ONDO GOVERNORSHIP POLL: A-Court sacks Jimoh Ibrahim, okays Jegede
Vanguard Newspapers 24th November, 2016
Vanguard Newspapers 24th November, 2016
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•P.35<br />
OBJ TO BUHARI:<br />
Act fast, economy can't<br />
be saved by orders,<br />
wishful thinking<br />
9<br />
2017 draft<br />
budget<br />
unrealistic,<br />
says Senate<br />
8<br />
**<br />
VOL. 25: NO. 63165 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016<br />
<strong>ONDO</strong> <strong>GOVERNORSHIP</strong> <strong>POLL</strong>:<br />
A-<strong>Court</strong> <strong>sacks</strong> <strong>Jimoh</strong><br />
<strong>Ibrahim</strong>, <strong>okays</strong> <strong>Jegede</strong><br />
•Says Justice Abang’s ruling fraudulent, controversial<br />
•We‘ll obey ruling, no shift in election date – INEC<br />
•Judiciary remains bastion of democracy – <strong>Jegede</strong><br />
•<strong>Jimoh</strong> <strong>Ibrahim</strong>, PDP, Mimiko, Okowa, others speak<br />
COURT VICTORY—Mr Eyitayo <strong>Jegede</strong>; addressing pressmen shortly after <strong>Court</strong> of Appeal ruled in his favour as substantial<br />
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate for Ondo State election in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.<br />
YABATECH shut, as inferno guts female hostel 7<br />
DSS Sting<br />
Operation:<br />
Reps drill<br />
Justice Dimgba,<br />
Wike, Liman,<br />
CCB, others 9<br />
COLUMNISTS<br />
MOHAMMED<br />
ADAMU<br />
Niger: My<br />
poor orphaned<br />
state<br />
17<br />
JOSEF<br />
OMOROTIONMWAN<br />
Recession is<br />
not a tea<br />
31<br />
party<br />
OCHEREOME<br />
NNANNA<br />
Why Tinubu<br />
must be<br />
rescued 31<br />
By Clifford<br />
Ndujihe, Dayo<br />
Johnson,<br />
Ikechukwu<br />
Nnochiri, Charles<br />
Kumolu, Ishola<br />
Balogun, Wahab<br />
Abdullah, Festus<br />
Ahon, Josephine<br />
Agbonkhese &<br />
Omeiza Ajayi<br />
ABUJA—THE <strong>Court</strong><br />
of Appeal,<br />
yesterday, re-instated Mr.<br />
Eyitayo <strong>Jegede</strong>, SAN, as<br />
the rightful candidate of<br />
the Peoples Democratic<br />
Party, PDP, for the Ondo<br />
State governorship<br />
election billed for<br />
Saturday.<br />
In a unanimous<br />
judgment, the Justice<br />
<strong>Ibrahim</strong> Saulawa-led<br />
three-man Special Panel<br />
of the appellate court,<br />
vacated the June 29<br />
Continues on Page 5<br />
Mr & Mrs
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K<br />
2—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K<br />
Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016—3
C<br />
M<br />
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K<br />
4—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016
Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016—5<br />
POCKET CARTOON<br />
UNVEILING—Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye, Enitan Ogunwusi and others,<br />
after the unveiling of MOREMI, the tallest statue in Nigeria at Ife. See story<br />
on Page 11.<br />
<strong>ONDO</strong> <strong>POLL</strong>: A-<strong>Court</strong> <strong>sacks</strong><br />
<strong>Jimoh</strong> <strong>Ibrahim</strong>, <strong>okays</strong> <strong>Jegede</strong><br />
Continues from page 1<br />
judgment of Justice Okon<br />
Abang of the Federal<br />
High <strong>Court</strong>, Abuja, which<br />
directed the Independent<br />
National Electoral<br />
Commission, INEC, to<br />
recognise Mr. <strong>Jimoh</strong><br />
<strong>Ibrahim</strong> as the PDP<br />
standard bearer.<br />
With the verdict, which<br />
led to the continuation of<br />
jubilation for the second<br />
day by PDP members and<br />
supporters in Ondo,<br />
<strong>Jegede</strong> has 48 hours to<br />
woo the electorate as the<br />
INEC, which said it will<br />
obey the latest ruling,<br />
insisted that it will go<br />
ahead with the election on<br />
Saturday.<br />
<strong>Jegede</strong> had approached<br />
the appellate court to<br />
challenge the high court<br />
verdict which ordered<br />
INEC to only relate with<br />
the Ali Modu-Sheriff<br />
faction of the PDP.<br />
Justice Abang had on<br />
October 14, also reaffirmed<br />
his decision,<br />
even as he warned the<br />
electoral body against<br />
accepting any candidate<br />
nominated by the Senator<br />
Ahmed Markafi-led<br />
National Caretaker<br />
Committee of the PDP.<br />
Acting on the strength of<br />
the order, INEC, promptly<br />
removed <strong>Jegede</strong>’s name<br />
from the list of candidates<br />
for the Ondo<br />
governorship poll and<br />
replaced it with Mr.<br />
<strong>Ibrahim</strong>.<br />
However, the appeal<br />
court, yesterday,<br />
overturned the high court<br />
and returned <strong>Jegede</strong> as<br />
the PDP candidate. The<br />
decision drew plaudits<br />
from a host of eminent<br />
Nigerians. Among those<br />
who spoke on the ruling,<br />
yesterday, were Deputy<br />
Senate President, Ike<br />
Ekweremadu; Governors<br />
Ayo Fayose (Ekiti) and<br />
Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta);<br />
Chief Femi Fani-Kayode,<br />
IT'S UP TO YOU<br />
BY AYO ADIO - 08104802192<br />
MEASURING your success based on the<br />
yardstick and definition of other people will<br />
most likely lead to utter frustration. It's up to you.<br />
TAKE HEART<br />
BY ELLA RANDLE- O8084919482<br />
"Gratitude, the key to more abundance"<br />
WHEN we pay attention, life brings to us<br />
answers in unexpected ways. Often it's a<br />
reminder of Divine presence and protection, in<br />
everyday routine as we go about our activities.<br />
Maybe, it's just a quiet early morning walk or that<br />
moment after your prayers. Then comes a feeling of<br />
calm and a knowing that you are in good hands…just<br />
being grateful for that moment in the rising sun and<br />
for many small miracles that are continually affirmed<br />
in our paths; for the universe is conspiring to being<br />
us, all these blessings of awareness. We only have<br />
to stay open to recieve it.<br />
SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE<br />
It's with a smooth tongue that the snail<br />
crawls on thorns.<br />
Mr Emeka Etiaba, SAN,<br />
Mr. Babatunde Fashanu,<br />
SAN, and Mr. Kingsley<br />
Kuku.<br />
Others included the<br />
Transition Monitoring<br />
Group, TMG and the<br />
Arewa Youths<br />
Consultative Forum,<br />
AYCF.<br />
The verdict<br />
In its verdict, yesterday,<br />
the appellate court, held<br />
that Justice Abang’s<br />
refusal to grant fair<br />
hearing to <strong>Jegede</strong><br />
“rendered the entire<br />
proceedings before his<br />
court a nullity” because<br />
“indeed, it is obvious from<br />
the records that the<br />
appellant’s name had<br />
been duly published as<br />
the governorship<br />
candidate of the 11th<br />
respondent (PDP) for the<br />
November 26 Ondo<br />
governorship election.”<br />
It held that the lower<br />
court was in grievous<br />
error when it ordered the<br />
publication of <strong>Ibrahim</strong>’s<br />
name.<br />
It said the decision of<br />
the high court was in total<br />
breach of the provision of<br />
Section 36 of the 1999<br />
constitution, which it said<br />
forbade any court from<br />
denying fair hearing to a<br />
party likely to be affected<br />
by final decision of the<br />
court.<br />
Justice Saulawa said the<br />
action of the court violated<br />
the legal doctrine of audi<br />
altarem partem (listen to<br />
the other side), adding<br />
that “the tenets of natural<br />
Justice entail that a party<br />
ought to be heard prior to<br />
determination of case<br />
against them.”<br />
The appellate court also<br />
noted that Justice Abang<br />
ordered INEC to<br />
“immediately” recognise<br />
Mr. <strong>Ibrahim</strong> who was<br />
never a party in the suit<br />
that culminated to both the<br />
June 29 and October 14<br />
judgments.<br />
“The <strong>Court</strong> below had<br />
no jurisdictional<br />
competence to make such<br />
order. I have no restriction<br />
in the circumstance in<br />
resolving the second issue<br />
equally in favour of the<br />
appellant”.<br />
It said that Justice<br />
Abang “unilaterally”,<br />
raised issues that were not<br />
included by the plaintiffs,<br />
an action it said<br />
amounted to “a violent<br />
attitudinal disposition to<br />
the rule of law”.<br />
Besides, the court said<br />
the primary election that<br />
was conducted by the<br />
Ondo State chapter of the<br />
PDP loyal to Modu-<br />
Sheriff, which produced<br />
Mr. <strong>Ibrahim</strong>, was a nullity.<br />
It said the law was very<br />
clear on which organ of a<br />
party should conduct<br />
governorship primary<br />
elections.<br />
“It is worth reiterating at<br />
this point that any primary<br />
election by state chapter<br />
of a party, be it the PDP or<br />
any other party, is<br />
undoubtedly, in the eye of<br />
the law, an illegal<br />
contraption that carries<br />
with it no legal or<br />
equitable right at all. It is<br />
in its entirety a nullity”,<br />
the appellate court held.<br />
Prior to delivery of the<br />
judgment, Justice<br />
Saulawa, said the panel<br />
was at a time, “subjected<br />
to a very intimidating and<br />
brow-beating treatment<br />
by counsel to the<br />
respondents.”<br />
“Most regrettably, the<br />
respondents have<br />
deemed it expedient to<br />
shoot themselves on the<br />
foot. Instead of adhering<br />
to the wise counsel of the<br />
<strong>Court</strong> to file brief within<br />
the time limit, even the<br />
extra day that was granted<br />
to them, they refused to do<br />
so. The consequences of<br />
the respondents failing to<br />
file their brief by virtue of<br />
Order 18 of the <strong>Court</strong> of<br />
Appeal Rules is very<br />
obvious and we have<br />
made it clear in our<br />
judgment.”<br />
Justice Saulawa noted<br />
that instead of filing their<br />
brief of argument, the<br />
respondents insisted that<br />
the appellate court had lost<br />
its jurisdiction to entertain<br />
<strong>Jegede</strong>’s suit by virtue of<br />
the appeal they lodged at<br />
the Supreme <strong>Court</strong>.<br />
“I have most critically<br />
appraised the preliminary<br />
objection by Nwufor,<br />
SAN, and I found that it<br />
is most grossly lacking in<br />
merit and it is accordingly<br />
dismissed. Having<br />
effectively dealt with the<br />
preliminary objection, I<br />
now proceed to determine<br />
the appeal on its merit.”<br />
The Appeal on its merit<br />
The court noted that<br />
<strong>Jegede</strong> filed his appeal on<br />
November 11, which<br />
raised seven issues for<br />
determination.<br />
The issues included<br />
whether it was proper for<br />
the high court to order<br />
INEC to jettison <strong>Jegede</strong>’s<br />
name after he had already<br />
been nominated by the<br />
PDP and his name<br />
published.<br />
Olanipekun argued that<br />
the high court lacked<br />
jurisdiction to determine<br />
who should be the<br />
candidate of a political<br />
party.<br />
Relying on decided<br />
case-law in Lado vs CPC,<br />
Olanipekun, stressed that<br />
the issue of nomination of<br />
candidates for an election<br />
is a domestic affair of a<br />
political party which no<br />
court has the jurisdiction<br />
to meddle into.<br />
He said Justice Abang<br />
was wrong when he held<br />
that he had the requisite<br />
jurisdiction to determine<br />
the matter.<br />
The appellate court, in<br />
arriving at its decision,<br />
said it was necessary that<br />
it determined whether or<br />
not the appellant was<br />
denied fair hearing by the<br />
lower court.<br />
It consequently<br />
resolved all the seven<br />
issues in <strong>Jegede</strong>’s favour.<br />
“There is no gain<br />
saying that this appeal is<br />
grossly meritorious and is<br />
hereby allowed.”<br />
The appellate court held<br />
that Justice Abang turned<br />
himself into “Father<br />
Christmas”, by granting<br />
reliefs that were not<br />
sought by the plaintiffs.<br />
“It is long abiding<br />
principle that a court<br />
cannot abide by reliefs not<br />
sought by parties. Ruling<br />
of the <strong>Court</strong> below<br />
delivered on October 14 is<br />
hereby set aside.”<br />
The court also awarded<br />
N20, 000 cost in <strong>Jegede</strong>’s<br />
favour.<br />
Similarly, the appellate<br />
court, in a separate<br />
judgment delivered by<br />
Justice Mbaba, allowed<br />
the appeal lodged by<br />
Senators Ahmed Markarfi<br />
and Ben Obi on the same<br />
grounds that they were<br />
denied fair hearing by the<br />
lower court.<br />
Justice Mbaba<br />
described the lower<br />
court’s verdict as “a<br />
fraud”, saying “Justice is<br />
only meaningful when it<br />
is done within perimeters<br />
of the law.”<br />
“The proceeding at the<br />
lower court was in my<br />
view a fraud, intended to<br />
defraud the appellants. It<br />
seemed to have been<br />
arranged by the same<br />
parties who arranged<br />
themselves into both<br />
plaintiffs<br />
and<br />
respondents. It is most<br />
unfortunate that the trial<br />
court appeared to be a<br />
willing tool to the<br />
attainment of this ignoble<br />
goal.”<br />
It said that “common<br />
sense and dictates of<br />
Justice”, should have<br />
prevailed on the lower<br />
court to join the Markarfiled<br />
National Working<br />
Committee of the PDP,<br />
which is also laying claim<br />
to the leadership of the<br />
party, as parties to the<br />
proceeding that led to the<br />
June 29 verdict.<br />
The panel, therefore,<br />
set-aside what it termed<br />
“the most turbulent and<br />
controversial judgment of<br />
the lower court”, even as<br />
it awarded N100, 000 cost<br />
against the respondents.<br />
We ‘ll obey A’<strong>Court</strong><br />
order, no shift in poll<br />
date – INEC<br />
The electoral umpire<br />
responded promptly to the<br />
ruling, saying that it will<br />
return <strong>Jegede</strong>’s name as<br />
the PDP candidate and<br />
remove that of <strong>Jimoh</strong><br />
<strong>Ibrahim</strong>.<br />
However, INEC said it<br />
would not shift the date of<br />
the election as being<br />
clamoured by many<br />
stakeholders.<br />
The commission’s<br />
Director in charge of Voter<br />
Education, Publicity, Civil<br />
Society and Gender<br />
Liaison, Mr Oluwole<br />
Osaze-Uzi, told Vanguard<br />
that the decision of the<br />
appeal court is in line with<br />
INEC’s earlier stance as<br />
to the authentic candidate<br />
of the party.<br />
“Of course, we will<br />
comply. This is in<br />
consonance with our<br />
earlier stand as to the<br />
rightful PDP candidate.<br />
So, (it) did not come to<br />
INEC as a surprise. No<br />
shift in the election”, he<br />
said.<br />
The Makarfi-led faction<br />
of the PDP as well as a<br />
coalition of 16 political<br />
parties had called for the<br />
postponement of the polls<br />
citing the crisis in the PDP.<br />
Vanguard checks<br />
revealed that while the<br />
electoral act provides that<br />
the name of candidates<br />
must be displayed in their<br />
constituencies within<br />
seven days before the<br />
election, Section 44. (1)<br />
however, states that; “each<br />
political party may by<br />
notice in writing<br />
addressed to the Electoral<br />
Polling Agents Officer of<br />
the Local Government or<br />
Area Council, appoint a<br />
person to attend at each<br />
polling unit and collation<br />
centre in the Local<br />
Continues on Page 11
6—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016<br />
:Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058<br />
Missing Abia<br />
man causes<br />
crisis between<br />
family, friend<br />
By Ugochukwu<br />
Alaribe<br />
ABA—A housewife,<br />
Mrs. Eucharia<br />
Okafor, has cried out to<br />
the Abia State<br />
Commissioner of Police,<br />
Leye Oyebade, over the<br />
disappearance of her<br />
husband, Sunday Okafor,<br />
since October 17.<br />
Narrating her ordeal to<br />
Vanguard in Aba,<br />
accompanied by Innocent<br />
Nwokocha, Coordinator<br />
of a human rights group,<br />
Initiative for<br />
Developmental Advocacy<br />
and Leadership in<br />
Nigeria, Eucharia said<br />
her husband had not<br />
returned since he was<br />
invited by his friend, one<br />
Ekene Ifediora, for a job<br />
at Ishiagu, Ebonyi State.<br />
Okafor’s younger<br />
brother, Amobi, alleged<br />
that Ifediora had failed to<br />
make efforts to trace the<br />
whereabouts of his<br />
brother and called on<br />
police to rescue him,<br />
wherever he was being<br />
held.<br />
However, Ifediora, who<br />
spoke at a town union<br />
meeting with Okafor’s<br />
kinsmen from Imeziuwa<br />
community in Ezeagu<br />
council of Enugu State,<br />
denied knowledge of the<br />
whereabouts of his friend.<br />
He claimed to have<br />
assigned Okafor and his<br />
mate to deliver chippings<br />
at Elele, Rivers State, and<br />
had not heard from him<br />
since.<br />
Abia State Police Public<br />
Relations Officer, ASP<br />
Ogbonnaya Nta, could not<br />
be reached at press time.<br />
By Monsuru<br />
Olowoopejo<br />
NO fewer than 9,579<br />
persons, of the 616, 318<br />
that attended the HIV<br />
Counselling and Testing, HCT,<br />
awareness programme from<br />
January to June, 2016, have<br />
tested positive to HIV.<br />
Dr. Oluseyi Temowo, Chief<br />
Executive Officer, Lagos State<br />
AIDS Control Agency, LSACA,<br />
made this known in Lagos,<br />
yesterday.<br />
Temowo spoke at a briefing in<br />
Ikeja to mark the 2016 World<br />
AIDS Day with the theme<br />
Hands Up for HIV Prevention.<br />
The United Nations had, in<br />
1988, declared every December<br />
1 as the World AIDS Day, to<br />
honour AIDS victims and focus<br />
on issues surrounding HIV/<br />
AIDS.<br />
Temowo said that in 2015,<br />
599,560 people were<br />
counselled, tested and received<br />
results out of which 15,311<br />
people were found to be<br />
positive.<br />
The LSACA chief said that<br />
52,803 people living with the<br />
virus were currently on<br />
antiretrovirals.<br />
He said: “These statistics<br />
simply means that there are<br />
many more people who are not<br />
aware that they have the virus.<br />
That is why knowing one’s<br />
status is very important.<br />
“It is a common knowledge<br />
that an HIV positive person<br />
can be symptom free for 10<br />
years and will continue to infect<br />
others if not checked and<br />
treated. Being HIV positive<br />
does not translate to death with<br />
appropriate medications.”<br />
Free testing, counselling<br />
Temowo said that the agency<br />
An inferno gutted the female hostel of Yaba<br />
College of Technology, Lagos, yesterday,<br />
leaving many injured and properties<br />
destroyed. PHOTOS: Kehinde Gbadamosi &<br />
Diran Oshe.<br />
Lagos records 9,579<br />
fresh HIV cases in 6 months<br />
•Targets 2030 for eradication of virus<br />
had mobilised its HCT trucks<br />
to all the nooks and crannies<br />
of the state to conduct free HIV<br />
conselling and testing.<br />
This, he said, would enable<br />
every Lagos resident to be<br />
aware of his or her health<br />
status.<br />
Temowo said that access to<br />
HCT would allow individuals<br />
to know their status and take<br />
appropriate steps to prevent<br />
the transmission to other<br />
people.<br />
He said that this would also<br />
By Kingsley Omonobi<br />
ABUJA—THE Inspector-<br />
General of Police, IG, Mr.<br />
<strong>Ibrahim</strong> Idris, yesterday, said<br />
no fewer than 128 policemen<br />
lost their lives to activities of<br />
criminals in various parts of<br />
the country in the past three<br />
months.<br />
He said they were killed in<br />
the line of duty by religious<br />
bigots, bandits, hoodlums and<br />
militants, warning that the<br />
trend must be reversed and<br />
halted.<br />
The IG cited the cases of<br />
Dankamoji village in Zamfara<br />
State, Abagana in Anambra<br />
State and Okirika in Rivers<br />
State where scores of<br />
policemen were killed and<br />
arms carted away, structures<br />
and equipment destroyed,<br />
saying such attacks would no<br />
longer be condoned.<br />
Describing the trend as<br />
“deeply worrisome,” the police<br />
boss said: “The rate at which<br />
stop the progression to AIDS<br />
through lifestyle<br />
modification and healthseeking<br />
behaviour.<br />
According to him, the<br />
move is geared toward<br />
achieving the eradication of<br />
the virus by 2030.<br />
He said: “Achieving an<br />
AIDS-free generation<br />
requires collective efforts.<br />
This is why we are calling<br />
on government at all levels,<br />
individuals and<br />
organisations, to join us in<br />
officers and men lose their<br />
lives in the course of<br />
discharging their statutory<br />
duties is no longer<br />
tolerable.”<br />
In a statement by Force<br />
Public Relations Officer,<br />
DCP Don Awunah, Idris<br />
said: “These deaths<br />
occasioned by unwarranted<br />
attacks by religious bigots,<br />
bandits, hoodlums and<br />
militants must be reversed<br />
and the trend halted.<br />
“In the past three months,<br />
the Force has lost 128<br />
personnel in various parts of<br />
the country due to activities<br />
of these undesirable<br />
this quest to make Lagos State<br />
an HIV-Free Zone.<br />
“We implore residents to visit<br />
all government hospitals within<br />
their areas to access free HCT,<br />
while HCT trucks will move<br />
around to reach other areas for<br />
this purpose.<br />
“We also advise people to<br />
ensure these various means of<br />
prevention— condom use, harm<br />
reduction, voluntary medical<br />
male circumcision, prevention of<br />
mother-to-child transmission,<br />
counselling and testing.”<br />
As 128 Police Officers Die in 3 Months:<br />
This must stop, IG vows<br />
<strong>Ibrahim</strong> Idris<br />
elements in our communities.<br />
Also disturbing is the wanton<br />
destruction of police<br />
infrastructure and public assets.<br />
“The recent cases in<br />
Dankamoji village in Maradu<br />
council of Zamfara State;<br />
Abagana in Anambra State and<br />
in Okrika waterways in Rivers<br />
State, where personnel were<br />
killed, arms carted away,<br />
structures and equipment<br />
destroyed, are cases in point.”<br />
The police boss further urged<br />
officers not to relent or be<br />
distracted in the collective will<br />
of the police to serve the<br />
country, the costly challenges<br />
notwithstanding.<br />
Ex-banker docked ov<br />
By Onozure Dania<br />
LAGOS—AN ex-banker, who<br />
allegedly defrauded 26<br />
different persons of N435<br />
million, was, yesterday, charged<br />
before an Igbosere Magistrate’s
Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24 , 2016—7<br />
:Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058<br />
YABATECH shut,<br />
as inferno guts female hostel<br />
By Dayo Adesulu,<br />
Elizabeth Uwandu,<br />
Kelechukwu Iruoma &<br />
Queen Ndukwe<br />
LAGOS—AN early morning<br />
inferno, yesterday, destroyed<br />
20 rooms in a female hostel at<br />
Yaba College of Technology,<br />
Lagos, leaving several students<br />
displaced with properties that<br />
included certificates, phones,<br />
laptops, clothes and food items<br />
destroyed.<br />
Following the incident, the<br />
Rector, Dr. Margaret Ladipo,<br />
announced suspension of<br />
academic activities, while the<br />
school authorities attends to the<br />
emergency.<br />
Three students were said to<br />
have sustained injuries.<br />
According to sources, the<br />
injured students were rushed<br />
to the Federal Medical Centre,<br />
Yaba, and the General Hospital,<br />
Randle Avenue, Surulere.<br />
One of the students said she<br />
ran out naked, when the fire<br />
started, and watched as all her<br />
credentials went up in smoke.<br />
It was gathered that fire<br />
started at a wing of the top floor<br />
of the Bakassi Block at about<br />
5.20a.m., when the school<br />
generator was switched on after<br />
an electricity power cut.<br />
Dr. Ismail Badmus, the Head<br />
of Department of the school’s<br />
Fire Service, said no life was<br />
lost, but that some students<br />
were injured and taken to<br />
government hospitals for<br />
treatment.<br />
According to him, “the<br />
incident happened at Bakassi<br />
hostel, which is a two-wing<br />
two-storey building. The fire<br />
started at the top floor of one of<br />
the wings. We lost a lot of<br />
students’ items like laptops,<br />
phones, books and mattresses.<br />
Being residential hostel, many<br />
combustibles were there, which<br />
readily caught fire.”<br />
er N435m forex fraud<br />
<strong>Court</strong>, Lagos.<br />
The defendant, Adebayo<br />
Ogunusi, 41, is facing a 26-count<br />
charge on fraud.<br />
The prosecutor, Raymond<br />
Akhaine, told the court that the<br />
defendant committed the alleged<br />
He said that the fire was<br />
tackled by the college’s fire<br />
service department; National<br />
Emergency Management<br />
Agency, NEMA; Lagos State<br />
Emergency Management<br />
Agency; Lagos State Fire<br />
Service and the State Response<br />
Unit.<br />
Students count loss<br />
Lamenting her loss, a<br />
National Diploma, ND, 1<br />
student said she lost all her<br />
credentials, including her<br />
Nursery School reports details<br />
to the inferno.<br />
The ND 1 student, who was<br />
being consoled by her friends,<br />
added that she virtually ran out<br />
naked and did not take<br />
anything out from her room,<br />
when the fire started.<br />
Another student, identified<br />
as Bimpe, took Vanguard to<br />
the school’s medical centre<br />
where two of her course mates<br />
were rushed to. One, an<br />
asthma patient, gave her name<br />
as Dami, and the other, Ada,<br />
who fainted when she saw her<br />
offences between May and<br />
August in Lagos.<br />
He claimed that the defendant<br />
obtained N435 million from 26<br />
persons under the guise that he<br />
was going to give them the<br />
dollar equivalent of the money.<br />
Akhaine said the defendant<br />
knew that the representation he<br />
properties being consumed<br />
by the fire.<br />
Many other students, who<br />
spoke on conditions of<br />
anonymity, blamed the<br />
incident on overpopulation,<br />
porters who collect<br />
gratifications to allow gas<br />
cookers and other<br />
combustibles into the hostels<br />
and lack of emergency<br />
response equipment.<br />
The Sole Administrator, Yaba<br />
Local Council Development<br />
Area, LCDA, Bayo Adefuye,<br />
who was at the scene of the<br />
incident, expressed delight<br />
that no life was lost.<br />
He called on the school<br />
management to address the<br />
power and security issues in<br />
the school as a matter of<br />
urgency.<br />
Rector reassures<br />
community<br />
Meanwhile, the school<br />
authorities have urged<br />
parents and guardians not to<br />
panic over the fate of their<br />
wards as the school was on<br />
made was false, adding that<br />
the offences committed were<br />
contrary to Section 312 (1) (a)<br />
of the Criminal Law of Lagos<br />
State, 2011.<br />
However, the defendant<br />
pleaded not guilty to the<br />
charge.<br />
Counsel to the defendant,<br />
top of the situation.<br />
The Rector of the college,<br />
Dr. Margaret Ladipo, called<br />
on the college community to<br />
remain calm, promising that<br />
the management would find<br />
ways of soothing the pains<br />
caused by the accident.<br />
In a statement by Mr.<br />
Charles Oni, Head of Public<br />
Relations Unit, Ladipo said:<br />
“Sequel to the unfortunate<br />
fire incident at the Bakassi<br />
hostel early this morning<br />
(yesterday), the<br />
management has suspended<br />
all academic activities till<br />
further notice.<br />
“By this notice, all<br />
examinations and lectures,<br />
especially scheduled for<br />
today, have been put on hold<br />
while the college attends to<br />
the exigency.<br />
“The management regrets<br />
the misguided and outright<br />
falsehood on the social<br />
media and calls to certain<br />
radio stations that there was<br />
no water on campus to put<br />
out the fire.”<br />
Ex-minister, Hirse's kidnappers still silent<br />
By Marie-Therese<br />
Nanlong<br />
JOS—THREE days after the<br />
former Minister Foreign<br />
Affairs, Ambassador Bagudu<br />
Hirse, was kidnapped in<br />
Kaduna State, his abductors<br />
are leaving family members in<br />
suspense as they are yet to<br />
make contact.<br />
Hirse, who was also the<br />
Plateau State governorship<br />
candidate of Labour Party, LP,<br />
in 2015 general election, was<br />
on his way to Sokoto on a<br />
condolence visit to the family<br />
of the late Sultan <strong>Ibrahim</strong><br />
Dasuki, but was kidnapped<br />
while having a stopover at the<br />
house of Mamman Daura in<br />
Bagudu Hirse<br />
Kaduna State.<br />
Speaking with Vanguard<br />
on phone yesterday, the<br />
victim’s daughter, Mrs.<br />
Na’anbam Pokop, said: “We<br />
have not heard anything<br />
from them.<br />
“We are still waiting, but<br />
the Lord has strengthened<br />
us. We trust that He will<br />
answer our prayers for the<br />
safe return of our father.”<br />
However, the State Police<br />
Public Relations Officer, ASP<br />
Tyopev Terna, added: “As we<br />
speak, there has been no<br />
contact. We are monitoring<br />
his phone and that of his<br />
relatives: there has been no<br />
suspicious calls.<br />
“We are working hand in<br />
hand with our counterparts<br />
in Kaduna, but have not<br />
heard anything.”<br />
Meanwhile, Plateau State<br />
chapter of the Christian<br />
Association of Nigeria, CAN,<br />
has called for calm and<br />
prayers for the safe return of<br />
the elder statesman.<br />
Mr. Ayo Durojaiye, urged the<br />
court to admit the defendant<br />
to bail on liberal terms.<br />
Presiding Magistrate, Mrs.<br />
A. O. Awogboro, admitted him<br />
to N10 million bail, with two<br />
sureties in like sum and<br />
adjourned the case till<br />
December 15 for mention.<br />
Girl docked<br />
for alleged<br />
theft of<br />
N20m<br />
property<br />
By Aniema Umoh<br />
LAGOS—AN 18-yearold<br />
defendant, Lydia<br />
Shamshi, was, yesterday,<br />
arraigned before a Lagos<br />
Magistrate’s <strong>Court</strong> at<br />
Igbosere for alleged theft<br />
of property worth<br />
N20,000,000, property of<br />
one Bamidele Ademola<br />
Olateju.<br />
The defendant, who<br />
resides at 1, Val Ifeanyi<br />
Close, Bakare II Estate in<br />
Eti-Osa Local<br />
Government Area of<br />
Lagos State, is facing a<br />
two-count charge of<br />
conspiracy and stealing,<br />
preferred against them<br />
by the police.<br />
The prosecutor,<br />
Sergeant Adeleye, told<br />
the court that the<br />
defendants committed<br />
the alleged offence<br />
between September 22<br />
and 28, at Lekki.<br />
He further told the<br />
court that the defendant<br />
and others at large stole<br />
30 set of wrist watches,<br />
assorted jewelleries, two<br />
Toshisba laptops, one<br />
iphone 6, two Nokia<br />
phones and charger,<br />
$2,000 (N960,000); all<br />
worth N20,000,000, the<br />
property of one Bamidele<br />
Ademola Olateye.<br />
However, the<br />
defendant pleaded not<br />
guilty to the charges and<br />
the magistrate, Mrs A. O.<br />
Olagbenga, granted her<br />
bail in the sum of one<br />
million Naira with two<br />
sureties in like sum.<br />
The sureties must be<br />
blood relations and<br />
gainfully employed and<br />
also show two years<br />
evidence of tax payment<br />
clearance to Lagos<br />
State.<br />
The case was<br />
adjourned to December 7<br />
for mention.
8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016<br />
:Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058<br />
EFCC arrests<br />
Edo SUBEB<br />
Chairman,<br />
Finance<br />
Director over<br />
alleged<br />
N1.5bn fraud<br />
By Soni Daniel,<br />
Northern Region<br />
Editor<br />
E XECUTIVE<br />
Chairman of Edo<br />
State Universal Basic<br />
Education Board,<br />
SUBEB, Mr. Stephen<br />
Alao and the Director of<br />
Finance, Mr. Adams<br />
Osabuohien, are in the<br />
Economic and Financial<br />
Crimes Commission,<br />
EFCC’s net over<br />
questionable financial<br />
operations at the<br />
education agency.<br />
Both men, who were<br />
arrested yesterday, have<br />
already been moved to<br />
the Ibadan Zonal Office<br />
of the EFCC for detailed<br />
interrogation over<br />
allegations they jointly<br />
misappropriated at least<br />
N1.5 billion of public<br />
funds at their disposal.<br />
They may be charged to<br />
court if EFCC operatives<br />
find sufficient evidence<br />
of graft against them.<br />
They are being<br />
interrogated by top<br />
operatives of the EFCC<br />
in Ibadan over the<br />
alleged crime.<br />
Buhari approves<br />
clearance of<br />
218 stranded<br />
containers of<br />
power<br />
equipment<br />
By Prince Okafor<br />
MINISTER<br />
of<br />
Power, Works and<br />
Housing, Mr. Babatunde<br />
Fashola, yesterday said<br />
President Muhammadu<br />
Buhari has approved the<br />
disbursement of funds for<br />
the clearing of about 218<br />
containers of power<br />
equipment stranded at<br />
various sea ports in<br />
Nigeria.<br />
Fashola disclosed this<br />
during an official visit to<br />
Duncan Bonded Terminal<br />
in Lagos.<br />
He said: “In Mr.<br />
President’s effort to give a<br />
stable power supply to<br />
every Nigerian, he has<br />
graciously approved the<br />
disbursement of funds for<br />
the clearing of stranded<br />
containers containing<br />
power equipment and<br />
materials at various<br />
terminals, so as to improve<br />
power delivery to every<br />
Nigerian.”<br />
2017 draft budget based on unrealistic<br />
assumptions —SENATE<br />
By Henry Umoru<br />
A<br />
DRAFT budget<br />
framework for 2017<br />
submitted to the National Assembly<br />
by President Muhammadu Buhari<br />
is based on unrealistic assumptions<br />
about oil production and the<br />
currency exchange rate, the Senate<br />
said yesterday.<br />
The budget plans include<br />
spending a record N6.866 trillion<br />
to pull the economy out of<br />
recession, assume oil production of<br />
2.2 million barrels a day and an<br />
exchange rate of N290 to the U.S.<br />
dollar.<br />
“There is no doubt that the<br />
assumptions are not realistic. Even<br />
in times of peace, we cannot achieve<br />
2.2 million barrels per day.<br />
“Our responsibility is to work on<br />
it and do the right thing. The<br />
spending plans would be referred<br />
to Senate committees on Finance,<br />
Appropriation and National<br />
Planning to be reworked,’’ Senate<br />
President, Bukola Saraki, said<br />
yesterday.<br />
The Senate’s position came as<br />
President Muhammadu Buhari<br />
prepares to present the budget<br />
before a Joint session of the<br />
National Assembly on December 1.<br />
Ahead of the appearance of the<br />
President before the National<br />
Assembly, the Senate, in spite of<br />
attacks by lawmakers who picked<br />
holes in the 2017, 2018 and 2019<br />
Medium Term Expenditure<br />
Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal<br />
Strategy Paper (FSP) submitted by<br />
the President in October, has begun<br />
discussions on the documents.<br />
The documents which formed the<br />
basis for the planning of the 2017<br />
budget, were referred to the Senate<br />
Committees on Finance,<br />
Reps jerk up virement by N28bn<br />
By Emman Ovuakporie &<br />
Johnbosco Agbakwuru<br />
ABUJA—THE House of<br />
Representatives, yesterday,<br />
upped President Muhammadu<br />
Buhari’s virement request from<br />
N180 billion to N208 billion.<br />
The House, considering its initial<br />
lackadaisical attitude towards<br />
President Buhari’s request for<br />
virement, listed the item as a motion<br />
in the name of the House<br />
Appropriation Committee chairman,<br />
Mustapha Bala Dawaki, APC,<br />
Kano, which was passed without a<br />
single debate for or against.<br />
It would be recalled that the<br />
House first received and read the<br />
document on October 25 and kept<br />
it in abeyance for weeks until after<br />
some interface between National<br />
leadership and the Presidency<br />
before it was presented and referred<br />
on November 16.<br />
But in a surprised move, the<br />
House increased the virement from<br />
N180 billion as requested by<br />
President Buhari to<br />
N208,821,671,494 and passed it<br />
without debating the proposal and<br />
laying the report for consideration<br />
Appropriations and National<br />
Planning for further legislative<br />
job and subsequent presentation<br />
to the Senate.<br />
Meanwhile, during debate on<br />
the documents, majority of<br />
senators who spoke, declared the<br />
documents fraudulent,<br />
unrealistic, insincere, and nontransparent,<br />
even as they said<br />
the documents lacked credibility<br />
and called for serious rejigging<br />
if they must meet the present<br />
economic realities.<br />
News of the President’s<br />
appearance before the National<br />
Assembly was disclosed<br />
yesterday by the Senate Minority<br />
Leader, Senator Godswill<br />
at the committee of the whole<br />
House.<br />
The breakdown of the passed<br />
version shows that recurrent for<br />
Public Service Wage Adjustment,<br />
PSWA, under Service Wide Vote<br />
would take the sum of<br />
N71,800,215,270. Contingency is<br />
to take N1.2 billion, Margin for<br />
Increase in Cost (MIC) to take<br />
N2 billion, Ministry of Interior<br />
Cadet Feeding in Police<br />
Academy, Wudil, Kano, to take<br />
FG gives in to ASUU demands, removes endowment<br />
funds from TSA<br />
By Levinus Nwabughiogu<br />
ABUJA—THE<br />
Federal<br />
Government has finally<br />
expunged endowment funds of<br />
universities from the Treasury<br />
Single Accounts, TSA, and<br />
returned same to authorities of<br />
the institutions.<br />
This was one of the eight<br />
demands pressed on<br />
government by Academic Staff<br />
Union of Universities, ASUU.<br />
The decision was taken on a<br />
day the Federal Government also<br />
approved N456 million for<br />
Akpabio (PDP Akwa Ibom<br />
North West), while making<br />
contributions to debate on<br />
projected assumptions made by<br />
the Presidency in the 2017-2019<br />
MTEF.<br />
Akpabio gave this indication<br />
when he was seconding the<br />
motion for the Senate to consider<br />
and approve the 2017, 2018 and<br />
2019 MTEF and FSP presented<br />
before the Senate.<br />
He said: “Yesterday, you made<br />
reference to the fact that the<br />
President may be coming to the<br />
chambers to submit and read the<br />
2017 budget on December 1.<br />
“If that is the case and we send<br />
this (MTEF) back for reworking<br />
N932.4 million.<br />
Others under the same Service<br />
Wide Vote are Amnesty<br />
Programme, N35 billion; internal<br />
operations of the Armed Forces,<br />
N5,205,930,270 billion;<br />
Operation Lafiya Dole,<br />
N13,933,093,000 billion; NYSC,<br />
under Ministry of Sports and<br />
Youth Development,<br />
N19,792,018,400 billion and<br />
Foreign Missions,<br />
N16,349,647,078 billion.<br />
procurement of 67 cars for<br />
Federal Road Safety Corps,<br />
FRSC, for patrol and<br />
surveillance.<br />
The Federal Executive<br />
Council, FEC, at its meeting<br />
yesterday, took the decision on<br />
behalf of the Federal<br />
Government.<br />
Briefing State House<br />
correspondents at the end of the<br />
meeting presided over by Vice<br />
President Yemi Osinbajo at the<br />
Presidential Villa, Abuja, the<br />
Minister of Labour and<br />
Productivity, Chris Ngige, who<br />
was joined by his counterparts<br />
in Information, Lai Mohammed<br />
by the Presidency, it means that we<br />
will not be able to meet that<br />
deadline. But if we send it to the<br />
committee level, they may come up<br />
with something within the next<br />
three days that will be more realistic<br />
ahead of the budget presentation<br />
itself.”<br />
Akpabio had, before making the<br />
disclosure, pleaded with the Senate<br />
not to throw out the MTEF<br />
document based on its unrealistic<br />
projections as raised by majority of<br />
the senators, advising that it should<br />
be committed to relevant<br />
committees of the Senate, based on<br />
the submissions that would be<br />
made by the various agencies that<br />
may be invited by the committees.<br />
CONGRESS: From left: President, Business Education Examinations Council, Mike<br />
Okereke; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and award-winning<br />
Public Relations Consultant, Claudine Moore, at the Fourth Commonwealth Public Relations<br />
Congress in Lagos.<br />
The Augmentation of Meal<br />
Subsidy/Direct Teaching and Lab<br />
Cost under the Federal Ministry of<br />
Education will take N900 million,<br />
with a sub-total of N167,113, 304,<br />
018 billion.<br />
Under statutory transfer, the<br />
Public Complaints Commission will<br />
get N2.5 billion, bringing the<br />
Special Intervention (Recurrent)<br />
sub total to N169,613,304,018<br />
billion, while under capital<br />
expenditure: the Nigerian Air<br />
Force, under the Ministry of<br />
Defence, will get N12, 708,367,476<br />
billion.<br />
and Budget and National Planning,<br />
Udo Udoma, said FEC, however,<br />
did not concede to paying the<br />
earned allowances demanded by<br />
ASUU due to the present economic<br />
recession.<br />
He said: “There was a report on<br />
ASUU strike by the Minister of<br />
Education and we have made<br />
headway. ASUU had some<br />
demands; about eight of them,<br />
seven of them have been trashed<br />
out.<br />
‘’Government conceded to them<br />
the right to exclude endowment<br />
funds that accrued to universities<br />
from the Single Treasury Account,<br />
TSA."
Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016 — 9<br />
2017 FAMINE:<br />
Libya, Algeria,<br />
Niger, Chad rush<br />
Nigerian grains<br />
By Emman Ovuakporie<br />
& Johnbosco Agbakwuru<br />
ABUJA—A member of<br />
the House of<br />
Representatives Danburan<br />
Abubakar Nuhu yesterday<br />
lamented that neighbouring<br />
countries of Niger, Chad,<br />
Libya and Algeria have<br />
invaded markets in the<br />
country, buying up grains in<br />
anticipation of famine next<br />
year.<br />
His lamentation was sequel<br />
to over 500 trucks loaded with<br />
grains that leave every week<br />
from the markets to the<br />
neighbouring countries.<br />
This is as the House of<br />
Representatives has<br />
mandated its committee on<br />
Agricultural production and<br />
services to urgently investigate<br />
the looming food scarcity, with<br />
the view to ensuring that the<br />
Ministry of Agriculture<br />
synergised efforts with<br />
relevant Ministries,<br />
Departments and Agencies,<br />
MDAs to develop an action<br />
plan to avert the unhealthy<br />
competition of export at the<br />
expense of local demand and<br />
a possible famine in 2017.<br />
Nuhu, who represents Kano<br />
Municipal Federal<br />
Constituency of Kano State on<br />
the platform of the All<br />
Progressives Congress, APC,<br />
was of the view that both the<br />
federal and state governments<br />
could buy the grains now at<br />
the local markets and store<br />
them in case of the impending<br />
food scarcity next year.<br />
FG, states, LGs<br />
share N420bn for<br />
October 2016<br />
THE<br />
Federation<br />
Account Allocation<br />
Committee, FAAC, has shared<br />
N420billion to federal, state<br />
and local governments as<br />
allocation for the month of<br />
October, 2016.<br />
While the Federal<br />
Government received<br />
N96.674 billion, states and<br />
local governments got<br />
N49.035 billion and N37.804<br />
billion respectively.<br />
According to the figures<br />
released by Office of the<br />
Accountant General of the<br />
Federation, the gross statutory<br />
revenue of N238.716 billion<br />
received for the month was<br />
lower than the N279.746<br />
billion received in the<br />
previous month by N 41.030<br />
billion.<br />
Crude Oil export volume<br />
decreased, while the average<br />
price of crude oil dropped,<br />
resulting in revenue loss of<br />
about $51 million in federation<br />
exports sales.<br />
:Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058<br />
OBJ to Buhari: Act fast, economy can’t be<br />
saved by orders, wishful thinking<br />
•Frowns on proposed $30bn external loan<br />
•Demands comprehensive economic policy<br />
By Charles Kumolu<br />
LATCHING on the state of<br />
the nation, former President<br />
Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday<br />
urged President Muhammadu<br />
Buhari to rise to the challenges<br />
posed by the current recession in<br />
Nigeria, noting that orders,<br />
wishful thinking and blame game<br />
would not solve the hapless state<br />
of affairs in the country.<br />
Obasanjo also examined the<br />
manner the issues of corruption,<br />
proposed external loan, and<br />
recession, among others were<br />
being responded to by the Federal<br />
Government, and commended<br />
the government on the anti-graft<br />
war but regretted that<br />
government had no<br />
comprehensive policy that would<br />
address the current state of<br />
despair in Nigeria.<br />
The former President, who<br />
stated these in Lagos at the first<br />
annual lecture of Akintola<br />
Williams Foundation, said it was<br />
uncharitable for the present<br />
administration to be blaming past<br />
governments that had served<br />
since 1999, noting that only a<br />
comprehensive framework would<br />
save the country.<br />
Obasanjo, who spoke on the<br />
theme: Nigeria, Yesterday, Today<br />
and Tomorrow: Governance and<br />
Accountability, observed that<br />
Nigeria had the right people, who<br />
could be brought together to help<br />
device the right economic policy<br />
that would get the country out of<br />
the current economic woes.<br />
His words: “Again, now we are<br />
being told the projects will pay<br />
themselves when we know damn<br />
well they will not. If we borrow<br />
some thirty billion dollars in less<br />
than three years, we would have<br />
mortgaged the future of Nigeria<br />
for well over thirty years to come.<br />
There may also be the problem of<br />
absorptive capacity which will<br />
surely lead to waste. A careful<br />
scrutiny of the projects with<br />
prioritisation and avoidance of<br />
waste and taking into account<br />
avoiding bunching of debt service<br />
in future, especially when no one<br />
can accurately forecast the global<br />
and national economy.<br />
''We must not be unmindful of<br />
internal borrowing either. It<br />
impacts somewhat differently on<br />
the economy but it must not be<br />
allowed to crowd out the ability<br />
of the private sector to borrow to<br />
grow the real economy, which is<br />
to lead us out of the recession.If<br />
we do not fix the economy to<br />
relieve the pain and anguish of<br />
many Nigerians, the gain in<br />
fighting insurgency and<br />
corruption will pale into<br />
insignificance.<br />
“No administration can be<br />
comfortable with the excruciating<br />
pain of debilitating and crushing<br />
economy. Businesses are closing,<br />
jobs are being lost and people are<br />
suffering. I know that President<br />
Buhari has always expressed<br />
concern over plight of the<br />
common people but that concern<br />
must be translated to workable<br />
and result-oriented socioeconomic<br />
policy and programme<br />
that will turn the economy round<br />
at the shortest time possible.<br />
''We cannot continue to do the<br />
same thing and expect things to<br />
change. That will be a miracle,<br />
which normally doesn’t happen<br />
in normal national economies. We<br />
have people inside and outside<br />
who can be brought together to<br />
help device the right economic<br />
policy and programme to get us<br />
out of the pit before we fall over<br />
the precipice into a dark cave<br />
“The blanket, adverse<br />
comments or castigation of all<br />
democratic administrations from<br />
1999 by the present<br />
administration is uncharitable<br />
and uninstructive. Politics apart,<br />
I strongly believe that there is a<br />
distinction between the three<br />
previous administrations that it<br />
would be unfair to lump them all<br />
together. I understand President<br />
Buhari’s frustration on the state<br />
of the economy inherited by him.<br />
It was the same reason and<br />
situation that brought about the<br />
cry for change, otherwise, there<br />
would be no need for change if it<br />
was all nice and rosy.<br />
“Now that we have had<br />
change, because the actors and<br />
the situation needed to be<br />
changed, let us move forward to<br />
have progress through a<br />
comprehensive economic policy<br />
that is intellectually, strategically<br />
and philosophically based. I am<br />
sure that such a comprehensive<br />
policy and programme will not<br />
support borrowing US$30 billion<br />
in less than three years. It will<br />
give us the short-, medium- and<br />
long-term picture.”<br />
LAUNCH: From left; Mrs Funmilayo Oladapo, Mother of the Day; Prof. Adeyemi Aderibigbe,<br />
Chairman; Prof Olabisi Olasehinde-Williams, Guest Lecturer; Mrs Omolara Olatubosun,<br />
Executive Director and Mrs Ayo Babatunde, proprietress, at the formal launch of One Voice<br />
Initiative for Women Empowerment in Africa with the Theme "The African Child as<br />
endangered specie: Emerging issues". Photo by Dare Fasube.<br />
DSS STING OPERATION: Reps drill Justice<br />
Dimgba, Wike, Liman, CCB, others<br />
By Emman Ovuakporie<br />
& Johnbosco Agbakwuru<br />
ABUJA—THE House of<br />
Representatives Ad-Hoc<br />
Committee investigating all cases<br />
of arrest of persons by the<br />
Department of State Services,<br />
(DSS), especially the<br />
circumstances surrounding the<br />
attempt to arrest a Federal High<br />
<strong>Court</strong> judge in Port Harcourt,<br />
yesterday drilled Justice<br />
Abdulahi Liman of Port Harcourt<br />
Federal <strong>Court</strong>, Governor Nyesom<br />
Wike, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba<br />
and the Chairman of the Code of<br />
Conduct Bureau.<br />
This is as the Attorney General<br />
and Commissioner of Justice in<br />
Rivers State, Emmanuel Aguma,<br />
SAN, who represented Governor<br />
Nyesom Wike at the investigative<br />
hearing, declared that nepotism<br />
and breach of federal character<br />
laws in appointment constituted<br />
worse threat to national security<br />
than stealing.<br />
The committee had also sought<br />
to know the junior SSS operative<br />
that insulted Governor Wike, an<br />
elected governor, during the sting<br />
operation.<br />
Meanwhile, Justice Liman told<br />
the House Committee that he was<br />
the person that advised Justice<br />
Uche Agomoh not to allow the<br />
operatives of DSS into her<br />
residence on October 8, 2016,<br />
when the sting operation was<br />
carried out, until the identity and<br />
mission of the operatives were<br />
made known to avoid hoodlums<br />
claiming to be security operatives<br />
raiding the place.<br />
In his testimony, Liman denied<br />
that the DSS operatives came to<br />
his house but stated that they went<br />
to Justice Agomoh’s residence.<br />
Why I told Justice Agomoh not<br />
to let the DSS in — Liman<br />
He also stated that he received<br />
a distress call from Justice<br />
Agomoh, who he said was his<br />
neighbour on October 8 when<br />
the incident occurred, adding that<br />
her (Agomoh) security staff called<br />
her attention to the presence of<br />
some people at her gate who<br />
claimed to be security operatives,<br />
demanding to see her over some<br />
security issues.<br />
He said: “I asked her if she had<br />
asked her security men to let them<br />
in, she said, no. I then advised<br />
her not to allow them entry while<br />
she made calls to other people<br />
who might come to her aid, in<br />
case they turned out to be robbers,<br />
assassins or even kidnappers.”<br />
One of the arrested Judges,<br />
Justice Nnamdi Dimgba declined<br />
to comment on the matter because<br />
of its pendency with the National<br />
Judicial Commission, NJC,<br />
saying any comment on the<br />
matter was prejudicial, but<br />
pleaded with the committee to<br />
avail him of any allegation made<br />
against him by the DSS, a request<br />
that was granted.<br />
Action of SSS a national<br />
tragedy —Wike<br />
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom<br />
Wike, described the incident as a<br />
national tragedy, adding that a<br />
good cause should not be fought<br />
by wrong method, even as he<br />
said that he was not against the<br />
fight against corruption.<br />
DSS has constitutional right<br />
to arrest — CCB<br />
In his presentation, the<br />
Chairman, Code of Conduct<br />
Bureau, Sam Saba disagrees with<br />
the submission of the Rivers State<br />
governor that the DSS lacked the<br />
constitutional powers to carry out<br />
arrest of the judges.
10 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016<br />
Ambode<br />
canvasses<br />
community<br />
policing,<br />
inaugurates<br />
Safety Corps<br />
Agency<br />
By Olasunkanmi<br />
Akoni & Monsuru<br />
Olowoopejo<br />
L<br />
A G O S —<br />
GOVERNOR<br />
Akinwunmi Ambode of<br />
Lagos State yesterday said<br />
the fight against crime will be<br />
better prosecuted if efforts are<br />
geared towards embracing<br />
community policing to<br />
complement the police and<br />
other law enforcement<br />
agencies.<br />
Governor Ambode, who<br />
stated this at the swearingin<br />
ceremony of the Chairman<br />
and members of the Board of<br />
the State’s Neighbourhood<br />
Safety Corp Agency, said<br />
community policing was<br />
needed to assist law<br />
enforcement agencies which,<br />
according to him, are already<br />
over stretched judging by the<br />
enormous task of securing the<br />
country.<br />
Speaking at the ceremony<br />
held at Lagos House in Ikeja,<br />
Governor Ambode said right<br />
from the onset, the major<br />
thrust of his administration<br />
has always been the<br />
security of lives and<br />
properties of Lagosians,<br />
adding that the<br />
Neighborhood Agency,<br />
which was an initiative aimed<br />
at safe guarding the<br />
communities through<br />
community policing.<br />
Passage<br />
MRS.<br />
Josephine<br />
Philip Agbutun<br />
Kigbu, wife of Engr. Philip<br />
Agbutun Kigbu, the<br />
Magayaki of Akun kingdom<br />
in Nasarawa State (popularly<br />
called Olubadan) has passed<br />
on at the age of 51 years. She<br />
died on November 13, 2016<br />
and would be buried at Lafia<br />
in Nasarawa State on<br />
November 25, 2016.<br />
She is survived by her aged<br />
mother, husband, brother,<br />
sisters, children and<br />
grand children.<br />
.Late Madam Kigbu.<br />
:Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058<br />
Lagos cancels monthly environmental<br />
sanitation day<br />
By Olasunkanmi Akoni<br />
& Monsuru Olowoopejo<br />
THE Lagos State<br />
Government yesterday<br />
terminated the monthly<br />
environmental sanitation exercise<br />
which hitherto held for three<br />
hours on the last Saturday of<br />
every month.<br />
The State Government, in a<br />
statement by the Commissioner<br />
for Information and Strategy, Mr.<br />
Steve Ayorinde, said the decision<br />
to cancel the monthly exercise<br />
followed a resolution arrived at<br />
yesterday’s State Executive<br />
Council, SEC meeting, which<br />
approved the need for a robust<br />
review of the environmental laws<br />
and procedures in the state in<br />
order to meet the present day<br />
challenges and to promote a<br />
clean and healthy environment.<br />
The government noted that<br />
considering the present economic<br />
situation in the country, it was no<br />
longer appropriate to restrict<br />
movement of people for three<br />
hours in a mega city like Lagos<br />
at a time they should be pursuing<br />
commercial and entrepreneurial<br />
activities.<br />
According to government, ''In<br />
the last two decades, Lagos has<br />
…Redeploys Ashade as finance commissioner<br />
grown exponentially into a mega<br />
city with the attendant huge<br />
environmental problems<br />
associated with managing a<br />
population of over 20 million<br />
people.<br />
''But sadly, the environmental<br />
laws,policies and procedures of<br />
the state have not been able to<br />
match the phenomenal growth<br />
and the dream of a 24-hour<br />
economy, hence the need for the<br />
reform.''<br />
Ayorinde said the government<br />
AMOSU: <strong>Court</strong> rules on witness’ competence today<br />
By Onozure Dania<br />
L AGOS—JUSTICE<br />
Mohammed Idris of a<br />
Federal High <strong>Court</strong> in Lagos will<br />
today deliver ruling on whether<br />
an Economic and Financial<br />
Crimes Commission, EFCC,<br />
prosecution witness, Owobo Tosin<br />
is a competent witness that can<br />
testify in the ongoing N22.8<br />
billion fraud against a former<br />
Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal<br />
Adesola Amosu (retd) and 10<br />
others.<br />
Amosu and 10 others had<br />
yesterday asked the court to<br />
disqualify the witness from<br />
testifying in the matter.<br />
Glo Campus Storm:<br />
ABSU passes<br />
baton to UNIZIK<br />
T<br />
HE on-going Glo<br />
Campus Storm music<br />
concert has moved to the Nnamdi<br />
Azikiwe University, Awka,<br />
Anambra State from Abia State<br />
University, Uturu, where the show<br />
was held last Friday.<br />
The 2016 edition of the show,<br />
which was flagged off at the<br />
University of Port Harcourt on<br />
October 7 has been held on six<br />
campuses so far.<br />
The other institutions include<br />
the Enugu Campus of the<br />
University of Nigeria, The<br />
Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, the<br />
University of Uyo, the University<br />
of Nigeria, Nsukka and the Abia<br />
State University, Uturu.<br />
At the resumed trial yesterday<br />
the accused persons through their<br />
counsels objected to the<br />
competence of the witness.<br />
KIDNAPPING: NSCDC deploys undercover agents<br />
to Lagos creeks<br />
By Monsuru Olowoopejo<br />
L AGOS—FOLLOWING<br />
the spate of kidnap cases<br />
recorded in Lagos State in recent<br />
times, the Nigerian Security and<br />
Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)<br />
has deployed a sizeable number<br />
By Abdulwahab Abdulah<br />
LAGOS division of the<br />
Appeal court has fixed<br />
February 14, 2017 to hear an<br />
application filed by the Orijeru of<br />
Igboyeland, Epe, Oba Micheal<br />
Gbadebo Onakoya pleading the<br />
court to set aside the judgement<br />
of the lower court, which<br />
dethroned him in October, 2008.<br />
The new date<br />
was fixed<br />
sequel to the<br />
failure of the<br />
appellants to<br />
serve the<br />
seventh<br />
respondents of<br />
the notice of<br />
appeal.<br />
The panel of<br />
Justices to hear<br />
the case are<br />
Justices Tijani<br />
was not unaware of a recent <strong>Court</strong><br />
of Appeal judgment.<br />
According to him, the thrust of<br />
the fresh initiatives, among<br />
others, is to promote holistic and<br />
modern solutions to the unique<br />
environmental challenges<br />
confronting the state, while<br />
encouraging citizens to<br />
voluntarily partner with<br />
government to achieve the<br />
desired goals.<br />
Meantime, Governor,<br />
Akinwunmi Ambode has<br />
Tosin, who is an investigative<br />
officer with the commission, was<br />
already being led in evidence by<br />
the EFCC lawyer Rotimi<br />
of its officials as undercover<br />
agents to Lagos creeks while<br />
others are on training to acquire<br />
security tactics to foil any<br />
attempted kidnap within the state.<br />
It was learned that the action<br />
was spurred by the recent kidnap<br />
of students in Lagos State<br />
Government College, Igbo-Nla,<br />
Abubakar, Biobele Abraham<br />
Georgewill and Jamilu Yammama<br />
Tukur.<br />
Other appellants in the matter<br />
are Chief<br />
Fatai<br />
Adewale<br />
Mustapha,<br />
Mr Olu<br />
Adebanko,<br />
Chief<br />
redeployed the Commissioner<br />
for Economic Planning and<br />
Budget, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade<br />
to take over as the<br />
Commissioner for Finance.<br />
In a statement signed by his<br />
Chief Press Secretary, Mr.<br />
Habib Aruna, Ambode made<br />
the decision after the SEC<br />
meeting yesterday.<br />
Ashade is expected to<br />
resume his new portfolio with<br />
immediate effect.<br />
Epe Local Government.<br />
Commandant NSCDC,<br />
Lagos State, Tajudeen<br />
Balogun, disclosed the<br />
strategies embarked upon by<br />
the Corps to tackle kidnapping<br />
during a meeting in Lagos with<br />
Miyetti ALLAH cattle breeders of<br />
Nigeria, Lagos State branch.<br />
Deposed Oba urges appeal court to stay execution<br />
SEMINAR: From<br />
left; Seminar Coordinator,<br />
Alhaji<br />
Likita Mashi; Guest<br />
Speaker &<br />
President, Center<br />
for Change, Dr. Joe<br />
Okei-Odumakin &<br />
Assistant Director<br />
T r a i n i n g ,<br />
Department of State<br />
Services, DSS, Mrs<br />
Bola Olufe, during<br />
the Senior Level<br />
Man-Power<br />
Development<br />
Seminar for DSS<br />
Assistant Directors<br />
Nationwide, at the<br />
Institute for<br />
Security Studies,<br />
Abuja, on Tuesday.<br />
Oyedepo when Amosu’s lawyer,<br />
Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN)<br />
when he expresses is<br />
dissatisfaction about the refusal of<br />
the anti-graft agency to attach the<br />
statement of the witness to the<br />
proof of evidence.<br />
Oladele Kadiri, Mr Galibu Sanni,<br />
Chief Oluwole Okoye, Chief<br />
Safiriyu Bakare, Alhaji Tamiriyu<br />
Bello and Ven M.O. Odunlami.
Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016—11<br />
NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058<br />
<strong>ONDO</strong> <strong>POLL</strong>: A-<strong>Court</strong> <strong>sacks</strong><br />
<strong>Jimoh</strong> <strong>Ibrahim</strong>, <strong>okays</strong> <strong>Jegede</strong><br />
Continues from Page 5<br />
Government or Area<br />
Council for which it has<br />
candidate and the notice<br />
shall set out the name and<br />
address of the polling<br />
agent and be given to the<br />
Electoral Officer at least 7<br />
days before the date fixed<br />
for the election.”<br />
Jubilation continues<br />
in Ondo<br />
The appeal court<br />
decision led to<br />
continuation of<br />
celebration, for the second<br />
day, in Ondo State. The<br />
jubilation started on<br />
Tuesday following the<br />
Supreme <strong>Court</strong> ruling that<br />
the appeal court should<br />
give its verdict on the<br />
Ondo PDP governorship<br />
ticket dispute.<br />
PDP leaders led crowds<br />
of dancing supporters<br />
across the state. Report<br />
said that the convoy of<br />
Mrs Olukemi Mimiko,<br />
wife of the state governor,<br />
Segun Mimiko ran into<br />
the crowd of dancing PDP<br />
supporters at the popular<br />
Oja Oba market and had<br />
no choice than to join<br />
them by coming down<br />
from the vehicle.<br />
Major streets in Akure,<br />
the state capital were<br />
packed with supporters of<br />
<strong>Jegede</strong> who trooped out<br />
immediately the<br />
judgment was delivered.<br />
There was traffic<br />
gridlock on most roads as<br />
motorists joined in the<br />
celebration.<br />
Judiciary remains<br />
bastion of democracy<br />
– <strong>Jegede</strong><br />
Reacting to the victory,<br />
Eyitayo <strong>Jegede</strong>, in a<br />
statement he personally<br />
signed said: “Beloved<br />
people of Ondo State and<br />
believers in our noble<br />
cause, there is no doubt<br />
that the past few weeks<br />
have been very<br />
challenging and trying<br />
times for us as we<br />
contended with antidemocratic<br />
and evil<br />
forces, who tried to<br />
subvert the will of God<br />
and the mandate of the<br />
people freely given to us.<br />
“It was tortuous journey<br />
that tested our faith in God<br />
and our conviction in the<br />
refreshingly different<br />
days ahead of us as we<br />
were taunted and<br />
harassed by hired<br />
propagandist while we<br />
tenaciously forged ahead.<br />
“We submitted our<br />
grievances to the court<br />
despite the contraband<br />
and manipulation of<br />
those, who are opposed to<br />
democracy. We insisted<br />
we would explore all legal<br />
means in our avowed<br />
belief in the rule of law<br />
and judiciary.<br />
“Today our mouth is<br />
filled with laughter and<br />
heart with praise, our<br />
resilience paid off and our<br />
conviction to this<br />
doggedness of purpose<br />
has made our case<br />
another judicial<br />
precedence in the country.<br />
We are grateful to the<br />
judiciary for remaining the<br />
bastion of democratic<br />
process and refusing to be<br />
blackmailed, brow-beaten<br />
and intimidated by those<br />
who do not mean well for<br />
our state and nation.”<br />
I remain PDP<br />
candidate – <strong>Jimoh</strong><br />
<strong>Ibrahim</strong><br />
….Awaits Supreme<br />
<strong>Court</strong> ruling today<br />
Reacting to the verdict,<br />
which he described as<br />
‘’one day ruling’’, <strong>Jimoh</strong><br />
<strong>Ibrahim</strong>, insisted,<br />
yesterday, that he remains<br />
the PDP candidate until<br />
the Supreme <strong>Court</strong>, which<br />
will sit today rules<br />
otherwise.<br />
“I have read the<br />
decision of the <strong>Court</strong> of<br />
Appeal delivered today<br />
(yesterday) but we have<br />
nothing to lose as the<br />
Supreme <strong>Court</strong> sits on<br />
same case tomorrow,” an<br />
unruffled <strong>Ibrahim</strong> said.<br />
“We shall get justice at the<br />
Supreme <strong>Court</strong> and if<br />
PDP wins Saturday’s<br />
election, we shall have our<br />
four-year mandate to rule<br />
Ondo State.<br />
“Let me advise the good<br />
people of Ondo State and<br />
my supporters nationwide<br />
not to abuse anyone or<br />
fight over this one day<br />
ruling which was paid<br />
for...<br />
“ Mimiko will not<br />
succeed himself with<br />
<strong>Jegede</strong>. This is too sure as<br />
we continue with our work<br />
and remain in our great<br />
party, PDP. I love the great<br />
people of Ondo State and<br />
I thank you all for your<br />
continuous support.”<br />
Mimiko urges INEC<br />
to shift poll<br />
To ensure equity and<br />
fairness to <strong>Jegede</strong>,<br />
Governor Mimiko has<br />
called on the INEC to<br />
postpone the poll.<br />
Speaking with newsmen<br />
at the Akure airport on<br />
arrival from Abuja, he said<br />
INEC had no logical reason<br />
for substituting <strong>Jegede</strong>’s<br />
name and thus should shift<br />
the election.<br />
His words: “If <strong>Jegede</strong> has<br />
to contest the election in two<br />
days time, there are issues<br />
that have to be settled<br />
under the Electoral Act.<br />
The issue of the fact that<br />
his name should be pasted<br />
within a time frame, issue<br />
of him submitting the<br />
names of his party agents,<br />
issue of his fundamental<br />
rights, his right to canvass<br />
for votes in well defined<br />
campaigns. Has he not<br />
been deprived of all of<br />
these?<br />
“Is there a remedy? That<br />
is the next question under<br />
the electoral act, the<br />
election can take place<br />
any time within 30 days<br />
before my administration<br />
ends. This administration<br />
ends February 24, 2017.<br />
So this election can take<br />
place any time on or<br />
before January 24. Will<br />
anybody in good<br />
conscience and all<br />
morality be comfortable to<br />
say that they have done<br />
justice to Eyitayo <strong>Jegede</strong><br />
if he has to contest the<br />
election in two days time?"<br />
Justice has been<br />
served – PDP<br />
Reacting, the PDP in a<br />
statement by its National<br />
Publicity Secretary, Prince<br />
Dayo Adeyeye, said<br />
justice has been served<br />
but insisted that INEC<br />
should postpone the<br />
election to allow <strong>Jegede</strong> to<br />
campaign.<br />
The statement read in<br />
part: ‘’The judgment<br />
delivered by the Justice<br />
Saulawa-led Appeal<br />
<strong>Court</strong> Panel which<br />
returned the validly<br />
elected candidate of our<br />
party, to his rightful place<br />
was expected because we<br />
were sure that the travesty<br />
of justice carried out at the<br />
lower court would in any<br />
sane society, not stand the<br />
test of time...<br />
“We hope in all sincerity<br />
that the Independent<br />
National Electoral<br />
Commission, which was a<br />
major player in the illegal<br />
substitution of our<br />
candidate, a decision<br />
rightfully reversed today<br />
by the Appeal <strong>Court</strong>, will<br />
toe the line of dignity and<br />
fairness by heeding the<br />
call for the postponement<br />
of the election to enable<br />
our candidate tell the<br />
people of the state his<br />
programmes for them<br />
through campaigns. This<br />
is the least honourable<br />
thing the electoral umpire<br />
can do to show that it’s<br />
unbiased in this matter.’’<br />
Okowa hails ruling,<br />
S/<strong>Court</strong><br />
intervention<br />
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa<br />
of Delta State, yesterday,<br />
hailed the court of appeal<br />
ruling and described it as<br />
a triumph of good over<br />
political bitterness aided<br />
by selfish interests.<br />
In a statement by his<br />
Chief Press Secretary, Mr<br />
Charles Aniagwu, the<br />
governor, who<br />
commended the Supreme<br />
<strong>Court</strong> for intervening and<br />
asking the appeal to court<br />
to deliver its ruling, said:<br />
“I commend the <strong>Court</strong> of<br />
Appeal in Abuja for their<br />
unanimous judgment,<br />
which restored Eyitayo<br />
<strong>Jegede</strong> as the candidate<br />
of our party. This ruling is<br />
very significant because<br />
the will of the people,<br />
clearly expressed, cannot<br />
be thwarted by a clique<br />
being propelled by<br />
political bitterness and<br />
selfish interests they want<br />
to promote."<br />
OLANIWUN AJAYI DAY OF TRIBUTES:<br />
Amosun, Ajimobi, Aregbesola,<br />
others call for Yoruba unity<br />
By Daud Olatunji<br />
Agovernors BEOKUTA—THE<br />
of Ogun,<br />
Oyo and Osun states –<br />
Senator Ibikunle Amosun,<br />
Senator Abiola Ajimobi and<br />
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola –<br />
respectively have renewed<br />
the call for unity among the<br />
Yoruba race.<br />
They stated this at the<br />
‘Tributes Day’ programme<br />
organised by the Yoruba socio-cultural<br />
group, Afenifere,<br />
in honour of its late<br />
chieftain, Sir Olaniwun<br />
Ajayi at his Isara-Remo,<br />
Ogun State residence. They<br />
all harped on the need to<br />
work towards unity in Yorubaland.<br />
Pa Olaniwun Ajayi, who<br />
was born in Isara Remo in<br />
Remo-North Local Government<br />
Area of Ogun State on<br />
April 8, 1925 died November<br />
4, 2016, aged 91.<br />
The governors, who spoke<br />
one after the other equally<br />
recalled their encounters<br />
with the late lawyer cum<br />
politician as they variously<br />
N250M FRAUD: FUNAAB VC arrested,<br />
to be arraigned with Ogunlewe, bursar<br />
:Vanguard :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews<br />
paid tributes to his doggedness,<br />
leadership qualities<br />
and undying love for humanity.<br />
Amosun said political differences<br />
should not bé used<br />
to witch-hunt or blackmail,<br />
noting that people of the<br />
tribe should unite for peace<br />
and progress.<br />
Amosun, who said the<br />
state has set aside Tuesday<br />
November 29th to honour<br />
the late politician, noted that<br />
until his death Pa Olaniwun<br />
worked tirelessly for the<br />
unity of the race.<br />
He said: “Yes, we have<br />
our differences, we should<br />
not paint ourselves black,<br />
we should not give ourselves<br />
bad names. Though<br />
we may belong to different<br />
political parties, we must<br />
all unite for the progress<br />
of the Yoruba race. We<br />
should avoid mischief,<br />
it’s important that we<br />
unite.”<br />
In his remarks, Governor<br />
Ajimobi described late Pa<br />
Ajayi as a great nationalist<br />
and patriot.<br />
By Soni Daniel<br />
AFTER<br />
many<br />
months of investigation,<br />
the Economic and Financial<br />
Crimes Commission,<br />
EFCC, will tomorrow<br />
arraign a former Works<br />
Minister, Senator Adeseye<br />
Ogunlewe, the Pro-Chancellor<br />
of the Federal University<br />
of Agriculture, Abeokuta.<br />
Ogunlewe will be docked<br />
alongside the Vice Chancellor<br />
of the University, Professor<br />
Olusola Oyewole and<br />
the bursar, Mr. Moses Ilesanmi.<br />
According to a competent<br />
EFCC source, the trio will<br />
be slammed with an 18-<br />
count charge bordering on<br />
stealing, abuse of office and<br />
misappropriation of funds<br />
amounting to over N250<br />
million.<br />
The former minister was<br />
summoned to the Ibadan<br />
office of the EFCC sequel<br />
to a petition written to the<br />
EFCC by a group known as<br />
By Gbenga Olarinoye<br />
O SOGBO—THE<br />
Ooni of Ife, Oba<br />
Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja<br />
II, has at Ile-Ife, unveiled<br />
Moremi Statue of Liberty,<br />
the first of its kind in the<br />
country, which he dedicated<br />
to the economic liberation<br />
of African youth.<br />
He also used the occasion<br />
to admonish the governments<br />
across the continent<br />
of Africa on the need<br />
for meaningful engagement<br />
of the youths towards<br />
nation building.<br />
The historic unveiling<br />
event witnessed by over<br />
5,000 youths from all over<br />
Nigeria took place at the<br />
new world class heritage<br />
site indigenously constructed<br />
by the youths located<br />
right inside the compound<br />
where the heroine of liberty<br />
lived thousands of years<br />
ago.<br />
Ooni Ogunwusi did not<br />
only extol the virtues of<br />
Moremi Ajasoro but also<br />
described the youths as the<br />
greatest accessories for the<br />
development of any nation<br />
who must be given first priority<br />
by the various African<br />
governments.<br />
He also lamented the redundancy<br />
of the youths<br />
caused by the over patronage<br />
of the foreign goods and<br />
services.<br />
Extolling the virtues of<br />
the greatest African heroine<br />
of liberty, the African<br />
foremost monarch described<br />
her as the mother<br />
of liberty in the world<br />
saying that the Ife queen<br />
played a pivotal role in<br />
the liberation of mankind<br />
with the legacy of what a<br />
man can do, a woman can<br />
Ajimobi, who lamented<br />
that the Yoruba race was not<br />
united, urged the leaders<br />
and other stakeholders in<br />
the Yoruba nation to work<br />
for its unity.<br />
He said: “Yoruba are not<br />
united. If our fathers were<br />
not united, we , the young<br />
ones should be united.<br />
Baba (Pa Ajayi ) had asked<br />
myself and my brother (referring<br />
to Aregbesola)<br />
when we visited him here<br />
to ensure unity of the race.<br />
“Pa Olaniwun preached<br />
Yoruba unity till he died.”<br />
On his part, Aregbesola<br />
said the nature of Yoruba<br />
unity must be defined.<br />
He said, “It is not a blanket<br />
unity we are looking for.<br />
But a qualified and quality<br />
unity. Baba(Pa Olaniwun<br />
Ajayi) laboured tirelessly<br />
for the unity of the<br />
Yoruba race.''<br />
“Those of us who are of<br />
like minds should emulate<br />
him. There is nothing to do<br />
to honour than to work for<br />
unity in Yorubaland.”<br />
Concerned Stakeholders of<br />
FUNAAB in which Ogunlewe<br />
and the Vice-Chancellor,<br />
Prof. Olusola Oyewole,<br />
and other members<br />
of the university’s governing<br />
council were accused of<br />
mismanaging N250m.<br />
The petitioners accused<br />
the suspect of plunging the<br />
university into financial<br />
mess by spending the<br />
huge amount on allowances<br />
in four years.<br />
Ooni unveils Moremi's statue, Nigeria’s tallest<br />
do better.<br />
The Ooni’s Director of<br />
Media Comrade Moses<br />
Olafare told journalists that<br />
Moremi Ajasoro is truly<br />
worthy of the celebration<br />
and urged the women all<br />
over the world to emulate<br />
her. He also recognized the<br />
likes of Queen Aminat of<br />
Zaria, Fumilayo Randsome-Kuti,<br />
Margaret Ekpo<br />
and Mariam Makeba as<br />
the Moremi of the recent<br />
times.<br />
A British born Jamaican,<br />
Delighter Whitfield speaking<br />
at the event said the<br />
statue nearly brought tears<br />
to her eyes realizing that<br />
the statue of American liberty<br />
was a black woman<br />
before it was remoulded to<br />
represent a white woman.<br />
She described her experience<br />
at the event as unforgettable.
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K<br />
12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016
Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016—13<br />
:Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058<br />
Ijaw indigenes flee Urhoboland as tension rises<br />
By Emma Amaize,<br />
Jimitota Onoyume &<br />
Egufe Yafugborhi<br />
WARRI—HUNDREDS<br />
of Ijaw natives from<br />
Delta, Edo, Ondo and Bayelsa<br />
states residing in Aladja and other<br />
Urhobo communities in Udu Local<br />
Government Area, Delta State,<br />
have started relocating from the<br />
localities, as anxiety mounts over<br />
the 14-day quit ultimatum given<br />
to them by Urhobo Progress<br />
Union, UPU, Youth Wing, Udu<br />
chapter, over alleged kidnap of<br />
some Urhobo people.<br />
Vanguard learned that despite<br />
the peace efforts by the Ijaw Youth<br />
Council, IYC, UPU, youth wing,<br />
and other groups, Ijaw residents<br />
in Udu communities have felt<br />
unsafe since November 17 when<br />
the ultimatum was issued and<br />
started packing their belongings<br />
in the last two days to avoid<br />
possible reprisal.<br />
Though the president of<br />
Federated Youth of Isaba<br />
Kingdom, Ogugu Moses, denied<br />
that his people were the<br />
aggressors, he said in a<br />
statement: “On November 1, 2016,<br />
we, the people of Isaba Kingdom,<br />
released one female and six males<br />
of Aladja alive to Nigerian Navy,<br />
Army and Chairman, Delta State<br />
Waterways and Land Security<br />
Committee, Chief Boro Opudu.”<br />
He claimed that Aladja people<br />
attacked and burnt Ayama and<br />
Pamie, two Isaba communities, on<br />
November 10, 11 and 12, and the<br />
seven persons released by Isaba<br />
people to government security<br />
agencies were strangers found in<br />
their territory during the<br />
offensive.<br />
However, Urhobo youth leaders<br />
insisted, on Tuesday, that the<br />
whereabouts of four natives taken<br />
hostage by Isaba people were<br />
unknown and demanded their<br />
release before they would attend<br />
any peace meeting with their Ijaw<br />
counterparts.<br />
They claimed that Ijaw youths<br />
were the ones that occupied<br />
Ayama and Epama, two Urhobo<br />
settlements, because some<br />
alleged Ijaw oil thieves were<br />
prevented from using Ayama as<br />
a bunkering route.<br />
IYC Chairman, Ogulagha<br />
Kingdom, Burutu area, Mr<br />
Doubra Okotete, who commented<br />
on the development, said: “There<br />
is serious tension in Udu right<br />
now as Ijaw people are leaving<br />
Udu Kingdom because of the<br />
inability of the state government<br />
to handle the dispute promptly.”<br />
He also wondered why the<br />
President-General of UPU, Chief<br />
Joe Omene, should support the<br />
ultimatum by UPU, Udu Youth<br />
Wing, saying: “It is like pouring<br />
fuel into fire instead of fighting to<br />
quench the fire. There is serious<br />
tension all over. People have<br />
started packing out of their homes<br />
and relocating to other areas.<br />
Some youths have been breaking<br />
into people’s houses and doing<br />
away with their property and so<br />
many crimes are being committed<br />
by Udu youths, having created<br />
the atmosphere for crime to take<br />
place.<br />
"Governor Ifeanyi Okowa<br />
should sit up, as a matter of<br />
urgency, and prevail on Udu<br />
Kingdom and the Urhobo<br />
generally to put a stop to the<br />
current situation before it<br />
develops into an ethnic crisis.”<br />
Meanwhile, Izon Council of<br />
Elders in Delta State has<br />
expressed worry over the<br />
growing tension generated by<br />
the two weeks ultimatum by<br />
Urhobo youths of Udu Local<br />
Government Area, asking Ijaws<br />
resident in the locality to relocate<br />
or face reprisal attacks.<br />
The Ijaw elders, also known<br />
as Izon Okosu-Otu, in a<br />
statement by its Chairman, Chief<br />
Bare Etolor, expressed the<br />
concern following separate<br />
affirmation of the Udu youths’<br />
ultimatum by Chief Joe Omene,<br />
President-General of Urhobo<br />
Progress Union, UPU, and Union<br />
of Udu Communities led by<br />
Chief Steve Sokoh.<br />
Chief Omene said: “The<br />
declaration of war on Udu<br />
villages by Isaba was a war<br />
against the entire Urhobo<br />
nation." On their part, Udu<br />
leaders, in a statement by Chief<br />
Sokoh, said they stood by their<br />
youths on the self-help quit notice<br />
to Ijaws which could implode into<br />
an ethnic war if not resolved<br />
before the ultimatum expires,<br />
end of November..<br />
In a related development,<br />
founding National Secretary,<br />
INC, Pastor Power Aginighan,<br />
has appealed to Urhobo and<br />
Ijaw in Aladja, Udu Local<br />
Government Area and Ogbe<br />
Ijoh communities in Warri South<br />
West Local Government Area in<br />
Delta State, to evolve a peaceful<br />
approach towards resolving<br />
whatever differences that gave<br />
rise to the recent hostilities<br />
between the two ethnic groups.<br />
Aginighan, in a statement<br />
yesterday in Port Harcourt,<br />
enjoined elders of the ethnic<br />
groups to intervene with a view<br />
to finding enduring peace,<br />
stressing that the two ethnic<br />
groups had lived peacefully<br />
over the years.<br />
ANNUAL DINNER: From left: Government College Ughelli Old Boys Association,<br />
GCUOBA, Benin City Branch President, Mr Collins Yaya Lawani; Vice President, Engr.<br />
Ehigie Obaseki; President-General Worldwide, Prof. Ogbemi Omatete and Second Vice<br />
President General, Sir Moses Aroko, at the annual dinner of the Benin branch, held at<br />
Duoban Hotel Benin City.<br />
Rivers re-run: INEC has given original result<br />
sheets to Amaechi, Wike alleges<br />
By Jimitota Onoyume<br />
PORT<br />
HARCOURT—<br />
GOVERNOR Nyesom<br />
Wike of Rivers State, yesterday,<br />
alleged that the Independent<br />
National Electoral Commission,<br />
INEC, had handed over original<br />
result sheets of the coming rerun<br />
elections in Rivers State to the<br />
former governor of the state and<br />
Minister of Transportation,<br />
Rotimi Amaechi.<br />
But reacting swiftly, Ameachi,<br />
through his Media Office, said:<br />
“This new wild, baseless<br />
allegation by Governor Wike is<br />
a cheap ploy by a failing<br />
garrulous man to intimidate and<br />
harass INEC into doing his<br />
bidding and whip up public<br />
sentiment against All<br />
Progressives Congress, APC, its<br />
candidates for the elections and<br />
the President Buhari<br />
•Allegation is baseless —Amaechi, INEC<br />
administration, ahead of the<br />
December 10, re-run elections in<br />
Rivers State.<br />
“We know his game. This is an<br />
old worn out trick that will<br />
certainly fail. Wike is scared,<br />
profoundly afraid; this is why he<br />
is telling these spurious lies. He<br />
knows he will lose at the polls, if<br />
the election is free and fair.<br />
Amaechi has no business with<br />
any result sheets for the coming<br />
elections and has nothing to do<br />
with Sheriff or the self-imposed<br />
woes and travails of PDP."<br />
Similarly, the electoral body has<br />
dismissed the allegations as<br />
unfounded.<br />
The state Resident Electoral<br />
Commissioner, REC, Elder<br />
Aniedi Ikoiwak, told Vanguard<br />
on phone that he was not aware<br />
of such development, noting<br />
that result sheets for the election<br />
had not even been printed.<br />
However, Governor Wike, who<br />
spoke while flagging- off the<br />
construction of Ulakwo II Afara<br />
Nihi road in Etche Local<br />
Government, claimed it was<br />
Amaechi that made the<br />
disclosure on Tuesday in<br />
Abuja during a meeting of<br />
Rivers APC leaders.<br />
While boasting that he was in<br />
possession of the proceedings<br />
of the alleged Abuja meeting<br />
of the APC, he said: “While we<br />
are working for the people of<br />
Rivers State to convince them<br />
to vote for us, the APC is busy<br />
working with INEC to rig the<br />
rerun elections. Amaechi told<br />
them at the meeting that Sheriff<br />
is working for them (APC ) and<br />
that they have finished PDP."<br />
Sheriff cannot finish PDP, he<br />
can only finish himself.<br />
“On December 10, follow your<br />
results bumper to bumper.<br />
Don’t allow anyone to swap<br />
results."<br />
Youths<br />
condemn<br />
military<br />
presence in<br />
N-Delta<br />
creeks<br />
By Festus Ahon<br />
A SABA—NIGER<br />
Delta Youth Council<br />
of Nigeria, NDYCN, has<br />
condemned the continued<br />
presence of the military in<br />
the creeks of Niger Delta<br />
region.<br />
President of NDYCN,<br />
Daniel Etaga, in a<br />
statement, said the<br />
continuous presence of the<br />
military was a threat and<br />
could jeopardize the peace<br />
move between the Federal<br />
Government and leaders of<br />
the region.<br />
He said: “The activities of<br />
the military in the oil-rich<br />
region is causing serious<br />
unrest, killing of innocent<br />
people, displacing women<br />
and children and<br />
destroying property in our<br />
communities across the<br />
region. Our innocent<br />
brothers and sisters are<br />
being harassed daily under<br />
the guise of searching for<br />
suspected militants who are<br />
attacking pipelines and<br />
other oil and gas facilities<br />
in the region after agreeing<br />
on a peace pact.”<br />
While urging those<br />
bombing oil and gas<br />
facilities to cease fire,<br />
surrender their arms and<br />
embrace peace in the<br />
interest of the country, he<br />
told the Chief E.K Clark<br />
group to stop making<br />
inciting statements against<br />
the militants.<br />
Noting that such<br />
statements were dangerous<br />
and unhealthy to the peace<br />
process, Etaga enjoined the<br />
“Federal Government to<br />
work out realistic and<br />
sincere measures in<br />
resolving the Niger Delta<br />
crisis rather than engaging<br />
the region in war.”<br />
He said one of the failed<br />
attempts during the peace<br />
dialogue convened by the<br />
Minister of State for<br />
Petroleum Resources, Dr.<br />
Ibe Kachikwu, on<br />
November 1, 2016, is the<br />
non- inclusion of the major<br />
stakeholders (concerned<br />
youths) of the region in the<br />
peace dialogue with the<br />
Federal Government.<br />
“I urge the Federal<br />
Government to come up<br />
with a competent<br />
committee to meet with the<br />
Niger Delta leadership<br />
which must include<br />
representatives of youths<br />
from various ethnic<br />
nationalities, HOSTCOM<br />
representatives and<br />
recognised youth<br />
organisations."<br />
C<br />
M<br />
YK
14 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016<br />
Protesting<br />
NAICOM<br />
workers down<br />
tools, seal off<br />
Commission<br />
By Favour<br />
Nnabugwu &<br />
Imanuel Jannah<br />
A<br />
B U J A —<br />
BUSINESS<br />
activities were yesterday<br />
grounded at the<br />
headquarters of the<br />
National Insurance<br />
Commission, NAICOM,<br />
as a result of a protest<br />
staged against the<br />
commission’s<br />
management by workers.<br />
The protesting workers,<br />
under the aegis of<br />
Amalgamated Union of<br />
Public Corporations, Civil<br />
Service Technical and<br />
Recreational Service<br />
Employees, AUPCTRE,<br />
sealed-off entrance to the<br />
premises of the regulator of<br />
the insurance sector over<br />
allegations bordering on<br />
victimization, corruption,<br />
incompetence, and<br />
nepotism, among others.<br />
They called on President<br />
Muhammadu Buhari to<br />
intervene and stop what<br />
they described as autocracy<br />
in the running of the<br />
commission.<br />
In an interview with<br />
Vanguard, the Vice-<br />
Chairman, AUPCTRE,<br />
NAICOM chapter,<br />
Mahmud Usman-Maulud,<br />
said the management of the<br />
commission, headed by the<br />
Commissioner of<br />
Insurance, had been<br />
violating provisions of an<br />
MoU signed by the<br />
Ministry of Finance, the<br />
Commission’s<br />
Management, and<br />
AUPCTRE which contained<br />
a non-victimization clause<br />
earlier this year.<br />
:Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058<br />
Dogara vows to amend SSS law,<br />
condemns raid on judges' homes<br />
Speaker of the House of<br />
Representatives, Yakubu Dogara,<br />
said yesterday that the invasion<br />
of the homes of senior judicial<br />
officers by the State Security<br />
Service was a disorganised and<br />
worrisome act.<br />
According to him, the<br />
clampdown is a duplication of the<br />
function of other anti-corruption<br />
agencies, such as the Economic<br />
and Financial Crimes<br />
Commission, and promised<br />
sweeping reforms to prevent its<br />
recurrence.<br />
Dogara made the observations<br />
when he inaugurated a House<br />
committee to investigate the<br />
clampdown and its aftermath.<br />
He said: “It is untidy, it seems,<br />
to have multiple agencies<br />
exercising similar functions. The<br />
EFCC already handles issues of<br />
corruption and economic crimes<br />
in Nigeria,” Mr. Dogara said.<br />
“Should the State Security Service<br />
also be charged with the same<br />
functions?”<br />
Scores of SSS operatives<br />
swooped on the homes of judges<br />
in a coordinated raid across the<br />
country on October 7. The raid<br />
dragged until the next morning,<br />
on October 8, before news of the<br />
raid filtered to Nigerians.<br />
“The activities of the State<br />
Security Service of late have<br />
raised concerns in the Nigerian<br />
Why Buhari approved harmonisation of military pensions, by Dan-Ali<br />
By Joseph Erunke<br />
ABUJA—MINISTER of<br />
Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali,<br />
has asked military retirees not to<br />
misunderstand recent approval of<br />
harmonisation of pensions by<br />
President Muhammadu Buhari<br />
as an increment.<br />
Rather, he explained that the<br />
development was a deliberate<br />
effort to relatively bridge the<br />
polity as to the propriety of the<br />
conduct of officials of the<br />
service and whether their<br />
actions are consistent with the<br />
law setting it up.<br />
“It is in this regard that I enjoin<br />
this committee to make relevant<br />
findings of fact that will enable<br />
the National Assembly initiate the<br />
necessary amendments to the<br />
National Security Agencies Act —<br />
and even the Constitution where<br />
necessary— to ensure conformity<br />
with the constitutional design and<br />
framework that envisage that<br />
existing gap in pensions pay<br />
structure between certain ranks<br />
among retirees of post and preconsolidated<br />
salary period.<br />
Speaking at the military<br />
pensions stakeholders interactive<br />
session in Abuja yesterday, the<br />
minister, who said the welfare of<br />
military retirees was of utmost<br />
concern to the present<br />
administration, disclosed that<br />
efforts were being made by the<br />
By Soni Daniel<br />
A<br />
B U J A —<br />
MANAGING<br />
Director of the Oil and Gas<br />
Free Zones Authority,<br />
OGFZA, Mr Umana Okon<br />
Umana, has said the<br />
nation’s oil and gas free<br />
zones will serve as<br />
Nigeria’s first ports of call<br />
for foreign direct<br />
investments, since the<br />
agency had mouthwatering<br />
incentives and<br />
benefits to investors who set<br />
up businesses there.<br />
Umana, who disclosed<br />
this during a visit to<br />
Malaysian High<br />
Commission in Abuja, said<br />
the benefits for investors<br />
include zero tax from<br />
federal, state and local tax<br />
authorities; zero levies and<br />
rates (that is no corporate<br />
tax, withholding tax, value<br />
added tax and capital gain<br />
tax); 100% foreign<br />
ownership and 100%<br />
repatriation of profit and<br />
dividends.<br />
According to him, the<br />
benefits also include100%<br />
repatriation of foreign<br />
capital investments and<br />
streamlined documentation<br />
that makes for fast-tracking<br />
of all business transactions.<br />
Umana explained to High<br />
Commissioner, Lim Juay<br />
Jim, that there were<br />
functioning and vibrant oil<br />
and gas free zones at<br />
Onne, Rivers State; Warri<br />
in Delta State and Apapa<br />
in Lagos, adding that<br />
OGFZA was developing<br />
additional oil and gas<br />
free zones in Brass, Bayelsa<br />
federal legislative power should<br />
be domiciled in the National<br />
Assembly and not shared with the<br />
executive in the manner provided<br />
under the Act,” Dogara said.<br />
He said Buhari’s<br />
administration was exploiting a<br />
decree promulgated by the last<br />
military junta, led by Abdulsalam<br />
Abubakar.<br />
Abubakar, through an<br />
instrument in 1999, expanded<br />
the role of SSS to include other<br />
functions as dictated by the<br />
head of state.<br />
government to ameliorate the<br />
sufferings of the retirees.<br />
One of the efforts, according to<br />
him, is the exemption of the<br />
Armed Forces from the<br />
Contributory Pension<br />
Scheme, hinting that the Forces<br />
had since reverted to the Defined<br />
Benefit Scheme.<br />
But he regretted, however, that<br />
the Defined Benefit Scheme<br />
system, under the old Armed<br />
FG unfolds incentives for DFI in OGFZ<br />
State; Ikpokiri, which is<br />
contiguous with Onne<br />
:From left;<br />
Grand Kadi,<br />
Kwara State Sharia<br />
<strong>Court</strong> of Appeal,<br />
Justice Sheu<br />
Abdulbaqi,<br />
Member, Kwara<br />
State House of<br />
Assembly, Hon.<br />
Aishat <strong>Ibrahim</strong>,<br />
Kwara State<br />
Governor, Dr.<br />
Abdulfatah<br />
Ahmed, Group<br />
MD, Harmony<br />
Holdings Ltd, Mr.<br />
Tope Daramola<br />
and others during<br />
t h e<br />
Groundbreaking<br />
of Harmony HUB<br />
(Computer<br />
Village) in Ilorin.<br />
But Dogara questioned the<br />
validity of instrument since the<br />
NSA Act was amongst the four<br />
extant laws under the Transitional<br />
Provisions an Savings component<br />
of the Constitution.<br />
He said: “The National Security<br />
Agencies Act is specifically<br />
protected by Section 315(5) of the<br />
Constitution as it cannot be<br />
altered like ordinary Acts of the<br />
National Assembly. It has the<br />
same alteration procedure like the<br />
Constitution as laid down in<br />
Section 9 (2) thereof.’’<br />
Forces Pension Decree of 1979,<br />
had its drawback, given that most<br />
of its provisions were obsolete<br />
and not in conformity with current<br />
economic realities.<br />
Dan-Alli said the Ministry of<br />
Defence, in collaboration with the<br />
Defence Headquarters and the<br />
Military Pensions Board, were<br />
making efforts to re-present the<br />
bill for an act to amend the Armed<br />
Forces Pension Act.<br />
in Rivers State and Ibaka<br />
in Akwa Ibom State.<br />
Leadership challenge not<br />
peculiar to Nigeria — UTOMI<br />
FOUNDER of Centre for Values and Leadership,<br />
CVL, Prof. Pat Utomi, has said leadership challenge<br />
was not peculiar to Nigeria, but an African problem.<br />
Utomi, who spoke at the reunion of Jacksonites, Alumni<br />
Association of Department of Mass Communication,<br />
University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in Lagos, noted that the<br />
living condition of most vulnerable Nigerians had not<br />
changed, despite promises made by the present<br />
administration.<br />
‘’Collapse of leadership is pan-African. Every part of<br />
our lives is challenged, therefore, we all have a duty to<br />
lend our shoulders to the next generation to stand on,’’<br />
Prof. Utomi said.<br />
He noted that since the fall of global oil prices, life<br />
had been tough for the average Nigerian, adding<br />
that with economic hardship, Nigerians had<br />
continued to blame the leadership.
Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016—15<br />
:Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058<br />
Thunderstorm wreaks havoc on Akanu Ibiam Airport<br />
By Lawani Mikairu<br />
ENUGU—THE Federal<br />
Airports Authority of<br />
Nigeria, FAAN, yesterday, said<br />
the Akanu Ibiam International<br />
Airport, Enugu, was affected by<br />
a thunderstorm, which occurred<br />
in the early hours of yesterday,<br />
By Emeka Mamah<br />
E NUGU—OHANAEZE<br />
Ndigbo, yesterday,<br />
dismissed the Senate's<br />
resolution asking the Federal<br />
Government to establish dry or<br />
inland ports in Enugu, Onitsha<br />
and Aba, all in the South-East<br />
geo-political zone, saying the<br />
resolution amount to nothing if<br />
there was no cash backing for<br />
its execution.<br />
The Senate had, acting on a<br />
motion sponsored by Senator<br />
Stella Oduah (PDP, Anambra<br />
north), asked the Federal<br />
Government to urgently<br />
establish the ports to help<br />
accelerate commerce and<br />
industry in the country.<br />
The motion was entitled Need<br />
for the establishment of dry and<br />
Inland Ports at Onitsha, Enugu<br />
and other landlocked states.<br />
However, reacting to the<br />
development, the Secretary<br />
General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo,<br />
Dr. Joe Nworgu, said the<br />
resolution did not in any way<br />
address the marginalisation of<br />
Igbo, adding that the time had<br />
come for the country to discard<br />
rhetorics by addressing serious<br />
national issues frontally.<br />
His words: “The Senate can<br />
approve the projects, but if<br />
money is not provided, it will<br />
be counting your chickens<br />
before they hatched.<br />
“What we are saying is that we<br />
need to see the hand of the<br />
Federal Government positively<br />
committed to projects in Igbo<br />
land, otherwise we remain<br />
sceptical.”<br />
destroying parts of the Airport<br />
Terminal Building, Pilot<br />
Lounge and General Aviation<br />
Terminal.<br />
It also affected electric<br />
power lines to the airport,<br />
FAAN Staff Secondary and<br />
Primary School buildings and<br />
private residential buildings.<br />
Nworgu further stated that<br />
the Federal Government<br />
should be seen to be<br />
executing projects and not<br />
saying “earmarked for<br />
execution” all the time,<br />
pointing out that the plethora<br />
of abandoned projects in the<br />
South-East was because<br />
Confirming the incident, the<br />
Acting General Manager,<br />
Corporate Affairs, Mrs<br />
Henrietta Yakubu, said FAAN<br />
had taken immediate remedial<br />
action, which allowed flight<br />
operations in and out of the<br />
airport and efforts are on to<br />
restore normalcy.<br />
governments had run out on<br />
its propaganda gimmicks.<br />
He, however that said<br />
notwithstanding his<br />
pessimism , the projects would<br />
positively impact on the<br />
economy of the region.<br />
According to him, the<br />
objectives for their<br />
She also disclosed that there<br />
was no loss of life or injury<br />
and that flight operations were<br />
not affected.<br />
According to Yakubu, “the<br />
management regrets the<br />
inconveniences caused by this<br />
incident to airport users and<br />
the general public.”<br />
VISIT: From left—Chief Collins Ibeh; Prince Elijah Ukwu; Mrs Priscilla Ikeji; Mr. Ejike Metu, Chairman; and Chief<br />
Thompson Ohia, all members Igbo Unity Day/Cultural Festival Publicity Committee, during a visit to Vanguard.<br />
Forget dry ports, unless...—OHANAEZE<br />
By Chinonso Alozie<br />
O WERRI—GOVERNOR<br />
Rochas Okorocha of Imo<br />
State, yesterday, said the<br />
current economic recession in<br />
the country could not be an<br />
impediment to the payment of<br />
N3,000 development levy<br />
introduced by his<br />
administration.<br />
Okorocha stated this<br />
through his Commissioner for<br />
Information, Tourism and<br />
Public Utilities, Obinna<br />
Nshirim, while fielding<br />
questions in the governmentowned<br />
radio station, 94.4<br />
FM.<br />
It would be recalled that the<br />
controversial N3,000<br />
development levy almost<br />
caused pandemonium at the<br />
Imo State House Assembly,<br />
where the lawmakers<br />
engaged in a heated debate<br />
over the implementation of the<br />
policy.<br />
In explaining the policy, the<br />
commissioner asserted that<br />
the development levy was not<br />
a “tax” but a counterpart fund<br />
for community development.<br />
According to him, “the 3,000<br />
development levy is not a tax.<br />
Tax is money imposed by<br />
government, which you pay to<br />
the government and the<br />
government uses it as it<br />
pleases to solve whatever your<br />
problem is.<br />
”The development levy is<br />
establishment might be<br />
defeated if the bad roads in<br />
the zone were not rehabilitated<br />
or re-built completely.<br />
Nworgu used the occasion<br />
to restate the Igbo mantra of<br />
“think home, invest home”<br />
philosophy for Igbo<br />
entrepreneurs.<br />
Okorocha explains N3,000 devt levy<br />
ODU’A<br />
Investment<br />
Company Limited has<br />
risen in support of foremost<br />
roofing sheet manufacturer,<br />
Nigerite in the allegation of<br />
importing contraband into the<br />
country.<br />
In a statement by its Group<br />
Managing Director, Mr.<br />
Adewale Raji, the<br />
conglomerate described the<br />
incident as unfortunate and<br />
an attempt to tarnish the<br />
reputation of the building<br />
solutions manufacturing<br />
company.<br />
Vouching for Nigerite as a<br />
company that would not<br />
engage in importation of any<br />
your own counterpart fund to<br />
which government brings its<br />
own and with the two,<br />
something will be done for the<br />
community.<br />
“When we all<br />
contribute, there will be the<br />
tendency for everyone to<br />
supervise that project.”<br />
ALLEGED CONTRABAND IMPORTATION:<br />
Odu’a absolves Nigerite of complicity<br />
illegal or contraband goods,<br />
Odu’a said it had been<br />
associated with the company<br />
for over 50 years, adding that<br />
importation of illegal items<br />
was inconsistent with the<br />
character of the building<br />
solutions manufacturing<br />
giant.<br />
Odu’a, who is a major<br />
shareholder in Nigerite, said<br />
the building solutions<br />
provider is respected and<br />
has been operating in<br />
Nigeria since 1959, and that<br />
during this period, Nigerite<br />
had complied strictly with<br />
Nigerian laws and<br />
regulations.<br />
Why Igbo are<br />
holding cultural<br />
festival in<br />
Lagos<br />
— OHANAEZE<br />
By Clifford Ndujihe<br />
TO chart a common front<br />
for Igbo people,<br />
irrespective of political,<br />
religious and other<br />
affiliations, the apex Igbo<br />
socio-cultural organisation,<br />
Ohanaeze Ndigbo, will<br />
hold Igbo unity day and<br />
cultural festival in Lagos.<br />
Billed for the National<br />
Stadium, Lagos, on<br />
November 26, the event is<br />
expected to attract governors<br />
of the five South-East states<br />
and those of Delta and Rivers<br />
that have Igbo-speaking<br />
people.<br />
Speaking on the ceremony,<br />
members of the publicity<br />
committee, led by Mr. Ejike<br />
Metu, during a visit to<br />
Vanguard in Lagos, said it<br />
is to “bring Igbo together to<br />
show our culture,<br />
tradition, forge unity and<br />
promote speaking of the<br />
Igbo language to ensure it<br />
does not go into extinction.<br />
“Igbo are disunited. We<br />
want to be together and end<br />
disunity and start speaking<br />
with one voice.”<br />
Meanwhile, as the<br />
carnival, tagged Ndigbo<br />
Unity Rally holds, the<br />
Chairman of the Planning<br />
Committee, Chief<br />
Tobechukwu Ezeani, has<br />
said the rally “is propelled<br />
by consensus among all<br />
Igbo in Lagos and the<br />
Diaspora; that our<br />
spectacular cultural<br />
diversities must be<br />
harnessed as a showpiece of<br />
our strength in unity, and<br />
speed through oneness.”<br />
Ezeani, who emphasised<br />
that “our heritage as a people<br />
is among the world’s finest,<br />
said his committee is working<br />
in concert with top Igbo<br />
entrepreneurs, the<br />
intelligentsia, town unions,<br />
and market associations to<br />
renew and revive our best<br />
today for a bigger<br />
tomorrow.”<br />
A key driver of the<br />
initiative, Chief Nnamdi<br />
Nwigwe, noted that in the<br />
determination of the<br />
committee to make huge<br />
success of the project,<br />
massive sensitisation is on<br />
“to mend fences, restore<br />
handshakes and put<br />
ruffled feathers at ease<br />
because the benefits of<br />
selfless accommodation far<br />
outweighs rampant<br />
outdated animosities.<br />
He said Ndigbo are<br />
being mobilised for a<br />
productive leap to the next<br />
level possible through shared<br />
values of love, unity and<br />
accommodation.
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K<br />
16—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016
AS I was on that jaggedly<br />
potholed Abuja-Minna<br />
road last Sunday driving<br />
home and musing over what<br />
subject next to write on, I<br />
received a text message from<br />
a fellow Nigerlite and<br />
erstwhile Newsline colleague<br />
of mine, Khadijah Umar<br />
Mashegu. And although we<br />
hadn’t seen or spoken to each<br />
other in a long time, it<br />
appeared my sister was still<br />
her usual ‘cut-the-crap-andget-straight-to-the-point<br />
kind<br />
of communicator’ I had<br />
always known her to be:<br />
“Salam” she said, “Do you<br />
have any thoughts on what<br />
can help Niger State move<br />
forward?” Hhhmmm! Who<br />
would not heave a sigh? By<br />
the way, aside the media<br />
matters, Khadija I<br />
understand is now involved in<br />
development issues,<br />
especially at the grassroots.<br />
And for a moment my<br />
ordeal with potholes -some,<br />
the sizes of craters and mini<br />
gorges- almost got me into<br />
soliloquized road-rage as I<br />
said aloud to myself ‘what else<br />
do you need to move Niger<br />
State forward Khadijah than<br />
fix this tragedy of a road that<br />
is the gateway to the so called<br />
‘Power State’?’ Yes, I was<br />
virtually taking it personal.<br />
In truth there is more to<br />
moving Niger State forward<br />
than merely fixing her<br />
potholed gateway road to<br />
Minna. Maybe we should<br />
even start by fixing this<br />
terribly masochismic<br />
mentality of Nigerlites –who<br />
are always ready to take the<br />
short end of the stick from<br />
our selfish politicians. We<br />
have continued, it seems, to<br />
be left more abjectly poor<br />
with every passing<br />
government.<br />
Former Governor<br />
Abdulkadir Kure and his<br />
immediate successor<br />
Babangida Aliyu both had<br />
humongous amounts of State<br />
funds at their disposal, but<br />
they were either bereft of the<br />
ideas to move the State<br />
forward or their severely<br />
itchy fingers simply would<br />
not let them. Even when we<br />
thought that no government<br />
could ever be as bad as<br />
Kure’s, Babangida Aliyu still<br />
came to angelise Kure by<br />
taking governance to the<br />
lowliest low. And now our<br />
current APC government,<br />
like a happy-go-lucky mothbutterfly,<br />
borne cheaply on<br />
the wings of populist<br />
Buharism, is presently caught<br />
in the wax and flux either of<br />
paucity of funds or of ideas;<br />
or of both.<br />
One term only governor<br />
In fact, it is unfortunate that<br />
already a three-word<br />
sobriquet ‘One Term Only’ is<br />
now snidely hauled at the new<br />
Government by impatient<br />
youths who see it as the<br />
proverbial ‘kyanwan lami’<br />
which, as the saying goes, ‘ba<br />
ki cizo, ba kya yaqushi’ –<br />
meaning ‘the ineffectual cat<br />
that neither paws nor catches<br />
any mouse at all’. This<br />
certainly is a cause for worry<br />
for our princely Governor<br />
Abu Lolo, pampered son of<br />
one-time Military Governor<br />
of Kano State, Col. Sani Bello<br />
and the doted son-in-law of<br />
the Abdulsalamis.<br />
By the way even if he desires<br />
to probe his immediate<br />
predecessor Aliyu to raise the<br />
Niger: My poor orphan state<br />
crucial funds needed to buoy<br />
his insolvent government,<br />
Abu may be constrained by<br />
both filial consanguinity and<br />
affinity not be able to do so.<br />
Because his mother-in-law<br />
Fati Abdussalam herself is a<br />
blood niece to Aliyu who is<br />
thus a grand-uncle-in-law to<br />
the new Governor. In the<br />
sixteen years that PDP had<br />
conquered and despoiled my<br />
beloved Niger State, I had<br />
written one too many titles<br />
either passionately<br />
importuning good<br />
governance, or in moments of<br />
personal outrage,<br />
reprimanding the brazen lack<br />
of it. And until Khadijah’s last<br />
Just because<br />
projects were<br />
not executed<br />
when there was<br />
money, does not<br />
mean that<br />
projects cannot<br />
now be executed<br />
because there is<br />
no money.<br />
Governor Abu<br />
Lolo just has to<br />
look inwards<br />
and create<br />
‘wealth’<br />
Sunday’s text I had thought<br />
that I am done with the<br />
goings-on in Niger. But you<br />
just never say never!<br />
First, we may ask: ‘is Niger<br />
State viable?’ That I had<br />
answered in a piece I once<br />
wrote, titled ‘Niger: Cry the<br />
beloved power State’.<br />
Niger State is famed for<br />
‘Power’ on account of two<br />
inherently contradistinctive<br />
sources of ‘power’. And she is<br />
noted also for ‘history’ on<br />
account of two mutually<br />
opposing causes of ‘history’.<br />
As a ‘Power State’, Niger is<br />
both the metaphorical and<br />
the existential source of two<br />
high voltages, one ‘political’<br />
–being the birth place of two<br />
former Military heads of<br />
State, Generals Babangida<br />
and Abdussalami; and the<br />
other ‘hydro-electrical’ -<br />
being home to the nation’s two<br />
major hydro dams, Kainji and<br />
Shiroro.<br />
And of ‘history’ Niger State<br />
is noted for an interesting<br />
dual apposite: namely being<br />
home to Nigeria’s first<br />
colonial seat of Power,<br />
Zungeru; -and which town<br />
was itself also the birth-place<br />
of two Eastern great<br />
personages: one, Nigeria’s<br />
foremost nationalists and her<br />
first President, Nnamdi<br />
Azikiwe and the other, the<br />
very agent provocateur of<br />
Nigeria’s Civil war himself,<br />
Odumegwu Ojukwu. Thus,<br />
Zungeru alone is quite a piece<br />
of tourist laboratory for any<br />
serious minded governor<br />
with the gift of fertile<br />
imagination. But Niger State<br />
is all these and even more.<br />
Of note also are the State’s<br />
enormous agricultural<br />
potentials in virtually all of<br />
the sectors of it; the ‘expanse’<br />
and the ‘fecundity’ of her soil<br />
types; the multi variegation of<br />
her crop and plant varieties;<br />
the wide range of her irrigable<br />
land locations; the existence<br />
of largely untapped<br />
ecosystems; her numerous<br />
fish sources and diverse<br />
species; a plenitude of an<br />
immensely provident grazeable<br />
plains for animal<br />
husbandry and an<br />
agriculturally clement<br />
weather conducive for a<br />
variety of all-year farming<br />
systems, Niger State is<br />
preeminently nonpareil -<br />
except perhaps for a<br />
contentious Benue State that<br />
also lays claim to being the<br />
‘food basket of the nation’.<br />
Untapped treasures<br />
Nor is the State any less<br />
endowed in other exploitable<br />
but regrettably untapped<br />
treasures such as her huge<br />
deposits of gold and other<br />
precious metals; or yet her<br />
many tourist destinations like<br />
the Shiroro and Kainji dams,<br />
the waterfalls of Gurara, the<br />
Borgu Games Reserve; the<br />
first colonial Capital and Zik’s<br />
cum Ojukwu’s birth place<br />
Zungeru; the famous Ladi<br />
Kwali Pottery; the potentially<br />
exploitable Zuma Rock, -<br />
which is a natural landmarkmystic<br />
of national<br />
significance both in its<br />
touristic value and its<br />
symbolic uniting force.<br />
Neither Kure nor Aliyu could<br />
discern the potentials of this<br />
landmark.<br />
Once, Governor Aliyu in his<br />
typical, do-nothing populist<br />
stunts, had arranged to be<br />
physically launched on top of<br />
Zuma Rock for the titillation<br />
of his own ego and for the<br />
amusement of political<br />
hangers-on. In fact, typically<br />
for Aliyu this Zuma-climbing<br />
event would’ve been enough<br />
to form the fulcrum of<br />
governance discourse with<br />
himself as the trail-blazing<br />
star who had done what no<br />
governor had ever done.<br />
Ironically right beneath the<br />
Zuma Rock itself was a 30-<br />
year-old abandoned and<br />
uncompleted State-owned<br />
five-star hotel. Talba the star-<br />
Rock-climber took the shine<br />
off of this derelict five-star<br />
metaphor of waste and<br />
Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016 —17<br />
misplaced priority.<br />
In fact, it was to the credit<br />
of the ‘heroics’ of another donothing<br />
Governor, Kure that<br />
the battle to get the Federal<br />
Government remove Zuma<br />
Rock from the five naira note<br />
was won, because Niger State<br />
had insisted that the<br />
landmark exclusively<br />
belonged to it and that the<br />
Federal Government’s use of<br />
it on our national currency<br />
was tantamount to a violation<br />
of landmark rights.<br />
Interestingly since then apart<br />
from the historic landing of<br />
Governor Aliyu on it, the<br />
State has done nothing to<br />
exploit the tourist potentials<br />
of Zuma Rock other than lend<br />
the use of ‘Zuma’ ironically to<br />
a federal agency, the Nigeria<br />
Police on its State crime<br />
patrol vehicles. ‘ba cinyar ba’<br />
the Hausas would say, ‘kafar<br />
baya!’ –‘not the hind but the<br />
foreleg’.<br />
Again to Niger State belongs<br />
a strategically positioned<br />
Suleja (originally Abuja) town<br />
that is a virtual entrepot to<br />
the Federal Capital and an<br />
ancient city readily exploitable<br />
in its Real-estate<br />
potentials both on account of<br />
its Gateway location to the<br />
nation’s capital and its<br />
enviable history as the<br />
baptismal precursor to the<br />
present day ‘Abuja’. By the<br />
way, Suleja as the veritable<br />
historical surrogate mother<br />
to Abuja, is a national<br />
monument of some sort<br />
deserving of special funding<br />
by the federal government.<br />
No governor had ever put<br />
forth this legitimate claim; the<br />
same way neither has fought<br />
for HYPERDEC to cushion the<br />
effect of perennial flooding of<br />
the major dams suffered by<br />
various communities.<br />
To any discerning<br />
Governor, Suleja by now<br />
should’ve been a veritable<br />
alter-ego of Abuja with<br />
choice property and<br />
especially star-studded<br />
hotels that operate low-flying<br />
helicopters offering<br />
customised shuttle services<br />
daily to and from Abuja’s<br />
Central Business District for<br />
those who may want to stay<br />
on the outskirts as they deal<br />
with the bureaucracy in<br />
Abuja. Or maybe even a little<br />
less ‘crazier’, an FCT-Niger<br />
State owned light-rail by now<br />
could daily be ferrying<br />
passengers who work in Abuja<br />
but live in Suleja or any of the<br />
numerous connected<br />
settlements through which<br />
the rail would traverse. In<br />
Suleja alone a veritable<br />
potpourri of investables<br />
abide and from which a world<br />
of infinite commercial<br />
possibilities lie. But where is<br />
the Governor?<br />
By the way Niger State is<br />
home to some of the best<br />
species of yam anywhere in<br />
the country; and in fact our<br />
hard-working, agrarian<br />
Gbagyi population cultivates<br />
about the largest share –<br />
admittedly in contention with<br />
Benue’s Tiv farmers- of the<br />
nation’s annual yam<br />
production. Yet no Governor<br />
of Niger State has ever<br />
deemed it desirable to<br />
transform this raw yam<br />
resource by the addition of<br />
value which will compensate<br />
our poor local farmers for<br />
their investment of capital<br />
and for the drudgery put in<br />
annual to bring that produce<br />
to us at a street value that<br />
sometimes amounts literally<br />
to robbing the farmer.<br />
Truckloads after truckloads<br />
of yam exit the State,<br />
purchased at abysmally low<br />
glut-rate prices and<br />
transported down to the<br />
industrial suburbs of Lagos<br />
and Ogun states to be<br />
processed into ‘poundo-yam<br />
flour’ which now sells in<br />
supermarkets at about a<br />
thousand naira per singlemeal<br />
sachet. Ironically, at the<br />
peak of yam glut in my State a<br />
thousand naira sometimes<br />
can give you a boot-full of<br />
yams bought off a streethawking,<br />
often-child-nestling<br />
gbagyi mother who would sell<br />
not because the price is right,<br />
but because she needs to free<br />
her neck from the weight of<br />
the commodity.<br />
Processed local rice<br />
As with the Niger State yam,<br />
so it is with the Niger State<br />
‘stoned fadama rice’ that<br />
neither Governor Kure nor<br />
Aliyu ever deemed it<br />
necessary to work to unstone<br />
–by gradually setting a<br />
milling process in motion<br />
either through the<br />
empowerment of our<br />
predominantly Nupe local<br />
rice farmers or even the direct<br />
involvement of Government<br />
in improving and adding<br />
value to this commodity so<br />
that farmers get equitable<br />
value for their drudgery and<br />
the nation is gradually<br />
weaned from its<br />
overdependence on foreign<br />
rice. None of our governors<br />
cared.<br />
One can go on and on from<br />
the uniquely palatable<br />
diverse fish species either<br />
from Shiroro, Kainji or in fact<br />
the exceptionally salt-sweet<br />
fadama fishes of the ricefarming<br />
communities of Nupe<br />
land who are left too at the<br />
mercy of the vagaries of a<br />
cruel informal market; and<br />
then even to the numerous<br />
varieties of fruits especially<br />
mangoes sold at glut-street<br />
price sometimes of onepenny-to-the-dozens,<br />
while<br />
street-smart juice-making<br />
factories from Sango-Otta<br />
sneak in annually to cart<br />
truckload after truckload<br />
literally at no cost from local<br />
Gbagyi communities who<br />
may only be too happy to be<br />
rid of it<br />
EPILOGUE<br />
Yet, critics would say<br />
‘Mohammed, this is<br />
preposterous. The current<br />
Governor is battling to pay<br />
salaries, and you are talking<br />
about big time projects. Even<br />
previous governors who had<br />
brimming treasuries at their<br />
disposal couldn’t execute<br />
such projects’. No! It was not<br />
that previous governors<br />
COULDN’T . In truth they<br />
simply WOULDN’T.<br />
Yet, just because projects<br />
were not executed when there<br />
was money, does not mean<br />
that projects cannot now be<br />
executed because there is no<br />
money. Governor Abu Lolo<br />
just has to look inwards and<br />
create ‘wealth’. The Einstein<br />
peach of genuine exertion in<br />
the art of governance is all<br />
about creating ‘something’, -<br />
sometimes even from<br />
‘nothing’!<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
C<br />
M<br />
YK<br />
18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016<br />
MINISTER of Sports, Mr Solomon Dalung,<br />
has once again, proved his critics right in<br />
seeing him as an unfit person to head our<br />
Sports Ministry at this stage of our<br />
development.<br />
From poor handling of the supremacy contest<br />
in the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF)<br />
between its President, Amaju Pinnick and his<br />
challenger, Chris Giwa, to the utter neglect of<br />
our Olympic team in Rio 2016, Dalung has<br />
reportedly courted another controversy by<br />
advising President Muhammadu Buhari not<br />
to approve Nigeria’s participation in the<br />
football World Cup competition coming up in<br />
Russia in 2018. According reports, Dalung<br />
justified his advice on the premise that Nigeria<br />
was “too hungry” to participate in the games<br />
which it might not win.<br />
This latest blunder from a man given the<br />
mantle to take our sports to a higher level<br />
leaves many astonished Nigerians wondering<br />
whether this man has come to build or destroy<br />
our sports. Does he really understand why we<br />
have a Sports Ministry? Does he know what<br />
sports, especially football, means to<br />
Nigerians? Is he the only Nigerian that does<br />
not know that it is only during major<br />
international football championships (of<br />
Dalung has become<br />
anti-Sports Minister<br />
which the World Cup is the ultimate) that<br />
Nigerians forget their infamous ethnoreligious,<br />
political and sectional divisions and<br />
act as one?<br />
Granted, Nigeria is in a crippling recession.<br />
But the situation in Buhari’s first time as a<br />
military leader in 1985 was even worse, as<br />
there was severe shortage of essential<br />
commodities in our markets, stores and<br />
supermarkets, yet we successfully sponsored<br />
the first batch of Golden Eaglets to win<br />
Nigerian’s first universal soccer trophy in<br />
China.<br />
Besides the psychological boost football<br />
offers to the vast generality of Nigerians, it is<br />
also a great international image booster; a<br />
leveller in that smaller nations that are big in<br />
sports (such as Kenya, Ethiopia and Jamaica<br />
in athletics) rub shoulders with giants like the<br />
USA, Russia and China. This takes them out<br />
of obscurity to international reckoning.<br />
Beyond these is the fact that sport (football<br />
in particular) has become great business, not<br />
only for the talented youth who earn<br />
stupendously along with their worldwide<br />
fame, but also for the nations that have<br />
developed their sports infrastructure. That is<br />
Nigeria’s aspiration, which is why we have a<br />
Sports Ministry.<br />
We are convinced that President Buhari, who<br />
is a lover of football, will not succumb to this<br />
misguided and unpatriotic advice from a<br />
Minister who, clearly, has no business holding<br />
the Sports portfolio. With Nigeria already<br />
established in a pole position to qualify from<br />
our Africa group, any attempt to pull us out of<br />
the Russia World Cup could trigger a major<br />
citizen revolt.<br />
We reject Dalung’s opinion and urge the<br />
Federal Government to give the Super Eagles<br />
its unalloyed support to qualify and<br />
participate in the World Cup competition in<br />
Russia in 2018.<br />
NEWS<br />
Kaduna killings: You are not doing enough, CAN tells Buhari<br />
....102 killed, 215 injured, 50,000 houses burnt in Kaduna attacks<br />
By Caleb Ayansina<br />
ABUJA – Following the<br />
Fulani herdsmen/farmers<br />
clash in the southern part of<br />
Kaduna State, the Christian<br />
Association of Nigeria, CAN,<br />
yesterday, called on the Federal<br />
Government to redouble its efforts<br />
towards stopping incessant attacks<br />
on farmers by Fulani herdsmen.<br />
According to the Christian group,<br />
the government is not doing<br />
enough to stem the tide of<br />
herdsmen’s killings.<br />
The President of CAN, Rev<br />
Samson Ayokunle, who stated this<br />
while receiving representatives of<br />
villages displaced by the current<br />
crisis rocking southern Kaduna, in<br />
Abuja, cried out that there was<br />
religious cleansing going on in<br />
Kaduna State.<br />
Narrating their ordeal, the<br />
victims, who spoke through the<br />
Secretary of CAN, Godogodo<br />
Zone, Rev. Chawangon Nathan,<br />
said the problem, which started in<br />
May 26, 2016, had degenerated to<br />
uncontrollable crisis due to nonchallant<br />
attitude of those in authority.<br />
He noted that not less than 25<br />
villages in southern Kaduna had been<br />
brought down by the Fulani herdsmen.<br />
Nathan disclosed that “102 people<br />
had so far been killed while about 215<br />
sustained various degree of injuries.<br />
50, 000 houses burnt in 25 villages,<br />
over 10,000 displaced and over 30,000<br />
hectares of land destroyed deliberately<br />
by Fulani.<br />
“The governor visited only one<br />
village once and the impact of that visit<br />
is not felt up till today. There is<br />
religious sentiment among the<br />
security operatives.”<br />
Speaking further, CAN President<br />
said: “This is the situation in our own<br />
country. The question is these<br />
rampaging Fulani people, are they<br />
above the law? Why are they<br />
appearing as the untouchable? Why<br />
were they not arrested? Why should<br />
the victims be the people to be<br />
arrested?<br />
“When we are talking of the peaceful<br />
coexistence, there must be mutual<br />
respect. We are appealing to the<br />
government of the day, it is becoming<br />
unbearable, shall we keep quiet when<br />
our people are being destroyed daily?<br />
“They are human beings, they are<br />
not cow, they have the right to exist.<br />
Every Nigeria has the right to be<br />
protected, we are appealing to the<br />
government of the day, we are<br />
appealing to the Inspector General of<br />
Police, we are appealing to all the<br />
security agents.<br />
“We are appealing to the Governor<br />
of Kaduna State, please and please,<br />
do your work and let us see crystal<br />
clear, it is not okay to just say all is<br />
well, while all is not well. We are not<br />
infants, we are adults, and the killing<br />
continues up till now. You remember<br />
that southern Kaduna is<br />
predominantly Christians, why is it<br />
that this is the area targeted, is this<br />
not Boko Haram in another form?<br />
“I was reading a newspaper recently<br />
and somebody in government said the<br />
rampaging herdsmen are from Niger<br />
and Mali. Is it not ridiculous to say<br />
that? When you are with all that is<br />
needed to protect the country, am<br />
I the one with the power to police<br />
the country?<br />
“When those in the government<br />
are aware that dangerous people<br />
are entering the country and they<br />
are allowing them, what efforts<br />
have the immigration, security<br />
agents taken to prevent unwanted<br />
foreigners from entering this<br />
country illegally? That kind of<br />
explanation should not come up<br />
again, it is totally upsetting.<br />
“This is a moment of truth, it is<br />
not about the politics or ethnicity,<br />
not even about religion, it is about<br />
the value attached to the life of<br />
every Nigerian. Are you saying that<br />
everybody should take up arms, for<br />
self defence? If these Fulani people<br />
can be going about in the day<br />
killing and they will always be<br />
unknown, when are they going to<br />
be known?<br />
“To keep Nigeria one, first of all,<br />
it must start from the government,<br />
before every one of us. The<br />
government must give us the<br />
leadership, otherwise, this kind of<br />
systematic killing and ethnic<br />
cleansing should stop henceforth,<br />
and we are praying for this nation.”
Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016 — 19<br />
Recession: ICAN recommends 13 point<br />
agenda to salvage economy<br />
CURRENCY BUYING SELLING<br />
US DOLLAR<br />
POUNDS<br />
EURO<br />
FRANC<br />
YEN<br />
CFA<br />
WAUA<br />
RENMINBI<br />
RIYAL<br />
SDR<br />
$155.00 -2.25<br />
$2,452.00 14.00<br />
$19.66 -0.09<br />
$49.13 0.01<br />
$48.10 0.07<br />
304 304.5 305<br />
376.9296 377.5496 378.1695<br />
322.8784 323.4095 323.9405<br />
300.7519 301.2465 301.741<br />
2.7437 2.7482 2.7527<br />
0.4735 0.4835 0.4935<br />
411.2933 411.9697 412.6462<br />
44.1428 44.2159 44.2889<br />
81.0472 81.1805 81.3138<br />
411.9808 412.6584 413.336<br />
CBN Exchange rate as at 23/11/2016<br />
From Left: Pharm. Gbolagade Iyiola, National Secretary, Pharmaceutical Society<br />
of Nigeria; Pharm. Chukuka Chukutem, Executive Director, Pharma Sales &<br />
Marketing, May & Baker Nigeria Plc; and Professor Olukemi Odukoya of the<br />
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, at the presentation of the 2016 May &<br />
Baker Professional Service Award in Pharmacy to Odukoya in Minna, Niger State<br />
By Providence Obuh<br />
THE Institute of Chartered Ac<br />
countants of Nigeria, ICAN,<br />
said it has submitted a 13 point<br />
agenda to relevant government<br />
agencies to salvage the economy.<br />
Presenting the communique<br />
reached at the end of the 46th Annual<br />
Accountants’ Conference of<br />
ICAN in Lagos, the president, Deacon<br />
Titus Soetan, said that it is part<br />
of the institute’s role as a responsible<br />
professional body to review<br />
and discuss some policies of government<br />
to assist implementation<br />
and ensure that their benefits are<br />
maximised.<br />
The recommendations in the communique<br />
said that in view of the<br />
volatility in the global oil and commodity<br />
markets, the government<br />
should resuscitate the culture of<br />
saving for the rainy day, a 0.5 percent<br />
of the gross income from oil<br />
operations to help insulate the local<br />
economy from the dynamics of<br />
globalisation.<br />
Soetan, who reeled out the recommendations,<br />
added that there is<br />
need for government to set the pace<br />
for accountability by periodically and<br />
regularly publishing the level of<br />
achievement of the goals it set for<br />
itself as it is done in the private sector.<br />
He added that public sector leaders<br />
must engage the citizenry from<br />
time to time, imbibe the culture of<br />
stewardship reporting and be prepared<br />
to be held accountable.<br />
He said that the efforts being<br />
made to diversify the nation’s<br />
economy and the recent discovery<br />
of huge quantity of high quality<br />
Nickel in Kaduna are commendable<br />
and encouraging, adding<br />
that while basking in the euphoria<br />
associated with the Nickel<br />
discovery, the government should<br />
ensure that this and other minerals<br />
are processed with value added<br />
before they are exported. “This is<br />
to ensure that the nation derives<br />
maximum benefits from its natural<br />
endowments,” he said.<br />
The institute in the communique<br />
further stated that in order to<br />
strengthen the government’s resolve<br />
to embrace the ideals of accountability,<br />
transparency and best<br />
practices in public sector financial<br />
reporting, government at all levels<br />
should partner with relevant professional<br />
and technical Institutes<br />
to build institutional capacity that<br />
By Babajide Komolafe<br />
THE National Cashew As<br />
sociation of Nigeria,<br />
NCAN, has raised alarm over<br />
the encroachment of foreigners<br />
into cashew farms across the<br />
country.<br />
Nigeria produces about<br />
150,000 metric tonnes of cashew<br />
annually and is rated fourth largest<br />
producer of cashew nuts in<br />
Africa and seventh in the world<br />
Speaking at the 2016 National<br />
Cashew Trade Administration<br />
croachment into cashew farms<br />
by foreigners is inimical to the<br />
value chain system and cuts off<br />
our locals from participating in the<br />
trade. Expatriates are positioned<br />
in the bushes to buy directly from<br />
the farmers thereby taking away<br />
the much needed jobs from our<br />
people. If our people cannot buy<br />
produce what else do you want<br />
them to do?’<br />
Fasheru noted that the international<br />
market expects 8.0 percent<br />
moisture in the cashew for<br />
the best quality and when cashew<br />
is not well-dried, it is difficult to<br />
achieve this quality and such low<br />
would ensure the success of the initiative<br />
and that as part of the initiatives<br />
to promote accountability in the<br />
public sector and hold its functionaries<br />
to account, the government<br />
should create a Whistleblowers Protection<br />
Fund that will encourage<br />
and protect whistleblowers.<br />
Soetan said, “Except people feel<br />
safe and protected, they would be<br />
unwilling to raise alarm over improprieties<br />
that may come to their<br />
attention. Although there is great<br />
concern about the growing trend towards<br />
public sector borrowing and<br />
the desire by the government to discard<br />
the cash call model of financing<br />
oil exploration, it is hoped that<br />
such borrowing by the Joint Venture<br />
partners would be optimally<br />
done and committed to the purpose<br />
for which the loans were taken. The<br />
government should ensure that<br />
other borrowings are judiciously<br />
committed to finance infrastructural<br />
projects.”<br />
He maintained that all tiers of<br />
government should strengthen<br />
their institutions, implement sound<br />
internal controls to prevent fraud,<br />
waste and abuse.<br />
NCAN raises alarm over encroachment<br />
of foreigners into cashew farms<br />
meeting of the association in<br />
Ogbomosho, Oyo, NCAN<br />
President, Mr. Tola Fasheru,<br />
said: “The encroachment of foreigners<br />
has been causing distractions<br />
for local farmers, and<br />
the consequence of this is low<br />
quality of products, reduced<br />
value at the international market<br />
and most importantly lower<br />
purchasing power for the Nigerian<br />
farmers..<br />
He averred that, “The en-<br />
The encroachment of<br />
foreigners has been<br />
causing distractions for<br />
local farmers, and the<br />
consequence of this is<br />
low quality of products<br />
quality of product will spoil the image<br />
of this country.<br />
According to him: “We want our<br />
farmers to dry their cashew to eight<br />
percent at the farm gate and at the<br />
earliest time so that it will meet the<br />
international standard and if all<br />
these are done well, farmers will<br />
earn more, the country will earn<br />
more and most importantly the interest<br />
for Nigerian cashew in the<br />
international market will continue<br />
to increase”<br />
Also speaking at the meeting,<br />
former governor of Oyo State, Chief<br />
Adebayo Alao Akala, frowned at<br />
the practice of foreigners bombarding<br />
the farm gates to buy cashew<br />
and said this should stop now.<br />
He said this poses big risk to the<br />
nation especially in this age of security<br />
concerns. He appealed to<br />
the association to do its best in ensuring<br />
that cash crops return as the<br />
major foreign exchange earner for<br />
Nigeria now that the country is<br />
moving away from a monolithic<br />
economy<br />
BoI N310bn<br />
financing will<br />
expand SMEs,<br />
says BoI<br />
THE Bank of Industry, BoI,<br />
says its N310 billion five-year<br />
financing programme for Small<br />
and Medium Enterprises, SMEs,<br />
will fast track expansion of the sector.<br />
Mr Waheed Olagunju, Acting<br />
Managing Director, BoI, said this<br />
while delivering a lecture entitled:<br />
“SMEs as a Catalyst for Sustained<br />
Economic Growth in Nigeria” in<br />
Lagos. The lecture was organised<br />
by the Chartered Institute of Personnel<br />
Management of Nigeria<br />
(CIPMN).<br />
According to him, the N310 billion<br />
is targeted at improving disbursement<br />
of medium and long<br />
term lending between 2015 and<br />
2019 to SMEs. He said that 60,000<br />
jobs were created with the N15 billion<br />
disbursed in 2015 with a projected<br />
target of N26.2 billion, N45.9<br />
billion, N80.3 billion and N140.6<br />
billion in subsequent years. The<br />
acting managing director said that<br />
SMEs could operate in all sectors<br />
of the economy, adding that opportunities<br />
and risk of SMEs depended<br />
on the operating environment<br />
of the country.<br />
According to him, the bank manages<br />
more than 32 national development<br />
schemes and intervention<br />
funds on behalf of private, public<br />
and foreign agencies that SMEs<br />
can leverage upon. Olagunju<br />
urged operators to plug into the<br />
supply chain of large firms to fill<br />
the existing gaps in various sectors.<br />
Also speaking, Dr Abiodun<br />
Adedipe, an economist, said that<br />
the country was in dire need of an<br />
energised SMEs sector, adding<br />
that the past GDP growth of the<br />
economy was not an inclusive<br />
growth. He said that the GDP<br />
growth experienced in the last 16<br />
years did not create jobs, thereby<br />
leading to high unemployment<br />
rate.<br />
According to him, creating and<br />
empowering SMEs will improve<br />
job creation as well as bring solution<br />
to socio-economic challenges<br />
in the country. Mr Kyari Bukar, the<br />
Chairman, Nigerian Economic<br />
Summit Group, NESG, said that<br />
SMEs growth in the country depended<br />
on events in the global community.<br />
Bukar represented by Dr<br />
Segun Omisakin, said that the need<br />
to understand political, economic<br />
and regulatory terrain of the international<br />
community would boost<br />
SMEs development.<br />
In his remarks, Mr Anthony<br />
Arabome, President, CIPM urged<br />
government to eliminate obstacles<br />
that constituted impediments to<br />
SMEs’ development in the country.<br />
He said eliminating hindrances<br />
would attract more people into the<br />
sector that was widely acknowledged<br />
as the driver of the economy.<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
Y<br />
20—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016<br />
,<br />
The biggest competitive<br />
advantage a startup has<br />
against big<br />
corporations is speed<br />
and adaptability<br />
,<br />
BUSINESS<br />
Common mistakes young<br />
entrepreneurs make<br />
Of all the companies founded each<br />
year, only a fraction survive. Even<br />
a smaller percentage of those<br />
make it five years. Clearly, building a<br />
company is no easy task.<br />
As young entrepreneurs, perhaps the<br />
biggest advantage we have is an irrational<br />
sense of naivety that prompts us to rush<br />
into the “startup battlefield” and try to<br />
disrupt all forms of order. We compensate<br />
for experience with drive, hustle, and spirit.<br />
If only reality were that romantic.<br />
While there are tangible advantages to<br />
being a first-time founder, the<br />
disadvantages that appear are quite<br />
daunting. Like most things in life,<br />
experience plays a large role in dictating<br />
the success of your company. In a study<br />
on luck versus skill, Harvard researchers<br />
revealed that serial entrepreneurs of either<br />
a successful (or even unsuccessful)<br />
previous startup are more likely to succeed<br />
than first-time founders.<br />
Though I have built a company and<br />
made my fair share of naive mistakes, I<br />
am still 19 years old and have lots to<br />
improve upon. I have spent hours and<br />
hours digesting and learning from some<br />
of the best founders, venture capitalists,<br />
and operators in the space.<br />
While there is no prescriptive recipe that<br />
anyone can follow to build a successful<br />
company, it can still be incredibly valuable<br />
to learn from those have “been there and<br />
done that,” which will help you avoid<br />
mistakes often made by young<br />
entrepreneurs. Here are four common<br />
mistakes young entrepreneurs are guilty<br />
of making:<br />
Waiting too long<br />
The biggest competitive advantage a<br />
startup has against big corporations is<br />
speed and adaptability. What that really<br />
means is small companies can iterate<br />
faster and make pivotal changes to their<br />
product without needing to worry about<br />
externalities that a big company would<br />
face. Though this is a seemingly huge<br />
benefit to starting small, many founders<br />
often take their time to perfect their<br />
product. Paul Graham, investor and<br />
YCombinator co-founder, shares his notes<br />
on this, saying that “the thing I probably<br />
repeat most is this recipe for a startup:<br />
get a version 1 out fast, then improve it<br />
based on users’ reactions. By ‘release<br />
early’ I don’t mean you should release<br />
something full of bugs, but that you should<br />
release something minimal.” It is best to<br />
get your product out into the wild as soon<br />
as you can so that you can begin testing<br />
assumptions before investing time and<br />
resources into a flawed product that no<br />
one wants.<br />
Staying in control<br />
Every founder wants to play a part in all<br />
aspects of his or her beloved company, but<br />
this often leads to micromanaging. It stems<br />
from an irrational fear of relinquishing<br />
control. These bosses neglect hiring until<br />
they absolutely are forced to, and in doing<br />
so, sacrifice any odds of matching the right<br />
hire for the company.<br />
Serial entrepreneurs recognize the<br />
importance and necessity of hiring the right<br />
team. They prioritize hiring from day one<br />
and engrain it in their company’s culture.<br />
How to increase productivity in<br />
the workplace<br />
As a business<br />
owner, you’ll<br />
understand that<br />
the most crucial part of<br />
your company is your<br />
staff. Every business<br />
has goals, and without<br />
a productive workforce,<br />
you can’t expect to<br />
achieve them.<br />
Research shows that<br />
61 percent of global<br />
employers and<br />
employees agree that<br />
an improved level of<br />
productivity helps to<br />
increase company<br />
profits. But how can the<br />
employer make sure<br />
that his staff are as<br />
productive as possible?<br />
How do you improve<br />
the current level of<br />
productivity in your<br />
business?<br />
Efficient working<br />
Someone once said<br />
that the most<br />
dangerous phrase in business is<br />
‘that’s how we’ve always done it’. If<br />
you want to make sure that your staff<br />
is working in the best way possible,<br />
you should audit your current<br />
working operations. Are your<br />
employees using their time in the<br />
most efficient way? When they are<br />
working, are your staff fully focused<br />
on task? You should analyse the way<br />
your employees are working, how<br />
they’re prioritising tasks and how<br />
they are planning their day.<br />
Consider providing a workshop on<br />
how to plan and order<br />
responsibilities to ensure the most<br />
important things are completed first,<br />
and give tips on list making, which<br />
As soon as you realize that you can scale<br />
by hiring employees to do the work you<br />
are either not good at or do not like, your<br />
company begins to grow faster and your<br />
life gets easier.<br />
Raising too much money<br />
Money is always on the mind of a<br />
founder, especially a young one who can<br />
be easily overwhelmed by the sheer<br />
quantity of important financial decisions<br />
that founders begin making early on. A<br />
lot of those nerves come to fruition when<br />
startup founders begin raising money<br />
from investors and venture capital firms.<br />
There are so many questions - When is<br />
the best time to begin raising money?<br />
How much money should be raised for<br />
my seed round? A big mistake that<br />
founders do not consider early on is the<br />
potential to raise too much to early.<br />
Keeping your idea<br />
The last thing you would want to do as<br />
a founder is build something that no one<br />
actually wants to use. The best thing you<br />
FROM LEFT: Ag. Executive Secretary of National Sugar Development Council,<br />
Mr. Sam Kwabe, House Committee Chairman on Industry, Hon. Abubakar Moriki<br />
, Ag. Group Managing Director Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Engr. Abdullahi Sule<br />
and a member of the House Committee on Industry Hon. <strong>Ibrahim</strong> Babangida,<br />
during the committee members visit to Dangote Sugar Refinery in Lagos.<br />
is a useful way to stay organised.<br />
Daily habits<br />
If working for extended periods<br />
of time, your employees can<br />
have trouble concentrating and<br />
become easily distracted, which<br />
can result in a failure to meet<br />
deadlines or targets. It’s<br />
important that during working<br />
hours, staff are fully dedicated to<br />
their job role, however some<br />
people work their best outside of<br />
traditional business hours. To<br />
combat this, you could consider<br />
offering flexitime to employees<br />
who would benefit from it. This<br />
would help to ensure your<br />
employees are working at their<br />
can do to avoid this calamity is to<br />
go out and talk to users from day<br />
one and get their raw opinion on<br />
your product.<br />
Many first-time founders do the<br />
exact opposite and keep their ideas<br />
secret. “Stealth startups,” while<br />
viable in some competitive spaces,<br />
are often doing themselves a<br />
disservice by not talking to<br />
customers and getting feedback<br />
early on.<br />
Justin Kan, the founder of<br />
Justin.tv, Twitch, Exec, Socialcam,<br />
and a YCombinator partner, is all<br />
about testing assumptions quickly.<br />
When reflecting on one of his first<br />
companies, Kan said, “We thought<br />
that instead of talking to<br />
[customers] and finding out what<br />
they liked and didn’t like about our<br />
existing service, we would continue<br />
to invent new features that we<br />
thought would be used even more<br />
There is a thin<br />
line between<br />
keeping your<br />
staff moral up<br />
and turning<br />
work into a<br />
social event.<br />
most efficient times of the day.<br />
You could also encourage your<br />
staff to take breaks when it suits<br />
them, as regular short periods<br />
than our existing features.”<br />
Kan’s process to building<br />
companies is simple and cuts out<br />
distractions:<br />
Step one: Gather data on<br />
customer problems. Step two:<br />
Form a hypothesis about how to<br />
fix that problem and build<br />
something that you think<br />
addresses it. Step three: Test<br />
your hypothesis by giving what<br />
you’ve built to your potential<br />
customers and getting feedback.<br />
This simple framework is a<br />
great way to find real validation<br />
and build something that people<br />
actually want.<br />
*Culled from an article by<br />
Jordan Gonen, a 19-year-old<br />
that specialises in product<br />
growth, in Forbes Entrepreneur<br />
C
Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016 — 21<br />
& YOU<br />
,<br />
You and your<br />
spouse set goals,<br />
then you<br />
communicate them<br />
to all involved<br />
,<br />
away from a desk can have a<br />
positive effect on the levels of<br />
productivity in your office.<br />
Delegation<br />
We understand that as a<br />
business owner, you’ll want<br />
complete control over your<br />
company. If an important<br />
opportunity arises, you may<br />
want to handle it yourself to<br />
ensure you get the result that<br />
you want. However, this way<br />
of working can be very<br />
detrimental not just to your<br />
business, but to your<br />
employees’ wellbeing, so you<br />
should empower your<br />
employees to make these<br />
decisions.<br />
Delegate responsibilities to<br />
qualified employees you trust<br />
to get the job done, and feel<br />
confident that the task will be<br />
completed to your<br />
satisfaction. You should also<br />
provide the chance for more<br />
junior employees to<br />
undertake courses or shadow<br />
senior members of the team<br />
to improve their knowledge<br />
and experience. Gaining a<br />
new skill will make a junior<br />
member of the team a bigger<br />
asset to your company.<br />
Eliminate distractions<br />
There is a thin line between<br />
keeping your staff moral up<br />
and turning work into a social<br />
event. While it wouldn’t be<br />
practical to issue a company<br />
wide mobile phone ban, you<br />
should encourage your staff to<br />
turn off their devices during<br />
working hours, but let them<br />
access the internet and their<br />
phones while on their breaks.<br />
This will allow for total<br />
concentration on their work,<br />
while still giving them the<br />
freedom to socialise and<br />
create friendships –<br />
something that’s equally as<br />
important to productivity.<br />
You should also think about<br />
non-work related websites.<br />
Again, you shouldn’t feel the<br />
need to install software to<br />
block non-work related<br />
internet sites, but rather build<br />
up trust with your employees<br />
so you feel confident that<br />
things like Facebook and<br />
Twitter will be reserved for<br />
lunch times.<br />
Proper tools and equipment<br />
Imagine if you booked a<br />
plumber for your house, yet<br />
when he arrives he had no<br />
tools, making it extremely<br />
difficult for him to carry out<br />
his job. This is what it’s like if<br />
your staff don’t have the<br />
equipment to complete their<br />
tasks. Although top of the<br />
range software or computers<br />
can seem like a big<br />
investment initially, the<br />
rewards will be seen through<br />
the standard of the work<br />
completed. Make sure that<br />
things such as phones,<br />
computers and printers are all<br />
in good working order to help<br />
your business meet its goals. If<br />
you’re looking to save time and<br />
money in the long run, you<br />
could consider an all-in-one<br />
type of product, such as the<br />
multifunction laser printer,<br />
which doubles up as a printer,<br />
scanner, copier and fax<br />
machine, can increase your<br />
efficiency levels and free up<br />
some precious space in your<br />
office.<br />
Workplace conditions<br />
Another important factor in<br />
keeping your employees happy<br />
is the condition of your<br />
workplace. You should ensure<br />
that there is plenty of natural<br />
light in the room, and consider<br />
introducing plants as this has<br />
been proven to improve mood.<br />
You should also make sure the<br />
temperature is correct in the<br />
office. If it becomes too hot or<br />
too cold, employees can get<br />
easily distracted. The best<br />
temperature is between 20 and<br />
21 degrees, and it’s best to<br />
ensure your office has good<br />
ventilation in the summer, and<br />
appropriate heating during the<br />
winter.<br />
Support your staff<br />
A crucial element to staff<br />
retention is support. If your<br />
employees feel like they’re<br />
supported in their role, they’ll<br />
be more inclined to remain at<br />
your company. Setting realistic<br />
goals can help your staff to feel<br />
more personally productive,<br />
and give them an incentive to<br />
work towards a target. If each<br />
member of your workforce feels<br />
like they’re a valued member of<br />
your team, there’s a good<br />
chance they’ll enjoy being a part<br />
of your company.<br />
Positivity is crucial<br />
This might seem like an<br />
obvious tip, but with everything<br />
you have to deal with as an<br />
employer, rewarding your staff<br />
can sometimes slip the mind.<br />
Make sure that you encourage,<br />
motivate and reward your<br />
employees and provide<br />
constructive criticism to ensure<br />
everyone is always improving.<br />
You could even consider<br />
incentive schemes, such as a<br />
bonus scheme, for above and<br />
beyond job completion. Or if<br />
you are looking for nonfinancial<br />
incentives, an<br />
‘employee of the month’<br />
scheme is a great choice.<br />
*<strong>Court</strong>esy:<br />
Entrepreneurship.com<br />
Transf<br />
ransferring your business to family<br />
SUCCESSFULLY transferring<br />
a business to family is more<br />
difficult than any other exit<br />
path for one major reason: family<br />
. Yet owners interested in<br />
transferring their businesses to<br />
children do so for one major<br />
reason: family.<br />
Reduce stress and family<br />
disputes by designing a business<br />
transfer plan based on these five<br />
critical elements. A written road<br />
map (for you, your business and<br />
your family) founded on your<br />
financial independence and<br />
security and communicated<br />
clearly to all involved; A business<br />
that is transferable; Merit-based<br />
performance standards for<br />
ownership; A careful consideration<br />
of the issue of fairness and; A<br />
backup plan if transferring the<br />
business to children<br />
becomes unworkable<br />
This article will focus<br />
on the first element.<br />
Written roadmap<br />
You will exit your<br />
business. It can just<br />
happen one day or you<br />
can plan for it. A<br />
successful business exit<br />
- one that achieves all<br />
of your personal, family<br />
and business goals<br />
requires planning. The<br />
centerpiece of the Exit<br />
Planning Process is the written<br />
Exit Plan: the document that maps<br />
your route from where you are<br />
today to the post-business life you<br />
desire. It describes what actions are<br />
to be executed, by whom and by<br />
when.<br />
If transferring your business to<br />
your children is one of your goals,<br />
once you and your spouse<br />
understand what you need and<br />
want from the transfer, you must<br />
communicate your intention to all<br />
of your children, and perhaps other<br />
stakeholders (sons- and daughtersin-law<br />
for example). Notice the<br />
order here: you and your spouse set<br />
goals, then you communicate them<br />
to all involved. On this point,<br />
Andrew Karlen, an attorney<br />
experienced in family business<br />
planning, observes, “Parents may<br />
want/need their children’s input in<br />
their deliberation and decisionmaking<br />
process, but parents must<br />
be crystal clear that they will make<br />
their own decisions about their<br />
future, and that their financial<br />
independence is an essential factor<br />
in the choices they make.”<br />
Fundamental goal<br />
Financial security is a<br />
fundamental goal. Therefore,<br />
BY ‘UJU ONWUZULIKE<br />
transfers of ownership and control to<br />
children should occur only after you<br />
have achieved it. In family business<br />
transfers, ownership is gifted, not sold,<br />
to children. But gifting means you get<br />
nothing in return for the ownership you<br />
transfer. To protect your<br />
If transferring your financial security while<br />
business to your giving children the<br />
children is one of assurance that they will<br />
your goals, once you one day own the business,<br />
and your spouse I suggest that you create a<br />
understand what you<br />
written exit plan describing<br />
the steps in which the child<br />
need and want from<br />
receives ownership. This<br />
the transfer, you<br />
plan design should be based<br />
must communicate on the business attaining<br />
your intention to all annual financial (usually<br />
of your children, and cash-flow) benchmarks<br />
perhaps other (an approach I discuss in<br />
stakeholders<br />
the third post in this series).<br />
As your business achieves<br />
these benchmarks, you receive<br />
additional cash from the business.<br />
This cash: Can increase your nonbusiness<br />
investment capital; Helps<br />
ensure your financial security; Is taxed<br />
once, not twice, thus reducing the cash<br />
flow needed to acquire your ownership<br />
by 20 percent to 35 percent. Ensuring<br />
your financial security also requires you<br />
to maintain control of the business until<br />
you have everything you need. At that<br />
point you can transfer control to the<br />
younger generation<br />
Security first<br />
If you are thinking of transferring<br />
control before achieving financial<br />
security, I caution you to reconsider.<br />
You may be thinking, “Don’t worry<br />
John. I trust my daughter!” That’s great.<br />
But realize that events beyond your<br />
child’s control can cause the child to<br />
lose control of your business or affect<br />
its cash flow , e.g. the child’s<br />
premature death or (far, far more likely)<br />
divorce. Also, children - even yours -<br />
can make poor business and personal<br />
decisions that destroy business value<br />
and cash flow. Using performance<br />
benchmarks to govern transfers of<br />
ownership works well if the child (or<br />
children) receiving ownership is (or can<br />
be) capable of succeeding as the<br />
business’s new owner.<br />
C<br />
M<br />
YK
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K<br />
22—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016
Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMEBR 24, 2016 — 23<br />
Utilize govt health facilites<br />
—Bolanle Ambode<br />
Wife of the<br />
governor of<br />
Lagos State,<br />
Mrs. Bolanle<br />
Ambode, has urged expectant<br />
mothers in the state, to utilize<br />
the various health initiatives<br />
of the government to ensure<br />
safe delivery.<br />
She gave the advice at Ikorodu,<br />
during a town hall meeting on<br />
maternal and child mortality<br />
reduction, organized by the<br />
Ministry of Health.<br />
Mrs. Ambode noted that the<br />
Lagos State Government was<br />
a proactive one, which had<br />
introduced many<br />
interventions to reduce<br />
maternal and child mortality.<br />
Continues on page 25<br />
By Chris Onuoha<br />
Recently, Nigerian female footballers have<br />
stepped up their game if the current<br />
formbook is anything to go by.<br />
Despite the Falconets being edged out of the<br />
ongoing FIFA U-20 Female World Cup by Spain, their<br />
performance showed a high level of commitment, fervor<br />
and of course skill. Moreover, the senior Falcons started<br />
the African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON)<br />
tournament on a good note, thrashing their Malian<br />
counterparts 6 – 0. All these and other feats have shown<br />
the level of passion and commitment Nigerian female<br />
footballers have exhibited on national assignments,<br />
winning and bringing honour to the nation. But the<br />
question remains, are Nigerian female footballers<br />
accorded their due honour compared to their male<br />
counterparts?<br />
Chioma Ajunwa, Nigeria’s first Olympic Gold Medalist,<br />
former Falcon’s player and a force to reckon with in sports<br />
Continues on page 24
24—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMEBR 24, 2016<br />
CHIOMA AJUNWA:<br />
Female athletes<br />
Continues from page 23<br />
development in the country<br />
spoke to Woman’s Own about<br />
the challenges facing Nigerian<br />
women in sports.<br />
Are Nigerian women in sports<br />
not recognized in this country?<br />
Women are not being accorded<br />
the respect or honour due to them.<br />
Perhaps, this is more visible in the<br />
area of football. When you come<br />
to athletes, I can tell you as I beat<br />
my chest that most of the medals<br />
gotten for this country come from<br />
women. I got the first gold medal,<br />
Mary Onyali won a bronze,<br />
Falilat Ogunkoya got bronze<br />
while the 4x4 relay team won<br />
silver in the 1996 Summer<br />
Olympics in Atlanta, USA. I can<br />
tell you more on what women are<br />
doing, but it is quite a pity that<br />
sometimes it’s like we are not<br />
being taken serious. In football,<br />
from the time I was playing with<br />
the Falcons, we are the best, even<br />
till today. It was, maybe two years<br />
back, when some African<br />
countries defeated our girls, but<br />
nonetheless,<br />
the girls are doing fantastically<br />
well.<br />
Would you say there’s bias in<br />
female to male football rating in<br />
the country?<br />
Certainly yes, because when<br />
you check the African football table<br />
ranking, you will discover that<br />
women have done better than<br />
men but due to a heavier focus<br />
on men, people don’t realise that<br />
it matters. It’s only in Nigeria<br />
that the female footballers are not<br />
regarded despite immeasurable<br />
honour and glory they have<br />
brought to the country. The<br />
Falcons have played so well in<br />
several world cup tournaments<br />
even up to the quarter final level.<br />
When it comes to the issue of<br />
welfare packages, billions of naira<br />
will be spent on men but when it<br />
comes to females, its peanuts and<br />
that generates noise. Personally<br />
to me, I don’t like that idea<br />
because football is football no<br />
matter who plays it. If it is one<br />
global sports body (FIFA) that<br />
handles both female and male<br />
football tournaments, why give<br />
are treated<br />
unfairly<br />
preference to men.<br />
Also, if you have problem or<br />
injury, you are on your own. There<br />
is an example of a female<br />
footballer I saw on crutches some<br />
time ago who narrated to me how<br />
a stranger paid her hospital bills<br />
for an injury incurred while<br />
playing football for this nation.<br />
She has been bedridden for two<br />
years now. Our girls are doing<br />
well, they are talented and<br />
dedicated but some club<br />
owners as well are not helping<br />
matters, it is not by force to<br />
own a football club, a club<br />
owner must be ready to cater<br />
for the players under his care.<br />
Majority of the girls squat<br />
anywhere they see yet<br />
they play for their<br />
clubs. Most of them<br />
are not paid<br />
according to<br />
contracts<br />
agreements<br />
or as when<br />
due. These<br />
are girls who<br />
need some<br />
money to<br />
manage their<br />
life.<br />
Many of the<br />
Summer Para-<br />
Olympic team<br />
to Rio have decried<br />
neglect by government<br />
Well it is a pity we cannot help<br />
the less privileged among us even<br />
those in sports who have<br />
dedicated their spirit and<br />
strength to bring us glory. I<br />
thought that if government<br />
cannot give them scholarship,<br />
they should be able to see to their<br />
immediate needs and care.<br />
Though, certain state governors<br />
decided to honour them with<br />
stipends but federal government<br />
should do more. 8 Gold medals<br />
in a world tournament like the<br />
Olympics is not easy to overlook.<br />
Remember they did what the able<br />
sports men and women could not<br />
achieve, yet government spent<br />
roughly 1.2 million naira on able<br />
bodied athletes who did not<br />
perform at nearly the same level.<br />
If government should give this<br />
Para-Olympic team 1 million<br />
naira each, I don’t think it is too<br />
much. Government can even<br />
engage them on entrepreneurial<br />
skills that can benefit them for life<br />
instead of just thanking and<br />
dismissing them. Some<br />
Sometimes I am<br />
not happy because<br />
they put these girls<br />
in a demoralizing<br />
situation, making<br />
them not give their<br />
best. If men go to<br />
world cup and you<br />
pay them ten<br />
thousand dollars<br />
for each match<br />
they win, why not<br />
replicate same to<br />
female<br />
counterparts<br />
physically challenged persons are<br />
dedicated and committed when<br />
it comes to crafts; all they need is<br />
government or corporate support<br />
to start up business. This is the<br />
only way they can be encouraged<br />
to have sense of belonging in a<br />
nation like Nigeria.<br />
In your own opinion, what do<br />
you think has gone wrong?<br />
The people at the helm of affairs<br />
in this country, I mean football<br />
administrators will be able to tell<br />
why things are like that.<br />
Sometimes I am not happy<br />
because they put these girls in a<br />
demoralizing situation, making<br />
them not to give their best. If men<br />
go to world cup and you pay them<br />
ten thousand dollars for each<br />
match they win, why not replicate<br />
same to female counterparts,<br />
since both take the same risk.<br />
How can men get a certain<br />
allowance per night and females<br />
don’t get anything. I think the<br />
disparity is obvious here.<br />
However, with the new<br />
government we have now that<br />
believes in ‘Change’ hopefully,<br />
things might turn around for<br />
good, but the problem is that<br />
wrong advisers influence<br />
decisions.<br />
How do you mean?<br />
Every new government comes<br />
with its own regime and<br />
administrators. If any appointed<br />
Minister receives good counsel,<br />
he will act well judging that the<br />
advisers are meant to be experts<br />
in that field. Government knows<br />
what to do to put smiles on the<br />
faces of sports men and women<br />
to be motivated and perform<br />
excellently well. The problem<br />
comes on when you put in<br />
someone that does not know<br />
anything about sports to occupy<br />
such position. Perhaps, they<br />
usually deceive by presenting<br />
volumes of CVs<br />
with Oxford and Harvard<br />
certificates to confuse instead of<br />
convincing on what they can do<br />
when the job is offered to them.<br />
Some even present awesome<br />
sports certificates you may not<br />
know that exist just to assume that<br />
post but in their mind, they are<br />
political jobbers. Another thing is<br />
implementation of policies. Any<br />
previous quality policy can be<br />
discarded by the new<br />
administration which may not<br />
help matters.<br />
Can a minister be exonerated<br />
for poor performance in sports?<br />
Looking at the outcome of the<br />
2016 Summer Olympics<br />
in Rio, Brazil, everyone blamed<br />
the Minister of Sports for the<br />
abysmal performance of the team.<br />
Personally to me, it is not right to<br />
blame the minister, knowing full<br />
well that when the minister took<br />
over, anything pertaining to<br />
training had ended. The only<br />
thing left was to register the<br />
athletes that will feature in the<br />
Olympics. The issue of blaming<br />
him is not called for. If the former<br />
Minister of Sports was allowed<br />
to finish what he started, perhaps,<br />
the DG will take the blame for any<br />
poor result, but with this kind of<br />
disengagement, the blame game<br />
is baseless. However, if the new<br />
Minister, after seeing all that has<br />
happened could not absorb<br />
proper hands to put things right,<br />
then he can be blamed for any<br />
failure in sports ministry. Often<br />
times we usually ignore things<br />
that will cause us to make<br />
mistakes. Minister should parley<br />
with relevant stakeholders in<br />
sports to ascertain the reality on<br />
ground because it’s only the<br />
spectators that can be more vocal<br />
and tell the truth, hence, they are<br />
not at the minister’s behest.<br />
What is the way forward for<br />
Nigerian women in sports?<br />
There must be a platform for this.<br />
Government can engage<br />
corporate organisations to invest<br />
wisely in sports development in<br />
the country. This can be done by<br />
tax waiver and other synergic<br />
understandings. One corporate<br />
company in this Nigeria can<br />
invest over 100 million naira in<br />
sports equipment that can help<br />
the youth and still make money<br />
out of it.
Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016 —25<br />
Utilize govt health facilites —Ambode<br />
Continues from page 23<br />
She listed such interventions to<br />
include: construction of<br />
maternal and child health<br />
centers; rehabilitation and<br />
equipping of primary health<br />
facilities; procurement of lifesaving<br />
commodities and many<br />
others.<br />
According to her, “No woman<br />
deserves to die during<br />
pregnancy or child birth.<br />
Government has made<br />
adequate provisions for<br />
complete well-being of mothers<br />
during pregnancy and after<br />
child birth. These services are<br />
available at the maternal and<br />
child health centers and free of<br />
charge at the primary health<br />
care centers too.”<br />
She observed that Ikorodu had<br />
been a major beneficiary of<br />
those interventions, citing the<br />
infrastructural development of<br />
their primary and secondary<br />
health facilities and the<br />
midwives service scheme to<br />
increase the number of skilled<br />
birth attendants, among others.<br />
She appealed that cases<br />
requiring life-saving House Committee on Health,<br />
interventions be referred Hon. Segun Olulade, member<br />
promptly to the appropriate representing Ikorodu Federal<br />
health facilities, stressing that constituency in the House of<br />
it was a collective responsibility Representatives, Hon. Babajide<br />
for community leaders in<br />
different capacities, to save<br />
mothers and the infants.<br />
Speaking earlier, the<br />
Honorable Commissioner<br />
for Health, Dr. Jide Idris,<br />
urged pregnant<br />
women to attend antenatal<br />
clinics, and<br />
deliver their babies at<br />
registered health<br />
facilities with skilled<br />
birth attendants. He<br />
said that such health<br />
facilities were<br />
registered with the<br />
State Government<br />
through HEFAMAA with<br />
their registration plaques<br />
displayed at the<br />
entrances of their<br />
facilities.<br />
Goodwill<br />
messages were<br />
given by the<br />
Chairman,<br />
•Bolanle Ambode<br />
Benson, the senior special<br />
assistant to the president on<br />
Foreign Affairs and the<br />
Disapora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-<br />
Erewa, former secretary to the<br />
• Registered<br />
health facility<br />
state government, Princess<br />
Aderenle Adeniran-<br />
Ogunsanya, HRM, the<br />
Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba<br />
Kabiru Shotobi.<br />
CSO advocates legislation to cater for<br />
women’s health<br />
By Gabriel Ewepu<br />
FOLLOWING high num<br />
ber of women dying<br />
due to various illnesses<br />
as a result ignorance, poverty,<br />
neglect and other societal<br />
challenges in the country, particularly<br />
among the poor, a<br />
civil society organisation,<br />
Voice of the Less Privileged<br />
Organisation, VOLPO, has<br />
advocated the legislation that<br />
would cater for women’s<br />
health.<br />
This was stated by the<br />
Founder, VOLPO, Bar. Ego-<br />
Queen Ezuma, who said<br />
women’s health, should be<br />
paramount to all tiers of government<br />
as they remain the<br />
engine-room of growth, development<br />
and peace in the<br />
country.<br />
Ezuma who has been in the<br />
vanguard of the fight for better<br />
health for women said<br />
VOLPO has ensured that the<br />
rights of women are protected<br />
and exercised at any given<br />
time as it concerns their<br />
health.<br />
She said: “The Voice for the<br />
Less<br />
Privileged<br />
Organisation, VOLPO, has<br />
been doing well in accordance<br />
with its mission, motive<br />
and mandate, and it is a<br />
self-sponsored organisation,<br />
and I founded it in 2006 with<br />
passion to add value to lives<br />
of the neglected and frustrated<br />
we have been doing<br />
what we can to turn around<br />
lives.<br />
“We have been on<br />
sensitisation, teaching<br />
women about their health<br />
because health is wealth to<br />
every human being particularly<br />
the women. That has<br />
been a continued exercise<br />
and as long as a woman is<br />
alive the nation is alive.<br />
“Many women in the country<br />
are ignorant about what<br />
transpires in their health because<br />
they thought that eating<br />
alone is important in life<br />
but it is more than that. We<br />
emphasise on physical exercise<br />
for different ages.<br />
“Now, the rate of diabetes<br />
related death is higher than<br />
HIV/AIDS in this country and<br />
it is more among the women.<br />
For instance a disease like<br />
cancer is high among women<br />
but it can be detected early<br />
to tackle it and that makes<br />
her safe.<br />
“It is unfortunate that virtually<br />
everything in the country<br />
is politicised including the<br />
health of the people. We have<br />
seen several wives of state<br />
governors who have initiated<br />
various pet projects and<br />
programmes for<br />
women’s health<br />
but at the end of<br />
the day it be-<br />
comes a white elephant<br />
project, while others who succeed<br />
them jettison those<br />
programmes.<br />
“I will like our women who<br />
are in the National Assembly<br />
as elected lawmakers to look<br />
Mobil partners Inner Wheel on<br />
empowerment of female<br />
artisans in Lagos<br />
By Josephine Agbonkhese<br />
The livelihoods of over 50 female<br />
artisans were boosted recently in<br />
Lagos as Inner Wheel District 911<br />
Nigeria in conjunction with Mobil Nigeria<br />
Limited trained and empowered them with<br />
work tools.<br />
The beneficiaries who were trained in<br />
various skills including bead-making, interior<br />
decoration, fashion designing, make-up<br />
artistry, catering, to mention but few, all<br />
received some of the latest equipment<br />
required for professional practice.<br />
Speaking at the graduation ceremony which<br />
held at the Inner Wheel Vocational Centre<br />
where the six-week intensive training took<br />
place, Chairperson, IW District 911 Nigeria,<br />
Mrs Wemimo Olasanya, explained that the<br />
gesture was the organisations’ modest<br />
response to the economic situation in the<br />
country.<br />
into the health of women and<br />
enact laws that will protect<br />
the lives of women. Politicians<br />
should be concerned and considerate<br />
about women’s<br />
health so they can live longer<br />
to continue to vote for them<br />
and not just the peanut they<br />
give them in form of rice,<br />
sugar, seasoning, wrappers<br />
and others.<br />
“Government should take the<br />
health of women seriously<br />
and it is very simple to make<br />
women understand how to<br />
live and many lives will be<br />
saved. It should start in their<br />
dieting and meal preparation<br />
recipes.”<br />
She also urged government<br />
to collaborate with civil society<br />
organisations that are relevant<br />
and reliable to sensitise<br />
and create awareness among<br />
women about their health.<br />
In her opening remark, Olasanya praised<br />
the participants for their unique passion<br />
towards knowledge acquisition and also<br />
urged that they remained dedicated to their<br />
jobs.<br />
Above all, she emphasized the need to<br />
make good use of the work tools supplied<br />
to them for start-ups and warned against<br />
the sale or misuse of the equipment.<br />
Also speaking in gratitude, one of the<br />
beneficiaries simply identified as Mrs<br />
Opara, who received a sewing machine,<br />
said: “I thank God I participant in this<br />
programme. Despite the short period the<br />
programme was conducted, I learned so<br />
many things I couldn’t have learned as an<br />
apprentice elsewhere. I was taught both<br />
practical and theory from the resource<br />
persons.”<br />
Another participant, a young man from<br />
Cross-River State and only male in the<br />
group, Igri Christopher, who trained as a<br />
caterer, was equally elated as he got an<br />
oven for baking. To him, “It is a dream made<br />
possible as I have been empowered in<br />
training and equipped with tools to work.”
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K<br />
26—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
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Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016—27
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
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28—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K<br />
Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016—29
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
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30—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016
Why Tinubu must be rescued<br />
IT is obvious now that, for<br />
the first time in his<br />
illustrious political career,<br />
Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu,<br />
the much touted National<br />
Leader of the All Progressives<br />
Congress, APC, has fallen into a<br />
political ditch. He needs a<br />
helping hand to get out fast.<br />
If the APC manipulates itself<br />
to victory in Ondo State (by<br />
using the Independent National<br />
Electoral Commission, INEC,<br />
and the Judiciary to ensure<br />
that a fake candidate, Mr.<br />
<strong>Jimoh</strong> <strong>Ibrahim</strong>, stands for the<br />
ruling Peoples Democratic Party,<br />
PDP, it might signal the end of the<br />
Tinubu political saga in the<br />
South West.<br />
Buhari’s Congress for<br />
Progressive Change,CPC,<br />
masquerading as the APC that<br />
won the general elections last<br />
year will have two states in the<br />
zone (Ondo and Ogun) in its<br />
kitty. Being the party in power,<br />
and with the Tinubu loyalist<br />
governors in Oyo and Osun not<br />
eligible to run again, Buhari<br />
can use the same INEC,<br />
Judiciary, Directorate of State<br />
Services, DSS, and the “maymy-loyalty-never-be-tested”<br />
former Tinubu boys like<br />
Babatunde Fashola to make a<br />
Recession is not a tea party<br />
WE have had to challenge a few<br />
prayer points, particularly<br />
those that run contrary to conventional<br />
wisdom. It is common among the<br />
Pentecostals, to be asking God to make<br />
them lenders and not borrowers.<br />
Evidently, such short-change<br />
themselves because in today’s world,<br />
most viable projects are financed on<br />
borrowed money. Personal savings may<br />
succeed in taking you barely above the<br />
subsistence level.<br />
On our side, we have always relied on<br />
God to bring the good project; point to<br />
the source of borrowing for the<br />
execution; and provide us the<br />
wherewithal to repay the loan.<br />
Come to think of it, the debtor may<br />
have the potential to live longer than<br />
his creditor. Until the loan is fully<br />
amortized, the creditor cannot sleep<br />
well. It is like having your containers<br />
on the high sea. Until the ship berths<br />
and the last container is successfully<br />
discharged, the consignee knows no<br />
sleep. Essentially, while the debtor has<br />
only himself to pray for, the creditor<br />
must continuously pray for himself and<br />
the debtor to stay alive. This is where<br />
the creditor bears a bigger burden.<br />
We proclaim in the abstract that our<br />
economy is in a recession. But how many<br />
are aware of the full import of a<br />
recession? Recession is not a tea party.<br />
Rather, it is an ill-wind that blows no<br />
one any good. Our current approach to<br />
the cure of this recession is apparently<br />
one of trying to make omelette without<br />
breaking eggs.<br />
First, serious-mindedness should teach<br />
us by now to begin to de-emphasize the<br />
issue of who caused our recession. Only<br />
then can we attack the monster<br />
frontally.<br />
In fact, recession comes in the form of<br />
a long distance race, not by sprint; and<br />
it is difficult to place a finger on who<br />
caused it. Everyone is guilty as charged.<br />
Those bogus contracts we awarded to the<br />
grab for the rest of the South West<br />
come 2019.<br />
If that happens, the pro-<br />
Caliphate, Kaduna Mafia Arewa<br />
North led by Buhari would<br />
start calling the shots in the<br />
politics of the South West on<br />
their terms, and no longer in<br />
alliance with a “homegrown”<br />
political leader of the zone.<br />
That will bode very ill, not only<br />
for our democracy that thrives<br />
better on inter-regional<br />
alliances (which was what<br />
brought Buhari into power) but<br />
will entrench Buharist<br />
Northern domination; a recipe<br />
for national instability and<br />
eventual disintegration.<br />
Buharist Arewaism (coded<br />
into his 97%/%% parasitic<br />
formula for the distribution of<br />
the Nigerian commonwealth)<br />
has been on open display since<br />
he assumed power on May 29 th<br />
2015. It has shown itself in the<br />
manner in which the Federal<br />
Government was formed, the<br />
deployment of the security<br />
agencies, the repositioning of<br />
the top echelon of the Federal<br />
Bureaucracy, the denial of the<br />
South the right to produce the<br />
substantive Head of the Federal<br />
Judiciary (the Chief Justice of<br />
Nigeria) and in the way the<br />
portfolio-carrying contractors, who<br />
collected the contract sum but didn’t do<br />
the work; when we suddenly became a<br />
nation of lazy people, permanently on<br />
holidays, declared and undeclared; time<br />
was when we produced an average of 2.1<br />
million barrels of oil daily; and oil sold<br />
for an average of well over $100 per<br />
By now, we should<br />
hear that President<br />
Buhari is seeking<br />
additional funding for<br />
2016; that the<br />
bulldozers and<br />
caterpillars are<br />
already roaring all<br />
over the country<br />
barrel; yet we squandered all the<br />
money, without saving or investing on<br />
infrastructure – all these have now<br />
come home to roost; and we are<br />
surprised?<br />
The stark reality of our current<br />
situation is that while oil still remains<br />
the mainstay of our economy, we are<br />
now only able to produce less than 1<br />
million barrels per day, half of which<br />
gets vandalised or stolen enroute the oil<br />
market. And the price of oil has<br />
plummeted to $30 per barrel.<br />
Whichever way we look, tragedy stares<br />
us in the face.<br />
The truth about our present<br />
predicament is that it is not he who<br />
causes it that cures it. After all, the<br />
problems we are facing today were<br />
already looming during the 2015<br />
general elections. We had a right to<br />
avoid the problems by not contesting the<br />
elections. Now that we have contested<br />
INEC has been robbed of its<br />
Jonathan-era independence.<br />
It is also manifesting in the<br />
Islamisation of Non-Muslim<br />
communities in the Middle Belt<br />
and South by armed Muslim<br />
militias masquerading as<br />
herdsmen, the frequent<br />
abductions of under-aged<br />
Christian girls by emirs and<br />
When Tinubu<br />
was deeply<br />
involved in the<br />
Ondo elections<br />
in 2012, his<br />
party still lost.<br />
So, if APC wins<br />
now that he<br />
has withdrawn<br />
his support, his<br />
days as a factor<br />
in the party are<br />
gone<br />
Islamic clerics who promptly<br />
marry them off to themselves<br />
or other Muslims without the<br />
consent of their parents, the<br />
manner in which “blasphemy”<br />
murder suspects are being set<br />
free when the law enforcement<br />
agencies bother to get them<br />
arrested and tried; and the way<br />
the Federal Character principle<br />
in the constitution is<br />
contemptuously ignored while<br />
a brash reign of nepotism is<br />
plunked down the throats of<br />
Nigerians. Who knows in what<br />
other forms we will be seeing it<br />
in the years to come?<br />
Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, , 2016 —31<br />
How do you describe the<br />
possible outcome of these<br />
burgeoning anomalies that<br />
have reared their ugly heads in<br />
just 18 months? Is it normal for<br />
human beings subjected to<br />
these arrogant violations not to<br />
do something about it<br />
(eventually)?<br />
I am not sure this is the type<br />
of APC Federal Government<br />
that Tinubu and his kinsmen<br />
from the South West who put<br />
Buhari in the Presidency had<br />
envisioned. I saw it coming, and<br />
I warned and warned. But I was<br />
called dirty names here on this<br />
forum by the horde of hired e-<br />
rats whose ranks have rapidly<br />
shrunk of late like our famished<br />
economy. Tinubu had dreamed<br />
of an APC Federal Government<br />
in which the North and the<br />
West would partner in calling<br />
the shots for the rest of the<br />
country, with his Lagos whizkids<br />
showing Nigeria how they<br />
did it in Lagos.<br />
I warned here that Buhari,<br />
from his track records as a<br />
former military ruler,<br />
Executive Chairman of the<br />
defunct Petroleum Trust Fund,<br />
PTF, and his utterances as a<br />
politician (“I will always<br />
propagate Sharia to all parts of<br />
Nigeria”; “the dogs and<br />
baboons will be covered in<br />
blood”, and so on) was not the<br />
kind of person who would share<br />
power with a Westerner,<br />
Easterner or Minorities of the<br />
North or South.<br />
Tinubu had a golden<br />
opportunity to put his support<br />
in favour of Atiku Abubakar.<br />
He and Atiku had met and<br />
shared power in the defunct<br />
Social Democratic Party, SDP.<br />
Atiku has many faults, but he<br />
is much more cosmopolitan, has<br />
friends all over the country and<br />
and won, the<br />
solution of<br />
t h o s e<br />
problems<br />
becomes our<br />
u t m o s t<br />
priority.<br />
That’s the<br />
natural order<br />
–<br />
governments<br />
inherit the<br />
assets and liabilities of predecessors.<br />
Everyone must realise that<br />
extraordinary situations, such as we are<br />
in now, definitely call for extraordinary<br />
actions. A recession is usually fought<br />
with spending and more spending; and<br />
in most cases, it means that you must<br />
reflate the economy through deliberate<br />
borrowing.<br />
Meanwhile, everyone appears not to<br />
realise the enormity of the problem<br />
before us. From both sides of the divide,<br />
no seriousness is being demonstrated.<br />
From the scanty noise we hear from a<br />
distance, the National Assembly seems<br />
to be giving the impression that<br />
President Muhammadu Buhari is<br />
looking for money for the next breakfast.<br />
It has not yet dawned on them that<br />
everyone has a stake, and they, more<br />
than the President, have a higher stake<br />
in pulling Nigeria out of this mess.<br />
We hear that, for a start, the President<br />
seeks a $40 billion loan and the Senate<br />
thinks that the approval of such loan is<br />
a favour to the President. Who is really<br />
favouring whom? And how weird it<br />
sounds that the Senate President might<br />
use the loan approval as a trade-off for<br />
his travails at the Code of Conduct<br />
Tribunal?<br />
The Federal Government is not yet<br />
serious either. How can the<br />
administration be sending a loan request<br />
to the National Assembly without<br />
accompanying same with a framework<br />
of how they intend to apply the loan?<br />
The impression is simply created that,<br />
as usual with past regimes, you are<br />
borrowing to finance fraud!<br />
Send Opinions & Letters to:<br />
opinions1234@yahoo.com<br />
is reputed for his sound sense of<br />
organised procedure. These are<br />
totally absent in this chaotic<br />
Buhari’s government.<br />
Tinubu chose Buhari because<br />
the masses of the Muslim North<br />
were fanatically behind him.<br />
They saw him as their messiah<br />
with a magic wand to drag them<br />
out of Boko Haram insurgency<br />
and extreme poverty. I hope he<br />
has met their aspirations. He<br />
obviously hasn’t met Tinubu’s.<br />
So, if Buhari’s APC wins the<br />
Ondo governorship without<br />
Tinubu, the Party will begin to<br />
feel they can do without him.<br />
The pronouncements of<br />
Governor Simon Lalong of<br />
Plateau that Tinubu’s absence<br />
in the electioneering process<br />
would not affect the party is<br />
instructive. When Tinubu was<br />
deeply involved in the Ondo<br />
elections in 2012, his party still<br />
lost. So, if APC wins now that<br />
he has withdrawn his support,<br />
his days as a factor in the party<br />
are gone. It won’t matter that<br />
the PDP candidate, Barrister<br />
Eyitayo <strong>Jegede</strong>, was shackled to<br />
give APC’s Rotimi Akeredolu a<br />
free ride.<br />
The South West must not<br />
allow its political fortunes to be<br />
dictated by Northerners. This<br />
region has, historically, fought<br />
to maintain its independence<br />
and core agenda in Nigerian<br />
politics.<br />
Tinubu’s<br />
misadventure in handing the<br />
zone over to Buhari is<br />
threatening to take away the<br />
region’s power to decide its own<br />
future. It will not be in the<br />
interest of the nation for this to<br />
happen. Not at this juncture,<br />
when the South East and the<br />
South-South zones have found<br />
their own independent footings<br />
and are able to determine their<br />
respective political directions.<br />
The West must not fall.<br />
Again, when the Federal Government<br />
says it wants to sell some of its assets as a<br />
way of pulling us out of the current<br />
recession, it simply behoves the<br />
Administration to make public, the list<br />
of such assets. We insist that<br />
Government should not under any guise,<br />
begin to dispose of its blue-chip assets.<br />
We must now begin to ask the<br />
supplementary questions: what<br />
percentage of the 2016 appropriations<br />
has been executed now? The Tortoise is<br />
relevant here. He says when he hears<br />
that his wife is in the market fighting<br />
over salt and pepper; he is assured that<br />
there will be dinner tonight. By now,<br />
we should hear that President Buhari is<br />
seeking additional funding for 2016;<br />
that the bulldozers and caterpillars are<br />
already roaring all over the country;<br />
that public housing schemes are being<br />
reinvigorated across the land; and so on.<br />
We want to hear that the President has<br />
properly presented a Bill for budgetary<br />
authorisation and approval to reflate the<br />
economy. Such expenditure must be<br />
directed at massive infrastructural<br />
development, obviously powered by<br />
deliberate borrowing. That’s the way to<br />
create jobs and put disposable income in<br />
the hands of our teaming youth<br />
population.<br />
The experiences of other countries like<br />
the USA, Turkey, Brazil and lately,<br />
Greece, all point in the same direction –<br />
the only cure for a recession or<br />
depression is massive borrowing for<br />
massive development. Let no one shy<br />
away from the truth.<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
32 —Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016<br />
YOUR LUCK TODAY<br />
By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139<br />
CAPRICORN; The Moon highlights your Solar second<br />
house of money which is good but, if you try to buy<br />
true love with money, you’ll be disappointed.<br />
AQUARIUS; The. Moon in your Star sign’ll gives you<br />
new confidence and with new supports from the powersthat-be,<br />
it’s like you are now un-stop-able. But be cautious,<br />
especially with the veterans within your base of<br />
operation. Yet you will be lucky today.<br />
PISCES; Better days are ahead of you but, you will<br />
today need to do away with non-productive argument<br />
and/or agreement. Try to be more diplomatic now.<br />
ARIES; If what you’re doing today’ll depend on<br />
tomorrow’s event it’s better you’re more careful now. Even<br />
things may not go according to your personal plans today.<br />
Yet it’s important you plan both your immediate<br />
and far future carefully now.<br />
TAURUS; If you take to aggression, your ego would<br />
be deflated by your superior colleagues, but your being<br />
co-operative in a civilised way’ll prevent trouble.<br />
By Richard Eromosele<br />
L E I S U R E<br />
THOUGHT FOR TODAY<br />
The workman and his tool<br />
THERE is an ad<br />
age which says<br />
it is the lazy workman<br />
that quarrels<br />
with his tools.And if<br />
he is a farmer that<br />
complains that his<br />
cutlass is not sharp,<br />
you begin to wonder<br />
whose duty it is<br />
to sharpen the<br />
cutlass?Many humans<br />
are like the<br />
complaining workman<br />
and farmer.<br />
Whoever fails to<br />
prepare for success<br />
TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye”<br />
is preparing to fail.<br />
Many things in life<br />
are earned. Whatever<br />
you want to be<br />
in life, take time to<br />
prepare yourself<br />
well in advance for<br />
it. There is no short<br />
cut to success. You<br />
can’t give what you<br />
do not have. If you<br />
bamboozle your<br />
way to a position<br />
you do not<br />
merit,your poor output<br />
will one day expose<br />
you. The problem<br />
is not the tool<br />
but the workman.<br />
Think about it.<br />
By Kola Fayemi<br />
GEMINI; Those willing to put you to shame one way<br />
or the other’ll be disappointed with the turn of things<br />
today. It’s good to secure support of your spouse.<br />
CANCER; You’ve had enough of fun in the recent times<br />
and it’s now time you settle down for hard work in order<br />
to prevent avoidable trouble. Be patient please.<br />
LEO; Your concentration level and determination are<br />
the pillars of your success today. Yet you’ll need to respect<br />
your senior colleagues and protect your image<br />
VIRGO; It’s true you’re willing to work harder but you<br />
just have to drop both aggression and mental arrogance<br />
to allow things to roll accordingly. Then, you’re accident<br />
prone within your working arena. Respect the law and<br />
its agents today.<br />
LIBRA; Serious thought may be giving to matters of<br />
the heart but it’s better you tarry a while. Joint ventures<br />
of short duration today may be an invitation to avoidable<br />
trouble.<br />
KAPTAIN AFRIKA in “Pretty Lunatic’ By Andy Akman<br />
SCORPIO; If you back your financial plans with concrete<br />
and positive actions things’ll go according to your<br />
desire. If you fail to realise importance of your spouse<br />
you would work your way into avoidable trouble; aren’t<br />
you tired of crisis?<br />
SAGITTARIUS; Your intelligence, competence and<br />
level of concentration may today bring you envy, which<br />
you don’t deserve within your working arena in a negative<br />
form but.<br />
ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING<br />
Send your date e and place of birth th to the Astr<br />
trological<br />
Counselling, P.M.B 100<br />
007, 7, Apapa, Lagos<br />
What’s my career ?<br />
Dear Joshua,<br />
I am interested in your Astrological counselling. Kindly<br />
tell me everything about myself, especially my finance<br />
and career; would I be rich eventually, if yes what should<br />
I do to make it happen quickly.<br />
Suleiman, Abuja.<br />
Dear Suleiman,<br />
There are indications of financial success for you but<br />
you can not change what Almighty God Has designed for<br />
you talking about the timing (the quickness you talked in<br />
your letter) Certainly however no failure for you.<br />
Mercury Bthe planet of education and Accountancy, together<br />
with mighty Sun at positive angle to planets in<br />
Virgo (another Accounting Star sign) attracted you to both<br />
Accountancy profession and the academic world. Truly<br />
you did not make wrong choice of career.<br />
Money will eventually come along this line but it’ll not<br />
be as faster as if you take to OIL RELATED BUSINESS.<br />
Because Neptune (the planet of OIL) was very comfortable<br />
when you were born. It will not be out of place if you<br />
have filling stations as time goes by, because you are basically<br />
a GAS PERSON. Another money spinning vocation<br />
for you include writing either along your line or for<br />
film making industry; it is important you exhibit the higher<br />
quotient of creativity in your inner-self. Yes your dream of<br />
becoming A Professor will come to reality. Politics is<br />
another area you are not looking at now but will surely<br />
come. Do you say why? Because Aquarius is equally political<br />
Venus that was powerfully placed when you were born is<br />
all about MONEY. Thus you have special ability to make<br />
money. And as it was at positive angle to disciplined Saturn,<br />
you are not giving to serious frivolity. One major<br />
challenge here is envy by others but you will eventually<br />
overcome. Another source of challenges is your love life<br />
which looks not totally balanced.<br />
Basically you are a family minded person. You are<br />
equally loving and caring. But sometimes your love of<br />
freedom get better off you to the resentment of your closer<br />
partner(s).Then some other times it is other party’s fault<br />
making love-business very interesting. And unless you are<br />
more careful and determined you may marry more than<br />
once.<br />
VIRGINIA<br />
HOME & ABROAD<br />
dadadekola@yahoo.com<br />
By Lawrence Akapa
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K<br />
Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016—33<br />
:Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058<br />
No crack among N-Delta leaders, Clark remains<br />
head —Loyibo<br />
By Emma Amaize<br />
W ARRI—COOR-<br />
DINATOR of the<br />
Niger Delta People Congress,<br />
NDPC, Chief Mike Loyibo, has<br />
said there is no division among<br />
Niger Delta leaders as the boss<br />
of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum,<br />
PANDEF, Chief Edwin Clark,<br />
remains the leader of the region.<br />
Chief Loyibo, who spoke to<br />
Vanguard in Warri, Delta State,<br />
said the fact that NDPC submitted<br />
fresh demands to the Vice<br />
President, Professor Yemi<br />
Osinbajo, two weeks after<br />
PANDEF submitted a 16-point<br />
demand to President<br />
Muhammadu Buhari, on<br />
November 1, did not mean that<br />
there was a leadership problem.<br />
According to him: “We do not<br />
believe that there is a leadership<br />
problem in the region. Chief E.K.<br />
Clark remains the leader of the<br />
region and is a man of no mean<br />
repute.”<br />
He claimed the group confided<br />
in PANDEF leader, Chief Clark,<br />
on the core issues before the visit<br />
to the Vice President, saying:<br />
“Some persons who were also<br />
members of PANDEF were<br />
frustrated with issues such as<br />
derivation, which were not<br />
properly addressed as requested<br />
by the agitators.<br />
“There is no division of any sort<br />
among the Niger Delta leaders as<br />
presumed. The purpose of the<br />
NDPC visit is clearly defined in<br />
I'll build on Ogbemudia, Oshiomhole's legacies —Obaseki<br />
By Simon Ebegbulem<br />
B ENIN—GOVERNOR<br />
Godwin Obaseki of Edo<br />
State has pledged to build on the<br />
legacies of the two-time former<br />
governor of defunct Bendel State,<br />
Dr Samuel Ogbemudia and his<br />
immediate predecessor, Comrade<br />
Adams Oshiomhole.<br />
He noted that the legacies both<br />
leaders left in the area of<br />
infrastructure would be sustained<br />
just as he reiterated his earlier<br />
promise to make the state<br />
investor-friendly to attract<br />
investors and consequently create<br />
employment in the state.<br />
Obaseki spoke when he paid a<br />
visit to Dr Ogbemudia at his<br />
residence in Benin City, to inform<br />
the elder statesman that he had<br />
commenced work in earnest.<br />
Disclosing that the state<br />
government was going to<br />
refurbish the Benin Technical<br />
College which was built during<br />
Ogbemudia's administration, the<br />
governor said, “Our first visit was<br />
to the Benin Technical College,<br />
the technical school. It is<br />
remarkable what you put in place<br />
there 40 years ago. The structures<br />
are still solid in spite of the total<br />
abandonment of that school. You<br />
could still see the relics of the solid<br />
foundation you built in that<br />
the address which was<br />
presented to the Vice President,<br />
which is to reaffirm, re-prioritize<br />
and place in perspectives all<br />
submissions made earlier by<br />
various groups. There are many<br />
militant groups in the Niger<br />
Delta region outside the Niger<br />
Delta Avengers, NDA. All these<br />
groups, including the NDA<br />
expressed dissatisfaction with<br />
the presentation of PANDEF<br />
taking into cognizance the fact<br />
that their core demands were not<br />
given the priority they<br />
deserved.”<br />
Militants ready for talks<br />
He dismissed the claim that<br />
Niger Delta militants were not<br />
ready for dialogue with the<br />
government, saying: “The<br />
militants/agitators are ready for<br />
dialogue and that was why they<br />
mandated PANDEF to have a<br />
discussion with the Federal<br />
Government on their behalf.<br />
This also explains why there is<br />
cessation in the bombardment of<br />
oil installations in the region<br />
before the November 1 meeting<br />
between PANDEF and the<br />
Federal Government. In the<br />
submission of NDPC, several<br />
immediate, medium and longterm<br />
measures were<br />
recommended. These are<br />
categorized under political<br />
reconstruction and fiscal<br />
federalism; de-militarization of<br />
the Niger Delta region/peace<br />
and confidence building;<br />
adequate funding of<br />
interventionist agencies; proper<br />
management of the post<br />
amnesty programme;<br />
promotion of environmental<br />
and human right policies;<br />
infrastructural and human<br />
capital development.”<br />
PRESENTATION: From left: Mr. German Victor, General Manager, Government and<br />
Community Affairs, Premium Steel and Mines Limited; Chief Kpomah Solomon, Chairman,<br />
Udu Local Government Council, Delta State; Mr. Prasanta Kumar Mishra, CEO, Premium<br />
Steel and Mines Limited; his wife Mrs Bidyut Prava Mishra and Mrs. Omene Esther, Vice<br />
Chairman, Udu Local Government Council, Delta State, at the presentation of an ultramodern<br />
ambulance and 3-bedroom bungalow to Udu LGA by Premium Steel and Mines<br />
Limited, in Warri, Delta State.<br />
institution. We want to assure<br />
you that our goal is to build on<br />
the legacy you left.<br />
"The next day, we went to the<br />
secretariat complex to see the<br />
state of infrastructure and the<br />
condition under which civil<br />
servants work. Since you left<br />
about 40 years ago, successive<br />
administrations have not been<br />
able to add one block on it. I want<br />
to assure you that we will, as a<br />
matter of priority, build on that<br />
solid foundation which you<br />
laid.”<br />
He further commended the<br />
administration of Comrade<br />
Adams Oshiomhole, disclosing<br />
that his administration was going<br />
to focus on those areas which<br />
didn’t get enough attention in<br />
the last administration.<br />
Responding, the elder<br />
statesman expressed joy for the<br />
visit, admonishing the governor<br />
to work with people who could<br />
always draw his attention to<br />
issues that could have negative<br />
consequences on the state<br />
rather than working with people<br />
who accepted everything he<br />
said, no matter the implication.<br />
Dr Ogbemudia drew the<br />
attention of the governor to the<br />
road that connects Sobe to other<br />
parts of Owan West Local<br />
Council, the rice farm at<br />
Agenebode, Etsako East Local<br />
Government Area and the gold<br />
deposits at Owan East and<br />
Owan West Local Government<br />
Areas of the state.<br />
C-River, China firm sign contract to make<br />
Calabar Nigeria’s first smart city<br />
CROSS River State<br />
Government and<br />
Huawei Technology of China,<br />
yesterday, signed a contract to<br />
make Calabar Nigeria’s first<br />
smart city.<br />
Governor Ayade, who was<br />
excited at the development, said<br />
the execution of the contract<br />
would herald the full<br />
digitalization of Calabar and the<br />
entire state.<br />
The governor, while<br />
commending the Chinese firm<br />
for being favourably disposed to<br />
doing business with the state,<br />
expressed gratitude to the<br />
company for offering to sponsor<br />
some aspects of the 2016<br />
Carnival Calabar.<br />
Ayade disclosed that the smart<br />
city project would ensure<br />
availability of cheap wifi services<br />
everywhere in Calabar.<br />
“This will be the first time that<br />
data would be provided from the<br />
cloud. With this digital cloud, it<br />
will offer opportunity to get<br />
information with ease and<br />
comfort, including boosting<br />
research and academic works.<br />
The project which is in<br />
partnership with Huawei of<br />
China, the equipment<br />
manufacturer, with Sino<br />
Infrastructure Development<br />
company Limited as the<br />
technical partner in Nigeria for<br />
the project.<br />
“This partnership will provide<br />
cheap access to connectivity.<br />
Cross Riverians will know that<br />
Huawei is bringing the best<br />
technology to us. They are a<br />
known name in the world and<br />
a pace setter in the industry.<br />
Cross River deserves only the<br />
best which they have to offer.<br />
The whole state is going digital<br />
as the Cross River super<br />
highway will have superconnectivity<br />
where all the best<br />
internet and technology<br />
services will be offered to users<br />
of the super highway," he said.<br />
Sapele LG<br />
names<br />
streets after<br />
Apolo, Esiso<br />
S APELE—SAPELE<br />
Local Government<br />
Council, Delta State, has<br />
renamed some major<br />
streets in Sapele,<br />
headquarters of the local<br />
government area, after<br />
some prominent sons and<br />
residents of the area for<br />
their contributions to<br />
development of the local<br />
government area.<br />
Chairman of the council,<br />
Chief Ejaife Odebala, in a<br />
statement, said Shell Road<br />
had been renamed Chief<br />
Kingsley Esiso Road,<br />
former Palm Avenue Road<br />
is to be known as Apolo<br />
Avenue.<br />
He also said Ugbeyiyi<br />
Road had been renamed<br />
Chief Charles Obule Road,<br />
adding that MTN Road<br />
had been renamed Chief<br />
Joseph Odebala Road. A<br />
road was also named after<br />
former Managing Director,<br />
Delta State Oil Producing<br />
Areas Development<br />
C o m m i s s i o n ,<br />
DESOPADEC, Mr.<br />
Kpogho<br />
The council boss said<br />
efforts were on by the local<br />
government to identify<br />
more persons that had<br />
contributed immeasurably<br />
to development of the local<br />
government and Urhobo<br />
nation in general resident<br />
in the town.<br />
Okpella<br />
demands new<br />
LG out of<br />
Etsako East<br />
By Tare Youdeowei<br />
THE People of<br />
Okpella in Etsako<br />
East Local Government<br />
Area, Edo State, are<br />
demanding the creation of<br />
a new LGA from the council<br />
with headquarters in<br />
Okpella.<br />
Speaking through<br />
Okpella Progressive<br />
Union, OPU, Northern<br />
Congress, they contended<br />
that creation of the local<br />
government was long overdue<br />
considering that<br />
“Okpella is the second most<br />
populous town in Edo<br />
North senatorial district, as<br />
well as to put an end to<br />
difficulties Okpella people<br />
face in accessing services<br />
in headquarters of the<br />
present Etsako East LGA.”<br />
President of OPU,<br />
Northern Congress, Mr.<br />
Abednego Imiagbedion,<br />
said: “A local government<br />
for Okpella will accelerate<br />
development in the locality."
34 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016<br />
:Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058<br />
Army, Amnesty International, trade words over<br />
alleged killing of 150 pro-Biafra activists<br />
By Chioma Gabriel &<br />
Emma Nnadozie,<br />
AMNESTY International,<br />
yesterday, came out with<br />
a report stating that the<br />
Nigerian security forces led by<br />
the military, embarked on a<br />
chilling campaign of<br />
extrajudicial executions and<br />
violence resulting in the deaths<br />
of at least 150 peaceful pro-<br />
Biafra protesters in the South<br />
Eastern part of the country.<br />
Attributing their findings to an<br />
indepth investigation it carried<br />
out, the international body stated<br />
that analysis of 87 videos, 122<br />
photographs and 146 eyewitness<br />
testimonies relating to<br />
demonstrations and other<br />
gatherings between August 2015<br />
and August 2016, consistently<br />
showed that the military fired live<br />
ammunition with little or no<br />
warning to disperse crowds. It<br />
also finds evidence of mass<br />
extrajudicial executions by<br />
security forces, including at least<br />
60 people shot dead in the space<br />
of two days in connection with<br />
events to mark Biafra<br />
Remembrance Day.<br />
“This deadly repression of pro-<br />
Biafra activists is further stoking<br />
tensions in the South East of<br />
Nigeria. This reckless and triggerhappy<br />
approach to crowd control<br />
has caused at least 150 deaths and<br />
we fear the actual total might be<br />
far higher. The Nigerian<br />
government’s decision to send in<br />
the military to respond to pro-<br />
Biafra events seems to be in large<br />
part to blame for this excessive<br />
bloodshed. The authorities must<br />
immediately launch an<br />
impartial investigation and<br />
bring the perpetrators to book,”<br />
said Makmid Kamara, Interim<br />
Director of Amnesty<br />
International Nigeria.<br />
Extrajudicial executions<br />
Amnesty International further<br />
stated in their report that: “By<br />
far, the largest number of pro-<br />
Biafra activists were killed on<br />
Biafra Remembrance Day on 30<br />
May 2016 when an estimated<br />
1,000 IPOB members and<br />
supporters gathered for a rally<br />
in Onitsha, Anambra State. The<br />
night before the rally, the<br />
security forces raided homes<br />
and a church where IPOB<br />
members were sleeping. On<br />
Remembrance Day itself, the<br />
security forces shot people in<br />
several locations. Amnesty<br />
International has not been able<br />
to verify the exact number of<br />
extrajudicial executions, but<br />
estimates that at least 60 people<br />
were killed and 70 injured in<br />
these two days. The real<br />
number is likely to be higher.”<br />
Stating that they have<br />
reviewed videos of a peaceful<br />
This deadly repression of<br />
pro-Biafra activists is further<br />
stoking tensions in the South<br />
East of Nigeria. This reckless<br />
and trigger-happy approach to<br />
crowd control has caused at<br />
least 150 deaths and we fear the<br />
actual total might be far higher<br />
gathering of IPOB members<br />
and supporters at Aba National<br />
High School on 9 February<br />
2016, the body also said that the<br />
Nigerian military surrounded<br />
the group and then fired live<br />
ammunition at them without any<br />
prior warning. Eyewitnesses<br />
and local human rights activists<br />
said that many of the protesters<br />
at Aba were rounded up and<br />
taken away by the military. On<br />
13 February, 13 corpses,<br />
including those of men known<br />
to have been taken by the<br />
military were discovered in a pit<br />
near the Aba highway. It is<br />
chilling to see how these<br />
soldiers gunned down peaceful<br />
IPOB members. The video<br />
evidence shows that this was a<br />
military operation with intent to<br />
kill and injure,” Makmid<br />
Kamara alleged.<br />
No action by authorities<br />
to ensure accountability<br />
The organisation regretted<br />
that despite overwhelming<br />
evidence that the Nigerian<br />
security forces committed gross<br />
human rights violations<br />
including extrajudicial<br />
executions and torture, no<br />
investigations have been<br />
carried out by the authorities.<br />
“Amnesty International has<br />
repeatedly called on the<br />
government of Nigeria to<br />
initiate independent<br />
investigations into evidence of<br />
crimes under international law,<br />
and President Buhari has<br />
repeatedly promised that<br />
Amnesty International’s reports<br />
would be looked into. However,<br />
no concrete steps have been<br />
taken,” said Makmid Kamara.<br />
Army debunks Amnesty<br />
Report<br />
But the Nigerian Army<br />
yesterday debunked the<br />
allegation made by Amnesty<br />
International, describing the<br />
claims of mass killing of<br />
MASSOB/IPOB protesters by the<br />
military between August 2015 and<br />
August 2016 as unfounded.<br />
A statement signed by Colonel<br />
PEOPLE SPEAK<br />
On ASUU Strike<br />
Sani Kukasheka Usman, Acting<br />
Director, Army Public Relations,<br />
a copy of which was emailed to<br />
Vanguard said the insinuation<br />
that troops perpetrated the<br />
killing of defenceless agitators<br />
is untrue.<br />
The statement read:<br />
“This is an outright attempt to<br />
tarnish the reputation of the<br />
security forces in general and<br />
the Nigerian Army in particular,<br />
for whatever inexplicable<br />
parochial reasons. For<br />
umpteenth times, the Nigerian<br />
Army has informed the public<br />
about the heinous intent of this<br />
Non-Governmental<br />
Organisation which is never<br />
relenting in dabbling into our<br />
national security in manners<br />
that obliterate objectivity,<br />
fairness and simple logic.<br />
“The evidence of MASSOB/<br />
IPOB violent secessionist<br />
agitations is widely known<br />
across the national and<br />
international domains. Their<br />
modus operandi has continued<br />
to relish violence that threatens<br />
national security. Indeed,<br />
between August 2015 and<br />
August 2016, the groups’<br />
violent protests have<br />
manifested unimaginable<br />
atrocities to unhinge the reign<br />
of peace, security and stability<br />
in several parts of the South<br />
East Nigeria.<br />
“A number of persons from the<br />
settler communities that hailed<br />
from other parts of the country<br />
were selected for attack, killed<br />
and burnt. Such reign of hate,<br />
terror and ethno-religious<br />
controversies that portend grave<br />
consequences for national<br />
security have been averted<br />
severally through the<br />
responsiveness of the Nigerian<br />
Army and members of the<br />
security agencies.<br />
“These security agencies are<br />
always targeted for attack by the<br />
MASSOB/IPOB instruments of<br />
barbarism and cruelty. For<br />
instance, in the protests of 30 –<br />
31 May 2016, more than 5<br />
personnel of the Nigeria Police<br />
were killed, while several soldiers<br />
were wounded, Nigeria Police<br />
vehicles were burnt down same<br />
as several others of the Nigerian<br />
Army that were vandalized.”<br />
Niger-Bridge under<br />
threat<br />
The release from the military<br />
also claimed the strategic Niger<br />
Bridge at Onitsha came under<br />
threat which led to disruption<br />
of socio-economic activities.<br />
“In the aftermath of the<br />
encounter that ensued between<br />
security agencies and<br />
MASSOB/IPOB militants,<br />
many of our troops sustained<br />
varying degrees of injury. In<br />
addition, the MASSOB/IPOB<br />
recurrent use of firearms, crude<br />
weapons as well as other<br />
cocktails such as acid and<br />
dynamites to cause mayhem<br />
remain a huge security threat<br />
across the Region.<br />
“In these circumstances, the<br />
Nigerian Army under its<br />
constitutional mandates for<br />
Military Aid to Civil Authority<br />
(MACA) and Military Aid to<br />
Civil Powers (MACP) has<br />
continued to act responsively in<br />
synergy with other security<br />
agencies to de-escalate the<br />
series of MASSOB/IPOB<br />
violent protests.<br />
“Instructively, the military and<br />
other security agencies<br />
exercised maximum restraints<br />
despite the flurry of provocative<br />
and unjustifiable violence,<br />
which MASSOB/IPOB<br />
perpetrated. The adherence<br />
to Rules of Engagement by the<br />
military has been sacrosanct in<br />
all of these incidents.<br />
“Therefore, it is rather<br />
unfortunate for the Amnesty<br />
International to allow itself to be<br />
lured into this cheap and<br />
unpopular venture that aims to<br />
discredit the undeniable<br />
professionalism as well as<br />
responsiveness of the Nigerian<br />
Army in the discharge of its<br />
constitutional roles.”<br />
By Bartholomew Madukwe<br />
(08051019450)<br />
nwamad@yahoo.com<br />
C<br />
M<br />
YK<br />
ASUU has been unable<br />
to come out with any<br />
solutions to resolve most<br />
of their issues, except signing<br />
MOU with the FGN and<br />
demanding for improved<br />
allowances and condition<br />
of service which will never<br />
be implemented. Mr<br />
Samuel Maduka, Self<br />
Employed<br />
We need to put in place<br />
new management<br />
structures for parents and<br />
lecturers to deliberate on<br />
issues relating to school<br />
management and appropriate<br />
tuition to remove<br />
the nuisance value of students<br />
going on rampage<br />
over fees increase. Miss<br />
Chika Dike, Graduate<br />
It is pathetic that ASUU<br />
has to resort to an industrial<br />
action to drive home<br />
its demands, even when<br />
some of such demands<br />
borders on funding of our<br />
Universities for revitalization,<br />
outside better conditions<br />
for University lecturers.<br />
Comrade Jackson<br />
Timiyan, Student<br />
The Academic Staff<br />
Union of Universities,<br />
ASUU, should insist on full<br />
implementation of all<br />
agreements. I wonder why<br />
the issue of the agreed<br />
pension arrears of the retired<br />
academic staff was<br />
not brought up. Miss<br />
Benedicta Osondu-<br />
Fred, Teacher<br />
It is not an issue of ASUU<br />
being selfish but government<br />
and citizens being<br />
insensitive. Are the students<br />
not going to become<br />
lecturers in future? For<br />
how long are we going to<br />
continue to produce ill<br />
baked graduates? Mr Sola<br />
Akinwande, Entrepreneur<br />
The disruption in our ed<br />
ucational is one too<br />
many and must be stopped<br />
by all means. Some Universities<br />
are just writing their<br />
first semester exams, while<br />
million of students who<br />
wrote and passed NECO<br />
and WASSCE have been at<br />
home since June. Mrs Florence<br />
Jaiyeola, Teacher<br />
.
Y<br />
K<br />
Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016—35<br />
:Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058<br />
Campaign for<br />
mother tongues,<br />
Wa Thiong’O<br />
tells Africans<br />
By Prisca<br />
Sam-Duru<br />
KENYAN literary icon,<br />
Professor Ngugi Wa<br />
Thiong’O, has advised<br />
Africans to resist every<br />
effort by their<br />
governments to<br />
criminalise Africa native<br />
languages.<br />
According to him,<br />
preventing people from<br />
speaking or writing in<br />
their mother tongues is<br />
the easiest way for them<br />
to lose their identities.<br />
Professor Wa Thiong’O<br />
gave the advice while<br />
sharing his prison<br />
experience at the 2016<br />
Ake Arts and Books<br />
Festival at the June 12<br />
Cultural Centre, Kuto,<br />
Abeokuta, Ogun State.<br />
Speaking on the topic,<br />
Prison Stories and<br />
Literature of Resistance,<br />
the famous writer, who<br />
disclosed that he<br />
discovered his ability to<br />
write in his mother<br />
tongue, Gikuyu, during<br />
his incarceration by the<br />
then Kenyan President,<br />
Jomo Kenyetta,<br />
condemned the idea of<br />
preventing children from<br />
using native languages<br />
in school.<br />
He said: “The time has<br />
come for Africans to<br />
campaign against<br />
criminalisation of our<br />
native languages. This<br />
was a strategy used by the<br />
colonial masters to control<br />
their subjects.<br />
“They started by<br />
imposing their names and<br />
languages on their<br />
subjects to destroy their<br />
naming system, disconnect<br />
them from their<br />
names and languages:<br />
this is a practical means<br />
of mental subjugation.”<br />
Akeredolu camp faults Oke groups'<br />
‘retrogressive politics’<br />
THE Rotimi Akeredolu<br />
Media Team has described<br />
as “faceless” some<br />
organisations, tagged Coalition<br />
of Odua Self-determination<br />
Groups working for the<br />
emergence of Olusola Oke of<br />
the Alliance for Democracy, AD,<br />
as governor of Ondo State.<br />
According to the team, the<br />
groups only exist in the minds<br />
of their sponsors for the<br />
promotion of ethnic politics and<br />
that their brand of politics<br />
represented a retrogressive step<br />
for the Yoruba people, who need<br />
to play their pre-eminent roles<br />
in the political engineering of<br />
the country for national<br />
development.<br />
VISIT: From left— Executive Director/CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC,<br />
Olusegun Awolowo; Technical Advisor to Awolowo, Maureen Ideozu; German Ambassador<br />
to Nigeria, Dr. Bernhard Schlagheck, and Director, Policy & Strategy, Mr. Sidi-Aliyu, during<br />
the ambassador's visit to NEPC in Abuja.<br />
Education gets lion share, as Ganduje<br />
presents N209.8bn budgets<br />
By AbdulSalam<br />
Muhammad<br />
K ANO—GOVERNOR<br />
Abdullahi Ganduje of<br />
Kano State, yesterday,<br />
presented a N209.8 billion<br />
proposed appropriation bill<br />
for 2017 fiscal year to the state<br />
House of Assembly.<br />
The proposed budget,<br />
tagged Sustainable Self-<br />
Reliance Budget, has N130.4<br />
billion as capital expenditure<br />
and N79.3 billion as recurrent<br />
expenditure.<br />
Ganduje revealed that the<br />
recurrent revenue projection<br />
stands at N143.7 billion, with<br />
N46.10 billion as internally<br />
generated revenue, IGR, and<br />
N96.9 billion expected from<br />
federal allocation.<br />
Ganduje disclosed that<br />
“recurrent expenditure is<br />
higher than the 2016 fiscal<br />
year with N774.3 million,<br />
which stands at 0.079 per<br />
cent, while IGR is lower than<br />
that of the 2016 fiscal year with<br />
8.4 per cent.”<br />
The governor explained that<br />
the drop in the IGR was not<br />
unrelated to the current<br />
The coalition, made up of<br />
Oodua Peoples Congress,<br />
OPC, Oodua Development<br />
Alternative, ODA, Coalition<br />
of Oodua Nationalists,<br />
CONA, Agbekoya and 10<br />
others, had accused the APC<br />
candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu,<br />
of being an agent of “certain<br />
interests” opposed to the<br />
aspirations of Ondo people.<br />
Reacting to the accusation in<br />
a statement, Akeredolu’s team<br />
said the groups must be<br />
impersonating the authentic<br />
pro-Yoruba organisations that<br />
had been consistent in their<br />
defence of the Yoruba cause.<br />
According to the media<br />
team, the groups that boasted<br />
economic hardship being faced<br />
in the country, while the<br />
capital expenditure is less<br />
than that of last year by N59.8<br />
billion.<br />
He added that N26.2 billion<br />
is expected from internal loans<br />
and N32.5 billion from grants,<br />
amongst others.<br />
Education was one of the<br />
sectors that take the lead in the<br />
budget document, with N17.5<br />
billion set aside for the sector.<br />
Ganduje said: “We want to<br />
remain steadfast and<br />
committed towards improving<br />
the quality of our education.<br />
That is why we are giving high<br />
priority to the sector.”<br />
He noted that N500 million<br />
would be used for the<br />
By Peter Duru<br />
MAKURDI—NO fewer<br />
than 376 contractors are<br />
to be dragged to anti-graft<br />
agencies by Benue State<br />
Universal Basic Education<br />
Board, SUBEB, for allegedly<br />
that the battle to ensure victory<br />
for Oke will be waged with<br />
“vigour, determination and<br />
unrelenting spirit” are the<br />
same groups that tried to<br />
sabotage the South-West’s<br />
efforts to climb to national<br />
political limelight during the<br />
former President, Dr. Goodluck<br />
Jonathan’s administration.<br />
It said: “These same people<br />
led in the destruction of<br />
President Muhammadu<br />
Buhari and Asiwaju Bola<br />
Tinubu's posters across Lagos<br />
State for Dr. Goodluck<br />
Jonathan to win the 2015<br />
presidential poll; these same<br />
groups that are now claiming<br />
to fight for the Yoruba people.”<br />
reconstruction and<br />
rehabilitation of classrooms,<br />
N640 million for the<br />
construction of staff<br />
residences, toilets and others.<br />
According to him, N8 billion<br />
is set for capital projects in the<br />
education sector, stressing<br />
that “N1 billion will be for the<br />
completion of abandoned<br />
technical colleges in the state,<br />
while N2.4 billion will go for<br />
the completion of some<br />
projects in the North-West<br />
University, Kano.”<br />
Health sector gets N10.7<br />
billion; N800 million for<br />
Hisbah Academy and<br />
Manpower Development<br />
Centre; water sector, N13.6<br />
billion, among others.<br />
376 SUBEB contractors abscond<br />
with mobilisation fees in Benue<br />
failing to move to sites after<br />
collecting mobilisation fees<br />
for the rehabilitation of<br />
schools in the state.<br />
The affected contractors<br />
were among the 710, who,<br />
about four months ago, won<br />
the SUBEB contract bids for<br />
the rehabilitation of schools<br />
across the 23 local<br />
government areas of the<br />
state.<br />
Executive Chairman of the<br />
Board, Dr. Philip Tachin,<br />
who made this known<br />
yesterday in Makurdi,<br />
expressed disappointment<br />
that the affected contractors<br />
had failed to abide by the<br />
contractual agreement they<br />
entered into with the board.<br />
Dr. Tachin said it was an<br />
anomaly for any contractor to<br />
abandon government<br />
projects after collecting<br />
mobilisation fees.<br />
The board Chairman added<br />
that he would be compelled<br />
to take the matter to antigraft<br />
agencies, given the<br />
anti-corruption stance of<br />
Governor Samuel Ortom’s<br />
administration.<br />
Almakura calls<br />
for state of<br />
emergency in<br />
water sector<br />
By David Odama<br />
L AFIA—GOVERNOR<br />
Tanko Al-Makura of<br />
Nasarawa State has accused<br />
successive administrations<br />
in the country of<br />
abandoning projects that<br />
would have impacted<br />
positively on the lives of<br />
Nigerians.<br />
The governor, who spoke<br />
at the flag off of graduate<br />
farmers’ scheme irrigation<br />
project by the Minister of<br />
Water Resources, Engr.<br />
Suleiman Adamu, in Doma<br />
Local Government Area of<br />
the state, recalled that the<br />
construction of the Doma<br />
dam started during the<br />
administration of former<br />
President, Alhaji Shehu<br />
Shagari, to enhance<br />
irrigation farming.<br />
He called on the Federal<br />
Government to expand Uke<br />
River in Karu Local<br />
Government Area of the<br />
state, where majority of civil<br />
servants in Abuja reside, to<br />
address the problem of<br />
water scarcity.<br />
The governor, who<br />
commended the Federal<br />
Government for giving<br />
approval for 330KVA<br />
electricity sub-station to the<br />
state, gave an assurance<br />
that the project, when<br />
completed, would address<br />
the problem of electricity.<br />
Don't go the<br />
PDP way, party<br />
chieftain<br />
cautions APC<br />
By David Odama<br />
LAFIA—A chieftain of<br />
All Progressives<br />
Congress, APC, Bala Bawa<br />
Kaoje, has advised the<br />
party not to derail in its<br />
policy direction, saying it<br />
was already going the<br />
Peoples Democratic Party,<br />
PDP, way.<br />
Speaking to reporters,<br />
Kaoje, who was former<br />
Sports Minister, stressed<br />
that a lot was required to put<br />
APC in its perspective as it<br />
had not assumed its<br />
leadership role in the<br />
administration of the<br />
country.<br />
He said his party had<br />
imbibed the culture of<br />
inconsistency in its policies<br />
and programmes, adding<br />
that similar tendencies led<br />
to the collapse of PDP.<br />
He said: “The worrisome<br />
situation is that our party<br />
has not seen itself as a party<br />
in government, rather it is<br />
allowing wrangling to<br />
dictate its policy direction.”<br />
C
36 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016<br />
UNION BANK: From left— Transformation Director, Union Bank, Mr.<br />
Joe Mbulu; General Manager, Finance and Accounts, The Sun Publishing Limited,<br />
Mr. Obioma Ogukwe; Head, Retail Banking, Union Bank, Mr. Carlos Wanderley,<br />
and Medical Director/CEO, Amuwo Medical Centre, Dr. Lawrence Akinsanya,<br />
at the unveiling of the bank's Old Ojo Road, Amuwo-Odofin, branch.<br />
THEATRE: From left— Olori Peju Sonuga; Oba Gbenga Sonuga,<br />
Fadesewa of Simawa Ogbodo I, Simawa, Ogun State; Oloye Funmi Odusolu,<br />
and Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, at the<br />
presentation of Wole Soyinka's Death and the King's Horseman by the National<br />
Troupe of Nigeria at the National Theatre, Lagos. PHOTO: Shola Oyelese.<br />
NCC/GIC: From left— An official of Government of Singapore<br />
Investment Corporation, GIC, Europe, Mr. David Kobson; Director, Policy<br />
Competition and Economic Analysis, Nigerian Communications Commission,<br />
NCC, Ms. Josephine Amuwa; President, GIC, Mr. Ang Eng Seng, and Director,<br />
Consumer Affairs Bureau, NCC, Alhaji Abdullahi Maikano, when a delegation<br />
of GIC visited NCC in Abuja.<br />
GRADUATION: From left: Former VC, University of Ibadan, Emeritus Prof.<br />
Ayo Banjo; Ph.D. graduand, Monday Philips Ekpe, and former VC, University<br />
of Benin, Prof. Grace Alele Williams, at the 68th convocation of UI in Ibadan.<br />
CONSULTANT: From left— Head, Mining Africa, Mr. Trevor<br />
Samson; Country Manager, Nigeria, Mr. Temitope Awojole; Head,<br />
Commercial Construction, Africa, Mr. Pieter Van Den Berg; and Regional<br />
Sales Manager, West Africa, Mr. Charles Iyo, all of Eaton, at the consultant<br />
engagement session by Eaton in Lagos. PHOTO: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.<br />
AGM: From left— Fellow, Mr. Emmanuel Ogbon; newly-elected President,<br />
Mr. Tony Agenonmen; outgoing President, Aare Ganiyu Koledoye, all of National<br />
Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, NIMN, and Koledoye's wife, Chika, during<br />
the 7th Annual General Meeting, AGM, of the institute in Ibadan, Oyo State.<br />
THANKSGIVING: From left— Vicar, Canon Taiwo Olupitan; Ven.<br />
(Dr) Kelvin Tope-Tapere; and Rev. Tunde Adejuyigbe, all of St. Jude's Anglican<br />
Church, Omole Phase 1, Ikeja, Lagos, during the church's thanksgiving.<br />
PHOTO: Diran Oshe.<br />
LASPARK: From left— Mr. Shakiru Shobaloju; Mr. Yusuff Tajudeen;<br />
General Manager, Mrs Abimbola Jijoho-Ogun, all of Lagos State Parks and<br />
Gardens Agency, LASPARK; and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of<br />
Environment, Engr. Adeyemi Abidemi, at the graduation of newly-trained<br />
Green Hands, by Lagos State government. PHOTO: Kehinde Gbadamosi.
VANGUARD, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016 — 37<br />
By Dayo Adesulu<br />
Industrial action in the<br />
academia has never been<br />
favourable to undergraduates,<br />
admission seekers and even<br />
the people who survive<br />
through the economy on<br />
campus.<br />
Infact, whenever there is a<br />
disagreement between ASUU<br />
and the Federal Government,<br />
the students are always at the<br />
receiving end.<br />
The prolonged strikes in most<br />
cases often snowball into the<br />
undergraduates spending extra<br />
semesters or additional<br />
years on campus, depending<br />
on the duration of the industrial<br />
actions.<br />
Admission seekers<br />
This is even as the admission<br />
seekers would have to<br />
wait until final students on<br />
campus graduate before gaining<br />
admission, as there would<br />
be apparently no space for<br />
them. It means that if the undergraduates<br />
spend additional<br />
two years, those seeking<br />
University education will<br />
have to wait for the same two<br />
years to gain admission.<br />
Moreover, those who bear<br />
the consequences of ASUU<br />
strikes are not limited to undergraduates<br />
and admission<br />
seekers, but the people who<br />
earn their living by doing<br />
business on campus would<br />
also be affected, as the students<br />
who would have patronized<br />
them will be at home.<br />
This category of people include<br />
shuttle drivers, food<br />
sellers, business centre operators,<br />
banks, photographers<br />
and a host of others.<br />
What about the effects of prolonged<br />
strikes on the reading<br />
culture of students, as many<br />
students study better when<br />
they are in academic environment?<br />
The thought of examination<br />
triggers many students<br />
to read, as some students will<br />
not read if exams are not approaching.<br />
Age limitation of job<br />
seekers<br />
Also, the chances of some<br />
overage students getting jobs<br />
after graduation may be slim,<br />
as additional one or two years<br />
to their age could be an obstacle<br />
to their chances of paid jobs<br />
after graduation. Come to<br />
think of this, somebody who<br />
would have graduated at<br />
twenty-seven, but now graduating<br />
at twenty-nine, with one<br />
year compulsory NYSC, may<br />
not find funny.<br />
Apparently, looking at the issue,<br />
even the labour market<br />
will be missing some good<br />
hands who, due to prolonged<br />
strikes have exceeded the required<br />
working years for a be-<br />
ginner.<br />
Reacting to the effects of a<br />
prolonged strike on students,<br />
Miss Irene Aleogho, a 200<br />
level Mass Communication<br />
student from University of<br />
Benin, urged ASUU and the<br />
Federal Government to put the<br />
students into consideration in<br />
all their decisions, adding,<br />
‘’We also have our lives to live<br />
as students. A prolonged<br />
strike kills our passions for<br />
study, and extra year or years<br />
to our stay in school will further<br />
compound issues for student<br />
on campus".<br />
FG, ASUU compromise<br />
On her part, Miss Godsbest<br />
Folorunso, studying<br />
Agriculture Economic and<br />
Extension from UNIBEN<br />
lauded ASUU passion to<br />
make the university environment<br />
conducive for learning.<br />
She however, pleaded with<br />
both the Federal Government<br />
and ASUU not to compromise,<br />
adding that when ASUU commences<br />
indefinite strike, they<br />
dont know when it would be<br />
called-off.<br />
At Delta State University,<br />
Abraka, Mr Success Wari, a<br />
final year student of Social<br />
Science Education, did not<br />
observe the one week warning<br />
strike because they have been<br />
suspended by ASUU.<br />
Success,who was elated that<br />
academic activities are<br />
ongoing in the institution,<br />
lamented the effects of a prolonged<br />
strike to undergraduates<br />
and admission seekers.<br />
He said: ‘’As a final year student,<br />
I am not happy about the<br />
strike. Supposing our institution<br />
is participating in the<br />
It is a fact that<br />
cannot be<br />
controverted that<br />
the little and<br />
relative stability<br />
enjoyed by the<br />
university and<br />
students are at the<br />
instance of ASUU.<br />
In effect, students<br />
would not loose<br />
anything, what<br />
might look like a<br />
loss is insignificant<br />
given the expected<br />
gains of the strike<br />
BOOK LAUNCH:From left, Professor Tolu Odugbemi, former Vice-Chancellor of<br />
UNILAG and Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH) and<br />
Professor Rahamon Bello, Vice-Chancellor, UNILAG , duringa book launch and public<br />
presentation of Odugbemi's book on ‘Experience on Starting a New University in a<br />
Development Country Setting, Nigeria - OSUSTECH’ held at UNILAG. Photo by<br />
Queen Ndukwe.<br />
ASUU Indefinite Strike:<br />
What students stand to lose<br />
strike, the second semester<br />
exams we are supposed to<br />
have next year February will<br />
be postponed. ‘’Also, the just<br />
admitted 100 level students,<br />
would have gone back home<br />
because they will not be able<br />
to process and start their lectures<br />
due to the strike.<br />
Hurried academic<br />
sessions<br />
‘’There are things like seminars,<br />
project that we are supposed<br />
to do would be shelved<br />
due to the strike. When students<br />
finally come back from<br />
the strike, lecturers will start<br />
rushing to cover their syllabus<br />
with the students. There was<br />
a strike that happened some<br />
years ago, undergraduates<br />
that were supposed to have<br />
graduated, did not as at the<br />
year they should have graduated.<br />
They spent extra time in<br />
school before they graduated.’’<br />
Eze Chukwudera, final year<br />
student of Mass<br />
Communication, University of<br />
Nigeria, Nsukka said,<br />
Threatened graduation<br />
‘’ASUU strike has affected us<br />
because it has slowed down<br />
the academic activities,<br />
thereby threatening our<br />
graduation in July.’’ He urged<br />
the government to do something<br />
immediately so that the<br />
lecturers can get back to class.<br />
Rose Oyidiya, a second year<br />
Mass Communication student,<br />
University of Nigeria, Nsukka<br />
said:<br />
‘’ You know that when<br />
institutions go on strike, it<br />
affects activities on campus<br />
and students are meant to<br />
suffer it. Even with this<br />
warning strike, it will be<br />
difficult to cover every lecture<br />
that we have missed. We have<br />
first semester examinations in<br />
January. If we do not cover<br />
everything before<br />
examination, how can we<br />
cope? How can we be leaders<br />
of tomorrow if our institutions<br />
keep going on strike?<br />
Also, Egbo Gideon, a final<br />
year student of Biochemistry,<br />
UNN said that the strike has<br />
really made the semester<br />
longer. ‘’We, the finalists will<br />
suffer it. Because UNN has not<br />
joined the strike, lecturers do<br />
come to class.<br />
Blessing in disguise<br />
Meanwhile, the Deputy<br />
Director (Academic), Distance<br />
Learning Centre, University of<br />
Ibadan, Professor Oyesoji<br />
Aremu, in his reaction<br />
maintained that the one-week<br />
ASUU strike would eventually<br />
be a blessing generally to the<br />
education industry especially<br />
the University education. He<br />
said: ‘’It is a fact that cannot<br />
be controverted that the little<br />
and relative stability been enjoyed<br />
by the university and<br />
students were at the instance<br />
of ASUU.<br />
‘’In effect, students would<br />
not loose anything. What<br />
might look like a loss is<br />
insignificant given the<br />
expected gains of the strike.''<br />
2009 agreement<br />
You would recall that last<br />
week Wednesday, ASUU<br />
announced a week warning<br />
strike to protest the failure of<br />
government to implement the<br />
2009 agreement with the<br />
union.<br />
The area of disagreement<br />
waiting for redress between<br />
the union and government<br />
include payment of fraction of<br />
staff entitlement and the<br />
denial of staff entitlement in<br />
respect of earned academic<br />
allowance amounting to about<br />
N128 billion, funding of<br />
universities for revitalization<br />
and the refusal to register the<br />
Nigerian Universities Pension<br />
Management Company by the<br />
National Compensation<br />
Commission.<br />
Others include the<br />
introduction of the Treasury<br />
Single Account (TSA) which<br />
according to the Union affects<br />
the university autonomy,<br />
decrease in budgetary<br />
allocation to education and the<br />
refusal by government to<br />
renegotiate the 2009<br />
agreement which was due for<br />
renegotiation since 2012.
38 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016<br />
UNILAG to mentor Anchor,<br />
Saint Augustine, Christopher<br />
Varsities, 2 others<br />
Cross section of Corona Secondary School , Agbara Choir during its 2016 Speech and Prize<br />
Giving Day held at the school premises, Agbara, Ogun State.<br />
Nigerian students need new<br />
knowledge to excel - Educationist<br />
By Kelechukwu Iruoma<br />
An educational consultant<br />
and Chief Executive<br />
Officer of Life Imprint, Mr.<br />
Kelechi Anyalechi has said that<br />
Nigerian students need new<br />
information and knowledge in<br />
order to excel in today’s<br />
dynamic world.<br />
Anyalechi said this while<br />
delivering a speech tagged<br />
‘Consolidating Excellence’ at<br />
Corona Secondary School,<br />
Agbara, to reward outstanding<br />
teachers and students whose<br />
rigorous efforts helped to ensure<br />
successes recorded in the past.<br />
He said, “Students must be<br />
ready to excel in all that they<br />
do. Right information is needed<br />
for students to channel their<br />
energy appropriately. New<br />
By Queen Ndukwe<br />
Indomie Instant noodles has<br />
once again proven its<br />
credibility as the first batch of<br />
winners in its ongoing Indomie<br />
“You Like No Other” promo<br />
have been duly celebrated and<br />
rewarded with millions of naira<br />
in cash prizes.<br />
information and knowledge<br />
become important to be able to<br />
move to new heights. New<br />
approach is also important to<br />
effectively channel such<br />
available information to<br />
desirable ends.”<br />
Speaking also at the ceremony<br />
in support of Anyalechi’s claim,<br />
the Vice Principal of CSS,<br />
Agbara, Mrs. Adeyoyin<br />
Adesina said that the school is<br />
acquiring the new knowledge<br />
by adopting New England<br />
Association of Schools and<br />
Colleges accreditation process,<br />
adding that the accreditation<br />
validates school and<br />
instructional improvement.<br />
She said, “The process is an<br />
ongoing exercise towards<br />
which we are reviewing and<br />
redefining our policies and<br />
processes. We remain<br />
committed to the overall wellbeing<br />
of each and every child,<br />
hence our resolve to create the<br />
best possible environment in<br />
which they can thrive.”<br />
Mr. Anyalechi further added<br />
that for Nigerian students and<br />
schools to be relevant in the<br />
society, their knowledge must<br />
always be updated regularly,<br />
adding that new knowledge<br />
acquired enabled students excel<br />
at the highest level.<br />
Mrs. Adesina stated that the<br />
ceremony was aimed at<br />
rewarding dedicated teachers<br />
and students whose role in the<br />
total development of the child<br />
remains invaluable,<br />
indispensable and the sacrifice<br />
they made in assuring for a<br />
better tomorrow.<br />
YLNO: Indomie splashes N9.2m cash prize<br />
The promo which commenced<br />
barely a month ago is borne out<br />
of the need to celebrate the<br />
uniqueness in everyone, reward<br />
the numerous consumers of the<br />
brand, and also give back to the<br />
society.<br />
Speaking at the winners<br />
presentation ceremony, the<br />
General Manager, Dufil Prima<br />
Foods Plc, Mr. Girish Sharma<br />
said, “the promo was conceived<br />
to celebrate, recognize and<br />
reward consumers of the brand<br />
in a superlative way, as there are<br />
prizes worth over six hundred<br />
million naira to be won, and so<br />
far about five thousand winners<br />
have emerged since the promo<br />
began barely a month ago.”<br />
By Dayo Adesulu<br />
Vice Chancellor, University<br />
of Lagos, UNILAG,<br />
Professor Rahamon Bello has<br />
stated that the National<br />
Universities Commission, NUC<br />
has mandated the institution to<br />
mentor Anchor University, Saint<br />
Augustine University and<br />
Christopher University.Other<br />
universities that are being<br />
mentor ed by UNILAG as stated<br />
by Bello include Ondo State<br />
University of Science and<br />
Technology (OSUSTECH) and<br />
the Mountain Top University.<br />
Speaking yesterday at a book<br />
launch and public presentation<br />
of ‘Experience on Starting a<br />
New University in a<br />
Development Country<br />
Setting, Nigeria - OSUSTECH’<br />
held at UNILAG Bello said: “As<br />
directed by NUC, UNILAG is<br />
to mentor Saint Augustine<br />
University, Christopher<br />
University and Anchor<br />
University.”<br />
He said, We are willing as<br />
UNILAG to assist OSUSTECH,<br />
just as we are doing the same<br />
to Mountain Top University by<br />
sending our academics to<br />
assist.<br />
According to him, seven Vice<br />
Chancellors from UNILAG are<br />
presently on loan in seven<br />
universities across the nation.<br />
The Vice Chancellor, while<br />
lamenting the global poor rating<br />
of Nigerian Universities, noted<br />
that as UNILAG was doing its<br />
best to improve her global<br />
ranking, it will also assist in<br />
mentoring less privileged<br />
universities.<br />
Pointing out reasons anyone<br />
who wishes to establish a<br />
university must get a copy of the<br />
book authored by Professor Tolu<br />
Olugbemi, he said the book<br />
outlined the challenges faced by<br />
new universities and tried to<br />
proffer solutions to them.<br />
Professor Tolu Odugbemi was<br />
the former Vice Chancellor of<br />
UNILAG and the pioneer Vice<br />
Chancellor of OSUSTECH. He<br />
said: “Running a state or private<br />
universities is not easy, talk less<br />
of running a new one like<br />
Professor Odugbemi.<br />
“ I always run away from the<br />
offers of running a private or<br />
state universities because the<br />
challenges of running it from<br />
scratch is enormous.”<br />
‘USOSA AGM on Saturday will<br />
address state of public education’<br />
UNITY Schools Old<br />
S t u d e n t s<br />
Association(USOSA) has<br />
announced its 31st Plenary/<br />
Annual General Meeting slated<br />
for Saturday, 26 November, 2016<br />
at Kings College, Lagos.<br />
With the theme, “Education,<br />
National Unity & National<br />
Security” It said, the focus will<br />
reflect the challenges that<br />
currently confront our country,<br />
adding, ‘’the sessions will<br />
address the state of our schools<br />
as well as the state of public<br />
education in the insurgencyaffected<br />
parts of north-east<br />
Nigeria.’’<br />
According to USOSA<br />
president, Professor Chidi<br />
Odinkalu, ‘’alumni from 61 Unity<br />
Schools/Federal Unity Colleges<br />
have registered to advance these<br />
goals- seek to mobilise skills,<br />
resources, and goodwill to<br />
channel investments into the<br />
schools, provide mentoring to<br />
younger alumni, grow their<br />
confidence, help young people<br />
into constructive existence and<br />
use our experience to foster<br />
meaningful co-existence among<br />
the diverse peoples of Nigeria.’’<br />
He explained that USOSA is<br />
the network of Old Students<br />
Associations of the 104 Unity<br />
Schools in Nigeria.<br />
Reiterating some of the<br />
objectives, he said: ‘’The Unity<br />
Schools, also known as Federal<br />
Government Colleges (FGCs)<br />
and Federal Government Girls<br />
Colleges (FGGCs), were<br />
established and are maintained<br />
by the Federal Government as a<br />
contribution to foster both skilled<br />
human development and<br />
national co-existence in Nigeria.’’<br />
Going down memory lane, he<br />
disclosed that the oldest of these<br />
schools, Kings College, Lagos,<br />
was established in 1909, followed<br />
by Queens College, Lagos in<br />
1927.<br />
He added: ‘’In 1966, the<br />
Federal Government established<br />
the first three Unity Schools of the<br />
post-colonial era in Okposi (now<br />
Ebonyi State); Sokoto (Sokoto<br />
State) and Warri (Delta State)..<br />
‘’Today, there are 104 Unity<br />
Schools all over Nigeria. These<br />
schools have become Nigeria’s<br />
most successful investment in<br />
human capital.
The Blessing of Natural Resource Endowment and the<br />
Curse of Corrupt Leadership: Critical Perspectives on<br />
Nigeria’s State of Underdevelopment<br />
By Femi Falana<br />
I<br />
am thankful to the<br />
management, staff and<br />
students of the Oduduwa<br />
University for the invitation<br />
extended to me to deliver the 2016<br />
Convocation Lecture. Permit me to<br />
congratulate the new graduates,<br />
their parents and other well<br />
wishers on this historic occasion.<br />
In view of the recession to which<br />
the economy has been subjected,<br />
the new graduates are going to<br />
be confronted with<br />
unemployment upon the<br />
completion of the national youth<br />
service. However, since this<br />
university has placed premium<br />
on vocational education I am<br />
convinced that its alumni and<br />
alumnae are sufficiently equipped<br />
to face the challenges and<br />
vicissitudes of life with courage<br />
and equanimity.<br />
Gross mismanagement<br />
Up till 1980, final year students<br />
in the tertiary institutions<br />
attended job interviews on<br />
campuses and in their places of<br />
engagement during the national<br />
youth service year. Thus, upon<br />
the completion of the service<br />
every graduate would have been<br />
gainfully employed and armed<br />
with conditions of service which<br />
included the provision of car and<br />
housing loans. But due to the<br />
gross mismanagement of the<br />
economy and lack of vision on the<br />
part of the ruling class youth<br />
unemployment has assumed a<br />
dangerous dimension .The<br />
situation is getting worse as<br />
thousands of employees are losing<br />
their jobs due to economic<br />
recession. Having lost the<br />
opportunity to channel the<br />
enormous revenue realised from<br />
the sale of oil the ruling class has<br />
turned the natural resource into a<br />
curse. Apart from wasting about<br />
$500 billion realised from the sale<br />
of crude oil the ruling class has<br />
engaged in borrowing billions of<br />
dollars for development but which<br />
were largely diverted to enrich a<br />
few public officers with the<br />
connivance of the lenders.<br />
Paradox of Plenty<br />
In the framing of the topic of this<br />
lecture, the organisers put natural<br />
resource as the blessing and<br />
corruption as the curse. However,<br />
not a few would disagree with the<br />
characterisation of oil as a blessing,<br />
definitely not the millions of the<br />
victims of environmental<br />
degradation, underdevelopment<br />
and gross injustice in the Niger<br />
Delta. And surely oil cannot be<br />
said to be a blessing to the millions<br />
of illiterate and malnourished<br />
children who are condemned to a<br />
future of poverty because of the<br />
failure of the Nigerian state to plan<br />
for development amidst huge<br />
revenues from the sale of crude<br />
oil.<br />
The debate on resource curse is<br />
certainly an old one. Some<br />
development experts also refer to<br />
Femi Falana<br />
the phenomenon as “paradox of<br />
plenty.” Elsewhere, the debate had<br />
begun before the discovery of oil<br />
in Oloibiri in Bayelsa State in<br />
1956. The literature on it is indeed<br />
a huge one including the<br />
influential studies by the American<br />
economist, Jeffery Sacchs and<br />
others. And talking about how<br />
public officers misuse the oil<br />
money, recently, about a dozen<br />
governors went to the United<br />
States to take some lessons on<br />
governance in some institution.<br />
Just imagine that this is<br />
happening in this information<br />
age. For our purpose in<br />
introducing the topic, we do not<br />
need to fly to America or anywhere<br />
like our governors for ideas. We<br />
simply visit one of the leading<br />
American websites for financial<br />
information and investments<br />
called Investopedia. Investopedia<br />
defines resource curse as follows:<br />
“A paradoxical situation in which<br />
countries with an abundance of<br />
non-renewable resources<br />
experience stagnant growth or<br />
even economic contraction. The<br />
resource curse occurs as a country<br />
begins to focus all of its energies<br />
on a single industry, such as<br />
mining, and neglects other major<br />
sectors.<br />
“As a result, the nation becomes<br />
overly dependent on the price of<br />
commodities and the overall Gross<br />
Domestic Product becomes<br />
extremely volatile. Additionally,<br />
government corruption often<br />
results when proper resource<br />
rights and an income distribution<br />
framework is not established in the<br />
The role of foreign<br />
banks and other<br />
institutions in<br />
facilitating the<br />
looting of the oil<br />
money and<br />
providing safe<br />
havens for the loot<br />
ought to be<br />
factored into a<br />
comprehensive<br />
definition of the<br />
resource curse<br />
society, resulting in unfair<br />
regulation of the industry. The<br />
resource curse is most often<br />
witnessed in emerging markets<br />
following a major natural resource<br />
discovery.”<br />
In a way, that sums up the<br />
position of those who actually see<br />
the natural resource as a curse.<br />
This school of thought does not<br />
share the optimism of the blessing<br />
otherwise embodied in the natural<br />
resource.<br />
Our focus in this lecture is a<br />
critical examination of the role of<br />
the forces that conspired against<br />
our people to turn the exploitation<br />
of natural resource into a curse.<br />
The forces include politicians,<br />
bureaucrats and the oil<br />
multinationals. By the way, it<br />
should be noted that the American<br />
Investopedia doesn’t include the<br />
role of the oil multinationals in<br />
turning the blessing of natural<br />
resource into a curse. If you ask<br />
the Ogoni people of Rivers State<br />
how oil became a curse to their<br />
land, they would tell you the sad<br />
story of their interaction with Shell,<br />
the giant oil multinational. The<br />
role of foreign banks and other<br />
institutions in facilitating the<br />
looting of the oil money and<br />
providing safe havens for the loot<br />
ought to be factored into a<br />
comprehensive definition of the<br />
resource curse. The curse has<br />
internal and external dimensions.<br />
This is by no means an attempt to<br />
shift the blame abroad. Nigerians<br />
in the public and private sectors<br />
have looted oil revenues and in<br />
the process they got willing<br />
helping hands from corrupt<br />
individuals and organisations in<br />
the metropolis.<br />
Crises of underdevelopment<br />
Even though agriculture was the<br />
mainstay of the economy in the first<br />
republic the post independence<br />
development model was<br />
influenced by the former colonial<br />
regime. As industrialization was<br />
deliberately not promoted<br />
Nigeria remained a producer of<br />
raw materials to feed the industries<br />
in Europe and the United States.<br />
Indeed, the crisis of<br />
underdevelopment was<br />
compounded by successive<br />
military regimes which<br />
squandered the oil wealth. Thus,<br />
in spite of the abundant wealth<br />
from crude oil and other raw<br />
materials the military rulers could<br />
not manage the economy in the<br />
national interest. In fact, one of<br />
them actually confessed that the<br />
problem was not how to make<br />
money but how to spend it. No<br />
doubt, lack of planning and over<br />
reliance on pro imperialist<br />
economic prescriptions paved<br />
way for the pauperization of the<br />
people. With large scale looting<br />
of the treasury the ruling class<br />
had to resort to borrowing from<br />
western multilateral institutions.<br />
A convocation lecture<br />
delivered by Femi Falana (SAN)<br />
at the Oduduwa University.<br />
To be continued<br />
Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016 — 39<br />
Quadlife<br />
Summit University VC tasks<br />
FG on TETFUND projects<br />
By Demola Akinyemi<br />
ILORIN-The<br />
Vice<br />
Chancellor of Summit<br />
University,Offa in Kwara<br />
state,Professor Hussein<br />
Oloyede has urged the<br />
federal government to allow<br />
private universities in<br />
Nigeria to also benefit from<br />
TETFUND projects,as a way<br />
to help and encourage them<br />
to survive because of the<br />
strategic roles they are<br />
playing in providing<br />
education to many Nigerians<br />
who would have become<br />
nuisance and security risk to<br />
the country. .<br />
The Vice chancellor posited<br />
that private universities<br />
should be assisted by the<br />
federal government to allow<br />
them enjoy from the tax<br />
payers money,in which they<br />
are also part of,noting that by<br />
not doing so,the federal<br />
government is not being fair<br />
to them.<br />
He however said that all is<br />
set at Summit University,<br />
Offa to commence<br />
operations next month with<br />
500 students,with three<br />
colleges, namely College of<br />
Natural &Applied<br />
Science,College of<br />
Aviation Mgt course berths in<br />
Emirates Aviation University<br />
By Tare Youdeowei<br />
Poised to aid students<br />
who plan to pursue a<br />
career in aviation<br />
management or want transition<br />
from an operational role into a<br />
general management role,<br />
Emirates Aviation University<br />
has announced the introduction<br />
of a new Executive MBA<br />
Programme in Aviation<br />
Management in collaboration<br />
with Coventry University in<br />
the UK.<br />
The specialised programme<br />
which will begin January 2017,<br />
with applications being<br />
accepted now on EAU’s website,<br />
promises to consist of six<br />
Humanities and College of<br />
Management and Social<br />
Studies.<br />
According to him.”we are set<br />
to produce graduates who are<br />
not only knowledgeable,<br />
highly skilled,of excellent<br />
moral characters but<br />
graduates who are<br />
exemplary distinctive in all<br />
ramifications. With our<br />
unique mode of teaching,we<br />
are set to make a difference<br />
by emphasizing the<br />
entrepreneurial skill inherent<br />
in all the disciplines,so as<br />
to make our graduates<br />
employers of labour and not<br />
job seekers”<br />
As a foremost faith-based<br />
institution, the vice<br />
chancellor added,”this<br />
university is set out to<br />
inculcate moral values into<br />
all spheres of our<br />
lives,including the discharge<br />
of our mandates in teaching,<br />
research and service to the<br />
community.”,stressing<br />
that,”we are by so doing,<br />
entrenching the fear of Allah<br />
in the acquisition of<br />
knowledge and service to<br />
humanity so that our<br />
graduates shall not only be<br />
successful on this earth but<br />
also hereafter”.<br />
Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule (middle),<br />
Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mr<br />
Adeshina Odeyemi (right) while receiving Award of excellence<br />
in education from the President, ANCOPSS, Lagos State<br />
Branch, Mrs. Omotunde Lawson .during the 30th Annual State<br />
Congress of the body in Lagos.<br />
modules set over the course<br />
of 12 months. Teaching will be<br />
delivered in an intensive four<br />
day block, followed by<br />
individual study and<br />
submission of coursework.<br />
Some of the programmes<br />
offered by EAU include<br />
postgraduate and<br />
undergraduate programmes<br />
in aviation management,<br />
logistics and supply chain<br />
management, aeronautical<br />
engineering, aerospace<br />
technology, pilot training and<br />
a wide range of aviation<br />
related programmes.
Y<br />
40—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016<br />
Ayelowo's pastel recreates rich<br />
African tradition<br />
By Japhet Alakam<br />
The relegation of the<br />
study of History as<br />
a subject to the<br />
background portends<br />
great danger for the<br />
country especially, the<br />
younger ones. How will<br />
they get to know their<br />
past in order to plan for<br />
the future? According to<br />
curator Ziggi<br />
Golding,”Documenting<br />
and archiving culture is<br />
the key to<br />
understanding origins<br />
and thus developing a<br />
sense of identity”. In<br />
line with that, a lawyer<br />
and artist, Tayo Ayelowo<br />
is set to contribute her<br />
quota to the knowledge<br />
of the past with her first<br />
solo exhibition tagged<br />
Standing Before Kings,<br />
a pastel portrait<br />
paintings of prominent<br />
Traditional Rulers in<br />
Nigeria.<br />
In the exhibition<br />
which is scheduled to<br />
open on 26th November<br />
and run to 12th<br />
December 2016 at<br />
Mercedes Center, 3rd<br />
Roundabout, Lekki<br />
Lagos, the self trained<br />
artist who is always<br />
fascinated by the regalia<br />
of kings all over the<br />
world uses faces of<br />
powerful Nigerian<br />
monarchs to reflect the<br />
The artist uses<br />
faces of powerful<br />
Nigerian<br />
monarchs to<br />
reflect the dignity<br />
that comes with<br />
the office of a<br />
king<br />
dignity that comes with<br />
the office of a king, the<br />
attires, beads, crowns<br />
etc.<br />
The exhibition which<br />
is courtesy of a series of<br />
research that took the<br />
artist to many places<br />
will afford<br />
Nigerians<br />
especially school<br />
children the<br />
opportunity to<br />
know most of the<br />
traditional rulers<br />
and their impact<br />
in the society.<br />
Featuring about<br />
22 large pastel<br />
and very impressive<br />
portrait paintings that<br />
capture easily the<br />
likeness of the royal<br />
personages. She<br />
strongly presents, as<br />
they emerge from dark<br />
vacuums, their skilfully<br />
moulded facial features<br />
matched only by their<br />
rich apparel all<br />
described in minute<br />
detail.<br />
A closer view of the<br />
works shows the<br />
fantastic and fascinating<br />
images taken from<br />
different ethnicregions<br />
in Nigeria that brings<br />
people closer with the<br />
traditional rulers. Some<br />
of them include, Oba<br />
Rilwan Akiolu 1, Oba of<br />
•Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan<br />
Lagos, Alaafin of Oyo,<br />
Oba Lamidi Adeyemi,<br />
Ooni of Ife, Oba<br />
Adeyeye Enitan,<br />
Ogunwusi Ojaja11,<br />
Awujale of Ijebu, Oba<br />
Sikiru Adetona, Alake of<br />
Egbaland, Oba<br />
Adedotun Aremu, Oba of<br />
Benin, Oba Eheneden<br />
Erediauwa, Emir of<br />
Kano, HRM Sanusi<br />
Lamidi Sanusi, Sultan of<br />
Sokoto, HRM Sa’adu<br />
Abubakar, Obong of<br />
Calabar, HRM Bassey<br />
Ekpo Bassey 11, Olu of<br />
Warri HRM Ogiame<br />
Ikemwoli 1, Obi of<br />
Onitsha, Obi Alfred<br />
Nnaemeka Achebe,<br />
Agbogodi and many<br />
others.<br />
•Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe<br />
Speaking about the<br />
exhibition, Oliver<br />
Enwonwu, SNA president<br />
said, “Ayelowo’s work<br />
c o n n o t e s<br />
authoritarianism, as well<br />
as her choice of pastels,<br />
which demands not only<br />
closeness to but also a<br />
tactile relationship with<br />
her medium.”<br />
In her statement,<br />
Ayelowo who charged<br />
Nigerians to be proud of<br />
their traditional rulers as<br />
done in other climes said,<br />
“my work explores the<br />
relationship between<br />
visual arts and on how it<br />
stimulates the senses. My<br />
paintings are as a result of<br />
passion for pictorial<br />
gravity and accumulated<br />
expression of inspirations.<br />
Each and every piece of my<br />
paintings is laced with<br />
undercurrents of emotion,<br />
change and movements.<br />
Therefore, most of my work<br />
may conform to reality. I<br />
worked hard to paint the<br />
Traditional Rulers in such<br />
a way that it should<br />
communicate both to me<br />
and to others about the<br />
splendor buried deep in<br />
tradition and culture.”<br />
In all, Ayelowo’s portraits<br />
together form an<br />
important part of Nigeria’s<br />
history, vestiges of a former<br />
age, a rich cultural past<br />
that all must imitate, away<br />
from the present decadent<br />
society, governed by a<br />
political class that line<br />
their pockets with illgotten<br />
wealth while the<br />
populace remains<br />
impoverished.<br />
C
—41<br />
Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016—41<br />
LASG urged to commit 10% oil derivation<br />
to health insurance<br />
By Gabriel Olawale<br />
AS Lagos State officially joins the<br />
league of oil producing states,<br />
health insurance experts have tasked the<br />
State government, to earmark 10 per<br />
cent out of its 13 percent oil derivation<br />
to fund health insurance coverage in the<br />
state.<br />
The experts said such decision would<br />
not only provide access to quality<br />
essential healthcare services, but would<br />
also guarantee financial risk protection,<br />
and access to safe, effective, quality and<br />
affordable essential medicines and<br />
vaccines for all.<br />
Making the recommendation at the<br />
annual general meeting of Healthcare<br />
Providers’ Association of Nigeria,<br />
HCPAN, Lagos Chapter, the Managing<br />
Director of Institute for Healthcare<br />
Finance and Management Limited, Dr.<br />
Richard Kalada, said 10 per cent<br />
allocation would go a long way in the<br />
actualisation of Universal Healthcare<br />
Coverage, UHC, for the poor and<br />
vulnerable groups as well as close the<br />
subsidy gaps for those with partial<br />
ability to pay.<br />
Kalada said that the Community-based<br />
Health Insurance Scheme in the raw<br />
form has limited impact towards<br />
achieving UHC except they are<br />
coalesced into big pools, and<br />
participation made mandatory.<br />
“The LASG should provide safety net<br />
for the poor and vulnerable groups in<br />
making premium payments for them. To<br />
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achieve UHC predictable and<br />
sustainable flow of funds into the health<br />
system is very important. In Lagos state<br />
there is need to have good pools that<br />
are large, diverse and require mandatory<br />
participation.”<br />
Kalada called for expansion of fiscal<br />
space for health and earmarking taxes<br />
for funding health.<br />
On his part, the Chairman Lagos State<br />
Chapter of HCPAN, Dr. Ademola Aina<br />
urged the Federal Government to fulfill<br />
its pledge of allotting 15 per cent of its<br />
annual budget to health.<br />
“Lagos State in collaboration with other<br />
states can engage the federal<br />
government to give 25 to 50 percent of<br />
VAT to states, 50 percent of which can<br />
be ring fenced to fund state health<br />
insurance schemes.”<br />
FACTORY TOUR: From right; Nestle Agbara Factory Manager, Hbaika Walid;<br />
Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Babatunde Ipaye; Marketing Services<br />
Manager, Nestle, Ajene Nwando; Ogun State Commissioner of Trade and Investment,<br />
Otunba Bimbo Ashiru; Wife of Ogun State Governor , Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun;<br />
Category Business Manager, Nestle Nutrition, Rizwan Yousuf; External affairs,<br />
Compliance Manager Nestle; Peters Eddidiong and Scientific and External affairs<br />
Manager, Nestle ,Chioma Emma – Nwachukwu during a Nestle special factory tour<br />
by the Ogun State Government official recently.<br />
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Sleep disorder:<br />
Reels Night Aid<br />
tablet debuts<br />
SUCCOUR is on the way of Nigerians<br />
experiencing sleep disorders as Reals<br />
Pharmaceutical has introduced into the<br />
market, Reals Night Aid, a new non habit<br />
forming, over- the - counter sleep aid for<br />
the relief of occasional sleeplessness.<br />
The new OTC drug which was formally<br />
presented to the public at the 89thAnnual<br />
Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN,<br />
in Minna, Niger State enables users to<br />
sleep soundly and wake-up fully refreshed<br />
without hang-over effect.<br />
Presenting the product, Group<br />
Managing Director of Reals<br />
Pharmaceutical Company, Pastor Israel<br />
Ade Popoola explained that the new<br />
product was introduced into the Nigerian<br />
market as a result of rising incidences of<br />
sleeplessness also known as insomnia,<br />
which is the manifestation of inability to<br />
get enough sleep despite adequate time.<br />
Popoola who stated that sleeplessness<br />
is a condition of unsatisfactory sleep, either<br />
in terms of sleep onset, sleep maintenance<br />
or early waking observed that<br />
“sleeplessness may be associated with<br />
fatigue, mood disturbances, problems with<br />
interpersonal relationships, occupational<br />
difficulties among others.<br />
Reals Night Aid is now available in oral<br />
form and also recommended for the<br />
treatment of allergic conditions, useful in<br />
motion sickness and as anti Parkinsonism.<br />
Dosage is specified for individuals<br />
according to the need and response of the<br />
patient.
42 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016<br />
Amendment of Code of Conduct Act foretells NASS<br />
witch hunt — Fashanu, SAN<br />
Mr Babatunde Fashanu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria is<br />
always ready to respond to controversial legal issues. In<br />
this interview, he does not shrink from scoring the<br />
National Assembly low on how it handles the amendments<br />
of the Code of Conduct Act. Besides, he says the directives<br />
from the National Judicial Council, NJC, barring<br />
publication of petition against judicial officers by the press<br />
can be counterproductive. He also calls on NBA to work on<br />
rules of professional ethics for lawyers regarding their<br />
relationship and duty to a judge.<br />
Excerpts:<br />
By Abdulwahab Abdulah<br />
THE<br />
National<br />
Assembly recently<br />
amended some sections of<br />
the Code of Conduct<br />
Tribunal/ Code of Conduct<br />
Bureau Acts, ceding the<br />
control of the bodies to the<br />
National Assembly. What<br />
would you say about this?<br />
The Code of Conduct Bureau<br />
(CCB) is a creation of the<br />
1999 Constitution under<br />
section 153(1)(a) while the<br />
composition and powers of<br />
the CCB are contained in<br />
Part 1 of Schedule 3 of the<br />
Constitution. However, the<br />
power to appoint its members<br />
is given to the President of<br />
the Federal Republic of<br />
Nigeria subject to<br />
confirmation by the Senate.<br />
The Code of Conduct<br />
Tribunal (CCT) is also a<br />
creation of the Constitution<br />
under the Fifth Schedule.<br />
The Code of Conduct Bureau<br />
and Tribunal Act (CCBT Act)<br />
spells out the powers and<br />
composition of the CCB and<br />
the CCT, its membership,<br />
their tenure of office, it’s<br />
jurisdiction, etc. My humble<br />
opinion is that since the CCB<br />
and CCT are creations of the<br />
Constitution, the provisions<br />
of the CCBT Act which is just<br />
like any other statute, must<br />
conform with the provisions<br />
of the Constitution or will be<br />
void to the extent of its<br />
inconsistency with the<br />
Constitution being the<br />
supreme law of the land.<br />
Therefore, without first<br />
amending the relevant<br />
provisions of the<br />
Constitution, wherever the<br />
purported amendments of<br />
the CCBT Act which conflict<br />
with the relevant provisions<br />
of the Constitution will be<br />
void. The power to appoint<br />
the chairman and members<br />
of the CCB and CCT is<br />
clearly given to the President<br />
in the Constitution. The<br />
National Assembly cannot<br />
tinker with that in any way<br />
without first amending the<br />
constitution after meeting the<br />
conditions for such<br />
amendments. Furthermore,<br />
the National Assembly under<br />
section 4 of the constitution,<br />
is to make laws for the peace,<br />
order and good government<br />
of the Federation and is to<br />
confer on the CCT additional<br />
powers to effectively<br />
discharge its functions under<br />
section 15(4) of the Fifth<br />
schedule of the constitution.<br />
All in all, what the National<br />
Assembly is doing with the<br />
proposed amendments is to<br />
whittle down the<br />
effectiveness of the CCB and<br />
CCT contrary to the<br />
constitution and is absolutely<br />
selfish, self centered and<br />
corrupt contrary to what they<br />
were elected to do to<br />
represent the best interests of<br />
their constituents.<br />
Also, the Senate has vowed<br />
to probe the finance and<br />
projects by the Code of<br />
Conduct Bureau. Don’t you<br />
think the steps would be<br />
interpreted to mean a<br />
vendetta based on the trial of<br />
the Senate President, Bukola<br />
Saraki?<br />
While the Senate has<br />
oversight functions over<br />
Federal Government<br />
institutions and handling of<br />
their finances under the<br />
constitution which is a good<br />
check and balance, the timing<br />
of both the amendments to<br />
the CCBT Act and probe of<br />
the CCB’s finances portend<br />
a backlash by the Legislature<br />
and witch hunt due to the<br />
prosecution of the Senate<br />
President. That is very<br />
unfortunate. In more decent<br />
democracies, the Senate<br />
President would have<br />
stepped aside to face his<br />
prosecution or would have<br />
been removed by his peers,<br />
but here, our leaders have no<br />
shame but cling to positions<br />
of power as if they are their<br />
fathers’ hereditary titles.<br />
Since the Supreme <strong>Court</strong><br />
held that the Code of<br />
Conduct Tribunal is a court<br />
of record established by law,<br />
don’t you think its control<br />
and activities should not be<br />
placed under any other body<br />
or arm of government than<br />
Fashanu, SAN<br />
the National Judicial Council<br />
(NJC)?<br />
That’s a no brainer. The<br />
Chairman and members of<br />
the CCT are to be appointed<br />
by the President upon the<br />
recommendation of the<br />
National Judicial Council<br />
(NJC) just like that of Federal<br />
Judges. However, it’s control<br />
and activities are not really<br />
with the NJC when you look<br />
closely at the provisions of<br />
the constitution and the<br />
CCBT Act. This is an<br />
anomaly. The CCT along<br />
with the CCB is a very vital<br />
tool in the fight against<br />
corruption but the<br />
independence both of the<br />
executive and legislative<br />
arms of government will be<br />
more enhanced if the NJC<br />
It is a good<br />
thing to<br />
expose<br />
corrupt<br />
Judges<br />
because the<br />
corruption<br />
in the<br />
Judiciary<br />
has become<br />
endemic<br />
were to be in control of its<br />
activities.<br />
What is your take on the<br />
committee recently set up by<br />
the National Judicial Council<br />
to review the code of conduct<br />
of judicial officers in the<br />
country?<br />
A good move, however, it is<br />
counterproductive to say that<br />
if the press publishes a<br />
petition by a complainant,<br />
that will be the end of that<br />
petition with the NJC.<br />
Suppose it is the affected<br />
Judicial officer who leaks the<br />
petition to the press in order<br />
to stultify its investigation?<br />
Besides, what will now<br />
happen to the constitutional<br />
right of freedom of expression<br />
and the role of the press to<br />
inform the public on matters<br />
of public interest?<br />
Some judicial officers have<br />
belatedly revealed that<br />
indeed they were<br />
approached by some<br />
individuals who are public<br />
officials to sway the course<br />
of justice. How would you<br />
react to their claims?<br />
If it is true that Judges made<br />
such statements of being<br />
lured, I find that to be the most<br />
ludicrous thing to say coming<br />
from a Judge.<br />
Why were these attempts not<br />
reported formally to the<br />
appropriate authorities at the<br />
time they were made?<br />
Why are Judges entertaining<br />
politicians in their houses<br />
who were discussing cases<br />
before them or cases about to<br />
be heard without an alarm<br />
being blown? Your guess is as<br />
good as mine but it<br />
underscores the necessity for<br />
the NJC to spell out in the<br />
Code of Ethics what Judges<br />
are not supposed to do in<br />
their relationships with<br />
others.<br />
Would their claims shield<br />
them from probe or trial<br />
before the law court or<br />
necessary panel established<br />
for that purpose?<br />
It is a good thing to expose<br />
corrupt Judges because the<br />
corruption in the Judiciary<br />
has become endemic.<br />
Personally, I believe there are<br />
enough Laws enabling<br />
security agencies to search<br />
citizens’ houses with<br />
probable cause and due<br />
process. However, the<br />
Judiciary is the third estate<br />
of the realm with functions<br />
which amount to checks and<br />
balances on the other arms of<br />
government, therefore, while<br />
trying to expose corrupt<br />
Judges, care should be taken<br />
not to ridicule the Judiciary.<br />
Yes, searches can be made at<br />
any time, but, why search a<br />
Judge’s house in the wee<br />
hours of the night like a drug<br />
lord or notorious armed<br />
robber? I believe that<br />
decorum should be applied,<br />
especially in this age of<br />
hitech and infotech. There<br />
are definitely more civilized<br />
ways of investigating a Judge<br />
than raiding his house at<br />
night. Secondly, the NJC is<br />
primarily in charge of<br />
discipline of Judges under<br />
the constitution, hence, even<br />
though the executive arm,<br />
through its security agencies,<br />
can investigate Judges for<br />
offences and get them.<br />
continues on page 43
VANGUARD, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016 — 43<br />
Prof. Ben Ayade, a lawyer and Governor of Cross River State<br />
is a Professor of Environmental Sciences. He had led a<br />
delegation of some governors from Africa to participate in a<br />
Climate Change Summit in Paris, France. He was privileged<br />
to be the only African governor that spoke at the summit.<br />
He discussed how to combat climate change through<br />
environmental laws and legislations as well as the global effects<br />
of climate change in this interview.<br />
Excerpts:<br />
By Onozore Dania<br />
What is your view on the state of<br />
our Environmental laws?<br />
OUR environmental laws<br />
governing and regulating<br />
the impact of human activities on<br />
the environment are still<br />
developing, like other human<br />
activities, there is always a room<br />
for improvement.<br />
Mind you environmental law<br />
covers a broad spectrum of<br />
activities which include air, water,<br />
land, flora or fauna. It includes<br />
laws that relate to the<br />
protection of animals,the<br />
conservation and preservation of<br />
forests and plants.<br />
How can the campaign for<br />
environmental protection work<br />
through appropriate legal frame<br />
works?<br />
We can do this through our town<br />
planning laws. For example, in<br />
Cross River today, we are<br />
ensuring that for every single<br />
The Acting Chief Justice<br />
of Nigeria, Justice<br />
Walter Onnoghen, has<br />
threatened to wield the big stick<br />
against corrupt judicial officers<br />
across the federation.<br />
“Let me seize this opportunity to<br />
remind us that as Ministers in the<br />
Temple of Justice, we must shun<br />
all corrupt practices in order to align<br />
ourselves with the anti-corruption<br />
strides of the current<br />
administration”, Justice Onnoghen<br />
stated at his first official function.<br />
The event was the opening<br />
ceremony of 2016 conference of all<br />
Nigerian Judges of the lower<br />
courts.<br />
The theme of the biennial<br />
conference which took place at the<br />
National Judicial Institute, NJI,<br />
was, ‘The Lower <strong>Court</strong>s as<br />
Veritable Instruments for Justice<br />
and Peace in a Democratic<br />
Society’.The Acting CJN decried<br />
that corrupt practices by judicial<br />
officers have greatly exposed the<br />
the Nigerian Judiciary to lots of<br />
criticism.<br />
Judges at the conference were<br />
drawn from 36 states of the<br />
federation and the Federal Capital<br />
Territory.<br />
Speaking to the participants,<br />
Justice Onnoghen said: “Your<br />
primary role as judges of the<br />
Lower <strong>Court</strong>s is to settle disputes<br />
that come before you in accordance<br />
with the provisions of the law.<br />
“The performance of this onerous<br />
task depends on several factors<br />
such as strict adherence to the rule<br />
of law, the Code of Conduct for<br />
Climate change can be managed through Town<br />
Planning Laws — Ayade<br />
house, you must have a<br />
minimum of four trees on each<br />
side of the house to ensure that<br />
there is a full interaction between<br />
the plants and the residents in<br />
the house. Therefore, public<br />
campaign by way of advocacy,<br />
by way of doing it physically, by<br />
way of laws, by way of<br />
legislations, by way of radios,<br />
adverts, physical door to door<br />
campaigns are all the things you<br />
do to sharpen the consciousness<br />
of the ordinary man to the<br />
realities of climate Change.<br />
And of course, they also must<br />
have some posters that must<br />
show them the risks and<br />
incidental implications of climate<br />
change. I do know that where I<br />
grew up, most of the streams that<br />
we used to play in as little<br />
children have all dried up. Those<br />
are the effects of climate change<br />
because all the water sheds have<br />
all gone. These are the things we<br />
must distill down to the<br />
Governor Ayade<br />
grassroots for them to appreciate<br />
that this climate change is real, it<br />
is not a theory, it is not academic,<br />
it is real.<br />
I also understand that<br />
global problems are<br />
like environmental<br />
issues, even though<br />
global in nature, the<br />
solutions are local<br />
Acting CJN talks tough, warns Judges to shun corruption<br />
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri<br />
Judicial Officers, access to justice,<br />
integrity and independence of the<br />
Judiciary. While acknowledging<br />
your competence in discharging<br />
your duties, we are not unmindful<br />
of the challenges you face, which<br />
hinders the smooth administration<br />
of justice and exposes the<br />
Judiciary to a lot of criticisms.<br />
“These challenges are in the<br />
areas of inadequate funding/<br />
infrastructure/facilities, caseload<br />
volume,corrupt practices and most<br />
significantly delays in relation to<br />
criminal trials, which has<br />
contributed to the congestion of our<br />
prisons. “Distinguished<br />
participants, as guardians of the<br />
rule of law, let me remind you that<br />
administering justice is crucial to<br />
the effective running and stability<br />
of a democratic society as well as<br />
the peaceful coexistence of its<br />
Amendment of Code of Conduct Act foretells NASS<br />
witch hunt — Fashanu, SAN<br />
Continued from page 42<br />
prosecuted, this should be done<br />
with the collaboration of the NJC<br />
to maintain the independence of<br />
the Judiciary. All obstacles in this<br />
area ought to be scaled with<br />
cooperation of all involved in the<br />
overall interest of ridding the<br />
Judiciary of corruption.<br />
Some Judges have been blamed<br />
for compromising their judicial<br />
oaths by collecting gratification.<br />
Can this be possible without the<br />
roles played by members of the<br />
Bar?<br />
Maybe in those days but<br />
corruption has become so<br />
pervasive now that some have<br />
thrown caution to the wind. My<br />
As a lawyer, what makes you<br />
engage in the campaign for the<br />
environment,environ-mental<br />
protection and climate change?<br />
citizens, without which the society<br />
will degenerate into anarchy.”<br />
In her welcome address,<br />
Administrator of the NJI, Justice<br />
R. P. I. Bozimo, said the<br />
conference provides an avenue<br />
for lower court Judges to not only<br />
update their skills and<br />
knowledge, but also refreshes<br />
them on contemporary legal<br />
issues.<br />
“It is important to state that for<br />
the Lower <strong>Court</strong>s to serve as<br />
veritable instruments for justice<br />
and peace in a democratic<br />
society, they must continually<br />
demonstrate deep foresight for<br />
productivity, exceptional<br />
capacity and remarkable courage<br />
in the defence of constitutionally<br />
guaranteed individual and<br />
institutional rights, upheld for<br />
a better tomorrow”, Justice<br />
Bozimo added.<br />
belief is that we have more<br />
Judges that are not corrupt than<br />
those that are corrupt. Many are<br />
honest and diligent and keep to<br />
their oath of office, but the few<br />
corrupt ones make it look like all<br />
are corrupt. Some lawyers could<br />
aid corruption of Judges because<br />
of their access to them but<br />
nowadays, corrupt judges take<br />
the bull by the horns and have<br />
become reckless like, for instance,<br />
taking direct transfer of bribes<br />
into their accounts from litigants<br />
or their agents or keeping large<br />
amounts of foreign currencies or<br />
living openly ostentatiously<br />
beyond their earnings and perks<br />
of office.<br />
I actually feel that I am living<br />
out my dream, I am giving back<br />
to humanity. First of all, I am<br />
a Professor of Environmental<br />
Science and I do realize that the<br />
issue of climate change is real and<br />
Nigeria is affected seriously. I also<br />
understand that global problems<br />
are like environmental issues,<br />
even though global in nature, the<br />
solutions are local. And so, in<br />
my own little way as governor<br />
of Cross River State that has 58<br />
percent of the entire forest cover<br />
of Nigeria, I owe Nigeria and<br />
indeed all Africa the responsibility<br />
of demonstrating that indeed,<br />
we can actually reverse the<br />
cataclysmic effects of climate<br />
change and instead of<br />
speaking, I am doing the working,<br />
talking. So, I talk it and I do it.<br />
How can the common man on<br />
the street contribute to protecting<br />
the environment and ozone layer<br />
against climate change?<br />
The immediate one is afforestation<br />
and of course training them to be<br />
able to prohibit or reduce or<br />
Stakeholders call for proper training<br />
of judges on arbitral matters<br />
By Onozure Dania<br />
PROPER training for<br />
judges in understanding<br />
the intricacies of arbitral<br />
matters to avoid errors in<br />
conflict resolution has been<br />
emphasised.<br />
The call became necessary at<br />
a time people are complaining<br />
about court congestions and<br />
they are yearning to embrace<br />
arbitration as an alternative<br />
means of resolving conflicts.<br />
Already several of the cases in<br />
court could be easily resolved<br />
using arbitration method. At a<br />
program organised by the<br />
Lagos <strong>Court</strong> of Arbitration-<br />
Young Arbitrators Network<br />
(LCA-YAN) symposium, ex-<br />
Lagos<br />
Attorney<br />
General,Olasupo Shasore,<br />
Partners, Ajumogobia & Okeke<br />
said that in order to abide by<br />
the principles guiding<br />
arbitration, judges need a lot<br />
more training.<br />
“I believe that arbitration is<br />
something that is<br />
commonsensical.<br />
It is not technical, it is just an<br />
area that needs to be<br />
understood, trained in and<br />
learnt properly. “When<br />
arbitration matters come before<br />
judges who are trained<br />
lawyers and they are not<br />
trained in arbitration, we find<br />
that it is easy for judges to<br />
make errors that have far<br />
reaching<br />
effects.<br />
Lot is happening already by<br />
way of judicial interaction in<br />
the area of training. This is to<br />
be carried on and go all the<br />
way on to the other courts,”<br />
Shasore<br />
added.<br />
He explained that arbitration<br />
has become a very important<br />
attenuate deforestation. When<br />
you are deforesting, because<br />
most communities are<br />
dependent on their forest<br />
resources for their means of<br />
livelihood and the issue of<br />
absolute conservation means<br />
that you are dislocating the<br />
communities from their<br />
dependence on the forests. The<br />
critical thing to do now, is forest<br />
management as opposed to<br />
conservation. So when it comes<br />
to forest management, it allows<br />
the community to harvest from<br />
the forest in a sustainable<br />
manner. So you take such trees<br />
that are old, tired and are of no<br />
value while replacing them<br />
with the young ones. It is<br />
completely different from<br />
conservation where it is<br />
absolute ban of some sort. And<br />
for the rural poor and for the<br />
general public to add value to<br />
the climate change, they must<br />
start from keeping their small<br />
nurseries, planting their own<br />
trees and ensuring that they live<br />
in green economy.<br />
part of dispute settlement system,<br />
adding that the court system<br />
is challenging that is why<br />
people are embracing the arbitration<br />
system.<br />
Mark Clarke, Partner, White &<br />
Case, insists that in order to<br />
make<br />
arbitration<br />
internationally accepted,<br />
Nigeria needs to have a court<br />
system, which upholds the<br />
principles of arbitration,<br />
respects the arbitration<br />
process and allows the process<br />
run its course. “We need to<br />
have a judiciary which<br />
respects the autonomy of the<br />
process. The judiciary needs<br />
to understand the purpose of<br />
arbitration and the autonomy<br />
of the parties to choose<br />
arbitration as a dispute<br />
resolution procedure,”<br />
Clarke<br />
added.<br />
Isaiah Bozimo, chairman,<br />
advisory Board, LCA Young<br />
Arbitrators Network said the<br />
idea behind the young<br />
arbitrators network is to<br />
sensitise young members<br />
below 40 years of the arbitrary<br />
process and the intricacies of<br />
the process.<br />
EDITORIAL<br />
Innocent Anaba<br />
( Head)<br />
Wahab Abdulah<br />
Dayo Benson<br />
08056180119
44 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016<br />
President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to<br />
singer Diana Ross during a ceremony in the White House East Room in<br />
Washington. Photo: REUTERS<br />
Clinton urged to challenge election result<br />
•As Trump names ex-critique UN Ambassador<br />
P RESIDENT-elect<br />
Donald Trump has<br />
named South Carolina<br />
Governor Nikki Haley as<br />
US ambassador to the UN,<br />
praising his former critic as<br />
“a proven dealmaker”.<br />
She is the first non-white<br />
female cabinet-level official<br />
appointed to the incoming<br />
Trump administration.<br />
This came as Hillary<br />
Clinton’s campaign was<br />
urged by a number of top<br />
computer scientists to call<br />
for a recount of vote totals<br />
in Wisconsin, Michigan<br />
and Pennsylvania,<br />
according to a source with<br />
knowledge of the request.<br />
The computer scientists<br />
believe they have found<br />
evidence that vote totals in<br />
the three states could have<br />
been manipulated or<br />
hacked and presented their<br />
findings to top Clinton<br />
aides on a call last<br />
Thursday.<br />
Mrs Haley is the<br />
daughter of Indian<br />
immigrants and was a vocal<br />
critic of Mr Trump on the<br />
campaign trail.<br />
A rising star in the<br />
Republican party, the 44-<br />
year-old is the youngest<br />
governor in the US.<br />
Mr Trump said in a press<br />
release: “Governor Haley<br />
has a proven track record<br />
of bringing people together<br />
regardless of background or<br />
party affiliation to move<br />
critical policies forward for<br />
the betterment of her state<br />
and our country.<br />
Iraqi militias cut off ISIS access to Mosul<br />
AN Iraqi paramilitary<br />
force says it has<br />
seized a key road west of<br />
Mosul, effectively encircling<br />
the city controlled by socalled<br />
Islamic State.<br />
The Popular Mobilisation<br />
(Hashd al-Shaabi) declared<br />
it had taken control of the<br />
road between Tal Afar and<br />
Sinjar after linking up with<br />
Kurdish forces.<br />
IS militants still control<br />
the section of the road<br />
between Tal Afar and<br />
Mosul.<br />
Meanwhile, an air strike<br />
reportedly hit another<br />
bridge in Mosul, as troops<br />
advanced further into<br />
eastern areas.<br />
There is now only one<br />
functioning bridge left<br />
spanning the River Tigris,<br />
which flows through the<br />
city.<br />
About 50,000 Iraqi<br />
security forces personnel,<br />
Kurdish fighters, Sunni<br />
Arab tribesmen and Shia<br />
militiamen are involved in<br />
the five-week-old offensive<br />
to drive IS militants out of<br />
their last major urban<br />
stronghold in the country.<br />
The Popular Mobilisation,<br />
which is dominated by<br />
Iranian-backed Shia<br />
militias, said it had cut the<br />
road between the IS-held<br />
town of Tal Afar, 50km (31<br />
miles) from Mosul, and<br />
Kurdish-controlled town of<br />
Sinjar, 45km (28 miles)<br />
further west, on Wednesday<br />
afternoon.<br />
Israel proposes 500 new settlement homes<br />
near Jerusalem<br />
J ERUSALEM’s<br />
municipality has<br />
proposed building 500<br />
more housing units in an<br />
area of the city annexed<br />
by Israel after the 1967<br />
Middle East war, a<br />
settlement monitoring<br />
group said on<br />
Wednesday.<br />
There was no<br />
immediate confirmation<br />
of the move by the Israeli<br />
government, but France<br />
condemned it.<br />
The proposal is the first<br />
since the election of<br />
Donald Trump, whom<br />
Israeli right-wingers<br />
expect to be more<br />
supportive of settlement<br />
building than Barack<br />
Obama’s administration.<br />
Washington has been<br />
highly critical of Israeli<br />
settlement construction<br />
in the occupied West<br />
Bank and East<br />
Jerusalem. Most<br />
countries view all Israeli<br />
settlements on occupied<br />
land that the Palestinians<br />
seek for their own state<br />
as illegal.<br />
British pilot goes missing in Africa<br />
A72-year-old British<br />
pilot attempting to<br />
fly a 1940s plane the<br />
length of Africa has gone<br />
missing somewhere<br />
between Sudan and<br />
Ethiopia.<br />
Maurice Kirk, who<br />
lives in Bristol, was part<br />
of a vintage air rally<br />
flying from Crete to<br />
Cape Town.<br />
He had continued to<br />
fly despite being asked<br />
to withdraw from the<br />
event after two engine<br />
failures and a lack of<br />
navigational equipment.<br />
Vintage Air Rally said<br />
a search and rescue<br />
operation was due to<br />
begin.<br />
Mr Kirk, who also has<br />
links to Taunton in<br />
Somerset and the Vale of<br />
Glamorgan in South<br />
Wales, went missing on<br />
a three-hour leg of the<br />
cross-African flight from<br />
southern Sudan into<br />
western Ethiopia.<br />
Tunisian lawyers strike as tension over<br />
austerity budget mounts<br />
TUNISIAN lawyers<br />
went on their second<br />
strike in a month on<br />
Wednesday to protest<br />
against new taxes and<br />
tighter fiscal controls in the<br />
government’s proposed<br />
budget for next year.<br />
Their walkout put<br />
pressure on a government<br />
already under fire over<br />
planned austerity<br />
measures including a public<br />
sector wage freeze, higher<br />
company taxes and new<br />
taxes for the liberal<br />
professions such as law,<br />
medicine and engineering.<br />
It came ahead of an<br />
important international<br />
investment conference in<br />
Tunis next week, during<br />
which the teachers union<br />
said it was also planning a<br />
major protest.<br />
Several hundred lawyers<br />
in court gowns protested<br />
outside parliament in Tunis<br />
as lawmakers debated the<br />
budget inside. “Lawyers are<br />
free ... down, down with this<br />
law,” they chanted.<br />
The parliament chairman<br />
received a delegation of the<br />
CAMEROON: 100 arrested over protest<br />
against use of French language<br />
AT least 100 people<br />
have been arrested<br />
following days of<br />
protests against the use<br />
of French in courts and<br />
schools in Englishspeaking<br />
parts of<br />
Cameroon.<br />
Several others are<br />
being treated with bullet<br />
wounds in hospital in the<br />
region’s main city,<br />
Bamenda.<br />
Lawyers are opposed<br />
to the employment of<br />
court workers who do not<br />
understand the<br />
application of British<br />
common law.<br />
Areas controlled by<br />
Benin authorities seize 54 kg of<br />
cocaine from Brazil<br />
BENIN security forces<br />
seized 54<br />
kilogrammes of cocaine<br />
from a container that had<br />
arrived at its main port of<br />
Cotonou from Brazil, the<br />
public prosecutor said on<br />
Tuesday.<br />
“There was a sack<br />
containing 48 pellets of a<br />
suspect product,” which<br />
was seized on Monday,<br />
Lawani Badirou told a news<br />
conference. “Tests revealed<br />
that this was cocaine.”<br />
West Africa has for over a<br />
decade been a transit point<br />
for Latin American cocaine<br />
en route to Europe,<br />
although improved<br />
maritime policing in recent<br />
years has helped reduce the<br />
volume passing through<br />
the region.<br />
lawyers to discuss their<br />
demands. Lawyers said<br />
their colleagues in other<br />
cities around the country<br />
also went out on strike.<br />
Under the government<br />
proposal, all lawyers will<br />
pay a tax ranging from<br />
about $8 to $25 on each file<br />
they present to court.<br />
Tension over the budget<br />
comes as Tunisia prepares<br />
to hold an international<br />
conference in which it will<br />
offer $50 billion worth of<br />
projects to foreign leaders<br />
It was the second drug<br />
bust in Benin in under a<br />
month.<br />
Maritime police<br />
discovered a haul of 18 kg<br />
of cocaine, also at Cotonou,<br />
at the end of October.<br />
That shipment was found<br />
in a container belonging to<br />
one of the companies of<br />
wealthy businessman and<br />
prominent politician<br />
Sebastien Ajavon.<br />
Dengue fever kills 20 in Burkina Faso<br />
DENGUE fever has<br />
killed at least 20<br />
people in the West<br />
African state of Burkina<br />
Faso, where about 2,000<br />
cases of the disease have<br />
been recorded.<br />
Dengue is a mosquitoborne<br />
disease which is<br />
prevalent in sub-tropical<br />
and tropical regions.<br />
It is a major cause of<br />
illness worldwide,<br />
causing about 100 million<br />
episodes of feverish<br />
illness a year.<br />
Its outbreak in Burkina<br />
Faso is causing alarm and<br />
officials are trying to avoid<br />
any widespread panic.<br />
Dengue fever<br />
particularly affects young<br />
children and adults, but<br />
is not normally fatal,<br />
specialists say.<br />
Most people who get it<br />
Britain and France<br />
will suffer from headaches<br />
and fever. Some get<br />
rashes, aches and pains<br />
joined to form Cameroon<br />
after the colonial powers<br />
withdrew in the 1960s.<br />
Cameroonians protesting against the use of French<br />
in courts and schools in English-speaking parts<br />
of Cameroon yesterday in Bamenda<br />
and their symptoms<br />
usually last for two or<br />
three days.<br />
African Petroleum pulls out of<br />
Liberia<br />
WEST Africa-focused<br />
oil and gas<br />
company African Petroleum<br />
is pulling out of its two<br />
Liberian offshore<br />
prospecting licences after it<br />
failed to attract new partners,<br />
it said in a statement on<br />
Wednesday.<br />
Production-sharing<br />
contracts for the LB-08 and<br />
LB-09 blocks formally<br />
expired in June, and African<br />
Petroleum had been in<br />
negotiations with the<br />
Liberian authorities for an<br />
extension to allow it time to<br />
seek out new investors.<br />
It blamed challenging<br />
market conditions for<br />
exploration and a lack of<br />
commercial discoveries in<br />
Liberia for a lack of industry<br />
interest in the blocks.<br />
“It is therefore<br />
disappointing to be exiting<br />
the country; however, our<br />
near-term focus and<br />
resources must go towards<br />
the other more exciting assets<br />
within our portfolio,” Chief<br />
Executive Jens Pace said in<br />
the statement.
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K<br />
Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016—45
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K<br />
46—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016
Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016 — 47<br />
U-20 WWC: We played without<br />
underwear, Falconets confess<br />
JUST back from the<br />
FIFA U-20<br />
Women’s World Cup ,<br />
where they crashed out<br />
in the first round, some<br />
players of the national<br />
FIFA<br />
president<br />
G i a n n i<br />
Infantino is considering<br />
backing a proposal to<br />
expand the World Cup to<br />
48 teams.<br />
Infantino, who was<br />
elected as Sepp<br />
Blatter’s successor in<br />
February, originally<br />
promised to expand the<br />
tournament to 40 teams<br />
during his campaign for<br />
the FIFA presidency.<br />
However, that eightteam<br />
expansion would<br />
produce a complicated<br />
draw and some have now<br />
Guardiola<br />
Continues from BP<br />
under Guardiola. With<br />
£27m Brazilian<br />
international Gabriel<br />
Jesus set to arrive in<br />
January, his<br />
opportunities will be<br />
limited further.<br />
Leading scorer Sergio<br />
Aguero is at the top of<br />
the pecking order, with<br />
Guardiola preferring to<br />
play with a lone striker.<br />
When asked what<br />
would have to happen to<br />
get the 20-year-old more<br />
first team opportunities,<br />
Guardiola said: “Change<br />
the coach maybe!<br />
“Of course he deserves<br />
to play, but there are<br />
many, many others who<br />
deserve to play too.<br />
“Our job is so<br />
uncomfortable for these<br />
kind of decisions.<br />
U-20 team, the Falconets<br />
have revealed that their<br />
luggage did not arrive<br />
on time causing them<br />
to play their first game<br />
against Japan without<br />
FIFA president favours<br />
48 nations World Cup<br />
•Messi in action<br />
called for a<br />
mathematically simpler<br />
48-team tournament.<br />
In the new proposed<br />
48-team format, 32<br />
unseeded teams would<br />
be paired off to contest<br />
a single play-off match<br />
with the winners then<br />
advancing to face 16<br />
seeded nations in the<br />
tournament proper.<br />
However, this format<br />
has also been slated as<br />
16 nations would be<br />
eliminated from the<br />
World Cup having<br />
played just one match at<br />
“Normally when these<br />
guys don’t train good,<br />
when they are not nice<br />
guys with his teammates,<br />
it doesn’t matter,<br />
but that is not the case<br />
with Kele.<br />
“My advice is keep<br />
going, keep fighting,<br />
sooner or later<br />
everything is coming<br />
back, and of course he’s<br />
going to have his<br />
minutes,” he said.<br />
“Until now he played<br />
good, but in the big<br />
teams sometimes that<br />
happens. You can play<br />
just 11 players and<br />
that’s all.”<br />
Barcelona scouts are<br />
on the look out for<br />
Iheanacho. There is also<br />
an interest from<br />
Tottenham Hotspur.<br />
underwear.<br />
The team led to the<br />
competition by Peter<br />
Dedevbo, finished<br />
runner-up at the last<br />
edition of the<br />
tournament in Canada,<br />
fell well short of their<br />
objective this time<br />
around.<br />
The team lost heavily,<br />
6-0 to Japan, in what was<br />
the sides fourth meeting<br />
at the U-20 Women’s<br />
World Cup. Though<br />
the Falconets went on<br />
to win the next set of<br />
group games, Canada<br />
3-1 and Spain 2-1 and<br />
tied both Japan and<br />
Spain on 6 points, they<br />
failed to advance<br />
because of an inferior<br />
goals difference.<br />
Players and officials of<br />
the team arrived the<br />
Murtala Muhammed<br />
International Airport,<br />
Lagos on Tuesday.<br />
Mourinho: Messi's<br />
Barca's for life<br />
M ANCHESTER<br />
United manager<br />
Jose Mourinho feels<br />
there is little chance<br />
Lionel Messi will<br />
become available in the<br />
transfer market and<br />
hopes the Argentina<br />
international will remain<br />
at Barcelona until the<br />
end of his career.<br />
Recent reports from<br />
Spain suggested Messi<br />
is hesitant to renew his<br />
contract at Camp Nou -<br />
with his current deal due<br />
to expire in 2018 -<br />
fuelling speculation he<br />
could leave Barca.<br />
Manchester City are<br />
believed to be keeping a<br />
close eye on the 29-<br />
year-old’s situation,<br />
Ghana<br />
Continues from BP<br />
minute, after<br />
Francesca Ordega was<br />
wrestled to the ground.<br />
Faith Ikidi’s floater into<br />
the box was helped into<br />
the Ghanaian net by<br />
Portia Boakye.<br />
That goal was like a<br />
wake up call for the<br />
Black Queens and just<br />
before the break they got<br />
the equaliser after a<br />
needless kick inside the<br />
Nigerian box by Halimat<br />
Ayinde on Elizabeth<br />
Addo. Addo, from the<br />
penalty spot tucked in<br />
the ball pass the<br />
outstretched hands of<br />
Alaba Jonathan.<br />
Falconets players at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Ikeja Lagos waiting<br />
for transportation back to their homes.<br />
Leicester table £16m for Ndidi<br />
ENGLISH Premier<br />
L e a g u e<br />
champions, Leicester City<br />
have tabled a £16 million<br />
bid for Nigerian midfielder<br />
Wilfred Ndidi.<br />
Ndidi is currently on the<br />
books of Belgian club KRC<br />
Genk.<br />
The Belgian club want<br />
£20 million for the Nigeria<br />
international but the Foxes<br />
while United could also<br />
join the race for his<br />
signature, but Mourinho<br />
thinks it is unlikely<br />
Messi will ever play in<br />
the Premier League.<br />
“It is the same story<br />
with Messi every season.<br />
The papers always claim<br />
he is leaving, but it<br />
never happens in the<br />
end,” Mourinho said at<br />
a news conference on<br />
Wednesday.<br />
“Honestly, I hope he<br />
never leaves because he<br />
belongs to Barcelona<br />
and Barcelona belong to<br />
him.<br />
“The natural thing and<br />
beautiful thing would be<br />
for him to stay and finish<br />
his career at Barcelona.''<br />
The Super Falcons<br />
dominated the second<br />
half but the goals were<br />
hard in coming, even as<br />
the Black Queens sought<br />
to take the game by the<br />
horns.<br />
Nigeria and Ghana<br />
are tied on points, but<br />
the Falcons lead on<br />
superior goals<br />
difference. The final<br />
games of the group will<br />
be decided on Saturday<br />
with Nigeria taking on<br />
Kenya and Ghana<br />
square up against Mali.<br />
Both games will be<br />
played simultaneously.<br />
fully expect to complete a<br />
deal early in the January<br />
transfer window and are<br />
holding out for a little bit<br />
less money.<br />
The 19-year-old Ndidi is<br />
viewed as one of the<br />
brightest prospects in<br />
Belgian football and Genk<br />
know they are facing a<br />
losing battle to keep him.<br />
Ndidi, who is also an<br />
integral member of Gernot<br />
Rohr’s new-look Super<br />
Eagles, is according to the<br />
Reps member<br />
Continues from BP<br />
Barrister Solomon Dalung<br />
to develop confidence in the<br />
new crop of Super Eagles,<br />
saying they need to be given<br />
more time to blend properly.<br />
The lawmaker who<br />
lamented that the problem<br />
bedevilling the Nigeria<br />
Football Federation, NFF,<br />
emanates from policy makers,<br />
advised the federal<br />
government to develop<br />
football from the grassroots in<br />
order to strengthen the system.<br />
He disclosed this at the<br />
maiden edition of the Oghene<br />
Unity competition in Amuwo<br />
Odofin organized at the<br />
Kirikiri Prisons in Lagos<br />
recently.<br />
While encouraging the<br />
youths to implore the spirit of<br />
sportsmanship during the<br />
competition, Egoh noted that<br />
the competition would provide<br />
avenue for the participants to<br />
play in the local and<br />
international leagues.<br />
Daily Mail believed to be<br />
the replacement for<br />
N’Golo Kante at Leicester.<br />
Following Kante’s<br />
departure to Chelsea, the<br />
Leicester City manager,<br />
Claudio Raniero, brought<br />
in midfielder Nampalys<br />
Mendy in a £13 million<br />
deal last summer, but he<br />
has been restricted to just<br />
one Premier League<br />
appearance so far due to<br />
a troublesome ankle<br />
injury.<br />
Korea Ambassador's Cup: Organisers<br />
promise hitch-free tourney<br />
THE<br />
Main<br />
Organising<br />
Committee of the Korean<br />
Ambassador Cup has<br />
reiterated its<br />
commitment towards<br />
organising a hitchfree<br />
2016 edition of the<br />
Korean Ambassador’s<br />
T a e k w o n d o<br />
championship holding<br />
at the Teslim Balogun<br />
stadium, Lagos from<br />
December 8-10, 2016..<br />
According to the<br />
Chairman of the MOC<br />
and President of the<br />
Nigeria Taekwondo<br />
F e d e r a t i o n ,<br />
Grandmaster George<br />
Ashiru, the event which<br />
he described as more of<br />
a National Open<br />
Tournament will have<br />
over 300 competitors<br />
across the Federation<br />
and some West African<br />
countries.<br />
He said the youths should<br />
spend better time achieving<br />
beneficial goals rather than<br />
pursuing a destructive<br />
lifestyle of drug, crime and<br />
illicit sex.<br />
“We are optimistic that this<br />
competition would produce<br />
footballers like Finidi George,<br />
Sunday Oliseh, Victor Agali<br />
among others”, he added,<br />
noting that Amuwo Odofin<br />
has produced great<br />
footballers who have played<br />
for both the national and<br />
international leagues.<br />
His words: “Lots of youths<br />
have talents, therefore it is<br />
important to develop them so<br />
that they could be useful to<br />
the country. Most of the great<br />
footballers Nigeria has<br />
produced come from the local<br />
governments and there is<br />
need to catch them young.<br />
We need to have<br />
replacements for the likes of<br />
Rasheed Yekini, Henry<br />
Nwosu, among others.”
Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016<br />
Today’s matches<br />
Europa League<br />
Fenerbace v Zorya 5pm<br />
Celta Vigo v Standard Liege 7pm<br />
Gent v Braga 7pm<br />
Schalke 04 v Nice 7pm<br />
Man Utd v Feyenoord 9.05pm<br />
Saint-Etienne v Mainz 05 9.05pm<br />
Roma<br />
Athletico Bilboa<br />
v<br />
v<br />
Viktoria Plzen<br />
Sassuolo<br />
905pm<br />
9.05pm<br />
FIFA U-20 WC<br />
Japan v Brazil 10.30am<br />
Result<br />
Nigeria 1 Ghana 1<br />
Mali 2 Kenya 0<br />
Iheanacho’s<br />
chances at City<br />
slim, says Guardiola<br />
M ANCHESTER<br />
City manager<br />
Pep Guardiola has stated<br />
that young striker<br />
Kelechi Iheancho must<br />
have to make<br />
improvements to get a<br />
slot in his team.<br />
This is just as<br />
Barcelona and Tottenham<br />
are said to be monitoring<br />
the situation with a view<br />
Mourinho:<br />
Messi’s<br />
Barca’s for<br />
life<br />
— Page 47<br />
TODAY'S PUZZLE<br />
Tanzania<br />
name<br />
squad<br />
for<br />
Eagles<br />
of making a move for the<br />
Super Eagles striker. He<br />
has started only three<br />
Premier League games<br />
Continues on Page 47<br />
•Iheanacho<br />
Sudoku<br />
How to Play Sudoku<br />
Place a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can<br />
have two of the same number).<br />
Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also<br />
nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a<br />
bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1<br />
through 9. This means that no number can appear twice<br />
in any block, column or row.<br />
No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division<br />
or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.<br />
AWCON: Ghana grind out draw with Nigeria<br />
IT was always going<br />
to be a hard fought<br />
match between Ghana<br />
and Nigeria. And<br />
Ghana’s Black Queens<br />
forced high riding Super<br />
Falcons to a draw in the<br />
group B match at the<br />
Africa Women Nations<br />
Cup in Limbe,<br />
Cameroon.<br />
Few chances were<br />
created and both teams<br />
got their goals from<br />
errors on a day the Super<br />
Falcons were put to test.<br />
It was more of a battle of<br />
wits, most especially in<br />
YESTERDAY'S ANSWERS<br />
U-20 WWC: We played<br />
without underwear,<br />
Falconets confess<br />
— Page 47<br />
the midfield where the<br />
Falcons tried to stamp<br />
their dominance, but the<br />
Black Queens made it<br />
ACROSS<br />
1 Moist (4)<br />
4 Mire (3)<br />
6 Shortage (4)<br />
8 Swell (6)<br />
9 Bear (6)<br />
10 Gratuity (3)<br />
12 Surpass (5)<br />
14 Decoration (5)<br />
15 Silly (5)<br />
18 Improve (6)<br />
20 Ally (6)<br />
24 Giant (5)<br />
26 Backbone (5)<br />
28 Coin (5)<br />
30 Artful (3)<br />
32 Lustre (6)<br />
33 Lure (6)<br />
34 Remain (4)<br />
35 Fish (3)<br />
36 Declare (4)<br />
DOWN<br />
2 Goodbye (5)<br />
3 Applause (7)<br />
4 Encounter (4)<br />
5 Intense (4)<br />
6 Deposit (5)<br />
7 Sure (7)<br />
11 Tavern (3)<br />
12 Sphere (3)<br />
13 Individual (3)<br />
16 Skill (3)<br />
17 Newt (3)<br />
19 Feat (7)<br />
21 Knock (3)<br />
22 Indolence (7)<br />
23 Parched (3)<br />
25 Sick (3)<br />
27 Loud (5)<br />
29 Recess (5)<br />
30 Footwear item (4)<br />
31 Shout (4)<br />
ACROSS: 3, Saved. 9, Erased. 10, Dulcet. 11,<br />
Adage. 12, Edit. 15, Dawn. 17, Relayed. 20,<br />
Pot. 21, Dread. 23, Over. 25, Bear. 26, Divan.<br />
28, Leg. 30, Matured. 33, Eden. 35, Tide. 36,<br />
Augur. 38, Permit. 39, Rather. 40, Duvet.<br />
hard for the Nigerian<br />
women to complete their<br />
passes. It was more of a<br />
physical battle and it was<br />
QUICK CROSSWORD<br />
YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS<br />
one of such contacts that<br />
earned a free kick for the<br />
Super Falcons in the 19 th<br />
Continues on Page 47<br />
Reps member urges Dalung<br />
to have confidence in Eagles<br />
•Tasks govt on grass-root football devt<br />
BY EBUN SESSOU<br />
HOUSE<br />
of<br />
Represen-tatives<br />
member representing<br />
FIFA<br />
president<br />
favours 48<br />
nations World<br />
Cup — Pg.47<br />
Caged... Super Falcons players Osinachi Ohale (3) Ngozi Njoku (15) and Rita Chikwelu (10) surround<br />
Ghana’s Elizabeth Addo in their group B match of the Africa Women Nations Cup in Limbe, Cameroon.<br />
The two teams settled for a 1-1 draw. Photo: cafonline.com<br />
•Mikel Eagles captain<br />
Amuwo Odofin federal<br />
constituency, Mr.<br />
Oghene Egoh has urged<br />
the Minister of Sport,<br />
Continues on Page 47<br />
DOWN: 1, Sever. 2, Cavil. 3, Sea. 4, Addled.<br />
5, Edge. 6, Due. 7, scrap. 8, Stunt. 13,<br />
Decoded. 14, Tamed. 16, Worried. 18, Dream.<br />
19, Cab. 22, Début. 24, Rid. 27, Nature. 28,<br />
Leapt. 29, Genre. 31, Right. 32, Decry. 34,<br />
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