...towards a better life for the people

N150VOL. 25: NO. 62316

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015**

Mr & Mrs

•See pull-out inside

COLUMNIST:

Continues on Page 5

My generation hasfailed

2015 polls: How far canJonathan go in ELOOOO states?

•Says he won't use crude tactics to fight corruption•Slams his predecessors for not equipping the military•Asks opposition to match accusations with facts

Buhari takes campaign to President's base•Pledges to fight environmental degradation in N-Delta 9

By EmmanuelAziken, Political

Editor, DapoAkinrefon & Charles

Kumolu

L A G O S —PRESIDENT

Goodluck Jonathan,yesterday, flagged off hiscampaign for re-electionwith a declaration thathis generation has failedNigeria.

While addressingyouths at the campaignground, the Presidenttold them to work for thefuture of Nigeria,through hard work anddedication, adding thatthe youths are the onesto take the country to themoon.

He vowed not to resortto crude tactics to combatthe major challenges ofcorruption and insecuritythat have plagued thecountry.

He also said thatvoting for the opposition

CAMPAIGN—From left: Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Ahmadu Ali; Vice-PresidentNamadi Sambo, President Goodluck Jonathan and National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu at the flag off of PDPpresidential campaign at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

53

Controversy over fresh BokoHaram attack on Baga

More world leaders condemn Parisnewsroom massacre, as images emerge

56

JONATHAN FLAGS OFF CAMPAIGN IN LAGOS

•P.17

Donu Kogbara

New Year, NewGovernment?

— JONATHAN

CMYK

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015

CMYK

CMYK

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015 — 3

4 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015

CMYK

POCKET CARTOONVanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015 —5

TAKE HEARTBY ELLA RANDLE

Continues from Page 1

My generation has failed— JONATHAN

Balance, peace, and joy are the fruit of asuccessful life. It starts with recognizing yourtalents and finding ways to serve others by usingthem —Thomas Kinkade

A metaphor for discovering one’s gift and talentmight be described as finding a geode in the desert.Initially, from the outside, gifts and talentsseemingly appear very rough, and not much to lookat, like the exterior of a geode.

A geode, first, has to be cut open to expose thecrystalline interior; next it has to be ground down,and finally buffed up and polished to make it shinebrilliantly.

This process is similar to developing one’s gifts ortalents, a lot of hard work is required to make themsparkle.

The self-discipline in training and practice initiallybreaks one down; then repetition of proper techniquebuilds one up, until the gift or talent is honed intoexcellence. And it may take years to mature a giftor talent to the point of bearing abundant fruit. Bepatient with the process, things work out for yourgood, they always do.

ELECTION MONITORING—From left: Chairman of Africa IndependentTelevision, AIT, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi; Director-General of NigerianTelevision Authority, NTA, Mr Sola Omole and Executive Secretary,Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), Mr Olusegun Olaleye, at theboard meeting of election monitoring group in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

APC was likereturning Nigerians toprison. Speaking beforean impressive crowd atthe Tafawa BalewaSquare, Lagos, thepresident directed hisaddress mainly to theyouths who he said werenot privy to the rules ofthe jungle which hischallengers wereaiming to return thecountry to.

The president who hadall serving governors ofthe Peoples DemocraticParty, PDP and someprincipal officials of theNational Assembly inattendance, repeatedlyflayed the campaignagenda andendorsements receivedby his All ProgressivesCongress, APC,challenger, GeneralMuhammadu Buhari.

President Jonathan,however, did not oncemention Buhari by namein his nearly 30 minutes

speech.The president, for the

first time, also disclosedthat the October 1, 2010attack by the Movementfor the Emancipation ofthe Niger Delta, MEND,on the Eagles Square,Abuja was anassassination attemptdirected at him. Shortlyafter the attack thepresident had, however,absolved MEND fromculpability. Butyesterday, he firmlyblamed the body whichhas recently endorsedBuhari for the attack.

Before the presidentspoke, yesterday, theparty chairman, AlhajiAdamu Mu‘azu hadpresented the party ’sgovernorship flagbearers with the party’sflag.

Jonathan is abuilder — Mimiko

The party leader in theSouthwest, Governor

Olusegun Mimiko hadearlier welcomed thepresident to theSouthwest praising himfor his efforts in office,particularly, therehabilitation of theL a g o s - I b a d a nexpressway and therevival of the railways ashe affirmed Dr. Jonathanto be a true democratand unlike some born-again democrats.

In an apparentreference to Buhari,Mimiko had said: “Wecan remember the anti-human decision toterminate the Lagosmetro line project bysome other government.That project into whichthe Jakande-ledadministration hadcommitted a whoppingsum of N70 million(about $75 million at thattime) was meant to putan end to the trafficnightmare in Lagosmetropolis through theinstallation of a circuit ofrail lines that would havestretched from Agege toMarina, Ikorodu in thenorth and Badagry in theeast, ferrying nearly amillion people a day, 31-years ago. While somechose to destroy, youhave chosen to build,”Mimiko had said.

The campaign flag offparalysed movementsaround the TBS as manyroads including the oneadjoining the officialresidence of the LagosState Governor were shutto traffic by security men.Yesterday’s flag off didnot formally start until12.30 pm shortly after thepresident arrived andtook a tour round thesquare to greet partysupporters.

Supporters of theparty ’s governorshipcandidates, who werebussed in for thefunction, also seized theopportunity to show offtheir candidates onposter boards. Oneexception was Minister

of State for the FederalCapital Territory, FCT,Ms Jumoke Akinjide,whose posters with thedepiction “Jumoke forJonathan” wereconspicuously carried bymany women in thearena.

Vice-President NamadiSambo in his remarksalso urged the people toreject the message of theopposition in Lagos.

Following speeches byPDP Governors ForumChairman, GovernorGodswill Akpabio andthe National Chairman,the president deliveredhis speech which he saidwould be mainly directedat the youths on theclaim that his generationwas a failure.

Our generation hasfailed — Jonathan

“I believe that theyoung Nigerians are thefuture, we are finished.We believe that theyouths will be the onesthat will take us to themoon, my generation hasfailed because we couldnot take Nigeria to themoon.”

He continued: “I don’twant to address oldpeople like me becausewe (his generation) arespent already. I amgoing to dwell on threethings because those,who said they are goingto take over from thePDP have been telling alot of lies. They havehired people all over theworld and are feedingpeople with lies on thesocial media. They arepainting all sorts ofcolours and giving youall sorts of claims thatthey cannot defend.”

He listed the threepoints as hisadministration’s attitudetowards corruption;alleged weakness of hisgovernment and theperceptions of lack ofplanning.

Noting the challengefrom Buhari on theadministration’s allegedfailure to address theinsecurity in the land,the President said: “Theytalked about insecurity.They said they will fightinsecurity. And I ask, areour armed forces weak?If we have problems,what is the cause?Equipment. Somebodywho told young peoplethat he is going to fightinsecurity, ask him if hebought one riffle forNigerian soldiers whenhe was the Head of State.These people did not buyanything for theNigerian soldiers. Theyrefused to equip them.Ask them what they didwith their defense

budget.“They said my

government is corruptand that we are notfighting corruption. Onlyyesterday, I addressedanti-corruption agenciesand told them that peopleare deceiving youngNigerians. I said thatthey must tell Nigerianswhat they are doing.

“We have arrested morepeople and done moreconvictions. Let meapologise to someNigerian federal civilservants who did notreceive their Decembersalaries early enoughand I will tell you whathappened. I apologise tothose families thatsuffered because webelieve and I believe thatfor you to fightcorruption, we must takemeasures. If they hadsucceeded in fightingcorruption, corruptionwould not have beenwith us today. If theyhad set up structuresespecially with the daysof modern science andtechnology using ICT, tomanage resources, wewould not have beentalking about corruptiontoday.

Fight againstcorruption

“What happened inDecember was because ofa software that is used forprocessing salarypackages. Sometimes,people steal throughsalaries and somefederal governmentagencies, includingsome ministries try todivert funds to try andpay for some allowancesand the system isscientific. It is not ahuman being. Oncemoney meant to paysalaries is diverted, itshuts you down andthose departments ofgovernment were shutdown. This is the onlyway you can preventcorruption.”

The president alsonoted theadministration’s successin combating corruption

in the agriculture sectorespecially throughfertiliser distribution.Affirming that brutalresponses would not endcorruption, the presidentsaid: “If somebody tellsyou that the best way tofight corruption is tocome and arrest youruncle and father andshow him on televisionand jail him, it won’t stopcorruption. It evenencourages corruption.Armed robbery is stillwith us, we are shootingarmed robbers, is thatstopping armed robbery?

“So, arresting peopleand showing them ontelevision will not stop it;we must set upinstitutions andstrengthen them toprevent people fromtouching the money andthat is what we areworking on and we aresucceeding.”

The president alsonoted theadministration’s successin effective distributionof petroleum productsaffirming that Nigeriansdo not have to sleep inpetrol stations to buyfuel.

Arms procurement

Alluding to issues thathaunted theadministration arisingfrom the procurement ofarms, he said: “We talkedabout corruption andthey say that the militaryis corrupt. When thiscrisis of insecurity cameup, we had nothing, soto get these equipmentquickly, we had to usevendors to procure them;but now, what we aredoing is government togovernment transaction.Any new procurementwe are doing whether forthe Air Force, Navy orArmy, is government togovernment. There isnothing like corruptionany more even if we hadsome issues. Is that notthe way to fightcorruption?

“You must preventpeople from touchingyour money and this iswhat government is

Continues on Page 51

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015

Sapele mechanics in showdownwith govt officials over land

FRSCrecords120 deaths

By Festus Ahon

SAPELE—NO fewer than300 motor mechanics,

operating under the banner ofNigeria Auto TechnicalAssociation, Sapele Branch,Delta State, yesterday held apeaceful protest on major streetsin Sapele, Sapele LocalGovernment Area of the state.

Their demonstration wasagainst what they described as“dehumanising administrativestyle of the Chairman of SapeleLocal Government Area, Mr.Ejaife Odebala and theMajority Leader of the stateHouse of Assembly, ChiefMonday Igbuya, to render usjobless and turn us intomiscreants by forcefully andunlawfully sacking us from ourworkshops.”

Chairman of the protestingmechanics, Mr. Lugard Eko, ledthe protesters to the countryhome of the President Generalof Urhobo Progress Union,UPU, Chief Joseph Omene, toregister their displeasure overalleged hard stance of thecouncil chairman and the statelawmaker.

He said: “The councilChairman and the MajorityLeader have directed oneIfeanyi, who is the immediatepast chairman of the association,to lock up our workshops andsecretariat for over a month with

the intent to acquire the vastland, which is owned by thestate government, on which ourworkshops and secretariat aresituated.”

When contacted, the MajorityLeader denied the allegation bythe mechanics linking him toplot to acquire the land.

He said: “The land belongs toDelta Development Property

Authority, an agency of the stategovernment. They should findout what their problem is andlet me be.”

The council chairman alsodenied the allegation ofplanning to acquire the land.

He said: “They (mechanics)have leadership problem. Theyshould resolve it themselvesand not link me to it.”

Meanwhile, the mechanicshave vowed to continue theprotest, saying “until the go-vernment officials direct the re-opening of our workshops andsecretariat, we will not stop.”

Some of their placards readGovernment officials, leave usalone; Nobody should sack usfrom Sapele; Our workshops mustbe open now, among others.

The said land belongs to DDPA— IGBUYA

They have leadership problem— ODEBALA

By Godwin Oghre

MY wife always demandsmoney from me before

allowing me to have make loveto her, a retired civil servant,Mr. Chibuzo Obiedefu, told anIgando Customary Court,Lagos, yesterday.

Obiedefu, 50, told the courtthat his wife, Philomena, whomhe married seven years ago,was denying him of sex.

He said: “My wife is alwaysstarving me of sex and if shewill allow me, she will ask meto pay for it. And if I refused togive her money and demand to

My wife demands moneyfor sex, retiree tells court

‘I only ask for feeding money’sleep with her by force, shewould hit me with anydangerous weapon she couldlay her hands on.”

The petitioner accused hiswife of infidelity, alleging thatshe was dating a policeman.

“Philomena is cheating onme; she is having an affair witha policeman and whenever Icaution her, she will flare up,”Obiedefu said.

The petitioner said his wife

had created enmity between himand his children.

He said: “My wife is tellingmy children not to come closeto me because I am a bad man.My children now distancethemselves from me and I amnow like a stranger to them.”

He pleaded with the court todissolve his seven-year-oldmarriage because he was tiredof the relationship and he wasno longer in love.

Responding, the 40-year-oldbusinesswoman denied all theallegations.

“My husband has sex with meanytime he feels like and I onlydemanded for feeding moneyfrom him,” Philomena said.

The respondent claimed thatshe was not dating thepoliceman.

“The policeman is only afriend; no strings attached,” themother of four said.

She urged the court not togrant her husband’s pleabecause she was still in love.

The President, Mr. RufusAdeyeri, adjourned the case tillJanuary 21 for judgment.

I'm one-man squad, says car-snatching suspect

POLICE in Lagos State havearrested a 37-year-old

robbery suspect, Kazeem, aself-acclaimed one-man robberysquad, who specialized instealing vehicles with a masterkey in Lagos State and itsenvirons.

Vanguard gathered that hewas arrested at Oshodi byoperatives of Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, while

attempting to dispose off astolen Sienna to a car dealeridentified as Alhaji.

According to reports, Kazeem,who is a trained panel beater,spent eight months in KirikiriPrison, Lagos, last year for carsnatching, before he wasreleased.

He said: “My name isKareem. I am a panel beaterfrom Osun State. I lived inOworosonki area before I wasarrested. I went to prison

because of my involvement incar snatching business. I wasarrested last year January 14.

“I spent eight months in theprison before I was releasedafter my brother facilitated mybail.

“I was in the village when oneof my friends, Ayike, called me,saying he wanted me to helphim sell a Sienna car. He toldme that his mother bought it forhim and that he has been usingit at school.

“He could not provide any ofthe vehicle’s documents. Hesaid when a buyer comes, hewill provide the necessarydocument.

“I was with the Sienna for amonth and 18 days looking forbuyers before I was arrestedafter I contacted one Alhaji, aprospective buyer.

“It was one Ebuka in Ladipothat introduced into carsnatching business. He made amaster key for me”

By Esther Onyegbula

ASABA—AS Nigeriansstill bask in the

euphoria of the Christmasand New Year celebrations,the Federal Road SafetyCommission, FRSC,yesterday, said 120 deathswere recorded during theyuletide.

The Corps Marshal, MrBoboye Oyeyemi, whospoke in Asaba during hisvisit to the Delta StateCommand in continuationof the monitoring of thepatrol operations in thecountry, said there was 14percent reduction in autocrashes across the country,compared to 2013/2014,which according to him wasmade “possible with goodplanning.”

He said the country waspartitioned into 23corridors, which wereeffectively manned bypersonnel of the corps withlogistics from the WorldBank and the FederalMinistry of Works.

He said: “That helpedcover all the critical roads.The focus now is onsustaining the gains werecorded and how tosustain this and ourprogramme for the year,especially the area of speedlimiting devices, whichenforcement is from June 1.

“One of the issues for usis the enforcement ofoverloading rule; use ofphone while driving andspeed violation. We believewe should be able to putthem all under control. Weare set for the year and theofficers are well equippedfor these tasks.

“We still have a weekmore. So officers andmarshals are still on theroads to ensure that thosewho are returning to theirvarious locations get theresafely. The officers andmarshals have put up abrilliant performance.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015—7

RETIREES' ARREARS: The 1999 retirees of thedefunct Nigeria Airways on a peaceful protest over backlogof arears in Lagos. PHOTO: Lamidi Bamidele.

THE National Drug LawEnforcement Agency,

NDLEA, Lagos StateCommand, has said ituncovered a residentialbuilding in Okota area ofLagos, allegedly used for themanufacture ofmethamphetamine.

Arrested at the buildinglocated on Lateef AdegboyegaStreet, Ago Palace Way, was theChief Executive Officer of BestFellows Nigeria Limited, Mr.Chijioke.

NDLEA Lagos State

NDLEA uncovers harddrugs factory in Lagos

commander, Mr. Aliyu Sule,who made the disclosuresyesterday, added that 7.6kg ofmethamphetamine, nine drumsof Toluene, a Toyota 4 Runner,a Toyota Hiace bus and apressure pot were recoveredfrom the laboratory in thebuilding.

He also revealed that 126persons, among them apregnant woman, weresentenced between one dayand 15 years in prison forvarious drug offences in 2014;with 118 cases still pending.

In the year under review, thestate command said 434

suspected drug traffickers werearrested, out of which 413 weremales and 21 females.

He said the command hadwon 123 convictions at theFederal High Court Lagos in2014. Among those convictedhe said, was a pregnant womanidentified as Kudirat Bello, whowas sentenced to one-dayimprisonment by Justice MusaKurya for possessing 33.3kg ofcannabis.

Another suspect, identified asLanre Salami, he said, lied tothe court that he was 15 yearsold, only to be discovered to be17 years. He was reportedlysentenced to 10 years forunlawful dealing in 400grammes of cannabis.

Sule said: “Salisu Usman, 42,was apprehended at Iddo MotorPark on his way to Zamfara, hishome state with 47kg ofdiazepam. He was sentenced tofive years imprisonment withhard labour, while 38-year-oldObinna Okeke was sentencedto 15 years with hard labour byJustice M. D. Idris for being inpossession of 3kg of cannabis.

“In the year under review,drug exhibits seized are asfollows: cannabis, 1,989.716kg;cocaine, 188.4 grammes; heroin,

1.645kg; methamphetamine,7.6kg, and psychotropicsubstances, 57.8kg.

“Apart from those prosecuted,others found to be addictedwere counselled.”

A lucrativebusiness—SUSPECT

In his statement, Chijioke,who was arrested at thebuilding allegedly used for theproduction ofmethamphetamine, said he wasintroduced into the illicitbusiness, which he said wasprofitable, by a friend.

The Anambra State-bornsuspect said: “I only attendedprimary and secondary schoolsbefore I went into trading. Afriend introduced me to thebusiness of chemicalimportation from China andEurope in 2012.

“A year later, I learned how toproduce methamphetaminebecause there is high profit init. I began to producemethamphetamine in my housein 2013. My first production wasbad because of inexperience.

“Gradually, I was able toperfect the process. That washow I got involved in the drugbusiness.”

By Evelyn Usman

The seized building.

Fire razesshops,buildings inKirikiri town

Gunmen abductBenue businessman

BURSARY: 47 protesting students arrested in Ondo

MAKURDI—GUNMENhave kidnapped a

popular Makurdi-basedbusinessman and table watermanufacturer, Chief EdwinAgu, at his Makurdiresidence, Benue State.

The latest incident in comingon the heels of recent kidnapcases in Gboko and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areasof the state.

Vanguard gathered from aneyewitness that thebusinessman was abductedfrom his home by a gang of fourfully-armed men, Tuesdaynight.

The source said: “They cameto our neighbourhood,shooting in the air, went intohis residence, dragged himinto their waiting vehicle anddrove away.”

When contacted on phone inMakurdi, the Benue PolicePublic Relations Officer, Mr,John Bako, said thebusinessman was kidnappedat gunpoint at 7:30p.m., byunknown persons, who wereyet to contact his family.

Bako said: “The kidnappersare yet to contact or demand

ransom from the family, but onour part we have intensifiedefforts to apprehend themasterminds.”

He said investigation intothe matter was ongoing, andpleaded with the public to goabout their normal business,but to report any suspiciousmoment in theirneighbourhood to any policestation for immediate action.

By Peter Duru

PROPERTY worthmillions of naira were,

in the early hours ofyesterday, destroyed in aninferno that gutted tworesidential buildings andsome shops on Okoduwaand Dillion streets at theKirikiri area of Lagos.

Vanguard gathered thatthe fire, which cause is yetunknown, started around1:30a.m. from one of theshops on Okoduwa Street,before spreading to otherparts of the market,destroying hundreds oftrucks tyres, spare parts andother machinery.

A trader said: “The latearrival of the fireservicemen made the fire tolast that long. It took LagosState Fire Service men closeto three hours to respond toour call.”

Another residents, whoidentified himself simply asEmmanuel Ojo, attributedthe cause of the fire to analleged rift between thetraders and the new ownerof the shops.

By Ifeanyi Okolie

BAUCHI—THE BauchiState Command of the

National Drug LawEnforcement Agency,NDLEA, has said it arrested471 suspects andimpounded 1,035.938kg ofassorted drugs fromJanuary to December 2014.

The state commander ofthe agency, MohammedSokoto, while reviewing theactivities of the agency in2014 at the command’sheadquarters in Bauchiyesterday, said the drugsinclude Cannabis Savita,Exol-5, Diazepam,Raphynol, Pentazoine andTramadol.

Other drugs seized by thecommand in the year underreview, according to theNDLEA boss, include 412cartons containing 20,639bottles of benyline.

He said due to the excessdemand for benyline withcodeine (cough syrup) inthe state, a bottle now sellsfor N800 to N1,000 asagainst the former price ofN200, adding that majorityof the drug addicts at thecommand’s rehabilitationcentres were victims ofcough syrup abuse.

NDLEA nabs471 in Bauchi

By Suzan Edeh

AKURE—FORTY-SEVENstudents, who allegedly

injured three policemen andmanhandled Ondo Stategovernment officials during aprotest over alleged non-payment of their bursaryallowance have been arrestedand detained by the state PoliceCommand.

The students, from higherinstitutions from the oil-richcommunities of the state, stageda protest to the state OilProducing Area DevelopmentCommission office in Oba-Ile,Akure, over alleged non-payment of their bursary.

The intervention of policemenfrom the state Police Commandsaved the commission frombeing destroyed and theworkers from further attacks.

The protest turn bloody whenthe students, according to policeimage maker, manhandled thePermanent Secretary and otherprincipal officers of thecommission.

Vanguard gathered that thestudents arrived in buses,chantingd solidarity songs andrained abuses on thecommission's management fornon-payment of their bursary.

They booed the chairman ofthe commission, Pastor JohnsonOgunyemi, and call him

unprintable names.Visitors were prevented from

going in, just as residents in thearea fled their houses for fearthat the students may vent theiranger on them.

The students alleged that theywere owed 2013/2014 bursaryallowance.

One of the students said:“They refused to pay ourallowance and this is the secondtime we would be visiting herewithout being paid. We felt theonly language they wouldunderstand is to protest.”

Contacted, the Police imagemaker Wole Ogodo, confirmedthe arrest of the 47students forbreaking of law and order.

By Dayo Johnson

8—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015

Jonathan dismisses MEND's endorsementof Buhari

By Ben Agande

Says he would've rejected it

ABUJA —PRESIDENTGoodluck Jonathan,

yesterday, dismissed thealleged endorsement of thePresidential candidate of theAll Progressives Congress,APC, General MuhammaduBuhari (retd) by the Movementfor the Emancipation of NigerDelta, MEND, saying noperson who means well for thecountry should be excited bythe endorsement of a terroristorganisation.

In a statement signed bySpecial Adviser to thePresident on Media andPublicity, Dr. Reuben Abati,Jonathan noted that for afaction of MEND that hadattacked venues where thepresident was presiding overevents at least on twooccasions, the attacks did notcome as a surprise.

Jonathan, therefore, advisedBuhari not to “place any stockon his purported endorsementby the renegade faction ofMEND which is led by aconvicted and unrepentantterrorist with whom no leaderwho truly means well forNigeria should be associatedwith.”

The statement read: “We havenoted with amusement, thevituperations againstPresident Goodluck Jonathanby the renegade faction of theMEND headed by theconvicted terrorist, HenryOkah, in a statement issued toendorse the presidentialcandidate of the APC, Gen.Muhammadu Buhari.

“While we thank all thepeople of the Niger Delta,including the former militantswhom MEND claims torepresent but who havealready disassociatedthemselves from the statementissued by the faceless JomoGbomo and reaffirmed theirunflinching support forPresident Jonathan’s re-election, we will like to statethat the latest assault on thePresident by Henry Okah andhis stooges did not come as asurprise to us at all.

“It was very much to beexpected, coming as it didfrom an individual and groupwho have never hidden theirvengeful personal animosityagainst the President and whohave even gone to the extentof launching murderousassaults on venues at whichthe President was present ontwo occasions.

“It is most regrettable indeedthat rather than show remorsefor the terrorist acts against hisfatherland for which he is nowrightly serving a term ofimprisonment in South Africa,Henry Okah continues topursue a pointless personal

vendetta against PresidentJonathan who continues toadvance and protect theinterests of the people of theNiger Delta which Okah andhis group threatened withtheir misguided actions.

“The vituperations againstPresident Jonathan in theMEND’s statement endorsingGeneral Buhari aremischievous, baseless anddeliberately styled todenigrate the good works ofthe President.

It is well known thatPresident Jonathan played asignificant role in ending themilitancy and insurgency inthe Niger Delta. Under hiswatch, the destruction of oilfacilities and the incessantkidnapping and killing ofexpatriates in the Niger Deltawaterways have become athing of the past.

“The attempt by JomoGbomo’s MEND to re-writehistory by tarnishing theperson of President Jonathan

for selfish, pecuniary andpolitical gains will amount toan exercise in futility.

“All patriotic and right-thinking Nigerians mustconsider an endorsementfrom a convicted criminal andhis group who harbour evilintentions against the unityand progress of their countryas a poisoned chalice.

“President Jonathan wouldnever have accepted such anendorsement from terroristsand renegades.”

CBN pegsforeignexchangereserves at$34.49bn

LAGOS — THECentral Bank of

Nigeria, CBN, haspegged the nation’sforeign exchangereserves at $34.49 billion(about N5.74 trillion) asat January 5.

The News Agency ofNigeria, NAN, reportsthat the CBN posted theforeign exchangereserves data on itswebsite.

According to the bank,the figure represents anincrease of $20 million(about N3.36 billion)from the $34.47 billion,(about N5.79 trillion)recorded on December31, 2014.

The bank said the$34.49 billion (N5.74trillion) represented the"gross’ amount while$33.52 billion (aboutN5.63 trillion) was‘liquid’ and $975 million(about N163.8 billion)‘blocked'."

NAN reports that theFederal Government hadthrough fiscal policiesmade attempts since2013 to shore up theforeign reserves to $50billion (about N9.05trillion).

The CBN had in 2014relied heavily onexternal reserves tosupport the Naira whichcame under pressurefollowing fallinginternational prices ofcrude oil.

Crude oil prices at theinternational markethave continued to rallybetween $55 and $60 perbarrel since December,2014.

According to the CBN,the continuous pressureon the foreign exchangemarket was alsoattributable to the rise inthe internal demand forthe dollar.

The CBN Governor,Mr Godwin Emefiele,had earlier said thecountry had spent hugeassets from the foreignreserves in ensuring thatthe official exchange ratewas maintained at itsprevious value of N155to a dollar.

NAN also reports that,in spite of thegovernment’s efforts toshore up the Naira, theCBN devalued the Nairato N168 to a dollar inNovember, 2014.

NITEL/MTEL SALE: NATCOM beatsdateline, pays N12.7bn

By Emmanuel Elebeke

ABUJA — THE preferredbidder for Nigeria

Telecommunications Plc,NITEL and its arm, theNigerian MobileTelecommunication, MTEL,NATCOM Consortium, haspaid $75,756,300 (about N12,727,058,400), being 30 percent of the $252.521 millionbid price for the acquisitionof the assets and businessunits of the two enterprises.

A statement signed,yesterday, by Head, PublicAffairs, Bureau of PublicEnterprises, BPE, Mr.Chigbo Anichebe, said thepayment was in line with theoffer letter by the BPE to thepreferred bidder, whichmandates NATCOM to makean initial deposit of 30 percent of the bid price not laterthan 14 days on receipt of theoffer letter.

With the payment of the 30per cent, NATCOM isexpected to pay the balanceof 70 per cent of the bid pricewithin 90 days.

It said: “It is, therefore,imperative to inform creditorsthat disbursements to themwill be considered only afterfull payment has beenreceived."

The National Council onPrivatisation, NCP, at itsmeeting of February 27,2012, approved theprivatisation of NITEL andMTEL through “guidedliquidation.”

The strategy was adoptedby the NCP after dueconsideration of otheroptions and in the light ofthe previous failed attemptsto privatise the companiesthrough Strategic CoreInvestor Sale and NegotiatedSale strategies following thehuge liabilities to creditors tothe tune of over N300 billion.

Under the guidedliquidation strategy, all thecore assets and businessundertaking of NITEL andMTEL were to be sold as asingle or multiple lots to aqualified bidder by theliquidator under the generalguidance of the NCP.

According to the terms ofthe sale, the bidder thatacquires the assets ofNITEL and MTEL wouldcontinue to operate theassets to provide telecomsservices. This is as againstthe traditional liquidation ofan enterprise by assetstripping.

One of the two pre-qualified bidders, NETTAGConsortium was earlierdisqualified for not meetingthe requirements, butNATCOM Consortiumqualified when the bid wasopened on December 3,2014, having scored anaverage of 92 per cent in itstechnical proposal, whichwas above the minimumpass mark of 75 per cent.

“Consequently, theChairman of theConsortium, Dr. OlatundeAyeni, on Monday,December 22, in Abuja,signed the Assets SaleAgreement and was giventhe Offer Letter by the BPE,”the statement added.

BOOK PRESENTATION: From left: Chief Taiwo Taiwo, daughter; Chief SupoShonibare, son; Mrs. Olubusola Adekusibe, representative of book presenter, OtunbaSubomi Balogun; Dr. Kehinde Dina, daughter and Mr. Dapo Shonibare, son during thepresentation of their father’s biography: 'S.O. Shonibare: Legend Of All Time' written byPeju Akande and Toni Kan, in Lagos.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015—9

Vows to tackle environmental degradation in N-Delta

Nigeria'll be unrecognisable in a year of APC govt —Osinbajo

A bad brother is not as good as a good friend —Sylva

Buhari takes campaign to Jonathan'shome base

By Jimitota Onoyume,Sam Oyadanga & Simon

Ebegbulem

PORT HARCOURT — ALLProgressives Congress,

APC, Presidential candidate,General Muhammadu Buhari(retd), yesterday, took hiscampaign to the home base ofPresident Goodluck Jonathanin Bayelsa and Rivers Stateswith a promise to frontallyaddress environmentalconcerns and degradedinfrastructure, if elected.

Buhari’s promise toimplement the United NationsEnvironmental Programme,UNEP, report on Ogonilandwas elatedly received byOgoni traditional rulers whothrough the president,Supreme Council of OgoniTraditional Rulers, KingGodwin Biniwa, handed hima sword to wipe out their tearswhen he emerges president.

General Buhari and hisentourage, following the stopat Ogoniland, followed upwith campaigns in Yenogoa,Bayelsa State the home baseof the president and his mainrival for the presidency.

Meanwhile, his runningmate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, inBenin City, Edo State, saidthe country would beunrecognisable in one year ofan APC government.

His position came asGovernor Babatunde Fasholaof Lagos State regretted thatPresident Goodluck Jonathanwas blaming his predecessorsin office when his six years inoffice has only brought agonyand poverty to Nigerians.

At an interactive sessionwith students, traditionalrulers, market women andprofessionals in Benin City,yesterday, Osinbajo said anAPC government wouldwithin one year solve thepower problem, free healthcare and free food for schoolchildren.

He added that though thenation was rich, “we lack theleadership to harness ourresources,” just as he notedthat insurgency andcorruption had thrivedbecause President Jonathanlacks the political will to fightthem.

Buhari urgesOgonis to vote APC

Speaking in Saakpenwa,headquarters of Tai LocalGovernment Area during ameeting with Ogoni people,Buhari appealed to the peopleto vote for the APC and urgedthem to get their PermanentVoters Cards, PVCs.

Flaying the neglect of theregion, Buhari put the blamesquarely on President Jonathansaying: “The decision of theFederal Government toabandon the Bodo-Bonny roadproject is a clear case ofincompetence and socialinjustice. It amounts to neglectat the highest level.

A lot is taken from Ogonilandand relatively little is broughtback in return. I assure you thatan APC-led FederalGovernment will fulfil all itspromises in Ogoniland.”

Senator Magnus Abe, whohails from the area, was absentduring the visit. In a statementread on his behalf, helamented the pains the Ogonihad suffered in the nation.

Magnus, who represents theRivers South-East senatorialdistrict in the NationalAssembly, further appealed tothe people to vote the APC.

He said: “Our position as apeople concerning resumptionof oil exploration in Ogoni isthat, there should be adequateconsultation with andparticipation of the Ogonis inthe process leading to theireventual operation.

“As a deprived people, wehave consistently placed in thedomains of all governments,the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR)that seeks for equalrepresentation of Ogonis in theaffairs of the nation. Thesedemands include appointmentof Ogoni sons and daughtersin government, provision oflive sustainable infrastructures,such as good roads, water anddevelopment institutions.”

On his part, DirectorGeneral, Buhari Presidential

Campaign Organisation,Governor Chibuike Amaechi ofRivers State, urged the peopleto vote for the APC, saying theOgoni had suffered neglect inthe country.

President, Supreme Councilof Ogoni Traditional Rulers,King Godwin Biniwa, laterhanded a copy of the UNEPreport and a sword to Buhari,urging him to wipe out theirtears when he emergespresident.

Buhari identifies baneof nation’s march togreatness

Buhari repeated the samevow of dealing withenvironmental problems inBayelsa where he wasreceived by thousands ofsupporters who had defied thescorching sun and long delayto receive him at the SamsonSiasia Stadium.

The stadium was filled tocapacity as at 3 p.m. five hoursafter his scheduled arrival asparty supporters busiedthemselves withentertainments provided bydance troupes and otherentertainers.

Speaking at the event,Buhari identified corruption,insecurity and incompetentleadership as bane of thenation’s march to greatnesseven as he promised to tackleenvironmental pollutionravaging the Niger Deltaregion.

He also promised to reviveagriculture and fishing in theregion to boost foodproduction and reduce the rateof unemployment in the

country.He lamented that the PDP

neglected agriculture with theresult that the nation isdependent on imports to feedher population.

He also noted with sadnessthat the people of the NigerDelta can no longer fish intheir troubled water due topollution and promised towork with the United Nationsto remediate the environmentif voted into office.

Also speaking, GovernorAmaechi in his speech at theoccasion assured that the partywould create jobs, tacklepoverty, unemployment andinsecurity in the country ofvoted into power.

A bad brother isnot as good as agood friend—Sylva

Earlier, the immediate pastgovernor of the state, ChiefTimipre Sylva, urgedBayelsans to vote outJonathan, saying: “A badbrother is not as good as agood friend.”

He said: “Vote APC andwelcome prosperity, goodgovernance into your homes.I have gone to the West, East,North and South, I have oneassurance that Buhari has wonthe 2015 poll.”

Highlight of the occasionwas the presentation of flagsto the party senatorialcandidates in the forthcomingNational Assembly polls. Theyinclude, Chief Timipre Sylvafor Bayelsa East, Eddie Julius,Bayelsa West and PreyeAganaba, Bayelsa Central.

PRESENTATION: From left: Former Minister of Power, Prof. Bath Nnaji; Enugu StateDeputy Governor, Rev. Ralph Nwoye; Obi of Onitsha, Chief Alfred Anichebe; wife of author,Lolo Nwakaego and author, Prof. Chiweyite Ejike during the presentation of a book entitled:"Aguowulu My Journey Through Life: A Destiny Redeemed," in Enugu.

VALENTINE:Feb 14 pollsnot to slightNigerians—INEC

ABUJA — THEIndependent National

Electoral Commission,INEC, yesterday said it hadnot fixed the Presidential andNational Assembly electionson February 14 to rubNigerians of the joyderivable from the lovers’day.

The Chief Press Secretaryto the commission’sChairman, Mr KayodeIdowu, said in Abuja that theelection date was acoincidence.

He said: “When thecommission was taking thatdecision, it never evenoccurred to the leaders of thecommission that it wasValentine’s Day. But then, itis a day for showing loveand if we can show love thatwill discourage people fromfomenting violence.

“That will discourage youfrom being hateful towardsanother person on that day.It will make the electionpeaceful. So, it is a goodcoincidence. ”

He, however, urgedNigerians to be guided bythe meaning of Valentine’sDay to make the electionpeaceful.

“The message of the dayis to show love for oneanother and therefore, thereis no basis for violence,acrimony and being unrulybecause that day is a day forshowing amenable conducttowards others. So, thatshould guide the behavioursof voters as they go out tovote.”

Idowu also said that the taskforce set up by the commissionon how to ensure thatInternally Displaced Persons(IDPs) in the country weregiven the opportunity to casttheir votes in the forthcomingelections had submitted itreport to the commission.

Kayode, however, did notgave details of therecommendations but said thereport was now going throughthe internal processes of thecommission.

“Very soon, the specificmodality will be announced asto how the IDPs will be able tovote,” he said.

NAN recalls that the taskforce was given seven workdays to submit its report,beginning from December 22,2014.

The terms of reference of thetask force, include examiningthe legal, political, securityand administrative challengesin achieving IDPs’ votingduring the election.

10— Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015

Don't blame Jonathan for Nigeria'swoes —OBA AKIOLU

From agency reports

BUDGET: Lagos to spend N101bnon wages, pension

By MonsuruOlowoopejo

Adegboruwa pledges free legalservice for striking judicial workers

By Abdulwahab AbdulahLAGOS—THE Oba of Lagos,Oba Railwan Akiolu, yesterday,

said that President GoodluckJonathan should not be blamed forthe problems of Nigeria.

Akiolu said this while receivingJonathan at his palace in Lagos.

He said that many of theproblems in the country pre-dated the Jonathanadministration.

The President was in LagosState for the flag off of thePeoples Democratic Party,PDP’s, presidential campaign at

the Tafawa Balewa Square.He was in the Oba’s palace to

pay homage to him and seek hisblessings before going to thecampaign venue.

Akiolu said that fightingcorruption was the responsibilityof every Nigerian.

The monarch said: “What willbe, will be; God Almighty will givethe best person the opportunityto lead this country.

“Mr President, God knows thebest; I am happy; what I want arefree and fair elections.

“I am happy that Mr Presidentdirected INEC to ensure thatvoters’ cards are distributed toevery eligible member of theelectorate.”

He urged the INEC to ensuredistribution of voters’ cards,saying that Lagos had more thansix million eligible voters.

The royal father said thatsecurity agents should not beunfairly used against any citizenduring the general elections.

According to him, both the PDPgovernorship candidate, Mr. JimiAgbaje, and his APC counterpart,Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, are hischildren.

He said that he had presentedAmbode’s candidature for God’sblessing at the 2014 Amir Hajj inSaudi Arabia but noted that Godwould always have the final say.

The Oba expressed confidencethat Nigeria would be moreunited after the elections.

LAGOS—LAGOS StateGovernment yesterday

said N101 billion (20.6 percent) of the N489 billionbudget approved by theState House of Assemblywould be spent on wagesand pension benefits of civilservants in the state.

Meantime, the stateHead of Service, Mrs.Oluseyi Williams haswarned civil servants inthe state that non-collectionof their Permanent Voters'

Cards, PVCs, fromIndependent NationalElectoral Commission,INEC, woulddisenfranchise them in2015 election, saying“INEC wants to frustrateyou.”

Commissioner forEstablishment, Trainingand Pension, Mrs. FlorenceOguntuase disclosed this atthe 7th Pre-retirementseminar for civil servantswho would retire betweenJanuary and June 2015held at the Alausa

Secretariat, Ikeja.Oguntuase said the

personnel cost in the 2015budget consist of the wagesand terminal benefits ofcivil servants under thestate employ, adding “Fromthe 2015 budget, aboutN101 billion has been setaside for wages andpension benefits of civilservants.”

The state governor,Babatunde Fashola duringthe budget presentation atthe State House ofAssembly last yeardescribed the budget as a'Pensioner’s Budget'.

LAGOS—A Lagos-based lawyer, Ebun-

Olu Adegboruwa, haspledged to offer legalservices free of charge toJUSUN as he disclosedthat the strike that wasembarked on by thejudicial workers onJanuary 2 was valid andproper. He said that thenationwide strike cameafter several warningstrikes that have notbeen adhered to byvarious governments

By Onozure Dania concerned, adding thatthe action, is tocampaign for judiciala u t o n o m y ,independence andfunding of the judiciary. Adegboruwa in a pressstatement noted that ithas been very disturbingfor him, listening to andreading comments bylegal practitioners,denouncing the strikewhile their umbrellabody, the Nigerian BarAssociation, NBA, hascalled on JUSUN tosuspend the strike andexplore other options.

He urged all themembers of JUSUN tobecome steadfast,vigilant, unmovable andunshaken in theirresolve to prosecute thiscurrent strike to itslogical conclusion, onceand for all. He said: “I herebypledge my legalservices, free of anycharges, to theassociation in any areathat such may be needed,to aid the effectivenessand success of thiscurrent strike.”

Lawyers rootfor Buhari/Osinbajo

LAGOS—THE presidentialambition of the All

Progressives Congress,APC, candidate and hisr u n n i n gmate, Mohammadu Buhariand Prof. Yemi Osinbajo gota boost as a group oflawyers yesterday vowed toensure the team wins theFebruary election.

The team under theplatform of Lawyers forC h a n g e(Lawyers4Change), saidtheir decision was based ontheir belief that the duo gotwhat it takes to rule thecountry and deliver it outof the present conundrum.

At the inauguration of thegroup in Ikeja, Lagosyesterday, the NationalCoordinator of the group,Adesina Ogunlana said theteam “represents the bestoption now for the salvationof our country from themisrule of incompetent andselfish leaders.”VISIT: Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu I (left) and President Goodluck Jonathan, during

the President's visit to the monarch in Lagos, yesterday.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015 —11

Ekiti APC condemns sack of 180 Assembly workers

By Gbenga Ariyibi

By Daud Olatunji

I cannot sacrifice my life for PDP—OBASANJO

Accord Partywithdrawspetition againstAregbesola

Ogun AssemblyPDP candidatescanvasssupport forJonathan,Isiaka

By Gbenga Olarinoye

By Daud Olatunji

AGRO-CARGO AIRPORT: Daniel dares Amosun toprobe him

By Daud Olatunji

ABEOKUTA—FORMERpresident, Chief Olusegun

Obasanjo, yesterday, said that hecan never sacrifice his life for thePeoples Democratic Party, but,will be ready to die for thecountry.

Obasanjo who was a formerChairman, Board of Trustees ofthe PDP, insisted that though heremains a card carrying memberof the PDP, but the first thing isNigeria and party comes second

Obasanjo stated this yesterdayduring a visit to his Hilltopresidence in Abeokuta by thepresidential candidate of theNational Conscience Party, Dr.Martins Onovo.

He said his pre-occupationafter leaving office was to workfor the interest of Nigeria, saying,it would be foolish for anyone tosay Nigeria did not belong toanybody.

Obasanjo said: “Let me hastento wish you every success in yourendeavour and also pay tribute,as I have done in my recentbook, to the founder of your party,Gani Fawehinmi. I believe hewas a genuine social critic. Youmay not agree with all he said orhow he went about it but he wasdefinately a genuine social critic.

“Because in this part of theworld we have a saying that ifpeople sleep and they put theirheads on the same pillow, theyare in danger and that meansthere should be some people

Says ‘I can die for Nigeria'

that should be critically lookingand watching and also able tospeak up when they should speakup, no matter what others may say.

“Because people may come upand say Nigeria doesn’t belongto anybody, I believe that is astupid saying. Nigeria belong toall of us because anything thatdoesn’t belong to anybody,anything can happen to it. For meNigerian belong to all of us andwe are stakeholders in thiscountry.

“Let me make my own position

clear, I am a card carryingmember of PDP because that isthe party on which platform Ibecame the President of thiscountry.

“My first pre-occupation iswhat is best for Nigeria. Nigeriafirst, party second and any otherthing third. Nigeria first, meanI’ll sacrifice anything for theinterest of Nigeria and I cansacrifice my own life for theinterest of Nigeria. I can’t sacrificemy life for the interest of a party.I’ll sacrifice my life for the interest

of Nigeria.“If what you’re trying to do is

in the best interest of Nigeria andNigerians accepted and vote foryou, who I am not to accept youas President of Nigeria. But whatcan I do in this your campaignto inform, woo and to convincethe electorate. But whatever maybe the outcome of the electionafter you have done all that, oncethe election is free and fear andundisturbed, uninterrupted,then you have to accept theverdict of the people.”

ABEOKUTA—FORMERGovernor of Ogun State,

Otunba Gbenga Daniel,yesterday, challenged hissuccessor, Senator IbikunleAmosun to probe hisadministration over allegedscandal in the proposed agro-cargo airport.

Daniel who spoke at the flagoff of the Peoples DemocraticParty, PDP, Remo Federalconstituency campaign held atthe Ikenne Motor Park, accusedthe present administration ofneglecting the road linkingIkenne with Sagamu which hesaid his administration started.

Amosun’s government hadaccused Daniel’s administrationof defrauding the state throughthe proposed Agro-Cargo Airportproject located at Iperu in IkenneLocal Government Area of thestate.

Daniel said he dared thecurrent administration toinstitute a probe against hisadministration to prove theallegations of any foul playagainst him if there is any.

According to him, as a sittinggovernor, he has all the powersto investigate any shady deal buthas failed to do so for close to fouryears. This shows the cluelessnature and grand mischief of hisadministration.

He said: “No government’smoney was spent on the project.It was solely funded by theconsultants who they chased

away on assumption of office.“A new administration in Ogun

State and able representation atthe Federal House ofRepresentatives shall revisit allthese projects, turn around thefortunes of Ikenne and the entireRemo Federal constituency andmake life more meaningful to thepeople.”

While speaking on the state of

roads in Remo Federalconstituency, which comprisesIkenne, Remo North andSagamu Local GovernmentAreas of the state, Daniel accusedAmosun’s government ofcriminal neglect of Remo Federalconstituency, especially thehistorical town of Ikenne where thereis no visible government’s presence forthe past three and a half years.

ADO EKITI—THE AllProgressives Congress,

APC, in Ekiti State has condemnedthe sack of 180 workers in EkitiState House of Assembly by themanagement of the assembly

180 workers of the assembly whowere wrongly recruited by the lastadministration had their letters ofappointment terminated onWednesday

Reacting to the development inAdo Ekiti yesterday, the PublicitySecretary, Taiwo Olatubosun,in astatement condemned thedecision, saying, "Fayose whoclaimed to be workers friendlycould resort to sacking the same

workers.“It is becoming clearer by the

day that Governor Fayose hadconned Ekiti workers intobelieving that he is their friendonly to start making life miserablefor them after securing theirsupport."

Olatubosun noted that theaffected staff were duly employedby the House of Assembly ServiceCommission with statutoryapproval since April 2014 withtheir conditions of service clearlystated, wondering how suchworkers could be summarilysacked by announcementimmediately after the New Yearinterdenominational servicewithout following civil service

rules.He said Olugbemi did not

have such powers to sackemployees of the House ofAssembly Service

Olugbemi warns OmirinMeantime, the factional

Speaker of the Ekiti State Houseof Assembly, Hon. DeleOlugbemi, has cautioned theembattled speaker, Dr. AdewaleOmirin against draggingmembers of the NationalAssembly into committingcontempt of court by requestingtheir intervention in the crisisthat is currently rocking theassembly

OSOGBO—THE secondpetitioner in the August

9, 2014 governorship electionpetition tribunal in Osun Stateand the Accord Party, AP,candidate during the election,Mr. Niyi Owolade yesterdaywithdrew his petition againstthe re-election of GovernorRauf Aregbesola before theelection petition tribunal.

The tribunal, led by JusticeElizabeth Ikpejime dismissedthe petition and slammed acost of N150,000 on him.

This is just as the judgeslashed the petitioner and hiscounsel for attributing thereason for withdrawal of thepetition to the fact that thepanel would not be able toconclude its hearing within180 days, instead of admittinghis lack of diligenceprosecution of the case.

Owolade's counsel, MrJacobs Adedayo at theresumed sitting of the tribunalyesterday moved a motiondated January 8, for thewithdrawal of the petition onthe ground that the panelwould not be able to concludethe hearing of the petitionwithin 180 days stipulated bythe electoral act.

ABEOKUTA—THE 26House of Assembly

candidates of the Ogun StatePeoples Democratic Party,PDP, have canvassed supportfor the re-election bid ofPresident Goodluck Jonathanand governorship candidatein the state Gboyega Isiaka.

The candidates said thepresident’s performanceremained the best thing tohave happened to the partyand the country.

In a statement issued inAbeokuta and endorsed byWale Alausa, AbdulfatahAgunleti, Bimbo Lanre-Balogun and JulianahAkintayo, among others, thePDP candidates applaudedJonathan’s investment ininfrastructure, agriculture andemployment generation in thelast three and half years.

The statement reads in part,“Since he was sworn-in in2011, several projects werepurposefully conceptualisedto put smiles on the faces ofNigerians without fear orfavour."

COMMISSIONING: The newly commissioned CHOIS City, Agbowa by Governor BabatundeFashola, built in partnership with First World Communities Ltd.

INSET: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, (3rd right), Commissioner forHousing, Mr. Bosun Jeje (2nd left), Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi (left), Hon.Olusegun Olulade (3rd left), the Alara of Ilara, Oba Hakeem Adesanya (2nd right) andPresident, First World Communities Ltd, Brig. Gen. Tunde Reis (retd), during thecommissioning of CHOIS City, Agbowa, Ikosi-Ejinrin Local Council Development Area, Lagos.

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015

By Simon Ebegbulem

Why Obasanjo's at war with Jonathan, by Owie WA-DA drumssupport forReyenieju

By Daniel Gumm

IYC hailsOkowa’schoice ofrunning mate

By Chioma Onuegbu

Kalabari endorse Dakuku for governor

BENIN—FORMER ChiefWhip of the Senate,

Senator Rowland Owie, hasalleged that the reason formerPresident Olusegun Obasanjowas at war with theadministration of PresidentGoodluck Jonathan wasbecause the latter refused tobe an errand boy to the formerPresident.

He said that Nigerians weresuffering today due to thefaulty foundation laid by theformer President.

He said: “The formerpresident should apologize toNigerians rather than blamethe administration of PresidentJonathan which is doing verywell for Nigerians.

“I am impressed that moreand more Nigerians aregetting to know that Obasanjois not truthful and claims to bewhat he is not. Obasanjo ranthe most corrupt governmentsince the amalgamation ofNigeria. The revenue thatObasanjo got in only one yearof his wasted eight yearsregime was almost the totalrevenue that IbrahimBabangida's regime got ineight years. While manylegacies were left behind byIBB's regime, there is nothinggood that can be traced toObasanjo's regime.

“All Obasanjo was known forwas election rigging both

within the PDP and thegeneral elections. Obasanjoopenly rigged out late SundayAwoniyi at the PDP nationalconvention in 2000 at EagleSquare in favour of colourlessopponents. He used the policeto invade the Apo Mansion,all in his bid to ruin theindependence of the NationalAssembly. Obasanjo is worse

than Hitler. Obasanjo is like apoisonous crop thatgerminated on Nigerian soil.

“He should hide his head inshame as he is the forerunnerof the anti-Christ. In theBenin Kingdom before thearrival of the whites, a manlike Obasdanjo who failedwoefully in publicadministration would have

been banished. The problembetween Jonathan andObasanjo is that Jonathanrefused to be his errand boy.

“There is no President ofNigeria that Obasanjo has notfought. Even the late MusaYar’Adua, whom he broughtwithout the consent of theNorth, he fought, even afterthe latter's death.”

Akpabio urges change ofattitude to electoral violence

By Jimitota Onoyume

PORT HARCOURT—THEKalabari ethnic

nationality in Rivers State,yesterday, endorsed thegovernorship candidate of AllProgressives Congress, APC,Dr. Dakuku Peterside, as theircandidate for the governorshipelection.

Flanked by other prominentchiefs from the area, ChiefBroadfield Jack, who spoke onthe position of the ethnicgroup in Port Harcourt, saidthat their decision stemmedfrom their agitation for powerrotation in the state.

According to him, GovernorRotimi Amaechi, who is fromthe upland area of the state,should be succeeded by ariverine person in the spirit offairness and justice.

He said: “Although the APCdid not pick a Kalabari Ijawcandidate, the APC adhered tothe principle of upland/riverine rotation and theprinciple of senatorial zoning.The candidature of an IbaniIjaw person, Dr Peterside, whois from Opobo Nkoro, inspireshope in all other ethnicnationalities in Rivers State.

“As the largest Rivers Ijawgroup, Kalabari owes it toRivers people to show

direction whenever such isrequired. Consequently, wecall on all Kalabari Ijawpeople, and indeed all wellmeaning Rivers people, to

support and vote Peterisdeacross political party lines innext month's governorshipelection.

“We must vote for Peterside.

We must defeat politicalhegemony. We must ensurethat Rivers State continues tobe available to all itscomponent units,” he said.

Group slams Oshiomhole over demoliton ofUNIBEN property

THE National Movementof Nigeria, NMN,

yesterday, condemnedGovernor Adams Oshiomholeof Edo State for demolishingthe property of the Universityof Benin, UNIBEN, includingthe residence of the immediatepast Vice Chancellor of theuniversity, Prof. OsayukiOshodin, in GRA, Benin City.

The movement also called onEdo electorate to vote outOshiomhole and his AllProgressives Congress, APC,in the February 14 and 28general elections to save Edopeople from further torment.

Addressing protestingstudents and staff of theuniversity on the issue inBenin City, yesterday,National Publicity Secretary ofthe movement, Mr. OkharediaIhimekpen, said that the onlyway their protest could bemeaningful to the generalityof Edo people and Nigerians

was to ensure that they votethe Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, in the February electionsto bring peace anddevelopment to the stateagain.

He said: “It is an irony that

Oshiomhole, who rode to po-litical power through theinstrumentality of the court oflaw seven years ago, has usedthe same power and privilegeto fight the interest of thepeople and the state.”

U Y O — G O V E R N O RGodswill Akpabio of

Akwa Ibom State has called onpoliticians, particularly theyouths who are usuallyemployed by desperatepoliticians to perpetrate havocduring elections, to have achange of attitude to ensurepeace and stability in theforthcoming general electionsin the country.

Akpabio, represented by thePermanent Secretary, Budget

Office, Mr. Nicholas Ekarika,at the South-South flag-off ofa two-day stakeholderssensitization forum on theProliferation of Small Armsand Light Weapons, SALWs inUyo, said: “It is a call forviolence-free election and theneed for people to decide theirleaders through their voteswithout intimidation or force.

“The power of the people istheir votes and he who takesaway the power to choose fromthem is planning a coup."

W A R R I — T H EWarri Democratic

Alliance, WA-DA,yesterday, called on thepeople of Warri federalconstituency to use theirvoting power to do the rightthing by voting Mr. DanielReyenieju of the PeoplesDemocratic Party, PDP, “asa way of defending andsaving our democracy.”

WA-DA, in a statement byits Chairman, Mr.Emmanuel Okotie-Eboh,explained that aftermeeting to “deliberate andx-ray the differentcandidates seeking torepresent Warri federalconstituency, Reyenieju washead and shoulders aboveall the other candidates.”

WA-DA said it consideredexperience as a bigadvantage in the dischargeof legislative functions,which, Reyenieju “is wellendowed with.

“He is cool headed andhas brought his experienceto bear on thorny nationalissues concerning theconstituency."

IJAW Youth Council,IYC, Western zone

parliamentarian, Mr.Sunny Ogori, Clerk ofthe House, has said thatthe choice of Mr KingsleyOtuaro as Dr. IfeanyiOkowa’s running matewill further brighten thechances of PeoplesDemocratic Party, PDP inclinching thegovernorship seat ofDelta State.

He said that Otuaro,being a grassrootsmobilizer, tested andexperienced, will attractlarge votes from DeltaSouth and beyond,adding that he hasalways delivered in anyassignment given to him.

Commending Okowafor making the wisechoice, he noted that theIjaw nation was fullybehind him to actualisehis dreams, addinngthat their team if electedwould furtherconsolidate the gains ofdemocracy to Deltans.

BRIEFING: From right: Chief Diepiriye Briggs; Chief Broadfield Micheal-Jack and ChiefGogo Briggs, during a briefing by Kalabari and Ijaw chiefs to declare support for Dr. DakukuPeterside, in Port Harcourt, yesterday. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015—13

Better days in sight, Emerhor assures Deltans

Dickson reaffirms commitment toJonathan's re-election

OLOROGUN O’tegaEmerhor, the All

Progressives Congress, APC,governorship candidate in DeltaState, has assured the people ofthe state, that better days were atsight if only they will musterenough courage to clip the wingsof the ruling Peoples DemocraticParty, PDP, by casting their votesfor the APC in the forthcominggeneral elections.

Emerhor said that the misruleof the PDP was one of the factorsin next month’s election, addingthat it was now left for the peopleto decide whether or not theywant socio-economic freedom orto remain enslaved by the rulingparty’s corruption cabal.

He said that the 16 years of PDPbad governance had retarded theeconomic growth and overalldevelopment of Delta State inparticular and Nigeria in general.

The APC candidate, whoreceived his party's flag from theNational Chairman, Chief OdigieOyegun, said that Delta Statemust be salvaged from thestronghold of economic saboteurs,

who without conscience, lootedthe treasury for themselves andtheir political associates.

He charged party supporters atthe Warri Stadium that GeneralMohammadu Buhari was adisciplined man, a fact that needto be put to best during the

BRIEFING: From left: Chief Davies Ikanya, Rivers State APC Chairman; Prince Peter Odike,Vice Chairman, APC Rivers State and Mr. Napoleon Ukalipie, Assistant Secretary APC Riv-ers State, during a briefing by Rivers State APC in Port Harcourt, yesterday. Photo: NwankpaChijioke.

elections.Meanwhile, Governor AdamsOshiomhole of Edo State, hasexpressed confidence inOlorogun O’tega Emerhor, tochange the fortunes of the stateas he did in Edo State.

Oshiomhole was appealing to

Delta voters at the Warri TownshipStadium where Gen.Mohammadu Buhari’spresidential campaign rallyberthed in Delta State.

He said: “With Emerhor, Deltanow has a chance to feel thechange Edo State has beenexperiencing under APC."

Receives APC governorship flag from Odigie-Oyegun

Efik chiefs denounce calumnycampaign against Imoke

By SamuelOyadongha

Y E N A G O A —G O V E R N O R

Seriake Dickson ofBayelsa State hasreaffirmed his supportand commitment to there-election project ofPresident GoodluckJonathan in next month'selection.

Speaking against thebackdrop of insinuationsthat some politicalappointees were recentlydropped because of a riftwith the President,Dickson, in a statementin Yenagoa, said that asthe leader of thegovernment and thePeoples DemocraticParty, PDP, in BayelsaState, he personallymobilised women andyouth groups from allparts the state and alsoled the state delegationto the traditionalmarriage of thePresident’s niece atOtuoke over theweekend.

He cautionedpoliticians in the state toeschew subversive anddivisive tendencies,capable of threateningthe existing peaceful,harmonious, united andconducive environmentthe restoration

government had workedhard to put in place, thathas also ushered in rapidand massivedevelopment in the state.

The warning is comingon the heels of recentactions by somepoliticians to promotethe politics of disaffectionand divisions in the state.

The statement berated

politicians, led by aformer deputy governorof the state and theircohorts for creatingdivisions among thewomen, mostly to servetheir own selfishinterests and personalaggrandizement otherthan the TransformationAmbassadors of Nigeria,TAN.

PROMINENT Efikchiefs, yesterday,

denounced what theydescribed as gratuitouscampaign of calumnyagainst Governor LiyelImoke of Cross RiverState.

In a communiqué byEtuboms Nya Asuquo,Alex Edem, amongothers, the Efik chiefs,while thanking GovernorImoke for the choice ofthe governorshipcandidate and hisrunning mate for thestate, said: “We thepeople of Cross RiverSouthern senatorialdistrict thank ourgovernor, Imoke, for thewonderful choice of thegovernorship candidateand his running mate,Professors Ben Ayade

and Ivara Esu. We thepeople of Calabar areone with our brothersfrom Biase andAkamkpa. We will notwelcome people who donot mean well for us andwho by their selfishagenda try to divide us.The choice of ProfessorEsu as running mate isexcellent.

“Our amiablegovernor, Imoke, foralmost eight years now,he been a saint to thesepeople, but suddenlybecame the worst Satanon earth, as soon assome people who hadbenefitted enormouslyfrom him, failed tosecure nominations in afree and fair contest,they started attackinghim.”

By Egufe Yafugborhi

Amaechireleases fundfor Rivers firevictims

PORT HAR-C O U R T —

GOVERNOR RotimiAmaechi of Rivers Statehas released N300million and N50 millionto fire victims inRumuwoji Mile 1 and theNew Layout Bolokirimarkets in the state, inorder to alleviate theplights of the traders,who lost all theirbelongings to the firethat gutted the markets.

The governor releasedthe funds in line with hispromise to the victims ofthe fire incidents in thetwo markets. Amaechihad earlier in the courseof inspecting the two fireincidents, promised thathe would rebuild themarkets and compensateall the people whosegoods were destroyed bythe fire.

CMYK

14—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2014

FOLLOWING THEcontroversy generated by

Catholic priest, Father EjikeMbaka’s purported divine callon President GoodluckJonathan to quit office beforenext month’s presidentialelection, the SouthernChristian Elders’ Forum,yesterday, responded, saying

that General MohammaduBuhari should be disqualified onaccount of his alleged academicdeficiency.

A statement by the Coordinator/Acting Chairman of the Forum,Bishop David Eberechukwu,argued that if the APC candidatedoes not possess the minimumacademic qualification stated inthe 131 section of the 1999Nigerian Constitution he shouldbe disqualified.

The Forum contended that theforthcoming election can only beadjudged as credible if theprovisions of the Constitution areheld to the letter, noting, “this isgoing to determine our readinessto move the nation forward.

“If he (Buhari) is allowed tocontest the election, it will be astandard for others to follow. Nocourt of law will disqualify anyoneif one fails to present the requireddocuments. We need the

Independent National ElectoralCommission, INEC, to be seriouswith this, “we cannot allow this tobe.”

Worried about public utterancesof some politicians, the Forumwarned political office holders andclerics not to hide under theprivileges of their offices to makeutterances capable of heating upthe polity.

“We call on all political officeholders and clerics to mind theirutterances and what they say forthe unity of the nation. We wantall to be careful because Nigeriais not any man’s property (of anysection or group of people) rather,Nigeria is for us all and we willnot compromise our faith in thisnation,” Bishop Eberechukwustated.

The statement alsocongratulated President Jonathanfor all his efforts to see that Nigeriawas united, and prayed that Godwill be with him, urging allNigerians to pray in theirrespective places of worship forthe nation, arguing that "Nigerianeeds prayers now and we willnot fail to pray as a nation and asa people.”

The Forum argued thatJonathan has done much to becongratulated though manycriticise him, but "we owe him ourprayers."

It will be recalled that in a NewYear message to his flock, at theAdoration Ground in Enugu, Rev.Father Mbaka said the Holy Spirittold him that Nigeria is at the brinkof change, following the badleadership provided in the last sixyears by President Jonathan.

According to Mbaka, Jonathan'sleadership of Nigeria was turnedinto a national bad luck. Thetheme of his message was: “FromGood Luck to bad Luck”.

“Goodluck met our oil, it turnedto bad luck. He met our Naira, itbecame bad luck. We needchange. Christmas that ought tobe goodluck Christmas becamebad luck Christmas,” he said, tothe applause of thousands ofpeople who attended the open airevent.

Southern Christian Elders’ Forumcalls for Buhari's disqualification

By Sam Eyoboka

EFCC smashes N300m crude oil syndicateBy Soni Daniel

IN WHAT may be describedas the biggest catch of in new

year, the Economic and FinancialCrimes Commission, EFCC, hassmashed a syndicate ofsuspected fraudsters, who dupedtheir victims, within and outsideNigeria of over N300million incases involving different fakecrude oil deals.

Two members of the syndicate,Michael and Emmanuel, arecurrently in the custody of EFCC,explaining their involvement in

the alleged crude oil scam.EFCC moved against the

syndicate following complainantsby victims, who had been fleecedby the suspects who operate withdifferent pseudo names andcompanies.

An unsuspecting victim allegedthat members of the syndicatecollected the sum of N119millionfrom him in the pretext ofsupplying him two million barrelsof Bonny Light Crude Oil.

According to him, the oil supplydocuments, which werepurportedly obtained from theNigerian National Petroleum

Corporation, NNPC, were,however, found to be fakes.

In the course of investigation,operatives of EFCC quizzed oneSamson Omobere of Etsam Oiland Gas Limited, who admittedcollecting the total sum of moneyfrom the complainant.

Omobere alleged that hetransferred a substantial part ofthe money to Magnificent MarineServices Limited.

This led to the arrest of oneMichael, a director inMagnificent Marine ServicesLimited, who allegedly withdrewover $358, 000 and N11.7million

from the company’s accountunder the names of Boma Harry,Peterson Harry and Elder DanJumbo.

Four drivers’ licences bearinghis photograph under the nameof Michel, as well as several otherscam documents from his emailaddress were recovered from hishouse.

In another case that has nowbecome an albatross around theirnecks, members of the syndicatealso allegedly obtained the sumof N300, 000 from another victim,a Kenyan citizen resident inGermany.

PDPcampaigningwith lies,divisive issues—OSHIOMHOLE

By SimonEbegbulem

BENIN CITY —G O V E R N O R

Adams Oshiomhole of EdoState, alleged, yesterday,that the Peoples DemocraticParty had begun acampaign of lies to deceivethe people and furtherimpoverish them since theyhave no record ofperformance to present tothe people.

Speaking at thecommissioning of theAuchi-Jattu-Afashio-Ikabigbo Road, thegovernor said: “In the nextcouple of weeks, in fact, theseason is already here,politicians are already intomarketing. Politicians aremaking deliberate efforts toremove the issue ofdevelopment from politicaldiscourse.

"They prefer to discussissue of ethnicity. Theyprefer to buffet us withissues of religion,primordial sentiments andall kinds of ridiculousthings. But what you theelectorate must insist on isthat 16 years afterdemocracy, the learningcurve is over.

“If you were doingapprentice and you havenot gotten your freedomafter 16 years, your case ishopeless. If you werepursuing a universitydegree and after 16 years,you could not obtain adegree, you would beadvised to withdraw.Sixteen years of democracy,we cannot continue to dotrial and error governance.

“We must now approachgovernance on the basis ofskills, competence andcourage. We must haveclarity of industrial policiesthat are not contradictory,policies designed to reduceand bring Nigeria back towork and give work to ouryoung people.

"We must move away fromthe tradition where weengage in fraud in thename of SURE-P and giveto individuals to share sothat we might use them asthugs.

“We must move away fromempowering individuals tobuilding institutions. Whenpoliticians come to ask youto vote for them like I wasreading today wheresomebody said he wasgoing to provide bursary toour students, we must askthem when you were herefor 10 years, how manypeople did you givebursary to?”

From left, Pa & Mrs. Frank Aig-Imoukhuede, and Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, the son,during Pa Aig-Imoukhuede's 80th birthday party, at Muson Centre, Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe

Aliko Dangote, President, Dangote Group (left), and Mr. Aigboje Aig- Imoukhuede, theson of Pa Frank Aig - Imoukhuede.

Pa Aig-Imoukhuede marks 80th birthday

CMYK

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015—15

PDP presidential campaign flag-off in Lagos

From left, Alhaji Adamu Mu'azu, National Chairman of PDP; Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Presidentalial Candidiate;Arc. Namadi Sambo, Vice President Candidate; Senator David Mark, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Hon EmekaIhedioha, Imo State Governorship Candidate; Alhaji Ahmadu Ali, former National Chairman of PDP, during thePDP Presidential Campaign flag-off Rally, at Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan, Lagos, Photos: Kehinde Gbadamosi& Akeem Salau

Lagos State PDP Governorship Candidate, JimiAgbaje (middle); Senator Musiliu Obanikoro(right), and Jimi Agbaje's Running Mate, AlhajaSafurat Abdulkarim.

From left, Senator David Mark,Vice President Namadi Sambo, PresidentJonathan, Dr Adamu Mu'azu and Ayodele Fayose, Ekiti State governor.

From left, Alhaji Waziri, Yobe State Governorship candidate; Mallam NuhuRibadu, Adamawa State Governorship Candidate; Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, DeltaState Governorship Candidate, and his wife, Edith.

From left, Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo Stateand Omisore Iyiola, former Osun State PDPGov Candidate .

From left, former governor of the state, OtunbaGbenga Daniel; Ogun State governorship candidateof the party, Prince Gboyega Isiaka, and NationalChairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, AlhajiAdamu Muazu.

Cross section of the supporters

Cross section of artistes.

From left, Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang; Ondo StateGovernor,Olusegun Mimiko; Ekiti State Governor; AyodeleFayose, and Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, Niger State Governor.

CMYK

16 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015

2015: APC'll win on first ballot – NGIGE

L A G O S — T H Eg o v e r n o r s h i p

candidate of the PeoplesDemocratic Party, PDP, inEnugu State, IfeanyiUgwuanyi has been presentedwith the party’s flag with amandate to lead the PDP’scampaign and ensure victoryfor the party in the Februarygeneral elections.

President Goodluck Jonathanand the PDP NationalChairman, Alhaji AdamuMu’azu presented the flag toHon. Ugwuanyi and othergovernorship candidates of theparty at the flag off of the PDPNational Campaign Rally inLagos yesterday.

Ugwuanyi was elected as thePDP gubernatorial flagbearer at

the December 8, 2014 primaryelection held in Enugu State.

Speaking with newsmenafter receiving the flag, Hon.Ugwuanyi thanked the partyand the people of Enugu statefor the confidence reposed inhim and assured that he wouldconsolidate on the currentgains and take the state to thenext level of development.

AWKA—THE senatorrepresenting Anambra

Central and the South Eastzonal coordinator of AllProgressives Congress, APC,Presidential CampaignCouncil, Senator Chris Ngige,said yesterday that the partywould win the February 14,2015 presidential election onthe first ballot, going by a well-researched poll conducted byan international organization.

Addressing reporters in Awkaas part of the preparations forthe launching of the APCcampaign in the South East,which kicks off in Ebonyi State

today with the presentation ofthe party ’s flag to thegovernorship candidate in thestate, Senator Julius Ucha,Ngige said the signs werethere that APC will win in 28states with majority of votes tobe cast.

According to him, APCcommissioned seasonedprofessionals who analyzed thesituation and with the votersspread and collection ofpermanent voter cards done, aswell as the voting strength of thesix geo-political zones in thecountry, there were indicationsthat APC would coast to victoryon the first ballot on February 14.

Ngige advised eligible voters

in the South East to read thehandwriting on the wall, saying:‘I have been preaching againstIgbo pushing themselves intomarginalization, but our peoplepreferred to put their eggs in onebasket. While many states in otherzones have embraced APC, it isonly Imo that is governed by theparty. That is political short-sightedness and that was why welost out during the considerationfor the vice presidential slot. Howcan we expect to produce the vicepresident when we have onlyone governor?

“Some of us from the South Eastargued that giving us the vicepresidential slot could help tostrengthen the party in the zone,but as you know, politics is a gameof numbers as we were seen asweaklings in the party. Unlessthere is a change of attitude bythe Igbo political merchants, it willcontinue to be difficult for us tobe given the kind of position wedesire.”

On the presidential campaignin the South East, Ngige said thetrain would move from Abakalikito Aba in Abia State today, wherethe party’s governorship flagbearer, Mr. Anyim Nyerere andother candidates would bepresented to the people.

AWKA—SIX suspectedmembers of the Movement

for the Actualization of theSovereign State of Biafra,MASSOB, were yesterdayarrested by the men of theNigerian Navy in Onitsha forallegedly hoisting Biafran flagsand causing breach of peace.

Those arrested were ObioraIgweonwu, Chibuzor Ekwe,Lawrence Nwibo, OkechukwuNwafor, Okechukwu Emeka andOkechukwu Okoye.

The defunct Biafran flags becamenoticeable in many parts ofAnambra State in the last few daysand fingers pointed at MASSOBmembers for the action.

Handing over the suspects to theAnambra Police Command, theCommanding Officer of the NavalOut-post, Onitsha, Navy Capt.Mike Oamen, said naval officialsnabbed the MASSOB members asthey blocked the Onitsha-Enuguroad at Awkuzu Junction.

He said apart from blockingthe road and threatening thepeace of law-biding citizens,the suspects were busyhoisting unauthorized flags.

Oamen said: “We arrestedfive of them at AwkuzuJunction, while one of them,Mr Okechukwu Okoye, wascaught extorting money fromtraders and disturbing thepeace of traders and shopowners in Fegge area ofOnitsha.

''Items recovered from theminclude clubs, charms, as wellas MASSOB flags, bags andcaps. I urge residents of the stategive prompt information aboutthis gang and other criminalelements to the joint securitytaskforce for prompt actionbecause these people have noplace in civilized society.”

Six MASSOBmembersarrested forhoisting Biafranflags in Anambra

By Vincent Ujumadu

By Vincent Ujumadu

Jonathan, Adamu Mu’azu present PDP flag to Ugwuanyi

CMYK

CMYK

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015 —17

Responses to:donzol2002@yahoo.co.ukor to 0802 747 6458 OR0811 675 9752 (texts only).PLEASE KINDLY NOTETHAT UNLESS YOUREQUEST ANONYMITY,YOUR COMMENTS MAYBE PUBLISHED, WITHYOUR NAMES ANDCONTACT DETAILSATTACHED.

THE late Harold Wilson,a two-time (1964 to 1970

and 1974 to 1976) PrimeMinister of the UnitedKingdom, once expressed theview that “a week is a longtime in politics”.

Meanwhile, a Fulani friendgloomily informed me twoyears ago (we were discussingPresident GoodluckJonathan’s unimpressiveperformance and wonderingwhether he would up hisgame before he completed hisfirst term) that his peopleoften say that one can tell byWednesday what kind ofweekend one is likely to have. Both statements, thoughcontradictory, make sense.Wilson’s implies that politicaloutcomes can never beaccurately predicted becauseanything – ie, all manner ofunexpected developments -can happen during anyseven-day timespan. TheFulani one implies that mostoutcomes can be predicted onthe basis of recentoccurrences.

Recentoccurences

In other words, whileJonathan’s depressing trackrecord to date suggests thathe is much more likely thannot to continue to disappointme and the many otherNigerians who aredisappointed in him at themoment, it is also possiblethat Jonathan’s image and/orperformance will suddenlyimprove at some point in thevery near future.

Any politician’s reputationor political party’s fortunescan (for any number ofreasons) be mortally woundedor significantly enhancedovernight and within a matterof hours – never mind over thecourse of the five whole weeksthat will elapse between nowand the Presidential electionin mid-February. And it’s

entirely possible for Jonathanand Buhari, his main rival, tosuddenly become much morepopular or much less popular. In other words, even thoughI reckon that most Nigeriansare tired of the Anything GoesJonathan Administration anddesperately want Change, Icannot confidently echopundits who are confidentlydescribing a Buhari victory as“inevitable” because Buharimight make mistakes beforeFebruary 15 and because Idon’t believe that its “too late”

for Jonathan to regain a largechunk of the support he haslost since his 2011 triumph.

Jonathan can still pull off acouple of last-minute movesthat might maybe help himenormously. He can, forexample, tell his wife todrastically lower her profile.He can, for example, sackAbba Moro, the Minister ofInterior who presided over abotched recruitment exercisethat led to many deaths. Hecan, for example, instructDiezani Allison-Maduekeand Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, theMinisters of Petroleum andFinance, to stop coming acrossas shifty and deliver a truthfulreport about our oilrevenues.

And so onBut will Mr President

quickly acquire the guts andwisdom to clean up his actand maximize the advantagesof incumbency and maximizehis chances of winning fairand square? Will he realisethat it will be highly risky torely on rigging?

I doubt it! Let me conclude by quoting

Dele Momodu, a friend andmedia colleague who recentlymade the following commentsin his column in anothernewspaper:

“The belief of most people Iknow is that neither APC norPDP is perfect. They arereadily dismissed as twosides of the same coin. Let’sstretch it further. Buhari and

Jonathan both have their k-legs. But the former seems tohave managed his own insuch a way that people havecome to terms with whateveris regarded as shortcomingswhile they have given up onany redeeming grace forJonathan’s apparentweaknesses. In fact, Buhari incomparison to Jonathan is likehaving to choose betweenulcer and cancer. Bothailments will definitely causepain and discomfiture but thedifference is still crystal clear.

Stunnedwife

My Itsekiri brother stretchedmy thoughts further. He saidhe had asked his wife aquestion recently whilediscussing Buhari andJonathan: “Darling, whoamong the two would youwant to leave our kids with ifwe decide to travel for oneweek...?” The stunned wifetook a deep breath beforeanswering: “If I’ve no otherperson to leave them withthan those two, I think I willpick Buhari. I know he mightnot allow them to eat too muchand he may even ban themfrom watching their Disneychannels but at least the kidswill be safe and we’ll meetthem at home when we comeback.” C’est finis!

I think that Dele has verycleverly and very neatly

New Year, New Government?

•President Goodluck Jonathan

summarised one aspect of thedifference between Jonathanand Buhari; and I just LOVEthe analogy about childcareand couldn’t agree more withDele’s Itsekiri brother’s wife!

Finally, let me publish anemail I’ve just received fromIfeka Okonkwo, one of myregular readers. Mr Okonkwois reacting to the APC’sChristmas message toNigerians, which Ireproduced on this page lastweek. I disagree withOkonkwo on this occasion,but feel obliged to inject somejournalistic balance!

“Donu, the minds ofNigerians are presentlypreoccupied about what willbe the fate of our countryfollowing the outcome of the2015 general elections andnot about the grandiosepromises contained in theXmas message from APC!

They are just playing to thegallery, as we are not sure ifthey will fulfill even half ofthe promises they have madewhen eventually they win theelections.”

•Gen. Muhammadu Buhari

Jonathan can stillpull off a couple oflast-minute movesthat might maybehelp himenormously

OPINION

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015

By Dennis Agbo

OPINIONLessons from Elechi's loss of Ebonyi PDP

*Mr. Agbo, a media practitioneer,wrote from Enugu, Enugu State.

THAT Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyistate has performed to leverage the

sleepy but potential state from backwardnessto growth in a certain level of infrastructureprovision is not in doubt.

By May 29, 2015, the Governor will pridehimself with the new Abakaliki city alsoknown as Ochoudo city, connecting the onceremote areas in both old Abakaliki andOhaozara communities with state of the artbridges and measurable roads.

Elechi also tried to provide water forsanitation in the previously Guinea wormendemic villages even though he may notcomplete the costly project.

The more important thing he did for thestate is the assimilation of what used to bethe two divides of the related people of thestate that were balkanized in the other fourstates of the South east region before Ebonyistate was made a reality in 1996.

He did all that but towards the end of hiseight years reign, Elechi lost grip of the rulingPeoples Democratic party, PDP, that hecontrolled like a man ruled in his privatefamily.

Now, Elechi could not field, nay, imposehis preferred candidates for the 2015 generalelections in the state. He did not only fail inimposing the former minister of health, Prof.Onyebuchi Chukwu as the governorshipcandidate of the PDP for the state, but alsofailed to nominate himself as the candidatefor Ebonyi Central Senatorial district. In thesame manner he also could not succeed in

foisting any candidate of his choice for anyelective position in the coming election.

What the governor rather did was to pushhis followers to join the Labour Party (LP)while only him remained in the PDP,pledging to work for the re-election ofPresident Goodluck Jonathan, even when heis annoyed that Jonathan could not rescuehim from the disgrace with which othermembers of the PDP meted on him byforcefully snatching control of the rulingparty away from him.

Elechi’s loss of grip on PDP in the statebecame an interesting political studybecause it is on rare cases that such tablesare turned against an incumbent governor,particularly when the party needed all thefollowership to win a return ticket for thePresident. The last Elechi’s treatment wasmeted on a governor on South east was in2003 when the then Governor ChinwokeMbadinuju of Anambra state was denied areturn ticket by the PDP and he defected tothe Alliance for Democracy (AD) and failed.It is in the same manner that feelers from

Ebonyi indicate that Elechi’s Labour Partyin the state is expected to crash out ofreckoning.

PDP stakeholders in Ebonyi state becamefurious with Elechi when the governor afterpersonal evaluations came to announce hischoice of candidates for the election. Thegovernor allegedly shared the positionswithout carrying along other importantstakeholders of the PDP in the state.

After the announcements at the partysecretariat, Elechi said that “Rome hasspoken,” meaning that his words were final.

For an important stakeholder like theSecretary to the Government of theFederation (SGF), Senator Anyim PiusAnyim, who hails from the state, Anyimheard about Elechi’s choices in a distantplace, and so was the case with people likeDr. Sam Egwu who in 2007 defiled all adviceand handed power to Elechi on a platter ofgold.

Dr. Egwu’s case is more pathetic becausesince he handed power over to Elechi in2007, it is on record that Egwu never pickedup quarrels with his successor but rathersupported Elechi and did not prey intosuccessive government till date.

Having stayed in the cooler for eight yearsand as election got closer, Egwu was said tohave indicated interest to go to the Senateand discussed it privately with Elechi forabout three times and Elechi gave himassurances of his support only for Elechi toturn the tables against the man who leftyounger men in the state and made himgovernor even without his asking.

In the case of Senator Anyim, Elechi had

always shown him hatred to the extent thatthe governor made sure that a localgovernment council chairmanship aspirantfrom Anyim’s native council was disqualifiedfrom contesting the election on a trumpedup allegation that Anyim had sympathy forthat aspirant. As if that was not enough,Elechi nominated the most visible antagonistof the SGF from his community to becomethe acting state chairman of the PDP andwhen that plot failed, Elechi asked theantagonist to run for Federal House ofRepresentatives of Anyim’s constituency,just to spite the SGF and paint him as onewho is incapable of delivering even hiscommunity.

Similar stories were told by people like therespected Dr. Offia Nwali, the DeputyGovernor who now emerged the PDPcandidate, Engr. Dave Umahi, two timesdeputy governor to Egwu and Elechiadministrations, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, amongother stakeholders of the PDP in Ebonyi state.

It was therefore not surprising that afterthe national headquarters of the PDP listenedto both sides in the Ebonyi PDP divide andseeing what majority of the PDP membersin the state wanted, the PDP took a decisionto allow due process prevail in the state andat ward congresses of November 1, 2014 andthe subsequent congresses that produceddelegates for the party primary elections,Elechi was roundly and compoundlydefeated.

Governor Elechi therefore became theproverbial king who crowned himselfwithout the approval of his subjects.

Governor Elechitherefore became theproverbial king whocrowned himselfwithout the approvalof his subjects

NIGERIAN party politics since civil rule in1999 has been dominated by factions, internalcrises, irreconcilable differences, opendisagreements among members of the sameparty, especially those in high public offices.Three parties at the starting line - PeoplesDemocratic Party, PDP, the All Peoples Party,APP, later All Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP,and the Alliance for Democracy, AD in 1999 -morphed at a point to more than 50 parties.Their politics is indiscernible.

The main parties in the First Republic werethe Northern Peoples Congress, NPC, theUnited Middle Belt Congress, UMBC, theNorthern Elements Progressive Union, NEPU,the National Convention of Nigerian Citizens,NCNC, and the Action Group, AG. Theirleaders Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sir AbubakarTafawa Balewa, Joseph Tarka, Dr. NnamdiAzikiwe, and Chief Obafemi Awolowo had firmgrip on their affairs.

From 1979, the National Party of Nigeria,NPN, Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, NigeriaPeoples Party, NPP, Great Nigeria PeoplesParty, GNPP, Peoples Redemption Party, PRPand Nigerian Advanced Party, NAP, had theirleaders Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji WaziriIbrahim, Mallam Aminu Kano, Dr. NnamdiAzikiwe, and Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Chief

Needed: PNeeded: PNeeded: PNeeded: PNeeded: PararararartytytytytyDisciplineDisciplineDisciplineDisciplineDiscipline

Augustus Meredith Akinloye, Alhaji MaitamaSule, Mallam Suleiman Takuma, Chief TunjiBraithwaite who were in control.

NPN wooed voters with qualitativeeducation and agricultural revolution; UPNpromised free education at all levels; NPPemphasised social justice and reduceddependence on oil revenue. GNPP wasmainly known for “politics withoutbitterness”; PRP championed the cause ofthe poor, the talakawas, while NAP wasrenowned for bombast. Ideologically, theparties had identities.

Internal party discipline was strong enoughthat disagreements were settled mostly

internally, dissenting members sought theirinterests elsewhere. Everyone knew who ledthe parties.

Today, candidates campaign on their ownmanifestoes, not their parties’. Parties areordinary platforms for actualisation ofpersonal desires, rather than vehicles forarticulating delivery of services to the people.No single party today has a programme, ormanifesto that identifies it with issues ittackles with commitment.

Parties have members with divergent views,people of disparate ideological leanings whoare in the same party for the potentials of theplatform to provide electoral success. We havea dysfunctional political party system. If theparties had clear-cut programmes, politickingwould be saner. Political leadershipdevelopment would be systematic; unlike thepresent chaotic system where parties growleadership by co-option. Co-opted membersowe allegiance to their principals rather thanto the party, and by extension, the nationsuffers the impact of the rumpus.

There is need for a return to genuine,workable, political party system where partydiscipline would enhance the nation’spolitical growth and save it from needlesspolitical crises driven by personal ambitions.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015—————1919191919

CMYK

By Clement Udegbe

•Mr. Udegbe, a legalpractitioner, wrote fromLagos.

By Eddie Brume

Costly gamble with thisINEC

NDDC: Whither the envisaged interventions

The time is always right to doright----Nelson Mandela

TOWARDS the last quarterof last year, Vanguard

Newspaper revealed the plan bythe Independent NationalElectoral Commission, INEC, toallocate more polling boots to thenorth than to other parts of thecountry, especially the fivestates in the South East zone, towhich they allocated less pollingunits than the Federal CapitalTerritory, Abuja. INEC hadplanned new 30,000 pollingunits, and in the distribution ofthese units favoured the north,against the whole south. Thisprovoked an uproar by all andsundry,who saw thehandwriting on the wall, thatINEC had a plan to truncate the2015 election results fromfoundation, in favour of thenorth.

People called for the removal ofthe Chairman of INEC, Prof.Attahiru Jega, a Hausa Fulani ,and a complete over haul of thesystem, to secure a free and fair2015 election, and remove anysemblance of favouritism to anypolitical zone, party orcontestant in the comingelections. The Prof came out in atypically known fashion, to boastabout how messianic his missionwas to Nigeria, and to defend theindefensible. He was not anethnic jingoist the head-lines

screamed in his defense. As it isusual with things of life,commentators emerged, on bothsides of the divide, in theelectronic and print media. Andat most fora, analyzing whetherthere was a plan by INEC, to rigthe elections with the allocationof the new 30,000 polling units.

Those who would benefit fromthe obnoxious plan spoke andwrote emotionally, blowingempty air at their listeners, andreaders, calling othersethnocentrics, pessimists, etc,while others accepted thatethnicity is part of humansociety, and can be used to fosterthe growth and unity of ournation if applied positively. Theyprovided the facts, andsuddenly, when the matter wassent to court, Prof. Jega buckledand shelved the Plan. But to thesurprise of many, in the spirit ofnew impetuosity, and impunitywhich are major weaknesses ofthis administration, he wasallowed to remain on seat, inspite of all the facts that dictateotherwise.

President GEJ, has achievedmuch more than any Presidentbefore him, but impunity taintedwith impetuosity, among hisadvisers and key officers hasremained his Achilles heels.

These two factors have workedtogether to give people whoordinarily should bow beforehim, the impetus to bad mouthhis administration. They havealso become a source offrustration and embarrassment

to those who believe in him, andare convinced of his abilities todeliver even more no matterwhat. GEJ, is the first properlyeducated, President Nigeria hashad, since after the civil war andhas to the surprise of histraducers proven to be a goodman, a balanced listener, ahumble but determinedPresident, and a man of thepeoples of Nigeria, and the bestso far, BUT for these two factors!

People have called for apostponement of the 2015elections in order to giveNigerian military and ourleaders, the time and space to

focus to exterminate BokoHaram, before they become tookstrong, and too entrenched to bestopped. It took us time to acceptthat we are and have been in awar with Boko Haram.We firstcalled them terrorists, theninsurgents, and finally after itbecame almost too late, weaccepted that they had a clearmission to divide Nigeria alongreligious lines, with their owncaliphate in the North ofNigeria. Yet for parochialpolitical reasons, some eminentleaders still see Boko Haram as asocial situation tainted only withreligion. What a fallacy!

In all the haze, INEC continuesto work assiduously towards itsknown agenda, to either favoursome known sections of thecountry, or truncate the 2015elections, by the use of PermanentVoting Cards, PVCs. Forexample, just about six monthsto the elections, INEC suddenlydiscovered that the Votersregistrations Data, for most ofthe South of Nigeria, andespecially in the South East, werecorrupted. It launched into a halfhazard new voters registrationexercise without adequateprovisions for materials andother requirements for theexercise. I went to register inOrlu, my Local Government, andobserved that most registrationcentres had no power generatingsets, no logistics arrangement, noprinting inks, and communitieshad to provide these facilities toensure that there were notdisenfranchised. The story wasthe same for most registrationcentres in the South East, andeven in Lagos state, but not inthe north, where they had allwell provided for them.

The question is why the doublestandard, and why should morehuddles be put on the way of thesouthern voters, if not for anadvanced method of rigging tofavour in a particular region andcandidate ? Now, five weeks toPresidential elections, INECthrows up issues of Certificatesagainst the OppositionPresidential Flag Bearer, and theruling Vice President, creatingunnecessary tension in thepolity, and diversion from theirmain game. Who really caresabout the qualifications of aformer Head of State of thiscountry?

Let this nonsense stop, as wealready know the game, whichis why we say, let Buhari run,and if he must lose, let him losegallantly like the soldier he hasbeen. The key concern remainsthat INEC allows ALL Nigeriansto exercise their right to vote,and chose who leads them, come2015, as they can block millionsof voters, by insisting on PVCs foreligibility to vote!

About nine months ago, Nigeriahad the options to postpone theelections, and use the sameDoctrine of Necessity that madeGEJ, the President after the deathof President Yar'Adua, to let himcontinue, and focus on winningthe war and plan for a smootherelections thereafter, but thevoice of reason was subdued bythe crowd of frenzied powerdrunks, manipulators andpolitical jobbers. Today, the onlyoption is either to deal withINEC, or INEC will deal with usall!

IT was a damning verdict that did notcome to close watchers of developments

in the Niger Delta as a surprise. Andcoming from the Nigeria ExtractiveIndustries Transparency Initiative,NEITI, it is a report one cannot easilydismiss or take with a pinch of salt. In arecently published audit report, NEITI hadcategorically indicted some federal and stateagencies for mismanaging and misapplyingfunds allocated to them. Those indictedincluded Nigeria’s Excess Crude Account,ECA; the Niger Delta DevelopmentCommission, NDDC; Natural ResourcesDevelopment Fund; Ecological Fund;Petroleum Technology Development Fund,PTDF; Tertiary Education Trust Fund,TETfund, and Stabilisation Fund. The thrustof the report is that, based on investigations,there were anomalies in the managementof the funds at the disposal of theseinterventionist agencies.

But while observers try to come to termswith the NEITI audit report and itsimplication for the continued operations oreven existence of the agencies so mentioned,I will like to take a close look at one of them.Truth be told, I am not really surprised thatthe NDDC made that unenviable list givenits fast-eroding credibility over the years.Here is an agency created by government inthe year 2000 to facilitate “the rapid, evenand sustainable development of the NigerDelta into a region that is economicallyprosperous, socially stable, ecologicallyregenerative and politically peaceful.” Butyears after, what do we have? Rather thanthe promised rapid and sustainabledevelopment of the nine oil-producing NigerDelta states, it has been complaints galoreby the people against an agency that hasobviously failed to live up to expectation.

Indeed, NDDC has over the years becomea pathetic story of the unfilledexpectations of a Niger Delta region thathas suffered and has continued to sufferunabating devastation arising from oilexplorations.

The reasons for its failure in this regard

are not far to seek. In the first place theNDDC has over the years been embroiledin leadership succession crises that haveconsequently undermined its operations.In fact, the politics of appointing itsmanagement staff and board memberscan be said to be at the root of the crisisthat has continued to bedevil its existence.This is because geo-political and nepoticconsiderations, including godfatherinfluence, usually take precedence overmerit when such appointments are to bemade. And what you get at the end of theday is a case of garbage in, garbage out, asthey say in computer operation parlance.This is because the individuals whoeventually get appointed usually beginto work at cross-purposes with theobjectives of the Commission or the missionit was set up to accomplish.

Apart from that, the frequent in-fighting among management and boardmembers over control of the Commission'saffairs has been traced to the selfishquestion of who gets what and how bycorrupt officials. It is a recurring situationthat has continued to make media headlinesrather than the envisaged sustaineddevelopment for the long-suffering oil-producing communities that are being

ravaged by oil-exploration activities.The looting spree that has become the rule

rather than the exception is responsible forwhy the Commission has so often deviatedfrom its mandate of implementing, inaccordance with set rules and regulations,projects and programmes for sustainabledevelopment of the Niger Delta areaencompassing transportation, health,agriculture, housing, electricity andtelecommunication, water supply, urbandevelopment, etc, which in turn should haveengendered employment opportunities inthe communities.

The NDDC, it would be recalled, was setup by the General Olusegun Obasanjoadministration as an intervention agencyto address the many years of neglect ofthe Niger Delta region comprising thenine states of Akwa Ibom, Cross River,Rivers, Abia, Bayelsa, Imo, Edo, Delta andOndo.

Under its watch and supervision,projects are expected to be conceptualised,designed and executed based on extensiveconsultation with the benefitingcommunities and input from interestedparties and relevant experts. That is, theyare to be awarded based on their potentialto make maximum impact on the localregion.

But after years of floundering in confusionwith not much on ground to justify the hugefunds annually allocated to it, many are leftwondering whether it was still relevant inthe Federal Government’s consideredscheme to provide development relief to theoil-bearing Niger Delta states. In fact, somehave over time called for the scrapping ofthe agency, describing it as a huge drainpipe.

But a ray of hope seemingly emergedwhen the current administration of theCommission came into existence inDecember 2013. This is because at itsinception, it has given indication of makinga sharp departure from its ingloriouspredecessors, raising hope that a new era of

transparent leadership of the NDDC andcommitted development of oil producingcommunities of the Niger Delta had indeeddawned.

But one year after, it has since emergedthat nothing has really changed eventhough those presently calling the shots atthe Commission seem to have reason tobelieve that they have done well. So, it musthave come as a rude but a truly awakeningshock to them when during an event to markthe administration’s one year anniversaryon December 16, last year some aggrievedyouths took it upon themselves to violentlyprotest the Commission’s poor performancerecord.

According to media reports, theaggrieved youths had used the protest toexpress their disenchantment with theway the affairs of the Commission werebeing handled by the current managementand board. They complained about glaringdearth of infrastructure such as roads,schools and hospitals, while employmenthas remained elusive to them. They citedcases of several poorly executed andabandoned projects as evidence that thecontracts for them were not awarded inline with due process, but to cronies of theagency and government. In their view,this would not have been the case if thepresent leadership of the Commission hadbeen up and doing instead of pandering tothe comfort of its staff and officials at theexpense of the people for whose interest theCommission was set up.

In my estimation, the worsening poorperformance profile of the Commission isan indication that it has clearly outlived itsrelevance. So, I think it is time forgovernment to critically consider whetherto overhaul it for better performance or doaway with it.

.

•Mr. Brume, an economist andactivist, wrote from Warri, DeltaState.

About ninemonths ago,Nigeria had theoptions topostpone theelections, and usethe same Doctrineof Necessity thatmade GEJ, thePresident afterthe death ofPresident Yar' Adua,to let him continue,and focus onwinning the warand plan for asmoother electionsthereafter

But one year after, ithas since emergedthat nothing hasreally changed eventhough thosepresently calling theshots at the Commissionseem to have reason tobelieve that they havedone well

20 20 20 20 20 — Vanguard, FRIDAY— Vanguard, FRIDAY— Vanguard, FRIDAY— Vanguard, FRIDAY— Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, , JANUARY 9, , JANUARY 9, , JANUARY 9, , JANUARY 9, 20152015201520152015

ROVING CAMERA

Fear, uncertainty inLagos communityover robbery threat,sand dredgers•Residents finger Omo-oniles

By Bose Adelaja

HIS seemingly fixed countenance reminded one of

a frowning mask as he ap-proached this reporter. He in-deed cut a frightening picturewith his long, talon-like fingernails, his torn trousers and dirtylong sleeve shirt tied at hiswaist.

Sweating profusely, he stoodarms akimbo while his reddisheye balls blinked repeatedly ashe appeared from a nearby spotand ran after this reportershouting at the top of his voice.

‘’Hey, stop there, you don’tlook like one of us. I saw you assoon as you alighted from themotorcycle near the Baale’shouse and I have been followingyour movement. Can youexplain your mission to thiscommunity...?’’ he asked in anunfriendly, hoarse voice.

‘’Good afternoon gentle man,I have been sent to find out yourchallenges in this community, to

see where and how we couldbe of help before the next elec-tions...’’

Looking satisfied with theresponse, he stretched bothhands, stamped his feet on theground in salute and said:‘’Twale mama, carry go. See,we get challenges here o, nowater, school and good road.This place na suffer, suffer; Ibeg, make you tell Fashola toremember us o’’. Havingdelivered this sentiment, hereturned to his abode.

That was an encounter lastweekend at Ilemere, a sleepycommunity in Igbogbo/BayekuLocal Council DevelopmentArea of Lagos which suffersglaring lack of potable water,accessible road and schools.

As the name suggests,Ilemere means a swampy areaand this is aptly demonstratedby the fact that the communityis a stone throw from the oceansuch that on several occasions,some structures have been sub-

merged, especially during adownpour.

From the popular Ibeshe town,a ride to Ilemere on a motorcyclecan be likened to a threadpassing through the hole of aneedle. This explains why onlyfew tricycle, cab or commercialbus operators would dare to plythe only unmotorable roadleading to the community.

In the past, Ilemere was amarket community whichserved both Ajah and Ikoroduaxis until it was submerged

some decades back. The majoroccupation there today is fish-ing, but this is being seriouslythreatened as residents claimthe water had been polluted dueto dredgers’ activities.

On a good day, a ride from Idi-Oro bus-stop, Ibeshe town,usually attracts between N150and N250, depending on thetime of day, a situation whichhas necessitated workersresorting to trekking. In fact,some of them informed that theynow leave their homes as earlyas 3am, trekking to the nearestcommunities.

Apart from lack ofinfrastructural facilities, a walkround the community revealedthat Ilemere is sitting on a kegof gun powder due to theactivities of local dredgers,though some of the residentsclaimed the development hadbeen reported at both theMinistries of the Environmentand Water Resources withoutthe desired response.

One of the community leaderswho pleaded anonymity saidthe Ministries’ representativesto the community have beenpaying lip service to their plight.‘’On several occasions,government has sentrepresentatives to curb theactivities of the dredgers but allthey do was to tax the dredgersand soon they’re back to busi-ness, thus leaving us, the resi-dents, to our fate,’’ said the com-munity leader.

‘’When I came into this com-munity about a decade ago, theocean was very far from us butgradually dredging has almosttaken over the town. Madam,any moment from now, most ofthese buildings would be sub-merged (pointing to the ocean).Can you see how close we areto the ocean ?’’ said a residentMama Tunwase.

Environmental pollution....A container-carrying trailer belching out thick, hazardous smoke while being driven along theOshodi-Apapa Expressway. PHOTO: AKEEM SALAU.

The river bank (inset): Baale of Ilemere

All they do was totax the dredgers andsoon they’re back tobusiness, thus leav-ing us, the residents,to our fate

CMYK

Vanguard, FRDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015 — 21

CMYK

From left: Mrs. Ibiye Ekong, Executive Director, Skye Bank; Mr. Sunkanmi Olowo, Head SME / Value Chain Banking,Ecobank Nigeria; Mr. Tony Okpanachi, Deputy Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria and Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa,Managing Director, Bank of Industry during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between Bank of Industryand some SME friendly banks in Lagos

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL

CBN Exchange Rate as 7/1/2015

$51.43 $0.33

$48. 99 $1.06

$176. 15 $1.25

$2,914.00 $12.00

$14.93 $0.06

DOLLAR 167 167.5 168STERLING 254.641 255.404 256.166EURO 198.997 199.593 200.188FRANC 165.608 166.104 166.600YEN 1.390 1.394 1.398CFA 0.293 0.303 0.313WAUA 242.0204 242.745 243.469RENMINBI 26.843 26.924 27.004RIYAL 44.501 44.634 44.767KRONA 25.738 26.818 26.898SDR 239.394 240.111 240.828

IMF faults report blaming policies for Ebola outbreakcountries.

Conditions for loans from the IMFprevented an effective response to theoutbreak that has killed nearly 8,000people, the academics allege in a reportin The Lancet Global Health journal thismonth.

This allegation was faulted bySanjeev Gupta; Deputy Director, IMFFiscal Affairs Department, saying theassertions made by the professors wasincorrect.

He said, “First, it is not correct to say

that health care expenditures declinedin these countries. As my colleagues,Benedict Clements, and MasahiroNozaki, and I note in a recent blog,spending on health and education haveincreased faster in low-income countrieswith IMF-supported programs, thanthose without.

“What about the Ebola-hit countries?Here too, we find an increase in healthspending as a percent of GDP. In Guinea,spending increased by 0.7 percentagepoints, in Liberia by 1.6 points and in

Sierra Leone by 0.24 points (from 2010to 2013). More generally, World Bankdata show that health outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa, including the threeEbola-hit countries, have improvedsignificantly over the past decade or so,including improvements in mortalityrates (falling by about 30 percent), childnutrition (improving by 9 percent), andsanitation (improving by 9 percent).

Low incomecountries

“Second, it is simply not correct to saythat the IMF requires caps on the publicsector wage bill. Since 2007, the IMFannounced a new policy on wage billceilings, as part of an overall effort topromote more effective and sustainableuse of aid flows to low-income countries.In fact, IMF programs in Guinea,Liberia, and Sierra Leone have not hadany limits on the wage bill during theperiod 2000 -2014.

“The fact is that Guinea, Sierra Leone,and Liberia were doing relatively welltrying to overcome years of instabilityas they emerged from conflict, includingcivil wars that claimed tens of thousandsof lives and had a devastating impacton social infrastructure.

The arrival of Ebola put severepressure on already fragileinfrastructure and health care systems.The IMF recognized the urgency of thesituation—and moved quickly to help,as you yourself note. The IMF madeavailable an additional $130 million tothe three countries to fight Ebola.

“And we are doing more. Theinternational community is helpingaffected countries meet their needs tofight Ebola. The IMF is working onmechanisms to allow us to move rapidlyto provide more debt relief to thesecountries—which would free up moreresources that could be used for healthcare spending.”

THE International MonetaryFund, IMF, has faulted a report

that blamed its policies for the Ebolacrisis in West Africa.

Three weeks ago, professors fromthree leading British universities in areport said that policies of the IMFfavoring international debt repaymentover social spending contributed to theEbola crisis by hampering health carein the three worst-hit West African

By Providence Obuh

STANDARDS Organisation ofNigerian, SON, said it is

considering imposing additional sanctionson importation of substandard goods.

The Director General, StandardsOrganisation of Nigeria (SON) Dr. JosephOdumodu disclosed this at astakeholders’ forum on the maritimeindustry tagged: “Seamless importation:Building stakeholders’ synergy andfostering trade without compromisingstandards.”

He said in view of the fact that 90percent of fake products in the countryare imported products, SON isconsidering imposing stricter penaltieson foreign nations exportingsubstandard goods into Nigeria, addingthat these countries do not mean wellfor the economic development of thenation.

He said, “We need to take firmer actionsagainst countries that are selling death toNigerians. We must take stricter actions.It is a self-intervention activity. We arelosing our people because they are sellingdeath to us, but more importantly, we alsoneed industries in Nigeria.

“If they continue to sell these productsto us and our industries continue to die,

SON mulls stiffer sanctions against substandard goodsthere will be no jobs for our children. Thepoint I am making is that the peopleselling these products to us are notready to change because they are makingmoney from it. So, we have to helpourselves.

He pointed out that made-in-Nigeriagoods suffer neglect and destructionin the global market bringing nothing buteconomic loss to the country.

To tackle this challenge, he said thattwo of SON’s laboratories are nowaccredited to ensure that any productthat undergoes any form of test inNigeria will be accepted globally.

“Sometimes we export products likecocoa to the United Kingdom and whenthey test it and it does not meet standards,

they destroy it but now we have a testinglaboratory that is world class and this is nota Nigerian thing. Once we test and certifyany product here in Nigeria, nobody canchallenge it anywhere in the world and thisis why we must also build capacity,” he said.

Also speaking, Special Adviser to thePresident, on maritime industry, Mr.Oyewole Leke, urged stakeholders tosupport SON in finding a lasting solutionto the menace of substandard goodsplaguing the nation’s economy.

“We must decide how and what kind ofgoods come into the Nigerian market.Nigeria is not a dumping ground. Wemust search with the depth of ourconscience on how best we cansupport SON in its fight againstsubstandard goods,” he said.

He noted that substandard goodshave made many companies closeshops; contributed to a lot ofunemployment crisis and has alsobrought so many deaths in Nigeria.

The National Secretary, Associationof Nigeria Licensing Custom AgentsNLACA called for the need to buildan enduring Public Private Partnership(PPP) for the maritime sector, addingthat PPP is a necessary tool for thegrowth of the nation’s maritimeindustry.

By Babajide Komolafe

We must decide how andwhat kind of goods comeinto the Nigerian market.Nigeria is not a dumpingground

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015

SEPLAT PetroleumDevelopment Company

Plc has said that there is nocertainty of a businesscombination with Afren Plc.

The company stated this ina notice filed with the NigerianStock Exchange, NSE,yesterday.

This followed an earlierindication of interestscommunicated to the investingpublic last month by Afren Plcof a take-over bid by Seplat Plc.

Though Seplat confirmedthat it had made a highlypreliminary approachregarding a possiblecombination with Afren, ithowever, noted that there canbe ‘no certainty that an offerwill be made or as to the termsof any offer. ‘

The company stated that “inaccordance with Rule 2.6(a) ofthe UK City Code on Takeoversand Mergers (the “Code”), byno later than 5.00 pm on 19January 2015, it must eitherannounce a firm intention tomake an offer under Rule 2.7of the Code or announce thatit does not intend to make anoffer, in which case theannouncement will be treatedas a statement to which Rule2.8 of the Code applies.

“Seplat notes that thisdeadline can be extended withthe consent of the UK TakeoverPanel (the “Panel”) inaccordance with Rule 2.6(c) ofthe Code.

ability to continue as a goingconcern.”

Giving a basis for its opinion,the auditors said, “Thecomparative figures in thecurrent year ’s financialstatements are as reported in thefinancial statements for the yearended 30 September 2013,which were issued by anotherauditor.

“We were unable to review the

dived by 7.3 per cent to N2.815billion compared to N3.038billion recorded in the sameperiod in 2013.

BDO Professional Services inthe report of independentauditors, presented toshareholders of the company,said, “We wish to draw attentionto note 42 to the financialstatements which indicates thatwhile the Company made aprofit before taxation of N266million, during the year ended30 September 2014 and as atthat date its current liabilitiesexceeded its current assets byN7.1 billion (2013:N6.9 billionand had a negativeshareholders’ fund of N3.3billion (2013:N3.7 billion).

“As at the same date, theGroup’s current liabilitiesexceeded its current assets byN4.3 billion (2013:N4.3 billion).However, the Group had apositive shareholders’ funds ofN3.3 billion (2013:N2 billion).

“These conditions indicate theexistence of a materialuncertainty which may castsignificant doubt the company’s

Seplat, noted that furtherdetails cannot be provided atthis stage due to the highlypreliminary status of events,but assured that furtherannouncements will be madeas soon as the need arises.

It would be recalled thatinvestors had swooped on theshares of Afren Plc followingthe announcement by thecompany in December of apossible take-over bid bySeplat Plc.

Afren had stated that it

had received a “highlypreliminary” approach fromNigerian oil and gas company,Seplat PetroleumDevelopment Company plc,regarding a possiblecombination with it.

However, Afren has said thatthere can be no certainty thatan offer will be made or as tothe terms of any offer.

Available information hadshown that Seplat hasacquired just over sevenpercent of Afren since

JOHN Holt Plc hasrecorded significant

erosion in its capital, as it posteda negative shareholders’ fund ofN3.3 billion in its financialstatement for the year ended,September 30, 2014.

This prompted the auditor ofthe company, BDO ProfessionalServices, in the result presentedto the Nigerian Stock Exchange(NSE) to raise an alarm over theability of the company tocontinue as a going concern.

Specifically, John Holt hasannounced a profit before tax ofN427 million for the group andN266 billion for the company,compared to N264 billion andN111 billion for the group andcompany respectively in 2013.

The Group also posted a profitafter tax of N591 millioncompared to N93 million in 2013,while the company recordedafter tax profit of N246 million,as against N97 million 2013.

However, the company’srevenue for the period nose-

No certainty on merger deal withAfren — Seplat

John Holt records N3.3bn negative shareholders’ fund

Bull and bear of the stock market

September last year.However, even though

Seplat has approached Afren,Afren’s press release on thematter, made it quite clearthat: There can be no certaintythat an offer will be made oras to the terms of any offer.

So there’s no indication ofhow much Seplat will offer forAfren. Additionally, as of nowthere has been no comment onwhether Afren’s shareholderswill be offered cash or stock fortheir holdings.

working papers of thepredecessor auditor in linewith the provisions of theInternational Standard onAuditing (ISA) 510. It istherefore not possible for us tocarry out the required auditprocedures necessary to obtainthe required assurance inrelation to the opning financialposition included in thepreceding year ’s financialstatements.”

Continuing, the auditorssaid, “We have not been ableto obtain sufficient appropriateaudit evidence about whether:the opening balances containmisstatements that materiallyaffect the current year ’sfinancial statements.

“Appropriate accountingpolicies reflected in theopening balances have beenconsistently applied in thecurrent year ’s financialstatements or changes theretoare appropriately accountedfor and adequately presentedand disclosed in accordancewith the applicable financialreporting framework.”

By Michael Eboh &Nkiruka Nnorom

This prompted theauditor of the com-pany, BDO Profes-sional Services, inthe result present-ed to the NigerianStock Exchange(NSE) to raise analarm over theability of the com-pany to continue asa going concern

By Nkiruka Nnorom

Courtevillecelebrates10thanniversaryamid growth

C O U R T E V I L L EBusiness Solutions Plc,

a sub-regional businesssolutions developmentcompany, has announced thecelebration of her 10 years inoperations.

Over the past decade,Courteville has recordedconsistent year-on-year growthin clientele base and keyfinancial indices.

Speaking to shareholders atthe 9th Annual GeneralMeeting in Lagos, theChairman, Capt. MurtalaSalami, had expressed hisdelight over growth in thecompany, saying, “since ourincorporation, we have, as anorganization crossed frontierwe never imagined possibleand pioneered first-of-a- kinde-service delivery models thathave become industry standardwhile achieving corporategovernance and servicedelivery benchmarks thatwould have been thoughtimpossible in Nigeria”

In less than five years ofoperations, CBS became apublicly quoted company andin November 2008, with itsOperation and Managementsystems certified to becompliant with InternationalStandards under the ISO9001:2008 approved standards,CBS became the only companyso certified from the businesssolutions development sector ofthe Nigerian Economy.

The 10 years anniversary,according to the company willbe a one-week celebrationstarting from Saturday 10th

January to Saturday 17th

January, 2015.Activities lined up for the

event include; a twokilometer “Walk For Life” fromthe Company’s Head Office toUniversity of Lagos (UNILAG)gate and back to the HeadOffice on Saturday .OnSunday, a thanksgivingservice will hold at RCCG,Commercial Avenue, oppositethe Head Office. A Seminarthemed “EmpowermentStrategies to Developing,Social Entrepreneurship” willtake place at The Knot Centrein 1, Tobi Lawal Road, Yaba,Lagos on Monday.

On Tuesday, thecommissioning of the HeadOffice by the company ’sChairman will take place whileon Wednesday, staff ofCourteville will pay a visit toModupe Cole Memorial ChildCare at St. Finbarrs Road,Akoka, the Old People Homeat Yaba and a Public PrimarySchool in Yaba, where fooditems and educationalmaterials would be distributedrespectively.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015—23

CMYK

by dearth of funds and in timewe decided to go small andincrease gradually."

The solution to funding camein 2011 when the NigerianGovernment decided it was timeto pay more attention toagriculture with the introductionof the AgricultureTransformation agenda. "TheATA program which gave theseed companies access toaffordable financing withsovereign guarantee to anumber of banks and today a lotof Nigerian seed companieshave been empowered and it canonly get better."

He added "We were fortunateto be among the seed companiespicked, though we had alwayshad our plans to transform thesector but for lack of funds. So

with access to funding wedecided to implement and sincethen we have done a lot indeveloping farmers' awarenessto improve seeds of goodvarieties.

Since 2009, Zangir sees theirassistance to almost 10,000farmers in the area of extensionservices as a major achievement,"We have also introducedimproved varieties and like I toldyou in my introduction that ourkey focus is bridging the gapbetween top quality materials,which are results of goodresearch, and commercializingthe research work.

"So what we have done is alsotake this to the farmers bycreating very good distributionchannels over the years. Wehave done a number of works in

moving into the South West."He added "Until we came on

board the packaging in the seedsector was something thatneeded a lot of improvement.Lots of seeds companies wereusing the polythene; we cameand started using the polywoven sacks.

"We introduced affordablepackages like 2kg, 1kg whichwere not in existence and thisprovided affordable seeds tofarmers.

"We have also gone ahead inthe area of seed dressing as mostoften farmers are short changedby being given seeds with onlycolorant instead of seeddressing. We have partner withsome agro chemical companiesin making available to farmersseeds that are dressed with topquality dressing materials.

"This has helped in improvingthe yields of farmers and I tellyou they calling to commendwhat we are doing .Most of thefarmers that have been usingour seeds have been able to turnaround their fortunes."

Greenrevolution

Zangir believed theachievements and impacts theyhave made would not have beenrapid without coming in contactwith the Alliance for a GreenRevolution in Africa (AGRA) asthey are one of the latestguarantees of AGRA havingaccessed their grants to boosttheir activities in seedsdistributions and awarenesscreation in Nigeria.

"AGRA is good news to Africa;AGRA is good news to Nigeria.AGRA is good news to farmersand extremely good news toValue seeds.

"In 2011, AGRA officials werein Nigeria going round to lookat what their guarantees havedone and then they were goingto hold meetings of guaranteesin Kano. I think as they weregoing they got to a village atKura and were meeting withAgro dealers.

"In one of the agro dealers'shops, I think they spotted ourseeds, we were completely notknown by AGRA at that time, butwhen they saw the seed theyinsisted that this seed companyshould be among those toparticipate in their meeting inKano.

"So we were invited and for thefirst time participated in AGRAactivities and since then it hasbeen one added value additionactivity to the other.

"We have benefited from AGRAin the area of training; technicalcapacity development; in thearea of marketing; in area ofdistribution channels anddevelopment.

The result of AGRA in the lifeof the company is giving themhope of scale up their seedproduction to 10,000 metrictonnes soon as they are alreadyproducing above 5,000mt.

How govt policy enhancedseed business ---- Zangir

GETTING quality seedsa c r o s s

to the smallholder farmerswas the major problem that Sir.George Zangir and his team inValue seeds, Nigeria, faced atthe inception of the company in2009 as they lacked the funds tocreate the necessary awarenessamong the farmers on the needto use improved seeds.

All this changed in 2011 whenthe government of Nigeria cameup with AgricultureTransformation Agenda (ATA)and chance meeting with theAlliance for a Green Revolutionin Africa (AGRA).

The company's President, Sir.George Zangir, in this chatdisclosed what the chancemeeting with AGRA has done tothe company in terms of capacitybuilding and scaling up.

Capacitybuilding

"I don't have agric background.When I started working for UACback in 2003, I was inadministration and at a point theManaging Director felt I shouldbe converted to marketing andsince then I have worked in themarketing units of either seedcompanies or Agro chemicalcompanies.

"So in the agric sector I havealways been a marketing personand I have always worked forcompanies that valued trainings.I was very fortunate to be sotrained and well trained as well.

"I have experience cuttingacross technical aspects of seedproduction and of coursemarketing aspects of it. I havebeen t o Lagos Business Schooland Harvard Business Schooltoo. "

Having worked with UACwhere he discovered that themajor challenge of the

Farm mechanisation policy to create 800,000 directjobs — Adesina

THE Minister of Agriculture andR u r a l

Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina,said implementation of farmmechanisation policy under theAgricultural Equipment HiringEnterprise, AEHE, will create 800,000jobs.

Adesina also disclosed that PresidentGoodluck Jonathan has approved N4.5billion to implement an interventionscheme that will serve as a model forreplication of the AEHE.

He explained that the 800, 000 jobswere for unemployed youth, and willserve as direct and indirect employment

nationwide under the AEHE.According to him the network of

AEHEs will provide mechanisationservices for 1,200,000 hectares offarmland, add an additional 4,800,000mt of food to national food production,while 10,000,000 Nigerian farmers willhave access to mechanisation throughthe AEHE.

He further stated that the first phaseof this intervention will make available590 units of tractors, 500 power tillers,and various harvests and post harvestequipment to set up 118 AEHE centres.

The Minister also expressed optimismthat when fully these centres were comeson stream, the on-going mechanisation

By Jimoh Babatunde

By Gabriel Ewepu scheme will provide 1,230 units oftractors, 2000 power tillers and 3400units of various harvest and postequipment such as rice reapers, grainthreshers, cassava planters andharvesters, boom sprayers amongseveral other equipment to set up 246units of AEHEs in demand drivenlocations across the country.

However, the new mechanisationpolicy will be a Public PrivatePartnership, PPP, where thegovernment will provide 35 per centof the finance, financial institutions willprovide 35 per cent, Agro-machineryVendors provides 20 per cent, whileService Providers Operator (SPOs)makes available 10 per cent.

•George Zangir

We have also goneahead in the areaof seed dressing asmost often farmersare short changedby being givenseeds with onlycolorant instead ofseed dressing

lots of states in Nigeria cuttingacross the northern states, themiddle belt and we looking of

s m a l l h o l d e rfarmers was theavailability andaccess to topquality seeds, hedecided to go intoseed business withthe establishmentof Value SeedCompany in 2009.

"When we startedin 2009 we couldbarely sell100metric tonnes ofseeds. Thechallenge hadalways been that ofdistributions, wedid not havemoney to creategood awareness forseeds of improvedvarieties.

"Farmers did notknow about theexistence ofquality seeds, youneeded to dodemonstrations,you needed to doa lot of activitiesthat will createawareness, but wewere handicapped

24—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015

By Godfrey Bivbere &Agnes Obiabo

DESPITE efforts bythe federal govern-

ment to improve the na-tion’s local rice produc-tion, a total of 179,682metric tones of the staplefood were imported intothe country last monthalone.

Another 30,000 metrictones of the product isexpected to land ENL ter-minal on the 7th of thismonth.

According to the ship-ping position of the Ni-gerian Ports Authority,NPA, made available toVanguard, 41,382 metrictones which represent the

179.7MT of rice imported in December

•From left: Out going Customs Area Controller of Seme Area Command, Comptroller Willy Egbudinand new Seme CAC, Comptroller Ndalati Mohammed at the handing over ceremony in Seme.

Over 38% ofport facilitiesin the countryare fullycompliantcomprising allthe major portsin the country.Our goal is toattain over 90%compliancelevel before theend of 2015

THE immediate pastExecutive Secre-

tary of the NigerianShippers’ Council(NSC), Captain AdamuBiu has said that theCouncil’s recent action toreview port chargesdownwards was in theinterest of the nationaleconomy.

In an exclusive chatwith Vanguard, Biu saidthat the Council was do-ing everything possibleto reduce inflation in thecountry.

He added that the costof doing business in thenation’s port has addedto the high rate of infla-tion in the country.

The former ship Cap-tain explained that ter-minal operators need tobe regulated adding thattheir being aversive tobeing regulated is thereason behind the cur-rent face off betweenboth parties.

Explaining further, the

largest volume for lastmonth landed at Green-view Development Ni-geria Limited, GDNL andENL Consortium Ltd,ENL, operators terminalsE and C and D respec-tively on the 14th of De-cember.

On the 27th and 29th,38,000 and 30,800 metrictones were shipped intoApapa port while thesame port received26,000, 25,000 and 18,500metric tones between 8thand 27th of last month.

Similarly, five vesselsladen with frozen fish areexpected to bring in a to-tal of 12,200 metric tonesbetween the 6th and 7thof this month. Threeships, M.V Frio Vladivos-tok, Green Nova andGreen Brasil are expect-ed to have berth on Tues-day with the same prod-uct at the Lagos port.

Two vessels, M.VHarengus and Breizklip-per are also expected toberth with 4,300 metrictones of frozen fish on the7th. Meanwhile, 13,527metric tones of the sameproduct had already beendischarged at the Lagosport between the 19thand 31st of last month.

In the month of Decem-ber, M.V Summer Flow-er, Cape Belle, Alma andSilver Horn brought in4,847, 3,400, 3,300 and1,980 metric tones of fro-zen fish respectively.

On Wednesday, Janu-ary 07, 2015, a total of

43,400 metric tones ofbulk sugar was broughtin by M.V Ocean Splen-dor and is expected tohave berthed at GDNL.

Between Thursday andSaturday this week,76,826 metric tones ofbulk wheat are expected

to arrive at the Lagos porton board M.V OceanBeauty and Desert Victo-ry. Similarly, M.V Elenimis expected to bring in24,000 metric tones of bulksalt on Wednesday while46,405 metric tones of bulkcoal are expected to have

berthed at the Lagos porton the same day.

Other consignments ex-pected at the Lagos portare ethanol, general car-go, vehicles, containers,soda ash and petroleumproducts from this weekto the 23rd of this month.

NIMASA targets 90% ISPS complianceby year end

THE NigerianMaritime Admin-

istration and SafetyAgency (NIMASA) hassaid that it will in-crease the compliancelevel of the Interna-tional Ship and PortFacility Security (ISPS)Code by as much as 90percent before the endof the year.

In a statement by theHead of Public Affairsdepartment of theagency, Mr. OsamgbiIsichei said that thecompliance level ofISPS Code in Nigeriais presently at 38 per-cent

According to Osanb-gi, “the Compliancewith (ISPS) Code hasbeen vigorously pur-sued since the Agencywas made the Desig-nated Authority (DA)for its implementationin May 2013.

“Over 38percent ofport facilities in thecountry are ful lycompliant comprisingall the major ports inthe country. Our goalis to attain over 90%compliance levelbefore the end of 2015.

Radarinstallation

“The Agency is up-grading i ts GlobalMarit ime DistressSafety System(GMDSS) in Lagos,Bonny and Oron. TheRadar installation inEscravos, Bonny andTakwa Bay in Lagoswill complement thesatellite facility andfurther boost our do-main awareness re-sponse capability”.

He explained thatthe agency’s partner-ship with Messrs Glo-bal West Vessels Spe-cialist Limited (GWS-VSL) for the supply,operation, manage-ment and maintenanceof operational plat-forms and associatedelectronic surveillancesystems on a PublicPrivate Partnership ba-sis has significantlyimproved the opera-tional capabilities andresponse time of theAgency.

He added that NI-MASA has been able to

achieve full domainawareness of its mari-time environment add-ing that the Agency candetect in real time, allactivities of vessels in-volved in trading onthe nation’s waters andeven beyond with theaid of a satellite sur-veillance facility in-stalled in the Agency’shead office.

The MoU enteredinto with the NigerianNavy and the NigerianAir Force has also beeninstrumental to curb-ing the menace of pi-racy and illicit activi-ties in the maritimedomain.

Shippers Council’s action in interest ofnational economy — Capt Biu

By Godwin Oritse action of these terminaloperators will continue toundermine the nation’seconomic wellbeing ifthey are checkmated.

Biu stated the Nigeri-an Shippers’ Councilwas in the best positionto regulate the activitiesof operators because ithas no interest in theport.

He also noted thatsome stakeholders areworking against Ship-pers’ Council effort atregulating operations atthe ports.

He called on stake-holders to join handswith the Council to re-duce port charges andattract more foreign in-vestments.

“In as much as we wantto relate with foreigners,they must subject them-selves to our laws, wemust also create a con-ducive environment forthem to operate if thebenefits of the port con-cession arrangementmust be achieved.

“Most of these terminal

operators are foreignersor foreigners being rep-resented by their Nige-rian partners and theymust subject themselvesto the laws of the coun-try.

“What the Council istrying to do is to reducethe rate of inflation in ourcountry by reducing thecost of doing business inour ports

“Shippers’ Council is aneutral body, it has nointerest in the port, it isthe most appropriateagency to regulate oper-ators” he added.

The former ExecutiveSecretary disclosed thatthe appointment of aneconomic regulator wascontained in the conces-sion agreement withconcessionaires.

He also called on thecurrent management ofthe Council to ensurethat its staff are trainedwith a view to beingabreast with its currentstatus as economic reg-ulators.

By Godwin Oritse

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015—25

CMYK

Beach holidays 2015:

Best beachesin LagosFor those who are big fan

of the ocean or thosedreaming of that weekend in avery serene environment thatwill link them directlywith nature, Lagos is a mostvisit destination this year withseveral beaches from which tochoose.

Lagos state is blessed withOceanic splendour and offersvarious beaches both privateand public where you can havea special time out. Below arethe best beaches in Lagos.

BAR BEACHBar beach is arguably the

most popular beach in Lagos.Located on Ahmadu Bello wayin Victoria Island, Bar beachknown for its sand bars,extends from the west by theInstitute of Oceanography allthe way to Eko Hotel towardthe east. If you would like totake a walk by the ocean-sidewhile enjoying the cool breeze,Bar Beach is the place to be.The beach is sandy without anyplants or coconut trees.

Many activities are availablefor sports enthusiasts includinghorse back riding, swimmingand football among otherpopular beach sports. Though

you may be tempted to jumpinto the water on a sunny day,swimming and surfing isseriously discouraged becauseof the strong churning currentsof the sea.

Care should be taken thoughwhile at this beach as the wavesare extremely strong.

TAKWA BAYThe Tarkwa Bay, which is an

Island of about 20minutes Boatcruise from the Lagos CMSBoat jetty, is a sereneenvironment sparselypopulated with friendlyresidents some of whom arefishermen. The Tarkwa BayIsland affords one of easyaccess to the raging andboisterous waves of the AtlanticOcean as well as the lessaggressive water of the Lagoslagoon both of which gives arefreshing and recreationalbeach activies.

A sheltered beach within theharbour breakwater. It is easilyaccessible by boat from TarzanJetty at Maroko (N1000 perperson) or under Falomobridge on Victoria Island. Thebeach is a pleasant outing andhas safe bathing even forchildren. Deck chairs are

available for hire and a varietyof fruits (pineapples, coconuts,oranges and so on) to buy.Make sure you book your returntime with the boat driver.

Tarkwa is a man made bayand beach created during theformation of the Lagos harbour.The beach was shaped by themoles used to form the inlet tothe harbour and covered withsand dredged from the bottomof the channel. As a result thewater is a lot calmer than theexposed Atlantic coastlineelsewhere around Lagos.

The fine sand is also muchmore comfortable to walk andlie on than the coarse/sharpsand of the other beaches. Withits own resident community,most of whom make their livingfrom the tourists who visit thebeach, this is the only“maintained” beach in Lagoswith the beach hands cleaningup the garbage every weekendbefore the influx of tourists.Also given the fact that it is cutoff from the main habitationsof Lagos by water and istherefore only accessible byboat, this makes it a beach forreal beach bums and sunworshippers, in contrast to theother “bums and worshippers”that flock to the Bar Beach.

It is also possible to surf in acorner of Tarkwa Bay and otherwater sports such as Jet Skiingand Water Skiing are fairlycommon, although don’texpect to find equipment thereto rent! Make friends with thelocal nautical elites so you canuse their water sportsequipment.

Tarkwa Bay is a shortspeedboat trip from Lagos. It’sthe perfect place to spend yourSunday. The beach is crescentshaped and has deckchairs all

along you can rent. Onceseated, you can be served a bigbottle of Star beer or suya orspliff while gazing out onto thetropical horizon.

ATICAN BEACHAtican Beach Resort is a

beautiful relaxation spot andprivate beach located on theaxis of Lagos-Epe Expressway.It is one of the few wellmanaged beaches, which lieson the coast of the AtlanticOcean in Lagos.

The resort was privately builtbased on the inspiration ofmaking Lagos avibrant Tourism attraction. Itswhite pristine sand, cleanbeach environment, Lodgingand restaurant makes it one ofthe best place for familyrelaxation, parties andcorporate functions. Since itsexistence, it has been thehaven for Lagos citizens.

At the Atican Beach Resort,you can host a private party foryour friends, family, workgroup. Tourists can also meetthe locals there and expandtheir network. The beach ison Abraham Adesanya Road,Okun, Ajah Lagos.

Every friday tourists aretrilled to evening live musicprovided by their in house liveBand. Its an opportunity tohave cool fun at the Beach side.

At Atican Beach Resort , thechildren have a private playground provided for them withopportunity to go horse riding.Kids are guaranteed of theirown fun moments.

ELEKO BEACHThis is one of the most serene

and clean beaches in Lagos, abig 60km trip east of the city.This beach is frequently visitedby local families and funseekers looking for somequieteness. Eleko Beach offerssporting activities for everyone.The atmosphere is relaxed andrejuvenating for beachcombers of all types.

A N500 fee is charged at theentrance to the beach which isless than what is charged atElegushi Beach.

You can rent a beach hut forthe day here, and get someoneto make a barbeque for you.There’s also a small marketselling interesting art. You’llneed to hire a drop taxi to getthere.

ELEGUSHI BEACHElegushi Beach is a hot,

sandy, beautiful oasis locatedat Ikate Elegbushi bus stop, a2km drive from the Lekki tolloff Lekki/ Epe Express way.Though it is not the cleanestof beaches, it remains one ofthe most patronized beaches inLagos. Elegushi is a privatebeach and offers a mix ofmusic, food and beautifulscenery of the water.

The Tarkwa Bay,which is anIsland of about20min Boatcruise from theLagos CMS Boatjetty, is a sereneenvironmentsparselypopulated withfriendly residentssome of whomare fishermen

TOP: Inagbe beach and (RIGHT):Toúrists at the ElegushiBeach

26—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015

INSIDE

Continues on page 27

Ogun Governorship:How ambition is tearing OgunPDP apart

THE usual fine boy mien

was dropped last Wednesday asPresident Goodluck Jonathan hosted adelegation of northern elders led by theelder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakassi.The trouble with the president flowedfrom the innuendoes poured on himearlier in the week by PresidentObasanjo in Abeokuta.

Obasanjo’s meeting on Monday with

•Jonathan: Angry with motor park tout statesmen •Obasanjo: Peeved by incompetence in leadership

By Emmanuel Aziken,Political Editor

APC jolts PDP inCross River

Obasanjo vs Jonathan:

INNUENDOES which are insinuations often of a derogatory sort have recently raineddown the polity from unusual political heights. The recent assertions of PresidentGoodluck Jonathan and his onetime benefactor, President Olusegun Obasanjo aretypical case studies.

Iyalodes and Iyalojas from across theSouthwest was indeed very significant.In the audience were the women whocould help sway the voting pattern ofalmost half of the population of theSouthwest region given their influenceover other market women. The marketwomen according to the calculationswould in turn persuade their customersin the markets around the region.

The delegation was led by the Iyalodeof Yorubaland, Chief (Mrs.) AlabaLawson. Significant in the membershipof the delegation was the presence of

the Iyaloja-General of Lagos, Chief Mrs.Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, the daughter ofthe national leader of the AllProgressives Congress, APC, AsiwajuBola Tinubu.

Just few years ago, the Tinubus andObasanjo were on warring paths but therealignment of forces has seen to it thateven these days Tinubu comes onpolitical consultations to Obasanjo’sAbeokuta residence.

Noting the economic downturn in theeconomy, Obasanjo had whined andwailed the fate of the nation lamenting

how the present administration hadblown about $55 billion from thereserves.

In words that would ordinarily touchthe women traders, he lamented that thedrain of the foreign reserve wasresponsible for the slide of the naira tothe dollar which he said he had heardwas sliding towards N190 to the dollar. Obviousinnuendo

In an obvious innuendo, he said: “Inthe profession I know very well, themilitary, what we normally say is thatthere are no bad soldiers but badofficers. If you see a situation where thesoldiers are not doing well, we need toexamine the officers in charge. So it isin the family, the community, the townand the country.” Without mentioningPresident Jonathan in name, Obasanjohad clearly shown to the women thatthe problem with Nigeria was with itsleadership.

Even though the innuendo was adirect hit at President Jonathan, theformer general was quick to say “I haveno grudges against Jonathan and Ithink Jonathan equally has no grudgesagainst me. I’m not quarrelling with

Innuendoes on motor parktouts and incompetence

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015—27

Innuendoes on motor park touts and incompetence

Continues from page 26

Jonathan but all I know is that whateveris good for Nigeria, that I’m ready todie for.”

“I emphasize that whatever is goodfor Nigeria, is what I’m ready to defendwith my life. Whoever, I emphasize,whoever says he would not do anythinggood to Nigeria, even if he says he’sready to go ‘konko below’, I’m ready tosquare it up with such a person. I sayagain, whoever that person may be, Iwant you to get that correctly. If thiscountry is going to change for the better,it would start from the top and if it’sgoing to be otherwise, it would startfrom the top, too,” the former presidentstressed.

Presidentialcampaign

If anything, the hit was painful andperhaps calculated at damaging thepresident before the formal launch ofhis presidential campaign which tookplace in Lagos yesterday.

Remarkably, efforts to get a responsefrom senior presidential aides on theissue were rebuffed. The usually volubleattack lion, Dr. Doyin Okupe was out ofreach. Peoples Democratic Party, PDPspokesman, Chief Olisa Metuhdemurred.

It was to later emerge that seniorpresidential aides had been told not torespond to Obasanjo. The president

Some people, including those with big names, arehiding under some clogs and creating a lot of problemsin this country. They are making provocative statementsthat will set this country ablaze. How can someone tellme that such people are senior citizens, they are notsenior citizens and they can never be. They are ordinarymotor park touts

In the profession I know very well, the military, what wenormally say is that there are no bad soldiers but badofficers. If you see a situation where the soldiers are notdoing well, we need to examine the officers in charge. Soit is in the family, the community, the town and thecountry.” Without mentioning President Jonathan inname, Obasanjo had clearly shown to the women that theproblem with Nigeria was with its leadership

himself was going to deliver the poison.Dr. Jonathan had given notice of his

coming attack within 24 hours when heinaugurated his presidential campaigncouncil the following day, saying thathe would come out to give hisperformance against that of former

heads of state.“When we start campaigns, we will

confront them with what we have doneas a government, we will tell them whatthey did not do when they were headsof State,” President Jonathan had saidlast Tuesday.

Like Obasanjo, he did not mention anyname but given the background of theevent in Abeokuta the day before, theinnuendo directed at Obasanjo couldnot be hidden.

Meanwhile, the mobilisation was onfor the Northern elders to serve as afitting audience for the president’s replywhich came on Wednesday.

Remarkably, as he spoke that day justafter the routine Federal ExecutiveCouncil, FEC meeting, the angerswelled in him as he gave his ownfrontal response to Obasanjo, albeit ininnuendo.

He said:“Some people call themselves

statesmen but they are not statesmen,they are just ordinary politicians. Foryou to be a statesman, it is not becauseyou have occupied a big office beforebut the question is what are youbringing to bear on the nation?”

“Are you building this country? Or areyou a part of the people who tell lies todestroy this country; to create enmityand make people who ordinarily wouldhave been living together to fightthemselves?”

“Are you planning to set the countryablaze because you did not get thatparticular thing you want?

“Some people, including those withbig names, are hiding under some clogsand creating a lot of problems in thiscountry. They are making provocativestatements that will set this countryablaze. How can someone tell methat such people are senior citizens.They are not senior citizens and theycan never be. They are ordinary motorpark touts.

“If you are a senior citizen, you willact like one. It is not because of the officeswe occupy, it is by divine grace andprovidence that some of us occupy theseoffices. But what role are you playingto build this country?”

Outbursts fromthe two men

As he spoke and as the anger boiledover, the president to the amusementof his audience, said that it was not thetime for talking too much even thoughhe had said a mouthful in ten minutes.

The outbursts from the two men justfew weeks before the presidentialelection in which Obasanjo is opposedto Jonathan is reflective of the strugglefor power by the two men.

Obasanjo in his audience with themarket leaders affirmed that his interestwas in the well being of the nation whichhe clearly stated was in bad shape.

Jonathan and his aides, however,counter that Obasanjo’s objections arean ego trip essentially because he hasbeen shoved aside from the driver’sseat.

As he spoke andas the anger boiledover, the president,to the amusementof his audience,said that it was notthe time for talkingtoo much eventhough he had saida mouthful in 10minutes

•Obasabjo with the South-West Women leaders on Monday •Jonathan with the Northern Elder Council members on Wednesday. Pix byAbayomi Adeshida

28—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015

Ogun governorship:How ambition is tearing Ogun PDP apart

•Isiaka: The PDP candidate •Bankole: Weighing his options

THE People’s Democratic Party(PDP) in Ogun State is on theverge of becoming an emptyhouse following the rift arisingfrom its recent primaries onaccount of the emergence ofsome candidates believed to beloyal to Prince Buruji Kashamu.

For instance, at thegovernorship primariesmonitored by officials of theIndependent National ElectoralCommission (INEC), GboyegaIsiaka emerged as the state PDPstandard bearer, having scored705 votes to defeat Jelili KayodeAmusan (151 votes) and OmobaSegun Adewale (zero vote). Over900 delegates voted in thegovernorship primaries thatwere boycotted by eight of theparty’s aspirants.

Aggrievedaspirants

The eight aspirants whoboycotted the governorshipprimaries were Asiwaju TonyOjesina, Prince Yanju Lipede, Dr.Remilekun Bakare, Alhaji SarafaTunji Ishola, Dr. YomiMajekodunmi, Professor DavidBamgbose, Isiaq Akinlade,Alhaji Rafiu Ogunleye andformer speaker of House ofRepresentatives, Dimeji Bankole.

Return of numerous groupsThe PDP is made up of some

groups which include theChairman, Mobilisation andOrganisation committee in theSouth West, Prince Kashamu,former Governor of the state,Otunba Gbenga Daniel, DimejiBankole and former Minister ofFinance, Chief Jubril Martins-Kuye.

Apart from these groups, the

By Daud Olatunji party in the state also has othergroups like that of the formerDeputy governor of the state,Alhaji Rafiu Ogunleye whichhad made the party becomestrong and formidable.

Few months ago when Daniel,who had defected to the LabourParty with his followers, rejoinedthe PDP, many political analystsaverred that the PDP was on theverge of reclaiming thegovernorship from the AllProgressives Congress (APC)which dethroned it in 2011 dueto a serious internal wrangling.

It was observed that apart fromDaniel and Ogunleye’s groups,other groups such as those ofMartins-Kuye and Bankole didnot leave the party but they werejust passive.

So, when all of them cametogether and began to work forthe victory of the party, the PDPbecame the talk of the town. Infact, some pundits had rated theumbrella party high, saying thatthe PDP had come out of its hooksto dislodge the APC from thestate.

However, all the groups seemto be at the mercy of the groupled by Kashamu, who had been‘maintaining’ the party while theother groups were away.

Kashamu, who hadsuccessfully installed the stateexco led by Engineer Bayo Dayoshortly after the 2011 electionsand had since been maintainingthe party and attracting differentpeople.

When Daniel and othersrejoined PDP, the general beliefwas that Kashamu would beshoved aside while Daniel wouldcall the shots but the reverse isthe case as Kashamu hascontinued to dictate while othergroups had no choice but tofollow.

Bone of contentionThe bone of contention now,

which may affect PDP’s victory,is the choice of candidates.

All the groups had gone theextra mile to ensure that theirdelegate’s lists were used for theprimaries so that their candidateswould emerge as partycandidates but as at this moment,Kashamu’s endorsed candidateshad the upper hand from thewards to the state level includingthe governorship.

Unity listThis development pulled the

leaders of the losing groupstogether and they resolved to gofor a “unity list” which wouldcomprise delegates of all of them.

But Kashamu rejected the ideaand insisted that he could not be

part of the process that woulddeny the winners of the partyprimaries their victory.

According to findings, all thecandidates that emerged werenot Kashamu’s loyalists. Some areDaniel’s loyalists.

The candidatesFor instance, for the Senate, the

candidates that emerged includea former commissioner for worksduring Daniel’s administration,Waliu Taiwo from Ogun West;wife of Ijaw leader, Chief BisolaSodipo-Clark (Ogun Central)and Kashamu himself, whoemerged as the candidate forOgun East Senatorial District.

For the House ofRepresentatives, OladipupoAdebutu, the son of poolsmagnate, Chief KessingtonAdebutu, emerged as the partycandidate for Remo Federalconstituency, while AdekoyaAdesegun Ijebu clinched theticket for Ijebu North-East/OgunWaterside. Both are loyalists ofDaniel.

Others include a servingmember of the House ofAssembly from Ifo 11 stateconstituency, Adijat Oladapo-Adeleye (Ifo/Ewekoro federalconstituency) while a formermember of House ofRepresentatives, Hon. AmusanJelili got the ticket for AbeokutaNorth/Odeda/ Obafemi-Owode.

A reliable source hinted that thenational leadership of the partywaded into the crisis and camecome up a unity list. It was saidto have pruned the number ofgovernorship aspirants from 11to four, two from Ogun West andtwo from Ogun Central.

It was gathered that thosefavoured among the 11 aspirantsby the party leadership includea serving member of House ofRepresentatives from Yewa

South/Ipokia federalconstituency, Hon. AboundAkinlade; former GeneralManager of Gateway Holdings,Bodega Sakai from Ogun Westwhile former Speaker of Houseof Representatives, DimejiBankole and a former Ministerof Mines and SteelDevelopment, Alhaji MusharrafTunji Ishola were picked fromOgun Central.

The PDP national leadershipreportedly agreed with the ideaof a “unity list” with a view toaccommodating all the groupswithin the party in the state.

But there were conflictingreports about the composition ofthe unity list. A version hadclaimed that the unity listfavoured Bankole as thegovernorship candidate of theparty while another version saidSakai is the party’s standardbearer.

As of the moment, Tunisia’sname has been submitted at theINEC office but feelers fromAbuja indicated that there maybe an amendment in the list toprevent mass exodus ofaggrieved party members toother parties.

Workingtogether

Many of the aggrieved leadershave already approached thenewly introduced SocialDemocratic Party (SDP) in thestate and had been reportedlyaccommodated.

Findings showed that some ofthem have been given some slotsincluding a Senate ticketbelonging to Ogun West as partof the process of workingtogether ahead of the comingelection. It was gatheredthat,Daniel and other aggrievedleaders have been asked tonominate a senatorial candidateand had reportedly nominated BiBegotten.

Bankole was reported to beeyeing the governorship ticket ofthe SDP which had been givento an Worrier man and a servingSenator from Ogun West,Senator Akin Unshod.

Unconfirmed reports had it thatBankole had been tipped as theSDP governorship candidate, bythe leader of the party, AremoSegun Osoba.

The former Speaker was saidto have been chosen as thesubstantive governorshipcandidate to replace Odunsi. Butit had been denied by the SDPwhich said, it had not and wouldnot replace Odunsi with Bankole.

SDP’s spokesman, ClementAdeniyi told our correspondentthat Bankole had not become amember of the SDP and could nothave become the party’sgovernorship candidate.

When Daniel andothers rejoinedPDP, the generalbelief was thatKashamu wouldbe shoved asidewhile Danielwould call theshots but thereverse is thecase

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015—29

APC jolts PDP in Cross RiverBy Emmanuel Unah

BEFORE Wednesday,January 7, 2015, the regular

refrain among the People’sDemocratic Party, PDP,leadership in Cross River Statewas, “there is no opposition inCross River state” but the rallyheld by the All ProgressivesCongress, APC, on the abovedate has seemingly changedthe political language andequation in the state.

The rally, which was organised as one of thecampaign stops of MajorGeneral Muhamadu Buhari(retd), the APC presidential candidate, attracted anunprecedented crowd ofsupporters which no oppositionparty has been able to muster inthe past 16years of the presentpolitical dispensation and thismarks a significant tipping point in the political affairs of thestate

From all parts of the expansivestate, crowds of the party’s faithful converged on theMayne Avenue Primary School,venue of the rally as early as 9am singing and dancing whileawaiting the arrival of Buhari andhis entourage whose delayed flight arrived the MargaretEkpo International Airport ,where another large crowd ofsupporters was waiting for him,at about 4pm before proceedingto the rally centre.

Many political watchers in thestate were taken aback by thelarge turnout of supportersjudging from the near comatoseposition of the APC and otheropposition parties in the state.

Following their persistentbattering by the forces of theruling PDP right from the daysof Mr Donald Duke who duringhis eight years tenureconsistently wooed over manymembers of the opposition

parties while those whoremained adamant weredecimated politically.

From being the majority with13 out of the 25members in theState House of Assembly in 1999, the APC then called APP wentdown to zero in the 2003elections as all those whocontested elections for thepositions of chairmen of councils,Senate, House ofRepresentatives, State House of

Assembly ande v e ncouncilors onthe party’splatform lostwoefully until2011 whenErnest Irek, amember of thePDP who lostnomination toMr FabianOkpa crossedover to thethen ACN and won Okpain the generalelection tobecome theHouse ofA s s e m b l ym e m b e rrepresenting Obubra 11S t a t eConstituency.

The cantankerous outcome ofthe party’s state executivecouncil election of the party in2014 did not help matters as some staunch members wereexpelled leaving many peopledisgruntled. However, like the proverbial kiwi which rises fromits ashes, the party found its footback in the months of Novemberand December 2014 with theinflux of some PDP members following the acrimonious

outcome of the PDP primaries and this significantly boostedthe ranks of the party.

Effectively, with the entry ofdefectors from PDP, the partywhich in 2011 could hardlypresent candidates for electionsin half of the constituencies wasable to fill every vacant positionas many people, particularly thePDP renegades fell overthemselves to pick the party’stickets to contest elections for thevarious positions. So most ofthese candidates unlike the deadwoods of the past were able tomuster resources to ferry theirsupporters from across the stateto the rally venue.

Electivepositions

With the large turn out and theenthusiasm on the faces of mostof the candidates an d theirsupporters, the state is set for astrong battle for electivepositions beginning from theHouse of Assembly to the governorship and thepresidential election.

The party may, however, needa miracle to win the governorshipslot owing to strong politicalcalculations and indices thatprevail in the state.

But to say the party wouldlose all the positions it has fieldedcandidates has always been the

I must apologise to myreaders for abscondingfrom my weekly assignment

without due notice. I went insearch of better sight andimproved hearing. Though Ican now see and hear a little bitbetter. I must confess that mysight is being blurred by thedevastation of Boko-Harambombs and my ears are blockedby nasty rumours of impendingpost-election reactions.

Perhaps it is too late topersuade the political gladiatorsagainst the futility of rushedelections, especially when thepolitical atmosphere is alreadycharged. There is that craze fora CHANGE by the Oppositionagainst the sit-tight posture ofthe ruling caste in the Federationand the states. Every party iscaught in the web of enlightenedself interest through manifestoeswhich are neither enlightenednor revolutionary. At best, theelection promises are the familiarones – Improved Security andEconomic Prosperity which haveremained elusive over the years.

Perhaps those patrioticNigerians who cry for thepostponement of the electionshave their points. Nigeria is ina civil war – a deadly combat inwhich our gallant armed forceshave the unpleasant duty ofturning their weapons againstrebellious and deadly Nigerianinsurgents. Many believe thatthe final resolution of the conflictis far beyond the capability of asingle political party whoseleadership lacks strong nationalappeal in a seemingly dividednation.

The other important aspect ofthe many unresolved issues is

Who will save the nation andrescue the Naira

that of Electoral Reform to ensurefree and fair election. In a pluralsociety with multi-party politicalsystem, the electoral body(INEC) should be representativeand not one selected by theruling party either in the Centreor in the States. Also, anyelectoral system that denies theindividual (Independentcandidate) from being voted for

cannot be fair and just. The question is, why the haste

when the electoral body is not 90per cent ready in the distributionof voters‘ cards and revision ofvoters list?

Caught in the mood of ‘rush-rush‘ psychology of Nigerianpolitical system, the media dosolemnly ask for debate on Issuesof the day: Security and theEconomy: those are the two vitalissues on which the governmentand the opposition are expectedto be on familiar grounds. Thegoverning parties should relyand defend their activities andthe opposition to convince votersof their alternative routes tosecurity and prosperity in anatmosphere of dwindling oilrevenue and hostile politicalenvironment.

Many observers of Nigerianpolitical situation believe thatissues raised at the last NationalConference (at PresidentJonathan‘s initiative) shouldhave been resolved and concretesteps taken to amend, if

necessary, the 1999 Constitutionbefore any election isundertaken. With Political andEconomic issues unresolved, thenew government of any shade orcolour after the elections wouldstill be confronted with theunresolved burning questions. That situation might becomevolatile and result in politicalinstability.

On the issue of PoliticalEconomy, the country seems tobe remiss while the ruling party(PDP) is amiss. The CentralBank has opted for a policy ofDevaluation as a measure of lackof vision. My view has notchanged from that taken in 2000(see quoted view below)

DEVALUATIONDevaluation (lowering the

value) of the Naira has been ratedas one of the main factorsaffecting the competitiveness ofNigerian products at home andabroad.

Nigeria, being an importdependent country has to pay

more for its raw materials, spareparts and machinery. The highcost of imported inputs added toincreasing local cost ofproductions (because of poorinfrastructures) tends to affect theprice of locally produced goods.

On Devaluation, Alhaji ShehuShagari, a former President wasbold and categorical in his 1983Budget Speech when he said, “Ihave followed with keen interestthe on-going debate on thedevaluation of the Naira, I amconvinced that given the presentstructure of the Nigerianeconomy which depends largelyon one export commodity on theone hand and places heavyreliance on imports of capitalgoods and raw materials on theother, devaluation will not be inthe best interest of the country. I therefore wish to state withoutany equivocation that under thepresent circumstances, thisadministration has no intentionof devaluating the Naira”. Nigeria had operated a fixedforeign exchange system at thetime.

However, a former Head ofCivil Service, Chief Allison Ayidanoted in his ‘Reflection onNigerian Development‘ that ‘theway out is to evoke a new strategyinvolving less dependence onimports and the promotion oflocal manufactures andagricultural production.

Oil revenue should be seen asproviding the fuel forengineering the growth points. If we can manage the domesticeconomy properly and efficiently,the external sector will graduallyassume less importance and theNaira will find its level in thefloating basket of currencies‘.

•All Progressives Congress, (APC) Presidential candidate, Gen MuhammaduBuhari and his entourage arriving Calabar for the rally.

Oil revenue shouldbe seen as providingthe fuel forengineering thegrowth points

I worked freeto get myacting careeron track– Mary Adufe

CMYK

30—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015

Continues on page 31

MANY Nigerian women areinto bleaching, what is your

take on this?Every human makes choices that

best suits them and that is whereIndividual differences comes to play .

have to your credit?I am the producer of Ifokantan,

Magretino and Life drama. Magretinoand Life drama will hit the marketsoon. I have featured in so manymovies that I have lost count. Movieslike Ona Abayo, Ologo, Effisy po,Ifokantan, Nitori Aye, Metomi,

movie industry but when Imet Yinka Quadri, it was thebeginning of dreams cometrue.

Challenges of been anupcoming actress?

It has not been easy but I haveto move on. I agree at times towork for free just to be noticedin the industry. The journey hasnot been rosy but I know I willget there.

What was your first actingexperience like ?

It was an experience I willnot forget in a hurry. I madesome mistakes that I can nowlaugh at but I was fortunate thatthe director was lenient backthen.

Mistakes like?As an amateur, I backed the

Mary Adufe is a fast rising actress in the Yoruba movie industry.She studied communication and language at the ObafemiAwolowo university, Ife and later worked as a journalist for a while. Sheresigned to become secretary to popular Yoruba actor Yinka Quadri . She hasfeatured in so many soap operas and Nollywood movies like Ona Abayo,Effisy po, Ifokantan, Nitori Aye and many more. In this interview withAderonke Adeyeri, she talks about her passion for acting and otherinteresting things. Excerpts.

camera.

Did your firstrole as a lesbian

marred people’sopinion about you?(Smiles) not at all. It

is just a character andnot Mary Adufe. I am adifferent person fromwhat you see on camera.

Your pet name isMagretino and you titledyour new film Magretinotoo, what is theconnection?

I don’t want to talkabout why I named thefilm after my pet name.The reasons will becomeobvious when the filmhits the market.

What do you want to beknown for?I want to be known for good

leadership, become mentor toa lot of people and to touchmany lives positively.

There is a popular belief thatupcoming actresses sleep their

way through to be get roles in

I cannot judge or condemnany one who chooses to toneor bleach their skin. Everyindividual has the right tohis or her choice.

Why did you opt foracting instead ofjournalism?

Acting is an in borneability for me because itcomes naturally. Though Iloved journalism as aprofession but I could nothelp following my dreams tobecome an actress.

How many films do you

Akanda Olorun etc.and soap operas likeFootprint, Girls nextdoor, Kilanta,Eldorado etc.

You started withEnglish soaps butnow focuses onYoruba home videos, why?

I started with soapsbut because I couldnot forgo my passionfor the Yoruba sector,I had to find my waythere. I didn’t knowany one in the Yoruba

•Mary Adufe

Where do mobiledevicesgo whentheydie?

I will takeup morechallengesin 2015,MercyJohnsontells fans

Day UtiNwachukwu,Seyi Shay,others touchedlives in Surulere

I started withsoaps butbecause I couldnot forgo mypassion for theYoruba sector, Ihad to find myway there

By Aderonke Adeyeri

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015—31

TOP MOVIES OF THE WEEK

Movie schedule from January 9th - 15th 2015

Synopsis

• 30 DAYS IN ATLANTA• ANNIE• CHAMPAGNE• INVASION• BOXTROLLS

SILVERBIRDCINEMAS, VICTORIA ISLANDJohn Wick : 1:00pm,4:20pm,7:05pmSeventh Son : 11:45am,4:20pm,6:15pmAnnie : 1:45pm,4:50pm30 Days in Atlanta : 9:05pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, IKEJAJohn Wick : 12:40pm,6:45pm,8:45pmSeventh Son : 12:10pm,7:10pm,8:50pmSilence : 12:15pmMagic in the Moonlight : 2:15pmAnnie : 12:00pm,4:15pm30 Days in Atlanta : 5:00pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, SECJohn Wick : 1:10pm,3:10pm,5:10pm,7:10pm,9:10pmSeventh Son : 12:50pm,2:50pm,4:50pm,6:50pm,8:50pmAnnie : 11:50am2:10pm,4:30pm,6:50pm9:20pmChampagne : 1:20pm30 Days in Atlanta : 12:00pm,2:10pm,4:20pm,6:30pm,8:40pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS CEDDI PLAZA , ABUJAJohn Wick : 12:00pm,6:50pm,9:05pmSeventh Son : 11:00am,7:25pmAnnie : 4:35pm30 Days in Atlanta : 2:00pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURTJohn Son : 11:00am,2:50pm,6:50pm8:25pmSeventh Son : 12:50pm,4:50pm,8:50pmSilence : 11:35am,3:50pm,8:10pmMagic in the Moonlight : 2:20pmAnnie : 11:00am,1:15pm,5:25pmChampagne : 11:20am,3:10pm30 Days in Atlanta : 1:40pm,6:00pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, UYOJohn WICK : 6:20pm,8:25pmSilence : 11:50am,2:05pm,4:20pm,6:35pm,8:55pmAnnie : 11:30am,1:50pm,4:10pm,6:30pm,8:50pmChampagne : 12:20pm,2:30pm,4:40pm,6:45pm,8:45pmMagic in the Moolight : 4:15pm30 Days in Atlanta : 4:20pm,6:30pm,8:40pm OZONE CINEMAS SABO YABAJohn Wick : 3:50pm,5:50pmSeventh Son : 1:00pm,4:55pm,7:45pmAnnie : 10:50am,1:40pmBox Trolls : 10:00a30 Days in Atlanta : 6:20pm,8:25pm GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS LAGOSJohn Wick : 11:20am,4:25pm,10:00pmAnnie : 11:00am,3:40pm,6:15pm30 Days in Atlanta : 11:50am,3:45pm,7:40pm,9:55pm GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURTJohn Wick : 12:10pm,7:00pmAnnie : 11:40am,4;05pm30 Days in Atlanta : 11:50am,3:55pm,8:00pm,10:05pm GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, ENUGUJohn Wick : 2:50pm,9:55pmAnnie : 10:50am,5:40pm30 Days in Atlanta : 1:10pm,7:35pm,9:45pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, LAGOSJohn Wick : 12:10pm,2:15pm,6:55pmAnnie : 10:00am30 Days in Atlanta 10:05pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS,HERITAGE MALL, IBADANJohn Wick : 12:05pm,2:00pm,4:30pm,6:25pmAnnie : 10:00am30 Days in Atlanta : 6:15pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS SAMONDAJohn Wick : 10;00am,11:50am,4:15pm,6:10pmAnnie : 10:30am30 Days in Atlanta : 8:05pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, CALABARAnnie : 10:00am,12:10pm,2:15pm,6:20pm30 Days in Atlanta : 4:20pm,6:00pm

the industry, your take?That is not true. I have never slept

with anybody to get roles. But that doesnot mean it does not happen. God andhumility is my secret.

Why do you think some actresses fallvictims of sexual harassment?

I believe it is because of the way theseactresses dress. Many of them dressprovocatively. Acting does not meanforgetting our culture or throwingdecency into the wind.

What will be the price to have Maryact nude?

No way. I can not do that for anyprice. I will never sell my dignity andbecome a disgrace to the womenfolks

How far can you go to interpreta sexual role?

I don’t intend accepting sexualroles. My body belongs to myhusband and him alone will touchit.You once said Doctor Bankole

Martin makes you happy and alsosaid the lucky man is D. B. M,these

puts together..... your comment?It was a mistake. My fiance’sname is not close to thoseinitials. Doctor BankoleMartin came to my aid whenI was ill and had nothing onme to settle my medicalbills. He is one of mymentors.

Have you ever felt likegiving up your actingcareer?

No, not for any thingin the world.

Can you invite your exto your wedding?(smiles)Do you know if

I have an ex.? It is no big

deal, I can invite my ex boy friendto my wedding ceremony.

What is your favorite colour?I cherish pink and white.You once said you like Funke

Akindele when she is notangry, does that mean shegoes crazy or what?

To err is human and the onlyperfect being is God. I can notreally say much about that.

The movie industry is a verycompetitive one, how do youintend surviving?

With God by my side, the skyis a stepping stone for me.

Continues from page 30I worked freeto get myacting careeron track

•Mary Adufe

I don’tintendacceptingsexual roles.My bodybelongs tomy husbandand himalone willtouch it

This titles JOHNWICK , SEVENTH SONand SILENCE will bereleasing on Friday 9thof January

CMYK

32—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015

JUST as every country isexpected to read their budgets

at the beginning of the year,entertainment stars too areexpected by their fans to say whatthey have to offer in a new year.For Nollywood super star andmother of two, Mercy Johnson, shebegan her New Year with a messageto her teeming fans and told themshe would be taking up morechallenging roles.

“One of the best feelings one canhave is the feeling that somepeople who have never met you inperson have your back. I haveexperienced love fromunimaginable people; Ghana,Liberia, Paris, UK, USA, Seychellesand all over the world” she began,in her New Year message to herfans.

Continuing in the same vein, shethanked her fans for being there forher and husband, who, accordingto her, was very supportive of her

Ex beauty queen,Ibidun Ighodalo lightsup Lagos

By Kehinde Ajose

EX beauty queen turned event entrepreneur,Ibidun Ighodalo added glamour and

excitement to Christmas celebrations in Lagoswhen the streets were given a glittering makeoverby her events planning and managementcompany, Elizabeth R .Christmas celebration inLagos state before Governor Fashola’sadministration was an okay one, albeit a bit dreary,save for firecrackers (knockouts) and a fewChristmas decorations on few houses. Though itwas festive, it was largely celebrated amongfriends and families

Ibidun Ighodalo is renowned for her ability totransform mundane settings into exquisite spacesthat serve as feasts for the senses. Her dream andvision of transforming Lagos into a fantasy landduring Christmas season was ground-breakingand laudable. It ushered in an era of goodnessand goodwill for the state. Christmas lights anddisplays adorned heritage structures, sites andparks, to brighten up the capital. Lagos twinkledwith an array of Christmas decorations in allshapes, sizes and colours, giving our streets afestive sparkle. Under Ibidun’s direction, Lagosstreets and sites are a masterpiece and a beautyto behold.

career“I want to also

say a very bigthank you to myhusband forgiving meroom to fly.Some men outthere wouldprobably haveclipped mywings but Odi isnot some kind ofman. I want to saythank you for being sosupportive andunderstanding” shesaid.

“I plan and hope that2015 will be differentfrom previous years.The jobs I will do will beslightly different from thatof the past. I will take upmore challenges. I will alsohave to balance things out

At last, Victor Ashaolu sworn in as ANTP President...suspends 8 members indefinitely

AFTER more than three years of legal tusslebetween the top members of the Association of

Nigeria Theatre-Arts Practitioners, ANTP, veteranactor, Comrade (Dr.) Victor Ashaolu, has finally beensworn-in as the new President of the association.

Ashaolu last year was declared the authenticpresident of the association by a Federal High Court,sitting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. He defeatedhis close rivalry, Dele Odule.

While the case lasted, prolific actor, Prince JideKosoko, whose tenure ended few years ago as thepresident of ANTP, has been regarded as the stand-

in president of the association following the leadershiptussle between Ashaolu and Dele Odule.

Meanwhile, upon his assumption of office, Ashaolupresided over the National Executive Committee(NEC) of the ANTP, where a resolution was taken tosuspend 8 members of the association indefinitely foranti-association activities, ranging from lawlessnessto persistently and consistently violating theconstitution of the association with impunity. Theywere; Chief Jimoh Aliu (Ekiti state) Mr.Olowomojuore Wole (Oyo state), Mr. Yahaya Adetunji(Oyo state), Mr. Rasaki Oyadiran a.k.a. Baroka (Ogun

state), Mr. Jare Adeniregun (Ogunstate),Mr. Bashiru Sanni (Ogun state),Mr.Musiliu Dasofunjo (Oyo state), Mr.Biodun Adekanbi (Oyo state)

In his acceptance speech, Ashaolupledged to eradicate poverty, ignoranceand immaturity among members of theassociation stressing that “I am not seeingthe office of the National President as astepping stone of prestige or glory. Rather,I believe that ANTP has reached a stagewhere dedication, hardwork and sacrificemust become the key factor in nationalleadership.”

because Istill have toplay the role ofa wife andmother, but allin all, thereshould be anew MercyJohnson ofsort” sheadded.

Day Uti Nwachukwu,Seyi Shay,otherstouched lives in Surulere

IT was a pay back time for ex-BBA winner, UtiNwachukwu as he led other celebrities including Seyi

Shay, Saeon, dezign, New Age and Flavour to put smileson the faces of the less-privileged members of the societyin Surulere, Lagos, during the Yuletide season.

The event was the 4th edition of Uti leads the Starscharity project which held amid pomp, at Calabar Hallin Surulere. While the event lasted, over 500 less-privileged members of the society were hosted to amouth-watering lunch buffet. Thereafter, they were spoiltwith gift items as they entertained their donors andalso got entertained by the stars.

Among them were the widows, orphans, the blind,down syndrome and students from poor homes whobenefitted from the gesture.

Speaking at the event, Uti said, “I’m truly in awe! Inever expected it to be this big. All along we kept sayingthis year would be bigger and we wanted to touch moreLives. To stand here today and see all these happeningjust warms my heart. To hear the widows and other less-privileged members of the society pray for us and blessus for our good deeds is priceless! This is why I alwayssay people should grab the opportunity to care for theneedy.”

However, like other celebrities,Uti was moved bythe level ofpoverty in thecountry togive back tothe societyin his ownlittle way.

I will take up morechallenges in 2015,Mercy Johnson tells fans

•MercyJohnson

•Ibidun Ighodalo

•Mr Abdul-Malik andComradeVictor Ashaolu

•Seyi Shay,Uti andFlavour

CMYK

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015—33

Most admiredactors in Nollywood

HATE them or like them. They are among the very few popular facesthat adorn our TV screens you cannot help but admireunconditionally. From Pete Edochie to Olu Jacobs and Mike Ezuruonye,we bring to you some of the rare actors have become household names inthe country and beyond.

By Aderonke Adeyeri

IN secondary school, Majid was actively involved inacting being a member of the school’s Drama Club; he received the

Best Actor Award in one of their performances on Emancipation Day inCape Coast, Ghana. Afterwards, he enrolled in the Academy of ScreenArts which is affiliated with Ashesi University. He was invited by adirector of a modelling agency cum producer to participate in a TV seriestitled ‘Things We Do For Love’. He got the name Shaker from that set.This TV series marked the beginning of his success in the movie industry.His first movie titled ‘ Divine Love’ also shot him up the ladder of successand made him a household name in Ghana. Stella Damascus recentlywrote on Instagram, @majidmichelmm is the best actor to ever come outof Africa as far as I am concerned.

Majid Michel

Pete Edochie

VETERAN actor, Pete Edochie cameto limelight after playing

Okonkwo in Chinua Achebe’s classicnovel turned-serial-movie, ‘Things FallApart.’ He is considered one of Africa’smost talented actors, having featured in,over 500 films. A seasoned administratorand broadcaster, Edochie, whose secondson, Yul Edochie is also one of the mostsought after actors in Nollywood haspaid hie dues. Pete Edochie is a manwho commands respects in Nigeria andaround the world, known to be a meanand no-nonsense actor in his roles.Many of his fans believes that he is likethat in real life and this contributes towhy he is admired by all.

Olu Jacobs

OLUDOTUN Baiyewu Jacobs popularly known as Olu Jacobs

is one of the veterans in Nollywood.He is an international superstar thathas worked with international actorslike Jean Claude van Damme. He hasalso become the favourite for elderlyroles in the industry. Olu Jacobs’scharisma and manner of delivery inNollywood movies cannot be rivalledby other actors, even his baritonevoice also add some uniqueness to hismastery of the profession and why hewill always be relevant in the industry.

Mike Ezuruonye

MIKE Ezuruonye has writtenhis name in the annals of

Nigerian movie history. The handsome,fair complexioned actor, who also is abrand ambassador of Airtel, has wonseveral awards since he joined theindustry. Not only that his good looks hasopened many doors for him in Nigeria andbeyond but also his creativity and style ofdelivery has made him the viewers choiceespecially among the ladies. When hetravelled to United States US, a womanfrom Trinidad and Tobago got a shirt andput it on the ground and said to me,‘please Mike, just touch the shirt for meand I promise I’m going keep it, I’m notwashing it. That was so deep for me, heconfessed in an interview.

The handsome dude, KunleAfolayan cannot be excludedfrom the list of admired Yoruba

entertainers because his vastachievements not only in Nigeria but inthe whole of Africa. His recentcelebrated movie,October 1, top theclassic cinemas nationwide. It could besaid that the film came with greatpromises, as, prior to its release. Itstrailer won the Best Fiction Film Trailerat the International Movie TrailersFestival in 2013, while Afolayan himselfreceived two awards; the ‘CreativeEntrepreneur in Film making‘ and‘Overall Creative Entrepreneur‘ by theBritish Council in Nigeria. Kunle became relevant in the industry in2005,and since then he has produced many award winning films suchas “Irapada”, “The Figurine” , “Phone Swap” which featured Nse IkpeEtim. The latest of his works, “October 1” is currently making waves atthe cinemas across the country.

Desmond Elliot

ACTOR turned-politician, DesmondOluwashola Elliot is an actor, you

cannot help, but admire unconditionally.He has starred in over two hundred filmsand a number of television shows andsoap operas.

He won best supporting actor in a dramaat the 2nd Africa Magic Viewers’ ChoiceAwards and was nominated for bestsupporting actor at the 10th Africa MovieAcademy Award. He has also won severalawards for his directorial work in the filmindustry. Elliot is also an ambassador andsponsor for the “Face of Hope” project.

The project is best known for theircampaign to eliminate child illiteracy bothin Nigeria and Africa at large. Desmondseems to prospering in every field. Hehas just won the APC primary for theLagos House of Assembly and he’slooking forward to becoming a law maker.

Kunle Afolayan

Jide Kosoko

THE name Jide Kosoko is a household name inthe movie industry. Jide Kosoko came to

prominence through television as a member ofAwada kerikeri theater group, which had asuccessful series on television. He also producesand directs films. What he has going for him is thathe has successfully made a cross over doing bothEnglish and Yoruba films. The veteran actor top thelist, due to the huge success he has recorded inthe movie industry which earned him numerousawards both local and at international level. Withmultinational endorsements coming from manymultinational companies has placed him on top ofhis games. Jide Kosoko was born on January 12,1954 in Nigeria.

CMYK

34 — Vanguard, FRIDAY,JANUARY 9, 2015

Home remedies:

MRS. Adeagbo and herspouse, like every

new parent, looked forward totaking their newborn home fromthe hospital, but that was not tobe. The baby was diagnosedwith neonatal jaundice, acommon albeit dangerouscondition.

After almost a month in thehospital on admission, motherand baby could no longer hidetheir stress, as doses upon doesof antibiotics as well asradiation treatments failed toyield any tangible results. It wasa visit from a family friend thatsaved the day as the latteroffered a traditional remedy shehas used and found to be triedand trusted.

A few hours later, theAdeagbo’s family friendsurreptitiously arrived with abottle of the natural remedy,which was furtivelyadministered on the baby.Within two days, the conditionhad already cleared and theAdeagbos- who had previouslyturned down their noses atalternative medicine- becamesold.

Alternativemedicine

But Francesca, a bankexecutive in Lagos, had beenadvised to use a well knowntropical plant when her asthmabecame too stubborn. Theremedy worked, but to heramazement, she passed out andlanded at the hospital. Theproblem? The same remedy thathad relieved her asthma hadalso brought down her bloodsugar levels, resulting inhypoglycemia, a seriouscondition itself.

All of a sudden, herbalmedicine has become all therage. While they had once beensnubbed by the Nigerian eliteas being uncivilized, they arenow more widely embraced, asplant based substances such asbitter kola, moringa, aloe veraand bitterleaf have now becomestaples in medicine cabinets.

For everyone who has hadsuccess with the use of herbal/alternative medicine, there isanother one who has had bittertales to tell, like Helen, who

almost lost her entire wombas a result of Chinese herbalmedicine when she hadfibroids.

And while there is no doubtthat Africans have used leavesand foods to cure as well asprevent disease for centuries,there are no existingstructures to ensure the

science is passed from hand tohand and over the centuries. Theresult has been a distortion

Reactions range across a widespectrum- those who swear byherbal remedy regardless of thestrength of the argument against;and those who would not touchit with a ten foot pole.

During Nigeria’s short Ebola

closely protected, so that thosewho have invested heavily intoresearch can reap fair fruit oftheir investment before thedrug’s manufacture can bethrown open. While it istherefore unlikely that anuntested drug will be approvedby food and drug regulatorybodies, it does not make thesubstance ineffective. In anycase, will people stop usingalternative medicine? Notlikely!

Trying herbal/traditionalsubstances outside strictregulations means you haveto do your own regulationsand tests.

1. Investigate claimsFortunately, many

substances we classify asherbal remedies are alreadybeing investigated by medicallaboratories around the world.Moringa, for instance, hasbeen worked on extensively byJohns Hopkins and foundeffective in the control ofseveral ailments. Go on yourcomputer and get asking.

2. Investigate sourceWith all the rage about herbal

medicines, it is no wonder thatseveral charlartans are in themarket claiming to have thesources of some of thesesubstances.

Case withaloe vera

Ensure what you are beingsold is exactly what you arebeing told, not somethingsimilar. Also ensure you are notbeing sold the wrong breed, asis often the case with aloe vera.Avoid buying anything inliquid or powdered form,unless you were present whileit is being processed.

3. Do not combineDo not ever combine herbal

medication with orthodoxmedication as the two mighthave similar activeingredients, as in dogonyaroleaves and quinine. This mightresult in an overdose, withdisastrous consequences.Another situation that could bedisastrous is if herbal remedyis working at cross purposeswith

4. Do hygienicMany people go for herbal

remedies that actually do workfor them, only for them to comedown with a worse ailment asa result of germs. If the herbalremedy comes alreadyprepared, do not buy or use.

5. Test for AllergyAs with everything that enters

the body, it must first be takenin small dozes in order tocarefully watch for reactions,then use full on.

Home Remedies for Coughs

•Natural Home Remedies

How far shouldyou go?

episode, bitter kolawas touted averitable cure notonly in Nigeria butalong the WestAfrican subregion.In actual facthowever, someearly stagelaboratory tests in1999, did indeedshow promisingsigns that acompound from theplant might halt thedeadly virus. Thetests were widelyreported. Crucially,the findings werenever takenforward into moreadvanced tests,either on animalsor humans, and nodrug was everapproved for use.

The globalpharmaceuticalindustry is a highlyregulated one, andapproval of a drugsubstance is subject

to rigorous tests and countertests with bills running intobillions of dollars. Patents are

Do not evercombine herbalmedicationwith orthodoxmedication asthe two mighthave similaractiveingredients, asin dogonyaroleaves andquinine

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015 —35

grandchildren of mygrandfather- almost 400 ofthem, for a get-together. Aboutthe second year, I felt a burdento bless the widows in this citywith my resources when Iremembered how I wasdenied a Buba and Sokoto Idesired by an Uncle I oncelived with.

“In the first year, we had 308widows, 850 in the second year,and 1000 in the third. That washow it kept climbing every year.About three years ago, aneighbouring town calledModakeke showed up with over640 widows and has since thenincreasingly been part of theevent. We had 1,703 widows from

that town this year while somealso came from a church inOsogbo. In all, we had a totalof about 4,000 widows,”Ashimolowo said whilefielding questions fromjournalists at the event.

The event also witnessedthe presentation ofscholarships to 12 university

students of Ode-Omu descent.The preference for universitystudents, according toAshimolowo, was to encouragemore youths from the locality tobe science-oriented as opposedto the status quo.

“Three years ago, we paid forthe university fees of 25 students.Last year, we paid for 20.

Provision forwidows

This year, the cost of cateringfor the massive number ofwidows made us cut down thescholarship to 12 beneficiariesonly. The vision I have personallyis to give out 50 scholarshipsevery year,” he buttressed,expressing gratitude to God overbeing able to provide for thestudents and widows withoutseeking help from any individualor group.

The ceremony had a multitudeof famous anointed men of Godin attendance, as well asdelegates from the Osun Stategovernment and high-profiletraditional rulers both from Osunand Ekiti states, who took turnsto hand over the items to thewidows.

Ugonna Umeruo- AMVCA, 2014This House Of Nwocha Avante-Garde themed dress is undisputed proofNigerian red carpet designers have come of age. And Ugonna also pulledthe outfit off - it is one thing for the outfit to be tailored to perfection and itis another thing for the celebrity to wear it well. She rocked it.

Zainab Balogun- AMAA AwardsThe screen siren not only saved the day at the

AMAA awards last year (you would think allstylists had gone on leave), she make good theterm “less-is-more” with a simple black satin shift.Deceptively simple but effortlessly chic, there’snothing better than a woman who knows how toaccentuate her assets.

Tiwa Savage- BET Awards 2014The beautiful Tiwa disgraced her stylist at the

BET awards last year.As with every other BET award, it was star

studded and had a many Nigerians up for thenominations and amongst them was artist TiwasSavage-Balogun. On her first ever BET Awardsred carpet, Best International Act – Africanominee Tiwa Savage rocked a navy blue floor-length sheer-top dress by Valery Kovalska. Hermake-up was subtle and was done by JoyceJacobs. She completed her look withpop’o’colour: pink lipstick, gold accessories andpurse.

Clarion Chukwura- Amaa Awards, 2014Rarely would you find a better combination of

beauty, brains and talent as you would in veteranactress Clarion Chukwura, who got the well-deserved ‘best actress in a leading role’ awardfor her role in Emem Isong’s ‘Apaye’ in last year’sAMAA Awards in Bayelsa. If anything could havemarred the moment, it was her dress, a one-armnumber with thigh high slit.

Best and worst dresses of 2014

•ClarionChukwura

•TiwaSavage

•ZainabBalogun •Ugonna

Umeruo

Ashimolowo fetes 4,000 widows in Osun

HRM, Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole, Owa Ajero of Ijero Kingdom, Ekiti State(2ndright) presenting yards of ankara to a widow while Oba Olu Adegoke Adeyemi, Alara ofAramoko(1st right) gave out monetary gifts as the host, Rev. Matthew Ashimolowo (3rdright), looks on at the event in Osun.

Respite came the way ofabout 4,000 widows in

Ode-Omu area of Osun Stateand environs three days intothe new year as renownedclergyman, Rev.MatthewAbiodun Ashimolowo andwife, Pastor Yemisi, treatedthem to a colourful New Yearcelebration in Osun State.

The yearly event saw thewidows each return home withsix yards of beautiful Africanprints (ankara), monetary giftsand food items.

This year ’s ceremony,according to Ashimolowo whois Senior Pastor, KingswayInternational Christian Centre,KICC, and who wasparticularly excitedthroughout the day, markedthe ninth year of the AnnualWidows Party which took rootsfrom a family reunionconceived ten years ago.

“I’m here in Ode-Omuwhich is my father ’shometown. I wasn’t born herethough but in Zaria. Theinspiration for this came 10years ago when I beganbringing together all thechildren and great-

By JosephineAgbonkhese

36 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015

CMYK

Where do mobile devicesgo when they die?

With PRINCE OSUAGWUPRINCE OSUAGWUPRINCE OSUAGWUPRINCE OSUAGWUPRINCE OSUAGWUprinceosuagwu@gmail.com

08050498513

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015—37

ACCORDING to recentstudies, the average

user gets a new phone aboutevery 18 months and then endsup retiring the old one. While theemphasis is mostly on the newdevice, little attention is paid towhat happens to the old one.

Nigeria, a mobile consumptiongiant with a craze for all thingsnew and foreign can identify withthis fact. The country is seventhin the world in terms of mobilephone usage with over 167million mobile phones in use asat February 2014. Another reportrecorded that Nigeria isresponsible for 40 percent of thesmart phone sales in Africa. Asnearly every other property in theNigerian culture, used mobilephones are sold or passed on fromone family member or friend toanother. But at the end of the day,mobile devices will not be in useforever, and have to bedisposed of eventually.

That is where theproblem arises. MobileDevices contain avariety of toxicmaterials that canpoison the soil, waterand air. In manyadvanced countries,most major mobile

Where do mobile devicesgo when they die?

device carriers will allow you todrop off your older devices. Butthis is not a common practice inNigeria. In fact, Nigeria has nolong term plan for disposal of suchdevices, but is instead a dumpingground for such devices by manywestern countries.

According to a study byChristine Terada on recycling

electronic wastes in Nigeria,electronic waste, e-waste,contains approximately 1,000chemicals that are hazardous tohuman health. It is estimatedthat 500 containers of second-hand electronics are imported toNigeria every month fromEurope, with each containerholding about 500 computers.About three quarters of theseimported devices are junks thatcannot be reused and are

dumped in landfills. Terada’sstudy shows that roughly 45percent of Nigeria’s e-wasteimports are shipped from theUnited States and another 45percent comes from the EuropeanUnion, EU. Exporters from theWest usually intentionally mixbad electronic parts with goodones to reduce disposal costs.

Studies by the Nigeria ministryof environment suggest that basiccomponents such as lead

are beingrecoveredand smelted inp e o p l e ’ sb a c k y a r d s ,which pose arisk of leadp o i s o n i n g .Professor OladeleOsibanjo of the

University of

Ibadan said that researchers havefound excess heavy metal in thesoil, as well as in plants.Furthermore, unregulated e-waste dismantling has led toillness in grazing animals,tainted vegetables andcontaminated drinking water.Gbenga Adebayo, the Chairmanof the Association of LicensedTelecoms Operators of Nigeria,ALTON, raised a salient pointwhile speaking to stakeholdersin Lagos last year.

Nigerianenvironment

“There are issues peculiar tothe Nigerian environment thatwe must take into cognizancewhen we do research anddevelopment. Many developedcountries have a disposal policyfor mobile devices. But what isour disposal policy as a nation?”

Young as the mobile industryin Nigeria is, the issue of e-wasteis already gigantic challenge.The market will grow, andunfortunately so will the waste.But the question remains: Wheredo mobile devices go to wherethey are no longer in use? InNigeria, the answer is nowhere.If they are thrown into the bin,they will come back in the soil. If

they are burnt with fire, theywill come back as

p o i s o n o u sfumes. It they arethrown in thesea, they willcome backt h r o u g hdrinking water.

Is OLED TV the next big thing?DID you know that you

only need red, green,and blue light to create a TVimage? While Liquid CrystalDisplay TVs, LCDs, use color

filters and light-blocking liquidcrystals above a light-creatingbacklight and plasmas use UltraViolet, UV, light created byigniting pockets of gas to excite

red, green, and blue phosphors,Organic Light Emitting Diode,OLED, TVs work by puttingelectricity through certainmaterials that glow these

specific colors. Noother TVtechnology createslight directly likethis. Make OLEDpictures superior inquality.

L e a d i n ge l e c t r o n i c smanufacturers arenow introducingtheir OLED TVs.One of suchcompanies is LGElectronics with itsOLED TV whichcomes in bothcurved and flatdesigns. LG haschampioned thetechnology sinceinception and todayremains its keystrategic advocate

by being the only manufacturerto support its application acrosslarge-size TV display screens aswell as other smaller screen uses.LG says that it is the onlycompany to effectively offerconsumers the full gamut ofchoice across all forms of large-screen TV technology – thatincludes LCD(LED backlight),OLED, 4K Ultra HD, Curved, andmost recently 4K OLED,consumers have come to expectleading edge offerings from thebrand.

“We are fully committed tobringing next generationtechnologies to the Nigerianmarket,” said Mr. Steve Ryu,

General Manager, HomeEntertainment division, LGElectronics West Africaoperations. “The next-generationdisplay technology and theadvanced ultra-thin depth of4.3mm comes with a uniquecurved design which representsa new era in homeentertainment. It must be seento be believed.”

Currently, yields are onaverage from 60% to 70% forlarge-screen TVs, which leads toa higher retail price. The focuson production processes is aimedat improving overall yields andreducing costs, and LG hasdeveloped a process for itscurved OLED displays thatmakes use of encapsulatedOLEDs on a flexible polyimidesubstrate —providing a robustand reliable backplane for theOLED that will improve overallyields as well as providing adisplay that can be flexible.

The promise of lower-costmanufacturing, cost parity withLCD panel production, and thedevelopment of flexible displays,is driving investment in OLEDtechnology as a viable competitorto LCDs.

Stories by Laju Iren

Nigeria isresponsiblefor 40percent of thesmart phonesales inAfrica

We are fullycommitted tobringing nextgenerationtechnologiesto theNigerianmarket

38—Vanguard,38—Vanguard,38—Vanguard,38—Vanguard,38—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FRIDAY, FRIDAY, FRIDAY, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, JANUARY 9, JANUARY 9, JANUARY 9, JANUARY 9, 20152015201520152015

Why cancer agent in chicken is safe for consumption

• Broilers. Safe for consumption.

FOLLOWING reports of thepresence of arsenic, a cancer-

causing toxic chemical that’s fatal inhigh doses, in the meat of speciallybred chickens in parts of the US lastyear, concerns continue to trail theoverall safety of consumption ofartificially-bred poultry products.

In 2014, the US Food and DrugAdministration, USFDA,admitted thatchicken meat sold in the USAcontained arsenic. Vanguard Health& Living, VHL, gathered that thearsenic was deliberately added to thefeed given to more than 70 percent ofall broilers (chickens raised for meat)in the US and environs for commercialpurposes.

Findings revealed that the arsenic isinjected into the feed to induce fasterweight gain on less feed, and creatingthe appearance of a healthy colour inmeat from chickens, turkeys and hogs.

Reports say the USFDA discoveredthat up to half of all chickens testedabsorbed inorganic arsenic, the mosttoxic form, in their liver. Based on thefinding, the manufacturers of thearsenic-containing additive, known as3-Nitro- (Roxarsone).High levelsof arsenic

In a report published by the WallStreet Journal, the USFDA claimed tohave conducted a study of 100 broilerchickens that detected inorganicarsenic at higher levels in the livers ofchickens treated with 3-Nitro comparedwith untreated chickens.

Sale of the compound was to havestopped by July 2014, but concerns arestill being raised over the arsenic-containing product even as the FDAmaintained that the doped chicken wassafe to eat because the level of arsenicwas extremely low.

Toxicology experts warn that arsenic,along with lead and mercury, producehorrible neurological effects ondeveloping fetuses and youngchildren. Arsenic in general is said tobe about four times as poisonous asMercury.Components ofpoultry diets

VHL findings show that normally,chicken feed composition does notinclude arsenic. According to theNutrient Requirements of Poultry: NinthRevised Edition, (1994), poultry diets arecomposed primarily of a mixture ofseveral feedstuffs such as cereal grains,

soybean meal, animal by-product meals,fats, and vitamin and mineral premixes.

“These feedstuffs, together with wa-ter, provide the energy and nutrientsthat are essential for the bird's growth,reproduction, and health, namely pro-teins and amino acids, carbohydrates,fats, minerals, and vitamins. The energynecessary for maintaining the bird's gen-eral metabolism and for producing meatand eggs is provided by the energy-yielding dietary components, primarilycarbohydrates and fats, but also protein.

“While poultry diets also can includecertain constituents not classified as nu-trients, such as xanthophylls (that pig-ment and impart desired colour to poul-try products), the "unidentified growthfactors" claimed to be in some naturalingredients, and antimicrobial agents(benefits of which may include improve-ment of growth and efficiency of feedutilisation), the requirements note.

Further, it states: ”Numerous reportshave since confirmed that ingested ar-senic can cause Bowen disease (squa-mous cell carcinoma in situ); invasivesquamous cell carcinoma; basal cell car-cinoma of the skin; and (less frequently)internal cancers of the lung, the kidney,the bladder, and the liver.Nigerianstudy

However, in a special studyconducted to determine heavy metalsincluding Arsenic, Cadmium,Chromium, Ferrous (Iron) and Leadin the breast meat, gizzard, liver andkidney of chickens. Abdullahi IdiMohammed, Babagana Kolo, of theDepartment of Chemistry, Universityof Maiduguri, and Yakubu AhmedGeidam of the Department of

By Sola Ogundipe& Gabriel Olawale

Veterinary Medicine, also of theUniversity of Maiduguri, Nigeria,investigated the heavy metal content ofselected species of agriculturally bredchicken.

In the study published in Vol. 3, No.5, of the ARPN Journal of Science andTechnology, of May 2013, entitled“Heavy Metals in Selected Tissues ofAdult Chicken Layers (Gallus spp)”, thespecies teated were the Hacco and IsaBrown adult chicken layer (Gallus spp).

The sampling was carried out in twochicken layer farms in Maiduguribetween November 2012 – January2013. Heavy metals were determinedby the standard methods of inductivelycoupled plasma-optical emissionspectrometry (ICP-OES).Arsenic highestin breast meat

The results of the study reveal thatarsenic concentration was higher inbreast meat of the tested chicken,followed by the kidney, gizzard andliver. For cadmium, the contentprogressed in descending order,kidney, gizzard, liver and breast meat.

For chromium, it was gizzard, breastmeat, liver and kidney, whild ferrous(iron) concentration in layer poultrytissues studied was breast meat,gizzard, kidney and liver.

According to the study, lead was notdetected in all the samples analysed. Inconclusion, the researchers stated thatfrom the study, “the adult layer chickensare within safe limits for consumption.“The information provided herein willbe essential to frame guidelines andstandards for heavy metals in feedstuffand meat products in Nigeria,” the studynoted.

The results of thestudy reveal thatarsenic concentrationwas higher in breastmeat of the testedchicken, followed bythe kidney, gizzard andliver

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015 — 39

40—40—40—40—40—VANGUARD, VANGUARD, VANGUARD, VANGUARD, VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015

Maolud Nabiyyi:Transforming the ummah

Cross section of Awardees with Sadr, Lajnal Imaillah Nigeria, Dr. Basirat Dikko (4th left), during the 63rdJalsa Salana of Ahmadiyya Mulism Jamaát held at Jamia School Ilaro, Ogun State, recently.

Continues on page 41

THE Ansar-ud-deen Society (ADS) has called for

prayers for peace to achievefree, fair and credible generalelections in 2015.

The Publicity Secretary of theIslamic organisation, AlhajiMuibideen Adebanjo, madethis known in his Eid Maoludmessage.

He said: “As we celebrate thebirth of the Holy ProphetMohammed (pbuh), we enjoinMuslims all over the world toobserve the occasion withsober reflections in line withthe teachings of the prophet.

“We call on all to pray for thenation to have absolute peace;enjoin voters to exercise theirimportant civic right

2015: Ansar-ud-deen calls for prayers,tasks stakeholders on peaceful polls

peacefully as the electionsdraw nearer.”

The society urged the Inde-pendent National ElectoralCommission (INEC) to fearGod and ensure that the con-duct of the election would befear and credible, while alsoW

While also congratulatingthe Muslims all over theworld on the

Eid Maolid occasion, Ade-banjo stated that the societydissociated itself from anyIslamic group involved inwhatever heinous or evilactivities targeted at denyingthe nation peace and peace-ful co-existence.

Bismillahi-Rahamani-Ra-heem

INDEED, Allah confersblessing upon the Prophet,

and His angels [ask Him to doso]. O you who have believed,ask [Allah to confer] blessingupon him and ask [Allah togrant him] peace.

The above verse of the HolyQur ’an must have spurredsome of the Tabi‘in (the succes-sors of the Companions of theProphet) over 2000 years agoto hold sessions in which poet-ry and songs were composedand rendered to honor the dig-nity and the righteous exampleof the Messenger of Allah(s.a.w). Scholars have told usthat the immediate companionsof the Prophet (s.a.w) did notnecessarily engage in the prac-tice, but this, however, does notmean to say that the HolyProphet (s.a.w) forbade his anyact of ibadaah to commemoratethat day.

Although this practice hasbeen a bone of contentionamong Muslim jurists (fuqaha)and Muslim scholars since itsinception, but Muslims worldover and intellectuals over timehave come to accept it as partof the ibadaah and culture ofIslam.

Teaching of theprophet

For those who celebrate theday, it is another day to step upibadaah; a memorial day whenthe life story of the Prophet isrevisited and people are en-joined to learn and imbibe theteachings of the Prophet(s.a.w).

It is also a moral and socialbridge that links many diverseMuslim groups. I think noMuslim should be stopped toattend any spiritual function,where the life story of the No-blest Prophet in creation is be-ing discussed, where a lifechanging morals, values andideas could be learned.

For us in this part of the world,the government dedicated lastFriday for the celebration. Al-though that day was not 12thof Rabiu-Awwal, but within theperiod, it is good to spend some

time whether in the companyof others or in jamat to reflecton the episodes and events ofhis unique life from the time,about the life, values of thegreat Prophet; his life fromprophet hood to the beginningof revelation, the trials and suf-ferings endured while callingmen to Allah, the Hijra, thegreat and heroic battles againstpaganism, the creation of theIslamic State, the farewell pil-grimage, and finally, the mo-ment when revelation to earthcame to its conclusion as wellas his demise.

Every man who lives in ac-cordance to the teachings ofProphet Muhammad (s.a.w.)finds internal and externalpeace. He can easily establishharmony with his immediateenvironment (with his family,relatives, neighbours andfriends) and those outside hiscommunity. The teachings en-courage smooth interpersonalrelationships between andamong nations. They assuremankind of universal brother-hood, equality, justice, digni-ty and honour, guidance andsalvation. They are very prac-tical, so full of common senseand so full of truth. They ap-ply to every situation, everyage, and every man of all walksof life. They revolve around theIslamic way of life which tran-scends and penetrates far be-yond all barriers of race andstatus of wealth, prestige orclasses of people.

No other great man andprophet had come up with

such teachings so full of moralguidance that awakens the mindand shakes the heart of everyrational being on earth. It wasAllah’s miracle that the Proph-et (s.a.w) who was never taughtbut grew in the dark age androse to teach the whole of hu-manity. This historical factshows a clear sign for those whodeny Muhammad (s.a.w) as Al-lah’s universal Messenger to allnations.

Allah the Almighty blessed

him with wisdom to propagatethe Truth. In his teachings, heenjoins every man to speak thetruth and refrain from false-hood. He says: truth leads topiety which paves the way toParadise; while falsehood leadsone to vices and evils land onein hell.”

The Prophet’s teachings areindeed so full of truth. Theyguide mankind to the right pathin this world and In the hereaf-ter. Every essence of his teach-ings serves as guidance toTruth. His teachings constitutethe most comprehensive, prac-tical, sensible and truthful guid-ance to all peoples in all walksof life and in all conditions ofhuman endeavour.

In spite of all these and thetremendous success he record-ed in delivering the message,he shows his humility and mod-esty when speaking about him-self, by saying,

“Do not exaggerate in yourpraise towards me. I am onlyGod’s messenger and servant.”

When speaking about theprophets that came before himhe says, “I am the prayer of myancestor Abraham and the goodtidings of Prophet Jesus.”

My state and that of the otherprophets is like the followingparable: A man builds a perfectand beautiful house but leavesone brick missing from a cor-ner of the house. People comeand gaze at the house. Notic-ing the missing brick they say“Will a brick not be put in thisniche?” Now, I am that brickand the last of the prophets.

I present below some of hissayings and practices whichcan help those who know verylittle about him to appreciatehim better. These are areaswhich he taught and chal-lenged his companions to livetheir lives.

The Prophet Muhammad(s.a.w) said: “ALLAH has re-vealed to me that you must behumble, so that no one op-presses another and boastsover another.” Abu-Dawood.

The Prophet Muhammad(s.a.w) said: “Do not be peo-ple without minds of your own,saying that if others treat youwell you will treat them well,and that if they do wrong youwill do wrong. Instead, accus-tom yourselves to do good ifpeople do good and not to dowrong if they do evil.” _ Al-Tir-midhi,

The Prophet Muhammad(s.a.w) said: “Shake hands andrancour will disappear. Givepresents to each other and loveeach other and enmity will dis-appear.” -Al-Muwatta, Volume47.

Legalpunishment

The Prophet Muhammad(s.a.w) also said: “The peoplebefore you were destroyed be-cause they inflicted legal pun-ishments on the poor and for-gave the rich.” - Sahih Al-Bukhari

The Prophet Muhammad(s.a.w) said: “O ALLAH, grantme life as a poor man, causeme to die as a poor man andresurrect me in the company ofthe poor.” His wife asked himwhy he said that, and he re-plied: “Because (the poor) willenter Paradise (before) the rich.Do not turn away a poor maneven if all you can give is halfa date. If you love the poor andbring them near you ALLAHwill bring you near HIM on theDay of Resurrection.” -Al-Tir-midhi,

The Prophet Muhammad(s.a.w) said: “The best of youare those who are slow to an-ger and swift to cool

The Prophet Mu-hammad (s.a.w)said: “Shake handsand rancour willdisappear. Givepresents to eachother and love eachother and enmitywill disappear

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From left: Naib Amir, South-West, Ahmadiyya Muslim JamaátNigeria, Mr Azeze Alatoye; Guest Lecturer and National TabliqSecretary, Dr. Saheed Timehin and Missionary-in-Charge, Maul-vi AbdulKhalique Nayyar, during the 63rd Jalsa Salana 2014 ofthe Jamaát held at Jamia School Ilaro, Ogun State.

From left: Imam Salat of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nige-ria Bode-Olude Mosque, Abeokuta in Ogun State, Mission-ary Muyindeen Dikko; Majlis Ansarullah member, AlhajiHamzat Okunnu; President, Obantoko Jama’at, Dr. AbdulLateef Shotiyo; Personal Assistant to Amir. Soliu MuhammedAkewugberu; Amir, Dr. Mashhud Aderenle Fashola; CircuitMissionary, Missionary Abdul Sobur Kolade; Ustas AlliuAkewugberu and Circuit President, Abeokuta, Alhaji Mus-tafau Onabanjo, during the commissioning AhmadiyyaMosque in Abeokuta

From left: Representatives of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’atNigeria, at Qudian 2014 Jalsa Salana in India, 1ST GeneralSecretary, Bro. Taoheed Shoboyede; Missionary AbdulHakeem Ariyo; Sadr. Majlis Ansarullah Nigeria, Alhaji MikailOdukoya; Missionary Abdul Ganiyyu and National SecretaryTaleem, Alhaji Abdul Ganiyyu Ahmad, during the Jalsa Salanain India.

From left: Chairman, Jalsa Planning Committee, AlhajiMufalilu Bankole; Naib Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim JamaátNigeria, North Zone, Dr. Habeeb Yeqeen and former GeneralSecretary, Alhaji Raji Dauda, at the closing ceremony 63rdJalsa Salana 2014 of Ahmadiyya Mulism Jamaát at JamiaSchool Ilaro, Ogun State.

2015: Ansar-ud-deen calls for prayers•Tasks stakeholders on peaceful elections

down...Beware of anger, for itis a live coal on the heart of thedescendants of Adam.” - Al-Tirmidhi

One of the major doubtsagainst Islam revolves on thepersonality of the ProphetMuhammad (s.a.w) and hisgreat mission to mankind. Butinterestingly, those who bringforward such arguments failedto provide substantial evidenceor sensible explanation to but-tress their points.

All they will tell you is thatMuslims are terrorists; if youkill you go to heaven and oth-er baseless arguments - whichMuhammad taught them to killto go to heaven. Islam has nev-er told any Muslim to embarkon a killing spree for admit-tance into paradise; neither didthe prophet taught any act ofviolence or intolerance. It isnothing but sheer ignoranceespecially from those whoclaim to have read. But, Al-

THE Ahmadiyya Muslimjamaat ,Nigeria, has jus-

tified its pioneering status aschampion of western and sec-ular education in Nigeria as it produces two Professorsin the Animal Science andClinical Pharmacology, two

Ahmadiyya produces 2 profs, 2 Ph.Ds,4 first class honours

Ph.D in Islamic Law and Ed-ucational Foundation, sevenMasters graduates, and fourFirst Class Honours inMathematics, Biochemistry,Anthropology,Plant Physiologyand Crop Production in fourNigerian Universities. The uni-

versities are University ofIbadan, Ilorin,Lagos,ObafemiAwolowo University, federalUniversity of Agriculture,Abeokuta,Lagos state Univer-isty, Ladoke Akintola Univer-sity, Tai Solarin University of Education, Al-Hikmah Univer-sity, Ilorin and Babcock Uni-versity, Ilishan Remo.

The two Professors are Pro-fessor Abdul Rahman Abdul-lah, Animal Science ,BbacockUniversity and Professor Ab-dul Fatah Fehintola of Clini-cal Pharmacology, Universityof Ibadan. Dr(Barrister)Owoade AbdulLateef had Ph.D in IslamicLaw and Dr Basirat Dikkobagged her Ph.D in education-al Foundation from the Univer-sity of Lagos. Two femalesbagged degree in Medicineand Surgery.

These educational honourswere part of the success of the63rd annual conference of theAhmadiyya Muslim Jamaat,Nigeria, held at Ilaro ,OgunState recently.

The new scholars representfourteen circuits and twentyone Jama’at across Nigeria.

An elated head of the Ah-madiyya Muslim Jama’at, Ni-geria, Dr Mashuud Fasolasaid the Islamic organisationdecided to give an academicmerit award to members toencourage scholarship andeducational development inNigeria, at a time when edu-cation is not given its pride ofplace in the Nation’s growth.

Maolud Nabiyyi: Transforming theummah

Continues from page 40

THE Ansar-ud-deen Society (ADS) has called for

prayers for peace to achievefree, fair and credible generalelections in 2015.

The Publicity Secretary of theIslamic organisation, AlhajiMuibideen Adebanjo, madethis known in his Eid Maoludmessage.

He said: “As we celebrate thebirth of the Holy Prophet Mo-hammed (pbuh), we enjoin

Muslims all over the world toobserve the occasion with soberreflections in line with the teach-ings of the prophet.

“We call on all to pray for thenation to have absolute peace;enjoin voters to exercise theirimportant civic right peacefullyas the elections draw nearer.”

The society urged the Inde-pendent National ElectoralCommission (INEC) to fear Godand ensure that the conduct of

the election would be fear andcredible, while also W

While also congratulating theMuslims all over the world onthe

Eid Maolid occasion, Adeban-jo stated that the society disso-ciated itself from any Islamicgroup involved in whateverheinous or evil activities target-ed at denying the nation peaceand peaceful co-existence.

ASK YASK YASK YASK YASK YOUR IMAMOUR IMAMOUR IMAMOUR IMAMOUR IMAMQuestion: How will women pray in a congregational prayer where there isno partition or barrier behind Imam?

Answer: Muslim women may join the congregation salat, but they will keep their positionbehind the men. Although in congregation salat, no obstruction between the Imam and Ma’munis permitted, the women are permitted to stand behind barriers such as a partition, wall, curtain,etc. while they follow the salat as led by the Imam. Where there is none, you can create one, orstay distance away from where the men are gathered.

However, where the Imam is not present, and in order not to miss the salat in congregation,the women are also permitted to have their own congregational prayer in which one of themcan lead -as long as is no no man amongst them for the congregational prayer. However, shewill not stand in front, but will position herself in the center of the first line, and those followingher will form the first line by standing by her sides. Allah knows best.

hamdullilah, they cannot distortthe Qur’an, they cannot changethe enduring legacies of Proph-et Muhammad; they will forev-er be obsessed in the act of dec-imating the religion but withoutsuccess until they meet with Al-lah.

Islam has nevertold any Muslimto embark on akilling spree foradmittance intoparadise

42 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015—43

By Emma Amaize &Jimitota Onoyume

We never endorsed Buhari —EX-MENDCOMMANDERS

Urhobo monarchs deny endorsing Okowafor Delta gov race

By Godwin Oghre

Edo youths reject return of PDPleader to APC

By Gabriel Enogholase

DeltaMonarchinauguratespalacebuildingc'ttee

Izonebi hailsOtuaro'semergenceas Okowa'srunning mate

THE Movement for theEmancipation of the

Niger Delta, MEND, mayhave been hit by a crisis,following the purportedendorsement of GeneralMuhamadu Buhari (rtd) of theAll Progressives Congress,APC, for the presidentialelection, as a former leader ofthe group, ‘Gen’ ReubenWilson, has called onNigerians to disregard thesaid endorsement.

He said that the ex-militantswere all for PresidentGoodluck Jonathan in nextmonth’s presidential election.

But Jomo Gbomo, whospeaks for the group, haslambasted the PeoplesDemocratic Party, PDP, andIjaw Youth Congress, IYC, forquestioning its credibility anddescribing MEND as a ghostorganisation because of itsproclaimed support for Buhari.

Gbomo said: “MEND viewsthe recent question andstatement credited to the PDPNational publicity Secretary,Olisa Metuh, as very callousand irresponsible. Thequestion: ‘Explain yourconnections with MEND’further confirms andvindicates our views aboutPresident Goodluck Jonathanand the PDP.

“MEND strongly denies anylinks with the APC and hasnever been approached foranything, at any point in time,by the party, as alleged byOlisa Metuh.”

Wilson, on his part whospoke for the ex-militantcommanders, called onNigerians to ignore the Buhariendorsement story, describingsame as part of the APC,propaganda ahead of thegeneral elections.

Reaffirming the support ofex-militants in the region forthe second term bid ofPresident Jonathan, Reubenwho is now a Pastor, said:“MEND ceased to exist fromthe day we all keyed into theamnesty programme of theFederal Government,” addingthat what they had as JomoGbomo was a pseudonymused by the ex-agitators toprosecute their crusade asMEND years back.

“We challenge the JomoGbomo to show his face on anational television the way wewill do, as we have alwaysdone. Since we left the creeks,we have integrated into thesociety, contributing to thedevelopment of the country.We have stopped all forms ofmilitant activities under anyguise, including MENDactivities.”

He added that at the moment

there was nothing like JomoGbomo or MEND, stressingthat they owned MEND andalso collapsed it after theyembraced the FederalGovernment’s amnestyprogramme.

“We have read and heard ofreports in the media on thepurported endorsement of theAPC presidential candidate,Buhari, and have decided to

inform the public that we, theformer leaders of militantcamps, who owned andcontrolled the activities ofMEND, did not and could nothave endorsed Buhari as ourcandidate.

“We are aware that the APCand their presidentialcandidate are desperate forpower and are ready to doanything to mislead the public

as part of their desperateefforts to take over power thisyear. But it is criminal to usethe name of MEND to score acheap point and deceive thepublic.

“For the avoidance of doubt,let us put it clearly that weowned MEND and we neverendorsed Buhari. NeitherBuhari nor MEND can shaveour head in our absence."

UGHELLI—THE UrhoboTraditional Rulers Forum

Ukoko R’Ivie Urhobo,yesterday, condemned apublication by a section of themedia, linking them to apurported endorsement of thePeoples Democratic Party, PDP,governorship candidate in

Delta State, Senator IfeanyiOkowa, through the influenceof ex-militant leader, ChiefGovernment Ekpemukpolo,alias, Tompolo, saying thatthere was no iota of truth in thesaid publication.

The monarchs, through theirChairman, HRM, OjakovoOharisi III, the Ovie of UghelliKingdom, said: “We don’t

endorse candidates. We areroyal fathers and all thecandidates are our children. Weonly pray for them wheneverthey come to seek our blessing.There was no time we endorsedOkowa on the influence ofTompolo or any other candidatefor the governorship race in thestate.

“By the way, neither Tompolonor Chief Wellington Okrikawho brought Tompolo to us is aroyal father. The two are notmembers of our forum. So, howcould they have influenced ourthinking, actions anddecisions? The truth is that theycame to consult with us on howto settle the bitterness betweenthe Ijaw people and the Urhoboover the PDP governorshipprimaries. Tompolo whospearheaded the move, doesnot know here, so Chief Okrikaled him here.

“They told us that they didn’twant the bitterness to continue.They said they took cognisanceof the fact that the Urhobo andthe Ijaw are brothers existingtogether for ages which theysaid should continue. We sawwisdom in what they said so wetold them that we shall conveytheir message to the umbrellabody of Urhobo Nation, theUrhobo Progress Union, UPU,and get back to them."

B E N I N — A L LP r o g r e s s i v e s

Congress, APC, youths in IsiNorth (Ward 7) of UhunmwodeLocal Government Area of EdoState, have said that they willresist any attempt by the formerChief of Staff to former GovernorOserhiemen Osunbor, Dr.Isaiah Osifo, to return to theparty from the PeoplesDemocratic Party, PDP.

A statement in Beninyesterday by Mr. FrancisOsamwonyi for concernedyouths in the Ward, said theywere rejecting Osifo comingback to the party for jumping

from one party to another fora record of six times since theinception of democracy in 1999.

“The entire youths of APC inUhunmwode and especially IsiNorth (Ward 07) denounce andreject the purported attempt byOsifo to return to a party he hasseverally condemned andabandoned at critical moments.We seriously warn theleadership of our party at alllevels against re-admittingOsifo into the party at thiscritical time."

Reacting, Osifo said thosesaying he should not return tothe party were neither theparty’s Publicity Secretary atthe local nor state level that canspeak on the issue.

DEPUTY MajorityLeader of the

legislative arm of WarriSouth-West LocalGovernment Area ofDelta State, Mr WuruyaiIzonebi, has hailed theemergence of MrKingsley Otuaro as therunning mate to the statePeoples DemocraticParty, PDP governorshipcandidate, SenatorIfeanyi Okowa.

He lauded theemergence of Mr. JuliusPondi as the PDP Houseof Representatives flagbearer for Burutu federalconstituency.

Izonebi, who isrepresenting the peopleof Kokodiagbene/Benekrukru Ward, WarriSouth-West LocalGovernment Area, saidin an interview thatOtuaro's choice as therunning mate to Okowawas a wise one, urgingall members of PDP in thestate to support theleadership of the party toensure a total victory forthe party in the Februarygeneral elections.

THE monarch ofAgbon Kingdom,

His Royal Majesty,Ogurime-rime Ukori I,has inaugurated theAgbon Palace BuildingCommittee to build anultra-modern palace atOtorho-Agbon (Isiokolo),headquarters of EthiopeEast Local GovernmentArea of Delta State.

The monarch chargedthe chairman and themembers of thecommittee to commencework on the projectimmediately and alsourged them to put allhands on deck to ensurethat the foundation waslaid within a short time.

Secretary of AgbonTraditional Council,Chief EmmanuelAvworo, in a statement,said that the monarchwas fully committed tothe actualisation of theproject within thestipulated time.

COMMISSIONING: From left: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State; His Eminence,Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III, Sultan of Sokoto and HRH, Alhaji Haliru Momoh, Ikelebe III,Otaru of Auchi , at the commissioning of the Auchi-Jattu-Afashio 6-lane dual carriageway inEtsako West Local Government Area, yesterday.

L E I S U R ETHOUGHT FOR TODAYTHOUGHT FOR TODAYTHOUGHT FOR TODAYTHOUGHT FOR TODAYTHOUGHT FOR TODAY

44— Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015

VIRGINIA

KAPTAIN AFRIKA in “Pretty Lunatic’ By Andy Akman

dadadekola@yahoo.com

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye” By Lanre Kehinde

YOUR LUCK TODAYYOUR LUCK TODAYYOUR LUCK TODAYYOUR LUCK TODAYYOUR LUCK TODAY

HOME & ABROAD By Lawrence Akapa

By Richard Eromosele

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLINGASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLINGASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLINGASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLINGASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLINGSend ySend ySend ySend ySend your datour datour datour datour date and place of bire and place of bire and place of bire and place of bire and place of bir th tth tth tth tth to the Aso the Aso the Aso the Aso the Astrtrtrtrtrologicalologicalologicalologicalological

Counselling, PCounselling, PCounselling, PCounselling, PCounselling, P.M.B 1.M.B 1.M.B 1.M.B 1.M.B 100000000007, Apapa, Lagos7, Apapa, Lagos7, Apapa, Lagos7, Apapa, Lagos7, Apapa, Lagos

AQUARIUS Yes! You’re not scared a bit even, when oppositionand/or competition come your way but, if you give in to diplo-matic approach, you’ll fare better today.

PISCES: Pressure that came your way suddenly will give wayunexpectedly, today, to the betterment of your course. The morefinancially ambitious you are today, the better for you. Be stead-fast.

ARIES: You sincerely believe in intelligent argument or discus-sion. And if you allow your ability to be diplomatic come toplay today, you’ll be better for it. Enjoy your love life.

TAURUS: You’ll tend to become both creative and persuasiveto the administration of others. Then those who’ve been resist-ing secret love may slip suddenly and become excited.

GEMINI: Even if opposition persists, supports you are gettingfrom the influential people will be enough to see you through.Yet, the more cooperative you are the better.

CANCER: Your creativity quotient within your working arenawill today be enhanced. You’ll be blamed if you keep officialissues secrets from your challenges at work.

LEO: After a few tension soaked days, you’ll have the neededopportunity to look through windows of the world and haveyour way as well. Magnetic and/or magic days is predicted forlovers today.

VIRGO: Even if you continue to work under pressure via in-creased workload, you will have good results to show for yourefforts today. Be steadfast.

LIBRA: Better than yesterday. And the more co-operative youare today the better for you. Those of you travelling for love arein for an exciting day.

SCORPIO: Those of you willing to let go hard feelings at workare for a progressive day to the betterment of your finances. Letgo yesterday, move ahead.

SAGITTARIUS: Once again, you’ll have the needed opportu-nity to assert yourself to the administration of others. Both loveand financial success can be yours with efforts. Reason withyour tried and trusted friends.

CAPRICORN: You can make it a successful day with positiveapproach on your part. You will be in a better position to defusetension within your working arena. Try to be more ambitious.

Which day was I born?Dear Joshua,Kindly tell me how the planets lined up when I was born andthe day of the week I was born but don’t publish my date ofbirth.Abubakar, Kaduna.

Dear Abubakar,Under-here are the planetary positions as requested by you.YOUR HOROSCOPE DATADay of Birth = SundaySun Sign = Scorpio. Sun in Zero Degree of ScorpioMoon Sign = Libra: Moon in 5th Degree of LibraMercury in 12th Degree of ScorpioVenus in Zero Degree of SagittariusMars in 1st Degree of AquariusJupiter in 29th Degree of CancerSaturn in 10th Degree of ScorpioUranus in 27th Degree of CancerNeptune in 25th Degree of LibraPluto in 26th Degree of LeoNorth Node in 8th Degree of CapricornSouth Node in 8th Degree of CancerNo planet in earth spar sign, one in available, two in fire,three in air, four in cardinal, fixed and water star signshosted five planets each.PHYSICAL INFLUENCE = 50%NON-PHYSICAL INFLUENCE =50%PLANET AT HOME = NONEANALYSIS OF THE HOROSCOPE DATAYou are both an intelligent and emotional person. And asthere was planet at home when you were born, too manyideas will always struggle for prominent place in your mind,thus decision making is difficult but most times, your intel-ligence comes to the rescue.Certainly, you appear to other as a gentle person who canbe mistaken for soft fellow but your inner-self is the person-ality with a steel like will power.You are the consistent type who may find it difficult to changeonce you have made up your mind as indicated by distribu-tion of the planets as written out in paragraph two of thisexercise.One major challenge you have been battling for a very longtime is constant worries, some times, necessarily and theother time, uncalled for, as indicated by conjunction Mer-cury and Saturn formed when you were born.Placement of your natal Sun (basic self head) and Moon(your sub-conscious self) in Scorpio and Libra respectivelyare indications of your being mainly Scorpio born personand partly in Libran. And that is to say basic characteristicsof both Scorpio and Libra are highly pronounced in you.Then, you are spiritually gifted; if you don’t develop it isanother thing.

Learning to spendyour timeTIME is an

i r rep laceab leresource. It is oneresource that has thecapacity to influenceand affect otherresources andultimately determinethe overall result.

An average human

being has a thousandand one things to do,yet, the time to do thisis highly limited. Thisis where timemanagement skill

comes in. You shouldbe able to prioritizeyour time andactivities. Unlikemoney, time lost cannever be regained.

That is why youshould learn how tomaximize your time.Do not waste yourprecious time onthings of lesser value.

As you celebrate theNew Year, make it aduty to monetize yourtime. Remember theold adage – Time ismoney.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015—45

By Vera Samuel Anyagafu

NIGERIA, the eighthm o s t

populous country in theworld today, is estimated tohave a population of about 178million people and more than30 percent of its totalpopulation is said to havemigrated to different countriesacross the world in search ofbetter livelihood. There areseveral reasons behind this,and one of these is traced tothe dampening economicsituation of the country.

Although Nigeria is a veryrich country in terms of humanand natural resources, inaddition to availability of

Need for review of migration lawsnatural gas, petroleum, etc,the basic challenge leading toa large number of its nationalmigrating to several countriesacross the universe is not farfrom corruption and inability ofthe government to providenationals with workableinfrastructures to thrive better.

It is worthy of note that theNigerian petroleum industryremains the largest industryand the main generator ofGross Domestic Product (GDP)for the country today. Despitethe abundance of theaforementioned, it is sad todescribe the country as one ofthe poor countries in theworld. This is as a result of

the incessant mishandling ofthe country’s revenue, whichto a large extent has promptedthousands of the country’s bestbrains to migrate to foreigncountries in search of betterlivelihood.

Betterlivelihood

Vanguard ConsularAdvisory (VCA)authoritatively gathered thatcorruption, poormanagement of funds,political instability and poorgovernance continue to tearNigeria apart, making italmost impossible for the

citizens to effectivelymanage their welfare.According to a source whospoke on grounds ofanonymity, Nigeria may notbe the most corrupt countryacross the globe, but withvery high unemploymentrates, poor leadership, poorinfrastructures, Nigerians nolonger care a hoot aboutwhat it takes to put food ontheir table.

The source said, “almost allpolitical figures in Nigeriatoday engage in corruptactivities, leavingthe average Nigerians onthe streets with nothing butpoverty and despair, just as

children ofschool-going ageengage in streethawking, just toassist theirparents stayabove waterlevel. Graduatesare not left out inthe frustration asmany most often,engage in onlinescams andseveral otherf r a u d u l e n tpractices in thebid to survive.”

He added thatabout 55 per centof the totalpopulation livesbelow povertyline, stressingthat religious andethnic conflicts inthe country alsoput morepressure onNigerian youthsto considermigrating abroadas the onlyavailable optionto survival.

“The situation appears tobe ridiculing as Nigeriacontinues to move in avicious circle, shoveling fromone failed leader to anotherand from one unproductivebudget to another,” sourceadded.. .

However, the situation hasprompted a good number ofNigerians suggesting thatthe Nigerian governmentand other responsibleauthorities ensure a new andbetter humane society, toreduce the volume ofindividuals leaving thecountry to service othercountries economies.

Commongood

Many opined that thecountry deserves creative,development-conscious, andcorrupt-free minded leaders,who would work for thecommon good of all nationals,making a difference in thelives of the citizens. It maybe sad to know that Nigeriais mentioned in the list ofcountries whose leaders areonly good at making emptypromises, but the resolutionis not far reached.

Nigeria’s perpetuallyunresolved challenges,ranging from socio-politicalto economic problems havecontinued to raise somepertinent questions to whichthe leaders must address fora better Nigerian economy.

For fact, Nigeria is beingmismanaged in spite of itsvast material and humanresources, just as its leadersappear to be failing in theirmandate to developing thesociety with the revenuefrom its numerousendowments.

In other words, it isimperative for the Nigeriannationals to map outstrategies that will ensurethose who are bleeding thesociety dry are fished out andexposed, in order to help thecountry build its economicfuture and cut down on youthmigration.

•Jonathan

Nigeria isbeingmismanagedin spite of itsvastmaterialand humanresources

CMYK

46—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015

DELTA:Okowa'scandidateto beat—DDA

PEOPLE SPEAKBy Bartholomew Madukwe

(08102479985)nwamad@yahoo.com

By ObohAgbonkhese

On judiciary workers strike?

A nation is insecurewhen the executive

flouts the order of a courtof competent jurisdiction.Financial autonomy forjudicial workers is neededinstrument to fight offwhat many perceive asjudicial corruption andineptitude; governmentshould do the needful.—Mr. ChukwunonsoRossoneri, Graduate.

OUR lawyers oughtto stand and

defend societal justice bychampioning the fightfor financial autonomyfor the judiciary workers.I think the executive hastossed and infiltrated thejudiciary and such is notpart of the democraticsystem. The workershave a case.—Mr.Uduma Ogbu, Worker.

WORKERS of thejudiciary, which is

a source of headache forthis country, should hidetheir heads in shame.What is giving corruptpoliticians nerve, if notjudicial protectionism?This issue should beresolved quickly for thesake of justice for all.—Mr. Timileyin Jaiyeola,Freight Forwarder.

JUDICIARY's financialdependence on the

executive is responsiblefor justice manipulationby the executive and thephantom corruption in thejudicial system. I supportthis strike to go onindefinitely, 100 percent,until the longstandingerror is corrected.—Mr.Azuka ThankGod,Computer Engineer.

WHAT is theexecutive afraid

of? Must they controleverything, forgettingabout the neededindependence of thethree arms of government:judiciary, legislature andexecutive? Why does theexecutive want to controlmoney? I totally disagreewith that.—Mr. AdedejiAremu, Worker.

JUSUN strikecontinues. Even the

judiciary is not spared ofstrike. In all of these,what I want them toknow is that there isGod. And that one day,we shall all stand beforeGod and receive ourrewards over our deedson earth.— Mr. EmoefeG o o d l u c k ,Businessman.

A B A K A L I K I — T H Egovernorship candidate

of All Progressives GrandAlliance, APGA, in EbonyiState, Senator Anthony Agbo,yesterday, alleged that somesuspected thugs andpolicemen in bullet proof vestsinvaded and destroyed theparty’s office in OhaukwuLocal Government Areas of thestate, last Saturday.

Addressing newsmen at hishome town in Ohaukwu, theSenator, who also revealedthat his file which was missingat the Independent NationalElectoral Commission, INEC,office in Abuja only to laterresurface, was orchestrated bypoliticians who are jittery overhis candidacy and the impactAPGA would make.

He said: “Last Saturdaynight, thugs and policemen,numbering about 20, camewith bullet proof vests and AK-47 rifles to Ohaukwu and toreoff my posters and destroyed

Suspected thugs, policeinvade APGA office in Ebonyi

No report has reached us— POLICEour party office.

“Party flags, posters, chairsand tables were destroyed. Ido not know their motivations,but I know those behind allthese things and am not goingto reply now because of wheream coming from.”

However, state Police Public

Relations Officer, ASP ChrisAnyanwu, said the commandwas yet to receive informationregarding the incident,adding that police will nottolerate such development.

He said: “No policemanwill do such thing; the APGAcandidate should report the

incident to the Division inOhaukwu council and it willimmediately come to us at theheadquarters.

“You have to know thatuniforms are easily accessibleand anybody can wear them. Thecommand is not going to relentin ensuring a hitch-free election.”

By Peter Okutu

THE Delta DemocraticAlliance, DDA, a

socio-political pressuregroup, has reiterated itssupport for SenatorIfeanyi Okowa, the DeltaState Peoples DemocraticParty, PDP, governorshipcandidate.

Speaking through itsDirector-General, Mr.Sunday Onyewonsa,yesterday, the groupsaid Senator Okowaremains the onlycandidate whosepopularity cuts acrossethnic divides in thestate.

According to him,“ while candidates ofother political partieswere products of ethnicagitation, Okowaemerged from thecrucible of ‘real politik,’making him the mostformidable of all thegovernorship aspirantsand the man to beat.

“DDA believes in thephilosophy of egalitarianpolitical equation and,therefore, abhors thearrogance of the born-to-rule attitude of fewelements.

“We stand againstevery form of politicalarrogance, therefore, wehave embarked onh o u s e - t o - h o u s ecampaign to ensurevictory for Okowa.”

Igbo youths, groups endorseJonathan; say alternative is madness

A host of Igbo groups,yesterday, rose from a

meeting in Enugu andendorsed President GoodluckJonathan for second term,saying “the alternative is sheermadness.”

Among the groups that metwere Igbo Youths Movement,IYM; South-East Self

Determination Coalition,SESDC, and some womengroups.

Speaking on why theyendorsed Jonathan, IYMFounder, Evangelist ElliotUko, said apart fromperforming well, there wasno better alternative toPresident Jonathan yet.

His words: “On SaturdayFebruary 14, our people will

troop out in their millions andvote right. They will vote forstability, they will vote forequity.

“We will vote for light, we willvote for a just, new united andbetter Nigeria. The choice is soclear that even the blind cansee.

“Since Nigerians crossed theRed Sea a few years ago on theglorious march to the PromisedLand, our nation has experien-ced a new wave of freedom anddecency hitherto unknown.

“Nigerians are witnesses tothe ongoing great rebuilding ofthe years the locust had eaten.Every sector is receivingattention simultaneously.

The President has enthronedequity in the land, giving hopeto all sections of Nigeria. Itwould be a national calamity totake Nigeria back to slavery.

“We will not make the costlymistakes of the past. We willvote for President Jonathan notjust because he has done well,but because there is noalternative. Ndigbo will voteJonathan; the alternative issheer madness.”

By Clifford Ndujihe

Njiko Igbo accuses PDP, APC of marginalization

ENUGU—A socio-politicalorganization, Njiko Igbo

Forum, NIF, yesterday,accused Peoples DemocraticParty, PDP, and AllProgressives Congress, APC,of marginalizing the people ofSouth-East geopolitical zone.

President of NIF, Rev.Okechukwu Obioha, in anaddress he presented duringthe group’s meeting in Enugu,accused the two leadingparties of favouring otherpolitical zones in the country.

At the meeting,representatives of PDP, APCand United Progressives Party,UPP, had each appealed toNdigbo to cast their votes fortheir respective presidentialcandidate.

However, in setting the tonefor a discussion on the wayforward for Ndigbo in theforthcoming presidentialelection, Obioha said: “Thetwo major political partieshave marginalized Ndigbo.They have not reckoned withNdigbo at all.

“President Goodluck

Jonathan has not been fair tous to justify the heavysupport we gave him since2011. He seriously neglectedus.

“General Buhari, by hischoice of running mate fromthe South-West that justproduced President in theperson of OlusegunObasanjo, has foreclosedIgbo from becoming thePresident of Nigeria untilafter 24 years.

“It is incredulous. MustNdigbo continue to be Nige-ria's political junction box?”

By Francis Igata

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015— 47

Kwara govt begs health workers to call off strike

Saraki calls for law on equitable oil spill compensation

By Demola Akinyemi

Customs rakesin N977.09bnrevenue in2014

By Demola Akinyemi

IMG names Adadevoh Person of the Year 2014

Taraba PDP sets up 7-man CWC on elections

LAGOS—THE IjawMonitoring Group, IMG, has

named Dr. Stella AmeyoAdadevoh, the medical doctor whosacrificed her life to save Nigeriafrom deadly Ebola as the group’s2014 person of the year.

In a statement signed byComrade Joseph Evah on behalfof IMG, the group lauded thecourage and patriotic spirit of thelate doctor for resisting the attemptby the Ebola patient, Mr. PatrickSawyer from Liberia who was

By Tare Youdeowei admitted in her hospital inLagos, to forcefully cause wide-spread of the deadly virus.

“We are proud to admit thisrare breed, Dr. Stella AmeyoAdadevoh into the Niger DeltaHall of Fame as an honorarymember. She become one ofAfrica’s giants in medicine andpride to every African womanwith her uncommon effort.

“It is now in the world recordthat Dr. Adadevoh stopped thespread of the deadly disease inNigeria and by extension, she

prevented the death ofthousands of Nigerians in thisgeneration and beyond. Insteadshe became the sacrificial lamb,dying so that others may live.History will always rememberAdadevoh for her sacrifice tosave humanity.”

The Ijaw group insisted thatECOWAS headquartersbuilding in Abuja be named afterDr. Adadevoh because Mr.Patrick Sawyer was an ECOWASstaff who came to Nigeria onECOWAS mission.

ILORIN—THE Kwara Stategovernment has pleaded with

health workers in the state to calloff their ongoing strike in theinterest of the public.

The state Head of Service, AlhajiDabarako Mohammed made theappeal in a statement signed byhis Chief Press Secretary, UsmanAbdulateef, in Ilorin yesterday.

He said that the stategovernment could not meet thedemands of the health workersbecause of the dwindlingallocations from the FederationAccount.

However, the Coalition ofHealth Sector Unions, COHESU,in the state rejected the plea bythe state government.

The state chairman of COHESU,Comrade Moses Ajiboyeexplained that the ongoing strikewas a directive from the nationalbody of the union, hence it wasimpossible for them to call off thestrike.

The head of service had askedthe striking workers to reconsidertheir stance for theimplementation of 50 per cent

ILORIN—THE Chairman of theSenate Committee on

Environment and Ecology,Senator Bukola Saraki has saidthat there was urgent need for acomprehensive law on oil spill inaccordance with international bestpractices to ensure early andequitable compensation ofvictims.

This was contained in astatement signed by Saraki’sassistant on Media andAdvocacy, Mr BamikoleOmishore, in Ilorin yesterday.

Saraki who commended theagreement signed by the ShellPetroleum DevelopmentCompany of Nigeria Ltd, SPDC,to compensate the BodoCommunity in Ogoni, RiversState, following the two oil spillincidents in the area in 2008 said:“As commendable as these recentdevelopments are, it is also crucialto point out the fact that withoutclear-cut and sustainable policiesin place, such compensationsmight only be one-off occurrences.

‘’What Nigeria needs right nowto operate in line with

JALINGO—THE TarabaState chapter of Peoples

Democratic Party, PDP, hasinaugurated a seven-manCentral Working Committee,CWC, to pilot the campaign ofall it’s candidates in theforthcoming general elections.

The committee wasinaugurated by the stateChairman of the party, Mr. victorKona yesterday at the Womenand Youths Centre in Jalingo,the state capital.

Speaking on the occasion,Kona urged the committee toensure victory for all the PDPcandidates from both thepresidential, governorship as

ABUJA—THE NigeriaCustoms Service, NCS,

raked in about N977.09 billionrevenues in 2014 from itstarget of N1.2 trillion for theyear.

According to the service’ssummary of monthly revenuefigure obtained by the NewsAgency of Nigeria, NAN,yesterday in Abuja, therevenue came from importand excise duties, levies andother fees.

NAN reports that therevenue figure showed anincrease of N143.79 billionover the N833.4 billion NCScollected in 2013, representingabout 15 per cent increment incollection.

The breakdown of the figureshowed that N586.91 billionout of the amount collectedwas remitted to the FederationAccount while N390.18 wasremitted to non-federationaccount during the year.

A further breakdown showedthat N511.55 billion wascollected from import (cash);N8.59 billion from import duty,while N39.76 billion wascollected from fees.

JOS—MR Ezekiel Dalyop, thePlateau State Head of Service,

yesterday, commended themedia for portraying the state ingood light in 2014.

Dalyop told the News Agencyof Nigeria, NAN, in Jos that the

CONHESS as the state andindeed the entire nation waspassing through hard timesbecause of the falling price ofcrude oil in the internationalmarket.

He also noted that the fallingprice of crude oil had caused adislocation in the calculations ofthe state government, followingits dwindling monthly revenue.

Health workers in the state

last week embarked on strikefor upward review ofCONHESS from 50 to 100 percent in solidarity with theircounterparts in the federalhealth institutions.

international best practices is acomprehensive law that worksto ensure that oil spillcompensations are not arbitrary,but equitable for all affectedparties.

‘’The issue of oil spills andcompensation for the residentcommunities would not even be

a ground breaking issue ifNigeria and Nigerians had anexecutive branch of the FederalGovernment that saw it as itsfundamental duty to fight for thepeople.

‘’Nigerians both at home andabroad should be absolutelyappalled by the fact that the

affected communities had to gobeyond our borders to seekredress in the courts despitethe fact that we have anexecutive branch that has thepower vested on it by ourconstitution to protect anddefend the people of Nigeria."

By Mkom John well as the national and stateassembly elections.

The committee which has theSenator who represented TarabaSouth Senatorial District, SaleDanboyi as it’s chairman.

Kona who expressedconfidence in the ability of thecommittee to work for the victoryof PDP in the state at the polls

said: “The inauguration ofthese distinguished men ofproven integrity today is anindication that the sun hasbrightened the dark horizon,particularly with the return ofthe Acting Governor, AlhajiSani Danladi who wasconversant with the politicalterrain of the state to his seat."

EPZ: Egbemaleaders demandrecognition ashost community

WARRI—THE crisisrocking the Export

Processing Zone, EPZ, inOgidigben, Warri South WestLocal Government Area, DeltaState, has taken anotherdimension as the people ofEgbema kingdom in WarriNorth local government aredemanding for recognition ashost to the controversialproject.

This was contained in a letteraddressed to PresidentGoodluck Jonathan by theEgbema People RightsMovement, on behalf of thepeople of Egbema kingdom,dated November 15, 2014.

The letter was signed byComrade Mike J.K. Tiemo,president, Comrade MarksonJ. Aboh, assistant secretary,Comrade Kelvin Igbikiri, chieflogistics and Dr. IsaacKoroware, PRO respectively.

“We request for therecognition of Egbema coastaloffshore and onshorecommunities as host to theEPZ project, being host andoperational vicinity ofChevron/Texaco, SPDC andNPDC in accordance to anexisting MOU regarding theOpuekeuba platform, Aleroand Dibi flow stations”

Plateau HoS commends media

state had enjoyed positivemedia reportage during theyear under review.

He said that theimplementation of most of thestate government programmesand policies were positivelyreported.

He said: “Let me use thisopportunity to appreciate themedia for doing their best inthe year 2014 and for givingPlateau the needed spotlightin their reportage.

“We believe that this NewYear will afford us theopportunity for a better rapport,being a year of generalelections."

Dalyop, however, urged themedia to ensure that the 2015elections were hitch-free byadhering to the ethics ofjournalism profession.

VISIT: From left: APC Presidential candidate, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari (rtd), PresidentGeneral, Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, Chief Joseph Omene, Delta State APCgovernorship candidate, Olorogun O'tega Emerhor, Rivers State governor, Mr. RotimiAmeachi, and APC National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun, during General Buhari'svisit to the executive of UPU in Mosogar, Ethiope West Local Government Area, DeltaState.

48—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015

From left, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta PDP Governorship Candidate; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghanof Delta State; Mr. Sam Amuka, Publisher, Vanguard Newspapers, and Mr. Ted Iwere, Managing Director,Independent Newspapers, at a parley by Senator Okowa with Deltans in Lagos. Photos: Lamidi Bamidele

Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta (left), and his deputy,Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, addressing the guests at theparley.

From left, Dr. Joe Okpaku, Publisher, Third Press,New York; Arc. Fred Dudu, and Chief BrownMene.

From left, Mr. Abi Ayidah; his wife, Ete; TonyAnenih Jnr, and Hon. Magnus Onyibe.

From left, Mrs. Ngozi Oboegboni; Mrs. FlorenceOmumu; Mrs. Grace Osagie, and Mrs. NgoziBama.

Delta PDP Gov Candidate's parley with Deltans in Lagos

From left, Sammie Okposo, Alleluya Akporobome (Alli Baba), Mrs. AnnOrumade, Special Adviser to the Governor on Poverty Alleviation, Delta State;Mr. Karo Agono, and Mr. Richard Mofe-Damijo.

From left, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Delta State Governor; Jay Jay Okocha,and Mr. Chike Ogeah, Delta State Commissioner of Information.

From left, Frank Gboneme, Mr. Gabriel Ogbechie, andDr. Kingsley Emu.

From left, Chief Paul Odhomor, Chief Brown Mene,and Olawale Rhode-Vivour.

Senator Okowa's wife, Edith (left), andAtake Ibori, PDP candidate for DeltaState House of Assembly.

CMYK

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015 — 49

50 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015

CMYK

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015 —51

My generation has failed — JONATHANContinues from Page 5

doing and succeedingin a number of areasespecially in theprocurement area. If youlook at it, we arereducing corruption.”

Umaru Dikko'sabduction

Referring to theaborted kidnap of AlhajiUmaru Dikko fromBritain by the Buhariadministration in 1984,Dr. Jonathan said: “Theysay we are weak but weknow that there were

some people who, whilethey were abroad, somepeople drugged themand put them in cratesand attempted to fly themto Nigeria but they wereintercepted by superiorpowers. That blockedNigerians from evengoing to Britain; thewhole world isolatedNigeria. They say that isthe best way to fightcorruption. Is that theway to stop corruption?Not to follow dueprocess? So, immediatelyI suspect your uncle, Ijust go and crate himand put him in Kirikiri

(Kirikiri Prison). Is thatthe way to stopcorruption?”

Noting that Buhari’santi-corruption stancewas a posture to dealwith enemies, he said:“They want power at allcost, all they want to usepower for is to lock upand imprison theirenemies. I have noenemies to fight. I won'tstop corruption byarresting people andputting them in jail. Youcannot stop corruptionthat way.”

Empowerment ofyouths

Lamenting the failuresof his generation, thepresident said hisadministration decidedto motivate the youngergeneration with sharpideas. “Government feelsthat Nigerians are verydynamic people, creativeand industrious peopleand, as you know, we areover 200 million peoplebut we cannot toucheverybody the same day.

“We came up with theconcept of YOUWIN to

give grants and notloans to youngNigerians that haveideas. We have donethat and some of themare alreadymanufacturing things. Inthe next five years or so,some of them will beexporting things out ofthe country. Can you dothat without planning?And they say we have noplans for the youths, letthem come and tell us theplans they have for theyouths. Look at whatIndia is doing, look atwhat countries that wewere at par at

independence aredoing. Do you want togo back to those dayswhere they had no plansfor the youths?”

In a throw back to themilitary era, he referredto the Buhari regimewhich he said had nosingle woman in cabinet.In a shocker before heconcluded, the presidentwho had earlier in 2010defended MEND ofallegations oforchestrating the 2010Independence Day bombattack at the EagleSquare, Abuja reversedhimself, yesterday,saying the attack was anassassination attempt onhim, the president.

He said: “Let me sayone thing and conclude.I read in a paper recentlywhere it said ‘MENDdumps Jonathan’. I amfrom the Niger Delta, theleader of MEND is oneOkar. Okar is in a SouthAfrican prison becauseon October 1, 2010, whenwe were to celebrate our50th Independenceanniversary, Okar washired by some Nigeriansto assassinate me.

“Okar bombed Abujaand the attempt was toassassinate me butintelligence report fromSouth Africa hinted meon the plan toassassinate me. He isnow in jail in SouthAfrica and they saidMEND dumpedJonathan. Okar thatwanted to assassinateJonathan, will hesupport Jonathan? I amtold that Okar issupporting somepeople.”

ROLL CALLNotable PDP stalwarts

present included amongothers: Vice-PresidentNamadi Sambo, AlhajiAdamu Mu’azu, SenatorPresident, David Mark;Emeka Ihedioha,Governors GodswillAkpabio (Akwa Ibom),Theodore Orji (Abia),Seriake Dickson(Bayelsa), Lyel Imoke(Cross River), AyodeleFayose (Ekiti), OlusegunMimiko (Ondo), JonahJang (Plateau), IsaYuguda (Bauchi),Ibrahim Shema (Katsina)Idris Wada (Kogi) AliyuBabangida (Niger)Ibrahim HassanDankwambo (Gombe),Alhaji Jelili Adesiyan,Minister for PoliceAffairs; Mrs DezianiAllison Madueke,Minister for PetroleumResources; KemAchikwe, Sen ModuSheriff, former Governorof Borno State; Sen BalaMohammed, FCTMinister; MrsOlajumoke Akinjide,Minister of State for FCT;Musiliu Obanikoro,former Minister of Statefor Defence; Tom Ikimi,former Foreign AffairsMinister; Nuhu Ribadu,former EFCC Chairmanand Senator IyiolaOmisore.C

MYK

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A K A T U G B A — I ,formerly known andaddressed as MissAkatugba Irene Igho,now wish to be knownand addressed asMrs. Irene IghomeMudiaga Mukoro. Allformer documentsremain valid. Delsu,NBA and GeneralPublic take note.

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, , , , , 202020202015 15 15 15 15 — 53— 53— 53— 53— 53

ROAD SHOW: Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives and Imo State Peoples DemocraticParty, PDP governorship candidate, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha (right) and the State Chairmanof PDP, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie acknowledging cheers from supporters during a road showkicking off his campaign in Owerri, Imo State.

Controversy over fresh BokoHaram attack on Baga

ByNdahi Marama

THE Federal Governmentwill next week issue a

circular and a booklet ofFrequently Asked Questions(FAQ), on the new electronicrevenue collection regime.

The circular and booklets,which would be will beavailable at the registrationdesks of all Ministries,Departments and Agencies(MDAs) and projectmembers’ banks, are aimedat enlightening the publicand all interestedstakeholders on the usage ofelectronic revenue collectionplatform aimed at checkingtheft, diversion of collectedrevenue and all sorts ofcorrupt practices associated

ABUJA—AS political partiesbegin nationwide campaign

ahead of next month’s generalelections, the Peoples DemocraticParty, PDP said yesterday that thenation’s agricultural sector haswitnessed massive growth andimprovement with the coming onboard of President GoodluckJonathan.

According to PDP, the uniqueintervention of Jonathan in agri-culture has placed Nigeria on thesure path to food sufficiency andthat the President has deliveredin the sector.

In a statement yesterday by PDPNational Publicity Secretary,Olisa Metuh, the party noted thatJonathan has strategically re-en-gineered the sector which had di-rect impact on the welfare of thecitizens in line with what he de-scribed as the manifesto of theparty and its commitment to up-lifting the living standard of Ni-gerians.

Metuh noted that the partywould ensure that its governmentat all levels continue to pay greaterattention to agriculture, andurged Nigerians to massively votefor Jonathan and all its candidatesduring the general elections so as

to sustain its achievements inthe agricultural sector amongothers. “In the last four years,the Jonathan administration re-positioned agriculture from thetraditional subsistence occupa-tion to an investment-driven,wealth-creating sector thatguarantees food security in thecountry.

“Under Jonathan, our coun-try has through strategic part-nership with the private sector,expanded food production byan additional 21 million metrictons between 2011 and 2014, arecord exceeding the nation’sset target of 20 million metrictons set for 2015.

“Between 2013 and July 2014,the nation’s food import billdeclined by $5.3 billion and stillfalling, even with our increas-ing population. Within the sameperiod, additional 9 millionmetric tons of food has beenproduced, while over 2.7 mil-lion farm jobs have been cre-ated. With all these, Nigerianow ranks as one of the big-gest food producers in Africa.

“Under President Jonathan,our country has met its Millen-nium Development Goal,MDG, on agriculture and foodproduction two years ahead of

2015 target set by the UnitedNations, thereby earning a spe-cial award by the Food andAgriculture Organization of theUnited Nations.

“This feat was achieved by

meticulous implementation ofdeliberate policies that empow-ered millions of our farmers andstrategic investors with privatesector investment rising to about$5.6billion.

Jonathan has delivered on agriculture — PDPByHenry Umoru

with revenue collection.Recently, the Federal

Government held a sensitizationworkshop on e-collection inAbuja last week where theAccountant-General of theFederation, Jonah Otunladirected all its MDAs to closetheir revenue accounts withDeposit Money Banks (DMBs)latest by February 28.

Government gave the directivewhile unveiling an electronicrevenue collection platform,powered by Remita, indigenoussoftware package developedSystemSpecs, Nigeria’s softwarepowerhouse.

The platform was built tocheck theft, diversion ofcollected revenue and allsorts of corrupt practicesassociated with revenuecollection.

FG to issue circular on electronicrevenue collection regime

By Babajide Komolafe

MAIDUGURI—THEREwas controversy yesterday over alleged reports

that Boko Haram insurgents at-tacked Baga in Borno State, killingover 2,000 residents.

Agency reports said that the attack-ers killed the victims after killing over100 other residents on Saturday butthe District Head of Baga, Alhaji

Baba Abba Hassan, debunkedthe reports describing them asnot only false but outrageous.

Hassan said although hun-dreds of people in the area werekilled weekend, it was not truethat the insurgents struck yes-terday. The military base inBaga, a border town with Chadwas overrun by the insurgentslast week, carting away militaryhardware.

However, Hassan told news-men on the phone that, “al-though hundreds of peoplewere killed in the last Satur-day Boko Haram attack onBaga town in Kukawa LocalGovernment Area of BornoState, there was no second at-tack on the ghost town, thetown was not attacked Wednes-day.’’

He said that the corpses of

those killed were still littered onthe streets and the bushes in thetown as there was no way theycould be buried because of thesecurity situation there.

‘’There was no fresh attack onBaga as widely reported by someforeign media which put the fig-ure of 2000, adding that the ac-tual figure of those killed cannotbe ascertained, although hun-dreds were killed with many dis-placed.’’

The traditional ruler said mostof those killed were women andchildren whom the insurgentspursued into the bushes beforeunleashing terror on them.

According to him, many of theirpeople had crossed over to Chadand Niger Republics, just asmany others got drowned in theLake Chad while trying to escape.

Also commenting on the Bagaattack, a Senator representingBorno North at the National As-sembly, Senator Maina Ma’ajiLawan said on the BBC Hausaservice monitored in Maidugurithat “nobody can actually tell youthe number of the people killedand the number of houses thatwere burnt down.”

He, however, thanked God andthe Borno State government forsending buses to the area to con-vey the fleeing residents to saferzones.

...2000 killed — Agency reports; It's not true — District head

54 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2014

RALLY: Oyo State Labour Party governorship candidate, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala acknowledgingcheers from market women and men at Oja-Oba, during his market-to-market rally in Ibadan.

Lagos health workersprotest unpaid salaries

Why IpropagateYorubaculture– GANI ADAMS

By MonsuruOlowoopejo

Ebonyi: Izzi clanstakeholdersendorse Umahifor governor

By Peter Okutu

...As union gives condition to end strike

LAGOS—ACTIVITIES inAlausa Secretariat, Ikeja

were yesterday halted for hoursby about a thousand healthworkers under the Lagos Stateemploy, protesting over theirunpaid December salaries.

The protesters, who chanteddifferent anti-government songs,lamented that the unpaid fundhad brought untold hardship onthem and their families whodepend on them for survival.

The protesters, under the aegisof Joint Health Sector WorkersUnion, JOHESU, defied the coldweather and sun, stormed theseat of power at about 1:00 pmto demand for their wages. Theywere armed with placards,which reads: “Pay us ourright”; “Payment of TeachingHospital Salary Scale” FreeLASUTH workers fromslavery” and “IncompetentLASUTH Management mustgo”, among others.

Vanguard gathered that theprotesting workers, who were

middle-aged women from LagosState University TeachingHospital, LASUTH, had joinedthe JOHESU national body on anindustrial action.

They alleged that theLASUTH managementintentionally suspended theirsalary having collected samefrom the State government,saying “That is our grouse andthe reason we have decided tocome to the seat of power.”

They argued that the “No work,no pay” policy of the Stategovernment doesn’t applies totheir case. And that LASUTHmanagement has taken toselective payment of theDecember salary to theirmembers.

The leader of the protesters,Rasheed Bamise said they aremembers of a union that hadcomplied with directive of thenational body to embark on strike.

O N I T S H A —GOVERNOR Willie

Obiano of Anambra State has paidabout N36 million to pensionersof the state housing developmentcorporation, some of who wereowed since the old Anambra state.

About 29 staff of the corporationbenefited from the long servicemerit award, out of whom MrsIfeoma Igwebuike got the bestperformed staff of the corporation.

Commissioner for HousingDevelopment, Mr Law Chinwubawho represented the governor onthe occasion of the meritoriousaward ceremony organised by thehousing corporation, said thatgovernment had concluded plansto re-energize the corporation inthe first quarter of this year.

L A G O S — T H EN a t i o n a l

Coordinator, OoduaPeoples ‘Congress (OPC),Otunba Gani Adams, saidhe has taken the burdenof Yoruba culturalrejuvenation andsustainability uponhimself as he does notwant modernisation andsocial indoctrination tosubdue Yoruba intrinsiccultural heritage,traditional values andnorms.

Speaking at theinauguration of achapter of OPC inGutenberg, Swedenrecently, Otunba Adamsnoted that many peoplemight not care about theirchildren embracingforeign culture, but warnsthis will becomecounterproductive.

Otunba Adams warned,“if Africans in Diasporafailed to aggressivelyaddress the deliberatecultural imperialismbeing launched in asystematic destructiveprocess by the westernworld in the name ofvogue and modernism,the continent will wake upone day to find out that itsculture and values havebeen obliterated from thesocial-cultural map of theworld.

In the speech read onhis behalf by CaptainAbiodun Adesina, GaniAdams said it isimperative on us, as atrue son of Oduduwa torise up and quash thescientific and systematicobliteration of thepristine Yoruba culturalheritage and valueparticularly among thenew generation of theYoruba in Diaspora.

A B A K A L I K I —STAKEHOLDERS of

Izzi extraction have endorsedthe Ebonyi State PeoplesDemocratic Party, PDP,governorship candidate, Engr.Dave Umahi for next month’selection.

The stakeholders, drawnfrom Izzi, Ebonyi andAbakaliki local governmentareas of the state that were partof Ekumenyi extraction,endorsed Umahi at agathering at Central PrimarySchool, Nwofe Agbaja in Izzilocal government area.

Making their stand known, thestakeholders comprising, ChiefElias Mbam, former chairman,Revenue Mobilization, Allocationand Fiscal Commission, RMAFC; Senator Ngige Ngele, formerNational Commissioner,Independent National ElectoralCommission, INEC and Director-General of Dave Umahi’sCampaign Organization, ChiefFidelis Nwankwo, Speaker,Ebonyi State House of Assembly,Hon. Chukwuma Nwazunku;member representing Abakaliki/Izzi federal constituency, Hon.Sylvester Ogbada; former LGAChairmen and House ofAssembly members amongothers, expressed theirdetermination to ensure thatUmahi won emerges the polls.

They stressed that it wasnecessary for power to shift toEbonyi South Senatorial Districtof the State adding that it wasunfair for Governor MartinElechi to reverse his earlierstatement supporting powershift to the South.IBADAN—MOVED by the

groaning of patients invarious teaching hospitals asa result of the on-going strikeembarked upon by theNigerian Union of AlliedHealth Professionals,NUAHP, the union has said itwould call off the strike if someof its demands are met by thefederal government.

The union, whileaddressing newsmen on the

strike which started onOctober 16 and 12 November,2014 at the University ofIbadan yesterday, through itsNational President, ComradeFelix Faniran said if five ofits numerous demands weremet, the union would call offthe strike and allownegotiations to continue.

The demands which hewanted the government toaddress quickly includeadjustment of CONHESSsalary as done for theNigerian Medical Associationin the same sector, paymentof Arrears on skipping ofCONHESS 10 since year2010, promotion of ourmembers from CONHESS 14to 15 for over ten years,appointment of our membersas Chief Medical Directors.

Others are abolition of thepost of Deputy Chairman,Medical Advisory Committee,immediate circularization ofretirement age of Healthcareworkers from 60 to 65 yearsand immediate payment ofarrears of Specialist allowanceto all Hospital basedHealthcare Professionals whopossess relevant postgraduate qualifications.

APC aspirants vow to work againstparty in Ebonyi if...

By Peter Okutu

By Enyim Enyim

By Ola Ajayi

Obiano payshousing corppensioners N36m

ABAKALIKI—SOMEHouse of Assembly

aspirants of the AllProgressives Congress APC inEbonyi State whose names werenot submitted to IndependentNational Electoral Commission,INEC, after allegedly winningthe party ’s primaries,

yesterday, vowed to workagainst the party in nextmonth’s election if it failed tosubmit their names.

They also argued that theparty ’s candidate in thestate, Senator Julius Uchawas not the winner of thegovernorship primaries,which they said was won byChief Austin Edeze.

In a communique signed

by Ebere Benard for Izzi Westconstituency, Demain Agwua-Onu for Afikpo South Eastand Chief Nwankwegu Alo,Leader Ebonyi LocalGovernment Area amongothers at the end of theiremergency meeting inAbakaliki, they furtherstressed that the party wouldlose the governorshipelection, if it insisted onpresenting Senator Ucha asits governorship standardbearer in the state.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015 — 55

56 — VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9 , 2015

Shocking: The chilling image from the Charlie Hebdo office shows blood-stained wooden floors,papers strewn across the corridor

THE first photographfrom inside the

devastated Charlie Hebdooffice hit in a deadly terroristattack in Paris emergedyesterday.

The chilling image from thebuilding shows blood-stainedwooden floors, papers strewnacross the corridor and a poolof red in one corner.

Also, a French police officerwas shot and killed in thesecond horrifying gun attackon Paris's streets in less than24 hours has been named asa 27-year-old rookie who'dreamed of serving hercountry'.

The young police womanwho was gunned down asshe attended a routine trafficaccident in Montrouge at8am today is called ClarissaJean-Philippe, according tothe French media.

A second victim - a streetcleaner who was shot in theface after he confronted thegunman - is said to be in aserious condition.

This shooting came lessthan 24 hours after themassacre at the Paris officesof Charlie Hebdo, which left12 dead - including twopolice officers.

It is not known if the twoattacks are linked.

Meanwhile, terrifiedworkers in Paris’s businessdistrict La Defense werewarned not to leave theiroffice after a gunman wasseen outside, Frenchnewspaper Le Figaroreported.

Mosques, prayer halls anda kebab shop near a Muslimtemple (pictured above) weretargeted today followingyesterday's terrorist attack -in which 12 people weremurdered by suspectedIslamist fanatics. Theretaliation comes as Frenchcitizens attempt to come toterms with yesterday'sshocking attack..

Eight journalists, twopolice officers, a maintenanceworker and a visitor werekilled in the horrifying attackon the anti-Islamistnewspaper.

Tonight, two armedsuspects wanted over themassacre were beingpursued through woodlandas a huge manhunt closedin on a forest. Police believethey have tracked down thebrothers to a remote areaabout 50 miles north-east ofParis after reportedly robbinga nearby petrol station.

Officers are said to havefound a Molotov cocktailbomb and jihadist flag in thecar of Cherif and SaidKouachi, which theyabandoned before fleeing.

The men, still armed,headed on foot into the vastForêt de Retz (Retz Forest)that measures 32,000 acres,

Chilling image of Paris newspapernewsroom massacre emerges asworld leaders react

•Cherif Kouachi

•Said Kouachi

•Clarissa Jean-Philippe, the policewoman killed yesterday

an area roughly the size ofParis. The office picture wasreleased following imagesshowing the moment that amurdered police officer

•People gathered around candles and pens at the Placede la Republique in Paris in support of the victims afterthe terrorist attack

ABUJA—PRESIDENTGoodluck Jonathan

has condemned the attackon the satirical magazine,Charlie Hebdo, saying “thecowardly and ignobleattack by violent extremistsis a monstrous assault onthe right to freedom ofexpression”.US president BarackObama, British primeminister David Cameron,the Queen and the Popeare among a band of worldleaders condemning adeadly shooting at theoffices of French satiricalnewspaper Charlie Hebdo.

The United States said itcondemned the deadlyattack in the “strongestpossible terms” and MrObama committed USassistance to apprehend thegunmen responsible.

“We are in touch withFrench officials and I havedirected my administrationto provide any assistanceneeded to help bring theseterrorists to justice,” MrObama said.

“France is America’soldest ally, and has stoodshoulder to shoulder withthe United States in thefight against terrorists whothreaten our sharedsecurity and the world.”

US secretary of state JohnKerry said the United Statesis offering France itsdeepest condolences.

The “pen is an instrumentof freedom, not fear,” MrKerry said.

In Australia, PrimeMinister Tony Abbottdescribed the attack in Parisas an unspeakable atrocity.

He said the thoughts ofall Australians were with thefamilies of those killed inthe barbaric act.

British prime ministerDavid Cameron describedthe attack as “sickening”.

“We stand with theFrench people in the fightagainst terror anddefending the freedom ofthe press,” he said in amessage on Twitter.

Queen Elizabeth II senther “sincere condolences”to the wounded and thefamilies of those killed.

In a rare response to aninternational news event,the monarch and herhusband sent a message toFrench president FrancoisHollande.

pleaded for his life beforebeing executed. A video fromthe scene of yesterday’smassacre shows officerAhmed Merabet - believed

to be a Muslim - lyingwounded on the pavementand begging for mercy beforebeing shot at point-blankrange by the terrorists.

THE World Councilof Churches, WCC,

and the International Chris-tian Concern, ICC, havecondemned the killing of 12persons in Europe’s wortterror attack since 2005 Lon-don bombings when twomen were said to have at-tacked Paris offices of mag-azine Charlie Hebdo.

Reacting to news of thedeaths of 12 persons in anarmed attack on the Parisoffices of Charlie Hebdo,

...As WCC, ICC condemn killings

By Sam Eyoboka acting general secretary ofthe World Council ofChurches Georges Lem-opoulos said: “The fatal at-tack that has taken place inParis against the satiricalnewspaper, Charlie Hebdois an attack on human life,human dignity and the hu-man rights of all.

In its reaction, the Inter-national Christian Concern(ICC) condemned the lat-est incident of an attack in-spired by Islamic extrem-ism, gunmen who target-ed the magazine known to

openly criticize Islam andthat has been targeted inthe past by Muslims an-gered over its content.“The World Council ofChurches utterly rejects andcondemns any religious jus-tification advanced for it. To-gether with all people oftrue faith and good will, wepray for the victims and theirfamilies, for the perpetratorsto be brought to justice, forthe extremist ideology thatinspired this attack to be ex-tinguished, and that justi-fied outrage may not leadto reprisals against Mus-lims or fuel anti-Islamic sen-timent.”

Jonathan,worldleadersreact

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9 ,2015 — 57

AFRICAN NEWS AFRICAN NEWS AFRICAN NEWS AFRICAN NEWS AFRICAN NEWSBRIEFS

Egypt’s President calls for‘religious revolution’

E G Y P T I A NPresident Abdel

Fattah el-Sisi has calledfor a “ religiousrevolution,” askingMuslim leaders to helpin the fight againstextremism.

In a speechcelebrating the birthdayof the ProphetMu%ammad, whichcoincided with NewYear’s Day, he said theyhad no time to lose.

“I say and repeat,again, that we are inneed of a religiousrevolution. You imamsare responsible beforeAllah. The entire worldis waiting on you. Theentire world is waitingfor your word becausethe Islamic world isbeing torn, it is beingdestroyed, it is beinglost. And it is being lostby our own hands,” el-Sisi said.

“We need a revolutionof the self, a revolutionof consciousness andethics to rebuild the

Egyptian person — aperson that our countrywill need in the nearfuture,” the Presidentsaid.

El-Sisi, himself a piousman, was elected in Mayafter leaving the militaryto run for the office.

A former defenseminister, he led theouster of MohamedMorsy the Islamist whowas Egypt’s firstdemocratically electedPresident and has longpositioned himself as amore secular option, anddefender againstextremist views.

“It’s inconceivable thatthe thinking that wehold most sacred shouldcause the entire Islamicworld to be a source ofanxiety, danger, killingand destruction for the

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi spoke outagainst Islamic extremism on New Year’s Day, whichcoincided with the birthday of the ProphetMuhammad.

rest of the world.Impossible that thisthinking — and I am not

saying the religion I amsaying this thinking,”el-Sisi said.

British Ebola nurse still incritical condition

THE British nurse who contracted Ebola in westAfrica remains in a critical condition inside a

hospital isolation unit and her health may not improvefor “some time”, her family said yesterday.

Pauline Cafferkey, who is being treated at London’sRoyal Free Hospital, contracted the disease whileworking as a volunteer at a British-built Ebolatreatment centre in Sierra Leone.

She felt unwell as she returned to Britain and wasdiagnosed in Glasgow on December 29, before beingtransferred to the Royal Free, which has the onlyisolation ward in Britain equipped for Ebola patients.

“We would like to thank all our friends, family andthe members of the public who have contacted uswith support following Pauline’s diagnosis withEbola. We have been very touched by the kindwords,” her family said.

“Pauline continues to be in a critical condition atthe Royal Free Hospital. We want to thank all thestaff caring for her for their kindness, support andcompassion.

“Pauline’s condition could remain the same for sometime.”

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said Monday thatthe 39-year-old’s condition was critical but hadstabilised.

Cafferkey has been treated with blood plasma froman Ebola survivor containing virus-fighting antibodiesas well as an experimental anti-viral drug.

Al Qaeda’s North Africabranch praises gunmen forParis attack

AL QAEDA’S North African branch praised thegunmen behind this week’s killings at the Paris

headquarters of the Charlie Hebdo weeklynewspaper as “knight(s) of truth”, a monitoring groupsaid yesterday.

The SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors radicalIslamist organizations in the media, reported that AlQaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) lauded theattackers with Arabic poetry on its Twitter account.

In France, a manhunt was under way for twobrothers suspected of carrying out Wednesday’s attackon Charlie Hebdo, a satirical newspaper which hadpublished cartoons of Islam’s Prophet Mohammadas well as other religious and political figures.

Ten journalists and two police officers were killedin the attack, which has raised questions of securityin the Western world and beyond.

Many Muslims consider any depiction of theProphet Mohammad to be against Islamic law.

AQIM has in the past killed French hostages inNorth Africa, and also clashed with French forces innorthern Mali after Paris launched a military offensivein 2013 to dislodge Islamist fighters from the area.

TUNISIA’S defence minister has said that thecountry has received a second C-130 military

transport from the U.S. to help defend its frontiersand fight terrorism.

During a ceremony yesterday at the Aouina airbasenear the capital Tunis, Minister Ghazi Jribi welcomedU.S. assistance in facing the country’s securitychallenges.

Tunisia is sandwiched between Algeria, home ofNorth Africa’s al-Qaida branch and Libya, which isawash in battling militias and sophisticated weapons.

Tunisia received a first C-130 late last year and hasalso concluded deals to receive speedboats to guardits coasts, advanced helicopters as well as night visionequipment.

In August Gen. David Rodriguez of the U.S. Africancommand said Tunisia would receive $60 million inmilitary aid in 2015 in addition to $100 million givensince 2011.

Tunisia military receives US aircraftto bolster defense

tail off the sea bed onFriday, officials said,raising hopes that“black box” recorderscan be retrieved toreveal the cause of thedisaster.

Scores of diversplunged into the JavaSea yesterday to searchthe wreckage of FlightQZ8501, whichvanished from radarscreens on Dec. 28 lessthan half-way into a two-hour flight fromIndonesia’s second-biggest city of Surabayato Singapore.Therewere no survivorsamong the 162 peopleon board.

The cause of the crashremains a mystery, withhopes centering on theso-called black boxes -the flight data recorderand the cockpit voicerecorder - providingvital clues.

The plane was anAirbus A320-200, whichcarries the recordersnear the tail section.Officials have warned,however, that therecorders could havebecome separated fromthe tail during thedisaster.

The tail of the planewas found onWednesday, upturnedon the sea bed about 30km (20 miles) from theplane’s last knownlocation at a depth ofaround 28-32 meters.

“The weatherprevented the operationto lift the tail today,”search and rescueagency coordinatorSupriyadi told reportersin Pangkalan Bun, thesouthern Borneo townclosest to the crash site.

Crashed jet’s tail may be raised inhunt for AirAsia ‘black boxes’

I N D O N E S I A Nsearch and rescue

teams plan to start liftingthe crashed AirAsia jet’s

58 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015

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CMYK

ATLETICO Madridstriker Fernando

Torres once again hadbutterflies in his stomachas he made his return tothe Vicente Calderon.

Torres played an hourfor Atletico as theyclaimed a 2-0 win overcity rivals Real Madridin their Copa del Reyround-of-16 first leg onWednesday.

The 30-year-old, whowas greeted by over40,000 fans at his pre-sentation, said he had asimilar feeling in hisfirst game back for hisboyhood club.

“You always get butter-flies in your stomach attimes like these,” Torressaid.

“I got them the otherday in the presentationand I had them againtoday.”

Goals from Raul Gar-cia – a penalty – andJose Gimenez put Atlet-ico in control of the tieahead of the return leg.

But Torres warned hisside the tie was far fromover as they prepare totravel to The SantiagoBernabeu on January 15.

“It was a great job. Thesecond leg has to be out-lined in a very similarway,” he said.

“The clean sheet givesus many options, but a2-0 in the Bernabeu isfar from a definite re-sult.”

Torres added: “We arehappy for many things:for the work of the team,for the atmosphere thatwe have lived and arestill living at the Cal-deron.”

Winning return excites Torres

THE 2014 OML 58football tournament

has entered the semi finalstage.Sixteen teams start-ed the annual tournamentlast month,but the boyshave been separated fromthe men.

In the quarter finals de-cided this week, Eyekeledefeated Obiyebe 3-1, Er-ema were 2-1 victors overElele Okinali while Aka-buka lost 1-2 to OgboguRumuekpe 0, Elele Alimi-ni 1.

The semi final fixtureswill be decided in the nextfew days,while the finalmatch will hold on the16th of January 2015.

It must be noted thatmammoth crowd have at-tended most of the match-es played in the tourna-ment so far.

Chairman of the Orga-

n i s i n gcommittee,GoodnewsMbonu has commendedall the participating teamsfor the technique andstandard displayed in vir-tually all the matches de-cided. He said it washeartwarming to see thatthe standard of play hasimproved greatly.

Members of the techni-cal committee have alsopencilled down names ofplayers who have beenoutstanding in the courseof the tournament .Thelist will be unveiled dur-ing the final match on the16th of January 2015.

Semi final matchescome up, Monday, Jan-uary 12. Eyekele willclash with Erema atEkele Okinali, whileOgbogu will meet Eleleat Ahoada.

OML 58 football tourneyenters semis

FACE TO FACE: Fernando Torres (r) confronts Real Madrid's defender, Sergio Ramos in a Copa del Rey round-of-16 first leg onWednesday. Atletico Madrid beat Real Madrid 2-0.

Ojo-Oba retires, rallies support for Pinnick’s board

•Ojo-Oba

STAKEHOLDERSin Nigerian

Football have been urgedto support the presentboard of the NigeriaFootball Federation(NFF) led by AmajuPinnick to properlydevelop the nation’sfootball.

Immediate past directorof federatoons and eliteathletes department ofthe National SportsCommission (NSC), Dr.

BY JUDE OPARA, AbujaBolaji Ojo-oba stated thisyesterday at the worldpress conference toannounced his retirementfrom the civil service.

The former generalsecretary of the NFF saidinstead of condemningthe federation for notqualify for the 2015 AfricaCup Nations (AFCON),Nigerians should supportthe Amaju Pinnick-ledboard to move the gameforward.

He further appealed toNigerians to be patiencewith the board and keep

praying for their successbecause football is agame where you win andalso loose.

“Nothing is wrong withour football but we

need to exercisepatience and keeppraying for those that areincharge of affairs of theNFF to succeed. I leftNFF since 2010 and Ihave never for once saidanything negative aboutthem. I If feel there isanything I call them todiscuss it, that is how itshould be. •Pinnick

ITTF awards: Elegbeleye lauds Aruna

THE DirectorGeneral of the

National SportsCommission (NSC),Honourable GbengaElegbeleye has showeredencomiums on Nigeriantable tennis star QuadriAruna for winning twoawards at the InternationalTable Tennis Federation’s(ITTF) 2014 Star Awards inDubai, United ArabEmirates Wednesdaynight.

Aruna who is ranked30th in the world in theITTF rankings, edged outthree other nominees,China’s duo of Fan•Quadri

Zhendong and Xi Xin andPortugal’s Marcos Freitasto win the Male TableTennis Star of the Year.

Explaining why Arunawon the two awards, theITTF said that the Africanchampion was nominatedfor the Male Table TennisStar because of hisastronomical rise in theITTF rankings during theyear to become thehighest-ever rankedAfrican player in history.

The DG of the NSCpraised Aruna for doingthe nation proud.Elegbeleye applaudedITTF’s choice and thanked

the world Table TennisFederation for recognizingAruna’s feat in the gamefor the Year 2014 andbelieves that the player willcontinue to improve inperformance this year too.

“The National SportsCommission is elated withthe achievement of ourathlete, Quadri Aruna inworld table tennis last year.We are happier that hishard work anddedication to his chosenprofession has yieldeddividends by winningtwo world recognizedITTF awards for the Year2014."

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015 — 61

CMYK

Real confirm Bale sale

REAL Madrid planto sell Gareth Bale

to Manchester United.The Spanish giants are

clearing the decks toensure they signBorussia Dortmund starMarco Reus in thesummer.

Reus has a £20m releaseclause which comes intoeffect in the next windowand is wanted by a host oftop European clubs.

The German isinterested in a move toMadrid but is said to beconcerned he willstruggle to get a game ifhe makes the move to theChampions Leagueholders given their arrayof attacking talent.

The Daily Expressclaim Madrid haveassured Reus he will geta game because Bale isin line to be sold toUnited.

Bale joined Real in aworld-record £80m dealin 2013 but looks set tosmash that in a stunningPremier League return.

United have set aside ahuge £120m war chest inorder to land theWelshman.

And with the RedDevils desperate to landtheir man Real areprepared to cash in onBale pay out a bargainprice of £20m for Reusand be left with a healthyprofit.

LIONEL MESSIhas been told there

is an eye-watering six-year contract waiting forhim at Chelsea.

Sources close to theBarcelona star insist theBlues have made itknown they are willingto pay his £200m buy-out clause.

But they also claimChelsea are willing tomeet his wage demands- which could doublethe total cost of thedeal.

Blues boss JoseMourinho describedstories linking thePremier Leagueleaders with Messi as“obviously not true” inNovember.

But Barcelona havebeen in meltdown sincethen and reports inSpain suggest theplayer is at war withboss Luis Enrique.

Messi failed to showup for training onMonday, and Enriquefailed to deny talk of arift between the pairyesterday.

He said: “I neitherconfirm nor deny thosereports. The things thatare part of the teamalways remain in thechanging room.

“I have the same

Chelsea to offer Messi mega six-yeardeal relationship with all my

players that I had at thestart of the season. Thathas not changed.”

Reports in Spainsuggest there is a powerstruggle going onbetween Messi and themanager, with the playerfavourite to win.

But those close to Messiinsist Chelsea are readyto take advantage if hedoes decide to quit theNou Camp next summer.

Signing him would testChelsea’s ability to staywithin the limits ofFinancial Fair Play to thelimit.

But Blues ownerRoman Abramovichcould find the chance tosign one of the bestplayers in world footballtoo good to pass up.

•Bale

United offer De Gea new deal

•De Gea

MANCHESTERUnited will

accelerate contract talkswith David de Gea afteragreeing an 18-month dealwith World Cup winnerVictor Valdes.

As revealed byMailOnline, United are setto announce that Valdes,32, will become the club’sfirst signing of the transferwindow after the out-of-contract goalkeeper camethrough an extended trial.

The signing of a manwho won threeChampions Leaguemedals at Barcelona andwas in Spain’s 2010 WorldCup-winning squad hasraised questions about DeGea’s future. The 24-year-old has only 18 monthsleft on his contract and isbeing courted by RealMadrid.

United chief executiveEd Woodward and DeGea’s agent Jorge

Mendes plan to move thematter of the player ’scontract forward thismonth in the hope he willagree to stay.

De Gea has not closedhis mind to a move backto Spain but he and hisparents, who remaininfluential, are not activelylooking to leaveManchester and recentlydeclared themselveshappy and settled in theNorth West.

•Messi

SMOUHA SportsClub have

reached an agreement inprinciple to signBarnabas Imenger Jr.

The Nigeria

Imenger set to seal dealwith Egyptian club

international has alreadyagreed personal termswith the EgyptianPremier League vice -champions, and is set totravel to North Africanext week to pen a three- year deal, subject to amedical.

For Lobi Stars agreeingto terminate the contractof the 23 - year - oldbefore its expiration, theywill be paidcompensation bySmouha Sports Club.

It is confirmed thatBarnabas Imenger willnot be subjected to trialsbefore sealing his moveto The Blue Wave.

Smouha Sports Clubwill represent Egypt inthe 2015 CAF ChampionsLeague, having finishedin second position in the2013 - 2014 season.

Imenger, whose dadrepresented Nigeria aswell, previously sportedthe jerseys of KwaraUnited and TrelleborgsFF (Sweden), in additionto his stint with LobiStars.

62 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015

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EaglesContinues from BPSuper Eagles team to thetwo international friendlymatches against CoteD’Ivoire on January 12and Sudan January 17.

Others who did notmake the cut are AmmelAngel Wilfred of KogiUnted, another Rangersstar, Chinedu Udeagaand Mighty Jets centraldefender, Ahmed Idris,who was a latereplacement for injuredKano Pillars ‘big man’ indefence, Zango Umar.

Assistant Coach, Dan‘the Bull’ Amokachi,explained that Ighodalo,

was off form and the otherplayers who were battlingfor positions with himwere simply better.“Recall that I did say tothe world and especiallyto the players that only 19of them will make theteam and current formand not names will formthe basis of selection, thatwas exactly whathappened in the case ofOsaguona”, he declared.

The national teammade up of whollyprofessional players fromthe Nigerian leaguedeparted the NnamdiAzikiwe International

Airport last night for theUnited Arab Emirates viaEmirates Airline.

C H E L S E Am i d f i e l d e r,

John Obi Mikel, hasrejected reportssuggesting he is primedfor a move to AC Milan.Obi has reiterated thathis immediate futurelies in London.

The Rossonerimanager, FilippoInzaghi, wants to addanother midfielder tohis squad, and hasbeamed his searchlighton the experiencedSuper Eagles star.

However, Mikel hasinsisted that he will notbe joining another teamin the winter transfermarket, stressing thathe will weigh up hisoptions in the summer.

‘’For now, Mikel isremaining at Chelsea.It is true AC Milan areinterested in him. Hedoesn’t have the mindof changing clubs inthis window,’’ one ofMikel’s representatives

Mikel rejects AC Milansaid.

‘’He wants toconcentrate on thePremier League, andafter the season he’llmake a decision.’’

Schalke 04 coachRoberto Di Matteo had

been in touch withMikel’s camp over amove this month, butthe Nigeriainternational was nolonger enthusiastic aftergetting a run of games.

The 27-year-old

intends to see out theremainder of hiscontract except he isdeclared surplus torequirements bymanager JoseMourinho.

This season, the ex LynOslo man has appeared12 times in the EnglishPremier League,including four starts.

Toure

Manchester City isabove 140 with over 39goals.

The Ivorian captaindefeated his nearestrival, Nigeria captainand first choicegoalkeeper, VincentEnyeama and Gaboninternational, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Toure was votedAfrican Footballer of TheYear for 2011, 2012 and2013 respectively.

While in Bacelona, his

club side won sixtrophies in 2009 alone.He was nominated forThe Personality of TheYear Award at the MTVAfrica Music Awards inJuly 2014. He was alsonominated for the Prizein Entertainmentcategory at the 2014edition of The FutureAfrica Awards.

With this toweringprofile, the Ivoriancaptain was clearly, thepundits’ favourite to carthome the prestigious

Continues from BP

•Mikel Obi

– Yacine Braimih –AlgeriaBest Youth Player of theYear – Asisat Oshoala– NigeriaWoman Footballer ofthe Year – AsisatOshoalaCoach of the Year –Kheeireddine Madoui(ES Setif) of Algeria

OTHER WINNERS

Continues from BP

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Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

How to Play Sudoku

Place a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line canhave two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (alsonine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within abold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1through 9. This means that no number can appear twicein any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, divisionor multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

FRIFRIFRIFRIFRIDAY'S ANSWERSDAY'S ANSWERSDAY'S ANSWERSDAY'S ANSWERSDAY'S ANSWERSTODAY'S PUZZLETODAY'S PUZZLETODAY'S PUZZLETODAY'S PUZZLETODAY'S PUZZLE

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015

QUICK CROSSWORDQUICK CROSSWORDQUICK CROSSWORDQUICK CROSSWORDQUICK CROSSWORD

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS

ACROSS1 Snub (6)5 Debase (6)8 Persuade (8)9 Informed (4)10 Novel (3)12 Booth (5)15 Donkey (3)17 Consume (3)18 Scull (3)19 Deity (3)20 Garret (5)21 Mineral (3)22 Jewel (3)23 Point (3)24 Fasten (3)26 Danger (5)29 Enquire (3)33 Irritation (4)34 Quarrel (8)35 Felt (6)36 Swallow (6)

DOWN2 Lax (5)3 Donate (4)4 Principle (5)5 Live (5)6 Companion (4)7 Map-book (5)10 Darkness (5)11 Jam (5)12 Impress (5)13 Performer (5)14 Regional (5)15 Fragrance (5)16 Utter (5)25 Bury (5)27 Finished (5)28 Outcome (5)30 Charm (5)31 Emporium (4)32 Expectant (4)

ACROSS: 1, Slip 4, Mob 6, Sick 8, Street9, Silent 10, Hot 12, Hover 14, Stood 15,Duped 18, Scheme 20, Issued 24, Tempt26, Snare 28, Yearn 30, Wet 32, Repute 33,Rumple 34, Used 35, Tap 36, Dark.

DOWN: 2, Lotto 3, Precede 4, Myth 5,Best 6, Split 7, Console 11, One 12, Has13, Rum 16, Pet 17, Dim 19, Confess 21,Spy 22, Stemmed 23, Don 25, Eye 27,Round 29, Ruler 30, Went 31, Trip.

Eagles remain 43rd in FIFArankings Sudan, who will clash

with the Eagles later thismonth in Abu Dhabi,UAE, occupy the 108thposition.

The finalists at the 2014World Cup - Germanyand Argentina - havemaintained theirpositions in the rankings,with Colombia, Belgiumand Holland completingthe top five countries inthe world.

The next ranking will bepublished on February12.

Algeria Tunisia Ivory Coast Senegal Ghana Guinea Cape Verde Islands Cameroon Nigeria Mali

Top Ten AfricanTeams

Continues on Page 63

2015 Glo CAF Awards:

Toure floors Enyeama

IN the latest rankingof teams by the

football governing body,FIFA published on its

official websiteyesterday, the SuperEagles maintained the43rd position globallywhile in the continentalranking , the Africanchampions are ninth.

Algeria, Tunisia, IvoryCoast, Senegal andGhana are the best 5teams in Africa, accordingto the rankings.

Eaglesdepartfor UAE

•National Team of theYear – AlgeriaWomen National Teamof the Year – NigeriaClub of the Year – ESSetif (Algeria)Most Promising Talent

IVORY Coast andManchester City of

England play maker,Yaya Toure has claimedthe 2014 Glo-CAFAfrican Footballer of theYear award, thus winn-ing it for the fourthstraight time, since 2011.The Ivorian midfielderwho is 1.88 meters tallwas born in Bouake inMay, 1983.

He has over 85 caps forIvory Coast with 16goals while hisappearance for

OTHER WINNERS

Continues on Page 63

By SolomonNwoke

EXPERIENCEDR a n g e r s

International of Enugustriker, ChristianOsaguona Ighodalo,was the surpriseexclusion from the

Continues on Page 63

•ALL HAIL THE KING: Yaya Toure with the CAF award

CMYK