2015: Northern govs unite for Presidency

...towards a better life for the people

N150VOL. 25: NO. 61626

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2012**

Mr & Mrs

Continues on Page 5

DONUKOGBARA:FCT Minister and

St Vincent’sClinic/Maternity

•P. 17

•P.31

•My integrity wasnever damaged— Don Jazzy

•Buhari's statement treasonable — Arewa youths•Failure to manage Nigeria’s resources embarrassing — Gov Aliyu

2015: Northern govsunite for Presidency

EFCC ARRAIGNS HEMBE: Chairman House Committee on Capital Market, Hon. Herma Hembe arraigned byEFCC on two-count charge at Abuja High Court, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

AGM—Fidelity BankPLC held its 24th AnnualGeneral Meeting (AGM)in Lagos yesterday. Fromleft: Mr. I. K Mbagwu,Executive Director; Mr.Reginald Ihejiahi,Managing Director; ChiefChristopher Ezeh,Chairman and MrsChijioke Ugochukwu,Executive Director andCompany Secretary atthe meeting. Photo: JoeAkintola, Photo Editor.

Nigeria not broke— Okonjo-Iweala

FG to concessionApapa-Oshodi Road•P.6

•P.14

KADUNA – AHEADof the 2015

elections, the 19Northern Governors,yesterday, expresseddetermination to sinktheir differences andunite to produce thepresident from the regionin 2015. This was theoutcome of theirquarterly meeting heldin Kaduna.

Speaking the minds ofhis colleagues at theopening session of themeeting, chairman of the

2—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2012

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2012—3

CMYK


L-r: Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa of Kaduna State with chairman, Northern Governors Forum,Dr Babangida Aliyu of Niger State and Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State at the NorthernGovernors Forum meeting in Kaduna, yesterday. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

Why we exempted Itsekiri youths from Amnesty —Kuku

Fidelity Bank’s shareholdersget N4bn dividend

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

SHAREHOLDERS of FidelityBank Plc are to receive

dividend of N4.05 billion for thebank’s operating year endedDecember 31, 2012. The dividend,which translates to 14 kobo pershare, was approved at the 24thannual general meeting of thebank held in Lagos, yesterday.

Addressing shareholders at themeeting, Managing Director/ChiefExecutive Officer of the Bank, Mr.Reginald Ihejiahi, assured that thebank is working to ensure a betterperformance in the 2012 operatingyear. He also assured shareholdersthat the bank will continue toexpand its retail business addingthat in 2011, the bank established18 new branches at target locations,in line with the expansion strategy.

Ihejiahi said: “Nigeria’spopulation size and naturalresources combine to presentvaried opportunities for economicgrowth and demand for bankingservices across various populationcategories. Our branch expansioncategory reflects these opportunityclusters. Our total branch networkincreased from 172 in 2010 to 185as at December 2011.

“This measured growth in

distribution points increased ourcapacity to distribute appropriatebranded products and services aswell as strengthen the linkageeffects with our existing businessoffice which has huge implicationfor non interest base income.”

He said the bank will continue tostrengthen and increase its share ofcorporate business through severalinitiatives, adding that the bank wasable to enlarge its general businessand loan portfolio by funding thetelecommunications, power andinfrastructure, oil and gas, processedfood and agricsectors last year.

He noted: “Wehave maintainedour stand on thefinancing ofpioneer power andinfras t ructureprojects throughthe completion ofN2.45 billion 10megawatts powerplant in Marina,Lagos, for IslandPower Limited andthe syndicatedN20.8 billion 128kilometre naturalgas pipeline projectfor East HorizonGas Limited.

•As over 60 Itsekiri youths storm avenue•Shows video clip of surrender of arms by Itsekiri militants

BY BEN AGANDE &EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

ABUJA—SPECIALAdviser to President

Goodluck Jonathan on Ni-ger Delta Matters andChairman of Amnesty Of-fice, Mr Kingsley Kuku,yesterday, told the Houseof Representatives Commit-tee on Public Petitions, thatthey should prevail on thePresident to include Itseki-ri militants that were ex-

empted from the AmnestyProgramme.

He said they were ex-empted because of lack ofproper documentations.

Speaking at a public hear-ing on non-inclusion of It-sekiri youths in the Amnes-ty Programme, Kuku saidthe only person who canorder the inclusion of theItsekiri youth is the Presi-dent. He said: “If the Pres-ident gives me a directive

now, by tomorrow, the It-sekiri youths will be includ-ed in the Amnesty pro-gramme. In the past, I hadwritten to the President onthe matter, that the Itsekiriyouths should be includedin the programme becausewe have a common prob-lem bordering on povertyand we suffer same depri-vations.”

The Itsekiri youths num-bering over 60, earlier in the

day, stormed the NationalAssembly venue of the pub-lic hearing, probing thenon-inclusion of Itsekiri for-merly armed youths in theAmnesty Programme.

The youths under theaegis of Itsekiri NationalYouth Council, INYC, whoarrived the complex as ear-ly as 10am, could not hidetheir anger as some whospoke to Vanguard said allthey wanted was theirrightful slot in the AmnestyProgramme.

POCKET CARTOON

TAKE HEARTBY ELLA RANDLE

Continues from Page 1

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2012—5

2015: Northern govs unite for Presidency

LIFEWORDSBY PASTOR ITUAH

THERE is a power that transforms and a Beingthat directs the affairs of man. He is generally

referred to as the Almighty. The good book saystrust the Lord with all your heart and don’t dependon your own understanding. in all your waysacknowledge Him and He will direct your path.Remember Him in all you do. The truth is no manhas any other option or alternative!

The love, kindnesses, and value we have givenauthentically to others will be our remainingtreasures at the end of life —Steve Brunkhorst.

THE secret of a happy life isn’t buried in atreasure chest, it lies within your heart. A wise

woman who was traveling in the mountains founda precious stone in a stream. The next day she metanother traveler who was hungry, and the wisewoman opened her bag to share her food. Thehungry traveler saw the precious stone and askedthe woman to give it to him. She did so withouthesitation. The traveler left, rejoicing in his goodfortune. He knew the stone was worth enough togive him security for a lifetime. But a few days laterhe came back to return the stone to the wise woman.

“I’ve been thinking,” he said, “I know howvaluable the stone is, but I give it back in the hopethat you can give me something even more precious.Give me what you have within you that enabledyou to give me the stone.”

Northern GovernorsForum, and Niger StateGovernor, BabangidaAliyu said the northerngovernors, this timearound, will not allowwhat happened in 2011to repeat itself in 2015 asthey will unite againstcandidates from thesouth.

According to GovernorAliyu, “ we must beunited more than ever togo into the 2015elections as one entitywith the aim ofproducing thepresident”. He thenadvised all governorsand politicians in thenorth to remain focusedand pursue issues ofdevelopment rather thantrivial issues that haveled to the retrogressionof the region in recentyears.

Meanwhile, followingthe war of wordsbetween former head ofstate, and presidentialcandidate of theCongress forProgressive Change,CPC, GeneralMuhammadu Buhariand the presidency overthe general prediction ofa bloodbath should the2015 election be rigged,the forum admonishedpolitical leaders in the

country to be cautiousabout their comments onimportant nationalissues that may polarisethe country.

In a communiqueissued after themeeting, the forum said,“ we want to cautioneminent Nigeriansagainst inflammatorystatements capable ofaffecting our fragileunity and security. Wemust be concernedabout the unity anddevelopment of thecountry in allramifications”

Chairman of theForum, Babangida Aliyuwho was asked bynewsmen after he hadread the communiqué tostate the position of theforum on the commentcredited to Gen.Mohammed Buhari hadthis to say: “May bethose who may be tooconcerned have notlooked at what othereminent Nigerians havebeen talking about. Isaw one that saidNigeria is going to beSomalianized; I sawanother one who hasbeen talking like therewould be war tomorrow.So, for me, thatstatement should betaken on its own value -do not go and do badelection.

“ I think that is thewhole thing I will takethere. All of us who areinvolved in elections,political parties,contestants and votersthemselves, we must allbe careful about what wesay. But, again, like Isaid certain people inthat position, certainvocabularies they useshould be chosencarefully. So, both wayslet's take it on our ownstride and ensure thatfuture elections are seento be transparent andare seen to be good”, hesaid.

On security in theNorth, the communiquéreads: “The level ofinsecurity in thenorthern states isalarming. The forumresolved to intensifyefforts to find lastingsolutions to theproblems by reachingout to all stakeholders”.

On the majoreconomic issuesaffecting the northernstates, the communiquésaid variouscommittees have beenset up to address themaccordingly. Thecommittees have beenset up on agriculture,Textile industries andthe New NigeriaNewspapers whoseworkers have been onstrike for more thanthree months.

Speaking before thecommencement of themeeting, MuazuBabangida Aliyu statedthat the Northerngovernors would staketheir mandates togetheras a united team in2015..

He however noted that2015 was still too far tobecome the main topic ofdiscussion amongserious elected leaders.

Failure to manage Nigeria’sresources embarrassing— Gov Aliyu

BY HENRY UMORU

A B U J A —

CHAIRMAN, NorthernGovernors’ Forum andGovernor of Niger State,Dr. Mu’azu BabangidaAliyu has described asunfortunate, Nigeria’sinability to manage andeffectively put in use, itsabundant resources.

Speaking yesterday inAbuja at a book lunch inhonour of the formerBiafran Leader, DimC h u k w u e m e k aOdumegwu Ojukwu,Governor Aliyu notedthat hunger, insecurity,disunity presently being

experienced byNigerians, among otherswould have vanished ifdevelopment matchedthe level of abundanthuman resources.

At the launch of thebook titled, ‘’Ojukwu,the Rebel I served.”henoted that late Ojukwufought for unity andagainst themarginalisation of hispeople, adding that hisstance on issues put himat a crossroad andmisrepresented him asNigeria's mostmisunderstood leader.

Represented by hisCommissioner, DanladiUmar Abdulaheed,Governor Aliyu who

described Chief Ojukwuas a military democratfighting for his people,said: “I should remindyou that all Ojukwu wasfighting for was unity indiversity; all he wasfighting for was thatwhat belongs to Petershould be given to Peter;that is why in Nigeria,we are a peacefulcountry yet Nigeria isdivided; Nigeria has thevast land for agriculture,yet Nigerians arehungry. Nigeria is busyputting up verybeautiful structures yetwe are unsecured.”

The governor whohailed the author, UcheEzechukwu for trailingthe blaze inimmortalizing the lateleader, said that mostwriters write so that theycan earn a living, “but heis writing for somebodywho has done his best,for people and now whohas gone to the kingdomof God .’

The launch of the book,‘Ojukwu, the rebel Iserved’, attractednotable Nigeriansincluding Anambra stategovernor, Peter Obi whowas represented by hisdeputy, Emeka Sibeudu;Special Adviser to thePresident on Inter PartyAffairs, Senator Ben Obi;Special Adviser to thePresident on NationalAssembly Matters,Senator Joy Emodi;Chairman, SenateCommittee onEducation, Senator UcheChukwumerije; formerCentral Bank Governor,Prof. Charles Soludo,APGA NationalChairman Sir VictorUmeh, among others.

Senator Obi who wasthe chairman of the booklaunch said that Ojukwuwas a hero even indeath.

Buhari's statement treasonable— Arewa Youths

BY HENRY UMORU

ABUJA —THEArewa Youth

Forum yesterdayslammed the formerMilitary Head of Stateand 2011 Presidentialcandidate of Congressfor Progressive Change,CPC, GeneralMuhammadu Buhariover his prediction of abloody revolution if 2015election is rigged. Theyouths in a statementdescribed GeneralBuhari’s outbursts asmisguided, treasonableand uncalled for.

According to thegroup, Nigerians mustensure that theprediction of GeneralBuhari of imminentbloodletting does notsee the light of the dayas such will not onlybring disunity, but hasthe tendency of

producing numerouswidows and orphans.

In a statement signedby the group’sPresident, AbdulkareemTijani, the group whilecalling on Nigerians toshun Buhari’s call forviolence and embracepeace and unity, said,‘’Buhari’s recentstatement that in 2015,violence that will followthe election will makethe 2011 violence achild’s play, is uncalledfor, misguided andtreasonable.

“Buhari by thestatement he madebefore the election in2011 precipitated theviolence that followedthe 2011 presidentialelection and till nowNigeria has notrecovered from the same.

‘’We call on allNigerians irrespectiveof their states and

religious back ground tosee Buhari for what hetruly is.. We hereby callon Nigerians to shunBuhari’s call for violenceand embrace peace andunity.”

Also yesterday, theNational Council forPeace and Unity stressedthe need for leaders tocontrol their anger andsentiments at all timesespecially at difficultperiods like whatNigeria is goingthrough at the moment.

The group in astatement signed by itsChairman and formerMinister of the FederalCapital Territory, Engr.Muhammed Abba-Gana,said that there was theneed for Nigerians to putheads together to ensurespeedy and happyresolution of all crisesparticularly that ofinsecurity.

6—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2012

President Goodluck Jonathan (right) and Vice President Namadi Sambo welcoming the Arewa Con-sultative Forum, ACF, members during interactive meeting on the security situation in the country atthe Presidential Villa in Abuja, Wednesday.

Nigeria not broke, says Okonjo-IwealaAs FAAC shares monthly revenue today

BY EMMA UJAH,ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

ABUJA — THE Coordinating Minister

for the Economy andMinister of Finance, Dr.Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala,said yesterday, that Ni-geria was not broke asbeing insinuated in somequarters.

The minister, whospoke at a meeting withHouse Committee on Fi-nance, in Abuja, ex-plained that postponingthe meeting of Federa-tion Account AllocationCommittee, FAAC, fromTuesday and Wednesdayto today, did not in any-way indicate that Nigeriais broke.

She said: “We don’thave fiscal crisis. Nigeriais solvent. We have manyassets. We are liquid.”

According her, with$36.8 billion External Re-serves, the nation is liq-uid enough to meet itsobligations at home andabroad.

Okonjo-Iweala, how-ever, admitted that fed-eration revenue inflowexperienced a delay, say-ing: “We have had somedelays of money beingdisbursed for FAAC. De-lays of a week or a fewdays. Everybody experi-ences delays. What doyou do? You either lookfor another source so thatyou can continue youractivities or you just ad-just and wait until themoney comes. That iswhat we have been do-ing.

"So, the fact that you waittwo days does not meanwe are broke and remem-ber that we are depend-

ing on a commodity thatwe sell in the market.Even as an ordinaryseller, sometimes whenyou sell, do you get themoney right away? Some-times when you sell yourcustomers will say give mea few days to pay and thenwhen they come they paythe money. The peopleoften forget that the coun-try depends on commodi-ties that are sold elsewhereand sometimes we have towait for a few days. Thisdoes not amount to any-thing like crisis.”

She also noted that glo-bal economic outlook didnot appear as bright aswould have been ex-pected but that Nigeriaand many African coun-tries have continued toexperience growth.

Growth rate

“The outlook globally isnot one that gives a greatdeal of confidence. It iswithin this context thatNigeria must look in-wards to strengthen itself,in order to be able to with-stand any crisis that mightcome of the global outlook.

“I am happy to reportthat our own economy hasbeen doing quiet well. Infact, Africa as a whole hasbeen doing rather well,growing at better thanfive per cent. Any countryat six and seven per centduring this crisis is doingwell. Nigeria is one ofthose economies. Over thepast few years, we havebeen growing at an aver-age of about seven percent. This is not bad at all.

“Are 100 per cent happywith this growth? The an-swer is no, because the

growth is not as inclusive,meaning it is not creatingas many jobs and touch-ing as many lives at thebottom of the ladder as wewould like. But at least wehave got to get the growthfirst. Then you can look atthe nature and quality ofthis growth. So we nowhave the growth and thatis why we are looking atand focusing on certainsectors of the economy.”

Request for foreignloans

Even though the minis-ter insisted that Nigeriawas not broke, she dis-closed that a request for alegislative approval for for-eign loans had been sub-mitted to the National As-sembly.

Although she did notdisclose the figure,Okonjo-Iweala assuredthat the loans were to betaken on concessionarybasis, attracting onlyabout three per cent inter-ests.

She said the loans werenecessary to boost invest-ments in sectors of theeconomy requiring mas-sive funding such as power,transport and agriculture,which would also providejobs for millions of Nigeri-ans, as the Federal Govern-ment targets a Gross Do-mestic Product, GDP, percapita of about $ 1. 452.

Tax defaulters

Okonjo-Iweala disclosedthat the Federal InlandRevenue had computed aN100 billion in tax defaultby corporate organisationsin the country and that thestrategy adopted to pursue

the payment of such taxes,including the arrest andprosecution of companychief executive officers,would be maintained.

She added that meas-ures were being put inplace to ensure that inter-nally generated revenueby MDAs were paid intothe treasury rather thanthe affected MDAsspending such money atwill, as was the case in thepast.

Why salaries aredelayed—Ngama

Also speaking,Ministerof State for Finance, Dr.Yerima Ngama, admittedthat the Integrated PayrollSystem Adopted by theFederal Government ispartially responsible forthe delay in payment ofsome workers’ salaries butthat was a temporary ex-perience.

The system, accordingto him, is necessary toeliminate ghost workersfrom the system and tostop payroll leakages inall Federal GovernmentMDAs.

In his remarks, Chair-man of the Committee,Hon. Abdulmumini Jibril,urged the executive armof the Federal Govern-ment to pay a closer at-tention to the revenue in-flow from the revenueagencies, with a view toblocking every loophole.

According to him, it isnot enough for revenueagencies such as NigeriaCustoms Service and theFederal Inland RevenueService to meet set annualtargets, but that actual col-lections should interestthe Ministry of Finance.

Disco Queen, DonnaSummer dies at 63

BYBENJAMINNJOKU

LAGOS — DONNASummer, whom mil-

lions of fans revered as “theQueen of Disco,” has diedat the age of 63 in Florida,United States.

Summer died yesterdayafter a battle with lung can-cer.

Confirming her death,her family said in a state-ment that they “are at peacecelebrating her extraordi-nary life and her continuedlegacy.”

The legendary superstarwas publicly active as re-cently as last June, whenshe appeared as a guestpanellist on Bravo’s musicreality show, Platinum Hit.Summer performing in Oc-tober 2011.

However, a report byTMZ, which initially brokethe story, noted that thoseclose to the singer who wasknown for mega-hits in-cluding “Last Dance” and“Bad Girls”revealed shehad been trying to hide howsick she was. The exact na-ture of her illness has notyet been identified.

Reports said that Sum-mer did not seem to be inthat bad of shape two weeksago. In fact, “we’re told shewas focussed on trying tofinish up an album she hadbeen working on.”Summer was a five-timeGrammy winner who shotto superstardom in the ’70swith iconic hits like “Last

Dance,” “Hot Stuff” and“Bad Girls.”

She is survived by daugh-ters, Brooklyn and Amanda,her grown daughters withhusband, Bruce Sudano, afellow musician whom shemarried in 1980, and Mimi,her eldest daughter withfirst husband, actorHelmuth Sommer.

In addition to her statusas a pioneer in the dancemusic genre, Summer wasa five-time Grammy Awardwinner, the first artist everto score three back-to-backNo. 1 double albums, andwas nominated-but not cho-sen—for induction into theRock And Roll Hall of Famein 2010.

She continued her domi-nance in the ’80s with “SheWorks Hard for the Money”and “This Time I Know It’sfor Real.”Late Summer and her pro-ducer Giorgio Moroder de-fined the dance music eraof the ’70s and influencedacts like Duran Duran andDavid Bowie to enter thegenre.

Her last album, Crayons,was released in 2008.

National confab: ACF mayshift ground after talkswith NSG

BY OKEY NDIRIBE

ABUJA —THERE areindications that the

leadership of the ArewaConsultative Forum (ACF)which held a closed doormeeting with a delegationof the National SummitGroup, yesterday, mayhave accepted to participatein the convocation of a Na-tional Conference.

Sources close to the meet-ing in Abuja disclosed thatthe ACF leadership hadvery fruitful deliberationswith the Nigeria SummitGroup, NSG, delegationand even agreed to nomi-nate some of their membersinto the National SteeringCommittee for the convoca-tion of the conference.

It was, however, learntthat the ACF delegationrequested to be given sometime to enable the northerngroup consult widelyamong northern leaders for

the purpose of nominatingtheir representatives intothe National Steering Com-mittee for the confab.

The leader of the NSGdelegation, Mr Tony Urantahad stressed on the issueof restructuring of the fed-eration and convening of anational conference as themain goal of its consultationwith different groups in thecountry including the lead-ership of the ACF while thenorthern group had indi-cated that it neither believedthere was need for a changefrom the present structureof the nation nor to hold anational confab.

While speaking to news-men at Abuja, yesterday, theNational Publicity Secretaryof ACF, Mr Anthony Sanni,had stated that the ACFsaw nothing wrong withthe present structure of thefederation, noting that whatneeded to be addressedwas the attitude of Nigeri-ans.


N44m bribe scandal: Hembearraigned, refuses to mount dock

Queries competence of EFCC chargeAs absence of 2nd accused person stalls trialBY IKECHUKWU

NNOCHIRI

ABUJA — TRIAL ofthe former Chairman

of the House of Repre-sentatives Committee onCapital Market andOther Institutions, Mr.Herman Hembe, kickedoff on a dramatic note,yesterday, as the law-maker declined to eithermount the dock or enterhis plea to a charge hesaid was grossly incom-petent.

The embattled law-maker, who was mar-shalled into the courtroom by operatives of theEconomic and FinancialCrimes Commission,EFCC, at exactly 9:11a.m, insisted that the trialcourt lacked the jurisdic-tion to okay him for trial,saying the proof of evi-dence tendered againsthim by the commissionfailed to disclose a prima-facie criminal case capa-ble of warranting hisprosecution.

Consequently, heurged the court to firstlydetermine the legal pro-priety of the leave itgranted to the EFCC onMay 10 to try him andthe erstwhile vice chair-man of the House of Repspanel that commencedinvestigation into allegedrot in the Capital Marketsector of the Nigerianeconomy, Mr. ChrisIfeanyi Azubogu, vis-a-vis the provision of sec-tion 154 of the Criminal

Procedure Code, CPC.Though counsel to

Hembe, Mr. JibrinKutekpa, SAN, told thecourt that his client ap-peared in court yester-day on protest and toshow respect to the judi-ciary, however, trial Jus-tice Abubakar Ishaq Belloordered the accused per-son to proceed to thedock to enable the courtto take judicial notice ofhis presence in court.

“Where are the accusedpersons, you can’t hidethem, let me see them atleast to make sure theyare present in court to-day,” the judge insisted.

Judge berates 2ndaccused

At this juncture, coun-sel to the 2nd accusedperson, Mr EmekaEtiaba, told the courtthat his client was unableto appear for trial, yester-day, saying he travelledto his village in Nnewi,Anambra State, after hegot a call that a memberof his family was kid-napped.

Not satisfied with thereasons adduced for theabsence of the 2nd ac-cused person, the judgesaid the action of the law-maker amounted to a de-liberate affront on theauthority of the judicialinstitution.

“The business of theday is for the arraign-ment of the accused per-sons, it is not about the

EFCC but about showingrespect to the institutionof the judiciary. Is he nota lawmaker? If a law-maker chose to disre-spect the court what dowe then expect from alayman on the street?Except on grounds of ill-health, the 2nd accusedperson had no reasonwhatsoever not to appearin court today” the judgestated.

Hembe queriescompetence ofEFCC charge

Meanwhile, Hembe,through his counsel, con-demned the absence ofthe 2nd accused personin court yesterday, he,however, pleaded withthe court to go ahead anddetermine whether thetotality of the proof ofevidence entered againsthim by the anti-graftagency, disclosed anyelement of criminality re-garding allegation thathe collected monies fromthe Securities and Ex-change Commission,SEC, to travel to the Do-minican Republic butfailed to do so.

Likewise, counsel tothe 2nd accused personalso challenged theleave that was granted tothe EFCC to try him, in-sisting that the charge wasgrossly incompetent andought to be dismissed.

Meantime, EFCC lawyer,Mr O. Uket, said he wasserved with the preliminary

objection of the accusedpersons on Wednesdayand would need time torespond. He, however,pleaded with the court tolook into the bail statusof the accused persons.

EFCC refuted allegationthat it did not furnish theaccused persons with cop-ies of the proof of evidenceagainst them, saying ithad as early as May 14,served them the requisiteprocesses through theClerk of the House ofReps.

After listening to all theparties, Justice Bello saidhe would consolidate theseparate objections of theaccused persons for hear-ing, though he noted thatthey were not ripe forhearing yesterday.

Consequently, he ad-journed the case till May28, just as he ordered theaccused persons to ensuretheir presence in court onthe next adjourned date.

According to the judge,“it is in the interest of jus-tice to determine the issueof jurisdiction the accusedpersons have raised. Theaccused persons are toappear on the next ad-journed date, they are toremain on EFCC bailpending the determina-tion of their objections tothe trial.”

Immediately the casewas adjourned yesterday,Hembe, who appearedpensive throughout theproceeding, was whiskedaway by EFCC officials ina Coaster Bus markedAbuja-BR-739-BWR.

Lufthansa yet to payN2.198bn to NCAA

Says it had paid all charges todate

BY KENNETHEHIGIATOR

LAGOS — ALMOSTtwo weeks after the

Senate ordered LufthansaAirlines to pay the Nige-rian Civil Aviation Author-ity, NCAA, N2.198 billion,being money represent-ing unpaid royalties be-tween 2009 and Novem-ber 2011, the airline is yetto do so, saying it had paidall charges to date.

Royalty is money paidby foreign airlines to theFederal Government forthe country’s inability toreciprocate flight opera-tions to their countries, inline with the Bilateral AirServices Agreements,BASAs, Nigeria has withtheir governments, andsuch agreements thrive onthe principle of reciproc-ity.

Lufthansa Airlines oper-ates daily service to Frank-furt from Lagos, with noNigerian carrier doingsame to Germany.

Chairman of the SenateCommittee on Aviation,Senator Hope Uzodinma,had on May 9, 2012, di-rected the airline to paythe money to the NCAA,being the custodian of allroyalties, of face sanctions.

But the airline in a reac-tion to questions put to its

media consultant, Mr.Hakeem Jimoh, in Lagos,said Lufthansa was up todate in payment of allcharges expected of it bygovernment.

The questions wentthus: Has Lufthansa Air-lines paid the royalty theSenate ordered it to payinto NCAA’s account?And if it has not, whenwould the money be paid?

Responding in a state-ment issued last night,Lufthansa, aside fromsaying it had paid allcharges to the FederalGovernment, added thatit had never violated anyNigerian law put in placeto safeguard the interestof Nigerians and wouldnot do so.

It said its co-operationwith the Ministry of Avia-tion was work in progress,with special focus on ca-pacity and human re-sources development.

Director-General ofNCAA, Dr. HaroldDemuren, could not bereached on phone to as-certain what steps it wastaking to recoup themoney.

But his Media Assistant,Mr. Sam Adurogboye,said he was not aware ofany payment byLufthansa.

From left: Hon. Justice Ayo Phillips, Deputy Chancellor of Lagos West; Hon. Justice Babasola OgunadeChancellor, Lagos West; Mrs Adejoke Adefulire- Orelope, Deputy Gov of Lagos State, special guest ofhonour; Rt. Rev. Peter Adebiyi, Bishop of Lagos West; his wife and Rt. Revd. A. Sowale, Bishop ofIlesha, Osun State during the openig session of the 5th Synod of Diocese of Lagos West at ArchbishopVining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Diran Oshe.

Amuka tasksUduaghan on security

BY EMMA ARUBI

WARRI — PUBLISHER and

Chairman, VanguardMedia Limited, Mr. SamAmuka, yesterdaycharged GovernorEmmanuel Uduaghan ofDelta State to tackle thesecurity challenges fac-ing the state.

He also asked the gov-ernor to explain why overN7.4 billion would bespent on clearing moun-tains of sand at the Asabaairport, saying Deltansneed to know to be moreinformed on the matter.

Speaking yesterdayevening as the chairmanof a retreat in Warri enti-tled “Landmarks andLegacy” organised bythe Delta State Govern-ment in collaborationwith Tas and Associates,Amuka said he acceptedto attend the retreat aschairman because he wasassured that the retreat

would not be a jamboreewhere the governorwould not be asked thenecessary questions agi-tating the minds of thepeople because it wouldamount to biting the fin-ger that feeds them.

He charged the partici-pants to put all theirquestions in writing andsubmit same to him orProf. Sam Oyovbaire,Managing Partner/CEOof Tas and Associatessigned or unsigned,promising that theywould confront the gov-ernor with all the bitingquestions.

The three-day retreatwould be closed to news-men today and tomorrowwith the resolutions sub-mitted to the governorfor action.

The retreat was de-signed to review andpropose solutions toidentified problems toguide the governor inthe remaining part of histenure.

CMYK


MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL INNIGERIA BEAUTY CONTEST

HITS 25

FIDELITY BANK'S 24TH AGM HOLDS IN LAGOSFidelity Bank PLC held its 24th Annual General Meeting at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday. Joe

Akintola, Photo Editor , captured the event.

From left, Mr. Dim Elias Nwosu,Director; Mrs Onome Olaolu,Executive Director and Mr. StanleyLawson, Director.

From left, Mr Balarabe Mohammed,Executive Director; Alhaji Bashari Gumel,Director and Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo,Director .

From left, Mr. I. K Mbagwu, Executive Director; Mr. Reginald Ihejiahi,Managing Director; Chief Christopher Ezeh, Chairman and Mrs ChijiokeUgochukwu, Executive Director and Company Secretary.

Chief Christopher Ezeh, Chairman, right, and Mr. Reginald Ihejiahi, ManagingDirector.

From left, Mr. Augustine Okam, Director; Mr. Ichie Orazulike, Director andMr. John Obi, Executive Director.

EXPLOSION ROCKS PORT HARCOURTA commercial bus exploded yesterday in Rumuokoro

Roundabout, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, killing one person,and injuring three others. Our cameraman, Nwankpa Chijioke,took the photographs at the scene. BY JIMITOTA

ONOYUME

1 die, 3 others injured asexplosion rocks Port Harcourt

PORT HARCOURT—A commercial bus,

exploded, yesterday, atRumukoro Roundaboutin Port Harcourt, RiversState, killing a youngman and injuring threeothers. The incident, whichoccurred about 10.30amcaused tension in thecity, as peoplespeculated it was ‘BokoHaram’ that hadinvaded the state.

State PoliceCommissioner, MrMohammed Indabawa,who told Vanguard atthe scene of theexplosion, ruled outterrorism, saying thatthe occupants of thevehicle, were probablygoing for a robberyoperation when theexplosion occurred.

Though he could notexplain how theexplosion came about,he said he was surethey were on a robberymission because somerifles and ammunitionwere recovered in thebus, which burst intoflames immediately after

the explosion.Indabawa said he will

come out with acomprehensive report,after the bomb disposalunit of his commandhad concluded scanningof the area andthorough search of thevehicle. He assuredthat the state was safe,urging residents not topanic.

The explosionoccurred barely 48 hoursafter the state PoliceCommissioner met withmedia practitioners inthe state on how toprotect their offices fromthreat of attack byterrorists.’

When reminded ofthe meeting coincidingwith the explosion, thePolice Commissionersaid at the time heconvened the meeting,he had no idea that anexplosion could occur inany part of the state.

Governor ChibuikeAmaechi, who arrivedthe scene later with thestate Commissioner ofInformation, Mrs IbimSemenitari and sometop security officers alsoruled out terrorism.

In his statewideaddress, Amaechi

aligned with theposition of the PoliceCommissioner, that thevictims were robbers.

Meantime, someeyewitnesses believed itwas a terrorists' act.

According to oneEmmanuel Okon, thetwo occupants in the busdisappeared unhurt. Hesaid the bus got to thepoint where it explodedand suddenly stopped.

The occupants had tobeckon on somepedestrians to assistpush the vehicle,adding that he wasamong those they calledbut he refused.

According to anotheraccount, the man whodied was not in the bus,he was one of those whocame to assist inpushing the vehicle.

“He was pushing itwhen we noticed smokeunder the bus and weraised alarm. Before weknew it, the next thingwe heard was a bang.”

The source said theman that died was aregular face at themotor park in the area.But he could notcomment on the identityof the injured.

.

CMYK

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY I8, 2012—9

Fashola renews call for state policeBY BARTHOLOMEW

MADUKWE

From left, Mr. Duro Kuteyi, National Vice-Chairman, NASSI; Mrs Taba Peterside, GM, Head, ListingsSales & Retention, NSE, fand Mr Olaseni Ogunsanya, Chairman of the occasion, at the Nigerian Associationof Small-Scale Industrialists, NASSI,workshop on Business Opportinities & Funding for SMES in Lagos,yesterday. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE &CHIOMA OBINNA

FG doctors to join striking colleaguesin Lagos

BY UDUMA KALU &EBELE ORAKPO

Briefly

LAGOS—A member ofa five-man robbery

gang which specialised inattacking bank customers,was, yesterday, killedduring a gun battle withpolicemen on CommercialRoad, Apapa, Lagos.

This came as threeBeninoise were arrested forallegedly kidnapping afour-year-old boy inMorogbo, near Badagry.

It was gathered that thegunmen, who rode on

IKEJA—THE face–offbetween the Lagos

State Government andsacked 788 doctors,yesterday, took a dramaticturn, as doctors in federalhospitals in Lagos, said

they will today embark onan indefinite solidaritystrike.

The federal hospitaldoctors called on theNational Assembly tourgently wade into thecrisis between the LagosState Government and the

sacked doctors for speedyresolution of same toprevent further loss oflives.

Patients who may wantto go to federal healthcarecentres and hospitals mayhave to go elsewhere toget treatment, as the strike

will affect admission ofnew patients into all thehospitals in Lagos.

The hospitals include;Lagos UniversityTeaching Hospital, LUTH;National OrthopaedicHospital, Igbobi; FederalMedical Centre, Ebute-Meta; Federal PsychiatricHospital, Yaba, amongothers.

The striking doctorsunder the umbrella bodyof Nigeria MedicalAssociation, NMA, LagosState Branch, said theindefinite strike wasnecessitated by the failureof the state government torecall the sacked doctorsunder its employment.

At a briefing, in Lagos,President of Associationof Resident Doctors, ARD,Branch of LagosUniversity TeachingHospital, LUTH- ARD, anaffiliate of NMA, Dr.Adetunji Adenekan, saidall emergency units willbe locked, clinic will nothold and no new patientswill be admitted,explaining that onlypatients on admission willbe attended to.

Police kill bank robbery suspectBY EVELYN USMAN

IKEJA—LAGOS StateGovernor, Mr.

Babatunde Fashola,yesterday, renewed thecall for the creation of statepolice.

Speaking on “Optionsand Strategies forRestructuring the NigeriaPolice Force,” at a publichearing on Police Reformin Nigeria, in Lagos,Fashola said: “Theopposition to theestablishment of state

three motorcycles, stormedthe area at noon, andreportedly dispossessedtheir victims of cash andother valuables.

They were aboutsnatching a vehicle from amotorist who attempted toflee the scene when a teamof policemen on patrolswooped on them.

On sighting thepolicemen, the robbersreportedly opened fire onthem. In the process, twoof the robbers were shot.The robbers, it was

gathered, escaped withone of their injuredcolleagues, leaving theother to his fate.

One locally-made doublebarrel pistol with five livecartridges and a Hondamotorcycle, according tospokesman for the LagosPolice Command, JosephJaiyeoba, were recoveredfrom the dead suspect. Hesaid the case has beentransferred to the StateCriminal InvestigationDepartment, Yaba, forinvestigation.

How toachieve Vision20:2020, byexperts

police structures inNigeria has largely beendriven by anexaggerated, misleadingand unfounded precedentfocusing on the abuse ofstate police throughpolitical interference andmanipulation.”

He noted, however, that“upgrading the existingpolice system as thecentral law enforcementinstitution in the countrycannot occur in isolation.It must be part of anoverarching restructuringof the total lawe n f o r c e m e n t

infrastructure, including areform of the criminal-justice system insulatedfrom politics.

“It is, therefore, withtotal conviction that Ibelieve that there is aneed for theestablishment of statepolice. If we say we arepractising truefederalism, then eachconstituent part of thefederation such as thestates, municipalities andfederal government allhave their autonomy fortheir daily affairs, whileissues like internationalaffairs, common currency,defence and otherunifying interests arevested in the FederalGovernment.”

LAGOS—NIGERIAmust address the

issues of competence,capacity and come upwith a national documenton enhancing trainingmanagement, if it mustattain its Vision 20: 2020.

Mr. Jide Adetunmbi,TBS Consulting TeamLeader, at a workshop onenhancing trainingmanagement in Nigeria,organised by Centre forM a n a g e m e n tDevelopment, CMD, inLagos, said the workshopwas aimed at reviewingtraining practice in thecountry by identifyingwhat had gone wrong,why budget wasdwindling, among othersand proffering the wayforward.

For Dr. Kabir Usman,Director-General, CMD,training as a capacity-building and change-initiative had either beenrelegated to thebackground byorganisations or was notimpactful on employee-performance andproductivity in Nigeria.

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

MWUN tasksworkers onsmuggledweapons

BY ABDULWAHABABDULAH, ONOZURE

DANIA & MICHAELOLADEPO

LAGOS—MARITIMEWorkers of Nigeria,

MWUN, has chargedworkers in the sector,especially dockworkers, tobe vigilant in the course oftheir duties and ensure thatunscrupulous importers donot smuggle weaponsthrough the ports into thecountry.

President-General ofMWUN, Mr. AnthonyNted, who addressedmaritime workers at ApapaPorts, Lagos, yesterday, aspart of the union'sleadership tour of ports inthe country, said thesecurity of the nation andthe citizens should be theresponsibility of every well-meaning Nigerian.

Nted, who said they hadtoured Warri, Onne, PortHarcourt and Calabar portswith similar message,noted that dockworkerswho off-load containerswere in a better position toknow the content of acontainer irrespective of theimporter’s claim.

IKEJA—FOUR yearsafter 63 workers of

Unilever Plc were sacked,their expectation for thecommencement of the case,yesterday, before an IkejaHigh Court, Lagos, wasdashed, due to change ofcounsel.

The matter is beforeJustice A. Emeya. At thehearing, yesterday, a newcounsel who replaced theirold lawyer, informed thecourt that he had just takenover of the case andneeded to study the casefile as well as amend theclaims earlier filed by theclaimants.

The workers, whodragged the company tocourt were relived of theirduties on December 3,2008, following which theyapproached the court,praying same to declaretheir sack, illegal.

According to the newcounsel, efforts by theOffice of the PublicDefender of Lagos StateMinistry of Justice toresolve the issues relatingto the claimant’semployment failed, whichled to the court action.

The workers are prayingthe court to order thedefendant to pay themN300 million ascompensation forexemplary and aggravateddamages, for the unlawfultermination of theiremployments.

They also want the courtto grant them N900 million,being their outstandingentitlements as salaries,allowances andredundancy benefits due tothem from November 2008till period of judgmententered in their favour bythe court.

Counsel'schange stallssackedworkers' suit

Lagosians tasked onconstitution amendment

IKEJA—CHAIRMAN,House Committee on

Information, Strategy,Security and Publicity,Lagos State House ofAssembly, Mr SegunOlulade, has urgedLagosians to takeadvantage of the on-goingNational Assembly’sconstitutional amendmentprocess to articulate theiryearnings and aspirationsand contribute to theprocess of constitutionalmaking in the country.

The House had last week,

set up an eight-mancommittee, headed byMajority Leader, MrAjibayo Adeyeye, toarticulate the position of thestate for the constitutionalreview.

Olulade, who alsoimplored Lagosians to beready to contribute theirmemoranda to thecommittee added that thecommittee will ensure thatall stakeholders andinterest groups wereadequately consulted toenhance theirparticipation at the publichearing being proposedby the committee.

BY EBUN SESSOU

CMYK

10—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2012

800 Ogun residents queue forForster childrenBY DAUD OLATUNJI

From left, Mr Alberto Terzi, Strategic Logistic Manager, Nigerian BreweriesPlc; Mr Robbert Mooij, Head Logistics, and Mrs Pamela Mooij, at the pre annualgeneral meeting of Nigerian Breweries Plc, at Lekki, Lagos. Photo: KehindeGbadamosi.

Call Buhari to order, cleric tellsJonathan

Glo rocksIbadan

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

It's honourable to reinstate Salami— Aregbesola

BY GBENGAOLARINOYE

ABEOKUTA—THEOgun State

Government, yesterday,painted a gloomy pictureof the procreative abilitiesof its citizens, saying nofewer than 800 coupleshave applied foradoption of motherlessbabies in the state.

In another breath, thegovernment admitted that124,000 of the 4.3 millionresidents of the state areliving with HIV/AIDS,even as the governmentsaid it ‘rescued ‘no fewerthan 72 lunatics anddestitute from the streetsof Abeokuta, the statecapital, within a year.

Commissioner forHealth, Dr. OlaokunSoyinka and his WomenAffairs and SocialDevelopment counterpart,Elizabeth Sonubi, reeledout the figures whilegiving their report cardsin the past year.

According to the HealthCommissioner: “Theprevalence rate of thedeadly virus in the stateis 3.1 per cent year,”which he said had madehis ministry to embark ona number of HIV/AIDScontrol programmes.

The commissioner saidthe government hadtrained 186 internationalconductors to help in thearea of prevention of HIV/AIDS and that 35 HIV/AIDS counselling centresand 31 prevention ofmother-to- child treatmentsites were created in thestate to prevent the spreadof the disease.

According to Soyinka

the ministry incollaboration with theJustice counterpart hadconcluded plans on a billto effect the transformationof the State ActionCommittee on AIDS(SACA) from a committeeto a full-fledged agency.

He said the governmenthad also paid N50 millioncounterpart fund for OgunSACA to become effectivefor the World Bank Credit.

Commissioner forWomen Affairs and SocialDevelopment, ElizabethSonubi, said the staterescued ‘no fewer than 72lunatics and destitutefrom the streets ofAbeokuta within a year.

According to Sonubi, arecreation centre had to

be converted to atemporary site for thelunatics and destitute,towards creating aconducive environmentfor the psychiatric expertto take care of themeffectively.

On the adoption of

babies in the state, Sonubisaid the state had only 75abandoned babies atStella ObasanjoChildren’s Home andthat, 11 had been givenout to some couplesbefore the 800 applicationcame in.

A D O - E K I T I —CATHOLIC Bishop

of Ekiti Diocese, MostRev. Felix Ajakaye, haschallenged PresidentGoodluck Jonathan to callthe former Head of State,General MohammaduBuhari (rtd), who recentlythreatened that thecountry would be bloodyif the 2015 election wasrigged, to order.

Ajakaye argued that thestatement credited to theformer Head of State wasprovocative andunguided and must bechecked, noting that theformer Head of State was

in the habit of threateningthe nation as he similarlythreatened the nation thathe would makeg o v e r n m e n tungovernable for thepresident if the election of2011 was rigged.

Speaking with newsmenin Ado-Ekiti, yesterday,he said" “Nigeria belongsto all of us, we have noother place to go and weshould watch ourutterances, no matter ourstatus.

''We are in a very tryingtime and we need to beprayerful and work ourprayers; we need to bepositive and concrete inour thoughts and work ourthoughts.

''The former Head ofState ought to have beeninvited by securityagencies for questioningif we are in other climes. Idon’t know what oursecurity agents are stillwaiting for. No matterwhose ox is gored, ifanother person had madesuch a statement, theywill say he is planningsomething against thecountry.

“But, for making such astatement I will say thatseems to be his character

and we should not allowhim and others to besaying that anymore, thelaws are there. It was thesame Buhari who said hewas going to make thecountry ungovernable ifthe elections were riggedin 2011. But, again, it isbecause of thegovernment we have, ifwe have a governmentthat is very decisive, wewould not be having suchnegative and destructiveutterances from people.

''If a leader is decisive,something will have to bedone, so that a leader isnot decisive now they aretrading words; we shouldnot allow Buhari to ruinNigeria because he wantsto rule at all cost.”

O S O G B O —G O V E R N O R

Rauf Aregbesola of OsunState has urged PresidentGoodluck Jonathan to towthe path of honour byimmediately reinstating

the suspended Presidentof the Appeal Court,Justice Ayo Salami.

The governor made thiscall while delivering aspeech at the launch ofthree books in his honour,titled: The Divine Road toJustice, The Power-Forceof Destiny and The Spiritof Mandate, at the Centrefor Black Culture andI n t e r n a t i o n a lUnderstanding, Osogbo.

The governor said afterthe resolution of thematter by the NationalJudicial Commission,NJC, justice must be doneby the President, notingthat the suspension ofSalami was erroneous andill-advised.

He said: “So, if NJCordered the suspension ofSalami and it has alsoresolved to recall him, ifour President will want tobe seen as a man whobelieves in the rule of law,Justice Ayo salami shouldbe reinstated withoutfurther delay.”

Aregbesola, whilecommenting on the books,said ''they are documentedreminiscences of theprevailing tempestuousatmosphere of thehappenings in Osun Stateduring the 2007 generalelection and the three anda half years of legal battlesto reclaim the stolenmandate.''

IBADAN, the politicalheadquarters of South-

West, is set to come aliveas leadingtelecommunications outfit,Globacom, rocks the citywith its entertainingprogramme Glo Laffta Feston Sunday.

The show holds at CasaLucio House of Luxury,British American TobaccoWay, Lagos-IbadanExpressway.

In a statement by theM a r k e t i n gC o m m u n i c a t i o n sDepartment of Globacom,top-rated Nigerian artistesled by comedian GbengaAdeyinka entertain thepeople.

SNR. ProphetessVictoria Olufunmilayo

Ositelu (nee Bamtefa),popularly known as“Mama Nurse,” is died,aged 91. A former state registerednurse, Victoria, wife of thelate Dr. Josiah OlunowoOsitelu, founder and firstPrimate of The Church ofthe Lord (Aladura)Worldwide, died onMarch 27.

According to Revd AyoOsitelu, the head of theOsitelu family, “MamaNurse, who is survived bychildren, grandchildren,and great grandchildren,was a devout christianand compassionate God-fearing Nigerian..

Her body will be laid torest in Ogere, OgunState, on Saturday, May26.

A B E O K U TA — Asenior lecturer at

Federal University ofAgriculture, Abeokuta,UNAAB, Mr. GregoryObayomi, has dragged theVice-Chancellor, ProfessorOlaiya Balogun and fourothers, before an OgunState High Court,demanding N5 million forhis alleged unlawful

Ositelu dies at91

Briefly

VC, others sued for allegeddetentionBY ONOZURE DANIA detention.

Other defendants in thesuit are Mr. BolarinwaPeters, Mr. DekolaAdewusi, Mr. NelsonNwannama and oneInspector Michael Olajide.

The plaintiff is alsoseeking for a declarationthat the acts of thedefendants arresting him atUNAAB and his detentionat Obantoko Police Station,Abeokuta were unlawful.

I resigned ministerial job toserve Ondo people — Mimiko

A K U R E — O N D OState Governor, Dr

Olusegun Mimiko, hasrevealed that hisresignation as Ministerof Housing in the formerPresident OlusegunO b a s a n j o ’ sadministration without aspecific political party tocontest the governorshipof Ondo State was borneout of his determinationto make a difference inthe lives of the people ofthe state.

The Governor, whostated this whiledeclaring open the 28th

annual nationalconvention of Lions ClubInternational where he

BY DAYO JOHNSON was honoured with theMelvin Jones award,noted that he took therisk in the best interestof the masses of the state.

Dr Mimiko added thatthe mission was to makeself sacrifice for thepeople, having sufferedso long in the midst ofplenty, expressing joythat the decision hadmade great impact on thelives of the people in thelast three years.

According to him, thepurpose of leadership isto render service to thepeople, noting that thephilosophy of hisadministration and thatof the Lions Club sharedsimilarities in manyareas.


Nigeria records 12, 000 VVF annually,medical experts reveal

BY JOHNBOSCOAGBAKWURU

Bloated wage bill: 13 Bayelsacivil servants get bail

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Pay 13% derivation directly tocommunities—Urhobo youths

BY EMMA ARUBI &AKPOKONA OMA-

FUAIREFire outbreaks: 13 killed in Delta

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

ASABA—NO fewerthan 15 persons

lost their lives in variousfire incidents in DeltaState, while propertyworth over N12 billionwas rescued, state Com-missioner for SpecialDuties, Dr. Tony Nwaka,has said.

Mr. Nwaka, in an inter-view with newsmen inAsaba, yesterday, saidthe state government hadestablished a ‘combinedquick response scheme,’aimed at providing anenabling environment forpublic and private sectorto be involved in thefight against fire inci-dents in the state.

He said that 13 per-sons lost their lives infire incidents in the statelast year while 11 per-sons were rescued, add-ing, “The office of the

State Fire Services,which is an arm of theBureau, attended to 385fire calls and four falsecalls.”

He lamented that de-spite the spirited efforts

of the fire officers, aboutN2 billion property werelost to fire.

“The state governmenthad given relief materi-als and other grantsthrough the State Emer-

gency Relief Agency,SERA, to different com-munities confronted withvarious natural or man-made disasters includingcommunal crises acrossthe state,” he added.

...N2bn property lost, N12bn salvaged

C A L A B A R — T H Eincreasing rate of

Vesico Vaginal Fistula,VVF, has become asource of worry to medi-cal experts in the coun-try, who said that thereare 12, 000 new cases ofthe scourge every year.

Meanwhile, expertshave said it would takethe next 15 years or moreto clear the backlog ofVVF cases, even if there

are no fresh infections inNigeria.

Speaking at a workshopfor journalists in Ogoja,Cross River State, yester-day, Dr. Mohammed Ba-shir, a fistula doctor inZamfara State, who de-livered a talk on manag-ing a VVF centre, saidthe fact that a sudden lullin the number of patientsat a centre, who turn upfor repairs soon result inan astronomical in-crease, meant that thedisease would take time

to be eradicated.The disease, experts

said, had been in thecountry for long andawareness on its treat-ment was being created,though those sufferingfrom the ailment in thehinterlands are unawareof its cure and wouldcontinue to live with it fora long time.

Bashir explained thatsome women may be car-rying the disease for 20or more years and forreasons of stigmatisationor lack of information onits treatment, they willcontinue to suffer in si-lence, stressing thatmuch still needed to bedone to sensitise thewomenfolk, especiallythose in the rural areas,about the existence ofVVF repair centres in thecities.

He added that the lackof a national data on fis-tula infection, had madeit difficult to concludewhether the disease wasdecreasing or increasing,though more clients wereturning up on daily ba-sis nationwide at fistulacentres for repairs. Heappealed to women whohave contacted the dis-ease to feel free to go forcure.

Ex-militants threaten violence overnon-inclusion in amnesty programmeBY SIMON EBEGBULEM

BENIN—FRESH crisis is brewing in the

Niger Delta, as over 200 ex-militants in the region, whoearlier accepted the am-nesty granted by the Fed-eral Government, have con-demned the alleged non-inclusion of many of themin the amnesty training pro-gramme.

They have threatened togo back to the creeks if ur-gent steps were not taken

to include them in the pro-gramme.

They complained thatthey complied with the 2009Federal Government’s am-nesty proclamation and sub-mitted their arms and wereissued certificates, but un-fortunately “we have notbeen incorporated into theAmnesty Programme.”

The leader of the group,representing Edo State andex-militant General AbioduEdah (aka Karibu) and theNational Secretary, Tam

Odogwu, appealed to theNational Assembly, duringtheir protest in Benin City,Edo State, yesterday, to pre-vail on the Federal Govern-ment to fulfill its promisesto avoid renewed violencein the region.

Kabiru said: “The StateSecurity Services, SSS, Di-rector and the Joint TaskForce, JTF, came to my com-munity to disarm me andmy boys. But we have notbeen included in the am-nesty programme.”

YENAGOA—A FEDERAL High Court

sitting in Yenagoa,Bayelsa State, yesterday,granted bail to 13 seniorcivil servants charged tocourt by the BayelsaState Government in con-nection with the bloatedwage bill of the state.

The suspects, made upof staff of the State Uni-versal Basic EducationBoard, SUBEB and theState Treasury, havebeen in police custodysince their arrest lastmonth.

Trial judge, Justice R.Aikwai, who admittedthe accused to bail, ad-

journed further hearingtill June 21.

The court held that thesaid offences, for whichthe accused werecharged, were bailable.Each accused personwas granted bail in thesum of N1million and asurety, who must be asenior civil servant resi-dent in the state.

According to the court,each surety must have alanded property in thestate. The court also or-dered counsel to the ac-cused persons to file awritten application thatthe applicants would notinterfere with the case asthe investigation in thecase was still on-going.

W A R R I — T H EUrhobo Youth

Assembly, UYA, hascalled for direct alloca-tion of the 13 per centderivation fund to oil-pro-ducing communities inthe Niger Delta.

UYA, in a protest letterto Delta State governor,Dr. Emmanuel Udua-ghan, yesterday, notedthat the funds were notgetting to the host com-munities, whom theywere meant for.

UYA President, Mr.Jude Akpore and Mr.Frank Onogagamue,Secretary, in the letter,argued that it was uncon-stitutional to route thefunds through a thirdparty, lamenting that thepolitics linked with thedisbursement of thefunds through the re-spective state govern-ments and the Houses ofAssembly was unfair.

The group accused theDelta State House of As-sembly Committee on Fi-nance and Appropriationof intentionally removingprojects earmarked forthe area.

Ijiekhuamhenpasses on

MR. FredrickIjiekhuamhen,

former Chairman, Igue-ben Local GovernmentArea, Edo State, is dead,aged 56.

He was also formerSpecial Asistant toformer Governor Oser-hiemen Osunbor from2008 to 2009 and a mem-ber of Edo State Oil andGas Commission. Hedied on May 12, 2012.

Late F. Ijiekhuamhen

Otota of Okere-Urhobo tasksWarri residents on peace, unity

THE Otota of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom in

Warri, Delta State, ChiefWilson Eboh, has calledfor the peace and unityamong residents of Warri,irrespective of ethnic na-tionality.

The Otota made the callwhen members of the War-ri Rebirth Initiative, WRI,visited the Okere-Urhobopeople on the demise oftheir royal father, Okum-agba I, Chief BenjaminOkumagba, at his resi-dence in Warri.

Chief Eboh said broth-erly love should be al-lowed to continue, andthat whatever might havehappened in the pastshould be put behind forthe people to live togeth-er as one in Warri.

Eboh noted that the com-ing together of the Itseki-ri, Urhobo and Ijaw inWarri was not by accidentbut divine and urged thethree ethnic groups to livetogether as one, addingthat same will encourageoutsiders to join handswith them to develop thearea.

In a condolence letter

read by the chairman ofWRI, Mr. Kes Agbosa, heeulogized the late Oro-suen for living a life wor-thy of emulation.

VISIT: Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan (middle), World Bank's Director, Finance andPrivate Sector Development, African Region, Mr.Gaiv Tata and Commissioner for Economic Planning,Mr. Kenneth Okpara, during a courtesy call on the governor by the World Bank team, at GovernmentHouse, Asaba, yesterday.


Soldiers allegedly beat driverto death in Edo

B E N I N — S O LDIERS from the Ni-

gerian Army School of Sup-ply and Transport (S & T)Ugbowo, Benin, Edo State,have allegedly beaten a busdriver, Isaac Onaiwu, 48, todeath.

HEARING OF ITSEKIRI PETITION ON AMNESTY: From right, Chairman House Committee onPublic Petition, Mr. Uzor Azubike; Mr. Hassan Sali and Mr. Daniel Reyenieju, during the Public PetitionHearing on the non-inclusion of former armed Itsekiri youths in the Post-Amnesty Programme, atNational Assembly. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.

Court dissolves Edo LG Caretaker C'tteesBY GABRIEL

ENOGHOLASE

Orubebe attributes delay on E-WestRoad to paucity of funds

Dickson signs revised 2012 budget ofN238bn into law

A B U J A — M I N I STER of Niger Delta

Affairs, Elder GodsdayOrubebe, has attributedthe slow pace of work onthe East-West Road, trans-versing the Niger Delta

region, to poor releases offunds to the Ministry forthe project, which he saidwill be completed by De-cember 2014.

Presenting his minis-try’s stewardship, yester-day in Abuja, at the on-going Ministerial Plat-form to mark this year’s

National Democracy Day,Orubebe expressed con-cern that paucity of fundsmay delay the actualisa-tion of the master plan forthe region.

He noted that his min-istry’s major achievementremains sustained peaceand security in the region,which had boosted thenation’s oil productioncapacity from pre-amnes-ty level of 700,000 bpd to2,600,000 bpd.

Orubebe explained thatthe East-West Roadproject, which his minis-try inherited from the Min-istry of Works in 2009 at10 percent completion,lacked the requisite de-signs, hence more fundwas expended on rede-signing the road. He wasoptimistic that the project,which was now 50 per centdone, under his Ministrywill be completed beforeDecember 2014.

BY MITAIRE IKPEN

YENAGOA—GOVERNOR Seriake

Dickson of Bayelsa State,has signed the revised2012 budget of N238 bil-lion into law.

At a brief ceremony atGovernment House,Yenagoa, Dickson, saidthe new budget will

make way for massiveconstruction work in thevarious sectors of thestate.

Dickson had with-drawn an earlier budgetproposal sent to the As-sembly by the immediatepast administration togive way for the newbudget.

A proposal of aboutN217bn was forwarded to

the Assembly on April 23,this year for considera-tion, a process that tookthe House, 23 days topass.

Dickson thanked theSpeaker, Mr. KomboweiBenson and the Housefor the speedy passageof the Appropriation Bill.

He said the journey ofrestoration had com-menced with the signingof the budget into lawand called on the law-makers to join in theprocess of rebuilding thestate.

BY SAMUEL OYADON-GHA

BENIN—EDO StatePeoples Democrat-

ic Party, PDP, has calledon security agencies inthe state to investigatethe alleged looting ofcouncil funds and prop-erty by transition chair-men, following their sackby a state High Court sit-ting in Ekpoma.

The court had, in thesuit by Mr. TonyOkoigene against theEdo State governor andothers, set aside the res-olution of the Edo StateHouse of Assembly ofJune 1, 2011 which ex-tended the tenure of thelocal government areachairmen, among others.

Meanwhile, the stateCommissioner for Infor-mation and Orientation,Mr. Louis Odion, whoconfirmed the court’sjudgment, said that thestate government wouldappeal against same.

Similarly, transition

caretaker committeechairman, Mrs. StellaOkoro, who was accusedof impropriety, has chal-lenged PDP and Mr.Okharedia Ihimekpen tosubstantiate their allega-tions, adding, “theyshould first find out fromthe council, my overheadand salary before makingthe allegation. They arejust doing this to black-mail the council.”

PDP, in a statement byMr. Ihimepen, Director

of Publicity, said the callon the security agentsbecame important to pro-tect the councils’ proper-ty. He called on the coun-cil workers and NationalUnion of Local Govern-ment Employees,NULGE, to protect gov-ernment property

The party said that itwas drawing the atten-tion of the public to theaction by yet-to-be-iden-tified persons of lootingcouncils funds and prop-

erty, following a courtjudgment of May 16,2012 declaring the localgovernment councilscaretaker committees inthe state, illegal.

”Information is also rifethat the sacked Caretak-er Committee membersand some staffers of thecouncils especially inEsan West Local Govern-ment Area are involvedin this act of looting bothfunds and materialitems."

Okotie-Eboh charges leaderson insecurity

WARRI—NIGERIANpolitical leaders have

been urged to unite behindPresident GoodluckJonathan and ensure thatthe problem of security insome parts of the countrywas brought to an end soon.

Son of the first republicMinister of Finance, Mr.Emmanuel Okotie-Eboh,noted in Warri, Delta State,yesterday, that if differentparty leaders could cometogether at a birthday lec-ture, then they could speakagainst insecurity threaten-ing the unity of the coun-try.

Okotie-Eboh, Chairmanof Itsekiri Cultural Renais-sance, said if personalitiessuch as General T. Y.Danjuma, Gen. JeremiahUseni, Asiwaju BolaTinubu, Senator KenNnamani and Gen.Muhammadu Buhari couldattend the birthday lectureof Chairman and Publisherof Leadership NewspapersGroup, Sam Nda-Isaiah,“then there is no time to putblame at the doorstep ofone political party but allparties should share in theblame of why there is inse-curity in our country.”

Elder brother of the de-ceased, Mr. Matthew Ona-iwu, who spoke to journal-ists in Benin, yesterday,said his late brother, whooperated a campus shuttlebus between the Universi-ty of Benin and Ring Road,on Tuesday, collided with acar belonging to an ArmyLieutenant.

BY GABRIELENOGHOLASE


New Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, Engr Mustafa Balar-abe Shehu and Minister of Works, Arc Mike Onolememen during a visit.

Oko poly disowns femalerobbery suspect paraded bySSS

BY VINCENT UJU-MADU

AWKA—THE FederalPolytechnic, Oko,

Anambra State yesterdaysaid the female suspectparaded by the StateSecurity Service, SSS,along with eight others overalleged robbery was not astudent of the institution.

23-year-old MissBlessing Orji was arrestedwith her boyfriend in a hotelin Awka during which shetold officials of SSS that shewas an accounting studentof Federal Polytechnic, Oko,

Public Relations Officer,PRO, of the Polytechnic,Mr. Obini Onuchukwu, ina statement, said from theschool records, MissBlessing Orji, who was oneof the paraded suspects andwho claimed to be a studentof the institution, was nevera student of thepolytechnic..

According toOnuchukwu, theaccountancy department ofthe Polytechnic where thesuspect claimed shebelonged had gonethrough the records anddiscovered that the suspectwas never a student in thatdepartment.

The PRO stated thatstudents of the Polytechnicwere currently preparingfor the first semesterexamination, adding thatthe said Orji was probablypaid to tarnish the imageof the polytechnic.

He said the report wasnot only misleading but alsounfortunate, regretting thatsuch reports could presentthe polytechnic in bad light.

He said: “The FederalPolytechnic Oko because ofthe tremendoustransformation witnessed inthe last two years remainedone of the most soughtinstitutions by students.

Nigeria, India top globalmaternal deaths — UNINDIA and Nigeria

together accounted for athird of the deaths ofpregnant women globally in2010, latest UN figures said,even as maternal deathsdeclined by nearly half inthe past two decades dueto improvement in healthsystems and increasedfemale education. Globally, an estimated287,000 women died inpregnancy and childbirth in2010, a decline of 47 percent from levels in 1990,with Sub-Saharan Africaand Southern Asiaaccounting for 85 per centof the those maternaldeaths, according to areport on trends in maternalmortality between 1990 to2010 released by UNPopulation Fund (UNFPA),World HealthOrganisation, UNChildren‘s Fund and theWorld Bank. At the country level, Indiaand Nigeria accounted fora third of global maternaldeaths, with India at 19 percent (56,000) and Nigeriaat 14 per cent (40,000). The global MaternalMortality Rate, MMR, in2010 was 210 maternaldeaths per 100,000 livebirths, down from 400maternal deaths per100,000 live births in 1990. Another eight countries ,Democratic Republic of theCongo (15,000), Pakistan(12,000), Sudan (10,000),Indonesia (9,600), Ethiopia(9,000), Tanzania (8,500),Bangladesh (7,200) andAfghanistan (6,400) ,account for the nearly 40per cent of the globalmaternal deaths. The report said every twominutes a woman dies ofp r e g n a n c y - r e l a t e dcomplications like severebleeding after child birth,infections, high bloodpressure during pregnancyand unsafe abortion. However, there has beensome progress in providingimproved health care topregnant women which hasresulted in deaths being cutby half over the past twodecades, the report added. "In addition toimprovement in healthsystems, other factorsoutside the health sectorsuch as increased femaleeducation and increasedphysical accessibility tohealth facilities could becontributory factors,” it said. The MillenniumDevelopment Goals reportof 2011 indicates thatimprovement in the past twodecades is also due to theproportion of deliveries

FG handling of foreignairlines: Nigerians expressappreciation

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

OWERRI—MORENigerians have

expressed happiness overthe way the FederalGovernment stood itsground in tackling theannoying exploitation andmaltreatment of its citizensby foreign airlines andembassies.

Speaking to Vanguard,the Vice Chairman, ActorsGuild of Nigeria, AGN, ImoState Chapter, ComradeEvarestus Emeka,described the FederalGovernment’s interventionas commendable, timely

and a sure proof that it wasno longer business asusual.

He was particularlyhappy with the Minister ofState 1 for Foreign Affairs,and Minister of Aviation,Prof (Mrs.) Viola Onwuiliriand Mrs. Stella Oduah,respectively, for setting thetone of the current crusade.

“A situation whereNigerians are exploited anddehumanized is veryhumiliating. The long waitat foreign embassies, aswell as the puerile reasonsgiven to deny Nigeriansdeserved visas, is equallycondemnable,” Emekasaid.

attended by skilled healthpersonnel in developingregions rising from 55 percent in 1990 to 65 per centin 2009. Similarly, the proportionof women who wereattended to by skilledhealth-care personnel atleast once duringpregnancy increased from64 per cent to 81 per cent,while the proportion ofwomen aged 15-49 yearswho use any method of

contraception also increasedfrom 52 per cent to 61 perc e n t . More recently, the rapidroll-out of antiretroviraltherapy in sub-SaharanAfrica to HIV-positivewomen, from 10 per cent in2000 to 55 per cent in 2010,improves the chances ofsurviving the additionaldemands of pregnancy. "Improvement in thecoverage of these health-care interventions over the

past two decades may havecontributed to improvedoutcomes. However,disparities exist, within andacross regions,” the reportsaid, adding that EasternAsia, which experiencedthe greatest MMR decline,has a contraceptiveprevalence rate of 84 percent as opposed to only 22per cent in sub-SaharanAfrica, the region with oneof the lowest MMRd e c l i n e s .

Lawyers protest in Aba, callfor transfer of judge

BY ANAYO OKOLI

Say she treated them with disdain

ABA—LAWYERS inAba, Abia State,

yesterday, called fortransfer of Justice TheresaUzokwe for treating themwith levity. Not even theintervention of the ActingChief Judge, JusticeShedrack Nwanosike,could stop the lawyers’protest.

The lawyers accused theJudge of not accordinglawyers respect, allegingthat she treated them withdisdain. For example, theyalleged that on more thantwo occasions, she hadpunished lawyers whosecell phones rangunknowingly in the court.

In one instance, theyalleged that JusticeUzokwe stood a lawyer upfor two hours behind thedock as a punishment in thepresence of litigantsbecause his cell phonerang, while in another caseshe was said to have askedan elderly lawyer to kneeldown for the same offence.

Yet in another case, she

was said to have directedher police orderly to smashthe phone of a lawyer, inspite of appeals fromChairman of Aba branch ofNBA, Mr. Charles Eduzor.

On the strength of theseallegations, the lawyers on

Monday picketed HighCourt 2 which she presidesover, and in a resolutionthat preceded the picketing,Aba NBA called on theNJC to either retire orremove Uzokwe as a Judgeof High Court of Abia State.


S-East PDP blasts Buhari

BY TONY EDIKE

BY MOSES NOSIKE

Nwobu-Alor dismissesexpulsion from APGA

SPECIAL Adviser toGovernor Peter Obi on

Parks and Markets inAnambra State, ChiefNwobu-Alor, has describedhis expulsion from APGA byVictor Umeh as illegal,vexatious, null and voidand of no effect whatsoever.

According to him, the socalled state executive ofAPGA is not elected bycongress as required byconstitution, buthandpicked and installedby Victor Umeh. He addedthat the party’s constitutionstatedthat the executive waselected through ward localgovernment and statecongresses, saying for thepast seven years, no ward,local government or state

Sen Okonkwo tasks S-Eastgovs on development

congress had been held,which meant that stateexecutive of APGA did notexist.

He said: “It therefore hasno powers whatsoever tosanction or expel any partymember.

“Umeh simply orderedhis illegal cronies to call apress conference andannounce my expulsion tothe world in order toimpugn my integreity andthat of Anambra StateGovernor".

“I and my two colleaguesare still members of APGAand will continue to bemembers until Victor Umehis removed and the partyrestructured.” Therefore,the talk of expulsion by anillegal gang is a misnomerand a joke of the year," hesaid.

SENATOR AnnieOkonkwo has charged

governors of the South Eastto initiate a regionaldevelopmental agenda thatwill make the zone envy ofNigerians.

Okonkwo, in a statementby his Media Adviser, andCoordinator, Congress forIgbo Renaissance, Mr.Collins Ugwu, bemoanedunequal number of statesin the regions, a situationhe believe had left anirreparable economic andpolitical trauma in the SouthEast geopolitical zone.

“Now, our governorsshould rise to the occasionwith one accord and giveus a deliverable idea-packed regional blueprint,that will commandacceptance and guaranteerapid transformation of ourlandscape for good,” saidSenator Okonkwo, who

represented Anambra Statein the sixth Senate.

On why a South Eastblueprint should be the best,he noted that “ourrenowned experts in allfields of endeavour andindustry are the consultantsothers pursue to hire locallyand internationally.

“The political will toharness their global talentsfor a transformative turnaround is the major key, notthe costs,” he said.

Emphasizing the need forurgency, the Senatorcautioned that “as ourpeople once again returnhome in droves from unjustdisplacements in theirplaces of abode and trade,especially from the north,our balm of hope for themmust be visible in action,since rehearsed lyrics ofapologies will certainly notbe music to their ears.

Wants him to guard utterances

ENUGU—THE PeoplesDemocratic Party, PDP,

South East zone, yesterday,joined other Nigerians incondemning recent com-ments by former militaryhead of state, Gen Muham-madu Buhari, in which hethreatened bloodshed if the2015 elections were rigged,saying his statement was“incendiary and bereft ofpatriotic intent.” A statement by the Na-tional Vice Chairman ofPDP in the zone, Col Aus-tin Akobundu (rtd), ap-plauded the prompt re-sponse from the Presiden-cy and the party to GenBuhari’s unfortunate out-bursts.

It also commended Pres-ident Goodluck Jonathanfor showing restraintagainst the heckling of op-position politicians aimed atdistracting him from prose-cuting his transformationa g e n d a . The party said Gen Bu-hari’s unwarranted and pro-vocative statement was ca-pable of inciting more vio-lence in a country alreadyracked by serious securityc h a l l e n g e s . The statement read: “Wein the South East havegood reason to be appre-hensive anytime politicalleaders try to stoke up sec-tarian violence through in-flammatory speech. Givenour bitter experience, thosewho employ violence toserve political ends are nev-

er caught in the crossfire.“Their victims, regretta-

bly, have mainly been southeasterners, youth corpsmembers, church worship-pers, business people or in-nocent bystanders. . "We call on our politicalleaders to guard their utter-ances and eliminate therhetoric of violence fromtheir repertoire, so that

peace will reign. We needpeace for development andp r o g r e s s .“The South East PDP lead-er advised General Buharito continue to lend his voiceto matters of national impor-tance but should do so withthe measured tact of anelder statesman.

“Politics apart, it is impol-itic for a person of his state-

BY GODWIN ORITSE

FG to concessionApapa-Oshodi expressway

LAUNCH—From left: Mr James Awoniyi, Member, Cassava Value Chain Office; Mrs Folusho Olaniy-an, MD/CEO UTC Nigeria Plc; Dr Paul Orhii, DG, NAFDAC; and Mr Niyi Alabi, HR Manager, NigeriaBrewerias Plc during the launch of cassava-based bread by UTC Nigeria Plc in Lagos, yesterday. Photo:Biodun Ogunleye.

THERE are indicationsthat the Federal Gov-

ernment may have decid-ed to concession the Apa-pa-Oshodi expressway fol-lowing failed attempts toensure the road is free oftraffic gridlock.

The decision to conces-sion the road leading to theports in Lagos was as a re-sult of the cost of repair andmaintenance, while theconcession option was theonly viable one for govern-ment .

Vanguard gathered thatpaucity of funds which hascrippled the rehabilitationof the failed Apapa–Osho-di expressway was also an-other reason which the gov-ernment considered.

The Federal Governmentat a time considered alter-native funding options forthe project and it has nar-rowed it down to conces-sioning.

Vanguard confirmed fromsources close to the Minis-try of Works that the wholestretch from Apapa to Os-hodi and the Murtala Mo-hammed International Air-port, MMIA, would behanded over to the privatesector.

The source also hintedthat government is worriedabout the state of the roadand that the on-going re-habilitation has beenslowed down.

“It was the Minister ofWorks who brought theidea of alternative fundingfor the project and it wastabled at the Federal Exec-

utive Council, FEC, meet-ing which has sailedthrough”, the source add-ed.

He also hinted that gov-ernment is however, still ata loss as to how to go aboutit, since the rehabilitationwork is already being fund-ed by it.

According to him, bring-ing a concessionaire at thispoint may pose some prob-lems.

He, however, specificallystated that it would be exe-cuted through a Public Pri-vate Partnership, PPP, ar-rangement, details of whichare still being worked out.

Already, construction gi-ant, Julius Berger has com-menced work on the roadwhich would be handedover to a private firm forproper management

ly standing and someonewho has fought for the uni-ty of this country to descendinto the arena of tenden-tious demagogy.”The party, however, notedthat since the 2011 electionswere over, everyone mustnow join hands with theman who won the popularvote, President Jonathan, tomove the country forward.

BY CHARLES KUMO-LU

Daily Times: Forum slams AGF

SOUTH East Forum forJustice and Economic

Empowerment, SEFJEE,has called on PresidentGoodluck Jonathan to callthe Attorney General of theFederation, AGF, AlhajiMohammed Adoke to or-der, over his position on theprivatization of Daily Timesof Nigeria.

It also alleged that theAGF had misled the Fed-eral Government and thegeneral public on the saleof Daily Times of Nigeriato Anosike brothers.

In a statement by its Ex-ecutive Secretary, Mr Des-mond Okere, the forumcondemned the decision ofthe Justice Minister to in-stitute criminal proceed-ings against the Anosikebrothers and their compa-ny Folio Communicationsagainst the order of the In-spector General of Police.

According to him, “weare quite aware that the casewhich the AGF institutedagainst the Anosikes andFilio Communications Lim-ited has been dismissed incourt because the AGF can-not muster enough facts toprosecute the case.


AGM: From left— Mrs Chioma Madubuko, Company Secretary; Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman, andEngr. Abdulahi Sule, Managing Director, all of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, at the company's 6th AnnualGeneral Meeting in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

Conduct council polls, Repsurge 25 govs

Nigeria to put man in space by 2015

ABUJA—HOUSE ofRepresentatives,

yesterday, called on thegovernors of the 25 stateswhere caretaker chairmenrun the affairs of localgovernments, to putmeasures in place toconduct elections into thecouncils.

This, according to theReps, is to ensure that alllocal government chair-men are duly elected.

However, a prayer thatallocations to such localgovernments besuspended was rejectedas members argued thatsuch action would beunconstitutional.

Sponsor of the motion,Friday Itulah, noted thatlocal governments in 25states of the federation“are run by stategovernment illegally inthe name of caretakercommittees.”

He listed the states toinclude: Abia, Adamawa,Akwa Ibom, Anambra,Bauchi, Benue, Borno,Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Gombe,Imo, Kano, Kaduna,Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi,Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo,Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Yobeand Zamfara states.

According to Itulah, thesystem of appointingcaretaker committees tohead local government isalien to, and in violationof Section 7 (1) of the 1999Constitution (asamended).

He said: “If this is notchecked, it may bring thecountry to a lawlessstate.”

In his contribution,Ahmed Nasir noted thatthe appointment ofcaretaker chairmen to runthe affairs of local councils“is a clear violation of theconstitution of Nigeria.The caretakers are notrepresentatives of the

people; there is no way wecan have development inthe local governmentareas if they are under

caretaker.”The minority Whip of

the House, SamsonOsagie, said by

appointing caretakerchairmen, “the states arein breach of section sevenof the constitution. The

intention of having localgovernment areas is toensure that governancegets to the grassroots.”

‘Caretaker c'ttee unconstitutional’

BY BEN AGANDE

ArmedForcesready forany crisis—Minister

ABUJA—DEFENCEMinister, Dr. Bello

Mohammed, said,yesterday, that the ArmedForces were in a state ofcombat readiness needed tosurmount all issues ofinsecurity, internal orexternal. He said govern-ment has ensured this byfunding the requirementsof the different arms of themilitary.

Speaking at theministerial platformorganised by the Ministryof Information andCommunication in Abuja,the minister noted that thestate of combat readinesswas achieved following therepairs and upgrading of anumber of ArmouredFighting Vehicles andArmoured PersonnelCarriers for the NigerianArmy.

He also said theacquisitions of the warship,NNS Thunder, and anumber of Shaldag FastPatrol Boats for the Navy,in addition to existingweaponry for the twoservices, had made themcombat-ready.

The minister said theF7Ni Supersonic Jetfighter had been acquiredby the Nigeria Air Force,even as M-35-Helicoptershad been retrofitted, whileSuper Puma Helicoptersand Alpha-jets hadundergone upgradingand re-inducted.

Mohammed said: “We(Ministry of Defence)have also refurbishedsome of our C-130HAircraft in the NAFinventory.”

He noted that the mini-stry placed great empha-sis on the welfare of perso-nnel of the armed forces.

BY KINGSLEYOMONOBI

ABUJA—MINISTER ofScience and

Technology, Prof. ItaBassey, said yesterday thatNigeria would by 2015 putits first set of astronauts in space.

He also said technologytransfer agreementsbetween Nigerianentrepreneurs and theirtechnical partners abroadsaved Nigeria over N16billion between May 2011and March 2012.

Bassey, who spoke at the2012 ministerial platform,One Year Score Card,organised by Ministry ofInformation in Abuja, saidtraining of the first set ofastronauts to be sent tospace would sooncommence.

On savings from

technology transferagreements, the ministersaid: “The highest amountof money that was savedwas in September 2011 withover N5.3 billion followedby N3.8 billion. The lowestamount was N89.8 millionin August 2011.

“Nigeria shall vigorouslypursue the attainment ofspace capabilities as anessential tool for the socio-economic development andenhancement of the qualityof life of its people.

“20 technologies aretransferred on weekly basis

through training forestablishments of smallmedium enterprises. Theseinclude, instant poundedyam flour, fruit juiceproduction, cassava products(chips, adhesives, starch,flour), instant fufu flour,baking and confectioneries.”

BY LAIDE AKINBOADE

... as FG trains 1m youths

ABUJA—AS part ofefforts to restore the

country’s industrial sectorto its glorious days, theFederal Government hasconcluded plans to train onemillion youths through theNational IndustrialRevolution Plan, NIRP, tocreate employment, wealthand reduce poverty.

Disclosing this, yesterday,at the National IndustrialSkills Development, NISD,Forum organised by theIndustrial Training Fund,ITF, and the Small andMedium Scale EnterprisesDevelopment Agency,SMEDAN, in Abuja, theMinister of Trade and Invest-ment, Olusegun Aganga,said the NIRP and NISDprojects were part of hisministry’s plans to carry outa complete turnaround of thecountry’s industrial fortunes.

According to him, nonation can truly beindustrialised without

adequate skilled manpower.He said the action planwould ensure that onemillion Nigerian youths weretrained every year in differentareas of skills acquisition.

Aganga said: “I am notblaming anybody but the

available indices and whatother countries like Brazil,South Africa and the AsianTigers have done with lesspotentials show that a lot ofthings had been wrongwith our approach andpolicies in the past.”

BY FAVOURNNABUGWU &

PRISCILLA BADUGU

APGA ratifies expulsionof Obi's SA, 2 others

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

ABUJA—NATIONALleadership of All

Progressives GrandAlliance, APGA, has ratifiedthe expulsion of Nwobu-Alor, Special Adviser toGovernor Peter Obi ofAnambra State, and twoothers, saying the statechapter of the partyfollowed due process toreach the decision.

APGA’s National PublicitySecretary, Benard Akoma,in a statement issued inAbuja, said: “Contrary todenials by Nwobu-Alor thathe was not properly intima-ted by the disciplinary panel

investigating any allega-tions against him, theNational Executive has it ongood authority that dueprocess was properlyfollowed by the statechapter, including theserving of the affectedmembers with invitationletters, personally.

“This fact is confirmed bythe presence of the othertwo accused members of theparty before the panel todefend themselves.

“The refusal of Nwobu-Alor to respond to theinvitation of the party wasjust one more piece ofevidence of his disdain andinsubordination.”

FG reviews projects, consultancy remunerations

ABUJA—FEDERALGovernment has

reviewed road projects andremunerations paid roadconsultants in the country,with a view to prioritisingprojects and saving money.

Minister of Works, MikeOnolememen, disclosedthis yesterday in Abujawhen he received in hisoffice the executivemanagement of Nigerian

Society of Engineers, NSE,led by its President, Engr.Mustapha Shehu.

Onolememen told theengineers that the decisionto prioritise and reviewconsultants’ remunerationwas reached at the FederalExecutive Councilmeeting.

He said: “The matter wasdiscussed by the FederalExecutive Council, FEC,meeting where we took thedecision. It is not just aboutpaying engineers for idle

time. We are even sayingthat we do not want to crea-te that kind of down time inour projects any more

”There are certain criteriathat will henceforth driveour projects and topmost onthe criteria is theprioritisation of projectsbased on availability offunds. We will nolongerspread the little funds onmany projects that may notbe active for more than twomonths and then have 10months of down time.”

BY FAVOURNNABUGWU

CMYK


Explosions rock primary schools in Kano

VISIT: From left— Mr. Sunday Adepoju, Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committe on Rules and Business; Dr. ShamsuddeenUsman, Minister of National Planning; Mr. Mulikat Akande-Adeola, House Leader, and Alhaji Abdulahi Yola, Solicitor-General,during the minister's visit to the National Assembly, Wednesday.

FCTA plans5,000housing units

Benue, Borno record 616,396HIV/AIDS cases, 2,384 TB, 158 lepers

KANO—MULTIPLEexplosions rocked two

primary schools in KanoState, yesterday, nightresulting in the destructionof two units of classroomblocks.

The affected schoolsinclude the Ja’in locatedat Kumbotso LocalGovernment andHotoron Arewa inNasarawa Local Area inthe municipality.Security sources toldVanguard: “Theexplosions went offsimultaneously around7.30pm.”

Vanguard furthergathered that theattackers of HotoroArewa Primary Schoolcame on a motorcycleand threw explosivesinto a new storeybuilding due forcommissioning soon.The explosion blew offthe roof.

The source furtherexplained that the attacktriggered pandemoniumand forced night life toa halt as peoplescampered for safety.

However, at Ja’inPrimary School locatedat the heart of IndustrialEstate Phase 2, fewvehicles parked withinthe premises of theschool had theirwindscreen blown off,while the roofing of aunit of classroom wasshattered.

The midweek attack onthe Islamiyya and pro-western educationalinstitution is the first ofsuch attack in the citysince Kano came underattack on January 20. Nogroup has yet claimed

responsibility for theattacks. Security agenciessaid that “investigationshave commenced tounravel theperpetrators.”

Confirming the incidentin a telephone interviewwith Vanguard, the JointTask Force, JTF,

Spokesman in the state,Lt. Iweha Ikediche, said:“Some ImprovisedExplosive Devices, IEDs,went off within thepremises of two primaryschools last night.Counter terrorismpersonnel were deployedto the scene for

necessary action.”On his part, the

Deputy Public RelationsOfficer of Kano StatePolice Command,Magaji Majia said: “Aportion of a building wassubstantially damaged,while few cars parkedwithin the premises of

Ja’in Primary School losttheir wind shields.

“The anti-bombdisposal unit personnelrecovered and defusedfour IEDs abandoned atthe scene of theincident,” while callingon the general public toremain calm.

BY ABDULSALAMMUHAMMAD

MAKURDI—BENUEand Borno states

have expressed alarmover the prevalence ofHIV/AIDS in the areasput at 616,396. BenueState Government madethis known as theMedical Director of theFederal MedicalCentre, Makurdi, Dr.Mathias Oyigeya,asked the FederalGovernment toes tabl ish morehospitals to handle theissue in the state, whileBorno State blamed thehigh incidence of thedisease on the pastadministrations’ lack ofinterest in combatingits spread.

Statistics

The Commissioner forHealth in Benue State,Dr. Orduen Abunku,said there were 600,000cases of HIV/AIDS inthe area , whi le h isBorno Statecounterpart, Dr. SalmaKolo, put the figure at16 ,396, wi th 2 ,384others suffering fromtuberculosis, and 158

were leprosy patients.The Medical Director

who spoke tonewsmen, yesterday,in Makurdi, said thecall for establishmentof more hospi ta lsbecame necessary inview of the highburden of infectiousdiseases l ike HIV/AIDS, Hepat i t i s ,tuberculosis, amongothers, which he saidwere more pronounced

across Benue State.Oyigeya lamented

that the state laggedbehind in theestablishment of healthinst i tut ions, not ingthat many states withlesser population ofHIV/AIDS cases thanBenue had more thantwo or three FederalGovernment heal thinstitutions. He saidone federal hospitalwas not enough for the

population of the state.He said: “Benue has

4.6 million people andEdo, for instance, has 3.2million. Whereas Edo hasthree federal hospitals, twoteaching hospitals and apsychiatric hospital,Benue bears the heaviestdisease burden in thecountry, apart fromhepatitis, tuberculosis,among others. So we de-serve a federal infectiousdisease hospital.”

BY PETER DURU &NDAHI MARAMA

ABUJA—FEDERALCapital Territory

Administration, FCTA, hasdisclosed plans to constructabout 5,000 affordable masshousing units before theend of the year.

Minister of State for theFCT, Oloye Akinjide, madethis known, yesterday, atthe Ministerial Platformorganised by the Ministryof Information in Abuja tocommemorate the one yearin office of PresidentGoodluck Jonathan.

BY FAVOURNNABUGWU

Plateau can't win war against media— LP

GUSAU—ZAMFARAState Government has

rehabilitated two menwhose hands wereamputated under the Sharialaw about 12 years ago.

The amputees are BelloBuba, who reportedly stolea cow, and Mallam LawaliIsa, who confessed that hestole a set of bicycles.

The first victim of the ShariaLaw, Buba, has been givenN500,000 to start cow rearingbusiness, while Isa is now acement distributor in Gusau,courtesy of the stategovernment.

Former Governor of thestate, Senator AhmedYerima, whose administra-tion introduced the law,facilitated their rehabilita-tion by the government,following persistentcomplaints by the victims.

Sharia:ZamfararehabilitatesamputeesBY SAMINU IBRAHIM

BAUCHI—AS part of itsefforts to reduce the rate

of unemployment in BauchiState, the government hasdistributed 210 tricycles onloan to members of tricycleand Achaba riders(commercial motorcyclists)associations across the 20local government areas inthe state.

Governor Isa Yuguda,while commissioning thetricycles, yesterday, at the StyerNigeria Company Limited inBauchi, said that the first batchof 293 tricycles distributed lastyear on loan in the 20 localgovernment areas of the statehad been liquidated by theirbeneficiaries.

Bauchidistributes210 tricycles

BY SUZAN EDEH

JOS—SPOKESMAN ofthe Labour Party in

Plateau State, Mr. SylvanusNamang, has described asunfortunate the strainedrelationship betweenjournalists and the stategovernment blaming it onwhat he called“ f u n d a m e n t a lparochialism” of theadministration, saying thestate government “cannotwin the war.”

Reacting to thethreatened boycott ofcoverage of governmentactivities by journalists and

the reaction of thegovernment’s publicists, hesaid other sectors of the statehad faced worst times underthe administration.

Namang faulted theattitude of those ingovernment who think thestate media alone can giveadequate publicity togovernment’s activities.He said it was unheard of,even under militaryadministrations, that agovernor would beshielded from journalists forabout five years as had beenalleged, saying the currentface-off was unnecessaryand avoidable.

He said: “Other strata ofthe state’s economy have

passed through worst timesunder the Jangadministration. Once hehas got to this kind oftrouble with the press, it isclear that the man hasfailed and there is noway he can win the war.”

C o r r e s p o n d e n t sChapel of the NigeriaUnion of Journalists,NUJ, in the state had,Monday, resolved toboycott the stategovernment’s activitiesover her inability to endthe protracted crises inthe state which hadincreasingly exposedjournalists to danger inthe course of their duties,among other issues.

BY TAYE OBATERU

Donu Kogbara SSSSSwwwwweeteeteeteeteet & & & & & SOURSOURSOURSOURSOUR

Responses to:[email protected] to 0802 747 6458 (textsonly). PLEASE KINDLYNOTE THAT UNLESSYOU SPECIFICALLY

REQUEST ANONYMITY,YOUR COMMENTS MAY

BE PUBLISHED INVANGUARD, WITH YOURNAMES AND NUMBERSOR EMAIL ADDRESSES

ATTACHED.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2012 — 17

ST Vincent’s Clinic/Maternity in Kubwa, Abuja,

is run by Catholic nuns - theDaughters of Charity. The es-sential work these selfless rev-erend sisters are doing is un-der threat because the build-ing they occupy is due to bedemolished to make way for alight railway line.

The Daughters of Charitycame into the Archdiocese ofAbuja exactly 16 years ago –in May 1996 – and immedi-ately started to provide freemobile services to occupantsof remote villages who couldnot access or affordhealthcare.

In addition to immunizingchildren and pregnantwomen, they dished out freefood to the hungry. And whenimpressed local chiefs askedthem to establish a more com-prehensive facility plus jobsfor the unemployed, the nunsgladly complied and havegone from strength tostrength. The Hospital theybuilt was built with Govern-ment approval and its staffhave not violated any rules orbroken any laws and are de-veloping an HIV RecoursesEnhancement Against Aidsand Malnutrition programme

FCTminister and St Vincent’s Clinic/Maternity

I AM sure the Daughtersof Charity share the

Pope’s view that contraceptionis sinful and will be appalledby this segment of today’s col-umn.

Even though I was born aCatholic and will always try tolive like one, I find it impos-sible to agree with theVatican’s stance on birth con-trol.

I believe that people shouldnot have big families, evenwhen they are rich, partly be-cause the world is overpopu-lated and partly because it isvery difficult to be an atten-tive parent when your atten-tions have to be thinly spread.And I was very irritated whenI read, in recent newspaperreports, that the Governmentis not ready to nag Nigerianwomen to have fewer children.

Our birth rate per woman is5.7. Britain’s, meanwhile, isless than 2. Imagine a situa-tion in which relativelywealthy women in the West

Stop breeding!as an acknowledgement thattheir contribution to society isimportant. And they have, forover four years, been beggingFCT to assist them in either ofthe following ways:

reasonable requests from suchdedicated servants of God andmankind would be taken seri-ously. But this is Nigeria, acountry in which it is easierfor bad people to thrive thanfor good people to be appre-ciated and encouraged!

Let me also sorrowfullynote that most of our

leaders are, despite payinglip service to poverty allevia-tion initiatives, not sincerelyinterested in the welfare of thepoor, even though many ofthem came from extremelypoor backgrounds and shouldtherefore feel especially sym-pathetic towards those theyleft behind at the bottom of theladder.

The Daughters of Charityhave hitherto been largelysupported by foreign indi-viduals and organisationssuch as ambassadors’ wives,the Irish Government andJulius Berger and it would benice if we Nigerians couldmake more of an effort to en-courage these wonderfulwomen.

the authorities’complete lackof interest in the imminentdemolition of Kubwa Hospital,which is a very rare exampleof a bona fide organisationdelivering services to thepoor, using every donationwith transparent accountabil-ity.

“The Nigerian nuns are su-perb healthcare professionalsand the willingness of inter-national organisations to helpin the development of thisproject over the years hasbeen due to their excellentreputation and sound alloca-tion of resources.”

When I spoke to SisterBrenda, who heads the dis-abled children’s unit, she said

that her main worry is theirpatients - 77,771 at the lastcount - who will suffer. Manyare critically ill. One wonderswhy the Daughters ofCharity’s pleas have fallen ondeaf ears and why no infor-mation about the proposeddemolition date has beenforthcoming.

The nuns are hurt by this si-lence and have no idea howmuch time they have left. Allthey know is that a positiveintervention from the FCTMinister will be warmly wel-comed.

Mobile police were recentlydeployed to the site, so it’spossible that the axe will soonfall. I will be monitoring thesituation closely and will letyou know what happens.Watch this space and text meif you want to make a dona-tion to the Daughters of Char-ity.

are having much fewer chil-dren than financially chal-lenged women in Africa! Itdoesn’t make sense.

According to the Minister ofState for Health, MohammedAli Pate (who has an overlyrelaxed attitude towards re-production issues, in my opin-ion), “Africa’s population isabout one billion now and willbe two billion by 2015…”

How on earth are all theseextra mouths going to be fedon a continent that is not ex-actly famed for handling eco-nomic challenges efficientlyand ethically?

,

,a) by building another hos-

pital for them before the ex-isting structure is bulldozed,so they can transfer to a newlocation without disruptingtheir services to the sick or

b) by providing them with an-other plot of land, adequatecompensation and sufficienttime, so they can build anotherhospital for themselves beforethe existing structure is bull-dozed.

In a normal country, such

in partnership with the Fed-eral Ministry of Health.

So can someone please tellme why Federal Capital Ter-ritory (FCT) Ministers havebeen coldly ignoring numer-ous entreaties from these re-sourceful philanthropists andtheir many advocates since2008? Letter after letter hasbeen written to no avail. TheDaughters of Charity are notopposed to the rail line. Theyjust want fair treatment as well

An expatriatewhose companyhas funded some ofthe nuns’activitiestold me that: “It isdevastating to see

FCT minister, Bala Mohammed

Can someone please explain whyFederal Capital Territory (FCT)Ministers have been coldly ignor-ing numerous entreaties fromthese resourceful philanthropistsand their many advocates since2008?

Daughters of Charity clinics and maternity at Kubwa, Abuja

OPINION

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2012

BY TOCHUKWU EZUKANMA

*Mr. Ezukanma, a commentator on national issues,wrote from Lagos.

The misplaced hope inNigerian youthsGOOD leadership is not a function of age. The world has

known great and outstanding leaders in different agebrackets. Ronald Reagan was 69 years old when he became thePresident of the United States of America. He remainedpresident until he was 77 years old. Winston Churchill firstbecame the British Prime Minister at the age of 65. His secondstint as prime minister started when he was 77 years old. At theother extreme, Theodore Roosevelt became the president of theUnited States of America at the age of was 43, John Kennedy at43, and that greatest phenomenon of the 21 Century, BarackObama, at 46.

The failure of leadership in Nigeria is indisputable. AsNigerians grope for answers for this unmitigated failure inleadership, some blame it on the domination of power byobscurantist and retrograde old guards. They argue that if theyouths can supplant these old guards, they will make betterleaders, and can unrecognisably transform Nigerian.

While youthfulness is magnificent, it is not a necessaryprerequisite for good leadership. Up until that point where itbecomes associated with senility and other forms of mental andphysical impairments, old age does not impede leadershipcapabilities. Secondly, thus far, the Nigerian youths in positionsof power have not, in anyway, distinguished themselves asleaders. Like the old guards, they are greedy, arrogant andscornful of the masses. They are world renowned for theirincompetence, political intolerance, financial dishonesty andtheft of public fund

The word youth lacks a precise definition. It becomes evenharder to define in the context of political leadership. TheNigerian constitution stipulates a minimum age of 30 years forrunning for a legislative office, and 35 for the office of thegovernor. Therefore, the most youthful politically leaders in thiscountry must, at the least, be in their 30s. These included thelikes of Orji Uzo Kalu, Chimaroke Nnamani and Demeji

Bankole who came to power still in their 30s.Incidentally, none of these men differentiated himself for his

selflessness commitment to service of the people andresponsiveness to the legitimate aspirations of the people. Likethe older leaders, they all pandered to this unconscionablesystem of ours that engenders the stupendous wealth of an elitefew and consigns the majority of Nigerians to desperate, gatelesspoverty. In their scorn for the masses and studied indifferent tothe increasing economic plights of Nigerians, none of themadvanced a more equitable distribution of the state or nationalresources. In no way was their leadership marked by highmorals and/or elevated ethics. Were they not all later indicted bythe Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) forcorrupt practices?

More than any of these youthful rulers, Dimeji Bankoleriveted the attention of the country. Like most Nigerians,

I was very impressed by the then emergent Speaker of the Houseof Representatives. Youthful, erudite and with a superb diction,he seemed a paragon of the new breed of young leaders thatNigerians longed for: a veritable president material; somethingof a future Nigerian John Kennedy or Barack Obama.

He has style, a style that is unique and uncomplicated. Hissartorial taste of light colored traditional outfit is plain,unadorned, yet dignifying. With an impressive height, statelygait and a ready smile that reveals his gap teeth, he looked everyinch debonair and cultivated - almost regal. No one in recentmemory held sway of the House of Representatives from theSpeaker’s dais with such confidence, dignity and class.

Once in office, he started off as though he was to live up to themassive hope reposed on him by the Nigerian people. He roused

the House to action and it seemed poised to live up to newstandards of probity and responsibility. It subjected the 2008budget to unprecedented scrutiny and forced the presidency torevise the budget. It started investigations into the corruptactivities in the power sector and other government agencies.

Suddenly, the Bankole led House ran out of vigor; it relapsedinto business as usual. Then, nothing was heard of theinvestigations. No report was issued and no one was indicted,how much more of being prosecuted. Obviously, no moral orethical revolution had taken place in the House. It was all ahoax - mere trumpery by a bunch of venal politicians with theirown hidden agenda. The House remained a bastion ofcorruption and the epicenter of all our moral and ethicalmaladies.

As Demji Bankole left office, series of scandals swirled aroundhim. In an egregious act of irresponsibility, he refused to honoran initiation, for questioning, from the Economic and FinancialCrime Commission (EFCC). The youthful, dashy Speaker ofthe House was ready to flee from the law. It was at the end of aprotracted stand off with law enforcement officials that hesurrendered to the EFCC.

Are we not forced to wonder about the kind of humanity ourpolitical leaders represent? If common criminals can honourinvitations, for questioning, from the police and other lawenforcement agencies, why do our “Honourables” and“Excellencies” behave like socio paths that lack moral restraintand any sense of responsibility to the society? They run and hidefrom the law and jump bail. To run from the law, hide from thelaw or jump bail is an act of unfathomable stupidity, utmostrecklessness and unpardonable disdain for the law. Do weunwittingly hitch our stars with reprobates or is the re somethingabout Nigerian politics that turns decent people intoincorrigibly bad men and women?

EXACTLY what does the National Assembly do? Nigerians should ask

again following the latest revelations thatthe National Drug Law EnforcementAgency, NDLEA, deployed 2,000untrained, yet armed operatives.

More baffling is that the Chairman of theSenate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics andAnti-Corruption, Victor Lar, tried to defendthe new and more dangerous version of thewar on narcotics, which has at least cost onelife.

Lar said NDLEA had not been allocatedany funds for training in the past four years.The agency, he said, was using weaponsthat belong to the Civil War era. None ofthese is a reason for the illegal deploymentof untrained, armed operatives.

They are not only a danger to the society,but it is doubtful if they would not harmthemselves. Last October, one suchuntrained NDLEA operative allegedlykilled Joseph Chia in Taraku, Benue State.The incident brought NDLEA to focus.

Section 80 of the Constitution invests theNational Assembly with powers over thenation’s money. The powers includeallocation of the funds. The National

Drug war gets moreDrug war gets moreDrug war gets moreDrug war gets moreDrug war gets moredangerousdangerousdangerousdangerousdangerous

Assembly, by its admission, allocatesmoney without consciousness of theimplications of its decisions.

Its committees that cater for differentaspects of national life are supposed todraw attention to the importance ofspecific items on the budget. NDLEA gotapprovals for travels, entertainment,furnishing of offices, purchase of cars andnone for training and arms.

We have no reason to doubt Lar ’srevelations. We also have every reason toblame the National Assembly for failing inits duties, as it has done in many areas,while putting up the officious face ofstudious performance. NDLEA, on its part,played silently in the conspiracy.

At regular intervals, it celebrated arrestsof drug suspects, creating the perfectpicture of an organisation with honedefficiency. How did it expect to make ascratch on the war on narcotics withuntrained personnel? Did it realise thedangers of arming untrained operatives?

Unfortunately, the same SenateCommittee that never knew the importanceof training, and presided over its omissionin NDLEA’s budget would investigate theinfraction. Is it expected to indict itself?Would it pay for the consequences of itsinaction and the loss of life in Taraku?

Where was Lar, the Committee Chairman,when NDLEA’s budget was passed withoutfunds for training? When did he know theagency had only two airport scanners andancient arms? Should individuals, whodeny responsibility for the consequencesof their leadership, still bug Nigerians withexcuses, expecting they would cover theirfailure?

The Senate should not ask a failedcommittee to investigate itself; otherwise,it sets out to underscore the futility of theinvestigation.


*Mr. Shuaibu, a policy analyst, wrotefrom Abuja.

BY HAMISU SHUAIBU

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,

,

,

LAST week’s decision of the NationalJudicial Council (NJC) to recall the

suspended President of the Court ofAppeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami, hascontinued to generate mixed reactions.Not only did the NJC which found Salamiguilty of misconduct reverse itself in themost absurd manner, the recentrecommendation is likely to put PresidentJonathan in a very unpleasant spot. Whilemany people insist that Jonathan shouldadopt the recommendation and reinstateSalami as a matter of procedure, othersurge restraint based on the issues thatbrought about his suspension last August.

Prior to Justice Salami’s suspension, thefeud between him and the former ChiefJustice of Nigeria, Justice AloysiusKatsina-Alu, had engendered bad bloodand a deep division among the nation’stopmost judicial officers. The Justiceshad, through the instrumentality of theNJC, sought an administrative resolutionof the quarrel, the process that eventuallyfound Salami guilty of misconduct,suspended him from office andrecommended to the President that heshould be compulsorily retired. Not onlywas Salami serving the suspensionaccordingly at that time, Jonathan hadacted to ensure that the vacancy createdby his exit was filled in acting capacity.

However, at its meeting in Abuja lastweek, the members had voted in favour ofrecalling Justice Salami who has been onsuspension since last August andunanimously agreed that a letter bewritten to President Goodluck Jonathanto reinstate him. Though Salami’s conductas a senior judicial officer had in themonths before that action, generated somuch controversy, Jonathan’s action wasalways going to be dressed up in politicalcolours.

Why Salami should not bereinstated

Justice Salami is alleged to haveengaged in telephone calls with politiciansto influence the outcome of electionpetitions in Osun and Ekiti states whereOlagunsoye Oyinlola and Segun Oni, bothof whom belong to the President’s party,contested. It was not surprising therefore,when members of opposition partiesalleged, unreasonably, that Jonathan hada personal score to settle with JusticeSalami. To suggest therefore that thePresident’s decision in the issue isinfluenced by ulterior motives is to beuncharitable, to say the least.

Salami’s ill-mannered tirades againstKatsina-Alu over the Sokoto governorshipcase was unbecoming of a top judicialofficer, and even before the NJC steppedin last August, many were alreadywondering what his future held in thejudiciary. Every effort to settle the debaclewas made, including a soft-landingoffered by the Justice Ibrahim Auta Panelwhich asked Salami to apologise withinone week to the former CJN, JusticeAloysius Katsina-Alu, and recommendedthat the NJC only issue him a letter ofwarning thereafter. Salami had refusedto oblige, rather he had evaded service bythe NJC Executive Secretary, HaliluDanladi, and gone to court before theexpiration of the deadline for the apology.

When eventually the NJC hammer fell,President Jonathan had no choice than toapprove the appointment of JusticeDalhatu Adamu to act as the President ofthe Court of Appeal. Relying on section238(4) of the 1999 constitution of theFederal Republic of Nigeria as amended,the President had acted on therecommendations of the NJC in a letterdated 18th August, 2011, that JusticeSalami be compulsorily retired formisconduct in accordance with theprovisions of Section 292 (1) (a) (i) of the1999 Nigerian Constitution, and Rule 1(1) of the Code of Conduct for JudicialOfficers of the Federal Republic of

Nigeria.Though this action elicited stringent

criticism from certain quarters, manytended to agree that the President’sdecision was a constitutional duty he hadno choice than to perform. If many faultedthe actions of the National JudicialCouncil (NJC) leading to Salami’ssuspension, the latest decision to recallhim—in spite of the grievous allegationson which he was found guilty-- isdownright ridiculous. The question is,should the President sweep all these underthe carpet? No, he must exercise restraint.

Besides, there are several casesinvolving Salami which are

pending in different courts, including thosetriggered by Justice Salami himselfshortly after the NJC Committee’s verdictagainst him in which the President himself,through the Attorney General of theFederation, is a defendant. The cases willdefinitely be jeopardised by any hastyaction.

Such statements for his reinstatement,coming from supposedly enlightenedquarters, is hardly guided by theprovisions of the Nigerian constitutionwhich the President swore to protect anduphold when he took the Oath of office on29th of May, 2011, or for that matter,Jonathan’s personal antecedents as a

stickler for the rule of law. PresidentJonathan has not only restrained himselffrom commenting on the Salami/NJCissue, he has been true to his policy of notinterfering, directly or indirectly, in theaffairs of the other two distinct arms ofgovernment, all of which the NigerianConstitution guarantees their distinct,separate powers.

The doctrine of separation of powersprecludes the President from interferingwith the process that resulted in Salami'ssuspension but he clearly has discretionin appointments and reinstatements,especially as this one involves misconduct.Opinions may differ on this issue but theprovisions of the constitution must prevailagainst sentiments and other exigencies.Therefore the President’s decision on therecent recommendation must not beinterpreted from the narrow standpoint ofpersonal interests, but from its widerimplications for the nation. The NBA andothers that have risen in strong support ofSalami should therefore be restrainedfrom the unnecessary haste and undueinflammation of passion.

So what should the President do in thecircumstances? For sure, PresidentJonathan has the discretion to either acton or discountenance the latestrecommendation of the National JudicialCommission, in the light of the plethoraof allegations and controversiessurrounding Salami. Every right-thinkingNigerian expects that he exercisesrestraint; he must not be stampeded intotaking a precipitate action that may befaulted in future. He should therefore stayaction on the NJC recommendation untilthe determination of the cases that arepending in court.

Granted that the constitution providesfor separation of powers among the threearms of government, the President who isvested with the power to make the finalappointment must be guided by thenational interest in arriving at a decision.As it is, Salami’s recall will ultimately dothe judiciary more harm than good, andportray the nation’s name in bad light.

For sure, PresidentJonathan has thediscretion to either acton or discountenancethe latestrecommendation of theNational JudicialCommission, in thelight of the plethora ofallegations andcontroversiessurrounding Salami

WE often do not fullyappreciate the water a

stream provides, until the rainshave subsided and the streambedis drying.

So it is with other essentialresources, some of which we tendto undervalue and even relegateto the junk-heap of unwantedpossessions.

This, unfortunately, is the fatethat has befallen land-basedtelephone lines, which ought tohave been the foundation of ourdomestic communicationssystem.

Instead, we reportedly have lostmore than 25 percent of ouroverland transmission capacityand are precariously dependenton battery powered cellularphones—which were neverdesigned to serve as a primarycommunication system.

I own more than one cellularphone; and, like most otherNigerians, I never leave homewithout one or two of them.

Land lines: We mustreturn to basics

Within the house, a mobile phoneis always nearby.

This though, hardly renders meany less concerned overNigeria’s reliance on a wirelesstelephone system—apredicament whose pitfalls werepointed out in a recent Vanguardinterview.

What intrigued me, is that theinterviewee was BanjiOyewunmi, Managing Directorat Hayes Meridian Group, aLondon-based firm that actuallysells wireless communicationssystems and equipment.

“In all seriousness,” Oyewunmiconceded to Franklin Alli, “youcan’t have everything wireless.Everything can’t be via satellite.What we are saying, is that wecan’t do without landlines…”

Oyewunmi, whose company isstaging a WirelessTelecommunication Expositionat the Shehu Musa Yar’ AduaCentre in Abuja in June (4th and5th), advised that every Nigerian

household should have “at leastone landline”.

Landlines, he observed, are notonly more reliable but they arealso cheaper and faster. “Thereis so much you can do throughland lines,” he advised, “that youcan’t do through wireless”.

No one, least of all myself—andcertainly not Oyewunmi!--issuggesting that cellular phonesbe scrapped. Nor am I giving a“thumbs-down” to theinstrument itself or contendingthat the system has failed.

Quite to the contrary, thereis a lot to say in favour of

the mobile phone. As a politician,I am naturally conscious ofcommunication democracy. Thefact that almost anyone canafford a “cell-phone,” makes thesystem inherently democratic.

I’ve not seen any statistics and

I doubt we have any because forus that is normal but I believe thatthe mass distributions of mobilephones have also helped reduceroad accidents by making itpossible for individuals tocommunicate with family andfriends and transact businesswithout travelling.

Still another advantage is therole mass communication playsin promoting trade and socialcohesion. Unlike land lines,which can be expensive, cell-phones are readily available,without the greasing ofadministrative palms.

The fact remains though, thatNigeria’s rush to adopt mobilephone technology was largelyprivately driven. We put thecommunications cart ahead thehorse. The government shouldhave lead by example.

Wireless communication isintended to augmentconventional land-basedsystems—not replace them.People who have travelled widelycan confirm that in the samecountries that manufacturecellular phones, every home hasat least one landline.

It should be the same here. Thereasons are not difficult tofathom. In fact, the shortcomingsand limitations of wirelesssystems should be obvious toanyone who owns and uses amobile phone.

First, satellite-based wirelesssystems are vulnerable to thevagaries of space weather:Sudden and sometimescataclysmic changes in the spaceenvironment. An example is thecoronal mass ejections (CMEs)that follow violent solar flares.

These eruptions send streams of

charged particles plowing intothe magnetic fields surroundingthe Earth. The interaction ofhigh-speed particles with ourplanet’s magnetic field linescreate electrical disturbancesthat can interfere with radio-wave transmission.

The occasional result is that,during an emergency situation,when time is a serious factor, yourcall will fail to connect and thescreen will flash “connectionerror” or “no network coverage”.

Space weather, of course, is notthe only source of interference.Other factors include problemswith the satellite itself, terrestrialweather conditions--such asheavy rain and associatedelectrical storms—administrative shortcomings andtechnological failure. I won’teven go into the power relatedissues. That is for anothercolumn.

At the personal level, themaintenance of cellular phonesis costly and time consuming.Batteries have to be chargedevery few hours; and any smallmishap can put your phone outof action. Alas, there is theincessant quest for “credit”.

In addition, radio waves willnot pass through metal. So if anemergency develops, and you arein metallic surroundings,receiving and sending callsbecome problematic.

I think it’s time the governmenttakes a closer look at the issue.Just like how sanitation and IGRshow how organised agovernment can be, the provisionof basic amenities direct to thepeople’s doorsteps speaksvolumes, devoid of networkinterruptions.

The fact remainsthough, thatNigeria’s rush toadopt mobilephonetechnology waslargely privatelydriven. We putthecommunicationscart ahead thehorse. Thegovernmentshould have leadby example

20 20 20 20 20 ————— VVVVVanguardanguardanguardanguardanguard, FRID, FRID, FRID, FRID, FRIDAAAAAYYYYY, MA, MA, MA, MA, MAY 18, Y 18, Y 18, Y 18, Y 18, 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012

LG, company in face-off over business premisesBY KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

IN line with the efforts of theLagos State Government to

bring sanity to the environment,the Amuwo-Odifin Local Gov-ernment Councilhas begunmoves to ensure that FestivalTown popularly called FESTAC,where the council secretariat islocated, is given a face-lift. TheTown which was referred to as‘’small London’’ in its early daysbecause of its beauty, is fast be-coming a slum due to the growthof illegal structures that havetaken over the open spaces andgreen areas. In the same vein,frontages of residential houseshave been turned into shopswhile containers have takenover the walkways. All thesemake the entire community looklike a market place.

The Amuwo-Odofin LocalGovernment Area says it is timeto begin to address the deca-dence and lawlessness in Fes-tac. Consequently, the Councilhas commenced sealing offshops and structures that arebelieved to have contravenedtown planning laws and regu-lations as well as environmen-tal sanitation laws.

While some residents of thesprawling neighbourhood ap-plauded the Council for its ef-forts to restore the lost glory ofFestac, others saw the action asan opportunity by the local gov-ernment to victimize its per-ceived enemies. According tothis group, some offenders areused as sacred cows in the on-going sanitization exercise.

One of the places sealed bythe Council is now generatingheat between the Council andmembers of Resident Associa-tions in Festac. The place iscalled Chi-Chi Stop Over Barand Restaurant located at 71Road, 7th Avenue. The Restau-rant which is owned by oneMrs. Irene Bamgbose Danielswas sealed off by the Councilon the 17th of March 2012 forallegedly not complying withthe conditions of the Council,after several cautions/ noticeshad been served on her.

A letter from the Chairman,Amuwo-Odofin Local Govern-ment Area to the proprietress ofthe Restaurant dated on March22, 2012 gave reasons why theCouncil sealed off the premises.According to the letter whichwas made available to VanguardMetro, the Council stated thus:‘’It is pertinent to remind you ofour several warnings in themanner you run your shop at71 Road which clearly demon-strates an abuse of the environ-ment where you carry out yourbusiness operations without

considering the effect on theneighbourhood.

‘’You failed to address the is-sues raised that will createfriendly environment for thebenefit of other residents in theneighbourhood. It is importantto highlight some of these is-sues to refresh our memory. Inthe first case, we complainedverbally to you that your cus-tomers park their vehicles indis-criminately along 71 Road,thereby causing avoidable traf-fic and also that your business

outlet lacks parking space.‘’We also complained verbal-

ly to you that your method ofdisposing of refuse generatedat your business premises caus-es environmental hazards andno efforts have been made byyou to find lasting solution toit, just as we complained ver-bally to you that the blaring ofmusic from your business pre-mises causes noise within theneighbourhood.

‘’We further complained ver-bally to you that your hours ofoperations last beyond the ap-proved time of 10 pm. We point-ed out that residents within theneighbourhood are not pleasedwith this practice of closing late

which allows for strangers loi-tering the area. We have there-fore resolved that before yourbusiness premises will be re-opened, the issues raised mustbe addressed satisfactorily. Yourearly address of these issues willdetermine how soon your busi-ness premises will be re-opened’’, the letter which wassigned by the Executive Chair-man of the Council, ComradeAyodele Adewale noted.

But rising to the defence of theembattled Mrs Daniels, theCommunity One Residents As-sociation, a branch of FestacTown Residents AssociationFTRA the residents deniedclaims by the Council that theMrs Daniels’s bar constituted anuisance to them. A lettersigned by Dr. Alex Edoh andMr. Toye Adewopo, Chairman

and Secretary of the Associationrespectively which stated thus:‘’We Community One ResidentsAssociation under the aegis ofFTRA hereby state that after theexecutive members of the asso-ciation met with members ofCommunity One on the prob-lem between Chi-Chi Stop OverBar and Restaurant and Amu-wo-Odofin Local GovernmentArea, the residents want theRestaurant reopened becausethe proprietress of the outfit hasbeen very cooperative.

The residents claimed that herpresence had been giving themsecurity because she engagedOPC members as security in herbusiness premises. They statedthat “since the seal up of theplace, the residents have beenexposed to fear of attack by themen of the underworld”. Ac-

cording to them she engagedthe services of Man-O-Warmen to help control traffic inthe area. “Furthermore, fromour investigation during ourmeeting, we have no doubtthat she will abide by all rulesand regulations of the localgovernment. We have gonefurther to confirm from thePSP operators in charge of thearea that Chi-Chi has beendsposing of her refusethrough them and has beenregular.

‘’We have undertaken to putmen to monitor her operationsand we will not hesitate to re-port to the Council if she de-faults in any way. We herebyappeal to you to temper jus-tice with mercy by reopeningthe place, considering thatshe had complied with statedconditions by you. She is afirst offender and she hasserved enough punishmentfor whatever she may havedone. Any further torture willamount to killing a rat with anaxe’’, the residents said.

Mrs. Daniels told VanguardMetro that she has compliedwith all conditions as demand-ed by the Council, She how-ever alleged that some uni-dentified people came andopened her business premisesa day after it was sealed andcarted away a file containingall the receipts she had ob-tained from Amuwo-OdofinLocal Government Area. pad-lock was not broken butopened its key which was notin her custody, adding that ofall files kept together in thesame place, it was only the onecontaining local governmentreceipts was stolen away.

Tanker inferno: When 38 poultry chickens, 17houses paid the price

THE National EmergencyManagement Agency

(NEMA) has confirmed that nohuman life was lost but 38 poul-try birds were killed and 17houses destroyed during amassive inferno that occurredon Saturday afternoon when apetrol tanker fell and spilledpetrol along Kaduna-AbujaExpressway.

The incident which also affect-ed a mosque, at Gangari Vil-lage of Niger State, wascaused by the tanker driver’sattempt to escape a collisionwith another long vehicle butfell down before spilling petrolin the area.

Before the fire outbreak, res-cue officers and volunteerswere mobilized to the scenewhere they warned residentsand motorists to move away, as

they evacuated the old and theweak.

Meanwhile after the recentwindstorm that pulled down achurch killing twenty two wor-shippers leaving many othersinjured in Adamgbe, Van-deikya Local Government Areaof Benue State, the NationalEmergency ManagementAgency has delivered reliefassistance to families of thosethat lost their lives and medi-caments for the affected per-sons receiving treatment.

Similarly, the agency has alsodelivered building materials toassist in the rehabilitation of theSt Finbarr Catholic Church andCOCIN headquarters that wereaffected by separate bombblasts in Jos, Plateau State andassorted medicament for thetreatment of those injured in

the incidences.Director General NEMA Al-

haji Muhammad Sani Sidi whopresented the relief materialsto the Benue State GovernorMr Gabriel Suswan at the pre-mises of the damaged churchsaid the items also includedbuilding materials to assist inthe rehabilitation of the build-ing.

He commiserated with theaffected community and saidthe items were approved to pro-vide succour in complementingthe initials response of the stategovernment to enable theirquick recovery from the disas-ter. He also commended thestate government for its re-sponse to the incidence beforecontacting the federal for theadditional support.

,

,

Your customerspark theirv e h i c l e sindiscriminatelyalong 71 Road,thereby causinga v o i d a b l etraffic; alsoyour businessoutlet lacksparking space

Chi-Chi Stop Over Bar during the seal off.


CMYK

From left: Ashveer Seeboruth, Financial Services Commission of Mauritius (FSC); Shaka Braimah, Securities andExchange Commission (SEC); Clairette Ah-Hen, FSC; Arunma Oteh, Director-General, SEC Nigeria and TundeKamali, SEC at the International Organisation of Securities Commission (IOSCO) annual conference in Beijing,China.

THE Chartered Institute ofTaxation of Nigeria (CITN)has urged

the Federal Government to appoint acompetent hand to head the FederalInland Revenue Service (FIRS). ThePresident of the institute, Mr SundayJegede, gave the advice in Lagosfollowing the retirement of Mrs IfuekoOmoigui-Okauru, as the chairman onApril 9. Jegede advised that a taxprofessional with proven recordsshould be appointed as chairman ofthe FIRS

According to Jegede, the advicebecame necessary because FIRS isvital to the transformation agenda ofthe government. He said that theheadship of a revenue body is asensitive post which should not bemanned by a mediocre. Jegede saidthat the usefulness of taxation as a toolfor economic transformation could not

CITN urges FG to appoint competent hand asFIRS chairman

be over emphasised, particularlywhen the resources needed fordevelopment projects were inadequate.

“It is necessary to reduce, if noteradicate, our over-dependence on oilrevenue, as the country’s dependenceon oil revenue has worsened. So thereis the need to appoint a tax professional

with passion to grow the countrythrough formidable tax system. As faras the appointment of FIRS chairmanis concerned, the law says someonewith relevant qualifications and theonly relevant qualification to taxationis from CITN.

“If you go to Ministry of Justice, who

will be Minister of Justice is a lawyer,you can never put an accountant orengineer there. So, the only relevantqualification to FIRS chairmanship issomeone who knows the terrain andintricacies of tax system. Nigeria shouldborrow a leaf from developed countries,”he said.

THE Federal, Lagos and OgunState Governments have

requested Cement ManufacturersAssociation (CMAN) to further bringdown the prices of cement in the marketif they are to key into the use of concretepavements technology being canvassedby the Association for the constructionof road projects in the country insteadof using asphalt.

CMAN comprises Dangote CementPLC, Lafarge WAPCO Nigeria PLC,including Cement Company ofNorthern Nigeria, Askaka Cement andUnited Cement Company UniCem,Calabar.

Keynote speaker, Robert Rodden,Director of Technical Services andProduct Development, American,Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA),said concrete pavements is now the newconstruction reality globally because ofits economic advantages over asphaltpavements. “US, Peru, China, Spain ,Bolivia, Chile including Ecuador,Pakistan, Indonesia, Mexico, etc, areamong countries that have adoptedconcrete pavements for theirinfrastructures. In Africa, it’s onlyKenya and South Africa,” he said.

In their separate positions on theoccasion of CMAN/BusinesssdayNational conference on ExploringCement -based option for sustainable

Govts seek cement price reduction before adoptionof concrete pavements

road consumption in Nigeria,government spokespersons said tthatthe cost of concrete roads is higher thanasphalt pavements.

Said the Minister of Works, ArchMike Onolememen:“It is well knownthat the while the design life of concreteroads is between 35 to 50 years asagainst 20-25 years for flexible asphaltpavement, the cost of concrete roads isconsiderably high. On the other hand,flexible asphalt pavement lendthemselves more easily to stageconstruction and also initial cost ofconstruction is lower than concretepavement but requires more frequentmaintenance,”

Similarly, Ogun State Governor,Senator Ibikunle Amosun, said thatconsidering the volume of roadsconstruction going on in the state, weare therefore interest in all viableapproaches and technology that arenot only cost effective but will makeour roads durable and stand the testtime. Let me state that ouradministration has commenced amassive road construction andrehabilitation throughout the lengthand breadth of the state. For thisreason, any technology that will makeconstruction of roads in the statecheaper and better will be fullyembraced and supported by thisadministration.”

His counterparts, Lagos State

GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola ofLagos State on Wednesday

called for the revival of thenation’s textile industries to boost jobcreation and expansion of the econo-my. Speaking at the Third Renais-sance Capital Pan-African Conferencein Lagos, Fashola lamented that thetextile sector, which used to be animportant component of the economy,was now comatose.

He said the sector was too importantto be ignored and called forappropriate government and privateinterventions to revamp it. “Thetextile sector of the Nigerian economyused to account for a large number ofworkers and was successfully run inthe past. I know Lagos had at leasttwo of them while Kano had many.Unfortunately, only a very few of themare still around. If we revive thesetextile industries, it would help a greatdeal to boost our economy,” he said.

Fashola suggested investment innew technology, nothing thatemployment of obsolete technologywas partially responsible for the nearcollapse of the sector. The governoralso urged investment in training andcapacity building of workers, statingthat it was central to the successfulrunning of the textile sector.

Speaking on the investment oppor-tunities offered by the state, Fasholasaid the government had opened op-portunities for investors in critical sec-tors under its private-public partner-ship development model. He saidthe state had put in place an enablingenvironment to guarantee investmentsin housing, energy, health, aviation,transportation and others sectors. Ear-lier, Mrs Yvonne Ike, Chief ExecutiveOfficer, Renaissance Capital, West Af-rica, noted that Nigeria, as one of thefastest growing economies in the world,had many investment opportunities. Shecalled on investors to key into some ofthe opportunities and invest in the crit-ical sectors of the nation’s economy.

Fashola seeks revival oftextile industries

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING

CBN Exchange rate as at 17/05/2012

109.85 -1.60

177.10 -1.30

2,280.00 +12.00

20.81 +0.41

Governor, Babatunde Fasholarepresented by Dr. Femi Hamzat,Commissioner for Works andInfrastructure said that concretepavements is already in use in the state“but not at the level we would like it tobe.” He cited for instance, the CancerTreatment Centre at Badagry was builtof 800 concrete pavements.

BY FRANKLIN ALLI

92.58 -1. 40

CFA 0.2839 0.2939 0.3039KRONER 26.5083 26.594 26.6797EURO 197.0569 197.6938 198.3307POUNDS 246.6537 247.4509 248.2481RIYAL 41.2489 41.3823 41.5156SDR 235.8711 236.6335 237.3958FRANC 163.9813 164.5113 165.0413DOLLAR 154.7 155.2 155.7WAUA 236.412 237.1761 237.9402YEN 1.9213 1.9275 1.9337RENMINBI 24.4673 24.5468 24.6263


BY NKIRUKANNOROM

ASHON blames continuous stock marketcrises on trust deficit

THE President of Association of

Stockbroking Houses ofNigeria (ASHON), Mr.Emeka Mmadubuike,has said that low partic-ipation arising from lackof trust still constitute amajor snag to the reviv-

al of the capital market.Mmadubuike who

made the assertion in achat with Vanguard, inLagos, averred that asituation where thosethat have in one way orthe other contributed tothe downfall of capitalmarket go unpunished issending wrong signal tothe investing public,

alleging that thisdevelopment has keptthe market on its kneessince 2008.

He observed thatknowledge base ofparticipants in thecapital market is key indetermining their levelof participation as wellas their understandingof some key initiatives of

the regulators being un-dertaken to turnaround the market.

He said, “One of thethings that fuel distrustamong micro-investorsis that nobody is heldresponsible formisdeeds in the market.If people know thatthere is a process inplace that ensures that

According to him, ifthis was not done,Nigeria will be worst hitby the economy Tsuanmias being witnessed insome Europeancountries, despite theassurances of thegovernment.

He said if Nigeria wasproactive in putting inplace a regulatoryregime as shown in othereconomies, the projectedeconomic melt downmight not have muchimpact on the nation’seconomy.

He added that“BRIPAN hasconsistently be reachingout to all governmentinstitution such as AssetManagement Companyof Nigeria, AMCON,which deals withbanking insolvency,other institutions such asSecurities and ExchangeCommission, SEC;Corporate AffairsCommission, CAC;Central Bank of Nigeria,CBN and Federal

Ministry of Justice,which is very pivotal tothe issue of our ownlegislative agenda.

“If some of Nigeriacompanies that arebecoming multi nationalstoday should have achallenge and they arenot bank, will there beAMCON or is there aninstrument by whichthere will be anintervention to save thefactory and jobs.

“AMCON is progressso far, but there is still alot to be done. That iswhy we are pushing thisagenda for progress ininsolvency in Nigeriabeyond where we aretoday.”

Idigbe said theworkshop, with thetheme: “Insolvency andEconomic DevelopmentParticularly in anEmerging Economy,” willbe attended by policymakers, regulators andprivate practitioners inNigeria and Africa toshare insolvency and

B U S I N E S SR e c o v e r y

Insolvency PractitionersAssociation of Nigeria,BRIPAN, has taskedregulators in Nigeria’sfinancial sector toeffectively deploystrategies that will helpdrive the growth of thecountry’s capital, moneymarket and financialsectors, in general.

President of BRIPAN,Chief Anthony Idigbe,who stated this at a pressbriefing in Lagos, as partof activities to herald thea s s o c i a t i o n ’ sinternational workshopscheduled for June 7 –8 as well as it fellowshipworkshop, slated forMay 29-30 in Lagos,advocated the creation ofa well-articulatedregulatory regimesaying it will helpmitigate the impact ofthe global economicmeltdown in the country.

BRIPAN tasks financial regulators on impact ofglobal meltdown

Deputy President, Alhaji Remi Bello, representing the President, Mr. Goodie Ibru (right) presenting theprospectus of the 2012 Lagos International Trade Fair to the Vice President and Chairman Trade Promo-tion Board, Mr. Babatunde Ruwase (2nd right), past president, Asiwaju Solomon Onafowokan, Hon.Life Vice President, Mrs. Margaret Adeleke and the Director General, Mr. Muda Yusuf in Lagos.

SEC signs MoU withMauritius

BY INNOCENTANABA

BY OLAYEMI FOFAH

\

THE Securities andE x c h a n g e

Commission (SEC) andthe Financial ServicesCommission ofMauritius has signed abilateral Memorandumof Understanding(MoU) to boostinformation sharing andcapacity building.

According to astatement by SEC, theMOU which was signedat the ongoing IOSCOannual conference inBeijing, China is a

veritable regulatory toolused by securitiesregulators to ensureeffective regulation ands t r e n g t h e n i n gregulatory cooperationbetween the twojurisdictions.

SEC also stated that“the signing of thebilateral MoU withMauritius brings to ninethe number of MoUs sofar entered into by theCommission with otherjurisdictions includesChina, Ghana, India,Kenya, Malaysia, SouthAfrica, Tanzania andUganda.”

It said, the twojurisdictions stand tomutually benefit fromthe collaborativeagreement especially inthe areas of combatingcross border financialcrimes, increasedattraction of investmentsenhanced profile.

“The Organizationalso encouragesmembers to enter intobilateral memoranda ofunderstanding to fosterstrong cooperation asthis is in line with theforegoing that IOSCOinitiated a mandatoryM u l t i l a t e r a lMemorandum ofU n d e r s t a n d i n g(MMoU) ten years agofor its members toenhance cross bordercooperation, informationsharing and capacitybuilding.”

anybody that commitsany form of infraction ispunished, it willimprove their trust level.

If people know thatthere is also a process inplace that ensures thatthey will recoup part oftheir loses in event ofsimilar crash that tookplace in 2008, and thosethat led them to that pathwill be punished, it willalso improve their trust.”

According to him, thenumber of locals takingpart in day-to-dayrunning of the market isas important as theintegrity of operators.

“Most markets we wantto benchmark ourselveswith have large numberof their local investorsparticipating in themarket. In Nigerian

Stock Exchange, wehave less than one mil-lion Nigerians that areactively involved in themarket. The regulatorsshould continue to buildon investors’ educationwith a view to increas-ing local investors’ par-ticipation in the mar-ket,” he stressed.

He opined that devel-oping of more productsdo not hold the solutionto the lingering stockmarket crises, saying,“the more sophisticateda product gets, the moreinvestors loose confi-dence and trust in it.”

The ASHON bossmaintained that effortsshould be concentratedin deepening theexisting products, ratherthan multiplying them.

restructuring reformexperiences andchallenges in theirregion.

INVESTMENT bankMorgan Stanley has

cut its stake in KPN, theDutch telecoms groupthat Mexican CarlosSlim, the world’s richestperson, has targeted asa long-term investmentand a stepping stone intoEurope.

Morgan Stanleyemerged as a major KPNshareholder last week,holding 10.01 percentand raising speculationanother bidder might bebuilding a stake in KPN,of which Slim’s AmericaMovil (AMXL.MX)holds 4.8 percent.

Dutch market regulatorAFM said on Wednesdaythe stake was now 4.93percent, reducing thechance a rival bidder is

Morgan Stanley cuts stake inKPN to 4.93%

building a stake -analysts said MorganStanley could have beenholding the shares onbehalf of clients and fortrading purposes.

America Movil wantsto raise its stake in KPN,which has beenstruggling to raise salesand profit, to around 28percent and plans atender offer worth around2.6 billion euros ($3.3billion) later this monthor in June.

Investors need toreport stakes to theregulator when they riseabove or fall below 5percent or multiples of 5percent, barringexceptions for clearinghouses and marketmakers.


From left: Executive Director, South South/Retail Banking, Skye Bank Plc, Mrs Ibiye Ekong; Executive Director, CommercialBanking/Public Sector, Mr. Gbenga Ademulegun; Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti; and Executive Director,Corporate/Investment Banking, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, at the bank’s pre Annual General Meetingpress briefing, in Lagos.

Stories by BABAJIDEKOMOLAFE

All countries need tofocus on structuralreforms to drive future

economic growth, says RobertZoellick, World BankPresident.

“All countries – developedand developing – need tofocus on the structural reforms– the microeconomic policies– that will drive future

Countries should focus onstructural reforms —World Bank

growth”, he said at the 14th

Annual Global Private EquityConference of theInternational FinanceCorporation.

Explaining the importanceof structural changes to therecovery of the globaleconomy, Zoellick said,“Structural changes areessential to enhanceproductivity, competition, andinnovation for developed anddeveloping countries –

whether it’s so that Europecan restore its economicperformance, or China canavoid the so-called “middleincome trap” and meet itschallenges in the comingdecades. Structural reformsare important for the UnitedStates, too. In practical terms– and for investors like you –what does structural reformmean? It meansstrengthening thefundamentals of productive

supply-side growth in allsectors – agriculture,manufacturing, services.

It means investing ininfrastructure – especiallythrough public privatepartnerships.

It means private sectordevelopment – the engine ofinnovation and job growth:markets; investment; smalland medium-sizedbusinesses; as well asfocusing on jobs training andskills.

It means expanding markets– through both the hardwareand software of trade:regional integration; portsand infrastructure; loweringthe costs of formal, informal,or logistics barriers.

At the same time, structuralreform means investing ingreen growth and energyefficiency – because “growingdirty, cleaning up later” is nota viable option.Environmental degradationcannot be the price for short-term growth.

Structural reform alsomeans investing in humancapital: Efficient andaffordable safety nets –because only 1 out of every 5people in the poorestcountries has any form ofsocial protection; Basicfinancial services – becausemore than half the world’spoor, almost 2.4 billionpeople, are “unbanked”;

Basic nutrition and health –because without theseessentials, people cannotbegin to achieve theirpotential; and Qualityeducation, connected totraining, which leads to betterjobs, more innovation, andgreater gains for all.

Investing in people meanstapping the energies andgenius of all: young people, theelderly, and not least girls andwomen – an under-realizedsource of growth everywhere.”

Chairman Audit CommitteeInstitute (ACI), Mr.

Christian Ekeigwe has calledfor introduction of auditguidelines as part of measuresto improve audit quality inthe country.

“Regulators, particularlythe Financial ReportingCouncil, should pay attentionto audit - quality. This shouldinclude issuing audit qualityguidelines and inspection ofaudit quality in auditing firmsand internal auditdepartments of companies”,he said in Lagos on Tuesday.

He spoke at the 1st annualnational conference on auditquality assurance organisedby the Institute and Centerfor Audit Quality.

Ekeigwe noted that“Failures in critical aspects ofauditing have been partlyblamed for the recentfinancial reporting scandals

Expert calls for guidelines on auditquality

and corporate collapse.“This conference will look at

how to strengthen auditquality factors such as auditjudgment, skill sets, auditgovernance and key roles ofthe Audit Committees andregulators in audit oversight,the impact of technologyincompetence on the qualityof audits, the limits of rulesand incentives for impellingaudit quality and, finally, giveinsights into nuancedeconomics of audit quality fora developing capital market.

“The conference will benefitall financial reportingstakeholders and people inaudit management/leadership whosegovernance and professionalchoices tangentially ordirectly determine auditquality and ultimately theintegrity of financialreporting.”

He called for improvedaudit quality saying that,“Improved audit quality willyield more reliable financialinformation for the markets.“Given this significance, Ibelieve that intelligentregulatory efforts aimed atentrenching high quality inaudits will serve he marketbetter. Regulators,particularly the FinancialReporting Council, shouldpay attention to auditquality.

“Smart incentives andvigorous enforcementregime will also help. Butabove all , given thedevelopmental stage of oursociety, the first step shouldbe in educating the marketparticipants (auditors,regulators, investors,accounting scholars andaudit professionals) in auditquality.

Anya faultsCBN onCashlite Lagos

By CHINEDUIBEABUCHI

FOUNDING DG, NigeriaEconomic Summit Group,

Prof. Anya O. Anya has faultedthe choice of Central Bank ofNigeria, CBN, for choosingusing Lagos for the pilotscheme of the cashless policy,saying the state is too big for apilot scheme.

Speaking during the Cash-less Lagos Fair 2012 in Lagos,he expressed fear that thepolicy might face poorgovernment implementation, afactor which has been a usualsyndrome of governmentpolicies over the years.

He said, “I am quitefrightened that this project isstarting in Lagos. Lagos isalmost 60 per cent of theNigerian economy. If Lagos isused as a pilot survey, almostthe whole economy is covered,thereby posing further unseenchallenges. A smaller stateshould have been used to testrun this policy.

“On the successfulimplementation of the cashliteLagos, My worry lies in thelevel of implementation ofgovernment policies. Over thelast 50 years, Nigeria hasexperienced good policies.

HEAD, ElectronicBanking, United Bank

for Africa Plc, Mr. YinkaAdedeji, is to sensitisebusinessmen on the benefits ofadopting the cashless initiativeof the Central Bank of Nigeria,CBN.

Adedeji, who will be guestspeaker at the monthly meetingof Jericho Businessmen Club,scheduled to hold May 19,2012, is expected to present apaper titled: “Impact of andleveraging on the CBNcashless initiative.”

According to a statement byMr. Kunle Oyewole, Social,Publicity and Welfare Secretaryof the group, Adedeji willenlighten members of thegroup and other stakeholders inthe business community on theopportunities in the policy, waysto benefit from it and the rolethe policy will play in the growthand development of theNigerian economy.

Oyewole urged members totake advantage of theopportunity presented by theenlightenment campaign,which is expected to precede itsmeeting in Lagos, to expandtheir knowledge base on thecashless initiative.

UBA e-bankingboss to sensitisebusinessmen oncashless initiative

Vanguard FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2012 — 25

CONFERENCE — From left: Mr. Clifford Sacks, CEO, Africa,Renaissance Capital; Gov. BabatundeFashola of Lagos State, Special Guest and Yvonne Ike, CEO West Africa, Renaissance Capital, duringthe third annual Pan-Africa 1:1 Investors Conference, organised by Renaissance Capital, in Lagos.PHOTO: Bunmi Azeez.

Nigeria to produce hybrid rice seed, distributemodern rice mills

ACTIS CEO BREAKFAST — From left: Bola Adeeko, Chief of Staff/Headof Corporate Division, Nigerian Stock Exchange; Ngozi Edozien, CEO, Ac-tis West Africa; Oscar Onyema, CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange; Taba Peter-side, General Manager/Head, Listings Sales & Retention, Nigerian Stock Ex-change and Michael Chu’di Ejekam, Director for Real Estate, Actis West Af-rica, at the Actis CEO Breakfast Series Roundtable, in Lagos.

NIGERIA will soon begin hybrid rice

seed production withthe help of China. TheAfrican country will alsorelease 100 modern in-tegrated mills importedfrom China across vari-ous states, said Niger-ia's Minister of State forAgriculture.

Nigeria is a top riceimporter and is aimingto reduce its dependen-cy on rice imports by en-couraging farmers togrow high-yielding ricevarieties. The ministersaid that the govern-ment has started nego-tiations with China overhybrid rice seed produc-tion, saying hybrid riceseeds will be availablefor growing this year,before the tenure of thecurrent governmentends.

The minister also re-vealed that over 60 ricevarieties have been re-leased by the govern-

THE Vice-President, Arc. Mohammed

Namadi Sambo has saidthat Nigeria has overeighty five million (85million) hectares of ara-ble land yet to be culti-vated.

The Vice-Presidentstated this on Tuesday,May 15, in his officeduring a courtesy visitby a high-poweredtrade delegation fromJapan, led by the Nige-rian Ambassador to Ja-pan, Ambassador God-win N. Agbo.

"We have over 85 mil-lion hectares of land thatis yet to be harnessed,"he noted.

The Vice-Presidentstated that the adminis-tration was seeing agri-culture not as a pro-gramme, but as a busi-

Vice Presidentreceives Japanesetrade delegation

East Asian powers agree on tradepact talksCHINA, Japan

and South Koreaagreed at a summit re-cently to launch nego-tiations for a three-wayfree trade pact theysaid could help fend offglobal economic chills,but the talks are ex-pected to be long anddifficult because of dec-ades of rivalry.

The three nations aremajor traders, and to-gether accounted for19.6 per cent of globalgross domestic productand 18.5 per cent of ex-ports in 2010, accord-ing to a feasibility studyissued by their govern-ments last year on thetrade pact.

“North-east Asia isthe most economicallyvibrant region in theworld,” Chinese Pre-mier Wen Jiabao toldreporters after talks inBeijing with JapanesePrime Minister, Yoshi-hiko Noda and SouthKorean President, LeeMyung-bak.

“The establishment ofan FTA will unleashthe economic vitality ofour region and give astrong boost to eco-

ness that would createjobs to the teeming un-employed.

"We have placed greatimportance in the areaof agricultural develop-ment, which we intendto develop as a busi-ness, previously in thiscountry Agriculture isconsidered as govern-ment programme, butnow agriculture is con-sidered a business."

Vice-President Samboused the opportunity toinvite the Japanese del-egation to invest in thehuge potentials thatabound in the agricul-tural sector. He also enu-merated several areas ofopportunities for Japa-nese businesses to tapinto, which included thepower sector, the trans-port sector, oil and gas,

petrochemicals, finance,etc.

He noted that Nigeriahad put in place meas-ures that would safe-guard the business con-

cerns of all investors. Healso promised them thatthere were incentivesthat would further boosttheir confidence, whenthey invest in the coun-try.

Arc Sambo used the oc-casion to express Niger-ia's sympathy over theunfortunate disastercaused by last year's Tsu-nami, in that country,while also appreciatingthe confidence that Ja-pan had placed on Ni-geria. He said this con-fidence had boosted thecordial relations existingbetween the two coun-tries. He thanked thecountry for the assist-ance they have been ren-dering to Nigeriathrough the Japan Inter-

national CooperationAgency (JICA).

Earlier, the leader ofthe delegation, Ambas-sador Godwin Agbo stat-ed that the trade delega-tion was in Nigeria to tapinto the huge potentialsin different sectors of thecountry's economy. Hesaid that the 32-memberdelegation was drawnfrom 23 companies,which included, TheBank of Tokyo-Mitsubi-shi UFJ Ltd, MarubeniCorporation, SanyoFoods, Kawasaki HeavyIndustries Middle EastFZA, and Yamaha MotorCo. Ltd, among severalothers.

Ambassador Agbo, fur-ther stated that the visitwas in line with Presi-

dent Jonathan's drive forForeign Direct Invest-ment as enunciated inthe TransformationAgenda.

In his remarks, theJapanese Ambassador toNigeria, Mr. RyuichiShoji, said that Japanwas ready to partnerNigeria in realising herTransformation Agenda,adding that the countrysees great opportunitiesin the Nigerian econo-my.

Present at the occasionwere the Executive Sec-retary of the NigerianInvestment PromotionCommission (NIPC),Engr. Mustapha Belloand other top govern-ment functionaries.

nomic integration ineast Asia.”

China is the biggesttrade partner of Japanand South Korea. Afree trade treaty couldlift China’s GDP by upto 2.9 per cent, Ja-pan’s by 0.5 per cent,and South Korea’s by3.1 per cent, the offi-cial Xinhua news saidin a commentary,without citing the ba-sis for its estimates.

But agreeing on afully-fledged pact,which has been on thetable for a decade, willnot be easy.

The three northeastAsian neighbours aredivided by political dis-trust, trade barriers,and diverging invest-ment policies, as wellas region-wide worriesabout China’s ex-panding economicand military power.

The proposed treatymust also vie for atten-tion with the UnitedStates’ push for abroader Trans-PacificPartnership, a tradeliberalisation initiativethat has drawn in ninecountries, with Japanalso expressing inter-est. Ch i na and South

Korea are not part ofthose negotiations yet.

At the summit in Be-ijing, the three leadersalso agreed a three-way investment treaty— a stepping stone tothe bigger and muchmore contentious goalof a free trade deal —said Xinhua.

China’s Ministry ofCommerce said on itswebsite that the(www.mofcom.gov.cn)investment agreementwill help smoothen tax,dispute resolution andother issues among thethree nations.

“Japan, South Koreaand China play an im-portant role in the glo-bal economic recov-ery,” said South Ko-rea’s President Lee.“When the economy isin crisis, it’s morepressing to set up a freetrade zone,” he told abusiness meeting thattook place parallel tothe leaders’ summit.

Intra-regional tradeand investment levelsbetween China, Japanand South Korea were“much lower ” thanlevels in the EuropeanUnion or across theNorth American FreeTrade Agreement area.

ment and they are pop-ular among the farmers.He added that the SeedAssociation of Nigeria(SEEDAN) has beenprovided with loans toproduce 15,000 tons ofcertified seeds for thisyear 's planting season.According to the minis-ter, SEEDAN has beenmandated to providearound 70,000 tons ofthe certified seeds by2014 to be used forplanting in over 1.5 mil-lion hectares of land.

Locals believe that oneof the reasons Nigeriansprefer imported rice isbecause of the low-qual-ity domestic processing,which makes rice smellbad and cannot removestones. Many millershave said earlier thatthey do not have suffi-cient funds to competeagainst Indian rice mill-ers.

The Minister of Statefor Agriculture said,

“The major complaint ofurban dwellers who con-sume the bulk of im-proved rice against thelocally produced rice wason the quality of the lat-ter.” He added that theMinistry will import 100modern integrated millsfrom China and distributethose across 26 states ofNigeria. “These mills willbe distributed to all statesof the federation withclusters of paddy produc-ers around the mills tosupply paddy of pure ricevarieties.”

The move to import 100rice mills is a quantumjump from last year’s an-nouncement by Nigeria’sfood minister that the coun-try will import 12 rice mill-ing plants from China. Thefood minister had said ear-lier, “Nigeria has become afloodgate for food im-ports.” The nation spendsabout $2 billion each yearon rice imports.

— Culled from http://oryza.com.


Creates about 50,000 agric jobs

BARELY 24 hours that President Goodluck Jonathan

set up an agricultural trans-formation implementationcouncil charged with the re-sponsibility of creating addi-tional 20 million metric tons offood into the nation’s domes-tic food supply by the year2015.

Governor Babatunde Fasho-la of Lagos State on Tuesday,led federal delegation to theofficial kick off of rice process-ing factory, with capacity toproduce 20,000 metric tonnesof rice per annum in Imota,Ikorodu Local GovernmentArea of the state as part of ef-fort to boost domestic food pro-duction as well as ensure foodsecurity by 2015.

Fashola, accompanied by theMinister of State for Agricul-ture and Rural Development,Alhaji Buka Tijani, also com-missioned Poultry Estate,Erikorodo with 10,000 birdscapacity mechanized broilerhouse, 2,000 birds per dayprocessing capacity plant and1.5T per hour feed mill. 22.19kilometre network of farm ac-cess roads in Ikorodu FishFarm Estate and nine otherlocations in the state withcounterpart fund from thestate government and World

DELTA state commissioner for Agriculture,

Barrister Misan Ukubeyinje,has said that agriculture iscentral to the administrationof Governor Emmanuel Udu-aghan, but said lack of accu-rate data on farmers in thestate is a major challenge.

Ukubeyinje explained thatthe ministry is struggling tohave accurate data on agricul-ture in the state as that willassist them in service delivery.

During an interview in La-gos, Ukubeyinje said “eventhough we have registrationof farmers, we have not beenable to have the right regis-tration of farmers and farms.“He said to the governor, ag-riculture is central to his ad-ministration’s goal of build-ing an economy without oil,“the policy of Governor Em-manuel Uduaghan is to de-velop the rural area throughagriculture and that they arecurrently working on aquac-ulture and the traditional

Lagos commissions 20,000 tonscapacity per year rice mill, others

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI Bank Assisted CommercialAgric Development Project,CADP.

Fashola commissioning thethree projects which are alllocated in Ikorodu, said hisadministration is consciouslybuilding a sustainable econo-my around agriculture, and isready to collaborate with theFederal Government, WorldBank and the private sector infurther raising the bar.

“We are building a sustaina-ble economy around agricul-ture in Lagos, and we are de-termined to do more, collabo-rating with the Federal Gov-ernment and the World Bank,”

Fashola said, adding that itwas high time jobless youthskey into the government’s vi-sion by engaging in sustaina-ble and productive ventures infarm estates around Lagos.”

Specifically, he said therewas no room for ‘area boys’ inLagos, stressing “the youthsmust roll up their sleeves andget to work.”

“Let me use this opportunityto talk to our youths especial-ly those who tag themselves sarea boys that it is time to stopmiscreancy in Lagos. The timefor money without work isover.

“Our youths must roll up their

sleeves and work in the farmswe are creating. They shouldgo to the farm to support theeconomic development of thestate and the country and weare ready to lead the way andsupport them “he said.

He stressed that Nigeriacould achieve self sufficiencyin food production and stopimportation with the right in-vestment in agriculture, urg-ing governments at all levelsto give agriculture the priorityit deserved.

While stressing that the millwould significantly boost riceproduction, Fashola said thestate planned to expand its

rice production of the present250 hectares of rice land an-nually to about 500 hectares.

He appealed to the theFederal Government to helpthe state in its questfor increased production byallocating to it farmlandaround Ogun River Basin.

Earlier, Minister of Agricul-ture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adeshi-na, represented by Tijani,commended the Lagos StateGovernment for building therice mill, saying it would enhance the production of ricein the country.

Tijani, disclosed that Niger-ia’s need for rice which sadlyis largely supported with im-portation, will hit five millionmetric tons by 2015.

He said theFederal Government wouldcontinue to collaborate withstates, especially Lagos inboosting rice production capac-ity and ensure total local suf-ficiency by 2015.

The state Commissioner forAgriculture and Cooperatives,Prince Gbolahan Lawal, giv-ing an insight into the rice mill,first of its kind in southwestNigeria, said the mill was builtwith Korean technology to thehighest operational standardsto process 20,000 tons of pad-dy rice per annum, with addi-tional 10,000 ton storage facil-ity and 45,000 ton capacitystorage for finished rice.

The 20,000 metric tonnes rice processing factory built by the Lagos State Government andcommissioned by the Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) in Ikorodu, Lagos

BY JIMOH BABATUNDE

‘We lack adequate data on farmers in Delta’

crops where they have com-parative advantage.

“Cassava is one of the crops,we are working on that seri-ously and we are working withFederal government on that.We are working on how to im-prove on the processing andpackaging as well as othervalue chains.”

While explaining that the gov-ernment has set aside huge sumof money for massive food pro-

duction, he said “We plan toachieve this by ensuring thatfarmers operate in clustersso that mechanisation can be ef-fective and we are able to reachthem whenever we want to.

Ukubeyinje added “we wantto ensure that rice and cassa-va production go beyond con-sumption stage into commer-cialisation because we havethe terrain and potentials.”

“We have a vision for riceproduction in the state, wehave a policy that we havecharged each local govern-ment to produce rice, we havea policy that ask them to ac-quire 25 hectare of land for ricecultivation and the govern-ment just accepted the com-mittee we raised on that.”

He said that though Deltawas not among the states inthe country ranked by the Fed-eral Government as rice pro-ducing states, it had the po-tential to produce the com-modity in large quantity tofeed its people.

The Agriculture commission-er said on the production sideof the sector that they are open

to partnering with the privatesector as they are currentlyworking with the Bank of In-dustry in terms of Feed millsas well as Obasanjo Farms onpoultry.

“On our relationship withobasanjo farms, we have a com-pany, OFN/Delta, it is a largescale farm that can take careof the poultry needs of thestate, it can take care of the feedmills and other out growersneed, and it is an equity ar-rangement.

Speaking on small holderfarmers in the state , Ukubey-inje said they are aware of therole the small holder farmersplay in the food security of thenation and that inform theprovision of loans and agroinputs to them.

“We just distributed N1b loanfrom the Central Bank of Ni-geria to small scale farmersand the lowest amount theygot was N500, 000. We areaware of the role of the smallholder farmers and we cannotabandon them.”

He added “the importantthing about peasant farming is

that we will be able to feedourselves, this will reducehunger.”

The state commissioner forAgriculture explained thatthe need to support its smallholder farmers informed whythey will still go ahead to sup-ply them with fertilizer, despitethe Federal government pro-gram on the e-wallet .

“The complain of fertilizerdiversion is from the Federalgovernment, the minister whodid the research said the di-version was from them whobuy and sell to us, we havetold them that the e walletthing will not get to our farm-ers on time, so we still need tocater for our farmer if we don’tdo that we will be blamed forwhatever happens.”

He said the administration’spolicies and programs havegone a long way in reducinganger and violence in the stateas many of the youths are em-powered farmers through theYouth Empowerment throughAgriculture (YETA), and theSonghai Delta project.

•Barrister Misan Ukubeyinje


WITH several visits toDubai in the last few

years attending the ArabianTravel Market, the opportunityfor safari trip had not presenteditself until recently when theEmirates Airline provided it aspart of the tour packaged for atrip to watch Arsenal footballclub in London.

GETTING STARTEDThe journey from London

Heathrow to Dubai would havebeen stressful having to travelimmediately after watchingArsenal and Norwich matchlive at the Emirates stadium butfor the opportunity to fly AnAirbus A380.

Stepping into the Businessclass located at the upper deckof the aircraft at Heathrow, Iwas not prepared for the flyingexperience awaiting me.

The A380 offers a flyingexperience no other aircraft inthe sky can match, andredefines the meaning ofcomfort for all passengers –whether they are premiumcustomers in first and businessclass, or leisure travellers in theeconomy cabin.

The manufacturer of theAirbus has gone to greatlengths to make long-haulflying aboard the A380 feelmore natural for its passengers– with broader seats, morepersonal storage, better headroom and wider stairs andaisles.

The Emirates’ A380 offers 14flat-bed First Class PrivateSuites with electricallyoperated doors and 76 fully-flatmini-pods in Business Class -all with aisle access - on theupper deck. Downstairs, thereare 427 comfortable contouredseats in Economy Class, spreadacross four separate cabins.

I soon slept after the deliciousmeal on board to enjoy theBusiness Class seats thatconvert into a flat bed at thetouch of a button. Using thetouchscreen controller, you canadjust your seat to suit yourown preferences and comfort.Each seat extends to form a flatbed up to 79 inches long.

Arriving Dubai refreshed, wewere checked into the hotelwhere we had some hours ofsleep before the safari tourbilled for 3pm.

“ Jimoh, Please you are theteam leader now. Make sureyou are at the lobby 15 minutesbefore the time. It will beworthwhile experience.” Thatwas Liz Opalka of the EmiratesAirline.

BRIEFING

Expectedly, the three of us(Jimoh, Tunji and

Ajanaku) were at the lobbywhen the tour guide fromArabian Adventure arrived. “Iam Yamen. I am here to pickyou for the tour. Please lets go”,with this he ushered us into aToyota four wheel car for thejourney that took about 45minutes.

As we left behind the crowdsand chaos of the city, our tourguide, Yamen, took pleasure in

Taking lesson on falconryat the desert

,

,It is insulting to the falcons if youoffer them small prey, such as amouse or rabbit

A visit to Dubai is not complete for most people without a safari tour where a mysterious desert beckonstourists for a magical evening out. Jimoh Babatunde joined other tourists to experience how the sundescends into the horizon around the enchanting show of falconry..

telling us about political issuesback in his native country ofSyria and world politics. Justas he also informed us that theArabian Adventure company isowned by the UAE governmentand sponsor by Emirates andthat informed why it is the onlytour company allowed to dodrone drive, so as to guaranteesafety of tourists.

Arriving at the gate of theDubai Desert ConservationReserve, deep in the heart ofthe desert, the tyres of theToyota Land Cruiser had to bedeflated. There were othervehicles parked for the samepurpose.

TREASURE

We alighted from thevehicle to the warm,

breezy afternoon sun to watchthe falcon show. Lots of touristswere seated under canopieserected in the open field aboutto participate in a falcon huntor learn about the history ofthese magnificent birds, andeven experience a little of whatlife was like for the Bedouin.

And when a middle aged mancame to the scene with a falconbird with a bag stripped roundhis neck, he immediatelybecame the point of focus as hetakes the tourists on the historyof falcon which is the nationalemblem of United Arab

Emirate.He said falconry is an age old

tradition for the people of thisregion, especially for theBedouin. The falconsthemselves are beautiful birdsof prey with an impressivecapacity to learn and to trusttheir handlers.

“Three things to know about

a falcon if you want them tohunt. One, is the falcon needsto be hungry. They will neverhunt if they are full. Second, itis insulting to the falcons if youoffer them small prey, such asa mouse or rabbit. These birdscan, and have, taken downanimals as large as an oryx.Lastly, a falcon will never chaseit’s prey if it is still and mostanimals know this, so theyremain motionless hiding inthe desert grass.”

It wasn’t long before the preywas brought fro the bag and thefalcon soon began her hunt.Between the time the falconwas released and the prey was

captured could not have beenmore than five minutes.

The falconry show not onlyshowcases the majestic bird ofprey, but also the beauty of thedesert making for multiplephoto opportunities.

With the falcon show over,over 45 Toyata jeeps, eachtaking not less than three

tourists, were on ground for thethrilling journey - overtowering sand dunes, andthrough the Dubai DesertConservation Reserve, deep inthe heart of the desert.

The Arabian roller coaster rideknown as dune bashing (desertdriving) was interesting as weshriek and laugh withexcitement as the car goes upand down the dunes.

As the sun descends into thehorizon, the vehicles stop toallow tourists to take sunsetphotographs, while standingon top of the fading desertdunes.

We then head to the campsite

where a convoy of camelsawaits our arrival for shortcamel rides. As the sun castsits glow over the soft sands,lanterns come to life in thedistance, signaling a traditionalwelcome

After returning from the camelride, we moved into the camprelaxing on low cushions intraditional Bedouin tents toenjoy an Arabian BBQ(barbeque/barbecue) buffetdinner and dessert beside ablazing bonfire with traditionalcups of coffee and dates,underneath the pitch-blacknight sky.

Before we head back toDubai, we were entertained bythe dancing of a belly dancerto traditional Arabic music incompany of a friend from NewZealand we met on the trip.

Heading back to Dubai, wehad discussion on theeconomic benefit of the tour tothe Dubai government and itspeople taking intoconsideration that Nigeria hasa huge potentials in tourismthat are not being utilized .

“Did you see the number oftourists from different parts ofthe world there? Don’t forgetthat we were told that overforty five jeeps with at leastthree people were with us thisevening. There are threesession per day.

•Tourists watching the falcon display at the desert (Inset) vehicles doing the dune bashing


Software piracy costs Nigeria N82byearly

BY PRINCEWILLEKWUJURU

SOFTWARE piracy in Nigeria hasbeen estimated to

cost the country’s econo-my $513million about(N82,080billion) annual-ly, as Autodesk Africa an-nounce plans to curb soft-ware piracy in Nigeria.

Autodesk Africa is a 3Ddesigner in engineering,and entertainment soft-ware.

Autodesk said recentlythat it will launch an am-nesty period for users ofpirated software to moveover to legal versions ofAutoCAD and relatedsoftware products, Whilstoffering them the oppor-tunity to approach localAutodesk channel part-ners to purchase legalcopies without fear of le-gal action.

In addition, Autodesksaid it’s making legal Au-toCAD-family softwareavailable from as little asN31,840 ($199) until 15July 2012, a massive 89

percent discount whencompared to pricing inthe USA.

However, in recent re-search conducted by theBusiness Software Alli-ance (BSA), most Au-todesk customers in Afri-ca would prefer to buy li-censed software, but of-ten don’t know where tofind it. As a result, theyresort to pirated copieswhich don’t carry any ofthe benefits associatedwith buying valid li-censed software, includ-ing after sales supportand regular upgrades.

“The key to changing aregion’s mindset aboutsoftware piracy is to makethe legitimate productmore accessible and af-fordable to local custom-ers”, says Richard Smed-ley-Williams, Sales Direc-tor of Autodesk Africa’sdistribution partner,WorldsView Technolo-gies.

According to him, “Notonly has the price of oursoftware been drasticallyreduced, we have also

….as Autodesk plans campaign to curb scourge

LASG to promote local productsin 2012 Eko Expo

BY MONSUROLOWOOPEJO

made great progress inimproving the conve-nience to our customers,who can now purchasegenuine Autodesk soft-ware from 27 Autodeskapproved partnersthroughout Nigeria,” headded.

To supplement thegrowth in the number of

channel partners, Au-todesk is also running anawareness campaign onthe benefits of using li-censed software, such assupport, proper updates,and access to other ser-vices such as the abilityto use the licensed copyin the office and on ahome PC.

LAGOS State Government has con-

cluded plansto promote made in Nige-ria goods and market theLekki Free Trade Zone(LFTZ) to more foreigninvestors at the forthcom-ing 2012 Eko Expo.

Special Adviser to Gov-ernor on Commerce andIndustry, Mr. OluseyeOladejo, said that theExpo is billed to holdfrom August 3rd -11ththis year at the Lekki FreeTrade Zone (LFTZ).

“Over 80 exhibitors par-ticipated last year in theExpo and the enthusiasmdisplayed by investorsfurther re-invigorated theneed for the governmentto sustain the momentumwith yet another Expo forthis year to further reflectthe desire of the state gov-ernment to attract invest-ment that will comple-ment its deliberate pro-gramme of infrastructuralturnaround and wellgrounded development inthe state.

“The state is replete witha high concentration ofSMEs and as a responsivegovernment, we are com-mitted to the creation ofthe right and enablingenvironment for them tothrive and expand.

“The growth of SMEswill definitely create morejobs for the citizenry andpromote micro-economicstability of the state. Thiscontinued existence andoptimal capacity utiliza-tion guarantees the stim-ulation of indigenous en-trepreneurship, develop-ment of local technology,mobilization and utiliza-tion of domestic savings,production of intermedi-ate products for use bylarge scale industriesand existence of healthycompetition that would inturn enhance proper re-source utilization”, headded.

FCTA, Canadian part-ner on capacity building

The FCT Administrationand the Canadian firm areto provide a cellular train-ing programme to buildvocational capacity for theyouths in Abuja.

GOLDEN PennyPasta and Golden

Noodles Nigeria Ltd; hasrewarded her various dis-tributors all over thecountry with cash andcars.

They were rewardedduring the company’s2012 edition of theirannual customers forumwith the theme; ‘The FoodBasket’ in Abuja. In hiskeynote address, Mr. EdJackson, Chief OperatingOfficer Flour Mills ofNig. Plc, the parent Com-pany, praised the custom-ers for their support for the

Golden Penny rewardsdistributors nationwide

brands and their business.He expressed delight

and gratitude at the loyaltyof customers over theyears and assured themof more innovativeproducts in the comingyears that will ensuregrowth in the consumerbase.

Yiannis Katsichtis,GM/Director GoldenPasta, stated that thecompany was willing tofurther strengthen herpartnership with thedistributors towardsachieving the vision of thecompany.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2012 —31

DON JDON JDON JDON JDON JAZZY FINAZZY FINAZZY FINAZZY FINAZZY FINALLALLALLALLALLY BREAKS SILENCEY BREAKS SILENCEY BREAKS SILENCEY BREAKS SILENCEY BREAKS SILENCE

'Most of the thingssaid about MO’HITRecords were untrue'

INSIDE

Samsung releases new Galaxt Tab2 series

Married butSingle readyto hit thebig screen

OGBONNA AMADI,Entertainment Editor

What is MAVIN all aboutand what inspired it?

IT is spelt MAVINRecords and not Marvin.If you check the dictio-

nary it simply refers tosomebody that is a genius ora champion, a sensation,hotshot, superstar, wizkid orwhatever . So basically, wedecided to call the companythat name because we are allgeniuses in our different

‘My integrity was never damaged’•says MAVIN is bracing up to flood the market

Since his shocking break-up with his erstwhilepartner, and co-owner of Mo’ Hits,Dapo Oyebanjoa.k.a D’banj, prolific music producer, Don Jazzy whosereal names are Collins Edjereh has maintained sealedlips until last week when he floated a new record labelcalled Mavin Records. The label parades the brightestand the best acts from the defunct Mo’hits includingWande Coal, Dr Sid, The Prince and the new entrant,Tiwa Savage. In this interview, Don Jazzy reacts toseries of rumours and speculations that trailed hisover-piblicised break up with D’banj. Members of hisnew label also share their dreams and expectationsas far as Mavin Records is concerned.

•Wande Coal

•D’Prince

•Dr Sid

•Don Jazzy

A col- l e c -tion of costumesworn by the lateking of Pop, Micha-el Jackson is goingon a global tourstarting next monthahead of an auctionin Beverly Hills inDecember.

Michael Jackson’s clothesbegins world tour today

Meanwhilethe exhibi-tion, whichopens in San-tiago, Chile, today, will in-clude one of the singer ’ssignature crystal-coveredgloves, a military-style jack-et he wore for the Soul Trainawards in 1989 and a silverspandex leotard Jacksonwore during his Bad tour in1987.

A helmet wired with

battery powered lights thatJackson wore for the 2001special concert at NewYork’s Madison SquareGarden that marked his 30years as a solo entertainerwill also go on display.

The 50-100 costumes to

fields coming together in arecord company.

How much would you saythe event of the past fewweeks have helped in theemergence of MavinRecords.

Basically, we do notbelieve in channeling ourenergies towards what hashappened in the past. But

Continues on page 33

Contin-ues onpage 33

32—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 18 , 2012

'Most of the things said about MO’HITRecords were untrue'FROM MO’HITS to

MAVIN and the additionof new people and basicallywe will keep moving. So,obviously when you aremoving you hope to move frompoint A to point B so we gotto a point we stop we changegas, we refill and we are stillgoing to get to point B at theend of the day.

Are you surprised about theloyalty of Wande Coal,D’Prince and DR. SID.

Am I surprised? No, I don’tsee any reason I should besurprised. I’m not surprised ,there is no need for me to besurprised just like I have saidnothing has changed, we arestill the people that we are,we are still ourselves as wedey before, na so we dey, westill dey here , and there isno cause or time to doubt anybody’s loyalty.

You have a new addition tothe boys, Tiwa Savage,what’s theattraction? Is shethe female artisteyou have alwayswanted on boardin Mo Hits?

I have beentalking about afemale artiste fora long time andTiwa Savageand I have beentalking aboutadding afemale artisteto MO’HITRecords forlong timenow. It’s notthat wedidn’t knowwe will endup togetherat some point.We knew from day one thatshe came into this country thatthis is going to happen andbecause at that point she wasnot ready.

Obviously, she can’t waitand I have to encourage herto go ahead and make somethings for herself and whichshe did wonderfully as anartiste. Now there is room foran addition and so we willcontinue from where we leftoff.

Now let’s talk about MAVINwhat is special about it andwhat are we expecting?

Basically, I will say that wehave all seen that situationscan change like the waypeople perceived you, theway people accept yourmusic, the way people talkabout you and whatever. So,we know now that we needto do all work harder, gathermore momentum to create

more music and stuffs soeverybody is basicallygingered, everybody is morefired up now to work and wedon’t see anything stoppingus as we are basically justgoing to put all our energy.Now in MAVIN Recordseverybody is concentrating onthe work and we intend to putout as much as many tracksand albums as possible. Trustme, I’m going to flood themarket.

What I thought is perhapsMAVIN will introduce oneartiste, one album but you arecoming out with a collectivealbum?

It’s not like it’s a group. Youcan tell everybody here is anindividual artiste andsuccessful on his or her own.I must say everybody have atleast one to three singlesalready in the past so webasically just want to bringthem out. I didn’t take part

in this album I onlyproduced

the album. Wewere like this is MavinRecords everybody, pleasemeet us; this is what we arefor now. Individual album isgoing to follow any momentfrom now and there is no timeto wait at all .

(Cut in) There no singlebefore the release of thisalbum?

No, there is no self formulaat the moment so like I said Idon’t really like to givepeople that publicity stunts ofhe his coming or anticipating.When you see it, you see it,when you see it, you take it.

Will Don Jazzy be a soleartiste on MAVIN Records oran in- house producer andthe CEO?

I’m not going to say I’mnever going to be an artistebut I don’t see it any timesoon.

Who are you looking up toas the cash cow?

Everybody. Basically, therecord label is not built in away one person supposed tobe the leader. Everybody isgiving equal opportunity togrow and it all depends onhow the crowd sees you.People have their opinionsabout what they like and stuffslike that so how you appealto your fans will determinehow they take you but weintend to put more push andmore backing into everybodyeven the new people that wewill add tomorrow.

There were so manyinsinuations about life inMO’HITS, that life wasregimented such that whensomeone talks others keepquiet, how democratic isMAVIN going to be this timearound?

A lot of stuffs that you guyshave heard about MO’HITRecords trust me, they arereally wrong, but I wouldn’t

talk about MO’HIT

Recordsbecause we are talkingabout MAVIN Records andmoving forward now and Iwill say we would try as muchas possible to communicate alot of the truth to you guysbefore people insinuate allsorts of stuff like in the lastthree months I have seendifferent kinds of interviewsand blogs and whatever thatpeople have written and theysay that they spoke to me. LikeI was reading a blog the otherday and I saw ExclusivePhone Interview by Don Jazzybla bla bla and they wrote likea full conversation. Theperson said this and I saidthis and that I said this andthe truth is I have not hadsuch interview with anyone.I have not spoken to anyreporter this year.

Could that be true?Yes, they are not quoting

anybody they were quotingthemselves may be theyhave one imaginary DonJazzy they were talking toor the other because theJazzy they quoted is not me,I really do not speak toanybody regarding anysituation or any issues, Ihave not put out any pressstatement saying whateveron this issue so people justreally assumed. They werequoting themselves.

Jazzy what lesson wouldyou say you have learntfrom your past experiencesthat may likely help you inthis new movement?

DON: They are not

lessons that are new.Change, like they say is theonly constant thing in lifeand I have just confirmedagain that really thingshappen, relationship ends,good things must come toan end they say, one willjust try much as possible tosee that good things that wehave last for long butsometimes they do happenwe just pray GOD to helpus live as long as possibleto see more of the goodthings than having the goodthings to end and thenbecause I have alreadyknown there is nothingmuch to say now about thatpast. Really, my entire mindis focused on movingahead.

•Don Jazzy

CMYK

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 18 , 2012—33

GROOVE Extra

THE much talked aboutmovie, “Married but

Single” produced byKalejaiye Adeboye Paul (KAP)is bound to take movie buffsby storm as it premieres onSunday, June 3, at theSilverbird Galleria, on theLagos Island.

The movie inspired by thebook (Married but LivingSingle) authored by theresident pastor of KICC PastorFemi Faseru was recentlydescribed by the producer as“a film of all ages.”

Kalejaiye, speaking in a chitchat session with Toolz on the‘Afternoon drive’ at the Beat99.9 Fm said “I call it a film ofall ages because it is a moviethat portrays the family, a filmthat talks about our neglect ofthe home front, battery, itemphasize the need for thesociety to go back to the basics.When I say basics, if you lookat the ills of the society, it’srooted in the familyupbringing, how do we bringup our Children and youths?What time do we have for ourhomes and how well do wecater for our homes”

The 51 year old Bachelorsof Arts and Educationgraduate with two MastersDegrees in PublicAdministration and BusinessAdministration from the LagosState University hinted thatthe movie dwells on a moreconcentrated career ratherthan the home. According tohim “it talks about a blendbetween our career and thefamily. The film brings tomemory the colossal collapseof the family values, to remindus of how we (The AfricanSociety) was in the beginningand how did we come of age?

Meanwhile, after thepremiere, the film is expected

Married but Single readyto hit the big screen

to commence showing atvarious cinema houses ,including Silverbird( Lagos,Abuja and Portharcourt),Citymall, Genesis deluxe andOzone from June 5.

Starring the likes of FunkeAkindele, Joseph Benjamin,Joke Silva, Tina Mba,Kalejaiye Adeboye Paul(KAP),Femi Brainard, KikiOmeli amongst others,

‘Married but Single” directedby Tunde Olaoye revolvesaround Mike(JosephBenjamin ) an entrepreneurwho is happily married toKate (Funke Akindele) who isthe creative director of anadvertising agency owned byan overbearing boss JokeSilva. She is so muchengrossed with her career andwinning the biggest brandsfor her company.

be exhibited were designedby Jackson’s long-time LosAngeles-based collabora-tors, Dennis Tompkins andMichael Bush, who spent25 years creating his stageand personal clothes.

The exhibition has beenorganised by celebrityauctioneer Darren Julien.She said clothing createdby the late King of Pop’slong-time designers will beexhibited in South America,Europe and Asia.

The items were mostly

gifted back to Tompkinsand Bush by the singer,and many are signed byhim, auctioneer said.

Julien said exhibition ofclothing created by the lateKing of Pop’s long-timedesigners opens today atthe Museo de la Moda inSantiago, Chile and willtour cities in Europe andAsia, including China andJapan, ahead of the auctionin Beverly Hills onDecember 2.

A portion of the proceedswill go to the charities

Guide Dogs of America andthe Nathan AdelsonHospice in Las Vegas. Itfeatures items such asJackson’s Captain EO shirt,the black spandex outfitfrom his Scream video andthe breakaway suit he woreduring his BAD tour in thelate 1980s.

Jackson died aged 50 inJune 2009 in Los Angelesfrom an overdose of theanesthetic propofol andsedatives. His personaldoctor is currently servinga four year jail term forinvoluntary manslaughte

Michael Jackson’s clothes begins world tour today

Continues from page 31

‘My integrity was never damaged’

basically to put up yourenergy to transform ourFfuture. We wouldn’t saywe don’t have thememories of things that hashappened but we just prayto God that as we aremoving forward that suchsituations never occuragain and we just pray forthe best.

What have you been ableto put in place to ensurethat what happened in thepast does not repeat itself?

We can’t really say whathappened, we can’t reallyput a hand on what wentwrong so there is nothingone can do. Individually,we will just have to doour best and keep prayingthat it doesn’t happenagain. It’s not that anyoneplanned it, it happenedand it just happened , sowe are not in any positionto say it’s not going tohappen again. Nobody isGod?

Do you in any way feeldemystified about whathappened, because theimpression of the peopleout there is that you areinvulnerable, notpenetrable?

Demystified! I don’treally get it

(Cut in) There is thisnotion about Don Jazzybeing somebody that isinvulnerable, cannot givein, (so to say)?

Demystified? I don’treally think my integrity ormy person has beendamaged in any way, Ibelieve that once youcannot hide the light, agold fish has no hidingplace. Whatever you are islike time will tell who youare. I can’t really say thatpeople who think thatthey know who I am knowwho I am, just like somepeople that want to assumethey know who I am bywhat they read or whatthey want to hear. I’m notin any position to startconvincing you or anyoneto believe otherwise orbelieve anything. I justbelieve that at the end ofthe day God will vindicateall of us and you will seewho we are.

What do you think willchange in your transitionfrom MO’HITS toMAVIN?

It has been a movingtrend from MO’HITS toMAVIN, the only thingthat has changed is thename

Michael Jackson’sclothes begins world tourtoday

A collection of costumesworn by the late king ofPop, Michael Jackson isgoing on a global tourstarting next month aheadof an auction in BeverlyHills in December.

Meanwhile theexhibition, which opens inSantiago, Chile, today,will include one of thesinger’s signature crystal-covered gloves, a military-style jacket he wore for theSoul Train awards in 1989and a silver spandexleotard Jackson woreduring his Bad tour in1987.

A helmet wired withbattery powered lights thatJackson wore for the 2001special concert at NewYork’s Madison SquareGarden that marked his 30years as a solo entertainerwill also go on display.

The 50-100 costumes to beexhibited were designed byJackson’s long-time LosAngeles-based collaborators,Dennis Tompkins andMichael Bush, who spent25 years creating his stageand personal clothes.

The exhibition has beenorganised by celebrityauctioneer Darren Julien.She said clothing createdby the late King of Pop’slong-time designers willbe exhibited in SouthAmerica, Europe and Asia.

The items were mostlygifted back to Tompkinsand Bush by the singer,and many are signed byhim, auctioneer said.

Julien said exhibition ofclothing created by thelate King of Pop’s long-time designers openstoday at the Museo de laModa in Santiago, Chileand will tour cities inEurope and Asia,including China andJapan, ahead of theauction in Beverly Hills onDecember 2.

A portion of the proceedswill go to the charitiesGuide Dogs of Americaand the Nathan AdelsonHospice in Las Vegas. Itfeatures items such asJackson’s Captain EOshirt, the black spandexoutfit from his Screamvideo and the breakawaysuit he wore during hisBAD tour in the late1980s.

Jackson died aged 50 inJune 2009 in Los Angelesfrom an overdose of theanesthetic propofol andsedatives. His personaldoctor is currently servinga four year jail term forinvoluntary manslaughte


CMYK

38—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MAY 18 , 2012

GROOVE GROOVE GROOVE GROOVE GROOVE EXTRAEXTRAEXTRAEXTRAEXTRA

You are the latest person to join MAVIN’s recordshow does it feel?

It feels great. It feels like an honor, definitely aprivilege and I know it was many girls dream

to be the first lady under this label so I definitelyfeel like, I have been blessed by God.

At the point you had the collabo, did you knowyou were going to be on the label?

No I didn’t know, it’s just that Jazzy and I havealways been friends from long, like he said beforehe’s always there to give me advice and when heheard my song he actually liked the song and wedecided it will be a great for him to do the song.

So what are we expecting? Well, my album, I have been working on it for a

while now so it getting ready to be done I just havea couple of more songs to do we are hoping to putthe album out very soon more videos and just TIWASAVAGE she’s building that name?

So how soon is your new album going to drop?My new album, yea, my first ever album we are

hoping within the next month or two that soon weare just putting the finishing touches to it.

Mavin family speaks!Mavin family speaks!Mavin family speaks!Mavin family speaks!Mavin family speaks!SAVAGE

I feel honoured to be partof MAVIN

There were so manyinsinuations about the sideyou will go when the crisisbroke but here you are inMAVIN. What informedyour decision?

It’s a new movement andat the end of the day I

realized the only person thathas helped me grow to thispoint in terms of my musicand everything is Don Jazzy.So I think this time he has itbetter than ever and thefuture is bright for me andI want everybody to acceptthe new record label I havemoved to.

When the crisis broke out,how much did it affect you asa person?

Well at the end of the day theonly constant thing in life ischange so you have to alwayschange to the next level. Ialways try as much as possibleto develop myself and fit intothe next thing that ishappening.

(Cuts in)In the heat of thecrisis you released threesingles and one of the singleswas even produced by aproducer outside Mo Hits.

Yea, because I’m not tryingto eliminate myself, not reallybecause at the end of the day Itook direction and the conceptfrom Don Jazzy first. He evenlistened to the song and toldme it’s a great song and told

‘MAVIN offers lots of freedom’

me it will bepart of my singles. Jay Sleekproduced it the Private Trip wasproduced by Jay Sleek. Go Lowand Be Long You Saw Me wereproduced by Don Jazzy. Theywere all good songs that’s whywe put it on the singles.

In MAVIN, is it possible youhave other producers on yoursongs?

Yea, because Don jazzy isbringing in more producers, hewill sign more producers andwe will get to work withdifferent people. Don Jazzy isnot going to be the onlyproducer. It’s going to be likein the past that I worked withother producers like Q- beat onthe song Kiss your hand withR2B in Ghana, yea as long asit’s a good song.

WA

ND

E C

OA

L

Tell me about SOLARPLEXUS what is it allabout?

When we decidedto do Solar

Plexus it was just in themidst of all this problemand stuff so we didn’twant to be going front andback with the press orhaving interviews thatwill start to createinsinuations, so wedecided to channel allour energy into creatingan album, so we all cametogether and created thealbum SOLAR PLEXUSwhich is out now.

I heard the title wasfrom your dad?

Yes, we were in thestudio the other day andwe were having like adiscussion. It was me,Wande, Don Jazzy andDr. SID in the studio.Itwas a little discussionwhen our dad came inand like always he wasgiving us advice, so inthe midst of ourdiscussion he used theword solar plexus thatthis thing going on nowhas to do with SolarPlexus and we just pickedit, and it was like wow!As expected DR. SID dida research on the wordand it really fitted into theidea behind the album.And we were all like weshould use that name asthe title of album and Ithink it has beenaccepted and it trulyexplained the wholeevent that has happened.It’s funny, its crazy thateverybody seemed to likethe name SOLAR

‘I tried to intervene before the rift went haywire’PLEXUS.

When thecrisis brokeout how didyou feel about itall?

It’s naturalthat I’m going tobe partial in thesense that it hasto do with mybrother andobviously when Isee that someonewas trying to putmy brother in acorner or in a nastyposition obviously Iwill react naturally.I really appreciatethe the way thewhole story wentbecause I believe weall tried our best tomake and hold thelabel together but for oneindividual to feelotherwise it wasn’t agood thing to hear. I triedto settle the rift before itwent haywire but it didnot work out.

Will you in any wayblame Don Jazzy?

I wouldn’t blame himbecause I know he wasonly trying to help us allto be on point andrelevant but the otherparty was not willing tocompromise issues andhe made us to wonder ifhe knew what he wasdoing because we allstarted all these thingstogether and we believedin growing together.)Ithi8nk we should justleave the past and let thewhole thing flownaturally. We are happythe way we are now,

everyoneis free as never before.

Could it be that you,your brother and othersfailed to see the bigpicture that D’banj saw?

PRINCE: That samepicture can be achievedbetter with your familyyou understand what I’msaying. You can’t justleave and say you wantto go and achieve a bigpicture without thepeople you started withthe small picture, I whenit was like a passport-sized picture. Now youwant to fly alone withoutthe people who helpedyou to start and developthe small picture. We alldream of the big picturebut at least it will be donethe right way and not ashaky way. This is myfamily and they are theone I’m with youunderstand.

D’PRINCE

What differencehave you seen fromyour movementfrom MO’HITS toMAVIN?

Nothing much, MAVIN is a

movement. It’s acollective of youngtalented people, it’sthe same ethics,principles we heldand practised inMO’HITS whichmade it to work, I

mean everybodyworking together.

What has changed interms of the structure?

In terms of structurenothing has changed,still the same way wecommunicate, the sameway we bring ideas tothe table. Someone willbring an idea and we alllook at it.

In the heat of thecrisis, you broke thesilence and it’s likeDON Jazzy or nobody?No, the truth of thematter is, I meant thatstatement because thereis a lot of people’sperception of who DonJazzy is and his person.Some people havestarted downplayingand insulting his personand I took offencebecause as someonewho knows how weworked and how thingswere put together andhow we created music,he’s the driving force,

‘Everyone in MAVIN is doing well’

DR. SID

he is the creative mind.We come up with ideasbut he is the one thatsees how all the ideascome together to makethe music and drive thebrand the way it needsto be driven. So, I wasoffended at people downplaying that though Iunderstand that it’stheir perception theydon’t really know orhave the informationthat is why I came outand said you know

what? Don Jazzy is themost important piece ofMO’HITs Records andwithout him a lot ofthings will not come tobe done. Like myself, Iused to be a rapper butDon Jazzy came and toldme ‘’see come I don’twant you to rap, this iswant I want you to do.”At first, I was skepticalat the beginningbecause of the way andthe change Don Jazzymade on me and mykind of music hence thetitle of my album TurningPoint, because I assumedI had to make thatturning point from beena rapper to doing moresinging and being moreof an entertainer whichis pretty much of what Ienjoy to do.

So you being on thisside is more likeshowing gratitude?

SID: No, it’s not aboutbeing on this side DonJazzy is my friend,regardless of music, wehang out, we chilltogether at least we stillparty together aside themusic thing and all thatbut I mean knowing thekind of human beingthat he is, it’s kind ofhard to think otherwise.There are too many stuffsgoing on though wedon’t want to focus onthe past but on thefuture.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 18 , 2012—39

GROOVE GROOVE GROOVE GROOVE GROOVE EXTRAEXTRAEXTRAEXTRAEXTRA

Tyson Beckford

THE organizers of theannual Project WS (Wole

Soyinka), an internationalcultural exchange programmeare already planning big forthis year’s edition.

With the theme: “WS78-TheMind of a Patriot” theprogramme is now richer interms of content as ZmirageMultimedia (Nigeria and UK)and Global NewHaven(Nigeria and USA) are poisedto host about 78 seniorsecondary school studentsfrom all over Nigeria and theDiaspora in July to competein an essay competition.

This year also, theprogramme will hold inLondon, Lagos, Abeokuta andAkure respectively.

Unlike last year, this year’souting will equally host actorsfrom the United States whowill be joined by two notableNigerian actors to stage theplay “Home” written bySamm Art Williams anddirected by Professor SegunOjewuyi, Head of Directing atSouthern Illinois University,Carbondale Illinois, USA.

The Nigerian actors will beselected via an audition whichwill be conducted soon by theorganizers together with theirpartners.

The lucky students will enjoythe privilege of visiting touristsites such as Olumo Rock,Idanre Hills and office of theGovernors of Ogun and OndoStates, respectively.

Also, there will be anadvocacy lecture to bedelivered by Robert Fox, aProfessor of English andAfrican Studies at SouthernIllinois UniversityCarbondale, Illinois, USA,and entitled “From Tigritudeto Transcendence: Theconscience andconscientiousness of WoleSoyinka.”

Zmirage gathers int’lwriters, actors for WoleSoyinka

BENJAMIN NJOKU Interestingly, in 2010, theevent featured a galaxy ofscholars, writers andprofessional performingartistes from the UnitedStates.

Zmirage Multimedia tookthe participants on a tour ofEurope, Africa and Caribbeancountries for an exchangeprogramme.

Corporate bodies andinstitutions already lendingsupport to the project thisyear include; Ogun StateGovernment, Ondo StateGovernment who haveequally been with them sincethe first edition of the laudableproject in 2010, Coca Colaand foremost family friendlycompany UAC Foods.

Organisers disclosed thatwinners of the essaycompetition will go home withlaptop computers, desktopcomputers, scholarshipsranging from N250, 000 (twohundred and fifty thousandNaira) to N100, 000 (onehundred thousand Naira) andlots of other prizes andsouvenirs.

While the WS78International CulturalExchange takes place inNigeria from July 13 to 17,the London leg of theprogramme comes upbetween July 28 and 29.

Unlike last year,this year’s outingwill equally hostactors from theUnited Stateswho will bejoined by twonotable Nigerianactors to stagethe play “Home”

,

,

With PRINCE OSUAGWUPRINCE OSUAGWUPRINCE OSUAGWUPRINCE OSUAGWUPRINCE [email protected]

40 — VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MAY 18 , 2012

$2.8 million Leica is world’smost expensive cameraWE’VE seen our share of expensive cameras. The

Phantom v1610, for instance, is capable of shooting 1million frames per second — a feat that will cost you $100,000.But that’s a veritable bargain compared to this 1923Leica camera that just sold at auction for 2.16million euros ($2.8 million), an absoluterecord.

German camera-maker Leica is one ofthe most famous names in high-qualitycameras. A new Leica can run you asmuch as $31,700. But this 1923 0-seriesLeica is a piece of camera history, onefrom the first batch of 31 cameras thecompany ever created. Only about 12 areknown to still exist; fewer still are in such apristine condition. That means this camera cancommand top dollar — or, in this case, top euro.

The camera was purchased by an anonymousEuropean buyer. In 2007, a similar Leica 0-series soldfor $430,000; in 2011 one sold for $1.7 million. Given therapid increase of price in these cameras, we think we’llkeep using Instagram to take our hipster-quality photos,thank you very much.

•Culled from yahoo news•World most expensive camera

FOR the US market andeven the emerging

market of Africa, Blackberryseems to be the number-onesmartphone platform andthe craze for blackberryincreases as Research InMotion, RIM, owners of theproduct, keeps producingnewer models.

Ironically, many people donot know that BlackBerrieshad apps years before theiPhone came into SteveJobs’s sub conscious mind.What BlackBerries havenever had, though, is aneasy way to discover andinstall those apps.

Some of them are availableon BlackBerry AppWorld, which can bedownloaded onto anyBerry by sending themobile browser towww.blackberry.com/appworld. Some ofthem are availablethrough theindependentstore GetJar, atgetjar.com.Some areonlydownloadablefromdevelopers’Web sites.So the userneeds to doa bit moredigging to findgreat BlackBerry apps thanthe user of, iPhone orAndroid apps.

Having said that, there arealso some very good andimportant, free apps foralmost every recentBlackBerry which help theuser in every day life. Someof them include:

AP MobileNews 2.5.5This is the Associated

Press app on blackberry.Just like its counterpart onother mobile platforms, thisnews program gives youcomplete, flexible access tolocal, national andinternational news. Inaddition to giving you up-to-the-minute news, thelatest version of this app letsyou send stories to Facebookor your friends, read storiesoff-line, or watch newsvideos.

If you’re looking formultiple news sources, tryViigo below, but AP cansatisfy any needy newsjunkie. This app can bedownloaded viabb.apnews.com.

Easy ways to discover, installtop BB Apps that make life easy

BBNotePad 1.1.2BBNotePad is a big step

up from the built-inBlackBerry notepad. Itfeatures three different fontsizes, allows you to save afile as .txt so you can open itdirectly on your computer,and lets you send memos ornotes using Bluetooth toother handheld devices.Download BBNotePad byusing the link http://krzysztow.com/BBNotePad/#downloadm.

Bloomberg Mobile1.9.11.5

BlackBerries have a lot ofhard-core, costly

options

for serious stock enthusiasts,but Bloomberg is one thebest free business apps. Itprovides news, stock quotes,company descriptions, acustomized list of stocks, andmarket trends. It’s alsopretty easy to use,

considering

the amount of data it throwsup. Bloomberg Mobile isavailable from BlackBerryApp World and can bedownloaded atm.bloomberg.com

BOLT 1.5The built-in BlackBerry

browser can be problematicsometimes. To the rescue

rides BOLT, a fast, high-quality browser thatdownloads pages whichactually look like desktopWeb pages. BOLT comeswith all the browser usuals,such as bookmarks and anRSS reader, but its mostimportant attribute isdesktop fidelity - pages lookreally good in this browser,even including some Flashcontent. It’s a huge step upfrom the BlackBerry browser.To download BOLT, go towww.boltbrowser.com.

Facebook 1.7.0.18The latest Facebook app

transforms the BlackBerryinto a miniature version ofthe Facebook desktop site,sans add-in apps. TheHighlights feature works likethe news feed, letting youview recent status updates,photo uploads, comments,and wall posts withouthaving to dive into the app’svarious menu icons. You canupload or tag photos, checkout photos, and addcomments to photos or newsitems. This is a strong,successful transformation ofFacebook into a usefulmobile app. Facebook isavailable in BlackBerry AppWorld.

•Blackberry8700

• B l a c k b e r r y 5790-play

•Blackberry .... the Bold 5 Edition


THERE are speculat i o n s

about the imminent arrestof General Buhari and your-self. Do you feel it? They have not yet done that,but we learnt that is what theyare planning to do, but nobodyhas arrested me.

What of the General? Not yet.Why do you have the fear

that they want to arrest you?We have our feelers that they

are hyping all these issues tolead to our arrest and they havealways been trying to do thatand that is why they are accus-ing us.

Why are they picking onthe General?

They are picking on the Gen-eral because it is him they areafraid of and because once youtake away rigging they aregone, but they have forgottenthat their master, Obasanjo wasthe first to talk of ‘do or die’.‘Do or die’ means blood, if youdon’t do what I want I will killyou, that is what he said.

The issue is very simple, ifyou are not a thief why shouldyou be afraid if they say who-ever steals should be killed?That is why they are afraid. Itis not the first time. Generalsaid he was quoting Prof. AngoAbdullahi who said that thereare three Boko Harams: theoriginal one, the one that is nowperpetrated by criminals thatare now raiding homes andmarkets, and government itself.

Was it not Jonathan who saidthat there are Boko Harams inhis government? Didn’t Azazisay so? So, why are theythreatening General Buhariwhen he was quoting some-body?

BUHARI: Power is transient — Buba Galadima*Wh*Wh*Wh*Wh*Why they they they they they are afy are afy are afy are afy are after Buhariter Buhariter Buhariter Buhariter Buhari

The press is not being fair tothe country because what Gen-eral said was that it was themalpractices that led to the postelection violence of 2011 andthat in other countries of theworld this injustice leads to civilwar, it leads to killing of inno-cent people and that therefore

ALHAJI Buba Galadima, is one of the egg heads of the North and close associate of ex-military Head of State and National Leaderof the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Major General MuhammaduBuhari (rtd). He spoke in a telephone interview on issues arising from the

"bloody and baboon” warning given by Buhari during an interaction with a delegtion of CPC from Niger State last Monday. Buhari hadbeen quoted as saying that “God willing by 2015, something will happen. They either conduct a free and fair election or they go a verydisgraceful way. If what happens in 2011 should again happen in 2015, by the grace of God, ‘the dog and the baboon would all besoaked in blood.’ Buhari’s assertion was quickly followed by sharp denunciations from the presidency and the retooled publicitymachine of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The presidency in its reaction through Dr. Rueben Abati had ridiculed what it sawas Buhari’s descent from statesman to regional chauvinist and a blood thirst individual desperate for power.Dr Abati also poked at Buhari’s past drawing attention to past assertions by one of Buhari’s present associates, Mallam Nasir El-Rufaiwhere the later had claimed that Buhari was unelectable. The presidency also made insinuations of Buhari’s perceived inflexibility as amilitary ruler saying that he was removed from office on account of his obstinacy.The PDP also that same Tuesday speaking through Chief Olisa Metuh, the national publicity secretary of the party at a hastily arrangedpress conference in Abuja also lampooned what it described as Buhari’s desperation for power which it claimed the former leader wouldnot mind acheiveing even in a pool of blood. The party also sought to draw attention to perciveed infrastructures of the Buhari junta,notably the famous 53 suitcases passed through customs during a nationwide currency exchange in 1984 that demanded the search of allthings coming into the country.The exchange continued on Wednesday with the opposition rallying behind Buhari. The CPC formally defended its national leader onThursday with a robust denunciation of the allegations from the presidency and its own condemnation of the President. Buhari wasfurther shored up by the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN which through a press statement by its national publicity secretary, Alhaji LaiMohammed charged the PDP and the presidency of running away from the issues raised by Buhari. In the midst of the exchanges,Vanguard sought a telephone interview with the National Secretary of the CPC, Alhaji Galadima who remarkably, is one of the closestassociates of the General as Buhari is famously hailed among the Northern intelligentsia. He spoke on reasons why Buhari is now in theeye of the storm. Excerpts:BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN,

POLITICAL EDITOR

Nigeria should do better by do-ing what is right to avoid whatis happening in other countries.

Is he not being patriotic whenhe gives people free consultan-cy? This is a man who foughtin the Congo because of elec-tion malpractises.

Whatsoever was the thing

that led to the Nigerian civilwar, the baseline was electionrigging that led us into that civilwar. Are you saying that some-body of Buhari’s stature can-not warn those in authority thatthere is no need for the coun-try to go into this? Why are wemiss-reading things? The man

should be commended for hav-ing the courage to tell those inauthority that they should be-have well.

Let them go and pick him astheir mentors are now advisingthem to. If Obasanjo cannotarrest Buhari I want Jonathanto do it if he can try it becausethey are hiring people all overthe North to be talking for thembecause they can pay themmoney.

Who is being hired? Go and listen to VOA

and you will hear them. Whyare they jittery, why are they jit-tery? Is it wrong to say let’s dothe correct thing? I challengeJonathan and his group to pub-lish the Lemu report which theysaid indicted Buhari. Why arethey afraid to publish a whitepaper because it indicted themas having been responsible forthe election violence. I darethem if they are honest peopleand I dare PDP if they are hon-est people, let them conduct afree and fair election and let’ssee whether they will win onecouncilor?

Who do they think that theyare that they will threaten peo-ple? Power is transient! Whereis pharaoh?

The man is jeopardizing thefate of Nigeria. The man shouldchoose between PDP and thenation. If we don’t remove PDPthe way they are going we willnever have Nigeria.

They can arrest anybody theywant to arrest we are not afraidof arrest after all Buhari him-self was in detention for fouryears. Me I have been chargedwith treason. It will add to theirproblem. Let them try it if theycan threaten us. If they wantthey can even kill us are we the firstto die?

That is what they want to do be-cause these guys have no culture ofrunning a plural society like Nigeria.

*Galadima: If they want they can even kill us are we the first to die?

42 —Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2012

AS the Students AffairsOfficer at the Universityof Lagos in the mid

seventies, Mr. EbenezerBabatope may have oncelamented the limitations on himthat stopped him from sharinghis progressive ideas beyond theconfines of the university.

He, was subsequently to bethrust to national limelight whenhe was detained by the GeneralYakubu Gowon militarydictatorship on account of hiswritings expressed through acampus magazine. His pro-people leanings well articulatedin speech and in his writingswould of course have perturbedany of the military regimes of thatera.

It was as such not surprisingthat one way or the other thatEbino Topsy as he was knownwas axed from the university forreasons hushed-hushed aroundthen because of his ideologicalbearings. The decision of theObasanjo dictatorship was ofcourse not surprising. The samejunta was about that time alsoorchestrating some unpopularmeasures that were to lead to thenationwide clamour against theadministration recorded inhistory as the Ali Must Go riots.

Banished from the universityadministration he won theconfidence of Chief ObafemiAwolowo to whom many otherideologically inclinedprogressives across the countrywere also gravitating to.

When the Obasanjo militaryregime lifted the ban on partisanpolitics, Babatope was to comeinto national acclaim as thenational organizing secretary/

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN,POLIIICAL EDITOR

director of organisation of theUnity Party of Nigeria, UPN.

As the national organizingsecretary of a party that manyideological youths saw as theonly light in the cesspool of anideologically bankrupt politicalsystem, he became a sort of iconto many youthful lads across thecountry.

Youths across the country whocould not decipher the elderlypolitical ruminations of PapaAwolowo inclined themselvestowards the frontward lucidarticulations and posturing ofBabatope.

Indeed, as a few disgruntledelements such as Chief AkinOmoboriowo, Prince Olu Mafo,Chief Sunday Afolabi amongothers moved away from thefellowship of the disciples ofAwolowo, Babatope, however,further entrenched himself.

Babatope excelled by allconsiderations in his duties andproved to be more than a matchfor the conservative ideologuesparaded by the ruling NationalParty of Nigeria, NPN.

The progressive thoughtsenunciated by the Awoist campand the retorts of the Uba Ahmed

led conservative school wereperhaps platforms upon whichideological pillars for the socialpolitical transformation of thecountry would have been laid. Butno, the military incursion inDecember 1983 cut it off.

Thrown into jail for nothingother than his ideological

bearing, Babatope came out withhis integrity and ideologicalidentity unscathed.

He preserved in hisinclinations towards Awoism andhad a frontal roll in the burial in1986 of the man that was hailedas the best President Nigeria

never had.After the death of Awolowo,

Babatope’s identity has, however,increasingly confused hisfollowers. His comfortableparticipation in the Sani Abacharegime may have been forgivenas a slip, but his long sufferingstruggles for satisfaction andstatus in the ruling PeoplesDemocratic Party, PDP wouldsurely unnerve disciples of EbinoTopsy of old.

Given his personal integrityand continued enunciation ofprogressive ideas, it is nosurprise that the leaders of thePDP have continued to fence himfrom high positions. His bid tobe the national secretary of thePDP understandably caused theparty elders to cringe last March.

Obasanjo, the same Obasanjowho saw his exit from theUniversity of Lagos more thanthirty years ago, saw to it that notonly was he denied the position,but according to some reports lostit at the point of tears.

Last week the apogee ofBabatope’s ideologicalconvolutions reached its apogeewhen he dragged the spirit of thesage, Pa Awolowo into the PDP’sdifficult task to upstage ComradeAdams Oshiomhole in theforthcoming gubernatorialelection in Edo State.

Our dear Babatope at a pressconference in Benin lastweekend said:“This state is verycrucial to us for the fact that PapaAwolowo died with the belief thatit was the people of old Bendelthat gave him the politicalcredibility as a leader in thecountry.”

The prayer of many ideologicalsoul mates of the beloved EbinoTopsy is that the PDP and itschallenges would not finish thecredibility of Ebino Topsy of yore!

IT was a comedy of errorslast Monday when a

delegation of the House ofRepresentatives paid acourtesy call on GovernorKashim Shetimma inMaiduguri.

Such occasions whenNational Assembly membersmake official visits to governorsare usually laced in merriment,exchange of gifts and banterespecially when a federallegislator from the home stateis in the delegation.

The visit of the HouseCommittee on Health wasespecially so last Monday, butit turned out a major disasterfor a member of the House fromBorno State. In fact, it is a daythat Rep. Abdu Mshilia wouldfor a long time rue on accountof the dismay he raised amongall in the Government Housethat day.

Mshelia on that day simplycould not remember hisgovernor’s name when the

A Rep and his comedy of errorsBY NDAHI MARAMA delegation got round to

introducing themselves to theirhost.

Mshelia who representsAskira –Uba/ Hawul FederalConstituency was to add to hisfault when he addressed oneof the governor’s former rivalsnow serving the governor as“Your Excellency.”

The memorable dramaensued when he forgot topronounce the correct names ofthe state’s number one citizenin the presence of his visitingcolleagues in the House ofRepresentatives TechnicalCommittee on Health.

Mshelia, a pharmacygraduate from BulgariaUniversity entered the politicalterrain during former GovernorAli Modu Sheriff’s tenure whenhe served as a member of theBorno State House of Assemblyrepresenting Hawul stateconstituency.

He worsened his case whenhe addressed the Chief of Staffto Governor Kashim, Alhaji AbuKyari as “Your Excellency” - a

title that state governorsnormally reserve forthemselves and their deputieswithin the Government House.

It was even moreembarrassing on that daygiven that the Chief of Staff,Kyari had aspired to the officeof governor before he threw in

the towel and backed Shetimma.Was Mshelia trying to reviveKyari’s gubernatorialaspiration? No, a desperateKyari repeatedly said if not inwords, then by his immediaterejection of the title ascribed tohim by the House member.

Expressing hisdisappointment, GovernorShetimma said:

“I will not recognize my ownbrother who is a House of

Representative member frommy state who is too jittery andcannot even remember thecorrect pronunciation of mynames as his governor of thesame political party”.

Shettima was even moreirked due to the fact that theleader of the House Committeeon Health who is from theSoutheast, Rep Patrick Osadwuand a member of the ANPPcould correctly pronounce hisnames, while his own kinsman,had to almost bite his tongueto call the governor.

The Courtesy call paid onGovernor Shettima by membersof the House of RepresentativeTechnical Committee on Healthwas to intimate the governor ontheir investigative mission tothe University of MaiduguriTeaching Hospital.

Even as the lawmaker ’sdeparted on that day, thegovernor was still in shock overthe foibles of the Housemember.

“Honourable Abdu, it is stillsurprising that you cannotpronounce or mention in fullthe correct names of your owngovernor, not to even expressyourself in a simple sentence”.

EBINO TOPSY-TURVY:

*Gov Shetimma and Rep Mshelia after the meeting

POL SNIPES

The movements of anideological icon

THOSE in attendance were,Lagos State Governor, Mr.Babatunde Fashola; formerCommonwealth SecretaryGeneral, Chief Emaka Anyoku;Amb George Obiozor, ex-governor of Ogun State, ChiefOlusegun Osoba; formerForeign Affairs Minister, ChiefTom Ikimi; President SilverbirdGroup, Mr Ben Murray-Bruce;Sen Domingo Obende, andPresident-General of TradeUnion Congress, TUC,Comrade Peter Esele

Others were:Representative ofthe Oba of Benin, OmoN’Oba,N’Edo UkuAkpolokplolo Chief DavidEdebiri; Sen Ehigie Uzamere,Chairman Nosak Group, Mr.Tony Ogunbor; Chairman ZinoxTechnologies, Mr. Leo StanEkeh, Eze Igbo of Lagos, IgweHyacinth Ohazulike, Igwe ofMbaukwu, Igwe Peter Anugwu,among others.


FOR Edo State Governor,Adams Oshiomhole, thejust held Champion

Newspapers’ Man of The YearCeremony, would remain amilestone in his political career,given that his nearly four-yearstewardship in Edo earned himthe Newspaper’s Man of the Yearaward.

The event which took place atthe Sheraton Hotel and Towers,Lagos, last Tuesday was anoccasion to celebrateOshiomhole, who made aremarkable transition from labourleader to a politician.

Despite commencing two hoursbehind schedule, the forumattracted political heavyweights,former diplomats, industrycaptains, traditional rulers amongothers.

Amid musical interludes by anEdo cultural group, the ceremonycommenced with an openingprayer at 7: am.

In his opening remarks,Anyoku, who chaired the event,expressed satisfaction on themanner of leadershipOshiomhole is exhibiting in Edo,but regretted that such leadershipis absent in most other areas ofleadership in the country.

Anyoku said“I am delighted tobe here for the eminentlydeserved award for ComradeOshiomhole. I congratulateChampion Newspapers for theaward on a deserving awardee.I first came in contact with himwhen we both served incommittee for the bidding of UNseat for Nigeria.

"Oshiomhole has made himselfa charismatic and celebratedunion leader. He has made hugeimpact on the lives of Edo people.We are faced in this country witha situation that calls forleadership qualities whichAdams represents and hasshown.”

Fewer federating unitsLinking the leadership failure

in the country with the system ofgovernment being practiced, hesaid Nigeria needs fewerfederating units to functioneffectively.

“Nigeria can not function wellunder the existing 36 states . Weneed fewer federating units thathave power for security, goodeducation and infrastructuraldevelopment. We can do well byreverting to six geo-politicalzones for good governance,” hesuggested.

It is order formore work— Oshiomhole

BY CHARLES KUMOLU&GBENGA OKE

He also regretted theprevailing corruption, especiallythe revelations from the Houseof Representatives probe of thefuel subsidy regime.

Also reechoing Anyoku’s tone,the Guest Speaker, Esele,situated the leadership crisis inthe country on the failure to learnfrom the mistakes that led to the30-month Nigerian civil war.

Esele, whose speech wasintermittently interrupted byapplause from the audience,said, “Nigeria has a long historyof bad leadership especially atthe federal level sinceindependence. No leader hasemerged at the national level,who has become an epitome ofall the overwhelming desires ofall Nigerians, it is because noleader has been able to straddle

the high point of the occasion.The governor, who appreciated

the honour given him, describedthe award as a marching orderto continue to apply the resourcesof Edo state to reflect on the livingconditions of Edo people.

“when people start toappreciate your good work, it isan invitation to do more. I wouldnot have been able to achievemoderate progress in theinfrastructural renewal in thestate if not that the leadership ofAction Congress of Nigeria gaveme a free hand to work. Theyaccommodated a level of rascalityfrom me and I believe that weneed a level of rascality to makedramatic change in the country,”he stated

Acknowledging Anyaokufor chairing the event, hecommended the elder-

statesman for staying away frompolitics and showing that it is

possible for an elder to be a rolemodel, rather not competing fora small Akara, (Beans Cake).

“Many people who read mycomments on Edo State or whoread about our state from time totime wondered why I am fightingthe Godfathers. To start with, I

from his decision to veto what anelected governor had promisedto the people of the state.

"As governor, I was compelledto go to Abuja and invited to aprivate living room of a manwhose name has never appearedin the ballot paper and he had tointerrogate me on why I wantedto build more schools, he was notconvinced and he deleted thevote for mass transit, foreducation and other capitalprojects including security votes,with people like that in thecorridors of power, there is noway this country can moveforward.

“So I made up my mind thatwe will not only fight thegodfather but we will defeat himin the interest of the people ofEdo state. I believe 95 % of Edopeople are appreciative of whatwe are doing because they havebeen denied these developmentsover the years. While we are busymobilizing the people of Edostate, they are busy holdingmeetings with INEC officials,doing secret negotiations.”

In addition, he said, “My lastmessage is to Abuja. I believePresident Goodluck Jonathanhas committed himself to one manone vote and I will like toencourage him to know that thebusiness is not over, some of theold men around him do notbelieve in the slogan, while theyare preaching one man one vote,the godfather in Edo is talkingof the presidency’s support, thatthey will re-capture, not win.

"How will the presidency helpthem to re-capture? Are theycoming to vote in Edo state? Iknow this president will not allowanybody to behave as if Edo stateis a retirement benefit on accountof his services to his party.

“To do that is to make a greatmistake but in any event, ourpeople are absolutely ready. Iexpect Abuja to publicly denythat Abuja is not going to supportanybody contrary to the claim ofthe godfather,” he said.

*Chief Tom Ikimi, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Governor Adams Oshiomole, and Mr. Raji Fashola,Governor of Lagos State.

all the interests and desires of themajority of the citizenry acrossthe geographical divide thatwould enable such a leaderstand as a symbol of the Nigerianstate. What we have rather hadare leaders at the regional levels,because they were able tograpple with the immediateinterests of their societies.

There was a relationshipbetween the society and theleaders, which built trust ,confidence and sometimesreverence for the leadershipallowing them latitude to functioneffectively.”

Despite these lamentations, thetrade unionist expressedoptimism that the nation, couldstill produce leaders, that wouldepitomise the overwhelmingyearning of Nigerians.

An order to work moreComing in the heels of Esele’s

speech, was Oshiomhole’scitation and his acceptanceremarks, which turned out to be

ROLL CALL

,

,

My fightagainst thegodfatherstarted fromhis decision toveto what anelectedgovernor hadpromised tothe people ofthe state

CHAMPION MAN OF THE YEAR:

think to even use the word Godis even wrong, the actual wordshould be the devil fatherbecause there is nothing godlyin their acts.

"Some felt I am insulting elders,but I have no difficulty respectingelders, where I have difficulty isthat whereas I respect the age ofthese people that are holding ourdear state down but I have norespect for the age of their ideas.

It is the same thing thatexplains the paradox of a richcountry whose people are beingpauperised and it the same thingthat explains why fewer peopleare buying jets and more peopleare getting poorer. Unless wereverse it, there are no miracles.

If we are to have a sustainabledevelopment, the starting pointis to get rid of those forces thathave held the country down andopposed its progress,”hemaintained.

Elaborating further,Oshiomhole said, “my fightagainst the godfather started

,

,

As governor, Iwas compelled togo to Abuja andinvited to aprivate livingroom of a manwhose name hasnever appeared inthe ballot paperand he had tointerrogate me onwhy I wanted tobuild moreschools

OFTEN, in a moment ofdespair, I would like toforget some salient

factors in the history of Nigeria.Many times, the situation of the`Nigeria Question ̀would be sooverwhelming in my mind that Iwould forget that I am a Nigerianand would want to leave thecountry for a while.

A times, I would not want to bereminded of what would happenin 2015 as prophesied by somepolitical pundits in the USA ortheir oracle consultants inNigeria. It is all well that thedefeated presidential candidatein the last election, GeneralMohammadu Buhari haswarned the country of thepossibility of a political revolutionif things remain (electoralprocesses) unchanged. Thefervent hope is for the rain of asocial revolution to fall and notthe torrents of a bloodyrevolution.

As it is often remarked, Nigeriais a very lucky country amongthose politically contrivednations of the world in the 20thcentury, and perhaps, would stillremain politically stable andeconomically prosperous duringthe celebration of one hundredyears of the amalgamation of theNorthern and SouthernProvinces.

In 1914, the British imperialist,Lord Lugard effected the unionof both the Northern and theSouthern parts of the countryunder the name of Nigeria,presumably coined by hisfiancée.

Before the amalgamation,British troops had conquered in1902, the Sokoto Caliphatefounded by a religious Jihadist,Shehu Usman Dan Fodio (1754– 1814) and had between 1902and 1906 brought Oyo and Ijebuterritories under BritishSovereignty.

It is assumed by progressivehistorians that the amalgamationwas to provide good

administration and encourageinternal trade throughout thecountry of diverse nations and alarge market. The postamalgamation period witnessedmovements of people throughoutthe country with heavier traffictowards the North. There wasalso expanded trade culminatingin the movement of goods fromsouth to north and north to south.

Politically and economically,things appeared normal until theintroduction of the LegislativeCouncil which brought togetherrepresentatives from the northand the southern parts of thecountry. Except for Lagos andCalabar which had electedrepresentatives, selection byBritish officials was the vogue inother areas.

It is a pity that it was inNorthern Nigeria that thequestion of the amalgamation ofthe 1914 was raised in the 1950s.The late Prime Minister ofNigeria, Sir Alhaji AbubakarTafawa Balewa was reported in1952 in a speech in the NorthernHouse of Assembly, Kaduna, that`the Southern people who areswarming into this region dailyin large numbers are reallyintruders.

We don`t want them and they

Southern people. We shouldtake our own way`. Manyanalysts believe, and justifiablytoo, that the seed of politicalinstability was planted out of themindset of the two most importantpolitical leaders of the North atthat time.

It should be realized that sincethe 1950s and even afterIndependence in 1960, the North(taken as one entity) hadbenefitted immensely from theAmalgamation of 1914 in termsof political power and the shareof the national cake Accordingto a British writer John Penderin his book, ̀ AHMADU BELLO– Sadauna of Sokoto, `theproblems facing the NPCgovernment of Tafawa Balewawere many.

In 1961, only 400 out of the41,000 Federal Civil servantswere Northerners (with about 30in senior posts); only two of theNortherners were in theDepartment of Customs andExcise; in the Army, there was alarge number in the lower ranksbut about ten (10) werecommissioned officers".

However, through politicalsagacity and

administrative efficiency, the faceof the North is more than visiblein every facet of the Nigeriannational life today.

From those halcyon days ofBritish political ingenuity of 1914to the present turbulent periodof Boko Haram insurgency in theNorth, kidnapping and armedrobberies in the South anddeepening poverty all over thecountry, events have changeddramatically leaving vestiges ofpolitical bitterness, ethnicterrorism and religiousintolerance.

It is amazing how theincompetence of the presentleaders could be blamed onevents which happened aboutone hundred years ago. It is tothe present political leadershipof the country (under the age of

are not welcome here in theNorth. Since the amalgamationin 1914, the British Governmenthas been trying to make Nigeriainto one country, but the Nigerianpeople are different in every wayincluding religion, custom,language and aspiration. Thefact that we`re all Africans mighthave misguided the BritishGovernment. We here in theNorth, take it that `Nigerianunity` is not for us`.

The McPherson Constitutionwhich brought the different partsof Nigeria into political discoursealso portrayed the fragile natureof the political entity of thecountry. After the allegedmaltreatments of Northernlegislators in 1953 onIndependence motion by the lateChief Anthony Enahoro of theWest, the Sardauna of Sokoto andthe leader of the NorthernPeople`s Congress (NPC) wasquoted as saying, `the mistakeof 1914 has come to light`.

He elaborated further that,`Lord Lugard and theamalgamation were far frompopular among us at that time.There were agitations in favourof seccessions; we should set upon our own. We should cease tohave any more to do with the

Was it a mistake?


sixty years) to show more interestin the history of economic andpolitical development of thecountry in order to understandthe present predicament of thenation.

In sympathy with thosepatriotic Nigerians who areclamoring for a change from thepresent position for a moreradical stance, it is necessary topresent an over view or apanoramatic scenery of today`sNigeria.

It is a country of a populationof about 160 million people

with about 70% of the populaceliving on less than 1US$ i.e.(N250) per day; it is one of the20 poorest countries of the worldwith large scale unemploymentand the rate of poverty generallyspread throughout the countrybut highly marked in the North.

Compared with otherdeveloping countries, its rate ofinflation is over ten percent andits bank lending rate is overtwenty percent to the realeconomy. Also, it is a country withpolitical instability and economicuncertainty, but with potentialsof a great country based onabundant natural and humanresources.

Of all premonitions and darkclouds in 2015, I found GeneralT. Y. Danjuma`s warning of`Somalisation ̀of Nigeria as themost serious. Somalia operateda unitary government under amilitary dictatorship. When theleader was overthrown (SiadBarre), the country descendedinto anarchy and has neverrecovered till today.

Could Nigeria avoid similarexperience by evolving a sensiblepolitics and common senseeconomics? Why not negotiatefor a genuinely NationalGovernment to bring out the mostcapable Nigerians of all politicalshades and ideas?

Sms only 07059197616

AMALGAMATION OF 1914:

BY LAJA THOMAS

ELEVEN days to the end ofthe first year of his second

tenure, Governor Theodore Orjiof Abia State has presented hisscorecard to the state's indigenesresident in Lagos. It was aninteractive session withexecutives and members ofdifferent town unions, womengroups, youth associations andother critical stakeholders in theAbia State project to intimatethem on the activities ofgovernment since he came intooffice five years ago.

The governor was representedby his Chief Economic Adviser,Chief Chijoke Nwakodo, whoalso doubled as the chairman ofthe occasion. State Liason Officerin Lagos, Chief Felix Azuh,Special Adviser on Diaspora,Chief Kingsley Megwara andSpecial Adviser on PublicRelations whose office organizedthe forum, Barrister JamesOkpara, were also present.

Nwakodo said Orji could notcome for the event because hewent to Adamawa State to bewith the PDP national chairmanand PDP governors. And theprevious day he attended the

Day Gov Orji presented scorecardto Abians in Lagosburial of Chief of Army Staff, Gen.Ihejirika's father-in-law. Ihejirikais a proud son of Abia State.

At the packed interactive eventheld at Ojez Place inside theNational Stadium, Surulere, thegovernment presented acomprehensive side show of someof various projects executedacross the state by the Ochendoadministration.

As the screen came alive andthe slides began to roll, Megwaraprovided further explanationsand shed more light on what thepeople were being shown.

Earlier, Okpara had told thegathering that the reason for theinteractive session was for theindigenes to be adequatelyinformed about the developmentback home instead of dependingon rumours, which he said hadbecome the trademark of somepoliticians in the state, who wereno longer relevant in the schemeof things. He emphasized that allthat they were about to see were

done and executed by the T AOrji administration withoutborrowing a kobo, anannouncement that was greetedby a rapturous clapping.

“It is important that welet all of you, our brotherswho are the executivesof your town unionsknow what is going onat home. We live in aglobal village whereinformation travels veryfast. And where somefailed politicians havemade it a trademark topeddle and sponsorrumours against thegovernment. We felt youshould see things foryourself and form yourown judgment oropinion. But theimportant thing I wantyou to know is that theadministration ofOchendo has done what

Megwara explained therationale behind the move by thegovernment to relocate theUmuahia Main Market.According to him, the status ofUmuahia as a state capital is ofmuch concern to the governor.And his plan is to transform itfrom a glorified town to acommendable state capital thatall Abians can be proud of.

“The governor, Chief T A Orjiwants to make sure that if youcome into Umuahia, you’d knowthat you’re in a first class city, andtherefore, government is tryingto move the market. That marketis in the centre of the city inUmuahia, it is actually an eyesoreand unbefitting of a capital. So,that market is now being movedto somewhere closer to Uzoaku.

Looking at the slide as it rolledby, Megwara said “A lot of yougoing to Aba know the oldUruruka Road – that road is nowpassable; it used to be a deathtrap. There is the old ExpressRoad by Sam Eke – and that onehas been abandoned for over 20years, and the Government ofAbia State picked it up, and that’show it looks like right now


you are about to see withoutborrowing a kobo from anywhere.After you have seen these things,you are free to ask question andair your observations”, he stated.

*Gov. Orji


WHAT have been yourchallenges in theNational Assembly?

I left the House more than fouryears ago, May 2007. So myexperience in the Senate versusthe House of Representatives,first, the challenges are different.When I was in the House ofRepresentatives, we were notfacing for example, this issue ofoil subsidy, Boko Haram,perhaps the biggest problem wefaced at that time was the attemptby the then president to subvertthe constitution by his attempt tohave a third time for himself.

Issues like Boko Haram are notissues that you can talk about asfreely as you wish becausesecurity problems are not theissue any one can talk aboutflippantly.

The whole issue is justshrouded in a crowd of theunknown.As we are talking rightnow, nobody can say clearly whoare the brains behind BokoHaram, even the issue of subsidy,it’s just being defrocked, that isstark naked for us to see what isbeneath it. So for that reason,there has been a measure ofcaution.

In fact, before the issue of BokoHaram was discussed for thevery first time by the Senate, ifyou watched the proceeding thatday, you will see that the SenatePresident first called for anexecutive session and we werewarned, and I believe correctly,that this was not a matter peoplecan just plan to play to the gallerybecause if you misspeak in thatkind of place, you might becomethe target of death. You rememberthat the man former PresidentObasanjo visited to try tonegotiate was killed within 24hours and when we had thedebate on Boko Baram, some ofour loved ones called me and saidProf., this is not the matter to blowgrammar on and I don’t blamethem.

Discretion, they say is the betterpart of valour especially whenyou don’t know the enemy about

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

whom you are going to be talkingabout.

Again, When you look at thecharacter of the Senate anywherein the world, the Senate usuallycomprises of people who areolder than those of the otherchamber. I don’t call the Houseof Representatives the lowerchamber because the twochambers are actually co-equal.The Senate cannot pass any lawwithout the House of

enjoyed it because we knew thatwe must surely win when itcomes to joint session.

However, in the Senate you areolder, senators also tend to be lessemotional. For example, oftentimes in the House of Reps whenI would speak, people will clapand I will enjoy their applauds.You cannot afford that in theSenate, it’s not allowed. So thestyle is different, the procedureis partly different and the I happened to be one of the

principal co-sponsors of thatmotion, was debated and in theend referred to a committee tolook into it. It so happened thatthe House of Reps later broughtthe same motion and we couldn’tgo into action because right nowall that you are seeing is whathave come from the House ofReps when in fact the Senate hadalso met on the same issue.

We read in the newspaper,some explanations from thechairman of the committee onPetroleum on why the Senate hasnot come out with its ownfindings. He said they weretrying to be sure that everythingis sorted out. I am convinced thatit is too late for anyone to try tohide anything, I believe nothingwill be hidden, now I don’t wantto prejudge what the outcome ofthe Senate finding would be butthey may find the same thing thatthe House of Rep has found,there might be slight differences.

Now, as a Nigeria citizen, I am

free to comment on what theNational Assembly has found. Ihave no reason to doubt theintegrity of those in the House ofRepresentatives who are in thatcommittee. In any case, how canit be that between one year andthe next, the amount that wasspent on subsidy was curtipled?Is it because the number of carsand on that account the volumeof petrol consumed was curtipledover a 365-day period? I don’tbelieve so!

I believe that there is no howyou are going to get to the bottomof this subsidy issue withoutfinding some rots and I am gladthat the National Assembly hasdone it duty in bringing the factsto the open, we don’t have thepower to prosecute, all we cando is to tell the nation what wehave found. It’s up to theexecutive to prosecute, it’s alsoup to the citizenry to bringappropriate pressure on thepolitical process to ensure that noone can be a sacred cow in thismatter. Once the citizenry is aliveto his civic responsibility, we whoare your servants have no choicebut to bend to your wishes. Ibelieve that what would happenin the end will not depend onthe apathy, indifference, zeal,enthusiasm, whatsoever ofpoliticians alone, to a largeextend, it will depend on theFourth Estate of the realm- thepress, the civil society, labour,and the citizenry at large, whomust say N1trillion or N2trillionis not a small sum of money. Ifwe bring that money to capitaldevelopment, we can createenough jobs that will fast occupyour young people and arrest thisorgy of violence from joblessyouths who are beingmisdirected, by organizationsuch as we have found in BokoHaram. It will createinfrastructure that will make ourlives better, it will create betterschools for our children.

SENATOR Olusola Adeyeye representing OsunCentral Senatorial District, Osun State is not a greenhorn in Nigerian politics. The former member of theHouse of Representatives came into nationalprominence through his activities as a member of theNational Democratic Coalition (NADECO) duringlate General Sanni Abacha's government. He wasamong those who were behind Radio Kudirat that thepro-democracy activists were using to diseminateinformation then. In this interview with Journalists inOsogbo, Senator Adeyeye spoke on a number ofissues. Excerpts:

“This is a federal road inArochukwu. What is happeningnow in all the states, our ownincluded, is that you wait for theFederal Government and theyare not coming, and you knowthat your people are directlysuffering from all the hardshipthat comes from deplorable roadcondition. The government ofAbia State is doing that road. Thisis the new state secretariat. Forthe first time in the history of thestate, the government hasbrought all its employees underone roof.

“The government has built 255


Day Gov Orji presented scorecardto Abians in Lagos

health centres located in thethree senatorial districts of AbiaState, to enable the people enjoyhealthcare services.

“This is the new GovernmentHouse – the Governmentthought it was necessary to builda new Government House. Thisis the conference centre. Beforewe left home, to come here(Lagos), Ihejirika’s mother wasbeing buried, and there was noteven a single space of hotel roomin that place. The NigerianMedical Association, the otherday wanted to hold their annualconvention, they were looking fora place. The InternationalConference Centre will make us

able to attract internationalevents. About 6,000 peoplewould be able to sit comfortablyin that hall when completed.Our governor has vowed toensure it is ready beforeDecember.

“The diagnostic centre thegovernor has brought to our statehas made it possible for ourbrothers and sisters who wouldbe travelling to India, or Pakistanor Saudi Arabia to seeksophisticated healthcare. Theyare now being done in Abia State.We’ve just brought in themachines and brought thedoctors too. This is the one inUmuahia, another one is in Aba.

It took a lot to bring these thingsin”, he explained among otherthings.

“This is the new OsisiomaRoundabout; it used to be aterrible place. There also is thenew Osisioma Motor Park –we’ve decided to bring all themotor parks together and have itorganised.

“What used to be an erraticpower flow, a terrible powersystem in Abia State is now beingcorrected. We now have anUmuahia where you don’t needa stabiliser any more to poweryour air conditioner, and can staytwo, three days now withoutPHCN cutting your light. A lotof people thought it was PHCNbut the Abia State Governmentput in N1.2 billion to assistPHCN in what we have inUmuahia and the surroundingarea

Nigerians musNigerians musNigerians musNigerians musNigerians must tt tt tt tt takakakakakeeeeeactionactionactionactionaction — Prof Adeyeye

FUEL SUBSIDY REPORT:

,,

tradition is different despite thefact that even when you look atthe rules of the Senate and theHouse, they are almost the same.

Now, as for the challengeswe are facing, the issue of

fuel subsidy came because therewas a motion by Senator BukolaSaraki to look at the fact that thebudget of our republic votedN245 billion a year for oil subsidyand that from investigation wewere spending four or five timesthat amount.

Representatives and if there is adeadlock between the House andthe Senate, I can assure you therewill be a joint session in whichthe House will always winbecause in a joint session, it willbe one-man, one-woman vote.That is why the state itself iscareful not to precipitate asituation where there would beconflict in the House ofRepresentatives.

In fact, when we were in theHouse of Representatives, we

*Adeyeye

It’s up to the executive to prosecute,it’s also up to the citizenry to bringappropriate pressure on the politicalprocess to ensure that no one can be asacred cow in this matter


BY ISHOLA BALOGUN

Bismillahi Rahamani Ra-heem. Wasalatu wasalam alaseyidina Muhammad, wa alaalihi, wa ashabihi, wasselim.

email: [email protected]: 08098097290

Qurán boy:Another miracle from Allah?

,

,

Truly, “it is only Allah that chooseswhere His signs will appear.” Those whodon’t believe it however, described it asfabricated myth, hinging their argumenton the premise that the Quran cannot beso desecrated passing through that form

of impurity. This will not be the first timewhen signs and wonders will be disputed

by some people

“Allah said: “Soon willshow them our signs infarthest part of the earthand among their ownpeople until it becomemanifest to them that itis truth. It is not enoughthat the Lord is witnessover all things.” HolyQur’an (Q41;53)

IN our immediateenvironment and

surroundings, signs andwonders of the messageof the Holy Qur ’anabound. It is notsufficient to see signs butas Muslims, we have togo a little further to beable to decipher it andpraise Allah for hiswonderful works. Tomake His signs moreclearer, God sent HisMessengers on earth topreach His message, togive guidance to theexisting signs and otherto come. He appeals tous to study them closelyin order that we mayknow that He is the MostPowerful, Most High.Glory and adoration beunto Him. “So blessedbe Allah, the Best ofcreators.” Q23:14. Hegave mankind theintellect and the freedomto explore His signs so asto get benefits from themand also choose whetherto believe it or not. Thatis why the Quran is

•Sheikh Is'haq Essam from Bahrain receiving a gift from the President of NASFAT,Alhaji Sherifdeen Yussuf (2nd right) and Sheikh Abdul-Azeez Onike, Deputy ChiefMissioner of NASFAT (right) during the interactive session on ''Islam and PeacefulCo-existence in a Multi-religious Society," last weekend, Lagos.

•From left, Alhaja Nofisat Arogundade, Women Leader, NASFAT, presentinga gift to Sheikh Is'haq Essam from Bahrain, flanked by other delegation fromBahrain during the interactive session in Lagos.

ALHAJI NurudeenAlamu Shitta-Bey

has been installed as thenew Seriki-Musulumi ofLagos, at the LagosCentral Mosque.

Some of thepersonalities at theevent held last weekend,included: formergovernor of Lagos State,Alhaji Lateef KayodeJakande, Oba AdedapoTejuohso, the Osile ofOke-Ona Egbaland andthe representatives ofTurkish governmentamongst others.

Tejuosho, in hiscomment said thechoice of Alhaji Alamu

Alamu Shitta-Bey installed new SerikiAlamu Shitta-Bey installed new SerikiAlamu Shitta-Bey installed new SerikiAlamu Shitta-Bey installed new SerikiAlamu Shitta-Bey installed new SerikiMusulumi of LagosMusulumi of LagosMusulumi of LagosMusulumi of LagosMusulumi of Lagos

Shitta-Bey as the newSeriki-Musulumi ofLagos was divine and inline with the desire andyearnings of the LagosMuslim community andother natives.

According to them,the installation of AlhajiAlamu Shitta-Bey wasaccepted by all and inline with the traditionsince the time whenIslamic religion wasentrenched in the 19thCentury in Lagos.

The Chairman ofShitta-Bey’s FamilyAffairs Committee, ChiefRasheed AdewaleShitta-Bey in an

interview said it was acollective decision ofthe entire familymembers whopresented him to theMuslim community inLagos, under theleadership of the ChiefImam of Lagos, SheikhGaruba Akinola Ibrahimwho performed theturbanning ceremonyand Baba Adinni ofLagos, Sheikh AlhajiHafeez Abdou.

The new Seriki-Musulumi of Lagos,Alhaji Alamu-Shitta-Beysucceeded Senator SikiruAyodeji Shitta-Bey whopassed on in 2010.

described as Guidanceand Blessings tomankind. (Hudahn waRahmatan li ilalameen)

Another of His signsnow coming at a timewhen Islamic popularityis waning in Nigeria asa result of orchestratedviolence by some groupof people which iserroneously linked withIslam. Just like some willnot believe the violence

has nothing to do withIslam, they will still notbelieve in any story toprove that Islam isdivinely ordained.

On Monday May 7,20212, one of such signscame again. A boynamed last Monday asAbdul-Wahab Babatundewas said to have beenborn with a copy ofminiature Holy Qur’an.The most stunning

episode was that thedelivery came from anon-muslim mother andin a church. Since theincidence, I have beeninundated withcomments and remarkson the authenticity orotherwise of the story.While some believe it isa rare miracle, someMuslims say it is notpossible. Those whosubscribed to the idea

that it should beinvestigated must havereasoned with the verseof the Holy Qur’an thus:“O you who havebelieved, if there comesto you a disobedient onewith information,investigate, lest youharm a people out ofignorance and become,over what you havedone, regretful.” (Q49:6) Perharps, they believethat more stunningepisodes will beunraveled in the courseof investigation. Again,following what scholars

have said on it,especially after the saidQuran was viewed by theleague of Imams at theresidence of Chief Imamof Lagos, who arebelieved to havescrutinized the storyfrom the religiousperspective and resolvedthat it is indeed a signfrom God. Truly, “it isonly Allah that chooseswhere His signs willappear.”

Those who don’tbelieve it however,described it as fabricatedmyth, hinging theirarguments on thepremise that the Qurancannot be so desecratedpassing through thatform of impurity. Thiswill not be the first timewhen signs and wonderswill be disputed by somepeople.

We have heard of asnail that had inscriptionof Lailaha ila Llahu, wehave heard of a tree thatcarried that sameinscription in Ilorin inthe recent past. A rockwas also said to havebroken into two havingthe inscription of ALLAhis one on it. All these aresigns which in otherwords we call miraclesfrom Allah.

In Russia some fewyears back, a 9-month oldbaby boy, Ali Yakubo wasseen with phrases fromthe holy Qur ’anappearing on his skin.People still said it wassurreptitiously written onYakubo’s back, arms, legsand stomach despite thefact that these verses ofthe Qur’an were reported

to have appeared andafter a while, faded awayand replaced with newones.

Another miracle wasthe 5-year-old boy,Sheikh Sharifudeen whowas also born into achristian family inTanzania. He speaks fivelanguages - English,French, Italian, Swahili(Tanzania) and Arabic -although he iscompletely uneducated.At one-year -ld, he wasable to recite the Quranand went on to preach inArabic, Swahili andFrench without anylearning. He had noformal education, butteaches people with agreat number ofconverts. He knew theQu’ran by heart andstarted praying fivetimes daily when he waseighteen months.

One of the qualities oftrue believers andworshipers of Allah listedin the Holy Qur’an is “...Those who, when theyare reminded of thesigns of their Lord, fallnot deaf and blindthereat”. ...

“Does not man see thatit is We Who created Himfrom sperm? Yet behold!He (stands forth) as anopen adversary! And hemakes comparisons forus and forgets his own(Origin and) Creation:He says “Who can givelife to (dry) bones anddecomposed ones (atthat)?” Say “He will givethem life Who createdthem for the first time! ForHe is well-versed inevery kind of creation!“The same Whoproduces for you fire outof the green tree whenbehold! Ye kindletherewith (your ownfires)! “Is not He Whocreated the heavens andthe earth able to createthe like thereof?” Yeaindeed! For He is theCreator Supreme of skilland knowledge(infinite)! Verily when Heintends a thing Hiscommand is “Be” and itis! So glory to Him inWhose Hands is thedominion of all things;and to Him will ye be allbrought back.” Q36:77-83. May Allah guide usaright.

L E I S U R ETHOUGHT FOR TODAY


VIRGINIA

KAPTAIN AFRIKA in “Princess Shii’ By Andy Akman

[email protected]

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye” By Kola Fayemi

YOUR LUCK TODAYYOUR LUCK TODAYYOUR LUCK TODAYYOUR LUCK TODAYYOUR LUCK TODAY

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Commen3 by Lawrence Akapa

By Richard Eromosele

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

PISCES; Unless you are more careful matters-of-the-heartmay cause avoidable trouble the way your career/busi-ness can suffer temporarily.

ARIES; It is important you don’t exhibit aggression un-necessarily. Here is a day when secret love is capable ofbringing serious pressure. Try to be very diplomatic.

TAURUS; Your concentration level is not perfect and ifyou take bad advice from friends you would be misled.The more practical you are the better for you.

GEMINI; Unnecessary aggressive approach on your partalong your career/business lines will back-fire more thanyou imagine. Graceful expression is what you will need.

CANCER; Happenings within your working arena canbring minor provocation but it is just a passing trend.Travelling for love will bring more challenges than ex-pected.

LEO; Male members of this Star sign will need to watchtheir libido while female must not ignore their sex-life.Beware of joint ventures with those you don’t know.

VIRGO; It is not compulsory you take to aggressive re-action to those within your base of operation who are notas perfect as you. Protect your spouse.

LIBRA; Watch what you eat and drink today. This is thewrong time to engage in unnecessary heated argument..Romance at work may bring disappointment.

SCORPIO; Trying to influence matters-of-the-heart withmoney will not give you the desired result. Any way it is aday you will need to be more careful with money.

SAGITTARIUS; It is important you are more carefulwhile trying to pass judgement on people within your baseof operation because you too may be wrong.

CAPRICORN; Taking a pleasure drive or movement maybring more than anticipated responsibility. Keep awayfrom whatever can not be placed above board today.

AQUARIUS; If you allow friends to force their ideas onyou financially or on matters-of-the-heart, you would bethe loser. Express yourself gracefully.

Dear Joshua,

Kindly tell me where the Moon was placed when I wasborn and other things I should know about my star.John, Oyo.

Dear John,

What space can take will be given here-under. Your natalMoon was in Aries.

ANALYSIS OF YOUR HOROSCOPE DATAPreponderance of cardinal quality in your chart is an indi-cation of GREAT LEADERSHIP QUALITY together with in-nate ability to attain prominence on one hand, on the otherhand, exaltation of intellectual related Mercury in Aquariusat positive angle to both lucky Jupiter and Uranus (the planetof genius) in Libra pointed to a person with higher pitch ofintelligence.Action loving Mars as the final dispositor of your horo-scope ( that’s most influential planet at home when youwere born) will most times induce you to strongly desireimportance with likeness for quick results; actually longpromise without concrete action will bore you easily. Equally60 percentage of push-full influence in your chart meansthat the best for you is to go after your needs and wants.Combination of all the placement and aspects formed withinthe planets when you were born are pointers to you as aperson with balanced personality with little bias for goodspiritual life. And you believe in disciplinarian life style.Placement of your natal Sun and Moon in compassionatePisces and self conscious Aries respectively are indicationsof your being mainly a Piscean and partly an Arian, how-ever as Aries is also your Stellium sign, both basic charac-teristics of Pisces and Aries are highly pronounced in yourinner-self.

Where was my moon

The thirsty manEVERYMAN or

woman is thirstyfor one thing in the life- we all want to be ap-preciated. The desireto be appreciated isinnate in every human

being.No matter what you

give a man, if you don’tappreciate him, he islike the thirsty mangiven a bottle of min-eral instead of glass or

water, he can’t be sat-isfied. Appeciate aman for te little thinghe has done for youand he will go out ofhis way to do greaterthings for you.

Whether a small man,whether a big man,whether a little child,a big girl, big woman,etc, we are all thirstyfor appeciation.

Think about it!


From right: Former Oyo State Governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, his wife, Oluwakemi, formerSenior Special Assistant on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Prince Felix Akande and hiswife, Faderera, during funeral and thanksgiving for Madam Deborah Adegbite, at Mark HayfordMemorial Baptist Church, Timber Market, Accra, Ghana.\

N18,000 minimum wage:Zamfara workers begin strike

Thanksgiving

Academicactivitiesresume atUnilag

Agbarho oldstudentsmeet

Mrs Ikomi forburial

MRS Comfort Ikomi, 76,of Ugbege in Warri

North LGA of Delta Stateand Philips of Ijebu Ode,Ogun State, is dead. Therewill be a Christian wake to-day at her residence, funer-al service holds tomorrowat First Baptist Church,Palmer Road, Sapele. En-tertainment follows imme-diately at Sapele AthleticClub, GRA, Sapele, DeltaState. She is survived bymany children, grand chil-dren and relations amongwhom Mr. Moore Olegi-tiere JP P.R.O. of UvwieKingdom and Mr JoloneIkomi, a Warri-based legalpractitioner.

Late Mrs Ikomi

THANKSGIVING tomark 90th birthday and

60th marriage of Rev. Can-on Joseph Abi Oghenekaro(rtd) comes up tomorrowat St. Barnabas' AnglicanChurch, Owhrode, UduL.G.A. Reception takesplace at the primary school,opposite the church.

THE Lagos branch of St.Enda’s College (Ag-

barho Grammar School)Agbarho Old Students As-sociation holds its monthlygeneral meeting tomorrowat 12B Abuja Close, AgbaraEstate, Ogun State.A statement by the presi-dent, Chief Lucky Arheresaid very important matters,including handover of theschool to missionaries havebeen lined up for discus-sion.

Senator callsfor setting upof leadershipcentres

BY CHARLES KUMO-LU

SENATE Committee onWomen Affairs, Social

and Youth Developmentyesterday advocated for es-tablishment of Citizenshipand Leadership TrainingCentre, CLTC, in everystate, noting that Nigeria isin dire need of quality lead-ership.

Chairman of the Commit-tee Senator Helen Esuene,said this in Lagos during afacility tour of CLTC SeaSchool, as part of the Com-mittee’s oversight functions.

According to Esuene,''leasership trainingsshould be made affordableto Nigerians, including stu-dents in secondary and pri-mary schools respectively".

BY SAMIU IBRAHIM

GUSAU—CIVIL servants in Zamfara State

yesterday began an indefi-nite strike to press hometheir demand for paymentof the N18,000 minimumwage to workers in thestate.

The Secretary of the statechapter of the Nigeria La-bour Congress, NLC, Com-rade Sabo Tsafe said theworkers would not return towork until their demandswere met.

The workers had earliergiven two weeks ultimatumto government withinwhich to commence pay-

ment of new minimumwage or face industrial ac-t i o n . Vanguard gathered thatdiscussions between labourand government was re-portedly deadlock , as gov-ernment allegedly insistedthat its ability to pay the newsalary scheme dependedon its monthly accruals from

the Federation Account.Furthermore, govern-

ment insisted that it couldonly address the demandsof labour, after the conclu-sion of its on-going verifi-cation of the work force,which labour reportedly in-terpreted to mean rational-isation or retrenchment ofworkers.

Alleged non-payment for projects:Contractors give Chevron ultimatum

BY EMMA ARUBI

WARRI—KOKODIAGBENE community

contractors, executing themulti-million naira cottagehospital for the oil–rich peo-ple of Warri South-WestLocal Government Area ofDelta State, have given

UNN leads other varsities on CSR

Foundation laments plight of Nigerian familiesBY LAJA THOMAS

Chevron Nigeria Limited a48 hours ultimatum to paythem for work done or facetheir wrath.

The community’s Finan-cial Secretary, Mr JacksonTimiyan, in a joint statementwith Capt. Jonathan Uti andGodfrey Ike on behalf of theother contractors, said theultimatum had become im-perative as various banks

from where loans were ob-tained for the execution ofthe project were now set toconfisticate their propertyused as collateral due todefault in re-payment of theloans.

They claimed that theyhad executed the hospitalproject to Chevron’s speci-fication and expressed wor-ry that the company was not

living up to its pledge ofpaying them to meet thecompletion time frame.

“We the contractors wentinto borrowing from ourbanks for our various con-structions pending Chev-ron’s disbursement. Nowthe project is uncompletedand no disbursement hadbeen made to us over ayear,” they complained.

AGGRIEVED familieshave been urged to

sheathe their swords andreturn to path of peace, di-alogue and conviviality asviolence destroys the vitalessence of the family. Shelamented that the Nigeri-an family has been consist-ently under threats becauseof an admixture of control-lable and uncontrollable cir-cumstances in our environ-ment.

The Founder/President,Asabe Shehu Yar’AduaFoundation, Mrs. AsabeYar’Adua, said this at a cer-emony to commemorate thisyear's UN Family Day inAbuja.

Mrs. Yar’Adua said: “Thegeneral economic gloomhas compounded the woes

facing the family, especial-ly in Nigeria and most de-veloping countries. It is agrowing economic hard-ship being precipitated bythe sharp decline in gov-ernment expenditure oncapital projects and em-powerment schemes, owingto an astronomical rise in

overhead costs. Budgets foreducational needs by theauthorities fall short of thecrucial demand with its direconsequences on the fami-ly. Thus, the family lives inperpetual fear because ofthe rising state of insecuri-ty”.

Also commenting on the

current security challengesfacing the country, she said,“lives of many families havebeen ruined, having losttheir bread winners or theirbusinesses completely de-stroyed. This is indeed thesituation that the averagefamily in Nigeria has founditself.”

BY CHINENYEHOZOR

NSUKKA—UNIVERSITY of Nigeria, Nsu-

kka, UNN, is ahead of oth-er universities in the coun-try and occupies the 35thposition in the world onCorporate Social Responsi-bility, CSR.

Vice Chancellor of theUniversity, Prof. BarthoOkolo disclosed this at theWorld Earth Day seminarorganised by Centre for En-trepreneurship and Devel-opment Research, CEDR,of the UNN,explaining that the univer-sity is poised to uphold thevirtues of CSR.

Okolo noted that the uni-versity’s policies and prac-tice on environmental san-itation, waste managementand landscaping weregeared towards institution-alization of green environ-ment aimed at ensuringthat the university commu-nity enjoys the best of facil-ities.

LAGOS—ACADEMICactivities resumed yes-

terday at the University ofLagos after three days ofmourning for the late ViceChancellor, Prof.Adetokunbo Sofoluwe, whodied on Saturday aged 62.

The Deputy Vice Chan-cellor, Academic and Re-search, Prof. Babajide Alo,however, said academicactivities would be “lowkeyed''.

He said: “The universi-ty community is yet to re-cover from the rude shockwhen it received the sadand sudden news of thedeath of its 10th vice chan-cellor.

“A high-powered burialcommittee headed by myhumble self was set up inconjunction with the fami-ly.

“On Thursday, May 31,2012, there would be a ly-ing-in-state on our campusfollowed by a burial serv-ice at All Saints Church,Yaba, and this would be fol-lowed with an interment atthe Vaults and Garden,Ikoyi, Lagos.”

'Strip politicalappointees ofarmedsecurityaides'

BY TONY NYONG

LESS than a week afterGovernor Godswill Ak-

pabio of Akwa Ibom Statekicked of the People’s Dem-ocratic Party, PDP, cam-paign for the local govern-ment elections, the stateChairman of IndependentElectoral Commission, AK-ISIEC, Mrs Gloria Uk-pong, has said to reducetension and violence dur-ing the council polls, therewas need to strip politicalappointees and politicalparties of their armed se-curity aides.

The AKISIEC boss, at astakeholders’ meeting withsecurity chiefs and leadersof political parties warned,that the commission wouldnot be liable for any short-coming in the conduct ofthe election, if political par-ties refused to obey therules.

50 —Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2012

CMYK



World Bank, IMF warn of domino effect of GreecedefaultWORLD Bank Presi

dent Mr. RobertZoellick yesterday warnedthat Italy and Spain are atrisk from the illiquiditycrisis that is plaguingGreece which has beendenied further credit lineby the European centralbank. Mr. Zoellick said theworry for the managers ofEuropean economy is onwhat happens to Italy andSpain which arefacedwith dire economicsituations thst could resultfrom a domino effect of theGreek default.

The World Bank bosssaid “The core questionwill be not Greece, butSpain and Italy,” WorldBank President RobertZoellick said on Wednes-day. If Greece left the eurozone, the ripple effectscould be very damagingand reminiscent of whenLehman Brothers invest-ment bank collapsed in2008, spreading panic onglobal financial markets.

Greece and Spainishdepositors made franticwithdrawals from theirbanks as the economic

and political conditions inboth European countriesworsen. In Greece the in-terim government tookover the affair of the coun-try while panic spread inSpain after economic dataconfirmed the country isback in recession and re-ports of an outflow of de-posits from nationalizedBankia hammered itsshare price.

IMF chief ChristineLagarde also warned of“extremely expensive”consequences wereGreece to leave the eurozone, a once taboo possi-bility that European lead-ers have begun to discussopenly after the nationdescended into politicalchaos.

Fears that Greece’s direstate could drag the eurozone deeper into crisisrattled financial marketsacross the globe, as alittle-known judge wasinstalled to head anemergency governmentwhich will lead the nationto new elections on June17.

Lagarde on Wednesdaycalled on Greek leaders toshow their resolve to keepthe country in the euro bysticking to its bailout dealwith the InternationalMonetary Fund and Eu-ropean Union, the termsof which have inflictedgreat suffering on itspeople. Spanish PrimeMinister Mariano Rajoysaid on Wednesday hisgovernment, strugglingto reduce its budget defi-cit, could soon find it dif-ficult to fund itselfaffordably on the bondmarket unless the pres-sure eases.

Recession-hit Spain,which faces deep con-cerns over the health of itsbanks, is set to see itsmedium-term borrowingcosts rise sharply at anauction on yestersday of

1.5-2.5 billion euros ofbonds expiring in 2015and 2016. The EuropeanCommission warned lastweek that stubbornly highdebts in the regions and

the welfare system wouldprevent Spain meeting itsdeficit goal of 5.3 percentof GDP this year. Reportsfrom Athens said deposi-tors were withdrwaingtheir money to keep athome or transfer them toother countries.

The economic uncer-tainty is Greece is com-pounded by the politicalimpasse in the Europeancountry. The EuropeanCentral Bank hasstopped offering liquidityto some Greek banks itdoes not consider solvent,and international concernabout the euro zone roseas Athens called newelections that look set tobe won by parties oppos-ing austerity measures.

•World Bank bossZoellick

•IMF Boss, Largard Greek Interrim PM,Pikramenos

US to send troops to Africa Command

THE US army hassaid a combat bri-

gade will be assigned tothe Pentagon’s AfricaCommand next year in apilot programme that willsend small teams of sol-diers to countries aroundthe continent to do train-ing and participate inmilitary exercises.

General Ray Odierno,the army’s chief of staff,says the plan is part of anew effort to provide UScommanders around the

globe with troops on arotational basis to meetthe military needs of theirregions.

This pilot programmesends troops to an areathat has become agreater priority for theObama administrationsince it includes severalnations from where itperceives an increasingthreat to the US and theregion.

Odierno says a bri-

Already US specialforces have begun pro-viding training and lo-gistical support toUgandan soldiers hunt-ing Joseph Kony, leaderof the Lords ResistanceArmy. Military advisersare also in Uganda todraw lessons learnedfrom Iraq and Afghani-stan to help train Afri-can Union soldiers tofight Somalia’s al-Shabab group.

gade from the 10thMountain Division willtake on the new task.

Romney regrets bullying gay studentPRESIDENTIAL can

didate Mitt Romneyapologized on Thursdayfor what he called highschool pranks that mayhave hurt others, after areport that he and otherstudents at a Michiganschool bullied a studentwho was presumed to begay. “I did some dumbthings and if anybody washurt by that or offended... obviously, I apologize,”Romney said in responseto a Washington Post storythat detailed a 1965 inci-dent in which Romneypinned down a fellow stu-

dent and cut his hair.The report about

Romney’s days as a prepschool student whosepranks sometimescrossed the line intomeanness toward pre-sumed gay classmates

came a day after Demo-cratic President BarackObama declared that henow supports same-sexmarriages. Romney and

other Republicans madeclear they would seek tocontrast their oppositionto gay marriage withObama’s stance.

Robert F. Kennedy’s estranged wife dies at 52

MARY Kennedy, ex-wife of Robert F.

Kennedy Jr., was founddead at her New Yorkhome Wednesday, re-ports the AssociatedPress. Westchester countyexecutive’s office spokes-man Ned McCormacksays an autopsy will be

conducted Thursday onthe body. He cannotspeculate on the cause ofdeath until then. TheBedford, N.Y. police de-partment said that at ap-proximately 1:36 p.m.they responded to a callabout a deceased indi-vidual found at theKennedys’ home.

•Mary Kennedy,

Hague judge delays Mladic warcrime trial

THE presiding judgein the U.N. trial of

Gen. Ratko Mladic hasdelayed indefinitely thepresentation of evidencethat had been scheduledto start later this monthdue to “errors” by pros-

ecutors in disclosing evi-dence to defense law-yers. Alphons Orie saidTuesday he was delay-ing the Yugoslav warcrimes tribunal case dueto “significant disclosureerrors” by prosecutorswho are obliged to shareall their evidence withMladic’s defense team.He says judges are still

analyzing the “scopeand full impact” of theerror. He says he aims toestablish a new startingdate “as soon as pos-sible.” Prosecutors al-ready had admitted theerrors and did not objectto a delay in the trial.Mladic’s attorney hasasked for a six-monthdelay.

NATO ends Libya campaign

NATO has

formally announcedthe end of itsmilitary mission in Libyafollowing ameeting of ambassadors fromthe alliance’s 28 states inBrussels. Friday’s decisioncomes a day after the 15-nation United NationsSecurity Council unani-mously voted to end themandate thathad authorised militaryaction in Libya.

Alliance warplanes willcease operations on Mon-day after flying more than26,000 sorties, and bomb-ing almost 6,000 targets, in

a seven-month operationthat helped bringabout the overthrow ofMuammar Gaddafi, theformer Libyan leader. “Wehave fully complied withthe historic mandate of theUnited Nations to protectthe people of Libya, to en-force the no-fly zone andthe arms embargo,”Anders Fogh Rasmussen,NATO’s secretary-general,said in a statement.

“Operation Unified Pro-tector is one of the mostsuccessful in NATO his-tory, We are concluding itin a considered and con-trolled manner becauseour military job is nowdone.” The mandate ofUnified Protector, thename ofNATO’s operation, wasto protect civilians and ci-vilian-populated areasunder attack or threat ofattack.

The alliance’s operationsin Libya had divided theUN, with Russia, China,Brazil, India and SouthAfrica accusing thealliance of breaching theSecurity Council mandate.

•US President, BarackObama

•Mitt Romney

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2012 — 57

CMYK

My mother, my mentorTRIBTRIBTRIBTRIBTRIBUTEUTEUTEUTEUTE

By OLUKAYODE FAYEMI


AS the last child in theFayemi household, my

arrival was heralded with songand dance. Although my birthelicited genuine excitement onthe part of my siblings, it wasfor my mother a cautious wel-come. My mother’s caution wasunderstandable having lost aboy and two girls in quick suc-cession before my arrival. WhileI was generally called Olukay-ode (the one who has broughtjoy), mum privately called meFolorunso (we give this one toGod to protect) because, as sheonce told me, it wasn’t until Iturned five that she becamemore confident that I wasn’tgoing to disappear like my sib-lings did.

Given the above context, Igrew up knowing my mother asa strong, proud, beautiful, ele-gant, industrious, hardworkingand a consistently optimisticwoman - the unseen backboneof our family. Unlike my fatherwho was deliberate, self-effac-ing, almost withdrawn in hisdetached mien, mum was spon-taneous - her effervescence andgenerosity of spirit was bewitch-ingly infectious. Yet the myththen was that being a specialchild and the last born, mymother would spare the rod andpamper me silly. I cannot recall

ary school, I became the cook,the driver, her shop steward andthe general journeyman. Mumworked hard and she expectedall around her to work hard. Icould not recall any time mymum did not have to go out andwork. Anytime I was on schoolbreak, it was all work - and myescape route was often my sis-ters’ various homes.

Although I also left home ear-

She was fun to be with andcould easily laugh at herself ina self-deprecating manner. Iguess I must have subcon-sciously searched for a womanlike my mum for wife and musthave taken her teachings toheart with my marriage to avery conscious feminist, familyprotector and public relationsagent, and I often marvelled atthe remarkable similarities be-tween my Mum and my wife.

My return to Nigeria after theexit of the military broughtmuch relief to my mum. Myeventual decision to becomepolitically active in Ekiti evenbrought greater relief becauseit meant my constant presencein Ekiti, something my mumhad missed since I left Christ’sSchool, Ado Ekiti. Mum hadcraved for my presence for along time - even if she was not

family members. My Mumbore the brunt of the period withextra-ordinary grace and equa-nimity. She witnessed severalbetrayals in the course of my po-litical work. She endured manyindignities from known and un-known quarters. But the periodalso showed clearly my mum’sstrength of character. Evenwhen many had become disil-lusioned by the ‘do-or-die’ pol-itics of our state and urged with-drawal privately, mum was con-sistently optimistic.

Her single-minded determi-nation and steely resolve oftensurprised me because I’d mis-takenly thought age wouldhave mellowed her. She neverat any point urged me to throwin the towel. She told me shealways knew the journey wouldbe tough and rough but alsoconsistently reassured me of thelight she could see at the endof the dark tunnel. She urgedme to be bold, courageous andnot betray Ekiti people. Shehated my dismissive, scepticalmien and impatience with reli-giosity.

A devout Catholic who carried her rosary every-

where, she could suffer foolsgladly and still entertained var-ious hare-brained schemes bythe emergency evangelists andfake medicine men that saw heras a conduit to her recalcitrantson – even if she didn’t believethem. One even had the temer-ity to tell her she was the sourceof her son’s problems and shemust go back to where she gother son from and beg for for-giveness, whatever that meant.

That was just one of the sev-eral indignities she had to en-dure. Since I was hardly athome during this period, manyof my supporters looking for mein the village ended at her door-steps and her house was the ref-

from neighbouring communi-ties. She never got tired of tak-ing care of people. I am con-vinced I got my selfless servicegenes from her as much as frommy dad.

For her, the greatest securitywas the people who pesteredher with all manner of requests,not the ‘prison’ where I’dplaced her in GovernmentHouse without the freedom towelcome her unsolicitedguests. Two weeks to her de-mise, her paternal communityin Omu-Ekiti honoured me asthe son of their princess. It wasthe first time of knowing that mymum had any drop of blue bloodin her. But then she acted it allthrough her life. She was re-gal in her steps, highly fashion-able and always liked to dressup.

Beyond the fad and fashionthough, she had a more com-pelling urge to always look af-ter people around her, the waya service oriented royalty be-haved - always ready to feed thehungry, to give drink to thethirsty, clothe the needy, pro-vide shelter for the homelessand share the little she had withall. When death finally came, Iwas sadly not at her bedside -but Bisi and my siblings were.

Mine was largely an unspo-ken, impenetrable bond withmum. I thank God for my mum’slife of service to all who had theopportunity to come across her.My mother, my mentor, thankyou for showering me with lovewithout expecting anything inreturn and for the joy of bring-ing me to this world. I know thatwhat you would really like mostis for me to continue to live alife of service to our people inEkiti and humanity at large. Ipromise not to disappoint you. Sun re o! Omo Oriyemusola…

•Olukayode ‘Folorunso’Fayemi is governor of EkitiState

Late Dorcas Aina Fayemi

,

,Mine was largely an unspoken,

impenetrable bond with mum. Ithank God for my mum’s life of ser-vice to all who had the opportunityto come across her

enjoying any such status. In-stead, she was equally gener-ous and spontaneous with herpunishments. Mother reachedfor the closest instrument shecould hit you with from herpounded yam pestle to her gi-ant soup spoon, not minding theinjury sustained at that pointeven if she would be back tonurse the wounds. Even at that,my sisters said she had mel-lowed by the time I came. Shealways told me that she missedout on school because she waspampered by her grandmother(with whom she stayed) - whoremoved her from school to es-cape the harsh treatment of theteachers - and promised herselfthat no child of hers would havethe same experience. So, youdared not inform my mum thatyou were flogged in school asthis almost always certainly elic-ited a repeat treatment.

An unconscious feminist whorefused to be dependent on any-one, not even her husband,mum trained me in exactly thesame fashion she trained mysisters. She trained me to be in-dependent in all ways. With theexit of my four sisters from homeby the time I entered second-

ly and lived away from her fora considerable length of time,Mum had already taught me alot about life. While she oftentaught the same lessons as Dadabout character, compassion,hard-work, community service,perseverance, her style was re-markably different, uncodifiedand refreshing. She was direct,precise, demanding and oftenin your face. Mum was ex-tremely protective of her fami-ly, loyal to her friends and hermilk of compassion to outsiderswas legendary asshe was alwaysready to share thelittle she had withthe needy from farand near. She com-plemented her hus-band who was re-served, self-effacingand inscrutable fit-tingly and thishelped his publicimage which wouldhave suffered great-ly. My mum was thebest wife any mancould pray for and Icertainly can con-firm that my latedad was very lucky.

that enamouredof partisan pol-itics per se. Forher, anything tobring me closerhome was morethan welcome.We grew muchcloser duringthis period thattested the met-tle of manyfriends and

uge form a n ypoliticale x i l e sand sup-porters

CMYK

VanguardVanguardVanguardVanguardVanguardCLASSIFIED

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OFEGHILO— I, for-merly known and ad-dressed as MissOfeghilo UchechukwuGeraldine, now wish tobe known and ad-dressed as Mrs. OkpalaU c h e c h u k w uGeraldine. All formerdocuments remainvalid. University ofNigeria EnuguCampus, NYSC andgeneral public pleasetake note.

IFEAJEKWU— I, for-merly known and ad-dressed as MissI f e a j e k w uO g e c h u k w uMariagoretti, nowwish to be known andaddressed as Mrs.Efobi OgechukwuMariagoretti. Allformer documents re-main valid. Generalpublic please takenote.

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Authentication Of Name

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VanguardVanguardVanguardVanguardVanguard60 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2012

CHAMPIONSLEAGUEFINAL SPECIAL

Bayern vsChelseaTomorrowTime: 7.45pmVenue: Allianz Arena,Munich

Arjen Robbenbelieves that Bay-

ern Munich must seizetheir chance to win theChampions League fi-nal against Chelsea to-morrow.

”This is a uniquechance. You never knowwhether you will evermake it to the final of theChampions Leagueagain. We have to makeit happen now,” Robbenstated to De Telegraaf.

”I think that the lost2010 ChampionsLeague final will onlyhave a positive impact.”

Nevertheless, Robbendid admit that Bayern’s5-2 DFB-Pokal final de-feat to Borussia Dort-mund last Saturday hashurt their confidence.

”That definitely was abit of a blow to our mo-rale. That was a verynice trophy that wewanted to win.''

Robbenraring forglory

Drogba eyesspecial win

Chelsea strikerDidier Drogba be-

lieves Chelsea deservetheir place in the Cham-pions League final thisweekend, and hopesthey can put the heart-ache of Moscow in 2008well and truly behindthem by beating BayernMunich.

The 34-year-old is like-ly to start at the AllianzArena in what could behis last game for the cluband the striker thinksthat a win on Saturdaycould be the perfect wayto forget what happenedfour years ago.

Drogba was part of theteam that lost againstManchester United onpenalties in Moscow;however Drogba did nottake part in the shoot-out after he was sent offin extra time.

“After Moscow wethought we were goingto get to the final thenext year,” Drogba toldreporters.

”But that’s the Cham-pions League, it’s verydifficult to reach the fi-nal and that shows howmuch we deserve to bethere today.


Continues from BP

KKKKKeshi snubs Mikeshi snubs Mikeshi snubs Mikeshi snubs Mikeshi snubs Mikel, Osaze,el, Osaze,el, Osaze,el, Osaze,el, Osaze,YYYYYakakakakakubuubuubuubuubu

Proenca picked for finalContinues from BP

Musa and John Utaka.Keshi explained at theworld press conferencein Abuja that the over-seas contingent will bejoined by 18 of the 22players who will travelto Lima for the interna-tional friendly againstPeru taking place onMay 23.

THE FULL LIST:Goalkeepers: Vincent

Enyeama (Lille OSC,France), Austin Ejide(Hapoel Petah Tikva (Is-

rael)Defenders: Joseph

Yobo (Fenerbahce, Tur-key), Elderson Echiejile(FC Braga, Portugal),Efe Ambrose (AshdodMS, Israel)

Midfielders: VictorMoses (Wigan Athletic,England), Fegor Ogude(Valerenga, Norway)

Strikers: OmatsoneAluko (Rangers, Scot-land), Ahmed Musa(CSKA Moscow, Russia),Ikechukwu Uche (Gran-ada, Spain), John Utaka(Montpellier, France)

RVP’S contractRVP’S contractRVP’S contractRVP’S contractRVP’S contracttalks breaktalks breaktalks breaktalks breaktalks breakdowndowndowndowndownContinues from BP

which have been de-scribed as tense andtetchy, broke down withno agreement.

Fears are now mount-ing that Van Persie couldbe tempted by a movefrom Arsenal to the Eti-had, with City desperateto land the PremierLeague’s top star.

As revealed in Sun-Sport yesterday, Arsenalare willing to play hardball if 28-year-old VanPersie does not sign —and will make him seeout the last year of hiscurrent deal.

The Dutchman hit 37goals for the Gunnersthis season and wasnamed both PFA andFootball Writers’ Playerof the Year.

And last term he wasthe referee for Manches-ter United’s semi-finalsecond leg againstSchalke.

He will be assisted in

Munich by his compatri-ots Bertino Miranda andRicardo Santos.

The fourth official willbe Carlos Velasco Car-ballo from Spain.

KKKKKeshi blaseshi blaseshi blaseshi blaseshi blasts Eagles despitts Eagles despitts Eagles despitts Eagles despitts Eagles despite 2-0 wine 2-0 wine 2-0 wine 2-0 wine 2-0 winTHE Super Eagles on

Thursday put up aspirited second half per-formance to defeat Na-tionwide Division 2 sideMountain of Fire AndMiracles (MFM), Abu-ja 2-0, but Head CoachStephen Keshi, said af-ter the game that he wasappalled by the displayof his team, because ac-cording to him they didnot play like a nationalteam in the first half.

The game which wasplayed at the Practicepitch of the Abuja Na-tional Stadium, startedon a rather tepid notefor the Eagles, who start-ed the game with thepossibles. Dan Akpeyi,was in goal, HamzaOnwuemenyi, Nura

Mohammed, SamsonPius, Emma Nwachi andTurkey based EhighoEhiosun spearheadingthe attack.

Several chances werecreated in the half butwere wasted with Pius,Gbolahan Salami andHussein Hassan thechief culprits.The halfended goaless to thedelight of MFM CoachMonday Cornelius.

In the second half,Keshi rolled out theprobables and it had animmediate effect asEjike Uzoenyi, ObinnaNwachukwu, Kalu Ucheand Izu Azuka took thefight to the opposition inthe early stages of thehalf. It resulted in a sim-ple tap in goal by Azuka

in the 65th minute afterEjike’s trade mark runon the flank, this timefrom an unfamiliar rightflank.

After that goal, Azukawho was not feeling toofine, was pulled out forSunday Mba, who en-sured that the prressureon the amateur side wassustained. It resulted ina penalty in the75minute, when Kalu,was pulled down insidethe area and Ejikestepped out to stab inthe goal.

It could have been agoals rain but the play-ers took things rather tooeasy to the chagrin ofKeshi, who ordered themback to training onThursday evening forplaying below par.

TTTTTeeeeev in av in av in av in av in afreshfreshfreshfreshfreshattack onattack onattack onattack onattack onFFFFFergieergieergieergieergieCARLOS TEVEZ last

night launched anamazing attack on AlexFerguson — telling hisformer boss: “You thinkyou’re president of En-gland.”

The Manchester Citystriker held up an ‘RIPFergie’ sign during theclub’s title parade onMonday.

City apologised forTevez’s “significant er-ror of judgment” but theArgentine has refused tosay sorry.

He said: “It seems likeFerguson is the presi-dent of England.

“He’s always spokennonsense about me andI’ve never asked him tosay sorry.

“When someone playsa joke on somebody else,you might apologise. ButI won’t say sorry.”

OwOwOwOwOwen set fen set fen set fen set fen set for Man Utd eor Man Utd eor Man Utd eor Man Utd eor Man Utd exitxitxitxitxit

•Tevez

24 schools battle forChannels Kids Cup MICHAEL OWEN

will leaveManchester Unitedwhen his contract endsnext month.

The England legend,

32, has spent three sea-sons at Old Trafford afterjoining on a shock freetransfer in July 2009.

But he has made just 52appearances in all com-petitions with only fourthis term. Owen con-firmed boss Alex Fergu-son told him he is nolonger needed earlier thisweek. Writing on Twitter,he said: “The managerinformed me after our tes-timonial match on Tues-day that the club wouldnot be offering me a newcontract. “I have lovedevery minute of the threeyears I have spent at sucha fantastic club.

“I would like to thankthe players, staff and fansfor their support and wishthem well for the future.

“I now plan to have ashort holiday duringwhich I will contemplatemy next move.”

He later revealed hisdesire to carry on playing.

He said: “At 32, I defi-nitely owe it to myself tohave two or three yearsand play a bit more — butfor somebody else.

“I am only 32. I mightlook a bit older than thatbut looking at the likes ofScholesy and Giggsy, itdoesn’t half fill you witha lot of motivation and

BY SOLOMONNWOKE

TWENTY Four primary schools in Lagos

square up in this year’sChannels Kids CupFootball (Under 13)tournament which be-gins next Monday at theLegacy Pitch of the Na-tional Stadium, Surul-ere.

Straitgate School Ma-godo takes on theircounterparts from Com-mand School Yaba in theopening match whichkicks off at Nine O,clockin the morning whileSurulere LGA tacklestheir mates from LagosIsland in the secondgame.

Speaking at a mediabriefing yesterday at theCorporate Headquartersof Channels Television,Isheri Lagos, the Gener-al Manager, Special Du-ties, Steve Judo whostood in for Head of Or-ganisation 2012 Chan-nels Kids Cup, Tayo Ba-logun said the tourna-ment was designed spe-cifically for public andprivate schools in Lagosstate and its environaimed at discoveryingyoung talents from thebasics.

Balogun said also thatthe tournamnt was partof the corporate socialresponsibility of Chan-nels Television in help-ing to develop sports inthe state and the coun-try from the grassroots.

He noted that the tour-

nament has taken a gi-ant leap since its incep-tion in 2009 as lots oftalents have been dis-covered.

“Over 30 schools fromdifferent parts of thestate applied for thetournament while 24were given the passmark to participate inthe competition. The lo-cal organizing commit-tee conducted a thor-ough screening of eachparticipating school tocheckmate age cheatingand ensuring that everyteam is given a levelplaying ground.

Liverpool get StandardChartered boost

•Owen

IN a rare move to discharging its corporate

social responsibility,Standard CharteredBank, the main sponsorof Liverpool FC (LFC),has replaced its logo onthe team’s home shirtswith the logo of Seeing isBelieving, its global char-itable initiative aimed attackling avoidable blind-ness.

Seeing is Believinggained international ex-posure as Liverpool FCwore the limited editionshirts when they playedand won Chelsea by 4goals to 1, in their finalhome game of the Bar-clays Premier League sea-son. This was the firsttime that Liverpool FC

displayed the logo of acharitable initiative on thefront of the team’s iconicred shirt. The limited edi-tion shirts were signed bythe LFC players after thematch and offered to fansacross Standard Char-tered’s international net-work to raise money forSeeing is Believing. Ev-ery dollar raised will bematched by the Bank.

According to RichardMeddings, Group Fi-nance Director, StandardChartered and Chairmanof Seeing is Believing“The Liverpool-Chelseagame was viewed by mil-lions globally, makingthis a great opportunity toraise awareness of Seeingis Believing and avoid-able blindness,”

•Keshi

CMYK

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e-mail: [email protected]

How to Play Sudoku THE VIGILANTE

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.

QUICK CROSSWORD

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS

TODAY'S PUZZLESTODAY'S PUZZLESTODAY'S PUZZLESTODAY'S PUZZLESTODAY'S PUZZLES YESTERDAY'S ANSWERSYESTERDAY'S ANSWERSYESTERDAY'S ANSWERSYESTERDAY'S ANSWERSYESTERDAY'S ANSWERS

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2012

ACROSS3 Begin (5)9 Sooner (6)10 Vent (6)11 Claw (5)12 Usual (4)15 Step (4)17 Saluted (7)20 Hill (3)21 Eater (5)23 Cheese (4)25 Trial (4)26 Stratum (5)28 Wager (3)30 Guard (7)33 Paradise (4)35 Roster (4)36 Squander (5)38 Mend (6)39 Decorated (6)40 Headdress (5)

DOWN1 Fetch (5)2 Stock (5)3 Fixed (3)4 Found (6)5 Space (4)6 Barrel (3)7 Fold (5)8 Guide (5)13 Commanded (7)14 Decoration (5)16 Touch (7)18 Plunged (5)19 Obtain (3)22 Allude (5)24 Frenzied (3)27 Clergyman (6)28 Whiskers (5)29 Entice (5)31 Wanderer (5)32 Keen (5)34 Robe (4)36 Intelligence (3)37 Epoch (3)

ACROSS: 1, Popped 5, Sacked 9, Voter 10Loosen 11, Winter 12, Noted 14, Swim 17,Rid 18, Cede 20, Hated 22, Dined 23, Ring-let 24, Learn 26, Never 29, Eddy 30, Web 32Dare 33, Rodeo 35, Seldom 36, Ravine 37,Beset 38, Redden 39, Threat.

DOWN: 1, Polish 2, Profit 3, Even 4, Donor 5,Sewed 6, Arid 7, Kitten 8, Darted 13, Tingled15, Waved 16, Merry 18, Cited 19, Defer 21,Din 22, Den 24, Lesser 25, Addled 27, Valise28, Repeat 30, Women 31, Beret 33, Robe 34,Oath.

KKKKKeshi snubs Mikeshi snubs Mikeshi snubs Mikeshi snubs Mikeshi snubs Mikel,el,el,el,el,Osaze, YOsaze, YOsaze, YOsaze, YOsaze, Yakakakakakubuubuubuubuubu•Invites 11 Euro stars for Jumbo June


SUPER Eagles’ HeadCoach, Stephen

Keshi yesterday namedSkipper Joseph Yobo and10 other overseas-basedprofessionals for thethree 2014 FIFA WorldCup and 2013 AfricanCup of Nations qualify-ing matches coming upnext month.

He however over-looked EPL’s trio ofMikel Obi, OsazeOdemwengie and Yaku-bu Aiyegbeni.

Yobo, who stars for Fen-erbahce of Turkey, is oneof only three defenders,with Israel-based EfeAmbrose and Portugal-based EldersonEchiejile the othernames.

Goalkeepers VincentEnyeama and AustinEjide are called, as wellas midfielders VictorMoses and FegorOgude, and strikersOmatsone Aluko, Ike-chukwu Uche, Ahmed

Proenca picked forfinal

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE:

FINAL WHISTLE ...referee Pedro Proenca

CHELSEA and Bayern Munich will

clash at the German gi-ants’ Allianz Arena inEuropean football big-gest match.

And Portuguese offi-cial Proenca, 41, will bethe man in the middle.

He was in charge ofthe second leg of thelast-16 clash betweenInter Milan andMarseille this season.


Insid

e

More storieson Champions

League inSportsVanguard's

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RVP’S contract talks break downRVP’S contract talks break downRVP’S contract talks break downRVP’S contract talks break downRVP’S contract talks break downROBIN VAN PER

SIE’S Arsenal futurehangs in the balance af-ter showdown talks withboss Arsene Wenger.

The Gunners had

hoped to persuade theircaptain to agree a lucra-tive new three-year dealworth £130,000 a weekthat would see off inter-est from champions

Manchester City andkeep him at the Emir-ates.

But yesterday’s talks,


•Osaze •Yakubu•Mikel

•Drogba

2015: Northern govs unite for Presidency

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