KOGI POLL: PDP weighs options to oust APC by Vanguard Media Limited

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VOL. 25: NO. 62636

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015

FUEL SCARCITY: NNPC apologises to Nigerians, as supply drops to 31m litres9

KOGI POLL: PDP weighs

options to oust APC •Wada asks court to declare him winner as highest scorer alive •INEC waits in vain for APC to name replacement for Audu •Faleke, Bello, Echocho supporters push for APC ticket

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor, Henry Umoru, Levinus Nwabughiogu & Kingsley Fanwo

OKOJA—National leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, were last night locked in a meeting with some of the party ’s governors in Abuja, weighing options to disqualify the All Progressives Congress, APC, from the December 5, supplementary elections in Kogi State. Two options were being weighed at press time to push forward what some Continues on Page 5

Payment of N5,000 to jobless youths begins next year —FG AT HID AWOLOWO'S BURIAL— From left: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Latter Rain Assembly; Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, and President Muhammadu Buhari, during the burial of Chief HID Awolowo, at Ikenne, Ogun State, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

Financial market bubbles on new monetary policy MODIBBO KAWU Nigerian governors and national minimum wage

P.19 OCHEREOME

NNANNA Buhari batters Dasuki while we watch!

P.19 JOSEF OMOROTIONMWAN

Smuggling, seizures and dubious disposals

COLUMNISTS:

P.17

State Police: A way out?

The creation of state police should be supported for the very simple reason that it will check the incessant cases of abuse by policemen and the high and mighty in society. Get details from pages 28 & 29 of Vanguard today. Don’t miss it.

8 Mr & Mrs

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POCKET CARTOON

SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE—From left: Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Primary Healthcare, Dr. Femi Onanuga; Foundation Provost of Lagos State College of Medicine, Prof. Wole Alakija and Pediatrician, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Prof. Michael Akintayo Bankole, during the 2015 Annual General Meeting/Scientific Conference & Continuing Medical Education held in Lagos, yesterday.

KOGI POLL: PDP weighs options to oust APC Continues from Page 1 party leaders said were the advantages open to the party by the death in the process of election of Prince Abubakar Audu, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC. The meeting was being hosted by Governor Segun Mimiko of Ondo State in the Ondo State Governor ’s Lodge in Abuja. Irrespective of the decisions in Abuja, the party’s standard bearer in the election, Governor Idris Wada went to court seeking to be declared winner of the election as the candidate with the

highest number of votes alive. Meanwhile, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, waited to no avail till the close of work, yesterday, for the APC to submit the name of a replacement for the late Audu. The APC, which was in the lead until the death of Audu, was itself increasingly being saturated with the politics of a replacement for Audu. A meeting of the National Working Committee, NWC, called to deliberate on choosing the process of replacing Audu failed to hold. National chairman

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO EVER let your present circumstance define who you are, it’s just a phase; keep your eyes on the ball and, in no time, your life would become a marvel.

TAKE HEART BY ELLA RANDLE

Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don‘t resist them; that only creates sorrows. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like— Lao Tzu

AVING a resilience attitude means you don’t expect that life is going to give you everything you deserve. You learn to deal with your life circumstances and make the best of your experiences. The question is not if life is unfair, actually in the bigger picture there is balance. Positive people do not have preconditions to their happiness. They understand happiness is not coming from the outside, but from within.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE The sheep says she can't dance but can jump up when she hears a good sound.

of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun blamed the failure on the burial ceremonies of Mama H.I.D. Awolowo that took place in Ikenne, Ogun State. He promised the meeting would hold today. Besides the PDP, other political parties were also taking positions against INEC’s decision to allow the APC field a replacement for the late Audu. Among the parties that took position against the APC, yesterday, were the Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA and the Democratic Peoples Congress, DPC.

PDP leaders meet Among those present at the PDP meeting last night were the National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, who chaired the meeting; some members of the NWC, members of the Board of Trustees, BoT and some governors. The meeting which took place under the aegis of the National Caucus, according to a source in the meeting, was pondering options to remove the APC from the fray on the basis of the death of its candidate. One option, Vanguard learnt, was for the party to go to court to remove the APC from the contest on the claim that it no longer had a valid ticket of a governorship candidate and a deputy governorship candidate in the supplementary election. Another option also

being weighed was to press INEC to declare the PDP’s standard bearer, Governor Idris Wada as winner of the election. The basis of that submission, it was learnt, would include the fact that Wada as the second highest scorer should be declared the winner on the basis of being the only one with a valid ticket after the completion of the election. Vanguard sources disclosed that court papers including the originating summons have been prepared with the legal officers of the party waiting for the goahead from the National Caucus. That meeting was still on-going at press time, and the party is expected to unfold its resolution today. The party was also, last night, deliberating on what sources disclosed as the “increasing reign of impunity in the country,” with the case of Kogi State as an example. Party leaders. it was learnt, were vexed by what they described as the suppression of the will of the people of Kogi through the instrumentality of security forces.

Wada goes to court

Vanguard learnt, yesterday, that Governor Wada approached the Federal High Court in Lokoja to be declared winner on the claim that he is the candidate with the highest number of votes alive. According to sources privy to the court action, Wada is arguing that the difference in votes between him and Philip Salawu, the Labour Party candidate is more than 49,000 and as such there should be no supplementary election. Wada, it was further gathered, argued that INEC would not have considered a supplementary or a rerun election had it been that it was the candidate that took third or fourth that died. Meanwhile, INEC officials, yesterday, waited in vain for the APC to present a substitute. The NWC meeting of the APC scheduled for, yesterday, to deliberate on the issue could not hold. The national chairman of the party, Chief Odigie-Oyegun cited the burial of Mrs. Awolowo as the reason noting that many NWC members were at the burial. “The meeting did not hold again today. Almost all of those who were supposed to be part of

the meeting are not around. They are all attending the burial of Late Chief Mrs. Awolowo. The meeting is likely to take place on Thursday afternoon,” Odigie-Oyegun said.

Race for APC ticket hots up Meanwhile, interest groups within the party have continued to push forward their cases in the race to replace Audu at the top of the ticket. Among those taking front roles are Rep. James Faleke, Audu’s running mate in the inconclusive election; Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the runner-up in the APC primary election that was won by Audu, and Alhaji Isah Echocho, who recently defected from the PDP to team up with the APC against his former party. Yesterday, supporters of Faleke styled as Kogi Youth Vanguard took their case to the national secretariat in the form of a demonstration for Faleke to emerge at the top of the party ’s governorship ticket. Spokesman of the group, Bamidele Peters giving the basis of their agitation said: “We think the election should be allowed to be concluded and that there should be no replacement of the candidate until that was done. The party will after the election be able to replace its candidate. “Our own interest under the circumstance is to ensure that the supplementary election is concluded. Even if the party will want to replace its candidate it should be after the election and I feel that if possible the running mate, Abiodun Faleke should be allowed to step in to replace the late governorship candidate. “Section 181 of the Nigerian Constitution should be made to apply under the circumstance to enable the party resolve the crisis of substitution in which APC finds itself now,” he said. Sources close to Bello said he was also weighing the option of a formal

petition to the party to take what his associates claimed as his natural right to replace Audu on the fact that he was second in the primary contest that produced Audu as the candidate. Echocho’s bid was also being galvanised by those aligned to him who claim that he is in the best position to defeat Wada on the basis of what is claimed as his grassroots support across the state. Another consideration that was yet to get serious attention yesterday was Mohammed Audu, the son of the late Prince Audu. Those canvassing Mohammed Audu it was gathered last night, were also projecting Senator Dino Melaye, APC, Kogi West as his running mate. Some party activists were, however, canvassing that should a replacement be taken from outside Audu’s Kogi East, that his son, in the person of Mohammed should be chosen as the deputy governorship candidate. The APC’s permutations nonetheless, the smaller political parties were yesterday aligning with the PDP in opposing INEC’s decision to allow the APC field a replacement for Audu. The gubernatorial candidate of the PPA, Mr. Emmanuel Enesi Ozigi faulted the submission by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubkar Malami that the APC was at liberty to substitute its gubernatorial candidate. Ozigi said it was not fair and justiciable for APC to produce a fresh candidate to contest elections for only 91 units with them who had gone through the rigour of election from the beginning. In an interview with journalists in Abuja, the PPA candidate called for a level playing ground for all the contesting parties and their candidates. “Another person who is a face of that party might not have gained this mile the late Prince Abubakar gained. So, if you are bringing somebody in now, I am afraid I do not know what is going to be the outcome of the supplementary elections."

6 — Vanguard, THURSDAY , NOVEMBER 26 , 2015

Police allegedly strangle guard over missing laptop •Police killed him because of N100,000 bribe—Family •Suspect complained of headache, rushed to the hospital and died—PPRO, Delta

By Emma Amaize & Cletus Opukeme

SABA—POLICE OFFICERS at ‘A’ Division Police Station, Asaba, Delta State, have allegedly strangulated a security guard attached to the Ministry of Oil and Gas, Asaba, Mr. Ogodobiri Ebifemene, over a missing laptop at the office. Police arrested Ebifemene, a security guard and father of four children, on November 17, and other suspects in connection with the loss of the laptop belonging to an aide to the Commissioner in charge of the Ministry, but while other suspects “played ball” and secured bail, they detained Ebifemene for three days.

Ogodobiri ‘m’ of behind Family Super Market, Asaba, detained at ‘A’ Division Police Station, Asaba in connection with the offence of office breaking/stealing complained of severe headache. Consequently, he was brought out of the cell and rushed to the Police Hospital, Asaba for treatment and was later certified dead. “Meanwhile, the corpse of

the deceased has been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Mortuary, Asaba for post mortem examination while investigation is ongoing,” she added.

Family dismisses Police claim

The family of the deceased dismissed the claim of the PPRO and in petition dated November 20 to the Inspector

General of Police, entitled, “Complaint of the unlawful killing of Mr. Ogodobiri Ebifemene, a suspect in Police Cell- ‘A’ Division, Asaba.” It called on the police authority to investigate the matter with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book and avert the looming crisis that might arise from his premeditated murder.

Alleged N100,000 bribe

A relation of the deceased, Cletus Kwalekeme, told Vanguard, yesterday, that police officers at the ‘A” Division demanded a N100, 000 bribe from him and refused to release his nephew on bail unless he paid the money. He said the said police officers thwarted his attempts to meet the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, telling him that it would aggravate the matter. Kwalekeme claimed that in order not to allow his nephew suffer needlessly in detention; he sourced for N100,000 and came to the station on November 20, three days after his arrest, but could not locate him. According to him, “I went to the Police Station on November 20, at about 7.34 am to perfect the bail, but I could not find him and nobody was ready to disclose his whereabouts to me. I sensed something and when they saw that I was not comfortable, a police officer cornered me and told me that my nephew fell sick at night. The officer said he was rushed to a hospital for medical attention and died in the process.” Kwalekeme, however, insisted that the police officers squeezed life out of his brother and the story about his being rushed to the hospital was a ploy between the Ministry of Oil and Gas and the Police to cover up his unlawful killing.

Police refute allegation

Contacted, Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Celestina Kalu, refuted the allegation that police tortured Ebifemene to death. She stated: “On 20/11/2015 at about 04:00 hours, one Ebi

DEPORTED: Some of the 500 Nigerians deported by the United Kingdom government, on arrival yesterday at the Hajj and Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos.

500 Nigerian deportees from UK arrive Lagos airport L

By Daniel Eteghe

AGOS—NO fewer than 500 Nigerians deported by the United Kingdom government, yesterday arrived at the Hajj and Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos at 8:07am local time aboard a large chartered aircraft. Vanguard was at the airport and observed that after all the necessary documentation; the deportees were taken to the main entrance of the Nacho gate where they were dispatched, while some of the deportees were received by their relatives. Vanguard learned that Landover Company acted as the handling company in charge of evacuating the deportees. The Nacho Aviance Coaster buses were used to convey the deportees in batches and the number plate of one of the buses reads: MUS342BP. It will be recalled that Nigerians living in the United Kingdom on Monday,

November 23, 2015 cried out that the UK authorities were planning to deport 500 Nigerians due to immigration issues and other related offences and called on President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the UK government to stop the deportation. On ground at the airport were Immigration Officers, TARMAC Operations officers, Nigeria Police Force, Airport Command, Air Force Defence officers and other security agents who provided security during the documentation exercise. A relative of one of the deportees who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he came to receive his aged brother’s son who was running his Masters Degree programme in the United Kingdom. He said he was surprised when he heard that his elder brother ’s son was one of those deported by the UK government, saying he had come to the airport to pick him up. Asked why the student was one

of those deported by the UK government, he said: “I don’t know. I have never gone to the UK before. This (Nigeria) is where I have lived all my life." When contacted to speak, one of the officials of the Nigerian Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, told Vanguard that he had been redeployed out of the airport but stressed that he would help the reporter with a contact which he never gave out. Efforts to speak to some of the deportees were frustrated by security officers as one of the policemen accosted Vanguard’s reporter and threatened to detain him. But he was prevailed upon by his boss who ordered the reporter to leave the scene. Over the years, deportees arriving the country often come through the Hajj and Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos. The implication is that they (deportees) are not regarded as regular passengers because of the necessary documentation that would be made about each of them for future purposes.

Police foil kidnap bid in Delta, kill 2 robbery suspects By Emma Amaize & Festus Ahon

SABA—THE Police at Okpanam Police Division, Asaba, Delta State, have foiled a daring attempt by kidnappers to abduct one Samuel Ofolue, in broad daylight at Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state. Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Delta State Police Command, DSP Celestina Kalu, said three kidnappers tried to force the victim into a waiting car on November 21. According to her, the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, received a tip-off and mobilized a patrol team to the scene. She said: “The hoodlums on sighting the patrol team started firing indiscriminately into the air and escaped while the victim was rescued with injuries on his head and left hand and taken to hospital for treatment. Three empty shells of AK-47 ammunition were recovered at the scene. Meanwhile, manhunt for the hoodlums is ongoing.” Kalu also said on November 21 at about 4:30pm, the police shot an armed robbery suspect and another dressed in Mobile Police uniform at Sapele in a shootout, but both later died on the way to the hospital. “A combined team of Federal and Delta Command SARS operatives, acting on a tip off traced a wanted armed robbery kingpin to a marriage ceremony at Sapele. The suspect on sighting the operatives and in a bid to evade arrest ordered two armed men dressed in mobile Police uniform with him to open fire on the SARS operatives. “In the ensuing gun battle, the suspect and one of the men in uniform were hit by bullets and arrested. They, however, gave up the ghost on the way to hospital. Investigation is in progress,” she said.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26 , 2015—7

Gunmen kill 74-yr-old ex-Naval officer in Lagos By Esther Onyegbula, Ufuoma Tiveruahor & Faith Ake

AGOS — TWO gunmen, yesterday, shot dead a retired Navy officer, identified as Commodore Peter Ikre, in Festac Town, Lagos. It was gathered that the gunmen, who succeeded in robbing Ikre, trailed him to 52 Road junction on a motorbike where they attacked him while he was parking his Toyota Camry. At RE VENUE Diagnostic Centre, where he was rushed to, Vanguard was told by the attendants that the Police had taken Commodore Ikre’s corpse away. According to an eyewitness, who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity, "the deceased was an ex-naval officer. He was a regular guest at Summer Garden where he came to relax most evenings. "He was coming from a bank when he was shot by two men on a motorbike. The gunmen ambushed the victim who was in his car. Then one of the men alighted from the motorbike and shot Baba (victim) who was alighting from his car. The gunman kept shooting the victim as he attempted to escape. "One of the gunmen first shot Baba’s legs and continued to shoot him when he refused to hand over the money which he withdrew from the bank. Later, they collected his money and zoomed off. He was shot about 12 times, because we found 15 expended ammunition casings at the scene." Vanguard gathered that after the gunmen had escaped, sympathizers used the victim’s phone to contact his family member, who later brought some policemen to the scene. Contracted, state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Joe Offor, said the Police received a distress call at about 12:05 that two men with pistol shot a retired Navy Commodore. “The incident occurred at 52 Road junction, Festac town. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he gave up the ghost. 15 expended 9mm ammunition were recovered from the scene. Also, the victim’s car, a

Blood stains at the scene of the crime Toyota Camry ash coloured with number plate EPE 521 DA, was recovered. His corpse has been taken to Navy mortuary for autopsy.” When Vanguard visited the residence of late Commodore Peter Ikre, sympathisers were seen commiserating with the family. One of his sons, Rev

Father William Ikre, who spoke with Vanguard, said: “My father was coming back after withdrawing money from the bank when they shot him. He was shot about 15 times around noon. I was in school when I received a call that my father has been shot. My mother is inside the house sleeping and can’t speak to anyone now."

Women Arise protests killing of citizen Idongesit Ekpo in Lagos

PROCESSION: Members of Women Arise for Change Initiative during a procession in solidarity for justice in honour of late Mrs Comfort Idongesit recently killed in Ijegun, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: NAN By Onozure Dania

AGOS — Women Arise for Change Initiative, yesterday, stormed the Ebute-Meta magistrates’ court in Lagos State, protesting the alleged killing of one Mrs Idongesit Ekpo and injuring her husband, Mr Godwin Ekpo, by a police corporal, Cpl. Musefun Aremu. The group led by its leader, Mrs Joe OkiOdumakin, displayed placards with inscriptions such as ‘Train our police to respect human rights’; ‘Women’s right is human rights’, ‘Time to upgrade the Nigeria Police’. Addressing the protesters, Odumakin called for comprehensive medical treatment of Mr Godwin Ekpo, who was allegedly hit by a bullet fired by the corporal at Ijegun, near Lagos. She said the police should be made to settle all

the medical bills and also compensate Ekpo for the killing of his wife. Odumakin said the deceased, still at the mortuary, should be given a befitting burial. The nine-year-old daughter of the deceased, Blessing Godwin, recounted how her mother was allegedly gunned down by the Police on their way home from church on September 17. A police corporal attached to Isheri-Oshun Division in Lagos, on September 17, fired a shot at a tricycle along the Isheri-Ijegun road, killing the wife of the operator on the spot. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, ordered immediate arrest of members of the team on duty on the night of the incident. The killer policeman, Cpl. Musefun Aremu, has since been dismissed from service.

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26 , 2015

Payment of N5,000 to unemployed youths begins next year —FG By Levinus Nwabughiogu

A AID DAY: From left: Paul Maseli, Director and Representative of the United Nations Industrial Organisation, UNIDO; Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, and Tete Anthonio, Permanent Observer of African Union to the United Nations during the Africa Industrialization Day at the United Nations Office in New York.

Financial market bubbles on new monetary policy •All Shares Index rose 0.5% to settle at 27,743.92 points By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

AGOS — INVESTORS and money dealers across the various spectrums of Nigerian financial market have reacted sharply to the new monetary policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, barely 24 hours of the policy pronouncements. Yesterday, stock exchange indices reversed nine months downward trend to close positive, bonds trade surged but value of the local currency, Naira, crashed in the parallel market segment. CBN had, in the last Monetary Policy Committee, MPC, meeting for the year 2015 concluded in Abuja, Tuesday, cut its Monetary Policy Rate, MPR, the nation’s benchmark interest rate to 11 per cent from 13 per cent, its first reduction in the cost of borrowing in more than six years, and also reduced Cash Reserve Ratio, CRR, its credit liquidity control tool, to 20 per cent from 25 per cent, freeing about N740 billion into the banking system. After reaching the lowest point since February 2015 on Tuesday, the Nigerian stock market rebounded in the first trading day following the CBN’s new policy. The All Share Index, ASI, rose 0.5 per cent to settle at 27,743.92 points with investors gaining a total of N52.3 billion as market capitalization increased to N9.5 trillion. This also meant that the stock market, which has the secondbiggest weighting after Kuwait on the global MSCI frontier market index, erased seven days of uninterrupted losses. ASI had fallen 20.4 per cent so far this year as at Tuesday. Positive performance was recorded among all the sector indices except for the Oil & Gas sector which declined 0.4 per cent apparently due to uncertainties in

the petroleum supply market with the lingering fuel crises. “On the back of the reduction in policy rates, investors are reconsidering investment in the equities market to earn higher return,” said Ayodeji Ebo, head of research at Afrinvest Group, a Lagos-based investment house. In the Treasury Bills market, the bulls held grip as buying momentum swept through the market. Consequently, yields fell by 1.2 per cent from the previous day to close at 2.7 per cent on average. Similarly, the money market surged with liquidity, pulling back inter-bank rates by 142 basis points on average. CBN has been injecting cash into the banking system since

October this year in a bid to help the economy. Banking system credit balances in CBN stood at N290 billion yesterday keeping overnight inter-bank interest rates as low as 0.5 percent . Samir Gadio, head of Africa Strategy at Standard Chartered Bank said bond holders could be exposed to future losses if the interest rate easing cycle suddenly ends with inflation currently trading 9.3 percent below the yields. Commenting on this market development, dealers in Greenwich Trust Limited, a Lagos based investment house, said:“Going into the next trading session, we opine that current sentiments will linger as investors continue to take positions given

the lack of alternative short term investments.” The Federal Government of Nigeria Bond prices inched higher as investors continued to take positions in the market. As a result, yields levels moved down to close at 9.2 per cent on average. However dealers at Greenwich Trust said “at the subsequent trading session, we expect to see a mild decrease in buying momentum due to profit taking”. In the official segment of the foreign exchange market, the domestic currency remained flat against the US dollar to close at N199/USD1 but in the parallel market segment, the value of the local currency crashed significantly to N243/USD1.0 average. The currency forwards segment, a derivative market end used to hedge against future exchange rate moves, indicates that the market expects Naira exchange rate to hover around N235.56/ USD1.0 in a couple of months from now.

NNPC reforms: Gaius-Obaseki cautions against foreign structures By Clara Nwachukwu

ENIN — GIVEN the peculiarities of the Nigerian environment, the Federal Government and the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, have been cautioned to tread softly in adopting foreign structures for the ongoing reforms of the corporation. A former Group Managing Director, GMD NNPC, Mr. Jackson Gaius-Obaseki, who issued the caution in his GRA, Benin City residence, argued that Nigeria should define the reforms based on its own experiences rather than adopting foreign schemes. This is even as he insisted that the only way to make a head way with the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, is to remove the controversial fiscal proposals from the rest of the bill, in view of the uncertainty of the global

environment. Gaius-Obaseki, who marked his 70th birthday yesterday with a high mass celebration in his GRA Benin residence, told Vanguard in an exclusive interview that: “If you ask me, PIB is a good initiative, but I doubt whether it makes sense to put the fiscal in the main body of the bill. This is because the main body of the bill will be a matter of principles and policies, but the fiscals are so unstable and subject to change. "Now that we’re having $140 to 40 (oil price), it can throw everything over board, but the minister can react for the moment. But when you put it into law, it means that government has to go through the process of amendment; and oil is not like that. You must change your fiscal if you want to sustain the climate, but if you have to go to the National Assembly to do that then God help you.” With regard to the NNPC reform,

he said: “What I know doesn’t work is when you try to carry a reform from the schemes of France, from America, from Europe, or wherever because the environment is completely different.”

PIB and fiscals

Speaking further on the PIB, Gaius-Obaseki noted that the bill had been stalled for so long because the promoters refused to do the right thing by engaging all stakeholders. He recalled: "I have refused to make comments on it because those who put it together from the onset, I invited them privately even government didn’t know, I said: engage the players, not only the IOCs. This is because during my time under President Olusegun Obasanjo, we modified the terms of the PSCs (production sharing contracts).

BUJA — THE All Progressives Congress, APC-led Federal Government, yesterday, said the payment of the N5,000 stipend to the unemployed Nigerian youths will commence next year. It regretted that the payment could not take off immediately because it was not included in this year’s budget. Minister of Youths and Sports, Mr Solomon Dalong, revealed this yesterday in Abuja when he paid a condolence visit to the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, at the national secretariat in Abuja on the demise of Prince Abubakar Audu, the late governorship candidate of the party in Kogi State election. Dalong, who spoke with journalists, assured that APC government would also create more jobs to fulfill its campaign promises. The party, during the electioneering campaigns, had pledged to pay N5000 stipend to unemployed youths monthly. Said he: “I would want the youths to understand that every promise must be backed up by budgetary provision and our promise to pay N5000 is not contained in the 2015 budget. So, definitely, it is going to begin in 2016 as we have made budgetary allocations for that. “We are committed to the campaign promises of creating jobs, providing wealth creation and combat poverty. We have embedded in our manifesto things that we are translating to reality. “We are busy reviewing some of the youth empowerment programmes that are ongoing, to ensure that they are more viable and people oriented. We are also looking at the possibility of realigning some of them to our vision so that in the final analysis, it can add value to the people”. The minister also said that he would soon convene a stakeholders meeting to help re-orientate the Nigerian youths. In his remarks earlier, the National Chairman of APC, Chief Oyegun, expressed optimism in the performance of Dalong as Youths and Sports minister.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26 , 2015—9

Fuel scarcity: NNPC apologises to Nigerians •Fuel supply to petrol stations dips to 31m litres •Engages DSS, EFCC to check unscrupulous marketers By Michael Eboh

BUJA — THE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, yesterday, apologised to Nigerians for the hardship experienced in purchasing petrol, while it also stated that it had entered into a partnership with security agencies in the country to assist in the monitoring of fuel supply across the country. This was even as fuel supply to petrol stations across the country dipped by 4.014 million litres or 11.52 per cent, as the NNPC stated that it distributed 30.839 million litres to petrol stations on Tuesday, November 24, 2015. This was in contrast to the 34.844 million litres of fuel the NNPC dispatched to the filling stations on Monday, November 23, 2015. The NNPC in a statement in Abuja, stated that the partnership entered into with the Department of State Services (DSS) and Economic and the Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was to help in the monitoring of nationwide fuel truck-out to retail outlets and also to curb hoarding and diversion of petroleum products by some unscrupulous marketers. Speaking during a working visit to the NNPC depot in Suleja in Niger State and some filling stations in Abuja and environs to evaluate the current fuel supply situation, Group Executive Director, Commercial and Investment of the NNPC, Mr. Babatunde Adeniran, warned that any marketer found wanting in the sale of petroleum products, including the NNPC retail outlet dealers, would be sanctioned appropriately. He apologized to commuters, motorists and the general public for the noticeable hardship faced in accessing petrol across the country, while he assured that the NNPC was doing everything possible to normalise the fuel supply and distribution situation. Adeniran disclosed that there would be no sacred cows as the NNPC was working round the clock by supplying sufficient petroleum products to marketers to ensure that Nigerians enjoy a Yuletide season without the pain of fuel queues. He said: “We must all make sure that petroleum products get across to Nigerians at the regulated price especially as the yuletide season approaches. We have enough products and we want to plead with the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTDs) not to be involved in the diversion of petroleum products in order to avoid causing untold hardship to motorists.”

Role of the security agencies

Providing insight on the role of

C M Y K

the security agencies in curbing product diversion, Managing Director of the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, Mrs. Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue, said the DSS and EFCC have been mobilized to bring to book any marketer involved in sabotaging the efforts of the Federal Government in making petroleum products available to motorists across the country. She said: “We have invited the EFCC and DSS to join us in this campaign of monitoring the

movement of petroleum products and they have our mandate to sanction any errant marketer. Enough is enough.” She urged Nigerians and other motorists to desist from panic buying assuring that there are sufficient petroleum products to satisfy local consumption. Meanwhile, giving breakdown of fuel supplied to petrol stations, the NNPC stated that Suleja, Kaduna, Kano, Minna, Gusau, Mosimi and Satelite depots dispatched 7.398 million litres,

0.937 million litres, 4.4 million litres, 0.444 million litres, 0.939 million litres, 4.351 million litres and 1.937 million litres respectively. In addition Ore, Ibadan, Gombe, Benin, Warri, Port Harcourt, Aba, Makurdi and Enugu dispatched 0.338 million litres, 0.412 million litres, 3.024 million litres, 0.318 million litres, 0.318 million litres, 3.097 million litres, 0.298 million litres, 0.891 million litres and 1.737 million litres respectively to petrol stations across the country.

PRAYER: From left, Son of the late Prince Audu Abubakar, Mohammed Audu; Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Yomi Awoniyi; former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu and Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim praying for the late Prince Abubakar Audu on the third day after his burial at Audu family compound in Ogbonicha Village, Kogi State. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Buhari establishes E-UNIT to cut cost of governance By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

BUJA —PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has taken a critical step towards cutting the cost of governance with the establishment of the Efficiency Unit, E-UNIT, which will vet all major expenditures of Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs. The E-UNIT which is to be domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Finance is headed by a Project Leader, Ms Patience Oniha. The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, who announced this in Abuja, yesterday, explained that the E-UNIT was in line with the current administration’s resolve to institutionalize reform policies that would ensure effective management of the nation’s economy. She identified reducing the cost of governance as a major peg upon which President Buhari’s economic policies would stand. She explained: “The principal

objective of the Efficiency Unit is to ensure that every government expenditure is necessary and represents the best possible value for money. “The Efficiency Unit will undertake programmed reviews of all government overhead expenditure with a view to reducing wastage, promoting efficiency and ensuring quantifiable savings for the country. Specifically, the Efficiency Unit will work across all MDAs to identify and eliminate wasteful spending, duplication and other inefficiencies; identify best practices in procurement and financial management and share such knowledge to ensure its adoption. “Findings of the Efficiency Unit will be formally communicated accordingly and will be enforced through establishment of expenditure guidelines, undertaking follow-up reviews, spot checks and other measures that will ultimately checkmate wastages across all areas of federal government expenditure.”

Currently, recurrent expenditure takes the bulk of federal budgets, leaving too little for capital expenditure. In 2014, for instance, recurrent budget was N3.845 trillion as against N1.119 trillion capital budget. Similarly, in the current fiscal year, while N3. 771 trillion was earmarked for recurrent, capital stood at a mere N722 billion. Worse still, even the little capital votes are not usually fully implemented by successive administrations. Recurrent budget includes: non-wage related overhead expenditure such as travel costs, entertainment, events, printing, IT consumables, stationeries and maintenance of assets. The Director of Press in the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Marshal Gundu, disclosed, that the E-UNIT Supervising Committee would be inaugurated on Monday. The committee will be chaired by the Finance Minister and has members drawn from both public and private sector.

Forgery of President’s letterhead: Court acquits 2 Leadership journalists By Soni Daniel

BUJA— REPRIEVE came the way of two journalists in the employ of Leadership newspapers, yesterday, when a judge discharged and acquitted them on charges of forging a report on a Presidential letterhead paper. Justice Usman Musale of an Abuja High Court discharged and acquitted the duo of Tony Amokeodo, the Group News Editor and Chibuzor Ukaibe, a political correspondent, who were standing trial for allegedly forging a presidential bromide published in the newspaper on April 3, 2013. The two men were charged under former President Goodluck Jonathan through the office of his Attorney General, Mohammed Adoke, for the alleged forgery, which the newspaper denied. But President Muhammadu Buhari wrote the trial judge through the Director of Public Prosecution, on October 5, 2015, asking for the withdrawal of the case, apparently following the sudden death of the police investigator, one CSP Ibrahim Bako. The government, in a letter signed by the Director of Public Prosecution, Muhammad Diri, and addressed to its lawyer, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), directed him to discontinue the case. On the receipt of the government letter, Justice Musale, said he had no option than to discharge and acquit the journalists since the government had asked for the withdrawal of the charges. Musale said: “Section 355 ACJA provides that where a complaint at any time before a final order is made in a case, satisfies the court that there are sufficient grounds for permitting him to withdraw his complaint, the court may permit him to withdraw the complaint and shall thereupon acquit the defendant. “On the basis of this provision and the application, the accused persons are now acquitted and discharged.”

10—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26 , 2015

Court quashes Access Bank's suit against Cybernetics, Isichei By Yinka Kolawole

AGOS—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has struck out a suit by Access Bank against Cybernetics International Limited and Mr. Andy Isichei for lack of jurisdiction. It will be recalled that Access Bank had in June 2010 sued then Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Sa’ad Ola Ibrahim,Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Lagos State Attorney General, Supo Sasore, sNigerian Navy, Cybernetics International Limited and Andy Isichei, before the court over a property located on 7, Ojora Street, Ikoyi. The bank said it advanced various facilities to Cybernetics andIsichei,andthesaidproperty was used as security for the facilities while at the expiration of the tenure of the facilities, the said Cybernetics and Isichei entered into a term of settlement, offering the property as full and final settlement of the indebtedness.

Lord's Chosen holds annual crusade

AGOS—THE Lord’s Chosen charismatic revival ministries will hold its annual two-day crusade titled “Hope for the Needy" from Saturday 28th to Sunday 29th November 2015. The crusade which starts at 8am daily will hold at the Chosen Revival Ground, along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, by Ijesha Bus stop, Lagos. A statement issued by the Public Relation Officer of the church, Pastor Louis Chidi said the programme which will be anchored by General Overseer of the church, PastorLazarusMuoka isexpected to address the various needs of the people ranging from salvation, sanctification, Holy Ghostbaptism,deliverancesfrom spiritual limitation, demonic possession, barrenness of the womb, intellectual and financial barrennessandneedsforphysical challenges such as paralyses of allkinds,diseases,andsicknesses. C M Y K

Lagos expands tax net to boost IGR L

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

AGOS—LAGOS Internal Revenue Service, LIRS, has expanded the state’s tax nets with the aim of increasing the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR. The Executive Chairman, LIRS, Mr. Folarin Ogunsanwo who stated this at a meeting with management and staff of the agency, advocated for willful compliance by residents with tax remittances against the norms of tax auditing. According to Ogunsanwo, the agency has concluded plans to expand the tax net by bringing other taxable residents into play, adding; “This will ultimately lead to proportional increase in the IGR for the state.” The LIRS boss said the measure became necessary as it would increase the revenue base of the state which will in turn give the present administration leeway to fund projects and fulfil his electioneering promises to residents. According to Ogunsanwo, in order to utilize funds generated internally to cushion the effects of the shortfall in crude oil prices in the international market, the agency was ready to deliver by increasing the IGR base of the state.

The tax boss, while advocating wilful compliance noted that the tax audit system currently in use, was unnecessary, avoidable and a waste of human resources. He stressed the need to leverage on the advantages provided by embracing Information and Communication Technology, ICT, saying; “This will ease the process of collecting revenue, reducing its cost and eliminate some perceived bottlenecks.”

Ogunsanwo further stated that embracing willful compliance would allow the channelling of the much needed human resources into areas of growth and development rather than being compelled or forced to remit taxes. While expressing the determination of the agency in ensuring prompt remittance of all taxes to the coffers of government, he urged

residents to perform their civic responsibility by paying their taxes regularly and promptly as part of fulfilling their own social contract. Ogunsanwo therefore, implored the management and staff of the agency to rededicate themselves to their responsibilities even as he pleaded for their support and cooperation in the quest to deliver on increasing the revenue base of the state.

ROUNDTABLE: From left: Tony Olukoju, Partner, Deloitte Nigeria; Gus Wiggle, Managing Director/CEO, Linkage Assurance; Jude Monye, Executive Director, Heritage Bank Ltd; Femi Williams, Group Managing Director, Chams Plc, and Tope Aladenusi, Partner, Deloitte Nigeria, at the 2015 Deloitte chief information security officers roundtable in Lagos. Photo:Akeem Salau.

Doctors hail Ambode for resolving health sector issues L By Gabriel Olawale

AGOS—DOCTORS in Lagos yesterday hailed the efforts of the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode towards resolving the outstanding issues relating to welfare of doctors as well as improving the healthcare delivery in the state. Speaking at the General Meeting/Scientific Conference & Continuing Medical Education of the Medical Guild in Lagos, Chairman of the Guild, Dr. Biyi Kufo acknowledged the effort of the Governor in improving the health sector in the state since he assumed office. “We had met with Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode during the run up to the governorship election and informed him about the issues we have and he made a promise to resolve the issues if he was elected,” he said. He also disclosed that Governor Ambode had directed that medical doctors currently on contracts be converted to permanent staff and the salaries during the three months of industrial action be paid. “I am delighted to inform the house that having delivered on all the promises, we are grateful to Governor Ambode not only for fulfilling his promise to us but has also rekindled the faith of our membership in the political leadership in Lagos State, we have also commenced

discussions with government over implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, CONMESS,” he said. On his part, Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association, Lagos State Chapter, Dr. Tope Ojo, commended the governor for his various discussions with the medical personnel, especially over implementation of the corrected CONMESS salary scale.

In his keynote address, Governor Ambode, urged medical professionals to continuously uphold the Hippocratic Oath in the discharge of their duties, just as he assured them of his administration’s commitment to their concerns. He also assured that the state government under his watch will be open to suggestions for

efficient health care delivery systems in the state. Governor Ambode, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Primary Health Care, Dr. Femi Onanuga, said his administration has committed public funds to uplift medical infrastructure so as to ensure that first class healthcare service is delivered to the people of the state.

AVIATION FUEL: NCAA

halts supply by marketers without depots By Lawani Mikairu & Daniel Eteghe

AGOS—THE Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, yesterday suspended some oil marketers from supplying aviation fuel, known as Jet A1, to airlines due to a lack of depot facilities. The affected marketing companies include Jushad Oil and Gas Limited, Lubcon Limited, Ascon Oil Company Limited, Acon Petroleum Limited and Star Orient Aviation Limited. The regulatory body in a circular with reference number: NCAA/ DAW/AD. 1104/ A O L 0 5 2 / VOL.1, and

signed by the Director of Airworthiness Standards, Benedict Adeyileka on behalf of the Director General of NCAA, and addressed to Airline Operators of Nigeria, AOL, with the title, “Notice of Suspension of Some Companies from Providing Aviation Fuel Supply Services to Airlines at Airports in Nigeria”, explained that the reason for the

suspension was that the said companies did not have depots and therefore should not be engaged in the distribution of aviation fuel at the airports. The letter said, “This is to notify you that the authority is in receipt of a letter from the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, that the under-listed companies have no depot facilities and should not be engaged in aviation fuel distribution at the airport."

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015 — 11

Buhari, ministers, 16 govs, others bid HID Awolowo farewell A

By Daud Olatunji

BEOKUTA—AFTER 10 days of burial activities in honour of Mrs. HID Awolowo, the late matriarch of the Awolowo family, she was interred yesterday, around 1:45 pm beside her husband, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. The interment which was attended by only family members and some invited bishops, was done in a mausoleum built within the premises of the Awolowo country home in Ikenne. Apart from the two surviving children, Rev. Omotola Oyediran and her husband, and Ambassador Tokunbo AwolowoDosunmu and her husband, almost all the grandchildren and great-grand children were at the graveside where the remains of their mother were lowered. Newsmen were barred from covering the interment but were allowed to cover other activities within the premises. The interment which lasted almost 30 minutes ended around 1:56 pm when the bishops came out of the mausoleum and were later followed by the children and grandchildren of the diseased. Some of the 16 governors and other dignitaries including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former head of State, General Yakubu Gowon and Head of Interim National Government, Chief Earnest Shonekan, among others, neither waited for the interment nor the reception that held at the premises. President Muhammadu Buhari, who arrived Ikenne at 2:15pm shortly after the internment, headed straight for the Efunyela Hall and held a closed door discussion with the Awolowo family for about 30 minutes The President, accompanied by Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, later visited the mausoleum, spent about two minutes there before leaving. Meanwhile, the city of Ikenne in Ikenne Local Government Area of the state was agog following the influx of people across the country into the area in honour of the late matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty. Earlier, the final funeral rites were held at Our Saviour ’s Anglican Church, Ikenne, with heavy presence of security personnel from the state and the Presidency. The open space in front of Model School, Ikenne, which the governor named after the deceased, was cleared for President Buhari’s helicopter to land. Federal Government delegation comprising ministers was led by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who was accompanied by his wife, a grand-daughter of the matriarch. Senate President, Bukola Saraki, arrived at about 10:16 a.m with some senators and members

of the House of Representatives. Former presidents and heads of state such as Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Yakubu Gowon, Ernest Shonekan, Oladipo Diya also attended the church service presided over by Archbishop, Primate and Metropolitan, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh. Those who attended the church service were serving and past governors, including national leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC,

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. Also at the event were Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, former governors of Ogun State Aremo Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Gbenga Daniel. Also present were governors of Ondo, Cross River, Imo, Osun, Oyo, Kaduna and Sokoto states; Olusegun Mimiko, Ben Ayade, Rochas Okorocha, Rauf Aregbesola, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Nasir El Rufai and Aminu Tambuwwal, respectively.

In his sermon, Most Revd Nicholas Okoh who spoke on “God’s promised rest” said the nature of rest promised by Jesus is deeper than revealed from every physical exhaustion. Okoh, who used Mathew 11 verse 28-30 said: “ It is spiritual rest here and now; peace of conscience, mind, tranquillity of soul through an application of fattening grace of God. “Mama is now at rest from her labours due to her faith in Christ. She has fought the good fight and has finished the race so gloriously. To God Almighty be the glory."

TRIBUTE: From left: Superior Senior Evangelist Sunday Ajose, Celestial World-Wide; Otunba Olatunde Rotimi Paseda, governorship candidate of UNPP in last general election; Professor Bankole Okuwa, National Chairman, Alhaji Yahaya Muhud Kyabo, UPN Leader from Kano, when they paid tribute to late Chief MRS HID Awolowo at a ceremony held at its secretariat in Ikenne. Photo: Wunmi Akinola.

Kogi: Buhari used AGF to induce INEC's decision, Fayose alleges By Rotimi Ojomoyela

KITI State governor, Ayodele Fayose, has alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari is “using his personal lawyer and member of All Progressives Congress, APC, who is the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to induce the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, decision on the inconclusive Kogi State governorship election.” He said: "The President is using the AGF to carry out an act which amounted to amending the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria and the Electoral Act 2010 to advance his ambition and that of his party to turn Nigeria to a one-party state.” In a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the governor noted that “only the Supreme Court can resolve issues not envisaged by the Constitution, like the one that happened concerning the Kogi State governorship election. “INEC further exposed its partisanship and undependability by relying on legal advice from the AGF,

a man who has disobeyed the court severally and an interested party in the Kogi State election being a personal lawyer of President Buhari and a member of the APC.” The governor said President Buhari and APC took to illegal amendment of the Constitution and the Electoral Act owing to the fear of facing a fresh election as a result of the malpractices perpetrated by the party in the inconclusive election. Fayose said it was shameful that the first election held by the new INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, ended in controversy, adding that the manipulation of the Kogi State election and INEC's illegal position on the substitution of APC candidate was a vindication of his earlier position that the INEC chairman was appointed just to do the biddings of President Buhari and his party. The governor, who said the fact that Prince Abubakar Audu died in the early hours of last Sunday and his death was kept secret until later that day pointed to the sinister plot of the APC, adding: “Having manipulated the election substantially, what they plotted by

covering up Audu’s death for hours against Islamic injunction, was to declare a dead candidate as elected governor of Kogi State so as to pave way for the emergence of his running mate as the governor-elect.” He called on Nigerians to rise against what he described as systematic dictatorship.

Mimiko nominates four new commissioners By Dayo Johnson

KURE—GOVERNOR Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State has forwarded the names of four commissionernominees to the state House of Assembly for confirmation. The nominees include members of both the old and new Peoples Democratic Party in the state. They are Mr. Femi Adekanmbi, Mr. Segun Ayerin, Mrs. Yetunde Adeyanju and Mr. Dayo Awude. Adekanmbi was a former House of Representatives aspirant on the defunct ACN before he jumped ship to the PDP; Ayerin was a former chairman of the state Electricity Board; Mrs Adeyanju was a former chairman of the state Waste Management Board while Awude was the immediate past chairman of the state Scholarship Board. Adekanbi and Ayeri belong to the old PDP while Awude and Adeyanju are of the new PDP stock. The Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Aderotimi Adelola, said in a statement in Akure that the nomination is in exercise of the governor’s power under section 192 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Meanwhile, the House of Assembly has invited the four commissioner nominees to appear before the Committee on Selection on Tuesday December 1, 2015.

12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015

Buhari vows to jail corrupt varsity administrators By Simon Ebegbulem

ENIN—PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, warned university administrators that the Federal Government would no longer tolerate any form of corruption in the education sector, saying that anyone found wanting would be prosecuted. This comes as the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, attributed the current economic hardship in the country to the alleged misrule of past administrations, saying that the Federal Government must make some difficult decisions for the nation to survive. The duo spoke at the Installation of HRH, Muhammad Sanusi II as Chancellor of the University of Benin. President Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Education, Alhaji Adamu Adamu, noted that the Federal Government was prepared to inject more funds into the education sector but warned against the mismanagement of the funds by the administrators. He said: “This administration is committed to providing funding for the university system and indeed for the entire education sector. But I must warn that the Federal Government will not fold its hands and watch unscrupulous people mismanage all the viable resources that have been put into the sector. We will no longer

tolerate this. “The Federal Ministry of Education is to ensure that all leakages are blocked and this is a promise that we intend to keep. This administration is determined to fight corruption whether in the university system or elsewhere. Members of staff and students must be seen to do their part in this struggle to change our society for the better, it is not just the duty of government. We hope that other

brother countries will support what the government is doing. Universities must be seen to be leading by example. Due process must not be compromised in all we do.” Sanusi II, who became the ninth chancellor of the institution following his installation, said that despite the economic hardship, Nigerians must be thankful to God for a successful election and the prevailing peace in the country.

He said: “We had a peaceful election, we have a new government that has the opportunity to give this country a new lease of life. However, the government is taking office at a time of great difficulties, oil price crash. We are suffering due to the mismanagement of the past. Corruption issues have placed our economy in a precarious state and there will be need for difficult decisions and support for this new administration.”

FUNERAL SERVICE: Cross River State governor, Prof. Ben Ayade and APC leader, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, at the funeral service for late HID Awolowo, Yeye Odua of Yorubaland at Our Saviour Anglican Church, Ikenne, Ogun State, yesterday.

FG urged to declare state of emergency on S-South, S-East roads By Samuel Oyadongha

ENAGOA—THE Centre for Peace and Environment Justice, CEPEJ, has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on federal roads in the South-South and South- East, to give the people in the geopolitical zones a sense of belonging. CEPEJ, in a statement in Yenagoa, Beyelsa State, by its National Coordinator, Mr Sherriff Mulade, decried the deplorable state of federal roads in the geopolitical zones. The group lamented that most federal roads in the two zones were now death traps and urged the Federal Government to immediately award contracts for the reconstruction of the roads. “The people of the South-East and South-South deserve better treatment than what they are getting from the central government,” it said, blaming previous administrations of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for paying lipservice to the development of critical infrastructure. “Government should not continue to play politics with development. We call on the

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Federal Government to step up efforts at developing critical infrastructure with a view to giving a sense of belonging to the people,” the group said. CEPEJ urged the government to do the needful by ensuring that the road contracts were awarded to competent contractors and not to cronies or

proxy companies. The group also called on the government to urgently constitute a panel to investigate the abandoned and poorly executed federal road contracts within the two zones, noting that all the federal roads in the areas have collapsed and are now impassable. “It is even more depressing

that some members of the National Assembly from the affected geopolitical zones had in recent past occupied key positions as Chairmen Senate and House of Representatives Committees for Works and Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA yet the federal highways which oversight they supervised are today impassable and death traps.”

Gov Emmanuel pledges commitment to educational devt By Tom Moses

YO—Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has expressed his administration’s commitment to continuously provide the needed support to institutions of learning to enable them turn out quality graduates who will respond to the demands of the 21st century society. Governor Emmanuel, at the second convocation for the award of first degrees, prizes and honourary degrees of the Obong University in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of the state,

noted that the growth of institutions of learning would hasten intellectual development of the people, just as the understanding of individual’s rights and obligations in a democratic dispensation would be enhanced. To that effect, he said, the state government would continue to remain alive to it responsibilities of offering timely assistance in grants and scholarships to private universities. He also announced that the construction of access roads to the university campus would begin soon.

Congratulating the University for the double achievements of securing operating licence and convocating the second set of graduates, Governor Emmanuel advised the undergraduates to uphold sound moral training offered by the school and take advantage of the serene university environment to engage in effective studies. He urged the university to maintain its record of excellence and expand the scope of studies to accommodate science and humanities.

PDP appeals Tribunal judgment on Assembly poll in Edo By Gabriel Enogholase

ENIN—EDO State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its candidate in the April 14, 2015 state House of Assembly election for Orhionmwon South sonstituency II, Mr. Friday Ogierhiakhi, have appealed the judgment of the National and State Houses of Assembly Election Tribunal, Edo State which declared Mr. Asoro Roland of All Progressives Congress, APC, winner of the election. Respondents in the appeal are Asoro, APC, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and the Returning Officer for Orhionmwon South Constituency II. The appellants, through their counsel, Mr. Kingsley Obamogie, want the appellate court to determine whether the lower tribunal was right when it held that the respondents’ objection to the competence of ground 1 of the petition could be taken without reference to the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended). The appellants also want the appellate court to determine whether or not the lower tribunal was right when it held that the applicant’s ground 1 of the petition was incompetent.

A-Ibom govt condoles with late Etiebet's family By Chioma Onuegbu

YO—AKWA Ibom State Government has expressed regret over the death of a former governor of old Cross River State, Senator Donald Etiebet. In a statement, yesterday, in Uyo, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Aniekan Umanah, said late Etiebet served as governor of the then Cross River State from October 1, 1983 to December 31, 1983. According to the commissioner, Etiebet's period in office as governor was disrupted by a military coup that ousted the Second Republic. Umanah described him as a lawyer and committed patriot, statesman, community leader and an invaluable asset to the state.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015 — 13

COMMENDATION SERVICE: From left: Ven Muyiwa Oyewole, Mrs Femu Taire,(widow)His Highness, Ephraim Faloughi Spiff and Dame Adetayo Akintayo, during the commendation service for late Chief Torch Oritseweyinmi Taire, at Yaba Baptist Church, Lagos, yesterday.

From left: Bishop George Bako and Mr Bode Thorpe at the commendation service. Photos: Joe Akintola (Photo Editor).

Job creation: Okowa calls for partnership with international community G

By Festus Ahon

OVERNOR Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has called on the international community to partner African nations on job and wealth creation “as a means to ensuring global peace and security.” In his keynote address at the Africa Industrialization Day, at the United Nations Office in New York, Okowa said that beyond creating awareness of the challenges of industrialisation in Africa, the forum should address the need for “firm commitments to strengthen partnerships that will drive industrialisation in Africa, create jobs and sustainable opportunities for youths, women and all people to enjoy better social and economic well-being.” The Africa Industrialization Day is celebrated on November 20, every year under the auspices of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, UNIDO, to mobilise the commitment of the international community to the industrialization of Africa. The theme for this year ’s event was SMEs for Poverty Eradication and Job Creation for Women and Youth. At a symposium to mark the event, Governor Okowa commended “UNIDO’s passion and dedication to spurring Africa’s industrialization,” pointing out that the occasion “is a reminder to all of us, of the need to redirect Africa’s economic development position from being a global supplier of raw materials and primary commodities to one with progressive value addition through agro-processing, agro-industrialization and beneficiating of solid

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minerals.” Noting that “SMEs are engines for cost-effective employment generation, social inclusion, equitable development and self-reliant industrialization using local raw materials,” the governor lamented that they have not flourished in Africa due to “funding gaps, infrastructure deficit, energy problems and poor governance structures.” Dr. Okowa informed the gathering that Nigeria’s policies through successive

administrations have revolved around the growth and development of SMEs as catalysts for economic development. According to him, “the Federal Government, through the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bank of Industry, and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN, is frantically taking measures to enhance the performance and growth of youth and women-owned micro and

small enterprises through a host of concessional financing initiatives spanning equity financing, debt financing, loan guarantees and grants. “In Delta State where I am governor, we have developed a road map to engage our youths and women in productive enterprises and ensure inclusive growth. Our strategic approach is a comprehensive programme of youth training,

development and empowerment in agricultural enterprises and vocational skills, microcredit to support small and medium scale enterprises, and the creation of a conducive business and investment environment. Also we are undertaking concerted measures for the integration of agricultural and agroindustrial development based on our comparative-advantage commodities, particularly cassava, oil palm and aquaculture.”

Six months after, Obasanjo lauds Jonathan for successful hand-over to Buhari Maybe, seeking how to be "I wish you well as you By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor & Ikenna Asomba

LMOST six months after the change of government, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has for the first time congratulated former President Goodluck Jonathan for successfully handing over to President Muhammadu Buhari and commended him for continuing to have faith in Nigeria. Obasanjo’s commendation was contained in his reply to President Jonathan’s earlier notification of his plans to establish a foundation following the end of his term in office as president. Jonathan had in a letter dated September 22, 2015, formally notified Obasanjo of his intention to set up a foundation to promote good works. In the letter which Jonathan started with “Dear Baba,” Jonathan had said: “I will be devoting the rest of my life and energy to making the world a better place. I am currently finalizing efforts to set

up The Goodluck Jonathan Foundation. More details on the work of the foundation will be available at the launch, which I believe should take place by the 3rd quarter of 2016.” However, Obasanjo, in a response published by the online newspaper, Premium Times, wrote: "Dear President Goodluck Jonathan, I write to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of September 22, 2015. I take this opportunity to congratulate you on your successful handover to the current President of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari. "I am happy to note that you had a good rest and time with your family during the break. I hope you also had time to reflect and see what lessons you have learned and what you can bequeath to others. All of us who have had experience in our service to the nation and to humanity must not put it under the bushel. "I have to commend you and your Foundation, Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, for the faith you continue to have in Nigeria.

better and more serviceable to the nation and humanity is also a form of penitence and soul-searching to give conscience a relief and to show remorse.

continue to forge ahead with your activities in the coming months and years. If there is any area you feel I can be of help, you should not hesitate to call on me."

14—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26 , 2015

FUNERAL SERVICE FOR LATE MAMA HID AWOLOWO @ IKENE, OGUN STATE PHOTOS: KEHINDE GBADAMOSI & WUNMI AKINOLA

From left: Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; President Muhammadu From left: Chief Ernest Shonekan, former Head of Interim Government; Buhari; Rev (Mrs) Tola Oyediran and Ambassador Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, Gen. Oladipo Diya; Gen. Yakubu Gowon, former Head of State and his during the funeral service for late Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, wife Victoria. at Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Ikenne, Ogun State, yesterday.

From left: Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

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From left: Otunba Alao-Akala, former Governor of Oyo State; Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, APC National Leader and Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

From left: Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Power, Works and Housing; Dr Kayode Fayemi, Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science and Technology and others.

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President, Dangote Group (left) and Oba Otudeko.

From left: Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, Oyo State governor, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, his wife Florence and Deputy Governor of Osun State, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori.

Chief (Mrs) Opral Benson (left) and Senator Florence Ita-Giwa.

Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Latter Rain Assembly (left) and Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State.

Yakubu Dogara, Speaker, House of Representatives (left) and Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State at the event.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015—15

FUEL SCARCITY: DPR seals 86 filling stations in S-East,

S-South states •Synergises with DSS, NSCDC, Police to prosecute offenders •Station in Delta compelled to dispense stock free of charge to customers By Francis Igata

NUGU—IN a bid to step up action against the antics of major and independent petroleum marketers across the South-East and south-south geo-political zones leading to acute fuel scarcity, the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, yesterday, sealed 86 filling stations in Enugu, Ebonyi and Anambra and Delta states found violating ethical practices. A break-down reeled out by the DPR showed that 45 filling stations were sealed in Anambra State while 23, 12 and 6 filling stations were shut down in Enugu, Ebonyi and Delta states respectively. Vanguard checks showed that the prevailing scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, otherwise known as petrol, had occasioned economic hardship on the people, who now pay suffocating prices for fares, stable food items, among others. But while briefing newsmen at their Emene office in Enugu, the

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Operations Controller in charge of Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi states, Mr. Peter Ijeh assured motorists and residents that the DPR had rolled up its sleeves to rout major and independent petroleum marketers, who hoard, adulterate, and divert products in the regions, which had brought avoidable economic hardship on the people. Synergy According to the DPR boss: ”We have struck a synergy with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, Department of State Services, DSS, and Police to prosecute erring filling station operators, who after we must have sealed their stations, open to the public at night. “We have beefed up our monitoring and surveillance machinery to ensure that operators play by the rules. The scarcity is premised on the increased demand for supply against the backdrop of filling stations that have run out of stock.

Most of the filling stations closed down because they do not have products. Most of those selling above approved pump price of N87 have been shut down for short-changing the people. “Both major and independent marketers buy at N77.66. But the independent marketers will always claim they bought at high price. That is why they sell to black marketers, because they do not want to buy from the approved source. We have sealed most filling stations in South-East that are selling above N87 per litre. “We are appealing to the public to quickly call us if they see any filling station selling above N87. We are determined to ensure quality control and accurate meter reading all in a bid to ensure value for money paid by motorists and residents.” Warri stations In a similar vein, the DPR, yesterday, sealed six petrol stations in Warri and its environs for hoarding petroleum products

and selling above the official pump price of N87. DPR surveillance team led by Mr. Obukaroro Ovadje, Assistant Zonal Manager, sealed the stations after the surveillance which lasted more than seven hours. A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, who monitored the exercise, reports that two of the filling stations are located in Warri. The other four are located in Udu Local Government Area of the state. One filling station at Jakpa Road, Uvwie Local Government Area, sold petrol above the official pump price and also under-dispensed. The manager of the station was compelled by the team to dispense his stock free of charge to customers. Ovadje told newsmen that the Presidency had directed that any filling station caught selling petrol above the official price should be compelled to dispense the product free of charge to customers. “This filling station dispenses

fuel at N140 and also underdispenses at 11.35, as against the normal measurement of 10.0. “With that, we have no choice than to compel the manager to dispense to customers for free in line with government directive,” he said. Full compliance Ovadje said that DPR would continue to monitor the activities of marketers to ensure full compliance with government directive. The manager of the filling station, who refused to disclose his name, said that "mechanical fault" compelled him to sell the product above the official price. “Sometimes when it happens like this, we quickly call the engineer to check and rectify the fault. We sell at the regulated pump price,” he said. The head of Public Affairs, DPR, Mr. Goddey Agusa, said the department gave its contacts to some people to furnish it with information on the activities of filling stations.

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16 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015

BIAFRA: MASSOB faction accuses South East govs, Ohanaeze, others of betrayal •S-East region marginalized since independence – Ohazulike •Former Chairman, Police Service Commission cautions agitators •Ohanaeze Youth Council meets with FG •Treat Ndigbo fairly —Iwuanyanwu By Anayo Okoli, Nwabueze Okonkwo, Peter Okutu, Ikenna Asomba, Chimaobi Nwaiwu & Ugochukwu Alaribe

BAKALIKI—THE factional leadership of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, yesterday, accused the South-East governors, members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and other Igbo leaders in the country of betraying the interest and demands of Ndigbo in the current political dispensation. This came as the Ohanaeze Youth Council met with the Federal government over detained Radio Biafra Director, Nnamdi Kanu. In a statement in Abakaliki, the National Director of factional MASSOB, Mr. Uchenna Madu stressed that the position taken by the Igbo leaders, despite the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu by the Department of State Service, DSS, was a reflection of their inferiority complex and loyalty to their oppressors. The statement read in part: “The governors, Ohanaeze and other Igbo leaders have proved that they are not representing the interest and demands of Ndigbo; they have shown their soft mind, inferiority complex and loyalty to our oppressors. “We shall prove to Nigeria that the Igbo governors, National Assembly members, other Igbo leaders are not truly in charge of affairs in Igboland. DSS is buying time in the long incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu to impress Buhari and northern political cabal that they can frustrate Biafra revolution. Call for caution Worried by the spate of protests, former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Chief Simon Okeke said that irrespective of marginalization of the zone, there is no justification for the South East to be asking for separate state from Nigeria. Speaking against the backdrop of the agitation for the actualization of Biafra by MASSOB and IPOB,

CEREMONY: From left, Mr. Oscar Onyema, CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, and Mrs. Ope wemi-Jones, Group Head, Inclusive Banking, Access Bank Plc, presenting the first prize trophy to the winner, Miss Chiamaka Nwajiaku of Sacred Heart College, Lagos, at the Nigerian Stock Exchange 2015 Essay Competition Award ceremony, entitled, 'Building a Financially Savvy Generation,' at the Civic Centre, in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye Chief Okeke said that although the South East had a very good case for agitation against being marginalized, they s hould present their case lawfully. Chief Okeke therefore called for the establishment of South East Development Commission, SEDC, to look into the problems militating against the South East development and resolution of issues that cause youth restiveness. He further urged the agitators of MASSOB and IPOB to hold their governors and National Assembly representatives who were voted to represent them but had represented their pockets responsible for their woes. Meeting with FG Meantime, the Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, had commenced negotiation with the Federal Government for a political solution to the issues surrounding the protests by IPOB and MASSOB, which will ultimately lead to an unconditional release of the detained leader of IPOB and promoter of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. To this end, the leadership of OYC met with the Federal Government in Abuja, Tuesday, through the Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Solomon Dalong. According to the National PThe delegation to the meeting held at the Minister’s office, according to Isiguzoro, included the patron of the OYC, Chief M.O. Kanu and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youths

Development, Mr. Chinyeaka Oha. Isiguzoro explained that at the meeting with the Minister, OYC urged the Federal Government to release Kanu unconditionally as being demanded by IPOB and the Uchenna Madu-led MASSOB at the South East stakeholders’ meeting held in Enugu, Sunday. Biafra’s true leadership However, in the heat of the protests,another group, the Movement for Outright Discontinuation of the Exploitation and Annihilation of Easterners, MODEAE, yesterday, stated that the action of IPOB in agitating for the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu and restoration of Biafra was quite justifiable. MODEAE said the ongoing protest is expected to achieve its main objectives which were the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu and restoration of Biafra, adding that the protest would not stop, but would continue unabated with a renewed vigour until these two conditions were met. Unending marginalization In tandem with the claims of MODEAE, Eze Ndigbo of Lagos, Eze Nwabueze Ohazulike has also attributed the long neglect of the South East by the Federal Government as the reason behind the sporadic demand for the creation of a sovereign Biafra State which has affected economy and social life in the region. Ohazulike in a statement

said that the South East region of Nigeria has been neglected and

marginalized since independence, noting that the agitators are reacting to the poor distribution of the country resources which has culminated in the underdevelopment of the region. “Nobody cares about the South East Zone, we have the highest number of unemployed youths. We have the highest rate of bad roads which is as a result of erosion that has crippled the region. Some communities have been cut off due to flooding and erosion and other natural causes. “Our people cannot go to the farm again because their lands are no longer safe.” Treat Ndigbo fairly —Iwuanyanwu Adding his voice to the need for peace, elder statesman, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu urged President Muhammadu Buhari to

treat Ndigbo fairly and ensure they find more accommodation in Nigeria in the interest of the unity of the nation. Iwuanyanwu who stated this at the Integrated Economic Summit organized by Aka Ikenga in Aba, Abia state, said Ndigbo are major shareholders in Nigeria who have paid more sacrifice than any other group to develop the country. He also called on President Buhari to shun people who feed him with false reports that Ndigbo hate him. According to him, “Ndigbo are the major shareholders in Nigeria. If Nigeria is a corporate enterprise, Ndigbo own over 70 per cent equity and deserve to be given their due. The Igbo man is the only Nigerian who believes in one united Nigeria."

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015— —17

AST week, the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, rose from a meeting to announce that they can no longer pay the N18, 000 National Minimum Wage that was signed into law in March 2011, by President Goodluck Jonathan. The governors gave as reason for their inability to continue to meet their obligations to the Nigerian working people, the poor state of the Nigerian economy. Specifically, the governors pointed out that the wages burden was lighter when crude oil sold at $126 as against the current $41 per barrel. “The situation is no longer the same when we were asked to pay N18, 000 minimum wage, when oil price was $126 (per barrel) and we continued paying N18, 000 minimum wage when oil price is $41, while the source of government expenditure is from oil, and we have not seen prospects in the oil industry in the near future,” they said. Predictably, the Nigerian working people have sharply reacted to the provocative intention. Leaders of the NLC and the TUC warned that if the governors wanted working people to shut down the country, because of their harebrained idea, they would gladly do so. They added that: “The governors should not think that the Nigerian workers do not have the capacity to retrench them”.

Capacity to retrench Responding to the oil price red herring raised by the Nigerian Governors Forum, NLC President AyubaWabba pointed out that: “When there was excess crude money, the workers did not benefit and so we cannot bear the brunt”. Most significantly, former NLC President and current Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, dissociated himself from the NGF. Speaking at the Labour House in Abuja last Friday, Oshiomhole said the minimum wage was not imposed on government, rather, it was a product of an agreement with labour. And just in case the governors suffered a selfinflicted amnesia, he reminded them that: “Democracy doesn’t have to run at the convenience of governors, ministers and presidents…the issue in the economy hasn’t got to do with minimum wage. I have also reminded my colleagues that the minimum wage was not imposed, it was negotiated and state governments agreed to it, the president signed it and it was not under duress, there was no strike to compel the then president to sign it, he signed it voluntarily”. So disgusted was a broad section of Nigerians on the NGF’s intention, that former Vice Chancellor, Professor AngoAbdullahi, angrily suggested that whichever governor was not able to pay C M Y K

Nigerian governors and national minimum wage the minimum wage should resign to pave way for those who can, in the interest of the Nigerian worker. He added that governors who could take huge sums as security vote, cannot then state that they won’t pay

Governors and the political elite should make the greatest sacrifices today; they should give up at least 50% of their wages and allowances

N18, 000 minimum wage. “If certain political appointees of the governors take home N1 million monthly, how can the same governors not be able to pay N18, 000 to each worker…? asked Prof. Abdullahi. In truth, I think the governors still haven’t understood the depth of changes taking place in Nigeria today. The Nigerian working people will NEVER allow their minimum wage that cannot even really take them home, to become the terrain of sacrifice in these difficult times, and for very good reason. The assumption that the burden of sacrifices must be placed upon the working people and the poor, while protecting their own personal and class comforts, will not fly. Governors and the political elite should

make the greatest sacrifices today. They should give up at least 50% of their wages and allowances. Same for emoluments paid hundreds of political appointees that consume a huge part of the recurrent expenditure of states. They should also prune down the number of commissioners; special advisers; special assistants and other hangerson. It was not too long ago, that Isa Yuguda in Bauchi and MurtalaNyako in Adamawa, appointed hundreds of special assistants! Similarly, there is the need to cancel the immoral pensions that governors have awarded themselves. These pensions are paid to individuals like Bukola Saraki in Kwara; Bola Tinubu in Lagos and GodswillAkpabio in

AkwaIbom, for example. In many instances, these pensions are even the first lines of expenditure for states. How can these pensions be justified? These individuals made huge sums of money from and through their states in the eight years that they ruled. And for example, a poor Kwara State will continue to pay BukolaSaraki and his family millions of naira annually, for as long as he lives. The same chap is now in Senate, drawing the salary of Senate President. If he survives his problem at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, then he will add a Senate pension to his Kwara State pension! This is the class injustice that the Nigerian Governors Forum is blinded to! They see the huge sums they award to themselves and the illegal sums many cream off their states as normal. That process of personal and class enrichment to the detriment of Nigeria’s economic wellbeing and social peace should be discontinued. But the Nigerian working class must NEVER make a sacrifice of losing the pittance they are paid as a National Minimum Wage. Nigerian governors must brace themselves up for the Mother of All National Strikes if they attempt to stop paying the N18, 000 National Minimum Wage!

International day of solidarity with Palestine

VERY year on November 29, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is observed by the United Nations and around the world. This is in accordance with General Assembly resolutions 32/ 40B of December 2, 1977 and 34/ 65D of December 12, 1979. November 29 was chosen because of its special significance to the Palestinian people, as the day, when in 1947, the General Assembly adopted resolution 181 (II), which eventually became known as the Partition Resolution. That resolution provided for the establishment of a “Jewish State” and an “Arab State” in Palestine. Up till today, only the Zionist Jewish State has come to being, while the plight of the Palestinian people has become a major blot on the conscience of humanity.

Conscience of humanity TheInternationalDayofSolidarity with the Palestinian People has therefore offered opportunity for humanity to focus attention on the unresolvedissueofPalestineandthe fact that the Palestinian people have yet to exercise the inalienable right to self-determination; national independence; sovereignty and the right of return to their homeland. It is indicative of the reactionary nature of the contemporary international system that the Palestinian Question has been pushed to the backburner of discourseandinmanyinstances; the dominant paradigm has been framed by Zionist Israel and the world imperialist system as well as a complicitinternationalmediasystem. Unlike a couple of years back and

especially in my generation of students and working class activists, today many people do not really understand or appreciate the issues around the plight of the Palestinian people. This deep-seated ignorance also has an unfortunate religious dimensionwhichhasplayedintothe propaganda of Zionist Israel. The spike in Pentecostal Christianity has also seen the strengthening of a “ChristianZionist”movementwhich literallyseessupportforZionistIsrael as a religious duty. That blinds them to two central facts; the first is that the Zionist Israeli is not even a Christian but a Jewish entity; and the fact that it is Palestinians that are actually Christian and Muslim and therefore their brothers and sisters in faith, whosenationalrights,humanityand dignity are assaulted everyday, under occupation, in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. Today, while Africans and the world have dismantledapartheidinSouthAfrica, apartheid is however alive and well in the relationship between the Zionist state of Israel and the occupied people of Palestine. The Middle East is one of the most volatile regions of our world today. It is a scene of wars and unending crises. It saw a series of Arab-Israeli wars dating back to the 1940s, 1967and 1973. The region witnessed the illegal AngloAmerican invasion and occupation of Iraq; the emergence of terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS. These conflict situations have reverberations and are extrapolated into other regions of the world, includingeveninsidetheimperialist Western countries, as we saw with 9-11 and the recent bombings of France. At the heart of these conflicts has been the inability of the world powers through a deep-seated hypocrisy and bias, to find a

resolutiontothePalestinianQuestion. In the past two decades or so, the Zionist state of Israel has become more arrogant in its intransigence, while the various wars that it launched against the Palestinian peopleinGaza,employingweapons suppliedbymainlytheUnitedStates, have led to the destruction of even the little the Palestinian people have. It unleashes the terror of one of the strongestarmiesintheworldagainst a people that do not have an army or an airforce. The killings of mainly Palestinian civilians and hundreds of children have been televised around the world. The images triggered the deepening of abhorrence for the ways of the arrogant Zionist Israeli state; and as aresulttheInternationalBoycottand Divestment Campaign against Zionist Israel has gathered momentum around the world.

The Middle East is one of the most volatile regions of our world today. It is a scene of wars and unending crises

Leading intellectuals, public figures and scientists revolted by the Zionist Israeli treatment of the Palestinian people and the cruel arrogance of the Zionist Israeli state, are increasinglyendorsingorjoiningthe international movement to boycott Israel. AstheUnitedNationsandpeople aroundtheworldmarkInternational DayofSolidaritywiththePalestinian People this year, I hope that many moreofourcompatriotswouldbegin to give a thought to the plight of the Palestinian people. It is one of the last issues of denial of the rights of a people in the world today. Nigeria has always actively supported the causeofliberationfromtheearlydays of our national independence. And it never mattered that we had a military or civilian government; the support for national independence against colonialism, apartheid and Zionism were central to Nigerian Foreign Policy, until Goodluck Jonathan took the decision to betray ourForeignPolicytraditionbyvoting against Palestine at the United Nations at the behest of Benjamin Netanyahu, the hawkish and ultrareactionary Israeli Prime Minister! Thankfully, the Nigerian people voted out the Jonathan administration which was content to play the puppet, kowtowing to the WesternpowersandtoZionistdiktat. At his recent address to the UN General Assembly, President Muhammadu Buhari reaffirmed Nigeria’s solidarity with the Palestinian people, thus reconnecting with our proud Foreign Policy tradition. That is as it should be! The world owes the Palestinian People the restoration of theirnationalrights,namelytheright to self-determination, national independence and sovereignty and the right of return!

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015 SINCE the collapse of the effort of the Federal Government to partner with Virgin Atlantic Airlines to create a national carrier known as Virgin Nigeria, the deteriorating relationship between the British aviator owned by billionaire Richard Branson and Nigeria has hit a new low with the sack of all Nigerian cabin crew from its employ. The airline, which had earlier on closed its call centre in Lagos reportedly disengaged the Nigerian staff after only three weeks’ notice and without any severance package. The representative of the Airline in Nigeria, Mr John Adebanjo, explained that the measure was part of a routine staff load shedding which affected 2,000 jobs, pointing out that staff layoffs are not peculiar to his company. The company ’s marketing and communications manager, Kudirat Scot-Igbene, said bluntly that the local staff had to go because the

Virgin Atlantic’s hostility to Nigerians company no longer had any need for them. However, industrial unions within the Nigerian aviation industry – Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and National Union of Air transport Employees (NUATE) have vowed to fight Virgin over what they described as “acts of racism”. The unions accused the company of not having a “workable” condition of service for its Nigerian staff and discriminating against Blacks (Nigerians) aboard its flights. The time has come for the

aviation industry regulator to wake up from its slumber and find out what is really going on with a view to fixing it. While we acknowledge Virgin Atlantic or any other private company’s right to hire and fire its staff to maintain its operations, we cannot see any reasonable excuse for the termination of the employment of all Nigerian staff members of any foreign company operating in Nigeria. We recall the grouse that the founder of Virgin Atlantic, Branson, had in 2012 when, after bitterly complaining about how corruption led him to pull out of the partnership

with Nigeria, he vowed, in a publicly circulated statement: “Nigeria is a country we SHALL NEVER consider to doing business again”. In spite of this disclaimer, Virgin Atlantic continues to operate lucrative flights on its LagosLondon route, thus living off the fat of our country without, feeling any obligation to give back. This we find unacceptable. We hope the federal government’s regulatory agencies will bring the company and the unions to a round table to ensure that the right things are done and Virgin is made to fully discharge its corporate obligations to Nigerians. Otherwise, we will support any lawful and peaceful step taken by the unions to assert the rights of Nigerians, even if it means denying Virgin Atlantic the freedom to operate within the nation’s airspace or the use of her facilities.

OPINION Global terroism and chemical weapons By Bobson Gbinije

OLLOWING the ‘Paris Attack’ the United Nations, UN, Security Council unanimously adopted by resolution a France-drafted document urging UN members to “take all necessary measures” in the fight against Islamic State, IS. The UN resolution 2249 also condemned the recent attacks in Sousse, Tunisia and Ankara, Turkey. The UN Security Council called on member states to “eradicate the safe haven” IS and other militant groups had established over parts of Iraq and Syria. The document also stresses that nations should “redouble and co-ordinate their efforts to prevent and suppress terrorist attacks”. However, it does not invoke the UN’s chapter VII(8) which gives specific legal authorisation for the use of force. France and Russia argued that military action is justified because of the right of countries to defend themselves. This UN resolution will precipitate the ascendency of terrorism and it will stimulate its aggressive serpentine spread to all nooks and crannies of our world. And sequel to the current desire for the world to come together to

launch a singular arrowhead against terrorism and terrorists, it will definitely make these murderous irritants to resort to the use of chemical, radiological and biological weapons to perpetrate their heinous crimes against our world. But how ready is America, Russia, France, Britain, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Sweden, Spain, Italy, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nigeria, Kenya, Cameroon, Niger, Chad, Egypt, Mali, Ethiopia, South-Sudan, Yemen, Eritrea, Somalia etc to cut off the tentacles of biological, radiological and chemical weapons when unleashed on them by IS, Al Qaeda, Shite, Sunni, Tijaniya, Quadariya, Boko Haram, Al Shabah, Hizbollah terrorists groups? It is obvious to our world that these terrorists groups have the capabilities

The immediate and future use of chemical and biological weapons against some nations of our world stares us most glaringly on our faces.

to produce and unleash chemical weapons on nations, precipitating global genocide. We have seen the unleashing of chemical weapons in Japan, Iraq, Iran, and Kuwait, etc. Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Syria, etc, are listed by the CIA as supporters of terrorism and are believed to possess chemical, radiological and biological weapons. Nuclear, chemical and biological agents, as we have seen, are inherently terrorising. They evoke moral dread and visceral revulsion out of proportion to their lethality. The government of any country attacked with such weapons would have difficulty controlling the anarchical entropy and apocalyptic confusion such will cause. Because chemical and biological weapons are silent killers, an attack could occur at any time without warning. The United States Office of Technology Assessment claims that many of the components of these agents are widely sold for industrial purposes. For example, thiodiglycol, an immediate precursor to mustard agent, is used to make ink for ball point. All that is required to produce mustard from the material is simple acid that also is easy to obtain. Pathogens that could be used as crude biological weapons such as the common food poisons salmonella, shigella, and staphylococcus - are readily available at clinical microbiology laboratories. Terrorists

produce deadlier agents. Knowledge of microbiology and of its potential applications to weapons, is increasingly wide spread. It is clear from the foregoing that chemical and biological weapons are easy to make and are already in the hands or domain of the terrorists. But without moral caution and qualms of conscience, the terrorists are the most likely to use them against perceived enemy nations. The immediate and future use of chemical and biological weapons against some nations of our world stares us most glaringly on our faces. The nations of our world must come together to share scientific and technological know-how and skills on how to protect our world and its peoples from the horrendous toxicity of chemical, biological and radiological weapons of mass destruction. The Tabun, Sarin, Soman and mustard agents when unleashed on man, animals and crops, the consequences and impacts are too apocalyptic and Armageddon-like to behold. Indeed, a Global Holocaust. The world most come together now to forestall global terrorism and the use of chemical and biological weapons on man. Chief Gbinije, founder, Mandate Against Poverty, wrote from Warri.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26 26,, 2015— 19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

Buhari batters Dasuki while we watch! T HE Japanese have a proverb which says: “Revenge is a delicious dish best eaten when cold”. There are people (and cultures) that have the capacity to harbour ill-will against their neighbours and would never let go of their quest for vengeance until they get the opportunity to get their own back, no matter how long it takes. Some would even call their children, embellish the grievances and enjoin them never to rest until they have equalled the score. This, to me, is a cowardly disposition. If someone does you a bad turn you have two choices. If you choose to forgive, then forgive and let go, with lessons learnt for the future. But if you choose to retaliate, do so while the issue is still warm, and then, let go. The world moves on, and so must we. But unfortunately, here in Nigeria we move in circles. History keeps repeating itself. We keep recycling leaders, and when they come back, they disturb our peace with public displays of vengeance against their private enemies. We brought back General Olusegun Obasanjo as our elected president in 1999 and he

spent much of his time hunting after a demised enemy, General Sani Abacha and his hit-man, Major Al Mustapha. Eight years after, we have brought back another former military head of state, retired Major General Muhammadu Buhari. Right now, he is perched angrily on the prostrate form of retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki, battering him with the use of state instruments of power and coercion, and we don’t care. We can understand how Buhari feels towards Dasuki who, as a junior officer, allegedly humiliated him in detention after he was overthrown. This long forgotten Sambo Dasuki was brought back by former President Goodluck Jonathan as his National Security Adviser, NSA and presided over the expose of Buhari’s certificate scandal during the campaigns for the 2015 presidential election. When Buhari was sworn-in as the elected President on May 29, 2015, most Nigerians expected his first duty in office to include the sack of Dasuki as NSA. But he did nothing of the sort. He kept the man on the job for six long weeks. He held

many security meetings with him in attendance even when Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was excluded. The President travelled with Dasuki to Niger Republic where the terms of our northern neighbour’s continued involvement in the Multi-National Joint Military Task Force, MNJMTF, were perfected. Some thought the President had risen above his personal affronts at the hands of his kinsman, Dasuki. Our newly elected leader had gone to see one of his main international supporters on his way back to power, US President Barack Obama. He gave profuse undertakings to follow the due processes of the law in his avowed fight against corruption and recovery of looted public funds. However, the ways that Dasuki

Buhari’s advisers should have urged him to ensure that the due processes are strictly followed to prevent his being accused of helping himself to personal vengeance

Smuggling, seizures and dubious disposals W

HEN people do the same thing the same old way and keep expecting different results, that is the very definition of foolery. Nigeria is one country where we simply laugh when calamity strikes and after that, life continues. We are concerned today with the numerous cases – a few of which we can only reproduce here – where Nigeria wastefully sets fire on money-spinners and other items that are desperately needed by all. For us, by whomever and by whatever name, destruction by fire is arson. And where we must resort to burning, let it be with a sense of loss and trepidation. First, we cannot quantify the amount of havoc that has just been wreaked on the people of Ebubu in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State. In the weekend of October 30 – November 1, 2015, thousands of residents of the area besieged a pit where large quantities of frozen chicken condemned by men of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, were said to have been buried. On Friday, October 30, the Customs men dug a pit and buried thousands of cartons of frozen poultry said to have been brought in six containers, seized at the Onne Port. No sooner had the Customs “undertakers” left the “cemetery” than the community people moved in to exhume the products, which they carted home for consumption. In many homes in the area, it was barbecue-galore as they roasted and fried the chickens, leading to endless meriment to which friends and guests from other areas were freely invited, thanks to the GSM regime. At a point, however, concerned citizens began to send messages across Eleme and neighbouring communities about the danger inherent in the consumption of the condemned chickens. In fact, we hear that the Archbishop of Commonwealth Covenant Church, the Most Reverend Moses Kattey, made it part of C M Y K

the subject of his preaching on Sunday. He also issued several warnings to people outside his congregation about the danger in eating the condemned poultry. Apparently, the seizure was a direct result of the recent shake-up at the Customs. Those who supervised the importation arrangements might have left the scene before the goods arrived. Again, the burial here could have been symbolic. We are unable to envisage the size of the pit that could accommodate six containers of frozen poultry. In the familiar tradition of what the Binis call “kolo yunu, kolo yokpan” (pluck into the mouth and pluck into the bowl), more than five containers might have escaped into the markets. This aspect is for another day. The products were impounded not because they were bad but because they were contrabands. Because of the uncontrolled nature of the disposal, a lot of contamination could enter into the products between the points of seizure and disposal. And this is coming at a time when everyone

With our uncontrolled methods of disposal, we pollute the water, the air, the land; we poison the people; and we degrade the environment

has been persecuted since his sack on July 13, 2015 shows Buhari is like the Japanese who wait with cold-blooded patience to settle old scores. If Dasuki ran foul of the laws of the land as NSA under Jonathan he should be brought to book following the due processes of the law as Buhari promised Nigerians and Obama. Buhari’s advisers should have urged him to ensure that the due processes are strictly followed to prevent his being accused of helping himself to personal vengeance. But we know the kind of advisers Nigerian leaders usually get: people who only tell the leader to do what they know he already wants to do, thus adding no value. Even The Washington Post, one of the Western media that were very enthusiastically supportive of Buhari’s presidential aspiration, has cried out loud against the use of dictatorial methods in handling Dasuki’s case. Washington Post, you will recall, wrote a number of nice articles in Buhari’s favour before and after the elections. Buhari became enamoured with the paper to the point of publishing an opinion article on its OP-ED page in its July 20th issue, where he broke the news that he would appoint his ministers in September. In its November 19, 2015 issue, The Washington Post published an article entitled: “ Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari dupes the U.S.” The article started with these rather uncomplimentary words: “With the glitter of fool’s gold, Nigeria’s recently elected President Muhammadu Buhari arrived in the United States in July uttering time-

seems to have moved away from talking about orphanages into the area of internally and externally displaced persons because of the latter’s political attractiveness. We think that with a bit of control, it would have been more humane and economically efficient to make the seized poultry available to the displaced camps that now abound everywhere, instead of burying or setting them ablaze. Secondly, we are still at a loss to understand why early in the present democratic experiment, when a large cache of sophisticated arms and ammunitions was recovered from the militants of the era who were beating a retreat from militancy; and the recoveries were set ablaze. Yet, we kept complaining at that time that our military and the police lacked the type of sophisticated weapons that we were setting ablaze. Even at a point, we virtually surrendered to men of the underworld because of their sophisticated weaponry. Couldn’t we have converted these weapons to legitimate ends? Thirdly, as we speak, a barge laden with struggled crude is burning in the Warri waters, and this is virtually a daily occurrence in the Niger Delta Region, courtesy the ever vigilant Joint Task Force and our Marine Forces. Again, on 12 December 2012, eleven takers used for illegal bunkering activities in Edo State were destroyed by our security agents. Evidently, it is bad enough that certain elements would continue to plunder the common wealth of the entire people. It is also painful that vandals would consistently engage in stealing our petroleum products in spite of the risk involved. We, however, think that anyone who attempts scratching his body with the intensity of the itching certainly stands the risk of having

worn democracy vows to President Barack Obama and his administration….to combat graft with procedures that would be “fair, just and scrupulously follow due process and the rule of law, as enshrined in our constitution”. The paper lamented how the President has kept Dasuki in house detention ignoring the repeated orders of the Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Adeniyi Ademola to release him on bail and allow him to travel outside the country for cancer treatment. Not only that, Buhari had requested for the secret trial of Dasuki and personally issued orders for his arrest even while he is still in the clutches of the Directorate of State Services, DSS. Worse still, a committee set up to look into defence contracts from 2007 till May 2015 indicted Dasuki and the Jonathan regime of spending billions of US Dollars on the purchase of military equipment “with nothing to show for it”. Meanwhile, Dasuki claimed he was not invited to state his own side of the case, and proceeded to release a list of military equipment purchased under his tenure to the public. Former president Jonathan has also debunked claims that he ever approved the award of contracts to buy arms to the tune of over $2 billion. These are happening under our very noses and we don’t care. We have abandoned Dasuki to his arch enemy to do as he wishes, only for a foreign newspaper to feel concerned enough to cry out. Dasuki could be a dress rehearsal for a relaunch of 1984 reign of terror on our collective civil liberties disguised as a fight against graft.

his body totally bruised. With our uncontrolled methods of disposal, we pollute the water, the air, the land; we poison the people; and we degrade the environment. In most cases, decisions are made without public scrutiny of the cost-benefit analysis. Whichever way one looks at it, the destruction of tankers and barges would result in colossal wastes running sometimes into billions of Naira. Add to this, the allied cost of destruction – man-hour plus the cost of procuring condemned tyres and other fire enhancers. Other hidden costs come in the form of the negative effects on the people and the environment – considerable damage to the soil and the environment in which the burning takes place as well as the depletion of the ozone layer and the concomitant green house effect. Our approach depicts one of clear double standard: when smuggled vehicles are impounded, we do not set them and the ships that brought them ablaze. Rather, the exotic cars are auctioned out at ludicrously low prices or given out to girlfriends as birthday gifts. Where, then, is the justification for striking a match on impounded tankers and barges together with the petroleum products? We can also inflict the intended psychological trauma on the smugglers and at the same time, make money by selling the liquid content back to the oil companies; and auctioning the tankers and barges to the public. This way, the tanker owners who allow their vehicles to be used for smuggling would be further tormented each time they see the vehicles plying our road.

20 —

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015

When A Past Came Calling for Joke Sylva, Lala and others By Prisca Sam Duru IOLENCE against women and girls has suddenly become a normal but disturbing reality considering the rate at which even minors as young as 10 month old babies are increasingly becoming victims of sexual abuse by their close relatives. This is a desperate situation and as they say, desperate situation calls for desperate measures. In line with raising awareness and triggering action to end the global scourge of violence against women and girls, the Simi Johnson Organisation in collaboration with Mainevents and Campaigns Limited, presents the critically acclaimed stage play – ‘ A past came calling’. Starring Award-winning actress Joke Sylva, Kemi ‘Lala’ Akindoju, and others, A Past Came Calling was written by Uche MacAuley and Directed by Solomon Mac-Auley. The drama which will be staged at the Agip Hall of the Muson

Centre, Lagos, on the 27th and 28th November 2015, will have two shows on each day. Addressing the press last week at the Simi Johnson Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, the Executive Producer of the play, Gemi Shasore who is also the Chief Executive Officer, Mainevents and Campaigns Limited, said that the play comes as part of awareness and advocacy activities to commemorate this year’s International Day for the Elimination

The thought provoking play delves into many topical issues relating to gender based violence which affects everyone across the globe

• Mrs Gbemi Shasore: Executive producer ‘A Past Came Calling’ and CEO Mainevents and Campaigns Limited Joke Silva: Award winning actress Mr Solomon Mac- Auley of Violence against Women which is celebrated every November 25th. According to her, “A Past Came Calling, has the central message that violence, including sexual violence, against women and girls, is a grave and pervasive violation of women’s human rights.” “The thought-provoking play

delves into many topical issues relating to gender based violence which affects everyone across the globe. It aims to inform, correct and no doubt, entertain.” “We’ve realised that this is a crisis that we all must stop and stamp out which is what I’m

Okafor unravels the mystery of Ikeji Mask performance Japhet Alakam

HE Ikeji Festival is one of the biggest festival of the Aros of the South Eastern Nigeria. It is an annual festival of thanksgiving, merriment and propitiation, which comes up either in the month of March or April every year. The festival is very rich, in both historical and cultural festivities, filled with scintillating performances from masquerades, memorable sights, comic acts and magical dances from different dance groups. Apart from the merriment and dancing, many things are involved in the organisation and celebration of the festival proper. What are the features of this festival, who are the people that take part in it, why is it shrouded in secrecy, what is the role of women in this great festival etc.

Great festival These and other topical questions are some of the issues that Chinyere G. Okafor, a full professor of English and Women’s Studies at Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas, USA uncovered in her book, Ikeji Festival Theater of Aro and Diaspora: Gender, Mask and Communication. The 406 pages research book published by University of Lagos Press and Bookshop Ltd is an eloborate and extensive study that restores common humanity

Ikeji Festival Theater of Aro and Diaspora: Gender, Mask and Communication; Chinyere G. Okafor; University of Lagos Press and Bookshop Ltd, Lagos, Nigeria; 2015;PP. 406

because it has its roots in mythic implications. It is indeed a study of the social and basic origins of Aro mask theater since it is the study of the ritualistic figure of Ikeji mask figure in its various manisfestations. It can be described as a re-enactment of the universal folkloric theme of exile (decay, death) and return (revival, resurrection), which are universal symbols for local motifs and archetypes that the various mask figures represent. The book which is divided into 14 chapters, is a work of considerable volume that took the author to many places. Employing the art of a skilled story teller, delivered in simple language, the author through the chapters, highlights the background and origins of Ikeji mask

performance in Arochukwu, its development and migration to other areas in pre-colonial times,presentation of selected festival plays in the original Aro home land and some Aro Diaspora locations, as well as the place of post-colonialism and Christianity. The patriarchical community and social cosmos that influence the mask theater, its union with ritual, performance techniques, and other aspects that facilitate appreciation of “inscrutable wonder” of traditional communities are also analyzed. One special feature of mask performances is that it usually operates in secret cults and their productions are often shrouded in mystery, so the author who is a woman ventures into the un-

The book is a thoroughly and painstakingly researched interdisciplinary endeavor that straddles the fields of history, myth, drama...

known to unravel the mystery of the Ikeji mask performance by outlining the segments that come together to create the mask mystique, and also discuss women and gender angles that help to appreciate the cultural communication of of masculinity and femininity in Arochukwu and Aro diaspora. The gender engagement makes the diligent work so fascinating.For example in chapter 8, entitled Female Transition and Female Masks, the author takes the reader to some transition experiences that help to appreciate what it means to be a woman in the tradition, and also focuses on two female mask performances which portray society’s expectation of women. Another important aspect of the book is that it emphasized the importance of the Ikeji festival as a community affair in which men, women and children play their parts. According to Professor Charles E. Nnolim, of the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, “the book is a thoroughly and painstakingly researched interdisciplinary endeavor that straddles the fields of history, myth, anthropology, drama, theater, religion, and literature with an underlying gender engagement. It is comprehensively conceived and masterfully concluded. For many who are interested in the study of African festival theater in general, Igbo and Nigerian traditional drama, this book is a must. I recommend it to all.

here for, using entertainment. I will continue to talk against domestic violence so as to draw attention to people who are in the position to help.” She said. The Director of the play, Solomon MacAuley said “The play has a big question, Why? We want to entertain people but as a director, I want to provoke action against violence on women. We need to fight it like we all fought against Ebola in this country. The perpetrators need to stop this madness. This is a thought-provoking play filled with passion. So, if we want a change in this regard, we need to go beyond awareness, find a way to provoke people to action. If more people get involved, then we will have good result.”

Emotional violence Award-winning actress, Joke Sylva who said she was proud to be in A Past Came Calling said; “ There is a movement, an improvement on the series of awareness created. It is a case of trying to provoke people. There is power in a well written script which is why we are utilisng this medium to address the issue. Violence against women is an evil going on in the world. People are going through one form of emotional violence which is worse than physical violence and this must stop. Managing Partner of the Mirabel Centre, Mrs Itoro EzeAnaba while sharing some of the efforts made so far by the Centre, to clamp down on all forms of violence against women and girls, also narrated some heart touching stories involving victims of sexual violence especially young children. She maintained that ending violence against women is a war that must be fought by everyone.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015

2% MPR slash not enough, says MAN T

HE Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has said that the reduction of the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) from 13 per cent to 11 per cent is not enough. The President of MAN, Dr Frank Udemba, made the remark in Abuja. He said that the two per cent reduction announced by the Monetary Policy Committee would not have much impact on bank lending rates. He said: “It is a good development but I think the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should do more. This is because whatever MPR that is pronounced affects the lending rate from banks to manufacturers and other customers.

Economic diversification “The reduction will be highly marginal knowing the system in which we operate. Banks are lending at between 23 per cent and 28 per cent. So, a two per cent reduction will bring the lending rate down to between 21per cent and 27 per cent, which is still very high.’’ Udemba said that MAN’s expectation was for the MPR to be slashed to five per cent to bring down the lending rate to 10 per cent at most. According to him, stimulating the manufacturing sector with access to affordable finance is critical to economic diversification. He noted that accessing funds at affordable rates was one of the challenges

Global union challenges FG on poverty alleviation, industrialisation By Victor Ahiuma-Young

From left: Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Habib Abdullahi; GM, Public Affairs of NPA, Ihenacho Ebubeogu; Managing Director of LADOL, Amy Jadesimi and Acting GM Engineering of NPA, Akin Oyejola during the visit of NPA management team to LADOL. facing manufacturers, hence the need for further reduction of MPR. The MAN president urged Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to relax the conditions for accessing its N300 billion real sector support facility and other intervention funds for the real sector. He said the stringent conditions attached to the

funds were making them unattractive and inaccessible to manufacturers. Udemba said the association was also concerned about the level of infrastructure decay in the country and called on the Federal Government to urgently address the situation. “You cannot talk of competitive manufacturing

unless you have stable power supply, good roads and rail networks, among other critical infrastructure. “These things are not readily available in the country right now and it makes manufacturing less competitive,’’ he added.

••reduction’ll boost nation’s investment opportunities —NACCIMA, LCCI

HE Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) on Wednesday said that the cut in the Monetary Policy $121.10 -1.35 Rate (MPR) will boost the nation’s $3,320.00 -9.00 investment climate. NACCIMA $15.00 0.00 Vi c e - Pr e s i d e n t Jani Ibrahim said in Lagos that the decision would 45.17 -0.95 spur the growth of the real sector and 42.11 -0.76 boost investors’ CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL confidence. Ibrahim said DOLLAR 196 196.5 197 POUNDS 298.8608 299.6232 300.3856 that the developEURO 208.7008 209.2332 209.7656 ment would give FRANC 192.5722 193.0635 193.5547 banks the opporYEN 1.5986 1.6026 1. 6067 tunity to lend more CFA 0.2985 0.3085 0.3185 to the real sector WAUA 268.9254 69.6115 270.2975 RENMINBI 30.6658 30.7445 30. 8232 aside other critical RIYAL 52.1901 52.3233 52.4564 factors and stimuSDR 269.8332 270.526 271.2099 late economic KRONA 27.9636 28.035 28.106 growth. He commended the CenCBN Exchange Rate as at 25/11 /15

C M Y K

— 21

tral Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the decisive decisions and urged commercial banks to follow the trend by actively lending to entrepreneurs for the growth of the economy. Mr Obiora Madu, Chairman, Agro-Commodity Export Group of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), however, said that a two per cent cut in the MPR

Federal Government should address the critical issues of foreign exchange, infrastructure and logistics challenges, among others

still fell short of the mark. He said that the MPR should be further reduced to achieve increased investments and higher Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the country. “What the CBN has done is good, but interest rates reduction is not just the only one. Government needs to do a lot more for the sectors that will drive economic growth of the country, he stressed” Madu suggested that the Federal Government should address the critical issues of foreign exchange, infrastructure and logistics challenges, among others. CBN, on Nov. 24, reduced its benchmark lending rate from 13 per cent to 11 per cent. The apex bank’s monetary policy committee also cut the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) to 20 per cent from the previous 25 per cent. The MPR is the benchmark interest rate at which the CBN lends to banks to meet their immediate cash needs.

NDUSTRIAL Global Union, Africa Region, has called on the Federal Government to create opportunities that will establish industries, eradicate poverty and develop the Nigerian economy. Chairperson, Industrial Global Union, Africa Region, Mr Issa Aremu, at a briefing to mark 2015 African Industrialisation Day, lamented that Africa was the poorest and most underdeveloped continent in the world in spite of its abundant natural resources. According to him, African Industrialization Day was observed annually as a means of reflecting on the challenges of industrialization in Africa. He said: “The challenge of job creation can only be addressed through a deliberate state intervention in re- inventing public infrastructure. The problem can also be addressed through a stable and supportive macroeconomic framework that supports industrial production and patronage of made in Nigeria goods. It is an occasion to examine ways and means to stimulate Africa’s Industrialisation Process. It is observed November 20 of every year, according to the UN declaration.’’ Aremu who is also the General Secretary of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, said economic underdevelopment was caused by a failure of the industrial and manufacturing sector, and the perennial dependence on subsistence agriculture. The Regional Chairman explained that the event focused on mobilizing the commitment of the critical stakeholders and the international community to the industrialization of African countries, contending that Nigeria and African continent should develop the agriculture and manufacturing sectors as the basis for overcoming unemployment and poverty. Aremu noted that the Industrial Global Union will use the occasion to hold discussions and rallies as well as make recommendations for favourable policies for industries in Nigeria.

22—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015

Budgetting in both your business and your personal life is essential to becoming successful

Things to consider in business location P

ROFIT making is the primary aim of every business, for this reason, the importance of a good business location cannot be over emphasized. Your business location is a point of contact between you and your prospective customers. There are certain factors to consider in a business location. Target market - Most goods and services are meant for a particular section of the population. Your business should be located within the environment of your prospective buyers. Marketing potentials of the area - Some areas are known to have high trading potentials. Having your business in such an area is a plus because it increases your chances of patronage. Visibility/Accessibility - An ideal business address should not be difficult to locate, but should be easily seen and accessed. Your prospective buyers don’t want to go through so much stress to find you. Business image - Locations vary according to the different hierarchy of the society. Your business location tells your prospective buyers a lot about your business standards.

Transportation - This is very important because it affects the mobility of your prospective customers and suppliers. Your business should be located in an area with good/accessible roads. Area cost - If you are just starting out, you may not want to spend a fortune on getting your office or store. New areas that are still developing are cheaper than already established areas. Power Supply - Almost every business needs electricity for various purposes. You should endeavor to check that there is a decent, if not constant power supply in the area. Local facilities - Certain businesses require the availability of certain facilities such as Banks, Post Offices, etc for the convenience of your customers. Convergence - This refers to locations where different people come together, for different purposes. Having your business in such an area will work to your advantage. Employees - The location of your business has to be favorable to your prospective employees. You should know whether or not you can recruit skilled local hands in that area.

Entrepreneurs with Type-A personalities are unstoppable

ERSONALITIES fit into one of two groups — Type A and Type B — it’s one or the other. Type A’s typically are extremely motivated individuals with lofty goals and the internal fire to go after anything they desire. Type B’s are typically more laid back, lacking the same level of intense self-motivation that Type A’s possesses; They also operate at a much lower stress level. Personalities fit into one of two groups — Type A and Type B — it’s one or the other. Type A’s typically are extremely motivated individuals with lofty goals and the internal fire to go after anything they desire. Type B’s are typically more laid back, lacking the same level of intense self-motivation that Type A’s possesses; They also operate at a much lower stress level. I’m a Type A personality myself and believe that that’s been advantageous for building my company. I can remember my mother telling me, when I was very young, “You’re such a Type A, just like your father — you need to learn how to calm C M Y K

down, or you’re going to have a heart attack.” As an adult, I’ve learned that Type A personalities are unstoppable, and I’ve learned the 12 reasons why: I’m a Type A personality myself and believe that that’s been advantageous for building my company. I can remember my mother telling me, when I was very young, You’re such a Type A, just like your father —you need to learn how to calm down, or you’re going to have a heart attack. As an adult, I’ve learned that Type A personalities are unstoppable, and I’ve learned the 12 reasons why: * Type A’s make their career priority number one.* Type A’s make their career priority number one. Making your career the number-one priority and focus in your life isn’t necessarily the best choice when it comes to your personal life and relationships — social interaction can drop significantly low, for one thing, and dating can be a nightmare.

BUSINESS NAIRA EXCHANGE RATES (13/11/15) Currency DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA YUAN RIYAL KRONA SDR

Buying(N) 196 298.3316 211.484 195.6674 1.5984 0.3013 269.7934 30.749 52.2625 28.3384 270.4996

Central(N) 196.5 299.0927 212.0235 196.1665 1.6025 0.3113 270.4817 30.8279 52.3958 28.4107 271.1897

Selling(N) 197 299.8537 212.563 196.6657 1.6066 0.3213 271.1699 30.9068 52.5291 28.483 271.8797

Commod Light Crud

Natural G Sugar Coffee Cocoa

ROUNDTABLE: From left, Joe Wilson, Vision and Talent; Mr Paul Onwunibe, MD/ CEO, Landmark Group; Mr Peter Falikwe, MD/CEO, Berger Paints PLC; Aret Cyril, Managing Partner, Aret Paul Associates; Olopade Rufus, GMD, Kenony Investment Ltd; Taiwo Ogunwunmi, MD, Sabina Enterprises; Taiwo Ogunwumi, Partner/ED, Brooks and Blake and Paul Uduk, MD, Vision and Talent Ltd during the executive business roundtable of Vision and Talent in Lagos.

Planning, key to business success By Yinka Kolawole, with agency reports

HY do many entrepreneurs who have brilliant business ideas never find the capital to transform their ideas into real life businesses? Why do most startup businesses fail to attract the loans and investments they need to grow and succeed? Why do more than 80 percent of businesses fail within their first five years? Basically, because many of them didn’t have a plan. Like most people who travel to an unknown destination without a map, guide or directions, businesses without proper planning get lost and never reach their destination. As an important venture that requires an investment of time, effort and money, entrepreneurs must take business planning very seriously. Shows commitment Studies have shown that entrepreneurs who have the discipline to prepare a business plan are two and a half times more likely to get into business. Writing a business plan helps to focus and fight procrastination. Investing time

and effort in researching target market, analysing competitors and estimating profit figures is bound to increase interest in bringing business idea to life. A business plan has the power to positively affect your mindset. When an idea is left undeveloped, it starts to lose significance. As you gather information about your business, you start to develop a strong level of confidence and ‘can-do’ spirit around your business idea. Whether you plan to start a business from scratch or want to

The report ranks Nigeria 169 out of the 189 countries considered in the survey

expand an already established business, a plan will keep you interested, focused, committed and determined to take action. Helps in developing idea The problem with thoughts is if you don’t write them down, you may forget them entirely. So you decide to write down your brilliant business idea. However, to become a real business, certain actions and investments of time, effort and money must happen to transform your beautiful idea into a successful business. How will you start? How much will you need and who will you get it from? What kind of customers will you target? Who is your competition and what will you do to protect your business from them? Are there any licenses, permits or government approvals you need before you start? Who will be responsible for what? All of these are important questions that must be answered in order to transform your idea into a real business. A business plan allows you to see your business from the top and understand how all the elements will fit into one another. Business plans often bring up interesting and creative

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015 — 23

Many people are confused and sometimes do not understand what taking business ownership means

& YOU

dity de

Gas

Running an organisation as your own business

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alternatives that could make your original idea much better and powerful. Better preparedness Toyota is one of the most successful car brands in the world. Year after year, it continues to release the most beautiful and reliable ‘driving machines’ my eyes have ever seen. Like most car manufacturers, Toyota invests a lot of time, effort and money in the early stages of developing every new car model. A couple of years before the new model is released, Toyota’s engineers and specialists brainstorm tirelessly on different aspects of the new car model, especially in the areas of comfort, safety, speed, control and beauty. Why doesn’t Toyota just go ahead and build the car? After all, it has a top team of highly talented and experienced designers, engineers and technicians. With all its talent and experience, why does Toyota still spend all that time, effort and money in planning?

Money in planning Toyota is serious about planning because it knows planning is always required for success. Toyota is always prepared, that’s why it always succeeds. Abraham Lincoln once said: “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe”. Unless you plan to waste time and suffer the emotional trauma of mistakes, investing in planning usually leads to better preparedness, fewer surprises and a higher likelihood for success. Ensures accountability You are very likely to be the biggest risk to your business. Because you’re answerable to no one in your business, there’s usually that temptation to take the business for granted. A business plan allows you to set goals and track your progress and levels of achievement over time. Without this accountability,

the business will always be subject to guesses and impulsive actions and will definitely perform below its best potentials. People who set specific, measurable and time-bound (SMT) targets for themselves usually perform much better than others. A business plan is the only way for entrepreneurs and businesses to hold themselves accountable using SMT targets. It’s the best way to eliminate procrastination, reduce the fear of failure and inspire you to take quick and bold actions that will make the dream business come true.

Boosts chances of raising capital How can you bring out that brilliant business idea and present it to potential business partners, bank loan officers, investors and other people who can provide the capital you need to start or expand your business.? A plan is the most effective way to communicate your business idea to other people in a clear, complete and convincing manner. Partners, investors and bankers are more likely to take you seriously if you have a wellwritten and professional business plan. Banks and investors actually take business plans very seriously. Because the information it provides helps them to properly measure the risk of investing in your business. Banks and investors take calculated risks; they’re not gamblers. Anybody who’s interested in your business idea wants to see that you have taken the time to do a proper and detailed planning. Whether you’re applying for a bank loan, looking for a partner or venture capitalist to invest in your business, applying for a government loan or grant, or entering for a fundraising competition, you stand a better chance of winning and raising the capital you need if you have a well-written and professional looking business plan.

By ‘Uju Onwuzulike “Ownership: ‘A commitment of the head, heart, and hands to fix the problem and never again affix the blame”…John G. Miller

NE debilitating factor that has caused business failures in today’s organisations is “I don’t CARE attitude” exhibited by some employees. This “I don’t CARE attitude” is also reflected in phrases like “It is not my business”, or “it is not my father’s business”. The harsh truth is that regardless of any amount of money invested in transforming your organisation - with this “I don’t CARE attitude” exhibited by some staff members, achieving a sustainable growth/ progress could be a herculean task. Proactive organisations have employees “that always care.” A misleading belief or assumption has existed for a long time and that has been, “it is not my responsibility to take my organisation to the next level - it is the responsibility of others”.

Ownership of the businesses Most employees do not take ownership of the business or where they work seriously. They think that it is only the CEO or the board of directors that own the organisations and as such would not be required to give their all. One of the goals of this insight is to inform all of us that we are all stakeholders in where we work (earn our salaries). There is nothing like superior or inferior stakeholder. All employees are stakeholders and as such should take ownership of the business. Taking ownership is a sure way to show that we want the growth and sustainability of our organisations. It is not by paying lip service. It is by taking actions to do things differently. Many people are confused and sometimes do not understand what taking business ownership means.

BY ‘UJU ONWUZULIKE

They have misconstrued the primary meaning. Taking ownership does not mean you have bought over the business/ organisation or you are the CEO/Director, it simply means doing one’s duty as if you are the owner of the business. It also means doing all you can to ensure that the customer is not just satisfied, but will be a “free marketing agent” for your business. It means going the extra mile and doing things differently with the intent of delivering better results for your organisation. It means being delighted to be in your place of work. Finally, it means taking care of the business same way you will take care of your personal belongings e.g car. It requires a paradigm shift – from me “it is not my business” to “it is my business”. During one of my workshops, I asked the participants to name their best day of the week. Much to my chagrin, more than 70 percent said Fridays, and about 20

Most employees do not take ownership of the business or where they work seriously

percent of participants said Mondays. The point here is that most employees do not even want to work; they want to close their eyes and meet Fridays. I am not against Fridays, but the fact is that someone who takes ownership of the business and who is committed will know that his/her success story will start on a Monday. Mondays should be every employee’s delight. The person will be keen to go to the office. Surprisingly, most employees on getting to Sunday evening will start grumbling and saying here comes Monday again. That thought alone has set the stage for failure ahead of the week. Funny enough, that same person who has grumbled on a Sunday evening will never say at the end of the month, here comes salary again. The only way to justify our salaries is to take ownership of what we do. Final note: Whether in paid or self employment, it is not in our best interest not to take ownership of what we do. Organisations of today cannot afford to have employees who are just there to earn salaries without giving in their best. Every organisation desires employees that will help them grow. It is true that when we help our organisations grow one way or the other, we are growing along side them. Some people used to think that it is only when they start their personal business that they will be committed. Even when an employee of today starts his/her business tomorrow, it is only the commitment that has been exhibited today that can be carried to the new business. Any how you look at it; you are doing yourself a favour by being committed to whatever you do. Finally, leaders should ensure that while the employees are striving to grow the organisations, the welfare of employees should be paramount and should not be taken for granted. For views or perspectives: Email: uju@hainescentre.com Mobile: 09091142093 www.hainescentre.com C M Y K

24—Vanguard, THURSDAY,

NOVEMBER 26, 2015

Mr. Andrew Ejayeriese, GM, Exploration, ExxonMobil; Mrs. Oluseyi Afolabi, ED, ExxonMobil; Dr. Daniel Lambert Akhionbare, ExxonMobil University Partnering Programme (UPP) Consultant; Mr. Abhulimen Godwin Peter, Director, Regional Planning, Nigerian Geological Survey Agency and Prof. Omar Rahaman of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife at the launch of seven new maps produced through the UPP of ExxonMobil subsidiary, Esso Exploration & Production in Lagos.

Sub-standard schools: Where are the Inspectors? By Amaka Abayomi, Tare Youdeowei & Chiebuka Enwere

ROM time immemorial, supervision and monitoring of the schools personnel have been central to the attainment of the goals and objectives of schools, and this is why Nigeria’s National Policy on Education highlighted, in precise terms, the objectives of educational supervision which is to ensure quality control through regular inspection and continuous supervision of instructional and other services. This led to the establishment of Inspectorate Units in the federal and state ministries of education to monitor the performance of school staff and

Unilorin students partner Leah Foundation to fight cancer PG. 26 C M Y K

the teaching environment to promote effective teaching that would lead to improved performance and learning of the students. According to the website of the Federal Ministry of Education, FME, ‘the Federal Inspectorate Service was established in 1973 in recognition of the need for the FME to continue to provide leadership and formulate national policy for the purposes of planning and quality assurance nationwide.’ But it is sad to note that this important role has been relegated to the back burner, especially in private and unity schools as the inspectorate unit of the federal level has been rendered moribund due to lack of funds to facilitate the

Harnessing waste management value chain can increase revenue — Idowu Desmennu PG. 27

movement of staff to various schools for inspection. To fully understand the importance of schools’ inspection, Vanguard Learning sought the views of Ministry of Education officials, teachers and education service providers

We would not hesitate to close down any school going contrary to the stipulations; where pupils and students are not being properly taught, where safe gathering becomes an issue, or where the safety of our children is not guaranteed

on the effect of inspection on teaching and learning and how often it should be carried out. Pointing out that regular inspection of schools is important as it keeps the schools on their toes, the Director-General, Education Quality Assurance, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo, stated that they would not hesitate to close down schools that do not meet the requirements stipulated by federal and state ministries of education.

Teaching and learning She said “The vision of the agency is to attain excellence in education and by so doing we would work tirelessly to take action against those who contravene these requirements. We would not hesitate to close down any school going contrary to the stipulations; where pupils and students are not being properly taught, where safe gathering becomes an issue, or where the safety of our children is not guaranteed. It is very

important that schools get teaching and learning right so as to empower children.” In agreement is an educator with over 34 years experience and the Headmistress, Olokun Primary School, Lagos, Mrs. Finnih Adedayo, who said “frequent inspection of schools is good as it makes everyone to sit up. On the average, this school gets inspected three times per term as we often have inspectors from Quality Assurance and SUBEB visit us every term.” Also agreeing that frequent inspection of schools would lead to development and the eradication of sub-standard schools, a school owner from Umuahia, Abia State, who pleaded anonymity, called on officials of the state Ministry of Education not to relent in their efforts to maintain high standard of education across the state through frequent inspection of schools.” But despite these positive reviews about how frequent inspection of schools have become and its effects on

Continues on page 25

Vanguard, THURSDAY,

NOVEMBER 26, 2015 — 25

Stakeholders advocate total safety for school children By Elizabeth Uwandu

From left: Technical Marketing Manager, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Mr. Brega Fabusuyi; Lagos State Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps, Mr. Cyril Akhanemhe; Camp Director, Mrs. Franca Ifon and Camp Commander, Maj. Abdulhameed Omeiza Yakubu, during Honeywell Pasta cooking competition at NYSC Orientation Camp, Iyana, Ipaja, Lagos.

Sub-standard schools: Where are the Inspectors? Continues from page 24 teaching and learning, one wonders why some schools still operate uninspected as there is an an abundance of schools across the country established in inappropriate places like garages, next to a mechanic workshop, near beer parlours and motels. Many of these schools are not fenced, thus, exposing young, impressionable children to all manner of ills and danger. Laying the blame at the doorstep of the Education Quality Assurance Department of the FME, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Federal Wing, Comrade Emeka Okonta, said unity schools would remain uninspected as long as staff of the Education Quality Assurance Department, which is responsible for monitoring and inspecting schools to ensure that they are running optimally, are left idle. Okonta said “how do you expect schools to be inspected when the staff who are to conduct the inspection are sitting idle in the office as a result of unreleased funds to facilitate their movements.

Dearth of qualified staff A lot of them come to the office to read newspapers, eat and discuss with their colleagues and at the end of the month, they get paid for doing nothing.” Giving reasons for the inability of the staff of the Education Quality Assurance Department to carry out their duties, a source at the FME, who didn’t what his name in print, said “first, there are thousands of schools scattered all over the country and there are not enough vehicles to move Inspectors from school to school. “Secondly, there is a dearth of qualified staff to inspect the C M Y K

teachers. Some of these inspectors do not have proper orientation as regards what to inspect, and this lack of knowledge of what to inspect makes them allow a lot of ills go through into the system. “There is the also the ever present problem of corruption which has found its way to Inspectors. Some Inspectors are motivated to make more personal gains than promoting quality education. More so, there are also those that have friends in unregistered schools, hence would not report them to the authorities. By so doing establishments that are not worthy to be called schools in the first place, take on that identity and dupe many poor, unsuspecting parents.” Pointing out that inspection of schools is to ensure that standards are maintained, Mr. Micheal Orubu said “schools inspection should be taken seriously so as to curb the trend of using two or three bedroom flats as schools. This is inappropriate as the education of a child is not something to use to make ends meet. Though most of theses schools are government approved, I have never seen operators of quack schools penalised. Narrating his experience, Orubu said “there is a new

Some Inspectors are motivated to make more personal gains than promoting quality education

private primary school squeezed between a brothel and a face-toface apartment building on my street. To their left are prostitutes who no longer know day and night and to their right are barracks style rooms. That is not the proper environment to educate children and government can’t say they have not seen the school. “On another street, Jejelaye Street, it is the same thing. In fact that one has been there for years and funny enough, I attended the school and that was the first time I heard the word Ashewo. I was in Primary One and I already knew what Ashewo Palour means because the school is just opposite a brothel.”

Great disservice Lamenting the great disservice done to the parents and the young ones, a Port Harcourt based father of two, Mr. Eze Igbokwe, listed ignorance and poverty as the major reasons why substandard schools exist and are patronized. He said “In a nation where everything in dependent on money, people tend to do anything to get money. There are always the poor and illiterate who patronize these schools and it is a very sad development especially as government has not done much to remedy the situation.” Way forward: Proffering solutions, Adedayo of Olokun Primary School suggested that inspection should not an activity that is done periodically and dependent on external bodies but should start from the heads of schools going round from class to class to watch what their teachers are doing, and correct them where necessary.” Also, the source at the FME implored government to pay more attention to Inspectors by making sure that those who present themselves as qualified and incorruptible Inspectors.

HE question on how ,”How Safe is your Child in School?’ formed the basis of “2015 Movement Against Negligence in School, MANIS, Child Health & Safety Week Summit” which had stakeholders from the education, health and safety sectors, as well as students and parents, marshalL out ways to improve on the overall safety of a child, whom they agreed is the responsibility of all. Guest speakers at the summit included Dr. (Mrs) Ronke Akinlembo, Mrs Adun Akinyemiju, Proprietor of Dansol High School, Dr. Gertrude Ogunkeye of Child Paediatric Hospital, Mrs Fayo Williams, Executive Director, Rely Supply Limited. And Mrs Olabisi Ariyo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Lagos State. Others were Mr. Kunle Olusola, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Lagos and representatives of FRSC and Oyo State governor’s wife. Speaking on the idea behind the summit, the founder, Mr. Toye Arulogun said the need to fight and ensure that adequate measures are put in place to reduce to the barest minimum,death of students occasioned by negligence on the part of school authorities formed the basis of the

summit. A representative of parent, Dr Ronke Akinlembo, said the safety of a child first of all rests on the shoulders of the parents who determine the location of the child’s school. She said “parents should not choose schools based on financial status or on relationship with owners or stakeholders of a school but on the location and security measures put in place by the school in cases of illness or accident.” Mrs. Adun Akinyemiju said the safety of a child in school rests on school owners and their staff by providing well structured clinic with resident doctor and nurses. She advocated for proper training and orientation of staff to give them a sense of responsibility on children placed in their care. For Dr. Gertrude Ogunkeye, “no parent wants to send his/ her child to school and would not want them back, hence parents should choose schools with care and also provide records of them to the school.” She listed measures to be put in place by school authorities to ensure adequate safety of the child to include upgrading of medical forms in line with current practice, provision of treated net for doors and windows, compulsory house master\mistress, availability of portable water, regular fumigation of the school’s environment and yearly health screening of the staff and students.

APEN advocates accelerated growth for education sector By Tare Youdeowei

HE Association of Private Educators in Nigeria, APEN, has advocated accelerated development and growth for the education sector. Speaking at the 6th annual conference of the association, chairman of APEN, Dr. Olufemi Ogunsanya, said there was a need for a rethink and change of perspectives to engender growth and development in the education sector. She said "there is the need for a shift in our perspectives and practices in developing and educating our students. The need to appreciate the strategic roles of the educational system in shaping and inculcating the values we hold dear and are ethical standards we subscribe to. "Our students are going to

graduate from our education system into a different world that is going to be characterized by immense technological advancements, resulting in a high degree of change in the way we live, work and interact with one another. This change will not be comfortable.” According to her, there is the imperative to appreciate strategic role of educational system in shaping the thought pattern of the students and as a result, educators should collaboratively strengthen the holistic development of students in and out of the classroom. "As educators, we need to collaboratively rethink, seek and develop ways to strengthen the holistic development of our students. It is essential that educators prepare for the transformations needed and keep identifying effective ways for change beyond the limitations that exist in their immediate environments.

26 — Vanguard, THURSDAY,

NOVEMBER 26, 2015

NIJ Provost charges media on knowledge of constitution By Elizabeth Uwandu

From left: Mr Lordson Daki of Zacchaeus Onimba Dibiaezue Memorial Libraries, ZODML; Ms Ego Mbagwu, CEO, ZODML; Director, Lagos State Library Board, Mr. Tajudeen Lawal; Chief Education Officer, Lagos State, Mrs. Oladunjoye T.O; and Assistant Chief Information Officer, Lagos State, Mrs Popoola Adeola, at the commissioning of the Wellspring Centre at the Henry Carr public library, Agege. Lagos.

Unilorin students partner Leah Foundation to fight cancer I

N a bid to ensure that more people, especially young women, are better informed and join in the fight against cancer, the University of Ilorin Students’ Union, in collaboration with the LEAH Foundation, a pet project of the wife of the Governor of Kwara State, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed, has organised the first breast and cervical cancer campaign on campus. Speaking during the sensitisation programme, which provided free screening for breast and cervical cancer, held at the varsity auditorium, Mrs. Ahmed narrated how three women, who had made significant impacts on her life, died of the ailment in the last four years.

Screening exercise She implored young women to take advantage of the free screening exercise and share what they had learnt with others around them, saying, “It is not about the fact that you have the money to spend; it is not how educated you are; it is about doing the right thing at the right time. “If you have seen a woman suffer from cancer, you will not pray such a death, not even for your enemy. Sisters, women, daughters, mothers present here, this is the time for us all to come together and fight the scourge that is bent on killing us.” Declaring the event open, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, commended the SUG executive committee for organising a health-related discourse especially with the growing population of the C M Y K

female folks in tertiary institutions. He said, “Getting the girl child increasingly educated on matters that border on their health either on themselves or their children is like teaching the entire nation and it is one

of the fundamental steps in the child survival strategy of this nation and indeed the world. “90 percent of those who suffer from cervical cancer must have had the infection from the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)”.

BOI partners NYSC, empowers corps members By Marie-Therese

Nanlong

CORPS members have been charged to take advantage of the Skills Acquisition Entrepreneurship Development, SAED initiative of the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC scheme and empower themselves instead of waiting for the non-existence white collar jobs. The Director-General of the Scheme, Brigadier-General Johnson Olawumi gave the charge at the NYSC Camp, Jakatai, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State where he flagged-off the Graduate Entrepreneurship Fund, GEF for corps members. The DG disclosed that the programme is being sponsored by the Bank of Industry in partnership with the NYSC scheme and the pilot phase is being implemented in seven states of Abia, Delta, Osun, Lagos, Plateau, Katsina and Taraba. He noted that the scheme will continue to improve on trainings, supervision and mentoring of corps members to

reduce the penchant and clamour for non-existing white collar jobs and urged benefiting corps members to be determined to create wealth from the opportunity. He said “I am delighted at the flag-off of the Fund training for corps members sponsored by the Bank of Industry in collaboration with the NYSC for corps members who have expressed interest in acquiring additional skills through the Scheme’s Skills Acquisition Entrepreneurship Development, SAED programme. “Over 500,000 corps members have been trained since inception of the programme in 2012 but we had been faced with challenges of sourcing for startup capital for corps members’ business proposals. The intervention of Bank of Industry is a welcome development. “Corps members should take advantage and enroll for subsequent trainings, access the start-up capital and empower themselves and others so as to reduce the menace of unemployment and clamour for non-existing white collar jobs.”

he Provost, Nigerian Institute of Journalist, NIJ, Mr Gbemiga Ogunleye has called on the academia, especially media lecturers to inculcate the knowledge of the constitution in the teachings of media. The lawyer cum media practitioner and guest speaker at the media lecture organised by the Lagos State University, School of Communication to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Mr Olujimi Kayode, said lack of knowledge of Nigerian constitution is a key factor militating the practice of journalism despite the advancement in technology. Attributing the inability of the media to perform optimally to lack of reading, the Provost said “Journalists don’t read enough because when we read, we know what the law requires of us.” Giving testimonial on the

celebrant, Dr Olujimi, the former Dean of Faculty, LASUCOM , Prof Lai Oso described Jimikay as his fondly called, as a scholar, a very good researcher and teacher and above all, a very compassionate person. Prof Oso however noted.” My advise for Jimkay as a gentleman and perfect human being is for him to more cautious on his views about life, and also take things more serious at this his diamond age”. Attributing his success today to the effort the celebrant played, Dr Olatunji said, “ when I joined the staff of this school, I was late because I was making money in the private sector. When I came, he literary put those of who haven’t taught at this level with his rich library. Most the knowledge I gained as a lecturer started through his library. He was and still a mentor to me as far as academics is concerned’’.

Nigeria leading source of students from Africa —IIE By Vera Samuel Anyagafu

HE United States Institute of International Education, (IIE), has disclosed that Nigeria is the country with most students studying in US colleges and universities, while the number of international students increased by 10 per cent to a record high of 974.926 and students from Nigeria increased by 19.9 percent to 9,494 in 2014/15 academic year. The number marks the highest rate of growth in 35 years, which the IIE’s 2015 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, said is an experience necessary in today’s global workforce. The IIE President, Dr. Allan .E. Goodman, stated that, “international experience is one of the most important

components of a 21st century education,” stressing that, “studying abroad is one of the best ways students gain the international experience necessary to succeed in today’s global workforce. It also prepares them to be real contributors to working across borders to address key issues in the world we share.” This strong growth confirms that the USA remains the destination of choice in higher education, and presently hosts more of the world’s 4.5 million globally mobile college and university students than any other country in the world. Report also disclosed that nearly 90,000 more international students enrolled in US higher education in 2014/15 compared to the previous year and as part of International Education Week celebrations, EducationUSA Lagos hosted alumni and admitted students of several US universities.

Entrance examination ENTRANCE examination into Olashore International School’s entrance exams holds on Saturday, November 28 at the following venues: Lagos Liaison Office, Olashore International School, Lead Capital, 281 Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island; Premier International School, 26 N’djamena Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja; Groove School 1 Sanni Abacha Link Road, GRA Phase 3, Port Harcourt, Rivers State; Lakeland School, Ogunu, Warri, Delta State; and Olashore International School, Iloko-Ijesa, Osun State. The exam, which is open to primary school students that will be 10 years old by September of 2016, will accommodate years 7, 8, 10 and 11 (JSS1, 2, and 3) at 10am. For further information on applying for the entrance examination, visit www.olashoreschool.com

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28—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015

Crime situation in Lagos, Ogun has changed drastically — AIG BALA HASSAN BALA Hassan, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG in-charge of Lagos and Ogun States, is in charge of an environment plagued by increasing crime rate. He agrees that the challenges are enormous but, nevertheless, would be treated with the urgency it deserves, assuring that normalcy will soon return but with a caveat to his men, “it is either you ship in and help salvage the situation or quietly ship out of the force.” Excerpts:

By Emma Nnadozie, Crime Editor

SSESSMENT of crime situation in Zone II I was once in Lagos, in Apapa as Area Commander. The crime situation has changed, drastically. However, there are many things to be done, because during my time in Lagos, there was a lot of crime especially car snatching which has reduced drastically. Our greatest headache is these area boys because of the traffic hold-up. We are working on them. These area boys capitalize on the heavy traffic in Lagos to unleash terror while stealing watches, necklaces and phones from innocent members of the public. I have told them to decongest the highways so that there will not be hold-up. If there is no holdup, they will not come and steal. But where, for any reason, there is hold-up, we will call policemen to monitor wherever we have gridlock so that those people can be arrested. We also have our men on mufti who will deal with them decisively.

you. We want to make it such that only five minutes after your call, there must be a response. So, the idea of robbers operating for one hour thirty minutes will not arise. He must be there and send his motor vehicles there and deal with the situation decisively. Know the number of your DPO I told people in some forum that every person in a state must know the number of their DPO. It is not enough to know the numbers of the IG or any other big person. DPO is the closest person to you because I remember when I was a young officer, there was a robbery in Ikoyi and the person only knew people in Abuja. So, he called Abuja. Abuja people called the IG, IG called the AIG, the AIG called the CP, CP called the Area Commander and before the Area Commander could call the DPO of Ikoyi, the robbers had escaped. If that big man had called the DPO immediately, the robbers would have been arrested by the patrol team. I always say, know the DPO’s number. Call him, then thereafter, call the AIG so that the time for answering dis-

Answering of telephone From what we have done so far and what we are putting in place, things would get better. Distress call pamphlets, DCP Recently, there was a robbery incident in Festac but we are on top of the situation. I want to assure the good people of Lagos State that we will get the people arrested. That is the only way we can ensure that people are deterred from committing crime. I have told Divisional Police Officers and Area Commanders what Lagos stands for. Anyone who is not ready to answer his telephone is not fit to work in Lagos. We are going to make pamphlets. which we call distress call pamphlets. In these pamphlets, we'll have the numbers of all the DPOs, Area Commanders, CP and AIG. Any person who is in distress can open the pamphlet and call the DPO and he is bound to send his patrol vehicle to come and assist C M Y K

If you kidnap, we are going to use all the avenues at our disposal, including ICT to get you arrested. We have gone digital

•Bala Hassan, AIG Zone 2: Area boys, police's greatest headache in Lagos tress calls would be reduced and any person who has committed an offence has less time to escape. Police is Your Friend Forum For people who are making comparisons here and there about policemen, we are creating a session. We call it the Police is Your Friend Forum, under the PRO.

Police is Your Friend Forum We are giving them two or three motorcycles. So, if you are around Idumota and the police stops you for no just cause, you can call that platform, they will send you a patrol vehicle. If there is hold-up, dispatch riders would be sent to go there and check if our people are wrong or you are wrong. That will come to life before Christmas. These are some of the strategies we want to put in place. IGP’s Safer Highways Of course, there is the Safer Highways as created by the Inspector-General of Police. These Safer Highways officers and men are supposed to remain on the highway so that people can see them. If you are travelling from here to Akure or Sokoto, you’ll be seeing them at regular intervals. We have what the IG calls visibility policing so that would make sure that police are seen visibly and crime is reduced. We are working on this. The IG has approved some money to be used to buy daily ration and fuel for them. If they are given allowance, they’ll be able to buy fuel and food, so the idea of blocking the road and extorting money from motorists will not arise. The IGP has good intentions to see that the men who are on the road are taken good care of. On kidnapping and pipeline vandalism Any person who thinks he can commit offence and get away with it is making a mistake. We are putting all our machinery in order to see that those people who perpetrated that act recently will be brought to book. We know that

the robbers now escape through waterways. We have started covering them so that it will not occur again. But importantly, any one who commits crime will have his date soon. We will come to arrest you. People commit crime because there is no certainty of arrest, no certainty of prosecution. But we will arrest you and when we arrest you, there will be prosecution and you will have your date in court. When this is done, people don’t commit crime because they know that they will be arrested and prosecuted and no one is going to let them off the hook.

Constructive criticism So, this is what we are doing to make sure that Lagos and Ogun states are safe. We want to open our doors for all information, all constructive criticisms so that we work for the betterment of the people of Lagos and Ogun. The people should not panic. If you kidnap, we are going to use all the avenues at our disposal, including ICT to get you arrested. We have gone digital. Recent kidnap in Lagos and alleged police negligence Well, it is easy to criticise. Children sometimes connive with kidnappers to kidnap them to make money from their parents. Ordinarily, police cannot stop that kind of kidnap. If a child arranges with his friends to kidnap him and get money because his father does not give him money, can police prevent that? When they are contriving that, the Police was not there. There are so many things that the Police cannot prevent. If a husband in his bedroom fought with his wife and he did something and his wife died, they will say the police is not working but the Police cannot patrol people’s bedrooms. They cannot patrol kitchens. Some men fight their wives in the kitchen. You

don’t fight your wife in the kitchen because it is her headquarters and she can take a knife and stab you. Later, they will say that the police is not working. Only a criminologist can understand this. Providing criminal opportunities There are some people who provide what we call criminal opportunity. For instance, you go to a party and start spraying dollars. You are inviting robbers, simple. It is an offence to display money in parties. People see you spraying dollars and thieves visit you, would you blame the police? People should lie low and not be extravagant. I want Nigerians to be very careful with the crowd they follow, and how to protect themselves from crime. If they are travelling, they should not shout that they are going to Osogbo tomorrow because people are listening. Don’t allow ladders near your house because people can climb the ladder and victimize you. If you’re travelling to Enugu or Anambra, and it gets dark in Benin, pass the night at Benin, and continue next morning. They can victimize you and police cannot be everywhere. So, we are working assiduously to see that these things are stopped. We have a team for this zone that goes round these black spots that make sure that these boys stealing phones are around. The CP has done a good work by arresting most of them.

SARS and human rights We want to tell them that this is democracy. SARS should operate within the democratic environment. We do not want a situation whereby you arrest people and you think that they are robbers and somewhere along the line, someone has died. Law has provided for that in Chapter IV of the 1999 constitution. If he must die, let it be by order of the court; he has been sentenced to court and court has found him guilty. We cannot be part of the executive and part of the judiciary. This is democracy. I have seen where the National Human Rights Commission summoned senior officers to appear and explain. We do not want that. That is what we are preaching to them. It is not like we want to use human rights to hamper their work but they should do SARS work. They should prevent robbery with a human face in a way that the Nigerian people will be happy, in the way our massive democracy will welcome. So SARS should be very careful. IG is prepared to give them better uniforms so that people will easily recognize them like SWAT in America. By the time these things come to play, and when you see beautiful Nigeria police, SARS will be there and given the respect and they do the job and bring the job for the betterment of Nigerians and Nigeria.

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State Police: A way out? By Mike Ebonugwo & Bose Adelaja

OR a long time, the debate has raged on whether a central Police force, commanded by federal authorities from the nation's capital is good for the country. There have been many arguments both for and against whether states of the federation should have their own Police organizations. The most recent, strident argument in favour of state Police came from the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, during a presentation he made in the Senate while he was being screened after nomination by the President as a minister. The most cogent aspect of his argument is that the first business of government is to secure its citizens and their living space, without which the pursuit of life and living will be imperilled and nearimpossible. Similarly, Professor Ladipo Adamolekun, who formerly taught at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, believes that time for states to have their own Police Forces is long overdue. In a recent conversation, Adamolekun said: "There are elements in our federal system that we have gotten wrong which we are not doing anything about. For instance, I am a strong believer in state police. State police is essential because state police will employ people who are familiar with the area which is what we in essence call community policing.

•Men of the Police Mobile Force •Adamolekun

Community policing "The community policing which is happening in Abuja is nonsensical because you can’t from Abuja do community policing, it can only be done in Ondo State from Akure, in Ekiti State from AdoEkiti, in Ogun State from Abeokuta. You get the whole point; the misuse of local government police or whatever they were talking about, regional police should not lead us to avoiding a reality like the example you have given – all the kidnapping and the armed robbery in the different states should be the business of the governors. But the governors don’t have any control over the police." Adamolekun is not alone, as Pastor Chris Omeben, a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police said: “I whole heartedly support the creation of state police for the very simple reason that it will check the incessant cases of abuse by policemen and the high and mighty in society. Before, we had local, state police in the Eastern Region, the old Bendel State part of which is now Edo State, the Western Region and even the Northern Region and they did

•Omeben wonderful jobs.” He anchored his position on the successes recorded by local security outfits and also the fact that the Police lacked sufficient manpower and equipment to be able to handle the challenges of law enforcement and crime control effectively. He said time was when the police could make do with 40,000 men to carry out its responsibilities. He added that population explosion and the introduction of sophisticated means of committing crimes by crooks entail a corresponding improvement in the security response to this, including the handling of an increasing population of the Force. It was against this backdrop that he quipped: “But what is the current situation of the Police? The population of the force is now over 200,000. How do you expect 200,000 people to be handled the same way 40,000 were handled? It is not possible.

“I believe that every state should own a police and also have a Commissioner of Police, and we shall also have the Federal Police who will have an InspectorGeneral who will take care of standards. All the forces must have the same standard and uniform all over the states but with the highest person in the state being a Commissioner of Police. The Federal Police should handle federal cases or matters which are above the state power”. Funding and equipment: State Police or Federal, the issue of funding is a critical one which has left the Police in dire straits, and by extension, made the general society insecure. The contentious issue of police equipment and funding was succinctly captured in Benjamin Okereke Brownson's research report.

and men promptly. According to him: ‘Stationery, police books, forms and records are in acute short supply, paving way for members of the force to source these (necessary) materials from civilians who hawk these supposed classified materials. This area if looked into would help reduce corruption, enhance the efficiency of personnel and early dispensation of criminal cases. “Undoubtedly... various police stations perform their duties in their respective spheres. It seems, however, that some of these stations are sometimes handicapped when it comes to discharging their duties. It is noticed that some of the factors that contribute to such handicaps are: •Lack of scientific equipment for detecting crime •Shortage of manpower •Military intervention in government.” The report also went on to say: “Majority of Nigerians believe that one of the biggest problems confronting the Nigerian Police Force...is that of lack of equipment occasioned by inadequate fund-

Research report According to the report: “Successive Inspectors General of Police in the country have consistently complained of inadequate funding.” It quoted a former InspectorGeneral, Aliyu Attah, as saying that “over the years, the problem of under-funding and under establishment of the force has culminated in a situation whereby the police are unable to cope with routine responsibilities, hence the justification for such ad hoc measures as represented by the phenomenon of Operation Sweep.” On the challenges facing his men, a former Assistant Inspector General, in charge of the zone, Mr. Muktar Alkali, spoke of the need to pay salaries of officers

I whole heartedly support the creation of state police for the very simple reason that it will check the incessant cases of abuse by policemen and the high and mighty in society

ing. Although over the years budgetary allocations to the police have increased, this has failed to match the clear needs of the Police. A visit to any police station will reveal the magnitude of the problem. "From such basic things as buildings, office space within the building, furniture down to even uniforms and kits, the Nigeria Police Force appear ill-equipped for its tasks. It is a different matter altogether when the consideration shifts to patrol vehicles, communication facilities and computers. “Many police stations cannot even boast of a telephone. Apart from inadequacy, the police lack the modern weapons needed to combat violent crimes, such that very often, criminals boast of superior weapons.''

Superior weapons It is commonplace for the police to frequently decline to respond to distress calls on the grounds that there are not funds or that there are no vehicles to convey them to the scene of crime.” Way forward: But in spite of the current population of the NPF, Mike Okiro, the Chairman, Police Service Commission, says the Force has a shortfall of 20,000 personnel as at 2015, adding that he had briefed President Muhammadu Buhari on the situation. “We briefed the president on the needs and challenges the organization is facing. We briefed him on the successes recorded so far, we briefed him on how things are to be done to ensure that the security of Nigeria is maintained and all are assured. ''We talked about recruitment of police officers. Over the years, more than 21,000 police officers have retired, some dismissed, some died between 2010 and today. Of this number, only about 1,605 have been replaced, giving a deficit of a very large number.”

30—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015

Can a new Buharinomics save Nigeria? (2) The first part of this paper delivered by Professor Soludo at the third anniversary lecture of the RealNews magazine at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos was published in Monday’s edition of Financial Vanguard

‘

By Chukwuma Charles Soludo

ESPONDING to oil price shock: Exchange and capital controls as ‘directive’ of the Presidency? For the better part of this year, the external shocks to the economy have been complicated or accentuated by a gamut of the “tried and failed” command and control policy regime: de facto fixed exchange rate, largely fixed CBN monetary policy rate, crude capital controls, veiled form of import bans through a long list of ‘ineligible for foreign exchange’, de facto scrapping of domiciliary account established by law, etc. At first, I thought this was the usual kneejerk response of policymakers to a ‘sudden’ shock. We tried a milder variant of this for a few months during the 2008/2009 unexpected/ unprecedented global crisis (with global liquidity squeeze and massive capital flight) but even then, it was communicated as a

PROF CHARLES SOLUDO ‘short-term crisis response’ and it was quickly dismantled. We now know what works and what doesn’t even at a time of crisis. As one reads the confusing statements from government in the media: ‘we won’t devalue’, ‘we won’t devalue for now’, and the emotional debate about ‘nationalism’ around issues of import ‘bans’ and capital controls, one wonders whether it is still a ‘short-term crisis response’ or a permanent shift back to the old policy regime of pre-1986. Even if the government initially intended it as a shortterm measure, interest groups have emerged and are lobbying to make the policy shift permanent. To add to the confusion, the policy is communicated as a “directive” from PMB as widely publicised in the media. Really? I can write a book on this subject, but for now let me make the following preliminary comments: •How a small, open market economy responds to terms of trade shocks and not trivial debate on ‘devalue’ or ‘not devalue’: Unfortunately, the debate around the issue has been

Nigeria Buhari wrongly trivialized as whether to ‘devalue’ or ‘not to devalue’ the Naira. Much of what I have read have little basis in theory or empirical evidence or even counterfactual analysis but a rehash of the sterile but polemical diatribe between ‘neo-liberals’ and ‘neo-socialists’, or simply selective partial analysis. This is not helpful and diverts attention from an otherwise serious policy issue. The issue basically is how a small, open economy such as ours responds to (ever continuous) shocks in today’s world. In the specific case of Nigeria currently buffeted by a terms of trade shock, with macro imbalances (especially fiscal and current account deficits) as well as supply side constraints, and with the economy skidding to a halt with rising inflation and unemployment, how should relative prices or asset prices (including exchange rate and interest rate) adjust to reflect as well as shape the economic fundamentals?

Economic fundamentals External shocks do not kill an economy: the choice of specific policy regime is what can lessen or worsen the effects of the shock. How policymakers respond depends on the source of the shock (nominal/monetary vs terms of trade/real sector shock). If you do not allow relative prices to adjust when faced by a terms of trade/real sector shocks, then you put the full burden of adjustment on real variables or quantities (especially output and employment)- and they will adjust with vengeance because you cannot fix price and quantity. Both economic theory and evidence from around the world are relatively unambiguous: faced with terms of trade shocks, countries with flexible exchange rate adjust faster and better and with less negative impact on growth and employment than those with fixed rate. Put differently, countries that allowed relative prices (including exchange rate) to become the key “adjusters” during terms of trade

shocks have almost always done better than those that resorted to price (exchange rate) and other distorting controls. From Nigeria’s evidence, current policy regime is inconsistent with objective of growth, job creation and poverty reduction: Since 1973, Nigeria has had episodes of positive and negative oil price shocks, and the impacts on the economy have depended on the policy regime. We can broadly distinguish two policy regimes: when relative prices/flexible exchange rate and quantities were allowed to adjust simultaneously versus a regime of relatively inflexible prices/fixed exchange rate and controls. A casual empiricism nevertheless reveals a powerful result (there are not enough data points to undertake rigorous econometric work, and so we do the usual ‘before and after ’ evaluation). Whether you compare episodes of positive oil price shock or episodes of negative shocks, the regime of flexible prices clearly outperform the regime of fixed rates/controls. Just take an example of the 1981- 91 negative oil price shock with two different regimes of fixed

Since 1973, Nigeria has had episodes of positive and negative oil price shocks, and the impacts on the economy have depended on the policy regime

prices/controls of 1981- 85/mid 1986 vs the SAP era of late 1986 to 1991. According to data from NBS, the economy did far better under SAP especially in terms of employment, output growth, poverty and in some years even inflation. Many people don’t like to hear this but as one of my mentors, Prof. Emmanuel Edozien always says, you can’t quarrel with statistics. Since 1999, relative prices have adjusted and this was central to the minimal impact of the global crisis of 2008/2009. The world economy experienced the ‘great recession’, and despite the collapse of oil price from $147 to $41 at some point, Nigeria still grew by over six per cent

Different policy regimes Compare with the experience of many other oil producing countries, and the difference in outcomes relates to the different policy regimes. Of course, things are a little more complicated but at least we need to insist that the debate be evidence-based. The current economic hardship is largely our choice and not just oil price shock: The current slump of the economy was predictable and largely avoidable. Just as it happened in 1981-85, the economy has been on a tailspin. There is now about four per cent growth shortfall relative to past trend, and this cannot be explained by fall in oil prices alone. For the first time since 1990s, per capita growth rate (on annualized basis) is now negative implying that poverty is also escalating; capital market has lost trillions, inflation and unemployment are on the rise. JP Morgan has delisted our local currency bonds and Barclays is threatening same, while the cost of borrowing for Nigeria rises. Foreign capital is on the run, while domestic savings is miniscule. It was ‘headline news’ when FG paid October salaries, while states are steeping in massive debt. Policy choices entail costs and benefits, but the preference of one to another should be based on

the “net positive effects”, depending on the stated objectives. To sustain the current arbitrarily pegged exchange rate will require a steep rise in interest rate and squeezing of bank credit to the private sector. Alternatively, intensifying the ever opaque and distorting controls and ‘bans’ will also severely harm the private sector. I will be surprised if the productive sector is not already feeling the heat. The irony is that it is the small businesses (which have no voice or power) that are suffering the most. Many are simply being choked to death by the ‘controls’. To repeat, the current policy regime is inconsistent with the objectives of creating jobs, growing income and reducing poverty! There are better ways of implementing capital controls if needed: Some commentators have sought to couch the debate in terms of a struggle between ‘market fundamentalism’ and ‘state capitalism’. Again, this is distracting. Every economy is ‘controlled’ in one way or the other.

Incentive structure The question is what kind of controls or regulations can be implemented to address observed market failures that will be credible, transparent, and without distorting or perverting the incentive structure so that we can have sustainably shared prosperity. Uncertainties about what will be in the ‘black-list’ tomorrow or next hurt capital flows, while the retroactive ‘bans’ on pre-existing commitments by banks and producers damage the economy. I support sensible regulations on cash transactions that prevent money laundering but not ones that obstruct the payment system. Some countries suffering from the disruptive effects of massive portfolio flows introduce some taxes on capital flows. We had speed bumps on capital outflow through mandatory holding period but this has been scrapped. We seem to be approbating with one hand and reprobating with the other. The point is to make the rules of capital flow transparent and credible and announce the transition period. We can’t exacerbate the impact of external shocks with dramatic policy shocks. Avoiding the Great Mistake of the 1970s: competitive REER is the issue. Perhaps a worrying aspect of the public discourse on exchange rate is the obsession with the level of nominal exchange rate rather than the real effective exchange rate (REER) or volatility of exchange rate. The question that matters most is whether the currency is overvalued or undervalued in real terms.

To be continued

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015—31

Nigeria, 2 others unite to defeat breast cancer By Sola Ogundipe

By Gabriel Olawale

N the bid to combat the menace of breast cancer and encourage its control and management, Nigeria, South Africa and the US, participated in an all-female polo tournament with special focus on creating awareness among those at risk groups and individuals. The event was the 2015 MTN African Patrons Cup Tournament - a 2-day polo tourney to mark the Pink Polo Day. At the event, Wife of the Niger State Governor and Ambassador of the Pink Polio Day, Dr. Amina Abubakar Bello, said no effort should be spared in the fight against breast cancer. His words, "Breast cancer, as we all know is one of the most common cancers. On behalf of the Nigerian women I would like to commend MTN for being a strong advocate against the breast cancer scourge." Speaking, Wife of the Kaduna State Governor, Hadiza Nasir El-Rufai, expressed optimism that the Pink Polo Day would draw awareness to the devastating effects of breast cancer in the country. "We hope that well-meaning Nigerians, especially in the private sector, join hands against the challenge of breast cancer in Nigeria. The truth is, it is possible to defeat breast cancer. But it is a fight that requires collaborative effort. MTN has led the way and we charge others to join this fight. This is the only way, we can win the fight against the disease." Events and Sponsorship Manager, MTN Nigeria, Dola Bamgboye, who

Dufil Foods equips Akerele PHC

PRESENTATION: From left; Medical Officer of Health, Akerele Medical Health Centre, Dr. Shosanya Abidemi; member, Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Surulere Constituency, Hon. Desmond Elliot; PR & Events Manager, Dufil prima Foods Plc, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju and Chief Nursing Officer, Matron Boika Queen, during the presentation of medical equipment to AMHC, Surulere Lagos by Dufil Prima Foods Plc. recently. represented, the General Manager, Consumer Marketing,said m ammograms are critical for early detection thus lowering the risk of death from breast cancer. "To complement efforts in the country to reduce death from this cancer, the MTN Foundation established six mammography centres and embarked on several awareness campaigns across the country." The mammography centres offering

affordable breast cancer screening services, are located within public hospitals across the six geo-political zones includes; General Hospital Marina, Lagos; Specialist Teaching Hospital Irrua, Edo State; Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto; Federal Medical Centre Nguru, Yobe State; FMC, Lokoja, Kogi State and University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.

S part of its commitment to the wellbeing of the society and rural communities in particular, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, makers of Indomie Instant Noodles recently donated medical equipment to Akerele Primary Health Centre, PHC in Surulere area of Lagos. Among the equipment donated were incubators, neonatal phototheraphy, blood pressure monitors, hypodermic syringe and needles and neogloves, among others. Presenting the equipment, Head, Public Relations and Event Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju said the gesture was aimed at ensuring that people at the grassroots access quality care. "We believe so much in sustainable Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative, CSRI, projects especially in the Health Sector because health is wealth. We also believe there is no need feeding the over fed and that is why we have decided to take up community based project as our key area of interventions and not the private health establishment." Ashiwaju who acknowledged many needs in health highlighted the relevance of the donation, describing it as a major CSR as Surulere is the host community of the company. A member, Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Surulere Constituency, Hon. Desmond Elliot commended Dufil Prima Foods for the kind gesture and encouraged other corporate organisations to emulate them.

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32—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26 , 20 15 2015

Between Buhari’s govt and social partners: Matters arising By Funmi Komolafe

RESIDENT Muhammadu unwittingly made history in the Ministry of Labour with the appointment of two ministers into the ministry, which has also been renamed Ministry of Labour and Employment. It is the first time that the Ministry of Labour would have a minister and minister of state. This appointment could mean that Mr. President is serious about issues of job creation, organized labour, living wage, productivity and a better relationship with the other two social partners; organized labour and private employers organized on the umbrella of the Nigeria Employers' Consultative Association, NECA. With the situation in our country today, the priority of the new Minister of Labour and Employment , Dr. Chris Ngige and the Minister of State, Barrister James Ocholi should be jobs, jobs, and jobs. In this regard, the words of Labour Minister, Dr. Chris Ngige “we will be at the forefront of the battle to stop the scourge of unemployment in the country. We must as a people put on our thinking caps so that we can chart the way forward for employment generation” are quite assuring. However, these words must be matched with action.

Job creation A major area that the ministers would have to consider is the skills training development centres of the Ministry of Labour. These institutions contributed significantly to the development of manpower in the informal sector but today, they are moribund. These institutions, supervised by the Federal Ministry of Labour could be upgraded to develop the skills of university graduates and others. Another area that should be considered is meaningful engagement with NECA and other groups in the organized private sector. Jobs cannot and are not created by hosting dinners in Aso Rock as was done during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. Even at that time, one was priviledged to attend a meeting with former Trade minister, Dr. Olusegun Aganga which was attended by chief executives of the real sector of the economy during which a number of issues hindering business and

mands. More importantly, is the issue of how to handle future pay rise. A situation where agreements are reached and some states do not pay or are unable to pay must be avoided. Let’s hope the NLC restores its unity in the interest of workers. This is one area where Ngige and Ocholi must keep off. They should make no attempt to take advantage of the split in the Congress. As government officials, they must remain neutral, lest they are accused of interference in Labour matters which would be a contravention of the International Labour Organization, ILO, Convention 87 on Freedom of Association.

Labour officers / Ministry

President Muhammadu Buhari employment potentials were raised. However, no significant step was taken by government on those issues. Dr. Ngige and Mr. Ocholi need to revisit this if indeed they are serious about ensuring that government creates an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. Another area which must be considered for job creation as recommended by the International Labour Organization for Nigeria as far as 1987, when General Ike Nwachukwu was Labour minister is the development of infrastructure. The ministry must have a relationship with the Ministry of Power, Works & Housing that will ensure that jobs are created for willing Nigerians. The Ministry of Labour is in custody of this document. Barrister James Ocholi’s confidence in officials of the ministry of labour is not misplaced. The ministers are lucky to have the ministry’s permanent secretary, Dr. Clement Iloh retained. Often called “indigenous perm sec”, Dr. Iloh is the first labour officer to be permanent secretary in that ministry. National Directorate of Employment: The NDE needs to be refocused to meet the present day realities of job seekers. The ministers must ensure that there is a synergy between the directorate and government agencies that could facilitate loans for NDE graduates. Sure-P: Dr. Ngige and Barrister Ocholi must revisit the Sure- P programme. Questions must be asked as to how it was executed and why it failed in states like Lagos where Sure-P became a breed-

Dr. Chris Ngige

ing ground for thugs. Besides, the Ministry of Labour should be made to coordinate all job creation programmes of government agencies. If indeed the government is serious about job creation, the Ministry of Labour must be well funded to carry out this task. It should no longer be called ‘Siberia’. The ministry was one where almost every minister wished he got a better ministry because it was never given the priority it deserved. As the minister and the minister of state settle down to work, how they promote social dialogue and move the ministry beyond strikes is a major challenge.

Re-organization Retrenchment The two ministers need to work out out how the re-organisation of ministries will not lead to mass retrenchment of civil servants. This highly sensitive issue, if poorly handled, could make the Buhari administration unpopular. This is why social dialogue is very essential. Organized labour must be duly consulted and taken into confidence on all relevant issues. Already, organized labour, indeed, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has come to the conclusion that the cost of governance is too high but this does not mean it has consented to retrenchment of workers. On the part of labour, it is time to think out of the box. Labour cannot continue to oppose rationalization where it becomes inevitable. It must pro-

vide alternatives. For instance, in the United Kingdom, the Trade Union Congress, TUC, and employers have worked out part-time jobs for some employees who would have lost their jobs to retrenchment. So what is the Nigerian alternative? Living wage: This is another contentious issue. Organized labour is already making a case for a review of the National Minimum Wage. This is coming at a time the Buhari's administration has made it clear that the economy is not buoyant and many states are defaulting in payment of salaries . Again, the way out of this, is social dialogue. Government should not promise what it cannot pay while Labour too should not make unreasonable de-

The ministry was one where almost every minister wished he got a better ministry because it was never given the priority it deserved. As the ministers settle down to work, how they promote social dialogue and move the ministry beyond strikes is a major challenge

To enhance efficiency in the ministry, the ministers need to further computerize the Ministry of Labour and employ and retrain Labour inspection officers. This aspect of labour inspectors must be prioritized to put a stop to foreigners, especially Asians maiming Nigerian citizens with machines without any spark from government. In the nation's quest for foreign investors, she has downplayed the welfare of her citizens. Many have been maimed or killed with no consequence for the employer because the Federal Ministry of Labour has never had the muscle to bark and bite. The implementation of the Employees Compensation Scheme, ECS, managed by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, must be vigorously pursued. Already, NECA has raised an alarm that the Single Treasury Accounting, TSA, system is not in the best interest of the scheme. It is the duty of the ministers to get the government to effect the necessary review. While focusing on employment generation and dispute resolution, the ministers must also pay adequate attention to Productivity issues. Other parastatals such as the National Productivity Centre, NPC, the Industrial Arbitration Panel, IAP, Michael Imoudu Institute for Labour Studies, must get the deserved attention. Dr. Ngige and Barrister Ocholi must ensure that the nation feels the impact of the Ministry of Labour and Employment. The two minsters came at a time of change. That change must produce real jobs, not paper jobs. That is the change the people want.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26 , 2015—33

Alleged N1.4bn fraud: Youths move to recall Delta Assembly Dep Speaker It’s not true —Osanebi By Festus Ahon

S A B A — N D O K WA youths, under the aegis of Coalition of Ndokwa Youth Leaders, have commenced moves to recall Deputy Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Friday Osanebi, over alleged collection and diversion of N1.4 billion meant for the youths. The youths are accusing the Deputy Speaker of pocketing the said N1.4 billion meant for them, which they claimed, he collected from Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, without remitting same to them. But reacting, Mr Osanebi described the allegation as false and unfounded. In a statement by his Press Secretary, Mr Michael Nwabueze, Osanebi said it was not true and not possible for him to have collected N20 million or any sum of money meant for youths security when there was a ministry and directorate charged with youths development in Delta State. The youths, who addressed newsmen in Asaba, through the President-General of the coalition, Mr. Alexander Agha, alleged that Osanebi collected

N20 million monthly from DESOPADEC from 2011 till date which amounted to N1.4 billon, without any reference to the youths. Agha alleged that the N20 million monthly from DESOPADEC “is for the purpose of empowering of youths in Ndokwaland as a way of ensuring

peace and security in the oil-rich area.” Noting that the coalition recently discovered that Osanebi had allegedly been collecting the money without remitting same for the purpose it was meant, the youth leader told the lawmaker to “hands off youth activities and face the business of legislation

which he is elected to do.” Accusing Osanebi, who represents Ndokwa East in the House of not moving any motion on the floor of the House, Agha alleged; “Osanebi is not good enough for Ndokwa East people. We are not progressing, we are not feeling the impact of his representation.”

MEETING: From left: Senator Ike Ekweremadu; Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi(Enugu); Governor Rochas Okorocha(Imo); Governor Dave Umahi(Ebonyi); and the deputy governor of Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke, shortly after South-East governors, elders, and stakeholders meeting at Government House, Enugu.

Rivers elders decry increase in kidnapping By Jimitota Onoyume

ORT HARCOURT— RIVERS State Elders have expressed worry over the rising cases of kidnapping in Port Harcourt and related issues of insecurity. Chairman, Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council, RELEC, Chief Albert Horsfall, who spoke to newsmen at the end of a meeting of the body in Port Harcourt, said the deplorable state of insecurity had forced many not to travel to their villages. He enjoined government and security agencies to rise up to the task of securing lives and property. “So, we ask the Rivers State authorities, the Police and all security agencies to put their acts together and act more firmly and decisively against the issue of insecurity in Rivers State.” He also kicked against appointment of non indigenes into political offices in the state, adding that the government should also discourage award of scholarship to non Rivers

indigenes. According to the elders, the government should consider

sons and daughters of the state for political appointment, adding that in the award of

scholarships, Rivers indigenes should be the beneficiaries.

Sylva unveils blueprint to transform Bayelsa in 2016

HE governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, has unveiled a fourpronged programme he said will liberate the people of the state from poverty if elected governor. Sylva, who addressed a crowd of party supporters and private sector moguls, said: “The four legs are the standard of my

administration. They are enhanced revenue and economy diversification, job and wealth creation, wellbeing and security and effective public service. In a presentation that lasted about 35 minutes, Chief Sylva said his programmes were integrated and designed to affect the lives of Bayelsans at all levels. He said that the people of Bayelsa State have keyed into the

change mantra of APC and were looking forward to meaningful leadership. He said that Bayelsans were yearning for a change, adding “More than ever before, the need for a change of guard is now urgent to stop the bleeding, help reposition the state to deliver high-quality democratic dividends to the citizenry and pull the people out of poverty.”

Expatriate doctors begin equipment test-run at Ibom Specialist Hospital By Chioma Onuegbu

YO—OPERATIONS will soon commence at the multi-billion naira Ibom Specialist Hospital, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, with the arrival of medical experts from outside the country. Conducting newsmen round the hospital facility, yesterday, Commissioner for Health, Dr.

Dominic Ukpong, accompanied by the expatriates, said operations would start immediately after the test-run of the equipment. Ukpong explained that many reasons such as taking care of practising license for the expatriate medical team, immigration and some logistic, delayed the take-off of operations at the hospital after it was commissioned in May,

2015 by the immediate past administration. He said: “Those were some of the things we needed to put in place and now we have met those requirements that is why we are starting. As you can see, this is a multi-purpose specialist hospital with different sections. Doctors in charge of the different sections are here to test-run the medical equipment."

Saro-Wiwa’s death, watershed in N-Delta struggle —Prof Darah

By Perez Brisibe

BRAKA – A lecturer in the English and Literary Studies Department, Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka, Prof. Godini Darah, has described the death of the late President of the Movement of the Survival of the Ogoni People, MOSOP, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others, as the singular factor that paved the way for the Niger Delta struggle. Prof. Darah, at the Ken SaroWiwa 20th Anniversary Lecture organised by the university’s Department of English and Literary Studies, took a swipe at the Nigerian military for its role in the hanging of Saro-Wiwa, stressing, “From antiquity, the primary duty of the military has been to invade, conquer and loot treasures.” Darah, who is a former Chief of Staff to the Delta State Government, spoke on the topic, “Rethinking Ken SaroWiwa and the Niger Delta Question.” According to him, “The hanging of Ken Saro-Wiwa and his eight compatriots by the Nigerian government on November 10, 1995, marked a watershed in the struggles of the Niger Delta people to emancipate themselves from internal colonial yoke."

NOWA cautions youths against drug abuse

By Godwin Oghre

APELE—WIFE of the Chief of Naval Staff, Mrs Theresa Ibas, has called on Nigerian youths to abstain from drug abuse, noting that it could be detrimental to their psychological and mental balance, and deprive them of any useful role in national building. Mrs Ibas, at a seminar on drug abuse, organised to mark the 50th anniversary of Naval Officers Wives Association, NOWA, at the Nigeria Naval Engineering College, Ogorode, Sapele, Delta State, said that constant intake of drugs, such as the ones bought over the counter without doctors' prescription, was capable of harming the users. The seminar was chaired by the Flag Officer Commanding, Nigeria Naval Logistics Command, Oghara, Delta State, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ofik.

34 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26 , 2015—35

Kwara teachers begin strike Dec 1

60% of federal roads in deplorable condition —NARTO By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

By Demola Akinyemi

State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, to address the problem of infrastructure development in the country, especially in the areas of roads, railways, pipelines and refineries. NARTO also urged the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, to hit the ground running and face the problems confronting the sector “The ministers must set to work immediately and resolve the issues of bad roads across the country, fix the rail system and tackle the ineffective power situation,” he stated.

LORIN — Primary and secondary school teachers in Kwara State, through the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, have given December 1 notice of indefinite strike over unpaid three months salaries. But the state chairman of Association of Local Government Chairmen, ALGON, in the state, Lateef Okandeji, pleaded for understanding with the government, attributing the problem to the drop in the allocations. NUT state chairman and secretary, Musa Abubakar and Idris Ola, respectively, in a statement yesterday, said the union “is constrained to cry out loudly on the non payment of salaries of teachers in primary and junior secondary schools in Kwara state for three months.” The statement noted that teachers should not be used as the scape goat for the decline in the federal allocations to states and the local governments, stressing that, “after all, this category of teachers did not enjoy any special privilege when there was surplus in the treasury of the government.

Police assure of crime-free Yuletide

LAUNCHING: From left, Country Manager, Kenya Airways, Hafeez Balogun; High Commissioner of Kenya, Amb. Tom Amolo; KQ Holidays Regional Manager, West Africa, Rose Kiseli and KQ Holidays Manager, Northern Nigeria, Samira Farida Saheed, during the official launching of KQ Holidays around the world from Nigeria, in Kaduna. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

By Anozie Egole

AGOS State Police Commissioner, Fatai Owosenri, has assured residents of the state that the police command has put measures in place to ensure a crime free Yuletide celebration. The commissioner, who spoke at in an event tagged, "Nite out with chief security officers" organised by Brain and Brace group also urged residents of the state to support the police with useful information on criminal activities. Owoseni noted that one of the major areas of focus was the airport, saying the force had received intelligent report about criminal activities in the road and would focus more attention on the airport road. Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Brains and Brace Group, Augusta Peter, tasked private security operatives to partner with state security to fight crimes. According to her, “Security is not a personal thing, it is a general problem. The society is very tasking and therefore fighting crimes is not very easy."

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NEC, meeting of the association in Abuja, advised the relevant National Assembly Committees to ensure that their oversight functions, especially on roads and refineries in the country, were done effectively. According to him, between 55 per cent and 60 per cent of our roads are in serious state of disrepair, saying," government should find a way of funding the construction, repairs and maintenance of the road for quick economic growth.” Bataiya called on Ministers of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola; Transport, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi andMinister of

BUJA——THE Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO, has said over 60 per cent of the federal roads in the country are in deplorable conditions and called on the government to consider public private partnership, PPP, arrangement, concessioning of the roads or the re-introduction of toll gates to put the roads in good shape. President of NARTO, Kassim Bataiya, who spoke at the National Executive Council,

Tor Tiv, great man of peace — Buhari ...mourns Inuwa Wada By Levinus Nwabughiogu

BUJA — President Muhammadu Buhari has described the late paramount ruler of the Tiv in Benue State, the Tor Tiv, Alfred Akawe Torkula as an advocate of peace and unity during his 24-year reign. Buhari, who expressed sadness over the passage of the late traditional ruler, however, urged the people of the state to still maintain the existing peace during and after his succession process. In a condolence message released by the presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President also mourned a former Minister of Defence in the First Republic, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Wada. The President commiserated with the immediate families, friends and associates of the deceased, the governments and people of Benue and Kano States and urged them to take solace in the knowledge that the departed distinguished Nigerians lived

well and contributed significantly to the development of not only their states but the country in general. He recalled Wada’s active years as a teacher, parliamentarian and minister up until his post-political career as a foremost transporter

and industrialist. The President prayed to God Almighty to grant rest to the souls of the two senior citizens, saying that their wisdom and fatherly counsel would certainly be missed by the current crop of leaders in the country.

FG partners China on space technology By Emmanuel Elebeke

BUJA —THE Federal Government has agreed to partner with the Republic of China on space technology transfer. The agreement was reached, yesterday, when Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, Gu Xiaojie, visited the Minister of Science and Technology in Abuja. The Ambassador, who expressed delight with the new momentum of change and economic prosperity being spearheaded by Nigerian government said China developed interest in Nigeria because Nigeria was the only African country that had cooperation in terms of space technology by developing the sector. With the level of space technology in Nigeria and ongoing efforts to develop the sector, he stated that Nigeria would go a long way to pushing other sectors of the economy to improve on their various capacity. Xiaojie said the Republic of China would want to share its experiences with Nigeria to enable both countries benefit in the mutual relationship. Responding, Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, said there was need for China and Nigeria relationship, as an economy that was technologically driven. “We are pleased by this visit and I want to pledge that Nigeria will need the collaboration of China to develop her space technology potentials," he said. The minister, however, expressed optimism that the visit would foster stronger bilateral relationship between Nigeria and China in space technology.

‘Attempts to blacklist Chukkas-Onaeko defeatist’

GENDA for New Nigeria (ANN), a watchdog and nonprofit making organisation, has described as defeatist and poorly conceived, attempts by some persons to sling mud on the person and office of the DirectorGeneral of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Mrs. Juliet ChukkasOnaeko. Describing the development as informed by an insensate and insensitive local politics of gender, ethnicity and religion, President of the organisation, Dr. Sam Abubakar, said the torrent of attacks against the ITF DG was a reflection of the poor mentality of underdevelopment and “na we

get am” psychology of her attackers. A series of sponsored articles have been flying around lately, attacking both the person and office of the DG over alleged corruption in the region of billions. The attacks, which are believed to be sponsored by unions and groups within the organisations as well as persons alleged to have interest in her job had said the ITF under the new DG, who assumed office last year, stinks of corruption. But Abubakar, who claimed to have been compelled to react to the development for factors of truth and reason about the

leadership of Chukkas-Onaeko at ITF said: “It is only a people, who are averse to change and determined to retain a stinking status quo of squalor and underdevelopment that would go all out against an otherwise innocent, innovative and hard working woman. “This notwithstanding, we are confident in the fact that no one of sane mind, who has been following the leadership of ChukkasOnaeko at ITF and the degree of transparency with which she has held down so far would reckon with the swirling insanity in some of the unscrupulous news platforms lately."

36—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015

WORLD FOOD DAY: From right—Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State; Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Afam Mbanefo, MD/ CEO, ABX World Nigeria, Captain John Okakpu, and farmers during the state's World Food Day celebration in Awka.

ADDRESS: Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Mudashiru Obasa addressing stakeholders at Agege in Lagos.

PRESENTATION: From left—Bose Fadare, Mamador distributor, Mushin, Lagos, Bukola Bandele, GM, Marketing, PZ Wilmar, Bola Lapite, winner’s mother, and Anjola Ogunbodede, first winner of N1,000,000 in the Mamador Cook & Cruise Promo, sponsored by PZ, during the cheque presentation in Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau.

CONVOCATION: From left—Dr. Tunde Akanni of the School of Communication, Lagos State University, LASU, Dr. Akin Akingbulu of the Institute for Media and Society, IMS, and Dr. Jide Jimoh, of the School of Communication, Lagos State University, LASU, at their convocation for the award of Ph.Ds at the University of Ibadan. C M Y K

OPENING: From left—President, National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies, NANTA, Alhaji Aminu Agoha; Rwanda High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Stanislas Kamanzi; former Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu; Co-ordinator, Akwaaba, African Travel Market, Mr. Ikechi Uko and his wife, Rita and Principal, Gambia Institute of Travel and Tourism, ITTOG, Sheikh Tejan Nyang, during the opening ceremony of Akwaaba, African Travel Market in Lagos.

CONFERENCE: From left—Mr Kayoko Adelaja, Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer, Bluebridge Minerals; Bekeme Masade, Executive Director, CSR-in-Action; Senator Gbenga Aluko, Director, Government Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Ltd and Prof. Wale Omole, Chairman, Board of Trustees, CSR-in-Action at the 4th SITEI conference in Abuja.

GLO LAFFTA FEST: From left—Comedian, Weleke Akpos Stanley also known as Sim Card; a guest, Salt Wariso, and Globacom’s National Sales Coordinator, South-South, Augustine Mamuro, at the Glo Laffta Fest in Yenagoa.

CONVOCATION: From left—Barr. Bukola Akanni, Sultan Akanni, Dr. Tunde Akanni, Mr. Francis Onaiyekan, Dr. and Mrs. Jide Akanni, during the convocation for the award of Ph.Ds at the University of Ibadan.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015—37

Seated front (L-R) Elder Statesman, Senator Tony Adefuye and former SLG Bariga LCDA, Hon Babatunde Adesida with the Groom's L-R, Kehinde Olesin, Group Editor, Marketing World; Aramide Taiwo, Media Manager, FrieslandCampina Parents in the background Pastor Dr Mrs. Titilayo Noibi and Aramide WAMCO; Akin Naphtal, Group Executive Publisher, Marketing World and Dolapo Otegbayi, Marketing Tola Noibi at Mr & Mrs. Yomi Noibi’s Engagement at Ketu, Lagos. Manager, Peak, FrieslandCampina WAMCO during the presentation of Iconic Brand of the Year Award to Peak Milk at the 5th Edition of Marketing World Magazine Awards in Lagos

Health workers flay appointment of 3 doctors as ministers of health, labour By Chioma Obinna

EALTH workers under the auspices of Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, have expressed dissatisfaction over the appointment of three medical doctors as ministers in charge of the Federal Minister of Health and Labour. The workers alleged that the appointments by President Muhammadu Buhari were not different from the mistakes of former President Goodluck Jonathan which catalysed unprecedented dislocation of the component elements of the health sector. A statement jointly signed by the Chairman, JOHESU, Comrade Jay Josiah and Chairman, Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA), Dr. G. C. Okara, said they were fed up with a status-quo that continually consumes and diminishes their potentials. The statement said, “For a health sector where doctors hitherto reduced a supposed Federal Ministry of Health to a Ministry of Doctors to now be officially legitimised as home to only doctors who constitute less than five percent of the workforce to the detriment of the majority of over 95 percent, in our humble opinion, appears to epitomise neglect of the feelings of the vast majority of health workers and will aggravate the volatility in the sector instead of abating it. “We are of the firm opinion that as Your Excellency builds structures to preserve our national heritage, the collective destinies of all shades with tendencies of our people must be reckoned with.” C M Y K

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015 —38

Putin sends air-defence missiles to Syria of the plane will further fuel Syria’s coastal province of

N a move towards raising the potential threat of a Russia-NATO conflict, Russia says it will deploy long-range air defense missiles to its base in Syria and destroy any target that may threaten its warplanes following the downing of a Russian military jet by Turkey. The incident, the first time in half a century, a NATO member shot down a Russian plane, may put Moscow and the alliance on the verge of a direct conflict. If Russia shoots down a Turkish plane, Turkey, a NATO member, could proclaim itself under attack and ask the alliance for military assistance. The situation is even more alarming as Russian and Turkish presidents are strong leaders reluctant to back down and seek a compromise. Most observers believe that while a direct military confrontation will be unlikely, the shooting down

the Syrian conflict and complicate international peace efforts. The S-400 missiles, which Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered to be sent to the Hemeimeem air base in

Latakia just 50 kilometers (30 miles) away from the border with Turkey, are capable of striking targets within 400-kilometer (250mile) range with a deadly precision.

EU can’t accept more refugees Several EU countries have — French PM imposed border controls in

UROPEAN countries cannot accept any more refugees, the French prime minister has been quoted as saying. Manuel Valls said stricter control of the EU’s external borders would determine the bloc’s fate, in comments published by the Sueddeutsche Zeitung. Europe’s border controls have come under renewed scrutiny since the attacks in Paris on 13 November. European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker has said that the Schengen agreement is “partly comatose”.

recent week - despite the Schengen system of passport-free movement amid the arrival of hundreds of thousands of migrants, many of whom are fleeing Syria and Iraq. Some countries imposed new restrictions after a forged Syrian passport was found next to the body of one of the perpetrators involved in the Islamic State attacks on the French capital. Prime Minister Valls told the Sueddeutsche Zeitung Europe had been stretched beyond its limits by the migrant crisis.

Pope visits Africa, hopes to bridge Christian-Muslim faultlines

OPE Francis called on Wednesday for ethnic and religious reconciliation at the start of his first tour of Africa, where he will address a fast-growing Catholic population and seek to heal Christian-Muslim divisions. The trip will see the head of the Catholic Church travel to Kenya and Uganda, both victim of Islamist militant attacks, and the Central African Republic, a country torn apart by Muslim-Christian strife. In a speech delivered shortly after arriving in Kenya, the pope urged world leaders to pursue responsible economic development and to protect nature for future generations. Francis is expected to address climate issues when he visits the regional U.N. headquarters in Nairobi on Thursday. “To the extent that our

societies experience divisions, whether ethnic, religious or economic, all men and women of good will are called to work for reconciliation and peace, forgiveness and healing,” the pope said in Nairobi. He was speaking at State House, the official residence of President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is a Catholic along with about 30 percent of Kenya’s 45

million people. As the pope drove into Nairobi from airport, thousands lined the roads to greet him. Africa’s Catholic Church is expanding quickly, with the number of faithful expected to more than double to half a billion in 2050. The number of Muslims on the continent is also forecast to rise by about the same amount to 670 million.

Gambia bans female genital mutilation

HE Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh has banned female genital mutilation (FGM) saying it is not required in Islam. The announcement at a rally was met with a huge applause, AFP reports. Three-quarters of women in the mostly Muslim country have had the procedure,according to Unicef.

In the procedure’s most severe form, after removing the sensitive clitoris, the genitals are cut and stitched closed so that the woman cannot have or enjoy sex. FGM, also known as female circumcision, can be extremely painful, lead to tetanus, gangrene, HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C and effective sterilisation.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015 — 39

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40—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015

•Audu: Death overturns ambition

•Faleke: Did he narrowly miss it?

•Bello: His ambition has revived again

Kogi impasse: Choices and Implications THE death of Prince Abubakar Audu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC midway into last Saturday’s governorship election in Kogi State has opened the election management body and the major political stakeholders to ponderous options with grave implications. By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor & Kingsley Fanwo

HE senior officials at the Abuja headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC who gathered in one of the offices of the commission to review the developments arising from the death of Prince Audu were at pains to find a precedent to draw a lesson from. Not before had a candidate leading in an election died even before the election process could be completed. For the late Audu, it was a near miss. He was within 5,000 votes of being declared winner of the election over the incumbent governor of the state, Captain Idris Wada, the standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Pulsating narrative So when news filtered in just before noon last Monday that Audu had resurrected, it was like an reprieve from the mental agony the INEC officials were immersed in. However, two hours later, the story of Audu’s resurrection was confirmed to be a hoax, another episode in the pulsating narrative of the politician’s last days on earth. The difficulties of the commission were upon the constitutional provisions that limited it from declaring Audu’s running mate, James Faleke as winner of the election. With

the death of Audu, the commission was also prevented from immediately declaring the runner up in the election, Captain Idris Wada as winner of the election. Section 181. (1) of the constitution states thus: If a person duly elected as Governor dies before taking and subscribing the Oath of Allegiance and oath of office, or is unable for any reason whatsoever to be sworn in, the person elected with him as Deputy governor shall be sworn in as Governor and he shall nominate a new DeputyGovernor who shall be appointed by the Governor with the approval of a simple majority of the House of Assembly of the State. So, the options open to the commission’s officials that Monday included *Continuing the supplementary election on the premise that the

election was between political parties in line with the Rotimi Amaechi Supreme Court judgment. But that would be against the Electoral Act provisions stopping the courts from foisting a candidate on a party. *Ordering a fresh election. That would have meant APC producing a fresh candidate. However, stipulations of the Electoral Act for parties to give INEC a 21 day notice prior to a party primary would have meant. In the end the commission resolved to invite the APC to present a candidate to replace the late Audu in the supplementary election. That decision is itself laced with many consequences. First, it is open to many legal challenges. Not surprisingly, Vanguard learnt yesterday that the PDP was already preparing to challenge the decision in court if not,

Supplementary Polls Where the outstanding votes are: Kogi Central - 4,619 Kogi East - 37,980 Kogi West - 7,390 Total - 49,989

then on the premise that the election body was transferring the votes of a dead person to another person who was not on the ticket. For the APC, the options before it are laced with many implications. Among the options open to the party are to present James Faleke, the running mate as the new candidate, submit Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the runner up in the primary as the new candidate, conduct a fresh primary or to find a political solution. Abiodun Faleke: The choice of Faleke which is presently being drummed by some party heavyweights including a notable political leader from the Southwest would be the final solution for advocates of power shift in the state. Faleke from Kogi West would then be the first substantive governor of the state from outside the Igala speaking Kogi East Senatorial district. This school of thought is clinging to the argument that Audu and Faleke are both holding a joint ticket. However, the Faleke option is laden with constitutional complications. Legally, Faleke never contested the party’s primary.

Governorship election It is left to be seen if a candidate could be accepted to contest an election without going through a primary election as explicitly provided for in the Electoral Act. Politically, the Kogi East people will protest any attempt by the party at depriving them of the APC ticket. The Yahaya Bello Option: Yahaya Bello came second during the APC governorship election. He was said to be the choice of a powerful caucus in the presidency and he had been favoured after it was alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari was not disposed to Audu, partly because of the allegations against him by the anti-graft agency and partly because of the claim that even while being in Continues on page 41

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015—41

The story of the destruction of APGA — Factional Abia Chairman, Ukaegbu BARR. Prince Nnanna Ukaegbu, factional chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, in Abia State, spoke on why his faction adopted Gov Okezie Ikpeazu as its governorship candidate in the last election and how APGA’s ex -national chairman; Chief Victor Umeh weakened the party in the South East zone. Excerpt By Ugochukwu Alaribe

NE is surprised that as a chieftain of APGA in Abia State, you backed the governorship candidate of the PDP in the last election? It is incorrect to say I backed the PDP candidate, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, in the last governorship election in the state. The true story was that before the elections, APGA in Abia State reviewed the situation at hand which was that the PDP in the State had two governorship candidates; one in PDP and the other in APGA. What happened was that we were forced to make the best out of a bad situation by choosing the best out of the two available candidates of the PDP. We zeroed in and settled for Dr. Ikpeazu who had a better programme and human face over Dr. Alex Otti. It should not be forgotten that the national leadership of the party at that time had turned the nomination process of our party into one huge bazaar and a money making venture. The leadership refused to present

strong candidates as was the case in all the states and created problems and division to weaken the party as was witnessed in Imo and Abia. In Ebonyi, they even

•Ukaegbu: Otti was not an APGA form when he took form

refused entreaties by some aggrieved PDP to run on APGA platform. These are issues in public domain. But is Dr. Alex Otti, a stranger in APGA? As the chairman of the party in the state, I met Dr. Alex Otti for the first time on the 11th day of November, 2014 at the APGA national secretariat while he was purchasing nomination forms. I was on a private assignment when the ‘owner’ of the party, Chief Victor Umeh learnt I was in Abuja and ordered me to proceed to the secretariat to witness Dr. Otti's desecration of our democratic norms. Of course at the point of purchasing

the nomination form, Otti was not a member of our party but it was obvious that Umeh had ceded the governorship ticket. However, events proved that neither Umeh nor Otti wanted the party to win the governorship election in Abia state. First was the attempt to disgrace and the eventual ouster from the party of Sir Chikwe Udensi who was the financier and governorship hopeful of the party before then; a man who single handedly built the party in the last three preceding years and incidentally, Dr. Otti’s cousin from the same compound in Atani, Arochukwu, Abia North. All my entreaties to Otti for a resolution with

Udensi fell on deaf ears. APGA’s National chairman, Ike Oye, said since he assumed office, he has reached aggrieved members of APGA, that the party is now more united? Did he approach you? Those who brought Ike Oye as APGA national chairman did not bring him to rebuild the party because I doubt if such is in their agenda. How can you bring a non member to rebuild a party? It can’t work because Umeh so much battered APGA that the party now needs a surgical operation to regain its former glory. They brought Ike Oye to protect their interest and further the disintegration of the party. That is why after almost eleven years of Umeh’s disastrous leadership, they could not find anybody within the party nor could Umeh groom a successor but they had to go outside the party to recruit another Anambra man to take over from him. I won’t answer the question about his touted rebuilding of the party until 2019, if not 2017. You were an unrepentant critic of the immediate past Theodore Orji administration in Abia state, now that his successor has started addressing some of the issues you were agitating for, can you say that Abia is now on course? One of the greatest political decisions I ever took against all odds and propaganda was to back Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu. It was not a simple decision to take for the facts that as the leader of the opposition in the state, being the chairman of APGA the leading opposition party in Abia, the chairman of Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP as well as the state chairman of Intra Party Advisory Council of Nigeria, IPAC; such move was bound to be construed as capitulation.

Kogi impasse: Choices, Implications Continued from page 40 the same party with Buhari, worked against him in the 2003 presidential contest. Advocates of Bello’s emergence claim that being the runner-up in the primary, that he should naturally step in with the death of Audu. However, that choice is laced with the consequence that it would be illogical for him to retain Faleke as deputy governorship candidate being that he, Bello is from the minority Igbira tribe, a development that would inevitably leave the majority Igala tribe out of the power loop. It is for this reason that the powerful lobby behind Faleke is opposed to Bello. The Fresh Primaries Option The APC had announced that it will go for another primary to elect a substitute for Audu. This option would allow one of the most potent political forces from Kogi East in the person of Alhaji Isah Echocho to step into the contest even if a fresh election is stipulated.

Echocho was instrumental to Audu’s defeat of Wada having recently defected to the APC from the PDP after his serial political battles with the incumbent governor. There is a perception among party insiders that he, Echocho has the greatest chance among other APC members to defeat Wada. To his advantage is the fact that he is from Kogi East,

There is no doubt that the fire of power rotation agitation is rising again as the West and Central are looking to reap from the natural tilt of power

the same section of the state as Audu. However, the emergence of Echocho would be seriously opposed by advocates of power shift in the state as it would inevitably defer the realisation of power shift to a possible eight years. However, any primary done without a 21 day notice would run foul of the Electoral Act and could be subjected to legal challenges. Has Wada Won the Election? PDP insiders say that the party has already won the election with the death of Audu and the party according to normally reliable sources is set to approach the courts to invalidate the invitation to the APC to replace Audu in the December 5 governroship poll. Inside sources within PDP say the PDP has already won the governorship election with the death of Audu. The party’s lawyers are working on the

•Wada: Can he turn defeat to victory?

claim that nobody can take over the votes of a dead candidate. The worst case scenario the PDP is looking at is a complete re-run in the state.

There is no doubt that the fire of power rotation agitation is rising again as the West and Central are looking to reap from the natural tilt of power.

42—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015

Kogi: AGF wrong to dictate to INEC —Daudu, SAN MR Joseph Daudu, SAN, is a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA. Daudu is noted for his nononsense issues and speaks his mind on issues not minding whose ox is gored. In this interview, he posits that those castigating the Supreme Court over Senator Bukola Saraki’s asset declaration matter were trying to intimidate the apex court, a development he noted should not be encouraged for the better functioning of the society. He also faulted the haste with which the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, gave directive to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the inconclusive Kogi poll, according to him, compromising the independence of the electoral body. He also spoke on other issues. Excerpt: By Innocent Anaba

HAT is your assessment of the performance of the election tribunals so far? By and large, the primary tribunals’ i. e those ones that have adjudicated over disputes at Governorship and Legislative Houses level should by now have concluded their assignments arising from the April general elections. I did not participate in election petitions at trial levels in this current dispensation. Consequently, my assessment is based on rulings and judgments that I have read and war stories from learned friends that took active part in the process.

Substantial volume The result or assessment is not encouraging as (i) a substantial volume of the decisions were strange and not in line with electoral jurisprudence as we know it to be, suggesting that there was extra-ordinary recourse to technicality; (b) there is a lot of hue and cry that corruption played a great role in the outcome of the judgments. Whatever may have happened; we are waiting with baited breath for the decision of the appellate courts, which we hope will right the wrongs alleged against the trial tribunal. In light of these expressions of dissatisfaction commencing with how the Tribunals were constituted by the President of the Court of Appeal, to

frequent alleged unjustifiable disbandment of Tribunals, unprecedented judgments and allegations of corruption, it is necessary to identify a forum where those complaints can be submitted to, investigated and solutions and remedies proffered. Does an appeal filed at the appellate court serve as a stay of proceedings at the lower court? Ordinarily the answer is “No” but there are some statutes i. e penal legislations that statutorily provide that an appeal operates as a stay of execution or proceedings. This is so because a person sentenced to death does not need to file an application for stay before the processes for execution are stayed. Apart from these specific situations, a notice of appeal does not eo ipso operate as a stay of proceedings or execution of a judgment. What is your reaction to the Supreme Court decision staying the trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, before the Code of Conduct Tribunal over allegation of false declaration of assets more so as the Administration of Criminal Justice Act states that no court can stop or stay criminal trial at the Tribunal? Before answering this question, I must enter a caveat that I am lead Counsel in the matter. In answer to your question, the provision of the law is quite easy to understand and interpret. Section 306 of the ACJA, which you referred to provides; “An application for

* Mr Daudu, SAN stay of proceedings in respect of a criminal matter before the court shall not be entertained.” The “Court” in issue is the Code of Conduct Tribunal. That is the only court that perhaps cannot stay its own proceedings in the event of an appeal against its decision. This provision does not apply to appellate courts such as the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court to which appeals lie from the CCT. It is only applicable to the trial court. The rationale is simple. This is because

The worst category of critics are those lawyers who are in reality politicians or direct agents and associates of politicians, who criticize the system merely as a matter of political expediency and nothing else

N/A can’t mak e la ws tto o cur tail the po wer make laws curtail pow Pg 44 of CAppeal, S-Cour C-Appeal, S-Courtt

appeals to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court are creatures of the Constitution. The right of appeal in the circumstances being a constitutional right cannot take a back seat or be rendered ineffectual by a subordinate legislation like the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. It ought be noted that courts do not act in vain, consequently, where the issue of jurisdiction is the substratum or basis of an interlocutory appeal and the appeal is on-going, it will amount to a travesty of justice for the court whose jurisdiction is being challenged, to continue unperturbed with its activities or purported trial at the same time or concurrently with the appeal.

Political witchhunt What will happen if the appeal on jurisdiction is upheld and the trial had gone on to cause irreparable harm to the Defendant and indeed to the entire judicial system? It must be understood that rights in the criminal justice system are not created to inure in favour of the State or Prosecution alone. Rights are created to ensure that a defendant is not made to go through a needless political witch-hunt by politicians who think that our courts are there to be manipulated for their own political benefits or profit. Jurisprudence has consistently stated that an

unjust trial ought to be quickly shut down as it does not add value to any system to be associated with political vendetta in the name of a criminal trial. The focus by our leaders should not be on playing to the political gallery but to genuine justice sector reforms. It does not profit any one for new comers to governance having taken over the reins of power to commence by condemning everything that have been achieved in the past 50 years. Some lawyers have argued that the Supreme Court violated an Act of National Assembly by staying Saraki’s prosecution. Do you agree, if not why? I do not agree for the reasons stated above. Whilst the right to expression is guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution, these rights like every other human right have its limitations and exceptions. There is one flaw in our legal system and this is that lawyers do not specialize in different branches of the law. It is unseemly for lawyers who rely on their 200 level recollection of criminal law and procedure to seek to make informed commentary on serious legal issues taking place at a serious forum such as the Supreme Court.

Serious forum The worst category of critics are those lawyers who are in reality politicians or direct agents and associates of politicians, who criticize the system merely as a matter of political expediency and nothing else. You issued a statement last week warning lawyers that they risk Contempt of Court by their criticism of the Supreme Court for staying the Saraki trial. Are you forgetting that such persons enjoy liberty of freedom of speech, more so when they argue that their comments are predicated on what the law says about staying of criminal proceedings at the Code of Conduct Tribunal? Those that I addressed as possible candidates for contempt of court know that I did not have in mind their exercise of the right to free speech or right to critic the judgment of a court. What they were doing by accusing the Supreme Court of “illegality” and other mundane epithets in such an aggressive manner was to seek to intimidate the Court, pitch it against skewed or manipulated public opinion Continues on page 43

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015—43

Kogi: AGF wrong to dictate to INEC —Daudu, SAN Continues from page 42 and thereby prejudice the final outcome of the appeal. Certainly, we will not sit idly by and watch such an exalted institution in this country be taken to the cleaners, merely because the Court and its Justices have a tradition rooted in dignity and perseverance of not responding to taunts and insults. The pattern was clear to me that there was a campaign of calumny designed by the formentors to cause the Supreme Court to tow their own line.

Final decision of the court Happily, the Supreme Court cannot be and should not be intimidated. But as I said we cannot take the risk and remain silent while efforts are being made to prejudice the final decision of the court. Is the Administration of Criminal Justice Act consistent with the rules of fair hearing and natural justice if it purports to oust from an appellate the power to stay trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal. Since even if the tribunal overrules a defendant on such issues such as jurisdiction and others, the trial will continue even though the defendant has a right of appeal to the appellate courts? Where a criminal court lacks jurisdiction, it is not conducting a trial, what it is engaged in is a sham and a mockery of the whole system. A criminal trial is not conducted as if it is a football match which is for the benefit and satisfaction of the audience. It is a very serious business, where the reputation and livelihood of persons are at risk and jeopardy. Consequently, a trial without jurisdiction is a nullity and a no-show. That is why, when there is a strong appeal challenging the jurisdiction of the court, the

EDITORIAL TEAM Innocent Anaba ( Head) Wahab Abdulah Ikechukwu Nnochiri Dayo Benson (Supervising Editor) 08056180119 dayobenson@yahoo.com

Daudu, SAN inferior tribunal that is conducting such a void trial is expected under the extant law to stay proceedings until the superior appellate courts have rendered their decision on jurisdiction. What is your assessment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption war so far? It is still too early to make a pronouncement one way or the other. But it must be stated that the fight against corruption in today’s Nigeria is a battle that must be engaged in without compromise.

Fighting corruption In fighting corruption, there must be due regard and scrupulous observance for due process and the Rule of law. The fight against corruption if engaged outside the bounds of due process and constitutionality will fail. Some have argued that the anti-corruption war is one sided and in most cases

against perceived enemies of the government? It appears so. President Buhari inaugurated his cabinet about six months after being sworn in. Is the delay justified? In all sincerity, only the President will be able to answer the question. But one point which the President, no doubt succeeded in making is that he probably does not need ministers to administer the country. These ministers are therefore just settling down. In the fullness of time, we shall be in a position to answer the question. What is your reaction to the Ministers that were assigned portfolios? It appears that some have far more work that others, is that fair? This question with respect does not arise at this point in time. The buck stops on the President’s table. He will be in a position to assess his ministers in due course. Some rights activists are expressing worries over what

they allege is the gradual return to impunity by security a g e n c i e s , particularly the Department of State Security, DSS, which still holds on to accused persons, even when they have been granted bail by a court of law or which refuses to produce such accused persons in court, even when ordered to do so by the court? Again, I must be cautious in answering this part of the interview for obvious reasons including fact that they are live issues and my comments could be interpreted as an attempt to prejudice the Courts. Our Judiciary has in the past survived the worst forms of tyranny and abuse of due process and the rule of law by way of ouster

One thing is apparent and it is that the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation had no business speaking before or to INEC on the way forward in the matter (Kogi scenario)

clauses, disobedience of court orders, shift or inversion of the presumption of innocence etc under military rule and we survived. We will overcome this episode too. The only regret is that history has not taught us any lessons. Was the Attorney-General of the Federation right in dictating a solution to INEC on the aftermath of the death of Prince Abubakar Audu the late APC governorship candidate? I do not want to be involved in the correctness or otherwise of his solution to the apparent legal impasse that has occurred after the demise of the APC governorship candidate that was leading in the stalled elections being conducted by INEC.

Level of research That would be probably a matter that would be resolved by the courts and I do not or have not conducted the level of research that would make it easy to reach a tolerable legal conclusion. But one thing is apparent and it is that the Attorney-General of the Federation had no business speaking before or to INEC on the way forward in the matter. The AGF is not Attorney General of the executive arm of the Government or Attorney General of the APC. He is Attorney General of the Federation and an experienced Attorney-General would not have intervened in the way and manner he did, which clearly eroded the much talked about independence of the electoral body. The decision of INEC should have been left to INEC to determine in the spirit of its ‘independence’. The AGF speaking on the issue before INEC, dealt a great blow to the perceived independence of INEC and the neutrality of the federal government in such matters.

44—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015

N/A can’t make laws to curtail the power of C-Appeal, S-Court Dr. Alex Izinyon, SAN HE legal hullabaloo and brouhaha generated by the Order of Stay of Proceedings by the Supreme Court in the Saraki’s case among legal pundits, scholars and laymen having regards to the provision of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, simply called ACJA hereunder, demand a closer look. Since the substantive matter is subjudice, but the Order of stay of proceeding already granted which has generated this storm in a tea cup can be espoused without any * Senator Bukola Saraki qualms. Any law made by the National Assembly I am not unmindful of the virulent salvo that is inconsistent with the Constitution first thrown by my most learned brother albert ouster has already kissed the canvas Femi Falana, SAN, re-echoed by others of inconsistency provision vide Section 1 on this subject matter against the Supreme (3), Section 4(8) of the Constitution. See A-G ABIA STATE V. AG FEDERATION Court for granting such order. I beg to differ having regards to the (2002) 6 NWLR (PT. 763) 263. Only recently Kolewole J. of the Federal settled principles of law that cannot be rewritten or jettison over board on the façade High Court in LABOUR PARTY V. INEC of Section 306 of ACJA rendering the OR FHC/ABJ/CS/399/2011 DELIVERED power of the Supreme Court as enshrined ON 21/7/2011 did not hesitate to strike in the Constitution of the Federal Republic down Section 140(2), Section 141 of the Electoral Act, 2010 which sought to of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) nebbish. Section 6 of the said Constitution regulate the Election Tribunal or Court on provides for the judicial power vested in Order to make in course of its Orders or the Courts. Section 6 (6) specifically states decision in an Election matter before it. Now, Section 494 of ACJA, the definition that such judicial powers vested in the Section shall “extend not withstanding section defines court to include Federal anything to the contrary in this Courts, the Magistrate Court and the Constitution, to all inherent powers and Federal Capital Territory or Area Court presided over by the Legal Practitioners. sanctions of a court of law.” Section 1(3) of the Constitution provide I will not deal with the issue of whether for the supremacy of the Constitution and the Code of Conduct Tribunal is a court if any other law (including any subsequent within the contemplation of the Law by the National Assembly) is Constitution under Section 6(5) in the inconsistent with the provision of the absence of any amendment to the said Constitution such law shall be void to the section as was done for the National extent of the inconsistency. Section 4 (8) Industrial Court pursuant to 3rd Alteration, of the Constitution of the Federal Republic No. 3 which now listed the National of Nigeria, 1999 prohibits ouster or Industrial Court as superior Court under Section 6 of the Constitution. See Section purported outer. It states: “S. 4(8) Save as otherwise provided 6(5)(cc). by this Constitution, the exercise of legislative powers by the Stay of National Assembly or by proceedings a House of Assembly shall be subject to the But the issue here is the Order of the jurisdiction of courts of stay of proceedings having regard to law and of judicial section 306 of the ACJA. tribunals established by By the definition section in Section 494 law, and accordingly, the of ACJA, using the ejusdem generis rule, National Assembly or a “the Court” referred in Section 306 are House of Assembly shall those listed in Section 494 of ACJA. At the not enact any law, that risk of over simplicity, Oxford Dictionary ousts or purports to oust of English defines “the” as denoting one the jurisdiction of a court or more people or things already of law or of a judicial Any law mentioned or assumed to be common tribunal established by knowledge. law.” Section 306 of the made by It is a definite article. Therefore “the Administration of the Court” used in Section 306 of ACJA refers Criminal Justice Act, to the court mentioned in Section 494 of 2015 (ACJA) states: “An National ACJA, viz the Federal Courts which are application for stay of Assembly the Federal High Court, High Court of the proceedings in respect of FCT, Magistrates Court and Area Courts a criminal matter before that is manned by legal practitioners in the FCT. the Court shall not be inconsistent These are court of first instance or trial court entertained.” and cannot be interpreted to include Court with the (Underlining mine). of Appeal or the Supreme Court. From the above one Constitution After all the express mention of one thing does not need a crystal implies the exclusion of other or of the albert gazer to decipher that alternative - “expressio unius est exclusio section 306 is a clear ouster has alterius.” The power of the Supreme Court ouster or purported already as the final court in the judicial hierarchy ouster contrary to section to order a stay of proceeding especially 4(8) of the Constitution kissed the against the background of an undertaking and therefore void to the canvas of by prosecution that they will not undermine extent of that the substratum of the appeal cannot be said inconsistency to be illegal by virtue of section 306 of ACJA. inconsistency. Continues next week

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015—45

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46— Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015

Messi: I’m not crazy about winning Ballon d’Or •Why I allowed Neymar to take penalty

IONEL Messi has found it ‘hard’ after returning from a twomonth injury lay-off and says the key to Barcelona’s success is the entire team enjoys themselves. Ad he says he is not crazy about winning the Ballon d’Or. “I’m happy with the game, the result, playing 90 minutes again. I’m returning little by little and luckily it’s all going well,” he said, AS reports. “We never said [that Barca were dependent on Messi] and that’s been demonstrated. I had a hard time not being on the pitch but I enjoyed watching what my teammates did in every game. “It’s not just [the trident of Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez], it’s the whole team. There’s a good atmosphere, we try to be professional, to have fun and to get along day by day. It’s important, what matters is the group is united. “It has been hard starting again. I prepared well and trained but it’s not the same to train as to go onto the pitch and play for 90 minutes. I’ll get back up to speed calmly.” Messi was asked why Neymar took the penalty Barca were awarded missing with Adriano converting the rebound - and if there’s a chance the Barca front three could dominate the Ballon d’Or. “Hopefully I can do something, but I’m not going crazy about it. Suarez and Neymar think like me,” he said regarding the world player of the year prize. “Nothing happens if that doesn’t happen, we’ll keep trying to do what we do. I think Neymar has taken four or five penalties and not missed any, so he took it again.”

PSG tempt Ronaldo with 18m euro per year ARIS Saint-Germain P will pay Cristiano Ronaldo €18m-a-year if he quits Real Madrid for the Ligue 1 champions, reports say. Sport claim PSG aren’t giving up on Ronaldo despite his representative Jorge Mendes recently insisting the forward will be at Santiago Bernabeu until he retires. Ronaldo is identified as the replacement for Zlatan Ibrahmivoc and PSG would be willing to pay the Portuguese more than they currently give to the Swede. Ibra earns some €15mper-season and Ronaldo would beat that if he chose to move to France, but the report suggests the €18m offer could be the last one Ronaldo receives from PSG.

Balotelli hurries recovery

•Messi

Mertesacker tips Arsenal to beat Olympiakos to ticket

•Mertesacker

ER Mertesacker is confident Arsenal will make the most of their Champions League lifeline and qualify for the knockout phase. “There will be pressure for both teams and, hopefully, we can handle that better. We have a good chance because we believe that we can score. Last night showed we are always capable of doing that. We have dropped a lot of points but there is still a chance so we believe.”

ARIO Balotelli could be back earlier than expected, by Frosinone-Milan on December 20. The Italy international underwent surgery to correct a hip flexor problem and was expected to stay off the pitches for four weeks. The operation went well and Tuttosport reports that the striker could well be back sooner than expected. Similarly to Sampdoria’s Ervin Zukanovic, who underwent the same medical operation, Balotelli could also be able to play after 20 days. According to Tuttosport, Super Mario may be seen back on the pitch as early as December 20, for Milan’s match away to Frosinone.

•Sturridge C M Y K

IVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp continues to play a patient game with Daniel Sturridge and insists the striker must prove he is more “ robust” before he is fully thrown back into first-team action. “Daniel is coming

closer and closer so he can train now seven or eight times in a row that is the longest period since I’ve been here - and that will help him and in the end help us,” Klopp said. “My decision you will see (on Thursday) but it is closer and that is very

Mourinho kisses and makes up with Costa

HELSEA manager Jose Mourinho revealed how he and Spain striker Diego Costa settled a row at half time. ‘There were a few kisses and cuddles.’ The BBC note that Mourinho was unhappy with Costa in the first half of the Blues’ Champions League win

over Maccabi Tel-Aviv, and chastised Costa, who responded in kind. “I was disappointed. I reacted and he reacted too,” the former Real Madrid trainer is quoted as saying. “At half time in the dressing room there were a few kisses and cuddles.”

Muller breaks UCL record

T •Balotelli

Sturridge to return soon—Klopp

•Ronaldo

good. The most important thing in these weeks is he can train without problems. We have to try to bring in a situation where he is more robust. If he is feeling in a good moment maybe a few minutes - or more - we will see in the game.”

HOMAS Muller became the youngest player to have played in 50 Champions League victories as Bayern Munich eased past Olympiakos on Tuesday. Muller — at 26 years, two months and 11 days old — reached the milestone over one year younger than Lionel Messi and nearly two years younger than Cristiano Ronaldo. The Germany international, who made his Champions League debut in March 2009, contributed one goal in Tuesday’s 4-0 victory at home to Olympiakos. “It means that I’ve played with a very good team in the past five years,” Muller,

who needed only 75 games to reach the half-century, said on fcb.tv. Club captain Philipp Lahm joked in kicker: “He owes us a round of drinks, because we played our part in it.” Muller replied: “If we were to buy a round of drinks every time a Bayern player breaks a record, we’d rarely be sober.” The victory ensured Bayern reached the knockout round as Group F winners, but there was one sour note for the German champions as Holger Badstuber was sent off for a professional foul on Brown Ideye early in the second half.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015 — 47

NFF Congressmen for Leadership Training in the UK

HE Nigeria Football Federation has finalized arrangements for taking Members of its Congress on a 4-day leadership training program in the United Kingdom. Already, the persons in the first batch of the program, which runs between 4th and 7th December in London, have secured entry visas into the United Kingdom for a training which quality is underscored by the capacity of the resource persons and the keen interest of the private sector. Leading airline, ARIK, top bank ZENITH BANK PLC and the FROT GROUP are the sponsors of the elite program. There are 20 persons in the first batch, made up principally of Chairmen of State Football Associations, and including the General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi. “The Chairmen of the State FAs are the first-line charge for real develop-

ment of the game at the grassroots. They also constitute the primary constituency of stakeholders. “We are happy to have been able to arrange this program for them, and I

can assure you that the impact of this program on the development of Nigeria football will be felt in the months and years to come.”

Ejo invites Ibenegbu, 19 others for Copa Lagos

EAD Coach of the Super Sand Eagles Audu Adamu Ejo has invited 20 players for this year ’s Copa Lagos Beach Soccer tournament. The tournament which takes place from December 18th- 20th will see the Sand Eagles make attempt to reclaim the title they lost to neighbours Cote D’Ivoire in last year’s final. Leading the pack is Warri Wolves FC of Warri midfielder Bartholomew Ibenegbu who is the new captain of the team and was part of the team that finished third at this year’s CAF Beach Soccer

Tournament in Seychelles. Others include the trio of Victor Tale, Emeka Ogbonna and Abu Azeez of Warri Wolves. The players are expected to arrive their Hunwaji Hotel, Badagry latest 29th November.

L- R: Wife of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mrs Martha Emmanuel; Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State; Akwa United Team Captain, Otobong Effiong; Chairman of Akwa United, Elder Nse Ubeh; Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr Monday Ukoh and Akwa Ibom State Secretary to Government, Mr Etekamba Umoren at the reception held in honour of Akwa United for winning the 2015 Federations Cup in Uyo

Top athletes shun AFN camp in Port Harcourt By Ben Efe

OP Nigerian athletes are yet to report to the camp of Athletics Federation of Nigeria running at the Port Harcourt High Performance Centre. Some of the athletes who

bared their minds on the exercise called by the AFN to boost preparations for the African Championships in South Africa and the Rio 2016 Olympics in Brazil revealed their lack of motivation to join the camp. “Right now I am not in best mood to report to camp. I would rather face my farm work, this is because some of the allowances owed us from the All Africa Games have not been paid,” said one of the senior athletes.

Also Tega Odele an up and coming sprinter, stated that he is quite comfortable training with his coaches at the University of Benin, adding that reporting to Port Harcourt was out of the question. Speaking on the development coordinator of the camp, Seigha Porbeni stated that some of the athletes have not reported because of they haven’t been released by their respective authorities. “We don’t have most of the top athletes here

Continues from BP Siasia international. Mali on Sunday, He however urged the November 29 before players that did not battling Egypt on make his final squad not Wednesday, November 2 to be relent on their in Mbour and three days career but but to work later play their final harder. group B match against “I feel sad telling you Algeria in Dakar. The guys to go, but the truth Dream Team will kick off is that only 21 players their campaign on will have to make the Sunday trip to Senegal, and “Our aim is to qualify these selected ones are for the Olympics. If we those the technical crew are able to win the have seen to be able to tournament, that will be give us an Olympic a major boost to the ticket in Senegal,'' team,” said the former

Pharaohs

Continues from BP are, however, determined to progress in their bid for a Rio ticket. “I have a target and it is to qualify for the Olympics, no matter what the names of the opponents are,” ElBadry told Algerian media El Shorouk. “Qualifying for the U23 Africa Cup of Nations means that your team is among the best eight teams on the continent, thus there is no room for C M Y K

an easy game. “Algeria and Nigeria are continental heavyweights but I think our game against Mali will be very tough. Mali has won the Africa youth championship and they have very good players on their squad. Our game against them will be very tough. “But we don’t fear any opponent as we look to win all our games in the continental tournament to reach the Olympics.”

yet. It is only Divine Oduduru and 18 other juniors we are working with. “Someofthemcomplained that they their schools and work places have not been notified by the AFN secretariat, and so they cannot report to camp. But we are working with what we have and expecting that things will go in full swing for our preparations towards the Africa Championships and the Olympics next year,” said Mr. Porbeni.

Abdullahi Continues from BP gave Nigeria a 2-0 aggregate win and a passage to the final round which starts next October. “It’s going to be difficult. The big boys in Africa will be into the pots for the draws and I hope we get a good draw,”the AC Madeira midfielder said. “I’m happy we are into the final leg of the draws and by God’s grace we shall make it to Russia. The team is coming together and we play better game by game.''

Eaglets Continues from BP have been signed by foremost players’ agents Stellar Group, who manage several top stars including Gareth Bale. A top source informed: “The players have been invited to Europe by Standard Liege and it is from there that the players will be moved to other clubs in other leagues.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015

Siasia hopeful as Eagles land in Dakar N

IGERIA’s team arrived Dakar, Senegal for the U-23 African Cup of Nations, with coach Samson Siasia hopeful of

U-23 AFCON:

Pharaohs fire warning to Siasia’s Dream team E

GYPT Under-23 national team coach Hossam El-Badry is confident as they are

about to launch their 2015 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations campaign. The former Al Ahly manager is eyeing a top three finish at the continental tournament, which will take place in Senegal between 28 November and 12 December, to see his side qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Drawn in a very tough Group B alongside Algeria, Mali and Nigeria, the Egyptians

*El Badry

Continues on Page 47

*Siasia

2018 World Cup: Abdullahi backs Oliseh to qualify

INSIDE

Messi: I’m not crazy about winning Ballon d’ Or PSG tempt Ronaldo with 18m euro per year

achieving the primary aim of qualifying for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The delegation left Banjul where they have been camped for ten days and arrived Dakar on aboard Arik Air.They have also arrived Mbour which will host the first group B games against Continues on Page 47

UPER Eagles midfielder Shehu Abdullahi says it will be a difficult task qualifying

for the FIFA 2018 World Cup but he is confident coach Sunday Oliseh can lead to them to get the ticket. Abdullahi played at right back in the two second leg Africa zone qualifier against Swaziland and did quite well especially in the return leg in PortHarcourt. Goals from Moses Simon and Efe Ambrose

*Oliseh

Continues on Page 47

Eaglets stars head for before moving to bigger Belgium European clubs.

GOAL GETTER ••• Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo shows his mastery of the game

ELECHI Nwakali and three others in FIFA Under-17 world cup team will join Belgian club Standard Liege

Nwakali, Samuel Chukwueze, David Enogela and Joel Osikel

Continues on Page 47

QUICK CROSSWORD

T OD AY'S PUZZLE ODA

FRI D AY'S ANS WERS FRID ANSWERS

ACROSS: 1 Play (5) 5 Parent (6) 8 Sea-duck (5) 10 Pointer (6) 11 Deserve (4) 15 Superficial (7) 18 Males (3) 19 Brown (3) 21 Trade (4) 23 Started (5) 24 Ballot (4) 27 Spot (3) 29 Finish (3) 31 Convent (7) 32 Sour (6) 34 Acceptable (4) 35 Dismount (6) 38 Apportion (5) 39 Stretch (6) 40 Torment (5)

DOWN: 2 Fish-eggs (3) 3 Interfere (6) 4 Sicken (3) 5 Rid (4) 6 Called (6) 7 Disclose (6) 9 Relegated (7) 12 Limb (3) 13 Number (4) 16 Idol (4) 17 Lorry (5) 20 Unaffected (7) 22 Declare (4) 24 Manly (6) 25 Nurse (4) 26 Encipher (6) 28 Encourage (6) 30 Noise (3) 33 Deceased (4) 36 Fate (3) 37 Man’s (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Stream 5, Numb 8, Bonus 9, Vat 10, Lion 11, Mean 12, Anger 13, Gifted 16, Disc 18, Amen 20, Her 22, Set 23, Lag 24, Hide 25, Peer 28, Deface 30, Faint 32, Wait 33, Safe 34, Inn 35, Deter 36, Bred 37, Flagon.

DOWN: 1, Savage 2, Ratified 3, Allied 4, Connected 5, Numeral 6, User 7, Bend 8, Boa 14, Dispensed 15, Peg 17, See 19, Managing 20, Hit 21, Related 26, Repeat 27, Penon 29, Swab 30, Fide 31, Tar.

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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