22112017 - Adamawa: 105 killed in Mubi, Numan attacks

Kaduna State as a mirror 

of the poor state of 

education in Nigeria: 

Gov El-Rufai deserves 

commendation (2) 40 

OGUN BUDGET 

Ogun State Governor, Senator 

Ibikunle Amosun (right), 

presenting the 2018 

Appropriation Bill to the Clerk, 

Engr. Lanre Bisiriyu (left) and 

members of the Ogun State 

House of Assembly, on the floor 

of the House, yesterday. 

STORY on Page 11. 

VOL. 25: NO. 63426 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017 

Adamawa: 105 killed in 

Mubi, Numan attacks 

•60 in suicide bomb blast in Mubi; 45 in Numan by gunmen 

•Scores with life-threatening injuries 

•We‘ll secure state from Boko Haram menace —Buhari 

JUBILATION AS MUGABE RESIGNS... 

By Umar Yusuf & 

Johnbosco 

Agbakwuru 

YOLA: No fewer 

than 105 persons 

have been 

confirmed dead in two 

deadly attacks in 

Adamawa State in the 

last 48 hours, with 

several scores of others 

sustaining serious 

injuries. 

While 60 persons were 

Continues on Page 5 

Most govs 

back 

Buhari for 

2nd term 

—Okorocha 34 

•Wild jubilation on the streets of Harare, Zimbabwe's capital, as news of Mugabe's resignation spread. REUTERS Photo. SEE 

STORIES ON PAGE 49. 

DSS, NIA operatives stop EFCC from 

Naira sells at 

N362.5 per 

dollar at 

parallel 

market 

Mr & Mrs 

5 

arresting Ekpenyong, Oke 

Crisis looms as 

Senate queries 

projections in 

MTEF 

8 

PDP CONVENTION: 

Crisis deepens, as Bode 

George calls for 

Makarfi’s resignation 

COLUMNISTS DEAR BUNMI OHUABUNWA 31 ROTIMI FASAN 

31 

SEE 

41 

9 

Ekwueme: 

Nwobodo, Agbaje, 

Anambra monarchs, 

others pay tributes 

8 

50 

INSIDE

2 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017—3


Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017—5 

POCKET CARTOON 

frustrated by heavily 

armed soldiers who 

barred journalists from 

gaining entry into the 

facility. 

It’s wickedness 

— Gov 

MUBI BLAST—Medical personnel attending to a victim of the bomb blast 

at Mubi Mosque, Arhan Kunu, Madina Street, Mubi North LGA at the Mubi 

General Hospital in Adamawa, yesterday. Photo: NAN. 

Adamawa: 105 killed in Mubi, 

Numan attacks 

Continues from Page 1 mosque at exactly 

killed by two suicide 5:05am, yesterday, while 

bombers at a mosque in Muslim faithful were 

Mubi, early yesterday, observing the SUBHI 

morning, 45 nomadic (morning prayers). 

Fulani herdsmen were The eyewitness, who 

allegedly killed by identified himself as 

unknown gunmen at Bello Fari, said he 

Kikan community in escaped death by the 

Numan Local whiskers as he was 

Government Area of the equally rushing to meet 

state. 

up the two rak’at 

The twin suicide bomb prayers. 

blast occurred in the Fari said: “My house is 

popular Shiwa Mosque, close to the mosque. I was 

located at Anguwar almost late for the prayers 

Medina, in Yelwa and as I was rushing, I 

quarters of Mubi, the saw two supposed 

commercial nerve centre worshippers rushing to 

of Adamawa State. enter the mosque though 

Although eyewitness there was some gap 

account said 60 persons between me and them. 

died in the blasts, the Moments after the duo 

state police command, entered the mosque, 

which confirmed 50, also there was a loud bang. 

confirmed the 45 killed in “The bombers waited 

Numan. 

until the nearly 150- 

According to an capacity mosque was 

eyewitness, the two filled to capacity before 

suicide bombers ran from they struck. 

two directions into the “Moment after the blast, 

IT'S UP TO YOU 

BY AYO ADIO - 08104802192 

There are people who think you aren’t good 

enough to amount to anything meaningful, their 

voices are usually the loudest in your head, but they 

have no power to determine the outcome of your 

life. Theirs is to parrot an opinion, ignore them, let 

your life and achievements prove them wrong. It’s 

up to you. 

TAKE HEART—ELLA RANDLE 

Those who care criticize constructively. Those 

who envy criticize the moment they think that they 

have found a weak spot — Criss Jami 

This love of which I speak is slow to lose patience. 

It looks for a way of being constructive. Love is 

not anxious to impress nor does it cherish inflated 

ideas of its own ideals. Love has good manners and 

does not pursue selfish advantage. Love is not 

touchy. Love does not keep account of evil or gloat 

over the actions of other people. On the contrary, it 

is glad with all good men when truth prevails. 

Love is compassion. Love knows no limits to its 

endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; 

it can outlast anything. It is, in fact, the one thing 

that stands when all else has fallen. 

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE 

An antelope with a big scrotum is an 

advantage to the hunter. 

the prayer was short-lived 

as the worshippers 

scampered for their safety, 

even as I watched from a 

close range.” 

Fari said he 

immediately ran back into 

his house to evacuate his 

family to another part of 

the city for safety, saying 

the magnitude of the 

attack and the loss of 

human lives were so 

devastating. 

Speaking on the attack, 

Chairman of Mubi North 

Local Government Area, 

Alhaji Musa Bello, who 

confirmed the incident, 

said though the casualty 

figure was being 

compiled, it was dozens, 

with many more injured, 

some critically. 

50 confirmed dead 

— Police 

Adamawa State police 

command also confirmed 

the attack, with the 

spokesman, Othman 

Abubakar (SP), saying 50 

persons were confirmed 

killed and that 

investigation into the 

incident was underway. 

“We have 50 dead and 

we are now trying to get 

the exact number of those 

injured,” Mr. Abubakar 

said. 

Adamawa State 

government said a new 

security arrangement was 

in the offing in Mubi to 

prevent further 

occurrences. 

The Commissioner for 

Information and Strategy, 

Ahmed Sajoh, said 

government and security 

agencies were on top of 

the situation, even as 

normalcy has returned to 

the ancient city. 

Mubi, the commercial 

nerve centre of Adamawa 

State, was the 

headquarters of Boko 

Haram insurgents, when 

they overran five local 

governments in the state 

in 2014 and renamed 

Mubi “Medinatul Islam.” 

Efforts to talk to some of 

the injured in the hospital 

in Yola, where they were 

taken for treatment, were 

Reacting to the blast, 

Governor of Adamawa 

State, Senator 

Muhammed Umar 

Jibrilla, described it as 

unfortunate. 

The governor in a 

statement in Yola, 

yesterday, said the attack 

was an act of wickedness 

perpetrated by criminals 

who were bent on 

destroying the hard 

earned peace in Mubi 

and other parts of the 

state. 

“We will continue to 

ensure that our people 

are protected and given a 

sense of security which is 

the most important 

responsibility of any 

government. 

‘’We have also engaged 

all security agencies to 

ensure that this type of 

wicked act does not repeat 

itself in any part of the 

state. 

“We call for calm as 

security has been stepped 

up in Mubi and environs 

and we will not rest until 

those behind this wicked 

act are brought to book, 

and may the souls of the 

departed receive mercy 

with God.” 

Senator Jibrilla called 

for calm from all residents 

of Mubi and urged the 

people to come forward 

with any information that 

will help security 

agencies apprehend the 

culprits. 

“It is unfortunate that 

people will be killed in 

cold blood in the place of 

worship. Adamawa is in 

mourning and my heart 

bleeds. Those injured in 

the incident will be given 

adequate medical 

attention,’’ the governor 

said. 

We’ll protect 

Adamawa from 

Boko Haram 

— Buhari 

In his reaction, 

yesterday, President 

Muhammadu Buhari 

assured the people of 

Adamawa State that his 

government would do 

everything to protect them 

from deadly Boko Haram 

attacks. 

President Buhari in a 

statement to commiserate 

with the people of Mubi, 

Adamawa State, over the 

early morning suicide 

attack, described it as 

cruel and dastardly. 

The statement, signed 

by the Senior Special 

Assistant to the President 

on Media and Publicity, 

Mallam Garba Shehu in 

Abuja, read: “President 

Buhari, while 

commiserating with 

families of the several 

victims, government and 

people of the state, 

assured that government 

would do everything 

required to secure the 

state from the deadly 

menace of Boko Haram. 

“The President enjoined 

the people in the entire 

North-East to be more 

vigilant and report 

suspicious persons to 

security agencies in order 

to avert further attacks on 

soft targets by the terrorist 

group.” 

Meanwhile, President 

Buhari has directed the 

Inspector-General of 

Police, Ibrahim Idris, to 

deploy more police 

personnel to prevent 

further attacks by armed 

bandits in Zamfara State. 

He also directed the 

IGP to visit the state and 

report back his findings 

about the deadly attacks. 

The directives, 

according to the 

statement, followed recent 

killings and wanton 

destruction carried out by 

unknown gunmen on 

communities in Shinkafi 

and Maradun Local 

Government Areas of the 

state. 

President Buhari prayed 

that God would console 

the bereaved families in 

the Adamawa and 

Zamfara incidents, heal 

the injured, and grant 

rest to the souls of the 

departed. 

Gunmen kill 45 in 

Kikan community 

Meanwhile, unknown 

Naira Watch 

gunmen Monday night 

killed no fewer than 45 

persons, mainly women 

and children at Kikan 

community of Adamawa 

State, while many more 

have been declared 

missing. 

Those killed were said 

to be largely Fulani 

herdsmen who had been 

living in the area for a 

long time and fears of 

further attacks 

heightened tension in the 

area yesterday. 

An eyewitness, Abbas 

Bello, said those killed 

had been buried 

according to Islamic 

injunctions. 

North East Chairman of 

Miyetti Allah Cattle 

Breeders Association of 

Nigeria, Mr Mafindi 

Danburam, who also 

confirmed the attack, told 

newsmen in Yola, 

yesterday, that over four 

Fulani communities were 

completely destroyed 

during the attack. 

Also confirming the 

incident, spokesman of 

Adamawa State police 

command, Othman 

Abubakar (SP), said 45 

persons were killed, 

while several others 

were still missing. 

The state’s deputy 

governor, Mr Marti 

Babale, appealed to the 

people of the affected 

area to remain calm, 

assuring that security 

personnel would be 

deployed to secure the 

area. 

Naira sells at N362.5 per dollar at 

parallel market 

The Naira, yesterday traded at N362.5 to the 

dollar at the parallel market, the News Agency 

of Nigeria (NAN) reports. 

Meanwhile, the Pound Sterling and the Euro 

closed at N476 and N426 respectively. 

At the Bureau De Change (BDC) window, the 

Naira flattened at N362 to the dollar, while the Pound 

Sterling and the Euro closed at N476 and N426 

respectively. 

Trading at the interbank window saw the Naira 

closed at N359.87, while the CBN rate closed at 

N305.9 to the dollar. 

Traders told NAN that patronage at the market was 

slow as they awaited the outcome of the Monetary 

Policy Committee (MPC) meeting of the CBN. 

Meanwhile, Mr Godwin Emefiele, the Central 

Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, noted that the 

investors and exports window had maintained a 

positive influence in the foreign exchange market 

Emefiele said at the end of the MPC meeting that 

the window transacted more than 18.7 billion dollars 

since it commenced transaction in April.

6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017 

Again, 

gunmen kill 

FRSC officer, 

abduct 2 

THE Federal Road Safety 

Corps, FRSC, has 

confirmed the killing of one 

of its marshals by suspected 

armed kidnappers on the 

Abuja-Kaduna Highway. 

It was gathered that the 

deceased was travelling in 

a commercial bus 

alongside other passengers 

when the hoodlums 

attacked them yesterday at 

Sabo-Wuse Area on the 

Niger axis of the highway. 

The Corps Public 

Education Officer, Mr. Bisi 

Kazeem, who confirmed 

the official’s death, said two 

other marshals were 

abducted by the gunmen. 

Kazeem identified the 

deceased as Ardo Njiga, a 

Marshal Inspector 1, and 

one of those kidnapped as 

Garba Bello, a Senior Road 

Marshal Assistant, adding 

that the identity of the third 

victim was yet to be 

ascertained. 

According to him, “Njiga 

was killed at the scene, 

while Garba and the third 

marshal were taken to an 

unknown destination 

alongside the other 

occupants of the bus. 

“The matter is now with 

the security agencies, and 

it is our hope that our men 

are rescued and brought 

back to us alive.” 

The Corps Marshal of the 

FRSC, Dr. Boboye 

Oyeyemi, has expressed 

sadness over the incident 

and commiserated with the 

victims’ families. 

The latest incident came 

exactly two months after 

unidentified gunmen 

invaded the Tsafe 

Command of the FRSC in 

Zamfara, killing an official 

and abducting another. 

:Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 

Poisonous tubers on grazing routes: 

10 injured as herdsmen, farmers clash in Oyo 

By Ola Ajayi 

IBADAN—NO fewer than 10 

people are in critical 

conditions in a private hospital 

at Igangan, Oke Ogun area of 

Oyo State, following injuries 

they sustained in a clash 

between farmers and herdsmen 

in the area. 

The victims were allegedly 

attacked with machetes and 

other dangerous weapons by 

the herdsmen, who accused 

their hosts of killing about 15 

of their cows in the last two 

weeks. 

Vanguard gathered that the 

farmers were accused of 

putting poisonous tubers of 

cassava and other items on the 

grazing tracks. 

One of the residents of 

Igangan, who disclosed that 

the villagers now live in fear, 

said the quick intervention of 

the National President of Jamu 

Nati Fulbe Association of 

Nigeria, Alhaji Saliu Kadir, who 

also doubles as the Sarkin 

Fulani of Igangan, restored 

temporary peace. 

Emergency meeting 

Speaking after an emergency 

meeting the Fulani community 

had with the Police, Army, 

Nigerian Security and Civil 

Defence Corps, NSCDC, and 

the Department of State 

Services, DSS, Alhaji Kadir 

disclosed that “15 cows have 

been killed by the farmers. 

“They poisoned some crops 

which they put on the tracks 

that the cattle usually take. My 

people actually wanted to 

avenge the death of their cattle, 

but I calmed them down by 

telling them that Governor 

Abiola Ajimobi, the 

Commissioner of Police and 

other security agencies in the 

state should be allowed to 

address the issue. 

“I believe they will attend to 

Banker accused of N7.1m fraud 

By Chisom Unachukwu 

LAGOS—A former staff of a 

first generation bank, 

Anthony Oghenakhoigie, who 

allegedly forged three account 

numbers to steal N7.1 million, 

was arraigned before an Igbosere 

Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, 

yesterday. 

The 

26-year-old 

Oghenakhogie, whose 

residential address was not 

given, is facing a three-count 

charge bordering on conspiracy, 

forgery and stealing preferred 

against him by the Police. 

The prosecutor, Inspector 

Abbass Abayomi, told the court 

that the defendant and others 

still at large committed the 

alleged offences between 

August and October. 

Abayomi said: “The 

defendant, and others still at 

large, forged details of three 

accounts in order to defraud the 

bank.” 

He added that they stole a 

total sum of N7,127,032.48, 

the property of the bank. 

According to Abayomi, the 

offences committed are 

punishable under Sections 

411,365(3) (g) and 287 of the 

Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 

2015. 

However, the defendant 

pleaded not guilty to the 

charge and Magistrate 

Abimbola Komolafe granted 

him bail in the sum of N5 

million, with two sureties in 

like sum. 

She said that the sureties 

must be gainfully employed, 

adding that one of the sureties 

must be a blood relation. 

One of the injured 

the issue without delay.” 

He recalled that there is an 

existing agreement between 

the Fulani herdsmen and the 

farmers on the modalities for 

payment of compensation in 

the case of any straying cattle 

Magistrate Komolafe also 

ordered that the sureties must 

show evidence of three years 

tax payment to Lagos State 

government, evidence of bank 

statement, affidavit of means 

and verification of address. 

The case was adjourned to 

January 9, 2018 for mention. 

‘Once--a-week’ cooking wrecks 22-y 

ANyanya Customary Court 

in Abuja, yesterday, 

dissolved a 22-year-old 

marriage over the wife’s habit 

of cooking once in a week. 

The court, presided over by 

Mr. Jemilu Jega, granted the 

request of Mr. Garba Pakachi, 

ruling that the union was 

irretrievable. 

He held that “this court has 

encroaching into farmlands, 

but lamented that the 

agreement is now being 

abused by the farmers. 

He noted: “There are times 

that the farmers would make 

us pay heavy compensation 

that is not commensurate 

with the crops destroyed by 

the cattle. Yet, we pay the 

compensation without 

complaining.” 

Peace meeting 

At a peace meeting 

summoned to calm frayed 

nerves, one of the farmers in 

the area, Chief Oludele 

Oyedepo, Baale Agbe Tapa, 

also called for peace. 

tried everything within its 

powers to resolve the issues 

between the parties, but all 

efforts proved abortive. 

“The irreconcilable 

differences between the two 

parties showed that they are 

no longer compatible. 

Therefore, the marriage is 

hereby dissolved.” 

He gave the custody of 

He said: “We agreed at one of 

our meetings that a farmer has 

the right to apply any chemical 

on his crops, but what is the 

justification for putting 

poisoned food on the footpath 

for cattle? 

“Sarkin called me one day 

and said someone should take 

me to a grazing track. I used 

my hand to pick many tubers 

of poisoned cassava on the 

path. 

“At another time when we 

had a meeting at the Police 

Commissioner’s office, there 

were about 11 bags of such items 

brought to the CP’s office as 

proofs. It is better we live in 

peace with one another.” 

three of the four children of the 

marriage to their father and 

granted their mother, Martha, 

the custody of the last child, 

aged six. 

Jega ordered the man to pay 

N20,000 monthly for the upkeep 

of the child, “because he is the 

biological father of the child.” 

He also directed that Garba 

should take responsibility for


A30-year-old rape suspect, 

Mohammed Abubakar, 

yesterday, admitted to luring a 

nine-year-old primary four 

pupil with a N10 lollipop 

because the wife just gave 

birth. 

Abubakar, a commercial 

motorcyclist, and resident of 

Tudun Fulani in Bosso Local 

Government Area of Niger 

State, disclosed this while 

being interrogated by the 

Niger State Child Right 

Protection Agency. 

Abubakar said: “I saw her 

outside her school where I had 

parked my motorcycle to buy 

sweet and she told me to give 

her sweet. 

“I gave her a sweet and then 

lured her to an uncompleted 

building and had sex with her. 

“I am a married man and we 

have a three-month-old baby; 

I have not been sleeping with 

my wife because she just gave 

birth recently and that tempted 

me into doing the act with the 

girl. 

“I only had sex with the girl 

once; I am sorry.” 

The victim 

Narrating her ordeal, the 

victim said: “He usually lures 

me to an uncompleted building 

close to the school during 

break time. He will touch my 

buttocks and put his finger in 

my private part. 

“He also gives me sweet and 

promised to give me N6,000 if 

I did not tell anyone about the 

act.” 

Also, the victim’s teacher, 

Hajiya Saratu Salihu, who 

reported the matter to the 

agency, explained that she 

started suspecting the victim, 

following her frequent absence 

from class. 

According to her, the victim 

always disappears from the 

school during the break 

periods and will not return to 

school. 

Salihu said: “When I started 

suspecting that the girl was up 

to something, I kept 

monitoring her movement until 

I caught her outside the school 

premises with the suspect. 

“When she entered the 

school, I and another teacher 

took her to the bathroom and 

checked her private part; we 

realised the girl had been 

r-old marriage 

education and healthcare of the 

child. 

Earlier, Garba told the court 

that Martha cooked for her 

family only once in a week, 

could not spend time with the 

family, but gave all attention to 

her business. 

Responding, Martha denied the 

allegations, but said she was no 

longer interested in the union. 


Man, 30, sleeps with 9-yr-old pupil because ‘my 

wife is nursing a baby’ 

deflowered. 

“We questioned her and even 

had to beat her before she told 

us that an Okada rider had 

been molesting her secretly. We 

then started monitoring the 

suspect until he was caught, 

while trying to lure the victim.” 

Reacting to the incident, Mrs. 

Mairam Kolo, the Director 

General of Niger State Child 

Right Protection Agency, 

said most of the abuses 

meted out to children were 

committed during schools’ 

break times. 

According to her, the 

agency will meet with the 

Evans not starving; we're just 

taking precautions—Prisons boss 

By Soni Daniel, Northern 

Region Editor 

THE Nigerian Prisons Service, 

yesterday, responded to the 

allegation by kidnap suspect, 

Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike 

a.k.a. Evans, that he was not 

being given enough food by 

prison officials. 

The Comptroller General of 

Prisons, Ja’afaru Ahmed, in a 

response to Vanguard’s enquiry, 

made it clear that the service had 

no interest in starving any 

inmate, including Evans. 

Ahmed pointed out that there 

was no preferential treatment in 

the distribution of food and 

services to inmates, adding that 

there was no reason whatsoever 

to feed others and deny Evans 

his ration. 

The Prisons boss said: “In 

prison, an inmate must eat the 

food provided, but when they 

want self-feeding, they can 

have it, but there is a caveat— 

their security will not be 

compromised. 

“In Evans’ case, we fear that 

his security may be 

compromised. That is why we 

took necessary measures to 

ensure that Evans is protected, 

secure and his access to anything 

must not be compromised. 

“It is not a must for prison 

officers to allow self-feeding. The 

officer in charge may allow selffeeding 

if he feels that the 

security of inmate will not be 

compromised.” 

Evans 

•She always went missing after breaks 

—Victim's teacher 

Complaints 

Recall that Evans had, 

earlier in the week, 

complained to the Lagos State 

High Court in Ikeja, that he 

was being starved by the 

prisons authorities. 

He also complained about 

the quantity of food being 

given to him by the 

authorities. 

Onwuamadike and the 

other five accused persons 

made the complaint during 

the continuation of their trial 

before Justice Hakeem 

Oshodi on Friday, November 

17. 

The other defendants are 

Uche Amadi, Ogechi 

Uchechukwu, Okwuchukwu 

Nwachukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi 

state’s Ministry of Education 

to emphasise the need for 

students not to leave 

schools’ premises alone 

during break and closing 

periods. 

She added: “We have 

already embarked on 

sensitisation campaign to let 

and Victor Chukwunonso 

Aduba. 

Immediately Evans was 

brought into the courtroom, 

he and his accomplices began 

growling about their feeding 

condition in prison custody. 

According to Evans, the 

prison authorities deprived 

him of change of clothes, food 

and water. 

He had said: “This is unfair; 

I have not been given food 

and change of clothes. I was 

not given the opportunity to 

bathe since Wednesday. I am 

seriously hungry now. 

“They locked us in one 

place without food and no 

water to bathe. The last time 

we were fed was when a wife 

of one of us brought food.” 

The mosque where suicide bombers killed about 60 worshippers in Mubi, Adamawa State, 

yesterday. 

parents know the dangers 

involved in allowing children 

go out alone without 

monitoring.” 

Kolo said the suspect will be 

transferred to the State 

Criminal Department, while 

the victim receives medical 

attention. 

Housemaid 

docked over 

theft of 

employer's 

N1.5m 

jewellery 

By Chisom 

Unachukwu 

LAGOS—A 29-yearold 

housemaid, 

Blessing Sunday, was 

yesterday brought before 

a Lagos Magistrate’s 

Court, sitting at 

Igbosere, for allegedly 

stealing jewellery worth 

N1.5 million from her 

mistress. 

The defendant, whose 

address was not given, 

is standing trial on one 

count charge of stealing 

preferred against her by 

the Police. 

The prosecutor, 

Sergeant Robert 

Solomon, told the court 

that the defendant 

committed the offence on 

November 13 at about 

11a.m. 

He said Sunday stole 

gold jewellery valued 

N1.5 million, the 

property of her mistress, 

one Titilayo Aboderin. 

He said the incident 

occurred at Ocean Bay 

Estate, Lafiaji Road, in 

Lekki area of Lagos 

State. 

According to Solomon, 

the offence is punishable 

under Section 287(7) of 

the Criminal Law of 

Lagos State of Nigeria, 

2015. 

However, the 

defendant pleaded 

innocence to the charge. 

The magistrate, S. K. 

Matepo, granted her bail 

in the sum of N500,000 

with two sureties in like 

sum. 

She said one of the 

sureties must be a blood 

relation, adding that 

they must be gainfully 

employed and show 

evidence of tax payment 

to Lagos State 

Government. 

The case was 

adjourned until 

December 13 for a 

mention.

8 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017 

8—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2017 


DSS, NIA operatives block EFCC from 

arresting Ekpenyong, Oke 

By Soni Daniel 

A feud BUJA—THE 

between the 

leadership of the 

Department of State 

Services, DSS, and the 

Economic and Financial 

Crimes Commission, 

EFCC, reached its 

crescendo yesterday 

morning as operatives of 

the former prevented the 

anti-graft agency from 

arresting its former 

Director-General, Ita 

Ekpenyong and former 

boss of National 

Intelligence Agency, NIA, 

Ayodele Oke. 

It was learned that 

EFCC operatives had laid 

ambush around 

Ekpenyong’s home 

at Number 46 Mamman 

Nasir, in the highbrow 

area of Asokoro, as early 

as 6 am to pick him up 

to answer questions on 

what he knows about the 

amount of money the 

agency collected from the 

office of the embattled 

National Security Adviser, 

Col. Sambo Dasuki retd, 

just before the 2015 poll. 

But the operatives, 

armed with search and 

arrest warrants, were 

turned back by DSS 

operatives attached to 

Ekpenyong. 

Vanguard learned that 

although the number of 

DSS operatives attached 

to the ex-DG’s home was 

not as many as those of 

the EFCC, who were 

about to arrest him, the 

DSS called for 

reinforcement from its 

headquarters. 

A source present at the 

scene said no fewer than 

30 well armed DSS 

operatives were 

dispatched from the DSS 

headquarters in Abuja to 

tackle the EFCC 

operatives and block them 

from taking their former 

DG away. 

The source said: 

“Officers of the 

Department of State 

Services, DSS, today 

thwarted the attempt by 

the Economic and 

Financial Crimes 

Commission, EFCC, to 

arrest a former Director 

General of the agency, 

Mr. Ekpeyong Ita, who is 

being investigated. 

“Detectives of the 

EFCC, armed with both 

arrest and search 

warrants, had stormed 

the 46 Mamman Nasir, 

Asokoro, Abuja 

residence of the former 

DG at about 6am today 

(yesterday) but were 

prevented from gaining 

entry by armed guards 

from the DSS. 

“Shortly after the EFCC 

operatives arrived, the 

DSS reinforced its security 

presence at the property 

with the deployment of 30 

armed operatives. 

PRESENTATION: From left; 1st Vice President, Chartered Institute of Bankers 

of Nigeria (CIBN), Dr Uche Olowu; President/Chairman of Council, CIBN, 

Prof Segun Ajibola; Head, Human Capital, Stanbic IBTC, Olufunke Amobi; and 

2nd Vice President, CIBN, Mr. Bayo Olugbemi; during the presentation of 

Certificate of Accreditation to Stanbic IBTC Blue Academy in Lagos. 

“The refusal of the DSS 

operatives to allow the 

EFCC execute valid 

search and arrest 

warrants is considered 

worrisome. 

“I don’t know whether it 

is within their brief to 

prevent a law 

enforcement agency from 

executing arrest or search 

warrant on a property 

belonging to a retired 

staff of the agency. 

‘’The suspect in question 

is not a serving officer of the 

DSS, which makes this 

action particularly 

reprehensible,” the EFCC 

source said. 

It was learned last night 

that President 

Muhammadu Buhari 

would step into the matter 

and rein in the DSS to 

enable the EFCC bring 

Crisis looms as Senate queries 

‘unrealistic' projections in MTEF 

By Henry Umoru 

Aindications BUJA—STRONG 

emerged 

yesterday at the Senate that 

the implementation of the 

N8.612 trillion 2018 budget 

recently presented to the 

joint session of the National 

Assembly by President 

Muhammadu Buhari may 

experience some hiccups. 

This is because senators 

are querying critical 

projections used in the 

proposals as contained in 

the 2018-2020 Medium 

Term Expenditure 

Framework (MTEF) and 

Fiscal Strategy Paper.. 

Trouble with regard to the 

projections in the proposed 

budget reared its head 

yesterday when the 

Minister of State for Budget 

and National Planning, 

Mrs Zainab Ahmed, the 

Director General of Budget 

Office, Mr Ben Akabueze, 

and other top government 

officials in the financial 

sector made presentations 

on the MTEF document to 

Ekpenyong to account for 

his actions while in office. 

Besides, operatives of the 

Nigerian Intelligence 

Agency, NIA, also 

blocked the EFCC from 

arresting former DG of the 

agency, Amb. Ayodele 

Oke, who was sacked last 

month by President Buhari, 

after over $43 million was 

found in an Ikoyi 

apartment, which is 

believed to belong to his 

wife. 

A source said the former 

NIA Director-General 

refused to submit himself 

to the EFCC for arrest 

because he had honoured 

their previous invitation 

before. 

On the part of the NIA 

boss, Vanguard learnt 

from a source close to 

DSS, who said: ‘’Shortly 

members of the senate’s 

joint committee Finance 

and Appropriations as 

regards the MTEF and 

FSP. 

In his remarks yesterday, 

Chairman, Senate 

Committee on Finance, 

Senator John Enoh, APC, 

Cross River Central, 

wondered why the federal 

government, having 

woefully failed in meeting 

its projection of N807bn 

independent revenue in 

the N7.444trn 2017 budget, 

still made similar projection 

for the 2018 budget. 

“Why don’t we have 

anything on interest rate as 

part of the MTEF 

document? That will be the 

best way to talk about 

aligning the monetary and 

the fiscal. Why are we 

putting more than N800 

billion as independent 

revenue when the 

President admitted in his 

address to the National 

Assembly that it had 

suffered about 74 percent 

variance. 

after the DG was 

suspended, the President 

set up a committee headed 

by Babagana Kingibe to 

probe all the DG’s 

activities while in office 

and that committee is to 

report directly to the 

President. The committee 

has not completed its job, 

so the EFCC should wait 

until this is over. 

''Besides, the current DG 

is still debriefing his 

predecessor on his 

activities while in office.'' 

But the EFCC was silent 

on the blockade of its 

officers and men at the 

entrance of Oke’s home, 

also in Asokoro. 

'The blockade 

notwithstanding, the 

EFCC has vowed to take 

necessary steps to bring 

the two men to justice. 

‘’In 2018, we are still 

putting more than N800 

billion for independent 

revenue. Are we just 

balancing the figures? 

Where do you expect to 

get the revenue?,” he 

queried. 

The accusations came 

during an interactive 

session between the 

Senate and government 

officials when the federal 

government yesterday 

presented to the Senate a 

revised 2018 to 2020 

Medium Term Expenditure 

Framework and Fiscal 

Strategy Paper (FSP) for 

consideration. 

During the meeting 

with the Senate Joint 

Committee on Finance, 

Appropriations and 

National Planning 

yesterday, the Minister of 

State for Budget and 

National Planning, Zainab 

Ahmed, told senators that 

it had adjusted the Gross 

Domestic Product, GDP, 

growth rate from 4.5percent 

to 3.5 percent. 

NASS to pass PIGB in Q1, 2018 

...As Chevron MD commends ERGP 

By Sebastine Obasi 

& Prince Okafor 

THE much-awaited 

petroleum industry 

governance bill, PIGB, may 

be passed in the first 

quarter, Q1, of 2018, if the 

assurance of the Senate is 

anything to go by. 

This is coming at a time 

the Chairman and 

Managing Director, 

Chevron Nigeria Limited, 

Mr Jeffrey Ewing, stated 

that following the 

intermittent progression on 

international oil price, and 

the progress it made on 

third party funding in the 

sector, the Economic 

Recovery and Growth Plan, 

ERGP, could help sustain 

development in the sector. 

Addressing participants at 

the ongoing 35th annual 

conference of the Nigerian 

Association of Petroleum 

Explorationists, NAPE, 

holding in Lagos, the Vice 

Committee Chairman, 

Senate Committee on 

Petroleum Resources 

(Upstream), Mr. Gershom 

Reps to probe sale of PHCN 

assets 

By Emman 

Ovuakporie 

ABUJA—THE House 

of Representatives 

yesterday moved to probe 

the alleged fraudulent sale 

of Power Holding 

Company of Nigeria, 

PHCN, Non-Core Assets 

and Scraps. 

This development was 

based on a motion under 

matters of urgent national 

importance by Rita Orji 

(Lagos-PDP). 

In her submission, Orji 

explained that auctioning 

of PHCN overtime 

cargoes, scraps and 

obsolete items by Nigeria 

Electricity Liability 

Management Ltd 

(NELMCO) worth over 

N20 billion was recently 

ELECTRICITY: SPDC JV’s Afam VI 

power plant secures license for 10 

more years 

By Prince Okafor 

THE Nigeria Electricity 

Regulatory 

Commission has renewed 

the power generation license 

of Shell Petroleum 

Development Company 

Joint Ventures, SPDC JV’s 

Afam VI Power Plant, for the 

next 10 years. 

The 650MW-capacity 

facility, located in Okoloma 

in Oyigbo local government 

area of Rivers State has 

delivered over 24.16 million 

Megawatt-hour (MWh) of 

electricity into the Nigerian 

grid between inception in 

Bassey, stated that the 

Senate would pass the bill 

within the first quarter of 

2018 to calm fray nerves. 

However, Chevron MD, 

Ewing, said: “The Oil and 

Gas sub-sector has and will 

continue to support the 

efforts of the government to 

grow the economy, but there 

are opportunities to achieve 

even more by improving 

existing processes, such as 

the contracting process, 

and sustaining value 

creation through innovative 

technology. 

“Following the fall of 

crude prices in 2014, and 

the resulting recession in the 

Nigerian economy, it has 

become imperative that we 

evolve ways to manage the 

situation. 

‘’As an Industry, we must 

challenge our cost structure 

and eliminate obstacles that 

directly or indirectly 

introduce unwanted cost 

premiums in doing 

business.” 

He noted that significant 

progress has been made 

with regard to funding. 

carried out. 

She added that over N1.5 

billion was claimed to have 

been realised from the 

sales. 

The lawmaker noted that 

there were widespread 

claims of irregularities and 

improper advertisement on 

national dailies including 

the trader’s journal. 

Orji further explained 

that there were allegations 

of posting fraudulent and 

misleading advertisement 

for the sale of high–value 

items on selected dailies 

from anticipated buyers 

were prominent. 

“People who heard about 

the auction and showed 

interest were purportedly 

not allowed or given the 

opportunity to buy the 

assets after fulfilling all the 

necessary requirements for 

the purchases.” 

2008 and 2016. 

During the presentation 

of the license to the 

leadership of SPDC 

yesterday, the 

Commissioner, Legal, 

Licensing and Compliance, 

Mr. Dafe Akpeneye, 

described SPDC JV as a 

committed partner in the 

Nigerian power sector 

adding that the company’s 

belief in the sector and its 

resolve to help it develop 

were remarkable. 

“We hope for greater 

efficiency and improved 

operations from Afam VI in 

the next 10-year phase of 

your operations.''

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017—9 

:Vanguard 

News 

Buhari rejects Treasury 

Management, Wukari 

University Bills 


A BUJA—PRESIDENT 

Muhamamdu Buhari 

has rejected the Chartered 

Institute of Treasury 

M a n a g e m e n t 

Establishment Bill, 2017 

and the Federal University 

of Wukari Establishment 

Bill, 2017 respectively 

which were sent to him by 

the National Assembly for 

assent. 

In separate letters dated 

November 18, 2017 and 

addressed to the Senate 

President, Bukola Saraki, 

President Buhari withheld 

assent to the two bills, 

saying he took the decision 

because of certain words 

and phrases used in the 

documents. 

The President’s letters 

were read one after the 

other to the senators at 

plenary yesterday by the 

senate president. 

For instance, one of the 

letters, titled, Withholding 

of assent to the Chartered 



(Establishment, etc.) Bill, 

217" read: “Pursuant to 

section 58 (4) of the 

Constitution of the Federal 

Republic of Nigeria 1999 

(as amended), I hereby 

convey to the Senate my 

decision on the 25th of 

October, 2017 to withhold 

assent to the Chartered 

HYPPADEC FUNDS: Senate 

summons Fashola, NERC, others 


ABUJA—THE Senate 

has begun a probe into 

how over N2 billion fund, 

including accrued interest, 

collected on behalf of the 

Hydroelectric Power 

Producing Areas 

Development Commission, 

HYPPADEC, was 

expended. 

Against this backdrop, 

the Senate yesterday 

mandated its Committees 

on Power, Steel 

Development & 

Metallurgy, and Public 

Accounts to summon the 

Minister of Power, Works 

and Housing, Babatunde 

Fashola, the Nigerian 

Electricity Regulatory 

Commission, NERC; the 

market operator, MO; 

relevant Electricity 

Distribution Companies, 

DISCOs and Electricity 

Generation Companies, 

GENCOs, to render a 

detailed account of the total 

amount, including interest 

collected on behalf of 

HYPPADEC. 

According to the upper 

chamber, the appearance of 

the Minister and heads of 

these agencies of 



Establishment etc.) Bill, 

2017. 

“The rationale for 

withholding assent is 

regarding the scope of, and 

phrases utilized in the 

Bill.For instance, the phrase 

“treasury management” is 

not defined in the Bill” and 

“greater clarity may be 

required regarding the 

impact of the bill on the 

Central Bank of Nigeria’s 

regulation of treasury 

manager in banks, and the 

relationship between the 

proposed institute and 

other existing professional 

institutes that regulate 

treasury managers in 

Nigeria.’’ 

In the letter, Withholding 

of assent to the Federal 

University of Wukari 

(Establishment etc.) Bill, 

2017, the President 

explained: “The rationale 

for withholding assent is 

regarding the scope of, and 

phrases utilized in, the 

Bill”. 

“The word “Statute” 

should replace regulation 

throughout the bill for 

consistency. 

“Paragraph 9 (1) of the 

1st schedule should 

refer to ‘the president’ and 

not ‘the visitor’ and 

paragraph 5 of the 3rd 

Schedule should refer to 

sub-paragraph (2) and not 

sub-paragraph (3)." 

government will enable it 

establish the status of the 

commission’s funds, and 

report back in two weeks. 

The resolutions of the 

Senate were sequel to a 

motion by Senator David 

Umaru, APC, Niger East, 

entitled, “Funds accruing to 

the Hydroelectric Power 

Producing Areas 

Development 

Commission.” It was cosponsored 

by 13 other 

senators.. 

The Senate also directed 

NERC to comply with the 

earlier one-S/Res/016/01/15 

of Tuesday, 11th August, 

2015 wherein it was urged 

to comply with the 

provisions of Section 

32(1)(g) of Electric Power 

Sector Reform Act, ESPRA 

regarding the submission of 

quarterly reports to the 

National Assembly. 

It, however, commended 

the legislative and 

executive arms for the 

renewed effort towards the 

takeoff of HYPPADEC and 

urged President 

Muhammadu Buhari to 

approve the constitution 

and inauguration of the 

governing council of the 

commission. 

:@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 

PDP CONVENTION: Crisis deepens, as Bode 

George calls for Makarfi’s resignation 

•He’s entitled to his opinion —Makarfi 

By Dapo Akinrefon & 

Dirisu Yakubu 

ABUJA—THE crisis 

confronting the 

Peoples Democratic Party, 

PDP deepened yesterday 

after another of the eight 

national chairmanship 

contenders expressed lack 

of confidence in the actions 

of the Senator Ahmed 

Makarfi-led National 

Caretaker Committee, 

NCC, which it described as 

favouring a South-South 

candidate. 

The allegation was made 

by Chief Bode George, the 

erstwhile deputy national 

chairman of the party. The 

call came a day after Prof. 

Tunde Adeniran, another 

South-west candidate 

accused Makarfi of 

partisanship towards 

Prince Uche Secondus from 

Rivers State. 

George, however, did not 

mention any name. 

Secondus and the media 

mogul, Chief Raymond 

Dokpesi are the only 

candidates in the contest for 

national chairman from the 

South-South. 

George, speaking 

through the Director- 

General of the Bode 

George Campaign 

Organization, BGCO, 

Alhaji Ibrahim Aliu, called 

on Makarfi to resign 

accusing him of 

attempting to skew the 

December 9 congress of 

the party in favour of a 

South-South aspirant. 

Reacting to the allegation, 

Makarfi told Vanguard 

yesterday evening: 

“He is entitled to his 

opinion.” 

Alhaji Aliu said Makarfi 

could no longer be allowed 

to pilot the affairs of the 

party because “he is 

already tarred and soiled in 

the muddy waters of 

partisan prejudice.” 

The BGCO Director- 

General, who accused the 

PDP chairman of nursing 

SIGNING: The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator 

Udoma Udo Udoma (left) presenting a souvenir to the Japanese 

Ambassador, Mr Sadanobu Kusaoke, after the signing ceremony, in 

Abuja the Nigerian and the Japanese Governments signed a N642 

million Grant Aid Project on economic and social development. 

a personal ambition of 

contesting for the 

Presidential office in 2019, 

said Makarfi could no 

longer play the role of a 

neutral arbiter. 

In a statement, Aliu said: 

“It is increasingly 

disturbing and rather 

untidy the role Senator 

Ahmed Makarfi, Chairman 

of the PDP Caretaker 

Committee is presently 

playing in the processes 

towards the party national 

convention on December 

9, this year. 

“Apparently spurred by 

personal ambition of 

contesting for the 

Presidential office in 2019, 

Makarfi is brazenly allying 

with a particular aspirant in 

the South-South to 

deliberately distort the 

process, muddle equity 

and invariably destroy the 

democratic process for 

transient personal gains. 

Makarfi’s action, to put it 

mildly, is sickening, 

untoward, blatantly 

tendentious , totally 

stripped of the typical moral 

high ground that often 

defines a well meaning, 

God- fearing arbitrating 

leadership. 

“Everywhere you look, 

Makarfi is planting the 

agents of his favorite South- 

South candidate to stage 

manage warped and 

skewed congresses in an 

undisguised mockery of all 

the normative patterns of 

our founding fathers whose 

enduring forte about equity, 

justice and fairness is now 

being flung into the gutter. 

In a way, Makarfi is 

evidently resolved to repeat 

the farcical malady that 

characterized the debacle 

in Port Harcourt last year." 

DIVERSION OF IDP FUNDS: UNDP, NHRC report 

indicts Presidency, ex-SGF 

•Says Nigerian territories still under Boko Haram’s control 

•Urges FG to okay state police, recruit more women 

By Ikechukwu 

Nnochiri 

ABUJA—A fresh report 

by the United Nations 

Development Programme, 

UNDP, has accused the 

Presidential Initiative on 

the North East, PINE, of 

complicity in the illegal 

diversion of funds donated 

to help Internally 

Displaced Persons, IDPs, in 

the country. 

The draft report, which 

UNDP issued in 

collaboration with the 

National Human Rights 

Commission, NHRC, 

yesterday, revealed that out 

of N8.352 billion released 

to PINE in 2016, a total 

sum of N6.326bn was 

spent, leaving a balance of 

N2.026bn. 

It, however, decried that 

PINE which depleted the 

funds, “paid less attention 

to the critical needs of IDPs 

in the areas of housing, 

food, education and 

healthcare, but rather used 

the bulk of the resources on 

contracts that were found to 

have immensely benefitted 

some public officials, 

including the nowsuspended 

Secretary to the 

Government of the 

Federation, SGF, Babachir 

Lawal.” 

According to the report 

which UNDP and NHRC 

made available to 

newsmen in Abuja, “Public 

procurement rules and 

extant federal financial 

guidelines were breached 

in the award of the 

contracts. 

“Prima facie cases of 

conflict of interest were 

established and companies 

were fully paid as at a time 

they had not finished the 

assigned jobs, while 

kickbacks were made by 

some companies to others 

where public officials had 

clear interest. 

“Again, out of 249 trucks 

carrying 10, 000 metric 

tonnes of Maize released 

by the Federal Government 

for the benefit of the IDPs 

in the six states of the North 

East, 65 trucks were 

diverted and did not reach 

their intended destinations. 

“They were later 

recovered by the Economic 

and Financial Crimes 

Commission after the 

Senate Committee report 

was made public. 

“But this is a 

development against the 

background of the 

mounting hunger and food 

crisis in the IDP camps.” 

Both UNDP and NHRC 

mainatined that the overall 

goal of the 103-page 

assessment report was to 

ascertain the human rights 

and humanitarian 

conditions of people and 

communities affected by the 

long period of violent 

conflicts in the North 

Eastern states of Nigeria. 

The assessment, which 

was done from 2015 to June 

2017, also focused on 

human rights protection 

issues encompassing 

sexual and gender-based 

violence, access to justice, 

community policing and 

capacity of law enforcement 

officers for timely response 

to crises.



By Olasunkanmi 

Akoni & Monsuru 

Olowoopejo 

LAGOS—THE Lagos 

State Government, 

yesterday, said it had paid 

the total sum of N141.59 

billion to bond holders in 

its various fixed rate bond 

programmes. 

This came as it said 

limited resources and 

challenging economic 

climate compelled it to 

explore the options of other 

financial sources from the 

capital market through a 

series of bond issuance 

programmes to support the 

government’s 

developmental agenda 

According to the 

government, the bonds 

included the Lagos State 

N80 billion fixed rate 

programme two, series one 

floated in 2012 with a 

maturity date of 2013; N87.5 

billion fixed rate 

programme two, series two 

floated in 2013 with a 

maturity date of 2020 and 

N47 billion fixed rate 

programme three, series 

two floated in 2016 with a 

maturity date of 2023. 

The figures were revealed 

at the 5th Annual General 

Meeting, AGM, between 

the state government and 

bond holders at the Civic 

Centre, Victoria Island. 

Following the analysis of 

the bond by the 

government, in the N80 

billion fixed rate 

programme 2, Series 1 

bond, the state government 

as at September 2017 had 

paid N76.17 billion to bond 

holders out of the N97.43 

billion it contributed to the 

bond, leaving a balance of 

N30.34 billion invested in 

fixed income and treasury 

bills. 

In the N87.5 billion fixed 

rate programme 2, Series 2 

bond, the sum of N61.44 

Lagos settles N141.59bn 

bond debts 

billion was paid to bond 

holders out of the N75.91 

billion contributed by 

government, leaving a 

balance of N18.49 billion 

invested in fixed income 

and treasury bills. 

In the N47 billion fixed 

rate programme 3, Series 1 

bond floated last year, the 

sum of N3.9 billion had 

been paid to bond holders 

out of the N4.2 billion 

contributed by the 

government as at 

September 2017, leaving a 

balance of N229.7 million 

which had been invested in 

fixed income and treasury 

bills. 

Addressing participants 

at the AGM, the 

Commissioner for Finance, 

Akinyemi Ashade, noted 

that the various bonds had 

been used to upscale 

infrastructural 

development in the state in 

the areas of roads and 

bridges construction, water, 

transportation, health and 

waterfront infrastructural 

development. 

According to him, $50 

billion was needed to 

address infrastructural 

deficits in the state, which 

he said, was part of the 

reasons the government 

floated bonds to bridge the 

gap, adding that over time, 

two bridges had been 

constructed with the 

proceeds from the bonds 

while major infrastructure 

were upgraded across the 

metropolis. 

Ashade said the state 

government was committed 

to uplifting its debt ratings 

and would borrow at 

reduced rate, saying that in 

the coming year, 

government was going to 

invest massively in projects. 

The commissioner said 

the state government was 

looking for ways to increase 

its revenue and that part of 

the move was to review 

existing rate systems which 

had been in use since the 

80s with ridiculous rate. 

“We will update our laws 

to increase revenue. Those 

revenue laws have been in 

existence since the 1980s 

and they have ridiculous 

rates,” he said, while 

calling on all to support the 

government by paying their 

taxes appropriately. 

NNPC completes 539km gas pipeline projects 

By Mike Eboh 

A BUJA—THE 

Nigerian National 

Petroleum Corporation, 

NNPC, yesterday, said it 

had completed, 

commissioned and 

delivered 500 kilometres of 

gas pipelines from 2010 to 

date, as part of an 

aggressive expansion of 

gas pipeline infrastructure 

across the country. 

According to a statement 

in Abuja, Group Managing 

Director of the NNPC, Mr. 

Maikanti Baru, stated this 

in Abuja at the 2017 

Conference and Annual 

General Meeting of the 

Nigerian Society of 

Engineers, NSE. 

In the paper entitled, 

“Revival and Development 

of Local Manufacturing 

Industries: Chemical and 

APAPA TRAFFIC: From left—Chairman Apapa Local Government, Hon. 

Elijah Owolabi Adele; Chairman Apapa/ Iganmu LCDA, Hon. 

Funmilayo Muhammed; wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Bolanle 

Ambode; and Executive Secretary/CEO- Apapa Development 

Initiative, Mike Egbayelo, during the 1st Apapa Economic Summit, 

Tagged: "Harnessing Opportunities for Economic Development and 

Sustainable Traffic Solution," yesterday in Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez 

Petrochemical Industries”, 

Baru, who is a Fellow of the 

NSE, said the accelerated 

expansion of the gas 

pipeline system was sequel 

to the directive of the then 

President Olusegun 

Obasanjo who mandated 

the oil companies 

operating in the country to 

support the power 

generation effort. 

He said the directive 

became imperative after the 

government realized that 

adequate power supply 

was key to reviving the 

moribund industries. 

Baru listed the gas 

pipelines so far delivered 

by the NNPC to include; 

the 196km Oben Gas Plant 

to Geregu Power Plant 

pipeline; 110km Escravos- 

Warri-Oben gas pipeline; 

128km Ukanafun-Calabar 

pipeline; 50km Emuren- 

Itoki pipeline; 31km Itoki- 

Olorunshogo pipeline and 

24km Imo River-Alaoji gas 

pipeline. 

He noted that all available 

thermal power plants in the 

country were today 

connected with permanent 

gas supply pipelines. 

Baru noted that with 

NNPC driving the 

realisation of Federal 

Government’s aspiration to 

expand the gas pipeline 

network to all parts of the 

country, about 2,700 

megawatts, MW, of thermal 

electricity was expected to 

be added to the National 

Grid in the near future, to 

generate more power for 

new industrial revolution 

with a view to achieving 

sustainable economic 

growth. 

He added that the earlier 

government’s initiative in 

this regard populated the 

seeds for the growth of 

Nigeria’s gas-fired power 

plants, which gradually 

scaled up thermal power 

contribution to more than 

70 per cent of total power 

generated in the Country 

today. 

Providing details of the 

planned expansion of the 

gas infrastructure, the 

NNPC boss said the lines 

would be bolstered with the 

ongoing construction of the 

127km East-West OB3 gas 

pipeline joining Oben to 

Obiafu-Obrikom. 

He explained that the 

strategic infrastructure was 

scheduled for completion 

by fourth quarter of 2018, 

while the 363km looping 

expansion of Escravos- 

Lagos Gas Pipeline System 

was expected for delivery 

by Q1 2018. 

EFCC arraigns 2 for 

impersonating directors of 

Mainstreet Bank Registrars 

By Onozure Dania 

L AGOS—THE 

Economic and 


Commission, EFCC, 

yesterday arraigned two 

men, Chester Onyemaechi 

Ukandu and Achi George , 

before a Federal High 

Court sitting in Lagos, for 

allegedly claiming to be 

directors of Mainstreet 

Bank Registrars ltd. 

The defendants who were 

arraigned before Justice 

Rilwan Mohammed 

Aikawa, are facing a two 

count charge bordering on 

false claim, preferred 

against them by the EFCC. 

EFCC alleged that the 

defendants on or about 

February 14, 2017, they 

held themselves as the 

directors of Mainstreet 

Bank Registrars Limited 

vide a letter dated the same 

date and addressed to the 

Manager , Skye Bank Plc, 

Ilupeju branch Lagos, 

captioned “ Appointment of 

New Signatories to the 

account of Mainstreet Bank 

Registrars LTD.” 

The commission said that 

the duo signed the said 

letter as the directors of 

Mainstreet Bank Registrars 

N4.6bn fraud: EFCC urges 

court to admit account 

statements of Fani-Kayode 

By Onozure Dania 

L AGOS—THE 

Economic and 


Commission EFCC, 

yesterday urged Justice 

Rilwan Mohammed 

Aikawa of a Federal High 

Court, sitting in Lagos to 

admit the account 

statement of a former 

Minister of Aviation, Chief 

Femi Fani-Kayode, at 

Zenith Bank Plc, as an 

exhibit. 

EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi 

Oyedepo, made the 

request during the 

examination-in-chief of a 

compliance officer with the 

bank, Teslim Ajuwon, at the 

ongoing trial of former 

Aviation Minister, Fani- 

Kayode and three others 

over alleged N4.6 billion 

fraud. 

Ajuwon while testifying 

before the court said, upon 

a request, for the former 

minister’s statement of 

account at Zenith Bank Plc, 

it was forwarded to the antigraft 

agency. 

The witness while 

narrating how the 

statement was generated, 

said: “When the request 

limited whilst they were 

not duly appointed. 

They were also alleged to 

have held themselves as 

the Directors of Mainstreet 

Bank Registrars Limited 

vide a letter dated February 

14, 2017 and addressed to 

the Director General 

Securities and Exchange 

Commission, Garki, Abuja 

and also captioned 

“Notification about the 

change in the board and 

management of Mainstreet 

Bank Registrars limited”, 

which letter they signed as 

the directors of Mainstreet 

Bank Registrars limited, 

whilst they were not duly 

appointed. 

According to EFCC, the 

offences committed are 

contrary to section 244 (1) 

of the Companies and 

allied Matters Act, Cap 

C20, laws of the Federation 

of Nigeria 2004 and 

punishable under section 

244 (3) of the same act. 

However the defendants 

both pleaded not guilty to 

the charge against them. 

The EFCC prosecutor 

Ayokunle Fayanju, asked 

the court for a trial date and 

also to remand the 

defendants in prison 

custody. 

was received, it was sent 

to the Information 

Technology Department 

then the statement would 

be printed in the presence 

of a compliance officer. 

“The printed statement 

was then compared with 

entries in the bank’s 

computer system. 

Afterwards, a certificate of 

authentication was 

produced and signed 

accordingly” 

Oyedepo, then sought the 

admittance of the 

defendant’s statement of 

account number, 

1004735721, in the name of 

Femi Fani-Kayode, which 

contained entries from 

January 22, 2015 to July 31, 

2015, as an exhibit by the 

court. 

However, in his objection 

to the admissibility of the 

document, Fani-Kayode’s 

lawyer, Norrison Quakers, 

SAN, said it did not comply 

with the provisions of 

Section 89 (H) and 90 (E) 

(1-IV) of the Evidence Act. 

Quakers further argued 

that the document cOULD 

not be said to have 

emanated from the bank 

because none of its officers 

had certified it.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017 — 11 


Tinubu, force to reckon with in Nigeria’s politics 

chieftaincy crisis 

— OBA AKIOLU 

By Adeola Badru 

IBADAN—THE Oba of 

Lagos, Oba Rilwan 

Akiolu has said that the 

place of Asiwaju Bola 

Tinubu could not be waved 

aside in Nigeria’s politics, 

noting that though Tinubu 

is stubborn but his 

stubbornness is paying off 

in Lagos State. 

Oba Akiolu, who said this, 

in Ibadan yesterday, at the 

launch of a N50 billion 

Education Trust Fund in 

Oyo State, said Tinubu’s 

stubbornness made him to 

be the last man standing 

during the PDP onslaught 

in the South West. 

The monarch also lauded 

Governor Akinwunmi 

Ambode’s outstanding 

performance in Lagos, 

saying that the foundation 

laid by Tinubu in the state 

is being built upon by his 

successors. 

The Lagos monarch said: 

“I am his (Tinubu) father 

and the father for all and I 

will continue to be their 

father. I don’t hide my 

feelings; nobody can take 

away Lagos from APC, at 

the federal level all hands 

need to be on deck.” 

Oba Akiolu, who was 

accompanied by some 

traditional monarchs to the 

event, also assured the 

gathering that the lingering 

between Olubadan of 

Ibadanland, Oba Saliu 

Adetunji and Governor 

Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo 

State, would soon be over. 

LAUNCH: From left; Founder, Slum2School, Otto Orondaam; Marketing 

Manager, Savoury, Unilever Nigeria, Nnenna Osi-Anugwa; President, 

Unilever Africa, Bruno Witvoet; Heroes For Change Champion, Ugochi 

Ilomuanya; Executive Vice-President, Unilever, Ghana & Nigeria, Yaw Nsarkoh 

and Marketing Director Foods, Unilever Nigeria, Nsima Ogedi-Alakwe at 

the launch of the Unilever Heroes For Change initiative in Lagos. 

CONGRESS: Ekiti PDP accuses Fayose of imposing delegates 

By Dayo Johnson & 

Rotimi Ojomoyela 

ADO-EKITI—A fresh 

crisis is brewing in 

Ekiti State Peoples 

Democratic Party (PDP) 

over the ward congress 

conducted last Saturday, as 

some party chieftains are 

accusing Governor Ayo 

Fayose of violating the 

party’s guidelines and the 

constitution by allegedly 

imposing his stooges as 

“elected delegates.” 

This came as former 

governor of Ondo state, Dr. 

Olusegun Mimiko and his 

Chief of staff, Chief Kola 

Ademujimi, emerged as the 

National delegates to the 

PDP National Convention. 

The party chieftains in 

•As Mimiko, others emerge as National delegates in Ondo 

Ekiti State said the 

development has sparked 

tension among their rank 

and has provoked majority 

of party members who 

looked forward to a free, fair 

and credible congress to 

elect delegates expected to 

vote at the party’s 

convention. 

In a petition addressed to 

Ekiti State PDP Ward 

Appeal Panel, a copy of 

which was made available 

to newsmen on Tuesday, 

the aggrieved party 

members urged panel 

members to disregard the 

list of national delegates 

that may emerge from the 

Local Government 

Congress held yesterday, 

21st November. 

The petition was signed 

by Board of Trustees 

member, Chief Clement 

Awoyelu; Senator 

representing Ekiti Central, 

Mrs. Fatimat Raji Rasaki 

and House of 

Representatives member 

representing Ekiti Central 

Federal Constituency 2, Mr. 

Olamide Oni among 

others. 

The petition reads: “We 

members of PDP in Ekiti 

State hereby wish to bring 

to the notice of the chairman 

and members of the abovenamed 

panel that there was 

no Ward Congress in Ekiti 

State on Saturday, 18th 

November, 2017 or anytime 

directed by the National 

headquarters of our great 

party. 

“What actually happened 

in Ekiti State was the usual 

practices of Governor Ayo 

Fayose to single handedly 

compile the names of his 

stooges as delegates 

without following the 

stipulated guidelines of the 

party. 

“What this means is that 

Governor Fayose’s choice 

rather than the people’s 

choice emerged as 

candidates. This singular 

action has disappointed and 

provoked majority of 

members of PDP in Ekiti 

State. 

“We hereby appeal to your 

panel to void and disregard 

the list of delegates 

submitted by the governor 

and by intention disregard 

the list of national delegates 

that may emerge from the 

local government congress 

scheduled for Tuesday, 21st 

November, 2017.” 

But the PDP Publicity 

Secretary in Ekiti State, Mr. 

Jackson Adebayo, 

described the petition of the 

aggrieved party chieftains 

as a ruse and a mischief of 

the highest order. 

Adebayo, who spoke in a 

telephone chat maintained 

that valid ward congress 

was held saying: “the action 

of disgruntled elements 

against an organized house 

will not stand.” 

He said: “The petition is 

a ruse and a mischief of the 

highest order; the dates for 

the congresses were held 

and everybody knows the 

venues and they were held 

according to the constitution 

of the party.” 

Meanwhile, the former 

governor and others are 

representing the Ondo 

West and Idanre local 

government area of the state 

respectively. 

The election which took 

place in Idanre, had all the 

three delegates each from 

the ten wards in the local 

government and the local 

government executive 

members of the Party 

electing Ademujimi as the 

local government 

representative at the Abuja 

National Convention. 

Speaking after the 

election, Ademujimi 

commended the delegates 

for their display of maturity 

and sense of duty during 

the election. 

2019: Ogun West forum endorses 

Senator Adeola as gov candidate 

By Daud Olatunji 

A BEOKUTA— 

BARELY a week 

after Ijebu-Remo axis 

picked a consensus 

governorship candidate 

ahead of 2019 election, the 

Ogun West has also 

picked the Senator 

representing Lagos West 

federal constituency, 

Solomon Adeola, popularly 

known as Yayi, as the 

consensus Ogun State 

governorship candidate for 

the Yewa-Awori in 2019. 

The Ogun West 

consensus governorship 

candidate was endorsed by 

Ogun West Consultative 

Forum, an independent 

group made up of 

professionals drawn from 

the axis. 

The announcement was 

made on Tuesday during 

a press briefing held at the 

Asade Agunloye Pavilion, 

Empire, Ilaro, in Yewa 

South Local Government 

Area of the state. 

President of the forum, 

Kayode Ajibola, disclosed 

that six aspirants from the 

Yewa-Awori axis including 

Adeola, were all 

interviewed on their 

manifestoes for the state 

and what they felt were the 

chances of the Ogun West 

in producing the next 

governor of the state. 

Others interviewed were 

two-time governorship 

candidate, Gboyega Isiaka, 

Speaker, Ogun State House 

of Assembly, Suraj 

Adekunbi, Commissioner 

for Forestry, Kola Lawal, 

Chief of Staff to the 

governor, Chief Tolu 

Odebiyi and a former 

member, House of Reps, 

Abiodun Akinlade 

He said the forum also 

considered the political 

party, experience, 

exposure and financial 

capabilities of each of them. 

Amosun presents N345.42bn 

2018 budget 

By Daud Olatunji 

A BEOKUTA— 

GOVERNOR 

Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun 

state, yesterday, presented 

the 2018 budget proposal 

of N345.42 billion to the 

Ogun House of Assembly 

for approval which 

represents an increase of 57 

per cent compared with the 

2017 budget. 

Amosun, who tagged the 

bill ‘Budget of 

accelerated development’, 

gave the lion’s share of N79 

billion which is 22.9 per cent 

of the budget to affordable 

qualitative education . 

According to Amosun, 

Efficient Healthcare 

Delivery takes N21.199bn 

(6.13%), Agricultural 

P r o d u c t i o n / 

Industrialisation gulps 

N21.137, (6.12%) 

Affordable Housing and 

Urban Renewal takes 

N45.733 bn (13.24%) Rural 

& Infrastructural 

Development/ 

Employment Generation 

takes N73.606bn (21.31%). 

He said the proposed 

budget is a reflection of 

his “resolve to work more 

assiduously to deliver on 

our electoral promises to 

the good people of Ogun 

State, by starting new 

projects and fast tracking 

the completion of all 

ongoing projects, before 

the end of our tenure. 

“We therefore propose a 

NPO proscribes beat associations 

THE Nigerian Press 

Organisation (NPO), 

has expressed worry over the 

proliferation of beat 

associations and has 

proscribed it in the industry. 

The NPO, comprises of the 

Newspaper Proprietors’ 

Association of Nigeria 

(NPAN), the Nigeria Union 

of Journalists (NUJ) and the 

Nigerian Guild of Editors 

(NGE), 

The NPO said the 

development constitutes a 

drawback on the laudable 

objective of media houses 

deploying reporters to such 

outlets, the essence of which 

is to enhance efficient and 

independent gathering of 

news. 

In a statement by 

executive secretary of 

NPAN, Feyi Smith the 

organisation stated that “the 

essence of reporters in those 

beats, is to strengthen the 

operations of the media in 

its quest to deepen 

journalism and raise an 

army of a well informed and 

enlightened citizenry and 

actualise its constitutional 

responsibility of holding the 

government accountable to 

the people at all times, 

through well informed 

news and commentaries.” 

Also, it stated that “no 

where in their mandate, are 

they expected to form any 

association outside their 

recognised professional 

body, the Nigeria Union of 

Journalists. The 

proliferation of Beat 

associations, is not only 

corrosive of the esteemed 

journalism profession but 

also capable of lowering 

ethical and moral standards 

as well as the quality of 

reportage, if unchecked. 

They are now to cease and 

desist from engaging 

journalists in such untoward 

conduct.”

12—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017 


Reps blast Shell over unpaid $157.5m 

royalty 

By Emman 

Ovuakporie 

THE House of 

Representatives adhoc 

committee investigating 

revenue leakages from 

2016 to 2017, yesterday, 

charged at the 

management of Shell 

Petroleum Development 

Company, SPDC, over 

what it described as 

deliberate violation of 

Nigeria's regulatory 

authorities in the oil and 

gas sector. 

The oil prospecting 

company, according to 

documents made available 

to the Rep Jarigbe Agom 

Jarigbe-led panel by the 

Department of Petroleum 

Resources, DPR, has 

refused to pay outstanding 

revenue of $157,532.98 

owed since year 2000 on 

gas sales accruing to the 

federation account. 

Members of the panel, in 

reaction to an apparent 

refusal by Shell’s General 

Manager in charge of 

Government Relations, Mr. 

Bashir Bello, to respond to 

some of their questions, told 

the oil giant that it cannot 

be a government within the 

government of the Federal 

Republic of Nigeria. 

Mr Bello had told the 

panel: “We were asked to 

bring details on unitised 

fields which we are 

exploring in a joint venture 

with the NNPC and the 

proof of reconciled 

payments to the DPR which 

we have brought.” 

On gas sales which the 

DPR is accusing Shell of 

withholding royalty, the 

GM said: “We haven’t seen 

the data from DPR to 

confirm whether the 

outstanding is actually 

there or not. 

“On the applicability of 

paying royalty on gas sale, 

the company would want to 

know the details of where 

the discrepancies are 

coming from, relying on 

information from the DPR,” 

Bello added. 

A member of the panel at 

this point, noted that there 

was a meeting which held 

on May 19, 2017, where 

Shell acknowledged the 

need to reconcile data 

regarding its outstanding 

payments but has failed to 

see it through. 

Also examining the 

documents, the panel 

chairman, Jarigbe said the 

submission was done late 

and as such cannot be 

studied by members for any 

informed inputs, adding 

that other issues raised by 

the DPR must be treated in 

whatever reconciliation 

there is to be done. 

He noted that there is a 

pending royalty sum of 

$20,468,660 (US Dollars) of 

which nothing has been 

recovered, and another 

$54,683.62 on gas sale 

royalty , as well as $74,667 

owed on gas flare penalty. 

Responding the Shell 

official said that the 

company cannot 

understand where the 

discrepancies are coming 

from, saying that SNEPCO 

which is a subsidiary of 

Shell does not have any 

obligation for royalty, but 

SPDC and they have 

become subjects of further 

reconciliation. 

The Head of Planning at 

the DPR, Folasade 

Odunuga in her response 

Ukanafun killings: We're leaving 

no stone unturn —A-Ibom CP 

said: “I don’t know where 

SPDC is coming from, and 

I know he has talked about 

reconciliation, but DPR has 

its data and as regulators, 

we know what we deal 

with and we are on top of 

our job." 

MEETING: From left: Senator Yahaya Abdulahi, Alhaji Zakari Sabiu 

(Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation); Senator Lanre Tejuoso, 

Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Chairman Senate Committee on Land Transport, 

Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation, Senator Jeremiah Useni 

and Senator Osinakachukwu Ideozu, after the meeting of the Senate 

Committee on Land Transport with the Minister on the planned concession 

of Narrow Gauge rail network in the country, at the National Assembly, Abuja. 

By Dennis Udoma 

UYO—AKWA Ibom 

State Police 

Commissioner, Mr. 

Zubairu Muazu, has said 

that he is leaving no stone 

unturned in his 

determination to bring 

those behind last 

Sunday’s killings in 

Ukanafun Local 

Government Area of the 

state to justice. 

This is coming, even as 

a crack team for the 

manhunt for the 

perpetrators has been 

raised by the Police 

Command to comb the 

crime-infested area. 

The CP said this 

through his Public 

Relations Officer, PPRO, 

DSP Bala Elkana in Uyo, 

yesterday. 

“We will not leave any 

stone unturned in going 

after the culprits behind 

last Sunday’s incident, 

where three persons, 

including a sister to the 

Commissioner for Local 

Government and 

Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. 

Udo Ekpeyong, were 

killed by gunmen in 

Ukanafun, ” he said. 

DSP Elkana explained 

that Commissioner of 

Police, Muazu, was 

already in the area on a 

fact finding mission over 

a previous incident when 

the tragic incident 

happened, adding that 

the state command has 

sent a team of police 

investigators to trace the 

fleeing suspects. 

While stating that four 

armed men who came on 

motorcycles had fled after 

carrying out the attack, he 

said that the police have 

banned the use of 

motorcycles in Ukanafun 

and Etim Ekpo Local 

Government Areas, from 

6pm to 7am. 

He said the ban on the 

use of motor-cycles was 

necessary because 

hoodlums in the two local 

government areas under 

security surveillance have 

been using motorcycles 

for some time now to 

commit crime. 

He called on the 

indigenes of the affected 

areas and other citizens of 

the state to cooperate with 

the police, by 

volunteering information 

concerning the hoodlums 

among them to curb the 

crisis, as security is 

e v e r y b o d y ’ s 

responsibility. 

The PPRO also disclosed 

that already community 

stakeholders in Etim Ekpo 

Local Government Area 

have agreed to work with 

the police to bring an end 

to the crisis, stating that 

similar approach would 

be deployed to solve the 

crisis in Ukanafun. 

Edo Central, North monarchs 

urge DSS, Police to arrest Ijaw 

traditional rulers 

By Simon 

Ebegbulem 

B ENIN—TRADI- 

TIONAL rulers from 

Edo Central and North 

senatorial district of Edo 

State, yesterday, raised an 

alarm over alleged plot by 

Ijaw traditional rulers in 

Delta and Bayelsa states to 

disrespect the Oba of 

Benin, Oba Ewuare II, and 

called on security agents to 

arrest and prosecute the 

paramount ruler of 

Gbaramatu Kingdom in 

Delta State, Pere Oboro 

Gbaraun over the botched 

attempt to install Godwin 

Ogunyebo as the Pere of 

Olodiama Kingdom, in 

Ovia North East Local 

Government Area of Edo 

State. 

The traditional rulers who 

insisted that Gelegele is 

part of the enclave of the 

Oba of Benin, described as 

disrespectful and an 

abomination, the attempt 

by the paramount ruler of 

Gbaramatu Kingdom to 

come and install a king in 

Benin Kingdom without the 

consent of the Oba of 

Benin, adding that if the 

perpetrators are not 

arrested, “we will head to 

Abuja to protest this act of 

rebellion against the 

revered Benin monarch.” 

Addressing newsmen in 

Benin yesterday, the First 

Vice Chairman, Edo State 

Council of Traditional 

Rulers and Chiefs and 

Onojie of Opoji, His Royal 

Highness (HRH), 

Ehidiamen Aidonojie I, 

said: “In the 13th and 14th 

century when the 

Portuguese entered Benin, 

the only Port in Benin was 

Gelegele and that was 

where the Portuguese lived 

and even built a house 

there. 

“It has always been part 

of Benin Kingdom. We had 

two provinces in Western 

region that later formed 

Midwest region. We had 

the Benin Province and 

Delta Province. The Benin 

Province included 

Gelegele. There was never 

a second kingdom and 

there can never be another 

kingdom inside the Benin 

Kingdom and it is headed 

by the Oba of Benin. 

“Only the Oba has the 

powers to appoint a Duke 

in Gelegele like he did in 

other areas."

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017—13 


PANDEF to FG: Military intimidation can’t 

stop N-Delta struggle 

•Begins dialogue to avert further crisis 

•As delegates pass vote of confidence on Clark 

By Emma Amaize, 

Egufe Yafugborhi & 

Perez Brisibe 

E FFURUN—THE 

Pan Niger Delta 

Conference, PANDEF, 

yesterday, told the Federal 

Government that the Niger 

Delta region would not 

abandon the fight for 

equity and economic 

justice, notwithstanding 

government's regular 

deployment of military 

forces to frighten the 

people. 

PANDEF, led by former 

Federal Commissioner for 

Information, Chief Edwin 

Clark, who received a vote 

of confidence from the 

members, took the 

resolution at an emergency 

general assembly in 

Effurun, Delta State. 

The group defied the 

threat by a militant group, 

Reformed Niger Delta 

Avengers, RNDA, to hold 

yesterday’s meeting. The 

group had earlier 

threatened to disrupt the 

meeting, but unlike the 

October 26 assembly 

interrupted by the Police 

and DSS in Port Harcourt, 

Rivers State, the Police and 

Army provided security for 

the Effurun meeting. 

Leaders of the group also 

confirmed that the Niger 

Delta Avengers, NDA, 

which, early this month, 

threatened to resume 

hostilities, had granted the 

Federal Government a 

three-month stay of 

execution, following the 

intervention of PANDEF. 

Chief Clark, former 

Military Administrator of 

Akwa Ibom State, Air 

Commodore Idongesit 

Nkanga (retd); former 

Minister of Aviation, Alabo 

Tonye Graham-Douglas; 

former Minister of Police 

Affairs, Alaowei Broderick 

Bozimo; former Minister of 

Lands and Housing, Dr. 

Nduese Essien, were 

among the over 400 

delegates that attended the 

meeting. 

Former Chief of Staff, 

Delta State, Prof. G.G. 

Darah; representative of 

Olu of Warri, Olorogun 

Olivia Agbajoh; Secretary- 

General of TROMPCON, 

Col Tony Nyiam (retd); 

HRM Oba Obayemi 

Ogbaro; former 

Coordinator of Pan Niger 

Delta People’s Congress, 

PNDPC, Chief Mike 

Loyibo; Dr. Mike Asemota; 

Dr. Ejiofor Onyia; Mrs. 

Doris Mokobia and IYC 

President, Pereotubo 

Oweilaemi, also attended 

the meeting. 

Review 

The emergency general 

assembly reviewed the 

MEETING: From left: Chief Francis Doukpola (Bayelsa); Alabo Graham 

Douglas (Rivers); Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (retd) (Akwa Ibom); 

Chief E.K. Clark, National Leader; Dr. Godknows Igali (Bayelsa) Chief 

Samson Agbaru (Rivers) and Chief Godini Darah (Delta), at the Pan Niger 

Delta Forum (PANDEF) Emergency General Assembly with the theme: 

Security Situation: Sustaining the Peace and Development in the Niger Delta 

Region, held at PTI Conference Center, Effurun, Uvwie LGA, Delta State, 

yesterday. 

condition that led to the 

formation of PANDEF and 

discussed in details the 

security situation in the 

Niger Delta region and the 

urgent need to sustain the 

prevailing peace. 

Though the meeting 

commended the Federal 

Government for giving the 

go-ahead for the 

commencement of 

academic activities at the 

Nigeria Maritime 

University, Okerenkoko, 

one of its 16-point 

programme, it said the 

government has largely 

forsaken the programme. 

Communiqué 

It observed in a 

communiqué: “However, 

the Federal Government is 

yet to address the other 15 

items in the 16-point 

agenda presented to it 

since the 1st of November 

2016. We urge the Federal 

Government to rethink and 

jettison the use of violence 

through military repression 

of the region. We also urge 

the Federal Government to 

embrace the dialogue 

initiated by PANDEF by 

creating the framework to 

discuss the 16-point 

agenda now submitted for 

over a year. 

“The act of military 

intimidation on people of 

the region into abandoning 

the struggle for equity and 

economic justice will be an 

exercise in futility; we urge 

the youths of the region to 

remain and maintain peace 

as PANDEF continues to 

mediate and bring 

sustainable peace to the 

region.” 

The delegates urged the 

Federal Government to 

show commitment in the 

development of the Niger 

Delta with particular 

reference to the noncompletion 

East-West Road 

and other abandoned 

projects in the region. 

They called on the 

Federal Government to, “as 

soon as possible ensure the 

take-off of the modular 

refineries, the relocation of 

the headquarters of oil 

companies to the Niger 

Delta and the take-off of the 

other Maritime University 

at Oron in Akwa Ibom 

state.” 

Delegates also 

commended and 

congratulated the members 

of the Pan-Niger Delta 

People’s Congress 

(PNDPC) for returning to 

the PANDEF fold, 

emphasizing the need for 

cohesion and singular 

sense of mission. 

The forum also resolved 

to see “PANDEF as a 

formidable platform for all 

the states and ethnic 

nationalities in the Niger 

Delta.” 

They noted PANDEF’s 

activities brought peace to 

the region and subsequent 

improvement in oil 

production that has 

enabled the country’s exit 

from recession. 

On the commotion that 

trailed its last meeting, the 

body called on the Federal 

Government “to investigate 

the circumstances that led 

to the disruption of its 4th 

general assembly in Port 

Harcourt and offer an 

explanation.” 

It accepted the reports of 

its Zoning Committee on 

the zoning of offices and its 

Electoral Committee, and 

resolved “nominations to fill 

such positions be brought 

forward at its next general 

assembly.” 

One minute silence 

for Ekwueme 

Delegates observed a 

minute silence in honour of 

the departed Vice 

President of the Federal 

Republic of Nigeria, Dr. 

Alex Ekwueme, GCON, 

and extolled his virtue as 

an iconic statesman, 

They also expressed 

appreciation to the 

government of Delta State 

for the warm welcome and 

hospitality extended to 

delegates. 

Earlier in his address, 

Clark said: “We have 

agreed to come together 

and work together. Once 

this is done, Operation 

Crocodile Smile cannot do 

anything. Operation 

Crocodile Smile II came to 

the Niger Delta, while they 

were here; the Niger Delta 

Avengers came out to say 

they are coming back again, 

was the crocodile able to 

smile again? 

“It is not enough to fly 

over Bennet Island in Warri, 

you are only punishing 

and intimidating school 

children in the area, but you 

would never find Niger 

Delta Avengers or any 

other group.” 

Speaking on the 

agitation, he said: “In the 

prevailing circumstances, 

where agitations for better 

treatment are met with 

dastardly killings, it looks 

like we the people of the 

Niger Delta region are 

under a siege. 

“It became obvious that 

the second movement/ 

deployment of Operation 

Crocodile Smile to the 

Niger Delta did not deter 

the NDA from announcing 

the end of the ceasefire 

which they have granted 

over a year ago. 

“This should tell the 

Federal Government that 

the crisis in the Niger Delta 

region is a far cry for the 

development of the area, 

therefore, it will be very 

difficult, if not impossible to 

use military force to cow the 

people to submission.” 

Earlier in his welcome 

address, chairman of the 

Local Organizing 

Committee of the assembly, 

Prof. Goddini Darah, 

explained that the purpose 

of the assembly was to 

deliberate on the current 

insecurity situation in the 

region. 

Remove age barrier, elect youth 

as president —Jonathan 

By Samuel 

Oyadongha & Emem 

Idio 

FORMER President 

Goodluck Jonathan 

has urged Nigerian youths 

to cultivate the will to make 

sacrifices for the country 

when they are in position 

to do so. 

Jonathan, who made a 

case for youths to be elected 

as president, spoke, 

yesterday when students 

and youth groups, 

including the National 

Association of Nigerian 

Students, NANS, National 

Youth Council of Nigeria, 

NYCN, and Ijaw Youth 

Council, IYC, among 

others, paid him a birthday 

solidarity visit in his country 

home, Otouke, in Ogbia 

Local Government Area of 

Bayelsa State. 

The former president, 

who said though some 

persons are undergoing 

trials and others are 

suffering because of the 

decisions and sacrifices he 

made, pointed out that it 

was for peace and collective 

interest of the country. 

Jonathan, who described 

the occasion as 

unprecedented and 

memorable, said it was only 

the second time he would 

celebrate his birthday in his 

life, the first being in 2004 

while he was deputy 

governor of Bayelsa State. 

Present during the visit 

were the former First Lady, 

Dame Patience Jonathan, 

former Permanent 

Secretary Ministry of Power, 

Ambassador Goodnows 

Igali, Chairman of Ogbia 

Brotherhood, Chief Benson 

Agadaga, Chairman Azikel 

Group, Dr Azibapu Eruani, 

and Professor Brisibe, 

among other political 

associates and friends in 

the state. 

Jonathan said: 

“Sometimes things could 

be so challenging that we 

begin to think that it is over 

but what I have seen today 

I am convinced that we still 

have a country. All your 

speeches centered on the 

position I took, especially 

when I surrendered in a 

way and made sure there 

was peace in the country 

because the tension was 

quite high. 

“My happiness is that this 

is a very enlightened youth 

group. More than 50 per 

cent of you are graduates 

and others are 

undergraduates. So, I am 

speaking to the future of 

this country. Whatever 

sacrifices I have made, be 

willing and ready to make 

similar sacrifices. 

“If one of the super 

powers and G5 nation like 

France can elect a 39 years 

old as president, then 

almost all of you here are 

very qualified to be 

president. And to add to 

what France did, I think 

Austria elected a 31-yearold 

as president." 

Oshomhole to Isoko nation: Join 

APC, get fed appointments 

By Festus Ahon, 

Akpokona 

Omafuaire & 

Ochuko Akuopha 

FORMER governor 

of Edo State, 

Comrade Adams 

Oshiomhole, has told the 

people of Isoko nation 

that their dream of getting 

ministerial and other 

federal appointments 

could only come to fruition 

if they join forces with the 

All Progressives 

Congress, APC. 

Oshiomole, who spoke 

at a grand reception held 

at Owhelogbo, Isoko 

North Local Government 

Area, Delta State, by 

immediate past Secretary 

to the State Government, 

Mr. Ovuozorie Macaulay, 

in honour of a former 

governor of the state, 

Chief James Ibori, said he 

would never join the 

Peoples Democratic Party, 

PDP. 

The ceremony was 

attended by Delta State 

governor, Senator Ifeanyi 

Okowa, immediate past 

governor of the state, Dr. 

Emmanuel Uduaghan, 

Senator James Manager, 

former acting governor of 

the state, Mr. Sam Obi, 

former deputy governor of 

the state, Chief Benjamin 

Elue and top government 

functionaries. 

Oshiomhole said: “The 

system that benefits from 

a situation where an Isoko 

man has not been a 

minister or chairman of a 

major board, that system 

cannot change. To change 

that system, you have to 

join the forces of change.” 

He described Ibori as a 

bridge builder across all 

divides who popularized 

and mobilized for the 

struggle for resource 

control at a time most 

governors from the Niger 

Delta were afraid to fight 

for the course. 

Reiterating that Ibori’s 

“footprints are 

everywhere,” he said the 

former governor 

maintained his bond with 

his people.


12 varsities established by 

Jonathan have only 3,756 

academic staff — PANEL 

•Only 30% of them have PhD degrees 

By Joseph Erunke 

ABUJA—AN audit 

panel set up in May 

by the Minister of Education, 

Mallam Adamu Adamu, 

to audit the utilization 

of the take-off grants to the 

12 new universities established 

by the Jonathan-led 

administration, has turned 

in its report, revealing that 

the 12 universities have just 

3,756 academic staff. 

Besides, the panel said 

the total number of students’ 

enrollment in all the 

12 universities stands at 

40,614 with only about 32 

percent of the lecturers 

having PhD degrees. 

Similarly, it said the 

guidelines by the Public 

Procurement Act, PPA, 

were duly followed in most 

cases in award of contracts 

in the institutions while 

there were also few of 

breaches. 

Chairman of the panel, 

Prof. Olufemi Bamiro, stated 

these during the presentation 

of the report to 

the minister in his office. 

Speaking while receiving 


the report, Adamu said the 

issues of students’ accommodation 

and accreditation 

of courses would be looked 

into quickly to ensure that 

the institutions were repositioned 

on the right pedestal. 

While adding that the 

report would be studied 

and the recommendations 

appropriately implemented, 

he commended members 

of the panel for their 

dedication and diligence in 

completing the task within 

the short period. 

Meanwhile, Bamiro, 

who told the minister that 

the report was in two partsmain 

report and individual 

institution’s report, 

urged him to critically look 

at it with a view to implementing 

the recommendations. 

Prof. Bamiro thanked 

the minister for the opportunity 

given to members 

of the panel to 

serve their fatherland, 

and urged him to look critically 

into the specific observations 

and recommendations 

in the reports. 

Navy promotes 78 senior officers 

...18 Commodores elevated to rank of Rear 

Admiral, 40 Captains get Commodores 

By Joseph Erunke 

ABUJA—THE Nige 

rian Navy has promoted 

78 of its senior officers 

to various levels. 

The development came 

hours after the Nigerian 

Army and the Nigerian Air 

Force announced the promotion 

of their senior personnel 

to various levels. 

A statement released 

yesterday by Navy Captain 

Suleman Dahun, Acting 

Director of Information, 

Naval Headquarters, said 

the Navy Board approved 

the promotions of the 78 

senior officers. 

The statement, however, 

did not state when the approval 

of the promotion was 

effected by the Naval authorities. 

A breakdown of the approved 

promotion, 

showed that 18 Commodores 

were promoted to the 

rank of Rear Admiral, 40 

captains were promoted to 

the flag rank of Commodore 

and 20 Commanders were 

promoted to the rank of 

Captain. 

Among the newly promoted 

rear admirals are 

Commodore Michael Ebe, 

Director of Administration, 

Nigerian Defence Academy-Kaduna, 

Commodore 

David Adeniran, Commodore 

Naval Drafting, Commodore 

Uchenna Onyia, 

Chief Staff Officer, Logistics 

Command Oghara- 

Delta State, Commodore 

Ahamefule Eluwa, a Moderator 

at the National Institute 

for Policy and Strategic 

Studies, Kuru-Jos and 

Commodore Dolapo Kolawole, 

Commander NNS 

LUGARD, Lokoja-Kogi 

State. 

Other new rear admirals 

are Commodore Shuwa 

Mohammed, Deputy Director 

Monitoring and 

Evaluation at Defence 

Headquarters, Commodore 

Maurice Eno, Commander 

NNS BEECROFT, 

Commodore Abraham 

Adaji, Director of Operations, 

Naval Headquarters, 

Commodore Jatau Luka, 

Director of Logistics, Nigerian 

Armed Forces Resettlement 

Centre, Oshodi- 

Lagos, Commodore 

Ibikunle Olaiya, Director of 

Naval Intelligence, Commodore 

Kamarudeen Lawal, 

Director of Logistics, 

Armed Forces Command 

and Staff College, Jaji- 

Kaduna and Commodore 

Saidu Garba, Commander 

NNS JUBILEE, 

Ikot Abasi. 

Also in the list of newly 

promoted rear admirals are 

Commodore Jasson Gbassa, 

Director of Manning, 

Naval Headquarters and 

Commodore Sanusi Ibrahim, 

Deputy Director 

(Navy) Liaison Senate, 

amongs others. 

NASS sends proposed constitution 

amendment copies to state Assemblies 

SYMPOSIUM: From left: Chairman, Board of Fellows, Nigerian Society 

of Engineers, Sir Chris Okoye; Vice President, World Federation of Engineering 

Organisation, Engr Valerie Agberagba, Deputy President, Nigerian 

Society of Engineers, NSE, Engr Adekunle Mokuolu and President, NSE, 

Engr Otis Anyaeji during 2nd NSE College of Fellows symposium in Abuja. 


A BUJA—INDICA 

TION emerged yesterday 

that the National 

Assembly had transmitted 

copies of proposed amendments 

of the 1999 constitution 

to state Houses of Assembly, 

as part of the constitutional 

amendment process. 

A source said that in line 

with this development, 

State Assemblies are expected 

to turn in their resolutions 

to the National 

Assembly in the first quarter 

of 2018 for further legislative 

work before transmitting 

same to President 

Muhammadu Buhari for 

assent. 

It was also gathered that 

the transmission of clean 

copies of the suggested 

constitution amendments 

was concluded on Monday, 

November 20, 2017. 

Vanguard gathered 

from a source close to 

the Office of the Senate 

President who disclosed 

that the copies of the 

amendment to state 

Houses of Assembly, 

took some time because 

of “cleaning up copies 

to ensure that what you 

have in the Senate is 

also what you have from 

the House of Representatives.” 

The source said, “It is 

not expected that the 

State Assemblies will unduly 

delay the transmitted 

copies especially 

when they were carried 

along at every stage of the 

constitution amendment 

process. Talks and comments 

have comprehensibly 

centered on such 

areas as the failure of the 

National Assembly to 

approve devolution of 

powers to states, removal 

of the Land Use Act 

from the Constitution, 

and 35 per cent affirmative 

action for women. 

“The consensus is that 

the failure of the National 

Assembly to pass some 

critical proposals amounted 

to gross “insensitivity 

to the aspiration of greater 

number of Nigerians.” 

It will be recalled that 

in all, the National Assembly 

constitution review 

committee formulated 

33 bills, 29 passed 

while four were rejected. 

The four rejected critical 

proposals included 

devolution of powers to 

states, deletion of Land 

Use Act from the constitution, 

state creation and 

boundary adjustment and 

35 per cent affirmative action 

for women. 

Also rejected was the recommendation 

to alter Section 

25 of the Constitution 

to guarantee a married 

woman’s right to choose 

either her indigeneship by 

birth or by marriage for the 

purposes of appointment or 

election. 

Any proposal that meets 

the approval of at least 24 

state houses of assembly 

will be processed and 

transmitted to the President 

for assent, just as the 

National Assembly will 

no longer vote on proposals 

that met the mandatory 

approval of 24 state 

houses of assembly. 

Senate probes non-payment of severance, pensions to judicial officers 



has begun a probe 

into non-payment of all severance, 

gratuities and pensions 

arrears to retired state 

judicial officers by state 

governments. 

Against this backdrop, 

the Senate yesterday mandated 

its Committee on 

Judiciary, Human Rights 

and Legal Matters to carry 

out a holistic investigation 

on the issues surrounding 

the non-payment of these 

entitlements and report 

back within four weeks. 

The Senate also mandated 

the committee to review 

the laws impeding the harmonization 

of the processes 

and prompt payment of 

retirement benefits of all 

judicial officers in the country. 

The upper chamber 

urged the National Judicial 

Council, NJC to harmonise 

the payment of retirement 

benefits of all judges 

of superior courts of records 

in the country as it had 

done with the salaries and 

emoluments of retired judicial 

officers listed in Section 

6 of the Constitution. 

The resolutions were 

sequel to a motion by 

Senator Chukwuka 

Utazi, PDP, Enugu 

North and entitled, “The 

plight of retired judges 

of state High Courts and 

the need to harmonise 

the process of paying the 

retirement benefits of all 

judges of superior courts 

By Victor Ahiuma- 

Young 

ABUJA—THE Minister 

of State Labour 

and Employment, Professor, 

Stephen Ocheni, has called 

for improved youth access 

to education and vocational 

studies as a deliberate 

strategy to check youth’s illiteracy 

and its antecedent 

vices, such as moral decadence, 

Juvenile delinquency, 

cultism and drug abuse. 

Ocheni spoke in Abuja at 

a Reception and Public Lecture 

with the title “Role of 

Public Officers in Strategiz- 

of records in Nigeria.” 

Presenting the motion, 

Senator Utazi said among 

others, that “The Senate: 

Recalls that sometime 

around December 2016, 

Hon. Justice Godwin Ononiba, 

retired Chief Judge 

of Anambra State leading 

31 other retired Judges, 

sued the Governor of Anambra 

State, the National 

Industrial Court for nonpayment 

of their severance 

gratuities, their pension 

and arrears of pension; 

“Worried that the suit 

above is indicative and a 

reflection of the depressing 

plight of retired Judicial 

Officers, especially Judges 

of the State High Courts 

in Nigeria.’’ 

Minister proffers solutions to antic-social 

behahiours by youths 

ing for Competitive Development,” 

organized by the 

Igala Professors Forum in 

his honour as well as Prof. 

Sam Egwu, Independent 

National Electoral Commission, 

Resident Electoral 

Commissioner to Niger 

State. 

According to him “we 

may focus primarily on Universal 

Basic Education 

which is free but we must 

also put strategies in 

place to improve access of 

our youths to secondary, 

vocational and tertiary 

education.” 

Ocheni insisted that “Education 

promotes equality 

and lifts people out of poverty. 

It teaches children how 

to become good citizens and 

not just for a privileged few 

but for everyone. It is a 

fundamental human right 

with particular reference to 

Girl Child Education at all 

levels.” 

In addition, the Minister 

of State proposed a 10-year 

Blueprint to eliminate illiteracy 

from Igala land and 

Nigeria at large, saying 

“We must develop short and 

medium term template to 

ensure that no lgala child 

in the 21st Century is denied 

access to education.’’

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017 — 15 

Enugu LG Polls: PDP denies 

alleged attack on APC chieftain 

E NUGU—THE 

leaders of the 

Peoples Democratic 

Party, PDP, in Igbo Eze 

South Local Government 

Area of Enugu State, 

have denied the 

allegation by the state 

Chairman of the All 

Progressives Congress, 

APC, Mr. Ben Nwoye, 

that the state’s 

Commissioner for 

Transport, Mr. Vitus 

Okechi and the Vice 

Chairman-elect of the 

council, Hon. Sunday 

Ajogwu, led “the thugs” 

that kidnapped and 

unleashed attack on a 

Chieftain of the APC in 

the state, Mr. Okey 

Ezea during the 

November 4 Local 

Government elections, 

describing it as strange, 

spurious and a blatant 

lie. 

Reacting to the 

allegation which was 


published in the national 

dailies, the chairman 

of the PDP in Igbo- 

Eze South L.G.A, Hon. 

Cyprian Omeye, in a 

statement issued on behalf 

of the leaders, said 

that contrary to the report, 

it was Mr. Ezea 

who unleashed attack on 

PDP faithful and staff of 

the Enugu State 

Independent Electoral 

Commission, ENSIEC, 

during the distribution of 

electoral materials, 

preparatory to the 

elections at the council 

area. 

The PDP chairman 

alleged that the APC 

Chieftain stormed the 

venue with over 50 

armed thugs chanting 

war songs, with a clear 

mandate to unleash 

mayhem and disrupt the 

exercise, which was 

going on peacefully 

before his arrival. 

APC not anti-Igbo—Group 

By Anayo Okoli 

U MUAHIA—APC 

Y o u n g 

Entrepreneurial, APC-YE, 

a group of young All 

Progressive Congress 

members engaged in 

various businesses, has 

called on the people of 

South-East to ignore the 

insinuation that the ruling 

APC is anti-Igbo, saying 

it is just a sentiment 

employ by the opposition to 

survive. 

Speaking at the 

inauguration of the group, 

in Umuahia, the interim 

Chairman, Mr. Mascot 

Kalu said part of the 

agenda was to “end the 

political nuisance in Abia 

State and change the 

government that has so 

destroyed us in the last 

few years.” 

The group said members 

would act as a watch-dog 

to the Abia State 

Government and engage 

them on issues about the 

state just as they urged 

Ndigbo to embrace the 

ruling APC and ignore the 

anti-Igbo sentiment, 

insisting that “Ndigbo 

cannot achieve their 

aspirations without being in 

the party at the centre.” 

He said: “APC is not anti- 

Igbo Party; it is the 

sentiment that other 

political parties want to 

bring to fore. We are in APC 

because we need to be in a 

party that controls power at 

the centre. Ndi Igbo can’t 

achieve their aspirations 

without being in the party 

at the centre." 

UNTH performs 11 fresh open heart surgeries 

By Dennis Agbo 

E NUGU—THE 

University of Nigeria 

Teaching Hospital, UNTH, 

Enugu, has successfully 

performed 11 fresh open 

heart surgeries, making it 

a total of 250 cases it has 

undertaken since 2003. 

Among the 11 was an 

adult patient with aortic 

aneurysm which the doctors 

said "is a situation when the 

heart gets weak, almost like 

awaiting death, dangerous 

and delicate," but which was 

successfully repaired and 

the patient recovering 

fast. 

While conducting 

newsmen round the 

intensive care unit, Chief 

Medical Director, CMD, of 

UNTH, Dr. Christopher 

Amah, said the feat was 

possible through UNTH’s 

foreign partner, VOOM 

foundation, which had 

been supportive with both 

technical and other 

logistics. 

Amah disclosed that over 

20 other open heart 

PEOPLE SPEAK 

surgeries would be 

performed in the hospital 

before the end of 2017. 

He said: “This is the 

climax of surgeries doctors 

can perform. Another set of 

partners from Italy, Pobic 

Heart International, would 

soon arrive the hospital for 

continued heart surgeries 

that would take place till 

the end of the year." 

The CMD stated that the 

foreign partners had 

helped to upgrade the 

hospital’s local skill in heart 

surgeries, noting that 

another group of partners 

South-East monarchs laud Umahi, others, 

over Buhari's visit 

By Anayo Okoli. 

U MUAHIA—THE 

South East Council 

of Traditional Rulers, 

SECTR, has commended 

the Chairman of South 

East Governors’ Forum 

and Ebonyi State 

Governor, Chief Dave 

Umahi, for successfully 

hosting President 

Muhammadu Buhari, 

during a recent state visit 

to Ebonyi State. 

The monarchs also 

passed a vote of 

confidence on its 

chairman, Eze Eberechi 

Dick, as well Eze Samuel 

Ohiri and Eze Charles 

Mpuma, for in ensuring 

that the President had a 

huge welcome to Ebonyi 

State, saying that they 

were happy with their 

contribution in giving the 

President a befitting 

welcome. 

A statement issued in 

Umuahia, by the 

monarchs, explained that 

the vote of confidence 

came after a general 

meeting of the council at 

the Ministry of Local 

Government and 

Chieftaincy Affairs, 

Abakiliki, Ebonyi State, to 

review the recent visit of 

President Buhari to the 

state. 

The statement said the 

meeting was presided 

over by the Council 

Chairman, Eze Dick. 

The statement 

conveying the decision 

was signed by the first 

Deputy Chairman, Abia 

State Council of 

Traditional Rulers, Eze 

G.C Chionye, Eze 

Dominic Alo of Ebonyi 

State and the Secretary of 

Imo State Council of 

Traditional Rulers, Eze 

OSS Igwilo. 

The statement enjoined 

traditional rulers to 

continue to play the roles 

of bridge-builders and 

peace makers across the 

nation. 

were also being expected 

from India in 2018. 

He lamented that most 

heart cases were presented 

late after other medications 

would have been tried on 

patients and asked patients 

to always insist on hospital 

medication. 

Amah said the UNTH was 

expecting a team of 

neurosurgeons from 

Sweden that would cross 

fertilize ideas and skills 

with its local doctors by next 

year, saying the hospital 

was also thinking about 

performing kidney 

transplant. 

President of the 

partnering VOOM 

Foundation, Dr. Vincent 

Ohaju said it was passion 

and desire to improve 

health care in Nigeria that 

made the group to come 

from USA with teams of 

cardiologists to UNTH for 

assistance. 

He said the foundation 

wanted Nigerians to curtail 

medical tourism and urged 

other partners to help 

improve health care in 

Nigeria. 

Revive Farm Settlements system practiced in 

South-East region, ADF tells FG 

By Peter Okutu 

A BAKALIKI— 

A L A I G B O 

Development 

Foundation, ADF, 

yesterday called on both 

State and Federal 

Governments to revive 

the system of Farm 

Settlements practiced in 

South East region of the 

country during the 

administration of Dr. 

Michael Okpara, as the 

Premier of the defunct 

Eastern region. 

The President of the 

Igbo Group, Professor 

Uzodinma Nwala said 

the restoration of the 

Farm Settlements would 

boost food production 

and youth employment 

in Igbo land noted that 

the flourishing of Agrobased 

industries in 

Eastern Nigeria during 

the First Republic was 

sustained by agricultural 

produce from the Farm 

Settlements at Erei, 

Igbariam, Uzo-Uwani 

and Ohaji-Egbema. 

Prof Nwala made the 

call at Owutu Edda in 

Afikpo South local 

government area of the 

State during his funeral 

oration at the burial of 

the father of a former 


Information in Ebonyi 

State, Elder Abia 

Onyike. 

Nwala extolled the 

virtues of late Elder 

Onyike Abia, who he 

said paid his dues in the 

development of Erei 

Farm Settlement located 

in present-day Biase 

local government area of 

Cross River State. 

By Bartholomew 

Madukwe (08051019450) 

nwamad@yahoo.com 

Ekwueme’s death is akin 

to a burnt national archive 

or monument, 

which all and sundry will 

greatly miss. His proficiency 

in his primary professional 

field of architecture 

is not only world- class but 

second to non. Chief Morah 

Ekwunoh, Human 

rights lawyer 

What I have to say is 

that His Excellency 

had accomplished in every 

respect. May God console 

the Ekwueme family 

and other stakeholders 

such as Old Aguata 

Union and all Igbos. May 

his soul rest in peace, 

Amen! Dr. Onyeka 

Uwakwe, Lecturer 

On Dr. . Alex Ekwueme’s death 

It is a great loss to Oko, 

his home town, Anambra 

and the entire country. 

He was a true patriot and 

elder statesman. I wish 

most of the politicians destroying 

Nigeria today, 

out of their selfish, tribal, 

and religious interests, 

could learn from him. Mr 

Benjamin Obioha, Lecturer 

His kind of politics had 

so much finesse and 

never engaged In any do 

or die bawl on the turf. He 

suffered unjust imprisonment 

while the real culprits 

got stately and grandeur 

treatment. A sad poss to 

the nation indeed. Mr 

George Akingbola, Lawyer 

He was both an archi 

tect and a lawyer, a 

combination, which I 

think, he held as the first 

Nigerian to do so. He was 

a champion of the Igbo 

cause and hero of Nigerian 

unity. There goes a 

quality Nigerian. Mr Oyesanya 

Adekunle SAN, 

Lawyer 

May his gentle soul 

rest in perfect 

peace. Amen. It is unfortunate 

that the icon departed 

when his sagacious 

input towards cementing 

peace in the 

south east and fostering 

national unity was most 

needed. Dr Chijioke 

Mezieobi, Lecturer


:Vanguard News 

GE $2.7bn rail concession: 

Senate c'ttee meets Minister 

FCMB/CFA CHARTER: From left— Team Lead, Proprietary Investments Mr. Oluyinka 

Ilesanmi; Relationship Officer, Corporate Banking Division, and newly-awarded CFA Charterholder, 

Mr. Olasunkanmi Abioye; Team Lead, Asset & Liability Management, Mr. Ayokunle Kunle-Salami, 

and Head, Corporate Finance, Capital Markets Limited, Mr. Abimbola Kasim, all of First 

City Monument Bank, FCMB, during the CFA Society Nigeria Charter Awards and launch of its 

Women in Investment Management Initiative in Lagos. 

SKYE BIZ SCHOOL: From left—Registrar/ Chief Executive, Mr. Seye Awojobi; First Vice 

President, Dr. Uche Olowu; President/ Chairman of Council, Profesor Segun Ajibola, all of Chartered 

Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN; Group Head, Corporate Support, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. 

Kayode Abiru, and Second Vice President, CIBN, Mr. Bayo Olugbemi, during the presentation of 

Certificate of Accreditation to Skye Business School by CIBN, in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: Kehinde 

Gbadamosi. 

NIM MGT DAY LECTURE: From left— National Treasurer, Mrs. Pat Anabor; past President, 

Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar; Deputy President, Professor Olukunle Iyanda, all of Nigerian 

Institute of Management, NIM; MD/CEO, 11 Plc (formerly Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc), and guest 

speaker, Mr. Adetunji Oyebanji; President, and Chairman of Council, Emeritus Professor Munzali 

Jibril; Dr. Michael Omolayole; Mrs. Margaret Adeleke, both past Presidents, and Registrar/Chief 

Executive, Mr. Tony Fadaka, all of NIM, at the Institute's 2017 Management Day Lecture in Lagos. 

By Olasunkanmi 

Akoni 


Committee on Land 

Transport, yesterday, met 

with the Minister of 

Transportation, Rotimi 

Amaechi over the planned 

concession of the narrow 

gauge rail network across 

the country to General 

Electric (GE) at cost of $2.7 

billion investment. 

The Senate Committee, 

under the Chairmanship 

of Senator Gbenga Ashafa, 

had via a letter, dated 13th 

November, 2017 invited the 

Minister to brief the 

committee on the effect of 

the planned concession on 

the activities of the 

Nigerian Railway 

Corporation, NRC, the 

future of the staff of the 

Nigerian Railways and 

most importantly the effect 

of the concession on the 

African photographers 

unearth hidden facts on 

FESCTAC, Nigerian civil war 

By Prisca-Sam 

Duru 

LAGOS—IN helping 

Africans tell their stories 

without distortions, the 

annual LagosPhoto 

Festival organised by the 

African Artists' Foundation, 

AAF, is set to unearth 

hidden facts about Africa. 

The 2017 edition, being 

the 8th in the series, with 

theme, 'Regimes of Truth' is 

designed to expound on 

pertinent ideas of 

constructed realities and the 

relevance of legitimacy in 

contemporary time through 

compelling works of 

participating artists. 

It will commence on 

November 24th at the AAF 

headquarters, Victoria 

Island, as well as A 

Whitespace Lagos, 

Delta APC leaders laud 

Emerhor @ 60 

By Lucky Oji 

WARRI—DELTA State 

Leaders’ Committee 

of the All Progressives 

Congress, APC, yesterday 

commended Olorogun 

O’tega Emerhor for setting 

the party on the right 

course to take over power 

in the state come 2019, 

describing him as an 

excellent leader at 60. 

In a statement signed by 

media coordinator, Dr. 

Cairo Ojougboh, the Delta 

APC Leaders’ Committee, 

while rejoicing with his 

entire family, teeming 

supporters and members 

budgetary provisions for 

the narrow gauge rail lines 

when same is handed over 

to General Electric. 

Ashafa, in a statement by 

his Special Assistant on 

Media, Olasunkanmi 

Adebowale, explained, 

“According to reports by a 

news cable network in 

Lagos on Saturday, 11th 

November, 2017 the 

Minister was reported to 

have stated that General 

Electric (GE) would be 

investing the sum of $2.7 

billion on infrastructure, 

Operation and 

Maintenance (O and M) of 

the entire narrow gauge 

lines concession. 

"Also, the Minister was 

reported to have stated further 

that once the concession 

agreement with General Electric 

is concluded, the Nigeria Railway 

Corporation will hand over the 

affected rail lines to General 

Electric.” 

Quintessence, Yaba 

College of Science and 

Technology etc and selected 

out door public spaces. It 

runs till December 15, 

2017. 

'Regimes of Truth' will 

more importantly, examine 

two major historical events; 

the Nigerian Civil War, with 

the declaration of the nation 

state of Biafra and the 

Second World Black and 

African Festival of Arts and 

Culture otherwise known 

as FESTAC 77. These 

events continue to define 

the global visual 

representation of Africa and 

both, took place here in 

Nigeria. 

The Festival's curator and 

AAF Director, Mr Azu 

Nwagbogu hinted that this 

year's festival promises to 

be an interesting one. 

of APC on his 60th birthday 

celebration also described 

Emerhor as a man 

of impeccable character 

whose leadership style in 

the Delta State APC has 

brought total unity of 

excellence. 

The statement reads; 

“We the Delta State APC 

Leaders Committee, jolly 

rejoice with our illustrious 

and distinguished leader, 

Olorogun O’tega Emerhor 

(OON) , his family, friends, 

supporters and members of 

the our great party the 

occasion of his amazing 60 

years excellent service to 

humanity."

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017 — 17

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017 

AFTER a prolonged silence 

which provoked unsavoury 

comments in the social media, the 

Federal Government over the 

weekend reportedly set up a 

committee to probe the death of 26 

Nigerian teenage girls whose 

bodies a Spanish ship took from the 

Mediterranean Sea to Salerno in Libyan coast. 

Southern Italy for mass burial. Data released by government 

Many Nigerians were indicates that about 115,000 

disappointed that the Federal migrants of mainly African descent 

Government, which is usually swift reached the Italian coast from 

in commiserating with world North Africa this year, which 

leaders whenever their citizens represents a fall from the figure of 

meet with tragedies, took over two 167,000 recorded last year. The 

weeks to react to the death of International Organisation for 

Europe-bound Nigerian migrants Migration, IOM, also reports that 

on November 3, 2017. 

2,925 people have died trying to 

The probe panel is expected to cross to Europe this year, which is 

unmask the exact cause of death of less than the 4,302 for the same 

the suspected victims of human period last year. 

trafficking. Apart from the 26 Now that the bodies from this 

recovered bodies, 64 others were tragic migration mess have been 

unaccounted for and feared lost laid to rest in a mass grave in a 

after their boats capsized off the foreign land instead of Nigeria, 

After burial of 26 teenage girls, what next? 

what are we going to do, as a 

nation, to stem the flow of young 

Nigerians in search of the elusive 

better life in other countries? If it 

is confirmed that the victims were 

sexually assaulted and murdered, 

what steps will the Federal 

Government take to ensure that the 

perpetrators do not get away with 

their crime? 

These and other questions are 

important in solving the tragedy 

that human trafficking has brought 

upon this country. The situation is 

exacerbated by recent reports on 

CNN of the sale of Nigerians and 

other Africans into slavery in 

Libya. The value of the lives of 

Nigerians has been terribly 

diminished. Back in Nigeria, cows 

are often more highly rated than 

human beings. People take the 

lives of Nigerians both at home and 

abroad, and little is done to bring 

them to justice and prevent future 

occurrence. This is unacceptable. 

The Federal Government must 

empower the National Agency for 

the Prohibition of Traffic in 

Persons, NAPTIP, to redouble 

efforts to break the cartels that 

traffic young Nigerians for sexual 

and other forms of exploitation 

abroad. Nigerians must be 

enlightened to the fact that the 

chase after “better life” abroad is 

illusory. It is a journey into slavery 

or death in the desert or in the 

hands of evil human predators. 

The task to stem this human 

tragedy is squarely on the 

shoulders of government, and it 

must do its job. 

By Sunny Ikhioya 

EVERY man is a thinking animal, the 

difference is what we do with the 

outcome. Ideas are the product of critical 

thinking, it is the product of consistent 

questioning of existing standards. It is 

the use of ideas that differentiates 

societies. It is open to everyone; while 

some choose to run with their ideas and 

make it real, others choose to trivialise 

theirs. That is how it works. We have 

never been short of ideas in this country, 

our challenge has always been in the 

execution. 

At the time Senator Bola Ahmed 

Tinubu was inviting notable persons to 

fashion a way out - road map - for the 

development of Lagos State, James Ibori, 

then governor of Delta state, was doing 

same in his state. The end result for the 

two states are different, though their 

governors had the same intentions. 

Tapping from the abundant ideas 

available, that of Lagos, under Tinubu 

succeeded and we are see the 

manifestations till date but, that of Delta 

state failed woefully. 

Ibori’s successor, Emmanuel 

Uduaghan extended his to a campaign 

of Delta Beyond Oil. Today, Delta state 

cannot even pay workers salaries on a 

regular basis. Is Tinubu holier than 

Ibori? I do not think so. The difference 

lies in how each one chose to apply the 

ideas available to him. When one 

surrounded himself with young, 

energetic and focused technocrats, the 

other chose to go with the gang of cabals, 

OPINION 

Still on South-South leadership 

cronies and sycophants with self seeking 

goals. That is the difference between the 

South-west and the South-south; while 

leadership in the west strives for group 

and regional interests, the south focuses 

on personal interests. 

One of the factors that gave Governor 

Ibikunle Amosun massive votes in the 

last election, is the Berger - Sango Ota 

road project that covers Ojodu, Akute, 

South-South leaders must 

maintain an intolerant 

attitude to political and 

leadership failures 

Olambe, Giwa-Oke aro, Agbado, Ijoko, 

Sango Ota, etc. But, after the elections 

the project went to rest for a considerable 

length of time with no hope of restarting. 

However, recently, one is beginning to 

observe activities at the project sites, 

construction work has actually resumed. 

I got to know that counterpart funding 

for the project is being sourced from 

abroad and that the federal government 

is now a part of it, at least to guarantee 

the loan for the Ogun state government 

and to ensure judicious use of the fund 

provided towards achieving the 

completion of the project. What am I 

trying to depict here? The synergy 

between the Ogun state government, the 

federal government and the foreign 

partners, that will bring development 

and happiness to the people of the area 

is great. If there is such a thing in the 

South-south, I will like to know. What I 

see around my Edo and Delta states are 

abandoned projects, the inter city roads 

are nothing to write home about. 

Our South-south leaders have so 

lowered their self esteem such that the 

Nigerian Police can easily invade their 

meeting venue and stop them from 

deliberating. And, I ask: Can the Nigeria 

Police try such with the Arewa 

consultative forum when there is no 

division or crisis amongst them? Or even 

with Afenifere of Yoruba land? The 

answer is no. 

Our leaders have brought shame to our 

land because of their greedy and selfish 

attitude. My senior ‘bros’ from Warri, 

Captain Mike Oteri - airline pilot - in a 

recent conversation with me on the 

deplorable condition of our Warri and 

Delta state noted that we must not only 

look at the leadership, but also the 

followers. A society gets the type of 

leaders it deserves. The people of the 

South-south have shown complete 

apathy to how their commonwealth is 

managed. They have become so used to 

the situation, to the extent that nothing 

matters anymore. 

A local thug with no visible means of 

income suddenly transforms, overnight, 

into a billionaire chief. Nobody questions 

his source, all is well, instead he receives 

encomium from the people. Nobody 

questions the quality of people, who 

have forcefully found themselves in 

leadership and public office . All is fair 

in the rat race game. It is said that when 

good men fail to take a stand in the 

society, the bad men take control, that is 

the situation we have. We have to reexamine 

our moral standards. Is it in our 

culture to celebrate a thief? Or we have 

been invaded by alien cultures? If it is 

not our culture, how did this come to be 

a part of us? Do we not have traditional 

institutions? 

How did we give room for its 

desecration? Can it be remedied? If the 

people are determined to eradicate a 

thing and are united in their resolve, 

everything is possible. Change cannot 

take place with all the noise that we have 

been resonating thus far. We are only 

scratching at the surface. We must begin 

“bottom- up”, that is, from the grassroots. 

The people must be encouraged to 

reject negative behaviours. When it is 

discoveredthat you have failed to 

represent the collective interests in 

Yorubaland, you have dug a grave for 

your political future. That happened to 

Lateef Jakande, Ebenezer Babatope, etc. 

That is how it should be. 

The South-South leaders must 

maintain an intolerant attitude to political 

and leadership failures. 

*Mr. Ikhioya, www.southsouthecho.com 

Twitter: @sunnyIkhioya

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017 — 19 

Rising investors’ confidence lifts external reserves to 

$34.9bn 

By Babajide Komolafe & Emma 

Ujah 

THE Central Bank of Nigeria 

(CBN) yesterday said that the 

nation’s external reserves have 

risen to $34.9 billion, the highest in 

30 months, driven by increased 

investor confidence in the Nigerian 

economy. 

Reflecting the rising confidence 

in the Nigerian economy, foreign 

investors injected $18.7 billion 

through the Investors and Exporters 

(I&E) window in seven months 

while the $3 billion Eurobond 

issued on Monday was 

oversubscribed by $11 billion. 

Meanwhile the CBN at the end 

of its Monetary Policy Committee 

(MPC) meeting yesterday decided 

to retain the Monetary Policy Rate 

(MPR) at 14 percent. It also retained 

the Cash Reserve Ratio and 

Liquidity Ratio at 22.5 percent and 

30 percent respectively. This 

represents the eight consecutive 

times the MPC will retain all its 

policy rates. 

CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin 

Emefiele disclosed these yesterday 

in Abuja while briefing the press on 

the outcome of the Monetary Policy 

Committee (MPC) meeting. 

Rising investors’ confidence 

Speaking on the impact of the 

increased foreign investors’ 

confidence on the Nigerian 

economy, Emefiele said: “The 

Committee noted the continuing 

improvement in the level of external 

reserves and the equities segment 

of the capital market. External 

reserves grew to $34.9 billion at the 

close of business on November 16, 

2017. 

“Similarly, the All-Share Index 

(ASI) rose by 3.38 per cent from 

35,504.62 on August 31, 2017 to 

36,703.58 on November 17, 2017. 

Market Capitalization (MC) 

improved by 4.35 per cent to N12.77 

trillion from N12.24 trillion during 

the same period. Relative to end- 

December 2016, capital market 

indices rose by 36.57 and 38.10 per 

cent, respectively, indicating rising 

CURRENCY BUYING SELLING 

US DOLLAR 

POUNDS 

EURO 

FRANC 

YEN 

CFA 

WAUA 

RENMINBI 

RIYAL 

SDR 

$123.10 +2.25 

$2,084.00 0.00 

$14. 99 +0.01 

$14. 71 

RAND 21. 7148 21. 7504 21. 786 

CBN Exchange rate as at 21/11/2017 

•Foreign investors injects $18.7bn in 7mths 

•$3bn Eurobond oversubscribed by $11bn 

•Retains MPR at 14% 

$62.30 +0. 08 

$56.49 +0.07 

304.9 305.4 305.9 

403. 7486 404. 4107 405. 0728 

307. 5449 308. 0492 308. 5536 

306.5635 307.066 307.5686 

2. 7155 2 72 2. 7244 

0.5292 0.5392 0.5492 

429. 5627 430. 2672 430. 9716 

45.9586 46. 0344 46. 1102 

81. 298 81.4313 81.5646 

430. 1834 430. 8889 431. 5943 

From left: Chief Marketing Officer, Sterling Bank, Henry Bassey; French Ambassador to 

Nigeria, Denys Gauer; Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Yetunde Onanuga and Deputy High 

Commissioner of the United Kingdom, Laure Beaufils at the 2017 Ake Festival in Abeokuta. 

investor confidence, due to 

improvements in foreign exchange 

supply. 

“Similarly, the Committee viewed 

with satisfaction, the growing 

patronage at the Investors’ and 

Exporters’ (I&E) window of the 

foreign exchange market and 

attributed the development to 

increased confidence by foreign 

investors and the preference of 

Nigerian investors’ and exporters’ 

for the window compared with all 

other windows. The MPC noted that 

the I&E window had increased 

liquidity and boosted confidence in 

the market with over US$18.70 billion 

in transactions since its introduction 

in April 2017.” 

He also disclosed that the $3 

billion Eurobond introduced to the 

international capital market last week 

has been oversubscribed by $11 

billion. A development, he said, was 

an indication of international 

investors’ confidence in the Nigerian 

economy. 

Why MPC retained 

MPR at 14% 

In arriving at the 

decision to retain the rate, 

the CBN boss said that the 

MPC took note of the gains 

made so far as a result of 

its earlier decisions 

including the stability in 

the foreign exchange 

market and the moderate 

reduction in inflation rate. 

He said the MPC was 

faced with the decision “to 

hold, to tighten or ease 

policy stance. He said: 

“While tightening would 

strengthen the impact of 

monetary policy on 

inflation, with 

complementary effects on 

capital flows and 

exchange rate stability, it 

would nevertheless also 

potentially dampen 

paucity output for growth 

and financial stability as 

this would constitute a risk 

to the productive sector of 

the economy. 

“On the other hand, whereas 

loosing would stimulate out for 

growth, by stimulating domestic 

aggregate demand, through 

reduced cost of borrowing, it could 

nevertheless aggravate upward 

trend in consumer prices and 

generate exchange rate pressures. 

“Loosening could also worsen the 

current account balance of the 

country through increased 

importation. 

“On the argument to hold, 

committee believes that key 

variables have continued to evolve 

in line with current stance of 

economic policy and should be 

allowed to fully manifest. 

Members noted that the 

developments in output and 

inflation in particular require close 

monitoring in order to gain clarity 

on medium term optimal path of 

the monetary policy.” 

Experts comment 

Analysts said that the decision of 

the MPC to retain all the policy 

rates is in line with expectation. 

According to Managing Director, 

Chief Economist, Africa, Global 

Research, Standard Chartered 

Bank, Razia Khan: “Few surprises 

from the Nigerian MPC, with all 

interest rates kept unchanged, in 

line with our expectation. 

According to the Governor, the 

Committee deliberated extensively 

on the merits of tightening or 

easing, but decided that an 

unchanged stance was appropriate. 

“From yesterday’s weak Q3 GDP 

print, it is clear that action to boost 

the economy is needed. What is 

less clear is the form that the action 

should take. 

While there has been much 

clamour for lower interest rates, the 

CBN is correct to point out that 

utilisation of its incentive scheme 

for SMME lending is at less than 

50%. Merely cutting interest rates 

will not be sufficient to boost 

Nigerian growth, nor private sector 

lending. Concessionary financing 

is already available, but it is not 

being used. Other 

complementary measures are 

needed to provide much-needed 

support to the economy.” 

Also commenting, analysts at 

Lagos based Vetiva Capital 

Management Limited said: “ In our 

view, the “Hold” decision is a 

testament to the “wait and see” 

stance that the MPC has adopted 

through the year, amidst sticky 

inflation and a sluggish economic 

recovery. 

“All things considered, we expect 

the MPC to ease monetary policy 

in Q1’18, but consider its January 

meeting an unlikely time given our 

inflation forecast of 15.4 percent yearon-year 

for that month. However, with 

inflation expected to moderate to 14.7 

percent y/y by March, and Core 

inflation (presently 12.1 percent) even 

lower, the MPC would have leeway 

for a slight policy shift. Specifically, we 

expect a 100bps rate cut in March to 

kick off the easing cycle, as the pace of 

moderation in inflation is unlikely to 

permit more aggressive policy 

action.” 

Afrinvest 

launches Plutus 

Fund 

AFRINVEST 

Asset 

Management Limited, a 

subsidiary of Afrinvest (West Africa) 

Limited, has launched the Afrinvest 

Plutus Fund, a simple and affordable 

saving solution designed for all 

classes of income earners with a 

minimum subscription of N5,000. 

The Afrinvest Plutus Fund is an 

open-ended money market unit trust 

scheme approved by the Securities 

& Exchange Commission (SEC) 

with a primary goal to achieve overall 

positive total returns for investors who 

value stability, liquidity, real returns, 

and security of their financial assets, 

in line with unit-holders’ investment 

goals. The Fund is, therefore, 

offering N10,000,000 units at N100 

per unit from 20 November to 18 

December 2017. 

Speaking on the primary objective 

of the Fund, Ola Belgore, Managing 

Director, Afrinvest Asset 

Management Limited said, “The 

Afrinvest Plutus Fund has been 

carefully designed to meet the needs 

of majority of the Nigerian population 

to preserve capital, develop a 

profitable savings culture; and 

provide a comfortable nest egg for 

themselves and their families in the 

simplest and safest way possible. We 

have, therefore, introduced this lowrisk 

investment solution that is easily 

accessible to the people who need it 

the most, with competitive income 

and quarterly dividend payments.” 

The Afrinvest Plutus Fund offers 

investors access to a diversified 

portfolio of quality, low-risk money 

market securities including shortterm 

government securities, 

certificates of deposits and 

commercial papers, amongst others. 

Furthermore, the Fund provides the 

flexibility of investing on behalf of 

someone else and for business 

ventures, provided the necessary 

documentation is supplied. 

Belgore also said of the Fund, “At 

Afrinvest, our clients’ needs are our 

foremost priority. In presenting this 

Fund to the public we are working to 

correct the notion that investing in 

securities is complicated and is the 

preserve of the elite. Rather, we want 

Nigerians to understand and attain 

the true financial freedom that comes 

from proper financial planning and 

smart investment decisions. Of 

course, we have also considered the 

need to ensure the security of the 

funds, and have partnered with 

Meristem Trustees Ltd and UBA Plc 

(Global Investor Services Division) 

as Trustee and Custodian, 

respectively.” 

FCMB Group completes 88.2% 

acquisition of Legacy Pension Managers 

FCMB Group Plc has 

completed the acquisition of 

an additional 60 percent equity 

stake in Legacy Pension 

Managers Limited (Legacy). 

The acquisition, which increases 

the holding company’s interest in 

the company from 28.2 percent to 

88.2 percent, was concluded at 

the Completion Board Meeting of 

Legacy on yesterday in Abuja. 

The acquisition which follows the 

approvals of the Central Bank of 

Nigeria, the National Pension 

Commission, and the Securities 

and Exchange Commission, 

according to the financial group, is 

set to open a new vista of 

sustained growth for Legacy 

through the enhanced 

distribution and market presence. 

Analysts have hailed the decision 

of FCMB Group to acquire majority 

stake in Legacy Pension as a 

significant development that would 

enhance the future performance of 

both organizations. They 

anticipate that Legacy Pension will 

be better positioned to grow its market 

share, compete effectively upon the 

onset of Retirement Savings Account 

portability, and also enter the micropensions 

segment in the informal 

market by leveraging on the 

network of First City Monument 

Bank, the retail and commercial 

banking arm of FCMB Group. 

Legacy Pension Managers is 

licensed to carry on business as a 

Pension Fund Administrator (PFA). 

It has over N220 billion assets under 

management comprising, retirement 

savings accounts, retiree accounts as 

well as privately managed pension 

funds for institutions. It has over 

350,000 pension contributors which 

it services from 48 locations across 

the country.


BUSINESS/ECONOMY 

GDP Q3: MAN blames manufacturing decline 

on unfriendly business environment 

•Some key sectors of the economy are still in recession – Experts 

By Babajide Komolafe, 

Emma Ujah, Peter 

Egwuatu, Nkiruka 

Nnorom, Franklin Alli, 

Godfrey Bivbere, 

Rosemary Onuoha , 

Princewill Ekwujuru 

,Prince Okafor , 

Elizabeth Adegbesan 

OPERATORS in the 

manufacturing sector 

of the economy have blamed 

the persistent decline in the 

sector on the unfriendly operating 

business environment, 

even as other experts 

from other sectors said that 

the growth in the third quarter, 

Q3’17 was not an inclusive 

one as some of the 

key sectors of the economy 

are still under recession. 

Reacting to the Q3’17 report 

of National Bureau of 

Statistics (NBS) which put 

manufacturing sector real 

output growth at -2.85 percent 

(year on year), higher 

than the -4.38 percent in the 

same quarter of 2016 by 1.53 

percentage points and - 

3.49 percentage points 

lower than the rate (0.64 per 

cent) recorded in the 2nd 

quarter of 2017, Manufacturers 


(MAN), Lagos Chamber 

of Commerce and Industry, 

LCCI; and Abuja 

Chamber of Commerce and 

Industry, ACCI, in their 

various comments said that 

unfriendly business environment 

is responsible for 

the consecutive dip in 

manufacturing performance. 

Frank Jacobs, President of 

MAN, said: “Economic indicators 

are not smiling at 

the manufacturing sector 

and we need to step up 

advocacy to implore the 

government to do the needful 

and save the sector from 

going into another recession. 

“The persistent doubledigit 

inflation rate for over 

two years has severely 

eroded the real value of 

household income. Low 

aggregate consumption 

triggered by low household 

income and investment expenditures. 

The general lull 

in business climate and the 

slow implementation pace 

of requisite policies and the 

sluggishness in the implementation 

of the 2017 budget 

and the slow pace of 

government expenditure, 

all of these, impacted negatively 

on the sector.” 

Also, Muda Yusuf, Director 

General, Lagos Chamber 

of Commerce and Industry, 

LCCI, said: ‘We 

know that the main recovery 

is from Agric and oil; 

manufacturing didn’t do 

quite well. It is not a good 

thing that the manufacturing 

sector is recording a 

contraction because when 

we are talking about a sustainable 

growth, production 

is very important, and that 

is what manufacturing represents. 

So, going forward, 

we need to look at all these 

issues of enabling environment, 

operating and production 

costs.” 

Similarly, the President of 

Abuja Chamber of Commerce 

and Industry (ACCI), 

Mr. Tony Ejinkeonye, said: 

“It’s clear that although the 

country has exited recession 

from the second quarter, 

some key sectors of the 

economy are still in recession. 

In view of the improved 

ease of doing business 

ranking, policymakers 

need to come up with policies 

to stimulate, especially 

the manufacturing sector 

while strengthening efforts 

at diversification because 

manufacturing is key to job 

creation and national development. 

Also commenting on the 

GDP report, stakeholders in 

the maritime sector said that 

there is no meaningful economic 

expansion, especially 

in the sector. 

According to the President 

of the Shippers Association 

of Lagos State, 

Jonathan Nicol, “There is 

nothing showing any such 

expansion as the problems 

facing the sector are still 

present and that people are 

still suffering. Everything 

that brought about recession 

is still visible to us and until 

we begin to get rid of 

these things, we cannot really 

claim that the GDP has 

gone up based on what is 

happening in the port system.” 

Similarly, National President 

of the Association of 

Nigeria Licensed Customs 

Agents, ANLCA, 

Olayinwola Shittu, told Vanguard 

that there is no such 

expansion because people 

cannot feel it. 

In his words: “They are 

speaking in English. If there 

is any such expansion Nigerians 

should feel the impact 

by now. There is no 

improvement, in the maritime 

sector today there is no 

improvement and there is 

nothing new. It is all government 

propaganda that is 

the way I see it,” he concluded. 

Oil sector growth will 

enhance non-oil sector 

Reacting to the development, 

Mr. Johnson 

Chukwu, CEO, Cowry Asset 

Management Limited, 

a Lagos based investing 

banking firm, said: “The fact 

that the economy grew by 

1.4 per cent is very positive 

in the sense it will further 

boost confidence of investors 

in the economy. Investors 

go to economies that 

grow, not economies that 

are shrinking because you 

don’t expect to have a robust 

business in an 

economy that is shrinking. 

So, the growth of 1.4 per 

cent from 0.72 per cent 

shows that the economy is 

actually on a continuous 

recovery trajectory. 

“For the investing community, 

the implication is that 

the opportunity for improvement 

in returns is better 

now in the sense that it will 

eventually translate into 

positive performance by 

corporates. 

“Although, if you look at 

the performance of the GDP 

on sectorial basis, the major 

growth was recorded in 

the oil and gas sector. The 

non-oil sector contracted by 

0.70 per cent, which actually 

implies that the growth 

we are experiencing may 

not translate to creation of 

jobs because we know that 

the structure of the oil and 

By Prince Okafor 

gas sector is that value chain 

in the oil and gas sector is 

not domesticated. So, the 

impact of growth in the oil 

and gas sector does not 

translate to direct creation 

of jobs within the economy. 

“However, in the medium 

term, we are going to see 

growth in our reserve. This 

will impact CBN’s ability to 

provide liquidity in the FX 

market, which will in turn 

translate into improved access 

to FX by local manufacturers. 

“So, we should see a situation 

where local manufacturers 

can easily access Foreign 

Exchange, FX for their 

raw materials and equipments. 

Non-oil growth hampered 

by weak service sector 

output 

Cardinal Stone Research, 

a Lagos based investment 

house, said “The services 

sector (54 per cent of Nonoil 

GDP) was the major drag 

on the sub-component 

growth as it declined by 2.66 

per cent Y/Y, extending its 

contraction for the seventh 

consecutive quarter. The 

negative growth largely 

stemmed from a further contraction 

in the Information & 

Communication sector (-4.48 

per cent Y/Y), reflecting the 

lower active subscribers base 

as more mobile lines turned 

inactive relative to the corresponding 

period of the 

prior year. According to 

data provided by the Nigerian 

Communications 

Commission (NCC), the 

number of active subscribers 

declined by 8.30 per 

cent Y/Y as at Q3’17. More 

so, negative Trade GDP (- 

1.74% YoY) weighed on 

aggregate output in the 

services sector, likely due 

to weak demand for imported 

products due to a 

mix of factors including 

constrained consumer 

wallets, and increased demand 

for locally Non-oil 

GDP), contracted by 1.83% 

YoY mainly as a result of a 

huge slump in Oil refining 

(-45.40% Y/Y). 

Reacting, Razia Khan, 

Managing Director, Chief 

Economist, Africa, Global 

Research, Standard Chartered 

Bank, said “Expectations 

had been running 

high that the Nigerian 

economy would see more 

of a recovery in Q3 2017. 

While the oil sector recovered 

as anticipated, off a 

low base from 2016, growth 

in the non-oil sector disappointed 

weakness was 

across the board – construction, 

manufacturing, trade 

– and even agriculture 

failed to provide as much 

of a lift as had been hoped. 

Coming just a day ahead 

of the MPC, the focus will 

clearly be on the monetary 

policy response. With 

inflation are not convinced 

that there is a 

strong case for cutting 

interest rates just yet. 

It isn’t the level of interest 

rates that is constraining 

growth.” 

Onne Free Trade Zone crises: Experts lament OGFZA’s actions 

A 

Port Harcourt 

based oil and gas 

industry expert, Dr. 

Austin Obieze has 

accused the OGFZA of 

damaging the concept of 

free trade zones in the 

country with what he 

termed “rogue 

behaviour” towards free 

zone operators in the 

country. This is even as 

facts emerged that no 

fewer than 16 companies 

have decided to withdraw 

their operations from the 

Onne Free Trade Zone. 

In a message to some 

media houses, Obieze 

said the recent attack by 

OGFZA against a leading 

free trade zone operator, 

Intels Nigeria Limited 

(INL), has sent the wrong 

signal and created panic 

among businesses 

operating in the zones. 

“It was a very bad move 

by OGFZA, which was set 

up to promote trade and 

attract investors into the 

country through the oil 

and gas free zones 

concept. OGFZA, under 

Umana Okon Umana, 

doing the direct opposite 

of what it was established 

to do,” Obieze said. 

He said by OGFZA’s 

action against Intels, free 

trade zones operation in 

Nigeria “can not be the 

same again” as 

investors will find it 

difficult to take 

government for its 

words. 

He said, “Free trade 

zones all over the world 

are created to serve as 

destination for capital; 

attract investment, 

create jobs and aid the 

transfer of technology to 

the host country. Free 

trade zones played a 

key role in the boom 

enjoyed by the Asian 

Tigers. 

“Several incentives 

were instituted 

including 100% 

repatriation of capital 

investment, remittance 

of profits and dividends 

with no import or 

export licenses 

required. 

“It was these 

incentives that attracted 

several companies 

resulting in over five 

trillion naira 

investments in the 

zones, with several 

BPE dismisses Discos’ force majeure 

The Director General 

of the Bureau of 

Public Enterprises (BPE), 

Mr. Alex Okoh, has said 

that there is no basis for 

the issuance of notice to 

declare force majeure by 

the electricity distribution 

companies (Discos) 

following the policy 

directive on Eligible 

Customers and the 

Eligible Customer 

Regulations by the 

Nigerian Electricity 

Regulatory Commission 

(NERC). 

In a letter to the Discos, 

he challenged the 

assertion by the Discos 

that there has been a 

change in law and 

political force majeure 

event pursuant to certain 

clauses in the 

Performance Agreement 

the core investors of the 

Discos signed with the 

BPE. As such, he 

rejected the notice to 

declare force majeure by 

the Discos. 

The Discos had 

claimed that the policy 

directive on Eligible 

Customers and the 


Regulations have 

resulted in a change of 

law which prevents them 

from fulfilling their 

obligations under the 

Performance Agreement. 

thousands of jobs 

created.” 

Also speaking on 

OGFZA’s battle against 

Intels, Managing 

Director/COO of 

Samsung Heavy 

Industries in Nigeria, Mr 

Frank Ejizu, said, “You 

cannot be wooing 

investors on one hand 

and scaring them away 

on the other hand. It will 

not work. If there was a 

violation of the law, then 

there is a ground for 

sanction.” 

But Okoh, in a 

statement through the 

Bureau’s Head of Public 

Communications, Mr. 

Chukwumah Nwokoh, 

countered that pursuant 

to the Electric Power 

Sector Reform Act 2005, 

it is obvious that the 

Minister of Power, Works 

and Housing is 

empowered to issue the 

policy directive 

specifying the class or 

classes of end-use 

customers that shall 

constitute Eligible 

Customers. In the same 

vein, NERC is similarly 

empowered to issue 


Regulations.

C 

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, November 22, 2017—21 

Pasta market: Battle for supremacy heightens 

…Manufacturers’ divide consumers along product line 

Stories by 

Princewill Ekwujuru 

MANUFACTURERS’ of 

Pasta are now 

positioning their 

products by 

paying attention to 

p r o d u c t 

repackaging 

andavailability. 

Pasta are made 

from an unleavened dough 

of a durum wheat flour. 

Brands produced along this 

line of marketing elements 

are not relenting on their 

various positions, making 

price differentials 

insignificant in the race for 

top position in the control 

of market share. 

Also multiplicity of product 

sizes across brands is a 

move that has bridged 

affordability gap between 

the rich and poor 

consumers, heightening 

battle for supremacy in the 

market. 

These elements have 

however pitched 

manufacturers’ against each 

other, thereby forcing them 

to scramble for space in the 

pasta market. 

The manufacturers’ have 

also embarked on 

promotional drive based on 

repackaging and availability 

to enhance consumer 

attention and acceptance. 

These developments, 

however have heightened 

competition among major 

brands such as Dangote 

Spaghetti /Macaroni, 

manufactured by Dangote 

Group, Honeywell 

Spaghetti / Macaroni, 

produced by Honeywell 

Nigeria Plc, Power 

Spaghetti from Pure Flour 

Mills Limited, Golden 

IDL rewards distributors’ performance 

Intercontinental Distillers Limited, 

makers of Chelsea Dry Gin, has 

rewarded its distributors for the 

current financial year ending October 

2017. 

The award programme which is 

designed to appreciate the efforts of 

distributors who played a major role 

in getting their products to the final 

Consumers, saw Mrs.Yemisi Adewusi, 

Managing Director of YTT 

Distribution Limited and wife of 

popular Film Maker Gbenga 

Adewusi, emerge the company’s 

overall best distributors. While 

Emma Ogbata & Sons, and Ogbohu 

Enterprises came second and third 

respectively. 

Speaking, Managing Director; Chief 

Penny Spaghetti / 

Macaroni, manufactured by 

Golden Penny Foods, 

Crown Spaghetti / 

Macaroni, produced by 

Crown Flour Mills and Bua 

Spaghetti / Macaroni 

These 

developments, 

however 

have 

heightened 

competition 

among 

major 

brands 

from Bua Group. 

Others are Barilla and 

Mueller, all foreign brands 

that have helped to increase 

competition in the market. 

Vanguard Companies and 

Markets,(C&M) findings 

show that of these brands 

contenders for top position 

Patrick Anegbe, at the Annual 

Distributors’ award Programme in 

Abeokuta, Ogun State, while 

comparing the difficulties in the 2016 

business year against 2017 especially 

for those in the manufacturing 

industry, lamented the inability of the 

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to fund 

the Foreign Exchange market to meet 

import requirements which led to 

scarcity of vital raw materials including 

ethanol (an important component of 

distillery industry). 

He said that the situation severely 

curtailed the company’s production 

and sales activities during the year 

2016 and spilled over to the early parts 

of 2017. 

He added that the high cost of 

have been reduced to six. 

Three of these brands have 

assumed top of the mind 

position in the market. 

Findings by C&M reveal 

that attractive packaging 

and availability mechanisms 

deployed by these 

manufacturers’ is skewed 

towards retaining existing 

and recruiting prospective 

consumers. 

C&M also found out that 

rising demand for these 

products is occasioned by 

the boom in population. 

C&M observed that it 

appears that the pasta 

market has entered ustre 

competition with retailers 

breaking down the products 

into units to a level where 

consumers buy a unit tied in 

nylon for N50.00, while a 

pack of spaghetti or 

macaroni sells for between 

N170 to N200 in the market. 

Consumers speak 

The consumers’ have 

diverse opinion on why they 

have their preferences for 

the brands. Some of the 

consumers were of the view 

that some of the brands 

both in Spaghetti and 

Macaroni products come 

out sticky when 

boiled. While some require 

drops of groundnut oil to 

keep themstanding 

separate in the 

potwhen boiled, 

while some donot. 

A consumer, 

Mrs. Deborah 

Nweke, says 

Dangote spaghetti 

and macaroni are 

her favourite, 

that she boils them 

for her children’s 

school lunch meal, 

even for Sunday 

meals, “where 

Dangote spaghetti 

or macaroni is not 

available I go for 

Power spaghetti.” 

A n o t h e r 

consumer, Mr. 

Patrick, who runs a 

restaurant at Igboeleri, 

along Lagos- 

B a d a g r y 

imported raw materials arising from 

devaluation of the Naira informed the 

price increases earlier in the year. 

He praised the efforts of the 

Government in stabilizing the Naira 

in recent times as this has helped IDL 

as a company to review downward the 

prices of their products. He pleaded 

with the Government to sustain the ongoing 

efforts on stabilizing the Naira 

and improved access to Forex. 

IDL also used the platform of the 

awards to unveil the repackaged Bull 

London Dry Gin and lunch of the new 

DeRok Chocolate Flavoured Liqueur. 

Mr. Mobolaji Alalade, Head of 

Marketing said these Brands will 

bring excitement and inspiration to 

Consumers. 

expressway, said he uses 

Power spaghetti and 

Crown spaghetti interchangeably, 

but stated he 

has never witnessed any 

sticky brand in his five 

years of operation. 

He noted that customers 

are not eating much of 

macaroni, but spaghetti, 

the reason he adduced to the 

fact that consumers 

enjoyed its slipper nature. 

A distributor, Ifeanyi 

Nkwocha, Managing 

Director, Ide Ventures, 

who has his shop at old 

Ojo road. Dangote, 

Crown, Golden Penny are 

doing well from his sales 

book. 

Abayomi Oluwo, a subdistributor 

and 

Managing Director of 

Igba Enterprises, located at 

Olodi- Apapa road, 

confirmed to C&M that all 

six brands are performing 

well in the market. 

Shoprite fetes 

winners of 

anniversary 

promo 

In a bid to fulfill its promises, 

Shoprite Nigeria says its 

celebrating the 22 winners of its 

brand new Hyundai Grand Xcent 

cars at a celebration party in 

Lagos. 

Shoprite Nigeria’s Executive 

Director, Adeola Kagho, 

congratulating the winners said: 

“In addition to offering world 

class shopping and delivering 

value through our low price 

promise, the win-a-car 

competition is another way for us 

to thank our customers for their 

loyal support.” 

As the food retailer who stocks 

the largest selection of products 

that are produced in Nigeria, 

Shoprite will continue to deliver 

on its business promise of 

everyday low prices 

One of the 22 winners, Mr 

Olufeyijimi Omobowale, said: “I 

couldn’t believe my ears when I 

got the phone call confirming that 

I was a winner! I initially thought 

it was a prank until I got to the 

store. I am so grateful to God and 

Shoprite for this car. Being 

invited to this reception with all 

the other winners crowns it all.” 

The event celebrated the end of 

the Shop’s two-month long wina-car 

birthday promotion, which 

ran through August 21 to October 

8, 2017, where customers entered 

the competition by buying any 

product(s) from the 11 

participating brands.


Dining table is for meal, not a 

dumping ground 

The biggest enemy of a 

clean dining room is the 

everyday clutter that tends to 

take over the space. 

Everything gravitates there 

like books, paper, purse, 

jacket, beverage, gadgets, 

thereby turning it indirectly to 

a dumping ground. 

Having a dining table in 

many homes today, is a matter 

of wanting to fulfil all 

righteousness, that is, having 

complete furniture. No one 

eats on the table. Everyone 

just finds a place to sit to eat 

because the parents too come 

home late and sit to watch 

television. It is there they 

(parents) are served their meal. 

In such homes, the purpose of 

dining table is defeated and 

goes on like that because the 

children are not trained to get 

used to it. 

The day I changed my mind 

to begin to use the dining table 

was when there was a 

women’s meeting in the 

church and we were taught 

that cooking food without 

good presentation lacks 

excellence. No matter what 

effort you put into getting a 

delicious meal for the family, 

if the meal is not presented 

in an attractive manner, it will 

lose its value. You don’t serve 

people by placing the plates 

in their hands to find 

somewhere to eat. You are a 

king in your home. 

As Homemakers, you should 

see yourself as privileged and 

not just when you go out. What 

you see in hotel restaurants 

and movies, where dining 

tables are decorated with 

flowers or artificial fruits, is 

just a pointer to everyone 

what the dining table should 

be. Such can be replicated in 

your homes. 

It is not only when you go 

out that you see yourself as 

privileged. Your home is a 

privileged place that must be 

handled with all sense of 

responsibility, no matter how 

small the space is. Do not wait 

till you have visitors before you 

use the dining. You are special 

and that is how you should live 

everyday. 

How to make the dining 

table function: 

Live by example. Do not 

make the mistake of eating 

outside the dining table. If you 

do it once, your children will 

copy you and, trust me, they 

have ready-made excuses 

because they have seen 

somebody do it. 

Make a separate place to 

hang your bags, books, 

children’s school bags, jackets, 

etc. Hang hooks for suits and 

bags near your main entrance 

so these items don’t end up on 

the table. 

If you have a small space and 

the children must do their 

homework there, it must be 

packed immediately before 

meal and ensure it is cleaned 

and set for lunch or dinner. 

Ensure you have table cloth 

in different colours that you 

can change to make eating 

enticing. 

Set the table as the first step 

of meal preparation. If you 

don’t plan to use the table 

while you’re making the meal, 

set it with plates, cups, cutlery, 

etc as your first meal 

preparation step. This way, 

when housemates or visitors 

come through the dining room, 

they won’t deposit items not 

related to the meal on the 

table. 

CONSUMER WATCH A place that makes you plan ahead 

Items Prices Items 

Prices 

Items Prices 

Basket of Tomatoes N15,500 - N25,000 

A bag of Ijebu Gari 

N6000 - N7000 Tomato paste(small) 

N150-N350 

A bag of Pepper (Rodo) N 10,000 - N18,000 

A paint bucket 

N500 

Tomato sachet (a roll) N250 –N300 

A bag of Long pepper N6, 500 – N7000 

25 Litres of Vegetable Oil N30, 500 

Pack of toilet roll (48pieces) N1800-N2, 300 

A bag of Onions (white) N25, 000 – N35, 000 

10Litres N6, 500-N 7000 A Satchet of milk 

N30-N50 

A bag of Onions (Red) N20, 000- N26, 000 

25 Litres of Palm Oil N15,000 

A Sachet of beverage 

N45-N50 

50kg of long grain Rice N15,000 

5Litres of Palm Oil N2,200 

Toothpaste 

N270-N300 

A derica of long grain Rice N250 

Salt 

N80-N150 

5 Litres of Kerosine N1,200 

50kg of short grain Rice. N15,000 - N15,500 

Noodles- 70g 

N1500- N1800 12.5kg. Cooking gas N4, 500 

A derica of short grain Rice N260 

Spaghetti (1packet) 

N190-N200 Yam (1 tuber). 

N400- N800 

A crate of eggs N1,100 - 1,200 

Macaroni(1packet) 

N120 

Ugu Leaf (a bundle) N3, 500 – N4, 000 

A bag of Olotu beans N60,000 

Semovita (10kg) N2,800- N2,900 A dozen of tied Ugu Leaf N1,800, 

A bag of Oloyin N70,000 

Pampers (cartons of 8) N3, 400 

Moin-Moin Leaf (a dozen) N800, 1 pack- N100 

A bag of Yam Flour (Elubo) N45, 000- N65,000 

Seasonings 

N110 – N500 Carton Titus ice Fish N19,000 

A bag of Garri (Yellow) N8,000 

Tomatoe paste (2,200g) N1200-N1500 1 Carton of Kote ice fish N16,200 

A paint bucket 

N700 

Tomatoe paste (Medium) N550-N700 1 Carton of Sawa iced Fish N10, 000, 1Kg-N600


24— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017


C 

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NCC slams operators'call for price hike 

…To establish more emergencycentres next year 

By Prince Osuagwu 

The Executive Vice Chair 

man of the Nigerian Communications 

Commission, Prof 

Umar Garba Danbatta, has revealed 

that telecom operators in 

the country were calling for tariff 

hike. 

Danbatta who made the disclosure 

when a delegation of 

the National agency for prohibition 

of trafficking in persons, 

NAPTIP visited him in Abuja, 

however said the commission 

usually rebuffs those calls. 

He said that although Nigeria 

has one of the lowest telecom tariffs 

in the world, calls for tariff 

hike by operators were unnecessary. 

He also disclosed that the 

commission was working hard to 

ensure that more 

emergency centres are 

established in the country next 

year. 

Speaking while receiving a 

delegation of the National Agency 

for the Prohibition 

of Trafficking in Persons (NAP- 

TIP) led by the Director-General, 

Bar Julie Okah- Donli, he said 

the projects of building and 

equipping 

the 

emergency centres in the 36 

states of the federation and Abuja 

are currently at various stages 

of completion. 

“The Federal Government has 

mandated the commission to provide 

emergency 

communications centres in all 

states of the federation and Abuja. 

We already have 3 digit emergency 

line, 112, which is equiv- 

alent to 911 in other climes,” he 

pointed out. 

Allaying the concern of high 

telecommunications services 

prices in the country, the NCC 

boss noted that Nigeria has one 

of the lowest telecom tariffs in the 

world. 

He said the NCC has so far resisted 

pressure from telecom operators 

calling for tariff hike of 

telecommunications services like 

voice calls and internet data to 

protect many people from being 

deprived of access to communications. 

“We will continue to look at the 

regime of fees being charged by 

services providers; I am talking 

on voice services, SMS or data 

service, to ensure these rates are 

consistent with global best practices 

as Nigeria cannot live in 

isolation. 

“From time to time, we do 

benchmarking, so that Nigeria 

will not be in the forefront of 

charging very high prices as well 

as ensure that the mobile operators 

are not charging amounts 

that are unrealistic, which will 

make them lose their business,” 

he explained. 

Earlier, Okah-Donli told the 

ECV that her visit was to seek 

for collaboration and support 

against human trafficking in Nigeria. 

AFTERMATH OF BUHARI'S SWIPE AT FOREIGN PROCUREMENTS: 

NITDA moves to block duplicative 

procurements 

• Saves N3bn on single IT cleared project 

By Emmanuel Elebeke 

Barely one week after Pres 

ident Buhari took a swipe 

at the level government Ministries, 

Departments and 

Agencies, MDAs spend money 

on foreign ICT procurements, 

the National Information 

Technology Development 

Agency (NITDA), has swung 

into action, by blocking all duplicative 

procurements in all 

MDAs. 

The efforts according to NIT- 

DA have saved the Federal 

Government up to N3billion, 

even as it promises to block 

other leakages that have deprived 

the government 

of revenue and make procurement 

activities of MDAs 

a mockery. 

This is coming amid growing 

concerns about the mismanagement 

of huge investment 

of public funds on IT 

Projects in ministries, departments 

and agencies of government. 

President Muhammadu 

Buhari, had while declaring 

open the opening ceremony 

of this year’s e-Nigeria International 

Conference and Exhibition 

called for strict compliance 

to the IT project’s 

clearance directive of his 

government. 

He charged that all government 

establishments must ensure 

that ICT procurements 

are transparent, align with 

government’s IT shared vision 

and policy, save costs 

through promotion of shared 

services, avoid duplication, 

ensure interoperability and 

improve efficiency across government 

circles. 

He however charged relevant 

regulatory agencies to 

enforce the patronage of indigenous 

companies where 

capacity exist thus fostering 

digital economy through effective 

regulation and local 

content development as well 

as uphold the highest standards 

for service delivery. 

Although Buhari commended 

NITDA’s efforts at enforcing 

Federal Government’s directive 

on endorsing all ICT 

projects before they are implemented, 

he also charged them 

to do more. 

Apparently spurred by that 

huge responsibility, NITDA 

Most of the 

MDAs insert IT 

projects in their 

budgets not 

because they 

need it, but 

because it is the 

easiest way to 

fight 

corruption 

last week threatened to wield 

the big stick on any government 

agencies that fail to 

adopt the .gov.ng domain in 

the transaction of all government 

businesses. 

While 

warning 

against continued disregard 

to the use of .gov.ng domain, 

the agency said henceforth, it 

would ensure strict compliance 

with the directive by ensuring 

that all government 

business transactions are 

strictly carried out on the 

Country Code Top Level Domain 

of the Nigerian government 

(ccTLD.ng). 

Director General of the agency 

Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami 

said “the management had put 

in place measures to ensure 

that all government MDAs 

both in Federal, State, and 

Local Governments, operate 

within the .gov.ng. These 

measures include: ensuring 

that all request for .gov.ng domain 

are verified and approved 

within 24hours provided 

all conditions are met; provision 

of a Special Purpose 24/ 

7 mobile phone number for responses 

to enquiries and technical 

support; regular evaluation 

of government websites in 

collaboration with relevant 

agencies of the government; 

and blacklisting of all MDA 

sites running on Generic Top 

Level Domain (gTLD), other 

than the .gov.ng. 

So far, the country 

loses approximately 

N1.52trillion ($3.8bn) every 

year through importation of 

ICT products, services and 

software. 

Earlier this year, Pantami 

had expressed worry that if 

the trend continued, Nigeria 

would be spending $143.8bn 

on ICT imports in 2019. 

He promised: ‘’we want to 

solve the problems bordering 

on local content in the ICT 

sector in the country. We are 

not happy at all that Nigeria 

loses so much on importation 

of IT products and services 

as well as software. Approximately, 

$2.8billion are being 

lost annually from importation 

of ICT goods and services, 

including $1bn spent also 

annually on importation of 

software into the country. 

This is huge; if we don’t act 

quickly to reduce this, the 

survival of our local industry 

will be at risk. 

"I realised this is the best 

way to fight corruption in Nigeria. 

Most of the MDAs insert 

IT projects in their budgets 

not because they need 

it, but because it is the easiest 

way to circumvent the 

questions of Senators or 

House of Representatives at 

the National Assembly’’, he 

added.

Y 

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NIGERIA:The national reconstruction 

plan to survive in IoT world (3) 

Director General of Delta State Innovation Hub and former President Institute of 

Software Practitioners of Nigeria, ISPON, Mr. Chris Uwaje was a guest lecturer at 

the sixth annual dinner/fund raising party of the Government College, Ughelli Old 

Boys Association, GCUOBA, recently. The Oracle as he is generally known in the 

Information and Communications, ICT circles, delivered a lecture on “The critical 

role of ICT and Innovation in education-imperative for schools.” 

Although the lecture focused on how to equip our schools to produce knowledgeable 

and skilled students who would be 21 st century compliant in all ramifications, a 

cursory look at the paper will expose a deliberate attempt to tip the country off on 

what is to come with the menacing world of Internet of Things, IoT and most 

probably, how to live in such a world without playing catch up to the e-ready 

economies. 

Enjoy the lecture. 

By Chris Uwaje 

….Continues from last week 

Intellectual Property (IP) has creat 

ed a dramatic shift and points to the 

fact that the fastest growing aspects of 

the new global economy will be the 

knowledge-intensive service industries. 

The significance and key variable of the 

knowledge industry is that information 

and knowledge are both raw material 

and product at the same time! This further 

means that, the fastest-growing 

tradable goods of the emerging new 

economy will be those embedded in 

Software Development Engineering. 

Relevant studies show that each of the 

emerging leading Industries of the future 

will be built on the foundation of 

brain capacity - and anyone of them can 

be replicated and operationalized anywhere 

in the universe! In other words, 

the comparative advantage of nations 

this century will be entirely based on 

human knowledge creation. A classical 

example of this experience is Microsoft 

Corporations - who has earned more 

money (through Software knowledge 

production) in 25 years, than what General 

Motors earned In 100 years! 

Why Nigeria is important 

market for iPhone 8 

By Tare Youdeowei 

Apple’s iPhone 8 has 

launched in Lagos, 

Nigeria and is dubbed a new 

generation of iPhone due to 

its new, durable glass design 

with an embedded wireless 

charging system, that is 

described for living 

conditions in Nigeria. 

Speaking on Apple’s aim 

in designing the iPhone 8, 

Regional Head (West Africa) 

for Redington’s Telco-Africa 

Business, Mr. Sivadoss 

Vijayakumar said the 

company is commited to 

providing excellent support 

structure to its partners, and 

grow the community of loyal 

Apple customers in the 

country. 

Also the company’s Product 

Specialist for Africa, Mr. 

Oloyede Odeyale who 

highlighted the advantages 

of the product, said the 

ICT education and creativity 

Human creativity is the ultimate economic 

resource. This resource can only 

be extracted through innovative knowledge-education. 

Also its potentials can 

only be enhanced and maximized by 

the application of Information and Communications 

Technology (ICT). The 

knowledge accumulated at great cost 

through research and development by 

scientists about the functions of nature 

and the physical world, is used to produce 

tools, medicine and methods for 

such meaningful and beneficial activities 

as Agriculture, Medicare delivery, 

Manufacturing, Communication, Information 

Technology, Transportation, Civil 

Engineering, Mining, Construction, 

Petroleum extraction, Animal and Food 

production and a host of others. Currently, 

Nigeria is strategically not e- 

ready - especially at the economic, education, 

leadership and Governance 

levels. As at 2016, we are currently rated 

at 119 out of 139 countries on the 

global e-Readlness Index status! 

e-Everything 

Nigeria must prepare for education for 

e-Everything - with particular reference 

to the development and patronage of 

indigenous software and Internet of 

Things (loTs). In 2050, most of the 

World’s citizens will live in cities - that 

is, Smart cities and will need smart services 

driven and sustained by software 

and embedded system. 

Looking at the forecast of the possibility 

to technologically connect 50billion 

devices by 2020 

fashion consciousness of 

Nigerians makes the 

country an important for 

iPhone 8. 

Features 

“The innovative Portrait 

Lighting feature on the 

larger model, iPhone 8 Plus, 

makes it possible to take 

incredible studio-style 

portraits without complex 

lighting equipment, 

because you can control 

how light interacts with your 

subject’s face. It is powered 

by the new A11 Bionic chip, 

the smartest and most 

powerful chip ever in a smart 

phone. 

“With iOS 11, whether 

you are surfing the web, 

reading and writing 

email, the experience is 

even more amazing with 

hardware and software 

made for each other.” 

Odeyale enthused. 

through IoTs, with a 

projected market 

value of $19trillon, 

the task and opportunities 

before Nigeria 

are enormous 

but not insurmountable. 

Information and 

communication 

technologies (ICTs) 

have been at the 

heart of education 

and economic 

changes for many 

decades. ICT sector 

plays an important 

role, notably by contributing 

to rapid 

technological 

progress and productivity 

growth. 

Firms use ICTs to 

organize transnational 

networks in 

response to international 

competition 

and the increasing 

need for strategic interaction. 

...Continues next 

week 

GUINNESS-FRSC RALLY: From left— Sector Commander, FRSC, 

Lagos Sector Command, Corps Commander, Hyginus Omeje; MD/CEO, 

Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Peter Ndegwa; Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone 

Rs7, Assistant Corp Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Mr. Zaki 

Shehu, and Human Resources Director, Guinness, Mrs Bola Olajomi-Otubu, 

during Guinness-FRSC Rally at Agege Motor Park, Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: 

Joe Akintola, Photo Editor. 

“33” WINS: From left—Assistant CMI Manager, Faith Olotu; Marketing 

Director, Mr. Franco Maggi; Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager and Stout, 

Mr. Emmanuel Agu; Brand Manager, "33" Export, Mr. Mfon Bassey, and Head 

Media, Digital and Sponsorships, Mr. Wasiu Abiola, all of Nigerian Breweries 

Plc, at the ADVAN Awards in Lagos, where "33" Export won the Best Digital/ 

Social Media Marketing Award 2017. 

EDO WINS LAFARGE COMPETITION: From left— MD/ 

CCEO, Lafarge Africa Plc, Michael Puchercos; Yusuf Hassan and Faith Toun- 

Agbai of Edo State, winners of the 4th Lafarge Africa National Literacy 

Competition, and Chairman, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mobolaji Balogun, during 

the presentation of prizes in Lagos. 

OLISE OMOLU FOUNDATION: Founder, Olise Omolu 

Foundation, Chief Sunday Omolu, (1st right); his wife, Modupe (2nd left); 

representative of MD, Lagos Waterways Authority, Ibrahim Famuyiwa (3rd right), 

and pupils of three schools during the presentation of life jackets to pupils of 

Sogunro community by the Foundation in partnership with Lagos State Waterways 

Authority. 

C





‘Power is not sexually transmitted’ 

WE’VE heard of sexually transmitted 

diseases. But sexually transmitted 

power? No! Yet that was the scenario the 

Zimbabwean military succeeded in 

preventing a week ago when it first placed 

Robert Mugabe, the country’s president for 

37 years, under house arrest in order to 

prevent the ascension to power of Grace, 

wife of Mr. Mugabe. At first it all looked 

like the country had been plunged into yet 

another crisis following the economic and 

racial crises involving white farmers that 

had rocked it for many years. Who does not 

know that the whole world is now allergic 

to military takeover of power? The African 

Union has not been slow to condemn such 

21 st century aberration. And that is all the 

tyrants among the many senile leaders who 

lead most of the countries that make up the 

Union need to maintain their stranglehold 

on power. 

But the AU, in fairness to it, has not been 

shy or lax in rising against anyone who 

tries to subvert the principles of democratic 

governance by overthrowing a legitimately 

elected leader or blocking such a leader’s 

access to power. Not even a long time crony 

and member of the AU is spared. How long 

ago was it that Yahyah Jammeh, the ex- 

Gambian dictator, found to his own cost 

that he could not muscle his way back to 

power after reneging on an earlier promise 

to handover power after his charms failed 

him and he lost the presidential election to 

an opposition figure? Jammeh suddenly 

changed tack and decided to hold on to 

power, perhaps out of fear for the atrocities 

sam@starteamconsult.com 

PMB’s first official visit to the South 

East and matters arising 

LAST week President Muhammadu 

Buhari, PMB, visited the South 

East for the first time since he became 

President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 

two and half years ago. Was he on 

a genuine state visit or was he on a campaign 

mission? Some people believe he 

was on a campaign mission to Anambra 

State to support the gubernatorial ambition 

of his APC party flag-bearer, Mr 

Tony Nwoye. Such people believe that 

the visit to Ebonyi State was an after 

thought, a camouflage. To buttress their 

viewpoint, they remarked that if a presidential 

visit was actually planned for 

Ebonyi State, the President would not 

just mainly be commissioning flyovers 

and laying foundation for new flyovers! 

Nevertheless, that this is the President’s 

first visit to the South East geopolitical 

zone after 30 months in office tells a lot. 

It emphasises the ranking of the South 

East in the priority of Mr President. I 

am aware that the President had visited 

all the other five geopolitical zones, some 

more than once and only comes to the 

South East last and essentially on a campaign 

trip. This is in synchrony with the 

way PMB has treated the South East 

since he came to office. 

Despite his denials, the President has 

discriminated against the South East in 

many respects, but much more evidently 

in appointments. He had said he 

would treat those who gave him 97% differently 

from those who gave him 5% and 

On reflection, PMB 

would have realised 

that the people of the 

South East do not 

hate him per se; 

what they hate is the 

way he has been 

treating them 

he has largely remained true to his 

words. It is necessary to continue to remind 

him that appointing South Easterners 

as ministers was not a discretionary 

matter. He is compelled by the 

Constitution to do so. His discrimination 

is evident in his discretionary ap- 

he had committed as a brutal leader of his 

small island country. It took the threat of 

military intervention by the AU for the 

presidential scoundrel to relinquish power. 

So, when the military intervened in the 

crisis that had pitched Mugabe and his wife 

against his long-time deputy, Emmerson 

Mnangagwa, leading to the sack of the latter, 

Even as he grew older and 

fell asleep on his feet, he 

showed no slight 

awareness of what Gerry 

Adams, who steps down 

next year after 34 years as 

leader of Sinn Feinn, has 

identified as a mark of 

true leadership: 

knowledge of when to quit 

nobody knew how to react. While many 

thought Mugabe’s cup of iniquity was full 

to the brim and spilling over, not many could 

summon the courage to excuse his ouster 

via a coup even if bloodless. But the military 

was clever in explaining what it just did. It 

rejected any description of it as a coup even 

when it bore all the textbook marks of that 

frequently African phenomenon. The new 

leaders made no move to take what was right 

in their pocket. Nor did they engage in any 

ostentatious display of power beyond the 

strong presence of the military at strategic 

locations including the presidential seat of 

power where Mugabe had been confined. 

The stalemate that ensued gave the soldiers 

time to consolidate their hold on power 

while not taking any precipitate step 

towards a violent or expeditious ouster of 

Mugabe. 

They attempted a negotiated exit for the 

fox and persisted in the charade meant to 

deaden his sense that he was no longer in 

charge. Some of the coup leaders posed for 

a photo-op with Mugabe and massaged his 

ego by allowing the senile leader the 

opportunity to attend a relatively 

insignificant graduation ceremony at 

which he presided with all pomp and 

circumstance, looking shrunken and 

occasionally dozing in his throne-like seat. 

By Saturday Zimbabweans were already 

coming out of the hole they had been 

plunged for the best part of Mugabe’s rule 

and taking a stand. At mass rallies across 

Harare they openly celebrated the military, 

jubilated and called for the resignation of 

the 93-year old. The so-called war veterans, 

Mugabe’s comrades-at-arms in the 

liberation struggles that brought 

Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, joined 

the fray and asked that Mugabe stand 

down. Things were now tilting towards 

forcing Mugabe out ‘democratically’. The 

ZANU-PF sacked him as their leader but 

Mugabe continues to dig in, refusing to 

resign. 

With all of this playing out the book was 

effectively closed on the blighted career of 

one of Africa’s most brutal leaders. With 

this went the ambition of Grace, the 

presidential spouse that was notorious for 

her naked ambition to succeed a senile 

husband that was her senior by more than 

40 years. Impeachment is the way out and 

it remains to be seen where this leaves 

Zimbabwe. Mugabe had had cause to 

quarrel with those he accused of ogling his 

wife’s backside. The woman herself had 

come across as bitchy. She openly throws 

tantrums and shouted at Zimbabweans, 

making clear she couldn’t be bothered 

about what they thought of her. An Imelda- 

Marcos character, Grace, a former typist 

nicknamed ‘Gucci’ for her flamboyant love 

pointments- Army chief, Navy chief, Airforce 

chief, Chief of Defence Staff, IGP, 

NSA, COS, SGF, Head of DSS, Head of 

NIA, head of FRSC, Civil Defence and 

all the key board appointments and 

leadership of parastatals of government- 

NNPC, NPA, NBC, FAAN, NCAA 

etc,etc. Most other objective Nigerians, 

including Northerners and South Westerners, 

have pointed out this glaring 

anomaly and it seems that PMB is the 

only one who seems not to see this patent 

discrimination against the South 

East people. 

Whatever may have been said, I believe 

that it was good that the President 

visited the South East. As a believer-inchief 

in the unity and indivisibility of 

Nigeria, he needs to do a lot to practice 

what he preaches. I have urged him 

along this line endlessly. This visit, 

though a small step, I believe is a step 

in the right direction. He himself said 

that his presence in Ebonyi was “a demonstration 

of my strong belief in unity of 

Nigeria”. It allowed him the opportunity 

to listen to the needs and challenges 

of the people which Dr Nnia Nwodo, 

the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo 

amply reeled out at the reception for 

PMB in Enugu before he proceeded to 

Abakaliki. Dr Nwodo added that “these 

problems predated your administration 

but have reached a quintessence under 

your watch”. It probably also gave him 

the opportunity to see some of the problems 

for himself. Hence, his reassurance, 

that he has made provisions in the 2018 

Budget to address the issues of state of 

roads, power, agriculture and social services 

in the region just as he had promised 

leaders of the South East who met 

with him in Abuja in October. 

I do not know how PMB feels after 

the visit. He had official warm reception 

in Enugu and Ebonyi states. The crowd 

was there to welcome him. The traditional 

rulers gave him two chieftaincy 

titles: Enyi Oha 1( friend of the community) 

and Ochi Oha( leader of the people). 

Governor Umahi was effusive in 

his praise of PMB and gave him a gift 

of 2000 bags of Ebonyi Rice and 2000 

tubers of Abakaliki Yams, mimicking if 

not bettering Solomon’s sacrifice of 1000 

rams to God. I hope that did not cause 

excess luggage problem for the President. 

Maybe there were some Onitsha traders 

nearby who could easily have monetised 

the gifts to solve the problem, that 

is if there was any. But on reflection, 

PMB would have realised that the people 

of the South East do not hate him 

per se. What they hate is the way he has 

been treating them. I can assure him that 

if he changes his attitude to the people, 

begins to treat them as equal citizens of 

Nigeria, listens to their complaints and 

takes genuine measures to resolve their 

problems, they would respond positively 

just as some did last week when he 

made his maiden presidential visit to the 

South East. Sending Python dancers to 

suppress their complaints is certainly not 

the best way to win the confidence of 

the people. 

PMB had often asked what the Igbo 

wanted. I do not know if he has now 

received the answers. I am not an Igbo 

spokesperson but I am Igbo and I do 

feel the pains of the Igbo. But the truth 

of the matter is that what the Igbo want 

is not different from what other ethnic 

groups want- justice, equity and fair 

play. The day PMB begins to demonstrate 

these in action, that day, he will 

become a hero and win back the minds 

of many Igbo and indeed all other Nigerians 

who currently feel alienated. 

I hope he visits more, fulfills his promises 

and demonstrates true love for the 

Igbo, if at all possible. 

of fashion, had risen rapidly through party 

ranks. All in a bid to prepare her to take 

control of power from a man that had vowed 

only God could remove him from the 

presidential palace. Either that or he would 

die in power, he vowed. When it looked like 

what no man could do nature by way of old 

age would, Mugabe decided on a more 

secular and practical measure- transfer 

power to his wife. 

To do this, he stirred up a fight with his 

deputy who everyone expected to succeed 

him. He would have succeeded at his plan 

but for the intervention of the military. It 

was in these circumstances that ordinary 

Zimbabweans rejoiced and carried placards 

to express their outrage. One of the more 

unusual messages on the placards formed 

the title of today’s discussion. It poignantly 

registered the fall from grace of a man that 

started out a hero of the people. Mugabe at 

Zimbabwe’s independence was compared 

to Nelson Mandela. A former school teacher 

as were several of Africa’s independence 

leaders, he had fought for the independence 

of then Rhodesia from British control. One 

of the last of the brutal enforcers Mugabe 

confronted was Ian Smith. The world had 

applauded when Mugabe triumphed and 

Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980. 

Fela sang of Rhodesia, Bob Marley 

welcomed Zimbabwe and Sonny Okosuns 

dedicated an album to the cause. 

At independence Mugabe sustained the 

hope the world had in the newest entrant 

into the comity of nations. He formed a 

government of national unity, much like 

what Mandela would do nearly a decade 

and a half later. The country grew fast, food 

was available and Zimbabwe boasted and 

still boasts of one of the highest literacy 

levels in the world. But that peculiar disease 

of African leaders never to give up power 

soon plunged Zimbabwe into economic and 

political crises. Robert Mugabe transformed 

from a progressive and highly intelligent 

leader into a brutal suppressor of his 

people’s freedom. Even as he grew older and 

fell asleep on his feet, he showed no slight 

awareness of what Gerry Adams, who steps 

down next year after 34 years as leader of 

Sinn Feinn, has identified as a mark of true 

leadership: knowledge of when to quit. 

C 

M 

Y 

K

32 –Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017 

YOUR LUCK TODAY 

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 

CAPRICORN: Many members of your opposite sex will go 

out of their ways to attract your romantic interest. This is the 

wrong time to engage on unnecessary argument. 

AQUARIUS: If your priority is love, much of it would come 

your way as desired. But here is a better day for more ambitious 

members of this Star Sign in the business world. Don’t allow 

anybody to deceive you over money. 

PISCES: Those of you with secret admirers within your 

working area will have the needed opportunities to make the 

needed moves. Resist the temptation to deceive others. 

ARIES: Although matters-of-the-heart may give you cause 

to smile broadly, if care is not taken, you would cause friction 

that can’t help your cause at work. This is the wrong time for 

unnecessary scheming within your working arena. 

TAURUS: Those of your who are red-blooded for romance 

may have an exciting and satisfying day. Happenings within 

your social circles must be taken more seriously. 

GEMINI: Confrontation may come your way in the circle 

but the heavens are working favourably for you. Some dose of 

romance is not too much for you on a day like this. 

CANCER: Provided you don’t allow your innate ability to be 

as diplomatic as necessary desert you, things’ll work favourably 

for you to the betterment of your finances. 

LEO: Many of you will be in sentimental mood and exhibit 

strong romantic desire openly. But then, if care is not taken, 

you may be carried away to the detriment of your finances. 

Serious minded lovers are in for happy day. 

VIRGO: Whatever anybody says or does, you will have both 

your say and way. Venus and Jupiter may tempt some of you 

to embrace illicit (or secret) romance within your base of 

operation. 

LIBRA: Venus and Jupiter at positive angles may tempt you 

to join some of your friends who are already onboard of merry 

making train. Watch your health. 

L E I S U R E 

THOUGHT FOR TODAY 

“We must strive to live with purpose. When we live with purpose, we feel 

good inside.” Brenda Nathan, Gratitude Journal: A Daily Appreciation - 

Good “If you know what you want to achieve in life, then you are more 

inspired to change for the better.” Josh David, People Skills Guide - Change 

“Life will throw many obstacles onto our life path that will make us sad 

or disappointed at times. Dealing positively with these obstacles is what 

makes the difference between them turning into worse states or being 

overcome.” Jonny Oates, Wisdom for My Son and Daughter: A Man Takes 

a Philosophical Reflection on Life to Help, Guide, and Inspire Society 

and His Children - Quotes about Overcoming. 

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye” 

By Kola Fayemi 

SCORPIO: Good luck may smile at many of you today and 

induce love of luxury, merry making and romantic liason. 

Genuine lovers will need to be on guard against deceit from 

new admirers. 

KAPTAIN AFRIKA in “Pretty Lunatic’ By Andy Akman 

SAGITTARIUS: Both financial success and emotional 

satisfaction are closed to you than before. Those of you 

travelling because of maters-of-the-heart are in for an exciting 

romantic day Those ambitious career-wise will succeed after 

few struggles. 

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING 

Send your date and place of birth to the Astr 

trological 

Counselling, P.M.B 100 

007, Apapa, Lagos 

My comprehensive 

Horoscope please!!! 

Dear Joshua, 

I am a middle aged lady. Although I am fairly successful, I want 

you to give me my comprehensive horoscope, especially what my 

special gift is. 

Which day of the week was I born? Where were my natal planets 

and their meanings? Who am I? 

Bisola, Abuja. 

Dear Bisola, 

There is no space for comprehensive horoscope but what you’ll 

have here -under is answer to your questions/ You were born on a 

Thursday and your special gift is LEADERSHIP quality. 

YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA 

Day of Birth: Thursday. 

Sun Sign: Virgo: Sun in 20th Degree of Virgo 

Moon Sign: PISCES: Moon on 10th Degree of Pisces 

Mercury in 16th Degree of Libra 

Venues in 5th Degree of Scorpio 

Mars in 13th Degree of Cancer 

Jupiter in 6th Degree of Pisces 

Saturn in 5th Degree of Acquarius 

Uranus in 2nd Degree of Virgo 

Neptune in 11th Degree of Scorpio 

Pluto in 10th Degree of Virgo 

North Node in 6th Degree of Leo 

South Node in 6th Degree of Aquarius 

Quality and Element 

Cardinal and air star signs hosted two planets each fixed and 

earth three each, no planet in fire while mutable and water star 

signs hosted five planets each. 

Pushful influence = 20% 

Non- pushful element = 80% 

Final dispositor = Lucky Jupiter 

GENERAL ANALYSIS 

Just 20 per cent of pushful influence in your chart can deceptively 

present you to others as a soft (or even timid) person but practical 

Virgo that hosted nothing less than three heavenly bodies when 

you were born and Astrological aspects between Mercury (mental 

focus) and aggressive Mas in you r chart are pointers to the contrary. 

Yes! You are highly intelligent and your mind works the same way 

detective’s minds do. It is true, there are little contradictions between 

your inner self and your emotional being as indicated quality, water 

element and Virgo characteristics. 

One moment, you can be very emotional, exhibiting temper with 

stinging tongue but a few hour later you are amiable, easy going, 

friendly and compassionate. You are the adaptable type who will 

see changes as sources of good opportunities. 

LEADERSHIP quality is one of your greatest gifts from God. 

placement of your natal sun (basic-selfhood) and moon (your 

emotional being) in Virgo and Pisces respectively mean that 

characteristics of both Virgo and Pisces are highly pronounced in 

your innerself. 

VIRGINIA 

HOME & ABROAD 

dadadekola@yahoo.com 

By Lawrence Akapa



A-Ibom govt publishes financial statements, 

Speaker insists 

By Chioma Onuegbu 

SPEAKER of Akwa 

Ibom State House of 

Assembly, Mr. Onofiok 

Luke, has insisted that the 

state government always 

makes its financial 

statements public, contrary 

to claims by some 

opposition elements that 

government does not make 

public how it spends 

monies from the federation 

Wike decries pollution in N-Delta 

...urges NASS to redress challenges with PIB 

By Jimitota 

Onoyume 

RIVERS 

State 

governor, Mr. 

Nyesom Wike, has stated 

that the Petroleum 

Industry Bill, PIB, when 

passed and diligently 

implemented will resolve 

majority of the 

developmental and 

environmental challenges 

facing oil producing 

communities. 

Governor Wike also 

urged the House of 

Representatives Ad-Hoc 

Committee on PIB to 

ensure that it tackles 

critical issues on the bill 

comprehensively to avoid 

further crisis after 

passage. 

Speaking at the 

Government House, Port 

Harcourt, yesterday, 

during an interactive 

session with the House of 

Representatives Ad-Hoc 

Committee on Petroleum 

Industry Bill, the governor 

said the oil producing 

communities have 

suffered untold hardship, 

which must be addressed 

holistically. 

He said: “Our people 

have suffered so much. 

When people do not 

account. 

Luke, who stated this, 

yesterday, in Uyo while 

flagging off the 

Consideration of the 2016 

Report of the Auditor 

General organised by the 

House Committee on 

Public Accounts, added 

that the citizens' 

participation in the week 

long event would enable 

them follow the processes 

and procedures for their 

understand what we 

experience, they criticise 

needlessly. I don’t think 

you will take our 

challenges lightly. I think 

this bill will cure a lot of 

environmental challenges 

in the Niger Delta. I urge 

this committee to put into 

consideration our terrain 

as you conclude on this 

bill. With the experience 

of the chairman of this 

committee, I believe the 

committee will do an 

excellent job.” 

He noted that the Niger 

Delta environment is 

highly polluted because of 

oil and gas operations in 

the area, pointing out that 

the Federal Government 

must invest in the 

resolution of these issues. 

Chairman of the House 

of Representatives Ad- 

Hoc Committee on 

Petroleum Industry Bill, 

Mr. Alhassan Doguwa, 

said that to avoid the 

mistakes of the past, the 

House is working in 

synergy with the Senate 

to ensure early passage of 

the bill, adding that the 

bill has been segmented 

into components for easier 

administration and 

passage. 

The federal lawmaker 

said that the Senate has 

passed the Petroleum 

Industry Governance Bill, 

while it has undergone 

the first and second 

readings at the House of 

Representatives awaiting 

passage. 

SheTrade: NEPC/ITC connects Nigerian 

businesswomen to global trade 

By Tare Youdeowei 

THE 

economic 

diversification 

agenda of the present 

administration got a boost 

yesterday as the Nigerian 

Export Promotion Council, 

NEPC, and the 

International Trade Centre, 

ITC, focuses on better 

integration of women into 

the economic fabric of 

Nigeria by connecting 

them to global trade. 

This was disclosed by the 

Executive Director/CEO of 

NEPC, Mr. Olusegun 

Awolowo, at a two-day 

Regional Stakeholders 

benefit. 

He said: “When we 

conclude this exercise and 

come out with our vetted 

version for 2016, we are 

going to have the document 

equally published for the 

2016 account. This 

document contains what 

the government did with the 

monies that government 

received in the year 2015 

and we are here to consider 

what government did with 

the money that was 

appropriated for the 2016 

Workshop on the 

Implementation of 

SheTrade Initiatives held in 

Lagos. 

It will be recalled that the 

SheTrades initiative was 

launched in July 2016 with 

commitment to bring 

200,000 women to the 

global market, as part of the 

broader UN–Goal of 

connecting one million 

women to the international 

market place by 2020. 

Awolowo explained that 

to achieve this 

commitment, NEPC 

organised stakeholder’s 

forum in some states in 

Nigeria in liaison with a 

fiscal year. When we get 

to 2018, we will also come 

to consider the account of 

2017 and we are going to 

get it published. 

“I speak on behalf of the 

state legislature which 

vetted the 2015 account of 

the state. The content of the 

Accountant General 

Financial Statement 

answers the query about 

our finances. We gave our 

stamp of authority to the 

audit report and that is why 

it was published in national 

dailies." 

ANNIVERSARY: From left: Chancellor, Dioceses of Lagos West, Anglican Communion, Justice 

Babasola Ogunade (retd.), Rev. Olusegun Dada; Bishop of Dioceses of Lagos West, Anglican Communion, 

Rt. Revd Olusola Odedeji, his wife, Lydia, and Bishop of Ile-Oluji, Rt. Rev. Abel Ajibodu, during the 18th 

Anniversary of Dioceses of Lagos West, Anglican Communion, thanksgiving held at Archbishop Vinig 

Memorial Church Cathedral, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos. 

Steering Committee inaugurated 

to further drive 

the SheTrades initiative. 

He said: “The council, in 

partnership with ITC, 

brought together women 

entrepreneurs to increase 

their awareness on the 

SheTrades platform, 

thereby improving their 

visibility and the use of 

trade intelligence as well as 

strengthening the Trade 

and Investment Support 

Institutions (TISIs) to 

enhance policies for the 

benefit of the exporting 

entrepreneurs." 

Ex-ALGON Chair wants Asaba 

Airport contract revoked 

By Festus Ahon 

IMMEDIATE past 

Chairman of the 

Association of Local 

Government of Nigeria, 

ALGON, in Delta State, 

Sir Constantine Ikpokpo, 

yesterday, decried the 

poor state of Asaba 

International Airport, 

calling on Governor 

Ifeanyi Okowa to revoke 

the airport contract. 

Ikpokpo, who is also 

the immediate past 

Chairman of Isoko South 

Local Government Area, 

berated the contractor, 

saying after so much 

monies have been 

released by the state 

government, the project in 

still incomplete. 

While lamenting that the 

airport cannot host big 

aircraft, he decried a 

situation where Deltans 

would have to travel to 

either Benin, Edo State, or 

Owerri in Imo State, to 

catch Abuja flights. 

He also said the 

contractor had not done 

much on the Sector ‘C’ of 

the Ughelli-Asaba Road 

project awarded to it over 

eight years ago. 

Delta govt’ll support 

communities promoting peace 

—Ebie 

By Festus Ahon 

DELTA 

State 

Commi-ssioner 

for Basic and 

Secondary Education, 

Mr Chiedu Ebie, has 

said that the 

government would 

continue to support and 

e n c o u r a g e 

communities whose 

activities are geared 

towards peace, 

progress and good 

governance. 

Ebie, who made the 

promise at the 1st 

Igbodo Youth 

Leadership Summit 

organized by the 

Igbodo Development 

Union, IDU, said good 

orientation and 

attitudinal change were 

needed to move the 

state forward. 

He commended the 

Igbodo Development 

Union for the summit 

which has as its theme: 

Why Consider Greener 

Pasture Outside The 

Passage 

THE Odionwele of 

Ihunmudumun 

community in Ekpoma, 

Esan West LGA of Edo 

State, Pa Ebhodaghe 

Musa is dead, aged 

97. 

He was a farmer and 

community leader. He 

will be buried this 

weekend in 

accordance with Esan 

native laws and 

custom. He is survived 

by many children, 

grand children and 

great grand children. 

Late Pa Musa 

Country When There Are 

Endless Opportunities In 

Nigeria? and stressed that 

formal education was key to 

success. 

Describing the ceremony 

as an “excellent assembly,” 

the Education 

Commissioner told 

participants drawn from 

Igbodo and six other 

neighbouring communities 

who were between the ages 

of 13 and 19 years, that hard 

work and self discipline were 

keys to making it in life. 

The Obi of Igbodo 

Kingdom, HRM Ikechukwu 

Osedume, the President- 

General, IDU Worldwide, 

Deacon Mathew Okwaje 

and a major facilitator of the 

program, Mr Joe Mbulu, 

said the summit was borne 

out of the desire to see the 

younger ones achieve 

success in life, stressing that 

over the years there have 

been an increasing number 

of youths derailed largely 

because of inadequate 

career guidance and social 

support. 

Passage 

SIR Celestin Udogu 

(KSC), of Udogu 

Ojingwu/Akom Idonu 

Opute, Isala Aboh and 

Umu-Ossai Aboh in 

Ndokwa East L.G.A. and 

Eghiewho Adehvie of 

Ozoro, Isoko North L.G.A. 

both in Delta State is dead, 

age 74. He will be burial on 

November 24, 2017 after a 

funeral service at St. Peters 

Anglican Church Igbudu. 

He is survived by children, 

grandchildren, and 

relations. 

Late Sir Udogu



Most govs support 

President Buhari for 2nd 

term — OKOROCHA 

•Says only one or two not in support 

By Chinonso Alozie 

O 

W E R R I — 

GOVERNOR 

Rochas Okorocha of Imo 

State, yesterday said most 

governors in the country, 

including all the South-East 

Governors were in support 

for President Muhammadu 

Buhari to run for second 

term. 

According to the governor, 

whether Peoples’ 

Democratic Party, PDP, All 


APC, or All Progressives 

Grand Alliance, APGA, 

except one or two of the 

governors in the country 

were not in support, saying 

“President Buhari is the best 

for the country at the 

moment, and that there 

could not have been a better 

option now. 

He urged Nigerians to 

support the president for reelection 

in 2019. 

Governor Okorocha spoke 

yesterday while addressing 

leaders of the Democratic 

Youths Congress for Buhari 

2019, who visited him 

yestaerday at the 

Government House, 

Owerri, urging every 

Nigerian to support 

President Buhari for second 

term. 

According to him: “I am a 

believer of Buhari and I 

made it clear years ago that 

if President Buhari is 

running for president I will 

not run. People have 

forgotten history that I ran 

with him during the ANPP 

days and in the last 

dispensation as governor. 


A BUJA—THE 

Senate yesterday 

asked the Federal 

government to 

immediately immortalize 

the first elected Vice- 

President of Nigeria, Dr. 

Alex Ekwueme, by 

naming the Federal 

Polytechnic Oko or other 

key federal institution or 

assets after him. 

According to the Senate, 

the call for immortalization 

became imperative 

following his contributions 

to the social, economic, and 

political development of 

Nigeria during his lifetime. 

The Senate which 

observed a minute’s silence 

in honour of late Dr. Alex 

Ekwueme, also resolved to 

send a delegation of this 

distinguished Senate to 

condole with his family, the 

Government and people of 

Now God has chosen him 

to be the president of 

Nigeria and some of us 

now are witnesses that 

Buhari was and is still the 

best for Nigeria at this 

material time. This is 

because I have seen a man 

that has the strength of 

character to lead this 

Nigeria at this moment of 

our history. There is no 

better president for Nigeria 

now under the situation we 

found ourselves than 

President Buhari. These 

are some of the 

considerations I have made 

for my support. 

“President Buhari might 

not be the best president of 

Nigeria 2023 or 2027 but 

Nigeria of today, he is the 

right man for the job. His 

fight against corruption 

takes an unusual character 

to do what he has done. 

His style to end terrorism 

in the North East is again 

something that requires his 

personal character. To 

buttress the point much 

better, Nigeria has come 

out of recession in the 

shortest period recorded in 

history and this is a 

testament to Buhari’s 

tenacity. And since I have 

resolved with my political 

family to shelve my 

ambition and support 

Buhari, I want to appeal to 

others to show such support 

to him because having 

looked at the political 

calculation, I have found 

out that the best thing that 

will happen to Nigeria is 

to allow President Buhari 

complete his term.'' 

Name Fedpoly Oko, others after 

Ekwueme, Senate tells FG 

Anambra State; 

Resolutions of the Senate 

yesterday were sequel to a 

motion by the Deputy 

Senate President, Senator 

Ike Ekweremadu, PDP, 

Enugu West and entitled, 

“The passing on of former 

Vice President, Dr. Alex 

Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, 

GCON (1932-2017)” 

Presenting his motion, 

Senator Ekweremadu, 

Order 43 of the Senate 

Standing Order 2015 As 

Amended, said among 

others, “This Senate, 

notes with a deep sense 

of loss the passing on of 

the former Vice President 

of Nigeria, His 

Excellency, Dr. Alex 

Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, 

GCON (October 21, 1932 

– November 19, 2017); 

notes that the late elder 

statesman was an 

intellectual giant and 

consummate professional.'' 

ANAMBRA POLLS: Buhari congratulates 

Obiano 

•Says electoral reform bearing positive fruits 

•NLC urges other candidates to accept result 

By Victor Ahiuma- 

Young, Vincent 

Ujumadu, Johnbosco 

Agbakwuru & 

Nwabueze Okonkwo 

A 

B 

U J A — 

PRESIDENT 

Muhammadu Buhari has 

commended Governor 

Willie Obiano of Anambra 

State on his victory in the 

18th November 

governorship election in the 

state. 

President Buhari also 

commended the people of 

Anambra State, other 

governorship candidates in 

the election, the 

Independent National 

Electoral Commission, 

INEC, election observers as 

well as security agencies 

and other stakeholders, on 

the peaceful conduct of the 

election. 

This came as Nigeria 

Labour Congress, NLC, 

pleaded with other 

candidates who lost to in the 

spirit of sportsmanship, to 

concede victory to Mr 

Obiano, commending 

INEC and the people of 

Anambra State on the 

success of the election 

which returned Governor 

Willie Obiano as governor. 

Meanwhile, President 

Buhari in a statement by his 

Special Adviser on Media 

and Publicity, Mr. Femi 

Adesina, yesterday said, 

“the processes leading to 

the election and its peaceful 

conduct and outcome, have 

shown that our electoral 

reform is bearing positive 

fruits. This is very 

encouraging and I am 

determined to give Nigeria 

free and fair elections, no 

matter which way the results 

swing.” 

He particularly expressed 

delight at the conduct of the 

candidates post-election 

results, describing it as 

“heart-warming and a 

renewal of confidence in the 

sanctity of the ballot which 

deepens our nation’s 

democracy.” 

President Buhari urged 

INEC to improve on areas 

of logistics as the nation 

braces for coming 

governorship elections and 

the main general elections 

in 2019. 

The President while 

congratulating Governor 

Willie Obiano on his reelection, 

urged him to 

rededicate himself to 

building on his 

achievements that 

endeared him to the 

electorate and swayed the 

overwhelming majority of 

votes in his favour. 

President Buhari assured 

the Governor-elect that the 

Federal Government was 

ready to work with him for 

the greater harmony, 

peace and development of 

not only Anambra State but 

VISIT: From left; Chief Remi Adiukwu, Enugu State Governor; Mr Ifeanyi 

Ugwuanyi; Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Dep. Gov of Enugu state, Mrs Cecilia Ezeilo 

and Hon. Gbenga Oduwaye during Daniel's courtesy visit in continuation of nationwide 

tour for national chairmanship of the People's Democratic Party in Enugu. 

the entire country. 

NLC begs other 

candidates 

On its Part, NLC in a 

statement by its President, 

Ayuba Wabba, insisted that 

the election, in spite of initial 

glitches, especially at its 

early stage, had been 

adjudged by not a few to be 

substantially peaceful, 

transparent, credible, fair 

and a representation of the 

wishes of the electorate. 

The statement read: “We 

at the Nigeria Labour 

Congress wish to 

congratulate the people of 

Anambra State as well as 

commend INEC for a 

hugely successful election. 

The election in spite of initial 

glitches, especially at its 

early stage has been 

adjudged by not a few to be 

substantially peaceful, 

transparent, credible, fair 

and a representation of the 

wishes of the electorate. 

“The outcome of this 

election has come as a 

pleasant surprise to APGA 

and non-APGA members 

against the background of 

threats by IPOB to disrupt 

the election and fears in 

some quarters that there 

might be executive 

interference as in the days 

of yore when membership 

of the ruling party conferred 

automatic victory. We urge 

INEC to build on this 

success in subsequent 

elections as its credibility is 

key to the success or outcome 

of elections. 

DA candidate lauds 

Obiano’s victory 

As if heeding the NLC’s 

advice, the flag bearer of 

Democratic Alternative, DA, 

in the election, Nze Ugo- 

Akpe Onwuka, 

congratulated Governor 

Willie for his victory at the 

poll. 

In a statement issued in 

Awka, Onwuka noted that 

out of fair-play, it was 

necessary for other 

contestants including 

himself to congratulate 

Obiano because it was not 

an easy task for him to beat 

36 other candidates in a 

keenly contested election. 

Minimal breaches 

In the meantime, Centre 

for Law Enforcement 

Education in Nigeria, 

CLEEN, a nongovernmental 

organization, 

which was one of the groups 

that monitored the poll has 

published the report of its 

findings during the election, 

saying that the election was 

held under tight security 

with minimal security 

breaches. 

Project leader and 

assistant programme 

manager of the 

organization, Chigozirim 

Okoro, who read the report 

in Awka said the outcome 

was largely in line with the 

conclusion of the 

Foundation’s Security 

Threat Assessment for 2017. 

The report said in part: 

“Overall, the conduct of 

security agents during the 

elections is commendable, 

especially in the discharge 

of their duties at the patrol 

bits, polling units, and 

collation centres.'' 

Muazu didn't leave N9bn in PDP’s account, 

says ex-National Treasurer 

By Dirirsu Yakubu 

A BUJA—AGAINST 

the backdrop of the 

allegation that the former 

National Working 

Committee (NWC) of 

Peoples Democratic Party 

(PDP) squandered the 

party’s funds, the former 

national treasurer, Alhaji 

Buhari Bala yesterday 

debunked such allegation. 

The ex-treasurer said 

the former national 

chairman of the party, 

Adamu Mu’azu never left 

N9 billion behind, warning 

that such should not be 

used as campaign issue in 

the forthcoming national 

convention. 

Bala in a statement noted 

that party funds were never 

squandered, noting that 

auditors and the 

Independent National 

Electoral Commission 

(INEC) had given the party 

a clean bill. 

He said: “Our attention 

has been drawn to the 

cheap and malicious 

publication in some media 

to the effect that members 

of the former National 

Working Committee NWC 

of our party, the PDP 

squandered the party’s 

fund to the tune of N9b said 

to have been left behind by 

the former national 

chairman Adamu Muazu. 

“It’s very clear from the 

story that the author is 

acting on ignorance or is 

being mischievous as no 

such money of the party was 

left by Muazu nor 

misappropriated by 

anybody.” 

He argued that the party’s 

audited report during the 

period under review was 

available, stressing that an 

audit firm audited the 

accounts of the party and 

expressed their opinion on 

the accounts.



WITH CHARLES KUMOLU 

midweekpersonality@gmail.com 

08052140865 (sms only) 

OBASEKI: 

My dream is to 

become first 

class chief in 

Benin Kingdom 

CHIEF Chamberlain Obaseki, celebrated what he chooses 

to refer to as a milestone birthday last weekend in Benin 

City and it was attended by the who is who in Edo state 

including his cousin, Governor Godwin Obaseki. The 

business mogul was born into the industrious family of 

Chief (Sir) Jaybee Iyekeoretin Obaseki, JP, the Obaruyiedo 

of Benin Kingdom. His grandfather was the late Chief 

Dawson Ogiemudia Obaseki, treasurer of the Benin 

Divisional Council, the Obaruyiedo of Benin Kingdom and 

a man who had the privilege of serving two Obas - Oba 

Eweka (as Ogua of Benin) and Oba Akenzua (as 

Obaruyiedo). The title was made hereditary by Oba 

Akenzua, and Chief Dawson Obaseki his grandfather, is 

the only chief to have doubled in the Eghavbon'Ore and 

Eghavbon'ogbe class of chiefs in Benin Kingdom. 

Obaseki who is a philanthropist speaks on life and 

struggles just as he also reacts to the recent one year in 

office anniversary of his cousin, Governor Godwin 

Obaseki. 

Milestone: 

I cannot thank God enough for 

life and the very wonderful 

parents, who brought me up, put 

me in the best schools. I feel very 

privileged, because I attended 

Emotan Nursery School, Emotan 

primary school, University of 

Benin Demonstration Secondary 

school then UNIBEN where I 

read Engineering. I am grateful 

to God that I am celebrating 

today. Upon leaving the 

University, I joined the family 

business, Edo Joint Industrial 

Engineering Nig. Ltd., an arm 

of the Baron Group of 

Companies before starting mine, 

Copeo Projects Nigeria Ltd., a 

civil and mechanical 

engineering company, and 

Chowen Oil and Gas Company 

Ltd., about 15 years ago. I am 

generally regarded by friends as 

a problem solver because God 

has blessed me with listening 

ears, and I am, by His grace, a 

bridge builder and a community 

leader. I am also an alumnus of 

the Lagos Business School, a 

holder of an honorary doctorate 

degree from the Bethel 

University of Biblical Studies, 

United States of America, a 

Justice of the Peace by Edo State 

Government, and an Apostolic 

Knight of the Christ Apostolic 

Church of God Mission 

Worldwide (CACGM). 

I have four boys, my kids are 

abroad. My wife is a soul mate, 

very understanding, she 

tolerates all my excesses. She 

knows how to manage me and 

manage the home front too. I met 

her here in Benin over ten years 

ago. The very day I saw her I 

knew yes, she was my wife. And 

God has been faithful since then. 

On phases of life 

The lessons I learnt growing up 

are that of hard work, 

perseverance, and lessons of 

maintaining a good name. I come 

from a family that is well known 

and anywhere you mention the 

name of my father they will tell 

you he is a good man. Including 

my grandfather, Chief Dawson 

Obaseki who was the Obayedo 

of Benin Kingdom and the 

Treasurer of the Benin Divisional 

Council then, he died in 1956 and 

he held the hereditary title of 

Obaruyedo of Benin Kingdom, 

the title my father currently holds 

in the Kingdom. Of course, my 

great-grandfather was the most 

celebrated Agho Obaseki who 

was the Iyase of Benin Kingdom. 

So I have learnt a lot in life. 

One man that 

inspired me so much 

while growing up 

was MKO Abiola. I 

wanted to be like 

MKO, I love what he 

did for humanity. 

Abiola had human 

feelings, he believed 

in putting smiles on 

people’s faces 

On phases of life 

I believe I am still work in 

progress. For me, my greatest 

achievement in life is helping 

others. I always like to see people 

smile, my friends call me a 

problem solver. I am a very 

contented person. I love having 

fun and seeing others enjoy too. 

Were there people, who 

inspired your steps and how 

much of influence were they? 

One man that inspired me so 

much while growing up was 

MKO Abiola. I wanted to be like 

MKO, I love what he did for 

humanity. Abiola had human 

feelings, he believed in putting 

smiles on people’s faces. And in 

the last fifteen years, one man that 

has painted that picture of Abiola 

is Captain Hosa Okunbor. Like 

him or hate him, he is the most 

generous Benin man alive today. 

You cannot meet him with a 

problem and he will not solve it. 

He likes to help people and that 

is what has made him who he is 

today. He is like that because he 

has genuine feelings for the 

ordinary people, and for me, that 

is how life should be. It is not 

about owning houses 

everywhere yet people around 

you are suffering, that is 

wickedness. We must contribute 

to the growth of humanity. That 

is my belief. 

On mentorship 

I have no interest in politics. 

The first time I came out to 

participate in politics was during 

the last election because my elder 

brother, Godwin Obaseki, who I 

PERSONALITY ETHICS 

•I always see myself 

as work in progress 

•I have feelings for 

ordinary people 

•One must 

contribute to the 

growth of humanity 

•Culture and 

tradition shaped my 

life 

see as a mentor contested the 

election and won. Like he said 

when he came for my birthday 

party, I was with him throughout 

the campaign and when he was 

sworn in because I believe in him, 

I knew he will make the 

difference and that was why I 

came out fully to participate in 

politics then. But for me, I am not 

going to contest any election even 

though some of my friends and 

associates want me to. But I am 

not interested in politics 

howeverif I have a friend that is 

contesting I will surely support 

the person. 

So far, what can you consider 

your greatest achievements? 

The greatest achievement I feel 

I have achieved is seeing people 

saying what I have done for them. 

That is my achievement. I have 

helped a lot of people to secure 

jobs, to go to school and to feed. 

I will also tell you that the greatest 

achievement I have also made 

was working in the Church. I am 

a church worker and I contribute 

a lot in making my church grow 

in terms of financing. I attend 

Christ Apostolic Church of God 

Mission and I am dedicated to 

God Almighty. 

You are from a well-known 

royal father, how has that 

influenced your life? 

It has so much influence in my 

life because it thought me how 

to be respectful. There are some 

things I cannot do because of my 

family’s pedigree both 

maternally and paternally. My 

mum is from the famous Ero, 

Lawani family and my father has 

been a custodian of the tradition, 

his father before him was also a 

first-class Benin Chief. His 

grandfather before him was also 

a first-class Benin Chief, his 

great-grandfather was also a firstclass 

Benin Chief. So I grew up 

in a family of culture and 

tradition and that has shaped my 

life. By the grace of God, my 

greatest ambition in life is to also 

become a first-class Benin Chief. 

What influence does the 

Obaseki family have on him? 

He is governor of Edo state not 

governor of the Obaseki family. 

Let me tell you, he is someone 

that you just don’t go and see 

him because he is your brother, 

you must go to him with the right 

reason if you have any issue. You 

cannot go and tell him that 

because you are Obaseki I want 

to be a Commissioner or 

something, he won’t even listen 

to you. He believes in taking 

decisions on merit, you must 

merit a position before he gives 

it to you. If you look at his cabinet 

so far, we have only one Obaseki



vicahiyoung@yahoo.com 

Mischief makers behind 

ongoing Pension Act 

amendment ---CPRA 

...Says over 200,000 private sector 

employers implementing CPS 

By Victor Ahiuma-Young 

NO fewer than 200,000 

private sector employers 

are today implementing the 

Contributory Pension Scheme, 

CPS, and have contributed 60 

percent of the total pension fund 

assets, Centre for Pension Right 

Advocacy, CPRA, has said. 

This is even as the group 

contended that those behind the 

proposed Constitution 

amendment Bill No. 3 on 

Devolution of powers with regard 

to pension and the ongoing 

process of amendment of the 

Pension Reform Act 2014, are 

mischief makers whose ultimate 

goal is to kill the CPS. 

In a position paper titled 

"Devolution of Powers Bill No. 3 

And Pension Matter in the 

Constitutional Amendment", 

Barrister Ivor Takor, Executive 

Director CPRA, argued among 

others that to segregate persons 

in the military service, the police 

force and other paramilitary and 

security agencies in the federation 

from federal employees, under 

pensions in Bill No. 3, without 

altering the Constitutional 

definition of public service of the 

federation in section 318 of the 

Constitution to exclude persons 

in military service, the police force 

and other paramilitary and 

security agencies in the 

federation, is nothing but 

mischievous. 

Takor who was a Board member 

of the National Pension 

Commission, PenCom, 

representing Labour insisted that 

"there is a dire need to consolidate 

the gains of the CPS and avoid 

any legislative amendment of the 

Constitution and the Pension 

Reform Act 2014, that will bring 

confusion in the pension industry 

or may not be beneficial to 

employees and the self 

employed. The proposed 

Constitution amendment Bill No. 

3 on Devolution of powers with 

regard to pension and the on 

going process of amendment of 

the Pension Reform Act 2014 are 

unnecessary as they will bring 

unintended negative 

consequences on employees, the 

self employed and the economy." 

According to him: "The only 

rational explanation of the obvious 

legislative drafting mischief, is 

that the National Assembly 

intends to give constitutional 

backing to its ongoing attempt, 

aimed at killing the Contributory 

Pension Scheme introduced by 

the Pension Reform Act 2014 by 

attempting to exclude certain 

categories of officers and 

employees of the Public Service 

of the Federation, including 

persons in military service, police 

force and other paramilitary and 

security agencies in the federation 

from the Contributory Pension 

Scheme, via the private member 

Bills that have already gone 

through the second readings. It 

is important to state here that the 

Federal Government as 

represented by the Office of the 

Secretary to the Government of 

the Federation, including 

stakeholders in the pension 

If the amendment is 

done only for the 

sake of devolution 

of power from the 

Central 

government to the 

States, then it is not 

in the overall 

interest of the 

employees 

industry, such as Employers 

Associations, the Nigeria Union 

of Pensioners, the Nigeria Labour 

Congress (NLC), the Trade Union 

Congress (TUC), operators in the 

industry, Civil Society 

Organisations and the Nigerian 

Police at a Public Hearing 

Organised by the House of 

Representatives Committee on 

Pension, to deliberate on the 

Private Member Bill, held on 

Thursday 28 September 2017 

roundly condemned the Bill and 

By Victor Ahiuma-Young 

PETROLEUM and Natural 

Gas Senior Staff Association 

of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, has 

rejected the plan by both the 

Federal and state governments to 

tax pensions, gratuities and 

terminal benefits of workers in the 

country. 

The umbrella body for senior 

staff in the oil and gas sector 

vowed to resist the 

implementation of the plan, 

contending that it will further 

impoverish Nigerian workers. 

In a communiqué issued at the 

end of its National Executive 

Council, NEC, meeting in Uyo, 

Akwa Ibom State, PENGASSAN 

condemned the unilateral 

decision by the Federal Inland 

Revenue Service, FIRS, and 

States Internal Revenue Service, 

•A cross section of protesting military pensioners. Inset is the Executive Director of CPRA, Ivor 

Takor 

asked that it be withdrawn or be 

thrown out of the House of 

Representatives. 

"Any Constitutional 

amendment, aimed at taking 

personnel of the Police force and 

other paramilitary out of the CPS 

is putting in jeopardy, the welfare 

of these personnel after they have 

retired. This is because there 

won't be a ready pool of funds to 

pay their retirement benefits, 

thereby leaving the payment of 

their benefits at the mercy of 

annual budgetary provisions and 

monthly allocations, based on 

resources available to 

government. One of the reasons 

for the provision of Retirement 

Savings Account and making 

them personal to employees, is 

to protect pension benefits 

already earned by an employee 

from being tampered with by an 

employer under any guise. 

The second most important 

issue in the Devolution of Power 

Bill No. 3, under pension is the 

attempt by the National Assembly 

to bring a dichotomy among 

workers in the private sector and 

how their pensions will be 

legislated. In the proposed 

amendment, under pension, in 

paragraph (1)(i) the Bill seeks to 

limit the powers of the National 

Assembly to make laws on 

pension for employees of 

incorporated companies 

regulated by federal enactment, 

while in paragraph (2), it seeks to 

give powers to make laws on 

pension for employees of business 

enterprises resident within the 

state and subject to state 

regulations to Houses of 

Assemblies of States." 

He noted that "This dichotomy 

is not necessary as employees in 

the Private Sector are already 

covered under Section 2 of the 

Pension Reform Act 2014 enacted 

by the National Assembly. 

Secondly, if the amendment is 

being done only for the sake of 

devolution of power from the 

Central government to the States, 

then this particular devolution is 

not in the overall interest of the 

concerned employees. 

State governments have not 

shown any commitment in the 

welfare of their workers and 

pensioners. How then is it 

expected that they will be 

interested in the welfare of 

workers of private enterprises or 

self employed persons in the 

informal sector. It is on record that 

about 20 states out of 36 states of 

the federation owe their workers 

and pensioners about N200 

PENGASSAN rejects plan to tax pensions, terminal benefits 

to act outside the provisions of 

the Federal Tax Laws thereby 

infringing on the rights of the 

workers. 

PENGASSAN, in the 

communique by its 

PENGASSAN President, Francis 

Johnson and General Secretary, 

Lumumba Okugbawa, 

condemned the plan by 

governments, especially the 

Lagos State Government and its 

agent, the Lagos State Inland 

Revenue Service LIRS, to tax 

workers' gratuities and terminal 

benefits. 

According to the communiqué: 

"The NEC-in-Session calls on all 

workers, the Nigeria Labour 

Congress, NLC, the Trade Union 

Congress of Nigeria, TUC, and 

other labour unions to reject and 

resist the planned taxation of 

pensions, gratuities and terminal 

benefits. The NEC-in-Session 

notes that the planned taxation 

will further deplete workers' final 

entitlements and increase poverty 

in the country and explains that 

this can also shorten the life span 

of workers in the country." 

PENGASSAN also condemned 

the actions of the Joint Tax Board, 

JTB, and some state boards of 

Internal Revenue for illegally 

stopping employers from 

processing additional pensions 

and life insurance tax reliefs by 

workers as enshrined in the law, 

saying, "The NEC-in-Session 

therefore states that the law on 

Personal Income Tax can only be 

amended by an Act of the National 

Assembly or clarification via 

interpretation by the Judiciary, 

and it would resist the self-help 

approach being adopted by the tax 

bodies." 

billion. 28 are still struggling to 

put in place pension laws for their 

states and local government 

employees, 13 years after the 

repeal of Pension Act 1990, which 

was of universal application in the 

public services all over the 

country. Even those that have 

enacted pension laws for their 

workers, only Lagos State and a 

few others are implementing the 

laws enacted by their Assemblies. 

He recalled that Pension reform 

was necessitated by many 

problems bedeviling the public 

and private sectors' pension 

schemes in Nigeria, declaring 

that many private sector 

organisations did not have any 

pension arrangements for their 

employees and where it existed, 

it was characterized by a lack of 

supervision and regulation. 

Supervision and 

regulation 

CPRA Executive Director 

posited that the Federal 

Government decided to take 

measures aimed at developing a 

sustainable system with "the 

capacity to achieve the ultimate 

goal of providing a stable, 

predictable and adequate source 

of retirement income for 

employees in both the public and 

private sector. This culminated in 

the enactment of the Pension 

Reform Act 2004, which 

introduced the mandatory 

Contributory Pension Scheme. 

The Pension Reform Act 2004 was 

repealed and replaced in 2014 

with Pension Reform Act 2014. 

"The total pension fund assets 

as at July 2017 was N6.5 trillion, 

with 7.6 million contributors. To 

date, about 200,000 private sector 

employers of labour are 

implementing the CPS and have 

contributed 60 percent of the total 

pension fund assets. 

"In order to consolidate the gains 

so far recorded in the orgainsed 

private sector, the National Pension 

Commission has with inputs from 

stakeholders, put in place guidelines 

for the introduction of micro pensions, 

targeting the informal sector (self 

employed) in order to secure a better 

life for these categories of citizens in 

their old age," he said.



Who is or what makes a 

teacher? 

THERE are good, average 

and bad teachers. It is 

not however everybody that 

holds School Certificate or 

University degree that is ipso 

facto a good teacher. In the 

colonial days, teachers were 

categorized as CD, C, CA and 

A. Colleges were established 

for the training of teachers. 

Nevertheless it may still be 

said that the first factor in the 

making of a teacher is 

qualification. This is why 

there are several academic 

programs designed towards 

the production of teachers. 

Many Universities in Nigeria 

today offer degree programs 

in Education. Some years back 

the government of Ogun State 

scored a remarkable first when 

it established Tai Solarin 

University, the first University 

of Education in Nigeria. This 

institution was designed to 

produce quality teachers to 

impact positively on the 

nation’s drive towards 

academic excellence. In 

addition to these there are still 

several leading Colleges of 

Education scattered around 

the country. 

Constant training and 

retraining 

However, the making of a 

teacher does not and cannot 

end at the point of acquisition 

of academic degrees. There 

must be constant training and 

retraining of teachers. 

Teachers must constantly 

acquaint themselves with 

modern teaching methods so 

that they do not turn out half 

or poorly educated students. 

A teacher after all can only 

teach what he knows and in a 

manner in which he knows 

how best to. Indeed the 

government of the then 

western region in introducing 

free education placed a high 

premium on teacher education 

Kaduna State as a mirror of the poor state 

of education in Nigeria: 

Gov El-Rufai deserves commendation (2) 

and retraining such that a 

significant percentage of the 

budget was earmarked for 

teacher training. The manner 

in which they went about it 

was captured by S. Ademola 

Ajayi in the article titled “The 

development of Free Primary 

Education in Western Nigeria” 

in the following words: “the 

Minister of Education for the 

Western Region, Chief S. O. 

Awokoya, presented a 

comprehensive set of 

proposals calling for a free, 

universal and compulsory 

education otherwise known as 

the Universal Primary 

Education (U.P.E.) for the 

Western Region by January 

1955 (Awokoya’a Proposal 

1952). To make such a 

programme possible without 

lowering standards drastically, 

the minister included in his 

proposal a massive teachertraining 

programme, the 

expansion of teacher training 

facilities and secondary 

schools, the introduction of 

secondary technical education 

and Secondary Modern school 

(Western House of Assembly 

Debates: 30 July 1952).”.. 

“Between 1954 and 1966, 

education attracted the largest 

share of the Western Region’s 

recurrent budget, having 

varied between 28.9 per cent 

and 41.2 per cent during the 

period (Table 4). In the 1958- 

59 financial year, for instance, 

41.2 percent of the total 

recurrent budget was devoted 

to education alone. This, 

undoubtedly, represented one 

of the highest proportional 

expenditures on education, 

the world over. That was an 

ample demonstration of the 

great importance that the 

regional government placed 

on education. 

Rules and methods 

After qualification and 

constant training, the teacher 

must also put in place rules 

and methods aimed at 

achieving the best results. 

The teacher must firstly know 

himself. There are fast-talking 

teachers, slow-talking 

teachers, audible and 

inaudible teachers, 

temperamental teachers, 

lively, charismatic, 

approachable, introvert, 

extrovert, pleasant, 

quarrelsome and a host of 

others. Each person, has his 

own peculiar characteristics 

and attributes. A good teacher 

should know first which 

attributes and or deficiencies 

he has. It is only then that he 

will know in what ways to 

exploit the virtues to proper 

advantage in the performance 

of his duties or how to 

overcome his inadequacies. 

An important aspect of the 

teacher knowing himself is 

also knowing why he wants to 

be a teacher in the first place. 

While some take up the 

profession out of a love of 

children some take to teaching 

simply because all other 

avenues of employment have 

failed. Whilst it is good to love 

children, I must say that this 

alone will not qualify a person 

as a good teacher. Teaching 

has specific demands which a 

love of children may not be 

enough to satisfy. It is well 

known for example that 

teaching children who have 

just reached school age 

requires skills which a teacher 

accustomed to teaching 

undergraduates may not 

possess. Thus I feel that a love 

of teaching itself and a desire 

to impart knowledge should 

be the driving force or only 

motivation in taking up 

teaching as profession. 

A good teacher must know 

his students, possibly by 

name. Most students, if not 

all, will be happy if the teacher 

knows their names and calls 

them by those names. A 

Thus I feel that 

a love of 

teaching itself 

and a desire to 

i m p a r t 

knowledge 

should be the 

driving force or 

only motivation 

in taking up 

teaching as 

profession 

student who is called by his 

name forms the right 

impression that he is an 

integral part of the class and 

that he matters to the lecturer. 

Know the ability (or I.Q) of 

each student: The teacher 

must know those who are 

brilliant, those who are of 

average academic capabilities, 

and those who are below 

average among his students. 

This knowledge will help in 

knowing how to help each 

student by identifying their 

specific areas of needs and 

especially those on whom to 

focus more attention. This will 

lead to grouping of the 

students based on an 

assessment of their ability (or 

intelligence). 

Apart from his own learning, 

the teacher must have a good 

knowledge of the subjectmatter 

and must know a bit of 

every subject or most subjects 

under the sun. To acquire this, 

he must do his research very 

well before going to class. He 

must properly educate himself. 

He must always have it at the 

back of his mind that there are 

some among his students 

those who are intellectually 

endowed and who may be 

well ahead of the teacher 

himself. He must know that we 

are living in a world with 

remarkable technological 

advancements such as the 

computer and internet. Unless 

the teacher is current 

therefore, he may discover not 

only that some of the students 

are well ahead of him through 

research or the use of internet 

but that he has embarrassed 

or ridiculed himself by his 

inadequate or obsolete 

knowledge. 

Impart knowledge 

A good teacher must 

appreciate that his primary 

duty is to impart knowledge. 

This means that he must be 

able to communicate with the 

students properly. The best 

teacher communicates in very 

simple English. The best way 

is to communicate is short 

sentences instead of winding 

compound sentences and or 

bombastic English designed to 

impress the students. 

A teacher’s delivery of his 

lessons must be interesting. 

There are many ways of 

invoking the students’ interest 

and a good teacher must know 

and employ these. A good 

teacher must also make the 

lesson interesting and lively 

through the use of analogy 

and stories, live cases and 

apposite practical examples. 

Interaction and Participation: 

There must be interaction 

during the course of teaching 

or else the students will lose 

interest with their mind 

straying elsewhere. Although 

they are physically present, yet 

their minds are not with you. 

A teacher who teaches a nonlistening 

student is wasting 

his time. Active participation 

of the students in the teaching 

and learning process will 

arouse their interest and 

sustain it. A good teacher must 

keep observing the students to 

see whether he is carrying 

them along. He must ask 

questions from persons who 

seem not to be attentive. All 

others will be forced to pay 

attention. 

To be continued

VANGU 

ANGUARD, ARD, WEDNESDAY, , NOVEMBER 22, 2017—41 

Afraid to tell friends about my 

failed marriage 

I find it difficult to cope with campus life 

DearBunmi, 

I started university this year 

and I really hate it I haven’t 

made any real friends, my 

course is more difficult than I 

envisaged and my roommates 

are all messy and they 

stay up parting until the 

early hours. But most of all, 

I’m really homesick. I’m very 

close to my family and miss 

them every day. 

It’s not as if I can go home 

every weekend because my 

university is in a different 

state. I will be going home 

for Christmas and I really 

don’t want to go back after 

the Christmas break. I’m 

really unhappy. Do you think 

I should drop out? 

Nifemi, by e-mail. 

Dear Nifemi, 

Leaving home and 

embarking on a new life 

could be very scary and it’s 

I want my fiance's mum to back off 

Dear Bunmi, 

I am getting married next 

year and my fiance and I am 

really excited about it. 

The problem is, I’m really 

struggling to get along with 

my future mother-in-law. 

She’s always very rude to 

me, she tries to exclude me 

from any family events - and 

she’s now trying to meddle 

in our wedding plans. When 

we booked the venue for the 

reception, she accused me of 

manipulating her son into 

agreeing with a venue close 

to my own family just so I 

would have more guests 

than him (which is ridiculous 

because we are from the 

same area). 

It’s been the same ever since 

we got engaged. Whatever I 

suggest for the wedding, she 

seems to have a huge 

problem with it. My fiance is 

always keen to keep out of it, 

even though he agrees she 

was being unfair with me. 

He said he would try to talk 

to her about it but he still 

hasn’t mustered the courage 

to do it and ifs really starting 

to frustrate me. This awful 

woman is making me 

miserable and I don’t think I 

can take more. What should 

I do? 

Modesta, by e-mail. 

Dear Modesta, 

Your soon-to-be mother-inlaw 

excluded you from 

family events, meddled in 

your plans, accused you of 

being manipulative - and 

quite 

normal that you are finding 

the transition difficult. 

Homesickness is very 

common among students. 

All universities offer 

unselIing and religious 

care. I would urge you to 

take advantage of the 

Will marriage kill the passion? 

DearBunmi, 

My girlfriend and I used to 

have lots of wild sex but 

since I asked her to marry 

me, she’s turned off the tap. 

She hasn’t given me oral 

sex since I proposed (we 

got engaged six months 

ago) and it used to be her 

favourite treat for me. We’ve 

only been together two 

years. Is this what it’s going 

to be like being married to 

her? 

Cletus, by e-mail. 

Dear Cletus, 

Your girl going off sex could 

be the natural waning of 

desire that’s more to do 

with the fact that you’ve 

been together two years 

more than the engagement. 

Frequency of sex declines 

for most people around this 

services offered. 

It’s very early days, but the 

most important thing you 

must do is talk about it and 

involve your family. Talk to 

your roommates - you 

maybe surprised to hear 

that they are also suffering 

with homesickness. 

It’s a bit of a myth that if you don’t wake 

the neighbours, you’re not having fun 

sex. Some people scream their heads 

off at the football, others just wave the 

odd flag - that doesn’t mean one’s 

enjoying it more than the other. While it 

is great if your partner makes noise (it’s 

good feedback), it really depends on 

their personality 

your fiance says nothing! 

You need to have a serious 

talk with him about this 

marriage because this 

mum-in-law is going to be 

around for a long time. You 

need to make sure he has 

your back in your marriage 

and is prepared to defend 

you. 

I think she’s probably a 

little scared that she’s 

losing her boy. Maybe you 

could 

spend some time with her 

one-on-one; go for a bit of 

shopping together and try 

building bonds that way. 

Subtly suggest to her that it 

might be nice if she and her 

son arranged to meet 

up on their own without 

you. She probably needs 

reassuring that she’s still 

going to have a special 

place in her son’s life. Be 

the bigger person, kill her 

with kindness and wear 

down her hostility! 

time. Or it could be she 

believes the old myth that 

once you put a ring on her 

finger, sex stops. 

She’s jumping the gun if 

this is the case. Does she 

honestly think you’re going 

to marry her if all you see in 

your future is a life-time 

without sex and oral sex? It 

may be the wild sex is no 

longer on offer because now 

she feels she has to be the 

‘nice girl’ that your mother 

will love, the ‘pure’ future 

bearer of your children! This 

needs to be solved by an 

honest discussion - now! 

What are you doing getting 

married when you haven’t 

sorted out the one basic rule 

of keeping a relationship 

going - being able to talk 

things through? 

DearBunmi, 

A few years ago, my 

husband left me for another 

woman. We were only 

married for four years and 

we had no children. I was 

very upset and found it 

easier not to tell people 

because I knew I’d just start 

crying. My family lives in 

another state and I didn’t 

have any close friends to 

talk to at the time. 

All my colleagues in the 

office assume I’m still 

married because I’ve never 

told them any differently. 

I used to keep to myself but 

I’m now getting more 

friendly - and I have a 

special 

friend I relate to. 

My new friends keep 

inviting me to outings 

outside work and urge me to 

bring my husband. As a 

result, I can’t go to any of 

these dos. If I keep on 

turning them down, they’re 

going to think I’m not 

interested in making 

friends. I want to start living 

a life that includes 

happiness and friends but 

how can I do this without 

admitting I lied and there is 

no husband? 

Eugene, by e-mai. 

Dear Eugene, 

It’s unfortunate that you 

went through betrayal and 

divorce without anyone 

there to support you. Thank 

goodness you’re now on the 

brink of a new life that’s 

likely to be filled with 

friends and fun. There’s a 

very simple way to get 

yourself out of this situation 

so your new life can start. Sit 

down with this woman 

you’re closest to and tell her 

you’re no longer with your 

husband but haven’t told 

anyone because it upsets 

you to talk about it. Keep it 

as simple as you possibly 

can and tell her about when 

the separation occurred. If 

she asks when it happened, 

say “a little while ago” and 

that you’d prefer not to talk 

about it. Explain that’s the 

reason why you haven’t 

accepted any invitations but 

you’re now ready to mingle! 

Then ask if she’d mind 

letting the others know, so 

you can turn up at these 

events without having to 

make excuses to explain why 

your husband isn’t with you. 

I know this will be hard but 

your workmates sound like 

nice people who will 

understand your reasons. 

Perhaps later, when you feel 

more comfortable with them, 

you might want to tell the 

full story. When you do, you 

might be mildly shocked that 

there are other people worse 

off emotionally than you are! 

Once you start socialising, 

you’ll find your selfconfidence 

grows and it 

becomes easier to open up to 

people. A lot of us make all 

sorts of assumptions 

about our colleagues, most of 

which are not true. So 

there’s no need to be too 

embarrassed about your 

situation. Don’t make a big 

deal of it and neither will 

they. Good luck. 

I can tell if she enjoys sex 

Dear Bunmi, 

I Love having sex with my 

girlfriend of almost a year 

but I find it really hard 

to work out whether she’s 

enjoying herself or not. She 

makes no noise at all- not 

a moan or a whimper. It’s 

really unnerving as I’ve 

never had sex with a girl 

who was totally silent. 

I’ve asked her why and she 

says that’s just how she is. 

She’s quite shy out of bed as 

well. Do you think this is 

normal? I’ve asked her time 

and time again if she does 

enjoy sex with me and she 

says she does - and that she 

has orgasms. 

Rex, by e-mail. 

Dear Rex, 

It’s a bit of a myth that if 

you don’t wake the 

neighbours, you’re not 

having fun sex. Some 

people scream their heads 

off at the football, others just 

wave the odd flag - that 

doesn’t mean one’s enjoying 

it more than the other. While 

it is great if your partner 

makes noise (it’s good 

feedback), it really depends 

on their personality. If she’s 

shy out of bed, it stands to 

reason she’ll be shy in it. 

For many women, reaching 

organism is a long, private 

process that involves 

intense concentration. She 

may also be battling to stay 

focused on the sensation in 

order to climax. Some men 

are also quiet achievers. 

You’ve had chats about it. 

Instead of quizzing her 

further, why not accept that 

what she says is true and 

instead, try to build her 

sexual confidence by 

continuing to tell her how 

much you enjoy making love 

to her? 

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


VOL. 2 NO. 15 

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017 

By Peter Okutu 

•Buhari receiving chieftaincy title from Ebonyi chiefs 

C 

M 

YK 

ABAKALIKI-THE visit of 


Buhari to Ebonyi State 

last Tuesday remains a 

landmark accomplishment for 

the chairman of South-East 

Governors Forum and Ebonyi 

State Governor, Engr. David 

Umahi who has within two 

years in office turned the 

fortunes of the state around in 

terms of infrastructure and 

human capital development. 

The projects of the present 

administration are enormous, 

unequalled 

and 

unprecedented for a state most 

persons have written off; most 

probably because past 

administrations were not 

focused on giving a 

comprehensive face-lift to the 

state’s capital and its environs. 

Also, there is no gainsaying 

the fact that Ebonyi State under 

the present administration has 

been upgraded aesthetically 

and structurally to the 

admiration of those who had 

held the opinion that nothing 

good would come out of the 

Salt of the Nation, without 

knowing that salt remains the 

only seasoning for a job well 

done. 

What is simply amazing is 

the present administration’s 

dexterity in the judicious use 

of the meagre resources that 

comes to the state from the 

Federal Government to create 

a memorable impact on the 

minds and lives of Ebonyi 

people. 

This impact without mincing 

words, had provoked an 

unarguable interest on the 

mind of Ebonyi people in other 

states and diaspora to return to 

the state with their heads lifted 

high. 

South-East Voice learned that 

the President, despite negative 

insinuations that he would not 

come to the state because of his 

alleged dislike for Ndigbo in 

the country, arrived in the state 

capital at about 10:30am at the 

Military cantonment, Nkwegu 

in Abakaliki Local Government 

Area of the state in an Air Force 

Helicopter. His arrival was 

clear testament that the 

President truly believes in the 

unity and oneness of the 

nation, Nigeria. 

Visiting the Salt of the Nation 

was one of the best decisions 

of the President in the last two 

years in office as Ebonyi State 

is known for her disposition to 

hospitality, hard work and love 

for one another. 

The Governor used the 

opportunity of the President’s 

visit to request him to 

inaugurate various projects; the 

How Buhari’s visit enhanced Umahi’s 

accomplishments 

president’s first port of call was 

the commissioning of the Dr. 

Offia Nwali flyovers, 

foundation-laying of Ebonyi 

Shopping Mall, agricultural 

President 

Muhammadu 

Buhari assured the 

people of the 

South-East 

geopolitical zone 

that he would fulfil 

the promises he 

made to the South- 

East leaders 

show room among others. 

It is not a hidden fact, that the 

present administration has 

given an unprecedented facelift 

to the state capital as the 

pictures of this development 

have become a trending 

discourse on social media. 

Recall that the last 

administration had because of 

•Buhari in Igbo traditional regalia addressing Igbo chieftains 

its short-sightedness and lack 

of developmental initiatives 

and ingenuity, described 

Abakaliki as not befitting to be 

called a state capital. This is not 

the case now as the glory of the 

capital had been restored and 

electrified by the Governor 

David Umahi-led 

administration. 

What is apparently unique 

about the governor’s projects 

is the application of ingenuity 

and expertise with which they 

are executed in the state; the 

state capital now has the 

resemblance of the FCT as all 

the internal roads within the 

capital have been tarred, 

elegant waterfalls have been 

strategically positioned in 

different parts of the state, 

street lights are constantly on 

at night as brand new bus stops 

are now in place. 

The Police headquarters and 

the Nkwagu Military 

Cantonment are not left out 

from the mida’s touch of 

Governor David Umahi. 

The Governor of the state was 

genuinely excited over the 

President’s visit because he 

(Umahi) saw it as a dream 

come true for a man who has 

been supporting the 

agricultural programmes and 

policies of his administration to 

visit the state and see the 

notable impact of his support 

in action. 

With the pomp and pageantry 

that followed the President’s 

visit, it is believed that the 

Governor has skilfully played 

into the soft spot of the heart of 

an Army General who believes 

in zero tolerance for corruption 

and the unity of Nigeria. 


Buhari assured the people of 

the South-East geopolitical 

zone that he would fulfil the 

promises he made to the South- 

East leaders concerning the 

zone when they visited him last 

month in Abuja. 

The President who gave the 

assurance at the State 

Executive Council Chambers, 

Government House, Abakaliki 

during a working visit to the 

state, added that the 2018 

budget captured strategic areas 

such as Power, Road and other 

social services. 

According to the President, 

his visit to Ebonyi State was a 

demonstration of his strong 

belief in the unity and diversity 

of Nigeria. 

“I am delighted to be here in 

Abakaliki to interact with the 

good people of Ebonyi State 

and indeed, the South-East 

region as a whole. I want to 

express my gratitude to the 

people of Ebonyi State for their 

hospitality and warm reception 

since I arrived in the state. 

“I will like to commend His 

Excellency, Governor David 

Umahi for his vision and 

commitment to the 

development of this state. 

Some of the projects I 

commissioned since my arrival 

are laudable. I am also grateful 

to the traditional rulers of 

Ebonyi State for the honour 

bestowed on me with the 

traditional title of Enyi Oha 1. 

I thank you for this honour and 

warm reception. 

“My presence here today is 

a demonstration of my strong 

belief in the unity of Nigeria. 

As the most populous country 

in Africa with over 300 ethnic 

groups, our diversity is almost 

unique. When I met with the 

leaders of the South-East in 

Abuja last month, they raised 

several issues of concern 

including the state of the roads 

and infrastructure in the 

region." 

Welcoming the President, 

Governor Umahi thanked the 

President for his enormous 

assistance to the state. 

He said: “First is to 

congratulate our President for 

this highest honour bestowed 

on you today. It is an honour 

that is well deserved, Your 

Excellency. You have helped us 

quite a lot especially in the 

area of agricultural revolution 

and solid mineral. 

“And today, sir you are with 

us. As is always the prayer of 

Continues on pg 43

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017 —43 

Street beggars take over Aba 

By Ugochukwu Alaribe 

ABA- Beggars have taken over 

the streets of Aba, the 

commercial city of Abia State, 

running after traffic and soliciting for 

alms. 

The street beggars are now found at 

every major junction in the city where 

they stay under the sun harassing 

passersby for alms. From Bata junction 

to the popular Christ the King 

Catholic, CKC, Church along Asa 

Road, Aba main motor park, Asa by 

Asa Road junction, to Market Road, 

an army of street beggars have taken 

over every available space at major 

streets and roads of the city. 

Some of them are nursing mothers 

who run after motorists begging for 

alms while the aged and the sick place 

themselves at a vantage position on 

the roadside. Some charity 

organisations and individuals 

regularly visit them to share foodstuff, 

clothing and medication. 

South-East Voice observed that the 

beggars appear in different styles; age 

and sex, even as some of them cannot 

speak Igbo language. Most of the 

street beggars are dressed in dirty 

clothing while others engage sick 

children or the aged to attract 

sympathy. 

In an interview with South-East 

Voice, a street beggar at the gate of 

CKC Church, Asa Road, who is a 

nursing mother and could not speak 

Igbo language, said she was brought 

to Aba from a neighbouring state to 

beg for alms and wants the 

government to help her start a business. It was 

discovered that some of these street beggars 

usually retire to the frontage of the government 

ministries located at the old Post office area 

and Ngwa Cultural Centre where they sleep 

at night. 

South-East Voice observed that a new twist 

has been added to street begging in Aba as 

able-bodied men and women are now seen at 

motor parks, offices and business centres 

soliciting for alms. Others have developed the 

habit of scavenging for food and alms during 

public occasions like wedding, burial, house 

opening and child dedication. 

Speaking on the situation, Chairman, Civil 

Liberties Organisation, Aba Unit, Prof. Charles 

Chinekezi, urged the Abia State Government 

to build a home for the aged and beggars to 

take them off the streets in the city. He attributed 

the problem of able-bodied men and women 

taking to street begging to unemployment and 

urged the government to introduce social 

welfare programmes to check the trend. 

“The problem of street begging in Aba has 

taken a bad dimension. You can see them at 

any major road, public offices and motor parks. 

It is disturbing to see children who ought to be 

It is disturbing to 

see children who 

ought to be in 

school running 

after traffic to beg 

for alms; it is not in 

our interest 

in school running after 

traffic to beg for alms; it is 

not in our interest because 

some of these homeless 

children may grow up to 

haunt the society tomorrow. 

“Government can 

introduce skills acquisition 

programmes to train 

children and build social 

homes for the aged to take 

them off the streets. Now, 

•Street beggars at Azikiwe Road Aba 

•Beggars at Asa Road junction 

some able- bodied men have 

taken to begging, it is high 

time government put up 

social security programmes to 

cater for the unemployed,” 

Chinekezi told South-East 

Voice. 

When South-East Voice 

visited the Ministry of Women 

Affairs and Social 

Development, the Permanent 

Secretary, Mrs Nnenna 

Chikezie, was not on seat. 

However, an official of the 

Ministry who pleaded 

anonymity said the state 

government is not resting on her 

oars to tackle the problem of street 

begging in Aba and added that 

some of the beggars are dumped 

in the city from neighbouring 

states. 

Abia community laments deplorable condition of roads in the area 

By Anayo Okoli 

UMUAHIA—THE people 

of Etiti-Ohazu 

autonomous community in 

Aba South Local Government 

Area of Abia State have 

lamented the condition of 

roads in the area and called 

on the federal and state 

THE TEAM 

SUPERVISING EDITOR: 

Chioma Gabriel, Lagos 

(08052201257) 

EDITOR: 

Emeka Mamah, Enugu 

email: 

emekemamah@yahoo.com 

Anayo Okoli, Umuahia 

Vincent Ujumadu, Awka 

Chidi Nkwopara, Owerri 

Peter Okutu, Abakaliki 

Chimaobi Nwaiwu, 

Nnewi 

Nwabueze Okonkwo, 

Onitsha 

Ugochukwu Alaribe, Aba 

Enyim Enyim, Onitsha 

Chinoso Alozie, Owerri 

Chinenye Ozor, Nsukka 

Eric Ugbor, Aba 

governments to come to their 

rescue by fixing them. 

According to the traditional 

ruler of the community, HRH 

Eze Ishmael Nnakwu, 

“Obohia road has been 

impassable for over 15 years; 

in fact, it is up to 20 years. 

Flood and erosion have 

made Obohia road so 

impassable that we are 

experiencing a lot of 

epidemics particularly 

malaria, all over the place. 

“We have made efforts to 

reach the State Emergency 

Management Agency, 

SEMA, who in turn involved 

the National Emergency 

Management Agency, 

NEMA. They came and gave 

us some relief but we are still 

passing through our ordeal. 

“We are calling on the 

federal and state 

governments to repair 

Obohia road, give it the 

attention it deserves, such 

that the road will be 

constructed with standard 

gutters to take the floodwater 

to the nearby borrow pits. 

“If it is not done, we will 

continue to suffer, and I know 

we all voted and will 

continue to vote, provided 

•Eze Nnakwu, speaking 

•Obohia Road 

our environment is okay. 

“The floods from all the adjoining 

streets of Aba are coming down to Obohia 

road so we are in trouble. We call on the 

federal and state governments to assist 

us, to alleviate our sufferings,” the 

Monarch said. 

How Buhari’s visit 

enhanced Umahi’s 

accomplishments 

Continues from page 42 

everyone that you plan to see it, you will 

be alive to tap from the seeds that you 

are planting. Today, you made us a giant 

in agriculture and so, we have here with 

us 2,000 bags of rice and 2,000 pieces of 

yam to give to our president. 

“It is a prayer answered because you 

have sown in the land of Ebonyi and God 

has given you the strength and health to 

partake in that seed that you planted, we 

are grateful to give back to our father who 

has given so much to us.” 

Also, the political leader and former 

Governor of the state, Senator Sam Egwu 

called on the Federal Government to 

refund to the state monies spent on the 

construction of some federal roads across 

the state so that the funds could be 

reinvested into other developmental 

initiatives. 

Some projects inaugurated by the 

President included Abakaliki-Afikpo road 

(14.5km) and the twin flyovers of 700 

metres each. He also performed the 

foundation-laying of Ebonyi Shopping 

Mall and Muhammadu Buhari rice 

tunnel over-head bridge.

C 

M 

Y 

K 


Financing smallholder farmers 

through technology 

ByJimoh Babatunde 

With focus on 

agriculture as the 

next oil of the country’s 

economy, many 

Nigerians with money to 

invest in the sector have 

developed interest in the 

sector but being held 

back by a lack of 

technical know-how , 

while the smallholder 

farmers in the rural area 

with the knowledge are 

looking for finance to 

expand their farms. 

The over 38 million 

smallholder farmers in 

the country according 

to a survey are not 

captured within the - 

bankable populace thus 

they are forced to 

operate at that smallscale 

level across the 

country. 

To make these farmers 

have access to finance 

and contribute to the 

country’s domestic 

food production and 

protect its food 

security, a group of 

young Nigerians came 

together to form a 

Digital Agriculture 

Platform focused on 

connecting farm 

sponsors with real 

farmers . 

The initiative which 

started from a single 

farmland in Oyo state, 

Nigeria with about 

5000 day-old chicks, 

now boasts of over 

4000 farmers across 

eight states of the 

federation. 

Farmcrowdy, as it has 

come to be known, is 

reshaping the way in 

which people 

participate in farming 

and food production, 

through using their 

online platform to 

source funds from 

sponsors, whose money 

is used to secure land, 

plant crops and meet the 

funding needs of 

boosting food 

production with small 

scale farmers. 

Farm Sponsors can 

expect to see returns 

after harvest of 6-25% 

between a 3-9 month 

period, depending on 

what farm type they 

choose. Having worked 

with close to 2,000 

small scale farmers in 

Nigeria already, the 

vast majority of 

Farmcrowdy sponsors 

are based in Nigeria, 

while 10% are located in 

the US and UK. 

Rasheed Olaoluwa, 

former Managing 

Director, Bank of 

Industry (BoI), said what 

farmcrowdy is doing is to 

ease access to finance, 

adding :”What 

farmcrowdy is doing in 

essence is also 

providing the funding 

but not as a loan but in 

•Farmcrowdy team 

form of a partnership, a 

partnership where we 

actually work with the 

farmer almost on a day 

to day basis to make 

sure that the loan is not 

misapplied. 

Onyeka Akumah, the 

Co-Founder and CEO of 

Farmcrowdy , during 

the first year 

anniversary of the firm 

in Lagos , stated that the 

organisation operates 

by rendering assistance 

to farmers in core areas 

of finance, provision of 

links to the right market 

and introduction to 

smart farming 

techniques for 

improved yields. 

Emphasising on the 

need to reshape how 

farmers go about the 

trade, he stated that 

Farmcrowdy is 

achieving this through 

the deployment of its 

online platform to 

source funds from 

sponsors for the 

purpose of securing 

land, plant crops and 

meet the funding needs 

to boosting food 

production with smallscale 

farmers. 

P r o v i d i n g 

explanations on the 

functionality of the 

platform, Akumah 

stated that it works by 

pairing farmers with 

sponsors to effectively 

manage the farming 

cycle with training in 

smart farming 

techniques, the supply 

of equipment and 

technical support. 

He also announced the 

launch of its first App 

for Android, iOS and 

Windows mobile 

devices, stressing that 

the platform has 

introduced a new 

category of funding 

small-scale farming in 

Africa by allowing 

Nigerians to venture 

into and sponsor 

agriculture. 

He added that farm 

sponsors can expect to 

see returns after harvest 

of six and 25 per cent in 

a three and nine month 

period depending on 

what farm type they 

choose. 

According to him, 

since the launch of the 

website 12 months ago, 

Farmcrowdy has 

recorded close to 1,000 

unique farm sponsors, 

aggregated a combined 

4,000 acres of farmland 

in Nigeria for farming 

purpose and grown over 

150,000 organic 

chickens to date. 

His words: “We have 

about 38 million smallscale 

farmers in the 

country that are 

regarded as unbankable; 

they lack 

adequate Agrotechnology 

practice and 

access to a market for 

the farm produce. 

“With our platform, we 

have been able to bridge 

these gaps by 

connecting people, who 

are interested in 

agriculture but lack the 

skill and time, to actually 

fund credible farmers. 

With the newly launched 

App which is currently 

on Google Play Store, it 

is even easier for 

investors to monitor 

farms they have invested 

in. 

Speaking about risk 

management, Akumah, 

who assured investors of 

a viable partnership 

with Leaderway 

insurance, said that the 

platform derisked 

investors of the farms 

through insurance 

against uncontrollable 

natural disasters in 

order to build 

sustainability in the 

programme. 

Fistula: How surgeons restored dignity 

to 2 girls•Reconstruct new vaginal, anal openings 

By Chioma Obinna 

WHEN Jenny, 9, and 

Grace, 8, were born, 

there were mixed feelings in 

their families, not because 

their parents did not want 

children, but because they 

were born with congenital 

abnormalities. 

According to medical 

doctors at the Fistula Centre, 

Ogoja, Cross River State, 

both girls were born without 

anal openings (Imperforate 

anus). In addition, they had 

a condition known as 

Anorectal sphincter. 

The parents were confused 

at that time because no 

member of their families had 

ever had such conditions. 

Explaining further, the 

experts said their condition 

resulted to a congenital fistula 

disorder that leads to faeces 

and urine incontinence. 

More pathetic is that efforts 

by the families to find solution 

to the condition proved 

abortive. While Jenny had 

done several unsuccessful 

surgeries in a popular 

hospital in Abuja, the parents 

of Grace never knew there 

was a solution to their 

daughter’s condition. 

Imagine having faeces and 

urine almost every minute in 

your vagina! Such was the 

fate of these two children. 

Although Jenny’s parents 

were able to provide diapers 

for her, Grace’s mother could 

not afford such luxury. Rather, 

she improvised the use of 

rags in place of diapers. 

She usually puts rags 

around her waist which she 

changes frequently to hold 

the droppings since they 

cannot afford diapers. As a 

result of this, Grace could not 

AS the Lagos State 

Government prepares 

to roll out its State Health 

Insurance Scheme, 

PharmAccess Foundation 

has trained health workers 

drawn from the state’s 

Ministry of Health and 

Agencies as State Quality 

Champions. The week- long 

training was to support 

improvement efforts of 

healthcare facilities in the 

state. 

The training was in line 

with the state’s determination 

to provide enrollees with 

affordable quality oriented 

healthcare regardless of social 

or economic status, gender or 

location within the state. 

The week-long training led 

by the SafeCare Programme 

Director, Dr Ibironke Dada, 

focused on the use of 

PharmAccess SafeCare 

quality improvement 

methodology for assessing 

and improving the quality 

and safety of healthcare 

services. SafeCare Standards 

are accredited by the 

International Society of 

Quality in Health Care 

(ISQua) and is currently 

being used in other African 

countries. 

Participants opined that 

go to school. 

Life has not been easy for 

these families as they have 

taken them to different 

hospitals and several drugs 

prescribed without success. 

Grace’s parents who have 

been running from pillar to 

post throughout this period, 

felt that there was nowhere 

they can take her to. They 

have gone to various 

hospitals around and 

sometimes the doctors will 

prescribe drugs and 

injections without success. 

And because of the 

situation, Grace is withdrawn 

from friends since she is 

leaking faeces through the 

vagina. 

However, Jenny may be 

said to be luckier than Grace 

as her family was already 

making plans to fly her to 

India before they were 

directed to Ogoja Fistula 

Centre, where the corrective 

surgery was performed free 

of charge courtesy of 

Engender Health, through its 

USAID Fistula Care Plus 

Project. 

Narrating her ordeal to 

Good Health Weekly, 

Jenny, a Primary Five pupil, 

said she feels great being 

free from a plague she had 

carried all her life. 

She confessed that life has 

not been easy as she has 

been taken to different 

hospitals without any 

solution. 

According to doctors at the 

Ogoja VVF Centre, Jenny 

had undergone series of 

surgeries earlier at other 

hospitals including a 

government-owned 

hospital in Abuja, but the 

efforts eventually failed. 

During a live surgery on 

Grace in Ogoja General 

Hospital’s theatre, Lead 

Surgeon and former 

Commissioner of Health, 

Zamfara State, Dr Sa’Ad 

Idris, who performed 

surgeries for 25 other 

beneficiaries, said the team 

of surgeons was able to 

create the anal orifice and 

corrected their vagina for 

them. 

Fistula correction surgery in progress at the Fistula 

Centre, Ogoja, Cross River State 

Health Insurance: PharmaAccess trains Lagos 

health workers 

SafeCare tools would 

complement existing quality 

assurance tools in Lagos 

State. According to the 

Quality Improvement Officer, 

LMoSH, Dr Onome 

Agbedia, “This training has 

opened my eyes to how we 

can help the facilities improve 

on service.” 

By Oluwaseyi Adeshina 

TO ensure an improved 

oral health care among 

school children, former Miss 

Tourism, Ms. Tomi Salami, 

has called on Nigerian 

children to always brush twice 

daily even as she donated 

tooth brushes, pastes and 

dental floss to secondary 

schools in Surulere area of 

Lagos. 

Salami described tooth 

ache as the most common 

cause of oral pain and several 

investigations emphasise that 

tooth and oral disease directly 

influence quality of life. 

Salami who made the 

donation through her 

Foundation, Aurora 

International Charity 

Foundation, AICF, under its 

project tagged: Dental Drive, 

Service Delivery Director 

and Quality Lead, Lagos 

State Ministry of Health, Dr 

Emmanuella Zamba 

expressed optimism about 

how the application of 

SafeCare standards will foster 

a transparent selection and 

empanelment of facilities 

based on their SafeCare 

assessment. 

Former Miss Tourism sensitises 

children on dental health 

said the initiative was aimed 

at promoting proper care of 

the teeth among secondary 

school students. 

She said the programme 

was also designed to prevent 

oral disease as well as create 

awareness on dental issues 

via educational campaigns 

and sessions. 

She said dental drive is 

designed to reach out to as 

many secondary school 

students as possible because 

they are very impressionable 

and young. 

Addressing the students on 

how to take proper care of their 

teeth, a Dentist from Procter 

and Gamble, makers of Oral 

B tooth paste, Mrs. Ayo said 

brushing the teeth twice daily 

is not only to protect the teeth 

but to prevent mouth odour 

and make the teeth last longer."



Nigerian children should be globally competitive—Obaseki 

GOVERNOR Godwin 

Obaseki of Edo State 

has said the Nigerian child 

must be groomed to 

compete with peers across 

the globe, especially in 

skills and knowledge, to 

meet the peculiar demands 

of a globalised society. 

Governor Obaseki said 

this in commemoration of 

Universal Children’s Day, 

marked every November 

20, by the United Nations. 

It is the date, in 1959, when 

the UN General Assembly 

adopted the Declaration of 

the Rights of the Child, and 

on the same date in 1989, 

the assembly adopted the 

Convention on the Rights 

of the Child. 

According to Governor 

Obaseki, the theme for this 

year’s celebration, It’s a 

#kidstakeover, points to the 

imperative of providing 

children with opportunities 

and allowing them the 

right to express themselves 

in all spheres of life. 

He said: “As we mark this 

day, it is important to 

understand the delicate 

situation of the Nigerian 

child. In the nearest future, 

they will be competing with 

children, who have been 

exposed to the best of 

cutting-edge technology. 

“With the world is 

morphing into a village, it 

is not impossible to have 

every kid exposed to same 

opportunities. This is why 

we embarked on a holistic 

policy reform to reposition 

the basic education system 

in Edo State.” 

He urged policymakers, 

teachers, parents and other 

stakeholders involved in 

child development to work 

closely to provide the 

needed support and 

incentives for children to 

realise their full potential. 

He noted: “The place of 

children in the matrix of 

development is sacrosanct. 

“We must endeavour to 

build enduring legacies, 

not just by erecting 

structures, but by investing 

in our young so they can, 

tomorrow, look back and 

have reasons to be grateful 

they lived in this country.” 

NEPC/ITC WORKSHOP: From left— Agric Credit Analyst, Sterling Bank Plc, Vera Ebhohon; 

Global Value Chain Expert, International Trade Centre, ITC, Geneva, Mr. Juan Hoyos; Shetrade 

Programme Officer, Anna Mori; Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, Mr. George 

Enyieokpon, and representative of NACCIMA President, Chief Anita Okuribido, at a stakeholder's 

workshop on the implementation of SheTrades initiative in Nigeria, organised by NEPC in collaboration 

with ITC, in Lagos, yesterday. 

Grazing Law: COAS pledges 

deployment of soldiers to Benue 

By Peter Duru 

M AKURDI—THE 

Chief of Army Staff, 

Lieutenant General Tukur 

Buratai, has pledged to 

deploy soldiers to Benue 

State to assist the Police 

protect the lives and 

properties of the people 

against any resistance to 

the Open Grazing 

Prohibition Law by militant 

herdsmen. 

This was revealed, 

yesterday, by President 

General of the Mdzough U 

Tiv, Chief Edward Ujege, 

while speaking on behalf of 

the ethic leaders at the end 

of their second leg 

advocacy visits across the 

country. 

According to the elder 

statesman, the leaders had 

also written heads of the 

Police, the Department of 

State Services, DSS, the 

Navy and Air Force seeking 

their support for the 

successful implementation 

of the law. 

Lieutenant General 

Buratai’s promise came on 

the heels of the alarm 

raised by the leadership of 

the three major ethnic 

groups in the state— 

Mdzough U Tiv, ldoma 

National Forum and Omi 

Ny’lgede— over alleged 

threat by Miyetti Allah 

Kautal Hore to invade the 

state with herds of cattle in 

defiance of the newlyenacted 

grazing law. 

According to Ujege, the 

ethnic leaders had also 

petitioned the Senate 

President, Dr. Bukola 

Saraki, and Speaker of the 

House of Representatives, 

Yakubu Dogara, over the 

matter. 

He said: “In addition, the 

proactive action taken by 

THE 

suspended 

Chairman of Kano 

State chapter of Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP, 

Alhaji Rabiu Dansharu, 

has described his purported 

suspension by a factional 

group as null and void. 

Dansharu told reporters in 

Kano that the PDP 

Constitution was explicit on 

the process and protocol of 

suspension, expulsion, 

our socio-cultural 

organisations has made 

Nasarawa State 

Government to take 

precautionary measures to 

hinder the herdsmen/ 

militia from using the state 

as launching pad to invade 

Benue State. 

“The delegation, through 

its advocacy, has been able 

to obtain a pledge from the 

Chief of Army Staff that 

troops will be on standby 

to assist the Police in case 

of an invasion. 

“The responses to our 

advocacy have been very 

disciplinary or otherwise of 

key figures of the party, 

including state chairman. 

The embattled chairman 

said Chapter 10, Sub- 

Section 7 of Page 91 of PDP 

constitution was clear on 

who was responsible for 

suspending party 

chairman, stressing that 

such action was exclusively 

vested in the national 

executive of the party. 

Dansharu said he had 

constituted an investigative 

panel to investigate the 

issue. 

encouraging with about 

seven states now 

contemplating the passage 

and domestication of 

similar law in their states. 

“We, therefore, commend 

Governor Samuel Ortom for 

setting a revolution that will 

change livestock breeding 

and animal husbandry in 

the country. 

“We appeal to all Benue 

indigenes to rally round the 

governor and give him all 

the support he requires to 

make this mission and all 

his other programmes 

successful.” 

My suspension unconstitutional, says Kano 

PDP Chair 

By AbdulSalam 

Muhammad 

He added: “The 

allegations that my son is a 

political aide to Ganduje 

and that I am doing antiparty 

activities show 

ignorance of those behind 

this rumours. The person 

they are referring to is an 

adult, who has right to 

choose his political party. 

“As for my wife, she is a 

Ph. D. holder and a lecturer. 

She has been working at 

the state SUBEB, so when 

this government decided to 

give her appointment, why 

should I say no?” 

Prof Nok, Kaduna Education 

Commissioner, is dead 

By Ben Agande 

R ENOWNED 

professor of 

Biochemistry and 

Kaduna State 


Education, Professor 

Jonathan Andrew Nok, is 

dead. 

Professor Nok, who was 

the winner of the 2009 

Nigerian Liquefied 

Natural Gas prize for 

identifying the gene 

responsible for the 

enzyme that causes 

sleeping sickness 

(trypanosomiasis) died 

in the early hours of 

yesterday. 

A statement by 

Governor Nasir el-Rufai 

of Kaduna State, 

described Nok as a “a 

pillar of the cabinet, a 

man as distinguished in 

learning as he was a 

capable administrator, 

adept at getting things 

done and dedicated to the 

progress of the state.” 

The statement, by the 

governor’s Senior 

Special Assistant on 

Media and Publicity, 

Samuel Aruwan, quoted 

By Bashir Bello 

K ATSINA—THE 

West African 

Examinations Council, 

WAEC, yesterday, 

released the 2017 

August/October 

WASSCE results for 

private candidates, 

saying those of 14,756 

candidates, representing 

11.07 percent, were 

being withheld due to 

examination malpractice. 

WAEC Head of 

National Office, Nigeria, 

Mr. Olu Adenipekun, 

stated this while 

announcing the release 

of the results in a briefing 

in Katsina. 

Adenipekun said 

34,664 candidates, 

representing 26.01 

percent obtained 

minimum of five credits 

in five subjects and 

above, including English 

Language and 

Mathematics. 

The result showed 

candidates’ low 

performance of about 

12.49 percent, when 

compared to the 2016 

results put at 38.50 

percent. 

Adenipekun was quick 

to say the examination 

body has not carried out 

a scientific investigation 

on what could have 

happened in terms of the 

el-Rufai as describing him 

as “one of the best this 

country has produced, and 

one of the most committed 

persons to have served 

Kaduna State.” 

He said late Professor 

Nok was a man of intellect, 

ability and deep 

conviction, who will be 

sorely missed. 

The late commissioner 

was a professor of 

Biochemistry at Ahmadu 

Bello University, Zaria. 

Acknowledged in the 

science community for his 

contributions, Professor 

Nok won the Alexander 

Humboldt prize in 2013 for 

his research into finding a 

cure for trypanosomiasis. 

WAEC withholds 

14,756 Aug/Oct results 

candidates’ performances. 

He said: “A total of 

135,945 candidates 

registered for the 

examination in Nigeria, 

out of which 133,223 

candidates sat for the 

examination. Of the total 

number of candidates that 

sat for the examination, 

67,279 were male and 

65,944, female. 

“Of the total number of 

candidates that sat for the 

examination, 131,485 


98.70 percent have their 

results fully processed and 

released, while 1,738 


1.30 percent have a few of 

their subjects still being 

processed due to errors 

traceable to the candidates 

in the course of registration 

or writing the examination. 

“Such errors are being 

corrected by the council to 

enable the affected 

candidates get their results 

fully processed and 

released subsequently. 

“Of the total number of 

candidates that sat the 

examination, 111,763 


85.89 percent, obtained 

credits and above in two 

subjects. 

“98,506 candidates, 

representing 73.94 

percent, obtained credits 

and above in three 

subjects.”


JUVE V BARCA 

Messi renews 

rivalr 

alry y with Dybala 

Juventus star Paulo Dybala has rediscovered his 

scoring form just in time as he renews his 

rivalry with fellow Argentina Lionel Messi in 

today’s Champions League clash with Barcelona. 

The 30-year-old Messi scored two goals to help 

Barcelona to a comfortable 3-0 win over Juventus, 

last season’s finalists, at the Nou Camp in 

September. 

Messi then scored a hat-trick in Ecuador to carry 

Argentina through to the 2018 World Cup. 

Dybala was on the substitute’s bench in Quito but 

the 24-year-old will be on the field in Turin where a 

win will ensure Juventus reaches the knockout 

rounds. 

Barcelona lead Group D by three points with two 

rounds to go, and Ernesto Valverde’s side need 

only a draw to advance as group winners. 

Dybala made a record-setting start to the Serie A 

season with 10 goals in six games before suffering 

a dip in form. 

He got back on the scoresheet in the final 

seconds of Sunday’s 3-2 loss at Sampdoria, to 

bring his tally to 12 goals in 13 games. 

Since arriving in Turin from Palermo in 2015, the 

player dubbed “The Jewel” has scored 56 goals in 

112 games. But he has yet to open his tally in 

Europe this term. 

Messi has hit three in the Champions League 

this season to join Ronaldo in the exclusive club of 

players who have scored 100 goals in European 

competition. 

Diminutive, dynamic and with a deadly left foot 

like his idol, Dybala names Messi as a source of 

inspiration, although he has also spoken about how 

difficult it is to play alongside the superstar in the 

Argentine national team. 

Ahead of World Cup: 

Airline fees to Russian 

host t cities sky-r 

-roc 

ocket 

Airline ticket prices to cities 

that will host the World Cup 

next summer have soared over 

the past week. 

Russia is set to host the World 

Cup in 2018 from June 14 to 

July 15 in 11 cities, some of 

which are widely known 

destinations like Moscow, St. 

Petersburg and Sochi. 

Demand for flights to host 

cities is growing fast, especially 

after FIFA launched the second 

phase of World Cup ticket sales 

on Nov. 16. The vast majority 

of match tickets sold out within 

24 hours of going on sale. 

Airline ticket costs grew by as 

much as 40 percent on some 

routes for dates during the 

World Cup tournament, the 

Interfax news agency cited 

Yanis Dzenis, spokesperson of 

the Aviasales ticket agency, as 

saying. 

Normally, a ticket to St. 

Petersburg from Moscow costs 

roughly 6,000 rubles ($101). 

But for the World Cup final 

match on July 15, the same 

route will cost some 10,370 

rubles ($175). 

Similarly, it will cost 

Muscovites 41 percent more to 

fly to St. Petersburg for the 

semifinal, and 42 percent more 

to fly to Kazan for the big 

matches held there. 

Ticket prices to Moscow from 

other cities grew less 

significantly — five percent for 

flights from Yekaterinburg to 

Moscow, and slightly over 14 

percent for flights from Sochi. 

BY JUDE OPARA, ABUJA 

Minister of Youth and 

Sports, Solomon Dalung 

has said that Super Eagles 

qualification for the Russia 2018 

FIFA World Cup without the 

constitution of a Presidential 

Task Force (PTF) may have 

saved the country about N7 

billion. 

Dalung who spoke to Sports 

Vanguard in Abuja said the feat 

of the country qualifying for the 

World Cup even with a match 

to spare saved the country a lot 

of stress that would have gone 

into the frenzy of seeking ways 

to qualify like was the case 

when the country had to rely 

on the constitution of the 

defunct PTF for the team to 

qualify for the 2010 World Cup 

•Dybala 

•Messi 

Former Real Madrid 

defender Pepe said that he 

would love his former 

teammate Cristiano Ronaldo to 

join him at Besiktas. 

Pepe, 34, left Madrid last 

summer after a decade with the 

club, during which he won La 

Liga three times, the 

Champions League three times 

and the Copa del Rey twice. 

Ronaldo was alongside him 

at Madrid for eight of those 

seasons — but the 32-yearold’s 

long-term future remains 

Pogba, Ibrahimo 

ahimovic fly out 

for Basel tie 

•Man U set to qualify 

MANCHESTER UNITED were joined by several familiar 

faces as they flew out for their Champions League 

clash with Basel. 

Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were both among the 

travelling party as Jose Mourinho’s men left Manchester 

Airport for Basel Tuesday afternoon. 

The Manchester United duo returned from 

long-term injuries against Newcastle on 

Saturday and have been passed fit enough to 

feature in the Champions League clash. 

The Red Devils will qualify for the knockout 

stages with a draw in Switzerland, while they 

will also progress if CSKA fail to win. 

Meanwhile, Mourinho and his players 

were joined by several special guests for 

the short trip – and they will no-doubt 

be keen to celebrate a job well done if 

United secure qualification today 

Meanwhile, Phil Jones, 

Michael Carrick and 

Eric Bailly were 

Manchester 

United’s only 

absentees as they 

trained at Carrington 

ahead of Wednesday’s Champions 

League fixture at Basel. 

United have won all four of their 

Group A fixtures and can seal top 

spot by avoiding defeat in 

•Ibrahimovic 

Switzerland against second-placed 

Basel. 

Join me in Tur 

urkey 

ey, , Pepe epe tells Ronaldo 

Qualifying without PTF 

saved Nigeria N7billion — Dalung 

in South Africa. 

While applauding the team 

and the Nigeria Football 

Federation (NFF) for the early 

qualification, the Minister said 

they have demonstrated that 

with dedication to duty, they 

can always rise up to the 

occasion especially when most 

people did not give them the 

chance to qualify from a group 

that had the likes of African 

champions, Cameroon, Algeria 

and Zambia. 

He promised that the federal 

government will play its part 

by providing the necessary 

funds and support to ensure 

that the team go to Russia not 

just to participate but to also 

compete effectively like every 

other team. 

“We are happy that today the 

in doubt amid reports that he 

feels undervalued by 

hierarchy. 

With Besiktas close to sealing 

a place in the Champions 

League round-of-16, Pepe said 

that Ronaldo was the one 

player he would like to join him 

at the Istanbul club. 

“If I could choose and if it 

were possible, of course I 

would like for Cristiano 

[Ronaldo] to come here,” he 

said. “He’s a person for whom 

I have maximum respect.” 

•Dalung 

Super Eagles qualified for the 

World Cup without the 

constitution of a PTF and I 

want to say that the country has 

been able to save a whopping 

N 7 billion. By that I also want 

to congratulate both the NFF 

and the players for rising up to 

the occasion to have so 

•Ronaldo 

qualified even when most 

people did not give them a 

chance of coming out of that 

group. 

“Let me also assure that the 

federal government will do 

everything necessary to ensure 

that the Super Eagles get the 

best of preparation for the 

World Cup because we are not 

going to Russia to make up the 

numbers but to compete 

effectively like other nations.” 

The PTF which was formed 

ahead of the qualification for 

the 2010 World Cup in South 

Africa, apart from helping the 

country to be part of the World 

Cup in South Africa, also left a 

legacy with the construction of 

the Sunday Dankaro Football 

House at the Abuja National 

Stadium.

Hazard, Morat 

ata a set t to 

fire Chelsea into next 

round 

CHELSEA are in Azerbaijan ahead of their 

Champions League showdown with 

Qarabag. The Blues were put through their paces 

at the Bakcell Arena by Antonio Conte today, as 

they gear up for a crucial Group C fixture. 

Having lost 3-0 to Roma last time out, Chelsea 

were knocked off top spot and if they don’t win in 

Azerbaijan they could come under pressure from 

Atletico Madrid. 

Chelsea will qualify for the last 16 of the 

Champions League if they beat Qarabag. 

Atletico were surprisingly held to draws in both 

matches against Qarabag but if they beat Roma 

at home, they will still be in with a chance of 

qualifying - ahead of a matchday six showdown 

with the Blues at Stamford Bridge. 

David Luiz is back in the mix for Chelsea 

following his brief exile by Conte, and star men 

such as Alvaro Morata, Eden Hazard, Willian and 

Pedro were all pictured training. 

Pepsi Football Academy 

marks ks silver jubilee 

By John Egbokhan 

One of Nigeria’s foremost football academies, the Pepsi Football 

Academy will today roll out the red carpet to celebrate its 25th 

year anniversary 

Initially established in November 1992 by celebrated coach 

Kashimawo Laloko as a football school and based at the Agege 

Stadium, the programme initiative secured the full financial support 

of soft drinks giants, Pepsi in 1994 and has since then, been titled 

the Pepsi Football Academy. 

The Pepsi Football Academy, over the years has developed and 

grown into one of the most prestigious academies in the country, 

producing talents like Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, who last 

month, led Nigeria to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia 

At the moment, the Pepsi Football 

Academy comprises over 3,000 

registered students aged between 6 

and18 years and operates throughout 

the year from no fewer than 14 

separate training centres. It has over 

50 coaches imparting football 

knowledge on the budding talents, 

who are the future of Nigerian 

football. 

Agali promises best 

legs for Rohr 

Scorer of the milestone 100th World 

Cup qualifying goal for Nigeria, 

Victor Agali is delighted about his 

new role as Chief Scout for the Super 

Eagles that Nigeria’s German coach, 

Gernot Rohr has carved out for him. 

Agali who spent the period 1998 to 

2004 in Rohr’s native country, 

Germany, was on Monday given the 

role to scout for new talents for the 

World Cup-bound Super Eagles. 

The former Nigerian striker’s link 

with the Nigerian coach is however, 

more than just having played in 

Germany. 

Agali played under Rohr at French 

side OGC Nice in the 2004-2005 

season, scoring six goals in 30 

appearances. 

The lanky former Eagles striker 

whose second goal doubled 

Nigeria’s lead at 2-0 in an eventual 

3-0 defeat of Sudan in a 2002 World 

Cup qualifying match at the now 

renamed Yakubu Gowon Stadium, 

Port Harcourt expressed his delight 

with his new appointment. 

He promised to redouble his 

dedication to duty. 

“I am glad to be called upon to serve 

my country. Rohr is a great man I 

have known for long. I won’t hesitate 

to get him the best set of players 

which he desires’’, Agali said. 

Barca ready to pay •20m 

for Ozil 

Barcelona are prepared to pay the re 

ported asking price of €20m to 

signArsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil in 

January, according to reports in Spain. 

The 29-year-old’s contract at the Emirates 

Stadium expires in June 2018 and the North 

London club risking losing him on a free 

transfer if they don’t cash in during the 

January transfer window. 

The German international reportedly is 

keen to leave the Gunners and a report in 

El Mundo Deportivo states the Blaugrana 

are keen on his signature due to the 

difficultly in landing Liverpool’s Philippe 

Coutinho. 

Barca sporting director Robert Fernandez 

and sporting manager Pep Segura are both 

said to be big fans of the Germany 

international and will sanction a move for 

him in January. 

•Lukaku 

•Morata 


PSG v Celtic: 

Neymar 

eymar, , Cavani ani to 

seal top spot 

Paris St Germain boss Unai Emery is 

looking to seal top spot in Group 

B in their Champions League clash with 

Celtic tonight. And to achieve this, he will 

be banking on Neymar and Cavani. 

The free-spending French club have won 

their first four fixtures, including a 5-0 win 

at Parkhead on match day one, and have 

already qualified for the knockout stages 

along with Bayern Munich, who are three 

points behind. 

PSG will clinch first place in the pool if they 

win and the German club do not pick up three 

points at bottom side Anderlecht – or if they draw 

and Bayern lose. 

•Neymar 

The former Sevilla manager is keen to have a 

seeded spot in the last-16 draw secured at the 

Parc des Princes before they travel to Munich next 

month Emery, said: “We want this first position. 

“We want the best performance possible. In order to be first in the 

group we have to win We have to play our game against Celtic, play 

well, be aggressive and win the three point. I am sure that tomorrow is 

going to be difficult, but we will speak with the players about the importance 

of the three points. We have to play at a high level for 90 minutes.” 

•Ozil 

Lukaku to pay US police $450 

to avoid jail sentence 

Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku has avoided 

the prospect of a jail sentence in the United States by 

agreeing to pay compensation to the Beverly Hills police. 

Lukaku, 24, was arrested in July after police 

responded to five noise complaints at the house he was 

renting. 

The Belgian will pay $450 (£340) to reimburse 

police for the callouts. 

That will mean the charge is reduced from a 

misdemeanour, which carries a maximum 

sentence of six months in jail. 

Instead, Lukaku will be charged with a 

disturbance of the peace infraction, which 

carries a $100 (£76) fine plus other costs and 

penalties. The incident happened the week 

before Lukaku joined Manchester United from 

Everton for an initial £75m. 

Bayern rule out 

Griezmann 

approac 

oach 

Bayern Munich sporting director 

sporting director Hasan 

Salihamidzic has ruled out the 

club signing Atletico Madrid 

forward Antoine 

Griezmann. 

The German giants 

have been linked to a move 

for the 26-year-old - who 

reportedly has a €100m clause from 

January - who is also reportedly attracting 

interest from Manchester United, Barcelona 

and Paris Saint-Germain. 

“The truth is nobody here has even 

discussed Griezmann,” Salihamidzic told 

Sky. 

“We won’t join in with the madness of the 

transfer market as some of the fees involved 

are not worth talking about. 

“Bayern are only interested in deals which 

are sensible and which will suit the club. 

“The transfer window does not open until 

January and we constantly look at ways of 

improving but we have decided upon a few 

things.” 

•Griezmann 

Oyey 

eyemi emi lauds Gov. 

Okow 

owa on sports devt 

The Chairman and Chief Executive of 

Nigeria’s leading Entertainments and 

Sports Company Samd’oro Entertainments Ltd., 

Mr Sunny Oyeyemi has commended the Governor 

of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa for his 

commitment and love towards uplifting grassroot 

football. 

He particularly mentioned the Principals’ Cup 

tournament and the Delta State School Sports 

festival slated for the first quarter of 2018 as 

avenue the governor is using to empower particularly 

school children by creating a conducive 

environment to hone their skills. 

Oyeyemi, a consultant to Delta State on the 

Principals’ Cup also congratulated the Commissioner 

for Basic and Secondary Education in 

the state, Chiedu Ebie for putting together a 

befitting Principal Cup competition that has recorded 

a huge talent discovery to further place 

the state ahead of others.


Burna Boy Latest: 

He threatened, and it came 

to pass— Mr. 2Kay 

Stories by Rotimi Agbana 

Following the Lagos 

State Commissioner 

of Police, CP Imohimi 

Edgar’s announcement on 

Monday, declaring 

controversial dancehall 

singer, Damini Ogulu, better 

known as Burnaboy, wanted, 

in connection with the robbery 

and assault case on singer, 

Mr. 2Kay, which occurred on 

October 22, 2017, in his room 

at Eko Hotel and Suites after 

performing at 2Face’s 

Buckwyld and Breathless 

Concert, Mr. 2Kay has come 

out to say that he had it 

coming but was insensitive to 

forestall the unfortunate 

occurrence which has since 

gone viral. 

Speaking to E-daily through 

his manager, Silas, he 

disclosed that Burna Boy had 

initially threatened to deal 

with him for 

speaking 

ill of 

•Sultan 

Pastors. 

“The arrested suspects 

confessed that Burna Boy 

contracted them through a 

third party to teach Mr. 2Kay 

a lesson because he granted 

HipTV an interview, where he 

corrected Burna Boy for saying 

negative things about 

Nigerian pastors. 2Kay said 

Burna Boy shouldn’t have 

spoken ill of pastors because 

they are anointed men of God 

so he can’t be talking about 

them in that manner. After the 

interview, Burna Boy sent a 

message saying “You better 

have that energy when I come 

for you because I’m coming for 

you”. We thought it was just 

an empty threat but unknown 

to us he was serious about it. 

All along we didn’t want to talk 

about it because the police are 

still doing their investigations. 

“His father was at the station 

yesterday (Monday), so 

Burnaboy just has to appear at 

the station to clarify himself”, 

he said. 

Speaking further, he 

expressed fear for the 

safety of his life and 

members of his team. 

Veteran musician, Sound Sultan, has called on the Federal 

Government to prioritize agriculture in the country 

because 70% of poor Nigerians live in the rural areas and derive 

their livelihood from small-scale agriculture. 

According to Sultan, with a viable agricultural sector the 

deplorable living conditions of the lower class will change for 

the better. Which is why in partnership with HEDA Resource 

Centre, Voices for Food Security and Oxfam, he is collaborating 

with Harrysong, Niniola, DJ Spinall, among other entertainers 

to organize a concert tagged ‘United for Food Music Concert’, 

scheduled to hold at Queens Park Centre, Oniru, Lagos, on 

Friday, 24th November. 

Speaking to e-daily he noted that the essence of the concert is 

He said; “We just 

have to watch our 

backs because 

we’re not safe like 

this, Mr. 2Kay will 

always have 

security around 

him, two 

bodyguards 

and police 

protection for 

every event he 

goes for now.” 

However, he 

confirmed he hasn o 

intentions to press 

charges against 

Burna Boy because 

he is a peace 

loving person. 

“Mr. 2Kay does 

not want any form 

of trouble, left to 

him alone he would 

drop all charges, but 

for now it’s left to the 

police, they have the 

right to do whatever, 

but from our own end I 

don’t think we’re going 

to be pressing 

charges”, 

he confirmed. 

Why government must 

increase agriculture budget 

— Sound Sultan 

Boomplay y music app wins international awar 

ard 

Boomplay Music, Africa’s fastest 

growing music streaming and 

download platform, reinforced its continued 

contribution to the African content 

distribution ecosystem, after being 

recognised by an independent panel of 

industry experts at the AppsAfrica Awards. 

Boomplay Music won the award for the 

‘Best African App’, with its unique and 

*Says “No Nigerian deserves 

to go hungry” 

user-friendly application, which gives easy 

access to millions of songs, videos and 

entertainment buzz. The award was 

announced at the AppsAfrica Awards party 

in Cape Town, South Africa on November 6, 

2017. 

Commenting on the awards, Managing 

Director of Boomplay Music, Joe He said: 

“Bagging the award for the best African app 

to create awareness and sensitize the public 

towards engaging the government on the 

importance of food in the nation. 

“Our vision is to secure a prosperous Nigeria, 

where benefits from economic growth are shared 

so that the basic needs of all people are met”, he 

said. 

Speaking further, he emphasized the need for 

government to increase her budget on 

agriculture. 

“Investing in agriculture remains the most 

viable way for the country to achieve economic 

revival, sustainable and inclusive national 

development. As we prepare for 2018 fiscal year, 

I would like to call on government to increase 

the amount of budget that goes to agriculture 

because no one deserves to go to bed hungry”, 

he said. 

showcases our renewed efforts to 

build a sustainable ecosystem for 

content providers, while ensuring that 

content consumption is a walk in the 

park for our users. 

On behalf of Boomplay Music, we 

are emboldened by this recognition 

and will continue to sharpen our focus 

towards confronting digital content 

consumption challenges with new and 

adaptive innovations through 

technology.” 

•Mr. 2Kay 

•Burna Boy 

For good money I 

will betray my 

lover — Actress, 

Chinonso Sandra 

he love of money, they say, is the root of all 

Tevil; little wonder from time immemorial, 

people go the extra mile to get it. 

This is not far from the case of Nollywood 

actress, Chinonso Sandra Onyenemere, who 

seems to value riches above love. 

In an exclusive chat with e-daily, the light 

skinned role interpreter averred that for 

N50million, she would turn in her lover to the 

police if he is declared wanted for a crime he 

committed. 

“If it’s my lover, it’s a temporary situation, so 

I wouldn’t mind turning him in for N50million 

as long as I’m sure of getting the money. I will 

turn him in even if his future generation will be 

implicated too,” she said emphatically. 

However, she noted that if it were to be her 

legally married husband, she 

would turn him in to the 

police based on a mutual 

agreement between both of 

them. 

“If it’s my husband, I 

won’t turn him in except we 

both agree to do so and 

collect the 

N50million 

reward so that 

we can bail 

him and 

enjoy our 

•Chinonso 

money. I 

believe with 

the money, 

I will 

establish 

him so that 

he wouldn’t 

have to 

commit the crime 

again. It’s simple 

logic, you need a 

smart, intelligent and 

hardworking 

woman,” she 

concluded.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017— 49 

The devastating economic 

legacy of Robert Mugabe 

Zimbabwean parliamentarians jubilating in the parliament as the announcement of Mugabe’s resignation 

was made yesterday. 

Mugabe resigns, ending four decades of rule 

•Thousands celebrate in Zimbabwe 

•US,UK, others react 

Z President IMBABWE’S 

Robert 

Mugabe has resigned, 

parliament speaker Jacob 

Mudenda has said. 

A letter from Mr 

Mugabe said that the 

decision was voluntary 

and that he had made it 

to allow a smooth 

transition of power. 

The surprise announcement 

halted an 

impeachment hearing 

that had begun against 

him. 

Lawmakers roared in 

jubilation and people 

have begun celebrating in 

the streets. 

Mr Mugabe had 

previously refused to 

resign despite last week’s 

military takeover and 

days of protests. 

The letter did not 

mention who would take 

over from Mr Mugabe. 

The constitution says it 

should be the current 

vice-president, 

Phelekezela Mphoko, a 

supporter of Grace 

Mugabe, Mr Mugabe’s 

wife. 

Mr Mudenda said 

moves were under way to 

ensure a new leader could 

take over. 

UK Prime Minister 

Theresa May said Mr 

Mugabe’s resignation 

“provides Zimbabwe with 

an opportunity to forge a 

new path free of the 

oppression that 

characterised his rule”. 

She said that Britain, “as 

Zimbabwe’s oldest 

friend”, will do all it can 

to support free and fair 

elections and the 

rebuilding of the 

Zimbabwean economy. 

The US Embassy in 

Harare, the capital, said 

it was a “historic moment” 

and congratulated 

Zimbabweans who 

“raised their voices and 

stated peacefully and 

clearly that the time for 

change was overdue” 

South Africa’s main 

opposition Democratic 

Alliance welcomed the 

move, saying Mr 

Mugabe had turned from 

“liberator to dictator” 

Prominent Zimbabwean 

opposition politician 

David Coltart tweeted: 

“We have removed a tyrant 

but not yet a tyranny” 

The 93-year-old had 

clung on for a week afte 

r an army takeover and 

expulsion from his own 

ruling ZANU-PF party, 

but resigned shortly after 

parliament began an 

impeachment process 

seen as the only legal 

way to force him out. 

Wild celebrations broke 

out at a joint sitting of 

parliament when Speaker 

Jacob Mudenda 

announced Mugabe’s 

resignation and 

suspended the 

impeachment procedure. 

People danced and car 

horns blared on the 

streets of Harare at news 

that the era of Mugabe - 

who has led Zimbabwe 

since independence in 

1980 - was finally over. 

Some people held 

posters of Zimbabwean 

army chief General 

Constantino Chiwenga 

and former vice president 

Emmerson Mnangagwa, 

whose sacking this month 

triggered the military 

takeover that forced 

Mugabe to resign. 

Mugabe is the only 

leader Zimbabwe has 

known since a guerrilla 

struggle ended whiteminority 

rule in the former 

Rhodesia. 

During his reign, he 

took the once-rich country 

to economic ruin and kept 

his grip on power through 

repression of opponents, 

although he styled himself 

as the Grand Man of 

African politics and kept 

the admiration of many 

people across Africa. 

The army seized power 

after Mugabe sacked 

Mnangagwa, ZANU-PF’s 

favourite to succeed him, 

to smooth a path to the 

presidency for his wife 

Grace, 52, known to her 

critics as “Gucci Grace” for 

her reputed fondness for 

luxury shopping. 

But Mugabe refused to 

resign, prompting the 

impeachment procedure 

which would have been 

the only legal was to force 

him out. 

Mnangagwa, whose 

whereabouts are unknown 

after fleeing the country in 

fear for his safety, is 

expected to take over as 

president. 

A former security chief 

known as The Crocodile, 

he was a key lieutenant to 

Mugabe for decades and 

stands accused of 

participating in repression 

against Zimbabweans 

who challenged the 

leader. 

Reuters reported in 

September that 

Mnangagwa was plotting 

to succeed Mugabe, with 

army backing, at the helm 

of a broad coalition. The 

plot posited an interim 

unity government with 

international blessing to 

allow for Zimbabwe’s reengagement 

with the 

world after decades of 

isolation from global 

lenders and donors. 

Mugabe led 

Zimbabwe’s liberation 

war and is hailed as one 

of post-colonial Africa’s 

founding fathers and a 

staunch supporter of the 

drive to free neighbouring 

South Africa from 

apartheid in 1994. 

But many say he has 

damaged Zimbabwe’s 

economy, democracy and 

judiciary by staying in 

power for too long and has 

used violence to crush 

perceived political 

opponents. The country 

faces a foreign exchange 

payments crisis and 

roaring inflation. 

Since the crisis began, 

Mugabe has been mainly 

confined to his “Blue 

Roof” mansion in the 

capital where Grace is 

also believed to be. 

Timeline of Mugabe’s political life 

• 1924: Born 

• 1964: Imprisoned by Rhodesian government 

• 1980: Wins post-independence elections 

• 1996: Marries Grace Marufu 

• 2000: Loses referendum, pro-Mugabe 

militias invade white-owned farms and attack 

opposition supporters 

• 2008: Comes second in first round of 

elections to Morgan Tsvangirai who pulls out of runoff 

amid nationwide attacks on his supporters 

• 2009: Amid economic collapse, swears in Mr 

Tsvangirai as prime minister, who serves in uneasy 

government of national unity for four years 

• 2017: Sacks long-time ally Vice-President 

Emmerson Mnangagwa, paving the way for his wife 

Grace to succeed him. Army intervenes and forces 

him to step down. 

By Ivana Kottasova& Eleni Giokos 

ZIMBABWE was once the bread basket of Africa. 

But it’s been slammed by industrial 

mismanagement, food shortages, a collapsed currency 

and rampant corruption. 

Robert Mugabe led the nation for nearly four 

decades and is widely blamed for its economic 

collapse. He resigned as president on Tuesday. 

His departure comes after military leaders seized 

control of the country last week in an apparent coup 

and deployed tanks in the capital city of Harare. 

Here’s the story behind Zimbabwe’s economic rise 

and fall: 

Mugabe was elected the first prime minister of a 

newly independent Zimbabwe in 1980 after spending 

years in prison for his politics. 

He was adored by many as a Nelson Mandela-style 

figure who would lead the country forward following 

decades of British and white-dominated rule. 

“He always had a populist stance, which meant he 

wanted to work in the best interest of his people but 

not necessarily the economy,” said Funmi Akinluyi, a 

portfolio manager who invests in Africa and frontier 

markets at Silk Invest. 

Mugabe earned international recognition for 

education and health initiatives, and the nation 

steadily grew its exports of manufactured and 

agricultural products. Zimbabwe was famous for its 

tobacco production, and its weather supported yearround 

farming. 

As Mugabe’s political momentum faded, critics 

accused him of using brutality and bribery to maintain 

his power. He has consistently denied wrongdoing. 

Mugabe’s mismanagement of the country’s farming 

sector was a turning point that contributed to an 

economic catastrophe. 

The aim of government land reforms was to end 

decades of farm ownership by white landlords, which 

many viewed as a colonial injustice. 

The 1992 “Land Acquisition Act” allowed Mugabe 

to force landowners to give up their property and 

redistribute it. In 1993, Mugabe threatened to expel 

white landowners who objected to the rules. 

It wasn’t until 2000 that Mugabe’s campaign 

gathered strength and he forced 4,000 white farmers 

to give up their land. Zimbabwe’s agricultural output 

dropped almost overnight. 

“There was an immediate food shortage,” remembers 

Akinluyi. “People went hungry.” 

The move was followed by two years of bad harvests 

and an extended dry spell, leading to the country’ s 

worst famine in 60 years. 

In the midst of chronic shortages of basic goods, 

the central bank ramped up its money-printing 

machines to finance imports. The result was rampant 

inflation. 

At the peak of the crisis, prices were doubling every 

24 hours. Cato Institute economists estimate monthly 

inflation peaked at 7.9 billion percent in 2008. 

Unemployment soared, public services collapsed 

and the economy shrank by 18% in 2008. 

Zimbabwe abandoned its currency in 2009, leaving 

transactions to be conducted in U.S. dollars, South 

African rand and seven other currencies. 

Mugabe responded to international sanctions in 

2010 by threatening to seize all Western-owned 

investments in the country. 

The threat kept prospective investors away. 

“The political risk outweighs the opportunity that 

you know is there,” Akinluyi said before Mugabe’s 

resignation. 

Mugabe’s government also shifted its focus from 

farms to mines, ordering nearly all diamond miners 

to halt activity and abandon their facilities. The plan 

was for a state-run entity to take over operations. 

Zimbabwe now struggles to earn cash from outside 

nations after strangling top export industries. A severe 

drought has squeezed the country further, leading to 

frequent bank runs in 2016. 

Late last year, the country began printing so-called 

bond notes, worth $1 each, in a bid to ease a chronic 

cash shortage. 

Akinluyi said the situation has been upsetting 

because Zimbabwe has so much potential. 

“They have diamonds, coal, copper, iron ore... [You] 

name it, they have resources,” she said. “I personally 

think it would be quick [to turn things around] with 

the right person in power.” 

*Culled from CNN


THE EKWUEME TRANSITION 

Nwobodo, Bode George, Agbaje, Anambra monarchs, 

others pay tribute •PDP opens condolence register 

By Clifford Ndujihe, 

Dapo Akinrefon, 

Simeon Ebegbulem, 

Dennis Agbo, Dirisu 

Yakubu & Nwabueze 

Nwankwo 

AWKA—THE torrents 

of tributes for late 

Second Republic 

politician, Dr Alex 

Ekwueme, who died 

aged 85 in a London 

hospital, on Sunday, 

continued to pour, 

yesterday. 

Among those who 

showered tributes on the 

departed quintessential 

and cerebral politician, 

yesterday included 

Second Republic 

Governor of old Anambra 

State, Senator Jim 

Nwobodo; former 

Governor of Anambra 

State, Dr Chinwoke 

Mbadinuju, Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP 

chairmanship aspirants, 

Chief Olabode George 

and Mr. Jimi Agbaje, 

and Anambra traditional 

rulers. 

This is as the 

opposition PDP, a party 

Dr Ekwueme played 

crucial roles in founding 

in 1998, yesterday, 

opened a condolence 

register for him at its 

national secretariat, 

Abuja 

The register was 

opened at about 3 pm by 

the Chairman of the 

National Caretaker 

Committee (NCC) of the 

party, Senator Ahmed 

Makarfi and other 

members of the 

committee. 

In his condolence 

message, Makarfi wrote: 

"The nation and indeed, 

Africa has lost a rare 

gem, a nationalist and 

peace maker. He was a 

pillar of democracy and 

good governance. He 

was a founding member 

of our party, the PDP. 

Adieu our leader! May 

your gentle soul rest in 

perfect peace, Amen.?" 

National Secretary of 

the party, Senator Ben 

Obi described Dr. 

Ekwueme as pillar of 

Nigeria's democracy. 

"How are the mighty 

fallen! The pillar of our 

democracy has gone, the 

finest and the most 

credible political leader 

has gone. It cannot be 

the same again. The 

gentleman who brought 

great intellectual touch 

to our politics and 

sustained our democracy 

has passed on. Rest in 

peace of the Lord," Obi 

wrote. 

To former Dr. Chinwoke 

Mbadinuju, the former 

vice president's death is 

a sad reminder of the 

emptiness of life. 

Mbadinuju who has 

left PDP for the All 


APC ,was special 

assistant to Ekwueme 

when the latter was 

elected Nigeria's Vice 

President. 

“It is with a sense of 

shock that I received the 

unfortunate news of the 

death of my political 

master and former Vice 

President, Dr Alex 

Ifeanyichukwu 

Ekwueme. Though we 

will miss his elderly 

guidance, his ideals of 

honesty, hard work and 

humility in service will 

remain a fortitude to us,” 

he said. 

•Late former Vice-President, Dr Alexander 

Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme 

Ekwueme and I disagreed 

politically... Nwobodo 

SENATOR 

Jim 

Nwobodo said that 

even though he 

disagreed with the late 

politician on political 

issues, Dr. Ekwueme 

was a gentleman who 

played important roles 

in his family life, 

disclosing that his family 

is saddened by the death 

of the elder statesman 

and a family friend 

whom he described as a 

nationalist, courageous 

democrat, brilliant, 

principled and a 

gentleman. 

Nwobodo said: "We 

were both Second 

Republic politicians. 

When he was then the 

vice President of Nigeria 

under NPN, and I was 

Governor of old Anambra 

state under NPP. Even 

though we disagreed on 

issues of politics, we 

were friends at personal 

level, to the extent that 

he and his wife, 

Beatrice, played 

important roles in our 

family life. Like in 1994 

when he led political 

leaders across party 

lines to our wedding, as 

chairman, and we had 

since then maintained 

good personal 

relationship, in spite of 

our political differences." 

Nwobodo recalled that 

Ekwueme championed 

the creation of six 

geopolitical zones at the 

1994 constitutional 

conference, adding that 

His death is a national loss 

—Bode George 

ON his part, Chief 

Bode George said: 

"The former Vice 

President was a genuine 

patriot, an outstanding 

statesman whose total 

fixity was predicated on 

the growth and 

development of the 

Nigerian State. He was 

a gentleman, a 

thoroughbred, civil, 

humble but yet radiated 

a powerful intellect and 

a scholarly presence, 

stripped of arrogance. 

His death is the end of 

an era, a sad departure 

of one of the very 

significant symbols of 

those who dedicated 

their lives to the service 

of our nation." 

Obaseki pays 

tributes“Governor 

Godwin Obaseki of Edo 

State described the late 

Ekwueme as a visionary, 

peace-loving and a 

creative Nigerian who 

contributed immensely to 

the advancement of 

Nigeria’s democracy. 

“Specifically, his role in 

the struggle to return 

Nigeria to civil rule 

during the military era, 

under the dictatorial 

regime of General Sani 

Abacha is worthy of 

note,” Obaseki said.“He 

also lauded Ekwueme’s 

when the late statesman 

felt the military 

government was over 

staying, he led a group 

of 34 political leaders, 

referred to as G34 to 

confront the then 

military government. 

"He was one of the 

founding fathers of of 

PDP and became the first 

national chairman of the 

party and later the 

Chairman Board of 

Trustees. It is sad that he 

died at a time the unity 

of Nigeria is threatened, 

at a time when his 

wealth of experience and 

wisdom of an elder is 

required to strengthen 

the unity of Nigeria," 

Nwobodo lamented. 

numerous contributions 

to human development 

through 

his 

philanthropic activities 

and added that his 

famous proposition for 

six-geopolitical zones 

for the country, has to a 

large extent, helped in 

putting in clear 

perspective, the common 

demands of Nigeria’s 

minority groups for a 

platform that will 

advance their 

interests.“Obaseki said 

that Dr Ekwueme will be 

greatly missed as 

Nigerians seek the best 

of ideas in the ongoing 

conversation for a 

greater Nigeria.“ 

A big Iroko has fallen 

—Obiano 

— 

of 

GOVERNOR 

Anambra State, 

Chief Willie Obiano, 

described the death of 

Ekwueme as a huge loss 

to Nigeria. 

Reacting to the news of 

the death from his 

Aguleri country home 

where he had gone to 

mark his victory in the 

last Saturday's election 

with his family, Obiano 

said he was yet to come 

to terms with the reality 

of Dr Ekwueme's death 

as it was hard to 

contemplate the void 

that his passage had 

created. 

He said: "A great iroko 

has fallen. Nigeria has 

lost a statesman. Ndigbo 

have lost an illustrious 

son. Anambra has lost a 

father. But I have lost 

both a father and a 

friend. I have lost a 

We lost a principled 

politician —Agbaje 

MR Agbaje, in a 

tribute by his 

Director of Media and 

Publicity, Felix 

Oboagwina, described 

Ekwueme’s death as a 

shocking and a personal 

loss adding that the 

country had lost a most 

dignified, erudite, 

principled and honest 

politician. 

“My party, PDP, has lost 

a selfless and 

quintessential founding 

father at a time we most 

needed his usually wise 

and defining counsel,” 

Agbaje said. 

Recalling their last 

meeting in October, 

Agbaje said that Chief 

A big loss to Ndigbo 

—Anambra monarchs 

THE Anambra Central 

Traditional Rulers 

Council have described 

Ekwueme's death as a very 

big loss to Ndi-Igbo and the 

entire country.“In a press 

statement by Chairman of the 

council, Igwe Chukwuemeka 

Ilouno of Ifitedunu community in 

Dunukofia Local Government 

Area of the state, the monarchs 

said: “The demise of our icon, 

father and brother, Dr Ekwueme 

is a big loss and setback to the 

country especially to the Igbo 

race, adding, it is at this moment 

of political cross-roads for Igbo 

people that the ideas and 

mentor. This is a big loss 

on all fronts. 

"I was close to Dr 

Ekwueme. I sought his 

advice on so many 

things and he was 

always ready to help. He 

attended every major 

events we had held in 

the past three years in 

our efforts to make 

Anambra a better place. 

You always knew where 

you stood with him on 

any issue. His death is a 

big personal loss to me. 

"Dr Ekwueme's life is an 

open book that should 

inspire generations of 

Nigerians who need a 

beacon to guide them 

into evolving as true 

patriots who are willing 

to make sacrifices for the 

greatness of the country. He 

is an icon whose place is 

assured in our hearts in 

Anambra State." 

Ekwueme had looked 

the picture of health, 

when they exchanged 

pleasantries at this 

year’s Ikenga Awards 

where the former PDP 

Governorship Candidate 

for Lagos State received 

the Aka Ikenga Award for 

Excellence, the first Igbo 

non-indigene outside 

the South-East and 

South-South to receive 

the prestigious Igbo 

award. 

“His Excellency was 

looking so alive and 

healthy that it comes to 

me as a personal shock 

and a personal loss to 

hear so suddenly of his 

death,” he said. 

experience of Ekwueme is highly 

needed by Ndigbo. 

“Ilouno recalled that during 

Ekwueme’s life time, he played 

politics without bitterness which 

earned him icon of democracy, 

adding that he ensured that the 

country remained one and 

indivisible by his actions and 

utterances. 

“Ekwueme can also be 

described as an astute politician, 

gentleman, peace loving and 

highly educated. He remained 

one man you have a lot to learn 

from due to his vast and wide 

education in many field of 

endeavours", he said.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017 --- 51 

PDP CHAIRMANSHIP RACE: 

New Permutations 

by the second 

Plans by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, 

PDP to reinvent itself are increasingly being 

challenged as the leading contenders in the national 

chairmanship contest are confronted with what 

stakeholders allude to as pragmatic political 

permutations. 

By Emmanuel Aziken, 

Political Editor 

FOR a party desperate to 

recover from the impunity 

that stakeholders claim drove it 

from power in 2015, it was a shock 

on Monday when the claim of 

the return of impunity echoed at 

a press conference organised by 

one of the national chairmanship 

candidates. 

Adeniran accuses Makarfi 

Addressing newsmen at a press 

conference in Abuja last Monday, 

the director-general of the Prof. 

Tunde Adeniran Campaign 

Organisation, Shehu Gabam 

alluded to allegations that the 

National Caretaker Committee, 

NCC headed by Senator Ahmed 

Makarfi was bent on railroading 

a former acting national chairman 

of the party, Prince Uche 

Secondus as the new national 

chairman of the party at the 

December convention. 

Yesterday, the issue of Makarfi’s 

neutrality deepened after 

associates of Chief Bode George 

demanded his resignation on the 

allegation that he was backing a 

South-South chairmanship 

candidate. 

George chides Makarfi 

The director-general of the 

Bode George Campaign 

Organisation, Alhaji Ibrahim Aliu 

said Makarfi’s intention was to 

put the favoured South-South 

candidate as chairman so as to 

back his (Makarfi’s) alleged 

presidential aspiration in 2019. 

The claims by Gabam and Aliu 

followed the late entry and 

popular acceptance of Prince 

Secondus by a large section of 

the party’s mainstream. 

Before Secondus entry into the 

contest, Adeniran was the 

establishment candidate in the 

contest for national chairman. 

His candidature was canvassed 

in party circles as the candidate 

of the North. It was not 

surprising, especially given the 

enthusiastic support some of the 

party’s grandees like Prof. Jerry 

Gana and Senator Ibrahim 

Mantu were giving to his 

aspiration. 

“He is being backed by the 

party establishment, those I refer 

to as people with old money,” a 

stakeholder said in reference to 

figures like Gana and Mantu 

who controlled the party in the 

past but have little influence in 

the grassroots today. 

However, in his native 

Southwest, Adeniran’s aspiration 

was and is still to gather 

momentum. Even more 

worrisome is the fact that 

Adeniran has not won over the 

support of the Ekiti State 

governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose. 

Fayose not aware of 

Adeniran's aspiration 

The governor’s spokesman, 

Mr. Olayinka Lere told 

Vanguard yesterday that the Ekiti 

State governor and the state 

chapter of the party are not 

officially aware of Adeniran’s 

intentions. 

“The governor has heard of 

Prof. Adeniran’s aspiration to be 

national chairman of the PDP just 

as every other person is hearing 

it, he has not informed us here 

in Ekiti, and I can officially tell 

you that we do not know of his 

aspiration beyond what is 

reported in the news media,” 

Olayinka said yesterday. 

It is a sort of irony. Adeniran 

and Secondus are the only 

aspirants among the eight 

declared aspirants who have 

sitting PDP governors. 

Other aspirants 

The other aspirants Prof. 

Taoheed Adedoja, Otunba 

Gbenga Daniel, High Chief 

Raymond Dokpesi, Chief Bode 

George, Senator Rashidi Lodoja 

and Mr. Jimi Agbaje, come from 

All Progressives Congress, APC 

controlled states. 

Unlike Adeninran, Secondus is 

believed to have the backing of 

his home governor, Mr. Nyesom 

Wike. In fact, it is to the point of 

embarrassment that Secondus 

has lately been alleged of being 

a lackey of the governors. 

Wike backs Secondus 

It was an issue Secondus 

vividly defrayed in an interview 

last Monday, as he affirmed that 

the aspiration to be national 

chairman was his personal 

aspiration. 

Popularly known as Total 

Chairman in his days as state 

chairman of the PDP during the 

Governor Peter Odili days of the 

PDP, Secondus without betraying 

the backing or support of Wike 

affirmed that he was ably 

qualified for the position. He 

noted his previous experiences 

as National Organising 

Secretary, Deputy National 

Chairman and until May 2016, 

the Acting National Chairman. 

His aspiration has inevitably 

•Makarfi: NCC must ensure fari play 

shifted focus from High Chief 

Raymond Dokpesi who the 

Yoruba first saw as an interloper 

for entering a contest that the 

Southwest had assumed was 

theirs for the taking. 

Dokpesi, the media mogul, had 

opened his campaign on the 

claim that he was best positioned 

to restore the glory of the party. 

He has been dismissive of the 

contention by some in the 

Southwest that the office should 

be or had been micro-zoned to 

the Southwest as Adeniran and 

some other contestants from the 

region have alleged. 

As Adeniran’s campaign 

manager, Gabam said last 

Monday: “For the PDP to stand 

a chance of defeating the ruling 

All Progressives Congress (APC) 

in 2019, the chairman of the party 

must go to the South-West. 

Anyone who underscores the 

importance of the South West 

producing the next leader of the 

opposition would be doing so at 

his own peril.” 

Indeed the matter of zoning the 

office to the Southwest Vanguard 

learnt was a gentleman 

agreement reached on the 

Anyone who 

underscores the 

importance of the 

South West 

producing the next 

leader of the 

opposition would be 

doing so at his own 

peril 

sidelines of the aborted 

convention of last year. 

S-West yet to produce 

chairman 

The basis of the agreement was 

that it was felt that the Southwest 

was the only zone that was yet to 

produce a national chairman in 

acting or substantive position. It 

was also felt that giving the 

position to the Southwest would 

help to revive the party in that 

region. 

Secondus, however, alluded to 

new thinking in the party 

hierarchy during an interview 

last Monday as he spoke of the 

urgency of hitting the ground 

running ahead of the 2019 

presidential election. 

According to him time between 

the election of the national 

chairman and the 2019 election 

is short and hence the urgency 

of getting a tested party man like 

him who has learnt the ropes to 

lead the party ahead of the 

election. 

That thinking has apparently 

influenced several key 

stakeholders including Governor 

Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State who is 

the party’s main man in the 

Southwest. 

S-South yet to produce 

charman — Dokpesi 

Even more, Chief Dokpesi 

debunked the allusion that the 

South-South had produced the 

national chairman in an interview 

with Vanguard. 

According to him Prince 

Secondus’ time as Acting 

National Chairman was not the 

same thing as being substantive 

national chairman. 

“There is no chairman that can 

call himself chairman except he 

was elected at the convention. 

Amodu Sheriff was approved up 

to NEC level and was 

recommended to the convention. 

The convention is the highest 

organ of the party that will 

determine whether or not it is 

possible for anybody to become 

chairman. 

“If the convention does not 

approve you, you are not a 

chairman. Ahmed Gulak went to 

court, and the court of law 

nullified the period and decisions 

that the deputy national chairman 

who acted as chairman in the 

absence of the substantive 

chairman. 

“The South-South has never 

produced a chairman otherwise, 

they should tell me the 

convention where Secondus was 

presented, and he was approved 

as chairman. Chief Olabode 

George, our revered leader, and 

friend was a deputy national 

chairman just like Secondus. So 

there cannot be any claim in that 

area.” 

However, one issue which 

many of the stakeholders seem 

to be running away from is the 

positioning of the stakeholders 

ahead of the 2019 presidential 

election. Indeed, the press 

statement by the George 

campaign yesterday was the first 

open allusion to a link between 

the national chairmanship 

contest and 2019 among party 

chieftains. 

Whereas Secondus claimed 

that the overwhelming support 

he is receiving is on account of 

the determination of party 

stakeholders to hit the ground 

running from December, there 

are also increasing speculations 

about the intentions of Senator 

Makarfi, the outgoing chairman 

of the National Caretaker 

Committee, NCC. 

Makarfi, who served as 

governor of Kaduna State for two 

terms between 1999 and 2007 

and as a senator between 2007 

and 2015 has generally been 

regarded as a man for tomorrow. 

After making some national 

consultations, he buried his plans 

to contest the 2007 presidential 

election when he deciphered 

President Olusegun Obasanjo’s 

intentions and quickly moved in 

to become an avid supporter of 

Umaru Musa Yar Adua’s 

aspiration. His move at that time 

was not just out of respect for 

Obasanjo, but also in brotherhood 

with Yar‘adua who he saw at that 

time as a brother governor. 

However, the thinking among 

some in the mainstream of the 

party is that Markafi with his 

successful management of the 

crisis that confronted the party 

between 2016 and 2017 has been 

positioned as one of the party’s 

leading presidential aspirants. 

“Makarfi is the candidate to beat 

as at today,” a party stakeholder 

from Plateau State confided in 

Vanguard. 

Governor Wike who many party 

insiders also say has helped in 

funding more than half of the 

party’s finances and some 

serving governors are said to be 

quietly building consensus 

towards that direction. It is thus 

not surprising that the once 

flamboyant campaign of former 

party grandee, Chief Olabode 

George has in recent days 

condensed as reality dawned. It 

is perhaps that kind of reality that 

the supporters of Adeniran are 

refusing to take in quietly.


•From Left:Rob Van Denderen;Jules Mewis;Dr Solomon Abutoh and Francis 

Akpomedaye Abutoh,CEO Shakuma Fitness,during acourtesy of Shakuma 

Fitness team Management Visit Van guard office in Lagos on Monday 20th of 

God is not happy with us 

— Fitness expert 

*As Anthony Village agog for Shakuma fitness workout 

The Anthony Village 

community in 

Lagos will be abuzz 

on Saturday as residents and 

others from the neighbouring 

communities and afar are 

treated to a new concept to 

keeping fit by dancing to 

Afro beats known as 

Shakuma. 

The CEO of Shakuma 

Fitness group, Mr. Francis 

Akpomedaye Abutoh who 

disclosed this to Sports 

Vanguard in Lagos said that 

the programme which has 

been carried out in Europe 

for sixteen years is coming to 

Africa and Nigeria for the first 

time. 

The event, according to Mr 

Abutoh, will hold at the 

Recreational Ground in 

Anthony with participants 

dancing to Afro beat songs of 

legendary Fela Anukulapo- 

Kuti. He stressed that it “is the 

first African dance group 

concept because of its 

originality, built and Afro 

beat.” 

The Dance Workout, he 

said is open to people of all 

ages and participants won't 

be charged anything for 

participating but will be 

served water to refresh 

themselves after the intensive 

exercise. 

He added that “God is not 

happy with us. We're not 

taking care of our body which 

He gave us but spend so 

much time chasing money to 

buy expensive cars, shoes 

and build houses.” 

Abutoh in comparing 

Shakuma, an Urhobo word 

for shake your body, with 

Yoga, said that the latter is 

originally from India which 

involves stretching and 

makes one flexible, while 

“Shakuma is fitness based on 

African ideolgy.” 

We command 50-100 

people in clubs, combine it 

with nutrition- food 

supplement. My job is to 

keep Africans fit.” 

The Shakuma Mission, he 

said,”is to help individuals 

achieve optimal health and 

fitness in body and spirit (and 

thereby ) enable them to lead 

a fulfilled life.” The concept 

also envisions “a world 

populated by individuals 

that have a sharp mental 

agility, comfortable body 

condition, which gives them 

the sustained motivation to 

achieve their best 

professionally and 

personally.” 

Mr Abutoh is not alone in 

organising the programme. 

He is supported by his 

European partners, Jules 

Newis, himself a fitness 

instructor of 20 years 

standing as well as a 

nutritionist and instructor of 

30 years, Rob Van Denderen. 

Also on the programme is Mr 

Abutoh's brother, Dr Solomon 

Abutoh, a fitness columnist 

and analyst who disclosed 

that “the fitness programme 

will not be for Anthony 

residents only but will be 

taken round Lagos 

subsequently.” 

270 medals up for grabs in Wike's wrestling 

championship 

No fewer than 270 

medals are up for 

grabs at the maiden edition 

of Governor Nyesom Wike 

National Wrestling 

championship billed for Port 

Harcourt from November 23- 

30, 2017. 

This was disclosed at a press 

briefing held in Port Harcourt 

by the Local Organizing 

Committee (LOC) headed 

by the Rivers State 

Commissioner for Sports, 

Boma Iyaye, alongside other 

members of the committee. 

According to him, no fewer 

than 600 wrestlers from 24 

states have so far registered 

to compete for honours, while 

more states are expected 

before the deadline for 

registration. 

The LOC chairman further 

disclosed that Rivers was not 

just hosting, but is prepared 

to do battle, as no less than 

90 wrestlers from the state 

would be seeking honours on 

the podium. 

He said that adequate 

arrangements have been 

made for security, adding that 

the state has hosted 

numerous events in the last 

two years without any 

security issue recorded. 

Also speaking, the 

Alternate Chairman of the 

Media/Publicity 

Subcommittee, Honour 

Sirawoo, who read the 

schedule of programme, 

stated that the LOC has made 

necessary arrangement for a 

hitch-free championship, 

pointing out that Rivers has 

always been known for 

hosting credible events. 

He urged sports journalists 

to play their roles as a way of 

engendering a successful 

championship and 

emphasized the need to 

cross check issues before 

going to press. 

Sirawoo, who is also the 

President of Sports Writers 


(SWAN), explained further 

that wrestlers, officials, 

journalists and members of 

the public are assured of 

good time as Governor 

•Nyesom Wike 

Nyesom Wike has provided 

the necessary logistics for a 

successful championship. 

On the issue of doping, the 

chairman of the Medical 

subcommittee and Rivers 

Commissioner for Health, 

Professor Princewill Chike 

said appropriate medical 

facilities have been put in 

place to checkmate drug 

cheats and other medical 

issues. 

Teams and technical 

officials are expected to arrive 

on November 23, the 

challenge commences on 

November 26, while the 

official opening and 

unveiling of logo for the 2018 

African Wrestling 

Championship is scheduled 

for November 27. 

Russia 2018: 

Yusuf challenges NPFL stars 

Super Eagles coach, 

Salisu Yusuf has 

urged his wards to prove 

their worth at the CAF 

Africa Nations 

Championship in Morocco 

and earn a team spot in 

the Super Eagles team to 

the World Cup in Russia. 

A look at the current 

make up of the national 

team to the World Cup, 

only goalkeeper 

Ikechukwu Ezenwa is the 

only player from the 

Nigeria Professional 

Football League assured of 

a place. However, coach 

Yusuf stated that the team 

was open to all players 

whether playing abroad or 

in the Nigerian league and 

it was left for the homebased 

players to take the 

advantage of the CHAN 

tournament to convince 

coach Gernot Rohr. 

“The CHAN in Morocco 

is a great chance for the 

players in the league to 

show what they are 

capable of and I believe a 

number of them will make 

it to the World Cup after 

that tournament,” said the 

coach who led the team to 

a second placing in the 

recent West Africa Football 

Union tournament in 

Ghana. 

Four players from the 

NPFL made the team to 

Neymar's 

nightclubbing not my 

concern — PSG coach 

Paris Saint-Germain 

coach Unai 

Emery insists he is not 

concerned about 

Neymar's lifestyle after the 

Brazilian superstar was 

photographed at a Paris 

nightclub in the early 

hours of last Sunday. 

"Outside of his work, his 

football, he can enjoy 

himself with his friends," 

Emery said on Tuesday, at 

a press conference ahead 

of today's Champions 

League meeting with 

Celtic at the Parc des 

Princes. 

"In training he is great. 

He is young, and he also 

needs to go out, but he is 

still responsible." 

Neymar was pictured at 

a nightclub in the Paris 

suburbs attending a 

private concert held by the 

American rapper Tyga, 

according to a report in Le 

Parisien. Earlier he had 

played 90 minutes in 

PSG's 4-1 win over 

Nantes. 

The world's most 

expensive footballer has 

suffered a dip in form and 

there have been concerns 

about his love of a party, 

which he documents on 

his Instagram feed with 

more than 84 million 

followers. 

There have been regular 

media reports in recent 

weeks that Neymar, 25, is 

struggling to settle at PSG 

since his August move from 

Barcelona, with stories of 

rifts with team-mates and 

disagreements with Emery. 

But PSG's Spanish coach 

added: "It is important to 

maintain a high level, but 

the younger players also 

need to spend time with 

their friends. 

"He has the responsibility 

to rest up on Sunday. He 

was back with us yesterday 

and for tomorrow he will be 

fine." 

D’Tigress players confirm receipt 

of FG's cash reward 

Captain of the D’Tigress, 

the 2017 Women 

FIBA Africa cup of nations’ title 

team, Aisha Mohammed says 

the latest gesture by the Federal 

Government to pay them 

N17.5m as earlier promised by 


Buhari will spur the team to do 

better in future. 

Speaking on her team mates’ 

behalf after receiving the 

transaction alert of 1m which is 

her own share of the 

presidential reward, the 

captain said the move was 

timely as they head into 2018 

which is the FIBA women's 

world cup year. 

“I can confirm that we have 

received our money as 

promised when we went to 

present the trophy we won in 

Mali to Mr President. On 

behalf of the team, I will like to 

thank President 

Muhammadu Buhari for 

making this a reality." 

•Salisu Yusuf 

the 2014 World Cup in 

Brazil, they include Ejike 

Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers), 

Kunle Odulami (Sunshine 

Stars), Chigozie Agbim 

(Gombe United) and 

Azubuike Egwuekwe 

(Warri Wolves) 

Zenith /Delta 

Principals Cup: 

More zonal 

qualifier 

iers 

emerge 

More teams have 

qualified for the 

zonal stage of the 

Zenith/Delta Principals 

Cup 

football 

competition organized 

for all secondary schools 

in the state. 

The Season 2 of the 

Zenith Bank sponsored 

competition has 

engaged many of the 

young ones in the state 

in the past five weeks. 

Only recently, the first 

qualifier for the next 

stage of the competition 

emerged from Oshimili 

South 

Local 

Government as officials 

forwarded Osa Dennis 

Secondary School as the 

winner from the LG. 

Four more schools 

have also joined Osa 

Dennis Secondary 

School to confirm places 

in the zonal event billed 

for next year January. 

From Ughelli South, 

Ovwian Secondary 

school has emerged 

champions while Okpe 

Local Government Area 

has forwarded Oyenke 

Secondary School as its 

representative. 

The organisers also 

confirmed that Essi 

College will represent 

Warri South as Uvwie 

LGA also has Ogbomro 

as its winner. 

CAF plans to 

help World 

Cup qualifier 

iers 

The Confederation of 

African Football 

(Caf) has set up a committee 

in order to help the 

continent's World Cup 

qualifiers prepare for next 

year's finals in Russia. 

The new committee will 

be lead by the Ghana 

Football Association 

president Kwesi Nyantakyi, 

who is also a Caf vicepresident. 

The presidents of the five 

World Cup qualifiers' 

football associations - Egypt, 

Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal 

and Tunisia are members.




Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017 

Sudoku 

QUICK CROSSWORD 

TODAY’S PUZZLE 

YESTERDAY’S ANSWER 

TODAY’S CROSSWORD 

YESTERDAY’SOLUTION 

How to Play Sudoku 

ACROSS 

1 Be a go-between (7) 

5 Located (5) 

8 Vocal compositions (5) 

9 Furnace slag (7) 

10 Non-attendance (7) 

11 Tale (5) 

12 Lethal (6) 

14 Spiny desert plant (6) 

18 Wash vigorously (5) 

20 Separate (5,2) 

22 Raiment (7) 

23 Gumption (5) 

24 Prose composition 5) 

25 Unlucky accidents (7) 

DOWN 

1 Pungent condiment (7) 

2 Ridges of sand (5) 

3 London football team (7) 

4 Go beyond (6) 

5 Secret agents (5) 

6 Extract (4,3) 

7 Not clean (5) 

13 Relevant (7) 

15 Books of maps (7) 

16 Royal Engineers (7) 

17 Refuge (6) 18 Wager (5) 

19 Strong and heavy in build 

(5)21 Pacific Ocean monarchy 

(5) 

Place a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can 

have two of the same number). 

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, 

(also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block 

within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number 

from 1 through 9. This means that no number can 

appear twice in any block, column or row. 

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, 

division or multiplication, just plain logic and your 

imagination. 

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-4548355. Advert Dept Hotline: 

01-4544821. Abuja Advert Hotline: 09-2921024. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com 

Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: EZE ANABA. Phone: 01-4548355, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

22112017 - Adamawa: 105 killed in Mubi, Numan attacks

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