ Every customer stands a chance of winning one of the 12 brand new Ford Figo cars on offer.

All they need to do is buy any Lumia smartphone or tablet and SMS keyword LUMIA your NAME and IMEI number to 38680”.

TNS RMS bags marketing research agency award

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NS RMS a market research agency has been named Marketing Research Agency of the Year at the 2014 Marketing World Awards, MWAs. The annual MWAs recognise excellence, innovation and inspiring initiatives across the African marketing industry.

The Marketing Research accolade is awarded on the basis of an industry-wide vote, which highlights the stellar work and reputation of TNS RMS among clients and operators.

The prestigious event, which was held at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, attracted leading figures across the integrated marketing and communications sectors.

The ceremony provided a platform for the marketing industry in Africa to demonstrate and celebrate the advances made in the key areas of digital, experiential, media, stewardship, efficiency, innovation, corporate social responsibility and creativity.

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44— Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014 Email:lesleba@lesleba.com, lesleba@gmail.com Blog page:www.lesleba.com/blog2 Website: www.lesleba.com Tel:0805 220 1997

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here has been a palpable feeling of economic uncertainty in the land, since the Central Bank officially devalued the Naira exchange rate from N155 to N168 last week; the public’s anxiety is probably, the recognition of the pervasive impact of the Naira/ Dollar exchange rate on the general cost of goods and motor-spirits (aka petrol) in a heavily import dependent economy such as ours.

In the rest of this article, we will briefly discuss the most frequently asked questions in relation to the recent Naira devaluation.

What is the immediate implication of Naira devaluation?

Up until last week, the Central Bank sold one dollar for about N155; henceforth, however, the CBN would officially sell one US dollar for N168, specifically for approved imports while banks would, now independently source and sell their own dollars at a market determined rate, which is currently around N175=$1.

In other words, further dollar scarcity in the market could well push interbank exchange rate nearer N200/$1 as Bureau de Change currently sell their dollars for over N180=$1. The net impact of weaker Naira exchange rates would be the sustenance of an inflationary spiral. For example, the recent 8% Naira devaluation may ultimately drive the already oppressive level of inflation above 10%, such that all incomes, including the N18,000 minimum wage would lose over 50% of their purchasing value every 5 years and further deepen the level of poverty and constrain consumer demand with adverse consequences for industrial and inclusive economic growth.

In addition to inflation, what are the other challenges posed by the devaluation?

The collapse of a once bourgeoning industrial

Emefiele and inherited “curse" of surplus Naira landscape in Nigeria between N1 exchanged for more than 1986-93 was the result of a $1, (Mercedez 200 flat back massive devaluation of the was introduced to the Nigerian Naira in conformity with the market for less than N7,000!

IMF inspired Structural Incidentally, today, a Mercedez Adjustment Programme (SAP). Benz car tyre cost well above The cost of industrial inputs the minimum wage of quadrupled and made-in- N18,000).

Further more, Naira Nigeria products quickly became uncompetitive against devaluation precipitated the cheaper imports; consequently, unwholesome brain drain of job opportunities became very solid and well rounded increasingly scarce and professionals from our ivory regrettably our industrial towers and educational subsector is yet to recover from institutions and the private the dastardly blows suffered as sector to greener pastures a result of Naira devaluation; abroad; regrettably, the trend indeed our landscape is littered continues to this day and with hundreds of formerly Nigerians now spend over a active factories which have billion dollars annually to since been converted to places educate our children and of worship or social event wards in foreign institutions; centres. The product of the worse still, after qualification attendant industrial we encourage these youths to contraction is the increasing support the economies of their host countries with their size of our a c q u i r e d unemployed expertise rather labour force! than return S i m i l a r l y, The abiding home to with steady contribute their N a i r a symptoms of to devaluation excess liquidity are quota improvement over the untamed inflation, and growth of y e a r s , our economy. durable, disturbingly and What will be lifestyle inappropriately the impact of enhancing high cost of funds devaluation on consumer fuel prices and p r o d u c t to the real sector, subsidy? imports also weak exchange The Economic b e c a m e rate, high national M a n a g e m e n t q u i c k l y has, for priced out of debt accumulation Team over a decade the reach of at oppressive costs remained in the average denial of working class and the rather exchange rate as family, for unusual the real driver of example, accommodation of higher fuel brand new tear-r ubber outlays of between prices and the collateral of the automobiles $6-12bn for payment of which cost obnoxious fuel subsidising fuel less than subsidy values N5,000 on prices annually exceeding N1tn average when

($6bn) every year. Indeed, subsidy became a component of domestic fuel price as a result of a precipitate devaluation of the NAIRA in compliance with IMF conditionalities attendant to the Structural Adjustment Programme.

For example, an exchange rate of N80=$1 will immediately crash fuel prices below N90 without subsidy; however, any exchange rate above the erstwhile N155/$1 will conversely instigate fuel prices accordingly. It is not yet clear if fuel imports will be settled at the CBN’s new official rate of N168 or the interbank exchange rate of N175/$1; what is clear however, is that instead of about 20% lower crude oil prices bringing down domestic fuel prices, the weaker Naira exchange rate of between N168-N175 will compensate for the fall in crude prices and still keep domestic fuel prices at the premium levels which accommodate increasing subsidy values as the Naira exchange rate depreciates.

Is Naira devaluation the product of tumbling oil prices?

That is what the authorities want us to believe, however, in reality, there is no evidence that the Naira exchange rate responded positively and became stronger when crude prices exceeded $120/barrel a while back.

Indeed, historically the Naira exchange rate has fallen over time, despite much higher crude prices and bountiful dollar reserves from oil export.

What then is the prime driver of Naira exchange rate?

Evidently, the Naira exchange rate is primarily a function of surplus Naira a.k.a. excess liquidity; even the CBN

Governor and the Economic Management Team and the Monetary Policy Committee do not deny that the eternally present surplus state of Naira in our economy also has a diluting effect on the strength of the Naira against the dollar; indeed, a market which constantly has a huge overhang of Naira against tightly rationed dollar supplies, will inevitably produce a weaker Naira exchange rate. Consequently, by rationing dollar supplies in its capacity as supplier of over 80% market dollar values, the CBN inadvertently weakens the Naira exchange rate, when it liberally floods the money market with Naira whenever it substitutes Naira allocations for dollar derived distributable revenue.

Why have CBN’s measures to contain excess liquidity failed?

Actually, the CBN’s strategies have been targeted at the symptoms, rather than the actual cause of excess liquidity.

The abiding symptoms of excess liquidity are untamed inflation, disturbingly and inappropriately high cost of funds to the real sector, weak exchange rate, high national debt accumulation at oppressive costs and the rather unusual accommodation of outlays of between $6-12bn for subsidising fuel prices annually. Nonetheless, the incontestable cause of excess liquidity is the CBN’s substitution of Naira allocations for dollar revenue; this singular act is undoubtedly also responsible for driving higher inflation rates and higher oppressive cost of funds; additionally, such eternally surplus Naira is consequently responsible for increasing national debt and a weaker Naira which in turn instigates higher fuel prices and the attendant burden of subsidy.

Save the Naira, Save Nigerians

Business & Economy Lagos empowers 3,149 artisans in agric business

By FRANKLIN ALLI

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AGOS state Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives said a total of 3, 149 people in agricultural value chain businesses in four local government areas of the state have benefitted from its empowerment programmes.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Prince Gbolahun Lawal, who disclosed this, said the beneficiaries were given equipment and input like brand new outboard engines, generating sets, garri C M Y K

processing machines, grinders, as well as fish feed, pig meals and body gears.

“At the last count, the empowerment programme had touched more than 3,149 lives; the programme was in fulfillment of the promise made by the governor of the state during the last World Food Day celebration held in the state. He pointed out that to ensure that beneficiaries do not misuse the resources, the ministry first held a training programme for them. He explained that the ministry decided to zone the state into four for easy access of the beneficiaries and the four

locations are Mowo in Badagry, Odogunyan in Ikorodu, Agege and Araga in Epe.” According to him, 320 people were equipped at Mowo, from where the team moved to Ikorodu where 747 persons got empowered, down to another 260 in Epe, with over 2, 000 receiving empowerment at Agege.

“The ministry stormed the last venue with 63 herds of cattle (making 100 in all) with 1, 000, feed millers, smoking kilns Personal protective Equipment (PPE) for 252 butchers; 40 outboard engines to mention a few.

Omoh Gabriel Babajide Komolafe Clara Nwachukwu Peter Egwuatu Yinka Kolawole Favour Nnabugwu Godwin Oritse Godfrey Bivbere Michael Eboh Franklin Alli Ebele Orakpo Ifeyinwa Obi Rosemary Onuoha

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Group Business Editor Deputy Business Editor Energy Editor Asst. Business Editor Snr Bus. Correspondent Insurance Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Energy Reporter Industry/Agric. Reporter Energy Reporter Maritime Reporter Insurance Reporter

CONTRIBUTORS Princewill Ekwujuru Nkiruka Nnorom Jonah Nwokpoku Naomi Uzor Providence Obuh LAYOUT

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Media/Marketing Capital Market E-Commerce Industry Micro Finance Graphics Department

Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014 — 45

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46—Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

PDP governors are not playing god – Dr. Uduaghan •There'll be no fresh Ijaw - Itsekiri fight FAMED for his taciturn but tactical approach to governance and even now, politics, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State is like a long distance athlete determined not to collapse at the end of the race. It is not surprising that the mantra among close aides of the governor is on Finishing Strong.

It is thus not surprising that with many of his colleagues fully devoted to the politics of transition, the administration is still on its feet ensuring that testimonials won in various sectors, notably in its micro-credit scheme are not concealed by the fogs and fumes of politicking.

Mid morning last Saturday, Dr. Uduaghan took out time in the new Government House building, one of the legacies of his administration, to respond to questions fielded by a team of visiting journalists on the pace and pattern of his administration. Excerpts:

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor Y OU were once quoted as saying that you don’t know who will succeed you but that you know who will not succeed you, who are those that will not succeed you?

I know those who will not succeed me; those who have not picked forms will not succeed me, so my prediction was right.

Some were moving around even before the whistle was blown but eventually they did not pick forms, so those ones will not succeed me. Those who have picked the form and have declared, one of them will succeed me.

Anointed candidates If you want to talk about anointed candidates, I have 16 anointed candidates, so we have agreed that they are going to do six months each over eight years because I don’t have one anointed candidate.

On a more serious note, the wish of everyone, whether you are governor or an editor, is that whoever succeeds you should continue from where you are

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stopping. I think it is the wish of everybody. Now, what we have experienced over the years is that some government come and put aside the works of the

Some were moving around even before the whistle was blown but eventually they did not pick forms, so those ones will not succeed me

•Uduaghan previous governments.

For instance, we are talking about Delta State Beyond Oil today; I’m not praying that whoever will come and take over from me will say Delta Beyond Oil is nonsense because the reality is on ground now. We are even talking about Nigeria beyond oil. Everybody is now talking about the alternative to oil and we have been singing this song for the past seven and half years and then somebody will come tomorrow and say it is not a good economic strategy, let us jettison it and say let us go back to depend on oil budget which is no longer there.

That is what I meant when I was talking about successor. I was just praying that somebody who will take over from me will continue from where I stop because when I took over from the previous administration, I continued and completed projects that he started.

Why do you think some governors are trying to arm-twist the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mua’zu with court cases and don’t you think the PDP governors are playing God in terms of the emergence of party candidates?

As for arm-twisting the PDP

National Chairman and court cases, what I can say is that I don’t know of any governor who is behind the court cases. And we feel sad; because my colleagues and I are talking. We feel sad because the party’s national chairman, who is a former governor and as such our colleague – senior colleague in terms of governorship - that people are subjecting him to the kind of thing that is happening, we feel sad that he is going through this kind of embarrassment.

In fact, two weeks ago, there was an alarm that he has been taken to court in Delta State but of course there was no record that he was taken to court here. It is a kind of propaganda to pitch the governors against the PDP national chairman.

Responsibility on governors Then the issue of playing God; I don’t think the governors are playing God. The party structure puts a lot of responsibility on governors in terms of organising the party at the state level, in terms of funding the party and of course in terms of ensuring that the party wins at the state level.

And if you expect me to win for the party at the state, as a governor I must be interested in who is running for which seat – it must be someone that the party can market to win elections.

And it is not an individual thing, really. It is party thing. Who becomes the party’s governorship candidate; it is the party at the state level that will decide.

The governors cannot really impose candidates. what really happens is that when people are not able to get their ways, the easiest person they can blackmail is the governor - that the governor has done this or that but when they also have challenges in running the party, the person they run to is also the governor. So I guess that is what is happening; governors cannot play God. I’m sure you know that in some other parties, they play more god than the PDP. I’ve heard some governors of the other parties in some states just announcing governorship candidates without primaries and heavens are not falling – we haven’t seen any protests. If that were done in the PDP, I’m sure people will make a lot of noise.

There is growing apprehension that the Ijaw/Itsekiri conflict

Continues on page 47

Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014 — 47

Continues from page 45 thought to have been settled by you would burst into another conflict.

Are you not worried?

Concerning the Ijaw and Itsekiri crisis; now let me assure you – the problem of Itsekiri, Itsekiri and Urhobo has been on before some of us were born and we are still having flashes. But one thing is that we have been able to provide a forum for discussion, to reduce the tendency for violence. And that is one of the strategies we are trying to use. Even in the EPZ matter the two ethnic groups and the community leaders are discussing, both in Delta and in Abuja.

So there is no room for fight. Of course, because of the economic benefits of the EPZ, a lot of community interests are involved.

So what you are seeing is community interests for the project, it is just that there is little understanding of the overall benefits of the project and that is what we are trying to tell the communities that what you are quarrelling over is just crumb compared to the bigger benefits of the project. And I think we are getting somewhere.

Complex nature of relationships And I must use this opportunity to thank Mr. President, who has been very understanding. And also, the minister of petroleum; they have been quite understanding, and fortunately, they are from this zone so they understand some of the complex nature of the relationship in this area.

I tell you, there will be no fight.

Why are most second term governors inching to go to the Senate?

Sometimes ago, the senators embarked on a protest over their futures; that some of them will not be coming back to the National Assembly because the governors have taken charge and the governors are also coming to the Senate. There were agreements.

I want you to tell us in specific terms if you were privy to that agreement that the senators will be getting slots and I also want to know why virtually all the PDP retiring governors are going into the Senate. Why the choice of senate. I also learned that you are going into the Senate, how are you discussing the issue with Senator Manager.

Then on the last note, is the financial status of the state.

Most of the states are finding it difficult to survive - paying salaries they resort to loans. I don’t’ know what the situation is in Delta State?

On the issue of governors and the Senate, really each state has its own peculiarity. It is not as the whole thing is being lumped C M Y K

•Uduaghan

Why Jonathan'll win together. There are some governors who are finishing but who are not going to the Senate.

I think there are about 18 or 19 governors that are finishing this year and so far about nine have indicated that they are going to the Senate. The others have not.

Yes, I have indicated that I’m going into the senate but I believe that there is something I can offer – a lot I can offer. But

Yes, the APC members are organising during the day, but PDP is organising both day and night

what I know has been happening is that some senators have been assessed only on the empowerment they give to the people once in a year. At the end of the year you gather people, gather tricycles, motor cycles and be assessed on that, but I think being a member of any legislature is beyond that.

Yes, that is empowerment but it is which anybody can give but there is also the issue of attracting federal government projects to your area by people at the National Assembly and I don’t know anybody who can have more reach than a previous governor. Being a governor of Delta State for eight years has given you a lot of exposures for you to know a lot people outside the state – at the federal level; even internationally.

As a governor, one of the things I have tried to do is to work with my 3-point agenda on security, infrastructural and human capital development.

Why did we have the Delta crisis? It is the issue of underdevelopment, marginalisation and all that.

Really, I want to pursue, working with others, if I get there, what I want to do is to ensure that there is legislation on equity participation of communities in various parts of the Niger Delta region. The second thing I want to pursue is also from my experience of pursuing companies and

industries in actualising our Delta Beyond Oil vision. I also noticed that we do not have adequate laws that give confidence to investors.

Israel is not the safest place in the world and South Africa is not the safest place in the world but investors keep going there.

So it is not so much about security but some much about the safety of their investments – legal protection of their investments and that is one thing that they have challenges with in Nigeria.

Environmental activities Then very importantly is the issue of environmental protection and environmental activities. Being a state that has suffered a lot of environmental damages, I know that there are so many things that the government can do if the appropriate laws are there to regulate our environment.

And I believe that there must be laws to achieve that. So those are my interests in the Senate.

Being able to go there and put these things on the table and convince my colleagues. So I already have a 3-point agenda for going into the Senate.

Some Itsekiri elders in the state recently placed an advertorial complaining about some issues in the state, how are you addressing the issues they

raised?

Yes, I saw the advert – I saw the letter. Some of them are my leaders; some of them are my age mates and some are younger than me but they are leaders of thought and I have a lot of respect for them. The issues they raised, I have noted them. The only thing I disagree with them is that they started by saying they don’t have access to me – they have a lot of access to me.

They are the group that I have visited most as a governor of this state. And in actual fact, three months ago, they summoned me to Warri and within 24 hours I met with some of them over a market we are constructing in Warri that would have caused ethnic crisis and we resolved it. So they have access to me.

How has the Delta Beyond Oil initiative being doing?

Delta Beyond oil simply means looking at other areas of our economy apart from depending totally on oil and so we are looking at the area of agriculture, manufacturing and tourism, and I must say the that agricultural progress in this state is very encouraging. We have the federal government working with us.

Micro-credit scheme We also have the state organs working and we also have individual farmers that are working. But more interesting that Delta Beyond Oil are the immediate gains; the low housing scheme, which we are actualising through micro credit scheme being supported by the Central Bank.

We learned that the state has been constructing federal government roads, so how much are you expecting from the federal government as repayment?

Yes, we have done some federal government roads and the last bill we sent to them was N40bn.

I don’t know whether they will make any refund or not. That is where we are on federal government roads.

Do you see the PDP winning the forthcoming elections given the robust opposition by the opposition APC? The answer is yes. Yes, the APC members are organising during the day, but PDP is organising both day and night.

So that is the advantage of the PDP over APC. PDP will win.

That is just it. We are working very hard. Let me not tell you our strategy but we will win.

We have done our mathematics. We are trying to plot the areas where there are challenges and we are dealing with them. But we’ll win.

48—Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

December’s decisive decisions December is a month laden with many crucial decisions that would define the course of the country

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

T

HE nation enters into the last month of the year with a number of crucial political decisions set to be taken that could well underline the future direction of the country.

Central to the political decisions to be taken in the month is the decision on the line up of candidates of the two major political parties who are expected to battle for supremacy in the coming elections that will define the future direction of the country in the immediate and perhaps long term. The election is due next February but the candidates would have to emerge this month under the provisions of the electoral act.

Besides that, the ensuing face off between President Goodluck Jonathan and his adversaries in the National Assembly could come to a head in December when the legislators weigh the option of serving the president an impeachment notice or not.

Political intrigues The schedule of primaries to select candidates for the election due next February was itself laced in deep political intrigues. After initially fixing its primary schedules to commence in mid November with the key gubernatorial primaries initially fixed for November 15, All Progressives Congress, APC strategists moved it to fall behind that of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP which had fixed its own gubernatorial primaries for November 29.

After a closed door meeting of the national caucus sometime in early November, APC rescheduled its primaries for December 4th. The decision was to allow the party lure those who fail to make it in the PDP to move over to the APC to try their luck and by that, dismember the PDP. Indeed, the APC had earlier amended its constitution to remove restriction on new members contesting in the party ’s primaries at any level.

The PDP was quick to react to the plot of the APC as it also immediately adjusted its own primary schedule and put its C M Y K

•Muazu

•Oyegun

governorship and National Assembly primaries after the newly publicised dates set by the opposition party.

The rest of this month is however, laced with much activities for the political gladiators.

The ensuing face off between President Goodluck Jonathan and his adversaries in the National Assembly could come to a head in December when the legislators weigh the option of serving the president an impeachment notice or not

December 2: APC holds primaries for House of Assembly aspirants. It is expected that a number of aspirants who lost out in the PDP last Saturday would seize the opportunity of trying their luck in the APC. However, the bandwagon effect of such defections would not have significant effect on a national scale.

December 3: House of Representatives resumes plenary session with the sceptre of an impeachment notice against the president arising from the police invasion of the National Assembly still an issue.

December 4: APC holds governorship primaries across the country. By the decision of the PDP to put its own primaries after that of the APC, the ruling party has almost successfully tied the hands of those who could lose out in the party. Some like Umana Umana in Akwa Ibom on the release of the revised schedule immediately jumped ship knowing the PDP had closed the door against rebellion. The only opportunity open to dissidents who lose out in the PDP is to work against the party

in the main election but such dissidents would think twice given that they December 6: PDP House of Representatives primaries.

December 7: APC House of Representatives primaries.

Holding the APC House of Representatives primaries a day after that of the PDP was primed to enable the many dissidents in the House to switch camp if they fail to get the PDP tickets.

Internal disharmony However, it is a double edged sword for the APC as party stalwarts who had been eyeing the party’s ticket could cause internal disharmony if it is perceived that the party hierarchy is unjustly dishing out tickets to defectors from the PDP. December 7: PDP Senate primaries.

December 8: APC Senate primaries.

The same permutation on PDP dissidents in the House jumping ship could also apply in this case.

December 10: APC presidential primaries/national

convention. How the four contenders and party leaders take the decision on who emerges as presidential nominee of the opposition party would be a major factor in the election. If they come out united, the ruling PDP could be in for a strong fight in the days ahead.

December 11: PDP nomination convention ends with the expected adoption of President Jonathan as party candidate.

The two presidential candidates that emerge from the national conventions of the two major political parties would also be expected to nominate their running mates if not on the convention ground, then shortly after.

Other major decisions of December The president is yet to present the 2015 budget proposals to the National Assembly. Eyes would be watching out to see whether the president would present the proposals himself or delegate someone else as he did last year following apprehensions of a plot by some members of the National Assembly to hound him.

Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014—49

Stigma, discrimination big threat to HIV elimination in Nigeria

By Chioma Obinna

W

HEN 37 - year -old Stella Ibianujulu Ebelu, a person living with HIV set out to correct the misconceptions people have about HIV/ AIDS not many believed in her dreams but today it is real, she is a proud mother of five healthy, HIV free children.

Stella was able to achieve this feat because she knew her status and accessed treatment.

“I could have five HIV negative children because I know my HIV status and accessed treatment. All my children were born naturally (through the birth canal) rather than Caesarean Section common with HIV positive women.

She was also able to do it because she adhered to instructions. “In pregnancy, I was taking my drugs and kept to good diet and nutrition,” Stella hinted.

Stella, a graduate of Hotel Management and Catering was diagnosed in 1994 after being infected through blood transfusion when she had a growth on the back of her neck. Her honesty earned her a man of her dreams who accepted her and they got married and produced these children.

Stella ranks among few Nigerian HIV infected proud mothers today.

Josephine Ebuka is not that lucky.

Diagnosed HIV positive when she was pregnant with her first child, Josephine suffered all forms of discrimination in the hands of her immediate family members, in-laws, friends and other relations. Her world came crashing down when her husband abandoned her after she broke news of her status to him.

Further discrimination Worse still, Josephine received the shock of her life when she moved back to her father’s house. ”I was given a stern warning not to associate with other members of the family. It was tough for me.” Frustrated, she relocated to another town unfortunately, out of fear for further discrimination Josephine declined to access care under the Federal Government PMTCT programme.

She didn’t obey the rules. “I was afraid what people would say if I stopped breast feeding at six months.” This oversight resulted to the infection of the child. The four year-old- boy is also living with HIV today.

Studies show that Mother-to-child transmission, MTCT, is the main route of paediatrics HIV infection. It accounts for over 90 percent of all paediatrics infection.

Chairman of the West African College of Nursing, WACN, Nigeria Chapter, Prof. Mildred John, MTCT of HIV is almost entirely preventable where services are available, accessible and affordable but access to treatment by these HIV-infected women remained one of the most contentious issues in efforts

• L-R: As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celeberate World AIDS day today, experts say HIV is not a death sentence. to prevent MTCT of HIV in resource poor countries like Nigeria.

John argued that without MTCT intervention, 15- 45 per cent of infants born to mothers living with HIV will become infected, while 5-10 per cent would occur during pregnancy, 20 per cent during labour and delivery and 20 per cent through breast feeding.

Only recently, the Lagos State Director for Diseases Control came out to announce that a total of 57, 587 pregnant

The persisting high burden of HIV infected pregnant women and MTCT in the country is an indication of the need to urgently scale-up the PMTCT programme and make the services accessible to all women especially those in the rural areas

women living in Lagos tested positive to HIV. But despite the scaling up of the programme in the state, many of these women have failed to access care due to stigma and discrimination.

In the view of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, the PMTCT programme provides HIV Information, counselling for pregnant women and their spouses, routine rapid HIV testing for all women during the period of pregnancy and labour, Antiretroviral (ARV) treatment or prophylaxis, need for skilled health worker to ensure safe delivery and prevent MTCT, infant feeding counselling on exclusive breastfeeding and breast milk substitute were the initial practice among others.

Idoko says the overall goal of the National PMTCT programme is to contribute to improved maternal health and child survival through accelerated provision of comprehensive PMTCT services.

Unfortunately, apart from the cultural belief of prolonged breast feeding/ missed feeding, stigma and discrimination, PMTCT in Nigeria has been bedevilled with so many challenges that have affected its success. These include poor buy-in at the state and local government levels; weak health systems; human resource limitations particularly in rural areas; low utilisation of maternal and child health-care services.

Many HIV pregnant mothers have failed to follow the rules of breastfeeding and a high percentage of MTCT of HIV has been attributed to breast feeding.

Other challenges such as high fertility rate, low contraceptive prevalence rate and non-involvement of the private sector, which is a big player in the provision of health service in Nigeria, have also been implicated for the poor programme impact.

In a study entitled: “Nigerian prevention of mother to child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus programme: The journey so far ”, conducted by experts from the National Hospital, Abuja, department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Jos, and department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, it was estimated that without effective interventions, between 67,500 and 125,000 infants will be infected annually in Nigeria.

Action

However, if indeed “No Nigerian child should be born with HIV” following the launch of the National Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (eMTCT) Plan 2015-2016 by President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja recently, overcoming the aforementioned challenges will require much political will and strategic commitment of national, state and local government resources to addressing these problems.

The persisting high burden of HIV infected pregnant women and MTCT in the country is an indication of the need to urgently scale-up the PMTCT programme and make the services accessible to all women especially those in the rural areas.

50 — Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

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52 — Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

FG, foreign firm sign $3.7m pact on sport facilities for pry schls

By Caleb Ayansina

By Caleb Ayansina

A

BUJA—FEDERAL Government, weekend, signed a $3.7 million deal with offshore sports equipment manufacturers to equip no fewer than 1,000 primary schools across the federation with sport facilities.

The deal signed between the National Lottery Trust Fund and China Sports International Corporation Limited and CAAN Sports Organisation Limited, Turkey, will benefit nine primary schools in each senatorial district across the six-geo-political zones of the country.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, in Abuja, the Minister of Special Duties and InterGovernment Affairs, Kabiru Turaki, said the project was to increase the nation’s talent base, describing it as first of its kind in the history of Nigeria.

The minister further said that the project would correct negative impression in the society that government had failed to discover, nurture and promote talents at their tender age for a better result.

In his remarks, Executive Secretary of the NLTF, Engr. Habu Gumel, said the pact signed with the China firm was worth $2.8m, while the one with Turkey Company was $914, 967, adding

A

NEW MEMBERS EVENING: From left; Mr Yemi Akeju, 1st Vice President, Institute of Directors Nigeria, IOD; Mr Chike Nwanze, Guest Speaker receiving an award of Excellence from Chief Mrs Eniola Fadayomi, President/Chairman of Council, Institute of Directors, Nigeria and Mr Victor Banjo, Director General/CEO, Institute of Directors, Nigeria, during the IOD Evening for new members held in Lagos. Photo by Akeem Salau. that money for the deal was generated from lottery activities.

“The contracts involve the supply of various branded sports equipment covering nine types of sports designed for primary schools, namely; athletics, volleyball, football, handball, badminton, table tennis, basketball, judo and Taekwondo,” he said.

He noted that the intervention

programme was designed to promote grassroots sports development, while expanding the nation’s talent base, by securing the interest and involvement of children of primary school age in sporting activities.

Gumel maintained that they had carried out survey and identified the beneficiaries.

“We intend to distribute sports equipment to about 1,000 primary

schools nation-wide, with at least nine primary schools benefiting in each senatorial districts across the six geo-political zones, reaffirming our vision to promote social inclusion among all Nigerians.

“We have put n place a robust and comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system to help NLTF track the process of its intervention programmes.

Nigeria, EU partner on credible elections, security

By Victoria Ojeme

A

BUJA—THE Federal Government is partnering the European Union European Union to conduct credible elections in 2015, combat

insurgency and boost bilateral trade relations.

This was contained in a communiqué signed by the Minister of State 11 for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nurudeen Muhammed, and State Secretary

PDP boasts over Diezani’s appointment

By Henry Umoru

A

B U J A — N AT I O N A L leadership of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said yesterday that the election of the Minister of Petroleum, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, as President of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, was an indication of trust reposed in Nigeria by the international community.

It also boasted that with this, the nation’s economy now ranked as one of world's fastest growing.

The party in a statement signed

by National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, while congratulating President Goodluck Jonathan on the election of a Nigerian to such a position, said the election of AlisonMadueke was also a confirmation of global confidence in President

ICPC trains 335 officials on handling of weapons

Jonathan’s administration.

It added that Mrs AlisonMadueke’s election into such a position, as the first female president of OPEC was, indeed, a confirmation of the successes of the Transformation Agenda of the present administration The party, however, promised that it would continue to consolidate on the gains of the successes so far achieved in all sectors of the economy through meticulous implementation of its policies and manifesto.

It said: “Alison-Madueke’s determined growth of the Nigerian operational capacity and local content in exploration and production, particularly through the facilitation and approval of large-scale divestments by oil majors to indigenous companies is unprecedented in Africa’s oil history.''

for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperative of the Republic of Italy, Mario Giro, at the end of 5th Nigeria-EU Ministerial Dialogue yesterday in Abuja.

“Today, we have held a wideranging discussion on bilateral , regional and international issues.

We have agreed on an EU Election Observation Mission ; we have condemned the ongoing violence perpetrated by Boko Haram ; and we have committed ourselves to continue to work together on fighting the Ebola virus in West Africa.

“We have agreed to deepen our relationship in a number of areas - trade and investment , migration and mobility , higher education , and research and innovation .”

“We are committed to seeing our development cooperation focusing on addressing poverty , noticeably in the north of the country where the needs are highest,” the communique said.

Both parties, appalled by the ongoing violence by Boko Haram in the North East of Nigeria, leading to the quest for continuation of the state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, expressed concern that the violence was becoming deep rooted and

leading to considerable internal displacements and refugee movement across borders.

The European Union representative, Mario Giro, emphasized the importance of a strong and human rights compliant leadership in the fight against Boko Haram and in maintaining state control over the North East states.

BUJA—THE D e f e n c e Intelligence Agency, DIA, yesterday, presented certificates for weapon handling and intelligence gathering to about 335 officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC. The presentation was done by the Commandant of the 177 Guard Battalion at the ICPC Headquarters, Abuja, to staff that took part in the three months training held between November, 2013, and February, 2014.

Speaking at the event, chairman of the commission, Ekpo Nta, said with the training, officers and men of of ICPC were now better equipped to tackle crimes as law enforcement agents.

Nta explained that when he assumed office as chairman of the commission, the staff operated without proper field expertise, saying it always required the services of other security agencies to handle cases.

However, the chairman pledged that further training would be drawn to further equip them, adding that the commission had made arrangement for 250 computer for the elearning centre.

According to him, “I have started arrangement, so that physical exercise will be part and parcel of our activities here.”

Ashafa backs Reps' impeachment moves against Jonathan

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

S

ENATOR Gbenga Ashafa has expressed support for the impeachment of President Goodluck Jonathan by members of the Federal House of Representatives.

Ashafa, who represents Lagos East senatorial district, threw his weight behind the move while speaking with newsmen at the closing ceremony of a two-day Pre-Election Retreat organised for his constituency staff at Jibowu, Lagos.

He said: “As a senator and I represent one of the vibrant and patriotic people that know that

Nigeria will remain one. Am one of those who believe it will be better. And if members of the House of Representatives believe that their action in that process will make Nigeria better, so be it.”

Ashafa, who noted that the impeachment move had nothing to do with party affiliation, said: “All Progressives Congress, APC, has the passion to emancipate the people from shackles of poverty and that’s what Ashafa also stands for, that is what the good people of Nigeria wants to translate at the centre to in order to spread the dividends of democracy across the states.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014 — 53

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Oyinlola to FG: Overhaul Nigeria's security system

By Demola Akinyemi

I

LORIN—FORMER National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, weekend in Ilorin, Kwara State, advised the Federal Government to overhaul the nation’s security system to end the problem of insurgency in the country.

Oyinlola, who also was a former governor of Osun State, said this became imperative because it was now obvious that government's approach in tackling terrorism was not working.

Onyinola, who was in Ilorin as Chairman, Screening Committee of APC aspirants in the North Central, for the forthcoming

general elections, described the security situation in the country as appalling.

Lamenting last Friday’s bomb attacks on a mosque in Kano, which claimed over 150 lives, Oyinlola said government must adopt different approach to fighting the insurgency.

According to him, “The action is callous, inhuman and most embarrassing to the governance of this country. If my experience as a retired military man is anything to go by, my suggestion would have been total appraisal of the way we are handling the insurgency. I think what we have applied so far, seems not to be working, and if what we have applied is not working, then we must do something differently to get a different result”.

Moro tasks Nigerians on insurgency

By Peter Duru

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AKURDI— MINISTER of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, weekend said Nigerians should look beyond religion as reason for the lingering insurgency in the country.

Moro, who spoke at Okpoga, in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State, where he monitored the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, House of Assembly congresses, was reacting to last Friday’s bombing of a Kano Mosque, which claimed the lives of over 150 worshippers.

He lamented that the latest attack came at a time

when Nigerians were heaving a sigh of relief that the activities of the insurgents and suicide bombers were abating.

Moro said, “Contrary to insinuations in some quarters about the religious coloration of the insurgency; this latest bomb blast at the Central mosque goes to show that the suicide bombers are not necessarily true adherence of Islam. We all know that the mosque is a well known place for worshippers and believers of Islam; and so, it means that Nigerians will have to look a little beyond religion, a little beyond the mundane to locate the real causes of the insurgency.''

Visafone wins 2014 CDMA operator award

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I S A F O N E Communications Limited has won the CDMA Operator of the Year award at the just-concluded AfriICTA 2014 awards ceremony.

Chairman of AfriICTA, Mr. Mkpe Abang, who presented the award said “Visafone was adjudged the CDMA Operator of the Year because of its resilience in the market in the face of stiff competition and a very harsh economic climate.”

He noted that the company has remained a dominant player in the deployment of high speed

data and high quality voice services in the market place stressing that in the intervening years since rollout, the company had continued to grow phenomenally.

Responding, the Chief Executive Officer of Visafone, Mr. Srinivasa K.V said “we are excited by this award which recognizes the company as the CDMA Operator of the Year. We are encouraged and will continue to provide high quality services focused at specific segments to stand out as the provider of high quality services in the telecom sector.”

USMAN —I, formerly known and addressed as Aina Abiade Usman, now wish to be known and addressed as Aina Abiade Omokolade. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

SIKALE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Naomi .A. Sikale, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nwosa .A. Naomi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

SOKO —I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Clara Beatrice Omonigho Soko, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Clara Beatrice Tubokeye-Job. All other documents remain valid. General Public please take note.

O G U N DA I R O — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogundairo Bukola Monsurat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olorundamisi Bukola Monsurat. All other documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

ONOTANIMIYOVWI— I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Onotanimiyovwi Orerimena Naomi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ovie Orerimena Naomi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AYA P UA P E R E — I , formerly known and addressed as Godwin Victoria Oyindenyefa, now wish to be known and addressed as Ay a p u a p e r e Oyindenyefa Victoria Godwin. All former documents remain valid. Niger Delta University Authority and general public please take note.

WICKLIFFE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Omowunmi C. Wickliffe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omowunmi C. Emmanuel-Ogah. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ABHULIMEN—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Abhulimen Uayemen Hilda, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Uayemen Hilda Iyoha. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OLASUPO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Olasupo Abimbola Serifat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oreoluwa Abimbola Serifat. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AKEJU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Akeju Lydia Folakemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olugbemi Lydia Folakemi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Reconciliation of Name This is to certify that the names Anigbogu Chichebem Tochukwu and Anigbogu Chichebem Chelsea refer to one and the same person. I now wish to be known and addressed as Anigbogu Chichebem Tochukwu. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

EZEMWENGHIAN— I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezemwenghian Osazuwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. E g h a r e v b a Ezemwenghian Osaretin. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

KACHALLA—I, formerly known and addressed as Benjamin Deborah Kachalla, now wish to be known and addressed as Denis Deborah Amatini. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and general public please take note.

ADEGOKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adegoke Oluwaseun Agnes, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akosile Oluwaseun Agnes.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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FAT U R O T I — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Yetunde Mosebolatan Faturoti, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Yetunde M o s e b o l a t a n Adenuga. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OBINWA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Obinwa Adaobi Barbara, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ngana Nonso Adaobi Barbara. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name I, Tarimobowei Richmond Tawari hereby confirm that the names Tawari Richmond Tari, Tari Richmond Tawari and Tawari Tarimobowei Richmond as they appear on my WAEC result of 2007, Local Government Identification Letter and Attestation of Birth respectively refer to one and same me. All former documents remain valid.

NDU and general public please take note.

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BULUS —I, formerly known and addressed a Miss Mary Taimanda Bulus, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mary Taimanda Dinfa Joseph. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ANENYE —I, formerly known and addressed a Anenye Malachai Chinonso, now wish to be known and addressed as Ifeanyichukwu Malachai Chinonso.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OJO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oghenekevwe Ojo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oghenekevwe Sakutu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NMOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ndidi Nmor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ndidi C. Okei.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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VANGUARD, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014 — 55

BRIEFS Egypt: Mubarak verdict fuels protests, mockery

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Ferguson police officer resigned on safety concerns T

HE white police of ficer who shot an unarmed black teenager to death this summer in a St. Louis suburb decided to resign from the force because of threats against fellow officers after a grand jury decided not to indict him, his lawyer said yesterday.

Darren Wilson’s resignation, announced on Saturday, came nearly four months after the officer shot and killed 18year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, on Aug. 9.

Wilson, who said he was acting in self-defense and that his conscience is clear, had been on administrative leave and in seclusion.

The incident has galvanized critics of the way police and the U.S. criminal justice system treat African-Americans and other minority groups,

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and led to months of sometimes violent protests in Ferguson and major cities around the country.

Wilson’s attorney Neil Bruntrager said Ferguson’s police chief had told Wilson on Saturday that he had information suggesting other members of the department would be harmed if Wilson stayed on the force.

“When Darren was

told that, he simply said, ‘That’s enough,’ and it was time to resign,” Bruntrager said. In a letter published by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Wilson said he had wanted to wait until after the grand jury’s decision before deciding whether to quit.

Even so, his departure was long anticipated because of the potential risks to his own safety

and the deep rifts that have surfaced between Ferguson’s police and the African-American community since the shooting.

Some critics now want Tom Jackson, Ferguson’s police chief, to resign as well, to promote reconciliation in the St. Louis suburb, where most residents are black and the police force are mostly white.

Pope prays in Istanbul mosque in new outreach

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OPE Francis at the weekend stood for two minutes of silent prayer facing east in one of Turkey’s most important mosques, a powerful vision of Christian-Muslim understanding at a time when neighboring

countries are experiencing violent Islamic assault on Christians and religious minorities. His head bowed, eyes closed and hands clasped in front of him, Francis prayed alongside the Grand Mufti of Istanbul,

Rahmi Yaran, in the 17th-century Sultan Ahmet mosque, shifting gears to religious concerns on the second day of his three-day visit to Turkey. The Vatican spokesman, Rev. Federico Lombardi called it a moment of “silent adoration.” Lombardi said Francis told the mufti twice that Christians and Muslims must “adore” God and not just praise and glorify him.

It was a remarkably different atmosphere from Francis’ first day in Turkey, when the simple and frugal pope was visibly uncomfortable with the pomp and protocol required of him for the state visit part of his trip.

With President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s megapalace, honor guard and horseback escort now behind him, Francis got down to the business of being pope, showing respect to Muslim leaders, celebrating Mass for Istanbul’s tiny Catholic community and meeting with the spiritual leader of the world’s 300 million Orthodox Christians.

Francis bowed before Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and asked him “to bless me and the church of Rome” at the end of an ecumenical service Saturday evening. The Orthodox leader obliged, kissing Francis’ bowed head. The two major branches of Christianity represented by Bartholomew and Francis split in 1054 over differences on the primacy of the papacy, giving particular resonance to Francis’ display of deference.

ROTESTS erupted at universities across Egypt yesterday , condemning a court decision to drop criminal charges against Hosni Mubarak, the president whose ouster in the 2011 uprising raised hopes of a new era of political openness.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at Cairo University, waving pictures of Mubarak behind bars and demanding the “fall of the regime”, the rallying cry of the Arab Spring uprisings that shook governments from Tunisia to the Gulf in 2011.

Kabul police chief quits amid rising militant violence

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HE Kabul police chief , yesterday resigned after Taliban gunmen killed a South African father running an education charity and his two teenage children, in the capital, while officials said Afghan forces had ousted insurgents trying to seize former U.S. and British base Camp Bastion in the south.

Taliban fighters breached the perimeter of Camp Bastion in the southern Afghan province of Helmand three days ago, just one month after the base was handed over to the Afghan army.

The latest Taliban attacks have dented confidence in the country’s security force and added to concern the police and army will struggle to hold strategic territory after most foreign troops pull out at the end of 2014.

The guest house attacked by the Taliban in Kabul on Saturday, the third attack on a foreign guest house in 10 days, was home to staff of the U.S.based charity Partnership in Academics and Development (PAD).

PAD said on its website that three people were killed by insurgents who used guns and explosives.

Colombia rebels free captured general

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OLOMBIA’s main rebel group has freed army General Ruben Dario Alzate, who was captured two weeks ago. President Juan Manuel Santos tweeted the general and his two companions had been released by the FARC to the ICRC and representatives of Cuba and Norway and they were in good condition.

According to the ICRC, the general and the other officials have been flown to an army base in the city of Medellin and are in good health. They are expected to be flown to the capital Bogota later in the day.

Santos had suspended two-year-old talks with the rebels after the general, a captain and an attorney were seized in western Colombia on November 16.

The release of the general should revive peace talks between the rebels and Colombia’s government that are being held in Cuba.

Alzate was the first general to be taken by the rebel group in a half-century of fighting.

Southern Yemenis rally in Aden for secession

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HOUSANDS of Yemenis are protesting in the port city of Aden, pushing for the southern part of the country to break away from the North.

Some southern Yemenis are angry at what they see as the monopoly of the North over power, wealth and natural resources.

South Yemen was once an independent state between 1967 and 1990 before it merged with the North. Four years later, the South tried to split away again, but was defeated after a short-lived but bloody civil war.

The current Southern movement was launched in 2007 and it includes both peaceful protesters and armed groups.

Al Jazeera’s Hashem Ahelbarra, reporting from Aden, said that the number of protesters at the Independence Square on Sunday had grown and many were expecting the southern leader, Hassan Baoum to make an appearance.

56 — Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

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Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014 — 57

58 — Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

GLO-CAF AWARDS: Enyeama, Ahmed Musa make top 5 •Oshoala, Oparazonie, Uchechi nominated for Woman Player and Youth Player of the Year

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HE Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Sunday in Cairo announced the top 5 nominees for the 2014 African Player of the Year and the 2014 African Player of the Year (Based in Africa) in the Glo-Caf Awards.

The players were shortlisted from Twentyfive players who were earlier nominated for the African Player of the Year, and 20 players who made the list for the Player of the Year (Based in Africa) category.

Super Eagles’ Captain Vincent Enyeama who plays for Lille in France made the list alongside his national team mate, Ahmed Musa of CSKA Moscow. The remaining three players listed are Asamoah Gyan of Ghana and Al-Ain in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Gabonese, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang currently playing for Borussia Dortmund in Germany and the reigning African Footballer of the Year and Manchester City Midfielder, Yaya Toure from Cote d’Ivoire.

In the African Player of the Year (Based in Africa) category, the five shortlisted players are the duo of Akram Djah-

nit and El Hedi Belamieri of Algeria and ES Setif, Firmin Mubel Ndombe of Congo and As Vita, Fakhereddine Ben Youssef of Tunisia and CS Sfaxien and late Senso Meyiwa of South Africa and Orlando Pirates.

Also released is the list of nominees for other categories of the Awards and they include: Annette Ngo Ndom of Cameroon, Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria and Rivers Angels, Desire Oparanozie of Nigeria and Guingamp, Portia Modise of Banyana Banayana, South Africa and Zenatha Coleman of Namibia for Woman Player of the Year while the Youth Player of the Year has Asisat Oshoala and Uchechi Sunday from Nigeria, Fabrice Ondoa of Cameroon and Kader Bidimbou of Congo Brazaville as nominees.

For Most promising Talent Award, the shortlisted players are: Clinton N’jie of Cameroon qnd Olympic Lyon, Mubele Ndombe of Congo DR and AS VIta, Vincent Aboubakar of Cameroon and Fc Porto and Yacini Brahimi of Algeria and also FC Porto while Florent Mbenge, Kherireddine Madoui of

City •Continues from 60 going in at 0-0 at the break.

Ronald Koeman’s team - who had won their last five home top-flight games while conceding just one goal - were given hope when Eliaquim Mangala was sent off for a second bookable offence when they were 10 down with 16 minutes left.

But that mattered little, as City showed their class and added late goals courtesy of Lampard and Clichy to move six points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea.

In-form striker Sergio Aguero was denied what appeared to be a clear penalty early on when he was fouled in the box by Jose Fonte,

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only for referee Mike Jones to caution him for simulation - much to the Argentinian’s bemusement.

Southampton almost caught City on the counter in the 21st minute but an unmarked Graziano Pelle failed to get a significant touch on Morgan Schneiderlin’s cross, before Joe Hart saved well from Steven Davis - making his return from a hamstring injury - on the rebound.

A sweeping City move then ended with Stevan Jovetic, one of four changes from the midweek win over Bayern Munich, squeezing a shot past Fraser Forster shortly before the break, but Toby Alderweireld did well to get back and clear off the line.

•Super Eagles safe hands, Vincent Enyeama (l) confronts former Cameroon captain Samuel Eto'o in a Europe Cup clash. Enyeama is among the top five in the Glo-CAF Awards shortlist.

Algeria, Rigo Gervais of Cote D’Ivoire, Stephen Keshi of Nigeria and Vahid Halilhdzich of Bosnia and Algeria National Team were nominated for Coach of the Year.

Other Nominees are the trio of Nigeria, Algeria and Libya listed for National team of the Year, Cameroon, Cote D’Ivoire, Nigeria and Nigeria U-20 for Women’s National team of the Year and Club of the Year with Al-Ahly of Egypt, As Vita of Congo, EsSetif of Algeria and Sewe Sports of Cote D’Ivoire as nominees.

The rest are CAF fair play Award, African Legend Award (to be decided between Team of Oryx that won the maiden edition of African Champions League.

Chisora •Continues from 60 But what Fury did not expect was to be booed to victory.

Chisora’s face was swollen as a pumpkin by the end of the 10th round and his eyes virtually closed. So the complaints were not against the doctors and his corner deciding to spare him from further punishment.

What dismayed the 15,700 capacity crowd – and the referee for that matter – was the manner of what masqueraded as a final eliminator to challenge his eminence

Akpoborie: Politics destroying Nigerian football

W

ITH the Nigeria Football Federation seemingly being handicapped to take any decisive action on out-ofcontract Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi, former Super Eagles striker Jonathan Akpoborie has reacted to the development, saying the NFF may have been the reason for their own problems.

Akpoborie says he doesn’t feel sorry for the NFF, believing the way they came into office may have contributed to them being handiWladimir Klitshcko for the undisputed h e a v y w e i g h t championship of the world.

After a snappy start to proceedings Fury opted to settle into a repetitive pattern rather than finish off Chisora with a burst of aggression.

Round after round Chisora came plodding forward and the leaning tower of Manchester picked him off with alternating left and right jabs, plus the occasional clubbing combination.

Fury kept doing enough to win the rounds but did not extend himself to apply the knock out which was there for the taking.

•Pinnick capped as it seems, adding they will have to deal with the problems.

“I wouldn’t say I want to be sorry for the guys at the NFF because in getting into office, they used the political power that they have to get into

Keshi •Continues from 60 that will elapse at the end of 2015.

Keshi’s last contract with the NFF which ended after the 2014 FIFA World Cup tournament was at N5million per month.

And one of the reasons why a deal failed to be brokered since then was the haggling over the price he wanted to be paid.

While the previous NFF board were said to

the office, so it is something they have to deal with,” Akpoborie said.

The former Wolfsburg of Germany striker also points out politics as one of the reasons for the problems that is currently plaguing Nigerian football, adding that politics will have to be separated from football just like it’s done in Europe.

“Whenever we draw up a football plan, you see politics coming to disrupt these plans and we have to understand that politics is destroying Nigerian football.

We have to separate football from politics, just like it is done in Europe,” Akpoborie stated. have been insistent on retaining the N5million price-tag that he was paid, some reports claimed that Keshi wanted N10million, which stalled the deal.

But with the turn of events of late, and also the intervention of government which saw Keshi brought back after he was dismissed in October, a truce seems to have been reached.

Keshi will now earn N7million per month, which will culminate into N84million by the time the contract expires next year.

Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014 — 59

Victory over Hull our best so far – Van Gaal M

ANCHESTER United manager Louis Van Gaal believes that his side’s 3-0 victory over Hull City is their best win this season.

Goals from Chris Smalling, Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie earned the Red Devils a convincing 3-0 win over Steve Bruce’s team on Saturday.

“It was the best match of our season. What pleased me most was the way we dominated the game from the first minute to the last minute.

“We created many chances, we didn’t give away many chances and we kept a clean sheet again.”

United are gradually finding their rhythm at the moment, having now won three games on the bounce.

But injuries are not

helping their cause as Angel Di Maria’s hamstring was the 41st injury that has befallen a Man Utd player this season.

Van Gaal denied that Di Maria was not taken off to rest him for the midweek game against Stoke, but rather that he is completely out of it: “he did not come off as a precaution - he is out of Tuesday ’s game against Stoke. It’s too close.

“But we will have to wait and see how bad it is. We will know more tomorrow.”

Brother claims Adebayor has been ‘brainwashed’ by Islamic spiritual healers E MMANUEL Adebayor ’s older brother Kola claims the

Bafana Bafana win Mandela Challenge

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AVID Zulu scored in his first game for South Africa as they beat Ivory Coast 2-0 to win the 20th edition of the Nelson Mandela Challenge.

With the fixture falling outside of FIFA’s international calendar, the friendly contest at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit represented a chance for squad players from both teams to impress ahead of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

And striker Zulu took full advantage of the opportunity, doubling the hosts’ lead seven minutes into the second half after Bongani Zungu’s first-half opener.

Forward Vuyisile Wana had the ball in the net for South Africa as early as the second minute, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

South Africa did open the scoring in the 31st minute, though, attacking

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Wayne Rooney jumps over a Hull City defender during the match. Rooney scored in the match which ended 3-0 in favour of Manchester United

midfielder Zungu producing a composed finish after being teed up by fullback Patrick Phungwayo.

Chippa United man Zulu put his side into a dominant position when he found an empty net with Ivory Coast’s goalkeeper caught well out of position.

Herve Renard’s Ivory Coast struggled to create chances throughout, with a free-kick over the crossbar from Zie Diabate representing their best opportunity to get back into the game as South Africa comfortably held on.

•Mashaba

striker has been brainwashed by Islamic spiritual healers into thinking their mother used black magic to sabotage his form on the pitch.

Kola, 42, a truck driver based in Bremen, Germany, told The Sun on Sunday: ‘[Emmanuel] has been brainwashed by these Muslim alfas - spiritual men - who prophesise when he scores goals and why he is not playing well.

‘They have convinced him his sister and mother put juju curses on him. My mother is very sad. Every day she is crying. I just talked to her on the phone and she was crying again.’

Adebayor was recently moved to deny accusations from his sister Maggie that he had kicked their mum Alice out of his house in Africa because he thought she had performed Juju curses on him.

Maggie claimed on radio station Peace FM in neighbouring Ghana

that the Premier League striker was refusing to give his mother money and has not seen her in over a year.

She said their mum was selling ‘polythene bags, padlocks and other things’ to provide for her family however Emmanuel says his mother left the house of her own accord.

Adebayor, speaking to Peace FM, said: ‘I never sacked my mum from the house. She decided to leave the house.

‘How am I going to be in touch with my mum if my mum is the one telling everyone that my work will not go forward, so I will just be on my side and do my thing.

‘They should stop talking, they should stop doing Juju on me, they should leave me alone.

‘I bought a $1.2m house in East Legon for the one talking and calling herself my sister.

Can you imagine that sister went to rent the house without my knowledge?’

Kola tells The Sun that he sends Alice 400 euros

•Adebayor (left) with mother a month. He says he is ‘angry’ at his brother and that Emmanuel’s financial snub has ‘left our family in poverty’.

While it’s common for people who identify as Christian such as Emmanuel to visit a Muslim spiritual healer, Kola says the Spurs front man is ‘seeing bad alfas and they are manipulating him’.

‘If you are really a man of God then you have to catch our mother and prove she is a witch,’ he

says.

“Otherwise you are just lying to Emmanuel and taking his money.’

Tottenham has been contacted for a response.

Emmanuel’s form for Spurs hasn’t been tested since November 9, when he was a 65th-minute substitute for Etienne Capoue in their 2-1 loss to Stoke. After that match Adebayor criticised Spurs fans for not providing a supportive atmosphere at White Hart Lane.

60 — Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

Fury eases to victory over Chisora

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Keshi to earn N84m annually

•Fury locks lips with Paris and has barely a scratch on his face after a one-sided showing in London in the early hours of Sunday morning.

S

TEPHEN Keshi will reportedly sign a new deal with the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) and

will now be earning seven million Naira per month.

The deal is expected to be a 12-month contract

YSON Fury had predicted that the war which preceded his heavyweight encounter with Dereck Chisora would be ‘the fight of the night.’ He was right.

The minor epic in which Billy Joe Saunders put a stop – probably temporary – to the rise of Chris Eubank Jnr was indeed the fight of the night at the ExCel in London’s Docklands.

•Continues on Page 58

•Continues on Page 58

EPL Results Southampton Tottenham AC Milan Cagliari Cesena Empoli Palermo

0 Man City 2 Everton Italy - Serie A 2 Udinese 0 Fiorentina 0 Genoa 0 Atalanta 2 Parma

3 1 0 4 3 0 1

EPL Top Five Team Chelsea Man City S'mpton Man Utd West Ham

GP 13 13 13 13 13

W 10 8 8 6 6

D 3 3 2 4 3

L 0 2 3 3 4

GF 30 27 24 22 21

GA 11 13 9 15 16

GD 19 14 15 7 5

PTS 33 27 26 22 21

City overtake S’thampton UNSTOPPABLE: Yaya Toure scores with a thumping effort for Manchester City in an English Premier League match yesterday. City beat Southampton 3-0 to go second behind Chelsea on the log.

GLO-CAF AWARDS: Enyeama, Ahmed Musa make top 5 —Pg 58

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OUTHAMPTON went into Sunday’s game flying high after a stunning start to the season, but were given a reality check in a comprehensive display from Manuel Pel-

legrini’s side.

Yaya Toure, Frank Lampard and Gael Clichy got on the scoresheet for the visitors, who stepped up their performance after •Continues on Page 58

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS: 4 Assume (5) 7 Flower (6) 9 Colour (3) 10 Fellow (3) 12 Assessed (5) 13 Encounter (4) 15 Regional (5) 17 Percolate (6) 19 Inform (5) 20 Pane (5) 22 Mournful (3) 24 Ebbed (7) 27 Friend (3) 28 Banquet (5) 31 Knowing (4) 33 Halted (6) 35 Fat (5) 37 Shift (4) 38 Reappear (5) 39 Weaken (3) 41 Stitch (3) 42 Demure (6) 43 Enquired (5)

DOWN: 1 Universe (6) 2 Yield (6) 3 Concealed (3) 4 Atmosphere (4) 5 Traded (5) 6 Matchless (8) 8 Idiot (4) 11 Silent (9) 14 Rank (4) 16 Clothed (4) 18 Pace (4) 21 Bald (8) 23 Adroit (4) 25 Trouble (4) 26 Consider (4) 29 Worshipped (6) 30 Pact (6) 32 Dwelling (5) 34 Join (4) 36 Reared (4) 40 Burst (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Stop 4, Art 6, Sped 9, Tar 10, Composed 11, Idea 14, Her 16, Cloth 19, Repaired 21, Tenet 23, Delicate 24, Dread 27, Wan 31, Item 33, Original 34, Ire 35, Load 36, Tug 37, Crew

DOWN: 2 Tool 3, Pipe 4, Answered 5, Tidy 6, Still 7, Pad 8, Erect 12, Grand 13, Spite 14, Hit 15, Renew 17, Ocean 18, Hated 20, Delaying 22, Tin 25, Ratio 26, Aimed 28, Port 29, Disc 30, Safe 32, Era

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-4548355. Advert Dept Hotline: 014544821; Abuja: 09-2341102, 09-2342704. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

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Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014 — 61

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62 — Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

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