SALLAH: Buhari orders maximum security

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62500

**

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

billion Troops rescue 241 women, N767 reserve cash children; arrest terrorists' inflow crashes commander, 42 others >>8 interest rates >>9

Eid Mubarak to all our readers!

SALLAH: Buhari orders maximum security

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

A

•IGP Arase directs deployments to places of worship •Sultan asks Imams to hold special prayers for peace

B U J A —A S N i g e r i a n Muslims join their counterparts across the world to commemorate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, President Muhammadu Buhari declared, yesterday, that national security remains his priority. He, therefore, ordered security agencies to provide maximum security across the nation especially in areas most vulnerable to terrorist attacks.

The President also charged Muslims to

Continues on Page 5

HID's death forced me out of my hiding place — Jonathan >>10 Mr & Mrs SALLAH—Pilgrims from all over the world on Mount Arafat, Saudi Arabia, as part of 2015 pilgrimage. Inset: A man carries a ram bought he at the market in Kara, Ogun State,yesterday. Photos: Lamidi Bamidele, from Saudi Arabia and AFP.

COLUMNISTS: Population issues A nation in the in a season of •P.19 high wire politics claws of •P.17

over-registration

Boko Haram: NSA warns of likely attack on Lagos ports >>8

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62500

**

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

Fresh governorship primaries to hold in Bayelsa — OYEGUN

>>13 Eid Mubarak to all our readers!

SALLAH: Buhari orders maximum security

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

A

•IGP Arase directs deployments to places of worship •Sultan asks Imams to hold special prayers for peace

B U J A —A S N i g e r i a n Muslims join their counterparts across the world to commemorate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, President Muhammadu Buhari declared, yesterday, that national security remains his priority. He, therefore, ordered security agencies to provide maximum security across the nation especially in areas most vulnerable to terrorist attacks.

The President also charged Muslims to Continues on Page 5

HID's death forced me out of my hiding place — Jonathan >>10

Mr & Mrs DAKKADA—From left: Aniekan Uko, Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly; Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, Governor; his wife Martha, and Moses Frank Ekpo, Deputy Governor, at the commemoration of the 28th anniversary of Akwa Ibom State and Launch of Dakkada in Uyo.

COLUMNISTS:

Population issues in a season of high wire politics •P.17 C M Y K

A nation in the claws of •P.19 over-registration

BAILOUT: Enugu govt denies receiving funds >>16

2—

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 24,, 2015

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 24,, 2015 — 3

C M Y K

4—Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

Naira depreciates

by N2 against Dollar

L

AGOS—THE Naira, y e s t e r d a y , depreciated slightly against the Dollar at the parallel market, dropping

by N2.

The currency traded N222, N350 and N256 against the Dollar, Pounds and Euro, respectively. On Monday and Tuesday, it traded at N220, N345 and N252 against the Dollar, Pounds and Euro respectively.

However, the official interbank rate remained at N197 to the Dollar.

Mr. Harrison Owoh, a bureau de change operator, said in Lagos that the Naira’s drop in value was connected to Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s failure to sell enough foreign currencies.

He said that parallel market operators had expected the apex bank to sell more foreign currencies before the Eid el-Kabir break.

Owoh said that the currency may depreciate further due to the long break associated with Muslims’ celebration.

VISIT: From left— Business Manager, Power Products, ABB, Hany Abd-Elazim; Managing Director, Mr. Kunle Oderinu; Newton Engineering Consultant, Mr. Samsideen Alabi; Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Kingley Oshinowo, all of CBC Energy, and Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, during a courtesy visit to the governor in Osogbo.

Troops rescue 241; arrest terrorists' commander, 42 others

By Kingsley Omonobi

A

BUJA—ARMY authorities disclosed, yesterday, that special forces prosecuting the war on terror have arrested a Boko Haram Commander, one Bulama Modu, who had been on the wanted list of security agencies, even as another 241

hostages, particularly women and children, were rescued.

A statement by Col. Sani Usman, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, stated that “on Wednesday, advancing troops along Banki axis were making tremendous progress during which they cleared two Boko Haram terrorists’ camps at Jangurori and Bulatori

BOKO HARAM: NSA warns of likely attack on Lagos Ports

By Godwin Oritse

L

AGOS—THE office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, has issued a security alert on the likelihood of Boko Haram attack on Lagos seaports.

The alert was as a result of the concern expressed by the United States Embassy on the security situation at the nation’s seaports.

The security alert was signed

by Assistant Comptroller General of Customs in charge of Enforcement and Intelligence, Mr. Dan Ugo, on behalf of the Comptroller General, Col. Hameed Ali (retd).

Following the security alert, the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has begun the restriction of persons into its various commands and formations in Lagos.

The development has brought about an increase in the level of security checks at all access points into the ports.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Port Facility Security Officer Forum has also warned its

members to increase surveillance on their facilities and reduce the number of people into their premises.

Since last week, a long queue of clearing agents had resurfaced at the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, gate where thorough checks were conducted before access is granted.

Speaking to Vanguard on the development, Vice Chairman of the Port Facility Security Officers Forum, Dr. Zeb Ikokide, said that articulated vehicles should not be accompanied by their ‘motor boys’.

Ikokide also warned Customs to stop delaying cargoes at the gates, adding that all documentations regarding cargo clearance must be concluded before the goods get to the exit gate.

On the part of terminal operators, the security expert said that all terminal operators must ensure that their dock workers are transported to and fro their

terminals.

Speaking in a similar vein, President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Alhaji Olayiwola Shittu, called on Nigerians to be security conscious and cooperate with security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and properties at the ports.

villages.

“The troops have also arrested 43 suspected Boko Haram terrorists, including one of the kingpins in the area, Bulama Modu who is an Amir of Bulakuri.

Recovered weapons

“The troops also rescued 241 women and children during the operation. To further confirm what was said earlier about the terrorists abandoning their commanders and burying weapons, one Mohammed Modu led troops to where he buried his AK-47 rifle at Jangurori village.

“Apart from arms and ammunitions, bows and arrows recovered from Bulama Modu, the kingpin.

He confirmed that the terrorists also gave him a horse to enhance his deadly pursuits.

“Similarly, the troops arrested one suspected Boko

Haram terrorist, Aji Gambo, at Wudla village, who revealed that the terrorists that attacked Kirawa and Kolofata in the northern part of Cameroon were from Dara Jamel village in Nigeria, where they had an Improvised Explosive Device, IED, factory.

“He further stated that the suicide bombers and the IED were prepared by Abdulrahaman Alkali Isa, Ba’ana Hisuba and Alkali Isa Karami, natives of Dara Jamel.”

Sallah curfew

Meanwhile, the Army has announced a restriction of movement in Borno State for vehicles during the Eid El Kabir celebrations from 5pm yesterday, until the celebrations are over.

A statement by Col. Tukur Gusau, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, said: “The restriction on vehicular movements will be observed during the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations throughout the state.”

... as DHQ warns of fake national ID cards

By Kingsley Omonobi

A

BUJA—THE Defence Headquarters, yesterday, warned against approaching unauthorized agencies and individuals for national identification registration, saying the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, remained the only agency responsible for registration and issuance of the national identity card.

A statement by the Acting Director of Defence

Information, Col. Rabe Abubakar, said: “In view of the prevailing racketeering, the Defence Headquarters hereby warns members of the public to be mindful of getting their national identification from sources other than the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC. “Such acts of illegal reproduction of the national ID cards could engender a serious security breach in the ongoing counterinsurgency

operation in the north-east.

“The public are also warned that the approved national ID card, which is a chip-based card, has over 18 security features, some of which are not visible to the eyes, distinguishing it from any of its kinds and can only be issued by NIMC. The printing, which is by laser engraving, stands it out easily.

“Boko Haram terrorists in the north-east also used similar method of identification for their members in the past, who were nabbed by the military.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015—5

POCKET CARTOON

MEETING—From left: Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh; his wife, Nkasiobi, Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, and the Dean of the Church, Most Reverend Christian Efobi, at the Standing Committee meeting of the Church at the Cathedral Church of David, Ijomu, Akure, yesterday.

SALLAH: Buhari orders maximum security Continues from Page 1 display patience, fortitude, tolerance, endurance, patriotism and a greater willingness to make personal sacrifices for the good of all as they celebrate.

Similarly, Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, were joined by the various state governors as they called for unity, peace, prayer and re-dedication to God among Nigerians.

Also, Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase has ordered effective and extensive deployment of personnel, including movement of necessary logistics to all nooks and crannies of the country.

The President in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant, Mallam Garba Shehu, assured of

the commitment of his administration to provide adequate safety for all Nigerians, stressing that their safety, well-being and progress remained uppermost in his thoughts and actions, and that he will continue to work with all his might to deliver the positive changes in national life which they expect after his election and inauguration as Head of the Government of the Federation.”

He also condoled with families in the NorthEast, who had lost relatives in recent terrorist attacks, saying that “thoughts and prayers for divine solace are with all those who have been callously plunged into mourning by mindless terrorists, when others are celebrating this year ’s Eid-El-Kabir.”

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO T is very unwise to look for your black goat at night. Every opportunity is time bound, always make the most of it before it passes by. It’s up to you.

I

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Winners never quit, and quitters never win!

— Ted Turner

A

PROFOUND truth about life that spurs me on in challenging times is the saying that, “if you live long enough, you’ll make mistakes. But if you learn from them, you’ll be a better person. It’s how you handle adversity, not how it affects you.”

The main things do to do, in the words of William Clinton is to “never quit, never quit, never quit”.

Be passionate about everything you choose to do, it will make a lot of positive difference in your life.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE

T

HE difference between a smart person and a wise person is that a smart person knows what to say and a wise person knows whether or not to say it.

To ensure hitch-free celebrations, President Buhari directed the Armed Forces and national security agencies to provide maximum security across the nation, especially in areas most vulnerable to terrorist attacks, assuring that “the days of Boko Haram are numbered.”

According to him, “Boko Haram’s reign of terror in parts of the country will be finally over very soon as the ongoing military onslaught against the terrorist sect will continue relentlessly until total victory is achieved.”

Also, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has directed Chief Imams of Juma’at mosques across the country to conduct special prayers for unity, peace and progress of the nation.

In a statement signed by the acting secretary, Sultanate Council of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’idu Maccido, the Sultan, who is also the PresidentGeneral, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria (NSCIA), wished Muslims across the world a peaceful and prosperous Eid el-Kabir celebration.

IGP orders massive deployment personnel, logistics

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, has mandated all Assistant InspectorsGeneral of Police and Commissioners of Police in the states to ensure adequate security with standard operation procedures before, during and after the celebrations to secure key and vulnerable points, Eidpraying grounds and other places of worship, including public places and recreation centres.

A statement signed by

Acting ACP Olabisi Kolawole said: "The IGP enjoined Nigerians to always report any act of criminality to the police at all times as the Nigeria Police are prepared to take prompt and decisive actions, on behalf of the entire officers and men of the Nigeria Police.

In its sallah message, National Leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP called for prayers for Nigeria's unity, peaceful coexistence and rededication to God. In the same vein, Senate President Bukola Saraki; former Senate President David Mark and former National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, stressed the need for peace and unity to reign supreme in the country, just as they called for religious tolerance between Christians and Muslims and members of other religions in the country.

PDP, Govs send goodwill messages

In a goodwill message signed by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the PDP while urging Nigerians to use the occasion of the festival to pray for abiding peace and unity in the country, also pleaded with the citizens, irrespective of religious persuasions, to use the occasion to reflect on the virtue of faith, service and total submission to the will of the Almighty God. On his part, the Senate President, in a goodwill message signed by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity,Yusuph Olaniyonu, urged Nigerians to make the fear of God the foundation for their lives, saying that the Eid-el-Kabir festival symbolised the fear of Allah and the desire of man to always comply with the wish of his Creator.

According to him, with fear of Allah, mutual respect and love, “we will tolerate one another, work together and be able to harness our abundant resources as a progressive nation. We cannot achieve much with unnecessary factions and disharmony.

What Nigerians need now is to move forward with the present change era”.

Saraki, who called on all Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of love, tolerance and mutual respect added that these virtues were the panacea to move the nation forward. He said: “We have herculean tasks to address. Our army of unemployed graduates and youths are hovering on the streets. Insecurity is threatening the peace and social development of our dear nation, quality health care services and

economic buoyancy are major challenges that require urgent attention.

“I am very optimistic that with our collective efforts, these challenges are surmountable and we will soon overcome.”

The Senate President, however, used the occasion to call on all arms of government not to rest on their oars in the onerous task of building a formidable nation where all Nigerians will live in peace and prosperity.

The Senate President, who also charged Muslims to continue to pray for the government, the military and other agencies in the fight against insurgency, said that the peace and socioeconomic development of the nation remained paramount, just as he pledged the continuous support and encouragement of the Senate in putting Nigeria back on the right track.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, in his message urged Muslims to pray for the progress and success of the ongoing change project of the present administration.

Dogara, in a message signed by his special adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, said: “While festivities go on to mark the day, let us remember to pray for the progress and success of the change agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Nigerians of various faiths must tolerate one another as we all have no other country than Nigeria.

“God made us of different faiths and tongues so that we can use our diversity for the greater good of the society. I want to use this medium to reiterate our resolve and unwavering determination to lead by example and take Nigeria out of its present socioeconomic crisis.

"I urge all Muslim faithful to also use the occasion to pray for the success of the ongoing war against terrorism in the North East and for the Nigerian military."

On its part, the National Assembly will continue to

pass people-oriented legislation that will reform and strengthen our institutions for effective service delivery.”

Also, governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have urged Nigerians to, in the spirit of Eid-El-Kabir celebration, reflect on things by putting the interest of Nigeria above personal interests.

According to the governors, who operate under the aegis, PDP Governors Forum, PDPGF, while felicitating with the Muslims, called for the sustenance of the nation’s democracy.

A statement signed by the Co-ordinator of the forum, Osaro Onaiwu read: “The Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State on behalf of the forum greets and felicitates with all Nigerians of the Islamic faith as we celebrate this year’s Eid-El-Kabir.

“The forum also congratulates all those who have successfully undertaken this year ’s Hajj. And as they conclude the rites of the Hajj and prepare to return home, the forum joins them in offering special prayers for greater security, peace, unity and progress in our dear country.

“The forum urges all our political leaders to place the overriding interest of the well-being and progress of our fatherland above all other considerations by being more committed to the sustenance of democracy and political stability which are essential prerequisites for the advancement of good governance, inclusive economic growth and rapid development.

“As the country celebrates the Eid-ElKabir, let us also rededicate and commit ourselves to the Holy Prophet’s injunctions of piety, honesty, charity and generosity to the lessprivileged, impartial leadership and true justice for all."

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015—5

POCKET CARTOON

MEETING—From left: Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh; his wife, Nkasiobi, Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, and the Dean of the Church, Most Reverend Christian Efobi, at the Standing Committee meeting of the Church at the Cathedral Church of David, Ijomu, Akure, yesterday.

SALLAH: Buhari orders maximum security Continues from Page 1 display patience, fortitude, tolerance, endurance, patriotism and a greater willingness to make personal sacrifices for the good of all as they celebrate.

Similarly, Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, were joined by the various state governors as they called for unity, peace, prayer and re-dedication to God among Nigerians.

Also, Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase has ordered effective and extensive deployment of personnel, including movement of necessary logistics to all nooks and crannies of the country.

The President in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant, Mallam Garba Shehu, assured of

the commitment of his administration to provide adequate safety for all Nigerians, stressing that their safety, well-being and progress remained uppermost in his thoughts and actions, and that he will continue to work with all his might to deliver the positive changes in national life which they expect after his election and inauguration as Head of the Government of the Federation.”

He also condoled with families in the NorthEast, who had lost relatives in recent terrorist attacks, saying that “thoughts and prayers for divine solace are with all those who have been callously plunged into mourning by mindless terrorists, when others are celebrating this year ’s Eid-El-Kabir.”

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO T is very unwise to look for your black goat at night. Every opportunity is time bound, always make the most of it before it passes by. It’s up to you.

I

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Winners never quit, and quitters never win!

— Ted Turner

A

PROFOUND truth about life that spurs me on in challenging times is the saying that, “if you live long enough, you’ll make mistakes. But if you learn from them, you’ll be a better person. It’s how you handle adversity, not how it affects you.”

The main things do to do, in the words of William Clinton is to “never quit, never quit, never quit”.

Be passionate about everything you choose to do, it will make a lot of positive difference in your life.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE

T

HE difference between a smart person and a wise person is that a smart person knows what to say and a wise person knows whether or not to say it.

To ensure hitch-free celebrations, President Buhari directed the Armed Forces and national security agencies to provide maximum security across the nation, especially in areas most vulnerable to terrorist attacks, assuring that “the days of Boko Haram are numbered.”

According to him, “Boko Haram’s reign of terror in parts of the country will be finally over very soon as the ongoing military onslaught against the terrorist sect will continue relentlessly until total victory is achieved.”

Also, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has directed Chief Imams of Juma’at mosques across the country to conduct special prayers for unity, peace and progress of the nation.

In a statement signed by the acting secretary, Sultanate Council of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’idu Maccido, the Sultan, who is also the PresidentGeneral, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria (NSCIA), wished Muslims across the world a peaceful and prosperous Eid el-Kabir celebration.

IGP orders massive deployment personnel, logistics

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, has mandated all Assistant InspectorsGeneral of Police and Commissioners of Police in the states to ensure adequate security with standard operation procedures before, during and after the celebrations to secure key and vulnerable points, Eidpraying grounds and other places of worship, including public places and recreation centres.

A statement signed by

Acting ACP Olabisi Kolawole said: "The IGP enjoined Nigerians to always report any act of criminality to the police at all times as the Nigeria Police are prepared to take prompt and decisive actions, on behalf of the entire officers and men of the Nigeria Police.

In its sallah message, National Leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP called for prayers for Nigeria's unity, peaceful coexistence and rededication to God. In the same vein, Senate President Bukola Saraki; former Senate President David Mark and former National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, stressed the need for peace and unity to reign supreme in the country, just as they called for religious tolerance between Christians and Muslims and members of other religions in the country.

PDP, Govs send goodwill messages

In a goodwill message signed by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the PDP while urging Nigerians to use the occasion of the festival to pray for abiding peace and unity in the country, also pleaded with the citizens, irrespective of religious persuasions, to use the occasion to reflect on the virtue of faith, service and total submission to the will of the Almighty God. On his part, the Senate President, in a goodwill message signed by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity,Yusuph Olaniyonu, urged Nigerians to make the fear of God the foundation for their lives, saying that the Eid-el-Kabir festival symbolised the fear of Allah and the desire of man to always comply with the wish of his Creator.

According to him, with fear of Allah, mutual respect and love, “we will tolerate one another, work together and be able to harness our abundant resources as a progressive nation. We cannot achieve much with unnecessary factions and disharmony.

What Nigerians need now is to move forward with the present change era”.

Saraki, who called on all Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of love, tolerance and mutual respect added that these virtues were the panacea to move the nation forward. He said: “We have herculean tasks to address. Our army of unemployed graduates and youths are hovering on the streets. Insecurity is threatening the peace and social development of our dear nation, quality health care services and

economic buoyancy are major challenges that require urgent attention.

“I am very optimistic that with our collective efforts, these challenges are surmountable and we will soon overcome.”

The Senate President, however, used the occasion to call on all arms of government not to rest on their oars in the onerous task of building a formidable nation where all Nigerians will live in peace and prosperity.

The Senate President, who also charged Muslims to continue to pray for the government, the military and other agencies in the fight against insurgency, said that the peace and socioeconomic development of the nation remained paramount, just as he pledged the continuous support and encouragement of the Senate in putting Nigeria back on the right track.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, in his message urged Muslims to pray for the progress and success of the ongoing change project of the present administration.

Dogara, in a message signed by his special adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, said: “While festivities go on to mark the day, let us remember to pray for the progress and success of the change agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Nigerians of various faiths must tolerate one another as we all have no other country than Nigeria.

“God made us of different faiths and tongues so that we can use our diversity for the greater good of the society. I want to use this medium to reiterate our resolve and unwavering determination to lead by example and take Nigeria out of its present socioeconomic crisis.

"I urge all Muslim faithful to also use the occasion to pray for the success of the ongoing war against terrorism in the North East and for the Nigerian military."

On its part, the National

Assembly will continue to pass people-oriented legislation that will reform and strengthen our institutions for effective service delivery.”

Also, governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have urged Nigerians to, in the spirit of Eid-El-Kabir celebration, reflect on things by putting the interest of Nigeria above personal interests.

According to the governors, who operate under the aegis, PDP Governors Forum, PDPGF, while felicitating with the Muslims, called for the sustenance of the nation’s democracy.

A statement signed by the Co-ordinator of the forum, Osaro Onaiwu read: “The Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State on behalf of the forum greets and felicitates with all Nigerians of the Islamic faith as we celebrate this year’s Eid-El-Kabir.

“The forum also congratulates all those who have successfully undertaken this year ’s Hajj. And as they conclude the rites of the Hajj and prepare to return home, the forum joins them in offering special prayers for greater security, peace, unity and progress in our dear country.

“The forum urges all our political leaders to place the overriding interest of the well-being and progress of our fatherland above all other considerations by being more committed to the sustenance of democracy and political stability which are essential prerequisites for the advancement of good governance, inclusive economic growth and rapid development.

“As the country celebrates the Eid-ElKabir, let us also rededicate and commit ourselves to the Holy Prophet’s injunctions of piety, honesty, charity and generosity to the lessprivileged, impartial leadership and true justice for all."

6—Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

Man docked over alleged rape of 12-year-old girl

By Sodiq Alausa & Opeyemi Lepe

L

AGOS—A 40-year-old man, Ademola Adegbite, was yesterday remanded in prison custody

by T. Abolarinwa of an Apapa Chief Magistrate's Court for allegedly raping a 12-yearold girl (names withheld) severally.

The defendant, who resides at 3, Kehinde Adewuyi Street, Imeke, Badagry area of Lagos, is facing a three-count charge bordering on unlawful carnal knowledge and sexual assault preferred against him by the police.

It was alleged that the defendant who was docked by the police, committed the offences between January and September 2015, before he was caught on September 11.

It was also gathered that the incident took place at the residence of the defendant at about 10:05pm The offence, according to the charges, is punishable under section 259,261 and 260 of the criminal laws of Lagos State 2011.

Employer arraigned for nonpayment of workers' salaries

By Bartholomew Madukwe & Jane Echewodo

L

AGOS—THE police in Lagos have arraigned a 34-year-old man, Benson Abayomi, before an Ogudu Magistrate's Court for allegedly refusing to pay two months salaries of his employees.

The accused, who is the manager of Trove Creative Resources and lives at No. 54, Alaha Abose Street, Ogudu in Ojota area of Lagos, is facing a three-count charge of obtaining money by false pretences, cheating his workers and stealing.

According to the charge, seven employees of the accused, including Adams Oluwatoyin, Onabanjo Blessing, Bakare Oladotun, Daodu Monday, Sylvester Joseph, Okenu Rosemary and Babatunde Tope, reported the case at Ogudu Police Station.

2 siblings killed in Osogbo fuel station inferno

By Gbenga Olarinoye

O

SOGBO—TWO children of the same parent were yesterday confirmed dead in a fire that gutted a filling station in Osogbo, Osun State capital.

According to an eyewitness, wife of the owner of the petrol station and her three children were inside the building when the fire started at about noon, killing two of the children.

Sympathisers who thronged the scene of the inferno to help put the fire under control before the arrival of the fire service, could not hold back tears at the sight of the damage caused by the inferno.

One of the sympathisers, Mr Ojo Williams, said the situation wouldn’t have been so bad had men of the state fire service arrived the scene early.

Director, Osun State Fire Service, Mr Michael Ogundipe, who confirmed the incident while speaking with journalists, blamed the extent of the destruction caused by the fire on the construction of the building which had only one escape route.

The two survivors in the inferno, the mother and a child, have been taken to

hospital for treatment, while the charred bodies of the dead children were evacuated to a

mortuary by men of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC.

FIRE: The filling station gutted by fire in Osogbo, yesterday.

Police rescue 3-year-old pastor's daughter after gun battle with kidnappers Four suspects arrested with bullet wounds

A

By Vincent Ujumadu

WKA—THREE-year-old daughter of Pastor Lois Okeke of Foursquare Gospel Church, Awka, was yesterday rescued by men of the State Antirobbery Squad, SARS, in Anambra during a gun battle with suspected kidnappers of the child.

Four of the kidnap suspects were arrested with bullet wounds and are assisting the police in their investigations.

The baby girl, Kamsi Okeke, was kidnapped in her father’s house at high brow Ngozika Estate in Awka by the gang at about 9pm, penultimate Wednesday.

They took the girl to Nteje in Oyi Local Government Area where she was kept until her rescue.

Before her rescue yesterday by SARS, the kidnappers had demanded N15 million from the parents, which they later reduced to N3 million.

During the kidnap of their daughter, the hoodlums forced the pastor and his wife, Franca, to part with their Automated Teller Machine, ATM, cards which they later used to empty all the money in the couple’s account.

It was gathered that the leader

of the gang was the motor mechanic of the father of the victim who had apparently familiarised himself with the man’s environment before embarking on the operation with his group.

Men of SARS, led by its state commander, Mr. James Nwafor,

a Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, have been combing the state since last week to rescue the girl until they succeeded yesterday.

Vanguard gathered that during the gun battle with the suspected kidnappers, one of them, who was unable to escape with his wounds, later led the police to the

location where the other three were arrested.

Elated, Pastor Okeke said yesterday: “We now feel relieved.

We can now sleep and we give thanks to God for keeping our daughter alive.

“Since this incident took place on Wednesday, our house has not known peace, but God has used SARS in the state to wipe our tears.”

3 arrested in Benin over employment racketeering

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—POLICE operatives from Zone 5 Headquarters in Benin City, Edo State, have arrested three persons, for defrauding unsuspecting members of the public under the guise of offering them employment in the oil and gas industry.

The suspects include Ehikhamenor Lewis, 32; Stephen Efegom, 32; and Abdul Qadri Ibrahim, 33.

The police in a statement issued in Benin yesterday and signed

by Mr. Emeka Iheanacho, Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin, said the arrest was effected based oncredible information received

by the police on their activities.

He disclosed that the suspects, in collaborations with others now at large, placed an employment advertisement in August 2014 on the social media which attracted about 1,122 applicants from Edo, Delta, Lagos and Kano states respectively.

The suspects, who he said confessed to the crime during interrogation by the police, stated that they operated with Jocom Lean Concept Limited to defraud their victims.

He added that preliminary investigations by the police revealed that victims paid between N10,000 and N150,000 into Mr. Joseph James account at Guaranty Trust Bank, owner of Jocom Lean Concept Limited

situated at Comfort plaza, Block 2, Suite 29 New Etete road, GRA, Benin for application forms, among others.

Meanwhile, items recovered from the suspects include laptops detailed list of about 1,122 victims, Jocom Lean Concept letter head, 21 deposit slips of Guaranty Trust Bank, letter of introduction to applicants and Jocom Lean Concept training manual and handout.

Zone 5 Police Public Relations Officer, added that investigations were still ongoing, adding that efforts had been intensified to arrest fleeing members of the gang, including Mr. Joseph James, leader of the gang, who escaped when he discovered that some of his gang members had been arrested.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015—7

Buhari orders IG to rescue Falae As family, abductors reach accord

By Dayo Johnson & Levinus Nwabughiogu

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BUJA—THE former Secretary to the Government of the Federation,Chief Olu Falae, who was kidnapped earlier this week may regain his freedom any time from now.

This came on a day President Muhammadu Buhari ordered security agencies to ensure his release, while condemning his kidnap.

Vanguard learned from a family source, who pleaded anonymity, that an agreement was reached

earlier in the day with the elder statesman’s abductors but did not, however, clarify the agreement, particularly if it was in connection with the ransom.

Falae was kidnapped on Monday in his farm in Ondo State by people suspected to be Fulani

herdsmen.

The abductors demanded N100 million ransom. It was not known at the time of filing this story if any ransom had been paid.

Also, Afenifere, the socio-cultural group in the South West earlier warned against anything

Gunmen kill district head, inspector, 32 others in Minna

By Wole Mosadomi Boluwaji Obahopo

M

INNA— NO fewer than 35 persons, including the district head of Allawa, his brother and a police Inspector, were killed in a midnight raid in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger state by unknown gunmen on Tuesday.

Dangerous weapons such as machine guns were freely used by the invaders.

Unconfirmed sources said the gunmen could either be Fulani herdsmen who had been terrorissing the area in the past

or members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect who escaped from the Sambisa forest after a fierce battle with the military recently.

Vanguard also gathered that besides the loss of lives, many houses were set on fire, with scores of people, mostly women and kids, injured.

With the development, many families within the villages in the affected local government have now been left homeless.

The fierce battle, it was gathered, lasted for about two hours.

The immediate cause of the

invasion could not be immediately ascertained at press time yesterday except for the fact that the military in the area had in the past few months had been having a running battle with Fulani cattle rustlers in the area.

Just three weeks ago, the military posted to the area arrested some cattle rustlers with no fewer than 184 cows and 83 sheep handed over to Chairman of Munyan Local Government Area, Alhaji Abdulkadir Bida, for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Contacted, Niger State Police

Public Relations Officer , ASP Bala Elikana, confirmed the incident but could not ascertain the exact number of those killed.

He said the Police had stepped into the matter to unravel the cause and the number of those who lost their lives.

He said already, the state Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Marafa, had directed the Police Area Commander in Minna and Divisional Police Officer at Kagara to visit the communities affected for more investigations and to know further steps to be taken.

Trado-medical practitioner, couple arrested over sale of two-week-old baby for N130,000 Mother of baby collected N70,000 —Trado-medical practitioner

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By Evelyn Usman

AGOS—A couple and a trado- medical practitioner have been arrested over alleged sale of a two-week and four-day-old baby for N136,000, at Ipaja area of Lagos.

The principal suspect, Mr Onolaja Olawale, a trado-medical practitioner, was alleged to have sold the baby to Mr and Mrs Dele Ayogbile, who have been barren for six years years, last week, after informing them that the biological mother was dead.

But the bubble burst after cotenants of the couple who claimed never to have seen Mrs Oluwakemi Ayogbinle pregnant, suspected foul play and contacted the police.

To the surprise of all, the baby, according to Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, who paraded the suspects before journalists yesterday, was discovered to have been sold to the couple.

Preliminary investigation according to Owoseni, showed that the trado-medical practitioner was a family friend to parents of the baby he sold.

Mother of the baby, Mrs Idiat Babatunde, who had just concluded her Higher National Diploma, HND, at the Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State, claimed to have left the baby in the care of the Olawales, in their Ikola Ipaja home, eight days after delivery (September 13, 2015).

Mother and baby.

Same day, she reportedly left for school to conclude documentation in her faculty , towards the compulsory one year National Youth Service Corps.

But next day, the trado-medical practitioner was said to have invited the barren couple to come and pick a baby for adoption.

When approached, Olawale did not deny the allegation. Rather, he stated that mother of the baby was aware of the planned adoption, alleging that she collected N70,000 of the initial payment of N136,000 for the sale of the baby.

He said: “Mrs Babatunde gave me the baby to take care of because my wife is also breastfeeding. We have been family friends . But when I discovered that taking care of two children at the same same time was burdensome on my wife,

The buyer who gave birth through caesarean, I decided to give the baby to a client who I have been giving concoction for child birth.

I informed the baby’s biological mother before giving the baby out. I told her that the baby would be with the new mother for three months.

"I collected N130,000 from the new mother, Mrs Oluwakemi Ayogbinle, and an additional N6,000 which I said would be used to process adoption forms at Alausa, Ikeja, to avoid any embarrassment. I even gave the biological mother N70,000 out of the money.

"The actual amount I told the new parents was N300,000. But they only paid N136,000."

But the biological mother denied knowledge of the sale of her baby, let alone collecting any money from Olawale. She explained

Trado-medical practitioner that she dropped her baby with the Olawales on trust, with the intention of returning after one week later for the baby."

On her part, the woman who collected the baby from the trado-medical practitioner, blamed her action on her stateofbarennessforsixyears.Theclimax ofherpredicament,accordingtoher,came when her husband abandoned her.

Ayogbilesaid:“Ihavebeentakingherbs from Mr Olawale since 2013 because of the incessant miscarriages. After several effort to get pregnant proved abortive, my husband left our home last year.

“At a point, Olawale suggested I should adoptababy.HecalledmeonMondayto come for a baby. I decided to contact my husband because of the amount Olawale demanded. But my husband insisted that he must have documents to back up the adoption before he would take the baby.

So, he brought N136,000 as part payment."

untoward happening to him.

Afenifere in a statement by spokesman,Yinka Odumakin, urged northern leaders to ask the Fulani herdsmen to release the former presidential candidate.

Afenifere revealed that Falae and the Fulani herdsmen had been engaged in some running battles over his farm.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari, following a briefing on the incident, directed the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, and other security agencies to take all necessary measures to ensure the safe and speedy rescue of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Special Adviser, Media to the President, Femi Adesina, said President Buhari condemned the callous and reprehensible kidnapping of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and elder statesman.

He said: “The President assures Chief Falae’s family, friends and other concerned Nigerians that the Federal Government will do all within its powers to ensure his swift release.

“President Buhari, who has requested constant updates from the police and security agencies on efforts to find and rescue Chief Falae, also denounces the recurring incidents of criminal abductions across the country.

“He assures all Nigerians that ongoing efforts to significantly enhance the security of lives and property in the country will continue apace and that under his leadership, Nigerians, irrespective of their status, will no longer be left at the mercy of criminal elements.”

Falae’s family house, has been turned into a Mecca of sorts as sympathisers thronged the house, anxious that his abductors will release him soon.

Also, the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion yesterday went spiritual as it prayed for the quick release of the former Secretary to the Government of Federation SGF. Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Most Revd.

Nicholas Okoh, who leads a Standing Committee of the Anglican Church, consisting of 180 bishops and laity, to pray and plead that his abductors have a rethink and set him free forthwith.

Okoh was in Akure for a fourday meeting of the standing committee of the Anglican Church.

Chief Falae, who is a member of the church and the Chairman, Local Organizing Committee of the four-day meeting, was kidnapped on Monday, the day the meeting commenced.

8—

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 24,, 2015

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015—9

Eid-el-Kabir a time to reconcile with God —NLC

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

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IGERIA Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday, said Eid-elKabir celebration would afford Nigerians the opportunity to reconcile with God, reassess personal and official lives and their impacts on the nation.

Congress told Nigerians that there must be no compromise on the war against corruption, insecurity, poverty and others, saying “Eid-elMubarak represents unconditional obedience to our Creator, sacrifice, adherence to higher moral values and show of love to friends and families, through sharing.”

NLC in a statement by its factional President, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, while congratulating workers and other Nigerians on the occasion of Eid-elMubarak, insisted that Eid-el-Kabir similarly availed Nigerians a great chance to renew commitment to the Nigerian project by fighting vices.

The statement read: “For instance, corruption is a cankerworm that threatens our individual and national well-being.

Our fight against it should be total, wholistic and relentless, irrespective of whose ox is gored.

“As we have stated previously, the anti-graft agencies should be strengthened, empowered and given all the resources and independence they need to confront corruption in the land. Security continues to be an issue.

“Thousands of lives have been lost and inestimable properties destroyed. Millions have been displaced and their lives altered forever.

“We endorse the strategies adopted by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, which are beginning to yield results for which he is deserving of commendation.

“These efforts can only make sustainable impact only if we give Mr President the needed support.”

VISIT: From left—Commercial Specialist, US Embassy, Lagos, Mr. Chamberlain Eke; Director of Export Trade, International Trade Administration, US Department of Commerce, Mr. William Fanjoy; Country Director, Curves International, Mr. Emma Esinnah, and Commercial Attache, US Mission to Nigeria, Ms. Olga Ford, when Mr. Fanjoy led the team to Curves Nigerian office on a special US Trade Mission, code-named Trade Winds Africa, yesterday.

N767 billion reserve cash inflow crashes rates

By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

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S Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, adjusted monetary policy released about N767.4 billion into the credit market yesterday, interbank interest rates crashed from this month’s high of 50 percent to about 6.5 percent.

Also, yields on government bonds came down to 14.9 percent from 15.2 percent.

The rates were spiked up principally by the implementation of the Treasury Single Account, TSA, policy of the Federal Government.

However, investors in the stock market appear not yet impressed with the return of stability in the banking sector as negative sentiments towards the banking stocks persisted, leading to further decline in the value of the banking sector index in the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, for the third consecutive day in the week.

Surprisingly, the banking sector was the only one that recorded decline yesterday, as all other sectors, for the first

time, recorded appreciation in their sectoral indices.

MPC's anouncement

CBN Monetary Policy Committee, MPC, had, Tuesday, announced a reduction in the cash reserve requirement, CRR, to 25 percent from 31 percent to ease the liquidity squeeze gripping Nigeria’s financial system, at the backdrop of the implementation of the TSA policy of the Federal Government, which transferred about N1.3 trillion from the deposit portfolios of banks to CBN last week.

Bank treasurers told Vanguard that the rates would remain low if the estimated N400 billion Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, funds hit the market early next week.

However, the low rate would not likely impact positively on lending rates as banks price their lendings on the basis of private sector rather than public sector or interbank cost of funds.

But bank treasurers said if complementary monetary and fiscal policies would help

sustain the low rates in the interbank, the effect would begin to show in private sector lending rates in a couple of months.

Prime lending rate still averages 20 percent.

Impacts

Commenting on the overall impact of the adjustment in CRR Afrinvest Group, a Lagos based investment banking outfit, said yesterday: “We expect the net-credit to the financial system, estimated at N767.4 billion, to return liquidity levels of the financial system slightly above pre-TSA implementation level, and consequently lessen the earnings headwinds facing the industry.

“However, banks with little exposure to Federal Government deposit (hence less impacted by the TSA implementation) will have the highest accrued gain from the CRR cut: Tier-1 banks with the most robust deposit base and cheaper cost of funds.”

Afrinvest stated further:

“Despite the projected improvement in banking sector performance and capital market activity, the impacts of the decision on the real sector, especially in an atmosphere of slowing growth, will be mainly determined by the complimentary actions from the fiscal authorities in terms of longer-term structural reforms.”

The vote

The 10-member CBN MPC had voted by seven against three to reduce CRR. Other decisions include unanimously voting to retain the Monetary Policy Rate, MPR, at 13 percent and retain the Liquidity Ratio at 30 percent.

Key to the committee’s considerations in reaching the decisions mentioned above were the slowing economic growth momentum after GDP growth slowed for the third consecutive quarter to 2.35 percent in the second quarter, 2015, weakened consumer spending power against the backdrop of the fiscal challenges faced by many state governments in meeting salary obligations to civil servants, among others.

Uphold tenets of Islam, lawmaker urges Muslim faithful at Eid-el-Kabir

By Abiodun Alade

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S muslims across the globe celebrate Eid-elKabir, the lawmaker representing Ojo Federal Constituency at the Green Chamber of the National

Assembly, Mr. Tajudeen Obasa, has urged muslims to remain peaceful, law abiding and uphold the tenets of Islam.

In a statement released yesterday by his media organization, the lawmaker admonished muslims to be

guided by the teachings of Prophet Mohammed (SAW) He said: “Islam is a religion of peace; development would be attracted to peaceful environment.

“Any organization fighting the cause of Islam by

shedding of blood is satanic and does not reflect the message of the Holy Quran.”

Obasa thanked clerics for their patriotism, courage and commitment in urging muslims to remain veracious in their message during sermons.

10 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

OJUELEGBA TRAGEDY: Truck owner, driver remanded in prison

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS—THE owner of the truck that fell and killed three people at Ojuelegba area of Lagos State, on September 2, Kilani Ojo Adesanya, alongside the driver of the truck, Wasiu Adeleke, are to spend another 20 days in prison.

The extension of their remand resulted from the objection raised by their counsel, Mr. W. O. Toriola, who vehemently opposed that their plea be taken in a consolidated charge against the duo.

At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, the prosecutor, Inspector Chinalu Uwadione, informed the court of an application by the police to substitute the charges against each of the defendants.

But their counsel, Toriola objected, saying that the business of the day was for the court to rule on their bail application.

Toriola also informed the court that the police cannot apply for the substitution of the charges rather such can only be consolidated.

He therefore prayed the court for an adjournment, to enable him file a formal application in objection to the substitution of the charges against his clients.

The Magistrate, Folashade Botoki, at the instance of the counsel, adjourned the matter till October 12, and ordered that the duo be returned to prison custody.

The 31 year-old truck driver, Wasiu Adeleke, was arraigned before the court on 11-count charge bordering on gross negligence and reckless disregard for human life, reckless and dangerous driving, driving in public highway without valid driver's licence and a valid MOT Test Certificate.

Similarly, the owner of the truck, Kilani Ojo Adesanya, 50, was arraigned on two-count charge of giving the truck to a driver without driving documents.

HID's death forced me out of my ‘hiding place’ – JONATHAN Burial slated for her 100th birthday, Nov 25

By Daud Olatunji

F

ORMER President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, disclosed that the death of the matriarch of Awolowo family, Mrs. HID Awolowo, has ‘forced’ him and his wife out of their ‘hiding place’ since he had resolved not to go out for one year.

He said; “We, just like the immediate children, and indeed this country as a whole, have missed her. Within this period, myself and my wife have been hiding; we don’t even go out. We thought we’ll be hiding for at least 12 months.

“But in this particular case, we

cannot hide. So, we have come for the condolence and to encourage our brothers and sisters that we are together. God brought her for all of us. She just had to be the direct mother of few but she was a mother to all.

We shall mourn more than even the direct children would.”

Jonathan was among dignitaries, who visited the Ikenne home of the Awolowos to pay tributes to their departed matriarch, Hannah Idowu Dideolu, who passed on last Saturday.

The former President who arrived the Awolowo home at exactly 1:17pm was accompanied

by his wife, Patience, a former leader in the House of Representatives, Mrs Mulikat Adeola-Akande and former chairman of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, Jide Adeniji among others.

While condoling with the family, the former president noted that HID Awolowo enjoyed a rare privilege of living extra 29 years, when compared to the biblical prescription of three scores and ten.

He further described her as a rare mother, whose milk of human kindness, milk of encouragement and milk of advice Nigerians still need.

INAUGURATION: Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State congratulating the Chairman, Governing Board, Lagos State University, Prof. Adebayo Ninalowo (right) during the inauguration of the governing council of tertiary institutions in the State at the Lagos House, Ikeja. With them is the Deputy, Dr. Oluranti Adebule.

WITHHELD SCHOOL: Ambode, Madam Ololo's meeting deadlocked meeting represented by the attend the meeting without their

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

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AGOS—THE meeting Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State held yesterday with 91-year-old, Mrs. Roseline Ololo failed to proffer solutions on how to return the Metropolitan College and Isolo Secondary Schools to their former owner.

At the end of the meeting which started at 10:45 am and lasted for 45 minutes, both parties stuck to their different positions.

The governor was at the

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Olabisi Ariyo, who also presided over the meeting while the Nonagenarian was represented by her lawyer, Mr. Malcom Omirhobo.

Speaking to Vanguard at the end of the meeting, Omirhobo said “we could not reach any concrete agreement on how the schools will be returned. The situation still remains.”

On why both parties could not reach agreement, he said “when we got to the meeting, we were shocked to see the officials who represented the governor to

2nd lubricants summit for Nov 24

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AGOS—THE organisers of the Nigerian Lubricant Submit have announced November 24 as dates for this year ’s edition of the annual lubricant stakeholders summit.

The event will hold between 9:00am to 5:00pm daily at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.

The theme of the summit is Quality Lubricants: Key to TechnoEconomic and Industrial Development of Nigeria.

The summit is expected to have in attendance top government functionaries and key stakeholders in the lubricant industry, such as MOMAN, LUPAN, IPMAN, NATA, major lubricants Distributors/agents/ end-users etc.

The three-day event has been endorsed by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

files on the issue.

“While the meeting continued, they asked us who late Chief Michael Ololo was. Who is the owner of the property? (where the schools are located) so as to be sure of who they are dealing with.

“The most annoying aspect was that they asked us to provide the Will of Late Chief Michael Ololo or his Letters of Administration on the Schools,” he added.

Responding in a statement, the Permanent Secretary said that the documents were requested for in order to carry out due diligence and to fast track the process of returning the schools.

Ariyo noted that government’s position was informed by the need to ascertain the rightful status of Mrs. Ololo in the family, in view of the internal wrangling in the Ololo family, adding that the process of returning the school could only be concluded after the identification of the rightful owner of the school.

The Permanent Secretary also advised the lawyer to the Ololos to desist from blackmailing government by wiping out tribal sentiment and fulfill the details of the law by providing the requested documents.

He said: “Me and my wife are not mourning because mama has passed on. For me, we believe that it’s a rare privilege to add extra 29 years to the biblical three scores and 10; it’s not easy.

“Ordinarily, we wouldn’t have been mourning but mama was a rare mother. She was a woman of virtue described in the Bible and she was a mother to all of us.

“A mother that her milk of kindness we still need, her milk of encouragement we still need, her milk of advice we still need and today she’s no more with us.''

Meanwhile, the Awolowo family has disclosed that their late matriarch would be buried November 25, 2015, the day she would have been 100 years.

The eldest daughter of the family, Omotola Oyediran disclosed this while appreciating the former President for his condolence over the death of their matriarch.

According to her: ''What can we say but to give God all the glory for a very beautiful life she lived.

She has done so much and it is impossible for us to put all that she has done together. “ I want to assure you that though some of you have received letters in the past about the centenary in order to write tributes for her. I want to assure you that those tributes will be printed.

“I want to appeal to all of you to be part of celebrating mama, by the grace of God, we haven’t concluded the arrangements but I would let you know that the very day that she was supposed to be 100 years, she would be buried.

There will be dancing amid tears at the burial of who I call Iya niwura.

“There is no way you can separate papa from mama and mama from papa, the story is one. It is interesting that papa passed on Saturday, 9th of May, 1987 and mama also passed on Saturday, 19th of September, 2015, we give God all the glory”, he said .

While appreciating the former President, Oyediran said: “I remember many times the former president came to see mama and those times, mama referred to him as her son. We also want to appreciate you and I’m sure you understand. The memory will live with us for many years.

“I really want to appreciate the president and his lovely wife for coming all the way wherever you have been, be it Abuja or Bayelsa to come and see us in Ikenne, it is a show of deep love for the Awolowos, thank you very much”.

In his tribute, former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, described HID Awolowo as a “truly noble lady who contributed exceedingly to Nigeria’s independence by providing inestimable support to one of the country's founding fathers.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015 — 11

SALLAH: Policemen deployed as gridlock lingers

By Evelyn Usman & Bose Adelaja

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AGOS—TRAFFIC gridlock which became pronounced in parts of Lagos state a few days ago persisted yesterday.

It was however attributed to last minute shopping for the Sallah celebration.

Routes like Third Mainland Bridge down to Adekunle, Mushin, Oshodi, Bolade/Alasia, Ikeja-Along, Iyana-Ipaja, Ijora and Tincan Coconut were affected.

The gridlock along the Lagos/ Ibadan expressway also extended to Oyo and Ogun States as road users lamented the situation.

However, there was heavy presence of policemen as well as officials of the Federal Road safety Corps and Lagos State Traffic Management Agency, LASTMA, controlling the traffic. The situation was worsened by trading activities as goods and rams were displayed by the roadside.

As early as 6am, Muslim faithful, were sighted with their luggage at motor parks, heading for their respective home towns to celebrate with their loved ones.

Consequently, the rush witnessed a hike in transport fares. For instance, from Oyingbo to Ilorin passengers were charged N3,000 against the normal N1,500.

Also from Ikorodu to Ijebu-Ode and Sagamu, the fare which ordinarily was between N500 and N600, attracted between N800 and N1,000.

Traders however, benefited from the rush as they witnessed a rise in sales.

Meantime, in a bid to ensure a hitch free Eid-El Kabir celebration, the Lagos State Police Command yesterday, said it had deployed adequate number of policemen to beef up security in mosques, motor parks and other public places in the state.

The Command said that

By Charles Kumolu

T

AKINALE DAY: From right; Oba Rasaki Famuyiwa Onipapa of Papa Lanto; Olori Adenike Ogunleye; Oba Olufemi Ogunleye, Towulade of Akinale; former PRM defunct Nigeria Airways and Chief Oluomo Bolaji Popoola during the grand finale of Akinale Day celebrating agriculture and food Security at farmers market place, along Abeokuta - Lagos Road. Photo by Wunmi Akinola. policemen had been deployed to command has concluded major highways to compliment arrangement to reduce the efforts of officials of the Federal number of hawkers in Lagos Road Safety Corps and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority,LASTMA, for free flow of traffic, as well as to ensure motorists were not attacked by hoodlums.

The Command boss, Mr Fatai Owoseni stated this during a

By Ola Ajayi press briefing on the command’s BADAN—THE rivalry preparedness towards ensuring between the Nigerian the safety of lives and property Medical Association, NMA, and during Sallah celebration.

Consequently, he ordered all Nigerian Union of Allied Health NUAHP, road side hawkers, particularity Professionals, those on major highways to stay worsened yesterday as they clear or be arrested by policemen disagreed on calls for the attached to the Rapid Response privatisation of public hospitals in the country.

Squad,RRS. The NMA had reportedly The clampdown on road side hawkers he informed, will be given its nod for the privatisation intensified during this period, but NUAHP argued that the call revealing that some criminals by the NMA was selfish and masqueraded as hawkers to discriminatory.

This was disclosed by the unleash mayhem on their targets.

“Some of these hawkers also National President of NUAHP, double as robbers. They seize the Dr. Ogbonna Obinna Chimela, opportunity created to dispossess while speaking with newsmen people of their belongings. The at the University College

One missing, 21 rescued from Lagos boat mishaps

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AGOS—21 people were yesterday reportedly rescued alive while one was missing during two separate boat mishaps which occurred in Lagos.

One of the incident reportedly occurred in the morning at More Island while another occurred at Tincan Island around 6pm.

Vanguard gathered that 21 passengers including the operator were on board in the Tin Can Island case and were all rescued alive but that of More Island recorded a tragedy as an elderly man was missing after the boat ran over a two-man fishing boat.

Ekiti private health college gets accreditation

By Rotimi Olaleye DO EKITI—PROFESSIONAL Health Boards and Councils saddled with the regulatory power over courses being offered in the country’s health Colleges, have granted accreditation to Fabotas College of Health Sciences and Technology, Ado Ekiti, in six different courses

as the main cause of traffic gridlock is because the state is littered with hawkers,'' he said.

NMA, NUAHP disagree over public hospitals privatisation

I

Hospital, UCH, Ibadan yesterday.

He said, “Members of the union vehemently condemn the move by the government to privatise some hospitals in Nigeria as being canvassed by medical practitioners. Health care delivery is a social service that an average Nigerian should enjoy as subsidised by the government. By the time this social service is privatised, an average Nigerian will not be able to access health care services.

He said that the call was anti people, adding that people should ask NMA why it said only the professional groups and units should be privatised while keeping sealed lips on surgery and medical services.

Pray for Nigeria, cleric counsels Christians, Muslims

By Bose Adelaja

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HID Awolowo foundation for inauguration

By Chris Onuoha

A

LAGOS-based cleric, Rev. Yomi Kasali has urged Nigerians to support the anti-corruption drive of President Muhammad Buhari by dedicating a day to pray for Nigeria.

The clergyman, who is the founder and senior Pastor of Foundation of Truth Assembly (FOTA), Surulere, appealed to both Christians and Muslims to dedicate first Sundays and Fridays of every month to preach anticorruption messages.

Speaking during a press conference to announce the Church’s 10th year anniversary in Lagos,which kicks off yesterday, tagged: “Giant Killers Conference (GKC 2015), Ten Times Better” Kasali said: “President Buhari should be very careful in choosing who becomes minister in his administration and there’s need for him to take time and get people with high moral values that can purge corruption out of the country.”

He also said, “Nigeria is pleasantly blessed with abundant resources. However, issues of crime rate is going up. Buhari needs people with integrity around him, a new cruse, filled with water and salt to heal and restore the barren and saltless land.''

HE Obafemi Awolowo Foundation has concluded plans to inaugurate a foundation in memory of the late Mrs. Hannah Dideolu Awolowo in recognition of her contributions to family values, entrepreneurship and perseverance in the face of adversity.

It also expressed sadness at the passing of the deceased, who it described as its moving spirit.

A statement by the Executive Director of the foundation, Dr. Awolowo-Dosumu said the need to underline the careers of role models and visionaries in a morally-adrift generation informed the move to institute the HID Awolowo foundation.

Church celebrates three decades

By Esther Onyegbula

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HE General Overseer Victory Christian Church, Apostle Nkechi Anayo has urged Nigerian youths to use their talents positively in solving societal problems.

This came as the church plans to celebrate three decades of its existence, with the theme: ‘’Celebrating God’s Grace and Faithfulness.’’

The celebration will commence with unveiling of emblem, 3D football tournament for Junior Secondary schools, talent hunt, family fun fair, 3D Network event activities, seminars, 3D kiddies fun fair fiesta, Founder day, 3D thanksgiving anniversary celebration.

12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

FLOOD: Delta fishermen bemoan loss of fish worth N250m F

By Festus Ahon

ISHMERMEN at the Camp 74 Fish Farms in Asaba, Delta State capital, whose farms were destroyed last week by flood, yesterday told the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, that they lost over N250 million worth of fish to the flood. They said they had about 1,000 fish ponds producing over 80 tonnes of fish per month.

This came as Okowa doled out N35, 250,000 to assist fish farmers.

They disclosed this when the governor, accompanied by members of the state executive council, went to the camp to inspect the devastation done to the fish farms by last Wednesday’s flood.

Chairman of fishermen association in the camp, Mr Nwanneka Upright, who spoke on behalf of others, thanked the governor for the assistance, noting that the state government’s prompt response to their plight was commendable.

Addressing the fishermen, the governor said: “I have heard a lot about Camp 74 before now but, unfortunately my first visit is coming at a time that you all were affected by a

flood disaster. It is rather unfortunate, especially, with the fact that we are still expecting floods.

“We should be prepared for the flood and those living along the River Niger, those affected by the last flood, should relocate to safe areas while measures should be taken to protect investments, fish farms and others. I was

briefed on the events that happened and I have also been informed that the Ministry of Environment has taken actions by bringing in swamp buggies to de-silt the river at the moment. From the sand, they will erect embankments to avoid reoccurrence. Further, things will be done during the dry season but we will do all we

can to ensure that we are able to save your farms and ponds from further disaster.

“In the first instance, I must appreciate all of you for demonstrating that as young people, either from school, out of school or even from within the communities, that it is possible for a young man to work hard to fend for himself."

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ALABAR—CROSS RIVER Elections Petitions Tribunal, for the 2015 election, sitting in Calabar, yesterday, upheld the election of Mike Etaba, as the duly elected member for the Etung/ Obubra Federal Constituency.

The Tribunal said the petitioner, Egbe Abeng Egbe, the Labour Party, LP, candidate, failed to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt to warrant the nullification of the election.

Egbe had sought the nullification of Etaba's election on the grounds that the March 28 House of Representatives election for Etung/ Obubra Federal Constituency, was marred by irregularities; that Etaba was not qualified to contest the election because he was not sponsored by any political party and that the election was not

P

ATANI—OVER 500 youths of Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, yesterday, protested the increasing rate of kidnapping in Patani Local Government Area of Delta State.

The IYC youths, led by Alabo Ojo, Kabowei clan, Sibisaba Raymond, Tarakiri clan, and Mr. Kingsley Tombe, Kumbowei clan, in a communiqué condemned the abduction of Madam Elizabeth Youduowei, mother of Chief Josphine Abeki, the Patani council boss.

The statement demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the octogenarian who was abducted at Abari town and called on the security agents to redouble their efforts to rescue her and reunite her with family hale and hearty.

Bayelsa govt scholars cry out for succour Former governor of Akwa Ibom State and Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, arriving Ibom International Airport on Wednesday after vacation abroad; behind him is Sir Emem Akpabio.

Tribunal upholds election of C-River PDP Rep

By Emma Una

Patani IYC protests spate of kidnapping

conducted in accordance with the 2011 Electoral Act. He presented 49 documents to back his 18paragraph affidavit of oath, seeking to have the election of Etaba invalidated and he alternatively declared the winner of the election.

The tribunal, in its ruling read by Justice Christopher Awubra, the lead judge, said

from the evidence before the tribunal, it was clear that elections were conducted in accordance with the electoral Act. The tribunal said: “From the totality of credible evidence before us, the election was not marred by irregularities and was conducted substantially in compliance with the Electoral Act. Even

if the totality of evidence of the witnesses from the petitioner are accepted upon on their face value, the petitioner has failed to establish how the said malpractices in the polling units he mentioned substantially affected the outcome of the election which should warrant its invalidation.“

Delta Assembly poll: Anirah floors Igbuya at Appeal Court

By Godwin Oghre

B

ENIN—THE embattled Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Monday Igbuya, yeterday, failed to satisfy the Court of Appeal sitting in Benin City, on why his appeal against the ruling of the National and State House of Assembly Election Tribunal, which threw out his motion on notice in which he prayed the tribunal to strike out or dismiss the petition by the candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the last

Sapele Constituency election, Chief Felix Anirah, of being “fundamentally defective and incurably incompetent.”

The appellate court, which dismissed the Speaker's appeal yesterday, hinged the grounds for the dismissal on, “That the time frame statutorily allowed for hearing and delivery of judgement on the appeal is 60 days, whereas, a total of 57 days, instead of the statutory 10 days, have been spent by the appellant, yet he has not been able to successfully complete the transmission of his appeal

processes from the tribunal to the appellate court,” saying, “Only 3 days from today is left, even as they fall within public holidays.”

The court also threw out Chief Igbuya’s request for extension of time to complete the transmission of his appeal processes from the tribunal to the appellate court, saying, “Time is of great essence in hearing and determining both the petition and present appeal in line with the statutorily stipulated time.”

By Ebere Aham

B

ENEFICIARIES of Bayelsa State government scholarship programme have cried out to the state government over their plight in their universities abroad.

The programme which was supervised by the former deputy governor of the state was intended to help university aspirants pursue their courses in international universities to improve their skills, learning and knowledge and also to apply their knowledge in the development of Nigeria as a whole.

Ohimor for burial

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R Ejiro Ohimor is dead. A statement by the family said he died two weeks ago and will be buried on September 26 at Okpara, Delta State.

Late Ejiro Ohimor

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015—13

Fresh governorship primary to hold in Bayelsa —OYEGUN How Tuesday's exercise was aborted, by Oshiomhole

By Simon Ebegbulem & Levinus Nwabughiogu

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B U J A — N AT I O N A L Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has said that the party will conduct a fresh governorship primary election in Bayelsa State, explaining that the exercise held on Tuesday was marred by security flaws.

Oyegun, who spoke in Abuja, did not however, state the date for the fresh election.

He said: “The primary has been rescheduled. It had to be called off due to security challenges.”

This came as Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, chairman of the 7-man electoral committee, yesterday dismissed the reported emergence of former governor of Bayelsa State, Mr Timipre Sylva, as the party's governorship candidate for the December 5 election, saying no primaries took place, on Tuesday as planned because of alleged disruption of the process by hired thugs.

He alleged that members of his committee, including himself, were kidnapped and held hostage by thugs allegedly loyal to one of the governorship aspirant, a former governor of the state, describing the incident as unfortunate.

He said: “We had the state commissioner of Police and the AIG in-charge of the zone to supervise the election, yet the exercise was messed up and that is why I believe that the police were compromised.”

Oshiomhole said his committee had since forwarded a report to the National Secretariat of APC, suggesting new date for the primaries to enable the authentic delegates to be properly accredited, in line with the guidelines of the party as used in Kogi State.

“I was the Returning Officer in that primary and I functioned as the Chairman of the Election Committee. The next person is the Secretary. Neither the Secretary nor myself announced any result and, of course, it is customary that in any election, the winner is issued a Certificate of Return. As far as I know, no such certificate was issued. So if a member of the committee purports to announce any result, that is his own funeral.

That does not in any way alter the rules of the party. There is no doubt that there was no election.

“If as a governor, I had to seek the intervention of the Army, and placed under siege, I had to ask the aspirant if I was kidnapped, and if the ransom was that I conducted a primary without accreditation, then the basic requirement for a free and fair election, whether primary or popular, is that those participating must have free access for

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accreditation and for voting.

When these are lacking, you cannot make something out of nothing. The aspirant can do anything that he has chosen to do, but that does not mean it is the due process which the party is committed to. If anybody wanted to do a shady job, they will not approach people like me and others to be part of that exercise. I cannot be used for such fraud. As someone who has fought against electoral fraud in Edo State and one that has been preaching one man, one vote, anybody who knows me well cannot contemplate allowing me to be a part of that exercise," he added.

Narrating how the exercise was aborted, Oshiomhole claimed that the aspirant imported thugs to the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, venue of the primary, and scuttled the exercise.

The governor, who also claimed that the aspirant threatened his life and those of other members of the committee, challenged him to produce his Certificate of Return presented to him by the party if he truly won in a free and fair primary.

Oshiomhole said: “I was appointed along with six others to conduct the primary election in Bayelsa State. The exercise took place on Tuesday, but somehow, thugs took over the venue of the exercise. They prevented the actual delegates from participating and accessing the venue of the exercise. As a result, we could not proceed with the exercise.

“The committee was virtually held hostage, including myself and this exercise was supervised, unfortunately, by one of the aspirants. He said to my face, and the committee that we could not leave the venue of

the conference, unless we carry out the exercise without accreditation as prescribed by the National Secretariat. It is important to note that the National Secretariat has long adopted a standard national guideline for the conduct of governorship primaries and these guidelines were used effectively in Kogi State and it produced an outcome which all the aspirants in Kogi governorship elections were quite happy with.

“The key issue in these guidelines, as stated by the party, is that delegates as contained in the list in the custody of the secretariat have to be identified, either through the Permanent Voter’s Card which contains the photo, I.D and other details or the National Identity Card,NIC, or the International Passport.

This was to ensure that proper accreditation was done."

SYMPOSIUM: L-R Comrade Chika Onuegbu, Chairman Trade Union Congress, Rivers State; Dr Obari Gomba and Mr Debii Nwiado, during a symposium by the Federated Correspondents Chapel on Rivers State governor, Chief Nyesom Wike's 100 days in office, at the chapel's secretariate in Port Harcourt , yesterday. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke

Gov Emmanuel tasks royal fathers on peace

By Chioma Onuegbu

U

YO—GOVERNOR Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has charged royal fathers to ensure that peace existed in their domains to attract investors and development to the state.

Emmanuel spoke, yesterday, while swearing in the new Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs, Obong Effiong Bassey Archianga, the Paramount Ruler of Ibeno Local Government Area, as part of activities marking the annual celebration of the creation of the state.

The governor noted that the traditional rulers, as custodians of the people's cultural values, had significant role to play in maintaining peace and

harmony in the society.

He said: “As the closest to the people, the traditional rulers are custodians of culture and repositories of wisdom and are critical, particularly to the sustenance of peace and tranquillity in our society. The traditional institution remains a critical institution in our society, and the socio-cultural norms and values embedded in traditional institutions have remained integral parts of every contemporary society.

“The traditional rulers are naturally mandated to govern and lead the society effectively as the closest to the people. Your Royal Majesty, the staff of leadership of the State Council of Chiefs, has been transferred to you at a time many people are lining up to invest in our

state. You are, therefore, expected to use your office, as a good shepherd, and show direction that will enhance speedy and timely development of our state in line with the dream and vision of this administration, which is out to turn Akwa Ibom to a preferred industrial hub in the Gulf of Guinea.

“It is a fact that our programmes and policies on industrialization and job creation will only be achieved when there is peace in our society. Therefore as custodians of peace and order in our villages, clans and areas, I implore you, royal fathers to entrench the ideals of peace and order in your different domains."

Foundation to raise funds for diabetes centre

By Egufe Yafugborhi

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A R R I — GRACELAND Diabetes Foundation, a nonprofit organization, is set to raise funds for establishment of a medical centre in advancement of its commitment to spreading awareness and promoting the right management for treatment of diabetes and high blood pressure in Nigeria.

In a statement in Warri, Delta State, Founder/CEO of the organization, Mrs. Mercy Ekpoke, said the launch to be held Saturday at the PTI Conference Centre, Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area, would be to assist speedy construction of the medical centre.

She said: “The construction of the High Blood Pressure/ Diabetes Medical Centre is the next phase of our service to the people and we appeal for support of all well meaning members of the public to commit to this project.

“The centre being sited in Orerokpe, will be of immense benefit to the immediate environment and society at large. HRM, The Orodje of Okpe, Orhue I, has graciously donated a piece of land for the project.”

The event is expected to be graced by dignitaries including Mr. Mideno Bayagbon, Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, the Orodje of Okpe, the Ovie of Uvwie, captains of industries, government functionaries and medical experts.

PDP chieftain lauds Okowa on job creation

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chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State, Chief Fred Majemite, has commended the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, for the strides so far recorded in the area of job creation only a few months after assuming office.

Speaking to newsmen in Ughelli, Delta State, Majemite said despite the government's lean resources, the governor has performed creditably well in the area of job creation within his 100 days in office especially by creating employment for 6,000 youths in his job and wealth creation programme.

He said: “The governor has started well by initiating the employment of 6,000 youths into his youth job creation scheme programme."

14 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

CONDOLENCE VISIT S TTO O THE AAW WOL OWOS OVER H.I.D. AAW WOL OWO'S DEA TH VISITS OLO OLO DEATH TH. Photos by Bunmi Azeez.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience flanked by Rev. Tola Oyediran, first daughter of the deceased (right) and Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, her sister.

Oba Adeyinka Onakade, Alakenne of Ikenne and his wife, Olori Adeyemisi.

(RIGHT): Otunba Subomi Balogun and wife.

From left: Dr Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu; Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga, deputy governor of Ogun State and Rev. Tola Oyediran.

From left; Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu; Rev. Tola Oyediran and Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary General, Commonwealth.

TRAFFIC GRIDLOCKS IN LAGOS. PHOTOS BY JOE AKINTOLA, PHOTO EDITOR & SOLA OYELESE.

Funsho William Avenue, Surulere.

Berger Yard, Oshodi - Apapa Expressway.

Mile 2 Bridge, Oshodi - Apapa Expressway.

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Funsho William Avenue.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 24,, 2015 — 15

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16—Vanguard,THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

Enugu electricity consumers lament poor services by DISCO

By Francis Igata

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NUGU—ENUGU Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, workers were yesterday, handed the rough end of the stick as customers booed and abused them for reportedly keeping them waiting for hours under the scorching sun.

The angry customers were said to have arrived the EEDC office at Amaechi Street in Achara Layout, Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State as early as 7.45 am yesterday to pay their electricity bills but were shocked over “the sluggish and poor attitude” of the workers at EEDC who were said to be battling with accommodation/space challenges which reportedly hindered the smooth operation of the office.

“I don’t know why EEDC workers enjoy punishing their customers after paying our bills," an angry customer, Ikenna, said.

“The EEDC workers shouldn’t be taking customers for granted because without our patronage, they can’t go far in their business.

"They should realize that they are here to serve customers, not to keep them waiting till eternity,” said Agatha Anyanwu, another customer, who came to recharge her prepaid electricity/energy card. Mrs. Anyanwu, mother of three kids said her tag number was 220 and that she could only recharge her prepaid around sunset.

Contacted, the Public Relations Manager of the EEDC, Mr. Eugene Aniowo said what happened yesterday was very unfortunate and attributed it to bad network. “Network was so bad yesterday. We apologize for what happened and we appeal to our customers to be patient with us because we are there to serve them,” Aniowo said. “It’s not this type of experience we expect from the EEDC,” she remarked.

BAILOUT FUNDS: We've not received anything yet--Enugu govt

By Francis Igata

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NUGU—CONTRARY to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s,CBN,position that Enugu State has received N4.207 billion as bail-out funds designed by the Federal Government to ease financial difficulties in payment of workers salary arrears,the state government yesterday,denied to have received such funds.

Reports indicated last week that the state was among five additional

states that have received bail-out from CBN. In a telephone chat with Vanguard,the Chief Press Secretary to the governor,Mr. Uwakwe Abugu who contacted the Commissioner of Finance,faulted the CBN's position, adding that the state was not owing workers salaries.

Abugu said,”the government is not owing worker’s salaries. The bail-out accruable to Enugu State is meant for the payment of

pension arrears and salaries due to casual workers.

“The CBN has placed conditions for states to access the fund. The state executive council must meet and approve the fund. It will then be sent to the House of Assembly for consenting and an Irrevocable Standing Payment Order,ISPO, issued to enable CBN deduct at source when allocations become available.”

Meanwhile, Vanguard

checks revealed that apart from the Ministries in the state,most parastatals,departments and agencies were being owed between six-twelve months salaries arrears.

Some of them include; Enugu State Transport Company,ENTRACO; Daily Star, Enugu Water Corporation, Enugu State Printing Company,among others.

...Abia expects N14.125bn ...sets up c'ttee to ensure judicious disbursement

By Anayo Okoli

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MUAHIA—AHEAD of the receipt this week, of the N14.152 billion bailout fund approved by the Federal Government, Abia State

government has constituted a seven-member committee with Mr. Obinna Oriaku, the Special Adviser to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on Economic Matters as chairman.

Abia State applied for a bailout of N30 billion, but the Federal Government approved the sum of N14.152 billion for the state.

The committee was inaugurated last Friday by the

INSPECTION: Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, inspecting the distilling of drains, at Eziukwu road in Aba. With him, are his deputy, Ude Okochukwu, and other top state functionaries.

...We've got approval, but no alert yet —Ebonyi govt

By Peter Okutu

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BAKALIKI—EBONYI State government, Monday, explained that the proposed bailout fund for the state had received accelerated approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, after it met all the pre-requisites for accessing the loan.

In a chat with Vanguard, Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Chief Dennis Ekumakama, who stated the importance of the funds to the state, added that the Ministry of Finance was yet to receive any alert indicating receipt of the fund.

The bailout fund which is estimated at N4.6 billion is expected to assist the state government in the payment of

the proposed increment in salaries to Ebonyi workers by the Special Salary Committee headed

by Senator Sam Egwu.

At the time of this report, the state government was yet to authoritatively declare that it has received the proposed bailout.

Secretary to the state government, Dr. Eme Okoro, who gave the assurance that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu would not divert the fund as he was committed to paying the backlog of salaries owed to civil servants in the state.

Inaugurating the committee, Dr. Eme Okoro disclosed that the over N14 billion being expected as bailout did not meet the total amount of money applied for and charged the committee to discharge its assignment diligently.

The committee was saddled with a four-point term of reference which included, determining the exact amount owed public servants in Abia State, determining the actual duration of backlogs owed workers in Abia State, to apply bailout fund for its original intent and to determine any other issue incidental to salary arrears .

Members of the committee include the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Administration; office of the Head of Service and the Accountant-General of the state.

Others were the AuditorGeneral, the Statistician-General, the state chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, the state chairman, Trade Union Congress and Chairman, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE.

Abia bailout can’t cover payment of accumulated gratuities —NLC

By Anayo Okoli

U

MUAHIA—THE Chairman of Abia State Council of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Uchenna Obigwe has explained that the N14.152 bailout fund released to the state government would not be able to offset the accumulated gratuities of retired workers.

Obigwe, howver, said that the money would cover the payment of salary and allowance arrears.

According to Obigwe, if the N39 billion Abia State government applied for was approved, it would have gone a long wayto settle the salaries, pensions and gratuity arrears of the workers.

He expressed fear that the government may face another challenge of paying the gratuities of retired workers.

“The government applied for N39 billion but was given N14.152 billion because the

governor even wanted to clear the gratuities but we have a constraint. What the governor may not be able to handle is gratuity. We are praying for more bailout.

“If what is provided will pay gratuity, the governor will pay because he has a human face, but we need about N25 billion additional to be able to conclusively pay gratuities,” the NLC chairman said.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24`— —17

A

VISITOR from outer space would certainly have been confused about the Nigerian situation on the evidence of what dominated media reportage in the past week. Intra-ruling class schisms can be bloody even without leaving a blood trail; therefore, vital societal institutions like the media, often become sites of pitched battles and contestations.

And in the past week, the fight for turf, reputation and the space of public perception just got nastier, with the prolonged effort to arraign Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal and his determined effort to ensure that it did not happen.

The courts were put to a straining test and the judiciary stayed under the klieg lights of national attention but in the end, the situation reached a denouement on Tuesday this week. Ruling classes have always been obliged to provide avenues of entertainment in societies they dominate so as to offer diversion to dominated and exploited classes of society.

But what has played out is beyond the run-in-the-mill diversion but the most punishing of Nigerian high wire politics. Before our spectator eyes, the grains are being separated from the chaff of political society and in my opinion, no prisoner will be taken.

But there are issues of nationhood that might not have a dramatic twist to the tail and neither can they titillate.

Nevertheless, they have a far more defining edge to them and in the long run, it is how the consequences are managed, that will determine the future wellbeing of our country.

Populations of countries Unfortunately, we face a crisis since those who ought to take note of these issues are often too consumed in their positional contestations to be able to appreciate the problems that loom ever so menacingly in the present and might even endanger the future.

One of those unpopular but determining issues is the population of our country. I am writing these lines at exactly twelve midnight on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. Set before me on my iPad, is the ‘worldometers’, which tracks the populations of countries of the world and this tracking process is LIVE, thus counting the population of every country on a permanent basis.

And as I write, Nigeria’s population is displayed as being 184, 728, 559! These are very frightening statistics as we will discover. They show that Nigeria now ranks as the country with the seventh highest population on earth.

The population density is 193 per Km2; the fertility rate is 6.01 and we witness the addition of about 4.7million newly born annually and our median age 17.7 years, while 2.4% of the population of the world now C M Y K

Population issues in a season of high wire politics lives in the space called the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

And of that population, 52% resides in the urban areas.

Nigeria's population in fufure If we begin tracking the population of Nigeria from 1955, we will see that in that year, our country’s population was 41, 122, 332, with a media age of 19.1 while the urban population was merely 12% and th we were the 13 most populated country on earth. It was in 1995 that Nigeria’s population grew beyond a hundred million people and by 2014, for the first time, the majority of Nigerians now live in urban areas and no longer in rural homesteads. The forecast for the future are equally dire, because by 2020, our population is expected to reach 210million with 55% of that being based in urban areas.

By 2030, that population will hit 273million, with 61% expected to be living in urban areas and by that year, we will become the fifth most populated country on earth. In 2050, there will be 440 million Nigerians and 71% of these Nigerians will be based in urban towns and cities and by that time, Nigeria will have the third largest population on earth! The cynic might shrug shoulders and wonder why s/ he should be worried about population figures that might not be seen in his/her lifetime.

But the truth is that these figures matter and how we begin to prepare for the challenges that they will pose are very much part of our ability to deal with the complex contradictions of modernity and

With a median age of seventeen years, it should strike our rulers that public policy must be centred around the youth because it can be an asset to society as much as being a source of nihilistic destructiveness too

the post-modern world.

In truth, the problems are not as far away as we might think because the stresses and strains of increasing populations are all around us today. The changing patterns of the world’s population are leading to prolonged droughts and are expanding desertification of huge swathes of land on the edge of the Sahara and in the Sahel regions of West Africa and in Nigeria. That has led to the migration of more and more nomadic groups and their animals in search of pasture into central and southern regions of Nigeria.

They have increasingly entered into conflict with sedentary farming communities leading to patterns of clashes that have come to define life in many parts of central Nigeria today. In the past, these clashes would probably have used traditional weapons but today the AK 47 Kalashnikov is in the hands of opposing groups.

Opposing groups There are the ever widening incidences of flooding in low lying costal regions, including those of Nigeria, as a result of the melting of polar icecaps and the issue of the damage that human action has wrought on the ozone layer has become an established fact of scientific development.

Even the emergence of the Boko Haram insurgency must also be read against the backdrop of the crises associated with the endangerment of livelihood patterns in the Lake Chad basin just as much as the spoliation of the environment and the disruption of the delicate ecological balance in the Niger Delta endangered the lives of people in the creeks. The result was the militancy of the past decade in the region.

Greater pressure on infrastructure: In Nigeria, as populations have continued to increase and have become increasingly urbanized, there is greater stress placed on infrastructure. Water supply is short; health care facilities are increasingly unable to cope with ever growing populations; roads are becoming clogged and at certain points of an urban day, movement becomes impossible and the school structure has all but collapsed. Nigerians spend about N160Billion annually in Ghanaian schools since the structures in our country cannot

cope with the student population. And in a country that has grown ever younger, the economy is not creating the jobs that can absorb the millions of young people, including thousands of graduates, who need these jobs. And as we have become urbanised, 64% of that urban population lives in slums and the housing deficit is one of our greatest crises today.

As a matter of fact, we have to now learn how to manage existence in urban areas: conscious planning; managed expansion; infrastructural renewal; enforcement of development control; management of urban refuse and waste; green energy; preservation of historical sites and structures; open spaces and public parks; control of noise and pollution and encouragement of architecture and esthetics are its components.

It is clear in my view, that population is very central to everything that defines our nationhood. Rapid economic development is possible when we can massively mobilise our young people to be central to the process of growth, however, that cannot just be a spontaneous process. It must be

planned and structured as part of an overall national agenda.

It is the sluggishness of planning, not to talk of the absence of competence that has remained a major source of worry.

Issues of focus and development: We cannot stop the ruling class from contestation and positional fight since that is the heart of the political process. But it is also their obligation in the context of democratic development, to focus on issues that matter to the overall health and future well being of our country.

With a median age of seventeen years, it should strike our rulers that public policy must be centred around the youth because it can be an asset to society as much as being a source of nihilistic destructiveness too. Population issues are very much at the heart of everything and the earlier they are taken serious the better for all of us.

The management of resources, such as fauna and flora as well as the husbandry of nature; the conscious management of population growth as well as an eye for the controlled consumption of resources will give indicators of how serious we are about the long term habitability of the spaces of our country that we have inherited from nature and our ancestors and which in turn we must hold in trust for the succeeding generations of Nigerians.

These are very simple but profound issues which high wire politics might very well blind us to. It is therefore imperative to put the ruling class on notice about the dangers that lurk in the frightening dimensions associated with our evergrowing population.

Burkina Faso's stupid coup

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HIS Wednesday, President Muhammadu Buhari joins a delegation of West African leaders on a trip to Ouagadougou, the Burkinabe capital, in an attempt to restore the interim government which was overthrown in a coup, last week.

It has been described as a ‘stupid coup’ and indeed it was!

Elements of the 1, 300 person strong Presidential Guard, loyal to the ousted dictator/assassin, Blaise Campaore, had staged the coup, a few weeks to elections which were meant to conclude the transition process, following last October’s removal of the venal Blaise Campaore.

The coup leader, General Gilbert Diendere, was former Chief-ofStaff to Campaore. The members of the Presidential Guard were said to have been unhappy with the electoral law which had banned all those who attempted to elongate Blaise Campaore’s stay in power after 27 years of dictatorship. There were also plans to disband the Guard and integrate them into the Burkinabe Army. The Presidential Guard was set up in 1987 by Blaise

Campaore, who came to power in the wake of the assassination of one of the most beloved African leaders, the charismatic Marxist officer, Thomas Sankara.

It was indicative of the anger and indignation felt by the Burkinabe people that they returned to the streets to protest the coup and even the national army and police retained loyalty to the interim government and the democratic process.

They marched on Ouagadougou and demanded an end to the coup and reinstatement of the interim government and the democratic process. That was the position of ECOWAS, the African Union and the United Nations.

The Burkinabe people were however unhappy at the ECOWAS resolution offering amnesty to the coup plotters.

But the coup plotters stupidly refused to read the mood of the Burkinabe people and the African and world communities. Nobody will accept a coup d’etat as the path to power, especially one that might even pave way back to power for Blaise Campaore! No way.

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015 Kidnapping as a crime made a bold return to the centre of prime media attention when, within the past three weeks, two females, one a journalist were snatched from their homes. On 30th August 2015, Donu Kogbara, a columnist with Vanguard Newspapers, was forcibly taken away in Port Harcourt and it took about two weeks for her to be freed.

Just as the good news was being savoured, armed robbers invaded the home of the Deputy Managing Director of The SUN Newspapers, Steve Nwosu and, after robbing them of their valuables, took his wife, Oluwatoyin, away. She spent four days in her captors’ den. Kidnapping has thus graduated from a crime of protest by Niger Delta militants to a situation whereby armed thieves steal human beings for ransom along with their property.

Kidnapping has become one of the troubling security challenges of the nation. It must engage the attention

Halting the scourge of kidnapping of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, which has made security of lives and property one of its three-point agenda for action.

The nation is reeling, not just from the war on terror in the Northeast frontier. We are battling with other high crimes such as armed robbery, oil thievery, pipeline vandalism, ritual murders, cultism etc.

The need for a national agenda to confront these daunting challenges has taken on a high note of urgency. The

Buhari regime should call a national summit on these security problems to create national consciousness and thereafter constitute a committee of experts to articulate a comprehensive plan of action.

We may need to create special forces dedicated to the prevention of kidnapping through early identification of the crime cells, and when such crimes do take place these forces can take necessary measures to secure the release of victims. The

regular Nigerian Police and the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) must be fully rejuvenated, while the armed forces should play desired roles when the need arises.

However, the task of securing the people’s lives and property cannot work if left to the government forces alone. The Nigerian public must be brought into the picture to join hands, especially in helping with useful information and intelligence. These criminals live among the people, and most of them are known. The people must be sensitised and encouraged to be security conscious and vigilant.

Crime only thrives when a society is not seriously committed to confronting it frontally. We urge the Buhari administration to beam the same level of attention it is giving to the war on corruption and the eradication of Boko Haram to the protection of lives and property of Nigerians who now live in fear.

OPINION

Re: Salaries and Primary School Certificate saga

By Semiu Okanlawon

T

HE editorial in Vanguard Newspaper of Thursday September 17, at page 18, is a belated remark on the latest development of the salary issue in the state of Osun.

Though, even if it had come out before now, the contents therein of the editorial would still not be fitting to the present situation.

Recently (precisely Wednesday, 16th September, 2015), the state government commenced the payment of outstanding salaries and pensions from N34.989bn bailout loan received for the Federal Government for that particular purpose.

Evidently, it has clearly shown that Osun Government did not tie the payment of salary to the presentation of primary school leaving certificate as wildly claimed in the Vanguard editorial.

Before the payment of the backlog of salaries, the State Government had at different fora stated that the primary school certificate is not a prerequisite

for payment of salaries.

The insinuation is mischievous and incorrect as the circular and form sent out by government were not meant for the payment of salary but for the monitoring and control within the civil service.

Primary School Leaving Certificate in the scheme for public service workers is only applicable to those who are appointed or employed as cleaners, guards, messengers and others, who fall within this category of staffers.

Therefore, in filling such forms, individuals are not compelled to fill

The essence of asking civil servants to produce certificate is predicated on staff auditing, which is very essential for any government to know the number of its work force

everything but those portions that are applicable to them.

Hence, it will be incongruous to ask a medical doctor or an engineer, who presented MBBS and B. Eng to present Primary School leaving Certificate.

The conclusion by Vanguard that government wanted to hide under the presentation of primary school certificate to sidestep its statutory obligations to the workers, knowing fully well that majority of the civil servants would be unable to locate this foundational certificate, is at best drawn in error, at worst based on ignorance.

Granted that certificates such as that of primary, secondary or university are issued to any recipient once in a life time, law allows a re-issue in case such certificate is destroyed, stolen or lost. This is why organisations, government or agencies would require a Certified True Copy (CTC) of such lost or destroyed certificate in lieu of original.

All the owner of a missing certificate needs to do is approach a court and swear to an affidavit that the certificate is missing or destroyed. He or she then takes the affidavit to the school in question and a CTC will be issued to him or her, which is valid as

the original.

Thus, it is pertinent to note that the commencement of salary payment was not done on discrimination of certificate – whether National Diploma (ND) Bachelor degree or School Certificate contrary to the deduction of Vanguard Newspaper that presentation of certificate is a ploy by government to avoid paying the workers. All have been receiving payment alerts.

The essence of asking civil servants to produce certificate is predicated on staff auditing, which is very essential for any government to know the number of its work force; who does what in what capacity as well as to determine the capacity and output of any worker.

It is our considered opinion that a newspaper should be well informed on the issue it intends to write about so as to avoid mis-informing the general public.

Osun Government has no other plan for the bailout it received other than to deploy it to offsetting the salary backlog. But it does not and shall not compromise ‘judicious use’ of the bailout fun *Mr. Okanlawon, a Media aide to the Osun State governor.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 24,, 2015— 19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

A nation in the claws of over-registration O

NE disturbing trend is developing in Nigeria: We are caught in the claws of overregistration, thus reducing every Nigerian to a number. He is a number on the assembly-line; on the pay-roll; on the school register; in the tax office; on the voters’ register; in the banking hall; in his political party; and, indeed, he is a number everywhere!

Wherever he goes, he is encumbered with the business of one form of registration or the other, to the extent that he spends a good part of his time on the registration line; and the authorities are perhaps oblivious that the loss of man-hour on some of these needless registrations takes a heavy toll on the nation’s economy, talk less of the stress and strain they place on the people!

In the course of a single year, the Nigerian is either busy registering or re-registering in his political party or he is engaged in registering or reregistering to vote. When he is not busy collecting the temporary voter’s card, he is struggling to get the permanent voter’s card. When he is not busy revalidating the National

Identity Card, he is busy attending to the National Population Commission, as if life is all about registration.

The telephone companies are also asking him either to register his number or revalidate it.

These are all rigorous forms of registration and re-registration.

In the process, they make criminals out of otherwise innocent citizens. The other day, a message was left on a man’s cell-phone, “the owner of this line has been barred from receiving calls”. You can imagine what his business partners in America thought when they got that message: “This must be another Nigerian; a bundle of fraudstars!” The dent thus put on the man’s integrity is indelible.

Meanwhile, they are busy offloading useless messages into your phone. They inundate you with unnecessary caller-tunes.

In May, they inform you that “your subscription for ‘Come O ye Faithful’ and other Christmas carols have been automatically renewed”.

Again, the Banks are doing their own. Almost on an annual basis, you are compulsorily required to update and revalidate your account.

Sometimes, they ask you to come and register for one flimsy verification number or another.

Failure to comply within a given period would lead to the impoundment of your account.

So you are bound to obey.

Government and organizations keep declaring public holidays for their workers to do all these.

Elsewhere, people are begged to patronise the banks but here, the people are coerced and tortured to surrender their money to the banks.

Quite often, the vehicle licensing authorities impose their own conditions for a rip-off.

They just toy around with the validity period of the driver’s license and ask everybody to come and register and pay whatever “fine” they impose. See what they did with the vehicle

A better way to appreciate the enormity of our self-imposed problem here is that in concrete terms, the sumtotal of the waste on these frivolous registrations amount to billions....

A Diasporan in the storm of Edo politics

By Aiyevbekpen Osakue

W

HEN an accomplished professional returns home from the Diaspora to contribute his quota to the development of his country, it ought to be seen as an act of patriotism and compassion. Against this background, the conference on the role of members of the Diaspora, which took place recently, in Abuja, must be aptly situated as a deft strategic move by government to mainstream the vast human resource outside the shores of this nation hitherto excluded from developmental calculus.

The story of Sam Omede, a member of the Diaspora community turned-political activist in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, depicts the experience of most members of the Diaspora community, who silently travel on the ravine path of Nigerian political space with grit and determination.

At the inception of the Fifth Republic, Omede and a host of his kind felt satisfied with their hold on the proverbial Golden Fleece and decided to return home to join the renewed effort at nation building.

With flickers of fireballs in his eyes and spurred by unbending conviction that the socio-economic fortunes of Nigeria could be turned around for good in a short while, given her humongous human and material endowment, he wasted no time in engaging the political class in consultations. In practical terms, he became a political entrepreneur dealing in favours, handshakes, baby kissing and promises. He reached out to the weak and needy, piling up goodwill and building C M Y K

support base to service his political ambition.

Indeed, he became the centre of his network of influence. Driven by raw passion and energy, he courted party leaders and achieved a reasonable degree of bargaining power with them. Thus, in 2001, he decided to run for the Chairmanship position of Oredo, the premier local government council in Edo State.

The government in power under the new democratic experiment at the time in question did not seem to share the sense of urgency, passion and vision of the American returnee. On campaign grounds, the common refrain of the highly motivated and energetic Omede was that oil resource was not the greatest asset of Nigeria but human resource. At the heart of his programmes was free education for the increasing number of young persons who were out of the school system and dangerously roaming the streets.

The people possess the power to change their government if it becomes oppressive or fail to achieve the purpose of setting it up

registration recently? They said they changed the method of registration. All they did was to transpose the registration centre with the serial number – they changed AJ 999 BEN to BEN 999 AJ – and that’s what we must pay another N10,000 for! With all the registration and reregistration, cars are still snatched with reckless abandon.

The tax authorities in Nigeria are not left out. You must also register and obtain their number. They call it the Taxpayer’s Identification Number, TIN. Here, not only must you sweat to pay your tax; but you must first sweat to register for permission to do so.

Elsewhere, the tax collector seeks you out wherever you are but here, the burden is on the taxpayer to go to the tax office to register and surrender himself.

We have stopped questioning why we must have fresh voters’ registration every election year.

To my father, those voters’ cards have become collector’s items.

Occasionally, he would bring them down from the fire place and begin to tell us, “This was the one we used to vote for Zik… we used this one to vote for Awo; this was for Owie and this was for Oronsaye’s election…”

The Professor Attahiru Jega's registration has been perhaps the most expensive and most tortuous. Government has since lost count of the number of public holidays declared to enable people register and collect their voters’ cards with the attendant loss of man-hour. And just about when we were starting to believe that it is Uhuru, echoes from the various election petitions tribunals indicate otherwise. We are still hearing of places where they set aside the number of registered voters with the cards collected and even aimed at

Furthermore, he canvassed the idea of providing one free meal for school children, not only to improve their nutritional intake but to attract the children who were in the streets to go back to school. These set of ideas and programmes, lofty as they were, were at variance with the belief and motivation of government functionaries at the time.

Like water, Omede tried to adjust to the form and flow of the authorities, wooing them to buy into his vision. It soon became quite clear that what mattered to government leadership was the creation of structures that would entrench a culture of manipulation, exploitation and sleaze. Omede did not fit into the scheme.

In a swift move by the masters of shenanigans and malarkey in power, they entrapped and snookered the polity. And with a bemusing somersault, government announced the postponement of local government elections, opting to put an interim administration in its place.

Omede was curiously appointed as CareTaker Chairman, Oredo Local Government Council. The appointment was either a trouble shooting master stroke or a test of his willingness to play ball. From every angle it was a landmine!

But his super- charged sense of moral indignation rejected any form of condescension and compromise. During his short tenure, he out-rightly rejected, at his peril, sundry incriminating demands and compromising pressures from high quarters. He could not simply fall in line and in less than two years of inauguration, the Care-Taker structures were prejudicially pulled down and Omede was again caught in the storm. He vainly fought hard to return through the ballot box but the behemoths in power had long perfected their plan to install their proxy in his place through a charade of an election that was primitively executed.

surpassing the total general population!

Every 10 years, we have the population census war with the clear underpinning that revenue sharing and all forms of resource allocation are done on the basis of population. States and Localities struggle to outregister and outdo one another.

Multiple registrations become the order of the day. Yet, we wonder why Nigeria remains one nation unable to count its people.

In an attempt to make these registrations less painful, they are now buried under the nebulous euphemism of biometrics.

In the more advanced democracies, superior arrangements have rendered most of these registrations unnecessary. For instance, in the US, they have the Social Security Card. By 1990, the threshold for the issuance of the Card was lowered to one year old; and with new developments, it is now obtainable along with the birth certificate. This single card identifies the American wherever he goes.

In Britain, virtually everything is subsumed under the National Insurance, NI, and the National Health Insurance, NHI, schemes. In these places, the need to keep running around in circles is obviated.

A better way to appreciate the enormity of our self-imposed problem here is that in concrete terms, the sum-total of the waste on these frivolous registrations amount to billions, which could easily defray those unpaid salaries scattered around the country.

At a point, Nigeria must make a bold attempt to rediscover itself. Better is one solid national form of identification than an avalanche of make-shifts!

Omede realised that his intoxication with transformational ideals impressed no soul in government. The oddity of his ideas and his person in the midst of government functionaries and hangers-on was eternally irreconcilable. The powers that be had planned to systematically suffocate his ambition as they dissembled their intentions and poked their noses mockingly at him. In reality, he ran into a notorious patronage system that was hostile to sound development initiatives and long term plans. The system that was in place in Edo State at that time was inherently corrosive. In order to sustain it, the government manipulated the mechanics of the party in such a manner that barricades were erected on the way of outsiders. Only accomplices and cohorts of the powers that be were appointed or supposedly elected into positions. For the vast majority of the masses, they were pauperised into submission; happy to be mere onlookers and praise singers of their rulers, struggling over the crumbs that fell from the master’s sumptuous table. The crumbs not only kept them alive, but it prepared grounds for their continued exploitation and pauperisation.

Propelled by the energising belief that the people possess the power to change their government if it becomes oppressive or fail to achieve the purpose of setting it up, Omede jumped the compromised ship as the vicissitude of the political situation dictated.

The only option, going forward, remains to continue to fight for political space, to inspire other men of goodwill to join in the crusade and to remain a beacon of hope for the up-coming generations!

*Mr. Osakue, a public commentator, wrote from Benin City, Edo State.

20 —Vanguard, THURSDAY THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

Reign of vandals:

Lawlessness, rape in Ikorodu community ••Female residents cry out

By Bose Adelaja

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HIS is indeed a time to dread for residents in OkeOko, a community in Ikorodu which lies between Lagos and Ogun states. Reason? Petroleum pipeline vandals are said to be on rampage there and have in fact turned the place to a lawless ‘republic’ where they run their nefarious show with impunity.

Findings within and around the community revealed that in the past one week many females, both married and single, have fallen victims of assault and rape. This is happening in the wake of the brutal killing of some operatives of the Department of State Security Services in the area by petroleum pipeline vandals.

With the cold-blooded murder of the DSS men, other security operatives seem to have fled the community, thus leaving it vulnerable to attacks by criminals. Indeed, even before this recent killing, Oke-Oko had become a kind of no-go area to law enforcement operatives many of whom had been killed, maimed or declared missing in the course of discharging their official duties.

Dreaded vandals But of particular concern at the moment is the high level of rape recorded since the most recent incident with women, including house wives, on the receiving end.

Apart from raping innocent women or snatching house wives from their husbands, the dreaded vandals are also said to frequently rob residents at gun point.

Investigations revealed that the vandals’ main functional base are Abule-Oba and Tapa Road where victims are abducted and taken to a make-shift structure located somewhere in the middle of the waters.

During Vanguard Metro’s visit to Oke-Oko, residents could not hide their fears, as they lamented the psychological torture brought upon them by vandals in their community.

As at the time of filing this report, some residents have put up their houses for sale, C M Y K

while those who are well-todo are leaving the community in droves to seek accommodation elsewhere.

Commercial activities are also affected as most businesses have been grounded, while schools remain under lock and key. This is as daring vandals were seen with arms parading the community.

Sources said the vandals have informants among the commercial motorcycle operators who inform them of any perceived danger, especially when security operatives are coming into the community.

VM was reliably informed that a new hotel on Tapa Road (names withheld) presently serves as a meeting place for the vandals. By the gate of the hotel is usually a motorcyclist who from every indication acts as a look-out while meeting is in progress. He is said to be an informant who alerts the vandals of any danger.

During VM’s visits, intermittent gunshotsfrom different directions sent panicstricken residents scampering for safety.

Many residents who spoke to VM on condition of anonymity claimed that their CDA chairman had severally been accosted by the vandals and threatened over revealing information to law enforcement agents.

The vandals, it was learnt, usually gather at different bases where they indulge themselves from trays filled

The wives and female children of landlords in the area are particularly targeted as the vandals threaten to shoot any of the victims who resist their demands

*Vandals in control..Whither security operatives?

with Indian hemp and all sorts of alcoholic drinks. But their guns are always close to hand.

On sighting some unfortunate female residents, they usually will accost and assault them and sometimes rape them.

Sources claimed the wives and female children of landlords in the area are particularly targeted as the vandals threaten to shoot any of the victims who resist their demand.

Unknown destinations They also informed that over 30 military and para-military men have been killed in the past two years and their bodies taken away by their assailants to unknown destinations, believed

to be a shrine owned by petroleum vandals.

The activities of the vandals are also believed to have forced the Police from Isawo Division off the road.

A member of the CDA who pleaded anonymity said about three weeks ago, a trailer loaded with arms and ammunition was driven into the community. On sighting the trailer, the vandals immediately started jubilating and shooting into the air. They celebrated with drinks and chanted solidarity songs.

“We were not surprised that a team of security operatives were attacked and killed because the vandals are better armed than the security operatives,” the CDA member said.

Some female residents claimed they now stay indoors

for fear of being raped by the vandals. ‘’We no longer go to our working places for fear of being attacked. Many residents have packed out and those of us left have resigned to fate.

Government should come to our aid and bail us out of our predicament,” said Mrs Kolawole Abegunde and Oderinde Oluwabukola.

A trader, Adebesin Adedeji, wondered aloud why government appears helpless in checkmating the activities of petroleum pipeline vandals. ‘’I wonder if government no longer exists in this country. Or why can’t government act fast to checkmate the activities of vandals in this community; are the vandals greater than the government”?

AGF day of honour, urges Nigerians to support war against graft

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T was indeed a day of joy for the Accountant General of the Federation, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, when The Class of 84 (Faculty of Administration) graduates from the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, converged in Abuja recently to honour him. While savouring the moment, the AGF had used the opportunity to call on Nigerians, especially those in the finance sector of the economy, to rally round the present administration and support its fight against corruption which, he said, has become endemic in Nigeria.

He particularly urged his colleagues and all Nigerians to individually become agents of change , noting that most of the problems bedeviling the country can actually be solved at the micro levels, at the level of the families, places of worship, offices and other individ-

ual endeavours as we stand up for what is right.

He pledged that his tenure as the Accountant General of the Federation will be characterised with openness, inclusiveness, accountability and respect for the rules and tenets of public service.

Public service Alhaji Idris also expressed his readiness to accept ideas and suggestions that will enhance his assignment as the manager of the Nation’s Treasury.

Speaking earlier, the first female President of the Association of National Accountants of Nigerian, ANAN and a member of the ABU 84 class Alhaja Ladi Ibrahim, urged the AGF to enforce discipline

in the management of public finances in the country. He also urged him to report erring Accountants to the disciplinary committees of the two professional Accounting bodies in the country.

In a welcome address, Alhaji Idris Saidu, on behalf of The 84 Set Classmates, commended the AGF on his performance so far which has led to reforms in public financial management such as the implementation of the Treasury Single Account, despite negative pressures from different stakeholders.

Alhaji Saidu, assured the Accountant General of the continued support and prayers of the body to ensure that he succeeds in his assignment.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

— 21

Experts highlight opportunities in asset, wealth management

By Ediri Ejoh & Richard Udofia

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UNVEILING; From Left: Mr. Mitchell Elegbe, Group Managing Director, Interswitch; Cherry Eromosele, Chief Marketing Officer, Interswitch and; Vincent Ogbunude, Chief Executive Officer, Interswitch Gambia, at the unveiling of Interswitch’s new brand identity in Lagos. Photo: AKEEM SALAU.

Stakeholders seek probe of BPE’s sale of automobile industries

By Naomi Uzor

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TAKEHOLDERS in the steel industry have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the sale of the nation’s automobile industries by the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE).

Workers under the umbrella of the Steel and Engineering Workers’ Union of Nigeria (SEWUN) demanded for the review of the privatisation of the companies in the sector, lamenting that due process was not followed in the sale of the companies.

The National President of the union, Elijah Adigun, in his address at this year’s Annual Industrial Relations Conference in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, advised the

115.95

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$3,303.00

-9.00

$11.05

0.17

49.50

0.42

46.69

0.33

CURRENCY

BUYING

DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL SDR KRONA

196 304.3292 220.4608 201.9786 1.627 0.3221 277.2773 30.7654 52.2569 276.3992 29.5403

Federal Government to urgently set up a probe panel to look into the sale of automobile industries and to determine why the guidelines provided for in the Privatisation Act was not followed in the sale of these companies by the BPE. According to him, for President Buhari to succeed with his agenda of creating jobs for the unemployed youths, he should take a second look at the privatisation exercise carried out by BPE as no single company privatised in the iron and steel industrial group is doing well. “For instance, Anammco Limited, National Truck, Steyr Nigeria Limited, Leyland Nigeria Limited are companies sold to auto traders instead of core investors who have knowledge, expertise and skills of vehicle manufacturing,” he said.

Adigun noted that before the privatisation of these auto plants, they had a combined workforce of nearly seven thousand compared with about 300 workers they now have put together. “It will interest you to know that before the privatisation of these auto plants, they had a combined workforce of nearly seven thousand compared with about three hundred workers they have now. Clearly, the figure here is an indication that the

CENTRAL 196.5 305.1056 221.0232 202.4938 1.6311 0.3321 277.9847 30.8444 52.3902 277.1043 29.6157

197 305.8819 221.5856 203.0091 1.6353 0.3421 278.692 30.9233 52.5235 277.8094 29.691

CBN Exchange Rate as at 23/ 09 /15

Before the privatisation of these auto plants, they had a combined workforce of nearly seven thousand compared with about 300 workers they now have put together

privatisation of these companies has brought economic woes and wastages to the country, rather than blessing envisaged by the Federal Government, even salaries are hardly paid to their workers,” he said.

The union leader who expressed his union’s support for the Buhari led administration’s battle against corruption, said it should not be selective. He also said it should be extended beyond the last regime to ensure that all those who had illegally appropriated the nation’s wealth are brought to book.

Employment generation He called on the government to grow the economy by exploiting other natural resources for wealth creation and employment generation. “To create more jobs for the teeming population of our youths, government needs to look at other areas apart from oil sector.”

General Secretary of the union, Michael Ogbolu, in his paper said the theme of the conference, “Survival strategies in an unfriendly environment-the Nigeria experience”, was quite appropriate, given a situation whereby corruption has brought Nigeria to its knees.

Calling for urgent attention to rejuvenate the power sector, which he said holds the key to the restoration of the manufacturing sector, Ogbolu expressed dismay that most vibrant factories in the past have now been converted to places of worship due to unfavourable business environment.

He also condemned the insurgency in the North Eastern part of the country, which he said has a negative effect on its members’ companies’ volume of trade and thereby contributed to the loss of jobs in the sector .

S the value of Naira continues to grow weak, Nigerians have been advised to cultivate the habit of wealth creation and management to forestall possible draught that may befall the nation if savings culture is ignored.

This call was made by Mr. Cyril Ogude, Vice President, Government College Ughelli Old Boys Association (GCUOBAO) at the association’s annual meeting in Lagos to sensitize their members on the need to invest more on wealth creation platform.

He called on its members to seek more ways to create legitimate wealth and manage portfolios, as it will generate more employment opportunities while securing citizens’ assets.

Also speaking, the immediate Past President General of the association, Eng. Akpieyi Joseph, encouraged the members to look inward with a view to uncover other non-real sectors in the economy.

Positive returns Joseph further advised members to always imbibe the culture of investing during rainy days, as investment in assets always yields positive return over the years.

On his own part, Executive Director/ Head, United Bank of Switzerland (UBS) Nigeria, Mr. Henry Erimodafe, said that wealth creation for most people is not a challenge, but the ability to manage the wealth remains a task to overcome.

Erimodafe stressed that Nigeria market is dynamic because of the nature of social and cultural risks associated with its assets. “Nigeria is in dire need of huge foreign capital, by ways of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to enable her embark on the investment opportunities because of the rich and viable human, economic and natural resources not fully optimised”, he said.

Mr. Jurg Haller, Vice Chairman, UBS, said for any individual and enterprise to create and manage wealth, such an enterprise must be ready to undertake risks and seize opportunities when the need arises.

Haller said that ability to consistently manage change is key to sustainability of any business, adding that family values, distribution and education are sensitive cardinals that promote wealth creation. To manage and build business dynasties that will last a life time, he advised investors to always invest massively on time and embark more on risk taking.

22 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

Two people together can often create something that is greater than the sum of the two separate parts

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How to start a small business

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RE you one of those who dream of owning your own business? How do you go about turning your dream to reality? There are some tried and true ways of creating your own business. Set out the basics.

Have an idea: It might be a product you’ve always wanted to make, or a service you feel people need. It might even be something people don’t know they need yet, because it hasn’t been invented.

It can be helpful and fun to have people who are bright and creative join you for a casual brainstorming session.

Start with a simple question like: “what shall we build?”.

The idea is not to create a business plan, just to generate some ideas. Many of the ideas

Create a name that you can use while you plan, and don’t mind changing later will be duds, and there will be quite a few ordinary ones, but a few will emerge that have real potential.

Define your goals: Do you want financial independence, eventually selling your business to the highest bidder?

Do you want something small and sustainable, that you love doing and want to derive a steady income from? These are the things that are good to know very early on.

Create a working name You could even do this before you have an idea for the business, and if the name is good, you may find it helps you define your business idea.

As your plan grows, and things begin to take shape, the perfect name may come to you, but don’t let that hinder you in the early phases. Create a name that you can use while you plan, and don’t mind changing later.

Define your team: Will you

do this alone, or will you bring in one or two trusted friends to join you? This brings a lot of synergy to the table, as people bounce ideas off each other. Two people together can often create something that is greater than the sum of the two separate parts.

Think of some of the biggest success stories in recent times including John Lennon and Paul McCartney; Bill Gates and Paul Allen; Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak; and Larry Page and Sergey Brin. In every case, the partnership brought out the best in both sides of the equation, and every one of them became billionaires. Is a partnership a guarantee of being a billionaire? No, but it doesn’t hurt.

Choose wisely: When choosing the person or people you’re going to build the business with, be careful.

Even if someone is your best friend, it doesn’t mean that you will partner well in a business operation. Things to consider when choosing your co-leaders and support cast include: Does the other person complement your weaknesses? Or do both of you bring only one set of the same skills to the table? If the latter, be wary as you can have too many cooks doing the same thing while other things are left unattended.

Real talent Do you see eye to eye on the big picture? Arguments about the details are a given, and are important for getting things right. But not seeing eye to eye on the big picture, the real purpose of your business can cause a split that may be irreparable. Be sure your team cares about and buys into the purpose as much as you do.

If interviewing people, do some reading on how to spot real talent beyond the certifications, degrees or lack thereof. People’s innate talents can often be somewhat different from the conventional education streams they’ve pursued (or failed to) and it’s important to look for “click” (you get along with them) and latent talents as much as paper credentials.

•Culled from WikiHow.com

BUSINESS NAIRA EXCHANGE RATES (22/09/15) Currency DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

Buying(N)

Central(N)

Selling(N)

196

196.5

197

302.6044 218.6576 201.3561 1.6344 0.317 275.6977 30.7346 52.2569 29.3058 275.2428

303.3764 219.2154 201.8697 1.6386 0.327 276.401 30.8134 52.3902 29.3805 275.945

304.1483 219.7732 202.3834 1.6428 0.337 277.1043 30.8923 52.5235 29.4553 276.6471

Commod Light Crud

Natural G Sugar Coffee Cocoa

Tough access to finance bane of Nigeria's SMEs •Nigeria 7%, Ghana 36%, Kenya 24%, SA 21%

S

By Yinka Kolawole

TATISTICS show that as at 2013, the number of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria were estimated to be over 37 million, accounting for over 90 percent of all businesses in the country and an estimated half of Nigeria’s GDP, while employing almost 60 million people, representing 84 percent of the total labour force. These underscore the strategic importance of SMEs to the Nigerian economy.

Access to finance: Many business surveys have identified finance as a critical factor for the survival and growth of SMEs in both developing and developed countries. However, low access to finance has continued to hamper the development of the sector in Nigeria, despite numerous intervention funds set up to facilitate its growth.

Recent surveys of SMEs and banks by the World Bank and other stakeholders have identified several factors limiting access to bank finance for SMEs. A survey carried out by the World Bank in 2014 revealed that enterprises in Nigeria lagged well behind global average in access to finance. The report showed that only 3 percent of micro enterprises had access to finance, 7 percent for SMEs, and 44 percent for large enterprises.

World Bank survey Whereas the report showed that access rate by SMEs in other developing countries are afr higher, such as Brazil 30 percent, Ghana 36 percent, China 30 percent, Kenya 24 percent and South Africa 21 percent.

The results of an earlier World Bank survey of Nigerian SMEs in 2011 noted that only an estimated 9.5 percent of Nigerian SMEs had a loan or line of credit,

and bank financing of working capital and fixed assets was estimated to fill respectively only 3 percent and 2 percent of outstanding needs.

Reasons identified At the recently concluded 2015 Annual Conference of the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN), Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, Managing Director/ CEO, Bank of Industry (BoI), noted that banks have generally been to service SMEs for a number of well-known reasons.

Olaoluwa, who was represented by Alh. AbdulGaniyu Mohammed, BoI’s General Manager, SMEs, spoke on “Banks and SMEs in Nigeria: Prospects, Challenges and Success”. He enumerated the reasons for poor access to finance by SMEs as follow: Perception of SMEs by creditors and investors as high-risk borrowers due to insufficient assets, low capitalisation, vulnerability to market fluctuations and high mortality

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015 — 23

,

& YOU

dity de

Gas

COMMODITIES (23/09/15) Last 46.73

Change ($) +0.37

% Change +0.80

2.59

+0.01

+0.50

11.11

+0.23

+2.11

116.05

+0.60

+0.52

3,299.00

-13.00

-0.39

rates; Absence of bankable Business Plans and lack of clear business models; Information asymmetry arising from SMEs’ lack of accounting records which makes it difficult for creditors and investors to assess the credit worthiness of potential SME proposals and; Absence of corporate governance and sound management.

Others are: Lack of relevant skills and experience in the businesses they undertake, which accounts for the high mortality of SMEs as an estimated 80 percent of them fail within five years of operation; Inability to meet collateral and equity contribution requirement; Protracted legal processes that undermine debt recovery; Lack of access to quality support services and; Issue of integrity among business promoters.

“The foregoing hindrances to access to finance call for innovative approach to SME lending by financial institutions. Such innovations which should be both financial and non-financial, must be SME-centric, aimed at efficient service delivery to them,” he stated.

N9.6trn financing gap: Meanwhile, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has expressed commitment to bridging the financing gap in the SMEs subsector of the economy.

CBN’s Director of Corporate Communication, Alhaji Ibrahim Mu’azu, noted that the financing gap in the sector is as high as N9.6 trillion. He said disbursement of significant

Hindrances to access to finance call for innovative approach to SME lending by financial institutions

part of the N220 billion Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) instituted by the regulator remains part of its commitment to providing improved financing opportunities for small businesses in the country.

Mu’azu said the objective of the Fund was to unlock the potential of small businesses through credit support and taking such enterprises to positions where they would be able to create jobs and reduce poverty among the citizenry.

He noted that 60 percent of the fund, amounting to N132 billion, has been earmarked for providing credit to womenowned businesses, hence giving financial backing to one of the most vulnerable segments of the society.

Segments of society “The broad objective of the N220 billion MSMEs fund is to channel low interest fund through participating institutions, like banks and microfinance banks and state governments to small businesses that need it to create jobs and empower grassroots population,” he said.

Intervention programmes: Various intervention programs have been established by the government, agencies of government and development finance institutions to support and enhance the growth of the SME sector in Nigeria. These include: N200 billion Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACS); N50 billion Agricultural Credit Support Scheme (ACSS); N3 billion Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF) and; CBN’s N220 billion MSMEs Development Fund. Others are BoI's N5 billion Cottage Agro Processing (CAP) Fund for Agro-processors, N2 billion Nolly Fund for the Creative Industry (Nollywood), and Fashion Fund for the fashion cluster.

What is unethical and disturbing is when employees have chosen not to add value to the organisations paying them

,

Are CEOs solely responsible for salary payment in organizations?

“Freedom is the will to be responsible to ourselves”...Friedrich Nietzsche

S

URPRISINGLY, a lot of employees still have the kind of mindset I will refer to as SWAP mindset.

SWAP stands for “Salaries Will Always be Paid”.

Realistically, it is ethical and legal that organisations should pay their workers or employees' salaries as at when due. On the other hand, what is unethical and disturbing is when employees have chosen not to add value to the organisations paying them.

In this instance, they just come to work for coming sake without doing even the least that is expected from them. These classes of people do not care what may happen to their organisations tomorrow in as much as their salaries will come today.

BY ‘UJU ONWUZULIKE

No one is responsible for paying your salaries except yourself

Paying of salaries They work for themselves and not for their organisations. Discussing with one another, they say things like: “Please don’t kill yourself for this organisation” or “Is your father the owner of this company?”

My goal for this insight is for us to understand who is responsible for paying our salaries in organisations.

First and foremost, it is only a company or an organisation that has not been run down (that is alive) that can pay salaries.

Even the CEO will only receive financial reward in a company that has not gone under. Now we can begin to understand that both the CEO and the other employees have individual roles to play in ensuring the growth and sustainability of their organisation. I have had cause to ask directly from participants who have

attended my training at one time or the other about who is responsible for paying their salaries.

A lot of them mentioned their CEOs, Board of Directors, and Human Resources Department, etc.

But no one mentioned himself or herself as being responsible.

No one is responsible for paying your salaries except yourself. If no one is adding value to the organisation, definitely the organisation might find it difficult to stay afloat let alone paying salaries.

So see yourself as the most recognized person responsible for paying yourself.

As soon as we are in the payroll of any organisation, we owe that organisation a huge obligation. The foundational obligation comes from understanding

that our organisation is now our business.

At a session, I have asked people if they have ran a personal business before and almost all of them said no. That means what they are doing presently in their organisation is their business.

Moreover that business (the work they are doing) has being taken care of their personal and family needs.

With this in mind, every employee should take ownership of the business and their roles.

Ownership of businesses They should see their organisation's business as their own business. They should also begin to understand that when they are playing their part, when they are adding value, when they are exceeding expectation (or at the least, meeting expectation), they are crediting the till box from which their salaries will come from.

Final note: Having ownership mentality will help us to see our organisation as our business first and foremost. Like I always say, no one will want his or her business to fail.

Everyone has a role to play. It is not only the CEO or the top management that is expected to play the role of growing the organisation.

Everyone that earns a salary should justify why he or she is on the payroll.

Most importantly, everyone should bring his or her value to the table in order to fertilize the organisation for more growth. That way, we all shall say we have a “breathing” organisation that is alive to put money in our pockets.

For your views or perspectives Email: uju@hainescentre.com Mobile: 09091142093 www.hainescentre.com

C M Y K

24 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

International Sea Trade, Investment Convention holds October 5

CBN moves to bridge N9.6tr financing gap for SMEs T

By Peter Egwuatu

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has expressed its commitment to bridging the N9.6 trillion financing gap in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sub-sector of the economy.

CBN Director of Corporate Communication, Alhaji Ibrahim Mu’azu, who disclosed this to newsmen said “disbursement of significant part of the N220 billion Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) instituted by the regulator remains part of its commitment to providing improved financing opportunities for small businesses.”

Mu’azu, who spoke at the 2015 Annual Conference for Finance Correspondents in Lagos, said poor access to credit remains one of the biggest limitations faced by small businesses and has to be tackled collectively by stakeholders in the financial services sector.He said that 60 per cent of the fund, representing N132 billion, has been earmarked for providing credit to women-owned businesses, hence giving financial backing to one of the most vulnerable segments of the society.

The CBN director said the objective was to unlock the potential of small businesses through credit support and taking such enterprises to positions where they would be able to create jobs and reduce poverty among the citizenry.

N

LAUNCHING - From left: Assistant Director, Special Insured Institutions Department, NDIC, Mrs. Ajigbewu Nurat; Sales and Distribution Executive, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Tsola Barrow; Managing Director, LAPO Microfinance Bank, Dr. Godwin Ehigiamuose and; Assistant Director, CBN Abuja, Mr. Jonathan Tobin, at the launching of ‘MTN BizGrow’ in partnership with MTN and LAPO in Lagos.

He said a huge channel has been created for the administration of the loans through private or state owned microfinance institutions, finance houses, as well as commercial banks. State governments, he added, are allowed to access up to N2 billion each for on lending to eligible beneficiaries through participating financial institutions in their respective states. The CBN’s spokesman said a maximum of 10 per cent of the commercial component of the fund is being be channeled to trading and com-

merce to ensure that productive sectors of the economy continue to attract more financing necessary for employment creation and diversification of the country’s economic base. “The broad objective of the N220 billion MSMEs fund is to channel low interest fund through participating institutions, like banks and microfinance banks and state governments to small businesses that need it to create jobs and empower grassroots population,” he said. “The fund has reduced cost of borrowing and created better

GTBank steps up mobile banking

G

uaranty Trust Bank, GTBank Plc has reiterated its commitment to help Nigerians change their banking behaviour both home and abroad with the introduction of mobile banking products, such as GTEasySavers, GT Mobile transfer, and Airtime Top Up. The mobile banking product offers convenient ways to access account, open new account information using mobile phone or smartphone devices, viewing account balances, transaction history and transferring funds.

GTBank transaction code is designed to simplify and accelerate customers banking interactive process. Undisputedly, it is the delightful way of mobile banking on the go e.g. while shopping.

The GTBank *737* Transfer is a mobile channel which enables GTBank customers conveniently perform third party transfers to both GTBank and other bank account Managing Director/CEO of GTBank, Mr. Segun Agbaje said “We will continue to leverage on technology to make banking, espe-

cially payments and transfers, faster, safer and more convenient for all our customers. This service addresses the electronic banking requirements of our customers, irrespective of their phone type”.

With the availability promising resources and wide spread of mobile technology, the invention of *737* numbers has

become the foundation of mobile banking interaction. GTBank magical digit, will help put an end, the hassle encountered when using the old banking method of waiting on cues in the banking halls, but rather give room to customers bank anytime, anywherewhether at home, at work or play.

opportunities for beneficiaries to declare beter results”.

H successfully accessing the fund will require prospective borrowers getting them acquainted with the drawn down procedures and providing the needed information that enable their banks consider the loan requests.

But The President, Association of Small Business Owners (ASBON) Dr. Femi Egbesola said the draw down criteria are unrealistic and are beyond the reach of small business owners. He said that commercial banks authorized by the CBN to disburse the funds do not see SME operators as serous people that need such funds.

Egbesola urged the CBN and commercial banks to rethink their SMEs’ funding strategy because of the huge benefits increased credit access by small businesses will add to the economy.

IGERIA’s first International Sea Trade and Investment Convention is scheduled to hold in Lagos between 5th and 6th of October, 2015. The Convention with the theme “Exploring New Trade Frontiers” will be hosted at Victoria Island in Lagos.

The International Sea Trade and Investment Convention (ISTI) 2015 is designed as a platform to address issues of new and direct trade routes between Nigeria and our leading trading partners, explore cross border potentials along the regional trade corridor, the development of viable import/export markets, standardization of goods and services to meet global certification for export, safety and security on our waterways, import and export financing, market linkage, trade and infrastructure investment.

Also the convention is aimed at identifying impediments to export trade restrictions, facilities and regulations within the maritime sector. It is planned to create the platform for stakeholders to develop a roadmap to address issues of products, standardisation, financing, incentives and the lack of infrastructure plaguing the industry.

Announcing this in Lagos, Mr. Adebayo Sarumi, who is the Chairman of the International Sea Trade and Investment Convention’s Steering Committee, said the convention is planned to further buoy up Nigeria’sexporttradeandmaritimesector to make it attractive to global buyers and foreigninvestors. Accordingtohim,maritime and trade in the Sub-Saharan Africa region has experienced an unprecedentedgrowthinthelastfewyears,contributing over US$15billion annually to Nigeria’s economy.Thiscangrowtoasmuchas$50 billioninthenextcoupleofyears,Mr.AdebayoSarumistated.

In his words “we plan to bring the best mindstothistwodayconventionfeaturing conferenceandexhibitionthatwillengage interactivediscussions,highlevelnetworking and unrivaled business intelligence throughparticipationoftheindustry’sforemoststakeholders,decisionmakers,investorsandtradespecialists”.

Kogi Gov lauds Ecobank for funding NACA youth centre

K

We will continue to leverage on technology to make banking, especially payments and transfers, faster, safer and more convenient for all our customers

OGI State Governor, Capt Idris Wada has commended Ecobank Nigeria for funding the multi-million naira National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) Youth Friendly Centre at Kogi State University, Anyigba.

Commissioning the ultramodern Centre on Friday, Gov. Wada stated that the partnership between Ecobank and NACA to establish the Centre in the state was quite impressive, stressing that it would go a long way to improving the lives of youths and check the prevalence of the dreaded HIV/AIDs

and other health related diseases.

According to the Governor, ‘I must commend Ecobank, NACA and the university authourity for this multi-dimensional facility.

Any effort to check prevalence of critical diseases of modern times must be appreciated.’

Head, Personal Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Kingsley Umadia, said the establishment of the centre is part of Ecobank desire to give back to society; “For us at Ecobank, the vision of the Youth Friendly centre stems from our desire to use all available opportunity to give back and contrib-

ute effectively towards the society in which the bank operates.

We believe young people need a friendly environment that would offer recreational facilities and at the same time provide free guidance and counselling HIV/ AIDS and other health issues.”

Vice Chancellor, Kogi State University, Prof. Hassan Isah, said he was elated as his school is the first state university to enjoy Ecobank-NACA Youth Friendly Centre. “This project midwifed by NACA and funded by Ecobank is commendable.

Vanguard, THURSDAY,

Scholarships: Arts, social sciences students allege discrimination

By Dayo Adesulu & Kelechukwu Iruoma

W

ITH 2015 projected population of over 180 million, Nigeria has indisputably become the most populous country in Africa.

Over the last decade, the country’s exponential growth in population has put immense pressure on its resources and on already overstretched public services and infrastructure in schools.

A very unfortunate situation borne by over 10 million innocent children of primary school age, most of whom take to the streets for survival.

According to the US Department of State, less than one-third of Nigeria's primary school students will proceed to secondary school, adding that the top two factors influencing primary school drop-out in Nigeria are Monetary cost (32%) and Insufficient interest (26%).

a scholarship programme that provides comprehensive tertiary scholarships to brilliant and economically disadvantaged students.

Some of the scholarships are: Federal Government of Nigeria Scholarship for Local and International scholarships (FSB).

This is a scholarship scheme sponsored by the Federal Government of Nigeria to encourage academic excellence. While application

is done through the Federal Scholarship Board's website, www.fsb.gov.ng, JA M B organises the examination which tests arithmetic, logical reasoning and current affairs.

The scholarship is worth N150,000 each for local awardees.

MTN Foundation Science and Technology Scholarship: This is one of the most prestigious Nigerian undergraduate scholarships worth N200,000 per academic

session. It is open to full-time 200 level students with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.5 on a 5.0 scale or simply 2nd class upper.

AGBAMI Medical and Engineering Professional Scholarship: With the highest number of awardees in Nigeria, our findings revealed that over 1,700 awardees each year in engineering, MBBS, Pharmacy and other medical professions get Agbami

SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

—25

scholarship. The scholarship is worth N200,000 per year for Medical students while Engineering students receive N100,000.

Application for Agbami Undergraduate scholarship is done through Dragnet Scholarship website www.scholastica.ng and exam is also organised by Dragnet.

Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Scholarship Pays its awardees N150,000 plus a PTDF branded laptop.

Two hundred level students of PTDF upgraded schools are qualified to apply. The scholarship examination is organised by JAMB. Nigerian Liquified Natural Continues on Page 26

Insufficient interest Eradicating these two remains the objectives of the scholarship scheme launched by firms, federal government and non-governmental organisations."

Few Nigerian students who are beneficiaries of scholarships owe it to where they hail from, course of study in the university or high academic performance. On the other hand, many students who could have benefited from the scheme do not know companies that offer scholarships and how to go about it.

Meanwhile, a multi-faceted approach to education includes

ASUP petitions Buhari over discrimination in JAMB cut-off points PG. 27 LASU crisis: Lagos students urge Ambode to prevail on unions

PG. 27

C M Y K

Agbami scholarship awardees.

MTN scholarship awardees.

Increased opportunities paramount to 46% of Nigerian youths — Report E

By Amaka Abayomi

DUCATION, they say, is the best legacy a country can bequeath her citizens, especially the youths, and young people are key actors and driving forces for global development and peace. But it is disheartening to note that Nigeria, with a youth population of 60% of her population, the highest youth population in Africa, is yet to improve on access to educational and vocational training, employment and career issues, access to healthcare and sexual reproductive health, participation in civil society and political life, exposure to mass media and communication habits, and other youth related issues.

These issues have been brought to the front burner as 20.2% of youths in 13,045

households interviewed in a survey in the 36 states and Abuja rated job/unemployment as the most important problem facing the country.

About 46% want e d u c a t i o n opportunities to be Edo and increased while Akwa-Ibom 29.6% want employment and states work opportunities recorded increased Titled The State of 85.7% and Youths in Nigeria: 49.9% A National Youth Survey, the Center respectively for Microenterprise in school Development, with funding from The enrolment Ford Foundation,

initiated a national survey on youths in Nigeria with the objective of providing a national level database on the current socioeconomic profile and experiences of Nigeria’s youths and adolescents aged 1024, needed for accelerating the delivery of youth development policies and programs throughout the country.

Statistics reveal that more than 53% of youths are currently in school while about 19.3% never attended school and approximately 27.1% were out of school as at the time of the survey. About 20.3% of those in school were studying social sciences while 1.2% are studying Law. Sixteen percent of youths were interrupted during their schooling process and 59% of those

Continues on Page 26

26—Vanguard, THURSDAY,

SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

Increased opportunities paramount to 46% of Nigerian youths — Report

CONFERENCE: From left; Second Vice-President of Nigerian Institute of Training and Development (NITAD), Mrs J.I.K Jolaoso; President, NITAD, Dr.Kayode Ogungbuyi;wife of Deputy Governor, Cross River State, Mrs Omotunde Ivara Esu; representative of the D-G, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Mayowa Olanihun and Chairman, Conference Planning Committee, Engr. Laolu Oguntuyi at the 23rd Annual Trainers’ Conference of NITAD in Calabar.

Scholarships: Arts, social sciences students allege discrimination Continues from Page 25 Gas (NLNG) Scholarship: This scholarship is worth N300,000 per year from 100L to graduation. It is open to 100L students of all disciplines. The scholarship examination which is organised by WA E C , involves tests on Logical Reasoning, Quantitative, Numerical, Analogy, Current Affairs and General Knowledge.

Apart from the above mentioned, below are five scholarships that are only for 100 level students.

NNPC/Addax Scholarship for 100L worth N100,000, NLNG Scholarship worth N150,000, Nigeria Agip Oil Company Scholarship (NAOC) worth N100,000, and ABC Transport Scholarship worth N100,000.

in the Niger-Delta and the others are by corporate bodies, institutions and nongovernmental organisations.

These oil companies claim that the scholarship scheme is part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to states and communities in which they operate.

Thus, when scholarships are advertised, companies tend to specify states and communities that are eligible to apply and they are mostly indigenes of states in the Niger- Delta. Other states in the North, South and East are exempted from applying for the

Tertiary institutions Vanguard Learning discovered that some of the above companies are among the 20 companies/ institutions that are consistent in offering Nigerian students scholarships every year. Out of these 20 scholarships, 13 are strictly for students studying engineering, technology and science related courses, while seven are for students in other disciplines.

There are over 100 disciplines in tertiary institutions and when scholarships are advertised by companies, only about 10 disciplines in engineering, technology and science related courses are given the privilege to apply for the scholarships. This is a problem to the growth of the education sector in Nigeria.

Our findings show that over 75 per cent of these scholarships are given by oil companies that operate mainly

scholarships. Also, scholarships are offered to disciplines that have to do with oil and technology, most especially gas engineering, petroleum engineering, geoscience, among others.

This is worrisome. What of students in arts, social sciences and biological sciences?

Companies tend to offer scholarships to students who are studying courses related to the kind of business they operate.

Reacting to this, the coordinator of Agbami scholarship scheme, Dr. Ovet Efajemue said: “Scholarship is supposed to be offered to indigent students in all disciplines not only in some disciplines. I don’t know why they offer scholarships to only those in engineering and medicine because scholarship is supposed to be extended to all disciplines.

Economic development

There are over 100 disciplines in tertiary institutions and when scholarships are advertised, only about 10 disciplines in Engineering, Technology and Science-related courses are allowed to apply

That is the only way all Nigerian students can be motivated.

"All disciplines are geared towards human and economic development of the country and for that to be assured, there is need for scholarships to extend to all.”

Common comments on scholarship websites are: “What of English students?

Can’t Mass Comm students apply? Why can’t Art students apply? Why can’t Public Admin students apply? What of Zoology students?" These and more are questions that students in Arts and Social Sciences ask.

It shows that they are in dire need of scholarships but are not given the opportunity to apply.

Continues from Page 25 interrupted was due to school fees. About 22.8% were in employment out of which 6.8% were in full employment. 52.2% of those in employment were irregular while 40.9% were engaged in informal jobs.

More than 77% of them are not working, out of which 74% were students and 10% were looking and available for work but could not get one.

More than 84% of youths have access to healthcare facilities.

Almost 36% have access to public dispensaries/hospitals, and about 43% have access to healthcare facilities within one kilometer distance, while 32% traveled between one to two kilometers and 4.2% traveled five kilometer or more to access healthcare facilities. 66.3% of youths who were eligible to vote registered in the 2011 elections and 90.6% claimed they voted. On youth exposure to mass media and communication habits, the study showed that 32.2% had functional radio.

Zonal report: North-Central: School enrolment was 65.3% for Kwara State and 0.7% for Kogi State. Those with interrupted schooling in Benue and Niger states are 19.5% and 2.5%; 63.3% and 8.1% of youths in Kogi and Plateau states have never been to school; and those with vocational training in Plateau and Benue states are 15.5% and 3.8% respectively.

Challenges faced are lack of educational facilities such as laboratories, workshops and libraries; lack of qualified teachers; poverty, and inadequate schools.

North-East: School enrolment for Adamawa State is 69.3% while it is 17.8% in Borno State. 29.8% and 1.1% of youths in Adamawa and Borno states respectively have had their schooling interrupted. The percentage of youths who have never been to school in Bauchi and Adamawa states are 63.6% and 9.6%, while those that have vocational training in Taraba and Borno states are 9.6% and 0.2%

Sixteen per cent of youths were interrupted during their schooling process and 59 per cent of those interrupted was due to school fees

respectively. The challenges faced are lack of amenities and structural facilities, inadequate qualified teachers, delapitated public schools and hostels, lack of capital for vocational studies and tools, and insufficient number of higher educational institutes.

North-West: School enrolment in North West states are 52.5% and 34.6% respectively for Katsina and Kebbi. Interrupted schooling is 16.1% for Katsina and 3.1% in Kebbi states.

49.1% and 20.2% of youths in Kebbi and Kano states have never been to school while those with vocational training are 18.1% in Kaduna and 1.5% in Kano and Katsina states.

Challenges faced are lack of adequate vocational centres (especially in areas with dense youth population), lack of transportation to and fro school, lack of focus and dedication, lack of school infrastructure and qualified teachers.

Technical knowledge Others are high cost of education, lack of parental support, lack of technical knowledge, lackadaisical attitude of the youths, poor teachers’ welfare, lack of proper funding and the need for technical education.

South-East: School enrolment in Enugu and Abia states are 72.3% and 12.1% respectively; those with interrupted schooling in Imo and Enugu states are 85.7% and 1.2%; 43.5% and 1.0% of youths in Ebonyi and Abia states respectively have never been to school and those with vocational training in Imo and Anambra states are 13.9% and 5.5% respectively. Challenges faced are lack of finance, discouragement and ignorance of education, corruption, divorced or separated parents and lack of adequate schools.

South-South Edo and Akwa-Ibom states recorded 85.7% and 49.9% respectively in school enrolment; interrupted schooling in Rivers and Delta states are 26.6% and 7.6%; those that have never been to school are 4% and 0.1% for Bayelsa and Rivers states; while those with vocational training in Akwa-Ibom and Bayelsa states are 12.4% and 3%. Challenges faced by South-South youths are poor finance, parental discouragement, poverty and unemployment after leaving school.

South-West 74.7% and 61.1% of youths in Osun and Ogun states are in school; interrupted schooling are 21.2% for Ekiti State and 3.4% for Osun State; 6.5% and 1.9% of youths in Oyo and Lagos states have never been to school; while 24% and 26.6% in Ogun and Lagos states are vocationally trained.

Vanguard, THURSDAY,

SEPTEMBER 24, 2015—27

LASU crisis: Lagos students urge Ambode to prevail on unions

By Dayo Adesulu HE National Union of Lagos State Students, NULASS, has thrown its weight behind Lagos State University, LASU, ViceChancellor, Professor John Obafunwa urging Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to call LASU Unions to order.

Speaking during a press briefing in Lagos, Its National President, Mr Daniju Sultan, from Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA, who led the National Executive Council urged Ambode to urgently call the unions of LASU to order before the situation gets out of hand. While lamenting the insult on the VC, Sultan said: “The overview of how Prof Obafunwa was pelted with sachet water and disreputably sent off campus by members of SSANU, ASUU and NASU until his tenure expires in October, 2015 is still fresh in our memories.”

According to him, the NEC and many LASU students on campus have observed that under the leadership of Obafunwa, the institution has witnessed tremendous infrastructural development, many of which have been completed while some are ongoing on the different campuses.

He said: “We observed that Obafunwa is a trustworthy, persistent and incorruptible administrator, hence his determination to reposition LASU for excellence is irrepressible.

“It is also our observation that the staff unions in LASU are just being intentionally frivolous, light-minded, unserious and whimsical in its stance against the VC as they are threatened by the incorruptible nature of the VC.” While decrying what LASU will become if Obafunwa is not allowed to continue his good work, Sultan pointed out that within the VC's first tenure, over 40,000 certificates have been signed.

Within these few years in office, he added, the VC has consistently matriculated four academic sessions, just as he had

T

BRIEFING: From left, Mr. Bako Kehinde, National Executive Council member, ULASS; President, Kwara State Polytechnic, Mr. Ottun Adewale Omolade; Vice-President, Federal College of Education, Technical, Akoka, Mr. Daniju Sultan; National President, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Mr. Abass Ismaila; National Social Director, Lagos State Polytechnic and Mr. Shamonda Oluwatoyin, President, Lagos State Polytechnic during a press briefing in Lagos.

ASUP petitions Buhari over alleged discrimination in JAMB cut-off points •Threatens strike over unpaid salaries •Bemoans poor funding of education sector

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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HE leadership of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari over the discrimination against Polytechnics in the Joint Admission and Matriculations Board, JAMB, cut-off points.

ASUP which protested against the discrimination of the Polytechnics education in the country yesterday in Abuja, noted that though successive administrations in the country had directed that the discrimination should be stopped, the bureaucracy in government had ensured that the discrimination continued because of their pecuniary interest.

Lingering problems Addressing journalists on the lingering problems confronting Polytechnic education, the National President of ASUP, Comrade Chibuzo Asomugha noted that the admission policy of JAMB had profiled polytechnics as undesirable destinations for pursuit of tertiary education was absurd and unfortunate.

According to hm, “The policy has failed to understand that polytechnic education is an aptitude-determined choice of the candidate and not a cesspool of desperation.

“Candidates who sit for matriculation examinations into tertiary institutions deserve equal treatment. The situation where candidates sit for the same examination but are allocated discriminatory cut-off points into the universities, polytechnics and Colleges of education respectively shall no longer be acceptable by our union.

“Candidates seeking to be admitted into the polytechnics should be placed on the same

benchmark as their counterparts.

This is to breach public perception which places our sector as inferior or incapable of competing with the best in terms of service delivery.”

The Union which suspended the long strike that spanned between October 2013 and July 2014 over unpaid salaries of its members, also noted that 85 percent of the agreements signed with President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration had not been met.

ASUP threatened that the Union will embark on nationwide strike in solidarity with all its members over unpaid salaries and allowances.

On the poor funding of polytechnics, ASUP president argued that Nigeria “has woefully failed to meet the UNESCO benchmark of 26% annual budgetary allocation for the education sector despite our huge revenue profile in recent years.

“Today, Nigeria is abysmally groping behind other nations of the world and our tertiary subsector still trails far below average when compared to other functional Institutions in Africa.”

Asomugha said the intervention from Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) and P e t r o l e u m Development Trust Fund (PDTF) were abysmally below the UNESCO 26% proposal.

Breakdown of the allocations to education since 1999 “dangled from 16.77 percent to four percent . In 2011, it was 10.2 percent just as eight percent was dismally allocated in the 2013 budget. In 2014, the allocation was 10.7 percent as the figure pitifully stood at N92.034 billion for education out of the N4.3 trillion national

budget,” he lamented.

In 2013 the United Nations Human Development index ranked Nigeria 26th out of the 54 African nations and 13th out of the 16 West African nations on education, while South Africa’s education got the largest chunk of its 2013 budget worth R232.5 billion of the country’s R1.06 trillion proposed as well as 2014 fiscal year.

Human faced paradigm To address major challenges facing polytechnic education, he called on the present administration to organise National Conference on Education where all the stakeholders will deliberate on the post-mortem of the sector with a view establishing reengineered and realistic, practical and human-faced paradigms for the running of all strands of education as well as immediate review of the Polytechnic Act which failed to scale through the 6th and 7th Assemblies of the National Assembly.

also graduated over 45,000 students in the last three years which were not so in the past administrations.

According to the union leader, Obafunwa assisted students to eliminate racketeering and secure for the institution many accreditations and reaccreditations from NUC for many academic programmes Through Obafunwa, he noted, the TETFUND accessibility going back to 2004 has been resuscitated adding, “teaching and non-teaching staff can now attend conferences and study for master's and doctorate degrees locally and abroad.”

Since assumption of office in 2011, Sultan disclosed that students observed that e-transfer for payment commenced in LASU which had helped to block embezzlement loopholes, just as there are improved internet services across all campuses. “He reduced LASU monthly impress spending from N13 million to N5 million,” he added.

Necessary support His said: “In view of the above listed achievement of Prof.

Obafunwa, a sane Union and students are expected to join hands with the VC to reposition LASU for excellence.

The President who said that Obafunwa should be allowed to continue with his tenure undisturbed, urged the Lagos state government to provide all necessary support to the VC and guard the university against the continued over earache of the staff unions.

His words: “The State government should grant permit and approve second four years tenure to Professor John Obafunwa to continue his good will to reposition LASU. “The current infrastructural development in LASU would suffer a setback and the university back in its old days should the VC be disengaged fro. Occupying this position for another four years tenure."

28—Vanguard, THURSDAY,

SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

How much will be paid for university education? – 2 “The rich also cry.” Title of a television series in the 1990s.

ND here in Nigeria, rich parents and the students attending some of the most expensive private universities are now crying out against the exorbitant fees and charges. Until recently, when the price of crude oil tumbled to record low levels and the Nigerian economy started to contract, sending a kid to an exclusive private university was an affordable status symbol. Now for some of the parents whose fortunes had taken a dive with the price of crude, or the gale of retrenchments since Buhari took over, university fees,

A

whether in private or public, have suddenly become a serious burden. They look up increasingly to governments which are now seeking bail-outs from the Federal government. Meanwhile the most vital question remains unanswered, at least openly. But we are edging there as events in some states have indicated.

Some states, notably Oyo, have officially stopped paying WAEC and JAMB fees for their students.

Other states, like Ekiti, have increased school fees at secondary level, and will undoubtedly soon hike up fees paid in tertiary institutions. Next year’s budget has not yet been prepared and sub-

mitted to the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.

Everybody is waiting for the Federal Government to take the lead.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government itself is in a bind regarding the benchmark price for crude oil and the production estimates to use as the baseline for 2016 budgets. The Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, last week announced that the Federal Government will adopt Zero-Sum as its budgeting method. That statement does not address the question of the size of next year’s budget. Will it be higher or lower than the current year’s budget?

Two governors have become most pro-active by warning their

people about the inevitable downturn of the economy in 2016.

Governor Aregbesola of Osun and Ajimobi of Oyo have warned their people, in the words of Ajimobi that “Bail-out can’t bail us out” (NATION, September 6, 2015, p 8). Blaming out continuing dependence on crude for the coming predicament, he and his Osun State counter-part are urging the people of their states to brace up for harder times – starting now. Others will soon follow.

The average price of crude oil will determine the fates of ALL sectors of Nigerian life – university education included. And the projections for crude oil prices in 2016 are scary; to say the least.

Crude oil, if it needs to be repeated, accounts for close to eighty per cent of our foreign exchange earnings. So, it can be regarded as the weather vane of the drift of our economy. In September 2013, crude sold at average of US$108 per barrel; in September of 2014, it dropped to US$78 per barrel; this year September, the delivery price is averaging US$48 per barrel. That was when Iran had an embargo placed on its crude oil exports and the USA was not a major exporter. By September 2016, crude oil might sell for as low as US$30 per barrel. So, the trend of crude prices point to lower revenue.

Will export volumes reduce the deficit? Not a chance. Femi Asu, writing in PUNCH of September 9, 2015, p 29, in an article titled NIGERIA, NORTH SEA CRUDES TO COMPETE AMID GLUT [capitals mine]. He went on to say that “The expected rise in Nigeria’s crude oil export is coming at a time when output from the North Sea in Europe will reach the highest in more than three years amid a persistent global production surplus.” He went on

There is no such thing as “free education,” it's only free to the extent that tax payers, acting through their leaders in government, are prepared to sacrifice for it

to say that “the region’s [Europe’s] share of Nigerian crude looks set to fall”.

So, volume will also most likely decline.

One does not need to be an economist (a.k.a practitioners of the dismal science) or “prophet of doom” to know that our revenue from export of crude might fall by at least half in 2016 compared with those halcyon years of 2013 and early 2014. Meanwhile, another disaster befell us in the dying days of the Jonathan administration.

Over one hundred Nigerian agricultural products were placed on import prohibition lists throughout Europe on account of poor quality. Nothing has been done to get the ban lifted.

Increasing Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, in order to make up the short fall will entail increasing taxes, levies, tariffs and reducing entitlements.

Vanguard, THURSDAY,

hard work, the President said: "There is no magic wand we can use to build a great university. Having a wonderful digital elibrary—probably the finest in Africa—won’t do it.

Having an astonishingly generous Founder and benefactor won’t do it.

Being selective in our student admissions won’t do it. Providing more scholarships won’t do it.

Faculty members doing even better research won’t

*The new intakes during the matriculation ceremony

AUN: New intakes urged to make excellence, integrity their watchword

By Ebele Orakpo

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EW intakes of the A m e r i c a n University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, have been charged to contribute their quota in building a worldclass university through the instrumentality of excellence and integrity.

Addressing the Class of 2019 during the university ’s recent matriculation ceremony,

President of AUN, Dr. Margee Ensign warned them against looking for shortcuts to success.

“Excellence and integrity are not at all abstract. They have everything to do with the future of this institution, the value of your degree and your future as graduates of this institution.

“If AUN continues to be known throughout Nigeria as a place of high and

uncompromising standards, of academic integrity and excellence, of genuine world-class education, then we have a great future. We shall be a beacon to the region, the nation, and the continent,” Ensign said.

The new intakes came from about 26 states in Nigeria, as well as the US, UK, Rwanda and Cameroon.

Harping on the need for

SEPTEMBER 24, 2015 — 29

do it. Only you can build a great university.”

Commending the AUN community for the courage and compassionate spirit it displayed in managing the humanitarian crisis in the North-east, Ensign said: “I have been struck, particularly in the last year, by how successful AUN has been with regard to the third part of our motto – which is ‘Service.'

“Here in Yola, we have all been embroiled in the

Boko Haram insurrection.

The response of the AUN has been magnificent. The staff, faculty, and students have risen to the extraordinary challenges, sheltering refugees, feeding the hungry, teaching peace and job skills to the young, women, and the poor. No one could have done more. Thanks to all of you who did extraordinary service last year.”

Technology, technical education, keys to growing entrepreneurs

By Tare Youdeowei

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ITH technology, the spirit of entrepreneurship would be ignited in the minds of young people all over the world especially those who have had the singular opportunity of proper coaching and mentoring.

So said Mr Ademola AdeOjo, Managing Director, Elizade Nigeria Ltd., as he gave a speech titled: Future of the Nigerian Youth, Technology and Innovation at the exhibition of Project Dove Initiative’s electric car tagged DOVE P1, at Julius Berger Hall, Faculty of Engineering, University of Lagos.

Listing innovative thinking, government, funding and academia as key factors for creating entrepreneurs, Ade-Ojo said; “I am quite positive that if our teeming population of unemployed youths can be galvanized by the tripartite factors of innovative thinking, government support and adequate funding of education at all levels and the academia providing a fertile soil for idea generation, in no time Nigeria would break into the ranks of developed economies like Singapore and Malaysia. I see inventions like this transforming an army of jobless youths into formidable army of entrepreneurs.”

Hailing the creation of Dove P1 as an innovation bound to create job opportunities, Ade- Ojo opined; “The future is bright for Nigeria youths, all we need to do is: create the necessary environment for the generation and cross pollination of ideas among youths which is capable of transforming them into socio-economic reformers and techpreneurs. Sixty percent of Nigeria’s 170million population are youths and

society needs to ensure that this teeming population of youths are encouraged and empowered to be part of the innovative technological revolution sweeping across our world.

“Create the necessary environment for the acquisition of technical and technological skills that could enhance the development of local technologies to compete internationally.

The resuscitation of technical schools as feeders of our institutions of technology at the tertiary level will be a step in the right direction.

It is noteworthy to state that not every skill, vocation or profession today will be relevant in this century; it has become imperative that we encourage science based disciplines, especially in the area of engineering science, which are capable of driving our economy.

“While governments are to adequately and appropriately fund education and invest in research and development at the tertiary education level, they are also to provide basic infrastructural support for the private sector to be able

to translate research outcomes into value adding ventures capable of taking our teeming youths off the streets. Players in the organized private sector, on the other hand, should not be mere beneficiaries of research outcomes but also providers of resources “Create the social atmosphere for the impartation of the “can-do” spirit in our corporate social responsibility. There must be a deprogramming of the wrong mindset already acquired by the average Nigerian youth through the various agents of socialization that makes them think of paid employment first before anything else.”

To the ruling class, policy makers and government, Ade-Ojo implored; “The lack of political will on the part of our leaders has killed several inventions. I appeal to government at various levels and the organised private sector to give these potentially great young Nigerians the benefit of developing into industrial transformers of our time through the provision of the necessary resources for the acqualization of their dreams.

FSTC's fees competitive— Principal

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By Amaka Abayomi

HE Principal, Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba, Revd Chris Ugorji, has said its fees are not high, compared to other unity schools in the country.

Pointing out that different unity schools are at liberty to adjust, based on their peculiar needs, the approved fees from the Federal Ministry of Education, the Principal said the slight increase in its fees was to fund the renovation and building projects presently ongoing in the school.

He said “we have a lot on our plates and because of our almost non existing IGR, we have to charge the students some amount for these developmental projects.

“Also, because we want to maintain uniformity and high standards, we insist that students would have to buy their customised college wears, shoes and sandals from the school.

Also they would have to get their classroom lockers, bunk bed, customised mattress and pillow, college text and exercise books.”Giving reasons why the PTA levy is on the high side, the PTA Chairperson, Mrs. Oby Igwilo, represented by the Vice, Mr. Francis Omotosho, said the association needed fund to undertake some building and renovations works, such as the 1,000 bed-space girls hostel it is building and repairs of the boys hostels.

30 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

By Dayo Benson, Abdulwahab Abdulah & Bartholomew Madukwe

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AST Thursday, when the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) ordered the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, to appear before it over allegations of false declaration of assets leveled against him by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), his legal team approached a Federal High Court, Abuja, for an interlocutory order seeking to stop his arraignment. Rather than granting the order, the court asked that the respondent (CCT) be put on notice and appear before the court to give reasons why it should not be granted.

However, when the tribunal reconvened last Friday, there were expectations in some quarters that it would take judicial notice of the proceedings at the Federal High Court as argued by Saraki’s counsel, Mr. J.B. Daudu SAN, instead it issued a bench warrant against the Senate President and ordered that he should be produced before it last Monday. The Court of Appeal also refused to grant Saraki’s prayer to stop the trial at the tribunal.

Since the issue began, legal opinions are however divided on whether the Federal High Court and Code of Conduct Tribunal have coordinate jurisdiction or one is superior to the other.

Coordinate jurisdiction While Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) vests judicial power on the courts, the CCT derives its own existence from the Fifth Schedule, Part I, paragraph 15 of same Constitution.

According to Section 6 of the Constitution: “The judicial powers of the Federation shall be vested in the courts to which this section relates, being courts established for the Federation.”

Section 251 (3) states the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court thus: “The Federal High Court shall have and exercise jurisdiction and powers in respect of criminal causes and matters in respect of which jurisdiction is conferred by subsection (1) of this section.”

Fifth Schedule, Part I, Paragraph 15 of the Constitution provides that: “There shall be established a tribunal to be known as Code of Conduct Tribunal which shall consist of a Chairman and two other persons. The Chairman shall be a person who has held or is qualified to hold office as a Judge of a Court of record in Nigeria and shall receive such remuneration

•Hon. Danladi Umar and Justice Ibrahim Auta

Is Federal High Court superior to Code of Conduct Tribunal?

•Lawyers speak as may be prescribed by law.”

Paragraph 18 specifies the punishment for any contravention. It reads: “Where the Code of Conduct Tribunal finds a public officer guilty of contravention of any of the provisions of this Code it shall impose upon that officer any of the punishments specified under subparagraph (2) of this paragraph and such other punishment as may be prescribed by the National Assembly. “(2) The punishment which the Code of Conduct Tribunal may impose shall include any of the following: (a) vacation of office or seat in any legislative house, as the case may be; (b) disqualification from membership of a legislative house and from the holding of any public office for a period not exceeding ten years; and (c) seizure and forfeiture to the State of any property acquired in abuse or corruption of office. (3) The sanctions mentioned in subparagraph (2) hereof shall be without prejudice to the penalties that may be imposed by any law where the conduct is also a criminal offence.”

CCT, Federal High Court status under 1999 Constitution Pg 32 C M Y K

Paragraph 4 provides the right of appeal, saying: “Where the Code of Conduct Tribunal gives a decision as to whether or not a person is guilty of a contravention of any of the provisions of this Code, an appeal shall lie as of right from such decision or from any punishment imposed on such person to the Court of Appeal at the instance of any party to the proceedings.”

Vanguard Law and Human

It is to be noted that whatever punishment arising from the judgement of the high court, the court of appeal and even the supreme court of Nigeria is subject to section 175 of constitution

Rights spoke to lawyers on the controversy. A Constitutional law lecturer in Lagos State University, LASU, Dr. Niyi Adeleke, said: “There is no clear jurisprudence about the superiority of the Code of Conduct Tribunal to the High Court.

Judgment of the court The instrument for the establishment of the tribunal can be found in paragraph 15 of the 5th Schedule of the 1999 constitution.

“It is to be noted that whatever punishment arising from the judgement of the high court, the court of appeal and even the supreme court of Nigeria is subject to section 175 of constitution. By implication, such a person to be punished by these courts may be pardoned by the president, if it is a federal offence or coming from the federal high court and if it is state offences, such person can be pardoned by the state governor.

“However, anybody convicted by the Code of Conduct tribunal cannot be pardon by the state governor, even if the tribunal sits in a state, except by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria subject to the approval of the two third majority of the two Houses of the National Assembly.

“Also, appeals from the state high courts or the federal high courts go to the court of appeal, while the same appeals from the code of conduct tribunal go to the court of appeal. So, if we are talking on the power of the tribunal on appeal and that of the high court, both end at the appellate court.

“If somebody is to serve as a member or chairman of the code of conduct tribunal, he is expected to retire at age 70, and he is entitled to his salary till he dies as applicable to the federal high court. So how can you say the high court is superior to the tribunal?

“In terms of punishment for the tribunal chairman if he commits any offence, he can only be removed from office in accordance with the provision of the code in paragraph 17, which states that the chairman of the tribunal will only be removed by the president, and if it is the state or federal high court, it is the state governor or the president that can remove them respectively. The chairman of the code cannot be removed only by the president and this must be based on an address supported by two third majority of each house of the national assembly which must support the removal. This makes it difficult. He can only be

Continues on page 31

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015 —

31

Is Federal High Court superior to Code of Conduct Tribunal?

Continues from page 30 removed on two reasons which is based on misconduct or disability of body or mind.

“Also, the tribunal can bar any member of legislative house from holding public office for a period of ten years. For example, if Senator Saraki is found guilty, it may prevent him from holding public office as well as seizing his assets. I am in the academic and look at the issue of law in wide and in-depth manner. The jurisdiction of the tribunal is limited to what is contained in the code of tribunal Act and it is also streamlined to take charge of public officers alone.

“The tribunal cannot also interpret the constitution like the other courts of record. With the above, there is no doubt that the Code of Conduct Tribunal is a court of superior record, its jurisdiction is not to be subjected to the high court.

power to render sterile his senate leadership; and(4) unleashment, on him, of avalanche of relentless vilification, as carried out through litigation, and the mass and social media with the sole intent and purpose of completely undermining and under-cutting his leadership of the Senate.

“No doubt, and from strict legal prism or periscope, the Code of Conduct, EFCC or, even, the police, can arrest, detain and, as in this case, arraign for infractions on our criminal and related laws, and Dr Bukola Saraki, though the Senate President is no exception in this respect, particularly as his office does not have immunity appurtunant thereto, and there is no time limitation for criminal prosecution. Discharge of mandatory burden and onus of proof beyond all reasonable doubt, as required by law, as to bring into being its passage through legal wicket, is a different kettle of fish, entirely.

Court of record A senior lawyer, Chief Morah Ekwunoh, on his part, explained: “Certainly, the Federal High Court, as a superior court of record established under section 6(5) of the 1999 Constitution(as amended) has crystal clear and unmistakable jurisdictional superiority over and above the Code of Conduct Tribunal, an inferior court of record, by virtue of which superiority it is empowered to exercise supervisory jurisdiction over the Tribunal, as being witnessed in the Senate President Bukola Saraki’s imbroglio- by ways of certiorari quashing its rulings, orders or judgments, among others; or by way of outright prohibition, or by way of order of mandamus.

“The superiority of the Federal High Court, as aforesaid, can be clearly discerned from, inter alia, the much lowered constitutional designation of the Tribunal’s Chairman and members, in terms of qualification for appointment, official appellation, nature of oath subscribable by them, and longitude and latitude of jurisdiction.

“This clear and unmistakable superiority of power and jurisdiction of the Federal High Court over and above the Code of Con-

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

Different kettle of fish

•Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki duct Tribunal, obviously, gave impetus to the clarification letter dated May 18, 2015, by the Chief Justice of Nigeria to the present Chairman of the Tribunal, Hon. Danladi Y. Umar clearly drawing red-line which must not be crossed, under assumed parity of jurisdiction with the Federal High Court.

“With the above powers of judicial review of actions of the Tribunal, it shocks, to bone -marrow, that the Code of Conduct Tribunal, in Senator Saraki’s case was conducting its proceedings, despite the Federal High Court’s order, as if it had equal or coordinate jurisdiction with the said Federal High Court which issued the order.

“To proceed in the manner done by it violently violates the legal classicus in GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE VS CHIEF OJUKWU (1986) 1NWLR(PT 15), wherein the Supreme Court warned, inter alia, that when a matter is before a court of law, parties are bound to maintain the status quo, whether or not the court has given specific injunc-

tive order, pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

“The above sad and unhealthy manner of pursuit of this case, which arose over twelve years ago, presents itself as a classical political synthesis of voice of

Certainly, the Federal High Court, as a superior court of record established under section 6(5) of the 1999 Constitution(as amended) has crystal clear and unmistakable jurisdictional superiority over and above the Code of Conduct Tribunal

Jacob, hand of Esau, which not only damages the acclaimed anticorruption image of the President, but calls for strictures on the members of the Tribunal.

“Particulars of the high-wire political timing and circumstances, as aforesaid, include, but are not limited to,(1) the arraignment coming after, and not before June 9, assumed presidency of the 8th Senate in circumstances bitterly and unforgivably opposed, till date, by well- oiled and highly connected movers and shakers within, and outside, the epicenter of federal power, who had repeatedly and openly vowed and sworn to remove him therefrom, by hook or crook, before end of September, and before imminent senatorial approval of ministerial list; (2) the arraignment being preceded, in July, by the arrest and detention of his wife,Toyin Saraki, for alleged money laundering offences;(3) conduct of very few, twice or thrice, plenary sessions of the Senate since inauguration, owing to determination of the holders, movers and shakers of levers of federal

“However, high-wire political and other extenuating circumstances characterising same, as posited above, coupled with it touching and concerning arraignment, in 2015, for alleged criminal infractions spanning between 2003 and 2011, when he held sway as the Governor of Kwara State, leave the arraignment as being nothing but synthetic smokescreen of voice of Jacob, hand of Esau, which does not confer respect, credibility and efficacy to the acclaimed anti-corruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari.”

Mr. Wahab Shittu, another law lecturer at the University of Lagos, said: “Appeals from Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT lies to the Court of Appeal. This means only the Court of Appeal has appellate and by extension supervisory jurisdiction over the CCT. While it can be said that the CCT does not have coordinate jurisdiction with the Federal High Court, nevertheless by law and constitutional provisions the Federal High Court cannot monitor CCT or supervise it. This is powers conferred by hierarchy of courts but by the constitution.”

32 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

Civil Society Network Against Corruption got it wrong

By Chuks Okereke

Conflict of interest The said appointment was among the sweeping changes carried out by the corporations new Group Managing Director, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu. CSNAC said its primary aim is to “ constructively combat corruption vigorously and to ensure the effective monitoring of the various Anti-graft agencies in the fight against corruption and contribute towards the enthronement of transparency, accountability, probity and total commitment in the fight to eradicate corruption in Nigeria.”

The group stated that Adeniran who was appointed executive director commercial and investment, ought to have declined the position. The first question to ask is: why should anyone decline to serve his country in a capacity where he is eminently qualified to render a service?

By Abdulwahab Abdulah

A

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HEN President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office on May 29, he left no one in doubt on his commitment to combat corruption in all its facets. Indeed, one of the mantra of change with which his All Progressive Congress, APC, rode to power was the quest to fight graft headlong. In the build-up to the April Presidential Poll, Buhari said Corruption will kill Nigeria if Nigeria does not kill corruption.

It was therefore not unexpected that most of the civil society groups operating in the country have suddenly put on the garb of anti-corruption crusader and made it a singsong, even when the primary objective is sometime self-serving, if not questionable. This seems to be the case with a group that styles itself Civil Society Network Against Corruption, CSNAC, on recent appointments at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NNPC. CSNAC, which described itself as a coalition of over 150 anti-corruption organizations, in a letter to the President, which was published on-line, asked him [Buhari] to nullify the appointment of Dr. Babatunde Adeniran as an executive director of NNPC, on the ground of conflict of interest.

Pre-paid meter: Court renews order restraining EKEDC from operating parallel bank account

*NNPC GMD, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu

CSNAC noted that the Senior Technical Adviser on Oil and Gas Commercial of Total E & P Nigeria Ltd, Adeniran, for over 22 years has fundamental disagreements with NNPC over the interpretation of the AK1 Carry agreement.

The dispute which arose over the agreement is currently pending before a panel of arbitrators. Adeniran had recently given damning evidence against NNPC before the Arbitrators.

It further added that, “by giving evidence in favour of Total E & P Nigeria Ltd, which is at variance with the interest of NNPC, Adeniran has placed himself in a position whereby his official position is in serious conflict with his private interest as a former employee of the opponent of NNPC in a pending litigation.”

Notwithstanding the fact that Adeniran actually worked with Total for over two decades and represented the company in his official capacity at any level while in the employment, how does that conflict with his present position at NNPC? One would have expected CSNAS to quote an extant law that prohibits any Nigerian from taking an appointment with a public corpo-

The dispute which arose over the agreement is currently pending before a panel of arbitrators, Adeniran had recently given damning evidence against NNPC before the Arbitrators

ration if such a person had earlier worked with another organisation in the industry in a private capacity. Since Adeniran has ceased to be a Total employee, how would the evidence he gave against NNPC before the arbitration panel affect his current position? Or is CSNAC already privy to the outcome of a pending arbitration?

To say the least, it is totally unimaginable and morally reprehensible to insinuate that Adeniran would compromise his position to ensure that NNPC loses at the arbitration.

Ethical practices After all, there are standard ethical practices governing such a sensitive public office and a breach of it will surely bear serious punitive consequences.

In asking the President to void the appointment, the CSNAC quoted “Paragraph 1 of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers in Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which provides that a public officer shall not put himself in a position where his personal interest conflicts with his duties and responsibilities.”

The above provision of constitution which CSNAC relies on to demand Adeniran’s removal would have been applicable if he is still an official of Total.

Beyond all these, there is a pertinent question which CSNAC needs to provide answer: As an employee of Total, did any one expect Adeniran to do the bidding of another organization other than that of his employer? *Okereke, a human rights activist wrote from Abuja.

FEDERAL High Court sitting in Lagos has renewed the order restraining Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) from further operating a parallel account called “Eko Electricity Distribution Company Meter Account” number 2562128948 with ECOBANK Nigeria Plc pending the determination of the substantive suit filed

by Momas Systems Nigeria Limited, MSNL and one other.

The order by Justice M. N. Yunusa who presided over the case was sequel to the submissions canvassed

by Wahab Shittu and Olawale Ajia, counsels who represented MSNL and Momas Electricity Meter Manufacturing Company Limited (MEMMCOL) in a Motion ExParte brought against EKEDC. Joined as second and third respondents in the matter are Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and ECOBANK Nigeria Plc respectively.

In their motion, the companies are claiming N5.050 billion, representing N2.050 billion as special damages and another N3 billion as general damages against the first and third respondents respectively.

Beside, the court also compelled EKEDC to direct electricity consumers in the area exclusively assigned to the applicants to pay fees for the supply and installation of meters into an Escrow CAPMI bank account controlled jointly by the applicants and the first respondent under the CAPMI Scheme called Momas/

Eko Distribution CAPMI account number 5712006231 domiciled with third respondent (ECOBANK).

Expectedly, the judge held that the orders will subsist pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice brought against the respondents expected to be heard next Monday.

In a 41-paragraphs affidavit in support of the motion deposed to by Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the applicants, Engineer Kola Balogun, averred that sometime in May, 2013, the second respondent ( NERC) licensed the first and second applicants in the CAPMI Scheme, as Metering Service Providers (MSP) and also approved the participation of the companies as Metering System Vendor and as Metering System Manufacturer respectively.

Various types of meters He averred further that to the CAPMI guidelines, the applicants applied, made huge deposits and furnished bank guarantees to the first respondents consequent upon which it assessed and appointed the first applicant as its contractor for both supply and installation of various types of meters specifically for Island Region comprising of six business districts viz Ijora, Ojo, FESTAC, Ibeju, Island and Apapa Districts under Eko Electricity Distribution Zone.

According to him, the first respondent and the first applicant subsequently executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), following which he claimed

the third defendant opened and maintained a joint Escrow CAPMI account at the instance and in the name of the first applicant and the first respondent, with both parties controlling the account through their respective representatives who were signatories to the account.

Balogun deposed that both parties, for sometime, operated and controlled the account titled MOMAS/ Eko Distribution CAPMI account number 5712006231 domiciled with the third respondent, but contrary to the CAPMI guidelines and agreement between the parties and without prior notice or consent of his companies, the first respondent allegedly unilaterally opened and operated solely another parallel account with the third respondent under the name “Eko Electricity Distribution Company Meter Account (CAPMI) number 256218948 and to which only its management staff are signatories. He claimed further that in breach of statutory provisions and contractual agreement between them, the first respondent allegedly directed electricity consumers within the region assigned to the applicants to pay fees for meters into the account to the knowledge and or connivance of the third respondent.

He submitted that it got to a stage where the first respondent stopped giving works orders to the applicants to supply its locally manufactured meters and only directed it to install meters imported into Nigeria by persons not licensed to operate within the applicants’ area of operation.

ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards hold

By Juliet Ebirim

L

AWYERS and other leading personalities from different sectors of the economy converged last Friday at the Muson Center, Onikan, Lagos for this year edition of the prestigious ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards.

The Chief Executive Officer, Legal Blitz Limited and publisher of the ESQ Legal Practice Magazine who also doubles as convener of the Legal Awards, Lere Fashola, had at a press conference said they have introduced some innovations

to the awards ceremony following the successful hosting of the maiden edition last year. He stated that one of such innovations was the Corporate Counsel Award (CCA) category, which is targeted at appreciating the role of lawyers who work as in-house counsel for companies and corporate organizations in the overall scheme and interest of the organizations and their business transactions.

According to him, the existence of legal departments in any organization is imperative be-

cause in-house counsel do not just advise on legal compliance, but also help in risks mitigation.

Emphasizing the significance of this novelty, Lere explains that traditionally, even though lawyers in legal departments have been regarded as deal killers, but they are now very strategic and play an all-important role in the commercial life of organizations. He stressed that legal departments are now seen as the commercial nerve centre of organizations.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015—33

On corruption and capital punishment Dear sir S their own contribution to support President Muhammadu Buhari's anti-corruption war,the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress,Comrade Ayuba Wabba and his counterpart in the Trade Union Congress,Comrade Bobboi Kaigama have jointlly called for capital punishment for anybody found guilty of corruption in Nigeria.

In the old Roman empire and Greece, it was one way of dealing with criminals and offenders. Some religious organisations also saw it as a method of eliminating anybody who was opposed to the teaching of the organisation.

Now,Rome and Greece no longer

A

Still on Buhari and corruption Dear sir A HUNTER that is selective in his choice of animals while hunting may end up returning home empty handed President Muhamadu Buhari's anticorruption crusade is under test in Kogi state. The just concluded APC governorship primary in the state was a clear picture of the test to the war against corruption consistently preached by this administration. This is real hunter's test!

The APC governorship primary has come and gone, but the dust generated from the result cannot just clear so soon.

The governorship primary was keenly contested by 27 candidates including the former governor Prince Abubarkar Audu.

Audu's emergence as party flag bearer in the primary is the bone of contention.

It is unimaginable that the former governor would come back to the state.

He can't eat his cake and have it!

Why the protest against Audu? It would be recall that Audu has contested the governorship position of the state since the inception of the state. In 19911992, he was elected under NRC. This was when the presidential election was annulled by the then military president, General Ibrahim Babangida. Audu's tenure was terminated immediately General Abacha took over power from Shonekan in 1993, the then interim government. Audu changed his party to APP and re-contested in 1999 during Obasanjo's era and won. He completed his tenure of four years. Audu still not done, in 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015 respectively, he has not changed in his quest to still govern the state he brought to its knees.

The essence of the APC's National working committee screening candidates for an election is to ensure only credible candidates with proven ability are allowed to contest. So, how did Audu scale through in the first place? I am waiting for the day President Buhari will stand on the podium to lift the hand of Prince Audu who has been accused by EFCC of diverting N11b belonging to the people of Kogi.

Alifia Sunday, Ilorin, Kwara state. alfsun2014@gmail.com 08035850876

practice this.

Meanwhile,the suggestion of death penalty has generated mixed reactions.

A School of thought believes this form of punishment is a violation of the right of the individual to life which is a fundamental human right.

Although,corruption has grown so deep in Nigeria that it has become a culture of government, what benefit can a nation get from the implementation of capital punishment? What does the executioner gain when the convict is killed? These are the questions which need to be addressed by the death penalty proponents.

Some who want capital punishment say that killing the offender will bring pain to bear on him or her. But,is it really true that somebody killed by bullet feels any pain? It is doubtful.

In the same vein, it is a kind of punishment that does not deter or discourage others who might want to commit the same offence. Honestly,once a criminal knows that the moment he or she is caught,only one bullet will silence him or her, such a person will become hardened.

Until the major causes of corruption are addressed,capital punishment will not,in any significant way enhance the anti-corruption war nor reduce the tendency to loot public treasury.

Sunday Ogunkuade, 08036142877, Ogbomoso.

LASUTH and manpower shortage Dear sir WOULD like to use this widely read newspaper to appeal to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State to urgently look into the problem of shortage of manpower in the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH. Almost every section is affected but that of the ENT Section is very glaring.

The few doctors and their Chief Consultant are overwhelmed with the large number of patients they have to attend to in terms of the prescription of relevant medications and surger.

New patients are given a long period ` of time before they can be attended to.

This is not because the doctors are insensitive to the plight of the parents but more because, patients far more out number doctors available.

As one of the masses in Nigeria who lack the means to travel out of this nation in search of solution to his health challenges, I think this is one of the best ways to draw the attention of the state governor to this predicament.

The matron and her lieutenants are not left out. They are fast ageing as a result of overwork. Due to the milk of human kindness that appears running in their veins, they cannot afford to ignore any patient no matter how exhausted they are.

I hope the Governor will give this health issue the urgent attention it deserves.

James Adeyemi, a staff of Vanguard Newspaper, Lagos.

I

Fuel scar city and scarcity functional refineries

F

UEL scarcity and payment of subsidy will end if we build more refineries and allow the four that were hitherto functional to be brought back to life. President Buhari is not a novice in this. It was during his time as m ilitary head of state that he built additional three refineries. Other administrations neglected this, but instead we have powerful people who built refineries outside and in collusion with people in power they didn’t allow the four refineries we have to function properly. Thus, we had to refine our products abroad to the deteriment of our economy.

Obire 08079018001

Oil thieft and cabal

President Buhari should confront the cabal in the oil sector. They should be rendered powerless so that Nigerians would not be left suffocating under the cloak of Petroleum product marketers.

What has been happen ing in the country is quite annoying. Why should a cabal be allowed to hold the country to ransom by turning off the tap of petroluem supply at the slightest provocation?

Bazakey 08060768946

els. Let Aisha Buhari, in line with her husband’s reasoning, be referred to simply as wife to the President. It is her husband not she, Nigerians voted for. As a matter of fact, it is development and real change as encapsulated in the APC manifesto that the electorate voted for and not any jamboree which the office of the first lady represents. For once, let us be serious in this country and allow Mrs. Aisha to manage the home front as she posited while President Buiari faces the herculean task of turning around our battered economy as well as arresting the seemingly intractable insecurity in the country.

Anonymous 2347052624455

Oil price and our economy

Early this year, the price of crude oil crumbled. It dropped from $105 to $55; this is almost half the usual price.

Nigerians were anticipating reduction in the price of transportation and other commodities, instead the price started going up. Federal Government should put the necessary price mechanism in place to make sure prices of goods and services are even and stable Anonymous +2348137518785

Politics in Rivers State and crisis Whoever that misunderstood PresiFormer President Goodluck

President Buhari’s speech

dent Buhari’s statement, that he belongs to everybody and he belongs to nobody does so at his or her own peril.

To me, the President clearly stated that he would govern with the fear of God and be fair to all and sundry, irrespective of their political affiliation, religion or ethnicity, by making the rule of law and due process his watchword. But the President, being a man of impeccable character, has not hidden the fact that there will be no hiding place for corrupt elements in the society, no matter how highly placed or party affiliation. He needs our support in this regard and great task ahead.

Alhaji Shehu Usman.+2348095898769

Jonathan and his wife , Dame Jonathan, should be blamed for throwing up a character like Wike to be Rivers State Governor. The duo, misused their coveted positions to coerce the police, army and some unscrupulous INEC officials to do their bidding towards facilitating Wike’s election which is now being challenged at the tribunal. Since Wike came on board, the people of River states have been living in palpable fear, most especially the workers employed by Amaechi’s administration. When shall we get over this type of retrogressive democracy?

Sir E.B. KimiaKSJI+2348037660327

NASS leadership and Saraki’s unholy alliance The office of the first lady should be I cannot blame Saraki for plotting

Office of the First Lady

abolished as there is no constitutional provision for it. The current economic reality in the country even negates the retention of the office. Moreover, the office has been a huge drainpipe which our economy can no longer sustain.

Beside, the office has been grossly abused by past occupiers especially Mrs. Dame Patience Jonathan who used the office to dabble into governance both at the federal and state lev-

his way into the seat of the Senate President. I can only blame the APC which allowed him to take advantage of their disunity and shoddy arrangements concerning such an important decision that could make or mar the party. These things that give the APC a bad name should be avoided by these stalwarts who are in control of the party’s activities.

Anonymous writes in from Lagos state

SAYINGS OF OUR ELDERS A leader is not a person who can perform better than his team, but someone who can inspire the team to perform better than him.

Simon Adewale08056180103, Send us your Sayings of Our Elders. They must be African sayings or proverbs. Biblical or English proverbs are unacceptable.

Address your sayings to: The Co-ordinator, Sayings of Our Elders,Vanguard Media Ltd., PMB 1007, Apapa,

34—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

Yenagoa agog as PDP delegates affirm Dickson

By Samuel Oyadongha

BAYELSA DECIDES

T

HE Samson Siasia stadium in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State will for the second time within three days host a major political gathering as members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, file out today for primary election to select their candidate for the December 5, 2015 governorship election.

Unlike the massive security around the sports complex witnessed during the All Progressives Congress, APC primaries, the situation today is expected to be relaxed today as the PDP exercise is seen as a family affair with the delegates only filing out to affirm Governor Seriake Dickson as their consensus candidate for the polls. The incumbent governor is the sole candidate of the party and has been endorsed for a second term by the elders and other stakeholders of the party.

Thus, the primary is a mere formality to affirm his candidature as the PDP standard bearer.

A total of 4776 delegates among them super delegates, statutory delegates and ad hoc delegates are expected to vote during the primary. The party, it was gathered, settled for the incumbent governor due to his performance and belief that he has the war chest to ward off the threat of the opposition APC. Paulker, Diongolo disqualified, Okoya quits race Senator Emmanuel Paulker and Chief Ebikitin Diongolo, who could have battled for the party

it be known that I only respected the publicly stated desire of the party to give its ticket to the incumbent as the person best placed to secure victory for the PDP. I withdrew honourably.”

He, however, promised to support the party and ensure its candidate triumph at the polls.

Interestingly, before Okoya’s surprise withdrawal, the incumbent governor had enjoyed overwhelming support and endorsement from the elders and other stakeholders in the ruling party.

Dickson’s candidature was further boosted during his declaration for second term when Dr Jonathan openly endorsed him citing his performance in the areas of prompt payment of workers’ salary, proper management of

•Dickson ticket with Dickson were disqualified at the party’s zonal screening held in Port Harcourt.

Senator Paulker, was reportedly disqualified based on nonavailability of his Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax clearance certificate from the National Assembly.

Chief Ebikitin Diongoli was disqualified based on alleged financial misconduct during his tenure as council chairman in the state. Another aspirant, Arc

Reuben Okoya, a protege of former President Goodluck Jonathan, was forced to throw in the towel as the political arena became too hot. His followers were disappointed but he defended his action saying he bowed to party supremacy and loyalty to friendship.

He said: “Contrary to the story making the rounds that I was pressured to withdraw by former President Goodluck Jonathan, let

The incumbent governor is the sole candidate of the party and has been endorsed for a second term by the elders and other stakeholders of the party

state resources without recourse to borrowing, improved infrastructural development and road constructions.

Today’s event could therefore be described as a family affair for the party delegates who will be queuing behind Governor Seriake Dickson to reaffirm their confidence in his running of the state.

Party super delegates Earlier, the party super delegates had endorsed the governor at a meeting held at Yenagoa residence of the Chairman of the Restoration Campaign Advisory Council and former Governor of the state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

The super delegates numbering over 250, include past and present leaders of the party, political office holders, (elected and appointed) some members of the state Executive council and members of the state House of Assembly, PDP State working committee, and the leadership of the local government councils, predicated their support for the governor on his impressive performance in office. Sources told Vanguard that the choice of the incumbent governor is to save the party from a rancorous primary as witnessed during the APC primary.

APC GOV PRIMARY: When things fall apart

By Emem Idio

E

XPECTATIONS were high on Tuesday, September 22, as the much awaited All Progressives Congress, APC, Governorship primaries took the centre stage in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State Capital.

Considering the undercurrents that characterized the build up to the primaries, Bayelsans were indeed expecting a keenly contested affair.

Regrettably, it didn’t take too long for discerning eyes to see that the exercise was not going to be free as earlier expected.

From the gate of the Samson Siasia Sports Complex where delegates were queuing, mayhem was unleashed on some delegates perceived to be loyal to some aspirants by hired thugs, who outnumbered legitimate delegates.

At the end, virtually all the APC governorship aspirants who had come into the venue with high hopes and expectations left the venue disappointed and distraught, wondering what went wrong. The discontent among the governorship aspirants became

apparent early when three aspirants Timi Alaibe, Ebitimi Amgbare and Preye Aganaba raised an alarm over irregularities and intimidation of real delegates, and calling for the cancellation of the exercise.

By the time the chairman of the Primary Election Committee and Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, held a second meeting of the day with the aspirants at about 4pm after the invasion of the arena by irate youth loyal to one of the aspirants, it was glaring that the credibility of the exercise had been severed as only five of the 19 aspirants were left.

Credibility of the exercise Timi Alaibe and others were nowhere to be found. Two of the aspirants, Dr. Imoru Kubor, a retired federal permanent secretary and Ambassador Emmanuel Otiotio, who were among the five aspirants who stayed on, could only watch what was going on in the name of primaries in disbelief.

A female aspirant, Pastor (Mrs) Tonye Apreala walked out of the venue while the results were being announced.

Primaries ‘re illegal – Aganaba Another aspirant, Engr. Preye Aganaba, one of the foundation members and financiers of the party, who walked out of the venue of the primary election described the process as an illegality that cannot stand.

According to him, the election was conducted by the state working committee and not by the national constituted primary election committee headed by Oshiomhole, and therefore is null and void.

His words: “There is no need for me to appeal as there were no election and result sheets in the first place because Governor Oshiomhole had cancelled the primaries. What happened was that the state chairman of the party, Tiwei Orunimighe, ordered for accreditation and election and the State Working Committee, SWC, are also delegates.

“As far as I am concerned, APC is a different party and will still

•Sylva conduct a fresh primaries because we are not like the PDP. We are in contact with the national secretariat of our party and a new primary will likely be conducted on Monday or Tuesday next week.”

Though former Governor Timipre Sylva has been declared winner of the primaries, the battle

is not over yet as some of the aspirants and party faithful who were allegedly short-changed in the process are expecting the national body of the party to wade in. The unusual silence of Governor Oshiomhole, who didn’t utter a word before he was smuggled out of the venue by soldiers following threats by an army of hired thugs is what will certainly trouble those in Sylva’s camp.

With the ugly development that marred the governorship primaries, the APC is expected to hammer out a political solution to redress the perceived wrongs and settle grievances among the aspirants to boost its chances of occupying the Creek Haven Government House.

Though the chairman of the party, Chief Tiwe Orunimighe could not be reached for comment as his line was switched off, it is clear that the APC is now a house that is divided against itself.

Things have fallen apart and whether the centre will continue to hold is a matter, which only time can tell.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015—35

The governor noted that the Conference Centre is in the heart of Enugu City, and can attract prospective investors and make the state a choice investment destination for all.

He ordered that the wall of the centre be painted and the dilapidated fence be remoulded to prevent further vandalism of the centre.

With the stance of the Governor against his predecessor, Chime, residents are upbeat that a line of departure may have been marked on the rosy relations between him and Chime, which observers are apprehensive about, vis a vis developmental stride of this administration.

ENUGU: Applause as Ugwuanyi revives ICC project •Secures assembly’s approval for bailout fund, loan

By Francis Igata

W

ORKERS and pensioners in Enugu State who are being owed several months of pensions and gratuity are expected to heave a sigh of relief any moment from now.

Reason: The Enugu State House of Assembly has approved a loan request of N14.2 Billion presented to it by by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State. Vanguard gathered that the N4.207 billion bail-out funds designed by the Federal Government to ease financial difficulties in payment of workers salary arrears is part of the N14 billion.

The N4.2 billion was said to have been earmarked for payment of pensions and gratuity of workers who have not received their entitlement’s in the past 14 years while N10 billion will be deployed to infrastructural development.

The bulk of those who were being owed their retirement benefits are teachers and civil servants in the various parastatals, agencies and departments. The state EXCO met and approved the loan request on Monday night.

The immediate past administration of Sullivan Chime was alleged to have plunged the state debt profile, both domestic and external, to an all time high of N62.8 billion.

Assembly's approval Further investigations revealed that the Assembly’s approval, shrouded in secrecy, was meant to douse public outcry that may trail the loan request when juxtaposed against the suffocating debt profile hanging on the states’ neck.

A source had told Vanguard that, “the government is not owing worker’s salaries. The bailout accruable to Enugu State is meant for the payment of pension arrears and salaries due to casual workers. This is coming as Governor Ugwuanyi decided to take over and complete some projects, which former governor Chimaroke Nnamani started but were abandoned by Chime.

Of all the alleged atrocities committed by Chime’s administration,none had elicited public outcry and condemnation than the allocation of land at the Enugu International Conference Centre,ICC. Situated at the three-arm zone,former governor Chimaroke Nnamani had in 2003,commenced construction of the edifice with ultra modern

Developmental strides

•Ugwuanyi: Enugu State governor facilities to place Enugu State on the world map of tourism, expose the rich cultural heritage of the people, generate revenue that will serve as a buffer especially now that there is economic downturn and create

Investigations revealed that the Assembly’s approval, shrouded in secrecy, was meant to douse public outcry that may trail the loan request when juxtaposed against the suffocating debt profile hanging on the states’ neck

employment for the teeming unemployed youths.

The ICC,which had gone beyond 80 percent completion haven gulped over N3 billion was abandoned by Nnamani’s successor, Chime.

At Chime’s inception of office, he had during a chat with newsmen,vowed not touch the ICC even with a 10 meter pole hinging his stance on none availability of records relating to the ICC handed over to his administration.

However, a dramatic twist came when at the twilight of his administration last year, portions of land at the ICC were allocated to friends and cronies, which elicited a resolution from the Enugu State House of Assembly, ordering the executive to stop and revoke further allocation of land at the ICC. Ugwuanyi draws political line Apparently not swayed by the pronounced goodwill he enjoyed that culminated in his election victory at the expense of infrastructural development in the state, Governor Ugwuanyi, moved last week, to salvage the rot at the ICC. Ugwuanyi, who was conducted round the centre, assured that his administration would ensure that the objectives for which the centre

was started would be duly realized.

When the governor arrived the centre much rescue work was in progress as bulldozers and other heavy machineries were deployed to not just clear the premises of overgrown grass and trees but also to safeguard it against further vandalism.

Words on the streets of Enugu hold that had Ugwuanyi not stopped the allocation of land and erection structures at the ICC, he may have shot himself on the foot for a prospective second term bid in 2019.

A dependable source told Vanguard that allocation of land at the ICC by Chime was the height of impunity of the administration. He went further to state that Ugwuanyi would have lost the goodwill of the people had he not revoked the private building projects going on at the centre.

Applause greets move: Ray Nnaji, who had written a petition to the Economic Financial Crime Commission,EFCC, asking the commission to investigate Chime over the issue, commended Ugwuanyi for rising above parochial political interests to salvage the centre.

Nnaji told Vanguard that,”now that Ugwuanyi has revoked the allocation, that industry,ICC, will no doubt,generate jobs for our teeming unemployed youths and will put Enugu State on the world map of tourism. If this is the only thing Ugwuanyi will do in his tenure,he has done well."

36 —

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 24,, 2015

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 , 2015—37

Okowa nominates 5 for Delta SBIR •As Deltans laud appointment of commissioners, others

By Dan Gumm & Festus Ahon

A

SABA—FOLLOWING Monday's dissolution of the last Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, DSBIR, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa yesterday forwarded names of five nominees for appointment as chairman, secretary and members for the reconstitution of the board to the State House of Assembly.

The letter conveying the names of the nominees was read at plenary by the Speaker of the House, Monday Igbuya, during its sitting.

Okowa in the letter, said the nomination was in exercise of the power conferred on him by the State Board of Internal Revenue Consolidated Law 2009 as amended.

The nominees include Sir Monday Onyeme, Chairman, Mr Mike Edegware, Secretary, Mr Goddey Iwebuke, Solomon Ighrakpata and Mr Barry Gbe as members.

The governor said he would highly appreciate it if early action was taken on the nominees to enable him effect the appointments as required by law.

Meanwhile, the speaker has directed the nominees to submit 25 copies of their curriculum vitae to reach the Clerk of the House on or before Monday, September 28 and appear for screening on September 29, 2015.

Meanwhile, a cross section of Deltans yesterday lauded

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s foresight appointing more commissioners and special advisers as cabinet members, saying it would strengthen peace and unity among the people of the state.

Most of the people, who spoke to Vanguard in Warri and Effurun, particularly praised the appointment of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chairman in Uvwie local government area, Kelly Otuedon, as Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters.

According to them, with

Otuedon on board as Senior Special Adviser on Security, peace was guaranteed across the state, especially in the troubled Uvwie Local Government Council, and the riverine areas.

John Igho, who spoke in Warri, noted that the governor had started very well, stressing that Deltans always had confidence in the ability of the governor, even when he was commissioner and later Secretary to State Government.

“We believe sincerely in the governor’s prowess to move Delta State to the next level. We are solidly behind him and he

(Okowa) has nothing to fear,” remarked Igho.

They also commended Governor Okowa for spreading appointments to all the 25 local governments of the state, stressing that this effort would further enhance even development in the state.

“We want to advise all the people of the state to rally round the governor in his bid to develop the state. We know that nobody or ethnic group will be marginalised in spreading the dividends of democracy,” Chief Igho further remarked.

AGM: From left— Chief Financial Officer, Mr Abdul Bello, GMD/CEO, Mr Larry Etah, and Chairman, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, all of UAC Nigeria Plc, at the company's 2015 Annual General Meeting in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

How research can tackle Nigeria's woes,

by Delta varsity VC, others A

By Festus Ahon

SABA—VICE Chancellor of the Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka, Professor, Victor Peretomode, and two other professors, yesterday, said the present challenges confronting Nigeria should provoke a flurry of researches that would improve the living standard of Nigerians.

The others are Profs A. Anigala and Christian Ewrudjakpor.

Speaking during the 5th Annual International Conference of the Faculty of Social Sciences of the university, with the theme, ‘Town and Gown: the Reciprocal Linkage for Nigeria’s Development,’ Peretomode said much had been given to Nigerian tertiary education by the federal and state governments.

He argued that such funding should naturally translate into applied research with relevant use-value for the good of society, adding that difficult

C M Y K

times usually brought out the very best in human thinking.

Also speaking on the uniqueness of the theme of the conference, chairman of the occasion, Prof. Anigala, noted that for the first time, social scientists were looking inwards on how their research efforts could help to build institutional capacities in larger society.

“This is the equivalence of the ideology of economic self-

reliance. How wonderful it would be to transpose subsistence agriculture into the critical ambit of modern value chain agriculture with the greatest good for the greatest number of Nigerian people and how traditional herbs may be processed through a recognized pathway of pharmacognosy to become an integral component of orthodox medicine,” Prof. Anigala observed.

Earlier, the Dean, Faculty of Social Science of the institution, Prof. Ewrudjakpor, explained that the theme was chosen to provoke discussion on how to bridge the gap between tertiary institutions and the larger community on the production processes and service options that would lead to national and international development.

Politicians must empower electorate—OSANEBI

A

By Oboh Agbonkhese

SABA—DEPUTY Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Friday Osanebi, has declared that the present economic challenges faced by the country should not stop political office holders from empowering the citizens.

Osanebi, who in spoke Ndokwa East Local Government Area of the state, where he gave N2 million to 20 women to boost their small

scale businesses, insisted that any purposeful leader must be proactive to enhance the redistribution of wealth, in line with the people-oriented agenda of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Osanebi said: “I do not see the present global economic challenge as a reason not to return to the society that voted for you. I was raised to always give thanks to God, irrespective of any situation. The challenges

we face today, as a nation and state, are working out for our good.”

While thanking the people for supporting Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the deputy speaker said he was not ignorant of the urgent infrastructure demand in Ndokwa nation, but urged the people to be supportive and patient with the present administration. He assured that the government would match words with action.

Otuaro commiserates with Itsekiri over monarch's demise

A

By Festus Ahon

SABA—DELTA State Deputy Governor, Mr Kingsley Otuaro, has commiserated with the Itsekiri nation on the demise of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II. Otuaro, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Doris Aboh, said the death of the Olu was a big loss, not only to Nigeria, but also to the entire black race, judging from his antecedent as a first class traditional ruler and his input to the unity of the nation.

While urging the immediate family of the Olu and palace chiefs, as well as the Olu designate, Prince Godfrey Emiko, to see the demise of the Olu as an act of God, he noted that the late Olu left a legacy of peace and ethnic harmony.

Otuaro also commiserated with the state vice chairman of traditional rulers council, Dr Emmanuel Efeizomor II, and all traditional rulers in the state and enjoined them to take solace in the fact that their chairman died in Christ and made a positive impact while alive.

...Ogboru too

G

OVERNORSHIP candidate of Labour Party in the last general elections in Delta State, Chief Great Ogboru, has commiserated with the Itsekiri nation on the passage of their revered royal father, Ogiame Atuwatse II, the Olu of Warri.

In a statement yesterday, Ogboru said Ogiame, as a first-class custodian of culture and pristine traditional values, distinguished himself as a worthy monarch of the Itsekiri nation.

He said: “Ogiame stood tall in Nigeria as a reference point for majesty and dignity. I wish him farewell and I also commend the Palace and the good people of Itsekiri on the peaceful presentation of Prince Ikenwole Godfrey Abiloye Emiko to ascend the throne.

“It is my prayer that this peaceful presentation ushers in more of God’s immeasurable blessing of peace and prosperity for all.

As one people under God Almighty, be assured of our love and support."

38 —

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 24,, 2015

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015 — 39

BENUE GOV TRIBUNAL VERDICT: Tarzoor heads for Court of Appeal

By Peter Duru

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A K U R D I — DISSATISFIED with last Monday’s judgement of Benue State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the last general elections, Mr. Terhemen Tarzoor, has decided to challenge the verdict at the appellate court.

Tarzoor, who challenged the victory of Governor Samuel Ortom of All Progressives Congress, APC, at the tribunal, had his petition dismissed by the Justice Elizabeth Karatu-led panel.

In a press statement issued yesterday in Makurdi by his Chief Press Secretary, Terhemen Hwande, the candidate noted that his petition was sound and premised on credible grounds, which if viewed dispassionately, would have guaranteed his victory.

Kogi farmers seek protection against Fulani herdsmen

By Kingsley Fanwo

F

ARMERS in Yagba West local government area of Kogi State have called on the state government to urgently put in place measures to guarantee their security against the nefarious activities of Fulani herdsmen in the area.

Speaking exclusively with Vanguard at Okoloke, one of the leaders of the farmers, Chief Adesina Ogooluwa, said farmers in the area were at the mercy of Fulani herdsmen who had been terrorizing them over the years.

He averred that the increasing rate of insecurity in the area was adversely affecting agricultural productivity.

He said: “We urge the government to direct security agencies to be proactive in ensuring the security of farmers on their farms. Fulani herdsmen have continued to attack our farmers and also attack them when the farmers complain about the destruction done to their farmlands and crops by cattle. This trend has been a big threat to the community of farmers in this area.

“As a result of our location, we have no access to news media so that we can shout to the world before these Fulani people kill all of us here. ‘’That is why we are happy that Vanguard is giving us a platform to send our plea to all the authorities concerned to help us with adequate security. We are not against their presence here but not at the expense of our security.''

C M Y K

He stated that his decision to approach the appellate court with the matter was premised on his conviction and belief that the Nigerian judiciary remained the hope of the ordinary citizen.

Mr. Tarzoor was quoted as

saying that “once the text of the judgement is released to my team of lawyers, the Court of Appeal, Makurdi Division, is certainly my next destination in my quest for justice.

“Moreover, we all know that

the Appellate Court has a rich history of dispensing justice without fear or favour.

Besides, the court had already given judgements which laid a precedent for my victory when approached.”

BRIEFING: From left; The Cathedral Chaplain, Rev. Samuel Fayomi with the Chairman, Golden Jubilee Celebration Committee, Chief Emmanuel Alley and the Secretary, Mr Eyitayo Ogbonyomi at the St Michael's Centenary & Cathedral of St. Michael's golden jubilee celebration press briefing in Kaduna on Tuesday. Photo by Olu Ajayi.

2015 presidential election, most-keenly contested poll in Nigeria — STUDY

By Daniel Eteghe

T

HE 2015 Presidential election in Nigeria has been described as the most closely and keenly contested election in the history of the country.

This is just as the campaign organised by the various contestants thrived on high level strategic approaches, tactics and demagoguery as well as political advertisements that could pull down their opponents in the presidential race.

A study of University of Lagos Postgraduate Students’ Group of newspaper coverage of the 2015 Presidential Election by Nigerian newspapers showed that the tempo of the political atmosphere in the country before and during the election was very high which prompted attention from the international community that gave rise to the signing of a peace pact between the two major contestants, General Muhammadu Buhari and President Goodluck Jonathan in the race on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, respectively.

According to the study, due to the intensity of the contest during the election periods, most Nigerian newspapers gave a lot of space and prominence to the reportage of the election, in spite of issues as fuel scarcity and insecurity which also

competed for attention.

The study made use of three national newspapers including The Punch Newspaper, Vanguard Newspaper and The Sun Newspaper that gave a lot of prominence in the reportage

of the 2015 presidential election. is the highest election and perhaps a major nucleus for other issues (both good and bad) on the land, then it can only be given the greatest prominence,” the study revealed.

Stakeholders advocate self-sufficiency in rice production represented by the Permanent

By Nkiruka Nnorom

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ITH billions of naira spent annually on rice importation, stakeholders in the agriculture sector have called for concerted actions to boost local capacity to reduce the import of the commodity and also preserve Nigeria’s foreign exchange.

Rising from a 3-day Lagos Rice Fair, which held from September 17-19, 2015, participants were unanimous about the huge opportunities that existed in the rice value chain which had the potential to stimulate growth of locally produced rice.

Declaring the fair open, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State said the setting up of Imota Rice Processing Mill at Ikorodu, one of Nigeria’s largest rice mills, is one of the initiatives of the state towards advancing local production and processing of rice.

The governor, who was

Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Dr. Olajide Basorun, said the state would work with stakeholders to curb the importation of rice, while creating improved linkages among rice value chain actors.

He said the event came at the most auspicious time as, according to him, stimulating effective demand is critical to increase local production and competitiveness of Nigerian rice.

Busuyi Okeowo, Senior Intervention Manager for DFID funded project, Growth and Employment in States (GEMS4), highlighted opportunities in the industry to include wholesale and retail distribution; packaging of Nigerian rice into smaller units as well as trade financing from banks.

He said the stimulation of market system changes would encourage growth and access, resulting in the creation of 10,000 new jobs and increased incomes for over 500,000 people, especially the poor and women in the rice value chain.

Firm plans large-scale potato farming in Jos

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

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OS—TO make farming appealing to youths in Plateau State and create employment opportunity for them, a group of potato farmers, Vicampro Agrochemical Company, is set to embark on large scale potato farming and processing in the state.

The company will also engage in providing high tech input supplies to the industry in terms of equipment leasing and hire as well as provide storage and processing facilities with the capacity to store 12 metric tons of potatoes and process two tons per hour.

Disclosing the steps taken so far to realize the plans, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, of the company, Engr. Michael Agbogo, stated that Nigeria has what it takes to be the leading potato producer in Africa ahead of Egypt, who is currently the largest potato producing country in Africa.

Agbogo lamented the country’s over-dependence on oil, stressing “the need for food overrides the need for energy, we need to diversify our economy and get serious with agriculture because as the population of the world increases, food and water would become scarce.”

HAJJ: Zamfara people lament absence of governance

By Salisu Maradun

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USAU—THE people of Zamfara State have expressed sadness over lack of governance created by the absence of the governor, his deputy, chief judge, speaker of the House of Assembly and other principal staff in the state who had all gone on a pilgrimage to Mecca.

Also out of the state to the holy land is the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, and permanent secretaries.

Investigation by Vanguard yesterday revealed that civil servants’ hopes of receiving their salaries to enable them prepare for the Muslim festival had been quashed b y the absence of key government figures in the state.

Those who spoke to Vanguard in Gusau, expressed sadness over the situation.

40—Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

ISLAND CLUB: Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule (left), being welcomed by Chairman, Island Club, Mr. Dipo Okpeseyi (right) to the club's maiden Public Interest Symposium Series on Nigeria's War on Terror: How to Fight and Win, in Lagos.

PLATEAU GOV: From left— Chief Sam Ayamele of the IBB Golf Club, Minna; Chairman, Millennium Development Goals, Plateau State, Mr. Sam Damla; Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State; and his wife, Farida, at Lamingo Golf tournament, Jos, to the governor's 100 days in office.

ALCATEL: From left—Area Director, Africa, Alcatel Onetouch, Julien Fouriot; Managing Director,TD Mobile, Gozy Ijogun; Regional Director, Nick Imudia, and Senior Area Marketing Manager for Africa, Kath Smith, both of Alcatel Onetouch, during its launch in Nigeria. PHOTO: Akeem Salau.

From left— Chief Operating Officer, Oando Marketing Plc, Mrs. Olaposi Williams; Aro of Ipetumodu, Chief Rufus Oladele O n i f a d e ; Agbaakin of Ipetumodu, Chief A k i n l o y e Olarewaju; Iyaloja Roundabout of Ipetumodu, Mrs. Grace Oyatomi, and Head, LPG Oando Marketing Plc, Ganiyu Azeez, at the unveiling of O-Gas usage initiative at Osu, Osun State.

HONOUR: Outgoing FOC, Oghara Naval Logistics Command, Rear Admiral Obiekwe Ozojiofor, inspecting the Guard of the Honour af the handing over ceremony.

CAPACITY BUILDING: From left—Acting Director, Development Finance, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Dr. Olaitan Adeola; Head of Operations, Anglophone West Africa, Ms Eno-Obong Edet; and MD/CEO, Paul Malherbe, both of African Management Services Company, AMSCO, at AMSCO/NPC day on Accelerating Entreprise Competitiveness and Growth in Nigeria; Building Capacity for Sustainable Development, in Lagos. PHOTO: Akeem Salau.

PILGRIMS: From left— Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume; Senator Gbenga Ashafa and Senator Ali Wakil, Senate delegation to Hajj at MiqautMedina, Saudi Arabia, on their way to Mecca.

HAJJ: From left—Manager, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, MAKIA, Gambo Aboki; Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mr. Saleh Dunoma; Regional General Manager, MAKIA, Zakari Mamuda; and the Hajj/Cargo Terminal Manager, Hajia Altine Hamza, during the airlifting of pilgrims to Mecca, in Kano.

O-GAS:

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015—41

Boy, 6, seeks N3.5m to save his eyesight

By Michael Eboh

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IX-YEAR-OLD Joshua Takon is partially blind. His right eye has lost total function, while the left eye is severely threatened. His parents are desperately seeking help to raise money for a crucial surgery that would save him from going completely blind.

Joshua who was diagnosed with cleft palate at childbirth, requires N3.5 million to undertake facial reconstruction surgery in India. This surgery will save his left eye.

His mother, Kate Takon Neji, who hails from Cross River State, was at Vanguard’s Abuja office to cry for help. She said four months after his birth, Joshua who was born with a “divided face”, underwent a surgical operation at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital to correct the anomaly, but few months afterwards, spots and pus appeared on his face.

Kate said her son underwent a second surgery in 2011 at the General Hospital in Asokoro, Abuja. It was not successful.

“We had to return to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital. Water and whitish substances still gush from the only functional eye and this is a major challenge for him at school. He finds it very difficult to look at the chalkboard.

“It was from there that we were referred to Primus International Super Specialty Hospital in Abuja, which referred us to their branch in India.

“We were told by the hospital that it would cost a minimum of $16,000, about N3.5 million, for both medical, transport and other expenses for the trip to India. I am a seamstress while my husband is a small-scale cocoa farmer. All our earnings and life savings went into the first two surgeries.

My husband even had to dispose of his land to meet up,” she said.

Kate said the family spent N870,000 and N500,000 for the first and second surgeries respectively and have been spending huge sums of money on drugs ever since.

She appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of the family and help save Joshua from losing his sight

Nigeria ready to produce anti-snake venom — NASIDI

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GOING BLIND: Joshua Takon. and his life, especially as the situation is making it difficult for him to breathe properly.

A breakdown of the cost as provided in a letter from Primus Hospital, showed that approximately $10,000 is required for the treatment; $3,500 for air ticket (return) for two to India and $2,500 for accommodation and other incidental expenses.

Donations to save Joshua’s eyesight can be paid into Ecobank Account No. 5341006154, Account Name: Takon Joshua Neji. For more details, call 08160641607.

IGERIA has the capacity and expertise to produce the anti-snake venom and is set to begin production once approval is given.

The Chief Executive Officer , Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, Prof. Abdulsalami Nasidi, says local production would bridge the gap expected to be created after Wyeth ceases production of commercial Micrurus fulvius antivenom in the country by October 2015.

Nasidi said the snake anti venom is presently produced by Echi TAB in collaboration with UK and Costa Rica but that it was championed by Echi TAB and the Nigerian study group.

About $3-5 million is needed to undertake studies needed to get approval by theFood and Drug Administration.

Nasidi explaqins that Nigeria/UK will rise to the challenge and fill the gap created by the suspension of the antisnake venom by Wyeth once investments are to have it approved.

"It's ridiculous that we're losing a technology that we already have. It's even more ludicrous that we have a product that's available, and we have to jump through so many hoops to get it approved," says Joe Pittman, a snakebite treatment specialist at the Florida Poison Information Center in Tampa.

Moves have been on since July 2009, to raise the estimated $3 million to $5 million required for the studies.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

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We don’t have a choice in the matter. That is how our species is designed to survive on this planet. So men must be seduced. Women must get pregnant and babies must be born. Your sexual urges were predetermined millions of years ago.

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Not too big but big enough. If it vibrates, that will be okay too – Cindy The Jelly Chocolate Dream fits that description so I recommend it. There is also another version of it with a suction base that enables you to stick it to a bathroom wall or floor. It is called the Jelly Chocolate Wall Banger – Uche I have a similar problem. At 56 years, my erection is so soft that sex is impossible. It has been that way for two and a half years now. I want help but I am diabetic. I don’t know if anything can be done. Thanks – Chukwuemeka There are drugs for erectile dysfunction which can be used by diabetics. Libigrow is a good example and very effective too – Uche Please do you have Rhino enhancer? If you do, please how can I get it? I have heard so much about it. I am in Uyo – Festus Yes we do. Rhino 7 is available and can be delivered to you in Uyo or wherever you choose – Uche I just tested the Gladiator Cream. It took a while for me to climax. For some reason, I couldn’t believe that it can help me with premature ejaculation but it is working.

Thanks – Bukola You are welcome – Uche And that is it for today. Adults in need of these treatments/ novelties can call 08171912551, 08027901621 or 07086754515 for help or visit www.zeevirtualmedia.com Zee Virtual Media delivers all over Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com- Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

42—Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

Phase3 to increase investment on infrastructure for network expansion Stories by Emeka Aginam

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NDEPENDENT FIBRE optic infrastructure and telecommunications services provider, Phase3 Telecom has said it will deepen investment on

infrastructure to extend its reach, increase efficiency, scale up resilience and adaptability for efficient network services while offering solutions that will amplify the operations of its clients across the West African sub-region.

The Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr

Glo partners Konga, customers to enjoy exciting benefits

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IGERIA’S FULLY integrated telecom network, Globacom, has opened a new online store in partnership with the country’s largest online mall, Konga.com. The online shop located at www.konga.com/gloworld will feature a wide range of devices including Modems, Routers, Sim Cards, Dongles, MiFi modems, power banks, memory cards, phones, tablets and computers at incredibly low prices and with the guarantee of fast nationwide delivery.

Apart from these, Globacom also has a dedicated store on Konga’s marketplace which will provide a wider opportunity for Nigeria’s online community to access Globacom products.

The partnership between Glo and Konga will also feature a promotional campaign tagged the ‘Glo with Happiness’ campaign, which will open up a new range of benefits to customers of the two companies over the coming weeks.

Shoppers on the online shop will enjoy a special treat of up to 4.5GB of free data on their new devices and a further 100% bonus data for subsequent subscriptions made on the devices for a whole year, courtesy of Globacom.

As part of the deal, Glo is offering a ‘Recharge and Win’ promo in which all subscribers on the Globacom network stand to enjoy discounts off their first purchases on Konga.

Globacom said that for customers to win in this promo, they simply need to recharge their phones with airtime of N1,000 or more and they will get a discount code immediately, which gives them N1,000 off their first order on konga.com.

Globacom’s Regional C M Y K

Chief Marketing Officer, Mr Ashok Israni, said the company entered into the partnership with Konga to extend its reach to the online community in tandem with its tradition of bringing its products and services closer to all its subscribers.

“We are in a connected era where people relish the convenience of placing orders for products and services of their choice from the comfort of their immediate environment.

This is the additional value the partnership with Konga will offer Globacom subscribers,” said Israni.

Stanley Jegede said the firm will continue to invest on robust network to enable the firm extend its reach as the IT world migrates to the new era of internet of things (IoT).

“As more clients that ride on Phase3 network take advantage of the Internet of Things to deliver efficiency in their areas of business; it is very important for us to continue to extend reach as well as adopt the best technology and resource to make our network more secure, resilient and adaptive.

Without this, the network will be largely exposed to incessant point of failure with fatal impact on the client and huge cost in millions on downtime.”, he said.

Jegede added that the focus of Phase3 in the coming months; is not just to drive a network of infrastructure that connects people but to be the frontrunner in scaling a network that helps grow economies and effectively support technological innovations that expand the world and make it better in all sectors.

Group decries attack, slams SON’s policy

By Starrys Obazei

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HUMAN rights organization Alliance Against Monopoly, AAM, has decried what it termed the spate of orchestrated onslaught on its image and integrity. These attacks, which have escalated in the past few days, the organization claimed, are intended to misrepresent it and impose on it phantom officers and activities that are alien to it.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, the President of AAM, Mazi Omife Omife specifically referred to stories in some newspapers on September 11, 2015, captioned “SON Under Fire Over Policies.”

Omife opined that “these apparently sponsored stories were conceived to hoodwink and mislead the unsuspecting public.”

He stated that, contrary to erroneous impression created, AAM did not at any time, in the recent past, indicate that it would hold demonstration in any part of the country.

Omife categorically denied that a certain Mr. Mohammed Aliu Usman as reported in the said story was a member of AAM or its Publicity Secretary.

He alleged that those who created the nonexistent Mr. Mohammed Aliu Usman were the same people who have consistently spinned the lie that AAM was either fronting for a multinational in the construction industry.

Omife restated that members of AAM would remain committed to their constitutional duties to seek the welfare of fellow citizens òf Nigeria and shall continue to denounce the cement standardization and pigmentation policy of the Standard Organization of Nigeria as illegal, antipeople and calculated to send Nigerians to avoidable economic servitude.

AAM, Omife assured, will continue to support every well meaning move by those in authority to entrench best practices in the construction sector.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2015—43

Gov Ikpeazu laments condition of federal roads in Abia

By Anayo Okoli

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Pilgrims from all over the world on the Mount of Arafat , Saudi Arabia, as part of 2015 Hajj pilgrimage. Photo Lamidi Bamidele from Saudi Arabia

FRAUD: Female docs raise alarm over alleged duping of medical association

By Peter Okutu

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BAKALIKI— MEDICAL Women Association of Nigeria, MWAN, an umbrella body of female doctors, Ebonyi State branch, yesterday, raised alarm over an alleged duping of the association was by fraudsters.

President of the association,

Dr. Thecla Ezeonu, who disclosed this at Ndiebor Ishieke Community Primary School, Abakaliki, during inauguration of projects in the school constructed by the association, further explained that the suspected fraudsters came by the name ‘Water and Horticulture Development’ and defrauded the union under the guise of executing projects for it.

She said: “In the course of these projects, we got into the hands of fraudsters by the name, 'Water and Horticulture Development' said to be managed by Community Borehole Development assistance programme and Nigerian Houses and Environment Sanitation and Protection programme led by one Dominic Essien.

“They flaunted papers and dossiers, and claimed to be affiliated to the Federal Ministry of Works and took our money and abandoned the projects.

“We picked up our broken bones and set to work again and we were able to put in place what you see today, within our limited resources.”

MUAHIA—ABIA State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has called on the Federal Government to look into the poor state of federal roads in the state with a view to fixing them, saying the condition of roads have become a big problem to the people.

The governor, who spoke while inspecting the progress of work on road projects embarked upon by his government in Abia North senatorial zone lamented the deplorable state of the UmuahiaOhafia - Arochukwu federal road.

According to him, the rehabilitation of the road would give inhabitants of the area great reprieve as well as attract investment to the area.

Ikpeazu noted that Arochukwu boasts of large deposits of limestone which could be tapped to enhance the economy of the state and the nation.

Media, critical allies in national devt — Adeshina

By Chris Onuoha

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PECIAL ADVISER to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adeshina, has assured the media of a cordial relationship with the present administration.

Adeshina said this at the presentation of the first two volumes of a book entitled, 'Nigerian Media Leaders: Voices beyond the Newsroom,' authored by Mr. Richard Ikiebe, held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.

According to him, the Buhari administration recognised the media as an ally and a critical partner in nation building.

He said: “The former military ruler, who had enacted Decree 4, meant to gag the press in the performance of its legitimate duties, is now a converted democrat, and champion of freedom of that same press, seeing

the institution as a vital building block in national development.

P r e s i d e n t Muhammadu Buhari, has turned full circle to see the media as allies, critical partners in the quest to building a new Nigeria, a country that can hold its head high in the comity of nations.

“The Nigerian media has always played critical roles at different epochs in the history of the country. We can recall the roles played

by Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Ernest Ikoli, Anthony Enahoro, Mokwugo Okoye, and many others, in the march towards political independence, using the instrumentality of the media,” Adeshina added.

Reiterating the President’s resolve of ensuring press freedom, he appealed to media practitioners to be constructive in their criticisms.

He said: “This

government would appreciate such constructive criticisms, and so does not seek a media that is in bed with officialdom, but desires one that is a partner, not a foresworn adversary.”

In his remarks, chairman of the occasion, Chief Ajibola O g u n s h o l a , commended the author for writing a book that covers 50 years of journalism practice in Nigeria.

Ogunshola said: “Richard has given us template for media practice to follow with examples in the volume 1 and 2.

"Other volumes of the book to come, will be dedicated to media scholars and primary stakeholders in the industry.”

On his part, Vice Chancellor, Pan Atlantic University, Prof. Juan Elegido, urged that efforts should be put on professional practice in journalism which, according to him,

perhaps, from 40 years from now, people will be talking about the impact of the book.

Media icons present include, former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba; Publisher, Vanguard Newspapers, Sam Amuka; Chief Ajibola Ogunshola, Dr. Doyin Abiola, former chairman of the defunct Concord Newspapers; Publisher New Nigerian Newspapers, Haruna Muhammed; Publisher, BusinessDay Newspapers, Frank Aigbogun; General Manager/Editor-inChief, Vanguard, Gbenga Adefaye; Ray Ekpu, Sonny and Betty Irabor.

Others were National Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Prof. Juan Elegido, Vice Chancellor, PanAtlantic University; Vincent Maduka; Christopher Kolade and Clem Baiye.

44 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

MUSON 2015 celebrates 32 years success story

By Chris Onuoha RT lovers, especially mu sic enthusiasts will be treated to the best of quality music and performances as Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) 2015 Festival opens with the celebration of its 32 years success.

This year’s festival which has an inward approach that looks back at MUSON’s growth is tagged, “Celebrating the School of Music – Arts through Young Nigerian Eyes” and venue remains its traditional base, MUSON centre, Onikan, Lagos from October 14 running to 25.

This was disclosed recently by the MUSON 2015 organisers led by the Vice Chairman, MUSON, Louis Mbanefo (SAN); Mr. Kitoyi Ibare Akisan, chairman Festival Planning Committee; Gboyega Banjo, General Manager MUSON; Marion Akpata, Francesca Emmanuel, Chief Femi Adeniyi Williams; Uche Nwokedi; Tunde Jegede and Sara Boulus of Society of Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN).

This year’s festival will begin with a performance by the se-

A

lected finalists of the talent hunt Musiquest/Youth Concert and Award on October 14, followed by “My Kind of Music” on the 15th featuring special personality programme where a selected cast of eminent people will discuss their preferred favourite music and how it relates to their personal life, belief and philosophies.

Other features which fall in line with MUSON exclusive creativity are the ageless musical play-”Jesus Christ the Su-

This year's festival is specially dedicated to celebrate the milestone achievements and contributions MUSON has made to the Nigerian music circle since its inception in 1969

* L-R. Mr Uche Nwokedi, Arch. Kitoyi Ibare-Akinsan, Mr Louis Mbanefo, Mrs Francesca Emanuel and Femi Adeniyi-Williams at the MUSON briefing per Star” created by Andrew Lloyd Weber, produced by Uche Nwokedi and will be performed

by Playhouse Initiative, a group notable for their formidable act, while ‘Kakadu the Musical’, will take place on Friday 16 and Saturday 17.

On Sunday 18, classical enthusiasts will have a feel of their best as MUSON features a Symphony Orchestra conducted by a German Visiting Conductor, Walter Michael Vollhart.

Monday 19 will herald a new introduction featuring MUSON Diploma School Festival Recital

by Student artists drawn from the school.

Lovers of jazz will also be having their “Jazz Night” on Friday 23 featuring individual and group acts infusing broad repertoire of jazz – popular and old school rhythms in jazz idioms. These are; The School Big Band, The Jazz Quintet led by jazz trumpeter, Ubong Etuk, The School Jazz Band, The Girlz Rule Band-group of six females, while Ranti Ihimoyan and Phillip Uzo will feature as solo acts.

Society of Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN) will also perform a dance concert titled “The Gathering” on Oct 24 featuring dance studios across

National Museum marks 70, with iconic exhibition

By Elizabeth Uwandu

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N the spirit of ‘time and mood’of the new government of President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Commission for Museums and Monuments is set to re-strategize its operations to make the Commission one of the tourists’ attractions in Nigeria.

The Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Yusuf Usman made the submission during the briefing to officially kick start the Commission’s 70th Anniversary celebration in Lagos .

Addressing the media, Usman pointed out that the anniversary will serve many objectives which includes to bring the attention of Nigerians to the import of 70 years journey of museum in Nigeria, enhance public awareness on the importance of the organisation to Nigeria’s history, cultural heritage and national development, acquaint all of the achievements so far among oth-

ers.

He stated that the essence would aim at enhancing Museum activities especially on areas of conservation, preservation, presentation, promotion, research and exhibition.

Abdallah who noted that 70 years of existence in the life of any organisation “is worthy of celebration” stated that it was pertinent for the commission to partner with international counterparts to boost activities, patronage and standard of the museums. This he said, “ will also serve as opportunity for cultural integration and exchange between one country and the others. “ According to him, the commission will foster greater cooperation with some international museums such as West African Council of Museum Programme (WAMP), African Council of Museum Programme (AFRICOM), International Council of Museum (ICOM) and International Council of Museums, Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).

Abdallah said that the inter-

Mallam Yusuf national partnership would enhance relationship within the two African countries and open the nation’s enormous tourism, monuments, culture and museums potential to the world.

The Director-General further explained that despite the challenges from other recreational and entertainment outfits, the organisation was doing everything possible to remain rel-

evant in the society.

On the stolen artworks,Usman reiterated that his organisation was not relenting on ensuring the repatriation or at the least, drawing benefits from the nation’s stolen and plundered cultural properties around the world.

Continuing he stated that the celebration will feature an exhibition of 70 iconic objects drawn from all Nigerian art traditions from Dufunu, to Nok, to Ejagham, to Calabar, Igbo Ukwu to Efe and other living arts of Nigeria. The exhibition will illustrate the journey of museum movement bring out the similarities in our differences thereby promoting national unity.

Publications on museums, monuments and other heritage sites of Nigeria as well as research journal on museum at 70, art competion involving school children at National museum Esie to promote art appreciation and a gala nite to honour and appreciate friends, benefactors, mentors and staff in Abuja.

Lagos.

The climax will be MUSON Day Concert and Cocktail which coincides with the closing Choral Concepts billed to end the entire festival on October 25. This spectacular show will have MUSON Choir perform Gilbert and Sullivan’s riveting opera “Pirates of Penzance, conducted by Emeka Nwokedi.

Down the memory lane, Chairman, 2015 Festival Planning committee of the festival, Mr. Kitoyi Ibare Akinsan, said that this year’s festival is specially dedicated to celebrate the milestone achievements and contributions Muson has made to the Nigerian music circle since its inception in 1969 as basic School, to the present Diploma awarding status.

Classical music Vice Chairman, MUSON, Louis Mbanefo (SAN)said that MUSON has been able to achieve its objectives of promoting understanding and enjoyment of classical music through high caliber performances and developing a school of music to provide musical education in the theory and performance in Nigeria since its inception.

The General Manager, Gboyega Banjo while adding to the speech said that looking at MUSON’s milestone, it is really nice to showcase works that has grown proverbially “from tiny acorn in 1989 to mighty tree of 2015”. He said that the basic school has given countless children and adults, most of whom had no plan of making music a career, but have become stars for our concert and festivals.

“It is difficult to think of an area of music that has not been dominated by the products of MUSON School,” he added.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015 — 45

Wisdom, understanding, greatness in Akande’s Memorable Quotes

By Josephine Agbonkhese

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HEN in search of sagely sayings, enriched with wisdom, sound knowledge, edifying truths and instructive messages among others which could make life more meaningful and challenging, the book, ‘Memorable Quotes’ by Mr. Adam Babatunde Akande, retired diplomat and elder statesman, becomes one among others.

Akande’s ‘Memorable Quotes’ is a compilation of over 5,000 witty sayings from philosophers, social crusaders, clerics, sages, great politicians, professionals, academics, leaders, saints, and great teachers among others.

Painstakingly put together by the author to provide sound moral teaching and instructions to readers, Akande’s ‘quotes’ are probing and challenging.

Akande’s book of memorable quotes is segmented into phases, based on the issues of life being illuminated. These segments include: God and religion, life and death, ambition and enthusiasm, appreciation, character, charity and kindness, family, courage, freedom, justice and judgment, friendship, growth, growing youth, happiness, knowledge and education, among others.

The segments are presented in chapters and in each of these chapters, there are at least hundred memorable quotes to illuminate the idea(s) chosen.

Relationships with humans In Chapter one for instance, God and Religion are given significant illumination with quotes that are quite enlightening, enlivening and pondering.

To grasp a deeper understanding of the nature of God, His relationship with humans and how humans could relate better with Him among others, quotes are drawn from many great books of religion, leadership, philosophy, politics as written by poets, sages such as Plato, Aristotle, great leaders and philosophers, scientists, writers, clerics, and academics among others. So also are probing quotes presented to explain the concept of religion to mankind.

Here is a taste of some

his reader get a grasp of such concepts as appreciation, courage, happiness, truth, family, justice, judgement, charity, kindness, and friendship and such like. His quotes here make the reader fully understand these virtues as part of what make life meaningful, joyous and challenging.

With the quotes presented to explain the concepts, the reader is encouraged to cherish his life and make it more beautiful, eventful and Memorable Quotes; Adamenjoyable by observing Babatunde Akande; Deepfontthe moral and spiritual inLimited, Lagos.; 2014 structions passed across through the quotes. of them: “They, who love Hence: “ A truth that is God with all their hearts, told with bad intent, beats find that His ways are all the lies you can inways of pleasantness, vent-William Blake. and all His paths are From chapters thirteen peace. Such joys, such to thirty, weightier issues brim-full delights, such and ideas of life such overflowing blessedness love, power, sex, leaderdo the saints discover in ship, nature, peace and their Lord-C.H Spurgeon conflicts, women and “ beauty, race, truth and And another: “We lies, wealth, success, povshould speak to God from erty and wisdom among our own hearts and talk others are given generto Him as a child talks to ous attention with quotes his father-C.H Spurgeon that expatriate on them, In Chapter two, thus; “ when a man’s Akande unearths the conknowledge is not in orcept of life and death so der, the more knowledge deeply that the reader he has the greater will be would be awed on discovhis confusion-Herbert ering the purposes of life Spencer.” and the significance of “Knowledge by itself the inevitability of death. does not give understandA few of the quotes would ing. Nor is understandhelp throw light into this ing increased by increase assertion: of knowledge alone. Un“Your life is like a book, the title is your name, the derstanding depends preface your introduction upon the relation of to the world. The pages knowledge to being. Unare a daily record of your derstanding is the resultefforts, trials, pleasures, ant of knowledge and discouragement and being.” achievements, day by According to Akande, day, your thoughts and the desire to hand out acts are being inscribed enduring and edifying in your book of life.” values made him to comFrom chapters four to twelve, Akande makes pile the quotes.

Ex-PMAN president mounts stage on Sobe Day

E

X PMAN President Admiral Dele Abiodun will mount the stage at the gala and awards night of this year’s Sobe Day celebration holding at St Eugene’s Play Ground, Sobe in Owan-West Local government area of Edo State on Saturday September 26.

A statement by the chairman Organizing Committee of the anniversary, Dr. Funsho Osoro said the week-long event that featured football competition, free medical services, folk tales, cultural performances, youths’ night and beauty pageant is an annual event organised to unite all sons and daughters of Sobe, especially those in the Diaspora for the development of the town.

The event, which was initiated in 1991 to commemorate the merger of Sobe with its kiths and kin in Edo State, has evolved into a Christmas of a sort for the indigenes. Chair person of this year’s celebration is US based academic Dr Mrs Kate Obasuyi (nee Addo).

46—Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 15 24,, 20 2015

10 YEARS AFTER: Chima Ubani, Tunji Oyeleru live on

By Joe Ajaero

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ITHIN this period 10 years ago, precisely September, 2005, Nigerian workers with the active collaboration of the Civil society movement in Nigeria on the platform of Labour and Civil Society Coalition, LASCO, waged a struggle against the obnoxious and high-handed leadership which the government of day inflicted on the nation as it mindlessly pursued un-ending hiking of prices of petroleum products in the country.

The spectre of the looming impoverishment of the citizenry propelled NLC to join forces to stop the government from the trajectory it had chosen for itself against Nigerian people.

Chima Ubani, was one of the central figures of that struggle.

He was the ideologue of that struggle, its philosopher king and the driving force behind its eventual successful execution.

It was that struggle that took his life in his prime. He died on his way from Maiduguri in a ghastly motor accident that claimed his life and that of Mr. Tunji Oyeleru; Deputy Photo Editor of Vanguard Newspapers.

Ubani was then Executive Director of the Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO, though he headed both the Joint Action Front, JAF, and LASCO. Chima Ubani gave up his life that Nigeria and Nigerians might be free from the organised rape and misrule that then pervaded the nation.

Imperialist ideals He died resisting the foisting of imperialist ideals and programmes upon the nation by pseudo-capitalists and comprador bourgeoisie that had taken over the reins of power.

He died in the saddle while orchestrating the groundswell for change in governance that we might be at the threshold of witnessing today.

Chima loved the masses and was truly unforgettable.

The NLC, Nigerian workers, and people will indeed not forget the sacrifices he made. We will never forget his immense contributions to debates and development of strategies to engage all the oppressors of the Nigerian people and the coercive instruments of the state.

His blood was shed for Nigeria and this has remained indelible throughout history.

Paradoxically, those presently in government who benefitted from his contributions in ridding Nigeria of the brutish military regimes, were the ones whose actions turned into the

Late Chima Ubani platform that prematurely took the life of comrade Ubani.

The same forces that Chima warned the movement about hijacked the popular democratic struggle and subverted the will of the majority, thus postponing the date this nation had booked with true revolution, constituted themselves into the new oppressor class and lorded it over the populace, eventually leading Chima to his untimely death.

He died a martyr of the continuous but internecine struggle between the people and the ruling elite in Nigeria, between the downtrodden masses and those occupying the corridors of power.

Chima was one of the few genuine patriots and heroes of our various struggles. You cannot talk of the June 12 struggle without remembering the leading roles played by this comrade; the students’ union struggle both in the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, where

As we mark this day, we want to call upon the federal government to raise a memorial in honour of these national heroes who paid the ultimate price in the pursuit of freedom for our nation

Late Tunji Oyeleru he studied, leading them as President and Nigeria felt his huge impact; the historic push against the various military occupations of our government cannot be recounted without the glorious tales of his exploits and the various engagements of the civil society with the dying days of the military in our politics and the creation of new path for understanding and relating with the new civilian democracy cannot fully be comprehended without his outstanding contributions.

Tunji Oyeleru, the first class photographer Tunji Oyeleru, the Vanguard Photojournalist who also lost his life in that same accident with Chima is remembered by us in Congress today.

He was a committed journalist who went all over the nation at the cost of his personal safety to bring those vivid, live pictures to the nation of events concerning the people and the working masses.

His great works bear testimony to his creativity and doggedness in his chosen career. We still miss him sorely in his beat!

Unfortunately, in our usual character as a nation, we have all seemingly forgotten this great son of Nigeria and his worthy effort to the establishment of the present democracy. We have forgotten that September 21, 2015 marked the 10 years anniversary of his death on bad roads that the Nigerian state has refused to maintain.

We have all forgotten Mrs Ochuwa Ubani and her little children: wonderful people that Comrade Chima Ubani left behind; we have not remembered to visit Pa Ubani before he succumbed to the cold hands of death recently, mourning the departure of his gift to the nation. That is the crisis and dy-

namics of the struggle in Nigeria where we celebrate only those who have looted our national patrimony with impunity and elevate men and women with questionable wealth to levels of demi-gods.

National honours: However, we in the NLC remember Chimaobi Enyinna Ubani as well as Oyeleru family. We remember Chima and Tunji like yesterday and their words, admonitions and passion have all guided our paths even in the midst of our own struggles.

Their courage in the face of mounting opposition and the zeal with which they confronted all obstacles facing the nation encourages us even today and has become a signpost to most of us who knew and worked with them closely.

As we mark this day, we want to call upon the Federal Government to raise a memorial in honour of these national heroes who paid the ultimate price in the pursuit of freedom for our nation.

Pursuit of freedom A national honour for Chima and Oyeleru is recognition of the importance of the democracy that we practice today; it is a testimony that will build patriotism and encourage others to lay down their lives for this nation and an acknowledgment of the place of courage and selflessness in national service.

To this end, the NLC calls on President Muhammadu Buhari, to change the name of the Eagle Square, Abuja to Chima Ubani square.

This will make more sense, add value and create more significance for that edifice as a rallying point for the peoples of this nation so that next May Day will be celebrated at Chima

Ubani Square, Abuja. There is no other better face of anti-corruption than the face of Chima Ubani. The President will therefore bring to the fore the seriousness with which he views his anti-corruption stance if he takes this bold step today in honour of this dead son of the nation.

Similar honour should be extended to Oyeleru.

We also call upon the Government and peoples of Abia State; Chima’s home state to rise in recognition of their fallen, worthy ambassador and raise a befitting memorial in his honour. We call on those who had made pledges to Chima’s family and are yet to fulfil them to use this 10th year anniversary of his demise to redeem and honour those pledges. Let us visit this family with kindness and renew our ties with them as it is not a crime to be corrupt free.

His death will be in vain if Nigerians do not learn from his life and sacrifices. We must all learn that oppression will not go away unchallenged and that exploitation and violence hurts the exploiter, the exploited and the violated including the society in the long-run.

Social exploitation He taught us through his life that it takes men of courage and integrity to confront the evil of social exploitation and misrule and that we need not be corrupt before we become national heroes.

His exemplary life also taught us that the honest, sincere and determined voice of one man or a few raised with passion on the side of the people is capable of causing a great change and defeating evil. This is an eternal lesson for all Nigerians desiring to make this nation a better place and this includes members of the movement, CSOs and politicians.

Chima! It has been 10 years already and it still feels like yesterday when you left us on that fateful day on your way to yet another march against the state in their unrepentant penchant for plundering the nation and impoverishing the people.

We remember how we all waited most anxiously for you to open your eyes after the clash and beckon to us again but it never came and it slowly dawned on us that you were gone never to be with us again physically in the trenches. Ajaero is factional President, Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC.

Vanguard,THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015—47

Ex-PPMC staff seeks EFFC's help over unpaid benefits •Says I am a victim of my uprightness

By Victor Ahiuma-young

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FORMER staff of the Petroleum Products Marketing Company, PPMC, Mr. Theophilus Igweshi, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged refusal of the management to pay his entitlements totaling N15,959,582.00 and $63,650.00 respectively.

The former employee, who alleged he was being denied his benefits because of his uprightness, prayed the antigraft agency to among others, “investigate and recover my money from the management of PPMC which are unlawfully being withheld because I refused to partake in fraudulent deals and to prevail on the management of PPMC to not only pay me my full entitlements worked on MT TUMA, but also to compel it to return me back to my duty post on the vessel because I did not resign my appointment and never received a query for any offence since my employment with the organization.”

Igweshi who claimed since 2002 till 2008, when his ordeal started, he was never queried or punished for any wrong doing.

No action by EFCC: The petitioner lamented that since 2012 when he first sent his petition to the EFCC dated April 10, and was received on April 12, 2012, he had written two reminders (on August 29, 2014 and August 17, 2015), which the

Commission acknowledged, no action had been taken by the Commission.

Igweshi called on the antigraft agency to look into his petition with dispatch and prevail on the management of PPMC to right the wrongs done to him, because he had been passing through untold hardship and finding it difficult to meet his obligations to his family and other defendants.

Refusal to sign forged waybill: The petition reads in part “I am an employee of Pipelines and Products Marketing Company Ltd (PPMC) since 2002 and I am being denied of my earnings worked on board MT Tuma

*Ibrahim Lamorde, EFCC boss

*Theophilous Igweshi

(NNPC owned Vessel), since January 2009 due to my refusal in November 2008 to sign a fraudulent and forged waybill of provision purported to have been supplied to MT Tuma in 2007, in Lagos outside bar but which were never supplied to the vessel.

fraudulent waybill in a memo dated 14/11/2008. This was followed by threats, harassment and intimidation by the management, including the captain of the vessel (a Greek national), who was later sacked

by PPMC management to cover up millions of US dollar frauds committed under the guise of dry-docking of the vessel since December 2007. My health deteriorated and I eventually developed hypertension.”

Withholding of benefits: He lamented that “two months after I refused to sign the forged waybill, the PPMC management sent me an unsigned letter dated January 20, 2009, informing me that they would deduct and withhold my overtime, arrears of wages and my dry-docking allowance totaling N1,132,404.62 (One Million, One hundred and four Naira, sixty two kobo) and that I was not entitled to overtime.

"In my contract letter of employment dated February 11, 2002 and renewed on February

Delivery waybill

I had submitted several letters to the management of PPMC asking for the payment of my wages, overtime and drydocking allowances to no avail

The waybill was aimed at defrauding the NNPC of N6, 091,472.00 (six million, ninety one thousand, and four hundred and seventy-two Naira). Deputy Manager MTD), Supervisor, MT Tuma, and Manager, MTD (names withheld) had in a memo dated 20/10/2008 asked me to sign the delivery waybill even though they knew it was fraudulent, forged and never supplied to the vessel and that the Audit Department had suspected and queried it.

"I informed my manager in writing why I could not sign the

8, 2006, it was clearly defined and documented that I was entitled to overtime payments on board, just like every other crew member on Nigerian Payroll. I have been mandated by PPMC management to work overtime and have been so paid since 2002 when I was employed. Also there had not been any new contract signed between me and PPMC to the contrary prior to the date of receiving the un-signed letter in Brazil. Among other entitlements stated in my contract agreement with PPMC Ltd, are dry-docking allowances and free medical services, which they have withheld since I refused to do fraud with them.”

Petition to NIMASA I had submitted several letters to the management of PPMC asking for the payment of my wages, overtime and drydocking allowances to no avail.

In August 2009, I petitioned the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency, NIMASA, asking for its intervention. Then on July 1, 2010, NIMASA invited PPMC representatives for a meeting in the agency’s office to reconcile the matter. The PPMC officials failed to turn up only to later claim in a telephone conversation that I had taken the matter to court, an allegation that is not only untrue but fabricated to confuse and frustrate any good intensions by NIMASA to address the issue.”

Efforts to reach the management of PPMC for comments were abortive.

No official of PPMC was willing to speak on the issue at the time of this report.

Unpaid pension: Military Pensions Board raises ex-servicemen’s hope

By Kingsley Omonobi

T

HE Military Pension Board, MPB, has given hope to retired military personnel who have been restive over the non-payment of the balance of their 20 per cent pension arrears since 2010 by the federal government.

Several ex-military officers including retired generals, colonels, and soldiers have been besieging the Army Officers Command Mess, Abuja, agitating over the unpaid benefits.

Chairman of MPB, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Rabe Dabo, while speaking at a one day Military Pensioners/ Stakeholders Interactive Session in Abuja, assured that the issue would soon be resolved.

The retired officers, at the event, had wondered why a sensitive constitutional matter like payment of pensions to senior citizens who sacrificed their youthful age to defend the territorial integrity of the nation in several theatres on battle, with some of them becoming disabled, was being toyed with by government.

This came even as the Defence Health Maintenance Limited, DHML, reiterated that all genuine retired military personnel, irrespective of ranks, were entitled to free Medicare on the platform of the Military Health Insurance Scheme, MHIS. Speaking with journalists at the forum, Dabo said “Much of the complaints from military pensioners have been about the issue of the 33 % or 53 % pension increment. The

government has approved 33 percent as a result of the increment of the salaries and wages in 2010. The arrears are what we are paying on a quarterly basis, but the balance of the 20 per cent remains an issue, which is what we are going to discuss in this meeting”.

Esteemed retirees Expressing happiness that representatives of the Salaries and Wages Commission were at the meeting, as part of those to interface with the pensioners, Dabo said, “They will tell us why the arrears is 33 % and not 53 % and the pensioners will hear from the horses’ mouth.

After this and other issues are discussed, I am sure we will be able to arrive at a common

understanding between the esteemed retirees and the various stakeholders.

“The constitution in section 173 states that whenever there is any increment in the salaries of the federal workers, the pension of the military retirees also needs to be increased. I didn’t say it should be increased by the same percentage. There is however, absolute necessity for that increment and the constitution also states that even if there is no increment of salaries, for every five years interval, the pension allowances should be reviewed.’’

On the verification of military pensioners which is scheduled to kick off from October 6, 2015, Dabo said the exercise which had not been conducted for the past three years would be done in a manner that would not

constitute a health hazard and stress to senior citizens and other retirees.

On the free Medicare for exmilitary personnel, Chief Executive Officer DHML, Surgeon Commodore Ahmed Abdullahi (rtd) disclosed that the premium of the health insurance is paid by the federal government to the hospitals every year had made provision for cost of treating ex-soldiers.

Explaining that DHML was established by the Federal Government and saddled with the responsibility of administering health insurance to members of the Nigerian Armed Forces including exservicemen, Abdullahi said, “In 2012, the Federal Executive Council brought the armed forces retirees under the scheme and made provisions for their health care”.

48—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 , 2015

submission to the will of Allah, goodness to one another and service to humanity as exhibited

by Prophet Ibrahim.

The governor expressed gratitude to religious leaders, traditional rulers, community leaders, trade unions and politicians and the entire people of the state for their prayers and love and for ensuring sustainable peace in the state.

“We must therefore use the eldel-kabir as another opportunity for us to reflect on the essence of sacrifice and humility as fulcrums for the promotion of harmonious relationship in our polity,” he said.

Kogi

VISIT: From left: Mr Dotun Olakunrin, Producer, 93 Days,Mrs Bolanle Austen-Peter, Mr Jide Idir, Danny Glover, American Actor, national leader, All Progerssives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Mr,Pemon Rami, Mr Steve Gakas, and Mrs Bimbo Akintola, during a visit to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in Lagos.

EID-EL-KABIR: Govs task Nigerians on peaceful

co-existence, prayer A

BUJA—STATE governors have called on all Muslims and Nigerians in general to imbibe the values of peaceful co-existence and pray for continued peace and tranquility in the nation especially in the North East.

In their various messages to celebrate this year’s Eid-elKabir, the governors argued that promotion of peace among diverse ethnic and religious groups in the country is very essential to national development and that they should use the opportunity of this year ’s festive season to demonstrate the essence of unity among the various ethnic groups that make up the country.

Lagos

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State in his Sallah message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said since Islam preaches the message of peace and tolerance, every Nigerian should embrace brotherly love and harmonious co-existence.

He also urged Muslim faithful to pray for continued peace and tranquility in the state and the nation, especially in the North East.

While urging Muslims to shun religious extremism, which according to him, is a challenging development for the country, Ambode described those who hide under the veil of religion to perpetrate terrorism as being ignorant to the teachings of Islam as nobody can fight for God. “You cannot fight to protect an authority that we owe our existence to or on behalf of one who is greater than the sum total of us.

“As we celebrate this auspicious occasion, therefore, let us renew our faith in our nation and implore the

Almighty Allah to restore to us those values that place high premium on human life, love of neighbour and sharing even as we ventilate our faith in the unity of our dear country and the possibility of her taking her proper place in the comity of nations”, the governor said.

Osun

The Governor of Osun State, Mr Rauf Aregebsola, observed that the nation must chart a new way in its system of governance for it to attain the greatness it deserves.

The governor, in a statement issued by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon also said that promotion of peace among diverse ethnic and religious groups in the country is very essential to development.

He stated that leaders as well as followers have a task to fulfil in building a strong and virile nation.

Quoting from the Qur ’an Chapter 2 verse 45, which say ‘Nay, seek Allah’s help with patience, perseverance and prayer...’ the governor called on all political and religious leaders across the country to use the festive period to supplicate to God for peace, progress and love among the people.

Edo

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State urged the Muslim Ummah to continue to join hands with government to move the state and the country to a greater height.

In his Eid-el-Kabir message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, the Governor said: “I congratulate the Muslim Ummah on this year’s Eid-El-Kabir, which has pleased Almighty Allah for us to be part of.

“I sincerely appeal to the

faithful to harness their thoughts and energies towards the development of Edo state and the country by joining hands with the State Government and our President, Muhammadu Buhari to help the Government realize its dream of a better state for all.

“In Edo State, I am proud to say the Muslim faithful are exemplars in exhibiting the true teachings of Islam which they practice in their daily dealings. I however appeal to the Muslim Community to continue to join hands with people of other faith to maintain the prevalent peace which has made our state the safest in the entire South-South region and one of the best investment destinations in the country."

Delta

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Aniagwu Ehiedu charged Muslims to embrace unity, use the opportunity of this year’s festive season to demonstrate the essence of unity among the various ethnic groups that make up the country.

“Religion is a binding cord which espouses unity with a forwardlooking resilience and every adherent who values his or her faith cannot afford to break from it”, the governor stated.

He reminded the Muslim faithful of the need to share whatever they have with their nieghbours as a mark of love in accordance with the injunctions of Prophet Muhammed.

The governor who noted that the current level of crime and violence in the society could be moderated if the haves are magnanimous enough to open their doors to the have-nots, said that there cannot be a more fitting time to reach-out to the less privileged than now.

While congratulating Muslims for this year ’s Eid –el Kabir celebration, he asked Muslim faithful to use the occasion to pray

for the new government and the recovery of the nation’s economy.

Sokoto

Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, in his message enjoined Nigerians to continue with their support for the government as it seeks to implement policies and programmes that will uplift the standard of living of the populace.

In his Sallah message issued in Sokoto, Governor Tambuwal said meaningful development could only be achieved in an atmosphere of peace and cooperation.

While praying for a hitch-free Sallah celebrations, Tambuwal said his administration will continue to lay emphasis on the resuscitation of key sectors as roads, transportation, agriculture, education, healthcare and youth/women employment.

This, according to him, becomes necessary so as to take Sokoto to a higher level.

The governor wished all Nigerians a happy sallah celebration.

Kwara

Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed has urged muslims to use the Eid-el-Kabir to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice, good neighbourliness and selfless service premised on the virtues of islam.

Governor Ahmed in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary to mark this year’s Eid-el-kabir festival, stressed that Nigerians must always work for the good of the country above personal or sectional interest.

Dr Ahmed charged muslims to appreciate the essence of Eidel-Kabir as a symbolic representation of total

Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State has called on Muslims and all Nigerians to eschew bitterness, embrace love and pursue peace with all men.

This was contained in his Sallah message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Jacob Edi. According to the statement, “Muslims should capitalise on the convivial spirit of the Sallah festival to pray for genuine peace, unity and progress of Nigeria and it’s leadership.”

Wada who also called on all indigenes of the state to pray for divine guidance in the conduct of the forthcoming Governorship poll in the State, cautioned against violence and other electoral malpractices during the poll.

“While I congratulate Muslims for witnessing and participating in this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival, I urge them to allow lessons of the season to continue to rule over their affairs long after the celebrations."

Wada also advised all road users to pay due attention to traffic rules and regulations.

Ondo

Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State has urged Muslims in the country to use the period of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration to reflect on their contribution as individuals to the project Nigeria and charged them to do more towards making the project work.

This was contained in his sallah message issued by the State’s Commissioner for Information, Hon. Kayode Akinmade in Akure yesterday.

He added that the nation at this time need the cooperation of all Nigerians to make things work.

While congratulating the Muslims for the Sallah festivities, the Governor enjoined all Nigerians in general to imbibe the spirit of tolerance, love and good neighborliness amongst themselves.

Ogun

Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has called on the Muslim community to imbibe the culture of the rule of law and selfless servicesothatNigeriacanemergeagreat nation.

He noted that through total obedience and selfless sacrifice, as demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim, the faithful would receive abundant blessings and favour from the almighty Allah.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015—49

Dangote promises schorlaship for physically challenged persons

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RESIDENT of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has expressed preparedness to award scholarships to physically-challenged persons who desired education.

He said his foundation, Dangote Foundation, will henceforth look into the areas of provision of assistance to the brilliant ones, who had interest in going to higher institutions but had one disability or the other that might impair them.

The business mogul gave this promise when he received in audience in his office Mr. Kayode Ogedengbe, a blind

man, who came to present his B.Sc. certificate to him, to formally inform him that he had finished his first degree sponsored by Dangote.

Dangote had spotted the potentials of Ogedengbe through Teens Empowerment and Salvage Initiative, TESI, a non-governmental organization, during a programme in Lagos and volunteered to fund his university education, after which Ogedengbe got admitted into University of Maiduguri, Borno State.

He stated that one of the

things the rich could do to impact the society positively was to help the physicallychallenged persons to realize their dreams, pointing out that everyone had one challenge or the other, even if not physical.

While thanking the business mogul for the good gesture, Ogedengbe enjoined other rich Nigerians to emulate Dangote and help lift physically-challenged persons with potentialities.

The Coordinator of TESI, Mrs. Chinasa JonathanOchei, who led Ogedengbe and his friends to Dangote,

thanked the businessman for committing part of his wealth to helping the physically challenged, noting that there were many more Ogedengbes with vast potentialities but without help to explore them.

In his remark, a patron of TESI, Professor Pat Utomi, said he could not thank Alhaji Dangote enough for his decision to visit TESI during which he spotted Ogedengbe and urged other wellmeaning Nigerians to come to the aid of the physicallychallenged ones.

VISIT—From left—Beneficiary, K a y o d e Ogedengbe, presenting the B.Sc Certificate to President, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote and Patron, Teens Empowerment and Salvage Initiative, TESI, Profesor Pat Utomi, during a thank-you visit in Lagos for sponsoring Ogedengbe to University of Maiduguri.

Gov Lalong sets up c'ttee on FG's bailout funds

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

J

OS—FOLLOWING the approval of N5.375 billion as bailout funds to Plateau State by the Federal Government, Governor Simon Lalong has approved the constitution of an implementation committee for the funds.

Chairperson of the committee is the state Head of Service, Mrs. Huldah Fwangchi. Other members are the state Accountant-General, Mr. Cyril Tsenyil; Permanent Secretary, Establishment and Pension Matters, Permanent Secretary, Local Government Service Commission; state Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON. Others are Director-General, Debt Management Office, DMO; State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC; State Chairman, National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, and Mr. Selfa Dashe, who is to serve as Secretary.

According to a statement issued by the Governor ’s

Director of Press and Public Affairs, Emmanuel Nanle, the aim of the funds is for the payment of backlog of salaries owed workers in the state and the committee is to assiduously see to the

application of the funds towards the payment of all outstanding salaries.

Whatever is left of the staff salaries, pension, gratuities and ongoing critical contracts would be cleared up when further funds would be secured under an ongoing intervention being negotiated by the state

government.

His said: “The Governor met with the members of Plateau State Public Service Joint Negotiating Council to update them on the State Government’s Debt Restruc-turing and issues surroun-ding the total amount of bailout available to the state.”

Why we can't pay salaries before Sallah —NASARAWA GOVT

By Abel Daniel

N

ASARAWA State Government has denied allegations that it has refused to pay salaries to state workers until the ongoing biometric exercise was completed.

The government, however, apologized to workers in the state over its inability to pay salaries before the Sallah holiday, which is slated for today and tomorrow.

The Accountant General of the state, Mohammed Musa, told newsmen in Lafia, yesterday, that the nonpayment of salaries before Sallah was due to the delay

in holding the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, meeting.

He said the meeting was held on Tuesday and would require three working days for the money to be released to states by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

Secretary to the State Government, Hajiya Zanaib Ahmed, also appealed to workers to bear with the government and assured that as soon as the money was sent to the state, salaries would be paid, but not before Sallah.

Wada orders recruitment into civil service

By Boluwaji Obahopo

L

O K O J A — GOVERNOR Idris Wada of Kogi State has directed the state Head of Service to begin the process of recruiting junior and intermediate staff into the civil service.

The governor, who stated this in Lokoja when he received the chairman and management team of the state Civil Service Commission, said he remained committed to addressing the challenges of youth unemployment in the state.

Wada, who described the civil service as the engine room of government, said the directive became imperative in view of the fact that middle level and junior officers cadre in the state workforce had become grossly inadequate.

Wada pledged to address some of the challenges of the state workforce and directed that inter-service transfer beyond grade level 12 and the use of higher certificates to secure junior cadre employment be stopped.

He also charged the new leadership of the commission to evolve ideas and strategies that would help in the proper positioning of the civil service in the state.

Earlier, Chairman of the Commission, Ado Shaibu, commended the governor for the prompt priority to workers’ welfare, despite the constraints of funds.

He appealed to the governor to direct all ministries, department and agencies to notify the commission on available vacancies.

He urged the governor to approve enough fund for the commission to enable it produce gazettes, annual reports and embark on computerizsation.

Niger gov’s wife donates to physically challenged at Sallah

W

IFE of Niger State governor, Dr. Amina Bello, yesterday, distributed 35 wheelchairs, 32 tricycles and food items to people with disabilities in the state for Sallah celebration.

Bello, while distributing the materials in Minna, said the gesture was aimed at alleviating the sufferings of people living with disabilities and to give them a sense of belonging, especially during

the festival period.

She also said it was her way of celebrating Sallah and urged non-governmental organizations and corporations to join in alleviating the suffering of the people with disabilities.

50 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

CANCER; Those willing to put you to shame one way or the other ’ll be disappointed with the turn of things today. It’s good to secure support of your spouse.

LEO; You’ve had enough of fun in the recent times and it’s now time you settle down for hard work in order to prevent avoidable trouble. Be patient please.

VIRGO; Your concentration level and determination are the pillars of your success today. Yet you’ll need to respect your senior colleagues and protect your image.

LIBRA; It’s true you’re willing to work harder but you just have to drop both aggression and mental arrogance to allow things to roll accordingly. Then, you’re accident prone within your working arena.

Respect the law and its agents today.

SCORPIO; Serious thought may be giving to matters of the heart but it’s better you tarry a while.

Joint ventures of short duration today may be an invitation to avoidable trouble.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

O

NE of the greatest fallacies mankind is saddled with is the belief that the rich don’t cry. But my questions are:

So, The Rich Also Cry? why should the rich cry? Is the rich not a human being? Has he no feelings? Does he not eat? Does he got not go to the

TERROR MUDA

toilet? has he no blood running in his vein? Does he have more than one head?

I pity the rich man. He wants

in “Scavenger Elite”

companionship, yet, no one is ready to offer him any, because, everybody sees him as self-sufficient in everything.

By Lanre Kehinde

SAGITTARIUS ; If you back your financial plans with concrete and positive actions things’ll go according to your desire. If you fail to realise importance of your spouse you would work your way into avoidable trouble; aren’t you tired of crisis?.

CAPRICORN; Your intelligence, competence and level of concentration may today bring you envy, which you don’t deserve within your working arena in a negative form but, you’ll succeed.. Entertain no fear, and take advantage of your sex-appeal for love.

AQUARIUS;. Placement of the Moon highlights your Solar second house of money which is good but, if you try to buy true love with money, you’ll be disappointed.

PISCES; The. Moon in your Star sign’ll gives you new confidence and with new supports from the powers-that-be, it’s like you are now un-stop-able. But be cautious, especially with the veterans within your base of operation.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in “HEY’

By Andy Akman

ARIES; Tomorrow is your better day. But you will today need to do away with non-productive argument and/or agreement. Try to be more diplomatic now.

TAURUS; If what you’re doing today’ll depend on tomorrow’s event it’s better you’re more careful now.

Even things may not go according to your personal plans today. Yet it’s important you plan both your immediate and far future carefully now GEMINI; If you take to aggression, your ego would be deflated by your superior colleagues, but your being co-operative in a civilised way’ll prevent trouble.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Basic characteristics of Sagittarius Sagittarius is a mutable sign by its quality. It ‘s element is fire, symbolised by half horse half man and/or an Archer aiming at the sky. Mutable means changes and experimentation, while fire is all about enthusiasm, taking of the initiative and leadership ability. Thus, you are the type that will exhibit strong interest in an important project that catches your fancy and you will not mind to experiment with ideas just to achieve your objectives and aims.

Sagittarius is 9th of the twelve Zodiac signs that rules philosophy, RELIGION, law, foreign land, higher mind/ higher institutions, lawyer, long (distance) travelling, inlaws, future, optimism and bluntness. Major problem or weak points of Sagittarians are excessive openness/bluntness and sometimes fanatical approach to religion.

Being a born adventurer, you are not afraid of exploration and new beginning. Sagittarians are incurable optimists and ever ready to listen to and eager to believe others. Honesty is truly in your inner self You are a tolerant person but you are not ready to compromise your FREEDOM Sagittarius as a fire sign can make you a quick tempered person. Half horse half man as the symbol, of Sagittarius indicates dual (double) personalities known in different circles with different personalities. Yet, you are not a pretender. As the Archer aims arrow into the sky so also Sagittarians have many lofty ideas and ambitions. But sometimes their ideas and/or ideals are not practical enough for realisation. Many times, they start too many things at the same time only to .either forget or lose view of their original target. Development of practical approach is more important for Sagittarians this is in order to make success of many of their brilliant ideas, otherwise they tend to become dreamers.

In reality, Sagittarians are dreamers (by this 1 mean real dream many use to have at night when sleeping) and many of their dreams usually come to pass. Sometimes their dreams are vividly prophetic.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015 — 51

Pope urges ‘tolerant, inclusive’ US society

*Speaks on immigration, climate change, inequality *Says ‘’ we are living in a critical moment of history”

P

OPE Francis immedi ately dove into the whirlpool of U.S. politics on Wednesday, using his first direct address to the nation to weigh in on deeply divisive issues including climate change, Cuba, marriage and immigration.

The pontiff, speaking before 11,000 ticketed guests at an elaborate welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, signaled he will not steer clear of controversial issues during his six-day visit.

He climbed aboard an open-sided Popemobile later in the morning to parade before tens of thousands of cheering people lining the streets around the White House.

In remarks delivered slowly in accented English at the White House, Francis said he was

Pope Francis being escorted by the Obamas after arriving in the country yesterday ready to listen to the “hopes and dreams of the American people” and to offer guidance to those charged with shaping the nation’s political future “in fidelity to its founding principles.”

And in comments that could antagonize Republicans, Francis endorsed President Barack Obama’s efforts on climate change and re-

building ties with Cuba after more than half a century of estrangement.

He said it was “encouraging that you are proposing an initiative for reducing air pollution.

Accepting the urgency, it seems clear to me also that climate change is a problem that can no longer be left to a future generation.”

EU leaders to gather for emergency refugee summit

E

UROPEAN Union leaders are set to gather for an emergency summit on the refugee crisis, a day after ministers forced through a controversial deal to relocate 120,000 refugees in a major blow to unity within the bloc.

The leaders met yes-

terday evening in Brussels to try to adopt a unified approach to the crisis that has seen 477,906 people stream into Europe from the Middle East, Africa and Asia, according to estimates by the UN refugee agency.

Interior ministers briskly voted through the deal on Tuesday, under

which EU countries must take a share of new arrivals from overstretched frontline states, like Greece and Italy.

But in a rare step, it was passed by a majority vote instead of unanimously, with fierce opposition from Eastern European states.

ISIL frees Kurdish journalist seized in Syria

T

HE Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group has released one of two Kurdish journalists cap-

tured late last year, an official with Iraq’s Kurdish television station Rudaw says.

Freelance reporter,

Cameron pledges £100m to Syrian refugee camps

T

HE Prime Minister of Britain, David Cameron has pledged £100m for Syrian refugee camps as leaders gathered for an emergency meeting on the migration crisis.

Some £40m of the aid will go towards supporting and feeding refugees in shelters neighbouring Syria.

The Prime Minister said: “We must make sure that people in refugee camps are properly fed, and looked after, not least to help them but also to stop people wanting to make or thinking of making this

very, very difficult and very dangerous journey to Europe.”

Arriving in Brussels for the talks, he stressed the EU needed to take a “comprehensive” approach to the crisis - which has sparked a row with four Eastern bloc states over a quota system deal.

The president of the European Council, Donald Tusk, who called the meeting, said it was “critical” that countries agree on a firm plan “in place of the arguments and the chaos we have witnessed,” in recent weeks.

Massoud Aqeel’s release in a prisoner exchange with Kurdish forces was announced by Rudaw on Wednesday. His colleague Farhad Hamo’s fate is still unknown.

The pair were on assignment for Rudaw in northeastern Syria when they were seized on December 15.

“He (Aqeel) spent the night in Tell Kocher under the protection of Kurdish fighters and he is now back in Qamishli,” a Rudaw spokesperson said, according to the AFP news agency.

Reporters Without Borders says at least 30 journalists and online information providers are detained by the regime and at least 28 others are either missing or held hostage by armed groups, including ISIL

Egypt frees Al Jazeera journalists from prison J AILED Al Jazeera journalists Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed have been released from prison following a presidential pardon in Egypt.

Dozens of activists have also been released as part of a pardon marking the occasion of Eid al-Adha, the Muslim holiday that starts on Thursday, Alaa Youssef, a spokesperson for the Egyptian presidency, has told the al-Ahram newspaper.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on his Facebook page announced on Wednesday that he would release “100 young people trapped in issues related to the breach of the law on demonstrations and some humanitarian and health cases”.

It is still not clear if another seven Al Jazeera journalists, including Australian Peter Greste, who were sentenced in absentia, were included in the pardoned group.

They had been given prison sentences ranging from three to 10 years.

The Al Jazeera network has welcomed their release but continues to

demand all charges and sentences against its journalists are dropped.

“We’re delighted for them both and their fami-

President of Burkina Faso, Michel Kifando, who was reinstated as president yesterday

Burkina Faso: Michel Kafando reinstated as president

B

URKINA Faso’s interim President Michel Kafando has been formally reinstated a week after the military takeover.

The ceremony took place in the capital, Ouagadougou, in the presence of several West

Weapons found inside UN vehicles in Kenya

W

EAPONS found by Kenyan police on a ship last week had been stashed inside a shipment of United Nations vehicles, the Norwegian company that owns the vessel said on Wednesday.

Kenyan police said security agents on Thursday discovered firearms and drugs on the Norwegianflagged Hoegh Transporter, which is docked at the Indian Ocean port of Mombasa.

Coastguards and navies in East Africa have struggled to stem the flow of drugs through their waters as the region has become a key export route for Afghan heroin destined for Europe.

Hoegh Autoliners confirmed weapons were found inside some of the vehicles on its vessel, which was carrying a consignment from Mumbai to the U.N. peacekeeping mis-

lies. It is hard to celebrate though as this whole episode should not have happened in the first place."

sion in the Democratic Republic of Congo, MONUSCO. “It is our understanding that these weapons belong to the U.N. vehicles in which they were found, and were for use by the U.N. during their peacekeeping mission,” the company said in a statement on its website.

African leaders who helped mediate an end to the crisis.

It comes a day after the presidential guard, who were behind the coup, signed a deal with the regular army to avoid violence.

They pledged to return to barracks and the army to withdraw from the capital.

The presidential guard (RSP) is loyal to Blaise Compaore, the country’s long-time ruler who was ousted in a popular uprising last year.

The elite troops installed Gen Gilbert Diendere as the leader last week - a month before elections had been due in the landlocked country.

The army on Monday ordered the coup leaders to step down or be ousted by force, raising the spectre of a civil war.

Congo leader Nguesso promises referendum over third term

C

ONGO-Brazzaville’s leader has said he will hold a referendum on whether to change the constitution to allow him to stand for a controversial third term.

“I decided to give the people a direct voice,” said President Denis Sassou Nguesso, 72, who has ruled for more than 30 of the past 35 years.

The proposals would

allow candidates aged over 70 to run for office and scrap the two-term limit.

No date was given for the referendum, but elections are due next year.

The main opposition coalition is against the move, saying it could destabilise the country. It also complains that it will not have the same access to the media to voice concerns.

Egypt to buy 656 million pound warship from France

F

RANCE has agreed to sell two Mistral helicopter carriers to Egypt for 950 million euros (656 million pounds) after their sale to Russia was cancelled

in August, French officials said on Wednesday.

Cairo has sought to boost its military power in the face of a two-year insurgency based across the Suez Canal in the

Sinai peninsula and fears the conflict in neighbouring Libya could spill over. Egypt’s allies are also keen to burnish its image in a region beset by turmoil.

52—Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

ID-EL-KABIR: S-East govs task Muslims on

Don’t give bribe to any person, Ikpeazu tells contractors

sacrifice towards nation building

By Anayo Okoli and Francis Igata

E

By Anayo Okoli

NUGU—GOVERNORS Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and his Abia State counterpart, Okezie Ikpeazu, have congratulated the Muslim community in the states and urged them to use the Id -ElKabir period to pray for the nation.

Ugwuanyi in a message to Muslims as they mark the festival, stated that all Nigerians, not just the Muslim faithful need to renew their spirit of sacrifice and patriotism to subdue various negative tendencies currently drawing back the nation’s growth.

According to a release by the office of the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Uwakwe Abugu, the governor called on the Muslims to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice as shown by Ibrahim in his willingness to sacrifice his son in line with divine injunction, adding that if such a spirit would pervade the activities of all religious adherents in the country, the nation would be the better for it.

Governor Ikpeazu in his good will message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Godwin Adindu, enjoined Muslims to use the occasion to preach and promote peace and harmony in the state and in the country at large.

Imo State governor and the Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Governors' Forum, Rochas Okorocha in his message urged Muslims in the country, especially those in Imo State to continue to be good ambassadors of Allah in their endeavours.

Governor Okorocha commended the Muslims for their contribution, especially through prayers to the oneness of the nation and urged them to continue to pray and promote all

G

OVERNOR O K E Z I E Ikpeazu has warned contractors handling road and other projects in the state not to offer money to any body who approached them claiming to be working for him.

The governor who spoke at a meeting he held with the contractors at the Government House, Umuahia, urged them to rather do quality job that would stand the test of time.

According to him, he has not mandated anyone to act as his agent, pointing out that his concern was to ensure that each contractor leaves his signature on any job assigned to him.

He said the essence of the meeting was to review activities and appraise what has been done so far and how to move forward.

The governor said he was aware of the efforts of the contractors to meet deadline and assured them that the government would continue to do business with those that are diligent.

Ikpeazu also directed that the outstanding road contracts in the state be reviewed, promising that his government would not abandon any of the road projects and would not give out new road contracts until it was through with the 31 that are ongoing.

those things that would strengthen the unity of the country and shun those things that would threaten Nigeria's existence as a nation.

The former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi in his message made available by his Special Assistant on Media, Valentine Obienyem reminded Nigerians of the spiritual significant of the feast for the entire human society.

Part of his message read: “The successful conclusion of the annual Hajj, upon which the Sallah

festivity rests, is an apt reminder that human society must be imbued with those values that reflect the brilliance of God.” Further, he said: “As the Sallah celebration underscores love, friendship, brotherliness, charity and generosity, among other values, we are reminded of the virtues of harmonious coexistence in a diverse society like ours. Greatness will come to nations that consciously plan and work for it through consensus and confidence-building measures.”

Speaking on the demands of

ABIA SOUTH: I’m confident of victory at

Tribunal —Nkwonta

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

A

B A — S E N AT O R I A L candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Abia South, in the March 28 National Assembly poll, Chief Chris Nkwonta, has expressed confidence on the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Umuahia.

In a chat with Vanguard in Aba, Nkwonta said he had absolute confidence in the tribunal to deliver justice in the senatorial election which he alleged was manipulated against him.

“So far, so good. I’m optimistic that at the end, victory will be

mine because I won the election.

I believe I have proved my case beyond doubt on how I was denied victory. The people of Abia South desired a change in 2015 and voted for me.

"I would never have gone to the tribunal if I am not convinced that I won the election. My opponent is jittery because he knows APGA won the election. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe knows that I defeated him even in his local government, Obingwa.”

The APGA candidate insisted that he won the polls in the five local councils where elections held freely and alleged that the result from Obingwa was manipulated

t is so pitiable that many of us are sufficiently ill-informed about the issues of governance. Let the trial continue in a manner that will guarantee justice at the end and Nigeria will be better for it. God bless Nigeria. -Mr. Stephen Olanrewaju, Worker

T

By Peter Okutu

A

BAKALIKI—EBONYI State government said it has contracted 14 firms to oversee evacuation of waste materials.

The State Commissioner for Environment, Chief Moses Nomeh stated this in Abakaliki while briefing newsmen on some of the innovations taking place in the Ministry.

According to him, the specifications of the contract involves sweeping of roads within the city, clearing of grasses and evacuation of refuse dumps within the state capital and its environs.

The contract is to cost the state a whooping sum of N336 million annually and N28 million monthly as the allocation of the funds to the contracted firms

L

et the Senate Presi dent have his day(s) in court, there is no sacred cow any longer. The level of poverty in the land is so pervasive that corruption should not be treated with kid’s gloves.

-Mr. Uche Ayambuba, Businessman

T

he corruption cases against these three APC members - Fashola, Amaechi, Saraki - have proved positive that both APC and PDP are the same. Why were these men complaining against GEJ before election? Miss Nenye Chinenye, Worker

would be based on the terms of the contract awarded.

The Commissioner warned that any of them who failed to brace up by taking the contract seriously will lose it.

He said the installation of the refuse impulverization plants procured by the state would commence second week in October as it would be put to use before the end of November.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

On Senat e President/CCB matt er Senate matter

he solution to corruption is not all this kangaroo court process the never deters others from stealing; what we need is to put systems in place that will make it impossible for corrupt people to steal and go free. Mr. Akhademe Sunday, Engineer

to favour his opponent.

He called for a legislation which will ensure that election petition cases are fully settled and the true winner known before a representative is sworn in.

According to him, the prevailing situation where a candidate can do anything to be declared winner is defective.

"This is why candidates engage in all sorts of electoral malpractices to be declared winner because they know that even if they are removed, they would have enjoyed the seat which they never merited. I think we must look at this aspect to strengthen our democracy.”

Ebonyi contracts 14 firms for refuse evacuation

PEOPLE SPEAK

I

Sallah, Obi said that Nigerians should at all times remember that hard work and discipline were essential to safeguarding the future, urging them to reflect always on the goodness of Allah.

In his own message, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in the April general election in Abia state, Dr. Alex Otti, urged Muslim faithful to pray for the continued unity and progress of Nigeria.

S

ome cabals are using government institutions against their perceived political enemies when they themselves are even more corrupt. If Saraki did not emerge as the Senate president, this allegation would not have been there. -Mr. Martin Dickson, Self Employed

T

here is really nothing wrong for Senate President to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCB. At least, the Jargaban was there, so why should it now be witch-hunting? A clear conscience fears no accusation. -Miss Hope Macaulay, Worker

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015 — 53

Okpotu, Igbinoba tipped for Eagles Sports Editors hail L

OBI Stars striker Tony Okpotu and Nigeria premier league leading scorer Esosa Igbinoba have been penciled down for next month’s CHAN qualifier against Burkina Faso.

“Okpotu and Igbinoba are two players who are likely to be considered for the CHAN qualifiers against Burkina Faso next month,” an official informed.

“Otherwise, the core of the home-based Eagles who trained in Abuja before the AFCON qualifier in Tanzania will be the ones who will be called up for the match.”

Okpotu has returned from a stint at Libyan

club Al Ittihad to rediscover the form that once earned him an invitation to the Eagles.

He has now netted 10 goals in the league to help Lobi stay clear of the drop zone thus far.

Nasarawa United midfielder Igbinoba is the leading scorer in the league with 14 goals.

Officials also said that plans are underway to bring forward the homebased Eagles training camp.

The original plan was for the team to reassemble in Port Harcourt on October 11, a week before the match against Burkina Faso.

Balogun!

N

•Okpotu

Wolves abandon interest in Ameobi W

OLVES boss Ken ny Jackett has revealed that the Championship club have ended their interest in signing former Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi.

The 33-year-old Nigeria international, who

•Ameobi

left St James’ Park in May 2014, had been training with Wolves.

He then played the first 68 minutes of Monday’s 3-2 defeat for the club’s Under-21 side at Swansea.

But Jackett confirmed they would not be pur-

NNL fixes outstanding matches for Sunday (NNL) has directed that versus Abia Comets will now be played for 32 min-

S

EQUEL to the rul ing by the Disciplinary Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, the management of the Nigeria National League

the outstanding matches in the 2014/15 season be played simultaneously this Sunday 27th September, 2015.

The match Day 14: Division B1- Ekiti United

Kalu Continues from BP as head of FIFA. Once the position is vacant Orji Kalu should run for the top post. A man that led Enyimba to win the CAF Champion’s league twice cannot be ignored in world football. A man who was a governor twice and a successful business man must be supported to run the affairs of FIFA. If we sell his candidacy well who says he canot win?

Dr Adamu affirmed “ We are trying to convince him to run so that he can bring his wealth of experience to bear on the game of football. Every confederations have their needs, so we should ensure that he gets the mandate of the other bodies so that those needs can be met.

We should ensure that players have a place in his administration beC M Y K

cause he has shown enough capacity for their welfare.”

Adamu said he was consulting widely to ensuring that Kalu gets the mandate. “Im using my wide contacts to sell his candidacy to the public and some people who May not know him. Nigeria is a giant in football compared to countries like Jordan. Prince Ali should go and develop football in his country. If we are talking of a people with football pedigree we are over qualified. We are consulting and getting very positive responses. It will be a pride of Africa if Orji Uzor Kalu wins the bid.

Its time for Africa to rule FIFA”Adamu concluded.

Notable ex players like John Fashanu and Peterside Idah have been at the forefront of the Kalu for FIFA presidency bid.

utes at new venue, at the Ilorin Township Stadium, with the same match officials who were in charge on the 5th of September when it was first played in Ado Ekiti.

The tie lasted for 58 minutes before the trouble that resulted in the first encounter being abandoned, ensued.

In division A1, Spotlight FC of Katsina and Plateau United will faceoff at the Area 3 Play Ground in Abuja.

suing Ameobi after Tuesday’s League Cup defeat at Middlesbrough.

per Falcons at the recently –concluded women’s football tournament of the 11th All-Africa Games in Brazzaville, headlines a list that also includes goalkeeper Sandra Chiichii, defenders Olubunmi Elijah and Ugochi Emenayo, midfielders Joy Bokiri and Tessy Biahwo and forwards Chinwendu Ihezuo, Uchenna Kanu and Ye-

•Balogun maxim that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.”

According to the statement, “Mr. Balogun, who has gone through the mills and worked with some of the best in the profession, is an apostle of developmental journalism, who has left his marks in the profession.

African Games: Lagos NSCDC congratulates officers He said that they have of patriotism to their fatherBy Bose Adelaja

N

IGERIA Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC, Lagos State Command, has sent congratulatory messages to three of its officers who participated in the just concluded All African Games which took place in Congo Brazaville.

The State Commandant of NSCDC Gabriel Abafi in a statement Tuesday, said the officers are Vera Azike, Makanju Gbolahan and Tijani Nureni.

Out of the three, Abafi said Vera Azike won a gold medal and two silver medals in weight lifting, Makanju Gbolahan won two bronze medals in Badminton while Tijani Nureni won a bronze medal in 400 meters guard runner.

Falconets Continues from BP

IGERIAN Sports Editors Guild, the umbrella body of the managers of sports of the country’s media outfits, has congratulated one of its members, Deji Balogun, who was recently named General Manager of the Lagos Television.

The Sports Editors Guild describes Balogun’s appointment as a demonstration of the fact that hard work and perseverance pays, adding that the astute administrator is the right man to take LTV to a new height in this age of technology-driven journalism.

In a statement signed by its president, Tony Ubani, the Guild said: “We want to congratulate our eminent member, Deji Balogun, on his new appointment, which is a manifestation of the

tunde Adeboyejo.

In their second round qualifying fixture, the Falconets, runner-up at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada, whipped their Liberian counterparts 14-1 on aggregate, winning 7-0 in Monrovia and 7-1 in Abuja.

The Nigeria delegation will be led by Member of the NFF Executive Committee and Chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football Le

made the Corps and the nation as well to stand tall in the just concluded sporting festival.

According to the Commandant, the officers have showcased their God-given talents and deep sense

land Nigeria. Also, he encouraged them to keep up the effort and set the pace for others.

Abafi advised the youths to emulate these worthy ambassadors in their dayto-day activities.

Matuidi

Continues from BP marked to fill the void Nigerian fans will remember Matuidi from last year ’s World Cup when he kicked out Ogenyi Onazi out of the second round match against France in Brazil.

Matuidi, 28, is contracted to PSG until 2018, and would command a fee upwards of

£30m.

Manchester United and Chelsea were both linked with the player over the summer, but neither ramped up initial interest in his services.

Matuidi has been with the French champions since a 2011 move from St-Etienne.

Oliseh Continues from BP U23 side last season and previously represented England at youth level.

The Super Eagles take on DRC on October 8 and three days later, they face Cameroon.

Iwobi, a nephew of the legendary Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, is eligible to represent the country of his father despite featuring for England at youth level.

FIFA have clarified that the 19–year-old forward could now represent Nigeria because he

did not feature for England in an official game.

The NFF have now received from The Football Association a list of seven matches that Iwobi played for England at youth level, none of which was an official game.

FIFA underscored that Iwobi can put on the green-white-green since he has permanent Nigerian citizenship and did not represent another association (country) in a match in an official competition.

54 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

Benteke an upgrade on Balotelli, says Barnes J

OHN Barnes feels Christian Benteke will form a superb partnership with Daniel Sturridge at Liverpool and is an upgrade on Mario Balotelli.

Liverpool legend John Barnes is confident Christian Benteke will prove to be a major upgrade on Mario Balotelli and form a fine partnership with Daniel Sturridge.

Brendan Rodgers brought in the Belgium international from Aston Villa during the closeseason after Balotelli had failed to make an impact during his one season at Anfield.

Benteke netted the winner in the 1-0 victory over Bournemouth - Liverpool’s opening home game - while also finding the net versus Manchester United, and Barnes has little doubt

he will succeed on Merseyside.

“Balotelli and Benteke are completely different players,” Barnes was quoted as saying by The Daily Star.

“Benteke loves high balls, he’s strong, he’s got a great attitude and he runs the channels, whereas Balotelli is different.

“It’s a completely different partnership [Sturridge and Benteke compared to Sturridge and Balotelli].

“Benteke is a completely different kettle of fish. He has a much better attitude, so I’m hopeful he’ll be a better option alongside Sturridge.”

The 24-year-old is recovering from a hamstring injury he picked up versus Norwich City at the weekend.

Benteke

Fellaini: I'm a midfielder, not a striker

M

AROUANE Fellaini has made it clear to Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal that he feels his best position is at the heart of midfield.

The Belgium international has been used sparingly so far this season, but started the 31 Premier League win over Liverpool earlier this month as a striker in the absence of captain Wayne Rooney.

Van Gaal said in August that he believes Fellaini will be best used in a more advanced role, but the former Everton man does not agree.

“When the manager asks me to play somewhere, I play there,” Fellaini told Bleacher Report. “But my best position is midfield.”

Fellaini has also

moved to dispel suggestions that the United training camp is a strict environment though he says the squad is serious about challenging for titles this term.

Balotelli

García, red alert H

E has only been at Athletic Bilbao for a couple of weeks, but

Fellaini

Celtic miss out on Real Madrid star

C

ELTIC are set to miss out on Real Madrid star Martin Odegaard (Express), after they attempted to sign the attacking midfielder on loan.

Celtic boss Ronny Deila tried to sign his Norwegian compatriot on loan after the 16 year old was surplus to requirements in the Madrid first team this season, but it appears he will be staying

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in Spain as Rayo Vallecano look to tie up a loan deal until January.

Deila retains an interest in signing him on loan in the future but at the present time they are resigned to defeat. Odegaard made his Real debut in May, coming on as a substitute for Cristiano Ronaldo for the final 30 minutes in a 7-3 win over Getafe.

Raúl Garcia has already established himself as a key figure.

The fans have quickly warmed to the 29-yearold and the love-in will only grow stronger if he performs against Real Madrid the way he previously did for Atlético.

“If I pull on a shirt, I go all out for my team,” García said on being unveiled at San Mamés.

This is not news to ‘Los Blancos’.

The Pamplona-born attacking midfielder played a key role in several Madrid derbies during his time at the Calderón. For example, he was pivotal in last season’s Spanish Super Cup, grabbing a late equaliser in the first leg at the Bernabéu, with Atlético going on to capture the trophy through Mario Mandzukic’s effort in the return match.

García, who was among the ‘Rojiblancos’ captains, was subsequently on the scoresheet in Diego Simeone’s side’s elimination of their local rivals in the Copa del Rey round of 16.

•Garcia

Anichebe rejects Bolton loan

S

UPER Eagles striker Victor Anichebe has rejected a loan deal to Bolton Wanderers as he opted to stay put and fight for a place at West Brom.

The English Championship team enquired about the Beijing 2008 Olympic silver medalist, but were told that the former Everton striker wants to stay at ‘The Hawthorns’.

Bolton’s manager Neil Lennon admitting attacking reinforcements are an absolute must ahead of ‘The Seagulls’

visit to the Macron Stadium on Saturday.

“We simply don’t have enough options with Emile Heskey and Zach Clough out injured,” he said. “We’re trying our hardest to get something sorted but it isn’t as easy as you’d think sometimes.”

Anichebe has played just a league game for ‘The Baggies’ this season as a 74th minute substitute for Rickie Lambert in 3-0 home loss to Manchester City on August 10.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 24,, 2015 — 55

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

Matuidi may replace Mikel FIFA: Adamu mobilises C

HELSEA are ready to splash as much as 30 million pounds to sign Blaise Matuidi from PSG as replacement for Nigeria star Mikel Obi. Mikel’s future at Stamford Bridge has remained a source of speculations even after he chose to stay put at ‘The Blues’ this season.

Chelsea boss Jose

support for Kalu S

UPPORT has con tinued to pour in for the FIFA presidential bid of former Abia state Governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu.

Speaking yesterday, former FIFA and Caf executive committee

member, Dr Amos Adamu said “Dr Orji Uzor Kalu is eminently qualified to lead world’s football governing body FIFA. I have absolute confidence and believe that he would do well Continues on Pg 53

•Kalu

Mourinho is reportedly ready to axe the Nigeria international, and it

is claimed that the French midfielder is ear Continues on Pg 53

•Matuidi

•Mikel

Oliseh invites Iwobi for Congo, Cameroon C

OACH Sunday Oliseh, has included Arsenal winger Alex Iwobi to the Nigeria senior squad for the first time for the upcoming friendlies against Congo and Cameroon in Belgium .

The Hale End product, who was called up to the Arsenal first-team against Tottenham Hotspur in the Capital One Cup last night, trained with the Nigeria

Continues on Pg 53

•Iwobi

Falconets off to Kinshasa

T

HE U-20 Women na tional Team, Falconets, will fly out of Abuja today for the first leg of a 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Coach Peter Dedevbo

has selected 18 players to fly Nigeria’s flag in Sunday’s match at the Tata Raphael Stadium in Kinshasa. The team will travel aboard an Ethiopia Airline flight.

Chinaza Uchendu, who scored for the Su Continues on Pg 53

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 2 Seraph (5) 7 Moist (4) 8 Bureau (6) 9 Believe (5) 11 Intelligence (3) 13 Wand (3) 15 Paradise (4) 16 Bath (3) 18 Lake (4) 19 Widespread (7) 20 Yawn (4) 22 Challenge (4) 23 Oriental (7) 25 Trial (4) 27 Owned (3) 28 Yield (4) 30 Still (3) 31 Defective (3) 33 Centre (5) 36 Failure (6) 37 Tribe (4)

38 Agree (5) DOWN 1 Sound (5) 2 Fitting (3) 3 Antelope (3) 4 Fate (3) 5 Astern (3) 6 Performer (5) 10 Stupefy (4) 11 Important (7) 12 Storm (7) 13 Told (7) 14 Erased (7) 16 Cogs (5) 17 Whiskers (5) 18 Insane (3) 21 Consume (3) 24 Relax (4) 26 Weird (5) 29 Dullard (5) 32 Enquire (3) 33 Heated (3) 34 Sicken (3) 35 Attempt (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS

ACROSS: 1, Greed 5, Massif 8, Nudge 10, Fester 11, Evil 14, Talent 15, Retreat 18, Tee 19, Men 21, Dray 23, Venom 24, Head 27, Dot 29, Peg 31, Ravaged 32, Credit 34, Dune 35, Lounge 38, Sweat 39, Resent 40, Feign.

DOWN: 2, Rue 3, Entire 4, Due 5, Meet 6, Smiled 7, Filthy 9, Dreamed 12, Vat 13, Leer 16, Ease 17, Tenor 20, Notable 22, Ague 24, Hector 25, Aped 26, Deduce 28, Salute 30, Gin 33, Test 36, Oaf 37, Gag.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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