Biafra: We acted in self-defence —Army

...
towards a better life for the people
**
VOL. 25: NO. 63040
ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com
N200
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016
NIGER DELTA AVENGERS:

Thousands of fleeing villagers
trapped in bush without food
FG orders arrest of ex-govs,

ministers, senators, others
over diplomatic passports
9
12
Biafra: We acted in
self-defence Army
Confirms killing 5 pro-Biafra agitators, wounding 8, arresting 9
Police order disarmament of IPOB members
Well take up arms to actualize Biafra MASSOB
92 protesters get bail in Ebonyi, 26 in Anambra
Senate set to debate motion on killings
Nnamani leads Igbo delegation to Aso Villa
By Henry Umoru,
Chidi Nkwopara,
Vincent Ujumadu,
Anayo Okoli,
Joseph Erunke,
Levinus
Nwabughiogu,
Francis Igata, Peter
Okutu, Okonkwo
Nwabueze &
Chimaobi Nwaiwu
NEWI
FOLLOWING
allegation of massacre of
members of Indigenous
People of Biafra, IPOB,
and the Movement for
Continues on Page 4
Curfew in
Niger, as
unrest
rocks
community
35
Mr & Mrs
MEETING: From left, Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari; Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole
and his Akwa Ibom State counterpart, Emmanuel Udom, after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the
State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.
COLUMNISTS:
Anambra monarch
cries out as flood
sacks community
See Inside
C
M
Y
K
His fancy woman

dumped him, now
he wants us back
P.42
A country that
dares not look
itself in the
mirror
P.17
6 Marketing tips
that can
enhance
governance in
Nigeria
37
Investors
lose
N425.6bn
as stocks
tumble
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ANGUARD,
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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016 3
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4Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016
POCKET CARTOON
AWARD: From left, Erelu Kuti of Lagos, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu; Executive
Director, Marketing, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Mr. Benson Evbuomwan;

winner, Honeywell in Sisi Eko's Kitchen Picture Contest, Mrs. Akinola
Oluwatoyin, her daughter, Tolani and Executive Director, Supply Chain,
HFMP, Mr. Rotimi Fadipe, during presentation of cheque to Oluwatoyin at
Vision of The Child (VoTC) event, co-sponsored by Honeywell, in Lagos.
Biafra: We acted in self-defence

ARMY
Due to the widespread
combined attack on the
Continues from Page 1
the Actualisation of the
Sovereign State of Biafra,
MASSOB, Monday, by
security agents in
Onitsha, the 82nd
Division, Nigerian Army
said, yesterday, it merely
invoked the extant Rules
of Engagement (ROE) to
resort to self-defence and
protect the strategic Niger
Bridge.
It also said its action
was borne out of the need
to prevent reinforcement
by the pro-Biafran
members, apparently
surging ahead from the
far side of the strategic
Niger Bridge in Onitsha.
The Army also said five
members of MASSOB/
IPOB were killed, eight
wounded, while nine
were arrested.
In a statement signed by
Deputy Army Public
Relations Officer, Colonel
H. A. Gambo, the army
accused IPOB and
MASSOB of launching a
peace-loving populace as
well as security agencies
at about 0415 hours on
May 30, 2016, to mar the
first anniversary of the
present
democratic
government.
The statement read:
The attention of the
general public is, hereby,
drawn to the unwarranted
attack launched by
combined members of
Movement
for
Actualization of the
Sovereign State of Biafra,
MASSOB, and the
Indigenous Peoples of
Biafra, IPOB, against the
peace-loving populace
as well as security
agencies at about 0415
hours on May 30, 2016.
This attack was
purported to have been
orchestrated to mar the
first anniversary of the
present democratic
government as part of the
activities earmarked to
celebrate the 50th
anniversary of Biafra.
IT'S UP TO YOU
BY AYO ADIO - 08104802192
ATTLES are won twice, first in the mind, second

in reality. You can magnify or surmount your
obstacles with your thoughts.
TAKE HEART
BY ELLA RANDLE- O8084919482
Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is

enlightenment Lao Tzu
NLIGHTENMENT is a process. A person with

a beautiful consciousness has the ability to heal
with love and dissipate low frequency energies from
within and an outer source. It is knowing that
rejection of any kind is a spiritual call of action for
an upgrade in ones life. Everything happens for a
purpose. A beautiful person is compassionate.
SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE

Only an animal that uses its teeth for climbing
knows which trees are bitter.
panic, tension and

apprehension
that
generated from the
activities of MASSOB and
IPOB members, security
agencies which comprised
detachments of the
Nigerian Navy, Nigeria
Police, Department of
State Service, National
Drug Law Enforcement
Agency, NDLEA, were
compelled to intervene, in
consonance
with
constitutional provisions
of aid to civil authority
where and when such
occasion demands.
The over-arching
imperative to ensure a
reign of peace, security
and stability in this
circumstance was most
starring."
strategic Niger Bridge,

prevent re-enforcement
of the pro-Biafran
members apparently
surging ahead from the
far side of the Niger
Bridge at Onitsha.
All these efforts were
in order to de-escalate
the palpable tension as
well as ward off the
apparent threats to lives
and property in the
general area. In the
aftermath of the fire fight
that ensued, many of our
troops sustained varying
degrees of injury.
"These injured troops
are currently receiving
treatment at own medical
centre. Similarly, five
members of MASSOB/
IPOB were killed, eight
wounded, while nine
were arrested for due
legal actions.
This
unfortunate
i n c i d e n t ,
notwithstanding, 82
Division, Nigerian Army,
wishes to assure all of its
professional commitment
to the protection of lives
and property of the good
people of Anambra State
and, indeed, across its
entire
area
of
responsibility in tandem
with the recent directive of
the President and
Commander-in-Chief of
the Armed Forces of the
Federal Republic of
Nigeria through the Chief
of Defence Staff to the
Chief of Army Staff to avert
occurrences of such
unwarranted
and
uncivilized
attacks
against the good and lawabiding people of the
Federal Republic of
Nigeria.
Police order
disarming of IPOB
Continuing, the army activists
How it happened
said: However, the

MASSOB/IPOB
members, who had
earlier assembled at a
school location on Ataa
Road,
near
Saint
Edmund's
Catholic
Parish,
Maryland,
Nkpor-Agu in Anambra
State resorted to fierce
attack against the
intervening security
agencies that were
carrying out their
legitimate mandate.
The nature of this
attack involved brazen
employment of various
types of fire arms and all
sorts of crude weapons,
volatile cocktail such as
acid and dynamites.
"Instructively, troops of
82 Division Nigerian
Army, as the lead agency
of the security agencies,
had to invoke the extant
Rules of Engagement
(ROE) to resort to selfdefence, protection of the
Meanwhile,
the
Inspector-General of Police,
IGP Solomon Arase, has
directed the Assistant
Inspectors General of Police
and the Commissioners of
Police in the affected area
to immediately disarm
members of the group
operating with firearms
The IGP noted that the
targeted attacks on Police
personnel, who had been
performing their statutory
functions in the most
professional and civil
manner since the latest
resurgence disorder,
portrayed the IPOB
activists,
who
are
orchestrating
the
insurrection, as having
crossed the threshold in
their misguided attempt to
test the common will of the
nation.
While condemning the
killing by members of
IPOB, Arase also directed
the arrest of any member of
the group found in

possession of firearms and
to bring him/her to
deserved justice, while all
IPOB activists arrested in
connection with the killing
of the Policemen should be
charged to court for murder.
According to him, the
Nigeria Police Force will
continue to diligently work
towards eliminating any
threat to internal security
and assure Nigerians of
commitment to their safety
and security.
26 persons arrested
by police not from
Anambra Govt
regrettable that our youths

are being killed in such
senseless manner and I
want our people to
understand the danger of
illegally carrying firearms.
It is also regrettable that
a peaceful demonstration
organized by the agitators
was hijacked by miscreants
and that was why there
were casualties.
Nnacheta said the state
government would embark
on mass orientation of
youths to avoid a
recurrence of such issue.
We raised alarm
before the attack
IPOB
Stating its side of the
story, yesterday, Anambra

State Government said the
state police command
confirmed that none of the
26 persons arrested on
Monday during the clash
was from Anambra State.
The police could, however,
not react as the command
said
it
was
still
investigating the matter.
Addressing reporters in
Awka to clarify government
stand on the protest, the
state Commissioner for
Information
and
Communication Strategy,
Ogbuefi Tony Nnacheta,
said government had not
ascertained the actual
figure of those who died,
although he argued that it
was not near the figures
published by some media
houses.
He said: All the people
involved came into the state
a night before the
demonstration from states
outside Anambra. We are
willing to welcome visitors
to Anambra, but we dont
want such visitors to bring
violence. After dealing with
issues of kidnapping and
robbery, people came from
other states to cause
mayhem here.
Also, the report that there
was shooting in a church at
Nkpor was incorrect . What
we can say for sure was that
two cars and a motorcycle
were burnt at Nkpor.
It will be difficult for
government to announce
the figure of casualties when
the full report has not been
received. It is, however,
Meanwhile, IPOB said,

yesterday, that it raised
alarm that security
operatives were going to
attack them during the
Biafra Day, but no action
was taken to stop the attack
on people, who were not
armed in any way.
Media and Publicity
Officer of IPOB, Mr. Emma
Powerful, said Nigerian
security
agencies,
particularly the Army and
the Police, lied by saying
that they were attacked by
IPOB and other pro-Biafra
agitators, who were not
bearing arms.
The statement said:IPOB
under the leadership of
Mazi Nnamdi Kanu does
not carry any weapon,
whether dangerous or not.
That is why even the clergy,
doctors, lawyers and people
of diverse professions can
identify and show solidarity
with us. We, therefore,
condemn the killing of
unarmed IPOB members
and other Biafra agitators at
Nkpor and Onitsha."
Giving details of what
happened on Monday,
Powerful said: Members of
IPOB who travelled from
outside Anambra State, on
arrival, moved into St
Edmund Catholic Church
along Nkpor-Umuoji Road
to seek the consent of God
Almighty, who has been
guiding us in this noble
project.
The worst side of the
attack was that our
Continues on page 5
Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 20165
Continues from page 4

members, who were
coming to honour the Biafra
fallen heroes and heroines
had not reached the venue
of the ceremony before they
met their untimely death.
That was why nobody could
say that IPOB flag was
being waved, unlike
before.
Pro-Biafra groups
vow to take up arms
Angered by the killing of
their members, the proBiafra groups, yesterday,
vowed to take up arms
towards the secession of
Biafra.
This was even as
MASSOB
blamed
Anambra State Governor,
Wille Obiano, over what it
described as acts of
cowardice, inferiority
complex, unsteadiness
expressly exhibited by his
administration which
allowed the security agents
to unleash terror on his
subjects.
In a statement made
available to Vanguard by
MASSOB Leader,Uchenna
Madu, it accused Igbo
leaders of sabotaging their
cause while demanding the
release of all detained proBiafran agitators.
The statement read: We
condemn the brutality and
the unprovoked killing of
non-violent
Biafran
agitators during the annual
anniversary of Biafra
declaration mostly in
Anambra State. The
magnanimity of Nigerian
soldiers and other security
agents has been shown on
the attack on armless
Biafrans. This shows their
primitiveness
and
unprofessionalism in
discharging their duties.
It also shows the high
level of ethnic, religious and
pathological hatred against
the people of Biafra by the
Nigerian government. The
brutal onslaught against the
people of Biafra is an
indirect call that the nonviolent Biafran agitators
should start the militant
way in Biafra restoration. We
will, therefore, answer that
call.
Today, Nigeria economy
is bleeding because of the
intimidating, consistent
activities of the Niger Delta
Avengers.
MASSOB
roundly blames Willie
Obiano, the Governor of
Anambra State, who out of
cowardice, inferiority
complex and unsteadiness
expressly allowed the
security agents to unleash
terror on his subjects.
Anambra State is part of
Biafra, and we shall
continue to exist and have
our programmes in
Anambra State. MASSOB
also
noticed
with
disappointment
the
cowardly silence of key Igbo
leaders, who thought that
the activities of Biafran
agitators do not concern
them. MASSOB demands
the unconditional release of
all Biafra agitators arrested
on Monday.
We also demand the
release of bodies of dead
ones and the release of
Maxi Nnamdi Kanu,
Benjamin Madubugwu,
David Nwawuisi, Ben
Onwuka and 23 others
detained at Awka and
Onitsha prisons.
"These men are prisoners
of conscience, who
committed no criminal
offence. They were only
exercising
their
fundamental rights of
existence."
Getting bail
The Imo State Police
Command, yesterday, said
it had released all the
citizens arrested in Owerri,
alongside members of
IPOB, and MASSOB.
Confirming this to
Vanguard, yesterday, in a
telephone interview, the
Police Public Relations
Officer, Mr. Andrew
Enwerem, a Deputy
Superintendent of Police,
said the command released
non-members of the two
groups.
You will recall that
suspected members of
IPOB and MASSOB were
arrested during that illegal
procession in Owerri. There
were some of them that
stoutly denied membership
of the two groups. The
police carefully screened
the suspects and quickly
released all the people that
had nothing to do with the
procession, the PPRO
said.
Meanwhile,
Mr
Okechukwu Nwogu, a
leader of MASSOB, who
spoke to journalists in
Owerri, regretted the arrest
of members of the group,
who, according to him,
were on a peaceful march
to commemorate the 49th
anniversary of Biafra and
17th anniversary of
MASSOB.
92 granted
bail in Ebonyi
Also yesterday, Ebonyi
State Police Command
charged 92 members of
MASSOB, to court. The
suspects were arrested
Monday in Abakaliki as
they were about to embark
on pro-Biafra protests.
The court premises was
jam-packed with heavily
armed policemen to ensure
law and order during the
prosecution.
The suspects were
DINNER: From left, All Progressives Congress, APC, National Chairman, Chief John OdigieOyegun; APC National Leader, Senator Bola Tinubu; former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar;
House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara and President Muhammadu Buhari at a dinner in
honour of National Assembly members at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.
Biafra: We acted in self-defence ARMY

arraigned before the state
magistrate's court on a fourcount charge of conspiracy,
belonging to unlawful
society, membership of
unlawful group and
possession of items calling
for the declaration of Biafra.
After the charges were
read before them, all the
accused persons pleaded
not guilty.
Their lead counsel, Jerry
Ezenyi, made application
for their bail, saying their
offence was bailable.
But in his own argument,
the prosecution counsel,
Adeola Elumaru, opposed
the bail application, saying
the accused persons had
been arrested in the past for
same offence.
In her ruling, the trial
magistrate, Stella Ogoke,
granted the accused
persons bail in the sum of
N500,000 and seven
sureties who must be within
the magisterial jurisdiction.
She said the sureties must
be civil servants or
businessmen
and
adjourned the matter till
July 18, 2016 for definite
hearing.
13 MASSOB
members granted
bail in Enugu
In Enugu state, the Police

command through the
State Criminal Intelligence
and
Investigations
Department, yesterday,
arraigned 13 persons
suspected to be members of
MASSOB and pro-Biafran
members arrested last
Monday at Edinburgh
Ogui axis of Enugu State.
They were arraigned at
Court 6 presided over by E.
N. Alukwu in the Enugu
North Magisterial District
Holden at Enugu in charge
No
245c/2016
for
belonging to unlawful
society called Movement
for Actualization of the
Sovereign state of Biafra

(MASSOB) and thereby
committed an offence
punishable under section
495(a) of the criminal code
cap 30 vol.11 Laws of Enugu
State of Nigeria 2004 and
also by taking part in an
unlawful assembly on the
said date and place to
wit;and thereby committing
an offence punishable
under section 106 of the
criminal code cap 30 vol.11
laws of Enugu State of
Nigeria, among other
charges.
Ohanaeze youths
threaten to drag
Buhari, Army to
ICC
The Ohanaeze Youth
Council (OYC) has
threatened to drag the
Nigerian Army to the
International Criminal
Court at The Hague for
alleged genocide.
The
group
also
threatened to join President
Muhammadu Buhari in the
suit if he did not urgently
call the military to order
over their attacks on armless
protesters.
In
a
statement
condemning the killing of
unarmed
pro-Biafra
protesters, OYC urged
President Muhammadu
Buhari to fish out the cabal
in the military who are
pursuing ethnic cleansing
against Ndigbo.
We also warn the
Nigerian Army that it is
obviously crossing the
boundary by its reckless
killing of unarmed proBiafran protesters in the
East. The Nigerian Army is
making itself a candidate for
trial at the International
criminal court at The Hague
for its crime against
humanity."
Senate set to debate
motion on killings
Today, the Senate is
expected to debate on a
motion seeking its
condemnation
and
subsequent action on the
killings of members of IPOB
by security forces.
The Senate's readiness to
have heated debate on the
issue is coming at the
instance of the Deputy
Senate President,Ike
Ekweremadu, who drew
the attention of the red
chamber to the tragedies
arising
from
the
unfortunate anniversary
celebration
of
the
organisation, during
yesterdays plenary.
Ekweremadu, who urged
the Senate to treat the issue
under matter of urgent
national importance,
condemned in strong
terms, the killing of young
men and women by security
operatives in parts of the
South-East, all in the name
of quelling disturbances.
He noted that the country
had recorded so much
bloodshed in various parts
of the country in the past
and as such, security
agencies must apply
caution in quelling
perceived disturbances in
any part of country,
whatsoever, to prevent
young men and women
from being sent to their
untimely graves.
Nnamani leads Igbo

delegation to meet
Buhari
Apparently agitated by
the killings, notable Igbo
leaders,
yesterday,
convened a high powered
meeting with President
Muhammadu Buhari at the
Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting, which held
behind closed doors, had
mostly
politicians,
technocrats and chieftains

of the ruling All
Progressives Congress,
APC, as members.
Coming under the aegis
of South-East Group for
Change, the group
paraded former Senate
President, Chief Ken
Nnamani and Governor
Rochas Okorocha of Imo
State as leaders.
Members
of
the
delegation arrived in a bus
belonging to the Ken
Nnamani Leadership
Institute to the villa.
They included National
Auditor, George Moghalu;
former Senators Ifeanyi
Ararume and Osita
Izunaso; former House of
Reps member, Sharon
Ikeazor; and former
Executive Vice-Charman of
Nigerian Communications
Commission
(NCC),
Ernest Ndukwe.
Others were APC
National Vice-Chairman
(South East), Hon. Emma
Eneukwu; member of the
APC Board of Trustees,
Chief Austin Edeze; Dr.
Uzoma Obiyo; and Chris
Akomas.
Nnamani, like any other
member of the delegation,
refused to speak on what
transpired at the meeting
when approached by State
House correspondents after
the meeting.
Asked if the issue of Biafra
came up for discussion, the
former Senate President
replied: No, no, not now.
However, there were
feelings that Biafra may not
be the issue that brought
the people to the villa as
Nnamani visited the
President with Governor of
Katsina State, Bello Masari,
who is also a former Speaker
of
the
House
of
Representatives.
It is expected that the
State House would issue an
official statement on the
outcome of the meeting.
2 vandals
electrocuted
in Owerri
By Chidi
Nkwopara
WERRITWO
persons have been
electrocuted at Ama Wire,
Orji, Owerri North Local
Government Area of Imo
State, while allegedly
trying to vandalise an
electric transformer
opposite St. Pauls
Anglican Church.
V a n g u a r d
investigations revealed
that while one of the
vandals was stuck inside
the transformer cubicle,
the remains of his
associate was spotted a
few meters away from the
transformer.
While the identity of one
of the deceased could not
be ascertained at press
time, the other was said
to be an indigene of
Umuchoke, Orji, and a
father of four, who
allegedly told his
relations that he was
going for a church vigil
that night.
A cell phone, pliers and
spanners, used to
disconnect four armoured
cables, were found on
one of the bodies.
A staff of Enugu
Electricity Distribution
Company, EEDC, who
confirmed the incident to
Vanguard yesterday on
grounds of anonymity,
opined that the vandals
were obviously carrying
out their act when power
was restored to the area.
He said: They are
likely members of the
faceless gangs that have
been vandalising EEDC
facilities in Owerri
municipality. I hope this
will teach their colleagues some lessons.
Woman commits suicide

after testing HIV positive in Enugu
By Chinenyeh Ozor
OR being told she was HIV

positive, a 46-year-old
woman, Celestina Mamah,
allegedly stabbed herself to
death in Udenu Local
Government Area, Enugu

State.
According to Enugu State
Police Command spokesman,
SP Ebere Amaraizu, the
woman left her home at about
6p.m., headed for a forest
family had alerted Udenu Police

Division of the womans
disappearance.
Amaraizu said investigations
have commenced into the
incident as the body had been
deposited in a nearby hospital.
Client rapes 7-yr-old daughter of prophetess

By Esther Onyegbula
ANY people were left

speechless at the Lagos
State Police Command as a
seven-year-old girl narrated
how she was defiled by her
mother s client, Moruf
Mohammed, at 5, Samsudeen
Street, Igbogbo, Ikorodu,
Lagos.
It was learned that the
suspect raped the victim in
their apartment at about 1p.m.
last Wednesday, when her
mother went to the market.
It was gathered that when
the victims mother returned
from the market and found her
bleeding, with her school
uniform dress stained with
blood, she revealed that one
of the mother s clients, who
had come to see the mother,
raped her (the child).
According to the primary
one pupil, immediately I
came back from school, Baba
Moruf came to the house and
asked after my mother. I told
him that she was not at home.
He then gave me N1,000,
pushed me towards the door
and removed my pants. When
I tried to shout, he used his
hands to cover my mouth. He
first inserted his hands inside
me before using his manhood
on me.
The N1,000 was for

her motherSUSPECT
The suspect, 52-year-old

Moruf Mohammed, who
Moruf Mohammed
initially said he did not
know what came over him,
and that it was the work of
the devil at the Juvenile and
Women Centre, JWC,
Igbogbo
Divisional
headquarters, Ikorodu,
denied the allegation at the
Police Command, Ikeja.
According to him, I am a
bus driver from Ijebu-Ode
in Ogun State and I have
Trader, 27, rapes 10-yr-old girl

By Esther Onyegbula
behind me. He later dragged

me into his shop and raped
me.
The suspect was, thereafter,
arrested by police while the
victim was taken for medical
examination where a test
carried out confirmed that she
was actually raped.
27-year-old trader, Kingsley

Okereke, was also arrested
for defiling a minor at 27, Oilmill
Street, Ebute-Meta, Lagos
Island.
Vanguard learned that the 10year-old victim was raped in the
suspects shop last week on her
way to school.
The act was exposed when the
girls mother received a call from
her daughters school informing
her that she was sick. She rushed
to the school and met her
daughter bleeding. When
questioned, she told her mother
what had happened and the
person that raped her.
According to the victim, while
I was walking on my way to
school, Kingsley called me but I
near Ogwu Rest House in the

area, where it was alleged that
she stabbed herself to death
with a knife.
The lifeless body of the
woman was found the next
day at about 11a.m. after the
... woman robbed, raped
Kingsley Okereke
ignored him because I did not
know him.
I continued on my way not
knowing that he was walking
Equally paraded were Orji

Richard, 25, and Desmond
Pedro, 24, who reportedly
stabbed and raped a woman
in her house in Ajah.
Richard, an OND graduate
of Delta State Polytechnic,
said: We attacked the woman
in her house after we
returned from Lagbasa
masquerade festival. We went
to her house at about
His victim
three wives. The victims
mother called me on phone
to get money for the job she
was doing for me.
When I got there, she was
not at home. But I met her
daughter, who had just
returned from school.
I went to see the victims
mother because she is a
prophetess and does some
spiritual work for me.
10.30p.m.
Her window had no
burglary proof. We took
N4,800,
phones
and
perfumes. When we entered,
she started shouting so I
stabbed her on her thigh and
hand before we both raped
her. I was the first to rape her.
Pedro, a graduate of
Gateway Polytechnic, said:
We were strolling when we
noticed her house was not
fenced. We did not actually
plan to rob, but we had to
when we noticed she was the
only one in her apartment.
Vanguard learned that the
victim, who is currently
responding to treatment in an
undisclosed hospital, was
abandoned in a pool of her
blood before she was rescued
by neighbours.
Unfortunately, her mother

was not at home, so I gave her
N1,000. I did not touch her. A
few days later they arrested me
for raping the little girl.
Mothers story
According to the prophetess,

I knew Moruf Mohammed
sometime ago as he comes for
some spiritual works. On
Wednesday, I called him to get
money for the work I have done
for him.
When I got home later, I met
my daughter bleeding profusely
with her uniform stained with
blood. Immediately, I took her
to the school where I was told
nothing like that happened and
that this was the handiwork of
an adult.
So I asked my daughter who
did that to her? She said it was
Moruf Mohammed, the client
that gave her money to give to
me. When we got to his place,
my daughter identified him as
the man that had defiled her
and he was later arrested.
Vanguard gathered that the
victim was taken to Mirabel
Centre, where a test revealed
that she was sexually abused.
The case, initially reported at
the Igbogbo Divisional
headquarters, Ikorodu, has
been transferred to the Gender
Unit for further investigation.
Ejigbo sodomy: Prosecution closes case June 16

By Abdulwahab
Abdulah
UT for the absence of the only

prosecution witness in the
trial of 10 people accused of
sodomy and sexual assault of two
women and a minor at Oba
Morufu International Market,
Ejigbo, Lagos, the state would
have closed its case before
Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of an
Ikeja High Court yesterday.
The prosecution led by the
state Director of Public
Prosecution, DPP, Mrs Idowu
Alakija, told the court that they
were to present their final
witness on June 16.
Asking the court for a short
adjournment to enable them

bring the witness and close their
case, Alakija, however, said she
has a police witness who was in
court to state the role played by
the police in the investigation
of the case.
She said: My Lord, we are
requesting a short date for
adjournment in this matter. We
have only one more witness who
is going to give a brief
testimony.
Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye, in
a short ruling, granted the
request of the prosecution and
adjourned the case to June 16.
She ruled: This case is hereby
adjourned to June 16 at noon
for the prosecutions final
witness.
Earlier, ASP Olabisi
Adejumo, a policewoman
attached to the Federal Special
Anti-Robbery Squad, in her
testimony, narrated the role
played by the market leader,
Isiaka Waidi, in the incident.
She said: As a member of
the investigating team, I acted
as an interpreter when
getting the statement of the
first defendant (Waidi).
I visited his house with
members of my team, while
executing the search warrant,
and also recorded his
statement.
The defendant claimed
that he was only at the crime
scene at the beginning of the

assault on the victims and
that he left to go for a meeting
at Alausa.
Our
investigations
revealed that his claims were
not true as he was also in
custody six months during the
investigation.
The defendants, who are
alleged by the prosecution
to be members of the Odua
Peoples Congress, OPC,
had allegedly tortured with
pepper and sodomised Mrs
Ajoke
Agomo,
her
daughter, Nike Salami and
her step-daughter, Juliana
Agomo, over alleged
pepper theft.
Money ritual: Fake herbalist defrauds

Lagos banker of N2.5m
By Evelyn Usman
fake herbalist, yesterday,

made a startling revelation
of how a staff of one of the new
generation banks approached
him for money ritual.
Vanguard gathered that the
suspect, Seyi Ade, a holder of the
Ordinary National Diploma,
OND,
in
Business
Administration, of the Ibadan
Polytechnic, collected N2.5
million from the banker to
prepare the concoction two
months ago.
However, trouble started after
the concoction failed to yield
expected results, following
which the banker called in the
Police. During investigation, he
confessed to be a fake herbalist.
In an interview with Vanguard
at Lagos State Police Command,
the suspect, whose fetish
substances were displayed, said:
I was initiated as a herbalist in
2011, after I was duped as a
clearing agent.
One of my clients was Lekan,
a banker. He later approached
me for money ritual and after
discussing with some of my
colleagues, they said I should
collect N2.5 million from him.
I prepared a soap and
instructed him to put it under a
box until the next day. I told him
he would find the exact amount
on the left side when he goes to
check the next day.
I knew it would not work. I
only wanted to extort him. When
he started disturbing me with
phone calls, I stopped using that
phone and relocated to another
area in Ijebu-Ode.
I was arrested by men of the
Rapid Response Squad in IjebuOde. I regret my action. I only
wanted to make quick money.
Besides, I shared the amount
with five other colleagues. I only
got N500,000 as my share.
Lagos State Commissioner of
Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, said
the suspect would be charged
to court.
Seyi Ade and his tools of trade.
Army kills 2 bullion van robbers, arrests 6

By Davies Iheamnachor
ORT HARCOURT MEN

of the Nigerian Army,
yesterday, killed two suspected
armed robbers along Stadium
Road, Elekohia, Port Harcourt,
Rivers State.
The suspects were killed while
allegedly trying to rob a bullion
van that was conveying a huge
sum of money to an undisclosed
location in the state.
It was learned that some of the
suspects were apprehended.
Vanguard learned that at
around 1p.m., four suspected
robbers had mounted sentry at
a strategic point in the area,
waiting for the van.
When the bandits saw an army
patrol, they reportedly opened
fire and the Army responded,
leading to a heavy gun duel.
A reliable source disclosed

that the robbers were yet to
execute the operation before
the soldiers emerged.
The source said three of the
robbers were killed on the
spot, while one escaped.
Confirming the incident, the
Public Relations Officer of
Rivers State Police Command
said: Today (yesterday), at
1p.m., following a distress
call, police and army
operatives foiled a planned
robbery attack on a bullion

van, which the hoodlums
trailed from Diamond Bank,
Trans-Amadi, to Stadium
Road, Elekohia.
After the exchange of fire,
two of the suspects died on
the spot from bullet wounds,
while six others were
arrested. Two pistols, a taxicoloured Primera saloon car
and one red Jetta car with no
number plates were recovered
from the criminals.
Police
arrests four
serial
stowaways
By Evelyn Usman
LANS
by
four
stowaways to sneak
out of the country via a
Malaysian-bound cargo
vessel from Tin Can
Island, Lagos, were
aborted following their
arrest by the Maritime
Police Command.
To the amazement of
all, one of them, Ahmed
Azeez, 24, said he did
not regret his action,
adding that he was
forced to leave the shores
of the country because of
hardship.
The stowaways, as
gathered, infiltrated
themselves into the
vessel, which was
berthed at Tin Can
Island port, through the
propeller. Thereafter,
they entered into the
manhole from where
they hid themselves in a
small compartment.
Parading the suspects
before
newsmen
yesterday, Assistant
Inspector-General of
Police in charge of
Maritime
Police
Command,
Mr.
Muhammed Katsina,
explained that the arrest
was made following a tipoff that some stowaways
are aboard MV Maersk
Casablanca.
The ship, according to
him, was trailed to Onne,
Rivers State, 23 hours
after it set sail,
consequent upon which
the stowaways, identified
as Ahmed Azeez, 33;
Tunde Yagba, 33; Ajose
Kehinde, 33, and
Adewale Sunday, 25,
were apprehended.
Katsina said: My
intelligence group from
the Amphibious Ambush
Squad got the hint and
in collaboration with
men of the Nigerian
Immigration Service,
who
played
a
commendable role, they
were found and arrested.
One
of
them
(Adewale) was bleeding
profusely as a result of
injury he sustained
while sneaking into the
vessel, and he has been
hospitalized
One killed, houses razed as cultists clash in Delta

By Ochuko Akuopha
SHIE
community,
Ndokwa East Local
Government Area, Delta
State, was, Monday night,
thrown into confusion as one
person was killed and three

houses razed in a violent
clash between members of
suspected rival cult groups.
The clash, it was gathered,
was due to a lingering matter
between some of the
communitys youths.
A source in the community
told Vanguard that those
involved in the fight were
cultists, adding the quarrel
began at a burial ceremony in
the community last Friday.
Atiku:
Obasanjo
queried me
for proposing
privatisation
of NNPC
ORMER VICEPRESIDENT Atiku

Abubakar said, yesterday,
he was queried by
President
Olusegun
Obasanjo in 1999 for
proposing the privatisation
of the Nigerian National
Petroleum Corporation,
NNPC.
Speaking at the launch of
'We Are All Biafrans,' a book
of essays by journalist and
activist, Chido Onumah, in
Abuja, yesterday, Atiku said
he made the proposal
before the Obasanjo
government
was
inaugurated 17 years ago.
He said; In May 1999, I
attended the OTC in
Houston, Texas, where I
advocated that NNPC
should be privatised.
When I returned, my
boss (Obasanjo) queried
me for saying that. Indeed,
when
we
were
inaugurated and he formed
his cabinet, he allocated the
portfolio of Minister of
Petroleum to himself.
However, Obasanjo said
last week that his greatest
regret was not privatising
NNPC during his eight
years in power. That is 17
years after I proposed it,
he said.
No going back on electricity tariff hike

FG
Removal of tariff'll worsen power problem Fashola
As Senate, labour carpet FG, NERC, DISCOs over failure
Stop the tariff increase, make prepaid meters available,
consumers TUC
By Henry Umoru,
Joseph Erunke &
Gabriel Ewetu
BUJATHE Nigerian
Electricity Regulatory
Commission, NERC, told the
Senate yesterday that there
was no going back on the
implementation of the 45 per
cent increase in electricity tariff
already in progress.
According to NERC, the
decision to increase the tariffs is
to ensure that the power sector
become revived, and that
removing tariff will worsen the
power problem in the country.
This was disclosed yesterday
by the Minister of Power, Works
and Housing, Babatunde
Fashola and the Acting
Chairman, CEO of NERC, Dr.
Anthony Akah, when they
appeared before the Joint Senate
Committee on Labour,
Employment and Productivity as
well as Power, Steel
Development and Metallurgy.
The Committees are chaired by
Senators Suleiman Nazif and
James Manager.
All the senators urged the
federal government to put an
end to rhetorics and put in place
serious action that would provide
electricity to Nigerians, adding
that what Nigerians expected
from the government of change
was the provision of basic
services as electricity.
Addressing the lawmakers,
Fashola noted that only the
NERC had the powers to fix
tariffs in line with the law passed
by the National Assembly.
He said as a minister, he
didnt do it and asked Nigerians
to put behind them the past and
move the country forward by
keying into the agenda of the
federal government.
Also yesterday, the Senate and
organized Labour carpeted
Electricity Distribution Companies,
DISCOs and generation
companies, GENCOs, over what
they termed exploitation of the
people and failure to provide
services commensurate with the
money collected from Nigerians.
Speaking further, Fashola
explained that the regulatory
power of the sector had also been
placed on National Electricity
Regulatory Commission, NERC,
by an Act of Parliament, hence his
job was to line up behind what
NERC was doing.
The minister said he was in
support of the hike in electricity
tariff by the commission which
came into effect three months ago
and generated public outcry from
Nigerians.
He said: The real actor here is
NERC, NERC is the only body
Interbank
market remains
paralysed
By Babajide
Komolafe &Peter
Egwuatu
HE INTERBANK
foreign exchange
market yesterday remained
paralysed, even as
operators wait anxiously for
the Central Bank of
Nigeria, CBN, to announce
details of its new foreign
exchange policy.
Similarly activities at the
parallel market were near
zero yesterday, prompting
the parallel market
exchange rate to remain
stable at N349 per dollar.
Meanwhile, analysts at
Renaissance Capital,
Rencap, expressed doubts
that the expected flexible
exchange rate regime
would be applicable to the
interbank market.
Trading in the interbank
market was suspended last
year due to restrictions
imposed by the CBN.
Foreign
exchange
dealers were, however,
hopeful that the flexible
exchange rate policy to be
introduced by the CBN
would revive trading in the
interbank market.
free to all
PRESENTATION: From left, Sen. Tijani Mohammed, the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Extractive
Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, Mr. Waziri Adio; Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola
Saraki, Sen. Sam Egwu, and Sen. Joshua Dariye, after the NEITI boss presented a copy of the 2013
Audit report of the agency to the Senate President in Abuja, yesterday.
Stocks tumble on panic selling: Investors

lose N425.6bn
By Peter Egwuatu
HE GAINS recorded in the

Nigerian stock market
were reversed, yesterday as
investors lost N425 .6 billion as
a result of panic selling.
Consequently, the All Share
Index plunged 4.3 per cent amid
profit taking and Foreign
Exchange, uncertainty speech
by President Muhammadu
Buhari .
After the Index touched a
year high of 28,902.25 point on
Friday, the benchmark index
tumbled to 27,671.08 points
yesterday , sending Year to Date
, YTD return (-3.4%) back to the
negative region. The market
value of stocks, market
capitalisation shrank by
N425.6bilion to close at
N9.5trillion. The stock markets
sharp decline was broadly
driven by huge losses across the
board, including market
bellwethers such as ZENITH (9.7%), NIGERIAN BREWERIES
(-4.9%) and DANGOTE
CEMENT (-4.6%). Market
activity level was mixed as
volume traded fell 46.1% to 334.9
million units while value traded
rose 11.8% to N3.1bilion
In line with the above, all
sector indicators trended
southwards with the Banking
sector index leading the pack,
down 6.6% on the back of losses
in ZENITH (-9.7%) and
GUARANTY (-5.2%). In the
same vein, the Industrial goods
index fell 5.5%, as investors sold
down on WAPCO (-7.8%) and
DANGCEM (-4.6 %). The

Consumer goods and Oil & Gas
indices also followed suit,
declining 2.8% and 2.3%
respectively, as NIGERIAN
BREWERIES (-4.9%) and FORTE
(-5.0%) closed lower. The
Insurance index also lost, 1.1% to
close out the poor performance.
Sentiments further wane
Market breadth (advancers/
decliners ratio) weakened,
dropping to 0.2 times from 0.9
times in the previous session as 9
stocks advanced in contrast to 39
decliners. The top gaining stocks
were TRANSEXPRESS (+9.2%),
ETRANZACT (+9.0%) and UPL
(+5.0%) while ZENITH (-9.7%),
ETI (-9.6%) and FBNH (-9.4%)
depreciated the most.
by the law that you enacted

that fixes tariff, not the minister,
not the ministry.
That is the independence
that we created since the
electricity sector reform Act 2005.
It was a landmark legislation,
the more I read that legislation,
the more I salute the
parliamentarians who debated
that legislation.
Of course, every legislation is
often times limited to the
circumstance of those who made
it. That is why there are
amendments from time to time
but up to last night, I still referred
to that legislation preparing our
rural electrification plan and the
rural electrification form and that
legislation seems to have
addressed many things.
Let me say again for the
purpose of those who will benefit
from this public hearing that
today, there is no PHCN
anymore and we must migrate
because we have moved on from
it.
As minister, I inherited a
power sector where government
interest had been illegally sold
and, therefore, I dont control
how power is distributed, I dont
control how power is generated
as was possible to do in the past.
They are now largely private
businesses, except those where
government now has some
minority shares and so
government is now minority
shareholder in businesses where
they are majority shareholder
and we can only exercise
collaborative pressure to get
things done but things must be
done now on a commercial basis.
In the past, it was easy for
government to manage the
distribution access to say give
power to the people, dont collect
money. It is no longer to do so
because government is now a
minority shareholder in this
regard.
Government control is limited
and it is largely exercised
regulatorily by NERC, NERC
sets the tariff, so my
interventions here would be
largely to express why I support
what NERC has done and to
help amplify my understanding
of it.
The DISCOS were making it
very clear to us that if we did not
give them the market reflective
tariff, it means that government
would have to carry the
continuing
cost
that
accumulated in the region of
about a trillion naira because
tariff had been increased in 2015
and then reversed because of
electoral significance."
NON RETURN OF DIPLOMATIC PASSPORTS: FG orders
arrest of ex-ministers, governors, senators, others

A
By Omeiza Ajayi
BUJAIRKED by the
refusal of some past public
officers to return their diplomatic
passports and other official
documents, the federal
government has ordered their
arrest.
The officials include former
governors, lawmakers and others
who served during the last
dispensation of ex-President
Goodluck Jonathan.
Government had since last year
ordered all ex-officials to submit
those documents to the Nigeria
Immigration Service, NIS, and
threatened to apply sanctions on
those who refused to heed the
call.
New CG's order
However, at his maiden

briefing with top management
staff of Nigeria Immigration
Service yesterday in Abuja,
newly-appointed Comptroller
General of the Nigeria
Immigration
Service,
Muhammad
Babandede,
ordered the arrest of all the
former political office holders still
in possession of their diplomatic
passports.
The meeting was called to
enable the CG unveil his
operational guidelines to senior
officers from the rank of
Comptrollers.
He said: In view of the earlier
publication for return of official/
diplomatic passports by former
political office holders and retired
public servants, it must be noted
that charges will be pressed
against unauthorized holders of
such documents.
This is because, such persons
are no longer in the eligibility list
and are, therefore, in
contravention of Section 10 of the
extant Immigration Act, 2015.
I am, hereby, directing that
unauthorized holders of such
passports be arrested at the
airports and other points of entry/
departure. Efforts will be made
also to trace such unauthorized
holders in their given
addresses.
According to Babandede, 158
diplomatic passports and 310
official passports have so far been
retrieved.
The CG also read the riot act to
personnel who would want to
continue in the past, saying it was
no longer going to be business
as usual.
I am aware of money being
extorted from the hands of
passport applicants and at
various borders/check points in
the country. What is happening
in the liberated territories in the
North East is most disturbing to
me.
Illegal check points

and extortion
Heartless Immigration officers

set illegal check points at
hinterland to bully and extort
C
M
Y
K
money from citizens already

devastated by Boko Haram
insurgency. I will not accept this
Service to be the second grade
of Boko Haram.
Anti-corruption squad
I am setting an anticorruption squad, but before this,

I will hold the zonal coordinators
and Comptrollers responsible. I
do not want your blood money,
as organized crime law
enforcement called returns.
We will also do our best to
send the limited resources
available for operations to avoid
operatives funding job with
corrupt monies.
Suddenly, under our very
eyes, the NIS ship started
drifting in the wrong direction.

Indiscipline and corruption
became the order of the day. The
leadership became helpless with
pressures on postings and
deployments. Absenteeism
became the norm in supposedly
non-lucrative posts, he
recalled.
Decentralization of
passport issuance and
administration
The CG also gave directives for

the decentralization of passport
issuance and administration. He
listed other sweeping changes to
include approval for change of
name due to marriage which he
said could now be given by the
state comptrollers.
Approval for replacement of lost

passports shall henceforth be
given by state comptrollers after
online vetting and processing of
application at the Passport
Division in the Services
headquarters.
Effort will be made to stop
passport officers from coming to
Abuja for collection of booklets.
This will hopefully reduce
corruption. Additional passport
office will be opened in state
commands where the existing
passport office is getting
overwhelmed with high demand.
We will involve state
comptrollers in the issuance of
official passports to applicants in
the state, he added.
BRIEFING: From left: Rev. Father Alexander Oboh, Secretary to the cardinal, Anthony
Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, Archbishop Emeritus of Lagos Archdiocese, and Director of
Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Monsignor Gabriel Osu, during a briefing
on the state of the nation as part of activities to mark Cardinal Okogie's 50th priestly ordination
anniversary and 80th birthday in Lagos, yesterday.
We're owing IOCs $7bn NAPIMS

As confusion trails agency's alleged $260m contract scam
By Emman Ovuakporie &
JohnboscoAgbakwuru
BUJAGROUP General
Manager of National
Petroleum
Investment
Management
Services,
NAPIMS, Dafe Fejebor,
yesterday said his agency had
in the last five years, owed
International Oil Companies,
IOCs, $7 billion.
Fejebor made this revelation
in his presentation at an
investigative hearing on
alleged $260 million illegal
contract by National Petroleum
Investment Management
Services NAPIMS, organised
by joint House committees on
Procurement and Petroleum
Resources (Upstream).
He said: In the last five years,
things really started going bad
and we are really trying our very
best to get them resolved off
line.
In short, we are at a cross
road because when we
approached the IOCs, they
simply told us to operate a base

case budget before they can
continue with us.
From my understanding of
business, a case base budget is
doing business without growth
and we have to resort to cut cost
on services to survive but some
guys providing us services totally
refused.
Fejebor had to do this narration
when the chairman of the
committee on petroleum, Victor
Nwokolo, asked why he could not
patronise Temile and Sons, a
wholly
Nigerian-owned
company.
Earlier, during the hearing
controversy had trailed the exact
amount involved in the alleged
$260 million illegal contract by
National Petroleum Investment
Management Services NAPIMS.
The bone of contention
presented before the joint
committee took a new dimension
when Tilone Subsea, through its
Managing Director, Mr. Stanford
Tassie, alleged that the logistic
contract duly approved and given
to his firm was unlawfully

terminated by NAPIMS and
given to GMT against the
provision of the Public
Procurement Act as well as the
Nigerian Local Content Act.
GMT Energy Resources was
illegally awarded the same
contract which negates the
provision of the 2007 Public
Procurement Act, he said.
He told the committee that his
company was originally given the
contract for a duration of five years
which was extended by three
more years and approved by the
then President Jonathan in 2010.
He pointed out that even the
NNPC in its advertorial in
Guardian Newspaper of January
15, 2016, admitted the fact that
the contract awarded to GMT Ltd
was illegal and lacked due
process approval.
He alleged that in the
advertorial, the NNPC clearly
stated that GMT vessel was used
to replace Tilone vessel which
originally handled logistics for
ESSO during the drilling process.
Redirect
ship of state
or risk
revolution,
Okogie tells
Buhari
By Sam Eyoboka
AGOSARCHBISHOP
Emeritus of Catholic
Archdiocese of Lagos,
Anthony Caedinal Okogie,
yesterday urged President
Muhammadu Buhari to
return to his inaugural address
to the nation, incorporate his
ruling partys blueprint and
redirect the ship of state or risk
a revolution.
Addressing newsmen in his
Archbishops Court in Ikoyi,
Lagos, as part of preparations
for his 80th birthday and his
50th priestly ordination
anniversary, the cardinal
averred that one year after the
inauguration of the Buhari
administration, the poor
masses were left to roam about
without proper guidance,
adding that majority wallop
in penury in the midst of
plenty.
The swearing in of the APC
government last year was
perceived as a major
milestone in the peoples
quest for positive change and
improvement in their quality
of life. But a year later,
thousands of workers are
being laid off every day, the
value of the Naira is falling
drastically, while many states
are owing their workers many
months of unpaid salaries,
Okogie further agued.
Okogie, who took a cursory
look at the state of the nation
after one year of Buharis
administration, warned that
the Federal Government,
which gave so much promise
last year, must tread softly with
the Biafra agitators and Niger
Delta Avengers, noting that
there was so much poverty
among the youth.
There is a popular saying
that to jaw jaw is better than
to war war, I am aware that
the Niger Delta Avengers have
reeled out a number of
conditions to be met before
seizing further attacks on oil
installations. I am equally
aware that President Buhari
has vowed to deal decisively
with the militants, he
maintained, adding that just
a few day ago, the Nigerian
military stormed Gbaramatu
Kingdom in search of exmilitant,
Government
Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo.
While condemning the
disruption of our oil facilities
under any guise, I equally
want to, stress that the use of
military force is not a solution,
noting that option of military
would only aggravatthe
situation.
10 Vanguard, WEDNESDAY JUNE 1 , 2016
RMD, Olu
Jacobs, others
feature in
Glo-sponsored
Hush
IGERIAS
data
grandmasters,
Globacom, have lent their
support to Hush, a telenovella
starring Richard Mofe-Damijo,
Olu Jacobs and Thelma
Okoduwa, among others.
It is currently showing on
Africa Magic Showcase,
Channel 151 on DSTV.
The 261-series telenovella
boasts a 22-man A-list cast
which includes top level actors
such as Richard Mofe-Damijo,
Olu Jacobs, Thelma Okoduwa
and Mawuli Gavar from
Ghana.
It chronicles the interesting
interplay of ambition, power,
intrigues and emotional
desires and further explores
the affairs between members
of the high society and the
attendant power shifts which
externalise the varying
nuances of the different
characters.
Specifically, Bems marriage
proposal to Arinola sets off a
chain of events fuelled by the
secrets in their respective
lives. The secrets run
through the backrooms of
secret societies, the corridors
of the judiciary and on the
social media.
Globacom, in a statement
released in Lagos, encouraged
Nigerians to watch the drama
series broadcast weekly at 8
p.m. on Monday through
Friday, with repeats at 4
p.m. on DSTV Channel 151
while assuring the public of
rich entertainment value in
addition to vital lessons on
coping with existentialist
issues of life in sundry ways
which the telenovela will teach
them.
Hush presents various
slices of contemporary African
family life with its attendant
intrigues, follies, virtues and
vices. It teaches and thrills as
it unravels secret after secret
in the lives of the protagonists
that mirrors what happens in
the real world.''
ACUTE WATER SHORTAGE: Lagos Assembly

summons commissioner, LSWC boss
By Ebun Sessou
AGOSMEMBERS of
the Lagos State House of
Assembly, yesterday decried
the shortage of water supply
in the state.
They, however, resolved to
summon the Managing Director
of Lagos State Water Corporation,
LSWC, Mr. Mumuni Badmus
and Commissioner for Budget,
Mr. Ashade to work together in
order to curb the lingering water
shortage in the s since the issue,
according to the MD is related to
inaccessibility of approved funds
as provided for in the year 2016
budget.
A member representing
Surulere constituency 1,
Desmond Elliot who raised the
issue under Matter of Urgent
Public Importance stated that
The issue of shortage supply of
water in Lagos is a problem that
needs urgent attention before it
leads to epidemics in the state.
In his contribution, Chairman
House
Committee
on
Environment, Dayo Fafunmi
said that he has spoken to the MD
LSWC to alleviate this problem
but he informed him that the major
problem the corporation is having
is inaccessibility of approved
funds in the budget.
The Speaker, Mudashiru
Obasa however stated that since
the problem has been identified
there is need for synergy between
the
MD
LSWC
and
Commissioner for Budget. The
House directed them to meet with
Chairman House Committee on
Environment in order to find
Nigerian, Fadesola
Adedayo, has made
history after completing a 17-day
marathon from Lagos to Abuja
and back to Lagos, to raise
awareness for Steven Johnson
Disease.
Steven Johnson Syndrome is a
rare skin disease.
Fadesola, 25, reached the Gani
Fawehinmi Park, Ojota, Lagos at
12:13pm after covering 11 states
and 717 kilometres on a daily
consecutive marathon, which
the
Govt appeals for

understanding
Meantime,
the
state
government has again appealed
to Lagosians to bear with her as
residents in some parts of the
state are experiencing disruption
in public water supply in their
areas, saying that this is due to
shortage in gas supply to the
R. Yomi BadejoOkusanya, a strategic

communications expert and PR
practitioner was, weekend
elected President of Africa Public
Relations Association, APRA, the
continents Public Relations
professional regulatory body.
The election, conducted by the
Governing Council of APRA, also
saw Mrs. Jane Gitau of Kenya
2016 from the Federal Capital

Territory, FCT, Abuja.
Speaking to newsmen on the 17
marathons in 17-day project,
Adedayo said he was on a
mission to create awareness and
raise research funds worth
$1million for Steven Johnson
Syndrome, a rare skin disease
that killed his brother, Adeyosola
Adedayo, on March 20, 2012.
Johnson syndrome, a form of
toxic epidermal necrolysis, is
a life-threatening skin
condition, in which cell death
causes the epidermis to
separate from the dermis.
Akute Independent Power Plant

(IPP) and other facilities.
The State Commissioner for the
Environment, Dr. Babatunde
Adejare, who made the appeal
recently, stated that the
inadequate supply of gas can be
attributed to the vandalisation
of gas pipelines in the Niger
Delta Region of the country,
adding that the adverse effect
of this vandalisation has also
affected the water production
VISIT: From left;

Executive Director, Dangote
Group, Halima
Aliko Dangote;
Borno State Governor, Alhaji
Kashim Shettima; President/
CEO, Dangote
Group, Aliko
Dangote during
the Borno State
Governor's courtesy visit to
Dangote Industries Corporate
Office in Lagos
yesterday.
CP urges Lagosians to disregard alleged Avengers' threat

By Evelyn Usman
AGOS
State
Commissioner of Police,
Mr Fatai Owoseni, yesterday
Nigerian, Kenyan elected APRA

President, Scribe emerged as Secretary General.
Marathoner for disease awareness

makes history
commenced on the 13th of May,
By Chioma Obinna
lasting solutions to
aforementioned problem.
at other water works facilities

across the state.
The Commissioner noted that
the main concern of the
government is to increase the
supply of water due to the ever
increasing population of Lagos,
as a commercial nerve centre,
stressing that, As at 2010, the
daily water demand by
residents was 500 million
gallons per day while daily
supply was 210 million
gallons per day. There is
therefore a short fall of 290
million gallons per day.
The elections climaxed activities

marking the 28th edition of APRA
International Conference tagged
APRA Calabar 2016.
The new APRA Executive was
immediately inaugurated by the
Council led by the outgoing
President Mr. Peter Mutie from
Kenya, and witnessed by Ms.
Christina Chima, outgoing Vice
President from Zimbabwe; Mr.
Bart de Vries, President of the
International Public Relations
Association (IPRA); and delegates
from various part of the continent
also witnessed the transition.
According to Mutie, other
committees positions zoned to
other regions in the continent will
be made public at a later date.
The executive committee will serve
for two years with a maximum of
two terms.
Badejo-Okusanya is a known
name in the practice and
development of the public
relations profession in Nigeria
and in Africa.
Prior to his emergence as
President, he was the Secretary
General of APRA. He is a Fellow
of the Nigerian Institute of Public
Relations (NIPR).
advised Lagosians not to panic

over news making the rounds
that the Niger Delta Avengers
would launch an attack on some
parts of the state, describing it
as a mere rumour.
He assured that security
agencies were on top of the
situation. On the part of the
command, he revealed that
proactive measures had been
put in place to counter any such
attack.
Briefing newsmen on the
commands recent achievements,
Owoseni hinted that it had begun
a raid in Ikorodu area of the state
which was rumoured as one of
the Niger Delta Avengers main
targets. So far, he said 200

suspects were arrested.
While screening the suspects,
most of them, according to him
were discovered to be members
of different cult groups, with
tattoo signs of their respective
confraternities on parts of their
body.
He said: As I speak, there is no
threat of bombing any police
station in Ikorodu by Niger Delta
Avengers. Earlier it was
rumoured that the Third
Mainland bridge would be
bombed on Democracy Day. But
it did not happe. Aside this,
security agencies in the state are
on top of the situation.''
Rape leads as Lagos records 4, 035

domestic violence cases
AGOSTHE Lagos State

Government yesterday said in
the last one year it handled a total
of 4, 035 cases ranging from rape,
child abuse, sexual assault, sexual
abuse, defilement, divorce,
matrimonial issues and childs
custody and maintenance, just as it
vowed not to shy away from
prosecuting perpetrators of
domestic violence crime no matter
how highly placed in the society.
The States Attorney General and
Commissioner for Justice, Mr.
Adeniji Kazeem, who disclosed this
during a press briefing in Alausa
on the activities of the Lagos State
Domestic and Sexual Violence
Response Team in the last

one year, said government,
through the agency, equally
handled a total of 192 cases.
Travel ban on govs could plunge Nigeria into civil war

By Gbenga Olarinoye
SOGBOTHE Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP,
Osun State chapter, yesterday
warned President Muhammadu
Buhari against acts capable of
plunging the country into civil
war, saying tampering with the
constitutionally guaranteed
immunity of governors would
spell doom for the country.
The party, in a statement issued
in Osogbo by its Director of
Research, Publicity and Strategy,
Prince Diran Odeyemi, urged the
President to immediately drop
plans to alleged plans to impose
travel ban on governors of Rivers
and Ekiti states - Nyesom Wike

and Ayo Fayose, respectively,
saying there was nothing done
to Buhari by the duo that Rauf
Aregbesola of Osun did not do to
Goodluck Jonathan while he was
in office.
Odeyemi said the same Section
308 of the constitution that gives
the President immunity also
provides the governors with
same leverage, adding that,
instead of tinkering with the
idea of travel ban on the
governors, if any security
infraction is noticed, the President
should approach the court.
Recalling how the PDP
Obasanjo-led
Federal
Government approached the

court when the administration of
Senator Bola Tinubu created local
government areas in Lagos
State, Odeyemi opined that
adding the salt of travel ban on
governors with immunity which
is the same as the president, to
the injury of constant flouting
of court orders by the Buhari
administration in the last one
year is not portraying the
president as a true democrat.
The statement reads in part:
Since the news broke of plans
by Buhari to ban PDP governors
Ayo Fayose and Nyesom Wike
from travelling using Department
of State Security, DSS, as threat,
INEC to conclude Rivers, Kogi elections July 31 if..

By Omeiza Ajayi
BUJATHE Independent
National
Electoral
Commission (INEC) yesterday,
in Abuja expressed its
committment to conclude the
suspended elections in Rivers,
Imo, Kogi and Kano states not
later than July 31, 2016.
The elections were earlier
disrupted by violence, forcing
INEC to cancel the polls and
pull out its staff.
INEC, however, gave a
caveat. It said provided that all
necessary consultations and
activities leading to the elections
were concluded on time and
that conditions were conducive
enough for the conduct of the
elections.
In a statement issued and

signed by the Director, Voter
Education and Publicity,
Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, the
Commission reiterated that in
spite of this commitment, it
would not return to conduct
elections or hesitate to further
postpone or discontinue the
suspended elections in any
area where there was imminent
threat to lives or to peace or
security, especially where such
threats were likely to lead to
breakdown of law and order.
The Commission which
issued a road map for the
resolution of the crisis and
violence which led to the
suspension of the elections in
the affected areas said it would
fix the dates for the elections
following consultations with

political parties and candidates.
Meanwhile, INEC has
scheduled the Continous Voter
Registration (CVR) exercise for
Edo and Ondo States
from Wednesday, June 22, to
Sunday, June 26, 2016.
According
to
the
Commissions
Decision
Extract issued on May 26,
2016 and signed by the
Director,
Commissions
Secretariat, Ishaku A. Gali, the
Commission
has
also
scheduled
Monday, 27th
June 2016 as
the conclusion
of Claims and
Objections.
Oyo govt denies privatising schools

...Says no teacher will be sacked
BADANTHE
Oyo
State
Government
has
debunked
insinuations that its new policy direction on
education is aimed at privatizing its
secondary schools, just as it clarified that
the proposed partnership with stakeholders
would not lead to retrenchment of a single
teacher.
The governments position was conveyed
at a news conference by the Special Adviser
to the Governor on Communication and
Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka, in Ibadan,
yesterday
Other stakeholders at the press briefing
were the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry
of Education, Science and Technology, Mrs.
Aderonke Makanjuola; and her counterpart
in the Information and Culture ministry, Dr.
Bashir Olanrewaju.
The governments representatives said the
press conference was called to allay the fears
of members of the public who have been
fed with what he called half truth and outright falsehood by a few uninformed individuals and organizations.
As a governor elected on the popular
mandate of the people for a historic second
term, Layinka said Senator Abiola Ajimobi
would not take any decision that would be
against the overriding interest of the public.
He explained that the government only
responded to clarion calls by religious
leaders, missionaries, old students
associations and communities to partner
with it in the management of few of the
schools, which they originally owned.
Layinka said, We are only going into
partnership with these bodies who might
meet the criteria for return of such schools.
We are not selling our schools. In fact,
we might end up returning not more
than 20 out of our 631 secondary
schools that were originally owned by
missionaries and communities.
Ondo workers to begin indefinite strike today
By Dayo Johnson
KUREORGANIZED labour in
Ondo State yesterday directed
workers to commence an indefinite strike
today over failure of government to pay their
five months salaries/pensions arrears.
Government is owning its workforce from
January this year till date.
The directive was contained in a
communique issued at the end of an
emergency meeting held yesterday in
Akure by leaders of the unions.

It was jointly signed by chairmen of the
state NLC, Bosede Daramola, JNC,
Sunday Adeleye and TUC, Ekundayo
Soladoye and their secretaries.
It said: It has become unbearable that
workers have not received salaries for the
past five months at a stretch'' which they
said has negatively affected workers and
pensioners economically, socially,
psychologically and health wise.''
images of events of the past years

have kept on reappearing
We dont want anything that
can truncate this democracy.
Attempt to strip two PDP

governors of their immunity is
capable of enacting civil war .
The party then called on all past
leaders to prevail on President
Buhari to shelve the idea to save
the country of needless tension
and constitutional crises.
UI unions draw battle-line with

mgt over salaries, arrears
By Ola Ajayi
BADANTHE Academic
Staff Union of Universities
and other unions in the University
of Ibadan have now drawn a battle
line with the school management
over part payment of their salaries
and arrears from January 2016 to
May.
The Chairman Academic Staff
Unions of Universities, (ASUU)
University of Ibadan Chapter, Dr
Deji Omole disclosed yesterday
that the unions had endured
enough and reached the limit,
adding that they have resolved
to receive their full salaries from
the Federal Government and not
part-payment of their salaries
again.
While demanding full
payment of salaries and
arrears of five months owed
his members, Omole stressed
that the UI ASUU had told the
Vice Chancellor to pay all staff
in full in May and not partpayment, saying life had become

difficult for them.
He said, Since January 2016,
salaries have not been paid in full
and deduction were not remitted
and we have been showing
understanding because we were
told things will change once the
budget is signed by the president
but immediately after signing the
budget he implemented
increment is fuel pump price
rather than meeting our welfare
needs.
Reacting, the Vice Chancellor,
University of Ibadan, Prof Abel
Idowu Olayinka explained that
the Federal Government is
presently owing the institution the
sum of N782 million as shortfall
on personnel cost.
He hinted that the shortfall had
compelled the university not to be
able to pay full salaries and remit
full deductions to staff unions and
cooperatives.
By Emma Amaize,
Regional Editor, SouthSouth, Egufe Yafugborhi,
Simon Ebegbulem
Akpokona Omafuaire ,
Godwin Oghre Tom Moses
& Perez Brisibe
ARRIHUNDREDS of
villagers, including
women and children, fleeing
Gbaramatu communities in
Warri South-West Local
Government Area of Delta
State, following the siege by
soldiers, have remained
trapped in the bush for the
past four days without food.
This came as Niger Delta
Avengers yesterday accused
the Chief of Army Staff,
COAS, Lt.General Tukur
Buratai, of telling President
Muhammadu Buhari, that
its
members
were
responsible for the death of
50 soldiers in the creeks of
the Niger Delta.
Vanguard gathered that
controlled movement in and
out of the creeks by soldiers
ostensibly to checkmate the
militants,
had
also
compounded the woes of
fleeing victims as they could
neither move nor get
immediate help from
relatives outside the crisis
zone.
Reacting
to
the
development, Ijaw Youth
Council, IYC, in a statement
by its spokesperson, Mr. Eric
Omare, said: The Ijaw
Youth
Council,
IYC,
Worldwide wishes to alert
the world to the massive
military and genocidal
attacks against Ijaw people
and communities of the
Niger Delta of Nigeria.
From Monday, May 30 to
the early hours of today,
Tuesday, May 31, 2016,
there have been massive
military attacks against
innocent Ijaw communities
and peoples from Gbaramatu
to Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdoms in
Delta State to Southern Ijaw,
Nembe, Brass and some
other local government areas
of Bayelsa State.
In Gbaramatu, Delta State
the people, especially women
and children are in serious
danger of mass death if they are
not rescued from the rampaging
military officers.
Most people that ran into the
bush in Oporoza, Kurutie,
Kunukunuma, Kokodiagbene
and some other villages and
communities in Gbaramatu
Kingdom in Warri South West
Local Government Area of Delta
State are yet to be seen.
In parts of Ogbe-Ijoh,
especially the Naifor Island
(Opposite Warri), the Navy
throughout the night of May 30
to May 31, shot sporadically into
the communities and in the
process, a couple (Mr and Mrs
Tiemo) were critically
wounded.
Ironically, this couple only
recently ran to Naifor Island to
escape the military onslaught.
The villagers in desperation took
BRIEFING: From right: Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (retd),
state Chief Economic Adviser, Mr. Duate Iyabi, and Commissioner for Information &
Orientation, Hon. Jonathan Obuebite, during the state's transparency briefing, at the Deputy
Governors Conference Room, Government House, Yenagoa.
Thousands of
fleeing villagers trapped in bush
without food
NIGER DELTA AVENGERS:
We did not kill 50 soldiers Avengers

Chief of Army Staff telling Buhari lies against us
10 persons seized by Army not our members
Ex-militants list conditions for peace
Renewed militancy, challenge to alternative revenueOgbemudia
the critically injured couple to
the Navy base where they left
them for the Navy to do
whatever they wished to do with
the couple."
The state of this couple from
Ayakoromo community in
Burutu Local Government Area
of Delta State is still unknown
at the time of issuing this
statement.
The IYC recall a similar
incident a few months ago at
the start of the renewed
hostilities in the Niger Delta
region in the same community.
There is no oil facility in
Naifor Island, Ogbe-Ijoh
and none is close to the
community. Therefore, there
is no singular justification why
the Navy has decided to use
that particular community as its
main target to justify the huge
sum of money allocated to them
to find the Avengers.
In its accusation of the Army
chief, Niger Delta Avengers,
NDA, in a tweet yesterday, gave
account of how the soldiers
perished, and denied claims by
the Army that it arrested 10 of
its members, last Saturday, at
Oporoza, saying there was no
truth in the claim.
The Chief of Army Staff had
disclosed last weekend in Port
Harcourt that the Niger Delta
Avengers were criminals,
adding that the group was
killing soldiers in locations in
the region and vowed that the
army would crush them.
Buratai had said: They have
been attacking our troop
locations, killing our soldiers.

We will not tolerate them. We
will deal with them according
to the law. We will look for them
wherever they are, they are not
agitating for anything, and they
are just into crime.
Communities should be
patriotic enough to expose
these criminals. They have
nothing to fear, they should help
fish out these criminals killing
our soldiers, and we will not
tolerate that."
But the militants said in
response: The Chief of Army
Staff, Lt. General T. Y. Buratai,
in his statement said NDA
killed Nigeria soldiers, it is a
big lie. Chief of Army Staff, we
are not the ones killing your
soldiers, stop lying.
The Chief of Army Staff
deployed personnel to the
creeks without amphibian
training, that led to the death
of about 50 soldiers. If not for
the help of local fishermen, the
death rate would have been up
to 100.
He has been lying to his
Commander in Chief, President
Muhammadu Buhari that NDA
are killing soldiers. This is our
stand; we have not killed any
soldier. If we do, we will claim
responsibility because we take
pride and responsibility in all
we are doing. That is our code.
Nigeria military also lied
that NDA kill soldiers. We have
not engaged in combat with
them, but if they want us to kill
them, let them come after us.
On the alleged arrest of 10 of
its members, they tweeted: Our

attention has been drawn to the
arrest of 10 Niger Delta Avengers
boys by Nigeria military. None of
our strike team has been arrested,
it is all a lie.
Meanwhile, ex-militants in the
Niger Delta yesterday in Sapele,
listed conditions for a cessation in
the current spate of bombings of
oil installations in the region.
According to the ex-militants,
unless the conditions are met by
the Federal Government, there
would be no respite in the area and
more militant groups will emerge.
The conditions, according to their
leaders, Paul Toruwei and Anthony
Dango, include the fact that the
Federal Government must audit all
the records of payments made to
ex-militants so far from the
beginning of the Amnesty
programme.
The Amnesty Office must pay
up all outstanding payments to us.
It must pay all those who have not
been receiving the monthly stipend
since 2009.
The Amnesty Office has lied to
the President that it is paying
everyone his stipends when it is
not paying more than half of us who
surrendered weapons to the
Federal Government at the
commencement of the Amnesty
programme.
The government has since
January 2016 stopped the payment
of N65,000 monthly stipend to
those of us who have finished their
school and skill acquisition
training. We have no other means
of livelihood, so the government
must restore the payments.
We also want the government

to correct the false information that
the Amnesty Office has fully paid
till date over 30,000 recipients their
monthly amnesty entitlements of
N65,000 each. That is not true, the
true position of the actual number
of people paid, which is far less
than the figure of 30,000 persons,
must be revealed to avert further
trouble in Niger Delta.
There would be more bombings
and more militant groups will
spring up, if these conditions are
not met immediately, the exmilitants stated.
Similarly,
Ijaw
People
Development Initiative, IPDI, has
also released the names of 10
persons arrested at Oporoza by
the Army, saying they were
students, plumbers, bricklayers,
community youths and artisans
and not Avengers as claimed.
National president of the group,
Austin Ozobo, listed the 10 persons
to include Ebis Emma Job (SS1
Student, Gbaraun Grammar
School, Oporoza), Philip Gagha
(Palace cook), Andrew (Palace
driver) and Tebe-ebi (Palace tailor).
Others are Emotimifagha
(Student of Gbaraun Grammar
School, Oporoza), John David
School, Oporoza), Solomon Teiwei
School, Oporoza), Oromoni Peter
Miyebi (Community boy),
Godspower Abraham (Student of
Gbaraun Grammar School,
Oporoza) and Bright (mechanic)
Also,
spokesperson
of
Gbaramatu Traditional Council,
GTC,
Chief
Godspower
Gbenekama, expressed regrets
that soldiers seized two speedboats
donated to the council by Delta
State Oil Producing Areas
Development Commission,
DESOPADEC, and also dismissed
claims that the 10 persons were
members of the NDA.
Reacting to the situation in the
region, two-time former governor
of old Bendel State, Dr. Samuel
Ogbemudia, said yesterday the
renewed militancy in the Niger
Delta was a challenge to President
Muhammadu
Buharis
administration to focus on
measures for alternative revenue
for the nation.
Ogbemudia, who noted that the
President had done well in the last
one year, stressed the need for the
nation to go back to agriculture.
According to him, agriculture
produced the groundnut pyramids
in the North, Cocoa pyramid in the
East, palm oil and rubber in the
Midwest and East which he said
could not be bombed.
He said: My personal opinion
is that the bombing and
destruction of pipelines in the
Niger Delta is a challenge to the
country to look for an alternative
source of funding.
If we had paid attention to
agriculture as the North is
producing groundnut, the West
cocoa, the Mid-West palm oil and
others do the same, nobody can
sabotage the economy by blowing
up pipelines. The pyramids in
Kano, you cannot get there to say
you want to go and bomb it.
NASS issues bench

warrant on 7 oil companies
NON REMITTANCE TO NDDC:
Plans forensic audit of of commission's account

By Henry Umoru, Emman
Ovuakporie, Johnbosco
Agbakwuru & Joseph Erunke
BUJATHE National
Assembly joint Committee on
Niger Delta Development
Commission, NDDC, yesterday
issued a bench warrant on seven
oil companies operating in the
Niger Delta region for failure to
appear before a public hearing to
defend themselves for alleged
non remittance of the statutory
funds to the NDDC for the
development of the region.
This came as the lawmakers
accused the management of
NDDC of not keeping accurate
financial records with remittances
from oil companies which had
robbed the commission of funds
to execute projects.
The position of the joint
committee was as a result of
revelations from some oil
companies that had made frantic
efforts to meet with the
management of the NDDC to
reconcile their accounts with he
commission and settle the
necessary outstanding.
Oriental Energy Resources
specifically told the committee
that it had made several efforts to
meet with the NDDC since
December, 2015, and had written
about three letters to the
commission to have a meeting to
reconcile accounts, saying it had
$1 million to pay to the
commission for the past six months
but NDDC had not given the
company audience.
Chief Technical Adviser to
Oriental Energy Resources, Goni
Sheikh who disclosed this at the
Passage
HIEF Lawrence Obukohwo

Ologide, the Omamoruan of
Uvwie Kingdom and the
Orosuewhowho of Agbarha
kingdom, Delta State is dead.
Chief Ologide, 78, was a former
director at the Federal Ministry
of Agriculture.
Funeral arrangements begins
Thursday, June 2, with a vigil
mass at St. Anthony Catholic
Church,
Airport
Road,
Ugborikoko, Effurun and funeral
mass at the same venue the
following day with internment at
his compound, at Otovwodo, Warri
South LGA.
He is survived by his wife,
children, grand-children, uncles,
brothers and sisters.
Late Lawrence Ologide
meeting of the Senate and

House of Representatives joint
committee on NDDC, at the
Senate wing, Abuja, told the
committee that his company paid
$18 million to the commission in
2014 and had set aside the $1
million only that the commission
had failed to schedule a meeting
with the company despite
several letters sent to its
management.
Sheikh pleaded with the
committee to intervene by
making the NDDC schedule
meeting to reconcile all the
accounts.
He said: As at December
(2015) we had $1million to pay
to NDDC. We have written
several letters to the commission
for us to meet and reconcile our
account, but we have not
received any reply. We plead
with the committee to talk to the
NDDC for us to fulfill our
obligation, we know what the law
says.
Chairman of the senate
committee on NDDC, Peter
Nwaoboshi lamented that those
who had represented the NDDC
had created the impression that

it was the oil companies that
were not remitting what they
should be remitting to the coffers
of the commission.
He said with testimonies from
some of the oil companies, it
appeared that the NDDC was
satisfied with what it had,
noting, there is a procedural
lapses in NDDC. The
regulations, the procedure they
are adopting in that office will
be a matter between us and
them.
He also said the process of
forensic audit of the commission
had started as there were
discrepancies in the financial
accounts presented by the
commission.
COMMISSIONING: Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade (middle) Head of
Service of the state, Mr Ekpenyong Henshaw (right) and Attorney General and Commissioner
for Justice, Mr. Joseph Abang, at the commissioning of the Ministry's e-library in Calabar.
EDO 2016: APC
gov aspirants,
others embark
on non violent
rally
By Simon Ebegbulem
ENIN CITYAHEAD
the September 10, 2016
governorship election in Edo
State, governorship aspirants
of the All Progressives
Congress,
APC,
in
collaboration with the Alumni
Association of the Ambrose Alli
University, Ekpoma, yesterday
organized a peace and nonviolent election rally round the
streets of Benin City.
The procession took them to
Ringroad, Airport Road before
they arrived the Nigeria
Union Journalists ,NUJ,
secretariat in Benin City.
A leader of the AAU Alumni, Mr.
Ovenseri Utamere, who spoke to
newsmen, explained that the
procession which was organized by
the Alumni of the Ambrose Alli
University was geared towards
getting the commitment of all the
governorship aspirants and their
supporters to ensure a peaceful
election.
According to him, when there is
violence, the choice of the people to
make their choice would not be
guaranteed. Therefore, part of the
objectives is to know how much the
aspirants support peace. And we are
glad that they cooperated very well
and we hope this will help us in
maintainingpeaceintheforthcoming
governorship election.
Some of the APC aspirants at the
rally include Chris Ogienmwonyi,
representatives of Gen.Charles
Airhiavbere,GodwinObaseki,Pastor
Amos Aihionogbe, an aspirant of the
Labour Party.
We spent N123bn to service debts in 4 years

Bayelsa govt
By Samuel Oyadongha
ENAGOABAYELSA State
Government, yesterday, said
it spent about N123 billion
between 2012 till date on debts
servicing, including bonds and
foreign loans obtained by the
previous administration, even as
it lamented the huge financial
burden facing the administration
in the midst of the prevailing
economic challenges.
At a briefing yesterday, Deputy
Governor, Rear Admiral
Gboribiogha John Jonah (retd),
said the state government had
paid a total of N62 billion on
bonds obtained by the
immediate past administration,
while over N61 billion had so far
been deducted at source by the
Federation Accounts Allocation
Committee, FAAC, for loans and
over-payments to the previous
administration.
Giving clarification on the N50
billion bond, he explained that
the total value of the bond was
N104 billion, which was
expected to be paid off in June
2017.
He also spoke on the income

and expenditure for the month
of March 2016, and announced
a gross inflow of N5.5 billion,
which comprises statutory
allocation of N1.5 billion,
derivation (N3.4 billion), Value
Added Tax (N550.7 million) and
exchange differential (N78

million).
On deductions, he stressed
that, N1.2 billion, went for bond
payment, while comprehensive
reconciliation of over-payment
made to the state between
November 2006 and June 2010,
the third out of 28 installments, was

N392.8 million.
Also, refund on over-payment of
13 per cent derivation indices from
August 2008 to 2009, the third out
of 22 installments, amounted to
N187.8 million.
Ayade commissions e-library, engages 30

lawyers in state civil service judicious use of the newly
ALABARCROSS River
State Governor Professor
Ben Ayade has approved the
immediate engagement of 30
lawyers for permanent
employment in the states
Ministry of Justice to address the
manpower needs.
Ayade gave the directive
during the commissioning of an
ultra modern e-Library for the
state Ministry of Justice
Headquarters in Calabar.
Prof. Ayade noted that with the
employment of additional law
officers, the work of the judiciary
would be enhanced and services
promptly delivered to the

citizenry.
The Governor expressed
appreciation to the staff of the
ministry for their high level of
response to litigations involving
the state within and outside,
noting that For the Chief
Justice of the Federation to
confess that he was impressed
to see the number one lawyer of
the state going to court himself
is quite exemplary and I really
commend the Attorney General
for the leadership he has shown
since his assumption of office.
He called on them to make
equipped e-library to keep abreast

of current trends in the legal
profession to maximize the desire
benefits to themselves and state at
large.
Earlier, Attorney-General and
Commissioner for Justice, Joseph
Abang commended Governor
Ayade for providing a well
equipped law library for the
Ministry of Justice.
According to the Commissioner,
the new library would assist the
law officers in the effective
discharge of their duties and called
on the governor to extend same to
the zonal offices at Akamkpa, Ikom
and Ogoja.
Mismanagement:
Senate to
debate NEITI
report
SARAKI
By Henry Umoru &
Joseph Erunke
BUJASENATE
President,
Dr.
Bukola Saraki, yesterday,
said the Senate would
debate the 2013 Audit
Report of the Nigeria
Extractive
Industry
Transparency Initiative,
NEITI, in view of the
mind-boggling revelations of mismanagement
contained therein.
Saraki, according to a
statement in Abuja by his
Chief Press Secretary,
Sanni Onogu, disclosed
this when the Executive
Secretary of NEITI,
Waziri Adio, led the
management of the body
to present a copy of its
2013 Audit report to the
Senate President.
He lauded the NEITI
boss for the approach to
formally present the
report to the Senate, apart
from sending the report to
the relevant committees.
Saraki said: In
preparation for this
courtesy call, I studied the
report in the early hours
of this morning, and
honestly I was just
dumbfounded about the
figures that we are
talking about.
Honestly, I just
concluded that as a
country I do not think we
are serious. We are just
paying lip service to this
issue
of
fighting
corruption because this is
the real terminology of
economic sabotage. This
is what I believe agencies
that are truly fighting
corruption should have
taken up.
Meanwhile, you see
them sometimes chasing
a local government
chairman for N10 million
or chasing even the state
governments for less
amounts.
Earlier,
NEITIs
Executive Secretary,
Waziri Adio, said the
team was at the National
Assembly to officially
present a copy of the 2013
Audit Report of the
agency to the Senate
President.
Adio also lamented the
level of mismanagement
of resources in the oil
and gas industry over
the years and said that
the country has no
definite account of the oil
produced over the
period.
LECTURE: From left Head, International Economic Development Group, Mr. Dirk Willem; Chief Executive Officer,
Nigeria Economic Summit Group, Mr. Laoye Jaiyeola, and Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
Mr. Muda Yusuf, at a lecture on supporting economic transformation in Nigeria, in Abuja, yesterday.
EFCC tenders more evidence against

Lamido, sons
By Ikechukwu
Nnochiri
BUJATHE Economic
and Financial Crimes
Commission,
EFCC,
yesterday, tendered more
evidence against the former
Governor of Jigawa State, Sule
Lamido, who is facing money
laundering charges alongside
his two sons, Aminu and
Mustapha, before the Federal
High Court in Abuja.
The trio are answering to a

27-count charge bordering on
corruption, money laundering,
breach of trust and illegal
diversion of public funds to the
tune of N1.35 billion.
Equally charged before the
court by the anti-graft agency
was their alleged accomplice,
Wada Abubakar.
At the resumed hearing on
the matter yesterday, EFCC,
through its 18th prosecution
witness, Mr. Michael Wetkas,
tendered into evidence bank

payment vouchers of Dantata
and Sawoe Construction
Company Ltd, invoices of
Bamaina Company Ltd,
waybills/delivery notes of
Bamaina Company Ltd,
copies of cheques of millions
of naira from various banks,
in favour of Bamaina
Company Ltd.
Other documents EFCC
also tendered against the
defendants
yesterday
included a letter of proposal
for supply of consumables to
Dantata
and
Sawoe
Construction Company Ltd
Maritime Advocacy Group

faults EFCC on ex-NIMASA DG
By Abdulwahab
Abdulah
ARITIME Advocacy
Group, MAG, has
faulted claims by the Acting
Chairman of Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission,
EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu,
that former Director General of
Nigerian
Maritime
Administration and Safety
Agency, NIMASA, Temisan
Omatseye, was convicted by
the Federal High Court over
N1.5 billion contract scam.
A statement by MAGs
President, Ifeanyi Okolie,
noted that there was nowhere
in the judgment delivered by
Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia
which
indicated
that
Omatseye was convicted for
fraud. It said the court rather
convicted him for approving
contracts above his threshold,
a matter which, it said, was
now a subject of appeal.
The group, which described
the statement attributed to
Magu on Omatseyes
conviction as part of the 140
convictions secured by EFCC
in six months as misinforming
the public, noted that the
EFCC chairman in the

statement failed to state what
transpired in the court.
The group said: MAG
expected the chairman of the
nations anti-graft agency to
have called for the judgment
file or seek the opinion of his
legal team on the judgment
before coming out to misinform
Nigerians, the media and
public on a case that is more
of a persecution than
prosecution.
It is pertinent to note that
nowhere in the judgment is
Temisan Omatseye found
guilty of any fraud, not to talk
of misappropriation of funds.
No where again was it
mentioned that he was guilty
of any criminal offence.
MAG, which had followed
proceedings of the trial, notes
that the EFCCs IPO, in his
statement and evidence, stated
that no fund belonging to
NIMASA was traced to the
embattled former DGs bank
accounts.
For record purposes, Justice
Rita Ofilli-Ajumogobia of the
Federal High Court, Ikoyi,
Lagos, found him guilty of
approving contracts above his
threshold, a matter already

subject to appeal.
MAG further noted that
Omatseye had always stated
in his statements and in court
proceedings that the said
threshold was never officially
transmitted to him at the time
the said contracts were
awarded, adding that there
was no time N1.5 billion fraud
was traced to him.
It said at the time the man
was removed from office, he
left in the coffers of the
agency N52 billion from the
N50 billion he inherited from
his predecessor.
MAG added that from the
evidences in the court and
the 27-count charge
preferred against him, the
amount computed was only
N90 million against the N1.5
billion disclosed to the
public.
MAG, after having
thoroughly followed the case
to this point, calls on Ibrahim
Magu, the hardworking
chairman of EFCC and
indeed the general public to
always get their facts right
before issuing statements,
MAG added.
from Speeds International Ltd,

bank payment vouchers of
Dantata and Sawoe Construction
Company Ltd, invoices of
Speeds International Ltd,
waybills/delivery notes of Speeds
International Ltd, copies of
cheques of millions of naira from
various banks, in favour of
Speeds International Ltd.
Trial Justice Ademola Adeniyi
had earlier overruled an objection
by the defence team led by Chief
Joe Agi (SAN), and Offiong
Bassey (SAN), who challenged
the admissibility of the
documents into evidence.
Meanwhile, Justice Adeniyi
has adjourned further hearing on
the case till today.
Police re-opens
PDP national
secretariat
By Ben Agande
BUJAMEN of the
Nigeria Police, who
laid siege to the national
headquarters of Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP,
yesterday lifted the siege
following a request to the
police by the party s
Board of Trustees, BoT.
The siege was mounted
following
factional
conventions in Abuja and
Port Harcourt, Rivers
State, on May 21 by rival
groups in the party. Police
left the secretariat
premises yesterday at
11a.m.
The Secretary of BoT,
Chief Ojo Maduekwe,
who arrived the party
secretariat at 1:10p.m.,
told journalists that the
board asked the police to
unseal the secretariat.
He said the caretaker
committee headed by
Senator Ahmed Makarfi
would resume duty at a
later day.
Okowa,
Uduaghan
jointly
inaugurate
projects
By Emma Amaize
G B O R
GOVERNOR
Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta
State and his predecessor,
Dr.
Emmanuel
Uduaghan, Tuesday,
mutually commissioned
projects at Agbor, Ika South
Local Government Area of
the state.
At the commissioning of
upgraded facilities at
Ogbemudein
Model
Secondary School, Agbor,
performed
by
Dr
Uduaghan, Governor
Okowa
recalled
U d u a g h a n s
administration started the
structure.
We must commend the
immediate past governor
for starting the construction
of these schools, though,
only four of them have
been completed at the
moment, we hope to
complete all and construct
new ones, he said.
NERC
summons
DISCOs over
estimated bills
By Ediri Ejoh
I G E R I A
ELECTRICITY
Regulatory Commission,
NERC,
yesterday
summoned all Distribution
Companies, DISCOs, and
other
relevant
stakeholdersto a meeting
on way forward over
metering of customers to
discourage estimated
billings.
This according to the
regulator, came on the
heels of cries from
customers over estimated
billings across the country.
Making this known to
Vanguard,
Acting
Chairman, NERC, Dr.
Anthony Akah, said the
sector was flooded with
challenges that were
already been looked into by
NERC.
We are planning to call
for a meeting between this
week or next, with all the
DISCOs,
meter
manufacturers, installers,
and other stakeholders.
"This is to look at issues
bordering on metering
scheme and also ensuring
that the emphasis of
metering customers are
met, so we can reduce the
incessant cry from the
consumers, business entity
of the alleged over billing
from the DISCOs."
Biafra: Atiku calls for restructuring of

federation
By Omeiza Ajayi
BUJA FORMER Vice

President,
Atiku
Abubakar has called for a
restructuring of the Nigerian
federation to cater for the
aspirations of its component
units.
According to him, such
restructuring is the only answer
to the current agitation for a
Biafra Republic.
The ex-vice president spoke,
yesterday, in Abuja, at the
unveiling of a book, 'We are all
Biafrans,' written by a journalist,
Chido Onumah.
When I was invited to chair
this occasion, I immediately
understood that the title of the
book is a metaphor for the
legitimate
feelings
of
marginalization by diverse
segments of Nigerians that cut
across the country.
"Agitations by many right
thinking Nigerians call for a
restructuring and renewal of our
federation to make it less
centralized, less suffocating and
less dictatorial in the affairs of
our countrys constituent units
and localities.
As some of you may know, I
have for a long time advocated
the need to restructure our
federation. Our current structure
and the practices have been a
major impediment to the
economic and political
development of our country.
"In short, it has not served
Nigeria well, and at the risk of
reproach it has not served my
part of the country, the North,
well. The call for restructuring
is even more relevant today in
light of the governance and
economic challenges facing us.
And the rising tide of
agitations, some militant and
violent, require a reset in our
relationships as a united nation.

Some may say that we are
saddled with more urgent
challenges, including rebuilding
our battered economy, creating
jobs, fighting corruption and
securing our people from
terrorism and other forms of
serious crimes.
"I believe, however, that
addressing the flaws in our

federation will help us address
some of those very economic and
security challenges facing this
country.
Nigeria must remain a united
country. Our potentials are
enormous. But I also believe that
a united country, which I think
most Nigerians desire, should
AGM: From left, Uzoma Dozie, Chief Executive Officer; Chris Ogbechie, Chairman, and Nkechi
Nwosu, Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, all of Diamond Bank Plc, during the bank's 25th Annual
General Meeting, AGM, in Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele
My challenge in managing brand Buhari

Adesina
By Michael Eboh
ENIOR
SPECIAL
Assistant, SSA, to the
President on the Media, Mr.
Femi Adesina, yesterday,
identified the reticence and
thriftiness of President
Muhammadu Buhari, as some
of the challenges that has
affected the management of the
president by his media team.

Speaking at the Nigerian
Institute of Public Relations , NIPR,
Abuja Chapters Monthly Meeting
in Abuja, Adesina lamented that
another challenge in managing
the Buhari Brand was the fact that
a large number of people who did
not vote for Buhari in the last
election were still in the preelection mode and had refused to
Always be at site, Okowa tells govt officials on

projects execution
By Festus Ahon
SABAAS part of
towards
ensuring
delivery of quality projects,
Delta State Governor, Senator
Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday
directed officials of the Ministry
of Works to always be at
construction sites for close
monitoring of projects.
Okowa who gave the directive
while inspecting the Old Lagos/
Agbor road project,
Ozanogogo/Alisimie road, just
after he commissioned Upper
Imudia road and Dr White Street
all in Ika South local government
area of the State amidst
jubilation from the people, said
his administration would not
compromise on the delivery of
projects to specifications.
Noting that the Old Lagos/
Asaba road project commenced
in 1999, the Governor heaved a
never be taken for granted or

taken as evidence that
Nigerians are content with the
current structure of the
federation.
"Making that mistake might
set us on the path of losing the
country we love or, as Chido
Onumah puts it, result in our
country sleepwalking to
disaster, he said.
sigh of relief that the project

would be delivered in 2017.
He said; this road is very
important to the socio-economic
life of the people, its early
completion would impact
positively on the lives of the
people. Okowa who was
accompanied by political office
holders and excited community
leaders, however expressed
satisfaction at the quality of jobs

being delivered .
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of
Works, Mr. Donatus Umukoro who
explained the level of work done
on behalf of the Commissioner for
Works, Chief James Augoye, said
the delivery date for the old Lagos/
Asaba road had to be shifted to
2017 because of the bureaucratic
process.
accept the reality that the election

had been won and lost.
He explained that the
Presidents forthrightness was
one of the reasons why he did
not challenge David Camerons
assertion that Nigerias was
fantastically corrupt, while he
noted that despite the fact that a
large number of Nigerians were
not corrupt, the volume of
corruption in the country was
high.
The SSA, however, explained
that though the reticence of the
President is a major challenge
in managing him, it had made
the media team ingenious in the
management of the President.
Adesina identified other
characteristics of Brand Buhari
to include the Presidents
toughness,
toughness,
discipline,
integrity,
transparency, incorruptibility
and modesty.
Edo 2016: APC gov aspirants, others embark on

non-violent election rally
By Simon Ebegbulem
ENIN CITYAHEAD
the September 10, 2016
governorship election in Edo
State, governorship aspirants of
the All Progressives Congress,
APC, in collaboration with the
Alumni Association of the
Ambrose Alli University,
Ekpoma, yesterday organized a

peace and nonviolent election
rally round the streets of Benin
City.
The procession took them to
Ringroad, Airport Road before they
arrived the Nigeria Union
Journalists ,NUJ, secretariat in
Benin City.
A leader of the AAU Alumni, Mr.
Ovenseri Utamere, who spoke

to newsmen, explained that the
procession which was organized
by the Alumni of the Ambrose
Alli University was geared
towards getting the commitment
of all the governorship aspirants
and their supporters to ensure
a peaceful election.
Tension in Anambra church as Complaints Commission

nullifies change of name
By Vincent Ujumadu
WKATENSION
is
mounting in all branches of
Christ Disciples Church of Nigeria
following a ruling by the Public
Complaints
Commission,
nullifying the alleged unilateral
change of name of the church and
dissolving its Board of Trustees by
its General Overseer, Pastor Moses
Ede without the consent of
members of the church.
Ede had changed the name

from Christ Disciples Church of
Nigeria to Life Dominion
Christian Assembly without the
knowledge of the members and
other church officials.
Worried by the development,
the members, through their
counsel, Mr. C.J. Ezewusim,
petitioned the commission,
accusing Pastor Ede of
breaching the constitution of the
church, a development that is
causing disquiet in all its

branches in various parts of
Anambra State.
After going through the
presentations by the two parties,
the commission observed that the
procedure for change of name
of the church was not followed
by the General Overseer,
insisting that it could therefore
not stand.
The commissions ruling,
which was signed by the
Commissioner in charge of
Anambra State, Dr. Angela MetuhMba said: It is our submission that
the proper procedure for change
of name was not followed by the
respondents. There was no
evidence of any amended
constitution, which was in
existence as at the time of the
change of name.
The respondent did not follow
the rules laid down in rules 10(a)
(i) (vii), which stipulates the
Umahi extends olive branch to Elechi, as govt moves to

enhance rice production
BONYI STATE Governor,

David Umahi, has
extended a
hand of
friendship to his immediate
predecessor,Chief Martin
Elechi, by asking him to
forget the past and join hands
with him to rebuild the state.
Umahi, who spoke during
this year s Democracy Day
celebration at the Abakaliki
Township Stadium, also
announced Elechi as one of the
elder statesmen that would
be
honoured
by
his
administration for their
contributions
to
the
upliftment of the state.
Others that will be

honoured
are former
Governor
Sam Egwu,
former governor of old Abia
State, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu
and a former Secretary to
Government
of
the
Federation, Chief Anyim Pius
Anyim.
Umahi said the honour will
be an annual event slated for
every Democracy Day to
recognise great achievers of
Ebonyi origin. He said:
This year and of course
every democracy day,we are
going to be honouring our
elder statesmen who have
contributed in one way or the

other to the upliftment of our
state."
Meanwhile, the state
government has procured 40
tractors in its efforts to
revolutionise agriculture and
turn around its economic
fortune. The governor
announced this during the
Democracy Day celebration
and one year anniversary of
his administration at the
Abakaliki Township Stadium.
Umahi also highlighted the
achievements
of
his
administration, and disclosed
that in view of the dwindling
allocations to states from the

Federation account, we
decided to emphasize rice
production which the state is
known for all over the world.
The governor explained that
three
tractors would be
allocated to each of the 13 Local
Government Areas of the state
to work on about 85 hectares of
land mapped out for rice
cultivation across the state this
farming season.
He stated that government
was collaborating with IFAD to
cultivate a six hectare rice
farmland and FADAMA III for
two hectares.
conditions under which a trustee

shall cease to hold office, neither
was a general meeting held
before the change of name,
wherein the consent of the entire
board members has to be had
and obtained, as well as 90% of
registered members in
possession of baptismal card as
stated in Rule 4(e) of the church
constitution of 1976.
The Commission also
observed that the condition for
change of name as provided by
Corporate Affairs Commission,
which requires that the
organization must display for at
least 28 days, a notice
conspicuously mounted at the
organizations headquarters,
was not met by the Respondent
as no notice was seen pasted or
mounted at their headquarters
at Umueri, neither was it
mounted at Udeanor, Umueri,
Ogbu Umueri, Mgbedo Umueri
and Umuawulu Aguleri, or in
any of the other branch offices.
We believe that if such notices
were mounted at the above mentioned churches, the
members who, from the onset,
opposed the change of name,
would have written in opposition
to the change."
EMOCRACY, in the
African context, has
delivered nothing to the
masses, beyond the illusion of
the freedom to elect their
leaders through controversial
voting processes. Now that
everything around us is
collapsing and that our eyes are
finally opening to the
unsustainable nature of our
politics, policies, businesses
and general lifestyle, we have
a window of opportunity to get
to the root of the issues
plaguing our development.
Moreover, we have the
exceptional opportunity to
correct them and to be a
generation of people who will
go down in history, for having
created lasting change for those
who
come
after
us.
Unfortunately, many of us are
still not ready for change.
As I have said many times,
change threatens some peoples
livelihood, their lazy, uncreative
comfort, state sponsored
weddings and champagne
lifestyle, businesses based
solely on import rather than
export, round-tripping with
foreign currency, failed bank
loans given only to friends and
family, the inability to
legitimately provide goods and
services that can survive without
government as a customer, the
unwillingness, finally, to lift the
majority out of poverty, so they
can become the consumer class
with the spending power to
access goods created and
delivered by a new elite, one
based on a currency of ideas
rather than the prevalence of
stolen money.
Business
integrity
Wouldnt that be a wonderful
country, one we could all be
proud of?
The truth is that too many of
us would hate such a country,
where hard work determines
success, where business
integrity and the rule of law
determine outcomes rather than
bandying about a corrupt name.
This is the country Buharis
media handlers have been
unable to describe.
Theyve been unable to make
us want it, to make us
understand why we must suffer
tprincewill@yahoo.co.uk
A country that dares not look itself

in the mirror
Kemi Adeosun
for it, why our suffering this time
is different, why, as the British
say, we must get ready for one
last hoorah, one last fight to
Politics is the only

business conducted in
Nigeria; we have no
real industries, the
few we have are
monopolies that
allow the virtual
concentration of
wealth in the hands
of a few
wrench our nation from the

clutches of those unfaithful to
its great promise. The country
even some of his ministers
might neither know nor truly
Yakubu Dogara
want. Yet, it is surely the country
the President sees in his minds
eye.
Tragically, he is practically
alone in his quest for it: even
we, the people who should be
most concerned, have either
given up or refuse to afford him
the same chance we gave to all
our previous leaders, simply
because they bought our love
and anaesthetised our ability to
constructively criticise and see
reality by introducing us to the
opium our society has relished,
corruption, the only dream we
now know or recognise, one
where individuals make money
with no effort and no productive
output.
Now the country is broke and
shall I add broken, were awake
and angry after surgical
manipulations that rid us of all
our internal organs, were
haemorrhaging fast, and now,
ironically, we wake up to
criticise and admonish: we
should have done this long ago!

On democracy day, we mark
our return to civilian rule. Yet,
we have never truly understood
what democracy means, beyond
the external imagery of
elections.
Our system has never been
fully participatory, nor has it
been inclusive or transparent.
Our states are moribund
administrative enclaves,
creating nothing, attracting zero
investment; the political class
has operated separately from
the society, feeding off of it yet
giving nothing back, and we
expected this to continue forever
without a reckoning?
Politics is the only business
conducted in Nigeria. We have
no real industries, the few we
have are monopolies that allow
the virtual concentration of
wealth in the hands of a few.
Furthermore, governance in
Nigeria has never been for the
people:
how
much
Sharia law and a dishonourable house
CERTAIN Abdullahi
Salame, a Sokoto State
federal lawmaker, recently said
in an interview that the speaker
of
the
House
of
Representatives, Yakubu
Dogara, recognising a bill to

grant Sharia courts more
powers, could cause public
outrage asked the bills
sponsor(Salame) to keep quiet
about the bill. You know there
Obasanjo
F the National Assembly

seems incapable of any real
oversight, if our honourables
are only interested in dubious
constituency projects (one
would think that with all the
money spent on constituencies
since 1999 they would all look
like Dubai by now), one must
look to his administration for
answers. He is one of President
Olusegun Obasanjo
are some issues that it is not

necessary to publicly discuss
them or deliberate on them to
avoid problems, Mr. Salame
was quoted as saying. Where
does one begin? The House
Muhammadu Buharis greatest

critics simply because, he, Buhari,
is not an executive director or
stakeholder of the mafia syndicate
Nigeria Inc., and refuses to sell
out like all our leaders have
done. Those who mean well for
Nigeria need our prayers now
more than ever because those
who dont mean well are facing
the greatest challenge to their
survival, perhaps since Hope 93.
cannot hide or keep quiet

about its dealings, as the
peoples
elected
representatives, supposed
honourables discuss and
debate laws to develop citizens
or so it is done in saner climes.
What happened to Nigeria not
having any particular state
religion? Have we forgotten
that part of the Constitution?
President Obasanjo did
immeasurable damage to this
country by allowing Sharia law
in a secular state; it was the
beginning of ethnic, tribal and
religious excuses for actions
that belong in ancient history.
Who will have the courage to
tackle the Sharia courts? Its a
question Ive asked before and
to
which
I
havent,
unfortunately, found an answer.
infrastructural development
has there been since 1999? Our
country is still surviving on the
roads and bridges built in the
'70s and '80s, with not much
more added. Yet the Federal
Ministry of Works is allocated
huge sums every year and
contractors grow endlessly rich.
The crisis (economic and
security related) we face today
has been in the making since
our inception as a country, a
combination of untenable
factors: unproductive state(s),
ethnic competition instead of
nation-building conver-sations,
over reliance on oil and a
heinously unequal society.
It is true that globally, the
wealthy, as the economist Paul
Krugman puts it, are less likely
to show empathy or to respect
the law but in our climes, it is
simply because of the
likelihood that once allegations
of their misconduct comes up,
they can pretend to be ill and
receive sympathy from the
same
people
they ve
succeeded in robbing.
Therell be no talk of public
hospitals for them. Almost
everything about the way we do
business, the way we enact
policies, the way we live our
lives, has been wrong from the
very beginning. We have
accumulated
mistakes,
celebrated those whove
wronged us, and strangely,
erroneously, believed we could
continue limping along without
collapsing.
Proper
monitoring
The Finance Minister, Kemi
Adeosun, made an interesting
declaration recently, which
wasnt dissected, proof of our
acceptance or ignorance of
where the real problems lie.
She said the Federal
Government discovered that
agencies, in the past, received
percentages of whatever funds
were available, without proper
monitoring of how funds were
spent or whether disbursement
translated to completed projects
of not.
Instead of this, funds will
now only be released based on
verifiable,
identifiable
milestones and the government
will need to know what project
the funds will be used for in the
first place!
How basic yet ironically, sadly
revolutionary. Nigerias main
problem is both simple and
very complex: its corruption,
stupid. Weve seen where the
money goes. Yet, weve said
nothing, hoping our turn to
partake in the fun will come.
Now were being forced to
look at ourselves by a leader
who isnt afraid of the ugly
truths he finds hidden in our
reflections. May we also find
the courage to see ourselves for
who we truly are.
*Tabia Princewill is a
strategic communications
consultant and public policy
analyst. She is also the cohost and executive producer
of a talk show, WALK THE
TALK which airs on
Channels TV.
18 Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016

THE Monetary Policy Committee,
MPC, of the Central Bank of Nigeria,
CBN, last week met amidst worsening
macroeconomic environment which
had forced Nigerias economic growth
rate into negative for the first quarter of
2016, while threatening to slide into
recession by the end of current quarter.
As usual only two dominant issues
were in focus: foreign exchange and
interest rates.
It is noteworthy that for the first time
the apex bank admitted helplessness
in the face of the huge economic
problems facing its policies. CBN also
expressed frustrations with the fiscal
policy environment which it had battled
silently for years. The situation
deteriorated
since President
Mohammadu Buharis regime.
The import of this landmark note was
that the apex bank was forced into
decisions it would normally not take.
First, the decision to have a three-tier
foreign exchange market was not only
forced on the bank by circumstances, but
the CBN also appeared reluctant and
unprepared for the policy it announced.
The apex bank is yet to figure out the
implementation mechanism one week
CBNs MPC in swim or sink mode

(and still counting) after the policy was
introduced.
The three-tier foreign exchange market
regime implied multiple exchange rates
where CBN, while abandoning its
regimented system of fixing both volume
of supply and rates, has now liberalized
one window for market determined
supply quantity and rate. It also retained
a special window for critical
transactions,
most
likely
at
concessionary rate. The third window
would be the parallel market where
almost any thing could go.
The second MPC decision: the apex
bank left monetary rates unchanged
despite the compelling need for change.
In fact some sources close to members
of the Committee squealed that the
decision to leave Monetary Policy Rate,
MPR, unchanged at 12 per cent was a

last minute knee-jerk response to the
gross domestic product, GDP, report
released by another government agency,
National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, just
a working day before the MPC, a
development which altered the initial
submissions of the Committee members.
Consequently the apex bank was forced
to retain an MPR rate that is grossly
negative to the inflation rate, contrary
to the grundnorm in monetary policies
across the world.
Now we are in the thick of a firefighting foreign exchange and money
rate regime where we highlight some
likely policy outcomes in the short to
medium term.
The forex market response has been
largely stable with the official window
totally unchanged while parallel market
saw a marginal 1.4 per cent depreciation

of Naira. However, the gap between the
official and parallel market rates
widened to 65%.
Already the stock market has
responded
swiftly
with
an
unprecedented upswing that reversed
year-to-date loss records, posting
significant positive returns instead.
Treasury instruments turned bullish
while the yield spiked.
Overall we believe all the reactions
were short term as both stock and
treasury markets as well as forex dealers
still await the operating guidelines and
implementation details of the new
flexible forex market.
Consequently, we warn that the
rebounds and reliefs witnessed so far
may just be short-lived and illusory if
the upcoming flexible forex policy
proves to be lacking in real market
principles and most importantly,
transparency. This is the opportunity to
repair the damage done to the economy
in the past one year by rigid principles
of administrative controls in a free
market economy.
The emerging policy would be a swim
or sink for the CBN and the economy.
OPINION
Aregbesolas synopsis on oil
By Erasmus Ikhide
OVERNOR Rauf Aregbesolas

postulation and candid exposition in
2011 that the criminal Nigeria State will soon
be drinking her oil if the wells are yet to dry
up made the largely misunderstood hero of
liberal democracy01 as a man who cried wolf
where non-exist.
This was long before Shale Oil exploration
began its operations in the US in 2015. Shale
oil production has suddenly crashed the
nations import parity and becomes the
nemesis of countries with mono-economy like
Nigeria as the oil price hit the lowest bottom
ever.
Besides, the world is gradually moving away
from toxic energy to clean energy for the safety
of Ozone-layer that has been badly depleted,
leading to extreme hot weather, globally.
Nigerias Friends of the Earth Campaigners
are exerting strident pressure on the federal
government and oil multi-nationals alike to
back down from constant violations of the
Niger Delta environment, drawing the world
attention to the criminal nature of oil
exploration in the area.
The claims that rivers have been polluted as
a result of oil spills, termination of aquatic lives
and total destruction of the entire ecological
system is self evident when you fly over the
Niger Delta mangrove swamp. It is
heartwarming to know that President
Muhammadu Buhari has ordered that the
degraded oil region should be clean up with
immediate effect, even though the excercise
can not totally restore the environment to its
original state.
Aside that, from Nigeria to Russia to Saudi
Arabia, oil wells are increasingly drying up
after discovery nearly all the oil wells that can
be discovered in Nigeria! Come to think of it:
if the drying up oil revenues account for the 80
percent of Nigerias budget what will we do
when that 80 percent is gone after the oil has
Lack of conscious efforts to

save for the raining day and
outright refusal on the part of
government to diversify the
economy is the direct
consequence of the nearly 30
states of the federations inability
to pay wages
dry up completely in 50 years time? What is
our Plan B when our Plan A fails? Searching
for more oil cannot be the answer.
Harping on Nigeria prospect without oil,
Aregbesola was of the opinion then that the
nation needs to harness its large human
population into resourceful uses. Granted that
a people that had been used to easy oil money;
a life of indulgence and wasteful spending and
to leaders whose deliberate looting of the
public treasury with reckless abandon and the
citizenry who are neither raised to challenge
them nor trained to believe in taxes and levies
to seamlessly switch to moderate lifestyle of

discipline, paying of taxes and dignity of
labour.
Aregbesola queried: if industries are
moving out of Nigeria to neighbouring Africa
countries, health and educational facilities are
dwindling, energy is on the rapid decline,
unemployment rate is soaring astronomically
to 75% according to the National Bureau of
Statistics how has the discovery of oil for nearly
six decade has been af blessing to the nation?
True be told, in spite of the oil boom, the nation
is still very poor and the Nigeria people are
poorer for it. The crisis of oil theft has given
fillip to rising crime and criminality, militancy,
and now the Boko Haram terrorist insurgents.
You may wish to ask where is the easy oil
money? Who are the people who looted the
public till blindly? Was the impact of the oil
money ever felt, even in the neighbourhood of
the swampy creeks where it is being exploited?
Is the black gold under the belly of our land a
blessing or curse? What is the way out of the
labyrinth of this national stagnation in the face
of aborted chances and wasted opportunities?
Looking back to 1960, and forward to 2060,
as thoughts out by Governor Aregbesola some
five years ago to the challenges, and
opportunities for building a stronger Nigeria
through technology, tourism, agriculture,
taxation, industries, education, energy and the
likes. Instructively, if the first oil well in
Oloibiri discovered fifty years ago could dry
up fifty years later how many oil wells will
Nigeria have left in fifty years to come?
Ogbeni quipped.
Today, the import of over dependence on
revenue accruing from oil; lack of conscious
efforts to save for the raining day and outright
refusal on the part of government to diversify

the economy is the direct consequence of the
nearly 30 states of the federations inability to
pay wages to their workforce. As much as the
clamour for wage increase by Nigeria Labour
Congress, NLC is not misplaced, governments
at all levels, especially the National Assembly
must equalise their salaries and other prerequisite to that of the civil servant of the same
educational qualification.
From the start, knowing that he inherited
debt-ridden-moribund-state, Aregbesola was
conscious of the fact that the only way to escape
the wrath of economic collapse in the near
future is to redirect the state economy.
His administration had since liaisied with
reputable local and international partners such as the Institute for Agricultural Research
and Training (IAR&T), and International
Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), at
Ibadan - for assistance in the area of technical
knowledge that has boosted production and
make farming easier, more interesting and
more profitable in the state.
There is no retelling that it is necessary to
add value to agricultural practice by applying
advanced knowledge in science and
technology. Similarly, the governor yearly
grant N1 billion loan to 992 co-operative
groups for increased production, productivity
and wealth creation in order to ease
accessibility to food by poor families is still in
place until recent financial challenges. Before
then, the government has been spending N3
billion on agriculture yearly, with additional
N2 billion loan to another 2,000 co-operative
groups.
*Mr. Ikhide, a social activist, wrote from

Lagos.

19
Send Opinions & Letters to:
opinions1234@yahoo.com
Buhari, beyond the first year
HIS week makes it a year

since the Mohammadu
Buhari administration was
inaugurated. It would seem an
appropriate time to assess the
performance
of
the
administration. But supporters of
the
Goodluck
Jonathan
administration have long before
now given their verdict on the
Buhari government. They had
written off the government even
before it was inaugurated. They
had long pointed out just what
non-performer
the
administration would turn out
to be compared to that of their
man, President Jonathan. For
this category of Nigerians,
therefore, there is nothing the
Buhari administration could do
that
would
meet
their
expectation of a credible and
performing government.
They sit back, it seems, only to
highlight
what
the
administration doesnt get right.
Every
misstep
of
the
administration is negatively
amplified and cited as proof of
their self-fulfilling prayer that
the administration is destined to
fail. For Nigerians in this group
Buhari ought to have hit the
ground running, immediately

after he took the oath of office.
After all, they argue, he had
several weeks after he was
declared winner of the 2015
presidential poll to map out his
plans before inauguration. But
Buhari didnt move at the
expected pace. He wouldnt even
name his cabinet for another six
months or thereabout after his
assumption of office.
Yes, Buhari could have been
much faster; he could have been
more clear-eyed than he has.
Which is not the same thing as
saying that his administration
should therefore be written off
completely. He could have been
more purposeful. But that we
were coming in from the cold of
an ineffectual administration
that had six full years within
which to turn the story of this
country around for better but
failed to do so; that the country
had been run down a dead-end
by officials whose retirement
home ought to be one of the
numerous prisons scattered
across the country due to the
level of corruption they helped
emplaced- that this all happened
ought to have counted for
something in assessing the new

administration. We should have
been critical of the slow pace of
affairs,
but
not
as
unsympathetically as the
Jonathan apologists would
rather have it.
For them, the Buhari
administration is Nigerias worst
nightmare come true. Such
critics have never wasted their
time pretending that they
expected anything good to come
out of this government. Thus
when, like it happened a few
months ago, the relatively stable
supply of power that ushered
Buhari into office began to
waver, they were quick to ask if
Buharis famed body language
The anticorruption
fight need not
become an
excuse for
nonperformance
was no longer working. They

offered apparently informed
explanation as to why electricity
was stable during the period it
did. The explanation they failed
to offer was why power remained
throughout the period of Buharis
inauguration to the beginning of
this year. Such long spell of stable
power supply was not recorded
during the Jonathan years.
Of course, nobody could
honestly expect a leader to rule
by body language. A clear sense
of purpose and vision of where the
NIgeria: A stunted democracy

By Eddie Mbadiwe
INSTON Churchills speech to the

House of Commons in 1947 in the
course of which he said that democracy is
the worst form of government except for
the other forms that have been tried from
time to time now has universal
acceptance. China, Russia, Cuba apart
from the Western world and the so called
third world countries practise one form of
democracy or the other. The icing on the
cake is that even North Korea as recently
as three weeks ago had democratic
elections and crowned Kim as Supreme
leader.
For Nigeria, the journey has been long
and arduous starting with the preindependence struggle led by Herbert
Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi
Awolowo and the Sardauna of Sokoto. The
military intervened post-independence
and we had many years of stagnation and
little growth. NADECO stepped in to drive
away the military and there were lots of
sacrifices and casualties but the heroes
remain MKO Abiola and the aborted June
12 election.
Democracy involves active people
participation and you can take it as given
that nobody will attempt to rig the June
23 European Union Election in Britain.
More than 70% of eligible voters will
actively take part. Same can be said of
Canada, Australia, Norway and
Denmark. In the United States, the
dynamics are quite different.
It is necessary to have the small re-hash
before getting to our core subject Nigeria.
In Igbo language, a child that refuses to
or is incapable of growing is called
AKAKPO. As the Buhari Administration
clocks one year in office, there has been a
lot of parroting of seventeen years of
uninterrupted democracy. The question
is at which cost and what level of

development. This is not a critique of the
PDP which had been in power at the centre
for most of those years or the APC. We must
be courageous and accept our collective
incapacitations afterall 60% of the major
players in APC had executive power as PDP
Governors etc. As one preacher
paraphrased on radio not long ago, we
have all sinned and have fallen short of
the glory of our maker God.
For people like me, it is important to
know our past and that is why I think it is
wrong not to make history compulsory in
WAEC. However dwelling daily on the
failure of past administrations is not only
irritating but a sign of unpreparedness to
govern. What is the way forward that is
the thrust.
Like in any field of scientific research,
proper diagnosis is 50% of the cure or
I was at a meeting
addressed by Gen.
Muhammadu Buhari
where he said explicitly
that the national
Conference was a waste
of scarce resources and
valuable time
solution. Long - term mass education
must remain at the core of our social
emancipation but what of the short and
medium term objectives.
As long as politics remain attractive in
terms of remuneration, so long will money
which is at the root of all evils continue to
occupy centre court in Nigeria. Courage
demands that we take the bull by the
horns and bring public officers pay at par
with what obtains in civilised countries.
There is a league of pay structure and
Nigeria has to decide where she falls in.
country is being led ought to be

articulated beyond the rhetoric
of the campaign months. The
Buhari administration is yet to
rise to the requirement of this
very demand. There is however
no doubt that a definite sense of
order, far from the pervasive
corruption that was hitherto in
place, entered governance after
Buhari assumed leadership of
this country. It was different
from anything that the previous
administration had inspired.
This could only be explained in
terms of the entry of a new leader
that was generally perceived as
incorruptible. This was the
context in which people spoke of
Buharis body language. Many
Nigerians in public office, it
appeared, were alerted to the
notion of a new order of how
things should go. It was easily
noticed in the power sector where
power supply dramatically
improved as opposed to the time
when Nigerians had been
condemned virtually to living
without electricity.
Somewhere along the line
(perhaps
because
the
administration failed to build on
the momentum that ushered it
into office), the Buhari
administration simply went to
sleep, leaving room for the
corrupt elements in the previous
administration and the wider
population to go back to their
mischievous ways. It is this set of
people, some of whom must have
infiltrated this government
going by what Nigerians saw
with the manner they all but
jinxed the 2016 appropriation
bill- this corrupt elements were
allowed room to operate and they
have since been fighting to roll
back the potential gains of what
so far could well pass as the major
achievement
of
this
administration- the anti-
The next thing Nigerians cannot afford

to sweep under the carpet is the 2016
Appropriation bill.
Section 58 (4) of the constitution of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999
(Amended) states When a bill is
presented to the President for assent, he
shall within 30 days signify his assent or
that he withholds assent. The President
said he refused to assent because there was
a lot of padding (a word new to our lexicon)
and it took another six weeks presumably
for the bill to be unpadded.
One is on the same page with the
President and will not sign what is
shrouded in dense clouds.
The question now is who have
contravened our constitution and are
there any consequences? The six weeks
delay
will
negatively
affect
implementation
of
the
2016
appropriation act.
Another sore thumb which has stunted
Nigerias democracy is section 162 (6) of
the same constitution. Since a vast
majority of us do not have a reading
culture, let me reproduce this for ease of
reference.
Section 162 (6) states that Each state
shall maintain a special account to be
called state local Government Joint
Account into which shall be paid all
allocations to the local government
councils of the state from the federation
account and from the Government of the
State
This is the major Albatross that has
stunted development nation wide. At
the local government level nothing has
happened for the past 17 years.
The state governors confiscate the
entire amount. There are states where the
local governments (most of them run by
sole administrators) get as little as N1m
(one million) a month: not even enough
to pay salaries. The seventh Assembly
granted financial custody to local
governments but this was killed by a
corruption fight.
If not for anything else this
administration has succeeded in
showing how Nigeria came to the
very brink of destruction
following the free-for-all
corruption that went on under
the Jonathan administration.
Given the revelations that have
so far come out of this fight, one
is left to wonder where Nigeria
would be by now had that
government continued in office.
The administration was a
disaster in the manner it
condoned corruption. The
practical effect of its failure in
this regard is best explained in
the way extremist forces like
Boko-Haram were poised to
overrun the country even while
the military hierarchy in
collusion with civilian members
of the administration continued
with their mindless plunder of the
defense budget in particular and
the national treasury as a whole.
The office of Sambo Dasuki, the
National Security Adviser, as
was that of the Minister of
Petroleum, Diezani Madueke,
became conduits for massive
looting of the national treasury.
That more discoveries of looted
funds are being made by the
week tells one that the Buhari
government just cannot stop the
fight now or succumb to the
blackmail that its corruption
fight is selective. For as long as
those being prosecuted are
proven to have stolen money
from Nigeria or have been
beneficiaries of unearned
wealth, they should be made to
account for their misdeed. One
would only urge that this fight
need not preoccupy the president
or other officials of this
government in their individual
capacity. The anti-corruption
fight need not become an excuse
for non-performance.
majority of state assemblies who are of

course extensions of the State Executive
Council.
Lovers of democracy irrespective of
party affiliation and this includes trade
unions, student bodies, women
organisations must start a spirited fight
th
within the 8 Assembly to actualise
financial autonomy for local government.
If this is not done, state governors will
continue to misappropriate local
government funds and continue to live as
Emperors
sans former President
Olusegun Obasanjo.
As a parting shot, let me comment
briefly on the last National Conference and
play the devils advocate. I have it on good
authority that it was a knee jerk reaction
canvassed and actualised by a group of
PDP Senators when the polity almost got
to boiling point. Before the last election
and infact when the National Conference
was still sitting, I was at a meeting
addressed by Gen. Muhammadu Buhari
where he said explicitly that the national
Conference was a waste of scarce resources
and valuable time. His argument was
that all Nigerians were represented in the
National Assembly and any constitutional
change should emanate therefrom. One
is therefore not surprised that the
Conference report is still in the Archives.
In many advanced and developed
countries, organised groups such as
writers, actors, scientists, medical
professionals, academics, lawyers and etc.
brainstorm and come up with apolitical
position papers to advance their nations.
Unfortunately in our dear country, many
of these groups are either not organised or
are in various stages of comatose
dementia. How sad for our dear country.
As we continue our journey through
planet earth, let us not forget we can only
be remembered for two things; the
problems we solve or those we create.
*Dr. Mbadiwe is a former member of
the House of Reps.
20 VANGU
ARD, WEDNESD
AY, JUNE 1, 2016
ANGUARD,
WEDNESDA
C
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PRESENTATION: Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State presenting a cheque to one
of the winners of Zenith Bank Children Account (ZECA) scheme during the Childrens Day celebration,
in Uyo.
Nigerias Q1 trade account turns

negative as oil prices fall
By Emmanuel Elebeke
IGERIAS trade account

turned negative in the
first quarter after exports fell
by almost half, the National
Bureau of Statistics,NBS said
yesterday, as lower prices for
crude oil slashed government
revenues and caused the
economy to contract. The
economy faces its worst
economic crisis in years, as the
value of exports, mostly crude,
plunged 52 per cent to N1.27
trillion in the three months to
March from a year ago.
Much of the hard currency
the nation needs to finance
imports evaporated. With
limited
manufacturing
capacity, Nigeria imports most
of what it consumes. Firstquarter imports dropped 15.8
per cent to N1.45 trillion, NBS
said, pushing the trade

account into the red for the
period.
The balance of trade for the
first quarter was -N184.1
billion, down from +N937.4
billion in the same period a
year earlier.
The total value of Nigerias
FG, FrieslandCampina sign MoU on farmers

development programme
By Peter Egwuatu
HE Federal Government
through the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh and
the CEO, FrieslandCampina,
Mr. Roelof Joosten, yesterday
signed a Farmer-to-Farmer
agreement during the
minister s two-day
working tour of the
Dutch companys facilities.
$123.05 1.75
According to a statement from Friesland$3,070.00 65.00
Campina, Mrs. Ore
Famurewa, Corporate
$ 17.64
0.12
Affairs Director, FrieslandCampina
WAMCO said:
With the Farmer-to$49.50 -0.26
Farmer programme,
$49.53 0.20
FrieslandCampina
aims to deploy memCURRENCY BUYING
SELLING
ber dairy farmers to
train and advise local
US DOLLAR 196
196.5
197
dairy farmers on feedPOUNDS
287. 1596
287.8922 288. 6247
EURO
218.9124
219.4709 220.0293
ing and watering of
FRANC
197.7002
198.2046
198.7089
cattle, calf-rearing,
YEN
1.7871
1.7916
1.7961
milking hygiene and
CFA
0.3146
0.3246
0.3346
practice, milking maWAUA
274.8766
275. 5778 276.279
chine maintenance,
RENMINBI
29.8649
29.9415
30.0181
RIYAL
52.2583
52.3916
52.5249
hoof care, housing
KRONA
29.4316
29.5067
29.5818
and barn design.
SDR
275.5368
276.2397 276. 9426
To ensure training for
undergraduates in
CBN Exchange rate as at 31/05/2016
C
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merchandise trade at the end

of Q1 stood at N2.72 trillion.
This development arose due
to a sharp decline in both
imports and exports NBS
said.
Exports fell 34.6 per cent by
March from the last quarter
and imports declined 7.8 per
cent. The decline in crude oil

exports, which accounted for
64.7 percent of total domestic
exports, hit the economy the
most, as it shrank by 0.36 per
cent in the first quarter,
compared with 3.96 per cent
growth last year.
The dollar restrictions have
also caused inflation to spike.
This month, the NBS said,
annual inflation climbed close
to a six-year high of 13.7 per
cent in April.
The Central Bank of Nigeria
last week introduced a flexible
currency regime designed to
improve exports, local
manufacturing and stave off a
recession.
However, the bank is yet to
clarify how the new policy
would work, spooking foreign
and local investors, who have
long worried about getting
caught in the middle of a
currency devaluation.
On the other hand, the
Nigeria Stock Exchange, NSE,
posted its biggest daily decline
in 16 months on Monday.
Nigeria exports mainly to
Asia and Europe. Imports were
dominated by machinery,
petrol, chemicals and related
products from Asia, Europe
and Americas. Imports within
Africa grew by 5.7 percent.
Nigerian tertiary institutions for

FC WAMCOs on-going Dairy
Development Programme
(DDP) in Nigeria, the Managing Director of FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria,
Mr. Rahul Colaco and Dr. Martin C. Th. Scholten, Member,
Board of Directors of Wageningen University and Research
Centre, signed an expression
of interest for academic and
technical support.
During the minister s visit,

FrieslandCampina announced
its decision to invest N3 billion
in its dairy development small
holder dairy farmer programme
in Nigeria. To step up its
current activities, the Federal
Ministry of Agriculture & Rural
Development, and FrieslandCampina WAMCO also agreed
to renew their MoU on the
companys dairy development
programme in June 2016.
Afrinvest appoints new chairman,

director
FRINVEST (West Africa) Limited, has announced the appointment of

Dr. Fidelis Nde-Che as the new
Chairman of its Board of Directors while Dr. Abdulrahman Sambo has been named a director of
the company.
In a statement made available
to business reporters, Ike Chioke,
Group Managing Director and
CEO of Afrinvest said: We are
pleased to announce that Dr.
Fidelis Nde-Che has been appointed Chairman of the Afrinvest
Board of Directors, following the
resignation of our erstwhile Chairman, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.
Mr. Obaseki, who founded the

company in 1995 as Securities
Transactions & Trust Company
(SecTrust) before it was
renamed Afrinvest in 2006, resigned his position on the Afrinvest board to pursue his governorship ambition in Edo State.
We, at Afrinvest, are truly
grateful for the visionary leadership he provided to the firm for
over 20years, and we wish him
the very best in his future endeavor.
Chioke noted, Dr. Nde-Che
and Dr. Sambo bring with them a
wealth of experience to the
Afrinvest board.
21
Operators differ
over legality
of 3 oil & gas
free zones
By Godfrey Bivbere
PERATORS have con

tinued to criticize the
legality and operations of the
three oil and gas free zones operated by oil logistics giant, INTELS.
Some operators are of the
opinion that the operations of
the three oil and gas free zones,
namely, Oil and Gas Free
Zones in Warri Port Complex,
Delta State; Eko Support Services (ESS) Lagos and Brass Oil
and Gas City, Brass Island,
Bayelsa State, are illegal since
they are not licensed by Nigerian Exports Processing Zones
Authority, NEPZA.
Others, however argued that
the legality and operations of
the three oil and gas free zones
operated by Intels are legal
as they were established by
the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority, OGFZA, which is empowered by the Federal Government to do so.
Speaking with Vanguard on
the issue, a Lagos based lawyer, Ehis Agboga, said it is
wrong because in law a delegate has no power to delegate.
According to him a delegate
cannot itself delegate, that is
the legal principle. He, however, stressed that though he
has not seen the law establishing the OGFZA, however, it
is wrong to license the three
zones unless the OGFZA is
empowered to do so.
When contacted the Managing Director of Nigerian Export
Promotion Zone Authority,
NEPZA, Gbenga Kuye said
They were not licensed by
NEPZA. . When asked if any
other body has the power to license the operations of the
three free zones, the NEPZA
boss refused to comment.
Analysing the situation, a
source close to NEPZA who
preferred anonymity said: In
the Oil and Gas Export Free
Zone Act, Section 1 (1) titled
Designation and Establishment of the Oil and Gas Export Free Zone, it was stated
clearly that The President
hereby designates the Onne/
Ikpokiri area of Rivers State as
an Export Free Zone (in this Act
referred to as the Free Zone).
By this Act, there is only one
legally established oil and gas
free zone, and that is the one in
Onne, and this makes any
other purported free zone null
and void because there is no
law to back it up, the source
added.
22 VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1 , 2016
Governments home-grown
solution of fighting the
disaster with pesticide will
only kill the disease for the
time being
Consolidated Hallmarks
total assets rise to N7bn
By Faith Agbi
O N S O L I DAT E D
Hallmark Insurance Plc
has grown its total assets to N7.0
billion in the 2015 financial
year.
Chairman of the company, Mr.
Ugo Ekezie, informed the
companys shareholders of the
development at the 21st annual
general meeting in Lagos. He
noted that the figure was a
significant improvement over
N6.1 billion recorded in 2014.
He said basic and diluted
earnings per share in 2015 went
up to N9.10k from N3.22k in
2014 while profit before tax and
exceptional item grew by 182.70
per cent from N193.1 million to
N545.8 million during the year.
The chairman noted that from
the profit of N545.8 million, a
dividend of three kobo per
share was proposed for
approval with total payout of
N180 million as approved by
shareholders.
He said that Consolidated
Hallmark is working hard to
further improve the fortunes of
the company in the coming year.
Certain measures have been
put in place, including the
strategic plan to grow the
company. We believe the
insurance industry will surely

take its rightful place in the
economy. At the national level,
once the economy is stimulated
adequately and production
activities commence, our
company and the various
players will benefit.
Efforts are also being
intensified by the regulator and
the industry umbrella
association, the Nigerian
Insurers Association to
ensure compliance with
compulsory
insurance
business, especially the most
visible motor insurance. It is
hoped that with the intensified
clampdown on holders of fake
certificates, more revenue
from these classes of insurance
will accrue to your company
in particular and the industry
generally. We have heard of
greater collaborative efforts
by the National Insurance
Commission, NAICOM, with
the various ministries,
departments and agencies to
ensure that assets of the federal
government are adequately
insured and premium paid.
This measure, if pursued
vigorously alongside the
logical implementation of
other strategic initiatives like
the MDRI will no doubt
improve the income of players
in the industry, Ekezie stated.
AIO recognises Chilekezi
HE 2016 edition of the

African
Insurance
Organisation Book Award has
been won by two Nigerians
Obinna
Chilekezi,
an
insurance researcher and
Charles Nwanze, a consultant.
Both winners got cash prices
from their books on marine
insurance business.
Obinna Chilekezi, an astute
writer and publisher of many
insurance text books started his
career in the industry at the
Chartered Insurance Institute
of Nigeria.
Obinna was born in PortHarcourt and hails from
Mbaise. He had the first five
years of his primary education
at Nwair Ud Deen Primary
School, Ajegunle, Lagos and
later completed the primary
education at Central School,
Umunama from where he
proceeded to Ife Secondary
School, both in Imo State.
He obtained the Higher
National Diploma from The
Federal Polytechnic, Nekede,
and another Higher National
Diploma from Yaba College of
Technology. Chilekezi has a
Bachelor of Science from Joseph
Ayo Babalola University, a post
graduate diploma from Times
Journalism Institute and

another in Finance from Ondo
State University. He also has a
Masters
in
Business
Administration from Ladoke
Akintola University.
Chilekezi had work as a
Senior Manager at Everest
Insurance and Head of
Research and Development at
the Nigerian Insurers
Association where he also
served as the Editor of the
Nigeria Insurance Digest for
four years. He is also a lecturer
at the West African Insurance
Institute, The Gambia.
The award winning book is
entitled Marine Insurance: an
Introductory Text contains
nine chapters. In the preface
to the work, the author had
noted the important role that
marine insurance plays in the
nations economy, hence
marine
insurance
is
compulsory for all imports into
the country. The book attempts
to provide the reader with
information that would assist
him/her
have
better
understanding of marine
insurance. In this regard the
book x-rays important issues on
marine insurance principles
and practice.
Send comments & enquiries to

insuranceandyou@yahoo.com
C
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INSURANC
Tomato ebola: Home-grown

solution not enough
By Rosemary Onuoha
OME 1000 tomato farmers

in six states of the
federation have lost over one
billion naira in the last one
month as a result of the
outbreak of tomato pest which
carries the disease Tomato
Leaf Miner or Tuta absoluta,
commonly referred to as
Tomato Ebola.
The outbreak of the disease
in these states, Jigawa, Kano,
Katsina, Kaduna, Plateau and
Lagos forced the prices of
tomatoes to shoot up all over
the nation, adding to existing
hardships from a 67 per cent
rise in the price of petrol and
soaring inflation in Africas
largest economy.
As the tomato scarcity crisis
persists,
the
federal
government was forced to
announce through its Minister
of Science and Technology, Mr.
Ogbonnaya Onu, that it has
developed a home-grown
solution to the ravaging tomato
pest which is a pesticide agent
that is very effective against
the new disease.
Minister of Agriculture and
Rural Development, Audu
Ogbeh, said that the cost of
treating the infection would be
expensive and it is likely to cost
N5 per tomato plant.
Although the government

expressed confidence that the
pesticide will eradicate the
tomato disease, insurance
experts are of the opinion that
governments home-grown
solution is only but temporary
if it hopes to attain a laudable
level in food production and
National Insurance
Commission,
NAICOM, must
understand that
development is an
integral part of its
job. For sectors
where growth is
required, it is the
duty of the regulator
to mobilise
operators into such
areas
security.
Nigerian Agricultural
Insurance Corporation
(NAIC)
Recall that the Federal

Government created the
Nigerian
Agricultural
Insurance Scheme (NAIS)
which was set-up to enhance
and sustain food production in
Nigeria. It was discovered that
over the years, the concerted
efforts to attain the laudable
level in food production has
been hindered by plethora of
factors, especially inclement
weather conditions and the
effects of natural hazards like
floods, drought, pests,
diseases, fire and so on. The
implementation of the scheme
was vested in the Nigerian
Agricultural
Insurance
Company limited, which later
turned into a corporation in
1993 by enabling decree no. 37
of 1993. The categorical
imperatives of the scheme were
and are still to provide financial
support to farmers, where
losses to crops and livestock
arise from natural hazards.
However, as different farmers
continue to suffer losses year
in year out all over the country,
with no direct compensation
from NAIC, experts are of the
INAUGURATION: From left: Keith Engel, C.E.O. South African Institute of Tax
Practitioners, Secretary; Nii Ayi Aryeetey, President, Chartered Institute of Taxation, Ghana,
Vice Chairman; Dr. Teju Somorin, President , Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Chairman
and Mr. Chukwuemeka Eze, Legal Adviser, at the inauguration of the Caretaker Committee of
Association of African Tax Institutes, at NAF Conference Centre, Abuja.
VOL. 1 NO 70 Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,

JANUARYWEDNESDAY,
20, 2016
Vanguard,
JUNE 1, 2016
CAFE treats,
discharges
27 mental
cases from
rehab centre
A
The road under

construction.
Anambra monarch
cries out as flood
sacks community
BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO
NITSHA - Traditional ruler

of Igbo-Ukwu kingdom in
Aguata Local Government Area of
Anambra State, HRH, Igwe
Barrister Martin Ezeh, Idu II has
sent a Save Our Souls, SOS
message to Governor Willie
Obiano and the Federal
Government by extension following
havoc caused by early morning
rain storms, yesterday, that nearly
sacked the entire community
through flooding.
Igwe Ezeh said, in his palace,
that the devastating flood which he

noted had already caused gully erosion
in the community was caused by an
uncompleted road construction work
along Ekwulobia- Nnobi federal
highway, graded without a good
drainage system to channel floods
properly.
The Igwe said floods from the rain
storm that lasted over four hours had
inflicted pain on the community as it
surged through villages destroying
household properties, domestic
animals, farm crops, economic trees and
pulled down buildings that stood in its
way.
According to the Igwe, two people
were feared dead as they were

allegedly swept away by the heavy
flooding which he said took the
community by surprise.
Apart from now, this flooding
menace has caused lots of deaths
in this community. Domestic
animals are not spared and vehicles
get stuck on both sides of the road
each time it rains. Yet this is a
highway that links Anambra with
Imo, Abia, Cross River, Rivers,
Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom States.
At various times the State
government had spent millions of
Continues on Page 25
Sweet home-coming: Umuchukwu community

touched by an illustrious son
By INNOCENT ANABA
MUCHUKWU in Orumba South

Local Government Area of
Anambra State, has been touched by a
unique son, Dr Godwin Maduka, the
Lion of Africa, who other communities
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in the South East pray to have, given

the unprecedented development he has
brought to the community.
Dr Maduka, a medical doctor,
practising in the United States of
American, has provided for his people,
what most state governments have not
been able to provide.
To ensure that the administration of

justice in the locality does not suffer in
any way, Dr Maduka, is currently,
constructing a multi-million naira
modern state High Court complex in the
community. The expansive two court
room block, with two judges chambers
NOTHER milestone was

achieved at the weekend by the
Caring Family Enhancement Initiative
(CAFE) headed by the wife of the
Governor of Anambra State, Chief
(Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano when 27
inmates who had been undergoing
treatment and rehabilitation at the Home
for Mentally Challenged at Nteje, Oyi
Local Government Area were certified
fit and discharged to be reunited with
their families.
The centre which is run and managed

by the wife of the Governor through
CAF in collaboration with the State
Ministry of Social Development, Women
and Children Affairs, had been
handling fifty two inmates out of which
twenty seven have been discharged
while the remaining ones are still being
treated and rehabilitated with a view to
returning them to their families at the
shortest possible time.
The programme leading to the
discharge of the inmates started with a
Mass held by Reverend Father John
Manafa while the inmates were later
engaged in singing and praises
thanking God for his goodness upon
them.
Addressing the inmates and some
family members who turned up for the
final discharge ceremony at the centre,
the wife of the Governor, who was
represented by the Commissioner for
Social Welfare, Women and Children
Affairs, Dr. (Mrs.) Victoria Chikwelu
thanked God for using Chief Mrs.
Obiano to save most of the mentally
challenged inmates who are being
treated at the centre.
Dr. Chikwelu who noted that the event
was a happy occasion, apologized for
the absence of the Wife of the Governor
but explained that she had sent her good
wishes to the inmates especially those
going home.
Said the Commissioner: God is doing
great things in our state through the
humane leadership approach of our
governor and his supportive wife,
Ebelechukwu. It is a fact that most of
you are from outside Anambra and now
that you are well again you can go back
and live a normal life, thankful to God
that you were cared for in Anambra
State.
She also thanked the staff of the Centre
for their dedication to duty and care for
the inmates and urged them to keep up
the good work because God would
equally reward them.
Earlier in his Sermon during the
Mass, Reverend Father John Manafa
described Trinity as a mystery and love
of God and maintained that through
Jesus Christ the inmates are receiving
their healing. He advised them to
always keep the laws of God so as to
continue to enjoy His grace and
charged them to avoid abuse of
substances and intake of hard drugs that
may endanger their health but rather
sustain their new health by always
taking their medications.
BONYI
State
Government has signed
a
Memorandum
of
Understanding with Union
Dicon Salt Plc for large scale
production and processing
of cassava in the state.
The ceremony which took place

in Abakaliki had in attendance,
the Secretary to the State
Igwe Spencer Ugwoke

of Obimo community
Ebonyi, Union Dicon sign pact on

cassava cultivation, processing
Government, Prof. Bernard Odoh,
who signed on behalf of the state,
the Commissioner for Justice and
Attorney General, Chief Augustine
Nwankwegu and the Managing
Director of Union Dicon Salt, Mr.
Town union executives of Agbor Obimo and Agbor Eziani with Igwe Spencer Ugwoke
Royal father scuttles inauguration of

neighbourhood watch in Enugu community
BY CHINENYEH OZOR
N uneasy calm pervades

Eziani autonomous
community in Nsukka local
government area, Enugu State
as the tradtional ruler of the
community Igwe Tony Ezema
alllegedly employed the
services of both the Police and
local security to stop the
inaugration of Agbor Eziani
and
Agbor
Obimo
neighbourhood watch against
any invassion by Fulani
herdsmen that have wrecked
havoc in most communities in
the state with particular
reference to the Nimbo
community recently.
Vanguard gathered that both
Eziani and Obimo communities
had planned inauguration of a
joint local security network to
guard
against
both
encroachment and invasion of
the Fulani herdsmen to both
communities that have an
ancestoral boundary before
Eziani autonomous community
was created out of Obimo
community, only for the
traditional ruler of Eziani to
allegedly hijack and seal
central school Eziani venue of
the event with police on the
grounds that the function could
not hold in his domain without
his consent, scattered camopies
and chased people away to
waste everything spent for the
occasion.
Irked with the development,
the traditional ruler of Obimo
Igwe Spencer Ugwoke
together with the town union
chairmen of Agbor Obimo Hon.
Alex Ike Eze former executive
chairman Nsukka LGA, former
house of representatives
member Nsukka/Igbo-etiti
federal constituency and
chairman Agbor Eziani town
union Chief Augustine Ugwoke
C
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accosted the Area commander

Nsukka police command
Monday Bala Kuryasi (ACP)
who alllegedly said that he was
only informed that some people
were assembling in the
community unlawfully to
cause trouble which compelled
the command to move men to
the place to ensure there was
peace and order in the
community.
The quick intervention of the
traditional ruler of Obimo and
the two town union chairmen
brokered peace and shifted the
event from the original venue
scheduled for 2pm to Obimo
central school at about 5pm
where the 40 man joint
neighbourhood watch patrol
team were finally inaugurated
for the ancenstoral history of
both communities for peaceful
co-existence in the locality and
the state generally.
Speaking at the brief but
solemn
ceremony
the
traditional ruler of Obimo
community, Igwe Spencer
Ugwoke noted that the essence
of the joint security patrol was
to avert any invasion to the

communities as a group had
earlier placed an advertorial in
the national dailies claimining
Ola, Ihoko, Ugwuokpa and
Ashibo, jointly owned by Agbor
Obimo and Agbor Eziani
respectively, adding that joint
security efforts were aimed at
reunite youths of both
communities to understand the
brotherly existence of the
cultural heritage for ages.
Igwe Ugwoke noted with the
incesseant reports of the attack
by Fulani herdsmen across the
country, every community takes
precaution to guard against
their community and agurment
efforts of the police and other
security agencies to nip in the
bud invasion of the herdsmen,
explaining that both Agbor
Obimo and Eziani share things
in common as biological
brothers before the creation of
Eziani autonomous community
was created and would
continue to maintain the status
quo irrespective of the creation
of Eziani community out of
Obimo.
He said that moving the

inaguration of the joint security
from Eziani to Obimo was to
show love of one another,
pointing out that none of the
communities were strangers to
one another as both have been
in existence and share one
cultural identity over the ages.
Both chairmen of the town
unions messrs Alex Ike Eze and
Augustine Ugwoke in their
separate speeches said that no
amount of pressure from any
quarter could deter the
communities from seeing
themselves as one body
irrespective of the creation of
Eziani community out of their
ancenstoral lineage in Obimo
community, for the unity and
progress of both communities
as obtained in the past.
Efforts made to speak to the
traditional ruler of Eziani
autonomous community Igwe
Tony Ezema proved abortive as
he was unable to pick phone
calls put acroos nor respond to
text messages sent to him to
react on the issue till the time
of this report.
Chuka Mordi, who signed for his

company.
The agreement to engage in
cassava
cultivation
and
processing in commercial
quantity is another bold initiative
by the Governor David Umahi-led
government to mechanise the
agricultural sector and propel the
much needed economic
diversification in the state.
In the terms of agreement,
Ebonyi State Government will
contribute 15,000 hectares of land
spread across the state for the
Union Dicon Salt to grow cassava
and establish a factory where
cassava products would be
processed into raw materials for
export and domestic use.
Governor Umahi, who was
represented at the ceremony by
Prof. Odoh, expressed optimism
that the partnership would open
up a new vista of opportunities for
investments in the state, create jobs
and bring economic prosperity to
the people.
The governor explained that the
volume of raw materials from
cassava from the factory would
create a large market for the
products and support brewery
companies in brewing.
Umahi encouraged the
company to hasten action and
complete documentation with the
state to enable it start off the
agricultural project.
The Commissioner for Justice,
Nwankwegu who gave an insight
into the terms of the agreement,
noted that apart from the 15,000
hectares of land to be provided,
no financial commitment was
required from the state
government for the agro business.
Hide original message
He however explained that
owners of the land would be
entitled to five per cent benefit
from the project yield and the state
government, 10 per cent.
The commissioner was happy
that the agro investment was
coming at a time when the state
was in the process of
revolutionalizing the agricultural
sector as an alternative to solving
its economic problem.
The Managing Director of
Dicon Salt PLC, Mr. Mordi, said
his company was willing to invest
in the state to take subsistence
agriculture to a large scale.
According to him, Union Dicon
would engage in growing of
cassava in commercial quantities
and process them into various
products like sweeteners and
industrial starch for export.
He stated that his companys
target was to contribute to the
industrialisation of the state and
reduce the importation of
industrial starch and other
products .
Godfrey Okoye Varsity partners with industrialists on research
HE Godfrey Okoye
University, Enugu has
offered to partner with
industrialists and other
stakeholders on research and
entrepreneurship development
in the country.
Vice Chancellor of the
Catholic University, Rev. Fr
(Prof) Christian Anieke, made
the offer in Enugu at the Town
and Gown Assembly organised
by the institution.
The theme of the assembly
was, Business Matters and
Areas of Research.
Anieke said that the Town
represented people outside the
university while the Gown
represented the university,
adding that the partnership

would enable them to
exchange ideas on enterprise.
It is the meeting of
industrialists, business men
and women and the university
itself as we live in the context
of people who will receive the
students from the institution
after graduation.
It is left for us to listen to them
and know what they want from
the university, he noted.
Anieke said that the
university had noted the needs
of the society and the
challenges they faced pointing
out that it would work towards
overcoming in a bid to make
the students relevant after
leaving the school.

In his contributions, the
representative of the 82
Division of the Nigerian Army,
Enugu, Col. B. Alaya, had
suggested areas where the
army could partner with
universities on research, to
reduce over reliance on foreign
importation of weapons.
If the army can partner with
Nigerian universities on
research and development, the
equipment we use can be
produced locally, he said.
Alaya further said the army
could partner with the
institution on areas like
telecommunication, data
management, production of
mobile
kitchens
and
communication masts among
others just as he regretted that
our uniforms and boots are
imported.
In his goodwill message, the
Enugu State Commissioner for
Environment, Ambassador
Fidel Ayogu, urged the
university to grab the
opportunity of climate change
and other natural resources to
better the society.
Ayogu, who spoke through a
director in the ministry, Mr
Nnamdi Arum, asked the
students to use waste products
like cans, sachet containers and
discarded bottled water to
create cheap wealth.
Abia community
sends SOS to FG
over deplorable road
condition
BY ANAYO OKOLI
MUAHIA-SOME
portions of the busy
Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Federal
road have been cut off at Okwe
community in Ikwuano
Council, forcing motorists and
other road users to abandon it.
Meanwhile, some families in
the community whose houses
are located close to the bad
spots have since abandoned
their homes and relocated as
refugees to the homes of friends
and relations, because flood
from the failed portions
overflow into their houses.
The community has cried out
to the Federal Government to
come to their rescue and save
them from the severe hardship
the deplorable condition of
road has inflicted on them.
Drivers who dared to use the
road had their vehicles trapped
inside the deep gully created
by the dilapidated portion. The

community has therefore sent
a distress call to the Federal
Government to urgently come
to their rescue.
Worried by the condition of
the road and the plight of his
constituents, the member
representing
Ikwuano/
Umuahia Federal Constituency
at the National Assembly, Chief
Sam Onuigbo Monday visited
the spot to access the situation
where he joined the people to
call on the Federal Government
to save his people from the
agony they are passing
through on the road.
Onuigbo called on the
Federal Ministry of Works and
FERMA to urgently carry out
at least palliative repairs on the
very bad spots at Okwe and
Ndi Oru, saying his people
have been going through hell
on account of the deplorable
condition of the road.
According to Onuigbo, he
and his colleagues in the
National Assembly ensured

that the repair of the road was
accommodated in the 2016
budget. However, he lamented
that the funds provided in the
budget for the road could only
be seen as palliative measures
and not comprehensive repairs

which the road is in dire need
of.
The law maker described the
road as strategic and very
important as it traverses
Umuchukwu community touched by an illustrious son

and administrative offices is 50
percent completed.
He has also built a divisional
police office, which was
commissioned on May 2, 2008 by
the then Inspector General of
Police, Mr Mike Okiro.
Mr Ugwuagbo, the Divisional
Police Officer of Umuchukwu,
when newsmen toured the
community, said, Before I was
posted here, I was hearing about
him. I asked about him and they
told me about his philanthropic
nature. I know that it is not
everybody that God has given
abundant resources that is able to
give to people. But I understand
that this man resides in the US,
THE TEAM
Supervising Editor:
Chioma Gabriel, Lagos
(08052201257)
Editor:
Emeka Mamah, Enugu
email:
emekemamah@yahoo.com)
Anayo Okoli, Umuahia
Vincent Ujumadu, Awka
Austin Ogwuda, Awka
Chidi Nkwopara, Owerri
Peter Okutu, Abakaliki
Chimaobi Nwaiwu, Nnewi
Francis Igata, Enugu

Nwabueze Okonkwo, Onitsha
Ugochukwu Alaribe, Aba

Enyim Enyim, Onitsha
Chinoso Alozie, Owerri
Chinenye Ozor, Nsukka
Eric Ugbor, Aba
C
M
Y
K
and he has a spirit of giving. He

returned home and started
building all manner of structures
that I cannot mention. Talking
about the division, he singlehandedly built it and handed over
to the Police. Before now, the
division was a shadow of itself.
He also built Police quarters in
the community for both the
conventional Police and State
Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS. He
built and equipped the structures
with all modern facilities. The
only vehicle we have here, he
donated it also, he added.
Not left out are the locals
themselves, as he has built modern
houses for no fewer than 55 less
privileged people in Umuchukwu
town and neighbouring OwerreEzukala Town, Orumba South
LGA of the state.
One of the beneficiaries, a proud
owner of a six room bungalow,
with modern fittings and fully
furnished, Mrs Mary Ibe of
Umuchukwu, said Dr. Maduka
discovered that I dont have a
house and he decided to build a
beautiful six room and parlour
bungalow for me. He saw that the
hut my father in-law built is now
dilapidated. I am praying that
God will give him long life and
good health so he will continue to
give succour to the indigenes in
the society.
Another beneficiary, Mr
Johnson Ezejiofor, said, We were
living in a mud hut before the
philanthropist came to our rescue
and built a beautiful house
equipped with all modern
trappings for us. Now, we are so
glad and rejoice like a bird with a
prey. We are praying that the
Almighty will give him long life
and good health, both to him and
his entire family. I specifically
pray that God will continue to

protect him in all his ways.
Also, Mr Ifeanyichukwu Duru,
of the same community and a
beneficiary of his empowerment
scheme said, I was nobody before
Dr. Maduka came to my rescue
and offered me N1million lifeline.
He made a lot of us to become
somebody in this town by giving
each of us N1million to start a new
life. I am one of the beneficiaries.
Now, I sell wears in Onitsha. With
that money, I have married.
Without such intervention, it
would not have been possible for
me. My prayer is that God will
give him long life and to give me
the opportunity to return the kind
gesture to him. He is a God-send
to the community. He is the only
one carrying the burden of this
community. With what I have
learnt from him, if I become a
millionaire, I will also emulate
him by helping the indigenes and
my community as well.
Speaking on the numerous
projects being executed by Dr
Maduka, Mr Okechukwu Nwele,
President General, Umuchukwu
Progressive Union, said From
2004 till date, God has
remembered us. In the past, this
community was known as
Nkerehi and since we changed
that name, many things that went
bad in the community changed for
good. We could not boast of
anything, we had only an ancient
primary school in the community.
But since we changed the name of
the community, Dr Maduka
sprang up and a lot of changes
have been going on in the
community. The man is a Godsend to this community and
beyond. He has been doing a lot
for our people and surrounding
communities.
At least, he has built up to 52

private homes to widows and the
less-privileged. He built Police
barracks
and
divisional
headquarters. Construction of the
high court is on-going. It is
because of him that the Anambra
State Government tarred our
road. He has given scholarship to
many students. Last year, he gave
56 people who could not go to
school N56 million to start
business.
He also built a permanent site
for magistrate court. In our
neighbouring community, he
helped people by giving them
money and is building houses for
them. He is an architect of peace
and a God-fearing man. He said
that he will make this community
to be like Las Vegas in US where
he is staying now, he added.
The 98 years old Elder Simeon
Ibe, the oldest man in the
community, who spoke on the
numerous projects executed in the
community by Dr Maduka, said:
I am their father now. When he
returns, he always sends for me
and asked me about what is going
on in the community because he
knows that I will always stand for
the truth. He is a good man, a
lovely man. He is
very
transparent. I lived in Nsukka
where I traded on palm wine. The
man has been building houses for
those whose houses are caving in.
He gives money to those who have
no food to buy food to eat. Those
he gave cars and motorcycles are
numerous. There are people he is
still building houses for now. I am
the one who directed that we
change from Nkerehi to
Umuchukwu. I am praying that
he will live long and train his
children.
through rich agricultural

communities of the state as well
as serving as a major link to
Akwa Ibom, Cross River and
Cameroon from the Northern
and Southern parts of the
country.
The transition Committee
Chairman of the Ikwuano
Council who accompanied the
law maker on the visit, Major
Emmanuel Awa [retd] said that
there are over seventeen very
deplorable spots on the road,
between Ikwuano and Ikot
Ekpene in Akwa Ibom State,
saying that it is having a
negative effect on his council
as the workers could not report
to work any day it rains.
Anambra
monarch cries
out as flood
sacks community
naira to grade this stretch of
road without tarring it and this
has constituted a serious
obstacle to ensure that the flood
menace on this road is tackled
once and for all, the Igwe
lamented.
He, however, commended
Governor Obiano for his
palliative measures taken in
grading the road which he said
had gone a long way towards
easing traffic congestion, but
added that with the coming of
the rain if the highway is not
tarred with good drainage
system, the entire Igbo-Ukwu
will be sacked by flood and
erosion this rainy season and
we will be cut off from our
neighbours.
We beckon on the Governor,
the Akpkuedike of Anambra to
come to our rescue as his
traditional title suggests before
we are taken away out of the
map of Anambra State.
Nimbo: Catholic Bishops fight back tears,

donate N10m victims of herdsmen attack
By Emeka Mamah
President Muhammadu Buhari (middle) and South-East

Group for Change, led by Senator Ken Nnamani, when they
paid the President a visit, yesterday.
Dr. Godwin Maduka's projects... Anambra State High Court

under construction in the community (above) and a 15-storey
building under construction, which will serve as a
recreation centre and have shopping malls, conference
centres and offices for governmental and nongovernmental organisations (below). STORY IN PAGE
ONE .
NUGUCatholic
Bishops from Anambra,
Ebonyi and Enugu States fought
back tears as the parish priest of
Nimbo, Rev. Fr. Joseph Okeke
Obetta narrated how innocent
people were slaughtered like cows
by suspected Fulani herdsmen in
the area.
Obetta spoke of the horrendous
incident when the bishops visited
the area in Uzo Uwani Local
Government Area of Enugu State
where herdsmen killed over 40
people and burnt houses last
month, to pray for the souls of the
dead as well as console their
relations.
However, apparently referring
to reports that armed security men
who were deployed to Nimbo to
prevent the killings left their duty
posts few minutes before the
attackers struck, the bishops later
respectively; and the host Bishop

of Nsukka, Most Rev. Godfrey
Igwebuike Onah.
Other Bishops who were in
solidarity with the visit were Most
Rev. Michael Okoro of Abakiliki;
Dr Francis Okobo Emeritus
Bishop of Nsukka and Dr. Anthony
Okonkwo Gbuji the Emeritus
Bishop of Enugu.
Also, present during the visit
were Monsignor Evaristus
Nwamadi of Enugu Diocese who
was on a private visit when the
bishops arrived; a handful of
priests of Nsukka diocese
including Dr Amuluche Nnamani,
Rev. Fr. Martins Ozioko, and Dr
Brendan Nwodo, among other two
Anglican priests.
The convoy of Bishops arrived
Nimbo shortly before 4pm
Tuesday after rising from their
meeting in Enugu, were received
by a crowd of the Nimbo people
who were already coming home
after they had deserted same in
the wake of the heinous crimes.
Bishops pose with a cross section of Nimbo natives.
NAUTH Nnewi takes delivery of

500Kva generator donated by EBOF
By Chimaobi Nwaiwu
NEWI A 500 KVA

generator has been donated
to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University
Teaching Hospital, NAUTH,
Nnewi by Emma Bishop
Okonkwo Foundation, EBOF, to
improve electricity service in the
hospital. A Non-Governmental
Organisation NGO, set up by an
Anambra State born Abuja based
business man and industrialist,
Chief Emma Bishop Okonkwo.
The generator was presented to
the Chief Medical Director, CMD
of NAUTH, Prof. Anthony
Igwegbe and members of the
hospital management at Nnewi,
by the Chairman of EBOF Prof
Okechukwu Mbonu, and its three
other directors on behalf of the
founder of EBOF, Chief Emma
Bishop Okonkwo who was said to
have travelled out of the country.
The donation of the generator
was a follow up to EBOFs earlier
donation of an ambulance to the
hospital, through the state
government which they hoped was
serving the institution well.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof
Mbonu said that one of the
C
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Y
K
asked the three tiers of

government to take the security of
their subjects as the main objective
of their being in power.
The bishops who visited Nimbo
under the aegis of Onitsha
Ecclesiastical Province also
announced their donations of a
hundred bags of rice worth N1.5
million and N8.5 million cash
bringing the total donations to the
people to N10 million.
Those who visited Nimbo
include the Archbishop and
Metropolitan of Onitsha and
leader of the delegation, His
Grace, Dr Valerian Maduka
Okeke,
the Bishop of Enugu
Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus
Onaga; Most Rev. Hilary Odili
Okeke of Nnewi Diocese; Most
Rev. Dr. John Ifeanyi Okoye of
Awgu Diocese; Paulinus C.
Ezeokafor of Aw k a ;
the
Auxiliary Bishops of Onitsha and
Awka, Dr Dennis Isizu and Most
Rev. Dr Jonas Benson Okoye
cardinal objectives of EBOF was

to assist major institutions in the
health sector to provide quality
and affordable healthcare to the
people.
It is indeed our aim that all
avoidable deaths should be
prevented through conscious and
sustained efforts in collaboration
with
competent
health
institutions, as we have since
noted the devastating effect of
epileptic power supply in our
national life particularly in the
health sector.
There is no doubt that a lot of
lives would further be saved
through constant power supply
to various gadgets in our health
institutions. It is, therefore, in
line with this that we hereby
donate a unit of brand new
500KVA Mikano generator to
your institution to enhance its
commendable healthcare
services to the public.
It is our considered opinion
that government alone cannot
adequately shoulder the
responsibility of providing all
the equipment needed for
provision of quality healthcare
to our people, hence our constant
desire to partner with it in this
direction through activities such

as this.
We therefore hope and
implore you to make effective
use of the generator for the
desired purposes. It is also our
desire that other individuals and
firms should assist institutions
such as yours in various areas of
need, he said.
The NAUTH CMD Prof
Igwegbe said while taking
delivery of the generator that the
hospital was in dire need of
transformers and stabilize
power supply in the hospital.
According to Igwegbe, the
hospital operates three units of
500 KVA generators on daily
bases and maintains them
regularly at very costly prices,
adding that, they cannot render
effective service without running
the generators for 24 hours daily.
The donation of the generator
set is a big relief to our institution.
It is very vital for doctors to work
and will help to save patients lives
and add enough voltage to carry
the hospital machines, including
the X-ray, Echo units among
others as well as increase output
in the hospital, he said.
Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1 , 2016
CE & YOU
27
Federal allocation for insurance is

still far from meeting governments
insurance needs; as a result, so
many sectors are still suffering from
inadequacy of funding
Access Bank partners

WAPIC, Ghana Life for
Bancassurance
BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU
AWARD: From left, Executive Director, DIN, Dr. Bola Fajemirokun; Head Corporate
Communications, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Olumide Orojimi; Head Corporate Services
Division, NSE, Bola Adeeko and MD Floodgate Insurance Brokers, Rotimi Adekunle Olukorede
when the NSE won the Corporate Achievement Awards under the Financial Institution category
organised by Filex Awards 2016, in Lagos.
opinion that it is about time the
federal government review the
scheme.
Under NAIS, government is
expected to pay 50 per cent of
the premium while the farmer
is to pay the other 50 per cent.
However, government so far,
has not been able to meet its
own part of the obligation.
An expert said, I do not
subscribe to monopoly of agric
insurance. Government should
not own companies rather there
should be other ways of
subsidising farmers. As it is now
government has not been
paying its own part of the
premium. I suggest that the
scheme should be reviewed and
should be private sector driven.
A situation whereby only few
farmers benefit from the scheme
shows that it has failed.
Reacting to the outbreak of the
tomato ebola, Director General
of Nigeria Insurers Association,
NIA, Mr. Sunday Thomas said
that it is quite unfortunate that
farmers are made to suffer loss
at a time like this, however, the
insurance sector, particularly,
NAIC should take up the
responsibility of sensitising
farmers on the need for
insurance.
Thomas said, Governments
home-grown solution of
fighting the disaster with
pesticide will only kill the
disease for the time being.
What about putting the farmers
back to their previous position?
It is only insurance that can do
that.
Managing Director of FBN
Life Assurance Ltd. Mr. Val
Ojumah said that although
NAIC is an establishment of
government, it is quite
unfortunate that government on
many occasions has refused to
pay its own part of agric
premium.
Ojumah said, The insurance

industry has decided to adhere
strictly to the no premium, no
cover rule, hence if
government does not settle its
own part of the premium then
there will be no cover. The idea
of using pesticide is only a
temporary measure and not a
cure all. If government wants
to do actual planning for the
future, insurance must be in
place. Giving pesticides is only
reactionary and that is what the
country is good at. We should
actually be planning ahead.
According to Ojumah since
the present administration is
making efforts to meet up to its
responsibilities in several areas,
agric insurance should not be
left out.
Federal allocation for
insurance is still far from
meeting
governments
insurance needs; as a result so
many sectors are still suffering
from inadequacy of funding.
This is what happens in a
country where you have a mono
product as the main stay of the
economy. However, this
obviously cannot be fixed
overnight. We can only hope
that this government is on the
right trajectory, Ojumah said.
Managing Director of Risk
Guard Africa, Mr. Yemi
Soladoye said that there are
three things lacking in the
insurance sector which are,
access to insurance, usage of
insurance and insurance
education.
Soladoye said, If people are
educated on the workings of
insurance, they will embrace
insurance.
Most farmers insure because
they want to access loans from
the banks, but if these farmers
are educated on the benefits of
insurance, they will voluntarily
insure their farms. Insurance

operators must appreciate the
fact that it is when they sensitise
people on the benefits of
insurance that is when farmers
will know about it.
Presently, the insurance
sector has not been able to take
up more than ten per cent of its
potential which means that 90
per cent of opportunities are still
untapped. There should be
enhanced usage of insurance
by the people, Soladoye said.
On the part of the regulator,
Soladoye said that the National
Insurance
Commission,
NAICOM, must understand
that development is an integral
part of its job. For sectors
where growth is required, it is
the duty of the regulator to
mobilise operators into such
areas. The regulator and
operators must see agric as area
of strategic development for this
economy, Soladoye said.
CCESS Bank Ghana has

partnered
Wapic
Insurance and Ghana Life
Insurance companies to launch
innovative insurance products
for consumers in Ghana in
tandem with its strategy to build
capacity in retail banking.
The launch, which follows the
signing of a strategic
partnership
agreement
between Access Bank and the
two insurance companies last
year, will see Access Bank
promote the sale of both
general and life insurance
products and services in all its
45 locations across the country.
The insurance products
unveiled to the public are the
Shop owners Policy, Child
Welfare Plan, Child Starter
Plan, Asset All Risks Policy,
Motor Insurance, Home and
Personal Assets protection,
Personal Accident Policy,
Transitional
Plan
and
Retirement Assurance Plan.
Speaking at the newly
refurbished Access Bank Head
Office in Accra, Managing
Director of Access Bank Ghana,
Mr. Dolapo Ogundimu, noted
that a buoyant insurance
industry is critical to the growth
of the Ghanaian economy.
Access Bank is demonstrating
its readiness to partner with
insurers to espouse its relevance
for national development.
He added: We are optimistic
that with the introduction of our
Bancassurance bouquet of
products, our customers will find
it easier and more convenient
to own insurance policies, and
help improve the current low
rate of insurance owners in the
country.
Unveiling the Bancassurance
products, the Group Head for
Personal Banking, Mr. Stephen
Abban, added that the
introduction of Bancassurance
was in fulfilment of the banks
strategy to introduce nongeneric banking products as
part of its total product bouquet
that addresses the banking
needs of customers.
He said the Shop owners
policy for SMEs is a renewable
policy that protects the shop and
its content of the insurer in the
event of fire, floods, theft and
allied perils. It also covers third
parties for damage to their
properties, injury or death
sustained at the shop.
Managing Director of Wapic
Insurance, Mr. Adedayo
Arowojolu stressed that with
the transformative leadership

positioning that Wapic is
bringing to the industry,
Bancassurance is a value
adding partnership for the
Banks customers that will
provide affordable insurance
products through exceptional
quality service to protect
customers against insurable
risks.
Explaining the need for
everyone to have some form of
insurance policy, Managing
Director of Ghana Life, Mr. Ivan
Avereyireh, also noted that
this partnership with Access
Bank is to further increase the
commitment of Ghana Life
Insurance
Company
in
bringing Life Insurance
Products to the door steps of
every Ghanaian, in this
particular case, the customers
of Access Bank, to ensure
financial inclusion for all. This
will no doubt help increase
Insurance Penetration in the
country.
C
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Rio Olympics:
Dream Team XI
arrive Suwon,
intensify
preparation
ige ria s Ol ym pic tea

yesterday afternoon as m lan de d in Ko re a
they get set for
their opening ga
invitational tournam me of the Suwon
Th e de leg ati on ma ent tomor row.
de up of 19
pl ay er s an d 10 off ici
hoping to make the co als wi ll be
Seoul.We are now in
Korea and we trying to untry proud in
Fatai Amoo. Coach Sa get out of the airport, said assistant coach
preparation for the Ol mson Siasia is expected to step up his sides
year-old will also use ympics mens football event in Rio. The 48
the tournament to asse
the games where the
ss his boys ahead of
y
are
zo
ne
d
in Group B against
Colombia and Sweden
Japan,
.
Waziri: Wikki Tourists

do not fear Enyimba
ikki Tourists and Enyimba have done well in their last 10

matches in the Nigeria Professional Football League.
And as they prepare for their rescheduled league match today
at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Waziri Christopher is
targeting victory. Waziri says he doesnt fear Enyimba despite
the fact that the champions havent lost a single match in their
last eight league outings. We dont fear the big teams in the
league. If we can get three points from this game then we shall
mount the summit, so I really hope we will not walk away empty
handed, said Waziri. But it will not be an easy task against an
Enyimba side which seems to have accustomed itself to winning.
These days they almost seem to freely pick up three points
without a struggle.
Going into this
fixture, Enyimba are
looking to hold on to
their
unbeaten
record.
However, Wikki will
not go into the match
hands down, as they
are chasing top spot.
A win at the Abubakar
Tafawa
Balewa
Stadium will take the
Enyimba
hosts to the top of the
table.
C
M
Y
K
Siasia and Dream Team
Olukokun sure
of 3SC survival
in NPFL
Najeem Olukokun is confident that the
Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) will
beat the drop in the Nigeria
Professional Football League
Olukokun
(NPFL) this term.
The Ibadan club
have struggled
to sew up a
consistent run
including losing twice at
home to Lobi
Stars (0-1) and Warri Wolves (1-2) but Olukokun told
supersport.com that they cannot afford to slip up again when
the second round of the season starts this weekend. It has not
been the best of season for us, began Olukokun while speaking
to supersport.com. But we know we have to keep fighting
because we cannot allow 3SC to be relegated this season.
However, the striker acknowledged that the route to the clubs
survival will not be easy having found themselves in the deep
end of the NPFL standings. The former Kwara United man said:
To be honest it will not be easy because every team wants to pick
points in the second round. So we will do our best and hopefully
we can win enough points to stay in the league for another season.
Olukokun has scored twice in all competitions for 3SC this term
including in their 2-0 win over Wikki Feeders in the Federation Cup
round of 64 last week.
Abia Warriors dispel Boboye exit rumours
he Management of Nigeria Professional

Football League outfit, Abia Warriors
Football Club of Umuahia has described as
unfounded, reports purportedly making their rounds
in the media that their Manager, Kennedy Boboye is
set to dump the club for rival teams ahead of the second
phase of the league. In a statement, Abia Warriors
Chairman, Chief Emeka Inyama said there is no iota
of truth in the news as Boboye is still with the club,
describing the reports as mere rumours meant to
distract Abia Warriors who, according to him, have
taken the league by storm this season. Boboye is
still under a legal contract with us, so I dont know where these rumours of
him leaving the club is coming from. As we speak now, he has been released
to the Super Eagles as a member of the interim committee to take charge of
Nigerias International friendly games against Mali and Luxembourg after
which he would come back to manage Abia Warriors for the second phase of
the League, Chief Inyama revealed.
Boboye
Ibrahimovic
Real Madrid
weigh up
Pogba move
Perez
hints at
Malmo
return
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has suggested he could make
a surprise return to his boyhood club Malmo amid
ongoing speculation linking him with a move to
Manchester United.
The evergreen Sweden striker is available on a
free transfer after deciding to end his stay at Paris
Saint-Germain following the expiry of his contract
at the end of a season that saw him plunder 50
goals in all competitions.
Ibrahimovic, 34, has subsequently been linked
with a move to the Premier League and United
where he would be reunited with new manager
Ibrahimovic
Jose Mourinho, who he worked with during his
time at Inter. However, Ibrahimovics agent Mino
Raiola recently downplayed claims his client is
set to move to Old Trafford, stressing his next
club will come as a surprise to many.
Ibrahimovic returned to his city of birth on
Monday for Swedens friendly against Slovenia which he was forced to
sit out with a calf problem, but the former Barcelona forward hinted fans
could soon see him in action again at the Swedbank Stadion.
eal Madrid would be interested in signing Paul

Pogba if the Juventus midfielder became
available, Florentino Perez has confirmed.
Pogba was once again one of Juves outstanding
players as they won a fifth-straight Serie A title in
2015-16, and he will also be key to Frances Euro
2016 hopes. The 23-year-old has been linked
with big-money moves to the likes of Barcelona,
Manchester United and Manchester City, and
Madrid president Perez has told Marca that
the newly-crowned European champions
Pogba
would also be interested in his services.
Pogba is a great player, but in midfield we
have six great players, so I would not want
to discuss speculation, Perez said. While
he excites me, it is difficult to reach
agreements if there are no termination clauses [in a players contract].
If a player such as him [Pogba] is available, we may go for him, but would
have to reach an agreement. It is very difficult to bring someone [in]. Ill talk
to [Zinedine] Zidane. Our obligation is to be much better every year. He will
decide if we can get someone better than we have.
Okokus foundation celebrates Childrens Day

and World Hungers Day with village kids
By John Egbokhan
Fuludu, Jide Alabi and administrator and lawyer,

David Fatunbi and coordinator, Mrs Grace
x-international Paul Okoku has taken Jalekun, the ceremony saw about 270 kids being
his Greater Tomorrow Childrens splashed with items to mark their day.
Foundation train to Delta State to celebrate
Speaking through his lawyer, Okoku said he
this year s Childrens Day and World was delighted to deliver on the mission statement
Hungers Day with pupils of Igbe Primary of the Foundation by giving back to lessSchool in Ogume, Ndokwa Local privileged kids in the society, who he noted were
Government.
the future of tomorrow.
With a mission statement to help lessHe noted that he was never in doubt of the
privileged children in Nigeria achieve their potentials that less-privileged kids possess but
maximum potentials by empowering them to added that for them to attain their full potentials
create a brighter future through hunger relief, that they must be supported by well-meaning
os Mourinho has said he will
medical programmes, education, sport individuals in the society and corporate bodies,
Guardiola
Mourinho
not get into personal
activities and mentoring, the Greater who he stated have crucial roles to play in capacity
arguments with Pep Guardiola
Tomorrow Foundation has been reaching out development of young ones.
next season when they are in
since it started operations in Nigeria and
The end of Okokus speech was greeted by wild
charge of Manchester United and Manchester City respectively
upped the ante last weekend by taking its applauses from the kids, teachers and elders who
as it would mean someone else winning the title.
yearly programme to kids in a remote village turned out in their numbers for the ceremony that
in Delta State.
The two have a history of animosity from their time in Spain,
lasted for close to three hours.
Set against the backdrop of a village setting,
Responding, Head Teacher of Igbe Primary
when Mourinho was the Real Madrid manager and Guardiola in
with rustic and bushy environment,
School, David Agadi thanked Okoku for
charge of Barcelona, but Mourinho has said that it would not
Okokus Foundation
remembering pupils
make sense for either of them to focus on each other.
put smiles on the faces
of his school, noting
[What has happened in the past] does not allow me to be
of the kids, who were
that it was the first
innocent. For two years Pep and I were in a league where the
given goody bags
time that such a
champion would be either me or him, Real Madrid or Barcelona,
containing spaghetti,
gesture was being
Mourinho said, speaking in Lisbon, where he was giving a lesson
noodles, biscuits, fruit
extended to them as
to post-graduates on football coaching. In a situation like this,
drinks, candy, note
far as his memory
books.
individual fights make sense because they can influence things.
can recall.
Represented by
Like Okoku said,
[But] in the Premier League, if I focus on him and Manchester
ambassadors of the
Agadi
urged
City, and he on me and Manchester United, someone else is going
Foundation,
successful
to win the league.
comprising
exNigerians to help
internationals Yisa
the needy ones in
Sofoluwe, Edema
the society, warning
that failure to do
Ex-international Paul Okoku (M) and
such would only
his
Greater
Tomorrow
Childrens
increase the number
he third edition of the Sam Ocheho of Plateau, Imo Grasshoppers, Abia Valiant,
Foundation train in Delta State during
of delinquents in
Edo
Queens,
Phoenix
of
Gabon
and
the
invitational Handball Championship for
the Childrens Day celebration.
the land.
male and female senior teams will take place Queens of Cote DIvoire. It is expected that
from June 10 to 19 at the Rowe Park with more will confirm their participation soon.
The prize monies for this year s
international teams expected to take part in
championship will be N2m, a positive
the competition.
L-R, Chief Legal Coun
The bi-annual handball event which increase from N1.3 million offered in the last
sel,
MRS Oil Nigeria Plc.,
started in June 2012 has developed from edition held in 2014, while Innjoo mobile
Mr
technology
will
partner
the
organiser
in
Andrew Onum; Sales
being a regional event to an International
and
Championship. In this years edition, teams bringing a championship of international
M
arketing Manager, Mrs.
from the West African Sub Region are repute to Nigerians.
Oluwatara Ajibulu and
The main aim of the championship,
the
expected to participate in the Championship.
Managing Director, M
according
to
Ocheho,
is
to
develop
the
For this years edition, at least 12 male
r.
Andrew Gbodume, pres
and female teams from Nigeria and others potentials in the youths by keeping them
entin
away
from
the
streets
and
channelling
their
the
Trophy to the Captain, g
countries in the subregion have been
energy
to
sports.
This
way
they
are
engaged
Young Boys ACE., Ajah
invited. However, the following teams have
confirmed their participation in the and reducing their tendency to indulge in
(W
inner), Fuad Aleiro at
the
championship; These are the Civil Defence, social vices. It is also sees it as a way of giving
MRS U-12 Football
back
to
the
society,
adding
that
he
also
Niger United, Kano Pyramids, Lagos United,
Tournament Finals he
ld at the
Delta State team, Vipers, Rima of Sokoto, benefitted from participating in the game of
Ca
handball
during
his
schooling
days
as
a
mpos Mini Stadium, La
Aspac of Benin Republic team, Black Hands
gos.
Photo;Akeem Salau
of Ghana team, Southwest team, Peacocks player before his involvement in
administration.
Mourinho
promises not
to focus on
Guardiola
Sam Ocheho Handball tourney: 24 teams

to vie for N2m prize money
C
M
Y
K
Zambia has just signed a

pact also with the Russian
Rosatom on cooperation in
the sphere of uses of Atomic
energy for peaceful purposes.
The agreement which also
happened between Kirienko
and Margaret Kiyoba,
Permanent Secretary, Cabinet
of Ministers of Zambia is also
searching for ways Zambia
can serve its people with clean
energy and adequate
electricity.
Zambia admitted that it
should actually have invested
in nuclear energy before now
but lateness was as a result of
a lack of vision of the past
leaders regarding nuclear
energy's future potential.
Nuclear plant
Nigeria revives nuclear

research investment
Leads Africa in scramble for Russian pact on nuclear tech plant
By Prince Osuagwu,
Hi-Tech Editor, in
Moscow, Russia
HE sorry state of Nigerias

electricity generation may
soon become history if moves
by the Nigeria Atomic Energy
Commission
yield the
expected fruits. Nigeria, a
country of over 170 million
people has hardly at anytime
generated up to 5000
megawatts of electricity,
making it one of the most
poorly served countries of the
world in terms of power
supply.
In the same vein, individual
power generation through
generator sets, has also made
individuals within the country
susceptible to the risks posed
by gaseous emissions as well
as being on the wrong side of
the effects of ozone depletion.
However, the Nigeria
Atomic Energy Commission
has made moves aiming to
arrest that drift when it
recently signed a pact with
the Russian country to build
Nuclear technology centre in
Nigeria.
The move seeks to revive the
research reactor which the
country established in 2004
making her the second in
Africa to attempt nuclear
energy investment .
Chairman and Managing
Director of the Commission,
Dr Erepano Osaisai said that
though the nuclear plant
would come at a huge cost, it
would never be as expensive

as living without clean energy
and adequate electricity
supply.
Meanwhile, Nigeria was
part of the three African
countries jostling to draw
Russias nuclear expertise to
their countries.
Others included Kenya and
Zambia who also signed the
MOU alongside Nigeria.
Russia admitted that over the
past few years, it has seen an
increase in cooperation and
partnerships with developing
countries on nuclear energy
programs- with some using
their technology to build
nuclear plants.
It described as most
interesting, the effort of few
African countries which have
recently shown keen interest
in developing and building

nuclear reactors.
According to the Deputy
Director General of IAE-a
company that helps to create
the necessary infrastructure
for nuclear waste, Mr Mikhail
Chudakov,
Russia is
steadily seeing an interest in
nuclear partnership from
various African countries and
countries in South East Asia.
More important is that
developing nations are
planning to include energy in
their energy mix but you
should remember that it
should be developed based on
the safety culture.
How Africa jostles

for Russias nuclear
expertise
NIGERIA
Nigeria was first

in Africa to
establish a
research reactor
when in 2004
Immediately after signing

the MOU, Dr Osaisai said that
Nigerias efforts in the
nuclear field followed the
realization that nuclear
energy contributes quite a
chunk of global electricity and
Nigeria, with its huge
population, cannot afford to
miss out.
He also admitted that the
project will come with a huge
cost but added that the cost of
not having clean energy and
adequate electricity will be
higher for those who failed to
join in the trend.
According to him, nuclear
acquisition has come to stay.

It is well known that it
contributes quite a chunk of
global electricity. Although
Nigeria does have other
sources of energy, but this is
about a balanced and
diversified energy basket.
Nuclear happens to be the
one we considered.
The preference is because
it is environmentally friendly
and leads to a better
conservation of other
resources.
Recall that Nigeria was first
in Africa to establish a
research reactor when in 2004
she enabled a Chinese-origin
research reactor at Ahmadu
Bello University. The country
was also reportedly seeking
collaboration with the
International Atomic Energy
Agency to develop plans for
up to 4,000 MWe of nuclear
capacity by 2027.
The
plans
include
beginning construction in
2011 and starting nuclear
power production in 20172020. Although the plans have
not been cancelled, the
programmes are yet to take
off.
However, in April 2015,
Nigeria began talks with
Russias state-owned Rosatom
to collaborate on the design,
construction and operation of
four nuclear power plants by
2035, the first of which will be
in operation by 2025.
ZAMBIA:
KENYA
Kenya is also another African
country that has considered
the use of nuclear energy. It
plans to build its first nuclear
reactor by 2024. According to
Joseph Muthari, a Kenyan
member of parliament, the
country already has an
established Nuclear Energy
Body.
Yes we want to establish a
working relationship with the
team here in Moscow because
in Kenya we have a target of
at least 2017 to have started
producing Nuclear energy.
Kenya is a growing nation and
we want to be a country that
is able to satisfy the energy
needs. And it is important that
we diversify our energy
source. We are already
involved in the training of our
personnel so we have
students here in Moscow and
also students being trained in
Korea. African countries are
also coming up with the
demand for electricity and as
the demand keeps growing its
imperative that one finds
himself in it.
GHANA
Although Ghana had signed
an MOU with the state atomic
energy corporation of Russia
(ROSATOM) last year,
Benjamin Nyarko of Ghana
Atomic Energy Commission,
told Hi-Tech that Africa has
a problem with energy and
the best way for Africa to be
able to resolve that issue is to
go for nuclear power. Waste
management in the nuclear
power programme has been
the main issue that we have
had to address so when we
are dealing with waste
structures we should be able
to deal with the waste and
when your signing an
agreement you should open
your eyes well. Financing is
also a big problem for Africa.
CPN accreditation: Universities'

response very slow Prof Asor
Says less than 3% of over 150 universities have responded
By Emeka Aginam
he President and
Chairman of Council, the
Computer Professionals
Registration Council of Nigeria
(CPN) Prof. Vincent Asor, has
disclosed that Nigerian
universities' response over the
accreditation of its Information
Technology courses by the Council
has been very slow.
The CPN boss stated this
recently in Lagos while unfolding
details of the 2016 Information
Technology
Professionals
Assembly scheduled for next
week in Kaduna, Kaduna State.
He said that CPN had
contacted all the Universities
including Federal, State and
private on the need for the
accreditation of their Information
Technology courses, but the
universities appear reticent.
There are no fewer than 140
universities in this country. It is
the responsibility of CPN to
determine what standards of
knowledge and skills required for

would-be graduates desiring to
practice Information Technology
in Nigeria.
As the regulatory body for IT
education in Nigeria and without
loss of generality to the existence
of the National Universities
Commission, CPN is responsible
for the accreditation for courses
that will churn out professionals
in IT practice. Today, how many
universities
have
CPN
accreditation?
The CPN act is clear about it.
We have written to the
universities but the response is
slow. Very slow. In fact, some
universities wrote back
challenging our authority to so act.
They don't understand where the
line is drawn between NUC and
CPN. We have explained and
most of them are still adamant.
Less than 3% of over 150
Universities have responded.
The NUC is not to determine
the standards of knowledge and
skills to practice the IT profession.
CPN does. This is a quackery

challenge in the Ivory Tower,
Asor noted.
He said going forward, the
CPN will fish them out. It is illegal
to so act. We are working with
other agencies of government
like Corporate Affairs
Commission, Bureau of
Public Enterprise, BPE,
among others to block
these loopholes, especially
on the revenue loss aspects
through non accreditation and
quackery in IT practice.
Now the regulatory and
enforcement Unit of CPN will
come out for action and I want to
warn because we are going out
and we know where they are and
how to fish them out. We shall
collaborate with law enforcement
agencies to ensure people do the
right thing, he added.
Throwing more light on
enforcement, in his remarks earlier,
the Acting Registrar and Secretary
to the Council of CPN, Mr. Idowu
Olusile added that sensitization is
Prof. Vincent Asor,

CPN President
now completed. This is action time

to claim our mandate and also
support government to realize the
reasons for our establishment. We
shall begin enforcement
immediately. It is not going to be
business as usual again.
CPN over time has tried to
persuade people to register but we
believe now that we have done
enough sensitization and
awareness and now is time for

enforcement, he added.
CPN was established via Act No.
49 of 1993 under the supervision
of the Federal Ministry of
Education. The Council is
primarily charged with
responsibility for building-up local
Information Technology (IT)
capacity as well as the regulation
of IT practice in Nigeria.
Our investment in Science & Tech research'll address health challenges Onu
By Emmanuel Elebeke
inister of Science and

Technology,
Dr.
Ogbonnaya Onu has assured that
Federal Government is
addressing Nigerias health
challenges through massive
investment and building of strong
alliance for
research
development.
The Minister disclosed this in
Abuja when the management of
the National Action for Control of
Aids (NACA), led by its Director
General, Prof. John Idoko paid
him a courtesy call in his office.
He stated that the ministry is
particularly interested in research
because of the importance it
attached to health of the nation,
adding that efforts were ongoing
to establish strong linkages
between all the research
institutions and universities
across the country for knowledge
sharing and better service
delivery. We are very interested
in research because we know that
the health of the nation is critical
to our development. If we are not
healthy, it will be very difficult for
us to work as a people.
"We are very happy that NACA
is working with universities
because by working with
universities, you will be able to
share the knowledge which you
generate through those
universities.
Here at the ministry, we
discovered that one of the
weaknesses that we have had as
a nation in utilizing science and

technology for nation building has
been in the weakest linkage
between research institutes and
universities. We have been
working very hard to strengthen
that linkage.
"We are working with a number
of universities and have signed
MoU with UNIABUJA to use

facilities in the research institutes
and we have plans to extend it to
other universities, he said.
Onu, who expressed his resovle
to ensure improvement in all
spheres of research and
development in the country said
that his ministry is equally
working with some of its agencies

to commercialise all research
findings.
The idea according to him is to
ensure that the research findings
do not end up in the laboratories
but are moved into the market
place, where they will be
converted into products and
services.
He also promised to collaborate
with relevant agencies of
government to protect all the
intellectual property of all
patents in the country in order
to secure the economy and
boost the moral of Nigerian
inventors.
Tecno Mobile unveils Droipad phablet device to Nigerian market
he Tablet Business unit of

technology giant, Tecno last
week in Lagos released Pad
Phone device, the Droipad 7 II
phablet device.
The device also fuses the
computing ability of high-end
tablets with top-of-the-line user
experience of the Android
lollipop OS on smart phones just
like the earlier released Droipad
7C Pro.
Speaking to newsmen and ecommerce partners at a media
conference at the weekend, the
Marketing Lead, Tecno tablet
Business Unit, Mr. Gbenga
Oguntade, told the audience that
the launch of this Hybrid Droipad
7 II was due to the success that
came with the Droipad 7C pro
and the high demand by end
users. We at Tecno Tablet

Division are proud to say that,
this is another great PAD
+Phone device; the next
generation Android Phablet
designed for productivity and
style. For those of you who may
have experienced the Droipad
7C Pro and who by now have an
understanding of the fusion of
PAD productivity and Smart
phone
elegance will
comprehend what am talking
about.
Stressing the key offerings of
latest Tecno Droipad 7 II, Tecno
Pad Channel manager, Peter Shi,
said the new phablet device also
comes with a massive 4100 mAh
battery, that can support the
standby for nearly a month on a
single charge.
ASUS unveils VivoBook Flip Laptop with Windows 10 software

By Emeka Aginam
echnology
giant,
ASUS
has announced the availability of
VivoBook Flip TP200, an exciting new thin
and light addition to the innovative
VivoBook Book Series family that comes
with Windows 10 laptops.
The product features the revolutionary
reversible USB Type-C port for easy
connection of peripherals, along with all
the latest technology including the newest
Dual-core Intel Celeron N3050 processor
and pre-installed Windows 10.
Speaking on the new product, Simplice
Zaongo, Country Product Manager,
Notebook, Nigeria and Kenya, said that
the product has a footprint smaller than a

sheet of A4 paper, and is thinner, lighter
and more compact than ever before.
He said: VivoBook Flip TP200 is just
18.45mm thin and weighs a mere 1.2kg.
With up to 8 hours battery life, its perfect
for all-day on-the-go work or play.
The innovative 360-degree hinge, with
its robust multi-gear alloy steel construction
allows Flip TP200s high-quality IPS screen
with its wide viewing angles to be flipped
instantly to any angle for the ultimate
versatility.'''
He added: "ASUS TruVivid display
technology ensures crisp, clear colours even
in bright environments.'.
The smart product
features the
revolutionary new and reversible USB

Type-C port that makes connecting devices
so much easier, with no more time wasted
working out which way up to connect the
cable.
The more compact design of this port
design also helps keep Flip TP200 ultraslim, and ensures much better usability.
For maximum user convenience and
compatibility, the product has standard
USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports, along with a
micro HDMI port for connecting an
external display.One thing is clear. The
product is the thinnest, lightest and most
compact Transformer Book flip ever,
featuring a footprint smaller than a sheet
of A4 paper.
LEISURE
YOUR LUCK TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139
CANCER: Romantic Venus makes an ingress into

your star sign and makes young-at-heart Cancerians
to crave for loving attention. Then all Cancerians
will need to guard against deception.
LEO: Those of you who are moderately ambitious
are in for a good day. As Neptune and the Moon
are at loggerheads, its important you dont take
partners for granted.
VIRGO: Even if there is minor misunderstanding
within your working arena, the whole thing will
work favourably for you. You just have to be your
practical self. Watch what you eat, drink and the
state of your health.
LIBRA: Some of you will start to see the result of
your recent romantic escapade. Try your best to
consolidate on success you have recorded yesterday.
This is the wrong time to gamble at all.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
By Richard Eromosele
Rsted
ECENTLY, a
journalist acco
me and
wanted to know
from me what my
expectation is concerning the new
government. My
answer simply is:
Limiting Your
Expectation
I expect nothing
special. Before you
crucify me, let me
ask you. Havent
we been having
new governments
TERROR MUDA
in Nigeria? Government come and

go but our problems dont just remain, they get bigger and bigger.
in Never say goodbye
Over the years, I

have learned not
to expect much
from government
as well as individuals. My policy is:
blessed is he that
expects nothing
for he shall not be
disappointed.
By Kola Fayemi
SCORPIO: Much will depend on how willing you

are to co-operate with others, especially those within
your base of operation. Scorpio born lovers may be
in for a romantic day. Try to be more family-minded.
SAGIT TARIUS: Dont believe that ever y
information supplied to you is correct as there is the
possibility of deception. Make sure you are as
practical as possible at work.
CAPRICORN: As the saying goes, money is the
root of all evils, you will need to watch carefully
your financial transactions today so that costly
misunderstandingll be averted.
AQUARIUS: Not everybody within your base of
operation is honest with you today. Yet, success is
your portion today. Those of you who are more
financially ambitious will have a rewarding day. Be
loving.
PIECES: Your good days are closer to you more
than you imagine now but you will need to be a
little bit careful today who you repose confidence
in. Lovers will smile.
KAPTAIN AFRIKA
in
Pretty Lunatic
By Andy Akman
ARIES: Not all friends can be trusted with money

today when temptation to deceive you is very strong.
The more secretive you are, the better for you.
TAURUS: The Moon in your star sign and
Neptune in Aquarius are at loggerheads, therefore,
youve got to watch your step so that you dont work
against your own interest.
GEMINI: Those of you who are ambitious and hard
working will have more to show for their efforts.
However, if you fail to respect the law and its
agents, youll be disappointed today. Be loving.
ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING
Send yyour
our dat
th ttoo the As
tr
ological
datee and place of bir
birth
Astr
trological
Counselling, PP.M.B
.M.B 1100
00
7, Apapa, Lagos
007,
I dreamt of new job

Dear Joshua,
UNSUCCESSFULLY, I have tried to go to
university or any other higher institution to further
my education and finally I gave up and settled for
petrol attendant job that came my way about three
years ago. Although I am doing fine according to
the standard of my job, I am always afraid of what
the future has for me; being a young man from a
poor family. Would I make it? How do I go about life
talking about my career/business?
Recently, I dreamt that a man came to me and
invited me to his office where I was given a new
job. While on the job, one day, two elephants
emerged from nowhere and I was told by my boss
that I should take the elephants to the second floor
of our house by the elevator.
To my surprise, the elephants were so friendly and
followed me upstairs without harming me. What does
the dream mean please?
Atilade, Ogun
Dear Atilade,
TWO symbols featured prominently in your dream
namely: (1) elephant (2) elevator. The first symbol
means that no matter your situation presently, you
will rise and fall not in the near future while elevator
means great success.
To go about life careerwise, it is not too late for you
to further your education. If you decide to go to
school, you will do well as a computer engineer or
perto-chemical engineer. If business is your choice,
commercial involvement with computer, petrol/oil,
gas and plastic will bring you success. What you
must guard against is alchololic and other
intoxicative agents as such can lead you to marry
the wrong woman who may cause you a lot of
avoidable pains in future. May God be with us.
Amen.
VIRGINIA
HOME & ABROAD
dadadekola@yahoo.com
By Lawrence Akapa
ONE YEAR IN OFFICE: DTHA members, prominent
Deltans score Okowa high

A
By Festus Ahon
SABAA cross section of

Deltans, including members
of the Delta State House of
Assembly, has scored Senator
Ifeanyi Okowa high, saying the
Governor in the last one year, has
brought renewed hope to the
people of the state.
Calling on Deltans to be patient
with the administration in its efforts
to develop the state, those spoken
to, expressed hope that Governor
Ifeanyi Okowa would deliver on
his mandate.
Those were spoke to the
Vanguard included Hon. Denis
Omovie, Warri South II, Hon.
Sheriff Oborevwori, Okpe, Hon.
Alphonsus Ojo, Ukwani and Hon.
Johnson Erijo, Isoko South II.
Others are HRM Emmanuel
Sideso, Abe I, the Ovie of Uvwie
kingdom, Olorogun John
Oguma, Chief Efe Uko and Mr
Basil Ishiekwene.
They spoke separately at the
Event Centre, Asaba, venue of the
inter-denominational
thanksgiving service/praise
worship put together by the state
government to celebrate the one
year anniversary of Governor
Ifeanyi Okowa in office.
Denis Omovie , Chairman
House
Committee
on
DESOPADEC and Alphonsus
Ojo,
Chairman,
House
Committee on Transport paid
glowing tributes to Governor
Okowa for his doggedness to lift

standards in the state.
Omovie and Ojo emphasized
that for the Governor to be up to
date with payments of salaries
and executing projects with the
lean
resources
was
commendable.
On their parts, Oborevwori,
Chairman House Committee on
Capital City Development and
Erijo, Chairman House
Committee on Establishment,
said Dr Okowa as governor of
Call for more support
the state guaranteed hope and

better future for the state,
maintaining that what was
needed was the support of the
people.
Oboriowori and Erijo
commended the quality of
projects and programmes
inaugurated by the governor in
just one year in office, saying by the
time he would be two years in office,
much solid progress would have been
made in the state.
The Ovie of Uvwie kingdom, HRM
Emmanuel Sideso, Abe I, Olorogun

JohnOguma,MrBasilIshiekweneand
Chief Efe Uko, congratulated Okowa
onhisoneyearanniversaryasgovernor
of the state.
They acknowledged the enormous
challengesinthegovernanceofamultiethnicstatelikeDeltaandcommended
thegovernorforhisdetribalizednature
and steps taken so far to guarantee
development,peaceandstabilityinthe
state.
They appealed to Deltans to sustain
their support for the state government.
BURIAL: Isienmwenro royal guards (asakanosoghioba), during royal funeral rites for
late Oba Erediauwa, at Ihogbe. (INSET) Edaiken of Uselu performing the royal funeral
rites at Ihogbe.
Militants' activities affecting Bayelsa monthly

allocation DEPUTY GOV
deductions for the month of
By Emem Idio
ENAGOADEPUTY
governor of Bayelsa State,
Rear Admiral Gboribiogha JohnJonah, retd, yesterday decried the
activities of militants in the creeks,
lamenting that the blowing up of
oil installations in the state had
adversely affected the revenues
accruing to the state from the
Federation Account.
Jonah, who disclosed this
during the monthly media
transparency briefing in Yenagoa,
appealed to youths in the state and
Niger Delta to desist from the
destructive acts, as its effect was
devastating to the ecology and
finances of the states in the region,
stressing that the blowing of the
Nembe Creek 1, 2, 3 and TransNiger located in the state had
affected the production quota of
the state.
He said: A lot of destruction has
happened, therefore we are not
expecting any improvement due
to the current situation in the
Niger Delta. The future is not that
bright even if indicators point
towards that direction. Already,
the Trans-Niger trunk line and
Nembe Creek 1,2 and 3, trunk line
located in Bayelsa State which link
the Bonny Terminal have been
affected. We are appealing to our
brothers and sisters that in

addition to the ecology, the
damage is quite devastating to
us as a state.
The deputy governor flanked
by the Secretary to the State
Government, SSG, Serena
Dokubo-Spiff, state Head of

Service, Dr. Peter Singabele,
Chief Economic Adviser, Mr.
Duate Iyabi and members of the
State Executive Council,
declared a balance of N1 billion,
384 million, after all statutory
March.
He, however, said in spite of
the huge shortfall, the state
government would honour its
commitment of payment of fiftyper cent salaries to civil servants
in the state.
INVASION: Delta communities slam Army chief
By Etop Ekanem
B A R A M AT U
COALITION
of
Gbaramatu communities in
Warri South-West Local
Government Area of Delta State,
has lambasted the Chief of Army
Staff, Major-General Tukur
Buratai, over the brutality and
trauma innocent residents
suffered during the invasion of
the community by soldiers on
Saturday.
The group stated that the
military operation in Oporoza
was against applicable rules of
engagement, ROE, which ought
to be carried out in compliance
with international laws without
resorting
to
alleged
dehumanization, molestation,
assault and brutalization of
community people.
The coalitions Chairman, who
doubles as Chairman of
Inikorogha
community,
Christopher Ejoh, in a statement

alleged that soldiers laid siege
to Oporoza for hours shooting
sporadically as if the community
was at war with the Nigeria army.
He said the alleged invasion
and continued military presence
in the sleepy community had
created serious fear and panic
among the residents, saying, if

the soldiers were not called to
order within days, the
government would be
contending with humanitarian
crisis as residents no longer had
access to medical care and food
items because of the siege to the
community.
N-Delta
Avengers
mocks
Tompolo,
threatens
bloody attacks
By Emma Amaize &
Perez Brisibe
ARRINIGER Delta
Avengers, NDA, has
derided former militant leader,
Government Ekpemupolo,
alias Tompolo, over perceived
sufferings and untold
hardship soldiers have
subjected
people
of
Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta
State, particularly women and
children to in the past four
days.
The militant group, in a
statement,
by
its
spokesperson, Col. Mudoch
Agbinibo, said it warned
Tompolo when he took sides
with the Nigerian government
against it, but he refused to
listen.
Describing the Army as
cowardly for taking the battle
to helpless civilians, the
group said it was going to
carry out more attacks, go
personal against business
mogul and pipeline contractor,
Captain Okunbor Idahosa
and army officer, Major B.
Yahaya, who is leading the
assault against unarmed
Gbaramatu people.
NDA scorned: Our dear
brother, Tompolo, how is your
friendship with the Nigerian
Government. The people you
took side with against us (the
Niger Delta Avengers). We
offered you the olive branch
by beckoning you to join us
in this struggle, but you
refused.
It is not our business what
goes on in Gbaramatu
Kingdom but our concern is
the innocent children, women
and aged people, whom the
Nigerian military has chased
away from their homes now
taking refuge in the forest. We
warned you beforehand that
the Nigerian Government,
can never be trusted. To the
Nigeria military, why are you
looking for soft targets? If you
are looking for the Avengers,
you know how to find us.
Dont deceive your President.
Ogbe-Ijaw governing council raises alarm over

planned invasion of community
By Perez Brisibe
ARRITHE Ogbe-Ijoh
Warri Governing Council
has raised alarm over
insinuations that soldiers are
planning to invade the
community in search of
suspected militants.
The council in a statement by
its president, Alaowei Alex
Akemetubo, and secretary, Aaron
Ebiye, while describing the
rumour as a calculated ploy to

tarnish the image of the
community, stated that the
Ogbe-Ijoh was not harbouring
militants under any guise.
The statement reads in part:
We are scared that this
rumoured invasion by the
military is a ploy by our
neighbouring community who
we are having a land dispute
with, to invade us just like they
did some years back. The JTF
officials stationed at Ogbe-Ijoh can

attest to the peaceful atmosphere
of the community as anytime this
rumour filters into the community,
residents fly in droves over fears
of being molested.
Exonerating the community from
the activities of militants in the
region, the council said: OgbeIjoh is not a base for militants hence
there is no need for any attempt
for the military to invade the
community.
Buhari
performed
beyond
expectations
Anyim
Why Onu is representing Nigeria at OIC Assembly

By Emmanuel Elebeke
BUJATHE Minister of
Science and Technology,
Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu is
representing Nigeria at the
General Assembly of the Fifteenth
Session of the Committee on
Science and Technology,
COSTECH, of the Organization
of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
holding in Islamabad, Pakistan.
By Ugochukwu
Alaribe
B
A
GOVERNORSHIP
candidate of the All
Progressives Congress,
APC, in the 2015 election
in Abia State, Chief
Nyerere Anyim has
described
President
Muhammadu Buharis one
year in office as one with
remarkable achievement.
Anyim, in an interview
with Vanguard in Aba, said
despite criticisms on the
presidents pattern of
leadership, he deserves
commendation for his
determination to make a
difference in the way the
country was governed by
past administrations.
According to Anyim, The
President must be
commended for his
doggedness and robust
resilience in tackling the
perennial problem of
insecurity and corruption
which stagnated the
development of this nation.
"The mess he (Buhari) is
cleaning, the sacrifice he is
making because of our
better tomorrow, should be
appreciated. The people of
Nigeria should be patient.
Weeping may endure for a
night, but joy comes in the
morning; our time for
weeping is over. We will
soon experience joy in
abundance. "
The APC chieftain
appealed to the Niger Delta
Avengers to tow the path
of peace in their grievances
and stop blowing up
pipelines and destruction of
oil companies facilities.
The attendance of the minister

is a response to request from the
President of the Islamic Republic
of Pakistan and current Chairman
of COSTECH, Mr. Mannoon
Hussein to President Buhari to
delegate the Minister to attend
the General Assembly of the
Committee scheduled to hold
from Tuesday, May 31Wednesday, June 1, 2016 in
Islamabad.
COSTECH, which is in its

fifteenth year of existence, assists
Nigeria and other OIC member
states to build indigenous
capacities in science and
technology through cooperation
and mutual assistance.
According to the ministry, the
attendance and participation of
Nigeria at the conference is
expected to further strengthen
and enhance the capacity of the
country to develop science and

technology which is key to the
success of the change agenda of
the Federal Government.
It also described the meeting as
a further demonstration of the
Buhari
administrations
determination to explore all
available avenues that will assist
in the uplifting of the living
standard of Nigerians.
Ugwuanyi tasks pharmacists on fight against fake, substandard

drugs
By Francis Igata
NUGUGOVERNOR
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of
Enugu State has urged
Pharmacists in the country to
intensify their efforts towards
identifying and eliminating fake
and substandard drugs to
enhance quality healthcare.
Governor Ugwuanyi also
advocated that sanctions be
meted out to professionals who

involve themselves in the
manufacture, importation or sales
of such drugs.
Speaking at the opening
ceremony of the 35th Annual
National Conference of the
Association of Community
Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN)
held at Nike Lake Resort,
Enugu, the governor noted that
the community Pharmacists as
the most accessible healthcare

professionals in the healthcare
delivery system, require greater
professional knowledge and skills
towards the actualization of the set
objectives in the health sector.
Emphasizing the importance of
the conference towards turning
the state into the choice destination
for medical tourism in the country,
Gov. Ugwuanyi reiterated his
commitment to continue to partner
with the association and other

professionals to enhance
qualitative health care delivery.
The governor disclosed that his
administration has ensured
proper equipment and staffing of
existing health institutions in the
State and was on the verge of
completing an ultra-modern
medical diagnostic centre in
Enugu with capacity to serve the
needs of the country and beyond.
...scored high by Nkanu council boss

By Rufus Ike
HE CHAIRMAN of Nkanu
East Local Government
Council in Enugu State,
Ikechukwu Ubagu, has lauded
what he described as the
commendable efforts of Governor
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in touching

the lives of the people of the
state.
Fielding questions from
reporters during the event to
mark the first anniversary of the
current administration in Enugu
State and the 17th Democracy
Day, Ubagu said the Governor

had shown that a government
deeply committed to the people
could still touch their lives
substantially even in the face of
dwindling resources.
The Council Chairman said
whereas resources currently
PAC commends Buhari on security

By Tare Youdeowei
OLICE ASSISTANCE
Committee, PAC, a major
support group for security
agencies in the country has
commended the Buhari- led
administration for its outstanding
achievement in the area of
security as it celebrates its first
year in office.
In its appraisal of the security
situation in the country under this
administration, the PAC at a
meeting of its executive members
held in Lagos noted that the
Buhari-led government had kept
one of its campaign promises

which was to provide adequate
security for the country, while
also urging the government not
to rest on its oars by ensuring
that other arising security issues
are given prompt and adequate
attention.
In a statement, its DirectorGeneral, Dr Martins John Oni
pledged that the organization
will intensify effort in organizing
its nation-wide seminars and
workshops to keep mobilizing,
training and enlightening its
grassroot members comprising
tradesmen/women and artisans
on intelligence and information
available to the State were far

lower than what it was in the past
years, the Governor had recorded
commendable impacts in rural
transformation and urban
renewal.
He commended Governor
Ugwuanyi for choosing Nkanu
East among the three local
governments in special need of
developmental interventions. The
other two are Uzo Uwani and
Awgu.
Hon. Ubagwu particularly
commended the Governor for the
ongoing multi-million naira
Inyaba Bridge Project to link up
the Northern and Southern parts
of Nkanu East and create more
access between Enugu State and
Ebonyi State.
He extolled the Governor for
clearing the salary arrears of
workers he inherited and
ensuring the prompt payment of
workers salaries despite the fall
in monthly allocations to the
state.
gathering that could assist our

security agencies on crime
control.
While soliciting the continuous
support of the President for the
organization, Dr. Oni explained
that the PAC exco- members
comprising chairmen, secretaries
and PROs as well as chief security
officers (CSOs) of public and
private establishments with their
closeness to the general public
at the grassroot are better
positioned to keep offering useful
information to security agencies,
unlike the highly-influential
elites who would be afraid to
volunteer information.
to security officials.
By Bartholomew Madukwe
PEOPLE SPEAK
(08102479985)
nwamad@yahoo.com
On 365 da
ys of Buhari as Nigerias President
days
expected the president

to roll out the names of
those who had looted the
economy of this great nation with impunity, but he
had shifted this all expected job to the Ministry of
Information. I pray the ministry wont remove names
of the untouchables. -Miss
Nwosu Jane, Worker
s one of the leading

lights of democracy,
I encourage President
Buhari to do more. He
should establish Government Control Price, GCP,
which regulates prices of
both domestic and foreign products for the
country. -Miss Blessing
Eka, Self Employed
ntil Buhari probes all

these former and
present governors who
looted our economy and not
focusing only on GEJs six
years rule, nothing changes in the fight against corruption. Buhari and APC
are not different from PDP.
-Mr. Janna Imanuel, NYSC
member
ith this herdsmen's

menace, can the
president truthfully tell us
that he knows nothing
about it? This question is
important because the killings by this group since he
came in as president on
May 29, 2015, have become
the worst ever. -Miss Brenda Okereke, Worker
resident Buharis Democracy Day speech

was empty. He failed to
address the unimaginable hardship on the land.
The speech was full of futuristic promises that will
be denied just like campaign promises of APC. Mrs. Anasthesia Ezeka,
Employed
will score this dictatorial regime zero in

all spheres of governance. This is currently
the worst regime in the
whole world now. A total failure, causing
hardship, sufferings
and deep pains to masses. -Mr. Okie Darlington, Businessman
Vanguard, WEDNESDAY JUNE 1 , 2016 35
Kwara still keen

on N20bn bail
bond AHMED
By Demola Akinyemi
LORINKWARA State
Government yesterday
said it had not abandoned
plans to secure a N20 billion
bond for infrastructure
development in the state, but
had only reduced it by half,
saying it would only access the
second part when economy of
the state improved.
The State Governor, Alhaji
Abdulfatah Ahmed, in a
statement by his Senior
Special Assistant on Media
and Communication, Dr.
Muyideen
Akorede,
maintained that the plans to
secure a bond remained on
course as captured in the 2016
budget.
According to him, the state
government had only reduced
the proposed bond from
N20billion to N10billion in
view of the drop in federally
allocated funds to the state by
about 50 per cent.
He explained that based on
current Federation Account
Allocation Committee, FAAC
and Internally Generated
Revenue, IGR levels, the state
government could only afford
repayment on a N10 billion
facility, adding that the
government would access the
second tranche of N10 billion
as soon as its finances
improve.
Governor Ahmed, who
stated that the government
would continue to seek
avenues for cheap funds for its
development programmes,
said all future borrowing
would be based on capacity to
repay without constraining its
ability to meet other
obligations such as salary
payment and funds for
ongoing projects.
He listed projects to be
executed through the N10
billion bond to include an
underpass at Geri Alimi,
Ilorin, Dualisation of Zango to
UITH, Ilorin, Dualisation of
Michael Imoudu to Ganmo,
new campuses for Kwara State
University, KWASU, at Ilesha
Baruba and Osi as well as
remodeling of the Indoor
Sports Hall of Ilorin Stadium,
counterpart funding for
Industrial Textile Park,
amongst others.
4 killed as unrest rocks Niger community
Worship centres, houses razed; 25 shops looted

32 suspects arrested, Army imposes curfew
Joint military, Police, NSCDC team patrolling community
By Kingsley Omonobi &
Wole Mosadomi
INNANO fewer than

four lives were lost and
several others injured following
an outbreak of violence in
Pandogari, Rafi Local Government
Area of Niger State.
The crisis, said to have started

weekend, equally led to burning
of several worship centres and
houses, with about 25 shops
reportedly looted.
While about 32 suspects have
been arrested and a dusk-todawn curfew imposed on the
town, a joint military, Police and
INTERACTIVE MEETING: From left; Director, Eko DISCO, Ernest Oji; Chairman, BEDC,
Victor Osibodu; President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Frank Udemba
Jacobs; Acting Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Vincent Akpotaire;
Chairman, Ibadan DISCO, Mr. Tunde Ayeni and Managing Director, 4Power Consortium,
Mr. Matthew Ederbie after an interactive meeting of DISCO Owners Association in Abuja.
Kogi Assembly crisis worsens as soldiers

escort G5 to sitting
representative for allegedly
By Boluwaji Obahopo
OKOJAThe crisis rocking

the Kogi State House of
Assembly took a new twist
yesterday when soldiers escorted
the minority lawmakers (G5
caucus) to the Assembly complex
for its sitting.
The G5 group, at its sitting last
week Tuesday had adjourned till
yesterday; the same day the G15
who gained entrance to the
complex fixed last Thursday for
its next sitting.
The state commissioner of
police, Yakubu Usman sensing
trouble had called the two factions
together asking them not to come
close to the complex as he would
seal off the premises to avoid
trouble.
But the majority Leader of the
G5 group, Friday Sani had on
Monday took a tour of the
assembly complex alongside
some security men, where he told
newsmen about alleged

desecration of chamber by the
G15 and that his group would
sit the following day (yesterday).
True
to
the
Police
Commissioner's words, the
assembly complex was barricaded
up to the point where the G15
were turned back last week.
But the G5-led caucus led by
Umar Imam returned alongside
some soldiers said to be Army
attachees who engaged the
policemen in a heated argument
and later cleared the way for the
G5 to gain entrance.
The soldiers also prevented
journalists from entering the
premises, besides those who had
gained entrance before their
arrival and those in the convoy of
the G5 Speaker.
The G5 latter sat, moved some
motions, and the factional
Speaker, Umar Imam called on
the constituents of the respective
G15 members to recall their
Taraba speaker confirms confiscation of IDPS' land from council

By John Mkom
ALINGOTHE speaker
of Taraba State House of
Assembly, Peter Abel Diah,
yesterday said the house was
aware that land belonging to
Internally Displaced Persons,
IDPs, from Gasol local
government area had been
confiscated.
Nigeria Security and Civil

Defence Corps, NSCDC, team is
patrolling the community to
ensure no further breach of
peace.
Most residents of the
community have fled their homes
to neighbouring villages for
safety.
He also confirmed that the

house received a petition from Tiv
community leaders whose land
had allegedly been taken away
by the traditional rulers from the
area.
Peter Diah spoke while
addressing journalists on the
activities of the house in the
first year.
According to him, the governor
had already directed that all IDPs

in the state should return to their
various homes, noting that the
governor had set mechanism in
place to settle existing conflicts
among all ethnic tribes in the state
for peaceful coexistent among the
people in the state.
Diah emphasized that the state
government would not give room
for any conflict and crisis.
desecrating the chamber of the

assembly in their last week
Thursday sitting and elect better
hand to represent them..
Responding, the G15 group
alleged assassination attempt
on their lives and accused the
governor of mobilizing
soldiers to protect the G5
members.
Majority leader of the House,
Kolawole Matthew, who spoke
while briefing newsmen, said the
Army from the Megumeri Lokoja
Command led by one Colonel
Usman Fwere, who was
summoned to the government
House, and asked to protect the
G5 members.
He claimed the governor had
in the morning ordered all staff
of the assembly to return home
for safety in order not to be affected
by the attack that might occur.
Kola also claimed some security
men stormed the Assembly
quarters twice in the early hour
of
yesterday
shooting
sporadically in the air and
attempted to assassinate some of
the G15 members.
The G15 press briefing was held
under a tree where they camped
for fear of being attacked at home.
They displayed some remnants
of bullet pellets picked after the
shooting.
They allegedthat the attack was
done by the security men who
drove in vehicles bearing state
government number.
However, the state governor
had denied involvement.
Some worship centres in the

town, some houses and shops
were razed.
Trouble was said to have started
when one Methodus Emmanuel,
a 24-year-old trader was alleged
to have posted material
considered offensive on social
media, which did not go down
well with some youths in the area.
They were said to have traced
the author to his residence on
Sunday and beat him to death.
Three others, including an
NSCDC operative and a woman
were among those who lost their
lives during the disturbance.
The woman was said to have
been hit by a stray bullet in her
room.
Some of the residents still
trapped in the village told
Vanguard that life had become
unbearable as they could not have
access to food, water and other
essential needs.
Chairman of Rafi Local
Government Area, Alhaji Gambo
Tanko, when contacted, refused
to speak in details, but simply
said, we thank God that all is
now calm but we have imposed a
curfew to bring nolmalcy to the
area.
Confirming the incident in a
statement by Major N.C. Agwu,
Assistant Director, Army Public
Relations, military authorities said
the curfew came into effect as
rioters embarked on violence,
looting shops and blocking the
Lagos - Kaduna Road, a major
artery connecting the northern
and southern parts of the country.
Regrettably, one worship
centre, one house and a shop
were burnt while 25 other shops
were looted following the
violence. Three other persons
including personnel of the
NSCDC also lost their lives.
Some arrests have been made
in connection with the violence
and the suspects handed over
to the police. The military and
other security agencies are
currently embarking on
confidence-building patrols in
all nooks and crannies of the
town.
Giving further details on the
violence, Major Ugwu said, At
about 6pm on Sunday, May
29, 2016, one Mr. Methodus
Chimaije Emmanuel, a trader
based in Pandogari, Rafi LGA of
Niger State was attacked and
killed by a mob in the town on
allegation of posting an offensive
material on the social media.
Troops of 31 Artillery Brigade of 1
Division, Nigerian Army on
operation MESA quickly
intervened and restored law and
order while a dusk to dawn curfew
was imposed in the town.
As part of the measures to deescalate tensions and ensure a
lasting peace in the town, the
military is working with the Local
Government Council authorities
and community leaders,
including the Kagara Emirate
Council to pacify all aggrieved
parties and build on the peace
so far established.''
INSPECTION: Ogun State Police Commissioner, Abdulmajid Ali

(middle) and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade (left), Area
Commander, Otta, during an inspection tour of Otta Area Command.
THANKSGIVING: From left Senior Pastor, Daystar Christian

Centre, Pastor Sam Adeyemi; Ogun State First Lady, Mrs. Funsho Amosun;
celebrant, Mrs. Godrey Ogbechie; owner, Rainoil, Mr. Gabriel Ogbechie, and
Chief Executive Officer, Sahara Group, Tonye Cole, during the 50th birthday
thanksgiving service for Mr. Ogbechie at Daystar, Lagos.
SAMSUNG VISITS MTN: From left Head, Operator Business,

Samsung Electronics West Africa, Lolade Shonubi; GM, Consumer Marketing,
MTN Nigeria, Richard Iweanoge; President, Samsung Electronics Mobile
Communications, D. J. Koh; Chief Operating Officer, MTN, Muhammad
Siddiqui, and Vice President, Samsung Electronics, Sunghyuck Yoon, during
Samsung team's visit to MTN Nigeria.
GSK SEMINAR: From left MD, GlaxoSmithKline, GSK, Consumer

Plc, Mr. Thandalam Dayanand; Consultant Periodontology, Dept. of Preventive
Dentistry, LUTH, Professor Kofoworola Savage; Marketing Director, GSK, Ms
Kerry Alexander, and President, Nigerian Dental Association, Dr. Olabode
Ijarogbe, during the Sensodyne Dental Seminar in Lagos. PHOTO: Akeem Salau.
WORKSHOP: From left Mgr., SUN Business Network Zambia, Mr.

Raphael Siwiti; Dir., Sahel Capital Partners, Mrs Ndidi Nwuneli; Chairman,
Dansa Foods, Alhaji Sani Dangote, and Head, Sustainability, Olam Cocoa
Nigeria, Mrs Jennifer Abuah, at a nutrition workshop in Lagos.
NATNUDO FOODS: From left Business Devt Manager, Mr. Bobby

Lamb; Marketing Manager, Miss I. Ophylia, both of NatnudO Foods; Secretary,
Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Mr. Olusola Malomo, and GM, NatnudO Foods,
Mr. Toromade Francis, at its Children's Day enlightenment in Lagos.
F O O D /
DRINK FAIR:
From left Chief

Risk Officer, Nigeria
InterBank Settlement
System, NIBSS, Mr.
Osioke Ojior; former
Executive Marketing
Director,
Nestle
Nigeria Plc, Mrs.
Iquo Ukoh, and CoFounder SEHAI
Foods and Group
CEO, LANI Group,
Mr. Ani Bassey-Eyo,
at at GTBanks
maiden food and
drink fair.
CHARITY: From leftRepresentative of President, Ibadan M'esi Ogo,

a socio-cultural group, Deaconess Olufemi Osunseyi; President, Jesus Kids
Home for Special People (Autism Centre), Pastor Adeola Adepoju, and some
of the children of the home, during the donation of gift items by M'esi Ogo
in celebration of Children's Day. PHOTO: Dare Fasube.
RENEWABLE ENERGY: From left Associate Communications

Director, Carolina Desmeules; Chief Commercial Officer, Olufemi Arosayin;
CEO, Mohamad Darwish, and Head, Marketing and Communication, Adeola
Olasewere, all of IHS Towers, at the presentation of a report commissioned by
IHS on renewable energy in Africa, written by The Economist's intelligence unit
in Lagos. PHOTO: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.
CHILDREN'S PARTY: Mr. Abiodun Adesiga (in blue) with children

during the Abbey Scona's Children's Day party at Adekoya Square,
AnthonyViliage, Lagos. PHOTO: Diran Oshe.
One year in office: Our gains,

challenges Buhari
6 Marketing tips that can enhance

governance in Nigeria
T was the ancient Greek

mathematician Archimedes
that stated unequivocally, Give
me a place to stand, and I will
move the world. Archimedes,
being a great admirer of rhetoric
and sophistry was underlining
the impact charisma and quality
leadership can make in an
organisation or country.
Nigerias current president,
Mohammadu Buhari bulldozed
into power with substantial
charisma but almost a year after,
many Nigerians doubt the
Presidents capacity to provide
good leadership. The difficult
phase Nigeria is passing through
today is on the verge of wiping
out all the huge public goodwill
and acceptance that ushered in
the Buhari-led APC government.
The perception is that
government seems to be doing
very little to effectively resolve
Nigerias increasing challenges.
At independence, Nigeria
started out full of hope and
aspirations. But within the first
decade, the tragedy of failed
leadership that culminated into
a three-year civil war nearly
crippled the country. This
negative trend accelerated
rapidly all through the period of
military rule till other deadly
accompaniments began to crawl
in over the years. Power became
a do-or-die affair, corruption
became a norm in the society, the
economy was crippled, social
amenities deteriorated, tribalism
was repeatedly deployed to heat
up the political system, and most
recently terrorism sprang up from
all corners.
Buhari
responsibility, fairness, respect,
transparency and citizenship.
Transparency
involves
communicating clearly, stating
risks and listening to constructive
criticism. Leadership and change
management expert Mark
Sanborn in his article in
LeadershipNow.com reveals
that, just as it is in marketing, the
highest principle of leadership is
integrity,
When a leaders ethics are
compromised or reasoned away,
according to Sanborn that is the
moment when a leader steps onto
the slippery slope of failure.
Leaders whose integrity has
lapsed lose the power of empathy
and they use popularity or
populist programmes to ease the
guilt of lapsed integrity.
Although Nigerias current
President rode to power on the
back of strong ethical values of
integrity and transparency,
trends in the last eleven months
show a gradual slide into
complacency. Promises made
during campaigns were
adjusted without acceptable
explanations. Only a conscious
and consistent effort at growing
the regimes ethical foundation
Recycled versions of
commonplace ideas
Throughout history, during
difficult times, cases of adopting
a best practice from diverse
fields to solve nagging
challenges were commonplace.
Indeed, borrowing ideas from
other disciplines is one of the
best way to make breakthrough
improvements in any institution.
Running any institution
effectively requires the ability to
look outside for solutions, ideas
and best practices New concepts
are often built from existing ideas.
Indeed many strokes of genius
are nothing more than recycled
versions of commonplace ideas
from outside ones normal circle.
Ingenuity is in taking existing
ideas and repurposing them.
There are countless tips from the
field of marketing that can impact
positively if applied by the current
beleaguered of Brand Nigeria.
With the following adaptable tips
and more, there is no need for
the Nigerian government to
reinvent the wheel.
Build Values Consistently:
According to the American
Marketing Association, there are
six core ethical values to be
practiced by members of the
marketing system. The ethical
values include honesty,
Overconfidence
inspired by past
successes can
infect a successful
marketing team
can bring the desired change.
Research has revealed that
ethical leaders who consistently
exhibit empathy, trustworthiness,
selfless attitude, and focus on
collective mission tend to
maintain optimal leader-follower
relationships. These attributes
suggest that the followers will be
more likely to imbibe the vision
as interpreted by the leader and
achieve the group goals as a
result of intrinsic motivation.
Only a brand of leadership with
high sensitivity, integrity and
passion for excellence can bring
back the lost glory of the Nigerian
nation.
Promote Teamwork: In
marketing, the importance of
teamwork is not something that
is assumed as known and
understood by everyone. It is
taught and reinforced because it
is one thing to create a team, but
quite another to create teamwork.

Apples Master strategist, Late
Steve Jobs drives it succinctly,
Great things in business are
never done by one person;
they re done by a team of
people. Teamwork is the
hallmark of every marketing
postulation. Looking at brands
that grew rapidly only to stumble
badly after biting off one too
many, the challenge of poor
teamwork and overconfidence of
leadership is usually at the
background. Overconfidence
inspired by past successes can
infect a successful marketing
team or even a whole
organization, causing them to
dismiss new innovations,
overlook customer satisfaction,
and make overly risky moves.
This explains why promoting
teamwork is key in every
marketing team.
It is not uncommon for
executives and marketing
managers on the path of selfdestruction to attribute the
success of their organizations to
their own insights and
managerial skills and ignore or
downplay the involvement of
others and other external factors
outside their control. This is
probably why there is no I in
team. In fact, in various
marketing or management
trainings, the thing that many
instructors claim TEAM should
actually stand for is Together
Everyone Achieves More. The
high level of disagreements and
contradictory presentations from
key players in government today
indicates the near total absence
of teamwork in the team
governing Nigeria presently.
The current leadership in Nigeria
can only ignore teamwork to its
peril. The current trend that
emphasises governance based
on the perceived body language
of the President will only create
a dangerous level of
overconfidence.
A Charismatic leader can start
a movement, but only a strong
team can sustain the momentum.
When teamwork is consciously
promoted, the danger of leaders
placing more weight on their
own opinion than on the
advisers, even though following
the advisers recommendations
would have improved their
decisions, will gradually
disintegrate.
(To be concluded next week)
Courtesy: The Advertiser, a
marketing information publication
of the Advertisers Association of
Nigeria (ADVAN).
Continues from yesterdays edition of Vanguard
ENTRAL Bank of
Nigeria will offer more
fiscal incentives for business
that prove capable of
manufacturing products that
are internationally competitive.
We remain committed to
reforming the regulatory
framework, for investors by
improving the ease of doing
business in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the first steps
along the path of selfsufficiency in rice, wheat and
sugar big users of our scarce
foreign exchange have been
taken. The Labour Intensive
Farming Enterprise will boost
the economy and ensure
inclusive growth in long
neglected communities.
Special intervention funds
through the Bank of Agriculture
will provide targeted support.
Concerns remain about rising
cost of foods such as maize, rice,
millet, beans and gari. Farmers
tell me that they are worried
about the cost of fertilizers,
pesticides and the absence of
extension services. The federal
and state governments are on
the same page in tackling these
hurdles in our efforts at
increased food production and
ultimately food security.
Modern
farming
I would like to take this
opportunity to express my
appreciation for the increasing
role that our women are playing
in revitalizing the agricultural
sector. Modern farming is still
hard and heavy work and I
salute our Nigerian women in
sharing this burden. In this
respect I am very pleased to
announce that the government
will shortly be launching the
national
womens
empowerment fund, which I
have approved to provide N1.6
billion in micro-finance loans to
women across the nation to
assist in rehabilitating the
economies
of
rural
communities, particularly those
impacted by the insurgency and
conflict.
With respect to solid
minerals, the minister has
produced a roadmap where we
will work closely with the world
bank and major international
investors to ensure through
best practices and due
diligence that we choose the
right partners. Illegal mining
remains a problem and we
have set up a special security
team to protect our assets.
Special measures will be in
place to protect miners in their
work environment.
For too long, ours has been
a society that neglects the poor
and victimizes the weak. A
society that promotes profit and
growth over development and
freedom. A society that fails to
recognize that, to quote the
distinguished economist
Amartya Sen poverty is not
just lack of money. It is not
having the capability to realize
ones full potential as a human

being.
So, today, I am happy to
formally launch, by far the
most ambitious social
protection programme in our
history. A programme that
both seeks to start the process
of lifting many from poverty,
while at the same time
creating the opportunity for
people to fend for themselves.
In this regard, Five Hundred
Billion Naira has been
appropriated in the 2016
budget for social intervention
programmes in five key areas.
We are committed to
providing job creation
opportunities for five hundred
thousand teachers and one
hundred thousand artisans
across the nation. 5.5 million
children are to be provided
with nutritious meals through
our
school
feeding
programme to improve
learning outcomes, as well as
enrolment and completion
rates. The conditional cash
transfer scheme will provide
financial support for up to one
million
vulnerable
beneficiaries,
and
complement the enterprise
programme which will
target up to one million
market women; four hundred
and sixty thousand artisans;
and two hundred thousand
agricultural
workers,
For too long,

ours has been
a society that
neglects the
poor and
victimizes the
weak
nationwide. Finally, through

the education grant scheme,
we will encourage students
studying sciences, technology,
engineering and maths, and
lay a foundation for human
capital development for the
next generation
I would like to pay a special
tribute to our gallant men and
women of the armed forces
who are in harms way so that
the rest of us can live and go
about our business in safety.
Their work is almost done.
The nation owes them a debt
of gratitude.
Abroad, we want to assure
our neighbours, friends and
development partners that
Nigeria is firmly committed to
democratic principles. We are
ready partners in combating
terrorism, cyber crimes,
control of communicable
diseases and protection of the
environment. Following on
the Paris Agreement, COP 21,
we are fully committed to
halting and reversing
desertification.
38VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016
EMMANUEL'S AKWA IBOM:
Keeping to
vision
FREED from the distractions of
election petitions and other
political intrigues, Governor
Udom Emmanuel seems to be
now fully focused on his agenda
Emmanuel: Akwa Ibom governor

By Chioma Onuegbu
HE commissioning and
inspection of projects across
Akwa Ibom State was the major
activity that characterised the
celebration of the 2016 Democracy
Day by the Governor Udom
Emmanuel led administration.
The commissioned and
inspected projects included those
initiated by the current
administration as well as those
inherited from the immediate past
administration.
Among those commissioned
within the period were 6.6
kilometer urban roads/outfalls in
Oron, 1.1 km Information Drive,
Atan Offot Uyo; internal roads at
Cornelia Cornelly College CCC,
Uyo; Medical Emergency
Operation Centre, Ikot Ekpene;
and the 3.5 km Ikot Udo Road,
Ibiono Ibom LGA.
Ongoing
projects
Also commissioned within the
period were Akwa Prime
Hatchery, Mbiaya Uruan; State
Secretariat Annex, Staff Medical
Clinic and Government
Mechanical & Electrical
Workshop, Uyo as well as Sports
Centre at West Itam Secondary
School, in Itu.
Ongoing projects inspected by
the governor and his team
include the second runway at the
Akwa Ibom International Airport,
Idiba-Nda Nsit-Nung Udoe
Road; Sports Academy Ikot
Mbong, in Onna LGA; 5km Ikot
Usop-Ikot Edeghe-Ikot Ekpuk
Road with 30 m span bridge; 6.6
km road in Attan Offot; 6.4 km
Nto Edino-Ekwerre Azu Road in
Obot Akara; dualization of EketIbeno Road with four bridges;
dualisation of Uyo-Etinan road
and the 1.2 km underground
drainage along Nsikak Eduok
Avenue, Uyo.
Akwa Ibom indigenes and
stakeholders have expressed
optimism that the current
administration led by Emmanuel

is committed towards fulfilling
his electioneering campaign
promises and 5-point agenda as
demonstrated in the milestones
in the last one year.
In the opinion of Barr
Uwemedimo
Nwoko,
Commissioner of Justice and
Attorney General, the greatest
achievement of the Emmanuel
administration is winning 95
percent of the peoples
confidence.
Look around you

and the evidence
of enlarging our
tents abound in
what we have
achieved in one
year
He observed that political
inclusion by the current
administration is one milestone
that has contributed to a large
extent in reducing the negative
agitation that had characterised
the political atmosphere of the
state especially just before and
after the elections.
He said, If it were to be in a
country where you
have reliable public
polls, you would
have found that the
governor s rating
from day one up to
now has risen up to
95 percent and that
is a mark in the light
of
a
new
government. The
first
thing
a
government has to
do is to work in such a way that

you can earn the confidence of
your people and the governor
has earned the confidence of
Akwa Ibom people.
The governor has been able
to bring non-friends of the
government into the fold. And if
you notice the voice of negative
agitations has reduced to the
barest minimum between the
time that we were at the tribunal
and now.
Attitude of
the people
Now when you go into the
streets the attitude of the people
is different towards the governor.
To me that is good for
governance, because it allows for
stability and concentration. That
to me is a milestone achievement
of this government.
Nwoko further explained that
the current administration has
consolidated and improved
existing infrastructure inherited
from the previous administration
in terms of road infrastructure
and expansion of urban character
of the state.
The last government picked
Ikot Ekpene LGA as centre for
development in Ikot Ekpene
senatorial district. This
government has picked Eket in
Eket senatorial district as an
urbanized centre. There is
massive road network and urban
activities going on in Eket
District now. You have the
dualization of Eket-Ibeno road

with about three bridges; you
have construction of roads and
major intervention in erosion
menace within Oron area."
The deputy governor, Mr.
Moses Ekpo recently at a public
event had disclosed that the
current administration has
singularly promoted the
enthronement of mass prosperity
through its industrialization and
poverty reduction policies.
According to Ekpo, Such
policies have found expressed
manifestation through the various
financial
empowerment
(packages) to several vulnerable
groups who have benefited from
micro and medium scale
enterprise loans as well as the
provision of wealth creation tools
to our people.
As a practical step in this
direction, the state government
had offered N200,000, each to
women NGOs in the state while
the Governor also flagged-off
interest free loan facilities to the
first batch of one thousand traders
in the state."
On his part Obong Sunday
Okon Akpanowong, stakeholder
of the Peoples Democratic Party
in Ibeno local Government Area
could not hide his excitements
over the interventions by the
Emmanuel government in his
area in
terms of
location
o
f
industries
and completion of one side of the

dualised Ibeno-Eket Road
abandoned by the last
administration.
According to him the current
efforts of government have not
only endeared the people to the
governor but have given them
reason not to feel aggrieved and
marginalised anymore.
He
said,
Udoms
administration has given my
people hope to look forward to a
brighter future. We have hope in
the industrialization that he has
brought into our communities,
and with all that we now have
reason to embrace peace and
encourage his government to
succeed."
Oliver Cromwell, a security
expert in Uyo, said he has no
doubt that Emmanuel will
perform beyond the expectation
of the people, while arguing that
PDP governors still has the aces
in terms of good governance
following their long years of
experience in the country.
Anniversary
celebration
The anniversary celebration
provided an opportunity for
Governor Emmanuel to reaffirm
and reassure the people that not
even the current economic
realities would deter him from
fulfilling the promises he made
when he declared his intention
to run for the governorship race
in October 2014.
In his anniversary broadcast he
said: Lord take us where we
belong Emmanuel noted that
several efforts have already been
packaged
towards
the
actualisation of his vision and
agenda for the state.
By Gods grace in each of these
five areas we have scored
monumental successes in just
one year. Look around you and
the evidence of enlarging our
tents abound in what we have
achieved in one year. My
prayer today as we mark this
anniversary is that God will
continue to lift us up where we
belong , he said.
Former Governor Gabriel
Suswam, and former military
governors of Akwa Ibom state
were among the dignitaries that
were in the state to mark the
democracy anniversary.
VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 201639
It's too early to table

2019 now GOV TAMBUWAL
Governor Aminu
Waziri Tambuwal of
Sokoto State in a
chat with newsmen
speaks on his
activities in the last
one year. Excerpts:
By Rufus Ike
SSESSMENT of the
Muhammadu
Buhari administration
President Muhammadu
Buhari has remained his
honest self and to me, he
has done well since his
election. During the
campaign period, his Tambuwal: Sokoto State governor
emphases were on three
things security, tackling corruption and want to return to their positions after their
revamping the economy. Before he came tenure in the House of Representatives.
Just ask former Speakers Etteh (Patricia),
on board, the corruption going on was
Dimeji Bankole, Ghali NaAbba and the
mind-boggling.
The economy was in terrible shape and rest. The same cannot be said of
I recalled when some of us in the House Governors.
Continuity of projects
of Representatives raised alarm over what
This administration is a continuation of
was going on, we were called names and
branded enemies of the former regime. the last administration, and we feel it is of
The recent removal of subsidy shows that paramount importance to complete
the President is on top of things as far as ongoing projects. However, due to the
precarious financial situation we find
the economy is concerned.
If not for the trust and confidence the ourselves in the country, it became
people have on President Buhari, the imperative to reassess our priorities. Weve
removal of the subsidy would have led to looked into all the projects and decided
protests and breakdown of law and order. on priority ones to complete. Our pledge
Differences between Speakership and is that there will be no abandoned projects,
and we will start new ones at the
Governorship
Even though the two positions are appropriate time.
Education sector revival
important leadership positions, they are
We declared a state of emergency in the
distinct from each other and demands are
sector
because we felt extreme measures
different. The adjustment has been
were
required
to tackle the problems there.
gradual and the experience worthwhile.
However, as I said, the demands of the In the last one year, we set up a technical
two offices are not similar largely because, committee under the leadership of
in the National Assembly, I was Professor Risqua Arabu Shehu to analyse
representing a constituency from far away all the problems and proffer solution.
Few weeks back, we received an interim
in Abuja. But in the
report and the Committee has continued
executive arm, as
its work. We are determined to turn around
the number one
the fortunes of the sector for the benefit of
citizen of the state, I
our people.
am presiding over
Agriculture
the affairs of the state
You know we have a competitive
from the state capital.
advantage
when it comes to some selected
I am now working
crops
like
rice,
wheat, tomato and onions.
from within the
This is
In the next harvesting season, we hope to
midst of the people
be the number one state in the production
2016, so
at all times. This
of garlic, sesame seed, and ginger.
gives me the
the
Our farmers will testify to the fact that
opportunity to feel
discussion this administration has impacted positively
the pulse of their
the sector in the last one year. We have
demands and work
about 2019 in
purchased
about 20,000 metric tonnes of
together with them to
is
assorted
fertilizers
worth over N1.2 billion
find lasting solutions
for this years cropping season. We did
absolutely
to issues.
same last year. The State Government has
As Speaker of the
unnecessary
also intervened in the provision of water
House
of
pumps, seedlings, drilling tube wells and
at
this
time
Representatives, you
machinery. Similarly, we have procured
are first among
1000 units of Tiller Machines for
equals, and you do
distribution to farmers.
not have a guarantee
Plans for 2019
of tenure. You may
In my view, it is wrong to bring up the
go into the Chamber for sitting and come
issue
of 2019 when we are just a year old
out of it as an ordinary member of the
in
office.
This is 2016, so the discussion
House. The decision to remain on that
about
2019
is absolutely unnecessary at
seat is at the discretion of 359 members
this
time.
My
philosophy is simple: during
who may decide to remove you from office
the
political
season,
discuss politics, during
at any given time without much fuse and
the
time
of
governance;
the topic of
at a very short notice.
discussion
should
be
governance.
The demands of the two offices are
enormous even though not many would
*Chaotic scene at a filling station during the recent fuel scarcity
Fuel price hike: How Nigeria

wasted N10trn on subsidy
By Ediri Ejoh
HE controversy that
preceded the recent
announcement by the Minister of
State for Petroleum Resources, Dr.
Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, who
doubles as the Group Managing
Director of the Nigerian National
Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, of
governments decision to scrap the
PetroleumSupportFund,otherwise
known as fuel subsidy, raises
questions as to the economic value
the people derived from the
acclaimed payment. Although this
came on the heels of prolonged
scarcity of the product which sold
between N120 and N250 per litre,
depending on your location, most
people were opposed to the hike
in the price of the commodity.
Review of subsidy regime: In
mid-2015, the Nigerian Extractive
Transparency Initiative, NEITI,
released its audit report indicating
that the Federal Government spent
about N4.5 trillion between 2006
and 2012, a period of seven years,
as subsidy on petroleum products
importedintothecountry.According
to the then Executive Secretary of
NEITI, Zainab Ahmed, the Audit
Report of 2012 showed that a total of
N1.355 trillion was processed for
payment as subsidy. Out of this
amount, N690 billion was actually
paid, putting a debt burden of N665
billion on the government.
From our reports, the amount of
money that Nigeria has paid so far
on subsidy in the last seven years
stands at N4.5 trillion. The
breakdown shows that N816.554
billion was paid between 2006 and

2008, N3 trillion between 2009 and
2011 and N690 billion in 2012, he
disclosed. The auditing agency,
however, lamented the gross
misappropriation of funds, adding
that such amount is more than
enough to repair the countrys
refineries or build new ones, while
insisting on the removal of oil
subsidy.
In a similar development, Dr.
Kachikwu while speaking on how
much the country had spent in
subsidising fuel in recent time, said
an average of N1 trillion per year is
paid as fuel subsidy in the last five
years despite mounting debts and
infrastructure deficit.
Thefigure: Byimplication,within
a period of nine years, which is
between2006and2015,thecountry
spent close to N10 trillion on fuel
subsidies.
Local and
foreign debt
Unfortunately, Nigerians cannot
boastfully say they have truly
benefited from subsidised
petroleumproducts.Asnotedbythe
Minister of State, the country spent
the huge amount on fuel subsidy in
thefaceofmountinglocalandforeign
debt as well as infrastructural deficit.
But as highlighted by Zainab, the
amount spent on subsidy in seven
years, is good enough to repair the
countrys faulty refineries and build
new ones. She emphasized that it
wastimefortheFederalGovernment
to remove oil subsidy, adding that
thefinancialcommitmenttosubsidy
has
grossly
impacted on the
national purse.
History
of
subsidy removal:
Successive
*Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu
governments in
Nigeria have
always insisted that the country to 15 kobo per litre from 10 kobo per
couldillaffordthehugesubsidypaid litre.In1990thegovernmentfurther
on petroleum products, while increasethepriceto60koboperlitre,
alleging that the money usually go and two years later, precisely 1992,
into private pockets at the end of the anadditional10koboraisedtheprice
day. Therefore, governments to 70 kobo per litre. In 1993 it was
jerked up to N3.25, and further to
N11.00 per litre in 1994.
The commodity enjoyed some
stability until mid-1999 when based
on the claim of subsidy removal, the
Between 2006 and
governmentmovedthepricetoN20
2015, the country
per litre and by 2000 increased it
further to N22.00 per litre.
spent close to N10
trillion on fuel
subsidies;
unfortunately,
Nigerians cannot
boastfully say they
have truly benefited
from subsidised
petroleum products
position is that it would be better if

the subsidy is done away with to
foreclose a few cabal from feeding
fat at the expense of majority of
Nigerians.
Fuel price increase, otherwise
tagged removal of subsidy, in the
country dates back to 1978 when
governmentfirstincreasedtheprice
Some level
ofstability
Barely a year after, in 2001, the
commoditys price went up to N26
per litre where it enjoyed some level
of stability until 2003 before it went
up to N40, with the usualclaim that
the subsidy had been removed.
Before President Olusegun
Obasanjo left office, he jerked up
the price of petrol to, first, N65 per
litre and later to over N100 per litre.
It is on record that when the late
President Umaru Musa YarAdua
assumed office, the Nigeria Labour
Congress, NLC, resisted the
increase and forced him to revert to
the N65 per litre.
In January 2012, the government
of former President Goodluck
Jonathan attempted to remove the

acclaimed subsidy but this was
stoutly resisted andthecommodity
which was billed to sell for N97 per
litre was later pegged at N87 per
litre. Nigerians have now been
asked to buy the product at a peak
price of N145 per litre. Government
said its decision in this regard is
informed by the fact that despite
the decline in the price of crude oil
in the international market,
marketersarefindingitincreasingly
difficultimportingrefinedpetroleum
products due to scarcity of foreign
exchange.
Setting the stage for removal:
Prior to the announcement of the
new pump price of N145 per litre,
the Federal Government had
convened a meeting of various
stakeholders in Aso Rock. The
meeting was said to have been
presided over by Yemi Osibanjo, the
Vice President, and had in
attendance the leadership of the
Senate, House of Representatives,
Governors Forum, and Labour
unions, including the NLC, the
Trade Union Congress, TUC; the
National Union of Petroleum and
Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG
and the Petroleum and Natural Gas
Senior Staff Association of Nigeria,
PENGASSAN.
However, the duo of the NLC and
TUChaverefutedtheclaimthatthey
participated in the meeting.
Nevertheless, it was reported that
the said meeting, among other
things, reviewed the current fuel
scarcityandsupplydifficultiesinthe
country and the exorbitant prices
being paid by Nigerians for the
product which has continued to
enjoy discrepancies in prices across
both major and independent
marketers and hawkers of these
products, popularly called black
marketers.
Massive decline of foreign

exchange earnings
At the meeting, Dr. Kachikwu
noted that the main reason the
problem had persisted in the past
was the inability of importers of
petroleumproductstosourceforeign
exchange at the official rate due to
the massive decline of foreign
exchange earnings of the Federal
Government. As a result, private
marketershavebeenunabletomeet
theirapproximate50percentportion
of total national supply of petrol.
The meeting, according to the
Minister, concluded that in order to
increase and stabilise the supply of
the product, any Nigerian is now
free to import the product, subject to
existing quality specifications and
other guidelines issued by
regulatory agencies.
Consequently, this means that all
oilmarketersnowhavetheprivilege
to import fuel on the basis of forex
procuredfromsecondarysourcesbut
subject to the template of pricing
approved by Petroleum Products
Pricing Agency, PPPRA.
Bittertruth: Analystshaveargued
that since the Ministers statement,
Continues on page 41
O5 Initiative is my God-given mandate to care

for the less-privileged Dame Edith Okowa
Says shes not bothered men and women are
always around her husband
Dame Edith Okowa is the wife of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of
Delta State. Simple, unassuming and caring, she readily
confesses to having a passion for the less privileged, which
explains why she has been into charity works for decades.
In this chat with newsmen in her office, she spoke on her O5
Initiative which first anniversary is today June 1, how
she copes with the challenges of being a Governors
wife and other issues. Excerpts:
By Festus Ahon
OW did 05 Initiative
come about?
You asked me how O5 came
about and you will also wonder
what the five is and what the O
stands for. A man was elected and
sworn in as Governor of Delta
State on May 29, 2015 and that
man has a wife and she is Edith
Okowa. This same man has
responsibilities of which the Lord
chose him to do and being the
wife, I want to believe that no
woman will just sit at home and
be very happy just to be called
First Lady.
So I sat down and called on
God and asked Him: what will
you have me do as the wife of
the Governor? And the Lord led
me to the Gospel of Matthew
25:35-36; and in that scripture,
we discovered that we have six
commands by the Lord: feed the
hungry, give water to the thirsty,
house the homeless, visit the sick,
visit the prisoners, give hope to
the hopeless.
Product
of grace
Six in all, and with my
knowledge of the arithmetic of
Jesus I know that the number six
is the number of sin and I know
that there is something attached
to the number, five. I felt that
water and food should go
together which brings the figure
to about five. That is: clothe the
naked, visit the sick, feed the
hungry, house the homeless and
visit the prisoners. That is how
we came about O5 Initiative.
I have told you Im a product
of grace, starting from when I was
born. We were so many in my
family but God kept me alive. So
we chose this number of grace
because grace has propelled us

thus far. That is how O5 began
and so far the Lord has helped
us because His Grace is sufficient
for us. You will wonder how. This
office is not gazetted, we do not
have any budget, and how are
we going about doing all these?
It is the grace of God. There is no
person I have visited to talk about
this project that sent me away,
they gave me something. Even
those that did not have money to
give, gave me a smile. Some
advised me, some encouraged
me and we have been going
about doing this. We started with
an orphanage that is called the
City of David.
During our campaign, as we
traversed the whole of Delta State,
we had the opportunity to visit
an orphanage and when we got
there, everyone of us that went
there wept because of the number
of children that were sharing a
sitting room and a bedroom. And
I told God, take me to a place
where I will be of help. The first
thing I did when I came on board
was to relocate these children.
Right now they have a place that
is befitting for my own children
because I call them my children.
Then we began on June 1, 2015
by going to the prison in
Ogwashi-Uku. Fortunately, that
was my birthday and to God be
the glory, on that same June 1,
2016 which is on a
Wednesday(today), I will be
numbered double five: that is 55
years. Right there, all the women
that went with me made their
contributions: they gave their
donations and that is how we were
able to sink the first borehole in
Ogwashi-Uku prison.
How long have you been
involved in charity work?
In the last administration I was
Director General to my friend and
How Nigeria wasted

N10trn on subsidy
heavens have not fallen in Nigeria
longknownforitsantipathytowards
any form of fuel subsidy removal.
Such advocates believe that the
refusal of Nigerians to react in the
usual way is an indication that the
citizens are now tired, having
gravitatedfromonecrisistoanother.
More importantly, the masses
have endured untold hardship over
the lingering fuel scarcity and

prevailingpowercrisisinthecountry.
All these may have weakened the
citizenry, making them not
predisposed to giving the
government any spirited fight over
thefuelpriceincrease. But withover
N1trillionexpectedtobesavedfrom
the removal of subsidy, government
is being urged to make sure that
the refineries work.
Dame Edith Okowa

sister, Mrs. Roli Uduaghan.
Since I became an adult, my
second name has been charity. I
have been visiting the prisons
even when my husband was just
a medical doctor in Agbor. I have
been reaching out; it is my
ministry.
We are building a
very massive Sickle
Cell Centre in the
Central Hospital in
Asaba. God willing,
that is what we are
bringing into Asaba
Central Hospital
What plans do you have

in place to sustain this
project beyond you as First
Lady of the State?
The project is not all about Edith
Okowa. Every clinic we have
established is sited in the
premises of a hospital and the
moment we complete it, we hand
it over to the hospital
management. I have not come
here to make a name; God has
given me a name. He is the only
one who announces you; my
report card is with Him and He
is the one ticking good or ticking
bad. So even our destination is
not the minor clinics we are

opening in various hospitals.
We are building a very massive
Sickle Cell Centre in the Central
Hospital in Asaba. God willing,
that is what we are bringing into
Asaba Central Hospital. God has
given us a wing via the Delta
State Government to be able to
establish a sickle cell centre that
will endure.
So much has been said about
what you have achieved through
the 05 Initiative. Can you actually
place a figure on how much has
been spent so far and what to
expect in the years to come?
The Bible says it is not of he
that willeth nor of him that
runneth but it is the Lord that
showeth mercy. It is the mercies
of God that has led us to this
place. As long as we are still
within the covenant of the Lord,
the sky is our starting point.
Homes to
orphanages
Concerning the number, we
have five clinics now: the Agbor
Clinic, the Ughelli Clinic, the
Oleh Clinic and Sapele Clinic.
Then we have also sank
boreholes in Sapele prisons and
in Ogwashi-Uku prisons. We
have given home to orphanages,
the City of David. I cannot
enumerate how many children
we have been clothing and we
also have some children that we
have adopted as our own.
Five of them, the Agboje family:
these children are orphans, no
father and mother. We have taken
them as our own; we pay their
fees, feed them and house them.
We rented an apartment for
them. Then there is a little child
that I took, Abraham, in Mother
of Divine Mercy Orphanage
Home. I just liked him after he
danced so much at our Christmas
party, so he is my son. I take care
of him financially even if he is
still in the orphanage.

Then again we were able to give
food during the Christmas
season to at least 60 women per
local government. We reached
out to 60 women in the 25 local
governments with food, giving
them rice, groundnut oil, money
and other items. I cant
enumerate them, God knows
them.
As we visit the prisons, we also
pay fines for those of them that
had the option of fine. Can you
imagine somebody was behind
bars for two years because he was
unable to pay N15,000? We have
such cases.
So what we do, like Wednesday
June 1, which is the day of
freedom, any person that has a
fine of N100,000 and below, we
will pay them all and set them
free; we go round the prisons in
Delta. Not just setting them free
because I understand that some
of them may not have a place to
go to. So I have begged the
government led by Dr Ifeanyi
Okowa to give me some slots
during the next empowerment
programme for these our brothers
that are going to be released. Let
them learn a trade so that they
can be useful to themselves.
Pressing on
to the mark
There was also one little child
that was born with a bulging eye.
God used us and Mrs. Kachikwu;
we sent this little child to the
University of Ibadan Teaching
Hospital and to God be the Glory,
it is once I was blind, now I can
see.
How has it been like working
with Delta women?
I am a woman and so we have
partnered very well; we have not
had any issue. I am a very open
person, I dont give in to gossip;
so if you dont want the second
person to hear what you want to
tell me, dont even come because
before you go I will call the other
person.
The only thing that could cause
stress in a relationship is hearsay
and I dont give in to it. I started
by telling them that I am not
perfect, anywhere you see I err,
tell me. I have a teachable
character. Saint Paul says, I press
on towards the mark, I am not
there yet; we are in a process of
pressing on to the mark. So in
this press, I am ready to accept
corrections and that is why we
have been working together, we
have not had any issue; I
wouldnt even know because
whatever you say at my back
does not concern me, it is what
you say before me that counts.
How do you presently cope
with your husband now he is
Governor of Delta State? Do you
miss him sometimes?
You see, one thing that makes
a marriage is facing reality. Dont
live in a fools paradise. When I
got married to my husband he
was a young medical doctor. I
have said this before, any time I
had the opportunity to go to the
clinic where he was working, any
person I saw there was a patient.
42 VANGU
ARD, WEDNESD
A Y, JUNE 1, 2016
ANGUARD,
WEDNESDA
Girlfriends always let me down
His fancy woman dumped him, now

he wants us back
Dear Bunmi,
MY husband left me a few years
ago when we were living abroad.
I came home one day to find a
letter telling me hed gone. I later
found out that hed been seeing
someone else for some time. We
had two kids then under 10 years
old. Wed been married for 12
years and had always been great
friends. When he left, I coped with
my dignity intact. I even took
abuse from the other woman but
I made sure the children saw him
regularly. But he cut himself off
from me. If! rang him for help or
advice, hed hang up. My
husband continued to pay the
mortgage but I still had financial
worries. I decided we should sell
the house so that I could come
back to the country with my
children.
I have settled down
wonderfully well and have a
thriving business. My husbands
woman turned out to be had
news and she kicked him out. He
told the children hed been
living alone in a bedsit and he
seems lost and unhappy. He tells
me he loves and misses us all but
I dont think I feel the same way
about him. Sometimes I miss him
terribly and see us back as a
family. At other times, I feel that
my anger and disgust - and even
my new source of independence
would get in the way of us having
a future together. Hes prepared
to come home if I would have him
back. I loved my husband for

friendship and trust we once
shared rather than any sexual
attraction. Now, Ive lost all that
and I dont know what I feel. I
cant turn back the clock, neither
can I move forward. I dont want
to throw our relationship away,
but my husband did a terrible
thing to us and was cruel and
uncaring for a long time. Im
scared of being hurt again.
Dora, by e-mail
Dear Dora,
By the look of things, you seem
a capable, caring woman. When
your husband deserted you and
the kids for this opportunistic
woman, you held your grief and
anger at bay. You focused
instead on protecting the loving
bond between your children and
the father who had abandoned
them. You tried to preserve your
husbands role in caring for his
family, despite the opposition of
his girlfriend. I respect you
tremendously for that. While
your husband was behaving

badly, you held on to your sense
of the things that are important.
I understand the terrible shock
and hurt you felt when your man
abruptly left the family home and
your great pain when he seemed
unwilling to help you. Experts
agree that when we suppress
powerful feelings to remain calm
and in control, we delay their
expression. Until youve vented
your sense of betrayal by a
husband you believe also to be
your loyal friend, you will
continue to dwell in an emotional
haze and feel a sense of disgust
for him. You obviously still have
feelings for your husband and
yearn to feel that hes the friend
and love you once knew. Tell him
this, but also acknowledge that
you need him to recognise your
rage at his absurd, weak and
selfish behaviour. You need to
know hes genuinely sorry for
what he did to his family. You
and your husband have a lot of
crying and making up to do.
Until youve vented your sense of betrayal by

a husband you believe also to be your loyal
friend, you will continue to dwell in an
emotional haze and feel a sense of disgust for
him...You need to know hes genuinely sorry
for what he did to his family. You and your
husband have a lot of crying and making up
to do.
Most of my friends are men

Dear Bunmi,
I m in my mid-20's and have
gone to mixed schools all my life.
I also seem to make more of male
friends than female ones. The
girls at my schools used to be
catty about my relationships
because they were jealous. Now
I work with a very challenging
advertising company, but work
with lots of men and I seldom
get to meet other girls. I have a
few female friends, but were not
all that close. I want to meet girls

of like minds I can touch base
with whenever I feel like. Can
you help? Im not into this penpal thing as I find that a bit
desperate.
Eucharia, by e-mail
.
Dear Eucharia,
You can solve your problem
quite easily as there are lots of
places and activities that attract
more women than men - like
woman-only gyms that are all

over the place these days. There
are other evening classes for
fashion
designing
and
cosmetics. Check these places out
and stick with the ones you feel
at home with. Better still,
encourage your male friends to
introduce you to their female
contacts. When you socialise, be
more open and ready to mingle
with some of the female guests
you like.
His teenage daughter comes between us

Dear Bunmi,
Ive been with my partner for
almost six years and we live
together. I have a son in the
secondary school and my
partners daughter who is 15
stays with us from Monday to
Friday because her secondary
school is close to where we live.
This girl is very clingy and is an
attention-seeker. She follows my
partner all over the place and is
always in the living room with
us. As a result, she scarcely has
time to study. To make things
worse, my partner treats her like
a 10-year-old. He refuses to
discipline her and its him she
goes to for every thing including sanitary towels!

Whenever I tried to intervene, it
leads to arguments. I love my
partner, but his daughter s
unreasonable behaviour now
makes me wonder how long I can
keep up.
Gladys, by e-mail
Dear Gladys,
The question here really is,
what can you do about your
current dilemma? Have you tried
to bond with your partners
daughter? Suggest you have
time alone together. Go shopping
for new outfits (not necessarily
expensive ones), have lunch
together or go to see a film. You

also need to talk about your
problem with your partner - the
trick here is not to make it sound
like a criticism of his parenting
skill. Let him see the importance
of having set periods when his
daughter settles down to serious
studying. Then talk to her too,
in front of her dad. Let her know
how her dad is proud of her
progress and would love her to
be more independent by
learning to study on her own.
The more friendly and
reasonable you are towards both
of them, the happier everyone
would be.
Dear Bunmi,
I have a history of girls cheating
on me. Its happened on three
different occasions with girls I
thought I could trust. I have
been seeing a really nice woman
for a year now. She knows Im
paranoid about trusting women,
but I think I trust her, though I
still feel like I need a proof. I
have picked up her mobile a few
times to look at it. Recently, I was
tempted to check her messages
when she left her e-mail open
on her computer, but something
stopped me. I cant decide
whether its better to know or not
to know if she is doing
something behind my back. Id
never forgive her if this
happened and I doubt Id never
give another woman another
chance. I honestly dont know
how to get back my sense of trust.
Can you help?
Fidelis, by e-mail
Dear Fidelis,
Snooping around is certainly
not the way to do it. Once
someone starts snooping on a
partner, theyve broken the
privacy understanding that
exists between couples. Your
problem is a bit ominons. Youre
already suspicious and will read
all sorts into anything and
everything. For now, you need
to assume your partner is
innocent until you see definite
signs shes up to something. Let
her know youre adopting this
new attitude. Its in your interest
as a normally suspicious person
not to know about harmless
flirtations - not even a one-night
stand that meant nothing! You
need to loosen up and have a
chat with a few of your friends
who might give you a word or
two of wisdom.
Cant get over my wifes betrayal

Dear Bunmi,
My wife and I had been
married for 12 years when she
left me for a man shed been
having an affair with. Im heartbroken and have begged her not
to leave me, but she refused to
be talked out of her decision. Our
only child, who is 11 years old,
lives with me. Do you have any
suggestion of where I should go
from here? I feel a bit suicidal.
Cbike, by e-mail
Dear Chike,
Im so sorry this has happened
to you. It must be devastating
and I hope you have a lot of
friends around you who love you
and are there for you.
Unfortunately, theres no magic
formula that will make your
estranged wife come back, but
there are steps you could take to
make the next few months
bearable. The first is to let your
adulterous wife go. The more you
beg for another chance, the less

likely it is that she will want to
come back. What you need to do
now is regain some power by
planting the thought that by
having the affair and leaving,
she may have lost you for good.
Few affairs last once theyre out
in the open and domesticity
replaces stolen moments. She
may well regret leaving - but the
easier she thinks it will be to
come back, the less appealing it
will be and the longer shell give
it with this new man. In the
meantime, you need to go for
counselling. But while its
helpful to analyse what went
wrong, you need to stay focused
in the present as much as you
can. Read, watch TV and most
importantly - get out of the house.
See friends or go for a walk.
Exercise is great for getting rid
of stress and clearing your head.
Remember to eat properly too then leave everything to time.
He is becoming a pest!
Dear Bunmi,
My boyfriend is smothering
me! He wants to be with me every
second, calls constantly during
the few hours when we arent
together just to say hello and
when hes not calling, hes
texting. I know this is normal in
the beginning of a relationship,
but its now six months. Im trying
to be nice about it all, but I feel
like hes sucking every last drop
of patience I have. I really like
him, but when I ask him to .give
me space, he gets upset. How
do I tackle this? If he doesnt let
up soon, Ill dump him.
Oriola, by e-mail
Dear Oriola,
People like your boyfriend are
what relationship expert,
Barbara De Angelis, calls
emotional vampires, because
theyre desperately needy,
scared of being alone and

feeding off your energy and your
life. The constant attention is
tremendously flattering to start
with but quickly becomes very
irritating. Sadly, no matter how
much time or love you give them,
it will never be enough. You need
to have a brutally honest
discussion with him. Ask him
why he cant seem to give you
breathing space, even though
youve asked for it. What does
he think will happen if hes not
in constant contact? In other
words, find out whats driving
his needs to smother you.
Something in the past has made
him this way and he clearly
needs to get it sorted. But youre
not his therapist. Suggest he
needs counselling to help him
unravel why hes so insecure
and see what he does next.
Share your problems and release

your burden. Write now to
Dear Bunmi,
Vanguard Newspapers,
P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos, or
bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk
VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 201643
I/Coast's ex-first lady goes on trial for

war crimes
VORY Coasts former first politically motivated, as the court in the commercial
lady, Simone Gbagbo, well as from rights groups, capital Abidjan with waves
went on trial on Tuesday, who accuse the prosecution and smiles.
The prosecution alleges
accused of crimes against of
rushing
the
she was part of a small
humanity and war crimes investigation.
for her alleged role in a civil
Her husband, ex- group of party officials from
war that followed a 2010 president Laurent Gbagbo, Gbagbos Ivorian Popular
presidential election and is already before the ICC Front (FPI) that planned
killed around 3,000 people. on charges linked to the violence against Ouattaras
The trial, the West African brief conflict, which was supporters to keep him out
nations first for crimes sparked by his refusal to of power.
Animal rights activists at the front of Cincinnati Zoo in protest against the killing against humanity, is being accept defeat to Alassane
The FPI put in place a
of 17-year-old gorilla, Harambe which was killed by Zoo officials when a four-year- held in a domestic court Ouattara in an election run- crisis cell in January 2011
old boy fell into the gorilla moat.
that met at the presidential
after the government off.
rejected her extradition to
Flanked by policemen, residence and constituted
the International Criminal Simone Gbagbo, a key the organ charged with
Court (ICC) in The Hague. figure in her husbands planning and organizing
It has already drawn regime, greeted several the repression, an
criticism from Gbagbos dozen cheering supporters indictment read in court
supporters, who claim it is gathered at the entrance of stated.
HE United States has could include major present greater targets for
issued a warning to sporting events and tourist terrorists planning attacks OPEC likely to name Nigerias Barkindo as
American citizens visiting sites, as well as restaurants, in public locations,
Europe this summer to be commercial centres and especially at large events, Secretary-General
it said.
on the alert about the transportation.
As crude oil prices set to rise higher
We are alerting US
The large number of
potential threat of attacks.
The State Department tourists visiting Europe in citizens to the risk of
HE Organisation of NNPC from 2009 2010, production policy. Futures
said on Tuesday targets the summer months will potential terrorist attacks
Petroleum
Exporting may be appointed on topped $50 a barrel in New
throughout
Europe,
targeting major events, Countries (OPEC) will Thursday during OPECs York and are set for a fourth
choose
Mr. Ministers meeting in monthly advance. Militant
tourist sites, restaurants, likely
attacks have cut Nigerian
commercial centers and Mohammed Barkindo, a Vienna.
The cartel, which supply to the lowest level
former Group Managing
transportation.
The Euro 2016 football Director (GMD) of the presently has twelve in more than two decades.
A L I F O R N I A website.
National members, has been
Producers are starting to
championship, which runs Nigerian
Next January, I want to from June 10 to July 10, is Petroleum Corporation seeking a replacement for resume operations in
Governor, Jerry
Brown is endorsing be sure that it is Hillary being held in France, which (NNPC), as its next Libyas Abdullah al-Badri, Canada as wildfires that
Democratic front-runner Clinton who takes the oath is under an extended state Secretary-General, three who was elected acting reduced output by more
Hillary Clinton for of office, not Donald of emergency following last sources familiar with the secretary-general
in than one million barrels a
Trump.
president.
said December until the end of day eased.
years deadly attacks in development
Mr Brown said he has Paris. Another major event yesterday. Also yesterday July after serving full terms.
He said voting for Mrs
The attacks in Nigeria
Clinton is the only path been deeply impressed held in the country is indications emerged that Barkindo will have to be are probably the biggest
forward to stop the by Mr Sanders campaign cyclings Tour de France, crude oil is set to cap the approved by all members of reason for strength now,
dangerous candidacy of and message of fighting while millions of people are longest run of monthly the organisation to claim the said Bob Yawger, director of
wealth disparity, but Mrs expected in Krakow, gains in five years as output top job.
Donald Trump."
the futures division at
Meanwhile crude oil is Mizuho Securities USA in
Mrs Clintons lead in the Clinton knows how to push Poland, for the Roman disruptions from Nigeria to
Democratic race is the Democratic agenda Catholic Churchs World Canada curb supply before set to cap the longest run of New York. The Delta
insurmountable, he said, forward.
OPEC meets tomorrow to monthly gains in five years Avengers were back at it this
Day in late July.
as output disruptions from weekend adding to the
and Vermont Senator
discuss production policy
Bernie Sanders has no
According to a Reuters Nigeria to Canada curb problems that have cut
chance to win.
news report, Barkindo, supply before OPEC meets production by nearly one
His endorsement is a
who was GMD of the tomorrow to discuss million barrels.''
setback to Mr Sanders
campaign ahead of the
T least 2,234 Indians Organisation (Naco) in
California primary.
have contracted the response to a petition filed
Hillary Clinton, with her deadly HIV virus while by information activist
for people behind the attacks
He added that he was
long experience, especially receiving
blood Chetan Kothari.
- but that he would not sending officials to
ALAWIS President introduce a death penalty as neighbouring Tanzania to
as Secretary of State, has a transfusions in hospitals in
Mr Khothari told the BBC
Peter Mutharika has it already exists for homicide learn how they had dealt
firm grasp of the issues and the past 17 months alone. that he was shocked by the
told the BBC he feels in Malawi.
will be prepared to lead our
The information was revelation.
with similar attacks.
country on day one, Mr revealed by the countrys
India has around 2.09 ashamed by the attacks on
Brown wrote on his National Aids Control million people living with albinos his country. He said
that as a leader he felt
HIV/Aids.
The highest number of terrible and called for the
Mother of four-year-old boy harassed patients
who had been church to speak out about the
online over death of gorilla
infected with HIV as a result attacks.
Malawi has recorded at
of contaminated blood in
HE mother of a boy who accidents happen.
hospitals, were from the least 65 attacks on people
Ms Gregg later became the northern state of Uttar with albinism, including
fell into a gorilla
enclosure at a US zoo has focus of a furious online Pradesh with 361 cases, Mr murders, in over a year, the
after
zoo Kotharis RTI (Right to UN says.
become the victim of online backlash
Attacks have been driven
the Information) query revealed.
abuse after zookeepers shot officialsdefended
decision to shoot the animal.
the animal dead.
The western states of by the belief - advanced by
Eddie Whrnbrg wrote on Gujarat with 292 cases and some witchdoctors - that
Harambe, a 17-year-old
gorilla, was captured on Facebook: ...the zoos arent Maharashtra with 276 cases albinos body parts have
video dragging the child the problem. Its the idiotic rank second and third properties that confer wealth
Ivory Coasts former first lady Simone Gbagbo (R),
and good luck.
across a moat in the parents.
respectively.
who is accused of crimes against humanity and war
Mr
Mutharika
said
that
enclosure.
crimes for her alleged role in a 2011 civil war, arrives
this belief was surrounded by in a domestic court in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
The boys mother, Queen to appear on Vanity Fair cover
superstition, foolishness
identified on social media as
and ignorance.
HE Queen of England is mark her 90th birthday.
African envoys say Egyptian called
Michelle Gregg, is heard
The people who are sub-Saharan Africa dogs and slaves
to appear on the front
shouting in footage of the
TheDukeofEdinburghalso
incident. She tells her son to page of the latest edition of posed with the Queen, and telling people that it makes
GYPT has become embroiled in a dispute with African
remain calm, after he had VanityFairmagazinewithher their picture will appear in the people rich are not even rich.
diplomats after they accused an Egyptian official of
climbed through a barrier pet dogs.
magazine, out on Friday, as They are wearing rags. How
and fallen into the pen at
The UKs longest-reigning well as the three official can a person like this make referring to dogs and slaves in remarks about sub-Saharan
Cincinnati Zoo.
monarch appears in a images. Sitting on a rug in your rich if he himself cannot Africa at a United Nations conference in Nairobi.
The diplomats sent a formal complaint to Kenyas foreign
A Facebook post, photographtakenbycelebrity the grounds of Windsor make himself rich? he told
ministry after the alleged remark at the U.N. Environmental
purportedly written by photographerAnnieLeibovitz. Castle, the Queen was BBC Focus on Africa TV.
The president said that he Assembly last week, Yvonne Khamati, chairwoman of the
Michelle Gregg, thanked
The image was taken when photographed with her
the right people for being the Queen posed for three corgis, Willow and Holly, had not rejected the idea of African Diplomatic Corps Technical Committee, said on
in the right place and said official pictures at Easter to and dorgis, Candy and increasing prison senten-ces Tuesday.
EUROPE 2016: US issues travel

warning over summer attacks
California governor Jerry

Brown endorses Clinton
INDIA: Hospital transfusions

infect thousands with HIV
Malawis President ashamed of albino attacks
By Evelyn Usman
29-year-old
dismissed Police
Constable who
was arrested
while escorting a tanker
carrying 33,000 litres of
petroleum products suspected to have been siphoned
from illegal refineries in
Lagos, recently, made
startling revelations on how
he had been engaged in
illegal oil bunkering for 12
years with his collegues.
The suspect, Abdulrasaq
Samma, who hails from
Karilamido in Taraba State,
disclosed that he started by
escorting militants in the
creeks, while still in service.
During such operations
which were usually carried
out at night, Samma said he
and other policemen usually
followed militants and
illegal bunkerers to oil wells
located in creeks in the
Niger Delta region where
crude oil is drilled.
Aiding and abetting
It was gathered that while
the bunkerers would be busy
drilling and siphoning
petroleum products, the
suspect who was attached to
the B division of the Delta
State Police Command and
his colleagues, would be
watching out for any
intruder. He revealed that
sometimes, the bunkerers
would siphon as much as
66,000 to 99,000 petroleum
products, at the end of
which, each policeman got
N300,000.
Luck, however, ran against
him in 2006, after he was
caught, alongside four other
policemen and consequently
dismissed by the command.
Rather than turn a new leaf,
the suspect still maintained
his relationship with his
partners in crime. But this
time around, he was no
longer working with them in
the creeks. Rather, he was
escorting the refined products which were usually
stored in tankers, to several
fuel stations within and
outside the country.
In addition, he devised
another means of beating
security checks on the way
by using a letter purportedly
from the Deputy InspectorGeneral of Police, DIG, in charge of Operations, as
owner of the petroleum
product being conveyed.
Arrest
However, last Wednesday,
Crime Alert gathered that
while waiting for his
partners in crime to bring
their truck filled with the
siphoned petroleum
C
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CONFESSIONS OF A
DISMISSED POLICEMAN:
How we aid illegal oil

refiners, bunkerers
Police station, alongside the
man who claimed to be a
policeman.
How the bubble burst
The burble, however, burst
when Samma was unable to
convince policemen at the
station that he was a cop. At
the end, he was discovered
to be a fake policeman after
all. In an encounter with
him, he told Crime Alert : I
am a dismissed policeman. I
was dismissed because I was
involved in illegal bunkering
and refining. We escort
militants to refine crude oil
from Bonny Island. I work
with them both on sea and
on land. They would dig a
well from where they drilled
oil and take to illegal refineries. From there, the crude oil
would be refined into fuel,
diesel and kerosene. I was
paid N300, 00 per trip while
I was still in service. At
times, I made two trips per
day. But, I usually shared
Samma, the dismissed policeman
products along ApapaOshodi expressway, Samma

decided to while away time
with some sticks of
cigarettes. But that was his
greatest undoing, as three
men around the area
complained that smoke from
his cigarette was disturbing
them. This resulted into an
argument which
degenerated into a fight that
compelled a team of OP
MESA men on patrol along
that axis to intervene.
False claim
On sighting the OP MESA
van, eye witnesses said
Samma raised the alarm that
he was being gang-beaten
and at the same time identified himself as a Superintendent of Police, SP. An
eye witness who identified
himself as Johnson Soyede,
alleged that immediately
the OP MESA men heard
that, they descended on
those fighting with the

suspect (Samma). Two of
them managed to escape
but the third person was
arrested and taken to Trinity
These illegal
bunkerers loaded
oil from illegal
refineries in
Okrika, Rivers
state to the North,
South, East and
Western parts of
the country. When
I left the creeks, I
was paid N63, 000
after escorting
their trucks to
supply products to
ready buyers
IGP Solomon Arase
the money among some

policemen who went with
me.
These illegal bunkerers
loaded oil from illegal
refineries in Okrika, Rivers
State to the North, South,
East and Western parts of
the country. When I left the
creeks, I was paid N63,000
after escorting their trucks to
supply products to ready
buyers. Nobody disturbed us
on the road because we
have waybills from different
refineries. I also used the
letter head of the DIG,
Operations, Abuja. What I
do is to write, Please assist,
product belongs to DIG
OPS, Force headquarters,
Abuja. And in the bottom, I
would sign and stamp it. I
printed the letter head
myself. It was to facilitate
movements and to avoid
being asked unnecessary
questions on the road.
Proceeds of the loot
Out of the proceeds, I
bought a land in Asaba,
Delta State, where I have
started building. I also used
part of it to take care of my
wife and four children.
Sometimes, we would travel
to Ghana, Dubai, South
Africa and London for
vacation. On the day I was
arrested, two men poured
alcoholic drinks into my
eyes while we were fighting.
In the process, they
snatched my international
passport, my identification
card and yellow card from
me, he stated.
Why pineapple juice is an effective

home remedy for cough
with BRIDGET OSHO

Holistic Fertility Therapist
babies@cheriemama.org
By Sola Ogundipe
O you know that fresh

pineapple juice clears a
cough just as effectively as
cough syrup. Studies have
showed that while pineapple
juice may not readily cure a
nasty cough, it provides soothing relief.
So why is pineapple juice so
effective for coughs? Fresh
pineapple is the only known
source of an enzyme called bromelain, that has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
properties which allow it to reduce irritation of the throat and
thus relieve even persistent
coughing.
Fresh pineapple is also a
source of important vitamins
and minerals such as thiamin,
riboflavin, vitamin B-6, folate,
pantothenic acid, magnesium,
manganese and potassium and
antioxidants and polyphenols,
such as beta-carotene.
Bromelain has been used in
studies to determine it's effectiveness in alleviating joint
pain, arthritis, reduce inflammation, inhibit tumor growth
and shorten recovery time following plastic surgery.
A natural mixture of pineapple juice, salt, pepper and
honey was used on the coughs
of tuberculosis patients. It was
Natural Fertility
How to know when

you are ovulating for
easier conception
Pineapple and pineapple juice

found that the natural mixture was
quite effective at soothing down
coughs and throat irritations.
Powerful
antioxidant
Following studies, scientists concluded that the reason that pineapple juice is effective for taming a
cough is the bromelain.
Pineapple also contains high
amounts of vitamin C as well as a
wealth of vitamin A and minerals
like magnesium, manganese and
potassium, all of which help boost
the immune system and make it
easier for the body to fight off infections that cause coughs in the first
place.
One cup of fresh pineapple
chunks contain approximately 82
calories, zero fat, zero cholesterol,
2 milligrams of sodium, 22 grams
of total carbohydrate (including 16
grams of sugar and 2.3 grams of fibre) and 1 gram of protein.
Try this recipe for a pineapplebased cough remedy. Combine the
following items in a blender: 1 cup
pineapple juice, 1/4 cup freshsqueezed lemon juice, 1 teaspoon
ginger powder, 1 tablespoon organic, raw honey, little salt and cayenne pepper. The remedy can be
used up to three times a day.
O today, I am going to be answering one

very frequently asked question that people
always ask me. It's when to know you are
ovulating by counting the numbers of days. So
people asked me questions like my period
started on the 10th of this month, when am I
likely to ovulate?
My answer to that is, I don't believe in counting
the days when you ovulate because even if your
cycle is regular, you do not necessarily ovulate
on the same day of your cycle.
If you have a 28 days cycle, you might not
always ovulate on the 14th or 13th, so that's not
the right way to know if you are ovulating. So
many people think they aren't ovulating because
when they count and do the test using the
ovulation predictor test kit and the results are
negative, so they simply assume that they aren't
ovulating.
Are you ovulating?
The best way to know if or when you are
ovulating is to chart your cycle everyday. So by
Every Nigerian is prone to mental

illness Dr. Maymunah Kadiri
By Gabriel Olawale
VERY Nigerian and indeed

all humans are prone to
mental illness because there is no
immunity to mental illness.
Consultant, Neuro-Psychiatrist
and Physiotherapist, Dr.
Maymunah Kadiri who disclosed
this to Health & Living, noted that
despite various success in
science, no vaccine can prevent
mental health related problems.
Kadiri,who is Medical Director,
Pinnacle Medical Services,
Lagos, urged Nigerians to take
their mental health serious,spoke
at the unveiling of Pinnacle
Health Online Radio, Mental
Health App and Mental Health
Movie Peppersoup,cautioned
that symptoms such as prolonged
days
of
sleeplessness,
depression, stress, lack of
happiness, sudden loss of
interest, anxiety disorders and
low energy level may signal
mental health problems.
One or two days of not
sleeping well is not a problem but
when it becomes prolonged, you
need to find out why. If you are
not happy for more than two
C
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Dr Maymunah Kadiri
weeks there could be a problem. If
your energy level goes down or you
suddenly lose interest in what you
normally do, find out what is wrong,
she urged.
Risk
factors
Noting that about 64 million

Nigerians have one form of depression
or the other, Kadiri said the Nigerian
society is a culture medium for
organisms that put people at risk of
mental illness.
These include poverty, child abuse,

broken homes and broken marriages,
financial problems, traumatic
experiences, etc.
She said in some cases, individuals
may not even know they are facing
challenges and this is where family
support comes in, to help identify
there is a problem and to seek help.
Researches have shown that one
out of four Nigerians will have a
mental health related problem in their
lifetime and we have less than 200
qualified psychiatrists for 180 million
Nigerians. This means we have 1
psychiatrist per 1 million people.
She regretted that stigmatisation still
remains a big issue in Nigeria.
When a typical Nigerian hears the
word mental illness his or her first
thought would be madness or some
sort of aggressive behaviour. But no,
mental illness refers to a wide range
of mental health conditions-disorders
that affect your mood, thinking and
behaviours.
Mental health awareness in
Nigeria is very low, making it difficult
for people to access health care or get
diagnosed or even acknowledge the
fact that they may be suffering some
kind of mental health issue.
this I mean you get a digital thermometer and

you check your temperature first thing in the
morning before you get up from bed. What you
are trying to find out is your body's average
temperature without any activity, because when
you ovulate, you release an egg and your
progesterone levels increase.
Your body temperature
Progesterone will always increase your body
temperature, so if you have been charting your
cycle everyday and making note of the numbers
you get, you will find out that there are certain
days your temperature will be higher.
The first day that your temperature is higher
means you have ovulated the previous day. So if
you are somebody who have been charting her
cycle regularly, you will be able to find the pattern
that works for you.
So you might find out that you do ovulate on the
11th or for example ovulate between the 13th and
the 15th day of your cycle. Counting the days is
not always accurate for most people and it causes
a lot of headache and fear and panic that they
aren't ovulating.
But once you chart your cycle everyday, you will
find the results more accurate.
Have you tried charting your temperature before?
What was your experience? Lets continue the
discussion on www.cheriemamma.org or send me
an email babies@cheriemamma.org.
C
M
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Team Rivers win 2016 Cycology Cycling Criterium Race

BY JACOB AJOM
T was fun, glamour

and sporting
excellence on the best
stage yet seen in
Nigeria, when the first
Cycology club Cycling
Criterium Race held on
the virgin planes of Eko
Atlantic City, Lagos,
May 30. The scene was
electrifying, the athletes
neatly clad in their
cycling outfits while the
organisers battled to put
things right after the
devastating storm that
blew off all that had
been put in place the
previous day. Although
that caused a delay in
the start of events, it did
not take away the
glamour and carnivallike atmosphere brought
to bear on the race.
Thirteen teams, made
up of over 200 cyclists
representing invited
states and cycling clubs
from across the country
took part in the one-day
event which provided
suitable relaxation spot
for families and cycling
enthusiasts observing
the Democracy Day
public holiday.
The races were flagged
off by the Special
Advisor on Sports to
Lagos State who doubles
as Chairman of the
Lagos State Sports
Commission,
Deji
Tinubu, Mr Matthew
Wilsher CEO Etisalat
Nigeria and Dr Richard
Ajayi, CEO Bridge
Clinic. Hosted by Mr
Dan Foster, the event
had its share of drama
with some participants
withdrawing due to
injury and a few
unavoidable crashes.
Club captain, Ladipo
Soetan was all smiles at
the end of the race
which saw Team Rivers
State produce the male
and female champions in
the
professional
category.
In
the
ladies
professional category,
Rita Aggo from Team
Rivers State was the
unassailable champion,
leaving her fellow team
mate, Tombrapa Grikpa
to fight for the second
position, which she took
after
displacing
Caroline Dung from
Plateau Stateriders who
came in third.
The mens final was
not as clear cut,
reminding all spectators
that its not over until
you cross the finish line.
Bassey Nelson (aka the
Cobra) from Team Rivers
State showed his

ultimate skill as he
battled with Henry
Chibuzor from CC12
Lagos right to the line.
The Cobra crossed the
finish line a split second
ahead
of
Henry,
snatching the grand
prize of N200,000 for his
efforts.
Earlier, the mens
veterans
category,
Ifeanyi Eluwuni won the
race while Pablo
Ramirez and Andy
Alman took second and
third
positions
respectively. Austrian
rider, Nella Hengstler of
Cycology Riding Club
won in the womens

veteran category. Ponnie
Ramirez
also
of
Cycology Riding Club
placed second while
Amina Adegboro of
Abuja Wheelers won the
third place.
Well make it bigger
and better in subsequent
editions, Soetan said,
expressing satisfaction
with the outcome of the
event.
For Deji Tinubu, the
event
was
a
masterpiece.
The
ambience, the carnivallike atmosphere and the
prismatic setting makes
it attractive for leisure
Soetan: Captain, Cycology Riding Club of Lagos.
RESIDENT of
N i g e r i a
Pentathlon Association,
Jonathan Nnaji has
commended an Irelandbased Nigerian sports
enthusiast, Zeph Ikeh
who yesterday donated
sports and office
equipment
worth
thousands of Naira to
the association.
Nnaji while receiving
the equipment said Ikeh
who is the President of
Zeepro International
Limited has shown that
he is a patriotic
Nigerian who desires to
see the country excel in
sports.
He assured that the

pentathlon association
will put the equipment
into good use, even as
he called on other
wealthy Nigerians to
support the association
which is the newest
sports
association
affiliated to the Nigeria
Olympic Committee
(NOC).
The donor said his
desire to see Nigeria
dazzle
in
sports
informed his decision to
donate the equipment to
the association. He
pledged to continue
supporting Nigerian
sports and prayed for
and recreation. This is

what sports should be;
relaxation
and
enjoyment enhance
tourism. We just hope it
will one day become a
national event and
subsequently
an
international one. As a
state, we want to
showcase Lagos to the
rest of the world
through sports and
tourism. That is why we
identified with this
event.
Technical Director of
the Cycling Federation
of Nigeria, Mohammed
Bashir expressed the
same
sentiments,
urging the
corporate
community
to show
e q u a l
interest in
t
h
e
sponsorship
of national
events.
We are
h a p p y
with what
we have
seen here.
We only
hope more
of this will
come in
future, he Bassey Nelson, Winner of the mens
said.
race.
Cyclists: Getting set for take-off.
Nnaji hails Zeepro boss

the success of the
country at the Rio 2016
Olympics game this
summer.
NOC scribe, Tunde

Popoola on his part
commended Ikeh for
his generosity and
support for Pentathlon,

an association which he
tipped to go places in
the near future.
Yobo bags government appointment
HE Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has

appointed former Super Eagles Captain, Joseph
Yobo, as Senior Special Assistant on Sports Development
to the governor.
The governor also appointed Chibuzor Aholu as Senior
Special Assistant to the governor on financial matters. A
statement by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to
the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, said the
appointments take immediate effect. Yobo is Nigerias
record title appearance, with 101 caps.
PRESENTATION: From L: President, Zeepro Intl Limited, Zeph Ikeh,

with President of Nigeria Pentathlon Association, Chief Jonathan Nnaji(m)
and Secretary General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Tunde Popoola
during the presentation of equipment to the NPA at the NOC secretariat,
yesterday.
Messi misses tax trial

T
HE trial of Lionel
Messi on charges
of tax evasion opened in
Barcelona on Tuesday,
but injury prevented
soccers five-times World
Player of the Year from
*Messi
attending. The Barcelona star will be in court

on Thursday to testify.
Messi and his father,
Jorge Horacio Messi, are
accused by the Spanish
tax office of defrauding
the government of 4.2
million euros ($4.7 million) between 2007 and
2009. They could face
jail terms of up to 22
months if found guilty.
Both have denied the
allegations and missed
Tuesday s hearing,
which lasted over an
hour. The 28-year-old
player and his father are
not obliged to attend the
court every day, but they
will have to testify on
Thursday.
Zenith MD hails
Infantinos proposed visit
HE Managing Di
rector and Chief
Executive officer of
Zenith Bank Plc, Peter
Amangbo, has said that
the proposed visit of the
FIFA President, Gianni
Infantino, is a big boost
to football development
in the country.
Infantino is expected
to grace the final of the
maiden future Eagles
football championship
sponsored by Zenith
Bank and billed to take
place later in the month
in Lagos.
Amagnbo said Zenith
was proud that the event
*Infantino
Dalung
hails Navy Nothing will make me play for another country
that despite the interests
Olarenwaju
Sailing Club By Jude Opara, Abuja
by some clubs including
INISTER
of
Sports and Youth
Development, Solomon
Dalung over the weekend in Lagos commended the Navy Sailing
Club, Ojo, Lagos for its
development-oriented
programmes, noting that
the club is one that should
be emulated.
The minister who spoke
at the Diamond Jubilee
celebration of the Nigerian Navy was represented by the Director of
Grassroots sports development in the ministry,
Ademola Aree stated that
the strides that the Navy
Sailing Club is carrying
out were in line with the
directive of President Buhari that watersports
should be encouraged in
the country.
The swimmers I have
seen here today give me
a lot of hope and there is
promise in these athletes
and I look forward to seeing them progress in the
near future.
Commodore, Navy
Sailing Club, Babatunde
Giwa-Daramola while
thanking several senior
military officers from the
Nigerian Navy and the
Army as well as civilian
guests noted that the
idea of paying attention
is to start in earnest preparations for the Tokyo
2020 Olympic Games.
The Navy Sailing
Club was established in
1987 and it remains the
biggest of all clubs associated with watersports.
We have produced national athletes that have
represented the country
at international events
and what you have seen
of our swimmers and sailors is geared towards the
2020 Olympic Games in
Tokyo. As a club we will
continue to give the athletes the enabling environment to train."
C
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ESPITE not being

given the opportunity to play for the
Super Eagles, former
junior international Kayode Olarenwaju has
vowed not to play for
any other country other
than Nigeria.
Kayode, who currently plies is trade with
Austrian Vienna in the
Austrian league, said after playing for Nigeria at
the U-17, U-20 and the
U-23 levels, he cannot
see himself representing
another country at the
senior level.
Briefing newsmen yesterday in Abuja, the
striker who last represented Nigeria at the
FIFA U-20 World Youth
Championship in Istanbul, Turkey in 2013 said
he had severally rejected offers to play for Austria.
He added that due to
his current form which
saw him scoring 13 goals
with 11 assists in the
just ended season, he
believes he has all it
takes to be in the Super
Eagles at the moment.
Alaba
Continues from BP
of playing at left-back or
in central midfield, is
said to be a top target for
Los Blancos.
According to Madrid
newspaper AS, Real
Madrid made a big offer for the 23-year-old
but the German double
winners said a firm no
to the Champions
League winners.
The report is short on
detail of the move, instead building a profile
of the Austrian star.
Alaba has been a key
player for Bayern since
first emerging in the
first-team five years ago.
My dream is to be
among the current Super Eagles because it
shows how great a player is when he represents
his country at the senior
level. It is the right time
for me to be in the national team.
Severally, I have rejected offers to play for
the Austrian national
team. It is not right for
me to play for another

country after representing my country at all the
junior levels. I know that
one day I will have my
chance and everybody
will know that in Austria,
we equally play quality
football.
Olarenwaju further revealed that he has a lot
of offers to leave the Austrian league but added
those in the English premiership, he cant go to

England now because
he needs to have the
mandatory 75% appearance for his country.
of the organization form

part of the agenda of the
FIFA boss in his visit to
the country.
We are number one
bank and it is exciting
that the number one football personality will be
present at the finals of
the competition. Our target is to get the talented
youths at the age they
could be identified as
future super stars.
All arrangements are
in place with the NFF to
ensure the young ones
enjoyed themselves in
the competition, Amangbo said.
The zonal events of the
U-13 and U-15 football
fiesta have been concluded as the Chairman
of the Lagos State FA
who doubles as the 1st
Vice President of the
NFF, Seyi Akinwunmi, is
said to be working round
the clock to make the
Zenith Future Eagles finals exciting.
Ideye, Iheanacho, Ighalo

tame Lions of Luxembourg
Continues from BP
the team made it two
wins out of two, rounding off the available FIFA
window in some style,
with a stylish performance reminiscent of the
good old days, albeit
against the lesser
equipped Red Lions of
Luxembourg side.
It was the first ever international game between both sides, with
Coach Salisu opting to
start with Daniel Akpeyi
in goal and defenders
Abdulahi Shehu, William
Troost-Ekong, Kenneth
Omeruo and Elderson
Echiejile.
Captain Ogenyi Onazi started alongside
Brown Ideye, Alex Iwobi, Aminu Umar and
Musa Mohammed in a
five-man midfield while
Kelechi Iheanacho was
left as the lone striker in
front of the five-man
midfield.
The likes of Moses Simon, Odion Ighalo and
first choice goalkeeper
Carl Ikeme were confined to the substitutes
bench as Coach Sallisu
rotated the team that
defeated Mali 1-0 on
Friday night in France.
Still seething with rage
for failing to qualify for
the 2017 Africa Cup of
Nations in Gabon, Eagles came into the game
looking to warm their

way into the heart of fans
but the hosts resisted all
their attacking forays for
almost 35 minutes until
Olympiakos Piraeus
striker Brown Ideye
broke the deadlock on
the 36 minute.
Luxembourg goalkeeper was unable to
stop the ball from Ideye,
who celebrated the goal
with his teammates.
Eagles were unable to
double their tally for the
rest of the first half. On
resumption of the second
half, Manchester City
forward, kelechi Iheanacho increased Nigerias
lead to two. His goal
came on the stroke of 69
minutes, his second in
two games for the 2013
African champions, after
scoring the winner in the
1-0 victory over Mali.
Substitute Odion Ighalo,
who came in for Ideye,
made it triple delight for
the travelling Nigerian
pack, scoring the third
on 71st minute, sending
the small Nigerian delegation into wild celebrations.
The goal-rush got the
Eagles soaring as they
went for an overkill but
were caught on the counter by the hosts, who
scored a consolation goal
through Vincent Thill
on 90 minutes.
*Olarenwaju
Serena fears Zika virus at

Rio Olympics Health Organisation
Continues from BP
be moved because of the

disease, the world No1
revealed: Its something thats been on my
mind. Im really just
gonna have to go super
protected,
Williams worries deflected attention from
her scratchy performance in reaching the
French Open last 16.
The defending champion returned after a
150-minute rain delay to
beat Kristina Mladenovic 6-4, 7-6 (12/10) on
her fifth match point.
But the French 26th
seed matched the misfiring American legend
on all but the big points.
Top seed Williams later fuelled the spiralled
controversy over the
mosquito-carried Zika
virus.
That came after an
open letter to the World
(WHO) from 150 international medics, scientists and researchers

claimed it would be irresponsible and unethical to maintain current plans for the August
Games.
The letter noted that
Rio is the second-worst
affected city in Brazil
and could risk spreading
the virus to poor, as-yet
unaffected places like
Africa and South Asia.
The WHO responded
by saying the Olympics
would have no major
impact on the spread of
Zika.
Williams, 34, who survived a set point at 9/8
in the decisive breaker,
said of Mladenovic:
She played really, really well and forced me to
bring out my best tennis.
I feel like I made a
tremendous amount of
errors but I feel like she
kind of forced me to.
Serena fears Zika virus at Rio

Olympics
ERENA Williams
has admitted she is
plagued by fears over the
Zika virus at this

summers Rio Olympics.
A day after 150 experts
called for the Games to
Ideye, Iheanacho, Ighalo tame

Lions of Luxembourg
S
By John Egbokhan
UPER Eagles last

night continued
their winning run by
defeating
hosts
Luxembourg 3-1 in an
international friendly
match at the Stade Josy
Barthelon.
It was the second
match the three-time
African champions were
Serena
playing in the space of
four days under the
tutelage of caretaker
coach Yusuf Salisu and
Alaba: Bayern reject

38m bid from Real
AYERN Munich
have turned down
a stunning 38million
offer from Real Madrid
for
David
Alaba,
according to reports in
Spain.
The Austrian, capable
BACK WITH A BANG! Super

Eagles forward, Brown Ideye
celebrates after scoring in a previous
outing for Nigeria. He scored Nigerias
opening goal against Luxembourg
yesterday. Nigeria won 3-1.
Alaba
Results
Mourinho: Ill not be distracted

by Guardiola Pg. 29
Vietnam
Kenya
Zimbabwe
Luxembourg
2
1
2
1
Syria
Sudan
Uganda
Nigeria
0
1
0
3
QUICK CROSSWORD
TODAY'S PUZZLE
YESTERDAY'S ANSWERS
ACROSS
1 Reflect (6)
5 Applaud (4)
8 Fish (5)
9 Cur (3)
10 Wicked (4)
11 Soon (4)
12 Inflexible (5)
13 Concurred (6)
16 Dreadful (4)
18 Resound (4)
20 Border (3)
22 Boy (3)
23 Parched (3)
24 Conceal (4)
25 Pour (4)
28 Harm (6)
30 Worship (5)
32 Bucket (4)
33 Lofty (4)
34 Employed (3)
35 Dissuade (5)
36 Want (4)
37 Coming (6)
DOWN
1 Maniac (6)
2 Considered (6)
3 Started (6)
4 Invigorate (9)
5 Alleged (7)
6 Loan (4)
7 Gasp (4)
8 Tune (3)
14 Twisted (9)
15 Reserved (3)
17 Fish-eggs (3)
19 Being (8)
20 Strike (3)
21 Interfered (7)
26 Manhandled (6)
27 Modern (6)
29 Bridge (4)
30 Assistant (4)
31 Spike (3)
YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS
ACROSS: 1, Usage 5, System 8, Arose 10,
Maniac 11, Arid 14, Raving 15, Emperor 18,
Yen 19, Bed 21, Read 23, Defer 24, Pear 27, Rep
29, Van 31, Rotated 32, Driver 34, Date 35,
Earned 38, Nudge 39, Molest 40, Odium.
DOWN: 2, Spa 3, Gained 4, Era 5, Sear 6,

Sliver 7, Merged 9, October 12, Ray 13,
Dine 16, Mire 17, Refer 20, Deposed 22,
Able 24, Podium 25, Avid 26, Ravage 28,
Marred 30, Net 33, Rent 36, Ago 37, Emu.
How to Play Sudoku
lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can

have two of the same number).
Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also
nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a
bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1
through 9. This means that no number can appear twice
in any block, column or row.
No mathematics is involved no adding, subtraction, division
or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.
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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.

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...

towards a better life for the people

VOL. 25: NO. 63040

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016

NIGER DELTA AVENGERS:

FG orders arrest of ex-govs,

His fancy woman

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016 3

4Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016

Director, Marketing, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Mr. Benson Evbuomwan;

Biafra: We acted in self-defence

BY AYO ADIO - 08104802192

ATTLES are won twice, first in the mind, second

BY ELLA RANDLE- O8084919482

Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is

NLIGHTENMENT is a process. A person with

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE

panic, tension and

strategic Niger Bridge,

said: However, the

the group found in

regrettable that our youths

story, yesterday, Anambra

Meanwhile, IPOB said,

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 20165

Continues from page 4

Biafra: We acted in self-defence ARMY

In Enugu state, the Police

Sovereign state of Biafra

Senate set to debate

Nnamani leads Igbo

technocrats and chieftains

6Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016

Woman commits suicide

OR being told she was HIV

Government Area, Enugu

family had alerted Udenu Police

Client rapes 7-yr-old daughter of prophetess

ANY people were left

The N1,000 was for

The suspect, 52-year-old

Trader, 27, rapes 10-yr-old girl

behind me. He later dragged

27-year-old trader, Kingsley

near Ogwu Rest House in the

... woman robbed, raped

Equally paraded were Orji

Unfortunately, her mother

According to the prophetess,

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 20167

Ejigbo sodomy: Prosecution closes case June 16

UT for the absence of the only

adjournment to enable them

scene at the beginning of the

Money ritual: Fake herbalist defrauds

fake herbalist, yesterday,

Seyi Ade and his tools of trade.