Sawyer was mad to bring Ebola here — JONATHAN

...towards a better life for the people

N150VOL. 25: NO. 62207

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2014**

Sawyer was mad tobring Ebola here — JONATHAN

•FG confirms 10th Ebola case in Lagos; 5 responding totreatment, says Fashola as LAWMA warns on waste handling•FG donates $3.5m to Ebola fund; cautions against panic

Mr & Mrs

COLUMNISTS:

•P.17

HowAPClostOsunelection

Continues on page 5

EBOLA ALERT AT MMIA—A woman, wears protective face masks andhand gloves upon arrival at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos , yesterday.Inset: Security personnel with masks on duty at the airport. Photos: AFP.

By Sola OgundipeHealth Editor, ChiomaObinna, OlasunkanmiAkoni, Victoria Ojeme,

Gabriel Olawale &Monsur Olowoopejo

A B U J A — P R E S IDENT Goodluck

Jonathan, yesterday, de-scribed the late Ameri-can-Liberian, PatrickSawyer’s visit that her-alded the entry of thedreaded Ebola Virus Dis-ease, EVD, into thecountry, as “pure mad-ness.”

This came as the Fed-eral Government ap-pealed to Nigerians not

Crisis looms asConfab prepares newconstitution

Mass failure, asWAEC releasesresults

Jonathan mournsrenowned historian,Prof. Ade Ajayi Land battle pitches family

against Ibrede community

See8-pagepull-outinside

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‘It is unfortunate that one mad man broughtEbola to us, but we have to contain it.’

9

Heavy fightingas troopsengage BokoHaram inGwoza 9

2 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2014 — 3

POCKET CARTOONVanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2014—5

Sawyer was mad to bringEbola here — JONATHAN

Continues from page 1

INTER-FAITH CONGRESS—From left: Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal; CatholicArchbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan; and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad AbubakarIII, welcoming President Goodluck Jonathan to the Inter-Faith Conference in Abuja,yesterday.

to panic and adhere tothe highest possible per-sonal hygiene measuresand safety guidelines is-sued by the Federal Min-istry of Health.

Meanwhile, fears thatmore Nigerians may fallvictim of the Ebola virusheightened, yesterday,as the Federal Govern-ment confirmed the 10thcase of the disease afterthe death of the indexcase (the first case),bringing the totalnumber of cases to 10.

The President, whospoke publicly for thefirst time since the out-break of the disease inthe country, expresseddisappointment with theway and manner the lateSawyer brought Ebola toNigeria.

Late Sawyer, whose ar-rival in Lagos on July 20,2014, and eventual deathfive days later in a pri-vate hospital, sparked offthe dreaded Ebola Virussaga in the country, wasa consultant to the Libe-rian government.

He was said to be un-der surveillance in Libe-ria for a suspected caseof the Ebola Virus Dis-ease, but evaded au-thorities in Monroviaand tragically boarded aplane for Lagos in Ni-geria, via Lome in Togoand Accra in Ghana.

His intention, accord-ing to reports was to con-nect to Calabar in Ni-geria to attend a two-dayretreat organized by theECOWAS Commission,and later the same weekto Atlanta, Georgia inthe USA to celebrate hisdaughter’s birthday.

Speaking at the AnnualInterfaith Conference inAbuja, PresidentJonathan, however, as-sured citizens that theFederal Government wasready to stop the spreadof the Ebola virus.

Mad man and hisEbola

“It is unfortunate thatone mad man broughtEbola to us, but we haveto contain it. As a gov-ernment, we promise thatwe will do everythinghumanly possible to con-tain the Ebola virus.”

Further, the Presidenthinted that the FederalGovernment hadplanned to rally the 36state governors and theirhealth commissioners torescue the nation fromfurther spread of the dis-ease.

Continuing he said:“On Wednesday, I willmeet with governors ofthe states, and they mustcome with their commis-sioners for health. Wemust make sure thatevery state is prepared.Where they lack, the Fed-eral Government willsupport them.”

He assured that his dis-cussion with the head ofthe World Health Or-ganisation, WHO, hadgiven him more informa-tion about the virus, as-suring the gathering thatthe virus will be stoppedfrom causing more harm.

“My conversation withthe WHO D-G, DrMargaret Chan was re-vealing. She said 60 percent of the transmissionwas spread during buri-als. That is why in myannouncement; I’ve been

saying that peopleshould be careful aboutburials.

“Some people likeburial ceremonies. This isnot the time for burialceremony, somebody isdead, he is dead, leavehim there. This is not thebest time for those cer-emonies.

“If he is dead, he is al-ready dead, Sawyer thatbrought this Ebola to Ni-geria; his sister died ofEbola, and he started act-ing somehow, his coun-try asked him not to leavethe country, let them ob-serve him, but the crazyman decided to leave andfound his way here.”

10th Ebola casein Lagos

Earlier, the FederalGovernment confirmedanother Ebola case in La-gos, bringing the totalnumber of Ebola VirusDisease victims to 10.

The latest case was anewly wedded nurse,who had her blood sam-ple sent to laboratorieswhich confirmed that shehad been infected withthe virus. Result of sam-ple taken from her hus-band was also being ex-pected.

The Minister also dis-closed that the number ofprimary and secondarycontacts of the index caseplaced under surveil-lance or isolation, hadrisen to 177, from 139announced Friday lastweek.

Giving update of theEbola situation in thecountry, Minister ofHealth, ProfessorOnyebuchi Chukwu tolda world media briefing inAbuja, that of the 10

cases, two have died(the Liberian Americanand the Nigerian nurse)while eight are aliveand currently on treat-ment. “This is the situa-tion 22 days since thedreaded EVD firstlanded in Nigeria,” hedeclared.

Chukwu said all the 10infected were people whohad direct contact withlate Patrick Sawyer, not-ing that at the sub-re-gional level, the EbolaVirus Disease was dis-cussed as a substantiveagenda during the Sum-mit of the Authority ofHeads of State and Gov-ernment on July 9, 2014in Accra, Ghana.

US$3.5mdonation to EbolaFund

Citing efforts to stopthe spread of the virus inthe West African sub-re-gion, the Minister re-marked that Nigeria, asusual, played its leading,pioneering and compas-sionate role during thesummit with the first andonly donation of US$3.5million humanitarianand capacity buildingaid to the three affectedcountries of Liberia,Guinea and SierraLeone, the West AfricanHealth Organisation,WAHO, and theECOWAS Ebola Fund.

The minister, whobriefed the press alongother ministers — Envi-ronment, Mrs. LaurentiaMallam; Interior, Mr.Abba Moro; Special Du-ties, Mr. Tanimu Turakiand Information, Mr.Labaran Maku said: “Ni-

geria wishes to empha-sise that it essentially re-mained an Ebola Virus-free country until thisincidence of importationand unfortunate contami-nation. We will continueto work with allstakeholders, local andinternational partners tomaximize on this and in-tensify efforts to containand treat the existingcases.”

Chukwu further statedthat the “Liberian Gov-ernment has expressedits deepest sympathiesand regrets that Mr. Saw-yer had even embarkedon this tragic journey,which has brought need-less sufferings, deathand has placed an un-necessary stress on ourhealth system. In thesame spirit, we share insolidarity, the grief of thegovernments and peopleof Liberia, Guinea andSierra Leone as we con-front this challenge to-gether.”

Don’t see Liberiain bad light

He urged Nigeriansnot to see Liberia and hercitizens in bad light con-sidering the harmoniousrelationship the twocountries have had overthe years.

“The government ofNigeria shall continue todischarge its responsi-bilities within the sub-region as we collectivelyconfront and stop thisoutbreak of Ebola.”

Chukwu however, toldjournalists that asidefrom working with theUS government on howto assist, governmentwas also looking at otheroptions in terms of drugsthat could revive Ebolapatients.

He said Nigeria’squest to get hold ofdrugs that will bring re-lief to Ebola patients is“still work-in-progress”adding that, healthcareworkers entrusted withproviding care to pa-tients have been givenPersonal ProtectiveEquipment (PPE) asmeasure to prevent themfrom contracting the vi-rus.

NMA strike not

affecting nationalresponse

Chukwu, who statedthat the Ebola virus stillremained restricted toLagos State, also reiter-ated the resolve of theFederal Government tofind a solution to the lin-gering crisis between itand the Nigerian Medi-cal Association, NMA,especially the need tocall off the nationwidestrike.

He expressed opti-mism that the crisiswould be settled soon,but maintained that “theNMA strike is not affect-ing the treatment ofEbola patients.”

New traumacentre launchedin Abuja

At the formal commis-sioning of a world-classTrauma Centre at theNational Hospital inAbuja, government as-sured the populace aboutthe provision of incen-tives that would motivateexisting local healthmanpower and also en-courage Nigerian healthexperts based abroad toreturn.

Vice President,Namadi Sambo, who rep-resented the President,said the Centre wouldbring quality healthcarecloser to more Nigeriansand also reduce the de-pletion of scarce foreignexchange due to medicaltourism.

“We are modernisingmedical diagnostics andupgrading several terti-ary healthcare facilities tomeet the standards exist-ing in those countrieswhere Nigerians seekforeign medical treat-ment. We have also pro-gressively improvedhealth care financingand priority interven-tions.”

The centre, first of itskind in the country, isexpected to provide thehighest level of traumamanagement for severelyinjured patients in atimely and cost effectivemanner, and has beenappropriately equippedwith modern facilities.

Continueson pages 56&57

6—Vanguard6—Vanguard6—Vanguard6—Vanguard6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, TUESDAY, TUESDAY, TUESDAY, TUESDAY, , , , , AUGUST 12,AUGUST 12,AUGUST 12,AUGUST 12,AUGUST 12, 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014

A cross section of released convicted prisoners displaying cash donation given to them by FCT Minister, Sen. BalaMohammed, to pay their fine/compensation in Bauchi, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

I used Police uniform to smuggle carsfrom Benin Republic —Suspect•As Lagos Police arrest fake Assistant Commissioner•Recover stolen car, Police uniforms

By Evelyn Usman

LAGOS — THE Lagos StatePolice Command has

arrested a 46-year-old manwho masquerades as anAssistant Commissioner ofPolice.He was arrested in connectionwith the recovery of two stolencars found in his possession.

The suspect, a father of five,identified as AlexanderAbiodun was arrested in Ijokoarea of Ogun State followinga confessional statement of anarrested robbery suspect.

The robbery suspectidentified as Gabriel Asaolu,who was discovered to be apastor of an undisclosedchurch in Ogun State, wasalleged to have stolen exoticcars from Ogun and Lagosstates.

During interrogation, Asaolureportedly mentionedAbiodun as one of thereceivers, which made theLagos State Commissioner ofPolice, Umar Manko, to directoperatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, to goafter him.

Police sources said when theoperatives stormed Abiodun’shome at 29, Okegbale Street,in Ijoko, Ogun State, one ofthe stolen cars, a ToyotaAvalon, was recovered. Alsorecovered in his apartmentwere Police uniforms with the

rank of an AssistantCommissioner of Police andDeputy Superintendent ofPolice.

Police sources said: “Whenasked if he was a policeman,he shook his head. Also, anunregistered Acura Legendcar suspected to have beenstolen, was found in hisresidence.

During an earlierinterrogation, Asaoluconfessed that he sold twostolen vehicles— aMitsubuishi Montero SUVand a Toyota Avalon car— toAbiodun. But only one of thevehicles was found inAbiodun’s residence whilethe other was said to havebeen involved in an accidentin Ondo State.

I used Police uniformto smuggle cars fromBenin Republic—Suspect

During interrogation,Abiodun said he did notbelong to any robbery gangbut that he only used thepolice uniform to smugglecars from Benin Republic.

According to him, “I gotthe uniform from a friendnamed Segun and I used itto smuggle cars from BeninRepublic because I am a cardealer.

"All I do whenever I am

going to get cars fromCotonou is to hang the ACPuniform in the car. That way,Customs officers, policemenand other security agentswould not disturb me alongthe border because they wouldassume I am a senior Policeofficer.

"I knew Gabriel about fouryears ago as a Pastor of achurch in Oke-Aro, OgunState,where I had gone for arevival programme.

"During a chat with him, hetold me he was also a car

uniform to smuggle cars, healso used it to train privatesecurity guards, with theirmanagement staff assuminghe was a serving officer.

He said: “I have trainedseveral private companyguards as policemen. I got allthe training idea duringdiscussions with servingsecurity personnel.

"This is another way Igenerate money to take careof my family. I have neverstolen with the uniforms sinceI started using them.”

dealer andwould besupplying cars tome at cheaperrate.

"In August2011, he called tosay he had somecars for sale andsold a ToyotaAvalon car forN750,000. Thatwas the only carI bought fromhim and I neverknew he was arobber."

Training ofprivateguards

The father offive also revealedthat apart fromusing the

Two in courtover threat tolawyer’s life•As magistrateorders journalistsout of courtroom

By Onozure Dania

LAGOS — A 48-year-oldbusinessman, Akindele

Afolabi, and one Adio Kazeem(79) were yesterday, arraignedbefore a Lagos magistrate’scourt sitting at Igbosere forallegedly threatening the lifeof a lawyer, one Mr WaleOdediran, with a threatmessage demanding aproperty located at 91, AgegeMotor Road, Lagos.

Afolabi and Kazeem arefacing a six-count chargebordering on conspiracy,forceful entering, threat to lifeand breach of peace preferredagainst them by the police.

The defendants, who resideat 112, Agura Road, Gbagurain Abeokuta area of OgunState were docked beforeMagistrate O. O. Martin.

The prosecutor told the courtthat the defendants and othersat large conspired to committhe offence between July 6,2004 and January 2014.

The prosecutor said theincident took place at 91,Agege Motor Road, Lagosand at 3, Eniola Street, Idioro,Mushin area of the state.

The duo were alleged tohave forcibly entered into abuilding belonging to OtunbaTaiwo Odumade and AdebolaAdegbuyi in a manner likelyto cause breach of peace.

The defendants were alsoalleged to have caused breachof peace by illegally mobilisingothers, now at large, toforcefully take over thebuilding located at theaddresses.

According to theprosecutor, on June 6, 2014,the defendants threatenedone Mr Wale Odediran andalso forcefully enteredRedeemed Christian Churchof God, Holiness TempleParish at 16, Kobiti Streeet,Alakara and Jesus HeadStone Evangelical Ministry,located at Olaniyi Close,Idioro, Lagos.

He said they went todisturb the church, duringservice by demanding aransom.

Earlier, the defendants hadpleaded not guilty to thecharges against them.

Magistrate O. O Martingranted them bail in the sumof N100,000 each with twosureties in like sum.

She further adjourned thematter till October 14.

This came as the magistrate,yesterday, ordered journalistsout of her courtroom.

The suspect, Alexander Abiodun

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2014—7

OGUN APC CRISIS:Unknown persons deface Osoba'swall •It's too late to tarnish my image — Osoba

•We know nothing about it —Amosun’s aideBy Daud Olatunji

ABEOKUTA — THE crisisrocking Ogun State chapter

of All Progressives Congress,APC, has taken a new twist assome unknown people in theearly hours of Sunday defaced thewalls of the GRA residence offormer governor of the state,Aremo Segun Osoba, with graffiti.

The incident occurred few daysafter Osoba’s house was invadedby Policemen who almostdisrupted the political meetingbeing held in the house by hisloyalists following the allegationof sporadic shooting within thepremises.

When Vanguard visited the area,the graffiti which was in blackspray paint, was written in Yorubalanguage. Some of the inscriptionsread: ‘Osoba gba fun oga e’,'Osoba ti e ba e', ‘Osoba o ni wotan’, ‘Osoba, gba fun SIA, SIAlamo’, ‘Osoba gba fun oga e’.

The inscriptions which werederogatory to the person of Osoba,simply translate as "Osoba, youwill not survive it, only SIA(Senator Ibikunle Amosun) is therecognised leader, among others.

The guard at the house, TundeFasasi, who spoke to Vanguardsaid the person(s) that committedthe sacriledge must have comearound 4 a.m as he had paradedthe premises around 3 am.

It's too late to tarnish myimage— Osoba

Reacting to the development,Osoba in a telephoneconversation, said he was notbothered by any attack on him orhis political career, saying thereputation he had built over theyears couldn’t be tarnished by hisdetractors' smear campaign.

He said: “Well, I am used tobeing insulted even when I wasgovernor in 2002. I am notdisappointed. That is exactly what

happened 11 years ago. For me,I have developed a thick skin.

“Anybody can say anythingabout me at the age of 75. It istoo late to malign my name or todestroy my reputation as anelder. All I can say is that mayGod continue to forgive them.We should pray for them, mayGod forgive them.”

Vanguard reliably gatheredthat the perpetrators of the actcame with thugs in a local

government vehicle.According to the source, they

were more than 10 who wereready to attack anyone thatattempted to stop them.

They were said to have comefrom a building belonging to apowerful politician in the statearound the area and reportedlywent back to the building afterthey finished defacing thepersonality of the former

governor through graffiti.

We know nothingabout it—Amosun’s aide

But, in a swift reaction,Special Assistant to theGovernor on Media, SolaBalogun exonerated the stategovernor from the act.

He described the action as adeliberate attempt by enemiesof the state to destroy thegovernor’s name, saying: "Itwas done by Osoba’s loyalists.

“Senator Ibikunle Amosuncannot and did not sendanybody to deface Osoba’shouse. This is a tolerantgovernor.

“The thing was done byOsoba people with a view tonailing the governor, but weknow that loyalists of thegovernor could not have doneit.

“We don’t play our politicslike that, we are not do-or-diepoliticians and the governorhas never encouraged such."

The defaced wall

Pastor docked for sexually assaulting, infecting minor with diseaseBy Onozure Dania

LAGOS—A 51-year-oldpastor, Sunday Akintayo,

has been arraigned before aLagos chief magistrate’s courtsitting in Ebute-Metta overindecent assault of a seven-year-old girl.

Akintayo, who claimed to bea member of Cherubim andSeraphim Church, Ajelogo,Mile 12, Lagos, was alleged tohave severally dipped his fingerinto the private part of the victim(name withheld).

Detectives from the CriminalInvestigation Department ofRailway Command of theNigeria Police also alleged that

the defendant, apart fromfingering the minor, alsoshaved her eyebrows.

The prosecutor, InspectorMoses Uadevmbo, told thecourt that the defendantcommitted the offences onJuly 11, 2014.

He said the incident tookplace at 11, Werugbara,Railway Line, Ilupeju,Mushin area of Lagos State.

According to the prosecutor,the offences contravenedSection 261(2) and ispunishable under Section135(1) of the Criminal Lawsof Lagos State of Nigeria,2011.

Section 135 (1) prescribes

seven years imprisonment foroffenders.

However, the defendantpleaded not guilty to thecharges against him.

Counsel to the defendant,Alli Aba, urged the court togrant the defendant bail.

But Inspector Uadevmbo,who opposed the oral bailapplication filed by thedefence counsel, told thecourt that in granting thedefendant bail, the age of thevictim must be consideredand the prevalence of suchcases in the state.

He also informed the courtthat the victim had beencertified by a doctor to have

been infected with staph andshe is currently underintensive care unit in ahospital.

The prosecutor also told thecourt that if the defendant wasgranted bail, he might interferwith the complaints as thismay jeopardise the case.

He, therefore, urged thecourt to refuse the bailapplication.

Consequently, MagistrateA. Demi-Ajayi ordered thatthe defendant be remanded inprison custody.

She further adjourned thematter till September 24,when the court will rule on thebail application.

Passengercollapses,dies atLagosairport

LAGOS — ANintending passenger

collapsed and diedyesterday while waitingto collect the Yellow Cardfrom Port Health officialsat the MurtalaM u h a m m e dInternational Airport,MMIA, Lagos.

This happened whenthe new Minister ofAviation, Mr OsitaChidoka, was on facilitytour of the airport. It's theminister ’s first officialvisit to Lagos sinceassuming office.

The dead man, AkunneOsei, Vanguardgathered, was aNigerian who resided inAccra. He arrived Lagosfor business transactionsaboard an Arik Air flighton Friday, August 8,2014 and was on his wayback to Accra for medicaltreatment.

Speaking on the deathof the passenger,General Manager,C o r p o r a t eCommunication, FederalAirport Authority ofNigeria, FAAN, MrYakubu Dati, said: “Thepassenger, Mr. AkunneOsei, took ill onSaturday, August 9 andstarted stooling. Whenthe situation got worse,he called his doctor inAccra who instructed himto return to Ghanaimmediately for furthertreatment.

“During boardingformalities for his returntrip to Accra, at theMMIA, Mr. Osei, whohad become weak wassubjected to Ebola virustest by port healthofficials, the result ofwhich was negative.

"No further attentionwas paid to him after hisEbola virus result readnegative but thepassenger later slumpedand died around the porthealth office.”

The sister of the deadman was seen crying,saying:“Chike, pleaseget up.”

The body of Osei waskept at zero car park ofthe airport terminal whenthe Minister of Aviation,Mr Osita Chidoka,visited. It is yet to beremoved at press time.

By Lawani Mikairu &Daniel Eteghe


LECTURE: Cross section of high table members, listening with rapt attention to Dr. Paul Obianaso’s breath-taking lecture.From left, Mr. Mike Ibezim, Managing Partner, Grays Solicitors; Dr. Paul Obianaso, the lecturer; Mrs. Violet N. Arene; SirGodwin E. Omene, F.AES, MPOM, and Elizabeth Akiga-Gusah, former Director, NIMASA.

Mass failure as WAEC releases May/June exam results....Introduces ICT-driven device to checkmate exam mal-practice

By Dayo Adesulu registered for the examination, 21of them, representing 14 per centobtained credits in five subjects,including English language, add-ing, “blind candidates do not takemathematics and sciencepracticals in the WASSCE.”

In his analysis, he said: “A totalof 1,705,976 candidates registeredfor the examination, out of which1,692,435 candidates, consistingof 929,075 male and 763,360 fe-male candidates sat for the ex-amination.

“Of the total number of candi-dates that sat for the examination,1,605,613 candidates, represent-ing 94.87 per cent have their re-sults fully released, while 86,822candidates, representing 5.13 percent have a few of their subjectsstill being processed due to someerrors, mainly traceable to laxityon the part of the candidates andthe schools, in the course of reg-istration or writing the examina-tion.

“Such errors are being correctedby the Council to enable the af-fected candidates get their resultsfully processed and released as

soon as they are ready.”Meanwhile, to curb examina-

tion malpractice, WAEC has an-nounced the introduction of ICT-driven device which will enablesupervisors and staff of the Coun-cil on duty to address and recordin real time the processes on theday of the examination.

The HNO said: “With effect fromthe May/June 2014 WASSCE, theCouncil introduced a deviceknown as Candidates IdentityVerification, Attendance, Mal-practice and Post ExaminationsManagement System,CIVAMPEMS.

“This ICT-driven device enablessupervisors and staff of the Coun-cil on duty, to address and recordin real time the processes on theday of the examination.

“These include identity verifi-cation, capturing and recordingoccurrences as they happen, suchas candidates' attendance andexamination malpractice andtransmit same to our data base.

"With this, the Council is ableto generate valid examination re-ports for each examination cen-

tre.”He noted that the Council, be-

ginning with the November/De-cember 2014 WASSCE, will intro-duce customised, transparentmathematical sets, with in-builtnon-programmable scientific cal-culators, which conform with therules and regulations of its exami-nations.

He urged all prospective candi-dates, for both the May/June andNovember/December WASSCEdiets to note that, henceforth,bringing in any other non-ap-proved mathematical set or calcu-lator into examination halls wouldnot be allowed.

“Models of the WAEC-custom-ised mathematical set would bemade available to schools to assistthem in preparing their candi-dates for the Council''s examina-tions,” he said.

He also said that “the Council,with effect from 2014 WASSCE, isintroducing biometric enabled cer-tificates.

Each certificate will have a QRcode with details of the candidate'sbiometrics.”

NAC DG commends Stallion over Made-in-NigeriaHyundai models

AdamawaPDP may dragFinitiri beforeJonathan overappointments

THE DIRECTOR-GEN-ERAL of National Auto-

motive Council, NAC, Engr.Aminu Jalal has commendedthe management of StallionGroup for taking advantage ofthe Federal Government’s autopolicy to deliver made-in-Ni-geria cars for the Nigerianpopulace.

The DG, who spoke to Van-guard over the phone said thatStallions' efforts should becommended and urged otherstakeholders in the industry tofollow the footstep of the com-

By Theodore Opara pany in delivering affordablecars for Nigerian citizens.

According to Engr. Jalal, thereis no doubt that prices of carswill go down in no time if otherstakeholders show the samecommitment like Stallion. Healso hinted that PAN NigeriaLimited, Innoson Motors, Kiaare among some of the localcompanies that will be rollingout made-in-Nigeria cars verysoon.

"The efforts of these compa-nies have shown that the Fed-eral Government’s auto policyis working and has come to stay.In no time Nigerians will join

the rest of the world in enjoy-ing brand new cars at affordableprice."

He, however, hinted that theNational Automotive Council isworking with Stallion Motors andothers in developing local contentfor the vehicles they are produc-ing in Nigeria. This, he said, isaimed at ensuring affordable ve-hicles from the companies.

Engr. Jalal, however, advisedthe management of Stallion toopen their plant for the press tosee what they are doing in orderto avoid doubts that the cars weremade in Nigeria.

"I have told the Stallion man-

agement to invite the press to seewhat they are doing and reportback to the public in order not tocreate doubts about where the ve-hicles were assembled," he said,adding that "when PAN Nigeriarelaunched its plant in Kaduna,they invited the press and peo-ple never to doubt them."

Currently Stallion assembles theHyundai i10, and Grand whilethe production of the HyundaiXcent is billed to commence soonfollowed by Acent, Elantra andix 35.

It is also assembling the NissanAlmera, and Patrol from its VONplant in Lagos.

By Soni Daniel, Region-al Editor, North

ALL IS not well be-tween the Acting

Governor of AdamawaState and the big-wigs ofthe Peoples DemocraticParty, PDP, in the state.

The reason is not far-fetched. Fintiti, who as-sumed office in acting ca-pacity three weeks ago, isreported to be over-reach-ing himself in the dis-charge of his duties, thusearning the wrath ofthose who brought him onboard.

Competent PDP sourcesin Yola and Abuja con-firmed to Vanguard lastnight that Fintiri had over-stepped his bounds by ap-pointing commissionersand 50 special assistants aswell as a Secretary to theState Government againstthe advice of the party.

A chieftain of the party inthe state complained thatmost of the actions taken bythe governor were againstthe decisions of the party,which now felt threatenedby his unilateral decisions.

"We are worried that anacting governor, whoshould be working hard toput things right, as we de-manded, is seriously work-ing towards appointing hisown commissioners andspecial advisers," a partybig-wig said on Sunday.

"If we may ask, what arethe commissioners and spe-cial advisers going to do inthree months that they aresupposed to stay in officebefore an election is con-ducted to bring in a gover-nor as stipulated by theConstitution?" the party of-ficial queried.

THE WEST Africa Examina-tion Council, WAEC has re-

leased its May/June 2014 WestAfrican Senior School CertificateExamination, WASSCE, results,recording mass failure in Math-ematics and English Language.

Announcing the results, yester-day, at WAEC office, Yaba, theHead of National Office, WAEC,Mr. Charles Eguridu said: “A to-tal of 529,425 candidates, repre-senting 31.28 per cent, obtainedcredits in five subjects and above,including English Language andMathematics.”

He noted that when comparedto the 2012 and 2013 May/JuneWASSCE results, there was mar-ginal decline in the performanceof candidates as 38.81 percent was recorded in 2012 and36.57 per cent in 2013.

Eguridu, who disclosed that theresults of 145,795 candidates, rep-resenting 8.61 per cent, are be-ing withheld in connection withvarious types of examination mal-practice said: “The cases are be-ing investigated and the reportsof the investigations will be pre-sented in November to the Ni-geria Examinations Committee,NEC.

”According to him, out of1,692,435 candidates that sat forthe examination, 791,227 candi-dates, representing 46.75 percent, obtained six credits andabove, just as a total of 982,472candidates representing 58.05 percent, obtained five credits andabove.

In addition, he stated that1,148,262 candidates, represent-ing 67.84 per cent, obtained cred-its and above in four subjects,while 1,293,389 candidates, rep-resenting 76.42 per cent, obtainedcredits and above in three sub-jects.

He said out of the 161 visually-handicapped candidates, who

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2014 —9

From L-R: Director, Consumer Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission, HajiyaMariam Bayi; Chief Executive fficer, Etisalat Nigeria,Matthew Willsher; Deputy Director,Telecommunications Services, Federal Ministry of Communication, Enger Ngozi Ofujioforand Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko at thelaunch of the Etisalat Experience Centre, Ropp House, Abuja on Thursday.

President Jonathan, eminent Nigerians mournProf. Ajayi

By Ola Ajayi endeavour.Also, the Minister of State for

Works, Prince Adedayo Adeyeyedescribed the death of eminenthistorian as a great loss to EkitiState and Nigeria as a whole,saying, “again, Nigeria has lostone of the torch-bearers of its aca-demic’s finest moments.”

PRESIDENT GOODLUCKJonathan, yesterday,

joined other eminent Nigeriansto mourn the death of lateEmeritus Professor of History,and former Vice Chancellor ofthe University of Lagos, Profes-sor Festus Ade Ajayi, who diedon Saturday at the UniversityCollege Hospital, Ibadan

The President, in a condo-lence message signed by hisSpecial Adviser on Media andPublicity, Dr. Reuben Abatiurged "late Ajayi's family andhis many students, friends, as-sociates in academics and col-leagues in the field of Nigerianand African history to take sol-ace in the knowledge that inpassing on, he leaves behind abody of significant works thatwill stand to his eternal creditand assure him of a lastingplace of honour among Africa'sgreatest historians."

According to the statement,"President Jonathan reaffirmsthe nation's enduring gratitudefor Mr. Ajayi's notable contribu-tions over many years to the de-velopment of education andeducational institutions in Ni-geria as a lecturer, Professor,Dean, Deputy Vice Chancellorand Vice Chancellor at federaluniversities. The President as-sures Mr. Ajayi's family, rela-tives, friends and colleagues ofthe Federal Government's fullsolidarity and sympathy as theymourn the very eminent histo-rian and 1993 winner of the Dis-tinguished Africanist Award."

Ekiti State Governor, Dr.Kayode Fayemi and the Minis-ter of Works, Prince DayoAdeyeye also condoled the im-mediate family and the peopleof the state over Ajayi's death.

Fayemi in a statement by hisChief Press Secretary, Mr.Olayinka Oyebode in Ado Ekiti,yesterday, described theIkole-Ekiti born renownedscholar and administrator as anintellectual giant whose lega-cies would continue to benefitgenerations to come.

The Governor described thelate Professor Ade-Ajayi as aman of integrity who built areputation of hard work, hon-esty and represented the corevalues of Ekiti.

He said the deceased was agreat Ekiti ambassador whopositively projected the imageof the state and that of Nigeriaall over the world. He addedthat the renowned historianshowed tremendous concernfor the growth and develop-

ment of Ekiti State.Fayemi recalled his last en-

gagement with the Emeritus Pro-fessor of History shortly after theJune 21 governorship election inthe state, describing him as a manof immense wisdom, who wasever willing to encourage andmentor the younger ones.

Describing Ade-Ajayi as “Pro-fessor of Professors,” Fayeminoted that the late History iconmentored numerous scholarswho had contributed immenselyto teaching, learning and re-search all over the world, saying,"the works of this great scholar inthe field of History have becomereference points to scholars, re-searchers, students and the gen-eral reading public."

The Governor said Ade-Ajayi’stenure as Vice Chancellor of the

University of Lagos recorded un-precedented successes and stillremains a reference point in thehistory of the institution.

He noted that the vacuum cre-ated by the deceased would bevery difficult to fill given his im-pact in academia, administration,culture and other areas of human

ABUJA — AS delegates atthe ongoing National Con-ference resumed plenary yes-terday to debate on the finalreport of the Conference asproduced by the Secretariatafter one month of recess,strong indications haveemerged that crisis looms assome northern delegates mayhave concluded plans to frus-trate moves to amend somesections of the 1999 Constitu-tion.

The Conference Secretariathad already prepared a draftConstitution to be sent to theNational Assembly.

The Conference Secretariatyesterday distributed the draftcopy of the constitution and abill to all the delegates, whichthe northern delegates were

By Henry Umoru

Crisis looms as Confab plans to send bill for amendmentof 1999 Constitution

not comfortable with and hadplanned to ensure that it didnot sail through.

At the resumption of the con-ference yesterday, a northerndelegate from Jigawa Staterepresenting the Nigeria Un-ion of Journalists, NUJ,Mallam Sani Zoro describedthe draft constitution beingprepared by the ConferenceSecretariat as a strange one.

The Justice Idris Kutigi led2014 National Conferenceplans to forward a Bill to boththe Senate and the House ofRepresentatives to alter somesections of the 1999 Constitu-tion aimed at correcting whatit termed some anomalies inthe said constitution and makeit more people oriented.

Kutigi in the Bill entitled,An Act to further alter the Pro-vision of the Constitution of the

Federal Republic of Nigeria1999( with the first, secondand third Alterations, and forRelated Matters 2014, will gothe National Assembly as anExecutive Bill.

Vanguard gathered that cri-ses were already brewing atthe Conference as delegateswere poised to fight with theleadership of the Confab fortagging it a draft Constitutionrather than tag it proposal forthe alteration of the 1999 Con-stitution of the Federal Repub-lic of Nigeria against the back-drop that the conference hasno such mandate to write aconstitution, but to advise thePresident on areas that couldbe changed in the constitu-tion.

When Vanguard contacted alawyer and a delegate, FestusOkoye to speak on the docu-

ment, he noted that the prob-lem was not with the contentof the document, but with theNational Conference Proce-dure Rules 2014, stressingthat the title was wrong. Heargued that rather than write“Draft Constitution of the Fed-eral Republic of Nigeria 2014,"it should have been, “Pro-posal for the Alteration of the1999 Constitution of the Fed-eral Republic of Nigeria",which the rules recognise.

Okoye said that there weresome delegates and personswho never wanted the Confabto succeed from the begin-ning, and that what the lead-ership of the Confab had donewas to play into the hands ofsuch persons as it was notwithin the mandate of del-egates to draft a constitution.

TERRORISM: Heavy fightingas troops engage Boko Haramin Gwoza...scores of terrorists, soldiers killed

By kingsley omonobi

ABUJA. — Heavy fightingbetween troops of the Ni-

gerian Military and heavily

armed terrorists of the BokoHaram sect fighting to retain con-trol of Gwoza town in Borno State,was on-going last night withAirforce attack helicopters provid-ing air cover as the insurgentsremained recalcitrant in the bat-tle.

In fact, a top military source,who spoke to Vanguard lastnight, said the insurgents' fire-power in being able to withstandthe fire-power of the militaryforces was a source of concern tothe military command in the epi-centre of the war on terror.

There were reports of casual-ties from both the military and theterrorists while the sheer numberof the insurgents and the fact thatthey were heavily armedprompted the ground troops torequest for reinforcements fromthe air force to provide air bom-bardments.

Units of the 213 battalion TaskForce and 234 Special Operationsbattalion both based in Mubiwhich attempted to retake GwozaTownship from Islamist militantBoko Haram were said to haveretreated and sent signals for airsupport as a result of unrelent-ing gun fire from the insurgents.

While a source said using theword defeat of Nigerian soldiersfighting to retake Gwoza townfrom the grip of Boko Haram in-surgents was childish, he notedthat the commanders on groundwere only making strategies formore effective offensive.

Reports from the battle-fieldhad indicated that following threedays of fighting over 100 civiliansand several soldiers were killed

Vanguard gathered that someofficers (names withheld) who ledthe attempt to recapture Gwozaand other towns from the terror-ists were feared either dead orcaptured by the insurgents andtheir whereabouts was a sourceof concern to the military authori-ties.

Vanguard was told that due tothe worrisome terrain of the bat-tle area, the terrorists were ableto ambush some of the soldiersand demobilise some of theirequipment.

There were conflicting figureson the casualty figures on the partof soldiers killed, but it was notpossible to get confirmation.


Lagos absorbs 880 KAI officialsinto civil service

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

LAGOS—LAGOS Stategovernment has ab-

sorbed 880 Kick Against Indis-cipline, KAI, officials into thestate civil service as part ofongoing restructuring in theorganisation aimed at reposi-tioning it for better servicedelivery.

The affected officials havestarted keying in their person-al data and credentials docu-mentation at Lagos state civilservice commission and Pub-lic Service Office, PSO.

Some of the beneficiariesexpressed appreciation togovernment for making theirdreams come true.

Speaking with Vanguard,Mr. A. Tunde, a graduateformer KAI officer promised onbehalf of other beneficiaries notto disappoint the state govern-ment, “We promise to serve thestate with all our hearts and dis-charge our duties diligently.”

Governor Babatunde Fasho-la of Lagos State, while ad-dressing the KAI officials ex-pressed joy that they have

become permanent staff inthe state civil service, point-ing out that the process ofgetting them into the servicewas tough as governmenthad to lobby to get a special

cadre for them called “ LawEnforcement Cadre” which ac-cording to him was hither tonon-existent.

He congratulated them, urg-ing them to always do theirjobs diligently with compas-sion and confine themselvesto their primary responsibili-ties without digression to let

the state win the war againstany form of indiscipline anddisobedience.

The government stated fur-ther that the officials shouldalways discharge their re-sponsibilities in a mannerthat the state would not beportrayed in a bad light be-fore the public.

AKURE—NATIONAL Un ion of Chemical, Foot-

wear, Rubber, Leather and Non-Metallic Products Employees,NUCFRLANMPE, yesterdaycalled on the National Assem-bly, to do more to arrest the ris-ing cases of slave labour in thecountry through proactive andpunitive legislation.

At the opening ceremony ofits 23rd Annual National Indus-trial Relations seminar takingplace in Akure, the Ondo statecapital, the union lamented thatbesides the issues of unfair la-bour practices such as casuali-sation, outsourcing and contractstaffing, Nigerians were nowbeing subjected to all forms ofdehumanising policies andpractices by employers in theirdesperate drive for profit maxi-mization.

Addressing the gathering,President of the union, Mr.Boniface Isok, however com-mended the efforts of the Houseof Representatives in trying tocheckmate some of these unfairlabour practices through a leg-istration that had passed thesecond reading.

Though existing law limits em-ployment of casuals to six months,employers have continued to cir-cumvent it because of little or nopunitive measure by the regula-tor, the ministry of labour.

According to Isok, “it is quite

sad that in 2005, the FederalGovernment introduced casu-al, temporary or contract staff-ing into the country therebyplacing Nigerian workers un-der slavery. How can the Fed-eral Government encouragecasualisation when there is high

level of unemployment in thecountry? Those in the corridor ofpower should not look after them-selves, but think of the citizenswho elected them.

“We want to give kudos to theHouse of Representatives for thesuccessful passage of the second

reading of a bill to provide a timeframe for the regulation of casu-al or temporary employment topermanent employment by allemployers of labour in Nigeria.This shows that our elected of-ficers can feel the pulse of themasses if they choose to.”

Labour urges N’Assembly to stem slave labour in NigeriaBy Victor Ahiuma-Young &

Dayo Johnson

ByDaud Olatunji

Remo leaders threaten to oppose Ijebu State

ABEOKUTA—PEOPLEof Remo in Ogun State

under the aegis of the PanRemo Forum, PRF, an umbrel-la body for all socio-politicalorganisations in Remoland,have threatened to scuttle thecreation of the proposed IjebuState out of Ogun State.

In a statement signed by amember of the state House ofAssembly, Yinka Mafe, the fo-rum said; “Though the PRF isnon-partisan, it is not oblivi-ous of the need for our peopleto be actively involved in thepolitics of the land in order tobe able to ensure Remolandgets its rights and priviledgesin the scheme of things bothlocally and nationally.''

While reacting to the plan tocreate Ijebu State out of thepresent Ogun State, the forumsaid, “Consequently, PRF findsit instructive and urgent to stateour position on the proposedcreation of Ijebu State as an-

nounced by the ongoing Na-tional Conference in Abuja.

“While we, like most peopleof Remoland, are very pleasedwith the decision to create astate for us out of the presentOgun State, we take seriousexemptions to certain modali-ties in the proposed Ijebu State.

“Hence, we make bold to sayRemo people will vigorously op-pose the plan to make us 'secondclass citizens' in an entity wherehistorically, traditionally and eco-nomically, we’ve been equal part-ners with our Ijebu brothers andsisters for decades.

“Firstly, we are uncomfortablewith an alleged proposal to namethe new state Ijebu state and putthe capital at Ijebu-Ode.

Our take is that the new enti-ty should reflect the joint own-ership and equality of the co-operating partners, i.e the Ije-bu and Remo geo-politicalunits of present Ogun East sen-atorial district.

“We recall that Remo has beenan independent entity existing

alongside Ijebu, Egba, Oyo etcas a DIVISION as far back asApril, 1937.

“Also, it is on record that whenit was time to create local gov-ernments and Remo and Ijebugot lumped together, the entitywas named IJEBU/REMO LocalGovernment and not just IjebuLGA nor Remo LGA.

“Consequently, we declare thatany proposal that ignores theidentity and equality of the Remoclan in the new state is unaccept-able to us. Therefore we appealthat the new state must reflectthe place of Remoland as anequal partner.

We therefore propose that Ije-bu state with Ikenne Remo ascapital is the only acceptable ar-rangement to us. Anything shortof this will be unfair and unac-ceptable to us.

“Also, we want to state clearlythat an arrangement that willgive Ijebu 16 Local GovernmentAreas and leave Remo with 8 outof proposed 24 LGAs should notbe considered nor attempted.''

CONFAB DRAFT REPORT—Some delegates to the National Conference look at copies of theDraft Report at the resumption of plenary session in Abuja, yesterday. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.

NATIONAL carrier,Globacom has intro-

duced Glo Jolof, a productthat offers subscribers thelowest recharge option inthe country at N25 withthree minutes of call timeand three SMS thus low-ering the barrier for Nige-rian telecommunicationsubscribers to make calls ataffordable rates.

Two of the three minutesare for calls within the Glo-bacom network while thethird is available for thesubscriber to call any othernetwork. All the three SMSare on net.

Also introduced underthe Glo Jolof package is theN50 recharge string, whichgives the subscriber 6 min-utes of call time and 6SMS, thus giving telecom-munication subscribersmore value for money. Outof the six minutes of calltime, four are for calls withinthe network while two arefor calls to other networks.The six SMS are for on netutilisation. The tantalisingbenefit is valid until mid-night of the same day of re-charge.

Glo introducesJolof rechargestrings, offersN25, N50rechargeoptions

By Naomi Uzor

THE Japanese International Cooperation

Agency, JICA, and the La-gos Chamber of Commerceand Industry, LCCI, yester-day, said plans are on to col-laborate with female mem-bers of the LCCI to reachout to women entrepre-neurs in boosting grass-roots development in Ni-geria.

Chairperson of the Wom-en Group of the LCCI, Mrs.Adenike Shobajo, dis-closed that the event hasbeen slated for on 14th ofAugust and that the Chiefrepresentative of JICA, Mr.Tetsuo Seki, who will be fea-turing as guest speaker atthe business forum, withthe theme: “Gender Main-streaming in Private SectorDevelopment.”, is expect-ed to focus his presentationon how JICA could collab-orate with female membersof the LCCI to reach out towomen entrepreneurs inboosting grassroots devel-opment in Nigeria.

Japaneseenvoy, LCCIto boostwomen devt

Vanguard, TUEESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2014 —11

APC, PDPsupportersclash in Ile-Ife

OSUN 2014: Omisore, PDP head forTribunal

By Gbenga Olarinoye

LANCH: From left—Deputy Governor of Osun State, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori; GovernorRauf Aregbesola of Osun State and Managing Director, Chams Plc, Mr. Demola Aladekomo,during the launch of Students Biometric Card for all public schools in Osun State.

BARELY 48 hours after the Osun State 2014 governor-

ship election won by GovernorRauf Aregbesola of the All Pro-gressives Congress, APC, the Peo-ples Democratic Party, PDP, andits candidate, Senator Iyiola Om-isore have expressed dissatisfac-tion with the outcome of the exer-cise and vowed to challenge theresult at the Governorship Elec-tion Petition Tribunal.

Omisore said the outcome of theelection did not reflect the wishesof the people of the state, hencehis resolve to challenge it at thetribunal.

The state chairman of the party,Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa, in a state-ment in Osogbo, yesterday, saidthe PDP would challenge the re-sults released by the Independ-ent National Electoral Commis-sion, INEC.

He said the party had met andresolved that the results of theelection be challenged at the tri-bunal, adding that the legal teamof the party under the leadershipof Chief Sunday Ojo-Williams meton the development and was al-ready consulting with those thatmatter.

He described the Saturday’selection as “a robbery of the high-est order,” Olaoluwa said the elec-tion was characterised by malprac-tices in many parts of the state,especially Osogbo and Ilesa.

“The PDP in Osun State rejectthe outcome of the last Saturday’selection in its totality and we areready to contest it until the peo-ples mandate, which was stolenis returned,'' Olaoluwa stressed.

Omisore, in a statement assuredthat the wishes of the people ofthe state would finally come aliveas he would challenge the elec-tion results.

He said: “I have resolved tocontinue to provide leadershipuntil Osun State of our dreamis realised. Let it be known thatour people would no longer betaken for granted as we haveopened the floodgate of demo-cratic challenge, which no forceon earth can stop.

“I shall be at the forefront asour people keep pressing for thereal dividends of democracyand the expansion of the demo-cratic space in our dear state.In the meantime, the party situ-ation office is presently analys-ing the results of the electionsagainst field reports and weshall be making public our find-ings and the appropriate stepsaccordingly.”

According to Omisore, “this isone election that has been hard-ly fought in every nook andcranny of our state in the lastfew months. We traversed thelength and breadth of Osun withour eight-point agenda to give

a new paradigm for governanceand lift our people out of theabyss of want and decadence.

“In the course of our cam-paigns, I saw a people trauma-tised and fervently hopeful ofbeneficial change. It did not es-cape my notice that many of thepeople in our towns and villag-es who trooped to campaigngrounds bore scars of neglect,extreme poverty and excruci-ating suffering.

“It was a race we came intomindful of the odds stackedagainst us. We had a situationwhere a clearly partisan Resi-dent Electoral Commissionerhad opened the entire elector-al system to our opponent fromregistration stage through datastorage to personnel loading.Though the leadership of INECeventually took him out of thestate weeks to the elections, hehad already did a lot of harmin the system that would takeyears to rectify.''

This came as more groupsand individuals commendedaregbesola on his victory.

Among those who spoke yes-terday were the Nigerian La-bour Congress, NLC, Inter-Par-ty Advisory Council, IPAC,Conference of Nigerian Politi-cal Parties, CNPP, former gov-ernor of Oyo State, SenatorRashidi Ladoja, Lagos StateHouse of Assembly Speaker,Hon Adeyemi Ikuforiji amongothers.

National Publicity Secretary ofIPAC and National Chairman ofthe Citizens Popular Party, CPP,Chief Sam Eke saluted Aregbeso-la on his ‘well-deserved victory,’which he said “is total demon-stration of Aregbesola’s over 80per cent performance, toleranceof all men of different religion andtribes living in the state of Osun,recognition of the people’s pow-er, primacy and his intimacy withall men, women, youth and phys-ically challenged people and fi-nally the ugly lesson APC as aparty learnt in Ekiti State.”

Omisore’s controversialpersonality cost him thepolls – Ladoja

Senator Ladoja said the non-acceptability of Omisore’s person-ality led to the loss of the PDP atthe Ogun polls.

Speaking at the installation ofNureni Adeniran as the third Pres-ident of Rotary Club of Ibadan,Jericho-Metro District 9125,Ladoja said Omisore’s controver-sial personality made it difficultto get the support of the people ofthe state who needed a change.

NLC tasks Aregbesola onworkers-friendly policies

Also reacting, the NLC imploredAregbesola to use his second termin office to pursue a more work-ers-friendly policies, saying “ma-jority of the votes that returned himto power came from workers.”

This came as it called on rele-vant authorities to investigate al-leged rights violations, arrests ofsome people, including accredit-ed observers and journalists dur-ing the election.

While congratulating him on hisvictory in Saturday’ gubernatorialelection, NLC in a statement inAbuja, insisted that Governor Ar-egbesola should review all out-standing issues relating to work-ers' welfare and ensure that hissecond term would be strike-free.

NLC in the statement by its Pres-ident, Mr. Abdulwaheed Omar,contended that Aregbesola reelec-tion reaffirmed “our conviction thatdemocracy is maturing very fastin the country since it has becomeobvious that the people’s votesnow count in elections. It is main-ly to the credit of the integrity ofthe Prof. Attahiru Jega-led Inde-pendent National Electoral Com-mission, the electorate themselvesand the candidates that any elec-tion such as this would come outnot only successful but credible.This is an indication that ourcountry is hopeful. It is impor-tant however, that our politi-cians should begin to under-

stand that “do or die” politicsis not part of democracy.”

CNPP congratulatesAregbesola, INEC

On its part, the CNPP congrat-ulated Aregbesola, INEC, secu-rity agencies, Ogun people andPresident Goodluck Jonathan forconducting another free and fairelection.

In a statement issued by itsSecretary General, Chief WillyEzugwu, CNPP said the elec-tion, which has been adjudgedfree and fair by everyone, includ-ing the civil societies who moni-tored it is another pointer thatINEC is battle-ready to conductcredible election in 2015.

''CNPP is satisfied with the con-duct of the Ogun guber electionand thanked INEC for their im-partiality in the poll’, he said.

He also urged Aregbesola to bea good sportsman by carrying hisopponents who lost in the elec-tion along for the good of the statewhile also congratulating thepeople of Ogun state for conduct-ing themselves peaceful duringthe election.

Don't over-heat the polity,Ikuforji, Pitan advise PDP

Relatedly, Ikuforiji advised thePDP against overheating the pol-ity on account of the Ogun polls.In a statement by his Chief PressSecretary, Mr. Rotimi Adebayo,the speaker said Aregbesola’s vic-tory was as a result of his out-standing performance and unwa-vering determination displayedby the people of Ogun.

Ikuforiji advised that, the fed-eral government should avoidover- deployment of soldiers andmasked- security men for thepurposes of monitoring, intimi-dating and unlawfully arrestingmembers of major opposition po-litical parties in the overall inter-est of democracy. Also speaking,Dr. Leke Pitan also commendedthe Ogun governor, for his unre-lenting and outstanding perform-ance and service to humanity.

By Gbenga Olarinoye, VictorAhiuma-Young, Ola Ajayi, Ebun

Sessou & Chinenyeh Ozor

...NLC, CNPP, IPAC, others hail Aregbesola

OSOGBO—SUPPORTERS of the

Peoples Democratic Par-ty, PDP, and the All Pro-gressives CongressAPC, yesterday clashedin Ile-Ife, leaving scoreswith various degrees ofinjuries.

It was gathered thatsupporters of PDP alleg-edly attacked the APCwhen the latter were cel-ebrating the victory oftheir candidate, Gover-nor Rauf Aregbesola, inthe Saturday governor-ship election.

But the Police PublicRelation Officer PPROOsun State command,Mrs. Folasade Odoro,denied any clash saying;“People were only jubi-lant, not only in Ile-Ife,but all parts of the state.”

The APC, in a state-ment by its Director ofPublicity and Research,Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, al-leged that the PDP wenton rampage against thesupporters of APC, whowere celebrating OgbeniRauf Aregbesola’s victo-ry in last Saturday’s gov-ernorship election.

He said; “Apart fromphysical injuries inflict-ed on our supporters,the PDP thugs extendedtheir violence to Gbodo,where they attacked anddamaged properties be-longing to the father ofthe Executive Secretary ofIfe South Local Govern-ment, Tajuden Lawal.

“Not done with theirviolence, they wentahead to vandaliseshops in Itakogun.

''Fortunately, we aretold the police have in-tervened and the situa-tion is being normal-ised.”

The APC however ad-vised all its supportersin Ile Ife and other partsof the state to becalm.When asked,Diran Odeyemi Directorof Publicity and Strate-gy of PDP in the statedenied the allegationsaying instead it wasthe APC supporters at-tacking PDP members.

...Police denyclash, saypeople wereonly jubilating

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2014

Ijaw, Itsekiri reach agreementon Warri North chairmanship slot

KOKO—ITSEKIRI andIjaw political leaders in

Warri North LocalGovernment Area, DeltaState, have brokered anaccord on the chairmanshipseat of the council for theOctober 25 polls in thestate.

Vanguard was informedthat the position ofchairman has beenconceded to the Itsekiri

ethnic group and will rotateto the Ijaw in the nextdispensation.

Following thedevelopment, the Presidentof Egbema for PositiveChange, Prince Ebe Fetimi,has declared as null and voidthe threat by Egbema RadicalGroup, ERG, to causeviolence in the area if thechairmanship position wasnot ceded to the Ijaw.

He said political leadersfrom the two ethnic groups

had met on the matter andtaken far-reachingdecisions, and thoughEgbema-Ijaw people wereyet to be briefed by theirleaders, who attended themeeting, there was no needfor violence by any group.

ERG spokesman, AminDada, also confirmed toVanguard that the group hadwithdrawn its threatfollowing recentdevelopments on thepolitical scene.

By Emma Amaize

AGREEMENT: The Managing Director/CEO of Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. ‘Yemi Adeola(left) and the Managing Director of Arsenal FC, Mr. Ivan Gazidis, at the signing of thesponsorship agreement between the bank and the football club in London.

Jonathan assures onenvironmental practice law

WARRI— PRESIDENTGoodluck Jonathan

has assured stakeholders ofFederal Government’scommitment to ensure thatthe bill to professionaliseenvironment practicebecomes law.

The President gave theassurance at the justconcluded three days 24thAnnual Conference of theNigerian EnvironmentalSociety, NES, in Warri,Delta State.

Represented by MrsLaurentia Laraba, Ministerof Environment, Jonathan

charged NES to come outwith solutions to the myriadsof environmental challengesfacing the country.

He said: “The impact offloods of about two years agois still fresh in our minds.Gully erosion in the South-East, oil spillage and landdegradation in the NigerDelta region, potential seaencroachment in all thecoastal states and desertencroachment in most partsof the North are dangerous.

“However, government isdetermined and has beenworking assiduously as partof the transformation agendain the environmental sector

to address all theseenvironmental challenges onthe short and long termproactive basis.”

The Bill onP r o f e s s i o n a l i s i n gEnvironmental Practice inNigeria, introduced by NEShas scaled through thesecond reading at theNational Assembly.

President of NES, Engr.Olu Wai-Ogosu, whoappreciated governmentefforts, pledged members'continued partnership withgovernment forenlightenment of the masseson how to manage the spreadof the deadly Ebola virus.

By Egufe Yafugborhi

PORT HARCOURT—THE Nigerian Union

of Petroleum andNatural Gas Workers,NUPENG, hasthreatened to go on strikeif Federal Governmentfails to resolve the crisisbetween its members andtheir employers within 14days.

Chairman, Port Har-court zone of the body,Mr. Godwin Eruba, whospoke yesterday in PortHarcourt, Rivers State,said 13 of their memberswere sacked at the Onnefree zone, Port Harcourt,for allegedly belonging tothe union, adding thaturgent steps should betaken to recall them.

He chargedmanagement of NigerianAgip Oil Company,NAOC, to respect adirective from NationalPetroleum InvestmentManagement Services,NAPIMS, relating to theissue of their members.

He said: “The refusal ofAgip to obey thisdirective has posed agreat threat to the jobs ofour members in ARCO.”

NUPENGthreatensstrike

By Jimitota Onoyume

WIFE of the Governorof Bayelsa State,

Mrs Rachael Dickson,yesterday, said parentshave a role to play inchanging the age longperception about girl-childeducation.

Speaking during athanksgiving service aspart of activities to markher 41st birthdayanniversary at the King ofGlory Chapel,Government House,Yenagoa, Mrs. Dickson,said girls have prominentroles in the socio-economic growth of thecountry.

She also called onparents, especially fathers,to imbibe the culture offorgiveness, especiallywhen their children erred.

Mrs Dickson added thatshe would continue tocelebrate God forupholding her husband,Governor Seriake Dicksonand the entire people ofBayelsa State.

Bayelsa FirstLady makescase forgirl-childeducation

By Samuel Oyadongha

Bomadi PDPlauded onOluwole'semergence

THE Chairman, DeltaState Moslems Pilgrim

Board, Alhaji YusufEregbene, has commen-ded Bomadi LocalGovernment Area chapterof Peoples DemocraticParty, PDP, for electingChief Karetimi Oluwole asthe chairmanshipcandidate at its primaries.

Eregbene, who thankedthe party’s leadership,described the party’schoice as a square peg insquare hole.

He noted that Oluwole’strack record in communityservice, philanthropy andhis consistency in attractingdevelopment to the councilearned him theoverwhelming supportand victory.

Uduaghanlauded onPDP LGprimaries

BURUTU LocalGovernment Area of

Delta State chairmanshipaspirant, on the platformof Peoples DemocraticParty, PDP, Dr. MosesAdagbabiri, has hailedGovernor EmmanuelUduaghan for thesuccessful primaries andalso congratulated ChiefEbikeme Clark on hisvictory.

He called on all sonsand daughters of Burutucouncil, irrespective oftheir political affiliation,to vote for Clark at theOctober 25 councilelections.

Speaking in Asaba, atthe meeting of thegovernor with the DeltaSouth PDP leaders, partyexecutives andchairmanship aspirants,Adagbabiri appreciatedthe governor for hisquick intervention in theBurutu chairmanshipdebacle, adding that thegovernor was a trueleader who actedpromptly to save thesituation.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2014 — 13

Sawyer was mad to bring Ebola here — JONATHAN

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