...towards a better life for the people

N150VOL. 25: NO. 61924

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013**

Mr & Mrs

Rivers undersiege•IGP summons Rivers CP, other officers•Soyinka,Nwabueze, Sagay, others condemn crisis•Jonathan charges politicians to play by the rules•Progressive govs flay role of police in crisis•It's like the Ngige saga in Anambra — Atiku•House factions stick to their guns•NLC, oil workers threaten...

COLUMNIST:

•P.17

Continues on Page 4

ADISAADELEYE

•P.49

DONUKOGBARA

RESCUE MISSION—Scenes of a collapsed building in Ebute Metta, Lagos and another 101-yr-old building in Kaduna (belowleft), yesterday. Photos: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor; Bunmi Azeez and Olu Ajayi. See more pictures and stories on Pages 9 &16.

BUILDINGS COLLAPSE IN LAGOS & KADUNA

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, KINGSLEYOMONOBI, JIMITOTA ONOYUME & BEN

AGANDE

ments in the state, say-ing that the state and thepeople were undersiege.

Governor Amaechispoke even as the Policelaunched a high-levelinvestigation into therole of its officers andmen in the crisis, with aninvitation to the Commis-sioner of Police, Mr.Joseph Mbu Joseph andpolice officers attached tothe Government Housealleged to have takensides in the fracas.

Also yesterday, theArmy high command de-nied withdrawing troopsfrom Government House,

PORTHARCOURT—G O V E R N O R

Rotimi Amaechi of RiversState yesterday cried outover recent develop-

— AMAECHI

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013 — 3

POCKET CARTOON

TAKE HEARTBY ELLA RANDLE

4—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013

LIFEWORDSBY PASTOR ITUAH

Continues from page 1

Rivers under siege

Continues on page 5

BRIEFING—Prof Wole Soyinka (left) addressing a world press conference,yesterday, in Lagos, on the state of the Nation and the crisis in Rivers StateHouse of Assembly. With him is Mr Femi Falana. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

Excellence is the unlimited ability to improve thequality of what you have to offer –Rick Pitino. Donot limit yourself, excel to excellence.

You’ve got this life and while you’ve got it, you’dbetter kiss like you only have one moment; try tohold someone’s hand like you will never get an-other chance to, look into people’s eyes like they’rethe last you’ll ever see; watch someone sleepinglike there’s no time left; jump if you feel like jump-ing, run if you feel like running, play music in yourhead when there is none, and eat your favouritefood like it’s the only one left in the world! —JoyBell

WHAT is it that we all seek so relentlessly andbeautifully? Etched in our hearts is the pri-

mordial love, a beautiful recall of the divine essence,and when we do find this love, it is a rediscovery ofthe self; for we are this love that we seek in theeyes of a loved one, in a warm hug of a friend, inthe loving smile of a child and the beauty in na-ture. We long to share beautifully with another andto feel the loving embrace of this awesome energyis a continuous awaking of being in the presence oflove.

To live life gracefully, one must be genuinely andforever grateful. Always expect all good things tobe yours, and do not take anything for granted. Ifthere may be a key, to a beautiful life, this is thekey.

affirming that thetroops pulled out werenot a component of thesecurity infrastructure ofthe Government House.

President GoodluckJonathan in his first pub-lic reaction since the fra-cas in the State House ofAssembly on Tuesdaywarned politicians in thestate to tread within thebounds of political en-gagement. The Presi-dent, presently on a state

visit to China, said hewas deeply concernedover the spate of violenceand imputations of hisinvolvement on the sideof one party.

Receiving the SenateCommittee on State andLocal Government Ad-ministration investigat-ing the crisis in the stateyesterday, GovernorAmaechi who is alsoChairman of the NigeriaGovernors' Forum, NGFlamented that the stateand its functionaries

were now under siege.“Yesterday, they were

shooting tear gas intoGovernment House.When we were meetingwith the Deputy Inspec-tor-General (DIG) today,the Police claimed that itwas inadvertent, thatthey shot tear gas intoGovernment House. So,I asked one question,supposing, it was livebullet and it hit me, theysaid, ‘Nooo, governorwas not outside,’ but Isaid, I was outside, youcan check”, Amaechisaid.

Expressing shock at thesudden withdrawal ofsoldiers and AmouredPersonnel Carrier, APCattached to GovernmentHouse, the governor la-mented that command-ers of security formationsin the state have in thepast two months not metwith him on account ofpolitical pressures.

We are undersiege here —Amaechi

“We are under siegehere. For two monthsnow, we have not metwith security men. Secu-rity commanders in thestate don’t come to meany longer. They are ei-ther scared or they don’tdeliberately want to seeme. They withdrew sol-diers attached to me yes-terday (Wednesday) andthis morning, they with-drew the APC attached toGovernment House”,

Amaechi said.Senator Kabiru Gaya,

chairman of the SenateCommittee said the com-mittee was mandated bythe Senate to find a so-lution to the problem inthe state.

“Your Excellency, yes-terday, July 10, 2013, theSenate had a meeting orsession where a motionwas raised by SenatorMagnus Abe on the situ-ation in Rivers State. Themotion was discussed.We had two hours in theclosed-door session todiscuss how best to sus-tain our stable democ-racy, how best we couldhave the legislators per-form their functions with-out undue interference”,Senator Gaya said.

“I will also say thestate was under the situ-ation of violence, andthere were disturbancesin Rivers State. There-fore, this committee wasmandated by the Senateto come and investigate,and also invite othermembers, includingstakeholders. After thiscourtesy visit, we have todiscuss with you(Amaechi) to know whathappened from your side.We also need to talk withthe Assembly memberson both sides, includingthe Commissioner of Po-lice, the DSS and theJTF. We have alreadyasked the Commissionerof Police to meet us thisevening and DSS,”Senator Gaya said.

IGP inauguratesprobe panel, in-vites Rivers CP

Meanwhile, Vanguardlearnt, yesterday, that In-spector-General of Police,Mohammed Abubakarhas inaugurated a highpowered investigationpanel headed by theDeputy Inspector-Gen-eral of Police in chargeOperations, DIGPhilemon Leha to moveto Port Harcourt.

While inaugurating thepanel, Abubakar assuredthat the Police will notspare anyone found tohave fallen foul of thelaw during the fracas, ir-respective of placementand status. Already, Van-guard was told that theCommissioner of Police,Rivers State, Mbu andsome police officers at-tached to GovernorRotimi Amaechi havebeen invited by the panelto answer questions re-garding the roles theyplayed in the melee.

The high poweredpanel is to “scrupulouslyinvestigate all the cir-cumstances surroundingthe on-going impasse in

the State particularly, asit relates to the actionsand omissions of Policepersonnel that werephysically on groundduring the unfortunatefracas that occurred atthe hallowed Chambersof the Rivers State Houseof Assembly”.

A statement signed byCSP Frank Mba, Forcespokesman on the devel-opment said: “The PoliceHigh Command usesthis medium and oppor-tunity to remind the citi-zens of the state, irre-spective of their ideologi-cal leaning, of the needto play by the rules.While the Force contin-ues to do everythingwithin its constitutionalpowers and means toprovide a safe, impartialand conducive atmos-phere for legitimate so-cial, political and eco-nomic activities to thrivein the State, the IGwarned that the Policewill not tolerate any formof lawlessness or actsamounting to threats topublic safety and publicorder.”

It continued: “The IGPstrongly advises citizensto seek civilized and de-cent means of resolvingtheir differences, devoidof all forms of violenceand confrontation.”

“He reminds the goodpeople of Rivers Statethat the peace of the stateis paramount to the wellbeing and developmentof the state and that thePolice Force needs themaximum co-operationand understanding of thepeople to optimally dis-charge its statutory re-sponsibilities”.

Reiterating that “thesuccess of our democracydepends on our collec-tive efforts and contribu-tions”, the IG noted that“we must as a people;manage our differencesto the advantage of ourgrowing democracy forthe good of all.”

The IG then reassuredthe good people of Riv-ers State and the generalpublic of “the readiness

of the Force to at alltimes ensure the securityof the State and imploredthe citizens not to furtherheat-up the politythrough hateful, inflam-matory and unguardedstatements/actions but toconsciously work to-wards the enthronementof peace within the State.

“Meanwhile, citizensare advised to continueto go about their legiti-mate businesses withoutfear of intimidation fromany quarter”, the state-ment said.

Meanwhile, the Nige-rian Army, yesterday, de-nied any relationshipbetween the withdrawalof 35 soldiers deployedto Government House inPort Harcourt and the po-litical impasse betweenGovernor Amaechi and afaction of the PDP said tobe loyal to Minister ofState for Education,Nyesom Nwike.

An Army General toldVanguard that the Armypersonnel in questionare under the commandof the Joint Task Forcefor Niger Delta, code-named ‘Operation PuloShield,’ adding that theJTF routinely carries outrotation of its troopswhich may have neces-sitated the recall of thesoldiers.

“If that is the case,there should be replace-ments in the not too dis-tant future, however, itshould be noted that themilitary do not deploysoldiers to guard gover-nors. No governor hastroops deployed to guardhim. Rather in areaswhere Joint Task Forcesare deployed due to pe-culiar security chal-lenges, soldiers are de-ployed to ensure peaceand security for the peo-ple of that state or envi-ronment and not to pro-tect individuals. Theonly exception to thatrule is the President andCommander in Chief ofthe Armed Forces, whichis being protected by theelite Brigade of Guards,”

CMYK

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013—5

Rivers under siege — Amaechi

he said.Contacted on the issue,

Director of Army PublicRelations, BrigadierGeneral Ibrahim Attahirusaid he was not awarethat the Army headquar-ters ordered the with-drawal of soldiers guard-ing the governor as suchdevelopment was notknown to the army.

National interestmore important,says Jonathan

In his reaction to thedevelopments in RiversState, articulated by Dr.Reuben Abati, SpecialAdviser to the Presidenton Media, the presi-dency said:

“President Jonathanurges members of theRivers State House ofAssembly and all otherpolitical gladiators in thestate to put the interestsof the state and the na-tion above their personalegos and ambitions thatseem to have gotten inthe way of their expectedcommitment to upholdthe principles of democ-racy and good govern-ance.

“The President calls onall those who were re-motely or directly in-volved in heighteningpolitical tension in Riv-ers State to put an imme-diate end to their ac-tions which are capableof plunging Rivers Stateinto public disorder andstrive to settle their po-

litical differences withoutfurther recourse to bar-baric acts of violence.”

“President Jonathanexpects all members ofthe Peoples DemocraticParty (PDP) in RiversState, irrespective oftheir current affiliationsor loyalties, to comportthemselves with greaterrestraint while effortscontinue to resolve exist-ing differences and re-store internal harmony tothe state branch of theparty.”

Disclaiming presiden-tial involvement in thecrisis, the statement con-tinued:

”The Presidency hasalso noted with regretthe continuing attempts

by some individuals andgroups to place respon-sibility for the unpleas-ant developments in Riv-ers State on PresidentJonathan.”

“We are constrained tostate once again thatthere is absolutely no fac-tual basis for suggestionsthat some of the politi-cians involved in the cur-rent dispute are acting atthe behest of the Presi-dent.

“President Jonathancertainly did not insti-gate the crisis in the Riv-ers State House of As-sembly and as Presidentof the nation, he willnever support any ac-tions that negate hisavowed commitment to

the rule of law. The Presi-dent will also never vio-late his oath of office toalways defend the Nige-rian Constitution.”

House factions

stick to their gunsMeanwhile the leaders

of the two factions in theState House of Assemblystuck to their positionslast night, with EvansBipi, leader of the five-member faction insistinghe had taken over fromHon. OtelemabaAmachree, leader of thefaction of 27 members.There were no indica-tions that either of thefactions would convene asession.

Speaker Amachree

said he would wait on theHouse of Representa-tives which on Wednes-day voted that the Na-tional Assembly takeover the legislative du-ties of the House of As-sembly before taking fur-ther actions. Amachreewho spoke through hismedia aide, Mr JimOpiki said since a proc-ess had already beenlaunched by the House ofRepresentatives hewould wait for the proc-ess to run its course be-fore taking further action.

Majority leader of theHouse, Chidi Lloyd wasstill hospitalized on ac-count of the fracas lastWednesday and said hewas not in a position totalk yesterday.

On his part, Hon Bipiwho leads four othermembers of the houseinsisted he is the Speakerof the House even as hesaid the House of Rep-resentatives should firstlook at the cause of thecrisis rocking the Houseof Assembly before talk-ing about taking over thefunctions of the assem-bly.

He further appealed tothe House of Repre-sentatives to convene ajoint session of the twochambers of the NationalAssembly to properlylook at the root cause ofthe crisis rocking thestate assembly with aview to resolving them.On when he would con-vene a sitting, he said hewould get back to Van-guard when he is ready.

“I am the Speaker ofthe Rivers State House ofAssembly. I was dulyelected. During my ac-ceptance speech I raisedsome fundamental issuesthat the House of Repre-sentatives should lookinto. They should look atthe cause of the problem.I also called on the EFFC

to investigate the House.These things should bedone," said.

In a related develop-ment, Rivers state localgovernment legislators’forum has passed a voteof no confidence on thestate Police Commis-sioner, Mr Mbu Joseph,calling for his redeploy-ment from the state. Astatement signed by Law-rence Wagbara for thegroup further con-demned the action of fivelawmakers of the Houseon Tuesday who allegedto have impeached thespeaker of the house.

Progressive govscondemn crisis

How I was attacked — ChindaMeanwhile, Hon

Michael Chinda, one ofthe five legislators op-posed to GovernorAmaechi who sufferedseveral bruises duringthe fracas has spoken ofhis experience.

He said: ”Rivers state House of

Assembly elected a newSpeaker Hon. Evans Bipiand the old Hon. DanielAmachree was im-peached and everythingconcerning the enthrone-ment of the new speakerwas concluded. As we

were about to leave theplace, the governorbroke into our chambers.

Governor RotimiAmaechi led the group.They came into the cham-ber and started beatingeverybody.

"For my case, I have tobe very specific. I wasabout leaving; I neverknew that Chidi Lloyd,very close to me in theHouse. I was misled bycloseness with him. Inever had any idea thathe could be so brutal to

use such a weapon onme.

“My colleagues rushedme to this Saint PatrickHospital in the pool ofblood and I have beenhere since yesterday.

“If you look at myrecords from the veryday we were inaugu-rated by the governor ofRivers State, I have neverinsulted the governor. Ihold the office of the Gov-ernor of Rivers State invery high esteem and Iwon’t have gone closer

to the governor. I didn’teven go close to the gov-ernor because we respectthe governor. Until ChidiLloyd and the policemencame and did what theydid. Only God will judge.Why will I do that. Whywill I insult the gover-nor? I can never do that.If anybody said I didsuch a thing the personis not being fair to me.We formed a quorum, thenormal number requiredto impeach a Speaker.”

TheProgressive Gover-nors’ Forum, PGF, com-prising governors in theopposition political par-ties in the country, hasexpressed concern overthe crisis rocking the Riv-ers State House of Assem-bly.

PGF in a statement,said: “Events in RiversState resulting in theshameful occupation ofthe state GovernmentHouse by members of theNigeria Police Force onWednesday, July 10, 2013are direct assault on Ni-geria’s democracy.

"These developmentsare not only worrisomebut outrightly condemna-ble as an affront on theconstitution of the Feder-al Republic of Nigeria.

“PGF unequivocallycondemns the ill-dis-guised attempt to createa state of emergency inRivers State by plungingthe state into a needlessand avoidable crisis.

“All available evidenc-es surrounding theevents of Tuesday andWednesday, July 9 and10 respectively, indicatedthat the Rivers State Po-lice Commissioner, Mr.Joseph Mbu and his mendid not act in a profes-sional manner. Beforenow, the state PoliceCommissioner has ex-hibited very clear biasagainst the governor andother state officials. Thisis a dangerous develop-ment that would only pro-duce anarchy with un-predictable consequenc-es.

“Events of July 9 and10 in Rivers State repre-sent acts sponsored byanarchists whose interestinclude subverting ourdemocracy and exposethe lives of democratical-ly elected representa-tives to great danger. Asit is today, the orderlyconduct of democratic in-stitutions in Rivers Statehave been impaired andthe life of GovernorAmaechi and his teamare in great danger."

Continues from page 4

The House of crisis

Continues on pages 6&7

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013

Soyinka, Nwabueze, others condemnRivers Assembly crisis

BY DAPOAKINREFON

THREE days after themayhem at the Rivers

State House of Assembly,the polity was still awashwith condemnation of theaction of the lawmakers andfeuding stakeholders. Among those who spokeon the crisis, yesterday,were Nobel Laureate,Professor Wole Soyinka,former Vice President,Atiku Abubakar, legalicons, Professor BenNwabueze, SAN, ItseSagay, SAN, OlisaAgbakoba, SAN, FemiFalana, SAN.

Nobel Laurete, ProfessorWole Soyinka hascondemned the ongoingpolitical crisis in RiversState, saying thatdemocratic grounds werebeing eroded in the state.

Soyinka also took aswipe at the First Lady,Dame Patience Jonathanfor her alleged over bearingtendencies and urgedPresident GoodluckJonathan to call her to order.

While he faulted thepresidency for trying toabsolve the president fromthe crisis, he said “theperception in the world is

BY EMMANUELAZIKEN, POLITICAL

EDITOR

Atiku compares crisis with Ngige's in Anambra

FORMER Vice-President Atiku

Abubakar has decrieddevelopments in RiversState lamenting that thecountry is yet to learn froma similarly dark periodwhen Governor ChrisNgige and democraticinstitutions in AnambraState were brutally violated10 years ago.

In narrations on histwitter handle, Atiku drewsurprising similaritiesbetween thedevelopments in RiversState and Anambra Statewhich ironicallycommenced exactly aboutthe same time 10 years ago,on July 10, 2003.

Atiku said: “I got a lot oftweets about the removalof Gov. Chris Ngigeduring my time in office.Today is exactly 10 years,”he said in the first tweetposted on Wednesday.

Following that he alsotweeted: "it is an interestingcoincidence that the sadevents in Rivers are takingplace around the 10thanniversary of a similarscenario in Anambra.

“It was July 10, 2003.The President was away toUganda on an official visit.

I was holding fort for himas Vice President.”

Giving details of hisresponse, he tweeted: “Atelephone call came infrom a frantic Gov Ngige.He had been abducted,beaten and confined to aroom.”

“I immediately placed a

NBA sues for peace, urges combatants toapproach court for adjudication

NIGERIAN BarAssociation, NBA,

yesterday, called on partiesinvolved in the politicalcrisis in Rivers to channeltheir grievances to thecourts to avoid breakdownof peace.

This advice wascontained in statement bythe President of the NBA,Mr Okey Wali.

Wali called on the partiesto sheath their swords andapproach the courts foradjudication.

call to the IG of Police, TafaBalogun, with orders to puta stop to the subversion ofdemocracy.

“Exactly 10 years later itseems we have failed tolearn any lessons from oneof the darkest moments inour recent democratichistory".

He said: “The politicaldifferences in Rivers Stateuntil now have been in thecourts, which is the rightand proper way to settledisputes in any civilisedsociety.

“This is why the NBArefrained from issuingstatements on the matter,as they were subjudice.

“But the latest twist ofviolence is a dangerousdimension that must becondemned very stronglyand quickly.

He called on the FederalGovernment and securityagencies to ensurerestoration of peace andtranquility in Rivers.

“The rule of law mustprevail, and there must beno sacred cows, as nobodyis above the law,” thestatement said.

He emphasised the needfor security agencies toensure that the interest andwell being of the people ofRivers remainedparamount.

One of those wounded in the crisis

I am calling on thePresident Jonathan,please curb the excessesof your wife. Too much istoo much. Is she the firstFirst Lady we have had?She is now being used toabuse the authority of anelected governor

‘

’that he bears a vicariousliability in the crisis.”

Besides, he said theindifference exhibited bythe President creates anenabling environment forhis followers to act on hisbehalf.

He said: “What I want todo here is to remind you ofa certain historic figure. Iam sure most of us heremust be familiar withThomas Becket, who wasArchbishop of Canterburyin the 11th Century, whowas murdered at the altarby four Knights of KingHenry II.”

Commenting on thecrisis, he said: “Now, Ihave read on the pages ofnewspapers and watchedon television that thePresident’s spokesmenhave been trying todistance him (President)from what is happening inRivers State. They aredoing their job and I wishthem well but they have tounderstand that thePresident has to

understand that theperception out there in theworld is that he bears a lotof responsibility for what ishappening in Riversstate.”

Drawing a parallel, hesaid “My reference toThomas Becket was this:the absolute Monarchismthat obtained at that timewas that King Henry II sawthat Thomas Becket wasbecoming too influentialand what he said was that:‘will no one rid me of thispestilence?’

"What happened afterthat was that four Knightswent and attacked theArchbishop at theCathedral.

"Historically now, wehave five operatorscarrying out the imaginarywill of the absolutemonarch, again anotherp a r a l l e l i s m . ” Continuing, he said“Again, I have been askingmyself are we not tiltingtowards absolutemonarch? There are many

ways of saying: will no onerid me of this pestilence inRivers State? You don’thave to utter a word directlybut from your conductwhich can convey verystrong signals or better stillsay I will come after you.”

Stating that he was notcasting aspersion on anyindividual, he said, “I amsaying that one canestablish certain conductsin the mind of one’sfollowers, all of which circlearound impunity. Thereare certain ways you canconvince your followers,your officials, your cohortsthat they can act withimpunity. There are manyways, for instance, you canexpose a prey and say thatprey is available.”

First Lady’s excesses

Decrying allegedexcesses of the first lady,Soyinka said it wasunfortunate that a meredomestic appendage ofpower could go to a state

and take over the state for11 days. “A queen goes tothe archbishop’s domain,stays 11 days and the baronis not even allowed tomove; creating anenabling environment forthat baron to be dealt with.He is stopped by a Sheriffand that baron isresponsible for security andgovernance.”

He continued: “I amcalling on the PresidentJonathan please curb the

excesses of his wife. Toomuch is too much. Is shethe first First Lady we havehad? She is now beingused to abuse the authorityof an elected governor.

"The governor’s lodgewas tear-gassed. Anybodywho said teargas was notthrown into Amaechi’slodge is either ignorant orlying. Some of Amaechi’ssecurity has beenremoved. The democraticgrounds are being eroded.

With a teargas thrown, thenext one may be a smokegun”.

He chided Rivers StateCommissioner of Police,Mr. Joseph Mbu over hisrole in the politicalimbroglio and describedhim as a politicalpoliceman.

Falana laments crisis

Human rights lawyer,Mr. Femi Falana said it was

regrettable that exactly 10years after a group of thugsattempted to abduct asitting governor inAnambra State, another setof thugs attempted toundermine democraticinstitutions in Rivers State.

Falana said the silence ofPresident Jonathan on theunfortunate developmentin Rivers State wastantamount to anendorsement of the politicalcrisis.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013—7

Reps erred in taking over RiversHouse, say Sagay, Agbakoba, others

BY SONI DANIEL,REGIONAL EDITOR,

NORTH

BY IKENNA ASOMBA

E M I N E N TConstitutional

lawyers have berated theHouse of Representativesover its take-over oflegislative duties in RiversState.

Professor BenNwabueze, SAN, ProfessorItse Sagay, SAN, and OlisaAgbakoba, SAN, opposedthe legislators’ move,describing it as amisinterpretation ofconstitutional provisionsoutlined by Section 11 ofthe 1999 Constitution, asamended.

They spoke yesterday atthe public presentation ofNwabueze’s two-volumeautobiography in Lagos.

Action premature— Sagay

Sagay said: “The actionof the Federal legislators istotally uncalled-for andunacceptable. If you lookat Section 11 of ourconstitution, if you read itcarefully, you will see thatit’s meant to be combinedwith Section 305, underemergency provision. Inorder words, it is only whenemergency has beendeclared in a state that youcan expressly act underSection 11. That is the spiritof the law, but they brokethat spirit, because it wasn’texpressly stated. So theiraction was premature.”

Arguing that there wasmore to the Reps’ action,he said: “If you look at thiswhole issue critically, you

will observe that there wasno need for the take-over.One, there was noevidence that a state ofemergency has beendeclared in Rivers State.Two, in my view, Section 11can’t be activated withoutthe exercise of Section 305,which provides foremergency rule. I see thismove as an act ofinefficiency. This is aNational Assembly that hasnot finished exercising itsconstitutional functionstowards making laws tobetter the lots of Nigerians.What does the NationalAssembly know about theproblems in Rivers State orits people?”

On the move by fivemembers of the RiversAssembly to impeach theSpeaker, Dan Amachree,Sagay described it aslaughable, noting that “ina House of 32 members,how is it possible for justfive clowns to say they haveimpeached the speaker.

It's dishonourable— Agbakoba

Agbakoba described theaction of the Federallegislators asdishonourable.

He said: “This shows youwhat usually happenswhen people who arecharlatans anddishonourable take upleadership positions. Whatis happening in the RiversAssembly is a collossaldisgrace. It’s unbelievable.If I must say my mind, theissue in Rivers State is just

a symptom of the largerproblems we have in thiscountry. How do the peopletake away the power thesepolitical mediocre have?What constitutionalprovision are they using toback their action? Let theHouse of Representative dotheir work. In fact, let themleave Rivers Assembly,because all these boilsdown to struggle for power,

which is unhealthy for ouryoung democracy.”

Unconstitutional— Nwabueze

In the same vein, Prof.Nwabueze chided theRepresentatives saying,“their action isunconstitutional and amere heightening of theissues in Rivers State.”

No hand in mayhem— WikeAs IG summons Rivers CP

AS the political crisis inRivers State escalates,

one of the key politicalactors in the state’s chapterof the Peoples DemocraticParty, PDP, Chief NyesomWike, has denied anyinvolvement in the conflict.

Wike, who is the Ministerof State for Education, toldVanguard that the crisisshould not be blamed onhim, as he was busy doinghis assignment in Abuja.

The denial by Wike camein the wake of report thatthe controversial RiversPolice Commissioner, Mr.Joseph Mbu, had beensummoned by the policehigh command to Abuja toexplain his role in theunfolding political crisis inthe state.

A source close to thecommand in Rivers Statehinted that Mbu got thesummon to report in Abujaon Wednesday, a few hoursafter some policemenstormed the RiversGovernment House andopened canisters of teargasthat injured some personsthere.

But Mbu has consistentlysaid he is not taking sidewith the anti-Amaechiforces in Port Harcourt andAbuja in a bid to removehim from power despite the

show of shame in whichfive out of the 32 lawmakersin the House of Assemblywere reportedly aided andabetted by policemen tounleash mayhem on thepro-Amaechi supporters onTuesday.

Wike said the eruption ofcrisis in the state was anindication that those at thehelm of affairs had lostcontrol and that he shouldnot be accused of anyoffence.

“The minister said, “Idon’t know what ishappening in the state andthose at the helm of affairsshould be asked why thingshave degenerated to wherethey are.”

Reminded that he hadbeen mentioned as one ofthose responsible for thecrisis in his bid to unseatAmaechi so as to pave theway for his emergence asthe next governor of RiversState, Wike said he did notneed to pull down the statebefore becoming agovernor.

He argued that he didnot need to resort to the levelof violence that is currentlyrocking the state House ofAssembly all in a bid tobecome governor.

“Do I need to pull downthe state to become agovernor?” If I becomegovernor in a broken statedoes it make any sense”.

NLC, oil workers threaten as CPC accuses Presidency ofcomplicity

BY CLIFFORDNDUJIHE, VICTORAHIUMA-YOUNG,

DEMOLA AKINYEMI& GABRIEL EWUPA

TRADE Union Congressof Nigeria, TUC,

described the fracas inRivers House asunparliamentary.

The congress, in astatement by President, Mr.Bobboi Kaigama andGeneral Secretary, MusaLawal, said whileNigerians were yet torecover from the shockoccasioned by the NigeriaGovernors’ Forum, NGF,crisis, another one wascoming from Rivers’lawmakers.

The statement said, "it wassad that the world watchedagape as two factions in theassembly openly engagedin fisticuffs and useddangerous weapons.

"The spectacle ofhonourable legislatorsturned pugilists can best be

described as verydishonourable and a showof shame. They are provingthat politics in Nigeria isseen more as a mostlucrative business than acall to service.”

The Nigeria LabourCongress, NLC, called onpolitical actors in the Riverscrisis to “look at the biggerpicture, which is the futureof Nigeria’s democracy.”

In a statement by its VicePresident, Issa Aremu,said: President Jonathanshould avoid adegeneration to the darkdiscredited era of formerPresident OlusegunObasanjo during whichsome states were undersiege; a Governor waskidnapped (Anambra) andtwo governors of Bayelsaand Plateau states seriallyremoved at gun-points.”

National Union of Textile,Garment and TailoringWorkers of Nigeria,NUTGTWN, said it was

concerned and alarmedabout the worseningpolitical crisis in RiversState and described asavoidable and unnecessaryTuesday’s violence in theState House of Assembly.

The Petroleum andNatural Gas Senior StaffAssociation of Nigeria,PENGASSAN, said in viewof the mayhem in the RiversState House of Assemblyand the state of fearspervading Rivers state, itwould be forced to withdrawits members from the state,if the security situation didnot improve.

PENGASSAN President,Babatunde Ogun, said theviolence showed thatpolitical leaders in thecountry lacked elementarydemocratic decorum andrespect for the constitution..

The Speaker Kwara StateHouse of Assembly, RazakAtunwa, described thecrisis as gross democraticdegeneration, which he

said could lead to chaos andanarchy.

Congress for ProgressiveChange, CPC, accused thepresidency of being thebrain behind the fracasamong the members of theHouse, and called for theimpeachment of PresidentJonathan.

In a statement by itsNational Publicity Secretary,Engr. Rotimi Fashakin,CPC said that thepresidency had in recenttime engaged the Governorof the state in a politicalbattle, which led to theeruption of undemocraticexpression of emotions onthe floor of the House onTuesday.

Describing the crisis asshameless and executiverecklessness, Fashakincalled on the NationalAssembly to investigate therole allegedly played by thePresident, and if foundculpable he should beimpeached.

Protesters at the scene of incident while policemen watch

8 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013

Some of the illegal immigrants apprehended in Edo, yesterday.

300 illegal immigrants rounded upin Edo

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

BENIN CITY — THE Nigeria Immigration Services

in Edo State in collaborationwith the state government, hasapprehended more than 300 ille-gal immigrants in the state dur-ing operation conducted in thethree senatorial districts of thestate.

Controller of Immigration, EdoCommand, Mr David Akwo, said,yesterday, that 120 of those ar-rested would be deported, whilethe Malians among them wouldbe handed over to authorities ofthe United Nations High Com-mission for Refugees, in line withUN resolution.

Parading the illegal immigrantsat the command headquarters,Akwo cautioned citizens of WestAfrican countries not to miscon-strue the ECOWAS Protocol onmovement of citizens of member

states across the region.He said: “You are all aware that

recently, foreigners have beenarrested for crimes in the state.So with the assistance of the gov-ernor, we decided to raid andapprehend illegal immigrants.

"In the course of that, we ar-rested about 400 persons, butduring our screening we foundout that some of them are Ni-gerians, so we left those ones.And of course some of these im-migrants who have legal docu-ments that qualify them to stay,we had to release them too.

“That left us with 120 illegalimmigrants who do not possessvalid travelling documents, sothey are liable to be sent backto their countries.

On ECOWAS protocool offree movement, he said therewas a proviso, that is to say forECOWAS citizens to movefreely and gain entry intoECOWAS member states, they

have to possess valid traveldocuments.

“Secondly, they have to comein through authorized route,that is where you have immi-gration clearance, eitherthrough the airport or of coursethe sea port, where your pass-port will be stamped and maybe given 90 days to stay. Now,some of them present NationalID cards but you and I knowthat these are not travellingdocuments, they are just toidentify you as citizen of yourcountry. So all these personshere majority are Nigerien, wehave a few Ghananians, wehave some from Guinea, wehave Malians and or twoChadians.

“So because they don’t haveany valid documents, we haveto send them back to theircountries."

House helpdocked forstealingN10m

BY ONOZURE DANIA

LAGOS— A 20-year-oldhouse help, Christiana

Jonah, who was alleged tohave stolen valuables worthN10 million, was yesterdayarraigned before an IkejaMagistrate’s Court.

Jonah, who is facing a two-count charge bordering onconspiracy and stealing, lev-elled against her by the po-lice, was docked before Mag-istrate A. O. Akinde.

The police prosecutor, In-spector Benson Emuerhi, toldthe court that the offence wascommitted at Plot 1862,Abraimoh Kuku Street, Victo-ria Island, Lagos.

He said the defendant stolecoral beads and wrist watchesvalued N10 million, perfumeand scarfs worth N15,000 andN27,000 cash.

The prosecutor said that thestolen items were property ofMrs Adeola Yusuf. Accordingto him, the offence committedcontravened Sections 285 and409 of the Criminal Laws ofLagos State 2011.

However, the defendantpleaded not guilty to thecharge when it was read.

Magistrate Akinde grantedher bail in the sum ofN100,000 with two sureties inlike sum and adjourned thematter to August 5, 2013.

BENIN CITY— OFFICERSand men of the 4th Brigade,

Nigerian Army Benin City, yes-terday, paraded 19 suspected oilthieves and robbers including aPolice Inspector, NanaghaAduomeni, attached to A Depart-ment of the Police Division,Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Among the suspects were fivekidnappers who collected N1.5million from their victim in Warri,Delta State, before they were ar-rested by the army while tryingto sell a Nissan Primera Salooncar with number plate LAGOS PJ339 AAA, which was used for kid-napping.

Parading the suspects, at the 4Brigade, Benin City, CaptainRoselyn Managbe, Army PublicRelations Officer, said it was partof the operation code namedPULO SHIELD, put together bythe Commander of the Brigade,

Some of us indulge in robberies on the roads —Arrested cop

Army parades policeman, 18 othersuspected kidnappers, robbers

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM Brig-Gen.Pat Akem, with a viewto crush economic saboteurs andother criminal elements operat-ing in the Niger Delta.

According to her, “in our ef-fort to check the excesses ofthe oil thieves, our men inter-cepted a tipper truck loadedwith 15 drums of substance sus-pected to be illegally refinedAGO at Aladja, Delta State.

"The operation led to the arrestof five persons. They confessedand took the monitoring team tothe habour market and TankerGarage in Warri metropolis wherea total of 1,500 drums of substancesuspected to be illegally refinedAGO were discovered and con-sequently destroyed.”

On the gang of robbers whichincluded the Police inspector,she said “he and members ofhis gang were caught block-ing the road with woods whileother members of his gangwho were armed took cover in

the thick forest along the road.When they sighted the army,I n s p e c t o rNanagha tried towithdraw into thebush, but wascaught while othermembers of thegang escaped intothe creeks.”

I n s p e c t o rNanagha whospoke to journalists,confessed to thecrime, disclosingthat “in Bayelsamost police officersindulge in robbery.I have two childrenand a wife I am verysorry for them. I hadto remove my uni-form to go for the op-eration. I was calledupon to go by a col-league police of-

ficer. Some of us indulge in suchact on the roads”.

Police Inspector Nanagha Aduomeni,the suspect

Boy, 10, inNSCDCcustody overallegedN500,000 theft

DUTSE – A 10-year-old boy(name withheld) has been

arrested by the Jigawa Com-mand of the Nigeria Securityand Civil Defence Corps,NSCDC, over alleged theft ofN500,000.

NSCDC Commandant in thestate, Mr Muhammad Gidado,told News Agency of Nigeriain Dutse, yesterday, that thesuspect was arrested, Wednes-day, in Kiyawa Local Govern-ment Area of the state.

Gidado said the money wasstolen from the suspect’smother residing in Jahun Lo-cal Government, adding thatit was a contribution by someof the residents, which waskept in the woman’s custody.

He said the boy was arrestedfollowing reports by membersof the community on how thesuspect was spending moneyextravagantly.

The commandant stated thata new sports bicycle worthN45,000 and N250,000 wererecovered from him.

Sixpipelinevandalsarrested inOndo

BY DAYO JOHNSON

AKURE — THE Nigeria Security and Civil Defence

Corps, Ondo State Commandhave arrested six suspected oilpipeline vandals.

The suspects were arrestedat Caravan, Ago Odigbo vil-lage after tollgate in OdigboLocal Government Area of thestate, Wednesday.

Two trucks with numberplates XB 208 SGD EDO andXA 341 MAK Niger, onepumping machine, hose usedfor siphoning fuel from the van-dalised NNPC pipeline andtwo motorcycles were recoveredfrom them.

This was contained in a state-ment made available to Van-guard in Akure by the PublicRelations Officer of the statecommand, Mr KayodeBalogun.

The suspects, according tohim, are Ashile Salami, MorufOluodunni, Usman Seidu,Raphael Ayanmonina,Abraham Nwadike and JosephEnabulele.

Balogun said the anti-vandalunit of the command on a rou-tine surveillance patrol of theNNPC pipeline at Ago Odigboarea caught the suspects in theact at 12:45 a.m.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013—9

National Population Commission, NPC, Federal Commissioner for Anambra, Prof. ChikaMoore (2nd left) and state Director, Mr Joachim Ulasi leading the road show against teen-age pregnancy in Awka, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

7 die, 14 injured in Lagosbuilding collapseOctogenarian, couple, baby, pregnant woman dieRRS boss orders NEMA spokesman’s arrest

BY EVELYN USMAN, BOSEADELAJA, MONSURUOLOWOOPEJO & UJU

MBANUSI

LAGOS — A THREE-STOREY building at 29, Oloto

Street, Ebutte Metta, Yaba Lo-cal Council Development Area,LCDA, Lagos, yesterday col-lapsed killing no fewer thanseven persons with 14 others in-jured.

A one-year-old baby, a couple,identified as Bukky and Lanre,and a pregnant woman, a nurs-ing mother, Iya AbdulBarki andher son were all pulled out ofthe debris dead.

Also, an 80-year-old AlhajiGaniu Salami lost his life andhas since been buried accord-ing to Islamic rites, while hisdaughter-in-law sustained in-jury.

Vanguard gathered that the 14persons who sustained injurieswhen the building caved in atabout 2:00 am, have all been ad-mitted at the General Hospital,Lagos Island.

It was also learnt that theowner of the building identifiedas Alhaji Dimeji, who alsoowns two other distressed build-ings is on the run.

Mr. Ufuoma Ekpere, a resi-dent who alerted other residentsabout the imminent collapsesaid: “I came back from work atabout 11:00 pm. But on gettinghome, my wife was asleep. So Ihad to go to the kitchen myselfto prepare what I wanted to eat.On getting to the kitchen, I dis-covered that some rubbles fromthe building had fallen off. ButI didn’t take it serious. So I wentto bed.

“At about 2:05 am, I woke upand discovered the entire build-ing was cracking. While tryingto alert the landlord, I discov-ered that the crack was gettingwider. Then, I alerted other ten-ants and rescued my family. Im-mediately we came out, thebuilding caved in.”

Community rescue team

Mr. Hakeen Adeyemi, a resi-dent who also helped in the res-cue operation, said: “A large percent of the recovered bodieswere women.

“The baby was recovered inthe company of his two siblingswho, however, survived andhave been admitted in the gen-eral hospital. Those rescuedwere rushed to the hospitalwhile some died before helpcould come their way.”

Another resident involved inthe rescue operation, Mr. SikiruAzeez, said: “If the equipmenthad come early, the number ofcasualities would have re-duced. I know this because Iwas involved in the rescue op-eration since 2:10 am. I had touse my rechargeable lantern tosearch for the victims. And Iassisted in recovering three bod-ies and rescued two persons.”

Families of the deceased

Sulaimon Shiaba, a brother to

Bukky, who died in the collapse,said his sister was in her early30s and traded in local and for-eign fabrics.

“Bukky was sleeping in thehouse with her husband, Lanreand Juwon, my brother. Sherented the apartment four yearsago. And when she rented theplace, I was her guarantor andthere wasn’t any crack on thebuilding but all we could re-move from the building wereher cloths and jewellery.”

I thought rapturehad taken place

Another occupant who sim-ply gave his name asOluwaremilekun said: “I hadjust finished watching a movieand was trying to doze offwhen I heard some cracks fol-lowed by a loud noise. At thatpoint, I thought rapture hadtaken place and I started pray-ing for mercy.

"Before I knew it, I discov-ered that the floor was sink-ing and thought I was goingto hell. I started shouting 'havemercy Lord!' Before I knew it,people started crying andshouting. I can’t tell how Imanaged to come out before Irealised it was the buildingthat collapsed. I am gratefulto God for sparing my life be-cause I am not better thatthose that died.”

A 28-year-old man identifiedas Olayinka Mogaji who re-sided in the ill-fated buildingsaid he was on their third floorapartment with his mother, hissister and a friend when theyheard a loud noise, but beforethey could ascertain what washappening, the building camecrumbling down on them.

"The walls fell on my mother

before she could run out. Ittook the intervention of neigh-bours to save her. I thank Godeveryone in our apartmentsurvived. Three of our neigh-bours on the second floor werenot that lucky, as they all died.”

NEMA confirms

Confirming the incident, theinformation officer of the Na-tional Emergency Manage-ment Agency, NEMA, Mr.Ibrahim Farinloye said: “Wereceived the alert about thecollapsed building at about2:35 am and we arrived at thescene 10 minutes later. Imme-diately we arrived, seven bod-ies were recovered.

“Among the seven bodieswere one-year-old child, threewomen and five men were res-cued from the debris.

“Affected were those wholived on the first and groundfloors. It would have reducedif it wasn’t at night. But de-spite that we respondedswiftly. Uptil 5:00 am, none ofthe agency had tuned up. Ifthere are more people trappedin the building, we will know.”

NEMA spokesmanarrested

A mild drama unfolded at thescene of the collapsed build-ing after spokesperson forNEMA, Mr Ibrahim Farinloye,was manhandled and arrestedby policemen attached to theRapid Response Squad, RRS.

His arrest, as gathered, wason the order of a senior officerof RRS, following Farinloye’sattempt to prevent the police-men from chasing away someresidents who were involvedin rescue operation before the

arrival of rescue agents.Men of the RRS arrived the

scene at noon while NEMAand other rescue operatorswere still rescuing trapped vic-tims from the debris. The po-licemen went into action byfirst sending away residentswho were helping out. Jour-nalists at the scene were alsosent out.

At that point, Farinloye wassaid to have stopped the po-licemen from sending theyouths away, explaining thatthey had been helping out inthe rescue operation even be-fore their arrival.

An unconfirmed report, how-ever, quoted Farinloye as say-ing the senior RRS officer whogave the directive for the resi-dents to leave the scene wasstupid. Apparently angry atthe utterance, the officer re-portedly ordered Farinloye’sarrest.

Attempt to prevail on the of-ficer failed as Farinloye wasbundled out of the scene.

His arrest temporarilymarred the rescue operation,as NEMA officials protestedthe arrest of their boss andthereafter, abandoned thescene.

Farinloye, as gathered, wastaken to Denton police stationwhere efforts to effect his releaseat about 4pm failed, as reporthad it that the Commander ofthe RRS, Mr Akeem Odumosu,insisted that Farinloye would becharged to court today.

Not even entreaties by thechairman of Lagos Mainland Local Government, OladeleOlakanye to Odumosu couldchange his mind on Farinloye’srelease.

However, Vanguard learntthat Farinloye was realsed atabout 5.50 pm.

BY LUKA BINNIYAT

101-yr-old3-storeybuildingcollapses inKaduna

KADUNA— A THREE-STOREY building, said to

have been built over 101 yearsago, yesterday, collapsed inKaduna metropolis, trappingall the tenants that were insideat the time of the incident.

No fewer than 50 peoplewere in the building as thetime of the incident and onlyfive children, a woman andone other man had been res-cued at press time as therewere no equipment to carryout the operation.

This was even as some of thevictims continued to hit thewalls of the collapsed build-ing, screaming for help.

A middle-aged woman andoccupants of the building col-lapsed on seeing the ruins,after shouting “my children,my children!”

She was taken to one of thenearby hospitals by men of thestate’s Operation Yaki in a ve-hicle with number plate KAF251 AA.

Sources said the building,located along Hadeja Road byIbrahim Taiwo Road, had itsthree top floors as residentialhomes, while the ground floorwas used for trading.

It was said that the building,which collapsed at 2.32p.m.,attracted passers-by andneighbours, which securitymen found difficult to control.

Gov, deputyseek help

Vanguard learnt that Gov-ernor Muktar Yero and hisdeputy, Nuhu Bajoga, cutshort other state functions andparticipated in the efforts torescue the victims.

They were said to havecalled relevant agencies tomove down their rescueequipment to the site of thecollapsed building.

Bajoga later sent the man-ager of one of the constructionfirms in the state, PWD, to askfor bulldozers and other equip-ment to hasten the rescue op-eration.

Helpless SEMASome officials of the State

Emergency ManagementAgency, SEMA, at the sceneof were helpless in the chaoticenvironment as they had norescue equipment.

SEMA’s Public Relations Of-ficer, PRO, who was ap-proached for comments bynewsmen said: “Please, my

Continues on page 43

7 of 50occupantsrescued so far

10 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013

Lagos Govt undecided on death rowinmates

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDU-LAH

LAGOS — LAGOS StateGovernment, yesterday,

said it had not decided whetheror not to sign death warrants toexecute inmates on death row inview of high number of con-demned inmates in Lagos pris-ons.

State Attorney-General, Mr.Ade Ipaye, who spoke on thecontroversy generated by the re-cent executions in Edo State, fol-lowing President GoodluckJonathan’s directive to the gov-ernors to start signing death war-rants, said, “the only option is forthe country to put up a nationalcommittee to determine the ne-cessity or otherwise of retainingdeath penalty in the nation’s con-stitution.”

According to him, the commit-tee would examine whetherdeath sentence had served thepurpose of deterring others fromcommitting such crimes or not.

He said the state realised re-cently that majority of prison in-mates kept illegally in custodyhad no case file or any reportawaiting legal advice in the Min-istry of Justice.

Speaking on death penalty atthe monthly briefing on law andorder in Lagos, Ipaye said thecommittee’s report would helpNigerians to take a stand on theissue which “has stood at limbofor some times now.”

Reacting to the hesitation bygovernors in performing the con-stitutional duty of signing theexecution warrants and the presi-dent’s directive, Ipaye said “al-though death penaltyremains part of our laws, gover-

nors still have the right to exer-cise their discretion in grantingamnesty to convicts under theprerogative of mercy as wellas by being hesitant to sign thewarrant because of theconvicts’ right of appeal.”

On prison decongestion, Ipayesaid a recent visit to the Kirikirifemale, medium and maximumprisons had shown that many ofthe inmates were on awaiting triallist without records, saying, “onJune 13, we visited Kirikiri Fe-male, Medium, and Maximumprisons. In the female prison, wediscovered that out of 226 in-mates, 171 were ‘awaiting trial’,with only 54 inmates were al-ready convicted.

“At the Maximum Prison, wediscovered 121 inmates whowere awaiting trial for variousoffences.

“It is important to note that

majority of these inmates haveno file or report awaiting legaladvice in the Ministry of Justice.In those cases, our Office of Pub-lic Defender, OPD, and Directo-rate of Citizens’ Rights, DCRhave started filing necessary ap-plications before the courts toensure that the deserving onesare released or prosecuted with-out further delay.”

He also used the opportunityto dismiss reports that minorswere being kept in prisons acrossthe state on the orders of a Mag-istrate Court for 390 days.

According to him, investiga-tion into the matter revealed the162 persons arraigned at theMagistrate Court were above 18years and that both the Magis-trate and the Registrar furthertook the step of requiring theprosecutor and the defendants toconfirm their age individually.

Lagos records 83% 2nd quarter budget performance

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

LAGOS — GOVERNORBabatunde Fashola of La-

gos State, yesterday, said thestate recorded an 83 per centin second quarter perform-ance for the state 2013

Budget.The performance repre-

sents an increase of 22 percent above the first quarterperformance which was 61per cent.

Fashola, after presidingover the Year 2013 BudgetSecond Quarter/Half-Year

Performance Appraisal at theLagos House, Ikeja, said thesecond quarter result was con-sistent with the promise hemade to residents at the firstquarter budget review meet-ing that there would be animproved performance in thesecond quarter.

According to him: “Our re-view covers from April to Junethis year and the result showsan isolated performance of 83per cent for the second quar-ter which is consistent with thepromise I made at the firstquarter, when we announceda 61 per cent result, that wewould improve on our per-formance and work harder.

“So what you have, 61 percent for the first quarter and83 per cent for the secondquarter, is a cumulative of 72per cent, slightly behind ourresult of 75 per cent at thistime last year, 2012.”

Explaining the slight short-fall in cumulative perform-ance, the governor said, “Youwill also understand that weare working a larger budgetthis year as against last year’sbudget.

LAGOS — THE police inLagos on Thursday ar-

raigned 20 suspected hood-lums before an Apapa SeniorMagistrates’ Court, for alleg-edly causing violence, result-ing into killing, raping and de-struction of property.

The accused persons, who re-side at Obale and OkekearoStreets, Ijora-Badia, Apapa, La-gos, are facing a three-countcharge of conspiracy, unlawful

gathering and a breach of thepeace.

The prosecutor, Cpl. FridayInedu, told the court that theaccused had on June 24 andJune 25 caused mayhem in thearea.

“The accused constitutedthemselves into nuisance bycommitting violence that re-sulted into maiming and kill-ing of innocent people, rapingof women and destruction of

property, “ Inedu said.Inedu said that Sodiq Akano

25, who is the ring leader ofthe gang, was found in posses-sion of cutlasses and charmsused during the operation.

“After the accused had causedthe mayhem, they wererounded up by the police andarrested, hence, their arraign-ment in court, “ the prosecutorsaid.

MY PIKIN’SAPPEAL:Courtadjourns tillJuly 18

BY BARTHOLOMEWMADUKWE

LAGOS — THECourt of Appeal,

Lagos division, presidedover by Justice ShagbaorIkyegh, yesterday, ad-journed till July 18(next Thursday) on theappeal filed by the con-victed producers of ‘MyPikin’ teething mixture.

It will be recalled thatthe appellants werefound guilty in a judg-ment delivered on May17, 2013, by JusticeOkechukwu Okeke,(now retired) of the Fed-eral High Court, Lagos.

The judge found themguilty of conspiracy tosale of dangerousdrugs.

The convicts are:Egbele Austin Eromoseleand Adeyemo Abiodun,both sentenced to sevenyears imprisonment andtheir firm, Barewa Phar-maceuticals Limited, tobe wound up and assetsforfeited to the FederalGovernment.

BUDGET PERFORMANCE: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN (middle); Secretary to the State Govern-ment, Dr. Oluranti Adebule (right), and the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Adetokunbo Abiru, during the Year 2013 SecondQuarter/Half-Year Budget Performance Appraisal, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, yesterday

Lagos police arraign 20 suspected hoodlums forvarious offences

NSCDCsmashesillegal babyfactory

BY TONY EDIKE

ENUGU — OPERA-TIVES of the Ni-

geria Security and CivilDefence Corps,NSCDC, in EnuguState, yesterday, raideda clinic where babiesfrom unwanted preg-nancies are sold.

The proprietor of theclinic, Dr. Ben Agbo anda nurse working withhim, have been arrestedwhile a three-day oldbaby about being deliv-ered to a buyer was re-covered from them.

The illegal baby homeidentified as ‘MoonlightMaternity Home’ is lo-cated at Agbani Road byAbagana Street in CoalCamp area of Enugucapital city.

The 74-year old propri-etor of the clinic said hehad been operating theclinic since the past nineyears, admitting that hehad been selling babiesto those in need under ahumanitarian service ofthe clinic.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013 — 11

UI students' protest paralysescommercial activities

BY OLA AJAYI

IBADAN — STUDENTS ofthe University of Ibadan,

yesterday, paralysed commer-cial activities in the ancient citywhen they moved out of cam-pus to protest Federal Govern-ment's alleged insensitivity tomyriad of problems in educa-tion sector.

The angry students went ona peaceful protest to majorstreets in the city with variousplacards with inscriptions suchas 'Nigeria: Giant or Dwarf ofAfrica,' 'Education is dead inNigeria,' 'Adieu to educationsector in Nigeria,' among oth-ers.

During the protest that lastedfor hours, vehicular move-ments were paralysed as mo-torists going to places likeMokola, Dugbe, Ilorin andother northern parts of thecountry could not.

As a result, commuters,transporters and passengersgroaned while trekking longdistances.

The students called for theresignation of the Minister ofEducation, Prof. RuqayyatuRufai.

The protest was supervisedby Divisional Police Officer ofSango, Mrs. OlufunmilayoAkinfenwa, who ensured thathoodlums did not hijack it.

Led by SUG President UI,Babatunde Badmus, the stu-dents in a communiqué readduring the protest, complainedabout unnecessary establish-ment of more tertiary institu-tions in Nigeria while theavailable ones suffer neglect.

They also called for mod-ernisation of decayed facilities

and obsolete style of teachingin tertiary institutions in Ni-geria in the best interest of thefuture of the nation and Ni-gerians.

“While politicians like ChiefObafemi Awolowo spent somuch on education our presi-

"They take their children outof the country to private uni-versities and cripple publicuniversities in order to de-prive the children of themasses right to education. Weshall resist this attempt,” thestudent union leader said.

dent today, is non-chalant tothe extent that he takes pridein jetting out while pressingnational issues that need hisattention arise. RuqayyatuRufai should resign if shelacks the clue to the problemin the education sector.

Ogun police arrest taxi driver, recover 28bags of Indian hemp

ABEOKUTA — THE OgunState Police Command has

said that it has arrested a taxidriver identified as TaofiqAkintoluwa for allegedly con-veying weeds suspected to beIndian hemp.

The state Commissioner of Po-lice, Ikemefuna Okoye, statedthis while parading the suspectat the police headquarters,Eleweran, Abeokuta, yesterday,adding that 28 bags of Indianhemp were recovered .

Ikemefuna later handed overthe suspect and the seized itemsto officials of the National DrugLaw Enforcement Agency,NDLEA, for further interrogationand prosecution.

He explained that 20 bags ofIndian hemp were recovered inMakun area of Sagamu and eightothers from Ayetoro, Yewa NorthLocal Government Area of thestate, during separate operationscarried out by men of Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, andCriminal Investigation Depart-ment, CID.

He, however, said the suspects

that conveyed the weeds inSagamu escaped from the scene,but, Akintoluwa was unlucky ashe was arrested with the eightbags in a taxi with registrationnumber Ogun XB 940 LAR.

Also speaking, the state NDLEACommander, Bala Fagge, ex-pressed satisfaction with the po-lice for cooperating with hisagency in the fight against nar-cotics and other illicit drug.

The NDLEA boss assured thatAkintoluwa will be interrogatedwith a view to apprehendingother suspect connected with theincident.

Osun farmers worry as rain prevents drying ofcocoa beans

OWENA-IJESA — Cocoafarmers in Osun have ex-

pressed grave concern over theirinability to dry their cocoa beansdue to incessant rainfall, accord-ing to reports.

The downpour in the past twoweeks is said to be equally af-fecting the mood of the farmersas they lament that cannot drytheir cocoa beans in the sun.

The farmers are now prayingfor the sun to shine as their in-ability to dry the cocoa beansmight result in great losses forthem.

A visit to Owena and somefarm camps such as Nonber,

Ajebandele, Olosan and Aba-Ako, all in Oriade Local Govern-ment Area of Osun revealed simi-lar situations.

The farmers in all these areaswith fermented cocoa beans wereseen waiting endlessly for sun-light.

Other farmers, who had alreadyput their beans on hard surfacein the open for sunlight were alsoobserved looking towards the skyevery minute to see if the sun willshine.

Mr. Kamoru Ajagbe, a cocoafarmer at Owena-Ijesa in Osun,was quoted as saying that hisharvested cocoa beans had been

fermenting for five days and duefor drying.

“The weather is not favourablefor drying cocoa now because sun-shine is not forthcoming, but wehope that the weather will bebrighter in a few days time,”Ajagbe said.

Alhaji Laolu Abidoye, a cocoamerchant and a farmer at Aba-Ako, said that the rainy seasonthat began early this year was re-sponsible for the early productionof cocoa pods.

Abidoye warned farmers not toindulge in artificial drying of co-coa beans such as using tradi-tional ovens or frying pots.

Aregbesolaempowers100 widows

BY GBENGA OLARI-NOYE

OSOGBO — WIFEof the Osun State

Governor, AlhajaSherifat Aregebsola hasdistributed empower-ment materials to about100 needy widows drawnfrom across the 30 localgovernment areas of thestate to assist in allevi-ating their plights.

Performing the distri-bution of the empower-ment materials inOsogbo under her petprogramme; Sheri CareFoundation, SCARF,Alhaja Aregbesola saidthat the materials to thewidows was part of theefforts of the present ad-ministration in the stateto build a virile socialsecurity system that willput smiles back on thefaces of widows and re-duce the grief of the lossof their spouses.

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

VISIT: Oniko of Ikolaje, Oba Adekunle Ojo; President, Yewa Descendant Union, UK/Ireland, Mr. Segun Ebo; Speaker, OgunState House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Suraj Adekunbi; Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Olu of Imashai, ObaGbadebo Oni; Olu of Ilobi, Oba Saliu Ajibade; and Onidofa of Idofa, Oba David Adeyanju, during the courtesy visit by theunion to the Governor's Office in Abeokuta, yesterday

Man beatswife to deathin Osun

OSOGBO — ITwas weeping and

wailing for the residentsof Iroye Street, Ilesa onTuesday when a youngman, simply identifiedas Wale Agbaje beat hiswife to death over a mi-nor disagreement

Residents of the areatold our correspondent,yesterday, that the cou-ple frequently engagedeach other in squabbles.

The source furtherstated that the husbandwas said to have hit thewife with concrete blockon the forehead whichled to the sudden col-lapse of the wife, whowas rushed to a nearbyprivate hospital by thesympathisers.

It was further learntthat the woman died onarrival at the clinic.

Detectives from ‘B’ Di-vision Headquarters,Ilesa have arrested theman and he is currentlyassisting the police intheir investigation intothe matter.

The intervention of se-curity operatives savedthe suspect from beingmobbed by the residents.

BY GBENGA OLARI-NOYE

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013

N500M FG FLOOD RELIEF FUND:Delta govt dismisses alleged discrimination

Warri Northcrisis: Ijaw,Itsekiri urgedto embracepeace

Edo PDP accuses govt of plot to sell‘Edo House’ in Lagos

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

BY ABDULWAHABABDULAH

Stock brokerjailed 30yrsfor stealingclient’s N17m

Late Madam Eze.

MADAM JosephineEze, nee Ezea, 82,

is dead. She died onJune 29, 2013.

There will a funeralMass and wake-keep atthe palace of late IsiamaUgbene in Uzo UwaniLocal Government Areaof Enugu State, today.

Interment is at thesame venue, after a req-uiem Mass tomorrow.

Transition

ASABA— DELTA StateCommissioner for Local

Government Affairs, Mr.Newworld Safugha, has deniedallegations of discrimination inthe disbursement of the N500 mil-lion flood disaster fund grantedthe state by the Federal Govern-ment for last year’s flooding vic-tims in the state. He said that the25 local government areas underhis supervision were collaborat-ing effectively with the commit-tee charged with the managementof the fund.

Some communities in Ndokwahad criticised the way the fundwas being managed, saying thatthey had not been visited to as-sess the damage done by the floodto their communities, let alonebenefited from the N500 millionlargesse.

Safugha in Asaba, when hetook his turn to address newsmenon the ongoing Mid-term reportof the ministries in the state, clari-fied that funds due to the localgovernment areas were not tam-pered with as was the case insome states. He said: “Here inDelta, the governor is evenspending over half a billion nairaevery month in bailing out thecouncils in the payment of teach-ers’ salaries.

“In answer to your question onthe N500 million fund, I know thatthe Committee on Flood and thecouncils are not relating but ifthere are issues, my attention hasnot been drawn to them. Once my

BENIN – EDO State chap-ter of Peoples Democratic

Party, PDP, has alleged that thestate government under theleadership of Governor AdamsOshiomhole, had concludedplans to sell the “EDOHOUSE,” on Ahmadu BelloWay, Victoria Island Lagos toa Lebanese contractor, who isexecuting some contracts forthe state government.

State chairman of the party,Chief Dan Orbih, who ad-dressed newsmen in Benin-City, yesterday, said that the

WARRI—A prominent Ijawyouth leader, Mr. Ebis

Moni, has advised aggrievedyouths of Egbema Ijaw andItsekiri to embrace peace andadopt dialogue in resolvingtheir differences.

Moni, a member of DeltaState Waterway Security Com-mittee, DWSC, noted that itwas imperative for parties to toethe path of peace to avoid there-occurrence of the then Warricrisis, during which many peo-ple were killed and severalproperty destroyed.

He expressed confidencethat the state governor, Dr.Emmanuel Udaughan wouldresolve the matter amicably,adding that the state govern-ment had spent so much toachieve the existing peace andsecurity in the state.

He said: “We must not allowthe crisis to escalate becausevictims of the then Warri crisisare still regretting the calam-ity and loss they suffered.”

attention is formally drawn tothem, I will handle it.”

On the Igbodo crisis resultingfrom the refusal of the Obi of thecommunity to marry an indigene,the Commissioner said “thedeputy governor, Professor AmosUtuama, SAN, set up a commit-

tee which I am a member. Thecommittee, headed by him heldseveral meetings including withthe Igbodo community, thestakeholders, the traditional rulerand even the council that is IkaNorth East Local GovernmentArea and representatives of the

Commissioner of Police and Director ofDepartment of State Security, DSS.

“As soon as the committee com-pletes its assignment, the deputygovernor will direct that for the out-come be made public and I can as-sure that the crisis is almost re-solved.”

USC reiterates commitment to protectUrhobo interests

LAGOS—THE Urhobo So-cial Club, USC, Lagos State,

has reiterated its commitment toprotect the Urhobo nation’s politi-cal interest and encourage hereconomic empowerment, just asit called for re-orientation of val-ues among the Urhobo people.

Chief Simeon Ohwofa, whilebeing sworn in as President,hailed his predecessor, SeniorEvangelist Emmanuel Evue, forhis excellent stewardship and forinitiating wonderful programmesfor the club which, he noted werethe primary tools for USC’s newera engagement.

Lebanese, who has no inter-est in the property was beingused by an unnamed officialof the state as a proxy to buythe choice property.

He said: “Information avail-able to us is that a top gov-ernment official is using aLebanese contractor as a proxyto purchase the property.Their intention is to use it ashotel and also engage theirChinese partners to managethe outfit in Lagos. Where isthe much talked transparency?We have not seen any adver-tisement either on the Televi-

sions or print media that theyare putting this property forsale.”

Reacting, Special Adviser toGovernor Oshiomhole onMedia, Mr. Kassim Afegbuadenied the allegation. Hesaid, “Edo House in Lagoshas not been sold but if wediscover that selling it will bein the best interest of thestate, we will do so. The PDPcannot dictate to our govern-ment. When they had the op-portunity to govern, theyplundered the state blind.”

He said “the era of docility andstanding on the sideline is over.USC will engage other Urhoboelite clubs in Lagos, Abuja, homeand abroad on issues and actionsgeared towards protecting anduplifting Urhobo political inter-est.”

Chief Ohwofa, who noted thatthe Club, which celebrates its 40thAnniversary this year, has en-tered a new era of internet, socialmedia, digital broadcasting,added that the Club will initiatediscussions with the UrhoboProgress Union, UPU;Ukokor’Ivie and other elite or-

ganisations on how best to workUrhobo back into economic reck-oning in a comity of ethnic na-tionalities.

“We remember with nostalgia,the Ibru Organisation,Mosheshe Fisheries to mentiona few Urhobo-owned companiesthat provided wealth, employ-ment and pride for our people.Can we have modern day indus-trialists/businessmen and tech-nocrats? This is possible withcooperation and communica-tion,” Owhofa said.

He also informed that the Clubwould work closely with UPUand the Royal Fathers in strate-gic planning and executions.

LAGOS—A 37-year-old stock broker, Ayoola

Coker was yesterday sen-tenced to a 30 years impris-onment by an Ikeja Highcourt for stealing N17.5million belonging to his cli-ents.

Justice AdeniyiOnigbanjo gave the jailterms after the convict, hadpleaded guilty to thecharges preferred againsthim by the Economic andFinancial Crimes Commis-sion, EFCC, after his re-arraignment.

The judge found Cokerguilty of all the 15-countcharge of stealing, issu-ance of dud cheque, for-gery and uttering leveledagainst him by the anti graftagency.

He was sentenced to twoyears imprisonment oneach of the counts, but thecourt directed that the sen-tences are to run concur-rently starting from Decem-ber 1, 2011, when he wasapprehended.

Though the trial judgenoted that the convictmade efforts to pay restitu-tion to the victims, MrSaheed Gbadamosi andhis son, Taiwo by transfer-ring the title deed of hislanded property at Idimu,Lagos worth N8 millionand a car valued N1 mil-lion to the victims.

“He was arraigned ear-lier on June 6, 2011 andpleaded not guilty. Thevoluntary changing of hisplea to a guilty plea hasdemonstrated sufficient re-morse as to warrant the le-niency of the charge.”

FORUM: GMD/CEO, First Bank of Nigeria Ltd., Mr. Bisi Onasanya (left) and Minister forNational Planning and Budget; Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, at the Nigeria Investment Forumwhich took place in Beijing, China.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013 — 13

14—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013

BY CHRIS OCHAYI&VINCENT UJUMADU

Anambra poll: No imposition of candidates—Labour Party, APA

ABUJA— THE Labour Party, LP, has promised to

provide a level playing groundfor all aspirants jostling for theparty’s ticket in the November16, 2013, gubernatorial poll inAnambra State.

This came on a day AnambraState chairman of African Peo-ples Alliance, APA, Mr. Chuk-wunonso Anadu, said the partywould resist attempt by anybodyto impose candidates on it.

National Chairman of LP,Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, who

said this in Abuja, assured theaspirants that LP was a demo-cratic party and would, there-fore, not impose any candidateon the people. He said the par-ty’s candidate would emergethrough a party primary, forwhich a date will be announcedin a due course.

Chief Nwanyanwu, whovowed that the party will clinchthe election in Anambra State,said those dropping the nameof President Goodluck Jonathanahead of the election would bedisappointed because the par-ty was ready to make a differ-ence.

The party chairman, who re-cently received a governorshipaspirant for the election, ChiefIfeanyi Ubah, and hundreds ofhis supporters into the party foldin Abuja, said LP will neutra-lise the influence of godfather-ism from the state’s politics.

He said: “We have killed god-fatherism in Edo and Ondostates. So for anybody to thinkhe can impose governor againin Anambra State, he is daydreaming. We are going to buryit in Anambra in 2014. Thosebanking on President GoodluckJonathan should know that thepresident won’t vote; he willjust provide security for theelection, he believes in rule oflaw."

The meeting also afforded

Chief Ubah the opportunity tointeract formally with membersof the National Working Com-mittee, NWC, of the party.

He described Chief Ubah whorecently joined the party, as aphilanthropist who hadcontinued to put smiles on thefaces of ordinary citizensthrough his kerosene-directprogramme that sold the prod-uct at N50 per litre.

BY ANAYO OKOLI

UMUAHIA— ABIA Stategovernment, yesterday,

alleged that some Port-Harcourt-based companies owned by ex-

patriates were dumping industri-al wastes in Aba.

Deputy General Manager, AbiaState Environmental ProtectionAgency, ASEPA, Dr. Okezie Ik-

peazu, who madethe allegation, saidthe unidentifiedcompanies connivedwith lorry drivers tolift the wastes anddump illegally inAba. He said onesuspect, a truckconductor, has beenarrested and histruck impounded.

Ikpeazu said thesuspect allegedlydumped 90 tonnesof suspected toxicwastes generated inPort Harcourt in thecommercial city, add-ing that the industri-al wastes would besent to Michael Ok-para University ofA g r i c u l t u r e ,Umudike, for labora-tory analysis to de-

termine the toxic level.Noting that the suspect had

been handed over to the policefor further interrogation, he said:“We are now sure that there aresome fifth columnists that gener-ate wastes in their states anddump them in Abia State. We be-lieve that had been the practiceand that is why we have beenhaving problems cleaning upAba.”

He said two other trucks hadearlier discharged 60 tonnes ofwastes on Coca-Cola Bus Stopalso in Aba and escaped, stress-ing that ASEPA became worriedwhen it discovered that its dailyprojection on the number of trucksneeded to evacuate wastes on PortHarcourt Road in Aba was nolonger enough.

Ikpeazu attributed this to thesudden emergence of what hecalled alien wastes, stressing: “Toour greatest surprise on Mondaymorning ,we discovered that 37trucks would be needed to evac-uate the wastes on Port HarcourtRoad, hence we started thinkingthat there must be somethingfishy.”

How APC ‘ll win Anambraguber election—Okonkwo

AHEAD of the November 16, Anam-

bra governorship elec-tion, the All ProgressivesCongress, APC, hasvowed to trounce the rul-ing All ProgressivesGrand Alliance, APGA,and other parties at thepolls.

Deputy National Chair-man of the party, SenatorAnnie Okonkwo, told re-porters after meeting withstakeholders and Anam-bra women in Awka thatthe most important thingin governance was theprotection of lives andproperty, but noted thatthe present administra-tion in Anambra hadfailed.

On the Peoples Demo-cratic Party, PDP,Okonkwo said the partywas encumbered by in-sincerity and confusion.He said: “I was in PDPbut I left because I do notlike what they are doingthere. The essence of gov-ernance is to bring de-

mocracy dividends tothe people but today, thePDP has failed to do it.

“People were scaredwhether the party willbe registered, but todaythe All ProgressivesCongress has been reg-istered as a political par-ty. APC is a party thatwill continue to fight in-justice. Before we start-ed this journey, weprayed to God and todayit has become a success-ful story. Even with allefforts of our enemies toensure that it does notwork, today, they havebeen put to shame.”

Speaking on his gov-ernorship ambition, thesenator said: “I am not aneophyte in politics. Ihave been in Anambrapolitics for over 20 yearsand the people know metoo well. I have been ableto positively affect livesin the state. None of theaspirants has done halfof what I have put onground.”

How PH based firms dump wastes in Aba—Ikpeazu

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013—15

BY EMMA OVUAKPORIE

PIB: Jonathan, Diezani shouldnot award oil blocs—El-Rufai

Alternativemedicinepractitionersseekrecognition

MEMBERS of Complementary and Al-

ternative Medicine practi-tioners have urged theFederal Government to paymore attention to alternativemedicine for cheaper andeffective medicare.

The practitioners alsosaid they were poised tochart a new course for al-ternative medicine, whichhad been relegated to thebackground for orthodoxmedicine in the country.

National President of theAssociation of Physicians ofComplementary and Alter-native Medicine, MagnusAtilade, made the appeal ata meeting attended by toppractitioners in Lagos.

Atilade was elected as theleader and spokesman ofthe Complementary andAlternative Medicine Prac-titioners and Stakeholders.

He said the meeting wasconvened as a gathering ofprofessionals with charac-teristics of caring for thesick, coupled with nation-alistic and patriotic tenden-cies, which he explainedwas the reason they chosethe profession and field ofservice.

L-r: Mr. Femi Ajala, Product Manager, Fidson Healthcare Plc; Mrs. Yetunde Adesola, Promo-tion Coordinator Astymin; Mr. Ola Ijimakin, General Manager, Marketing and Mr. OladimejiOduyebo, Corporate Service Manager, at the press briefing on the third edition of children'sacademic Astymin brilliance reward held at Fidson Healthcare Plc, office in Lagos. Photo: JoeAkintola, photo editor.

•As NEITI seeks transparency in award of licences

ABUJA—FORMER Federal Capital Territory ,FCT,

Minister, Malam Nasir AhmedEl-Rufai, yesterday, said the pow-ers of the President and Ministerof Petroleum to award oil blocsshould be curtailed.

El-Rufai, who spoke at the finalpublic hearing on the PetroleumIndustry Bill, PIB, organised bythe House ad hoc Committee onthe PIB, said Nigerians shouldbe given the opportunity to free-ly bid for available oil blocs, in-stead of arbitrarily awarding sameto select individuals by the Pres-ident.

He said: “Today, Nigeria has atrack record of attracting a billiondollars in fees from frequencyspectrum. If we can sell some-thing, which is scarce, like thespectrum for that kind of money,why can’t we bid out oil blocs? Ithink you should put in the PIB arequirement that every oil bloc inNigeria, whether onshore or off-shore, be publicly advertised, andeverywhere in the world, Nigeri-ans and foreigners, be given the

opportunity to bid for it, and who-ever bids the highest price shouldwin, even if you have some pro-visions that Nigerians can win, ifthey bid 10 or 20 percent lower.But no one, not even the Presi-dent should have the discretionto allocate oil blocs without rules”.

El-Rufai argued that thereshould be a government frame-work that encouraged indepen-dence of the regulators in the sec-tor, insisting that the regulatorsshould not be made to report tothe Minister of Petroleum.He said: “I think that as you aredoing this legislation, we musthave independent regulators. In-dependent regulators mean thatthey don’t report to the minister.They are independent of theminister. The minister focuses onpolicy, the regulators have free-dom to regulate independentlywithout any control of the minis-ter, which means, for instance,that we should not live in a coun-

try in which the oil bloc can beallocated based on discretion.”Speaking as a director of the Cen-tre for Africa’s Progress and Pros-perity, CAPP, El-Rufai suggestedthat the joint ventures should beincorporated and put on the stockexchange, so Nigerians could

buy shares in the JVC’s. Theformer FCT helmsman also ad-vised that more Nigerians be en-couraged to participate in the pe-troleum industry. On oil hostcommunities’ fund (PHCF), heapplauded the initiative, sayingit was assailable but, however,

called for a governance frame-work.

Executive Secretary of NEITI,Mrs Zainab Ahmed, said to en-sure transparency in the indus-try, the PIB should provide for anallocation process that was clearand transparent, and openned tothe general public.She maintained that there shouldbe a clear description of the pro-cess for transferring or awardingoil licence.

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

GOVERNOR IbrahimGeidam of Yobe State, has

commended the Federal Govern-ment and the Defence Head-quarters for the interest shownin the security of the state inpromptly sending a high-powered fact finding team afterweekend’s terrorist attack onGovernment Secondary School,Mamudo.

Speaking while receiving theDefence Headquarters fact-find-ing team in his office inDamaturu, the governor notedthat the gesture was the first ofits kind in response to a disasterin the state. He also declared thatthe Joint Task Force deployed in

Mamudo school attack: Yobe gov laudsFG over response

the state was doing its best inaddressing the security chal-lenges but expressed sadnessthat the incident at Mamudowas an unfortunate and pain-ful disaster.

Governor Gaidam noted thatschools in forested placeswould require extraordinaryprotection and called for appro-priate strategies to tackle thepeculiar reality of the securitychallenges in such localities.

He requested the militaryauthorities to reconsider theissue of disconnection of GSMservice in the state, as recon-nection would help in passinginformation to security agen-cies, especially in the light of

the current realities of the secu-rity situation. Geidam said hisgovernment realised theimportance of peace, saying therewas no alternative to peace.

Earlier, the leader of the DHQteam, Major General Obinali Ari-ahu, informed the governor thatthe team was in the state to as-sess the deployment of JTF troopsas well as their requirements tocarry out the task of forestallingany breach of security in the state.He conveyed the sympathy andcondolences of the Chief ofDefence Staff to the governmentand people of Yobe State on theloss of lives occasioned by the ter-rorist attacks on the school andother locations.

A B U J A — T H EFederal Government

has released N8.27 billion forDistribution Companies,DISCOs, and PowerGenerating Companies,GENCOS.

A statement issued onWednesday in Abuja by MrPaul Nwabuikwu, spokesmanfor the Coordinating Ministerfor the Economy, Dr NgoziOkonjo-Iweala, said themoney was released,following approval byPresident GoodLuckJonathan.

It said: “N8.27 billion wasspecifically released to theFederal Ministry of Power forthe DISCOs and GENCOs,following approval byPresident Goodluck Jonathan,"adding that the Ministry ofFinance had paid N72.7billion to the Federal Ministryof Power, so far this year, tocover various items in linewith the implementation of thepower roadmap.

The amount, Nwabuike said,included theN45 billion paidto Power Holding Company ofNigeria, PHCN, workers, aspart of the power privatisationprogramme and includesmonies released under theMulti Year Tariff Order,MYTO.

Discos,Gencos getN8.3bngrant

NSCDC smashes illegal baby factory, arrestsdoctor, nurse

BY TONY EDIKE

ENUGU—OPERATIVES ofthe Nigeria Security and

Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC,in Enugu State, yesterday,raided a clinic where babies fromunwanted pregnancies are sold.Proprietor of the clinic, Dr BenAgbo, and a nurse working withhim, have been arrested while athree-day old baby about to bedelivered to a buyer wasrecovered from them.

The illegal baby homeidentified as ‘MoonlightMaternity home’ is located atAgbani Road by Abagana streetin Coal Camp area of Enugucapital city. The 74-year oldproprietor of the clinic said hehad been operating the clinic

since the past nine yearsadmitting that he had beenselling babies to those in needunder a humanitarian serviceof the clinic.

The State NSCDCCommander, Nathaniel Ubong,while parading the suspects,said they were arrestedfollowing a tedioussurveillance mounted by hismen around the maternityhome after a tip off by a patrioticcitizen on the illicit activitiesgoing on at the maternity home.

He explained that they weredisturbed because the said‘Moonlight maternity home’was not on the list of hospitalssubmitted to his unit by Minis-try of Gender Affairs as those

accredited for child fostering inthe state. He said his men recov-ered some vital documents relat-ing to past sales of babies by theclinic under the guise of child fos-tering which the doctor had noauthority to conduct.

Speaking with newsmen, DrAgbo said though he was notaccredited to conduct childfostering, he was using his clinicto render humanitarian servicesto couples,who were finding ithard to produce their own babiesafter many years of marriage.

Asked to explain thewhereabouts of the mother of thebaby found in the home, he saidshe went away to seek forassistance and was yet to return.

16 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013

HARVEST OF COLLAPSED BUILDINGSPIX: JOE AKINTOLA, PHOTO EDITOR, TOSIN ALADESOKUN, BUNMI AZEEZ AND OLA AJAYI.

Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Ambassador Nuhu Bajoga(right) and Secretary of state Emergency Management Agency,Mr. Ishiaku Makama, at the scene of the collapsed building onHadejia Road, Kaduna, yesterday. Many people are still trappedunder the rubbles.

A Caterpiller to the rescue.

Sympathisers at the scene of the collapsed building in Kaduna.

Residents removing some of their belongingsfrom the rubbles.

Rescue operations by sympathisers who thronged the scene of the collapsed building.

Some survivors being taken to the hospital in an ambulance by rescue workers, after athree storey building collapsed, at 29, Oloto Street, Ebute Meta, Lagos, yesterday. Sevenoccupants of the ill-fated building lost their lives.

Smypathisers digging through the rubbles.

An injured occupant being helped after he wasrescued from the building.

A cross section of sympathisers.

Rescue workers at the scene.

CMYK

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013 — 17

Responses to: donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk or to 0802 747 6458 (texts only).PLEASE KINDLY NOTE THAT UNLESS YOU REQUEST ANONYMITY, YOURCOMMENTS MAY BE PUBLISHED, WITH YOUR NAMES AND CONTACTDETAILS ATTACHED.

,

, I’m willing to bet that he can see, from

the Greater Beyond, the chaos and cru-dity that are being inflicted on our stateby people who are shaming all Riversindigenes with their dangerous antics

I KEEP asking myself howa once-civilized city like

Port Harcourt graduallymorphed into the kind ofplace in which legislators-whoare supposed to uphold thelaw and be shining role mod-els and pillars of politesociety - physically attackeach other so savagely thatsome of them wind upbeing hospitalised.

The internet is awash withhorrifying video clips thatshow computers beingsmashed, punches beingthrown, the mace being usedas a weapon and a forlorn wallin the State House of Assem-bly chamber that is spattered

antagonists on. And I hope that the authori-

ties will rigorously and hon-estly investigate these ex-tremely damaging allegationsand sack any officer who failedto do his duty.

Some of the lawmakersshould also be punished. It isfine to defend yourself ifsomeone launches an assaulton you while you are mind-ing your business. But those

the First Couple told him tomake trouble.

But I’m sure, on reflection,that this rumour is totallyfalse. Twenty six local lawmak-ers are supporting Amachree.Only five, including Mr Bipi,are against him. And I thinkit is safe to say that even if MrPresident and Dame PatienceJonathan do indeed regardAmachree as a toxic opponentand want him to be turfed out,they a) are smart enough toknow that five cannot out-vote27!...and b) smart enough toknow that their reputationswill be irretrievably tarnishedif they encourage anyone toresort to illegal and thuggishtactics.

A friend called me a few min-utes ago to tell me about a ra-dio report that claimed that teargas cannisters have beentossed into GovernorAmaechi’s residence and thatgunshots have been heard inparts of Port Harcourt.

I wasn’t able to reach any-one who could officially verifyor deny these claims beforethe deadline for submission of

However, this political hoo-liganism was largely causedby the fact that our leadershave formed the habit of el-evating the wrong type of in-dividuals to important posi-tions they simply don’t de-serve. Andwe will probably continue to

Rivers House of chaos

Remembering Daddy

*The late Ignatius Suage Kogbara

MY beloved father,Ignatius Suage

Kogbara, was born 85 yearsago. But he passed away in2002. And I will never stopmissing him andpraying that we will bereunited whenever Goddecides to remove me fromthis mortal sphere.

Most daughters reservespecial corners of theirhearts for the men who gavethem life; and my darlingDaddy was my Hero, myFriend, my Protector, myConscience, my Inspiration,my Teacher, myMentor, theCentre of myUniverse andthe Rock onwhich mymorals, self-esteem anddreams wereanchored.

He was aquintessentialOld SchoolRivers Gentle-man who hadsound valuesand whole-heartedlybelieved that

integrity, refinement, com-passion and intellectualdevelopment were far moreimportant than money,power or appearances.

And I’m willing to bet thathe can see, from the GreaterBeyond, the chaos andcrudity that are beinginflicted on our state bypeople who are shaming allRivers indigenes with theirdangerous antics. At the riskof sounding morbid orfanciful, let me say that Iwon’t be surprised if my Dadis turning in his grave.

suffer outbreaks of hooligan-ism until selection criteria areradically reviewed.

I once challenged a Gover-nor who kept bestowing influ-ential jobs on guys who wereobviously ill-equipped. Sincehe himself was polished, well-educated and capable of de-livering good results andboosting his state’s image, Itold him that I couldn’t under-stand his allergy to qualityindividuals who were on hislevel.

The Excellency in questionwas not accustomed to beingconfronted so boldly. But, tohis credit, he calmly tried toexplain his recruitment policyand told me that loyalty wasthe characteristic he valuedmost.

And I was SO disappointedbecause I felt that what he RE-ALLY meant was that he onlyfelt safe with cheap,sychophantic praise singerswho would do ANYTHING toplease him.

It is time for Nigerian deci-sion-makers to stop puttingtheir egos first and foistingrubbish on us because whatwe REALLY need are exem-plary public servants who candeliver results and conductthemselves appropriately.

with blood.Tears came to my eyes as I

watched these disgraceful vi-suals on my laptop screen. Itwas a real horror movie. It’s amiracle that nobody got killed.

Meanwhile, various wit-nesses say that some of the se-curity personnel who were atthe scene of this crime eitherfolded their arms or egged the

who were instigators and thosewho used unreasonable forceshould go.

I keep hearing that EvansBipi, whose determination toimpeach the Speaker of theState House of Assembly(Otelemaba Amachree) trig-gered off this fracas, startedthe fight on Tuesday because

this column to myEditor. But even ifthe claims turn out tobe exaggerated ormendacious, some-thing has to be doneabout the anarchythat threaten to con-sume Rivers State.

Interventions fromElders, the House ofRepresentatives, etc,might ease the ten-sion and even leadto a cessation of hos-tilities in the short-term.

•Commotion in the Rivers State House of Assembly

•The Rivers State House of Assembly

OPINION

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013

BY PASCHAL ONYIORAH

*Mr. Onyiorah, a journalist, wrotefrom Abuja.

Obi and his political quit noticeObi and his political quit noticeObi and his political quit noticeObi and his political quit noticeObi and his political quit noticeNobody goes to politics without beingsmeared. And you stand the risk of makingmore enemies than friends. The purpose oflife is the pursuit of happiness, which is notnecessarily accomplished in activepoliticking - Chief MKO Abiola.

WITH the above words of cautionuttered by the late Chief Moshood

Kashimawo Olawole Abiola, the acclaimedwinner of the June 12, 1993 presidentialelection, in one of his interviews granted tothe Nigerian media in the course of thestruggle for de-annulment of that election,one can clearly begin to appreciate theactual but esoteric concern(s) behind therecently reported statement credited toGovernor Peter Obi of Anambra State to theeffect that he would be quitting activepolitics as soon as he bows out of office. Nodoubt, it will not be far from the truth tosubmit that Obi's seeming meekness is suchthat would hardly permit him to bandy wordswith fellow politicians in the typicalNigerian manner and neither will his strongaversion to conspicuous consumption evergo down well with serial looters of ourcommon wealth. Incidentally, that the latterdisposition has invariably projected hispredilection for prudence and frugality inthe management of state funds to the greatadmiration of his political friends anddetractors alike is something of commonknowledge. It is therefore not surprising thatObi has alluded to the avarice of Nigerianpoliticians and their excessive acquisitionof wealth at the expense of the poor massesas factors implicit in his plan to quit politics.

But much as one really empathizes withGovernor Peter Obi on these issues of greed,corruption and what have you, there is nogainsaying that it is too early for him tonurse the idea of politically throwing in thetowel, at his age. Obviously, Obi needs torethink and retreat from pursuing this courseof action for some reasons. To begin with, ifHerold Laswell's description of politics as"who gets what, when and how" is anythingto go by, then it is crystal clear that suchproposed course of action by Mazi Peter Obito recoil into political oblivion is not onlyuntimely and retrogressive but alsoantithetical to the interest of Anambrapeople, especially as it relates to nationalpolitics which should by now be his nextpreoccupation. This is basically necessarygiven his good rapport with PresidentGoodluck Jonathan and the PeoplesDemocratic Party. Of course, it may interestMazi Peter Obi to know that Anambrarianscannot afford to politically lag behind atthis point in time in our nation's life. Thoughthis is not to suggest that there is a shortfallof manpower in this regard, yet it is pertinentto note that it matters a great deal in Nigeriatoday to have ex-political office holders,especially the relatively young ones, toremain in full picture in pulling the string.More so, this is vital, considering the factthat we live in a country where appointmentinto certain key positions in government ismore often than not dependent on one'spolitical antecedent and/or determined byhis/her level of political participation.

Certainly, this is where we are. And not untilthe country gets restructured to bring abouta radical departure from the current fiercestruggle for the national cake, it does notseem astute for any young politician ofAnambra State origin, especially an ex-political office holder, to contemplate theidea of quitting active politics.

Besides, it seems extremely odd that ata time most of our old political leaders

and elders are fast aging in preparation forthe journey of the great beyond, and therebyleaving yawning gaps that need to be filled,Obi appears, perhaps unknowingly, to bepassing a very wrong message to thepolitically minded youths of Anambra Stateand Igbo land in general that the game ofpolitics, as it is currently played in Nigeria,is not worth it, given what he perceives asthe avarice of the average Nigerianpoliticians and their unbridledaccumulation of wealth at the expense ofthe poor masses. In fact, to say the least, thisis really uncalled for. Ideally, it would havebeen better for Mazi Peter Obi to keep thisplan to himself or within the circle of hisconfidants, friends and associates, as thecase may be, than to publicly anchor hisrationale for contemplating it on theperennial socio-economic malaise that havebeen afflicting the polity since ourattainment of political independence.

However, it remains a blessing that we stillhave the likes of Chief Alex Ekwueme, ChiefMbazulike Amaechi and Chief

Chukwuemeka Ezeife, among others, whosestrategic and active involvements in politicsone way or the other, even as they appear setfor retirement, have gone a long way inbreeding many a young politician andastute successor alike. In fact, let us come tothink of it, were it to be that the great Ikemba-the late Chief Chukwuemeka OdimegwuOjukwu - had quit politics or succumbed tothe mountainous pressure of numerouschallenges he faced in his public life andwhich are all inherent in our polity,especially coming against the backdrop ofthe Nigeria-Biafra civil war, would therehave been in the first place that politicalplatform that brought about the emergenceof Governor Peter Obi? Indeed, It is toochicken for Obi to contemplate the idea ofretreating politically just because of his newphobia for the ills of our society. And lest weforget, by dint of his political attainment,Obi has gotten the political leverage andclout as well as the enabling privilegesneeded to correct these same ills hecomplains about, and so should not beplanning to abandon them for nobody toaddress.

The late Prof. Chinua Achebe beratedPresident Olusegun Obasanjo while he (thelatter) appeared to be collaborating with"renegades" to destroy Anambra State. It isimportant for Obi to realise that his quittingpolitics amounts to giving his consent aswell as paving the way for the reign of thesesame "renegades" over us - which is a sort ofan answered prayer for them.

PEOPLE in Taraba State are making thepoint about speaking out for their rights.They are getting succour even if that wouldnot completely change their circumstances.Almost a year after the floods that devastatedsome States, the people of Tarabacomplained that they had not got thepromised relief from the FederalGovernment.Officials who managed the funds promptly

defended the exercise. The money, they said,was used in buying seedlings for affectedfarmers. The people protested louder. Somesaid they were given only N200.Taraba State acting Governor Garba Umar

has intervened by sacking fiveCommissioners, the Secretary to the StateGovernment, Director of the StateEmergency Management Agency, and twoSpecial Advisers. They were accused ofembezzling N400 million the FederalGovernment allocated to the State for itsflood victims.Earlier, a report of a committee of the

Taraba State House of Assembly indicted theofficials in their handling of the funds.Another committee the Governor set up

Taraba PeopleStand Up

turned in the same verdict. Governor Umarpromptly sacked the officials.The Governor’s action is commendable.

He however needs to complete it. Theaffected officials should be prosecuted andmade to refund the money. These would sethigher standards of probity in managingpublic funds.Other Nigerians should imitate the tenacity

of the people of Taraba. If they had keptquiet nobody would have known how thefunds were managed. There are other Statesin similar situations with the managementof the flood funds. Their silence has deniedthem justice.A lesson from Taraba is that the people have

a major role to play in their fate. From thosethey elect and their responses to the activitiesof governments, Nigerians need to stand upmore. Someone could listen and act, asGovernor Umar did. Silence when wedisagree with actions of governments almostforecloses any chance of redress.The Federal Government should also lead

the charge to compel Nigerians whovoluntarily pledged huge sums of money tothe Aliko Dangote Committee on the flooddisaster of 2012, to pay. The committee hadthreatened to publish their names by the endof June. We think it should.Like the “Taraba Eight”, they too deserve

to be prosecuted, not only for failing toredeem their pledges, but for fraudulentlyaccessing the incentives meant to encouragethe private sector to contribute to the floodfunds.We should maintain a policy of zero

tolerance to fraud, no matter the shape orform it takes. It is abhorrent to segment thelaw such that when the high and mighty runagainst the law they are given specialtreatment to shield them from theconsequences of their crime.

CMYK

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013—————1919191919

,

,

,

,

BY CLEMENT OFUANI

*Mr. Ofuani, a former commissioner inDelta State, wrote from Asaba.

BY CLEMENT UDEGBE

*Mr. Udegbe, a lawyer, wrotefrom Lagos.

ONE of the most debilitatingdiseases of the modern world

is called "Comparisonitisis" - Thetendency to measure one's worthby comparing oneself to otherpeople.You surely will not find thisillness listed in any of the standardmedical text books orencyclopedia, nor will you find itin your company's disability orhealth insurance or worker'scompensation programme toreimburse you for it. But make nomistake about this:Comparisonitisis is a scourge aswidespread and destructive as anyphysical or emotional maladyknown today.

Like most ailments, it cuts acrossall walks of life. It is not a respecterof persons, colour or status.Bankers, lecturers, pastors andpriests, politicians, soldiers, police,civil servants, cleaners, palm winetappers and business moguls, allsuffer from it.The indication of thisillness starts with finding ways tolook down on others and to thinkhighly of yourself because youenjoy greater abilities,intelligence,status, or wealth thanthey? For example, some lecturersbelieve that they are the ones tooqualified for professorship andsuch things.Professors talkingdown on others because they feel

Do yDo yDo yDo yDo you sufou sufou sufou sufou suffffffer frer frer frer frer fromomomomom'comparisonitisis'?'comparisonitisis'?'comparisonitisis'?'comparisonitisis'?'comparisonitisis'?

they are more endowed thanthem.Nothing you do will pleasesufferers of this decease!

It shows up also differently bymaking you,irrespective of yourstatus,position and wealth, lookdown on yourself, because you feelyou are not as capable,smart,powerful, rich or handsome,beautiful or endowed as others?The full manifestation of thisailment is in envy andhatred.Hatred is a very powerfulemotional force.The mostdestructive force in man, the forceof hatred takes it first root fromComparisonitisis! It is the basis forthe beginning of most of the evil insociety like racism, religiousviolence, genocides, ethniccleansing, wars,robbery, cultism,and kidnapping, and all these arethe fruits of this sickness.When werig elections, it says: "We are moreimportant than the electorate, weare richer, better endowed to rulewhether they want us or not". Whenwe fight back, by killing anddestruction, pulling downeverything because we are notsatisfied, or we feel cheated out, itsays: "They are better than us, if weleave them, they will be muchbetter, so we reduce them, to ourlevel, and should they resist, killthem, because that is what theydeserve".When we steal the peoplescommonwealth, or the old people'smoney from pension funds, it says:

"Don't mind those people, if I stayhere and don't steal, when I comeout they will call me a fool; bettersteal and risk getting caught, thanleave without taking what belongsto them, life is a risk, but I must bebetter than my friend".

Comparisonitisis is anancient disease.It was there

in man and society before Christ,and is still ravaging most of theworld today, Nigeria inclusive. Itis at the base justification for thestratification of society by man.Itcauses a few to usurp the naturalbelongings of others throughpolitical or economicmanipulations, keep same and

lord it over the people. They usuallywill call these people theircolonised territory; the localleaders in the colonized territorywant to be like their Lords, bycolonising their various ethnicgroups within the territory byexploiting them, using all kinds ofarrangements, simply to createinequalities in favour of theleading group. This will then giverise to majority and minorityethnic mentalities and thenaturally attendant rivalries,agitations, complaints, and finallyviolence and if nothing is done,war!

Comparisionitisis is a baddecease.In the church, it convertsreligion to an opium for the largelyuninformed masses, creating a cultaura around the church leader;same in the Mosque. In such asituation, you find so much powerand influence arrogated to theChurch or Mosque leadership,and an impression is created thattheir God is better and morespecial than other peoples' God!The wise ones know that we haveonly One God, and one Holy Spirit.In politics, comparisionitisisdestroy the sense of shame,character and of knowledge ofwhat is right and wrong ingovernance and leadership.Itbreeds political and social crimewith impunity, justifying moralfailure with, 'what's the big deal,isn't everybody doing the samething?' Evil schemes againstpeople, moral rot and mischieftake the centre stage; merit isthrown out of the window, exceptfor occasional homage. Inbusiness, comparisionitisis causesthe boss to think that he owns the

life and property of the worker forhis own exploitation and benefit,targets to drive in sales, or cashdeposits (for bankers); are set forworkers, including marriedwomen and men, making moralwrecks out of their homes! Theboard of the company looks theother way; all they want is profit,the money and hell. At the familyunit level, comparisonitisis willcause a house wife to jettison thediscipline of marital life and runaway in adultery, justifying heractions deceitfully, that it was totrain the children. The manabandons a committed wife withchildren, runs away with a staff,mostly the secretary, who quicklykills him to acquire or take overhis belongings before the real wifeknows aboutthings.Comparisonitisis beginssubtly in the mind and grows,unknown to the poor soul, itdestroys the real him, and takesover.It has torn this earth apart!

Apostle Paul in Roman 12:3,wascertainly aware of the deadlinessof comparisonitisis and offered aremedial anti-dote. That we seeourselves not as we stack upagainst others, nor as othersevaluate us but as God seesus.Ultimately it is God'sestimation of us that matters, andto God, we matter a lot! Do yousuffer from comparisonitis? Whatneeds to change in your self-assessment of yourself so that yousee yourself as God sees you? Howdoes God see you in Nigeria? Theseare questions we all have toanswer in our nation as weapproach 2015.

DEATH is especially tragic because ofits finality. It is also never expected

and that is why everyone receives the newsof the death of any acquaintance assomething of a deep shock. Even forsomeone who passes on at the age ofeighty, the news is still described asshocking.

This shock is therefore often moreprofound when death visits a youngerperson in the prime of his or her life. Suchis the shattering shock with which Ireceived the news of the death of SenatorAkpor Pius Ewherido who had justcelebrated his fiftieth birthday a fewmonths ago and whom I ran into andexchanged warm pleasantries with, justabout two weeks ago at theNnamdiAzikiwe International Airport inAbuja as he moved to the lounge en routeBenin airport while I went to pick up myboarding pass for my trip to Asaba.

The news of his sudden deathimmediately took my mindto Fr. Tony, hiselder brother as he officiated just twomonths ago,at the burial of forty two-yearold Engineer Henry Oru, a family friendof mine and the image of the Rev. Fr.standing over the casket and prayingagainst the death of such young people inany family loomed large in my mind.

Today, my heart goes out to the Rev. Fr.as he mourns the passing on of his belovedand illustrious younger brother.My heartalso goes out to the wife Doye and theyoung children at this terrible and tragicloss of their dear husband and father inthe very prime of his life. In the same way,I condole with my friend BarristerEdeworOmonemu, the Senator ’s seniorlegislative aide as indeed I mourn withthe entire Ewherido family and the entireDelta Central Senatorial District that hegave a vibrant representation in the

Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeriathis past two years. Oh, what a colossalloss to the Urhobos and to Delta State andNigeria.

Yes, Nigeriaindeed, for SenatorAkporEwherido was a highly cerebral,dedicated and forthright law maker whosecontributions to Nigeria’s developmentwill be sorely missed.Senator Ewheridowas particularly forthright and hisforthrightness could sometimes makepeople to perceive him as arrogant but Ican give some personal testimonies todebunk such impression. AsCommissioner for Economic Planning inDelta State, some of my decisions did notendear me to people who expected me tofavour them in the prioritization of theState’s resource allocation. Given thedevelopmental challenges and the limitedresources to allocate, there were bound tobe sharp disagreements on theprioritization of our spending and I didnot always agree with the House ofAssembly where the Senator held swaythenas the Deputy Speaker and a highlyinfluential member.

When therefore, Governor JamesIbori dissolved his cabinet and re-

nominated me for House screening, I wentto the House expecting a hostile receptionbut to my utmost surprise, an honourablemember stood up, upon my introductionand told the House that everyoneof themknew Clement Ofuani as Commissionerfor Economic Planning and the good workhe did for Deltans. He therefore movedthat I be allowed to take a bow and leave.The Honourable member was Akpor PiusEwherido. The motion was unanimouslyadopted and I was asked to take a bowand leave. I was dumbfounded because Ileast expected such consideration from theHouse and to have been spearheaded byRt. Hon.Ewherido!

Let me quickly state that I am not a fanof ‘take a bow’ screening for cabinet orother political appointees as I believe thatthe screening exercise should be used asan opportunity to determine the fitness and

propriety of the appointee for the highoffice of state. Therefore, the ‘take a bow’option should be used with circumspectionand only if the fit and proper assessmentcan be seen to have been otherwise madeby the House. This was precisely what thelate Senator did in my case. More thananything else, I was touched by his openacknowledgement that our differences inopinions were purely professional and notpersonal and he was bold and forthrightenough to demonstrate it to the House andthe watching public. My respect for himfrom that day went stratospheric.

As a serving Senator, Akpor PiusEwherido was elected to represent DeltaCentral Senatorial District and on theplatform of a different political party fromthe PDP that we had shared previously butthese did not stop the Senator fromattending to me in Abuja and I can confirmrecommending people from other parts ofour Delta State for his assistance, towhom he duly did his best to assist. Hewas that great, that he saw hisrepresentation at the Senate astranscending his Senatorial District andhis political party. Indeed, I was pleasantlysurprised the first time I visited him in hisSenate office to find that one of hislegislative staff was from Delta NorthSenatorial District.In a manner ofspeaking therefore, I want to use thisopportunity to share this experience of thegreat man that Senator Akpor PiusEwherido was and hope that it will providesome sort of soothing balm to the family,that all of Delta State shares in this tragicloss.

Perhaps, the most enduring respect andhonour that we can give the late Senatoris to elevate our politics from crassselfishness to high minded pursuit of thecommon good of all citizens irrespectiveof our individual differences even as wepray for the Almighty God to receive himinto His bosom and grant Senator AkporPius Ewherido eternal rest and his lovedones, the fortitude to bear this irreparableloss.

More than anythingelse, I was touchedby his openacknowledgementthat our differencesin opinions werepurely professionaland not personaland he was boldand forthrightenough todemonstrate it tothe House and thewatching public.My respect for himfrom that day wentstratospheric

Tribute to Sen. Pius Ewherido

Late Senator Akpor Pius Ewherido

Comparisonitisisis an ancientdisease; it wasthere in manand societybefore Christ,and is stillravaging mostof the worldtoday, Nigeriainclusive; it isat the basejustification forthestratification ofsociety by man

20 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013

Rivers Assembly crisis: RRRRResidentsesidentsesidentsesidentsesidentsrrrrrap lawless lawmakap lawless lawmakap lawless lawmakap lawless lawmakap lawless lawmakererererersssss

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI,PORT HARCOURT

IT is no longer news thatthe Rivers State Assemblycomplex has since

Tuesday been a theatre of warwith parties loyal to GovernorRotimi Amaechi and thefactions supportive ofMinister of State forEducation, Nyesom Wike, inthe thick of the fray. It allbegan when five anti-Amaechi lawmakers clashedwith 27 others, including allprincipal officers who havesworn to “swim or sink withthe Governor till the end ofthe crisis.” The brawl left theHouse Leader, Chidi Lloydand three others nursingvarious injuries at medicallocations in Port Harcourt.

Since the crisis escalatedinto a life threateningproportion, worried Riverspeople have been leftcounting their losses andexpressing disappointmentover a war of attrition manyof them consider needlessand anti-development.

Higher King, a lawyer andrights activist in Port Harcourtsaid: “It is a surprise, and Iam unapologeticallydisappointed at the assemblymembers for not preventingthe shameful fight in thehallowed chambers.

Everybody saw it coming,judging by the events of thepast four months. It wouldhave been wiser if they neverattempted sitting in thechambers.”

Higher King is, however, notsympathetic to any party inlatest crisis. “Five lawmakerssitting to impeach theSpeaker in a house of 32would seem null and void inthe eyes of the law, but theclaimed new Speaker hasbeen on air and he can go onin such posturing and force aparallel leadership only acourt could stop. And FidelCastro also noted that in theland of lawlessness, the,

,lawful is guilty. This is thatperfect context. Both partiesare being lawless in theiractions over the crisis andthat includes the executive. Iwas watching from the Courtof Appeal when GovernorAmeachi moved into theassembly complex. What was

his business being there?”Serving councillors in

Rivers, however, counteredthat as the Chief SecurityOfficer in the State, Amaechiwas right to have waded intothe house brawl to preventfurther hostilities.

Following the chaos in thehouse, the councillors underthe Rivers chapter of theNational Councillors Forum ofNigeria threatened “civildisobedience, includingoccupying the state assembly,if the five legislators opposedto Governor Chibuike Rotimi

Amaechi continue in thehouse’s business afterclaiming to have appointedtheir own speaker andprincipal officers.”

Chairman of the forum,Lesor Nwigbaranee, saidanarchy is looming in Riversand “we would mobilise at ourperil to prevent thathappening”, while urging thepeople to unite and condemnthe rape of democracy.

Saddened by thedevelopment, Higher Kingnoted thus: “Key players arestretching an obvious partisancrisis to unsettle an entire stateand creating unnecessarytension. Today(Wednesday),the state and federal courts arenot sitting. Everyone isapprehensive. I am told otheragencies of government areclosed to normal business. Noparty in the bargain shouldclaim innocence. They are alldestroying the state. Thisshouldn’t be.”

Orlu-Orlu, also a lawyersaid: “Nobody will claim allis well. Nothing is workingright now except that lawyersstand to gain from theattendant litigations. If thecrisis continues to grow inintensity, many investors mayleave the state. Those in theprocess of raising newinvestments may berestrained.”

Victor Dike, aneducationist reacted:

“We had the suspension andreplacement of Obio/AkporLocal Government cabinet.The stalemate that hasprovoked has grounded thatcouncil and negativelyaffected businesses in thatlocality. Now we have astalemate in the stateassembly. This is not good forthe people.”

Charity Emerievwen whotrades at the Creek RoadMarkt, Port Harcourt, noted:“Ex-militants are gettingagitated and gearing to getbusy in criminality again.Even from our shops at themarket on Tuesday, there wastension when fight broke outat the assembly. We don’twant to experience the better-forgotten past years ofrecurring bloodletting inRivers. I am begging thesePDP people.”

Stressing the fear factor,Livingstone Wechie of theRivers State chapter of theCivil Liberties Organisation,said: “We are already in astate of nature. Make nomistake about it. Those whoshould maintain law andorder are the ones that havecreated anarchy. There is totaldenial of social security andgood governance. The greaterdanger is that under theprevailing atmosphere, therelevant governmentinstitutions, including securityoperatives, have beencompromised, further erodingthe right of the people to holdthe leaders accountable. Sowhere does the ordinary manon the street find protection?

On a more criticalperspective, Higher Kingsaid: “Presently there’s nogovernment in Rivers. That iswhat the atmospheresuggests. And it still behovesthe Governor to call hisdivided house to order. Thisis the house he built. It isentirely a self-serving war ofsupremacy and interestbuilding with the far-reachingimplication unsettling theentire state. He has to act fastbecause I won’t be surprise ifa state of emergency isdeclared in the state if thingscontinue to degenerate in thestate.”

Key players are stretching anobvious partisan crisis to unsettlean entire state and creatingunnecessary tension; everyone isapprehensive

CMYK

From left: Project Manager, Digital Communications Konsult Nigeria, Mr Femi Fabunmi; Business DevelopmentManager, Intel West Africa, Mr Stanley Muoneke; state Chairman, Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), ComradeAdesegun Raheem and Senior Manager, Data and Portals, Airtel Nigeria, Mr David Umoh during an Intel workshoporganised for teachers in Lagos State at Oregun Senior High School, Oregun, Ikeja. PHOTO: AKEEM SALAU

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013 — 21

Angola tAngola tAngola tAngola tAngola to pro pro pro pro produce mbpdoduce mbpdoduce mbpdoduce mbpdoduce mbpdof oil bof oil bof oil bof oil bof oil by 20y 20y 20y 20y 201515151515ANGOLA, Africa’s biggest oil

producer after Nigeria, willproduce two million barrels of

oil a day next year or in 2015, meetinga target it had planned to reach in2013, the country’s oil minister said.

“Based on the data we have, theincrease in production to two millionbarrels of oil per day may take placebetween 2014 and 2015,” OilMinister, Jose Maria Botelho deVasconcelos, said in an interview on

UNCTAD urges FG to support private sector

the sidelines of a conference in thecapital, Luanda.

Production this year has averaged1.751 million barrels a day whilereserves are now estimated at 12.777billion barrels. In April, state newsagency, Angop, put reserves at 12.6billion barrels, citing the minister.Companies operating in the countryinclude Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM)and Total SA. (FP)

Reserves may increase as the country

starts to explore pre-salt reserves in anarea stretching 1,100 kilometers (684miles) that may hold oil under a 2kilometer-thick layer of salt, similar tothat found off the coast of Brazil.

“Recent exploration in pre-saltformations suggests reserves may belarger than initially estimated,” saidGanesh Thakur, a former president ofthe Society of Petroleum Engineers, atthe conference in Luanda.

By BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

THE United Nations Conference onTrade and Development, UNCTAD,

has urged the Federal Government to

We want tocontinuedevelopinghuman capacity— NIMASA

BY GODFREY BIVBERE

NIGERIAN MaritimeAdministration and

Safety Agency (NIMASA) hasstressed its commitment to thedevelopment of humancapacity in the maritimesector, even as it disclosedthat it has commencedplacement of cadets onboardCabotage vessels for thenecessary experience.Disclosing this in PortHarcourt, Director General ofNIMASA, Mr Ziakede PatrickAkpobolokemi, noted that thegoal of the agency is tofacilitate qualitativeemployment within theCabotage Regime.

The NIMASA boss who wasrepresented by the agency’sExecutive Director in chargeof Maritime Labour andCabotage Services, Barr.Callistus Obi at the recentlyconcluded seafarers’ daycelebration, appealed tostakeholders in the industryto encourage Nigerian youthsto seek careers at sea.

A statement by IsicheiOsamgbi stated thatAkpobolokemi said theAgency’s investment in theNigerian SeafarersDevelopment Programme,NSDP, and the facilitation ofthe establishment of institutesof maritime studies in fourNigerian Universities were aclear testament to thecommitment to buildingcapacity for the industry.

In his words “theoverwhelming interestshowed by Nigerian youths inthe seafaring profession callsfor support from all industrystakeholders in the maritimesector to assist in capacitydevelopment, especially inthe area of onboard training.We at NIMASA have beenplacing cadets’ onboardcabotage vessels as part ofmandatory requirements forobtaining their CompetencyCertificates” he stated.

The DG described thesubmission of Nigeria’sinstrument of ratification of theMaritime Labour Convention2006 to the InternationalLabour Organization exactlya week before the celebrationsof this year ’s day of theseafarers as a testament toNIMASA’s commitment to thewelfare of seafarers with anassurance that the Agency iscommitted to its successfulimplementation.

increase support to the private sectorwhile trying to reduce trade barriersbetween other African countries.

Launching its 2013 report onEconomic Development in Africasubtitled “Intra-African Trade:Unleashing Private SectorDynamism” UNCTAD warned thatfailure to increase support to privatesector would make foreign firmsbenefit more from the streamlinedtrading system than indigenousfirms.

UNCTAD added: “The reportargues that although the eliminationof trade barriers is important, it willnot have the desired impact if it isnot complimented by efforts bygovernments to increase the varietyand sophistication of the goods thattheir economies produce, the processthat economists call expandingproductive capacity.”

According to the report, it isimportant that Federal Governmentupgrades infrastructure, improve theskills of domestic workforce,encourage and enableentrepreneurship, and increase thesize of existing manufacturing firmsso that they can satisfy largermarkets and produce their goods

with greater economies of scale.“Having cleared the field for

increased regional trade, Africannations need to provide the goods tosell to each other. African countriesproduce and export a narrow range ofgoods, most of which are primarycommodities such as oil, natural gasand metals.

“Over the period from 2007 to 2011,two products accounted for over 80percent of exports to other Africancountries from Nigeria, Angola, Mali,Algeria, Niger and Mauritania” itstated.

The report further recommendedthat Federal Government should

strengthen private sector by makingfinance more accessible and less costly,and advised that mechanisms forgovernment consultation with theprivate sector should be enhanced.

Stressing that the nature of goodsproduced and exported by Africanenterprises matters for the growth andexpansion of intra-African, the reportnoted that the country ’s lack ofeconomic diversification and weakmanufacturing base inhibit intra-regional trade.

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING

CBN Exchange rate as at 11/07/2013

108.33 +0.52

106.20 +2.67

121.75 -0.3

2,196.00 +5.00

16.21 -0.13

DOLLAR 154.76 155.26 155.76POUNDS 230.7626 231.5082 232.2537EURO 198.4952 199.1365 199.7778FRANC 159.5299 160.0454 160.5608YEN 1.5447 1.5497 1.5546CFA 0.2843 0.2943 0.3043WAUA 229.6269 230.3688 231.1107RENMINBI 25.2265 25.3085 25.3904RIYA 41.2627 41.396 41.5294KRONA 26.6075 26.6935 26.7795SDR 230.3603 231.1045 231.8488

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 201 3

From left: Mr Jai Changrani, MD, Sarsoli Colours Ltd; Sophia Stephan of Germany Consu-late General; Mr. Akhigbe Itua of Trade Fair Services Limited and Judith Eigelt, both ofGermany Consulate General at the briefing on K 2013 International trade fair on Plastic &Rubber Worldwide in Dusseldorf, Germany.

THE Nigerian StockExchange, NSE, has

revealed plans to introduce amarket-wide rule that willsimultaneously halt pricemovement in all the listedequities for at least 30 minutesin event of extra-ordinarymarket volatility.

The new rule, index circuitbreaker, according to a noticeposted on the NSE’s websitesigned by Tinuade Awe,Head, Legal and RegulationDivision, would be triggeredby over five percent down-ward movement in the AllShare Index, ASI.

She observed that the periodof the halt would allow theoperators the opportunity toassess a serious market de-cline and express their trad-ing interest with relatively lit-tle disruption to the market.

Awe noted that introductionof the market-wide indexcircuit breaker was necessaryfollowing the recent bearishtrends in the market and theneed to provide for an orderlyand efficient market.

She said, “Recently, themarket declined by 3.88percent, which was the largestsingle day decline since the5.89 percent decline in 2011.

“The Exchange believes thatthe rule is relevant,meaningful and effective intoday’s high-speed electronicsecurities markets and giventhe highly-automated natureof today ’s markets andimprovement in connectivity.”

She continued, “In 2008,during the market meltdown,the market declined by overnine percent in one day;

NSE plans market-wide rule on pricemovement

By NKIRUKA NNOROM Management is of the viewthat should the market declineby a further five percent afteran initial index circuit breakertrigger of five percent, (for atotal of 10 percent) the marketshould be closed for the day.

“A 10 percent market-widemove is highly unusual in thismarket, and time should begiven for the market to recol-

lect itself before opening thenext day.”

Awe explained that theobjective of the rule is topromote just and equitableprinciples of trade, removeimpediments to and improvethe mechanism of a free andopen market in order to protectinvestors and the publicinterest. “It is expected that

triggering of the index circuitbreakers will be a relativelyrare event that will addresssevere market declines andenable stabilisation in themarket. In view of the shortduration of their intervention,the circuit breakers should stillbe able to accomplish theirgoal,” Awe stated.

2015. Indian corporates areseeking higher marginreturns as their domesticmarket becomes morecompetitive – and Africa is onecontinent which presents suchupside opportunity.”

Continuing, he said “Indiais just as investment-hungryas China, demonstratinginterest in Africa’s miningresources, as well as thecontinent’s burgeoning tradeand consumer sectors. Overthe last four years, our Africa-India business has grown at acompound annual growth rateof 60 percent - taking the leadover other cross-border reve-nue streams.”

In his own comment, SunilKaushal, StandardChartered’s CEO of India &South Asia said, “The bank’spresence spans 150 years inAfrica and India, giving usunique experience andexpertise to support thisrapidly expanding trade andinvestment corridor. As oneof India’s leading foreignbanks, our Africa Chairmenwill have the opportunity toinitiate strategic business in-troductions and long-termpartnerships with some of In-dia’s leading corporate and in-dustry players. We remaincommitted to leveraging ournetwork to promote strategicAfrica-India partnerships,having already hosted a num-ber of road shows with for in-vestors between Africa andIndia, as well as participatingin forums such as the Confed-eration of Indian Industry In-dia Africa Conclave.”

It will be recalled that lastyear, the Chairmen werehosted in China, another ofthe bank’s well-establishedgrowth markets and keytrading partners for Africa.

Standard Chartered toboost Africa, Indiatrade by $33bn

By PETER EGWUATU

STANDARD CharteredBank is set to boost Africa-

India trade from $57 billion to$90 billion by 2015 as it hasconcluded arrangement tohost 14 Africa Chairmen inMumbai and Dehli for thebank’s Annual AfricaChairmen’s Conference.

The Chief Executive Officerfor Africa, StandardChartered, Diana Layfield,while commenting on the con-ference said “India-Africatrade now stands at aboutUSD57billion and is predictedto increase to USD90billion by

THE Board of Directors ofAluminum Extrusion

Industries Plc has proposedpayment of N10.998 milliondividends to its shareholdersfor the year ended 31st

December, 2012.The dividend, which is

subject to shareholders’approval at the yearly generalmeting scheduled to hold nextmonth, will be distributed toqualified members of thecompany on August 5th, 2013.

According to the informationgathered by Vanguard, onlymembers whose names appearon register of members at theclose of business on 18th July,2013 will benefit from the divi-dend.

A peep at the company’s fullyear financial statementshowed that the dividendwould be paid from profit aftertax of N45.112 million recordedwithin the period.

Breakdown of the resultindicated a slight decline in allthe basic performanceindicators.

Profit before tax declined by3.90 percent to N77.561

ALEX proposes N10.99m dividendsBy NKIRUKA NNOROM million, as against N80.710

million in the correspondingperiod of 2011, while profit af-ter tax went down by 10.73 per-cent from N50.54 million in2011 to N45.11 million in thereview period. The gross profitat N215.95 million was 4.7 per-cent decrease over N226.52million recorded in 2011.

Revenue also slowed by 0.58percent to N1.722 billion fromN1.732 billion in the previousyear. However, the cost of salesclosed almost flat at N1.506billion. The company was ableto reduce its administrativeexpenses to N96.59 millioncompared to N100.78 million in2011.

UNITED Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc hasintroduced the World MasterCard,

which is the most exclusive card in theMasterCard staple. The introduction of theUBA World MasterCard is consistent withthe bank’s strategic focus of providing ap-propriate product to every customer segment,including but not limited to the highly dis-cerning customers who cherish rare and ex-clusive privileges.

Head, Cards, UBA Plc., Adédèjì Olówè,affirmed that UBA is the only bank offeringWorld MasterCard for its debit product inNigeria. According to him, the card pro-gramme, which is available by invitationonly,can be tied to any of Naira, US Dollar,Pounds Sterling and Euro domiciliary ac-count.

He emphasised that the UBA World Mas-terCard offers a chockfull of benefits such as

UBA launches exclusive World Mastercardtravel accident and inconvenience insurance,extended warranty, purchase protection, con-cierge services, and emergency cardholderservices. The card, Adédèjì stated, is exclu-sively made from a rare alloy of Silver Nick-el, only a few materials of which exist in theworld.

“The heft of the material is its signature.The recognition of the programme has af-forded it the highly coveted MasterCard pre-mium hologram. In addition, there is a greatsecurity service protecting our esteemedcustomers everywhere they shop with FraudProtection and MasterCard Zero Liability,”he added.

According to Adédèjì, UBA is the only bankoffering debit cards in all the major currencyrange, stressing that the bank also offers adedicated lounge for its premiumcardholders at the Head Office supportedby 24/7 private banking customer support.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013—23

GOVERNOR Ibikunle Amosun, hasurged the Federal Government to

continue to evolve policies that willensure food security in the country.

Speaking in Abeokuta last week at the40th meeting of the National Council onAgriculture and Rural Developmentheld in the state, the governor observedthat the world’s population was growingat geometric progression withuncorrelated overall food productionresulting in huge food supply gap.

He urged the Federal Government todevelop policies and programmes toguarantee adequate and quality food supply.

Amosun said the state was willing topartner with the Federal Government andprivate investors on industrialisation.

Amosun described Ogun as a majorindustrial hub, adding that the statewould maximise the various agriculturalvalue chains from locally sourced rawmaterials to promote industrialdevelopment.

The governor said 20,000 hectares ofland had been made available in the statefor investors to cultivate crops that havemarket advantage.

“Ogun State is ready for business, weare ready to partner on the agriculturalvalue chains, we are hungry fordevelopment,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, theMinister of Agriculture, Dr. AkinwumiAdesina disclosed that with theAgriculture Transformation Agenda of thegovernment, nine million metric tonnesof food has been added in first year

Gov Amosun tasks FG onfood security

including rainy season and dryseason activities.

The addition, he said, represents 80per cent above 5 million metric tonnefood target in 2012 and 45 per cent ofits total target of 20 million MT for2015.

The Minister said Nigeria can nolonger continue to be a sleepinggiant. “We have to wake up and turnNigeria into a global powerhouse inagriculture,” he said.

Adesina said the government isimplementing a time-boundaggressive plan to unlock Nigeria’spotential to become an agriculturalpowerhouse.

“Yearly, Nigeria imports over 11billion U.S. dollars worth of wheat,rice, sugar and fish. However,Nigeria is importing what it canproduce in abundance; this importdependency is hurting Nigerianfarmers, displacing local productionand creating unemployment.

He explained that the vision ofgovernment is to make Nigeria anagricultural and industrialisedeconomy, using a government-enabled private sector-drivenapproach,” he said.

African govtsurged to tapopportunities insoybean

INCREASING the use of soybean in dietshas a lot of nutritional benefits and will also

create the critically needed demand to drivelocal production and boost farmers’ income.

Researchers and soybean processors at twoseparate workshops organized by theInternational Institute of Tropical Agriculture(IITA); and the National Soybean ResearchLaboratory (NSRL), University of Illinois,United States, in Abuja and Ibadan saidexpanding the consumption of the “goldenbean” would have a positive impact on thenutrition of women and children in Africa.

“To tackle malnutrition, we need to promotethe use and consumption of soybean,” DrKenton Dashiell, Deputy Director General forPartnerships and Capacity Development said.

In Africa, malnutrition, particularly proteindeficiency is widespread and animal proteinis, often times, too expensive for mostpopulations.

According to Dr Dashiell, Africa needed totake advantage of the crop to drive sustainabledevelopment and agricultural transformation.

Dr Marilyn Nash, Program Coordinator,National Soybeans Research Laboratory at theUniversity of Illinois, described soybean as a‘’miracle bean’’ because of its high nutritionalvalue.

Kano seeksnational policyon groundnuts

KANO State Ministry of Agriculture hascalled on the Federal Government to

produce a national policy on groundnutproduction as well as fund research on thecrop.

The ministry also urged the Federalgovernment to include the production ofgroundnut among the value chains beingpromoted under the AgriculturalTransformation Agenda (ATA) of theFederal Government.

These were part of the submission of Kanostate at the just concluded 40th meeting ofthe National Council on Agriculture inAbeokuta, Ogun state.

The Kano state team led by thecommissioner for Agriculture, Dr. BarakaSani said Groundnut is an important cashcrop in Nigeria.

“Groundnut oil is used after refining ascooking oil and in the manufacture of soapand margarine. The residues of the cropsafter oil extraction (Groundnut seed cake)can be fed to livestock as a concentrate formilk production.”

They added “Although Nigeria’s climaticand soil conditions favor the production ofthe crop especially in the northern partsmaking the country among the leadingproducers in the West African Sub-Region.Groundnut production is evidently ondecline.”

The decline they attributed to variousfactors as non availability of improvedseeds, high cost and adulteration of externalproduction inputs; cultivation of traditionalcrop varieties by farmers; pests, anddiseases and parasitic weeds among others.

… as Adesina speaks on dry season activities

Speaking on what the ministryhas done on rice; Adesinaexplained that though rice growswell in all the six geo-politicalzones of Nigeria, the demand forparboiled, polished long grain,stone free and odorless rice by theurban dwellers has fueled thedemand for imported rice.

“Total demand for rice in Nigeriais put at about 5.2 million MT ayear out of which about 3.3 millionMT are produced locally. Thedrain on foreign exchange hasincreased the need for selfsufficiency in the sub sector.

In the last year, Adesina said thecountry has produced 690,000 MTin the main season and 1.1 millionMT during the dry season, thefirst time in Nigeria’s history

He said the goal of RiceTransformation Agenda is selfsufficiency in rice and completesubstitution of imported rice byyear 2015, adding that with thepolicy put in place rice productionlevel has increased from current3.3 million MT to six million MTper year so as to remove theshortfall between demand andsupply by year 2015.

Adesina disclosed that in thecurrent year, for first time ever, theministry launched Dry Seasonfarming of rice to take advantageof irrigation capacity in the Northof Nigeria.

“First time ever, FederalGovernment provided massivesupport for dry season ricecultivation in 10 states; 267,491farmers received 50kg seeds, twobags of 15-15 NPK and one bagUrea. This, according to him, hasadded an additional 1,070,364 MTof food in 2013. This is one-thirdof total paddy needed to be self-sufficient by 2015.”

Yearly, Nigeriaimports over 11billion U.S.dollars worth ofwheat, rice,sugar and fish

,

,

By JIMOH BABATUNDE withagency reports

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote (left) and Ogun State Commis-sioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Ronke Sokefun during the technical session at the on-going Conference of NationalCouncil of Agriculture and Rural Development, in Abeokuta.

24—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013

FOR anybody that knowsObudu cattle ranch in

Cross River State beforeDonald Duke’s administrationand the transformation thattook place later will not doubtthe will power to make achange.

It was the will power of theadministration that has madeCross River a reference pointin tourism development inNigeria and a preferred desti-nation. Same will power isplaying out in Ekiti state whereKayode Fayemi is turningthings around in another touristattraction in Ikogosi.

Ikogosi warm spring, tuckedaway in the rustic and serenetown of Ikogosi-Ekiti, is one ofthe tourist attractions that thiscountry could be proud of be-cause of the history and mythbehind the attraction. What ismysterious about the IkogosiWarm Spring is the fact that,flowing side by side the warmspring, is another spring, a coldone.

The warm and cold springs ofIkogosi originate from a closeproximity, come to a meetingpoint, and flow onward togetherwith each spring retaining itsthermal identity. The warmspring has a temperature of upto 70oC at the source and 37oCafter meeting the cold spring.The meeting point of the warmand cold springs is a uniqueattraction to tourists.

Touristsattractions

The meeting of the warm andcold water could be a pull totourist, but to some the mythbehind it could be a pull to oth-ers as tourists visit attractions forvaried reasons.

There are a few legends sur-rounding the origin and discov-ery of the Warm Spring andhave been passed down gen-erations for centuries. One suchmyth says that the warm andcold springs were the two wivesof a great hunter. One of hiswives was said to be tempera-mental while the other was aquiet woman. One day, the twowives had a fight and afterbeing rebuked by theirhusband, the temperamentalwife changed to the warmspring while the quiet oneturned to the cold spring.

Another legend has it that apowerful hunter, while huntingfor animals in the forest, firstfound the warm spring. Afterthe discovery, he went to townwith the story and thetownspeople on learning aboutcurative powers of the spring,started to worship the spring.

Whatever is the true situationremains to be found out as thestory of the Ikogosi WarmSpring is told elsewhere and

nothing might becompared to taking a trip to thisserenity place to see things foroneself. For those townspeoplewho formed the first domestictourists to the site it was tortu-ous for them to reach the attrac-tion and so it has been formodern day domestic and in-

ternational tourists as it washardly accessible; the roadsleading to the warm springswere decrepit.

Today, as part of GovernorKayode Fayemi’s transforma-tion package accessibility is nowa thing of the past as the roadsleading to the resort have beenfixed. The road re-rehabilitation

f o r m e d part of the largerplan to transform the re-sort to a destination thatcan attract tourists.

A drive into the resortfor the zonalmeeting of the

Nigeria Union of Journalistsduring the week was an eyeopener to the transformation thathas taken place in the resort.

The architectural design of theentrance gate against the land-scaping of the over 116-hectareresort was a reminder of the sce-nic beauty of Obudu resort fromthe base. With the security checkdone with, a drive into the resort

Govt launches first tourism identity, Fascinating Nigeria

THE Nigerian Ministry ofTourism, Culture and National

Orientation launched its new tourismbrand Fascinating Nigeria at a star-studded ceremony at the State Housein the capital Abuja last week. The newbrand is part of the Ministry’s vision

to reposition Nigeria as the preferredtourism destination and cultural capi-tal in Sub-Saharan Africa. The largestcountry in West Africa covering 923,768sq km, Nigeria is divided into 36 differ-ent states and is home to many differentcultures, with 521 different languages

being recorded.In January 2014 Nigeria celebrates

its Centenary and, as one of the fast-est growing economies in the world, itis poised to become a leading voiceon the African stage.

Since independence in 1960 Nige-ria has relied on its natural oil and gasreserves as the economic driver, butnow tourism is being identified to de-velop new income streams.

By 2050 Nigeria will be one of themost populous countries on the plan-et and we need to develop the oppor-tunities that lie in our history and cul-ture,” says Chief Edem Duke, Honour-able Minister of Tourism, Culture andNational Orientation.

“We are working with local govern-ments to develop the infrastructure forvisitors and tourists alike, and to iden-tify the places they will want to see.”

INTERCONTINENTAL HotelGroup (IHG) opened its first hotel

in west Africa with the 352-roomhotel located on Victoria Island, La-gos.

The 23-story hotel siting magnifi-cently close to Lagos Creek offersguests stunning panoramic views ofthe Gulf of Guinea.

For event planners and business

travellers, the hotel offers state-of-the-art facilities. Its Grand AfricanBallroom can seat up to 1,200 peo-ple with additional six other meet-ing rooms, two boardrooms and busi-ness facilities available. The hotelalso features a luxurious health &fitness centre, which includes asauna and steam room, and 3 beautytreatment rooms.

IHG opens first intercontinental hotelin Nigeria

Ikogosi warm spring:Nature’s giftto mankind

Nature’s giftto mankind

reveal eye catching newly builtchalets and a reception build-ing. The major surprise was thelandscaping of the resortmatched with beautifully mani-cured flowers being tended toby gardeners.

Behind the reception is thenewly constructed 1000 capac-ity amphitheatre, arts and craftscentre. As you moved towardsthe meeting point of the coldand warm water, you cannot butmarveled at the ingenuity thathas been brought to play withthe construction of a walk trail.In the past, tourists wadethrough dirty paths and bush toget to the meeting point as wellas the tiny source from whichthe warm and cold water springforth.

A walk on the trail envelopsone with that tranquillity onegets walking a nature trail asall you hear is the chirpings ofbirds and the coolness of a thickforest through which you walkthrough. Ikogosi resort couldpass for an eco-tourism desti-nation because of the preserva-tion of the flora and fauna there.

Tucked within the forest, asone passes through the formerzoo in the resort, is the newlyconstructed swimming poolwith a cozy bar and an eateryfor tourists to relax after a visitto the sprin

Great efforts had gone intomaking the star attraction at theresort, the meeting point of thecold and warm water as well asthe source of both to remainclean. Workers were seenremoving dirt and other particlesfrom the spring. Done with thesightseeing, I raced backthrough the walk trail for mymeeting unknowing that therewas another surprise waiting.The conference hall is an attrac-tion itself as it can seat over 600people as it can boost of mod-ern conference equipment.

BY JIMOH BABATUNDE

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013 ————— 25 25 25 25 25

CMYK

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013 — 27

CMYK

BY AYO ONIKOYI & IYABO AINA

The song “Obodo” is still as evergreen as ever but the singer ofthe song, Ukeje Okechukwu Edward, a.k.a Mr Raw, formerlyknown as ‘Nigga Raw’ , disappeared from the music scene

and only recently reappeared with a new album featuring 2FaceIdibia. In this chat with Weekend Groove, role model of upcomingHip Hop acts in Eastern Nigeria speaks on his absence, his musicand why he changed his name from ‘Nigga Raw’ to ‘Mr. Raw’.

So what’s new about Mr Raw ?A lot of things are new about me becausepresently I am still recording songs anddoing other businesses. And there area lot of artistes I am actually trying tohelp push their songs under my label‘Raw Deal Entertainment’. Presently, Ihave a new fifteen-track album titled ‘’The Greatest “ featuring 2Face Idibiaand some other acts. And I can say thealbum is doing credibly well and twovideos from the album titled ‘’Asanwa”and ‘’Forget Swagga ‘’ are already onair.

Tell us about your Record label ?My Record Label is called Raw DealEntertainment. I started the Label in2005 and presently I have three artisteswho are signed onto the outfit. There’snothing much about it.

Why did you decide to owna Record Label ?It all started when I first released myfirst album” Right and Wrong” that wasthe album that contains ‘’Obodo’’, itmade a big hit. After that album Idecided to own my own Record Labelsince everything put into theproduction of the album was done solelyby me.

Should we say the Record Label isactually taking your time enough tomake you go off the scene for a while?The Record Label has nothing to do withthat, the thing is that I actually got myselfinvolved in many other businesseswithin and outside the country. I am stillvery much around, doing my thing butthe only difference now is that I don’tdo just music alone anymore. I haveother interests

Can we know those other things youhave got yourself involved in?What I mean is that I am intoimportation of goods within and outsideNigeria and I am also into propertieslike an investmentor. Let’s just say it’sa kind of retirement plan that couldcome handy when I finally bow out frommusic. It’s my back-up plan.

Now that you are married, how are youenjoying marital life?I thank God I am doing great butanother thing is that I like keeping myfamily life private. Though I have hearda lot of people saying that it’s becauseI got married that’s why I’ve been offthe music scene, it’s not true. I just haveto get something else to do other thanmusic. Though at first it was only musicbut now it’s no longer music alone, Iam now doing other things as well.

As a married man, how do you treatyour female fans ?Let me be sincere and blunt with you;a female fan actually pushes more ofour job than a male fan. Guys willalways like to have fun and drink but ifa female is passionate about your music

I N S I D E:

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Continues on pg 30

I just have to getsomething else todo other thanmusic. Though atfirst it was onlymusic but nowit’s no longermusic alone, I amnow doing otherthings as well

I will neveraccept herchild- PaulP-Squarespeaks onElshama’spaternity

saga

Iyanya romances Toolz

Are Smartphonesreally taking theplace ofLaptops?

28—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013

TOP MOVIES OF THE WEEK

Exhibition Schedule for 12th -18th July, 2013find me at any spot that has a nice pooltable because I love playing snooker. I amnot a clubbing person. I don’t go out muchand I think this has been one of my biggestchallenges in the industry.

How did you develop your passion formusic?I picked interest in music when I was stillin the secondary school. I started bylistening to a lot of rap songs and bymiming them I started getting into therhythm. It was easy back then becausemany of my friends were into it too.Then,it was basically some foreign artistes likeBig Daddy Kane (my favourite),Rakim,Fresh Prince,Naughty By Nature,Heavy D etc.

Why do you usuallyrap in Igbolanguage ?Because I feelcomfortable doing itand I got a lot ofencouragement fromthe fans who havecome to show theylove it. So it’s just adecision I made andI am glad I did.Sometimes, peopleget surprised when Ispeak in Englishbecause most ofthem thought it’sbecause I didn’t goto school that’s whyI rap in Igbo.Moreover, rappingin Igbo is my uniqueselling point too.

How exactly did youmeet Klint the Drunk beforeoreeaturinghim in your song ‘’Obodo ‘’?Actually we were friends back in Enugu,we used to perform in schools. He wouldbe the MC while I sing and sometimeshe cracked jokes and our other friendslike Mc Lopgh, Smatter Man, ErnestAsuzu, the actor, also rapped too. I and‘Klint the Drunk’ have been long timefriends and I still wish to do somethingwith him very soon. Why I featured himin my song is because everything abouthim is music, for example, if you listento his comedy, what he does most issinging out the jokes.

What made you so popular ?I think it’s my ‘Igbotic’ rap. Like when Idid the Obodo song people reallyaccepted it, that was in 2005 but I wrotethe song in late 90. And another thing

Synopsis

that announced me was the Benson andHedges ‘Grab the Mick’ music competitionin 2002. People really accepted me when Iwas rapping in Igbo. I came first then inEnugu and it was even I and Klint that didthe competition together. He was singingwhile I rapped. And finally at the grandfinale I won, that was in Abuja. I can neverforget that year. That same year, I stillwent for Star Quest competition. Initially,they didn’t want me to enter for thecompetition because I just won Benson andHedges competition. I came second whileKcee emerged winner and I am happy he’sdoing great now.

What is the story behind your change ofname from NiggaRaw to Mr. Raw ?Yeah ,the change ofname actually cameabout because on-airpersonalities couldnot say my namewithout drivinganother connotationto it. It was affectinginformation aboutme. Some foreignstations like MTVBase couldn’t playmy music until Iremoved the word‘Nigga’ from myname. I had to do it.But what actuallygave me the push tochange my name toMr. Raw was whenmany peoplecomplained thatthey weren’t able tobuy my songsonline. I had to

search for my name online and I didn’t seeit in one of the popular websites. But whenI searched for one of my songs it poppedup. I saw that they censored ‘Nigga’ andreplaced it with five stars. So if you searchfor Nigga Raw you wouldn’t find it unlessyou searched for one of my songs.Nigerians outside the country buy songsonline before they get the hard copy. So Ihad to change the name. Then again, ifyou are going to foreign embassies to geta visa, the promoter is usually scared oftelling them at the embassy that a ‘nigga’wants to go to their country. But really, the‘Nigga’ in my name wasn’t like theAmerican Nigger. Mine is actually anacronym NIGA which means Nigerian GuyAnakpo Raw (Nigerian Guy who is calledRaw). But how many people would you beexplaining this to?

she can go to any level topromote it even by making theguys love it. So one has to treatthe female fans right becausethey are always there to grooveand dance but men are justthere too preoccupied withother things. Also, when itcomes to comedy shows, it’s thelady that pushes the man totake her out. So, for me I treatthem like sisters, friends, fansand supporters. My marriagehas nothing to do with the wayI treat my female fans thoughsome people do have wrongimpression when you treat alady too nicely. The fact that Iam married doesn’t stop mefrom being close to my femalefans.Any special relaxation spot ?Actually, I don’t have anyspecial way I relax but you will

‘Rapping in Igbo is my uniqueselling point’

,

,

Continues frompg 27

Some foreign stationslike MTV Basecouldn’t play mymusic until I removedthe word ‘Nigga’ frommy name. I had to doit. But what actuallygave me the push tochange my name toMr. Raw was whenmany peoplecomplained that theyweren’t able to buymy songs online

Pete and Debbie areapproaching amilestone meltdown.After years ofmarriage, Pete livesin a house of allfemales: wife Debbieand their twodaughters, 8-year-oldCharlotte and 13-year-old Sadie. As hestruggles …

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, VICTORIA ISLANDWhite House Down :11:00, 13:20, 18:30, 21:00This is 40: 12:20, 16:20, 20:30After Earth :11:40, 15:50,Fast and Furious :15:50Temptation: 13:30SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, IKEJAWhite House Down :11:15, 13:45, 18:30, 21:00Cartel :16:55This is 40: 10:40, 15:55, 21:15After Earth :19:15.Fast and Furious : 14:40Temptation: 16:20SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, PORTHARCOURTWhite House Down :12:50, 15:35, 18:10, 20:50.This is 40: 12:00, 14:40, 17:20, 20:00Cartel:12:10, 14:10, 16:15, 18:35, 20:40.After Earth: 16:30, 20:50.Fast and Furious : 20:20SILVERBIRD CINEMAS CEDDI PLAZA , ABUJAWhite House Down :11:10, 16:10, 18:40, 21:10Cartel:16:30, 18:30, 20:30After Earth :12:10, 14:10, 16:20.Temptation: 18:20, 20:40.Letter to my mother: 12:30, 14:30.SILVERBIRD CINEMAS ABUJAWhite House Down :13:00, 15:30, 18:10, 20:40This is 40: 12:25, 15:00, 17:40, 20:20.Cartel:12:20, 16:40.Star Trek into Darkness :16:20, 20:50Letter to my Mother : 15:00.After Earth :12:50, 17:10, 19:10, 21:10.Fast and Furious 6 : 12:20, 14:50, 17:20, 20:00.SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, UYOAfter Earth :12:20pm,2:35pm,4:40pm,7:00pmLetter to My Mother :12:10pm,2:20pm,4:30pm,6:40pmHost:11:45pm,4:20pmTurning Point :12:15am,2:30pmTemptation: 2:10pm, 6:50pm,Cartel:4:45pm,6:55pmOZONE CINEMAS LAGOSWhite House Down :2:15pm,4:45pm,7:35pmStar Trek into Darkness :11:30pmAfter Earth:12:05pm,2:10pmFast and Furious :12:15pmTemptation: 9:20pmThis is 40: 4:15pm,6:50pmGENESIS DELUXE CINEMA LAGOSAfter earth: 10:20, 15:10, 20:00White house down: 11:10, 14:00, 16:50, 19:40, 22:30Cartel: 10:30, 19:30, 23:50White house down 2D: 19:00.GENESIS DELUXE CINEMA PORT HARCOURT.Cartel: 11:50, 15:50White house down: 11:30, 14:10, 16:50, 19:30, 22:10.GENESIS DELUXE CINEMA ENUGU.Cartel: 10:05, 14:05, 18:05.Temptation: 10:00,14:45, 18:55White house down: 10:00, 12:40, 15:20, 18:00, 20:40.FILM HOUSE IBADANCartel :11:00amFlower Girl :3:20pm,8:00pmAfter Earth :10:30am,12:30pm

WHITE HOUSE DOWNAFTER EARHFAST AND FURIOUS 6 TEMPTATIONSTAR TREK

CMYK

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013 —29

It has never been a hanging-on-the-wall kind of fact that Nollywoodbeauties, Ebube Nwagbo and RukkySanda have anything going for each

other, not to talk of the duo taking avacation together. But the two damselshave been spotted in each other ’scompany in the United States of America,painting the Uncle Sam’s country red.

Reports say the two actresses werespotted travelling between California,Texas and Florida, giggling and lookedto be having the time of their lives. Theiritinerary as a close associate discloses issimply to wake up in the morning, havebreakfast in bed and then set out onshopping and touring spree.

Another insider has revealed that the twoactresses never planned their travellingdetails together and said their meetingwas only an accidental occurrence as theywere never really close to each otherbefore fate brought them together in theUnited States.

Yet another associate of the actresses saidtheir being together may actually be a pre-familarising arrangement for a movie

Ebube NwEbube NwEbube NwEbube NwEbube Nwagbo, Ragbo, Ragbo, Ragbo, Ragbo, Rukky Sanda tukky Sanda tukky Sanda tukky Sanda tukky Sanda tour USour USour USour USour USshoot set to cast the two of them alongside eachother. Ebube has recently featured in ‘Widows Cot’while Rukky Sanda has been reaping off two moviesshe launched in December of last year;‘The Search’starring talented actors and actresses like VanVicker, Nse Ikpe Etim, Yemi Blaq, Susan Peters etcand ‘Lovelorn’ which featured Tonto Dikeh, AlexUsifo, Ikey Ogbonna, Alex Ekubo and a host ofothers.

Desmond Elliot addsto fleet of carsDesmond Elliot is a top Nollywood star

who is fast changing from a top act onthe big screen to becoming one of thebiggest guys behind the scene as aproducer and director. Since spurning thestrings as a film-maker it appears goodfortune has been coasting freely his way.

Recently, the handsome dude put up apicture of a posh Mercedez Benz asDisplay Picture on his BlackBerry phonewith a line “Eshe Oluwa”, meaning ‘thankyou God’.

When asked whether he has addedanother car to his fleet, he simply replied“Thank God” which could very well mean“yes”

MTN Project Fame graduate and top singer,Iyanya, seems to be back on the prowl again

after unceremoniously, or ceremoniously dumpingGhanaian movie star, Yvonne Nelson. This timearound the target on his radar is on-air-personality,Toolz, whom he romanced with a customised cakeon her birthday, a few days ago.

Toolz who is engaged to be married soon recentlyinterviewed Iyanya’s former girlfriend, Yvonne,where the actress poured out her heart on howIyanya used and dumped her.

Speculations abound that Iyanya may be actingout a script of one of his hit tracks “ All I Want isYour Waist” by going after Toolz who is known tohave a big waist just like Yvonne Nelson. ButYvonne has said she only gave out her waist tothe sexy singer because she thought she was inlove.

Iyanya romances Toolz

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

Okay, fans and punditsthought the checks have

been made, and that Paul of P-Square has finally accepted thepaternity of 19 year old beautyqueen, Elshama’s son.

The media didn’t even helpmatters as it went agog last weekwhen Paul Okoye used a pictureallegedly assumed to be that ofElshama caring her new born sonas his Blackberry display picture.

But before you could say JackRobbinson, the news waseverywhere that although Pauldidn’t come out to say he fathereda child with her, he has howeveraccepted his son with Elshama bymerely using her and her son ashis DP.

Apparently taken aback by howthe news of him acceptingElshama’s son had spread, Pauleventually broke silence. He tookto Twitter and tweeted to clear theair. According to his tweet, the

I will never accept her child— Paul P-Squarespeaks on Elshama’s paternity saga

•Iyanya’s cake

photo on his DP isn’t that of Elshama andher son but that of his ‘authentic’ girlfriend,Anita and their son. Paul said he has neveraccepted the baby and never will, astatement thought to be too harsh

considering no paternity test has so farbeen done on Elshama’s son.

Elshama swore she was a virgin whenshe met him at 17

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

Gone are those days when only children ofthe poor dabbled into music. The stage is

now more than set as even children of billionairesget entangled in the music net, just like Davido.

One of Nigeria’s billionaire businessmen, FemiOtedola’s daughter, Florence may have foundher foot in music afterall, as she just dropped anew music video, I Love My Country, directedby Mr.Moe Musa

Florence Otedola aka Cuppy is based in theUK, and guess what? She’s one of the bigcelebrity DJs rocking London at the moment.Gist has it that she also plays regularly in Dubaiand Paris.

Billionaire businessman, FemiOtedola’s daughter drops video

•Ebube Nwagbo and Rukky Sanda •Desmond car

•Paul Okoye

•Florence

THE TEAMBENJAMIN NJOKU

njokujamin@yahoo.com

AYO ONIKOYIonikoyi68@gmail.com

OPEOLUWANIOGUNJIMI

CMYK

30 —30 —30 —30 —30 —VanguardVanguardVanguardVanguardVanguard, FRIDAY, FRIDAY, FRIDAY, FRIDAY, FRIDAY, JULY 12, , JULY 12, , JULY 12, , JULY 12, , JULY 12, 20132013201320132013

*COCKTAIL RINGSCocktail rings have taken over the

fashion world, they are re likemagnets that attract men andwomen to you. Good news is theycome in different styles and can gofrom morning to evening, to showoff elegant fingers.

*CLUTCH BAGSClutch bags will always be with

us, they add to woman’s style andclass. Evening bags thatcompliment a woman’s attire isalways a head turner. Soconsidering all this, these bagsmake a great gift option for anywoman who loves to be a cynosure.

*STATEMENT JEWELLERYWas a strong trend in 2010, and

will still be in for 2011. It comeshandy for any time you want tomake an impression with yourjewelry!

*WIDE BELTSA most loved accessory. A wide

belt can accentuate your waist,narrow it, disguise the flab andenhance your feature. It willalways remain a staple inwoman’s wardrobe

*PLATFORMS AND HEELSPlatforms and heels add dash

and class to our total out lookas women. They were there in2010 and are not goinganywhere in 2010.

*OVERSIZEDSUNGLASSES

Designers oversizedsunglasses can dress up ordown an outfit depending onthe occasion and mostespecially prevent your eyesfrom the hash rays pf the sun.

Beloved

*Red

pla

tfor

m

*Leo

pard

*Chunky Tortoiselinks Necklace

*Cocktail rings

*Ruby

*Ove

rsiz

ed s

un

glas

ses

*Bla

ck s

atin

clu

tch

*Ch

ain

an

d be

ads

*Silver CrystalSWAROVSKIClutch Bag,

*Lal

a A

kin

doju

*Am

ani

Em

eson

accessoriesTHERE is never enough space for any woman’s vanity box for all the accessories

that we love and need. However, the best way to go is to invest in some classicalpieces that were relevant and beautiful last year and are still hot this year and willstill be relevant in years to come. That way you still have fun all year round.

BY YEMISI SULEIMAN

CMYK

30 —30 —30 —30 —30 —VanguardVanguardVanguardVanguardVanguard, FRIDAY, FRIDAY, FRIDAY, FRIDAY, FRIDAY, JULY 12, , JULY 12, , JULY 12, , JULY 12, , JULY 12, 20132013201320132013

*COCKTAIL RINGSCocktail rings have taken over the

fashion world, they are re likemagnets that attract men andwomen to you. Good news is theycome in different styles and can gofrom morning to evening, to showoff elegant fingers.

*CLUTCH BAGSClutch bags will always be with

us, they add to woman’s style andclass. Evening bags thatcompliment a woman’s attire isalways a head turner. Soconsidering all this, these bagsmake a great gift option for anywoman who loves to be a cynosure.

*STATEMENT JEWELLERYWas a strong trend in 2010, and

will still be in for 2011. It comeshandy for any time you want tomake an impression with yourjewelry!

*WIDE BELTSA most loved accessory. A wide

belt can accentuate your waist,narrow it, disguise the flab andenhance your feature. It willalways remain a staple inwoman’s wardrobe

*PLATFORMS AND HEELSPlatforms and heels add dash

and class to our total out lookas women. They were there in2010 and are not goinganywhere in 2010.

*OVERSIZEDSUNGLASSES

Designers oversizedsunglasses can dress up ordown an outfit depending onthe occasion and mostespecially prevent your eyesfrom the hash rays pf the sun.

Beloved

*Red

pla

tfor

m

*Leo

pard

*Chunky Tortoiselinks Necklace

*Cocktail rings

*Ruby

*Ove

rsiz

ed s

un

glas

ses

*Bla

ck s

atin

clu

tch

*Ch

ain

an

d be

ads

*Silver CrystalSWAROVSKIClutch Bag,

*Lal

a A

kin

doju

*Am

ani

Em

eson

accessoriesTHERE is never enough space for any woman’s vanity box for all the accessories

that we love and need. However, the best way to go is to invest in some classicalpieces that were relevant and beautiful last year and are still hot this year and willstill be relevant in years to come. That way you still have fun all year round.

BY YEMISI SULEIMAN

CMYK

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013—31

With PRINCE OSUAGWUPRINCE OSUAGWUPRINCE OSUAGWUPRINCE OSUAGWUPRINCE OSUAGWUprinceosuagwu@gmail.com

08050498513

CLOUD has changedmeaning. Oh yes! ithas. Gone are the

days when the mention ofcloud takes you looking up tothe sky. 21st century tech de-velopments have changedthings. Now when cloud ismentioned, those who runbusinesses look inwards. Ithas to do with security of datain a growing vulnerable busi-ness climate. It measures thestrength of a business in ag-gregating its information andstoring them in single plat-form where they can bereached at will by securedauthorisation. Cloud helps to

EMC to Nigerian businessmen:Let’s talk more on cloud

shrink files and large spend-ings on data storage whichhad seen many businesses gounder. No wonder manybusiness managers are hidingtheir policies in the cloud in aglobal market where strengthof competition determines sur-vival.

But from available statistics,this is one area where Nige-ria, the giant of Africa, seemsto look so small and probablyinsignificant. However, one ofthe global leaders in enablingbusinesses, EMC, has takenthe initiative to heightenawareness and knowledge ofCloud computing among Ni-

gerian businessmen.First, it brings its Global

world event, EMC Forum toNigeria, billed to flag off at EkoHotel, Lagos, July 17 2013.Second it deliberately taggedNigeria’s edition of the show,Lead Your Transformation.This will provide a platform forseveral senior IT decision-makers from all industriesacross the country to networkand share best practices andchallenges in their IT trans-formation journeys whilelearning about the latesttrends in the IT industry.

Vice President and GlobalChief Technology Officer

(CTO) at EMC, Patricia Flo-rissi with her team are expect-ed to deliver keynote address,that can shed more light onhow Cloud transforms IT andenables the adoption of IT-as-a-service model; how organi-zations can unlock the poten-

tial of their data through time-ly insights and how securitysolutions are a foundation tothe adoption of cloud com-puting and Big Data analyt-ics.

•Cloud Activity

WITH the risingpenetration of smart-

phones, there is this beliefthat laptops and personalcomputer, PCs, are threat-ened. This is mainly becausethe mobile phone, especiallythe smart phone genre, canbe used for virtually every-thing a laptop can be usedfor.

A lot of users today haveresorted to their smartphonesfor activities like checkingand sending of emails, typ-ing of documents, accessingsocial sites among others.

However, in our recentreach out to several users ofboth devices; it seems nonemay actually push the otherout of the system, after all.

If you ask Mr. OluwasegunLawani, a student of ObafemiAwolowo University, he willalways tell you that he pre-fers, Laptops to Mobilephones. His reason is thatlaptops can be used for de-veloping some money fetch-ing apps which cannot bedone using mobile phones.

Mr. Adebayo Ojo also pre-fers laptops. He believes thatlaptops can do more thingsthan mobile phones. “Lap-tops have higher memoryspace and there are someapplications or sites that can-not be opened on the mobilephones but on laptops.

“Besides, laptops can workon so many software applica-tions that mobile phones can

By WINIFRED IMONLUA-MEN

n o tb ec o m -patiblewith. Whatwith a wide vari-ety of downloads withfast internet facility one canget with the help of modems

on laptops” heaverred.

But Miss Cassandra Onyiaa student of Ajayi CrowtherUniversity, prefers Mobilephones to Laptops. For her,the mobile phone is light andeasy to carry about. It canalso be used anywhere forthose purposes one can uselaptop for, without much needfor charging.

“With mobile phones, onecan make calls on the go,even as he or she can alsodo online works that laptopcan do”.

Miss Onyia is howevernot alone. Another student,Miss Titilope Oyegokealso prefers mobile

phones to laptops. She ex-plained that mobile phoneshave portability that is; it iseasy to carry about without itbeen noticed. She also saidthat there are some applica-

tions that can be stored in amobile phone that cannot bestored in a laptop.

Mobile phone uses a simcard while laptops don’t. Sheclaims that both devices canbe used accessing the inter-net’s and can also be used totake photographs and canalso be used for video chat-ting. Both devices can beused for banking transactionfor example mobile banking.

Mr. Damilare Oyeyebi pre-fers laptops to mobile phonesbecause in relation to hiswork, he uses his laptop tocarry out researches andanalysis date which cannot bedone on any mobile phone.He claims that his laptop islike his robot.

DELL announced last week,the launch of its first solar

powered lab known as theZubaBox mobile classroom inAfrica. It said the box was ca-pable of providing increasedopportunities for learning tostudents with little or no accessto technology or the Internet.The solar powered lab, has al-ready arrived on-site at a Se-nior School in Lagos, Nigeria.But Dell is keeping low profileon the school till further notice.

The ZubaBox removes theneed to connect to any electri-cal infrastructure and provides

Can ZubaBox give rural geeks freedom?an affordable education solu-tion for the local community.Equipped with an innovative-shared computing solutionfrom Dell Wyse, the DellZubaBox opens up new teach-ing possibilities and the per-sonal development of studentsthrough enhanced trainingand education.

The technology was pio-neered by UK based charityComputer Aid International toharness the power from thesun and to provide internet con-nectivity for students in com-

m u n i t i e s .Z u b a B o xc l a s s r o o m salso help raiseawareness ofthe outsideworld amongstudents andenhance theirlearning pow-ers.

Dell says that with ZubaBoxnow in place, it has startedworking with charity partnerCamara to engage with teach-ers and provide them with thetraining they will need to makebest use of the technologyavailable to them. This trainingextends from the use of Win-dows multipoint Server andZero client technology to theestablishment of a curriculumthat will maximise the benefitsof shared computing system.

Working in close partnershipwith Computer Aid on theproject, Dell installed a DellWyse shared computing systemin the ZubaBox consisting ofone powerful PC networked toten ‘zero client’ workstations.This not only gives the teacherfull visibility of what the stu-dents are working on acrosseach of the ten monitors butoffers centralised control of theclass to keep everyone focussed

on the current task. With solar panels mounted on

the roof, the ZubaBox can beplaced virtually anywhere,eliminating the need for fixedelectrical infrastructure to pow-er the PCs. The ZubaBox is alsohighly efficient to run as onlythe primary PC. In addition,the panels charge a batterybank during the day which al-lows the classroom to be usedafter dark if required.

Many people in Nigeria, par-ticularly in rural areas, havelimited access to electricity andthe Internet. The ZubaBox con-cept, which comprises a stan-dard shipping container that isconverted into a mobile class-room, could provide respite buteverything in Nigeria enjoysmore attention in major citiesand this may not be different.After all, Lagos already has it.Many rural schools that needthe technology most, can wait?

The ZubaBox Lab.

Are Smartphones reallytaking the place ofLaptops?

CMYK

LATELATELATELATELATETIPSTIPSTIPSTIPSTIPS

TREBLE CHANCE

PAIR28X32

AVOID18

RISKY36

32—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013

CREDIT EXCELLENTPalm Beach 2 S'Coast W. 7Ballarat . 2 Moreton 7Melbourne U 2 Avondale 7Adelaide R 3 Sydenham 5White City 3 Sorrento 5Kingboro 3 Swan Utd 5Sturt 3 AD Hills 5Northern D 3 Modbury 5

SOCCER TIPSSOCCER TIPSSOCCER TIPSSOCCER TIPSSOCCER TIPS

Revised PairsRevised PairsRevised PairsRevised PairsRevised Pairs

1 X 10 X11X17

FOUR AWAYS13 X 29 X 30

X 33PERMUTATION2X 5 X 12 X16X 40 X 41

TIPS43 X 46 X 49

2 x 5 , 12 x 2832 x 41, 46 x 49

25

1241

1 Bonnyrigg v Rockdale 12 South Coast W. v Manly U. XX3 Sutherland v Blackt C. 1X

4 CQFC v FNOFC 1X5 Moreton v Brisbane S XX6 Palm Beach v Northern F. 1X7 Western P. v Brisbane C. X2

8 Brisbane F.. v Capalaba. 2X9 Peninsula P. v Rochedalet X1

10 Eastern L. v N. Geelong 111 Moreland Z. v Fawkner 1

12 Avondale v Moreland C. XX13 Ballarat v Whittlesea R. 2X14 Fitzroy C. v Brunswick C. X215 Keilor PK. v LA Trobe 116 Sydenham v E. Altona XX

17 Clifton H. v Noble PK 118 Dandenong C. v Morwell 119 Langwarrin v Doveton X120 Malvern C. v Diamond V. 1X21Mornington v Springvale W.2X22 S.Springvale v Kingston C. 1

23 Melbourne U. v Banyule X224 Moreland U. v Cairnlea 1X25 SP. Whittle v Yarraville X1

26 Balcatta v Bunbury 127 Bayswater v Joondalup 128 Sorrento v Perth XX

29 Ashfield v Dianella 230 Gosnells v Wanneroo 231 Mandurah v Rockingham132 Swan Utd v Morley XX33 Uwa Nedlands v Western K. 2

34 Adelaide R. vBlueEaglesX235 Metro S. v CampbellT 136 Para Hills v Enfield 137 Western S. v AD Cobras X138 White City v Cumberl'd X239 WT Birkalla v Croydon 1

40 AD Hills v Olympic SA XX41 Modbury v Salisbury XX42 Noarlunga v Playford 1X43 Northern D v Seaford XX44 Pirates v COVE 145 S Adelaide. v Eastern U 1X46 Sturt v W. Toros XX47 W. Adelaide. v Gawler 1

48 Devonport v Tillford Z. 1X49 Kingboro v Olympia XX

X-RAY OF THE DRAWS

FOUR HOMES

.

.WEEK 52WEEK 52WEEK 52WEEK 52WEEK 52 South Coast W. v Manly U

Swan Utd v Morley V. Sorrento v Perth

... Guardiola wants himat Bayern

Sydenham v E. Altona

Moreton v Brisbane S

AD Hills v Olympic SA Modbury v SalisburyNorthern D v Seaford Sturt v W. Toros

Avondale v Moreland C

Victoria Division ThreeVictoria Division ThreeVictoria Division ThreeVictoria Division ThreeVictoria Division Three

Vict Vict Vict Vict Victoria Division Toria Division Toria Division Toria Division Toria Division Twwwwwooooo

Victoria Division FourVictoria Division FourVictoria Division FourVictoria Division FourVictoria Division Four

Victoria Division oneVictoria Division oneVictoria Division oneVictoria Division oneVictoria Division one

West Australia Division OneWest Australia Division OneWest Australia Division OneWest Australia Division OneWest Australia Division One

West Australia PremierWest Australia PremierWest Australia PremierWest Australia PremierWest Australia Premier

South Australia Premier South Australia Premier South Australia Premier South Australia Premier South Australia Premier

South Austra liaSouth Austra liaSouth Austra liaSouth Austra liaSouth Austra lia StateLeague StateLeague StateLeague StateLeague StateLeague

TTTTTasmania Southasmania Southasmania Southasmania Southasmania South League League League League League

NSW Premier NSW Premier NSW Premier NSW Premier NSW Premier

Brisbane Premier Brisbane Premier Brisbane Premier Brisbane Premier Brisbane Premier

Queensland Premier LeagueQueensland Premier LeagueQueensland Premier LeagueQueensland Premier LeagueQueensland Premier League

Man U maynot get Thiago

MANCHESTER UNITED have suf-fered a major blow in their bid to signBarcelona ace Thiago Alcantara withPep Guardiola declaring: “I want himat Bayern.”

The 22-year-old midfielder had been on the vergeof moving to Old Trafford.

But he now has another option with his old Barcagaffer keen to bring him to Germany.

Guardiola said: “I want Thiago Alcantara. I haveasked Bayern to get him but I don’t know what willhappen.

“Thiago is the only player I want, that’s what Itold them.

“It’ll be him or no one. We have many players butwe the need the special extra quality that ThiagoAlcantara brings.

“I know Thiago very well. I talked toRummenigge and Sammer about him, we will waitand then see.

“I don’t think adding another midfielder will be aproblem for us. I spoke to club about my conceptand told them why I want Thiago Alcantara.

“I give my opinion, but I listen to the board. Ifthey say no, that’s ok.”

THE Minister of Sports and Chairman of theNational Sports Commission, Bolaji Abdullahiyesterday inaugurated the committee set up tounravel the immediate and remote causes ofthe bonus row that exploded in Namibia, lastmonth.Speaking at the occasion, the Minister referredto the protest over match bonuses by SuperEagles players in Namibia as unfortunate, say-ing, “the unfortunate incident in Namibiabrought to the fore the larger issues in the ad-ministration of football in Nigeria as rows in ourfootball have been perennial.” The Ministerhoped the committee which is headed by theformer Spokesman of late President Yar’Ardua,Segun Adeniyi who incidentally served as amember of the defunct Presidential Task Forceon Super Eagles 2010 World Cup campaignwill dig deep and find a lasting solution to therecurrent issue of match bonuses.Earlier, the Director General of the NSC, GbengaElegbeleye expressed shock at the Namibiaincident , calling it “a national embarrassment”and wondered why other African countries thatdo not pay their players as much bonuses asNigeria were not having such problemsThe terms of reference are to determine the immediateand remote causes of the match bonus row in Namibia,develop a code of conduct for players on national as-signments and any other recommendation that may bedeemed necessary for the good governance of footballin the country.

Minister inauguratesMinister inauguratesMinister inauguratesMinister inauguratesMinister inauguratesCommittee on EaglesCommittee on EaglesCommittee on EaglesCommittee on EaglesCommittee on Eagles

bonus rowbonus rowbonus rowbonus rowbonus row

CMYK

YOUR LUCK TODAYYOUR LUCK TODAYYOUR LUCK TODAYYOUR LUCK TODAYYOUR LUCK TODAY

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLINGASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLINGASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLINGASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLINGASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLINGSend ySend ySend ySend ySend your datour datour datour datour date and place of bire and place of bire and place of bire and place of bire and place of bir th tth tth tth tth to the Aso the Aso the Aso the Aso the Astrtrtrtrtrologicalologicalologicalologicalological

Counselling, PCounselling, PCounselling, PCounselling, PCounselling, P.M.B 1.M.B 1.M.B 1.M.B 1.M.B 100000000007, Apapa, Lagos7, Apapa, Lagos7, Apapa, Lagos7, Apapa, Lagos7, Apapa, Lagos

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

VIRGINIA

KAPTAIN AFRIKA in “Princess Shii’ By Andy Akman

dadadekola@yahoo.com

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye” By Lanre Kehinde

Home and Abroad by Lawrence

Akapa

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

VanguardVanguardVanguardVanguardVanguard,,,,, FRIDAY, FRIDAY, FRIDAY, FRIDAY, FRIDAY, JULY 12,JULY 12,JULY 12,JULY 12,JULY 12, 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 — 33 — 33 — 33 — 33 — 33

By Richard EromoseleQUARIUS Yes! You’re not scared a bit even, whenopposition and/or competition come your way but, if yougive in to diplomatic approach, you’ll fare better today.

PISCES: Pressure that came your way suddenly will giveway unexpectedly, today, to the betterment of your course.The more financially ambitious you are today, the better foryou. Be steadfast.

ARIES: You sincerely believe in intelligent argument ordiscussion. And if you allow your ability to be diplomaticcome to play today, you’ll be better for it. Enjoy your lovelife.

TAURUS: You’ll tend to become both creative andpersuasive to the administration of others. Then those who’vebeen resisting secret love may slip suddenly and becomeexcited.

GEMINI: Even if opposition persists, supports you aregetting from the influential people will be enough to see youthrough. Yet, the more cooperative you are the better.

CANCER: Your creativity quotient within your workingarena will today be enhanced. You’ll be blamed if you keepofficial issues secrets from your challenges at work.

LEO: After a few tension soaked days, you’ll have theneeded opportunity to look through windows of the worldand have your way as well. Magnetic and/or magic days ispredicted for lovers today.

VIRGO: Even if you continue to work under pressure viaincreased workload, you will have good results to show foryour efforts today. Be steadfast.

LIBRA: Better than yesterday. And the more co-operativeyou are today the better for you. Those of you travelling forlove are in for an exciting day.

SCORPIO: Those of you willing to let go hard feelings atwork are for a progressive day to the betterment of yourfinances. Let go yesterday, move ahead.

SAGITTARIUS: Once again, you’ll have the neededopportunity to assert yourself to the administration of others.Both love and financial success can be yours with efforts.Reason with your tried and trusted friends.

CAPRICORN: You can make it a successful day withpositive approach on your part. You will be in a better positionto defuse tension within your working arena. Try to be moreambitious.

Which day was I born?Dear Joshua,Kindly tell me how the planets lined up when I was

born and the day of the week I was born but don’tpublish my date of birth.

Mohamed, Kaduna.

Dear Mohamed,Under-here are the planetary positions as requested

by you.YOUR HOROSCOPE DATADay of Birth = SundaySun Sign = Scorpio. Sun in Zero Degree of ScorpioMoon Sign = Libra: Moon in 5th Degree of LibraMercury in 12th Degree of ScorpioVenus in Zero Degree of SagittariusMars in 1st Degree of AquariusJupiter in 29th Degree of CancerSaturn in 10th Degree of ScorpioUranus in 27th Degree of CancerNeptune in 25th Degree of LibraPluto in 26th Degree of LeoNorth Node in 8th Degree of CapricornSouth Node in 8th Degree of CancerNo planet in earth spar sign, one in available, two in

fire, three in air, four in cardinal, fixed and water starsigns hosted five planets each.

PHYSICAL INFLUENCE = 50%NON-PHYSICAL INFLUENCE =50%PLANET AT HOME = NONEANALYSIS OF THE HOROSCOPE DATAYou are both an intelligent and emotional person.

And as there was planet at home when you were born,too many ideas will always struggle for prominentplace in your mind, thus decision making is difficultbut most times, your intelligence comes to the rescue.

Certainly, you appear to other as a gentle person whocan be mistaken for soft fellow but your inner-self isthe personality with a steel like will power.

You are the consistent type who may find it difficultto change once you have made up your mind asindicated by distribution of the planets as written outin paragraph two of this exercise.

One major challenge you have been battling for avery long time is constant worries, some times,necessarily and the other time, uncalled for, as indicatedby conjunction Mercury and Saturn formed when youwere born.

Everything mattersONE of the majorcharacteristics of

achievers is thatthey never overlookthings. In theirscheme of things,everything matters.Nothing is ever leftto chance; somepeople call it payingattention to details.

The thing thatdoesn’t appear tomatter on face valueends up being ourundoing. How do youknow the thing thatdoesn’t matter? Whotold you it doesn’t

matter? Anytime youare in doubt,remember these: If itappears not to beimportant; if you aretempted to forgo it; ifyou have the urge notto do something

about it; if you havethe hunch that itmatters; if you havethe hunch that itmatters not; if itlooks too good to betrue, then have asecond look becauseit could really be theheart of the matter.

Think about it!

34—VANGUARD, 34—VANGUARD, 34—VANGUARD, 34—VANGUARD, 34—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013

,

,

Solicitor-General and Permanent secretary, Ministry of Justice & Chairman, Lagos StateSecretariat Mosque, Alausa, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN (3rd left); Chief Missioner, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdu-Rahman Ahmad (3rd right); FirstVice Chairman, LSSM,Dr Tajudeen Afolabi (2nd left), Imam Abdul-Akeem Kosoko (middle); Directors, DANA Air,Prof. Sulaiman Talabi (1st right); Chief Francis Ogboro, (2nd right) and Media Manager,Dana Air, Mr Sam Ogbogoro during a special prayer for victims of DANA Air crash at theSecretariat Mosque.

Anwar-ul-Islam holds RamadanAnwar-ul-Islam holds RamadanAnwar-ul-Islam holds RamadanAnwar-ul-Islam holds RamadanAnwar-ul-Islam holds Ramadanlecturelecturelecturelecturelecture

Naturally, the two forcesthat usually inhibit us from

doing good, are Shaytan andour nafs (our inner self). The

Prophet (S.A.W) said thatShaytan is chained during

the month of Ramadan; thatleaves us with the duty ofpurifying our own souls

EvEvEvEvEvererererery pary pary pary pary part of the bodyt of the bodyt of the bodyt of the bodyt of the bodymust fastmust fastmust fastmust fastmust fastTHERE is no other time

to purify your soulthan now. Almighty Allahhas offered us anotheropportunity to be alive towitness another gloriousmonth, Ramadan.Alhamdullilah.

Not all those who prayedfor it got it. Within the lasttwelve months,innumerable souls havegone to the great beyond, somany who had wished andprepared for the month evenhours ago did not have thegrace to witness it. Somethough not dead but incritical conditions withoutthe consciousness ofobserving the first Ramadan.We, of course are not betterthan them, we are ratherspecially blessed by Allah(SWT). Allahuma, Lakalihamdu-Shukran.

At this point, thepurification of one’s soul isvery essential in achievingthe best of this month. It isbetter we plan and work insuch a way that ourpersonality and whole liveswill be better for it at the endof the month. The beauty isthat if we are able to achieveit, it will ultimately help toregulate what we do for therest of the year.

Yes! We want to abstainfrom food and drink for 30days as Allah commanded,but the inner dimension ofthe fast is necessary so as toreap fully the benefits of theblessed month.

Some of the ways to keep itaway from contamination isto forgive those who havewronged you, be good toothers. Seek forgivenessfrom Allah, show kindnessand compassion to others,shun bad acts and free yoursoul from the grip ofShaytan, cleanse the soul ofiniquities, evil thoughts,malice, backbiting, hatredand other bad acts.Naturally, the two forcesthat usually inhibit us fromdoing good, are Shaytan andour nafs. (our inner self) TheProphet (s.a.w) said thatShaytan is chained duringthe month of Ramadan; thatleaves us with the duty ofpurifying our own souls.Therefore, we need to workon purifying our souls sothat we will get the totalrewards of the month.

Evaluate your nafs, or innerself, discover those thingsyou have done wrong andrepent never to do themagain. This is importantbecause, fasting without the

purification of the inner soulwill not produce the fullyreward. Every part of ourbody must fast. our eyes,mouths, toungues, handsetc. This is to ensure thatwe imbibe theconsciousness of Allah, thepiety and righteousnessexpected of us during themonth. This will also affordus to maintain good traitseven after Ramadan.

Let us for once remindourselves that there is moreto life than physical andmaterial joy; there is adeeper fulfillment in fastingfor Allah than eating,sleeping, and drinking.There is the need to takeaway focus from the worldlythings we have been doingsince the last 11 months, letus turn a new leaf, let us seeone another as brothers, letus share from what we haveand build better spirituallife. You must have a purelife, pure personality and apure relationship with Allahand human beings. Youmust not only purify yourways of thinking and feeling,but must also purify yourliving.

We know it is not an easytask combating one’s soulon what is bad, but theopportunity is here now.

Begin the month on a goodnote. It cannot be as usual,you’ve got to be a changedperson this Ramadan. The

Qur ’an says “Truly, hesucceeds that purifies it, (soul)and he fails he that corruptshis own self” (91:9-10).

Prayer: Allahumma atinafsi taqwaha wa zakkihaanta khayru man zakkiha

anta waliyyuha wamawlaha

“O Allah grant my soul itspiety and purify it, you arethe best to purify it, you areits guardian and master.”

Ramadan Kereem!

ONE year after AlhajiRazak Gawat, ace

Television presenter andanchor of the sahoor (earlymorning) programme onNTA during Ramadan(fasting period), wasdeclared missing, no one hasany useful hint about hiswhereabouts. SinceTuesday, July 10, 2012, thefamily, friends and relativeshave been psycholigicallytraumatised as a result of theirmissing breadwinner, notsure whether he is dead oralive.

Speaking on thedevelopment, the LagosPolice Public RelationsOfficer, PPRO, Ngozi Braide,told Vanguard in a telephonechat Wednesday thatinvestigation is still on-goingon the whereabouts of thetelevision presenter. Onwhether there have beenuseful clues on the matter;Braide said: "On a matter likethis we don't have to disclosethe information we havegathered so as not tojeopadise on-goinginvestigation. All I can tell

you is that investigation is stillon-goin."

Gawat's black Toyota SUVwith number plate RE 77 AAAwith no visual sign of beinghit by another vehicle wasdiscovered on Eko Bridgeinward Apongbon around11:45 p.m. on Tuesdaynight,10th of July, 2012 byLASTMA officials led by thezonal head, Mr. AkinpeluAyuba few hours after he wassaid to have attended ameeting in Ikeja.

One yOne yOne yOne yOne year afear afear afear afear aftttttererererer, no clue, no clue, no clue, no clue, no clueon Gawaton Gawaton Gawaton Gawaton Gawat

As part of Ramadanactivities, the Anwar-ul-

Islam Movement of Nigeriawill hold its national RamadanLecture on Sunday, July 14, atthe main auditorium of Anwar-ul-Islam Model College,Agege, Lagos.

According to a release sent toVanguard, the guest lecturer isDr. Kabir Paramole of theDepartment of ReligiousStudies, Faculty of Arts, Lagos

State University, LASU, Ojo.Theme of the lecture is“Leaders and Islam - Mattersarising.”

Governor Babatunde Fasholaof Lagos will be the eminentguest, while Chief AbdulWaheed Adeyinka Adeola,Director Sterling Bank Plc andAlhaja Hamdallat Amusan willbe chairman and chairpersonrespectively. The event starts by10am.

...Investigation is on-going — PPRO

•Gawat

Vanguard, Vanguard, Vanguard, Vanguard, Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013—35—35—35—35—35

The purpose ofThe purpose ofThe purpose ofThe purpose ofThe purpose offastingfastingfastingfastingfasting

FFFFFaaaaayyyyyemi wemi wemi wemi wemi warns traderarns traderarns traderarns traderarns traders against price increases against price increases against price increases against price increases against price increase

BY HARUN RAZAQ

BY OSHINSAHEED Abu Azmia

(Hikmatul Khilafa)

Thus the purpose offasting is to attain

taqwa (godconsciousness)

,

,

ANY Muslim thatwants his or her

fasting in the month ofRamadan to be acceptedby Allah must fastaccording to theinstruction of ProphetMuhammad (SAW)because one of theconditions foracceptance of deeds inIslam is that it mustconform with theteachings of ProphetMuhammad (s.a.w).

Some of theseinstructions areobligatory while othersare recommended.They are as follows: (1)having intention offasting before fajr. TheProphet (s.a.w) said:Whosoever did notintend his fast duringthe night (before fajr), nofasting for him.

Intention is theresolution in the heart todo something. Saying italoud is bid’ah (ar e p r e h e n s i b l einnovation), and anyonewho knows that tomorrowis one of the days ofRamadan and wants tofast has made theintention. (Majmoo’Fataawa Shaykh al-Islam, 25/215).

The intention may be

made at any pointduring the night, even ifit is just a moment beforeFajr. (2) Desire to takesahuur (the earlymorning meal) anddelaying it until justbefore the adhaan ofFajr. (3) Avoid thingsthat vitiate fasting suchas eating, drinking,sexual intercourse etc.from fajr till sunset.

Allah said:…thencomplete your fast till thenightfall… (Q2:187) (4)Keeping away from sin,because the Prophet(s.a.w) said: “When anyof you is fasting, let himnot commit sin…”(Bukhaari)..(5) Keepingaway from things thatcan destroy one’s gooddeeds and bring baddeeds and this include:allowing oneself to bedistracted by quiz-shows, movies andsports, matches, idlegatherings, hangingabout in the streets withevil people, drivingaround for no purpose orsleeping throughout theperiod of fasting. (6) Notallowing one to beprovoked, because theProphet (s.a.w) said: “Ifsomeone fights him orinsults him, he shouldsay, ‘I am fasting, I amfasting.’” (Bukhaari) (7)Being generous by

sharing knowledge,material things, usingone’s position ofauthority or physicalstrength to help others,and having a goodattitude.

“The Messenger ofAllah (s.a.w) was themost generous of people[in doing good], and hewas most generous of allin Ramadan whenJibreel met with him,and he used to meet himevery night in Ramadanand teach him theQur ’an. (8) Hasteningthe iftaar (breaking of thefast) because the Prophet(SAW) said: “The peoplewill be fine so long asthey do not delay iftaar.”(Bukhaari).

Breaking one’s fast inthe manner described inthe hadeeth (9) Noteating too much Sahuurand Iftar, because theProphet (s.a.w) said: Thebest sahuur for thebeliever is dates.”(Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/448), he said in anotherHadith that: “The son ofAdam fills no worsevessel than his stomach.”(Tirmidhi, no. 2380; hesaid this is a hasansaheeh hadith). (10)Combining fasting withfeeding the poor is oneof the means of reachingParadise, as the Prophet(s.a.w) said.

G O V E R N O RKayode Fayemi of

Ekiti has warned tradersin the state againstincreasing prices offoodstuff during theRamadan period.

According to thegovernor in a statementthrough his chief PressSecretary, Mr. OlayinkaOyebode, he said such

RAMADRAMADRAMADRAMADRAMADAN BRIEFS:AN BRIEFS:AN BRIEFS:AN BRIEFS:AN BRIEFS:

acts negate the spirit ofthe season.

He described Ramadanas “the glory of allmonths in the Islamiccalendar.”

He said that theRamadan fast was one ofthe five pillars of Islamthat Muslims muststrictly adhere to in linewith the injunctions of

the Almighty Allah.The governor noted that

Ramadan offered anopportunity for Muslimsto move closer to Allahand deepen theirrelationship with him insubmission to his will.

He also urged thefaithful to use the periodto pray for peace to reignin all the troubled spotsin the country.

THE Estu Nupe,Alhaji Yahaya

Abubakar, recently calledon Muslims in thecountry to use the periodof the Ramadan to prayfor the peace andprogress of Nigeria.

Abubakar, who madethe call in Bida in aninterview withnewsmen, stressed theimportance of prayers,especially against thebackdrop of the currentsecurity challengesfacing the nation.

“Fasting is not onlyabstaining from

Estu Nupe urges Muslims to pray for NigeriaEstu Nupe urges Muslims to pray for NigeriaEstu Nupe urges Muslims to pray for NigeriaEstu Nupe urges Muslims to pray for NigeriaEstu Nupe urges Muslims to pray for Nigeria

drinking, eating orabstinence fromcommitting sins.

“It is also a time toemulate the good deedsof Prophet Muhammadduring his life time onearth and how he relatedwith others,’’ he said.

The monarch alsourged Muslim faithful toshow love and concernfor the less-privileged inthe society by offeringthem assistance tocushion their hardshipduring the period.

Abubakar said thatboth Islam and

Christianity, the twomajor religions in thecountry, preachedpeace, love and unityamong Nigerians.

He therefore urgedNigerians to imbibe theteachings of the tworeligions in the interestof the nation’sdevelopment.

The monarch urgedreligious clerics in thecountry to refrain fromusing provocativeutterances during theRamadan fast lecturesto forestall any issuethat could lead of crisis.

Etiquette of Ramadan fastingEtiquette of Ramadan fastingEtiquette of Ramadan fastingEtiquette of Ramadan fastingEtiquette of Ramadan fasting

FOR every action inthe Shari’ah, there

is a purpose or wisdom.Even in the major acts ofworship, we find thatAllah has explained thewisdom behind thevarious obligations on usand their performances.In the verse related towudu, we read: “Allahdoes not wish to placeyou in difficulty, but tomake you clean, and tocomplete His favourupon you, [so] that youmay be grateful.” (AlMa’idah verse 6)

As regards the purposeof salah, we read: “Verilysalah restrains [one]from shameful and unjustdeeds.” (Al Ankabut v45). In the verse relatingto zakah, we read: “Oftheir goods, take alms,[so] that you mightpurify and sanctifythem.” (At Tawbah verse103)

In the context of hajj,we read the verse: “That

they may witness thebenefits provided forthem.” (Al Hajj verse 28)

In similar vein, theobligation of fasting hasa purpose and wisdombehind it. Allah the

Exalted says: “O you whobelieve fasting has beenprescribed upon you as ithad been prescribedupon those before you sothat you may becomepious.” (Al Baqarah verse183)

Thus the purpose offasting is to attain taqwa

(God consciousness). Thegreat Tabi’i Talq Ibn Habibdefined taqwa as ‘actingin obedience to Allah,hoping for His mercy, andtaqwa is leaving acts ofdisobedience to Allah, out

of fear for Him.’ Thismeans to develop thequality of performingevery action that Allahloves and refraining fromthose actions that Hedetests.

From left: Sheik Abdul-Razaq Luqman (al-Mubarak); Alhaji Olajide of Ansar-ud-Deen; sheikh Seifudeen Olowooribi, Chief Imam, Ikorodu Division;Sheikh Is'haq Fagba; and Shikh Muyideen Ajani Bello during a lectureorganised by Hamohullah in Oreta.

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State (middle); Chief of Staff, Mr.Lanre Babalola (left); Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Mr.Oyinlomo Danmole (3rd left); his Special Duties and Energy and MineralResources counterparts, Dr. Wale Ahmed (3rd right), Engr. Taofiq Tijani (2ndleft), Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engr.Ganiyu Johnson (right) and his Housing counterpart, Hon. Jimoh Ajao (2ndright) during a special prayer for the commencement of Ramadan fastingorganised by the state Ministry of Home Affairs and Culture at the LagosHouse, Ikeja.

36—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013

CONDOLENCE: From left— Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, former Governor of LagosState; his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and Chief Albert Iyorah, Chairman, Al-Brett Group,during Iyorah's condolence visit to Tinubu over the death of his mother in Lagos.

THE remains of formerUnion Bank Man-

ager, Mr. OlusegunAkindele, 60, will be in-terred tomorrow at hisresidence in Oke Olufi,Ikire, Osun State. Hedied June 29.

A Christian wake-keepholds today. Lying instate is at his residencein Zone Seven, CelicaArea, Ibadan.

He is survived by Mrs.Oluyemi Akindele,widow; four children, fa-ther, brothers and sisters.

Late Mr. Akindele.

Akindelefor burial

NPC raises alarm overBayelsa's aging population

THE stalled amicable resolu-tion of the lingering tax dis-

pute between Nigeria Liquefiedand Natural Gas, NLNG, Lim-ited and Nigerian MaritimeAdministration and SafetyAgency, NIMASA, yesterday,forced lawyers in the matter toargue their respective applica-tions before a Federal HighCourt sitting in Lagos.

The court, will meantime, to-day, deliver judgment in all theapplications.

It will be recalled that NLNGhad dragged the Attorney-Gen-eral of the Federation and a pri-vate firm, Global West VesselsSpecialists, to court over the al-leged blockade of its vessels.

NIMASA was alleged to havecarried out the action becauseof the refusal of NLNG to paysome statutory charges/taxes tothe Federal Government.

It was also gathered that eventhough the matter had been set-tled through mediation,wherein NLNG was asked topay the agreed outstandingtaxes, it turned around to sue

the Attorney-General of the Fed-eration and Global West Vessels,a NIMASA agent, without join-ing NIMASA in the suit.

The court had, Monday, de-clined to renew an earlier ex-parte order it granted in favourof NLNG, even though it re-fused the applications by thedefendants to vacate same.

At the hearing in the matteryesterday, the defendants arguedtheir preliminary objections, chal-lenging the jurisdiction of thecourt to adjudicate on the suit aswell as the commencement of con-tempt proceedings against themby NLNG.

Counsel to NIMASA had ear-lier drawn the attention of thecourt to the intervention of theSecretary to the Government ofthe Federation, SGF, AnyimPius Anyim in the dispute.

He said: “The MD of NLNGwas linked to the meeting viateleconference and after discus-sion, it was agreed that they(NLNG) should get their law-yer to vacate the interim orderand proceed to pay the moneythey owe.

“I need to know if I’m on the

same page with NLNG’s law-yer on this, otherwise I willproceed with my motionswhich are ripe for hearing.”

However, NLNG’s lawyerclaimed ignorance of the meet-ing, insisting that the instruc-tion from his client was to theeffect that he should proceedwith the court case.

The lawyer said: “I must sayI’m taken aback by this prac-tice. I don’t have any instruc-tion to vacate the order.

“The instruction I have is tomove an application seeking tovary the order and I must saythat we only agreed to payunder protest so that our ves-sels can be released.”

Afterward, counsel to partiesargued their respective pend-ing applications, which thecourt will rule on today.

NLNG vs NIMASA: More dramaas court rules on applications

BY INNOCENT ANABA

YENAGOA—FEDERALCommissioner, National

Population Commission inBayelsa State, Engr. AustenPabor, yesterday, expressedconcern over the tagging ofBayelsa State as a state of “ag-ing population.”

Pabor in an interview inYenagoa during 2013 WorldPopulation Day, lamentedBayelsa State’s situation, whichcurrently has the least birth reg-istration figure in the country

compared to other states.He said: “It is worthy to note

that presently, Bayelsa State hasthe least birth registration fig-ure in the whole of the country.

“The situation is very patheticwhen every other state is re-cording 20 times the figure ofBayelsa State, which is now re-garded as an aging popula-tion.”

He decried the current situa-tion where the state has only 26registration centres for its 105wards, a development he de-scribed as grossly inadequate.

Pabor said: “I call on the state

government to collaborate withNPC to establish more regis-tration centres and employ reg-istrars in all the 105 wards asagainst the current 26 registra-tion centres.

“They are grossly inadequatefor 100 per cent coverage in theregistration of births anddeaths and issuing of attesta-tion certificates.”

He, however, commendedBayelsa State Government onits bid to establish State Popu-lation Affairs Committee,SPAC, and urged it to expediteaction on same.

BY SAMUELOYADONGHA

NB hosts tree-planting exercise

2015: YouthMovementurgesObielum tocontestDelta guber

BY KELECHIAZUBUIKE

NATIONAL Coali-tion of Itsekiri Youth

Movement, NCIYM, hasappealed to Peoples Demo-cratic Party, PDP, chieftainand businessman, ChiefGodswill Obielum, to con-test Delta State’s 2015 gov-ernorship election on PDPplatform.

The group also appealedto the people of the state tosupport Obielum, who itsaid was also a philanthro-pist, to become the next gov-ernor of the state.

Coordinator of the group,Tosan Oritsegbemi, spokeat a meeting of the Itsekiriyouths in Koko, Warri NorthLocal Government Area,Delta State.

DESOPOGAlaudsUduaghan'smgt of WarriNorth crisis

WARRI—A COALI-TION of graduates

from oil producing commu-nities in Delta State, underthe aegis of Delta State OilProducing Communities’Graduates Association,DESOPOGA, hascommended GovernorEmmanuel Uduaghan ofDelta State over the man-agement of the recent cri-sis in Warri North LocalGovernment Area.

According toDESOPOGA, GovernorUduaghan’s interventionand co-ordination of allstakeholders, particularlyleaders of Ijaw and Itsekiriextraction, and securityagencies to nip the freshviolence in the bud was atestament of his manage-ment abilities and in-depthknowledge of the coastalcommunities.

The graduates spoke in astatement by Mr. AgbefeSebastine and Mr. ProgressOmo-Agege, President andSecretary of DESO-POGA,respectively.

NIGERIAN Breweries, NB, Plc will hosts the 2013 Lagos Stateindustrial tree-planting campaign flag off ceremony in the com-

pany’s premises in Lagos, July 14.NB is partnering Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency,

LASEPA, and the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment in thestate government’s drive to plant trees in the Lagos metropolis.

Y E N A G O A —BAYELSA State

government, yesterday,said it had spent N1 bil-lion on the payment ofbacklog of pensions andgratuities owed retirees inthe state.

The state Head of Serv-ice, Sir Frazer Okuoru,who spoke after address-ing a group of pension-ers in Yenagoa, explainedthat two batches of theretirees had already beenpaid with funds releasedby the state governmentin tranches.

He appealed to the pen-sioners to exercise pa-tience as government wascommitted to clearing thearrears.

Frazer, who is also theChairman of the state Pen-sions and Gratuity Com-mittee, which has repre-sentation from labour andthe pensioners’ union,said about N4 billion wasthe outstanding of the billbefore the commence-ment of the payment.

Describing the allega-tion of selective paymentleveled against the com-mittee as unfounded, theHead of Service notedthat bottom-to-top ap-proach was beingadopted as the modus op-erandi for clearing thebacklog.

Bayelsabeginspayment ofgratuitiesbacklog

BY SAMUELOYADONGHA

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013 —37

Ewherido: Man dies of shock in Delta

Group flaysattacks onWarri villages

Uduaghanwins PeaceAmbassadoraward

BY FESTUS AHON

Students join calls for removal ofRivers’ police boss

BY EMMA ARUBI

BY EMMA AMAIZE

BENIN CITY—A FederalHigh Court sitting in Benin

City, Edo State, yesterday, struckout the suit against a chieftain ofAction Congress of Nigeria,ACN, in the state and formerchairman of Etsako East LocalGovernment Area, Mr. StanleyOdidi by the member represent-ing Etsako Federal constituencyin the House of Representatives,Mr Abubakar Momoh.

Momoh had in suit had al-

WARRI—DISTURBED bydamage a further crisis be-

tween the Ijaw and Itsekiri inWarri North Local GovernmentArea of Delta State, would causethe people, the state and thecountry at large, the Associationof Itsekiri Staff in the Delta StateOil Producing Development

WARRI—NIGER-DELTA Human

Rights Coalition,NDHRC, has concludedplans to confer Niger-Delta Ambassador ofPeace award on DeltaState governor, D rEmmanuel Uduaghan.

The coalition said theconferment was in recog-nition of his efforts inmaintaining peace in thestate and beyond.

National coordinator ofthe group, Alhaji YusufEregbene, cited face offbetween Ijawand Itsekiri in 2012 overboat regatta, Emede andEgbude communities inIsokoland which almostled a crisis; chairmanshiptussle between Buolo andNdoro communities inBurutu Local Govern-ment Area; UwvieKingsship tussle, andmany foiled Fulani herds-men/farmers attacks thatwere prevented fromexcallating in the state.

“Others are the brew-ing Ogbe-ijoh, WarriSouth -West LGA/ AladjaUdu LGA communalclash; Ethiope East com-munal crisis, which led tooutright ban of commer-cial motorcycle opera-tions in the area and par-ticularly, the Warri NorthLGA crisis, during whichlives were lost and prop-erty destroyed. Withoutthe prompt interventionof the governor, the cri-sis in Warri North wouldhave escalated.

“Uduaghan is manwho has inquisitive in-sight in crisis manage-ment and that distin-guished him from previ-ous administrators in thestate. Without his urgentintervention, some face-less persons would havemade the state ungov-ernable.”

The group urged othergovernors in the region“to emulate him to en-sure lasting peace intheir troubled states.”

SAPELE—AN Itsekiri socio-cultural group, Itsekiri

Youths Development Commit-tee, Okogho Community chap-ter, Delta State, has said thatthe recent attacks by Ijaw mi-litia, known as Egbema Revo-lution Group, on Itsekiri vil-lages, during which about 12persons were killed, was anact of criminality and terrorismagainst the state and the coun-try in general.

Chairman of the Itsekirigroup, Mr Wisdom Keke, whospoke, yesterday, in Sapele,Sapele Local Government Areaof Delta State, said that the car-nage had no political bearing asno amount of agitation for politi-cal power or position can lead tosuch height of disrespect for hu-man life. He added that the kill-ings was an act of genocide or-chestrated by blood thirsty hood-lums in the Niger Delta region.

The group urged the federal andState Governments to be unitedwith a view to ensuring the arrestand prosecution of the perpetra-tors, who are currently at large,adding that what the ERG did waswrong, inhuman and unaccept-able.

PORT HARCOURT—ASthe Rivers State crisis es-

calates, students in the statehave joined in calling for the re-moval of the state Police Com-missioner, Joseph Mbu.

The student leaders under theinterest group, Rivers Leader-ship Advancement Foundation,RIVLEAF, threatened, yester-

UGHELLI—APPREHEN-SION has enveloped

Ughelli metropolis, DeltaState, after a teacher and a co-operative expert, identified asMr. Aaron Bakpore slumpedand died after reading of thedeath of Senator PiusEwherido on the pages of anewspaper.

Bakpore, who it was gathereddrove to his office at UnifyMicro Finance Bank, Ughelliwhere he is a director on thefaithful morning, said: “It is alie, Ewherido cannot die; notat this early age; not at thistime.”

According to a reliablesource, the deceased sent hisoffice assistant to buy him acopy of a newspaper, addingthat on receiving the copy ofthe paper, he told the assist-ant that he needed a rest anddoes not want to see anybody.

The source who pleaded ano-nymity, said hours later, one ofthe directors of the bank, whocame looking for him(Bakpore), defied the orderand knocked several timeswithout any response.

Speaking further, the sourcesaid; “after few minutes, thedoor was forced opened and

behold; Bakpore was founddead on his chair with a copyof the newspaper on hishand.

“Bakpore, who came to theoffice full of life that morning

was taken to the mortuary and hisML Mercedez Benz was drivenback to his house in Ekiugbo with-out him,” the source added.

Describing Bakpore as a coop-erative guru and a dedicated a

teacher, he said, “his death is abig loss to Universal Multipur-pose Cooperative Society, theUnify Micro Finance Bank, hisfamily and the Ughelli commu-nity.”

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

Warri North crisis: Itsekiri staff in DESOPADEC pray for peace

Court dismisses forgery suit against ACNstalwart in Edo

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI day to take laws into their handsover the crisis, if relevant authori-ties fail redeploy Mbu out of thestate.

Spokesman for RIVLEAF,Owhorkire Rhino accused thePolice of being partisan in the Riv-ers saga, demanding his imme-diate redeployment.

Rhino who spoke after an emer-gency meeting of the body in PortHarcourt, called on President

Goodluck Jonathan to interveneby directing the Inspector Gen-eral of Police to redeploy Mbu.

“We are peace loving youths, butwe may be forced to take the lawsinto our hands. We don’t want him(Mbu). He is a political PoliceCommissioner on a mission toruin Rivers State. The chaos atRivers State House of Assemblyis a shame and an embarrassmentto the people of the state espe-cially the youths and Mbu is justfanning the flaming fire.”

leged that Odidi, who contestedthe ticket of the House of Repre-sentatives with him, during theACN primaries, forged his Na-tional Examination Council,NECO, result.

Odidi had earlier gone to court,alleging that Momoh forged hissignature to substitute his (Odidi)name, which deprived him of theticket to contest the House of Rep-resentatives election in the 2011general elections in the state.

Ruling on the suit by Momohalleging forgery of NECO certifi-cate by Odidi, the court presided

over by Justice A.M.Liman, saidthe petitioner has no “locus standi”to sue the defendant, since Odidihad also cried that he was de-prived of the House of Repre-sentatives ticket by Momoh, whois the current beneficiary.

Justice Liman held that “from theabove analysis of the case, theplaintiff has not disclosed any rea-sonable cause of action nor anylocus standi disclosed. Conse-quently, the court lacks the juris-diction to entertain this suit. Ac-cordingly, it is, therefore, struckout.”

BY GODWIN OGHRE

Commission, DESOPADEC, hascalled for a seven-day fasting andprayer session for peace, prosper-ity and brotherly co-existence inthe three Warri local governmentareas.

In a statement at the end of itsmeeting, the association said thethe prayer session which startedyesterday, at Eyewuoma Hall,

Warri, would end on July 17.The group also passed a vote of

confidence on the Chairman, Mr.Oritsuwa Kpogho and the Com-missioner representing theItsekiri nation on the board of thecommission, Deacon MichaelDiden.

A statement by the association’sChairman, Mr Agbateyiniro

Oritsetimeyin, maintained thatthere was need for divine inter-vention in Iwereland, adding thatfurther crisis would not onlywreck collateral damage on thecommunities but would also af-fect the revenue allocations to thegovernment and by extensionthe Commission.

BIRTHDAY: Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal (left); Crown PrinceEheneden Erediauwa (2nd right) and others, during Edo State deputy governor's 56th birth-day celebration in Benin. Photo: Barnabas Uzosike.

38—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013

Why I'm yet todeclare forguber — Ngige

UN scribe makes case for girlchild education

BY FAVOURNNABUGWU

UNICEF, Imogovt partneron violenceagainstwomen,children

BY CHDINKWOPARA

Engr Sakatu,70, passeson

Late Engr. Sakatu

Expert blames low blood donation onmisconception

Somolu General Hospital getsincubator

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

THE death has occurredof Engr. Johnson

Sakatu, 70 years. Asteadfast member of God’sKingdom Society, GKS, and two-term chairman ofLeague of Freedomites.

The late Sakutu workedin Unilever Nigeria PLCand Mandilas Limitedbefore he incorporatedJohnson White UnitedLimited, a civil engineeringfirm that executed manylaudable projects, includingBadagry Army Barracks.

AS the world marks this year’sWorld Population Day,

married adolescents between 15and 19 years old account for 71percent annual births in thecountry, according to UnitedNations.

United Nations’ Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-Moon, inhis message on World PopulationDay 2013, expressed the needto devote attention and resourcesto the education, health and wellbeing of adolescent girls forsustainable positive change insociety.

Ban Ki-Moon said: “On this

World Population Day, let uspledge to support adolescentgirls to realize their potentialand contribute to our sharedfuture.

“With the 2013 worldpopulation day theme:'Adolescent Pregnancy', it isimportant to understand thatadolescent pregnancy does notonly add to the rate of maternalmortality, it can result in schooldrop-out, increased incidents ofSTI infections, and jeopardy ofambitions and potentials ofgirls".

He said about 16 million girlsunder age 18 gave birth eachyear and 3.2 million undergounsafe abortions, while more

than 60 percent of young peoplein Nigeria partake in unsafeabortions yearly.

He added that: “Adolescentpregnancy has been identifiedas one of the reasons why youngfemales don’t realise their fullpotential and experts have calledfor actions to improve adolescentsexual and reproductive healtheducation.”

Executive Director of UnitedNations Population Fund,UNFPA, Dr. BabatundeOsotimehin, revealed thatcomplications from pregnancyand child birth were the leadingcause of death among girls, aged15-19 years, in developingcountries.

Consultant Haematologist,observed that same unconfirmedfears had held down LagosState to record just seven per

cent of voluntary non-remunerated donations since1984 when the committee wasestablished.

FORMER governor ofAnambra State, Senator

Chris Ngige, has said he wasyet to declare for November 16governorship election in thestate. He, however, said heacknowledged the forthcomingelection as a prime item on hisagenda, hence his decision toconsult widely to arrive at asound, representative andacceptable decision.

Ngige said in a statement byhis aide, Charles Amilo: "Thepreponderance of views fromAnambra citizens is that Ngigeshould throw his hat in the ringand lead Anambra State torenewed glory.

‘’However, he is taking abroader view of the matter. Hedoes not personally see thegovernorship race as somethinghe must go for because he hasbeen there before, but iscompelled by the need to capthe works and vision that hasonly been marginally furtheredin the last eight years to put itinto consideration, alongsideother options".

Anambra 2014:Aspirantswelcome pollstime-table

A W K A — S O M Egubernatorial aspirants

in Anambra State haveexpressed satisfaction with theGovernorship Election timetablereleased by the IndependentElectoral Commission, INEC,scheduled for November 16.

INEC last Monday releasedthe timetable, which showedthat election will commence onAugust 13.

An aspirant, Mr EmmanuelNweke, told the News Agencyof Nigeria, NAN, that thetimetable was “timely” and anindication that the yearnings ofthe electorate would be a reality.

Nweke, who is aspiring tocontest the poll on the ticket ofAll Progressives Grand Alliance,APGA, said: “I thank God for itbecause we have beenexpecting it all the while.

Another aspirant, Chief PatrickObianwu, also of APGA, said thetimetable meant that the politicalparties could now settle downfor the business of politics.

Obianwu said, “It means thatour aspirations can now cometo fruition; the party can now getdown to the issues at stake andnominate candidates that willrun on Nov.16.

OWERRI—UNITEDNations Children’s

Fund, UNICEF, has said itwas seeking collaborationwith Imo State governmentto end violence againstwomen and children.

Addressing participantsat a three-day sensitizationworkshop organised byUNICEF in Owerri, agender and developmentspecialist with UNICEF, Dr.Simbo Odebode, regrettedthat more than one yearafter the enactment of theViolence Against PersonsLaw in the state, the peoplewere still unaware of thelegislation.

The Law Number 12 of2012, according toVanguard investigations,was enacted to, amongothers, check female genitalmutilation, politicalviolence, forceful eviction ofeither of the spouses,incest, rape, harmfulwidowhood and otherobnoxious traditionalpractices.

Odebode regretted thatmore than one year after theBill received the accent ofGovernor RochasOkorocha, residents of thestate were still unaware ofthe existence of the law.

LUNCHEON—From left: Christian Herpin, Gen. Mgr. Air France; Mr Tayo Ogungbenro,partner KPMG (Speaker); Mr Marcel Hochet, President, FNCCI and MD, SchneiderElectric; Dr Josh Bamfo, Senior Manager, KPMG; Mr Josef Hoyek, Fin Mgr Air France;Mrs Ize Matebese, Member, FNCCI BOD and Mr Eni D. Eni, Gen.Mgr FNCCI at theFNCCI Business Luncheon at the Southern Sun Ikoyi Hotel, Lagos.

BY JOSEPHINEIGBINOVIA

ROTARY Club of Gbagadahas donated a brand new

incubator to the GeneralHospital, Shomolu, in Lagos.

The donation, which wasreceived by the MedicalDirector, Somolu GeneralHospital, Dr. OluwatoyinAdelaja, and commissioned byRotarian Olugbemiga Olowu,Governor, Rotary InternationalDistrict 9110, was the productof a need assessment carried-out on the hospital.

The assessment had,according to Rotarian TayoAdelaja, President, Rotary Clubof Gbagada, revealed that the

hospital had only one incubatorto combat infant mortality..

Emphasizing the need tosustain the facility, Adelaja, whohad same day donated aborehole to Ojileru Communityat Oworonshoki and distributedtreated mosquito nets at Ogudu,said: “We have an existingrelationship with GbagadaGeneral Hospital where we alsoonce donated an incubatorwhich is still serving.

“So, we have taken it uponourselves to arrange a trainingsession between those that willbe handling this new incubatorand those handling the one atGbagada, to enable Somolu learnfrom Gbagada how to effectivelymanage the equipment.”

BARELY seven years toWorld Health

Organisation’s 100 percentvoluntary blood donation targetby 2020, experts have blamed theinability of Nigeria to meet upwith the global target onmisconceptions.

Executive Secretary, LagosState Blood TransfusionCommittee, LSBTC, Dr.Modupe Olaiya, who spokeduring Cadbury NigeriaEmployees Voluntary BloodDonation initiative, regretted thatNigeria still ranked low with lessthan 10 per cent voluntary non-remunerated blood donations.

Olaiya listed some of themisconceptions to include fear ofcontracting humanimmunodeficiency virus, HIV,among other infections, fear ofdeveloping fever after blooddonation, fear of excessiveweight loss and sexual failure.

Olaiya, who is also a

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013—39

WEDDING: From left, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Informa-tion and Communication, Aniekan Umanah; his former media assistant,Nduese Essien; his bride, Uche; and Barr. Onofiok Luke of the AkwaIbom State House of Assembly, during Essien's wedding in Uyo.

COMPETITION: From left, Afolabi Olamide, Michael Oluwale,explaining how Cardiolife health solution developed by Team Ni-geria works, at the just concluded 2013 Microsoft Imagine cupsoftware students competition, in St.PeterBurg, Russia. Photo:Emeka Aginam

CONFERENCE: From left, Founding President, Institute of Strategic Management,Nigeria, Dr. Austin Uwandulu; chairman of the occasion, Chief Inaolaji Aboaba; Presi-dent, ISMN, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, at the2013 National Conference of the Institute in Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

PROGRAMME: From left, Mrs. MofolakeAdegboyega, Mrs. Abibat Lasisi, collecting empow-erment materials from Sheri Care Foundation,SCARF, president and wife of Osun State gover-nor, Mrs. Sherifat Aregbesola, and Barr. FunmilayoEsho William, during SCARF's Widowhood Careprogramme to empower needy widows in the state.

HEALTH WEEK: From left, Dr. Yewande Adeshina, Special AdviserTo Lagos State Governor on Public Health; Mrs. RiskatAkiode,Permanent Secretary, Women Affairs and Poverty Alle-viation, WAPA, representing Deputy Governor of Lagos State, andMr. Jude Nzeata, Sales Manager, Hypo, a Division of MultiproEnterprise, during the grand finale of 2013 1st Round of Mater-nal Newborn and Child Health Week, MNCH, at Alausa, Lagos.Photo: Akeem Salau.

SEMINAR: From left, Mr. Seun Olubola, ProjectCoordinator of Youth Orientation for Develop-ment; Mrs. Edem Christy, Director of OlivesfieldCollege, Magodo; Miss Carley Overs, Expatriateon International Relations and Development, andMr. Emmanuel Ejiogu, President, Youth Orienta-tion for Development, YOD, during the YOD grandfinale of the seminar on skill acquisition for stu-dents of Olivesfield College, Magodo, Isheri, La-gos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

PRESS BRIEFING: From left, MD/CEO, AVONHealthcare Ltd., Mrs. Simbo Ukiri; Head, SalesBusiness Development, Mrs. Kehinde Oyesiku, andHead, Provider Services, Mr. Banjo Oni, at a pre-launch press briefing of the company’s products,at Ocean View, in Lagos.

BRIEFING: From left, Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye;Marketing and Operations Director, Microsoft Nigeria, Mrs. Awawu Olumide-Sojinrin; PublicSector Account Executive, Microsoft Nigeria, Mr. Akin Animashaun; Lagos State governor , Mr.Babatunde Fashola, and Chief Technology Officer, Microsoft Nigeria, Mr. Olayinka Oni (extremeright), and other Lagos State officials, during the Executive Briefing Session on e-Governance forMega Cities, at the Microsoft Technology Centre, MTC, Dubai, U.A.E.

SPEECH DAY: From left, Mr. Willams Iweama, Principal, FSTC, Yaba; chairman of theevent, Engr. Jubillant Enyinnaya; former Minister of Education, Prof. Chinwe NoraObaji; Principal, Queen’s College, Mrs. E.H. Osime, and guest speaker, Prof. MopeolaOlusakin, lecturer, Educational Foundation Management, Faculty of Education, Uni-versity of Lagos, during the Annual Speech Day and Prize-giving ceremony.

40—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013

Plateau LGs seek upward review offederal allocation

Katsina govtallocates8,614 bagsof fertiliserto farmers inSandamu LG

Suspected terrorist killed, anothercaptured in Sokoto

Rotary tosink 25boreholesin Lagos,Ogun

GraduationBY TAYE OBATERU &

HOPE OFOBIKE

JOS— LOCAL government councils in Plateau

State have called for an up-ward review of the allocationto them from the federationaccount, describing the con-tinued allocation of the lionshare to the Federal Govern-ment as unfair.

The councils made theirposition known at a sessionwith the Special Task Forceon Revenue Allocation andFiscal Commission which iscollating views on the reviewof the revenue allocation for-mula.

Chairman of Association of

Local Governments of Ni-geria, ALGON, Plateau StateChapter, Mr. EmmanuelLoman, who presented theirposition said the 52.68 shareto the Federal Governmentwas too much such that it al-ways had excess fund.

He contrasted this with lo-cal government councilswhich he said found it diffi-cult to pay salaries becauseof the paltry allocation tothem.

“Why will the Federal Gov-ernment always go with thelion share? What makes upthe federal government arethe state and local govern-ments; then why should ex-cess fund be allocated to the

federal government at the det-riment of those at the grass-roots"?

President, Plateau StateChambers of Commerce, In-dustries, Mines and Agricul-ture, PLACCIMA, Mr. BulusDareng, called on the specialtask force to look at the threetiers of government, and as-certain their running cost be-fore making recommendationsto the President.

According to him, “Nigeri-ans should seriously look intothis issue, because this is whatmight break this country apart.In Plateau state for instance,we produce 80 per cent of po-tatoes consumed in Nigeria,yet we have no single deriva-tion from this”.

SOKOTO— A SUSPECTEDterrorist has been killed in

Sokoto after a shoot-out with sol-diers and operatives of the De-partment of State Services, DSS,yesterday, News Agency of Ni-geria, NAN, reports.

Brig-Gen. Tasi’u Ibrahim, theCommander, 1 Brigade, NigerianArmy, said the suspect was killedin the operation which lasted forabout six hours at Gidan-Dare,near Kalambaina area of the city.

He also said one suspect wascaptured alive, while 11 membersof the suspects’ family, “were res-cued and secured”.

Ibrahim told a pressconference in Sokoto after theoperation that, six of those res-cued were children, while fivewere women, adding that two ofthe women were pregnant.

“The pregnant women are nowreceiving ante-natal care at theBrigade’s clinic,” he said.

The commander disclosed thatthe joint operation was carried outfollowing a tip-off, adding, “thehouse was being used as a ter-rorist hide-out.

“The operation was clinicallyand carefully carried out in linewith the existing global rules ofengagement,” he assured.

Ibrahim listed some of theweapons recovered from thehouse to include: Six AK 47 andone pump action rifles, 13 IEDPrima clocks and an Abuja vehi-cle plate number, EL 295 ABJ.

Other items were: 13ammunition magazines, 7 Im-provised Explosive Devices mak-ing materials, 32 (9 volts) batter-ies, one axe, four handsets,

56 SIM cards, threememory cards, 10 cartons ofmilk and N76, 685 cash,among others.

“This group of people donot wish Nigeria and thestate well. In this Holymonth of Ramadan one maywonder how these peopleare bent on breaching thepeace.

“All well meaning and law

abiding Nigerians will con-tinue to be protected and se-cured. The Army will makeevery effort to ensure that theinnocent do not suffer,” hesaid.

Ibrahim commended thepeople of the state for theirsustained cooperation withsecurity agencies, but cau-tioned them against rentingtheir houses to unknown per-sons.

VICTORY Group ofSchools will hold

its valedictory gradua-tion service on TuesdayJuly 23, 2013 at VictoryHall, Onigbagbo, IkejaLagos. The graduatingstudents consist of 19sets of Victory GrammarSchool, 29 sets of VictoryCollege and 40 sets ofVictory High School.

According to a state-ment by the school pro-prietor, Chief C.F.IOlaniyan said prize willbe given to best stu-dents, adding that keypersonalities from theeducational sector areexpected at the pro-gramme.

BY JOSEPHINEIGBINOVIA

LAGOS—NEWLY installed Governor of

Rotary International Dis-trict 9110, OlugbemigaOlowu, has promisedthat Rotary will sink nofewer than 25 boreholesin public schools acrossLagos and Ogun statesin the course of his one-year tenure.

Lamenting the unavail-ability of potable water inmany parts of the coun-try, Olowu said that thedistrict would also focuson maternal and childhealth, disease controland prevention; waterand sanitation, and theprovision of micro-creditfacilities.

Explaining how he in-tended to achieve therequired N200 million forthe execution of the in-tended projects, he said:“I will work in partner-ship with the U.S.Centers for Disease Con-trol and Prevention-CDC; United StatesAgency for InternationalDevelopment- USAIDand some medical per-sonnel. As for the re-quired sum, I will say thegoal is achievable be-cause we have our part-ners, the Rotary founda-tion and Rotarians, whowill definitely contributetheir quota.”

Olowu spoke in Lagosduring his installationceremony and assuredthat efforts were beingput in place towards re-moving Nigeria from thelist of polio-endemic na-tions.

K A T S I N A —KATSINA State

Government, has allo-cated 8,614 bags of ferti-liser to Sandamu LocalGovernment Area of thestate for sale to farmersat subsidised rate.

Alhaji Albashir Baure,Chairman, Fertiliser Dis-tribution Committee,Daura zone, said thiswhile distributing theconsignment to farmersin Sandamu yesterday.

He said that the ferti-liser would be distrib-uted to each polling unitof the area so as to en-sure that peasant farm-ers benefited from thegesture.

According to him, eachbag of fertiliser would besold to farmers at a sub-sidised rate of N1,780 toenable ordinary farmersget the commodity withease.

He noted that the com-modity would be distrib-uted to farmers of thearea regardless of theirpolitical inclinations, be-cause the fertiliser wasfor all the people ofSandamu.

The chairman alsowarned the beneficiariesagainst reselling thecommodity to marketers.

VISIT—From left: Immigration Comptroller-General, D.S Parradangi; Chairman, SenateCommittee on Interior, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu and Vice Chairman, Sen. Olubunmi Adetunmbiduring the visit of the committee to Nigerian Immigration Service in Abuja on Wednesday.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013 — 41

70TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION OF MRS BERNADETTE GEORGE

BIRTHDAY: From left, Dr. Olu Egbe, Mrs. Bernadette Adebisi George, cel-ebrant, and Mrs. Remi Odunlami, during the 70th birthday celebration ofMrs. Bernadette George, at Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos. Photo: SholaOyelese

From right, Mrs. Bernadette Adebisi George, Mr. Ayoola George; Mr. OpeGeorge and Mrs. Femi George - children during the church service.

From left, Chief Sena Anthony; Dr. Pat Bello; HRM, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu,and Chief Katia Ekesi, at the reception

From left, Chief Olufemi Olopade, Rev. Fr. Jude-Marie Ezeigbo, Mrs.PaulinaJohnson and Mrs. Aduke Falase

CMYK

42 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013

CMYK

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2013—43

BOOK LAUNCH: Prof. Ben Nwabueze, author (left) and Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Special Guest of Honour, duringthe public presentation of Prof. Ben Nwabueze's autobiograpgy (two volumes) in Lagos. PHOTO: Diran Oshe.

101-yr-old3-storeybuildingcollapses inKaduna

Continues from Page 9

friends, hold on. This isnot the time to talk to thepress, you can see that weare making efforts to getequipment.”

Resource ManagementCoordinator of the NigeriaRed Cross Society in thestate, Mr. BJ Charles,said: “We came with ateam to see the number ofcasualties that we can as-sist.

“But as I talk to you,there are no casualtiesyet. We are advising thatthey should get bulldoz-ers from the NationalEmergency ManagementAgency, NEMA, to en-able them start the rescueoperation.

“NEMA is in a positionto provide equipment forthe rescue operation, un-less there is a bulldozerto lift the collapsed mate-rials, there is nothing wecan do to rescue the vic-tims.

“We have our ambulancestanding by with our teamwell positioned.”

‘I wish I werenot born'

However, the NigerianArmy, Civil Defence Forceand the Nigeria Policepersonnel were said tohave formed a ring aroundthe building to keep peo-ple away from the trappedpersons.

Some sympathisers com-plained that although thevictims were suffocatinginside the collapsedbuilding, the security per-sonnel would not allowthem to start the job.

One of the onlookerssaid: “They are suffocat-ing. The military menwould not rescue themand they would not allowus do it. I wish I were notborn to see this.”

10 killed, 15 injured in Bauchi auto crashBY SUZAN EDEH

BAUCHI —NO fewer than10 persons were killed

while 15 others sustained in-juries in an autocrash alongBauchi/Gombe road, about 75kilometres from Darazo LocalGovernment Area of Bauchi

State.Vanguard gathered that

the accident which oc-curred early in the morn-ing involved a Pegeout J5with number plateKATSINA XF 56G KTNand a commercial ToyotaHiace bus with number

plate KANO XK 162 KMC.It was learnt that the acci-

dent happened as a result ofa head-on collision betweenthe two vehicles at a danger-ous bend.

Confirming the incident, thestate Sector Commandant ofthe Federal Road Safety Com-

mission, FRSC, Mr. SundayOlatunji, said 25 persons wereinvolved in the accident.

According to him, “Of the 25persons, were 15 males, four fe-males, five female children anda male child.

“The number of people thatlost their lives are 10, of whichfive were males, two were fe-males and three female children.Fifteen persons sustained inju-ries and they included 10 males,two females and three femalechildren.”

The Sector Commandant dis-closed that when officers ofFRSC received the informationabout the accident, they rushedto the scene and evacuated allthe corpses and injured personsto Dukku General Hospital inGombe State.

FG anounces NITEL/MTEL's liquidator

NCC to transfer N10.5bn into consolidated account

FEDERAL Government,yesterday, announced the

appointment of OlusolaSenbore and Co as liquidatorfor Nigeria Telecommunica-tions Limited, NITEL, and itssister company, Mobile Tel-ecommunications, MTEL.

Minister of State for Finance,Dr. Yerima Ngama, made theannouncement in Abuja, whilebriefing State House corre-spondents on the outcome ofthe fifth meeting of the NationalCouncil on Privatisation, NCP,presided over by Vice PresidentNamadi Sambo.

Ngama said that the liquida-tor was successfully selected fromeight companies that tendered abid to be considered for the liq-uidation of NITEL/MTEL withinthe next six months.

He said: “We are also happyto announce that a liquidatorhas been appointed for NITEL/MTEL and this liquidator wasreached after several bids werecollected.

“About eight companiesbidded to be considered. At theend of the day, five qualifiedand then after a lot of analysis,we came to the successful liq-uidator who is Olusola Senboreand Co.”

According to him, govern-ment expects the two firms tobe sold off as ongoing concernsto continue in the same line ofbusiness.

“There will be no dismem-bering of the assets of thefirms and then selling themdifferently, but the processwill be similar to the sale ofnational fertiliser companyin Onne, Rivers State, toglobal fertiliser giant,Notore.

“This time around, we expectthe sale to be a success.”

He said liquidator and inter-ested investors are expected tocarry out due diligence on NITELand MTEL after which preferredprices will be set by Bureau forPublic Enterprises ahead of theprivatisation process.

ABUJA—EXECUTIVEVice-Chairman, Nigerian

Communications Commis-sion, NCC, Eugene Juwah,has told the Senate that N10.5billion will be transferred toFederal Government as Spe-cial Remittances, being partof its contribution to the con-solidated account for 2013.

He said that contrary to in-sinuations that the Commis-sion was not remitting the

BY HENRY UMORU

AFTER four days ofshowcasing creative

ideas, innovation and pas-sion in technology by nofewer than 309 brightesttechnology students from71 countries, Microsoft, atthe historic AlexandrinskyTheatre in St. Petersburg,Russia, yesterday, an-nounced the worldwideImagine Cup winners withmore than $1 million incash and prizes going tothe student teams thatwere recognised.

The wining projects wereannounced for the threemajor competition catego-ries, including Innovation,Games and World Citizen-ship as well as three prod-uct-specific challenges andeight special awards fromImagine Cup sponsors.

Team Nigeria, which had

a good showcase and presen-tation had developed an ap-plication called CardioLife.

The application helps pre-vent heart attacks by monitor-ing heart readings on the flyvia the Microsoft Windowsphone.

It also provides a rehabili-

tation programme for stroke pa-tients using the Kinect sensor.

Accordingly, Microsoft awar-ded cash and other prizes val-ued at more than $1 million forthe year-long Imagine Cup com-petition, including awards for thewinning teams at the Worldwidefinals that ended, yesterday.

Microsoft announces Imagine Cup winners

money, there had been transferof funds in accordance with laiddown rules.

Defending NCC’s 2013 budget ofN63.953 billion before the SenatorGilbert Nnaji-led Senate Commit-tee on Communications, Juwah saidthat the commission projected totalrevenue of N55.9 billion.

He added that N14.7 billionwill be for recurrent expendi-ture, while capital expenditurewould gulp N13.3 billion. Hesaid N6 billion will be spent onspecial projects.

He highlighted some prob-lems affecting the Commis-sion to include incessant fa-cility vandalism, cutting of fi-bre links, terrorism attack onbase stations and state gov-ernments’ bottleneck in grant-ing permits for base stationsdeployment as the challengesfacing the Commission in itsregulatory responsibilities.

He said that NCC was incooperation with the NationalEconomic Commission andother relevant stakeholders.

BY EMEKA AGINAM

44 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013

SAVE IBADAN GOVT COLLEGE: From left— Prof. Oladipo Akinkugbe, Chairman of the event; Dr.Christopher Kolade, Chairman, Governing Council, Government College Ibadan Restoration Project, and Chief BiodunJolaoso, at the Government College Ibadan 250 Million Restoration Project fund raising programme held in Lagos. PHOTO:Sylvester Okoruwa.

Ekweremadu, Gana lockedout of Tukur's residence

BY HENRY UMORU

ABUJA—THE crisis be-tween the Professor

Jerry Gana-led Special Na-tional Convention Commit-tee and Alhaji BamangarTukur, National Chairman ofPeoples Democratic Party,PDP, came to the open,Wednesday, as Gana andSecretary of the Committee,Senator Ike Ekweremadu,were locked out of Tukur’sresidence.

It will be recalled that sincethe National Executive Com-mittee, NEC, of the party, atits last meeting last month,approved the Committee toconduct elections into theposts vacated by some mem-bers of the National WorkingCommittee, NWC, who re-signed, Tukur and the com-mittee had been at logger-heads.

The problem, Vanguardgathered, first came up whenTukur complained of non-in-clusion of members of NWCas sub-committee members,

which then led to the inclu-sion of six of NWC members.

The National Chairman andmembers of the interim NWC,a source told Vanguard, werenot happy with the Gana’scommittee on the groundsthat the committee was oper-ating as a parallel NWC,whereas the committee was expected to take directivesfrom the Tukur-led NWC.

Eyewitness accountAccording to an eyewit-

ness, both Gana andEkweremadu were at theWuse 2 residence of Tukur asearly as 9.30a.m., Wednes-day, to intimate him of theprogress so far made by thecommittee and the new datefor the special national con-vention.

However, the source said,aides of Tukur refused thementry and locked out.

The source said that theaides of PDP national chair-man had told Gana andEkweremadu that “Chair-

man had travelled beforetheir arrival.”

Gana and Ekweremadu, theDeputy Senate President,were said to have insistedthat Tukur was inside hisresidence since all his secu-rity details were around andintact.

Determined to see Tukur,Gana then came out of his carto sit at the Police tent in frontof the National Chairman’shouse, while Ekweremaduremained inside his officialcar marked Deputy Presidentof the Senate.

After waiting for over 20minutes, they dropped a mes-sage for Tukur with one of thesecurity details and then left.

According to the source, nosooner had Gana andEkweremadu left they left thePDP chairman’s house at10.04a.m., than members ofthe Interim NWC arrived tocommence meeting withTukur.

The members left after anover 60, while Tukur left his

residence for a journey to Yola,Adamawa State, at 12.03p.m.with his entourage.

One of the party members,who met with Tukur before hetravelled, was the new Direc-tor of Mobilisation and Or-ganisation, Uche Igwe.

‘Why Tukur's angry’Explaining why the Tukur

was not happy with Gana andhis Committee members, thesource said: “Gana’s commit-tee has, against the norms,relocated the special conven-tion committee from the officesof the party to a private officein Wuse 2 by the ParakouCrescent.

“The committee hadawarded contracts for the con-vention, yet the date of theconvention is not insight. Thecontractors have awarded andproduced the wrappers for theconvention without any direc-tive from NWC.

“Even the six members ofNWC that are expected to bemembers of the conventioncommittee are yet to be givenor made members of the spe-cial committee.

“To make matters worse,Gana’s committee had gone tothe Chief of Staff to the Presi-dent, Mike Oghiadomhen, torequest for money to conductthe convention, but they wereturned down and asked tochannel their request formoney through the NationalChairman.”

According to the source,Bamanga Tukur would wantto trash out these issueswith President GoodluckJonathan before audiencewould be granted to theGana’s committee.

Fulani attackers operate from Nasarawa, Suswam tells Al-MakuraBY PETER DURU

& ABEL DANIEL

L A F I A — G O V E R N O RGabriel Suswam of Benue

State, yesterday, accusedNasarawa State government ofharbouring Fulani herdsmenand mercenaries, who had beenaccused of attacking Tiv commu-nities in Benue.

Suswam made the accusationduring a peace meeting betweenboth states held at the NasarawaState Government House, Lafia.

The governor maintained that

it was obvious that the attack-ers were being accommodatedby some communities inNasarawa State.

He said that the people ofBenue were being pushed tothe wall by the carnage thattrail repeated Fulani invasionof parts of Benue State, plead-ing that community leadersshould help governments ofboth states to stem the crisis.

Suswam said: “This crisishas got to a point where thoseof us in Benue State believethat the Fulani perpetrating

the violence in Benue com-munities are being harbouredand camped in NasarawaState, from where they strikeBenue and then retreat intohiding.

“The truth is that we cannotpretend over these things,because the Fulani and theircollaborators come fromNasarawa State and unleashattacks on Benue communi-ties, yet we pretend that wedo not see them or know any-thing about it.”

Earlier in his welcome re-

marks, Governor Al-Makuracommended Suswam’s promptresponse to the peace meet-ing.

He said that the two stateshad shared common affinityfor over 20 years and, there-fore, should not allow disaf-fection to hamper their cordialrelationship.

He explained that the meet-ing was convened to discussthe insecurity situation in theboth states with a view of find-ing permanent solutions to theunfortunate situation.

ABUJA—UNITEDNations Economic

Community for Africa,UNECA, has said thatAfrican nations lackedcapacity to implementtheir economic reforminitiatives.

This was the majorhighlight of the organi-sation’s observations ascontained in its Eco-nomic Report on Africa2013, which waslaunched in Abuja, yes-terday.

According to the UNorgan, the inability of Af-rican nations to imple-ment reforms remainedthe major cause of theirweak economies and,therefore, advised thaturgent steps be taken toshore up the region’s ca-pacities in undertakingglobal competitive eco-nomic managementstrategies.

To correct this lapse incapacity, UNECA notedthat rapid transformationof the manufacturing sec-tor was crucial to achiev-ing sustainable growthand global competitive-ness of Nigeria and otherAfrican economies in theyears to come.

UNECA said that suchstrategies have “becomeimperative if most of theeconomies would get outof the woods and be-come competitive in theyears ahead.”

It urged Nigeria andother African nations toleverage the competi-tiveness of their econo-mies by developingvalue chains in theircommodities, especiallyin agriculture and solidminerals, while raisingthe stake of the manufac-turing sector.

Africa lackscapacity forreforms,says UNECA

BY EMMA UJAH,Abuja Bureau Chief

CMYK

Vanguard, FRIDAY , JULY 11, 2013—45

Egypt picks cabinet, probesMorsi's jailkbreak

EGYPT’s interim PrimeMinister, Hazem el-

Beblawi, weighedpotential Cabinet picksThursday, with oustedPresident MohamedMorsi’s MuslimBrotherhood rejecting anyrole and criticizing arrestwarrants issuedWednesday for its leaders.

The country’s topprosecutor ordered thearrest of MuslimBrotherhood chiefMohammed Badie, one ofhis deputies, and eightothers, accusing them ofinciting violence that killed51 people Monday inCairo.

Meanwhile, officialssay prosecutors willinvestigate allegations thatEgypt’s ousted presidentescaped from prisonduring the 2011 revolutionwith help from thePalestinian militant groupHamas.

The officials say chiefprosecutor Hesham

Barakat has collectedtestimonies from a court inthe Suez Canal city ofIsmailia that will be the basefor an investigation by statesecurity prosecutors into thejailbreak by MohammedMorsi and more than 30other Muslim Brotherhoodleaders.

The question of whetherHamas helped themescape amid the chaossurrounding the uprisingthat toppled HosniMubarak has beendebated in the media formonths. Hamas deniedany role. Morsi says localresidents helped himescape.

Wednesday night,supporters of oustedPresident Mohamed Morsicarried empty coffinstowards the presidentialpalace in Cairo. They saidthe coffins represent thepeople killed since themilitary took over thegovernment after oustingMorsi.

The Muslim Brotherhood

has called for massdemonstrations tomorrow.It is demanding Morsi bereinstated. Themovement, along with theultra-conservative IslamistNour Party, and othersmaller parties, are criticalof the transition plan laidout by the military andinterim President AdlyMansour. Egypt’s interim Prime Minister, Hazem el-Beblawi

Mandela’s friends lament his declineAHMED Kathrada, a

warhorse of the anti-apartheid struggle, wasallowed just a fewminutes at the hospitalbedside of his critically illcomrade, NelsonMandela. It was, he said,a traumatic experience tosee the former president,physically robust duringtheir prison yearstogether, in such afragile state.

Mandela could notspeak but his face

“changed” and herecognized his visitor“through his eyes,”

Kathrada said of the July1 encounter, which wasoverseen protectively byMandela’s wife, GracaMachel.

This is the image ofMandela that SouthAfricans, and manypeople around the world,find hard to accept.

Ex Bosnia leader’s genocide charge reinstated byUN judges

APPEALS judges atthe United Nations’

Yugoslav war crimestribunal have reinstated agenocide charge againstRadovan Karadži?linked to a campaign ofkilling and mistreatingnon-Serbs at the start ofthe Bosnian war in 1992.

The decision reversedthe former Bosnian Serbpresident’s acquittal lastyear on one of the twogenocide charges hefaces, but it does notamount to a conviction.

Presiding judgeTheodor Meron saidappeals judges believethat prosecutionevidence presented at

Cameron rejects pay rise forMPs

DAVID Cameron hasrejected a proposal for

MPs to receive a pay riseof nearly £8,000 a year, butis stopping short offollowing Ed Miliband invowing to turn down thesalary increase.

Downing Street said theprime minister would tellthe IndependentParliamentary StandardsAuthority, in a formalresponse to its proposals,that the overall cost ofpolitics should go downand MPs should notreceive a pay rise whilepublic sector workers facerestraint.

The prime minister’sspokesman said: “A rise

isn’t taking place. There isa proposal from Ipsa onwhich it is consulting, onwhich the prime ministerwill be making [his] viewsclear as part of thatconsultation.”

Asked about the Ipsapackage, which wouldincrease net costs by£500,000 a year, thespokesman said: “We don’tagree. The PM doesn’tagree that the cost ofpolitics should go up.”

Cameron appeared toleave the door open to apay rise when he said inIslamabad on 30 June thatthe overall costs of politicsshould come down but didnot address salariesdirectly.

Karadži?’s trial “couldindicate that Karadži?possessed genocidalintent” during acampaign in 1992 aimed

at driving Muslims andCroats out of towns andvillages claimed by Serbsas their territory.

The decision will drawout Karadži?’s trial oncharges includingorchestrating Europe’sworst massacre since thesecond world war: the1995 murder by Serbforces of 8,000 Muslimmen and boys in the townof Srebrenica.

Mali’s government returns to keynorthern city

A Malian armycommander says

government officialshave returned to thenorthern city of Kidal 16months after they werechased out by rebels.

Col. Mamary Camara,the military chief inKidal, said regionalgovernor Col. AdamaKamissoko arrived byplane around middayThursday accompaniedby Malian and United

Nations officials.Like the rest of

northern Mali, Kidal fellto Tuareg separatistsand then al-Qaida-linked fighters following

a military coup in March2012. France launched amilitary intervention inJanuary, driving therebels out of the othermajor towns.

UK PMs veto decision to arm Syrian rebels

B R I T A I N ’ sp a r l i a m e n t

backed a motion onThursday requiring PrimeMinister David Cameronto give it a veto over anyfuture move to arm Syrianrebels, in a symbolic votethe government said it

would heed.Britain says it has not yet

taken any decision to armrebels fighting to topplePresident Bashar al-Assad, but its role inhelping to lift a EuropeanUnion arms embargo onSyria in May fuelled

speculation it wasplanning to do just that.

The lower house ofparliament voted by 114-1to back a motion requiringthe government to seek its“explicit prior consent” forany future decision toprovide lethal assistance.

NSA surveillance: French rights groups seek probe

TWO human rightsgroups have filed a

lawsuit in Paris seeking aninvestigation into whetherthe US National SecurityAgency violated Frenchprivacy laws by secretlycollecting massiveamounts of personal data.

The legal complaintagainst persons unknown

aims to prompt a judicialinvestigation that wouldalso look at the alleged roleof tech companiesincluding Facebook,Apple, Google, Yahoo,Microsoft and Skype indata-gathering by theNSA.

The France-basedInternational Federation

for Human Rights (FIDH)and the Human RightsLeague based thecomplaint on disclosuresby the NSA leaker EdwardSnowden which indicatedthat the US governmentamassed phone andinternet usage data onpeople around the worldfor security reasons.

Africa’s economy ‘seeingfastest growth’

AFRICA’s economyis growing faster

than any othercontinent, according tothe African DevelopmentBank (AfDB).

A new report from theAfDB said one-third ofAfrica’s countries haveGDP growth rates ofmore than 6%.

•Mandela

•Karad•

46 —Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013

BY OCHEREOMENNANNA

,

,

THE Jigawa landscapeseems to have changed in

the last six years. Whathappened?

The role of a person in office isto perform the functions of thatoffice. Because of distortions andaberrations we have literallysubmitted to hopelessness.

That is my pain. Why shouldyou be surprised? What is therethat any other country can do thatwe cannot do in Nigeria? It ispeople; I mean in any humanendeavour; in the sciences,Nigerians can compete withanybody in this world; with anyprofessor, anywhere.

The Nigerian is a very hard-working person. We as peopleare very industrious. How can wecontinue to evoke this kind ofemotion in seeing somethingbeing done right, must we onlydo the wrong thing as a people?

So, would you considervolunteering yourself to fill theperceived leadership vacuum inthe country?

This country is applyingdemocracy with idiosyncrasiesand our own peculiarities. Thatit is not the turn of the personyet. It is the Nigerian chemistryyou have to look into, which hasbeen hijacked by people whomanipulate it. Today, if you go tosomebody in the South-South hewould say ‘my son is there, hemust be!’ It would not matterwhether that man is killing him.So, first and foremost, the

APC is a political fraud— Gov LamidoAFTER a two-day state-wide sight-seeing in Jigawa State, four journalists sat with GovernorSule Lamido in his private chamber in the Governor’s Lodge, Dutse for an interactivesession. Here are some excerpts:

Nigerian chemistry, is itthoroughly healed? The elites arethey honest enough? The people,are they courageous enough todo the right thing.”

If you fall into our owncompartment like South-South,South-East, Ibo, Yoruba, Hausa,Fulani, you cannot win anynational election. You must

campaign as a Nigerian leader,but after winning electionsomebody will come and startsaying “he is our son, he mustserve a second term”.

After winning a nationalelection some people will claimhim as an ethnic or regionalproperty. It is when you winelection then, Chief Edwin Clarkwould say “our son must have asecond term.” If he said he mustget the PDP ticket, you can sayso because ticket is a party affair,but even that is to be decided by

party delegates.But second term is a factor of

election. If you are saying hisparty must give him the ticket itis okay. Let them give him. But itdoesn’t mean he is going to winthe election. But when you sayhe must win the election, thenwhat are you talking about? Whatthen is democracy?

And this old man ... in 2011,the name Edwin Clark was notpart of PDP vocabulary. And thenlook at it today, it has become themain vocabulary. And what is thequalification? Emotion andsentiments. And Nigeria madehim to grow till 86 and secured;is he giving Nigerians the samehope for them to be 80; those whoare ten and twenty now, by hispronouncements? Is he givingthem hope to be what he is toNigeria? Because Nigeria madehim and dignified him. He wasa federal minister.

Would you have preferred that

Nigerians ignore him?No. You see, there are some

people who have acquired a kindof status - statesman - they shouldbe circumspect in whatever theysay. There are some things theyshould not say.

The way you speak you soundterribly disappointed in him?

Absolutely! Because it is aboutpolitics and about PDP and he(Clark) had no input in makingthe president. He met Jonathanas a finished product, not as araw material. That was why I saidEdwin Clark was never part ofthe PDP vocabulary in 2011. Washe? Absolutely not! Because ofyour proximity to the man inpower, you now begin to carryhis fights and wars and all that.

There is something calledsobering character - somethingwhich encapsulates what you callthe Nigerian mission; theNigerian interest, the Nigeriancollective interest, which will

unify us and then define us sothat we hold it very dear; wewould cherish it. We can defendit with our lives. That is what anycredible leader should holdtightly to, not divisive emotions.

So with people like EdwinClark and Asari Dokubo whoseem to be at the forefront now,what are the fears you have forNigeria?

It is just like Chief Bola Ige, ofblessed memory and others inAfenifere and the NationalDemocratic Coalition(NADECO). When we talk aboutJune 12 they were not anywherenear it on June 11.

That is my worry - that peopledon’t reckon with history. Peoplewho take advantage of a nationaleffort and kind of appropriate itfor their ethnic ends. Where werethey on June 11? It is the samething we are going through!Asari Dokubo and Clark, wherewere they in 2010?

Where were they when PDPheld their primaries? They werenot there. So you must notdiminish Nigeria or the office ofthe President.

Yoruba Nigeriapresident

It is true Nigeria president mustcome from a tribe, a village anda zone but by the time you getthere, you are absolutely aNigerian. That was why in 1999,in trying to heal the wounds ofJune 11, we said fair enough, letus locate the presidency in theSouth - west. Truly, it is not thepreserve of northerners only butthen in taking it to the South-West; we are looking for YorubaNigerian president and wedecided on former PresidentOlusegun Obasanjo. We werelooking for Yoruba Nigeriapresident and not just becauseof the agenda of the Yoruba. Andthat was why we pickedObasanjo and the Yorubas didn’twant him.

So what I’m saying is thattoday, coming to your question,it is not about my aspiration: arewe cured? Are the emotionsgone; the sentiments, are they allgone? Are they ready to melt intowhat you call a genuine effort tobe able to restore Nigeria as the

People who take advantage of a nationaleffort and kind of appropriate it for theirethnic ends. Where were they on June 11? Itis the same thing we are going through!Asari Dokubo and Clark, where were they in2010? Where were they when PDP held theirprimaries?

•Lamido: Edwin Clark was never part of the PDP vocabulary in 2011

Continued on page 47

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013—47

,,

APC is a political fraud — LamidoContinues from page 46

leader of Africa, leader of theblack race? So my aspiration, tome, is not a big deal. As far asI’m concerned, by my upbringingthere are some ideals I cherishand once they are being followedby anybody there is no problem.The entire thing is not aboutpersonal ambition, it is aboutworking for a larger picture.

So to me, if the person in placeis doing the right thing I haveno problem. Let him remainthere forever. Now it is left to usto sort out what we want. If wekeep on emphasising emotions,sentiments, appropriation ofpower, of course, we will remainwhere we are; the richer will begetting richer while the poor willbe getting poorer.

Nigerians have expresseddisgust over the outcome fromthe chairmanship election in theNigeria Governors’ Forum(NGF). How do you feel?

The NGF is an informal forum,you don’t have to belong to it. Itis just for our own convenienceand issues we discuss are justpurely economic and security,that is all. We don’t discusspolitics at that place. Really, theNGF is not a very big issue thatyou should be worried about. Itis nothing for God’s sake. But inNigeria everything is forentertainment.

Is the friction really about 2015as is being suggested?

I’m a Muslim and there issomething called destiny in myreligion, which is God’s templatewhere before the beginning tothe end of more than billions ofyears, everything has been putin that template and by the timethe time comes then it becomes.Now who has that guarantee thathe is going to live till 2015? Whyare we wasting our energy andour steam over it?

APC interim national publicity

secretary, Lai Mohammed wasquoted as saying that by themiddle of July the party wouldhave 23 governors. Are youamong those about to jumpship?

I’m highly amused. Do youknow what they call self-wish?These are local propagandawhich is terribly elementary. In1999 we had PDP, AD and APP.After fourteen years in 2013, it isPDP only that has remained. ADhad gone from AD into AC, intoACN, into something else andnow going to APC.

APP had gone into ANPP andthen later on they are going tosomething; they are going toAPC. Now, CPC is a one-manparty. Some politicians who lostout in PDP now see Buhari astheir bread industry. So theyhang on him and because he isvery naïve, he thinks they areserious.

Did you say Buhari is naïve?

Absolutely! He is politicallynaïve. Yes, he is politically naïve.Absolutely!

Could you be more explicit?I would say he should be

walking with his eyes wide openbecause those around him in1999 were somewhere else. Werethey with him? Our people willsay if you see a horse fullydressed walking alone in theforest, it must have thrown theowner off. Don’t ride it becauseit threw somebody away.

I have been wondering; theyabuse the PDP that we aremurderers, party of riggers, aparty of whatever - it is evil.

Fine! Why do they wantmurderer governors in theirmidst? Why do they want us tobe there? Number two, this socalled APC is again what you callpolitical fraud because you maychange the nomenclature -change it ten times over. Didpeople in the newly named partycome from heaven? They are thesame old people.

ANOTHER battle seems tobe in offing ahead of the

2015 gubernatorial election inOgun State between theincumbent governor, SenatorIbikunle Amosun and hispredecessor and estrangedpolitical associate, OtunbaGbenga Daniel.

This time around, the twopolitical gladiators are notready to leave a stone unturnedas their loyalists have begunsurreptitious moves to garnersupport from the threesenatorial districts in the state.

Amosun ,a candidate of theAction Congress of Nigeria wonthe 2011 election when hedefeated Daniel’s point man,Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka

popularly called GNI whocontested under the platform ofPeoples Party of Nigeria ,PPN,and the Peoples DemocraticParty, PDP candidate, Gen.Adetunji Olurin (rtd).

Two years after, the coastseems clear for Daniel tolaunch another political attackon his estranged friend,Amosun ,but this time usingthe platform of Labour Party.

Although, Governor Danielhas not announced hisdefection from the PDP toLabour Party, but the bodylanguage seems to give

Ogun: Amosun and Daniel againGOVERNOR Ibikunle Amosun and his predecessor, Gbenga Daniel were once political soul mates whowere used by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his 2003 sweep of the Southwest. But followingtheir victory, the two men parted ways and have since been boxing one another using different gloves andpolitical platforms. Their fight is taking a new shape ahead of the 2015 round of general elections

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

had in the twilight of his regimethrown his weight behindIsiaka on the strong argument

to team up with him andagainst the incumbent ahead of2015. This despite the accordreportedly reached betweenAmosun and leaders of thezone that he, Amosun wouldsupport power shift to the zonein 2019.

Some Ogun West leaders,however, seemed to havejettisoned the agreement withAmosun last weekend as theyannounced their adoption ofIsiaka as their governorshipcandidate for the 2015 election.

He came ahead of a memberof the House ofRepresentatives, AbiodunAkinlade who represents Yewa-

South-Ipokia constituency inthe consideration of theleaders.

Remarkably, the decision wasreached in cahoots with sometraditional rulers who forstrategic reasons preferred toremain behind the scene.

The interactive session whichwas held in Imeko-Afon, hadamong others Chief Waliu LaiTaiwo from Ado-Odo/Ota ,Olumide Bankole, Ipokia;Chief Lisa Adejobi, ImekoAfon, Mrs Kemi Adeyemi, YewaNorth and Alhaji SunmolaAdewale from Yewa South assignatories to the communiquéon the new arrangement.

Relatedly, other leaders fromthe zone under the aegis ofOgun West Rebirth recentlyheld a closed door meeting withthe executive of Labour Partywhere issues of commonbenefit were discussed.

Vanguard gathered that, thethree hour meeting had boththe Chairman of the group,Chief Dapo Oke and the StateChairman of Labour Party,Olabode Simon leading thetalks. Following the meetings,the Labour Party it is believeddecided zero in on Ogun Westfor a governorship candidate in2015.

•Amosun: Pushing the Ogun Standard •Daniel: Supporters moving to Labour Party

of encouraging power shift toOgun West.

Given his renewed supportfor Isiaka, the people of OgunWest otherwise known as Yelwait was learnt may have decided

Two years after, the coast seemsclear for Daniel to launch anotherpolitical attack on his estrangedfriend, Amosun ,but this time usingthe platform of Labour Party

credence to his impendingdefection.

Many of his supportersacross the state have defectedto Labour and there are reportsthat Isiaka who Amosuntrounced in 2011 may also bethe arrowhead of the new fightby Daniel.

Remarkably, Daniel’s allegedromp with Labour Party it waslearnt has the approval of thepresidency which is believed tohave positioned him as a topstrategist for the 2015presidential election project.Daniel was President GoodluckJonathan’s coordinator in2011.To concretize his strengthin Labour, Vanguard learnt thatDaniel recently held a closeddoor meeting with the NationalChairman of the party, ChiefDan Nwanyanwu whoreportedly offered him thesenate ticket for Ogun Eastsenatorial district in 2015.

Daniel’s romance with Labourfollows perceptions that thePeoples Democratic Party, PDPon whose platform hegoverned Ogun State for twoterms would be inhospitable tohim on account of the mutualwar of destruction between himand supporters of PresidentOlusegun Obasanjo.

Daniel it would be recalled

48—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013

ARE you going to contest the governorship

election?This is to tell my brothers and

sisters in Anambra State that Iam contesting for that positionin the election. I also wish tostate that I am not just comingout to join the bandwagon ofthose who say that they arecontesting, but that I am fullyprepared and ready to contestas a person who is contestingto win by the special grace ofGod.

Your party, APGA, is in crisis.Don’t you see this as animpediment?

I know you are talking aboutthe disagreements in our party.This is normal in any politicalorganization and it is aningredient of democraticprocess. In politics there arebound to be litigations andthere could also becontroversies. Though APGA isa minority party in Nigeria, itis however the leading andmajority party in AnambraState.

I am sure that you are awareof the court matters aboutAPGA leadership and what theEnugu Appeal Court said aboutthe High Court judgmentagainst Sir Victor Umeh. Goingby that, Victor Umeh is stillrecognized as the NationalChairman of APGA.

Issues at thehigh court

We still have issues at theHigh Court, the Court ofAppeal and Supreme Courtover the matter. But at themoment Victor Umeh remainsthe National Chairman of AllProgressives Grand Allianceand that is where I belong,unless something else happenslegally. Besides, the AppealCourt position on the matterremains substantive until it isreversed.

Don’t you see the fact thatyou are from the same localgovernment area with theoutgoing governor, (Anaocha)as a challenge?

Anambra State is a uniquestate. Our people are highlypolitically aware and cannot bemisled. What the people ofAnambra State want is goodgovernance irrespective ofwhere the person comes from.I wish to make it known to youthat zoning is not the issue inAnambra State. There hasnever been a time AnambraState agreed on zoning or azoning formula. It is only whenAnambra people come togetherthrough any manner and saythis is what we want and whichof the senatorial districts wouldstart, then we address thatissue and it takes off fromthere. Even those who aresaying that it is their turn hadcontested with other zones inthe past.

Anambra 2013: No man canintimidate me — EkwunifeMRS. Uche Ekwunife is a two -term member of the House of Representativesfor Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunukofia federal constituency. She contested for thegovernorship seat of Anambra State in 2010 on the platform of PeoplesProgressives Alliance, PPA. In this interview, Ekwunife spoke on hergovernorship ambition, the crisis in her party, APGA among other issuesExcerpts.

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

There is this insinuation thatyou have gone into a politicalmarriage with an oil magnetalso contesting for thegovernorship for the purposeof being his running mate. Isit true?

Nobody runs for the post ofDeputy Governor. I cannot bespending all my time andresources, draining energy,creating all the awarenessacross the state in the name ofbecoming a deputy governor. Iwish to reiterate that I havewhat it takes to manage theaffairs of Anambra Statecreditably. Anybody telling youthat I am going to becomerunning mate to anybody ordeputy to anybody is notsaying the truth. I have heardit before and I see those storiesas rumor and it does not holdwater. I want to make it clearthat I am running to win and Ihave the belief in God that Iwill win the election.

You have moved from thePDP to PPA and now to APGA.Some believe that you wouldsoon return to PDP. Is it true?

I have no intention to join thePDP at anytime. I am a memberof APGA and the party is dear

to us and to me in particular.When you look at our party,APGA, you will discover that theparty has done well in our state.This is through theinstrumentality of our governor,Mr. Peter Obi. He has done so

well and that is to the credit ofAPGA as a party. That is alsothe testimony that we are usingas APGA. So we in APGA shallbuild on the foundation that hehas laid to better AnambraState. So there is no point

going to the PeoplesDemocratic Party when theAPGA -led government hasdone well.

Like I said before, theleadership problem in APGAdoes not mean an end to theparty. We have a NationalChairman, Sir Victor Umeh andhe remains that. One cannotbecause of the normaldemocratic developments in hisor her party, join another party.

As a woman are youintimidated by the presence ofmany men in the contest?

I am contesting for the postof a governor to render serviceto my people. Any person canrender service to the people ofAnambra State and it doesn’tmatter if the person is a man ora woman. What matters isservice to the people. I will liketo adhere that being a womanis not an impediment at all.

Come to think of it, we are notgoing there to fight physicallywhere you would say we needmen. Again at my level andstage in politics, I am abovesuch fear of intimidation bymen. You should also know thatI have passed that stage ofintimidation in politics. I havespent close to eight years in theNational Assembly and in theNational Assembly we haveabout 360 members who aremen and women of integrity.People experienced from allwalks of life and we share ideasand rub minds on issues aboutour people and you feel thatwith such an experience anylaw maker cannot make a goodgovernor? So it is not a man orwoman thing. It is all aboutservice to the people and itdoes not matter if the person atthe helm of affairs is a man ora woman.

•Ekwunife

WHAT is your take on theproposed six year single

tenure for state governors andthe president?

When we had ourconstitutional town hallbriefings in 360 federalconstituencies and the resultthat came out of that exercise,a great majority of Nigerianpreferred the retention of thepresent system which is twoterms of four years.

First the Senate in her sittingmay have come out with thesuggestion of a six year singletenure. I’m better inclined tothe position that it seemedmost Nigerians agreed with inthe course of the House of Repstown hall meetings. And I say

Running for Governor is not a joke — Hon Jime

BY PETER DURU

HON. Emmanuel Jime, a former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, is a second termmember of the House of Representatives and chairman of the House Committee on FCT. In thisinterview, he responds to issues on the review of the constitution and the increasing focus on the 2015round of general elections among others. Excerpts

this, because clearly when yousit in 360 constituencies, itseemed to me that you haveNigerians participating ingreater numbers, spread overa greater area.

So if you were to ask me of anaggregate of what Nigeriansthink, I would prefer, with alldue sense of responsibility, toalign with the findings thathave come out of the House ofReps on that issue. And I thinkit’s good logic in retaining whatwe have.

It’s just two years after thelast elections, and politiciansare already agitating ahead ofthe 2015 elections. Is it not tooearly?

I believe that the time isactually ripe for people to

actually begin to makestatements of intentions as faras political contestation isconcerned. Of course youknow that this is the secondyear since the last elections;and if I understand theconstitution and the electorallaws very well, the year 2014,I believe is the year when mostpolitical activities will peakbecause then we will haveparty primaries.

And also like I said, if Iunderstand the electoral lawsvery well, we will also behaving elections and be ableto do all litigations six monthsbefore swearing in by May2015. It then means that we willmost likely have generalelections in 2014 as well. So it

seems 2014 is then the definingpivotal year for anyone whomay have political intentions toshow it.

I am glad to observe thatpeople have been calling onsome of us to make a statementabout the governorship ofBenue state. First let me saythat I believe that any personwho is of (Masev, Ihyarev,Nogov DevelopmentAssociation) MINDA,extraction should at this timebe truly concerned aboutfighting to get this importantoffice zoned, so to speak, toMINDA axis of Benue State. Ithink, that is the real battle thatis going on right now.

I am aware that the executiveContinues on page 49

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013—49

07059197616

THERE is little doubt that the presentNigeria owes its fragile existence to

the amalgamation in 1914 of theSouthern and Northern provinces byLord F. Lugard. It appears like amiracle that of all the world‘s painfullycontrived associations of multi-ethnicgroups in the 20th century, Nigeriaalone remains superficially united. Soviet Union, Yugoslavia,Czechoslovakia and other maturesocieties have dissolved themselves intosmaller, but independent countries.

Several times in the past, Nigeria hadperched on the precipice of disaster, butsaved only by Providence. Thedisastrous civil war had been forgotteneasily in an atmosphere of rosy life andprosperity associated with oil bonanzaof the subsequent decades. TheNigerian society became moregluttonous with sharper taste for foreigngoods and foreign currencies. Thefoundation of subsequent economicdecline was laid during that period ofconspicuous consumption of importedluxuries.

The long period of military ruleseemed to have encouraged the moodof laziness, mental lassitude, depravityand painful brain-drain. In the country,many reasonable citizens were cowedand others became cunningly quiet inthe face of threats of suddendisappearance or incarceration by theauthorities.

In an attempt to survive by all means,some Nigerians became money lusting- veritable hustlers and a laughing stockin the comity of nations. Civil strife wasapparent when that divine interventionstopped the abysmal political descentin 1998.

The dreary political conditions of the1990s under military despotism werecompounded by the distress of economicstagnation of the period. There wasmass unemployment, productivitydeclined and industrial capacityutilization was at its lowest point. Poverty bred hunger, and crime ratesoared. Citizens became more violentand ruthless and mob punishmentassumed its own form of savagery in thehopeless scenery of lawlessness.

The return of democracy at the tail end

PrPrPrPrProsperity throsperity throsperity throsperity throsperity through economic andough economic andough economic andough economic andough economic andpolitical spolitical spolitical spolitical spolitical stttttabilityabilityabilityabilityabilityof the century brought a sense of reliefand a ray of hope, even if there was agood ground for pessimism. While itis true that multi-party system couldbreed political reforms, the experienceso far has shown that there is little orno difference among the parties onissues that affect the pockets of theirmembers. Their legislators,unfortunately, fought with one salientvoice on the moral justification for theirjuicy allowances instead of becomingthe defenders of the poor and harbingersof hope for the future. Of recent, somelegislators are accused of becomingbribe takers with sticky fingers andinsatiable appetite for good things of life.

There is no doubt that the last twoyears have witnessed the intensificationof economic reform program underPresident Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. The reform is anchored on the principleof “Economic Stability and PovertyAlleviation” which is necessary forpolitical stability and prosperity ofNigeria. It is however surprising, if notreally painful, that several attempts bythe previous governments (military orcivilian) have not been successful asexpected. The realization of economicstability (with full employment) hasbecome very elusive.

What are the factors that have militated

heavy prices to pay when comparedwith elegant statistical figures. It ispossible to allow a moderate rise in pricelevel (inflation) to achieve economicgrowth with rising employment.

There is no doubt that a policy of lowlending rate by the bank to the realeconomy would tend to encouragedomestic production which needshigher effective demand to sustain it. A rising effective demand needs ejectionof more funds to create higherpurchasing power for the consumers. Higher liquidity in the system shouldnot be mopped by the Central Bank butrather, should be channeled to higherexpenditure on consumer goods andinfrastructural developments. However, there is the justified fear ofthe Central Bank that if the excessliquidity in the system is allowed(unchecked) to operate as basis ofBanks‘ credit, the volume of loans wouldbecome so huge and the purchasingpower so expanded as to cause a boomand consequent disaster (hyper-inflation).

The foreign exchange mechanism isan intriguing one for the Nigerianeconomy which relies on foreign imports(essential raw materials, all types ofcapital equipment, spare parts, andfood) for its survival. A depreciatedcurrency leads to increasing cost oflocally produced goods and risingprices of locally produced goods in bothdomestic and foreign markets. Thougha strong naira might induce highimports of foreign goods which mightaffect the country‘s balance of trade, butthe constant inflow of foreign moneyand some fiscal measures should takegood care of this fear.

The ideal solution for a lastingprosperity is the resolution of conflictswithin the inter-dependentrelationships of “The Vicious Triangle”to achieve the desired macro-economicstability and tolerable rise inemployment.

As I have suggested before, thisresolution depends on sensible politics,common sense economics which isaided by good administration (lesscorruption).

against the previous attempts? Manyanalysts have always pointed to the“Vicious Triangle” – Bank Lending Rate,Foreign Exchange Rate, and InflationRate. Instability in any of these couldundermine any economic policy. Themain problem of the previousgovernments including the present oneis the inability to reconcile the policy ofcheap lending (cheap money) withthose of rising prices (inflation) andfalling value of the national currency(depreciation). The conflicts ofreconciliation have resulted inobservable distortions and instabilitywithin the economy.

According to the stand of the presentgovernment, macro-economic stabilityhas been achieved through increase inForeign Exchange reserves (about$48b); GDP growth rate of about 6.5%and stable exchange rate (about N159to 1US$), but with heavy unemploymentrate of over 20% of the work force.

What is yet to be evaluated by thegovernment and its advocates is theconsequence of high unemployment onthe political and economic stability ofthe country. As observed, heavyunemployment in the country has bredpoverty with its associated criminal actsof armed robberies, kidnappings, andwastage of human lives. These are

Running for Governor is not a joke — Hon Jime

of MINDA has in recent timebeen touring the state to makea case that we should at thispoint in time be considered forthat high office. I am part andparcel of those who are workingon that project because it is theright thing to do.

I think that we are now at apoint when leadershiprecruitment must be serious. Itis serious business, it is not ajoke (without being derogatoryto those who intend to run), butI just know that running for thegovernor of a state is not a joke,especially if we the MINDA areserious and also want the toconvince the rest of Benue toconcede the office to us. Wehave to put our first elevenforward and our foot in front,we will then show that we areworthy of the trust of the rest ofBenue state.

You are certainly aware thatpeople from other zonesoutside the Tiv speakingsection of the state are also

jostling to govern the state?It is good because we are

beginning to see that peoplehave taken interest in politics.I know that because of wherewe are coming from (themilitary era) when we hadtransition in 1999, most peopledid not actually believe that

Continued from page 48

democracy had come to stay,therefore most of the peoplewho went out that early tocontest, in most cases withgreatest respect, were mostlypeople who had no business in

actually contestingfor offices; for mostparts they wereidlers, people whohad no seriousbusiness of theirown doing; and sothat was because wewere having atransition from amilitary to a civilianadministration andbecause of theexperience we hadwith the Babangidaera where there hadbeen so muchdeception, mostpeople had beenskeptical thatdemocracy wasactually going tohappen. So merely14 years after, by2015 it would have

been 16 years since democracy,what you are beginning to seenow are people who are seriousminded, people who have beensuccessful in other endeavoursof human life, who are now

beginning to take a secondlook, if you like, at politics witha view to really being able tooffer service delivery that isqualitative.

You are the Chairman of theHouse Standing Committeefor the FCT, are you satisfiedwith developments so farmade by the administration ofthe territory?

Quite frankly when El-Rufaiwas Minister, he had his issues,and there are a number ofpeople who if you mention El-Rufai’s name they would takediverse views, but, I still thinkthat we haven’t actually beenable to reproduce most of theprogress that were made duringEl-Rufai’s era.

The present administration ofthe FCT is of course doing whatit can within the limits of itscapacity and ability and againwithin the limits of resourcesmost importantly. FCT is oneof the most understaffedagencies. Again that isunderstandable.

,

,I believe thatthe time isactually ripefor people toactually beginto makestatements ofintentions asfar as politicalcontestation isconcerned

•Jime

50 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013—51

Residing abroad, what youshould know about Canada

BY VERA SAMUELANYAGAFU

placed under stricter laws incountries they have migrated to, andalso constitute the highest numberof individuals found in foreignprisons. Nigerians should, however,welcome the fact that they aregenerally known to be hard workingand efficient individuals who cansurmount various forms of pressuresto bring about a better andprosperous Nigeria.

Migrating to Canada: Herein, priorto their planned trip, intendingNigerian immigrants shouldendeavour to update themselveswith a few primary knowledgeconcerning the people, culture,climate condition, rules andregulations in Canada, as to whichthe citizens and migrants mustabide. It is important also to note thatwhile usual courtesies are observedin Canada, the country is known tobe conservative, good, and uptightin nature.

Applicants must, however,familiarize themselves with

these facts for a better cordialrelationship with the Canadians.Generally Canadians condemnpresentation of gifts, mostly, inbusiness settings, as such act(s) areunusual, considered unethical andin real sense, treated suspiciously.

Unlike the culture of attachingbourgeois titles to peoples names,both at formal or informal situationshere in Nigeria, it is common toaddress superiors, co-workers,friends, and so on, by their first namesin Canada, as they often appreciategetting right to the point. Canada hasimmense natural resources with ahigh standard of living, although, thecountry unfortunately, is nowsuffering housing ripples, as pricesof houses have rocketed.

Keeping in touch: Communicationis one of the vital aspects of life andin view of this, Nigeria immigrantsare promptly advised to ensure thatthey keep in touch back home, aswell as with the Nigeria embassy inthe country where they havemigrated to. Although, it may appear

difficult when trying to penetratethrough certain situation(s), the pointremains that it will be to theadvantage of the immigrant when heor she, at point of entry, immediatelyregister his/her presence anditineraries with the Nigerianembassy in the country of resident.

In these days and time wherepublic telephones are becomingharder to find, due to the growingpopularity of mobile phones,

migrants are better off subscribed totelephone companies that offerreduced long-distance call rates, andor make use of telephone cards thatare readily made available atreduced cost. It definitely would bepretty expensive for a migrant tosubscribe to any form of mobilephone roaming agreements with anyinternational mobile phonecompanies, because of its high rate.The coverage may be near perfect inmajor urban areas, but it is good youunderstand that it is almost alwaysspotty in remote locations, and veryhigh to maintain, in terms ofagreement rate(s). Subsequently,internet services are also madeavailable throughout Canada, as areinternet cafes.

You can often find pay-per-use Wi-Fi hotspots in coffee shops, fast-foodoutlets and airports, and in somecases it is rendered free, as long asyou buy food or a drink. Although,you can also find free public Wi-Fiin public libraries and in some hotels,some others continue to chargeexorbitant daily fees on users.

Best time to visit: As you areconsidering migrating to Canada, itis important to note, if you are underthe category of individuals who enjoywinter sports that the best time totravel would be between the monthof December and April. And if youlove the great outdoors without thesnow, then you have to considertravelling between the month of Mayand September.

IT is important to notethat residing abroad

comes with lots ofuncertainties and as such,Nigerians who intend tomigrate to choicecountries for diversepurposes are promptlyadvised to plan well aheadof time, putting intoconsideration, some of themerits and demeritsbehind migration.

It has often been saidthat a large numberNigerians engage indemeaning jobs abroad,

Canadian prime ministerStephen Harper

Map of Canada

ON our Periscopecolumn, on page

54 of Vanguard, yester-day, we published an ar-ticle entitled ‘Basis of Ni-geria’s foreign policy, by

OUR ERROREmeka Anyaoku’ whichwas written by PrinceHenry Odukomaiya.

In the blurb,however,we inadvertent-ly introduced the piece

with ‘Prince EmekaOdukomaiya’ instead ofPrince Henry Oduko-maiya.

The error is deeply re-gretted. —Editor

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52 —VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013 — 53

FRIENDS REUNITED ... But not at Old Trafford if Guardiola has his waywith Thiago

Blow for Man Utd as Guardiola moves for Thiago

M A N C H E S T E RUNITED have

suffered a major blow intheir bid to sign Barce-lona ace Thiago Al-cantara with Pep Guar-diola declaring: “I wanthim at Bayern.”

The 22-year-old mid-fielder had been on theverge of moving to OldTrafford.

But he now has anoth-er option with his oldBarca gaffer keen tobring him to Germany.

Guardiola said: “I wantThiago Alcantara. I haveasked Bayern to get himbut I don’t know whatwill happen.

“Thiago is the only

player I want, that’swhat I told them.

“It’ll be him or no one.We have many playersbut we need the specialextra quality that Thia-go Alcantara brings.

“I know Thiago verywell. I talked to Rum-menigge and Sammerabout him, we will waitand then see.

“I don’t think addinganother midfielder willbe a problem for us. Ispoke to club about myconcept and told themwhy I want ThiagoAlcantara.

“I give my opinion, butI listen to the board. Ifthey say no, that’s ok.”

M A N C H E S T E RUnited are

readying a £15millionbid for Benfica defenderEzequiel Garay as con-cerns grow over Neman-ja Vidic’s long-term fit-ness.

United boss DavidMoyes has turned hisattention to doing busi-ness for Garay, after cap-tain Vidicwas ruled outof the club’s pre-seasontour with an ongoingback problem.

The Serbian is set torecover quicker than ex-pected, but his long-terminjury complaints havegiven Moyes food forthought ahead of thenew season.

And with deputiesChris Smalling, JonnyEvans and Phil Jonesalso missing matchesthrough knocks last term,United are ready to movefor Garay to partner RioFerdinand next term.

The Benfica centre back

has been a target forUnited for around 18months, but Moyes isready to bite the bulletand try and pull off thetransfer.

According to reports inPortugal, United areready to open the bid-ding at £15m, and wouldeven consider throwingLuis Nani or Bebe intothe package to get a dealdone.

Garay

Wanyama seals switch toSouthampton

SAINT VICTOR ... Wanyama is now aSouthampton player

SOUTHAMPTONhave signed Victor

Wanyama from Celtic for£12.5million.

The highly-rated Ken-yan midfielder was left outof his side’s 6-2 defeat toGreuter Furth last nightand after two weeks oftalks, he will join Mauri-cio Pochettino’s squad atSt Mary’s.

Celtic signed Wanyamafor £900,000 from Germi-nal Beerschot at the startof the 2011-2012 seasonand he’s gone on to make91 appearances for NeilLennon’s side.

Several impressive per-formances - including thefirst goal in the Hoops’memorable 2-1 win overBarcelona in last season’sChampions Leaguegroup stage - attractedinterest from top clubs inEngland.

But Southampton havestaved off any other inter-est to get their man whowill join former Celts Ar-tur Boruc and Danny Foxat St Mary’s.

Newcastle won’t sell Cabaye,Ben Arfa — Pardew

NEWCASTLE bossAlan Pardew has

warned clubs targetinghis biggest names theywill have to “blow thedoors off” to stand anychance of landing them.

Pardew is desperatenot to sell any of the menupon whom he hopes tobuild a side capable ofbouncing back from lastseason’s disappointment

amid speculation overthe likes of Tim Krul,Cheick Tiote, YohanCabaye and Hatem BenArfa.

However, with theMagpies in a healthy fi-nancial position, Pardewbelieves it would take anoffer of breathtaking pro-portions to persuadeowner Mike Ashley tocash in.Cabaye

Toure urges Suarez to stick withLiverpool

IVORIAN defenderKolo Toure has urged

Luis Suarez to stick withLiverpool and reject theadvances of Arsenal ac-cording to Goal.com.

The Uruguayan strikerappears destined to leaveAnfield this summer afterpublically expressing hisintentions to move on anumber of occasions.

Suarez initially claimedthat he wanted to leaveLiverpool because he feltvictimised by the Englishmedia. But as news of re-

ported interest from Pre-mier League clubsemerged, Suarez haschanged his story to himwishing to play in theChampions League.

Suarez is understood toprefer a move to Real Ma-drid but so far a bid fromthe Spanish giants hasnot been forthcoming.

Arsenal on the otherhand are known to havemade an offer of £30 mil-lion, although that wasimmediately turned downby Liverpool.

United to bid for Garay

VanguardVanguardVanguardVanguardVanguard

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54—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013

Keshi invites 24 Eagles

Kaduna.Kwara United’s former

junior international de-fender Ganiyu Ogung-be,

Kano Pillars’ midfield-er Rabiu Mohammed,junior internationalstriker

Abdullahi Gero ofEnugu Rangers and Os-adinye Joseph of WarriWolves

are the new birds athand.

Ace playmaker SundayMba, who scored twogoals and made two oth-ers in the commanding4-1 win, tops the list thatalso includes goalkeep-er and skipper ChigozieAgbim, defenders God-frey Oboabona, Azu-

buikeEgwuekwe and Chibu-

zor Okonkwo, as well asmidfielders Olufemi Ol-adapo and Ayo Saka, andforwards MuhammadGambo, Ifeanyi Edehand Dele Olorundare.

Having never previ-ously qualified for theAfrican Nations Cham-pionship– the flagshiptournament for playersplying their trade intheir country’s domesticLeague in the continent– Nigeria has a firm legin next year’s finals inSouth Africa, and CoachKeshi has promisedthere would be no roomfor the Ivorians to at-tempt a spectacularcome-back in the returnleg at the Stade FelixHouphouet-Boigny.

Continues from BP

(Bayelsa United FC)STRIKERS: Muham-

mad Gambo (Kano Pil-lars); Gomo Onduku(Bayelsa United

FC); Ifeanyi Edeh(Enyimba FC); EzekielMbah (Akwa UnitedFC);

Abdullahi Gero (Enu-gu Rangers FC); Osad-inye Joseph (WarriWolves FC);

Haruna Babalo (El-Kanemi Warriors FC);Etebo Oghene (WarriWolves FC);

Dele Olorundare (Sun-shine Stars FC)

THE FULL LIST

Continues from BP

Eaglets capable of winning U-17 World Cup — ImokeTHE Executive

Governor of CrossRiver State, Senator LiyelImoke, CON, onThursday expressedabsolute confidence inthe ability of the U-17National Team, GoldenEaglets, to conquer theworld at the 2013 FIFAU-17 World Cup finalstaking place in theUnited Arab Emirateslater in the year.

Speaking at theGovernment House,Calabar while receiving adelegation of the NigeriaFootball Federation led by1st Vice President, ChiefMike Umeh, GovernorImoke equated the silvermedal won by the GoldenEaglets at the African U-17 Championship inMorocco to gold, andassured that hisadministration wouldgive the team allnecessary support to goto the United ArabEmirates to lift the WorldCup.

“The Eaglets were onlyunlucky to lose the finalmatch of the Africanchampionship onpenalties. The boys aregood and destined forgreatness. I believe thatfrom here, we willproduce the next U-17

champions of the world.”The Cross River State

number one man, whocelebrated his 52ndbirthday on Wednesday,July 10, praised theNigeria FootballFederation fortheir policy thrust andthoroughness inproducing one of the bestU-17 teams to have beenraised in this country, andalso commended thecoaches for theirpatience, diligence anddirection.

“Everytime I see theboys, I feel so proud andexcited. The Governmentand entire people ofCross River State are inlove with the Eaglets. Yousee, football continues tobe the biggest unifier ofour peoples across thedifferent states andregions, and acrossseveral other mentalboundaries.

Trabzonspor join race to sign MikelT R A B Z O N S P O R

have joined Turkishrivals Galatasaray in therace for Chelsea starJohn Obi Mikel.

The Nigerian holdingmidfielder, 26, remainsunder contract at Stam-ford Bridge.

He is currently on hol-iday after playing at the

Confederations Cup,won by hosts Brazil.

But he admitted lastmonth that he is unsurewhether he has a long-term future in Londonunder returning manag-er Jose Mourinho.

Galatasaray, whereformer Blues team-mateDidier Drogba now plays,made their move last

month and now their oldSuper Lig foes are alsopushing for the £16mil-

lion-rated star.The Nigeria internation-

al has spent seven years

Minister inaugurates Committee

ferred to the protest overmatch bonuses by SuperEagles players inNamibia as unfortunate,saying, “the unfortunateincident in Namibiabrought to the fore thelarger issues in theadministration of footballin Nigeria as rows in our

football have beenperennial.” The Ministerhoped the committeewhich is headed by theformer Spokesman oflate PresidentYar ’Ardua, SegunAdeniyi who incidental-ly served as a member ofthe defunct PresidentialTask Force on SuperEagles 2010 World Cupcampaign will dig deepand find a lastingsolution to the recurrentissue of match bonuses.

Earlier, the DirectorGeneral of the NSC,Gbenga Elegbeleye ex-pressed shock at theNamibia incident , call-ing it “a national embar-rassment” and wonderedwhy other Africancountries that do not paytheir players as muchbonuses as Nigeria werenot having suchproblems

The terms of referenceare to determine the im-mediate and remotecauses of the matchbonus row in Namibia,

develop a code ofconduct for players onnational assignmentsand any other recom-mendation that may bedeemed necessary forthe good governance offootball in the country.

Chairman of the com-mittee, Segun Adeniyisaid the committee as-signment was one thatrequired action insteadof long speeches. “Wewill talk less but whenwe submit our report, itwill speak for us,”Adeinyi said. Thecommittee is expected tosubmit its report in afortnight.

Other members of thecommittee include theGroup Sports Editor ofVanguard Newspapers,Onochie Anibeze, AIT’sAisha Falode, ShehuDikko of the LeagueManagement Company,Akin Oshuntokun,former internationalGarba Lawal andHonourable AbdulkadirMamman Nasir.

Continues from BP

with Chelsea after joiningin a controversial movefrom Lyn Oslo in 2006.

Rooney inrace againsttime

WAYNE ROONEYfaces a race

against time to be fit forthe new season after suf-fering a hamstring inju-ry.

Manchester Unitedhave confirmed the strik-er will fly home fromtheir pre-season tourdue to the knock, whichhe picked up in train-ing.

It is likely Rooney willbe out for about a month,meaning he may strug-gle to get in shape intime for United’s firstgame against Swanseaon August 17.

David Moyes has beentrying to convince the27-year-old his futurelies at Old Trafford afterAlex Ferguson claimedthe hitman had tried toquit.

GOLDEN EAGLETS' Kelechi Ihenacho protects the ball from an opponent during a FIFA U-17 WorldCup qualifier in Calabar

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013 — 55

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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.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013

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YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS

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Page 62

ACROSS1 Enrol (6)5 Hesitate (6)9 Marine (5)10 Tumult (6)11 Idling (6)12 Consecrate (5)14 Noisy (4)17 Before(3)18 Gala (4)20 Mistake (5)22 Waned (5)23 Ewer (7)24 Pointed (5)26 Storehouse (5)29 Boss (4)33 Hell (5)35 Surpass (6)36 Gossip (6)37 Carouse (5)38 Poured (6)39 Sore (6)

DOWN1 Breathe out (6)2 Toil (6)3 Slight (4)4 List (5)5 Wrong (5)6 Unfortunately (4)7 Followed (6)8 Tough (6)13 Built (7)15 Circle (5)16 Drugged (5)18 Managed (5)19 Singer (5)21 Free (3)22 Nourished (3)24 Outlook (6)25 Tissue (6)27 Separated (6)28 Fear (6)30 Weary (5)31 Principle (5)33 Present (4)34 Auction (4)

ACROSS: 4, Essay 7, Uneven 9, Fat 10, God12, Sauna 13, Pose 15, Rusty 17, Exempt 19,Sour 20, Dream 22, Led 24, Minimal 27, Tic28, Rowed 31, Boss 33, Cattle 35, Piety 37,Lame 38, Knelt 39, Era 41, Icy 42, Oppose 43,Death.

DOWN: 1, Jumped 2, Lessee 3, Peg 4, East5, Stays 6, Announce 8, Norm 11, Duplicate14, Exam 16, Stem 18, Emit 21, Renounce23, Dart 25, Nice 26, Loll 29, Weapon 30,Deepen 32, Split 34, Tyro 36, Itch 40, Apt.

Keshi invites 24 EaglesAbidjan cracker:

Trabzonspor join race tosign Mikel — Pg 54

TURK TARGET ... John Obi Mikel

SUPER Eagles’ HeadCoach, Stephen

Keshi, yesterday calledto camp 24 players whowill fight for shirts in the2014 African NationsChampionship finalqualifying leg againstthe Elephants of Coted’Ivoire, in Abidjan onJuly 27.

All the players are ex-pected to report in Abu-ja on Monday, 15th July.

Only 20 players willmake the trip to Coted’Ivoire’s industrial andeconomic capital on July24.

Keshi has invited fournew players, includingone defender, one mid-fielder and two strikers,in line with a pledge toinject a few new facesfollowing last Saturday’sopening leg win at theAhmadu Bello Stadium,

Continues on pg 54

THE FULL LIST

G O A L K E E P E R S :Chigozie Agbim (EnuguRangers FC); Daniel Ak-peyi (Heartland FC)

DEFENDERS: Azu-buike Egwuekwe (WarriWolves FC); GodfreyOboabona (SunshineStars FC); GaniyuOgungbe (Kwara UnitedFC); Kwambe Solomon

(Sunshine Stars FC);Chibuzor Okonkwo(Enugu Rangers FC);Kunle Odunlami (Sun-shine Stars FC); Ben-jamin Francis (HeartlandFC); Ezekiel Bassey(Lobi Stars FC)

MIDFIELDERS: Sun-day Mba (Enugu Rang-ers FC); Rabiu Moham-med (Kano

Pillars FC); OlufemiOladapo (Shooting StarsFC); Ayo Saka (Enyimba

FC); Mohammed Jiya

Continues on pg 54

— Pg 54

Bonus row:

MinisterinauguratesCommittee

THE Minister of Sportsand Chairman of the

National Sports Commis-sion, Bolaji Abdullahiyesterday inauguratedthe committee set up tounravel the immediateand remote causes of thebonus row that explodedin Namibia, last month.

Speaking at the occa-sion, the Minister re-

Continues on pg 54

Eaglets capable of winningU-17 World Cup — ImokePg 54

•Mba

CMYK