...towards a better life for the people

N150VOL. 25: NO. 62615

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

**

Mr & Mrs

•PDP vows to withdraw support for Saraki if Amaechi is confirmed•APC senators plan counter-action; last five ministerial nominees screened•Never again'll politicians seek office for personal gains—Buhari

AMAECHI: APC, PDPsenators in showdown

Continues on Page 5

•P.17

•P.19

Kassim theoracle speaksagain

Tony B-liar'shypocritical Iraqinvasion apology

How not tomanage a fall

•P.19

COLUMNISTS:

By Henry Umoru &Joseph Erunke

A B U J A —S E N A T O R S

belonging to the PeoplesDemocratic Party, PDP,and their AllProgressives Congress,APC, were, yesterday,preparing for ashowdown over differentpositions on theconfirmation of two of 16remaining ministerialnominees.

Stanbic IBTCshareholders fault FRC

OONI OGUNWUSI'S TRIUMPHAL ENTRYTO ILE IFE

DOLPHIN IKOYI:One estate, two worlds

OONI OF IFE—Ooni of Ife-elect, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi (right) greeting his subjects as he arrivedin Ile ife, yesterday. Photo: Dare Fasube. See story and more pictures on Pages 11&14.

Emir Sanusi strips Bayero'sson of Chiroma title

•Stanbic IBTC should withdrawadvertorial and apologise —FRC

16 & 21

8 & 47

45

9

CMYK

2—Vanguard, Vanguard, Vanguard, Vanguard, Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

CMYK

Vanguard, Vanguard, Vanguard, Vanguard, Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015 — 3

CMYK

4—Vanguard, Vanguard, Vanguard, Vanguard, Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

CMYK

POCKET CARTOONVanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015—5

Continues from Page 1

TAKE HEARTBY ELLA RANDLE

IT'S UP TO YOUBY AYO ADIO

Amaechi: APC, PDP senators inshowdown

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE

LIFE is too deep for words, so dont try todescribe it.

Winners never quit, and quitters never win!— Ted Turner

A PROFOUND truth about life that spurs me onin challenging times is the saying that, “if you

live long enough, you’ll make mistakes. But if youlearn from them, you’ll be a better person. It’s howyou handle adversity, not how it affects you.” Themain thing to do, in the words of William Clinton isto “never quit, never quit, never quit”. Bepassionate about everything you choose to do, it willmake a lot of positive difference in your life.

MAKE it a point of duty to make everyday betterthan yesterday, only failures reflect on the

good old days.

It was, however, learntthat Senate PresidentBukola Saraki wasdetermined to weigh inon behalf of the formergovernor of Rivers State,Rotimi Amaechi and theministerial nominee fromCross River State, UsaniUguru. The duo had beencaught up in a grudgewar mounted by PDPsenators.

Amaechi is beingopposed by the PDP

Senate caucus for hisrole in the defeat of theformer ruling party inthe last round ofelections. Uguru broughthimself into the badbook of the PDP Senatecaucus when, during hisscreening, he said "Godforbid" to a question asto his membership of thePDP.

Following the end ofthe screening of thenominees yesterday, thePDP Senate caucus held

a meeting where theyreportedly took aposition against theconfirmation of Amaechi.The senators were saidto have resolved not toconsider Amaechi’snomination unless thereport of the SenateCommittee on Ethics andPrivileges on thepetitions filed against theformer Rivers Stategovernor was broughtforward for considerationfirst.

Last fivenomineesscreened

Five nominees werescreened, yesterday,bringing to an end, theexercise that commencedabout three weeks ago.

The five nomineesscreened were formerVice-Chancellor of ImoState University,Professor AnthonyAnwuka (Imo); financialexpert and medicaldoctor, OkechukwuEnelamah (Abia);newspaper columnist,Adamu Adamu (Bauchi);former ExecutiveSecretary of NationalHajj Commission,Mohammed Musa Bello(Adamawa), and AishaAbubakar (Sokoto).

However, theconfirmation exercisewhich was expected tocommence immediatelyafter, did not, as SenatePresident Sarakiannounced the

adjournment of theSenate to today.

PDP senatorssulk, planoffensive

PDP senators are alsosaid to have been furthermiffed by the reversessuffered by the party inRivers State in the lastone week, including thecancellation of GovernorNyesom Wike's electionand that of PDP statelegislators, andTuesday ’s SupremeCourt’s rejection ofWike’s bid to void thesitting of theGovernorship Election

Tribunals in Abuja.Although they refused

to address the mediaafter their meeting whichlasted for just thirtyminutes, some members,who spoke to Vanguardon the condition ofanonymity said themeeting resolved thatbefore the confirmation,the Samuel Anyanwu-ledSenate Committee onEthics, Privileges andPublic Petitions’ report,must be considered.

One of the sources alsosaid the PDP senators, inthe meeting, resolvednot to allow Pastor UsaniUguru to be confirmedtoday. He describedUguru as a light-heartedman who cannot beentrusted with anysensitive public officelike the one he wasnominated for. Also, atthe meeting, the PDPsenators, according toone of them, vowed towithdraw their supportfor the Senate Presidentshould he forceAmaechi’s confirmation.Vanguard gathered thatanother meeting of thePDP caucus would beheld before theconfirmation.

APC senatorsplancounter-action

APC senators haveequally scheduled a

caucus meeting thismorning beforecommencement ofplenary where they arealso expecting to fine-tune their strategies topush through all thenominees. Theconfirmation process isexpected to hold today ifenough APC senators arepresent in the chambersto outplay the PDPsenators. In that event,the Senate would first gointo a closed-doorsession during whichsenators would raiseissues about thenominees. Following theclosed-door session thesenators would resortback to plenary where avoice vote would betaken on each of thenominees. The ruling ofthe Senate Presidentwould be final and canonly be challenged whena senator calls for adivision and it is at thispoint that PDP senatorsmay challenge whateverdecision Senator Sarakitakes on Amaechi andUguru.

Only one of thenominees screenedyesterday, AishaAbubakar, daughter offormer super permanentsecretary and minister,Alhaji Abubakar Alhajiwas waved throughwithout a question. Shewas asked to take a bowand go upon submissionby Senator AbiodunOlujimi.

FG downgrades economic growthprojections to 2.6%

By Emeka Anaeto,Economy Editor

LAGOS—THERE isindication that the

Federal Governmentmay have effected amassive cut in the 2015economic growth rateprojections amidstfaltering economicperformance indices.

Governor of CentralBank of Nigeria, CBN,Mr. Godwin Emefiele,who gave this hint in theSeptember 2015Monetary PolicyCommittee, MPC, detailsreleased, yesterday, bythe apex bank, said thegrowth rate measured by

Gross Domestic Products,GDP, is now 2.6 per cent,down from 5.5 per cent.

With this developmentthe official growth ratehas been pegged farlower than projections bythe InternationalMonetary Fund, IMF,and other internationaland local financialinstitutions.

Following the falteringoil prices and otherm a c r o e c o n o m i cpredicaments faced bythe Nigerian economysince this year, IMF haddowngraded the growthprojections to 4.8 percent, while AfricanDevelopment Bank,

AfDB, puts the growthmark at 5.0 per cent.

Similarly amultinational investmentbanking group withsignificant operations inNigeria, RenaissanceCapital, haddowngraded Nigeria’sGDP growth rate twicethis year first to 3.4 percent and later to 2.8 percent two months ago.

Nigerian financialinstitutions such asAfrinvest Group, FSDHMerchant Bank economicresearch among othershave marked down theGDP projection tobetween 2.8 and 3.2 percent.

SUMMIT—President Muhammadu Buhari (R), presenting a gift to Gen.Vijay Kumar Singh, duringPresident Buhari’s meeting with Gen. Singh and some of his senior alumni, during the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit, in New Delhi, India, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

6—Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

We use juju to rob traders in Lagosmarkets —Robbery suspects

By Evelyn Usman &Ufuoma Tiveruahor

I startedrobbingafter I lostmy job—Suspect

By Ake Faith

By Esther Onyegbula

Cop arrested for killing tennisplayer

Late Beauty Mc- Cleod.

The suspects, Saidi Olalekan, and Joshua Akinsola.

LAGOS—LAGOS StateCommissioner of Police, Mr

Fatai Owoseni, has ordered thearrest of a policeman whoallegedly shot and killed one ofNigeria’s celebrated tennisplayers, identified as Beauty Mc-Cleod.

According to sources, thepoliceman, attached to MorokoPolice Station, has been arrestedand detained on the orders of thecommissioner.

The victim, Beauty Mc- Cleod,was said to have been shot by thepoliceman at a hotel, namedEmperor’s Place, during analtercation on Sunday. The tennisstar was lodging at the hotelbefore her murder.

The incident occurred at a hotellocated on Balarabe Musa Street,Victoria Island, Lagos.

An attendant working in thehotel said the policeman, whowas attached to the hotel as oneof the security guards, shot thetennis star after a brief argument.

LAGOS—IT was payback timefor a two-man robbery gang

which specialised in raidingmarkets in Lagos anddispossessing traders of theirwares and cash, following itsarrest by the Police in Lagos.

The suspects; Saidi Olalekan(32) and Joshua Akinsola (20),who claimed to be a Nigerien,were arrested at Oshodimarket during a foiled attemptto rob a textile shop owner ofsome lace materials and cashworth N2.5 million

Recovered from them werestolen lace materials worthN300,000 and cash of N2million.

During an interview withVanguard, the suspectsrevealed that information ontheir victims were usuallygiven by their salesrepresentatives. They alsoconfessed that they usecharms to hypnotise theirvictims, a means they said madetheir operation easy.

But nemesis caught up withthem after one of their victims whoapparently was not affected by thecharms raised the alarm which ledto the arrest of Akinsola, thesupposed Nigerien.

32-year-old Olalekan, anindigene of Ogun state whorecently completed a two-year-jail term, said: “We do not use anygun or dangerous weapon duringoperation. What we used was acharm called atare and ohun.This charm was prepared by aherbalists in Apapa. That is whatmost 419 people use.

"Any time we were going foroperation, we would put thecharm in our mouth and anotherin the pocket. We wouldthereafter, enter any of the shopsand order anyone there to bringthe proceed for the day. We wouldalso command them to bring asmuch yards of material they couldlay their hands on. They will obeywithout complaining. Also, nocustomer will come to that shopas long as we remained there.After the raid, we would quietlyleave the shop. Our victimsusually regain consciousnessseveral hours later.

"At the end of each operation,we would take the stolenmaterials far away from where westole them and sell them at giveaway prices. For instance, if westeal material from Idumota , wewill take it to Agege or evenSango in Ogun state to sell andshare whatever was realisedequally."

My victim had a counter-charm

On his part, his alleged partnerin crime, Joshua Akinsola,

As Police recover N2 million and N300,000 worth of lace materialsdisclosed that they usually getinformation either from salesrepresentatives of their victims,their managers or relatives.

Oshodi operation andcounter-charm

On the Oshodi botchedoperation, he said his victimapparently had an antidote tocharms that gave them away.

He said: “While Olalekan wasin one of the shops, I was inanother. He succeeded incarrying some wares and N2million cash from his victim. ButI realised that after making someincantations with the charms inmy mouth and pocket, my victimsdid not succumb, and had I leftthe shop with some lace materialsthan they raised the alarm which

attracted other traders at Oshodi."Before I knew it, some

policemen arrived the scene andwhisked me away. I led them tomy colleague where the stolenN2 million was recovered. I amfrom Niger Republic but I live atOgolo, around Benin Republic."

The suspects according to the LagosState Commissioner of Police, Mr FataiOwoseni, will be charged to court soon.

One of the hotel attendants whospoke with Vanguard on conditionof anonymity, revealed that theUnited Arab Emirates-basedtennis star was lodging at thehotel with her daughter, Angel,but met her untimely death in thehands of the trigger- happypoliceman when she challengedthe cop for refusing her guestentry into the hotel premises.

The attendant said: “Beautyreturned from Ghana on Sundaywhere she took her daughter to a

tennis academy.‘’She invited one of her friends

to pick her up for shopping atthe hotel that same night but hadreservations about the mannerthe police guard treated herguest.

“She apparently challengedthe policeman when she wentback to her room to pick her walletand the policeman shot her onthe leg.

‘’We really don’t know whattranspired between the two ofthem, but we saw the policemanopen fire on the woman.”

It was learned that thedeceased was rejected at a nearbyhospital where she was initiallyrushed to for treatment but losttoo much blood and gave up theghost a day after she wasadmitted at Saint NicholasHospital.

Confirming the incident, thestate Police Public RelationsOfficer, PPRO, Mr Joe Offor, saidthe killer policeman was attachedto Mountain Troop Police, notMoroko Police Division.

LAGOS—A 20-year-oldrobbery suspect,

identified as EkeneMbanefo, has confessedthat he started robbing afterhe lost his job.

According to the police,Ekene is a member of afour-man gang robbingmotorists along Mile 2-Badagry expressway.

The suspect, whoconfessed to the crime wasarrested last Friday, afterhe sustained gunshotinjuries on his waist atAgric bus stop, during afoiled robbery operation.

He recounts hisexploits

"I started robbing when Ilost my job as a salesattendant in a fillingstation in Festac. I waspushed into robberybecause I lost my job. I wasoperating alone until I metmy gang members at aparty at Ajegunle. I wasarrested last Friday, the samenight I was arrested during afailed operation. I met themat a party at Ajegunle and wedecided to work as a gang.After the party, we decided torob on our way back. Othermembers of the gang escapedbut I could not as I was hit bya bullet while robbing at thebus stop.

"A policeman opened firewhen he saw us robbing themotorist at Agric bus stop atOjo, unknown to him that abullet hit me on my waist. Icrawled to a nearby buildingwhere I hid till the nextmorning, while the othersescaped. In the morning, thepains from the gunshot injurybecame too much that I hadto start calling for help.Instead of helping me, thepeople who came when theyheard my call for help, calledthe police who then arrestedme.

"The names of my gangmembers are Efe, Diva andone other whose I can’t recall.

"I usually snatch mobilephones and bags from peopleor when they are making callsat the bus stop or inside acommercial vehicle. We sellthe phones at AlabaInternational market Ojo, at acheaper price after removingthe memory and sim cardsfrom the phones. We sell someof the expensive phones ascheap as N10,000 or less thanthat depending on the brandof the phone."

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015—7

Auto crash claims 7 in Anambra

By Daud Olatunji

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

FUNAAB sets up c'ttee to probe death of student

DONATION: ACP, Administration, Lagos State Police Command,Mrs. Folashade Adam(sitting)undergoing blood pressure screening;Chairman, Marshal Security Company, Texas, USA, Prince ApakaEtim (left); Lagos State PPRO, Mr Joe Offor, and Principal Consultant,Marshal Security, Mr Ernest Etim, during the donation of a digitalblood pressure machine and 2,500 copies of finger prints to thecommand , yesterday. Photo: Evelyn Usman.

ABEOKUTA—AUTHORITIESof the Federal University of

Agriculture, Abeokuta, FUNAAB,have set up a committee toinvestigate the circumstances thatled to the death of a 300-levelstudent in the Department of PlantPhysiology and Crop Productionof the University, Miss AtereMaria.

The Vice-Chancellor, ProfessorOlusola Oyewole, disclosed thisyesterday in a statement signed bythe Public Relations Officer of theinstitution, Emi Alawode,

ONITSHA—NO fewer thanseven passengers aboard a

Mitsubishi commuter bus werefeared dead in the early hoursof Tuesday, following a head-on collision between the busand a Mercedes Benz 911 lorry.

The incident which involvedthree vehicles, including thelorry, the bus and another, acar, occurred along Nkpor/Obosi Road in Idemili NorthLocal Government Area ofAnambra State at about 2 a.m.

It was gathered that the sevenoccupants of the bus lost theirlives, except a baby.

The source stated that bus andthe car were heading fromOnitsha to Cross River Statewith full load of goods when theunfortunate incident occurred.

It was further gathered thatthe victims, having come down to Onitsha main marketto purchase goods, werereturning to Cross River Stateand along the line, discoveredthat armed robbers wereallegedly operating in front ofElectrical Market, and decidedto pass through Obosi to Nkporfor their own safety.

Witnesses said as they weredescending a hill leading toNkpor, the bus had a head-oncollision with the truck.

LAGOS—THE Police inLagos have arrested four

persons for masquerading asMilitary personnel at Idi-Araba and Agege areas of thestate. Among them was aprivate guard who went tosecure the release of one ofthe impersonators at the policestation.

Recovered from the suspectsaccording to Lagos StateCommissioner of Police, MrFatai Owoseni, were twopairs of Nigerian Armycamouflage uniforms, one pairof Army green uniform, oneArmy camouflage T-shirt, onepair of boots, two Army beltsand two jungle hats.

However, one of them,Simeone Anthony, toldVanguard that he wasdismissed from the Force lastyear, after fleeing fromterrorists on the battle field inMaiduguri.

Asked why he did not returnthe Army property to them, hesaid: “There was no way Icould have returned itbecause I would be arrestedand charged to court. What Idid was against the rules ofthe Nigerian Army.

"I never used the uniform tocarry out any criminal activity.I only used it to evade payingfare whenever I boardedcommercial buses.

"But on the day I wasarrested, the uniform wasinside my bag and I was onmy way to Ikeja Cantonment.I am not a criminal, I swear,”said the 39-year-old Anthony.

Love for MilitaryOn his part, 25-year-old Izu

Nwane said his love for themilitary made him wear theuniform.

The Ebonyi born suspectsaid: “I love the NigerianArmy and have been longingto join. I bought theirrecruitment form and evenwrote the exam at Ojocantonment last month.

"I bought the uniform froma woman selling second handclothes at the cantonment onOctober 7, 2015, but I neverknew that I was buyingtrouble.

"Last week, a friend called me thathis case was coming up at the AgegeMagistrate's Court. He asked me tocome and stand as a witness for him.But I was not having money on me,so, I decided to wear the uniform inorder to pave way in commercialbuses. I pulled off the uniform onreaching the court premises andwore it after the court session, onlyto be arrested by some policemen.”

LAGOS—LAGOS StateGovernment has waded into

the case of an 18-year-old girl,(Blessing) that was allegedlygang-raped at gunpoint by sixmen in Shomolu area on October10, 2015.

Vanguard gathered that the 17-year-old was attacked and gang-raped between 8 pm and 1 am;before she was released by thesuspected cultists onOlaosebikan Street, Bajulaiye inthe area.

Coordinator of the Lagos StateDomestic and Sexual ViolenceResponse Team, DSVRT, Mrs.

describing the death of thestudent as unfortunate and agreat loss.

According to the vicechancellor, the managementsympathises very deeply withfamily members and the entireuniversity community.

The statement read: “Atere, a22-year-old student was on acommercial motorcycle when shewas knocked down by a car,along the Camp-Alabata Road,around the Ogun-Oshun RiverBasin Development Authority,OORBDA, gate, in Abeokuta,Ogun State.

“When the sad incidentoccurred, some GoodSamaritans brought twounidentified victims of theaccident to a private clinic atCamp.

“Miss Atere was laterdiscovered to be one of them. Shewas given first aid treatmentbefore being referred to theFederal Medical Centre, FMC,Abeokuta, for better medicalattention due to the severity ofthe injuries sustained.Unfortunately, she passed on.

“However, contrary tounfounded allegations of

negligence, made by someindividuals against the University,Atere was never brought to theUniversity Health Centre fortreatment, hence, no doctor hadthe opportunity to quickly examineher and arrive at a decision on themost appropriate form of medicaltreatment. Nevertheless, theUniversity ambulance wasdespatched to the private clinic atcamp, when a request was made.”

The death of the student sparked angryprotests from students of the universitywho accused the institution’s medicalunit of negligence in the handling of hercase.

4 arrestedforimpersonatingmilitarypersonnel

By Evelyn Usman &Faith Ake

Baby cheats death, as witnesses blame robbersThe bodies of the victims

were deposited at a nearbyhospital Mortuary at Obosi.

The Onitsha Unit

Commander of Federal RoadSafety Commission, FRSC,Anthony Metta, who spoke tonewsmen on phone, said he

was on his way to Abuja and,as a result, had not yet heardof the accident.

Lagos wades into I8-year-old gang rape case

Scene of the accident.

Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi in aninterview with Vanguard, saidthat the government is wadinginto the case to ensure that thevictim gets justice.

Her words: “The victim has beentaken into protective custody. Webelieve that with this, she will beprotected while the investigationis concluded.

“We know that the police havearrested one of the suspects. Buton our own part, we will beembarking on investigation. Thatwas why we have demanded thatthe case file be transferred to theState Directorate of PublicProsecution, DPP.”

By Monsur Olowoopejo

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

Buhari’sministers'reintellectuals—OYEGUN

By Kingsley Omonobi,Emmanuel Elebeke &

Ndahi Marama

Mrs Aisha Abubakar.

Some of the ministerial nomineesscreened by the Senate yesterday:Professor Anwuka Anthony (above).

PHOTOS: Gbemiga Olamikan. Okechukwu Enelanmah.

FORMER Central Bank ofNigeria, CBN, Governor

and Emir of Kano, SanusiLamido Sanusi, yesterday,faulted what he calledunhealthy rivalry amongsecurity agencies in thecountry in their fight againstinsurgency, saying the trend,if not checked, could derailgovernment determination toend Boko Haram activities inDecember.

Sanusi spoke on a dayNigerian troops raided severalcamps of the Boko Haram sect,rescuing 338 persons whowere held captive by theterrorists and killing 34 of theinsurgents, while declaring100 of them wanted.

The Emir, who frowned at theinter-security agencies rivalryspoke at the second edition ofNigeria Security Exhibitionand Conference held in Abuja,sponsored by the NigerianCommunications commission,NCC, and other agencies.

Sanusi, who wasrepresented by an AssistantInspector General of Police(retd) and the District Head ofAlbasu Kingdom in KanoState, Mr. Bashiru Albashir,said that such trend was notthe way to go in tacklingterrorism of that nature.

Calls for cooperationHe called for cooperation

among all the security forces,which he said must comple-ment each other in exchangeof intelligence and relevant in-formation relating to securitymatters.

His words: “I spoke aboutcooperation among securityagencies. Police is a physicalsecurity, while Civil Defenseis also physical securityknown and seen by everybody.

“But the Department of State

Services, DSS, is undercoversecurity.

“There must be opportunityfor the two to complement eachother. The DSS will getinformation and dependinghow relevant the informationis, if it is not sent to Police, theyshould pass it to the army.

“This understanding andcooperation is what will moveus forward, not competingamong themselves and sayingI am superior to you. That willnot help us go anywhere.”

Suggest solutionsto insecurity

He advised government toinitiate purposefulprogrammes that will enablethe country tackle corruption,poverty, injustice andignorance, arguing that suchsteps would surely provide alasting solution to the currentinsecurity in the country.

According to him, “terrorismdid not start from the air; thereare breeding grounds likeignorance, poverty, injusticeand corruption. If governmentis fighting insurgency in thefield, in Sambisa Forest andother places, it must alsoaddress these fueling agentsat the background.

“There must be purposefulprogramme to tacklecorruption, which the presentgovernment is doing. Unlesswe are able to do these, it willtake us time to stamp outterrorism.

“The intelligence unit mustcooperate with the police sothat we can tackle terrorism.What we need is preventionbefore striking and we cannotprevent the attacks withoutintelligence.”

338 Boko Haram captivesMeanwhile, in continuation

of the battle to clear BokoHaram terrorists from theNorth-East by December,Nigerian troops, backed by Air

Force fighter aircraft, havesuccessfully raided severalcamps belonging to theterrorists, rescuing 338abductees, including men,women and children.

During the encounterleading to the rescue of theabductees, 34 terrorists werekilled at the camps located atthe fringes of Sambisa Forest.

Military authoritiesconfirmed that among the 338rescued persons held captiveby the terrorists were eightmales, 138 females and 192children.

They have since beenevacuated to Mubi forprofiling as well as formedical administration.

Giving further details of theoperation, the Armyheadquarters, in a statementby Colonel Sani Usman,said: “Troops of 28 Task ForceBrigade Nigerian Armydeployed at Bitta andPridang, carried out asuccessful raid on suspectedBoko Haram terrorists campsat Bulajilin and Manawashevillages along Bita andDamboa road at the fringesof Sambisa forest on Tuesday.

“The troops were able to kill30 Boko Haram terrorists.The unit also rescued 338persons that were heldcaptive by the terrorists in theenclaves.

“The rescued personswhich comprised male eight,female, 138 and children,192, have since beenevacuated to Mubi.

Recovered arms“Troops also recovered

arms and ammunition duringthe operation: They includeone General PurposeMachine Gun and two DaneGuns, 150 rounds of 7.62mm(NATO), six boxes of 7.62mm(NATO) and three cutlasses.

“In a related development,troops, based on a tip-off,

ambushed and killed foursuspected Boko Haram terroristson a suicide bombing mission toGubula, Madagali LocalGovernment Area, AdamawaState.

“Apart from two AK-47 riflesrecovered, the troops alsorecovered some UnexplodedOrdinances, UXOs, mortarbombs and N153,385.

“It is worthy to note that the raidoperation on the Boko Haramenclave coincided with the Chiefof Army Staff ’s operational visitto the Brigade Headquarters inMubi.

“The successful clearanceoperations and ambushing of theterrorists has further degradedthem and saved the lives of somany innocent victims of theirsuicide bombings.

“Having appealed and giventhe terrorists final warning, wewould like to state that from nowon troops within bounds ofrespect for human rights andrules of engagement, we shallcontinue to decisively deal withBoko Haram terrorists until theyare defeated.

... as Army asksfor information

“Therefore, we are appealingfor continued vigilance, securityconsciousness and, above all,cooperation with the military andsecurity agencies to enable ussuccessfully defeat the terrorists.”

The Military has also declared100 suspected Boko Haram sectmembers wanted for “arrests,prosecution and punishment,”and urged members of thegeneral public to provide usefulinformation to the military andother security agencies onsuspects’ hideouts andresidences in the North-East sub-region of the country.

Information about the “wantedsuspects,” according to the Chiefof Army Staff, Lt-Gen. TukurBuratai, could be given via0818155888, 08160030300 and07053333123.

Inter-agency rivalry hamperinganti-Boko Haram war—KANO EMIR

ABUJA—NATIONALChairman of All

Progressives Congress,APC, has said that thesoon-to-be inauguratedministers are men ofintegrity and intellect.

He said that with theirperformance at theongoing Senatescreening, he wasconvinced that they wouldmeet the expectations ofPresident MuhammaduBuhari who nominatedthem, the party andNigerians.

Oyegun spoke at APCnational Secretariat onTuesday night when hereceived a delegation ofUniversity of Ibadan, UI,Alumni Association, ledby its national President,Dr. Kemi Emina.

He, however, stated thatthe ministers haveenormous task awaitingthem as they would haveto work to revive theeconomy.

By LevinusNwabughiogu

A B U J A — V I C EPresident Yemi

Osinbajo has said thatthere would be nodesignation as“Coordinating Minister ofthe Economy,” inPresident MuhammaduBuhari’s administration.

It will be recalled thatcoordinating Minister ofthe economy was apractice introduced in thelast administration byformer President, Dr.Goodluck Jonathan.

Speaking when hereceived the AustralianHigh Commissioner toNigeria, Mr. JonathanRichardson, in his officeyesterday, the VicePresident submitted thatthe economy was underhis care, saying that hewould always keep thepresident abreast.

He said: “We are notgoing to have a systemlike where there was acoordinating minister.No, there would not beanything like that.”

There 'll be noCoordinatingMinister ofEconomy—OSINBAJO

By LevinusNwabughiogu

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015 — 9

BRIEFING: From left— DMD FBN Capital Ltd., Mr. Taiwo Okeowo; CEO, FBNCapital, Mr. Kayode Akinkigbe; CEO, FBN Holding Plc, Mallam Bello Maccido; and AgMD, Kakawa Distount House, Mr. Gboyega Fatoki, at FBN Capital's annual investors'briefing in Lagos. PHOTO: Shola Oyelese.

RepsinvestigateNCC, telecomoperatorsover SIMcards

By LevinusNwabughiogu

NIGERIAN NationalPetroleum Corporation,

NNPC, yesterday, said it haddeployed 306 truckloads ofPremium Motor Spirit, alsoknown as fuel, which is about10 million litres of the product,to some northern states in thecountry.

The corporation, in astatement by its GroupGeneral Manager, GroupPublic Affairs Division, Mr.Ohi Alegbe, said thedeployment was to quell thequeues noticeable in somepetrol stations in some

northern states, followingrumours of an impending fuelscarcity.

NNPC stated that within thelast 48 hours, petrol productstrucked out to most major citiesacross the country, especiallyin the Northern part of thecountry, had been increasedconsiderably to accommodatesome noticeable shock in thesystem as a result of thegrowing panic demand forpetroleum products in theaffected cities.

It said: “We can confirm thatan additional daily supply of306 trucks of PMS, which isthe equivalent of over 10

million litres of petrol, hasbeen injected to provideextra daily supply to Kano,Minna, Suleja/Abuja,Gusau, Katsina andKaduna.

“Similar steps have beentaken to consolidate theprevailing stable fuelsupply situation in theGombe, Bauchi, Jos, Yolaand Maiduguri axis.”

NNPC, however, advisedmembers of the public torefrain from panic purchaseof petroleum products,noting that there wasenough products in store tosatisfy demand.

NNPC deploys 10m litresof fuel to Northern states

By Michael Eboh

NEW DELHI—P R E S I D E N T

Muhammadu Buhari has saidthat his main target for fightingcorruption was to stop corruptindividuals from seekingpublic offices for selfish gains.

This is even as he stated thathis government would notrelent in the current anti-corruption war, but willcontinue for many years.

According to him, theprosecution of allegedcriminals would serve as adeterrent to others, stating thathe was committed to curbingcorruption, plugging allloopholes in public sectoraccounting and deployingavailable resources for thegood of all Nigerians.

The President spoke,yesterday, during a meetingwith members of the Nigeriancommunity in New Delhi,India, where he is attendingthe 3rd Summit of the Indiaand African Nations.

President Buhari alsoprioritized the recovery oflooted funds, saying he wasconscious of the devastatingconsequences of illegaldiversion of public resourcesmeant for nationaldevelopment into private bankaccounts.

He said: “The anti-corruptioncampaign will be on-going formany years. We are committedto the enthronement of goodgovernance that plugs theloopholes in public sectoraccounting, and the use ofscarce resources for publicgood.

“I am confident that ourapproach to fighting corruptionthrough value re-orientation,improved internal processesand systems and the Rule ofLaw, as well as enhancing thecapacity of the various anti-corruption agencies andinstitutions, will prove moreenduring in addressing thisevil.

“In the meantime, we willcontinue to prosecute thosewho have been indicted for

corrupt practices and ensurethat stolen funds arerecovered, to serve asdeterrence to others whonurse the ambition of seekingpublic office solely for illegalpersonal gain.”

The President also warnedIndians against shippingfake and sub-standard foodsand medicines to Nigeria,saying his governmentwould not tolerate such act.

Never again 'll politicians seekoffice for personal gains—BUHARI

ABUJA—THE House ofRepresentatives has

mandated its committee onaviation to investigate thealleged embarrassing reportby CNN that rated threeNigeria airports as amongthe 10 worst airports in theworld.

The House, in its resolutionyesterday, during plenary, alsodirected the aviation committeeto investigate how N400 billionappropriated for airportremodelling was spent and toreport back within two weeks.

The resolution followed amotion entitled Urgent need toinvestigate the factors thatlead to the damnable rating ofour airports, sponsored byGarba Datti.

CNN report: Nigerianairports up for probe

By EmmanOvuakporie &

Johnbosco Agbakwuru

ABUJA—THE Houseof Representatives is

set to probe NigeriaC o m m u n i c a t i o n sCommission,NCC, andthe nation’stelecommunicationsproviders over non-compliance with thedirective to deactivateunregistered SubscriberIdentity Module, SIM,cards on their networks.

The House would alsoinvestigate allegation ofallied abuses of goodcorporate governance bythe service providers.

The House specificallyresolved to investigatethe NCC on the N6.1billion appropriated forthe SIM registrationexercise by the NationalAssembly.

This development wassequel to a motion movedby Oluwole Oke undermatters of urgentnational importance,entitled Motion for theinvestigation of the non-compliance oftelecommunicationscompanies withdirectives to deactivateunregistered SubscriberIdentity Module, SIM,cards on their networksand allegation of alliedabuses of good corporategovernment byt e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o ncompanies operating inNigeria.

Oke expressed worrythat NCC discovered inDecember 2014 that about45 percent of registeredSIM cards on the mobilenetwork were invaliddue to non-registrationor improper registration.

By EmmanOvuakporie &

JohnboscoAgbakwuru

ABUJA—THE threetiers of government,

yesterday, sharedN389.936 billion asrevenue that accrued tothe Federation Account, aswell as Value Added Tax,VAT, proceeds earned inthe month of September.

The sharing of therevenue was the highpoint of the monthlyFederation AccountsAllocation Committee,FAAC, meeting in Abuja,where the FederalGovernment expressedworries at the persistentdwindling revenue.

The gross revenueannounced by thePermanent Secretary ofthe Ministry of Finance,Mrs. Anastasia Daniel-Nwaobia, stood at N378.395 billion.

However, netdistributable fund came toN 368.925 from both theFederation Account andthe VAT, after deductingthe Costs of Collections,which were paid to theNigeria Customs Serviceand the Federal InlandRevenue Service, atseven percent and fourpercent, respectively.

The Department ofPetroleum Resources,DPR, also received fourpercent as cost ofcollection.

An analysis of therevenue showed that theFederation Accountyielded a net N314.792billion, while the balanceof N54.143 billion camefrom the VAT andexchange gain of N5. 211billion.

The breakdown of thereceipts indicated that theFederal Government tookN159.464 billion; statesgot N103.835 billion,while the localgovernments receivedN78.131 billion.

The nine oil-producingstates received anadditional N 27.505billion, representing 13percent derivation.

The PermanentSecretary blamed the fallin oil revenue on crash inprices and lower outputsowing to shut downs andshut-ins for maintenanceat different periods andterminals during thereview period.

Mrs. Daniel-Nwaobiasaid: “If we say we are notworried then we arelying. But the situation isnot peculiar to Nigeria.”

FG, states,LGs shareN390bn

By Emma Ujah,Abuja Bureau Chief

10—Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

CustomsmakesN221.9bnin 9 months

By Godwin Oritse

MR. Pius Enakerakpohas emerged the

new President of WarriBoys Association, WBA,Lagos State chapter; it isa non-partisan, non-sectional and non-religious socialorganisation.

The new executivecommittee members, whowill run the association for2015/2016 season includeMr. Gbemi Arueyingho,Vice President; Mr. OvieOghenekaro, FinancialSecretary; Mr. MartinsNomuoja, Secretary; Mr.Frank Chibogu, AssistantSecretary; Mr. TabunoAkpomuje, WelfareOfficer; Mr. PatrickOkorosobo, PRO, and Mr.Francis Obilome,Sergeant-at-Arms.

They have been dulysworn in by EmmanuelUmoren, the association’sLegal Adviser.

Lagos WBAgets newexco

DESPITE the recentstrike called by the

Maritime Workers Unionof Nigeria, MWUN,Apapa area, NigeriaCustoms Service, NCS,has generatedN 2 2 1 , 9 2 9 , 2 9 4 , 4 3 7between January andSeptember.

The Customs AreaComptroller, Mr.Charles Edike, said thiswhile responding toquestions on the impactof the strike.

He said the commandonly experienced somedelays in payments andwas optimistic that duerevenue will be collectedas soon as work resumesfully.

The collected revenue,according to Edike, is39.65 percent higher inattaining the annualtarget, compared toN 2 1 6 , 3 3 7 , 9 4 9 , 5 5 7collected within thesame period in 2014.

Currently, thecommand had collected91 percent of its targetedrevenue for this year,achieved despitedeclining volume ofimports, restrictions onforeign exchange,affecting over 40 items,and general economicuncertainty occasionedby the elections.

LAGOS State SafetyCommission has issued a

Stop Work order on EkoEnergy Estate, a client ofProperty DevelopmentCompany, PRODECO, forfailing to comply with thestate’s safety laws.

Mr. Fouad Alade-Oki,Director General of thecommission, who disclosedthis yesterday, said the orderwas issued following a dramathat ensued when officials ofthe commission got to theproject site, located onAhmadu Bello Way, VictoriaIsland, but were denied accessto the facility by officials of thecompany.

All efforts to get themanagement to see reasonswhy it should allow thecommission carry out its lawfulduties proved abortive.

Alade-Oki recalled that thecompany had earlier beenserved abatement notice fortheir inability to produce thesafety plan for the project,which would have shown itsrisk and hazard assessment aswell as fire and other safety

measures.Furthermore, the

commission noted that workerswere working on site withoutadequate protective gears inaddition to several cranes that

were on site without properdocumentation.

Similarly, the commissionalso inspected the EkoAtlantic City project site,where it highlighted areasthat needed to be upgradedand other measures neededto be taken in order to ensure

a more conducive and safeworking environment.

At the end of Eko Atlantic’sinspection, the company wasgiven the go ahead to submit itsproject plan so as to obtain theSafety Compliance Certificate,which every company isexpected to have.

Safety: Commission suspends work atEko Energy Estate

By OlasunkanmiAkoni

THE management of theFederal Science and Technical College,

Yaba, Lagos, has called on the FederalGovernment to come to its aid by makingfunds available to enable them constructhostel accommodation and classroom forits increasing student population.

Speaking on the challenges facing the67-year-old college, the Principal, Rev.Chris Ugorji, said some classrooms had tobe converted to hostels to accommodatesome students, who could not afford to becoming from home.

He said: “FSTC, Yaba, is the biggest ofall the 104 unity colleges and as suchshould be given its prime place by mak-ing sure that funds are readily availableto tackle this hostel and classroom crisiswe are battling with.

“Most of our students come from homeand this affects their academics as they losetheir belongings to touts or are usuallystuck in traffic on their way to and fromschool.”

Accommodation crisis hits67-yr-old unity college

By Amaka Abayomi

LAGOS State AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner

for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem,has pledged continuous coop-eration and support of the ex-ecutive for the judiciary to pro-mote efficient and speedy ad-ministration of justice and theRule of Law.

Kazeem made the pledgewhen he led top managementstaff of his ministry on a cour-tesy visit to the Chief Judge ofthe State, Hon. JusticeFunmilayo Atilade, yesterday.

He said the meeting wasaimed at setting the tone for acordial relationship between thejudiciary and the executive armsof government, adding that thejudiciary is an important arm ofgovernment and essential for theoperation of the principle ofSeparation of Powers.

Responding, the Chief Judgesaid the judiciary was lookingforward to a good working rela-tionship with the state govern-ment.

She, however, listed some con-cerns limiting the arm of gov-ernment to include the need forfiscal independence, effectivetransportation of accused per-sons to court, physical state ofthe courts with attention on re-habilitation and completion ofsome projects, appointment of

facility managers for courts, so-cial workers for family courts andother issues relating to appoint-ment of court administrator.

Similarly, the Attorney Generalmet with the State Commissionerof Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni,where he canvassed the need toembrace technology as well asfoster cooperation in tackling

security challenges.In response, the Commis-

sioner of Police said that theInspector General, Mr. Solo-mon Arase, had directed that

Lagos AG, CJ, CP pledge cooperationBy Abdulwahab

Abdulah

VISIT: Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, Alake of Egbaland (right) and Otunba Rotimi Pasedaduring his visit to the monarch's Ake palace in Abeokuta, Ogun State. PHOTO: Wunmi Akinola.

the police embrace new trends inan effort to enhance its operations.

He listed some of the areas ofinterest to include community po-licing, knowledge-based policing,criminal justice in training and elec-tronic recording.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29 , 2015—11

Ooni Ogunwusi in triumphal entry asinstallation rites begin

By Leke Adeseri, SouthWest Regional Editor &

Gbenga Olarinoye

ILE IFE—THE ancient city ofIle Ife stood still for several

hours yesterday, as the Ooni-designate Prince AdeyeyeEniitan Ogunwusi made atriumphal entry into the town forthe first time after been namedthe 51st Ooni of Ife by the OsunState government.

His arrival in the town signifiedthe commencement of hisinstallation rites in Ilofi where hewill spend the next 21 days.

Ife erupted in wild jubilationsas Prince Ogunwusi, entered thetown in a motorcade of about 100vehicles and rode in Bugatti 2015model car.

Commercial activities in theancient town were alsogrounded as shops andcommercial banks were closed tocustomers.

The new Ooni who was deckedin white lace material with purplecap and beads, continuouslyacknowledged cheers from theexcited crowd, who had troopedout as early as 7am to catch aglimpse of him.

The new Ooni, who wasreceived at Ajebanbele, Ife tollgate of Ife/Ibadan expresswaymade it to the venue whereceremonial formal hand over byhis family to the palace chiefs wasperformed at around 2:30 pm.

Accompanied by friendsand relations

Accompanied by friends andclose relations, sources said themonarch took off from Monatanin Ibadan house of an elder ofGiesi Ruling House few minutespast 11am and started the journeyto Ife.

He was received at Asejireboundary of Osun and Oyo statesby members of Giesi RulingHouse and had another stop overat Sasa River where heperformed the first traditional rite.

At Sasa River located at theborder of Ife and Ibadan, ObaOgunwusi, as part of rites beforeentering town, came out of hisvehicle and trekked across theriver.

Upon arriving at toll gate,Prince Ogunwusi, greeted hisfather, Pa Ropo Ogunwusi andwas led by Prof. AdekanyeAderibigbe, to the high chiefs ledby Lowa Adimula, Oba JosephIjaodola, and had a briefdiscussion before proceeding toObalufe of Iremo’s palace wherehe observed spiritual feetwashing.

He later moved to his familycompound in Agbedegbede area,where he was installed as Sookoof Giesi in fulfilment of Ifetradition.

After his installation as Sooko,which was witnessed by theformer president, ChiefOlusegun Obasanjo and OtunbaOyewole Fashawe among others,

O g u n w u s iproceeded to IgboOro where moretraditional riteswhere performed.

He is expected toend the day at Ilofito begin the ritesthat will last for 21days before he willbe installed withthe Obadio, theleader of Isoro culttaking charge of hisrites of installation.

Speaking tonewsmen at thevenue of Ooni’sinstallation asSooko, Secretary tothe Giesi rulinghouse, AdekunleA d e l o w oOgunleye, notedthat the reign of thenew Ooni wouldbring aboutindustrialisationand youthemployment to theancient city.

R e g a r d i n glitigation in court,Ogunleye saidwarm receptiongiven to themonarch showedthere was no more this will advance the course of the

common man and thedevelopment of the country.

The forum also urged the newOoni to emulate the works of hispredecessor, the late ObaOkunade Sijuwade who passedaway on July 28, in a LondonHospital.

A statement signed by chairmanof NGF and Governor of ZamfaraState, Alhaji Abdulaziz AbubakarYari, described the late Sijuwadeas a peaceful man and a bridgebuilder who left an indelible markin the sands of time.

Consequently, the NGF urgedthe incoming monarch to use hisposition to further solidify the roleof the Yoruba people in ensuringpeace and development in thecountry as he mounts the exaltedthrone.

Yari charged the new Ooni touse his position to enhance thebond of unity that exists amongthe Yorubas and other traditionalrulers in the Western Region andthe country generally.

He assured that the forum wouldcontinue to tap from the wisecounsel and invaluable support ofthe Ife kingdom in its pursuit toeffect change and deliver truedemocracy dividends to thepeople.

His social conduct, careergratifying —TUC

Also, the Trade Union Congressof Nigeria, TUC, hascongratulated the new Ooni of Ife,saying; “We find the fact that he isof relatively young age and hasnever been found wanting in hissocial conduct and career

particularly gratifying.”TUC in a statement by its

President and SecretaryGeneral, Bobboi Bala Kaigamaand Musa Lawal, respectively,insisted that the role oftraditional rulers in nation-building could not be over-emphasised, stressing that theOoni of Ife throne was notableand highly revered as one thatwielded much influence, andexuded much wisdom andcourage, all of which werefundamental attributes ofquality leadership.

Ekiti House tooThe Ekiti State House of

Assembly has congratulatedthe new Ooni of Ife, on hisselection to succeed the lateOba Okunade Sijuwade as 51stmonarch of the ancient town.

Speaker of the House, Hon.Kola Oluwawole, in a statementsigned by his Special Assistant,Media, Stephen Gbadamosi,noted that the ascension ofOgunwusi to his forefathers’throne was purely an act ofGod.

Brief Profile of Ooni-elect, Adeyeye Ogunwusi

Forty-one years ago in theancient city of Ile-Ife, a princewas born into the Giesi RulingHouse, Ojaja Royal Compoundof Agbedegbede in Ile-Ife.

He was named AdeyeyeEnitan.

Many years before the birthof the young prince, it waspredicted that a child of

prominence that would impact thelives of mankind would be borninto the family at exactly 1pm.Indeed, Adeyeye was born atexactly 1pm on a Thursday,October 17, 1974.

With the news of the arrival of anew born prince, he wasspecifically named Adeyeye by hisgrandfather, Pa. Joseph OlagbajuAdewole Ogunwusi Jnr. Thename Adeyeye in Englishtranslates to ‘A Crown Befitting fora King.' Pa Ogunwusi on settinghis eyes on the new born princebegan to call him Adeyeye Oonifrom that very day till he passedaway.

The young prince’s late motheralso named him Enitan which inEnglish translates to ‘A child ofgreat story.’

Prince Adeyeye EnitanOgunwusi is the 5th directdescendant of the Giesi RulingFamily (Ooni Ojaja Orarigba –Ayikiti ninu Aran) reigned from1878-1880, he was the 44th Ooniof Ile-Ife to rule.

He begat Adegosan AdewoleOgunwusi, who was an extremelypowerful prince in Ile-Ife and awar veteran that never lost anybattle for Ile-Ife and the Yorubarace.

He begat Pa Joseph OlagbajuAdewole Ogunwusi (Jnr.), a verybold prince who took after hisfather.

He begat Prince John OluropoOgunwusi, a radio and televisionanchor and star presenter thatspanned the entire mid-1980s toearly 21st century in the South-Western part of Nigeria. He begatPrince Adeyeye Enitan.

Prince Adeyeye EnitanOgunwusi was quietly deliveredinto the humble family of PrinceRopo and late Margaret WuraolaOgunwusi (Ile Opa familycompound, Ile-Ife).

Prince Adeyeye is bestdescribed as an astuteentrepreneur driven by turningimpossibilities to ‘possibilities’.The young prince’s power ofimagination has set him aside,hence, revolutionizing hisapproach to creativity and innovation.He is a distinct achiever with theconscience of youthful excellence.

The ambitious young prince withexceptional business ideas delved intoEngineering, Procurement andConstruction, EPC, locally and abroadfor over 12 years. He is also activelyinvolved in the development of over 2,500housing units with various consortia ofdevelopers within the last 8 years.

Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi ledthe Government delegation to Canadain 2002 that promoted strategic alliancesthrough a partnership with the OndoState Government on solid mineral(Bitumen, Dimension Stones, Granite,etc.) potentials of the state, which gaverise to the formation of the ‘AmalgamatedMining and Exploration CompanyLimited’ – wholly owned by the OndoState Government. In addition, hefacilitated the development of SparkwestSteel Galvanizing Plant (the only steelgalvanizing plant in Nigeria), NationalIron Ore Mining Company Limited andJakura Mines resuscitation projects,which has eventually become the majorlimestone feedstock to Obajana CementPlant in Kogi State, Nigeria.

The new Ooni acknowledging cheers yesterday.

agitation and that justice hasbeen done.

Commenting in similar vein,Head of Sookos of the LafogidoRuling House, Walomo AdelekeAdewoyin disclosed that the courtmatter was over since PrinceOgunwusi had beenunanimously chosen.

He said: “We won’t go to courtto stop the choice of Ooni. Wecan only appeal to Osungovernment to look into the 1980Ife Chieftaincy declaration toavoid future litigation. After thisOoni, its Lafogido’s turn.”

Meanwhile, Ife DevelopmentBoard, IDB, in a statementsigned by its president on behalfof members and entire indigenesof the town, has congratulatedthe Ooni-designate, His ImperialMajesty, Oba Adeyeye EnitanOgunwusi on his selection as thenew Ooni.

A statement jointly signed bythe president and the executivesecretary of the board, Prof. MuibOpeloye, and Mr. KolaAdetunbi, respectively, alsofelicitated with Giesi RulingHouse, Ife kingmakers andentire sons and daughters on thejoyous occasion and prayed thatGod should grant the newmonarch Solomonic wisdom tohandle the task ahead.

NGF calls for synergy withgovt

Meanwhile, the NigeriaGovernors Forum, NGF, hascalled for a strong synergybetween governments andtraditional institutions, saying

12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

By Ochuko Akuopha

Delta political leaders hail Okowa’s victoryat tribunal

N-Delta youthsurged to shunillegal oil refining,pipelinevandalism

By Funmi Olasupo

Dickson announces automatic classificationfor Bayelsa monarchs

Delta inaugurates c’ttee to review $250m leisure resorts

DEPUTY Speaker of DeltaState House of Assembly,

Friday Osanebi, MinorityLeader of the House ofRepresentatives, Leo Ogor; achieftain of the PeoplesDemocratic Party, PDP, in DeltaState, Chief SunnyOnuesoke, among others, havesaid that Governor IfeanyiOkowa’s victory at the ElectionPetition Tribunal is ademonstration of theuprightness of the country’sjudiciary.

According to Ogor,representing Isoko FederalConstituency at the NationalAssembly, the tribunal, despitethe visible pressure and effortsof the losers, remainedundaunted and demonstrated itsunbiased disposition in thematter by considering itsmerits.

Congratulating Okowa on hisvictory at the tribunal, Ogorcalled on members of the PDPand the people of the state toremain steadfast, assuring themof better deal under theadministration of Okowa whichhe said has come to stay

On his part, Osanebi said: “Iam not surprised by the outcomeof the election petition at thetribunal because GovernorOkowa has support from Godand the people of Delta State.This ruling has furtherdeepened our democracy andproved that our judicial system

can be relied upon.”He urged chieftains of All

Progressives Congress, APC,and Labour Party, LP, in thestate to team up with thegovernor in advancing thefortunes of the state.

Osanebi stressed that whatshould be paramount to allpoliticians in the state,irrespective of political partyleaning, was how to deepenthe institutions of democracyand making life moremeaningful for the populace.

Similarly, Onuesoke said: “I

do not see any reason tocelebrate because I knew abinitio that there was no caseagainst Okowa. We do nothave any other party in DeltaState. Evidence abounds thatOkowa won across the stateunlike candidates of otherparties who did not win theirwards. Delta State is ahardcore PDP state. Even if allof Nigeria switches to APC,this is one state that will notswitch.”

He appealed to both ChiefGreat Ogboru and Chief

O’tega Emerhor, to jettisonthe idea of appealing thetribunal judgment stressingthat such effort is tantamountto distracting the governorfrom delivering the dividendsof democracy as stipulated inhis prosperity for all mantra.

In the same vein, PreyeEkpebide, chairman Ogboin-ama Political Forum, OPF,called on Ogboru andEmerhor to accept defeat asexemplified by Nigeriaformer president, Dr.Goodluck Jonathan.

By Emma Amaize

ASABA—DELTA StateGovernment has

inaugurated a seven-mancommittee to appraise theexecution of the $250 millionDelta Leisure Resorts, a tourismand leisure facility at Oleri, UduLocal Government Area of thestate.

Commissioner for Culture andTourism, Mr. Ernest Ogwezzy,dropped the hint while briefingnewsmen on the outcome of theState Executive Council, SEC,meeting at Asaba, which waspresided over by the DeputyGovernor, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro.

Commissioners forInformation, Mr. Patrick Ukah,Transport, Mr. VincentUduaghan, and Job CreationOfficer, Prof. Eric Eboh,werealso part of the briefing.

Ogwezzy said GovernorIfeanyi Okowa, frowned at thefact that the state governmenthad completed its obligations inrespect of the Memorandum ofUnderstanding, MoU, todevelop the project, but thecontractor was yet to executecommensurate work.

He reiterated the

governor’s commitment tothe development of the tourismsector to a high revenue earnerin the face of dwindlingrevenue from oil resources,disclosing that plans were alsoon to revive the ailing culturalheritage of the state throughcultural week and otheractivities.

Also speaking, MrUduaghan, said the efforts ofGovernor Okowa at curbingthe menace of trailers on thehighways in the state had

started paying off with theimpounding of illegally parkedtrailers.

On the widespread trend ofremoving plate numbers ofvehicles parked wrongly in thestate, especially, the statecapital, Asaba, he said: “It isillegal to remove platenumbers of vehicles as ameans of punishment. It is alsoa wrong way of revenuegeneration because the lawsstipulate that only the state hasthe right over mechanical

objects and I can tell you thatno state government officialis removing plate numbers ofvehicles.”

Similarly, Mrk Ukah, whospoke on the government’sHousing Estate at Ugbolu,Oshimili North LocalGovernment Area, said it wasimportant for civil servants toavail themselves of theopportunities to own housesat the housing estate notingthat about 70 housing unitswere almost available foroccupation.

By Samuel Oyadongha

YENAGOA—BAYELSAState Governor, Mr.

Seriake Dickson, hasannounced with executive fiat,the automatic classification of allparamount rulers in the statewith monthly stipends to enablethem administer theircommunities effectively.

Dickson, who made theannouncement yesterdayduring an interactive meeting

with paramount rulers from allthe communities in the state,explained that the gesture wasborne out of his appreciation ofthe contributions royal fathersmade towards the developmentof the state.

According to him, the stateMinistry of CommunityDevelopment and ChieftaincyAffairs and other relevantgovernment agencies wouldwork out modalities for themonthly entitlements and

responsibilities of the traditionalrulers, under the supervision ofthe deputy governor.

According to him, “On theissue of recognition, I want tolet you know that thisgovernment appreciates all youhave been doing to support us.Actually, I was waiting tosurprise you with the passageand signing of the CommunityAdministration Bill into law,where most of the issues youhave raised here are alreadyprovided for."

EDO 2016:APC chieftainfaults Ugbesiaon ceding ofgovernorshipto Edo South

A B U J A — S T A K E -HOLDERS in the oil

and gas industry have advisedyouths in the Niger Delta todesist from illegal oil refiningand pipeline vandalism, butengage in more productiveactivities including seedplanting.

This was part of thesuggestions to curb criminalactivities by youths in Nigeriaat a stakeholders’ forumorganised by a Non-Governmental Organisation,NGO, StakeholdersDemocracy Network, SDN, inAbuja.

Speaking, Director- General,National Oil Spill Detectionand Response Agency,NOSDRA, Peter Idabor,maintained that illegal oilrefining in the countrycompounded existingenvironmental damage frompipelines.

Idabor noted that instead ofengaging in such criminalactivities, it was better for suchyouths to engage in plantingof seeds that could promoteour environment and boost thenation's economy.

BENIN—AS the racefor Governor Adams

Oshiomhole’s successor heatsup in Edo State ahead of the2016 governorship election, agovernorship aspirant of AllProgressives Congress, APC,Mr Kenneth Imasuagbon, hasberated immediate pastsenator representing EdoCentral senatorial district andchieftain of the PeoplesDemocratic Party, PDP, in thestate, Senator Odion Ugbesia,over comments that Esanleaders have ceded thegovernorship to Edo South.

Ugbesia had during theinauguration of the new PDPsecretariat in Benin City,claimed that Esan leaders hadceded the governorship to theBinis.

Reacting, Imasuagbon said:“There was no time or anymeeting where Esan leadersmet to cede governorship toEdo South. Ugbesia is on hisown. People like Ugbesia whoare saying this are enemies ofEsan people because wenever met to cedegovernorship outside thiszone."

By Simon Ebegbulem

VISIT: Rt. Rev Peter Imasuen, Chairman, Edo State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board(middle) presents the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) first position awardwon by Edo State to Governor Adams Oshiomhole. With them is Secretary of theCommission, Sir Patrick Ihayere (left), during a courtesy visit to the governor, yesterday.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015—13

RIVERS: PDP seeks NJC, CJN’s intervention

By IkechukwuNnochiri & Gbenga Oke

FLOOD: Jonathan's home town, Otuoke,cut off

By Samuel Oyadongha

ABUJA—THE PeoplesDemocratic Party, PDP, has

approached the Chief Justice ofNigeria, CJN, Justice MahmudMohammed, praying him tointervene in what it described as“present and imminentmiscarriage of justice” with regardto elections in Rivers State.

This came as Rivers Statechapter of All ProgressivesCongress, APC, accused the stategovernor, Mr. Nyesom Wike andPDP of blackmailing the judiciaryto get favourable judgement atthe Appeal Court

Similarly, the CJN warnedpoliticians, especially heads ofgovernment, to refrain fromdisparaging the integrity andreputation of the Judiciary.

CTCPDP, by a letter forwarded to the

CJN through its lawyer, ChiefGodwin Obla, SAN, alleged thatit had been denied access to theCertified True Copy, CTC, ofjudgments of the National andState Election Petition tribunalsthat sat in Abuja and annulled thevictory of some of its candidatesin the state.

The letter dated October 28,2015, was equally copied to theNational Judicial Council, NJC.

Specifically, PDP, sought theintervention of the CJN in respectof the CTC of the judgement inthe case between Mr. Wali BeliefAzeru vs. Michael OkechukwuChinda and Dr. OtogwungDressman vs. INEC and others.

The letter by PDP read: “Whilewe appreciate the peculiardemand of time that may havenecessitated such near cripplingjudicial adventure having todeliver a total of 12 judgmentswithin a space of six hours in aday, it is, however, utterlyworrisome that the judgments aspronounced in the open tribunalon the said October 26, 2015, inrespect of the two referencepetitions above merelypronounced on the award of reliefswithout any allusion as to therequisite decision and judicialreasons thereof.

“While one may reasonablyattribute the tribunal recourse tosuch brevity to the exigency oftime, it however, falls grossly shortof legal requirements mandatingthe court or tribunal to clearly statethe legal principle and decisionarrived therefrom upon which thejudgment is based, just as it isapplicable to the hierarchy ofcourts where such mode ofjudgment is countenanced by law,i.e, at the Court of Appeal and theSupreme Court.

“Our worry over the abovebecame more heightened whenupon our written application to thetribunal for the CTC of thejudgment or in the alternative, aCTC of the hand written judgment

to be made available to us, toenable us decide on the requiredstep as promptly as possible, inview of the limited time framefor any subsequent step tochallenge the judgment, samewas bluntly turned down by theregistry of the tribunal as itquestioned the visibility ofacceding to the grant of the CTCof a document it has no accessto even as it also equally raisedthe issue of directive to thetribunal in the open court thatno such request could beacceded until three days afterthe judgement.”

APC berates PDPBut Rivers State chapter of

APC berated the PDP andGovernor Nyesom Wike, forallegedly blackmailing thejudiciary to get favourablejudgment at the Appeal Court.

APC claimed that Wike’sdecision to take on the judgeswas to soften and blackmail theeminent men and women of thebench to give him a favourableruling against the judgment thatnullified his election lastSaturday.

The party, in a statement byits Publicity Secretary, Mr ChrisFinebone, claimed theembattled governor had thrownall caution to the wind by takingon the likes of JusticeMohammed Ambrosa, throughdirect comments by his mediaaides and indirectly throughfaceless and dubious onlinepublications.

The APC statement said: “ThePDP, through one of the onlinepublications calledwww.trentonline.com publisheda fake story titled, DSS OfferedBribe, Threatened Me, Then IWas Sacked From RiversTribunal – Justice Pindiga. This

fake news story was designedto give credence to theaccusation by Wike when hisspokesman, Opunabo Inko-Tariah, stated that the RiversState Governorship ElectionPetition Tribunal chaired byJustice Mohammed Ambrosa,had given the ruling he wasasked to give.” The onlinemedium also reported thatJustice Pindiga said that the DSSthreatened him leading to hissudden replacement as theChairman of the Rivers StateElection Petition Tribunal byJustice Mohammed Ambrosa.The APC notes with relief thatJustice Muazu Pindiga hassince denied making any suchstatement or granting anyinterviews whatsoever to anyoneas published.

“Following the decision of the

Supreme Court in dismissingWike's appeal on jurisdictionon Tuesday, Governor Wike hasunleashed further virulentattacks on the eminent jurists ofthe apex court when he statedthe following through his mediaadviser, Opunabo Inko-Tariah:“What is going on right now canbest be described as judicialgang-up against GovernorWike, nay the people of RiversState. It is an affront ondemocracy and a blightdisregard for the will of thepeople in the April 11 generalelections. The courts are settingpernicious precedents byhinging their verdicts on inanepoints. Rivers peopleoverwhelmingly gave theirmandate to Governor Wike buta microscopic few want to wrestthat mandate from him through

As APC accuses Wike of blackmailing judiciary the back door."APC is curious about the

reasoning behind the fact that thejudicial system Nyesom Wike isbusy denigrating is the samesystem he hopes to approach forappeal. We doubt what othermotive would be behind it otherthan the usual blackmail and arm-twisting jungle tactic of the PDPband of betrayers andopportunists”

Meanwhile, the CJN, througha statement by his media aide,Mr. Ahuraka Isah, stressed thatthe warning was against thebackdrop of reactions to outcomesof some governorship, Nationaland State Assembly ElectionPetition Tribunal matters in thecountry where some politicallyexposed persons, state governorsand even lawyers to somelitigants, averred that the verdictswere influenced by money andpolitical pressure.

BRIEFING: From left: Mr. Michael Cole, Financial Secretary, Progressive ShareholdersAssociation; Boniface Okezie, President; John Isesele, Vice President and Mekwunye Sunny,member of the association, at the press conference by the Progressive ShareholdersAssociation of Nigeria to address the issues raised by the Financial Reporting Council ofNigeria on Stanbic IBTC, in Lagos.

YENAGOA—FLOOD has cut off the linkroad between Onuebum and Otuoke, home

town of former President Goodluck Jonathan, inOgbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The road which links Azikoro-Agbura-Onuebum-Otuoke is the shortest route to Ogbia town forBayelsans residing around the Ekeki surbub toOvom, Yenagoa, the state capital.

Otuoke is host to the Federal University ofTechnology with a large student population andmixture of non-indigenes doing business in thefast growing community.

Only haulage trucks could pass through thesubmerged portion of the road due to the volumeof water.

Motorists, especially commercial vehicles,plying the route through the Azikoro axis are nowforced to go through the Elebele-Emeyal flank.

When Vanguard visited the area, yesterday, itnoticed that several car owners made u turn ongetting to the flooded portion of the road for fearof being swept off by the flood.

Also, restaurant operators and palm wine sellersalong the route have been displaced by the surging

flood.A driver who simply

identified himself asDadiowei told Vanguardthat they had sinceabandoned the Azikoro-Agbura-Onuebum-Otuokeroute because of thedeplorable state of the routeand the velocity of the flood.

“It will be a suicidemission for a small vehicle

to go through the flood.There are so many craterson the submerged road thatcould prove fatal forsomebody not conversantwith the road. I almost lostcontrol of my car onMonday when I drovethrough the floodedportion,” he said.

CMYK

14 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

Nigerian Army captures Boko Haram camp

Arms and ammunition seized from Boko Haram at Sambisa forest by troopsof 28 Task Force Brigade, Nigerian Army

Captives of Boko Haram at Sambisa forest released by the troops.

Troops of 28 Task Force Brigade, Nigerian Army, storming storming a store.

....Displaying 'Wanted' list of Boko Haram terrorists.

New Ooni of Ife arrives Ile-Ife in grand style

PrinceRopo

Ogunwusifather ofthe kingleading

ObaEniitan

OgunwusiOoni of ife

to theirfamily

house atMore

quarters inIle ife.

Some traditional Ife high Chiefs, at the Ife end of the Ibadan-Ife toll gate,waiting for the new monarch.

People taking over every available space to catch a glimpse of the Ooni. Students of tertiary institutions, others, excited about the royal father.

CMYK

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015—15

Boko Haram detainees removed fromEkwulobia prison•We’re happy —Ohanaeze •Azodo thanks FG, security operatives

By Vincent Ujumadu

AWKA—THE people ofEkwulobia in Aguata Local

Government Area of AnambraState can now heave a sigh of relieffollowing the removal of the 47suspected members of BokoHaram brought into the mediumsecurity prison located in the townJune this year.

Vanguard gatheredauthoritatively that they wereremoved on Tuesday night to anunknown destination amidst tightsecurity.

A very reliable source confirmedthat the detainees have left the stateto the delight of the peopleresiding near the EkwulobiaPrisons.

It could not be ascertainedyesterday where they were takenbut according to our source,‘definitely they have been takenout of Anambra State.’

There were about 134 inmates atthe Ekwulobia prison before the 47Boko Haram prisoners werebrought in the dead of the night ofSunday, June 28, 2015 amidst tightsecurity.

It would be recalled that protestsby traders in all the major townsin Anambra State trailed thepresence of the Boko Haramsuspects soon after they werebrought into the state, althoughcalm eventually returned.

A visit to Ekwulobia Prisonyesterday showed that the heavysecurity that was mounted shortlyafter the suspects were brought tothe town has relaxed, as thesnipers that usually sat atop astructure at the prison were notseen on their duty post. The gateof the prison was also open, unlikewhat the situation had been for thepast three months.

However, people living aroundthe prison said they did not knowthat the Boko Haram prisoners hadbeen removed from Ekwulobia,although they said they would behappy if it was true.

Reacting to the development,president of Ohaneze chairmen forthe South East and South –South,Dr. Chris Eluemunor said theremoval of the Boko Haramdetainees from Ekwulobia Prisonin Anambra State is a welcomedevelopment.

He told Vanguard last night:“We are happy to hear this. I thank

Governor Willie Obiano whoinsisted from the day they werebrought that they must leave thestate. I went to the governor andtold him that I would allow himonly one month to ensure thatthey leave the state, otherwiseOhaneze would do somethingthe country would not like. Sincethis has been done, I sincerelythank the governor.”

In her reaction, the member

representing Aguata FederalConstituency in the House ofRepresentatives Mrs. EuchariaAzodo in whose constituency theEkwulobia Prison is located,commended the FederalGovernment for heeding to thecry of her constituents byeventually relocating thesuspected Hoko Haramdetainees.

Speaking with Vanguard in a

telephone interview, Azodo whowas the former speaker of the stateHouse of Assembly, recalled howshe moved a motion in July thisyear, calling for the removal of thedetainees from her constituencyin view of the fear it injected inthe people.

She said: “I thank the federalgovernment for heeding to the cryof my people. I thank all those incharge for having listening ears.

RADIO BIAFRA: Group slams protesters in EnuguBy Francis Igata

ENUGU—A pressure groupin Enugu, known

as,”Concerned Citizens of EnuguState,CCES,” has condemned theactivities of the Indigenous Peopleof Biafra,IPOB,over the continueddetention of their leader andDirector of Radio Biafra, Mr. NnadiKanu, who was arrested at theLagos Airport.

Enugu NLC, TUC, back-track on showdownwith govt

By Francis Igata

ENUGU—THE Labourmovement in Enugu

State,yesterday,back-tracked intheir statement where the workershad threatened a showdown withthe government for purchasingPrado Jeeps for members of theState House of Assembly andsome government officials.

Speaking at a press briefing, theChairman of the JointNegotiating Council, Mr.Chukwuma Igbokwe said theworkers had been properlybriefed on the true situation.

While commending Governor

Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for having alistening ear, Igbokwe said thepress briefing was an aftermathof a meeting between thegovernor and the labour leaders.

He said: “We met with hisExcellency and he gave us thetrue situation, we reconciledissues; let me commend hismode of operation. Each timethere are some issues, he willalways clear the air.

“There is information that hegave out the jeeps. What wethought was that the vehicleswere given out free, but now, weknow the true situation. We arein a family. There are times we

have misconceptions, but theimportant thing is that at the endof the day, everybody is happy.”

Also speaking, theinformation commissioner inthe State, Hon. GodwinUdeuhele said the vehicleswere not free, but would bereturned to the government atthe end of their tenure.

“No vehicle was given outfree of charge. It's poolvehicles and at the expirationof their tenure, those vehicleswill become property ofgovernment.

“In the strength of that, youpeople, the media shouldalways cross-check your factsbefore going to the press. Ifyou had done that, this wouldnot have happened.

"Labour is very friendly withgovernment, we have heldmeetings and it's a friendlyaffair.”

In a comment, leader of theEnugu State House ofAssembly, Hon. IkechukwuEzeugwu said no lawmakerreceived free vehicle fromgovernment, stressing that thecars were dully allocated tothem.

The group described the recentprotest by the pro-Biafra groupin Enugu as illegal,unacceptable, anti-democraticand an adventure that wascapable of undermining theunity of the country and theexisting peace and tranquility.

A statement by the group’sleader, Chief Jeremiah Udehsaid: “We, the ConcernedCitizens of Enugu State,CCES,

condemn in its entirety theunlawful approach of violentprotests adopted by the so-calledIPOB in promoting its course.We do not and will notencourage any unlawful act thatwill be inimical to the peace andunity of the country and thetireless efforts of the presentadministration in Enugu Stateto advance development in thestate.

COMMISSIONING: From left, Mr. Yasuhiro Nakamura, General Manager, Aftermarket Group ofAisin Asia PTE Ltd; Mr. Aftab Hashim, Managing Director of Star Sewing Machines Ltd; Engr. KokiSegir, Director of Star Sewing Machines Ltd; Mr. Nse0bong Akpabio, Assistant Corps Marshal,Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone Rs2, FRSC Headquarters, Lagos State, commissioning the AutoProducts; Mr. Abdel Hijleh, General Manager Sales & Marketing Aisin Asia PTE Ltd, Middle East,and Alhaji Auwalu Muktari, Group Executive Director, Marketing & Sales Royal Exchange Plc,during the Star Sewing Machines Ltd's launch of Auto Products, in Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe

Polymerscientists inOwerri for the2015NationalConference

By ChidiNkwopara

O W E R R I —P O L Y M E R

Scientists from across thecountry are now in Owerri,Imo State capital, for their26th Annual TechnicalConference and AnnualGeneral Meeting.

Addressing a pressconference ahead of theevent, the NationalPresident of PolymerInstitute of Nigeria, PIN,Dr. Joseph E. Imanah,disclosed that the theme ofthis year’s conference is“Polymers: Man’scomplement to nature”.

Answering a question,Dr. Imanah warned that “ifgovernment does notenforce the recycling ofnon-degradable materialslittered all over the citiesand villages, the nationmay face seriousenvironmental problems infuture.”

Ikpeazu notOrji’soffshoot—PDPchieftain

U M U A H I A —F O R M E R

assistant to Dr. AlexEkwueme and PeoplesDemocratic Party chieftan,Mr. Ben Onyechere hassaid that the assertion by theopposition in Abia Statethat the incumbentgovernor of Abia as an off-shoot of Orji’sadministration is a familiarparanoia of an attentionseeking palace jesters, whohave continued to misleadtheir candidate with thesingular aim of extortion.

According to him, theexpression is a furtherdemonstration that theylack the rudimentaryknowledge of partyadministration, part ofwhich is that the party issupreme to any individualinterest, in addition to thefact that loyalty must berewarded in consideringcandidacy.

He said: "It is therecognition of loyalty that ismisconstrued. The decisionto elect a true son of Ngwawas not made by the formergovernor alone and intowing that line, manyvariables were brought intoplay. "

By Tare Youdeowei

CMYK

16—Vanguard,THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

Review salaries of President, govsdownward by 50%, Okorocha tells RMFC

IMO STATE Governor,Rochas Okorocha has told

the chairman and members of theRevenue Mobilization and FiscalCommission, RMFC to, as amatter of urgency, review

downward the salaries andallowances of the President,Governors, National Assemblymembers, and all other politicaloffice holders both elected andappointed, at least by 50 percent to make the offices lessattractive and check the excesses

that go with the fat payments forsuch offices.

Governor Okorocha spoke Wednesday when he hosted thechairman of RMFC Engr. EliasMbam, and other members of thecommission to a breakfastmeeting at the Government

House, Owerri at the end oftheir annual retreat in the state,adding that with the downwardreview of salaries and allowancesof political office holders, suchpositions or offices would becomeless attractive which would alsoreduce the tension that alwaysgoes with the contest or scramblefor such offices.

He also explained that thedrastic reduction of the take-home pay of political office holderswould, to a large extent, reducepoverty among the populace andalso reduce crimes that are mostlyborne out of the envy occasionedby these bloated salaries andallowances of political officeholders.

According to the governor, bymaking the salaries andallowances of political officeholders less attractive, only thosekeen in rendering genuineservice to the people would gofor such public offices and no morethose who are coming for theprivileges or benefits of the offices.

Okorocha said: “when thesalaries and allowances of publicoffice holders whether elected orappointed are revieweddownward at least by 50 per centor even more than that, it wouldmake the offices less attractiveand with that, only those whowant these offices for servicewould go for them.”

Motoristswant supplyof petroleumproducts toOsisiomadepot

A B A —F O L L O W I N G

the suspension ofthe three- day industrialaction embarked upon bythe Rivers State chapterof the National Union ofPetroleum and NaturalGas Workers (NUPENG) on Friday, motorists andcommuters in Aba, thecommercial nerve centreof Abia State have calledon the management ofthe Nigerian NationalPetroleum Corporation,(NNPC)to ensure thatproducts were supplied tothe Aba depotimmediately. NUPENGhad embarked onindustrial action lastTuesday to protest thesack of their colleaguesworking in one of the PortHarcourt based oilcompanies, but latercalled it off on Friday after they reportedlyreached anunderstanding with thesaid establishment.

By Eric Ugbor

Ugwuanyiswears-in newactingPresident ofCustomaryCourt ofAppeal

By Francis Igata

E N U G U —GOVERNOR

Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi ofEnugu State, yesterday,swore-in a new actingpresident of the EnuguState Customary Court ofAppeal, Justice GeorgeNnamani, with a charge tohim to apply dignity,integrity and totalcommitment to the job.

Governor Ugwuanyi, whospoke after the swearing-inceremony at the Governm-ent House, Enugu, notedthat the exercise was inaccordance with theprovisions of Section 281 (5)of the 1999 Constitution ofNigeria as amended.

He thanked theimmediate past actingPresident of the Court,Justice Christopher OsitaOnyia for his service andcongratulated JusticeNnamani on hisappointment as the actingPresident for three monthswith effect from the day ofhis swearing-in.

By Anozie Egole

Stanbic IBTC should withdraw advertorial, tenderapology —FRC Restates regulatory decisions on directors

By Babajide Komolafe

THE FINANCIALReporting Council,

yesterday, asked themanagement of Stanbic IBTCHoldings to withdraw theadvertorial published inresponse to its regulatorydecision on the accounts of thecompany for 2013 and 2014financial years.

In a statement in response tothe Stanbic IBTC advertorial,FRC stated that it stands by itsdecision to suspend the fourpresent and past directors ofStanbic IBTC from vouchingfor any financial statement,and also the order to withdrawthe financial statements for2013 and 2014 years.

The Council stated, “Theattention of the FinancialReporting Council, FRC, hasbeen drawn to an advertorial,by Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc(Stanbic IBTC), on page 2 ofBusinessday newspaper ofTuesday, October 27, 2015. TheCouncil wishes to advise themanagement of Stanbic IBTCto withdraw the advertorialand immediately tender awritten apology to the Councilfor the following reasons:

“First, the FRC is not aware

of any court process served onthe Council with regard to theRegulatory Decision issued onStanbic IBTC on Monday,October 26, 2015. Second,while it is the duty of StanbicIBTC to prepare its financialstatements in accordance withthe relevant provisions ofInternational FinancialReporting Standards, IFRS, itis the duty of the FRC tomonitor compliance with IFRSand also ensure accuracy andreliability of financial reportsand corporate disclosures,pursuant to the various lawsand regulations currently inexistence in Nigeria (seeSections 8 (i) (h), 28 (1) (a) and11(d) of the FRC Act). TheCouncil therefore stands by itsRegulatory Decision as issued.

Decision and judgment“Third, while the FRC agrees

that Stanbic IBTC can makebusiness decision andjudgment, we insist that suchmust be in compliance with allextant laws and regulationsapplicable in Nigeria and mustbe properly accounted for anddisclosed in the financialstatements of Stanbic IBTC. T

"To make an application toNational Office for Technology

Acquisition and Promotion,NOTAP, on Sale, Purchase andAssignment agreement onBanking Application Softwaredeveloped by Stanbic IBTC,Nigeria for ZAR 151,586,277on 3 July, 2013after StandardBank of South Africa Limitedhas been given the source andthe code of the software on 6July, 2012 (without Non-Disclosure Agreement) andnot accounting for it at all inits financial statements forrelevant years is notacceptable.

“From a financial reportingperspective, Stanbic IBTCfailed to disclose the Researchand Development costsrelating to the said BankingApplication Software, thecarrying amount of theintangible asset, the salesproceeds upon the eventualsale of the software and theprofit or loss realised on thesale.

"We read a letter fromNOTAP to Stanbic IBTC, at themeeting of 16 October 2015, inwhich NOTAP stated that ifNOTAP does not issue acertificate of registration, anapproval is invalid.

"It is not a case of “don’tremit” but a case of “don’t

accrue” which is a financialreporting issue.

Non-compliance“This is just one of the

nocompliance (accountingand disclosure) issues in theRegulatory decision thatStanbic IBTC is to address inthe restatement of its financialstatements for years ended 31December 2013 and 2014.Accordingly, Stanbic IBTC isadvised to obey the regulatorydecision of the FRC andreverse the wrongly accruedamounts to retained earnings.Finally, we like to restate herethat the FRC registration of thenamed directors of StanbicIBTC remains suspended.

“Accordingly, they are notallowed to vouch for theintegrity of any financialstatements issued in Nigeria.Note that as FRC, we remainthe conscience of regulatoryassurance in Nigeria. We joinall Nigerians to welcomeinvestors (both foreign andlocal) to our country and willlike everyone to know that asNigerians, we ensure thatwhat belongs to others, we willnot take but, what belongs toNigeria, we will neversurrender.”

SIGNING: From left, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, and the newly appointed ActingPresident of Enugu State Customary Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice George Nnamani, signing somedocuments, during his inauguration ceremony, at the Government House, Enugu, yesterday.

CMYK

Vanguard,Vanguard,Vanguard,Vanguard,Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29`—————1717171717

CMYK

Tony B-liar's hypocritical Iraq invasionapology

EARLY this week, Tony B-Liar, former British Prime

Minister, finally said sorry forthe 2003 invasion of Iraq. Notonly that though, he alsoagreed that the illegal invasionof Iraq “could be partlyresponsible for the rise ofISLAMIC STATE (one of themost dangerous terrorist groupsin recent history)”.

I am quoting from the Britishnewspaper, DAILY MAIL,which this week carried a veryelaborate report on the tepidapology that Tony B-Liaroffered for the crime that hejoined George W. Bush tocommit in defiance ofinternational law.

For 12 years, Tony B-Liararrogantly refused to apologisethat Iraq neither had weaponsof mass destruction nor werethose weapons primed andready to attack Britain. Thesewere the false grounds uponwhich he played out hisdespicable role as a poodle ofthe American president, GeorgeW. Bush, to carry out an illegalinvasion and occupation of Iraq.

Tony B-Liar’s mea culpa cameduring an interview with theAmerican anchor FareedZakaria, on CNN, broadcastearly this week. Even theanchor used the opportunity toapologise for his ownendorsement of the disgracefulinvasion of Iraq, telling hisviewers that he regrets his owninitial support for the war.

Zakaria said he changed hismind after watching the post-war turmoil unfold as well asthe emergence of the viciousand criminal terrorist group,Islamic State.

Major errors ofjudgment

It is significant that Tony B-Liar’s tepid apology was issuedagainst the backdrop of the factthat Sir John Chilcot’s inquiryinto the Iraq war was likely tosoon issue a scathing criticismof his handling of the War. AsDAILY MAIL argued: “Hisapology is bound to promptclaims that he is trying to headoff the scathing criticism…

As a master of public relationsand media manipulation, Blairmay have calculated that sinceChilcot is likely to accuse himof major errors of judgement, itis better for him to volunteer anapology now, rather than beforced to do so if, as seemscertain Chilcot’s damningassessment gives him littlechoice.”

It seems clear that Tony B-Liarwas making deliberate choicesabout even the location of histepid apology. As thenewspaper underlined: “Theformer Prime Minister ’sdecision to make his apology inthe US, as opposed to the UK,is also significant”. Tony B-Liar,who Nigerian politicians fawnon during regularly paid visitsto Nigeria, cannot even freelywalk on London streets asresult of the Iraq invasion! Hehad arrogantly stuck to hisposition, as the invasion andoccupation of Iraq led to someof the most horrendous crimesin contemporary human history.

Addressing the British Houseof Commons in 2004, B-Liarstated thus: “I will not apologisefor the conflict. I believe it wasright”. In a 2007 TV interviewhe said: “I don’t think weshould be apologising at all forwhat we are doing in Iraq.

We should be immenselyproud. I can’t take responsibilityfor people sending car bombsinto a market place”. In a 2010memoir, he said of Iraq, that: “Itwas a headline question. It hadto have a headline answer.Answer ‘Yes’ and I knew theoutcome: ‘Blair apologises forwar’, ‘At last he says sorry’. Ican’t say sorry in words. I canonly hope to redeem somethingfrom the tragedy of death, in theactions of life, my life, thatcontinues still’”.

For 12 years, this dangerousimperialist politician stuck to hisincredibly inhumane positiondespite the evidence that all ofhumanity was presented with.Iraqis went through killings andsuffering at levels unparalleledin recent human historybecause of decisions taken inWashington by George W. Bushand the Neo-Cons and backedby their poodle in London, TonyB-Liar.

This week, he made a volte-face. Asked if the decision toenter Iraq and topple SaddamHussein had been a ‘mistake’,B-Liar replied: “…I apologisefor the fact that the intelligenceI received was wrong…the[chemical weapons] programme

in the form that we thought itwas did not exist in the way thatwe thought.

So I can apologise for that. Ican also apologise, by the way,for some of the mistakes inplanning and certainly ourmistake in our understandingof what would happen once youhad removed the regime”. Inissuing these apologies, therewas no feeling whatsoever forthe pains inflicted on millionsof Iraqis and the destructionwrought on their society. It isimportant to remember thatbefore the 2003 invasion, therewas the decade-long sanctionsregime which systematicallydegraded Iraqi life and turnedone of the most developedcountries in the Middle Eastinto a desperately poor country,run by the vicious SaddamHussein dictatorship. SaddamHussein was a “Son of a Bitch”,but he was a Western-backed“Son of a Bitch”! While it lasted,the sanctions regime led to thedeath of over half a million Iraqichildren, which the formerAmerican Foreign Secretary,Madeline Albright, in thetypically immoral tradition ofimperialist politicians,described as worthy of thesanctions regime!

Sanctionsregime

So when Fareed Zakariaasked Tony B-Liar whether theIraq invasion was the ‘principalcause’ of the rise of ISIS, theliar answered thus: “I thinkthere are elements of truth inthat”. While Tony B-Liar in hisCNN interview was “candidly”asking for forgiveness,according to DAILY MAILnewspaper, for not realising‘what would happen once youremoved the regime’, the samepaper argued that hisadmission made “a mockery ofthe statement in the (Colin)Powell memo that Blair would‘demonstrate [to Bush] that wehave thought through ‘the dayafter ’- a reference to theconsequences of invasion [ofIraq]”. And as the samenewspaper reminded: “thebloody chaos in the regioncontinues to this day” .

Illegal invasion of Iraq: Allthose who have followed mywritings since 2002/3, in DAILYTRUST and subsequently onthis page from 2011, wouldhave noticed that I have beenvery scathing in my criticism ofTony B-Liar and the criminal,illegal invasion of Iraq.

Those who are not very awaremight look at Iraq and assumethat it is so far away and shouldnot be our business. But intruth, the invasion and illegaloccupation of Iraq is one of themost despicable imperialistcrimes of the 21st Century.

The whole basis of theinvasion was constructed upona series of lies. Against thebackdrop of the 9/11 attacks onthe United States, PresidentGeorge W. Bush and the Neo-Conservatives issued a falsenarrative that somehow thecriminal 9/11 attacks hadsomething to do with Iraq.

Yet the majority of the attackerswere from Saudi Arabia (one ofAmerica’s closest allies); thesewere Wahabist Salafists whohad nothing in common with theBaathist dictatorship in Iraq.

Weapons of massdestruction

A dictatorship that wasincidentally assisted to seizepower in Iraq by the West andwas also assisted to launch anunprovoked war against theIslamic Republic of Iran.

The second lie was that thesame Iraq, defeated in the FirstGulf War in 1990, and severelydegraded as an aspirant power,possessed weapons of massdestruction. On the two counts,the aggressive imperialistinvasion was a lie. But millionsof Iraqis were killed, injured ordisplaced while theinfrastructure of the country wasbombed back intounderdevelopment.

This was a follow up to thesuffering visited upon thecountry during the UNsanctions that decimatedthousands upon thousands ofIraqis, especially children. Oneof the crimes was directlyrelated to the use of depleteduranium weapons and theappearance of deformedchildren, a phenomenon thatthey did not have in the countrybefore the First Gulf War.

Emotional attachment toIraq: At a personal level, I havefelt a tremendous emotionalattachment to Iraq and itspeople for a host of reasons. Itravelled extensively in Iraq onthe eve of the Anglo-Americaninvasion and illegal occupationof 2003. I visited such places asBaghdad, Samara, Babylon,Najaf, Karbala, amongst others.Travelling in the country that iscalled the land of the two rivers[the Tigris and Euphrates],brought home to me, all that I

had been taught from childhoodabout the fact that it was thecountry at the dawn of humancivilization; the country thatgave the world writing andsome of the earliest humanattempts at mastering nature. Itis a country of truly remarkablepeoples. I saw the elements ofcivilization from Nineveh;Prophet Abraham; the Islamicperiod of the Abbasids and theremarkable culture of the timesof the Caliph Haroun Rashid;visited the tombs of Caliph Ali(Prophet Muhammad’s cousin);the resting places of Imam AbuHannifa and the Quadariyyaleader AbdulQadirGailani andthe prophet Muhammad’sgrandson, Imam Hussein andgreat-grandson, at Adhamiya inBaghdad. And there was thegreat book selling and buyingcenter of Baghdad as well as theremarkable culture dating backto pre-history, which were keptin Iraqi museums.

Imperialistarrogance

Many of those museums werevandalised and robbed by theterribly uncultured Anglo-American soldiers in theaftermath of the invasion. A lotwas destroyed as a result of thatillegal invasion and occupationof Iraq. It was an expression ofimperialist arrogance andimpunity at its most nakednastiness telling all of us fromthe post-colonial countries, thefate that we face whenever theimperialists powers believe thatwe are not living our lives atlevels that satisfy their strategicinterests.

If anyone feels that Iraq wassome kind of aberration, the fateof Libya only underlined thedistance they can cover. And justlike Iraq, Libya has beendismantled and for us inNigeria, the dismantling ofLibya has led to the proliferationof weapons that have been usedin conflicts in Mali, Sudan,Central Africa, Niger and inNigeria with the Boko Haraminsurgency.

Iraq is not really as far awayas we might think. In the longrun, imperialist politicians likeTony B-Liar, must have theirday in court for crimes againsthumanity. The same fate mustalso befall George W. Bush, andsuch leading Neo-Cons likeDick Cheney and the cowardlyDonald Rumsfeld, who escapedan assassination attempt by theskin of his teeth in Iraq. That ismy hope.

These individuals have beenresponsible for some of thegreatest crimes againsthumanity at the beginning ofthe 21st Century. The chaos inIraq today and the emergenceof the terrorist ISIS organisationare directly connected to theillegal Anglo-Americaninvasion and occupation of Iraq.Tony B-Liar’s tepid andhypocritical apology this weekonly scratches the surface. Itdoes not go far enough. Theremust still be a full account forthe criminal invasion of Iraq byGeorge W. Bush, Tony B-Liarand their neo conservativeaccomplices.

Tony B-Liar’s tepidand hypocriticalapology this weekonly scratches thesurface; it does not gofar enough; theremust still be a fullaccount for thecriminal invasion ofIraq

OPINION

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

Reviewing our legislators 'Ayes' and 'Nays'By Adewale Kupoluyi

•Kupoluyi wrote from the FederalUniversity of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

A few days ago, I was watching somelegislative proceedings in one of the

parliaments in the country when the speak-er demanded the response of his colleaguesto an important national discourse. In theusual conversation, the presiding officerhad asked for either ayes or nays. Aftercarefully listening to the responses givenby the law makers, it was obvious thatmajority of them opted for nays but to mysurprise, the speaker banged the gavel anddeclared that the ‘ayes have it’. I wasshocked by the verdict!

In some nations of the world, includingNigeria, it is the usual tradition and prac-tice for law makers to adopt voice vote ofayes (yes) and nays (noes) in takingdecisions on important matters during par-liamentary sessions. Section 56 of the 1999Constitution of the Federal Republic of Ni-geria (as amended) provides that questionsposed in the Senate or House ofRepresentatives shall be determined bysimple majority of the members presentby voting. Similarly, in Rule 72 of theSenate (Upper Chamber) Standing Order,the National Assembly recognises threemodes of voting, namely: voice votes,signing of register in a division and elec-tronic device. The rule also applies to theLower Chamber of the National Assem-bly, which is the House of Representatives.

These modes of voting can further be sub-

divided into two groups; the recorded votesand unrecorded votes. Voice votes fall intothe unrecorded category, while divisionand electronic voting are classified as re-corded votes. Rule 71(3)(4) specificallystates that the President of the Senate orchairman of the legislative house, at theconclusion of the debate, will ensure thatvotes shall be taken by voice responses ofayes and nays while the result shall bedeclared by the presiding officer. Due tothe observed discrepancies in theapproach, there is the need for ourparliament to discard the currentarrangement and embrace the use oftechnology, move away from avoidableacrimony and be more accountable to thepeople.

Although few advanced democracies stillrely on the voice vote mode, its disadvan-tages seem to outnumber the merits. Thefirst demerit of voice vote option is the in-ability to record votes, thus preventing theelectorate from knowing their representa-tives’ voting patterns and know whether itis in tandem with expectations. This prac-

tice has also made it difficult for the citi-zenry to assess their legislators in terms ofperformance. Secondly, it does not showsophistication and decorum. Many peo-ple are of the opinion that a more decentway of taking parliamentary decisionsshould be evolved. Thirdly, declaring voicevote’s result is usually unscientific, proneto manipulation and rather based on theopinion and discretion of the presidingofficer and not on what really transpired,as I have earlier observed in this essay.

Just like in that scenario, there have beencases where clearly the ‘ayes have it’ butthe presiding officer chose to do the oppo-site by declaring that the ‘nays have it’.What is then democratic about this prac-tice that we should still be using it? Shouldbills or motions affecting the general pub-lic be reduced and subjected to the whimand caprices of the presiding officer? Cer-tainly, this type of voting pattern has thetendency to breed lawlessness and disor-derliness. Most crises that had broken outin our legislative chambers have beenfound to be ignited by the outcome of thevoice votes of members that are not inagreement with others causing open con-frontation. It has been observed that voicevote has led to most violent confrontationsand walk-outs in the annals of the Nation-al Assembly.

USAfricaonline in its report of May 18,2010, indicated the effect of such contro-versial decision-making procedure whileconfirming the former President GoodluckJonathan’s nomination of ex-Vice President

Namadi Sambo by the National Assem-bly. In the report, the Senate and the Houseof Representatives were said to have beenenmeshed in controversy over the confir-mation of Sambo, who was once the Ka-duna State Governor. The voice vote, as aface-saving measure, was said to have beenadopted to prevent scuttling the confirma-tion in view of some “contentiousallegations” raised by those who objectedto his candidature. While the UpperChamber had a relatively non-rowdysession, the process was said to have evenbeen raucous in the Lower Chamberbecause many members allegedlyexpressed more displeasure over themethod by shouting against thenomination. Hence, the flaws inherent inthe approach could be used contrary todemocratic tenets.

On the other hand, adopting division asan alternative is commonly used when lawmakers have the cause to challenge theopinion of the presiding officer and whena particular legislator is unsatisfied withthe rulings from the presiding officer, he/she could claim a division. This processinvolves legislators voting ‘ayes’ and phys-ically moving to one side of the chamberwhile the nays move to the other side. Thiscould be said to be similar to the open bal-lot system of voting. Unfortunately, thisapproach has a major shortcoming of timewastage. One can guess the amount of timethat would be wasted if a legislative houseneeds to vote on more than one bill a day.

There have been caseswhere clearly the ‘ayeshave it’ but the presidingofficer chose to do theopposite

An appeal to religious leaders

IN what appears as a sharpdeparture from the common trend, aministerial nominee, Mr AdebayoShittu, while being screened at theSenate, took time to lecture Nigerianson the need to eschew mere religiosityand embrace Godly living. Accordingto him, what most Nigerians practiceis nothing but empty religion that doesnot reflect positively on theirbehaviours.

Shittu’s position is a pointer to theprevailing sheer pretence that passesas religious devotion among manyNigerians. Indeed it is quite ironic thatwhile most Nigerians lay claim tobeing religiously committed and evenmake bold shows of defending theirreligious beliefs at every opportunity,this has never deterred them fromexhibiting behaviours that infringe onthe laws of the land.

This explains the bafflingcontradiction whereby, in spite of thesteady increase in the number ofchurches and mosques in the country

and the overt display of religiosity asrepresented by the mammoth crowdsof worshippers that attend religiousprogrammes, the level of moralityremains abysmally low. In the samevein, thousands of Nigerians embarkon pilgrimages every year todesignated Holy Lands in the MiddleEast and Europe without anyindication that the attendant religiousexperiences enhance their moralconsciousness.

An evidence of this can be seen inmost elected and appointed publicoffice holders who, in spite of theirpublic shows of religiosity or frequent

defence of their religious beliefs, arenever shy of dipping their hands inthe public till. In fact, in Nigeria,treasury looting is the norm, withChristians, Muslims and adherents ofother faiths equally culpable.

This situation continues to thrivebecause rather than preach againstpractices bordering on primitiveaccumulation of wealth and therampant looting spree by public officeholders, religious leaders oftendelight in celebrating their memberswho make huge donations withoutminding the sources of suchdonations. This encourages the

impression that the stealing of publicfunds can be expiated by giving out aportion of what is stolen as donationfor religious causes.

Indeed, it is quite curious that mostof those with cases to answer at theEconomic and Financial CrimesCommission (EFCC) are notablemembers of different religiousgroups and denominations in thecountry. It is also curious that even ininstances where some of these fellowshave been indicted or convicted offinancial and other related crimes, theleaders of their religious persuasionsnever openly condemn theirnefarious actions.

We urge all religious leaders to re-emphasise the principles of morality,holiness, love, good neighbourlinessand self-sacrifice, which the foundersof major religions exhibited while onearth. This would be a majorcompliment to the war on corruptionand moral rebirth.

CMYK

Vanguard,Vanguard,Vanguard,Vanguard,Vanguard, THURSDAY, THURSDAY, THURSDAY, THURSDAY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29OCTOBER 29OCTOBER 29OCTOBER 29OCTOBER 29, 2015—, 2015—, 2015—, 2015—, 2015—1919191919

CMYK

Send Opinions & Letters to:opinions1234@yahoo.com

How not to manage a fallTHE view is popularly held that he

who has never failed has never real-ly succeeded because, properly used, thatwhich people look upon as failure couldprovide a major springboard to biggersuccesses.

Again, failure is not really falling to theground; it is remaining there when youfall and the greatest failure consists in de-ciding not to stand again.

In that moment of temporary fall, wemust have the vision and flexibility toembrace change; to continuously adaptto changing situations; and to improve onour performance and our commitment toservice.

When we fall, we should accept our fate,realising that history has no memory forthe man who came second – not even thesecond man to climb the Kukuruku hill orthe second man to walk on the moon. Inessence, that man occupying the secondposition cannot be posturing as if he stilloccupies the first position. This is the es-sential difference between the governmentand the opposition.

In either case, good leadership puts theinterests of society as a whole before thoseof any specific group.

At the inception of the current adminis-tration, President Muhammadu Buharimade no pretences over his avowed waragainst corruption and the need to pursuecorrupt elements even into the deepestholes. Initially, he intended to make aclean start from the date of his inaugura-tion; but a peep at the opening entries dic-tated otherwise. It became necessary forhim to examine some aspects of the im-mediate past administration.

This did not go down well with the op-position who would rather have him goback to our return to democratic experi-ment in 1999. Clearly, this was an openinvitation to the administration to spendits entire tenure probing the past, thus leav-ing it with no time to implement its own

measures.Understandably, the opposition ele-

ments have not been receptive to the ideaof a probe in their acts of commission andomission, as symbolised by the barrage ofattacks on the design. The recent outpour-ings of the PDP spokesman, Chief OlisaMetuh, give them away:

Metuh has vehemently attacked Bu-hari’s anti-corruption war as draconianand selective. Hear him: “Only PDP ex-Governors and Ministers have beenpicked up… No APC member, despite thepublic petitions of corruption andsquandering of state funds, has beeninvited or questioned by the anti-graftagencies”.

Incidentally, Metuh is not speaking tothe innocence or guilt of those accused.Rather, he would want the application offederal or political party character on thefight against corruption – if you questionone PDP, you must question one APC; andwhen you invite one Southerner, you mustalso invite one Northerner – unknown tohim that while the Federal Character Prin-ciple is aimed at ensuring fair and equita-

for every problem, while Metuh’s party isfeaturing rich incumbent governors, hewould rather have the APC feature neo-phytes. He may have been thrown off bal-ance by the fact that the APC is featuringcandidates that can match theirs, Nairafor Naira.

The PDP stance is a classical case of hownot to manage a fall. Good opposition isprojected on constructive criticism, not oncrying wolf. A well-meaning oppositionshould by now be thinking of where thingswent wrong and where to go from there.

History tells us that when the defunctAction Group and its leader, ChiefObafemi Awolowo, got entangled in a trea-sonable felony case, they did not stay inthe market place, pleading witch-hunt.Rather, they went for the best criminal law-yers in the world at the time and they gotthe best defence. By government estima-tion, nothing else could have stopped theirelimination from mother earth!

Essentially, the 2019 race has begun. Forthose who want to avert a re-enactment ofthe 2015 scenario, this is the time. Lasttime, while you were haggling from courtto court, x-raying your opponent’s prima-ry school leaving certificate against yourPhD, the man and his party were in thefield campaigning for votes.

It is still more naïve to insinuate thatdefectors are driven solely by the need toavoid prosecution. Otherwise, what expla-nation would anyone have for some of thefinest and most incorruptible members ofthe PDP who are jumping ship in droves?

It is time to sit back and plan properly.After all, failing to plan is planning to fail.

PERHAPS, the reason why weare yet to defeat Boko Haram

is that we, as a nation, have notapproached the war on terror as anation at war. When a nation goesto war, its leadership, through thepresident, mobilises the populaceto come on board. Wars are not forsoldiers alone to fight. In fact, with-out the people fully supporting thetroops, a mighty army cannot de-feat even a ragtag enemy.

Many reasons can be adducedfor our chaotic approach to BokoHaram. The threat by some North-ern leaders that if former PresidentGoodluck Jonathan did not cedepower to their region they wouldmake the country ungovernablefor him made many Nigerians tosee the Boko Haram terror cam-paign as part of a Northern agen-da to unseat Jonathan and grabpower by force. This assumptionhas proved simplistic (even if tan-gentially true) because fivemonths after the North was helpedby Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to push outJonathan and return to power,Boko Haram has killed more peo-ple through suicide bombings thanat any other five-month stretchsince they took up arms in 2012.

This, added to the hide-and-seekgames the Northern leaders wereplaying (such as seeming to be pro-tective of the terrorists and secret-ly applauding their “feats” whenthey hit churches and governmentinstitutions and even blaming theJonathan Federal Government for“declaring war on the North”)heightened suspicions along Chris-tian/Muslim, North/South lines.Matters were further made worseby the many instances of open sab-otage of the Army by Muslim sol-diers who reportedly orchestratedconspiratorial desertions, defec-tions or even handover of arms andammunition to the terrorists. Theseemboldened them to occupyterritories and plant their evil, dirtyflags.

In the midst of these chaos, con-fusion, mistrust and fear, there wasno easy way of telling the differ-ence between the truth and lies. OnFebruary 17, 2014, GovernorKassim Shettima of Borno State,the eye of the Boko Haram storm,stormed Aso Villa to brief Presi-dent Jonathan after the terroristsattacked a village called Izge andkilled 106 people. When he cameout of the meeting and was sur-

rounded by reporters, he was tooemotionally drained to considerdiplomatese.

“Honestly,” he said, “BokoHaram are better armed and mo-tivated than our own troops. And,believe me, I am an eternal opti-mist as I have always said, but Iam also a realist. Given the presentstate of affairs, it is absolutely im-possible for us to defeat BokoHaram”.

Many of us, including this writ-er, were disappointed. I could notimagine how a group of untrainedIslamic militants banking on thesupport of some underground fin-anciers and gunrunners could besaid to be “better equipped” thana Nigerian army that kept Nige-ria one by force and establishedits dominance of the West Africansub-region in the Congo, Liberia,Sierra Leone, Cote D’Ivoire, Dar-fur and Mali military campaigns.

How could such a group be “moti-vated” knowing that there couldonly be one possible outcome oftheir quixotic bravura: annihila-tion.

Our experience has since shownus that the typical terrorist, as theysay, sees the barrel of a gun point-ed at him or the improvised explo-sive device strapped around his orher body as the free ticket to “par-adise”. We later on started seeingwhat Shettima had been seeing:troops fleeing from the insurgents,troops refusing to fight, familiesof troops blocking the gates of bar-racks to prevent their breadwin-ners from being sent to fight BokoHaram, all due to poor equipment.When the former Chief of DefenceStaff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, wasretired in July 2015, he confessedto a shocked nation that his troopswere poorly equipped to fight theinsurgents. Shettima was right,after all! This was why our newPresident, Muhammadu Buhari,decided to recall soldiers dismissedby the Court Marshals that thesame Badeh had authorised.

Now, with two months to the newdeadline set by Buhari for the de-feat of Boko Haram, another con-troversy has erupted between Gov-ernor Shettima and the militaryauthorities. When a delegation ofthe Presidency led by the Secretaryto the Government of the Federa-tion, Mr David Babachir Lawal,visited him in Maiduguri recently,Shettima gave an update of the sit-uation. He said Boko Haram werestill occupying two local govern-ments – Abadam, Mobbar and partof Marte, adding that at a point,Boko Haram were controlling 20out of 27 local government areas.

In a swift response, the Chief ofArmy Staff, Lt General Tukur Bu-

ratai, who is personally leading thetroops in the final onslaughtagainst the terrorists, hotly deniedthis, saying that the insurgents nolonger occupy “an inch” of Nige-rian soil.

This difference in opinions on thesame subject by these two obvious-ly well-meaning leaders is boundto sow the seeds of confusion. I wantto believe Buratai because he is outthere in the war front, not in Abuja.However, he has to be upbeat forthe morale of the troops and thenation at large. As a military com-mander, he is not expected to giveany credit to the enemy. But I havechosen to believe Shettima be-cause he has been frank with usbefore, and as Governor, he wouldnot have the slightest reason todownplay the achievements of themilitary.

If anything, Kassim has beenjumping, rather prematurely in myview, to start rebuilding schoolsand communities ravaged byBoko Haram. I say it is prematurein that any attempt to start rebuild-ing before the conclusive conquestof Boko Haram will expose thepeople to danger again in their vil-lages and render monies spent inrebuilding a waste. In his haste tostart rebuilding, surely, Shettimashould be the one telling us BokoHaram no longer holds anyground if that is so indeed.

Since the insurgents are still kill-ing, destroying and infiltrating theInternally Displaced Persons, IDPs,camps with a view to stagingsuicide bombings, they must beseen as a wounded snake, not adead one. Let us err on the side ofcaution and give the troopsenough time to finish the goodwork.

Let’s make haste slowly.

Kassim the oracle speaks again

ments are from the same household, thebetter as it makes the job of rounding themup easier for the anti-graft agencies.

Again, it is he who goes to the river thatbreaks the calabash. The law of averageswould easily point to the fact that sincePDP was in power for 192 months and APChas just completed the fourth month, forevery 48 people questioned from the PDPstock, nobody should reasonably expectmore than one from the APC side.

This is where the PDP hypothesis collaps-es. As things stand, the APC side is alreadyover-subscribed because as difficult as itmay be for the PDP to understand, Sena-tor Bukola Saraki who has been shuttlingbetween the Senate Chambers and theCode of Conduct Bureau, CCB, is an APCman.

The point being made here is that thefight against corruption has no character.The anti-graft agencies have a duty to in-vestigate petitions received by them, irre-spective of the political party or geograph-ical location of those involved.

Even more ludicrous is Metuh’sobservation: “The APC former governorswho have ongoing corruption cases incourt are being rewarded with APCtickets…”. Why is Metuh turning hisparty’s strength to weakness? His motivescould be clandestine, bordering on anti-party activities. Why else would he beoffended that the APC is featuring “bad”candidates that could be easily defeatedby the “bright” candidates of his party?

Or, could Metuh be playing smart? Com-ing from a tradition of money as panacea

ble distributionof positions andsocio-economicamenities, thefight against cor-ruption does notdistinguish be-tween thievesbased on theirplaces of origin.If 20 corrupt ele-

Any attempt to startrebuilding before theconclusive conquestof Boko Haram willexpose the people todanger again intheir villages andrender monies spentin rebuilding a waste

The fight againstcorruption has nocharacter; the anti-graftagencies have a duty toinvestigate petitionsreceived by them, irre-spective of the politicalparty or geographicallocation of thoseinvolved

20—Vanguard, Vanguard, Vanguard, Vanguard, Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

CMYK

By Umar Yusuf, Yola

JAMBUTU, a suburb ofYola, the Adamawa State

capital, was scarcely ever in thenews for good reason evenbefore last Friday when a sui-cide bomber attacked worship-pers at a Juma’at Mosque,killing no fewer than 54 persons.The sleepy but fast growingghetto with more than 400,000inhabitants and which lies by thelake Gerio on the bank of the Riv-er Benue, has over the yearsacquired a notoriety of its own.Indeed the criminality thatthrives there pre-dated theadvent of the Boko Haram in theNorth East of Nigeria.

It is known as the most popu-lar hideout for armed robbersand other social miscreants inthe ancient city of Yola. Hard-ened criminals, including drugbarons and their associates, ac-cording to security report,operate mainly from Jambutu. Ata point, the place was a no-go-area for security operatives.

To make matters worse, thepopular Jambutu Motor Park, islocated in the area. The MotorPark is notorious as a place whereIndian hemp and other harddrugs are openly sold to willingbuyers, with security agentspreferring to look the other way.

Intendingpilgrims

It was due to the poor securityrecord of the area that the FormerGovernor of Adamawa State,Vice Admiral Murtala Nyako,decided to relocate the Muslimspilgrims transit camp from there.Before the relocation, intendingpilgrims to Saudi Arabia wereexposed to all sorts of anti-socialbehaviours while in the camp.

The camp hitherto was in thepremises of the EnvironmentalSciences Department of theAdamawa State Polytechnic.

The suicide bomber struck: Toforestall the empty camp frombeing taken over by miscreants,a Juma’at Mosque was built inthe place. It was during thecommissioning of the Mosquewith eminent Muslim clerics andtraditional rulers, headed by theDistrict head of Jimeta, Dan IsaAdamawa, were in attendancethat the suicide bomber struck.

The Friday Juma’at attack wasthe first of such heinous attackon Muslim worshippers in Yolathough their Christiancounterparts have recorded twoor three invasions by gunmensince the Boko Haraminsurgency began.

How attack was hatched andcarried out

As relatives continue to mourntheir dead, more insights intohow the attack was hatched andexecuted have continue tounfold. One source toldVanguard Metro, VM, that the

two suspected suicide bomberscarried out surveillance of theMosque for hours before theJuma’at prayers.

Another report had it that thebomber initially attempted toenter the main prayer hall, evenas prayer had commenced, butchanged his mind and stayedoutside. Moments later the ex-plosives went off.

Buba Adamu, a staff of thePolytechnic, who survived theblast was full of thanks toAlmighty God for saving his life.Buba, who spoke from his sickbed at the Federal Medical

Centre, Yola stated that he stillhave some fragments of thebomb in his forehead. “The onlything I heard was a loud bangand I saw myself on the groundalong with others. The nextperson to me in the row, who ismy colleague, is still lying herein the emergency ward,hovering between life and deathbecause of the severity of theinjuries he sustained,” he said.

Another victim, AbubakarUmar, who had a broken leg toldVM that following the blast hewas contemplating escapingfrom the scene when he realisedhe had broken legs. “I attemptedto stand up but fell down again;I started feeling pains in mylegs. It was then I discoveredmy legs were not normal and Iwent into coma. It was only laterI realised I was on a sick bed inthis hospital,” he said.

Crowd attract by publicityAn eyewitness, Mallam Bashir

Mai Rauni, told VM that themassive publicity of the open-ing of the Juma’at Mosque inthe radio, television and withpublic address system accountedfor the large crowd that attend-ed the event.

“Being a newly built Mosqueto be commissioned as a Juma’atMosque, people came from farand near to worship there. Soas early as 12 noon worshippershad started trooping into theMosque. And before it was timefor prayers, the mosque was

filled to capacity, both inside andwithin its premises,” Bashirinformed. He maintained that asit is the tradition with enteringplaces of worship, especiallyMosques, since the insurgencybegan, all worshippers enteringthe mosque were screened todetect possible intruders.

According to him, the suspect-ed suicide bomber waited untilthe two Rakkat Prayers before heentered to mingle with thecrowd.

Prayersession

“After the Imam had began therecitation of the Holy Qur’ancommencing the prayer session,a boy of about 12 to 13 years ofage struggled to join other wor-shippers. Initially, he wanted toenter into a prayer hall but sinceprayers had commenced, he wasleft with no option than to jointhe congregation within theprecinct of the Mosque. Thereand then, the explosives wentoff scattering human beings likepieces of wood,” Bashir narrated.

Stampede, shooting ofprotesting youths

“The blast was accompaniedby a serious stampede as peo-ple ran in different, looking forany possible escape route. But,despite the confusion and com-motion, the Juma’at prayerswent ahead before rescue oper-

ations commenced,” he added.The eyewitness also informed

that when the Military and othersecurity agents arrived the sceneof the blast they clashed withprotesting miscreants andyouths.

“Nobody knew what wentwrong. But all of a sudden,miscreants and youths startedthrowing stones at the Militaryand other security agents draftedto the blast area. And within atwinkle of an eye, the soldiersstarted shooting, killing aboutthree or four persons on the spot,while scores of others wereinjured in the ensuing melee,”Bashir recalled.

Late arrival of security agentsAnother eyewitness claimed

that the youths and miscreantswere protesting against the latearrival of the security agents tothe scene of the blast.

This, the witness added,angered the people and theystarted hauling missiles, brokenbottles stones, iron roads fromthe near mechanic workshop atany security agent within thearea.

He maintained that the situa-tion almost degenerated into afull blown confrontation asnearby shop owners hurriedlyclosed their business places asmore re-enforcement of thesecurity operatives were draftedto the scene before the situationwas brought under control.

JUMA’AT MOSQUE BOMB BLAST:

Day of horror for worshippers

•Jambutu Juma’at Mosque destroyed by blast

I attempted tostand up but felldown again; Istarted feelingpains in my legs; itwas then I discov-ered my legs werenot normal and Iwent into coma; itwas only later Irealised I was on asick bed in thishospital

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015 — 21

CMYK

MEETING - From left: Prof. Fabian Ajogwu, SAN, (Director/Fellow, SCGN), Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri, (Executive Director)NSE, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, CON,OFR(President, SCGN), Mr. Edward Okolo (Director, SEC-Representing the DG,SEC), Mr. Tijjani Borodo, ( Director/Fellow, SCGN) & Mr. Tunji Oyebanji (Director, SCGN) at the Society for CorporateGovernance Nigeria’s executive Breakfast meeting on ‘Corporate Governance and the Nigerian Capital Market Development’held in Lagos.

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL

CBN Exchange Rate as at 28 /10 /15

118.65 1.35$3,210.00 13.00

$14.62 0.20

47.12 0.31

43.58 0.38

DOLLAR 195.97 196.47 196.97POUNDS 300.5592 301.326 302.0929EURO 216.7036 217.2565 217.8094FRANC 199.0756 199.5835 200.0914YEN 1.6279 1.6321 1. 6362CFA 0.3098 0.3198 0.3298WAUA 273.001 273.6976 274.3941RENMINBI 30.8377 30.9168 30.996RIYAL 52.2531 52.3864 52.5197SDR 274.1228 274.8222 275.5216KRONA 29.0468 29.1209 29.195

Stanbic IBTC shareholders fault FRC

By Babajide Komolafe, ClaraNwachukwu & Nkiruka Nno-

rom

A NEW twist emerged yesterdayin the face-off between the

Financial Reporting Council, FRC, andStanbicIBTC, as Vanguard exclusivelygathered that the Council imposed a fineof N1billion on the bank without firstconvicting it for wrong doing.

Although the FRC did not mention thisin its statement, a boardroom source atStanbicIBTC, in a text message toVanguard said: “FRCN boss wroteStanbicIBTC asking us to pay N1 billionfine.” The source further noted: “The lawmakes it clear that fines can only beimposed after conviction,” and wondered“whether he (FRC boss) read andunderstood his own law.”

Vanguard also learnt that the failure tofollow due process in the StambicIBTCface-off forced FRC’s counsel to resignabruptly.

Meanwhile, shareholders of StanbicIBTC Holdings Plc have condemned therecent pronouncement on the bank’sdirectors by the Financial ReportingCouncil (FRC) over alleged financialirregularities. They also called on theFederal Government to look into theactivities of FRC in order to forestall furtherdamage to the operation of companiesoperating in the country.

Addressing a press conference in Lagos,Mr. Boniface Okezie, president of theProgressive Shareholders Association ofNigeria (PSAN) said shareholders wereshocked by the actions of the FRC, notingthat the council did not follow laid downprocedures in approaching the matter.

He said that rather than using the massmedia, the FRC should have institutedcourt action against Stanbic IBTC if it hasany disagreement with the bank

concerning its published accounts.Stressing that the FRC should have

applied caution in handling the matter,Okezie noted that the role of FRC is tohelp enhance the quality of reporting,adding “FRC is not the regulator of banksneither it is the regulator of the capitalmarket.”

Okezie, however, expressed confidenceon the leadership of the Board andmanagement of Stanbic IBTC, saying “Wehave always commended the transparencyand commitment by the board to conductbusiness only in line with world classcorporate governance principles. It is onaccount of this that Stanbic IBTC HoldingsPlc is the only bank in Nigeria that has anAAA Fitch rating.” He added thatshareholders are in support of the bid bythe bank to expand its operation as thiswould guarantee optimal returns oninvestors’ investment.

Expressing disappointment at themanner in which FRC is executing whatit believes to be its mandate, Okezie saidthe FRC should have recognised theimplication of its reckless pronouncementin an unsophisticated capital market as it

could lead to panic among investors.“Unfortunately, this recklessness hasalready made this happen as we haverecorded losses in our share price over thelast two days on account of the misguidedactions of the FRC.”

Misguidedactions

He said: “We have been in shock since

Monday, October 26, 2015 when FinancialReporting Council took to the media tomake several questionable allegationsagainst Stanbic IBTC. We are also awarethat there is a procedure which FRC oughtto follow if it disagrees with the publishedaccounts of any corporate body.

“In fact, according to Regulation 27 ofthe Directorate of Inspection andMonitoring Guidelines, a reporting entityis at liberty to disagree with the views andopinions of FRC regarding its publishedaccounts. The FRC will then institute legalaction against that entity if there is adisagreement. This is the path the FRCought to have taken as specified by theDirectorate of Inspection and Monitoring

Guidelines Regulations of 2014.”“We would have expected FRC to

recognise that circumspection ought to beits guiding standard”. He added that

He observed that FRC is currently‘operating without the necessary oversightto moderate its excesses’, and called onPresident Buhari to urgently constitute aBoard for the FRC. “Such a Board will exertcontrol and limit the excesses of the councilwhich is currently run as a one-man-showby its executive Secretary.”

Okezie also called on the president todeploy tested technocrats to head theMinistry of Trade and Investment, adding“this minister will also exert a controllinginfluence on the activities of the FRC andhelp to ensure that good intensions ofgovernment are not thwarted by theincompetence and lack of exposure ofpublicity-seeking and egocentricprofessionals.”

He, therefore, called on the bank’sshareholders to seek internal mechanismsof resolving any differences rather thanresort to the use of manipulative regulatorsfor the collective interest of their investmentin the bank.

THE African Development Bank(AfDB) says the forthcoming Africa

Economic Conference (AEC), to behosted by the Democratic Republic ofCongo in November, will addresspoverty and inequality. A statement onAfDB website yesterday in Lagos saidthe theme for the 2015 AEC is“Addressing Poverty and Inequality inthe Post 2015 Development Agenda”The conference will hold from Nov. 2

Africa Economic Conference to address poverty, inequality — AfDB

to Nov. 4 in Kinshasa, DRC. Citingdocuments from the African Union’s(AU) Agenda 2063 and Africa’sCommon Position on Post 2015Development Agenda, the statementenvisioned an Africa developed by itscitizens.“The vision is for an integrated,prosperous and peaceful Africa, drivenby its own citizens and representing adynamic force in the global arena. Key

among Africa’s aspirations is toachieve prosperity that is based oninclusive growth, and developmentthat is people-driven and that alsounleashes the potential of women andyouth,” it said.While noting the timeliness of theconference, the statement said that thecentral aim of Agenda 2063 was toeradicate poverty in all itsramifications in one generation.

•FRC lawyer quits

•investigation continues

22—Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

BUSINESS

REGARDLESS of yourdefinition of success, there

are a great number of commoncharacteristics that are shared bysuccessful business people. Thereare certain musts that have to befully developed, implementedand managed for your businessto succeed.

Do what you enjoyWhat you get out of your

business in the form of personalsatisfaction, financial gain, stabilityand enjoyment will be the sum ofwhat you put into your business.If you don’t enjoy what you’redoing, chances are you won’tsucceed.

Take what you do seriouslyYou cannot expect to be effective

and successful in business unlessyou truly believe in your business

Characteristics ofsuccessful entrepreneurs

you go along. As for equipment,you can improvise or rent. Thatway, you don’t need a heavyfinancial outlay to purchaseequipment.

Savings: In raising money fora business start up, the best betis personal savings. The bestsource of cash to start yourbusiness is your savings. Youhave to start saving towards yourbusiness, if you have not doneso already. This involves cuttingout the fat in your budget, takingoff things you can do without fora season.

Reduction ofeating out

Depending on your lifestyle,it may mean reducing eatingout, cutting your spending onclothes such as Aso Ebi,reducing your phone and cableTV bills etc. If you can save 10percent of your gross income,you have an equivalent of onemonth salary in 10 months. If yousave 20 percent, you have onemonth’s salary saved in fivemonths and so on.

How to raise funds forbusiness start ups

Turning trash to cashAnother way of raising money

for a business start up is bydisposing of stuff you own thatyou no longer need which othersare ready to pay for. It could beitems you bought but neveropened, or old equipment youno longer use.

Since we are so adept atturning cash to trash, for once,we can reverse the process byturning thrash to cash andmaking good use of what youhave. Most of us have so muchcash trapped in our homes inunused appliances, adult toys,electronics, computers, jewelryetc.

Some have unused boysquarters that can be rented outetc. Release the cash and put itto work in your business. Also,money could be raised tofinance business start ups bydrawing down from your assetsby selling some of your stocksand bonds to raise the requiredcash.

Borrow from selfAnother way to raise cash is

to borrow from yourself. One

All business owners must becomewise money managers to ensurethat the cash keeps flowing and

the bills get paid

By Yinka Kolawole,with agency report

RAISING money tostart businesses has

always been an issue withmost start up entrepreneurs.The importance of cash forfunding a start up businesscannot be over-emphasised,but ranked side by side withoriginal ideas, focus,persistence, passion andvision, money ranks at thebottom.

You don’t need to start big.Apart from the fact that raisingfunds may be a challenge, asa beginner, you are bound tomake mistakes, and mistakescost money. If you start big,you make expensive mistakesand may find it difficult torecover.

You can start from your livingroom, garage or boys quartershence you don’t need a shop.At the beginning, it is wisernot to hire anyone yet until yougenerate enough turnovers tosupport that overhead. Be aone man squad and learn as

,

,

If you don'tenjoy whatyou'redoing,chances areyou won'tsucceed

Currency Buying(N) Central(N) Selling(N) DOLLAR 195.97 196.47 196.97 STERLING 299.5401 300.3044 301.0686 EURO 216.8604 217.4137 217.967 FRANC 199.1363 199.6443 200.1524 YEN 1.6278 1.6319 1.6361 CFA 0.3113 0.3213 0.3313 WAUA 273.437 274.1346 274.8323 RENMINBI 30.8134 30.8925 30.9716 RIYAL 52.2489 52.3822 52.5155 KRONA 29.0649 29.139 29.2132 SDR 274.0444 274.7436 275.4428

NAIRA EXCHANGE RATES (28/10/15)

CommodLight Crud

Natural G

Sugar

Coffee

Cocoa

and in the goods and services thatyou sell.

Far too many business ownersfail to take their own businessesseriously enough, getting easilysidetracked and not stayingmotivated and keeping their nosesto the grindstone.

Plan everythingPlanning every aspect of your

business is not only a must, butalso builds habits that everybusiness owner should develop,implement, and maintain.

The act of business planning isso important because it requiresyou to analyze each businesssituation, research and compiledata, and make conclusions basedmainly on the facts as revealedthrough the research.

Manage money wiselyThe lifeblood of any business

enterprise is cash flow. You needit to buy inventory, pay forservices, promote and market yourbusiness, repair and replace toolsand equipment, and pay yourselfso that you can continue to work.Therefore, all business ownersmust become wise moneymanagers to ensure that the cashkeeps flowing and the bills get

paid.Be customer focusedYour business is all about your

customers, or clients, period.After all, your customers are thepeople that will ultimately decideif your business goes boom orbust. Everything you do inbusiness must be customerfocused. One of the biggestfeatures and often the mostsignificant competitive edge asmall entrepreneur has over thelarger competitors is that he canoffer personalized attention.

Project a positive image: Youhave but a passing moment tomake a positive and memorableimpression on people with whomyou intend to do business.Business owners must go out oftheir way and make a consciouseffort to always project the mostprofessional business imagepossible.

A business must have a clearlydefined unique sellingproposition. This is nothing morethan a fancy way of asking thevital question, “Why will peoplechoose to do business with youor purchase your product orservice instead of doing businesswith a competitor and buying hisproduct or service?”

Competitiveadvantage

In other words, what oneaspect or combination of aspectsis going to separate yourbusiness from your competition?

Will it be better service, alonger warranty, better selection,longer business hours, moreflexible payment options, lowestprice, personalized service, bettercustomer service, better returnand exchange policies or acombination of several of these?

Invest in yourselfTop entrepreneurs buy and

read business and marketingbooks, magazines, reports,journals, newsletters, websitesand industry publications,knowing that these resources willimprove their understanding ofbusiness and marketingfunctions and skills.

They join business associationsand clubs, and they network withother skilled business people tolearn their secrets of success andhelp define their own goals andobjectives.

Top entrepreneurs attendbusiness and marketingseminars, workshops andtraining courses, even if theyhave already mastered thesubject matter of the event. Theydo this because they know thateducation is an ongoing process.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015 — 23

& YOU

CMYK

way is to borrow from yourinvestment linked lifeinsurance policy. The amountyou can draw down dependson the total premium paid sofar. The percentage you candraw down varies withinsurance companies. Also youcan borrow from your retirementaccount, if your policy allowssuch. If you have a personalretirement account, you caneasily draw down from this,making sure you pay back assoon as possible. Borrowingfrom your retirement account ishowever not a good idea, if youare close to retirement. Onedisadvantage of borrowingfrom yourself is that thecommitment to repay may below as the tendency is to lookat it as free money.

Family and FriendsAnother common way of

raising money to start yourbusiness is from friends andfamily. A lot of people rush tothis option without consideringall options in raising the moneyby looking inwards, includingborrowing from themselves.

It is much easier undernormal circumstances to borrowfrom family than friends etc.Money and friendship does notmix well. Money can tear apartthe best of friendship if not wellhandled.

A better option is to form a minicooperative society (Esusu)between friends, pool fundstogether and take agreed turnsto draw down from the

DURING one of thepartners meetings in

San Diego, with our latefounder of Haines Centre forStrategic Management -Steve Haines, he saidsomething that resonated withme, and helped meunderstand the need not justto measure what people aredoing but to also monitorthem.

He said, “People don’t dowhat you expect but what youinspect”. This quoteeventually became a reminderand my deep foundation indriving results. In addition, Isuddenly realised thatbusiness failures and poorperformances could beminimised should managersand leaders begin to inspecttheir desired results from theirsubordinates from time totime.

Interestingly, few years ago,a manager might not see theneed to inspect his or hertrusted subordinate, believingthat he or she will naturallydeliver results. In this case,the manager expects results(and is often timesdisappointed). One mightsay, but it can still happen intoday’s world.

Shareholder'sexpectations

True, it may be possible, butthe rates of changes from theoutside world and evenshareholder’s expectationshave made us to have a re-think. Now, no organisationcan afford not to inspect andmonitor what people aredoing. The era of waitinguntil an assignment, task orproject are finished until weget feedback is graduallyfading away. We need toconstantly ask “what is goingon?”

Asking does not mean youdon’t trust the ability of yourcolleague doing theassignment, it simply meansyou don’t want to leaveanything to chance. It alsomeans that you want to seeresults delivered instead ofreasons or excuses forfailures.

Every organisation shouldhave a way of measuring their

Expecting results versusInspecting results

“Every line is the perfectlength if you don’t measureit”...Marty Rubin

BY ‘UJU ONWUZULIKE

Everyorganisationshould havea way ofmeasuringtheirperformancesat intervals

The era of waiting until anassignments, tasks or projects arefinished until we get feedback is

gradually fading away

common pool at zero interest.This is a tried and testedsystem when friends withintegrity commit to the process(and not take the money andwalk). Also along this line areemployee cooperative societiesthat give soft loans to members(way below bank rates).

Loan from lendinginstitutions

Going to a lending institutionto raise a loan to start yourbusiness is not the best option,but in some instances, it maybe your only option especiallyif you need to grow. There aremany options under thisscenario, for example venturecapitalist, private investors,banks etc.

Venture capitalists alsoknown as angel investors go forhigh risk investments –companies with a great futurein its formative stage, e.g. thepeople that funded Google,facebook etc in their formativestages.

Formativestages

They take a big risk byinvesting in your business. Inreturn for their money, theytake a stake in your business,and sometimes demand a rolein the day to day running ofthe company to safeguard theirinvestment. They have a say inkey decisions, and often steeryou in the direction of goingpublic and getting listed in thestock exchange so as to takeprofits.

More often than not, sincethey have the money while youhave the sweat, you often findyourself negotiating from aposition of weakness, and mayend up becoming an employeeof your benefactors.

Most entrepreneurs are waryof angel investors, and try togo it alone until they are strongenough to negotiate from aposition of strength. As anentrepreneur, you want to bein charge as much as possible,welcoming investors withoutlosing control.

,

,

The bestsource ofcash to startyour businessis yoursavings

COMMODITIES (28/10/15)

dity Last Change ($) % Changede 44.59 +1.39 +3.22

Gas 2.06 -0.03 -1.39

14.67 +0.25 +1.73

119.15 +1.85 +1.58

3,212.00 +15.00 +0.47

performances at intervals. Notat the end of the journey- butin between the journeys.Sometimes organisations aretoo patient (even if you are,your shareholders are not).They wait until the end of thejourney before measuringtheir progress. If we don’twant to end up somewhere wedidn’t plan on, we must re-evaluate how we measure ourprogress during the journey.My message is, start tomeasure your goals on aweekly, monthly, quarterly,and yearly basis towards youroverall destination.

Measure what’s important,not what’s easy.

We typically measure factorsthat show we are makingprogress towards ourdestination. Sometimesleaders measure the easythings, like financialinformation, withoutconsidering the other areasthat need to be monitoredduring the journey.

There’s nothing wrong withevaluating financialinformation; it is important tothe journey. But it shouldn’tbe the only thing we measure.You will need to determinewhat areas make sense tomeasure your journey’ssuccess. I also understand thatsometimes it is tempting andprobably makes more sense to

measure only the financials –but that should not be thecase.

What to Measure?Consider these areas for

possible measurement:Customer information;Employee satisfaction;Supplier/partner feedback;Operational excellence;Financial success; Appliedinnovation.

Choose measurement areassuch as these, not just onearea, to give you a goodbalanced, overall picture ofyour success. Anyorganisation that measuresthese areas all together willnot achieve anything less ofsuccess – and this isguaranteed. Importantly, youmust measure your progresson a specific , ongoingtimetable. It is the differencebetween staying on the roadand making changes onlyafter you’ve driven intosomeone’s wheat field andcrashed the car.

In our variousorganisations, measuringregularly will show:

How you know you’re beingsuccessful - are we movingtowards our destination? Howwe know we are in trouble -are we on the road or on theshoulder? What correctiveactions to take if we are introuble - what adjustments dowe make in our steering andspeed to reach ourdestination?

Final notes:Asking your subordinates a

simple question like, iseverything okay, can open upa line of communication thatwill eventually impactpositively on performance.Often times, we might bedisappointed when we sitdown and expect results tocome just because wesurround ourselves withtrusted or competent people.

One of the best ways toavoid disappointments (withyour expected results) is toconstantly inspect what yourpeople are doing, that wayyou are always in the picture– knowing what is workingand what is not. So, don’t justexpect results to come ratherinspect the results you wantto attract.

For your views or

perspectivesEmail:

uju@hainescentre.comMobile: 09091142093

24 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

CONFERENCE - From left: Deputy Managing Director, FBN Capital Limited, Mr. Taiwo Okeowo; ManagingDirector, FBN Capital Limited, Mr. Kayode Akinkugbe; Group Chief Executive Officer, FBN Holdings Plc, Mr.Bello Maccido; and Ag Managing Director, Kakawa Discount House Limited, Mr. Gboyega Fatoki, at FBNQuestInvestor Conference on Tuesday.

how to effectively allocate theirbudget to reach their users wherethey can be found online. Feedbackfrom our agency partners has ledus to invest heavily in CampaignManager which hides the complex-ity of multi-channel online adver-tising and provides granular report-ing and analytics to enable brandsget the best yields from theirspending”, he explained.

On his part, Mr. EhizogieBinitie, Co-Founder, Chief Technol-ogy Officer and Director, Rancard,explained that Rendezvousleverages on the trust factor to en-hance e-commerce. “One of thechallenges with commerceplatforms are just before you buy,you are not sure whether what youare about to buy is what you’llactually get. You may see somethingnice in picture and you are not surehow good it will be when the itemis delivered.

leading to inability to personaliseadverts. One of the values that Ren-dezvous brings is knowledge ofthe consumer, their social con-nections and relationships, as wellas associated interests and pref-erences, thereby bringing rel-evance to the ads being deliv-ered on behalf of brands and elimi-nating spam.”

He disclosed that an essential fea-ture of the Rendezvous is the Cam-paign Manager, designed to ad-dress the major barriers for busi-nesses looking to acquire custom-ers online. “Recent trends indicatethat a significant number of usersare gaining access to online chan-nels through their mobile deviceswhich are increasingly data-ena-bled. This means that businessesneed to allocate more of their ad-vertising budget to online channels.The challenge for brands has been

RANCARD Solutions Limitedhas launched Rendezvous

Social Recommendation Engine,designed to connect buyers andsellers via multiple channels.

Speaking at the launching cer-emony in Lagos, Mr. Kofi Dadzie,Co-Founder, Chief Executive Of-ficer, Rancard, said that Rendez-vous was developed to address thegap between firms and potentialcustomers. “Firms weren’t to con-nect with relevant mobile audience,while mobile users complain of notgetting relevant adverts. Rendez-vous will ensure that mobile audi-ence receive adverts based on theirinterest and on recommendation oftheir friends, while it will help firmstarget audience with interest relatedto their products”. “Mobile adintrusion is an issue as a result oflack of deep knowledge aboutwhat is relevant to the consumers,

NIBSS won’t give control of BVN data to

NIMC---SHONOBI

Stories byBabajide Komolafe

NIGERIA InterbankSettlement System (NIBSS)

has said it will not handover the con-trol of Biometric Verification Number(BVN) data to the Nigeria IdentityManagement Commission (NIMC).

Meanwhile the company has un-veiled two portals for verification ofBiometric Verification Number(BVN), ahead of the directive by theCentral Bank of Nigeria (CBN)which makes BVN submission crite-ria for foreign exchange transactionsfrom November .

Addressing a press conference inLagos, Managing Director/ChiefExecutive, NIBSS, Mr. Ade Shonubi,said, while the company will sharerelevant BVN data with NIMC, to facilitate issuance of the NationalIdentity Number (NIN), it wouldhowever not handover the control ofBVN data on the company.

He stated, “We are sharing thatwith them, we are not handing over

to them. We would give them a copyof the data that they need but we willnot give them our database. What wegive them will allow them to expandtheir own enrollment to Nigeriansbecause what we give them will besufficient for them to issue a NIN.”

“This means once you have a bankaccount, you will automatically havea NIN. So you don’t need to go tothem (NIMC) to get a NIN but youwill need to get to them for the cardbecause they still need to take yourcurrent picture and a few other thingsto put on the card. But we will beable to issue a NIN to everybody whohas a bank account because of theintegration.”

Speaking on the portals for createdfor verification of BVN, Shonubi said,“We have developed these portals to provide the means for verificationof BVN for foreign exchange trans-actions as directed by the CBN. Theplatforms however can be used byany organisation or individual to

verify BVN submitted to them”. “Indoing so, we have tried to keep it sim-ple for anyone to use,” he added.

Recall that the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) last week, directed that the BVNwill become mandatory for all foreignexchange transactions from November1st, 2015. The apex bank also mandatedbureaux de change and other foreignexchange dealers to verify from NIBSSBVN submitted for foreign exchangetransactions.

Oluseyi Adenmosun, the BVN ProjectCoordinator said this had informed theoption of the USSD, a much easier plat-form to use. He explained that the BDCoperators or anybody can dial the shortcode *565*1# on their phones from anypart of the world for the validation.

The USSD code when dialed will propup a message asking for the BVN andthe date of birth of the BVN holder toconfirm the genuineness of the BVN. The BDC operators also have the op-tion of using the NIBSS website portalfor the validation. The service costs N20per enquiry.

Rancard unveils Rendezvous socialrecommendation engine

UNION Bank of Nigeria Plc has unveiled anew brand identity to reflect its new strat-

egy of improved financial services to meet mod-ern day banking needs.

The new brand consisted of a massive replicaof Union Bank’s white stallion in a more ener-getic and aggressive form and a fresher and morevibrant blue in the new logo. A new brand slo-gan of ‘building simpler, smarter bank’ has alsobeen introduced into the new identity to replacethe old ‘big, strong and reliable’ slogan.

Speaking at an event for the unveiling of thenew identity in Lagos, the Managing Director /Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank, MrEmeka Emuwa, said: “We believe that criticalmilestones we have achieved in the past threeyears have laid a solid foundation for us as abank. The launch of this refreshed identity sig-nals a new phase in Union Bank’s transfor-mation as we set our sights on attracting anew base of customers while remaining focusedon providing simple and smart banking solutionsto all our customers.”

He added that “Union Bank has been a trustedname for Nigerians for nearly a century and wewill continue to leverage our heritage as we em-brace a rapidly changing world.”

Also speaking at the event, Chairman of Un-ion Bank, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, said:“I am very proud of the strides the bank hasmade during my time as Chairman and I com-mend the Board, Management and Staff on theirhard work over the years and I am sure the Bankwill continue to succeed as it embarks on a newphase with a refreshed brand identity.”

On her part, Head, Corporate Affairs andCommunications, Ogochukwu Ekezie-Ekaidemsaid: “Union Bank is one of the longest stand-ing financial institutions in Nigeria and our newidentity pays homage to our past and carries withit our proposition for the future. In developingthe new identity, remaining true to our brandproposition of simplicity was foremost in ourminds.”

FIRST City Monument Bank has rewardedwinners that emerged in the first set of

draws in the ‘’FCMB Millionaire Promo Season2” which took place across the country.

While 3 customers of the bank were rewardedwith the sum of N1million each at the regionaldraws held in Abuja, Ogun and Abia states, atotal of 640 others smiled home with LED tel-evisions, generating sets, decoders, tablets, smartphones and other consolation prizes at the zonaldraws held in different parts of the country. Theexercise was conducted through electronic se-lection of qualified customers.

At the Lagos/South-West Regional draw whichtook place in Abeokuta, Ogun states, Mr.Thompson Nkumaliyi emerged winner ofN1million, while at the Abuja/North Regionaldraw held in Abuja, Mr. Mohammed was re-warded with the same amount, just as SandraSeipulou won N1 million at the South-East/South-South Regional draw that took place inUmuahia. Speaking on the promo, the SeniorVice President/Divisional Head of Retail ofFCMB, Mr. Olu Akanmu, said that the Mil-lionaire Season 2 Promo, ‘’is aimed at furtherconnecting and rewarding our customers for theirloyalty and patronage. It also follows the requestof our esteemed customers and our desire toensure that more of them (both existing and po-tential) benefit from this exciting reward schemewhich has turned dreams to reality”.

He added that, ‘’as an inclusive lender focusedon delivering valued-added products and qual-ity service that translates to exceptional customerexperience, the promo is to equally empowerour account holders to fulfil their aspirations.”

•Unveils portals for verification of BVN

FCMB rewards winners in‘Millionaire Promo Season 2’

Union Bank unveilsnew brand identity

By Jonah Nwokpoku

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015 — 25

Continues on page 26

By Ebele Orakpo exam obtained credits in EnglishLanguage, Math and at leastthree other subjects.

2011 - 29.17%; 2012 - 31.28%;2013 -29.17% and in the 2013Nov/Dec edition - 40.46%passed. In 2014, only 31.28%passed.

Eclipse of the mother tongue:In an earlier interview with KaronHarden, American University ofNigeria’s Academic Liaison forCommunity Engagement andService Learning, she had saidthat from a linguistic point ofview, and from the experiencesgarnered while tutoring primary

school children in Yola in theStudents Empowered throughLanguage, Literacy andArithmetic, (STELLAR) program,“if you first learn to read in alanguage that you understand,then it will strengthen yourEnglish literacy later. Reading isthe foundation for all the otherlearning so if they cannot read, itis going to affect their science andother subjects so we are trying toreinforce their basic reading skills.

“Over 95 per cent of our kidsdo not speak English at home andthey never hear English outsidethe school so they don’t have thecomprehension.

Nationalconsciousness

They can decode a word, youcan make them repeat it for youbut they don’t comprehend.”

In a paper entitled Language,Education and NationalConsciousness, presented byProfessor Sola Oke at the IjuForum in July 2012, the Professorof Modern Languages said: “Theexplanations usually advancedfor this poor performance includeinadequate mastery of Englishand Math. Much as this is valid,poor and bad performance bylearners who use a foreign officiallanguage in a multilingualsituation could very well be partly

a result of languageinadequacies arising from totalor near total marginalisation oftheir mother tongues.

"A Yoruba child who has beensocialised primarily in the Yorubacommunity, is certainly morelikely to make faster and moresignificant progress in formaleducation if he or she does nothave to 'purge himself of themother tongue' in order tofacilitate the learning of English,the official language.”

Mother tongue is it: AngelinaKioko, a professor of English andLinguistics at United StatesInternational University, Nairobi,Kenya argues that “a cruciallearning aim in the early yearsof education is the developmentof basic literacy skills: reading,writing and arithmetic.

Essentially, the skills ofreading and writing come downto the ability to associate thesounds of a language with theletters or symbols used in thewritten form. These skills buildon the foundational andinteractional skills of speakingand listening. When learnersspeak or understand thelanguage used to instruct them,they develop reading andwriting skills faster and in a moremeaningful way.”

Optimallanguage

According to UNESCO, “achild’s first language is theoptimal language for literacy andlearning throughout primaryschool. In spite of growingevidence and parent demand,many educational systemsaround the world insist onexclusive use of one or sometimesseveral privileged languages.This means excluding otherlanguages and with them, thechildren who speak them.”

Global Partnership forEducation in its reviews notedthat that “children whose primarylanguage is not the language ofinstruction in school are morelikely to drop out of school or failin early grades.”

Could this be the reason whyNigeria has one of the highestnumber of out-of-school children?In Nigeria, the use of local

languages is banned in mostschools.

Solutions: Professor PitaEjiofor, former Vice-Chancellor ofNnamdi Azikiwe Universityargues that children should betaught in the language theyunderstand best. “The de-factomother tongue of our children isEnglish language so my attitudeis that you teach children in alanguage where their vocabularyis highest.

For many Ndi Igbo in the cities,that vocabulary is English. Justimagine teaching an Igbo childbased in Lagos in Igbolanguage, he will notunderstand. So the best is to teachthem in a language theyunderstand most. A typicalHausa child knows Hausa morethan any other language; atypical Yoruba child knowsYoruba more than any otherlanguage but unfortunately, fora typical Igbo child based inLagos or Abuja, the language heunderstands most is English.There is no magic about mothertongue; it is only another wordfor a language which a childunderstands most.”

For Mr. Rajesh Mehta, CEOof Lagos-based The BazzarFarms and Stores Ltd, “it is notnecessary to teach the entiresyllabus in the mother tongue buteverybody must learn theirmother tongue, otherwise,overtime, the language willdisappear and we may not evenknow our roots.

Everyone has to speak hismother tongue whether he likesit or not so let it be onecompulsory subject. A Chinesepresident will never speakEnglish, he speaks Mandarin;a Japanese prime minister onlyspeaks Japanese. In Germany,they speak German while inFrance, they speak French.

Forgettinghis culture

It is only those peoplecolonised by the British thatalways want to speak Englishand this has obviously affectedus. Our children do not know ourlanguage; they have forgottenour culture so it has affected usto a large extent. If you forgetyour language, you forget yourculture.”

Citing the India example,Mehta who is from Mumbaisaid: “In India, we have onenational language, Hindi, whichis compulsory. A student can thenchoose French or Sanskrit, oneof the oldest languages in theworld. So in what we call EnglishMedium Schools, everything istaught in English but Hindi iscompulsory for everybody andthe child can choose any otherlanguage of choice as third

If children aretaught in theirmother tongue atthe early stages,they willunderstand thesubjects better andsubsequently dowell in exams

A Chinese pupil in the learning process using mother tongue

PRIMARY, SECONDARY EDUCATION:

The case for instructionin mother tongue

Don seeksbetter teachingmethods intertiaryinstitutions

PG. 27

IN recent years, the percentage of candidates who pass theWest African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE)has been hovering between 20.73 per cent and 31.28 per cent.Many reasons have been adduced to explain this trend. One isthat students no longer study due to so many distractions,especially from the social media. Interestingly, some people feelthat the major issue is lack of comprehension of the medium ofinstruction which is the English language. There is nogainsaying the fact that if the medium of instruction is not wellunderstood, there is no way a student will comprehend thesubjects well enough to pass exams.

This group believes that if children are taught in their mothertongue at the early stages, they will understand the subjectsbetter and subsequently do well in exams. Perhaps, inrecognition of the crucial role of language in education, theNigerian National Policy on Education stipulated that“Government will see to it that the medium of instruction inprimary school is initially the mother tongue or the language ofthe immediate community and at a later stage, English.” In thisreport, Vanguard Learning presents the opinions and possiblesolutions to the national embarrassment proffered bystakeholders Excerpts:

IN 2010, only 24.94% ofcandidates who sat for the

CMYK

26—Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

Continues from page 25

Physics award and lessonsfrom Albert Einstein on reform

By Tunji Olaopa

Nigerian indigenous languagescould be used in line with theYoruba example especiallybecause of the spectacularsuccess that the experimentachieved. (Bamgbose, 1992)

The Adamawa/AUN caseDr. Margee Ensign, president

of AUN said the computerstudents of AUN wrote apps forteaching Hausa and Fulfulde“because people want to learn intheir mother tongues.”

Coordinator of AUN’sSTELLAR program, Dr. GraceMalgwi, indicated that thereason STELLAR is successful isbecause the tutors who are AUNstudents teach using a bilinguallanguage (English/Hausa). And over 1,400 child beneficiariesin the primary schools haveimproved in their basic readingand numeracy skills.

Result from the program showsthat during early learning,children in rural areas learn fasterin their local language.

“The goal of STELLAR is tostrengthen the basic academicskills of primary school studentsin Adamawa State so that theycontinue successfully in schooland reap the full benefits ofeducation.

Based on a study, in October2013, STELLAR administered anEarly Grade ReadingAssessment (EGRA) to 180Primary 2 and 3 pupils in twoschools in Yola as the baselineassessment for its fall semestertutoring program. The resultsshowed very low levels ofreading proficiency, with Primary2 pupils reading on average only

0.38 words per minute (wpm)and Primary 3 pupils only 6.10wpm (compared to 51 and 71wpm, respectively, for grade-level equivalent in the US).

The low achievement ratescome as no surprise to those whorecognise the critical role oflanguage in education. Although English is the ‘official’language in Nigeria, and themost common medium forreading and writing, it is onlyspoken by 20% of the population.

Of the 208 primary schoolpupils interviewed in theSTELLAR tutoring program in2012, only 4% reportedly speakEnglish at home. The mostcommon home languages wereHausa (44%) and Fulfulde (27%);the remaining 25% spoke one of15 other languages.

Malgwi noted that theSTELLAR program is an after-school program that fortifies thefoundation of a child’s educationin the primary school.

Educationfor All (EfA)

Education for All can only bepossible if children are taught intheir mother tongue. Accordingto Global Partnership forEducation, “some educatorsargue that only those countrieswhere the student’s firstlanguage is the language ofinstruction are likely to achievethe goals of EfA. Research alsosuggests that engagingmarginalised children in schoolthrough mother-tongue-based,multilingual education is asuccessful model.”

There is need to get thefoundation right because if thefoundation is not right, the entirestructure will collapse.Institutional educationresearchers in Nigeria, therefore,need to explore measures andbest solutions to fortify the earlylearning years of the Nigerianchild using their mother tongue.

Angelina Kioko concluded that,“the use of learners’ homelanguage in the classroompromotes a smooth transitionbetween home and school. Itmeans learners get moreinvolved in the learning processand speeds up the developmentof basic literacy skills.

Children whoseprimary languageis not thelanguage ofinstruction inschool are morelikely to drop outof school or failin early grades

AWARDS: From left: Mr Tunji Idowu, Manager, Chevron Social Performance and Planning,Mrs Clementina Aroubi, Steve Freeman, Director, Gas, Chevron, Mrs Margaret Neff, Hon.Obafela Bankole and Master Ukaegbu Christopher, winner, senior category, NNPC/Chevron,National Art Competition for Nigerian Secondary Schools,during unveiling of its winners atMuson Centre, Lagos.

ON Tuesday 6th of October, theNigerian Institute of Physics(NIP) conferred on me its covetedAward of Excellence during theNIP 38th Annual Conferenceheld at Olabisi OnabanjoUniversity, Ago Iwoye. In myacceptance speech, I hadoccasion to reflect on one of myheroes, the renowned NobelLaureate and mathematicalphysicist, Albert Einstein and hisinfluence on my intellectualdevelopment.

Permit me therefore to sharewith you how Physics and theideas by great Physicists haveinfluenced my personalexperiences and helped shapethe person that I am today. Areflection on how my intellectualdevelopment was shaped bylessons from the great geniusmathematical physicist, AlbertEinstein.

Being nominated for an awardof this kind is a most pleasantsurprise to me as it should be tomany who are familiar with mydisciplinary orientation as apublic intellectual.

Just like the ancients wonderedwhether Saul who later becameking in the era of Prophet Samuelin the Bible was also a prophet,some would rightly wonder, whathas Tunji Olaopa got to do withphysics? I suspect that mostpeople in the NIP must also havewondered too.

I would never have imaginedthat such an illustrious gatheringof theoretical beings like thosewho populate the NigerianInstitute of Physics would everhave the time in the world tonotice mere mortals like me whoare involved in the drudgery ofmaking the wheel of the Nigerianstate run. But it seems as if I hadbeen dragged by the force of anelectronic/digital policycompulsion into the hallowedcompany of those who have thelikes of Isaac Newton and AlbertEinstein as forebear and thecurrent Lucacian Professor ofTheoretical Physics atCambridge, Stephen Hawking,as contemporaries.

It was the very thought ofStephen Hawking that set methinking when I received thenotification for this award. I havereceived several awards, most of

which have some kind ofconnections with what I am andwhat I do as a civil servant, apublic administration scholar anda reformer.

In some published articles—collected in my forthcomingbook, Civil Service and theImperative of Nation Building—I raised the question of what itmeans to honour a reformer, andhow those honours factor intowhat reform itself means. In otherwords, I asked whether rewardsand honours and awards evercapture the essence of the reformbusiness. Can a reformer crediblyreceive an honour when thebusiness of reform never finishes?However, this award affects medifferently, and definitely not asa reformer. It reaches farther backinto the very constitution of whoI am as a person, and myevolution as an intellectual.

Fortunately for me, it was myfather who set me on a path ofno return into the complex andexciting world of ideas. I said‘fortunately’ because that courseof my life was not what wasintended by my parents. Laterevents in my life, after the seedof intellectual awareness hadbeen planted, revealed that myparents only desired a son whowill make a good life decision forhimself.

Reading of Plato'sRepublic

When I decided, after readingPlato’s Republic, that I wanted tobecome a philosopher, myparents could not see a viable jobprospect attached to that “foolish”desire. Yet, he had no idea thatwhat led to that not-so-foolishdecision was his own doing.

I remember that my firstintroduction to the word ‘genius’was when my father used it tocharacterize Prof. OjetunjiAboyade. So, hearing that he wasa genius naturally sent mescrambling for the dictionary.

As an example of a genius, thedictionary cited Albert Einstein.And from then on, Einsteinbecame my titular model of thebest anyone can ever be in life,and the best I want to be. Thename of Einstein and everythingI finally read about him becamethe instigator for the unfoldingof my personal temperament asa borderline introvert givenmainly to nurturing the inner self.

It was in the course of suchnurturing that I got introducedto Soyinka, Achebe, BertrandRussell, Lobsang Rampa,Mandela, Dag Hammarskjöld,Albert Schweitzer, Karl Popper,Gandhi, and many others. I hadmet Plato earlier and I had nodoubt then and now, that I wantto be at the forefront ofgenerating ideas that could berevolutionary enough totransform nations.

And I should not forget to saythat I read Stephen Hawking too.A Brief History of Time, for

Can a reformercredibly receivean honourwhen thebusiness ofreform neverfinishes?

The case for instruction in mother tongue

Continues on Page 28

CMYK

language.”On whether children

understand better in their locallanguage, Mehta answered inthe affirmative, noting, however,that it is up to parents to teachthem.

“A child grows with a languageof his own. If you are born intoan Igbo family, you definitelyhave to learn Igbo becauseeveryone speaks the language athome but when the parentsthemselves do not speak thelanguage, that is where theproblem starts because once yougo to school, you are going tolearn English whether you likeit or not but the mother tonguewhich you are going to startlearning from year one, starts fromwhen you start talking.”

In his contribution, Mr. AmedDemirhan, General Manager/Director at Barzani NationalMemorial, Kurdistan, Iraq, saidthat in Kurdistan, Kurdish ismostly used in primary andsecondary schools especiallly inteaching social sciences whilesciences are taught in English.Also Arabic is used. English ismostly used in the universities.

The Ifeexample

Citing the Ife example in whichthe Faculty of Education of theUniversity of Ife (now ObafemiAwolowo University) performedan experiment in the 70s calledSix-Year Primary Project (SYPP),Oke noted that Yoruba was usedas medium of instruction whileEnglish was taught by speciallytrained teachers. “In someparallel schools, however, themedium of instruction wasEnglish in the last three yearswhile Yoruba was used asmedium of instruction only in thefirst three years. At the end of thesix-year period, the pupils whowere taught in Yoruba performedbetter than their counterpartswho were taught in Yoruba in thefirst three years and in Englishin the last three years, inpractically all subjects includingEnglish.

“The adoption of the SYPPapproach in formal education forthe whole of Nigeria would meanthat all the major and main

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015 — 27

IN line with theunderstanding reached

during a recent advisory visit tothe Executive Secretary andManagement of the NationalUniversities Commission, theExecutive Governor of PlateauState, Rt. Hon. Simon BakoLalong inaugurated, on 3rdSeptember, 2015, a newGoverning Council for thePlateau State University(PLASU), Bokkos, under theChairmanship of ProfessorAttahiru M. Jega, OFR.

In his welcome remarks,Governor Lalong said that theinauguration of the GoverningCouncil was significant becauseit highlighted his Government’sresolve to use education as apotent tool for the emancipationof the citizenry. He recalled thatin his campaign promises andsubsequent inaugurationaddress, he had declared that thePLASU had no business with thetoddler state of existence that it

Plateau State varsity’s governingcouncil inaugurated

had found itself, especially onaccount of the incessantinterference in the administrationof the University, the result ofwhich was its inability to enjoyany growth beyond its take off,or get accreditation for itsprogrammes or even graduatestudents, ten years after itsestablishment.

Governor Lalong noted, withregret, that the institution, whichstarted very well with the activesupport of the ExecutiveSecretary of NUC in 2005, hadseen only one, out of four Vice-Chancellors, complete histenure. This was in spite of therecommendations and theinterventions of high-poweredCommittees of the NUC, led byProfessor Chiedu Mafiana andEmeritus Professor Peter Adeniyi,respectively.

The Governor renewed thedetermination of the Plateau StateGovernment to reposition theUniversity and guaranteeacademic freedom, through theprovision of adequate finance.

DR. Gboyega Adebayo,Acting Head, Department

of Physics, College of PhysicalSciences (COLPHYS), FederalUniversity of Agriculture,Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has beencommended for instituting twoendowment funds through theaward of annual prizes toexcellent students in the areas ofSolid State Physics andCondensed Matter Physics.

A renowned Professor of SolidPhysics, Erio Tosatti, lauded Dr.Adebayo’s initiative, saying hehad encouraged and supportededucation and the scientificupbringing of young peopleupon which high academicstandards for the future would bebuilt.

Professor Tosatti lauded Dr.Adebayo, while dedicating theProfessor Abdus Salam First

Physics lecturer gets commendation

Endowment and Prize forPhysics, added that “we,scientists are first of all men andwomen. Our community onlyflourishes, besides scientific workon discoveries and contacts,proportionally to the amount ofhuman love and respect, we putin the relationships amongourselves, independent ofborders and limits.

The work which I, and indeedmost of us at the InternationalCentre for Theoretical Physics(ICTP) and in the InternationalSchool for Advanced Studies(SISSA), Italy, carry out everyday, is really person-to-personwork as much as it is scientific”.He, also, admonished Dr.Adebayo to keep the flag flyingand continue to be a shiningexample to others.

Local, international excursions, part oflearning— Expert

this excursion will also have anopportunity to tour USuniversities in order to startdeveloping a plan for theiruniversity studies. “SeniorSecondary students excursionsare focused on leadership anduniversity or college preparationwhile the Junior Secondarystudents excursions are focused

on increasing global awareness.The exposure that the excursionsprovide gives pupils acompetitive edge towardsuniversity admission and a keenself confidence, which resultsfrom the newly acquiredknowledge that they have theskills necessary to compete withany student in the world.’’

IT was excitement galore atthe Just Media Studio in

Ogba area of Lagos during therecording of one of the episodesof the maiden edition of theCowbellpedia Mathematics QuizCompetition as some studentswere emotionally overwhelmedto the extent that they freelyshed tears of joy.

Winners in the junior andsenior secondary schoolcategories of the TV quizcompetition are to be unveiledon Monday, November 2, 2015.

Speaking at the semi-finals ofthe competition, some of thestudents applauded PromasidorNigeria Limited for the concertedefforts at encouraging studentsto take more interest inmathematics which they allagreed is a foundation subject forall sciences

Out of the 34,000 students thatparticipated in the competition,only 12 have made it to the finals.There are six finalists in the juniorsecondary school category andsix finalists in the seniorsecondary school category.

Those who qualified in thejunior category are: AbdulmueezYusuf (Nigerian TurkishInternational College, Abuja);Munachi Ernest-Eze (LoyolaJesuit College, Abuja); Ajoke

Taiwo (Scholars UniversalSecondary School, Ota); OlabisiBello (Dansol High School, AcmeCrescent); Ayomide Fadipe(Loyola Jesuit College); andEvans Owamoyo (GreaterTomorrow International College,Arigidi).

Similarly, Joshua Mukot(Emilis Academy, Calabar);Inibehe Otoho (TopfaithInternational Secondary School,Mkpatak, Akwa Ibom State);Titilayo Adewale-Fasoro(Hallmark Secondary School,Itanla, Ondo State); MariamSanni (Ota Total Academy, Ota);Ayomide Kamaldeen (LoyolaJesuit College, Abuja); andAyodeji Akinkuowo (AdeyemiDemonstration Secondary School,Ondo) made it to the final stage inthe senior category.

Speaking on his impression, oneof the finalists, Munachi Ernest-Eze,a 13-year old student of Loyola JesuitCollege, Abuja commendedPromasidor Nigeria Ltd forsponsoring the competition throughone of its brands - Cowbell.

While also stating that he has beengood in mathematics, heacknowledged that theCowbellpedia competition hasenhanced his interest in thesubject. He also commended theMathematics teachers of thedifferent participating schools for

A LECTURER with theUniversity of Jos, Prof.Bonaventure Haruna hascalled for improved method ofteaching in tertiary institutionsin the country which wouldensure better ways ofinteraction between studentsand lecturers.

Prof. Haruna who is the Headof the Political ScienceDepartment, University of Josalso noted that the “chalk andtalk” method used in teachingpost graduate programmes inNigerian universities arelimiting hence the need for theimproved method.,

Speaking yesterday in Jos ata review workshop tagged,“Using Innovative Teachingand Learning Methods forGraduate programmes” withemphasis on the Mastersprogramme in Research andPublic Policy, (MRPP),,

Don seeks better teachingmethods in tertiary institutions

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Cowbellpedia quiz contestexcites students

EXHIBITION: From Left; Team leader, Olukoya Olusanya; Material Engineer, MohammedAdelakun; Body sculpture, Opetunde Oluwaseyi; Mechanical Research, Ademola Adekunle; Designand Analysis, Maduka Smart; Admin services, Peace Omoruyi; Public Relations, Ebenezer Christopher,students of University of Lagos, Faculty of Engineering and members of Project Dove Initiative at theluncheon and exhibition of Project Dove Initiative's electric car tagged DOVE P1, at Julius Berger Hall,UNILAG.

By Chiebuka Enwerem

By Dayo Adesulu

* he added that the newmethod has become imperativebecause the era where theteacher thinks that he knows itall had gone.,

His words, “In the curriculumdevelopment process, we havespent a long time ondiscussing teaching methodsthat go significantly beyond thestandard “chalk and talk” stylelectures. In this regard, theMRPP wants to set itself apartfrom existing programsbecause of a commitment todrawing upon the last 20 yearsof research focused on thescience of teaching andlearning.

“Just as we wantgovernment officials to drawupon research-basedknowledge in their decision-making, so do we want to drawupon research-basedknowledge in how we form anddeliver courses.

CMYK

By Tare Youdeowei

VICE President, LencolHR & Educational

Consultants, Mrs Sharon Webleyhas disclosed that local andinternational excursions areintegral part of a child’s totaleducation. Speaking at aninteractive session withjournalists in Lagos, Webleysaid:"Excursions to schoolsabroad strengthen teaching andexpose pupils to the skills andopportunities necessary tocompete with internationalacademic standards."

She explained that thus far,Nigerian students who wereopportune to have participatedin the Lencol HR & EducationalConsultants excursions hadsince broadened their horizonsin knowledge.

Writingworkshops

According to her, “theseexcursions have been givingNigerian students theopportunity to be part ofinternational writing workshops,international university tours,student leadership trainings,international camping events,sports, academic camps andmany more, which deliver alifetime of global awareness andinternational exposure.

During this excursion, theSenior Secondary students willtour the campuses of severaluniversities and have anopportunity to meet withadmissions staff and collegestudents. Students will hear skillsdevelopment lectures and visitseveral tourist attractions.

"The Junior Secondary Schoolstudents will visit their peers atseveral US schools. They willinteract both socially andacademically and oftenathletically. Students opting for

28—Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

Switching to publicpower, turning offgenerator now easier

THE Catholic Archbishopof Lagos, Reverend Dr.

Alfred Adewale Martins, hassaid the newly establishedCatholic Church-owneduniversity, AugustineUniversity, will contributeimmensely to meeting theneeds of personal, social andeconomic development ofNigerians and the nation atlarge.

Speaking to journalistsduring a tour of facilities atthe university, ArchbishopMartins said the universitywil l epitomise the nobletradition of Catholic highereducation in seeking toachieve intellectual, cultural,moral and spiri tualexcellence.

He said: “these would beachieved through the pursuitof a broad spectrum ofacademic disciplines as weseek to produce scholars whoare imbued with the love ofuniversal truth towards theservice of God and humanity.

“Augustine Universi typrovides faci l i t ies fortraining, learning and

Augustine varsity to meeteducational needs of Nigerians— Archbishop

By Amaka Abayomi

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

research that wouldpromote the advancementof knowledge and i tspractical application tosocial, political, cultural,economic, scientific andtechnological problems.”

The university would bedeveloped in three phases,with the first phase costingN7bn while phases twoand three will gulp N9bn.

Adequateconcentration

Built on 150 hectares ofland in the quiet Ilaracommunity of Epe Town,Augustine University willaccommodate 500 studentswho would all reside on thecampus so as to ensureadequate concentrationwith minimal outsideinterference.

It also boasts of first classteaching and learningmethods with multi-mediafaci l i t ies and internetaccess to aid research andlearning. The universityhas nine departments andwould run 13 programmes.

By Ebele Orakpo

TECHNOLOGY, definedas the application of

scientific knowledge forpractical purposes, no doubt,seeks to make life easier forman. In Nigeria where fordecades, the electric powergenerator has become part ofour national life as almostevery household generates itsown power using thegenerator, the stress of goingto turn off the generator whenthe public power supply isrestored was not fun to somany people. To reduce thisstress, Mr. Olawuyi AkinloluEmmanuel, the MD/CEO ofA’Óne & Co Electrical Workswith offices in Abuja andAkure, Ondo State, came upwith a solution. In this chatwith Vanguard Learning, theElectrical Electronicstechnician talks about hisinnovation, the AutomaticChange over device. Excerpts:

Background“I studied at Don Bosco

Technical Institute Akure andfinished in 2009. I went on toThe Polytechnic Owo where Igraduated with Ordinary

Automatice change-over device. Right is Mr. Akinlolu Olawuyi Emmanuel, the innovator

When therelay sensesthat there islight, itautomaticallytrips off thegenerator andlight comes on

National Diploma (OND) inElectrical Electronics. After myindustrial training, I sat downto think of the next step to takeusing the knowledge I hadacquired from the technicalschool and the polytechnic. Icame up with this device,Automatic change-overdevice,”said Emmanuel.

The device“Before now, most people

used the manual change-overfrom generator to the publicpower supply but I thoughtthere must be a better way. Ifelt that instead of goingoutside or downstairs tochange over manually, we canhave a device that will do itautomatically and even turn offyour power generator once the

public power supply isrestored. So, what this devicedoes is to change fromgenerator to public powersupply and turn off thegenerator automatically whenpower is restored.”

Capacity“The device comes in

different capacities — over 100amps, 100 amps, and somebelow 100 amps capacity. The100 amps device canconveniently be used in a two-bedroom flat with airconditioners. In industries,higher capacities are needed.There is also the 80 ampscapacity automatic change-overfor homes.”

DurabilitySaid Emmanuel: “The change-

over device is durable. There areimported change-over devicesbut they do not last. This locallymade device is durable. I havemade it for so many people andone of them who was using animported one told me it lastedfor only six months but the locallymade ones last very long.”

How it works“If we want to install this

automatic change-over device ina home, we remove the manualchange-over and connect all thewires connected to the manualchange-over to the terminal

connector of the automaticchange-over device. Thenthere will be a wire from thedevice down to the generatorso when there is light, theautomatic change-over devicesenses it with the help of arelay inside and when therelay senses that there islight, it will automatically tripoff the generator and lightcomes on. There is no goingto change over manually or toturn off the generator,” hesaid.

Components“We have the leaves,

contactors, transformers,indicator light, push buttonsand wires all purchased fromthe local market.”

example, stands as a classicexample of how a complex ideacan actually become a simplebeauty in the hand of someoneacquainted with the idea. It wassuch intellectual companions thatmade it possible for me, even asa young ‘Grammar school’ boyto stand distinct amidst myfriends. All my upkeep wasalways going into savings thatwould be spent on gatheringmany more books that kept meawake late into the night. DonMarquis, the US writer, oncenoted that an idea isn’tresponsible for the people whobelieve in it.

Well, I agree but then the lifeof the mind is not a decision aperson makes; it is already madeon There are three significantlessons Einstein taught me. Thefirst is the potent content andconsequences of ideas. It took mea long while before it dawned onme that ideas aren’t just thesimple and harmless products ofa fertile mind. Ideas aredangerous! Ordinarily, the mostfamous scientific notations in theworld—Einstein’s E=mc2—would be a mere combination ofmathematical symbols. Yet, theworld became aware of its terribleforce when the atomic bombpummeled Hiroshima andNagasaki in a bid to end a warthat was fought with the productsof the human mind.

The second lesson I learnt fromEinstein is surprisingly religious.It is surprising because Einsteinis taken to have dangled betweenatheism and agnosticism. Yet, hewas noted to have made thefamous statement: ‘God does notplay dice with the universe.’ Hisnotion of God is a reference to amathematically coherent beingwho formulated the laws of naturewith simplicity, elegance andbeauty. Thus, thesemathematically beautiful physicallaws, according to Einstein,suggest that such a God couldafford to play dice; the creationof the universe was not an act ofrandom probability.

Randomprobability

Where Einstein saw a deusabsconditus, a creator whoabandoned its mathematicallyfunctioning universe, I see thehand of Providence at work in thesame beautiful universe. ForAlfred de Vigny, the French, ‘Thetrue God, the mighty God, is theGod of ideas.’

The creation of the universewas the effect of theconglomeration of so many ideasissuing from the eternal mind ofGod. I did not arrive at the ideaof reform by chance. I was led,kicking and screaming to it. Bytemperament, I am anintrospective, even

philosophical, person. I ambasically concerned and I daresay, compelled, by thearchitecture and force of ideas. Ihad assumed very early in lifethat the university was the bestplace for me to mature andachieve my fulfillment.

I love some measure of comfortand the material convenience oflife that creates the ambience forlearning, financialindependence that confers theconfidence to take up publicservice offers on one’s ownterms, but I love ideas the more.

These ideas, as Robert Pirsigargues, are patterns of value thatsuperimpose themselves on thesociety. Thus, in spite of my lovefor the academia, Providence ledme to the civil service and itsmatrix of dysfunction.

Here, I confront Einstein’s thirdlesson: ideas are equallyreformatory. Despite the closeaffinity between the E=mc2,Einstein was rabidly pacifist. Forhim, we need peace and not war;nuclear fission and fusion canpower the society rather thandestroying it.

The Nigerian civil serviceforced on me the urgency ofconverting my thoughts intoreforming dynamics that expandpossibilities. And this has definedmy labour for the past twenty fiveyears. I am definitely not agenius, like Albert Einstein orStephen Hawking.

Physics award and lessons from Albert Einstein on reform

Continues from Page 26

CMYK

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015 —29

The Ile-Ife and Yoruba of my dream, byOoni-elect, Adeyeye Ogunwusi (2)

THIS area needs to be properly addressed to ensure

our youths are well engaged invarious professional and voca-tional pursuits. Today, and to theglory of God, I have been ener-gized to rehabilitate and take offthe streets several thousands ofyouths by providing them withgainful employment. Further-more, we shall set up a founda-tion that will support post wareffects and the rebuilding of wartorn Ife and Modakeke.

Thereafter there shall neverbe war again. I stand firmly forpeace and unity between Ifeand Modakeke and I guaran-tee that this peace and unity willtranscend into economic andsocial benefits for everyone.Similarly, we shall use this stoolto unify the entire Yoruba race;there shall be no division, nosupremacy or animosityamongst us, we are all from theone and the same source-GodAlmighty.

Coming to the throne is aclarion call to heed my selflessdesire to serve the people of Ile-Ife, the Yoruba race and all ofhumanity. We will use the stoolto provide a lot of opportunitiesto invest in the youths throughmentor-ship and empowermentprogrammes that will furthertake thousands off the streets ona gradual basis.

Mentorshipprogramme

Youths all over the countrywill be eligible for the mentor-ship programme and Ife will bethe pilot model. We will use thestool to transpose Ile-Ife into thetwenty-first century and withthe use and influence of socialmedia we are ‘set’ for his trans-formation. Sons and daughtersof Ife and Ife enthusiasts aroundthe world will have an input inthe building of the New Ife City,‘NIC’ through constructivefeedback. ‘Socially’, we are ‘set’to revive and promote Ile-Ife asa tourist destination.

‘Economically’ we are ‘set’ toincrease our industrial footprintsto give Ife the much desiredfacelift and ‘Traditionally’ we are‘set’ to redefine the kingshipsystem by blending modernityinto our cultural values andpractices and our tradition ofthousands of years will stand.Plans are well under-way to re-vitalize Ife in the areas of sports,mining, agriculture, real estate,tourism and rapid industrializa-tion. To achieve this transforma-tion, a brand new platformnamed ‘House Of OduduwaResources Limited’ has beenestablished to stimulate the en-

tire economy of Ile-Ife with apositive impact on the entireYoruba race and our nation as awhole. ‘House Of OduduwaResources Limited’ will betasked with rebuilding Ife intothe ‘New Ife city’, NIC.

However, this is a herculeantask which can only be achievedwith the support of all well-meaning technocrats, sons anddaughters of Ile-Ife in Nigeriaand in the Diaspora and all lov-ers of Ife. My fervent desire isto grow ‘House Of OduduwaResources Limited’ into one ofthe biggest corporations out ofAfrica, likewise uniting all lov-ers of Ife with the people of Ife.Earlier this year, I acquaintedthe youths of Ile-Ife of my plansto replicate the truly Nigerianproject, Inagbe Grand ResortsLagos, Nigeria (almost hun-

most Oba in Yoruba race shouldbe healthy and ordained of God.There is also the Ifa divinationthat also synthesizes the proc-ess, just in case human beingsare partial. Rather, some peo-ple resorted to dangerous at-tacks, wicked lies, malicious in-sinuations and vigorous cam-paign of calumny. Why would Ifail to forgive them when allcame to nought and the goodpeople and governments of Ifeand State of Osun saw throughthese unfair games and choseme as the prestigious Ooni ofIfe.

Therefore, I am coming to seta good example and show the

Ooni elect, Adeyeye Ogunwusi

Edited by Adeleke Adeseri08054682557 (SMS only)

world that I am truly called byGod to lead Ile-Ife into a stateof tranquillity, conscientious-ness and prosperity. It is my fer-vent prayer that the Lord willcontinue to guide us all andbestow us with great wisdom tocarry out our incumbent tasks.

I use this opportunity to callon all the sons of Ile-Ife thatwere alongside me in the racefor the stool to heed to my calland let’s work harmoniously toalign our goals for the sake ofposterity and Ile-Ife. Togetherwe shall not lose sight of the val-ues and tradition that havemade us the greatest nation ofblack people on earth.

I come before you all today asa man pledging his unwaver-ing commitment to his Kingdomand his people that I cannot dothis alone; without you all thereis no me “I will serve you allwith everything I have”. Longlive Ile-Ife; long live the Yorubarace, long live the House ofOduduwa, and God Bless theFederal Republic of Nigeria.

dred percent of raw materialsused are locally sourced) in Ile-Ife. Inagbe Grand Resorts is thefirst of its kind and will soon bethe most sought after resort des-tination in all of West Africa.

I have developed an incred-ible master plan for the pro-posed ‘Ife Grand Resorts’ whichwill be an off shoot of ‘InagbeGrand Resorts Lagos’. The ‘IfeGrand Resort’ project and the‘NIC’ initiative was conceivedto attract young men andwomen, businesses, corporateorganization, investors, holidaymakers, lovers of Ife and Ife inDiaspora to a comfortable am-bience to stay when they areaway from home. This will con-tinually put Ile-Ife, the cradleof black civilization on the maplikewise showcasing many ar-tefacts about the Yoruba race,hence creating a steady influxof people into Ile-Ife.

The time has come for us toembrace our true heritage asthe progeny of Oduduwa andthe task of modernizing Ile-Ifeis yours and mine. I am highlyhonoured to have been chosento fill the stool that great menonce occupied; history and Iwill forever remember this day.I use this opportunity to paytribute to Oba Adesoji Aderemiand Oba Okunade Sijuwade;these monarchs were colossusthat redefined the monarchywith touch of diligence, el-egance and gravitas that tra-versed so many culturalboundaries. They were greatfathers to me and I will forevermiss and honour them.

I am not coming to the throneto pass judgment on those thathave maliciously wronged me.But then, I should think that abid to be enthroned as the fore-

This is the concluding part of the piece by the Ooni-elect, Adeyeye Ogunwusi. In the first instalmentwhich was published yesterday, Ogunwusi indicated intention to set up a foundation that will supportpost war effects and the rebuilding of war-torn Ife and Modakeke, and assured that there shall neverbe war again

The time has comefor us to embrace ourtrue heritage as theprogeny of Oduduwaand the task of mod-ernizing Ile-Ife isyours and mine

CMYK

30—Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015—35

The president hasno power orresponsibility underour federal system towatch over oroversee the state andlocal governments toensure that they donot commitcorruption

UNDERLYING thedefinition above is the

principle of the autonomy of eachtier of government. Autonomyrefers to three things, viz a viz •autonomy (i.e. independencefrom control or direction) in thechoice of rulers and in theexercise of power over matterswithin the exclusive competenceof the Federation or State;

• Absence of power in theFederation or States to conferpowers (including functions) orimpose duties on thefunctionaries of the other unlesssuch is authorised by theconstitution; and • non-interference in the managementof each other’s affairs, whichrequires that, whilst keepingwithin the limits of its powers, theexercise of power over matterswithin the competence of theFederation or the States should

maintenance of the federalsystem of government in aterritorially large and culturallydiverse community is far morefundamental and overriding thanthe maintenance of the plenitudeof the Federation’s or the States’power over any one particularmatter. On the principle ofmutual non-interference, see myFederalism in Nigeria, Sweet &Maxwell 1983, reprinted in 2003,pages 3 – 17.

Happily, these principles arefirmly rooted in a long line ofdecisions of the courts, too manyto be all noted here.

Decisionsof the courts

But there is one such decisionso directly in point here, whichmust be mentioned andexpatiated upon, namelyAttorney-General of Abia State &Ors v. Attorney-General of the

the Accountant-General of theFederation; and (f) arepresentative of the StateRevenue Board (section 1(2)).

The functions of the Committeeare (i) to ensure prompt paymentinto the State Joint LocalGovernment Account ofallocations made to the localgovernment councils in the Statefrom the Federation Account bythe State Government, and thatthe funds so paid are distributedto the said councils in accordancewith the provisions of theConstitution and any law madein that behalf by the State Houseof Assembly; (ii) to monitor thepayment and distribution so asto ascertain the actual amountpaid to each local governmentcouncil (section 2). Monthlyreturns must be rendered by theCommittee to the FederationAccount Allocation Committeewhich shall scrutinize them andin turn render quarterly returnsthrough the Accountant-Generalof the Federation to each Houseof the National Assembly (section3) while the Auditor-General ofthe Federation shall at the endof each financial year report toeach House of the NationalAssembly, “stating how themonies allocated to each State forthe benefit of the localgovernment councils within thestate… were spent.” (section 9).

The Act makes it a criminaloffence for any organ, authorityor official of a State, however

described or constituted, to alter,deduct or re-allocate fundsstanding to the credit of the StateJoint Local GovernmentAccount” (section 7(1) (emphasissupplied), and prescribes aspunishment therefor, “a fine twicethe amount altered, deducted orre-allocated illegally, orimprisonment for a term of fiveyears, or both such fine andimprisonment (section 7(3)). Andwhere there is default inallocation or distribution to anylocal government council, theamount involved in such default“shall be a first charge on theState’s next allocation from theFederation Account and shall becredited to the affected localgovernment” (section 7(2)).

The provisions of the Act set outabove (i.e. sections 1, 2, 3, 7 and9) were challenged in theoriginal jurisdiction of theSupreme Court by three StateGovernments, Abia, Delta andLagos, on the ground that theyare inconsistent with theConstitution and therefore nulland void: Att-Gen of Abia State& Ors v. Att-Gen of the Federation& Ors SC 99/2005 – the three suitswere consolidated into one.

Owner andpaymaster

The view underlying theprovisions of the Act is that themoney in the Federation Accountbelongs alone to the FederalGovernment which, as ownerand paymaster, has the powerand duty to ensure its properutilization and management bythe recipients of its largesse, i.e.the State and Local Governments.Such is certainly not the case.The Federation Account is acommon pool of revenuebelonging to all the governmentsalike, and sharing of it amongstthe joint owners is assigned tothe Federal Government by theConstitution for reasons ofexpediency. The Constitution ofa federal state cannot reasonablybe supposed to havecontemplated that, in thedischarge of that role, theFederal Government shouldprescribe terms or conditions soutterly at variance or subversiveof the very notion of federalismas a system of government.

Gratifyingly, the SupremeCourt, by a majority of five to two,declared unconstitutional, nulland void the provisions of the Act

By Ben Nwabueze

Map of Nigeria

some element of policing theState Governments.” “The word,”he maintains, “means to watch,to check. In terms of showingstrength of the FederalGovernment, it is a very arrogantword that spells some doom in afederal structure”: at pages 29 –30. (emphasis supplied)

The learned justice of theSupreme Court further affirmsthat the provision of the Act thatmakes two federal officersmembers of a state governmentcommittee “is antithesis tofederalism and to our federalarrangement” (at page 35), andthat the words “monitor” and“distribution” in section 2(b) ofthe Act “offend the federalarrangement in the Constitutionand the federal principle” (atpage 37).

Federalprinciple

Section 1 of the Act is declarednull and void on the additionalground that it duplicates section162(6) of the Constitution thatenjoins “each State…..[to]maintain a special account to becalled ‘State Joint LocalGovernment Account’ into whichshall be paid all allocations to thelocal government councils of theState from the FederationAccount and from theGovernment of the State”.

The Supreme Court also heldthat allocation of money from theAccount direct to localgovernment councils withoutchanneling it through the StateGovernments, which will thendivide and pay it over to theirlocal government councils, isunconstitutional, null and void,op.cit at pages 27 and 35.Accordingly, the provision ofsection 7(2) of the MonitoringAct which, it may be recalled,makes any amount by which aState Government is in defaultin its payments to any of its localgovernment councils a firstcharge on the StateGovernment’s next allocationfrom the Federation Account,which is then to be paid direct tothe local government councilconcerned. Certainly, thepayment in this case is not oneby the State Government to thelocal government council, asprovided by the Constitution.

that purport to invest theFederal Government withsupervisory role over theuse, management anddisbursement of moneyin the State Joint LocalGovernment Act, i.e.sections 2, 3, 7 and 9 ofthe Act. Justice Niki Tobi,delivering the judgmentof the Court, said thatthese provisions of the Act“are clearly against thefederal arrangement inthe Constitution”, andthat “it has traits ofunitarism”; further, that“the word ‘monitoring’used in the Act “conveys

under our federal system towatch over or oversee the stateand local governments to ensurethat they do not commitcorruption.

Back to the Monitoring ofRevenue Allocation to LocalGovernments Act 2005. The Actenjoins “each State of theFederation (to) establish a bodyto be known as the State JointLocal Government AccountAllocation Committee” (section1). The membership of theCommittee, as provided by theAct itself, includes (a) theCommissioner or any otherofficer charged withresponsibility for localgovernment in the State(Chairman); (b) a Commissionerof Revenue Mobilization,Allocation and FiscalCommission; (c) all Chairmen oflocal government councils in thestate; (d) the State Accountant-General; (e) a representative of

not in its practical effect, impede,frustrate, stultify or otherwiseunduly interfere with the other’smanagement of its affairs or itsmeaningful functioning as agovernment, e.g. themanagement of its finances, theappointment and control of itsstaff, the award of contracts forthe provision of services and otherprojects, the exercise of otheressential governmentalfunctions, like that of law-making,the execution of laws so made,and the adjudication of disputes- the principle of mutual non-interference, as it is called.

Of the two pillars of federalism– the ultra vires doctrine (i.e.keeping within the limits ofpowers) and the principle ofmutual non-interference – thelatter is definitely the morefundamental, since it is the basis,the foundation, of every federalsystem, truly so-called, withoutwhich a federal system cannotsurvive. The preservation and

Federation (2006). The caseconcerned theconstitutional validity of theMonitoring of RevenueAllocation to LocalGovernments Act 2005originated by formerPresident OlusegunObasanjo and enacted intolaw by the NationalAssembly.

•The president has nopower or responsibility

PRPRPRPRPROFOFOFOFOF..... BEN NW BEN NW BEN NW BEN NW BEN NWABABABABABUEZEUEZEUEZEUEZEUEZE

President Buhari

Fighting corruptionsubject toconsultationallimitations (2)

To be continued

This is the second part of the piece. In thefirst edition which was published yesterday,Prof. Nwabueze argued that the Presidentas chief executive of the federalgovernment, cannot lawfully arrogate tohimself the checking or oversight functionsimply because the constituttional agenciesentrusted with the function do not do thekirwork the way they are supposed tofunction.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015—31

CMYK

Pg 33Continues on page 32

ACCORDING to annualfigures from the United

Nations in 2014, there werealmost 60 million refugees andinternally displaced people(IDPs) around the globe rightnow. That is about one in every122 people worldwide. This isroughly the equivalent of theentire population of Italy.

The number of refugees andIDPs last exceeded 50 millionduring World War. However, thefigure was astonishing at thattime given that the globalpopulation was significantlysmaller then.

The ever-increasing number ofrefugees and IDPs poseenormous challenges to theinternational community and haseven proved capable of sparkingtensions in areas and regions thatwere previously untroubled.Simple requirements as to food,shelter, medical care and hygiene,through sheer quantitative needs,create huge logistical problemsfor the host government and

Do internally displaced people haverights under the law?

By CharlesAdeogun-Phillips

communities in terms ofprocurement, adequate andequal distribution. It is againstthis backdrop that thispresentation seeks to analyze thelegal protection available todisplaced persons and refugeeswith respect to their fundamentalhuman rights and recommendsome viable options for aresponsive and responsiblegovernment.

Responsiblegovernment

The United Nations (UN)Guiding Principles on InternalDisplacement persons IDPs aspersons or groups of persons whohave been forced or obliged to fleeor to leave their homes or placesof habitual residence in particularas a result of or in order to avoidthe effects of armed conflict,situations of generalized violence,violations of human rights ornatural or human-madedisasters, and who have notcrossed an internationallyrecognized State border.

Causes of Internal

Displacement: The causes ofdisplacement in Africa and otherparts of the world ranges fromnatural disasters, lack ofdevelopment, armed conflict orsituations of violence, poverty, theeffects of climate change, scarcityof resources, political instability,and weak governance and justicesystems. Of these instances, it isclear from the records that armedconflicts account for the root causeof the highest number ofdisplaced persons.

The Guiding Principles onInternal Displacement (GPID)

The Guiding Principles oninternally displaced personsdeveloped by the United NationsCommission on Human Rights(,Guiding Principles’j ‘) are thefirst international standardsspecifically tailored to the needsof IDPs. The Guiding Principlesare consistent with internationalhuman rights law andinternational humanitarian lawand to a large extent thus codifyand make explicit guarantees

protecting internally displacedpersons that are inherent in thesebodies of law.

The Guiding principlesprovides as follows:

Principle 3(1) provides thatnational authorities have theprimary duty and responsibilityto provide protection andassistance to IDPs within theirjurisdiction. This principle furtherstipulates that IDPs are entitledto enjoy full of rights andfreedoms like other persons in thecountry and shall not bediscriminated against because oftheir displacement.

Principle 4(2) acknowledgesthat certain groups of IDPs -especially unaccompaniedminors, expectant mothers,mothers with young children,female heads of household,persons with disabilities andelderly persons - may require

specific attention and goes furtherto address the issue of protectionfrom displacement. On this note,the principles articulate the rightnot to be arbitrarily displaced andspecify minimum guarantees tobe observed when displacementsare unavoidable.

The Guiding Principles alsoidentifies the full range of civil,political, economic, social andcultural rights that all persons,including IDPs, should enjoy.

Degradingtreatment

These include the rights statedin Principle 11(2) (a) - Namelythe right to be protected againstacts of violence, torture and cruel,inhuman or degrading treatmentor punishment as well as the rightto be protected against the use ofanti-personnel landminesprovided in Principle 10(2) (e).Principle 22(d) specificallyidentifies the right of IDPs to voteand to participate in governmentaland public affairs, whether or notthey are living in camps.

Principle 18 relates to the rightto an adequate standard of living,including ensuring safe access toessential food, potable water, basicshelter and housing as well asappropriate clothing andessential medical services andsanitation. The third section alsostates in (Principle 19(3) thatspecial attention should be givento the prevention of contagiousand infectious diseases, includingHIV, among

IDPs. The fourth section dealswith the issue of humanitarianassistance and specifies that

CCT, Federal High Court statusunder 1999 Constitution

On this note, theprinciples articulatethe right not to bearbitrarily displacedand specifyminimumguarantees to beobserved whendisplacements areunavoidable

•Some internally displaced people

32—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

EDITORIALTEAM

Innocent Anaba( Head)

Wahab AbdulahIkechukwu Nnochiri

Dayo Benson(Supervising Editor)

08056180119dayobenson@yahoo.com

Do internally displaced peoples have rights under the law?Continues from page 31

when governmental authoritiesare unable or unwilling to provideassistance to the displaced,international organizations havethe right to offer their services, andthat consent for them to do soshall not be arbitrarily withheld.

The final section of theGuiding Principles emphasizesthe importance of providing IDPswith long-term options, namelyvoluntary return in safety anddignity or resettlement in anotherpart of the country. It alsoemphasizes the importance ofensuring durable solutions,including the need to provideIDPs with reintegrationassistance, whether they return orresettle, and to ensure they haveequal access to public services.

In addition, this sectionexplains the duty of nationalauthorities to assist IDPs recoverthe property and possessions theylost upon displacement or, whenthis is not possible, to assist themin obtaining compensation oranother form of just reparation.

The Guiding Principles payspecial attention to the protection,assistance and reintegrationneeds of women and children.

Assistance andreintegration

These two groups typicallycomprise the overwhelmingmajority of displaced populations.They are currently estimated ascomprising 70-80% of the IDPpopulation worldwide.”

The Guiding Principles call forthe participation of women in theplanning and of relief supplies.They require special attention tobe paid to the health needs ofwomen, including access tofemale health care providers andservices, and special efforts bemade to ensure the full and equalparticipation of women and girlsin educational programmes.

They also prohibit sexualviolence, stress the need forfamily reunification, andhighlight the right of women toequal access to personal identityand other documentation and tohave such documentation issuedin their own names.

Principle 23 recognizes theright to education and states that

special efforts must be made toensure that women and girlsenjoy equal and full participationin educational programs. Inrelation to children, Principle 13(2) adds that under nocircumstances are children to berecruited or to be required orpermitted to take part inhostilities. Importantly, theGuiding Principles are beingused at the national level incountries affected by internaldisplacement. Particularlynoteworthy is the development ofnational laws and policies basedon the Principles.

Responsibility of Governmenton Internal Displacement

The task of addressing theproblem of internal displacementis primarily the responsibility ofnational governments. Aframework has been developedby the Brookings Institution -University of Bern project onInternal Displacement.

Internaldisplacement

This framework sets out thebenchmarks for an effectivenational response and identifiestwelve key steps for nationalauthorities to take in respondingto internal displacement.

These steps are: Prevention:Governments have aresponsibility to try to preventconditions on their territory thatmight compel populations to fleeas well as raising NationalAwareness for the Problem. Thegovernments have to createawareness through publicpronouncements about theproblems to build nationalconsensus and promote solidaritywith the displaced.

Data Collection: Governmentmust endeavour to keep accuratedata of the numbers, locationsand conditions of IDPs in order

to design effective policies andprograms. Data should bedisaggregated by age, gender,and other key indicators so thatthe specific needs of particulargroups are taken into account.

Training: Training programs forgovernment officials, includingcamp administrators, military andpolice, in the Guiding Principleson Internal displacement isessential for ensuring that theyare aware of the rights and needsof the displaced and their ownofficial duties to protect and assistthem.

A National Legal Framework:States have been encouraged byUnited Nations resolutions todevelop laws to uphold the rightsof IDPs, taking into account theGuiding Principles. A growingnumber of governments aroundthe world have been adoptingnew laws or revising existinglegislation.

A National Policy or Planof Action: A national policy cancomplement national legislation.The roles of national and localinstitutions in responding tointernal displacement should beclearly stated. Such nationalpolicy should extend to allrelevant branches of government-

national,local, military and police- and also to non-state actors whoalso must be held accountable.

National Institution FocalPoint: This could be by assigningresponsibility for internaldisplacement to governmentalagency or establishing an inter-departmental task force orcommittee.

National Human RightsInstitutions: These institutions areto work with governments toadopt and implement policies andlaws that respect the rights ofIDPs and also investigate reportsof violations of their rights in agiven country.

Violation oftheir rights

Participation of IDPs inDecision Making: Engagingdisplaced persons inconsultations and building upontheir skills is something oftenoverlooked but critical to aneffective response. Theparticipation of women canreduce their vulnerability tosexual extortion and violence.

Supporting Durable Solutions:Governments must ensure thatIDPs return voluntarily, in safetyand dignity, to their places ofhabitual residence or, if theychoose, to resettle in another partof the country. The governmentis to assist IDPs to recoverproperty and possessions orobtain compensation or

reparation.Allocation of Adequate

Resources: A responsiblegovernment must devote to theextent they can, resources toaddress situations of internaldisplacement.

Cooperation withInternational and RegionalOrganizations: A responsibleand responsive governmentshould invite or accept

international assistance,especially when the governmentin question does not haveadequate resources to tackle thechallenge of displacement.

Conclusion Internaldisplacement is undisputedly aserious challenge in the Africagenerally and the ECOWAS sub-region particularly. Somesignificant displacement criseshave controlled by the ending ofhostilities while many of the IDPsare still unable to return to theiroriginal place of residence andremain in unsafe conditions whilenew situations of internaldisplacement continues to occurs.

A responsible and responsivegovernment will have a lot to doto protect the IDPs, assistanceneeds and to find durablesolutions to their plight and toprevent further displacement fromtaking place. Responsiblenational governments are to firstand foremost, avoid situations thatwill lead to displacement.

They are to provide adequatesecurity for civilians resident inviolence-prone communitiesduring any crises and conflictsparticularly for those civilianswho are not engaged in theviolence.

Moreover, ones there aredisplaced persons, responsiblenational governments mustensure Governments are to alsoseek the collaboration of theinternational community andother non state actors to help themaddress the challenge ofresettling and providing fordisplaced person.

Based on the complexity of thechallenge posed by the crises ofinternal displacement, working inpartnership with regional andinternational bodies is essentialto ensure effective responses.

•Adeogun-Philips is managingpartner of Charles Anthonylawyers in Lagos

States have beenencouraged byUnited Nationsresolutions todevelop laws touphold the rightsof IDPs, takinginto account theGuiding Principles

•Some internally displaced people

CMYK

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015—33

A LAGOS based advertpractitioner, Mr. Louis

Okere has prayed a federalhigh court sitting in Lagos tocompel the appearance of aformer commissioner ofinformation in Imo State,Theodore Ekechi for allegedlydisobeying the court orderdirecting him to appear.

Okere had sued Ekechibefore Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia over his allegedrefusal to abide with the termsof settlement they bothreached in a consentjudgment in 2009 to resolvedthe ownership dispute over acompany, Marketing andMedia Limited, in which theywere both shareholders.

In the terms of settlement,the asset of the company,including money were sharedbetween Okere and Ekechi inthe ratio of 60 percent and 40percent, which was alsoendorsed by the court as itsjudgment.

Ownership dispute; Advert practitioner wants former partnerarrested

By Abdulwahab AbdulahWhen the matter came up

before the court, Ekechithrough his counsel, OlaOshikoya said that he hasalready filed an applicationseeking the stay of furtherproceedings in the suitpending the hearing anddetermination of an appeal heinstituted to challenge thesummons issued against him.

Challengingthe summons

Specifically, the courtordered the defendant to paythe plaintiff 60 percent of thesum of N202,846,420.89being the total worth or valueof the receivables due to thecompany and another N35million in three instalments.

In an affidavit in support ofhis suit, Okere howeverclaimed that even though thedefendant has earned enoughmoney since after thejudgement was entered toliquidate the judgement-debt,he has allegedly refused tofully comply with the

judgement.He also alleged that rather

than the combined totaljudgement sum ofN156,707,852.53 onlyN54,554,194.55 was paidleaving the sum ofN102,153,657.98 stilloutstanding.

The plaintiffs furthersubmitted that the judgment-debtor has no regard for thecourt and they have nointention of obeying the orderunless compelled by the court.

After listening to him, JusticeRita Ofili-Ajumogobia issued ajudgement Summons askingEkechi to appear before her tobe examined on oath on whyhe had refused to comply withthe consent judgement.

However, when the caseresumed for hearing thejudgment-debtor failed toappear in court, a developmentthat made Okere to asked thecourt to order his arrest. ButEkechi through his counsel, OlaOshikoya reaffirmed that the

defendant has filed anapplication seeking stay furtherproceedings in the suit pendingthe hearing and determinationof an appeal he instituted tochallenge the summons.According to him, since a validappeal has been filed before theLagos Division of the Court ofAppeal, the proceedings beforethe lower court will render hisappeal nugatory. Furtherhearing has been adjourned tillDecember 9.

GOVERNOR of LagosState, Mr. Akinwunmi

Ambode, former Supreme CourtJustice, George AdesolaOguntade, former President,Nigerian Bar Association (NBA),Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN)and current NBA President,Augustine Alegeh (SAN) are

among guests expected to gracethe First Late Hon. Justice AfolabiLeigh-Balogun, MemorialLecture today, at the BanquetHall, Nigerian Law School,Victoria Island, Lagos.

Justice Balogun (OFR)was amember of the 1979 ConstitutionDrafting Committe (CDC) and ajudge of the Lagos High Court.

According to the Chairman,

Memorial Lecture OrganizingCommittee, Mr. Yemi Peters, thetitle of the lecture is; “Law As AnInstrument of Social Change”.While Governor Ambode is theSpecial Guest of Honour, JusticeOguntade is expected to be theevent’s chairman and theKeynote Speaker is ChiefOlanipekun. NBA PrsidentAlegeh will give the closingremarks.

Late Justice Leigh-Balogun first memorial lectureholds today

By Ebere Aham

CCT, Federal HighCourt status under1999 Constitution

By Jiti Ogunye

•Ogunye

FROM the above provisions of the 5th Schedule,

it is luminously clear thatthe CCT is a sui generis Courtor Tribunal. It is a specialcourt of its own kind.

The Chairman and membersof the CCT are appointed bythe President, based on therecommendation of the NJC.If they are not judicial offic-ers that can rank with judicialofficers presiding over a courtof first instance ( FederalHigh Court or State HighCourt), why will they be rec-ommended by the NJC for ap-pointment.

Does the NJC recommendmagistrates for appoint-ments? And on qualificationfor appointment, the membersof the CCT must be servingjudges or qualified as lawyersto be serving judges of theHigh Court. Whereas underSection 292 of the Constitu-tion the CJN and other headsof courts in Nigeria may be

The first part of this piece waspublished on October 15, 2015

removed on ground of mis-conduct, et cetera by the Pres-ident or Governor supportedby a 2/3 majority address ofthe Senate, acting alone or ahouse of assembly, as the casemay be, the judges of theCCT can only be removedfrom office by a 2/3 majorityresolution of the two Houses( Chambers) of the NationalAssembly.

Court of appeal: And

appeals from its decision lieswith the Court of Appeal, likeis the case with a high court.

The CCT is a “superiourcourt of record” or “ a superi-

or tribunal of record”. Section6(5)(j) of the 1999 Constitu-tion says so. Those who argueto the contrary relies on Sec-tion 6(5)(a-i ), which provides

a list of superior court ofrecord in Nigeria to reach thiserroneous conclusion. Whenthe whole provisions in Sec-tion 6 of the Constitution areread together, as they shouldbe read in consonance withthe liberal rule of interpretingthe provisions of the Consti-tution, in order to avoid “stul-tifying narrowness”, this viewwill become evident.

Stultifyingnarrowness

Section 6 ( 1,2,3,5) of the1999 Constitution, providesthat:

“(1) The judicial powers ofthe Federation shall be vest-ed in the courts to which thissection relates, being courtsestablished for the Federa-tion. (2) The judicial pow-ers of a State shall be vestedin the courts to which thissection relates, being courtsestablished, subject as pro-vided by this Constitution, fora State. (3) The courts towhich this section relates, es-tablished by this Constitutionfor the Federation and for theStates, specified in subsec-tion (5) (a) to (1) of this sec-tion, shall be the only superi-or courts of record in Nigeria;and save as otherwise pre-scribed by the National As-sembly or by the House ofAssembly of a State, eachcourt shall have all the pow-ers of a superior court ofrecord.

Does the NJCrecommendmagistrates forappointments? And on qualificationfor appointment, themembers of the CCTmust be servingjudges or qualifiedas lawyers to beserving judges of theHigh Court

CMYK

34—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

2015: KOGI DECIDES

THE people of Olamaboro LocalGovernment Area of Kogi State

have been asked to remain resolutein their support for the PeoplesDemocratic Party PDP, in theforthcoming Governorship election.

Kogi State Governor, Capt. IdrisWada, gave the charge at a campaignrally in Okpo, Olamaboro LocalGovernment Area, Monday.

The governor described another termfor him as a vote to move the Stateforward, urging the people of the areato come out in their numbers to votethe PDP come November 21.

Capt Wada described hisadministration as one with a humanface having great respect and regardfor the people of Olamaboro LocalGovernment Area. He assured that

I have shown yougovt with humanface —Wada

Stories By Kingsley Fanwo

another term for him wouldconsolidate in the provision ofinfrastructure which the area, he noted,has benefitted from.

Wada assured that the welfare of the

people of the area would top thepriority of his administration in thenext term and called for their votes toenable the PDP win the forthcomingelection.

“The forthcoming governorshipelection”, Wada explained, “is definingfor the state”, calling on the people toremain focused, not to look back, butto ensure that the party winsoverwhelmingly to secure the futureof women and youths of the area.

He promised, that if re-elected, hewould connect Imane, Ogugu andOkpo to the national grid. Accordingto him, the Ibana-Imane and Oguguroad will also receive the attention ofhis government. Motorized boreholes,Wada promised, will also be providedfor every community in the area.

The governor later paid a visit to theOchogwu of Ogugu, HRH MichaelSalifu.

FORMER PDP governorship aspirantand now a chieftain of the All ProgressivesCongress, APC, in Kogi State, Alh. IsahJibrin Echocho has stormed Dekina to rallysupport for the governorship candidate ofhis new party, Prince Abubakar Audu.Remarkably, the PDP governorshipcandidate and incumbent governor, CaptIdris Wada hails from Dekina LocalGovernment Area. Addressing partyloyalists in Dekina over the weekend,Echocho said he decided to join APC outof love for Kogi in order to move the stateforward and thus called on the people tomove out en masse to support Audu.

In his words: “We are at a point wherechange has become a necessity. I left thePDP because the party has beendevalued by the abysmal performance ofthe present government. It is unthinkablefor me to love PDP more than my dear state.

Infrastructuredevelopment

“Even the present government knowsthey have failed the Kogi people.Infrastructural development is zero andworkers’ welfare has been relegated to thebackground. As a state, we cannot continueto serve a god that has failed to liberate usfrom underdevelopment. I am convincedthat Prince Abubakar Audu is betterequipped and better qualified to move thestate forward.

“The PDP is already jittery that they canno more win with their style. We areprepared to liberate the state from the jawsof underdevelopment which PDPrepresents.”

.....Echocho has lost the plot-PDP ImageMaker

Meanwhile, the Publicity Secretary of thePDP and the Chairman of the PublicityCommittee of the PDP GovernorshipCampaigns, Prince Bode Ogunmola has

Echocho storms Dekina for Aududescribed Echocho as a man “drenched inthe failures of the past”, urging the peopleof Kogi State to stand by a “humble andcredible governor”. According to PrinceOgunmola, the people of Kogi State nowsee Echocho as someone who will doanything to become the governor of the statedespite being rejected on two occasions byhis own party members.

“We are not bothered about the fact thatEchocho has chosen to support his in-law,Prince Abubakar Audu. We are also notconcerned about whatever pact existsbetween the duo. But what we know is thatthe people of this state will not bringback any Pharaoh that reigned over thestate and elevated kleptomania to a newring. “Our candidate, Capt. Idris Wada ishumble, transparent and committed to theKogi Transformation Agenda. His visionarycontribution to the development of the stateis evident to people who are not sufferingfrom political myopia.

“On 21 November, PDP will celebrate itsfifth victory over Prince Abubakar Audu by

the grace of God and the people of Kogiwho remain appreciative of the contributionsof the governor. Even the efforts of theenemies of Kogi workers who are schemingto block the release of bailout fund forsalaries will soon realise that the power ofthe people is mightier than any force”.

Ogunmola reiterated the determinationof the PDP to ensure a peaceful and crediblepoll next month.

LOKOJA — N0 fewer than 4,800members from the two major

political parties in the State, thePeople’s Democratic Party, PDP andthe All Progressives Congress, APC,in Kogi Central Senatorial Districtyesterday defected to the ProgressivesPeoples Alliance, PPA. 2,900 defectedfrom the All Progressives Congress

APC, PDP members join PPAwhile 1900 defected from the rulingPDP.

Receiving the defectors in Lokojaduring a rally of party, the PPA statechairman, Mr. Simeon Ojonubapromised them the party would fullydeliver its agenda if successful in theelection.

Ojonuba also acknowledged thepains of the people occasioned bysectional interests and badgovernance, assuring that Kogi wouldbe great again under the PPAadministration led by its governorshipcandidate, Mr. Enesi Ozigi.

Meanwhile, the candidate who tookthe party’s campaign train to hishometown/ward with most of thedecampees supporters promised togive the state a facelift if electedgovernor.

While meeting with prominentleaders in his, Ozuja Abuga ward,Ozigi expressed his gratitude andassured them of his loyalty,statesmanship and total commitmentto the quest for change.

Ozigi gave assurance that the timefor real transformation was now,appealing to all for their total supportto make the mandate a reality.

THOUSANDS of supporters of thePeoples Democratic Party PDP, took

Oworo by storm as they defied the hotweather, Tuesday, to give a rousingwelcome and support to Capt. IdrisWada. A carnival-like scene wasenacted as the party’s gubernatorialcampaign train hit Oworo, one of themajor strongholds of the PDP.

The venue of the rally, Oworo UnitySquare witnessed an unprecedentedcrowd of party faithful from all walks oflife. Members of the party across LokojaLocal Government and political officeholders, among others stormed thevenue of the rally.

Party supporters in Oworo land came

...as Oworoland gives Wada a rousing welcomein their thousands displaying postersand banners of Capt. Wada amidstjubilation while they vowed to deliverall votes to the governor. Some wavedtheir posters shouting ‘Gara Wada, Fourplus four - Eight’. In his speech, thegovernor promised the people of thearea of his administration’s commitmentto providing adequate infrastructure toOworo land.

The governor described another termfor him as a vote to move the stateforward, urging the people of the areanot to go back to what he described asthe days of slavery and undignifiedmolestation suffered by the people inthe state between 1999 – 2003.

•Wada

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015 — 35

BAYELSA DECIDES

THE Sylva-IgiriGovernorship campaign

organisation in Bayelsa statehas raised the alarm over plotby the PDP led administrationof Governor Seriake Dicksonto throw the state into moredebt by sourcing for anunwarranted loan.

But the state governmentdismissed the purported claimof fresh loan as untruedescribing as a clear mischiefon the part of the oppositionparty in the state.

A statement by the Directorof Media and Publicity of theAPC Gubernatorial campaign,Chief Nathan Egba, said theparty had uncovered the planto use the State House ofAssembly to secure abouttwelve billion naira loan toprosecute the election by thePDP.

Outstandingallowances

The statement indicates thatthe plot is to use theleadership of the House tocajole the lawmakers that bulkof the money would be usedto clear their outstandingallowances and purchase ofnew cars.

The values of the two loansare N2.5 billion and N10billion naira.

It advised banks andfinancial institutions in thecountry not to grant the loanrequest as the incoming APCadministration would not

APC campaign organisationraises alarm over loan bid

honour such a bogustransaction especially as therequest has not beenpresented to the House.

The statement read in part“Members will also beinformed that the second loanof ten billion naira will beused to fund constituencyprojects, whereas in truth,this money is expected to beused for the campaigns andelection expenses.”

It added, “The APC inBayelsa has been aware for

some time now that GovernorDickson, realizing that he willlose the forthcoming elections,has refused to release fundsalready in his possession forthe elections. Instead, he hasbeen shopping around forfunds from individuals andorganisations, most of whomhave turned him down,resulting in his bid to use theState House of Assembly toraise funds”.

The statement said the APChad called on the EFCC, theDepartment of State Servicesand other security agencies tohelp the people of Bayelsatrack the secret transaction inorder to stop PDP fromobtaining the fraudulent loan.

THE Bayelsa StateGovernment has denied

claims by the All ProgressivesCongress (APC) that it wasplanning to raise fresh loan,which it said was meant toprosecute the forthcominggovernorship election in thestate.

A statement issued by theChief Press Secretary to thegovernor, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said the purportedclaim of a fresh loan wasmisplaced and a clear mischiefon the part of the oppositionparty in the state.

According to him, rather thanlooking for a new loan, theBayelsa State Government wasonly drawing from an existingloan facility that had since beenapproved for the airport projectit said was at 60 per cent levelof completion.

He said it was unfortunatethat the Sylva campaign wasraising the issue of loan,saying the APC candidate andhis campaign officials shouldbe ashamed of their past in thisregard.

While praising GovernorDickson over prudentmanagement of resources,which it said had made itpossible for the State to witnessthe huge infrastructure andother development projects inthe last three and half years,the statement slammed Sylvafor plunging the state intohuge debts running into N432billion, under his watch asgovernor.

The statement said Sylva’sprofligacy as governor rankedBayelsa State as one of the most

APC up to mischief---Dickson

indebted states in Nigeria, butnow reversed under theDickson administration, whichhad since serviced the debt toa manageable level of N90billion naira and therebymaking the state now one of theleast indebted states in thecountry.

“Under Sylva, there wasroutine diversion of fundsmeant for payment of civilservants’ salaries and benefits.A whopping N300 billion agricloan from the World Bank hadno tangible effect in the state.Where were the projectsestablished or farms set up orthe fisheries development asproposed under the loan?

“What happened to the N3billion MDG funds madeavailable to Sylva? It isunfortunate that Sylva left alegacy of a crippling debtprofile in Bayelsa State asgovernor. As a matter of fact,the bond obligation of the statetotaled N125 billion under hiswatch,” he said.

ABUJA — Governorship candidateof the All Progressives Congress

(APC) Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylvahas said that the delay in choosing hisrunning mate ruffled feathers within theparty.

According to him it was a sensitive issuefor him choosing between the two majortendencies in the state. Though he did notdisclose it, it was learnt that Sylva wascaught between lobbyists who wanted ayouth and an elderly person as his choicefor running mate. The main contenderswere Elder Wilberforce Igiri a retired schoolprincipal who was the choice of the eldersand the youthful state party chairman, TiweOrunimighe who was the choice of theyouths. Eventually, the elders prevailed as

Sylva confesses difficulties in choosing running mateBy Levinus Nwabughiogu Igiri was chosen.

He however said that the matter had beenresolved and members back together towork for the victory of the party in theelection.

Sylva who spoke to journalists at the APCnational Secretariat in Abuja also explainedthe delay in the take off of his campaigns,saying that process of inaugurating hiscampaign council was ongoing.

“On the issue of my running mate, thathas been resolved you know such issue willalways come up because there is no wayyou make a major decision like that inpolitics and somebody will not be offended,but that is a family issue and we haveresolved it. Every well meaning APCaspirant and members are working withme. He however hinted that his party wasconsidering next week Monday for theinauguration.

The APC had calledon the EFCC, theDepartment of StateServices and othersecurity agencies tohelp the people ofBayelsa track thesecret transaction inorder to stop PDPfrom obtaining thefraudulent loan

By Samuel Oyadongha

•Dickson

A whopping N300billion agric loanfrom the WorldBank had notangible effect inthe state•Sylva

36—Vanguard,36—Vanguard,36—Vanguard,36—Vanguard,36—Vanguard, THURSDAY, THURSDAY, THURSDAY, THURSDAY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, OCTOBER 29, OCTOBER 29, OCTOBER 29, OCTOBER 29, 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29 , 2015—37

NYSCreassures oncorpsmembers'welfare

Firm unveilsplans foraffordablehomes

Senate queries approval of N63.5bn for AbujaAirport's 2nd runway contract

By Henry Umoru &Joseph Erunke

By Caleb Ayansina

A real estate company,S u j i m o t o

Construction, has unveiledplans for increaseddiversification andaffordability of luxuryhomes.

The firm said in astatement by its ChiefExecutive Officer, SujibomiOgundele, titled, If youcan dream it, we can buildit, that withoutcompromising standards inthe high end residentialluxury market which theyare known for, they weredesigning luxury homes forboth corporateorganisations andindividuals yearning foraffordable homes.

The statement said theprogramme will includedesign and build,renovation, interior designand decoration, facilitymanagement andprocurement.

BRIEFING: From left: Sales Director, Africa and Europe, Kaon Media South Korea Limited,Mr. Young Kang; President/CEO, Media Concepts International Limited, MC, Mr. BabatopeAgbeyo and Director General, National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, Mr. Emeka Mba,during a world media briefing and signing of MOU agreement between MCI and chosenOEM Partner, with National Broadcasting Commission, in Lago. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

ABUJA—THE Senate,yesterday, queried the

N63.5 billion approved for theconstruction of the secondRunway for the Nnamdi AzikiweInternational Airport, Abuja,saying it was an attempt to ‘stealand rape’ Nigerians of thecountry’s common patrimony.

It, however, called on thegovernment to urgently constructa second runway at the airportand urged it to ensure that dueprocess and diligence wasfollowed in the award of contractsfor the construction.

These resolutions were sequelto a motion by Senator DinoMelaye, All ProgressivesCongress, APC, Kogi West, titled,The Nnamdi AzikiweInternational Airport Abuja,Second Runway Contract.

The Senate, while calling on thefederal government to drasticallyreduce what it termed theunrealistic cost, said thegovernment must monitor thecontract award process.

Presenting the motion, SenatorMelaye noted that the contract forthe construction of the runwaywas cancelled by the lastadministration after allegation ofover inflation of contracts wasestablished.

Melaye, who noted that thecontract was awarded by theFederal Executive Council, FEC,at N64 billion after ratification bythe Bureau for PublicProcurement, BPP, contendedthat there was also the need

for the construction of a secondrunway since, according to him,“the existing one is not only badbut inadequate."

According to him, the entireGombe Airport, with 3.6kmrunaway cost N8.2 billion;Jigawa Airport cost a total of N11billion, Bauchi, N12 billion;Enugu Airport, reconstructed andexpanded at N13 billion andAkwa Ibom Airport wasconstructed at N18.05 billion.

He expressed worry that theproposed cost of constructing just

a runway at the Nnamdi AzikiweAirport, Abuja, was astronomical,insisting that the amount was fourtimes the cost of constructing abrand new runway in the country.

Melaye argued that the newTerminal 5 at Heathrow Airport,with four lanes of 4km runway costless than N22 billion, sayingconstructing a 3. 8km one-linerunway for N63.5 billion would bea waste of fund consideringNigeria’s present economicsituation.

He said: “The publication that the

contract is already undergoingreview and to be awarded atN63.5 billion as published bynewspapers is another attemptto steal and rape Nigerians ofour common patrimony. Furtherconvinced by the fact that theentire Gombe Airport with 36kmrunway cost of N8.2 billion;Jigawa Airport cost N12 billion,Enugu Airport was constructedand expanded at 13 billion nairaand Akwa Ibom Airport atN18.05 billion .

ARCO VS AGIP: Counsel urges court to enter judgmentin favour of claimant

By Clara Nwachukwu &Abdulwahab Abdulah

CHIEF Wole Olanipekun,SAN, leading three other

senior advocates in a caseinstituted by an indigenous oilservicing firm, Arco Group Plc,has said a Federal High Courtsitting in Port Harcourt cannothear argument canvassed byNigerian Agip Oil Company,NAOC, through his lawyer, ChiefThompson Okpoko, SAN, unlessit formally files its memorandumof appearance.

Olanipekun requested that thecourt, presided over by JusticeLambo Akanbi, enter judgementin the claimant’s favour in theabsence of the memorandum ofappearance.

Arco has maintained that Agipis not appearing formally beforethe court, having not filed itsmemorandum of appearance,hence it (Agip) cannot raise theissue of jurisdiction beingcanvassed.

Apart from NAOC, otherdefendants in the suit areNigerian National PetroleumCorporation, NNPC, Conoco

Phillips Petroleum Nig. Ltd, andNational Petroleum InvestmentManagement Services.

The issue of awarding ofcontracts in the turbine at firstdefendant’s OB/OB, Ebocha andKwale gas plants, forms thesubject matter of the suit.

At the resumed hearing of thematter, lead counsel to theclaimant informed the court thatin the absence of anymemorandum of appearance tilldate, the court should proceed togrant leave to him to move hismotion dated June 22, 2015,praying that judgement beentered in claimant’s favour,insisting that the motion wasoverdue for hearing.

Okpoko, however, objected toOlanipekun’s prayers, arguingthat they had filed a motion forleave for extension of time withinwhich to file and serve itsmemorandum of appearancedated June 30, 2015, which heclaimed was served on theclaimants’ counsel in the opencourt.

He argued that the secondprayer in the motion was for an

order deeming the memorandumof conditional appearance as dulyfiled and served on the claimant.

He urged the court todiscountenance the motion forjudgement.

In his response, Olanipekunsubmitted: “My learned friend hasmisconstrued order 26, rule 5. Letus compare it with order 29, rule2, which used the word ‘must’ andnot ‘may’. Your lordship has nojurisdiction to grant thisapplication. It is incompetent. Theapplication was brought underorder 56, rule 1. That deals withmiscellaneous provisions. Hecannot hide under it to file out oftime.

“It is order 48, rule 4 that is theapplication. Your lordship cannoteven grant the application becausethere is no evidence of payment.We want to say that there isnothing like inherent jurisdictionin the absence of jurisdiction.”

Citing the Supreme Courtdecision in Inakoju v. Adeleke &others (2007), where the court heldthat it could not grant audience toa party that has not filedmemorandum of appearance,Olanipekun said the natural thing

to do in such circumstancewould have been to givejudgement in favour of hisclient.

Not comfortable withOlanipekun’s argument,Okpoko insisted that no otherapplication could be statutorilyheard until their motionseeking for extension of timewas dispensed off.

Okpoko argued that JusticeAkanbi could not accede toOlanipekun’s argument sinceby the rule of the court, anyparty who intended to “opposea motion ought to file a writtenaddress or a counter-affidavitwhich must be served on thedefence.”

Quoting order 26, rule 5 of thecourt rule, the defence counselsaid the claimant could not beheard in opposition to hismotion.

He submitted that the courtshould rule in the favour of hisclient, NAOC.

After much argument, JusticeAkanbi adjourned ruling tillDecember 3 on whether theapplication for extension of timewas properly filed or not.

A B U J A — T H ENational Youth

Service Corps, NYSC, hasreiterated its commitmenttowards improving the welfareof corps members, regrettingsome corps members' inabilityto get their monthly allowancein September.

The NYSC, in a statementby its Director of Press andPublic Relation, Mrs AbosedeAderibigbe, said it was verysensitive to the plight of theaffected corps members,pleading with them to remaincalm as the matter had beenaddressed.

She said: “The managementof the NYSC has noted theslight delay in the receipt ofthe September 2015 allowanceby some 2015 Batch ‘A’ corpsmembers and the Septemberand October 2015 as well astransport allowance by someof the recently discharged2014 Batch ‘C’ corps members.We wish to inform the affectedcorps members that thescheme forwarded thepayment schedule at the righttime but the delay in creditingthe accounts of those affectedwas a challenge arising fromfailed transaction and theinability of the settlementcentre to immediatelyreprocess for payment."

CMYK

38—Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29 , 2015

PEOPLE SPEAKBy Bartholomew Madukwe

(08102479985)nwamad@yahoo.com

Thank God they havedecided to pick a

young vibrant man notmen in their 60's or 70's.I guess Nigeria is mov-ing forward with ouryouth, congrats to theYoruba race. -Mr. Eme-ka Ezera Odum, SelfEmployed

This is a call to serviceand I hope the new

Ooni won’t disappoint. Ipray this new one will sur-pass the achievement of thelate Ooni. The position ofOoni is so lofty that the oc-cupier of the stool must beabove board. God will helpyou, Kabiyesi. -Miss Chi-nasa Ukogu, Musician

At age 27 in 2002, heled the government del-

egation team to Canadastrategic alliances and part-nership with Ondo Stategovernment on solid min-eral potential of the state. Ilove his age and what hehas achieved. -MissAmamchinefe Okoji, Stu-dent

This is a modern tradi-tional ruler, educated,

business-minded, forwardthinking and traditionallyaccustomed. This is thetype of young people weneed in modern Nigerianpolitics. May God give himthe wisdom to lead his peo-ple. -Miss Afor Bukola,Student

What I can say aboutthe new Ooni of Ife,

Prince Adeyeye EnitanOgunwusi, is: May Godgrant him more wisdom tolead his people to greatnessand contribute his quota inbuilding this country. -Mr.Ajiboye Sunday, Music In-structor

So why can’t we havesuch a young amiable

man as Nigerian President?Why recycling? I have al-ways known that the Nige-rian youths will alwaysmake good leaders, so letus see how well the Yoru-ba race will go with him. -Miss Jennifer Ukachukwu,Worker

On the new Ooni of Ife

Angry petitioner accuses tribunal justices ofbribery

By Vincent Ujumadu

U M U A H I A — T H EN a t i o n a l / S t a t e

Assemblies Election Tribunalsitting in Umuahia, Abia State,Monday, upheld the election ofthe Majority Leader of the State

House of Assembly, Mr.Chinedum Orji even as thepetitioner openly accused thejustices of taking bribe to decidethe case .

The tribunal struck out thepetition filed by SydneyOnyemere, an Umuahia based

lawyer, who ran on the platformof the opposition All ProgressivesGrand Alliance, APGA, on theground that he did not know thename of the state constituency hecontested election to represent.

The tribunal said that thepetitioner had come to the tribunal

to seek redress for a non-existingconstituency, which he referred toas Umuahia Urban StateConstituency, whereas therespondent, Orji was returned forUmuahia Central stateconstituency.

Delivering judgment in thepetition, the Tribunal chairman,Adeniyi Onigbanjo, said thatOnyemere did not only fail toprove the allegation of substantialnon-compliance, but also couldnot correctly identify theconstituency he wanted torepresent.

The petitioner, however, openlyaccused the panel members ofhaving been compromised. Heaccused the panel members ofadjourning for ten minutes to getthe alert of the said financialinducement before givingjudgment in his matter.

After the judgment, as the otherlayers were expressing theiracceptance of the judgment in thelegal tradition, Onyemere, alawyer by training, burst out inemotional tirade against thepanel and accused them of beingcompromised.

No CONJUSS, no work, Anambra Judiciaryworkers insist

A WKA—JUDICIARYworkers in Anambra State

insisted, yesterday, that theywould not return to work until thestate government implements theConsolidated Judiciary StaffSalary Structure, CONJUSS.

The workers have been on strikefor the past two months, adevelopment that had crippledactivities in the judiciary.

At a well attended rally at thejudiciary headquarters in Awka,the judiciary workers, who camefrom all the 21 local governmentareas of the state, said the

condition given by the stategovernment that it wouldimplement the new salarystructure when its InternallyGenerated Revenue, IGR,improved, was unacceptable tothem.

Anambra State chairman of theJudiciary Staff Union of Nigeria,JUSUN, Mr. Mark Ifezuedescribed as unfortunate, asituation whereby the stategovernment attached theimplementation of the salarystructure to improvement of IGR,arguing that the state IGR hadmore than doubled in the last oneyear.

Ifezue said that rather thankeeping the workers in suspense,government should make it clearwhat it wants to pay, recalling thatthe state government promisedearlier that it would review theirsalary once the IGR improved.

According to him, IGR hadimproved and government wasstill tying the welfare of theworkers to further improvement.

Some of the workers, who spokeat the meeting, said: “We aredemanding our right and we arenot concerned about IGR and itsimprovement. Anybody linkingthe implementation of CONJUSSwith IGR, is insulting us."

WORKERS TO BUHARI: Stop BPE from liquidating assets ofdefunct PHCN

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

WORKER IN the nation’sPower Sector, have

petitioned PresidentMuhammadu Buhari, askinghim to stop the Bureau ofPublic Enterprises, BPE, andothers from liquidating theremaining assets of thedefunct Power HoldingCompany of Nigeria, PHCN,without addressing pendinglabour issues.

In a petition detailinghappenings in the sector from2011 till date, the workers

warned of unprecedentedindustrial unrest in the powersector should the president failto intervene and addressworkers’ concerns.

The petition by the GeneralSecretary, National Union ofElectricity Employees, NUEE,claimed that over 50,000former employees of defunctPHCN were still being owed,while over 5,000 employees ofPHCN had not received anyentitlement at all, lamenting thatlabour’s agreement with FederalGovernment that PHCN shouldnot be liquidated until all labourissues were concluded, wasbeing flagrantly violated.

The petition contended that

contrary to claims, over 20 caseswere pending, including Suit No.NICN/AK/44/2015: betweenIlesanmmi Moses & three others(suing for themselves and onbehalf of the disengaged staff ofPHCN in BEDC) and PHCN andthree others filed at NationalIndustrial Court, Akure JudicialDivision on October 7, 2015.

The petition read in part: “BPEhas refused to release needed fundto the Implementation Committeeheaded by the PermanentSecretary, Federal Ministry ofPower, Ambassador GodknowsIghali, for conclusion ofverifications and payment of staffentitlements, but allegedly paidanother government agency, the

Office of the Accountant Generalof the Federation, N500 millionas consultancy fee for the samepurpose. While PHCN workersare suffering, two years after theywere disengaged, BPE shouldtell Nigerians where they haveallegedly fixed the over N50billion meant for the payment ofentitlements of ex-PHCNemployees.

"BPE should tell Nigerianswhere the documents of PHCNproperty in the United Kingdomare kept.

“The hurry to liquidate is tofrustrate the power sector probeinstituted by the Senate, and closeshop before the appointment of asubstantive Minister."

DPP, LP losepetitionsagainstUghelli Northlawmaker

By ElizabethUwandu

THE STATE andNational Assemblies

Election Tribunal sitting inAsaba, Delta State hasdismissed in two separaterulings the petitions filedagainst the victory of Hon.Eric Oharisi of the PeoplesDemocratic Party, PDP, atthe April 11 House ofAssembly election forUghelli North constituencyII.

The petitions, which werefiled by the DemocraticPeoples Party, DPP, AllProgressives Congress,APC, candidate, JenkinsGwede and the LabourParty candidate, Abellzomare Oharume, weredismissed in its entirety forlack of merit.

While dismissing thepetitions in separatejudgments, the tribunalheld that the petitionersfailed to prove issues ofirregularities and non-compliance with theelectoral act beyondreasonable doubt andtherefore had no reason toinstitute the petitions.

Reacting to the tribunalrulings on his case, Hon.Eric Oharisi, described hisvictory as victory for thepeople of Ughelli NorthConstituency II which herepresents at the Delta StateHouse of Assembly.

The lawmaker, who spoketo newsmen through hispolitical aide, Hon. JimOmokoro, assured thepeople of the constituencythat Oharisi would everremain focused in thedischarge of his duty tobetter his people's lives.

By Anayo Okoli

CMYK

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29 , 2015—39

Zamfara govt reads riot act tocontractors

By Salisu Maradun

Falekedecriesinfrastructuredecay inKogi

By AbdulwahabAbdulah

Former gov aspirant urges Dekina peopleto vote for Audu

Ethiopia to under study Nigeria's food, drugregulatory system

By Chioma Obinna

BAILOUT FUND: Labour threatens Benue govt overunpaid salaries

By Peter Duru

DRAWS: From left: His Royal Majesty, Eze Phillip Ajomiwe; one of the winners of theFirst City Monument Bank, FCMB, Millionaire Promo Season 2, Chinyere Alinta;representative of the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Hon. Ikechukwu Nwabeke; RegionalDirector, South East/South South of the Bank, Mr. Okey Ezeala and Hon. P. C Onyegbu,during the draws of the promo in Umuahia.

D E K I N A — F O R M E Rgovernorship aspirant on

the platform of PeoplesDemocratic Party, PDP, and nowa chieftain of All ProgressivesCongress, APC, in Kogi State,Alhaji Isah Echocho, has stormedDekina to rally support for thegovernorship candidate of his

LOKOJA—AHEAD ofKogi State governorship

election slated for November 21, no fewerthan 4,800 members fromthe two major politicalparties in the State, thePeople’s Democratic Party,PDP and the AllProgressives Congress,APC, in Kogi Centralsenatorial district yesterdaydefected to ProgressivePeoples Alliance, PPA.

2,900 of the defectors arefrom the All ProgressivesCongress, while 1900 arefrom the ruling PDP.

Receiving the defectors inLokoja during a rally of theparty, the PPA state chairman, Mr.Simeon Ojonuba, promised themtotal delivery of all provisions onthe party manifesto should theparty win the governorshipelection.

Ojonuba also acknowledgedthe pains of the peopleoccasioned by sectional interestand bad governance.

LAGOS—A team ofpharmaceutical experts from

Ethiopia yesterday arrived thecountry to understudy Nigeria’sFood and Drug RegulatorySystem, with a view to replicatingsame in their country.

The team, led by Ethiopia’sDeputy Director, Ethiopian FoodMedicines and Healthcare andControl Authority, EFMHACA,Mr. Dawit Dikasso Dilbeto, has

LOKOJA—THE deputygovernorship candidate

of All ProgressiveCongress, APC, in KogiState in November 21, 2015,election, James Faleke, hasdecried the level ofinfrastructure decay in thestate, promising animprovement if his partywas voted into power.

Speaking at Olle Bunuduring a visit to the palaceof the Olubunu of Bunu,HRH Oba J.A Ikusemoro,at Olle Bunu, Falekedescribed as shameful andunacceptable the level ofdecay andunderdevelopment in thestate, wondering whatsuccessive PDPgovernments had donewith the resources accruingto the state in the last 13years.

He said: “For the past 13years the PDP held sway inKogi, the state has notrecorded any worthwhiledevelopment, rather it hasbeen moving in the reversedirection, thus bringing sufferingsand hardship to our people inspite of the huge resources at itsdisposal."

....As 4,800APC, PDPmembersdefect toPPA

By Kingsley Fanwo

GUSAU—ZAMFARA Stategovernment has warned

contractors handling projectsacross the state to ensure speedydelivery of qualitative jobs.

The government also warnedthat it would not accept any jobbelow specifications, which alsofailed to meet the terms ofcontract.

Commissioner for LocalGovernment and ChieftaincyAffairs, Alhaji Mamman MuttakaRini, gave the warning after heinspected ongoing projects insome local government areas.

He said the state government,in conjunction with all the 14local governments, jointlyawarded a contract of N8.5 billionfor the electrification of about 78towns and villages in the state.

Rini disclosed that the stategovernment would contribute 50per cent of the amount, while theremaining 50 per cent would beprovided by the local governmentcouncils.

According to him, over 40 percent of the total amount has beendisbursed to the contractor toencourage him to concentrate onthe job effectively.

Muttaka also revealed that the

MAKURDI—IRKED by thedelay in the payment of

backlog of salaries, organizedlabour in Benue State has givenstate government 72 hours withinwhich to pay the arrears from therecently accessed N28billionbailout fund or face an industrialaction.

In a statement jointly issuedyesterday by Nigerian LabourCongress, NLC, Trade UnionCongress,TUC, and the JointPublic Service NegotiationCouncil, JPSNC, Labour alsourged workers to shun theongoing biometrics screening ofworkers in the state.

The statement read:“Organized Labour (NLC, TUC& JPSNC) has critically examinedthe ongoing biometric screeningof workers and resolved that theon-going screening be stoppedforthwith.

“The screening should not bea prerequisite for payment ofsalary arrears owed workers.Benue workers should not besubjected to the untold hardshipsthey are currently experiencing,especially that it could lead to lossof lives as a result of massmovement of workers.

“Organized Labour is notagainst any biometric screeninginitiated by government,however, we question thecompetence of the contractorhandling the exercise, having

•Warns against poor execution of jobs

state government, havingcommitted itself to the projects,assured the people of the state ofits readiness, zeal anddetermination towards ensuringthat the desired goals wereachieved.

The commissioner furtherexplained that the presentadministration of Yari Abubakar

would not take it lightly withanyone found wanting in thedischarge of his or her civicresponsibility.

He warned that those whosemission was to sabotage the effortsof the government in its quest togive the state the development itdeserved should think twice.

‘’This government is fully

committed to the totaltransformation of the state. Whatwe need now is full support andcooperation from the entirepeople of our state so thattogether we will collectivelymove it forward.

‘’We also want the governedto appreciate the fact that thegovernment is serious abouttheir full welfare,’’ Rini added.

By Kingsley Fanwo

handled a similar exercise duringthe past administration in the statewithout any tangible result.

“Moreover the said bailout fundwas assessed based on thepayment vouchers of the monthsin arrears; therefore, the fund isthe representation of the financial

implication of salary arrears owedBenue workers.

“Labour has resolved, therefore,that government shouldunconditionally pay workers theirsalary arrears on or before FridayOctober 30, 2015, failure of whichLabour will not guarantee any

industrial harmony andtranquility.”

Vanguard learned that themeeting scheduled betweenlabour leaders and the stategovernment over the matterfailed to hold as labour was notprepared to shift ground.

begun a working tour of NAFDACfacilities nationwide.

Addressing journalists shortlyafter the tour of NAFDAC facilitiesin Lagos, Dilbeto explained thatthe aim of their visit was solely tounderstudy NAFDAC’s activitiesin terms of inspection, monitoring,capacity building and experiencesharing, among others.

Dilbeto, who testified that he wasimpressed with the developmentin NAFDAC regulatory system,

said Ethiopia had beenfollowing recent developmentsin Nigeria’s food and medicineregulatory system in the last twoyears.

He said: “In the last twoyears, we have found thatNigeria is the best place to shareexperience. Ethiopia is nowexpanding in population andwe need to expand ouroperations as regardsregulatory processes in terms offood and medicines in order toprotect our population."

party, Prince Abubakar Audu.PDP governorship candidate

and incumbent governor, Capt IdrisWada, hails from Dekina LocalGovernment Area.

Addressing a handful of partyloyalists in Dekina, Echocho saidhe decided to join APC out of lovefor Kogi in order to move the stateforward and called on the people

to move out enmasse to supportPrince Abubakar Audu.

He said: “We are at a pointwhere change has become anecessity. I left the PDP becausethe party has been devalued bythe abysmal performance of thepresent government. It isunthinkable for me to love PDPmore than my dear state."

CMYK

40—Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

KSM FUNFAIR: Grand Knight, KSM, Lekki Sub-Council, JonnyNgonadi (holding the Overall Best Sub-Council trophy), flanked to the rightby past Metro Grand Knight, Sir. Patrick Ikemefuna and Dr. Charles Mbelede,Metro Grand Knight, Lagos Metropolitan Council, at the recently-held LagosMetropolitan Council KSM/LSM Funfair 2015 at the Catholic Church ofAscension, Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road, Lagos.

VISIT: From left— Founder/CEO, Heart of Gold Children’s Hospice,Surulere, Mrs. Theresa Adedoyin; EVP, ISC Global, Mondelez International,Mr. Daniel Myers; Managing Director, Mr. Roy Naaman, and Head, Corporate& Government Affairs, Bala Yesufu, both of Cadbury, during a visit to Heartof Gold to mark the 2015 Global Volunteering Month.

FOMWAN: From left (front row)— Mrs Safiat Adeaga, Mrs Khairat Ajao,Alhaja Rahamatalai Kamorudeen, past Amirah, Surelere, Alhaja RashidatOyesoro, Alhaja Tawakalita Adamson, Ass Dawah officer, Mrs Rashidat Oladeleand others, during Federation of Muslim Womem Associations in Nigeria,FOMWAN, Lagos State chapter's Hijrah 1437 walk. PHOTO: Shola Oyelese.

LOTTO PROMO: From left— Baba Ijebu beneficiary, Mr. ChukwuVictor; Chairman, Premier Lotto, Baba-Ijebu, Chief Adebutu Keshinton; Mr. TonyIgbinoba and Mr. Michael Bamishaye, all winners, at the presentation of HyundaiCerato car to the winners of Baba Ijebu Give-Back promo to mark the 80thBirthday of Chief Keshinton in Lagos. PHOTO: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

SHINE ALL LAUNCH: From left— Modern Trade Manager, Mr.Henry Mong; Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Vijay Nair; Regional Sales Manager,Mr. Felix Ajanaku; and Head, Consumer Sales, Mr. Satej Samb, all of CormartNigeria Ltd., during re-launch of Shine All dish wash in Lagos.

AWARD: From left— Consultant to African Representative/WorldGoverning Board member, IPU, Dr. Chidi Onuoha; compere, Mr. SamAdegbe, and Marketing Manager, Wandel International (Nigeria) Limited,Mr. Rajneesh Gupta, receiving the Green Economy Award (CommercialCategory) at the Nigeria Green Award in Abuja.

GLO SLIDE 'N BOUNCE: From left—Glo subscribers, YemisiAtandare; Mrs Olusola Apampa; Glo Brand Ambassadors, MI Mbaga;Odunlade Adekola; subscribers, Yetunde Fadare and Barakat Oladeji, at theSlide and Bounce concert in Abeokuta.

CELEBRATOIN: From left— Emeritus Bishop of Ekiti Catholic Diocese3, Right Reverend Dr. Michael Fagun; Catholic Bishop of Abeokuta, RightReverend Dr. Peter Odetoyinbo; celebrator, Very Reverend Father AnthonyFadairo; his mother, Mrs. Cecilia Bolanle Fadairo; Emeritus Archbishop of LagosCatholic Archdiocese, His Eminence, Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, andCatholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Right Reverend Dr. Jude Arogundade, at the25th priestly ordination anniversary celebration of Father Fadairo held at St.Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos. PHOTO: Lamidi Bamidele.

CMYK

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015 —41

Supporters of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, jubilating after theOyo State Election Petition Tribunal upheld the election of the governor, inIbadan. Photos: Dare Fasube

Gov Ajimobi's supporters jubilate over election petition tribunal victory

Irate youths barricade Enugu-Benueexpressway, burn Police vans

By Francis Igata

ENUGU—ANGRYyouths stormed

Umabor Police Station inNsukka Local GovernmentArea of EnuguState,Tuesday night,destroying property.

This is also as theyblocked the Enugu-Makurdi Expressway,yesterday, cripplingvehicular movement.

The situation was causingserious tension among theresidents, who toldjournalists that they keptvigil throughout the night.

It was, however,gathered that though no lifewas lost in the sporadicshootings which lasted forseveral hours. Policevehicles were touched.

A source told ourcorrespondent that troublestarted when a team of

policemen stormed aviewing centre andarrested some residents, adevelopment that angeredthe youths.

Meanwhile, according toa community source,“what happenedyesterday wasaccumulation of anger.The police have been in thehabit of makingindiscriminate arrest in theEha community."

CMYK

42—Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

Employment crisis:ITF pushes for national skills policyITF pushes for national skills policyITF pushes for national skills policyITF pushes for national skills policyITF pushes for national skills policy

Stories by VictorAhiuma-Young

Director General/Chief Executive, Industrial Training Fund, ITF, Dr. Juliet Onaeko (2nd left) and former Minister ofIndustry, Trade and Investment, Chief Kola Jamodu (2nd right), during an event in Lagos.

THE employment crisis in the country is being com-

pounded by a growing frustrationon the part of employers that thearmy of jobless graduates andother job seekers in the countryare unemployable.

A federal agency, the IndustrialTraining Fund, ITF, seems to havetaken up the challenge of bridg-ing the skills gap to match the jobneeds of employers.

As a part of its drive, the fundintends to hold a National SkillsSummit, NSS, later in the monthto help drive forward the facilita-tion and scaling up of job crea-tion through the training and re-skilling of Nigerians aimed athelping to match skills develop-ment with market/industry needs

In a keynote address, DirectorGeneral/Chief Executive, ITF, DrJuliet Chukkas Onaeko, at theCapacity Building Programme forLabour Writers Association of Ni-geria, LAWAN, in Abeokuta,noted that skills acquisitionformed the core of national de-velopment as seen from the ex-perience and examples of highlydeveloped countries like China,Brazil, Canada, Germany andSingapore.

She contended that there wasno doubt that Nigeria urgentlyneeded a national skills policy,NSP, lamenting human capitaland manpower development ex-perts within and outside the coun-try had identified loss of millionsof Nigerian jobs to so called ex-patriates, dwindling governmentrevenue and anti-social viceswere linked to the inability of anational skills policy that will ef-fectively grapple with these chal-lenges.

ITF partners UNIDO: Accord-ing to her, ITF had partnered with

the United Nations IndustrialDevelopment Organization,UNIDO, to undertake a skill gapssurvey/study, saying “ITF hasgone to great lengths to identifythe urgent need for a nationalskills policy, and conceptualizedand initiated plans for a NationalSkills Summit that will, for the firsttime in the history of the country,identify and discuss key issuesand challenges that are inhibit-ing skills and manpower devel-opment in the country. The ur-gency of this initiative is prem-ised on the reality that the sum-mit will for once articulate andagree on specific action plans forthe sustainable development ofskills, manpower, economic reju-venation and industrialization inNigeria, and will forever banishunemployment, poverty and in-security from the country.

“Our country has no reason notto create and export jobs like otherdeveloped nations that are earn-ing revenues from skills export.As a nation, Nigeria is blessedwith over 170 million people. Thisis a figure that is considered asthe 7th largest population in theworld, and by far the largest onthe African continent. Nigeria alsohas a workforce of over 69 mil-

lion people, and possesses an agebracket of 18 years in meridian.This is a reality that is the young-est globally by more than 20 per-cent.

Furthermore, there are morethan three million Diaspora im-portable skills; an investor friendlylabour laws that is consideredexcellent by global investmentbodies and the International La-bour Organization, ILO, and aglobally competitive averagewage that is also viewed as ex-cellent by all continental and glo-bal agencies, including UNIDO.”

National skillssummit

Insisting that with one of thebest condition in the world for ahigh quality workforce that is ca-pable of placing Nigeria in thecomity of highly industrializedand economically successful na-tions, ITF, believed that it was timeto turn the quantity advantagesinto productive advantages, par-ticularly when the commitmentand focused policy direction of theFederal Government werebrought into consideration.

Onaeko contended that “as anagency of the Federal Govern-ment that has been mandated tochampion the course of skill de-velopment in Nigeria, the ITF, itshould be noted is always in re-alization of the endless potentialfor economic growth that Nigeriahas. While it is understandablethat these identified economicand industrial potential of Nigeriahas yet to fully and consistentlytrickle down onto the mass popu-lation of the country – a situationthat is directly traceable to the una-vailability of skills that can ad-equately access existing oppor-tunities – the National Skills Sum-mit will as part of the immediate

and long term goal, fashion out aSkills Policy for the country.

“This summit will pave the waynot only for the retention of exist-ing jobs for millions of the nation’semployment hopefuls, but willalso challenge the lopsidednessin skills application by indig-enous and multinational organi-zation in the country. Before now,the prevailing situation wherebythe country operated without afunctional and wholistic NationalSkills Policy has maintained a ret-rogressive and lamentable situa-tion where hundreds of thou-sands of jobs went the ways ofnon-Nigeria workers, at the ex-pense of young and ready Nige-rians. The National Skill Summitwill fashion out a way to reversethese trends, while at the sametime set Nigeria on the road foreconomic and industrial growth.”

Training,re-skilling youths

She explained that “ITF underthe current leadership is also un-dergoing positive and very farreaching reforms of charting anew strategic direction for theFund. Some of these reforms andinitiatives part of which is the NSSwill help drive forward the facili-tation and scaling up of job crea-tion through the training and re-skilling of more than 5 millionyouths annually. The Summit willhelp the agency and the govern-ment to match skills developmentwith market/industry needs.

As part of the strategic focus, theITF is repositioning skills andmanpower development as anenabler for industrialization andeconomic diversification in Ni-geria, while improving the na-tion’s industrial and economiccompetitiveness within continen-tal and global space through skillsdevelopment.

As part of the stra-tegic focus, the ITFis repositioningskills and manpowerdevelopment as anenabler for industri-alization and eco-nomic diversifica-tion

FEDERAL Governmenthas adopted policies

aimed at enhancing theinformal economy .

Speaking through thePermanent Secretary, FederalMinistry of Labour andProductivity, Dr. ClementIlloh, the government saidalso it is determined totransform the labour sectorthrough professional servicedelivery of the highest qualityand to promote standards thatwill meet internationalobligations.

Dr. Illoh, who spoke in Abujaat the 3rd Registrar of TradeUnions’ Annual Workshop on“Current Challenges andProspects of Trade UnionAdministration in Nigeria”,noted that available statisticsindicated that the informaleconomy contributed about 60per cent of the nation’s GrossDomestic Product, GDP.

According to a statement byPrince Samuel Olowookere,Deputy Director (Press), thePermanent Secretaryexplained that the workshopwas aimed at creatingawareness and sensitizingtrade unions on the conceptsand challenges of the informaleconomy.

He emphasised that thetheme of this year’s workshop:“Combating the Challenges ofExtending Labour ProtectionServices to the InformalEconomy: The Role of TradeUnions” was apt, stressingthat the informal economy hadbecome the focus of increasingattention in economicdiscussions on economicdevelopment of nations,particularly that of developingcountries.

According to Dr.Illoh likemany other developingcountries, the informal sectorwas considered crucial to jobcreation as it accounted forabout 90 per cent of jobs in thecountry.

The Permanent Secretarydecried that the sector wasoften not recognized andprotected under existing legaland regulatory framework ofgovernment and weretherefore characterized by ahigh degree of vulnerabilityand poverty, lamenting thatthe workers in the informaleconomy operated underunprotected conditions ofemployment and frequentlyunder precarious conditionswith serious implications onthe country’s labour relationspractices.

FG adoptspolicies to boostinformalsector—Illoh

CMYK

Vanguard,THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015—43

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

INCREASINGLY, therehas been clamour that the

N5 trillion pension fundgenerated through theContributory Pension Scheme,CPS, be made available toinvestors to expand theirbusinesses.

But one of the brains behindthe CPS, and former Presidentof Nigeria Labour Congress,NLC, Governor AdamsOshiomhole of Edo State, haswarned against investing thepension fund in unproductiveor wasteful ventures.

Comrade Oshiomhole,insisted that first and foremost,the fund is meant for workerswho are contributing the fundfor use after retirement,recalling that at the formulationof CPS, “the selling point of theContributory Pension Scheme,was that pension funds shouldbe source of cheap and long-term funds that would be usedto support programmes andinvestments that will enhanceworkers welfare such asworkers’ housing and thecreation of a robust mortgagesystem.”

The governor who spokewhile dismissing media reportsthat tended to credit him withaccusing the National PensionCommission, PenCom, ofdiverting pension fundsthrough the immediate pastfederal administration, arguedthat he was fully aware thatthere was no way PenComcould divert funds since thecommission had nothing to dowith pension fund directly.

Funding ofconsumption

While clarifying his earlierposition on how pension fundwas diverted, ComradeOshiomhole explained that hewas only talking about howpension funds operatorsinvested hard-earned workers’money in Federal Governmentof Nigeria, FGN, Bonds andTreasury Bills, which in turn wasgrossly mismanaged throughfunding consumption.

In a statement he personallysigned, the former NLCpresident said: “recently, asection of news mediaattributed comments to meregarding the way and mannerin which pension funds to thetune of N3.5 trillion were drawndown to support recurrentexpenditure and notinfrastructure development.

In the said reports, theimpression created was that Ihad accused the PenCom ofcolluding with the Federal

Don’t invest pension funds in unproductiveventures, Oshiomhole warns

Ministry of Finance to divert thesaid amount. Considering themanner in which this seriouseconomic issue that borders onthe future of the Nigerianeconomy and the welfare of theNigerian workers who makecontributions to the pensionfunds, is being misrepresented,and trivialized in the media, Iwish to make someclarifications and set the recordstraight.

“As someone involved fromthe outset in the crafting of thePenCom Act, I am very muchaware that under the law,PenCom is a regulator of thefinancial institutions andoperators that deal directly withthe management of the pensionfunds and pension assets,namely: the Pension FundsAdministrators, PFAs, and thePension Funds Custodians,PFCs.

I could not have said thereforethat PenCom diverted pensionmoney because it has nothingto do directly with pensionmoney in the first place.

Indeed, I recall that when thepension reforms, which led tothe creation of PenCom werebeing formulated, the sellingpoint of the ContributoryPension Scheme, was thatpension funds should be sourceof cheap and long-term fundsthat would be used to supportprogrammes and investmentsthat will enhance workerswelfare such as workers’housing and the creation of arobust mortgage system.

PFAs major subscribersto FGN bond, treasurybills

According to him, “However,what turned out in themanagement and operations ofthe pension funds werecompletely different ball game.It is open knowledge that thePFAs are among the majorsubscribers of FederalGovernment of Nigeria, FGN,Bonds and Treasury Bills, which

are instruments of FGN’sdomestic borrowing, issuedperiodically by the DebtManagement Office, DMO, andthe Central Bank of Nigeria,CBN, respectively, on behalf ofthe Federal Government. FGNBonds as debt securities aregenerally considered safestrelative to other debtinstruments in the capitalmarket because they aregoverned by the “faith andcredit” principle; offer attractiverates and guaranteed returns,at least in theory.

“It is, therefore, not a newrevelation that totalsubscriptions of pension fundsto the FGN Bonds are in excessof N3.5 trillion or about 70% ofthe total funds (estimated atN5.1 trillion) so far accruedunder the contributory pensionscheme.

It is also not a secret that inthe last five years under theprevious administration, theFederal Government hadengaged in monthly bondissuances as a means of raisingfinance to fund recurrentexpenditure and servicedomestic debts, rather thanfinance capital projects, whichwas the main purpose of bondissuance if domestic borrowingwas to be a productive andbeneficial activity to the nationaleconomy.

These are facts that couldeasily be verified from the PFAsand PFCs; DMO, Securities andExchange Commission, as wellas CBN, if journalists and themedia they represented have

gone the extra mile to find out.“The issue clearly was not

about PENCOM divertingpension funds.

It was about how pensionfunds operators invested hard-earned workers’ money in FGNBonds and Treasury Bills, whichin turn was grosslymismanaged through fundingconsumption (recurrentexpenditure, payment ofsalaries for federal employees,financing budget deficits anddomestic debt servicing) ratherthan concrete investment incritical infrastructure, housing,etc. Pensions as workerssavings, rather than beinginvested in capital projects withmultiplier effects on jobs andincomes, are being invested inbonds which go into fundingwasteful recurrent spending.

Spending borrowed money onunproductive ventures typicallygenerates inflationarypressures that lead todevaluation of the currency andpurchasing power of workers.The net effect is that by the timethese savings are required topay pensioners in the futuretheir real value would havebeen eroded quite significantly.

As we have seen even inadvanced economies, such kindof mismanagement of pensionfunds had easily sparkedeconomic crisis thatundermined the welfare ofworkers and retirees.

Investment ininfrastructure

“I have followed the recentWorld Pensions Summitorganized by PENCOM and allthrough experts and analystskept emphasizing that pensionfunds should be invested ininfrastructure like roads, powerand other productive venturesto develop the nationaleconomy. The point here is thatpension funds should not beinvested in instruments thatmobilize funds only forunproductive and wastefulventures.

“It is in the public domain thatfederal budgets in the last fouryears have devoted as much as85% of the budgetary outlay torecurrent expendituresincluding salaries. The NationalAssembly on whose onus reststhe approval of the budget hasbeen lamenting year-in-year-out, this clearly bad economics,a situation in which only apaltry 15% of the budgetaryoutlay was devoted to capitalprojects and investment in thelast five years.

Federal legislators have alsoopenly complained about thefact that even the 15% capitalexpenditure is hardly executedfully, implying that the amountdevoted to recurrentexpenditure will be even muchhigher than the 85% reportedofficially.

It is openknowledge that thePFAs are among themajor subscribersof FederalGovernment ofNigeria, FGN,Bonds and TreasuryBills, which areinstruments ofFGN’s domesticborrowing, issuedperiodically by theDebt ManagementOffice, DMO, andthe Central Bank ofNigeria, CBN

•Governor Adams Oshiomhole: •Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, DG, PenCom

CMYK

44 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

Igwe Achebe revives Onitshaart life with Oreze 111

Interdisciplinary approach to reclaiming Africa's discourse

By Japhet Alakam

THE major reason forinitiating the Lagosphoto

festival in the first place was toend the stereotypes of Africa byensuring her people control theirown narratives. Since October2010 when the festival kicked-off, the coordinator of the project,African Artists’ Foundation(AAF) has lived up to its objec-tives through correspondingthemes during each edition.

Prior to the grand opening forthe 6th 2015 edition of the photofestival, AAF supported by theFord Foundation, held an ArtistTalk with Ike Ude, a contempo-rary artist based in the US.

Themed “Performative Es-sence of Fashion & the Fash-ioned-Self” the artist lecture alsofeaturing cinematographerKunle Afolayan and CreativeDirector, Make Oh, MakiOsakwe, held at Ford Founda-tion, Ikoyi, Lagos at the week-end.

The very interactive talk eventhad Ike Ude, a Nigerian-Ameri-can photographer, performanceartist, author, publisher, and styleicon, sharing a whole lot of hisexperience while building abrand that stands out. Bestknown for his conceptual photo-graphic portraits that explore is-sues of representation andsexual, gender, cultural, and sty-listic identity, the creative artistdiscussed how the markers offashion comprising both signifierand signified, denote the coreessence of cultural identity andremain the most symbolic visible

index of culture.With his ongoing series of pho-

tographic self-portraits, SartorialAnarchy in which he is dressedin varied costumes across geog-raphy and time, the work of Ni-gerian-born Ike Ude explores aworld of dualities: photographer/performance artist, artist/specta-tor, African/post nationalist, etc.

As a New York based artist, con-versant with the world of fashionand celebrity, Udé gives concep-tual aspects of performance andrepresentation a new vitality,melding his own theatrical selvesand multiple personae with hisart.

The eccentric artist while show-ing his listeners the slides of hiscollections, explained that theSartorial Anarchy project wasconceived in 2003 while he be-gan executing in 2009. “It’s a verystrange marriage of words as sar-torial refers to elegance, elo-quence while anarchy impliesdisorder, out of control. I delvedinto the work to explore and ar-ticulate roles that fashion andaesthetics play on issue of iden-tity across geography.” With amini museum in his home where

By Prisca Sam-Duru

LAST year, when he wasinstalled as the patron of

LIMCAF, Igwe AlfredNnaemeka Achebe, Obi ofOnitsha promised to ressurectthe art life of the people ofOnitsha and that promise wasfulfilled recently when the com-mercial city entertained art lov-ers with an episodic exhibitiontagged Oreze 3.

To most Nigerians, Onitsha,the business capital ofAnambra State is noted for itscommerce, as the city is bus-tling at all times with peopleengaged in one type of trans-action or the other. But recently,the ctizens of the city took somedays off from their busy sched-ule to felicitate with the art/cul-ture loving monarch, Igwe Al-fred Achebe, Agbogodi , theObi of Onitsha who celebratedthe 15th Ofala festival.

The Ofala festival is one ofthe special events which at-tracts tourists from far andwide, but this year’s editionwas unique in the sense that itfeatured the unveiling ofsculptures of past Obis and anexhibition of works by selectedartist from all over the world.

The exhibition, which wasmainly sponsored byGlobacom, among other sup-porters, attracted leading artcollectors and patrons whoshare in the dream of the artloving monarch who is bent ontransforming Onitsha into acentre of art and culture.

Centre ofart and culture

It was curated by Onitshaborn painter, George Edozieand declared open on the 6thOctober by Prof. Ola Olodi ofUniversity of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Despite the commercial ac-tivities that dominate the city,Onitsha is not new to arts, asit is the home town of Niger-ia’s foremost artist famed forpainting the portrait of QueenElizabeth of England, the lateProf Ben Enwonwu, but recentdevelopments point to the factthat the city is loosing that po-sition. It was this state of af-fairs that made Igwe Achebeswear to bring back art life tothe city, hence the Oreze ex-hibition. The exhibition whichis in its third edition featuredover 150 artists from manyparts of the world.

The event which was two foldstarted with the unveiling of 20sculptures of all the Obis thathave ruled Onitsha by IgweAlfred Achebe amidst cheersfrom the audience. The sculp-

tures which were skillfullydone were donated by Onwaand Dinyelugo, Doris OkeyAkpoms Omozele, from Dal-las, Texas, USA.

The second leg was the ex-hibition which featured paint-ings, sculptures and ceramics.The exhibitors were theOnitsha Agbo artists that in-cluded George Edozie, AfamOkwudili, GeorgeNwadiogbu, Ato Arinze,Achike Anayo, ChinweUwatse, Frank Anammah andOnyeoma Mbanefo. Otherguest artists were AbiodunOlaku, Alex Nwokolo, GbengaOffo, Duke Asidere, AgorsorKofi, Fidelis Odogwu, GeraldChukwuma, Rafael Lopez-Ramas from Cuba, MidahvenYves and Dominique Zinkpe.It was a beautiful sight as thecurator took Igwe Achebe , Mr

Akisu, who rep-resented NigeriaGallery of ArtDG, and othersround the worksdisplayed at thehall.

One of the fea-tures of thegroup exhibitionis its diversityand richness asit featuredyoung painters and sculptors,who exhibited alongside thoseof seasoned hands in the crea-tive business, in order to exposethem to a more discerning au-dience for the exposition of theircollections.

Another attribute is that agrowing number of non Nige-rian artists participated, includ-ing several first time entrantsfrom Cuba.

Again, the 17 artists were not

only from Nigeria but also fromWest African countries such asGhana and Benin Republic.The exhibition offered viewersa wide range of high flying Ni-gerian contemporary artistswho are sought after by manycollectors.

According to the curator,George Edozie, “this is thethird edition of Oreze , that hasbeen curated by GeorgeEdozie and sponsored by

• L-R, The Curator, George Edozie takes Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, The Obi ofOnitsha (R) round the works

• Ike Ude standing in between two of his photographic selfportraits

Ude disclosed thathe was moved bypoor/wrong imagethat does notrepresent Africaproperly

he stock piles items and clothingsand accessories, Ude disclosedthat he was moved by poor/wrong image that does not rep-resent Africa properly.

On how we may design Africathrough Africa designs he said,“Nigerians are very stylish peo-ple... What you wear, the way,when and how you wear it isimportant. So beyond brandnames, it is good to dress appro-priately because fashion definesan individual’s identity.”

Nigeria’s Cinematographer,Kunle Afolayan said aside ensur-ing originality in his films, he triesas much as possible to makefilms that cover the entire Nigeriaregardless of language, addingthat “Not until Figurine, a lot ofpeople never thought that Nige-rian movies could do well in thecinemas. I wanted to get thingsright that is why I am consistentin spite of piracy."

According to him, “October 1stis a solid representation of whowe are and it portrays Africansproperly. As a director, once I

have a script, I have a clear ideaof what a character should wearbut then, I bring in a costumeexpert to ensure everything is inorder. In the case of October 1st,I had to research what Nigeri-ans wore in the 60s which is thereason the movie won for bestcostumes at the AMVCA 2015.”He noted lack of funds, capacitybuilding and poor distributionnetworks as challenges to thegrowth of the film industry. “Col-laboration is all we need to makethe world know who we trulyare,” he intoned.

Creative Director Make Oh,Maki Osakwe decried the levelof mediocrity being celebrated insome quarters in the Nigerianfashion industry. Her statementraised arguments among de-signers in the house, but theysoon learned that mediocrity inthe area of creativity, design andproduction truly exists becauserather than come up with novelideas, most designers concen-trate on pleasing celebrities thanthe entire population.

Globacom Limited, with HRMIgwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebeas host. About 150 Artists fromall over the world showed theirworks. They include those fromcountries like Germany, Bel-gium, UK, France,Ghana,Benin Republic, Togo and theUS. And in the next edition, itwill feature about 40% artistsfrom foreign nations especiallythose from Europe, US.”

CMYK

Vanguard, Vanguard, Vanguard, Vanguard, Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015—45

DOLPHIN IKOYI:

Oneestate,two worlds•Where luxury and squalormeet

By Jude Njoku

FOR many Lagos residents,the name Dolphin Estate

Ikoyi rings a bell as one of theabodes for the affluent inNigeria’s “Centre of Excellence”.But for those who have visitedthe estate, the picture is that oftwo different worlds – luxury andsqualor.

Dolphin Estate was developedby Messrs HFP EngineeringNigeria Limited in the early1990’s for the Lagos StateDevelopment and PropertyCorporation, LSDPC.

To make way for theconstruction of the estate, thedilapidated Jakande HousingEstate at Ijeh was demolishedbecause it constituted an eyesoreand degraded theneighbourhood. LSDPC firstbuilt two and three-bedroom flatsin eight blocks of pre-fabricatedhigh-rise buildings toaccommodate those who weredisplaced by the demolition.

Dolphin Phase I which wastargeted at the upper mediumincome class consists of 646duplexes of four bedrooms, eachwith an area of 150m². The totalbuilt up area in this phase is102,068m².

First phase ofthe scheme

After successfully completingthe first phase of the scheme in1991, HFP was awarded theconstruction of Phase II of theestate. This phase included 236four bedroom duplexes, 440three bedroom flats and 136 flatsof two bedrooms each. Theproject was completed in 1997.In both phases of the Dolphindevelopment, H.F.P. wasresponsible for the entireinfrastructure: sand filling,power, water supply, sewagesystems, roads, pavements,fences, drainage and streetillumination.

Infrastructure decayUnlike the low-rise section of

Dolphin Estate where you havethe duplexes, infrastructures in

appeal to the Lagos StateGovernment to intervene andassist in restoring the lost gloryof what ordinarily should beclassified as a highbrow estate inview of its location. Ikoyi whichis regarded as the haven for theupper income class, should haveno place for the down-troddenwho are just managing to eke outa living.

Security concernsAlthough the highbrow section

of Dolphin Estate is gated and

has a police station, security isstill a grave source of concern tomany residents of the estate.Recall that it was at DolphinEstate that a PDP stalwart, Mr.Funsho Williams was murderedon July 27, 2006. Vanguardlearnt that security in the estatehas been highly compromised asa result of the exit gate fromObalande through Abacha Estateand Ijeh Police Barracks. Theshopping complex built by HFPin the estate is believed to be

attracting all manner of personsinto the estate. Vanguard recallsthat residents waged a spiritedbattle against the construction ofthe mall because it was built uponan open space meant for aplayground.

Dolphin still attractiveDespite its perceived

shortcomings, Dolphin Estate stillcommands high rental value.Immediate past Chairman of theLagos State branch of theNigerian Institution of Estate

Surveyors and Valuers, NIESV,Pastor Stephen Jagun whodescribed Dolphin as a bufferbetween Ikoyi and the mainland,explained that property values inthe estate are still on the veryhigh side. According to him,those who cannot afford to livein Ikoyi because of the high cost,end up looking foraccommodation in Dolphin. Aduplex he said, goes for anannual rent of between N2.5- 3million in Dolphin Estate.

the high-risesection of the estatewhere you have theflats are in decrepitconditions. Thedrainage channelsare blocked whilethe paved roadshave packed up,thereby givingroom for the estateto be flooded at theslightest drop ofrain water. Thespiral staircasesleading into theblock of flats havealso becomed i l a p i d a t e d .Vanguard learntthat most residentswho parted withhuge sums ofmoney to buyproperties in theestate, now see it asa wrongi n v e s t m e n t .Reason? Thebarracks-like pre-fabricated high-risebuildings apartfrom becoming aghetto of sorts,have been turnedinto hideouts forcriminals and othersocietal miscreants.Put succinctly, theestate is poorlymanaged andmaintained.

Angered by thisugly scenario, theDolphin ResidentsAssociation in2013, sent a saveour soul (S.O.S.)

Dolphin estates in Ikoyi

46—Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

By Chioma Obinna &Gabriel Olawale

Tuberculosis, HIV are world's top killers—WHO

Akinyemi seeks two-party systemfor Nigeria

A NEW report by the WorldHealth Organisation,

WHO, yesterday rankedTuberculosis, TB, alongsideHuman ImmunodeficiencyVirus, HIV, as the leadingkiller diseases worldwide,even as it disclosed that TBkilled no fewer than 1.5 millionpeople in 2014.

Also, the report disclosed thatmore than half of the world’sTB cases (54 percent) occurredin Nigeria, China, India,Indonesia, and Pakistan.

In its Global TuberculosisReport 2015, releasedyesterday in Washington, theglobal body also lamentedincrease in incidences of thedisease, adding that about 9.6million new cases wererecorded.

Reacting to the report, theWHO’s Director-General,Margaret Chan, however saidthe fight against tuberculosisis paying off, with this year’sdeath rate nearly half of whatit was in 1990.

“Nevertheless, 1.5 millionpeople died from TB in 2014.Most of these deaths couldhave been prevented,” shesaid.

Chan explained that with TBkilling in 2014, 890,000 men,480,000 women and 140,000children, the disease nowranks alongside HIV as aleading killer worldwide.

Of the 1.5 million peoplekilled by TB in 2014, the reportalso revealed that 400,000 wereHIV-positive. HIV’s totaldeath toll in 2014 wasestimated at 1.2 million, whichincluded the 400,000 TBdeaths among HIV-positivepeople, the report noted.

Chan said this year’s reportdescribed higher global totalsfor new TB cases (9.6. million)than in previous years.

However, these figuresreflect increased andimproved national data and in-depth studies rather than anyincrease in the spread of thedisease.

The report further noted thatmore than half of the world’sTB cases (54 percent) occurredin Nigeria, China, India,Indonesia and Pakistan.Among the new cases, anestimated 3.3 percent havemultidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), a level that has remainedunchanged in recent years.

The report noted that toreduce TB’s overall burden,detection and treatment gapsneed to be closed, fundingshortfalls filled and newdiagnostics, drugs andvaccines developed, according

to the report.“Most of the improvement

has come since 2000, the yearthe MillenniumDevelopment Goals (MDGs)were established. In all,effective diagnosis andtreatment saved 43 millionlives between 2000 and 2015,according to the report, the20th in a series of annualevaluations produced byWHO.

She said: “The report showsthat TB control has had atremendous impact in termsof lives saved and patientscured. These advances areheartening, but if the world

is to end this epidemic, itneeds to scale up servicesand, critically, invest inresearch.”

Those advances includethe achievement of the MDGthat called for halting andreversing TB incidence by2015. The goal was reachedglobally and in 16 of the 22high-burden countries thatcollectively account for 80percent of cases.

The report further notedthat Worldwide, TB incidencehas fallen 1.5 per year since2000, for a total reduction of18 percent.

Also reacting to the report,

Director of WHO’s Global TBProgramme, Dr MarioRaviglione said: “Despitethe gains, the progress madeagainst TB is far fromsufficient. We are still facinga burden of 4,400 peopledying every day, which isunacceptable in an era whenyou can diagnose and curenearly every person withTB.”

The report further called foraction to close diagnosticand treatment gaps, fillfunding shortfalls, anddevelop new diagnostics,drugs and vaccines.

Over 40maccountsenrolled toBVN —CBN

By BabajideKomolafe

As Nigeria, 4 others account for more than half of the cases

VISIT: From left: Chief Executive Officer, Natcom Development and Investment Limited(NTEL), Mr Kamar Abass and General Manager, Lagos State Infrastructure Maintainanceand Regulatory Agency LASIMRA, Mr Babajide Odekunle, during a courtesy visit by theformer to the Agency in Agidingbi, Ikeja, Tuesday.

FORMER ExternalAffairs Minister, Prof.

Bolaji Akinyemi, yesterday,called for a two-party systemas a way of redressingrecurring ethnicity problems inthecountry’s politics.

According to him, a two-party system will make all theethnic nationalities to cometogether and remove tensionsthat arise from tribal politicsexacerbated by parties withethnic or regional colouration.

Akinyemi spoke in Lagoswhile delivering the 2015Aelex Legal Practioners andArbitrators Annual Lecture,with the theme: Africancountries: Politics, democracyand ethnicity.

“I believe that a two-partysystem, whether imposed bythe Constitution or evolvingnaturally, is the best antidoteto the invidiousness of ethnicpolitics,” he said, noting thatNigeria is gradually evolving

into a two-party state, withpositive results.

According to him, the AllProgressives Congress, APC,which used to be seen as a “aYoruba party”, has now beenaccepted as a national partyhaving produced a presidentfrom the North. “By evolution,we have ended up with a two-party system,” he said. Hesuggested that it shouldbecome law since smallerparties with ethnic colourationstill exist.

To him, addressing thechallenges of ethnicism will bea work in progress because “ithas been really difficult togauge the level of attachmentof people to ethnic politics asit appears that the politicalelite regard it as theequivalent of a water tap to beturned on and off to satisfy thewhims and caprices of thepolitical elite.”

Also, former Foreign Affairs

Minister, Senator IkeNwachukwu, who chaired theevent, shared the view thatethnicism is a problem inAfrica and must be tackledbecause it is at the heart ofthe problems Africancountries face and is the baneof democracy.

He said the problem is thecause of the Rwandangenocide and is the reason forthe sit-tight syndrome of someAfrican leaders.

“Our continent is awashwith conflicts. Africa ought tohave grown beyond theresentment of one another.Unfortunately, this has nothappened,” he said.

For Nigeria to begin themarch to end ethnicism,Nwachukwu urged PresidentMuhammadu Buhari toimplement the outcome of the2014 National Conference,which he said went a long wayto proffer solutions toNigeria’s recurring socio-ethnic an structural problems.

CENTRAL Bank ofNigeria (CBN) yesterday

said that over 40 millionaccounts have been enrolledto the Biometric VerificationNumber (BVN).

The CBN stated this in astatement urging bankcustomers to link their BVN toall their bank accounts. Itstated, “The Central Bank ofNigeria, in collaboration withthe Bankers’ Committee,introduced the BankVerification Number (BVN) onFebruary 14, 2014. Thisinitiative of the Bankers’Committee is aimed atensuring unique identity forall bank customers and otherusers of financial services inthe country by the use of thecustomers’ biometrics asmeans of identification.

“At the expiration of the initialestimated 18 months after thelaunch, a good number ofbank customers were reluctantand never took the exerciseseriously, which led tocommotion and stampede inbanking halls across thecountry towards the end of thedateline of June 30, 2015. Thisconfusion necessitated the callfor the extension of theregistration dateline by fourmonths to October 31, 2015.

“The question now iswhether bank customers tookadvantage of the extension.The banks after the initialhullabaloo provided morefacilities to enhance seamlessenrolment. As a result, currentstatistics from the NigeriaInter-Bank Settlement SystemPlc (NIBSS) show that20,833,635 bank customershave enrolled as at October 25,2015.

“Given the tradition ofmultiple accounts holding byan average Nigerian, whichcould be conservativelyestimated at about 2 or 3 peraccount holder, therefore, itcould be safely assumed thatover 40 million accounts mighthave been enrolled to BVN.While it can be said that somesubstantial efforts have beenmade in terms of enrollmentand successes recorded, whatis left therefore, is for theremaining account holders toget their accounts linked toBVN.

“Furthermore, Nigerianbanks’ customers in thediaspora have takenadvantage of more facilitiesprovided for enrollment inmore locations abroad. Theupdated information on thelocations for the enrolment ofNigeria banks’ customers inthe diaspora can be accessedthrough the link below: http://www.nibss-plc.com.ng/bvn/enrollment_centers.html"

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015—47

PlateaugeneratesN4.4bnrevenue

JOS—PLATEAU Stategovernment has

generated N4.4 billion asrevenue from January toSeptember, adding that itwas exploring newavenues to improve on itsinternally-generatedrevenue, IGR.

Acting Chairman of theState Internal RevenueService, Mr. Dashe Arlat,who disclosed this in Jos,explained that the servicegenerated N3.24 billion,while the remainingN1.18 billion came fromthe Ministries, Agenciesand Departments, MDAs.

He attributed the lowincome accruable to thestate to the globaleconomic recession.

He said: “It is anindication for us in theservice to wake up to thechallenge to take moredrastic steps towardsovercoming ourchallenges for betterresults.

“In spite of thechallenges, we organizeda joint state revenuecommittee meeting lastweek to meet with otherstakeholders to chart away forward.”

By Marie-ThereseNanlong

JOS—GOVERNOR SimonLalong of Plateau State has

urged his predecessor,Senator Jonah Jang, PlateauNorth in the Senate, not to betoo comfortable as a senator,saying All ProgressivesCongress, APC, would notrelent until it reclaimed theseat at the Appeal Court.

The governor, whoaddressed his supportersyesterday at the GovernmentHouse in celebration of hisvictory at the governorshiptribunal on Monday, vowedthat he would not relent untilthe party recovered the stolenmandate from the formergovernor.

He argued that the Northernsenatorial seat was not won byPeoples Democratic Party, PDP,whose candidate, Jonah Jang,currently occupy the seat,saying he would continue topray to ensure that the APCcandidate, Eunice Sambo,reclaimed the seat.

Lalong, who was in companyof Speaker of the StateAssembly, Mr. Peter Azi, state

APC Chairman, Latep Dabang,among other dignitaries, alsotold the crowd of supportersthat his victory at the electiontribunal was the declaration ofGod, stating that God wouldnot disappoint the people ofPlateau State.

He thanked the people fortheir support and urged themto follow peace, calling onthose on “warpath” to burytheir differences, join handsand work with him for thegood of the state and itscitizens.

We’ll reclaim our mandate from Jang— Lalong

By Marie-ThereseNanlong

THE Island Club,Lagos, will today, its

72nd Founder ’s Dayanniversary, inaugurateDiplomatic Corner, aplatform for socialinteraction andnetworking, by itsPresident, Mr. OladipoOpeseyi.

A statement byAmbassador OlusegunAkinsanya, Chairman,Diplomatic Sub-Committee, said thecorner was in recognitionof the importance of thediplomatic community inNigeria.

It said regular activitieswould be organizedexclusively for diplomats,to show case and promotethe country’s rich culture.

Highlights of the event,which will have dignita-ries from the diplomaticcommunity in attendance,are the conferment of ho-norary membership andpresentation of plaques.

Island ClubinauguratesDiplomaticCorner

WORKSHOP: From left— Vice Chairman, FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange, JibrilAku; Country Manager, International Finance Corporation, Nigeria, Mrs Eme EssienLore; Executive Commissioner, Corporate Services, Securities and Exchange Commission,SEC, Zakawanu Garuba, and Bola Onadele, at the FMDQ Nigeria Debt Capital Market,DCM, workshop on The Nigeria Debt Capital Market: Towards a Brighter Future in Lagos.PHOTO: Akeem Salau.

Emir of Kano strips Bayero’s son ofChiroma title over ‘insurbodination’

Logistics firm in jitters over importers' boycott

By Ifeyinwa Obi

KANO—EMIR ofKano, Muhammad

Sanusi II, has stripped hispredecessor ’s eldest son,Alhaji Sanusi Ado Bayero ofhis Chiroman title forinsubordination.

The Chiroma Kano, eldestson of late Alhaji Ado Bayero,lost to Sanusi on June 8, 2014in a bitter succession dispute.

In a two-page letter by theSenior Councillor andGaladiman Kano, Alhaji AbbasSanusi, the Chiroman Kanowas accused ofinsubordination.

The announcement byGaladiman Kano revealed thatthe deposed prince had beenreplaced by his youngerbrother, Alhaji Nasiru AdoBayero, who until lately wasTurakin Kano.

Galadiman Kano, in theletter, said: “It is mandatory onmembers of the Emiratecouncil to declare their supportto the new emir as soon as thenew emir emerges.

“The Chiroma Kano, who byvirtue of his position in theemirate, was the District Headof Gwalchmai, failed to toetradition.

“The untoward action of thedethroned Chiroma totally

contravenes established rulesof Kano’s rich history andcompromised the teachingsof Islam.

“The provisions of theSharia law and customcompel every member of theKano emirate council to beloyal to the new king with thedemise of the incumbent.God, in His infinite wisdom,gives power to whosoever Hewishes and takes it away fromanyone He so wishes.”

He said since the new Emirof Kano, Alhaji MuhammadSanusi II, was installed overa year ago, Alhaji Sanusi AdoBayero had failed to pay himhomage.

By AbdulsalamMuhammad

THE management ofIntegrated Logistics

Limited, INTELS, is currentlyworried by the massive boycottof its facilities by Nigerianimporters and their agents.

The port concessionaire, whoprovides logistics supports foroil and gas-related cargo atOnne, Warri and Calabar ports,has lately been hit by massexodus of its customers, whoare protesting what they called“extortions, high charges,arrogance and wilful disregardfor Federal Government policyon dollarization.”

Importers and their agentshad alleged high charges atIntels facilities, saying theycharge 300 times more than

other terminals.However, the pronounce-

ment of former President,Goodluck Jonathan, gave thespark to the smoulderinganger and resentment ofimporters and their agentsagainst the service providers.

A few weeks to his exit,Jonathan declared that all oiland gas-related cargo behandled at oil and gasdesignated terminals, whichare incidentally the haven ofIntels in Onne, Warri andCalabar ports.

However, Prince OlayiwolaShittu, National President ofAssociation of NigerianLicensed Customs Agents,ANLCA, had threatened thathis members will oppose thedirective by boycotting the

facilities of the concessionaires.Meanwhile, Chairman of

Intels, Dr Jonas Bankole, saidseveral millions of dollars hadbeen lost in recent weeks,following the impunity withwhich some terminal operatorsengaged in “inappropriatedischarge of cargoes.”

Mr. John Ikezugo, a legalpractitioner, at the behest of thebeleaguered logistics providers,had also claimed that thediversion of Nigerian-boundvessels, carrying oil and gas, toother countries or designated portterminals for discharge, wasillegal and an economicsabotage.

However, the protestingimporters have vowed to stick totheir guns and call the bluff ofthe service provider.

PDP dragsNiger govt tocourt overcouncil polls

MINNA—PEOPLESDemocratic Party,

PDP, has dragged NigerState government to courtover the shift in conductof local council polls.

Government had earlierfixed November 7 for theelection, but StateIndependent ElectoralCommission, NSIEC,Tuesday, shifted the datefor the polls to January 16,2016, attributing thechange to the inability ofthe state government torelease funds for theprosecution of the electionand the use of cardreaders as exhibits at thevarious tribunals sittingin the state.

The plaintiff is prayingthe court to determine ifby virtue of Section 7(1)of the 1999 Constitution,as amended, localgovernment in the statecould be administered byany system of governmentother than democratically-elected local governmentcouncils.

The suit, filed in aMinna High Court onTuesday, also wanted thecourt to determine that theprovisions of Sections 90and 92 of Niger StateLocal Government Law2001, as amended, werenot in conflict andinconsistent with theprovisions of Sections 7(1)of the 1999 Constitution,as amended.

PDP also joined theAttorney General of NigerState, NSIEC and NigerState House of Assemblyin the suit.

By WoleMosadomi

48 —Vanguard, Vanguard, Vanguard, Vanguard, Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

CMYK

Vanguard,Vanguard,Vanguard,Vanguard,Vanguard, THURSDAY, THURSDAY, THURSDAY, THURSDAY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, OCTOBER 29, OCTOBER 29, OCTOBER 29, OCTOBER 29, 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015—49—49—49—49—49

I have a small and short penis and my woman’s vaginais wide. Please how can I increase my penis that will

never have side effects? Your assistance and advice isneeded. Thanks – Jeremy

Dear Jeremy, here are many options for penisenlargement. At the moment Vimax and ExtenzeMaximum Strength supplement are our two bestavailable penis enlargement options so I will recommendany of these two. You can get up to four inches in lengthand an additional inch in thickness especially if youcombine the supplement with a Penis EnlargementPump. That is how you get lasting penis enlargementand yes it has no side effects. The good thing about penisenlargement is that you also develop stronger erectionsmonths down the line as your penis begins to grow. Butthe enlargement effect is the first thing you will noticeand this begins from around the third week. It is gradual.By your sixth month, you would have gained yourmaximum length – Uche

My name is Usman and I am in my late forties. I haveweak erection and premature ejaculation. I don’t needmedicine that I will take before sex. I need medicinethat will cure me for good – Usman

Usman the only scenario where you can get the kind oftreatment you are looking for is in a situation where anillness, surgery or substance is the cause of your weakerection. For instance diabetes affects one’s erectionbecause the medicine taken for diabetes weakens theerection. Now to cure this erection weakness in thissituation requires that one first cures the diabetes.Unfortunately, diabetes has no cure. So that’s the problem.Here is something else you need to know. Men are atthe peak of their sexual powers between the ages of 19and 23. After that, a man’s sexual capability begins aslow and steady decline over the years. Once that is thecase with you, there is no cure for that just like there is nocure for aging. So supplements are all there is and theyare like vitamins. They can help you perform well while

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

Arise Women empower Lagos residents on healthy living

RESIDENTS of Victoria Island Extension in Lagos and

environs were agog recentlywhen women from the RedeemedChristian Church of God, City ofDavid, trooped out to createawareness on the health benefitsof exercise through their annualwalk tagged: "Walk for life"

The women, under the auspicesof Arise Women led by itsConvener, Mrs Siju Iluyomadewalked the various streetsspreading the message on theneed for Nigerians, particularlythe women to imbibe culture ofregular exercise to wade off illhealth.

The walk was part of activitiesto herald the annual Women'sConference with the theme: "TheSet Time" on 31st October 2015.

Iluyomade said the walk wastargeted to promote the culture ofexercise among the women andto enable them take responsibilityof their own life.

"Exercise is important toexistence of man, even the Biblehas enjoined man to prosper inhealth even as our soul continuesto prosper. "Today, we are walkingfor life and that we are healthy,we are also walking to encouragewomen to know that it is anintegral part of their lives. We arealso walking to create awareness

By Chioma Obinna

you are taking them but they cannot cure you permanentlybecause they cannot reverse aging. So now that youunderstand it, I suggest you get the help you need. Itdoesn’t have to be a daily medication if you don’t liketaking drugs daily. You can always go for the strongersupplements that you can take once or twice a week likePower Zen or Boss Rhino and any of these will also helpyou with your premature ejaculation and overallperformance – Uche

No matter the foreplay, my girl’s vagina only gets alittle wet. And if I try to enter, it will not open. Because itis as if the vagina is sealed and she is not a virgin. Pleasewhat drug can expand it? Solomon

Solomon your girlfriend does not need vaginalexpansion. From everything you have described, it seemsher hymen is still in place. The hymen is a thin mucousmembrane that partially covers the vaginal opening whena woman is still a virgin. Sometimes the hymen is brokenon the first sexual attempt and at other times, it takesseveral sexual sessions to completely push it open. Inany case all you need at the moment is a lubricant and agentle approach to love making. That is all. Use a lubricantas directed and before you know it, you will be able tohave intercourse without problems – Uche

I just want to thank you for your advice and everythingyou do. You helped me a great deal when yourecommended Stay Hard Delay Cream for mypremature ejaculation. Now I am able to last well –Chinedu

Thanks for the Volume Pills. Two weeks into taking itand my semen in thicker and plenty - Frank

And that is it for today. Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can call 08171912551, 08027901621 or07086754515 for help or visitwww.zeevirtualmedia.comZee Virtual Media delivers allover Nigeria. For enquiries email us atcustserv@zeevirtualmedia.com-Uche Edochie, MD, ZeeVirtual Media

WITH increasing terror attacks in parts of thecountry, Aart of Life Foundationhas set agenda to aid grief andtrauma counselling in the country.Speaking at a symposium inAbuja, the Chairman of theFoundation, Mrs Taiwo Taiwo,said the initiative, first of its kindin Nigeria, has championed griefand trauma counselling andsupport since inception 13 yearsago. Taiwo said increasing terrorattacks had resulted to heavymortality, morbidity and increasein number of Internally DisplacedPersons, hence, the need for acounselling intervention.

“It has become imperative thatwe create a rallying point for allstakeholders and set an agendafor rapid and effectiveinterventions for grieving andtraumatised victims and theirfamilies and to celebrate andshare our experiences in ourwork.

In his paper, titled, “Developinga Framework for DisasterManagement in Africa-theNairobi Experience and theNigeria Challenge”, Dr. DavidMusyimi Ndetei stressed theimportance of functionalframework for a comprehensivesupport for people in grief andtrauma.

Foundation setsagenda for grieftraumacounselling

that Arise mobile clinic is on themove and still going places andit is for every woman."

She dismissed the notion thatwalking was for the poor whilediscouraging Nigerians fromliving a sedentary life style.

"Exercise helps your mentalalertness. You need to be mobile,you need to continue to get offyour seat and move. Walking issynonymous with poverty inNigeria but that is wrong because

By Etop Ekanem

studies have shown that thosewho walk around live healthierand much longer.

She encouraged Nigerianwomen to learn to walk aroundtheir homes, house and officesand to climb the stairs rather thanuse the elevator. The organisationplans to establish a SpecialistMedical Women's Village thatwould address various illnessesthat affect women as well asprovide counsellors and

psychologists. During theconference, Arise is bringing tothe front burner , need for policiesthat can ensure women areintegral part of the society. Therewill be free medical talks, medicalscreening and free dialysistreatment among others.

Among special guests expectedinclude, wife of the Vice President,Mrs Dolapo Osibanjo, and wivesof the Lagos and Kwara StateGovernors.

WALK: From left: (4TH) Pastor Siju Iluyomade, Convener, Arise Women with other members duringArise Walk for Life to announce the 7th Annual Arise Women's conference coming up this Saturday31st October, 2015 in Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

50—Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

WHAT will be your mainmessage at the Health

and Wellbeing event of Finlandon November 3, in Lagoswhere you will make apresentation?

Prevention of non-communicable diseases isessential for health andwellbeing, and it can be donethrough lifestyle changes. Forsuccessful lifestyle changes,creation of health promotingenvironment is needed throughinter-sectoral collaboration.

What specific steps andpolicy did your governmenttake to make Finland become“one of the healthiest,wealthiest, and mostprosperous countries in theworld”?

National health programemsinclude reduction of smoking,and the target is that Finlandwould be a smoke-free countryby 2040. Obesity and diabetesepidemics needs to tackledthrough improvement of dietand increase of physical activity.Social equality in health needsto be strengthened. Reductionof alcohol related problems isalso an important issue.

How is health care organizedin Finland – for instance whatis the role of the governmentand health care insurance?

Most of the health care isprovided by the public sectorand financed through taxation.

Health carefinancing

The system is complementedby private sector and privateinsurance.

How important is diet inensuring health and wellbeing?How about other lifestylehabits? How do you promotehealthy eating and other habitsin Finland?

Diet and healthy lifestyles(non-smoking, physical activity,no or modest alcoholconsumption) are critical forhealth and wellbeing. Healthyeating and other healthylifestyles cannot be promotedthrough individual healtheducation only, but making theenvironment healthy.Multisectoral action is neededand is even more important thanindividual health education.

Cardiovascular problems arebecoming a major cause ofdeath in Nigeria. What do youthink is the main reason forthis?

Change and “westernization”of lifestyles, ie. smoking,unhealthy diet (salt, saturatedfat, too much calories), physicalinactivity, alcohol to mentionsome.

Many people in Nigeria liveunder poverty line and in poorhygiene conditions. Does thishave relevance to heartdisease, diabetes or cancer, forinstance? How could health andwellbeing be achieved forpopulations of limitedresources?

This is a complicated issue.However, in a low incomecontext, prevention of NCDs iseven more important. Treatmentof NCDs is very expensive. Thesociety and government have abig responsibility to protectpoorer populations. NCDepidemics often start among

higher social classes in acountry but then soon alsobecome prevalent among thepoor.

What is the relation betweenstress and non-communicablediseases? How can busyexecutives or others reducestress?

The relationship betweenstress and developing NCDs isquite weak. As said, lifestylesi.e. smoking, healthy diet,physical activity and reductionof alcohol consumption aremuch more important. Physicalactivity is also a good way toreduce stress.

What are the main challengesand achievements in Finland inpromoting health andwellbeing?

Challenges include agingpopulation, securing equality inhealth issues, and in general inthe society, internationalcommercial pressure andmarketing of unhealthyproducts (tobacco, alcohol, saltyand fatty foods, etc.). The mainachievements in Finland havebeen: •maternal and childhealth care, maternal and childmortality in Finland is now oneof the lowest in the world,•comprehensive and equaleducation system, •highimmunization coverage sincethe 1950s •infectious diseasecontrol in 1940s and 1950s,•cardiovascular disease controlthrough lifestyle changes since1970s, one of the fastestreduction in CVD mortality inthe world, •cancer screeningand control, cervical cancer asan example, and •tobaccocontrol, Finland was one of thefirst countries having acomprehensive tobacco controllaw in 1977.

Finland contending with challengesof ageing population —Jousilahti

Dr. Pekka Jousilahti is aresearch professor at theNational Institute for Healthand Welfare in Finland. Inthis interview, he speaks onthe health and wellbeingexhibition billed for Lagos onNovember 3 and otherissues. Excerpts:

Dr. Pekka Jousilahti

UCH, USA varsitiesdiscover cure for sicklecell anaemia

By Ola Ajayi

Diet and healthylifestyles (non-smoking, physicalactivity, no or modestalcoholconsumption) arecritical for healthand wellbeing

IBADAN—OVER five millionsickle cell patients in Nigeria

and other African countries cannow heave a sigh of relief asthe University of Ibadan inpartnership with the Universityof Illinois, Chicago, USA andUniversity of Loyola, Chicagohave discovered a permanentcure for the terminal disease.

The cure of the deadlydisease, according to theProfessor of Medicine, VictorGordeuk, who is the Director,Sickle Cell Centre, Universityof Illinois, Chicago, USA andhis colleagues, Prof. DamianoRondelli, also from the sameuniversity and Prof. BamideleTayo, University of Loyola,Chicago this new treatment isdone through bone marrowtransplant and that it is lessrisky.

This was revealed yesterdayat the University CollegeHospital, Ibadan after a three-day brainstorming session withother experts in the teachinghospital.

Unlike the other conventionalmethod of stem cell transplantwhich exposes patients toradiation which could causecancer, first blood and marrowstem cell transplant, BMT, ismuch more effective.

The experts who were flankedby the Chief Medical Director,UCH, Prof. Temitope Alonge,Dr. Titilola Akingbola, anhaematologist and Dr. FolukeFasola, said this stem celltransplant is a standardprocedure for the treatment ofmany blood cancers in bothadult and children.

He said: “With thischemotherapy-free transplant,we are curing adults with sicklecell disease, and we see thattheir quality of life improves fastwithin just one month of the

transplant.“About 90 per cent of the

approximately 450 patientswho have received stem celltransplants for sickle celldisease have been children.Chemotherapy has beenconsidered too risky for adultpatients, who are often moreweakened than children by thedisease.

“Adults with sickle celldisease can now be curedwithout chemotherapy — themain barrier that has stood inthe way for them for so long.Our data provide more supportthat this therapy is safe andeffective and prevents patientsfrom living shortened lives,condemned to pain andprogressive complications.”

“In the new procedure,patients receive immuno-suppressive drugs just beforethe transplant, along with avery low dose of total bodyirradiation, a treatment muchless harsh and with fewerpotentially serious side effectsthan chemotherapy.”

“ Donor cells from a healthyand tissue-matched sibling aretransfused into the patient.Stem cells from the donorproduce healthy new bloodcells in the patient, eventuallyin sufficient quantity toeliminate symptoms. In manycases, sickle cells can no longerbe detected. Patients mustcontinue to takeimmunosuppressant drugs forat least a year.

The CMD, Prof. Alonge who calledfor support from government,philanthropists, donour agenciesand corporate bodies like banks andNigerian National PetroleumCorporation for provision ofequipment and completion of thesickle cell centre, described sickle cellas a disease of bone crisis which thepatient suffers from head to toe.

MURDER: APC wantscommissioner, Fayose's aidearrested

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

A D O - E K I T I —FOLLOWING the

confessional statement bythe prosecution’s starwitness, Gbolahan Okeowo,in the murder of driversunion leader in Ekiti State,Omolafe Aderiye, the AllProgressives Congress,APC, has called for the arrestof the Attorney General andCommissioner of Justice,Ajayi Owoseni; andGovernor Ayodele Fayose’smedia aide, Lere Olayinka,over their alleged roles inthe manipulation ofinvestigation in the case.

The prosecution’s starwitness, Gbolahan Okeowo,had on Monday in courtrecanted his earlierstatement implicating APCmembers, including Adeniyi

Adedipe (aka Apase), SolaAdenijo (aka Solar), RotimiOlanbiwonnu and DejiAdesokan aka Jaru, who isstill on the wanted list ofthe police as suspects in themurder.

Okeowo had during thelast hearing of the caselisted the men as Aderiye’smurderers. But onMonday, he recanted hisearlier statement, saying hewas not at peace with hisconscience in theimplication of innocent menfacing death for the crimethey knew nothing about.

In an affidavit in supportof his claim, Okeowo saidOwoseni and Olayinkaallegedly tore his originalstatement and both mentook him to Owoseni’s officewhere they wrote anotherstatement with a list ofthose to be implicated.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015 —51VANGUARD, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015 —51VANGUARD, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015 —51VANGUARD, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015 —51VANGUARD, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015 —51

A SENIOR Vaticanpriest, stripped of his

post after admitting beingin a gay relationship, haslaunched a scathing attackon the Roman CatholicChurch.

In a letter to Pope Francisthis month, KrzysztofCharamsa accused theChurch of making the livesof millions of gay Catholicsglobally “a hell”.

He criticised what hecalled the Vatican’shypocrisy in banning gaypriests, even though he saidthe clergy was “full ofhomosexuals”.

Pope Francis has yet torespond.

Until October 3, Monsi-gnor Charamsa held a seniorpost at the Vatican at theCongregation for theDoctrine of the Faith, thedepartment that upholdsRoman Catholic doctrine.

The Vatican immediatelystripped him of his post afterhe held a news conferencein a restaurant in Rome toannounce that he was bothgay and in a relationship.Roman Catholic priests aremeant to be celibate.

At the time, the Holy Seesaid the priest’s decision to

Expelled gay priest decriestreatment of homosexual Catholics

THE African Union(AU) has accused

government and rebelforces in South Sudan ofextreme violence since theconflict erupted at the endof 2013.

A commission of inquiryfound evidence of killings,torture, mutilations andrape, mostly againstcivilians, as well as episodesof forced cannibalism.

However, it specified thatgenocide had not beencommitted during theconflict.

Tensions remain, with apeace deal agreed betweenthe government and rebelsin August repeatedlybroken.

Tens of thousands ofpeople have died andanother two million peoplehave been forced from theirhomes since the civil warbegan nearly two yearsago.

In its report, the AU saidthe commission, formed lastyear under thechairmanship of Nigeria’sex-president OlusegunObasanjo, had identified

Rape, cannibalism in South Sudan,African Union says

perpetrators of violence fromboth sides.

It documented details ofbrutal killings, abductions ofwoman and sexual violenceamong other abuses, mostlycommitted against civilianswho were not taking part inthe fighting.

“The commission believesthat war crimes werecommitted in Juba, Bor,Bentiu and Malakal,” thereport said in reference to

the key conflict towns.Some witnesses in the

capital, Juba, toldcommission members thatthey had seen peopleforced to drink the bloodand eat the flesh of peoplewho had just been killed.

However, he said therewas “inconclusiveevidence” that hisgovernment was involved,and it was an allegation he“cannot accept”.

come out on the eve of theVatican’s synod on the familyhad been “irresponsible,since it aims to subject thesynod assembly to unduemedia pressure”.

The Polish priest hasreleased to the BBC a copy

of the letter he sent to thePope, written the same dayas the announcement, inwhich he criticised theChurch for “persecuting”and causing “immeasurablesuffering” to homosexualCatholics and their families.

US to fight ISIS withspecial forces

AFTER years of pullingback from the Middle

East, the Obama administ-ration’s new plan to use elite

American ground troops tocombat ISIL is meeting withscepticism among analystsand US lawmakers.

Secretary of DefenseAshton Carter announcedon Tuesday the US maysoon intensify air strikesagainst the Islamic State ofIraq and the Levant inRaqqa and Ramadi, andbegin to use special forceson specific missions.

Separately, Secretary ofState John Kerry informedUS lawmakers behindclosed doors in Washingtonon negotiations with Russiaand Iran to begin onThursday in Vienna.Germany, France, the UK,Saudi Arabia, the UAE, andTurkey will also participate.

Recent events haveprodded President BarackObama, nearing the last yearof his presidency, to confrontchallenges in the MiddleEast with greater force.Whether the newwillingness by Obama totake on greater risk will betoo little, too late, remains tobe seen.

TB ‘joins HIV as mostdeadly infection’

TUBERCULOSIS nowranks alongside HIV as

the world’s most deadlyinfectious diseases, theWorld HealthOrganization (WHO) says.

Each accounted forbetween 1.1 million and 1.2million deaths in 2014.

The WHO said thetuberculosis figures wereunacceptable for a diseasethat could be cured.

Medecins SansFrontieres said the statisticswere “disheartening” andwarned the world was“losing ground” ontackling resistant forms ofTB.

The WHO’s GlobalTuberculosis Report 2015

shows the huge strides thathave been made in tacklingTB, with the death rate beingnearly halved since 1990.

And the number ofinfections has been fallingby 1.5% a year since 2000.

Deaths from HIV/Aidshave also been fallingrapidly because of improvedaccess to anti-retroviraldrugs.

Dr Mario Raviglione, theWHO’s tuberculosis director,told the BBC News website:“Tuberculosis and HIV arenow competing to be thenumber one cause of deathfrom infectious disease in theworld.

“Tuberculosis now ranksalongside HIV.”

India to ban foreign surrogate services

THE Indian governmenthas said it plans to ban

surrogate services forforeigners wanting babies ina move which will hit athriving industry.

It says surrogacy wouldbe available “only for Indiancouples”.

India is called the“surrogacy hub” of theworld, where infertilecouples, including manyfrom overseas, hire thewombs of local women tocarry their embryos throughto birth.

But there have beengrowing concerns over whatis an unregulated business.

This had prompted apetition in the Supreme

Court, which last monthordered the government tospell out plans forregulating the industry.

“The government doesnot support commercialsurrogacy and also the

scope of surrogacy is limitedto Indian married infertilecouples only and not to theforeigners,” the governmentsaid in an affidavit to theSupreme Court onWednesday.

SYRIA: Iran to join peace parleyin Vienna

IRANIAN ForeignMinister Mohammad

Javad Zarif will attendmultilateral talks on findinga political solution to theconflict in Syria in Viennathis week, a governmentspokeswoman has said.

It will be the first time Iran- an ally of President Bashar

al-Assad - has attended sucha summit with the US.

Representatives of Russia,Saudi Arabia and Turkey willalso attend the talks.

Earlier, the US said aninvitation had beenextended to Iran - a moveSyria’s Western-backedopposition questioned.

Ouattara re-elected as Ivory Coastpresident

ALASSANE Ouattarahas won a landslide

victory in Ivory Coast’spresidential election,results showedWednesday, in a vote seenas key to cementing thewest African country’s bidto overcome a history ofelectoral violence.

The 73-year-old won asecond five-year termoutright by garneringalmost 84 percent of ballotsin the first round of pollsSunday, when more thanhalf of voters turned outdespite calls for a boycott byopposition candidates.

Ouattara, who had been

widely tipped to win, hasbeen credited with revivingthe economy of the war-scarred country, the world’sleading cocoa producer, butalso accused of creepingauthoritarianism.

His main challenger wasex-prime minister PascalAffi N’Guessan, who wonjust 9.3 percent of ballotsand ran on behalf of theIvorian Popular Front — theparty of former leaderLaurent Gbagbo.

Ouattara unseatedGbagbo in 2010 but the thenpresident refused toconcede defeat, sparking awave of violence which leftaround 3,000 people dead.

Gbagbo was eventuallydefeated by pro-Ouattaraforces, backed by the UNand France, who draggedhim from a bunker underthe presidential residencewhere he had hidden fordays.

Tanzania: Election annulledin Zanzibar after fight

ELECTIONS inZanzibar have been

annulled for not being freeand fair, the electoral chiefon the Tanzanianarchipelago hasannounced.

Rows between rivalelectoral commissionershad led to physical fights,Jecha Salum Jecha said.

The opposition says thevote on the islands wascancelled because it won.

The main challenger inthe national presidentialelection, Edward Lowassa,said the problems inZanzibar could be mirroredacross the country.

Earlier, he called for thenational electoralcommission to stopreleasing results, allegingthe whole processnationwide had beenmarred by fraud.

The elections in Tanzaniaare the most competitive inthe country’s history, withfour opposition partiesforming the Ukawacoalition to challenge theruling CCM’s 54-year gripon power.

Previous elections haveturned violent on semi-autonomous Zanzibar,whose two main islands areUnguja, often referred to asZanzibar, and Pemba.

Mr Lowassa urged hissupporters to remain calmand not to engage in streetprotests.

RWANDA: MPs debatepresident’s third term

RWANDA’S lower houseof parliament debated

on Wednesday aconstitutional change thatwould allow President PaulKagame to run for a thirdterm, a move opposed bythe United States and otherdonors.

The amended constitutionwill still be a draft that facesa referendum, but isexpected to pass.

Parliament met after apetition calling for thechanges was signed by 3.7million people who backeda president credited with

rebuilding Rwanda afterthe 1994 genocide.

Critics say thegovernment stifles themedia and oppositionvoices, a charge it denies.A bid by the main but tinyopposition DemocraticGreen Party to block aconstitutional was rejectedby the Supreme Court.

The debate about termlimits has flared in severalcountries in Africa. TheUnited States, a majordonor to Rwanda, has saidit was concerned by movesto change the constitution.

L-R: Monsignor Krzysztof Charamsa ,who was strippedof his Vatican post after admitting being in a gayrelationship, poses with his gay partner

Re-elected Ivory Coast President, Allassane casting hisvote during his country's presidential election.

VIRGINIA

KAPTAIN AFRIKA in “HEY’ By Andy Akman

dadadekola@yahoo.com

TERROR MUDA in “Scavenger Elite” By Lanre Kehinde

HOME & ABROAD By Lawrence Akapa

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLINGASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLINGASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLINGASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLINGASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLINGSend ySend ySend ySend ySend your datour datour datour datour date and place of bire and place of bire and place of bire and place of bire and place of bir th tth tth tth tth to the Aso the Aso the Aso the Aso the Astrtrtrtrtrologicalologicalologicalologicalological

Counselling, PCounselling, PCounselling, PCounselling, PCounselling, P.M.B 1.M.B 1.M.B 1.M.B 1.M.B 100000000007, Apapa, Lagos7, Apapa, Lagos7, Apapa, Lagos7, Apapa, Lagos7, Apapa, Lagos

YOUR LUCK TODAYYOUR LUCK TODAYYOUR LUCK TODAYYOUR LUCK TODAYYOUR LUCK TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139L E I S U R ETHOUGHT FOR TODAYTHOUGHT FOR TODAYTHOUGHT FOR TODAYTHOUGHT FOR TODAYTHOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

52 —Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

LIBRA; This is not the right time to rely on promisesmade by others. Continue to take matters-of-the-heartseriously. Reason with your reliable associates.

SCORPIO; Tension within the domestic scene willstart to ease off. Yet you will need to watch what youdo within your base till after 10.15pm tonight.

SAGITTARIUS; Both yourself and other importantpersonalities to you are beginning to see things fromsame point of view making it easy for you to eliminateunnecessary rift.

CAPRICORN; Venus moves into a positive angleto your Star and encourages peaceful settlement.Exhibition of maturity on your part will favour youbetter.

AQUARIUS; Gradually you are dropping aggressiveapproach you have adopted in the last few days tothe betterment of your cause. Remain practical tillafter 10.15pm

PISCES; Better than yesterday; however that is notto say you should throw caution to the wind.Improvement on your love life indicated. Try tocomport yourself.

ARIES; After a few days of fun you may need tosettle down to serious business. Those of you workingtill very late evening will need to be more careful tillafter 10.15pm. Reason with your tried and trustedold hands(friends)

TAURUS; Venus moves into a positive angle andboost your sparkling personality to the betterment ofyour cause. Could be a nice day for the-young-at-heart

GEMINI; It is important you don’t allow your mindto wander unnecessarily so that minor but costlymistakes would be averted. Avoid late eveningconfusion.

CANCER; Recent tension generated by controversyover money will start to ease off. Be more vigilant ifyou are working late in the evening.

LEO;. Other people will continue to have their saysand if you try to indoctrinate them tensed atmospherewill be aggravated. Be patient

VIRGO; Entrance of romantic Venus into your StarSign will enhance your prospects. Both financial andlove related success are possible.

Dear Joshua,

I want to know about my future, especially what Ishould expect from my love life both in the immediateand far future. However that is not to say I am notinterested in good financial standing.

Lucky, Jos.

Dear Lucky,The challenge here is inability to hold on to your

gains (profits) partially, by the contact made betweenyour natal Saturn and Venus as stated under yourcareer and some other times by your love of easylife. Although the Saturn influence can be mitigatedas I said under your career, the love of luxury comesfrom your stallion Taurus which must not be totallydiscouraged but should not be allowed to go beyondyour control.

Yes envy and jealousy can creep in as indicated bythe oppositions between your natal Venus/Saturn inTaurus and Jupiter in Scorpio, but that is not enoughexcuse for either failure or manipulation of occultpowers against you. Whatever anybody says and/ordoes GREAT FINANCIAL SUCCESS is your portion.

The most influential planet during your birth houris Venus-the planet of MONEY and LOVE. You arethe romantic type whose magnetic personality andopen handedness are sources of big trap to hismembers of opposite sex. As handsome as you areyou truly crave stability in your love life/home. Thehappiness you desired will be yours.

What’s my financialstanding?

God is watchingRIGHT from

ages man hascontinued to lookfor ways of cloth-ing his nakedness.Nakedness doesnot just mean notwearing clothesalone. It includescovering our evil

deeds, wickedacts, ways and sinsetc.As it was in the

days of the biblicalAdam and Eve, soit is today. Whenwe commit hei-nous crime, we

run for cover un-der the stone, un-der the water andunder the dark,hoping and pray-ing that we willnot be caught. Welive a life. We for-get that air bear

witness to ourcruel act; the sunby our shadowtakes our photo-graph, and ourconscience con-victs us daily.Beware, God is

watching. Yoursins will find youout.

Think about it!

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015 – 53

SiasiaContinues from BP

phase of the Africa U-23 Nations Cup in Sen-egal, which will serveas a qualifying tourna-ment for next year’s RioOlympics.

“Nigerians shouldknow that we are notwell prepared (for thechampionship) and Ishould not be held re-sponsible for whateverhappens,” said Siasia.

“We are orphans. Wehave not been paid ourbonuses, while the Su-per Eagles were paidfull bonuses evenwhen they drew inBurkina Faso. We havebeen without allow-ances for the past ninemonths.

“How can you survivein this kind of situa-

tion, where you havenot been paid for threemonths, no car, notraining kits – we haveto wash to wear our kits.It’s embarrassing.

“We can’t sit downquiet and die. I am tiredof this place.

“The NFF keep sayingthey don’t have money.”

Besides the cashcrunch affecting theteam, Siasia repeatedhis complaint he has nothad a full squad to trainwith because playershave to always return totheir league clubs formatches as the seasonhits the home stretch.

Four years ago, Ni-geria failed in Moroccoto qualify for the 2012London Olympics.

their 2018 FIFA WorldCup African Round 2first leg tie.

The SwazilandFootball Association hasfixed the match to startat 7pm Swazi time (6pmNigeria time) on Friday,November 13 at the20,000 –capacitySomhlolo Stadium,which is an all –standingarena.

Sihlangu Semnikati(which means ‘King’sShield’) famouslydefeated Guinea’s SyliNationale 2-1 in a 2017Africa Cup of Nationsqualifier in Casablancalast month, and theneliminated Djibouti 8-1on aggregate in the2018 FIFA World CupAfrica Round One.

Football’s worldgoverning body, FIFA,has appointed GermainKoole of Benin Republicas referee for the bigmatch, with his

EaglesContinues from BP compatriots Bienvenu

Dina, Sena UlrichHouedin and GustaveEugene Tohouegnon asassistant 1, assistant 2and fourth officialrespectively.

Mohamed Bahou fromMorocco will serve as thereferee assessor withJoseph Nkole fromZambia to serve as matchcommissioner.

The Super Eagles,currently rated 52nd in theworld, drew a bye in theRound One as theSihlangu negotiated pastDjibouti easily. TheSihlangu sit in 135thplace in the FIFA ranking.

While Nigeria has wonthree African titles andplayed at five previousWorld Cup finals,Swaziland has neverqualified for anycontinental event, talk lessthe FIFA World Cup.

The Super Eagles willresume camping for thematch in Abuja onMonday, November 9.

FIFA: 7 ready for electionSEVEN candidates

will stand in Fifa’spresidential election on26 February.

The candidates are:Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, Musa Bility,Jerome Champagne,Gianni Infantino,Michel Platini, SheikhSalman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa and TokyoSexwale.

Trinidadian ex-footballer David Nakhidwas not included on thelist, despite saying hehad submitted hiscandidacy.

The election is to finda successor to thesuspended Sepp Blatter,who is under criminalinvestigation.

The Swiss 79-year-oldannounced he would bestepping down in June,with world football’sgoverning body at thecentre of a corruptionscandal.

Our role in Odegbami’s failed bid, by Pinnick

PRESIDENT of theNigeria Football

Federation (NFF),Amaju Pinnick hasrefuted claims by formerinternational, ChiefSegun Odegbami thathis failure to register forthe forthcoming electionfor the FIFA presidencywas due to sabotagefrom home.

Odegbami who,despite getting theendorsement of the NFFahead of former Abia

BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja State governor, Dr. Orji

Uzor Kalu on Tuesdayclaimed that the NFFdid not give him all thesupport because theirendorsement came late.He also accused hisrival, Orji Kalu as wellas former executivemember of FIFA, Dr.Amos Adamu of scuttlinghis journey to Zurich.

But addressingjournalists after anemergency committeemeeting late onTuesday, Pinnick saidthe NFF after getting thefinal governmentendorsement ofOdegbami last Thursdayforwarded same to himbecause he was theperson that substantiallycomplied with the laiddown requirementsneeded for anybody to bepresented as acandidate for theelection slated to takeplace in February, 2016.

“The federation met acouple of months agoand gave someconditions for anybody

wishing to contest tomeet, including gettingendorsement from localfederation; proof ofeligibility as specified bythe FIFA Electoral Code;endorsement fromgovernment because it isthe country that youwant to represent andendorsement from CAF.Now between Orji Kaluand Odegbami, it wasOdegbami thatsubstantially compliedwith our demands. Onlylast Thursday we got thefinal endorsement fromthe government forSegun Odegbami andwe forwarded same tohim.

“As a federation ourswas just to nominate, wethought that he hadgotten the otherendorsements and ourswas to be the icing onthe cake and at a pointhe said all he neededwas our nomination andwe thought he had othernominations because heis a very popular personnot just in Africa but

beyond. I did my best aspresident of NFF. I wascalling him every onehour, I don’t think wedid badly as afederation.

“Ordinarily when youare going for a contestlike this, there are 209federations and youneeded only fiveendorsements youshould have gotten it.

“And talking about theso-called sabotage, Idon’t want to delve intosuch a sensitive area, Idon’t think it is true,nobody could have armtwisted me. To me it isunfortunate that we lostout but we should leaveit like that, I will say wehave learnt our lessons.”

Many analysts haveexpressed regrets thatthe former national teamcaptain failed to fly thecountry ’s flag at theFIFA elections even aftergetting the endorsementof the NFF before thedeadline last Monday.

Hiddink hints atinterest in Chelsea

GUUS Hiddink hasrefused to rule out

the possibility of returningto Chelsea if JoseMourinho leaves StamfordBridge.

The Dutchman managedChelsea on a temporary

basis in 2009, winning theFA Cup, and is currentlywithout a job afterresigning from the Hollandjob during their ill-fated bidto reach Euro 2016.

Mourinho is underincreasing pressurefollowing a poor start to theseason that has seen fivePremier League defeatsand an early exit from theCapital One Cup.

Another poor result inSaturday’s league matchwith Liverpool could seeMourinho’s second spell atthe club come to an end,with Hiddink and CarloAncelotti among the namesin the frame to replace him.

And asked by VoetbalInternational whether hewould be interested,Hiddink said: ‘Top classfootball is always attractive.I’ve had some offers comemy way recently, but therewere no jobs I wanted toget in to right away.

‘We’ll see, we just haveto wait now.’

Hiddink, 68, arrived atStamford Bridge inFebruary 2009 following thesacking of Brazilian LuizFelipe Scolari. He stabilisedthe club, leading them to athird-place finish in thePremier League, the semi-finals of the ChampionsLeague and the FA Cupfinal, where they beatEverton 2-1.

BARCELONA areset to DOUBLE

Neymar ’s wages to£500,000 a week and derailManchester United’shopes of signing him.

The Brazil striker will

Neymar to earn £500,000a week become the world’s third-

highest paid playerbehind team-mate LionelMessi and CristianoRonaldo.

Barca president JosepMaria Bartomeu said:“This is the season we willsort out a new deal withNeymar.

“But we will try not totalk about the negotiationsand to work discreetly untilwe can announce it.”

SunSport revealed in thesummer United hadtargeted Neymar and wereeven willing to stump uphis £137million contractbuy-out clause.

HE is well and trulyretired, or so he

says, but talk of arematch with MannyPacquiao still won’t goaway for FloydMayweather.

The undefeated fighterwas partying in Miamiat the King of Diamondsclub, complete with histrademark stacks ofcash, where a bottle ofvodka can cost anything

Mayweather parties withstacks of cash in Miami

up to $600 (£392), as hecontinued to enjoy hisfreedom.

Earlier, he had alsotaken to Instagram topost a picture of himselfand legendary boxerSugar Ray Leonard,w r i t i n g :‘FloydMayweather and@sugarrayleonard raninto each other today# B o x i n g G r e a t s#LivingLegends.’

•Mayweather

•Neymar

•Prince Hussein •Sexwale •Salman •Infantino

54 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

BAYERN Munichcaptain Philipp

Lahm says theBundesliga champions’hunger and desire isfuelling their dominantstart to the season aheadof Friday’s trip to faceEintracht Frankfurt.

The sides meet at theCommerzbank Arena offthe back of differing DFB-Pokal results - PepGuardiola’s menknocking out defendingchampions Wolfsburg,while Frankfurt fell tothird-tier ErzgebirgeAue.

Bayern have won all 10league matches thisterm and consolidated their usual position atopthe table with a 4-0victory over Cologne lasttime out.

Arjen Robben made agoalscoring return frominjury in the victory at theAllianz Arena, with Mehdi Benatia able to

Lahm talks upchampions´hunger

feature on Friday havingbeen an unusedsubstitute in the win overWolfsburg following ahamstring problem.

Skipper Lahm paidtribute to Guardiola thisweek amid ongoingspeculation surroundinghis future and Bayern’smentality.

“It’s not a secret theteam works well with himand follows him.Everything else[regarding his future] isnot in our hands,”explained the formerGermany international.

“Of course it’s not anormal thing to show agood performanceeverytime. This isimpressive.

“Every Bundesligamatch is a newchallange, ouropponents don’t make iteasy for us. The nicething is that we stayhungry.

INTER coach RobertoMancini has

criticised Serie Arefereeing followingFelipe Melo’s red cardagainst Bologna.

Melo received twoyellow cards in the spaceof seven minutes forchallenges on EmanueleGiaccherini and LucaRizzo respectively asInter picked up a 1-0away win over Bologna.

Mauro Icardi scoredthe only goal of the gameon 67 minutes, with thewin moving Inter to the

Mancini criticises Serie A refereestop of the table.

Mancini blasted thedecision to show Melo asecond yellow, claimingthe competition’s officialsare giving out too manycards.

“I didn’t agree withFelipe Melo’s sendingoff, but you can hardlyexpect me to,” Mancinisaid. “The referees aredishing out too manycards. We can’t send offplayers for fouls like thatotherwise the game willnever improve.

“This is the third match

we’ve had to play a manlight. We can’t go on likethis – games should beplayed 11 v 11. The samething happened atPalermo, where Murilloshould never have beengiven a second yellow.”

Mancini himself wassent off for dissent instoppage time but the 50-year-old believes he didnothing wrong.

“As for my own sendingoff, you’ll have to ask thereferee about that becauseI said nothing wrong atall.”

DIEGO Costa isconfident he will be

fit for Chelsea’s criticalhome game againstLiverpool on Saturdaydespite damaging his ribsin midweek as theholders exited the CapitalOne Cup at Stoke.

Costa confident he’ ll be fit to face LiverpoolThe Spain forward was

hurt in a clash with thehosts’ Charlie Adam and,having initially attemptedto play on, waved to thebench to be replaced justafter the half-hour mark.Costa was immediatelytaken to a local hospital for

X-rays on his ribs, with theclub conducting furtherprecautionary scans at theirCobham training base.

He will need monitoringbefore the visit of JürgenKlopp’s side for a game onSaturday lunchtime thatcould prove pivotal in

terms of José Mourinho’sfuture at Stamford Bridge.There is optimism,however, that Costa hassustained only bruising tohis side and should be fitto start. A fracture wouldhave required immediaterest and ruled him out forup to a month.

Mourinho’s sidelanguish 15th in thePremier League after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat atWest Ham, having lost halfof their 10 games, with theneed to instigate animmediate upturn clear.Support remains withinthe hierarchy for amanager.

•Costa

Wenger praises Championship level afterArsenal loss

ARSENE Wengerpraised the

increasing level of theChampionship followingArsenal’s shock League

Cup exit to SheffieldWednesday.

Goals to Ross Wallace,Lucas Joao and SamHutchinson saw second-tier outfit Wednesdayupstage Arsenal 3-0 onTuesday.

Wednesday, who were

relegated from the PremierLeague in 2000, are justninth in the Championshipafter 10 rounds this season.

Wenger defended hissquad selection but tooknothing away from thequality of theChampionship.

“Ideally I would haveloved to have won tonight,”Wenger said. “I will notuse that as an excuse butI’m sure as a squad now wecan focus on othercompetitions.

“And I must say, like I saidbefore the game, because ofmany foreign playersplaying in the PremierLeague you have more andmore good players playinggoing down to theChampionship and to playwith young players againstChampionship playersbecomes difficult.

CAPTAIN'S STUFF... Bayern Munich's Captain Philipp Lahm controls the ball.

•Mancini

•Wenger

CMYK

Enyimba on course for 8th title

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015 — 55

ENYIMBA are ontrack for a seventh

Nigeria league cham-pionship after theypipped Kwara United 1-0 at home onWednesday.

‘The People’sElephant’ now have 65points from 35 matches,while closest rivals WarriWolves, who are on 59points, play on Thursdayafter they requested theirgame at Lobi Stars beshifted following a paystrike by their players.

Giwa FC upstagedclosest rivals WikkiTourists with a latewinner by Amos Gyangwhen it had looked likeboth teams would splitthe points at 2-2.

Skipper ChineduUdoji netted his fourthgoal of the season in the22nd minute, when heheaded home a corner byEzekiel Bassey, to ensurefull marks for Enyimba athome against strugglingKwara United, who sankdeeper in the drop zone.

Nzube Anaezemba’sfree kick was stopped byKazeem Yekeen as earlyas the fifth minute,before the impressiveBassey failed to hit targetfrom the edge of the boxafter he beat his markerin the 15th minute.

Andrew Abalogu thenmissed a sitter forEnyimba in the 41stminute when he wasone-on-one with theKwara Unitedgoalkeeper.

Ezekiel Bassey hit thewoodwork from 25 yardsjust two minutes into thesecond half and in the68th minute, KazeemYekeen denied KingsleySokari. Three minutes toend the game, Sokarifailed to score from sixyards after he roundedup Yekeen.

Bussdor re-appoints KaluFOR his inspirational

leadership andimmense contributions to thedevelopment of BussdorFootball Club over the years, the management of the PortHarcourt based team hasreappointed former Abia State

governor and Africa Pillar ofSports Dr Orji Uzor Kalu asthe club’s deputy chairman.

In a statement signed bythe president and proprietorof Bussdor, Oscar Igbokwedated October 27, themanagement said the board,

after it’s meeting on October21 decided to reappoint thebusiness mogul for anothertenure. He was firstappointed on March 14, 2013.

“We are pleased to informyou that the board of BussdorUnited FC after her boardmeeting on October 21deemed it fit to reappoint youas the Deputy Chairman ofthe club.

“This reappointment wasnecessitated by your sterlingleadership qualitiesdemonstrated over the pasttwo years that you wereappointed as the DeputyChairman of the club.

•Calls for prosecution of killer copNTF laments Mcleod’s killing

alongside her daughterAngel, 14, moved toNigeria from their base inDubai last year, died ofgunshot injuries shesustained from a trigger-happy mobile policeman ina Victoria Island, Lagoshotel on Tuesday during analtercation. It calls for theprosecution of the killer cop.

Beauty’s demise is thelatest in the series of deathsrecorded in Nigerian tennisin recent months followingthe demise of anotherplayer, Glady’s O’Mailey,who gave up the ghost afterchild birth while CosmosNtemuse, a referee also diedrecently.

“This is a very darkperiod for Nigerian tennisbecause Beauty is one

player that has beenhelping in the developmentof Nigerian tennis throughthe support she has beengiving to her daughter,Angel, who is one of ourbrightest junior tennisplayers. We are deeplyshocked by her death”NTF boss Sani Ndanusasaid.

“Beauty has been a clearexample of NTF’s crusadeof parents’ support for theirkid(s) in tennis; somethingthat has helped the top starsof tennis globally. She takesresponsibilities for the careerof her daughter followingher to tournaments withinand outside Nigeria whichhas really helped her tobecome one of the mostpromising junior players inAfrica.

THE Nigeria TennisFederation (NTF)

has expressed shockfollowing the killing ofBeauty Mcleod, a Nigeriantennis player on Monday.

The 36-year-old, who

F R O N T L I N ESports Journalist

and Administrator, EmikoBake, has passed on aftera brief illness. Bake diedlate Tuesday after battlingwith a health condition forthree weeks.

His first son, EmikoBake Jnr, said his dadlived a fulfilled life andwas ready to carry on butGod knows best. Beforehis death, ‘Grandmaster’as he was fondly calledwas the Chief Sub-Editorof SportsDay News-papers and NationalWeekender. He was aged65.

Late Emiko Bake

SEPP Blatter haslaunched a

remarkable attack on the“envy and jealousy”ofMichel Platini –blaming what he called anorganised conspiracy of theUefa president, theEuropean Union and themedia for bringing himdown.

In a wide-ranginginterview with the Russian news agency Tass,Blatter spoke in detail aboutthe £1.3m contract at the

Blatter attacks ‘envious, jealous’ Platini

2015 NigerianSports Award:Nominationthrills Oguchi

•Orji Kalu

TABLE TOPPERS... Enyinmba International of Aba players on top oftheir game

Late Beauty Mcleod

HAVING beennominated in two

categories of this year’sprestigious NigerianSports Award, 2015Afrobasket Most ValuablePlayer (MVP),Chamberlain Oguchibelieves his considerationfor the award has indeedhumbled him.

Oguchi, who plies histrade with AnwilBasketballClub in theTauron Basketball Leagueof Poland, said hisnomination showed thatNigerians really appreciateD’Tiger’s efforts to bringhonours to Nigeria at the2015 AfrobasketChampionship.

“I am honoured andhumbled to be nominatedfor Ball Sportsman of theYear and Sportsman of theYear. It would mean theworld to win these awards.I want to thank theNigerian publics forrecognizing me, and Ihope to wear these awardsproudly in representationof the 170 million plusNigerian inhabitants aswell as Nigerians acrossthe world,” he said.

He also lauded theorganizers of the NigerianSports Award for theinitiative to recognize andreward athletes that havedone Nigeria proud acrossthe globe.

Oguchi and 2014 ITTFStar Player, Aruna Quadriare both nominated for theBall Sports Award and theSportsman of the Yearaward while Oguchi willalso be competing againsthis teammate, OlumideOyedeji in the Ball Sportscategory alongside Quadri.

The Coach of theNational Men’s Basketballteam, William Voight willbe competing with AreFeyisetan, NigerianPowerlifting Coach and theWomen Cycling Coach,Bashir Mohammed for theCoach of the Year category.

centre of Fifa’s decision tosuspend him and Platini,and set out his position onthe turmoil at Fifa –suggesting he is the victimof an artificial crisis whichhas “nothing to do withcriminal activity”.

Among the issues raisedby Blatter in the interview:

• An unsubstantiatedclaim that there was a pre-vote agreement in placethat Russia would host the2018 World Cup and theUSA would host the 2022

tournament – which wasundone when Platinipressed for Qatarfollowing a meeting withNicolas Sarkozy and thecrown prince of Qatar.

• An insistence thatRussia will not be strippedof the 2018 World Cup,whatever theinvestigations into thevalidity of the biddingprocess turn up. Blattersaid the tournament wasnow “anchored” and couldnot be withdrawn.

Emiko Bakepasses on

CMYK

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-4548355. Advert Dept Hotline: 01-4544821. Abuja Advert Hotline: 09-2921024. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com

Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Ag.Editor: EZE ANABA. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

How to Play Sudoku

Place a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line canhave two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (alsonine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within abold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1through 9. This means that no number can appear twicein any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, divisionor multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

YESTERDAY'S ANSWERSTODAY'S PUZZLE

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

CMYK

QUICK CROSSWORDQUICK CROSSWORDQUICK CROSSWORDQUICK CROSSWORDQUICK CROSSWORD

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONSACROSS: 1, Stem 4, Dim 6, Gasp 9, Lit 10,Reversed 11, Amen 14, Par 16, Seamy 19,Released 21, Liver 23, Defiance 24, Start 27,Lip 31, Find 33, Imitated 34, Tee 35, Seer 36,Lie 37, Tent.

ACROSS4 Wander (5)7 Summary (6)9 Dog (3)10 Enthusiastic (3)12 Rustic (5)13 Frozen (4)15 Readjusted (5)17 Oppose (6)19 Respect (4)20 Salute (5)22 Sailor (3)24 Wished (7)27 Tankard (3)28 Wear (5)31 Cease (4)33 Tarnished (6)35 Angry (5)37 Broad (4)38 Delete (5)39 Spike (3)41 Brown (3)42 Shy (6)43 Viper (5)

DOWN1 Season (6)2 Drastic (6)3 Vigour (3)4 Certain (4)5 Veracity (5)6 Aroused (8)8 Robe (4)11 Penniless (9)14 Act (4)16 Asterisk (4)18 Pace (4)21 Renovated (8)23 Stagger (4)25 Drink (4)26 Sketched (4)29 Loathsome (6)30 Team (6)32 Ski-slope (5)34 Precede (4)36 Back (4)40 Material (3)

DOWN: 2, Teem 3, Meet 4, Diseased 5,Made 6, Glade 7, Aim 8, Steam 12, Cross 13,Liama 14, Pal 15, Revel 17, Ahmed 18, Yoked20, Definite 22, Rip 25, Trite 26, Rider 28, Pil29, Part 30, Seen 32, Nee.

FIFA: 7 ready for election

Pictured, clockwise left to right: Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, Tokyo Sexwale,Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa, Gianni Infantino, Michel Platini, MusaBility & Jerome Champagne

Siasia: Don’tblame me if I fail

Neymar to earn£500k a week

Hiddink hints atinterest inChelsea

•Siasia

Mayweatherparties withstacks of cash

1 Lionel Messi £565,000;2 Cristiano Ronaldo £550,000;3 Neymar £500,000*; 4 Zlatan Ibrahimovic £350,000;5 James Rodriguez £300,000,6 Wayne Rooney £300,000;7 Gareth Bale £280,000;8 Luis Suarez £250,000,9 Radamel Falcao £250,000,10 Yaya Toure £230,000,11 Sergio Aguero £230,000. (*currently £250,000)

TOP 10 WEEKLY WAGES

Our role in Odegbami’sfailed bid, by Pinnick

Eagles to confrontSwaziland Nov 13

Akwa 2 Sunshine Stars 1Bayelsa 1 Abia Warriors 0Dolphins 2 El Kanemi 0Enyimba 1 Kwara 0I/Ubah 1 Heartland 0Pillars 2 Enugu 1Sharks 2 Shooting 1

Resutls

Detailsinside

COACH SamsonSiasia has said he

should not be heldresponsible shouldNigeria fail to qualify forthe Rio Olympics nextmonth because his teamhave been treated like“orphans”.

Nigeria are drawnagainst Egypt, Algeriaand Mali in the groupContinues on Page 53

THE Super Eagles ofNigeria and

Sihlangu Semnikati ofSwaziland will clashunder floodlights at theSomhlolo NationalStadium in Lobamba, inContinues on Page 53 •Oliseh

•Pinnick