NAF fires indicted officers,appoints new AOCs, PSOs by Vanguard Media Limited

...towards a better life for the people

VOL. 25: NO. 62692

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016

IBORI'S LONDON TRIAL: Nigerian/British alleged conspiracy revealed in court 12

$2.1BN ARMS PROBE:

S-COURT JUDGMENT: Body of Benchers grills Wike over Peterside's 9 allegations

NAF fires indicted officers, appoints new AOCs, PSOs •AVMs under house arrest; DMI sacked •Ex-CAS to be held for 2 weeks •More top military brass arrested, questioned •As EFCC arrests AVM in CDS' entourage

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North &Kingsley Omonobi

BUJA—THE Nigerian Airforce High Command stepped up its anti-corruption war, yesterday, with the removal of officers,

including Air Officers Commanding, AOCs, fingered in the $2.1billion arms scandal and appointed new officers to replace them. As a result, Vanguard gathered that about four senior officers, Air Vice Marshals, AVMs, and Commodores, (names with-held) are now under house arrest at Niger Continues on Page 5

TOMPOLO:

N-Delta royal fathers to meet FG 13 Mr & Mrs YABATECH SHUT—Students of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Yaba, Lagos, leaving the school after authorities closed the school,yesterday, following violent protest by students over the death of a female student. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

Laurent Gbagbo: Guilty as charged •P.19

Appeal court quashes ex-Gov S-Court affirms Nyako's Gov. Ishaku's impeachment election TARABA GOV POLL:

COLUMNISTS:

Farewell to an adored matriach •P.17

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POCKET CARTOON

BUDGET: From left: Group Head, Nigerian Commodity Exchange(NCE), Mr. Benson Lawal; Managing Director (NCE), Zaheera Baba Ari and Director Management Services of NCE, Emmanuel Egim, during the budget defence on Nigerian Commodity Exchange before the House Committee on Capital Market and Institutions at the National Assembly, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

NAF fires indicted officers, appoints new AOCs, PSOs Continues from Page 1 Barracks, Abuja, awaiting completion of interrogation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before they would know their fate. That is besides RA Ojuawo, an Air Vice Marshal, arrested Tuesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on his way to Germany, by EFCC operatives. It was also gathered that a former service chief, who was allowed to go home the first time he was invited, had been detained since Wednesday when he was re-invited and may be detained for up to two more weeks, following approval by the courts for his continued detention. This development came on a day more military

personnel fingered in the disbursement of the $2.1bn arms money were arrested and questioned by the Military high command, even as the Director of Military Intelligence, BrigGeneral Mohammed Sa’ad, was sacked over alleged connection with the arms scam.

Arrest of Jonathan's ADC

On Wednesday night, Colonel Ojogbane Adegbe, former Aide-de-Camp to former President Goodluck Jonathan was arrested in Lagos, just as he arrived Nigeria. No reason was immediately given for the arrest of Adegbe, who is presently undergoing a senior military training programme in the United

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO E careful of your ego, feeding it would often cost you the most important relationships in your life. It's up to you.

TAKE HEART BY ELLA RANDLE

As we express our gratitude, we must remember that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them —John F Kennedy

RATEFUL people have a higher sense of selfworth. I think that’s because when you’re grateful, you have the sense that someone else is looking out for you. Once you start to recognize the contributions that other people have made to your life, once you realize that other people have seen the value in you, you can transform the way you see yourself. Just because gratitude is good doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Practicing gratitude can be at odds with some deeply ingrained psychological tendencies but if we focus on gratitude, we’ll attract our heart desires.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE Emergency consumes a warrior, but we know a warrior by his response to an emergency.

Kingdom. Col. Adegbe was sent for the training programme in the UK shortly after serving as ADC to Jonathan. Competent security sources said the officer, from the Military Intelligence Corps, was picked up by military officers detailed to arrest him upon his arrival. But a top military source told Vanguard on condition of anonymity that Adegbe was recalled from the UK to answer to certain issues related to his tenure as ADC to former President Jonathan but did not say what the issues were. However, another military officer conversant with the arrest of the former ADC said the arrest was in connection with the allegation that he and another aide of the former President now on the run, were the arrowhead of disbursing N10 billion to PDP delegates in Abuja in 2014. The money is said to have been supplied by the Central Bank of Nigeria on the orders of the embattled former NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd). Adegbe and the former adviser to Jonathan on domestic matters, are said to have been mentioned by Dasuki in his statement to the EFCC filed before a Federal High Court hearing the corruption case preferred against him by the Federal Government. Dasuki had said in the statement: “That I am aware in November (I cannot remember the exact date), my office requested the CBN to exchange N10billion from the account of the Office of National Security Adviser domiciled in CBN. “The money was exchanged at $47m and some Euros, which I cannot remember. The exact

amount was delivered at my residence. The money was for delegates that attended the convention for the PDP Presidential nomination. The money was paid and sent to (Waripamowei) Dudafa (SSAP Household) and ADC (C-I-C) for distribution on the instruction of the President. “Based on the statement of Director of Finance and Administration (Salisu), Ibrahim Wambai, and Yazidu Ibrahim, all the cash (both foreign and local) are usually given to them for official use." Vanguard learned that the arrest of Adegbe was an indication that he and other military officers might be used by the government as witnesses against Dasuki, whose three cases are pending in various courts. A source close to the officer confirmed that he was being detained at Abacha Barracks, one of the highbrow military garrisons in the FCT reserved for topranking military officers.

DMI boss removed

The detention coincides with the removal of the Brigadier-General Abubakar Sa’ad, who was until this week, the Director of Military Intelligence under the current Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai. Sa’ad, who was fingered in the arms scam and had been facing interrogation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, had been eased out quietly by the military to enable him clear himself with the anticrime agency. He was Defence Adviser in Mali before being appointed DMI director and had been replaced by Major General Tarfa, in acting capacity.

Major shake-up in NAF

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has announced the redeployment of 66 senior officers, comprising 22 Air Vice Marshals; 34 Air Commodores, seven Group Captains and three Wing Commanders. Those affected by the new deployment include two branch chiefs, two Air Officers Commanding, AOCs, and one commandant. The newly appointed branch chiefs are AVM Ademola Jekennu, formerly the Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) at the Tactical Air Command, Makurdi. He is now Chief of Administration (COA) at the Headquarters of Nigerian Air Force. He takes over from Air Vice Marshal Mamu who is facing EFCC probe over the $2.1billion arms scam. Air Cdre Clement Ogbeche is now Chief of Accounts and Budget, HQ NAF. He takes over from AM Adigun who is also facing EFCC interrogation. Director of Air Force Public relations, Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, who released

the new postings, yesterday, gave the names of the new AOCs as AVMs Emmanuel Akogu and Emmanuel Agwungwu who now head the mobility command, Yenagoa; and Tactical Air Command, Makurdi respectively. Agwungwu takes over from AVM Ojuawo who is facing EFCC interrogation. He said that until their appointments, AVM Emmanuel Akogu was the Director of Evaluation at HQ NAF, while AVM Emmanuel Agwungwu was Director of Training, HQ NAF. In the same vein, AVM Christopher Gudi, former Director of Air Traffic Services at HQ NAF now replaces AVM Mike Iloenyosi as Commandant, Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Oshodi. AVM Lawal Alao has been moved from Defence Headquarters, where he was Chief of Defence Communication, to head the NAF Holding Company (NAFHC) as Managing Director. Famuyiwa said that others affected by the new deployments include AVM Isiaka Amao, formerly Deputy Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole and now Director of Policy at HQ NAF; former Commander, Nigerian Air Defence Corps (NADC), AVM Bernard Chiobi now Chairman, Air Expo and International Liaison secretariat; AVM Bashir Saidu, former Director of Policy at HQ NAF now moved to DHQ as Chief of Policy and Plans; AVM Muktar Magaji now redeployed as Chief of Defence Communication at DHQ. Others are AVM Emmanuel Anebi who has been moved from training command to DHQ as Director of Production, while AVM Ibrahim Umaru moves to DHQ as Director of Space Operations; AVM Charles Otegbade, formerly Director of Search and Rescue at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) moves to HQ NAF as Director of Air Traffic Services. Also redeployed are AVM Olusoji Awomodu, now Director, Research and Development at DHQ; AVM Okechukwu Ntukogu, Director of Personnel Services at DHQ; AVM Sani Ahmed, Director

of Plans, HQ NAF; AVM Stephen Onuh, Director of Evaluation, HQ NAF; Kingsley Lar, Coordinator, Project Implementation and Monitoring Team, HQ NAF; AVM Christian DII, Director of NAF Transformation; AVM Humphrey Okpala, Director of Museums and Archives; AVM John Baba, Director of Training, HQ NAF; AVM Isyaka Bukar, Director of Air Engineering, HQ NAF, and Mohammed Muhammad, Director of Legal Services, HQ NAF. According to him, the recent deployment is a routine exercise aimed at ensuring that the NAF is effectively manned for operational efficiency and effectiveness, in line with the vision of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar.

How Ojuawo was arrested Air Vice Marshal R.A. Ojuawo, arrested by EFCC operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, was on his way out of the country, in the entourage of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, billed to attend a meeting of the United States Africa Command in Germany on Sunday. The source said, “The event, which they were going to attend, was about the activities of the military in the fight against insurgency. AVM Ojuawo was the one that was supposed to deliver the keynote address on behalf of the Nigerian Air Force. “However, a team of EFCC detectives stormed the airport and refused to allow him travel. All the senior military officers present pleaded with the detectives but they refused to listen. We explained to them that we had invested a lot of time and energy in putting together the report that Ojuawo was supposed to present. “The Air Force had done feasibility studies on how to rehabilitate Internally Displaced Persons and was going to present the report in Germany. “We promised them that immediately we were done with the event, Ojuawo would return and visit the EFCC but the detectives said he was a flight risk."

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STUDENT'S DEATH: YABATECH shut over protest ...as FMC absolves self She's not anaemic —FAMILY

4 Rev Sisters die, 2 unconscious in C-River road accident By Emma Una

ALABAR—FOUR reverend sisters travelling from Ogoja, in Cross River State, to Uyo, Akwa Ibom, for a church programme yesterday, lost their lives when their car had a head-on collision with a truck along the Ogoja-Ikom highway. They died on the spot, while

two other reverend sisters involved in the same accident are lying unconscious at Holy Family Joint Hospital in Ikom, some 60 kilometres away from the accident scene. The sisters, according to a source at the Ogoja Catholic Archdiocese, were travelling for a church programme in preparation for the 2016 Easter celebration, when they had the

accident few kilometres away from the Mbok Junction, in Ogoja Local Government Area. The Toyota Avensis car in which they were travelling was said to be overtaking a truck at a bend, when it suddenly came upon the delivery truck of a bottling company. An eyewitness said: “The driver of the car was speeding and trying to overtake another

... as train dismembers woman in Lagos

By Evelyn Usman & Dayo Adesulu

A G O S — THE management of Yaba College of Technology, YABATECH, has suspended academic activities, following students protest over alleged negligence on the part of the school’s medical centre, which they claimed led to the death of a Higher National Diploma, HND, 2 student, Dazan Mautine Charity, Wednesday. However, in a sharp reaction, the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Ebute Meta, Lagos, has exonerated itself of culpability in the death of Charity. Rather, the centre stated that immediate medical attention was given Charity when she was rushed to the hospital, contrary to allegations by some students that she was abandoned. YABATECH students took to the street, Wednesday, protesting the death of Charity, which they blamed on inadequate care of medical staff at the centre and therefore called for the Medical Director ’s resignation. The protest continued yesterday with the destruction of some facilities in the medical centre, thereby forcing management to suspend academics proceedings. However, Head, Public Relations Unit, Mr. Charles Oni, explained that the decision to suspend academics activities for four weeks was to mourn late Charity. He also disclosed that the deceased was a Sickle Cell anaemia patient, a claim described as untrue by the bereaved family and other students. Meanwhile, late Charity was buried at about 4p.m., Wednesday at Atan Cemetery, Yaba.

truck. He ran into an oncoming Coca-cola truck head-on.” When Vanguard visited the scene of the accident yesterday, the mangled body of the Toyota Avensis and the truck were still at the scene. Bishop John Aya, the Catholic Archbishop of Ogoja Diocese could not be reached on phone, but Rev Father Bekong Simon said the loss was sad.

YABATECH CLOSED: Students of Yaba College of Technology, YABATECH, leaving for home yesterday due to the suspension of academic activities for four week after protests trailed the death of a student, Dazan Mautine Charity. One of the wards of the school's health centre vandalised by the protesting students (INSET). PHOTOS: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

13 teenage girls die in Jigawa boat mishap By Aliyu Dangida

UTSE—THIRTEEN girls, aged between nine and 12 years, travelling for a wedding ceremony in Jigawa State, lost their lives between Tsuburi Darai and Gilma villages in Jahun Local

Government Area of the state when their boats capsized. Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Yusuf Babura, said rescue work is still ongoing as the agency has been able to recover 12 bodies so far. Sani Babura said the girls

boarded two boats from Tsuburi Darai village to Gilma to attend wedding. The police spokesman in the state, DSP Abdul Jinjiri, also confirming the incident, said seven died on the spot while rescuers are still looking for other dead bodies in the river.

25-yr-old man kills father over fight with mum

By Tom Moses

young man, Mfreke Archibong Effiong, was yesterday paraded by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command for allegedly killing his father, Mr. Archibong Effiong in IbesikpoAsutan LGA of the state. While parading the 25 years old, the state Police Public

Relations Officer, Delia Nwawe, said the suspect hit his father with a big stick on the head. The suspect attributed the incident to provocation as he never set out to kill his father. Mfreke said he came back from farm on Monday to meet

Police nab 2 car thieves in Lagos By Esther Onyegbula

Mfreke Archibong Effiong

his father beating the mother. He said the mother was trying to explain what happened, but his father attacked him with a broken bottle. He said he was trying to defend himself when he hit his father with the stick on his right arm.

ARELY a week after helping to recover a Lexus SUV, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, RSS, of Lagos State Police Command has recovered a Toyota Camry with the number plates FKJ 555 CV, stolen Wednesday night. The four-man gang responsible for the theft, led by one Ndubuisi, a spare parts seller, were accosted by the operatives at 3a.m. around

Isheri-Osun on LASU/Iyana Iba Road, towing the stolen car to Berger Bus Stop in Mile 2. While the Lexus was snatched at gunpoint in Okokomaiko, Lagos, the Camry, according to John Godwin a member of the gang now in police custody, Ndubuisi invited him to come and assist evacuate a broken down vehicle in Isolo area. Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmus, confirmed the incident.

middle-aged woman sitting across the rail track at Shogunle area of Lagos State was, yesterday, cr ushed to death by a passenger train. The incident happened few metres away from the Arena Shopping Complex, Oshodi, as it was gathered that the Ogunbound train left Oshodi Station at around 4.45p.m., heading toward Shogunle Station. The woman was sitting on the rail track, oblivious of the approaching train in spite of the blaring horn. The fast-approaching train dismembered her body.

Currency forger bags 7 years jail term By Innocent Anaba

Federal High Court, Lagos, yesterday, sentenced a fake currency printer, James Onwuso, to seven years imprisonment. The convict was charged before Justice Ibrahim Buba on a three countcharge bordering on false production of Naira denominations, forgery of bank notes and possession of counterfeit Naira notes. In his judgment, Buba held that based on the evidence before the court, it was not difficult to arrive at the verdict. He added that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubts. He sentenced Onwuso to seven years each on each of the three charges, but to run concurrently.

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100,000 Nigerians live outside Nigeria as refugees — US More Nigerian nurses in Europe than in Nigeria —EU

AGOS— THE United States Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Ms Linda ThomasGreenfield, said, yesterday, that about 100,000 Nigerians were currently living outside as refugees in neighbouring countries. This came on a day the Head of European Union delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Michel Arrion, also said there were more Nigerian nurses in Europe than in Nigeria. Thomas-Greenfield, who announced this to journalists from across Africa in a tele-press conference, said that Boko Haram attacks had forced more than one million Nigerians out of their homes. According to her, these people have serious concerns that urgently need to be addressed. “More than a million Nigerians have been forced from their homes. Close to 100,000 Nigerians are living outside of Nigeria as refugees. Thousands of families, ordinary people, have been impacted by Boko Haram. And these people have serious concerns that urgently need to be addressed,” she said. The US envoy said her government had been working closely with Nigeria and her neighbouring countries in addressing problem of terrorism in the region. Thomas-Linda said there was multifaceted effort in place to deal with security issues as well as the root causes. The U.S. representative in Africa also said that her government had been working with and providing support for governments in the region through the Multinational Joint Task Force. She said: “We’re also working with governments to look at broad economic development in the regions affected by Boko Haram by encouraging businesses to invest in those areas. We are also working with the governments to ensure that those who have been victims of Boko Haram receive the assistance that they require to rebuild their lives.”

More Nigerian nurses in Europe than in Nigeria

Meanwhile, Mr Michel Arrion, the Head of European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, has said there were more Nigerian nurses in Europe than in Nigeria. Arrion told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, yesterday, that the health professionals would better serve to provide and deliver social services to Nigeria. He said that a situation where some Nigerians travel to European countries and remained to work was not in the interest of the country. He said: “You give visas to students and they study in Europe

and stay in Europe. No, please go back and develop your country. I think it is very important. We must avoid what we call brain drain. “I always take the example of the number of Nigerian nurses in European hospitals. There are more Nigerian nurses in European hospitals than in Nigeria. But of course, if they go back (to Europe), if they send back money, that’s very good. “They (Nigerians) should be better trained (in Europe) and come back (to Nigeria) and better serve and provide and deliver social services to their compatriots.”

9,000 Nigerian illegal migrants in Europe

Earlier, Arrion, in a statement said that Nigeria was an important country of origin of regular and irregular migration to the EU and its member-states. According to him, many of them risk their lives and perish in the Mediterranean. The EU official explained that there were almost 9,000 Nigerian illegal migrants in Europe in 2014. He said: “In 2014, Nigerians accounted for an estimated 8,700 of the 283,532 irregular migrants entering EU borders, many of who risked their lives crossing

the Mediterranean. “However, majority of Nigerians enter and reside in EU legally and millions of Diaspora Nigerians are residing in the EU. “As a regional economic power, Nigeria is also on the receiving end of migration, attracting an estimated three million labour workers from neighbouring countries. In the first half of 2015, Nigerian citizens ranked ninth of all persons granted international protection in EU’s 28 member states. “Nigerian nationals are the most numerous among nonEuropean victims of trafficking in human beings and they are also the most numerous among traffickers.”

BUSINESS LUNCH: President, Federal Republic of Germany, Joachim Gauck (3rd right); Tony Elumelu (2nd right) and others at a business lunch with the representatives of German and Nigerian businessmen, in Lagos.

Mosquitoes carrying Zika virus exist in Nigeria —Health Minister Says 40% Nigerian adults, 25% children immune to virus By Victoria Ojeme

BUJA —THE Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has said that the mosquitoes carrying Zika virus are in Nigeria and urged Nigerians to protect themselves by using mosquito nets He also called on Nigerians to remain calm, be vigilant and report any suspected case of an acute febrile illness in pregnant women, in particular, to any nearest health facility. Adewole made this disclosure at a press briefing, yesterday, in Abuja, where he explained that the mosquitoes were active and flying, adding that they bite during the day and early morning. He said: “Nigerian scientists working in Western Nigeria in 1954 discovered Zika virus in

Nigeria. Further studies in the years 1975 to 1979 showed that 40 per cent of Nigeria adults and 25 per cent of Nigerian children have antibodies to Zika virus, meaning they are protected against this virus. “Despite the fact that some Nigerians are immune to the Zika virus infection as demonstrated by previous studies, it is important and advisable that Nigerians should be careful and protect themselves from mosquito bites. "There is no vaccine for Zika virus, and no cure other than rest, plenty of fluids and perhaps over-the-counter medication to reduce fevers, aches and pains as previously mentioned. This, therefore, means that prevention is most effective means of preventing transmission.

“I advise all Nigerians, particularly pregnant women, to avoid travelling to countries infected by this virus in these periods. If however, you are to visit any country where Zika virus is now being actively transmitted, you are advised to protect yourselves from mosquito bites. "Pregnant women considering travel to affected areas may wish to consult their health-care provider prior to travel and after return. They should also practice personal and household steps to prevent mosquito, including putting mosquito repellant on their clothes and skin, wear long sleeves and pants, and sleep underneath mosquito nets at night, where possible."

Power supply: FG gets $11.1m grant from Japan By Funmi Olasupo

BUJA — THE Japanese government, yesterday, gave a grant of $11.1 million to the Federal Government to prevent voltage drop, reduce power loss and stabilize power supply in the country. The grant is for emergency improvement of electricity supply facilities in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and Nasarawa State substations. Signing the grants agreement in Abuja, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, said the support was in tandem with the aspiration of the current administration’s Change Agenda and its quest for ensuring the delivery of democracy dividends to the citizenry. The minister maintained that the current Electricity Supply Facilities Project by the Japanese government was intended to, among other things, complement the country ’s efforts in guaranteeing steady power supply for economic growth. He said: “This signing ceremony marks the process for the effective implementation of the electricity supply facilities grant project by the Japanese government to Nigeria through the Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA, in Nigeria. “I am reliably informed that the project, which cost is put at 1.317 billion Japanese Yen, had been designed to support Nigeria in promoting socio economic and infrastructure development. “In particular, the project aims to install capacitor banks in Apo and Keffi substations in FCT and Nasarawa State respectively and will contribute to stable power supply, decrease transmission loss and improve systems reliability.’’ The Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria, Mr. Sadanobu Kusaoke, who also spoke at the signing ceremony of the grant, said by upgrading two substations in FCT and Nasarawa State, “we aim to prevent voltage drop, reduce power loss and stabilize power supply to approximately 7,000 households in Abuja and Nasarawa State.” He said: “The project before us embodies this spirit looking towards TICAD VI, which would be held in August. ‘’We would like to review our commitment to help promote Nigeria’s power sector, with this project marking first new step.”

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Taraba gov poll: Supreme Court affirms Gov Ishaku's election Judiciary remains window of hope for democracy —PDP Judgment conforms with the court’s precedents— Ekweremadu By Henry Umoru & Ikechukwu Nnochiri

BUJA — THE Supreme Court, yesterday, affirmed Governor Darius Ishaku of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the valid winner of the governorship election the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, conducted in the state on April 11, 2015. The apex court, in a unanimous judgment by a seven-man panel of justices, dismissed the appeal lodged before it by the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its gubernatorial flagbearer in the state, Senator Aisha Jumai Alhassan, as lacking in merit. The Supreme Court said it was satisfied with the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja which earlier upheld the election victory of governor Ishaku. By its judgment, yesterday, the apex court concurred with the position of a five-man panel of justices of the appellate court to the effect that the Taraba State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal “grossly misdirected itself,” when it not only sacked Governor Ishaku, but went ahead to declare the APC candidate, Alhassan, as winner of the poll. National leadership of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in its reaction, said with the judgment, the judiciary had shown that it remained the window of hope for democracy to strive in the country. Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, also commended the judgment, saying it conformed with the court’s precedents on nomination of candidates by political parties. Though Justice Suleiman Galadima headed the Supreme Court panel that heard the appeal, yesterday, it was, however, Justice Bode RhodesVivour that delivered the lead verdict. According to Justice RhodesVivour, “I am of the firm view that there is no merit in this appeal and it is, hereby, dismissed. The judgment of the Court of Appeal is affirmed and the election of Governor Darius Ishaku is, hereby, upheld.” Meanwhile, the apex court panel, reserved its reasons for upholding governor Ishaku’s election till February 22.

Judiciary remains window of hope for democracy —PDP

In a statement, yesterday, by PDP Acting National

Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, the PDP warned the APC to stop insulting and castigating the judiciary. He said: “We, therefore, warn APC and the Federal Government to stop insulting judiciary as there is nowhere in the world that a ruling party goes about hauling abuses on the judiciary.” Secondus noted that with the ruling of the Supreme Court in favour of PDP’s gubernatorial flag bearer, Darius Ishaku, all hope was not yet lost for democracy.

According to Secondus, the Supreme Court ruling not only establishes the judiciary as a utility arm in stabilizing the nation’s polity but also as the voice of the voiceless.

It conforms with the court’s precedents — Ekweremadu

Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, commended the decision of the Supreme Court, adding that it conformed with the precedents of the court on

candidates’ nomination by political parties. He said: “I want to congratulate my brother, Ishaku, on this well deserved victory and commend the Supreme Court for standing solidly on the side of truth and for preserving the sanctity of the ballot box. One can say that in the apex court, the people’s mandate has found refuge, once again. “Importantly, the judgment is in line with the Supreme Court’s established precedents, including the recent cases of Zamfara and Benue States."

VISIT: Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State (6th right); State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni; Commissioner for Local Government & Community Affairs, Hon. Muslim Folami; Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem; Commissioner for Special Duties & Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr. Seye Oladejo; Controller General, Federal Prisons, Dr. Peter Ekpendu; Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd.) and others during a courtesy visit to the Governor by the Minister of Interior, at the Lagos House, Ikeja.

S-Court judgment: Body of Benchers grills Wike over Peterside’s allegations By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

BUJA—THE last may not have been heard on the disputed April 11, 2015, governorship election in Rivers State as Governor Nyesom Wike, yesterday, appeared before the Nigerian Body of Benchers. Inquiries by Vanguard revealed that the appearance of the governor before the legal body was in connection with certain comments he allegedly made after the Supreme Court reversed the nullification of the election that brought him to power. It will be recalled that a seven-man panel of Justices of the apex court, headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, had on January 27, vacated the concurrent judgments of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal and the Rivers State

Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which ordered a re-run election in the state. Meantime, though the apex court reserved its reasons for the judgment till today, the Body of Benchers, which is one of the highest ranking organs of the Nigerian judiciary, yesterday, summoned Wike who is also a lawyer, to appear before it. Even though journalists were not allowed into the over five- hour meeting the body had with Wike inside one of the courtrooms at the Supreme Court, it was, however, gathered that the governor was grilled over allegations levelled against him by the APC and Peterside. Similarly, Peterside, at a press briefing in Port Harcourt, alleged that Wike compromised some justices of the apex court to deliver judgment in his favour.

Peterside alleged that Wike had at a thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt claimed that the former governor of the state, Dr. Peter Odili, and his wife, Justice Mary Odili, were his key advisers. He described the ruling of the Supreme Court on the Rivers governorship election as a product of compromise and an orchestrated contrivance to legalise electoral violence and rigging. At the end of their meeting, neither Wike, who went with his lead counsel, Mr. Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, nor members of the Body of Benchers, which is headed by the CJN, agreed to speak with the press. Among those that attended the meeting was National President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. Augustine Alegeh, SAN.

Budget discrepancy:

Senate, Reps summon Finance, National Planning ministers Reject budget document from Education ministry By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

BUJA—THE Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committees of Appropriation, yesterday, summoned the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, and her Budget and Planning counterpart, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, to appear before it to explain the reasons behind the controversies and discrepancies of figures in the 2016 budget proposal. The House of Representatives also rejected the budget document from the Ministry of Education which was completely different from what President Muhammadu Buhari presented to the National Assembly. Chairman of House Committee on Capital Markets and other institutions,Tajudeen Yusuf, who stated this after an interactive session with the Investment and Securities Tribunal (IST), lamented that the 2016 budget proposal for IST was a duplicate of the 2015 budget proposal. Yusuf threatened that the National Assembly would also hold the Budget Office of the Federation responsible for various errors and padding observed in the 2016 budget proposal. This is just as the House Committee on Basic Education, chaired by Zakari Mohammed (APC, Kwara), yesterday, discontinued the consideration of the 2016 budget defence for Federal Ministry of Education and its agencies, including Universal Basic Education, over 30 federal universities, Colleges of Education, among others. According to Mohammed, the budget presented by the ministry is at total variance to the budget proposal presented to the National Assembly. Yusuf, who expressed displeasure over the development, however, called for immediate action towards addressing the lingering challenges that might impact negatively on the socioeconomic well being of the citizenry. He said: “We took the budget of the IST, which is the investment court, unfortunately we realised what was contained in the 2016 budget proposal was just the exact copy of the 2015 budget appropriation; word for word and figure for figure."

10 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12 , 2016

FG ‘ll deploy technology in nation’s borders — DAMBAZZAU By Daud Olatunji

BEOKUTA—THE Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazzau (retd) yesterday, disclosed that, in a bid to check the incursion of foreigners with bad intentions into the country, the Federal Government will deploy modern technology in the nation’s borders. Dambazzau who spoke while fielding questions from newsmen during his visit to Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, said the porous borders cover about 5,000 kilometres which were mainly land. He added that most of the internal security challenges facing the country had to do with accessibility and availability of weapons, and illicit drugs, and that the government will check.” He said if the government could deploy the necessary technology, 50 per cent of the internal security challenges would have been solved. Dambazau said the essence of his visit to the state was to enlist the support of the state government in the all-important task of dealing with issues of public safety and security in Nigeria. The minister had earlier paid a courtesy visit to the state governor, Ibikunle Amosun, in his Oke Mosan office. The governor at the meeting urged the Federal Ministry of the Interior to ensure that it budgets more resources for the numerous land borders across the gateway state in the 2016 fiscal year. He said the state government is doing its best in developing the border communities through the provision of infrastructural facilities and good road network.

Lassa fever under control with 49 deaths recorded — FG By Sola Ogundipe & Chioma Obinna & Gabriel Olawale

BUJA—THE Federal Government yesterday said the current outbreak of Lassa fever in the country is under control, following recent decline in new suspected cases nationwide even as it confirmed 49 deaths so far from the disease. Giving an update in Abuja, the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, further disclosed that Nigeria has so far recorded a total of 78 confirmed cases with 49 deaths in the current Lassa fever outbreak which has now spread to 20 states of the Federation. According to him, there is also a decline in new laboratory confirmed cases and newly reported cases since this week. He however warned that

Workers shut FMC over poor facilities, alleged corruption By Daud Olatunji

BEOKUTA—HEALTH workers under the aegis of Joint Heath Workers Union, Ogun State chapter at Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, yesterday, began an indefinite strike action, claiming that the hospital has turned to centre for death rather than life. The state Chairman of JOHESU, Idowu Samuel explained that they commenced the strike to compel the management of the institution to improve its healthcare delivery standard. While addressing newsmen on the strike action, Idowu condemned the services at the Centre, alleging that the Chief Medical Director, Dr Oladapo Sotiloye has run the facilities aground, saying basic amenities of the institution such as water and power supply were no longer functioning.

ERC wants detained students freed By Amaka Abayomi

HE Education Rights Campaign, ERC, has called for the immediate release of seven secondary school students arrested and detained in prison custody and corrective centres for protesting against Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s anti-poor education policies. The arrested students are: Ayodele Michael (18), Adeleke Sodiq (18), Adisa Sefiu (16), Adebisi Jamiu (16), Olatunji Segun (16), Ayoh Festus (16) and Chioma

Anuoluwapo (16). The students were arrested after they protested last week in Ile-Ife, the state government’s decision to stop the payment of their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). ERC’s National Coordinator and Secretary, Hassan Taiwo Soweto and Michael Ogundele respectively, stressed that it is wrong for the government to criminalize the victims due to its failure to provide enabling atmosphere for quality education in the state.

despite the achievement it will be dangerous for Nigerians to be complacent at this stage, as the country could record another flare-up and a second wave deep in the dry season. “I have instructed the NCDC to work closely with the Lassa Fever Eradication Committee and other partners to develop a Lassa Fever Control strategy that will withstand the test of time.”

Speaking further, he said out of the 176 cases recorded with 108 deaths, 78 of which were confirmed cases and 49 deaths given a specific case fatality rate of 62.8 percent. “As at today, 20 states are currently following up contacts, or have suspected or probable cases with laboratory results pending or laboratory confirmed cases. On Zika virus, Adewole warned that despite the fact that some Nigerians are immune to

the virus infection as demonstrated by previous studies, it is important and advisable that Nigerians should be careful and protect themselves from mosquito bites. “There is no vaccine for Zika virus, and no cure other than rest, plenty of fluids and perhaps overthe-counter medication to reduce fevers, aches and pains as previously mentioned. This therefore means that prevention is most effective means of preventing transmission.''

VANGUARD LOVE NOTES: From left; Mr Charles Gerald; Alero Atsimene, Deputy Advert Mgr; Mrs Sekinat Habeeb, Mgr, Special Project; Mr Victor Omoregie, Mgr, Corporate Communications/Protocol; Mr Francis Oputa-Oji, Admin/HR Officer, all of Vanguard Newspapers and Esther Ogosu,Tony Ebili and Sandra Okoyi, all Staff of Sunfit Hotel, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, during the selection of winning entries of the 2016 Vanguard Love Notes at Vanguard's Conference room, Lagos, yesterday. Photo by Shola Oyelese.

FG to fix refineries through private sector funding — KACHIKWU participation and control. is the decision the president has

By Michael Eboh

HE Federal Government, yesterday, said that private sector fund would be used to repair the countries’ refineries and manage it to the state of profitability. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, who disclosed this when the German Vice Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Mr. Uwe Beckmeyer paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja, also noted that efforts are ongoing to significantly increase the production of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as it plans to increase its supply of the product to Germany and other European countries, following the interest of Germany and other countries in Nigeria’s LNG. Kachikwu added that of recent, the Federal Government has started well-targeted repairs and Turn-Around Maintenance (TAM) of some of the refineries, adding that funding would be sourced from the private sector. He said, “We are cranking up to begin to do well targeted repairs and turn around maintenance of some of the refineries. Ultimately, we are trying to do it with private capital because we have to begin to steer a lot in the oil sector away from so much government

“We are using private capital to repair it and help us to manage it and ultimately, when that is working in efficient state, we decide whether or not we need to go to the whole idea of privatising the refineries which

to take.” He said the visit of the German delegation was to explore areas that the country’s cooperation with Nigeria can be expanded, especially in the area of engineering.

ECONOMIC MELTDOWN: DMO can rescue Nigeria’s economy – REPS By Charles Kumolu

EMBERS of the House of Representatives Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management, have said that it is only through the instrumentalities of the Debt Management Office, DMO, that Nigeria can carefully come out of the looming economic crisis. The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Adeyinka Ajayi, who led members of the committee on a familiarisation visit to the DMO said that the agency is the engine room of the nation’s economy that is expected to come up with sustainable debt management models for the overall prosperity of the country. ''While acknowledging the crucial role the DMO has continued to play in the management of the country’s economy, this visit is significant and historic. The DMO is the

engine room of the Nigerian Economy whose initiatives have often prevented the economy from going into recession”, Ajayi said, noting that with the “current stiff challenges facing the country as a result of the sharp decline in revenues from the sale of crude oil, the DMO is once again, expected to play a pivotal role in the effort to steer the economy out of trouble.” Earlier in his welcome address, the Director-General of DMO, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo thanked the Chairman and members of the Committee for “the special favour of coming to be with” them and expressed the DMO’s appreciation of the “invaluable support and deep collaboration it has always enjoyed from the Committee”, which he said has taken the DMO through turbulent times in the nation’s recent economic experience.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016 — 11

Ekiti monarch begs FG to save him from Fayose ...Its a lie carried too far — Fayose’s aide By Rotimi Ojomoyela

DO EKITI—THE supremacy tussle between the two monarchs in Ikere-Ekiti in Ikere Local Government of Ekiti State assumed a dramatic dimension yesterday, as Olukere accused Governor Ayodele Fayose of personally damaging a billboard carrying his portrait erected in the heart of the town. This generated a lot of tension in the community, as a section of the town trooped to the streets to protest against the alleged destruction of Olukere’s billboard. The Olukere, Oba Ganiyu Obasoyin, who had been at dagger drawn with his rival and Ogoga, Oba Adejimi Adu, accused Governor Ayodele Fayose of personally damaging a billboard carrying his portrait erected in the heart of the town . But Governor Fayose’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, said “The allegations made by the Olukere against the governor makes to no sense at all. There are some lies when told, you win sympathy. But in other cases, you will look foolish. “To say that the Governor tore the poster or destroy the bill board or sent people to destroy the whatever, is a lie carried too far”. The protesters in Ikere-Ekiti, who massed at the popular Odo Oja junction at about 6pm on Wednesday, shortly after the

incident happened when Fayose was returning to Ekiti from Akure, the capital of Ondo State, after visiting Akwa Ibom, chanted antigovernment songs to deride the governor and condemned his action. They procession moved to Oke Ikere , where the protesters blocked Ado-Akure highway, which caused serious traffic gridlock along that line, with commuters taking alternative routes to escape being held up.

The protesters, comprising mainly of youths and aged people, who made bonfires on the road , also continued with the protest as early as 6am on Thursday, warning Fayose and Ogoga to refrain from plunging the town into crisis. However, anti-riot policemen have been deployed to prevent the unrest from escalating. Oba Obasoyin, who spoke with journalists in Ado Ekiti, expressed disenchantment with how the

governor had allegedly carried his personal animosity against him to such a ridiculous extent. He begged President Muhammadu Buhari to save him from Fayose, saying “my life now is at stake. If someone could personally supervised the tearing of my billboard, what would he do if he sees me face-to-face?” Oba Obasoyin added : “it is rather surprising that with the hectic jobs the office of a governor require that he could still go to the streets and destroy Oba’s billboard.

VISIT: The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi , Ojaja II (left) with the Olowu of Owu, Oba Olusanya Adegboyega Dosunmu, during the Ooni's visit to the Olowu at the Olowu's palace, yesterday.

Late Olubadan excelled as soldier, politician, father, also on hand to bid Oba class and prominent indigenes monarch — AJIMOBI Odulana farewell were the and citizens of Ibadan. By Ola Ajayi

BADAN—OYO State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, yesterday, extolled the virtues of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana, Odugade I, describing him as a quintessential patriot and nationalist who changed the history of the ancient city through his numerous contributions. In his funeral oration delivered at the lying-in-state of the foremost

monarch at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan, he said the late Olubadan served meritoriously, and with dignity in all the positions that he was privileged to attain in his lifetime. The lying-in-state was part of the week-long activities organized by the state government in conjunction with the family and other stakeholders to celebrate the life and times of Oba Odulana, the 40th Badland of Ibadanland, who joined his ancestors on January 19, 2016 at the age of 101. Aside the children of the late royal

2 aides of Mimiko join APC, accuse gov of anti-democratic stance By Dayo Johnson

KURE—TWO former aides to the Ondo State governor Dr Olusegun Mimiko , Dr Pius Osunyikanmi and Senator Ayo Akinyelure yesterday defected to the opposition party accusing the governor of not being a democrat. Osunyikanmi who is the Director-General of the Technical Aide Corps said he served the governor for 25 years and discovered that he has turned the state to a personal estate. The former commissioner for Education in the state said the governor said, “Many of us have

left PDP because the governor has failed the people of the state by not fulfilling his electoral promises.'' He said: “the running of government in Ondo state is the government of Mimiko, by Mimiko and for Mimiko family They have siphoned the wealth of this states and our common wealth through their unpopular policies and projects.” Osunyinkami who disclosed that his joining APC was not to contest for the governorship seat in the forthcoming election but to join hands with progressives to rebuild, reposition the state and sack his former boss.

Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Michael Adeyemo and other lawmakers from the state House of Assembly. Also in attendance were members of the Olubadan-inCouncil, members of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Ibadan elders, representatives of the political

Earlier in his welcome address, former Secretary to the State Government, who also served as the Chairman of the burial committee, Alhaji Ismael Olalekan Alli, also lauded the contributions of the late monarch to the development of Oyo State as a whole and Ibadan city in particular.

Don’t change our plan , Fashola appeals to the senate

HE Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN on Wednesday led the management team of his Ministry at the 2016 Budget Defence Session of the Senate Committee on Works with a passionate appeal that the focus and plan of the proposed plans be retained in order to achieve the much desired change and positive objectives of the Budget. The Minister in his presentation of the main thrust of the Medium Term Sector Strategy 2016 – 2018 Budget proposals of his Ministry explained that the objective is to ensure that on going projects in the six geopolitical zones of the country are completed within the shortest possible time as distinct from the practice in the past, where the inadequate budgetary provision is spread thin over so

many projects without much being completed. According to Fashola, economic roads that will ensure connectivity between hubs of commerce and generate employment; roads bearing the heaviest traffic and those nearing completion are being given priority over the next three budget cycles, urging the Senate to trust him and the Ministry to deliver the desired objectives by not changing the proposed plans. From the proposals, the first priority projects envisaged for the 2016 Budget are those on arterial highways and major river crossings which carry high volume of traffic and are critical to the economic well-being of the country with a total length of 2,192.76 km, distributed across the various zones .

Osun Assembly wades into varsity, host community land tussle By Gbenga Olarinoye

SOGBO—OSUN State House of Assembly has waded into the land tussle between the Fountain University, Osogbo and land owners in the host, Koba-Ope community at OkeOsun area of the state capital, appealing to the two parties to allow peace to reign. In a statement by the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, the intervention followed the cries of the residents of the community, alleging that the university authority had encroached into their land and captured their houses in the newly constructed fence of the university, without giving them access road to go to their houses. At a meeting with stakeholders yesterday, the deputy speaker, Honourable Akintunde Adegboye; Majority Leaders, Timothy Owoeye and Chairman, House Committee on Land and Physical Planning, Adebisi Nurein among other members, according to the statement, appealed to parties to shift ground for the sake of peace.

Dorothea KanyiTometi passes on

HE death has been announced of Mrs. Dorothea Kanyi-Tometi who passed away on Saturday 30th January, 2016 at a ripe age of 98. Mrs. Tometi, a midwife by profession, was married to late Mr. Teko Kanyi-Tometi, founder of Myrone Chemist, Ogunpa, Ibadan. At various times she worked at Adeoyo Hospital, Ibadan, Sacred Heart Hospital, Abeokuta and her last place of work was The Motherless Babies Home, Yemetu, Ibadan as a Matron. She is survived by many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Late Mrs. Tometi

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016

Ibori's London trial: Nigerian/British alleged conspiracy revealed in court C

HIEF James Onanaefe Ibori’s defence lawyers shocked the Southwark Court, London, on Wednesday, when they adduced evidence before Judge Tomlinson of a conspiracy between Nigeria and Britain to railroad Ibori and his associates to jail. Mr. Tony Eluemunor, Head of Ibori Media Office, said in a statement that that evidence was the highlight of Wednesday’s court proceedings delayed for hours because the London Metropolitan Police and the Crown Prosecution Service, suddenly turned lukewarm and refused to appear in court for the day’s hearing. According to the statement, “A thoroughly disappointed Judge Tomlinson refused to adjourn hearing to another day but issued an order by 12.30 p.m., that the Prosecution should be in court by 2p.m., as the matter at hand, professional misconduct, dishonesty, perverting the course of justice and criminal nondisclosures, lying to the trial court and Court of Appeal, were serious and urgent. “This time, the hunters have become the hunted and Ibori’s defence team became the accusers while Ibori’s erstwhile accusers and prosecutors were the accused. “Pointedly, two prosecutors, Sasha Wass and Esther SchutzerWeissmann, were not only at the end of finger-pointing, and have been dismissed from the Ibori case, their activities are now being challenged in court for grounds of

upturning all the convictions – Ibori’s and his associates’. In fact, all the prosecution lawyers plus the entire police officers that have represented the British Police have been dismissed from the Ibori case and all other cases stemming from it following allegations of corruption against them, lies and deliberate misleading of the court. “Yet, the worst charge so far against the British prosecution came when the court resumed by 2p.m., as counsel to Ibori’s former lawyer, Badresh Gohil,

dropped the bombshell. The counsel, Mr. Kamish, stunned the court when he revealed a sinister conspiracy between Nigeria and Britain to railroad Ibori and associates to jail. “He backed this up by pointing at a document signed by British and Nigerian governments agreeing that the Department for International Development will be paid 25 million Pounds Sterling from money that will be confiscated from Ibori, before any penny is ever remitted to Nigeria. With

BUDGET DEFENCE: Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (left), with the Chairman Senate Committee on Aviation, Sen. Hope Uzodinma, during the Minister's budget defence on Aviation sector, at the National Assembly.

Gunmen kill former Rivers lawmaker By Jimitota Onoyume

ORT HARCOURT—A former member of Rivers State House of Assembly, Monday Eleanya, was yesterday, shot dead by

gunmen on Ada George Road, Port Harcourt. Vanguard gathered that he was driving in his SUV when the gunmen opened fire on him, killing him on the spot. The Police Public Relations Officer in the

state, Ahmad Muhammad, told Vanguard that the Police was aware that somebody was killed on that road but was not aware of the identity of the person. “I am aware somebody was shot dead in the morning on that road. But

Violence, fuel scarcity loom as Warri IPMAN, DPR face-off deepens By Egufe Yafugborhi

ARRI—INDEPE N D E N T petroleum marketers, during a protest, yesterday, in Warri, Delta State, warned the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, to stop sealing their filling stations and arresting of their members or face violent resistance. The marketers in their numbers, under the aegis of the Warri Depot chapter of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, forced their way into the Warri Zonal Office of DPR, accusing the department of

that document in place, that Department became so aggressive as to start paying the salaries of some police investigators on the Ibori case, especially that of Detective Constable, John McDonald. “Wednesday’s hearing was at the request of Ibori’s lawyers for the prosecution to explain their non-compliance with court orders made to ensure fair hearing as opposed to unfair trial. Mr. Kenneth Talbot represented Ibori while Kamish stood for Gohil."

turning blind eye to alleged sharp practices by PPMC and private depot owners who allegedly sell products to them above stipulated prices. National Assistant Secretary, IPMAN, Mr. Augustine Erabor who led the protest, said: "We do not get fuel to buy at the N77/ liter ex-depot price and find it difficult to sell at N86." The private depot owners sell to us and compel us to pay additional charges into a private account." Responding to the allegations, DPR's Zonal Operations Comptroller, Gbenga Koku, said: "We did find overwhelming

evidence to seal the said depot. We did seal it on Friday."

I am yet to know if it is the same person you are asking about. I don’t have his identity yet. So I don’t know if we are talking about the same person,” he said.

Gov Emmanuel performs ground breaking of Medical City

KWA Ibom State governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has said that his administration will continue to partner the private sector towards boosting the economy of the state. Emmanuel stated this, yesterday, while performing the ground breaking of the proposed Thompson & Grace Medical City projects in Afaha Obong, Abak Local Government Area of the state. Performing the ceremony, Deputy Governor of the state, Mr. Moses Ekpo, who represented the governor, praised the ingenuity and patriotic spirit of the Group Managing Director of Thompson & Grace, Dr. Isaac Amos for locating the project in Akwa Ibom State. He assured the proprietors of the Proposed Medical City of the government’s adequate support to bring the project to fruition.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016 — 13

Tompolo: N-Delta royal fathers may meet FG By Emma Amaize

ARRI—THERE are indications that royal fathers in the Niger Delta may intervene to broker a soft landing with the Federal Government for ex-militant leader, Chief Governemnt Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, over his face-off with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged financial dealings. Things worsened for Tompolo, Monday, when a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos renewed a bench warrant for his arrest and ordered the nation’s security agencies to produce him on February 19, despite the efforts of his solicitor to vacate the order. A dependable source privy to the move told Vanguard: “Ijaw royal fathers have met on the matter and decided to reach out to royal fathers in the Niger Delta and other parts of the country to join forces to meet with the Federal Government and find a political solution to the impasse. “The royal fathers are not saying that Tompolo is above the law, they know it is not easy for anybody, including them to produce Tompolo and the use of force as directed by the court will only complicate matters, and so, they think wisdom should be applied. “Tompolo had said he would

appear in court, but there are some processes, which his lawyers are working on. But if care is not taken, more harm could be caused the nation in an attempt to disregard some fundamental issues, which are what the royal fathers want to discuss.” A resident of Opudebubor, a

riverine community in Warri South West Local Government Area, Delta State, said, yesterday, “There is calm, the security agents are not harassing anybody, we do not know the whereabouts of Tompolo, but people are waiting and watching with their hearts in their mouths.”

Meanwhile, the Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative, IPDI, has urged the Federal Government to leave the exmilitant leader alone, saying, “Tompolo is a precious asset to the Niger Delta region and we will hold the government responsible if anything happens to him.”

THANKSGIVING: From left: Ekiti State Governor, Chief Ayodele Fayose; Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State and wife, Martha; Presiding Bishop, Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo; Deputy Governor, Mr Mosses Ekpo and Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Onofiok Luke, during a special thanksgiving service to celebrate the affirmation of Governor Emmanuel's mandate as the governor of Akwa Ibom State by the Supreme Court.

C-River Assembly passes 2016 appropriation budget of N303bn C

ROSS River State House of Assembly, yesterday, passed the state's 2016 appropriation bill of N303 billion. Governor Ben Ayade had on October 26, 2015, presented a N350 billion budget proposal to the assembly for scrutiny and passage. Mrs Regina Anyogo, Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, presented the report of the budget to the House. She said that the N47 billion reduction in the original budget proposal sent by the governor was arrived at due to the dwindling price of oil at the international market. She said that after Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, defended their budget proposals, the committee carefully studied the budget and gave approval for the government to spend N303 billion this fiscal year. The chairman said that recurrent expenditure in the 2016 budget was N64.88 billion, while capital expenditure was N285.11 billion. She said: “Recurrent expenditure for the 2016 fiscal year is proposed at N64.88 billion. “Out of this amount, N24.92 billion is expected to be spent on Personnel Cost, while N20 .94 billion is for overhead cost and N19 billion for statutory expenditure. Also, the sum of N41.78 billion is expected to be C M Y K

drawn from the federation account allocation in 2016. “After thorough analysis of the budget by the Finance and Appropriation Committee, the

committee prays this House to consider its recommendation and approved the sum of N303 billion for 2016 fiscal year,” she said.

After much deliberation by members, the appropriation bill was unanimously passed by the House.

AAU projects: Edo PDP Chair gets ultimatum to retract comment By Simon Ebegbulem

ENIN—THE authorities of Ambrose Alli University, AAU, Ekpoma, Edo State, have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, to retract his comment that the eight projects recently commissioned by Governor Adams Oshiomhole were projects of the former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP-led administration or face legal action. The university described the comment as “clearly misleading and portrays the university and the Visitor as fraudulent,” warning the PDP chairman against dragging the university into politics which it said wwould be resisted. The university was reacting to a comment by Chief Orbih that the projects commissioned by Governor Oshiomhole in the university last November were projects of the past PDP- led

administration. But reacting in a statement by the Deputy Registrar/Public Relations Officer, Dr Chris Adamaigbo, the university said that the eight projects

inaugurated by the governor were fully funded from the N500 million grant released to the university by the state government under the dynamic leadership of the governor.

Senate backs prosecution of 23,000 ghost workers by EFCC, others By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

BUJA—THE Senate yesterday asked the Federal Government to urgently arrest, prosecute and bring to book, banks, companies, firms and individuals involved in the alleged emergence of 23,000 ghost workers in the Federal Civil Service. Speaking, when the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, appeared before the Senate Committee on Finance, Chairman of the Committee, Senator John Enoh, asked the Finance Minister and

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, not to only recover the money from those involved, but also ensure that they were reported to relevant agencies for necessary action. Earlier, the Finance Minister who told the Senate that 23,000 ghost workers were uncovered through the Bank Verification Number, BVN, said with the Integrated Payroll and personnel Information System, IPPIS, it was discovered that people appeared on the payroll multiple times, just as 20 names were found to be attached to one BVN.

NEPC partners Style House to develop capacity for garment sector By Tare Youdeowei

HE Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, has engaged Style House, a fashion creative consulting agency in Nigeria with years of experience in the fashion industry, to manage its Human Capital Development Centre, HCDC, Lagos, to develop capacity for the garment sector. Under the arrangement, Style House will manage the HCDC and run training programmes that meet international standards for developing the skills of practitioners in the garmentmaking sector to meet the requirements of the fashion industry for exports. Speaking with journalists during a tour of the facility, the Executive Director/CEO of NEPC, Mr Olusegun Awolowo said: “Nigeria is awash with creative talents in the fashion industry, whose designs can compete anywhere globally. However, there is a wide gap in production and finishing, which affects the marketability of garments made in Nigeria at the international market. Nigeria needs to participate more in the global market for garments, which was about $800 billion in 2015 and expected to reach $1 trillion by 2020. The purpose of this centre is to build capacity of Nigerian garment producers in apparel production for local but particularly the export market.”

Pa Igbinovia passes on

HIEF Emmanuel Igbinovia, the Odiowere of Okogbo, Edo State, is dead, aged 95. A statement by Marcus Igbinovia for the family, said burial rites hold between February 19 and 25, 2016. He is survived by 23 children, 70 grand children and 15 great grand children.

Late Chief Igbinovia

14—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016

By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

URTHER hit came against the Naira yesterday in the parallel foreign exchange market, despite the intervention of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, in the inter-bank segment. Naira traded at an all time low of N320 against the dollar in the Bureau de Change, BDC, segment and about N322 in the street markets in some parts of Lagos, showing over nine percent depreciation within the last 10 days. Operators explain that the reason for the drop was due to the huge scarcity in dollars brought about by the dwindling foreign exchange resources inflow into the economy and coupled with the exclusion of the Bureau De Change operators from accessing Nigeria’s forex market. The apex bank, last month, banned them from accessing its official window, citing various infractions, including round tripping and hoarding of US dollars. The massive depreciation came at the backdrop of over USD100 million injected into the inter-bank segment by CBN yesterday, keeping the rates stable at N197 and N199 to one

SIEMENS FORUM: From left— Executive Vice President, Sales Power and Gas, Africa, Siemens AG, Mr. Andreas Pistauer; Chief Executive Officer, Siemens Nigeria, Mrs. Onyeche Tifase; Chief Executive Officer, Azura Power, Dr. David Ladipo, and Country Divisional Controller, Siemens Nigeria, Bolade Kolade, at the inaugural Siemens Customer Forum.

Naira hits new low, exchanges for N320 per dollar US dollar in CBN and interbank rates, respectively. Black market operators said that since the apex bank stopped selling foreign

currencies to Bureaux De Change, there have been acute shortages in the supply of the resources. The increased scarcity across the market segments was coming at a time it appeared

there was demand surge coming from importers, who were unable to source from the CBN window, thereby putting pressure on the little resources available at the BDCs and street markets. One of the BDC operators and President of BDC association in Nigeria, Aminu Gwadabe, said: “We have demands coming from importers while dollar supply has dried up.”

Operators believe CBN’s intervention in the inter-bank segment would not be able to stem the slide in the value of Naira in the parallel market unless the apex bank increases its volume of foreign currency sales and possibly revert to daily sales instead of once in a week intervention. This claim fuels speculations that even the foreign currencies sold to banks by CBN find their way into the parallel market.

We’re starved of funds to fight corruption—AGF By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

BUJA—THE Auditor General of the Federation, AGF, Samuel Okura, yesterday, said that the office was underfunded by the Ministry of Finance to carry out its functions. Okura, who disclosed this during the budget defence of N2.986 billion appropriated to the office with the Public Accounts Commission, PAC, against the N5.82 billion it proposed, said with what had been voted to the office, it was difficult for it to do its work well. He said some people were afraid that if the office had enough funding, it would be able to expose ills in the ministries, departments and agencies. According to him, staff of the AGF's office do not have accommodation, which makes them attach with the Ministry of Finance, thereby

compromising on their official assignments. He said of the total of N2.986 billion voted to the office in the 2016 budget, N1.881 billion was for personnel cost, N654 million for overhead, while N450 million was earmarked for capital projects. Members of PAC, chaired by Ibrahim Baba, frowned on the poor budgetary allocation to the AGF office, noting that the poor funding of the office had made it difficult to tackle corruption in the various government agencies. The committee advocated that the AGF should be funded through first line charge so that it would be independent and effective in discharging its duties. They argued that most of the work done by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Department of State Service, DSS and the Independent Corrupt

Practises Commission, ICPC, should be the responsibility of the Auditor General. Some of the committee members, who spoke separately at the budget defence of the Auditor General, Ossai Ossai, Wole Oke, Nnanna Igbokwe and others said: “The over-head budget has to be looked into; it would not enhance their efficiency. “It is our desire to strengthen the institution, that we do not conduct business as usual. I doubt if what they have will be able to check, for example, the Ministry of Power alone.” Chairman of the Committee, Baba, assured the AGF that “we will try as much as possible to give due legislative consideration to all you have raised.” Pointing out that they will need more from the office of the AGF in terms of auditing government projects.

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12 , 2016 — 15

BIAFRA: IPOD threatens retaliation, warns against further killing of members By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

NEWI—THE Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, said in a statement yesterday that the All Progressive Congress, APC, led government is trying to provoke Biafrans into retaliation by attacking and killing their members during a prayer session in Aba, Abia State. The group alleged that between October 2015 and February 8, 2016, more terror attacks were carried out on Biafrans on the instruction of the APC government, leading to the untimely and gruesome death of many Biafrans while thousands of others were seriously injured or maimed. The statement from United Kingdom signed by IPOB Spokespersons, Mr Emma Nmezu, a lawyer and Dr. Clifford Iroanya said: “On February 9, 2016, a combined team of Nigerian Police and Army invaded a private gathering of Biafrans at Aba where they were offering prayers to God to give victory to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in the court.” The group stated that the combined team of military and police including other security agents working for Nigerian government opened fire at the defenceless Biafrans, killing 10 of them instantly, while others sustained gunshot injuries all over their bodies. “We have written several letters and notifications to Heads

of Governments of all countries and members of their Legislative Arms on the plight of the Indigenous People of Biafra as we face extermination by the gun-totting and triggerhappy armed agents of Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari. The world leaders and their governments have turned deaf ears and blind eyes to our plight. “We have been tortured, killed, maimed, disenfranchised economically and politically, humiliated, made to desert our homelands, and treated like slaves in our own land. In all these, the entire world

pretended that nothing happened. “Now, we have come to the painful but irreversible conclusion and determination to take our fate and destiny in our own hands. Biafrans will now be in the mood of self defense as enshrined by the relevant acts and declarations of the United Nation. Let no country or world leader attempt to tag us as terrorists because we are not terrorists, rather we are fighting for our survival and from being exterminated from the surface of the earth. “We shall defend ourselves with everything and anything

necessary to avoid the continual killing of our mothers, fathers, and children. This is the time for all Biafrans to rise and defend themselves. We cannot fold our arms and watch agents of Nigeria government kill us the second time after killing over two million of us in 1968,” it stated. Meanwhile, IPOB in another statement signed by its Media and Publicity officer, Mr Emma Powerful has warned one Chief Chris Elumuno whom he said has been parading himself as the Chairman of all thechairmenoftheSouthEast Ohaneze Ndigbo to stop castigating IPOB by allegedly saying unprintable things against the group.

AGREEMENT: Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State (left) receives a copy of the signed agreement between Government and Labour from the factional National President of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, at Government House, Owerri.

SACK OF 3,000 WORKERS: Okorocha receives

govt/labour agreement

WERRI—GOVERNOR Rochas Okorocha has received a copy of the agreement reached by Labour and the Imo State Government that ended the rift which arose between government and labour over the sacking of over 3,000 workers. This came on the heels of a call by a cross section of Imo workers on the leadership of the state and national union of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, to “be wary of Governor Rochas Okorocha and his agreements because he hardly keeps any.” According to a press statement signed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, the agreement was a product of the Joint Committee made up of the leaders of the organized Labour in the state, their National leaders and Government

Representatives. “A copy of the agreement was handed over to the governor by the National President of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and the Chairman of the joint committee, Hon. Ikenna Emeh, at the Government House, Owerri”, Onwuemeodo stated. Receiving the copy of the agreement, Governor Okorocha said: “My action, suspending the workers of the parastatals and health outfits was of no personal benefits to me or my family, but to save the soul of the state and guaranteeing the future of Imo children yet unborn. “No worker in the state will be punished for participating in the protest. The agreement will place the truth on a practical manner because people never believed when I disclose what is being gotten from the Federation Account. I enjoin all governors to copy the Imo

didn't shoot any medical doctor—Police

formula as it will help to understand every government better.”

Be cautious

But the civil servants, who bared their minds yesterday, when Vanguard visited some ministries, agencies, departments and parastatals, to verify the compliance of the labour/government agreement said such agreements should be taken with a pinch of salt. “We are happy to be back to our desks today (yesterday). Our happiness will be full when we start getting paid as at when due. However, our labour leaders are advised to be very careful with Okorocha’s agreements because he hardly keeps agreements,” the workers said. Another staff of one of the ministries, who simply identified herself as Joy, commended the NLC and TUC leaders for successfully fighting the state

government to submission. “It is sad to note that we have a governor that has no respect for labour laws. We have a governor that thinks that might is right. At least, he can now know that the rose flower has a nice smell but it has thorns all around it”, the lady said. Meanwhile, the last labour strike has unintentionally identified some of the areas the governor, his friends and relations allegedly have properties or economic interests. Armed policemen, Civil Defence personnel, members of Imo Security Network, ISN, Imo Community Watch, ICW, and Imo Civil Guards, ICG, were carefully deployed close to the properties in an apparent bid to ensure that the angry citizens did not get close to them. The story was the same at the palatial mansion of the governor located along Spibat Road, Akwakuma, Owerri North Local Government Area.

By Angela Okpe

WERRI—THE Imo State Police Command has described as false, the reports that it shot a medical doctor last Wednesday, during a protest by medical practitioners in the state. The victim, a Consultant Family Physician in the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, FMC, Dr. Bende Azudialo, was alleged to have been shot in the head by an unidentified policeman, at Orlu road round-about. The State Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Dr. Hyacinth Emele, who threatened that doctors would go on strike if the policeman who allegedly fired the shot was not identified and prosecuted , gave a three day ultimatum to the Police in Imo to fish out the policeman. However, spokesman for the command, Andrew Ekwerem, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said: “The news is not only false in its entirety but also malicious as no policeman shot at a medical doctor during the protest as it is being circulated."

.... Abia community alerts Police of imminent crisis

•Be careful, workers warn labour By Chidi Nkwopara

PROTEST: We

By Anayo Okoli

M U A H I A — L O K PAU K W U community in Umunneochi Council Area of Abia has cried out for help over the imminent breakdown of law and order due to an intra-communal tussle over a Stone and Granite mining field in the community. The leadership of the community has called on the Police to intervene urgently to avert crisis in the community. Meanwhile, Vanguard has learnt that Inspector- General of Police, Solomon Arase has already directed the AIG zone 9, Umuahia, to deplore police men to the community to ensure that peace reigns there. The bone of contention is the choice between two companies to be given the lease to quarry stone and granite in the community. The two contending firms are Asphalt Unity Construction Limited and Pioneer Sinochino Investment Venture.

16—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016

Exclude more items from forex market — Oshiomhole

HOW TO SAVE THE NAIRA:

•NLC to demand N48,000 minimum wage By Babajide Komolafe, Emma Ujah, Yinka Kolawole & Nkiru Nnorom

AGOS—EDO State Governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole yesterday called for increase in the number of items excluded from accessing foreign exchange in the country as part of measures to protect the nation’s currency from further devaluation. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, said it would soon submit a proposal demanding for a new minimum wage of N48,000, based on the impact of the devaluation of the naira on wages. Speaking in Lagos in the first TheCable Colloquium, titled, “The Naira on Trial: To devalue or Not,” Oshiomole said that further devaluation will not solve the nation’s problem, especially the appetite for imported goods, which he argued is the real problem bedevilling the economy.

Devaluation will not curb importation

Citing statistics on foreign trade, he noted that previous bouts of devaluations have not reduced importation of goods or increased exportation as canvassed by proponents of devaluation, as imports have continued to increase despite devaluation of naira. He said: “More than that, the real critical question that settled this debate is, will devaluation curb our appetite for imported goods? The evidence with CBN shows that prices in the Nigerian economy do not curb the appetite for foreign goods. The last time the CBN devalued from N158 to N198 around 2014, as a matter of fact, our export actually declined by 34.1 per cent and our import increased by 2.9 per cent after that devaluation. "Now, I can imagine the reason you have this abnormality and this brings us to the initial question. When human being does not labour to earn, they do not spend rationally and because you have so much money, this period also coincided with the period politicians were preparing for election and all the things that politicians have

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State. to do. If a lot of money is accruing to people like that, their spending cannot be rationale, so even if you devalue 300 per cent, it will not curb the appetite of the elite for imported goods, imported toothpicks , frozen chicken, and Brazilian hair.”

Investment bankers prosecuting the naira

Oshiomhole noted that the current agitation for devaluation of the naira is been spearheaded by investment bankers, who thrives on currency manipulation and speculations. He said: “Rather than the government as it used to be in the past indicating its intention to devalue, it is a section of the people that are behind this agitation. Who are these people? The investment bankers who want to trade on bonds and other commercial papers. They don’t want any interference. You can use visas to restrict and regulate the movement of human beings but CBN must not use any instrument to regulate the movement of dollars in or out of the country."

NLC demand for N48,000 minimum wage

In his own contributions, Deputy National President, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Issa Aremu, warned against further devaluation, saying that previous devaluation has corroded the value of the minimum wage. He said: “The last time we signed the minimum wage, which is N18,000, which is the current rate, and this was between 2009 and 2010, this translated to $124. But now on account of depreciation alone, this $124 has dropped to less than $60. So wages have

been completely eroded on account of devaluation. So in nominal terms, if we are talking just on account of the exchange rate, the minimum wage which is currently N18,000 should be about N48,000. And I am leaving this warning, if you dare devalue again, be sure that labour will also have to hike its own price in the market."

Forex restrictions threaten 80,000 jobs

Meanwhile the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, yesterday, warned that the current foreign exchange restrictions especially the exclusion of 41 items from the foreign exchange market might lead to loss of 80,000 jobs in the manufacturing sector. This he said was due to inability of manufacturers to access foreign exchange even for items not excluded. Speaking on behalf of the Chamber at TheCable Colloquium, Dr Vincent Nwanem, said: “Is the high rate an issue for manufacturers? No, the major issue now is access. Even the goods that are not listed in the 41 items, our members cannot even fund dollars to fund them."

CBN, banks lament forex demand for invisibles

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and Deposit MoneyBanks,DMBs,havecried out over what they considered as abnormal demand for foreign exchange, forex for “invisibles,” especially for school fees and health tourism. CBN’s Director of Banking Supervision, Mrs. Tokunbo Martins, who briefed journalists on the outcome of yesterday’s Bankers’ Committee meeting, in Abuja, said that the monetary authorities would not allow that category of demand to crowd out the real sector of the economy in the forex market.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, February 12, 2016 —17

Farewell to an adored matriarch

Y very dear childhood friends, Datta, Kio and Kaine Amachree, recently lost their wonderful mother, Otunba Benedicta Olunike Oluwole. She was born in 1936 in Kaduna and was one of five children of the late Chief Ben A.F. Oluwole - a relative of the Balogun of Ijebu-Remo and member of the Latawa Sagamu royal family – and Mrs Marian Taiwo Oluwole (nee Odupele). She spent her early childhood in Lagos, where her father worked with the Bank of British West Africa (now First Bank of Nigeria) before going into business. And after attending the Yaba Methodist and the Princess Schools, she studied Interior Design in America and went on to become a successful entrepreneur back home.

Warm-hearted socialite Otunba Nike married Chief G.K.J Amachree, a distinguished lawyer from the Buguma royal family in Rivers State, who was the first postcolonial Solicitor-General of the Federation and our first Under-Secretary to the United Nations. She was a devoted Christian and classic African Beauty – her Yoruba nickname was “Ma adan” (black that shines). She was also a warm-hearted socialite…and the effervescent life and soul of many high-class parties. She loved to take the microphone from famous musicians like King Sunny Ade and join them on stage. As her sister, Mrs Augusta Olujoke Davies, says: “There was never a dull moment when Nike was around. She was generous to a fault. She would never let your birthday or Christmas pass without a gift and was always surrounded by friends.” A few words from her devastated offspring: Her son Kio (quoting Paul’s second letter to Timothy 4:6 8): “’As for me, the hour has come for me to be sacrificed. The time is here for me to leave this life. C M Y K

I have done my best in the race. I have run the full distance and I have kept the faith. And now there is waiting for me the victory prize of being put right with God, which the Lord the righteous judge, will give me on that day. And not only to me but to all those who wait with love for Him to appear…’. Those who knew my mother will never move from faith to doubt that she

There was never a dull moment when Nike was around; she was generous to a fault; she would never let your birthday or Christmas pass without a gift and was always surrounded by friends

Otunba Benedicta Olunike Oluwole had already grabbed the crown.” Her daughter, Kaine: “My mother was simply the best

person to have around for company, comfort, compassion and care. Hers was a life of sharing, bonding and

friendship…Adieu Mama, the vacuum you leave behind can never be filled…” Her daughter, Datta, with whom Auntie Nike happily lived in her frail twilight years: “By providence and good fortune, I had the privilege and luck to spend the last eight years of her life with my mother…and these years enabled me to fully understand the potency of love and the true meaning of responsibility… “…We laughed, danced, shared, cried and prayed together; and for these precious intimate moments, I will forever be grateful…My darling Mummy was always available to wipe the tears from the cheeks of the needy and desperate…and often encouraged and supported those who had yet to fulfil their potential.” I was there when the late, great Otunba Benedicta Olunike Oluwole was buried in a family vault in Ikoyi Cemetery last Friday. It was SUCH a sad moment. But we have to submit to the will of the Almighty; and we pray that she rests in perfect peace.

Rivers State controversy

HE Supreme Court re cently decreed that Nyesom Wike, the PDP stalwart who was accused of election-rigging, should continue as Governor of Rivers State. Dakuku Peterside, the disappointed APC candidate – for whom I campaigned last year - has publicly condemned the judges and their decision. Some folks are hailing Peterside because they think he has been cheated and regard him as immensely courageous for challenging the legal establishment. Others feel that he should not disrespect the Supreme Court, fullstop…and point out that it is an institution that has been exceedingly kind to Peterside’s political family in the past (in 2007, the Supreme Court bestowed the governorship of Rivers State on Peterside’s mentor, Rotimi Amaechi, now Minister of Transport). So what do Vanguard readers think? Should Peterside shut up, graciously accept the irreversible verdict and move on? Or should he continue to launch verbal volleys at those he feels have robbed him?

Dakuku Peterside

Governor Nyesome Wike

READER RESPONSE

HIEF Emeka Anyaoku is the highly respected former Secretary-GeneraloftheCommonwealth. Lastweek,IechoedhisviewthatChristiansinthiscountryoftenfailtoembrace genuine Christian values…and also criticizedhypocriticalMuslims.Ifeka Okonkwo,aregularreaderfromChief Anyaoku’s state (Anambra), agrees: Donu, I am surprised at the unethical behaviour of most Nigerian Christians and Muslims, because if they had strictly adhered to the tenets of their religions and had the fear of God in them, by eschewing primitive acquisition of wealth from our commonpatrimonywhentheyservedour country in one capacity or the other sincethe‘70stilldate,ourrichlyblessed country would have been a paradise onearth.Aresomeoftheseunscrupu-

lousandgreedyNigeriansnotricher than our country. Would their combinedill-gottenwealthnotfundboth federal and state budgets for years? What a pity and a tragedy for our hapless country and its citizenry! It should equally be noted that those Nigerians who never served our country in one capacity or the other, pay lip service in their worship of God, as they indulge in all sortsofimmoralactsthatareagainst theirreligiousbeliefstobecomerich andpowerful,forgettingthatallthese earthlypossessionsarevanityupon vanity! PS Lastweek,Itoldyouthatalawyer palcalledJohnSyngerhadwritten The Nigerian Land Use Handbook –aguideforanyonewhointendsto purchase or develop land. And I

provided details about how and whereinterestedreaderscouldorder orpurchasehardcopies.Ijustwant tobrieflyaddthatane-versionofthe book is now on sale online at http:// nigerianlandusehandbook.almemy.com/ . Responses to: donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk or to 0802 747 6458 OR 0811 675 9752 (texts only). PLEASE KINDLY NOTE THAT UNLESS YOU REQUEST ANONYMITY, YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE PUBLISHED, WITH YOUR NAMES AND CONTACT DETAILS ATTACHED.

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016 THE latest boat accident that claimed the lives of ten people in the Aradagun area of Badagry, Lagos State, became the third of its type within three weeks in the state’s metropolitan waters. Barely a week before that, another 20 passenger-capacity boat capsised on the Ijede – Badore waterway, claiming the lives of seven passengers, while thirteen fortunate ones were rescued. Even though boat accidents do occur all over Nigeria, nay all parts of the world, the frequency with which they are reported in Lagos, the “state of aquatic splendour”, is unacceptably too high, and unless something is done about it, movement of people and cargoes nmight become seriously endangered. Most of these mishaps are linked to boats hitting underwater objects (such as logs), overspeeding, overloading and poorly maintained river craft. The high casualty that trails most accidents also owe to nonchalant attitude of boat operators to safety measures and the generally low awareness of the citizenry concerning water-survival skills, such as swimming.

Frequent boat mishaps in Lagos waters With the population of Lagos getting higher by the day, the plan of the Lagos State Government to widen the choices of citizens in moving from one part of the city to the other requires that water transportation must be central to this effort. The state, which takes up about a tenth of the Nigerian ocean coastline, must, like other cities of its type around the world, make water transport safe and attractive to the people. The frequent mishaps and heavy loss of lives and property will surely militate against this. We call on the Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Inland Water-

ways Authority, to partner with specialists from any part of the world to upgrade the aquatic mode of transport within the city to world standards, with an eye on safety and comfort of passengers. Unless this is done, the citizens will continue to shun water transport and the pressure on the roads, which cause nightmarish traffic jams, will continue. Unless the water transport system is upgraded, the efforts to make Lagos a modern, world class city will be defeated since safe and comfortable water transportation enhances tourism and leisure. The task of making the Lagos waterways a viable and safe alternative to road transport must employ the best practices at the global level. The water transport mode that Lagos requires cannot be handled with rickety boats and canoes but with comfortable vessels operated by well trained professionals. There is also the need to encourage the residents of the city, especially students and the youth, to embrace skills for survival on water, such as swimming. Lagos must adjust properly to its status as a state surrounded by water.

OPINION Tribut e tto o Edmond Azuk a Mbaso ribute Azuka By Theo Mbaso

ARRISTER Edmond Azuka Mbaso was born on st the 31 of August, I942 in Kano, Nigeria to Chief John Festus Chukwudebele Mbaso and Mrs.Theresa Nwinyaya Mbaso. At the day of his birth in Kano, there was a heavy downpour and his father needed help from his brother, Chief Paul Uzuukwu Mbaso to get his pregnant wife to the hospital. This made his father give him the name “Azuka” which means having people behind you is better than riches. This indeed would characterise Barrister Edmond Azuka Mbaso’s life as he placed credence on relationships more than the pursuit of wealth. Edmond started his primary school at St.Theresa’s Catholic School Yola before transferring to St. Michael’s Primary School Eziora, Ozubulu, to complete his primary education. He later proceeded to Zickson Grammar School, Ozubulu where he finished his secondary education. Eddie started his working life as a Clerk at Onitsha, Anambra State in the Ministry of Finance. In 1967, around the time of the outbreak of Biafra civil war. He was subsequently, at the heat of the war, recruited at Enugu into the Special Trained Force of the Biafra Army headed by Lieutenant Colonel Onu Aguruchi. Eddie was commissioned as a Lieutenant upon conclusion of his training. The Special Trained Force was renowned for their extreme dangerous missions and would be engaged in multiple combat missions’ through-out the length of the war. However, in a counter offensive battle launched by regrouped offensive soldiers, he was shot on the patella and he lost his knee-cap as a result and was transferred to a

medical Camp and treated for his injuries. This as faith would have it was where he would meet his wife and the mother of five of his children. Bridget Ego Mbaso nee Oliagba was visiting a family friendCaptain Aghaabunam who was injured in the war and also recuperating at the medical camp where she met Eddie. Eddie confessed to his children years later that it was love at first sight and the Love-birds eventually got married on st the 31 December, 1969 barely a month to the end of the Biafra War. After the end of the war, he attended institute of management and technology Enugu (IMT) where he graduated with a diploma in accounting. Eddie and his wife relocated to Kaduna where they began their family together. He started working with

Late Edmond Azuka Mbaso

As a mark of honour to him and recognition of his sterling qualities as one of the leading light in his community, he was admitted to the exalted membership of AGBALANZE in the OBI’s Cabinet

Peugeot Automobile Manufacturers (PAN) while his wife was employed at General Hospital Kaduna. He later left PAN to start up a Construction Company, (Eddico contractors Ltd) with his best friend George Okoye. Having nursed a long time ambition to become a lawyer, Eddie in 1984 embarked on a Law Degree programme at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from where he graduated in 1989 and proceeded to the Nigerian Law School Lagos after bagging an LLB Hons degree. He was called to the bar in 1990. He was also the principal Partner at E.A. Mbaso and Co. Law Firm from where he retired in 2013. Barr Edmond Azuka Mbaso albeit not a diehard religious man, he was nonetheless a member of the Catholic Church. In Kaduna, he was a member of Catholic Men Organisation through which he contributed his quota in the service of God and humanity. Because of his belief in God, he ensured that all his children were christened in the church. As a mark of honour to him and recognition of his sterling qualities as one of the leading light in his community, he was admitted to the exalted membership of AGBALANZE in the OBI’s Cabinet, OZUBULU he was given the title of Agbalanze Ononenyi. He also acted as the life-long Legal Adviser for the Peoples Club, Kaduna Chapter and was a member of the Nigerian Bar Association Kaduna chapter. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Bridget Mbaso, children, relations and in-laws, including Maureen Ifeoma Nzekwe (Mrs.), Francisca Ebele Akpangbo (Mrs.), Theophilius Chijioke Mbaso, Chijioke Nzekwe (Barr.) amongst others.

•Mr. Mbaso, son of late Baristeer Azuka Mbaso, wrote from Lagos.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016— —19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

Laurent Gbagbo: Guilty as charged

MMEDIATE past president of Cote d’ Ivoire, Laurent Gbagbo was on January 28, 2016 hurled before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague charged with crimes against humanity. He had already spent five years in jail awaiting trial by a court that ordinarily has no jurisdiction to try him as the ICC is not the court of first instance. The ICC is a court of last resort trying only cases national authorities cannot or will not prosecute. This is not the case with Gbagbo whose wife, Simone has already been tossed into a 20-year jail, and son, Michel, to five years imprisonment. If Ivorian courts could try and sentence the Gbagbo family, they can try him also. The timing of his arraignment was perfect; it was the same time Gbagbo’s former colleagues; African Heads of State were gathering in Addis Ababa for the annual African Union Summit. The prosecutor said the specific charges against Gbagbo and 44year old Charles Ble Goude are four; murder, rape, inhumane acts, and persecution. The fact is that this is essentially a political case and

Gbagbo is a Prisoner of War who was captured on April 11, 2011 by the combined forces of rebels, French and United Nations troops. The Ivorian Question which sees Gbagbo in the ICC today, is primarily a colonial problem; the colonialists in their hunger for territory did not bother about the peoples of the colonies especially their historical, trade, political, linguistic, cultural ties. They simply imposed boundaries. For instance in dividing up states like Burkina Faso, Cote d’Voire and Ghana, they cut the same peoples into different countries. So Kwame Nkrumah for instance had part of his family in Nkroful sliced to French Cote d’ Ivoire and the other to English-speaking Ghana which gave rise to some Ghanaians claiming that this symbol of African unity was not a Ghanaian. In what is now the north of Cote d’Ivoire, a lot of nationalities coalesce and before the colonial boundaries were put up, there was free movement of people. After independence, founding president, Felix HouphouetBoigny was able to manage the National Question, but not so his successor Henri Konan Bedie. In

1995, Bedie excluded those he claimed are not full Ivorians from the presidential elections, thereby disqualifying Alassan Ouattara whose parents are from the north, and are alleged to be Burkinabes. In the crisis that followed, General Robert Guei in 1999, overthrew Bedei. In the elections of October 2000 where the academic, Gbagbo stood against the dictator, Guei claimed victory, but a mass protest swept him off, installing Gbagbo who was believed to have won. When the Supreme Court subsequently disqualified Quattara on the basis that he is not a Ivorian, civil war ensued with the north breaking away and setting up capital in Bouake. French troops were accused of intervening. A peace accord was signed in January, 2003 but with the rebels refusing to disarm, Gbagbo ordered air strikes against them. However, France, claiming that six of its soldiers were killed in the air

Gbagbo is like a cockroach in the gathering of cocks; how can he be innocent, and how will the ICC realise that jailing him will hurt national reconciliation in Cote d’Ivoire?

strikes, took out the Ivorian Air Force, destroying its fleet. Once again, the West showed that its sympathy laid with the rebels and Ouattara. But why is it against Gbagbo? First, France regards Cote d’Voire its fiefdom; while Boigny and Bedie were not opposed to this, Gbagbo was. Secondly, Gbagbo was an academic and Pan Africanist who rejected the continued subjugation of his country and the continent. In contrast, Ouattara is a pro-IMF/ World Bank politician who would not stand up to France. A new peace accord on March 4, 2007 between President Gbagbo and the northern rebel New Forces led by Guillaume Soro paved way for elections in November 2010. The President of the Electoral Commission announced results in the headquarters of the opposition candidate, Quattara, declaring him the winner with 54 percent of the votes. Gbagbo went to the Constitutional Court which held that elections in seven departments of the north were rigged, cancelled them and declared Gbagbo returned with 51 percent. Both Gbagbo and Quattara were sworn in as presidents of the country. The UN Security Council recognised Quattara. Personally, I felt Gbagbo should concede, but opposed the plan of the West to intervene militarily. In my January 7, 2011 piece in VANGUARD Newspapers titled ‘MILITARY OPTION WON’T WORK IN ABIDJAN’ I wrote: “Although the Gbagbo group should be condemned for tearing up the election results, but ECOWAS and the African Union ought to give more ear to Gbagbo’s demand for a recount of the ballot.

Kidnapping in FESTAC, Igbo factor and Police By Clement Udegbe

N Igbo proverb, says that when the birds start flying without perching , hunters learn how to shoot and hit, without aiming, and that is the origin of the name “ Ogbanufe” meaning, one who shoots and kills birds as they fly. This is exactly what the police in Festac Town has started doing now, under the Area and Divisional Police Commands, to face the new double barrel challenge of criminal gang robberies, and kidnapping. Some time in 2012, a criminal gang came up around Amukoko and Ajegunle areas of Lagos state. They were called the “Million Men” . These criminals would number over 100 persons and descend on an area visiting from house to house along streets in the area, stealing cash and light items like laptops, mobile phones etc. Where they do not find money with their victims, they would rape the women, force parents to have sex with their children and vice versa, or force them to perform all sorts of atrocious sexual acts with them, or for them, and if the victims refused, they would simply kill someone in the family, and move to the next. They were known to operate for hours, from midnight till about 5am, when and where they struck. Cooperation between the police, community leaders, and politicians in these areas helped to chase them away, combined with the political campaigns which kicked off as early as 2013. With the conclusion of elections in 2015, the Million Men are back! Last month they communicated the Ira quarters, at Agric Bus stop, near Volks, along Badagry Express way to expect them. The Bales are worried, no one knows C M Y K

when they will strike. The Million Men, is one of the recent headaches of the Police area and divisional command from Festac down to Badagry. But their greater palaver is that of Kidnapping which has strong links with the Igbo people who appear predominant in the area, especially Festac Town, where some of the rich ones seem to prefer. Festac Town, was one of the best designed estates under the post civil war government of General Gowon. It had a proper layout plan for water and power supply, drainage system with generous open spaces. Efficiently managed by the then Federal Housing Authority, Festac was a place to be. It was beautiful and relatively crime free. With the Military coup of 1984 by General Buhari as he then was, mismanagement,corruption,and share incompetence replaced excellence, and continuously, Festac gradually deteriorated. Open spaces were sold off, water systems collapsed, electricity became a whole nonesence, and politicians came in 1999 and killed Festac finally with their ethnic conundrum.

When our leaders create problems like they have done in Festac, they leave us to blame our Police officers for everything

Those who knew Festac in the early 1980s wonder continuously over what Festac has become, because when planning and efficiency departs from any settlement, poverty, disorderliness and crime, creep in to assume greater prominence. The movement by the more affluent people away from Festac is the result of a carefully planned programme by Alausa since the past 16 years. First is the fight between the Federal and Lagos State governments over who will control tenement rates and land charges in Festac Town. The Festac Residents Association,FETRA, is still in court against the Lagos state government over this matter, and now that APC is at both levels, with a President that has listed the Judiciary as part of his problems, while the Party Chairman wants the Judiciary investigated, FETRA needs urgent and fervent Prayers! Second, is the obvious continued neglect of the Badagry Road axis, from Festac Town by the state government, with very bad roads, poor road linkages, and persistent traffic snarls, with the effect that very many vehicle owners do not drive out because it takes about two hours to link from Festac to other parts via Mile 2. Third, their agencies, LASTMA and VIOs chose to check for ‘vehicle particulars’ during work peak periods in the mornings, calculated to frustrate the settlers along this axis because they are mostly Igbos! Fourthly, the Igbos themselves do not seem to look beyond their nose in these matters. The so called rich ones among them, will neither help FETRA financially, nor assist the police to support the system to continue to work properly.Their blind competitive spirit make them not see the bigger picture, and now the brigandage among them seem to

I do not have any doubt that a military intervention will result in a dreadful bloodbath of Africans. Another danger is that the military option is likely to result in the dissolution of the Ivorian armed forces and the police; the security implications for the country will be quite immense. If this happens, the core of the new armed forces is likely to be made up of the rebel army . This means that there will be serious ethnic and religious schism in the new military whose officer corps will be northern and Muslim.” The military option was preferred; French and UN troops joined the rebels to sack the government. In the process, atrocities were committed by both sides who targeted opposing ethnic groups. But only the Gbagbo group is being prosecuted or persecuted; the victorious rebels are free. Targeting Gbagbo and his millions of supporters has not ceased. Hauling him before the ICC is merely a devise to take him permanently out of the Ivorian equation. Gbagbo is like a cockroach in the gathering of cocks; how can he be innocent, and how will the ICC realise that jailing him will hurt national reconciliation in Cote d’Voire? What the country needs is national reconciliation, not a show trial. A country where all citizens will be equal, not one in which a part feels conquered. In keeping Nelson Mandela in South African jail, the Apartheid system was able to turn to him for assistance in national reconciliation, Cote d’voire should be able to do the same thing, not leave their former president in the hands of foreigners.

help to fuel kidnapping in the whole area. Since 2012, when kidnapping came into Festac, most victims are from Alaba International Market, Balogun and ASPAMDA markets in the Trade Fair Complex. They have not paused to consider that the Kidnapper hates their successes, and that they have to deploy their funds to assist the police and security system to secure the area. Instead they ship out of the area, and point accusing fingers at the police, when they refuse to volunteer information to the appropriate quarters to fight kidnapping. How far can they really run, when their offices are still within the area? It surely would have been better to spend just a small percentage of the money used for relocation to Lekki and other destinations, to get Alausa, to plan better for the area, like they do for Lekki etc, but where the government has a plan against an ethnic group what you find is the situation in Festac and Badagry Road axis, today. When our leaders create problems like they have done in Festac, they leave us to blame our Police officers for everything. Typically, police officers justle for posts and postings, and the usual Pull Him Down Syndrome sets in, while we completely overlook the source of the problem, which is the Politicians. Blaming the Police over the situation in Festac is simply myopic, because crime rates in those areas where Alausa is interested in is very low, such areas include, Lekki, Ikeja,Opebi, Maryland, Anthony, Ojota, Ogudu, Yaba, Suru-Lere, to name a few. Police officers in Festac are changed regularly, so they are not different from those in other areas. The problem is the lack of will by the Lagos state government to plan for Festac Town, while we must learn on our part to share information with the Police.

*Mr Udegbe, a lawyer, can be reached at ceeaai@yahoo.com.

20—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016

*Police patrol vans parked at 1004 Estates

1004 Estates crisis: Police presence stirs up fresh conflict By Evelyn Usman

HE unusual presence of stern looking policemen stationed at the popular 1004 Estates in Victoria Island, Lagos clearly underlines the fact that all is not well at the up-scale, multi-tenanted apartments. Seen as a fallout of the lingering conflict between the residents and the facility manager, 1004 Estates Limited, over who runs the administrative affairs of the estate, the presence of the cops seem to engender fresh anxiety over the contentious matter whose resolution is still not yet in sight. Aggrieved residents have traced the crisis to alleged highhandedness on the part of the facility manager. It was on account of this that some of them tried to wrestle the administrative control of 1004 Estates Limited from its principal facility manager, Samuel Ukpong.

Residents association The crisis escalated when they(residents) formed an Integrated Trustees of Home Owners and Residents Association, HORA and immediately challenged Ukpong to submit the account of 1004 Estates Limited for auditing. HORA’s action was said to have been backed up by a court disengagement order slammed on 1004 Estates Limited since July 2015. The disengagement order, according to HORA officials, was necessitated by the alleged unsatisfactory services from the facility-cum-management firm. They claimed to have the mandate of majority of residents in the estate to carry out the action. Vanguard Metro, VM, investigation showed that the action was further prompted by alleged high service charges by 1004 Estates

Limited. For instance, it reportedly was collecting N450, 000 annual service charges from residents, an amount described as outrageous. The service charges were supposed to cover expenses incurred on provision of security, cleaning, fumigation and general maintenance of common grounds within the estate. On both counts, the court rulings of December 2, 2015, favoured the respondents. However , the case spun out of control as some residents stormed the estate to take over its administrative control. Consequently, security men of 1004 Estates Limited were reportedly chased out and replaced with Halogen guards. A resident who spoke to VM on condition of anonymity alleged that: “Residents were fed up with the practices of the firm which ranged from short-changing residents in the provision of power and other amenities, and decided to do away with its services. When the residents association came on board, it ordered residents to pay a paltry N15, 000 monthly as against N450,000 annual charges. For the records, the association won suit No LD/3744/ 2014 filed by 1004 Estates Limited against The Incorporated Trustees of 1004 HORA at the Lagos High Court. The ruling delivered by Justice Dawodu on

We plead with any aggrieved party to maintain peace; police will continue to patrol the vicinity to ensure peace

December 2, last year recognised the association as duly constituted and ordered 1004 Estates Limited to render accounts of money collected to the association.” Based on the ruling, the association was at liberty to appoint a facility firm for the estate and determine its fate. A certified copy of the ruling obtained by our correspondent showed that the association was indeed recognised by the court based on the relief sought by 1004 Estates Limited as to whether it was the same association it envisaged in the sub-lease contractual agreement it signed with residents. But the ruling went ahead to affirm that 1004 Estate Limited is vested with the “management and administration of the Estate”.

Provision of the deed of sublease The ruling forced Ukpong back to court on January 22, 2016 to challenge it and also prayed the court to ascertain whether the association was formed in accordance with the provision of the deed of sublease. He also challenged their right to demand of him accountability relating to the service charges of 1004 Estates. He got an interim injunction issued by Justice Candido-Johnson which ordered the respondents to revert back to the status quo, whereby 1004 Estates Limited continues to handle the administration of the residential scheme pending the determination of the substantive case. The order also restrains any of the parties from taking any action that could lead to further crisis. It also specifically restricts the presence of Halogen Security, the Police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps on the estate. Leaders of the association were, by the court order , also restrained from col-

lecting any payment, including service and electricity charges. Police involvement: But VM was informed that some residents in alleged connivance with policemen from the Bar Beach Division, have breached the injunction of January 26, 2016. The policemen reportedly chased 1004 Estates Limited private guards away and forcibly ejected Ukpong and his administrative staff. A loyalist to Ukpong who spoke on condition of anonymity said: “In Ukpong’s attempt to serve the police the court order, he was arrested, detained and prevented from appearing in court on January 29, when the case came up for hearing. But the judge extended the existing order for another seven days and ordered the police to appear at the next proceeding to explain their action. The case was thereafter adjourned to February 26, 2016. “Ukpong was accused of being arbitrary and draconian in his style of administration but the turn of events has shown the ulterior motive behind the demonisation of Ukpong. After the December 5 takeover, the association swiftly contracted Halogen and Tom

Salam Integrated Services to run the estate. Under Ukpong’s administration, services were provided excellently. His only fault being his alleged lack of leniency with defaulters. “But in the few weeks that the association ran the estate, service quality plunged to a dismal level. Electricity supply, for instance, was epileptic. In the last few weeks, the new management has been knocking on my door every morning with a threat to forfeit the large amount of units on my meter and cough out N40, 000 for a new meter that cost N20, 000 in the market. Now, I am convinced that illegal takeover was instigated because of pecuniary motive”. However, when the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Ifedolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police, SP was contacted on the alleged connivance of the Police, she stated emphatically that “Police cannot and will not take side with anyone whatsoever in any case. The battle is in court. We plead to any aggrieved party to maintain peace. Police will continue to patrol the vicinity to ensure peace.”

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NASME laments inability to access N220bn intervention fund

HE Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) wants the laws establishing the Federal Ministry of Finance, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and 29 revenue generating agencies repealed. The Commission in a letter to the National Assembly signed by the acting chairman, Mr. Shettima Umar Abba Gana stated that the laws establishing the 32 agencies were creation of the military and must be made to conform with democratic norms and practices. According to the letter, “The laws establishing the agencies contravene the provisions of Sections 1(3) and 162(1&10) of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).” The 29 other generating agencies are Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and Nigeria Security, Printing and Minting Corporation (NSPMC). Others are Nigeria Export Processing Council, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Nigeria Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigeria Postal Service (NPS), Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA),

By Naomi Uzor

CAMPAIGN: From left, Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mounir Gwarzo being received by Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, in his palace in Lagos as part of the e-Dividend Sensitisation Campaign.

RMAFC wants laws establishing Finance Ministry, FRSC, NIMASA, 29 others repealed By Favour Nnabugwu Nigeria Reinsurance (NigeriaRe), Nigeria Environmental Standards and Regulatory Agency, National Clearing and Forwarding Agency, Nigeria Shippers Council, Nigeria Mining Corporation (NMC), National Sugar Development Agency, National Automobile Council (NAC), Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, National Agency for Engineering Agency and Raw Materials

Research and Development Council. The agencies, according to the Commission, also administer assets such as land, seas, airwaves among others that belong to the Federation in addition to having operational presence across several states of the country. “These reasons are enough to justify that these agencies remit all their revenues to the Federation Account, and

then submit their administrative/ financial requirements to the National Assembly for appropriation,” the commission said. RMAFC said it is not tenable for the agencies to be retaining their revenues and remitting only their operating surplus to the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the federal government on the basis of the provisions of the Acts establishing them.

SWF: NSIA, IFC collaborate to boost investment in health sector By Nkiruka Nnorom & Providence Obuh

HE Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) managers of Nigeria’s Sovereign Wealth Fund has entered into $114.20 -0.55 collaboration with International Finance $2,788.00 -37.00 Corporation (IFC) in order to boost $13.24 -0.14 investment in the healthcare sector especially to develop private healthcare. $30.21 -0.63 Speaking at the $26.66 -0.79 NSIA, IFC, joint media briefing in CURRENCY BUYING SELLING Lagos, Chief Risk Officer and Executive US DOLLAR 196 196.5 197 Director, NSIA, Mrs. 285.67 286. 3988 287. 1275 POUNDS Stella Ojekwe220.8332 221.3966 221.9599 EURO 201.4181 201.932 202.4458 FRANC Onyejeli, said that the 1.7041 1.7084 1.7127 YEN Federal Government 0.3125 0.3225 0. 3325 CFA set up a pool of fund 272.5834 273.2787 273.9741 WAUA worth about $400 29.8008 29.8773 29.9538 RENMINBI 52.2402 52.3735 52. 5067 RIYAL million for the Nigeria 29.5876 29.6631 29.7385 KRONA Infrastructure Fund 274.9292 275.6306 276.3319 SDR out of which, $140 million was allotted to CBN Exchange rate as at 11/02/2016 the health sector.

She said, considering the scale of what needs to be done in Nigeria, the money is not too much. “We thought of creative way to get that money go a little bit further and now we are working on co-investment opportunity as we find appropriate strategic partners like the IFC,”Onyejeli said. She added, “we can come together and collaborate on project of scale, where we can put in what we have so that we can attract other private sector investors to come with us and do something significant.

Pool of money So, these are the type of models we are looking at and of cause, we leverage the capital that we have so that the money goes round and further. It is a little pool of money but we are being conscious of the area to invest that will be of impact and any area we put in money should be

areas where there will be social benefit that we anticipate. Anything we do has commercial return. The SWF, NSIA invest for commercial return and for the benefit of Nigerians.” She added that in late 2014, the Federal Government signed the National Health Act and approved the establishment of state support insurance schemes by the National Council on Health and as a result, the private sector has the opportunity to play an increasing role in the delivery and financing of health services across the country especially to lower income earners. Her words, NSIA seeks to catalyse private sector investment in the healthcare space by establishing public-private partnerships and innovative solutions. While the medical sector is among the challenging in terms of establishing investment models, it is also one of the most impactful and is a core NSIA focus.”

IGERIAN Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) has lamented the inability of the micro, small and medium enterprises, MSME sectors to access the Central Bank of Nigeria’s N220 billion intervention funds, saying the bulk of the money is still in the apex bank’s vault. Speaking on the occasion of 7th NASME Annual General Meeting, the outgoing president of NASME, Alhaji Garba Gusau disclosed that the CBN released N220 billion for MSMEs, but due to stringent conditionality, bulk of that money is still in the CBN vaults. “I would use this opportunity to call on the incoming Council to pursue access to finance as a sector agenda. In the N220 billion that the CBN released, each state is entitled to N2 billion each, if they meet the conditionality’s. Unfortunately, some states are yet to feel the impact of this fund till now” he said. In his acceptance speech, the newly elected President and Chairman of Council, Prince Degun Agboade, thanked outgoing members of the Council for their selfless service for the past four years as he outlined a 7-point agenda to move NASME forward, adding that, the association being the largest BMO (Business Membership Organisation) representing various sectors of MSMEs noted for driving the country’s economy is repositioning to serve better the interests of MSMEs in Nigeria. The Director General, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Bature Umar Masari, said there is hope for the MSMES in the Nigeria 2016 budget proposal as there would be encouragement of the reduction in tax rates for small businesses with obvious advantages. “The 2016 budget proposal has provision of financial training to market women, traders and artisans through cooperative societies, job creation to focus on every aspect of execution of the budget and provision of subsidized funding for priority sectors such as agriculture and solid minerals” he disclosed. According to him, the 2016 budget proposal has made major provisions for driving the developmentofMSMEsandforthe nation to be among the 20 most economically advanced nations in the world by the year 2020, serious attention must be paid to the development of MSMEs.

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Winner of Karaoke competition, Shaapera dreaming big By Benjamin Njoku

INNER of the continent’s maiden edition of Karaoke singing competition, Tecno Own the Stage, Shaapera Make Peace Mnena, which ended amid glamour last Sunday, in Lagos, is already dreaming big. The 29-year-old teacher from Benue State who described her victory as a ‘surprise’ does not want to be distracted by anything for now. Instead, she wants to concentrate on building her own brand and investing her prize money wisely. According to her, “I don’t believe in buying a posh car or parcels of lands with my prize money. Rather, I would like to invest the money wisely.” Shaapera beat Tanzanian, Nandy and Kenyan’s Pascal to clinch the grand prize of $25,000, a recording deal and a brand new TECNO Phantom 5 at the end of the grand finale which held at Ultima Studio, in Lekki, Lagos. Nandy who emerged the

*Attai Oguche, Deputy Marketing Manager, Tecno Mobile and winner, Shapeera.

second runner-up smiled home with the sum of $15,000, a threemonth internship programme at Chocolate City, and a Tecno Phantom 5 smartphone, while Kenyan’s Pascal, took the third position, winning $10,000 and a Tecno Phantom 5 smartphone. The competition which kicked off 13 weeks ago, had 15 contestants,– five each from Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania. Speaking on her victory, Shaapera told WG that she was surprised when Vimbai Mutinhiri and Uti Nwachukwu as the cohosts of the evening announced her as the winner of the competition. ‘I was surprised when they announced my name

as the winner. But I am so excited. I can’t believe my eyes. I thank God that he brought me this far,”she echoed. According to Shaapera, who said she started singing while she was in the university, she was tipping Nandy as the potential winner of the competition. But this was never to be. “I was actually surprised that I won the competition. Nandy is good, she has got stage presence,’she added. The Benue State-born budding singer said while the competition lasted, what worked for her was her vocal ability coupled with her stage presence.

Sir Warrior resurrects in Lagos

ONS of highlife maes tro, and leader of the now rested Oriental Brothers International Band, Ezebuiro Obinna aka Dr (Sir) Warrior, Uche Obinna and Ajuzieogu Obinna are bound to relive memories of their late father as they storm Lagos,this weekend, to thrill fans in the spirit of the Valentine season. Uche and Ajuzieogu who stepped into their father’s shoes after his demise in 1999, will be performing at Mr. Fans Villa, in Ejigbo area of Lagos, on Saturday, February 13, and Sunday 14, alongside other entertainers

like MC Haruna, Olatunji TJ Success and Mr Simple. WG gathered that the singing duo, arrive Lagos today, ahead of this weekend’s show. Uche and Ajuzieogu who have continued from where their late father stopped, are doing everything to immortalize the name of the highlife maestro. Their first performance was at their father’s wake keep in June 1999. They followed up with their first album, “Tribute To Dr. Sir Warrior” in 2000, and since then, they haven’t looked back in their resolve to sustain the good legacies of their late father.

Praiz steps out with

‘Body Hot’ *Olamide and Obesere

Obesere collaborates with Olamide in ‘Ebelesua’

OLLOWING the success of his last hip-hop single, Amin Ase, frontline Fuji musician, Abass Akande popularly known as Obesere is back with a new single titled “Ebelesua” featuring rap star, Olamide. Produced by Glorious, the same producer who produced Amin Ase, the song was officially recorded on January 18, 2016, with support from Pheels a.k.a Mr. Producer. Ebelesua is a party song with focus on posh life and relaxation. However, this is not the first time Obesere would be featuring a known hip-hop artiste as he also did that in 2011 when he featured Timaya, 9ice and Lord of Ajasa in his album, Double Revolution. And last

year, he also featured Reminisce in Jaforie remix. Meanwhile, while the new vibes is yet to hit the airwaves, Obesere has started making moves to shoot the video, and if everything goes on as planned, the video would be shot by next week. The video, we learnt, would be directed by one of the notable directors around whose name has not been revealed. At the moment, Obesere’s Amin Ase Video, which was shot late last year by fast-rising director, Yemlat, is trending on air across the country. Obesere is a prominent Fuji artiste who has carved a niche for himself through his energetic performance, lyrical wit and versatility.

By Juliet Ebirim Music superstar, Praiz has re X3M leased another smash single titled “Body Hot”, featuring Ghanaian Afro pop, dancehall and reggae artiste, Stonebwoy and one of Nigeria’s finest rappers, Jesse Jagz. Praiz and Stonebwoy in this beautiful piece of dancehall music lend electrifying dancehall melody as Jesse Jagz drops hot rap lines to make the track a banging one to be loved by all. The very talented singer who recently released the video of “Harder” which features dancehall artiste, Patoranking keeps ascertaining his ability of diversity to the music industry in this latest track, “Body Hot”. Little wonder, he had six nominations at the just concluded Headies awards, won the 2015 NEA

award for RnB Artiste of the year, Africa Youth Choice Award 2015 for Best RnB/Pop Artist of the Year as well as the Best Artist in Africa (RnB and Soul) at AFRIMA 2015. Praiz who combines strikingly original music with euphoric live performances is one of the most captivating artistes in Nigeria and conveniently competes with various international artistes especially with his ability to hit high notes close to the dreaded whistle register. Praise Adejo, better known by his stage name Praiz, is a young highly talented singer who came into the limelight thrilling Nigerians with his unique soulful voice on a televised music competition. He has gone on to wow music critics and a multitude of fans with his style – A perfect blend of R&B and Soul.

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Gains of Ugwuanyi’s economic mission to Dublin (2) successful transport company with a view ECOWAS parliament: As Ekweremadu exits amid accolades By Ismail Omipidan

HERE will the current Nigerian political players and leaders be 60 years from now? Not even the writer of this piece is likely to still be around then. Interestingly, that is when Nigeria, as a country, will have the opportunity of producing another Speaker, to head the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS Parliament. Senator Ike Ekweremadu has just completed his four-year tenure, as Speaker of the Community Parliament. Ironically, following Senator Ekweremadu’s emergence as the Deputy President of the Senate, in June, last year, one of the strongest points being canvassed by those opposed to his emergence was that he was going to deny the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, the opportunity of producing another Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament. But if they had done their home work well, they probably would have known that the position would not be available to Nigeria again, at the expiration of the Third Legislature of the Community, which officially lapsed on Thursday, February 4, 2016. Before Ekweremadu’s emergence as the Speaker of the Parliament, in 2011, there was a power rotation arrangement, based on alphabetical order of the names of member States. Therefore, the journey, which Ekweremadu started, on behalf of Nigeria, on August 11, 2011, came to an end February 4, 2016. And until about 2076, before any other Nigerian could start of such a journey, on behalf of the country.

Greatest achievement Interestingly, Ekweremadu’s tenure, as Speaker, ended with the Community, marking its 40th year of existence, just as the Fourth Legislature was inaugurated on the same occasion, with Hon. Moustapha Cisse Lo of the Republic of Senegal, emerging as the new Speaker, to lead the Fourth Legislature. Delivering his valedictory speech, Ekweremadu described his tenure as Speaker, as one, which repositioned the Parliament. He described the adoption of the Supplementary Act on the Enhancement of the Powers of the E C O W A S Parliament by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, as the greatest achievement of the Third Legislature of Ekweremadu the Community said his Parliament, under his leadership. This regime is even as he seized brought it the opportunity to appeal to The closer to the Authority to have people, by the Act signed into Law in earnest, so delocalizing as to enable the Committee Parliament exercise meetings in legislative powers and also carry out and outside oversight functions. the various Hear him: “By far, the most important capitals of objective and the Member success recorded by the Third States Legislature of the C M Y K

This is the second instalment of this article which was first published, Wednesday. In that edition, Enugu State governor explained the state’s dire need of economic salvage measures in all spheres of its economy By Uwakwe Abugu

Senator Ekweremadu Community Parliament remains the adoption of the Supplementary Act on the Enhancement of the Powers of the ECOWAS Parliament by the Community Decision Making bodies. “It is important to note that the Supplementary Act enjoyed the inputs of all necessary organs and institutions of the Community. On its part, ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government adopted the Act during its 46th Ordinary Session in Abuja on December 15, 2014”. He was, however, quick to add that his only regret was that the Act was not signed into law during his tenure, adding that it was nevertheless “gratifying that we brought this age long quest from nothing to a point where this institution is just signatures away from evolving into a true Parliament.” According to him, the ECOWAS Parliament remains the only regional parliament in the world, without legislative powers, adding that it was normal for regional legislative bodies to exercise legislative powers and carry out oversight functions. While emphasizing the need for the Act to be signed into law, Ekweremadu further said: “From the European Union Parliament to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), which is a year younger than the ECOWAS Parliament, it is normal for regional parliaments to exercise legislative powers and carry out other fundamental functions of a parliament such as oversight function. For emphasis, today, the ECOWAS Parliament regrettably remains the only regional parliament anywhere in the world without legislative powers. This should be a big embarrassment and reproach to us as a sub-region.” He also reiterated that the enhancement of the powers of the Community Parliament was in tandem with the fundamental principles of democracy, international best practices, the ECOWAS Revised Treaty, and the New Article 13 of the Supplementary Protocol. He added: “It is common knowledge that true democratic governance rests on the tripod of the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary. The enhancement of powers is not for competition, but for the good governance of ECOWAS. It is to build strong institutions necessary for running a balanced and transparent ECOWAS. Importantly, it was the vision of our founding fathers to give expression to voices, challenges, and aspirations of the peoples of West Arica in a true and vibrant Parliament.” Ekweremadu said his regime brought it closer to the people, by delocalizing Committee meetings in and outside the various capitals of the member states. To be concluded Omipidan is the Special Assistant (Media) to the Deputy President of the Senate

O examine opportunities to provide professional training opportunities and examine the potential for staff and student exchange programmes and promote both locations for Study Abroad Programmes. They also agreed to promote both locations, the possibility of international student joint research collaboration and joint applications for research funding and to explore the potential to provide Enugu state with access to expertise on digital learning, among others. The MOU document was signed on behalf of Enugu state government by Prof. Uche Eze, commissioner for education while for the DCU, its president, Prof. MacCraith signed the document. Fishing for investment as focal objective: Before leaving for Ireland with members of the state delegation to the economic mission, Governor Ugwuanyi left no one in doubt that it was going to be a business trip and tea party. Hence, from the point of selection of the team, it was a case of “ only requiring round pegs in round holes”. It was a slim 13man delegation, including the governor who travelled with only one personal assistant. All the members of the delegation had specific duties to discharge in one or more engagements during the visit.

Investment summit So, on Friday, January 15 when a mini investment summit was organized for the delegation to meet Irish and Nigerian prospective investors, all members of the delegation were maximally deployed to their specific assignments. Scores of prospective investors did converge on the Westin Hotel, Dublin for the summit. It turned out such a huge success that also spiralled into closed door sessions the governor held with respective interested investors shortly after the mini summit. In the same vein, the former president of Ireland, Bertie Ahern, who had a long session with the governor during the closed door period is already making moves to assist the Enugu state government in its current drive to shore up its economy through expansion of its revenue base by shopping for investors and donor agencies just as scores of prospective investors have held talks with the state The governor and officials of the state former government. president The former president was one of the scores was one of eminent persons of the who held talks with the Enugu governor on scores of ways of attracting eminent investments or i n t e r n a t i o n a l persons assistance to Enugu who held state, Nigeria. Earlier on arrival in talks Dublin, the first port of with the call for the governor was a visit to the Enugu Dublin Bus, Ireland’s governor gigantic and very

to learning first hand, how the company is run so that Enugu government could tinker with domesticating snippets of its success story into the Enugu state Transport Company. The visit also offered the governor and mission delegates the opportunity of touring the headquarters of Guinness in Dublin, especially in view ofhe fact that whereas Heineken has about the largest of its plants in Enugu, Guinness which acquired a large expanse of land in the state has left it unutilized in the past years. Frugal to the hilt: For those who did not know till the visit to Dublin that the governor’s well-known spirit of lavishgiving to the needy, was never domesticated into his official handling of state resources, the trip was an eyeopener. At Dublin, the governor led and lived by clear example. He severed over 90% of the usual privileges that would

Enugu State governor, Ugwuanyi go with his office during the economic mission. He had only one personal aide to attend to him. He moved to all locations with just one taxi. There was nothing remarkably different from his accommodation at the Intercontinental Hotel from those of some of the members of the delegation that also stayed in that facility. Each member of the delegation was made to strictly restrict himself or herself to the limits of the allowance allocated to them. And the result was that it was a clear sense of mission for business that eventually took the centre stage in the psyche of the team. Vehement canvassing all the way: Following the body language of the governor even from the outset, there was no room for any dull moment among the Enugu team at Dublin. Even during an award night on Saturday, January16 when Governor Ugwuanyi was one of the two Africans honoured alongside other awardees, his speech at the event was overshadowed by his craving for investors to head to Enugu, Nigeria. As the chairman of the state Economic Advisory Committee, Prof. Obiora Ike, a Catholic priest of the rank of monsignor presented his citation, there was a heavy tone of preaching to the Irish to relate to the Enugu team with a sense of the history of the Irish missionaries who brought education and civilization to Enugu and other parts of Igboland in Nigeria. The aggression with which the mission was executed also informed the decision to carry samples of the special specie of pineapples produced by the state-run San Carlos Pineapple Farms to Ireland for demonstration during the mini investment summit. Also at the Dublin City University, a combined effort of Prof. Uche Eze and Prof. Ike came off so strongly choreographed in their separate renditions as the team tried to lobby the varsity authority to cooperate with the state.

32 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016

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Nigerians must embrace tax policies for states to survive —Oshiomhole By Simon Ebegbulem

ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday, said that Nigerians must form the habit of paying taxes in order to interrogate government at all levels. He also said that the state government will broaden its tax net to capture the over one million taxable adults in the state, noting that only 160,000 people presently pay tax in the state with a population of four million people. Oshiomhole, who raised alarm that the current dwindling revenue from crude oil may further cause hardship to Nigerians, said: “Nigeria will survive if we deepen our taxation policies and fight corruption as the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is doing.” He spoke at a lecture titled The Dwindling Revenue from Crude Oil: The Challenges for State Government, organised by the Correspondent Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Edo State. The event which was chaired by the Pro-Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Prof. Prince Gregory Akenzua, had former governor of the old Bendel State,

Dr Samuel Ogbemudia, the Esogban of Benin, Chief David Edebiri, the Onojie of Opoji, members of the state Executive Council and many others in attendance. Oshiomhole, said: “The real reason why we must deepen taxation is to make Nigerians more stakeholders, to have a stake in the governance of the nation. If you pay so much tax,

you will worry about how it is spent. If we don’t change our attitude towards taxation then governance is far away. For us to get our people to pay taxes, government must demonstrate a high sense of responsibility and accountability in how we appropriate money and what we appropriate funds for. “If you come to Edo Government House, you will

find that we have the most outdated Government House in the country, but I had the option of building an ultra-modern Government House but I preferred to build the Central Hospital because if we must collect taxes, should those taxes be expended on the quality of the bedroom of the governor or should it be spent on quality of the road to the Airport? Those are choices a government has to make."

PROTEST: Members of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Warri Depot, disrupting business activities at the NNPC House, Warri, Delta State, during a protest against the Department of Petroleum Resources.

A-Ibom rerun polls to hold March 12 —REC By Tom Moses

YO—THE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Akwa Ibom State has scheduled March 12, 2016 for the rerun of the nullified elections in five state constituencies and one Senatorial District (Akwa Ibom North-East) of the state even as the All Progressives Congress, APC, has expressed lack of confidence in the commission. The new Akwa Ibom State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Dr. Gabriel Ada, who announced the date of the rescheduled elections in his maiden meeting with leaders of the various political parties in the state, said that elections would hold in Etinan, Ibesikpo-Asutan, Ikot-Ekpene/Obot Akara, Oron/ Udung Uko state constituencies including 24 polling units in Itu Local Government Area spread across nine registration areas/ wards. For the Akwa Ibom North senatorial district, the REC said that in Etinan Local Government, election will hold in three polling units in Southern Iman Ward-08 while in Ibesikpo-Asutan, the entire Ward-02 will be affected. Others are Ibiono Ibom Local Government, 21 units and five Wards, Ibiono Ward-02, Ibiono Ward-04, Ibiono Ward-07, Ibiono Ward-09 and Ibiono Ward-10, just as elections will hold in Nsit Atai Local Government Area in the

entire Ward-05 and Ward-09 as well as five units in Eastern Nsit-01 and in Uruan Local Government Area where elections will hold in the entire Uruan 111. In Uyo Local Government

Area, Dr. Ada informed that election would hold in the entire Ward-09 as well as three units in Ward-03. He assured that INEC in the state would look into the complaints levelled against the

commission and so, encouraged all the political parties to make good the allegation by reporting any INEC staff found to have compromised his or her status during the rerun elections for disciplinary action.

Oil communities protest plot to impose projects through DESOPADEC it is an explicit display of By Emma Amaize & Egufe Yafugborhi

ARRI—CHAIRMEN of oil-bearing communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, have kicked against an alleged plan by some Gbaramatu-Ijaw leaders to use the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, to impose “political” projects on them. Chairmen and members of Flow Stations/ Well Head Host Communities, in a protest letter to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, by chairman, Kokodiagbene community, Sheriff Mulade and three others, condemned the surreptitious move to foist projects on them. They said: "Our findings showed that the interventionist agency in connivance with some Ijaw leaders and top government officials have concluded plans to divert the allocation accruing to the

communities to build another refinery in the area and thereafter claim ownership. “We make bold to state here that the project is misplaced and

wickedness because the communities have sent their priority projects to the agency, as such we do not need this project.”

Fire incidents: Deltans urged to be vigilant, proactive By Festus Ahon

SABA—DELTA State Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Mr. Chika Ossai, has urged Deltans to be vigilant and take proactive steps to check frequent fire outbreaks in the state. Speaking shortly after a tour of major fire incidents in Warri and Sapele areas of the state, Ossai sympathized with the victims in Ogbe Ijaw Market, Warri; Sapele Main Market and other commercial and residential buildings engulfed by fire in the areas. The Ogbe-Ijaw market fire incident was said to have been caused by fuel stored in one of

the market stalls, while the fire that engulfed part of the Sapele Main Market was attrbuted to faulty electric socket. The commissioner who visited the scene of the incidents with his entourage,to ascertain the level of damage and ways the state government could assist the victims, noted that all the victims had lost valuable property. Expressing government readiness to alleviate their sufferings, he told the victims to be patient. He also warned the victims against inflating their claims, saying that government gesture was to assist them in this critical time, hence it should not be abused.

Delta community leader tasks NERC/BEDC on power By Godwin Oghre

APELE—A community leader in Sapele, Delta State, Mr Ben Tobi, has tasked the Nigeria Electricity Regulation Council, NERC, to compel the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, to provide electricity in the area, to justify monthly spending in purchasing electricity from the Federal Government which it is distributing to the people of the area. He also asked BEDC to make public the record of all money it was collecting monthly from electricity consumers in the area, saying, “Both publications will justify BEDC’s charges in the area." According to him, “BEDC claims it is not making profit, but we know that is not true, so let them publish these records. NERC should compel them to do so and call them to order if they are found wanting. “The incessant blackouts here have defeated the purpose of the step down at Amukpe. The step down has enough energy that can provide the people uninterrupted electricity but BEDC is not lifting the energy for supply to the people.”

Organisation condoles with Rep on mother’s death By Tare Youdeowei

HE campaign organisation of a House of Representatives member, Solomon Ahwinahwi, representing Ughelli/Udu federal constituency, has condoled with the lawmaker on the death of his mother, Mrs Alice Ahwinahwi, (Nee Obanyedo). Speaking during a visit to the Ahwinahwi family in Warri, Director General of the Organisation, Mr David Ekuetafia, alongside other prominent leaders of the group, commiserated with their boss and the families of Ahwinahwi of Agbarho and Okpe-Olomu in Ughelli North and South Local Government Areas of Delta State respectively on the demise of their mother. Ekuetafia extolled the meaningful life Mama lived before passing on to glory.

34—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12 , 2016

By Francis Igata

NUGU—GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has called on all eligible Nigerians and the people of Enugu State in particular to register with the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC,currently going on in the country with a view to obtain the national electronic identity card. Governor Ugwuanyi who spoke when the management of NIMC visited him at Government House, Enugu to issue him his NIMC card, noted that the importance of the card cannot be overemphasized as one would hardly transact any government or other business deals these days without such identification, adding that the card identifies one for life. The governor commended the management of the commission in its effort to sensitize the people of the state for registration, urging them not to relent. He urged all eligible people of Enugu State to register without further delay to avail themselves of the benefits available for obtaining the card. In a similar development, the wife of the state governor, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi, has enjoined women in the state to register in the ongoing NIMC exercise. While receiving the card from the management of the commission, she used the medium to appeal to pregnant mothers to always go for antenatal services to forestall the issue of maternal mortality in the state. Earlier in an address, the coordinator of NIMC in Enugu State, Mr. Odeta Ogbonnaya Favour regretted the level of turn out of the people of Enugu State for the registration. He appealed to all stakeholders in the state to assist the commission in sensitizing the

people on the need for the registration of all eligible citizens in the exercise. The coordinator noted that the card if obtained helps one in various daily transactions.

According to him, one hardly does any bank transaction without the card. He also said that the card could be used in future elections in Nigeria. He observed that the South

East zone is the least zone in Nigeria in the registration by NIMC, adding that in the South East zone registration by NIMC, Enugu State is the least so far in the level of participation.

Shun overtures of moneybags, Anambra CP counsels REC

By Vincent Ujumadu

WKA—THE Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hosea Karma yesterday advised the new Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Anambra State, Dr Lawrence Azubuike to shun the overtures of moneybags and politicians if he hopes to succeed in the state. Karma, who spoke when the REC and other officials of INEC

paid him a courtesy call in Awka, observed that elections in the state have been highly commercialized, adding that many politicians believe that they could always pay their way to get elective positions. He said: “These politicians, who are very influential, have this notion that they can make white to become black. They will come to you, but what I can say is that you know that once INEC declares a result, no one can do

anything about it. “So, all we are saying is that you people should be fair so that when results are tendered from the field, they will be a reflection of what you announced. “We must all do a good job to redeem our image. We must therefore be neutral at all times. I believe in doing a good job and no matter the wealth of anyone, I always do what is right. The worst that can happen is that I will be transferred to another state."

APC won't spend 4 years fighting corruption —Moghalu By Levinus Nwabughiogu

BUJA—CONSCIOUS of the insinuations making the rounds that the present government of the All Progressives Congress, APC, led by President Muhammadu Buhari is devoting the whole time of governance fighting corruption to the detriment of other sectors of the economy, the party’s National Auditor, George Moghalu, has said that president Buhari won’t spend his whole first term for the course. Moghalu who spoke with journalists in Abuja stated that even at the moment, President Buhari is combining the antigraft war with governance. According to him, issues of infrastructure, power among others were being addressed by the government. He said: “I want to dissagree

with such insinuation. We are not going to use the four years in fighting corruption. As you know, corruption is being fought and it is fighting back, in the same vein, other aspects of government are being addressed. Governance has not stopped in every sector because Mr. President and his government are confronting corruption frontally. “Governance is running side by

side with the fight against corruption. Infrastructure is being addressed, issues of the power sector are being addressed, agriculture, science and technology are being addressed as they go along while at the same time fighting corruption frontally because it is one of the cardinal promises made by the government during the campaign.”

ee the 'Change' majority of Nigerians unknowingly voted for! Power supply is very erratic in some areas and some parts are still rationing it. Increase without a commensurate increase in supply is absurd. Mr Emmanuel Nseyen, Businessman

AGOS—A seasoned administrator, Prof. Ayandiji Daniel Aina has been appointed as the third substantive ViceChancellor of Caleb University, Lagos, Nigeria. According to a release issued by the Registrar of the University, Mrs. Folake Okor and made available to newsmen, Prof. Aina until his appointment was the

Provost, College of Management and Social Sciences, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State. The Professor of Political Science and Public Communication has formally taken over the ViceChancellorship of the university from the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof.Olufemi Oludimu, following

hy subject us to estimated bill when there is prepaid option? For goodness sake, this is a privatised power sector now and there is no point for Fashola to be begging us to endure, he should give us prepaid metre. Miss Chika Dike, Graduate

ashola might be trying to make an impact which is good, but have we not had enough of this 'Change' drama? The expectations keep getting quashed everyday, so nobody needs to add more to the suffering. Mr Okechukwu Umeh, Administrator

the expiration of the tenure of the substantive Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Olukoju. An embodiment of experience at very top level of university administration, Prof. Aina carved a monumental niche as President/ Vice-Chancellor of Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State (2011-2013).

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

On electricity tarif e tarifff hik hike

hat’s why I want PMB to revoke the companies because since last year in my area the bill increased to nine thousand naira for each house per month, which is not supposed to be so. What is happening in Nigeria is disgraceful. Mr Hussaie Mustapha, Worker

By Peter Okutu

BAKALIKI—THE Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, yesterday, called for stronger synergy among all the security agencies across the country. The zonal Commander of NSCDC zone E, Owerri, ACG Mohammed Lapai made the call when he paid a one-day working visit to the Command headquarters in Abakaliki. Lapai who condemned the attitude of some security operatives who are usually in the habit of causing disaffection among their colleagues noted that such action was capable of portraying security agencies in a bad light before the members of the public. He emphasized that synergy among all security agencies in the country would foster effectiveness in the fight against crimes and criminality and ensure adequate protection of lives and properties. He further identified selfishness and lack of patriotism as the factors purportedly responsible for lack of synergy in the force. He advised security agencies to carry out their duties with the mindset that they are all working for theFederalGovernmentandnobody else.

Prof Aina appointed as Caleb varsity's new VC

PEOPLE SPEAK

NSCDC seeks stronger synergy among sister agencies

EJ commissioned 10 power plants and never increased tariff. APC has not even laid a foundation and we are seeing this tariff hike. What will happen the time we have 23 hours of light in a day? Mr Ekwe Vitalis, Strategic Management

he worst thing is DISCOs deliberate refusal to give meter to every customer, so as to be dishing out crazy estimated bills, while Nigerian government and its agencies watch. No place in the world where this is done in this 21st century. Miss Victoria Kelvin, Student

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016 — 35

Appeal Court quashes ex-Gov Nyako's impeachment By Umar Yusuf

OLA—THE Yola Division of Federal Court of Appeal, Adamawa State, yesterday nullified the impeachment of Former Governor Murtala Nyako. The five Judges led by Justice Jumai Hannatu Sankey in a unanimous judgment, described Nyako’s impeachment as a high level of impunity, recklessness, rascality and a constituted gross of legislative powers by the Adamawa State House of Assembly. The judges condemned in unequivocal terms the gross abuse of the legislative powers by the lawmakers to achieve orchestrated, premeditated and selfish motives. They averred that the impeachment of the former governor was a misuse of the powers and privileges of the legislature and declaring the impeachment as null, void and of no effect. Justice Tunde Awotoye while delivering his judgment, noted that the respondents took laws into their hands as they flagrantly abused the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to meet their whimsical and selfish desires. Justice Jumai Hannatu Sankey, in her lead judgment noted the court as the last arbiter would not fold its arms and watch impunity being entrenched in the country.

She noted that the decison of the House of Assembly to ignore the constitutional provision of personal service of impeachment notice on the former governor was a misnomer to the constitution which must be uprooted. The court ordered that Nyako be accorded all rights of the office of the governor of Adamawa State throughout his legally recognized period in office even as the court

struck out the appeal of Nyako to be returned as governor of the state, as according to the court, the tenure of Nyako as governor had elapsed. The court condemned in strong terms the arrogance of the lawmakers and some politicians who flagrantly refused to obey court orders stopping them from going ahead with the impeachment process despite the

order of the high court in Adamawa State. Governor Nyako was impeached by the Adamawa State House of Assembly on Tuesday July 16, 2014 following allegations of gross misconduct leveled against him by the House of Assembly. Jauro, Biobele Abraham Georgewill and O.A. Ogakwu.

Deputy Managing D i r e c t o r d e s i g n a t e , FirstBank, Mr Gbenga Shobo and Deputy D i r e c t o r , E n t e r p r i s e Development Centre, PanA t l a n t i c University, Mrs Nneka Okekearu shortly after the live radio programme titled ''The Economy and You!'' sponsored by FirstBank on Rhythm 93.7 FM, Lagos.

Bello grants financial autonomy to local govts By Boluwaji Obahopo

OKOJA—GOVERNOR Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, has abolished arbitrary

deductions from the allocations of Local Government Councils in the state, thereby granting them financial autonomy. Bello who frowned at various

FACEBOOK COMMENT: Suspended lecturer drags KASU to Court

ADUNA—SUSPENDED Political Science Lecturer of Kaduna State University, KASU, Dr. John Danfulani, for an alleged inciting face book comments, has dragged KASU to the National Industrial Court, NIC, in Kaduna. The case comes up February 22, 2016. In the suit filed at the NIC, Kaduna Judicial Division, Danfulani, who is seeking for seven prayers, asked the for: “A declaration that the procedure and process adopted and followed by the 1st and 2nd Defendants, (KASU and its VC) leading to the purported suspension on the Claimant from duty as contained in the internal memorandum dated 8th of January, 2016 and entitled ‘suspension from duty’ are illegal, wrong, void and of no effect whatsoever; setting aside or quashing all the procedures of processes taken by the 1st and 2nd Defendant leading to the purported suspension of the Claimant as contained in the internal memorandum dated 8th of January, 2016 and entitled: ‘suspension from duty’ which C M Y K

purported to suspend the Claimant from duty.

deductions from the council allocations by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said the state laws could not override the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Speaking during a meeting with the local government chairmen, the governor directed the ministry to submit its running cost to his office and stop exploiting the Local Government Councils. A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Kingsley

Fanwo, after the meeting, said Bello told the council Chairmen to ensure that pensioners and teachers were paid their pensions and salaries this month. According to the statement: “The governor urged the Chairmen to ensure Council workers are promptly paid their full wages, warning against profligacy, saying the Chairmen must account for every penny received from the Federation Account.''

EU, Thailand to assist Katsina on infrastructure By Wale Akinola

UROPEAN Union, EU, has pledged to assist Katsina State government to address the infrastructural decay that has been hindering development of the state. That government has also extended a hand of cooperation to the state during a courtesy call on Governor Aminu Bello Masari by the Ambassador, Mr. Chailert Limsomboon. The EU’s decision emerged at a meeting between ambassadors of 28 EU member countries in Nigeria under the leadership of Ambassador Michael Anion and Katsina State government officials led by Masari at the EU office in Abuja. EU Ambassadors at the meeting, were informed of the level of infrastructural rot the incumbent

administration met on assumption of office eight months ago. Katsina State’s backwardness is evidenced by in its current position as the second poorest in the country, according to the rating of the Federal Office of Statistics, despite earning a staggering N1 trillion in the eight years preceding this administration. The decay is most noticeable in the three commanding heights of the economy, namely education, health and agriculture, the EU officials were told. The rot is such that about N42 billion is needed to revamp education at the foundation level, at the time when over N3 billion is spent annually on the payment of examination fees for secondary school students in which success rate never exceeds ten percent. The EU team was similarly

informed about the efforts being made by the state government to arrest and eventually reverse the situation, in answer to inquiry as to what the government is doing to tackle the problems, in particular the efforts being made to recover the funds allegedly looted by the leading officials of the immediate past administration. Governor Masari at the meeting spoke of the efforts to recover over N72 billion allegedly stolen, including the ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the establishment of a Judicial Commission of Enquiry, which members would soon be sworn in.

Adeyemi’s alleged planned defection to APC divides Kogi PDP By Charles Kumolu

OGI State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has debunked reports that a former Chairman of Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Senator Smart Adeyemi, is about to defect to the All Progressives Congress, APC. This came as the Coordinator of Senator Smart Adeyemi Campaign Organisation Mr. Fehinti Dada, insisted that all is set for Adeyemi’s defection. A statement by Messrs Idris Imran and I.O Obanishe, Chairman and Secretary of the party in Ijumu Local Government Area of the state said Adeyemi remained a strong pillar of the PDP in Kogi. They noted that irrespective of the defection of the former lawmaker’s supporters to the APC, the latter would not be swayed to dump the PDP. The PDP chieftains further said that Adeyemi invested more than any chieftain of the PDP in the state, and was not in a hurry to abandon his investment.

Eweye is 80

N Sunday, February 14, family, friends and wellwishers will gather at Christ Apostolic Church, OkeAnu, Sapele, Delta State, to celebrate Prince Joseph Eweye’s 80th birthday. The community leader and devout Christian, his wife, Velly and their six children, will be hosted to a reception at Sabele Atlantic Club, immediately after the church service. Prince Eweye, a professional builder, worked with Nigeria Joinery Ltd., African Timber and Plywood, Anake Nigeria Ltd., Edjeba Land Services Ltd., and was involved in the Ajaokuta Stell Company residential estates.

Prince Eweye’

36—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016

WEDDING: From left— Former Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren; his wife, Osaretin, and President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, at the of wedding Demuren's son in Lagos.

UNILAG/UBA: From left — Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Babajide Alo; Vice Chancellor, Professor Rahamon Bello, both of University of Lagos; Executive Director, Resources, United Bank for Africa, UBA, Plc, Ms. Obi Ibekwe, and Chairman, Board of Trustees, UBA Chair of Finance, Professor Ben Oghojafor, at the inauguration of the board at the university.

FIDSON'S DONATION: From left— Commissioner for Health, Ogun State, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye; General Manager, Marketing, Mr. Ola Ijimakin, and Regional Sales Manager, Lagos, Mr. Taofeek Ajisebutu, both of Fidson Healthcare Plc, during the donation of a pick-up van to Central Medical Store, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

MULTICHOICE CENTRES: From left (front row)— MultiChoice Nigeria Branch Manager, Kano, Hadiza Isah; Director of Science & Technology, Ministry of Education, Jigawa State, Aliu Hamad Shungurum; Director of School Services, Hajiya Aisha Idris, and Business Development Manager, Integrated Literacy Services Limited, Taiwo Bello, during the commissioning of 10 MultiChoice Resource Centres at Government Unity Commercial Secondary School, Dutse, Jigawa State.

LIONS' CONFAB: From left— Secretary, Local Organising Committee, LOC, Lion Taiwo Adewunmi; Council Chairman, Lion Stella Agbogun; LOC Chairman, Air Vice Marshall Tony Okpere; past Council Chairperson and International Director Endorsee, Lion Tope Tychus, and Chairman, Publicity Sub-Committee, Lion Tokunbo Jegede, all of Lions Club International, at a briefing on the forthcoming 21st All Africa Conference to be hosted by Multiple Divison 404 Nigeria, in Lagos.

FIRE PROTECTION CONFAB: From left— Lead Consultant, Safety Consultants and Solution Providers Limited, Ms. Antonia Beri; Roland Ngong of National Fire Protection Association, West Africa, NFPA-WA, and Executive Director, Safety Consultants, Mr. Femi Young, at a briefing on the forthcoming NFPA-WA conference scheduled for April 18 to 21, in Lagos.

THE BRIDGE CLINIC: From left— Fertility doctor, Onyinyechi Echendu; Corporate Marketing and Customer Service Coordinator, Dayo Omogbehin; Clinical Services Coordinator, Tayo Abiara, and HR Partner, Rotimi Lijofi, all of The Bridge Clinic, at their 2016 Children’s Party in Lagos.

VISIT: From left— Mr. Adeniran Animowo of Brazilian Consulate, Lagos; Chief Representative Officer for Africa, Brazilian Development Bank, BNDES, Mr. Gustavo Nonato; MD\CEO, Bank of Industry, BoI, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa; Head of Department, Export Credit Division, BNDES, Mr. Henique de Azeredo Arive; Executive Director, Small and Medium Enterprises, BoI, Mr. Waheed Olagunju, and Mr. Ariel Doctorravich, during a visit to BoI in Lagos.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016—37

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

Dimka was given to Col. Ibrahim Babangida, a senior officer of the armoured corps who had been specifically delegated by Danjuma who had relocated his headquarters from the Defence Headquarters to the nearby Bonny Camp. Following the order, Babangida proceeded to the Ikeja Cantonment where he took some armoured tanks to confront Dimka at the NBC in Ikoyi. Meanwhile, besides Ilorin and for a little while in Benin, the coup was of no significance in the rest of the country. In Benin, the brigade commander initially gave the order to the radio station to link up with the broadcast from Dimka’s broadcast which was being repeatedly broadcast. The action from Benin, however, provoked other commanders in other brigade headquarters notably Calabar and Kaduna to take over local radio stations to affirm their loyalty to the military junta. Even worse for Dimka, the grassroots support he envisaged was not just missing but in Lagos was even hostile. Students of the University of Lagos took to the streets to denounce the action.

HOSE who had the booming sound of the gun shot that early Friday morning on February 13, 1976 knew it was trouble. But those who subsequently heard the incoherent words of the principal assailant, Lt. Col. Buka Suka Dimka on the air waves as he imposed a dawn to dusk curfew rightly upgraded the trouble sign to an unmitigated disaster. Dimka had in the mind of many right thinking Nigerians aborted what was seen as the Nigerian renaissance as captured by the 198 eventful days of the Murtala Mohammed administration. Following the killing of the head of state, Gen. Murtala Mohammed and his aide-decamp, Lieutenant Akintunde Akinsehinwa, who has the record of being the youngest and lowest ranking officer to have held the position of ADC to a head of state, Dimka moved over from the death scene near the Federal Secretariat, Ikoyi, Lagos to the nearby studios of the then National Broadcasting Corporation, NBC to proclaim his infamy to the world. A tape of martial music earlier procured through a staff of the station, Abdulkarim Zakari was inserted while Dimka made his now infamous broadcast.

Imposition of curfew Zakari, the broadcaster, became the only civilian among the 38 persons executed for the coup. While Dimka’s imposition of curfew from morning to night bewildered many, it was a sign of his desperation and lack of comport to other officials and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces. Others claimed that Dimka who was known to have spent much of the preceding night on a drinking spree may have been intoxicated. Senior officers like the junta’s number two man, Lt. Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, the army chief, Lt. Gen. Theophillus Danjuma and a number of army commanders in Ibadan, Kaduna, Benin and Enugu, escaped the dragnet of the insurgents. The targets had been chosen primarily because of their senior positions or because they were in states with radio stations. The only other target felled was Col. Ibrahim Taiwo, the military governor of Kwara C M Y K

Martial music •Mohammed: Killed in the line of duty

MURTALA MUHAMMED:

40 years after TOMORROW would make it 40 years since Lt. Col. Buka Dimka and his gang of military adventurers instigated an aborted rebellion against a popular military administration that had quaked political powers not only in Nigeria but globally State. The killing of Taiwo was to later feed currency that the

While Dimka’s imposition of curfew from morning to night bewildered many, it was a sign of his desperation and lack of comport to other officials and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces

coup was a response by the Plateau officers to the removal of General Yakubu Gowon as head of state the year before.

Taiwo played a frontline role in the coup that removed Gowon and had allegedly served as the national coordinator for the execution of the coup. Within seven hours of the first broadcast, as the loyal troops regained their c o m p o s u r e , strategies were laid out on how to nap Dimka who had by that time fortified himself with among fellow rebels in the premises of the broadcasting station in Ikoyi. The duty of rooting out

THE COUP SPEECH "Good morning fellow Nigerians, This is Lt. Col. B. Dimka of the Nigerian Army calling. I bring you good tidings. Murtala Muhammed’s deficiency has been detected. His government is now overthrown by the young revolutionaries. Any attempt to foil these plans from any quarters will be met with death. Everyone should be calm. Please stay by your radio for further announcements. All borders, air and sea ports are closed until further notice. Curfew is imposed from 6am to 6pm. Thank you. We are all together.”

As the morning wore on, Dimka was practically on his own, only holding on to the radio station from where he continued to broadcast martial music and his announcement overthrowing Mohammed to the great displeasure of Danjuma. By 2 p.m. Babangida had arrived Ikoyi with his armoured column. Why Danjuma chose Babangida for the role of ousting Dimka has remained a matter of much speculation especially given insinuations that the two men were friendly. However, Babangida proceeded with military alacrity in his task. In a move that has won him much accolade, Babangida reportedly approached Dimka without arms supposedly to persuade him. Whatever he told Dimka may have made the coup leader to realise that the end was there for him and it was not too long that day that armoured tanks moved to force him out. However, Dimka controversially slipped out of the building and escaped reportedly first to Jos before heading South towards the Southeast State, particularly to Afikpo where he had a popular girlfriend called Ugo.

38—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016

A conspiracy on the plateau? THREE of the most known suspects apprehended over the aborted coup were erstwhile commissioner for defence, Major-General Illiya Bisala, the ringleader Lt. Col. Bukar Dimka and the erstwhile military governor of

the former Benue-Plateau State, Mr. Joseph Gomwalk. Interestingly, they were all from the defunct Benue Plateau State, where most of those involved in the uprising came from. state was created alongside others in 1967. Gomwalk’s is generally acclaimed to have laid most of the infrastructure underpinning the development of the now defunct Benue Plateau State. He is also believed to have laid the foundations for the tourism potentials that are ascribed to Jos, the capital city. He initiated the University of Jos first as a campus of the University of Ibadan, reportedly after the nearby Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria spurned his entreaties, and also set up the Daily Standard, a newspaper that at its peak was reckoned all over Nigeria with daily circulation reportedly above 100,000.

Inability to mobilse troops

•Dimka

Joseph Gomwalk: The policeman who left a legacy •Dimka

Bukar Dimka: Adventurist to the end By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

T. Col. Bukar Suka Dimka, the putative leader of the military adventurers of 40 years ago had been commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1963 with much promise. He was one of two Nigerian Army officers to have been trained among other international cadets in Australia. However, his inclination towards military adventure not too long after his 12 months training in Australia surfaced when the then Lt. Dimka became a ringleader in the July 1966 coup.

Dimka’s participation Then a lieutenant he had as accomplices other officers who subsequently rose to fame such as 2nd Lt. Sanni Abacha, Lt. Muhammadu B, among many others. Dimka’s participation in the coup was uncontroverted and it was no surprise that a day after it failed, he was declared

C M Y K

wanted. One of the intelligence materials used in searching out for him was his chronic womanizing and it was no surprise that his dalliance with a woman in Afikpo, now in Ebonyi State led to his capture not too far away along Afikpo – Abakaliki Road on March 5 and transferred to Lagos. Dimka’s mental frame became an issue for many especially when on Coup Day, he declared a Dawn to Dusk curfew in a rambling and incoherent coup speech. Dimka was believed to have tapped into the sentiments of his Plateau kin arising from the overthrow of Gen. Yakubu Gowon to feed his own fantasy for military adventurism. Even under trial his coherence became an issue and his confession which allegedly implicated Gen. Gowon, Mr. Joseph Gomwalk and Gen. Illiya Bisala has been the source of conspiracy theorists ever since. He was publicly executed in Kirikiri Prison, Lagos on May 15, 1976.

R. Joseph Gomwalk was one of the major figures implicated in the aborted overthrow of the military administration in 1976. He, however, consistently pleaded his innocence till he was executed by firing squad

on May 15, 1976. Though a policeman who rose through to become a Commissioner of Police, he had been tapped by the then head of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon to become military governor of Benue-Plateau State when the

However, like many senior officials of the Yakubu Gowon administration, he was alleged to have made illicit gains in office, though no firm case was ever made against him. Those who claimed he was involved in the coup allege that he was moved by sentiments against the removal of Gen. Gowon, a fellow Benue-Plateau man as military head of state, however, no firm case was ever publicly made to show his participation in the coup especially given his inability to mobilse troops given the fact that he was a policeman. Had he lived he would have been 81 in April.

General Iliya Bisalla: Conspiracy continues

AJOR General Iliya Bisalla was the most senior officer implicated in the coup attempt. He was also at the time of the coup, the commissioner for defence, (Minister for Defence) and had held senior command positions including General Officer Commanding of the strategic 1 Division, of the Nigerian Army with headquarters in Kaduna.

Military prosecutors Given that the trial was conducted in secret, evidence implicating Bisalla allegedly made by Dimka was never made open. Military prosecutors alleged that Bisalla facilitated

operational orders for the execution of the coup, a claim that was, however, countered by Dimka who claimed another officer provided the order. Sentimental evidence that Bisalla was miffed at being passed over for the position of Head of State after the removal of Gowon and also being passed over for position •Bisalla: of Army Chief were also never subjected to the rigour of acceptable judicial

interrogation outside the secret military tribunals that tried and convicted him.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016—39

By Clifford Ndujihe, Deputy Political Editor

RGUABLY, late General Murtala Ramat Mohammed, Nigeria’s fourth head of state, is one of the country’s most popular rulers. He came to power on a promising note, showed readiness to deliver and was taken out of power when the ovation was loudest. The 198 days he spent in office were eventful and loaded with activities that strategically shaped and are still shaping the affairs of the nation 40 years after. His low profile and flamboyance-shunning approach to governance; zero tolerance for graft, ineptitude and laxity; and resolution of issues with despatch, which has come to be known as ‘military alacrity,’ endeared to him to most Nigerians but also won for him, strident critics and enemies, who opposed his style. Murtala Mohammed mounted the saddle of leadership on July 30, 1975 but was killed less than seven months later in an abortive coup of February 13, 1976. But before his assassination, Murtala Mohammed had left his footprints on the sands of time.

Murtala Muhammed’s 198 days of action readiness for the return to civil rule. Panels were set up to advise on assets investigation of some former public officers, abandoned properties in the three Eastern States, the location of the Federal Capital and creation of more states. The administration announced a ‘low profile policy for public officers and he chose to stay at his home in Ikoyi rather than move into the more fortified Dodan Barracks residence. He occasionally startled observers by showing up at many places such as the Polo ground without protection. In the weeks leading to his assassination he was warned to be more cautious but he brushed aside all admonitions. A simple leader with populist ideas, Murtala Mohammed had no speeding convoys. He refused

Crucial decisions Benefiting from the toppling of General Yakubu Gowon, on account of failure to meet the expectations of Nigerians, reneging on returning power to civilians, ruling the country without consultation, neglecting the armed forces and being insensitive to the yearnings of Nigerians among others, Murtala Mohammed had before him urgent and crucial decisions to take. And that he did with despatch in an unmistakable manner. Beginning with his first broadcast, Mohammed announced a series of initiatives, which he pursued with a dizzying speed. The initial decisions include: Retirement of Gowon, then serving military governors and some members of the Armed Forces with immediate effect; reorganizing the structure of the Federal Government into three organs - the Supreme Military Council, National Council of States and Federal Executive Council; promise to review the political programme and to set up panels on the question of new states and the federal capital; and cancellation of the controversial 1973 population census and reversion to the 1963 census among others. He was to follow up with more concrete steps. He announced plans for an orderly return to civilian rule by October 1, 1979. He appointed a 50-man Constitution Drafting Committee headed by Chief Rotimi Williams, to hammer out a new constitution for the country in

His low profile and flamboyanceshunning approach to governance; zero tolerance for graft, ineptitude and laxity; and resolution of issues with despatch, which has come to be known as ‘military alacrity,’ endeared to him to most Nigerians

•Mohammed heavily-armed security details and preferred to stay in the traffic with his ‘fellow Nigerians’ until it eased. Creation of seven states: He set up a panel headed by Justice Ayo Irikefe on the creation of seven more states (Niger, Bauchi, Gongola, Benue, Ogun, Imo and Bendel) to the 12 existing ones on December 22, 1975. The panel came up with a report which was utilized in the formation of new states in 1976. Making Abuja new Federal Capital Territory: To give the country a befitting capital as Lagos was becoming overcrowded, Mohammed set in motion plans to build a new Federal Capital Territory. He set up a panel headed by Justice Akinola Aguda, which chose Abuja ahead of other proposed locations. On February 3, 1976, 10 days before he was killed, he made an announcement that the Federal Capital would be moved to a ‘federal territory of about 8,000 square kilometres in the central part of the country.’ Civil service purge He removed top federal and state officials to break links with

FOR DIMKA, GOMWALK FAMILIES: By Marie-Therese Nanlong, with agency report

AMILY members of the late Col. Bukar Suka Dimka and Mr. Joseph Gomwalk who were implicated and executed for their alleged roles in the abortive coup of February 13, 1976 would want the period to pass off possibly without reference to them. The 40th anniversary of the 1976 coup is even more troubling for the Dimkas given recent calamities that befell the extended family. Remarkably, a leading member of the family who preferred to speak on the condition of anonymity expressed unhappiness for being reminded of the incident. “Why remind us of the tragedy 40 years after it occurred? We are

trying to forget the past and move on but you are trying to add to our grief. “Anyone who is 40 years now should be looking forward not backward. “The unfortunate incident happened, the children have grown up and are trying to forget and it is not fair for us to be reminded of such a sad incident 40 years after. “We have moved on, people should understand that and let us be. No one wants to dwell on sad issues all the time.” However, a son of the late Gomwalk, Dunka Gomwalk, a Jos based pastor like many of his fellow citizens from Plateau State continues to plead his father’s innocence. “I honestly believe my dad never did something like that.

the Gowon regime and to restore public confidence in the Federal Government. He went on sack more than 10,000 public officials and employees on account of age, health, incompetence, malpractice or corruption. The purge affected the civil service, judiciary, police and armed forces, diplomatic service, public corporations, and universities. Some officials were tried for graft. Demobilisation of 100,000 troops: Although unpopular within the military, Mohammed embarked on the demobilization of 100,000 troops from the swollen ranks of the armed forces. Implemented diarchy: Mohammed also operated diarchical system of government by incorporating civilians. Twelve of the 25 ministerial posts on the new Federal Executive Council went to civilians even though the cabinet was secondary to the executive Supreme Military Council. Entrenching unitarism, media control: The Federal Government took over the operation of the country’s two largest newspapers – Daily Times ans New Nigerian,

made broadcasting a federal monopoly, and brought remaining state-run universities under federal control. Other achievements: Murtala Mohammed initiated a comprehensive review of the Third National Development Plan. He announced that his government would encourage the rapid expansion of the private sector into areas dominated by public corporations. He reappraised foreign policy, stressing a “Nigeria first” orientation in line with OPEC price guidelines that was to the disadvantage of other African countries. Nigeria became “neutral” rather than “nonaligned” in international affairs. The shift in orientation became apparent with respect to Angola. Nigeria had worked with the OAU to bring about a negotiated reconciliation of the warring factions in the former Portuguese colony, but late in 1975 Murtala Muhammed announced Nigeria’s support for the Sovietbacked Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola, citing South Africa’s armed intervention on the side of the rival National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA).

Dreams and projects The realignment strained relations with the United States, which argued for the withdrawal of Cuban troops and Soviet advisers from Angola. In October, the Nigerian Air Force took delivery of Soviet-built aircraft that had been ordered under Gowon. However, he did not live long enough to realise most of his lofty dreams and projects. Murtala Mohammed was killed, aged 37, along with his Aide-De-Camp (ADC), Lieutenant Akintunde Akinsehinwa in his black Mercedes Benz saloon car on, February 13, 1976 in an abortive coup attempt led by Lt. Col Buka Suka Dimka, when his car was ambushed while en route his office at Dodan Barracks, Lagos.

Let this cup pass over He loved humanity as expressed in his work, he couldn’t have done such a horrible thing. “As far as leadership is concerned, I’m proud of him. Though he was not a perfect man as no one is but he tried setting good examples for others to follow as seen when he led the Benue-Plateau State.

Memorial events “Though I was a very young person at that time but I find it difficult to believe that my dad took part in killing anybody, he did his best for the country and the testimonies abound in the areas where he governed,” he told Vanguard in an interview.

Pastor Gomwalk’s plea is also echoed by several groups on the plateau including the National Association of Ngas Students, NANGS which has yearly held memorial events to press the demand. Ann Suwa, NANGS President, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Pankshin, Plateau last year, urged the Federal Government to consider state pardon for the late military governor. “When you look at his legacies, you could see a great man worthy of honour, praises and emulation,” Suwa said. “And to come to know that for all these years, the government has not granted him national pardon, it’s very unfair and saddening.” C M Y K

40 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12 , 2016

C M Y K

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016—41

Guiding yyour our ttounge ounge is ibadah

Jumada Al-Awwal 3, 1437 A.H.

Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo exchanging pleasantries with Executive Director, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation (ZSF) Imam Abdullahi Shuaib during a visit by The Muslim Congress (TMC) to the Vice President at Aso Villa, Abuja. With them are former Deputy Presidents of TMC and University of Lagos (UNILAG) Senior lecturers, Dr Tajudeen Yusuf (right) and Dr Ismail Ibrahim.

Tributes to Late Mallam Yaya Abubakar BY QASIM AKINRETI

N life, death is a necessary end, it will come when it will come, and so for Mallam Yaya Abubakar, a former director general of Voice of Nigeria (VON), death came to him at 73. Late Mallam Yaya Abubakar, was a prominent broadcaster , from Bauchi in Bauchi state , North central Nigeria. An alumni of University of Lagos, his foray into Broadcasting saw him rising to the managerial positions at the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA Bauchi in the 1980s and NTA Network in the 1990s. As a manager and broadcast strategist, he was the pioneer chairman of Gombe Media Corporation and Chairman of Board of Trustees of Bauchi State Television (BATV). Mallam Yaya rise to stardom in the broadcasting sector came first as the DIrector News at the NTA Network center , Ahmadu Bello way , Victoria Island,Lagos. He created Newsline , a Pan Nigeria News Feature programme where the likes of Frank Olise ,Lola Ogunbambi, Abike Dabiri Erewa,Late Sella Radiri and others took the television broadcasting to Nigerian home with dexterity and high sense of humour, the Programme became a Sunday tonic for viewers across Nigeria. The success of Mallam Yaya Abubakar at NTA arguably was the fillip to his appointment as Director General, Voice of Nigeria ,VON, in 1991, when the international broadcasting outfit was carved out from the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria,FRCN, external service. As a pioneer DG of VON, he

ensures ,the international station stand his foot in the comity of external broadcasters globally. he worked with the best brains in the radio broadcasting in nigeria including late Tunji Oseni, as Director News,Engineer Ugwu, director of Engineering. Others are Mallam Saulawa, Director Programmes,Muhammed Okerejior,Director News after the exit of Oseni and Engineer Odunsi, who took over from Engineer Ugwu after his retirement. Due to his passion for international broadcasting, Mallam Yaya Abubakar monitor or listen to every broadcast on his station and can easily track the performance of his News and Programmes staff. Aside from this, his style was to walk into the newsroom incognito and reward commitment to duty without any fear or favour. To accentuate his love for international broadcasting, late Yaya Abubakar ensure that a foremost textbook on international or external broadcasting from Nigerian and African perspective was published in partnership with Dr Justin Labinjo,after a two day international conference on the role of external broadcasting to Foreign policy at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs,NIIA,Lagos. The book was entitled “The Challenges of External Broadcasting”, published by Sola Prints In 1994. The book had remained a reference research material for student of Mass communication on international or external broadcasting at the tertiary level globally. Interestingly, too Mallam Yaya Abubakar groomed his successors to the exulted position of Director General Voice of Nigeria. He first brought Mr Taiwo Alimi as a

Consultant to the corporation. Coincidentally, Mr Taiwo Alimi succeeded him a chief executive in 1999 to 2003. Mallam Abubakar Jijiwa was brought from the News Agency of Nigeria, as Director Finance and Administration. He also became the VON DG from 2003 to 2015. He had always used every opportunity to correct any infractions in the broadcasting industry especially certain developments in NTA and VON , two notable terrains where he served his fatherland meritoriously. Mallam Yaya complained about the logo of NTA and the change of NTA. He equally advice VON management to revert to its original logo changed during the tenure of Mr Taiwo Alimi, at the management retreat in the Administrative staff College of Nigeria,ASCON, Badagry. The late seasoned broadcaster and administrator per excellence was rewarded handsomely by the VON management naming a well furnished pent house at the Broadcasting House ,Voice of Nigeria,Lagos in his honour during the era of Mallam Abubakar Jijiwa. Mallam Yaya Abubakar was a Member of the Board of the Nigeria Press Council and Commonwealth Broadcasting Association.He attended the Royal Institute of Public Administration and bagged a Diploma in Public Administration in 1982. He is also a recipient of a Certificate in Policy and Strategic Studies from the Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos in the year 1988. May Allah grant him Aljanah Firdaos.

LL praises for Allah Who has honored man and has created him in the best of forms. Praise for Allah Who has endowed man with the ability to speak with his tongue as one of His greatest bounties. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, the only God Who has no partner. In the Divine Book, Allah, the Exalted, has endowed us with words we utter in order to communicate with each other, express our feelings, and reveal our intentions. The tongue is a great endowment of Allah which may be used to praise and thank Him for which one earns reward. Allah, the Exalted says:”Have we not made for him two eyes, And a tongue and two lips?”(90:8-9-). So, Whoever wishes to speak should reflect before saying anything. If any benefit is found, then let him speak. Otherwise, let him remain silent.” Some words may earn us the greatest reward and others may lead to the worst punishment. The tongue has either power of good or bad. Allah has ordained Muslim not to belittle the value of his words, and not to utter words of no use or have no control over his speech or his ability to foresee the repercussions of his saying. Allah, the Exalted, says:”Not a word does he (or she) utter but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).”(50:18). Allah has praised the believers who refrain from vain pursuits (curiosity), gossip and backbiting. In His divine revelation, Allah says:” and those who avoid vain talks”(23:3). It takes few words to build, love each other and strengthen unity. It also takes a few words to destroy and cause chaos and permanent enemies. Every human being will account for what ever he had said to either build or destroy relationship. The power of speech has the ability to wreak havoc upon entire communities. The tongue has so much power because of its ability to lead to action, whether it is the individual speaking, or others who are listening. So, whoever wishes to speak should reflect before saying anything. If any benefit is found, then let him speak. Otherwise, let him remain silent. Communication entails a big responsibility requiring everyone of us to think and reflect on the far reaching consequences before uttering any word, especially those who are engaged in thoughts that may spread, or may impact people’s life. It has been narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) was asked:”O Messenger of Allah, which of the Muslims is best?” and he said’”He who the Muslims are safe from his tongue and his hand.” Islam reminds us that the tongue is like a loaded weapon: the safety latch should always be on. Muslim scholars throughout time have warned us about the dangers of misfiring the tongue, something that almost everyone has been guilty of. One of the qualities of a believer is the ability to refrain from vain talk. Allah also mentions refraining from vain talk after he mentions al-Khushoo’. This is because too much talk makes the heart hard. It is not possible to reach the level of Khushoo’ (fear of Allah) unless one refrains from vain talk. Remember that Allah says: “Not a word is said except that there is a watcher by him ready to record it.” Q50:18. An-Nawawi, (may Allah be pleased with him) says “Know it is incumbent upon all to guard their tongues from most speech, except a word that has some benefit in it....” - Kitaabul-Adhkaar Apart from An-Nawawi, other hadiths related copious warnings of the Prophet on guiding one’s utterance. The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said, “Guard your tongue, stay in your homes and weep over your sins.” - Related by Ibn Mubarak in az-Zuhd (no.134), Musnad Ahmed bin Hambal (5/259), Sunan at-Tirmidhi (2531) and authenticated by alAlbaanee in as-Saheehah (no.890) Continues on page 43

From Left; Mrs Kikilola Agbetuyi, Chief Nursing Officer, Burns & Trauma Lasult Annex Gbagada; Alhaja Azeezat Salaudeen, Cordinator women Health NASFAT; Dr Lateef Temitayo Lawal, Medical Director/ CEO, Orthopedic surgeon,General Hospital Gbagada, Lagos; Dr Ishola Ajibola Fatai,Consultant Autopedic Lasult Annex; Alhaja Samiat Omolara Mumuni, National Women Affairs Secretary NASFAT; Mrs Famakinwa Ronke, Head of Admin, burns and trauma Lasult Annex and Mrs Odunuga Adetoro, Store Officer, Gbagada General Hospital Lagos, during a presentation of medical equipment by NASFAT women to the hospital recently. PHOTO;AKEEM SALAU

42 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12 , 2016

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IKERU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ikeru Miracle Ngozi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Elibe Miracle Ngozi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Addition of Name PROMISE—I, formerly known and addressed as Kelechi Uwaezuoke, now wish to be known and addressed as Kelechi Promise Mercy Uwaezuoke. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OJIRI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ojiri Emeteruviee Reine, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Apianpian Reine Awoviebe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

O G H O N O — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Regina Onajome Oghono, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Regina Onajome Nwabueze. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, DELSU, embassy and general public please take note.

ASSAGBA—I, formerly known and addressed as Thomas Boga Assagba, now wish to be known and addressed as Thomas Wilson. All former documents remain valid. Union Bank, Ecobank and general public please take note.

ADHARAEFE—We, formerly known and addressed as Adharaefe Johnbull Onoriode, Adharaefe Evelyn Ewoma, Adharaefe Ufouma Daniel, Adharaefe Fiona Orevaoghene and Adharaefe Uzezi Tiffany, now wish to be known and addressed as Dominic John Onoriode, Dominic Evelyn Ewoma, Dominic Ufouma Daniel, Dominic Fiona Orevaoghene and Dominic Uzezi Tiffany. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AJIBADE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adebukola Edith Ajibade, now wish to be known and addressed as Adebukola Edith Ibhadore. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OYAOSHO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ifeoluwa Bukola Oyaosho, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ifeoluwa Bukola Ajimotokan. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, banks, embassy and general public please take note.

GODWIN—I, formerly known and addressed as Malachy Godwin Ezike, now wish to be known and addressed as Malachy Chukwudi Ezike. All former documents remain valid. Access Bank, Union Bank, UBA and general public please take note.

EGWUENU—I, formerly known and addressed as Monday Chiedu Egwuenu, now wish to be known and addressed as Monday Chiedu Jibunor-Egwuenu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IREOBHUDE—I, formerly known and addressed as Ireobhude Itouha Maryann, now wish to be known and addressed as Apemiye Itouha Maryann. All former documents remain valid. Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, NYSC and general public please take note.

EBINUM—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ebinum Nkem Seraiah, now wish to be known and addressed as Barr (Mrs.) Nkem Seha Agofure. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NDA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Mkponghojah Idongesit Nda, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mkponghojah Ukeme Umoren. All former documents remain valid. UNIUYO, NYSC and general public please take note.

E H I C H OYA — I , formerly known and addressed as Ehichoya Joy Eghonghon, now wish to be known and addressed as Oriazowanlen Ehichoya Joy Eghonghon. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name These names; Muruako Kelechi Cajetan and Muruako Joel Okey belong to the same person, but now wish to be known and addressed as Muruako Kelechi Cajetan. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EMEM—I, formerly known and addressed as Emem Essien Asuquo, now wish to be known and addressed as Emessien Osiri. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ATTAH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Attah Oluchukwu Martha, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ndu Martha Oluchukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name This is to confirm that in some of my documents my name was written as Sylvester Daniels, and some as Sylvester Isibor, but now wish to be known and addressed as Isibor Sylvester Daniels. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Addition of Name AYOOLA—I, formerly known and addressed as Odetola Lawrence, now wish to be known and addressed as Pastor Odetola Lawrence Ayoola. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name These names; Eboge Culson Monday and Monday Culson belong to the same person, and now wish to be known and addressed as Monday Culson. All former documents remain valid. Wema Bank, Zenith Bank and general public please take note.

FAYANJUOLA—We, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Fayanjuola Oluwole Gideon and Mrs. Fayanjuola Bolanle Esther, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Oluyanjuola Gideon Oluwole and Mrs. Oluyanjuola Bolanle Esther. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name This is to confirm that Adeyeri Barnabas Oluwatobi and Adeyeri Oluwatimileyin Banabas belong to the same person, and now wish to be known and addressed as Adeyeri Oluwatimileyin Banabas. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

LAWAL—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Lawal Muyibat Toyin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olabode Muyibat Toyin. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016—43

Vanguard CLASSIFIED CECILIA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogar Cecilia Ukongbum, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ibiam Cecilia Ukongbum. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ORIRUO—I, formerly known and addressed as Ejumejowo Oriruo Orison, now wish to be known and addressed as Ejumejowo Oriruo Glorison. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ALLAHYABUDA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Lefiti Allahyabuda, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Lefiti Esther Genesis. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

A D E B AYO — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Adebayo Yetunde Taofeeqat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Raji Yetunde Taofeeqat. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

YUSUF—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Yusuf Esther Abiodun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Matanmi Esther Abiodun. All former documents remain valid. Banks, academician and general public please take note.

OMOLASO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunyemi Mary Omolaso, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogunyemi Mariam Omolaso Odemuyiwa. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OJO—I, formerly known and addressed as Ojo Joseph Bolanle, now wish to be known and addressed as Ogunmola Joseph Bolanle. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

M A R I A N — I , formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Marian Kikelomo Adebo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Moriamo Kikelomo Adebo. All former documents remain valid. LSUBEB, First Bank and general public please take note.

GANIKALE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Abibat Ganikale, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abibat Bello. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IKECHUKWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Joel Ikechukwu Moses, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Joel Nwakwu Moses. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKERE—I, formerly known and addressed as Oliver Nwaorgu Okere, now wish to be known and addressed as Oliver Nwaorgu Ezekwem. All former documents remain valid. Ogun State University, Ago Iwoye, Faculty of Law, NOUN and general public please take note.

OJONJOKU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ojonjoku Oluchi Vivian, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Theophilus Oluchi Vivian All former documents remain valid. Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Portharcourt; NYSC and general public please take note.

TSEWINOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Tsewinor, Oluwafunmilola Omorinola, now wish to be known and addressed as E y e o y i b o , Oluwafumilola Eyitemi Omorinola. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EGBOKA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Egboka Ndidiamaka Jacinta, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. O b i d i g w e Ndidiamaka Jacinta. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

BRIAN—I, formerly known and addressed as Erowo Brian Ataiku, now wish to be known and addressed as Erowo Jethro Ataiku. All former documents remain valid. Banks, embassies and general public take note.

O L AY I N K A — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Fawekun Olayinka Mopesola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oni Olayinka Mopesola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OKEOMA—I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Ugonne Lyn Okeoma, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Ugonne Emily Ezuma-Ngwu. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

PAU L - L AWA L — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss P a u l - L a w a l Oyindamola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ugbebor Oyindamola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MERIBOLE—I, formerly known and addressed ad Miss Blossom Ifeyinwa Meribole, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Blossom Ifeyinwa Clement A. Anyanwu. All former documents remain valid. Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and general public take.

C H I N WA H— I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwabuhoma Betty Chinwah, now wish to.known and addressed as Mrs. Nwabuhoma Betty Ake. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHAPELE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chapele Okeoghene, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Lori Okeoghene. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EJENUGBOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ejenugbor Faith Otejiri, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Agofure Faith Otejiri. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

O S I S AT E C H — I , formerly known and addressed as Regina Onoriode Osisatech, now wish to be known and addressed as Onoriode Deborah. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EDUVIERE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss E d u v i e r e Ogheneochuko Mary, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mary Ogheneochuko Eyube. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

M U K O R O — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Grace Ese Mukoro, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Grace Vincent Mukoro Okeh. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OVIE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ovie Iroro Sandra, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oroboha Iroro Sandra. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKPE—I, formerly known and addressed as Grace Okpe, now wish to be known and addressed as Grace Obemeata Aloye. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKUGBERE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okugbere Joy, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ukori Elohor Joy. All former documents remain valid, the general public to please take note.

EBRUKA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ebruka Okey Vera, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. David Oji Vera. All former documents remain valid,NYSC, and the general public to take note.

Confirmation of Name These names, Otame Omekudo Solomon and Solomon O. Omekus belong to the same person but now wish to be known and addressed as Otame Omekudo Solomon. All former documents remain valid, F i r s t b a n k , Zenith bank and the general public to take note.

ABUBAKAR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nafisat Wegi Abubakar, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nafisat Wegi Ibrahim. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHARLES—I, formerly known and addressed as Akareko Charles, now wish to be known and addressed as Akareko Meshack. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ADEGBITE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adegbite Adewumi Suliat, now wish to be known as Mrs AkinFadeyi Adewumi Faustina. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ONUZURIKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Onuzurike Chiamaka Blessing, now wish to be known as Mrs. Ezeani Chiamaka Blessing. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

USELU —I, formerly known and addressed as Uselu Obus Richead and Uselu Obukohwo, now wish to be known and addressed as Uselu Obukohwo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

E G B I K UA D J E — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Christabel Ovoke .M. Egbikuadje, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ugherughe .M. Christabel Ovoke. All former documents remain valid. Canada Immigration Service and general public please take note.

IBRAHIM—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Alimotu Ibrahim, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Alimotu Enakpoya. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EMEDE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Emede Faith Oghenewhogaga, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ukane Faith Oghenewhogaga. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

E M E C H E TA — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Chika Louimarie Emecheta, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Chika Louimarie Daniel. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name This is to confirm that the name Amadi Amadi Teddy, Chibuenyi and Amadi Teddy Chibuenyi belong to the same person but now wish to be known and addressed as Amadi Teddy Chibuenyi. All former documents remain valid. General public to take note.

IGBOZURUIKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss I g b o z u r u i k e Chinonso Favour, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs John Chinonso Favour. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

DIBUA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Dibua Precious Chidimma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Amuchie Precious Chidimma. All former documents remain valid. UNN, NYSC and general public please take note.

44 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12 , 2016

Vanguard CLASSIFIED VURE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Vure Popbia Edith, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Meebari Popbia Edith. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

O K PA L L A — I formerly known and addressed as Miss Uchenna Janet Onyinyechi Okpalla, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs.Uchenna Janet Onyinyechi Ike. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UROM— I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ruth Rajuno Urom, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ruth Rajuno Osborn Ojighoro. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKORO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okoro Amarachi Stella, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okparaocha Amarachi Stella. All former documents remain valid. Eco Bank and the general public please take note.

WARIBO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Waribo Grace Oluchi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Imohi Grace Oluchi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AMADI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Amadi Lilian Nnendia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Alex Lilian Nnendia. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ONUIGBO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Onuigbo Precious Oluchi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Williams Precious Oluchi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

GBADEGESIN—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Gbadegesin Bukola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Bukola Balogun Joshua. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NWOSU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwosu Chinyere Rosemary, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. M a d u a b u c h i Chinyere Rosemary Emeka. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGBEVIRE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogbevire Igbinigie Oghenevwaire Enita, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ighorhiowhunu Oghenevwaire Enita. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OCHI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ochi Adaeze Martina, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Amadi Adaeze Martina. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EZEOKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezeoke Joyce Ihechiluru, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nwaigwe Joyce Ihechiluru Uzoma. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IJOMAH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ijomah Gift Chinyere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Fortunes Gift Chinyere. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Cofirmation of Name A L I M O N U — I formerly known and addressed as Alimonu Fortune Lucky, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Fortunes Lucky Fortune. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NWOSU—I, formerly known as Miss Nwosu Chioma Jennifer, now wish to be known as Mrs Chuka Chioma Jennifer. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

OJO—I, formerly known as Ojo Abosede Oyebukola, now wish to be known as Adenipebi Abosede Oyebukola. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ONYENANKEYA—I, formerly known as Augustina Chinonso Onyenankeya, now wish to be known as Augustina Chinonso Ukaegbu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Names This is to confirm that the names Efeme Saint and Efeme Innocent refer to one and the same person - me, but I now wish to be known, called and addressed as Efeme Innocent. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

SANUSI—I, was formerly known, called and addressed as Miss Sanusi Oluwakemi, but I now want to be known, called addressed as Mrs. Oluwakemi Ubiahwe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

A D E B O WA L E — I , was formerly known, called and addressed as Miss Adebowale Monisola Olusola, but I now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Onabajo Monisola Olusola. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EDIM—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Philomena Johnson Edim, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Philomena Ebey Okey. All former documents remain valid. REA, Rural Electrification Agency and general public please take note.

Confirmation of Name This is to certify that Eni, Bassey Abam and Abam Esther Bassey refer to one and the same person. All former documents remain valid. First Bank of Nigeria, Stanbic IBTC Bank and general public please take note.

PETER—I, formerly known and addressed as Ezenwa Okwuchukwu Peter, now wish to be known and addressed as E z e n w a Okwuchukwu Okechukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

SALUBI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Salubi Efe Akpesiri, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Kekeje Akpesiri. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ROBERTS—I, formerly

MOSES—I, formerly

please take note.

MBAEKWE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chinwendu Mary Mbaekwe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chinwendu Mary Uzochukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

please take note.

ESABUNOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Esabunor Evelyn Vonemor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olugbo Evelyn Vonemor. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OWHO—I, formerly known and addressed as Tony Owho Prince, now wish to be known and addressed as Owhojivwiogor Anthony Prince. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ETUK—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Etuk Itorobong Ejiro, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Umukoro Itorobong Ejiro. All former documents remain valid. Bells University, Ota, NYSC and general public please take note.

O K O C H A — I , formerly known and addressed as Okocha Raphael, now wish to be known and addressed as Odogun Raphael. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

N WA N G W U — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwangwu Paschaline Onyinyechi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Isaac Paschaline Onyinyechi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ODOGU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Odogu Sandra, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Idama Onomeragwa Sandra. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OZUEM—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ozuem Anwuli Joyce, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Joyce Anwuli Achi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

N N AT UA N YA — I , formerly known and addressed as Ejike Sunday Nnatuanya, now wish to be known and addressed as Ejike Sunday Muolokwu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

A G H E D O — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Aghedo Cynthia Chizoba, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okpidi Cynthia Chizoba. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

DESI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Independence Roseline Desi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oyaye Independence Roseline. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MUSA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Joy Otini Musa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Joy Otini Eloho Oruoghorie. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OBUKOHWO—I, formerly known and addressed as Obukohwo Emamuzo Christiana, now wish to be known and addressed as Odhura Emamuzo Christiana. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name I, Ogbapu Destiny Atu do hereby confirm that the name Ogbapu Atugburuza O. refers to one and same me. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ONWUASOANYA— I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Amaka C h i n y e r e Onwuasoanya, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Amaka Chinyere Nwafor. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

PIGIBO—I, formerly known and addressed as Bokolo Ayebaemi Pigibo, now wish to be known and addressed as Daniel Ayebaemi Bokolo. All former documents remain valid. Diamond bank PLC and general public please take note.

known and addressed as Roberts Daniel, now wish to be known and addressed as Enadimo Daniel. All former documents remain valid. General public

known and addressed as Igorki Moses, now wish to be known and addressed as Igorki Silas.

All

former

documents remain valid. General public

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016—45

Vanguard CLASSIFIED

public please take note.

O N A H O R — I , formerly known and addressed as Vera Onahor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ugwhudjarho Vera Omonor. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

U G W UA D U — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Ugwuadu Chibuzor Marian, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. N w o g a l a n y a Chibuzor Marian. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKOHROH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okohroh Jemima OgheneoyomeOghenekomeoro, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onodjaine J e m i m a OgheneoyomeOghenekomeoro. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

N N O R O M — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Stephanie Olachi Nnorom, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Stephanie Olachi Uchenna. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ODHEHOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Philomena Oghale Odhehor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Philomena Oghale Igbunu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IBINI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Emueje Voke Ibini, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Emueje Voke Okpoji. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKEKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okeke C h i k a o d i l i Marylilian, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. C h u k w u m a M a r y l i l i a n Chikaodili. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OMONGBALE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Stephanie Adesuwa Sunny Omongbale, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Stephanie Omongbale Oru. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

O N U K W U — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Onukwu Kikanwa Perpetual, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ijeh Kikanwa Perpetual. All former documents remain valid. Post Primary Education Board, Asaba and general public please take note.

OTALOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Otalor Mercy, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Diegbe Mercy. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OSAREMEWINDA— I, formerly known and addressed as Osaremewinda Gift, now wish to be known and addressed as Itoya Gift Ebosareme. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ADEOSUN—I, formerly known and addressed as Adeosun Esther Omolola, now wish to be known and addressed as Obani Esther Omolola. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ONYEKPE—I, formerly known and addressed as Onyekpe Kelvin, now wish to be known and addressed as Onyekpe Kelvin Chinonso. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Reconciliation of Names This is to confirm that the names Miriam Nkechi Mozie and Rose Mozie refer to one and the same person. I now wish to be known and addressed as Rose Mozie. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IBANGA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Emem Mfon Ibanga, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Emem Udeme Udosen. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NWOSIBE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluchi Nwosibe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oluchi Idahosa. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NYA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Margaret Sam Nya, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Margaret Christian Unahekong. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ESSIEN—I, formerly known and addressed as Essien Edet Okokon, now wish to be known and addressed as L i v i n g w o r d Livingword Okokon. All former documents remain valid. Guarantee Trust Bank, UBA and general public please take note.

IKEMSINACHI—I was formerly known as Ajali Ikemsinachi Isaac, now, I want to be known and addressed as Ajali Isaac Ngwoke. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKONKWO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okonkwo Nancy Ujunwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Okoligwe Nancy Ujunwa. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, ABSU and general public please take note.

MAUREEN—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Maureen Mirabel Ibude, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Maureen Mirabel Boi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UCHE—I, formerly known and addressed as Uche Emeka Sunday, now wish to be known and addressed as Uche C h i n e d u Nzubechukwu. All formal documents remain valid. First Bank and general public please take note.

ITIMI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Itimi Enifome Helen, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omoghene Enifome Helen. All former documents remain valid. Delta State University, Abaraka and general public take note.

CHIEJI—I, formerly known and addressed as Sunday Cyril Chieji, now wish to be known and addressed as Cyrilmary Abuchi. All former documents remain valid and general public please take note.

UZOUKWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Uzoukwu Maryrose Nkechi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Amobi Maryrose Nkechi. All formal documents remain valid. NYSC, Immigration Service and general public please take note.

Confirmation of Name This is to confirm that Igboeche Joyce Osemen and Joyce Okhiulu Williams is one person. All former documents remain valid. United Bank of Africa (UBA) and general public please take note.

E WAT O R E — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Ewatore Priscilia O g h e n e t e g a Owohobevuhe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Odhozor-Ewatore Priscilia Oghenetega Owohobevuhe. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OFORKAJA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oforkaja Paschaline Chinenye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Anujeonye Paschaline Chinenye. All former documents remain valid. National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and general public please take note.

MRAKPOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Klara Ediri Mrakpor, now wish to be known and addressed as Klara Ediri Okugbeni. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ELEKUEDE—I, formerly known and addressed as Elekuede Ogechi Annastecia, now wish to be known and addressed as Fidelis Ogechi Annastecia. All former documents remain valid. Union Bank, FCMB and general public please take note.

Confirmation of Name This is to confirm that Bashir Saidu and Saidu Yakubu is one person, but now wish to be known and addressed as Saidu Yakubu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGBOTOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Ogbotor T i v e r e Onosakponome, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Gabriel Tivere Onosakponome. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EYIDE—I, formerly known and addressed as Mercy Eyide, now wish to be known and addressed as Mercy Ighonmieyetan. All former

documents

remain valid. General

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FG ok ays MoU oka with NASCO Foods

By Emmanuel Elebeke

N keeping to its campaign promises of providing quality education in the country, Federal Government has signed a memorandum of understanding with Nasco Foods Limited, Jos for commercial production of high nutrient density biscuit for the national school feeding programme. Director General and CEO, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Dr. Mrs. Gloria Elemo, said the MoU was meant to provide a strategic guide for the collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi and Nasco Foods Limited, Jos on commercial production of High Nutrient Density Biscuit. The initiative was an innovation of FIIRO for the National School Feeding Programme in the spirit of the Public-Private Partnership promoted by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The FIIRO boss stated that the strategic collaboration was one of the approaches that the institute considered and adopted to partner with relevant organizations that can make' significant contributions to the realization of its mandate. ''This is based on the realization that an Instituteon its own cannot make the much desired impact without collaborating with relevant organizations. ‘‘Collaboration with strategic partners/organizations which could commercialize the Institute's many innovations.’’ With this collaboration, Elemo assured that jobs and wealth would be created, while the national GDP will be enhanced through the productive sector of the economy. She maintained that this was the way to go, especially ‘at this juncture of our national history when the nation is giving serious attention to utilization of indigenous technologies and the instrument of science and technology as a potent strategy to diversify the economy to provide alternative revenue sources.' According to the FIIRO boss, the development of the High Nutrient Density biscuit at the institute dated back to 2007, which was a key project under the Institute's Food and Nutrition Security Programme. The project she said was conceived out of the need to address the increasing food and insecurity which had become a major concern especially for children between the ages of 5 and 13 who are mainly primary school children. '

46 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016

World Cup qualifiers: Eaglets, T Flying Eagles get opponents F

IFA U-17 World Cup 2015 champions Golden Eaglets will play Niger Republic in the second round qualifiers for the 2017 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations while the Flying Eagles will face the winner of the first round clash between Congo DR and Burundi in May. The draws were conducted during the CAF Executive Committee meeting held on Friday, February 5, 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda. Seven teams will emerge from the qualifiers to join the hosts for the final tournaments early next year. The final tournament of the U-17 AFCON will be held from 2-16 April, 2017 in Madagascar, whilst the U-20 AFCON has been fixed for 26 February to 12 March 2017 in Zambia. The top four finishers

ELECOMS giants Globacom has terminated its association the Nigeria Professional Football League. The last sponsorship agreement which started in the 2012/ 2013 league season ended after the completion of the 2016 Super Four football tournament which was held in both Kaduna and Uyo. Globacom has been in the forefront of sport sponsorship in Nigeria since it commenced operations in 2003. During the period, the

Iheanacho Continues from BP called on his teammates to the treat the game like a Cup final. Ahead of the meeting at the Etihad, The Citizens are six points behind table-toppers Leicester City and will lose further ground on the leaders if they don’t get the needed result against Spurs. “We have to treat it like a cup final and give everything we have in the

S Tracking: Football action between Nigeria and Mali at the continental championship qualify to represent Africa at the respective FIFA World

Cups. The top four teams in Madagascar will represent Africa at the 2017 U17 World Cup in India.

equalling sixth time as he looks to complete a clean sweep of the Grand Slams this season. The Serbian has been the dominant force in the sport for some time and claimed three of the four major titles in 2015. However, Henman

game,” Iheanacho told Sky Sports News HQ. “They have quality players and are second in the league so we have to fight them right to the final whistle. “Everyone is sad that we lost last week and we have to put that behind us and move on. History was made that day but it’s not in our mind.” The 19-year-old Iheanacho has banged in eight goals this campaign, including two in the Premier League.

feels that the likes of Andy Murray and Roger Federer can still compete and will be able to bridge the gap this year. Henman said: “They can definitely challenge. Murray is at highest ranking in his career,

16 states begin battle for Ramat Cup

HE 2016 edition of the U-16 Boys football competition tagged Ramat Cup in honour of late Head of state, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed kicked Off on Wednesday in the ancient city of Kano. The tournament which has been facing some difficulties due to the security challenge in the country has16 states in attendance.

salary of N600,000 per month to Babangida as well as paying him bonus and allowances along with players of the Super Eagles. But in a surprise move apparently borne out of their red account, the NFF have written to inform the coach that henceforth they would no longer be responsible for his aide’s salary. An authentic source

Globacom spent over N8 billion to promote the Nigerian Premier League apart from the huge sums committed to sponsorship of the national teams and other sports sponsorships in the last 12 years. The League Management Company is expected to unfold a new multisponsorship arrangement which will see different companies

PORTS Editors from major national news publications were taken on a media tour of HS Media Group studio facilities at its headquarters in Oregun, Lagos on Thursday. The tour which was conducted by the Chairman of HS Media

he’s No. 2 in the world. He’s playing great tennis. “But obviously Djokovic is playing a little bit better at the moment.

Pinnick Continues from BP Sports Writers Association of Nigeria are still angry. SWAN has given Oliseh seven days ultimatum, to name its members he was referring to in his monologue. But Pinnick who was speaking on the NFF YouTube channel pleaded that Oliseh be given a second chance because of the closeness of the African Nations Cup qualifier against Egypt. “Oliseh’s apology is

Group, Taye Ige was aimed at acquainting the senior sports journalists with the modern broadcast facilities acquired by the company to boost quality television production. The tour took the editors round the five major ultramodern studios and top grade post production video editing suites in the complex. According to Ige: “This facility will provide services for five operational divisions of the company namely: HS Production and Marketing for independent television production, HS Teleport Services for satellite not enough. We need to make some repairs, make some fence mending, we need to talk to various stakeholders that were directly or indirectly affected by his rantings for example, SWAN – SWAN is so mad.” “SWAN has been a major platform for building football and sports generally in Nigeria. So, we need to appeal to SWAN, we need to appeal to their conscience, we need to make them understand that it is all about Nigeria. After SWAN we need to ap-

Ex-internationals

Oliseh Continues from BP

...Zenith, Etisalat may step in sponsoring the league through different platforms. Zenith Bank and telecommunication firm, Etisalat and the LMC are said to have entered into talks with regards to the sponsorship of the Nigeria Professional Football League. It remains to be seen if a deal will be struck before the start of the 2016 season on February 21.

Hotsports conducts Media tour of facilities

Djokovic will fall this season, says Henman F ORMER world number four Tim Henman believes that Novak Djokovic can be caught by the chasing pack this season. Djokovic has started 2016 positively by claiming the Australian Open for a record-

Glo ends NPFL sponsorship deal

from the Glass house informed Sports Vanguard last night that they do not have the wherewithal to continue with his aide’s salary and allowances. We further gathered that some people had raised eyebrows to the massive pay packet of the former wing wizard especially as he also partakes in the bonuses and allowances paid to the Super Eagles players. “Tijani’s pay was formerly put at N1.6 million but some NFF staff cried

out that even the Secretary General was not earning that much. It was now pegged at N600, 000 per month with the bonuses and allowances attached to it”, our source further stated. But all that has come to a stop as red-eyed NFF have informed the Chief Coach that they could no longer bear the burden of his aide’s payment. “If he wants to retain him, he can also pay him from his own pockets”, our source emphasized.

Continues from BP of gold. Speaking from his base in Holland where he claimed to he was speaking on-behalf of his former colleagues who are scattered all over Europe and America, Chike Arisa condemned Oliseh for pouring venom on Nigerians because they were criticising him. “We’re disappointed that a man who has benefited more from Nigeria will turn around to insult them. He knows that crit-

icism is part of the game. And successful coaches had lived with criticisms to achieve results. We’re more disappointed because he did not merit the job and should have shown humility instead of exposing himself,” Arisa said on our hotline. He however blamed Pinnick “for the rubbish” because he gave “a top job to a greenhorn who has not coached a club not to talk of handling the revered former African champions, the Super Eagles of Nigeria”.

broadcast and transmission, HS Sportsplus - a sports focused TV station, HS Studios for OB Vans and Production equipment for live coverages and HS TV College - a TV and media training school.” Ige also stated that with the state of the art equipment, the company is poise to maximum it’s target of churning out major television programmes that will highlight the Olympic Games, the EURO 2016 Championship in France the FIFA age-grade Women’s World Cup and a host of other major sports competitions this year. peal to the Technical Committee, they’ve done a thorough job, they wrote a simple letter requesting for a report and the response was rather appalling. They feel so slighted, they feel so hurt and of course they feel even betrayed by us, so we need to appeal to them. “Look at the calibre of people in the Technical Committee, you have Mutiu Adepoju, Christian Chukwu, Victor Ikpeba, Danladi, Fresh as the vice chairman and then my Brother Green. Shaibu Amodu, these are people that have contributed immensely to the development of the game; on and off the field of play,” said Pinnick. He admitted that Oliseh’s angry remarks have fractured relations. “We are in a kind of dilemma right now. And we must appeal to the members of the Nigeria Football Federation and to the backroom staff that were called names. “We also have to appeal to the Sports Ministry. Because if you are abusing the NFF you are also abusing the Nigerian Government. We also appeal to the financiers and sponsors.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016 —47

N one of your moves to check my naughty escapades you spanked me really hard and out of anger I grabbed a kitchen knife nearby, charged at you and you took to your heels. I went after you in a hot chase. It was a village setting and everywhere was serene. Only the stamping of our feet on the ground cut the air. Suddenly, I thought of myself, a kid chasing my senior whose massive frame ought to be enough to scare me stiff. It became funny to me and I stopped chasing you and started laughing. How can a little boy like me scare such a senior? I knew I was full of mischief but I didn’t know I could make you run. But I paid for my naivety and seeming rascal tendency. You quickly turned back, grabbed the knife from me and spanked me even harder. And when I had finished crying you comforted me and admonished me over my wrong doing. These are some of the interesting memories I have of our growing up. We were in the village where we sought refuge during the civil war. And when the war ended it was time to return to the city. Our father was one of the victims of the pogrom in the North. So mama trudged on, catering for us all. She had taken others to Enugu but you were mandated to go and bring me from the army barracks in another area far from our village. Was I in the army? No. You were not even of age to be in the army what more myself. And that was why the officers considered mama’s request to release you when you were conscripted into the army. They probably mistook your stature and took you for an adult and conscripted you into the army.

Manpass, our master saxophonist goes home today But mama made them release you and everybody was happy that you returned to safety. Joining the army then probably gave one 30 percent chance of living. Your frame earned you the sobriquet MANPASS, a short word for man pass man. In one way or the other we all fought the war and suffered it in one way or the other. And that’s why John Pepper Clark wrote that “the casualties are not only those who are dead, they are well out of it,” in his poem about the civil war, “The Casualties.” You went through difficulties to get me out of the barracks where I was serving an officer, who eventually did not return from the battle front. But the war had ended and we looked forward to a bright future. How we arrived Enugu from Aguobu Owa was unbelievable. A bike here and there and the long trek to Enugu in such difficult terrains that would not make anyone dream of war again what more considering it as an option

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Late

THOMAS

for any cause. War is not good. Growing up under the care of mama was challenging but she was an amazon and we all developed in our different ways. You pursued different endeavours and ended up in the entertainment industry. I was not surprised. Mama always told us how eloquent our grandfather was with the drums or gongs. When I saw you play at Nicon Hilton Abuja, I was proud of you. You played some tracks from James Brown whose saxophonist, Maceo, gave character to his music. And you truly played like Maceo. James Brown simply couldn’t do without Maceo. There were times James Brown would cut off

ANIBEZE (Manpass)

lyrics and many other instruments and call on Maceo to take over. And his performance would send one to a different lane. You were our own Maceo. And when I told Chisom, my son that I would, some day, take him to where you played at Lekki in Lagos, he looked forward to seeing you play. Chisom is only 14 but he is good on the keyboards and has started playing guitar. That promise will never be met. You have played in many cities but never at home. You thrilled when I saw you play on NTA and I hoped that someday you will play in our home town so that our people will appreciate the talent from Aguobu Owa and begin to hope that we will have another Mike Ejiagha who is also a distant relation. On Saturday, January 30, all the hopes and dreams about you were shattered. You lost the battle with respiratory failure at Lagos University Teaching Hospital. It is with heavy heart that we, today, commit you to mother earth in our Ogwushia Onu-ata, Aguobu Owa, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State. We are still in shock but we give glory to God for we are sure that you are resting in the Lord. We will sorely miss you. We know that it will never be the same for our mother, Cordelia Ogbonne Anibeze, Moses, Charles, Professor Chike Anibeze, Vivien Iwuorah (nee Anibeze), myself, your wife and children. And we pray God to grant us the grace to bear this huge loss and always serve Him for He is the Alpha and Omega and we BELIEVE IN HIS SUPREME ABILITIES. REST IN PEACE BROTHER!

Aguero eyes further goal joy against Spurs

Napped – 15. WEEK13: Fixtures Saturday February13, 2016 appeared Swindon at an away game coupon No 24 tie Colchester as match. That’s H-T =820=12×4=48point. Therefore, 48-49=124=23banker. Checked for Week31 matches to be played Saturday February13, 2016 to NAP-20, 23, 26.

*Àdebayor

ERGIO Aguero is keen to continue his hot streak against Tottenham in order to get Manchester City’s Premier League title bid back on track. Manuel Pellegrini’s side head into the Etihad Stadium contest in fourth place, a point behind second-placed Spurs having suffered a chastening 3-1 loss on home turf to leaders Leicester City last weekend. City lost 4-1 at White Hart Lane in September but can take heart from Aguero’s phenomenal record against the north London club. The Argentina international has 10 goals to his name in eight matches against Tottenham, including all four when City won last season’s corresponding fixture 41 in October 2014. Aguero’s consolation header against Leicester took his strike rate to nine in as many matches since the turn of the year and he is keen for an injury-plagued City squad to hit back against a familiar foe. “I’m not sure why I’ve

scored so many goals against Spurs, it’s just happened that way,” he told his club’s official website. “I hope I can

keep up that form on Sunday and hopefully help us win this match, but we know it won’t be easy.

2016 NPA Lagos Intl’ Polo Ibadan Jericho fall, Shoreline beat Dangote

BADAN teams had a bad day on the field succumbing to defeats in the Dansa Cup as the 2016 NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament continues on Thursday at the Lagos Polo Club, Ikoyi. Ibadan Megamound could not cover for their superior handicap goal of 1.5 as they lost to Lagos STL 7.5-6 in a match which was rescheduled from Wednesday for technical reasons. An unmemorable outing for Ibadan was sealed as Ibadan Jericho fell 9-2 by Lagos Sao Polo. The third and fourth chukkas were dominated by Sao Polo with Mohammed scoring either sides of Musa’s goal for a 7-2 lead. He then added another two goals -one of which a diagonal shot from 12 yards to seal a comprehensive

win for Lagos which had two of its sides lost on the opening day. In the Open Cup, Lagos Dangote Polo lost to Lagos Shoreline despite a courageous display which saw them recovered from a four-goal deficit going into the last chukka. They were made to pay for their miss by Juan Cruz in the move that followed but Yaro scored one of the goals of the day with a brilliant 40-yard shot after robbing Kola Karim off the ball to keep their original lead. Yaro again scored for Dangote but Tunde Karim keeps Shorelines on their opponent’s heels and things get much better for Shoreline as Tino Estrada converted a 40-yarder to keep them in front for the first time as they lead 4-3.5 goals at the end of the second chukka.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016

Iheanacho: Spurs must fall K

ELECHI Iheanacho is aware of the importance of Manchester City ’s Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday and has Continues on Page 46

Oliseh: NFF wins round 1 *Stops salary of his aide By Tony Ubani

S Nigerians come to terms with the sensational Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh’s rant on You-tube, his employers, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, are gradually fighting back by first stopping the salary of his aide.

Ex-international and former team-mate of Oliseh, Tijani Babangida was appointed by the Eagles coach as Special Assistant after bagging the job to replace Stephen Keshi. But unknown to many Nigerians, the NFF had been paying a whopping Continues on Page 46

Pinnick begs NFF technical committee, SWAN By Ben Efe

IGERIA Football Federation president, Amaju Pinnick has urged all circles ag-

*Oliseh

Ex-internationals abroad upset with Oliseh, blame Pinnick

IGERIAN ex-in ternationals living abroad have joined the floodgate of condemnation against Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh for his outburst against Nigerians on

YouTube. They, however, blamed the President of Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick who practically handed him the job on a platter Continues on Page 46

TODAY'S PUZZLE

*Pinnick

YESTERDAY'S ANSWERS

grieved by the bad fits thrown up by Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh to mellow down. Following Nigeria’s dismal outing at the CAF Africa Nations Championship in Rwanda, coach Oliseh had taken to YouTube to deride virtually all members of the football family. Dazed by his own folly, Oliseh has since apologised, but the NFF technical committee, the football house backroom staff and the Continues on Page 46

*Iheanacho

QUICK CR OSS WORD CROSS OSSWORD ACROSS DOWN 1 Poke (4) 2 Smell (4) 4 Mat (3) 3 Obligation (4) 6 Stuff (4) 4 Reiterated (8) 9 Record (3) 5 Increased (4) 10 Sixfold (8) 6 Transparent (5) 11 Revise (4) 7 Wand (3) 14 Friend (3) 8 Nimble (5) 16 Command (5) 12 Fragment (5) 19 Strived (8) 13 Daub (5) 21 Spree (5) 14 Through (3) 23 Beaten (8) 15 Prise 5 24 Roost (5) 17 Demise (5) 27 Colour (3) 18 Noisy (5) 31 Silent (4) 20 Guard (8) 33 Impertinence (8) 22 Guided (3) 34 Rabbit (3) 25 Ooze (5) 35 Retain (4) 26 Crawl (5) 36 Counter (3) 28 Meat (4) 37 Soil (4) 29 Tart (4) 30 Agitate (4 32 Foot-digit (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Scare 8, Launched 9, Loom 10, Ass 12, Gross 15, Sag 17, Tea 18, Eel 19, Spa 20, Pagan 21, Eke 22, Tee 23, Sip 24, Tie 26, Dunce 29, Tan 33, Pair 34, Tactless 35, Fetter 38, Emblem.

DOWN: 2, Class 3, Ring 4, Ether 5, Hadess 6, Bold 7, Aroma 10, Asset 11, State 12, Gaped 13, Organ 14, Sense 15, Slept 16, Gree 25, Irate 27, Utter 28, Cache 30, Aisle 31, Grit 32, Club.

How to Play Sudoku

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number). Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row. No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination. Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-4548355. Advert Dept Hotline: 014544821. Abuja Advert Hotline: 09-2921024. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

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