Police take over NASS,tear-gas lawmakers

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62282

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

Police take over NASS, tear-gas lawmakers

By Emman Ovuakporie, Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Joseph Erunke and Levinus Nwabughiogu

•Tambuwal adjourns sitting till Dec 3, says House under siege •Reps jump fence, gather signatures to impeach Jonathan •Mark shuts National Assembly as Senate summons IGP •We were at NASS to prevent thugs — POLICE •No one can hold Nigeria to ransom — JONATHAN •Says some politicians don't deserve immunity

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BUJA—HEAVILY armed policemen, yesterday, invaded the National Assembly complex, tear-gassed and tried to prevent members of the House of Representatives, including the Speaker, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, from entering the complex.

This forced some lawmakers to scale the

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7 Ekiti PDP legislators ‘impeach' Speaker, Deputy 58 COLUMNIST: Donu Kogbara

A significant improvement

•P.17

HONOURABLE MEMBERS— Lawmakers jump fence to

gain entrance into the National Assembly, Abuja, yesterday. Photos: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Every judge I sacked got fair hearing — MUKHTAR 8

45 killed as Boko SYNAGOGUE: Haram attacks Joshua challenges coroner's 10 58 summons Borno village C M Y K

Mr & Mrs

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C M Y K

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POCKET CARTOON

NASS — Speaker Aminu Tambuwal (right) covering nose from tear gas at the National Assembly, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Police take over NASS, tear-gas lawmakers Continues from page 1 fence in order to enter the chambers for their legislative duties.

In an unprecedented action since return to democratic rule, the police fired tear gas in the arcade of the complex after several legislators, who had escorted the speaker, successfully breached the Police barricade to smuggle him inside the main complex of the National Assembly.

A number of legislators who could not pass through the side gate where the speaker went through, eventually scaled the fence to enter the complex.

Once in the chambers, members who were provoked by the development almost went into a riotous mood and

some even tried to fence out President of the Senate, Senator David Mark who interrupted proceedings in the Senate to cross the lobby to investigate the developments in the House. Livid members also, yesterday, commenced collection of signatures in support of an impeachment notice against President Goodluck Jonathan and 120 signatures had been collected by last night.

Following his discussion with the speaker, Senator Mark ordered shutdown of the National Assembly complex till next Tuesday.

He also summoned the Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba to report on Tuesday to give explanations for the development.

Meanwhile, the Police

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve – Napoleon Hill. Develop your mind, take time to think.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

No Act of Kindness, however small, is ever wasted —Aesop

C

HOOSING to be kind is also a choice to make the Power of Intention active in your life. The beneficial effects of kindness on the immune system and the increased production of serotonin have been proven. Conversely, unkindness weakens the body and puts us into a state of dissonance. So extend acts of kindness; ask for nothing in return.

Anyone who’s angry, nasty or rude is really offering a plea to be loved. Try to convert low energy emotions that drain us—frustration, irritation, anger and impatience—into high-energy emotions that sustain us—love, caring, kindness.

By asking that surly waiter or harried airline clerk something about themselves or by expressing empathy, “Where are you from? It must be tough standing on your feet for eight hours.” Anything to let a person know that, in that moment, I’m thinking more about them than about myself. And you know what happens? Instantly you see a smile.

yesterday cited receipt of intelligence information on the possible invasion of the National Assembly by hoodlums for their action.

How it started

The House of Representatives which was on break was reconvened, yesterday, following a letter from the President seeking legislative approval for the extension of emergency rule in the three troubled states of the North-East.

However, ominous signs of trouble were first noticed on Wednesday night with the beef-up of security in the National Assembly complex. By yesterday morning, the security cordon had been significantly beefed up with several detachments of heavily armed regular and mobile policemen including hooded security agents manning all entry points into the National Assembly complex. Entry was, however, limited to only the main gate near the Eagle Square and everyone including legislators were thoroughly quizzed before being allowed entry. Before Tambuwal arrived, the Deputy Speaker, Chief Emeka Ihedioha had arrived around 10.35 a.m. and was easily passed on by the Policemen.

Situation, however, came to a head at about 10.38 a.m. when Speaker Tambuwal in the absence of police security approached the first gate and met a cordon mounted by policemen who refused him entry.

The speaker, who was escorted by several House members, remained inside his

vehicle while the members came out and asked the policemen to remove the barricade for the speaker. The policemen were unmoved, forcing a physical engagement with the members who eventually overpowered the policemen, allowing the speaker’s convoy to proceed along the main road leading to the second gate which was, however, firmly locked against the convoy.

Again, the lawmakers, now already worked up, engaged the policemen but the policemen were unmoved and the speaker had to step down to confront the policemen.

Tambuwal faces policemen

“Gentlemen, my names are Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and I am the Speaker of this House,” Tambuwal told the policemen who all without exception ignored him and turned their backs on him.

Again, the speaker said: “I am here as our constitution demands to go in and preside over the sitting of the House.

Officers, I would like to know who is the commanding officer here.

“Can you identify me as the Speaker of this House?”, he asked. The policemen who stuck to their guns remained mute, leaving the speaker to himself.

Having received no response from them, Tambuwal moved back and stood in the sun, waiting for a likely commanding officer to come.

By 11.20 a.m. the speaker having been tipped off about a small gate which was half opened, marched forward alongside a few members and made his way in before the police could realize.

Even after the speaker had smuggled himself in, the police were unyielding as they kept other members of his entourage outside forcing a number of them to scale the gate into the National Assembly complex.

Among them were the Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila who last night described Thursday (yesterday) as a day that would forever live in infamy being the day he had to jump the fence to where he works.

Among other notable persons who scaled the fence to enter the National Assembly complex were the deputy minority leader, Suleiman Kawu (Kano); Bimbo Daramola (Ekiti), Samuel Adejare (Lagos), Mohammed Bago, Niger; Babatunde Adejare, Lagos; and

Aman Pategi among many others.

After the speaker and his entourage successfully entered the second gate, they were met by some other legislators who came in from within the chambers to receive him and marched in solidarity through the arcade to the White House, where the main chambers are located.

As they marched, the police in a last minute burst to deter the lawmakers fired tear gas in their direction, but the speaker and his entourage were determined as they marched purposefully towards the main building and once inside proceeded straight into the chambers were the speaker was hailed by members who sang solidarity songs of victory. Tear gas was also hurled into the lobby leading to the Senate and House chambers as a final act of deterrence, but it was to no avail.

The songs of victory were interspersed with expressions of anger and many members shouted in condemnation of the executive arm of government. It was not long before some members produced a piece of paper as they commenced the gathering of signatures in support of an impeachment motion against President Goodluck Jonathan who several members blamed for the unprecedented development.

Mark intervenes, shuts down NASS

Senator Mark who entered the chambers of the House on hearing of the development had a tough time approaching the speaker’s podium as many members who viewed him with suspicion sought to fence him out.

“What is he doing here? Who invited him here?,” some House members were heard saying. He, however, eventually made his way to confer with the speaker following the intervention of the

deputy speaker, Ihedioha. Following a brief audience with the speaker, Mark left the chambers back to the Senate chambers where he also conferred with the Senate leadership at the end of which he issued a statement ordering the shutdown of the National Assembly complex.

Mark said: “Because of the unfortunate incident of security invasion of the National Assembly today, as the Chairman of the National Assembly, I announce the shutdown of both the Senate and the House of Representatives till Tuesday next week when Senate will reconvene to hear what brought about the invasion from the Inspector-General of Police”.

Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Paul Mumeh, in a statement later said Mark was equally teargassed when he visited the House.

According to him: “An embarrassed Senator Mark, who had rushed to the House of Representatives’ chamber, ostensibly to address the situation, on hearing of the development, was thoroughly tear-gassed along with his colleagues while returning to his office after conferring with the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal and his deputy Emeka Ihedioha.”

Also after a closed-door session that lasted more than two hours, Speaker Tambuwal declared that with the House of Representatives under siege the House would remain adjourned till December 3.

Briefing newsmen after the closed-door session, House spokesman Zakari Mohammed declared that the House was under siege and called on the President to rely on provisions of the 1999 Constitution bordering on Sections 218, 217(2c) 33, 14, 42b

Continued on page 16

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

NAPTIP rescues 70 in Benue

By Peter Duru

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AKURDI—NO fewer than 70 persons have been rescued

by National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons, NAPTIP, from human trafficking syndicates in Benue and neighbouring states.

This was made known yesterday by Mrs Tina Ugwu, Zonal Head of NAPTIP in Makurdi, Benue State capital, at a sensitization programme organized by the agency for stakeholders.

She said the agency recorded the feat in the last few weeks, stressing that the onslaught against traffickers in Benue and neighbouring states under the zone had gained momentum and would be sustained to ensure that those behind the business were stopped.

She urged the public to always avail the agency of any information that would aid its work to ensure that the menace was tackled effectively.

Director General of Radio Benue, Mr. Elvis Attah, lauded NAPTIP for enlightening the public on the dangers of child and human trafficking.

2 nabbed for car theft

By Gabriel Enogholase

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ENIN—TWO suspected car snatchers, Adekunle Esho and Chibuike Ugu, have been arrested by officers of Edo State Police Command in connection with a stolen Toyota Camry Car allegedly snatched in AdoEkiti, Ekiti State, on November 14.

The car, with number plate JJJ 777 AJ, according to a statement by the command’s spokesman, DSP Noble Uwoh, was snatched from the owner by armed robbers.

He said operatives of Edo State Command traced the vehicle to Urubi Street in Benin, where two persons were arrested and the car recovered on November 15.

Uwoh, who said the two suspects confessed to the crime and that they intended to sell the car in Benin, advised the public against buying stolen vehicles to avoid being treated as receiver of stolen property.

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—SOME dare-devil armed robbers, yesterday, ambushed and disarmed policemen escorting a bullion van, then carted away an unspecified amount of money.

The body of the bullion van and the escort vehicles were riddled with bullets, while their tyres were deflated by bullets.

Vanguard gathered that the incident occurred at about 4p.m. at Elemoso village in Ondo East council of Ondo State.

Beside the driver of the bullion van, who was seriously injured, the policemen escorting the van are yet to resurface from the bush they ran into when the robbers struck.

It was gathered that the bullion van was conveying an unspecified sum of money from the branches of one of the old generation banks in Ondo town to their headquarters in Akure when the hoodlums struck.

Some of the villagers said the robbers trailed the bullion van from Ondo town until it got to the village, where there were speed breaks, before attacking the van and the escort police vehicle.

Robbers ambush bullion van in Ondo, cart away millions zMotorist shot in the eye zWe thought BokoHaram had come— VILLAGERS zOfiicers were on illegal duty— CP

The strike

Sources in the village said the driver of a red car pretended to overtake the bullion van, while it slowed down because of a speed break, only to block it and fire volleys of gunshots into the air.

The policemen, it was gathered, fled into the bush, following the robbers' heavy fire power, leaving the two vehicles.

The robbers then broke into the bullion van.

The van is marked Lagos FST 945 AL, while the escort is registered PF 344 SPY. Proprietor of a school in the area, who was driving a Sienna bus marked OSUN AA 733 FTD, was shot in the eye when he attempted to make a U-turn at the scene of the robbery.

Sources said the robbers, after carting large sum of money into their car, escaped through a village to Ile-Oluji.

Contacted, the state Police Commissioner, Isaac Eke, said conspiracy could not be ruled out in the ugly incident.

Eke told Vanguard that the policemen that escorted the bullion van did not book with Operation Unit of the state Police Command.

He said: “The information is still sketchy. We are trying to establish some things because the policemen that escorted the bullion were not booked with the operation unit. This shows that they are on illegal duties.

“The driver of the vehicle has come out of the bush and we are interrogating him. We suspect conspiracy in this matter.

“Our men are still chasing them and I want to assure members of the public that we

will apprehend them.”

Meanwhile, about 20 mobile policemen have been deployed to comb the bushes, village and its surroundings.

One of the villagers interviewed said the sound of gunshots sent the villagers

scampering for safety.

He said: “We thought Boko Haram people have arrived our village. Everybody ran into the bush.

“We returned to find two bullet-riddled police vehicles on the expressway. It was then

that we discovered that it might be a robbery incident.”

The incident caused heavy traffic gridlock along the ever busy Akure-Ondo Expressway.

At press time, policemen were still keeping vigil at the scene of the incident.

We have arrested key suspect in Edo Assembly quarters' invasion— CP

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN—EDO State Police Command, Wednesday, arrested a chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in the state over alleged involvement in the invasion of the state House of Assembly quarters last month.

State Commissioner of Police, Funso Adebanjo, told Vanguard that the suspect, who he described as the key suspect, was arrested Wednesday and charged to Oredo Magistrate's Court for alleged illegal possession of fire arms and other offences.

It would be recalled that the police had been on the trail of the PDP leader, who escaped after the attack at the Assembly quarters.

Adebanjo said: “He was arrested on Wednesday and we have charged him to court immediately. Like I warned

earlier, anybody caught fomenting trouble in this state will not go scot free, no matter his status in the society.

“Politicians must learn to play the game by the rules and not engage in killings due to their selfish ambition.

“I have told all of them that I will not spare anyone arrested.

Parents must also counsel their children against being used as

political thugs.

“Our people must learn. If they ask you to go and carry gun and kill, tell them to send their children, not you.

“I am going to organize a seminar before the elections so experts will come and lecture all of us on how this politics should be played. We want a peaceful society and politicians must not disturb our peace.”

Two die, as university entrance gate

By Aliyu Dangida

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UTSE—TWO people were reported dead yesterday, following the collapse of entrance gate of Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State.

The tragedy occurred as some labourers were undertaking minor repairs on the gate.

It was gathered that cracks in the wall of the gate led to the collapse which resulted in the instant death of one of the labourers, while another person

who was passing through the gate died.

An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he saw the corpse of one of the labourers who was later taken away for burial by his relatives.

The eyewitness said the sound of the collapse caused confusion among staff and students of the university, who though it was a bomb blast.

It was learned that staff and students of the university ran in different directions.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014—7

Thugs attack Ikeoha Foundation's medical team

By Francis Igata

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CORONER: Lawyers at the Coroner's Court, during the case between Pastor T. B. Joshua of Synagogue Church of Nations and Lagos State, held at Ikeja High Court, yesterday. PHOTO: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

Students attack female teacher with machetes in Imo

By Chidi Nkwopara

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WERRI—A team of medical personnel are battling to save the life of Mrs. Mary-Ann Oguezuonu, a female teacher at Obosima Secondary Technical School, Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, who was brutalized by irate male students of the college.

Reports emanating from Obosima revealed that the students attacked the nursing mother with machetes.

The teacher’s alleged offence was that she spotted a female student that changed her school uniform into a skimpy outfit and threatened that the college authorities would send her packing if she wore such an indecent dress to school again.

It was also gathered that while Mrs. Oguezuonu was cautioning the JSS2 student, a male SS1 student jumped into the classroom and rudely confronted the teacher on why

she was embarrassing the female student.

“The male student, who was not satisfied with the verbal insults he heaped on the teacher, went further to grab Mrs. Oguezuonu’s blouse,” a student told Vanguard.

The student recalled that the ensuing noise attracted other teachers to the class and the offending student was dragged to the staff room where he was flogged.

Another teacher told Vanguard: “While still cuddling her five-month old baby in the staff room, the irate male student mobilized others, suspected to be fellow cult members.

“They came into the staff room, armed with cutlasses and attacked the teacher.”

When contacted, the teacher’s relation, Mr. Francis Moore, confirmed the story and pointed out that the matter had been reported to the police.

He said: “The matter has

collapses in Jigawa Security personnel posted there prevented journalists from taking pictures of the collapsed structure.

Effort to reach the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Jibrila Aminu, for comment proved abortive as he was said to be on official assignment. Calls to his mobile phone were also not getting through.

Vanguard’s visit to the Senate building of the university to get official comment also proved futile as none of the senior official was on seat.

However, the Public Relations Officer of the university, Abdullahi Anako, confirmed the collapse of the entrance gate, but denied any death.

He said it was the Vice Chancellor that ordered the demolition of the gate, having noticed some cracks in the wall.

been reported to the police and some arrests have been made, but the main suspect,

Chimaobi Precious Agu, is still at large at the time of this telephone interview.”

NUGU—THUGS, numbering more than 10, yesterday attacked some staff of Ikeoha Foundation, a nongovernmental organization founded by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who were on medical mission at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Oghe, in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The hoodlums, who were allegedly led by two Development Area Administrators, invaded the venue where the foundation’s free eye treatment project team was at work, beating up the staff and destroying equipment worth millions of naira.

The project reaches an estimated 10,000 people in each of the five councils of Enugu West Senatorial District with free eye treatment, drugs, eyeglasses and free eye surgeries in partnership with Community Eye Savers.

Residents flee Kokori, as Police, Army search for kidnapped Bayelsa monarch

By Emma Amaize

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OKORI—THERE was palpable tension at Kokori, Ethiope East Local Government Area, Delta State, yesterday, as policemen and soldiers commenced a joint operation to locate the den of the kidnappers who abducted the traditional ruler of Oporomor Kingdom, Bayelsa State, HRM Augustine Ebikeme, on Sunday.

Residents fled the community at dawn, following a warning by security operatives to the community to produce the royal father or give them information on the den of the kidnappers.

Some of the villagers, who suspected that security operatives could crack down on them if the royal father was

not produced, fled.

Vanguard gathered that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan had asked police and army to do everything possible to secure the release of the royal father, understood to be the spiritual head of worshipers of Egbesu, Ijaw war deity.

Kokori is the hometown of alleged kidnap and armed robbery kingpin, Kelvin Oniarah, currently on trial for multiple abductions and armed robbery.

A police source, however, told Vanguard: “There was no intention to crack down on them; we (police and army) only said that they should produce the royal father or tell us his location, otherwise their market will not be open for business.”

It was learned that the villagers became very nervous when they heard that their market would remain shut if they did not give vital information to the security agents on the den of the kidnappers.

So they fled to avoid confrontation with security agents.

Meanwhile, the police have arrested a herbalist, aged over 100, who the abducted monarch visited at Kokori, but a senior police officer reportedly ordered his release on grounds of age.

There was suspicion yesterday of an insider collaboration in the kidnap, given the ease with which the kidnappers accessed the contacts of prominent Ijaw personalities close to the monarch, demanding ransom.

8 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

PDP cancels Oyo, C- River, Lagos congresses

By Henry Umoru

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BUJA— NATIONAL leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP yesterday bowed to pressure following complaints from some elders, stakeholders, and leaders of the party and cancelled the ward congresses earlier conducted in Lagos, Cross River and Oyo states.

Confirming the cancellation to Vanguard, yesterday, the party's National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, explained that it became imperative to conduct fresh congresses in the three states because they were not well conducted.

Following complaints arising, the PDP also on November 8 conducted the local government congresses from the 774 local government councils for the nomination of national delegates to the National Convention slated for December 10/11.

Since the conduct of the congresses, aggrieved members, including governors, stakeholders and leaders have besieged the Wadata Plaza, National Secretariat of the party, with series of complaints of either being short-changed or cases of delegate lists being doctored to favour some against others.

Different factions of PDP came up and openly disputed the outcome of the congresses as announced by the various electoral officers assigned to conduct the exercise in some states. However, few other states were without controversies.

In Oyo State, the three leading governorship aspirants laid claim to victory, just as the leading aspirants, former Governor Adebayo AlaoAkala, Senator Teslim Folarin and Mr Seyi Makinde all claimed to have won the congress.

In Cross River State, the fight is between the Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, his group and that of Governor Liyel Imoke and his supporters.

Every judge I sacked got fair hearing —Mukhtar •As group protests alleged unlawful retirement of judges

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA — THE retired Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, yesterday, denied using her former position to witch-hunt judges who had personal issues with her.

Speaking at a valedictory court session organised in her honour by the Supreme Court, yesterday, Justice Mukhtar, whose tenure as CJN witnessed the sack of seven judges, said she ensured that all sacked judges got fair hearing.

She stated this on a day a coalition of lawyers under the aegis of Watch Nigeria Network staged a peaceful rally in Abuja over what they termed “unlawful retirement of judges by the NJC.” The group which equally forwarded copies of their protest letters to the two chambers of the National Assembly, yesterday, specifically faulted the compulsory retirement of Justice Gladys Olotu by the NJC under the leadership of the retired CJN.

According to the group, “it appeared that the NJC created a new category of misconduct by elevating forgetfulness (which formed part of Justice Olotu’s defence) to serious misconduct in its bid to call a dog a bad name so as to hang it.

“This comes also to confirm our earlier position that the CJN in her purported bid to sanitise the judiciary has not been fair to judges and, in fact, raises question on the true motive of her purported judicial reforms.”

Every judge I sacked got fair hearing —Mukhtar However, Justice Mukhtar in her valedictory speech said her actions were driven by an earnest zeal to sanitise the judiciary and rid it of bad eggs.

She said: “I will stress here that (contrary to complaints and allegations) every judge that was investigated and sanctioned was given a fair hearing with defence lawyers in attendance.

“As the first woman CJN, I knew I had lots of challenges before me. First, a challenge to show the nation that given the opportunity a woman can perform the function of the chief justice as effectively and efficiently as any man.

“Secondly, a challenge to reform a judiciary that was always a subject of attack and ridicule to one that is worthy of commendation.

"Thirdly, a challenge to transform the system of judicial appointments to be based on competence coupled with good character rather than nepotism and influence. With the co-

operation of the NJC, I was able to achieve my objective.

“I am a stickler for compliance to laws, rules, regulations and conventions that are good for the system and my insistence on these may have offended some people.

“The same goes for my strictness and firmness in everything I do. I believe these have augured well for the system as every step I took was in the interest of the institution.

“I earnestly desired to leave a better and stronger judiciary than when I met it, and in the process I may have stepped on many toes. Standards needed to be raised and equality of citizens needed to be assured so that every citizen of this country, no matter how lowly, will restore his faith and trust in the judiciary."

Group protests alleged unlawful retirement of judges Chairman of the protesting group, Mr. Dennis Emmanuel, in a statement, said investigations by their Network discovered that Justice Olotu’s ouster was due to her refusal to pervert the cause of justice in a case involving a widow, one Mrs. Mona Yousseffian, who he said was fighting for compensation for her late husband.

The group alleged that the company that was involved in the suit “decided to contract a certain former Chief Justice of Nigeria nicknamed Papa Ajasco to be their consultant, to do all things possible to pervert the cause of justice and deny the widow her right.

“But Justice G.K. Olotu decided to remain incorruptible even when ‘Papa Ajasco’ teamed up with a very prominent high chief from Edo State to impress on the judge to deny the widow justice.

When the duo failed in their bid to get the judge to do their bidding, they resorted to threats, blackmails, petition sponsorships and intimidation in order to victimise the judge.”

They noted that after different committees of the NJC investigated six separate petitions filed against the judge and could not find her culpable in any act of corruption, “it still went ahead and retired her from office over her alleged forgetfulness.”

OATH OF OFFICE: President Goodluck Jonathan (right) presenting a certificate to the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Mahmud Mohammed after decorating him with the national honour of Grand Commander of the Niger (GCON) after taking the oath of office at the Aso Chambers, State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

PDP chair: Tukur resigned properly— Mua'zu

By Henry Umoru

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BUJA— NATIONAL Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mua'zu, said yesterday that former National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, resigned properly from his position in line with the constitution of the party.

Speaking with Vanguard yesterday, Mua'zu said this was not the time in the political situation of the party and the country to argue over the issue of resignation when the party was presently preparing for the 2015 general elections.

According to him, “our presidential candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan has just declared for his re-

election next year, all hands should be on the deck as we should collectively work together as members of PDP, as one happy family to ensure victory for the president and all the PDP gubernatorial candidates that will be produced at the December 8 primary elections.”

In a letter of resignation obtained by Vanguard, Bamanga Tukur had in a letter dated January 15, 2014 resigned as National Chairman of PDP. The letter which was entitled: “Resignation as the National Chairman" and addressed to the National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, read in full: “Pursuit to Article 45(2) of the Constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), I

hereby give notice of my resignation as the National Chairman with effect from Thursday, January 16, 2014.

“My resignation is in the overall interest of the party. I remain available to offer my contributions accordingly to the party, whenever it is needed.

“Thank you and please accept the assurances of my highest esteem always.”

Meanwhile, the National convention of PDP has been fixed for December 10/11 where the party would first use the first day to ratify Mua'zu as National Chairman while the second day would be for the national convention proper for the ratification of President Goodluck Jonathan as the party’s candidate for the 2015 Presidential election.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014 — 9

SALVATION RALLY: Amaechi's statement on 2015 treasonable —Presidency •Says govt would've picked him but for immunity

By Henry Umoru

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BUJA — THE Presidency, yesterday, took a swipe at Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, saying his Wednesday’s statement during the Salvation Rally in Abuja by the All Progressives Congress, APC, was not only unfortunate, mischievous, but treasonable.

Addressing journalists yesterday, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, who tagged his speech, “Amaechi’s open threat to democracy,” said but for the immunity which governors enjoy while in office, the government would have picked Amaechi and make him face the full wrath of the law.

Okupe, who described Amaechi as a liability to the APC and not an asset, said: “It is even more evil and certainly anti-democratic for him to threaten “civil disobedience” and the forming of a parallel government if his party loses the 2015 general elections.

“We unequivocally condemn this stance by Governor Amaechi, which borders on attaining power through threat, intimidation and subversion of popular will.

“If Mr. Amaechi is so much afraid of his party crashing to defeat in the general elections, what he needs to do is to advise

Some politicians don’t deserve immunity —Jonathan

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MEETING: From left: President, Nigeria Publishers Association (NPA), Ngwobia Odo Okereke; Chairman, Safari Books Limited, Chief Joop Berkhout;represetative of Nigerian Universities Commission/former Vice-Chancellor, University of Uyo, Prof. Akaneren Essien and Chairman, University Press Plc, Dr. Lekan Are at the Annual Conference and General Meeting of the Nigeria Publishers Association in Ibadan, yesterday. Photo: SHOLA OYELESE the leadership of his party to either give up in good time or repackage itself in order to appeal to Nigerian voters who must definitely have the final say in the democratic process.

“We also want to sound a note of warning to Mr Amaechi and other desperate players on our political scene that Nigeria

has moved away from the dark days of dictatorship and resort to brigandage and that any attempt by any individual or group of individuals to resort to extra legal means of acquiring power, would be dealt with by the laws of the land.

Incitement, treason and gross rascality

“On Wednesday, November 19, 2014, the Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, made a few comments about the forthcoming general elections, which bother on incitement, treason and gross rascality.

“Mr. Amaechi, who became Governor of Rivers State in 2007 consequent upon a court judgment, said at a street rally organised by the All Progressives Congress that if the 2015 elections are 'rigged', his party will not seek redress in court but would rather carry out what he called 'civil disobedience' as well as form a 'parallel government'.

“This statement is clearly a further evidence of Governor Amaechi’s penchant for lawlessness and anarchy in his unbridled pursuit for power. It is curious and unthinkable that a man who was himself a beneficiary of the court process would disdain the very platform through which he acquired the opportunity to make his reckless and provocative statement.

“It is even more worrisome when one considers the fact that Governor Amaechi’s party, which is relatively new, came on board promising hope to Nigerians. With statements

like this, it is clear that Amaechi is more of a liability to his party than asset and has the potential to bring his party to further opprobrium and disrepute.

"For someone who aspires to become the vice president of this country, his disdain for law and order is not only unfortunate but also patently dangerous and sends dark signals about the survival of our democracy.

“Discerning Nigerians know that comments like this not only do not augur well for any democracy but also portray Mr. Amaechi as a reckless, power hungry individual who lacks both the democratic temper and respect for constituted authority and institutions. For a party that has made so much noise about its intentions to offer Nigerians a new deal, we wonder how the APC can be comfortable with a loose cannon like Governor Amaechi.

“It is clear to any discerning mind that Mr. Amaechi’s indecorous outbursts and his obvious disregard and contempt for the rule of law, have defined him as unfit to hold any serious public office in this country let alone the vice presidency of Nigeria to which he aspires.

“Since Nigerians know for a fact that the Rivers State Governor has not been living in the moon but has been in this country since the commencement of our present democratic experiment, they are definitely at pains to understand why he has failed to acknowledge the successes that have attended our electoral processes since President Jonathan came on board in 2010."

By Ben Agande

BUJA — PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has said that given the alleged treasonable utterances of some politicians who are protected by constitutional immunity, they have proved that they are not deserving of such immunity.

He spoke yesterday when Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State led traditional rulers from the state to pay homage to the President on his birthday.

According to Jonathan, the clamour by some Nigerians for the removal of the immunity clause may have been informed by the abuse of such protection by some politicians.

The President said: “This country must continue and we will not give up to blackmail by anybody. We will do our best and Nigeria must survive these temporary setbacks like Boko Haram and other security challenges.

“There are people who are making statements that threaten the survival of this country, especially those who probably have constitutional immunity and are abusing that privilege. That is why some Nigerians are saying that immunity clause should be removed because some people don’t merit it, since they abuse it. Some people are making remarks that are more or less treasonable, but we will not be bothered because nobody can upturn this country.”

The President said though there are challenges in the country, it is a normal process in the development of a nation which Nigeria will overcome.

He said: “As a nation, we have our challenges. Other nations have passed through such rough roads too. I always said that I don’t know whether the State of Israel has ever known peace for one day, but they are moving, they are developing.

While commending the Bayelsa delegation for identifying with him and pledging their support, Jonathan said it has boosted his confidence that his immediate constituency was behind him.

Governor Dickson who presented a birthday card on behalf of the delegation assured the President that the people of the state were strongly behind his administration.

10— Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

Lagos records high fish production —GOVT Monsur Olowoopejo AGOS—LAGOS State Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Gbolahan Lawal, yesterday disclosed that the state recorded increase in fish supply in the current year, 2014.

This came even as he said about 5000 participants are expected to take part in the year 2014 edition of the Lagos Seafood Festival slated for December 6th, with the theme: ‘Celebrating the fisheries and aqua-cultural heritage of Lagos State’.

Lawal said though the estimate for year 2014 has not been concluded, but there were indications that the 230, 000 metric tonnes fish demand in Lagos every year would soon be met locally.

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....As retirees get N1.8bn contributory pension

By Olasunkanbmi

Akoni AGOS—LAGOS State Government has concluded all arrangements to pay another set of 319 retirees about N1.8 billion under the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS. The Director-General, Lagos State Pension Commission, Mr. Rotimi Hussain, who disclosed this to newsmen,stated that the amount represents the past service benefits due to the retirees before the commencement of the CPS in April, 2007.

He said the beneficiaries would be presented with certificates during the 14th retirement bond certificate presentation ceremony scheduled to hold next Tuesday, November 25.

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SYNAGOGUE: Joshua challenges coroner's

summons zAs technical hitch stops proceedings ByAbdulwahab. Abdulah & Bartholomew Madukwe with agency report

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AGOS—LAWYERS to the Nigerian preacher, TB Joshua said yesterday they had mounted a legal challenge against the Lagos Coroner's court who has ordered him to testify about a fatal building collapse at his Lagos mega church in Ikotun area of the state.

Joshua has been summonsed twice to give evidence at the inquest examining the circumstances of the September 12 tragedy in which 116 people were killed, but failed to appear on both occasions.

The latest no show by the popular televangelist yesterday seemed to have angered coroner Oyetade Komolafe, who said he would order his arrest.

But the pastor ’s lawyer, Olalekan Ojo, told reporters after the hearing: “We have gone to the high court to challenge the jurisdiction of the coroner to issue a witness summons.

“The coroner has unconsciously exceeded his jurisdiction in that he has started inquiring into matters that are not causative of deaths.”

Komolafe was furious that Joshua, known to his followers as “The Prophet” or “The Man of God”, was not present for the start of proceedings on Thursday after failing to appear on November 5.

On that occasion, Ojo said Joshua had been “unavoidably absent," and failed to receive the summons. “We don’t want the impression to be created that The Prophet is avoiding the court,” he said.

Yesterday, Komolafe said: “Any of the witnesses who is not in court today will be arrested. I think the court has been lenient enough.”

Joshua, who counts presidents and powerful politicians from across Africa among his flock, has claimed the collapse was caused by a mysterious aircraft seen “hovering” over the building at the time.

Ojo confirmed that his client had received the latest summons and added that his appearance was conditional on the outcome of the high court challenge.

“The Prophet has respect for the law of the land and will not do anything that will hurt the law,” he said.

“If at the end of the day, it is appropriate for The Prophet to appear he will be in court. We

do not intend to abuse the legal process.

“Besides, The Prophet has a milk of human kindness. He is still grieving over the horrendous loss of lives.

Coming to court is not proper. It is not a good way of showing respect for the dead.”

Technical hitch stops proceedings

Proceedings into the on-going coroner inquest into the September 12 Synagogue building collapse was yesterday stalled by faulty electronic recorder, which eventually forced the sitting to be adjourned

till today .

At the resumed hearing of the investigation before the coroner yesterday, Magistrate O.A. Komolafe, the Standard Organization of Nigeria, SON, represented by Mr. Bede Obayi, Head, Inspectorate and Compliant Department of the SON told the coroner about their investigation of the materials collected from the rubbles of the collapsed building.

Expectedly, the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, the Lagos State Ministry of Works, Synagogue Church Of All Nations, the contractor that built the failed structure and its founder, Prophet T.B. Joshua are to testify yesterday.

LAUNCHING: Managing Director/CEO, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya (right) signing the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, and Access Bank GMD, Herbert Wigwe, during the launch of Access Money, powered by Airtel in Lagos.

NASS CRISIS: Nda-Isaiah visits Fashola, calls

for change at federal level

By Olasunkanmi Akoni &

Monsur Olowoopejo AGOS—ALL Progressives Congress, APC, presidential aspirant and publisher of the Leadership Newspapers, Chief Sam Nda-Isaiah, yesterday, said the chaos at the National Assembly on Thursday, which the Speaker of the House of Representatives and some members were prevented from gaining entry into the Assembly chamber was a clear indication for the need of urgent positive change in the nation’s polity in 2015.

Nda-Isaiah, who made the remarks during a courtesy visit to Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State at Lagos House, Alausa Ikeja, added that the kind of brigandage displayed at the assembly was unprecedented.

According to the APC presidential hopeful; “As the country moves toward the next general elections, it is becoming increasingly clear to Nigerians that there is need for a positive

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change.

“I am sure that many are aware of what happened in Abuja today, (yesterday) the kind of brigandage, very embarrassing situation. Total breakdown of law and order, an impunity taken to a level that one could not imagine in this country. That is why there must be change in this country.

“As I have been saying, we are

just three months away from change. By the grace of God we must ensure that, for the sake of our country and the generation yet unborn, because we have to rescue this country and that is what Nigerians are asking for.”

Responding, Fashola said: “And what is important is to continue to keep the issues that inform change alive. The issues of insecurity, infrastructure deficit that we must overcome,poorgovernancealludingto issues of impunity in the country. "

POLIO: Fashola tasks FG on open

defecation

By Olasunkanmi Akoni AGOS—GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, urged the Federal Government to initiate campaigns against open defecation in the country, saying; “This is one of the ways polio virus is spread.”

Fashola made the appeal while addressing a horde of physically challenged persons and school

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pupils at the formal launch of the anti-polio animated Comic Movie, “The Polio” in Oregun, Ikeja, produced by Mr. Olugbenga Kuye.

The governor lamented that the country should have been excluded from the list of countries still battling to eradicate polio virus, “if everyone took the campaign against the virus serious-like the

Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014 —11

NDLEA destroys N65m banned drugs in Oyo

Omisore hints of alleged plot to assassinate him

By Gbenga Olarinoye SOGBO—CANDIDATE of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the last governorship election in Osun state, Senator Iyiola Omisore yesterday raised an alarm that some people suspected to be leaders of one of the parties in the state have concluded plans to assassinate him to cover up issues concerning the August 9 election.

Omisore, in a statement in Osogbo by his Media aide, Mr. Victor Oriola, therefore called on security agents to increase security around Senator Omisore to forestall the blood thirsty vampire in the party from carrying out their evil machinations”.

The statement read in part: ”We are constrained to inform the general public, especially the security agents that we have uncovered plots to assassinate Senator Iyiola Omisore in order to cover up the electoral heist perpetrated on August 9, 2014.

“This is coming on the heels of startling revelation coming from the Osun State Election Petition Tribunal handling the petition of Senator Omisore and it is better for the security to have the information to be able to know how to prevent the inhuman act.

“The dwindling political fortunes of the said party in the south west is responsible for this sinister plot that is meant to silence those who are

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considered as a threat in the region.

“The plot which is being coordinated from Lagos state started around June this year when some assassins who have been on the trail of Senator Omisore during the governorship campaign broke into his house in Lagos. Some of the people apprehended by the police are yet to be charged to court since then.

“We have noticed that whenever Senator Omisore comes to the venue of the Osun State Election Petition Tribunal at Oke-Fia, he is being trailed by an unmarked vehicle, ostensibly to monitor his movement. Because of this development, Senator Omisore has been advised not to appear personally in court in order to forestall these

unscrupulous elements from perpetrating their evil deed.”

No discrepancy in Osun election result —PDP expert witness

Meantime, the expert witness of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in the August 9 election in Osun State, Mr Samuel Oduntan has confirmed to the state Election Petition Tribunal that there was no discrepancy in the results of the election he analysed for his principal.

The witness who claimed to be a statistician early in his witness statement also made a u-turn while giving oral evidence before Justice Elizabeth Ikpejime-led tribunal yesterday, saying he

is not a registered statistician.

He said he used Certified True Copies, CTCs, and duplicates of the result forms of the election which had earlier been tendered by the petitioners and he found no discrepancies in the course of his analysis.

“I am not from Osun, neither did I monitor the election, but I was employed by the petitioners to do the analysis of the election materials”, he confirmed.

Omisore and the PDP are challenging the August 9 reelection of Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the All Progressives Congress, APC, while the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, was joined as a party.

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BEOKUTA—Former Ogun State governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Chairman, Mobilisation and Organisation Committee of the P e o p l e s

BADAN—THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has destroyed banned drugs worth over N65m in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The drugs destroyed included marijuana, heroin and cocaine that weighed 20,784,595 kg at Akilapa village in Ibadan.

While setting the drugs on fire, the state commander of NDLEA, Mrs. Omolade Faboyede estimated them at N65 million.

The breakdown showed that the cannabis sativa destroyed, weighed 20,769, while cocaine was 100grammes.

Obasanjo receives PVC from INEC

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RALLY: From left: Senators Olubunmi Adetunmbi (Ekiti North), Oluremi Tinubu(Lagos Central), and Gbenga Ashafa, (Lagos East) at the "Salvation Rally" organised by All Progressives Congress, APC, at Eagles Square, Abuja.

Daniel, Kashamu clash over senatorial ambition

By Daud Olatunji

I

By OlaAjayi

D e m o c r a t i c Party in South We s t , Prince Buruji Kashamu yesterday appeared before a screening panel of the PDP over their Senatorial ambition.

Both Daniel and Kashamu are vying for

the ticket of Ogun East Senatorial district on the platform of the PDP. They were screened by a five-man screening committee at the party Secretariat, Kuto, Abeokuta.

Kashamu who had appeared for screening

was later joined and embraced by Daniel at the office of the state chairman of the party, Bayo Dayo.

While speaking with newsmen, Kashamu disclosed that he was contesting for the Senate from Ijebu-Igbo in the

forth coming election.

He, however, said that he would prefer that Daniel should step down for him, saying, “one has to step down for the other, but ,I don’t know who is going to step down for the other but I believe he is going to step down for me.”

Also speaking with newsmen, Daniel who was accompanied by his loyalists disclosed that he was in the race to better the lots of his people in the district and as well to represent Remo people of Ijebu who he said had never had the opportunity.

He said he was in the party Secretariat for the mandatory screening of the PDP, adding that he had obtained the form before he came for the screening.

By Daud Olatunji

B E O K U TA — F O R M E R President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday received his Permanent Voter ’s Card from Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Obasanjo received his card from Residential Electoral Commissioner in Ogun State, Sam Olumekun at his hilltop residence at Kuto, Abeokuta.

Former President implored the commission to work harder to tackle all the complaints of the people to avoid disenfranchising numerous citizens from participating in the forthcoming general elections.

‘PDP crisis in Ondo, Oyo now resolved'

By Gbenga Olarinoye SOGBO—THE leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in the South West has declared that the crisis rocking the party in Ondo and Oyo states has finally been resolved.

Fielding questions from newsmen in Osogbo, yesterday, the zonal chairman of the party in the South West, Mr Makanjuola Ogundipe stressed that the internal crisisrockingthepartyinthetwo states has been settled.

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12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

Health workers paralyse medical services in Delta hospitals

By Victor AhiumaYoung & Ediri Ejoh

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EALTHCARE services in Delta State have worsened, following a strike by nurses and midwives in the state on Wednesday which compounded the situation created by the ongoing nationwide strike by members of the Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU. Investigations revealed that over 85 percent of patients have been discharged from public hospitals in the state.

An official of the state branch of National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, told Vanguard on condition of anonymity that only prematured births and very critical patients who could not discharge themselves were left in the hospitals.

Members of the state chapter of NANNM had, Wednesday, commenced an indefinite strike to protest the unresolved issues with the Hospital Management Board, HMB, Asaba.

The contentious issues, according to a statement by the state NANNM Secretary, Mr. Frank Okoh, ranged from noncompliance in the creation of 10 additional positions for Special Grade (SG) One Nurses; refusal to recruit nurses to address shortages in the hospitals; non-implementation of salary and payment of

promotion arrears to nurses promoted to SG(II) since 2011 in HMB; victimisation of Nurse D.O Okemezi and nonpayment of promotion salaries/ arrears to Eku Baptist Hospital nurses absorbed by the state government.

He said the association decided to down tools after the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum given to HMB, vowing that the exercise was

total shutdown of all government-owned hospitals in the state.

He said: “The Permanent Secretary of HMB, Mrs. Caroline Ajuya, disregarded approval made by former Head of Service, Mr. Ofili, for 10 additional nurses to the grade of SG(1) saying that the Board rather than keeping this arrangement as agreed upon in that meeting, included other

names that were not in the original list. Recent advisement/ appointment of Consultants, Medical officers, Laboratory scientists, House officers, Pharmacists but Nurses were deliberately excluded when the hub of health delivery system whose duties and responsibilities vis-a-vis the 63 Government owned Hospitals in the state cannot be quantified.”

SEMINAR: From left: Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State (left); Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Jamila Shuara, and the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Ernest Nwapa, shortly after the opening ceremony of the 4th edition of the Practical Nigerian Content, at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa.

BEDC refutes Delta community's claims of blackout B ENIN Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, has refuted claims by Uwheru Community in Delta State, that it had put residents in darkness for the past three years as contained in a newspaper report.

The company, in a statement, said the protest and pronouncement by retired Bishop Vincent Moughere of the Ughelli Anglican Diocese, were malicious and far from the truth.

It said that there had been ongoing negotiations with the community to resolve the issue of a failed transformer in the community, which resulted to power outage in some parts of the community.

BEDC said: "The Uwheru community is serviced by five transformers out of which one failed recently. The statement said that the fault was promptly reported and there were negotiations with the community to replace the transformer. A notable leader of the community, Chief P.G. Adjekpiyede, was at the several meetings held with the community. Both parties finally agreed that at least 70 per cent of

an outstanding debt of N2.8 million be paid to facilitate the replacement. But up till press time no payment has been made and negotiations are still ongoing.

“The community has a cumulative debt of over N20 million, with the failed transformer accounting for about N2.8 million. What we agreed was that they should pay N1.99 million to enable us replace the

transformer,” adding that the company paid for power from generating companies and consumers should pay for power consumed.

It faulted claims that the community does not have access to the company. It stressed that BEDC had a district office in Ughelli town in addition to Patani Service Unit directly in charge of Uwheru community, adding

that all the company's offices were known to electricity consumers in the area.

It said the company as a profit oriented concern would not deliberately put any community in darkness since it made its revenue from the supply of power, adding that consumers should be patient as there were concerted efforts to resolve the numerous challenges facing the power sector.

16,458 students bag degrees in UNIBEN convocation

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN—A TOTAL of 16,458 graduands were yesterday conferred with different awards at the 39th and 40th convocation/44th Founder’s Day ceremonies of the University of Benin, UNIBEN. Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Osayuki Oshodin, who disclosed this while addressing the congregation, said the university combined the 30th

and 40th convocation because of its inability to hold the 39th convocation last year due to the strike by Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU. Noting that this convocation would be his last as Vice Chancellor of the university, as his tenure ends this month, Oshodin said since the inception of his administration in 2009, 173 staff were promoted to the rank of full Professor, while 214 were elevated to the position of

associate Professor.

“Apart from several infrastructure we put in place with the help of the federal government, two new faculties were established during this period; these were the Faculty of Environment Sciences and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Also, the Distance Learning Centre was established to provide additional access to the number of distance learning candidates.”

DELSU ASUU tasks Delta govt on rescue of kidnapped lecturer

By Festus Ahon

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S A B A — ACADEMIC Staff Union of Universities, Delta State University, ASUU, Abraka branch, has accused the state government of carefree attitude to the kidnap of Associate Professor Nyerhovwo Tonukari, a lecturer in the institution.

It lamented that 37 days after he was “picked ingloriously and criminally by hawkish abductors for monetary ransom,” Tonukari was still being kept away “just like the Chibok girls.”

The branch, in a statement by its Chairman, Professor Abel Diakparomre, and Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri, said: “Another frightening dimension Tonukare’s kidnap is taking is that his brother, Tega Tonukare, with whom the kidnappers have been holding discussion, was himself abducted by persons we believe kidnapped Tonukari. The fear is palpable that if the Tonukares are not released immediately, staff of the University may find it difficult to leave their homes to attend to their normal duties as no one knows who next the victim is likely to be."

Ede Azigbo passes on

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Peoples Democratic Party stalwart in Delta State, Hon. Edesiri Azigbo, is dead, aged 56.

He died in Sapele after a brief illness.

A service of songs will hold at St. Patricks Catholic Church, Sapele, on December 4, while interment takes place December 5 at his residence in Sapele.

He is survived by a widow and children.

Late Edesiri Azigbo

Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014—13

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14—Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

President

Jonathan's

57th

birthday

President Goodluck Jonathan (2nd right); First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan (right), mother of the President, Mrs. Eunice Jonathan (middle); Chaplain of Aso Villa Chapel, Ven. Obioma Onwuzurumba, and others at the President's 57th birthday, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday. Photos: State House & Abayomi Adeshina

celebration

in

Abuja

President Jonathan and his mother, Mrs. Eunice Jonathan and wife, Dame Jonathan, before cutting of the cake.

President Jonathan being congratulated by wife, Jubilation during the celebration.

Patience Jonathan

President Jonathan with members of the State House press corps.

Chaplain of Aso Villa Chapel, Ven. Obioma Onwuzurumba (left), offering holy communion to friends of the President.

President Jonathan and Dame Patience Jonathan during communion prayer.

President Goodluck Jonathan, receiving a card from Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State (right), and His Royal Highness, Diette Spiff (2nd left)

Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014 — 15

Police attack on National Assemblymen, yesterday in pics. Photos by Gbemiga Olamikan

Seplat, CBN, others sign new gas to power deal

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Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal (middle) being protected by colleagues as police fire teargas canisters at the legislators at the National Assembly, Abuja.

EPLAT Petroleum Development Company Plc operator of the NNPC/SEPLAT JV, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, to boost gas supply to the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry, NESI. Parties to the MOU include the ministries of Petroleum Resources and Power, in conjunction with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and the National Electricity Regulatory commission, NERC, as well as NNPC, SEPLAT and Gas Aggregation Company Nigeria Limited.

Under the terms of the MOU which will subsist until December 31st, 2017,

the CBN will set up a special purpose vehicle which will provide a facility under the CBN-Nigerian Electricity Market Stabilization Facility (CBNNEMSF) to offset IRP and Legacy Gas Debts owed by NESI to the gas sector.

Dignitaries present at the signing ceremony included Diezani Alison-Madueke, Minister of Petroleum resources, Godwin Emefiele, CBN Governor, Professor Chinedu Nebo, Minister of Power, Dr. Eyo Ekpo from NERC, Chairman/CEO NERC, Kunle Allen, MD GASM, Austin Avuru, CEO Seplat and many others.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of

Petroleum Resources noted that the CBN-NEMF intervention will help “settle legacy debts amounting to over N36.9bn thus bringing closure to the problems of the power sector.”

Following the signing of the MOU, SEPLAT will be paid an outstanding N7billion owed by defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, and PHCN successor companies.

Seplat will, thereafter, under the terms of the MOU boost its gas supply to the domestic market to 430MM scfd by 2017 in line with the existing Gas Sale and Aggregation Agreements.

The MOU supports the FG and Petroleum ministry’s agenda.

PAAR has enhanced trade facilitation, security — Customs green or red lanes. The

By Ifeanyiwa Obi

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Lawmakers scaling the gate of the National Assembly.

Lawmakers under siege as police fired canisters after canisters at them.

Senator Olusola Adeyeye with the journalists after the attack.

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ARELY one year after the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, introduced the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report, PAAR, the service yesterday, affirmed that the initiative has enhanced trade facilitation, even as cargoes are completely scrutinized based on the risk associated with them.

Speaking to Vanguard, the Area Project Manager, Apapa Area 1 command of the NCS, Deputy Comptroller Ibrahim Yusuf, explained that PAAR, which was designed to facilitate trade, ease off the tension of manual operations, as well as domesticate the use of service providers, has saved over N40 billion, from the one per cent Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme, CISS, charges on import initially paid to service providers.

Describing those condemning the PAAR system as paid critics of service providers, who are still feeling bad losing the one per cent CISS charges for a work not done, Yusuf disclosed that “as it is now, we have saved about N40 billion which would have ended up going to the service providers and by the end of the year, the Customs would have saved over N60 billion going to government coffers.”

The Deputy Comptroller of the Nigerian Customs Service, who added that the World Customs Organisation and World Trade Organisation have certified PAAR, asking other

countries to follow suit because of its reliability, explained that “PAAR is nothing but a documentary processing paper designed to facilitate trade and ease off the tension of manual operations.

“With the concept of PAAR, it is what an importer presented through his bank that PAAR will give to him. The Customs look at the value and classification before issuing PAAR, and this involves series of scrutiny, when it comes to clearing of cargoes.'' “The consignment can be selected by the scanning system as blue,

green lane confirms the cargo to have a sound track record of integrity, whereas the red lane shows the cargo has a high risk and must go through physical examination. '' This physical examination is not only conducted by the Customs, as it also involves the Department of State Services (DSS), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and other collaborating agencies are also given alert on cargo that is in their purview,” he said.

Check Point pioneers zero prevention with malware response

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HECK POINT S o f t w a r e Technologies Ltd, has announced that its ThreatCloud technology beat major competitors in a recent benchmark testing of malware attacks on corporate networks.

In today ’s network environments, unknown malware infections have the potential to spread quickly. Response times to detection and prevention of malware has moved from days to mere seconds.

To that end, Check Point has introduced the Zero Second Protection Test, to assess the response rate of security solutions to a potential malware infection via a compromised email.

The test demonstrated the strength of Check Point’s solution, not

allowing the malware even a second on the network.

“Malware can do immeasurable harm to an organization over the course of 60 seconds. As security threats multiply exponentially, what happens if the speed of malware overtakes the speed of business? “Every second counts when it comes to protecting your organization against malware. Our Zero Second Test highlights Check Point’s noncompromise between security and speed, offering the industry ’s fastest protection and performance to our worldwide customers and partners.” Marie Hattar, chief marketing officer at Check Point Software Technologies, said.

16—Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

Presidency, APC, Atiku, others react

By Kingsley Omonobi, Henry Umoru, Victor Ahiuma-Young, Gbenga Oke, Peter Duru, Levinus Nwabughiogu & Chris Ochayi

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NASS—Minority Leader, Suleiman Kawu shortly after he was allegedly manhandled by policemen, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Police take over NASS, tear-gas lawmakers Continues from page 5 to prosecute whatever situation in the country”.

He said: “The House needs a maximum of 10 days and a minimum of two days to sit on such a national matter but for now no extension of the emergency rule”.

Reacting to a question on whether there was a move to impeach the deputy speaker, Ihedioha, Mohammed said “there was no plan like that by members”.

Compilation of signatures to impeach Jonathan

The impeachment threat against President Jonathan was, however, gaining momentum with as many as 120 having signed an impeachment notice to be issued when the House reconvenes next month.

Vanguard gathered that the essence of gathering the signatures is to ensure that by December 3 when the House reconvenes, an impeachment notice would be slammed on President Jonathan.

It's no impeachable offence —Leo Ogor

Deputy Leader of the House, Mr. Leo Ogor was, however, dismissive of the threat, saying yesterday that “for now, those gathering signatures to impeach the President are wasting their time because the man has not committed any impeachable offence.

Do you think that impeachment is a tea party and what offence are they relying on to impeach him?” he wondered.

“As for me, that is a non-issue for now because there is no grounds for such a C M Y

move”.

Meanwhile, the House Committee on Police Affairs has summoned the Inspector-General of Police to explain why the National Assembly was invaded by his men.

Senators react

Apparently angered by the development, many Senators who spoke with journalists after the three-minute session, condemned the development. In his reaction, Senator Olushola Adeyeye ( APC Osun Central), said the ugly incident clearly shows that Nigeria is in serious mess.

He said: “Going by what happened today, it is crystal clear that Nigeria is in a big mess and not just in crises. In fact, if not for the dexterity of people like the Senate President, David Mark, in managing the crises all along, the mess would have been bigger than this. Imagine security forces laying siege to the parliament of Nigerians and throwing tear gas here and there on their elected lawmakers because of power mongering."

Also condemning the incident, Senator Abdullahi Adamu (APC Nasarawa West) described it as barbaric, disgusting and a very bad omen for democracy in the country.

“What has happened here today, partisan interest apart, is very bad and embarrassing not only to us the parliamentarians but to Nigerians generally."

However, Senator Ehigie Uzamere ( PDP Edo South) called for caution among lawmakers over the incident since according to him, the Senate had already invited the InspectorGeneral of Police, Sulaiman Abba to appear before it on Tuesday next

week for explanations on what led to the Police action.

He specifically chided Senator Adeyeye for running down PDP and President Jonathan over the incident by describing his utterances as unparliamentary.

Why we were at NASS — Police

A statement by the Police last night defended the action of its men in the National Assembly, yesterday, saying it was based on intelligence reports on the possible invasion of the National Assembly by hoodlums. In the statement issued by force spokesman, Emmanuel Ojukwu, an acting commissioner of police, the police said: "Following an intelligence report of a likely invasion of the House of Representatives by hoodlums and thugs, the Nigeria Police Force promptly deployed its personnel to the premises to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

Consequently, the Police cordoned off the area and began screening of all members and visitors alike.

"In the course of this lawful exercise, Alh. Aminu Tambuwal, CFR, arrived the venue with a motley crowd, who broke the cordon, assaulted the Police and evaded due process and the Police had the duty to restore order and normalcy, using lawful means.

"The IGP seizes this medium to warn all political actors and their followers to respect constituted authority and due process and to desist from the use of thugs to pursue their agenda.

"The Nigeria Police shall continually apply all lawful means to prevent a breakdown of law and order in all segments of the society and shall apply the full weight of the law on any political actor who violates the peace and security of the nation."

HE show of shame at the House of Representatives, yesterday, elicited comments and lamentations from a host of eminent Nigerians, who warned political actors and stakeholders to be decorous in their conduct and shun antidemocratic acts.

Among those who spoke on the shameful activities, which saw some lawmakers scaling the fence to gain access into the National Assembly premises were The Presidency; former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav; for mer Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman and now a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Audu Ogbeh; the main opposition, APC; Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP).

Scenario is unfortunate, IGP did his job –Presidency

Speaking on the issue, the Presidency distanced President Goodluck Jonathan from the incident. Describing the incident as unfortunate, it nevertheless, backed the Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, who ordered heavily armed security operatives to block the National Assembly Complex.

According to the Presidency, the IGP was not only carrying out his constitutional functions in his capacity as the number one police officer, but also carried out the assignment to protect lives and property, just as it described yesterday ’s incident as unfortunate.

Addressing journalists yesterday, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, who noted that Suleiman Abba never invaded the National Assembly but barricaded it, said: “The assumption (that the police boss was acting on instruction from the President) should stop.

The IGP is a very senior

officer of the government and his duties are to enforce the law.

“He doesn’t need to get The Villa to enforce the law. He is not a house boy. Though he works under the government, he is expected to defend the law. The IGP has the duty to enforce the law.

He acted in discharge of his duty. The IGP didn’t invade the assembly. It is wrong to assume that.

“The whole scenario at the National Assembly today as we witnessed is rather unfortunate. We wish that at all times; national interest should supersede all other interests including personal and political interests.

“From government perspective, the overriding concern today is the issue of insurgency which necessitated the request

by Mr President that the National Assembly considers an extension of the State of Emergency to give the security forces the needed legal framework and space for a successful prosecution of the war against Boko Haram terrorists.

“It is our hope that the Honourable members of the House of Representatives will use the period of adjournment to resolve all matters so that they can resume to deliberate and act on issues of National importance.”

Jonathan desperate to remove Tambuwal –APC

However, the APC disagreed with the Presidency and accused President Jonathan of sabotaging his own administration’s war against Boko Haram on the altar of personal vindictiveness and political desperation.

In a statement, yesterday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said because he was so desperate to oust Tambuwal as the Speaker of House of Representatives, President Jonathan ensured that the House could not meet as scheduled yesterday to consider his request for an extension of the State of Emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

"For a President who has severally stated his administration’s commitment to the battle against insurgency in the North-East, is it not

a cruel irony that he allowed his personal ego and political desperation to override his sense of propriety, by moving to have Rt. Hon. Tambuwal removed instead of having the House of Representatives sit to consider his request?

"Does anyone need any more evidence that the President’s sole preoccupation is how to win the 2015 elections, rather than the fate of the hundreds of Nigerians who are daily being killed and maimed at the epicentre of the insurgency? Had he been genuinely committed to the fight against the insurgents, would the President not have allowed the House to sit to consider his request?

How does he feel now that the entire National Assembly has been shut down because of his capricious action?’’ it queried.

It’s a show of shame –TUC

The Trade Union Congress, TUC, condemned what it termed the “ recurring crises in the House of Representatives”, describing it as nothing but a show of shame.

Expressing shock at the alleged role of security operatives in the commotion instead of maintaining law and order, the TUC, in a joint statement by its President, Bobboi Kagaima and Secretary, Musa Lawal, said it is yet to come to terms with what it saw on the television and series of photographs used by the social media; Nigerian lawmakers pulling down gates and climbing fences! This is a “feat” which we have not seen in other climes. We wonder what politics has become in this country!

We are amazed at the door-die attitude of our politicians in their quest for power."

Atiku reacts Atiku Abubakar also slammed the Jonathan administration, saying it has employed some crude way in harassing and humiliating perceived political enemies.

In a statement by his media office, Atiku said that the “siege mentality ” of the Jonathan administration posed grave threats to Nigeria’s democracy, the rule of law and the separation of powers as enshrined in the 1999 constitution as amended."

Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014 —17

L

AST week, President Goodluck Jonathan made his way to Eagle Square in Abuja; and, surrounded by a large crowd of cheering supporters, firmly and formally declared his intention to run for a second term in 2015.

I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by his speech and body language.

Inspirational self-projection has never been Jonathan’s strongest point; and I doubt that he will ever be an absolutely brilliant orator. But he sounded much better than he used to sound and looked much more comfortable in his skin.

A governance expert who has closely monitored the performance of Jonathan’s administration tells me that several paragraphs in Jonathan’s declaration speech were “highly suspect”.

According to this critic, “most of the achievements for which he claimed credit were nonexistent or exaggerated.”

But appearances can sometimes be as important as reality within a political context; and I think it is fair to say that Jonathan came across, on this occasion at least, as articulate, focused, credible, passionate, sincere and confident.

Having said this, he struck an extremely false note that made me laugh when he thanked the Cattle Breeders’ Union (Miyetti Allah), the Market Womens’ Association and the National Association of Widows for “encouraging me by coming together to contribute to the purchase of my nomination form”.

Anyone who believes that these organisations suddenly woke up one morning and decided - spontaneously and unprompted – to vigorously back Mr President with their own hard-earned cash and widows’ mites needs his or her head examined!

Totally skewed priorities According to a recent Punch newspaper investigation, many state government houses in Nigeria are so lavish that they have cost much more to build – up to nine times more in some cases – than many of our C M Y K

•President Jonathan

A significant improvement! universities.

The investigators painted a really depressing and enraging picture of gross neglect of our academic institutions. Thanks to chronic under-funding, they are inadequately staffed and poorly maintained and often find it impossible to get their courses accredited by the National Universities Commission.

In serious countries, governments regard it as crucial to properly educate the next generation; and most universities are satisfactory or

impressive temples of learning. Here, libraries, laboratories and other facilities are pathetic.

In serious countries, politicians cannot get away with wallowing in luxury while the general population struggles for basic human rights. Here, anything goes and an utterly selfish disregard for the welfare of the majority is the norm.

When will we get our priorities right and have the guts to insist on higher standards on every level?

When will we kick out leaders who don’t deliver the benefits we need and want? Is it that we are suffering from inferiority complexes and feel that we and our children do not deserve a better deal?

Excessively tame youths

In serious countries, politicians cannot get away with wallowing in luxury while the general population struggles for basic human rights

I have long felt that Nigerian youngsters are a big part of the problem…in the sense that they are (in my opinion) too conservative, too cautious, too untroublesome and too deferential towards their elders and the nation’s rulers!

When I was growing up in the UK, it was normal for young people to question their parents’ values and view The Establishment with intense suspicion.

If Mum, Dad, aunties and uncles condemned homosexuality, banned nightclubs or turned their noses up at trendy dressing, it was your job as a teenager to regard them as ridiculous reactionaries. If you didn’t have the courage to be overtly rebellious, you and your pals

complained about them behind their backs.

We used to describe them as “ wrinklies” and sadly shake our heads whenever we discussed their obsession with discipline, religion and conformism in general.

Teenagers who were “teachers’ pets” were mercilessly teased. Slavishly obedient adolescent sons and daughters who did stuff like WILLINGLY going to church every Sunday were regarded as irredeemably boring.

University students who didn’t prefer drinking and partying to studying were objects of pity.

When William Hague – now aged 53 and the current Leader of the British House of Commons – was 16 in 1977, he spoke at the Conservative Party’s annual conference and made lots of prissy comments that thrilled lots of wrinklies.

Most of Hague’ peers, including this columnist, were appalled. As far as we were concerned, he was the ultimate sychophantic teacher’s pet and Mummy’s Boy. As far as we were concerned, he should be demonstrating against the authorities and going on protest marches, not getting into bed with wrinklies.

In a nutshell, when I was a UK-based youngster, the most un-cool thing you could do was think, dress, behave and totally agree with the older generation!

And things haven’t changed much on the British social landscape since I eventually embraced adulthood and made the transition from youth to maturity and abandoned

most of the radical ideas that excited me when I was a kid.

I have a l9-year-old son called Oliver. Oliver is doing a psychology degree course in London; and he is a handful who constantly challenges me and his father.

If I ask Oliver to follow me to church, he grumbles. If I make negative remarks about his irritating habit of wearing torn jeans that hang from his hips rather than from his waist, he accuses me of not having a clue about modern sartorial issues and patronizingly informs me that he has no interest in “dressing like Daddy and your male friends – who, let’s face it, were born over five decades ago.”

If Oliver ’s father lectures him about the need to budget and be sensible about expenditure, he breezily dismisses his father ’s concerns. And you know what?

Even though part of me would like my son to be a docile, easily controllable mini-version of his exasperated parents, part of me is GLAD that he is going through this phase because it is HEALTHY for the young and old to be different.

I’m now a wrinklie myself and am, like most of my contemporaries, under pressure to conform because I have to contend on a daily basis with huge family/work responsibilities, demanding bosses or business clients and endless bills that must be paid, including Oliver ’s college fees.

But our student offspring are relatively carefree. And they might as well enjoy this freedom for a while…and use it productively…and be a bit unruly and fight back against injustice and carry placards whenever the authorities mess up.

UK residents enjoy substantial benefits like round-the-clock electricity and first-class healthcare and primary/secondary schooling they don’t have to pay for.

Corruption exists in the UK but is rare and punished when it is discovered.

To cut a long story short, the UK has not been damaged by the rebellions to which it is subjected by every new generation. And I am convinced that Nigeria will become a better place when MOST Nigerian youngsters emulate their foreign counterparts and quit carrying on like lethargic sacks of garri!

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

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18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

A

S a people of many words, we appreciate the essence of justice. The speed of justice is something we use to illustrate the essence of ensuring that justice is done, and in a fashion, that does not vitiate the essence of justice. Anyone who knows these philosophical postulations about justice would be shocked about minor efforts governments make to facilitate justice.

Judicial workers go on nation-wide strike because money due to state judiciaries is not released. The strike put access to justice on hold.

The Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Jonah Otunla, in a 17 July 2014, asked States to comply with a court judgment that vindicated the stand of judiciary workers.

The Federal Government had complied with the judgment by Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja, asking governments at all levels to release allocations to the Judiciary at the federal and state levels. Should that be the case when budgets, once passed become law?

Section 121 (3) of the 1999 Constitution states, “Any amount standing to the credit of the Judiciary in the consolidated revenue fund of

Giv e Judiciar Give Judiciaryy Its Mone Moneyy the state shall be paid directly to the heads of the courts concerned”.

The provision is clear, express and unequivocal. It depicts the withholding of funds to the Judiciary as unconstitutional. The Executive’s refusal to release the funds led to the court action.

It is unfortunate that the Judiciary is treated as the inferior partner among the three arms of government. It should not be the case.

The Constitution grants the Judiciary independence for it to play its role as arbiter and interpreter of the Constitution and other legal matters without impediments.

The continued withholding of the finances of the Judiciary by the Executive with tacit cooperation of the Legislature, in the States, is an affront to our Constitution. It makes the Judiciary susceptible to manipulations. The Judiciary cannot operate with the independence the Constitution envisages when its finances are in the control of governors who run States like their private estates.

Governors like to continue in the military tradition that tied the Judiciary to the apron strings of the Executive. They address themselves as executive governors and take credit for achievements of the Judiciary. The continued breach of the law is not only unacceptable; it is also majorly responsible for the frequent disruptions of work by the judicial workers union in their bid to compel compliance.

We call on the Legislature to join the Judiciary in ensuring executive compliance with the court judgment. Unless all arms of government are independent, the tripod on which democracy thrives would collapse. The Judiciary in the hands of self-ser ving governors is additional danger these days.

OPINION

By Issa Aremu “My country is my country, even though it is unjust to me”- a Moroccan proverb.

“Arise, O Compatriots” is the national anthem of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Adopted in 1978, the National Anthem comprises patriotic words and phrases of five compatriots, namely John A. Ilechukwu, Eme Etim Akpan, B. A. Ogunnaike, Sotu Omoigui and P.O. Aderibighe. The inspiring words were put into worthy lyrics by the Nigeria Police Band under the directorship of Benedict Elise Odiase, replacing post-indepedence: “Nigeria We Hail Thee” composed by Lillian Jean Williams and Frances Benda, both British expatriates. The sights and sounds of Nigeria in the late '70s, were certainly not that of explosions, serial bombings of schools and charred bodies of pupils, millions of internally Displaced persons, IDPs, abductions and criminal kidnappings of recent times. On the contrary, Nigeria had uninterrupted school runs at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. It’s territorial integrity of almost one million sq km was intact. Indeed, Nigeria as a front line state spiritedly supported the liberation of the colonially occupied territories through historic decolonisation campaign efforts that led to the eventual indepedence of Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa.

The 1978 clarion call, “Arise, O compatriots” remains a thoughtful inspiration for nationbuilding and pan- Africanism if we choose to walk the lyrics. There “was once a country” which truly called all citizens for progress and to which all Nigerians indeed obeyed. With all

Arise, O Compatriots it’s acknowledged limitations, the 1999 Constitution is premised on profound welfare and national security considerations.The chapter dealing with the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy says among others that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”.The drafters of this Constitution never envisaged that some 15 years after, as many as over 21,545.86 sq km of land of the Nigeria land mass would come under occupation of some local insurgents without any official declaration of war. Reportedly 10 LGAs with more than two million people affected are under the heel of Boko Haram insurgents in three North Eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, an area “larger than Imo, Abia and Ekiti states put together, as big as Bayelsa and bigger than Gombe State.

The land mass under the control of the insurgents is about the size of Wales in the United Kingdom or the state of Maryland in the United States, and bigger than Northern Ireland.”

With these scary reports about the gross violation of the territorial integrity of Nigeria, it cannot be business as usual by the President, legislators and governors who have taken the oaths to protect the Federal Republic as well as appointed security personnel. The Senate and the House of Representatives recently adjourned not on account of the scandalous invasion of insurgents in the affected states but due to sickening disagreements over the scrambles for party tickets for 2015 elections.

The groundswell of national solidarity by thousands of compatriots which trailed the IG’s

ill-advised order on security details of Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, shows that compatriots can truly arise to defend another compatriot. What is good for the Speaker (security!) is even as desirable for hundreds of thousands of Mubi, Hong and Chibok who for whatever reason, are exposed to suicidal attacks due to insecurity. If we can commendably protect political rallies, why should schools prove soft targets for marauding insurgents? An injury to one is an injury to all. Multiple injuries to as many as a million IDPs of the North East must be multiple injuries to us all. A compatriot is defined as a fellow country man or woman.

With as many as 176 million fellows, Nigeria is certainly not short of compatriots that must rise for Nigeria now. Nigeria’s 17 million huge Diaspora population ranks one of the highest in a peace time, sufficiently scattered all over the world to rise in support of their country any where with any means, even if the country falls short of electricity, light and drinking water. The motto of Almuni Asociation of the National institute, AANI is: "Towards a Better society." Only compatriots can build a better society. Governors and legislators must urgently fashion out some political solution to the interactable challenge of insurgency, almost five years after. I agree with Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole who calls for a bi-partisan approach to security challenge.

Patriots are defined as those with notable love for their country. With as many as 400 official Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SAN and 1500 members of the National Institute, Nigeria is not short of patriots to “serve our Fatherland with love and strength and faith” . With as many as eight million organised workforce in

the NLC and TUC, Nigeria parades a patriotic workforce. It’s time these compatriots and patriots alike heeded Nigeria’s call for solidarity and offer support against the invasion of our territories and cherished values of peaceful coexistence and tolerance so that “The labour of our heroes past Shall never be in vain”. Many thanks to patriots who are still standing and remain counted in this age of least resistance by many compatriots. His Eminence Abubakar Saad had repeatedly and commendably damned the insurgents as antiIslamic. Interrogating the hate and terror narratives of the insurgents will “Help our youth the truth to know, In love and honesty to grow”.

Former Military Governor of Kaduna state,Colonel Umar Dangiwa and Professor Wole Soyinka and elder statesman, Emeka Anyaoku and Femi Falana have rightly warned all compatriots not to be indifferent to the sad development in the North East. The ongoing partisan star words between politicians over who gets what, not necessarily who adds value, must be replaced by patriotic collective actions to halt and put an end to further advance of the insurgents and killings of defencelss civilians.

It’s time President Goodluck Jonathan addressed the nation on an all-inclusive road map to terminate insurgency underscoring an end to all forms of extremism, including economic extremism in which few are having well at the expense of the well being of many!

*Comrade Aremu is the Secretary General, Almuni Association of the National Institute, AANI

Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014— —19

Is INEC a threat to 2015 elections?

By Clement Udegbe

F

IVE weeks ago today,

Sunday Vanguard blew open, the INEC Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega’s 30,000 new polling units plot. INEC has surreptitiously approved new polling booths in the distribution, of which more booths were allocated to Abuja than the whole South East of Nigeria made up of five states, with a population of over 16 million persons, compared to Abuja's 1.7 million, among many other incongruences. Expectedly, South Eastern politicians, stakeholders from across the nation, roundly condemned the plot which was clearly aimed at compromising the votes from other parts of Nigeria to the favour of the North.

But typically of a proud government official with the born to rule mentality, Prof. Jega granted a press interview and told his listeners that he was not an ethnic jingoist, adding that he never begged for the job in the first place, and would resign any time he is convinced that he would be sacked.

Nigerians spoke out against the ethnic plot to twist polling figures in favour of the North, by INEC. Some Northerners who were convinced that INEC was right, like Dr. Junaid Mohammed, used another forum to propound a new theory that under a truly scientific demographic assessment, where Adamawa was the palm of the

hand, the five states of the South East would be like a dot in it. Adamawa’s 3.1 million population is less than almost 4 million of Imo Sate alone.

Well, the trouble continued until the Oodua People’s Congress went to court, seeking to declare the policy obnoxious, unconstitutional.

Suddenly INEC and Prof Jega’s knees buckled with their shelving of the controversial new polling booths policy, thereby ending the furore and discrediting Dr. Junaid Mohammed's theory against the South East, while Prof Jega sits tight in office. Have they given up, and will they ever give up? No, they will not because they have the born-to-rule mentality.

We are in no position to say who begged who for this job of INEC chairmanship; so that claim by Prof.

Jega is neither here nor there.

However, he suggested that he was the only one who could deliver a free and fair election at that time.

What shall we then say of Prof Humphrey Nwosu of June 12 election fame? If Jega makes such claims, even in the face of some faulted elections, including the recently concluded Anambra, gubernatorial election, where he admitted grievous faults. As far as we know, there are millions of qualified Nigerians who can deliver smooth, less expensive, less confused voters registration exercise today in this country, with a concomitant free, faultless, fair and

less controversial elections at least from the point of INEC’s roles.

Since the Federal Government seem only interested in Professors, we have many good ones in IMSU, UNN, UI and OAU, to name a few, who can serve as more reliable replacement for Prof Jega and who can be counted on to calm frayed nerves across the nation, especially in the South of Nigeria. GEJ’s one clear weakness lies in his trying to please the North at the expense of others. This has wrought more harm than good on his administration, as exemplified by the failure in our security system today where a rag-tag insurgent Boko Haram group has, under the watch of his administration, grown

Southerners are insisting on their rights being respected

by INEC and other people in power, and owe no apologies to Prof Jega and his Northern directors

to take over control of Gwarzo and Mubi, establishing a caliphate there within one year, while politicians talk and dance at campaigns.

The best person at any point in time should get the job. And for INEC chairmanship, Prof. Jega has lost the confidence of the Igbo, Yoruba and most Southern voters.

Jingoism is defined by Wikipedia as patriotism in the form of aggressive foreign policy. It also refers to a country’s advocation of the use of threats or actual force as against peaceful relations, either economic or political, with other countries, in order to safeguard what it perceives as its national interests. Colloquially, it refers to excessive bias in judging one’s own country as superior to others— an extreme type of nationalism.

An ethnic jingoist, therefore, is an individual with an extreme type of ethnicity and ethnic patriotism that could manifest in the form of aggressive, ethnic policies.

It is left for the reader therefore, to decide whether Prof Jega of INEC is an ethnic jingoist with elections results so far, and the 30,000 new polling units, palaver.

American President, Theodore Roosevelt, who was frequently accused of jingoism, stated in 1895: “There is much talk about ‘jingoism’. If by ‘jingoism’ they mean a policy in pursuance of which Americans will, with resolution and common sense, insist upon our rights being respected by foreign powers, then we are ‘jingoes’.” In agreement with his position, it is we, the Igbo,

Yoruba and the indeed the entire Southerners, who are insisting on our rights being respected by INEC and other people in power that are the ethnic jingoes, and we owe no apologies to Prof Jega and his Northern directors.

INEC got N45 billion allocated to it this year for the preparation of the 2015 elections. This was meant also for the voters data capturing machines, printers, inks, papers, registrars, security, transport, accommodation and remunerations, etc. So far, the voters card registration exercise in the South is so fraught with challenges that we wonder what the money was spent on.

Temporary Voters Cards that were issued earlier, have become useless in most of Orlu area in Imo State because they say the system became corrupt. Protests were planned but were averted in Imo by the timely intervention of the Governor, whose home local government area was a major victim. Communities provide printer inks, transport for registrars, generator power, card lamination films, fans, etc. With the same reports in Lagos State, and most areas across the nation, who can trust INEC? GEJ, like Nigerians, must watch INEC now, do something, and quickly too, before they waste our time, money and truncate the 2015 elections.

shown some level-headedness in his relationship with President Jonathan had most recently gone off-tangent. As if someone had whispered to him that Amaechi was about to steal the APC presidential running mate slot from him, the governor of Edo State has employed the dirty tactics of his colleague and competitor steeped in blackmail and falsehood.

way”, stated Oshiomhole.

Is Oshiomhole as ignorant and ungrateful as to state that resurfacing of a road that has failed is not a viable project? When last did Oshiomhole travel on the Shagamu/Benin Expressway?

Well, it is understandable that all APC governors now have one or two personal jets and helicopters with which they gallivant about plotting the destabilisation of the country with their incendiary remarks and falsehoods.

It is indeed shameful and speaks of the calibre of leadership in APC that a governor’s only understanding of good governance and dividends of democracy is the mundane reference to roads, bridges and other physical infrastructure. If Oshiomhole who, in that rally was teaching his listeners his half-baked knowledge of etymology of the word “fall”, is literate enough, he would have understood that President Jonathan, by guaranteeing his people the ambience of freedom and liberty to exercise their rights, especially their right of choice, which made their votes count and got him (Oshiomhole) elected, has given them the best that governance can offer.

•Udegbe, a legal practitioner, wrote from Lagos.

Oshiomhole and Amaechi’s race for VP slot

By Tamuno West-Greene

T

HESE are quite ridiculous times, politically speaking, with all manner of nonsense coming out from politicians as they seek to outdo one another in this rat race they dress up in the altruistic robe of serving the people. Yesterday, it was Rotimi Amaechi who mounted the podium at Adokiye Amesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, and openly denigrated the person, family and office of the Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

The Governor’s favourite strategy these days, aimed at convincing the leadership of his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, that he is the ideal candidate for the position of running mate to the anointed opposition presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, is to throw caution to the wind in raining abuses on President Jonathan and the First Lady.

Thus, at the APC mega rally on October 25, 2014, Amaechi said many unprintable things about the Federal Government.

Apparently not getting the right attention with his propaganda of how President Jonathan has marginalised the Rivers people, Amaechi has decided to go personal in his desperate bid to be named APC’s vice presidential candidate.

He had told the crowd mobilised from all the states governed by

C M Y K

APC (ostensibly to show how the opposition party has become entrenched in the President’s own backyard) that, at the root of his disagreement with the President was his refusal to “share Rivers money with the First Lady.”

It is not amusing to some of us who are indigenes of Rivers State the manner in which our governor has carried on. Today, minor governance issues like traffic management in Port Harcourt has gravely degenerated because the state seems to be on auto-pilot,

It speaks of the calibre of leadership in APC that a governor’s understanding of good governance and dividends of democracy is the mundane reference to roads, bridges and other physical infrastructure

with our governor only interested in his own ambition of becoming vice president in 2015. It is profoundly shameful that Governor Amaechi was boasting about the stadium he built in Port Harcourt, where he held his so-called mega rally when his peer, Godswill Akpabio, the governor of neighbouring Akwa Ibom has built, completed and commissioned one of the finest stadiums in the world today, the Nest of Champions, in Uyo. When last did Amaechi visit Akwa Ibom State? Maybe a short trip to that state will teach our governor in Port Harcourt what service to the people means! Or maybe, we the people have a huge stomach to tolerate the shenanigans of a governor imposed on us by the courts!

But Amaechi is not the only one scheming to be APC vice presidential candidate. The ComradeGovernor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, is giving Amaechi a good run for his money. It is therefore not surprising that the two states, Edo and Rivers, seem to have quite a lot in common.

First, their governors are ambitious. Second, both Amaechi and Oshiomhole are clearly distracted from the main issues of governance. Third, following from the above, the two states are in confusion and flux of unrest.

Oshiomhole who, hitherto, had

Sixth year anniversasry Speaking on Wednesday, November 12, 2014, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, during an APC rally to mark his sixth year anniversary as governor, Oshiomhole accused Jonathan of doing nothing for Edo State. Specifically he openly alleged that the President only came to resurface a road built by the military in the state.

“What is the scorecard of the PDP in Edo State and in Nigeria?

The PDP has commissioned the resurfacing of Ofosu to Benin Road in a period of 16 years.

That is all PDP has to show in Edo State for over a period of 16 years.

The PDP Federal Government controls 52.8 % of declared federal collections and Edo State share of that 52.8 % and all they have to show in 16 years is the resurfacing of Ofosu-Benin old carriage

•Mr West-Greene, a political analyst, wrote from Port Harcourt

20 — Vanguard, FRIDAY FRIDAY,, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

Health workers’ strike: Raw deal for patients

By Gabriel Olawale

‘T

HEY will soon come and take me home since I don’t have another alternative. It is better to die at home than to die in the hospital because no service is being rendered here, and if you die here they will still collect money before they release the corpse,” Opaleye Peter said amidst tears.

Peter is one out of the thousands of patients caught in the web of the ongoing nationwide industrial action embarked upon by health workers under the auspices of the Joint health sector Union, JOHESU. The strike which has entered its nineth day over seemingly irreconcilable issues with the Federal Government has left in its wake sorrow, tears and pain for countless hapless Nigerians.

Those who are lucky to be alive have continued to tell tales of woe and anguish. With the strike, government-owned hospitals have virtually been deserted as all services have been totally withdrawn.

A visit to public hospitals such as the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH; National Othopaedic Hospital, Igbobi; Federal Medical Centre, EbuteMetta and the Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital Yaba,

particularly told stories of what happens when health workers refuse to save lives as it has happened many-times in the past. It is a situation of two elephants(as represented by health workers and government) fighting and the grass(or hospital patients)suffering as a result. And the suffering will continue unless there is quick resolution of the face-off between the striking workers and government.

Indeed in the last one week, the Accident and Emergency wards have remained shut; the outpatient clinics were open but non-functional, the waiting rooms have become ghost enclaves after patients boycotted them due to non-attention.

Attention of doctors Hundreds of sick people were compelled either to opt for discharge with or without doctors’ advice, or endure the hardship of staying on without the attention of doctors. Even in places where some semblance of service was being rendered, admission of new patients is forbidden.

Meanwhile, both government and the striking workers have maintained deaf ears to all pleas for them to reach a compromise.

The striking workers have

Double jeopardy...An accident victim, Opaleye Peter, compulsorily discharged from hospital following the strike. vowed to continue with the strike until the Federal Government do the needful. But government has remained silent on the issue.

Only last week, the Director of Hospital Services from the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Patience Osinubi came up with a circular to announce government intention to apply no work, no pay policy.

But workers have defied this by threatening to continue with

ROVING CAMERA

*Flags belonging to the APC and PDP fluttering in harmonious rivalry . Pix: Lamidi Bamidele

the strike indefinitely. For these workers, it is injury for all.

With the situation on ground, patients on admission with critical cases had no option than to discharge themselves.

Vanguard Metro, VM, caught up with one of the many patients, Opaleye Peter, a police officer who works at the Air Port Command with the Nigeria Police Force. A victim of a hit and run commercial driver, Peter was so badly injured that he had to undergo emergency surgery on arrival at the hospital to reduce the bleeding from his wounds.

When VM met him at the Male Ward G of the National Orthopaedic Hospital Igbobi, Lagos, this young police officer was a pitiable sight.

Still in pains, he informed that he was hit while crossing the road and was dragged about 20 kilometres away from the scene of the accident as the driver was trying to escape.

“On September 4, 2014, I was on special duty at the International Airport. I closed around 10pm. As I attempted to cross the road to the other side.Before I knew it, a bus com-

On the third day of the strike, they said that they were going to discharge everybody; that after the strike we should come back for the operation

ing from the other side hit me.

Instead of the driver to wait he tried to escape. In doing so, the bus dragged me on the ground.

It was the intervention of people and my colleagues around that saved my life.

“That night, I was admitted.

Two days later, which is on September 6, 2014 I underwent the first operation which cost me N167, 000.

Second operation “After the daily dressing, they said I will do the second operation which is to cover the bone with flesh. They billed me N282, 000 out of which I have paid N235, 000; but they said if payment was not complete they were not going to do anything.

The N47, 000 that is remaining is even for the food because they made it compulsory for us to buy food from them.

“On the third day of the strike, they said that they were going to discharge everybody; that after the strike we should come back for the operation. They advised us to go to any private hospital for treatment so that when they resume we can comeback for the operation.

“On what becomes of the money I have paid if I have to go to another hospital, they said they will use it for something else.

They said after the plastic surgery, I should come back to them because there are two different sets of doctors to attend to me: one for bone and the one for skin.

“Our hope is that maybe before this week runs out they may call off the strike. My office have tried their best. Some of my colleagues have also assisted. But I still need N47,000 for the surgery to be done after the strike,” he stated amidst tears.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014 — 21

Nigeria attracts N800bn private sector investments into agric sector

By PROVIDENCE OBUH

T

HE Federal Government has said that it attracted $5.6 billion (about N896 billion) private sector investments into the agricultural sector from 2012 to current year.

Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, disclosed this while delivering a keynote address at the opening of Agra Innovate Nigeria Exhibition co-organised by Informa and Afrocet in Lagos.

Adesina said that agriculture can no longer be viewed as a development activity in Nigeria but a business, with a goal to enable a private sector led agricultural renaissance where Nigerian agribusiness competes on the global stage and plays a lead role in building the future for global food security.

“Nigeria has a lot of arable land of about 84 million hectares and not more than 10 percent of that is cultivated, the two abundant weathers, rainfall and sunshine seasons in the North, South, East and West is an indication that we have potential to be a global power house in food and agriculture. We must aggressively work to unlock this potential by diversifying the economy, reduce demand for food import and create jobs.

“We decided to be investment focused in agriculture with a clear government role which is to create good roads, provide good incentives and the investment we talk about is about private sector that is depending on growth because Agriculture is not a poverty reduction sector but wealth creation sector where everything about agriculture is business,” he said.

He however noted that for Informa, a global giant in business activity to have decided to look into the Nigerian agricultural sector is a clear indication that

6.95

2,857.00

+21.00

15.83

0.12

79.15

+0.68

74.97

+0.36

DOLLAR STERLING

EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA

CENTRAL

SELLING

155.59 156.09 243.7162 244.4994 194.7831 195.4091 162.1067

1.3332 0.277 227.0722 RENMINBI 25.4148 RIYAL 41.4674 KRONA 26.161 SDR 228.2505

156.59 245.2826

196.035

162.6276

163.1486

1.3375 0.287

1.3418 0.297

227.8019

228.5316

25.497 4 1.6007 26.2451 228.984

25.5791 41.734 26.3292 229.7175

CBN Exchange Rate as 20 /11 / 2014

Agra Innovate Nigeria was inspired by the fiercely determined programme of agricultural reform and modernization that is taking place in the country.

He described the reform as a transformation that continues to gain pace and command international attention and respect.

Other speakers at the occasion in-

From left: Mr. Tunde Kuponiyi, Chairman, Committee of e-Banking Industry Heads (CeBIH); Mr. Dipo Fatokun, Director, Banking & Payment System, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Mr. Samuel Okenye, Group Divisional Head, IT Risk, UBA Plc and Mr. Dele Adeyinka, Vice Chairman CeBIH at the 2014 annual CeBIH retreat in Abuja.

Shell completes N96bn sale of OML 24 to Newcross

BY Michael Eboh & Funmi Amodu

198.05

CURRENCY BUYING

Nigeria agriculture is now on global stage, stating “we are transforming agriculture in Nigeria, Agra innovate will be an important platform for developing the agenda further and driving domestic and international collaboration and partnership.”

On his part, Project Director, Agra Innovate, Mr. David Ross, said that the

clude: Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, represent by his Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Nnamdi Mekor, Chairman, Nigeria Agribusiness Group, Alhaji Sanni Dangote, CEO Best Foods/Coordinator, Nigeria Agribusiness Group, Mr. Emmanuel Ijewere, among others.

In his remarks, Ijewere said that the transformation agenda in the country’s agricultural sector has a great potential to bring about not only food security and economic development, but also to create a model of socially-inclusive economic growth.

S

HELL Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), yesterday, said it has completed the sale of its 30 per cent stake in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 24 and other related facilities to Newcross Exploration and Production Limited for $600 million, about N96 billion.

Shell, in a statement by Mr. Precious Okolobo, Corporate Media Relations Manager, further stated that Total Exploration & Production Nigeria Limited and Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited have also assigned their 10 per cent and five per cent interest in the lease respectively, bringing Newcross’ stake in the oil asset to 45 per cent.

OML 24, according to Okolobo, covers an area of some 430 square kilometres and includes the Awoba, Awoba Northwest and Ekulama fields and related facilities.

He explained that the divested in-

frastructure includes three oil flowstations and three gas processing plants, in addition to various oil and gas pipelines.

“The divested fields produced on average around 13,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (100%) during the first half of 2014,” he explained.

According to him, all approvals have been received from the relevant authorities of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

He said, “This divestment is part of the strategic review of SPDC’s onshore portfolio and is in line with the Federal Government of Nigeria’s aim of developing Nigerian companies in the country ’s upstream oil and gas business.

“Shell has been in Nigeria for more than 50 years and remains committed to keeping a long-term presence there, both onshore and offshore.

Through SPDC and its other Nigerian companies, Shell responsibly produces the oil and gas needed to fuel the economic and industrial

growth that generates wealth for the nation and jobs for Nigerians.”

Shell had a couple of days declared that it had divested from eight Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) in Nigeria from 2010 to date.

According to the company, it had sold its interests in OML 4, 38 and 41 which were sold on July 30, 2010.

Others are OML 26 and 42 which were sold on November 30, 2011; OML 40 on Aug. 31, 2012; OML 34 on Sept. 5, 2012 and OML 30 on Nov. 9, 2012, respectively.

The OMLs divested in the Eastern Niger Delta region are 26, 30, 34, 40, 42, 4, 41and 38, while another four had been penciled for divestment before 2015.

The first set of oil fields sold by Shell were oil mining leases (OMLs) 4, 38 and 41 acquired and operated

by Seplat Petroleum Development Company.

OMLs 26, 30, 34, 40 and 42 were acquired by Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC).

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

EY highlights five priorities to drive economic growth in Africa Stories by PROVIDENCE OBUH

E

RNEST and Young West Africa has identified shared value, partnership, infrastructure, entrepreneurship and educational institutions as five priority areas that would drive economic growth rate in Africa.

Meanwhile, the Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc, Mr. Adewale Tinubu and Cofounder & Executive Director, Falcon Corporation Limited, Prof. Joseph Ezigbo and wife, Audrey Joe-Ezigbo, bagged Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Tinubu was picked among four finalists in the Master Entrepreneur Category, while Ezigbo was picked in the Emerging Entrepreneur Category among five finalists in the EY Entrepreneur (EYE) of the Year award where Nigerians and Ghanaians represent the West African region.

Considered as the world’s business award and now in its fourth year in West Africa, EYE award celebrates the achievements of outstanding entrepreneurs and ensure that their contribution to their country’s economic and social progress is widely recognized and honoured.

Speaking at the EYE of the year Galanite event in Lagos, EY West Africa Regional Managing Partner, Mr. Henry Egbiki, underscored the priorities, saying, “We need

entrepreneurs to make investment to connect Africa to accelerate growth potential, we know entrepreneurs are the engine of growth, so we need the right platform for them to flourish, we need to recognize them, motivate them and support them.

In Nigeria for instance, those issues to be dealt with to accelerate economic growth of Nigeria is the big elephant – corruption. These are things you come across as you do business and integrity is

stretched.

He added that there is the need to look out for entrepreneurs that will rise up to the challenge, that have the lion heart, commitment in ensuring they make an impact and that will leave a legacy.

According to him, “If you look at the population of Africa today, by 2030, over 55 percent of the African population will be below 30 years of age, yet we see high level of unemployed youths.

“Africa is blessed with climatic

From left: Mike Purves, Acting Deputy High Commissioner and Director, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI): Bola Adesola, CEO, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited; Sir Roger Gifford, former Lord Mayor of London, and Arunma Oteh, DG, Securities and Exchange Commission, at a luncheon by UKTI and Standard Chartered Bank in Lagos.

CMC seeks increased local investors’ participation in stock market C

APITAL Market Committee, CMC, has called on domestic investors to participate more in the Nigerian capital market and not allow the foreign investors dominate the market.

The call is coming as the Nigerian stock market continued to decline following the exit of foreign investors from the market caused by the continued fall in global oil price.

Speaking at a press briefing to announce the commencement of the CMC retreat, chairperson of the Organising Committee of CMC, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Sanni, said that the conference is expected to bring into focus strategies for converting the gains of the GDP rebasing into wealth distribution through the capital market and also unveil the capital market master plan.

Sanni also the Group CEO UBA Capital, said that the Nigerian capital market plays an integral role in the financial market, which comprised of debt capital market valued in excess of $37.5 billion as well as the equity market with

condition that encourages year round production but yield per hectare for Africa is still 25 percent of that of Asia. Nigeria boasts of 26 largest economies in the world but the average man does not see prosperity, majority of the people are leaving in poverty, in one year Ghana currency depreciated by 40 percent.”

In his remark, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, who represented the Federal Government, commended the entrepreneurs, saying that anyone who adds value to any economy must be celebrated.

capitalization in excess of $85 billion.

According to her, “One of the ways we can extract values for stakeholders is by reminding them that this economy is our economy and we are the ones that have a long term stake. Our economy like most global

market is sensitive to global development, but if we have a strong participation by domestic investors in our economy, it actually helps to make our economy much more stable.

“One of the things we hope to develop further is domestic investor confidence which is

very critical for the long term health and stability of our market. It is one of the things we want to continue to explore.

“We are glad all the relevant parties will be participating and we will be able to give that assurance to what is on ground.

With all the operators coming together we can send a clear message of safety to the Nigerian investors and encourage them to invest more as the foreign investors are pulling out.”

Lafarge approves agreement to increase stake in Unicem

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

L

AFARGE Africa Plc has approved the agreement by its subsidiary, Nigerian Cement Holdings B.V. (NCH) to purchase Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc’s 30 percent equity stake in United Cement Company of Nigeria Ltd (UNICEM).

Lafarge Africa holds 50 percent stake in Nigeria Cement Holdings Plc. The transaction is comprised of sale of shares and the transfer of loans and is structured in 2 approximately equal tranches with first tranche payable during first quarter 2015 and the second th tranche due no later than 29 February 2016, at a price ranging between N47 billion and N55 billion, depending primarily on the effective dates

of payment and prevailing USD/Naira exchange rate at the time of payment.

According to statement by Lafarge Africa posted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, website, the valuation agreed for Unicem as the basis for the transaction is consistent with its fair market value and the valuation of Unicem in the previous transfer to Lafarge Africa.

It added that the management of Unicem will continue to be shared between Lafarge and Holcim, while FMN will retain its representation on the Board of Directors until the second tranche of the transaction is consummated.

“NCH currently has 70 percent share interest in Unicem. Upon completion of the transaction, NCH will have a 100 percent stake in Unicem.

BRIEFS

PZ Cussons unveils antibacterial Morning Fresh

P

Z Cussons Nigeria Plc has introduced antibacterial variant of its dish washing product, Morning fresh, into the market.

Speaking during the launch of the product, Sandy Graffiths, Marketing Director, said “Morning Fresh now comes in three exciting variants, original fresh, zesty lemon and the new antibacterial variant.”

She explained the products features, saying, “The kitchen is the heart of most homes and a lot of activities happen within this confined space. Bacteria survive in moist environments and the kitchen is usually the breeding ground for germs, especially around the wash area, the sink, on kitchen surfaces, sponges and wash bowls. If you are germconscious and you want total assurance of a bacteria-free kitchen, the morning fresh antibacterial dish wash liquid is your best choice.”

Brand Manager of Morning Fresh, Ifunanya Obiakor, noted “Over the years, Morning Fresh has led innovation and has set trends in numerous ways with several milestones to its credit.

UBA introduces Priority Pass for Ruby Account holders

W

OMEN who chose Ruby, a female focused current account offered by pan-African bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, will now enjoy more perks as the bank has expanded its list of exclusive partners offering special services to its female account holders.

Ruby is a current account offered by UBA exclusively to its female bank customers to satisfy some of their business and personal needs comes with several specially attached privileges for account holders.

The current account is specifically designed for the discerning woman of substance providing unique services to fit the banking needs of UBA’s exquisite female customers.

“Priority Pass” is the new value added services offered by UBA to Ruby Acct Customers.

The “Priority Pass” grants customers access to over 600 VIP lounges in more than 100 countries and 300 cities worldwide regardless of the class of travel or airline a Ruby account holder flies.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014—23

Biotech’ll improve our agricultural productivity— panelists

By JIMOH BABATUNDE

T

HE Nigeria Chapter Coordinator, Open Forum on Agriculture Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB), Mrs. Rose Gidado, has said that Nigerian farmers and the country stand to gain from the adoption of biotechnology in the country.

She explained that the benefits of biotechnology will be evenly spread among biotech companies, farmers and consumers, adding that it will immensely contribute to agricultural productivity.

Speaking as part of a panelist at the AGRA Innovate conference in Lagos during the week on GM/Hybrid seed technology: innovations, potential applications and benefits for Nigeria, Gidado said Genetic Modification Technology is an important instrument for plant breeders.

“GM technology makes it easier for the breeder to transfer genes of desired traits from unrelated specie of crop to an unrelated specie solving problems that can’t be solved in conventional breeding.”

While explaining that Gm technology will make quality seeds available to farmers, she said biotechnology creates opportunities; increases crop yields; reduces losses to insects, pests and diseases; post harvest storage problems and enhances the nutritional value of some crops.

Mrs. Gidado said in the case of BT cotton which is developed for insect resistance , it makes it possible for farmers to reduce the number of space cultivated up to 66% , “because the number of pesticides applied reduced from six to two. If you are using BT cotton, you can just use two

Maslaha seed company stand at the AGRA Innovate conference and exhibition declared opened by the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina in Lagos during the week.

sprays and that has reduced cost for you and the labour has also reduced.”

She added that resistance to abiotic stress, such as drought and high soil salinity, resulting in increased crop production and empowerment of youths in rural areas are other accruable benefits from application of biotechnology.

The OFAB coordinator said countries like Burkina Faso and Brazil are already reaping the benefit of embracing biotechnology as their farmers are smiling to banks, “the income

of Nigerian farmers will increase, like in Burkina Faso where BT cotton has been embraced, the income of farmers has increased there by 51 per cent, and the farmers make a lot of money. Burkina Faso makes $1.2b yearly and Brazil $2b yearly from biotechnology.

She added that the hectare cultivated by farmers in those countries continues to increase year by year and more farmers all over the world are now beginning to adopt the technology.

As she expresses hope that the

bill on biosafety before the national Assembly will be pass very soon, Gidado said the bill is a safety valve for harnessing the potential of modern technology as it will proscribe procedure for the application of technology.

She noted that the fear by many about the application of Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) will be taken care by the bill before the National Assembly for passage.

Also speaking at the event, Prince Emma Ajayi, CEO, Swiss Biostadt, said there has been lot

of misunderstanding on what biotech is all about, “this has made it difficult for Nigeria not to rectify the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety which it has signed.”

He said the inability of Nigeria to rectify the protocol is making the country to lose out from the maize and cotton market, “it is only Biotech that can make Nigeria benefit from these markets as what we are talking about here is growing more food with less money and labour.”

FG launches commercial 10% composite cassava flour

By Gabriel Ewepu

I

N actualisation of the Federal Government’s cassava transformation agenda and the cassava inclusion policy in bread flour, the minister of Agriculture, Dr. Adesina Akinwumi, launched the first commercial 10 per cent composite cassava flour products in the country during the week.

Dr. Akinwumi Adesina said at the launchthat government’s goal is to ensure Nigeria becomes the largestcassava processor as it has occupied the position of the largest producer of the commodity in the world.

Adesina said: “This government is determined C M Y K

that Nigeria will unlock the potential of our agriculture and reverse decades of dependency on food imports.

The results are showing.

“The agricultural transformation agenda has added N 780 billion to the economy within the past three years. And our aggressive approach to ensure that we process and add value to all our crops is beginning to open up new income streams for our farmers. A good example is the case of cassava. Today, we have turned cassava into gold for our farmers.

“Today we are gathered to launch the first commercial 10 per cent composite cassava flour product, from Nigeria’s number 1 and number 2 flour

millers, Flour Mills of Nigeria and Honeywell, and to commission equipments that will enable our bakers raise the bar of inclusion to 20 per cent and beyond.

Speaking at the Occasion, the Group Managing Director of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc., Mr Paul Gbededo said the company as the leader in the industry has significantly and strategically invested in some food and agro-allied value chains to align with Government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda.

Gbededo explained that the launch of Golden Penny Multi-purpose flour, which is a combination of wheat flour and 10 per cent high quality cassava flour is a testimony to

the government’s agenda. “ The new Golden Penny Multi-Purpose Flour will complement Flour Mills other baking flour products like Golden Penny Prime Flour, Golden Penny Confectionery Flour and Eagle Wheat Flour.”

He added that a good instance of this group synergy is the acquisition of Thai Farms in Ogun State by Flour Mills of Nigeria, for the cultivation and production of cassava tubers.

“Thai Farms has the capacity to process 300 tonnes of cassava flour per day which is about 75 tonnes of high quality cassava flour. We also have 10,000 hectares of farmland at our Kaboji Farms, Niger State

and 5,000 hectares in Shao, Kwara State among others for the cultivation of cassava to supplement our food business.”

Mr Gbededo said that FMN continues to be one of the largest promoters of Government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda with on-going investments in agro allied initiatives that support their concept of integrated food basket of products with home grown produce, “that is designed to maximize local content in our final products as we remain committed to our policy of being involved at all stages of the food value chain from ‘Farm to Table’.

24 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

Pirates, oil thieves threatening our lives — NIMASA boss

BY GODFREY BIVBERE

D

IRECTOR General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi, has said that the lives of officals of the agency are being threatened by pirates and oil thieves who have escaped prosecution.

He said that the inability of the judiciary to prosecute people involved in piracy and oil stealing has emboldened suspects to become threat to the lives of officials of the agency engaged in the fight against piracy and oil theft along the nation’s waterways.

Akpobolokemi, who disclosed this while speaking at the 6 th Strategic Admiralty Law Seminar for Judges in Lagos, said that on several occasions those caught with weapons in the act of piracy or oil theft and handed over to the relevant government agency for persecution, walk out free few hours later.

According to the NIMASA boss, “The greatest challenges we have in the fight against piracy and oil theft, is that many of the suspects or culprits we arrest find themselves out of cell as quickly as we do not intend it to be. The day you arrest somebody for piracy, the next day you see him out walking about the street. It endangers our lives, it also dampens the morale of those fighting piracy and also encourages them (suspects) to go back and continue in the same act.

“All of us must work together to ensure that pirates and oil thieves are arrested, prosecuted and made to face the wrath of the law.”

He stressed that the only option available outside the arrest and persecution is the killing of suspects but noted that doing so will be against the law of the land especially under the present democratic dispensation.

He therefore called on all stakeholders, especially the judiciary to work together to bring about the right laws to ensure that those caught with evidence of actual involvement are dealt

with in accordance with the law to serve as a deterrent for others who may want to toe that line.

He noted that theseminar which is in its sixth year is meant to sensitize judges on contemporary maritime law issues both within and outside the Nigerian jurisdiction, as shipping by its nature is a multijurisdictional enterprise.

Akpobolokemi explained that “with the decision to initiate the Admiralty law Seminar for Judges, we have recognisd the complex nature of maritime issues which requires speedy resolutions as time is of the essence in maritime ventures, he concluded.

From left: Director General of NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi and Obi Callistus Nwabueze. Exe. Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA at the just concluded 6th Strategic Admiralty Law Seminar for Judges in Lagos.

Automotive Policy: Stakeholders in haulage and logistics seek consideration of interests

BY G0DWIN ORITSE

S

TAKEHOLDERS in the haulage and logistics sub-sector have called on the Federal Government to factor in their operational interest as activities of automotive policy take shape.

They made their views known at the Fifth Anniversary Conference of the Haulage and Logistics Magazine in Lagos.

Emmanuel Usiakpor, the Managing Director, Joza Global Logistics, said a review of some challenges faced by the operators was necessary as a way forward.

Speaking at the conference with theme “The New Automotive

The day you arrest somebody for piracy, the next day you see him out walking about the street

Policy: Opportunities and Challenges for the haulage and logistics industry in Nigeria,’’.

Usiakpor said it was necessary that the provisions of the new policy should address the need of truck drivers’ training institute among other issues, to ensure complete success of the policy.

“There should be a drivers’ training institute for adequate training of drivers because most of them graduated from being just motor-boys.

“With improved technology in the new trucks being built for today, there is need for a training provision considering the level of our drivers,” he said.

He explained that part of the operational challenges concerns lack of ‘after-sales’ service for technical maintenance of trucks, which had resulted in additional cost through overseas training.

“It is sad that no one is monitoring a safety policy, which should be government-driven, considering that policemen check what the vehicle inspection officers are supposed to check,’’ he said.

He noted that the Federal Road Safety Corps’, FRSC, personnel arrest some motorists for not using seat belts and

ignored vehicles that are not road-worthy.

Also speaking, Frank Nneji, the Managing Director of ABC Transport, said the challenges facing the haulage and logistics sector were from the external environment, whichdemanded government’s attention.

“The major issues are especially those that demand government’s

attention, talking about the conditions of the roads,security, regulation and multiple taxes.

“Those within the environment are within the control of the operators.They are things you could do, like carry out maintenance of your vehicles, manage your drivers and the rest,” he said. Nneji, however, noted that the concern of

the sub-sector in the automotive policy would be the affordability, quality and standard of he vehicles.

It was said that the stakeholders also raised concerns about how the vehicle finance scheme would benefit operators who want to patronise the made-in-Nigeria vehicles.

Seme Customs collects N973m in October

BY GODFREY BIVBERE

T

HE Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has collected a total of N973,540,612.78 in the month of October 2014 which is the highest monthly revenue collected this year, even as it has stepped up antismuggling measures as Christmas celebrations approaches.

The command also made 24 seizures with Duty Paid Value, DPV, of N32,019,613 comprising of rice, frozen poultry products and other general goods.

Customs Area Controller, CAC in charge of the command, Comptroller Willy Egbudin, said the high

revenue collection was possible because of increased compliance by stakeholders and non compromise by Customs officers, even as he promised to continue making the border unattractive to smugglers and other perpetrators of transborder illegalities.

A statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Ernest Olottah, noted that Egbudin reiterated the customs resolve to maximally collect all revenue due to the government through Customs duty with c o n t i n u o u s improvement in the blockage of all identifiable sources of revenue leakages.

The Seme command Customs boss noted that they have commenced

intensified patrols ahead of the yuletide season when smuggling activities are expected to peak, He said the smugglers who changed route to other areas like Shaki in Oyo State and Idiroko in Ogun State are not finding it easy as the Customs operatives there are seizing their wares and crushing their unlawful investments.

According to the Seme Customs helmsman, “in carrying out the directives of our Controller General, Dikko Inde Abdullahi, I have constantly sensitised and reminded our officers and men to maintain the zero tolerance for smuggling.

On this, there is no going back. We are sending a strong warning to smugglers that daring us means a venture into big regrets.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014—25

I N S I D E

How the governors became powerful

P. 26

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

Extreme Politics in Enugu

J

UST few weeks ago, members of the Enugu State House of Assembly were practically licking the boots of Governor Sullivan Chime. The legislators really did not think twice last August when they impeached the then deputy governor, Sunday Onyebuchi on the most flimsy excuse ever given for an impeachment in the country.

But today, the majority of the lawmakers led by the speaker, Eugene Odo are in assertive mood rebelling against the governor.

It is no surprise. Mr. Chime is approaching a political meltdown with his camp in open disarray. Trusted associates like Senator Ayogu Eze who openly called his bluff after the anointment of Rep. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as his successor and many others have openly abandoned him and many of them are now aligned with Senator Ike Ekweremadu who has apparently prevailed in the long tussle of war between the two men.

The vision I received to be Lagos gov— Dominic P. 27

Cross River: Why they are conspiring against Imoke – Senator Ayade

P. 28

Governors also cry With their aura of infallibility and perception as local gods in their states, Nigerian governors have for long been viewed as men of power with little to bother them. The story of how Peoples Democratic Party, PDP governors rallied round to confront President Olusegun Obasanjo and force Atiku Abubakar on him as a running mate in the 2003 election is one political tale of the awesome power of governors. They have also in the past helped to edge out seemingly recalcitrant national chairmen of the PDP. Dr Okwesileze Nwodo and Dr. Bamanga Tukur were two national chairmen who dared the governors and aimed to whittle down the powers of the governors by opening up the party through allowing funding from registered members of the party. Both men did not survive in office to see through to their ambitions as they were mercilessly tackled by the governors.

Governors have also sustained their domination of the party through their influence in nominating members into the party’s highest national decision making body, the National Executive Committee, NEC. It is thus no surprise that the governors collectively are able to mobilise the majority of the members of the NEC to their side on many issues.

However, now for the first time governors are getting a kick, albeit individually with the party establishment for the first time pushing many of the governors on the defensive.

Payment of courtesy calls How Chime lost out in the pecking order in the PDP is traceable to his past acts of aloofness and some say arrogance on issues dealing with the party. When he visited the national secretariat few weeks ago, he to the hurt of some affirmed that he was not one that was used to paying courtesy calls on party officials.

So it was not surprising when an accident happened in the form of the resignation of the then party chairman, Vita Abba that the governor turned into panic mood with the realisation that the deputy chairman who was supposed to step in as acting chairman was an ally of his rival, Ekweremadu. His attempt to stop Elder David Aja from becoming acting chairman by the immediate appointment of an acolyte is what has turned into his nemesis with Ekweremadu in total control of the structure as it is now.

Chime’s boast of once taking

•Chime

over Ekweremadu’s seat in the Senate and positioning his approved men as PDP candidates for National Assembly elections is now almost gone with the wind. His problems are compounded by the absence of good relations with not just party officials in Abuja, but also with the presidency.

Bribery tales in Liyel Imoke’s Cross River

Senator Liyel Imoke had given much to the Goodluck

•Akpabio

Jonathan project and on account of him walked away from his onetime good friend, Governor Chibuke Amaechi of Rivers State. However, today, Senator Imoke stands like a helpless orphan in the face of a seeming powerful coalition mounted against him by some of the state’s most powerful politicians.

On one side in the contest is Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, the Senate Leader aligned with one of the leading gubernatorial aspirants, Jerry Agba, the immediate past

•Imoke

governor of the state, Mr. Donald Duke among others against Governor Imoke and some of his trusted associates including John Eno, chairman of the House of Representatives committee on finance.

Associates of Senator Imoke claim that the governor went into the ward congress elections with no fixed mind on any of the governorship aspirants, a situation that saw six of his commissioners quit the cabinet to contest. The outcome of the ward congress

election has, however, been steeped in controversy with the allegation that the results produced were doctored in Abuja. The group that is against Imoke was, however, quick to go to court to stop the PDP from altering the results now with the national secretariat. Senator Emma Anosike who led the team that conducted the election was quick to come out to deny claims of malpractise and was the first to refer to an alleged

Continues on page 26

26—Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

•Elechi

•Suswam

•Dickson

Continues from page 25 N500 million bribe which he said was not true.

Conspiracy against an old man - Martins Elechi (Ebonyi State)

Governor Martins Elechi was one of the first to anoint a successor in the person of the erstwhile minister of health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu. That anointment was perhaps the final act of betrayal as perceived by the deputy governor, Chief Dave Umuahi, a former chairman of the PDP in the state.

As party chairman, Umuahi was known to have empowered and positioned close associates in the party structure and government and was believed to have played a very key role in the election of Elechi as governor.

Though he is from Ebonyi South that has been favoured by the governor to produce the successor, Elechi’s move in going above Umuahi to produce Chukwu as a successor has triggered a political explosion that is now blowing up in the governor’s face.

Caretaker committee Key stakeholders in the state including the powerful Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, the immediate past governor of the state, Mr. Sam Egwu two of the five members of the House of Representatives and at least one of three senators are lined up with Umuahi against the governor.

It was not surprising then that the national secretariat of the party has dissolved the state executive committee of the party and in its place constituted a caretaker committee that includes some former development area

Governors also cry administrators sacked by Elechi. The gist in Ebonyi today is that Elechi is looking for another political platform to anchor his objectives.

Uncommon Comedown in Godswill Akpabio’s Akwa Ibom

When the national secretariat of the PDP made an unusual pronouncement that it was backing the decision of the governor to zone the choice of the next

governor of the state to Eket Senatorial district, many believed that Governor Godswill Akpabio had wrapped up another good political deal.

But that was just about three weeks ago.

Now, the governor is faced with an uncommon political eruption that has seen many stakeholders in the state rise against what they claim is his attempt to foist his erstwhile Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Udom Emmanuel as his successor.

The alliance against Akpabio has seen even former political rivals such as Umana Umana, the former SSG, Mr. Don Etiebet, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees and the erstwhile governor of the state, Obong Victor Attah join forces against Akpabio. The gist now is that it is the delegates list forwarded by the EtiebetAttah alliance that has been accepted by the national secretariat, a situation that

Continues on page 27

How the governors became powerful BYCHARLESKUMOLU

E

VEN though there is so much anger over the increasing powers of the governors, the anger is not new.

It has been a source of controversy between them and other actors in the political scene, as witnessed during the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The Obasanjo experience was such that his personality was nearly deflated by governors when he sought for a second term ticket.

Currently, the issue has constituted a threat to the expected success of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which does not seem to be in harmony following the backlashes resulting from its recent ward congresses across the country.

The governors have been alleged to have used the exercise to ensure that their cronies emerged victorious.

Sequel to the resentment over the congresses and other controversial roles in the past, there is a growing consensus

that their powers be reviewed in the subsequent constitution amendment exercise.

A former Petroleum Minister, Chief Don Etiebet, is one man, who is visibly angry over his perception that the governors' powers.

Etiebet, a chieftain of the PDP in an exclusive chat with Vanguard, said: ''Honestly, what it portends for the country is that the outgoing governors want to continue to hold their various states to ransom, they want to continue to rule their state from outside and this is not good for democracy and this is not good for the states because they tend to want to turn the states to their personal properties, turn their states into dynasties so that at every turn, it will be their system, at every turn, it will be their group that will select their successors, select their National Assembly members, therefore they will perpetually have a hold on the state, that is not good for democracy and the action must be stopped this year.''

Going down memory lane, he cited how party structures were handed over to the governors—an action that paved way for their current status. ''I was

running for the presidency in 1999, Ekwueme and myself, were the frontrunners, then suddenly they brought out Obasanjo and made him the presidential candidate, he did not have the support of the party before he came out, it was after he came out that he started mobilizing people who were working for us but at the end, he became the president but without party support and it was in this case that he took Atiku Abubakar who was a party man to be his vice-president, it was Atiku who started mobilizing the governors and in order to have a hold on the party in preparation for second term, he and Atiku worked together to mobilize the governors and that was how party structures were given to the governors in their various states.

I personally fought the party in my state for two years that it cannot happen and when the structures was eventually given to Victor Attah, then I left the party and it was only when Obasanjo was going that I came back into the party by 2006.''

Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014—27

The vision I received to be Lagos gov- Dominic D

r. Michael Adegbola Dominic is one of the gubernatorial aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. In this interview he speaks on his dreams for Lagos.

Excerpts:

BY EBUN SESSOU As a medical doctor one wonders if you are really up to it financially and otherwise? have undoubtedly prov en my critics wrong. I knew what I wanted before embarking on this journey and I have vowed never to allow any form of distraction. I received a prophetic vision from God to liberate Lagosians from the yoke of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) come 2015. Within two months, I have toured the entire 20 local governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

To further demonstrate my seriousness, I was the first amongst over 13 aspirants in Lagos PDP to pay the N11 million governorship form.

As a young man, I cut my political teeth during the days of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). I have been in poli-

I

tics for a while and with my experience, I believe I have what it takes to be the governor of Lagos State in 2015.

You lost in 2011, what was wrong?

I could have won the 2011 election in Lagos State if I had contested under a popular party like the PDP. But, I run under APGA platform and the reason why I chose APGA in the first place was because we wanted a platform that had good structure and resources.

At that time I was not a member of APGA. I was the national chairman of Action Party of Nigeria (APN). We felt that the Igbo will embrace APGA as an Igbo party.

So, you also engaged in cross carpeting?

I joined PDP shortly after the 2011 elections, I have made personal sacrifices towards the advancement of the party. I have sponsored many party programmes, and also used my personal resources to

Continues from page 26 could lead to an uncommon comedown for the outgoing governor.

Serikae Dickson – Presidential power play Governor Serikae Dickson still has up to two years to spend in office but his battle for re-election and supremacy has been running for almost one year. It is no surprise given the fact that he is governor of Bayelsa State, the president’s home state a development that has nurtured much intrigues and power play.

Intrigues and power play The governor’s problems started after he allegedly acquiesced to the plan to zone some senatorial districts among the federal constituencies, a development that has now caused bad blood among many political stakeholders as some are supportive of it and some others are against it.

If pushed to the end it is likely to affect the return of Senator Paulker Emmanuel, one of the closest associates of the president back to the Senate. Senator Emmanuel who is in his second term and is reportedly aspiring for a third term.

Remarkably, the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan who according to some news reports is no passionate fan of the governor is said to have lined up with the affected National Assembly members against the governor. When Dame Jonathan visited Bayelsa recently for a poverty

•Dominic institute several cases against Tinubu.

Are you not threatened by the presence of such bigwigs as Senator Obanikoro, Jimi Agbaje among others in the race?

I have no problem with the large number of aspirants we have in the PDP today. Let them keep coming. The only thing I know is that for a long time, I declared my intention to be governor a very long

time ago. I have been consistent in my quest to get the ACN or APC out of the way.

These other fellows who are aspiring under the PDP didn’t believe it was possible. But now that they know that it is possible to get these pretenders out and the fact that Lagosians are tired of them, they are now coming out to say they want to be governor.

Where were they all this while? But to me, that

shouldn’t be a problem. Even the Bible says when the good seeds are planted, and the weeds get planted among the good seeds, we should allow both the weeds and the good seeds to grow together. With time, harvest time will come, we will harvest the good seeds and the bad seeds will be discarded. So, that is my belief. Let everyone come out.

So, the people will select the good ones and the unserious ones will be discarded.

There are insinuations that you are only interested in bargaining for appointment at the federal level, and therefore, you should not be taken seriously?

They are just trying to be mischievous. I believe in this cause which is to better the lives of the masses. To do this effectively, I need the power to do that and that power resides in the governorship of the state. So, that is what I want and I am focused on achieving that. Whatever happens, I will not accept to be minister or board chairman. It has nothing to do with my conviction, vision and mission. I cannot accomplish my mission as a minister, ambassador or board member.

Governors also cry alleviation programme, the governor was not available to meet her, but majority of the disgruntled federal legislators were all over her and she reciprocated by lauding their representation in the National Assembly.

Also in Benue and Adamawa

In Benue State, Governor Gabriel Suswam is faced with the difficult challenge of producing his successor and at the same time positioning himself

for his next political adventure in the Senate. A two term member of the House of Representatives, two term governor, Suswam’s next political shot of becoming a senator may itself prove to be the hardest nut to crack for him. He is engaged in battle with a powerful former national chairman of the party who is no push over.

Though it was claimed that the seat had been loaned to him, Suswam, but Gemade is fighting tenaciously. Suswam may be prevailing in Benue but it is claimed that he has an uphill battle at the national secretariat against Gemade.

Governor Bala Ngilari of Adamawa State

who came to office only a month or so ago is also having his pains as the PDP remains determined to cede the governorship to the Adamawa Central Senatorial zone away from Ngilari’s Southern Senatorial zone. Though there are a lot of sympathies for the new governor, but the PDP seems to have gone too far in what is called its Ribadu agenda in the Central Senatorial zone for it to pull back.

Cross River: Why they are conspiring against Imoke – Senator Ayade Senator Ben Ayade, is one of the aspirants for the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Cross River State. In this interview he asserts the superiority of his capacity above other aspirants and claims that the freely and fairly conducted ward congress is being manipulated by some people in Abuja.

Excerpts

BY FOLU ADEGOKE

Y

OU are one of the aspirants that appeared before the local government and senatorial caucuses to present your blueprint.

How was that experience?

It is the most exciting political experience of my life. It was a process where emphasis was shifted

away from money to capacity and value-addition to the polity. What happened was that each of the local governments had designed its caucus in line with the constitution of the party. I appeared before all the local government caucuses and what I observed was that every caucus had a template based on certain criteria on

which aspirants were assessed.

Some of the criteria included innovation, technology, ideas, acceptability, competence, public perception, understanding of government policies, level of participation in party activities and so on. Each member of the caucus was given a sheet of paper to assess every aspirant.

And so, there was full participation in a very civilized way. I give all the kudos to the governor, Senator Liyel Imoke for bringing that innovation which I know some states are trying to

Continues on page 28

28—Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

Cross River: Why they are conspiring against Imoke — Senator Ayade Continues from page 27 adopt. Going through it gave me the opportunity to understand the thinking of the electorate and of course, they too had the opportunity to fellowship with me and know what my dreams are; what my ideas are in a very convivial atmosphere, therefore, presenting my manifesto in a way and manner that allowed for questions and answers session.

The Governor stayed out of the process and allowed the people to make their choices. So, narrowing down the number of aspirants from about 18 to 5 was done by the people.

But what you just recounted is inconsistent with claims from some quarters from where the governor has been accused of handpicking aspirants?

That is completely false. I don’t know any key member of the party that was not in those caucuses. If you are looking at the South, big names like Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, Bassey Ndem and Chief Asuquo Ekpenyong and co, they were all there. Every politician that matters in the PDP participated both at the Local Government and Senatorial Caucuses.

If you go to the Central Senatorial District, people like Col. Pam Ogar (rtd) were all there. The same thing for the North. So, at no time did the governor handpick anybody. He never called anybody to ask that a certain aspirant be scored a certain point. He left that decision to the people. And for me, I think that it is perfect democracy in the sense that each and every member of the caucus had the full luxury of assessing the

BY SAM IBIKUNLE

A

S the 2015 governorship election hots up in Rivers state, gladiators are divided along ethnic and political party lines. The entrance of more people into the race has apparently opened up the space for the likely candidate to emerge the 6th civilian governor of the oil-rich multi-ethnic Rivers State.

The main contenders to the seat are locked up in the battle to pick the nomination tickets of their respective political parties. It is however, one hundred sure that the would-be governor will come from either the Governor Chibuike Amaechi-led All Progressives Congress, APC or the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, under the control of former Minister of State for Education and former chief of staff to Amaechi, Mr. Nyesom Wike.

Rivers state is a multi-ethnic state with the people spread in both upland and riverine. Rivers state is home to many ethnic groups: Ikwerre, Ibani, Opobo, Okrika, and Kalabari, Etche, Ogba, Ogoni and others. The languages are diverse but

aspirants based on his or her perception of each of them. There was no handpicking at all because even aspirants other than the governorship aspirants also appeared before the caucuses.

So why do you think they are picking on the governor who is not even contesting any election?

It is politically motivated. There are those who lacked the confidence to face the caucuses and so did not make any appearance. They are the ones now looking for escapist explanations to justify their inability to appear before the caucuses. The claim that the Governor handpicked people is just cheap blackmail.

What do you make of the controversy that has attended the ward congresses?

It is sad story, a sad story because you have an authentic result where you have returning officers from the respective wards filing in results, you have the results entered in proper forms provided by the national headquarters of the party and you have authentic, typed result available to the party. Then the result gets altered and substituted with a handwritten result on arriving at the national headquarters of the party. The result they submitted is completely inconsistent with what was done on the ground. In life and nature, truth will always triumph over falsehood.

So in the fullness of time, that truth will manifest.

How could you have a report, which was supposed to be a proper report, documented properly being

•Senator Ben Ayade handwritten in plain sheets of paper?

What was the essence of the forms sent from the national headquarters of the party? And the backup to the handwritten result, where is it? You have a handwritten result without accompanying documents that support it.

It is very obvious that a few people who lost out at the ward congress decided to falsify the result and think that they can buy their way through.

Unfortunately for them, money is not everything and people have their

conscience. Some of them have even confessed to it.

You are one of those aspiring to become the next governor of Cross River State. What recommends you for such a high office?

My pedigree, my experience, my activities, my passion for the people and my exposure makes me eminently qualified for the office. More so, I am a Cross Riverian in truth. And of course, my philanthropic gestures and disposition to human services means I am elegantly qualified to seek the office.

Rivers 2015: The quest for an Ogoni governor basically, there are three mostly populated ethnic nationalities – the Ijaws, the Igbo variance speakers (Ikwerre-EtcheOyigbo,Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni) and the Ogoni. The Ijaws are found in Kalabari, Abua/Odual, Okrika, Bonny, Andoni, Engenni in Ahoada-West, parts of Port Harcourt and Opobo while the Igbos speaking people are spread to eight local government areas of Port Harcourt city, Obio/Akpor, Emohua, Ikwerre, Etche, Omuma, Oyigbo and Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni. For the Ogonis, they are spread in Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme Local government areas. The other smaller ethnic groups are also very strategically located. Rivers State created in 1967, has produced five governors – Late Chief Melford Okilo, Chief Rufus Ada George, Dr. Peter Odili, Sir. Celestine Omehia and incumbent, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi.

T

he political sphere in the

equity to all interest groups. In 2011, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, stood his ground to back Dr. Goodluck Jonathan from the minority Ogbia group in Ijaw land as a way to pacify the oil-rich region for long period of neglect with the highest political office. This singular action has given the people of the Niger Delta a high sense of belonging in the sociopolitical history of Nigeria. In Akwa-Ibom state, Governor Godswill Akpabio, has already zoned the 2015 governorship slot to Eket senatorial district.

Gov. Amaechi length and breadth of Rivers state is heated up over debates on the existing zoning arrangement, which a lot of the politicians have enjoyed at various levels. Even at the federal level, the issue of zoning has remained the most convenient way to share political offices to guarantee fairness and

I

t then gives many political watchers in Rivers state a lot of concern when those who should know suddenly queue behind those who attempt to jettison the zoning arrangement.

Already, the PDP in Rivers state is polarized due to the political ambition of Mr. Nyesom Wike, who is from the same ethnic group of Ikwerre with the incumbent governor, Amaechi.

By next year, Amaechi, would

have done eight years in office.

The big question is, ‘will the people allow another Ikwerre man do another eight years?’ This of course is against the principles of zoning and fairness. The interest of the state should super cede that of any individual.

Interestingly though and by popular reasoning, the Ogoni and the Kalabari ethnic nationalities have taken their destiny in their hands with mobilization to produce next governor. Among the Ijaws in Rivers state, the Kalabaris are the largest followed by the Okrika, which had produced Chief Rufus Ada-George as governor.

The political leaders from the two areas are equally insisting that power must not be domiciled in the Ikwere zone for more than eight years. They are backing the rotational arrangement in the state where governorship position is been rotated among the three senatorial zones.

*Sam Ibikunle, a friend of the Ogonis writes from Port Harcourt.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014 — 29

C M Y K

30 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

N

i geria’s most recognized and celebrated Jazz artiste, Mike Aremu who has performed alongside top jazz artistes across the world is set to take the centre stage of the music world with his 'Sax Appeal' concert holding on Sunday.

Speaking about his concert (the fourth edition), the renowned saxophonist took the time out to speak about music and bemoan the inability of most musicians of today to play musical instruments. Hear him:

BY IYABO AINA

W

hat are you working on presently?

I am presently planning the fourth edition of my musical concert “Sax Appeal” which is slated for November 23rd, 2014. It's going to feature artistes like Mexican saxophonist Jessy J, Yinka Davis, Kunle Ayo and Timi Dakolo and it will be held at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

Why Abuja?

We’ve always wanted to do the concert in all parts of the country.

Why we decided to choose Abuja is because Abuja residents hardly have live shows brought to them like the Lagos residents. In Lagos, shows are always happening all over the place.

Though I started the concert in 2009 and the response and turnout has been huge, but this time around we are looking to explore Abuja and have Abuja residents feel us.

Factors that define my kind of music

Why Timi Dakolo among other Nigerian popular artistes?

In 'Sax Appeal' concert, we try our best to look for people who are really talented, people who are true musicians, not mere singers. I also looked at the fact that Timi has done a song for the nation and because we are taking the concert to the capital city, we felt he should have a place in it.

– Mike Aremu Dammy Krane snatches MTV number one spot from Wizkid C M Y K

Jim Ovia’s wife initiates talent-hunt show

Smartphone dial pad may fade away

Going by the turn-out of people in Lagos, how sure are you about getting the same response in Abuja?

I have a good feeling about the Abuja people but you should note it is not permanent. I just believe that people who have been hearing this kind of music in Abuja would love to watch the artistes performing it live on stage. Jazz is not what they get to watch regularly and I promise to give the best by bringing one of the best female saxophonists, Mexican Jessy J, Yinka Davis, Timi Dakolo and Kunle Ayo on to the stage.

When you just started you were more of a gospel musician, but now you have

Continues on page 31

Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014 —31

Synopsis MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT

Factors that define my kind of music Continues from page 30 deviated to jazz music, why?

If you look at the industry, you will notice that music itself is revolving, but that hasn’t changed anything about my personality. And it hasn’t changed who I am as a Christian.

If you listen to my music you will notice that there are three major factors you can’t take away from my song, which are; God factor, jazz factor and African factor. These three things show that my music is for everyone.

What matters most is the melody and not religion.

About your last album “Coat of many colors” how is it doing in the market?

It’s doing well. I even had six nominations from the album in a gospel award and I titled that album 'Coat of Many Colors' because it has different genres of music and different artistes in it.

Why is jazz not accepted like other genres of music in Nigeria?

It’s because Jazz is a kind of music that selects its own audience. But personally, I am trying my possible best to make it more acceptable by organising jazz shows

that can bring people closer to jazz musicians. I believe jazz is a choice music people can relate with in several spheres.

Has there been a time you felt like totally abandoning jazz or gospel music for secular one?

I have been invited to different kinds of functions that have no connection with C h r i s t i a n i t y.

Christianity is just a way of life but we tend to define everything by religion here and it is one of our problems in Nigeria today. They don’t look out for what people can deliver.

Like I said earlier, three factors; God factor, African factor and jazz factor define my music and my life. Whether I do secular music or gospel music, you are •Mike Aremu still going to find all these factors in my music.

What’s your view about musical artistes not being able to play music instruments?

I personally don’t believe everybody should play an instrument, but whatever you do just do it well. In Nigeria, there is no music in our curriculum unlike abroad where you have to learn some kinds of instrument before you can become a musician.

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C M Y K

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TOP MOVIES OF THE WEEK · · · · ·

30 DAYS IN ATLANTA A MOST WANTED MAN H ATESHIP LOVESHIP 7TH DWARF NINJA TURTLE

Movie schedule from 21th November — 27th November 2014 SILVERBIRDCINEMAS, VICTORIA ISLAND Magic in the Moonlight : 11:40am,4:05pm,6:30pm Happy Ending : 2:45pm,5:20pm A most Wanted Man : 1:40pm,6:05pm,8:35pm A place in the Stars : 11:35am,3:45pm 30 Days in Atlanta : 1:40pm,6:00pm,8:10pm Ninja Turtles : 11:50am,2:00pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, IKEJA Magic in the Moonlight : 10:30am,12:15pm,7:05pm,9:00pm A Most Wanted Man : 11:30am,3:55pm, A place in the Stars : 3:35pm,8:55pm 30 Days th in Atlanta : 1:50pm,6:15pm,8:25pm The 7 Dwarf : 10:40am,4:15pm Ninja Turtles : 12:50pm,2:15pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, SEC Magic in the Moonlight : 12:55pm,2:50pm,4:50pm,6:50pm,8:50pm Happy Ending : 4:10pm,9:00pm A Most Wanted Man : 1:10pm,3:30pm,6:00pm,8:30pm A place in the Stars : 11:50pm,2:00pm,6:45pm Hateship Loveship : 4:50pm,8:20pm 30 Days th in Atlanta : 11:40am,1:50pm,4:00pm,6:10pm,8:20pm The 7 Dwarf : 12:20pm,2:30pm Ninja Turtles : 12:00pm,2:00pm,4:00pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS CEDDI PLAZA , ABUJA Magic in the Moonlight : 11:00am,5:20pm A Most Wanted Man : 6:30pm,8:50pm A place in the Stars : 12:50pm, 30 Days in Atlanta : 2:10pm,9:10pm,9:15pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT Magic in the Moonlight : 12:00pm,1:55pm,4:05pm,6:55pm,8:50pm Happy Ending : 1:15pm,6:00pm A Most Wanted Man : 1:50pm,6:20pm,8:40pm A place in the Stars : 11:50am,2:00pm,4:10pm,6:20pm,8:30pm Hateship Loveship : 11:45am,4:15pm 30 Days in Atlanta : 11:30am,1;50pm,4:00pm,6:20pm,8:30pm Ninja th Turtles : 11:30am,1:30pm,3:30pm The 7 Dwarf : 11:00am,12:40pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, WARRI A place in the Stars : 4:05pm,8:15pm Hateshi Loveship ; 10:20am,6:15pm 30 Days th in Atlanta : 2:30pm,5:05pm,9:05pm The 7 Dwarf : 12:25pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, UYO A place in the Stars : 11:45am,1:15pm,2:45pm,4:20pm,5:50pm,7:20pm 30 Days in Atlanta : 12:00pm,2:10pm,4:20pm,6:30pm The Equalizer : 1:00pm,3:45pm,6:20pm OZONE CINEMAS LAGOS Magic in the Moonlight : 3:05pm,6:55pm,8:50pm A Most Wanted Man : 4:10pm A place in the Stars : 12:00pm Purge 2 : 2:00pm,6:30pm 30 days in Atlanta : 4:55pm,7:00pm,9:00pm The 7th Dwarf : 10:30am, Ninja turtle: 10:00am

show-stopping outing I

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GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS LAGOS A Most Wanted Man : 7:35pm,8:40pm,10:10pm A place in the Stars : 11:50am,2:00pm,6:20pm 30 Days th in Atlanta : 4:10pm,8:30pm,10:45pm The 7 Dwarf : 11:00am,12:50pm,2:40pm,4:30pm GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT A Most Wanted Man : 2:00pm,5:50pm,9:40pm,10:40pm A place in the Stars : 12:10pm,4:30pm,10:55pm 30 Days th in Atlanta : 10:00am,2:20pm,6:40pm,8:50pm The 7 Dwarf : 9:15am GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, ENUGU A place in the Stars : 1:05pm,5:25pm 30 Days in Atlanta : 10:55am,3:15pm,7:35pm,9:45pm

•Bashy Kuti

FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, LAGOS A Most Wanted Man : 12:25pm,4:50pm, A place in the Stars : 10:00am,10:40am,5:10pm 30 Days th in Atlanta : 7:10pm,9:10pm The 7 Darf : 10:50am,12:30pm,12:35pm, FILM HOUSE CINEMAS,HERITAGE MALL, IBADAN A Most Wanted Man : 1:20pm,6:35pm,8:50pm A place in the Stars : 10:20am,12:25pm,4:30pm 30 Days th in Atlanta : 2:30pm,6:35pm,8:35pm The 7 Dwarf : 10:00am,10:50am,11:40am,12:30pm,4:30pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS SAMONDA A Most Wanted Man : 1:20pm,6:00pm A place in the Stars : 10:00am,12:05pm,8:40pm 30 Days th in Atlanta : 10:00am,12:10pm,4:20pm The 7 Dwarf : 10:00am,11:40am FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, CALABAR A place in the Stars : 12:20pm,4:20pm,6:20pm 30 Days th in Atlanta : 10:00am,12:00pm,4:30pm,6:30pm The 7 Dwarf : 11:20am

32 — VANGUARD, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014—33

Dammy Krane snatches MTV number one spot from Wizkid D

AMMY Krane’s Amin has pushed Wizkid’s Show You The Money, off the number one spot after three weeks of topping the Official Naija Top Ten chart. Other artistes on this week’s chart include Iyanya, Sean Tizzle, Patoranking, Dj Jimmy Jatt feat Banky W and Phyno and Cynthia Morgan.

Mr 2kay ft Pato Ranking’s Bad Girl Special and Waje’s No Be You are the new entries of the week, coming in at number ten and number eight respectively.

Buzzing artiste, Mr. 2kay and popular OAP and singer, Sensei Uche join MTV VJ Ehiz on this week’s show as co-hosts.

During the show, 2Kay and Sensei Uche took turns freestyling to Ehiz’ now popular freestyle session. Both musicians dish on how long they have been in the game and how they will take their music all over the world.

•Robot on dancefloor

Nigeria Idol Debie Rise bounces back with a single

9-foot robot on dancefloor as Heineken Green Light party rounds up

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•Debbie Rise

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ORLD famous UK Hip-Hop DJ, Tim Westwood and notable Nigerian celebrities came out to party last Friday as the last Heineken Green Light party for this year shut down the city of Lagos.

Heineken hosted numerous A-list celebrities such as Alex Okosi, Sound Sultan and D’Prince to a night of local and international music courtesy DJ Tim Westwood and Nigeria’s DJ Xclusive.

Other celebrity guests included Tunde and Segun Demuren, Moet Abebe, DJ Humility, Ebuka ObiUchendu, DJ Lambo, Baba Dee, Ice Nweke, Wale Ojo, Dotun, Stephanie Coker, Tunde Ednut, Ajebutter and others.

The night was filled with several memorable gigs and performances, but the climax of them all was a surprise performance by the Kroyman robot. The 8 ft 11 inches robot, stormed the dance hall for a short while with electrifying robotic dance moves to the awe and amazement of clubbers.

The last Heineken Green Light party for this year served as a perfect climax, for the series of club nights, which had earlier seen DJ Benny D and DJ Babey Drew perform at Club Escape and Spice Route respectively.

•Dammy Krane

TAR of Nigerian Idol, Debie Rise, who was recently unveiled as a new act under 800 Records is releasing a new single titled Match Up produced by ace music producer K-solo.

Debie Rise who stole not a few hearts during the reality show has found a new support system in 800 Records therefore flourishing, upping the ante and grabbing attentions. Many thought she was going to win the music reality show in Season 3, alas life had a different route for her to take, a route that led her to 800 Records founded by Shuga Entertainment.

According to the singer “I am not in this industry to compete with anybody. I am here because I am talented, I have passion for music and on stage I am in my element. Debie Rise and 800 Records are taking the music industry to the next level.”

Debie Rise has performed at Felabration at Freedom Park and National Museum, Fotoplus Award night, Purple Account powered by Wema Bank at University of Ife, with the likes of Oritsefemi and Wande Cole.

Bayray Mcnwisu, Femi Jacobs fairy wedding in Shuga Band's video

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HUGA of Shuga Band fame has been described by many in the society and entertainment circle as king of gigs. The son of a late Justice brought that appellation to bear during his recently shot video for his single, Married Today.

The video shoot atmosphere could best be described as wedding-like as popular actress, Bayray Mcnwizu got married to fast rising actor, Femi Jacobs in a mock wedding while A-list comedian, Tee-A was the compere for the night.

MC Abbey, Princess and a host of other celebrities also guest-starred in the video which was shot by Filmboys, the directors behind Waje’s No be You. “Despite the very danceable beat and feel of the song, Married Today is still a wedding song. A song that talks about marriage from the starting-point of wedding, so it won’t be doing the song any form of justice if the video isn’t about proper wedding. We expended a lot of energy, goodwill and resource to create this wedding atmosphere and the icing on the cake is getting two proper actors to play the role of groom and bride. A real wedding couldn’t have been better than this and the most fitting song for any wedding right now is Married Today” says Shuga

•Femi Jacobs and Bayray Mcnwizu C M Y K

34 — Vanguard, FRIDAY,NOVEMBER 21, 2014

By Anino Aganbi

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he teenage life festival 2014 was tagged with the theme “Assuring the well being and development of out of school girls was organized by the action health incorporation (AHI). AHI has been dedicated to promoting young health and development, by informing public policy debates, implementing innovative education and healthcare programs and raising a new generation of youth responsive professionals. It serves as an advocate and catalyst for change in favor of youth well-being in Nigeria .

The Teenage festival of life (TFL) was conceptualized by AHI in 1993 as an avenue to bridge the communication gap between the youth and adults on sexuality issues and the challenges of growing up.

TFL provides a platform for the youth to acquire knowledge and share their viewpoints on the years designated theme, using the creative arts (drama, songs, poetry, and essay) as a medium. The competitive presentations in song, drama, poetry and essay explored the experiences of the out of school adolescent girls, health challenges ,developmental challenges ,implication of health and developmental challenges, and the role of Government and other stakeholders in assuring the health and development of adolescent out of school girls

TEENAGE FESTIVAL OF LIFE 2014: Caring for out-of-school adolescent girls

Students performing at TFL Dr Essiet stated that “Many girls are daily denied their basic human rights, as well as the education, health and skills investments which would enable them to live healthy lives and achieve their potential. In the case of

out of school adolescent girls, there are various subsets in this group such as, Married Adolescents, Out of School Adolescent Girls exposed to forced labor, Out of school adolescent girls living in slum communities and out of school

Women Group Hails Jonathan on Affirmative Action

By Funmi Olasupo

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buja – A socio-political group for women and youth, known as Affirmative Action Development Allies, AADA, has expressed their appreciation to the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

The National Coordinator of the group, Hon. Tina Akonobi who stated this at the group’s inauguration in Abuja, said that anyone who gives 33 percent opportunity to the women is an automatic ally of the women.

According to her,’ Affirmative Allie’, is a house hold name, drawn out from the Beijing conference’s fall out of 33% for women in appointive and elective positions in every country, so anyone who is developing this affirmative action is an ally of the women.

Akonobi maintained, “President Goodluck gave not only 33 percent opportunities to Nigerian women in both appointive and elective portfolios but, he over gave and he ensured he even gave solid portfolios to women such as minister of Finance, Minister of Petroleum Resources, Minister of Water Resources, Minister of Environment, and Minister of State for FCT, Director Generals and so many more, all of which are women”.

“Nigerian women are at the helm of affairs in this country and the only way, we as Nigerian women can show gratitude to him is by voting him in for continuity,” said Akonobi.

Meanwhile fielding questions from journalists,

former Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Ezeife stressed: “My advice to all Nigerians is to accept what God has given us, God has given us President Jonathan, he has given us raw materials, oil, gold, diamond even human beings with many talents.“We have great country which with purpose can be developed to be the latest country in this world. What we need to do is to love our country and love each other.

“I also want Nigerians to know that, we are going to live as one country even after 2015, don’t mind what some candidates are saying that Nigeria will be wasted or some people will die. We are not dying, we all have access to God; let us pray to God to make anybody He brings up survive.

adolescent girls trafficked and engaged as domestic help” “The Challenges faced by them include, social i solation, d iscrimination, physical violence, sexuaxploitation, neglect and all forms of

discrimination which not only infringes their fundamental human rights but is counterproductive to personal and national development. These abuses are further compounded in poor and socially disadvantaged or slum communities” He disclosed.

Lekki Beach comes alive with Peacegroove Festival

By Chris Onuoha

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rrangements are on top gear by Quay Production, an event management outfit in Lagos for the annual world class 12 days Music Festival starting from 24 Dec 2014 to 4 January 2015 happening at Lekki Beach, Lagos.

This year ’s event titled Peacegroove with a theme; “Peace in Nigeria” is billed to attract about 3 million Lagos fun seekers. A-list music artists will be performing peace songs, comedians, dance troupe and drama performances, talent hunts session, magicians, local circuit performers, food tastings, beach game and aqua sports. There will also be special ladies day featuring all forms entertainment from female performers exclusively with a promising female DJ Nana on

the wheels of steel.

The CEO of Quay Production Prince David Omaghomi, the organizers of the event in a media briefing said “we are bringing back the fun Lekki Beach use to have in the past, like the Lekki Sunsplash. This year ’s festival is unique because due to the election period ahead, we are using it to preach peace and harmony among the citizens of Nigeria in an atmosphere of fun and relaxation.”

Speaking further, he reiterated that it is a non ticketing event despite the fact the beach itself is a ticketed arena.” We are the managers of the beach; we are making it a free family show as a peace initiative to sensitive people about the need for peace and harmony to reign during this precarious time of election in a fanfare style.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014 —35

L-r. Kachi Onyeagwu, Punam Dani, Ngozi Eze, Kay Ovia, Abi Ayoku and Badia Oluwu

Star rising initiative launches maiden edition of talent hunt show

By Remi Diagbare

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tar Rising initiative is set to launch the maiden edition of talent hunt show in Lagos.

The audition and selection of qualified candidates is scheduled to hold on the 22nd of November, 2014.

Speaking at the press conference, founder and initiator of the foundation, Mrs Kay Ovia, gave a short presentation about the initiative. “ Our mission is to establish the Star Rising Centre and support the youth of Nigeria, as they walk the rough terrain of becoming responsible adults, in an age where nothing seem stable and change is only constant.

To nurture, discover God’s given talents and provide counselling as well as wellequipped modern library for the children to study’’. ” It is a passion dealing with children. I learnt all this from my husband, Mr Jim Ovia, to give back to the society with the little I can give. I have sponsored so many children in the past, but decided to build a foundation by working with professionals in the industry.

Selection process will be done from 25 secondary schools and Nongovernmental organisations in Lagos State”.

She explained that, “Mastermind is another part of the initiative to create academic and mental exercise for students of the Senior Secondary School bracket. Contestants will be quizzed on subjects such as Mathematics, English, General Knowledge, Current Global Affairs and the

sciences. Mastermind maiden edition will hold next year ”.

In the same vein, Board of trustee for Rising Star initiative, Mrs Ngozi Eze, added that, “ We are going to different places to discover people who have not had the opportunity to develop their

talents; dance ,music and everything entertainment. We hope to mentor them on what they want do; identify celebrities in the area and attach them to the celebrity to be mentored by that celebrity. We are here to ensure it is a long term project

and keep it as long as we can.”

Also speaking at the conference, Television personality and media content executive, Bardia Oluwo popularly known as “ILLRYMZ” said: “ As a producer and Television

personality, I want to use what I have learnt and achieved in my career to encourage talented children to be the best in whatever choice of career they want follow. Children especially in our society need to be informed about self confidence and belief that they can make it in life ,by working hard. It is not all about traveling abroad before they can make it in life”.

In an interview with Allure Magazine , Mrs Kay Ovia revealed her future plans for the initiative “ I have always loved working with children, there are so many talented young people in the country. This is the benchmark for Rising Star and Mastermind Initiative. It will be taken to other parts of the country later “.

Celebrities in the entertainment industry to grace the event the main event come December 22 are: KAFFY,IKON ,DAVIDO, CHIDINMA, SASHA ,RUNTOWN OMOAKIN, BLINK,NEDUTON,YEEVELLE,OZZY ,BOSCOUZI, MISS JAE, DJ C U P P Y, LY N X X , N N E K A , EGBUNA. The event is supported by Visafone, Zenith Bank, Wempco, Civic Center, Uber, Jim Ovia foundation, Beat FM ,Allure magazine, Glamsquadmagazineonline and other social media platforms.

Child Sexual Abuse: Protect your Minor

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eteran comedian Bill Cosby, star of the 80s Cosby show is in the news for the wrong reasons: sexual abuse.

Sexual abuse of minors has been on the rise not only in Nigeria but on a global scale, and parents must now acquire new skills to protect their children and wards against this trend.

Child sexual abuse remains one of the most insidious and damaging problems in our society. Protecting children from sexual abuse has to be a top priority for many parents and children’s rights advocates, but that isn’t always as easy as it sounds.

Victims seeking help are often dismissed. It is nearly impossible to prospectively determine who a sexual predator might be. Someone who looks “creepy” is no more an offender than a respectable person; as well, just because someone seems respectable does not eliminate him (or her) as a child molester.

Understanding the predatory sex offender is paramount to public safety, but it is equally important to know the types of

children that paedophiles target. Molesters will often choose victims who are shy, vulnerable and needy, as well as those deemed socially troubled or isolated, because they know that such children desperately seek a friend.

Unfortunately, such children are submissive and inhibited, and so are unlikely to give the offender a hard time if he forces them into a sexual situation. They will also keep the secret, especially if bribed or threatened.

Child molesters are experts at masking their behaviour, which makes it hard to spot adults who may pose a threat to your child. The following are some things that child abuse attorneys suggest parents and child advocates learn about child molestation.

Common Child Sexual Abuse Myths One of the first steps in recognizing and preventing child sexual abuse is to overcome common myths about how it happens.

Common child sexual abuse myths include: Stranger Danger. The media

tends to over-hype kidnapping and sexual abuse cases perpetrated by strangers, leading the public to fear unknown adults when the real threat may lie closer to home. While it’s true that some children are molested by strangers, the vast majority are abused by familiar adults. Often, these adults hold trusted positions within the community. They might be Boy Scout leaders, clergy or other role models.

Violence and Sexual Abuse. While parents and children’s rights advocates may be on the lookout for bruises and other signs of violence, the truth is that child sexual abuse is only occasionally done in a violent or forceful manner.

Most child molesters prefer to fly under the radar, and many lure children with kindness rather than violence.

How Child Molesters Operate The next step in recognizing and preventing child sexual abuse is to understand the process child molesters tend to use.

Here’s how a child molestation attorney describes the process: Grooming. Many molesters follow a pattern that begins with the adult using his or her authority to gain a vulnerable child’s trust and ease his or her way further into the child’s life, often even befriending the family. This process can take months or years as the adult patiently grooms the child, showering him or her with attention and sometimes money or gifts.

Children with low self-esteem or those who are starved for affection are common targets because they tend to respond well to the molester ’s grooming process.

Physical Touching. Once the child becomes comfortable with the adult, then the physical touching begins although it typically seems innocent at first. This could involve hair tussling, a brief rubbing of the leg, or a quick hug.

Sexualized Touching. This critical phase is when the molester commonly determines whether the child will remain compliant during sexual abuse.

36 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014 —37 With PRINCE OSUAGWU princeosuagwu@gmail.com 08050498513

Nollywood star rocks twitter with polio campaign

L Smar tphone dial pad ma Smartphone mayy fade aw ay …Trudialar is born awa T ruecaller, an app that helps people take the right call, has announced the global launch of Truedialer on Google Play. Truecaller’s 85 million users trust the app’s service to provide them with the contact information they need and protect them from unwanted calls.

Today, the company is using its expertise to replace smartphones’ standard barebones dialing interfaces with their new app, Truedialer. The technology is said to bring a smarter and more intelligent experience that goes beyond a phone’s standard dialer.

Unlike a standard dial pad, Truedialer gives instant access to relevant information about contacts that users are trying to dial. If users are dialing a number for an individual or business outside of their phonebook, they’ll be able to see the name, and even a profile photo of whom they’re about to dial before they place the call. The integration of the Truecaller technology works in conjunction with Truedialer so users can have the best

experience when they make or receive calls.

With Truedialer, you can: · Automatically search for information about a number you are dialing. As you type in a number, Truedialer seamlessly searches your own contact list and Truecaller’s database of over a billion numbers. You can instantly learn the name of an individual or business belonging to a number you dial, even if they’re not in your contact list. · Automatically fill in missing contact information in your call log with information from Truecaller ’s database.

Truedialer takes out the guesswork of trying to remember which name is behind which unassigned number in the call log; it’s perfect for those making lots of calls to acquaintances and professional contacts. ·Protect yourself from spam and scams. If the number you’re about to dial has been reported by Truecaller ’s community as an unwanted number, you’ll be warned before placing the call.

AST week twitter was agog with the tweet and retweets of Queen Elizabeth II’s first tweet. The Queen took to twitter in endorsing the first UK technology museum apparently to underscore the extent the world has come to take the platform and other social media platforms as agents of change.

These platforms, create safe and cost effective avenue to mobilizing the right public, in order to drive change in the society.

Could this be why less than a week after, Nigeria's Queen of the Tube, Funke Akindele also took to twitter to canvass the right attitude and character towards eradication of polio in Nigeria.

The top Nollywood actress who also doubles as Rotary's Polio Ambassador, stepped up the campaign to end Polio disease in Nigeria, including an active awareness campaign on Twitter.

Her tweets, especially just before and after the World Polio Day, have been calling on Nigerians to rise up and do more to eradicate Polio in the country.

Though Akindele has always kept her voice strong on this cause, her twitter handle, expresses a definite goal of saving lives and why everybody needed

to join hands to put an end to Polio.

She also restated on various platforms that "every child has the right to live".

To drive this campaign further, she encouraged more Nigerians to add their photos and signup for the World's biggest commercial against Polio and the global campaign being spearheaded by Rotary International.

For her, "this is our chance to make history by wiping out the second human disease ever from the world (smallpox is the first)" Polio is an infantile paralysis. It is an acute, viral and infectious disease spread from person to person. Polio virus enters the body through the mouth, infecting the first cells with which it comes in contact with. It then hijacks the host cells and begins to replicate itself. It has been eradicated in many countries, but it is still in existence in some developing countries, especially in three countries with the acronym PAN, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria

•No child needs this to walk

Caller ring back tune, Glo's answer to voice revenue drop?

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ITH voice revenue taking a massive nosedive among mobile operators, a few are taking to other innovative platforms to stay afloat. Second National Operator, Globacom is one of those who are putting plan B in place to bypass the dwindling voice revenue in Nigeria's telecom market.

Besides other innovations, Glo just recently introduced a package tagged Glo CRBT, Glo Mobile’s Caller Ringback Tune, that enables its subscribers have exclusive access to latest songs of leading Nigerian musicians as caller tunes on their phones.

Rave of the moment artistes including cross-over highlife

•Download made easy

artiste, Flavour, and talented female artistes Omawumi and Chee, were part of the artistes whose musics would be available for subscribers at next to nothing.

Others included Hip Hop stars, Burna Boy, MI, Naeto C and one of the best known artistes from the North, Sanni Danja.

By this development, Glo

Mobile subscribers will be able to have exclusive access to many of Nigeria’s most anticipated new music releases from popular artistes by simply subscribing to the platform. The exclusive songs are joining pre-existing titles of virtually all the popular music artistes in Nigeria on Globacom’s CRBT platform.

One of Globacom's top executives, Viswanath Nagasai said that “Nigerians would readily recall that we blazed the CRBT trail in Nigeria over seven years ago when for the first time in Nigeria, we made it possible for our subscribers to download their favourite tunes and make them their ringback tunes. Others were to follow the

trail, and today, Nigerian artistes net millions of naira in revenue from their music distributed by mobile operators in the country through the CRBT platform,” The songs that Glo customers can readily access include Flavour’s dancehall blaster, “Wake Up’, featuring Wande Coal, in addition to all his earlier hits. Also available for immediate download are Omawumi’s latest release currently ruling the airwaves, “Megbele” in addition to her existing songs; Naeto C’s collaborative effort featuring Phyno, “China”; Burna Boy’s “Checks and Balance”, Sanni Danja’s “Alhaji” and Chee’s collaborative work with Olamide, “No More”.

38—Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

90% of ailments can be reversed by right foods — Experts

By Chioma Obinna

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ITH growing numbers of prominent Nigerians fallen victims of noncommunicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure, alternative health experts have recommended the use of natural foods to put diseases at bay even as they said that 90 per cent of the ailments that have befallen Nigerians could be reversed by proper intake of foods.

Available report has shown that food is the most powerful medicine available to heal chronic disease, which account for over 50 million deaths and cost the global economy $47 trillion by 2030.

The alternative medicine experts who spoke at a press conference in Lagos to announce a two – day health seminar with the theme: “How Diet Choices Affect Health and Productivity”, being organised by the Hayford Alile Foundation, Lagos in collaboration with Good Health Centre, Port Harcourt said it is time Nigerians take responsibility for their health by making a u- turn to the eating habits of their fathers which is the consumption of natural foods.

In his views, Executive Director of Good Health Centre, Rev. Mike Okonkwo who identified eating wrong foods as a major reason why people die from preventable diseases posited that taking balanced diet has a lot to do in preserving life.

This, the alternative medicine practitioner said, was why his organisation, in

• Adequate consumption of natural foods helps prevent diseases. collaboration with Hayford Alile Foundation is organising the ‘Live now’ health seminar for corporate executive and leaders in the country.

According to Okonkwo, the health seminar billed to hold December 3 through 4th, 2014 at the Metropolitan Club; Lagos would tackle and educate the Nigerian leaders on foods and how to overcome common diseases. Explaining further, Okonkwo disclosed that though food can be helpful to the body it can also harm it,

especially if they are unwanted fat or cholesterol.

He said man is plagued with diseases because he departed from what God ordained.

Okonkwo who is also the consultant to Hallelujah Diet advised Nigerians to stop eating meat if they cannot chew it well as swallowing meat without chewing it well may lead to diabetes and other ailments.

“Our goal is to Nigerialise every food we

GSK calls for research proposals on NCDs

By Gabriel Olawale

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ORRIED about the alarming increase in the prevalence of NonCommunicable Diseases, NCDs, GlaxoSmithKline, GSK, weekend launched the first call for proposals for its Africa NCD Open Lab, to support muchneeded scientific research into NCDs in Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan Africa.

Already, GSK has made available about £4m (N1 billion) for the first funding round to support successful proposals from researchers in Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Ghana, Gambia, Kenya, Uganda and Malawi.

The Africa NCD Open Lab was established by GSK earlier this year, with a commitment of £25m funding over five years, as part of a series of strategic investments in sub-Saharan Africa.

The proposal was launched following alarming prevalent of Non-Communicable Diseases, such as cancer and diabetes, in Nigeria and other African countries.

The Africa NCD Open Lab aims to address how – and why – these diseases manifest differently in these countries.

The innovative research network will see GSK scientists collaborate with researchers across Africa on high quality epidemiological, genetic and interventional research. The aim of the research was also to specifically inform interventions for the prevention and treatment of five priority diseases - cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and chronic respiratory disease – while helping build local expertise and creating a new generation of African NCD experts.

An independent external advisory group, comprising clinical and scientific experts in the field of NCDs, will review applications to the NCD Open Lab, with recommendations for funding based on scientific merit. The group will consist of a majority of African membership to ensure that only locally-relevant research is funded.

A second call for proposals in South Africa is planned for 2015 which will be launched in collaboration with the Medical Research Councils of South Africa and the UK, with a combined £5m funding.

Interim Head of the Africa NCD Open Lab, Dr. Mike Strange said: “We believe the highly collaborative research network we’re creating through the Africa NCD Open Lab has the potential to dramatically improve understanding of NCDs in Africa – and could ultimately, accelerate the development of new, better medicines to treat these.

“The launch of our first call for proposals is an important milestone for this initiative, and we encourage researchers working in the field of NCDs who are based in the eight eligible countries to consider applying for the funding and expert support available to them through this.”

L-R: Mrs. Joy Ndukwe, Secretary, Hayford Alile Foundation, Rev. Mike Okonkwo, Consultant to Hallelujah Diet , Apostle Hayford Ikponmwosa Alile, Facilitator, Live now health Seminar and Founder, Hayford Alile Foundation, Pastor Victor Mukwuzi, Personal Assistant to Apostle Hayford Alile during a press conference to announce the 2- Day Health Seminar on Diet, Health and Productivity in Lagos last week.

eat. Common illnesses like high blood pressure, stress, cancer, diabetes, bowel health challenges, prostrate health, stroke, infertility, sleeplessness, erectile dysfunction, which destroys many homes.

We shall table the health challenges and create the solutions.

“Sugar is not the cause of diabetes. That you stop taking sugar doesn’t mean you won’t have diabetes. It takes 72 hours for a piece of meat to digest. You must chew every food you eat 50 times before you swallow.

Speaking, the Facilitator of the programme, Apostle Hayford Alile who announced that over 60 participants are expected at the seminar, said the seminar is open to all persons no matter their religious affiliations.

Alile said many people are dying from preventable diseases due to what they eat.

He said the death of some eminent Nigerians informed the seminar in order to reverse the trend.

Alile said he enjoyed good health because he always eats right. “You are a product of what you consume. And this may affect your performance positively or negatively,” he said.

Alile advised Nigerians to make good diet their friend so that they can live in good health.

“The eating lifestyle of the rich, who have been spending so much money travelling outside the country for medical attention, is wrong.

Alile who was former Director General of the Stock Exchange said: “Within the last three years, some of my age groups have been down with cancer, diabetes, tuberculosis and all sorts of ailments.”

Hypertension set to rise in Nigeria — Study

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IGH blood pressure - already a massive hidden killer in Nigeria - is set to sharply rise as the country adopts western lifestyles, a study published in the Journal of Hypertension suggests.

Researchers who conducted the first upto-date nationwide estimate of the condition in Nigeria warn that this will strain the country’s already-stretched health system. Increased public awareness, lifestyle changes, screening and early detection are vital to tackle the increasing threat of the disease, they say.

High blood pressure - also known as hypertension - is twice as high in Nigeria compared with other East African countries and less than 20 per cent of Nigerians are aware that they have the condition.

Researchers estimated that there were more than 20 million cases of hypertension in Nigeria in 2010, affecting one in-three men and one-in-four women. This is set to rise to 39 million cases by 2030. Data from South Africa suggests that high blood pressure is treated effectively in less than 10 per cent of cases. Scientists at the University of Edinburgh, who carried out the study, say that understanding of hypertension in Nigeria and other African countries has been affected by lack of patient data.

Davies Adeloye, of the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Population Health Sciences, said: “We have conducted a systematic search of high quality studies on hypertension across Nigeria and provided estimates of the prevalence and number of cases of hypertension in the country. We hope this will prompt appropriate policy response.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014 — 39

NAFDAC internationalises local pharmaceuticals

By Martins Ikhilae

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Access to credit and Nigeria’s economic development The problem of access to credit is a recurring complaint from manufacturers and businessmen. Aside the fact that HERE is broad agreement interest charges are high, many small that Nigeria with over 160 businesses cannot access credit. Loans million people, an to consumers are as important as loans entrepreneurial spirit, natural to businesses for productive purposes, resources, and an economic because they generate demand. The policy framework that looks IFC in a 2013 survey show that no more increasingly market – driven has than 30 percent of adults had access to a promising future. In the last few bank loans in Nigeria, which compares years as Nigeria has come into poorly with the higher rates recorded the global development picture in a number of other developing with GDP growth averaging 6countries. Nigerian Banks generally 7.5 per cent a year, it has become seek to lend money and earn the fashionable to look at the resultant incomes. However, they have unlocking of Africa’s biggest become extremely careful due in part to Map of Nigeria economy. Only in April, a the level of defaults being experienced. rebasing of the country’s economy Central Bank of Nigeria, reported a 952 While most banks today will advance captured economic sectors like per cent increase in receipts from exports credit to blue chip companies and their entertainment and fashion and pushed of manufactured products from employees, the willingness to lend to the country’s GDP to the fore on the Nigeria”. small businesses is hampered by lack continent.

There are expectations it could match of credible information.

The rebasing of the GDP released in the runaway success stories of the Asian Reforming the system and getting April this year put Nigeria’s GDP at $510 Tiger economies, going by a report by access to capital up must begin with billion, eclipsing that of South Africa and McKinsey Global Institute, an arm of credible data. Also, the transfer of land moving up to the 26th largest economy the US-based consultancy McKinsey titles is still time-consuming and in the world. However, even as lovely and Company. It said that, “We believe cumbersome and negatively militating as the figures are, with the deficiencies Nigeria is more likely to follow the against their ready use as collateral for in infrastructure and untapped economic pattern seen in high-growth credit facilities from banks. However, potential, the opportunities for growth developing countries such as Indonesia, some important milestones on the road are bountiful. Just an indication would Malaysia, and Thailand during their to progress are being recorded and do. Before the Telecommunications sector periods of strongest expansion in deserve mentioning. The CBN and IFC was commercialized in the late 1990s, manufacturing. The contribution of are setting up a collateral registry which that sector hardly contributed much to manufacturing to GDP at the start of would help MSMEs access credit with the GDP but after the licensing of new these countries’ growth periods is much their moveable assets such as power operators and the expansion of more like that of Nigeria today than generators and less tangible assets. A opportunities in ancillary industries, those of China or Vietnam in the early similar system was employed in China telecoms is now a major economic sector. 1990s.”The country has a large pool of to great success after the Asian economic Similar opportunities beckon in the talent and entrepreneurial capital, crisis. Aside that, the registration of bank power sector, midstream and evidenced by creative startups in customers under the Bank Verification downstream sectors of the oil industry, Information and Communications Number (BVN) biometric registration is where the operating templates have Technology, online trading platforms, one positive step to capturing bank users either been restructured or are in the fashion, entertainment and of course, information and avoid the cases of process of being restructured. big business. Nigeria’s pool of talent is chronic debtors chalking up multiple In the power sector, for instance, there a major attraction for potential investors. debts across banks. Overall, the is a convergence across all classes that However, businesses have a hard time essential data for a credit bureau is being once the nascent industry settles on the accessing capital to set up and grow. sourced. The BVN should help to build path of growth, the multiplier effect on This problem has seen ideas wither a reliable database for banks and credit the rest of the economy will be akin to a along the line. Access to capital is a agencies to track potential debtors and positive explosion. The overriding goal major ingredient in growing businesses help credit assessment for bank users. of Nigeria’s Vision 2020 Economic and economies. Nigeria performs poorly Hopefully, if that is done properly and Transformation Blueprint is for the in this regard, as are most macroeconomic positions country “to become one of the top 20 developing economies. The stay on course, the economies in the world by the year International Finance economy can only be better 2020.” One of the sub goals is to grow Corporation (IFC), the for it. the contribution of manufacturing and private sector lending arm of A number of current services to 25 per cent of GDP, up from the World Bank, states the policy initiatives such as about seven (7) per cent currently. Vice problem in perspective thus: The Power Sector Reforms, “Lack of access to finance is support for local a key constraint on the growth industrialization, of small and medium Agricultural reforms and enterprises in Sub-Saharan investments in Africa, and thus also an infrastructure signpost a important limitation on commitment to push employment, economic economic growth and growth and shared development by the federal prosperity. African financial government and across Our systems have improved in some states; some more the past two decades but still country work to address access to lag behind other developing credit will further unlock economies, hampering the needs to BERNARD OKUMAGBA possibilities in production positive effects of current improve and market expansion. It is President Namadi Sambo said at the record financial inflows.” On important that the current 42nd annual general meeting of this score, Nigeria performs credit access initiatives to build financial Manufacturers Association of Nigeria poorly when compared to the to build capacity for businesses are (MAN) in August this year that, “The upper cadre of developing expanded and followed manufacturing sector reported 22 per economies, countries such as capacity and through. cent growth in 2013, compared with 14 Brazil, India, Malaysia and be in a •Chief Okumagba is per cent in 2012. Capacity utilisation Indonesia. Our country Chairman of Regents increased from 46.3 per cent at the start position to needs to improve credit Consults Limited and a of 2013, to 52.7 per cent at the end of access to build capacity and compete former Delta State 2013, with further improvements be in a position to compete.

Commissioner for Finance continuing this year 2014. “In 2013, the

By Bernard Okumagba

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UTRIGHT opposition to and radical criticism of government policies and actions no doubt helps a nation to grow if accorded a nationalistic outlook. Little wonder that a nation fares better, faster, most genuinely and more impressively when critics acknowledges progressive and landmark achievements as well as proffers alternative solutions where and when necessary. It is within this context that critics could be patriotic or selfish, disgruntled/unpatriotic by assessment.

Consequently, we must as Nigerians, acknowledge that the President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan conceptualized and implemented Transformation Agenda is indeed propelling the Nation towards a dynamic and success driven multi-sectorial development which is already according Nigeria an ideal placement in the comity of nations. The swiftness, dynamism and seriousness with which government confronted and conquered the globally dreaded genocidal Ebola disease and urgently placed Nigeria on the World map as an – Ebola free nation, still remains a mystery to the international community such that the United States of America ,an acclaimed world Power, has approached Nigeria for necessary tutorials and assistance in this regard.

This feat is no doubt attributable to the existence of a transformed indigenous health sector manned by seasoned and competent manpower under the leadership of a focused coordinator Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu as health minister. Similarly, NAFDAC is indeed, a vital organ in the sustenance of progressive healthcare services and it is conscious of the fact that acceptability is a vital ingredient in the success and otherwise of pharmaceutical production endevour which in turn is hinge able on two variables; namely, domestic/indigenous and global /international. While the former is limited and therefore out rightly restrictive, the latter is limitless both in status, practice and associate able dividends.

Doubting Thomases This NAFDAC induced initiative which initially seemed unrealize able and considered by many doubting Thomases as a mere wild goose chase when introduced few years ago, is now yielding commendable dividends.

Recently, one of the nation’s pharmaceutical giants –Swiss Pharma Nigeria Limited was pronounced by the World Health Organisation, WHO, as having successfully scaled through the initially perceived rigorous processes and has earned for itself the coveted WHO good manufacturing practice (GMP) prequalification certification, a process aimed at determining the ability of a firm to persistently, produce products without compromising quality standards specifications of the organisation. Remarkably, WHO Director General, Dr Margaret Chan, commended the determination and unwavering commitment of NAFDAC under its incumbent management which she claimed has successfully brought about the earning of WHO GMP certification by a Nigerian local pharmaceutical firm which incidentally remains the first of its kind in the entire West Africa.

In view of this therefore, more indigenous firms like May and Baker plc,Fidson Healthcare,Neimeth etc are now making frantic efforts to key into this progressive economic initiative. The NAFDAC backed effort will maximally boost production ability of local drug plants by making them measure up adequately to globally acceptable standards with the consent of WHO.The World Health Organisation assent will no doubt further ruboff positively on local drug plants as the production of essential medicines will bring about acceptability for our indigenous medicines globally thereby successfully acquiring the capacity to satisfy both domestic and foreign demands.

Ikhilae is a Lagos based analyst

40 — VANGUARD,

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014 ‘Bismilahi-Rahmani-Raheeem’

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o man is infallible.

Errors and sins are undoubtedly part of human nature and so, no one will ever be free from it. All of us fall short of errors, commit sins, and make mistakes. Sometimes, remorsefully, we turn to Allah in obedience, especcially those who are conscious of their actions; but most times people willfully or forgetfully turn away from Allah. Imam Tirmizhi reported: “Every son of Adam sins, and the best of those who sin are those who repent.”

Allah has bestowed His mercy and compassion. He is Forbearing and does not wield the stick every time we erred.

He gives man respite, and He commanded His Prophet (s.a.w) to proclaim His generosity as stated in Suratul Zumar, 39:53 “Say: O ‘Ibaadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily, Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Repentance is meant for all classes of people. Those who disobey Allah and commit sin, those who follow a middle course, and even those who are foremost in good deeds are enjoined to seek Allah’s forgiveness. The doctrine of remenission of sins has no place in Islam and that is why the Prophet (s.a.w) said: “O people, repent to Allah and seek His forgiveness, for I repent one hundred times a day.”

The reward of repentance is blessings coming down from heaven, blessings coming from the earth, an increase in one’s wealth and offspring, blessings in productivity, good physical health and protection from diseases. Allah says of Hood (a.s) “Seek the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance, that He may grant you good enjoyment, for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding Grace to every owner of grace (i.e. the one who helps and serves the needy and deserving, physically and with his wealth, and even with good words)” “And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord and

Repentance pa ay ffor or success pavves the w wa then repent to Him, He will send you (from the sky) abundant rain, and add strength to your strength, so do not turn away as Mujrimoon (criminals, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah)” (Hood 11: 3,52) It was narrated from Abu Sa’eed Sa’d ibn Maalik ibn Sinaan al-Khudri (r.a) that the Prophet (s.a.w) said: “There was a man among the people who came before a man who killed 99 people. Then he asked about the most

Seek the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance, that He may grant you good enjoyment, for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding Grace to every owner of grace. But if you turn away, then I fear for you the torment of a Great Day

knowledgeable person on earth, and was directed to a hermit. So, he went to him, told him that he had killed 99 people, and asked if he could be forgiven. The hermit said, ‘No,’ so he killed him, thus completing 100. Then he asked about the most knowledgeable person on earth and was directed to a scholar. He told him that he had killed 100 people, and asked whether he could be forgiven. The scholar said, ‘Yes, what could possibly come between you and repentance? He was asked by this scholar to immediately proceed to a town where its people always worship God and shun sin, warning him never to return to his own town with the load of atrocities. So, the man set off, but when he was halfway to the town, the angel of death came to him and took his life. Thereafter, the angels of mercy and the angels of wrath began to argue over him. The former said: ‘He had repented and was seeking Allah,’ but the latter retorted: ‘He never did any good thing.’

God asked them to measure the distance between the two lands (his home town and the town he was going). It was discovered that he was closer to where he was going and farer from where he was coming. So, he had the pleasure to follow the angels of mercy.

This anecdote showed the sincere intention of man to repent even when he had committed a sin inadvertently.

Repentance is by returning to Allah, giving up sins and showing deep remorse for having committed the sin and the readiness to shun sin.

Making sincere repentance or

Tawbah raises a Muslim’s status with Allah. By choosing to stay the course prohibited by Allah, we consciously forego Allah’s mercy and the associated benefits and rewards, His protection and help. However, the moment we sincerely repent, we can be assured of Allah’s help in our lives that in turn is a precursor to success in this life and the hereafter. Allah tells us in the Quran: …And beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful. “ (Quran 24: 31)

Trials and challenges “Seek the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance, that He may grant you good enjoyment, for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding Grace to every owner of grace. But if you turn away, then I fear for you the torment of a Great Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection).” (Quran 11:3) We know that our sins can haunt us in this life and the hereafter. The more sins we commit, the more we could be deprived of Allah’s blessings and the more trials and challenges we could be put through.

Repentance, therefore, can provide us a way out of our miseries and troubles of this life. Allah tells us in Suratul Taubah: “See they not that they are put in trial once or twice every year (with different kinds of calamities, disease, famine)? Yet, they turn not in repentance, nor do they learn a lesson (from it).” Quran 9: 126) Again, “…Truly, Allah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those

who purify themselves” as contained in Suratul Baqarah, verse 222).

In narrating one of the popular hadith, Ibn Masud stated that Allaah’s Messenger (s.a.w said: Allah is more pleased with the repentance of his slave than a man who encamps at a place where his life is jeopardized.

But he has his riding animal carrying his food and water. He then rests his head and sleeps for a short while and wakes up to find his riding animal missing. He starts looking for it and suffers from severe heat and thirst or what Allah wished him to suffer from. He then says: ‘I will go back to my place.’ He returns and sleeps again. Then when he wakes up, he raises his head to find his riding animal standing besides him. So one can imagine the happiness that this brings to him. (The prophet continued by stating that) Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His slave than the situation of happiness that this person experiences after he was saved from death.’

If you have trampled on the rights of the weak, the orphan, you must as a matter of urgency restore their rights. If you have been unduly unfair to a widow, you need to seek redress, ask for pardon and repent. If you have used your position and power to amass wealth or property, you must return them, before seeking forgiveness from Allah. As condition necessary for a valid repentance, you must give up the sin, show remorse of having done it, and exhibit a practical resolve never to go back to it.

But the truth again remains that anyone who repents to Allah from any sin is to be congratulated, because it is as if they have been born anew through their sincere repentance. The reward of repentance is a good life in the shade of faith, contentment, peace of mind and tranquility.

This is usually followed by blessings in this world and in the Hereafter. You will have the purity of heart and closeness to Allah. He is the most forgiving and compassionate.

His doors for accepting repentance are always open.

So, repent.

The Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim jamaat Nigeria, Dr Mashuud Fasola (middle) addressing A cross section of Arabic and Islamic lecturers at Daru-Dawah Wal Irshad Arabic members of the elders group of the Jamaat at the Ojokoro during the Majils shoora of the and Islamic Center, Isolo, Lagos during the recent Haflah (convocation) of their elders group in Lagos, recently. students

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014— 41 cloth or something else which during the earlier part of the time.

If a person performs tayammum cannot be removed, he should wipe his hands on it. And in the case on account of non - availability of that he has a bandage on his hands water or because of some other which cannot be removed then he excuse his tayammum becomes should strike his hands along with void when that obstacle ceases to exist. the bandage.

If some Ghusl’s are to be A person whose obligation is tayammum cannot perform it unless performed by a person but he the time for prayers sets in, however cannot do the Ghusl, it is okay to if there is a probability that his perform one tayammum, but it is excuse will cease to exist before the recommended to do that for time for prayers is over it is better everyone of those Ghusl’s he that he should not offer the prayers should perform one tayammum.

Tayammum and salat

Forgiveness as a trait of Prophet Muhammad

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ayammum should be performed instead of Wudhu or Ghusl when the following conditions occured: When it is not possible to find sufficient water for performing Wudhu or Ghusl.

If a person is unable to find water on account of old age or weakness or due to fear of any danger because he does not possess means to draw water from a well, he should perform tayammum. The same order would apply in case the trouble to acquire water is usually considered to be unbearable.

If a person fears that if he uses water his life will be endangered or he will suffer from some ailment or defect in his body or the ailment from which he is already suffering will become acute or some complications will arise in its treatment. However, if warm water is not injurious for him, he should perform Wudhu with it and also do Ghusl with it in cases in which Ghusl is obligatory.

Acute thirst If a person fears that if he uses water to do Ghusl, or to perform Wudhu, he will be involved in hardship, he should perform Tayammum under the following 3 cases: In case he fears that if he uses the water for Ghusl or Wudhu, he will be involved in an acute thirst, which may result in his illness or death, or which it will be very hard for him to bear; In case he fears that in the event of his doing Ghusl or Wudhu, the people whose care is obligatory for him may become ill or die on account of thirst, and, In case he fears, on account of lack of water, for others ( whether human beings or animals ) besides himself, and their death, illness or restlessness is unpleasant for him.

In the absence of anyone or more of the three conditions mentioned above it is not permissible to perform Tayammum when water is available.

If the body or dress of a person is impure and he possesses only so much water that it is likely to be exhausted if he takes a bath or washes his dress he should, on the basis of precaution, take a bath or wash his dress, and offer his prayer after performing Tayammum.

However, if he does not possess anything with which to perform tayammum he should use the water for bathing or for Wudhu and offer his prayers with impure body or dress.

If a person possess unlawful water or container, he should perform tayammum instead of Ghusl or Wudhu. When the time left for offering prayers is so short that if a

By Harun Razaq

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Pix 1

Pix3 person does the Ghusl or Wudhu he would be obliged to offer the entire prayers or a part thereof after the prescribed time, he should perform tayammum.

If a person intentionally delays offering the prayers so much that no time is left for Ghusl or Wudhu he will have committed a sin, but the prayers offered by him after performing tayammum will be in order, although recommended precaution is that he should also offer the prayers in question again after performing the Ghusl or Wudhu, whatever the case maybe.

In case a person is doubtful whether or not any time will be left for prayers, in case he does the Ghusl or Wudhu, he should perform tayammum and then offer prayers.

Things on which Tayammum may be Performed Performance of tayammum on earth, sand, a lump of clay or a stone in order, but the recommended precaution is that if earth is available tayammum should not be performed on anything else. In case earth is not available it should be performed on sand or a lump of clay and failing that on a stone.

It is in order to perform tayammum on gypsum or lime stone. On the basis of obligatory precaution, however, tayammum should not be performed, without proper reason, on baked gypsum or lime or baked bricks or mineral stones. If it is not possible for a person to procure sand, lump of clay or stone, he should perform tayammum on the dust which may have settled on a carpet. And in case even if dust is not available, he should perform tayammum on wet earth.

How to do Tayammum Niyyat: I am doing tayammum in place of Wudhu or Ghusl, so that

Pix2

Pix4 my prayer or fast may be correct for worshipping Allah. Strike palms of both hands together upon things on which tayammum is correct. Just putting the hands upon earth etc. is not enough. (Pix 1.)

Pull both palms together from the beginning of the forehead down to the point of the nose. Both sides of the forehead joining the ears should be included. (Pix 2 & 3) Then pull the left palm upon the back of the right hand from the projecting small bone on the joint of palm and arm up to the fingertips.

Then pull the right palm on the back of the left palm likewise.

Strike the palms together upon earth etc. second time.

Pull the left palm on the back of the right hand, as explained above Pull the right palm on the back of the left hand, as explained above.

W h i l e performing tayammum one should remove the ring he or she is wearing and also remove any obstruction which may be present on his forehead or on the palms or back of his hands.

In case a person has a wound on his forehead or the back of his hands and it is bandagedwitha

HAT led to the establishment of a peaceful and most successful Islamic society during and after the life of Prophet Muhammad, (s.a.w) were his behaviour and exceptionally good characters.

Michael H. Hart in his book entitled: “The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History”, a 1978 book by Michael H. Hart, reprinted in 1992 with revisions asserted that Muhammad was supremely successful in everything. Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) was so well behaved with other people, that everyone praised his behaviour.

He forgave others even when he had the power to punish the offender.

During his visit to Taif in the late 619 C.E., 70 miles in the southeast of Makkah, he called on the three chiefs of the local tribes, and invited them to abandon their gross idolatry, to acknowledge the Oneness of God, to repudiate man-made distinctions of high and low, and to believe in the equality and brotherhood of all men. The chiefs of Ta’if were conceited and arrogant crew, and they did not want even to listen to

Muhammad (s.a.w). They greeted him with mockery and ridicule and set upon him the tough out of the city. They pelted him and Zaid bin Haritha who went with him with stones. The team were wounded and covered with blood. Muhammad (s.a.w) staggered out of Ta’if, he almost collapsed but a certain gardener took him into his hut, treated his wounds, and gave him a rest until he felt strong enough to resume his journey across the rough terrain between Ta’if and Makkah.

Muhammad (s.a.w) supplicated to Allah and then they moved on towards Makkah.

Angel Jibril came to the Prophet (s.a.w) with the angel in charge of mountains and asked the prophet that if he so wished, he would command the Angel of mountains to bury the city between two mountains.

Although the prophet (s.a.w) had suffered a great deal in the hands of these people, he replied that may be their offspring would accept Islam and would proclaim the religion of truth. Due to the kind nature of Muhammad (s.a.w), the city was saved from destruction.

42—Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

Southern Sun Hotel’s golf ends in style

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INAGBE RESORTS:

Jewel on the Island

By JIMOH BABATUNDE

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LEASE, this type of trip is not meant for people like us-o”, John was heard telling the boat rider as he was handed a life jacket as he made to enter the boat that was set to ferry us to one of the Islands in Lagos on a tour of a new resort.

John’s expression represents the fears of many people living in Lagos who see water everyday but always scared to travel on water. For many Lagosians, the fear of water is the beginning of wisdom though the state prides itself as an aquatic splendor.

But as we boarded the flying boat and headed westwards through the Fort oil head office, the American embassy then under the Ikoyi Bridge at Bonny Camp before we went through other waterways that pass by Tin Can, Snake Island, and Apapa, the fear started disappearing as most of the occupants of the boats became lively while enjoying the cool breeze.

As most of us were busy snapping shots of one another in the boats, some professional photographers among the team were seen taking shots of other sea farers and views on the Islands along the route that transverse Banana Island After about 25 minutes of boat ride, the sight of coconut trees dancing to the cool breeze of the sea under the heat of the sun was what welcomed us to the Inagbe Island – A natural landscape graced with tranquility and peaceful atmosphere.

C M Y K

Inagbe Island is host to a Grand Resort and Leisure which is set on the tranquil banks of the magnificent Lagos Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. This showpiece resort captures the essence of nature, culture and tradition.

RECEPTION What a beautiful sight to behold! As we disembark from the boat, warmly welcomed at the VIP Jetty, a 40,000 square metre well landscaped garden and park awaits us.

Richly adorned with waterfalls and natural artistic elements, a 300 metre long enthralling musical fountain combined with an array of rhythmic water display and coloured lightening effect graces our entrance to the resort from the Lagoon front.

Welcoming the team, Adeyeye Ogunwusi , the Managing Director and Chief Ex-

The Lagoon front relaxation area, sports village and conference centers are simply magnificent

ecutive Officer, Gran Imperio Resorts Limited, disclosed that the resort is developed and promoted by his company in partnership with the Esinmikan Royal Family—the native land owners with strong history, culture and heritage.

The resort, according to him is a home away from the hustle and bustle of city life, adding that the resort is a place to be amidst pure natural elements, tranquil and resonating air of simple luxury.

“What we met here was a jungle; nobody was living here because the natives had migrated to Lagos, but now they are coming back because we are providing jobs for them. Unlike the locals who did not believe in us, a lot of foreigners have come here and could not believe that this kind of thing could be done in Nigeria”, Ogunwusi enthused.

The resort, which is fully functional with over 300 workers providing top-of- the-range services, is developed in phases. So far, the first phase which would be completed early next year already has in place 125-room chalets, 1,500seater multi-purpose hall, an executive lounge near the lagoon, Essential Homes furniture factory, indoor sports hall comprising table tennis, long tennis court, snooker, squash and badminton.

As we were being conducted round the facilities, one will not but marvel at the quality of the furniture in the chalets, Ogunwusi explained that beyond providing a home away from home, the resorts is also his company’s bold statement that good things could come

out of Nigeria.

“We want to prove that good things can come out of Nigeria. We want to showcase national pride.

Everything we have here are from Nigeria and, interestingly, this project started just last year and here we are, not just providing opportunity for leisure and relaxation, but also creating jobs for young Nigerians”, he said with a big smile .

Moving around the 300 hectares facility could be tiring for some, but it is fun and exercise for others. On the hot afternoon of our visit, some of us decided to go round the island on a couple of beach buggies.

Demola became the maser rider as some of us out of fear allowed Ogunwusi and the lady rider, Jumoke, take charge as we moved towards the beach front. The Lagoon front relaxation area, sports village and conference centers are simply magnificent.

SPORTS Aside from the golf courses, the resort has sites for beach soccer, football pitches, race tracks, and lawn tennis pitches.

Ogunwusi disclosed that as they are set to become the most popular resort and tourist center in West Africa, providing recreational facilities, beach clubs, boat clubs, that they are not forgetting the children too as they will have a theme park.

HE management of Southern Sun Ikoyi hotel has commended the winners of the hotel’s 2014 golf competition held weekend at the Ikoyi Club 1938 Lagos where over 180 golfers took part.

Speaking at the Prize giving cocktail, General Manager, Southern Sun Ikoyi hotel Mr. Mark Loxley commended participating golfers for their tenacity in completing the allday competition in spite of very hot weather .

He reiterated the hotel’s continued commitment to fostering golf as a sporting activity within the community. Appreciating the efforts of the lady golfers, Mr Loxley noted that the “hotel is proud to continue in its dedication to providing a suitable platform for promoting golf as a sport amongst women”.

Captain of the club, Mr Ted Iwere, praised Southern Sun Ikoyi Hotel for sustaining the tournament. The captain was pleased that this year’s edition was better organised than past editions with so many golfers and guests in attendance. He expressed enthusiasm that with the support of Southern Sun Ikoyi “next year’s edition will be bigger and more colourful” The 18-hole tourney, employed foursome format of play with the best three scores per hole counting, witnessed a whole gamut of activities with business associates, friends of the hotel, sponsors, golfers and invited guests networking with pleasure.

Swiss Spirit Hotel set to boost hospitality business in Asaba

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he city of Asaba welcomed a new hospitality outfit to its fold recently as the Swiss Spirit Hotel and Suites was opened to the public. Guests from across the state, country and promoters of the hotel gathered to toast to the new hotel, which is expected to boost tourism business in the city.

The general manager of the hotel, Lee Hess, said the hotel is part of the Switzerland-based Swiss International Hotels and Resorts, which has recently come into the Nigerian market and has since continue to grow in influence amassing a number of hotels across the country.

The Swiss Spirit Hotels, Asaba is the second Swiss Spirit Hotels brand to be operated in Africa and the first in Nigeria.

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014—45

Odibo declares for Delta Assembly

By Egufe Yafugborhi

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HE former Delta State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Elegbete Odibo, has formally declared to run for Udu Constituency in Delta State House of Assembly in 2015, with a promise to use his wealth of experience to make a difference, if elected.

Odibo, in company of family members, political associates and supporters, made his declaration during thanksgiving and prayers at St Augustine’s Anglican Church, Egini, saying it was only proper for him to first commit the project to God. Odibo also paid a visit to the palace of Owhoru I, Ovie of Udu Kingdom in Aladja, where he promised special recognition and welfare for the Udu monarch and his traditional council, when elected.

Odibo, who received the monarch’s blessing, reiterated the resuscitation of Delta Steel Company, Ovwian-Aladja as his priority concern, if elected into office.

2015: WBA urges aspirants to play fair

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HE President of Warri Boys Association, WBA, Lagos branch, Mr. George Ogheneakoke, has called on all political aspirants in Delta State to play by the rules to ensure peace and harmony among the people of the state.

Ogheneakoke, who was recently re-elected as WBA President, made the appeal in Lagos, decrying a situation where some politicians see election as a ‘do-or-die’ affair by employing all means to win.

He said: “Delta is a very strategic state. The state is so richly blessed.

Therefore, the 2015 general elections, especially the governorship, remain another acid test.”

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Leave me out of gangsterism, Oshiomhole tells Fayose G

OVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has told his Ekiti State counterpart, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, to face the task of governance and stop dragging his (Oshiomhole’s) name into ‘the political gangsterism’ that had become peculiar with Ekiti State.

The statement is in reaction to comments on Edo State House of Assembly politics credited to Governor Fayose, with reference to the impeachment move against the Speaker, and a letter by human rights activist and lawyer, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, on events in Ekiti State.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, Oshiomhole said: “We find it laughable and the

height of political childishness for the Ekiti State Governor to hide behind his media aides and seek to drag the name of Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State into his crude tactics.

“If the Ekiti Governor is too lazy to read and too politically illiterate to know what is happening in Edo State House of Assembly, we expected his media aides to simply shut their mouths rather than behave like capering neophytes.

“The Ekiti State Governor and his media aides should be informed that there is no crisis in Edo State House of Assembly.

“Fifteen members of the 24member Assembly are members of All Progressives Congress, APC, while nine are members of the opposition Peoples

Democratic Party, PDP. “Of the nine PDP members, three are on suspension, while the seat of one member has been declared vacant. So, effectively, PDP has five members in the Edo State House of Assembly.

“Even a kindergarten knows that 15 is greater than five.

“If five PDP members decide to sit with three suspended members and another whose seat was declared vacant in a chamber, which is undergoing renovation, then we can at best regard that as the height of legislative irresponsibility.

“We are thoroughly ashamed that Ekiti, hitherto known as the fountain of knowledge, is being reduced to a mindless bubble by people running her affairs

Ex-militants back PDP on automatic tickets for senators

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VER 2,000 exmilitants from Bomadi, Patani, Burutu, Warri North and Warri South-West Local Government areas of Delta State have called on President Goodluck Jonathan and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s National Working Committee, NWC, to stick to its decision of endorsing all serving senators on its platform for 2015.

The ex-militants' Coordinator in Warri, Mr. Preye Ekpebide, said PDP senators had brought stability to the polity and ensured that the President’s transformation agenda progressed unhindered.

Ekpebide, who is also the Chairman of Ogboinama Political Forum, OPF, said serving PDP senators, especially James Manager, performed with a high sense of diligence.

NDNF tasks Nigerians on PVC

N VISIT: Owhoru I, Ovie of Udu (left); Elegbete Odibo (right) and other dignitaries, during Odibo's visit to the palace at Aladja.

AMNESTY: Court frowns on delay in ex-militants suit

By Innocent Anaba

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Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has frowned on the delay in the commencement of hearing into the suit filed by 18 ex-

militant youths from Bayelsa and Delta states, seeking an order compelling the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and Chairman of the Amnesty Implementation Committee, Kingsley Kuku, and the

Oyo lauds SMILE ICT scheme

By Evelyn Usman

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YO State government has described the provision of free internet access to 25 secondary schools in the state by SMILE Communications Nigeria Limited, as a welcome development.

Commissioner for Education, Professor Solomon Olaniyonu, gave the commendation during the commissioning of internet facilities at Wesley College of Science, Ibadan, adding that it would fast-track the state’s e-learning initiative, which he said was being fine-tuned

towards making education easier and better.

He said about four schools in each council of the state had been selected for pilot study, while a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, would soon be signed between the state government and a Chinese company handling the project.

Earlier, Chief Marketing Officer of SMILE, Mrs. Alero Ladipo, explained that the objective of the company was, among others, to provide a platform for students to derive information, communication technology, ICT, knowledge with ease.

Amnesty Committee to honour an agreement reached with the Federal Government on their inclusion in the Amnesty programme.

The court had ordered the counsel to Kingsley Kuku and the Amnesty Committee, S. A. Okundaye, to prepare and be ready for hearing on the adjourned date of January 22, 2015.

The suit, filed before Justice I. E. Ekwo, claimed that the aggrieved ex-militants were former militants that had accepted amnesty under the Third Phase and surrendered their weapons to the Federal Government through the Amnesty Office in 2011 on the Peace Initiative of the government.

The suit, which was earlier slated for hearing on October 2, was yesterday, adjourned at the instance of the counsel to the aggrieved ex-militants, Korkor Sariki, due to application for amendment into two out the three motions sought from the court.

IGER Delta Nationalities Forum, NDNF, has called on eligible voters within and outside the region to ensure they got their Permanent Voter Cards, PVC. In a statement by its Lagos State chairman, Mr. Seigha Manager, the group lamented that most of their people who lived in riverine areas could not find their names in the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, register.

Chidi Otumba for ICA award

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ANAGING Consultant/CEO, Treasurehall Consulting Limited, Chidi Otumba, has been recommended by the Institute of Credit Administration’s council’s Committee on ICA credit awards to receive 2014 Credit Management Honours Award, CMHA. Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Chris Onalo, said CMHA recognises people who have supported the efficient use of credit to grow their business.

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

Okorocha tasks Nigerians on 2015 disintegration prediction

Oke commends DSIEC

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WA L E — T H E Chairman of Social Democratic Party, SDP, Delta State chapter, Iadawane Oke, has commended the state Independent Electoral Commission DSIEC, on the recently concluded local government election.

According to the SDP boss, DSIEC provided a level playiing field before and during the election which made it possible for all parties to compete without hindrance.

Oke further said the unbiased posture of the commission enabled opposition parties including SDP to win in some wards. SDP won in Ndokwa East ward 19 and the party is poised to win the re-run election in Ndokwa East ward 18 and Abraka ward 2.

He maintained that the party as the only credible alternative to PDP is ready to sweep all the elections in the state come 2015.

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By Chidi Nkwopara

WERRI—GOVERNOR Rochas Okorocha of Imo State yesterday called on patriotic Nigerians not to fold their arms and watch the prediction that Nigeria would cease to be a united nation in 2015, come to pass, insisting Nigeria needed national leaders that could move the nation forward and not religious or tribal bigots, determined to destroy the country.

He spoke when he received in audience the Director General of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Mr. Ladan Salihu, and his entourage at Government House, Owerri.

The governor contended that those who wanted to be tribal leaders should seek power only at the tribal level and not at the national level, while those with religious sentiments should restrict themselves to religious

Mother Mary Olagunju for burial

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the widower, children and many relations.

OTHER CELESTIAL Abosede Mary Olagunju is dead. She died after a brief illness.

A service of song will hold at her residence, 20, Majaro Street, Mafoluku-Oshodi, Lagos today.

There will be a lying-instate the following day in her husband’s house at Sango Otta with a funeral service at the Celestial Church of Christ, El-beracah Parish to be followed with the interment at the husband’s compound. She is survived by

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he country has never in her history since the British false amalgamation; have it so bad, than under the current dispensation of Jonathan’s PDP-led government, that had so polarized the nation and his people on regional and religious divide/ disharmony. Mr Taiwo Eghaghe- Businessman

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leadership.

According to him, “Nigerians must work and pray that the prediction, fixing the division of Nigeria as a nation in 2015, does not come to fruition. It must not come to pass. We must therefore tread consciously.

What is at stake at the moment is the unity of Nigeria and not religion or tribe. Those predicting there

people.

Okorocha urged the FRCN management to give fair treatment to all and also run balanced programmes that would help the nation in several ways.

Earlier, Salihu promised that FRCN would be fair to all in its programming, adding that no General Manager under his watch, would be unduly used to destabilize the unity of the country.

FG registers NULAE as trade union

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BUJA—THE Federal Government has registered the National Union of Lottery Agents and Employees, NULAE, as a trade union to cater for the interest of workers in the lottery sector, by presenting it a certificate of registration, COR. Presenting NULAE with its COR in Abuja, Supervisory Minister of Labour and Productivity, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki, said the new union would now operate as an independent trade union in Nigeria.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, FMLP,

Dr. Clement Iloh, the minister said the new union, had passed the stringent requirements for registration and thus deserved to be inducted as a trade union in the country.

Reminding the union of the importance of compliance with laws and regulations, Dr. Iloh said the government had reasons for regulating trade unions, explaining that the FMLP, as custodian of the regulations, was satisfied that the newly registered lottery agents and employees union “has been able to meet those rules and regulations for

registrations and so deserves to operate as a trade union in Nigeria.”

He reminded the body of the essence of unionism to ensure that members' interests and fundamental rights were protected either as agencies’ owners or as employees of those agencies.

According to him, “also you must work for the successes of organisations that you work for either as agents or employees. You are union chairman, officers today because the organisations exist.

You have statutory duty to obey rules and laws of the country because there are rules governing your registration.”

4TH TERM: Stakeholders reject Chukwumerije's planned

return to senate

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By Anayo Okoli

MUAHIA—ABIA North Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stakeholders, yesterday, rejected the planned return of Senator Uche Chukwumerije, to the Senate for a fourth time, saying they wanted a fresh blood.

Briefing newsmen in Umuahia, Dr Emeh Okoro, who

Late Mary Olagunju

will be no more Nigeria after 2015, should be made liars.

Nigeria ought to become stronger as a nation after 2015.”

He described FRCN as “having the largest coverage” and urged the establishment to always work in synergy with state governments because the station was for the interest of the nation and her

spoke on behalf of the group, said Chukwumerije had been in the senate for 12 years representing the zone and that time had come for him to give way for a fresh blood.

The group specifically accused Senator Chukwumerji of bad representation, saying “ when there is bad governance, the people who bear the brunt are the principal stakeholders in the area.”

According to the group, which included Professor Ukwu Alaezi, Dr. Leo Okpai, Okoro Agha, Kalu Ututu; former Secretary to Abia Government, Mazi Donatus Okoro, Amah Abharam Nnanna, former state PDP chairman, Chief Ndidi Okereke, among others, Chukwumerije allegedly never impacted on the people of the zone in his 12 years of service in the Senate.

On INEC’s readiness for 2015 general election

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ho ever sets his house on fire should be aware that he will have no roof over his head.

Nigeria is our house, who ever works for its fall should prepare to be beaten by the rainfall and sunshine. Mr Uchechukwu OkorieCommentator

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EJ should, as matter of urgency, remove Jega before the damage is done to his re-election in 2015, as the selfishness of the north is being manifested through him. He is now the tool they want to use to stop GEJ come 2015. Mr Francis OgoegbunamSelfEmployed

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e are all one Nigeria, please my dear lovely brothers in the north, we are equal in this country. One thing that makes northern Nigeria makes southern Nigerian, and that is God almighty.

One love, one Nigeria. Mr Chijioke Victor- SelfEmployed

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wonder what is still keeping that man (Jega) as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. We do not have to keep quite while he is doing things he should not do. Mr Maduka OsokaBusinessman

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othing can come as success and peace in everything we do and aspire for in life, except the promotion of the truth. Nothing but truth must be the guiding principles of our lives, if we need success, not just in the 2015 general elections. Mr John FaoshekeCommentator

Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014 — 47

Aliyu backs extension of emergency rule in North east

By Wole Mosadomi

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INNA—GOVERNOR Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, has backed the

request by the Presidency for the extension of the emergency rule in the three north east states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, in order to totally put the menace

of under control.

He was however against any move or call to dismantle the existing political structures in the affected states.

Fielding questions from newsmen shortly after being screened for his senatorial ambition at the party secretariat

PRESENTATION: From left: Jayeola Omotola Fatuase, Unit Transport Standardization Officer, Wharf Unit Command, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC; Omogbai Ozekhome, Unit Transport Standardization Officer, Apapa Unit Command, presenting Fleet certificate to Mr. Victor Gotevbe, Admin manager, Vanguard newspaper, on behalf of Vanguard; Mr. Solomon Emoni, Head Transport, Vanguard; Mr. Hassan Balogun, Deputy Admin Manager, Vanguard; and Mr Innocent Nwanekwu, Assistant Admin Manager, Vanguard, during FRSC inspection and certification exercise of fleet operators nationwide, at Vanguard headquarters, Apapa, Lagos yesterday. Photo by Bunmi Azeez.

in Minna, the state capital yesterday, Aliyu said the request was in order and should not be based in the success or failure of the military campaign against the insurgents in the region.

“If you do not declare state of emergency, you are susceptible to human rights abuse and total condemnation by the outside world. Already, there is a misconception on declaration of emergency rule but it did not state that political structures should be dismantled. So I won’t expect this to be done.

“What we should understand is that what we are facing today in these areas is gorilla war and what we should know is that terrorists do not respect the rules. When you need to fight these people, you need to declare state of emergency,” he said.

On the his screening for the senatorial seat, the governor said that with the presentation and defence of all documents presented, he was optimistic that he would scale through the hurdle.

He said the screening of any aspirant was in order to save such a person and the party from embarrassment after the polls.

Boko Haram started with bombing of Dele Giwa — Prof Odinkalu

By Luka Binniyat

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ADUNA—THE Chairman, National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, Professor Anselem Odinkalu, said yesterday that the violence that led to the current insurgent activities of Boko Haram Islamic sect in the country actually started in 1986 with killing of the renowned journalist, Mr Dele Giwa with a parcel bomb, just as he lamented over what he described as democratisation of violence since the return to civil rule in 1999.

Odinkalu spoke during the commissioning of Moluma Loma

Centre for Medical Law, and the MIVE Legals Matrimonial Centre, Kaduna.

In his keynote address on the occasion Odinkalu said, “Contrary to what people think, the phenomenon that has now become Boko Haram actually started in an Ikeja Street, on October 18, 1986. That day the first Improvised Explosive Device, IED, was used to blow up Dele Giwa. Everyone knew that it was a state-sponsored murder.

That was the first time that an IED went off on Nigerian soil. ''Series of events would later lead to Boko Haram today. At that time, late Gani Fawehinmi had the

courage to challenge the state on that murder. But he was in turn persecuted until his death. ''The Police officer who was investigating the murder was also killed in an un-explained circumstances in Mokwa, Niger State. He was the immediate younger brother of the celebrated writer and critic of government, Tunji Dare.

“When a state sponsors the illegal murder of its citizens, it loses its legitimacy as a government. So today’s terrorism started as state sponsored.

“In its 2013 Report, the Kabiru Turaki Report laid out starkly footprints of the extent to which

the claim of the Nigeria State to a monopoly of violence is challenged.

“The democratised violence is the symptom that now defines most, Nigeria’s underlying ailment.

“So many things can kill you in Nigeria, to the extend that our life expectancy is now 47 for males and 51 for females and still dropping. This is compared to 61 in Rwanda, which had life expectancy of 41 before its genocide that claimed 10 percent of its population in 1994. Life expectancy there is still rising.

“Politicians must take blame for today’s violence. They buy arms for thugs and force their way to power, just to find out that they can not retrieve these arms.

“Some deliberately impoverish their people to keep them ignorant. Take for example Borno ownership of Qlink trademark State. Around December 14, 2006, started in 2002 when Ocean then Governor of Borno State, Ali Waves Corporation Limited in Modu Sheriff, in response to wide order to regularise the trademark spread criticism of his record or it had been dealing in since 1996, lack of it, as governor declared: applied for its registration. ‘’A lot of falsehood has been The application was accepted published over the years in and was subsequently newspapers about my advertised in the trademark government. And I have never journal No 4 volume 4 of lost sleep over them because less October 10, 2002. While the than five percent of Borno people processing of the trademark was can read what is written in in advance stage, another newspaper.” company FAPA Company Limited He further accused Senator via a letter dated August 15, 2002 Sheriff of deliberately protested against the acceptance impoverishing the people of the of Ocean Wave’s application to state by under-educating them register Qlink in class 9. among other issues.

Court affirms Ocean Waves rightful owner of Qlink trademark

By Innocent Anaba

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WNERSHIP tussle of the Qlink trademark between two companies has been laid to rest by the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos as the court affirmed Ocean Waves Corporation limited as the rightful owner of the trademark.

This was the thrust of the judgement of Justice John Tsoho while dismissing a suit filed by FAPA Company Limited against Ocean Waves Corporation Limited and the Registrar of Trade Mark challenging the first defendant claim of ownership of C M Y K

Qlink trademark.

Dismissing the suit, Justice Tsoho upheld the preliminary objection filed by Ocean Waves Corporation Limited, through its counsel, Edwin Anikwem challenging the competency of the suit. The court affirmed the e4arlier judgement of Justice Okon Abang of November 11, 2011 that ordered the Registrar of Trademark to immediately register Qlink in class 9 in the trademark register in favour of Ocean Waves Corporation Limited, the plaintiff in the suit brought against The Registrar of Trademark.

Dispute over the rightful

433,579 voters yet to collect voters cards in Kogi

By Boluwaji Obahopo

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OKOJA—THE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said that about 433,579 permanent voters cards are yet to be collected in Kogi State by the electorate.

State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Segun Agbaje spoke yesterday at the commission’s office in Lokoja, the state capital, during a meeting with political parties on how to conduct free and fair elections in the state in 2015.

According to the state REC, “Out of the 1,189,356 permanent voters cards received in the state, only 755,777 have been distributed, representing 63.54 percent, while 433,500, representing 36.46 percent are yet to be collected. ‘’The PVC cards are with the commission’s office in all the 21 local government in the state.”

Agbaje further said that 130,602 voters were registered during the continuous voters’ registration exercise in the state between May and June this year.

Obsequies for HRH Archibong

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HE Clan Head of Esuk Mba Clan in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross Rivers State, HRH Etinyin Okor Edet Okon Archibong, aged 83, is dead.

According to the family, the remains of the traditional ruler will be committed to mother earth, today at his family home at Esuk Mbat Efio Urua, Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross Rivers State.

He had one wife, who is late now and 10 children, among whom is Maurice Archibong of the Police Service Commission, Abuja.

•Late HRH Archibong

48—Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

SIGNING: Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga (2nd right), exchanging pleasantries after signing of Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, on the development of the national trade and internatonal business centre with Managing Director, Infrastructure Bank, Mr. Adekunle Oyinloye. With them are: legal adviser, Tafawa Balewa Square Management Board, Olutoyin Bolaji (left) and Director, Legal Services, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Uju Aisha Baba.

WALK: From left, Dr. Afoke Isiavwe, Chief Medical Director; Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, Snr. Partner, Ajumogobia and Okeke; Mrs. Awuneba Ajumogobia, Executive Director, Multistream Energy Ltd; Chief David Isiavwe, GM, Union Bank, and Dr. Emi Briggs, at the Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre's walk to mark World Diabetes Day 2014, in Lagos.

SESSION: From left, Mr. Bode Oyedele; Chairman, Sure P, Lagos State; Rahman Owokoniran, Director General, Jimi Agbaje Campaign Organization, Eko Initiative; Jimi Agbaje, PDP governorship aspirant, Lagos State; Yomi Giwa, legal practitioner, and Otunba Owolabi, Co-ordinator, Alimosho Local DIABETES DAY: Healthplus Pharmacy marks World Diabetes Day Government Area, during an interactive session buffet, an evening with Jimi Agbaje, at Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau with students of Lekki British School, Lekki, Lagos.

From left, campaign co-ordinator for Engr.

Aliyu Lukman; Mr. Maitamaki Maiyashi with APC governoship aspirant for Kaduna State 2015 elections Engr. Aliyu Lukman, submiting his nomination form to the APC state treasurer, Engr. Aaliyu Tanko, at APC Secretariat, Kaduna. Photo: Olu Ajayi

AWARD: Mr. Austin Okere, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Computer Warehouse Group, CWG, Plc (right), receiving an award of special recognition from Dr. Peter Jack, Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, at the just concluded Nigerian Computer Society, NCS, organized NITMA, ceremony, in Lagos.

SUBMISSION: From Left, Mrs. Olatomiwa Akande, Head PR/Brand Management, Konga; Mr. Wale Adisa, Fulfilment Operation Manager; Mr. Gabriel GabUmoden, Head Marketing, and Mr. Mark Russell, Chief Commercial Officer, during the launch of Konga K Express Lagos tour. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

SUBMISSION: From left, Chief Adelabu Bojor, State Vice chairman, Delta Central; All Progressives Congress, APC, Prince Yemi Emiko, aspirant; Chief Cyril Ogodo, State APC Deputy Chairman; Prophet Jones Erue, State APC Chairman, and Barrister Onojejeghuo, State Legal Adviser, when Prince Emiko, APC senatorial aspirant for Delta South, submitted his nomination form.

UNVEILING: Chief Israel Owate, the Oneh-eh-Eta (traditional ruler of Owatonwa Community in Alesa-Eleme in Rivers State (3rd left), unveiling the community logo, after his selection and installation as the paramount ruler of the oil rich community.

With him are prominent members of the commuinty.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014—49

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014—51

Muritala, GK Animashaun, Olanrewaju's father's 45th remembrance

BY BASHIR ADEFAKA

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TA — S AT U R D AY November 15, 2014 came like any other day but its occurrences came differently in different quarters.

In the Ota home of Alhaji Abdul Gaffar Kayode Animashaun, the surviving head of Muritala Animashaun

family of Lagos, it came with bits of sober reflections and bits of joy.

Sober reflections because the children and grandchildren of the late radio broadcaster and Islamic scholar appeared not to let go the deep pains of having to lose him into the grip of Angel of Death, 45 years

after the departure of the enigma that the late Alhaji Muhammed Muritala Ajadi Animashaun was.

Joy because from the single soul that was Muritala, many great lights had sprung up and are still springing up from which the Nigerian society and Lagos in particular have benefitted.

Muslim clerics praying for continuous repose of the soul of late Islamic scholar and radio broadcaster, Alhaji Muritala Animashaun on the occasion.

From right: Alhaji Ganiyu Animashaun, Major-General Tajudeen Olanrewaju, former Minister of Communications, Alhaji Adeshina and other family members, during the 45th rememberance ceremony of late Islamic scholar and radio broadcaster, Alhaji Muhammed Muritala Ajadi Animashaun, in Ota, Ogun State, recently.

From right: Former Chairman, Editorial Board, Vanguard Newspapers, Alhaji Kola Animashaun, Commandant, Nigerian Army Ordnance Corp, NAOC, Major-General A. A. Martins and former ADC to General Tajudeen Olanrewaju, Colonel Yakubu Bako (rtd), at the event.

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54—Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

MARRIAGE : From left— Mr. Nsima Ekere, former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State; Atuekong Don Etiebet, member, Board of Trustees, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; and Chief Ini Okori, PDP Senate aspirant, during the traditional marriage between Prince Odo Osim and Princess Esther Idiong in Uyo, yesterday.

Declare emergency rule in Nasarawa, PDP asks Jonathan

By Joseph Erunke & Emmanuel Elebeke

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BUJA—THE Nasarawa State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to urgently declare a state of emergency in the state, saying the security situation had degenerated to a point that warrants the action.

This was even as the party accused Governor Tanko AlMakura of sponsoring ethnic cleansing in the state.

At a briefing in Abuja yesterday, stakeholders of the party in the state, on the aegis of Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party in Nasarawa, insisted that for peace to return to the state, Federal Government must consider declaration of a state of emergency in the state paramount.

Nasarawa State chairman of PDP, Mr. Yunana Iliya, who read a prepared text on behalf of the group, said the governor imported a large number of mercenaries to embark on widespread destruction of villages, towns and communities across Nasarawa South and Nasarawa North senatorial zones opposed to his re-election bid.

The group comprise immediate past Minister of Information, Labaran Maku; former governor of the state, Alhaji Akwe Doma; current deputy governor of the state, past and present senators, state House of Assembly members and other PDP elected officials.

They said: “There is no doubt whatsoever that these mercenaries are hired and sustained by the state government to completely dislocate the voting population to enable Governor Al-Makura to return as governor of

Nasarawa State in 2015.

“There is definitely a careful programme of ethnic cleansing being executed to achieve a wicked and selfish political end by APCcontrolled state government under the leadership of Governor Tanko Al-Makura.

“Whereas the governor pretends and continues to tell the world that it is an ethnic war, it is clear to most citizens of Nasarawa State that the state government is actually the one prosecuting and sustaining these attacks to achieve a definite political

end in 2015 and beyond.

“Already thousands of people have been displaced ahead of the forthcoming distribution of Permanent Voter Cards, PVC, which means they will not be able to vote in the next election.

“Moreover, it is disheartening to note that the governor, who is not an Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, official, was quoted as saying that 30 percent of PVCs have been issued to the citizens of the state, knowing that INEC through the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, had earlier postponed the

distribution of PVC on account of logistics problems till November 28 through 30.

“This statement credited to the governor have confirmed the rumour going round the state that the governor had completed arrangements with the help of INEC leadership to deny certain communities the right of collecting their PVCs, perceived to be in opposition to his party.

“We call on INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, to investigate and arrest any corruptible activities of Nasarawa chapter of INEC.”

2015: Kano senator asks Buhari, Atiku to step down for Kwankwaso

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

A

BUJA—AHEAD of All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential primaries, Senator Kabiru Gaya, representing Kano South Senatorial District has pleaded with former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and ex-Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to step down for Governor Rabiu Kwakwanso as the presidential candidate of the party.

Gaya made the plea in Abuja, yesterday, in an interview with journalists.

He described Buhari and Atiku as respected elder statesmen, who had rendered services in various ways to the country.

The former governor of Kano State said it was time for the duo to sacrifice their presidential ambition by allowing a more vibrant and younger person, such as

Governor Kwakwanso, to be the party’s candidate in the 2015 presidential election.

Besides, he said that Kwakwanso, being a former Minister of Defence, would be able to tackle effectively the security challenges facing the country, especially the insurgency issue in the northeastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

Senator Gaya said: “I am not trying to introduce politics into the situation, but we have to tell ourselves the truth.

“He was a legislator being a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives; Special Adviser to the President on Dafur and was a member of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, hence he has the credentials.

“He is a young man too. He can work for 18 hours a day.

“I believe our elders and leaders in APC would support him. If you look at the situation in other countries, their citizens are going for young people as president.”

Mbaise honour professionals

M

BAISE community will, tomorrow in Lagos, honour some of its professionals at the Mbaise Professionals’ Recognition award and dinner.

Former of Minister of National Planning, Professor Osita Ogbu, is expected to deliver a keynote speech at the event.

The occasion is aimed at

celebrating Mbaise compatriots who have made substantial achievements in their professional areas.

A statement by the Chairman of the planning committee, Dr. Paschal Iwuh, said five Mbaise sons and a daughter who distinguished themselves in their chosen career would be honoured.

NDLEA destroys drugs worth N65m

By Ola Ajayi

I

BADAN—THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has destroyed banned drugs worth over N65 million in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The drugs destroyed at Akilapa village in Ibadan included marijuana, heroin, cocaine, weighing 20,784,595kg.

While setting the drugs on fire, the state commander of NDLEA, Mrs. Omolade Faboyede, estimated the value at N65 million.

The breakdown showed that the cannabis sativa destroyed weighed 20,769kg, while cocaine was 100 grammes.

Chairman and Chief Executive of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, who was represented by the Director of Operations and General Investigation, Mr. Olugbenga Mabo, said the various illicit drugs were burnt in line with the agency ’s strategic plan towards having a violence-free general elections in 2015.

He said: “We have a duty to reverse the ugly trend.

We must collectively put an end to coca farms, poppy farms, cannabis plantation and new psychoactive drugs produced in clandestine laboratories.”

Burial

T

HE funeral rites of Mr. Tony Ndubueze Mgbahurike, who died on October 30, began in his Ejigbo, Lagos home last week with wake-keep by the Church and Enyiogugu Welfare and Development Union.

It continued with a service of songs yesterday, at the Mgbahurike compound Oboama.

The remains will be finally laid to rest today after the funeral service in his country home.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014—55

C M Y K

56—Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

Vanguard CLASSIFIED OWOLABI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Owolabi Basirat Titilayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oduwole Basheerat Titilayo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKOYE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chidiogo Faustina Okoye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chidiogo Faustina Oramali. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AGWUNCHA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Joy Chisom Agwuncha, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Joy Chisom Nwokedike.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OJUKWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Mary Kalu Ojukwu, now wish to be known addressed as Mrs. Mary Awa Kalu.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

RAZAQ —I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Aminat Opeyemi Razaq, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Aminat Opeyemi Odunbaku. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKOCHA—I, for-

ENANG—I, formerly known and addressed as Eucharia Uduak Stephen Enang, now wish to be known and addressed as Eucharia Patrick Nwaoduah. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AGBEYI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Agbeyi Maureen Akpovire, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Maureen Akpovire Akpemuwa. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

A G G R E H — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss A g g r e h Oghenenyore, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. O k o r o s o b o Oghenenyore. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ABOMA—I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Aboma Funmilayo Abimbola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Arutogho Funmilayo Abimbola. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ADENIYI—I, formerly known and addressed as Bello Nurudeen Adedapo Adeniyi, now wish to be known and addressed as Bello Nurudeen Adedapo Adeniyi Bamidele. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKONJI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okonji Nkechi Ann, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akinsanmi Nkechi Ann. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NGWOKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ngwoke Calister Ukamaka and Eze Calister Ukamaka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Austin Calister Ukamaka. All former documents remain valid.

Navy Primary School and general public please take note.

UCHECHUKWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Uchechukwu Blessing Iwugo, now wish to be known and addressed as Uchenna Blessing Iwugo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IDOKOABA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chinenye Annastesia Idokoaba, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chinenye Annastesia Sebastine. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

JOSHUA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Regina Samson Joshua, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. R e g i n a Oluwafunmilayo Oja. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ODEBEATU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Faustina Chioma Odebeatu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Faustina Chioma Chinedu. All former documents remain valid.

Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, First Bank Plc Awka, all in Anambra State and general public please take note.

EWEJE—I, formely known and addressed as Miss Titilayo Omotayo Eweje, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Titilayo Omotayo Adeyemi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IYAMU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Kate Iyamu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Otemeroro Kate Samson. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKONKWO—I, formerly known and addressed as Okonkwo Dominic Obikezie, now wish to be known and addressed as Joseph Dominic Obichukwu.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EZEOFOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezeofor Amaka Chinenye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ikoroha Chiamaka Precious. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EBHONU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ebhonu Sandra Osariemen, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eteimo Sandra Osariemen. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AGBAIRE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Agbaire Iroro Bridget, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ateboh Iroro Bridget. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EMEKPE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Gloria Emekpe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Gloria Erhire . All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ONOGHOFOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Onoghofor Ufuoma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Asuerimen Ufuoma.

All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Police, Delta State University, Abraka and general public please take note.

ENONE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Enone Oritsemisan Joe-Ann, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ereomah Oritsemisan Joe-Ann. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of name I, Ogonodi Vivian Ebikaboere hereby confirm that the names Ogonodi Vivian as it appears on my WAEC result of 2013 and Awudu Vivian as it appears on my First School Leaving Certificate refer to one and same me. All former documents remain valid.

NDU and general public please take note.

Confirmation of name I, Suobai Lucky hereby confirm that the names Suobai Lucky Edward as it appears on my Admission Letter and Lucky Suobai as it appears on my Local G o v e r n m e n t Identification Letter refer to one and same me.

All former documents remain valid. NDU and general public please take note.

Confirmation of name I, Ayah Mercy Taribio hereby confirm that the names Ayah Mercy taribio Murlis as it appears on my Local G o v e r n m e n t Identification Letter and Ayah Mercy Taribio M. as it appears on my NECO result refer to one and same me. All former documents remain valid. NDU and general public please take note.

Confirmation of name I, John Oghenekevwe Alexander Ozogu hereby confirm that the names John O. Alexander, John Oghenekevwe A. and Ozogu John Alexander as they appear my Local G o v e r n m e n t s Identification Letter, WAEC result of 2012 and Admission Letter respectively refer to one and same me. All former documents remain valid.

NDU and general public please take note.

Confirmation of name I, Epiekiri Wonyentonyor hereby confirm that the name Epiekiri Wonyentonyor A. as it appears on my WAEC result of 2013 refers to one and same me.

All former documents remain valid. Niger Delta University and general public please take note.

Confirmation of name I, Smart Dressman Ekpe hereby confirm that the names Smart Ekpe A. D., Smart Ekpe A. and Ekpe Smart as they appear on my WAEC result of 2004, Local Government Identification Letter and Admission Letter respectively refer to one and same me. All former documents remain valid.

NDU and general public please take note.

Confirmation of name I, Ebebi Dautonyor hereby confirm that the names Ebebi Dautonyor Ondu as it appears on my NECO result of 2014 and WAEC result of 2014 and Ebebi Dauntonyor as it appears on my JAMB Admission Letter refer to one and same me.

All former documents remain valid. NDU and general public please take note.

Confirmation of name I, Osamedike Dumbi Tokoni hereby confirm that the name Osamedike Dumbi L. as it appears on my WAEC result of 2012 refers to one and same me.

All former documents remain valid. Niger Delta University, Amassoma and general public please take note.

Confirmation of name I, Sonomo Precious Godlove hereby confirm that the name Precious Sonomo as it appears on my WAEC result refers to one and same me. All former documents remain valid. Niger Delta University and general public please take note.

Confirmation of name I, Nwugo Merit Uzhiekachi hereby confirm that the names Nwugom Merit, Nwugo Merit and Nwugo Merit Uzhiyekachi as they appear on my WAEC results of 2013 and 2014 and on my Birth certificate respectively refer to one and same me.

All former documents remain valid. NDU and general public please take note.

Confirmation of name I, Darri Happy Prince hereby confirm that the name Oliki Happy Prince as it appears on my NECO result, Statutory Age Declaration, Local G o v e r n m e n t s Identification Letter and other documents refers to one and same me. All former documents remain valid. NDU and general public please take note.

Confirmation of name I, Ogbara Adusomini Patrick hereby confirm that the names Ogbara Adusomini P. J. as it appears on my WAEC result of 2010 and Adusomini Ogbara as it appears on my Local G o v e r n m e n t Identification Letter refer to one and same me. All former documents remain valid. Niger Delta University and general public please take note.

Confirmation of name I, Itelimo Goodness Ezimabayola hereby confirm that the names Itelimo Goodness, Itelimo Azihba-Abayola G. and Goodness AbayOla Itelimo as they appear on my WAEC result, Birth Certificate, Local Government Identification Letter respectively refer to one and same me. All former documents remain valid.

NDU and general public please take note.

Confirmation of name I, Sinclair Izibewinige J. hereby confirm that the name Sinclair Izibewinige as it appaers on my WAEC result of 2007, NECO result of 2007, Statutory Age Declaration and Local Governments Identification Letter refers to one and same me. All former documents remain valid. NDU and general public please take note.

Confirmation of name I, Livinus Chinyere Destiny hereby confirm that the name Livinus Chinyere Gift as it appears on my NECO result of 2000 refers to one and same me.

All former documents remain valid. Niger Delta University and general public please take note.

GOLD—I, formerly known and addressed as Gold Lambert, now wish to be known and addressed as Mary Lambert. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

merly known and addressed as Ms Okocha Evelyn, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Emuobonuvie Evelyn. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014 — 57

Vanguard CLASSIFIED OKORODUDU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss C o n s t a n c e Okorodudu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Constance Bini. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OSEMWEGIE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss O s e m w e g i e Imuentiyan, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. E m a d a m e r h o Imuentiyan. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

DENNIS—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Sarah Dennis, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sarah Nathaniel Ochai. All former documents remain valid.

Kaduna Polytechnic, University of Abuja and general public please take note.

ABUA—I, formerly known and addressed as Monica Agianipe Abua, now wish to be known and addressed as Monica Agianipe Elaunire. All former documents remain valid.

School of Midwifery, Obudu; Ministry of Health, Calabar; University of Calabar, Calabar; University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu Campus and general public please take note.

ADELEYE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Elizabeth Modupe Adeleye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Elizabeth Modupe Animashaun.

All former documents remain valid.

University of Ibadan and general public please take note.

IROEGBU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Sarah Chioma Iroegbu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nnenna Chioma Sarah Nwakamma.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NWATU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Eucharia Ukamaka Nwatu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eucharia Ukamaka Keobunah. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NWODO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwodo Ndidiamaka Anthonia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogbu Ndidiamaka Anthonia Patience. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ADETOYE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Tosin Mary Adetoye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Tosin Mary Abioye. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OSHUNGBURE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oshungbure Arinola Tumininu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olaniboji Arinola Tumininu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

U K A S O A N YA — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss U k a s o a n y a Nwanyibuihe Bobra, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eke Nwanyibuihe Bobra. All former documents remain valid. General public and NYSC please take note.

NNORUEM—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nnoruem Adaeze, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Anyanwu Adaeze Princess. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ODITAH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oditah Mercy Nkechiyem, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chude Mercy Nkechiyem.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EGBUNE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Egbune Fidelia Ifeoma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Fidelia Ifeoma Victor Elenwa. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

UGBEBOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Martha Ngozi Ugbebor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Afakwu Martha Ngozi. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

Confirmation of name I hereby wish to state that Abioye Olakite Oshinowo as written on my international passport and Abioye John Oshinowo as written on my bank account belong to one and the same me. I now wish to be known and addressed as Abioye Olakite John Oshinowo.

All former documents remain valid. All authorities concerned and general public please take note.

IGWENYERE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chidinma Faith Igwenyere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chidinma Faith Nwosu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

M E B I TA G H A N — I , formerly known and addressed as Mebitaghan Omesiri, now wish to be known and addressed as Mebitaghan Omesiri Tony.

All former documents remain valid.

Niger Delta University and general public please take note.

VICTOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Victor Victoria Onyinyechi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okeoma Victoria Onyinyechi.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AWOLEYE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Elizabeth Titilayo Awoleye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Elizabeth Titilayo Oyejide. All former documents remain valid.

Grooming Centre and general public please take note.

ADVERT HOTLINE 018737025

Enugu PDP Ward Congress: Chime suffers setback in Abuja Court

A

BUJA—A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, dismissed a motion for joinder brought by some members of the Enugu State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, seeking to be joined in the suit filed by Mr. Orji Chinenye Godwin, Chiefs Cletus C. Akalusi and Orji C. Orji.

The suit, FHC/ABJ/CS/ 816/2014, was filed on behalf of themselves and all delegates elected on November 1, 2014 Ward Congress against the PDP, the National Chairman and the National Organising Secretary as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. However, an Enugu State High Court presided over by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Innocent Umezulike, on the same day granted a motion for Joinder brought

by Mr. Orji Chineye Godwin, Chiefs Cletus C. Akalusi and Orji C. Orji seeking to be joined in the suit (number E/446/2014)

brought against the PDP by Mr. Charles Okafor of the Enugu State chapter of party.

Mr. Okafor is praying the court to declare that no ward congresses held in Enugu State on November 1, 2014.

He is also asking that the delegates said to have emerged on the date should not be used for the purpose of primaries or subsequent processes.

The Court in Abuja presided over by Justice A.F.A Ademola, ruled that the applicants had no Locus Standi, as they were not necessary parties for the determination of the suit and therefore could not be joined in it.

The court also heard the main suit before adjourning it for judgment.

Chief Solo Akuma, SAN appeared for the plaintiffs, while Chief Mrs. AJ Offiah SAN appeared for the defendants in the suit.

Recalled that counsel to the national leadership of the PDP, Frederick C. Olisa, had on Tuesday confirmed

that the party’s nationwide ward congresses to elect 3man ad-hoc delegates validly held in Enugu State.

This was contained in an amended affidavit by the PDP counsel to override his earlier submission to the contrary in line with emerging facts.

Meanwhile, granting the motion for Joinder by the trio of Mr. Orji Chinenye Godwin, Chiefs Cletus C. Akalusi and Orji C. Orji, the Enugu High Court presided over by Justice Umezulike held that there was nothing in the law to shut out the applicants from being heard in the matter.

Counsel to the applicants Chief Tagbo Ike with Chuma Oguejiofor and nine others, argued that the applicants were people to be affected if they were not joined in matter haven emerged in the ward congresses in Enugu State chapter of the PDP. The court fixed Friday, November 21 for hearing of the substantive suit.

Court strikes out Agbaso's suits

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—THE Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri, Imo State capital, yesterday struck out the two suits filed by the impeached deputy governor of Imo State, Sir Jude Agbaso, pursuant to his struggle to upturn his sack from office.

Agbaso, in suit number CA/OW/187/2013, challenged the ruling of the lower court, where he pleaded lack of fair hearing by the ad-hoc committee set up by Imo State House of Assembly.

Similarly, Agbaso also prayed the Court of Appeal in suit number CA/OW/ 291/2013, to upturn the decision of Justice Nonye Okoronkwo, who ordered that witnesses be called to enable him determine whether Agbaso was duly served by the impeachment panel or not.

Delivering the lead judgment in the first suit, Justice Itta G. Mbabbah, ruled that records of proceeding and some of the accompanying exhibits showed that the appellant willingly submitted himself for questioning by the adhoc committee of the State Assembly that probed his alleged malfeasance.

The court declared that the office of the President,

Vice President, governor, deputy governor, minister or any other office, did not confer any fundamental right on the person occupying it and therefore struck out the appeal.

Delivering the lead judgment in the second suit, Justice Peter Ige, ruled that Justice Okoronkwo played safe in wanting to get at the truth

of the issues raised in affidavits deposed by the parties in the matter.

“Justice Okoronkwo did not abdicate his responsibility or power when he called for witnesses to unravel the truth. The appellant did not state that the trial judge did not use his discretion as stipulated by law, to call for witnesses”, Ige said.

We won't decamp to APGA — Enugu PDP faction

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—THE faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led by Mr. Ikeje Asogwa, yesterday, dismissed insinuations that it planned to defect to the opposition All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, following the crisis rocking the party.

In a statement signed by the faction’s Publicity Secretary, Dr. Okey Ezeh, it said “The allegation that the consensus governorship candidates of the Party, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s posters have no PDP logo on them as an indication that the party may dump PDP for APGA, is not true. The posters under reference

were not printed by the Ugwuanyi but by party supporters as was clearly indicated in the posters. It is pertinent to note that those PDP supporters who printed the posters without the party’s logo were only observing Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, regulations and time-table for political campaigns as at the time the posters were pasted.

“The party also restates its earlier clarifications that Ugwuanyi is not an anointed candidate of Governor Chime. He emerged the consensus candidate through a democratic process that was duly endorsed by all the caucuses of the party in the state.”

58 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

7 Ekiti PDP lawmakers ‘impeach’ Speaker, Deputy ...Our purported impeachment illegal, null and void —Speaker

By Leke Adeseri, South West Regional Editor, Gbenga Ariyibi & Ediri Ejoh

A

DO EKITI — AFTER days of accusations and counter accusations, the seven Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, lawmakers in Ekiti State House of Assembly, yesterday, claimed to have impeached the Speaker, Adewale Omirin, of the assembly and his Deputy, Adetunji Orisalade.

Incidentally, the seven PDP lawmakers and three unidentified persons sat in the assembly on Monday during the ratification of the three commissioner-nominees sent to the House by Governor Ayo Fayose.

But yesterday’s meeting was overseen by few security personnel at the premises of the Assembly Subsequently, Hon Dele Olugbemi, Ikole Constituency I, was elected the new ‘speaker’ of the assembly, while Hon Abeni Olayinka, representing Ado Constituency II, named the 'Deputy Speaker' of the House.

Journalists were barred from the House proceedings.

However, it was gathered that the motion for the 'impeachment' of the speaker was moved by Hon Samuel Ajibola, representing Ekiti East Constituency I. He equally emerged as the leader of Government Business, while the motion was supported by Hon Alexander Adeojo, representing Ekiti South-West Constituency II. After the purported change of guard in the leadership of the House, the leader of the Government Business, Hon Ajibola moved a motion to effect a change in the logo of the state from ‘Land of Honour ’ to ‘Fountain of Knowledge.’

It was, therefore, resolved that the House will pass a new law to change the state’s logo. It will be known as 2011 Principal Law. Speaking with newsmen shortly after the session, the new ‘speaker’, Hon Olugbemi, promised to work intimately with the executive arm of government to fasttrack the development of the state.

Olugbemi said the era of legislative-executive tussle was gone as he would ensure that areas of friction are always resolved.

The new ‘speaker ’ further pledged to accord greatest respect to Hon. Omirin and his deputy.

19 APC lawmakers kick However, the 19 All Progressives Congress, APC, members in the House, yesterday, faulted the appointment of a new Speaker and the deputy, describing it as

45 killed as Boko Haram attacks Borno village

By Adekunle Aliyu with agency report

M New 'Speaker' of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon Dele Joseph Olugbemi (left) taking the oath of office before the Clerk of the House, Mr Tola Esan during the swearing-in in Ado Ekiti, yesterday.

illegal.

Speaking in Lagos, the 'removed Speaker,' Adewale Omirin, said the sitting of the seven House members to appoint a new speaker and the deputy violated the provision of the constitution as the constitution required two-third members of the House to carry out the impeachment of the speaker.

He said the sitting was illegal as they did not possess the right to summon a house meeting.

His words: “The standing order of the House stated that the only person who has the authority to summon the meeting of the House is the honourable speaker and in his absence, the deputy speaker but today all the people that can summon such meetings are in Lagos.”

The speaker, however, said the screening and confirmation of commissioner-nominees, senior special advisers and members of 16 local government caretaker committees last Monday also violated the provisions of the constitution.

He said: “How can the governor expect us to clear his nominees on the first day of the reading? People that will carry out responsibility in the state need to be subjected to proper investigation towards putting the right people in the right positions.

"So, it is our refusal to pass it on that same day that made them to fabricate the lie that we demanded N5 million from the governor.

“We have a history in the last three and half years of working with Kayode Fayemi, of passing a total of 71 bills that pleased the people of Ekiti. There is no day we demanded money

from the former governor before we passed any bill .”

Omiran, however, disputed the rumour of an attempt to impeach the governor by the members, saying they were ready to work with the governor for the betterment of the state and the progress of democracy.

He stated: “We are law-abiding citizens and we are going to support anything in line with the rule of law.”

Omiran, who frowned at the manner the account of the Ekiti State House of Assembly was frozen by Governor Fayose, hinted that due to the ongoing crisis in the state, the electricity supplied to his quarters had been cut in addition to the letter from the Governor's Office ordering the withdrawal of all his staff.

“We are 19 honourable members sitting before you today and we dispel the rumour that three of our members sat with them on Monday. The 19 of us are together and will remain together. Nobody is planning to defect to any other party,” he added.

Also, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Orisalade Adetunji Taiwo, said: “With the current situation at the Assembly premises, it's difficult for us to perform our responsibility as the environment is not safe.”

Fayose absolves self Governor Fayose has cleared himself of the allegation that he was instrumental to the happening in the House.

According to the statement issued in Ado Ekiti yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, "the governor should not be linked with the change in the leadership of the House.

“It is not only ridiculous, but sheer balderdash to link the executive arm of government with what is happening in the legislative arm. There is

separation of power among all tiers of government and Governor Fayose is not a member of the Assembly.

“One does not need to be a professor of mathematics to know that one-third of 26 is nine and the rules of the Assembly is that nine members form a quorum and when that number of lawmakers agree to sit and deliberate on issues, they are covered by the rules of the Assembly.

“For those having any doubt about the identity of the legislators attending the sitting of the Assembly, I believe the best place to find out is from the Assembly. Anybody interested in that can contact the Clerk of the Assembly.

“The lawmakers have the constitutional rights to decide who leads them at any point in time. All the members are equal, choosing a leader among them is their constitutional duty and nobody can dictate to them who should be their leader at any point in time.

State govt congratulates ‘new leadership’ Meanwhile, the state government was quoted as assuring the new 'speaker', Olugbemi, of the readiness of the state government to work intimately with the new leadership of the House.

According to the congratulatory message signed in Ado Ekiti yesterday by the Secretary to the Ekiti State Government (SSG), Dr Modupe Alade, the state government would do everything within its power to give the necessary support to the new leadership of the House The SSG called on the remaining lawmakers who are still on self imposed exile to return home and perform their constitutional functions as the lawmakers in the state.

AIDUGURI — AT least 45 people were killed in a suspected Boko Haram attack in Borno, yesterday, officials and witnesses said in the latest violence to hit the restive region.

The attack happened in the village of Azaya Kura in the Mafa area of Borno State on Wednesday, the caretaker chairman of Mafa local government area, Shettima Lawan said, calling it “ wicked and despicable.”

Village chief, Mallam Bulama said: “We counted 45 bodies at the end of the attack.”

But other residents said more may have died after they fled into the bush.

Mafa, which is about 50 kilometres east by road from the Borno State capital, Maiduguri, and the surrounding area has been repeatedly attacked by the Islamist insurgents.

In the latest attack, heavily armed militants arrived on motorcycles at about noon on Wednesday as villagers were at work.

“So far, 45 men have been killed and there are others that died in the bushes as a result of bleeding from bullet wounds,” said one resident, who gave his name only as Jabiru.

A trader, Musa Abbani, who fled to Maiduguri, added: “The attackers destroyed more than half of the houses in our village, burnt over 50 motorcycles and four cars before they took away foodstuff and animals.”

A village elder, Mohammed Bukar, said: “We are still picking our pieces and looking for our missing people, especially those who could not be seen in Maiduguri.”

Survivors, most of them the elderly, were seen making preparations to bury the dead.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014—59

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60— Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

Late Chief Tayo Akpata's Commendation Service

From left, Mrs. Sola Akpata, daughter-in-law Mr. Osagie Akpata, son; Mrs. Olabisi Akpata, wife, and Miss Iyen Akpata, daughter, during the Commendation Service of late Chief Tayo Akpata, at Ikoyi Baptist Church, Lagos. Photos: Diran Oshe

From left, Chief Umwen Omoruyi, nephew; Funmi Onajide, Ireti Samuel-Ogbu, Mr. Ayoola Onajide, and Omobola Onajide, sister of late Akpata.

From left, Professor Adeyemo Elebute, Chairman, Hygeia Group; From left, Bashorun Kola Daisi, Otunba Michael Subomi Balogun, and Governor of Lagos State, Raji Fashola, SAN. Chief Obafemi Olapade, and Bashorun J.K. Randle.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014—61

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62 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

Nigerians in shock after Afcon exit

Eagles shock Wyclef

A

G

FRICAN champi ons Nigeria were reeling on Thursday after they failed to qualify for next year ’s Africa Cup of Nations to defend their title.

The Super Eagles finished a disappointing third in Group A on eight points despite a 22 draw against South Africa last Wednesday night in the southern town of Uyo. The failure to qualify mirrored the disappointment when Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2012 tournament hosted

by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

The scorer of Nigeria’s two goals, Sone Aluko, said the whole team was devastated.

“I am disappointed, everybody is disappointed,” said the Hull City forward. “We did not get the result we wanted and we now have to pick ourselves up as a team.”

Out-of-contract coach Stephen Keshi blamed his players for taking South Africa too lightly in a match they needed to win to qualify for the tournament finals, to be held in Equatorial Guinea.

“Maybe we took South Africa for granted and we paid dearly for this,” said the coach, who was only reinstated to his post last month after being sacked by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The NFF said in a statement that they would shoulder the blame but believed the country would bounce back from the setback.

NEVER-LET-GO . . . Super Eagles forward, Omatsone Aluko shoves aside South Africa’s forward Moeketsi Sekola as they vie for the ball during their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations last qualifying match at Akwa Ibom stadium in Uyo. Match ended 2-2. Photo: AFP

LOBAL music su perstar Wyclef Jean has spoken out of his shock about the Super Eagles failure to make it to next year AFCON. Prior to the game the multi award winning music sensation spoke of his support for the team and their 2-2 draw expectedly frustrated him “ Last day for CAF qualifications, will the defending champions NGA survive? AfricaUnited, Clefication, Divine Sorrow,” he posted on twitter before the game.

A strong football follower, Wyclef who have done musical collaborations with Nigerian musicians took to social media to express his shock after the team crashed out.

“Shocker I am stunned unbelievable the #NGA #SuperEagles are out of #CFA finals in the hand of #RSA #AfricaUnited #Clefication #DivineSorrow,” he posted on twitter after the game.

Togo coach admits Ghana class

T

DISGUSTED . . . Some Nigerian football fans express their disappointment after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for AFCON 2015 in Equatorial Guinea.

•Wyclef

OGO were out classed by a better team as Ghana won 3-1, according to Tchakala Tchanile.

The Sparrow Hawks coach presided over a poor show in Ghana’s northern city of Tamale as the Black Stars booked a ticket to the next African Cup. A goal from Floyd Ayite was not enough to stem the flurry of attacks

that culminated in strikes from Abdul Majeed Waris, Mubarak Wakaso and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu.

“Ghana was one team, they played compact and all of them try to fight together,” Tchanile said after the game.

“You could see from the first half they wanted to win and I think all the eleven players on the field worked hard for the team to win.”

Adebayor accuses mum of doing ‘juju’ against him T OTTENHAM H o t s p u r Emmanuel Adebayor is on a warpath his family after accusing him of neglecting them.

The Togo captain is alleged to have ejected

his mother madam Alice Adebayor from the US$ 1.5million he bought for the family.

It is reported that the former Arsenal man split with his relatives because they were doing rituals against him.

“For the past six years Adebayor has rejected his mother and his immediate family whilst doing charity outside on the premise that our mother is a witch,” Adebayor ’s cousin Margaret told Accrabased Peace FM. “We have been thinking of his future as a footballer and did not want this issue out in the media but it is becoming too much.

“Could you believe Adebayor ordered his machomen to sack our

mother and his own mother from a house he built in Togo claiming she is a witch?

“As we speak our mother lives in an

•Adebayor

apartment rented by our junior brother, Kola Adebayor, who currently lives in Germany.

“My mother weeps bitterly about the issue

every day. Anytime his mother or any of us (his close relatives) call and he realizes, he will quickly cut the call.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014 —63

Okocha questions Eagles’ passion F

ORMER Nigeria captain, Austin JayJay Okocha has questioned the level of passion among current players of the Super Eagles following their exit from the Africa Cup of Nations.

The reigning champions failed to qualify for the 2015 finals after drawing 2-2 with South Africa in Uyo on Wednesday, marking a second exit before the tournament proper in three editions.

And while Stephen Keshi’s future has already been called into question, Okocha believes the players have to take some of the responsibility too.

“To be honest, we will always produce talented players. But perhaps the question is whether they have the same passion that we used to have,” Okocha said, adding, “sometimes it seems as if they don’t really care much about the result.”

Wednesday ’s result combined with Congo’s 10 win in Sudan to extinguish Nigeria’s final hopes, but the 41-year-old said they had made it very difficult for themselves earlier in the campaign.

continues from B/P narrowest margin of victory was needed, and left the country ’s teeming football fans in sour mood. But NFF President Amaju Pinnick stated that it was a time for sober reflection rather than trading of blames or looking for scapegoats.

“The NFF takes full responsibility for what has happened. It is a tragedy for us to come so near and yet fail to reach the finals. We made so much effort and sacrifice in Congo to achieve the victory

Keshi continues from B/P Odegbami expressed his dismay at the team’s failure to qualify, saying: “I’m numbed with shock we are not going to the Nations Cup. “We have always taken South Africa for granted, believing we can take them for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but they have now shown us that this is an end of era.”

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Stoke City handed Moses boost

S

PITCH INVASION: Ivory Coast fans invaded the pitch after the country's team qualified for the 2015 Afcon. CAF is expected to deal with the country based on referee's match report.

TOKE have been boosted by the news Nigeria have failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, therefore freeing up Victor Moses.

Nigeria fought back to draw 2-2 with South Africa but it was not enough for the Super Eagles as Congo won 10 in Sudan to leave them sitting third in the group.

Moses has not featured in the last two squads but there were still fears he could have been called up had they made it, which would have ruled him out for the best part of January. It is not all good news though as Stoke will lose Mame Diouf after Senegal made it through to the finals.

Afcon failure: Keshi’s future uncertain S

TEPHEN Keshi is still unsure whether he will remain as Super Eagles coach following Wednesday’s 2-2 draw against South Africa in

Uyo. Although he had said his fate was not tied to whether Nigeria qualified for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations or not, his future at the

Pinnick we needed there on Saturday and really had no business bungling it here.

“However, our commitment is to build a sustainable football culture in the country and nothing has changed. This is a disappointment but for us, we gave it our best shot and supported the team fully.”

Pinnick said Wednesday ’s failure could turn out to be blessing in disguise.

“All things work together for good for

those that love God, according to Romans 8:28. This has happened but we believe it will work together for us to toil hard and achieve a renaissance that will take Nigeria football to much higher heights than it has ever been.

“I use this opportunity to thank the Akwa Ibom State Government for all the support they gave the team and the assistance they offered the NFF. This is a dark moment but we will emerge into sunshine shortly.”

Gumel continues from B/P NOC president four years ago when he beat the then incumbent leader of the committee, Gumel, to the position.

In the polls supervised by former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, Ibrahim Galadima, Gumel got 19 votes to Ndanusa’s 17 to become the new NOC president.

In other results, incumbent secretary general, Tunde Popoola

polled 17 votes to Banji Oladapo’s 16 to retain his position, just as Johnny Hamakin beat Dans Adokie (3)and Gbenga Ashiru (8) to the deputy secretary general position.

Tony Ubani retained his position as the body ’s public relations Officer by beating Mrs. Nwankwo by 31 votes to 5, while Bappa Aliyu Misau defeated Professor Makanjuola by 17 votes to 16.

helm of the Eagles’ affairs has been called into question in the wake of Nigeria’s failure to beat South Africa and book a ticket for next year ’s continental fiesta in Equatorial Guinea.

Two wins and two draws in their six Group A games means the team won’t be defending the title they won in South Africa.

With no competitive action for some time, the Nigeria Football Federation have time on

their side if they decide to dispense with Keshi’s services.

But Keshi wants to stay on, and is adamant he has given his all during his time in charge and that he will continue to do so if asked to remain as coach. Nigeria were undone by a clinical South Africa side and saw their spot in the tournament taken away

by Congo, who beat Sudan 1-0 to reach the finals for the first time since 2000.

•Keshi

Bafana striker continues from B/P his shell and put a man of the match performance to knock the Super Eagles out of the qualification.

“It is a great feeling which I haven’t had in a very long time. I think we did well even though I am a little disappointed that we did not win the match.” the striker told safa.net after the match.

“But we gave Nigeria a run for their money. It was a great team effort and had we held on until the end we could be talking a different story altogether but I am proud of my teammates and the coaching staff for a job well done.

Rantie admitted his disappointment at

letting a two goal lead slip. He said: “I am not happy that we gave up our lead but as players we did everything the coach asked us to do.”

“The red card to Reneilwe Letsholonyane played a huge role too but it’s part of the game.”

The leading goalscorer for South Africa in Afcon qualifying then revealed his motivation for the clash against the Super Eagles.

“Coming to this match, I was personally pushed by other factors to do well. I have received a lot of criticism in national team matches. But when I was sitting alone in my room, I decided to stop worrying about such and play my own game and see what happens.

“I let go off all the pressure that I have been feeling in all these matches which made it difficult for me to perform.

“I am glad that it has worked for me, but also I would not have done so well if it wasn’t for my teammates.

Their contribution assisted me to help the team play so well and again I say I think it is the start of good things to come.”

He made his debut against Botswana in a World Cup qualifier in June 2012 and scored his first international goal in the next match – a 3-0 win against Gabon in an international friendly.

Rantie has scored eight goals in 26 appearances for the national team.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

Gumel returns as NOC president •As Ubani retains seat Former Director of Facilities at the National Sports Commission (NOC), Habu Gumel, yesterday at the Nelrose Hotel, Asaba, defeated incumbent Nigeria

Olympic Committee (NOC) president, Sani Ndanusa, to become the new leader of the body.

Ndanusa became the continues on page 63

•Gumel

Keshi: We took South Africa for granted •I’m numbed, says Odegbami

ALL IN VAIN... Ikechukwu Uche (L) vies with South Africa's defender Eric Mathoho during the 2015 Afcon qualifier at Akwa Ibom stadium in Uyo. The match ended 2-2. PHOTO: AFP

N

IGERIA coach Stephen Keshi believes his players only have themselves to blame after failing to qualify for the 2015

Africa Cup of Nations.

The Super Eagles will not be present to defend their continental crown at next year ’s Equatorial Guinea

I played my own game —Bafana striker

B

AFANA Bafana’s two-goal hero Tokelo Rantie says a change in attitude got him fired up for the final Afcon 2015 qualifier against Nigeria.

The Bournemouth FC striker says he got out of continues on page 63

showpiece after Wednesday’s 2-2 draw against South Africa proved insufficient in terms of qualification from Group A. That honour instead went to Bafana Bafana, who finished as group winners, and Congo, who saw off Sudan 1-0 in a simultaneous kickoff.

Speaking after the game, Keshi bluntly said: “Maybe we took South Africa for granted and we paid dearly for this.”

Meanwhile, former Nigeria captain Segun continues on page 63

•Tokelo

We gave it our best shot— Pinnick T

Keshi’s future uncertain— P.63

HE Nigeria Football Federation has accepted full responsibility for the failure of the Super Eagles to reach next year ’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in

Equatorial Guinea.

The African champions battled back to draw with South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Uyo on Wednesday, when the continues on page 63

•Pinnick

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

Across: 1 Fight (5) 5 Account (6) 8 Hide (5) 10 Picture-house (6) 11 Watched (4) 14 Front (6) 15 Bore (7) 18 Equipment (3) 19 Tavern (3) 21 Chair (4) 23 Wading bird (5) 24 Needy (4) 27 Spot (3) 29 Favourite (3) 31 Generous (7) 32 Stopped (6) 34 Ancestry (4) 35 Appear (6) 38 Helped (5) 39 Tried (6) 40 Taut (5)

Down 2 Garland (3) 3 Picturesque (6) 4 Meat (3) 5 Shoal (4) 6 Summary (6) 7 Menace (6) 9 Borne (7) 12 Animal (3) 13 Fruit (4) 16 Too (4) 17 Enlist (5) 20 Spotted (7) 22 Region (4) 24 Parcel (6) 25 Gemstone (4) 26 Oppose (6) 28 Ebb (6) 30 Number (3) 33 Deceased (4) 36 Encountered (3) 37 Fuel (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS Across: 1, Sudden 5, Clad 8, State 9, Rip 10, Aver 11, Anew 12, Timid 13, Plover 16, Dent 18, Eros 20, Her 22, See 23, Dig 24, Wade 25, Pest 28, Towing 30, Meant 32, Laud 33, Damp 34, Use 35, Seven 36, Seed 37, Behead.

Down: 1, Script 2, Deplored 3, Elated 4, Strictest 5, Claimed 6, Lend 7, Dawn 8, Set 14, Responded 15, Dog 17, Nee 19, Ridicule 20, Hat 21, Receded 26, Topple 27, Agreed 29, Alas 30, Muse 31, Tan.

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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