Transcript

...towards a better life for the people

N150VOL. 25: NO. 62195

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014**

Mr & Mrs

I don't know how Icame out alive — BUHARI

Continues on Page 5

•IBB, Atiku, Tukur, APC, CAN, others condemn attack•Yero lifts 24-hour curfew on Kaduna town•Nigeria capable of dealing with Boko Haram — Buhari

KADUNA BOMB ATTACK:

COLUMNIST:

•P.17

DonuKogbara

Tribute toa titan

By Soni Daniel, North-ern Region Editor, HenryUmoru, Luka Binniyat &

Caleb Ayansina

K A D U N A —FORMER Head of

State, GeneralMuhammadu Buhari(rtd), yesterday, said it re-mained a mystery how hesurvived the bomb attackon his convoy in Kadunaon Wednesday.

This came as formermilitary president, Gen-eral Ibrahim Babangida;former Vice-President,Alhaji Atiku Abubakar,and former national chair-man of the Peoples Demo-

FOOTPRINTS OF ASTATESMAN:The Leader, The Peacemaker;Social Justice Crusader

Pages 56&57

Lagos reports firstcase of Ebola fever

51

13

Chevron boss lauds Uduaghanon investment support

23

Enugu House to serve Dep.Gov impeachment notice bysubstituted means

VICTIMS OF KADUNA BLAST—Left:Governor Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State with a school boy victim of the bombattack at the 44 Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, yesterday. Right: Other victims of the twin-bomb blast. Photos: NAN.

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014 — 3

4 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

POCKET CARTOONVanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014—5

TAKE HEARTBY ELLA RANDLE

Continues from page 1

Happiness and the state of joy is ever lasting whenit comes from within— Take Heart Quotes

UNHAPPINESS lies in that gap between whatwe have now and what we think we need. But

the truth is, we don’t need to acquire anything moreto be content with what we already have. We don’tneed anyone else’s permission to be happy. Yourlife is magnificent not because someone says it is,or because you have acquired something new, butbecause you choose to see it as such. Don’t let yourhappiness be held hostage. It is always yours tochoose, to live and experience.

And from the experts of wisdom notes, Mack andAngel Hack comes this beautiful saying. “As soonas you stop making everyone and everything elseresponsible for your happiness, the happier you’llbe. If you’re unhappy now, it’s not someone else’sfault. Take full responsibility for your own unhap-piness, and you will instantly gain the ability to behappier. Stop seeking in vain to arrange conditionsthat will make you happy.” Simply choose to ap-preciate the greatness that is yours in this moment,and the right conditions will start to line up aroundthe contentment you seek.

I don't know how I came outalive — Buhari

cratic Party, AlhajiBamanga Tukur, yester-day, joined several otherNigerians and organiza-tions in condemning thesuicide attack on Buhari.

They described it as adangerous development.Meanwhile, GovernorMukhtar Yero of KadunaState has lifted the 24-hour curfew imposed onthe city following the bombattacks.

82 persons died in thetwin bomb explosions tar-geted at General Buhariand an Islamic cleric,Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi.They both escaped un-hurt.

Nigeria can dealwith Boko Haram— BUHARI

Recounting his experi-ence when Governor Yerovisited him at his SultanClose residence inKaduna, Buhari said:“When this question ofBoko Haram started, and

I am sure it is on record,in the first statement Imade about 18 monthsago, I said no religionadvocates what is hap-pening in the North East.So the case of this kind ofkillings is not religion; itis also not ethnic. Whenthey kill children inschools in the North East,they kill teachers, theyburn churches, they burnmosques, they burn mo-tor parks, they burn mar-kets — where is religionthere? Where is ethnicitythere? This is terrorismand I hope the govern-ment will come to gripswith it. Nigeria is capableof dealing with this. Someof us died in the civil warfor this country. For 30months we fought and wekept Nigeria one and,God willing, we are goingto keep Nigeria one.

“I commiserate with thefamilies of those that died,because this thing was ig-nited at exactly when mycar was almost side byside with that of the

bomber. I came out of thecar after the bomb went off.There was blood on mydress. I did not know howit came about because Idid not have a scratchmyself, but there weredead bodies all over theplace. The security tried tomove me to the other sideand we just got one of thevehicles passing and theybrought me home. I hopethe law enforcementagencies and the chiefexecutives of the stateswill succeed in securingthe country. May Godhelp us”, he said.

This bloodlettingmust stop — IBB

Condemning the bombattacks, GeneralBabangida, in a statementyesterday said: “The lat-est attack in Kaduna onWednesday by yet un-known persons has onceagain thrown up new di-mensions in the politicallife of our dear country.This, and several other at-tacks have tended to por-tray our dear country as aterrorist nation that isgrappling with insecurity.To state the least, thisbloodletting must stop.This bloodletting has tostop.

“I have sat back in myquiet retirement home inMinna to ponder whatcould be the motivation forthese several attacks, butI am yet to find any ex-planation why Nigerianswould be killing fellowNigerians. For those of uswho fought the civil war,our painful sense of nos-talgia still remains deep,as much as our patrioticattitude towards this greatcountry, Nigeria. Thesewanton killings and need-less bloodletting havecontinued to retard ourgrowth and democraticjourney, forcing the sys-tem to improvise all man-ners of mechanisms to ar-rest this descent to anar-chy. It is callous and in-human for anyone to goadthis country on the path

of perfidy, a path that islaid with landmines andbombs. This is totally un-acceptable.

“Even as I sympathisewith my colleague formerPresident, GeneralMuhammadu Buhari forescaping the bomber’sscalpel, I also wish to con-dole with the families ofthose who lost their livesin this attack. It is fright-ening and calls for con-demnation by all wellmeaning people of Ni-geria. We all must riseabove partisanship in ourcondemnation of this stateof insecurity, as we allmust be united in ourclear-cut resolve to findsolutions to this hydra-headed situation we findourselves. We must seethis state of insecurity asa Nigerian problem andnot one that is pigeon-holed in any particularregion, religion or tribe.Nigerians, by virtue oftheir nationality, should befree to live anywhere inthe country without moles-tation, harassment andintimidation.

"Let me also condolewith Mr. President on thisunfortunate incident andthe recurring decimal ofinsecurity and crimeagainst humanity that isfast polluting public mo-rality. We all must joinhands with Mr. Presidentat this critical time of ournational history anddemocratic journey toproffer solutions to thisanti-development sce-nario that is fast envelop-ing us."

Halt security chal-lenges, Atiku tellsFG

Former vice-president,Alhaji Atiku Abubakar inhis reaction called on theFederal Government tourgently take steps to haltthe escalating securitychallenges in the country,which he said has reachedan embarrassing propor-tion.

He said a situationwhere a former Head ofState and key oppositionfigure could be targetedby terrorists or hatchet kill-ers is a dangerous devel-opment, which should notbe taken lightly by any re-sponsible Nigerian.

According to Atiku:"The targeting of Buhari,whatever might be themotive or whoever couldbe behind it, has added adangerous dimension to abad security situation inthe country”. He addedthat the attack on Buharihas only deepened theanxiety of ordinary citi-zens that nobody is safe ifa former Head of Statecould be so targeted andalmost killed but for provi-dence”.

It's barbaric— Tukur

Also, former NationalChairman of the PeoplesDemocratic Party, PDP,

Alhaji Bamanga Tukuryesterday described thebomb attacks as most bar-baric and unholy.

According to Tukur, whois Nigeria’s Ambassador-at-Large, it was unfortu-nate that innocent Nige-rians going on their legiti-mate duties were killed inthe blasts, adding that forthe perpetrators to commitsuch heinous crimeagainst humanity at thisholy period of theRamadan fasting wasmost unholy and barbaric.

In a statement by hisspokesperson, PrinceOliver Okpala, Tukur, whonoted that no right think-ing person would like totake the lives of innocentpeople away against thepreaching and doctrines ofChristianity and Islamicinjunctions, howevercalled on those behind thedangerous acts to have are-think and return to thepath of religious and so-cial rectitude.

CAN condemnsattack

On its part, the Chris-tian Association of Nigeria(CAN), described the twinexplosions in Kaduna andKano at the peak ofRamadan as a clear indi-cation of disregard to theonly true God by a sect thatclaimed to be fightingGod’s cause, condemningthe attacks in strong terms.

Reacting to the blast, thePresident of CAN, PastorAyo Oritsejafor in a state-ment said it was unfortu-nate that people thatcould be used as the moralcompass for society ’stransformation were nowbeing targeted by terror-ists.

“The attack, coming al-most at the climax of theholy month of Ramadan isa clear indication of theperpetrators’ inclination toevil and disregard for the

true God and all that arelinked to him."

PDP sympathiseswith Buhari,Sheikh Bauchi

The Peoples DemocraticParty, PDP and the AllProgressives Congressalso condemned the bombattacks on the formerHead of State.

The PDP in a statementby its National PublicitySecretary, Chief OlisaMetuh described the at-tacks as dastardly and un-fortunate. The party alsosympathised with thecleric, Sheikh DahiruBauchi, who was alsolucky to have escapedunhurt.

Metuh said: “The party,while mourning the dead,“joins all well-meaningNigerians in thankingGod for saving the livesof General MuhammaduBuhari and SheikhDahiru Bauchi whose con-voys were affected in theincident.

“We sincerely sympa-thize with General Buhari.Our hearts go out to himand all those affected inthese wicked attacks.”

It's no-win situa-tion for FG — APC

The APC in a statementissued in Lagos by itsNational Publicity Secre-tary, Alhaji Lai Moham-med said the attemptedassassination of Gen.Buhari has changed thenarrative about the insur-gent group and knockedthe bottom off the sinister,irresponsible and partisancolouration given to theinsurgency by the FederalGovernment.

APC said while no onehas yet claimed responsi-bility for the attack, themere fact that it occurredat all is a lose-lose situa-tion for the Jonathan Ad-ministration.

11 years after their importation, 248 abandoned containers of power equip-ment being released in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: NAN. See story on Page 9

POWER EQUIPMENT RELEASED AFTER 11 YEARS

6 — Vanguard6 — Vanguard6 — Vanguard6 — Vanguard6 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FRIDAY, FRIDAY, FRIDAY, FRIDAY, , , , , JULY 25,JULY 25,JULY 25,JULY 25,JULY 25, 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014

Politicians buy human parts fromme, says suspect•As Kwara Police parade 3 for dealing in human parts•My desire to own a motorcycle prompted me – Another suspect

By Demola Akinyemi

ILORIN —THECommissioner of Police,

Kwara State, Mr AmbroseAisabor, yesterday, paradedtwo suspects, among others,for dealing in human parts.The third person paraded wassaid to be an accomplice.

Speaking at the PoliceHeadquarters along AhmaduBello Way, Ilorin, thecommissioner told newsmenthat the two suspects werearrested with human head,leg and hand in Tabiravillage, Okuta in BarutenLocal Government Area of thestate.

Aisabor said the suspects,Amos Kareem and AbubakarLadan, were arrestedfollowing a tip-off, stressingthat during investigation theyconfessed to the crime.

One of the suspects,Abubakar Ladan, toldVanguard that Amos Kareempromised to give him amotorcycle if he could findhim human head, hand andleg.

He said his desire to own amotorcycle prompted him togo to a burial ground and cutoff the human head, leg andhand that were displayed.

Amos Kareem, when askedwhat he was doing with

human parts, said somepoliticians used to buy theparts from him.

The suspects, however,refused to disclose the identityof politicians who patronisethem.

The police also paraded aman said to be an accomplice,having accommodated thesuspects in Tabira village,claiming that he never knewthat the suspects wereinvolved in such atrocity.

The suspects

It's tough coping with 9 children — Policeman’s widow•As Ogun POWA empowers 45 widows, 13 children of dead policemen

By Daud Olatunji

ABEOKUTA — IT was anemotion laden occasion

for widows of policemen whodied in the course of duty,yesterday, in Abeokuta.

One of the widows, JanetPeter, fought back tears as shereached for the edge of herwrapper to wipe her face.

Janet, who was presentedwith a grinding machine by theCommissioner of Police's wife,Mrs Amaka Ikemefuna, to atleast provide her with a sourceof income, said it has not beeneasy coping with nine childrenshe had for her late husband,Friday Peter, an AssistantSuperintendent of Police, ASP.

Narrating her ordeal, shesaid: “We thank our mummy(Mrs Ikemefuna) for thisempowerment programme.May God continue to bless her.It has not been easy to cope asa widow. My husband servedin Ogun for years before hewas transferred to Osun State.He died after three years ofservice in that state last yearafter a brief illness.”

Another widow, Mrs EstherEzenwata, mother of four,whose husband was killed by

a vehicle while trying torescue some victims at anaccident scene, also narratedher ordeal since she lost herhusband, Mr. JosephEzenwata, who was anAssistant Superintendent ofPolice.

She said: “Since myhusband died, life has notbeen the same again. Hecared for me and the childrenand he never allowed us tosuffer any want. But now, Iam left to take care of the fourchildren.

“I could not pay the schoolfees of one of them whoattends a public secondaryschool in Abeokuta. In fact,he is the one fending forhimself now through menialjobs. We appeal to thegovernment to assist us inpaying school fees of ourchildren and then theyshould empower useconomically, as POWA isdoing today.”

One of the children of oneof the late policemen whogave his name simply asJeremiah, also called ongovernment to come to the aidof children of policemen who

lost their lives in line of duty.He lamented that when his

father died it was the church,where the father was amember, that took care of hisburial expenses.

At least 45 wives and 13children of dead policemen,who lost their lives eitherthrough sickness, accident orslain by robbers in the courseof their official duty, wereempowered by the statePOWA.

Mrs Ikemefunaassures widows

While distributingempowerment items to theaffected wives and children ofPolicemen such as grindingmachines, bags of rice, schoolbags, coolers, packs of noodlesamong others, the statecoordinator of POWA, MrsAmaka Ikemefuna, pledgednot to abandon the widows andtheir children, includingorphans.

She said the Ogun POWAwas complementing the effortof its national president, Mrs.Zarah Bunu Abubakar.

“It has been the practice of

Ogun State Police Officers’Wives Association to stretchhands of love to the less-privileged in the state,” shesaid.

...CP too

The Commissioner ofPolice, Ikemefuna Okoye,who was also present at theoccasion, noted that it wasa sad memory to lose lovedones while performing theirduty. He promised that thecommand would notabandon those who had losttheir loved ones.

He said: “Thisempowerment programme isto tell our brothers, sisters,daughters and wives that weare still part of them. Theyshould let us know whateverthey are going through.”

Speaking shortly aftersome received differentempowerment items fromthe POWA, the widowspleaded with the FederalGovernment to show concernto their plight, saying lifehas been extremely difficultsince their breadwinnersdeparted

By Evelyn Usman

Couple, 15othersnabbed forvisa fraud

LAGOS —OPERATIVES of the

Police Special Fraud Unithave arrested 17 personsover visa fraud.

Among the suspects isan American-basedNigerian couple whoposed as parents of ateenager whom theyallegedly wanted to trafficto the United States ofAmerica.

The arrests, accordingto the the unit, followedpetitions from the UnitedStates Consulate Generalalerting it on attempts bydesperate Nigerians,who present falsedocuments in order to begranted visa.

So far, 11 petitions, asdisclosed by the unit,have been received fromthe US Consulate-General this monthalone.

The suspects, duringinterrogation, werediscovered to have usedpseudo-names in theirapplications.

The unit’s image maker,Ngozi Isintume-Agu, aDeputy Superintendentof Police, said: “One ofthe petitions dated July 9,2014, alleged that oneAdegbola Abiodun Estherwith date of birth ofDecember 31, 1988,appeared at USConsulate-General’soffice for non-immigrantVisa interview withforged Canadian visa,Turkish visa, andAngolan visa with entryand exit stamp, claimingto have visited the saidcountries.

"But duringinvestigation, it wasrevealed that the said visaswere forged by herboyfriend, one OloniOlufemi Olawale, tofraudulently obtain theUnited States visa and thatshe paid him N100,000.

"Also, the petitioneralleged that on July 10,2014, one AkinladeOlugbenga with PassportNo. A0573775 appearedfor a US immigrant visainterview with fake name– Awoleye OluwamuyiwaTope with date of birth, 01/01/1982. But oninterrogation, the suspectwas discovered to havefraudulently appeared atthe US Embassy to steal theidentity of the real winnerof the diversity visa lottery."

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014—7

KIDNAP IN LAGOS: Suspect is mentallyunstable — Police

.

By Evelyn Usman & EstherOnyegbula

LAGOS — MEDICAL reportof the mental state of the

mother of four who alleged thatthe General Overseer of HolyFamily Ministry, Prophet ErnestChukwuemeka, sent her tokidnap a seven-year-old boy forritual purpose, last month inIkorodu area of Lagos is out.

The report, which was madeavailable to operatives of the StateCriminal InvestigationDepartment, Yaba, showed thatthe woman is mentally deranged.

This is just as the commanddebunked reports that a buildingowned by the church was aritualist den.

Briefing newsmen on theoutcome of the investigation,yesterday, the command’sspokesperson, Ngozi Braide,stated: “The reports were all lies.No victim of kidnap was rescuedand no human bone wasrecovered at the location asreported in some sections of themedia.

“The reports that kidnappedvictims were rescued were allwrong. Family members of thepurported kidnapped victimssaid they brought their relativesto the ministry for healing.

“Again, the medical result of thesuspect, Rosemary Chukwu, whowas sent to the psychiatrichospital to ascertain her level ofsanity, has confirmed that she ismentally sick.

"Nevertheless, investigation isstill ongoing. We have sent thereport to the Directorate of PublicProsecution, DPP, to advise us onthe next line of action and we willact according to the advice.

“We had to clarify as a lot ofmisinformation had been sentacross. The Judiciary is currentlyon strike, when it calls off thestrike, I believe the DPP’s advicewill be ready.

“This is not to say that nobodycommitted any offence. What Iam saying is that we are awaitingthe DPP’s advice which willinform our next line of action.”

The medical reportThe medical report obtained

from the Federal Neuro-Phychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagosand signed by a ConsultantPsychiatrist, Dr. Adebayo R. A.read in part: “Our assessmentrevealed that she has paranoidschizophrenia, a major psychoticdisorder and will benefit frombiophychosocial treatments assoon as possible.”

A mob, last monthapprehended Rosemary Chukwuwho allegedly abducted a seven-year-old primary school pupil whowas going to fetch water from apublic well.

The suspect, who resides at 33,Omologede Street, locatedbehind C\S Primary School,

reportedly kept the boy insidea box and was taking him to anunknown destination when shewas apprehended.

During interrogation, she toldthe mob that Prophet

Chukwuemeka asked her tobring the boy for ritual purpose.

But the clergy man in hisstatement to operatives at theState Criminal InvestigationDepartment, Yaba denied theclaim, stating that Mrs Chukwu

was unknown to his ministry.He also told operatives that

the room destroyed by the mobover allegation that it was usedfor ritual, was used to keeplunatics being prayed for.

Rosemary Chukwu and the boy.

Coal City shuttle bus carrying over 50 students of ESUTon fire at Ozubulu Road on Independence Layout, Enugu,yesterday. PHOTO: NAN.

Navy handsover arrestedvessel toINTERPOL

By Evelyn Usman

LAGOS— The NigerianNavy ship, IBUSA, has

arrested a vessel named MTITIRI at Lagos road stead inconnection with an allegedhijack incident off PenningtonTerminal in the nation’swaters, six months ago.

Since its arrest, the vesselhas been in the custody of theNigerian Navy ship, NNSBeecroft‘s custody.

After preliminaryinvestigation which findingswere not disclosed, NavalHeadquarters, according to theCommander, NNS Beecrocft,Commodore EmmanuelUwadiae, directed that thevessel be handed over to theINTERPOL Department of theNigerian Police for furtherinvestigations.

In a statement signed byUwadiae, he warned piratesand sea robbers to stay awayfrom the nation’s waterways orface the wrath of the Navy.

Uwadiae in the statementsigned by the InformationOfficer, NNS Beecroft said:“The Nigerian Navy, underthe leadership of the currentCNS,Vice Admiral Usman O.Jibrin, has zero tolerance forillegalities in Nigerian waters."

Lagos Policebeginscampaignagainstterrorism

By Esther Onyegbula

LAGOS —THE Lagos StatePolice Command,

yesterday, disclosed that it hasstarted an enlightenmentcampaign against terrorism.

The command’sspokesperson, Ngozi Braide,made the disclosure tojournalists in Lagos during thelaunch of the campaign fliers.

Braide said the pamphlet,which would be officiallyreleased to the public onMonday, was aimed atsensitising the public.

“It will educate the generalpublic on what to look out for.Our target is to cut across 17million people. This is why wewill go to every nook andcrannies of the state to ensurethat everyone is enlightenedon counter-terrorism.

“We will distribute thepamphlets to private andcommercial park owners,hotels, mosques, churchesand other public places,” shesaid.

Ebonyi Assembly majority leaderkidnapped, rescued

By Peter Okutu

ABAKALIKI –UNKNOWN gunmen in

Abakaliki metropolis, yesterdayafternoon, kidnapped themajority leader of Ebony StateHouse of Assembly, Hon.Samuel Nwali.

Vanguard learnt that he waskidnapped at his residence atWatchman Street in Abakaliki

The House member, whorepresents Ikwo South StateConstituency is believed to be astrong supporter of the Speaker-elect, Hon. Helen Nwobasi.

However, a memberrepresenting Afikpo South East,Eni Uduma Chima confirmedthe incident.

A source who pleadedanonymity said Nwali’s kidnapmay not be unconnected withthe crisis rocking the House ofAssembly over the impeachmentof the former Speaker, Hon.Chukwuma Nwazunku lastMonday.

His rescue

Meantime, the House memberwas rescued by securityoperatives around 9:30am

yesterday.Vanguard gathered that the

victim was rescued around theboundaries between Ikwo LocalGovernment Area and CrossRiver State.

Governor Martin Elechi ofEbonyi State was at the premisesof the Ebonyi Directorate of StateServices, DSS, to see the victim,Hon. Sam Nwali.

Also at the command weremembers of the State House ofAssembly who are loyal to theSpeaker-elect.

As at the time of this report, itwas gathered that arrangementswere on to transfer Nwali fromthe DSS headquarters to aprivate hospital were he couldbe given intensive medicaltreatment.

8—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

FormerPetroleumMinister,Lukman,buriedinZaria

FRSC cautioned over court judgment on new number plates

COMMISSIONING: The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Kenneth Minimah (left) and Commander, NigerianArmy Ordinance Corps, Major General A. A. Martins, at the official commissioning of Nigerian Army Ordinance TailoringFactory in Lagos State, yesterday.

Gunmen kill Village Head,14 others in Borno

THE Federal Road SafetyCommission, FRSC, has

been asked to stopmisinforming Nigeriansover its plan to, from August1, start impounding vehicleswith the old number platesin clear disregard of anorder of a Federal HighCourt, Lagos, which heldthat the commission has nosuch powers to phase out theold number plates.

The lawyer, Mr. EmmanuelOfoegbu, at whose instance

the Federal High Court madethe order, in his reaction toFRSC’s purported plan to startimpounding vehicles with oldnumber on the allegedstrength of a favourableAnambra State High Courtjudgment, said: “My attentionhas been drawn to the wellmanufactured and concoctedlies by the FRSC over apurported judgment itobtained in respect of the newnumber plates.

“A certain Nwankwonta ofFRSC is now insinuating andboasts that the Federal High

Court judgment, whichjudgment is still valid andsubsisting, has been upturnedby the said purportedjudgment of an AnambraState High Court.

“Perhaps it is important toask, upturned where? By apurported judgment ofanother state high court? TheFederal High Courtjudgment is on appeal. Mr.Alex Iziyon (SAN) is thecounsel to FRSC and we haveexchanged briefs of argumentin the appeal.

“The question is, does a

state high court hasjurisdiction over FRSC, afederal agency. Theconstitution is there for thecommission and its lawyers tocheck.

“My alert is to assistNigerians to be aware of theirrights as rightly stated byJustice Tsoho of the FederalHigh Court, FHC. It must benoted that the FHC is the onlycourt of first instance in so faras the subject matter in issueis concerned and not a statehigh court or howsoevercalled.”

By Innocent Anaba

M A I D U G U R I —G U N M E N

suspected to be members ofBoko Haram sect, yesterday,invaded Garubula Village inBiu Local Government Areaof Borno State, killing theDistrict Head, Alhaji IbrahimDawi and 11 others,including the District Head’sbodyguard.

Also two people said to bemembers of VigilanteYouths, otherwise known asCivilian JTF, were yesterdaynight dragged out from theirhouses to a river bank inGamboru Ngala, a bordertown with the CameroonRepublic, and slaughtered bythe suspected terrorists.

Two people, suspected to

be a motorist and hispassenger, were ambushedand shot dead alongMaiduguri-Gamboru Ngalaroad, bringing the number ofthose killed in the area to 15.

Sources told Vanguard: “Thegunmen stormed the village inpick-up van and severalmotorcycles and opened fireon the people.”

Borno CentralSenator reacts

Speaking during the BBCHausa service programmemonitored by Vanguard inMaiduguri, Senator AhmedZanna, representing BornoCentral in the Senateconfirmed the killing of thetwo members of the CivilianJTF at Gamboru Ngala.

He said: “I received a

distress call yesterday from thepeople of my Senatorial Districtthat two members of VigilanteYouths were slaughtered byBoko Haram because of theirefforts in complementing theMilitary in the fight againstinsurgents.

“Likewise, two people wereambushed while travelling ina Golf Volkswagen saloonvehicle along Maiduguri-Gamboru-Ngala road.”

One Mallam MuhammedUsman Ngala said one of thepassengers killed in theambush yesterday, was hiscousin and had since beenburied according to Islamicrites.

Eyewitness accountOn the Garubula attack, a

resident of the area, Mallam

Idrisa Garubula said thegunmen stormed the village atabout 11p.m. and killed theDistrict Head and 11 others,including his bodyguardbefore fleeing the areaunchallenged.

He said: “The District Headwas shot by the gunmen on hishead, and later rushed to BiuGeneral Hospital where hewas confirmed dead. He hassince been buried in Biu,according to Islamic rites.”

The eyewitnesses claimedthat there was no presence ofsecurity operatives in the areawhen the attackers struck.

Efforts to get the spokesmanof the Borno State PoliceCommand, DSP Gideon Jubrilfor comments over the matterproved abortive as his phonewas switched off at press time.

By Ndahi Marama

Drag 2 Civilian JTF members from their homes

KADUNA— THEremains of the late

former PetroleumMinister and Presidentof Organisation ofPetroleum ExportingCountries, OPEC, Dr.Rilwanu Lukman, 75,were yesterday laid torest in, his home town,Zaria, amid tears andpraises from wellwishers.

The burial rites washeld at the palace of theEmir of Zaria, AlhajiShehu Idris at about4p.m.

Lukman passed awayin the early hours ofMonday in Vienna,Austria.

The Imam of ZariaCentral Mosque,Mohammed Sani Aliyu,led the funeral prayersduring the ceremonywhich was witnessed byGovernor MukhtarRamalan Yero ofKaduna State, hispredecessor andChairman, SenateCommittee on Finance,Senator Ahmed Makarfiand the Lamido ofAdamawa, AlhajiMohammad Barkindo,among others.

Speaking shortly afterthe prayers, GovernorYero said that Lukman’sdeath had created avacuum that would bedifficult to fill in the oilindustry.

Yero also said that theformer ministerdedicated himself to theservice of the countrylocally andinternationally, addingthat his passage was agreat loss to the peopleof Kaduna State andNigeria at large.

Other dignitaries whopaid their last respect tothe former OPECPresident described himas a humble anddetribalised man whogave his best to thecountry.

Left to mourn him arethree widows and threechildren.

By Luka Binniyat

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014—9

FG secures release of 248 containersof power equipment after 11 years

Armyreviewsdressregulation

DIPLOMATIC:President GoodluckJonathan (middle), theAmbassador of theUnited Arab Emirates toNigeria, AmbassadorMohammed Al-Mahumud (right) andForeign AffairsMinister, AmbassadorAminu Wali, during theenvoy's presentation ofhis letters of credence tothe President in Abuja,yesterday. PHOTO:Abayomi Adeshida.

THE Nigerian Armyhas disclosed plans to

review its dress regulation,which would ensure that itstroops were kitted withsame type, standard andquality of military wears.

Disclosing this yesterdayin Lagos whilecommissioning theNigerian Army OrdinanceUltra modern TailoringFactory located in Yaba, theChief of Army Staff,COAS, Lieutenant GeneralKenneth Minimah,informed that the factorywould, among otherthings, be solelyresponsible for thereproduction of the kits.

General Minimah, whosaid that the factory was adividend of continuity,explained that it was alsopart of repositioning theForce in line with theFederal GovernmentTransformation Agenda.

Efforts, according to him,were being gearedtowards self-reliance byusing local materials toboost local contents in linewith the FederalGovernment’s initiative ofpatronising made inNigeria goods.

He charged the NigerianArmy Ordnance Corps toensure the optimumutilisation of materials,production of qualitywears that wouldguarantee thecommercialisation of thefactory and patronage byother sister services, paramilitary and securityorganisations.

By Evelyn UsmanTHE Federal Government,yesterday, secured the

release of 248 containers ofpower equipment trapped inthe ports for about 11 years.

Speaking during a visit to theports to flag off the release,Minister of Power, ProfessorChinedu Nebo, said thecontainers, which wereabandoned at different portsand port facilities, have stalleda number of power projectsacross the country.

Specifically, he said thetrapped containers stalled 11power projects across the

length and breadth of thecountry, such as theI k o r o d u / O d o g u n y a n /Shagamu project and thesupply of transformers andcapacitor voltage project topower stations in thecountry.

He noted that a number ofthe projects have beenabandoned for about 13years, why the least stalledproject was seven years.

He said: “Thesecontainers could haveremained at the portsforever and nobody wouldbe bordered. But we sawthe need to recover what

rightfully belongs to theFederal Government to thebenefit of the generalpublic.”

He commended theCustoms and ExciseDepartment of the FederalGovernment and theCustoms Service forfacilitating the release.

“The NCS agreed to releasethe containers to the PowerHolding Company ofNigeria, PHCN, who initiallycarried out the transaction,but now represented by theTransmission Company ofNigeria, TCN.

“These equipments were

ordered, fully paid for andlater abandoned at the portsfor a minimum of sevenyears.”

He said FederalGovernment will carry out aninvestigation to identify thereasons for theabandonment, to forestallthe recurrence of similarincident in the future.

He further stated that therelease will help inminimising costs,considering the fact that thevarious consignments costmuch more today than thecost at which they wereinitially purchased.

By Michael Eboh

IMPEACHMENT: PDP givesAl-Makura's deputy conditions

ABUJA—AHEAD of theplanned impeachment of

Governor Umaru Al Makuraof Nasarawa State and theeventual takeover by hisdeputy, Mr. Luka Barau,Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, has reportedly barredBarau from seekinggovernorship election in the2015 poll.

A source said it aimed atpreventing the yet to begovernor from using his officeto seek re election and thusscuttling the chances of theMinister of Information, Mr.Labaran Maku and SenatorSolomon Ewuga,representing Nasarawa Northat the Senate.

Maku and his erstwhilegodfather, Ewuga have sincedeclared their ambitions to viefor the state governorship seatin the coming general election.

The trio are from Nasarawa

North axis of the state which hasbeen angling to produce thegovernor of the state, since thereturn of democratic rule in1999.

Besides, PDP resolved that theSpeaker, Musa Ahmed,representing NasarawaConstituency be elevated todeputy governor, while thedeputy speaker, Elisha Agwadu,representing Obi II Constituen-cy, be automatically made to takeover as the new Speaker.

These were all the deals thatwere allegedly sealed beforemembers of the Assembly underthe party’s platform, accepted toproceed with the impeachmentprocess against the governor.

The legislators were said tohave earlier resisted thepersuasions of the partychieftains from the state for theimpeachment of the governor,arguing that if it was carried out,the deputy governor, apart frombeing the biggest beneficiary,would bank on his office and

incumbent power to seek andwin a fresh election to continuein office beyond 2015.

Members of the stateAssembly had reportedlyargued that if they mustimpeach Al Makura, then theymust be allowed to take thesame path in Adamawa State,where the deputy governor wasmade to resign, before theimpeachment of GovernorTanko Al Makura so that theSpeaker can assume theposition of Acting Governor forthe period of three monthsbefore a substantive governorto be elected through a byelection takes over.

Sources at some of themeetings held in both Lafia andAbuja, preceding theimpeachment notice on thegovernor, told Vanguard that theresolution was that the deputygovernor will only complete the10 months left of Al Makura’stenure without seeking reelection to the same office.

A Nigerian was amongthe 116 passengers on

board Air Algerie FlightAH5017 which crashed inTilemsi, Mali yesterdayafter disappearing fromradar for 50 minutes.

The flight took off fromBurkina Faso’s capital,Ouagadougou.

Air Algerierepresentative, Kara Terkitold newsmen that theplane had one Nigerian,whose identity is yet to bedisclosed. He said thepassenger list alsoincluded 50 French, 24Burkinabe, eightLebanese, four Algerians,two from Luxembourg,one Belgian, one Swiss,one Cameroonian, oneUkrainian and oneRomanian.

—Full story on page 53.

Nigerian, 115others die inAlgerianplane crash

By Joseph Erunke

10—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

NBA holds valedictory session for Aturu

APAPA TRAFFIC: Gridlock worsensas contractor abandons site

LAGOS—LESS than 48hours after it was report-

ed that the contractor engagedby the Federal Government torepair failed portions of the

By Godfrey Bivbere Apapa end of the ever busyOshodi/Apapa Expresswayhad commenced repair works,investigations yesterday re-vealed that the contractor mighthave abandoned the job asroad users, residents and oth-

ers continue to suffer theheavy gridlock.

The contractor, Boroni Prono,was given two weeks to fix thefailed portions from TrinityBus Stop to Tin-Can Islandend of the expressway.

One of the workers had Tues-day claimed equipment weremoved to site on Sunday follow-ing a directive from the Presi-dency to the management of theconstruction company.

But yesterday, workers report-edly seen Tuesday on site werenowhere to be found.

Efforts to speak with officialsof the construction company forexplanation, proved abortive.

An official of the company, whospoke on condition of anonymitysaid only the company’s directorwas permitted to speak on issuesconcerning the company.

On the spot assessment of thefailed portion of the road yes-terday, showed there was nosign on ground to suggest re-pair works would start soon.

A bus driver, Peter Edobor,who spoke to Vanguard, calledfor the termination of the con-tract and for it to be re-award-ed to a more serious contrac-tor who had the capacity andknew the urgency required.

Speaking to Vanguard ear-lier on the need to have theroad fixed, Senior Special As-sistant to the President onmaritime matters, Mr Oyele-ke Oyewole, said the presi-dent had expressed concernover the bad state of the roadleading to the port.

LAGOS—AHEAD of his bur ial tomorrow, the remains

of late human rights lawyer andactivist, Mr Bamidele Aturu,were yesterday laid-in-state atthe Ikeja secretariat of the Ni-gerian Bar Association, NBA, ata special valedictory session, inhis honour by the Bar.

Aturu, died on July 9 in La-gos after a brief illness.

The programme which lastedfor about three hours, was at-tended by senior members ofthe bench, the Bar as well asother dignitaries, who paidglowingly tributes to the de-ceased.

Chairman, of the Ikeja branchof the NBA, Mr. Yinka Farounbi,said Aturu was a committed mem-ber of the branch and served invarious capacities during his lifetime and said he would be im-mortalise with an annual pro-gramme.

According to him, the valedic-tory service held for Aturu at thenew secretariat was historic sinceit was first time it was being usedto honour of any lawyer, lament-ing that the sudden demise of theactivist was a big loss to the legalcommunity.

In his remarks, a Justice of theCourt of Appeal, Justice Olubun-mi Oyewole, said “We are cele-brating Aturu today not becausehe is the richest Nigerian, Henever made the Forbes list. Hewas not even a member of the in-

ner bar (SAN) but he dedicat-ed his life to the service of hu-manity. He was always at theforefront to protect the dignityof the legal profession.”

Mr Alex Mouka, Chairmanof the NBA, Lagos chapter, saidAturu devoted his life to justiceand equity and was never afraidto speak up against any form ofinjustice in the society, saying

“I urge all of us to emulate him.Nigeria will be reborn if we allstand up to speak for the truthlike Aturu did.”

Also, Chairman of Ikorodubranch of the NBA, Mr. DotunAdetunji, said Aturu made agreat impact in the country withhis activism.

According to him, “He diedhaving fulfilled his God-given

assignment and task in life. Hewas a genuine activist who par-ticipated in all forms of actionaimed at social reform andchange.”

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria,Chief Rickey Tarfa, enjoined thefamily to take solace in the lega-cy left behind by the deceased,adding, he was rated as one ofthe fearless activists in Nigeria.

…To institute annual programme in his honourBy Abdulwahab Abdulah

L AGOS—ASSOCIATION of Senior Civil

Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN,yesterday in Lagos, lambast-ed the Coordinating Ministerof the Economy and FinanceMinister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, over recent claimsthat N1.8 trillion was beingspent annually on wages inthe public service, saying theMinister was economical withthe truth.

The union in a statementurged the Minister not onlysubstantiate how N1.8 trillionwas being spent annually onwages, but to also tell Nigeri-ans how much of the N1.8 tril-lion was consumed by publicoffice holders including Min-isters, Special and OrdinaryAdvisers, Personal, Senior,

and Junior Assistants, Sena-tors, members of the House ofRepresentatives, includingtheir humongous quarterly al-locations.

ASCSN, in the statement byits Secretary-General, Mr.Alade Bashir Lawal, contend-ed that it had become neces-sary for the Finance Ministerto give graphic details of theamount so that Nigerians couldbe better informed on the is-sue.

The Finance Minister onMonday, through the Director-General, Budget Office, Dr.Bright Okogu, while exchang-ing views with the House Com-mittee on Health in the on-go-ing nation-wide strike by theNigerian Medical Association,NMA, claimed the FederalGovernment wage bill for pub-lic servants had risen from

N857 billion in 2009 to N1.8 tril-lion while the staff strength wasnow 1.2 million.

According to the statement “Itis also necessary for Dr. Okon-jo-Iweala to tell Nigerians howmuch salary is paid by eachMinistry, Department andAgency (MDA) per year in-cluding their staff strength.When you have done these anal-yses, it will become crystal clearhow much of the N1.8 trillion isconsumed by the whoppingemoluments of the Political Of-fice Holders.

''Besides, it should be statedthat records at our disposalshow clearly that the staffstrength in the entire PublicService is about 870,000 and not1.2 million being bandied aboutby the Minister unless there isa hidden agenda somewhere.”

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

Labour blasts Okonjo-Iweala over alleged N1.8tn salary bill

UPN calls forpan-politicalparties' summit

LAGOS—UNITYParty of Nigeria,

UPN, yesterday called fora pan-political parties’ sum-mit for politicians to fash-ion out a common frontagainst the Boko Haraminsurgency.

Chairman of the party, Dr.Frederick Fasehun, said itwas disheartening that theFederal Government hadnot shown enough commit-ment to securing the re-lease of over 200 Chibokgirls.

Speaking at a forum inLagos, tagged the ‘Dr.Fasehun Interactive Me-dia Roundtable’, he arguedthat the pan-political par-ties summit would bringpoliticians from all shadestogether to forge a unitedfront to combat the insur-gents.

According to him, “Sev-eral countries have come tohelp but this assistance hasnot yielded expected result.Why has Nigeria been un-able to reassure its citizens?I believe government is inplaced to provide secu-rity for its citizens. Howdo we rescue these girlsfrom insurgents? No po-litical platform should po-liticize our misfortune.''

By Dotun Ibiwoye

Eid-el-Fitri:Osun offersfree trainservices

OSUN State Government yesterday reaf-

firmed its commitment tothe welfare of the citizensof the state and announcedits free train ride for thisyear’s Eid-el-Fitri celebra-tion.

In a statement by theCommissioner of Com-merce, Cooperatives andEmpowerment, Mr. IsmailAdekunle Jayeoba-Alagba-da, the government said thefree train ride would con-vey people coming fromLagos to Osogbo on Satur-day 26th by 10 am, saying“a return train from Osog-bo to Lagos is slated forTuesday 29th and will takeoff by 11 am.”

The statement noted thatgovernment did this toease movement of the peo-ple during rush period ofthe festivity.

It enjoined indigenes ofthe state to maximise theadvantage the free trainride them to visit home andenjoy the celebration.

ENTERPRISE DAY: From left; Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. OlayinkaOladunjoye; Chief Executive Officer, MCS Consulting #SKILLUP, Mr. Afolabi Im-oukhuede; Managing Director, Ruff and Tumble, Mrs. Adenike Ogunlesi; Lagos StateDeputy Governor, Mrs. Joke Orelope-Adefulire; and Marketing Director, Nigerite Ar-chitect, Mr. Toyin Gbede, during the 2014 Enterprise Day in Lagos.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014 — 11

Delta LGpolls: PDPchieftaindrumssupport forClark

One killed,eight injuredin Kano blast

By Festus Ahon

By AbdulsalamMuhammad

VISIT: Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State (middle), flanked on the by Mr. DanielIgali, President, Nigerian Wrestling Federation (left) , and Mr. Gbenga Elegbeleye, Direc-tor-General, National Sports Commission (right), with wrestlers and other officials of Ni-geria’s wrestling team to the Commonwealth Games, when the Governor visited the contin-gent in Glasgow, Scotland.

3,000 DPP members decamp to APCin Delta council

Oshiomholesanctionstwo Perm-Secdesignates,swears in 18

By Simon Ebegbulem

BENIN—GOVER-NOR Adams Oshi-

omhole of Edo State hassworn in the formerChief Press Secretary toProfessor OserheimenOsunbor government,Mr. Dan Aigbavbua and17 others as PermanentSecretaries in the stateCivil Service. He, how-ever, declined to swearin two others who arrivedlate for the inauguration.

The late comers, both ofthem women, arrived thevenue while the oathswere already being ad-ministered on their col-leagues. One is a Direc-tor in the Ministry of Jus-tice while the other is inthe Ministry of Educa-tion.

The governor said hewondered what time thetwo directors get to workif they could arrive latefor their own swearing-in, saying, “your punish-ment is that you will re-turn to your offices as Di-rectors and be sworn-inwith the next batch ofPermanent Secretaries.”

By Godwin Oghre

SAPELE—NO fewer than3,000 Democratic Peoples

Party, DPP, members, includingsome prominent ward, local andstate executives in Warri North Lo-cal Government Area of Delta State,yesterday decamped to the All Pro-gressives Congress, APC.

The exercise which took placesimultaneously in Koko, headquar-ters of Warri North and Sapele,Sapele Local Government Area,

was led by Chief SolomonOgomugo, Chief Godwin Oli-goron and Chief Robert Pab-logba.

Receiving the decampees toAPC, Chairman of APC in War-ri North council, Chief Mark-son Ebiareneyin, representedby a stalwart of the party in thestate, Mr Amorighoye Mene,said that the decampees haddecided to join APC in orderfor the party to form a formida-

ble opposition to wrest powerfrom the ruling Peoples Demo-cratic Party, PDP, in theforthcoming council electionsand in the 2015 general elections.

Ebiareneyin assured the de-campees that they lost nothingby joining APC as the partyintends to give them equivalentprivileges as enjoyed by oldmembers of the party, addingthat victory was sure for the partyat the general elections.

KANO—AN unidentified woman was

killed, while eight otherpersons sustained se-vere injuries, when ahigh calibre improvisedexplosive device, con-cealed in a refrigeratorwent off at the New Roadmotor park in Sabon Gariarea of Kano metropolis.

The incident which oc-curred around 3p.m.,triggered panic in thecommercial city of ninemillion residents.

New Road motor parkwas also the scene of thedeadly blasts last year,during which no fewerthan 70 lives were lost,when luxury buses weretargeted.

An eyewitness confid-ed in Vanguard that thesuspected refrigeratorwas moved into the parkby a truck pusher, afterpassing through securi-ty check points mountedby security agents andthe park management.

The source added hatthe IED went off soonafter it was loaded into avehicle. He said the im-pact severed the head ofan unidentified womanwith eight other personsinjured .

Briefing newsmen atthe scene of the blast,Kano State Commission-er of Police, Mr. Adelen-re Shinaba, confirmedthat “a woman lost herlife in the blast, whileeight others who wereinjured have been takento hospital.”

He said that the explo-sive which was con-cealed in a refrigeratorwas smuggled into thepack by a truck pusher,adding: “It went off atthe point of loading it ona stationary vehicle.”

He urged the citydwellers to go about theirlegitimate businesseswithout fear of molesta-tion, adding that proac-tive measures had beenput in place to ensureadequate protection oflives and property.

Shinaba enjoined thecitizens to be extra vigi-lant and report suspi-cious movements to rel-evant authorities.

Kano is, however, calmafter the blast as resi-dents besieged the ad-journing Sabon Gari mar-ket for Sallah shopping.

Why we're slow in rescuingChibok Girls —Presidency

By Henry Umoru

ABUJA—THE Presidency,yesterday, gave an insight

into why the Federal Govern-ment was slow at rescuing theover 200 Government Second-ary School girls kidnapped byBoko Haram insurgents in Chi-bok, Borno State, on April 14.

The Presidency also disclosedthat plans were being put inplace by the Federal Govern-ment to block domestic and in-ternational sources of funds forthe insurgents group.

According to the Presidency,the present slow and steadymethod became imperative toavoid a repeat of the 2004 ex-perience when t300 childrenwere killed in an attempt byRussians to free hostages heldby Chechens in the North Cau-casus region of Russia.

Speaking yesterday at aChatham House lecture seriesheld at the Royal institute ofInternational Affairs in London,the Senior Special Assistant tothe President on Public Affairs,Dr Doyin Okupe, said that theNigerian military, other securi-

ty agencies as well as theirinternational allies, havethe wherewithal to securethe freedom of the over 200Chibok girls from their ab-ductors, but would like tothread with caution becausemaking Nigeria and Nige-rians happy at the end ofthe day would be to bringback the girls alive to reu-nite with their families.

Dr Okupe who spoke onPriorities and Progress inNigeria: Imperatives for sta-bility and Growth, de-scribed tackling the currentinsecurity in the North East-ern part of the country as themajor priority of the FederalGovernment. He, however,lamented that the variousacts of insurgency wereslowing down growth inother equally important sec-tors of the economy.

According to Okupe: “Weare taking advantage of theoffers from our internation-al military and intelligenceallies to get a greater un-derstanding of thelandscape and identify key

locations . We are workingwith our neighbours to securethe borders and limit themovements of the BokoHaram fighters, building onthe agreements reached atthe recent summits in Parisand London”

While speaking on the var-ious milestones attained bythe administration ofPresident Goodluck Jonathanin the last three years, Dr.Okupe said the reduction ofNigeria’s food import bills byhalf as well as successful im-plementation of reforms incritical sectors of the economyare crucial to the attainmentof social and economicstability.

The presidential aideasserted that since Nigeriaattained independence in1960, no administration hasdone so much as theJonathan administration inguaranteeing foodsufficiency, better poweroutput, effectivetransportation and generalmacro economic stability.

UGHELLI—A chief-tain of the People’s

Democratic Party, PDP,Mr. Richard Akassa, hasenjoined the people ofBurutu Local GovernmentArea, Delta State to sup-port the council chairman-ship aspiration of ChiefEbikeme Clark.

Akassa, in an interactionwith newsmen in Ughel-li, described Clark as avery resourceful and pru-dent personality, whoseesteemed status as the sonof the Ijaw leader andelder statesman, ChiefEdwin Clark has not af-fected his humility.

“Ebikeme is a grassrootsmobilizer. He is very ac-commodating and quickto forgive. He is develop-ment oriented and I amconvinced that if giventhe mandate to govern thecouncil, he will impactpositively on the lives ofthe people.”

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

NAFDACimpoundsN4mcontraband inRivers

NIMASA targets 2015 for elimination of maritime piracyBy Ifeyinwa Obi

EDSTMA faults Edo PDP on murderallegation

By Simon Ebegbulem

Bayelsa distributes mosquito treatednets in schools

BENIN—THE Edo StateTraffic Management

Agency, EDSTMA, has de-scribed as wicked, claims bythe People’s Democratic Par-ty, PDP, in the state that oneof its officials killed one Mr.Godfrey Imobhio, who was hitby a towing truck on May 2,2014.

The PDP in the state hadvisited the widow of the de-ceased, where it raised N2million for her upkeep. Theparty accused both the EDST-MA and the state governmentof neglecting the family of thedeceased and assured thefamily of their comfort.

But reacting yesterday, theHead of Operations, Zone 3,of EDSTMA, Mr. Nosa Aid-eyan, said that the PDP wasmaking a mountain out of amole hill, explaining that the“towing truck is my privateproperty with which I helpedthe late Godfrey, who was myfriend, so it has nothing to dowith the state government orEDSTMA.”

He said that contrary toPDP’s claim, compensationwas paid to the deceased'sfamily. “I paid compensationto the family to assist themeven though it was purely anaccident.”

Aideyan narrated: “On May

2, after I had closed from duty,Mr. Imobhio called me, that Ishould assist him tow his vehi-cle that broke down around FiveJunction area. I told him thatmy driver and I had closed, buthe pleaded with me to beg mydriver to come. When I calledmy driver, he told me that hewas already at home, but Ibegged him to go and bring thetruck.

“My driver came, and when

we got there we saw that wecouldn’t tow the truck anddecided to remove the tyresfrom the road. It was in theprocess of reversing that thelate Godfrey was hit. It wasdark and my driver didn’tknow that Godfrey was be-hind the towing van. He wasrushed to the hospital butunfortunately he died thenext day. When the policeinvited me, I explained what

happened and settled withthe family. That was how thematter was withdrawn fromthe police.

“I am now surprised thatsome peersons are nowbringing up a stale occur-rence which they didn’t evenbother to verify, saying thatan EDSTMA official hadkilled a manager, which isnot true. The towing van thatwas used did not even be-long to the state governmentor EDSTMA."

DIRECTOR-General ofNigerian Maritime Ad-

ministration and Safety Agen-cy, NIMASA, Mr. Patrick Ak-pobolokemi, has assured thatmaritime piracy in the Nige-rian maritime domain will endby 2015.

Speaking in Lagos, he saidthat the country recorded zeropiracy attacks in the last fivemonths.

Akpobolokemi, who was rep-resented by the agency’s Ex-ecutive Director in-charge of Maritime Safe-ty and Shipping Devel-opment, Captain BalaAgaba, said that NIMA-SA had developed a fullproof intelligence net-work that would enableit know of a planned pi-racy attack before it wascarried out.

“The last one that wassuccessful, we knewabout it 48 hours beforethe attack and that waswhy we were able to stopsame,” he said.

He said that there wasno truth in the reportthat Nigeria had been

declared a war risk zone by in-ternational marine insurers.

According to him, the agen-cy's domain has only the powerto detain offenders, as theMemorandum of Understand-ing it entered into with the Ni-gerian Navy and the Air Forcehas gone a long way to enhanc-ing water patrol and aerial sur-veillance of Nigeria’s maritimedomain.

He lamented that Nigeria los-es 150,000 to 200,00 barrels ofcrude oil everyday, which costthe country millions of dollars

in lost revenue.He said: “To effectively

cover the countries underthe Regional MaritimeSearch and Rescue of eightcountries, a robust maritimedomain awareness and re-sponse system is required.We approached the relevantFederal Government author-ities and got approval to putin place robust maritime do-main awareness. This led tothe birth of the NIMASA Sat-ellite Surveillance Centre.

“Our desire is to provide a

safety net for those doingbusiness within Nigerianwaters with the NIMASAsatellite surveillance centrewhich was launched lastmonth, the agency is nowable to respond to any dis-tress call on Nigerian watersand even beyond. The new24-hour satellite surveil-lance equipment has the ca-pability to detect boats, shipsand objects of predefinedcross-section floating onwater."

YENAGOA—BAYELSA State Min-istry of Health says it is embark-

ing on school-based continuous distri-bution of long lasting treated nets foruse by households in the state.

No fewer than 280 primary schoolsin Bayelsa State are expected to bene-fit from the roll back malaria trainingexercise.

Already, a total of 280 headmasters,headmistresses and 840 teachers havebeen trained in the exercise.

The exercise, Vanguard learnt, is incollaboration with the Federal Minis-

try of Health, National MalariaElimination Programme, Associa-tion for Reproductive Family andRoll Black Malaria Partners.

Speaking at the launch of thetraining programme in Yenagoa,state Commissioner for Health, Dr.Ayibatonye Owei, urged the partic-ipants to utilise the knowledgegained for the overall benefit of thehouseholds, communities and theentire state.

According to him, “the strategy ofusing primary schools is to incul-cate in the children the use of in-secticidal treated nets as they de-velop in life.”

By Samuel Oyadongha

2015: GroupurgesAkpodiete torun for Houseof Reps

By JimitotaOnoyume

PORT HAR-C O U R T — N A -

TIONAL Agency for Foodand Drug Administrationand Control, NAFDAC,has impounded adulterat-ed alcoholic beveragesworth about four millionnaira, in markets in PortHarcourt, Rivers State.

NAFDAC Coordinator,Rivers State, Mrs. MercyNdukwe, said that duringthe raid, five personswere arrested for sellingthe adultrated drinks,adding that the publicshould report such fakeproducts to her agency.

By Festus Ahon

UGHELLI—CON-CERNED Christian

Youths in Politics, CCYIP,has urged Prof. Alex Ak-podiete to contest theHouse of Representativeselection in 2015 to representUghelli North/UghelliSouth/Udu federal constit-uency of Delta State .

Delta State Coordinator ofCCYIP, Mr. Henry Onor-here, during the visit of theleadership of the group toAkpodiete in Ughelli, said:“After a critical look at thepolitical antecedents ofthose who have indicatedinterest to run for the Houseof Representatives seat forUghelli North/UghelliSouth/Udu federal constit-uency, CCYIP has decid-ed to urge you to contestthe position.”

VISIT: National Secretary, Edo Professionals Forum, Mr. Dan Oshodin (left), GovernorAdams Oshiomohle of Edo State, and the National Cordinator, EPF, Mr. Osamede Umwe-ni, during a solidarity visit by the group to the governor, in Benin City.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014—13

Sylva condemns attack on BuhariBy Samuel Oyadongha

OutgoingChevron MDlaudsUduaghan oninvestmentsupportefforts

2015: Eight persons battle for EdoSouth senatorial seat

Urhobo layclaim toMcDermottWard in Warri

Y E N A G O A — F O R M E Rgovernor of Bayelsa State

and chieftain of the opposition AllProgressives Congress, APC,Chief Timipre Sylva, has con-demned Wednesday’s bloodyattack on the convoy of GeneralMuhammadu Buhari, formerHead of State and NationalLeader of the APC.

Sylva, in a statement, yester-day, by his Media Adviser, DoifieBuokoribo, said that the appar-ent assassination attempt on Bu-hari was a spineless assault onthe voice of conscience in Nigeriaby bigoted terrorists and theirpolitical sponsors seeking evil at-tention.

Sylva noted that Nigerians, bytheir traditions and religions, area naturally peaceful people, say-ing that those who promote orindulge in the campaign of deathand destruction will have noplace to hide from the wrath andcurse of God and men.

He lamentedted the frustrationof Nigerians with the FederalGovernment’s shoddy handlingof the menace of insurgency andregretted that the terrorists ap-

pear to have been left to rideroughshod on the country.

He said: “We are embar-rassed by President Good-luck Jonathan’s poor han-dling of the security problemand the situation where theg o v e r n -ment hasallowed itssense ofpart isan-ship toovershad-ow theneeded po-litical, eco-nomic, andsocial willto tacklethe insur-gency.”

Sylva not-ed that inc i v i l i s e dsocieties,oppositionleaders, asof right,enjoy moreprotectionfrom theg o v e r n -ment than

even those in government,stressing, “Murder is theworst form of censorship andthis government has becomeincreasingly notorious for at-tempting to permanently si-lence voices of opposition.”

WARRI UrhoboDemocratic Move-

ment has said that UrhoboMcDermott Ward in WarriSouth Local GovernmentArea of Delta State shouldbe left for Urhobo people tofill in the forthcoming coun-cil elections.

A leader of the movement,Mr. Samuel Achoja, of Ig-budu community in Warri,said that the call was ne-cessitated by the need forthe indigenous ethnic na-tionalities to adhere strictlyto the Ibori Road Map toPeace, which he said wasaimed at ensuring that in-digenous ethnic groupsparticipate in the govern-ance of their various locali-ties in the oil city.

He observed that otherethnic groups had, in thepast two dispensations,used their influence to en-croached on the McdermottWard against what he de-scribed as the principlesbehind the Ibori Road Mapto Peace.

By Simon Ebegbulem

BENIN—AS cam-paign for the 2015

National Assembly elec-tion hots up in EdoState, eight personshave indicated interest tovie for the Edo Southsenatorial seat, includ-ing the Minority Whip ofthe House of Represent-atives, Mr. Samson Os-agie.

It is unclear whetherthe current occupant,

Senator EhigieUzamere, will seek athird term or wait for the2016 governorship race.

Meanwhile, Osagie,has urged the leadershipof the All ProgressivesCongress, APC, in EdoSouth to ensure that acommitted person, withcredible track recordemerges as the party’sflag bearer for the sena-torial election.

Some of the aspirantswho are in the senatori-

al race include SamsonOsagie, APC; Jim Adun,APC; MatthewUrhoghide, PeoplesDemocratic Party, PDP;Ehiogie West-Idahosa,PDP; Victor Edos Ebo-moyi, PDP; Patrick Oba-hiagbon, APC and Hen-ry Idahagbon, APC.

However, in a state-ment yesterday, Osagiestressed the need for thepeople of Edo South topick credible candidates,noting that if given thechance, he will not dis-appoint the Binis.

By EgufeYafugborhi

WARRI—OUTGO-ING Managing

Director of Chevron Niger-ia Limited, Mr. AndrewFawthrop, has commendedDelta State governor, Dr.Emmanuel Uduaghan, forhis efforts at providing anenabling environment forbusinesses and invest-ments to thrive in the state.

Fawthrop, during a fare-well visit to the governor atthe Government HouseAnnex, Warri, yesterday,said that the full value ofUduaghan’s support for thebusiness community in thestate will be felt more in theyears to come.

He said: “What you havedone has opened up a lotof opportunities, such asthe Warri Port and the Es-cravos Gas to Liquid,EGTL, project. You havebrought innovation andleadership to this statewhich is amazing. Peoplewill see it later. Thanks foryour support and advicewhile I was here.”

In response, the governorsaid that the Chevron MD'sgratitude was an encour-agement to do more in im-proving the economy of thestate, especially comingfrom a high profile businessleader who has been in Del-ta State for several years.

He said “I wish I had abigger platform to expressmy joy on our relationshipwith Chevron. I had the op-portunity to speak at inter-national fora and I have al-ways used the Chevronmodel of relationship to itsstakeholders.”

VISIT: From left: Mr. Olatunyi Idowu; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State; MrAndrew Fawthrop, Chairman/ Managing Director, Chevron and Mr. Dan Agbofode of Chev-ron, during a visit by the out-going Chevron MD to the governor, at Government AnnexWarri. Photo: Bripin Enarusai.

14—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

Ijawex-militantsdemandcreation ofToru-Ebe, OilRiver states

Don't pay formedicare,Uduaghantells pregnantwomen

Delta $16bn Gas City project: GbaramatuIjaws demand own EPZ c'ttee

By Festus Ahon

By Egufe Yafugborhi

2015: Okpeleaders okayIgbuya foranother term

LEADERS of Okpeethnic nationality

have described the Major-ity Leader of Delta StateHouse of Assembly, Mr.Monday Igbuya, as ablessing to the state. Theycalled on indigenes andothers residing in SapeleLocal Government Area tosee him as a role model.

Chairman of Okpe Po-litical Leaders Forum,OPLF, Mr. DarlingtonEbireri, in a statement inSapele, praised Igbuyafor protecting the people’srights through qualityrepresentation, job crea-tion and poverty allevia-tion.

“You have done usproud. All we can do is toacknowledge and thankyou in our modest way byasking you to continue inDelta State House of As-sembly,” the leaders saidafter a meeting of stake-holders in Okpe King-dom.

Why we executed power, other projects inN-Delta communities —Sterling Oil

By Daniel Gumm

DESOPADEC donates N32mscience equipment to school

WARRI—ETHNIC con-tention for stakes in the

$16 billion Odigigben ExportProcessing Zone, EPZ, in War-ri South-West Local Govern-ment Area of Delta State, hasescalated with Ijaws of Gbara-matu Kingdom asking the Del-ta State Government to inaugu-rate an EPZ Interface Commit-tee for Ijaws affected by theproject as had been done fortheir Itsekiri neighbours.

Addressing newsmen in War-ri, the Gbaramatu Ijaws restat-ed their demand for the re-nam-ing of the project, adding that

their patience was runningout as they would resort toself help in addressing theiralleged shortchanging inthe project if same was notaddressed by governmentand the supervising Nige-rian National PetroleumCorporation, NNPC.

Chief GodspowerGbenekama, who led thelatest Gbaramatu outcry onthe EPZ, said: “We demandtwo different Interface Com-mittees for Gbaramatu Ijawsand for Ogulagha. We haveour own 23-man committeeto negotiate our interest.The list has since been sentto the Delta State Govern-

ment and NNPC.”Gbenekama added that

NNPC should immediatelyopen channels of discussionwith the various Ijaw groupsand come up with a Memo-randum of Understandingwith the communities beforeundertaking the ground-breaking for the project.

“We also demand that JuliusBerger Limited henceforthcarry the Ijaws along in what-ever they are doing on theproject. We had written sev-eral letters to them on ourposition, but they have so farrefused to open a channel fordiscussion. Enough isEnough,” Gbenekama said.

WARRI—THE manage-ment of Sterling Oil Ex-

ploration and Energy ProductionCompany, SEEPCO, has saidthat the company embarked onrural electricity and otherprojects in several coastal andriverine communities around theRamos River, mid-stream ofBayelsa and Delta states, be-cause the communities in the ar-eas were not connected to thenational grid, thus impactingnegatively on the economy of thearea.

SEEPCO’s Manager, Govern-ment and Community Relations– Marine Operations, Mr. Dav-id Omaghomi, made the disclo-sure shortly after the commis-sioning of rural electricity, trans-portation, infrastructure and com-munication projects valued atseveral millions of naira in Agge,Aghoro 1, Aghoro 2 and AgediZion communities, by the Vice

President of SEEPCO, ChiefArvind Mahamuni.

According to Omaghomi,his company commissionedconsultants to conduct aNEEDS assessment earlierin the year in conjunctionwith NAPIMS, a subsidiaryof Nigerian National Petro-leum Corporation, NNPC, toascertain the needs of peo-ple of its host communitiesbefore embarking on the

projects.Speaking before commission-

ing the electrification, commer-cial passenger boats, town halland radio house projects inAgge, Agedi Zion, Aghoro 1and Aghoro 2 communities,respectively, Mahamuni ex-plained that his company suc-cessfully executed the projectsdue to the enabling environ-ment provided by the host com-munities.

GoodluckSupportNetwork,Delta chapterinaugurated

By Emma Amaize

WARRI—GOVER-NOR Emmanuel

Uduaghan of Delta Statehas advised pregnantwomen and nursingmothers in the state not topay any health official formedical services.

Addressing pregnantwomen at the Mother andChild Centre, CentralHospital, Warri, he saidthat the cost of their medi-care was covered by thestate government’s freematernal and under-fivehealth care programme.

Governor Uduaghan,who inquired from thewomen if doctors andnurses were collectingmoney from them and wastold that they weren't,urged them to resist any-body who demands mon-ey from them.

He said: “You are not togive money to anybody.You should not make anypayment, even if it re-quires operation. Theservices are free and yourchildren who are fiveyears and below have freemedical attention.”

He advised the expect-ant mothers to keep theirante-natal clinic appoint-ments religiously in theinterest of their health andunborn babies.U G H E L L I —

FORMER mili-tants of Ijaw extractionunder the aegis of Mein-butu, have called for theinclusion of Toru-Ebeand Oil River states inthe proposed states ap-proved by the nationalconference.

The Meinbutus, in astatement by Ebis Moni,King Jerry Prebor,Boundle Funpu, Es-okowini Akasa, Law-rence Ijokor, Afore The-odore, and Poweide Eg-bele, also demanded fora minimum of 50 percentderivation for the oil pro-ducing communities.

Saying that the countryshould not take the sim-plicity of the Ijaws forgranted, they urged theconfab committee onstate creation to revisitthe Ijaw state creationproposal for fairness,equity and justice.

They described thenon-inclusion of Toru-Ebe, and Oil River statesamong the proposedstates to be created asdiscriminatory and “an-other imperial colonisa-tion.”

By AkpokonaOmafuaire

WARRI—WARRI –THE Delta State Oil

Producing Areas Develop-ment Commission, DESO-PADEC, has handed overscience equipment worthN32 million to United Col-lege of Commerce, Warri in

its efforts at reviving sciencedevelopment in the state.

Mr Festus Utuama, Commis-sioner representing Urhobos ofUghelli-South, Udu and Uvw-ie Local Government Areas onthe board of the commission,made the donation to comple-ment the state government'sagenda of human capital de-velopment.

GOODLUCK SupportNetwork, GSN, a

socio-political group, hasinaugurated its DeltaState chapter, with a Peo-ples Democratic Party,PDP, governorship aspir-ant in the state, Dr Ak-wara John, as its state co-ordinator.

National Coordinator ofthe group, Chief EgbeAkparakwu, who inaugu-rated the state chapter inEffurun, said the groupwill, in partnership withother groups across thecontinent of Africa, build16 different projects in thecountry that will beknown as Policy NigeriaAwareness Initiative,PNAI, to sensitise Nige-rians towards the re-elec-tion of President Good-luck Jonathan.

DONATION: From left: Mrs. Rebecca Atumu, Vice Principal; Mr. Sylvester Akra, Princi-pal, United College of Commerce, Warri; Mr. Festus Utuama, DESOPADEC Commissionerand Mr. Michael Ugbokodo, Chairman, Agbarha-Warri HOSTCOM, after the handover ofN32 million science equipment to the school yesterday.

CMYK

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014 — 15

Soldiers destroy kidnappers' campin Aba

By Eric Ugbor

CD faultsIgbo leaderson transferof CPs

By Vincent Ujumadu

By Chidi Nkwopara

Crisis brews in Imo as lawmakersseek better welfare package

ABIA GUBER: Group cautions againstexclusion of Ngwa people

By Anayo Okoli

U M U A H I A — Asocial-cul tural

group, Odimma NdiAbia 2015, has cautionedagainst excludingaspirants fromNgwaland in next year’sgovernorship election onthe basis of zoningadopted by the rulingPeoples DemocraticParty, PDP.

ABA—SOLDIERS from144 Battalion Army base,

Ngwa High School in Aba, AbiaState, have destroyed akidnappers’ camp located atAmuzu Ibeku in Osisioma LocalGovernment Area.

It was gathered that thebungalow had been used by thegang to harbour some of theirvictims until a ransom is paid.

Though the owner of the houseidentified as Mr. Ejike Uzodinmaand his gang were said to havefled the camp after one of theirvictims (a businessman) escapedfrom their custody, the team ofarmy personnel who conducteda search operation in the campand neighbouring compoundsrecovered a registered tricyclethe group used to ferry him tothe camp.

An unconfirmed report has itthat the kidnappers alsoabducted a female victim whosewhereabouts is still unknown.

A victim, who was held in theircamp and later escaped,attributed his escape to God’sintervention and described theinhumane torture he passedthrough in the hands of the

O W E R R I — T H Eexecutive and

legislative arms ofgovernment in Imo Statemay be heading forserious confrontation,following what thelawmakers see asexecutive exploitation.

Already, thelawmakers, who aremainly from the PeoplesDemocratic Party, PDP,and All ProgressivesGrand Alliance, APGA,have reportedly rejectedcheques for their Junesalary to press hometheir demand for betterwelfare packages andappropriate salary.

Similarly, Vanguardgathered that when the

AWKA—THE SouthEast chapter of

Campaign for Democracy,CD, has faulted the SouthEast Leaders of Thoughtover their call for masstransfer of commissioners ofpolice in the geo-politicalzone.

Speaking with reportersyesterday in Onitsha,chairman of CD in theSouth East, Mr. Uzor AUzor, said the call by theLeaders of Thought, led byProfessor Ben Nwabueze,for transfer of all the policecommissioners in the zonewas ill-timed and couldtruncate the peace andharmony existing in statesin the zone.

The CD boss, however,called on the InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr.Mohammed Abubakar, todisregard the call by theleaders of the zone, addingthat the call was ill-timedand would not yield anypositive result.

kidnappers as not what he wouldwish even his enemies to gothrough.

The victim, a businessman basedin Aba who preferred to speak onthe condition of anonymity, said:“I was driving to my house atabout 10pm on Saturday aftersitting out with my friends whena Toyota Corolla ash coloursuddenly double-crossed me and

at gunpoint ordered me out ofmy car and moved me into theirvehicle.

“They blindfolded me insidetheir vehicle and later took meto a location at about 11am. Theyinitially asked me to sit in a plasticchair from where I was taken toanother location in a busharound 1am Sunday morning.

“Around 5am, they took off

from the bush into a house whereI slept till the following morning.Initially, they demanded N20million ransom, but I told themthat I can only guaranteeN200,000, a plea that didn’t godown well with them. One ofthem slapped me andthreatened to kill me but I keptbegging them."

lawmakers refused to goon their annual recess,the executive soft-pedaled to get thebudget passed and laterreneged on itsagreement with thelegislators.

A close aid of one ofthe legislators toldVanguard that, “thelawmakers rejected thecheques because it onlyreflected what they hadbeen kicking against,prior to the passage ofthe 2014 budget lastmonth.”

The legislative aidelamented that thelawmakers in Imo hadallegedly been losingover N400,000 monthlysince their inaugurationin 2011.

He recalled that thelawmakers had beenmaking frantic efforts toget government toredress the shortfall,especially when theyrealised that theRevenue Mobilisationand Fiscal Commissionr e c o m m e n d e dsomething higher thanwhat they werereceiving.

Vanguard recalls thatthe House had earlier setup an ad-hoc committeeto visit other statelegislatures to verify thetake home of lawmakers.

Armed with theirfindings, the lawmakerswere said to have calledoff their long vacation, aswell as plan to resumeplenary.

According to thegroup, the floodgateshould be opened to allNgwa people.

“Equity, justice and fairplay demand that allNgwa aspirants be giventhe opportunity to contestthe election, irrespectiveof the zone they hailfrom,” it said.

Although Abiagovernorship is believed

to have been zoned toNgwaland, somepoliticians are insistingthat aspirants from IsialaNgwa North, Isiala NgwaSouth and Osisiomashould be excluded sincethey fell into AbiaCentral, the senatorialzone as the incumbentgovernor, Chief T.A Orji,who is not, however, anNgwa man.

VISIT: The Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Peter Agba(right) presenting a souvenir to the Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro,during the Minister's visit to the CNC headquarters in Yenagoa.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014 — 16

CBN, states sign N220bnMoU for SMEs

By Emmanuel Elebeke

NCP denies ALSCON's allegedasset stripping by UC Rusal

By Favour Nnabugwu

ABUJA—THE fact-finding committee

of the National Councilon Privatization, NCP,on Aluminum SmeltingCompany of Nigeria,ALSCON, has said thatthe allegation of assetstripping against UCRusal, owners of thecompany, was untrue.

According to thecommittee, ALSCON’smachines and structuresare intact.

Speaking after anassessment tour of themulti-million naira plantat Ikot-Abasi, Akwa IbomState, chairman of thecommittee, Mr.Emmanuel Amadi, saidthe disposal of scraps,non-liquid assets, faultyand inactive equipmentand their parts by UCRusal did not amount toasset stripping.

Amadi, who led twoother members of theNCP; MohammedAbubakar and BensonUpah, on the visit,expressed displeasureover the closure of theplant.

He urged themanagement to quicklydevelop and submit tothe government a

ABUJA—THE CentralBank of Nigeria,

CBN yesterday signed aMemorandum ofUnderstanding, MoU,with the 36 stategovernors for a N220billion micro and macrodevelopment fund for theSmall Scale Enterprises,SMEs, across thecountry.

The scheme is to fast-

business plan with timelines to keep the plantfunctional.

He called for industrialharmony between themanagement ofALSCON, noting that itsabsence couldjeopardize smoothoperations of thecompany.

While appealing to themanagement of thecompany to reconsiderrecalling some of thesacked union officials,Amadi revealed that thecommittee wouldimmediately present thereport of its findings to

BURIAL CEREMONY OF LATE UWANGUE OF WARRI,CHIEF BERNARD EDEMA OTUEDON-OKOME

The chief mourner, Capt. Albert Otuedon, during the burial rites of the lateUwangue of Warri, Chief Bernard Edema Otuedon-Okome. He was buriedon July 18, but the ceremonies continued till yesterday.

Cross section of Uwangue descendants.

Cross section of Uwangue female descendants at the event.

Ohanaeze youth tacklesArewa wing over call fordissolution of Nigeria

By Anayo Okoli

U M U A H I A —OHANAEZE Youth

Council, OYC, hascondemned in strong termsthe call by Arewa YouthD e v e l o p m e n tFoundation for thedissolution of Nigeria,describing it as a bigoffence that warrantedtreasonable prosecution.

OYC also condemnedthe demand by the ArewaYouths for Southerners inthe North to leave withintwo weeks and forNortherners in the Southto do same.

The group, in astatement by its NationalPresident, OkechukwuIsiguzoro, said: “Ourattention has been drawnto a provocative warningagainst Ndigbo by theArewa ConsultativeForum, threatening tointerfere with Igbobusinesses in the North.

“This is also on the

heels of the call by theArewa YouthD e v e l o p m e n tFoundation forSoutherners to quit theNorth within two weeks.

“This is a similarapproach to the eventthat culminated to theunfortunate crisis of thelate 60’s when unduesentiment, emotionaloutburst andpropaganda wereallowed to take thebetter part of reasoningof some people in theNorth.

“Later, millions ofinnocent Igbos andEasterners were to paythe supreme sacrifice.

“The truth is that thereis no single threat toany Northerner in theSouth East or Igboland.They are here doingtheir normal businessesand unmolested byanybody.

“The governors of the

zone as the chief securityofficers of their variousstates only tookconstitutional measuresto safeguard their statesagainst insecurity,especially in view of therecent discoveries andarrests of Boko Haramsuspects in the zone.

“Do the Arewa peoplewant the South-Eastgovernors and people tokeep quiet in the face ofBoko Haram threat to thezone,” OYC said.

The group said it wasshocking that at a timeNigeria was passingthrough serious securitybreaches, some misguidedyouths, under sponsorshipby fifth columnists, could bemaking divisive callsinimical to their fatherland.

According to the group,Arewa youths are beingused by some disgruntledpersons who did not wishthe country well.

the NCP to take the nextaction.

Managing Director ofUC Rusal, DmitriyZaviyalov, informed thecommittee members thatthe falling prices ofaluminum metals in theglobal market and lack ofgas supply to thecompany werehampering theoperations of the plant.

He said between 2007and 2012, Rusal investedN24.54 billion in theplant but noted that dueto teething problems, itsuspended production inMarch 2013.

track the actualization ofthe MillenniumDevelopment Goals andtransformation agenda ofthe federal government.

In his openingremarks, the CBNGovernor, Mr. GodwinEmefiele, said theinitiative was considerednecessary to enablefederal governmentbridge the socio-economic gap existing inthe country.

CMYK

OPINION

Responses to:[email protected] or to 0802 7476458 OR 0811 675 9752 (texts only).PLEASE KINDLY NOTE THATUNLESS YOU REQUESTANONYMITY, YOUR COMMENTSMAY BE PUBLISHED, WITH YOURNAMES AND CONTACT DETAILSATTACHED.

*Mr. Okenwe, a beneficiary of the youth scheme, wrotefrom Umuahia, Abia State.

Job creation: The Abia exampleBY Greg Okenwe

RECENTLY at Bende headquarters of Bende councilarea in Abia State, the state governor, Chief Theodore

Orji in continuation of his government’s youth empower-ment programme gave out 200 vehicles to unemployedyouths, and N2 million each to 13 unemployed graduates.Beneficiaries of this were mainly unemployed youths fromArochukwu, Ohafia and Bende council areas, all in AbiaNorth district. Before now youths from Abia South andAbia Central have benefitted from the programme. Sincecoming into office in 2007, Governor Orji had never re-neged on his government’s expressed commitment at em-powering the teeming unemployed youths in the state andreducing crime in the process. Gov. has always emphasised at several fora that an idlemind is the devil’s workshop, stressing on the need for theyouths to be meaningfully engaged, the scalenotwithstanding. It is also noteworthy that since 2007,more than 4,000 youths have been selected across thecouncil areas and placed on monthly stipend of N20,000each under a social security scheme. The programme hasenabled most of the beneficiaries to live without overbur-dening their parents after graduation. Through Ochendo Scholarship Scheme, so many youthsin the state whose parents are unable to train in schoolhave been offered scholarship to study at home and abroadat graduate and post-graduate levels. Those of them inprimary and secondary schools have been enjoying freebus ride to schools since 2007. Bursary award of N50,000each for the first time in the history of the state is beingoffered to indigenous undergraduates in tertiary institu-tions across the country by the state government. Also notleft out in the bursary arrangement are indigenes of thestate that are currently studying in the Nigerian Lawschools across the country. At a time many thought that it was impossible for stategovernments to give out free vehicles to youths, the presentgovernment in Abia State has since given out more than500 vehicles free to the youths in the state. Details of the

beneficiaries of this and particular of the vehicles andmodels were always made public, confirming theauthenticity of the scheme. Also given out free to the youthswere more than 500 tricycles, sewing machines, comput-ers, and others through the state youth empowermentprogramme. Which is why I find rather baseless some sponsoredarticles in some newspapers criticising the state youthempowerment scheme, alleging that the government wasgiving out rickety vehicles to graduates and PDP membersin the name of youth empowerment. But surprisingly, someof the published beneficiaries of the programme werefrom Anambra and Imo states who were born, broughtup and are still residing in Abia State. Some of the beneficiaries of the vehicles have addedone or two cars to their fleets and have provided jobs foridle drivers and at same time put food on the table oftheir family members. Across the state today, commer-cial taxi business is booming and one can easily pick acab to any part of the state or outside with ease.

Through Governor Orji’s aggressive and sustainedagricultural revolution, his government was the first

in the country to introduce Youth-In-Agriculture Initia-tive which was aimed at encouraging and supportingyouths in practising commercial farming. Since then, somany unemployed youths in the state have been trainedand supported by government to practise agriculture inthe state. Some of them are already employers of labourtoday after being trained at the government establishedliberation farms in all the council areas of the state. There is no doubt that the Abia Youth EmpowermentScheme is unique and a model worthy of emulation bypresent and successive governments across the country.Empower Nigeria partnership with the Abia State gov-ernment is a right step towards sustained and successfulyouth empowerment in the state. It will also encourageother youth development partners to be partners in

progress with the state government in keeping and set-ting the pace for youth empowerment. It will be recalled that the collapse of major industriesacross the country did not begin today; rather, it is as aresult of long years of neglect by successive governments.And it is clear that the industries cannot be fixed overnightbecause of the huge capital and technical knowhowrequired, having been neglected for decades.So investing a huge chunk of public funds in theirrevitalisation will surely affect other critical sectors ofthe economy that also require urgent attention. In thisregard, while the Abia State government is working onrevitalising the ailing industries it inherited, her idea ofdoing something in the immediate to tackle youth unem-ployment through her youth empowerment scheme shouldbe highly commended. Waiting until the ailing industries are brought back tolife before the unemployed youths could be empoweredor employed will be a time bomb. That is why states acrossthe country should adopt the Abia Youth EmpowermentProgramme Scheme model to pre-empt possible youthsrestiveness. It is a more practical approach to youth em-powerment. Also, the long-term approach, which has todo with the revitalisation and construction of industriesshould be worked on. The Abia youth scheme is the surest way of taking theunemployed youths out of the streets to reduce crime rate.No wonder the crime rate in the State has reduced drasti-cally since the commencement of the programme. The success of the programme is predicated on thefact that it is being carried out in a most transparentmanner which has made it difficult for politicians to hi-jack it for selfish political purposes. There are no middle-men between the beneficiaries and the state government,thus, avoiding exploitation and fraud.

Tribute to a titan

I was absolutely devastated when Iheard, at the beginning of this week,

that my former boss, Dr Rilwanu Lukman,had died in Vienna, following aprolonged period of ill health. And myprofound sorrow about the passing of thisglobally revered Nigerian is combinedwith a deep sense of guilt.

I spoke to Doctor on the phone lastmonth and he sounded so frail; and Ipromised to visit him as soon as I could.But work and personal pressures keptgetting in the way, so I kept postponingthe trip to Austria; and now it is too late;and I’m finding it very hard to forgivemyself for procrastinating.

The moral of the story is that we shouldnever put off till tomorrow something thatis best done today, especially when itrelates to someone we love dearly.

Having failed to travel to Vienna ontime, I was determined to at least make itto his home state, Kaduna, yesterday…soI could be there when his body was flownin from Europe. My plan was to drive toKaduna from Abuja with friends.

But I and many other Lukman fans wereprevented from embarking on this journeybecause the homicidal animals whodescribe themselves as Boko Haramistsdecided to launch two suicide bomb at-

tacks on the convoy of ex-President, Maj-General Muhammadu Buhari, who hap-pened to be visiting Kaduna.

Buhari narrowly missed death, as did aprominent Islamic scholar, SheikhDahiru Bauchi (who was, incidentally,close to Lukman). But several innocentcitizens were less fortunate and lost theirlives; and the authorities,understandably, imposed a curfew thatmade it impossible for anyone to enterKaduna by road.

During one of the last conversations Ihad with Lukman, he sadly reflected onthe terrible carnage that Boko Haramwas inflicting on our country. And it’sironic that these evil terrorists struck sospectacularly on his burial day, therebycompelling hundreds of mourners to say“goodbye” to him from afar.

Ah well. Never mind. Better to dwell onthe man himself and on who he was andwhat he achieved, rather than on myfrustration and depression and tears!

Lukman, a former Minister ofPetroleum Resources, former Minister ofMines , Power and Steel and formerPresident and Secretary General ofOPEC, was an impressively civilizedgentleman, a talented professional(engineer) and a quintessential publicservant who was touchingly devoted tohis family.

He was one of the few Nigerians whohave acquired serious internationalclout. He was held in very high esteemby foreigners, who heaped honours onhim.

Elizabeth II, the Queen of the UnitedKingdom, made him a Knight of theBritish Empire, KBE, in 1989. TheFrench Government made him an Offic-er of the Legion d’Honneur in 1990. TheRepublic of Venezuela gave him a First

Class honour known as The Order of theLiberator. He was also the first Africanever to become a Fellow of ImperialCollege, University of London.

I got to know him when I was a young,London-based journalist. I was sent to

interview him after the Imperial Collegeceremony and we immediately developeda warm and intellectually stimulatingrapport.

He was so amiable, so clever, soknowledgeable, so polished and sointeresting to talk to. I was awestruck byhis accomplishments and felt proud andprivileged when he decided to stay intouch with me and introduced me to hiswife.

When I moved to Nigeria many yearslater, he became my boss – in his capacityas Chairman of the Presidential Oil/GasSector Reform Implementation Commit-tee, OGIC, of which I was a foundingmember.

The Committee was inaugurated inApril 2000 and drafted the original

version of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB.Some of the proposals Lukman came upwith were truly inspired and would havemassively enhanced our oil/gas industry– and transformed our country - if they’dbeen implemented.

Lukman and I were in total agreementon every issue except Niger Deltaempowerment. He had many pals fromthe South-South zone and treated me likea daughter, but I felt that he – like so manyother VIPs of his generation - didn’t focusenough on the pressing needs of oil-producing communities.

However, he was a fantastic person towork for overall. He had a great sense ofhumour and an informal, egalitarianmanagement style. He wasn’t the kind ofOga who possesses dictatorial tendencies,instils fear and discourages debate.

He preferred to lead by example andrelated to us subordinates in a fatherlyfashion. He was always inviting us to havebreakfast, lunch and dinner with him. Hefrequently asked us to share our opinionswith him…and didn’t get annoyed if wedared to contradict him.

When I got miffed about a Niger Deltaissue and resigned, he told me, with anamused look on his face, that I couldresign from his office, but not from ourfriendship! I shall miss this marvellousiconic man SO MUCH. May his widowand children find the strength to bear hisabsence.

*The late Dr Rilwanu Lukman

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014 — 17

OPINION

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

BY TIMIEBI KORIPAMO- AGARY Bamidele Francis Aturu: Last man standingI woke up to that fateful midnight SMS:

“So Sad. We lost Bamidele Aturu.” Atfirst I thoughtfully concluded it was a baddream, an ugly night mare. So I waved itaway and tried to continue from where Ileft off my sleep. But sleep eluded me! I wasleft contemplating on the SMS and whento call my dear friend Funmi, who had sentme the text. My worry heightened when mycall to her was unanswered. I neededinformation from someone to confirm theveracity of the text message.

When the response finally came, I wasshell shocked as the caller on the other endconfirmed the contents of the SMS. Myinitial responses were series of questions:When? How? Where? What happened? I hadno immediate response but silence, a loudtangible silence that stretched long to thelife and times of a cherished activist icon. Iwas simply short of words. Tears came tomy eyes at the gravity of what had happened.I reached out to colleagues and friends Iknew had interacted and worked with him.I got calls back and one, a former Senatorand friend of the Labour Movement was sodumb struck that he asked: “Are yousure?Because I spoke with him a few daysago; it can’t be true!" Alas, it turned out tobe true!

I have been very sad since the news of hisdeath. I am yet to recover from the shockand the pain of this death. However, as aChristian, we cannot grieve without hopeof blissful eternity with Christ. It is con-soling that BFA was also a Christian and aRedeem Pastor, and that he has gone to a

far more glorious place to take a well-de-served rest after years of fruitful labour.He fought “a good fight; finished thecourse; kept the faith” (Tim 4: 7). And nowhe is ushered to his rest.

I knew of and read about BFA long be-fore I met him. His human rights crusadeput him in a class of men and women whofought assiduously to promote, protect,preserve and defend the fundamentalrights of Nigerians. Our paths crossedwhen I became the Permanent Secretaryof the Federal Ministry of Labour and Pro-ductivity in 2003. We connected as he rep-resented Labour in the Tripartite Commit-tee that reviewed the final draft of our La-bour Bills. He was very passionate and ob-jective in his position during the review ex-ercise. His balanced views and detailedanalysis of the various clauses of the fivedraft bills will forever be one of his part-ing legacies to the Nigerian Labour Move-ment. Sadly though, only one of the fivepieces of legislationshas been passed af-ter eight years of their submission to theNational Assembly.

In the heat of his very busy schedule,BFA still had time to write several

labour books, present papers, honourdialogue engagements and served in anumber of human rights committees. Oneof his books: Nigerian Labour Laws: Prin-ciples, Cases, Commentaries and Materi-als ranks as a foremost reference materialfor students and practitioners of IndustrialRelations. I have found it a treasure trove

in my general industrial relations practiceand regular labour negotiations. I alsorecall his excellent inputs and gallant de-fence during the Amendments of the TradeUnions Act 2005. He stood up with mem-bers of the National Assembly for Nige-rian workers and amplified their voicesthat moderated the tone of the amend-ments. His contributions averted the list-ing of Nigeria in the Committee of Stand-ards of the ILO for gross violation of work-ers’ rights and unfair labour practices, andnipping in the bud, industrial protests andassociated work stoppages that would havethreatened the peace of the nation.

Bamidele was an amiable colleague,friend and “aburo”. We treasured and re-spected each other’s professional and tech-nical views. He was a principled activist,quiet achiever, a nationalist and statesmanwho distanced himself from any situationthat could compromise or corrupt his ide-als. He would rather turn down opportu-nities that may conflict with his avowedbeliefs. But he was never hesitant to un-dertake briefs on violations and abuses ofhuman and workers’ rights. This was prob-ably why he accepted to be a member ofthe 2011 Committee that looked into theconflict in the NDDC. He must have par-ticipated out of his deep conviction for thechallenges of the people of the region anda conviction that they deserved more thanthey were getting.

Bamidele was a dogged fighter, anadvocate of the poor, powerless and voice-

less masses, the abused, neglected, downtrodden! He was a team player that ex-panded the space for Nigerian activismand activists.

Every time I called on him to discussworkers issues and concerns and

share some thoughts on contemporarydevelopment in the labour sector, hiseager response that I should inform myprincipals that they were unfair was in-structive and inspirational. But he wasalso very courageous to tell workers totake the path of honour and negotiate ingood faith, rather than resorting to abuseof the sacred instrument of strike. And anytime I asked for his intervention,especially during national impasse orimpending face-off, he usually graciouslyobliged. Together, we had partnered toregulate peaceful and harmoniousindustrial relations in Nigeria.

His death is a huge loss to the nation ingeneral and, the human rights and thelabour movement in particular. His de-pendable disposition, honesty, truthfulnesswill be greatly missed by all peace lovingNigerians. He always promised each timewe spoke to come and enjoy pepper soupat my place. He was so busy he never ful-filled his promise. His excellent workslive! May God Grant him Eternal Rest!

*Mr Koripamo- Agary, an independent

scholar and consultant, wrote from Lagos.

NEXT month, the National AutomotiveCouncil, NAC, would be 21 years old. Its man-date in Act 84 of 25 August 1993 is to ensurethe survival, growth and development of Ni-geria’s automotive industry using local hu-man and material resources. NAC was to drive employment generation,

technology acquisition, and effective utilisa-tion of local raw materials in Nigeria’s auto-mobile industry. Ultimately, NAC was to fundresearch in the making of the Nigerian car,an automobile that would have most of itscomponents from local materials, and the art-istry of Nigerian engineers in order to saveNigeria money – and jobs that are lost to im-ports.The best part of the 21 years has seen NAC

officials complaining about the failures of theindustry, allusion to inability to produce theNigerian car, which accounts for the policyflips on vehicle importation. Without a localcar manufacturing industry, importation be-comes the only option.Few would remember the politician Dr.

Ezekiel Izuogu, an electrical/electronics en-gineer, and a lecturer at the Federal Polytech-nic, Owerri, who made prototypes of his firstever all-African car which he named Z-600

AAAAAutututututo Imporo Imporo Imporo Imporo ImportststststsIndecisionsIndecisionsIndecisionsIndecisionsIndecisions

in 1997.BBC’s Hilary Andersson described it as the

all-African dream machine, made for thefamily market with a top speed of 140km(86m) per hour. Ninety per cent of its partswere sourced locally. It would have cost$2,000 to own one, which would have madeit the cheapest car in the world. In 2005,South African authorities wanted Izuogu tobuild the car in their country.NAC never looked Izuogu’s way. Armed

men stole all the manuals, designs, engineblocks and completed prototypes of Z-600from Izuogu’s workshop in 2006. The dreamdied.

According to Section 9 (a) of its Act, NACearns, “Two per cent of the Cost, Insuranceand Freight (CIF) value of all imported, Fully Built Units (FBU) auto componentspare parts, Completely Knocked Down(CKD) and raw materials brought in for theautomotive subsector.”NAC Director-General Mr Aminu Jalal

once lamented that Nigeria imported about50,000 new and 150,000 used vehiclesyearly. “Nigerians spend an average of N400billion on importing passenger cars and bythe time you add trucks and other vehicles,the amount Nigerians spend on importedvehicles will be running to N600 billion an-nually.”An annual expenditure of N600 billion on

vehicle imports translates to N12 billionannual revenue for NAC. How much rev-enue accrued to NAC in 21 years? Was themoney invested in research of the Nigeriancar? What has NAC done in 21 years?Last year Jalal said the Made-in-Nigeria

vehicle in 2017 was no longer realistic. Itwould be a belittling anniversary for theprototype launched 20 years earlier.NAC should worry about its relevance.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014—————1919191919

,

,By Clement Udegbe

*Mr. Udegbe, a legalpractitioner, wrote fromLagos.,

,By Eric Teniola

*Mr . Teniola, a former director at the Pres-idency, wrote from Lagos.

ON January 4, 1966, the then PrimeMinister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa

(1912-1966) commissioned the Onitsha/AsabaBridge popularly called the NigerBridge. It was his last engagement outsideLagos.

The bridge which was built by the British,cost £5million at that time. The then PrimeMinister was accompanied to thecommissioning ceremony by the thenFederal Minister of Works andSurveyAlhajiShehu Usman AliyuShagari(90) and the then Premier of Mid-WesternRegion, Chief Dennis Chukwudi Osadebeh(1911-1994), a poet and journalist, who wasalso from Asaba.

The then Premier of Eastern Nigeria,Dr. Michael Iheonkura Okpara (1920-1984) who was from Umuahia in thepresent Abia State and who at 39 was theyoungest premier at that time, boycottedthe ceremony. The ceremonial governorof Eastern Nigeria at that time, Dr.AkanuIbiam(1906-1995) from Uwanna, Afikpo, inthe present day Ebonyi State also boycottedthe ceremony. There was a political crisis atthat time between NPC and UPGA. The threemen, Sir Tafawa Balewa, AlhajiShehuShagari, Chief Osadebe and other officialspaid toll on the bridge. Eleven days later,Sir TafawaBalewa was murdered.

Now 48 years after the ceremony, thePresident, Dr.GoodluckEbele Jonathan hasflagged off the construction of anothersecond bridge to link Asaba with Onitsha.The second bridge is to cost N200 billionand would be constructed by Julius BergerAIMS Consortium under the Design,Finance, Build, Operate and TransferModel. The design alone cost N325 millionunder the Public Private Partnership Policy.

The Niger Bridge has obviously becomeold with frequent complaints by motoristsand experts who believe that regularvehicular traffics and heavy duty trucks,amongst others and indeed old age, nowcauses the bridge to become a trap. Most of

Bridges and the cost of democracythe nuts and bolts used by the Britishcolonial government cannot be foundanywhere in the world because they havebecome obsolete.

That another second bridge is beingconstructed 48 years after, speaks volumesabout our national planning. Asaba andOnitsha are not just ordinary cities. Onitshabecame an important trading port for theRoyal Niger Company in the mid-1850sfollowing the abolition of slavery and withthe development of the steam engine whenEuropeans were able to move into thehinterland. Trade in palm kernels and palmoil which was going on the coast of Bight ofBiafra since 12the century was now movedupwards and other cash crops also boomedaround this river port in the 19th century.

Onitsha has become, today, a bigcommercial, educational and religiouscentre. It ranks with Lagos, Port Harcourtand Kano as commercial nerve centres ofNigeria. Regrettably Onitsha is a textbookexample of the perils of urbanisation withoutplanning or public services. It can boast ofa brewery valued at $110 million, a CatholicCathedral as large as the one in the Vaticanin Rome and an Anglican Church asbeautiful as that of my church, CathedralChurch of Christ, Marina, Lagos. There is areason for that. The Anglican was the firstmissionary in Onitsha in 1857. Later camethe Catholics in 1884. As of today there is acompetition for audience between theCatholics and the Anglican in Onitsha.

When General Ibrahim Babangida (73)created Delta State-the BIG HEART- onAugust 27, 1991 and named Asaba thecapital there was demonstrations in someparts of Delta State.He was alleged to bepartisan because his wife MaryamBabangida(1948-2009) was from Asaba.Only General Babangida can defend himselfon that. But if a wife cannot influence certaindecisions of her husband, not all decisions,then that wife is not fit to be a partner in amarriage.

Of all the powers in the world none is

more powerful than PILLOW TALK;that is, night talk between a wife and ahusband. The power of a woman isunlimited. That is the way it has been, andthat is the way it will continue to be. And aswe all know, General Babangida was aloving husband until his wife died in a LosAngeles hospital, California on December27, 2009. As for Asaba it is not just a city.The city has been important long beforeMaryam Babangida was born. As a matterof fact the naming of Asaba as Delta Statecapital has today become a big burden tothe good and highly industrialised peopleof Anioma with nine local governments outof 25, in their quest to have their child asgovernor of Delta State. It is to be hopedthat one day Asaba will be accepted by alland sundry in Delta State as their own statecapital.

Asaba is strategically located on a hill atthe Western edge of the River Niger. Thehistoric River Niger is a trans-African linkbeginning from Western, Eastern andNorthern Nigeria through the River Nigerfrom the north and via the Asaba NigerBridge, an east west link and a Nigerialandmark. Asaba lies approximately 6degrees north of the equator and about thesame distance east of the meridian; about100 miles north of where the River Nigerflows into the Atlantic Ocean. Asabaoccupies an area of about 300 squarekilometres. It maintains an average tropicaltemperature of 90 degrees during the dry

season and an average fertile rainfall of sixinches during the rainy season.

Asaba was once the colonial capital of theSouthern Nigeria Protectorate. It wasfounded in 1884. It hosted the Royal NigerCompany, which the British authoritiesset up to stimulate trade and theexportation of goods to England. Thatcompany has grown today into the UACNigeria PLC. Its traditional ruler is theAsagba, Dr. Joseph Chike Edozien ofAmerican education background.

Be that as it is, we have not given specialfavours to the people of Asaba and Onitshaor indeed the whole of South East andSouthSouth. Even if we today construct asecond bridge to link Onitsha and Asaba.By now there should have been three bridgeson that river. Also by now we should havestarted the construction of a standard bridgeto link Agenebode in Edo State to Idah inKogi State, two towns overlooking eachother. Vis-à-vis there should have been fourbridges across Lokoja and same to Jebba. Ifanything happens to the Jebba and Lokojabridges, the North will be cut off from theSouth. We can build bridges, constructroads, hospitals and many more if we wantto and that is if we reduce the cost ofgovernance.

Our own democracy must rank one of themost extravagant and exorbitant democracyin the world. Our economy cannot sustain itany longer. If we are to uphold and endurethis democracy then we have to sacrifice theexecution of capital projects inclusive ofconstruction of bridges.

Our prodigal and spendthrift attitude iskilling the economy and hurting our chanceof survival. Imagine how much we arespending on the National Assembly,National Conference, Presidential fleet,seminars, oil subsidies, presidential andgubernatorial aides, etc. Apart frominsurgency which we can't find solution toin spite of external help, the greatest dangerto our democracy is the high cost ofgovernance. We can't continue this way anylonger.

WHEN the immediate pastGovernor of the Central

Bank of Nigeria ,CBN, came intooffice in 2009, people hoped thatfunding for agriculture,manufacturing and the real sectorwill be enhanced and thereby buildon the foundations already madeby his predecessor in office. Butinstead he had began by tearingdown everything his predecessorbuilt. People expressed theirconcerns with his style, but withinhis first one year in office, he hadre-orientated the banking sector,sowed fear for loan transactionswithin the sector and downplayedventure capital, and funding forthe productive sectors from thebanking system. The hope for a re-energising the banking sector forthe common man’s economy wasdashed to pieces, as the mancareered off on a frolic of his own,culminating in his expected sackby his employers early this year.

While we wait to see how theprecipitate litigation from allthat pans out, the real effect ofthe period of distraction fromdriving the economy is that wehear and read a lot about fundingfor projects, encouraging thedevelopment of the smallbusinesses, growth of themanufacturing sector from peoplein government. But when a man

CBN, agriculture and venturecapital funding

armed with his feasibility studies,business summary and reportswalks into a bank to ask for fundingfor his project, the response thathe receives can be discouraging.He discovers that all he had heardand read about obtaining withease had no bearing to the realityin these banks. In short, civilservants are doing their jobs,consultants write and defend theirreports to government, whilenothing moves, in effect.

Our commercial banks are stillvery much tuned to short termlending for trading and suchquick transactions to the neglectof the agriculture,manufacturing and smallbusinesses. First you mustproduce a one year or six monthsturn over seven times theamount you are asking for. Thatis: If you are asking for two millionnaira for your new project, youmust give, for a start, a turn over ofover N14 -20 million within thelast six months. How does a newbusiness investor come up withsuch a turn over ? Second, you willbe required to produce collateralin the form of shares certificates,or landed property to support yourapplication of the value of at leastthree times of the amount you wantto borrow, say N6 million. Howdoes a young graduate from ahumble family or newentrepreneur come up with suchcollateral? Third, they will slam

you with an interest rate ofbetween 25 percent and 35 percentper annum, which means that forcertain long term businesses, likeagriculture and manufacturing,you are already in default ofrepayment before you kick off !

The prevalent lending ratestoday only favour importers,

traders, and oil bunkeringinvestors, and the rest gamut ofquick businesses that will nevercreate the required employmentand growth for the economy. Thereal and productive sectors aresuffering, and the worst hit is theagricultural sector, which ourcommercial banks havecategorized as “High RiskSector”; in other words, a ‘no go’area for them.

Except the CBN steers the banksaway from the old path of focusing

only on the service sector, whileturning a blind eye tomanufacturing and agriculture, wewill get nowhere no matter the biggrammar they speak about oureconomy. Unless CBN devisespolicies and programmes to createaccessible venture capital formanufacturing and agriculture,and provide a level playing fieldfor start-up businesses, it will makelittle progress. And until lendingby banks to agriculture andmanufacturing is on long termbasis of not less than five to tenyears exit tenures, with single digitinterest rates, and generally softsecurity conditions, we will justcontinue with the rigmarole andproduce reports that are majorlyuseless to the common man whowants to be productive and makea living through manufacturing orfarming.

CBN may have to revisit thepolicies and programmes in theearly 1970s where commercialbanks were made to lend not lessthan 40 percent of their annualprofits or turn over to agricultureand the manufacturing sectors,review those policies and attunethem to current trends, to reducethe risks in lending to agriculture.

If we have to move into the pathof growth as a nation, the CBNshould think of a compulsorynational lending portfolio of40:30:30; ie 40 percent toagriculture, 30 percent tomanufacturing, and 30 percent tothe sundry sectors by commercialbanks over a period of not less thanten years to start with.

Our commercial banks shouldreturn to helping businesses withgood potentials to start up, and to

nurture them to become publicquoted businesses. They must stopthe trend of chasing depositswhich drive their workers intocompromised morals in their bidsto bring in the big deposits.Deposit chasing is tantamount toreaping where one has not sown.It is deceptive, harmful tonational growth, and contraryto our spiritual and religiousstandards since we are mostlyChristians and Muslims in thiscountry.

One major assignment beforeour new CBN Governor is todrive a deliberate change indirection of our banking sector togenerously favour lending toagriculture and manufacturing, asa matter of priority. He mustrefocus the mindset of the averagebankers from that of risk aversionto risk containment in lending tothe key productive sectors. Forexample, lending to any big farmproject with proven technicalmanagement should sail smoothlywithout asking for their arms andlegs.

The trend being observed inmanufacturing under the newmotor policy, where most of thevehicle manufacturers are rushingto cash-in on the generous importtax regimes by building theirfactories only on the pages ofnewspapers, will not help.Nigerians want to see the factoriesfunctioning, not plans andforecasts as they are all singing,while price of vehicles is hittingroof tops.

CBN may have torevisit the policiesand programmesin the early 1970swhere commercialbanks were madeto lend not lessthan 40 percent oftheir annualprofits or turn overto agriculture andthe manufacturingsectors

Our prodigal andspendthrift attitude iskilling the economyand hurting our chanceof survival; if we are touphold and endure thisdemocracy then wehave to sacrifice theexecution of capitalprojects, inclusive ofconstruction of bridges

20 — Vanguard,Vanguard,Vanguard,Vanguard,Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

Succour at last for Bauchi flood, insurgencyvictimsBy Suzan Edeh, Bauchi

VICTIMS of flood disas ter and insurgency in

Bauchi State presently havecause to smile and temporari-ly forget their pains and dis-tress. The Presidential Com-mittee on Flood Relief and Re-habilitation recently came totheir aid after it flagged off thedistribution of relief materialsto victims of flood, insurgen-cy and communal clashes inthe state.

The beneficiaries who hailfrom 10 Northern states ofAdamawa, Borno, Bauchi,Benue, Kaduna, Katsina, Go-mbe, Nasarawa, Plateau andYobe profusely expressed ap-preciation to the committee forthe timely intervention incushioning their hardshipthrough the donation of reliefmaterials such as rice, soaps,wrappers, blankets, noodles,salts, palm oil amongst otheritems.

Humanitariangesture

Shortly after the flag off ofthe ceremony, the Chairmanof the committee, Dr SaniAbubakar Lugga, led a dele-gation of the committee mem-bers on a courtesy visit to Gov-ernor Isa Yuguda, at the Gov-ernment House in Bauchi. Hesaid the committee decided toextend its humanitarian ges-ture not only to victims of flooddisaster, but also those of in-surgency, communal clashesand cattle rustlers. Abubakardisclosed that the committeewent beyond the scope of itsmandate to purchase food andnon-food items worth N750mto cushion the losses of victimsof insurgency and communalclashes in the 10 states.

A victim of insurgency,

siding in Jahun quarters inBauchi metropolis, thankedthe committee for the gestureand urged them to assist herfamily with accommodation.

In an interview with Van-guard Metro, VM, anotherbeneficiary, Hajiya Dan Azi-mi, who is an indigene ofBauchi State from Darazo Lo-cal Government Area said herfamily was displaced earlythis month from their home asa result of an attack launched

by insurgents in the local gov-ernment.

“Ninety three persons, in-cluding me, ran away fromDarazo because our house wasburnt by gunmen. We felt ourlives were threatened, so werelocated to Bauchi town be-cause of the peace among theresidents”.

She complained that the re-lief materials were not enoughfor her family because someitems were shared with other

beneficiaries. “Even though Iam grateful for the gesture ofthe committee, some of theitems are just inadequate forus. You can imagine a situa-tion where 10 persons aresupposed to share a bag of

,

,

rice. So when weshare it among our-selves, what one getsis very small,” shesaid.

Usman Danladi abeneficiary from Ad-amawa State said hewas displaced fromhis house as a resultof flood disaster. Hesaid he came to Bau-chi State Novemberlast year because helost his house andfarm lands to flood.

Support todisplaced persons

“I had to start lifeafresh with my fami-ly, so I moved downto Bauchi because Iheard that the gov-ernment usuallygives support to dis-placed persons,” hesaid. He commendedthe committee overthe kind gesture andurged them to givesome beneficiariescapital to set up busi-nesses in order tohave decent sourcesof livelihood.

When PresidentGoodluck Jonathan,in 2012, decided toinaugurate a presi-dential committee tomobilise funds for

complement government’sprovisions to flood victimsacross the country, the commit-tee is also vested with the man-date of post-impact rehabili-tation of affected persons andcommunities.

It will be recalled that theFederal Government had atthe time, earmarked the sumof about N22 billion as finan-cial assistance to all the 36states of the federation and theFederal Capital Territory, FCTand as allocations to ministriesand parastatals to cushion thedevastating effects of theflooding experienced in partsof the country.

The remaining allocationswere made to the Ministry ofWorks, the National Emergen-cy Management Agency,NEMA; Ministry of Environ-ment and the Technical Com-mittee on Flood Impact As-sessment which received N2.6billion, N1.1 billion, N350 mil-lion, N150 million and N100million, respectively.

The 34-man PresidentialCommittee was co-chaired bybillionaire Aliko Dangote andrenowned activist Olisa Agba-koba.

As one of the benefitingstates, Bauchi received N400million relief fund for the morethan 19, 000 persons affectedby the floods of last year.

The Sub-chairman of theState Relief Committee, SRC,Alhaji Ibrahim Jahun, said thebeneficiaries were spreadacross the state, adding thefloods caused an estimateddamage of N3 billion, whichmakes the N400 million re-ceived grossly inadequate tosupport the victims.

Plateau: Group tasks residents on tolerance

By Marie-Therese Nanlong, Jos

STAKEHOLDERS working on thepermanent restoration of peace in

Plateau State have been urged to redou-ble efforts at preaching and promotingtolerance and peaceful coexistence asno development can take place in a stateof continuous rancour.

The stakeholders were also tasked onnetworking with relevant groups and in-dividuals to ensure the existing peaceachieved in the State is sustained by con-sistently engaging in dialogue with com-munity members to ensure they desistfrom the temptation of getting involvedin violence.

The charge was given during a three-day meeting with theme: “Advocacy andCoalition/Networking: The Central Roleof Civil Society Organisations in theStrategy for a Lasting Peace in Jos.”

The meeting which was held in Jos, the State cap-ital, was organised by Apurimac Onlus, Centre forAdvocacy, Justice and Rights and the Centre forPeace Advancement in Nigeria but funded by theEuropean Union and attended by 35 participants fromthe State.

Addressing participants, Project Officer of CAJR,Mr. Choji Pwakim, stated that the meeting was aimedat enhancing CSOs capacity in the area of network-ing. Pwakim disclosed thus: “We are here to syner-gise, prepare our minds to join hands, work togeth-er and fashion out better ways of achieving lastingpeace in the State.”

Also, Rev. Samuel Goro, who is the Director ofCentre for Peace and Advancement in Nigeria, CE-PAN, stated the meeting was held to discuss ways ofstrengthening the existing peace in the State.

He added that steps have been taken by partici-pants in terms of continuously urging communitymembers to desist from violence as well as well or-ganising dialogue meetings and peace education,saying the efforts are yielding positive results.

I came to Bauchi State early this monthalong with my late husband’s three otherwives and 20 children because our housewas burnt by insurgents

•Relief materials presented to victims of insurgency and flood disaster.

Safiya Aliyu, a mother of ninechildren, said she lost her hus-band to an attack by insur-gents last month in TarabaState. According to her: “Icame to Bauchi State early thismonth along with my late hus-band’s three other wives and20 children because our housewas burnt by insurgents. Wehad to relocate to a neighbour-ing state to start life all overagain”.

Safiya who is presently re-

flood victims, Nigeriansbreathed a sigh of relief as thegesture was expected to go along way in addressing thehardship experienced by thoseaffected.

Apart from raising funds to

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014 — 21

RMRDC tasks Nigerians on newdawn in industrial development

BY NAOMI UZOR

From left: Lt-Gen Kenneth Minimah, Chief of Army Staff; Dr Alex Otti, Group MD, DiamondBank Plc and Lt Col Haruna Dasuki, Commandant, 65 Battallion, Bonny Cantonment,Nigerian Army during the donation of a block of building to the Nigerian Army at theArmy Cantonment, Bonny Camp, Victoria Island, Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

SCIENCE andTechnology experts at

a two-day Senior ExpertDialogue, SED, said Nigeriacan benefit from the OpenData market which has thepotential to save andgenerate about $3 trillionglobally.

They said Nigeriagovernment can key into theinitiative by creating theenabling environment for thecitizens to have free access toall public information to beable to take the rightdecisions and also hold theirleaders accountable for theuse of the common funds.

According to them, a recentstudy on the annual turn overof Open Data globallyconducted byMcKinsey&Company showedthat various countries thatopened their doors for opendata, have already startedreaping the befits by reducingcost of their governance,empowering the citizens toask questions wherenecessary and also enablingthe private sector to buildapplications that can hostrelevant information thatguide peoples’ decisions.

They said there is value inOpen Data if government isready to create the enablingenvironment and make public

Open Data market worth $3trn – Experts

all public information, not justby pushing them to onlineplatform but also taking themto offline for the benefit ofthose who do not have accessto internet.

Speaking on the initiative,the Principal of a SouthAfrican based research firm,McKinsey&Company, LohiniMoodley, said Open data andOpen government are relatedbut are also separate issues

that Africa needs to key intonow to improve on the qualityof outputs in both public andprivate sectors.

She said Open data apartfrom enhancing the quality ofoutput wherever it is adopted, can also be used to increasetransparency in government,benefit consumers andcitizens and also encourageestablishment of appcompanies that would in turn

create jobs and generaterevenue for government.

According to her, everygovernment has a lot of dataassets that can be madeavailable and accessible inthe right way, which can beutilised by analysts,businesses, and thecommunity in order tobenefit in various fields oflife.

“Nigeria can use data to

and development of resource based in-dustries and to compile and publish acompendium of raw materials produc-ers.

The Director General of NACCIMA,Mr. John Isemede, said the OPS andagencies of government, should worktogether and learn how to add valueand develop the raw materials that wehave, adding that SON, NAFDACshould have a certification centre soas to promote and develop our rawmaterials.

“ The greatest problem we have isinfrastructure, what other countrieswill get done in three hours, will takeus a day to do. We have a reappraisalfor all agencies to come together, thestructure has to be put in place, it isnot tariff that is our major problem inNigeria but accessibility.

The six geo political zones shouldbe looked into; we have opened ourdoors for the western world, we havebeen exporting cocoa base for so manyyears, we have to develop the valuechain and palm produce should alsobe looked into,” he said.

THE Raw Material Research andDevelopment Council, RMRDC,

has urged Nigerians to queue up andbe counted in the drive for a newdawn in industrial development of thecountry.

Delivering his speech at the PublicPresentation of 2nd Nigerian RawMaterials Exposition (NIRAM Expo2014), tagged “ Achieving NigerianIndustrial Revolution Plan throughRaw Materials Sourcing” the Direc-tor General of RMRDC, Dr HusseinDoko Ibrahim, who was representedby the Director Agriculture and AgroAllied Dept, Dr Moyo Jolaoso, said ,the Nigerian economy has been pass-ing through a very tough terrain inrecent times due to various chal-lenges of under-development andtherefore urged Nigerians to queueup and be counted in the drive for anew dawn in industrial developmentof the Nigeria state.

“A major challenge in this regard isthe issue of achieving a sustainable

means of sourcing for raw materials bythe many manufacturing industries inNigeria. The Raw Material Research andDevelopment Council, an importantstakeholder in the industrial sector of theeconomy was concerned about the stateof manufacturing in Nigeria and decidedto spearhead the process of bringingabout rapid transformation of the indus-trial sector of the economy through theinstitution of the NIRAM Expo” he stated.

He noted that the 2012 NIRAM Expowas a resounding success judging by thesheer number of participants from theOrganised Private Sector that graced theevent and it is only right that they rideon the coattails of the maiden edition toachieve even greater heights so as to at-tain the Nigerian Industrial RevolutionPlan of the Federal Government of Nige-ria.

He said the objectives of the NIRAMExpo, which has been slated for October28th -30th in Ikeja, Lagos, is to promotesynergy among stakeholders in raw ma-terials value chain, to provide conduciveplatform for exhibition of raw materials,to facilitate procurement of raw materialsneeds of industries, to enhance the growth

plan infrastructure, plan theschool system, health etc. It isabout change of mindset anddata can be used to make rightdecision. It is also aboutbuilding capacity. Nigeria needsto have the technical andanalytical capabilities tointerpret the data. These arenecessary to maximise opendata potentials.

“To do this, Nigeriangovernment needs to providethe enabling environment, theavailable data in its disposal andalso start to use them.”

Moodley, who cited a Kenyaexample of using Open data appto guide parents on the choice ofschool for their wards, saidNigeria can use Open data toreduce the cost of various projectsreleased on regular basis, startdiscussion, and engagebusinesses and citizens on howdata should be made open andhow they should be used.

“I think Nigerian governmentshould ensure that data aremade readable and engage theprivate sector in variousprojects. There is various waysto use open data and benefitfrom it, weather to create newproduct and services, and helpgovernment organisations savemoney better.

“Because there is value thatcan be generated from opendata, it should be understoodthat when capability is built, itwill pay off in the long term.

“We have done analysis acrossthree sectors where value cancome from - education, house,consumer products financingand what we have found is thatby using technology to improvetransaction, by using technologyto enhance studies in schools,allowing students to come incontact with the right employers,it could lead to improvement ineducation, which ultimately willlead people getting better jobsand earn higher salaries,” sheadded.

Also speaking on the initiative,the head of research, NigeriaEconomic Summit Group,NESG, Dr. Sope Williams, saidNigeria stands a chance tobenefit from the $3 trillion worthof Open data market but for it towork in Nigeria, every citizenmust see himself as astakeholder and push for moreopen government.

She stressed the need forNigeria to adopt open andtransparent government thatwill be more accountable andpeople oriented.

“All of us have a stake ingovernment and should push formore open government. Weneed a government that is moretransparent, more accountableand engaging the citizens ofNigeria more,” she added.

22—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

RISK DIVERSIFICATION:Stockbrokers enjoin investorsto leverage mutual fundBy NKIRUKA NNOROM

Stockbrokers in the nation’scapital market have called oninvestors to leverage mutual

funds for a well balanced assetportfolio.According to them, mutual fundsremain one of the best investmentoptions that could be takenadvantage of by investors to ensurethat their risk is well spread amongvarious asset classes.

This is especially important asindividual investors lack adequateknowledge to engage capital marketinvestment.

“Ideally, they should come inthrough Collective InvestmentScheme (CIS) also called mutualfund because they have wellbalanced governance structure,comprising the fund manager, thetrustee that looks after governanceand custodian that hold the assets.So there are checks and balances in that structure to safeguard theinterest of investors.

“Besides, CIS is also regulatedand monitored by the Securities andExchange Commission (SEC). So, itis a good vehicle through which investors should participate in themarket,” said Mr. Mike Ezeh,Managing Director, CranesSecurities limited.

He stated that although mutualfund does not enjoy the kind ofpatronage equities do, it is a verygood investment option to explorethe market.

He stated that though there aremany registered mutual funds inNigeria, their patronage was lowcompared to other financial marketswhere mutual fund managers enjoyhigher patronage via mutual fundsrather than by direct investment inequities. For instance, in Brazil, 10million more investors participate inthe market through mutual funds,while only 500,000 invest directly inthe market, he said.

Explaining how CIS works, Ezeh

said by pooling funds of severalindividual and corporate investors,it gives investors access toinvestments that they will ordinarilynot have access to.

“Unlike equities, a CIS isgenerally not traded on a stockexchange, but investors buy and sellunits to/from the fund manager atany time. Shares are created andsold to new investors on acontinuous basis so you can eitherinvest a lump sum or on a regularmonthly basis,” he said. Accordingto him, the operation of the entity isbased on the principle of thediversification of risk.

“Payment is easy and convenient

and can be done online or by directdebit. Also dividend proceeds canbe credited to an investor’s bankaccount,” he added.

The president, Association ofCorporate Trustees (ACT), Mrs.Oluwatoyin Sanni, on her own, saidinvestors should take advantage ofthe depression in stock prices to buyunits of well-managed mutual fundsin order to benefit from the capitalappreciation over time.

She explained that ACT’s role inmutual funds is to ensure thatinvestors’ funds are preserved,adding, “The mutual funds arepreferred option to enter the equitymarket.

Durosinmi-Ettihands over toOguntayo at SkyeBank

Former Group Managing Director/CEO, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Kehinde

Durosinmi-Etti, has formally handedover the mantle of leadership to hissuccessor, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, ata ceremony in Lagos.

Speaking at the handing overceremony, Durosinmi-Etti said theevent demonstrated the existence ofsound corporate governance in thebank which makes successionseamless and rancour-free.

He said having served as the CEOof three different banks for a total of11 years, he felt it was time to leavefor another person to come and takethe bank to another height.

He described the years he spent atSkye Bank as the hallmark of hisbanking career, which he describedas interesting.

He said with change, there wouldbe a new way of doing things andcalled on the staff to support the newhelmsman.

He said he would continue to workfor the success of the bank as well asserve as its ambassador at all times.

In his remarks, the GroupManaging Director/CEO, Oguntayo,thanked his predecessor for hisleadership and guidance in the pastand wished him success in his futureendeavours.

Group, bank trainyouths onentrepreneurship Hope Worldwide, a Lagos based

Non GovernmentalOrganisation, NGO, in conjunctionwith Citibank Nigeria Limited hastrained 20 youth, from Makokocommunity of Lagos State, in its“Youth Enterprise Training” as partof efforts to strengthen economygrowth of the community and thecountry at large.

The organisation had last yeargraduated and empowered 25 youthin entrepreneurial skills including,catering, tailoring, hair dressing, webdesign and make up applicationunder the same platform, making atotal of 45 youths in two years.

Speaking during this year ’sgraduation and handing over ofstartup equipments to the trainees, theActing CEO of the Group, Dr.Ebunoluwa Jayesimi, who spokethrough its Information TechnologyManager, Engineer AduragbemiWilliams, said the initiative was bornout of a desire to liberate youths inthe country from the bondage ofpoverty, while ensuring that theycontribute their quota to the economicgrowth of the nation.

In her own remark, theprogrammme coordinator, Mrs.Abiodun Olowoake, said Makoko andIwaya were chosen catchmentcommunities in Lagos considering thenumber of youths in the areas whoare not gainfully engaged.

She further said that by the designof the programme, the trainees weretrained so that at the end of theirtrainings, they can return to theircommunities to train others, so as toensure a trend of transforming thecurrent economic plight of the peoplein the areas.

As part of strategic move tosustain its competitive edge,

Union Registrars Limited, whichhas recently attracted a new coreinvestor, Citadel NomineesLimited, has embarked on reviewof its business processes andbroadening of portfolio.The company ’s ManagingDirector, Mr. Tunde Ayeni, whoconfirmed the development,explained that the company hasundergone a comprehensivereview of all aspects of itsoperations in order to shed weightand shape up in view of theinclement operating environmentin Nigeria.

Ayeni explained that, therestructuring activities would coverareas such as: re-launch and re-branding of the e-channels, whichis a suite of user – friendly, on-linechannels for easier access to UnionRegistrars’ services.

He also listed relocation of thehead office and branches forenhanced service delivery,introduction of new products, and

Union Registrars restructures,gets core investor

creation of a new brand identity andacquisition of new client companyaccounts. Besides, the on-goingrestructuring entails right sizing ofbranch network and human capitalfor enhanced profitability.

He noted that the re-engineeringand repositioning of the companywould be driven by the vision togain market share and createservice excellence under a newownership. On the completion ofthe erstwhile divestment process bythe Union Group, which has beenreplaced by Citadel NomineesLimited as the core investor groupin the company, Ayeni said thecompany has no option other thanto optimise its resources andopportunities in view of the realityof the operating environment.

Market watchers explained thatUnion Registrars has undergone atrying period under its formerparent body, Union Bank of NigeriaPlc, due to tough business climateand the de-marketing that attendedthe intervention of the Central Bankof Nigeria in the parent bank.

From left: Ms. Mary Agha, Company Secretary; Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of the Boardof Directors, and Mr. Ashish Desai, Managing Director, all of Wapic Insurance Plc, at the company’s 55thAnnual General Meeting, in Lagos.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014— 23

THE United States Agencyfor International

Development, USAID,yesterday, signed a Me-morandum of Understanding,MoU, with Ebonyi StateGovernment to establish acollaborative developmentpartnership to modernise thestate’s water utility.

The agreement cemented theongoing working relationshipto strengthen the institutional,legal and regulatoryframework of Ebonyi Statewater system.

The MoU was signed by

Governor Martin Elechi andthe USAID Mission Director,Michael Harvey, andprovided a platform forcontinuous partnership inother activities.

Applauding efforts of thestate government’sinvestment on clean waterproduction and connection ofits population to an affordablewater supply, Harveyexpressed satisfaction withthe completion of two newwater treatment plants and a52-kilometer trunk watermain that connects one of the

new water treatment plants tothe state capital, Abakaliki.

Harvey said: “USAID willwork with the Ebonyi StateWater Corporation to help itachieve financialindependence and, in the end,provide more, better qualitywater on a reliable basis.”

USAID’s urban waterreform activity, under theSustainable Water andSanitation in Africa, SUWASA,is a water policy reformactivity at the state level thatfocuses on sustainable urbanwater supply.

US, Ebonyi govt sign MoU on potable water

AnambracommunityejectsAnglicanChurchfrom schoolpremises

COMMISSIONING: From left— Mr. Jideofor Amaechi; Igwe Ginger Ibeneme, Council Chairman of Oji River;Enugu State Deputy Governor, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi; Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Nwogu; Convener,SURE-P TVET project, Mr. Peter Esele (2nd right) and others during the commissioning of the National Power TrainingInstitue of Nigeria, NAPTIN's Electrical & Communication Laboratories at Oji in Enugu State.

Enugu Assembly approves service of noticeby substituted means on Onyebuchi

ENUGU—ENUGU StateHouse of Assembly,

yesterday, asked the clerk, Mr.Christopher Chukwura, to serveits notice of impeachment on thedeputy governor of the state, Mr.Sunday Onyebuchi, bysubstituted services.

The resolution was sequel to amotion by the leader of theHouse, Udeokoye, Awgu North,who asked the House to mandatethe clerk to serve the noticethrough substituted means. Themotion was seconded by JohnOkuta, who represents Uzo-Uwani constituency.

Also the Civil LibertiesOrganisation, CLO, in the South-East, yesterday, criticised theaction of the lawmakers,describing it as a “mockery ofdemocracy which activists foughthard to enthrone.”

The State Assembly had in amotion, Tuesday, commencedimpeachment proceedingsagainst the Deputy Governor,accusing him of grossmisconduct and disobedience todirectives of the governor thusallegedly undermining theactivities of government.

At yesterday’s sitting,Chukwura had narrated hisdifficulty and efforts in servingthe notice of impeachment on theDeputy Governor, which hesupported with a sworn affidavitof court.

This prompted the House todirect that the copy of the noticebe served through his e-mail,pasted at the gate of his privateresidence at Salvage Crescent orat the gate of his official quarters,which renovation had beenabandoned two years ago.

CLO kicksCLO, in a statement by the

Zonal Director, Olu Omotayo, a

lawyer, criticised the action ofthe lawmakers as unknown tolaw, stressing that keepingpoultry in his residence didnot amount to grossmisconduct.

It said: “We had earlierstated when the incidenthappened that the properprocedure in accordance withthe law as provided under theEnugu State WasteManagement Authority Law,is for the Enugu State WasteManagement Authority toserve the operator or occupierof a premises, which activitiesconstitute nuisance, with anotice to abate the nuisance,failure of which the authoritycan then make a complaintagainst the occupier, beforethe Environmental ProtectionCourt.

“This was not done, and assuch any letter written by anyagent, servants or privies ofthe governor, who is acomplainant in this case, wasirregular and unlawful.Section 12(2), of the EnuguState Waste ManagementAuthority Law, Cap. 75, Lawsof Enugu State 2004, providepunishment for breach ofenvironmental law while Sub-Section 3, of same lawprovides:

… the law“Where tenement is a

residential governmentbuilding, the court shallrecommend to the Head ofService or the Secretary to theState Government for ejectionof the occupier, who has beenconvicted of any offenceunder this section on threeoccasions.

“So in the DeputyGovernor’s case the invasionof his residence and thesubsequent demolition of his

poultry are illegal and unlawful.Any action of the state, howeverbeneficial it may be to the public,if not done in accordance withthe laws of the land portendsdanger in a democratic society.

“The Provisions of Section (3)of the Enugu State WasteManagement Authority Law,Cap. 75, Laws of Enugu State2004, were not complied with.So we do not understand whatthe House of Assembly issaying.

In the US...“It is important that we

consider the process in theUnited States of Americabecause of the political andconstitutional nexus that existsbetween Nigeria and America.

“In the United States,impeachment is not onlylimited to the president and hisvice, governors and theirdeputies, but to all civilofficers— they could besenators and judges asexperience has shown.

“Since 1787 when the UnitedStates Constitution becameoperative, only 13 officers

have so far been impeached.This underscores howAmericans guard thisprovision jealously to avoidpolitical instability. It is onlyresorted to when otheravenues have becomepractically impossible.

“The opposite is what we areseeing in this country and if thistrend is not checked it will beperilous for this country.

“The 1979 Constitution and1999 Constitution do notprovide grounds forimpeachment. This is incontrast to the Americanconstitution which highlightsthe grounds for impeaching apublic officer.

“The 1999 Constitution onlyprovides that above mentionedelected officers shall beremoved from office if theyare found guilty of ‘grossmisconduct’.

“The definition of ‘grossmisconduct’ in Section 188(11)is not explicit enough. Recklesslegislatures have harped onthis inadequacy to impeach onfrivolous grounds.”

By Tony Edike

O NITSHA—THEPresident-General of

Nkwelle-Ezunaka in OyiLocal Government Area ofAnambra State, ElderChris Eluemuno, hasannounced its decision ostop worshippers atEbenezer AnglicanChurch from furtherconducting its activitiesinside Oyolu-Oze PrimarySchool in the area.

This, according to him,is because the communityhas since discovered thatthe worshippers aremerely tenants who havebeen going about tellinglies to the public that theschool was owned by thechurch as a mission school.

Eluemuno, whodisclosed this yesterday atthe school compoundduring their graduationceremony, said thecommunity had allowedthe church to use the schoolpremises on a tenancyagreement of N20 permonth since 1990, only forthe worshippers to layclaims to ownership of theschool.

He said the communitybuilt the school in 1980 andhanded it over to the stategovernment in 1982, andthat in 1990, the AnglicanChurch approached themfor rental.

He said the communityobliged the church andagreed to a monthly rentof N20, lamenting that ithad not paid a dime tilldate, neither did the churchput up any structure on thepremises.

By NwabuezeOkonkwo

Globalaviationindustry reelsunder serialclashes

24—V24—V24—V24—V24—Vanguardanguardanguardanguardanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

•As 462 people perish in threeaccidents in just one week

BY KENNETH EHIGIATOR

IN the past one week, aviation appears to be put under

attack by humans and weather.For a very long time, the avia-tion industry has never been thisassailed by extraneous factors,what with the three crashes thathad manifested across the worldwithin just seven days. WhileMalaysian airliner, a Boeing 777-ER with 298 souls on board, wasallegedly shot down by pro-Rus-sian rebels in Ukraine, Thursday,an AirAsian ATR-72 plane with58 passengers crashed in TaiwanPenghu Island two days ago,with 48 casualties.

The aircraft was said to havecrashed amid stormy weatherwhile attempting to land. Simi-larly, an Air Algerie MD-83 planewith 116 souls on board was onlyyesterday declared missing bare-ly 50 minutes after take off. Theairliner was flying from BurkinaFaso to Algeria when it was de-clared missing. Bad weather hadbeen fingered as reason for itsdisappearance. In each of thecases, safety and security hadbeen called to question once more

in Shanghai, China. It almostlanded in a river. The implica-tion of these accidents is that con-fidence in air travel may beginto wane considerably.

The crash of the AirAsian planewas simply down to bad weath-er. In aviation, three factors arelargely responsible for air crash-es. These are the environment(bad weather); machine (state ofaircraft) and human factor, whichaccounts for at least 70 per centof air accident. This had beenlargely responsible for much ofthe air crashes in Nigeria in thelast decade.

Although there are instrumentsto mitigate accidents arising frombad weather, such as the Dop-pler weather radar and windshear detectors, the judgementof a pilot in the face of extremeweather conditions remained thebest option. This explains why

that this industry should have awary culture. It is a warning todo more, especially with regardsto safety management system,SMS. I do believe that if we im-plement ICAO Annex 19 to thefullest, accident will be reducedto the barest minimum.”

He also cited inadequate fundsfor training and re-training of avi-ation staff, especially airline crew,as one of the factors militatingagainst air safety worldwide.“Funds are in short supply andthis is making training and re-training of aviators difficult. Peo-ple are no longer having the kindof training we had in our daysbecause of paucity of funds,”Capt. Ore noted. To think that theAirAsian plane crashed on land-ing indicates how bad the weath-er really was.

Though the preliminary reporton cause of the crash is not out,it may be safe to surmise that thecrash may have been caused bywind shear, which is describedas sudden change in wind andspeed direction. Wind shear thatoccurs around an airport is usu-ally the most difficult for pilots tocontend with. It was that weath-er condition that aided the crashof Sosoliso and ADC airlines’crashes in Port Harcourt and Abu-ja in 2005 and 2006 respectively.

Mandatoryweather briefing

This is the wet season. Conse-quently, regulatory agencies of-ten advice pilots to obtain man-datory weather briefing and abortflights when weather minimagoes below manageable level.The good news is that some Ni-gerian airports are now fitted withthe Doppler weather radar, evenas the kind of much more mod-ern aircraft that flies the nation’sairspace on the domestic front areequipped with anti-wind sheardevice to warn pilots against theweather phenomenon ahead oftime.

The disappearance of the AirAlgerie flight AH5017, yesterday,was attributed to desert storm,another extreme weather condi-tion. At the time of writing, theaircraft was yet to be found bysafe and rescue team mobilisedfor the purpose eight hours after.Because the fuel endurance of

the aircraft type is way belowthat, kit is assumed the aircrafthad crashed somewhere. In fact,an official of the airline in Alg-iers confirmed to Cable NewsNetwork, CNN, that the planehad crashed but didn’t indicatewhere it crashed.

The lesson from all these forNigeria is to ensure that seriousattention is paid to safety andsecurity of commercial aircraftoperations. Although the nationhas more than 30 airports, ownedby both federal and state govern-ments, only a very few areequipped with the Dopplerweather radar and anti-windshear device. Some do not evenhave the instrument landingstanding which aid instrumentflight range, IFR, system.

Former Secretary of AirlineOperators of Nigeria, AON, Al-haji Mohammed Tukur, said itwas frightening for the world towitness three major crashes injust seven days. Aside from theMalaysian airliners that was shotdown, Tukur attributed the twoothers to extremely bad weather,saying the accidents were a wakecall for aircraft manufacturers toreturn to the drawing board.According to him, today’s weath-er has become so harsh that ittakes divine intervention for pi-lots to survive the element whenit comes.

“Frankly speaking, there is se-rious problem in the industryworldwide. There is need to lookat aircraft manufacturing todaybecause current harsh weatherconditions caused by globalwarming. We have never had itthis bad. So, planemakers needto take a second look at aircraft

,

,

on Wednesday aftersuffering a technicalfault. The aircraftwas conveying toLondon Englishdivers who partici-pated at the WorldCup that just ended

designs in line with changingweather conditions,” Tukur said.

He also cautioned the aviationauthorities in Nigeria to ensureair safety in the country was atone hundred percent and notless. This also brings to focusthe need for the federal govern-ment to urgently ensure that asubstantive director-general tookover the mantle of leadership theregulatory agency in the coun-try.

Regulatoryagency

More than two months ago,former head of Accident Investi-gation Bureau, Capt. MukhtarUsman, was appointed by Pres-ident Goodluck Jonathan but isyet to assumed duties due to de-layed clearance by the Senate.What exists in the agency at themoment is one of the directors inthe NCAA holding forth in act-ing capacity.

For an aviation sector as fledg-ling as Nigeria’s, this kind of ar-rangement does not augur wellfor the sector. A similar scenarioled to the crash of Associated Air-lines crash in June last year. Dr.Harold Demuren was removedfrom office and Capt. FolaAkinkuotu was appointed in hisstead but was not cleared by theSenate until three months after.

In view of current trend in glo-bal aviation, some stakeholdersin the aviation sector contendthat the present arrangement inthe regulatory agency has placedthe agency on a weak footing toappropriately regulate the indus-try.

in commercial airlines’ opera-tions. Malaysia Airlines’ flightMH17 was allegedly shot downin Ukrainian airspace flying fromAmsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. Allthe passengers and crew per-ished. Although keen aviationobservers and experts wonderedwhat the airliner was doing inthat airspace, in view of the on-going war between Ukrainiangovernment forces and pro-Rus-sian rebels canvassing a state oftheir own, that airspace remaineda popular air route for planes fly-ing from Europe to Asia.

At the time the plane wasbrought down by a missile, oth-er aircraft flew through same air-space on the day, as neither theInternational Civil Aviation Or-ganisation, ICAO, nor the Inter-national Air Transport Associa-tion, IATA, raised any alarm,warning airlines to steer clear ofthe route.

It was only after the crash offlight MH17 that airlines stoppedflights from the route. These areexclusive of the Virgin AtlanticAirways plane which made anemergency landing at a militarybase in the Russian city of Irkutsk

the regulator in Nigeria,the Ni-gerian Civil Aviation Authority,NCAA, always insists on pilotsarming themselves with on-timeweather reports before hitting theskies. The AirAsian plane thatcrashed is a turbo-prop aircraftwhich experts see as one thatcould land almost anywhere inemergency situations, since itrequires short runways for its takeoff and landing.

Former Director of Operations,Nigeria Airways and DC-10 pi-lot, Capt. Dele Ore, said the de-velopments of the last week wasa reminder that the aviation in-dustry should have a wary cul-ture and a warning to do moreconcerning safety and security.Capt. Ore, who is current presi-dent of Aviation Round Table,said there was need for ICAO toinsist that aviation nations of theworld adhered strictly to Annex19 of its regulation, which em-phasises air safety.

He blamed frequent air crash-es on complacency on the part ofcrew, in view of automation ofvirtually all aircraft currently inoperation worldwide. He said:“What is happening is a reminder

Although the nation has more than 30airports, owned by both federal and stategovernments, only a very few are equippedwith the Doppler weather radar and anti-wind shear device

Plane crash site

Rescue workers at the site of a plane crash

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014—25

Continues on page 26

INSIDE Page 26 Page 27 Page 27

WITH an estimatedpopulation of 21 mil-

lion, Lagos State is unarguablythe biggest pie in the 2015 elec-toral map at the state level.

Since the advent of the FourthRepublic, the state has been outof the grip of the Peoples Dem-ocratic Party, PDP and hence theseeming desperation of partychieftains in the state and inAbuja to find a sellable candi-date.

Until Agbaje’s entry into theparty last week, it had been al-most an open field for the in-cumbent Minister of State forDefence, Senator MusiliuObanikoro.

Besides finding a sellable can-didate, chieftains of the party inthe state have on their own andsometimes with the forcednudge of party officials in Abu-ja been forced to put aside theirperennial differences.

With the PDP almost lookingformidable, the ruling party inLagos, the All ProgressivesCongress, APC, is also equip-ping itself with fresh strategiesand ideas to fend off its peren-nial foe.

Indeed, at one point in time,the state which has since theadvent of the Fourth Republicalmost entirely been in the po-litical stranglehold of AsiwajuBola Tinubu began to look vul-nerable.

The first signpost of trouble

New permutations in Lagos

was in 2007 when Tinubu, thefirst executive governor in theFourth Republic prepared hisexit played the last minute jok-er on his associates with hisdecision to produce his thenChief of Staff, Babatunde Fash-ola, as his successor. The houseof Tinubu was temporarily shak-en but it recovered not too longafter, to overcome a stiff chal-lenge mounted by the PDPthrough its candidate at thattime, Senator Obanikoro, him-self a former associate of Tinu-bu.

Formerassociate

The second sign of trouble forthe Tinubu crowd was the localgovernment elections conduct-ed after the 2011 elections inOctober of the same year. Theelection ended with the ac-claimed victory of the PDP insome councils which embarrass-ingly included Ikoyi-Obalende

THE defection ofpopular Lagos politician,Jimi Agbaje to thePeoples Democratic Party,PDP has furthergalvanized the politicallandscape in Lagos as thetwo major politicalparties strategise tooutsmart one another inthe forthcominggubernatorial election.

generally admit that the wayand manner Fashola was madewould not be used in plottingthe emergence of a successor forthe incumbent governor.

Among issues that have cometo play in the consideration ofthe camp of the APC leader arezoning, ability to win the heartsof the people and off course loy-, ,

and his associates are said tohave acknowledged that hav-ing their way in Lagos wouldnot be as easy as it was in 2007when Fashola was crownedover the reluctance of many ofhis associates.

Tinubu it is alleged, has final-ly settled on former Accountant-General of the State, Akinwun-mi Ambode. Ambode who re-signed about three years agodespite having a couple of yearsto attain before retirement iscredited with having formulat-ed the financial formula thatsaved the state when formerPresident Olusegun Obasanjoseized council funds meant forLagos during the Tinubu years.

Majoraspirants

Unlike 2007 when Tinubu wasthe sole determinant of the can-didate, this time, Tinubu it is al-leged would have to considerseveral other factors includingthe incumbent governor, Fash-ola and other major stakehold-ers including other aspirants onthe platform of the APC.

Among the major aspirants onthe platform of the APC pres-ently are Ambode, SenatorGaniyu Solomon, the incumbentcommissioner for works, Dr.Femi Hamzat, speaker of theLagos State House of Assembly,

which is the base of the APCnational leader, Tinubu.

It took a court decision whichsome stakeholders consideredsuspicious for the APC to recov-er the council and a few otherswhere the opposition PDPclaimed to have won. It is nosurprise that ahead of the 2015round of general elections theauthorities in Lagos are report-ed to be apprehensive about theconduct of the local governmentelections which is due in the lastquarter of the year.

Conventional wisdom is thatthe APC authorities in Lagoswould not want to stir the calmwaters by conducting a localgovernment election whichcould lead to bad blood amongparty members just before thedecisive general elections in2015.

Tinubu, generally reckonedfor his abundance of politicalstrategies is believed to havestarted planning the Fasholasuccession a long time ago.

Sources in the Tinubu camp

alty. Though Tinubu was saidto have publicly dismissed reli-gion as a factor, given the liber-alism of the Yoruba voter, thepolitical strategist was, howev-er, not oblivious of the longstretch of Muslim governorsthat have ruled the state and theagitation of Christians, and Iboswho constitute the second larg-est tribe in Lagos for a Chris-tian governor of the state.

Whatever the factors, Tinubu

Kogi/Lokoja:Kogi/Lokoja:Kogi/Lokoja:Kogi/Lokoja:Kogi/Lokoja: I amthe beautiful bride

—Akawo

The second sign of trouble for theTinubu crowd was the local governmentelections conducted after the 2011elections in October of the same year

WHO SUCCEEDS FASHOLA?

•Tinubu (left) and Fashola: Will the navigator and pathfinder keep APC on Alausa RoundHouse path?

Delta 2015:I will replicate Asian

success in DeltaState – Edevbie

ADAMAWA: Finitiri’s Finitiri’s Finitiri’s Finitiri’s Finitiri’sfirst weekfirst weekfirst weekfirst weekfirst week

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN,Political Editor

Chief Adeyemi Kuforoji, formercommissioner for Health, Dr.Leke Pitan and a member of theHouse of Representatives, Rep.Abike Dabiri-Erewa among oth-ers. Of the lot in the APC, onlySenator Solomon has so faropenly made a declaration.

Tinubu it was learnt has notopenly come out to endorse anyone and surprisingly, insidesources say that he has encour-

26—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

aged all aspirants who haveapproached him for support toenter the race, saying that alevel play ground would begiven to all.

That injunction is not lost onAsiwaju as it gives him the mor-al high ground to affirm thatwhoever emerges from the pri-maries is the product of a dem-ocratic exercise and not theproduct of imposition.

Besides the lot, a number ofthose also interested in suc-ceeding Fashola it was learntare also quietly doing under-ground work purportedly aimedat derailing Ambode from histrack.

When news of Tinubu’s al-leged endorsement of Ambodeemerged earlier in the year, itwas believed to be a kite as itwas claimed that Tinubu wouldonly wait till the last minute toendorse a candidate as wasdone with Fashola in 2007.

Explaining the reason for therelatively early endorsement ofAmbode, a source close to Tinu-bu revealed:

“In 2007 a lot of energy wasconsumed in the Fashola projectbecause of the timing and thistime around it was consideredwise to conserve energy bybringing out a candidate earlyenough.”

Whatever, it is also generallyagreed among political associ-

New permutations in LagosContinues from page 25

ates close to Tinubu that a dif-ferent game plan from that usedin 2007 would have to be adopt-ed in 2015.

The complexities for 2015 inLagos were further complicatedlast week after the apparent de-fection of Jimi Agbaje to the PDP.

How Agbaje could derail the

gubernatorial aspiration of Sen-ator Obanikoro on the platformof the PDP remains to be seen.

It has remained a matter ofconjunction among politicalstakeholders on whether Tinu-bu and Fashola are on the samepage on the issue of Ambode

The perception that the Hamzat

camp is still flexing its musclehas drawn queries as to the sug-gestion that Fashola and his pre-decessor are on the same page.

The prospects for Hamzat whowas at one time also said to bein the consideration of Tinubuwere dimmed few years agowhen his father, also said to be

an associate of Tinubu took upa traditional title in nearby OgunState.

For sensitive Lagosians, thedecision of the senior Hamzat,Alhaja Olatunji Hamzat to be-come the Olu of Afowowa-Sogadein Ewekoro in Ogun State wassaid to have raised eyebrowsamong some who championedthe gubernatorial cause of his son.

Nevertheless, there have beenrecent suggestions that irrespec-tive of the determination of thepair of Tinubu and Fashola tosynergise on the succession, thatfourth columnists are working tofrustrate that kind of synergy.Such forces it was learnt are de-termined to ensure that Fasholais made irrelevant in the deter-mination of who succeeds him.

It is, however, doubtful if Tinu-bu would buy into any suchscheme by his associates givenhis determination not to allow anyfriction among his forces in thefight against the PDP.

Even if Fashola may not comeout openly to name his succes-sor, associates of the incumbentgovernor paint a picture of thetypology of the man they want.

“I think for Fashola the typolo-gy is more important than theman and that I think is what he isworking towards,” an associate ofthe governor disclosed.

If that typology fits in with Fash-ola, then there could indeed beno problem and the Asiwaju phe-nomenon would again have beenseen to have prevailed.

•Ambode •Abike

WHY run for the Delta governorship?

I believe my international privatesector background combined withmy public sector experience at both stateand national levels have provided mewith a unique blend of skills to do thejob effectively.

I feel I have what it takes to consoli-date on the gains so far achieved bysuccessive governments in Delta Statesince 1999. The crux of the matter is thatI am motivated by a strong desire toserve the people of Delta State.

How much of Delta state can you sayyou really know?

Well, I am a keen observer of Nigeri-an economic history and I have over the

Delta 2015: I'll replicate Asian success in DeltaState – EdevbieCHIEF David Edevbie, was a Commissioner for Finance during theGovernor James Ibori’s Administration in 1999 and after he became the Director ofFinance and Strategy to Yar'Ádua Campaign Team. He is presently contesting forthe 2015 governorship position of Delta State under the platform of Peoples’ Demo-cratic Party, PDP. In this interview with LEKE ADESERI, he bares his mind on thewhy he wants to serve Deltans in 2015, sayin, “to sustain the Delta beyond Oilproject, there is the need for the people to select a credible gubernatorial candidateto succeed Uduaghan,” among other salient issues.

years been involved in the state espe-cially since 1999. I do not really thinkthat Delta State politics is significantlydifferent from politics elsewhere.

Politics is a high stake enterprise ev-erywhere in the world. Yes, there is eth-nic diversity in Delta State but it shouldnot be seen as a negative but rather asa source of strength and rich culturalvalues which we can harness for thegood of our people.

While it is true that some individualsare bent on using our ethnic diversityto cause disaffection, but the generalityof our people see themselves as one.Our being together should not be re-garded as a mistake. For example, lookat the geography of the State. It is re-

markable ranging from the lush greenheavily forested terrain of Delta Northand its beautiful valleys, to the riverineterrain of Delta South which metamor-phoses into the forest terrain of DeltaCentral.

The core of my thoughts each time Ithink of the geography of the State isthe rich agricultural endowments wait-ing to be tapped. These God given en-

•David Edevbie

dowments can be tamed and harnessedfor the economic advancement and over-all good of our people.

When I was working for the Common-wealth Development Corporation in theearly 90s, at one stage I was responsi-ble for our investments in the agricul-ture and agro-allied sectors of countriessuch as Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand,

Continues on page 28

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014—27

ADAMAWA StateActing Governor,

Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, wasthe speaker a member of theAdamawa State House of As-sembly representing Mada-gali constituency until lastTuesday when the House im-peached former GovernorMurtala Nyako for gross mis-conduct.

Fintiri emerged as actinggovernor ahead of the Depu-ty Governor, Bala JamesNgillari, who controversiallyresigned before Nyako’s re-moval of Nyako.

In spite of the issues thatNgillari’s resignation is gen-erating, Finitiri has been onthe saddle for more than aweek. A peep into his firstweek in office reveals a flurryof activities.

ADAMAWA: Finitiri’s first week•Pays lawmakers N120m each

THREE years in the stateHouse of Assembly. How

far has your experience been?No experience is useless. It

has been a mixed bag ofexperience but all the same ithas been a worthy experience.So far, so good, because wehave been able to give thepeople a representation; thequality of it we leave if forprosperity to judge.

As an institution, one thing wehave clearly achieved is that,the House members haverelated cordially with highsense of unity. You hardly seethe difference that our peopleexhibit among themselves andthat to me is very symbolic. Thatto me is a message to Kogites,that we can only grow anddevelop in unity. Some of thething that divide us are beenthere but when we meet at theforum particularly at the stateHouse of Assembly, where wemeet at the forum of all the 21Local Government.

Is it the unity that to a largeextent, made the House to beseen as a rubber stamp of theexecutive.

Kogi/Lokoja: I'm the beautiful bride - AkawoSalihu Akawo a former commissioner in Kogi

State presently represents Kogi Constituency in theKogi State House of Assembly and is an aspirant forthe Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency seat in theHouse of Representatives. In this interview heventilates on his aspiration among other nationaland local issues. Excerpts:

Moments after Fintiri wassworn in on July 15, the dayof the impeachment, heswung into action with the

dissolution of the executivecouncil of the former gover-nor.

He announced the sacking

of the Executive council at theswearing in ceremony of thenewly appointed Secretary tothe State Government (SSG),Professor Liman Tukur, a uni-versity teacher with the Mod-ibbo Adama University ofTechnology, Yola.

Thereafter, one of his majorpre-occupations is avoid themistakes that Nyako made.

He started with the legisla-ture, his constituency, by pay-ing 25 members of the Adama-wa House of Assembly theirconstituency allowances ofN120 million each.

The lawmakers had earlierdemanded N1 billion eachfrom the former Governorwhich he rebuffed.

June, 2014 salary of Adama-wa civil servants was next onthe agenda of the acting gov-ernor.

As the attempt to removeNyako the accounts of thestate were frozen thereby pre-

venting the government frompaying workers’ salary. How-ever, before the impeachmenton the July 15, the accountswere de-frozen to pave theway for the new governmentto operate.

After paying salaries, Finiti-ri’s sledge hammer fell on thespecial projects unit, SPPUwhich he scrapped with im-mediate effect.

The SPPU was establishedby the Nyako-led administra-tion to empower the grass-roots and about 6000 unem-ployed youths were benefitingfrom the programme before itwas scrapped.

To further remove structuresof the impeached governor, aFaculty of Law of the StateUniversity located in MayoBelwa, the hometown of Ny-ako has been relocated toMubi, the main campus of theuniversity.

That is not the point I ammaking, whatever you think ofthe House we leave that to thepeople and the judgment ofhistory as a rubber stamp or not,but the kind of unity I'm talkingabout when we stand up to talkin the House, we don’t talk asindividuals but we talk asbrothers looking out for theprogress of the state., that is thepoint I making. And I want thistranslated in our daily lives,especially, I want the executiveto learn from this in thedischarge of their duties end inthe appointment and spread ofprojects, because that is wherethe problem really is.

I don’t think all segment of thestate has equal sense ofbelonging either inappointment into the civilservice and even execution ofprojects. And honestly, ifmembers of the House ofAssembly could sit and talk onthe budget as one, and alsoconsider appointment withoutany bickering, without anysentiment, I stronglyrecommend to all other arms ofgovernment to act, putting thestate as one.

Is there internal democracy inyour party, PDP?

I have my reservation towardsthat regard. At this stage of ourpolitical development all partiesin Nigeria lack internaldemocracy. As we approachelection in 2015 you will seedefections here and there,people who are dissatisfied withthe mechanisms of their parties.That shows us that, a lot still needto be done in the area of internaldemocracy.

What is your next politicalstep?

My next step is going to be aresponse to my people. Forquite sometimes, there has beena call and encouragement toseek election into the House ofRepresentatives in 2015.Naturally, I m consulting every

segment of the political class,every segment of the societybefore I will take a position. Theoutcome of my consultation willdetermine my position.

But how do you respond tothe agitation of the PDP inLokoja LGA that it is their turn?

Which opportunity is that?!The man in the House of Repspresently is from Lokoja LG andhe assumed the office since2007.

First and foremost, let me evensay that the fact that the PDPzoned the House of Reps ticketto Kogi LG in 2011 and lost doesnot mean that the man there isfrom Kogi LG. Yes, we (Kogi LG)lost and the loss was not causedby Kogi LG alone, we also lost

in Lokoja LG. So it was a generalrejection of the PDP candidatein both LGAs.

If you are elected, whatshould people expect fromyou?

As legislator or lawmakers,one of the paramount issues isthat you must give the people a“voice”; you participate inmaking law that will usher ingood governance. Youparticipate in the appropriationof resources to the extent thatyou articulate the needs of yourpeople in the yearly budget.That is essentially, what isexpected of you. That you willbe there for them, you speak fortheir favour, and articulate tomove the area forward.

Why is there confusion aboutthe party you would use tocontest the election?

That is coming from peoplewho want me to take a shot atthe Reps seat. What that meanswith all sense of modesty is thatI am a bride to all parties. Thosewho are clamouring to have meon their platform I can only sayI m grateful and thankful. I mustsay our party must be verycareful with the way theyhandle this federal House ofReps thing. If you give thepeople their due, they will beobedient to the party but if thereis any form of imposition, theywill ventilate that anger. I haveheard people comment on someposters in town, but I want toput it on record that its withoutmy knowledge or approval;who ever must have done thatis wishing me to go higher.

•Fintiri

•Akawo

BY Boluwaji Obahopo

BY Umar Yusuf

28 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

THAT this country is blessed withboth human and natural re

sources is axiomatic. Also, every dayor week in Nigeria provides its ownevents – good or bad. It is the delightof any clever newspapers` columnistto either analyse or satirize. It is al-ways fun.

If the visit of the Pakistan`s girl(Malala) has convinced the presiden-tial advisers of the wisdom of meetingthe parents of the abducted Chibokgirls, it is graceful that PresidentJonathan has met in Abuja not onlythe sorrowing parents but also, thoselucky girls who managed to escapefrom the murderous gang. Even thenews would gladden the heart of thetelevision clown (Zebrudaya) that thePresident “is doos it”, as PresidentObama is doing it in US (though theAmerican President would have visit-ed the place of incident ninety daysago). This is a case where compari-son becomes odious.

As stated in my last two articles,members of the National Conferencehave performed extremely well beyondthe pessimistic sentiments of somedoubting Nigerians. The robust de-bates and clear expression of differentopinion by many delegates had shownthe capability of many Nigerians out-side the professional political class –the proverbial jesters.

Proverbialjesters

The National Conference is showingthat Nigeria could be great if opportu-nities are given to the right people atthe right time.

Though the National Conference isyet to submit its Report (to be consid-ered on 4th August), the crucial ques-tion on Derivation (in Power Devolu-tion Agenda) remains insoluble or in-tractable. Members are yet to agreeon whether to maintain the status quoof thirteen and half per cent share tooil producing states or to approve 5per cent to all disaster areas of thecountry (not only to the three states ofthe North-Eastern zone under BokoHaram insurgency). The apparentdisagreement shows glaringly the ab-surdity of Nigerian mentality which isplagued with the idea of SHARING ofresources – oil money.

The condition of the Nigerianstate: Contradictions galore

It is not difficult to point clearly tosome distinguished members of theNational Conference that the conceptof true federalism which every mem-ber wants recognizes the principle offull appropriation of each states re-sources by the states concerned, sub-ject to taxation

If as all members have recognizedthat all states have several mineralsyet untapped, and if now tapped,would make all states not only econom-ically stable, would also cement thepolitical stability of the country. Theeasy formula to raise funds is that eachstate to provide 60 per cent, otherstates, 20 per cent and Federal Gov-ernment, 20 per cent of the equity cap-ital. There is no question of `Nigeri-an `oil` or Nigerian `gold` in any te-nets of fiscal responsibility. The Kanogroundnut pyramid often referred towas contributed to by individual Kanopeasant farmers who sold the produceof their farms to the Northern Market-ing Board and were paid fully accord-ing to the quantity supplied. Therewere no government-run plantationsexcept those kept by private compa-nies like UAC, CFAO, and PZ etc.

Another specific question that mightarise from shedding of extra loads fromthe federal government to states is theeconomic one – the arrangements tofund the states which would now ac-quire added responsibilities.

It is obvious that the `sharing men-tality` which has pervaded the debateon devolution of power has missed the

salient point of how to fund the Fed-eral Government itself. The presentthinking is that more than 52 per centof ̀ oil money` now being taken by thefederal government should be scaleddown to 40 per cent while states withheavier or additional responsibilitiesshould take 60 per cent. If the Feder-al Government now provides 100 percent funding for the operations of ̀ ouroil`, it stands to reason that alterna-tive method of funding would have tobe examined.

It is assumed that the present 1999Constitution, though federal in appear-ance, is being run as a unitary one. Ifstates are happy with the presentmonthly line-up in Abuja to share inthe cake they did not contribute to itsbaking, the issue of true federalismgladly accepted by all is deceptive andmisleading. The problem is that theFederal Government would like tocling to the existing arrangement withits sharing imperfections and absur-dities in a supposedly federal environ-ment.

Many patriotic commentators havepointed out, and justifiably so, that themembers of the National Conferencehave missed the crucial point ofNigeria`s political instability – how thefederal government is formed and runin a country of many nations.

Britain the colonial master designeda government at the centre run by rep-resentatives of the three Regions.When federal elections were intro-duced in 1954, the winning party in

each region supplied the Federal Min-isters from its members in the House –thus the winning party in the West andEast (NCNC) and the winner in theNorth (NPC) formed the federal gov-ernment. Before Independence in1960, a national government wasformed under Tafawa Balewa (NPC)to prevent the danger of bitter politi-cal rivalry that might damage economicand political stability of the impend-ing new nation. Events after 1960showed the elusive nature of a genu-ine national government required fora multi-national state.

It is known to history that the multi-national states which do recognizetheir differences and peculiarities havebeen able to survive the prevalent tur-bulent political and economic divisive-ness and restlessness.

Economicdivisiveness

As in Belgium, the federal govern-ment is negotiated; in Switzerland, thefederal government is made of theleading political parties. There is nomajor difference on national issues bythe government and the opposition.

It is painful, if not regrettable, thatthe Nigerian experience is a sad onewhere the PDP (ruling party at thecentre and many states) and the op-position (APC) do not see eye-to-eyeon many crucial and specific issues(though no defined differences in po-litical ideology). Both parties see theprospects of retaining power or changeof power in 2015 as the most impor-tant political achievement of their ex-istence. In a country engulfed inbloody insurgency, unsteady electricsupply, urban congestion and ruraldepopulation, daylight armed robber-ies, kidnappings, ritual murders andheavy unemployment, all that matteris the prospects of 2015 and the im-mediate political gains from bye-elec-tion victories and untidy impeach-ments. What a funny and confusednation with its sly politician!

The country needs consensus andunity to confront the present ravagingdangers that confront it. Unfortunate-ly, bitter political divisions as beingexhibited by the political parties arenot the answer.

Philippines, Vietnam etc all places thathave similar terrains like ours. Their in-vestments flourished and I saw firsthandthat it was not magic. All that is requiredis the commitment of the people andknow how.

I am extremely confident that I can rep-licate the same successes in Delta Statewithin a very short space of time becauseI have the experience and know how thatothers simply do not have.

The potential multiplier effect of suchintervention on the Delta State economycan only be best imagined and thethought of it alone excites me. My peo-ple just need to focus their efforts towardsdominating the environment for the goodof the collective people. On a generalnote, the differences in our ability to doso are responsible for the difference inthe pace of development between coun-tries and regions.

The most nagging problems in thethree senatorial districts

In general, the problems are essentiallythe same which is developmental. Nev-

ertheless, I must commend and congrat-ulate the previous governments since1999. They have done so much for thestate. The first of which I was an inte-gral part of essentially concentrated onInfrastructure development.

Thecurrent government has not onlybuilt on that but is also focusing on Del-ta with out oil with great success. Sincedevelopment is cumulative, I intend tobuild upon their works.

Road networkproblems

However, the next developmentalthrust should take into account the spe-cific problems of each senatorial district.For example, while in general there isclearly need for more infrastructure, Del-ta North has relatively greater erosion,water supply, and road network prob-lems.

Delta Central clearly needs more roads.While Delta South also needs to beopened up with more roads and bridg-es; yes all the governments since 1999

have done much, but we still need to domore. We need to build more schools,hospitals, provide water, electricity, en-sure security and create employment

opportunities for our teeming popula-tion.

How do Deltans receive you?The truth is I am overwhelmed by the

amazing show of support I am receivingat the moment. My on-going consulta-tions is exciting the people of Delta Stateand clearly my aspiration is receivingpopular acclaim.

Initially many Deltans thought it wasjust a rumor and apparently many didnot believe I would

venture into the perceived murky wa-ters of Delta politics because they felt thatbased on my past antecedents; I was toorefined and principled for Delta politics.Every minute I receive telephone callsfrom Deltans from all walks of life irre-spective of their ethnic background urg-ing me to pursue my aspiration.

Most Deltans are fascinated by mytrack record of implementing purposedriven ideas and honestly, I am seen as

a breath of fresh air by many even thosein the opposition parties. You see, I donot have the political baggage that mostof the others have and based on my pre-vious track record while in government,they know me and what I stand for.

They regard me as being honest andtrustworthy, experienced in the art ofgovernance, committed,

consistent and loyal and respectful. Iam also viewed as an intellectual withdemonstrably clear vision.

As a result, several political interestgroups are mobilizing across the Stateand even beyond to actualize my aspi-ration. Frankly, it is becoming a massmovement. Please do not take my wordfor it, go out there, talk to people andhear for yourself.

Why running under PDP?I have served a Governor of Delta State

and a President of Nigeria on the plat-form the PDP Africa's most phenomenalpolitical party since 1999. So it is logicalthat it should be the platform from whichI would want to realize my gubernatori-al dream.

Delta 2015: I'll replicate Asian success in Delta State – EdevbieContinues from page 26

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014 — 29

CMYK

30—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

Continues on page 31

IDENTITY CRISIS:

By ADERONKE ADEYERI

Only a handful of Nigerians knowthat the stage name known as‘Basketmouth’ used to belong toanother comedian other than BrightOkpocha, the comedian popularlyknown as ‘Basketmouth’. The firstcomedian to bear the name wasErnest Essien, an Akwa Ibom State-born humour merchant who was onthe scene before Bright Akpocha.

He had to change the name‘Basketmouth’ to ‘MC Miracle’, toavoid clash of identities with BrightOkpocha. Though MC Miracle hitstardom with his landmark mind-blowing joke ‘“Mfon-obong, itoro-obong, ima-obong, ekom-obong,dem go dey bobong bobong bongbong”, but his life has never beenthe same since changing his name‘Basketmouth’ to ‘MC Miracle’.Hear his story:

When did you start comedyprofessionally?

Professionally, I started comedy in1996 but I have been into comedy fora long time that I cannot evenrecollect the year.

What brought about your choiceof name “Basketmouth”?

Back then, I used to perform at aplace called ‘Tag’ in Apapa with theFrontliners Band led by Jah Hanson.So any time we went on recess, Iwill pick up the microphone toshowcase my talent. On one fatefulday, when I started cracking jokes aguy just shouted “this guy you be

Basketmouth o,”! That was how thename stuck.

Since you started with the name‘Basketmouth’ but now known asMc Miracle, will you sayBasketmouth stole the name fromyou?

No, he didn’t steal the name.Sometime in 2000-2001,Basketmouth approached me duringone of the Plantashun Boiz’sconcert at D Den on Isaac Johnin Ikeja and he introducedhimself to me as ‘Basketmouth’and told me he heard I wasalso using the name. I

was already an establishedentertainer then so what I saw was ayounger brother from Benin withhunger for success in his eyes.There and then, I asked him if heliked the name and his responsewas in the affirmative. I told him tokeep the name so I changed mine.Most of my friends including mywife did not approve of this. They

said I sold my birthright to him. Tilldate, some of my colleagues still callme Mc Basketmouth.

Did the change in name affectyou?

Definitely yes, because I had tobegin a rebuilding process, gettingto let my clients and fans know aboutit . It took a lot of time, money andconviction. But since they got used

to it, it has been great.So what is your

relationship withBasketmouth?

He is my youngerbrother who is doingvery well for himself. In

I asked himif he liked thename and hisresponse wasin theaffirmative. Itold him to keep thename so I changedmine. Most of myfriends including mywife did not approve ofthis

Yawproducesnewstage play

Hottest Nigeriancelebrities onsocial media,why they are hot

OLD BASKETMOUTHNOW MC MIRACLE

NEWBASKETMOUTH

How translationHow translationHow translationHow translationHow translationtech can helptech can helptech can helptech can helptech can helpyou speak inyou speak inyou speak inyou speak inyou speak inunknownunknownunknownunknownunknowntonguestonguestonguestonguestongues

—People say I sold mybirthright to him

Old BasketMouthspeaks

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014—31

Continues from Page 30

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fact, I feel proud that Iallowed him use the nameand he has always shown merespect whenever we meet.Way back, we cover up showsfor each other. I remember oneparticular incident when hehad to go for an interview atthe America embassy to getvisa and also had to performat Pall Mall in Calabar. Hecalled on me and I went tocover up for him. We have acordial relationship though wehardly see often because ofour busy schedules.

Some comedians aremaking it big while othersare not. Why is it so?

Hard work, dedication,

tenacity and originality are thesecrets to making it. Also theelement of God’s favour cannot beoverruled. . So there is just a thinline between making it and notmaking it.

Is being a good comedian allabout being funny or is there moreto it?

There is more to it. Your characterand professionalism counts in thisbusiness. You need to see it as aproper profession like a 9-5 job. Acomedian has to update him or herself . Above all, you need to beextremely funny with a gooddelivery skill and stagecraftsmanship.

What is your unique selling point?Spontaneity and music-comedy. I

can turn anything I see into a funnysong. And that is really my sellingpoint.

What is your relationship like withother comedians?

I have a fantastic relationship withall my colleagues, be it senior orjunior. Most of them are all my goodfriends.

Would you say girls likecomedians?

Girls generally love entertainers,the girls and entertainment go handin hand.

What has been your experiencewith the opposite sex?

I have a very good and cordialrelationship with the opposite sexand I also have a lot of respect for

my boundaries. Anyway, everythingcomes with its territories (laughs).

What has been your mostawkward experience as acomedian?

2006, when I got the franchise for‘Nite of a Thousand Laughs’ in Uyo.We had a full hall that made evenOpa Williams embrace me. After theshow and it was time to count ourgate-takings, we found we realizedonly N720, 000 after spending overN2.5m to package the show. It wasthen I realised that the security guysat the gate fed on my ignorancebecause that was my first major show.

Have you ever gone blank onstage?

Yes, in fact severally.So how did you manage it?When it happened , I had to pick

on someone among the audience todo some wisecracks and I was fine.Once you can get laughter from theaudience as a comedian, yourconfidence returns and soars. But nomatter what, a professionalcomedian will not just stop or actblank in front of his audience.

Is it true that comedians makemore money than otherentertainers?

We all make money but I can’t saywho makes more money. Comedy isa one-man show with few expensesbut musicians have to pay theirband, dancers etc. So it depends onwho the client is and how much heis willing to pay.

Anything new for your fans?Yes, I am working on a 3 in 1

album tagged “Me, Myself n I”. Itwill showcase me as a fullentertainer. A singer, stand-upcomedian and a music-comedian. Itwill be an all-round package. Also Iam currently working on a moviewith Joke Silva, and a soap opera inthe making. Many things in myplate.

How would you rate yourself ?I am the best there is, the

originator and no imitator.

People say Isold mybirthright tohim

I feelproud thatI allowedhim use the

name and he hasalways shown merespect wheneverwe meet. Way back,we cover up showsfor each other

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‘’ BAD NEIGHBORS andHATESHIP LOVESHIP are releasing on Friday, attached are the art work.Synopsis for BAD NEIGHBORS: A couple with a newborn baby faceunexpected difficulties after they areforced to live next to a fraternityhouse

Synopsis for HATESHIP LOVESHIP A wild teenage girl orchestrates aromance between her nanny and herfather, who is a recovering addict.

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, VICTORIA ISLANDBad Neighbours : 2:00pm,6:55pm22 Jump Street : 11:50am,2:00pm,4:15pm,6:25pm,8:40pmOne Night in Vegas : 1:50pm,5:45pm,7:45pmThink like a Man too : 3:10pm,5:15pm,7:20pm,9:20pmNumber one fan : 12:00pm,3:45pm,Transformer 4 : 3:50pm,8:50pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, IKEJABad Neighbours : 10:45am,12:40pm,5:10pm,7:10pm22 Jump Street : 10:50am,1:00pm,6:15pm,8:25pmOne Night in Vegas : 10:30am,5:10pmThink like a Man too : 3:45pm,6:10pm,8:40pmNumber one fan : 11:15am,1:40pm,Transformer 4 : 3:10pm,9:20pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS CEDDI PLAZA , ABUJABad Neighbours : 8:30pm22 Jump Street : 11:55am,2:10pm,4:25pm,6:35pm,8:45pmOne night in Vegas : 3:00pm,6:45pm,8:35pmThink like a Man too : 4:20pmNumber one fan : 11:20am,1:10pm,4:50pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURTBad Neighbours : 8:35pm22 Jump Street : 11:20am,1:40pm,4:00pm,6:20pm,8:30pmOne night Vegas : 12:40pm,2:40pm,4:40pm,6:40pm,8:30pmThink like a Man too : 4:20pmNnmber one fan : 12:20pm,4:30pm,8:30pmTransformers 4 : 11:00amDevil in a dress : 2:20pm,6:20pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, WARRIThink like A Man too : 12:15pm,5:20pm,7:10pmTransformers 4 : 10:10am,6:00pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, UYO22 Jump Street :11:40am,2:05pm,4:25pm,6:45pmOne Night in Vegas : 11:50am,1:50pm,4:00pmNumber one fan : 11:30am,1:20pm,3:10pm,5:00pm,7:00pmJump And Pass : 4:05pm,5:40pm,7:15pm OZONE CINEMAS LAGOSBad Neighbours : 3:30pm,5:25pm,7:20pm,9:15pm22 Jump Street : 4:45pm,6:30pm,9:00pmThink like A Man too : 4:25pm,6:55pm,8:40pmTransformer 4 : 12:30pm,8:10pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, LAGOS22 Jump Street : 2:10pm,3:30pm,6:30pm,9:00pmThink like A Man too : 12:00pm4:30pm,8:00pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, IBADAN22 Jump Street : 11:40am,1:50pm,4:00pm,6:10pm,8:20pmOne night in Vegas : 2:00pm,8:40pm,8:20pm,Think like A Man too : 12:00pm,3:50pm,6:40pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS SAMONDA22 Jump Street : 12:30pm,4:30pm,5:40pm,6:40pm,7:50pmThink like A Man too : 10:40am,2:40pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, CALABAR22 Jump Street : 11:40am,1:50pm,4:00pm,6:10pm,8:20pmOne night in Vegas : 5:00pm,6:40pm,8:20pm,Think like A Man too 1:00pm,8:30pmNumber one fan : 12:00pm,1:40pm,3:20pm

32—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

BY IYABO AINA

Adaora Oleh has beenremoved as a co-host of

popular reality TV show,Project Fame. Adaora hasworked as co-host on MTNProject Fame for five seasons.

The UK-born Nigerian hosthas been replaced by new girlon TV, Bolanle Olukanni, whowill now take co-host JosephBenjamin‘s side in theseventh season of the musicreality TV show.

Olukanni is currently a co-host on Moments with ‘Moalongside Mo Abudu andDolapo Oni.

The show returns without achange in the judging panel;Ade Bantu, Tee-Y Mix andBibie Brew will be taking thehigh seats. Members of thefaculty also remainunchanged.

MTN ProjectFame dumpsAdaora Olehfor BolanleOlukanni asco-host

Fast rising Nollywood actressand storywriter, Ruth Kadiri

has just completed work on hernew movie titled ‘MattersArising’. The movie is aromantic comedy that featuresGhanaian actor Majid Michel.

‘Matters Arising’ which has avillage setting and shot inEnugu, Southeast Nigeria, isabout a married thrift collector,who does not live up to hisresponsibilities, he is alwaysfound wanting. He is soonforced to face the consequence

Ruth Kadirishowscomic sidewith MattersArising

of his ways. According to Ruth, it is a movie thatseeks to bring happiness to movie lovers and at thesame time teach people that it is more honourableto own up to their responsibilities.

With this movie Ruth Kadiri has placed herself onthe list of female movie producers in the industrysuch as Uche Jombo, Omoni Oboli, FunkeAkindele, Stephanie Okereke Linus and RukkySanda.

Eviron Health Drink, has partnered one of Nigeria’s foremostmovie producers, Uche Jombo on a new movie project titled

“Almost Perfect.”Almost Perfect is a story about a married woman, who is the

breadwinner of the family. She wants her husband to get a job to supportthe family; she knows things would go on perfectly with him working.However, a major twist emerged when the husband eventually got thejob. It was a twist that threatened the foundation of the marriage. Will themarriage survive? That is one question Almost Perfect has the answer to.The movie features Uche Jombo, Desmond Elliot, Ken Erics, Daniel .K.Daniel, Michelle Dede and Peggy Ovire.

According the Brand Communications Manager of Eviron Health Drink,Miss Lilian Mmuoemenam, “Eviron partners with UcheJombo because of the similarities between the twobrands. “Uche Jombo is known for producingpremium advocacy movies that addresses prominentissues affecting the physical and psychologicalwellbeing of individuals in the society.

Eviron Drink partners UcheJombo’s Almost Perfect

Multi talented OAP, actor and producer Steve Onu popularlyknown as Yaw, have announced a new stage play

performance known as PO! for the month of August.The two-man satirical stage play starring popular Wazobia FM

OAPs Nedu and Ogbolor is scheduled to hold at Terra Kultureon all Sundays in August 2014.

Earlier in the year, Yaw put together an elaborate 6th editionof his annual stage play series known as ‘The Street’, which sawcomedy, and music lovers turn out en masse to watch thesensational performances. PO, which is written by Femi Branchand directed by award-winning scriptwriter/director ObiMartins, presents the good, the bad and the ugly taking placein Nigeria in a humorous fashion. Organisers say specialartistes and comedy performances will be revealed soon.

Yaw produces new stage play

The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), hastaken practical steps to strengthen strategic bilateral

relationships with Ghanaian and Ugandan Film authorities.President, Cinematographic Exhibition Board of Control

(GCEBC) last week received a comprehensive list of filmsapproved by the NFVCB.

The document contained approvals spanning the first half of thisyear from January to June 2014.

The initiative is part of the agenda to checkmate cross-bordertrafficking of illegal movies. A breakdown of the 306 films titleswhich were sent to the Ghanaian authority showed: 25 films forJanuary, 66 for February,74 for March , 44 for April ,35 for May ,and 62 for June.

Censors Board partners Ghana,Ugandan’s film bodies onregulation

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014—33

By KEHINDE AJOSE

Social media has changed the way fansinteract with celebs and also altered the waycelebs engage their fans. Donjazzy

announced the Mohits break up on twitter; hedidn’t have to organize a press conference to dothat. Social media platforms such as Twitter,

WizkidWhen it comes to

being on top of socialmedia engagement, Wizkidknows his onions. He relatesas though he is the dude sittednext to you in a cab. Little wonderhe is the most followed Nigerianceleb on Twitter with 1.16millions(as at the time of this report).

Even though he doesn’thesitate to throw jabs at whoevercriticizes him, the star boy haslearnt the art of appealing tothe emotions of his fans and alsoshares goodies from time to time.His official Twitter handle is @Wizkidayo. On theInstargram platform, he has over 150,000 followers. Theversatile singer sure knows how to ‘Holla’ at his fans.

Facebook and Instagram are the newplatforms celebs use to build their brands,engage with fans, and communicate theirnew offerings .In the home front, Nigeriancelebs are not left behind .In no particularorder here are the top Nigerianentertainers who have a cult following onvarious social media platforms.

DonjazzyThe Mavin bossDonjazzy is graduallybecome a must follow onthe social media scene.His conversational style,humour and giveawayshas built a unique socialmedia appeal for him .Heis known to give rechargecards, cash prizes, andother goodies to hisnumerous fans. The word:”Dorobucci” gainedpopularity the momentDonjazzy used it Twitter.

With 863,000 followers onTwitter(as at the time of thisreport,) and an undeniablefollowing on Instragram.

OmotolaOn social media

Omotola can becompared to thecharacters she plays inmovies. She can decide toswitch to a counsellor, anadvocate, a caring mother, orsimply being the ‘Omosexy‘fans can’t get enough of.

She is the first Nigerianceleb to hit 1million likes onFacebook. .Omotola isknown to use her Twitteraccount as a tool foradvocacy. She lent her voiceto pressing national issueslike the abducted Chibokgirls case and other subjectmatters.

DavidoBeing a rich kid

sure comeswith its perks asDavido doesn’thesitate to flaunthis latest materialacquisitions(fromcars towristwatches)onhis social mediaaccounts).Just likehis colleagueWizkid, the‘Skelewu’sensation doesn’t act like a sheepon the social media scene, instead he firesback at anyone who steps on his ‘tail’.

GenevieveJust like Omotola,

the Imo state bornbelle leadsNollywood onInstargram with more than 97,000followers. Herpictures serves as thebait that captivatesher followers onInstargram. Even herrandom tweets getsretweeted. That isGenny’s star powerat work. She recentlytook to her Twitteraccount to expressher thoughts sayingshe didn’t callNollywood bland andmediocre.

Banky seemsunfettered despite

being criticizedseverely on thesocial media forhaving a huge head.His instagram accountboasts of more than48,000 followers, whileon Twitter he is a‘Bankable’ celeb as heboasts of 792,000followers on Twitter.Mr Wellington’s noholds barred persona,humour, sensitivity,and ability to connectto fans sets him aparton the social media.

TiwaSavageShe is undoubtedly

of the leadingfemale acts in theNigerian entertainmentlandscape, TiwaSavage also leads onTwitter with over706,000 followers (as atthe time of this report)and more than 66,000followers on Instagram.The ‘Kelekele’ lovesinger is not quieton the social medialandscape .She uses theplatform to create buzzfor her brand, share herlove tales, and alsothrow jabs at anyonewho steps on her toes.

As one of Africa’smusic powerhouse

‘2baba’ as he is oftencalled by his fans alsocommands hugefollowing on Twitter andInstagram. He oftentweets in pidginEnglish and hisunassuming nature alsoreflects in his socialmedia interactions withfans. He has 792,000followers on Twitter(asat the time of thisreport), and also hasmore than 100,000following onInstargram.

2face Idibia

Banky W

DbanjThese days the

kokomaster hobnobswith the rich and famous.From Bill Gates to AlikoDangote, we were told ofhis meeting with them viahis Twitter and Instagram.Dbanj has over 900,000twitter followers graduallymoving into the millionrealm. His humour,trademark eclectic natureand his unpredictablepersonality seems to beone of his selling pointson the social media. Hegoes by the moniker’Bangalee Ejanla’ onTwitter

TontoDikeOne word comes

to mind whenyou think of TontoDike on the socialmedia landscape , itsdrama. Her socialmedia accounts are action packed like therole she plays. She isknown to have been inseveral twitter brawlsand isn’t repentinganytime soon. Shealmost got into NDLEAtrouble for postingmarijuana pictures onher instagram page .Shehas more than 44,000followers on Twitter andclose to 47,000 followerson Instagram.

Hottest Nigerian celebritieson social mediaWhy they are hot

34 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

As a final stamp of the State’sreputation as the most gender-

compliant state of the federation, theLagos State Executive Council hasapproved a new policy that will allow newfathers to take a ten day “PaternityLeave”.

As a way to encourage good parentingamong its workforce, the state alsoextended the maternity leave of its femaleemployees by three months, bringing itto a total of six months though both theextension of maternity and the 10-daypaternity leaves will apply only for thefirst two births of the couple.

The policy, it was said, was to enableparents give their new born babies therequired attention in their first fewmonths in life, and also in keeping withthe state’s policy of exclusivebreastfeeding for the first six months of ababy’s life. It will enable mothers takeproper care of their babies and recoupwell from the stress of child birth beforeresuming work.

Clearly, Lagos is at the forefront oftackling major social issues, even beforethey become calamities.

The consequences of extensive work lifeof career officers in the public service wasreduced attention by such parents to thebasic developmental needs of theirinfants, especially during the first sixmonths. The common reaction is fornursing mothers to leave their children

•As Lagos approves paternity leave

Will dads beginto stay home?

in the hands of daycare nannies atsuch tender age of six weeks. Manytimes, the ‘nanny’ is herself anunder aged housegirl.

The policy obviously has a humanface, and nursing/pregnant womenall over Lagos ought to be rejoicingthat they won’t have to wake up allalone in the night while spousessleep on, with the excuse of havingto go to work in the morning.

But Mrs Iyabo Akande, anexpectant mother who chatted withLipstick while waiting for ante-natalcare at one of the state’s generalhospitals, is not quite impressed with

the move.“Were they not supposed to be at

home in the first place?” She quipped.“It is not a paternity leave for somepeople to go and be drinking beer. Andif people now have to enter the kitchenand be cooking for them what is thenthe point of their being at home?”

Also raising the question ofpolygamy, she asks rhetorically: “whatif the child is an ‘outside’ child? Doespaternity leave still apply?”

The move has been widely hailed bythe Non-Governmental Organization(NGO) Community; which has praisedthe policy as one which has the powerto move the country towards achievingthe Millennium Development Goals(MGDs).

Definitely, other states should borrowa leaf from Fashola’s Lagos, which isbecoming the most Gender compliantstate.

Statistics:-Even in nations such as the United

Kingdom (UK) where the idea of apaternity leave is not so strangeanymore (and where it is illegal foremployers to dismiss or penaliseworkers who ask to take paternityleave, regardless of how long they

have been employed for), it is not yetUhuru!

70%Research suggests that 70% of part-

time working fathers think there is asocial stigma attached to it.

Fathers are choosing not to takepaternity leave, believing there is asocial stigma against dads who chooseto work part-time, research suggests.A quarter thought it could damage theircareer in the future. Only a quarter offathers who work part-time did nothave any concerns about the option.

40%40% of men opt out of their right to

take time off for childcare, and stay inthe office instead.

80%Nearly 80% of fathers working part-

time thought it was seen as supportive,only 21% said cooking, cleaning andchildcare should be done equallybetween both partners.

46 WeeksUnder the new system, mothers and

fathers could share 46 weeks, with Dadtaking over the leave when Mom wentback to work. Government ministers areapparently mulling other modificationsas well, including allowing parents totake leave in separate blocks ratherthan all at once, and instituting somekind of “use it or lose it” system toencourage men to actually takepaternity leave.

85%This percentage of Swedish fathers

were taking paternity leaves as at 2011,taking considerable pressure off moms.

Alicia Miles Olatuja, (who is)best known for her performance

at U.S President Barrack Obama’sinauguration in 2013, is billed toperform at an intimate event on the1st and 2nd of August, 2014 in Lagosnext month , courtesy the Lagos Jazz

*Alicia Olatuja

The consequencesof extensive worklife of career officersin the public servicewas reducedattention by suchparents to the basicdevelopmental needsof their infants,especially during thefirst six months

Gov. Raji Fashola

,

,

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014 — 35

Series in their tradition of offeringentertainment in Nigeria.

The American vocalist married toNigeria-born bassist Michael Olatujawill headline the LJS mid-year eventwhich is taking place at La Scala at theMuson Centre, as part of the AbyssinianJazz Vespers, led by Multi-GrammyAward winning drummer, UlyssesOwens Jr., Xavier Davis anaccomplished pianist, composer andarranger, and James Davis Jr. aclassical, jazz and contemporary musicenthusiast. It will be an intimate cocktailthat will have in attendance governmentdignitaries, corporate executives andprofessionals, media practitioners andculture advocates.

Also to headline is prolific British-Nigerian jazz and soul artiste, OlaOnabule, whose band will perform forthe first time in Nigeria after many yearsof selling out tours across Europe. “Weare really proud to welcome Ola home.This will be his first concert in his native

By Anino Aganbi

WORLD press photo is thelargest, most prestigious

annual press photographycontest in the world; it is anaward given yearly forexcellence in pressphotography. Lagos photohas entered a three yearpartnership with world pressphoto.A travelling exhibition isheld in over 25 countriesevery year and one of the topawarded best pressphotographs is showcased.The pictures have beenbrought to Lagos, Nigeria sopeople can see what’s goingon around the world .Lagosphoto’s aim is to bring artinto public places andengage in stories, inspireand document change.

Students were broughtfrom community seniorsecondary school , aninitiative the foundation hadstarted on youthempowerment throughcontemporary art and theygot paired with studentsfrom Vivian fowler. Theydocumented dif ferentaspects of the exhibitionusing high tech phones tocreate video footage. Thestudents were encouraged tolearn more about the

Empowering girls throughphotojournalism

stage. It has helped to give themconfidence in a way even knowingthat not all of them are going to towthe line of being an artist. The lookon their faces when they accomplisha drawing speaks volumes. Theseyouths are given livelihood skillswhich would come in useful to themlater in life as entrepreneurs’’.

She further stated ‘’althoughtheir budget only covers 20students to be taught in which theyare grateful to their sponsors for,there is a larger population ofstudents who want to be involved.Arts should be taken more seriouslyand should be added to academiccurriculums like other subjects’’.

‘ ’There is an exchangehappening between studentsof different socio- economicbackground and they arelearning about the world, soconfidence, ski l ls andrelationships are betterbetween the students’’ shedisclosed.

Mr. Iwuchukwu Raphael,Gear Marketing, Nokia- WestAfrica said “The organizationbelieves in supporting thesociety in terms of creativityand story tel l ing amongchildren. The aim is to teachthe children how to use thedevice to tell stories about theecono m y, s o c i e t y o rwhatever comes to mind. Hefurther stated that Nokiatries to sponsor things thatwould affect the l ives ofchildren positively becausethere are lots of things forthe children to experience.

M r. G a b r i e l O l a l e k a nSobola, Arts teacher, VivianFowler College said “thestudents had already beengiven a fore knowledge ofphotography and what theywere expected to do at theworkshop. He believed thatthe exhibition threw morelight into what the studentsd i d n o t k n o w a b o u tphotography ”.

He further stated that ifse r ies o f a r t s was to beadded into the academicc u r r i c u l u m , i t w o u l de n l i g h t e n s t u d e n t s t h em o r e . A r t e v e n t s a r egenerally planned in hisschool and that has giventhe students confidence.

exhibition so they could have a creativeway to express themselves.

Medina Dugger, Head art curator,African Artist foundation said ‘’ Thescheme has brought about positiveinfluence in the lives of youths beingempowered by the organizationalthough they still have a long way togo being that they were still at the pilot

Members of the African Artist Foundation Nokia West Africa and students of the Vivian Fowler Memorial College andCommunity Senior Secondary at Freedom Park, Lagos.

•To be headlined by Ola Onabule•Part of the eclectic Abyssinian Jazz Vespers all stars

Obama inauguration vocalist, Alicia MilesOlatuja, for Lagos Jazz Series

land and we consider it an honour to bethe platform for this historic event,” OtiBazunu, founder of Lagos Jazz Series,said.

The Lagos Jazz Series brings togetherinternational and local artistes to createa celebration of music for a few days inLagos each year. The series is thebiggest ever live music festival inNigeria, and organizers hope it willgradually put the city of Lagos on themap as a destination city for Jazz, musicand entertainment. LJS is an annualmusic festival which holds in Nigeria inthe month of November, and has beenrunning since 2010.

2014 MediasteadWomen Conferenceholds tomorrow

The 2014 edition of MediasteadWomen Conference takes place on

Saturday July 26, 2014 by 10am.Executive Director of Mediastead intl’

limited Mr Okala UzochukwuSylvester, said the event will alsofeature awards for women whohave distinguished themselves inthe banking sector, politics,media, Oil and gas, business,education to mention but a few.

The award categories, he said,include Virtuous MothersAwards, Nigerian EducationDevelopment Awards, a SpecialHonorary Recognition Award fromNigeria to Female MediaPersonality among others.

Guest speaker for the occasionis Nigeria’s fore-most FemaleActivist and member of NationalConfab Abuja, Dr Joe- OkeiOdumakin while Prof. MrsAdebukunola Adefule- Ositelu,Chief Mrs Felicia Adjeke, Dr.Ejiro Kwakpovwe and DSPCelestina Kalu are expected to bein attendance. Venue is AirportHotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

With PRINCE OSUAGWUPRINCE OSUAGWUPRINCE OSUAGWUPRINCE OSUAGWUPRINCE [email protected]

08050498513

36—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

BY LAJU ARENYEKA

There is no doubt thatbeing multilingual inthis global village is an

added advantage. But whencompared to the thousands oflanguages in today’s tower ofBabel, it’s next to impossiblethat one person would be ableto speak them all. But anadvantage of today’s world isits smart tech from whichtranslation tech evolves. Hereare some ways translation techapps is empowering users withthe right tongues at the righttime:

WaygoIf you’ve ever been to a

Chinese or Japaneserestaurant you’d wish you hadthis app sooner. Waygo,available on iPhone andAndroid, is capable ofrecognising and translatingChinese and Japanese menusand signs, simply by pointinga smartphone camera. Thecompany behind it says it’sworking on more languagesfor the future. If this is true, itmight come in handy at yourfavourite Calabar restaurantvery soon.

Google glassIn what might seem like a

trick borrowed from Men inBlack, you can simply lookthrough your Google glass,hold your head by looking ata sign and say: ‘Ok Glass,translate this.’ Apps such asUniSpeech and Word Lensmake this possible.

Skype TranslatorWith apps like the Skype

Translator, people who dotranslations for a living mightsoon have to find anothersource of income. ThisMicrosoft-designed app letsprovides translations aspeople speak to one anotherin different languages duringvoice calls. It will launch forWindows 8 devices later thisyear.

The differentlanguages of money

Online shopping giant,eBay isn’t just making

in different currencies,through its machinetranslation, it automaticallytranslates listing details on itswebsites and apps. In June itbought a startup called

AppTek, which specialises in this area. eBayhas also said it’s interested in making moretools using translation such as instantmessaging software for sellers and potentialbuyers to chat about a product even if theydon’t speak the same language.

Tweeting in tonguesTwitter has added Bing Translate, a

feature powered by Microsoft’s technology,to translate tweets from different languages.Users who have the feature on the iPhoneTwitter app can tap on tweets to see atranslation.

Apps for sign languageUnderstanding sign language is not the

easiest thing for the average person.Imagine an app that can help you throughthis with a snap of the finger! Microsoft hasworked with Kinect Sign LanguageTranslator, using the Xbox camera andmotion-detection accessory to translate signlanguage into text and spoken language.

Stronger is better right? Well not always. A

recent report by Microsoftsays that users should useand reuse weak passwordsfor websites which don’t holdvaluable information.

According to the company’sresearchers, Dinei Florêncioand Cormac Herley, whoworked with Paul C vanOorschot from CareltonUniversity in Canada, userscan focus their efforts onrecalling secure passwordsfor high-value sites likebanking or e-commerce ifthey don’t have to worryabout complex uniquepasswords for everyindividual website.

The researchers argue thatpassword managersintroduce more problemsthan they solve. While theyallow the use of fullyrandom, completely uniquepasswords, they also

Password hint: The weaker, the better?introduce a single point offailure: users can lose orforget the password to theirpassword manager, or thecloud service that hosts theirpasswords could be hacked.

Once users start storingpasswords in the cloud,though, they trade “one set ofrisks for another”. On the onehand, any single passwordbeing stolen is lessdangerous. But “it introducessevere new risks: if the masterpassword is guessed or usedon any malware-infectedclient, or the cloud store iscompromised, then allcredentials are lost.”

This puts users between arock and a hard place. To thisend, the study suggests thatusers should pick and re-useeasy-to-remember passwordsfor low-risk sites, in order tomaximise their ability to recallcomplex unique passwords forhigh-risk ones.

HoHoHoHoHow translation tw translation tw translation tw translation tw translation tececececech can helph can helph can helph can helph can helpyyyyyou speak in unknoou speak in unknoou speak in unknoou speak in unknoou speak in unknown twn twn twn twn tonguesonguesonguesonguesongues

A crowdfunding campaign for Jibo,a little robot designed to become

one of the family, kicked recently andhas raised more than US$577,000 —nearly six times its $100,000 target-longbefore fundraisers’ anticipated deadline.

The voice-controlled robot with afriendly face is a do-it-all personalassistant. Communicating with users ina human voice, it can learn individualpreferences, relay messages andreminders, and function as a videoconferencing device, for starters. It cantake pictures, provide information fromthe Web or apps, order food and displaye-books.

Jibo has two high-resolution camerasthat can recognize faces and capturephotos. By recognizing each member ofthe family, Jibo can deliver the rightmessages and information to eachperson at the right time. Jibo canconnect to smartphones (via an app),computers and other Jibos in the samehome. The robot stands around 11inches tall and weighs approximately sixpounds. It can pivot to face userswherever they are in a room using itsthree full-revolute axes. It features anLCD touchscreen, full-body touchsensors, WiFi and Bluetoothconnectivity, and an ARM-based mobileprocessor. Jibo operates in U.S. English,though it will recognize andcommunicate in other languages overtime. Users can opt to run Jibo usingan optional battery pack, which is goodfor around 30 minutes of power supply.

A robotthat’s partof the family

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014—37

‘Nigeria needs proper hospitalitytraining institution’He has worked in about

14 countries in fourdifferent continents as

hotelier. Today, MichaelRathgeb is the GeneralManager of Radisson BluHotel, Lagos. The German bornhotel administrator has workedin various departments in thehospitality industry from beinga chef to house keeper; foodand beverages to being amanager in the past threedecades.

The graduate of the CornelSchools of HotelAdministration in New York inthis chat shares his experiencesin the industry with JIMOHBABATUNDE.

On his backgroundAs mentioned earlier, this is

my thirtieth year in theindustry. I have worked as achef as well as an OperationsManager in my first fewpostings. The hospitalityindustry has taken me arounda lot.

I worked in Poland, Sweden,United Kingdom, I was theopening General Manager ofthe Radisson Blu in Bristol, andAustria among other places. Ihave worked in 14 countries infour different continents.

If Nigeria is the first countryhe has worked in Africa

No, Nigeria is not my firstAfrican country. This is actuallymy second coming to Nigeria,though my first visit was brief.I worked in Egypt and in Cape

GROWTH in the tourism sector, withits substantial job creation spin-offs,

could act as a partial antidote to thesluggishness of the economy, South AfricaTourism Minister, Derek Hanekom says.However, he warned that the hospitalitysector ’s positive effect could beundermined by South Africa’s new visa andimmigration regulations.

Mr Hanekom told Parliament’s tourismportfolio committee that the visa andimmigration regulations issued six weeksago by Home Affairs Minister MalusiGigaba could have a negative effect on thesector.

In terms of the new rules, people wishingto visit South Africa would only be able toapply for visas at the country’s foreignmissions, which in the case of a largecountry like China would mean only inShanghai and Beijing.”It could potentially have a negative impacton tourism. We have to make it as easy aspossible for person to come to our country,”said Mr Hanekom. “We are dealing with avery, very competitive internationalenvironment and people have choices. Atthis stage where we are getting a goodshare, with close to 10-million arrivalsannually.

Tourism to offset sluggish South African economy”We can increase that share but if we

do the wrong thing that share can drop.We don’t want to slip backwards; we wantto maintain it and we want to grow it.”Mr Hanekom stressed that it was“critically important” to removeunnecessary bottlenecks and pointed outthat discussions were taking place withthe Department of Home Affairs.Many significant role players, both localand foreign, had raised their concernswith Mr Hanekom and Mr Gigaba,pointing out that the new requirementswould place quite onerous burdens onvisa applications. This included the needfor an unabridged birth certificate forchildren and the accessibility of SouthAfrican missions.

”Even in these difficult times where weare struggling to achieve the kind ofgrowth levels that we would like toachieve, the good news for the tourismsector is that it has been on a steadygrowth path for a very long time,” MrHanekom said.

Since 1990 the sector had expanded byabout 200% while gross domestic product(GDP) had only grown by 74%. “Thetourism sector therefore makes animportant contribution to our growth

Town, South Africa just beforeI came here and I have visitedseveral others.

If he has settled well as beingthe General Manager

As I mentioned earlier, it is

not new to me. It is my 10thyear in the role. Maybe Ishould be answering how Ihave settled in Nigeria and Imust say I have settled fasterthan I thought I would. Thepeople are very ward and

accommodating.

On the Nigerian Businessenvironment

The Nigerian Business isvery dynamic. It encourages usto be on our toes as Nigeriansare spontaneous people.

Nigerian Hospitality Industryis growing and it has greatpotentials and an excellentcareer opportunity fordedicated and aspiring youngpeople. I see even more brandsincluding ours come into thecountry in the coming years.

On best global practices inthe Nigerian Hospitalityindustry

Oh yes! We are a serviceorganization and in that wise

across the various cities. I seethe competition gettingtougher.

If he sees challenges in theindustry

Yes, there are challenges butI also see opportunities incaring and giving the ‘Yes, ICan’ attitude, we can make abig difference.

RADISSON BLU is wellpositioned to meet with thedemands of the market. Thebrand all over the world isknown for exceptional serviceand we here in Lagos do notintend to be different.

We have our valuesimplemented, we arecommitted to providingexceptional service, we are

,,

targets.”Tourism’s direct contribution to GDP

has risen from 2.8% ($8.33bn) in 2011to 3% ($9.33bn) in 2012, though it couldbe as high as 9%-10% if the indirectcontribution is taken into account. Thesector accounts for more than 610 000jobs, or 4.6% of direct employment - oras much as 1.4-million if indirectemployment is taken into account. Atarget of 225 000 new direct jobs by 2019has been set. The sector is also wellsuited to fostering the development ofsmall and medium enterprises ande n t r e p r e n e u r s .Mr Hanekom emphasised theimportance of improving the roadnetwork to key tourist attractions suchas the Kruger National Park.South African Tourism CEO ThulaniNzima said a key focus would begrowing the domestic market, with theaim of increasing the number ofdomestic tourists to 18-million over thenext five years. The agency had an“aggressive” strategy to grow theAfrican market and planned to have fivemarketing offices in key Africancountries by 2020. There is an office inNigeria.

are always looking out toensure that our clients’expectations are met just as itis in other parts of the world.Maybe not at the same pace butwe are getting there.

This is why I see the growthin the industry in Nigeriabecoming competitive with thecoming in of many hotel chains

innovative and we are keenon training and developingour employees.

Radisson Blu is doing verywell at the moment and westrive to do even better. Wetopped the table of ourcompetitors’ set in occupancyand room rate in 2013.

On manpower in Nigerianhospitality industry

Yes, there are potentials. Ihave observed however thatsome people are impatientand proper hospitality schooltraining is required but I mustsay that we have goodemployees with a great zeal.

If the market is favourablyprofitable

At first glance, it seems therooms are expensive buttaking a closer look at the costof energy, training,maintenance, food &beverage one will discoverthat a lot actually goes intothe running of the hotel.

I would like to say a verybig thank you to our clients(without them, I would havepacked my bags long ago)and look forward to havingthem every single day of theweek as we have themednights Mediterranean,Seafood and Shellfish,Barbeque, curries of theworld, our Sunday Brunch.They need to come around topot some balls at the Golf Bar.

We have our values implemented,we are committed to providing

exceptional service, we areinnovative and we are keen on

training and developing ouremployees

Michael Rathgeb

38 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

National confab and‘feeding bottle federalism' (2)

For nation building, ‘Geo-Economic’ Zones are better (3)

BY UCHE ANICHUKWU

VVVVVanguardanguardanguardanguardanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014—, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014—, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014—, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014—, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014—3939393939

OTHERS are: Plateau - 16,Rivers -5, Sokoto -10,

Enugu - 11, FCT - 10, Gombe -11, Taraba - 18, Yobe - 15, andZamfara - 8. These do not in-clude our rich farmlands andtourism potentials. Sadly, every-thing lies prostrate and unex-ploited because a Governor canafford to sleep for a whole moononly to return to a self-appoint-ed Santa Claus called FederalGovernment to suckle at the feed-ing bottle by month end.

On the other hand, the UnitedArab Emirates, UAE, is an exam-ple of an oil-rich federal state,which has made the most of herresources due to the entrench-ment of fiscal federalism. Per-haps, only a handful of Nigeri-ans know that Dubai is not a coun-try, but just one of the sevenEmirates (states) making up theUAE. Dubai accounts for a tinychunk of the UAE oil output com-pared to the oil rich Abu DhabiEmirate, for example. In fact,Dubai’s oil is also running outas I write, but the Emirate hasno reason to worry itself or be-grudge sister emirates.

Its leaders have transformed itinto an amazing financial, com-mercial, and tourism bride of theMiddle East. The world is flock-ing into Dubai like suitors thatate a love portion. But Dubai’sspell is just her bubbling finan-cial, business and tourism capac-ities. By the way, UAE’s GNI percapita is USD40,760 compared toour miserly USD1,280 (World

that have put economic modernisation atthe heart of their nation-building visionand effort. Saudi Arabia, for example, hasembarked on the construction of four Eco-nomic Cities during the past decade, witha view to making them the hubs of eco-nomic production, manufacturing, R&D,employment generation and technologi-cal innovation.

The Ruhr heartland has served that pur-pose in Germany, the Rhone-Saone Cor-ridor in France, the British Midlands, in-cluding the industrial cities of NorthernEngland, Ukraine, for the former SovietUnion (perhaps why Russia is today veryjealous of perceived encroachment inUkraine by the EU and US), the Northernregion of Italy, Eastern China, etc.

Nigeria features the uniquely good for-tune of having varied and evenly spreadnatural resources across all the six mainethno-geographic zones. To that extent, thenatural basis already exists for creating anatmosphere of wholesome rivalry (as wellas collaboration) over production, produc-tivity, innovation, invention and techno-logical know-how. Let’s extend the debateand the fighting over and beyond ‘whoseturn is it to rule?’

I hereby move that the national confabthrow the term ‘geo-political zone’ into therubbish bin of under-development (whereit has always belonged) and adopt themore grown-up and nation-building-friendly term ‘Geo-Economic Zone’. It’s achange that, in my view, will prove popu-lar with the masses of Nigeria. Case rest-ed.

Bolaji Ogunseye is a policy analyst anddevelopment professional

Bank 2011) - no thanks to “Feed-ing bottle federalism”.

Let our leaders (North orSouth) note that we are in an eraof knowledge-driven globaleconomies. South Korea has nooil and other mineral resources,but it is the World’s 13th largesteconomy and the 3rd in Asia.That country has no iron ore, butits steel company, POSCO, isamong the top in the global steelindustry. Unfortunately, we de-pend on importation of steel eventhough we are over-blessed withiron ore and limestone. Accord-ing to the World Bank data(2012), South Korea’s GNI percapita is USD20, 270. Compareit to the USD1, 280 of an oil andmineral rich Nigeria.

It suffices to state, therefore,that the sharing formula stale-mate at the confab not only laycredence to the notion that freeoil money is actually the real gumbinding this expansive land to-gether, but that we are a nationliving in denial. Yes, no two fed-eralisms are the same. But fed-eralism has its irreducible mini-mums such as fiscal federalism,multilevel policing, etc. We can-not build a train, put it on theroad, and expect it to run well. Ifit is not federalism, it cannot belike federalism. Like Benson Ak-intola, a political scientist let uspause to ponder: “What does astate amount to when it lacks themeans to meet its basic financialobligations? A mere name? Apretension? A chimera? A buga-boo? A destitute?”

•Anichukwu, a political ana-lyst, lives in Abuja

or involved in it. But look closely, politics(especially the Nigerian kind) has feet ofclay in the most crucial areas of existentialprogress – for individuals and for groups.Politics, like politicians, feeds off economicprogress and prosperity. In fact, Nigerianspoliticians even feed off the misery of themajority in periods of terrible economicdownturn!! A sound economy, on the con-trary, funds politics and provides the pub-lic resources on which politicians feed andfrom which they often steal. A good econo-my also oils the wheels of good governance,where and when that is the priority of po-litical leadership. About time, therefore, wemade economic production, productivity,human empowerment and socio-economicwell-being of Nigerians the priority con-cern of politics and politicians.

Concern ofpolitics

While the Confab is about to end, I amhereby challenging members to seriouslyconsider re-designating those 6 areas as‘Geo-Economic’ Zones. Such terminologytweaking will change the perception of thesezones in Nigerians’ popular psyche (poli-ticians especially) such that they are nolonger seen as areas from which to launchpolitico-ethnic wars against other zones, butrather as places in which frantic and cre-ative economic production and human de-velopment are taking place, where there isa rush to outperform other zones in a con-text of healthy economic competition.

The idea of specially-designated economicand industrial regions or zones has beenin currency for over a century in countries

I WILL argue that this terminology, which prioritizes the political

imperative, conditions the minds and per-ception of not just our developmentally-re-tarded politicians, but also of the average,politically-aware citizen about what is themost essential issue at stake for nation build-ing. Politicians and most of us see thosezones as inner-chambers from which region-al, tribal/ethnic political gladiators prepareand emerge to fight the political battle overwho controls the power and office to allo-cate resources at the national level. Thissame developmentally-useless inter-zonalcontest for political and resource advantageis reproduced among LGAs and senatorialzones within the States of Nigeria. The ul-timate insult to Nigerians is that the anti-nation-building wars of individual greedare pretentiously claimed to be fought onbehalf of the citizens of those so-called po-litical zones!!

So long as we internalize - as groups andas individuals, the cynical ‘geo-political’ ri-valry idea, for that long shall those six ar-eas be seen and used mainly as launchingpads for political-power struggle and rival-ry of the most desperate, primitive and vi-cious kind by Nigerian politicians, most ofwhom, apart from corrupt gains throughpublic office, have very little claim to suc-cess and achievements in any respectablefields of human endeavour.

Politics is no doubt important, and it im-pacts all of us individually or as groups,whether or not one chooses to be interested

BY BOLAJI OGUNSEYE

The first part of this discoursewas published yesterday

This is the concluding part of this dis-course

IT was a quiz of sorts lastweek at the 1st speech

making and graduationceremony of Chemline Academyin Ikeja, Lagos, founded by DrFrank and Mrs Wendy Uwajeh,in 2008. Proprietor of the college,Dr. Uwajeh recalled his interestin academic excellence which isyielding results. He told them thesupportive importance of educa-tion and rewarded staff and stu-dents for their loyalty and per-formances. But it was Ifowodo’sspeech entitled, 'When last didyou read a book?' that defined thewhole event.

"Which brings me to my title,couched as a question: Whenlast did you read a book?“Unfortunately, beguiled by thenotion of promotingtechnological advancement, oureducational curriculum has beensteered gradually into creating afalse dichotomy between thesciences, on the one hand, andthe arts and humanities, on theother. In the misplaced frenzy ofthis policy, students are made tolook down on the liberal arts andhumanities as impractical, eventotally worthless, intellectualpursuits. But thankfully, one doesnot have to strain to refute thisthinking.

Interdependence of artand technology

Describing God as creativeGod, Ifowodo quoted the biblesaying, “In the beginning wasthe word.” The word, he says,“was with God, and the Wordwas God...But I can think of nobetter way of making this claimof the interdependence of art andtechnology than by the exampleof Steve Jobs, co-founder andcreative entrepreneur of AppleIncorporated, makers of theworld’s most loved digitaldevices, arguably. Jobs isuniversally acclaimed as arevolutionary creative geniuswho transformed beyondrecognition six differentindustries spanning personalcomputers, phones, music,animated cartoons, tabletcomputing and digitalpublishing. "In the compellingbiography of Jobs written by

By Uduma Kalu

Arts with science humanise us, Ifowodotells Chemline students

Walter Isaacson is to be found aseamless integration of art andscience for the perfection of themost useful tools of ourcontemporary existence. Perhapsthe lessons of Jobs’s insistenceon the unity of art and technologycan be brought to the perfectionof not just tools but also tosolutions to the world’s mosturgent questions of peace, socialjustice and development?

Ifowodo said, “Whenintroducing the iPad, Jobs madesure to emphasise that “thereason Apple can create productslike the iPad is that we’ve alwaystried to be at the intersection oftechnology and liberal arts.”This, then, was the magicformula that enabled him to“cook up gadgets that we didn’t

minded Jobs dreamingimpossible dreams who drovethe engineers, even hisengineering wonder kid co-founder and friend, SteveWozniack, the genius behind theoriginal Macintosh computer, tofeats of technological beauty thatthey had sworn were beyond thehuman mind.

"In conclusion, I ask again,When last did you read a book? Iwill restate that: when did youlast read a book that has nothingto do with your school subject orexamination, job, profession,faith or illness? In short, whenlast did you read a novel, poem,story, play or creative non-fictionbook such as autobiography andother life writings?

know we needed, but thensuddenly can’t live without,”as a commentator, Jobs againstressed the role of his visionanchored on the nexus of artsand technology, elaborating alittle more this time on ipad 2thus, “It is in Apple’s DNA,”he said, “that technonolgy isnot enough. We believe thatit’s technology married withthe humanities that yields usthe result that makes our hearts i n g . ” Ifowodo the ended: "Art isabout imagination andcreativity, about reality-defying dreams. The irony isthat it was the liberal art-

Pupils of the Chemline Academy in Ikeja

HoHoHoHoHow tw tw tw tw to pao pao pao pao pay Zaky Zaky Zaky Zaky Zakat and Zakat and Zakat and Zakat and Zakat and Zakatul-Fitratul-Fitratul-Fitratul-Fitratul-Fitr

40—40—40—40—40—VANGUARD, VANGUARD, VANGUARD, VANGUARD, VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JULY FRIDAY, JULY FRIDAY, JULY FRIDAY, JULY FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014, 2014, 2014, 2014, 2014

BY HARUN RAZAQ

EID-L-FITR is Muslim festival of fast breaking. Itoccurs at the end of Ramadan fasting (on the first day

of Shawwal, the tenth month of Islamic/Hijrah calendar).And it is obligatory Sunnah according to most scholars. Tiereare certain Islamic injunctions that are expected of a Muslimon the day of eid-l-fitr. These commands are very meritoriousas it helps the Muslim to increase the weight of his/her deedsand bring him/her closer to Allah. These commands include:stop fasting immediately new moon of Shawwal is cited andhas been endorsed by the Muslim leader in your country(e.g. in Nigeria by Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, underthe leadership of His Eminence, Alhaj Muhammad Sa’adAbubakar III the Sultan of Sokoto); pay your zakatul-fitrbefore the eid prayer; prepare for the eid prayer with yourfamily as early as possible; perform Ghusl (eid bath) beforegoing out for the prayer; wear a new (or best) of your clothes,men only should apply perfume to ‘ed; use Miswak (tooth-brush); eat before the salah; because of the hadith narratedby al-Bukhari from Anas ibn Maalik, who said that theMessenger of Allah (s.a.w) used not to go out on the morningof eid al-Fitr until he had eaten some dates of which he wouldeat an odd number. Al-Bukhari, 953. It is mustahabb to eatbefore going out to emphasize the fact that it is forbidden tofast on that day and to demonstrate that the fast has ended.Ibn Hajar (r.a) suggested that the reason for that was so as toward off the possibility of adding to the fast, and to hasten toobey the command of Allah. (Al-Fath, 2/446) Whoever doesnot have any dates may break his fast with anything that ispermissible. Proceed to praying ground on time with yourfamily; pronounce the takbirat (Q2:185) “Allah, Akbar, Allah,Akbar, Allah, Akbar, laailaha illa-lahu Allah, Akbar, Allah,Akbar, Allah, Akbar, Walillahi-l-hamd” as you move to eid;the prayer is valid for men, women, children, travelers,residents etc; go to the eid by one route and then returnhome through another route; do the salat while the sun isapproximately 2 Rumah (i.e. six meter) above the horizon;avoid nawafil at the eid ground just wait for thecongregational one; listens to the Khuthbah after the salat;congratulate one another on the days of ‘Eid by saying“Taqabbal mina wa minka” (may Allah accept it from us andyou) or eid Mubaraq”; avoid sinful engagements; be happyand kind to others such as the less privilege by giving themfood, halal drinks etc; full of thanks to Allah for His favourson you.

What you need to do on Eid-l-Fitr day

SOME Muslimsconfuse their annual

Zakah with Zakatul-Fitr whilesome who understand thedifference still observe thetwo in the month of Ramadanmerely to attract morereward in the month ofRamadan. Zakat is simplythe calculation of your dueson your assets and the fourthpillar of Islam, while Zakatul-Fitr’s scope and implicationtranscend what we must doin the case of the former.However, we shouldremember that Zakatbecomes due, one year aftera person’s wealth reaches thevalue of Nisab (minimum

required to give as zakat-ul-fitr. A Muslim traveller is alsoenjoined to pay his zakatwhere he spends the last twodays of Ramadan. If a persondies before Maghrib on thelast day of Ramadan, Zakatul-Fitr would not be obligatoryupon him even if he hadfasted all the other days of themonth, but if a child is bornafter Maghrib on the last dayof Ramadan, it would beobligatory to pay Zakatul-Fitron his or her behalf. Somescholars even noted thatzakat should be paid on thefoetus of a baby in the womb.A man must pay on a wifewhose divorce is not yet

for anyone who has morethan a bowl of staple food orexcess of what he can take fora day at home is qualified togive fitrah to the poor andneedy to make a happycelebration for all.

“The Zakah are only for theFuqaraa (poor), and theMasaakeen (the needy) andthose employed to collect(the funds); and for to attractthe hearts of those who havebeen inclined (towardsIslam); and to free thecaptives; and for those indebt; and for Allah’s Cause,and for the wayfarer (atraveler who is cut off fromeverything); a duty imposedby Allah. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise.” Q9:60.

You may also start from aday before the ‘Eid but beforethe prayer.

Prayer of the dayAllahuma ar-zuquni fihi

fadhala lailatul Qadri, waswayirr umuri fihi minal usuriilaal-yussuri. Allahumoinaka afuuwu, tuibul-afwa faaafuwa nii.

O Allah, on this day,bestow on me the blessingsof Laylatul Qadr, change myaffairs from being difficult tobeing easy. O Allah! You areforgiving, and you loveforgiveness. So forgive me.

O Allah, on this day, makemy fasts worthy ofacceptance, make it to bewhat pleases You. Our Lord,cover me with your mercy,grant me in it success andprotection, for the sake of ourleader, Muhammad, and hisfamily and all hiscompanions. Praise be toAllah, the Lord of the worlds.Amen.

amount paid) and accordingto most scholars, a Muslim’swealth has to remain abovethat Nisab level throughoutthe course of the year. Thismeans he must be free fromall indebtedness andliabilities. Again, it is doneannually at a predeterminedperiod. If one chooses to payit in every Muharram orevery Zhul-Qada, so be it. So,it is impossible for the wholeUmmah to have reached theobligation of paying Zakah, atthe beginning or end ofRamadan. We should beclear in our minds that thistype of Zakah is not tied tothe month of Ramadan. Butpaying it in Ramadan is morerewarding. An individual canbring forward his Zakah duedate, in order to takeadvantage of the multipleblessings of Ramadan. In fact,to make it easy on therecipients whose needs haveto be met, one might choseRamadan for the extraSadaqah he gives out.

Zakatul-Fitr however isdone with staple foodconsumable in a particulararea. In this part of the world,grains such as rice, garri,beans etc are given as Zakator its money equivalent.Every free Muslim must payZakatul-Fitr for himself, hiswife, children, and all hisdependants. It is onlyobligatory for those whohave more than what is

concluded. If you have morethan one bowl of staple foodin your house, then it isobligatory upon you to giveothers who don’t have.

In essence, the rationalebehind it is to make thosewho don’t have happy duringthe festive period. It alsopurifies the fasting Muslimfrom any shortcoming duringthe fast. And since everyMuslim needs this, it istherefore obligatory on himwhether rich or poor. TheProphet (s.a.w) said: “Makethem (i.e. the poor anddestitute) rich on the day of`Eid-ul-Fitri. Put succinctly,

Mudeer Daru-Ddawat-Wal-Irshad Arabic Center,Sheikh Mustapha Zuglool (left) welcoming guests tothe concluding part of 1435 Ramadan Quran Tafsirand Special Prayer held at the school recently.

A cross section of Muslims during the Tafsir and SpecialPrayer organised by Daru-Ddawat-Wal-Irshad Arabic Center,Isolo, Lagos, recently.

MEMBERS Nasru-llahi-il-Fatih society

of Nigeria, NASFAT, Lagosand Ogun States, willconverge at the Mowe NasfatVillage, along Ibadanexpress-waylater today forthis year’s Lailatul-Quadrotherwise known as TheNight of Power.

The annual event is one ofthe rituals in the last ten daysof Ramadan.

According to informationreaching Vanguard, theevent is an all-night worshipand supplication to Allahand members have been

NASFNASFNASFNASFNASFAAAAAT memberT memberT memberT memberT members thrs thrs thrs thrs throng Moong Moong Moong Moong Mowwwwweeeeefor for for for for Lailatul-QuadrLailatul-QuadrLailatul-QuadrLailatul-QuadrLailatul-Quadr

directed to seize theopportunity byconsolidating on the acts ofworship through increaseddevotion within the period inorder to gain maximumreward. Prominent Islamicscholar will deliver lecture.The event which starts afterbreaking of fast today will runthrough the night and ends atdawn after sahur.

Eminent Muslimpersonalities includinggovernors of some States inthe South-West will attendthe occasion.

If a person dies beforeMaghrib on the last day of

Ramadan, Zakatul-Fitrwould not be obligatory uponhim even if he had fasted allthe other days of the month

,,

VANGUARD, VANGUARD, VANGUARD, VANGUARD, VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014—FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014—FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014—FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014—FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014—4141414141

WWWWWe spend oe spend oe spend oe spend oe spend ovvvvver N1er N1er N1er N1er N180m annually t80m annually t80m annually t80m annually t80m annually to assisto assisto assisto assisto assistthe less privileged — the less privileged — the less privileged — the less privileged — the less privileged — Imam ShuaibImam ShuaibImam ShuaibImam ShuaibImam Shuaib

,

,

Osun Guber Poll:Group holds prayer for AregbesolaGroup holds prayer for AregbesolaGroup holds prayer for AregbesolaGroup holds prayer for AregbesolaGroup holds prayer for Aregbesola

A special prayer session was held for Governor of OsunState, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola over the weekend by

Concerned Muslims. The prayer was anchored on resoundingvictory for the governor in the forthcoming governorship pollin the state on August 9. The prayer session, organised by TheConcerned Muslims was meant to see the governor victoriousin the forthcoming election as well as peaceful conduct duringand after the poll.

The special prayer session, held at Ikorodu, Lagos State wasled by Ustaz AbdulWaheed Olowo, Mudeer Daru Islamiya walHadiths-l-Ulumi. The Cordinator of the group Ustaz HaroonBalogun stated that the prayer which started on Ramadan 21would climax tomorrow, Ramadan 29.

“We want to use the istijabah within this period of the lastten days of Ramadan to beseech Allah for our brother OgbeniRauf Aregbesola having done greatly in the last four yearsand for a peaceful election in the State. It is our prayer thatthe good work continues and the enemies of the state are putto shame,” he said.

Igbogbo Nasfat YIgbogbo Nasfat YIgbogbo Nasfat YIgbogbo Nasfat YIgbogbo Nasfat Youths hold Eid-l-ouths hold Eid-l-ouths hold Eid-l-ouths hold Eid-l-ouths hold Eid-l-Fitr funfairFitr funfairFitr funfairFitr funfairFitr funfair

THE Youth wing of Nasrul-llahi-il-Fatih Society ofNigeria, Igbogbo branch has concluded arrangement to

hold a family funfair as part of celebration marking the end ofRamadan fasting.

The event which is scheduled to hold on Tuesday, July 29will take place at the Igbogbo Central Mosque, Odofin, Ikorodu,Lagos.

According to the organising committee, the event willfeature various kinds of entertainment rainging from IslamicMusic, comedy, dance among others while guests will betreated to gourmet’s feast and slap-up meals.

Sheikh Zuglool tasks leaders onSheikh Zuglool tasks leaders onSheikh Zuglool tasks leaders onSheikh Zuglool tasks leaders onSheikh Zuglool tasks leaders onhonestyhonestyhonestyhonestyhonesty

THE Proprietor of Daru-Ddawat-Wal-Irshad ArabicCenter, Sheikh Mustapha Zuglool has warned all

politicans and leaders at all levels to show honest in all theirdealings just as he prayed for peace and stability of the country.

Zuglool made this known during the conclusion of this year’sRamadan Tafsir and Special Prayer held at the school mosque,in Isolo, Lagos recently. The Tafsir which commenced on the29th of June, with analysis and explanation of taoheed, endedwith the story of Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) espousing the onenessof Allah and condeming the act of paganism in the society.

The scholar urged those who still practice paganism underthe guise of culture and tradition to refrain from such practiceas the act is unforgiveable by Allah. “All sins are forgiveableby Allah but associating partners with Allah or paganism isnot a forgiveable sin. The least punishment is 40 years in hellfire.”

The highlight of the event was a prayer session dedicated tovarious leaders at all level of governance as well as Muslimcountries immersed in crisis.

IMAM Abdullahi Shuaib is the ExecutiveDirector, Zakat & Sadaqat Foundation,

an Islamic organisation providing charityservices to the less privileged to cushion theeffect of poverty. He spoke to Vanguard onhow zakat is helping to alleviate poverty inthe society.

What is yourgroup doing

to alleviate povertyamong Muslims inthe country?

Basically, our majorarea of activity issolving the financialneeds of the lessprivileged. We alsogive them capacitybuilding and trainingsand when theysuccessfully come outof trainings, we alwaysempower them with atoken to equip theirbusinesses andconsolidate on whatthey have started. Wehave actuallysupported so manypeople in this area bybuying the equipmentand providing some with working capital.Those who engage in petty trading, we givethem deep freezers and generating sets andsome with sets of computers and some withincreased capacity building. We also providesome form of assistance to those who are into

anonymous. Some people just call and askfor our account number and pay money intothe account since they are satisfied withwhat we doing. Also, we write letters toindividuals, Islamic groups andorganisations and we do get positiveresponse from them. These are the two waysin which we get funds and material but

essentially, most ofthem we don't know.

How do youidentify thebeneficiaries ofthis programme?

We have anavalanche ofprogrammes beingaired on televisionand so, people takedown our telephonenumbers and pull acall to us, write to usasking for one favouror the other. Again,some of our donorss o m e t i m e srecommend somepeople to us and wego after them. Theywill ask, how do weget to know aboutthem but our

response is usually that 'we want to supportyou'.

How many people have youempowered during your last financialyear?

We have empowered over 2000 people andover N180million have been expended onthe needs of the less privileged. This year'sactivity is still on-going because right nowpeople still give their sadaqah (charity).Before the end of this interview, we willreceive alert and it goes on like that untilRamadan is over. That is to tell you howpeople give to help others.

agriculture either through capital to kick-startor to expand their businesses. We also providefree services to some people to cushion theeffect of poverty. In fulfillment of theobligation of Allah to acquire knowledge, weare seriously concerned about the educationof Muslim students. We pay for their schoolfees, educational materials and give researchgrants to both local and international studentsamong others.

What time of the year do you usuallycarry out these services?

We do this on a yearly basis, although it aall-round-the year activity but the peak of thisactivity is usually in January when weconclude our financial year.

How do you raise money and materialfor these people?

We have donors and sympathisers that wecan't even identify. They prefer to be

...we receive alertregularly and it goes

on like that untilRamadan is over.That is to tell you

how people give tohelp others Ahmadiya holds regional conference

in Warri

Imam Abdullahi Shuaib

THE Ahmadiya MuslimJama’at Nigeria, AMJN,

would hold a 3-day easternregion conference in Warri,Delta State. The conferencethemed: “Advent of thePromised Messiah and Inter-faith harmony” would hold atMom civic centre, AirportRoad, Warri, Delta state, fromFriday August 1 to 3, 2014.

According to a release sentto Vanguard, the conferencewould be attended by theNational President, (Amir,) ofthe Jamaat, Dr. Mas’hoodAdenrele Fashola, dignitariesfrom the NationalHeadquarters as well asdelegates from eastern

region of the Jamaatcomprising Edo, Delta, Riversand other states in the South-South and South-East geo-polical zones of the country.

In the release signed by NaibAmir, (Deputy National Head),Eastern Region, Dr, GaniEnahoro, stated papers wouldbe presented by leaders ofvarious faith with a view topromoting religious harmonyin the country. “Nationalleaders of various faiths, suchas Christianity, Hare Krishna,Judaism and AfricanTraditional religion have beeninvited to present papers thatwould continue to promotereligious harmony in our

nation. This is in light of thecondemnable insurgencyand avoidable securitychallenge prevalent in theNorth Eastern parts of thecountry,” he said.

He added that the AMJN isan enitrely peace-loving andpeace promoting Islamiccommunity spread acrossover 200 nations of theworld including Nigeria withthe motto: ‘Love for All,Hatred for None.’

Enahoro disclosed that theJamaat would insha Allaahlooking forward tocelebrating one hundredyears of peaceful existence inNigeria in 2016.

Are thereo t h e rI s l a m i cg r o u p sthat arei n v o l v e din thisprogrammefor thepoor?

Yes, thereare otherI s l a m i cgroups thatare doingsometh ingsimilar towhat we aredoing. Weare aware ofthat. This isin fulfillmentof aninjunction inQ u r ' a n ;C h a p t e r s9:103, 60.

42—V42—V42—V42—V42—Vanguardanguardanguardanguardanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, FRIDAY, JULY 25, FRIDAY, JULY 25, FRIDAY, JULY 25, FRIDAY, JULY 25 , 2014, 2014, 2014, 2014, 2014

My journeyto perfection

By Enuma Chigbo

ONCE upon a time in myvery recent past, there was

a journey- a journey from goodold Calabar the land where I re-side, to the bustling city of La-gos, the land of my birth. Andby no design of mine, I endedup in Badagry. It started like this:one fine evening, at mywonderful friend and host’shouse Ekuase in Lagos, wewatched bits and pieces of theWorld Cup opening - by we, Imean Ekuase, her four adorablechildren and me. After that, bydivine inspiration, I ‘resurrected’an animation script I had put onthe back burner for a while. It wasthen I heard The Voice, “Makesure you tour Badagry.”

I wondered what this had todo with what we had justwatched or even the script I waswriting but that voice was oneyou don’t question. You just doit! I shivered at first as this wascertainly no journey to embarkon alone. My host had declinedon this one, but companionshipdid come soon after. With veryminimal effort, I acquired sixpeople –Grace, the producer ofmy award winning documenta-ry, The Deadwood; I call her smallbut mighty, her husband Alex,Stanlee my director, his beautifuland peaceful looking wife Daisy,and their three children with theenergy of 10. Indeed, I got much

Jesus in the bible, I kept the mat-ter in my heart for a very longtime. Anyway, it is time to speakor forever hold my peace. “I hearthat Badagry was modified fromthe phrases “Bad Agreement”and “Bad Agree.” Is this true?”

“No, it is not,” Papa J responds.“Badagry comes from the word,“Agbadagiri,” which means“pepper farm”. And in these fewwords of his, lie yet another sto-ry, which most definitely will betold another day…From Ikeja, wedrive through Akowonjo. Graceand Alex happily point to achurch. “This is where we gotmarried.” Not too long after, weare in Egbeda and again theypoint out where they had theirwedding reception in EdulandSchool.

“Lagos is the third city in theworld to have street lights,” saysPapa J and we marvel at it allbut somewhere in between, Iam taken on yet another tourand this time it is by Stanlee,who tells me about the AncientBenin Kingdom. His stories areas mysterious and potent as theyare humorous and this goes onall the way to Badagry. We drivepast the French Village and thethought of coming out here tocamp for three months does crossmy mind…

We go past the roundabout allthe way to Seme Border. It wasthen I remember that I had beendown this route before. It was an

official journey, with my friendand sister Obioma. I thoughtabout the little article I had writ-ten. “It’s a tiny little border butthings happen there.” At thispoint, the mysterious Benin talksgive way and Papa J resumesduty as he shows us the LagosLagoon, said to be the West Afri-can water way. “All the rivers inSouth West Africa empty into thiswater,” he says, even as hepoints in the direction of PortNovo. “See immigration peopleo,” one of us says as we approachthe border. They are all dressedin grey. “Don’t mind them, theyare parasites", says Papa J.

“See im bele,” Stanlee says inPidgin English. We all have agood laugh as we catch sight ofone of them whose shirt seemsto be fighting with the rest of hisbody. Papa J points towards somevery interesting looking cows.“These are the short horn cattle.During the time of regional gov-ernments, special cattle werebrought in. The whole idea of thiswas to introduce dairy productsto the Badagry area. Now thatsounds familiar, I think and it was

then I remembered the ObuduMountain Resort all the way inNorthern Cross River. Sometimein the early 50’s the Scottishbrought 50 cows for the very samebusiness…interesting!

Like I said earlier, the SemeBorder is a little place but thingshappen there. “There’s a bigmarket here,” says a clearly as-tonished Stanlee. “More like abig racket,” says Papa J, and thelaughter resumes yet again. “Didyou see the scooters all lined up?”Alex asks me. I missed that for asecond and begin to look out forthem quite earnestly. “That’swhat they use to smuggle petrol,”says Papa J.

I ask if there is a place we caneat. “You want to eat?” He soundssurprised. I say yes, as we havenot eaten all day. By the time Ihave this conversation with him,it is about 3pm. “Maybe youshould all fast.” He responds.This Papa J na wa! Somehow, bythe mercy of Papa J, we do notfast. He points in the direction offresh baguettes sold on the roadand we buy immediately. Thepeople in these parts look a taddifferent and I wonder what lan-guage they speak. In a few min-utes as if reading my mind, myanswer comes in the most shock-ing manner. “O ju oyi,” said thiswoman. Which is simply Igbofor, “It is cold.”

Gambiadiaries

Oh my brethren! I lament butthen why am I surprised? Like Isaid in my travelogue The Gam-bia Diaries, I draw similaritiesbetween my Igbo brethren andoyibos. They are found in everynook and cranny of the world aslong as there is something in itfor them. Not too long after, wesee a sign – Welcome to ChiefAivoji Beach Estate. In this verydirty beach you get to see the At-lantic Ocean. I guess you canover look the dirt and have agood time if you abide by therules, which are: No littering, nobathing naked, no breaking ofpots…” Chei…there’s God o! Forreasons best known to the Al-mighty God, that phrase has be-come more popular than our na-tional anthem. I recall Stanleeshouted this in appreciation ofHis goodness when we saw theAtlantic Ocean from afar. Ofcourse he had to add anotherclause. “All dis water they aresharing…”

But it was not only Stanlee;

somehow we all echoed the samephrase even though we wouldchange some of the words everynow and then. I recall stoppingat one of the hungry customscheck points. “Wetin una get?”They ask us in Pidgin English.“There’s bread o!” we all echo.And…there are no further ques-tions!

Voices ofmockery

On a more serious note, it’squite mind boggling how theheart cry of a woman could re-sult in voices of mockery from allover the world…anyway there isa God indeed and He hears thedeep cries of women in anguish.Okay now, back to the tours…weleave the beach after taking pho-tos by the abandoned canoe,which Stanlee’s son describes asa shipwreck and head for themuseum. On the way, Papa Jpoints out the Hotel St James. “Itwas one of the funkiest hotelsback in the day.”

“Now it’s been turned intoChrist Embassy,” says Stanlee’swife. We head towards the OldBadagry, and Papa J points outthe Ancient Wawu KingdomTownhall, and Christian Mis-sionary Cemetery. Then we getto the museum. We don’t like thefact that there is overgrown grassall around but inside is a com-pletely different story. “Every-thing you see here is from theTrans Atlantic Slave Trade,” saidour tour guide. “In 1472 whenEuropeans arrived in Badagry,they engaged in trade. Raw ma-terials such as tobacco, sugarcane, rice, and cotton were tak-en away, transformed into fin-ished products and exchangedfor human beings.”

“The Europeans did not intro-duce the slave trade. They sim-ply brought in the Trans Atlanticfactor. Slavery has always beenpart our culture. During the TransSaharan Trade the going ratethen was one horse to eight hu-man beings.” Badagry he saidwas the second largest port inWest Africa.

30% of all the slaves in West Af-rica passed through Badagry.”We see a picture of four genera-tions of slaves born on one plan-tation hanging on the wall of themuseum. “In slave auctions backin the day, they had horses asstar prizes and a mullato girl asthe second prize. If you bought10 slaves you get about two orthree children free. About 300

slaves were sold every marketday, higher than 100 slaves inEnyong market in Calabar.”

A section on the wall has slavedealers such as Captain DawkHawkins and Seriki Abass – thelatter grew up in a slave campand later became a dealer. Healso points to a place opposite themuseum across the Atlanticcalled Gberefu Island. “This is-land is 20 times larger than Vic-toria Island in Lagos. There wasa well that slaves were forced todrink from and special potionswere put in the well for the slavesto lose their memory after drink-ing.” The tour continues to Seri-ki Abass’s compound the slavewho became a slave dealer,where we are greeted by twohorrible looking monkeys and hisgreat granddaughter, who be-comes our tour guide.

Tiny littlewindow

She takes us through the verybusy compound reminiscent ofthe activities at the Seme Border,to the rooms where our fellowhuman beings were ‘accommo-dated’ before they were shippedoff to the land of no return. Oneroom is between 10 to 20 squaremeters and ‘lodged’ about 80people. And for the lucky oneswho want to go sightseeing, thereis a tiny little window, where theycan crawl up to get a glimpse oftheir future. In this house, youalso get to see some relics, oneof them being a very heavy um-brella worth about 40 slaves, ce-ramic plates where you could getone in exchange for eight slavesback in the day…

We all head back shortly afterwith mixed feelings and definite-ly more learned than we werewhen we arrived and that got methinking… if I were to describethis tour in one word, whatwould it be? Satisfaction becamemy immediate answer. I didn’tsee why not after all I felt a strongsense of that as I got back to mycozy room at Ekuase’s place. Per-haps it was the same feeling ofsatisfaction I had when I wentfrom The Marina Resort to CreekTown by boat about five yearsago. The satisfaction was greatbut somehow in my quiet timeon my way back to the land inwhich I reside, more words –words way beyond me seamless-ly weave their way into my heart– words that say how much Hewould perfect all that concernsme.

,,

Palm trees at Badagry beach

From Calabar to Badagry:

more than I asked for, so Iguessed that’s a good sign!

So one fine wet Sunday after-noon, my ‘gang’ and I leave forBadagry. Take off point for every-one is Stanlee’s Ikeja office,where we meet our tour guidefor the very first time. I’ll callhim Papa J as somehow, thatname seems apt. He’s seated inthe driver’s seat, in the fully airconditioned 15- seater buswhich would be our conveyorto Badagry. He has a rare look -a look that combines energy,doggedness, maturity humourand deep knowledge all in one. Iintroduce myself as the ladyhe’s been talking to on the phoneand we are all aware of who weare.

Stanlee and company meet usnot too long after. By this time,the rain gives way to the sun andoff we go. “Does the tour starthere?” I ask Papa J and he has agood laugh, but somehow thatbegins the tour. Before then, Iheard something about themeaning of Badagry. It was anegative meaning and I guesslike Jacob or Mary the mother of

We see a picture of four generations ofslaves born on one plantation hanging onthe wall of the museum

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014—43Intrepidity of a leader fIntrepidity of a leader fIntrepidity of a leader fIntrepidity of a leader fIntrepidity of a leader for eqor eqor eqor eqor equity in Auity in Auity in Auity in Auity in Abia Statbia Statbia Statbia Statbia Stateeeee

RIGHT from the earliest history of man, leadership has

been a characteristic feature ofhuman enterprise. Where anysociety is, by way of its socio-eco-no-political development, depictsa clear measurement of the po-tency of its leadership. It, there-fore, follows that the gap betweentwo human societies is a reflex-ion of the differences between thetwo different leaderships. In hu-man development, there has al-ways been a distinction betweena leader and a ruler. While theformer is altruistic, visionary,broad-minded and is concernedwith the fate of generations yetunborn, the latter is egocentric,parochial, materialistic, acquisi-tive and short-sighted. In two so-cieties where one has a leaderand the other a ruler, there is al-ways a wide world of difference.

Majority of third-world coun-tries, despite the abundance ofnatural resources God endowedthem with, have remained unde-veloped or, at best, under devel-oped principally due to the qual-ity of their leadership. How wouldone ever expect a society whichleadership is inclined to pleasuresand euphoria of the moment togrow? As would be recalled, his-tory is replete with the rise andfall of many Empires and King-doms. In Sub-saharan Africa, suchEmpires as Songhai, Mali andKanem-Borno had fallen becauseof lack of vision and altruism on

the part of their leaders. Histori-ography equally reminds manthat renowned Roman Empireand most recently the Union ofSoviet Socialist Republics, USSR,got disintegrated as a result ofinarticulate leadership. All in all,any headship of any society or or-ganization that is not anchoredon equity, simply but terribly re-flects rulership as against lead-ership.

The strategic importance of ef-fective application and adminis-tration of equity in any humanmilieu does not need to be over-emphasized. Suffice it, however,to say that where there is equity,there is a sense of belonging thatgenerates patriotism, dedication,development, progress, harmony,security and stability.

Absenceof equity

On the contrary, mere absenceof equity, in whatever form andat whatever level of human con-gregation, becomes a catalyst forfrustration, unpatriotism, self de-struction, retrogression and even-tual societal dislocation and col-lapse. This is because, under sucha very disharmonious circum-stance, no sane man would ex-pect any positive contributionfrom a segment or strata of a soci-ety that feels discriminatedagainst, marginalized and psy-chologically traumatized. It is inthe spirit of equity that the au-thors of Nigeria’s Federal Con-

stitution of 1999, as amended,even though tele-guided by theNigerian Military, clearly divid-ed each of the thirty-six states ofthe Federation into three senato-rial zones. It is also in the samespirit that the same constitutionprovides a maximum period of twotenures of four years each for agovernor of a state. In this respect,common sense dictates that theposition of a state Governor shouldrotate amongst the people of theconstitutionally stipulated threesenatorial zones of each state.

In Abia State, for example, thethree senatorial zones are;

•Abia North, made up of Aro-chukwu, Bende, Isuikwuato,Ohafia and Umunneochi LocalGovernment Council Areas

•Abia Central, consisting of Ik-wuano, Isiala Ngwa North, Isia-la Ngwa-South, Osisioma Ngwa,Umuahia-North and Umuahia-South.

•Abia South, comprising Aba-North, Aba-South, Obingwa, Ug-wunagbo, Ukwa-East and Ukwa-West Council Areas.

Going down memory lane, AbiaNorth had occupied the governor-ship seat for two tenures of fouryears each; 1999- 2007. Current-ly, Abia Central has been on theseat since May 29, 2007 till dateand the occupant; Chief Theod-ore Ahamefule Orji, would besafely and successfully roundingoff his second tenure on 29thMay, 2015. From the above nar-rative, it is very lucid that the onlysenatorial zone that is yet to have

a stint at the State’s governorshipseat is Abia South.

At this juncture, it would benecessary to state that in rotatingthe governorship seat of any Ni-gerian State, the consideration,principally, should not be basedon geo-cultural affinity as theNigerian Constitution does notprovide for it. Rather, the empha-sis should be on senatorial delin-eation.

Senatorialdelineation

It would also be necessary toelucidate the very simple fact thatin Abia State, constitutionallyspeaking, power rotation can notbe hinged on primordial senti-ments of Old Bende and Ukwa/Ngwa groupings. If this were tobe so, it would automatically havefollowed that an indigene ofUkwa/Ngwa should have becomethe governor of the state immedi-ately after the tenure of an indi-gene of Old Bende who gov-erned the state from 1999 to 2007.There is no gain saying the factthat in a democracy, every citizenhas the right to legitimately as-pire to any height of leadership.At the same time, the same de-mocracy makes it imperative thatthe constitutionality of the politymust be strictly adhered to.

As it has earlier been mademanifest, the difference betweena leader and a ruler has alwaysbeen very clear. A leader is a man

or a woman of immeasurable vi-sion, who is capable of visualiz-ing the future. Such a man imag-ines socio-econo-political prob-lems and selflessly solves themwell ahead of time. It is, there-fore, no wonder why the Gover-nor of Abia State; Chief T.A. Orji,has been consistent in his advo-cacy that his successor shall be aproduct of equity in rotation. Onmany different occasions and fora,he has reminded his audiencethat he is a product of equity inrotation and that whoever will behis successor shall equally be alegitimate product of rotation inobservance of the State’s Senato-rial realities.

Governor T.A. Orji is not a lonelyvoice crying in the wilderness.Many of his colleagues are in thesame boat of equity, justice andfairness with him. Governor Sul-livan Chime of Enugu State hasnever hidden his strong belief thatthe next governor of the stateshould come from Enugu NorthSenatorial Zone of the state. Gov-ernor Martin Nwancho Elechi ofEbonyi State has equally advo-cated a power shift to EbonyiSouth. Governor Godswill Akpa-bio of Akwa Ibom State has re-peatedly said that his successorshould come from Eket Senatori-al District in 2015 while Gover-nor Liyel Imoke of Cross RiverState has made it clear, througha legislation by the State Houseof Assembly, that the next gover-nor of the state shall hail from theNorthern Senatorial Zone of thestate.

By DON UBANI

To be concluded

44—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

WhyBuhariwasattacked—SECURITYEXPERT

By Ebun Sessou

Minister tasks Northern states on education

DINNER: From left— Mr. Jalo Waziri, Executive Director, Business Development, Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE;Mr. Tonye Cole, CEO, Sahara Group; Mr. Andrew Yakubu, GMD, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, andMr. Oscar Onyema, CEO, NSE, at a dinner on The Role of the Capital Market in Unlocking Value in the Oil & Gas Sector, inLagos. PHOTO: Biodun Ogunleye.

ABUJA— THE Minister ofEducation, Mallam

Ibrahim Shekarau, has calledon all the northern stategovernments to look inwardtowards achieving a betteraccess to education for childrenin the region.

The minister made theremark, yesterday, at the launchof Nigeria Education DataSurvey, NEDS, organised by theUnited States Agency forInternational Development,USAID, in conjunction with the

Ministry of Education inAbuja.

According to Shekarau,the research, which sampledover 27,000 households and72,500 children nationwide,gave indication that access toeducation in the south ishigher than in the north.

He said: “The householdsurvey provides insight onaccess and distance study.For example, in the south,access is higher than in thenorth for the same distancefrom school, suggesting thatthe non-participation in the

north needs to be resolvedwith more strategies thanbuilding new schools.”

Represented by the Director,Human Resource,Muhammed Dahiru, theminister said the aim of NEDS2010 report was to providereliable and timely educationsector data that would informpolicy and decision-makingacross all levels ofgovernment.

Information made availableto Vanguard by the USAIDSenior Development Outreachand Communications

Specialist, JosephineKamara, explained that theNEDS report profiled theeducation status for everyNigerian state and the FCT.

“In addition, thematicreports that summarise thestatus of access to earlychildhood education andliteracy, and participation inQu’ranic schooling wereshared, along withpresentation of papers onhousehold educationexpenditures and distanceand access to schooling,” thereport indicated.

By Victoria Ojeme

FG, UN-Habitat partner on youth empowerment

... as ECOWAS battle human trafficking

ABUJA—THE FederalGovernment, yesterday,

signed a Memorandum ofUnderstanding, MoU, with theUnited Nations Habitat to boostits youth empowermentprogramme across the country.

The agreement signedbetween the Federal Ministry ofYouth Development and UN-Habitat will, among others,empower the ministry toembark on the evaluation andstraightening of the NationalYouth Service Corps, NYSC,while addressing other keyyouth-based issues, such asupgrading of youth centres tothe model of UN-Habitat OneStop Youth Centres.

Speaking at the ceremony inAbuja, the Minister of YouthDevelopment, Mr. BoniHaruna, said youth issues hadundoubtedly become sensitiveand critical for the country, asthey constituted over 60 percentof the population.

He reasoned that as they hadbecome major actors andvictims in crises situations,there was the compelling needfor government to pay attentionand show commitment towards

addressing their challenges.Haruna, who emphasised

the necessity of functioningyouth centres across thecountry, said the centrescould be re-aligned tofunction in a way that wouldpositively impact the lives ofthe youths.

He said: “Clearly, theNYSC, against all the odds

it faced over the years, hasbeen a Nigerian success storyworth sharing with the world,particularly given theconditions of youths intoday’s labour market.”

In her remarks, theAssistant Secretary-Generalof the United Nations andDeputy Executive Director ofUN-Habitat, Dr. Aisa Kirabo,

underscored the importanceof the agreement as aplatform for addressing thechallenges facing theyouths.

She observed thatdeveloping the capacity ofyouths should be a priorityfor leadership, pledging thecommitment of her agency topartner the ministry.

By Caleb Ayansina

ABUJA—THE EconomicCommunity of West

African States, ECOWAS,has concluded plans to fighthuman trafficking in the sub-region.

Assistant General onHuman Trafficking inGhana, Mrs Victoria Natsu,made this known at theopening of a three-dayannual review meeting onMember StatesImplementation ofECOWAS Plan of Action onTrafficking in Persons.

She said: “We are here toreview our ECOWAS

policies that has been doneand to see the part of thepolicies that are working andthose that are not working sothat we can improve on them.

“We want to deal with theissue of vulnerabilities andignorance so that eventhough members in ourcommunities can movefreely, we will also look atissues where there will beabuse.

“Children under 18 shouldnot be working to supportfamilies. They are supposedto enjoy their childhood.They are supposed to be inschool and have the best ofeducation and health.

“Anything that goescontrary to this is an abuseof their fundamental humanright. Once the children areprotected and empowered,the issue of abuse isminimised.

“There is free movement,but we are also looking atabusing the right ofindividuals when it comes tothe issue of movement.”

In her remarks, ChiefMission, InternationalOrganisation for Migration,Ms Enira Krdzalic, saidhuman beings could not bestopped from crossingnational borders but shouldbe properly managed.

By Victoria Ojeme

A SECURITYconsultant, Dr. Ona

Ekhomu, has describedBoko Haram’s attempton the life of formerHead of State, MajorGeneral MuhammaduBuhari (rtd.), and Muslimcleric, Sheikh DahiruBauchi, in Kaduna as anattempt to plungeNigeria into widespreadpolitical-ethno-religiousviolence.

Reacting to the attacks,which left over 80 othersdead, Dr. Ekhomu saidthe choice of the targetsby Boko Haram wascalculated.

He said: “Had any ofthe two assassinationattempts succeeded, theconcomitant violentreaction by citizens wouldhave been widespreadand deadly.”

He said thedevelopment might havetriggered violent conflictbetween All ProgressivesCongress, APC, andPeoples DemocraticParty, PDP, supporters;Christians and Muslimson one hand and youthsand security agents onthe other, because of theperceived inability of thesecurity agencies toprevent incessant killingsin Nigeria.

According to him, thegoal of Boko Haram is todestabilise Nigeria.

Ekhomu, who is alsothe President ofAssociation of IndustrialSecurity and SafetyOperators of Nigeria,AISSON, said theKaduna bombings were aharbinger of moreassassination plotsagainst top politiciansand religious leaders bythe terrorist group.

He said: “As aconsequence, top levelserving and formerpolitical executives, civilservants, military andpolice officers shouldtake their personalsecurity seriously to denyBoko Haram terroriststhe opportunity to harmthem.”

He, however, praisedBuhari’s security detailfor shielding him fromthe bomb blast byblocking the perpetrator.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014 — 45

46—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

Bomb blasts: Kaduna govt lifts curfew

Unijos to startcommercial ricefarming soon

Religious groupcharges FG onanti-terrorismwar

ABUJA—THE Jama’atu Izatil Bid’ah Wa’Iqamatus

Sunnah, JIBWIS, a religiousgroup, yesterday urged the Fed-eral Government to intensify ef-forts to tackle the lingering inse-curity in parts of the country.

This is contained in a commu-nique issued by the Secretary,Tafsir Committee of the group, Al-haji Yahya Abubakar, at the endof its Ramadan Preaching pro-gramme in Abuja.

JIBWIS said no responsible gov-ernment would fold its arms andwatch the massacre of its defence-less citizens on a daily basis.

“The government should dem-onstrate the spirit of justice, equi-ty and fairness to its citizens as apanacea to the current securitythreats and challenges in thecountry.”

The group also called on gov-ernment to provide sufficient fundto the education sector, saying,“no nation can achieve meaning-ful development without ensuringsound education for its citizens.

It also advised the governmentto create more job opportunitiesfor the teeming unemployedyouths, who posed serious secu-rity threat to the nation.

JIBWIS enjoined wealthy Mus-lims to give Zakat and other almsto the needy and vulnerable in thesociety to reduce hardship andpoverty level in the society.

It also called on politicians tohave the fear of Allah and putthe interest of the nation abovepersonal interest for the nationto move forward.

Bizman appeals court ruling overproperty

KADUNA—THE Kaduna State government yes-

terday, lifted the 24 hours cur-few imposed in Kaduna metrop-olis following the twin bombblasts that killed 39 persons onWednesday.

The state Commissioner forInformation, Mr Ben Bako, an-nounced this while briefingnewsmen after an emergencyState Executive Council meet-ing held in Kaduna.

Bako said 39 persons lost theirlives in the two separate attacksat Alkali road and Kawo, while37 persons were currently receiv-ing treatment at the 44 Army Ref-erence Hospital, Kaduna.

The News Agency of Nigeria,NAN, reports that GovernorMukhtar Yero visited the sceneof the explosions as well as thevictims at the hospital and Gen.Muhamma Buhari to commis-erate with them over attacks.

Buhari told the governor thatthe Kawo attack was a targetedassassination on him.

He, however, commended thegovernment, security operativesand rescue team for their promptresponse.

The former head of state urgedgovernment to expedite actiontowards addressing the coun-try’s security challenge.

Yero had earlier said the visitwas on behalf of the government

JOS—THE University of Jos would soon

engage in commercial ricefarming in Plateau State, incollaboration with the Ka-setsart University, Thai-land.

Already, the University ofJos, has acquired 1,000hectares of land for projecteven as its newly estab-lished Faculty of Agricul-ture would partner profes-sors of Horticulture in theThailand University for theproject.

The Vice-Chancellor ofthe university, Prof. Hay-ward Mafuyai spoke on theissue yesterday, pointingout that expertise will beshared between the twouniversities so that the stu-dents of the Faculty of Ag-riculture, Plateau Statefarmers and the nation atlarge will benefit from thecollaboration, to boost foodsecurity in the country.

AN industrialist, Chief Louis Onwugbenu, has

appealed against the ruling byJustice Folasade Bankole-Oki ofthe Lagos State High Court overa property on 6, Okotie-EbohStreet, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The judge, had on June 5, va-cated an order stopping a formerChairman of the Senate Commit-tee on Housing, Senator Ikechuk-wu Obiora, from developing theproperty.

Justice Bakole-Oki had alsoremitted the case file to the FastTrack Division registry for re-as-signment to a trial judge.

In the appeal, Onwugbenu ar-gued that the judge erred in lawwhen she dismissed his motionon notice for interlocutory injunc-tion dated August 12, 2013, forlacking in merit.

He is praying the appellatecourt to set aside the lower court’sdecision, and grant his reliefs inthe motion on notice.

and entire people of the state.The governor reiterated his

commitment to address the

JOS—THE Plateau StateHouse of Assembly has

shelved its earlier plan to probethe alleged financial impropri-ety leveled against the stateGovernor, Jonah Jang.

Although members of theHouse refused to discuss thematter the initial discussionwhich threw the House into arowdy session openly, the com-mittee set up to look into theissue has been asked to stopdoing further investigations on

the missing fund.Apart from respecting the

court injunction instituted bythe Special Adviser to the gov-ernor on Special Duties, Yaku-bu Jang, the House is said tobe reluctant discussing the is-sue as the governor had given

sufficient explanation concern-ing the missing money.

The member representingKanke Constituency in theHouse, Timothy Golu however,who spoke on the issue, toldVanguard that, “We have beenbriefed by the governor that themoney is still intact and is yet tobe utilised.

”We are watching to see thenext step, it is not that we aredoing nothing but for now, weare satisfied with the explana-tion the governor gave.

”There are many angles to theallegation; the state angle, thelocal government perspectivebut the House is being carefulnot to mislead the people. It isnot that we are running awayfrom our responsibility.”

Efforts to speak with theChairman, House Committee onFinance and Public Accounts,Gondina Sambo, who was in theforefront of the probe were un-successful as he did not pick orreturn several calls put across tohis mobile phone.

BY MARIE-THERESE NANLONG

Plateau Assembly shelves planto probe Governor Jang

VISIT: Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (left) with Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State, whopaid him a visit over the attack on his convoy in Kaduna. Photo by Olu Ajayi.

security issues in the stateand solicited for support toenable him succeed.

BY INNOCENT ANABA

The claimant had prayed thecourt to restrain the defendantsfrom developing, advertising orselling property in Ikoyi includ-ing Thompson Street; 4, Ol-umegbon Street; 1 RumensStreet; 3 Rumens Street; 1B Alag-bon Close; 35 Lugard Avenue;6, Olawale Dawoo Street; and 6,Okotie-Eboh, pending the de-termination of his suit.

Onwugbenu claimed thatsometime in 2009, he gave Sen-ator Obiora N1.4billion to buy theproperty, adding that the sena-tor bought the property, but hadfailed to deliver the certificatesof occupancy to him or pay backthe money.

Defendants in the suit are Sen-ator Obiora, his company, Cor-porate Ideals Properties Limited;A.B.C. Orjiako (said to haveguaranteed the money) and Or-angeline Limited (said to havebought 6 Okotie-Eboh).

Onwugbenu in the suit, hadprayed the court to compel thedefendants to return the proper-ty with the accompanying docu-ments, or a refund of the N1.4billion with interest.

BY MARIE-THERESENANLONG

CHIEF AlhajiOjolowo Ojuko, a

community leader and a de-vout Muslim in Ota, is dead.

Aged 106, he died last Fri-day, July 18, and was bur-ied on Saturday, July 19,according to Muslim rites.

Among those in attend-ance during the burial cere-mony were; Chief Oluseg-un Osoba, former Governorof Ogun State; RahmonRotimi, Chairman, AdoOdo/Ota Local Government,Ogun State; some royal fa-thers, chiefs and top politi-cians.

A seven-day Fidau prayerholds tomorow (Saturday,July 27 July), at Ansar-Ud-Deen School, Ota.

Chief Ojuko was survivedby children, grand and greatgrand children, amongwhom are Chief Jide Oju-ko, one-time Commis-sioner for Commerce andIndustry, Ogun State;Mojeed Kamaru; Mrs.Bimbo Akinosi; Mrs. AlabaOgunsanwo, and others.

Fidau prayer forChief Ojukoholds tomorrow

.Late Chief Ojuko

CMYK

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014—47

FG decries high interest rateon loans to entrepreneurs

Jigawa okaysN1.83bn forstate-ownedvarsity VC'sresidence

From left: Dr Temitope Sinkaye, Special Adviser to Kogi State Governor on Youthsand Women Development; Kogi State Deputy Governor, Arc. Yomi Awoniyi; GovernorIdris Wada and Ogori/Magogo Council Chairman, Major Femiyan Akerejola (rtd), dur-ing the official handing over of tricycles for YAD4KOGI public works volunteers underthe state government's Youth Advancement and Development programme.

By Emeka Mamah

THE Federal Government,yesterday, decried what it

described as high interest ratecharged by commercial banks onloans to entrepreneurs, saying itwas the major stumbling block tothe growth and development ofSmall and Medium ScaleEnterprises, SMEs.

Vice President Namadi Sambomade this known in Saudi Arabiawhen he received a delegationfrom the Islamic DevelopmentBank, IDB, led by its Chairman,Dr Ahmed Mohammed Ali.

A statement signed by theSenior Special Adviser, Mediaand Publicity to Sambo quotedhim as stating that a situationwhere international financialinstitutions channelled fundsthrough local banks for on-lending to SMEs only for suchbanks to turn round and charge

high interest rates waslamentable.

According to him, this waseven as the SMEs support thebanks by increasing theirliquidity.

He then urged the IDB toevolve ways through whichsmall scale entrepreneur couldhave easy access to cheap fundsto finance their businesses

Sambo, however, furtherstated that the FederalGovernment has a robustnational master plan for theSMEs and asked the IDB toprovide direct financing supportfor such entrepreneurs in thecountry.

He called on the bank’ssupport in financing both gasand transportation infrastructureto allow for local processing andtransportation of gas within thecountry

Congratulating the chairman

for the extension of his servicesby the bank, Sambo added thatthe current rebasing of Nigeria’sGDP had shown that Nigeria, asone of the fastest growingeconomics, there was thereforethe need for the bank to takeadvantage of this favourableeconomic climate to furthersupport the nation in her questtowards rapid socio-economicgrowth and development.

In his remarks, Chairman of theIDB, Dr Ali, said bank’s had lowinterest loans in many sectors,including education, healthcare,project financing, power and gas,pointing out that at the moment,the bank was engaged in a gaspipeline project that wouldconnect the southern andnorthern parts of Cote D’ I’voire,which was at pilot stage andhoped to work with Nigeria in thefuture if the project worked.

INSURGENCY: Security agencies urgedto form united front

By Peter Duru

MAKURDI — THE AirOfficer Commanding,

AOC, Training Command ofthe Nigerian Air Force, NAF,Air Marshal Salihu Riba, hasurged security agencies in thecountry to form a united frontin the fight against terrorismand insurgency in the country.

Riba said such a partnershipwould ensure the stability,unity and security of thecountry.

He spoke, yesterday, at thegraduation ceremony ofofficers of the IntermediateIntelligence Course 10 of theNAF School of AirIntelligence, NAFSAINT, heldat the Air Force Base,Makurdi, the Benue State

capital.Riba was represented at the

occasion by the Air ForceBase Commander, AirCommodore OlusesanIdowu.

According to him, “theinteroperability among thesecurity agencies is vital tohaving a stable, united andsecure Nigeria. And since amore effective intelligencecommunity will also bettersupport the combinedoperations of securityagencies, we must continueto strive to build ethos ofcooperation andcollaboration."

Earlier in his speech, theCommandant, NAFSAINT,Group Captain Benson

Omoyungbo, said the gradu-ating students were effec-tively trained on ImprovisedExplosive Devices, IEDs,awareness by bomb experts.

He said: ”They were alsolectured on the role ofintelligence in the fightagainst drug trafficking andabuse, in pursuant to thevision of the Chief of Air Staff,CAS, for the force and thechallenges facing thecountry.”

He noted that thegraduands had beenprepared for futureintelligence assignments andurged them to imbibe thespirit of team work in theirfuture assignments.

By Tina Akannam

DUTSE —THE JigawaState Government has

approved the release of N1.83billion for the construction ofthe official residence of theVice Chancellor of the stateuniversity at the Kafin HausaLocal Governmennt of thestate.

The state Commissioner forInformation, Youths, Sportsand Culture, Mr BabandiIbrahim, made this known inan interview with newsmenshortly after the state executivecouncil meeting in Dutse,yesterday.

Already, he said the councilhad approved the award of thecontract to Messrs A. G. PareroNigeria Limited for the workto commence immediately .

Ibrahim further said thecouncil approved the releaseof N143.3 million ascompensation to the owners ofthe land where the universitywas sited.

According to him, thevillages whose farmlands wereacquired for the establishmentof the university, includingDalamu, Murawa, Aragada,and Abzilawa will be fullycompensated by the stategovernment.

Solution toAfrica'schallengeslies in STI— Minister

By Emmanuel Elebeke

ABUJA — THE Minister ofScience and Technology,

Dr. Abdu Bulama, sayssolution to Africa challengeslies in science, technology andinnovation, STI.

The minister stated thiswhile delivering a keynoteaddress at the Senior ExpertsDialogue, SED, tagged:“Senior Experts dialogue onScience, Technology andInnovation and the AfricaTransformation Agenda:Making New TechnologyWork for Africa” in Abuja.

The event was organised bythe Science and Tech Ministrywith support from the UnitedNations EconomicCommission for Africa,UNECA, the Government ofNorway and Finland.

Bulama said the adoption ofscience, technology andinnovation should no longerbe seen as an option to Nigeriabut a critical tool to achievingits economic prosperity.

Learn fromoneanother, BillGates tellsAfricanleaders

By Dapo Akinrefon

CO-CHAIRMAN of theBill and Melinda

Gates Foundation, BillGates, has appealed toAfrican leaders to learnfrom one another, sayingthis will bring about rapiddevelopment in thecontinent.

Addressing students atthe Addis Ababa Universityin Ethopia, Gates optimismfor Africa’s future, said “therise of this continent willdepend on whetherleaders – here in Ethiopiaand all across Africa – areopen to learning from eachother, and from their ownpeople.”

The Bill and MelindaGates Foundation workswith partners in Africa tomake smart investments sothat together we canachieve real and lastingimpact for those with thegreatest challenges.

Gates said: “Africa is nowin an incredible position toshape its own destiny forthe better for one verysimple and powerfulreason: the countries ofAfrica are learning fromeach other.”

Acknowledging thedevelopment gains madethrough foreigngovernments, internationalaid, and non-profits, suchas the foundation, hepointed out that “the realfuel for development will bethe resources of Africannations themselves –whether that’s in the formof government funding,private-sector investment,or just plain humancreativity at all levels ofsociety.”

The Microsoft boss,however, said “this is wherethe idea of ‘African countrieslearning from each other’becomes so important. Ifyou want to spend yournational budgets aseffectively as possible, thereis now a clear path for doingexactly that – and Africansthemselves are definingthat path, for others tofollow if they choose.”

Gates, who waspresented with anhonorary degree at theuniversity, harped on theimportance of health andagriculture, just as hecommended thegovernment of Ethiopia forits Health ExtensionProgramme and theestablishment of itsAgricultural TransformationAgency.

CMYK

48—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

SEMINAR: From left: Conference Secretary, Lagos Central BaptistConference, Dr. Kehinde Babarinde, Senior Special Assistant to the LagosState Governor on Religious Matters, Rev. Adefunmilayo Akitoye-Braimoh,and Executive Director, Churches in Action for Peace and Development,Archbishop Kehinde Stephen, at the Justice Advocacy seminar on Palestineby CAPAD with support of the Karibu Foundation in Lagos.

TRAINING: Deputy Head of Operations, LAGBUS, Mr OlubodunOgunyankin (left), Chief Operation Officer, Superflux International Ltd,Mr Gabriel Okonkwo (second left), Managing Director/CEO, LAGBUS, MrBabatunde Disu, (second right), and Divisional Head, Operations, Superflux,Mr Mahendra Waman, during a training for LAGBUS ticket vendors atSuperflux complex in Ogba, Lagos, yesterday Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

RAMADAN: Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left), Hon. Abdulhakeem Abdulateef (left),and others, at the Ramadan Tasfir and Prayer for Nigeria by the Ummatum Lailaha IlaAllahu of Nigeria, at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

PROTEST: From left: Elder statesman, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, President,Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, and Hon. Funmi Tejuosho, Member,Lagos State House of Assembly, during a protest to mark the 100 days of theabduction of the Chibok school girls by Boko Haram in Lagos. Photos:Kehinde Gbadamosi.

GRADUATION: From left: Community Affairs Manager, Coca-Cola NigeriaLtd, CCNL, Mr. Emeka Mba, Miss Okpoto Sarah, Managing Director, LadyMechanic Initiative, Mrs Sandra Aguebor-Ekperuah, Miss Osarulyi Itohan,Regional Logistics Director (Lagos/West), Nigerian Bottling Company, NBC,Ltd, Mr. Ademola Richards, and Miss Johnson Blessing, at the graduationceremony of second batch of lady mechanics sponsored by NBC and CCNLat Eayen, Benin-City.

AWARD: Mrs E.M Osime, Principal, Queen's College (right), presentingthe Best Driver's Award to Mr Samuel Adebayo, at the school's Prize Givingceremony in Lagos.

EXHIBITION: From left: Mrs Teniola Aluko, Trustee,Kola Aluko Foundation, Mr A.S. Ogah, Minister/Head,Information, Culture & Sport, Nigerian HighCommission, UK , representing the Nigerian HighCommissioner, and Mr. Kola Aluko, Trustee, Kola AlukoFoundation, at the Nigerian Photography Exhibition atBonhams, London.

General Secretary, National Conscience Party,NCP, Comrade Femi Aborisade, and ExecutiveDirector, Women Advocates Research andDocumentation, Dr. Abiola Akiyode, at the event.

Children displaying the Rescue Our Girls placardduring the protest.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014 — 49

CMYK

50—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

ISSUES: There are twobroad strategic challenges

every country faces when thereis an Ebola outbreak. The firstone is because of the diseaseitself; ebola is one of the mostdangerous infectious diseasesknown because it kills about 90percent of those infected.

The second big issue is man-aging the public anxietyaround the disease. In coun-tries that have witnessed theoutbreak, it is almost a biggerproblem to manage the anxie-ty and fear than managing theoutbreak itself.

Broken confidence: Becausethe disease kills most of thepeople infected, when people

NO confirmed case of Ebola has been reported in Nigeria, but in the wake of the suspected case discov-

ered in Liberia, coupled with the fact that Nigerians movearound a lot and frequently visit the affected regions, thereis reason to be concerned.

Are the nation’s health authorities sensitising the publicenough? Is the country responding the right way? Whatshould authorities be doing that they are not?

Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, an infectious disease sepidemiol-ogist who is managing partner of EpiAfric, a public healthconsulting firm based in Abuja and part of a World HealthOrganisation team that responded to an Ebola outbreak inSouth Sudan in 2004 spoke to Sola Ogundipe on the Ebolasituation in the West African sub-region, and implicationsfor Nigeria. Excerpts:

Ebola: What Nigeria should be doing—Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Infectious Disease Epidemiologist & Managing Partner, EpiAfric,

are ill and are taken to the hos-pital they almost inevitably die.The community then oftenwrongly associates death withthe hospital and very quicklypeople start assuming that it issomething in the hospital thatis causing their death.

This can then cause a cycleof broken confidence in health-care provision. People start try-ing to manage ill patients athome, not taking them to thehospital, which then causes fur-ther transmission of the infec-tion. The second thing is thatthe harm caused by any infec-tious organism is dependenton two critical factors —the vir-ulence (how

much death the infectioncauses) and the transmissibili-ty or efficiency of transmissionfrom person to person.

Previous outbreaks: In mostprevious outbreaks, Ebola hasbeen very virulent, i.e., 90 per-cent of infected persons would

die. What this means is thatthose infected are likely to diebefore they can infect others. The disease kills so much, andso quickly, that people do nothave enough time to transmitthe infection. However, in thisparticular case, in this latest

outbreak, the virulence is less.So we are seeing only 50-60percent of people dying whichis a good thing for those thatdo not die, obviously. But it isbad for transmission becausethe longer someone stays alivewith the disease, the more like-ly it is that he/she transmits itto others.

Latestoutbreak

Basically, this particular out-break has become the biggestever reported. The Ebola virusis adapting to the environment,therefore not killing people as quickly as it used to. Not eve-ryone is dying and they are liv-ing longer and therefore trans-mitting the virus more effi-ciently from one person to theother.

Transmission: Unlike in themovies, such as the one “Out-break “Ebola is not transmissi-ble by air. Ordinarily, therefore it should be an easy disease tomanage. Without contact with body fluids of an infected per-son you cannot get it. Theremust be contact with body orany other body fluid. Some cul-tural practices demand that wewash our dead and that is oneof the riskiest things to do dur-ing an Ebola outbreak.

Communication: The majorthing to communicate at thispoint is that if somebody has atravel history showing theyhave travelled to or from Libe-ria, Sierra Leone, or Guinea,and subsequently presents withfever, body aches and bleed-ing, there should be high in-

dex of suspicion of Ebo-la.

That travel history iscritical. In the early stag-es, Ebola presents likemalaria or any of themany other respiratoryinfections. There is nodifference in the presen-tation disease during thefirst days of the illness.If you have that and youhave just come back fromSierra Leone or Guinea,you should seek care ata tertiary hospital.

Caution: I think thereis need for Nigerians tobe concerned, but thatconcern should be di-rected into holding ourgovernment, and healthofficials accountable. For now, let's hope thatit does not spread to Ni-geria, because if it does,it will really test ourhealth systems, especial-ly now that doctors areon strike. If it doesspread to Nigeria, thenwe will all be at the mer-cy of the response mech-anism and we can onlyhope that they are pre-pared.

An Ebola outbreak atthis period would bedangerous for the coun-try.

•Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu

CMYK

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014—51

Lagos reports firstsuspected case ofEbola Virus•says it’s ready to combat possible outbreak•FG deploys team of virology experts

By Chioma Obinna, Olas-unkanmi Akoni & Monsur

Olowoopejo

THE Lagos State Government, yesterday, reported

the first suspected case of Ebo-la fever in the state.

Following the report, the Fed-eral Government has deployeda team of 14 medical experts tosupport the state with requiredtechnical input to ensure thatsuspected cases of Ebola werehandled with dispatch.

Addressing a news confer-ence in Lagos on the issue, theSpecial Adviser to GovernorBabatunde Fashola on PublicHealth, Dr. Yewande Adeshina,explained that the suspectedcase came from a private healthfacility in the state.

Adeshina said that the patient,said to be 40-year-old, hailedfrom Liberia, and worked for aWest African organisation inMonrovia, Liberia.

According to Adesina, thesaid patient arrived Lagos on aflight from Monrovia via Lomeon Sunday, July 20, 2014 at4pm. Her words:

“History taken revealed thathe had no contact with any caseof Ebola virus; did not visit anyperson with EVD in the hospi-tal and neither did he partakein the burial of any person whodied of EVD.

However, on account of hisworking and living in an en-demic region for Ebola viruslike Liberia; and the presenta-tion of non-specific constitu-tional symptoms and signs of fe-ver, body ache, vomiting, di-arrhea, etc associated withEVD, a high index of suspicionwas raised.”

The Special Adviser furtherexplained that based on thehigh index of suspicious signsraised, the patient was admit-ted and detained on suspicionsof possible Ebola virus infection.

“Already, blood sample collec-tion and testing had been initi-ated which includes samples tothe Virology Reference Labora-tory, LUTH, Idi-Araba andWHO Reference Laboratory inDakar, Senegal. Presently, thepatient’s condition is stable andis in recovery. The diarrhoeaand vomiting have stopped. In-travenous infusion has alsobeen stopped and he is now tol-erating by mouth; while thehealth facility has since initiat-ed Universal Safety Precaution-ary measures to prevent spreadof the disease and guarantee

the safety of other patients.”Adeshina, however, asked res-

idents to be calm, as the statehad put in place appropriatemeasures to contain any possi-ble outbreak of the Ebola virus.She also urged Lagosians to re-port suspected cases of the vi-rus through: 08023169485;08033086660; 08033065303;08055281442; 08055329229.

“Lagos is ready to contain anypossible outbreak should theimpending result of the suspect-ed patient prove positive. As wespeak, contact tracing has start-ed, and the Lagos MainlandHospital has been identified;cordoned off and we have cre-ated isolation unit. We have de-ployed doctors to the hospital.

The Federal Government has

trained to identify and refer tothe Lagos Mainland Hospitalwhich is our designated infec-tious disease location.

The Special Adviser explainedthat Ebola virus disease iscaused by a virus which natu-ral reservoir of virus is not com-pletely known, stressing thatfruit bats have been consideredto be the natural host of the vi-rus.

“Early symptoms of diseaseinclude fever, headache, chills,diarrhea, nausea, vomiting,sore throat, backache, and jointpains.

Later symptoms includebleeding from the eyes, ears andnose, bleeding from the mouthand rectum, eye swelling, swell-ing of the genitals and rashes

given us 30 protective equip-ment and they have promisedto give us 250 more and we areprocuring other gadgets to pro-tect anyone that may be in con-tact with the virus,’’she furtheradded.

Commending the private hos-pital for prompt responsesaid:”We have mobilized healthfacility monitoring agency, toget in touch with the privatesector to do some rapid sensiti-zation. We are giving out In-formative, Communicative andEducative material. We are do-ing this with the private sectorbecause they are the first pointof call for most people.

“All our staff and health facil-ities have been on standby sinceMarch 2014, when we heardabout the outbreak of Ebola vi-rus. So, we have been readyand that is why we are now fo-cusing the private hospitals."

While assuring residents thatthe ongoing medical doctors’strike will not affect treatmentsof any possible case, she said“we do not need a doctor toidentify someone with the virus.There are effective steps inplace. The nurses have been

all over the body that often con-tain blood. It could progress tocoma, shock and death,”Adeshina explained.

FG deploysmedical teamSpeaking, Professor Abdulsa-

lami Nasidi, Director, NigerianCentre for Disease Control,NCDC, said “The Federal Gov-ernment is here to support thestate government to ensure thatthe case is nipped in the bud.The Federal Government hasdeployed 14 of us to Lagos, andwe will be supporting the statewith the required technical in-put, to ensure that any suspect-ed cases of Ebola are nipped inthe bud.”

Nasidi warned that dead bod-ies are more dangerous in cas-es of Ebola Virus than the liv-ing. He lamented that the virushas refused to leave Africancountries where cases havebeen reported." On his part,Head of Virology ReferenceLaboratory, LUTH, Idi-Araba,Dr. Sunday Omilabu said theresults will be ready by week-end.

BRIEFING: From left: Dr. Kayode Oguntimehin, Permanent Secretary, Primary Healthcare Board, Com-missioner for Information, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba, Special adviser to Lagos State Governor on Public Health,Dr Yewande Adeshina, and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Modele Oshunkiye-si, at a briefing by Adeshina on Ebola virus in Lagos on yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

Lagos is ready to contain any possibleoutbreak should the impending result ofthe suspected patient prove positive. As

we speak, contact tracing has started

An Ebola victim

,

,

CMYK

Ebolavirus

52 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

V V V V Vanguardanguardanguardanguardanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, FRIDAY, JULY 25, FRIDAY, JULY 25, FRIDAY, JULY 25, FRIDAY, JULY 25 , 2014 — , 2014 — , 2014 — , 2014 — , 2014 — 5353535353

BRIEFS

Meriam Ibrahim disembarks from an aircraft with her children Maya, inher arms, and Martin, and is greeted by Italian deputy Foreign MinisterLapo Pistelli, after departing from Khartoum.

Algerian airliner crashes with 116passengers in MaliA passenger plane

carrying 116 peopleis feared to have crashedon a flight from BurkinaFaso to the Algeriancapital Algiers.

Contact with the AirAlgerie flight was lost overthe Sahara as it crossedMali in bad weather,officials said.

French ForeignMinister, Laurent Fabiussaid the plane, which has50 French citizens aboard,“probably crashed”.

French media reportedthat soldiers had foundwreckage in Tilemsi,central Mali, but this wasnot confirmed.

Contact with Flight AH5017, chartered fromSpanish airline Swiftair,was lost about 50 minutesafter take-off fromOuagadougou, AirAlgerie said.

The pilot had contactedNiger’s control tower inNiamey to change coursebecause of a sandstorm,officials say.

Speaking in Paris, MrFabius said: “Despiteintensive search efforts notrace of the aircraft has yetbeen found. The planeprobably crashed.”

He said two FrenchMirage fighter planeswere scouring the area.

Earlier, an Algerianofficial told Reuters that theplane had crashed, but

gave no further details.France’s civil aviation

body said crisis centreshad been set up at airportsin Paris and Marseille.

An Air Algeriespokesman quoted by

Reuters said theprovisional passenger listincluded 50 Frenchcitizens, 24 people fromBurkina Faso, eightLebanese, four Algerians,two from Luxembourg, oneBelgian, one Swiss, one

Nigerian, oneCameroonian, oneUkrainian and oneRomanian.

Officials in Lebanon,however, said there wereat least 10 Lebanesecitizens on the flight.

At least 15 killed in Israeli shelling ofGaza school — Health Ministry

ISRAELI forces shelleda U.N.-run school

sheltering Palestinians inthe northern Gaza strip,the Gaza health ministrysaid on Thursday, killingat least 15 people andraising the conflict’sdeath toll to nearly 750.

Israel Radio said, with-

out citing a source, thatmost of those killed at theUnited Nations schoolwere children.

The Israeli military hadno immediate commenton the incident reportedas a truce between theJewish state and Ha-mas-led Islamist guerril-

las remained elusive,despite intensive at-tempts at mediation.

Ashraf al-Qidra,spokesman for the GazaHealth Ministry, saidthat as well as the 15dead, another 200 peo-ple were wounded in theattack. The director of alocal hospital said vari-ous medical centersaround Beit Hanoun inthe coastal enclave werereceiving the wounded.

Pools of blood lay onthe ground and on stu-dents’ desks in thecourtyard of the schoolnear the apparent impactmark of the shell, accord-ing to a Reuters photog-rapher at the scene.

“Such a massacre re-quires more than onehospital to deal with it,”said Ayman Hamdan, di-rector of the Beit Hanounhospital.

More than 140,000 Pal-estinians have fled 17days of fighting betweenIsrael and Gaza mili-tants, many of themseeking shelter in build-ings run by the U.N.Refugee Works Agency(UNWRA). Israeli forcesare trying to stop mili-tants from Hamas, whichrules Gaza, and their al-lies from firing rocketsinto its territory.

Sudanese Christian woman on deathrow out, meets Pope

A Sudanese womanwho was sentenced

to death for convertingfrom Islam to Christiani-ty, then detained after herconviction was quashed,flew into Rome on an Ital-ian government plane onThursday and hours latermet the Pope. MariamYahya Ibrahim, whosesentence and detentiontriggered internationaloutrage, walked off theaircraft cradling her babyand was greeted by Ital-ian prime minister MatteoRenzi.

Soon afterwards, Ibra-him, her husband and twochildren had a privatemeeting with Pope Fran-cis in the Vatican. “ThePope thanked her for herwitness to faith,” Vaticanspokesman Father Feder-ico Lombardi said. Themeeting, which lastedaround half an hour, was

intended as a “sign ofcloseness and solidarityfor all those who suffer fortheir faith,” headded.There were no de-tails on what led up to the

27-year-old’s departureafter a month in limbo inKhartoum, but a seniorSudanese official said ithad been cleared by thegovernment.

Ukrainian PM, Cabinetresign as MH17 remainsarrive in Netherlands

UKRAINIAN Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyukand his Cabinet announced their resignation yes-

terday. “I announce my resignation after the collapseof the coalition and the blocking of government initia-tives,” Yatsenyuk told parliament.

Ukrainian political experts said they expected theresignation, and that Yatsenyuk and his Cabinet willremain in place as an acting government until elec-tions in October.

The government has been battling pro-Russian rebelsin eastern Ukraine. More than 400 people have diedin the fighting, the government said.

A Ukrainian journalist working as a freelancer forCNN has been abducted by pro-Russian rebels. Armedmen from the self-declared Donetsk People’s Repub-lic seized Anton Skiba outside a hotel Tuesday in therebel-controlled city of Donetsk.

MH17 probe: Russia says it’llcooperate

RUSSIA will cooperate with the investigation intothe downing of a Malaysian airliner a week ago

and is satisfied that the Netherlands, rather thanUkraine, is leading the effort, the country’s ambassa-dor to Malaysia said yesterday.

Liudmila Vorobyeva also rejected suggestions thatthe pro-Russian separatists blamed by Western gov-ernments for shooting down Flight MH17 possesseda Russian-made anti-aircraft missile, and said therebels lacked the training to use such a system. Near-ly 300 people, 193 of them Dutch citizens, were killedwhen the Malaysia Airlines plane en route from Am-sterdam to Kuala Lumpur was brought down in east-ern Ukraine, where separatists are battling govern-ment forces, on July 17.

Israeli soccer players attacked byprotesters at Austrian friendly

A pre season soccer match in Austria had to beabandoned after pro-Palestinian protesters in-

vaded the pitch and started attacking players fromIsraeli team Maccabi Haifa.

Clashes between a group of youths carrying Turk-ish and Palestinian flags and the Maccabi team brokeout at the end of Wednesday’s friendly game withFrench side Lille.

War has been raging in the Middle East for morethan two weeks now, with Hamas rockets being firedinto Israel, which has responded with continued airstrikes on Gaza and a ground incursion into Pales-tinian territory.

The conflict has now claimed 732 Palestinian lives,many of them children according to the Gaza HealthMinistry, while Israel has reported 35 deaths — 32of those soldiers.

2 foreign workers shot dead inAfghanistan

TWO foreign workers with an international aidorganization were shot and killed in the west-

ern Afghanistan city of Herat on Thursday, theprovincial governor said.

The women, who were believed to be Finnish,worked for the International Assistance Mission,Governor Sayed Fazlullah Wahidi said.

They were riding a taxi through the city whenmen in a motorbike attacked them and fled, Wahi-di said.

India doctors remove 232 teeth fromboy’s mouth

DOCTORS in India have extracted 232 teethfrom the mouth of a 17-year-old boy in a sev-

en-hour operation. Ashik Gavai was brought inwith a swelling in his right jaw, Dr Sunanda Dhi-ware, head of Mumbai’s JJ Hospital’s dental de-partment, told the BBC.

The teenager had been suffering for 18 monthsand travelled to the city from his village after lo-cal doctors failed to identify the cause of the prob-lem.

EU targets state-owned Russiabanks in sanctions plan

THE European Unionwould target state-

owned Russian banks vitalto financing Moscow’s fal-tering economy in the mostserious sanctions so far overthe Ukraine crisis under pro-posals considered by EUgovernments on Thursday.

Ambassadors of the 28-nation bloc met in Brusselsto discuss options drafted bythe executive EuropeanCommission in response tothe downing of a Malaysianairliner in an area of easternUkraine held by Russian-backed separatists.

Decisions are likely next

week at the earliest. In onekey measure, European in-vestors would be bannedfrom buying new debt orshares of banks owned 50percent or more by the state.These banks raised almosthalf of their 15.8 billion euro($21.29 billion) capital needsin EU markets last year.

“If implemented suchsanctions would be a seri-ous blow to the Russian econ-omy, exacerbating an al-ready very likely recessionthis year and sustaining aneconomic depression forlonger,” said analyst MichalDybula of BNP Paribas.

54 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

2015: APC'llsubjectAmosunto primaries– APC CHAIR

ADO EKITI—EKITI State chapter of the Peoples

NPA deceiving Nigerians,says Lagos govt

PDP chides Ekiti Assembly forcreating 19 LGDAs

ByGbenga Ariyibi Democratic Party, PDP, yester-day berated the state House ofAssembly for approving the cre-ation of additional 19 Local

Government Development Ar-eas, LGDAs, in the state, say-ing the House acted illegally.

The party in a statement byits Publicity Secretary, PastorKola Oluwawole, equally fault-ed the increase in the numberof the councils from 18 to 19when referendum was conduct-ed for 18 councils

According to the statement“We are still in court challeng-ing the legality of the Ekiti StateIndependent Electoral Com-mission and the body wentahead to organise an illegal ref-erendum. The Assembly add-ed more illegality to an illegalact by increasing the numberof the councils.

''We are restating the fact thatboth State Independent Elec-toral Commission and Assem-bly are into illegal acts. Youcannot build something onnothing and we are a lawabiding party and are callingon the people of the state totake note of what the outgo-ing government of the All Pro-gressives Congress is doing.”

However, reacting to the al-

legation by the PDP that it se-cured court’s injunction stop-ping the House from goingahead with the creation of lo-cal government, the Speaker ofthe House, Adewale Omirin,said no such injunction was re-ceived by the House

On the allegation that theHouse decided to create 19LGDAs, when referendum wasconducted for 18 councils, Omi-rin said the House's action wasbased on the petition by thepeople of Ajoni-Oreniwa inIkole Local Government.

Meanwhile, Prince AdedayoAdeyeye Movement, PAAM,has urged the IndependentNational Electoral Commission,INEC, to safeguard all materi-als used during the June 21governorship election in EkitiState.

PAAM, which accused the AllProgressives Congress, APC,of desperately plotting to rub-bish the election results by re-placing the used ballot paperswith those already printed inChina, said; “the Ekiti electionhas restored INEC credibilityand the electoral commissionmust guard jealously all mate-rials used for the election.”

In a statement by its Director

ABEOKUTA—ALL Progressives Con-

gress, APC, in OgunState, yesterday, said allits aspirants, includingGovernor Ibikunle Amo-sun would be subjected totransparent and credibleprimaries, even as it dis-missed opposition politi-cal parties’ claims of win-ing the governorship elec-tion, saying, the partywould win all elective po-sitions in the forthcomingpoll.

The party also said itwould provide a levelplaying ground for all as-pirants in all positions inthe 2015 general elections.

State chairman of theparty, Alhaji Roqeeb Ad-eniji, spoke at a receptionorganised in Abeokuta bythe Ogun Central Sena-torial District of APC for thenew state executive com-mittee members.

Adeniji, who said thenew executive had beenduly received in the twoother senatorial districts ofOgun East and OgunWest, said the APC had noanointed candidate for anyelective position.

According to “Since thelast conduct of the party’sLAGOS—LAGOS State Government yesterday,

described as act of deception and falsehoodthe response of the management of Nigerian PortsAuthority, NPA, to recent comments by GovernorBabatunde Fashola on the persistent gridlock onthe Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, which has contin-ued to cripple vehicular movement and businessactivities in Apapa and its environs.

NPA, in a statement by its Head of Public Affairsdepartment, Mr. Musa Illya, had identified LagosState Government as one of the biggest beneficiar-ies of the port concessions in terms of the revenuecollected from importers as wharf landing fees, andother businesses generated by the port activitiesamong others.

Fashola, about three weeks ago visited Apapa andlampooned the management of NPA over its ineffi-ciency in monitoring the handling of cargo opera-tions at various terminals as well as poor imple-mentation of concession policy of the ports.

But the state government through the Commis-sioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, urgedmembers of the public to disregard the claim by theNPA spokesman, saying he was either selling liesor ignorant on the update of Apapa issues.

He said “Is either the proponent is under illusionto sell lies to the people or he is unaware of theissues surrounding Apapa regeneration plans be-tween the Federal Government and the state gov-ernment. We met with Federal Government, FG, in2011, 2012, with Minister of Works, where an agree-ment was reached. The state government has im-plemented over 75 percent of the deal while the FGhas contributed nothing.''

''He can go and verify. There has been no com-mitment from the FG. Only last Thursday, repre-sentatives of the Federal Ministry of Works metagain to review the situation and they agreed tomobilise a contractor to fix the failed portions of theroad and up till now, nothing has been done on it.''

ByOlasunkanmi Akoni

ByDaud Olatunji

ABEOKUTA—PRESIDENT of Christian Asso-

ciation of Nigeria, Pastor AyoOrisejafor, has said religiousleaders in the north and notPresident Goodluck Jonathan,could end the Boko Haram in-surgency.

Orisejafor spoke in Abeokuta,the Ogun State capital, duringthe graduation, send-forth andprize giving ceremonies held byStephen International Centre.

The occasion was attended byprominent dignitaries, includ-ing Secretary to Ogun StateGovernment, Taiwo Adeoluwa,South West CAN coordinator,Arch. Bishop Magnus Atilade,commissioner for women af-

fairs, Elizabeth Sonubi and na-tional coordinator of voice ofChristian matyrs , Isaac Olu-wole, among others.

According to CAN President,“With all sense of all responsi-bility, I use this opportunity tocall on all Muslims religiousleaders, traditional rulers andpolitical leaders in the northnot necessarily in the SouthWest because in the SouthWest, we have lived togetherand I know the way it oper-ates in the south west.

''So, I am challenging fromthe north, our religious lead-ers, political rulers and tra-ditional rulers as matter of ur-gency, to step forward andtake responsibilities for theway out of this problem.''

Religious leaders can end Boko Haram,not Jonathan — ORITSEJAFOR

ByDaud Olatunji

AKURE—GOVERNOR Olusegun

Mimiko of Ondo State,yesterday donated reliefmaterials worth millions ofnaira to flood victims in Ig-bobini, Ilu-Agbo and en-virons in Ese-odo LocalGovernment area of OndoState.

Governor Mimiko, hiswife, Olukemi, female po-litical office holders andspouses of political officeholders among other topgovernment officials wereat the Basic Health Cen-tre Ilu-Agbo, which servesas the relief camp for thevictims for the presenta-tion of the gift items.

The materials donatedincluded food items, cloth-ing materials, beddings,toiletries and cookingutensils among others.

Mimikodonates reliefmaterials toflood victims

ByDayo Johnson

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014 — 55

56 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

A biography by Bernard Oboatarhieyeren Okumagba

FOOTPRINTS OF A STATESMAN:The Life And Times Of CHIEF DANIEL OKUMAGBA

The Leader

Continues on page 57

About the BookChief Daniel Okumagba, who lived from 1922

to 2000, was widely acknowledged as a man oftruth, courage and discipline. From 1960, whenhe won election to represent Warri East Constitu-ency at the Western Region House of Assemblyin Ibadan, Chief Daniel Okumagba played majorroles in Nigeria’s national development.

He was a member of the National Council forNigerian Citizens (NCNC), a foundation memberand foundation national executive committeemember of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN)in the Second Republic, governorship candidateof the party in Bendel State (now Edo and Deltastates) in the 1979 general elections and pioneerchairman of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited.

Chief Daniel Okumagba was a teacher, legis-lator, politician, businessman and frontline NigerDelta leader.

In all, he was a man of peace, who believed inpeaceful coexistence among various ethnicgroups, a statesman and nationalist.

In this biography of Chief Daniel Okumagba,Bernard Okumagba (former Delta State Commis-sioner for Finance) tells of a father whose lifehas not been fully chronicled and of values andcircumstances that shaped the public identity ofhis father.

Bernard’s story of one of the key players of theFirst and Second Republics in Nigeria is a com-pelling narrative. Footprints of a Statesman: Thelife and times of Chief Daniel Okumagba, is ason’s appreciation of his father, and the lessonstherefrom.

YESTERDAY We presented the

second part of ChiefOkumagba's journey intopolitical limelight. Hisentrance to mainstreampolitics, his contributionsand concern for justicewere projected in thatsection of his biography.

TODAY We see The Leader. A

peacemaker who believedstrongly in inter-ethnicharmony and peaceful co-existence amongst all ethnicgroups.

The real leader has no need to lead,He is content to point the way— Henry Miller, American writer and painter

MY father played various leadership roles in

the institutions that he fea-tured in. He played leader-

ship roles in Okere-Urhobo,in Warri, the Urhobo nation,the Western Region, Midwest/Bendel State and the Nige-rian nation. He was an out-spoken critic of injustice andinequity. He was an advocatefor peace and reached out topeople of all tribes and faithswithout discrimination. Hewas a peacemaker and be-lieved strongly in inter-ethnicharmony and peaceful co-ex-istence amongst all ethnic

groups, with clear considera-tion that no community canlive in isolation. In this re-gard, he was friendly withpeople from the constituenttribes of the Warri area andbeyond.

Those familiar with mygrandfather ’s householdknew that it was a mini-com-monwealth of sorts – the chil-dren were conversant with thelanguages and traditions ofthe neighbouring tribes. Someof them even had Itsekiri andIjaw middle names and spokethe languages fluently. It wasthe evidence of a time beforethe advent of micro-national-ism, when tribe and tongueplayed scant roles in relation-ships.

My father was appointedSecretary of the Olodi, Okiand Ighogbadu Kindred Fami-lies of Okere-Urhobo in 1950.This was a position of respon-sibility that meant he had toperform this role creditably,while carrying out other roles.

Yet, his ability to fit into thedemands of the Office andlead, while dealing with hisother responsibilities asTeacher (from 1947 to 1976),Parliamentarian (from 1960 to1963) and other public officesthat he held, was widely ac-knowledged as remarkable.

Olodi, Oki and IghogbaduKindred Families are de-scendants of the three broth-ers - Idama, Sowhoruvbe and

Ohwotemu - who foundedOkere-Urhobo in Warri. TheKindred Families continuedto own the lands in its areasin Warri. In 1968, this waschallenged when a suit,Number W/48/1968, was filedat the High Court of MidwestState sitting in Warri, againstthe Kindred Families.

The plaintiffs were: “D.O.Idundun, Chief P.O. Awani,A.E Hesse, C.A Lorie and J.D.Oruru (for and on behalf ofOgitsi Family of Okere,Warri); Itsekiri CommunalLand Trustees; and ErejuwaII, the Olu of Warri.”

The defendant was: “DanielOkumagba (for himself and onbehalf of Olodi, Oki, andIghogbadu Families of Okere,Warri).”

The suit Number W/48/1968at the Midwest State HighCourt, Warri, was heard byJustice E.A. Ekeruche anddecided in July 1973. Theplaintiffs asked for the follow-ing:

“1. A declaration that in ac-cordance with Itsekiri Custom-ary Law, all that piece or par-cel of land at Okere, Warri,described in Plan NoWE.2367 filed in this suit andverged pink is the property ofthe Ogitsi Family of Okere,subject only to theoverlordship of the Olu ofWarri now vested in and ex-ercisable by the Itsekiri Com-munal Land Trustees by vir-tue of the Communal Land

Rights (Vesting in Trustees)Law 1959 and the Warri Divi-sion (Itsekiri CommunalLand) Trust Instrument, 1959.

2. A declaration that, inaccordance with Itsekiri Cus-tomary Law, defendants haveforfeited their rights of userand/or occupation and anyother rights or estate in orover that part of the land indispute marked Area ‘’B’ andany right they may have inor over that part of the landin dispute marked Area ‘A’ in

the Plan No. E.2367 filed bythe plaintiffs in this suit.

3. An order of injunction torestrain the defendants, theirservants and/or agents andany other person or personspurporting to claim under orthrough them from enteringthe land in dispute and/or in-terfering with plaintiffs’ rightsand interest in and over thesaid land in dispute and inparticular from grantingleases or other disposition ofthe same to any other personsor collecting rents or anyother dues from any otherpersons in respect of the landin dispute.”

All the claims sought by theplaintiffs were dismissed bythe High Court in a judge-ment, which was later upheldby the Supreme Court of Ni-geria.

Justice E.A. Ekeruche in thejudgement of the High Court,delivered on the 17th of July,1973, stated as follows:

“Considering first the tradi-tional evidence in the case,my view of that aspect of theevidence in plaintiffs’ case,

whereby plaintiffs havesought to establish that theland in dispute and even alsoOkere Village were part of thekingdom founded by GinuwaI and also their evidence thatOgitsi owned the whole ofOkere land including the landin dispute, in this case is thatit is unconvincing.

“I do not believe that anykingdom founded by GinuwaI extended to Okere. Plain-tiffs’ evidence and also evi-dence in the whole case do notprove such extent of any king-dom founded by Ginuwa I.

“I am satisfied and I find as

He was an outspokencritic of injustice and in-equity. He was an advo-cate for peace andreached out to people ofall tribes and faiths with-out discrimination

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014—57

About theAuthor

B E R N A R DO b o a t a r h i e y e r e n

Okumagba was born inWarri, Delta State on April 7,1967 to Chief DanielOkumagba and Mrs. DorcasOkumagba of Okere-UrhoboKingdom, Warri South LocalGovernment Area, DeltaState.

He attended GovernmentCollege, Ughelli from 1977to 1982 and the University ofNigeria, Nsukka from 1983and 1987 where he baggeda B.sc degree in Account-ancy (2nd Class Honours,Upper Division). Subse-quently, he undertook theInstitute of Chartered Ac-countants of Nigeria (ICAN)professional examinationsand qualified as a CharteredAccountant in 1991. Bernardstarted his working career atthe international financialservices firm ArthurAndersen & Co (now KPMG),in 1988. He later worked inseveral banks from 1991 to2007. Bernard held variouspositions at these banks, in-cluding Senior Manager, Cor-porate Banking Division;Head of Internal Control/Au-dit Division, Bank Chief In-spector and Principal Man-ager, Consumer and Commer-cial Banking Division,amongst others. He left UnitedBank for Africa Plc in August2007 following his appoint-ment as Delta State Commis-sioner for Economic Planning.He served as Delta State Com-missioner for Economic Plan-ning from August 2007 to No-vember 2010 and was subse-quently appointed Commis-sioner for Finance and servedfrom November 2010 to May2011. Bernard was reap-pointed Delta State Commis-sioner for Finance in July 2011and held this position untilJuly 2013. He is presentlyChairman of Regents ConsultsLimited and Noly InsuranceBrokers Limited. He is alsocurrently a Director of AbbeyMortgage Bank Plc. Bernardholds the traditionalchieftaincy title of EruvwuR’Ovie of Agbarha Kingdom,Warri, Delta State.

He did not believe that any ethnic group should dominate the other. Hebelieved and preached mutual respect and cooperation

The Peacemaker, SocialJustice Crusader

Continues from page 56

A biography by Bernard Oboatarhieyeren Okumagba

FOOTPRINTS OF A STATESMAN:The Life And Times Of CHIEF DANIEL OKUMAGBA

To be continued.

a fact on the evidence beforeme that Okere was never partof the kingdom founded byGinuwa I. I am also satisfiedthat Ginuwa I never exercisedoverlordship rights overOkere, and that theoverlordship rights of the sub-sequent Olus did not extendto Okere.

“A point which plaintiffs andtheir counsel have tried tourge on this court is that be-cause the land in dispute isin Warri and so in Warri Divi-sion, the Olu of Warri hasrights of overlordship over it,because, as Olu of Warri, hehas rights of overlordship overall lands in Warri Division.The whole argument or viewis erroneous. The Olu, by ti-tle, is Olu of Warri, but hisrights of overlordship relateonly to land of Itsekiri peo-ple…

“As between the evidence inplaintiffs’ case and that in thedefendants’ case, I acceptand believe the evidence inthe defendants’ case as truth-fully stating how Ogitsi fam-ily and the defendants’ peo-ple came to be in Okere area.

“I accept and believe theevidence of the defendantsthat three persons, namely,Idama, Ohwotemu andSowhoruvwe, first came toOkere and founded various

tracts of land.” “I also accept the evidence

of the defendants as to howand when Ogitsi got to thewaterside area of Okere andmade his sett1ement there,and as to how the settlementand that of defendants’ peo-ple grew until they met inOkere.

“I am satisfied and find asa fact that the land in disputein this case, including thearea where rubber plantationsare shown on plaintiffs’ plan,Exhibit 2, and also whereMadam Esale’s rubber plan-tation is, belong to the de-

fendants and that they havebeen such owners and in pos-session of the land from thetime their ancestors foundedthe land.

“Having found that the de-fendants own the land in dis-pute and that they were never

tenants of anyone, plaintiffsfail on their claim for forfei-ture.

“Plaintiffs having failed onthe claim as to ownership of

the land in dispute and forforfeiture are not entitled tothe injunction they seek.”

“The plaintiffs have failed toprove their claims in its en-tirety and I accordingly dis-miss same in its entirety.

Not satisfied with the HighCourt’s judgment, the plain-tiffs appealed to the SupremeCourt, the only appellatecourt at that time, in suitnumber SC/309/1974, re-ported in 1976 Volume 10 Ni-gerian Supreme Court Cases(NSCC). The justices, led byJustice Atanda Fatayi-Williams, who later becameChief Justice of Nigeria; with

Justice Mohammed Bello,who also retired as Chief Jus-tice and Justice AndrewsOtutu-Obaseki; held, in thejudgement delivered on Oc-tober 8, 1976, that the appeallacked merit. Justice Fatayi-Williams and the other jus-

tices of the Supreme Court inthe unanimous judgmentruled that:

“On the whole, it is suffi-cient to say that most of thematters canvassed before uswere examined meticulouslyand rejected by the learnedtrial judge for reasons uponwhich we cannot improve andto which we do not desire toadd except, perhaps, to saythat whether taken separatelyor together, none of the pointsurged upon us by learnedcounsel for the appellantswould, in our view, justify anyinterference with the findingsand decision of the learnedtrial judge. Consequently, weare of the view that the ap-peal has no merit and is ac-cordingly dismissed.”

My father (even after thejudgement of the SupremeCourt in favour of our KindredFamilies) continued to advo-cate peaceful coexistenceamongst all ethnic groups. Hecontinued to preach inter-eth-nic harmony and mutual re-spect. He did not believe thatany ethnic group shoulddominate the other. He be-lieved and preached mutualrespect and cooperation.

My father was equally ac-

tive in the Urhobo ProgressUnion (UPU) from as far backas the late 1950s. By the early1960s, he was a participant inmany UPU events. In 1964, heaccompanied Chief T.E.A.Salubi, who was the Presi-dent-General of the UPU, ona tour of the union’s branchesacross Nigeria. At occasionswhere he addressed the gath-ering, such as in Benin Cityat a visit on June 2, 1964, hismessage centred on the im-portance of focusing toachieve the objectives of theUPU. Peter Ekeh in his book,

T.E.A. Salubi: Witness to Brit-ish Colonial Rule inUrhoboland and Nigeria,records the encounter as fol-lows: The second speaker wasMr Okumagba who reiter-ated Mr Rerri’s advice thataffairs of the Union be insu-lated from party politics. Hewas keen that people shouldnot allow their personal po-litical affiliation affect theircommunal interests. His pas-sion for Urhobo affairs tran-scended politics to the levelof culture and he cut a dis-tinct image as not just a po-litical ambassador of the na-tionality but a cultural ambas-sador as well.

When Chief (Dr) FrederickEsiri became the President-General of the UPU, my fatherwas elected the Secretary-General and served from 1984to 1993. He was diligent, com-passionate and patriotic.

From his days at UrhoboCollege Effurun to his workas community shepherd andpolitician, my father had be-come known to many as aniconic figure in the advance-ment of social justice and eq-uity.

When Chief (Dr) FrederickEsiri became the President-General of the UPU, my fa-ther was elected the Secre-tary-General and servedfrom 1984 to 1993. He wasdiligent, compassionate andpatriotic

58 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

VVVVVanguardanguardanguardanguardanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, FRIDAY, JULY 25, FRIDAY, JULY 25, FRIDAY, JULY 25, FRIDAY, JULY 25 , 2014, 2014, 2014, 2014, 2014—59—59—59—59—59

Third term for President Boni Yayi?

Boni Yayi.For her, if those that she considers asthe “people” lead such an approach, theHead of State can only comply.

“The head of state should belistening to the will of his people,” sheinsisted. Under these conditions, whatto be done to the Constitution whichexpressly provides just one renewableterm for the president? Does the expres-sion of the will of the people, as envis-aged, override the Constitution?

“This is what democracy is. Only inthe absence of a referendum held in therules of the art, the people will expresstheir will in some other way, only thatthe Constitution adopted and is still inforce, will be respected in the field ofalternation in power", activts have said,adding, "Boni Yayi must keep his word".

Undoubtedly, the minister'sstatements will not fail to shock manyBeninoise. At a time when thepermanent computerized voters list(FISA) is not yet actualized, where theorganization of local and municipalelections, are postponed indefinitely,these words of the minister are not likelyto reassure the Beninoise about thegood faith of the Head of State to leave

THE Squirrels seniors earned a

valuable victory (1-0)against the Flames ofMalawi, at the Stadium“Amitié” of Kouhounou atthe end of the match forthe first leg of the thirdpreliminary round of the2015 Can Morocco. Thewinning goal wasreached following a raidof Jodel Dossou on theright side completed by acentre that Rudy Gestedetook with the head off thecrossbar before Stephane

power on the evening of April 6, 2016.For, even if the people make thisunusual complaint to the President ofthe Republic to seek a third term him,as a good democrat and respectful ofhis word, people should remind him toothat he swore to Pope Benedict XVI andmany personalities from the internation-al community, that he is about to finishhis second and final term. The possibil-ity that President Boni Yayi comes to“listen to his people,” in this case, inview of its many professions of faith,must therefore be rejected.

It is hoped that the head of state willnot let an opportunity to prove to theworld that there is only one word goaway. In short, with the idea of steps tocreate a third term for Boni Yayi, webetter understand the introduction ofthe popular initiative in the draftrevision of the Constitution, still pend-ing in the National Assembly. Betterunderstand more of the Member of Par-liament Rashidi Gbadamassi who re-cently stated: “The Boni Yayi candidate... The KO will be reissued in 2016 …”

Morocco 2015: Benin steals the victory to Malawi (1-0)

Sessegnon catapulted theball in the nets (his 4thgoal in 3 matches) in the18th minute.

But the Squirrels whosemission was to ensurewin before the returnmatch in two weeks,could not make thingsworse. They missed alltheir opportunities. Firstby Stéphane Sessegnon(34th, 39th and 59th min-utes), then Jodel Dossou(36th and 50th minutes),and Séidou Mama.On the Malawian side,

whose objective was toleave Cotonou with adraw, all attempts to cre-ate difficulties to the Be-nin keeper Saturn Allag-be were unsuccessful.They encountered a re-markable Benin defenceled by Khaled Adenonand Reda Johnson. Itshould be noted that bothteams finished the gameafter the evictions ofNana Nafiou Badarou bythe Benin side and Yami-kani Fodya in the ranksof Malawi.

BENIN Republic’sMinister of Agri-

culture, FatoumataAmadou Djibril, hasreportdedly confirmedthe rumour that Presi-dent Boni Yayi couldbenefit from a thirdterm if the citizensagree, regardless ofwhether the Constitu-tion limits the numberof presidential terms totwo.

The minister amdethe broadcast on Canal3, a local televisionchannel. According toher, the opposition andcivil society had sus-pected for a while thatthe president, BoniYayi, planned to stay inpower forever, addingthat there is no harmthat young women andyoung people organizemarches to ask for athird term in favour of

President Boni Yayi of Benin Republic

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60 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014 — 61

Maigarihim of financialmisappropriation.

Eight members of theboard endorsed theimpeachment including;the first vice presidentChief Mike Umeh,Chairman of chairmen,Chief Effiong Johnson, Dr.Shehu Adamu, Mrs.Dilichukwu Onyedinma,Alhaji Muazu Suleyman,Deji Tinubu and MallamAhmed Kawu.

The impeachment of theNFF president, AlhajiAminu Maigari may nothave surprised mostfollowers of Nigerianfootball. Apart from the factthat it has become like aculture that during eachelective year, there will beone form of crisis that willeventually sweep away thesitting president, the caseof Maigari may be slightlydifferent.

Immediately after thecountry won the 2013African Cup of Nations(AFCON), the impressionwas created in certainquarters that since it wasMaigari’s board that wasable to win the continentaltrophy after the Tunisia1994 victory, he wassupposed to have a secondterm.

Interestingly, thatsuccess was also whatdivided the board as some

members who have beendescribed as a cabal by thegroup that impeachedMaigari literally hijackedthe Bauchi State bornfootball administrator somuch so that only a few ofthem used to take farreaching decisionsconcerning the running ofthe nation’s football.

Before now, the boardmembers had agreed tosupport each other so thatif possible all of them couldreturn to the board in theAugust 26 elective congressof the NFF, but little didthey know that Maigariand some anointedmembers had other ideas.

Sources at theGlasshouse told SportsVanguard that thechairman of the technicalcommittee, Barr. ChrisGreen, board member,Ahmed Fresh and thechairman of thec o m m u n i c a t i o n scommittee, Chief EmekaInyama were the arrowheads that allegedlymanipulated Maigari.

“The secret manner heran the federation’s affairs,particularly, financialdealings was first blownopen when the formerDirector General of theNational SportsCommission, Pat Ekejiquestioned why matchbonuses and allowances of

some Super Eaglesassistant coaches wereslashed when governmenthad released about N850m(Eight Hundred and FiftyMillion Naira) to thefootball federation for theprosecution of the Afcon2013 tournament.

“That development led tothe sack of Super EaglesAssistant coach, SylvanusOkpala by Maigari whoswore never to forgiveOkpala even if PresidentGoodluck Jonathanintervened,” our sourcerecalled.

It is now clear that mostmembers of the board werenot aware of the actualamount governmentreleased for the Cup ofNations in South Africauntil the Ekeji incident. Itis same for the recentlyconcluded FIFA World Cupin Brazil as members of theboard remain in the darkover how much thefederation was given.

It was further learnt thatbefore the World Cup, onlythe four of them allegedlytook decisions of how toplot the country’sparticipation at thechampionship includingsuch issues like who gotwhat and how the contractswere awarded.

But the final straw thatbroke the camel’s back was

in Brazil where it was saidthat unknown to othermembers, all the four hadalready purchased theirforms for the next electioneven as the electoralcommittee was yet to makethe sale of forms public.

And to perfect the plot, itwas further said that Green,the chairman of thetechnical committee wholeft the country the sameday with the Super Eaglesplayers and stayed allthrough their camping inLondon and America leftthe team during thecompetition proper and thefirst vice president, ChiefMike Umeh was mandatedto stay with the team whilethe ‘Super Four’ stayedtogether to perfect theirreturn to the board.

The plot soon became amatter of public discourseas soon as Nigeria crashedout of the championship inthe second round and thatwas what actually angeredthe rest coupled with all thealleged known excesses ofMaigari and his kitchencabinet. So they decided totake their pound of flesh.

The sacking of the entireboard and themanagement team by a JosHigh Court and thesubsequent appointmentof Lawrence Katken as theacting general secretary

brought the firstopportunity for theaggrieved group to fightback, but the FIFA banactually postponed the evilday.

Recall that immediatelyafter FIFA lifted thesuspension slammed onNigeria following thewithdrawal of the suit byMrs. Ruth Baribote, theangry board memberswanted to remove Maigariduring the meeting but theabsence of Enyimba of Abachairman, Felix Anyansi-Agwu hindered the plotbut set the stage for whathappened yesterday.

In fact before the crisismeeting of yesterday, itwas clear that the board wasentirely torn into two; onegroup was still loyal toMaigari while the other ledby Chief Mike Umeh wasagainst him. And that alsoreflected in how theyarrived for the meetingwhich did not last for up to30 minutes before theimpeachment wasannounced.

The Umeh group was thefirst to arrive the NFFsecretariat while Maigariand his team arrived fewminutes to 12 noon,underscoring the fact thateach faction was meetingsecretly and strategising onhow to carry out their plan.

Continues from B/P

Keshi

Continues from B/P

sub-committee to ensurethe process of extendingthe coach’s contract is donein a week.

“The [NFF] executivecommittee mandated thetechnical sub-committee toopen channels ofcommunication with MrStephen Keshi with a viewto extending his contract,as the NFF is stillinterested in working withhim. The technical sub-committee is to report backto the executive committeewithin one week,” statedthe football federation.

Keshi is one of thecoaches linked to the headcoach role of South Africa’sBafana Bafana.

With the NFF seeking tokeep Keshi, the federationis also stepping up on

securing an internationalfriendly match for theSuper Eagles in thecoming Fifa window.

The African championsare expected to start theirqualification for the 2015Africa Cup of Nations inMorocco in September andthe NFF wants the tune-up match as preparation forthe Afcon qualifier.

“The committeemandated the NFFmanagement to proceedwith discussions with anumber of Africancountries with a view to theSuper Eagles playing afriendly match in the Fifawindow of Wednesday,13th August, 2014, as partof preparations for the 2015Africa Cup of Nationsqualifying matches,” theNFF said.

IheanachoContinues from B/P

what he can do in thefuture. It depends on theway he takes thisprofession, but I thinkhe’s a good talent.

“We’ve not decided yet(what the plan is forhim) because it’s not

easy. He’s just 17 andsometimes that’s theproblem. We’ll see whathe will do in the future.For the moment he willstay with us and we’llsee when we return toEngland what willhappen with him. But

he’s a very importantplayer for the future forthe club.

“After the tour we willsee what happens withhim. There are a lot ofthings to arrange to playin England but he hasan important future.”

Uduaghan commissions swimming pool in WarriDELTA state Governor,

Doctor EmmanuelUdughan has said hisgovernment would not

slack in the area of youthempowerment through it’sDelta Beyond Oilprogrammes as more

facilities andinfrastructures will be putin place to actualize thechallenge.

Speaking at thecommissioning of thenewly constructedOlympic size swimmingpool at the Warri Citystadium, the governorexplained that the DeltaBeyond Oil programmewas designed to ensureprivate sector driveneconomic sector andreduce unemployment tothe barest minimum.

According to him thescheme has started offeringjob opportunities to younggraduates andentrepreneurs in the state

and in the future itguarantees sustainablemeans of livelihood andaddresses the challenge ofrestiveness among theyouths in the state.

Meanwhile theswimming pool was usedto host the sixth edition ofthe Chief of Naval StaffOpen swimmingchampionship.

•The Olympic size swimming pool commissioned byGov. Uduaghan

VanguardVanguardVanguardVanguardVanguardCLASSIFIED

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Akuna. All former

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valid. General public

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62 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

CMYK

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014 — 63

2014 Glasgow C’wealth Games

Opara wins Nigeria’s first medal in GlasgowBY SOLOMONNWOKE

NIGERIA began ona good note

yesterday at the ongoingGlasgow 2014Commonwealth Gamesin Scotland as thecountry won her firstmedal in weightlifting.

Youthful Nkechi Oparagave Nigeria her firstmedal when she won abronze medal in theWomen 48kg weightclass. She lifted a totalweight of 162kg behindthe duo of India’sSanjita Khumukchamand Mirabai ChanuSaikhom who won thegold and silverrespectively at theClyde Auditorium.

Opara making herdebute in the sportcompeted alongside,Khumukcham whobegan her weightliftingcareer in 2006 inManipur, India and wonher major cap at the2011 AsianChampionships inTongling, China hauleda total lift of 173kg whileSaikhom who emergedBest Lifter at the 2013Junior NationalChampionship inGuwahati, India lifted atotal weight of 170kg tosettle for the silvermedal.

Nigeria topped theweightlifting medalcharts in 2010 editionwith five gold, foursilver and five bronzefollowed by Samoa (3, 0,0) and India (2, 2, 4).

This time also, India,with six lifters from 2010Games, are likely tomaintain that level ofperformance.

Nigeria’s preparationwas not too good as lackof funds did not allowthem go for foreigntraining and exposure.They have, however,named a strong squad,including 2010 63kggold winner ObiomaAgatha Okoli.

India had doneexceedingly well in the2013 CommonwealthChampionships inJohannesburg lastNovember. Many Indianlifters are among topthree of the latestC o m m o n w e a l t hrankings.

Nigeria Table Tennis teams in good startAS the 2014 Glasgow

C o m m o n w e a l t henters day three onFriday, Nigeria’s tabletennis teams onThursday began theircampaign in the teamevent on a good notewith the men and womenteam recording anemphatic victory overtheir opponents.

The women began theirroad to the podium earlyon Thursday when thetrio of Edem Offiong,Ganiat and RashidatOgundele overcametheir Kenya counterpartsin a one-sided encounter

with the Nigerians re-cording a 3-0 win.

Also, the men’s teamled by veteran SegunToriola as well as currentAfrican champion,Aruna Quadri and OjoOnaolapo wallopedBangladesh 3-0 in theirfirst group D match.

Also, theInternational TableTennis Federation(ITTF) has seededNigeria male team asthe number seed in theteam event.

Defending champion,Singapore is ratednumber one, whileEngland is two withIndia occupying thethird spot in the rating.

According to ITTFPublication Director, IanMarshall, Singaporeoccupies the top seededposition in both theMen’s Team andWomen’s Team events.

The Asia giant hasthe top rated players likeClarence Chew, GaoNing, Li Hu, Yang Ziand Zhan Jian whichformed the powerfulMen’s Team; whilst FengTianwei joins forces withIsabelle Siyun Li, Lin Ye,Yu Mengyu and ZhouYihan competed the

Our Weightliftersare determninedfor honours— Iquaibom

•To officiate inGlasgow

BOARD member cumTechnical Director of

Nigeria WeightliftingFederation (NWF),Lawrence Iquaibom hasbeen listed as one of thereferees that will takecharge of the weightliftingevents at the on goingGlasgow 2014Commonwealth Games.

Iquaibom, who won acommonwealth Gamessilver medal for Nigeriaway back in 1982 inBrisbane, has since arrivedGlasgow for theassignment. Theweightlifting event at thegames starts today (Friday)with Nigeria beingrepresented by a strong 15-man team.

Iquaibom said beforeleaving Lagos early thisweek that he sees theinvitation extended to himto officiate at the Games asan honor to the country,even as he pledged to doa good job.

“I see my inclusion asone of the technical officialsas an honor for Nigeriaand I will definitely notdisappoint,” Iquaibomsaid.

He stressed that theNigerian weightliftingteam to the Games wouldalso do the country proudin Glasgow, despite the nottoo solid preparation theyhad ahead of the Games.

“I think our weightlifterswill also do well inGlasgow. Theirpreparation may not havebeen the best, but they aredetermined to have aglorious outing as they didlast year in Malaysiaduring the Common-wealth WeightliftingChampion-ship inPenang,” Iquaibom said.

SWEAT MERCHANT . . . A Nigerian weightlifter doing a Clean & Jerk forthe country.

•Toriola

GEORGE Bassey,brother of veteran

journalist, Paul Basseyhas passed on. Georgedied last week in Eket,Akwa Ibom State. Hewas aged 50.

According the buriala r r a n g e m e n t sannounced by thefamily, the body of lateGeorge will be buriedin Eket on August 26,2014.

Paul Basseyloses brother

Mo Farah illness forces withdrawal

•Mo Farah

DOUBLE Olympic andworld long distance

champion Mo Farah haswithdrawn from theCommonwealth Games inGlasgow due to illness.

The 31 year old wasexpected to compete in the5,000m and 10,000mhowever has been unableto full recover fromabdominal pains whichforced him to pull out of theDiamond League meetingin Glasgow on the eve ofthe Games.

Farah will remain in hisFort Romeu training base

in the hope of recoveringin time for next month’sEuropean Championshipsin Zurich, where hedefends his 5,000m and10,000m titles.

“I have taken the toughdecision to withdraw fromthe CommonwealthGames,” said Farah.

“The sickness I had twoweeks ago was a bigsetback for me. Training isgetting better here in FontRomeu but I need anotherfew weeks to get back tothe level I was in 2012 and2013.

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Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. 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.

YESTERYESTERYESTERYESTERYESTERDAY'S ANSWERSDAY'S ANSWERSDAY'S ANSWERSDAY'S ANSWERSDAY'S ANSWERSTODAY'S PUZZLETODAY'S PUZZLETODAY'S PUZZLETODAY'S PUZZLETODAY'S PUZZLE

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

QUICK CROSSWORDQUICK CROSSWORDQUICK CROSSWORDQUICK CROSSWORDQUICK CROSSWORD

Why Maigariwas impeached

•Umeh in •Maigari out

Iheanacho isexceptional — Pellegrini

•Iheanacho scores on his Man City debut

MANCHESTERCity boss

Manuel Pellegrini wasdelighted with KelechiIheanacho after theNigerian scored invictory over SportingKansas City.

City beat a host ofEuropean clubs to signIheanacho after hescored six goals inseven games to claimthe Golden Ball at lastsummer ’s Under 17World Championship.

Pellegrini said:“Kelechi is just 17 yearsold and he’s a veryimportant player for usin the future. Hedemonstrated today

Continues on Page 61

BY JACOB AJOM andJUDE OPARA, Abuja

PRESIDENT of theNigeria Football

Federation, AlhajiAminu Maigari hasbeen impeached.Maigari who was re-instated last week after

a Jos High Courtvacated an injunctionthat sacked him and hisboard was thrown out ofoffice after theExecutive Committeepassed a vote of noconfidence on hisleadership and accussed

Continues on Page 61

Nigeria to open talkswith KeshiTHE Nigeria Football

Federation [NFF],under the actingpresident Mike Umeh,has said it will start theprocess of discussingwith Stephen Keshi to

continue as Super Ea-gles’ head coach.

The federation statedthat it is still ready towork with Keshi and hasmandated its technicalContinues on Page 61

INSIDE

•Keshi

ACROSS1 Emphasise (6)5 Suppose (6)9 Coins (5)10 Nut (6)11 Examiner (6)12 Dissuade (5)14 Frank (4)17 Free (3)18 Choke (4)20 Jockey (5)22 Deposit (5)23 Quit (7)24 Twist (5)26 Postpone (5)29 Scorch (4)30 Joint (3)32 Dandy (4)33 Regional (5)35 Battle (6)36 Eraser (6)37 Fresher (5)38 Deserved (6)39 Proper (6)

DOWN1 Division (6)2 Dared (6)3 Rushed (4)4 Drain (5)5 Performed (5)6 Prophet (4)7 Innumerable (6)8 Infuriate (6)13 Gigantic (7)15 Throw (5)16 Not ever (5)18 Enciphered (5)19 Leered (5)21 Uncooked (3)22 Guided (3)24 Abrade (6)25 Roof-beam (6)27 Grope (6)28 Rue (6)30 Sharpened (5)31 Peeled (5)33 Solitary (4)34 Entice (4)

ACROSS: 1, Crest 5, Rotted 8, Table 10,Undone 11, Amid 14, Relate 15, General18, Net 19, Tap 21, Dead 23, Deter 24, Born27, Den 29, Oaf 31, Radiant 32, Seated 34,Mine 35, Chilly 38, Freed 39, Twenty 40,Needy.

DOWN: 2, Run 3, Stoned 4, Tan 5, Rear 6,Toiled 7, Defend 9, Belated 12, Men 13, Date16, Ergo 17, Later 20, Penance 22, Akin 24,Basket 25, Roam 26, Nation 28, Divide 30,Fen 33, Defy 36, Hen 37, Lad.

8 pages of SportsVanguard