15122017 - Govs okay $1b from Excess Crude Account to fight Boko Haram

Security threat: 

Magu, Daura, 

Dauda appear 

before Senate 

C'ttee 

9 

Court 

declares 

‘State of 

Osun’ illegal 

11 

BIAFRA: I’ll work 

against another 

war on Igboland 

— Ohanaeze President 

34 

** ** 

VOL. 25: NO. 63443 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 

How I 

raped, 

killed 

youth 

7 

corps 

member 

in Ogun 

—Suspect 

Govs okay $1b from 

Excess Crude Account 

to fight Boko Haram 

•It's illegal; only N-Assembly can appropriate money—Abaribe 

•Lawyers split, give mixed reactions on NEC's approval 

By Kingsley Omonobi, 

Abdulwahab Abdulah, 

Henry Umoru, & 

Johnbosco Agbakwuru 

ABUJA — The 

National Economic 

Council, NEC, at its 

meeting in Abuja yesterday 

resolved that $1 billion 

be withdrawn from 

the Excess Crude Account 

to boost the fight 

against insurgency by 

the military, just as it 

came to light that at least 

five soldiers were killed 

Continues on Page 5 

Naira 

depreciates to 

N364/$ in 

parallel 

market 5 

Mr & Mrs 

CHRISTMAS PRAISE CONCERT 

From left: Wife of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Mrs. Dogara; her spouse, Hon. Yakubu Dogara; General Overseer, 

Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; his wife, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo; 

former Chairman of Interim National Government, ING, Chief Ernest Shonekan; former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; the 

SGF, Mr. Boss Mustapha and his wife, during the 2017 Christmas Praise Conncert at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, 

yesterdy. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida. 

INEC registers 

21 new parties 

COLUMNISTS: 

LAKEMFA 

9 

5 bidders 

emerge for 

9Mobile 9 

31 AZU 36 GWANGWAZO 31 DONU 17 

BUDGET DEFENCE: You 

must appear before us, 

Reps tell Enelamah 

8 

SEE 

INSIDE

2—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017—3


Vanguard, FRIDAY, 

DECEMBER 15, 2017—5 

POCKET CARTOON 

COMMISSIONING — From Left: Former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori, Governor Ifeanyi 

Okowa of Delta State; Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State; Chief Isioma Onyeobi, Iyase of Asaba 

and others, at the commissioning of the Cable Point Dual Carriage Way, Asaba, on Wednesday. 

Govs okay $1b from Excess Crude Account 

to fight Boko Haram 

Continues from Page 1 

during an attack by Boko 

Haram militants on 

Nigerian Army positions 

in Mainok village in 

Borno State on Wednesday 

night. 

The proposal to withdraw 

the $1 billion from 

the ECA would leave the 

account with a balance 

of $1.31 billion, a development 

that was flayed 

by Senator Enyinnaya 

Abaribe who said that 

only the National Assembly 

could make appropriations 

to the security 

agencies. Lawyers, however, 

expressed mixed 

reactions on the issue. 

Meanwhile, the Federal 

Government has lamented 

the failure of 

some state governors to 

comply with the conditions 

laid down to draw 

from the budget support 

facility loan and threatened 

to withdraw such 

support from the defaulting 

states. 

Spokesman of the Theatre 

Command and Control 

Centre, Col. Onyema 

Nwachukwu, who 

told an online newspaper 

yesterday that normalcy 

had been restored 

in the Mainok area, was 

not able to give an exact 

figure of casualties from 

the attack. 

“Our troops had a 

fierce encounter with elements 

of the Boko Haram 

terrorists yesterday 

night at Mainok in Mobar 

LGA,” he was quoted 

as saying in a text 

message. 

“There were casualties 

on both sides, and troops 

have been reinforced, 

and we are in control of 

the area,” he added. 

Several Boko Haram 

militants were killed during 

the attack that also 

consumed two of their 

vehicles, sources in the 

area disclosed. 

Govs okay $1bn 

from ECA for 

Boko haram 

— Obaseki 

Briefing State House 

correspondents after 

NEC, Governor Godwin 

Obaseki of Edo State observed 

that the approval 

by the state governors to 

the President to take $1 

billion from the ECA was 

part of their contribution 

towards ensuring that insecurity 

that has ravaged 

different parts of the country 

especially the Boko 

Haram onslaught in the 

North East was tackled 

ON LIFE AND LIVING 

If you break your neck, if you have 

nothing to eat, if your house is on fire— 

then you got a problem. Everything else is 

inconvenience. Life is inconvenient. Life 

is lumpy. Learn to separate the 

inconveniences from the real problems. 

You will live longer. — Sigmund Wollman 

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE 

If you wish to move mountains tomorrow, you 

must start by lifting stones today. — Ashanti proverb 

frontally. 

He said: “The NEC resolved 

through the chairman 

of the Governors Forum 

(Abdullaziz Yari) to 

support the effort of the 

Federal Government in 

the area of security. We are 

pleased with the achievements 

that have been 

made till date in the fight 

against insurgency, particularly 

in the North 

East. 

"The governors of Nigeria 

through their chairman 

announced at the 

NEC meeting that the 

governors had given permission 

to the Federal 

Government to spend the 

sum of US$1 billion in the 

fight of insurgency. 

“This money is supposed 

to be taken from the 

Excess Crude Account.” 

Explaining further, he 

said, “We expect that the 

amount will include but 

not be limited to purchase 

of equipment, procuring 

intelligence, logistics and 

all what is required to 

ensure that we finally put 

to an end the scourge of 

insurgency.” 

Fuel scarcity 

“We also discussed the 

issue of fuel supply. As 

you know, there has been 

challenge of fuel supply 

in the country. The Minister 

of State for Petroleum 

Resources assured 

council that within the 

next 48 hours fuel supply 

will be restored nationwide 

because there is 

enough fuel in our strategic 

reserves and that the 

ministry has released fuel 

from these reserves and it 

expects distribution will 

reach all parts of the country 

within the next 48 

hours.” 

Also, briefing journalists, 

the Gombe State Governor, 

Ibrahim Dankwambo, 

said that the balance 

in the Natural Resource 

Development 

Fund Account as at 13th 

December 2017 stood at 

N106.984 billion. Dankwambo 

said: 

“Council was also informed 

by the Accountant- 

General of the Federation 

that the balance in the 

Natural Resource Development 

Fund Account as 

at 13th December 2017 

stands at N106.984 billion. 

“The Accountant-General 

of the Federation also 

informed council that the 

balance in the Excess 

Crude Account as at 13th 

December 2017 stands at 

$2.317billion dollars. 

“Update of the current 

balance of the Stabilisation 

Fund Account was 

also reported by the Accountant-General 

of the 

Federation which as at 

13th of December 2017 

stands at N7.78 billion. 

FG threatens 

states on 

budget support 

facility 

“Update on budget support 

facility loan granted 

to states was also reported 

to council and that for 

the month of June, July, 

and August, states have 

been paid and the Federal 

Ministry of Finance is 

working on the payment 

of the month of September 

budget support. 

“The Minister of Finance 

informed council 

that the budget support 

facility to states is also 

based on certain conditions 

as agreed under the 

fiscal responsibility plan, 

but she complained that 

most states are yet to comply 

and added that non 

compliance would make 

her ministry stop any further 

to be given to states 

that do not comply.” 

Abaribe, 

lawyers, give 

mixed reactions 

on withdrawal 

from ECA 

Speaking with Vanguard, 

Senator Abaribe 

said that only the National 

Assembly could appropriate 

for the federal government, 

adding that 

when former President 

Goodluck Jonathan wanted 

funds to fight Boko 

Haram, he rushed to the 

National Assembly to seek 

approval. 

“Only the NASS can 

appropriate funds for the 

Federal Government. Recall 

that when President 

Jonathan wanted funds to 

fight Boko Haram, he approached 

the NASS,” he 

said last night. 

A senior advocate, Norrison 

Quaker said the action 

of the National Executive 

Council “was in order 

for the simple reason 

that the issue under examination 

affects lives of 

the people. Therefore, no 

amount of money approved 

for such project is 

too much.” 

A law teacher, Gbenga 

Ojo argued that “the NEC 

has power to do so. Any 

amount approved for such 

critical matter is worth it, 

and it can be approved 

because we are talking on 

issues that affects human 

lives. However, there 

must be caveat. That must 

be done by the monitoring 

of the funds by the 

National Assembly. This 

could come in the way of 

carrying out oversight 

function by the legislative 

arm of government. We 

see what happened in the 

case of the former National 

Security Adviser which 

turned out to be controversial 

now. Also, see what 

happened in the case of 

Babachir Lawal, where 

money was appropriated 

for IDP, but it was misappropriated. 

It requires 

monitoring and accountability. 

The appropriation 

is immaterial, but the 

monitoring of the spending 

of the funds allocated. 

Debo Adeleke criticised 

the appropriation, saying 

it is illegal. He argued 

that such “huge amount 

should be approved by the 

National Assembly, considering 

our previous experiences. 

It is wrong for 

a government to just wake 

up suddenly and sit 

around the table and approve 

such huge amount 

without reverting to the 

National Assembly, especially 

when it wasn’t appropriated 

for in the 

budget. 

“So, no matter how important 

and urgent it is, 

the National Assembly 

must approve it. 

“All of them were 

sworn-in to protect and 

obey the constitution and 

any step that goes or contradict 

this may lead to 

anarchy. We are not in the 

military era; things must 

be done according to the 

law.” 

Naira Watch 

Naira depreciates to N364/ 

$ in parallel market 

By Babajide Komolafe 

THE naira, yesterday, depreciated to N364 per 

dollar in the parallel market, thus ending its 

eight day stability against the United States currency 

in the market. 

The naira has been stable at N363 per dollar for 

eight days from last week Monday. 

The naira also depreciated by 25 kobo to N360.66 

per dollar in the Investor and Exporter (I&E) window 

yesterday. 

Data from the Financial Market Dealers Quote 

(FMDQ) showed that the indicative exchange rate 

for the I & E window, known as Nigerian Autonomous 

Foreign Exchange, NAFEX, rose to N360.66 per 

dollar, yesterday, from N360.41 per dollar on 

Wednesday.

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 

Three 

soldiers 

roasted in 

tanker fire 

explosion in 

Cross River 

By Emma Una 

CALABAR—IT was 

gathered 

yesterday that three 

soldiers were among six 

people burnt to death in 

Iwuru, Biase Local 

Government Area of 

Cross River State 

Wednesday night when 

a tanker laden with 

petroleum products 

crashed and exploded 

along the Calabar – Ikom 

highway. 

An eyewitness, who 

gave her name as Agnes, 

said the incident which 

occurred seventy 

kilometres away from 

Calabar occurred when 

the taker developed 

break problem and in an 

attempt to manoeuvre 

the truck by the driver no 

to hit other vehicles that 

it fell into a ditch. 

The soldiers, according 

to Agnes, were 

travelling in opposite 

direction when the 

accident occurred 

actually stopped their 

vehicle to rescue the 

tanker’s driver and his 

conductor when the 

tanker exploded and the 

resultant fire engulfed 

them. 

“When the tanker fell 

into the gutter, smoke 

started coming out and 

the soldiers, who were in 

a vehicle heading to 

Calabar quickly stopped 

their van and went to 

rescue the driver and the 

conductor but suddenly 

the tanker burst into 

flames and they were 

caught in the fire,” 

Agnes said. 

She one of the soldiers 

managed to escape with 

severe burns and was 

later taken to the 

Akamkpa General 

Hospital for medical 

attention. 

When Vanguard 

reporter visited the scene 

yesterday morning, the 

fire was still smouldering 

and the body of one of 

the soldier was seen 

lying face down while 

those of two others were 

some metres away and 

left with just bones. 

Captain Owolabi, the 

Army Public Relations 

Officer for the Akim 

Brigade of the Nigerian 

Army, Calabar, said he 

was yet to be briefed on 

the matter. “ I am not 

aware of any such 

incident. Let me confirm 

and get back to you 

soon,” he said. 

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

MURDER OF EX-PDP CHAIRMAN’S SON: Family 

of ‘killer wife’ tried to hide evidence — POLICE 

By Ikechukwu 

Nnochiri 

ABUJA—THE Nigerian 

Police Force, yesterday, 

alleged before an Abuja High 

Court at Jabi that family members 

of Maryam Sanda, wife of 

murdered son of erstwhile 

Chairman of the Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP, Bilyamin 

Bello, attempted to hide evidence 

against her. 

Police, in an amended twocount 

charge it filed before the 

court, alleged that Maryam’s 

mother, Maimuna Aliyu and her 

brother, Aliyu Sanda, upon 

realizing that an offence of 

culpable homicide was 

committed, “did cause evidence 

of the offence to disappear”. 

It said the duo, with the help 

of one Sadiya Aminu, carefully 

cleaned the blood from the scene 

of the crime with the intention of 

screening the 1st defendant, 

Maryam from legal punishment. 

According to the prosecution, 

the three persons involved in the 

scrubbing-off of murdered 

Bilyamin’s blood, by their action, 

committed an offence punishable 

under section 167 of the Penal 

Code Law. 

Consequently, Police rearraigned 

Maryam alongside 

her mother, brother and Aminu, 

before trial Justice Yusuf Halilu 

yesterday. 

Whereas Maryam was in the 

count-one of the charge marked 

CR/15/17, which Police filed 

pursuant to section 109(d) of the 

Administration of Criminal 

Justice Act, 2015, was accused of 

stabbing her husband to death 

with a broken bottle on November 

19 at their Abuja residence. 

The three others were in counttwo, 

charged with causing 

evidence of the crime to 

disappear. 

The prosecution told the court 

that Bilyamin died as a result of 

several stabs on his chest and 

neck. 

Police maintained that the 

defendant attacked her husband 

with the knowledge that her act 

was likely to cause his death. 

Meanwhile, all the defendants 

pleaded not guilty to the charge, 

even as they begged the court 

through their lead counsel, Mr. 

J.B. Daudu, SAN, to release 

them on bail pending the 

determination of the case against 

them. 

While Daudu, SAN, stressed 

that allegation against Maryam’s 

family members was a bailable 

one, he pleaded the court to 

consider the well-being of the 1st 

defendant’s six-month-old baby 

and grant her bail pending the 

trial. 

Besides, the defence lawyer 

tendered a medical certificate he 

said showed that Maryam was 

suffering from a serious ailment. 

He told the court that all the 

defendants were anxious for the 

trial to commence so that they 

could establish their innocence. 

However, in his ruling, Justice 

Halilu declined to release the 

alleged ‘killer wife’ on bail. 

The Judge ordered that she 

...Mum, brother docked, secure bail 

Late Bilyamin and wife, Maryam....when the going was good. 

should remain in Suleja prison 

until February 5, 2018, when a 

full-blown hearing was 

scheduled to begin in the case. 

Justice Halilu held that the 

defence lawyer failed to place 

sufficient material before the 

court to show that the 

undisclosed ailment the 1st 

defendant was suffering from 

could not be treated in prison. 

By Onozure Dania 

LAGOS—THREE staff of 

Lagos State University 

Mubin Raji 43, Alli Ajose 58 

and Bankole Odofin 62, were 

yesterday arraigned before an 

Ebute-Metta Chief 

Magistrate’s Court sitting at 

Oyingbo over alleged abuse 

of office, false certificates and 

extortion. 

The defendants are standing 

trial on a nine count charge 

bordering on conspiracy 

obtaining under fasle pretence, 

abuse of office, false certificates 

by public officers, extortion by 

public officers, corruption by 

public officials, acceptance of 

gift from agents, forgery and 

stealing preferred against them 

by the police. 

The prosecutor Inspector 

Chinalu Uwadione told the 

court that the defendants 

committed the alleged offences 

between January 2011 and 

I stole four cars in four months — SUSPECT 

By Esther Onyegbula & 

Suliat Elemosho 

LAGOS—ONE of the 

five notorious robbers 

that specialised in stealing 

cars within the state, who 

are currently being 

investigated by the Lagos 

State police command for 

snatching and selling stolen 

Nevertheless, the court 

granted bail to the three other 

defendants, saying they must, 

however, produce two sureties 

each. 

The court held that the 

sureties must show evidence 

that they are resident within the 

Abuja city center, as well as 

deposit title deed of their 

landed properties. 

September 2017, at the Lagos 

State University LASU, Ojo 

Lagos. 

He said that the trio and 

others still at large conspired 

among themselves and 

intentionally performed an act 

in violation of the rules and 

regulations of LASU, in the 

discharge of their duties, for 

the purpose of obtaining 

undue advantage to 

themselves. 

Uwadione said that Rajo 

and Ajose presented a false 

West African Examination 

Certificate (WAEC), to the 

Lagos State University 

Authority to gain 

employment, which they 

knew to be false. 

He also alleged that Ajose 

obtained the sum of N20,000, 

from one Kingsley Azubike, 

under false pretence that he 

would help him to remove his 

fake O Level WAEC 

Certificate, he used to gain 

employment into Lagos State 

University, a representation 

vehicles, said he has 

stolen four cars in four 

months. 

The arrested suspects 

identified as Uche Uzobu, 

23, Sampson Akamo, 38; 

Ahmed Seun, 30; Kazeem 

Adeshina 41, and Isaac 

David, 24 narrated their 

individual roles in the car 

snatching business. 

Besides, the defendants were 

asked to surrender all their 

travelling documents to the 

court. 

It will be recalled that the court 

had on November 24, remanded 

Maryam in prison after she was 

arraigned on a two-count charge 

of culpable homicide punishable 

by death under section 221 of the 

Penal Code Law. 

Three staff of LASU, arraigned over alleged forgery, 

extortion 

...Five in police custody for car snatching 

he knew to be false. 

The prosecutor said “ Mubin 

Rajo forged West African 

Examination Certificate (WAEC) 

O Level result and submitted 

same which gave him 

employment into the Lagos State 

University in year 2011, with 

intent that it may be used or 

acted as genuine to the 

prejudice”. 

“Bankole Odofin received 

monies from students of the 

Lagos State University to alter 

their results and also upgrade 

marks for them “ He said. 

According to the prosecutor, 

the offences committed are 

punishable under sections 411, 

73 (1) ( 2) ,74 (1) 314 (1) (a), 

287, 365 (1), 63 (1) (a) & (b), 68 

(1) and 65 (1) (a) &(b), of the 

criminal laws of Lagos State, 

2015. 

However the trio pleaded not 

guilty to the charges. 

Chief Magistrate Mrs O. I 

Adelaja, granted them bail in the 

sum of N500,000, each with two 

sureties each in like sum. 

But, 23 year-old Uche 

Uzobu, said “ I have been 

snatching cars from the 

various people. I have 

snatched just four cars in four 

months. I was paid N30, 000 

for the first car that I stole and 

N27, 000 for the second one. 

It was learned that the 

suspects were arrested after 

the owner of the infinity jeep 

the gang stole last reported the

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017—7 


How I raped, killed youth corps member — Suspect 

By Daud Olatunji 

ABEOKUTA—A 29-yearo 

l d , 

driving school instructor, 

Festus Udoh, yesterday, 

narrated how he lured, raped 

and killed a Batch A 2017 

member of the National Youth 

Service Corps (NYSC) serving 

in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Ms 

Modupe Taiyese, in a forest. 

Speaking with journalists at the 

scene of the crime at Abule Ayo 

area in Mawuko village, Odeda 

local government area of the 

State,, the suspect said that he 

did drag the victim into a forest 

and had sex with her before he 

strangled her to death. 

When asked how he knew her, 

he said “I knew her from the 

driving school, I was an 

instructor, she came to learn 

driving. she stopped almost a 

month ago now. My Oga used to 

send me to give them learner’s 

permit and I will go and do it at 

Oke-Mosan. 

“So, I did a learner’s permit for 

her, she did not come to collect 

hers and later on, after a week she 

then called that she wanted to 

collect the learner’s permit, I told 

her that I was no longer there. She 

then said she would come and 

collect the learner’s permit, I said 

no problem when I am around I 

will call her. 

“So the day I called her that she 

should come to Lafenwa and 

collect the learner’s permit, I said 

I will do another one for her. So, 

when she came, I told her to 

follow me that there is a place I 

will do it for her. 

He added “ We then took a bike 

to Iberokodo , we dropped at that 

junction.When we dropped, we 

started trekking and we were 

discussing and she asked if this 

was where we were coming? I 

said yes, this is where I use to stay, 

she then followed me. 

“After I took her to this place, I 

told her that I wanted to have sex 

with her, she said `No’, but I 

dragged her into the bush and 

had sex with her. 

“After having sex with her, she 

said she would tell her family; that 

was when I tore her cloth and used 

it to strangle her. 

“As she was gasping, I ran away, 

“the suspect said. 

Vanguard discovered that the 

corpse of the deceased has not 

been removed from the scene of 

the crime as at the time of filing 

this report. 

The Commissioner of Police in 

the state, Mr Ahmed Iliyasu said 

prior to the arrest of the suspect , 

yesterday, that the coordinator of 

case to the police. 

While parading the suspects 

at the state police command, 

the Commissioner of Police, 

Lagos State Commissioner of 

Police, CP Imohimi Edgal, said 

that one of suspects was 

tracked and arrested. 

He added that his arrest led 

to the arrest of other gang 

members as all suspects will be 

charged to court after 

investigation is concluded.” 

the NYSC in the state, Mr John 

Okon had complained to the 

command about a missing corps 

member in the state. 

“We went for a powerful technical 

screening of fact left behind by the 

last person she contacted, who is 

the suspect; we are able to arrest 

him. 

“We are able to uncover this 

nefarious act and he led us to this 

place and confessed. 

“Technically, the information 

led to one person, an indigene 

of Uromi in Edo, who was 

teaching this innocent corps 

member, Taiyese Modupe, 

THE KILLER: Festus Udoh 

2KAY’S ROBBERY ATTACK: Burna Boy says 

he’s ready to reveal the truth 

...Postpones his show! 

By Benjamin Njoku 

DANCEHALL star, Burna 

Boy, who was declared 

wanted by police after he was 

accused of ordering robbery attack 

on Mr 2kay at Eko Hotel and Suites 

in Lagos, few weeks back has 

announced the postponement of his 

concert, scheduled for this Sunday, 

threatening to reveal the truth on 

the incident. 

The concert tagged, “The Burna 

Boy Concert” is slated to hold at 

the Balmoral Convention Centre, 

Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria 

Island, Lagos. 

Burna Boy via his Twitter page 

yesterday, vowed to reveal the truth 

and face the allegations. 

“I’ve tried to remain silent because 

as you all know, plenty talk no dey 

full basket but Today we go use 

bucket pack am. Lies and politics 

have surrounded my name this past 

few weeks but today, you will hear 

the truth and I will start from the 

truth behind the show 

postponement,” he tweeted. “ 

The Lagos State Police 

commissioner, Edgal Imohimi had 

declared Burna Boy wanted after he 

was accused of ordering Mr 2kay’s 

robbery attack at Eko Hotel and 

Suites in Lagos. 

This was after one of the suspects 

arrested confessed he acted under 

the instruction of the singer. 

Meanwhile, announcing the 

postponement of his concert, his 

how to drive a car. 

“The man tactically and 

deceitfully convinced her on 

Saturday evening, that her 

driving permit was ready. 

“She decided to answer his 

call and he cleverly and 

deceitfully apprehended the 

lady and brought her down to 

this forest where he had a 

forceful and unlawful carnal 

knowledge of her. Thereafter, 

he strangled her to death,” he 

said. 

Ilyasu also said the police 

tracked the suspect, following 

some passport photographs 

show promoters, Bavent Street 

Live said it’s due to the recent 

allegations levelled against the 

dancehall star. 

In statement made avaialable 

to Vanguard, the promoters said 

“Burna Boy and his 

management are working 

assiduously within the ambits 

and requirements of the law to 

clear his name in these 

investigations.” 

“He, therefore, needs time to 

come back and promises an 

incredible performance for his 

THE VICTIM: Modupe Taiyese 

IN THE EYE OF THE STORM...Burna Boy 

found at the scene of the crime. 

“The passport photographs of 

the suspect were found at the 

scene of the incident which is a 

remarkable evidence of the 

crime.” 

The police boss advised 

members of the public to be 

wary of persons they interact 

with to avert unpleasant 

consequences. 

He, however, restated the 

commitment of the police in 

the state to protect lives and 

property, saying that the 

state had no room for 

criminal activities. 

fans. For now, he needs the time 

and space to deal with these 

allegations, which have arisen 

at such a crucial and sensitive 

time when he’s working on his 

album and his concert.” 

“We ask that we respect the 

time he needs during this 

challenging period. The new 

date for The Burna Boy show 

will be communicated in the 

near future.” 

They said that all tickets 

purchased will remain valid, as 

the holders also have the option 

to receive their full refund from 

the ticketing partners. 

Estate agent 

swindles home 

seeker of N1m 

FOR 

allegedly 

defrauding three 

accommodation seekers of 

N1 million, a 26 -year-old 

estate agent, Wasiu 

Mufutau, was yesterday 

taken before an Ikeja 

Magistrates’ Court in 

Lagos. 

Mufutau, a resident of 

Ikotun area of Lagos, is 

being tried for obtaining 

money under false 

pretences and stealing. 

The Prosecutor, Sgt. 

Godwin Awase told the 

court that the accused 

committed the offences in 

October at Egbeda, Lagos. 

He said that the accused 

obtained N1 million from 

three accommodation 

seekers on the pretext of 

letting out apartments to 

them. 

“He collected N300,000 

from Mr Temidayo 

Babarinde on the pretext of 

letting out two-bedroom flat 

in Oguntade Street, 

Shasha. 

“The accused obtained 

N200,000 from Mr Peter 

Okosun for a threebedroom 

apartment in 

Egbeda. 

“Mufatau collected 

N500,000 from Mr 

Chigozie Frank to let out a 

three-bedroom apartment at 

No. 17, Gabriel Babalola 

St., Egbeda, Lagos to him,” 

Awase said. 

The prosecutor said that 

the complainants paid the 

money into the bank 

account of the accused after 

they had inspected the said 

apartments. 

“After the accused took the 

complainants to the 

houses, he asked them to 

pay the amounts into his 

account which they did. 

“When the complainants 

went to the houses after 

payment, the landlords told 

them that they did not give 

the accused their property 

to manage for them,” he 

said. 

He said when the first 

complainant went to 

Egbeda Police Station to 

report the fraud, he met the 

second and third 

complainants, who also 

came for the same 

complaint about the 

accused. 

“The complainants 

reported the case to the 

police and efforts made by 

them to retrieve their 

money or have their 

accommodation proved 

unsuccessful as the 

accused has been on the 

run. 

“He was later arrested 

and handed over to the 

police,” he said. 

Awese said the offences 

contravened Sections 287 

and 314 of the Criminal 

Law of Lagos State, 

2015(Revised).



Budget defence: You must appear 

before us, Reps tell Enelemah 

•Demand monetary receipts on local travels, adverts, publicity from NEPC 

By Levinus 

Nwabughiogu 

ABUJA—HOUSE of 

Representatives 

Committee on Commerce, 

yesterday, said unless the 

Minister of Industry, Trade 

and Investment, 

Okechukwu Enelemah 

appears before it, the 

Ministry’s 2018 budget 

defence would not hold. 

The committee took the 

decision at the 

commencement of the 

budget defence for the 

Ministry and agencies 

under it scheduled for 

yesterday. 

The Permanent Secretary 

of the Ministry, Mr. Edet 

Akpan had announced his 

presence as the 

representative of the 

Minister. 

But members of the 

committee frowned at the 

absence of the Minister. 

Lamenting the issue, 

Chairman of the 

Committee, Mr Sylvester 

Ogbaga said that the 

Minister was in the habit 

of not making himself 

available for any 

engagement with the 

lawmakers. 

He said that a budget 

defence was a serious 

business which needed the 

presence of the minister. 

Ogbaga stated that the 

committee could take on 

other agencies in the 

absence of the Minister. 

He said: “When it comes 

to accountability, that’s why 

we emphasize, if we don’t 

have the minister, we may 

not engage with the main 

ministry at the moment. At 

any time he decides to be 

with us, no problem. The 

hasty nature of passing the 

2018 budget is with the 

ministry not the lawmakers. 

We can only take people 

who will take responsibility 

for the funds. 

“We have invited the 

minister. It doesn’t show 

any sense of responsibility 

on the ministry. Any 

agency that fails to defend 

its budget may not get any 

allocation for 2018. You 

cannot barb anybody in his 

or her absence.” 

Hardly had the chairman 

finished making his 

remarks that the Minister 

of State for Industry, Trade 

and Investment, Mrs. 

Aisha Abubakar walked 

into the hall. 

Recognising her 

presence, the Chairman 

asked that she make her 

presentation after which the 

lawmakers insisted on the 

physical appearance of the 

Minister. 

Meanwhile, the Minister 

of State in her presentation 

earlier gave details of the 

2017 budget performance. 

According to her, only 

N3.8 billion had been 

released to the ministry 

which represents 16 per 

cent of the N19 billion 

appropriated for capital 

projects. 

She said: “On the 2017 

budget performance, 

again, the capital, we 

appropriated N19 billion. 

Actual releases to date is N3 

billion which is an 

appropriation of only 16 per 

cent with an expenditure of 

N2.1 billion, which is 70 per 

cent. For overhead, what 

was appropriated as earlier 

said was N71 billion out of 

which only N246,592, 

632.97 was released, which 

is 35 per cent. There is an 

expenditure of N224.8 

million which is 91 per cent 

of overhead releases. For 

the capital project as at 

today, the sum stands at 

N3.8 billion. This was 

released to the ministry 

which is 16 per cent of the 

N19 billion that was 

expected. The bulk of the 

release had been utilized 

while others are at an 

advanced stages and we 

are optimistic that this will 

be concluded before the 

end of the financial year.” 

...Directs DPR, AuGF to produce report on unremitted 

N30bn oil money •Senate rejects DPR’s plans to spend N355m on foreign trips 

By Henry Umoru & 

Emman 

Ovuakporie 

A BUJA—THE 

investigative panel 

probing the pump price of 


yesterday, ordered the 

Department of Petroleum 

Resources, DPR, to provide 

details of the N30 billion 

unremitted crude oil 

revenue into the 

Federation Account. 

The investigative panel 

chaired by Raphael 

Nnana-Igbokwe (PDP- 

Imo), also directed Auditor 

General of the Federation, 

AGF, to provide a report on 

the N30 billion unremitted 

crude oil revenue and 

submit to the committee for 

further inquiry. 

SENDFORTH: From left—Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Guy 

Feldman; Mrs. Hilda Zegelaar; Senior Vice President and Managing Director, 

Addax Petroleum, Cor. Zegelaar; and former Country Chair, Shell Companies 

in Nigeria/MD, SPDC, Mutiu Sunmonu, during the send-forth party held in 

honour of Zegelaar, in Lagos. 

The Chairman, who 

issued the directive at the 

ongoing investigation into 

the pump price of 


between 2013 to 2017, 

resolved to handover some 

of the Chief Executives of 

oil companies to the Police 

Fraud Unit and Sergeantat-arms 

to document their 

statements. 

According to the DPR 

records for crude oil lifted 

in February 2017, it 

showed that 2.84 million 

barrels were transferred to 

the Kaduna, Port Harcourt 

and Warri refineries. 

The committee however, 

discoveredthat 3.85 million 

barrels of crude oil were 

delivered to the three 

refineries, leaving an 

excess of 1,008 million 

barrels unaccounted for by 

DPR. 

Also in the month of 

March 2017, DPR records 

showed that 3.22 million 

barrels were supplied to 

the three refineries while 

the record showed 2.4 

million barrels 

documented, showing 

differential of 827,259 

barrels of crude oil 

unaccounted for by the 

agency. 

Similarly, the Senators 

were told yesterday that the 

DPR, will next year spend 

a total of N355 million on 

foreign trips if the proposed 

2018 budget of the agency 

scales through. 

Speaking yesterday in 

Abuja when he appeared 

before the Senator Omotayo 

Alasoadura ( APC Ondo 

Central) led Senate 

Committee on Petroleum 

(Upstream) to defend the 

2018 budget proposals of 

the agency, DPR Director , 

Mr Mordecai Baba, said 

that under overhead votes 

of about N1.2billion, the 

sum of N60.2m had been 

proposed for local travels 

while foreign trips would 

gulp N355million. 

Meanwhile, members of 

the Committed have vowed 

to drastically reduce the 

estimates when sending it 

to senate for approval. 

The committee chairman 

and other members 

interjected him by asking 

why the figure for foreign 

trips was so high even 

when compared to N180m 

voted for it in the 2017 

budget. 

CORRUPTION: EFCC to 

beam searchlight on 

aviation sector 

A BUJA—THE 

Economic and Financial 

Crimes Commission, 

EFCC, has vowed to deal 

decisively with any individual 

or group in the aviation 

sector involved in corrupt 

practices or acts that breach 

the nation’s anti-graft laws. 

Acting Chairman of the 

Commission, Mr Ibrahim 

Magu, gave the warning at 

the anti-corruption sensitization 

programme 

organised by the EFCC for 

the Federal Airports Authority 

of Nigeria, FAAN, 

and other aviation sector 

workers, yesterday in Abuja. 

Magu said the warning 

became necessary following 

series of reported cases 

of corruption in the aviation 

sector, ranging from 

misuse of funds, bribery, extortion, 

to abuse of authority 

by officials at the airports. 

He said as the agency 

mandated to fight corruption 

in Nigeria, the EFCC 

was determined now more 

than ever before to rid all 

government Ministries, 

Departments and Agencies 

of all forms of fraudulent 

activities. 

The EFCC boss said: “As 

DSO: NIGCOMSAT commences 

Direct-To-Home services 

By Emmanuel 

Elebeke 

ABUJA—AT last, the 

Nigeria premier 

communications satellite 

solution provider, Nigerian 

Communication Satellite, 

NIGCOMSAT Limited has 

formally launched its 

Direct-to-Home, DTH, 

services with the airing of 

programmes of its first 

commercial customer OVY 

Network, a Botswanabased 

startup DTH 

operator. 

The service was launched 

yesterday in Abuja in 

partnership with the China 

Great Wall Industry 

Corporation, CGWIC. 

Speaking at the launch, 

Chief Executive Officer, 

OVY Networks, Mr. 

George Kavameje said it 

was exciting to partner 

NIGCOMSAT and the 

CGWIC to reach people in 

Sub-Saharan Africa with 

premium content using the 

NigComSat-1R satellite. 

NIGCOMSAT, in 

partnership with the 

satellite manufacturer, 

CGWIC, has completed a 

world-class head-end 

system composed of main 

stream hardware and 

software obtained from the 

United States of America, 

USA, Singapore and China 

things stand, except we 

delude ourselves, we 

cannot deny that the twin 

evils of corruption and 

poor infrastructure have 

blighted our aviation 

industry. In recent times, 

many cases of corruption 

have been reported in the 

sector, ranging from 

misuse of funds, bribery, 

extortion, to abuse of 

authority by officials at the 

airports. I advise you to familiarise 

yourselves with 

the EFCC Act and other 

laws affecting your duties 

as EFCC will not spare 

anyone who run foul of the 

law.” 

He said the airport, being 

the “most important 

gateway into the country, is 

strategic in many ways. 

The most important of which 

is the fact that it is 

foreigners’ first contact with 

Nigeria and the impression 

they form of the country is 

largely informed by the 

conduct of aviation professionals. 

It is for that reason 

that the conduct of Nigeria’s 

aviation professionals is key 

to the efforts at national rebirth, 

especially the critical 

economic mandate of attracting 

foreign direct 

investment into the 

country.” 

respectively. 

The launch came six 

months after intensive 

testing, optimizing and trial 

services as the system 

integrator will provide 24- 

hour, seven days a week 

technical support. 

According to the agency, 

the NIGCOMSAT DTH 

system is fully capable of 

providing commercial 

broadcasting services to 

Nigeria and all countries 

within its coverage, from 

Senegal in the West to 

Namibia in the South. 

It is expected that the 

NIGCOMSAT DTH system 

will offer a new solution for 

the Digital Switch Over 

Programme for the nation 

using the DTT platform. 

The deadline for the 

digital switch over using 

terrestrial measure appear 

difficult to meet judging 

from the time and resources 

that may be required to 

build the ground facility 

and the huge maintenance 

cost. 

But NIGCOMSAT says 

this challenge may be 

addressed with the 

NIGCOMSAT DTH 

services using the 

NigComSat-1R satellite. 

Programmes can be 

broadcast in urban and 

remote areas across the 

country.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 — 9 


Five bidders emerge for 9Mobile 

By Emmanuel 

Elebeke 

ABUJA —EXECUTIVE 

Vice-Chairman of Nigerian 

Communications 

Commission, NCC, Professor 

Umar Danbatta has confirmed 

that five entities 

have emerged as bidders 

for troubled telco, 9Mobile 

(formerly Etisalat). 

Prof. Danbatta made the 

confirmation yesterday 

during the 82nd edition of 

Telecom Consumer 

Parliament, TCP, with the 

theme: Value Added 

Service and Its benefits to 

Consumers. 

The five entities, all of 

them telcos, are Airtel, 

Globacom, Smile 

Communications, Helios, 

and Teleology Holdings 

Limited. Earlier, no less 

than 16 firms expressed 

interest and filed bids with 

Barclays, 9mobile’s 

financial advisor. 

They include MTN, 

Airtel, Ntel (former 

NITEL), Virgin Mobile 

from the United Kingdom 

and Vodacom of South 

Africa. The rest include 

BUA Group, Morning Side 

Capital Partners, Obot 

Etiebet & Co, Blackstone 

Private Equity, and 

Hamilton and George 

International Limited. 

Danbatta said: “Five 

bidders have emerged for 

9Mobile. They have been 

allowed to access the data 

room of 9Mobile in order 

to enable them access the 

financial situation of the 

company and 

subsequently make bids 

for the takeover of the 

company. But the takeover 

must be in a regulated 

manner. 

“The CBN and NCC are 

supervising what is going 

on through an interim 

board jointly appointed by 

the NCC and CBN. We are 

going to do due diligence 

on the financial capacity of 

any potential bidder as well 

as the technical capacity. 

“In the final analysis, we 

will like to see a 9Mobile 

taken over by a bidder who 

has the financial and 

technical capacity to 

improve on the operations 

of the telco and add value 

in delivery of qualitative 

telecom services in the 

country,” he explained. 

Etisalat Nigeria became 

9Mobile following inability 

to resolve issues with its 

bankers over a $1.2 billion 

loan facility. 

Etisalat Group of the 

United Arab Emirates 

owned 45 per cent ordinary 

shares and 25 per cent preference 

shares in Etisalat 

Nigeria. 

Etisalat Nigeria, the 

country's fourth largest 

telecoms operator with over 

21 million subscribers, is 

indebted to 13 Nigerian 

banks to the tune of $1.2 

billion. 

The facility was availed 

Etisalat Nigeria in 2013 and 

was used to re-finance an 

existing $650m loan and 

fund the upgrade of its 

network. 

Security threats by agencies: Magu, Daura, 

Dauda appear before Senate committee 

...Drama as DSS, NIA DGs Snub Magu 

By Henry Umoru 

A BUJA—ACTING 

Chairman, Economic 

and Financial Crimes 

Commission, EFCC, Mr 

Ibrahim Magu, yesterday, 

appeared before the Senate 

Ad- hoc Committee that is 

investigating the 

November 21, 2017 

incident, where EFCC tried 

to arrest former directors 

general of National 

Intelligence Agency, NIA 

and Department of State 

Services, DSS, Ayo Oke 

and Mr. Ita Ekpenyong, 

respectively. 

Also before the Ad-hoc 

Committee which is chaired 

by the Deputy Senate Chief 

Whip, Senator Francis 

Alimikhena (APC, Edo 

North) yesterday, were the 

Director-General of the 

Department of State 

Services, DSS, Mr. Lawal 

Daura and acting Director- 

General of the National 

Intelligence Agency, NIA, 

Ambassador Muhammed 

Dauda. 

CONFERENCE: From left—Roosevelt Ogbonna, Group Deputy 

Managing Director, Access Bank Plc; Femi Odubiyi, Commissioner 

for Science and Technology, Lagos State; and Collins Onuegbu, 

Executive Vice Chairman, Signal Alliance Limited, during the 1st 

Africa Fintech Foundry, AFF, Conference 2017, in Lagos. 

It will be recalled that 

there was alleged security 

threat on November 21, 

following the face- off 

between the EFCC, DSS 

and NIA, over attempt by 

EFCC operatives to arrest 

Ekpenyong and Oke in 

Abuja. 

Meanwhile, the face-off 

between Daura and Magu, 

yesterday , degenerated 

before the Senators and 

Journalists in Conference 

room 022, as both heads of 

government agencies 

refused to exchange 

pleasantries. 

At yesterday’s 

investigative hearing, 

Magu came into the hall at 

2.17 p.m., with his men, 

while Daura came in 30 

minutes later. 

Magu and his men were 

seated in the middle row of 

the hall, while Daura and 

his men sat at the left row 

and Dauda, the Acting 

Director General of NIA sat 

at the extreme right. 

A short drama played out 

when they both saw Magu 

on the front row, but Daura 

boycotted the row and 

instead, opted for another 

seat. They did not 

exchange pleasantries 

before the commencement 

of the business of the day. 

In a similar move, acting 

Director-General of NIA, 

Dauda, who walked in 

when the hearing was 

about to commence, also 

boycotted Magu’s seat and 

opted for another one. 

He did not exchange 

pleasantries with Magu 

either. 

Senate walks out Fashola for lack of budget 

documents 

By Henry Umoru 

ABUJA—THE Senate 

yesterday, walked out 

the Minister of Power, 

works and Housing, Mr 

Babatunde Fashola over 

what they described as his 

“unpreparedness to face the 

committee for his 2018 

budget defence.” 

The senate also took a 

swipe at the Rural 

Electrification Agency, REA 

, a parastatal in the 

Ministry of Power for 

planning to spend a total 

sum of N10 billion on solar 

power projects in nine 

universities in the six geopolitical 

zone of the 

country. 

This was raised yesterday, 

when the Managing 

Director of REA, Mrs 

Damilola Ogunbiyi 

appeared before the 

Senator Enyinnaya 

Abaribe(PDP, Abia South) 

led Senate Committee on 

Power, Steel Development 

and Metallurgy to defend 

the 2018 budget proposals 

of the agency. 

INEC registers 21 new 

parties, dismisses staff for 

double-registering Kogi Gov 

By Omeiza Ajayi 

A BUJA—THE 

Independent 

National Electoral 

Commission, INEC, 

yesterday, registered 21 

new political parties among 

them are, All Blending 

Party, ABP and Justice 

Must Prevail Party, JMPP. 

INEC also dismissed two 

of its staff and compulsorily 

retired another for 

engaging themselves in 

the double registration of 

Governor Yahaya Bello of 

Kogi State. 

On the court judgment 

regarding the Anambra 

Central Senatorial district 

election, INEC said it has 

applied for a Certified True 

Copy of the judgment to 

enable it take an informed 

decision. 

The commission arrived 

at these decisions, 

yesterday, in Abuja after its 

weekly meeting. 

The decisions were 

announced in a late 

evening statement by one 

of its National 

Commissioners and a 

member of its Information 

and Voter Education 

Committee, Mrs May 

Agbamuche-Mbu. 

The parties registered are 

All Bending Party, ABP, All 

Grassroots Alliance, AGA, 

Alliance for New Nigeria, 

ANN, Abundant Nigeria 

Renewal Party, ANRP, 

Coalition for Change, C4C, 

Freedom and Justice Party, 

FJP, Grassroots 

Development Party of 

Nigeria, and Justice Must 

Prevail Party, JMPN. 

Also registered were 

Legacy Party of Nigeria, 

LPN, Mass Action Joint 

Alliance, MAJA, Modern 

Democratic Party, MDP, 

National Interest Party, NIP, 

National Rescue Mission, 

NRM, New Progressive 

Movement and Nigeria 

Democratic Congress Party, 

NDCP. 

Also registered were 

People’s Alliance for 

National Development and 

Liberty, PANDEL, Peoples 

Trust PT, Providence 

Peoples Congress, PPC, 

Re-Build Nigeria Party, 

RBNP, Restoration Party of 

Nigeria, RP and 

Sustainable National Party, 

SNP. 

Ikoyi Cash: Court to hear suit 

on whistle-blowing payment 

January 17 

FOLLOWING the 

payment of the first 

tranche of the Ikoyi 

Osborne Tower cash recovery 

saga, a Federal 

High Court sitting in 

Abuja has adjourned till 

January 17, 2018 to hear 

a suit against Finance 

Minister and others over 

part payment of Whistleblowers 

entitlement in 

the sum of the $43.4 million, 

N23.3milion and 

27, 800 Euros recovered 

by the anti-corruption 

agency in the Flat 7, 

Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, 

Lagos through whistle 

blowing efforts. 

Other defendants are 

the Economic and 

Financial Crimes 

Commission, EFFC, 

Office of the Attorney 

General of the 

Federation, OAGF and 

three others. 

Trial judge, Justice 

Ijeoma Ojukwu is to hear 

the suit by one 

Abdulmumini Musa, 

who claimed to be one of 

the original Whistleblowers 

in which he 

prayed the court to stop 

the Minister of Finance 

from excluding him in 

the payment of the 2.5 

percent to five per cent 

of the Whistleblowing 

fees. 

Musa’s suit was sequel 

to the move by the 

Minister of Finance, Mrs 

Kemi Adeosun to pay a 

sum of N421m to the 

Whistle-blowers without 

the plaintiff benefitting 

despite the fact that joint 

efforts led to the recovery 

of the huge sum. 

Meanwhile, hearing 

notice has been served 

on all the six defendants 

in the suit. 

In the suit by 

A b d u l h a m i d 

Mohammed, the plaintiff 

claimed that he 

participated actively in 

the whistle blowing 

efforts that led to the 

recovery of the money by 

the EFCC. 

Other defendants in 

the suit are Bala Usman, 

Stephen Sunday and 

one Sheriff, all of Suite 

6, Kujre Oil and Gas 

Filling Station, Abuja as 

4th, 5th and 6th 

defendants respectively. 

Plaintiff in the suit 

claimed that he, 4th, 5th 

and 6th defendants’ 

jointly volunteered 

information to EFCC 

operatives which 

eventually led to the 

recovery of the huge 

local and foreign 

currencies.

10 — VANGUARD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 


Osinbajo, Gowon, Dogara, 

Adebayo attend Christmas 

Carol at Villa 

By Johnbosco 

Agbakwuru 

A BUJA——VICE 

President, Yemi 

Osinbajo, Speaker of the 

House of Representatives, 

Mr Yakubu Dogara, former 

Head of State, General 

Yakubu Gowon and the 

General Overseer of the 

Redeemed Christian 

Church of God, RCCG, 

Pastor Enoch Adeboye 

were among the Christian 

faithful that attended the 

Christmas Praise Concert at 

the Old Banquet Hall, 

Presidential Villa Abuja. 

Also present at the Carol 

were former Head of 

Over 600 doctors migrated from 

Nigeria in 2 years --- NMA 

By Chioma Obinna 

PRESIDENT of the 

Nigerian Medical 

Association, NMA, Prof 

Mike Ogirima, yesterday 

expressed worry over the 

spate of migration of 

medical doctors from 

Nigeria to other countries, 

revealing that over 600 

doctors had le ft between 

2016 and 2017. 

Ogirima who said the 

country had continued to 

maintain poor doctor: 

patient ratio of 1: 4000 

population, said the current 

migration was worsening 

the ratio. 

He challenged 

governments at all level to 

urgently address doctor’s 

welfare to check what he 

described as ‘dangerous 

Interim National 

Government, Ernest 

Shonekan, Secretary to the 

Government of the 

Federation, SGF, Boss 

Mustapha, the wife of the 

Vice President, Dolapo 

Osinbajo, the Head of 

Service of the Federation, 

Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita and 

some Ministers and 

Governors. 

General Overseer of 

RCCG, Pastor Adeboye 

delivered the Christmas 

Message at the concert. 

Members of the Federal 

Executive Council and top 

security Chiefs that are 

Christians rendered 

Christmas carols as well as 

the Federal Capita Territory 

School of the Blind Choir. 

trend. 

“In 2016, a total of 227 

doctors were reported to 

have migrated out of 

Nigeria. More often, the 

reasons are for better 

working environment. This 

has resulted into poor 

health indices for the 

country. “Presently, due to 

the continued brain drain, 

the country’s doctor-patient 

ratio is one doctor to 4,000 

patients. This is contrary to 

the one doctor to 600 

patient ratio recommended 

by the World Health 

Organisation, WHO. 

Ogirima spoke at the 

National Executive 

Council, NEC, 2017 

meeting of the NMA with 

the theme: “Exodus of 

Healthcare Professionals, 

Time To Act Is Now.'' 

Professionals must place 

employer's interest above self 

--- CIA 

L 

A 

By Oboh 

Agbonkhese 

G O S — 

PROFESSIONALS 

in all sectors must place 

public or employer’s 

interest above self. The 

absence of this selflessness 

has been a great challenge 

in the country, results of 

failures in corporate 

governance and inefficient 

administrative processes 

and procedures. 

This was the position of 

Dr. George Chima, 

President/Chairman of 

Council, Chartered Institute 

of Administration, CIA, at 

the institute’s induction of 

new members and annual 

general meeting in Lagos. 

According to Dr. Chima, 

“we read and hear about 

professionals who have 

abused their office and the 

confidence reposed in 

them. Poor corporate 

governance and inefficient 

administrative process and 

procedures are largely 

responsible for these 

unwholesome practices, 

which the Chartered 

Institute of Administration, 

CIA, is out to check and has 

continued to train and 

equip its members to 

effectively perform 

credibly.” 

Also, member, House of 

Representatives, Mr. 

Michael Omogbehin 

(Okitipupa/Irele), said the 

Federal Government and 

private sector need to liaise 

with CIA and take training 

seriously, which will lead to 

high capital development 

instead of cutting staff. 

2019 ELECTIONS: Politicians desperate to 

destroy us, CJN warns Judges 

By Ikechukwu 

Nnochiri 

ABUJA—Ahead of 

the 2019 general 

election, the Chief Justice 

of Nigeria, CJN, Justice 

Walter Onnoghen, 

yesterday, warned 

judgesin Nigeria to watch 

company they keep, saying 

saying politicians are 

desperate to destroy 

judges.. 

The CJN, who spoke in a 

keynote address at the 

Annual Conference of 

Justices of the Court of 

Appeal, in Abuja, noted 

that in the frenzied political 

activities leading to the 

general election, politicians 

would “do anything not 

necessarily legal, to have 

their way.” 

He said Judges must as 

a mark of responsibility, cut 

the supply-line of 

corruption in the judiciary 

by being conscious of the 

people they open doors to, 

saying it was the only way 

to insulate the judiciary 

from ridicule and 

embarrassment. 

According to the CJN: 

“The fight against 

corruption must be 

holistic. Consequently, we 

must address those issues 

that tend to distract the 

Judicial Officer, as well as 

removing from our midst, 

undesirable persons of 

questionable character. It is 

my firm believe that if we 

identify and remove them 

at the lower Courts, the 

appellate courts would 

have men of integrity, 

which in turn elicits 

From left; Perm Sec, Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, 

Yakub Basorun; President and CEO, GE Nigeria, Lazarus Angbazo; Lagos State 

Honorable Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Babatunde 

Durosinmi-Etti; and Country Senior Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers Nigeria, Uyi 

Akpata, at an event to mark the first anniversary of GE Lagos Garage in Lagos. 

Ambode names park after ex-Lagos deputy gov, Jafojo 

By Olasunkanmi 

Akoni 

L 

A G O S — 

GOVERNOR 

Akinwunmi Ambode of 

Lagos State, yesterday, 

commissioned a 

recreational park in 

Shasha, Alimosho Local 

Government Area in 

honour of late Alhaji 

Rafiu Jafojo, a former 

deputy Governor of 

Lagos State, as part of 

measures to immortalize 

him for his contributions 

to the development of 

the state and Alimosho. 

Jafojo, was a foremost 

Awori son, who together 

with the then Governor 

of the state, Alhaji Lateef 

Kayode Jakande, 

executed people’s 

oriented programmes to 

the admiration of 

residents. 

Ambode, represented 

by the Commissioner for 

Environment, Dr. 

Babatunde Adejare, 

explained that the 

honour was a worthy 

course justifying the 

administration’s 

commitment towards 

recognising past heroes 

who laboured to make 

Lagos the destination of 

first choice in the 

country. 

The dream and desire 

to transform Lagos into 

Africa’s industrial haven 

where individual 

economic and social 

aspirations can be met, is 

one of the cardinal policies 

of this administration. To 

the glory of Almighty 

God, I am happy to note 

that this is being fulfilled 

today. 

“This recreational 

park, christened Alhaji 

Rafiu Jafojo 

Recreational Park is one 

of such parks and this 

is to be dedicated to the 

recreational activities of 

the Awori community 

and the adjoining towns. 

“Just yesterday, 

(Wednesday) this 

administration 

commissioned the JJT 

Park in Alausa, Ikeja, in 

honour of three of our 

ACT sues NUC over accreditation of courses 

By Omolola 

Shobowale 

L 

A G O S — 

ASSOCIATION 

of Christian Theologians, 

ACT, has dragged the 

National Universities 

Commission, NUC, before 

a Federal High Court 

sitting in Lagos, 

challenging the insistence 

of the commission to 

accredit courses offered by 

faith based universities in 

the country. 

Also joined as a 

defendant in the suit is the 

Attorney General of the 

Federation and Minister of 

Justice. 

Meanwhile, the court, 

yesterday, adjourned till 

March 12, 2018 for 

continuation of trial. 

The plaintiffs suing 

through Prof Augustus 

Macaulay for himself and 

on behalf of United Bible 

University and 

Incorporated Trustees of 

ACT, are praying the court 

to declare that Nigeria, 

being a secular state by 

virtue of the provisions of 

Section 10 of the 1999 

Constitution, NUC lacks 

the power to regulate 

Christian education and 

theological education in 

Nigeria. 

They are through their 

counsel, Mr Kayode 

Oyedeji, asking the court 

perpetually restrain the 

defendants jointly and 

severally, their servants, 

agents or privies from 

harassing, disturbing, 

intimidating and or doing 

anything to affect the liberty 

of the First Plaintiff with 

respect to First Plaintiff’s 

activities at Unite Bible 

University, UBU, being 

regulated by the Second 

Plaintiff. 

They are also asking the 

court to declare that UBU 

being regulated by the 

second plaintiff is a non 

secular University and 

outside the purview of 

regulatory mandate of NUC. 

They are praying among 

others. 

confidence in the litigants 

who come before you. The 

newly inaugurated 

Corruption and other 

Financial Crime Cases 

Trials Monitoring 

Committee, COTRIMCO, 

led by Justice Suleiman 

Galadima, JSC (retd), has 

since commenced work.” 

past governors who laid 

the foundation of what 

Lagos is today. Rtd. 

Brigadier Mobolaji 

Johnson, Alhaji Lateef 

Kayode Jakande and 

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed 

Tinubu were some of our 

past heroes whose name 

were immortalised with 

the JJT Park. In order to 

achieve the Lagos of our 

dream, we therefore 

embarked on massive 

landscaping and 

greening projects, as 

well as establishment of 

more recreational parks 

and gardens with the 

ultimate desire to 

establish parks and 

gardens in all the 57 LGs 

and LCDA’s of the state.” 

* A Declaration that in view 

of the curriculum UBU 

being regulated by the 

second plaintiff, the said 

United Bible University is 

undertaking non secular 

education outside the 

purview and or regulatory 

powers of NUC. *A 

declaration that by virtue of 

the provision of section 10, 

38 & 40 of the 1999 

Constitution coupled with 

the objects of the Second 

Plaintiff the Second Plaintiff 

has the powers to regulate 

the activities of its members 

concerning Christian 

education and theology. 

* A declaration that NUC 

lacks statutory and 

constitutional powers to 

regulate Christian education 

and theological education in 

Nigeria.



PDP to APC: S/West leaders not driven by ethnic sentiments 

By Dirisu Yakubu 

A BUJA—PEOPLES 

Democratic Party, 

PDP, has warned the ruling 

All Progressives Congress, 

APC, to stop meddling in 

its affairs, saying its South- 

West members who 

contested the chairmanship 

position in last week’s 

convention were not driven 

by greed or ethnic 

considerations. 

The party, in a statement 

by its National Publicity 

Court declares ‘State of Osun’ illegal 

By Gbenga Olarinoye 

AN Osun State High 

court sitting in Ilesa, 

yesterday, declared that 

the change of the name of 

the state to the “State of 

Osun” by the Rauf 

A r e g b e s o l a 

administration is illegal, 

null and void. 

Delivering judgment in 

a case instituted by a 

human rights activist, Mr. 

Kanmi Ajibola, 

challenging the legality of 

the “State of Osun Land 

Use Charge Law”, Justice 

Yinka Afolabi ruled that 

the law and its makers 

were unknown to the 

1999 constitution. 

In his judgment that 

lasted more than one 

hour, the judge chided 

the state governor, Mr. 

Rauf Aregbesola for 

deliberately and singlehandedly 

renaming the 

state illegally contrary to 

the known norms and the 

nation’s constitution. 

He also declared that 

the makers of the law, who 

are currently serving as 

members of the State 

House of Assembly, were 

not sworn in as members 

of the “State of Osun 

Secretary, Kola 

Ologbodiyan, noted that 

the fixation of the APC in 

its internal affairs is an 

attempt to cover up its 

dismal record of 

performance in the past two 

years. 

The statement reads: 

“PDP has noted the feverish 

moves by the APC to create 

disaffection among our 

members, distract our great 

party, and divert the 

attention of Nigerians from 

the colossal failure of its 

House of Assembly” but 

as members of Osun State 

House of Assembly going 

by the seventh schedule 

of the constitution. 

Going through the 

history of state creations 

in Nigeria since 1962, 

Justice Afolabi stated that 

since the creation of the 

state in 1991, previous 

governments used the 

constitutional envisaged 

name, Osun State, while 

all the 35 states of the 

federation have not 

Falana faults Buhari’s UK medical trip 

By Rotimi 

Ojomoyela 

A DO-EKITI— 

Human rights 

lawyer and activist, Mr. 

Femi Falana, has said that 

the medical treatment of 

President Muhammadu 

Buhari abroad constituted 

a gross abuse of the rights 

of the less privileged and a 

sad reflection of class 

differences in the country. 

Falana, who noted that 

the President deserves the 

best treatment to sustain his 

mental ability and 

competence, said that since 

such benefit cannot be 

enjoyed by all Nigerians, 

government. 

“Having woefully failed 

to stop the PDP elective 

national convention, a 

desperate APC has again 

failed in another bid to 

plant seeds of discord 

within the ranks of our 

members in the South- 

West, particularly on issues 

relating to the outcome of 

our hugely successful 

national convention. 

“The people of the South- 

West have, however, seen 

through the antics of the 

deviated from the 

constitutional names 

given to them. 

“The executive governor 

of the state changed the 

name in 2011. The 

renaming of a state goes 

further and deeper for 

anyone to singlehandedly 

do. To re-order 

the name of Osun State as 

“State of Osun” is hereby 

declared as illegal, null 

and void. 

“On the oath of 

allegiance, I want to state 

it constituted an abuse of 

their rights of the less 

privileged. 

The lawyer called on the 

federal government to be 

responsible for the payment 

of ransom demanded by 

kidnappers for any 

kidnapped Nigerian, 

saying “the responsibility of 

government is to protect our 

lives and property.” 

Falana said this, 

yesterday, at Afe Babalola 

University, Ado Ekiti 

during the launching of a 

book entitled: ‘Financing 

Universal Health Coverage 

in Nigeria’ written by Dr. 

Olaofe Ogundipe. 

Falana expressed worry 

APC propaganda machine 

and would not allow 

themselves to be deceived. 

“The South-West leaders 

who contested for the PDP 

national chairmanship 

position are all men of 

quality and credibility; the 

fallout of the convention 

cannot, in any way, 

diminish their standing as 

core nationalists and 

statesmen whose interests, 

particularly in the PDP, and 

the nation, are not driven 

by personal or ethnic 

considerations.” 

BUDGET: Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi (left) and Speaker of the House of Assembly, 

Hon. Michael Adeyemo, during the presentation of the 2018 budget estimates to the House, in Ibadan, 

yesterday. Photo Dare Fasube. 

that the seventh schedule 

is part of the law. It 

is not a mere draft or 

mere oath. It does not 

give room for any alteration. 

After deposing to an 

oath of office, you cannot 

turn around to do otherwise”, 

the Justice Afolabi 

stated. 

Ajibola had canvassed 

that all businesses done 

in the name of “State of 

Osun” be declared null 

and void, saying such was 

done contrary to the 

constitution. 

that the president and other 

top Nigerians like the 

late Vice President, Dr. 

Alex Ekwueme could be 

hurriedly flown abroad for 

medical treatments, while 

Nigerian hospitals were illequipped 

thereby causing 

the death of poor Nigerians 

who suffer lesser afflictions. 

Falana, in a lecture, titled: 

‘The Justiceability of Health 

As a Human Right’, said 

Section 17 of the 

constitution and National 

Health Act 2014 made it 

imperative for the 

government to foot the 

medical bills of poor 

Nigerians, but it is not 

being implemented. 

It’s too late for leaders to pull 

out of PDP —Daniel, Ladoja 

By Emmanuel 

Aziken, Political 

Editor 

F 

O 

R M E R 

governors of 

Ogun and Oyo states, 

Gbenga Daniel and 

Rasheed Ladoja, have 

said it is too late for 

Southwest leaders of the 

Peoples Democratic Party, 

PDP, to contemplate 

leaving the party over 

the zone’s loss of the 

office of national 

chairman. 

Speaking separately 

when they hosted the 

Governor Seriake 

Dickson-led National 

Reconciliation 

Committee, the two 

governors affirmed that 

even though mistakes 

were made, they would 

not leave the party as they 

separately pledged to 

work towards the success 

of the party in the 2019 

elections. 

The Dickson 

Committee met with 

Ladoja in Ibadan and 

subsequently with 

Daniel in Lagos 

yesterday on its first day 

in the Southwest 

following talks with other 

leaders in Abuja. 

Both Daniel and 

Ladoja were national 

‘Fashola’s performance 

passes integrity test’ 

By Gabriel Olawale 

A pro-democracy 

organisation, 

Centre for Dignity in 

Governance, CDG, has 

said that the 

performance of 

Minister of Works, 

Power, and Housing, 

Mr. Babatunde Fashola 

(SAN), in office has 

passed dignity test. 

A statement from the 

group’s President, Mr. 

Razaq Olokoba said his 

organization has 

subjected Fashola’s 

performance to 

chairmanship contestants 

at last weekend’s 

convention of the PDP. 

Speaking when he 

received the committee in 

Ibadan, Ladoja said: “I am 

in politics to make Nigeria 

work. In 1999, they 

begged me to be the 

governorship candidate of 

the Alliance for Democracy, 

AD, and I refused. I 

wanted a mainstream 

party. I have seen it all in 

PDP both the ascension 

and descent. It is the 

people that make the party 

not the other way round. If 

we come together, we will 

make the government that 

the people deserve. We are 

back to PDP, and we will 

remain in PDP.” 

On his part when he 

received the committee in 

Lagos, Otunba Daniel 

said: “I want you to be rest 

assured that we will do 

everything that is humanly 

possible to make sure that 

our party, the PDP, 

succeeds. There is no 

doubt that there are issues. 

But I think the 

responsibility of our party 

and leadership is what you 

have demonstrated, that 

when we have challenges, 

rather than sit back, and 

brood over our challenges, 

you have stood up to do 

whatever is expected.” 

integrity test and he 

has passed, disclosing 

that, “the exercise is an 

annual event.” 

The group, therefore, 

advised President 

Muhammadu Buhari 

not to tamper with his 

winning team because 

nobody dismantles a 

winning team. 

The group’s position in 

was reaction to the call 

on the President to sack 

the minister along with 

others by the Centre for 

Anti-Corruption and 

Open 

CACOL. 

Leadership,


By Festus Ahon 

DELTA 

State 

governor, Dr 

Ifeanyi Okowa, has 

reeled out the 

achievements of his 

administration in job 


How we created 2,324 entrepreneurs, by Okowa 

•As Tambuwal hails DTSG’s empowerment scheme 

creation in what appears 

to be a scorecard of his 

administration’s youth 

empowerment 

programme in the last 

two years. 

Speaking at the 

inaugural Products 

Exhibition and Business 

Fair by beneficiaries of 

the state government’s 

Skills Training and 

Entrepreneurship 

Programme, STEP and 

Youth Agricultural 

Entrepreneurs 

Programme, YAGEP, the 

governor said that his 

administration has so far 

trained and established 

2,324 previously 

unemployed youths in 

enterprises of their 

choice. 

The beneficiaries, 

branded as STEPreneurs 

and YAGEPreneurs, 

were trained and 

established in various 

enterprises including 

but not limited to ICT, 

hair dressing and 

makeover, catering and 

confectionary, 

cosmetology, craft/home 

care products, 

decoration and event 

management, electrical 

installation and repairs, 

fashion design and 

tailoring, shoe making, 

upholstery, welding and 

fabrication and automechanic. 

The agricultural 

enterprises covered 

include aquaculture, 

poultry, crop production, 

agro-processing and 

piggery. 

Declaring the event 

open, Okowa said that 

the young entrepreneurs 

were taken through a 

three-phase training that 

included an orientation 

course, vocational skills 

training and 

Entrepreneurship and 

Business Management. 

Sokoto State governor, 

Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, 

Reps summon 9Mobile, others over alleged 

default in taxes 

By Levinus 

Nwabughiogu 

A BUJA—FOR 

allegedly failing 

to pay their statutory 

taxes and the required 

percentages of their 

profits to the Federal 

Government, the House 

of Representatives, 

yesterday, summoned 

the Managing Directors 

of 9Mobile, and others 

to appear before it. 

Chairman, House of 

Representatives Ad -hoc 

Committee investigating 

the operations of 

telecommunications 

service providers, 

equipment and 

vendors, Mr. Ahmed 

who toured the 

exhibition stands with 

Okowa expressed 

delight at the creativity 

and industry of the 

young exhibitors, who 

he said were set to add 

value to the economy of 

the state. 

Abu conveyed the 

message at a hearing at 

the National Assembly 

complex. 

Attah flays ministers, govs, NASS 

over federal roads 

By Favour 

Nnabugwu 

FORMER governor 

of Akwa Ibom State, 

Obong Victor Attah, 

yesterday, said corrupt 

ministers, governors, 

National Assembly 

members and state 

governors contribute to 

the increasing number of 

federal roads across the 

country. 

Speaking at the 2nd 

Annual Stakeholders’ 

Workshop on Road and 

Mass Transit operations 

in Nigeria, Attah said the 

trio turned constituency 

projects, village roads to 

federal roads, thereby 

creating problem of 

management of those 

roads and make it 

impossible for the Federal 

Government to maintain 

them.

Y 



Edo revenue reforms increase LGAs' IGR from 

N30m to N150m monthly 

By Simon Ebegbulem 

B 

E N I N — 

GOVERNOR 

Godwin Obaseki of Edo 

State has said that the 

reforms by his 

administration in the 

revenue sector are yielding 

fruits as Internally 

Generated Revenues , IGR, 

in local government areas 

have increased from N30 

million in November 2016 

to N150 million in 

ANNIVERSARY—From left: Felix Amoruwa, Kingsley Oniwaje, President, Ugbajo Itsekiri, USA; 

Dr. Mejuya Okorodudu and Dr. David Agbowu, stakeholders of the four days free eye care to eliminate 

cataract from Warri, Delta State, to commemorate the 2nd year coronation anniversary of the Olu of 

Warri. 

Why we're yet to swear in Adonomo after 

S-Court judgment —Edo Speaker 

By Simon Ebegbulem 

B ENIN—SPEAKER 

of Edo State House 

of Assembly, Alhaji 

Kabiru Adjoto, yesterday, 

gave reasons why Mr. 

Godwin Adenomo, who 

the Supreme Court last 

week declared the 

authentic lawmaker 

representing Ovia South 

West constituency of Edo 

State in the state House 

of Assembly, after sacking 

Mr Sunday Aghedo, was 

yet to be sworn in as a 

lawmaker. 

He explained that the 

House was yet to receive 

the court judgment to 

enable it effect the 

swearing-in. 

It will be recalled that 

Adenomo had gone to the 

court after he believed that 

he was the authentic 

candidate of the All 

Progressives Congress, 

APC, in the April 11, 2015 

House of Assembly 

election but his name was 

November this year. 

Obaseki disclosed this 

when he inaugurated the 

Edo State Council of 

Traditional Rulers and 

Chiefs, at the Government 

House, in Benin City. 

He explained that the 

appreciable rise in revenue 

collection was a result of 

various institutional 

reforms being 

implemented in the state, 

noting that the use of 

substituted with that of 

Aghedo. 

Following the Supreme 

Court ruling which also 

ordered the sacked 

Aghedo to return the 

salaries he collected for 

the period to Mr 

Adenomo, Speaker Adjoto 

said: “We are only waiting 

for the court papers to 

swear in the House of 

automated systems, such as 

Point of Sale, POS, 

machines, tax vouchers, 

among others, had 

revolutionised revenue 

collection in the local 

councils. 

Noting that the increased 

revenue profile had made 

local councils buoyant and 

now able not only to meet 

their statutory obligations, 

but also contribute to 

development, the governor 

Assembly member. There 

is no problem at all just 

that the procedures have 

to be followed. Nobody 

can disobey the ruling of 

the Supreme Court. We 

will do as directed by the 

court.” 

Meantime, the Speaker 

has announced the recomposition 

of the 

Principal Officers of the 

said the state took a 

methodological approach 

in attaining the feat with 

IGR, as it conducted pilot 

study in nine locations in 

Oredo Local Government 

Area to make the concept 

operational. 

He said: “When we 

conducted the study, Oredo 

LGA used to remit N42,000 

a day, but after we 

introduced electronic 

devices, that sum climbed 

to N500,000.” 

House. 

Mr Sunday 

Osazenwingie, 

representing Ovia North 

East constituency 1, is 

now Deputy Leader of the 

House while the member 

representing Egor 

constituency, Crosby 

Eribo, was co-opted into 

the Principal Officers 

Council. 

Emir of Kano commissions projects at UNIBEN 

By Gabriel 

Enogholase 

B ENIN—AUTHO- 

RITIES of University 

of Benin, UNIBEN, have 

commissioned the first 

phase of completed projects 

at the institution's newly 

developed Site B, Ugbowo 

Campus. 

Emir of Kano and 

Chancellor of the 

University, Muhammad 

Sanusi II, commissioned 

the projects at the Ugbowo 

Campus during the 43rd 

Convocation Ceremony of 

the University. 

A statement by the Public 

Relations officer, PRO, of the 

University, Mr. Michael 

Osasuyi, listed the projects 

at Site B to include two 

football pitches at the sports 

complex, gulf course, 

veterinary offices for staff, 

veterinary laboratory and a 

Botanical garden to boost 

research and scientific 

studies on animal welfare. 

He said: "The feat is in line 

with the 5-year 

development plan of the 

university under the 

leadership of the Vice- 

Chancelor, Prof. Faraday 

Orumwense, few years 

ago, towards expanding 

the frontiers of learning and 

teaching.” 

He further disclosed that 

the projects were funded by 

Federal Government's 

Tertiary Education Trust 

Fund, TETFUND, and 

NEEDS assessment, 

internally generated 

revenue, IGR, from 

UNIBEN and UNIBEN 

Alumni Association. 

Delta lawmaker alleges 

threat to life 

By Perez Brisibe 

U GHELLI— 

CHAIRMAN, 

Committee on Works in 

Delta State House of 

Assembly, Evance 

Ivwurie, has raised the 

alarm that his life is in 

danger as a contractor 

(name withheld) who his 

committee ordered to 

refund monies paid to his 

company, allegedly 

threatened to kill him. 

Ivwurie, who is also the 

member representing 

Ethiope East in the 

House, explained that he 

has briefed his lawyer 

and is also appealing to 

security operatives to 

ensure the safety of his 

life and members of his 

family. 

The lawmaker, in a 

statement yesterday, also 

denied media reports 

that he made “unholy 

demands” from the 

contractor saying: “I dare 

him to make public the 

CCTV footage which he 

claims to have, as was 

published in some 

sections of the media. Such 

demand as allegedly 

claimed by the contractor, 

would only have been 

made in his own 

imagination and I urge 

him to explain what he 

meant by unholy demands. 

“I have made public the 

text messages he sent to 

me, offering me and 

members of my committee 

“Welfare Package” to 

compromise us which I 

rejected in my reply text to 

him. When his attempts to 

compromise the committee 

failed, he resorted to 

character assassination 

and made threats to my 

life." 

Rivers chiefs demand apology 

from APC for allegedly 

denigrating monarch 

All Progressives 

Congress, APC, for an 

alleged denigration of 

His Royal Majesty, King 

Ateke Tom. 

This was disclosed in a 

statement yesterday in 

Port Harcourt by the 

Chairman, Media and 

Publicity Committee of 

the kingdom, Elder 

Samuel Iyoyo. 

The statement read in 

part: “The attention of the 

chiefs, elders and good 

people of Okochiri 

Kingdom have been 

drawn to an inscription on 

a flex banner which reads, 

‘WIKE IS MAKING 

CRIMINALS KINGS’ 

with the pictures of HRM 

King Ateke Tom, boldly 

displayed on the flex 

during a Pro-SARS rally 

organized by the APC in 

Rivers State. Okochiri 

Kingdom condemns this in 

its entirety and in strong 

terms. The damaging, 

malicious, provocative, 

insultive and self-serving 

inscription was intended to 

malign and dent the 

reputation of His Royal 

Majesty, who for over a 

decade has sacrificed his 

time, resources and 

sustained peace in Okrika, 

Rivers State and Niger 

Delta in general.” 

Help protect our assets, P-Harcourt 

Refinery begs Rivers community 

By Egufe 

Yafugborhi & Davies 

Iheamnachor 

By Davies 

Iheamnachor 

PORT 

HAR- 

C O U R T — 

CHIEFS and Elders of 

Okochiri Kingdom in 

Okirika Local 

Government Area of 

Rivers State have 

demanded apology from 

PORT 

HAR- 

COURT—PORT 

Harcourt Refining 

Company Limited, 

PHRC, has pleaded with 

its Eleme host 

communities, Eleme 

Local Government Area, 

Rivers State, to help 

protect oil installations in 

the area. 

PHRC made the plea 

yesterday when it 

opened a two-day 

medical outreach for the 

host communities at 

Nchia, Ogale as part of 

its Cooperate Social 

Responsibility with over 

3,000 persons benefitting. 

Managing Director, 

PHRC, Shehu Malami, 

represented by the 

Manger, Administration, 

Martins Toluhi, told the 

communities that oil assets 

were the nation’s key 

source of wealth just as 

destroying them 

endangers public health. 

Malami said: “We call on 

our host communities to 

continue on the part of 

peace and negotiation 

using the Joint 

Community Relations 

Committee platform to 

resolve differences on 

issues that may arise in the 

course of our relationship."

C 

M 

YK 


TRADITIONAL WEDDING BTW MISS AMATARE BOZIMO & KOFI RICHARD NANA 

The traditional marriage ceremony between Kofi Richard Nana and Miss Amatare Deborah Miracle Bozimo, daughter of exminister 

of police affairs, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo held at Effurun, Delta State. PHOTOS BY AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE 

Alaowei Broderick Bozimo (right) presenting a glass of water to his son-in-law. Kofi 

Richard Nana signifying his fatherly blessings for his daughters marriage while his 

wife, Barr.(Mrs.) Joyce Bozimo and Amatare Deborah Miracle Bozimo watch. 

From left; Prof. John Pepper Clark, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark and 

Sir Victor Uwaifo, MON, JP. 

Alaowei Broderick Bozimo; with Justice Roseline 

Bozimo, Director National Judicial Institute (right) 

and Barr. Joyce Bozimo, mother of the bride. 

From right; Ex-Minister of Defence (State), Chief Rolland 

Oritsejafor, Mrs. V. A. Oritsejafor, Madam Georgetete Essien, 

mother of the groom and Mrs. Susan Opurum. 

The couple and Governor of Delta State, Dr 

Okowa, 

ERELU ABIOLA DOSUNMU & FAMILY’S XMAS CAROLS OF THANKSGIVING SERVICE 

HRH Erelu Abiola Dosumu, Erelu Kuti IV of Lagos and family celebrate with friends the annual Festival of Christmas 

Carols of Thanksgiving Service at her Tiamiyu Savage St, V.I, Lagos residence. PHOTOS BY SHOLA OYELESE. 

From left; Mrs Ngozi Are; Mrs Alice Da Silva; Ademide (Erelu’s daugther); 

Erelu Abiola Dosumu and Mrs Ronke Docemo (Erelu’s sister.) 

From left; Mrs Vicky Adande; Carol Ibru; Msgr. Anthony Obanla and 

Rev. Fr. Marcel Igirigi, CMF. 

From left; Chief Funlola Okunowo; Dr. Idika 

Kalu and Mr Wale Edun. 

Cross section of the Carols choir. 

Chief Femi Majekodunmi (left) and Dr Jimi 

Agbaje.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017—15 


FG, French Embassy, AFD sign $60m 

infrastructure agreement in Imo State 


O WERRI—FRENCH 

Embassy in Nigeria 

has signed $60 million 

financial agreement with 

the Federal Ministry of 

Finance, through the 

support of French 

Development Agency, 

AFD, to fund the 

implementation of the 

Rural Access and Mobility 

Project, RAMP II, in Imo 

State. 

According to the 

Ambassador of France to 

Nigeria, His Excellency, 

Mr Denys Gauer, the 

financial commitment will 

help build competitive and 

diversified economies that 

bring about development in 

the country. 

Gauer regretted that the 

rural areas, with nearly 

two-thirds of the population 

live below the poverty line. 

“This situation is mainly 

due to the inaccessibility of 

these areas, and to the 

difficulties encountered by 

farmers in selling their 

produce in markets. 

“The RAMP and its 

extension to Imo state cofinanced 

by AFD and the 

World Bank will make rural 

areas more accessible and 

improve transport 

conditions for their 

population. 

Deputy Director of the 

French Development 

Agency, AFD, office in 

Nigeria, Mr André Hue 

said the project will allow 

Imo State to rehabilitate 300 

km of rural roads and to 

build 15 river crossings as 

well as put in place an 

institutional scheme for 

their maintenance, 

involving user 

communities. 

Hue disclosed that the 

objectives of AFD in 

Nigeria are dedicated to 

two main goals which are 

to support a competitive 

economy that creates jobs 

and wealth, and to 

contribute to building a 

shared and resilient 

development. 

“Since its opening in the 

country in 2008, the 

Agence Française de 

Développement has been 

involved in several sectors 

such as water, energy, 

transport and rural 

development, as well as 

supporting the private 

sector. To date, its support 

to Nigeria amounts to about 

$ 1.3bn." 

CP tasks Enugu communities on criminals 

intelligence information 

By Chinedu 

Adonu 

E 

N U G U — 

COMMISSIONER of 

Police in Enugu State, Mr 

Mohammed Danmallam, 

has urged members of the 

Police Community 

Relations Committee, 

PCRC, to do more in 

volunteering intelligence 

information on criminals in 

the state. 

Danmallam made the call 

while flagging off the multipurpose 

secretariat of the 

PCRC, Enugu State Police 

Command, at the police 

headquarters, Enugu. 

He noted that although 

Enugu remained one of the 

safest states in the country, 

there was need for the 

command to be ahead of 

miscreants and hoodlums. 

“I must appreciate you 

people on behalf of the 

Inspector General of Police, 

Mr Ibrahim Idris, for all the 

support you have been 

giving to the command and 

its divisional police 

headquarters in the state. 

“As well, this special 

project of a multi-purpose 

secretariat would definitely 

CONFERENCE: From left—Mr Deremi Atanda, Executive Director, 

SystemSpecs, owner of Remita; Mr Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman/CEO, 

Zinox Technologies; Mrs Toluleke Ademosu, MD, Accenture Financial 

Services; Mr Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, Managing Partner, Grand 

Central Nigeria; and Mr Valentine Obi, CEO, E-Transact Nigeria at 

the African Fintech Foundry, AFF, Disrupt Conference 2017, in Lagos, 

yesterday. 

add value to the command 

and to the lives of its officers 

and men. 

“However, we want you 

people to do more in terms 

of volunteering intelligence 

information on criminals 

and their syndicates in your 

localities; which will help 

the command nip crime in 

the bud and be far ahead 

of these miscreants,” he 

said. 

The commissioner said 

that the multi-purpose 

secretariat, when 

completed, would open a 

new vista of relationship 

between police officers and 

members of the public. 

“We look forward to a 

more robust partnership 

with the PCRC as well as 

assuring you people of the 

•As experts call for complete rehabilitation 

command’s support to see 

to the completion of this 

multi-purpose secretariat,” 

he assured. 

Earlier, the state’s Police 

Public Relations Officer, 

PPRO, SP Ebere Amaraizu, 

said that the PCRC multipurpose 

Secretariat would 

be the first of its kind in the 

country. 

FAAN begins palliative repair on Enugu runway 

By Lawani Mikairu 

ENUGU—THE Federal 

Airport Authority of 

Nigeria, FAAN, yesterday 

commenced palliative 

repair work on the runway 

of Akanu Ibiam 

International Airport, 

Enugu. This is just as 

aviation experts are calling 

on FAAN to carry out 

complete rehabilitation of 

the runway like it was done 

on Abuja runway instead of 

wasting money on 

“palliative repairs”. 

Confirming the 

commencement of the 

palliative works 

yesterday, Mrs Yakubu 

Henrietta, General 

Manager, Corporate 

Affairs, FAAN, said that in 

line with Standards And 

Recommended Practices, 

the Authority has requested 

the Nigerian Airspace 

Management Agency 

,NAMA, to issue a Notice 

To Air Men, NOTAM. 

Henrietta said: “The 

Federal Airports Authority 

of Nigeria wishes to notify 

air travellers and the 

general public that with 

effect from today, 

Thursday 14th 

December, 2017, the 

Authority will embark on a 

palliative repair work on 

the runway of Akanu Ibiam 


Enugu. 

“The first phase of the 

repair work will commence 

on the 14th to 21st 

December 2017, while the 

second phase will be from 

the 27th December 2017, to 

4th January, 2018. There 

will be skeletal operations 

at the airport while the work 

is ongoing as the runway 

will open for operations 

from 0700 hours local time 

till 1500 hours local time on 

the proposed dates. 

“ This is to enable the 

contractor have ample daylight 

working hours in 

order to obtain stable and 

even runway surface, while 

also completing the work 

within the stipulated 

timeframe." 

Dangote partners Abia on 

youths' employment 

By Anayo Okoli 

U MUAHIA— 

DANGOTE group 

of companies has provided 

the sum of N18.5 million as 

seed money towards the 

establishment of Dangote 

Education For Employment 

(E4E) Job Center in Abia 

state as part of the group’s 

effort to provide jobs to 

Nigerian youths. 

Speaking at the ground 

breaking ceremony of the 

Center located within the 

premises of the Isiala Ngwa 

North Council 

Headquarters, Okpuala 

Ngwa, Alhaji Aliko 

Dangote, represented by 

the Company’s Head- 

Compensation & Benefit, 

Mr. Charles Obera, 

explained that the gesture 

was in support for Governor 

Okezie Ikpeazu’s initiative. 

According to him, 

sponsoring the building of 

the Job Center House, was 

a demonstration of the 

Dangote Group towards 

human capacity building in 

Nigeria, particularly in Abia 

state. 

The state deputy 

Governor, Rt. Hon. Ude 

Oko Chukwu who 

represented Governor 

Okezie Ikpeazu said that 

the center was in line 

with the administration’s 

pledge to offer technical 

and vocational training to 

100,000 unemployed Abia 

youths to enable them 

acquire the necessary skills 

for self reliance and wealth 

creation. 

The government, he said 

would replicate the center 

in all the 17 Local 

Government Councils of 

the state. He commended 

the coordinator of the state 

E4E program, Mr. Endi 

Ezengwa for his 

doggedness, commitment 

and diligence to the E4E 

implementation. 

In his remarks, Ezengwa 

while commending the 

gesture by the Dangote 

group in funding the 

building of the center, 

explained that the center 

would provide job seekers 

with necessary information 

on available jobs, where 

they are, how to apply and 

prepare Curriculum Vitae. 

He further explained that 

the Dangote Job Center has 

six functions, namely: to 

provide continuous 

updates of the data of 

unemployed youths and 

other relevant 

demographics; support job 

seekers to access E4E Job 

portal and other 

recruitment systems; 

funding opportunities for 

entrepreneurs; prepare 

and support youths for job 

interviews and or 

presentation of proposals 

for contracts, among others. 

Anambra Central: Umeh 

dismisses Justice Tsoho’s ruling 

•Says he’s preparing for rerun poll 

By Vincent Ujumadu 

A WKA—FORMER 

National Chairman of 

All Progressive Grand 

Alliance, APGA, and 

candidate of the party for 

the rescheduled Anambra 

Central Senatorial rerun 

election, Chief Victor Umeh 

yesterday, dismissed the 

ruling by Justice Tsoho of 

the Federal High Court, 

Abuja, who directed the 

Independent National 

Electoral Commission, 

INEC, to issue certificate of 

return to Chief Obiora 

Okonkwo of the Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP, as 

the senator–elect for 

Anambra Central. 

Justice Tsoho gave the 

ruling following the 

withdrawal of the parties to 

the pre-election suit 

instituted by Okonkwo in 

which he claimed that he 

was the validly nominated 

candidate of PDP. 

But speaking at the flag 

off of his campaign 

yesterday in Awka, Umeh 

described the ruling as a 

non issue, adding that 

following information from 

INEC, he was already 

preparing for the January 

13, 2018 rerun election. 

He said: “The Court of 

Appeal, on 7th December 

in Enugu ruled that PDP 

did not conduct any 

primary and for that reason, 

nullified the Anambra 

Central election of 2015 

and also disqualified the 

candidate of the party, Mrs. 

Uche Ekwunife. 

“Ekwunife dragged the 

matter to the Supreme 

Court and failed because 

the decision of the Court of 

Appeal was the final court 

for the national assembly 

election. You will recall that 

all the aspirants for the 

election conducted their 

primaries in different 

places such that PDP could 

not produce any valid 

candidate. 

“One of the aspirants 

even went to court after the 

primaries and the court 

asked the party to refund 

him the deposit he paid to 

the party because there was 

no primary. Since the court 

had nullified the 2015 

election, I therefore wonder 

how the election was said 

to have been won by 

Okonkwo in which he 

expected to be declared 

senator –elect."

C 

M 

Y 

K 

16 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 

COMMISSIONING: From left: Divisional Head, Corporate Banking, First City Monument Bank, 

FCMB, Mrs. Folake Fajemisin; Managing Director of the Bank, Mr. Adam Nuru; Chairman and Chief 

Executive, Petrolex Oil and Gas Ltd, Mr. Segun Adebutu; Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and 

Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, during the commissioning of Petrolex's 300 

million-litre capacity tank farm financed by FCMB, at Ibefun, Ogun State. 

SEMINAR—From left: Deputy Managing Director, Special Duties, Mr Mutiu Bello, Guest Speaker, 

Prof. Shaffideen Amuwo and MD/CEO, Lagos State Signage & Advertisement Agency, LASAA, Mr 

Mobolaji Sanusi during the seminar titled "Ethics, Anti-corruption and institutional development" 

organised by LASAA in Lagos. 

INVESTITURE: From left: Patience Ehizogie Anabor, Deputy President, Nigerian Institute of 

Management (Chartered), Prof. Olukunle Iyanda, President and Chairman of Council, NIM, Emeritus 

Prof. Munzali Jibril, outgoing President, NIM and Major. Gen. Abdullahi Iyanda Muraina, National 

Treasurer, NIM, during the investiture of the 21st President of NIM in Lagos. 

Gov Ambode reveals secret 

to success 

By Fredrick 

Okopie 

LAGOS—THE Lagos 

State Governor, Mr. 

Akinwunmi Ambode, 

yesterday, said, that the 

secret to success in the 

public sector administration 

in Lagos State is by placing 

premium on the welfare 

and capacity of its human 

resources, and all its 

seemingly daunting tasks 

that can be satisfactorily 

discharged in order to 

faithfully execute her 

responsibilities. 

Mr. Ambode, revealed 

this during the award 

ceremony in his honour by 

the Chartered Instituted of 

Personnel Management of 

Nigeria, CIPM, saying any 

careful observer would 

know that the Lagos State 

Government has been 

heavily investing in the 

training and re-training of 

her most valued resourcethe 

civil servants in Lagos 

State. 

How new technologies boost 

businesses—Vodafone MD 

By Tare Youdeowei 

L AGOS—AS 

Technologies such 

as Internet of Things (IoT) 

and Big Data Analytics 

continue to transform and 

disrupt the business world, 

the Managing Director of 

Vodacom Business 

Nigeria, Lanre Kolade, has 

called on Nigerian 

Businesses to adopt new 

technologies to drive 

productivity and efficiency 

to remain competitive. 

Speaking at the recently 

held Business Day CEO 

Forum Nigeria 2017, an 

annual thought leadership 

initiative in collaboration 

with McKinsey & Co, 

Kolade said: “Technology 

such as IoT enables growth 

across business sectors. 

Today, many organisations 

Cleric urges Nigerians to 

be productive 

By Olayinka 

Latona 

LAGOS—DIRECTOR of 

Operations for Africa, 

Kingsword Ministries 

International, Pastor Tunde 

Akinyemi has charged 

Nigerians to develop the 

ability to be productive, to 

build a strong and virile 

country. 

Akinyemi made the call 

while addressing 

journalists during a press 

conference to herald the 

forthcoming Supernatural 

Convention of the Church 

tagged: ‘’On Eagles Wings: 

No Ordinary Fight’’, which 

opened from Sunday, 10th of 

December through 17, Dec. 2017 

at the church Nigeria 

headquarters, Oregun, Lagos. 

The cleric said it is time that 

According to him: “the 

Lagos State Government 

believes that its human 

resources are the most 

important and valuable of 

all its resources, is not 

merely an attempt to be 

‘politically correct.’ But 

rather, it is the result of a 

rigorous and reasoned 

inquiry into why and how 

organisations succeed or 

fail.” 

He said that luckily for 

Lagos State, it has, at this 

point in history, an 

administration that is 

wholly and totally devoted 

to advancing the agenda 

for making Lagos one of the 

best-served states in terms 

of the quality of the Civil Service. 

It also have an institute that 

has demonstrated the 

commitment and capabilities to 

provide the technical input and 

impetus required to realise this 

noble agenda. 

The Governor, was represented 

by the Commissioner, Lagos State 

Ministry of Establishments, 

Training and Pensions, Dr. 

Akintola Oke. 

are using this technology 

to cut costs, reduce risk, 

increase revenue and 

efficiency”. 

Businesses in the Africa 

are gradually adopting IoT, 

with Nigeria being one of 

the leading IoT markets in 

Africa. This adoption 

is driven by the increasing 

availability of affordable 

smart devices, coupled 

with the need for 

enterprises to deliver 

shareholder value. 


Vodafone’s Global IoT 

barometer report 2017, the 

adoption of IoT has grown 

significantly from 12% in 

2013 to 29% in 2017 and 

49% of these adopters use 

IoT in conjunction with 

analytics to improve 

business decision-making. 

Nigerians do away with ethnicity 

and religion diffrences but rather 

join hands in building a united 

nation to attract more 

development to the country. 

He challenged Nigerians to 

arise, do what is right at all times 

and depart from corruption that 

had seriously affected the nation 

and embrace the word of God. 

The cleric further urged the 

government and other 

stakeholders to empower the less 

privileged in the society. 

In his words: "The church 

should take up social initiatives 

by feeding the poor and 

empowering the youths by giving 

some of them scholarship. 

“I believe that if everyone is 

involved, it would reduce the 

nation's challenges and make 

Nigeria a better place for 

everyone."

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 —17 

THERE have, in recent 

days, been nationwide 

rallies and social media 

campaigns both for and 

against the Special Anti- 

Robbery Squad, SARS, a 

branch of the Police Force. 

SARS looms especially 

large in my home state, 

Rivers, which is always 

more politically polarized 

than any other state in the 

Nigerian Federation. 

Supporters of the PDP 

Governor, Nyesom Wike, 

have accused SARS of 

multiple crimes, including 

murder and electoral 

fraud, and called for the 

squad to be scrapped. 

Meanwhile, Wike’s 

opponents - supporters of 

APC stalwart and former 

Governor, Rotimi Amaechi 

- insist that SARS is doing 

a great job and should be 

left alone. 

One of the stars of this 

toxic drama is Akin 

Fakorede, the increasingly 

famous SARS boss in 

Rivers State. Fakorede has 

fans who want him to stay 

put and detractors who are 

furiously demanding his 

dismissal and prosecution. 

I have not done any 

research into Fakorede’s 

activities, so have no idea 

whether he is guilty or 

innocent. But I feel very 

strongly that when senior 

law enforcers become so 

SARS operatives in conference 

The Sars drama 

•Governor Nyesom Wike 

controversial within a 

particular context, they 

should be transferred. 

When Amaechi was the 

•Chibuike Amaechi 

Governor of Rivers State, 

he felt oppressed by 

Joseph Mbu, the Police 

Commissioner at the time. 

Mbu was said to be close 

to Amaechi’s presidential 

enemies during the run-up 

to the 2015 election…and 

to be following a script 

that was focused on 

humiliating and 

disempowering Amaechi. 

Mbu of course denied the 

political bias allegations 

that were directed at him 

and said that he was just 

doing his job and not 

helping any one faction. 

According to him, he 

wasn’t ready to be 

anyone’s lackey. 

Whether one believed 

Mbu or not, he became too 

central and visible a 

player in the conflict 

between the Governor and 

those who sought to mess 

him up. And I 

recommended at the time 

that he should be 

transferred to another 

state. 

I feel the same way about 

Fakorede now. I don’t 

know him or have anything 

against him. And it’s 

possible that if I ever meet 

him, we will get on like a 

house on fire. But it really 

doesn’t matter whether he 

is good or bad or a bit of 

both (like most human 

beings). What matters is 

that he has become the 

story. 

His name frequently 

features in lurid 

headlines. Many people 

suspect him of not being 

neutral and of being 

chronically compromised 

and of not being capable of 

delivering even-handed 

treatment to all of the 

political groups in Rivers 

State. 

Even if these accusations 

are false and unjust, 

Fakorede needs to move 

on and be replaced by 

someone who generates 

fewer suspicions and 

allegations and headlines. 

Unethical ? 

LAST week on this page, I 

said that I hoped that Prince 

Uche Secondus, a family friend, 

would be elected as the Peoples’ 

Democratic Party, PDP, Chairman. 

A Vanguard reader called Usman 

Abudah (08023397100) was so 

incensed by my pro-Secondus 

write-up that he sent me the 

following text messages: 

I suggest to the Editor to please 

take the trouble to check the kind of 

items columnists present. You 

nearly caused me headache with 

that unethical usage. Please be 

advised not to abuse the freedom 

given you by the paper. Did Uncle 

Sam [Vanguard Publisher] see that 

bit or approve its usage? Please 

watch it and never misuse your 

column in future. I have an option 

to stop buying Vanguard. 

Dear Donu, your column was 

grossly and unprofessionally 

utilised with your piece on 

Secondus. You could as well take a 

full page to campaign for him rather 

than abusing the column of the 

Vanguard. You are lucky that I am 

not the publisher or majority 

shareholder. I would have sacked 

you. You have reduced the 

reputation of Vanguard in the 

estimation of thousands of 

responsible readers. 

While conceding that it is a free 

world and that readers have every 

right to be irritated or angered by 

some or all of the contents of this 

page, I feel that Mr Abudah has 

been very unfair to me and my 

superiors (my Editor and 

Publisher). 

Columnists are not morally 

obliged to sit on the fence or 

professionally obliged to bend over 

backwards to be objective and 

dispassionate. We are not news 

reporters who are required to 

provide impartial coverage of 

current affairs. 

Individuals become columnists 

precisely because they are 

opinionated by nature. And, sure, 

opinionated individuals can be 

annoying; but they have their uses 

and are hired by print and broadcast 

media outlets to liven things up and 

say/ write stuff that stimulates 

debate, provokes thought or 

inspires emotional responses. 

Columnists are, if you ask me, not 

supposed to be bland and are 

entitled to comment subjectively 

about any issue under the sun and 

to support (or criticise!) anyone or 

anything we regard as worthy of 

support or criticism. 

As it so happens, my piece on 

Secondus was pretty short and 

didn’t wax lyrical at great length 

about his strengths. But even if I 

had filled this entire space with 

lavish compliments, so what? One 

of the perks of this job is that you 

can occasionally praise, in public, 

living or dearly departed chums 

and relatives! 

Anyway, I didn’t seek or receive 

any payment from Prince Uche 

Secondus and he didn’t ask me to 

endorse him and I doubt that the 

PDP Convention delegates who 

had the power to elect or reject him 

were influenced by my soppy 

sisterly endorsement. And I will 

be surprised if “thousands of 

responsible readers” share 

Abudah’s view that I have 

undermined the reputation of 

this newspaper. 

And Secondus won. And I’m 

glad. 

Responses to: 

donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk 

or to 0802 747 6458 OR 0811 

675 9752 (texts only). 

PLEASE KINDLY NOTE 

THAT UNLESS YOU 

REQUEST ANONYMITY, 

YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE 

PUBLISHED, WITH YOUR 

NAMES AND CONTACT 

DETAILS ATTACHED. 

C 

M 

Y 

K


BUT for the unassailable 

fourteen-point dominant 

lead Nigeria stamped on the 

earlier touted “zone of death”, the 

Group B of Africa’s World Cup 

qualification efforts, the nation 

could have been thrown into deep 

mourning after it was sanctioned 

by the Federation of International liable for having breached 

Football Associations (FIFA) on Article.55 paragraph.1 of the FIFA 

Tuesday, December 12, 2017. Disciplinary Code and article 8 

FIFA had announced the of the 2018 Regulations of the 

deduction of three points from our FIFA World Cup Russia. “The 

fourteen points and awarded them match played within the frame of 

to Algeria over the fielding of an the preliminary competition of the 

ineligible player, Shehu 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia 

Abdullahi, in the final leg of the between Algeria and Nigeria on 

qualification for the tournament 10 November 2017 is declared to 

which will hold in Russia in 2018. be lost by forfeit by Nigeria (3- 

Abdullahi was given a one-match 0).” 

ban which he had not served Nigeria was also fined 6,000 

when he was drafted to play in Swiss Francs or N2.2 million. 

the second leg of Nigeria’s away Luckily and happily, the 

tie against Algeria. 

deduction did not affect our 

FIFA ruled as follows: “The standing at the top of the log as 

Nigeria Football Federation is Nigeria had already qualified for 

the tournament before the Algeria 

Nigeria’s escape from World Cup disaster 

match. 

This kind of blunder which 

escaped the attention of the 

coaches led by Gernot Rohr and 

also the Technical Department of 

the Nigerian Football Federal 

(NFF) is as unconscionable as it 

is potentially dangerous. If the 

country had had a narrow lead, 

its qualification could have been 

nullified. The euphoria that is still 

the toast of our football circles 

would have been cut short. It 

would have been a massive 

shocker in the soccer world where 

Nigeria has established a 

foothold as a major force from the 

African continent. 

Such a turn of events could have 

sparked off riots leading to the 

destruction of lives and property 

in view of the deep love Nigerians 

have for football which stands as 

perhaps the only unifying factor 

for the citizenry. The mistake of 

a few unconscionable officials 

could have reversed the thrill of 

our most commanding world cup 

qualification in history. 

Our football house has remained 

a sorry symbol of the general 

incompetence 

and 

unwholesomeness of our public 

institutions, which is why the 

country is so poorly governed. 

The NFF has been severally 

sanctioned by FIFA for age 

cheating, bribery, corruption and 

other misdemeanours. 

We call on the football governing 

body to probe and punish those 

responsible for the blunder. It 

should wake up from its slumber, 

clean up its acts and give 

Nigerians the quality football 

administration they deserve. 

C 

M 

Y 

K 

By Akintola Benson-Oke 

THE Lagos State Government under 

the leadership of Mr. Akinwunmi 

Ambode, has long demonstrated its full and 

unalloyed commitment to its pensioners, to 

the government’s pension obligations and 

to the implementation of all the provisions 

of the Pension Reform Act of 2004. Therefore, 

I am here today on behalf of His Excellency 

to thank the organisers of this programme 

for the Award for Excellence on Pension 

Matters given to the Lagos State 

Government. 

In addition to expressing the gratitude of 

the government and people of Lagos State, I 

am also here to re-state, on behalf of the 

governor, the continuing and irrevocable 

commitment of this present administration 

to the welfare of pensioners, the dutiful 

discharge of pension obligations, and the 

regular reform and retooling of the 

government’s pension systems from time to 

time and as the exigencies of the times may 

demand. 

I am pleased to note that the theme of this 

event is wide enough to encompass the 

intersections between government policies 

and the level of returns on the investment of 

pension and insurance funds. The theme, 

Government Policies as it Affects Various 

Investment Options of Pension and 

Insurance Fund, clearly shows that the 

organisers are well acquainted with the 

interests that should be catered for in order 

to have a robust and sustainable pension and 

insurance system. 

I wish to briefly reiterate the convictions 

that ought to be deeply appreciated and kept 

in view by all the stakeholders in the pension 

administration system. These convictions 

relate to the holistic and multiplier benefits 

that a properly managed and administered 

pension system has to offer all stakeholders. 

I propose, therefore, to briefly address in a 

OPINION 

Pension matters and award for excellence 

panoramic manner, the general benefits of 

the enabling law that anchors the Lagos 

State Government’s award winning pension 

system. 

First, the Lagos State Pension Reform Law 

allows for the maintenance of a Retirement 

Savings Account by each employee, which 

gives the workers responsibility over their 

retirement savings. Pensioners will no longer 

be at the mercy of employer, and participants 

are assured of regular payment of retirement 

benefits. 

Furthermore, workers could choose how 

to allocate their retirement savings and 

diversify their investments over a range of 

investment instruments. It is also argued 

that personal accounts would provide all 

workers a higher rate of return than can be 

paid under the Direct Benefit plan. This 

approach also affords participants an 

opportunity to pass wealth to survivors in 

The Lagos State 

Government thus 

demonstrated its 

virtuous moral compass 

the event of death. 

In addition, RSA maintained by millions 

of workers tend to generate massive longterm 

funds, which are available for 

investment. Owing to economies of scale, 

the cost of investing such funds tends to be 

relatively lower than if an individual worker 

were to undertake the investment on his or 

her own account. Finally, having a pension 

scheme that pays out benefits in the form of 

a life annuity affords workers with protection 

against longevity risk, by pooling mortality 

risk across others. 

On a holistic note, the provisions of the 

law encourage labour market flexibility. The 

worker is free to move with his account as 

he/she moves to another place of 

employment and/or residence. In this way, 

it is an important tool for enabling workers 

and employers to adapt to changing 

circumstances especially in a global 

environment in which change is a constant 

aspect of social and economic life. 

The government also stands to enjoy 

benefits under the law. The law will stem 

further growth of pension obligations and 

provide a platform for addressing this 

liability. It will also impose fiscal discipline 

in the budgetary process because pension 

obligations would be accurately determined. 

Also, the health of the economy is always a 

major concern of the government. Thus, 

aside from the law’s potential to promote 

national savings and by implication, 

economic growth, funded pension schemes 

have the capacity to promote capital market 

development. Moreover, it is often argued 

that funded schemes have the capacity to 

promote economic reforms generally. 

Another area in which the government 

stands to benefit from the law is through the 

scheme’s ability to support the overall 

macroeconomic policies of reform. The last 

two decades have witnessed a growing 

support to the idea that enterprises are better 

run by private individuals and the role of 

government should be limited to providing 

a conducive regulatory and institutional 

framework that will enable the private sector 

to thrive. Many countries around the world 

have adopted privatization as an avenue for 

reform and have often employed similar laws 

to support the process. This law will thus 

facilitate such reforms better than the prior 

arrangement. 

Before the 2004 Federal Pension Reform 

Act, most state governments and companies 

in Nigeria operated under the Defined 

Benefits Pension Scheme, popularly referred 

to as the ‘Pay as You Go’ scheme. This scheme 

relied on methods that utilised the 

parameters of length of service to determine 

the final emoluments of employees. The 

benefits were thus easily calculated by 

employees. Broadly speaking, employees 

who had spent five to nine years in service 

were entitled to a lump sum payment 

referred to as gratuity, while those who had 

spent ten years and more were entitled to 

both the gratuity and monthly pension 

payment. 

The available data and documented 

history reveal that the model woefully failed 

as a result of the inability or wilful refusal of 

employers to budget for and/or properly 

utilise funds to service pension obligations. 

The Lagos State Government considers it 

morally reprehensible for any employer to 

neglect or refuse to plan and cater for the 

retirement benefits of its employees who 

gave the prime of their active years to the 

employing institution. 

The Lagos State Government thus 

demonstrated its virtuous moral compass 

such that, under the administration of Mr. 

Ambode, in particular, the Lagos State 

Government has faithfully honoured its 

obligations under the Law. The vehicle for 

demonstrating this commitment has been 

the Lagos State Pension Commission, 

LASPEC, which was established as a 

corporate entity to regulate, supervise and 

ensure the effective administration of 

pension matters in the Lagos State Public 

Service. The passage of the law itself was in 

response to the new model and standards of 

pension administration formulated under 

the federal Pension Reform Act 2004. 

continues Online @www.vanguardngr.com 

Being text of speech delivered by Dr. 

Benson-Oke, Lagos State 

Commissioner for Establishment, 

Training & Pensions on the conferment 

of award on the State govt by 

Peninscope Professional Warranty Ltd.

C 

M 

Y 

K 

2017 Markets Updates: CSCS clears, settles 

N13.86 trn shares 

By Peter Egwuatu 

The Central Securities 

Clearing System, CSCS Plc 

has cleared and settled over 1.2 

billion units of shares worth 

N13.86 trillion between January 

and November 2017. 

Managing Director/CEO, Mr. 

Haruna Jalo-Waziri, who disclosed 

this on the sideline of a 

workshop for capital market correspondents 

in Lagos said activities 

are beginning to pick up in 

the equities market. 

He disclosed that the capital 

market requires infrastructure that 

would help boost recoveries, adding 

that the CSCS has been providing 

and improving on facilities 

to investors since its existence. 

He stated that the Financial 

Market Infrastructures (FMI) are 

like human backbone, stressing 

that a well functioning market 

infrastructure contributes to the 

stability and growth of the financial 

system. 

According to him: “They enable 

fast and smooth movements, 

channel relevant information – 

settlement information, protect the 

channels for the transmission and 

reduce risk.” 

Jalo-Waziri also stated that FMI 

can lead to dysfunctions in the 

financial market; misleading information 

and disturbed information 

channel; as well as systemic 

risk. 

He also disclosed that arrangement 

has been put in place for 

investors to secure loans from 

banks with their shares in the 

custody of CSCS. 

Outlining the procedure, he 

stated: “Investors who wish to 

secure loan from the banks can 

use their shares with the custody 

of the CSCS as collateral. What 

investor needs to do is to apply 

and notify the CSCS and then 

agreement will be signed among 

the parties. The CSCS is involved 

in payment system as it deals with 

sets of instruments, 

infrastructures, procedures, and 

rules for the transfer of funds 

between and among 

participants.” 

CURRENCY BUYING SELLING 

US DOLLAR 

POUNDS 

EURO 

FRANC 

YEN 

CFA 

WAUA 

RENMINBI 

RIYAL 

SDR 

$118.95 0.00 

$1,892.00 4.00 

$13. 90 0.05 

$62.68 0. 24 

56.55 -0.05 

305. 3 305.8 306.3 

407.8808 408.5488 409.2168 

358.4222 359.0092 360.5962 

307.8242 308.3283 308.8324 

2. 6941 2.6986 2.703 

0.5285 0.5385 0.5485 

430.0964 430.8008 431.5052 

46.1267 46. 2027 46. 2787 

81.4047 81.538 81.6713 

430.7783 431.4838 432.1893 

RAND 22. 3994 22. 4361 22.4728 

CBN Exchange rate as at 14/12/2017 

•From left, Divisional Head, Structured Assets, Heritage Bank, Mr. Kehinde Olugbemi; Winner, 

The NEXT TITAN NIGERIA Season 4, Mr. Kennedy Iyeh and Divisional Head of Strategy, 

Heritage Bank Plc, Mr. Segun Akanji, during the star prize presentation of N5 million and a 

brand-new Ford Ranger to Iyeh, which Heritage Bank was the lead sponsor of the Next Titan 

Season-4 in Lagos. 

Electricity: Firm seeks to end crisis 

through bamboo revolution 

•To establish 40 power stations in Nigeria 

By Ediri Ejoh 

IN a step forward against 

current power crisis 

bedevilling the country, Suxe 

International Ltd has pledged to 

end the crisis through the 

conversion of power from 

bamboo. 

Speaking in an exclusive chat 

with Vanguard, the Chief 

Executive Officer, Trevor David 

Smith, said the bamboo 

revolution is a step towards 

ensuring a light up Nigeria and 

providing job opportunity for the 

people. 

He stated: “We intend to 

generate power from bamboo 

and sell to the Nigeria people at 

a cheaper rate. We 

intend to uplift the 

country and the 

communities away from 

current power crisis. We intend 

establishing 40 power stations in 

Nigeria. 

“We intend having all workforce 

Nigerians and just the manager 

coming from my company. As it 

worth, we are going to train 

Nigerians and make sure they are 

equipped to be able to run the 

system after five years of our 

installation and practice.” 

Asked why investing in Nigeria, 

Smith explained: “We brought the 

solution to Nigeria as the first in 

Africa. Power stations are not 

working on renewable energy and 

grid system. What we are waiting 

for is to carry out a test with the 

bamboo which would show 

independence in power generation 

away from oil, gas or coal.” 

He added that the company was 

not calling for financial support 

other than the land and the people 

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 — 19 

to work. 

“We are to begin by January 

2018. All that is needed is to get 

the land. Nigeria is our target 

for the project. From the bamboo 

we would grow, power would 

be generate from them,” he 

added. 

Speaking on issues 

confronting the power sector in 

the country, Smith noted: “There 

are two issues hampering the 

development of power in 

Nigeria. The first is corruption 

which has been identified and 

is been tackled by the 

government, while the second 

is the power industry system. 

“The biggest fault in the power 

sector is trying to make a 

national grid. This is the fault of 

the designers. We usually put 

power stations where there is 

fuel which is not the best.’ 

NCC to direct service providers to roll 

over costumers’ unused data 

By Davies Iheamnachor 

THE Nigerian Communications 

Commission, NCC, has said that it is 

worried over the inability of internet users to 

utilize their leftover data after expiration date. 

The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. 

Umar Danbatta, who spoke during the NCC 

special day in the ongoing 2017 Port Harcourt 

International Trade Fair, noted that it was bad 

for internet users to lose their remaining data 

at expiry date, adding that there was need for 

the internet providers to begin to rollover data 

balances. Danbatta, who was represented by 

Mr. Bashir Idris, Head of Projects, NCC, said 

that the protection of customers was one of the 

8-point agenda of the Commission, adding that 

the move, if achieved, will add value to the 

consumers of telecommunications services. 

Danbatta stated: “On this issue of data roll 

over, the Commission will soon issue a directive 

to the service providers to give 14 days window 

to the subscribers to enable them roll over their 

unused data, even if they do not renew on the 

expiration of data. 

“In order words, this will stop the current 

practice where subscribers lose their entire 

unused data if they fail to renew on the data of 

the expiration of the current subscription.” 

He called on the zonal offices of NCC to take 

the message to the grassroots through NCC 

conversation channel, noting that service 

consumers should be given the attention of 

resolving their problems. 

VAIDS success 

depends on 

taxing high 

networth 

individuals 

—Don 

By Nkiruka Nnorom 

THE success of the Voluntary 

Assets and Income 

Declaration Scheme, VAIDS, will 

depend on the ability of the 

government and the tax 

authorities to capture more high 

net-worth individuals who 

control over 80 percent of the 

nation’s resources. 

Prof. Abiola Sanni of the 

Department of Tax Law, 

University of Lagos who made 

this known at a training 

workshop organised by the 

Federal Ministry of Finance for 

tax professionals in Lagos during 

the week, said more attention 

should be paid to this category 

of people if the government 

intends to rake in more money 

through the VAIDS. 

He said that as critical as the 

informal sector is, less emphasis 

should be placed on the sector, 

which he said is already heavily 

taxed and levied. 

He explained that already, 70 

Community Tax Liaison Officers, 

CTLOs, have been deployed 

nationwide to assist the states in 

enforcing tax compliance in the 

informal sector. 

He stated: “The weakness of 

our system is the over 

concentration on the middle class 

who are already over taxed 

through various means. The 

informal sector is very large and 

critical and arrangement has 

been made to bring in the sector 

into the VAIDS. 

“While the informal sector is 

very important, but for VAIDS to 

be very successful, we must look 

at high networth, a very few 

individuals who control large 

resources. In nations where the 

tax system works, they focus 

more on those people because a 

single super rich billionaire can 

pay much more than all of us put 

together.” 

He, however, said that 

upcoming general election in 

2018 as well as the nation’s level 

of tax development could pose a 

challenge as the tax authorities 

may decide to soften their stance 

on VAIDS before the expiration 

of the deadline in March 2018. 

He said that the implication of 

non-compliance is that all the 

promises on offer like waiver of 

interest, waiver of penalty, which 

could amount to over 31 percent 

of someone’s outstanding tax 

obligation, would be forgone. 

“Also the tax authority can then 

move in and audit and ensure 

that the principal, interest and 

penalties are paid. In addition, 

they can prosecute and that is 

the real risk,” he added. 

Earlier in his welcome 

remarks, Mr. Babatunde Fowler, 

Executive Chairman, Federal 

Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, 

said that the FIRS has identified 

over 500 high networth 

individuals who are noncomplaint 

and have written to 

them to key into the exercise.


By Theodore Opara 

Peugeot 301 retains Car of the Year 

award in Nigeria 

FOR the second successive 

year, Peugeot 301 has won 

the Nigerian Car-Of-The-Year 

(COTY) Award during an Award 

Night held by Nigeria Auto 

journalists at the prestigious Eko 

Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos. 

The 301 Midlife beat other 

rivals, the Nissan Almera and 

Kia Rio to grab the prestigious 

award. 

The award winning Peugeot 

301 Midlife sedan is an 

upgraded version of Peugeot 

301 that won the same award 

last year. The competitively 

priced and locally assembled 

sedan with trappings of comfort 

and safety is a blend of 

contemporary looks, reliability, 

quality and exceptional value 

adoptable to Nigeria terrain. 

The Peugeot 301 which is now 

one the most preferred cars in 

the market is fitted with an 

advanced Pure Tech Engine. 

The Nigeria Auto Journalists 

Award is the local veesion of 

the traditional global automotive 

industry award conducted by the 

motoring journalists in different 

countries and regional markets 

of the world to recognise the 

achievements of industry 

operators in different categories 

and across segments and vehicle 

categories. 

In Nigeria, the awards is 

conducted through an 

exhaustive criteria by a jury 

of leading automotive 

journalists in the country and 

given to vehicles assembled 

and/or imported into Nigeria 

by the Nigerian Auto Journalists 

Association ( NAJA). In his 

remark, the Managing Director 

of PAN Nigeria, whjo was 

represented at the occasion by 

the General Manager, Mr. Bawo 

Omagbitse attributed the 

success of Peugeot 301 Midlife 

to the brand heritage of quality 

and value with his team 

commitment to International 

standard and adherence to 

world best practices, 

similarly, he commended 

NAJA for organizing such a 

credible event. 

The Managing Director who 

was also honoured as the 

CEO of the Year by the 

•L-R Shepuya Icha, Head, Sales and Marketing Peugeot Nigeria, Mr Ogunsipe, Oluwalogbon 

Motors, Suleiman Suleiman, Zonal Sales Manager Southwest Peugeot Nig.Mr.Bawo 

Omagbitse,GM Strategy, Sales & Marketing Peugeot Nig.Chief. Oladele Benson Roadtruckers, 

Haroun Malami, Head, Corporate Communications Peugeot Nigeria. 

Transportation challenges: Bajaj Qute 

four-wheeler to the rescue 

THE face of the first and lastmile 

transportation in 

Nigeria, currently dominated by 

the two and three-wheeler cycles 

is set to change with the launch 

of the Bajaj QUTE in Lagos over 

the weekend, by Metropolitan 

Motors. 

The QUTE is a four-wheeler 

new age Quadricycle defined by 

weight, power and Speed which 

Motoring Journalists noted 

that the award will spur him 

to work harder to position the 

company among the best in 

the continent. 

The PAN boss has within the 

last few years of assuming office 

transformed the company. 

gives it advantage over the 

tricycle and motorcycle markets. 

Like a car, it is spacious and has 

an enclosed body structure. Its 

high-end technology equips to 

run at a restricted speed of 

70kmph. 

To operators, it will be the most 

economical and therefore 

profitable segment because of its 

low-cost of operation arising from 

its light body weight and optimal 

size of engine. Fuel 

consumption is highly efficient at 

36km per a litre. 

The product was launched by 

the Executive Governor of Lagos 

State, represented by the Director, 

Public Transport and commuter 

Services in the State Ministry of 

Transportation, Mr. Bunmi 

Odukoya. The Governor hailed 

the management of Metropolitan 

Motors for their foresight and 

right timing in introducing the 

QUTE into the market as the 

product is in sync with the Lagos 

State Government’s broad 

strategy on Public transportation 

reform and Bus replacement 

programme. He reiterated the 

program’s objectives of replacing 

the yellow buses with high and 

medium capacity buses of 80 and 

40 combined seating and standing 

Porsche ends 

2017 with 

most 

remarkable 

model line-up 

REPRESENTING a year of 

major milestones for 

Porsche Middle East and Africa 

FZE, 2017 saw the kick-off of an 

unprecedented product 

offensive, with the 

announcement of several new 

Porsche sports cars, resulting in 

an ever-growing choice for 

customers across the region. The 

last 12 months saw the arrival of 

the new generation Panamera, 

including the fastest model in the 

series, the new Panamera Turbo S 

E-Hybrid. The brand’s iconic 911 

range saw new additions in the form 

of the 911 GTS range, 911 Turbo S 

Exclusive Series and 911 GT3. 

Furthermore, dealer organizations 

across the Middle East, 

Africa and India opened up order 

books for several other new models 

set to arrive in early 2018, including 

the highly anticipated third 

generation Cayenne, the recordbreaking 

911 GT2 RS, an all-new 

Panamera Sport Turismo, 718 GTS 

range as well as the refined 911 

Carrera T. 

Deesch Papke, Chief Executive 

Officer at Porsche Middle East and 

Africa FZE, commented: “2017 has 

been a true showcase of Porsche’s 

evolution, resulting in the most 

diverse selection of sports cars in 

our history. 

capacities respectively, whereby 

the QUTE fits in as the first and 

last-mile vehicles in the valuechain 

and presents an effective 

replacement for the tricycles and 

motorcycles (Keke) that are already 

posing safety and security 

deathtraps to the commuting 

public. 

The Governor confirmed that the 

Bus programme is divided into 

phases and Phase 1A which is 

Ikeja-Lagos is expected to come 

upstream in May next year with 

the arrival of the first tranche of 

buses ordered by the State 

Government. He announced that 

the Bus depot which is purpose 

built for this programme, which 

includes facilities for ‘Park & ride’ 

is ready for use, while the bill to 

legislate the policy into law has 

been sent to the State House of 

Assembly. 

In his speech, the Managing 

Director, Metropolitan Motors, Mr. 

Olutoyin Okeowo signposted his 

Company’s readiness to partner 

with the State Government and 

other State and Federal Agencies/ 

stakeholders to alleviate the 

suffering of the commuters by 

providing affordable transportation 

that promotes safety, security and 

convenience.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 — 21 

Ade Ojo honoured as Icon of Nigeria 

Auto Industry 

F OREMOST 

industrialist and 

automobile business 

legend, Chief Michael 

Ade Ojo has been 

honoured with the 

prestigious award of Icon 

of the Nigerian Auto 

Industry by the Nigerian 

Auto Journalists 

Association.. 

Chief Ade Ojo is the first 

to be honoured with the 

prestigious award which 

the chairman of the 

association described as a 

very rare award by the 

association. 


Chairman of the 

Association, Mr. Frank 

Kintum, the honour was in 

recognition of chief Ade 

Ojo’s contributions to the 

Nigerian auto industry 

which spans over four 

decades. 

He described Ade Ojo, 

who is the founder of 

Elizade Nigeria Ltd., and 

Chairman of Toyota 

Nigeria Ltd as a man of 

honour. 

“Ade 

Ojo’s 

contributions and 

•From left: Mr Frank Kintum, Chairman NAJA, Chief Michael Ade Ojo, 

Icon of Nigeria Auto Industry, Felicia Izuora, representing the DG National 

Automotive Design and Development Council, and FRSC Lagos Sector Commander, 

Mr. Hyginus Omege at the NAJA awards. 

experience in the 

nation’s automotive 

industry span many 

decades, yet he has been 

carrying out his business 

in most transparent 

manner worthy of 

emulation.” 

“This is a rare award as 

he is the first player in 

the industry to be 

honoured in this 

category and it is well 

deserved,” he said. 

Apart from the 

automobile industry, Ade 

Ojo has also invested in 

other sectors of the 

economy, including 

insurance, real estate, 

telecommunications 

education and shipping. 

He recently established 

a university, Elizade 

University in his country 

Infinity Tyres settles 

in Lekki 

FRONTLINE tyre, battery 

and other auto 

accessories distributor, 

Infinity Tyres Limited has 

commissioned a new service 

and sales outlet in highbrow 

Lekki area of Lagos state. 

Located right inside the 

Heyden Petrol Station, just 

by the Victoria Garden City 

(VGC) entrance on the ever 

busy Lekki-Epe expressway, 

the branch will offer 

customers “the premium 

sales and service experience 

they are accustomed to”. 

Speaking during the 

commissioning, the 

Managing Director of 

Infinity Tyres Limited, Mr. 

Arshi Chadha said the 

•Infinity Tyres management team at the new service 

centre in Lekki 

company is ready to offer 

well-tailored services to 

customers with ultramodern 

equipment in a 

very conducive atmosphere. 

According to him, the 

opening of the opening of 

the sales and service outlet 

marks the beginning of a 

long term relationship 

between Infinity Tyres 

Limited and Heyden 

Petroleum, one of the 

biggest petrol stations in the 

country. 

Also speaking, the 

Managing Director/CEO of 

Heyden Petroleum, Mr. 

Adedapo Abiodun, noted 

that his company which 

ventured into the 

downstream petroleum 

market about three years 

ago, is very discerning in 

selecting other brands 

offering complementary 

services and products. 

Hence, confirmed that 

Infinity Tyres has the right 

pedigree and products. 

He said “the Infinity 

brand is a strong brand that 

will complement our brand, 

I am sure you will do very 

well”.

22—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 

No going back on domestication of 

emerging technologies – Onu 

By Emmanuel Elebeke 

The Minister of Science and 

Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu 

says there is no going back on his ministry's 

plan to domesticate emerging technologies 

to drive forensic auditing, artificial 

intelligence, robotics and data protection 

in the country. 

The minister disclosed this on Monday 

when he received members of African 

Information & Communication Technology 

Alliance (AFICTA) in Abuja. 

He said the ministry would create an 

enabling environment for business development 

that will ensure Nigeria plays 

a dominant role in the new world. 

Onu promised to utilize Information 

Communication Technology ICT, effectively 

for the growth of Nigeria’s econo- 

Airtel wants more nominations for 

Touching Lives Season 4 

By Tare Youdeowei 

Stating that there is nothing 

more fulfilling than giving to someone 

who can’t give to you in return, Airtel 

Nigeria has called for nominations to commence 

Touching Lives Season 4, at the 

company’s head office in Banana Island. 

The call was made by the CEO, Airtel 

Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya who said 

that despite the economic situation, Airtel 

still wants to 

touch lives; 

“A few 

months ago 

we had an 

internal debate 

on 

whether or 

not to do this 

again, we 

were a bit 

concerned 

about the 

economic situation 

but I 

said to myself 

and my 

colleagues agreed with me, that we 

shouldn’t use the economy as an excuse 

not to do good. So we decided to launch 

this fourth edition.” 

Asserting that Airtel is not seeking more 

Now, innovators get platform to 

meet investors 

By Jacob Ajom 

The centrality of the inter 

net in modern business has been 

made more relevant with the introduction 

of mypeopleconnect.com, an application 

designed to serve as a meeting point between 

idea owners, innovators and investors. 

Launched recently at the Innovation 

Centre, Lekki, owners of the platform, 

PisonVision Global Solution Ltd., said 

mypeopleconnect.com will provide answers 

to the question of finding financiers 

and investors for innovations. 

“We noticed that there are youths who 

want to take their destinies in their hands. 

There are also many people looking for 

where to invest their money. With this application 

we have bridged the gap between 

them,” said Akinsoji Bello of Cyberfix, 

the web designers hired to design 

my. 

He added that Nigeria was gearing 

up to domesticate and play an active 

role in Forensic auditing, artificial intelligence, 

robotics and data protection. 

The minister also noted that no nation 

ever attained greatness by depending 

on other countries for technology. 

He said that the Alliance should 

harness abundant resources to create 

billionaires and make the nation proud. 

Earlier in his address, the Chairman 

African ICT Alliance, Dr. Jimson Olufuye 

said the Alliance was working to 

ensure that the business environment 

remained green for investors 

Olufuye said there was need for stable 

internet so as to enable good business 

opportunities in Africa and the 

world at large. 

outlets or looking to boost sales, Ogunsanya 

implored; “We want to touch lives 

where it pinches the most, in their darkest 

moment. Nominations for communities, 

individuals, projects to support or 

lives that need to be touched can be sent 

by dialling short code 367 or sending an 

email to touchinglives@ng.airtel.com.” 

Calling on organisations and well meaning 

individuals to touch lives wherever 

they find 

themselves, 

the CEO said; 

“”In this season 

4, we seek 

to impart 

more lives. 

And as we 

talk about it, 

hopefully, 

other companies 

would be 

encouraged 

to do so as 

well. We cannot 

do it 

alone, government cannot do it alone, I 

believe in the government, NGOs and 

companies’ ability to create an impact that 

will help a lot more people out of poverty. 

We hope that by doing this many other 

companies would join us in what we do.” 

the app. 

Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer, 

PisonVision Global Solution Ltd, Femi 

Okikiola said, “It is a simple app open to 

both idea owners and investors. 

Mypeopleconnect.co provides a broad 

platform where idea owners and financiers 

meet, no matter where they are in 

the world. Once the idea is marketable 

both parties can network.” 

Okikiola was happy to note that some 

invetors had identified with the platform, 

thus; “In order to popularise the new app, 

we adopted the referral method as a marketing 

strategy. We offer a token to users 

who introduce the platform to others. This 

app will challenge youths to channel their 

time more productively. Our long term focus 

is to create a media base that can compete 

with any of the already established 

social media platform the world over." 

350 Billion Naira worth of agriculture produce 

will pass through Lagos Airport in the next 10yrs 

ABX World Managing 

Director, Captain 

John Okakpu on 

Wednesday, in Lagos, 

said more than 350 

Billion Naira worth of 

agriculture produce will 

be exported through the 

cargo section of the 

Muritala Muhammed 


Lagos ,in the next 

10years considering the 

level of success and 

acceptance of Nigeria’s 

agriculture produce 

exported to Europe this 

year. 

Recall that in October 

this year, Anambra State 

Government in 

partnership with ABX 

World, exported the first 

agriculture produce from 

its revolution project, 

which started last year, to 

Europe. 

The products, which 

were exported through 

the cargo section of 

Murtala Mohammed 


Lagos, included yams, 

potatoes, pineapples, 

okra, pumpkin leaves, 

and bitter-leaf. 

Captain Okakpu while 

speaking with newsmen 

in Lagos on the occasion 

of his birthday said a huge 

success was recorded this 

year in terms of 

agricultural export which 

used to be the main stay 

of Nigeria’s economy. He 

explained that Nigeria 

farmers, particularly 

those from Anambra, 

have keyed into the new 

agricultural revolution 

currently going on in 

Nigeria. 

He said: “This year has 

been very remarkable in 

terms of agricultural 

export. Agriculture used 

to be the main stay of 

Nigeria economy. I thank 

God for the knowledge 

we have been able to 

pass on to the farmers and 

the awareness we have 

created. Please I enjoin 

Nigerians to come with 

me and let us move to 

where we belong.” 

He added that,” Next 

year is going to be a 

remarkable year. Though 

there are little issues to be 

resolved by the 

government. There are still 

some agriculture products 

that are still under ban list 

by the federal government. 

I am happy that the 

National Assembly is 

reviewing some of the laws 

governing exportation of 

agriculture produce”. 

On international 

acceptability of Nigeria 

produce, Okakpu said : 

“The market has 

Arik Air resumes Abuja- 

Calabar, Abuja-Uyo routes 

Arik Air, is increasing its 

capacity ahead of 

Christmas and New Year 

celebrations to enable 

customers celebrate the 

festive season with family 

and friends. 

The capacity increase 

which will boost our key 

domestic routes, especially 

in the South East and 

South South zones, takes 

effect from December 15, 

2017 and runs through 

January 14, 2018. 

According to Mr 

Adebanji Ola, PR & 


Manager, “the main 

highlights of the new 

schedule is the resumption 

of Abuja-Calabar and 

NAHCO’s CEO promises positive change 

The 

Managing 

Director/Chief 

Executive Officer, 

Nigerian Aviation 

Handling Company Plc 

(nahco aviance), Mr. 

Idris Yakubu, has 

promised to lead the 

Dana Air, SPG unveil Christmas 

and New Year Packages 

Dana Air and the 

Starwood Preferred 

Guests hotels have 

partnered to offer 25% 

discount on air tickets to 

suit the holiday needs of 

family, friends and 

individuals this 

Christmas and New 

year. 

This partnership entails 

guests to book a room at 

any of the SPG hotels – 

Sheraton Abuja Hotel, 

Sheraton Lagos Hotel, Le 

Meridian Ogeyi place, 

Port Harcourt, and Four 

Points by Sheraton Lagos 

to get an amazing 25% off 

their next flight with 

attitudinal change and a 

fresh drive for excellence 

that the company 

requires to move it to the 

next level. 

Speaking when he 

held his maiden meeting 

with staff at the Head 

Dana Air. 

Speaking on the 

partnership, the 


Manager of Dana Air, Mr 

Kingsley Ezenwa said ‘its 

Christmas, and families, 

friends will be planning 

special getaways, and 

to lessen the burden of 

having to pay far more, 

we have decided to 

partner the SPG hotels to 

unveil these amazing 

Christmas and New year 

offers. With these special 

offers on hotel and flight 

ticket, our guests can plan 

conveniently, get best 

fares and enjoy the 

season.” 

already accepted our 

products. What we did 

early last year was to take 

it to them for test to see if 

it is acceptable. Now we 

have gone through the 

process of certification of 

the farmers because 

everything about food in 

Europe and any part of the 

world is safety. Global 

Gap is the network that 

controls all the 

supermarkets in the 

North America and 

Europe and once you 

have their certification, 

the market is 

guaranteed.” 

He also appealed to the 

federal government to 

assist farmers to obtain 

single digit interest loans 

and provide the 

necessary logistics to 

make farming attractive 

to young Nigerians as the 

nation is yet to tap half of 

its agricultural potentials. 

Abuja-Uyo routes which 

were suspended earlier in 

the year. Arik Air will be 

flying daily from Abuja to 

Uyo and five times a week 

from Abuja-Calabar”. 

Similarly, the airline has 

increased the frequency 

between Lagos-Calabar, 

Lagos-Uyo, Lagos-Enugu, 

Lagos-Owerri, Abuja- 

Enugu to daily while 

Lagos-Asaba will operate 

five times weekly during 

the period. 

Customers using Arik Air 

on the Lagos-Port Harcourt 

route now have an early 

morning (7:00 am) departure 

out of Port Harcourt and late 

evening (5:00 pm) flight out 

of Lagos. 

Office of the Company, 

Yakubu said the 

Company requires a new 

and stronger service 

culture, and he was 

prepared to lead that 

change. 

According to him : “We 

are looking forward to a 

positive change. You need 

to improve the areas that 

you can improve, and we 

must work together to 

effect the change. Some of 

the things required are 

little but they are very 

important.” 

He also told the staff that 

“It is important to 

understand that we have 

a lot of work to do to 

reposition the Company 

and I cannot do it alone. 

We have to win back our 

customers and reinforce 

the positive perception 

that our stakeholders 

have of NAHCO. The 

Management of the 

Company is focused on 

recovering lost grounds 

and would make a 

renewed drive for 

excellence in all its 

activities its watchword.”

Y 

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 — 23

Y 

24 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017

Y 

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 — 25

26—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 

Rabiul Awwal 26, 1439 A.H. 

Trump’s declaration on Jerusalem: 

Nigeria Muslim groups 

attack US President 

•It’s theft of Jerusalem — MAI 

•It will truncate fragile peace in Middle East —The Companion 

•MSSN, NACOMYO, react 

SEVERAL Muslim groups and organizations 

have condemned the United States President, 

Donald Trump’s recent declaration of Jerusalem as 

the capital of Israel. The development drew the ire of 

world leaders, eminent religious leaders and Muslims 

world-over. 

Protesting against the declaration, thousands of 

Muslims last Sunday gathered at the Dawah Centre of 

The Muslim Congress (TMC),Ijesha, Lagos recently, 

carrying placards with different inscriptions such as 

“free Palestine, end Gaza siege, end Al-Aqsa blockade”, 

where leaders of different Islamic organizations 

addressed a world press conference to vent their 

anger. Other Muslims groups were The Muslim 

Awareness International (MAI), The Muslim Students’ 

Society of Nigeria, MSSN Lagos zone. In the same 

vein, The Companion and National Council of Muslim 

Youths, NACOMYO also issued separate statements 

to condemn the development. 

Earlier, after a third day of violence and protests in 

the West Bank and Gaza Strip, there were 

condemnation by no fewer than 22 countries, 

including close US allies. 

To some of them, Trump’s will further deepen the 

crisis in the region. However, Trump has faced fierce 

criticism for his decision around the world recently. 

The Arab League after hours of talks in Cairo, backed 

by a number of US allies, including the United Arab 

Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, kicked,resolving 

that: The US had “withdrawn itself as a sponsor and 

broker” of any possible Israeli-Palestinian peace 

process through its decision. 

Trump’s move might “deepen tension, ignite anger 

and capable of plunging the region into more 

violence and chaos. 

They also resolved that a request would be made 

for the UN Security Council to condemn the move. 

At an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council 

last Friday, the US found itself isolated, with the other 

14 members all condemning Trump’s declaration. 

In Nigeria, the Amir, The Muslim Congress, (TMC) 

Dr Lukman AbdurRaheem said the issue was purely a 

diplomatic issue, urging all Nigerian Christian leaders 

to follow the directions of world eminent men of God 

to condemn US President on the issue. The group also 

urged churches to educate their members on the 

situation in Jerusalem, so they won’t be misinformed 

by politicians. 

The Muslim Congress (TMC) also said the loss of 

lives and many injuries suffered by many 

Palestinians in the last few days were not in the interest 

of Christianity, but a politically selfish desire of 

America’s Trump and his accomplice, Israeli Prime 

Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. 

“Let it also be known that the sufferings of Palestinians 

in Gaza and the West Bank are not meted out to 

Muslims alone. Christians are also being persecuted 

in Palestine. Contrary to erroneous belief that the 

state of Israel represents Christianity, we 

unequivocally state that the current Zionist regime 

has never represented Christianity. 

“In fact, statistics show that there are more 

Palestinian Christians than Israeli Christians. There 

are 840, 000 Christians, about 7 percent of the 12 

million Palestinian population, while only 2 percent, 

about 171, 000 Christians are part of the 8.5 million 

Israeli population. Most of the Arab Christians have 

fled Occupied Palestine since 1948 after the forceful 

creation of Israel. The facts are there for anybody to 

check. 

“It is rather unfortunate that many so-called 

educated are misleading the Nigerian Christian 

community to believe that the Palestinian struggle 

is Islam versus Judaism and Christianity. This is very 

wrong and it is sad how some Nigerians politicise the 

unjust and unilateral American decision to go against 

international law to recognise the disputed Jerusalem 

as the capital of Israel. Trump’s singular act drew 

wide condemnations from world leaders. Religious 

leaders too, particularly Christian leaders, have also 

condemned the act. 

“The truth is, no matter how religious we might be, 

we cannot be more Catholic than the Pope. It should 

interest you to know that Pope Francis has also joined 

the world in criticizing Trump’s illegal move. Just 

yesterday, the leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church 

of Egypt cancelled his proposed scheduled meeting 

with US Vice President Mike Pence, in protest against 

Washington’s move to declare Jerusalem as Israel’s 

capital. 

“We call on Nigerian Christians to follow the 

directions of these men of God to condemn Israel 

and the US. It is equally important for the churches 

to educate their members on the situation in 

Jerusalem, so they won’t be misinformed by 

politicians. Let us all stand for justice and 

unanimously demand Trump and Netanyahu to 

return to the ideal status quo, a two-state solution 

where both Israel and Palestine will live, side by side, 

in peace. 

Israeli theft of Jerusalem—MAI 

The Muslim Awareness International (MAI) called 

on member-nations of the Arab League and the 

Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to unite 

against the American and Israeli, describing the 

development as a theft of Jerusalem by Isreal, “a 

common historical parsimony of Muslims, Christians 

and Jews alike.” 

Addresing the gathering, The Director of the 

organization, Abdul Waheed Adetoyebi urged the 

Arab and Islamic nations to individually and 

collectively mount diplomatic, political, economic 

and fossil fuel pressure on the United States and Israel, 

who are globally isolated in being the only 

BARKA JUMAH 

Rest your mind 

Confused? In pain or affliction? Rest your mind; stay 

with Allah always. He alone gives hope. Lean on Him, 

forever; bend your knees, lay your forehead on the 

ground and chant His praises with ceaseless adoration. 

This way, you shall obtain peace and His enduring 

favors. 

Practice the virtue of patience; and wait on Allah for 

His mercy and vast blessings. May Allah imbue your 

life and the affairs of all yours with joyous fulfillment. 

Happy jumat. – Dr Adewale Adeeyo, OON 

protagonists and beneficiaries of this landmark theft. 

He stated that while the threat of these should be initially laid on the 

table to encourage a policy reversal of President Trump’s Jerusalem 

gaffe, he added that the indicated nations should proceed to boycott 

the US and Israel in the face of continued recalcitrance on the Jerusalem 

issue, up and until the desired policy change is effected. 

“Western powers such as the United Kingdom and Canada have 

unequivocally stated that their embassies will remain in Tel Aviv, in 

consonance with international law and UN resolutions which render 

such appropriations by Israel illegal, keeping Jerusalem as one of the 

key final status issues to be decided as part of peace negotiations 

between the two parties. 

“MAI implored other world leaders, including President Muhammad 

Buhari to continue their just advocacy for the people of Palestine as 

they have always done. We specifically demand that President Buhari 

condemns President Trump’s action and reiterates his stand for the 

respect of the international law and UN resolutions on Jerusalem and 

Palestine.” 

It’s a faulty personal opinion, to be ignored - Nigerian 

Muslim students 

The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, in his own message urged 

other world leaders to reject the United States’ President Donald Trump 

declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. 

In a statement by Lagos State Area Unit of the MSSN, the students 

told world leaders to consider Trump’s statement as “a faulty personal 

opinion”. 

The MSSN in Lagos State, led by Dr. Saheed Ashafa, described Trump’s 

statement as “ludicrous”. Trump further showed that US government 

is not only biased, but also anti-Islam. 

“This is an obnoxious decision by the US President. It is not only an 

injustice to the Palestinians but also a slap on the face of all Muslims in 

the world.” 

Ashafa, who will be hosting thousands of Muslim students in Epe, 

Lagos at the MSSN Lagos 104th edition of annual Islamic Vacation 

Course (IVC) starting December 23, urged the UN to address the 

development as a matter of urgency. 

It will truncate fragile peace in Middle East —The 

Companion 

Earlier, a group of Muslim professionals and those in business, The 

Companion in its own press conference, said the unpopular declaration 

would only truncate the fragile peace in the Middle East. Addressing 

Journalists at its Ikeja secretariat, the group led by Alhaji Thabit Wale 

Sonaike condemned President Trump calling all Americans to rise 

against this move by their president. 

“The significance and historical antecedent of Jerusalem is too widely 

known for anybody to make attempt to re-write or appropriate the 

city. There is too much tension in the Middle East to start another 

controversy that may snowball into crisis in the region,” he said. 

NACOMYO calls for Muslim unity 

National Council of Muslim Youth Organizations, NACOMYO however, 

underscored Muslim unity as the cornerstone and strength in the defence 

of Islam and Muslims, especially in the face of the rising provocations 

and affront on the religion and those who profess the faith. 

Speaking against the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s 

promulgation of the disputed Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, NACOMYO 

President, Kamal’deen Akintunde,(esq) charged Muslim nations to shun 

rivalry, suspicion, supremacy and other sentiments, and unite against 

oppression, provocation and unwarranted attacks on Islam. He decried 

the increasing Western conspiracy against Islam, stating that it was 

uncalled for and should be checked. 

Akintunde advocated synergy and robust Islamic brotherhood as 

the solution to the unending America-Israel coordinated attack on 

Jerusalem. The NACOMYO leader reminded Muslims of the Qur’anic 

verse , “And hold firm to the cable of Allah and do not be divided.....”, 

Q3:103, just as he implored Muslim nations who under certain pretext 

and sentiments embark on adventures that ere detrimental to a united 

and cohesive “Ummah”/Muslim community. 

Dr Lukman AbdulRaheem, Amir The Muslim Congress, TMC; Sheikh Zhikirullah Shaffi, Mufti 

TMC, AbdulWaheed Adetoyebi, Director, The Muslim Awareness International (MAI) and Dr 

Saheed Ashafa, Amir, Muslim Student Soceity of Nigeria, MSSN, Lagos zone during world 

press conference against President Trump's declaration on Jerusalem, held at Dawah Center, 

Ijesha, Lagos recently. 

Alhaji Tajudeen Adebanjo of The Nation Newspaper receiving 

Outstanding Youth Friendly/ Media Personality of the year 

Award from Southwest Zonal/Lagos Commandant of Peace 

Corps of Nigeria, Habeeb Mutairu at Ostra Hotel, Alausa, Ikeja, 

Lagos Tuesday. 

C 

M 

YK

LAGOS state Governor, Mr. 

Akinwunmi Ambode has 

extolled the contributions of 

religious groups in the 

development of the State, 

describing the spiritual leaders as 

great partners and pillars in the 

effort to bring greater progress to 

the State and increased prosperity 

to its citizens. 

The Governor gave this 

commendation during an Inter- 

Faith parley with various religious 

leaders in the state held at Lagos 

House, Ikeja, recently. 

Governor Ambode praised the 

religious leaders for their roles in 

ensuring the sustainability of and 

promoting the State of peaceful 

coexistence and religious 

tolerance, which according to 

him, had greatly aided 

government’s efforts in the 

delivery of services and dividends 

of democracy to the people 

especially those at the grassroots. 

He maintained that the gathering 

was sort of thanksgiving for the 

mercy and blessing of God, 

“making it possible to bring greater 

gains to the people; to appreciate 

Rabiul Awwal 26, 1439 A.H. 

You’re our greatest est partner 

tners s in devt vt of Lagos, 

Ambode tells religious leaders 

the spiritual leaders for their roles 

in maintaining peace in Lagos; to 

fine-tune existing strategies and 

harmonious relationship already 

prevailing among Lagosians.” 

“I thank you all for your 

ceaseless prayers and for all the 

spiritual efforts through the power 

of the pulpits and for sensitizing 

your followers to follow the path of 

civility and do that which is lawful. 

The commendations and awards 

the State government received 

from the National Hajj Commission 

and the Christian Conscience 

Group are all testimonial to your 

efforts and conduct as very 

understanding and tolerant 

believers.” 

Ambode implored the spiritual 

leaders to continue to pray for the 

State as the achievements of his 

administration in the past two years 

was largely due to the harmonious 

living among all the religious bodies 

in the State. 

The Commissioner for Home 

Affairs, Dr.AbdulHakeem 

AbduLateef commended the 

choice of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode 

as the Governor of Lagos State, 

saying that the clamour for a 

Christian governor during the 

electioneering period in 2015 was 

a justified request. “I make bold 

to say that the Governor did not 

disappoint the Christian and 

Muslim faithful who vigorously 

requested for a Christian 

Governor. Governor Ambode, 

he said, has made both Christians 

and Muslims very proud. 

Rev. Dr.Kehinde Babarinde of 

Baptist Conference Lagos Central 

in a lecture titled “the Role of 

Religious Leaders in Nation 

Building” extolled the good efforts 

of the Governor, describing the 

Governor’s achievement as really 

life touching and very impactful 

to Lagosian. 

While giving some 

recommendations during his 

message, the Head of Religious 

and Peace Studies, Lagos state 

U n i v e r s i t y , 

Prof.AbdulLateefAdetona called 

on the State government to 

ensure the teaching of religious 

studies in schools in order to instil 

good morals in the minds of school 

children at their formative years. 


Show more concern for economic devt, 

Nigerians, The Companion begs Buhari 

•Opens 10-day holiday camp for Muslims 

THE Companion, a foremost faith based non-Governmental 

Organisation comprising of Muslim professionals and those in 

business has urged African leaders President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria 

to show more concern for the living standard of their citizens and 

development of their economies in order to halt the trend of slavery of 

their nationals abroad. 

The group also unveiled a ten-day holiday camp for Muslim youth and 

members of the public beginning from Saturday, December 23, 2017 to 

Monday, January 1, 2018 at the National Youth Service Corps Orientation 

Camp (NYSC Camp), Iseyin, Oyo State. 

According to the National Amir of the group, Alhaji Thabit Wale Sonaike, 

registration fee is N5,000.00 covering feeding, accommodation, medical 

care, excursion among others. He stated that activities in the camp 

included inspiring lectures, community service, career talk and guidance, 

mentorship, aerobic and sporting activities, quiz competition, skill 

acquisition in various vocations and lots more. 

“In line with our focus on Dawah and Education, an annual Youth 

Leadership Development programme tagged Dawn Holiday Programme 

(DHP) is organized every year by The Companion. 

“The DHP is a ten day camping programme designed by The Companion 

as a platform for youth development and training in leadership, vocational 

and entrepreneurial skills as well as Islamic ethics and community service, 

adding that about 1,000 participants (aged between 10 and 30 years) are 

expected to attend. “It promises to be very interesting and stimulating,” 

he said. 

Reacting to the recent deportation of Nigerians from Libya, Sonaike 

said: “The recent report of slavery in Libya where Nigerians and other 

nationals are victims is most unfortunate. It is a clarion call to African 

leaders especially the sub-saharan African leaders to show more concern 

for the up-liftment of their citizens and the development of their economies. 

It is very sad to note that able bodied and young Nigerians who should 

stay back to contribute to the economic development of the country are 

being forced to flee in search of greener pastures. Government at all 

levels should pay more attention to infrastructural development which 

have multiplier effects on the economy. Un-interrupted power supply, 

motorable roads, public health care high quality education, safe air ports 

and seaports, favourable economic policies that will promote private 

investments are issues that should engage the leaders attention more 

than ever before. 

The group also urged government to increase patronage of made-in- 

Nigeria goods in order to encourage the consumption of locally made 

products. He added that this should reflect in official dress code, foods 

served at government functions, office equipments and decorations, 

official cars, oversea trips, contract awards and other allied activities of 

the government. 

On the presentation of 2018 budget, Alhaji Sonaike said: The Companion 

commended the executive arm of government for the early presentation 

of the national budget to the national assembly, urging the lawmakers to 

ensure a thorough and quick scrutiny of the budget by the end of the year. 

“The national assembly should avoid going on any recess until after the 

conclusion of the budget debate. This has become necessary in order to 

walk-the-talk about change. 

C 

M 

Y 

K 

From left: Sheik Abdul Hafeez Abu, the Baba Adinni of Lagos; Her Excellency, Dr Mrs 

Idiat Adebule, Deputy Governor of Lagos State; His Excellency, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, 

Governor of Lagos State; Honourable Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. Abdul-Lateef 

Abdul-Hakeem; Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, CAN President Lagos Chapter, Prof. Abdul- 

Lateef Adetona and Rev.Dr. Kehinde Babarinde during inter-faith parley of religious leaders 

in the State. 

IMA, , Crescent univer 

ersity are pride of Muslims 

— Imam Olanrewaju 

IN the mood of Maolud 

Nabiyy, marked in the 

expansive multimillion naira 

Masjid Al-Jabbar, situated 

within the over 20-acre land, 

the Islamic Mission for Africa, 

IMA, hosted eminent 

personalities in Nigeria as well 

as emissaries from Arab World 

recently. 

Conducting the celebration, 

the Mission’s Chief Imam, 

Alhaji Hamid Olanrewaju urged 

Nigerian Muslims to emulate 

the virtues of Prophet 

Muhammad, (s.a.w), adding 

that the personality of Prophet 

Muhammad (s.a.w) was 

attested to by Allah in the 

Glorious Qur’an 68:1-15. 

Olanrewaju added that IMA, 

has grown to be epicenter of 

world class knowledge about 

Islam, a centre recognized on 

Islamic World map with 

partners across the globe. 

“It is a centre that Muslims can 

be proud of. It serves as a very 

good pivot for the establishment 

of Crescent University 

Abeokuta, which has now 

become the citadel of academic 

and moral excellence with its 

first class being, unarguably, 

world class. 

Speaking about the founder of 

the organization, IMA 

Historian, Alhaji Sa’eed Aweda, 

said Crescent University 

Abeokuta, which has grown to 

become the citadel of 

academic and moral 

excellence in Nigeria, adding 

that Prince Bola Ajibola who 

traversed the world, founded 

the center after the Islamic 

Centre in Leicester, UK, an idea 

that was created immediately 

he resigned his position as High 

Commissioner and returned to 

Nigeria. He stated that the 

radio programme called Al- 

Tanzeel, the revelation, aired 

on Ogun Radio which was 

mainly to broadcast recitation 

of Qur’an and its translation to 

languages 

later 

metamorphosed to Islamic 

Movement for Africa and later 

to Islamic Mission for Africa 

with a mission to propagate 

Islam. 

The Companion President, Alhaji Thabit Wale Sonaike (middle) 

flanked by National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Kamorudeen 

Ogunfowora (right) and Assistant National Secretary Mr Saheed 

Amoo during The Companion briefing on the State of the 

National at its Headquarters in Ikeja GRA, Lagos on Saturday. 

Ahmadiyya holds 65th annual 

Islamic conference Dec 22 

THE annual 65th Islamic Conference, Jalsa Salana of the 

Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Nigeria will hold from 22nd 

December to 24th December, 2017 at the Jamia Ahmadiyya 

Complex in Ilaro Owode road, Ogun state Southwest Nigeria. 

The theme of this year conference is Social, Political and Economic 

Emancipation through Moral Reorientation. 

According to the programme of events, special prayers for Nigeria, 

lectures on the theme of the conference including - Islamic Concept 

of Morality will be delivered by Dr. Saheed Timehin, National Tabligh 

Secretary Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Nigeria - Obedience: A Major 

Key to Success to be facilitated by Muallim Abdul Qahhar Olowonmi 

and Humility as A Recipe for Purification of Heart to be conducted 

by Maulvi Mubarak Bello Sahib 

Other features of the events are seminar on Evolving New Tabligh 

Strategies to be coordinated by Murabbi Taoheed Shoboyede, while 

interactive session on Training New Converts comes up and moderated 

by the Acting Missionary-in-charge, Nigeria, Maulvi Adnan Tahir. Special 

Prayer session for Nigeria and Solemnization of Marriages are also major 

events at the gathering. The gathering will be witnessed by the 

representative of the World Leader of the Ahmadiyya Community, Mr. 

Rafiq Mubarak Mir Sahib, Wakeelul Maal II, from Rabwah, Pakistan. 

Special guests from government, religious organisations across the 

country and neighbouring country are expected.


ONDO APC: 

A house of 

commotion? 

By Dayo Johnson 

ALL seems not to be well 

within the ruling All 

Progressives Congress, 

APC, in Ondo State. 

The party has been wobbling 

and fumbling since the conduct 

of its governorship primaries in 

September 2016. 

Regrettably, the state governor, 

Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu appears 

indifferent as the party is being 

torn into shreds by some warring 

leaders. 

The two gladiators at the center 

of the stage are Messrs Ade 

Adetimehin and Isaac Kekemeke, 

who are laying claim to the soul 

of the party. 

It is believed that Akeredolu’s 

lackadaisical attitude to the 

happenings in the party was 

intentional to allow him to ride 

roughshod without any obstacle 

or being questioned by those 

capable of challenging his style 

of governance. 

Many party leaders are said to 

be angry by his “lone ranger style 

of governance” and have decided 

to watch from afar. 

There is no doubt that 

Akeredolu still has a score to settle 

with the embattled state chairman 

of the party, Mr. Isaac Kekemeke 

for pitching his tent with the 

National Leader of the party, 

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

It is instructive to note that 

Tinubu supported Olusegun 

Abraham’s candidacy against 

Akeredolu during the last 

governorship primaries. 

Gang up against Kekemeke 

Kekemeke was turned to the 

whipping boy immediately 

Akeredolu became the governor 

as he was completely shoved 

aside from the house he and 

others built. 

For now, Akeredolu, in 

collaboration with others, control 

the party machinery in Ondo 

State. 

The governor’s friends were 

reported to have ganged up 

against Kekemeke and sacked 

him despite having less than a 

year to complete his tenure as the 

party chairman in the state. 

He is expected to exit as 

chairman in April 2018. 

This singular act further 

polarised the party as some party 

leaders, who have axes to grind 

with Akeredolu joined forces with 

Kekemeke to battle the governor. 

Many party leaders kicked 

against the decision of the few 

friends of the governor to rubbish 

Kekemeke despite his sit down 

look posture for months after 

being sidelined. 

A three-man committee headed 

by the party’s publicity secretary, 

Mr. Abayomi Adesanya was set 

up by the party State Executive 

Committee and expectedly, they 

indicted the chairman and 

recommended his suspension 

over abuse of office and anti-party 

activities. 

Kekemeke, who shunned the 

committee’s invitation, argued 

that the committee has no 

constitutional right to put him in 

the dock. 

Also expectedly, the governor’s 

man Friday, Ade Adetimehin who 

was Kekemeke’s deputy was 

installed as the party’s acting 

chairman. 

Another sin of Kekemeke was 

that he allegedly abandoned the 

governor during the 2016 election 

to work for his kinsman, Olusola 

Oke, who left the APC when 

Akeredolu emerged the party 

candidate. 

Oke contested on the platform 

of the Alliance for Democracy, AD. 

Although Akeredolu’s aides 

absolved him of any complicity in 

There is no doubt 

that Akeredolu still 

has a score to settle 

with the embattled 

state chairman of 

the party, Mr. Isaac 

Kekemeke for 

pitching his tent 

with the National 

Leader of the party, 

Asiwaju Bola 

Ahmed Tinubu 

•Adetimehin: Acting APC 

state chairman 

•Kekemeke: Embattled state 

chairman 

the suspension of Kekemeke, 

political observers punctured their 

claims arguing that the governor 

was not magnanimous in victory 

because he failed to forgive those 

who worked against his 

emergence and also sees the likes 

of the party chairman as a 

political barrier that should be 

silenced anyhow. 

Akeredolu’s olive branch 

Vanguard was, however, 

informed that many of the party 

leaders in the state including 

Kekemeke, have turned down the 

governor’s olive branch extended 

to them and have preferred to flex 

muscles with him. Akeredolu 

was said to have visited Kekemeke 

before the election twice to settle 

with him but nothing positive was 

achieved thereafter. 

Tinubu’s Akure visit 

But an opportunity came weeks 

ago when Tinubu came on a 

private visit to the national leader 

of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political 

group, Afenifere, Pa Reuben 

Fasoranti in Akure. 

The visit came almost 10 months 

after Akeredolu’s inauguration as 

governor. 

The old wound was reopened 

when reports had it that all 

entreaties from Tinubu to 

Akeredolu to accommodate his 

perceived ‘enemies’ in the spirit 

of oneness and togetherness was 

allegedly rebuffed. 

•Akeredolu: Does he have scores to settle? 

Unconfirmed sources said that 

the governor insisted that all 

those who engaged in anti-party 

activities would have to openly 

apologise and go back to their 

wards to be re-admitted to the 

party. 

This was reaffirmed by the 

acting state chairman during the 

week. 

Few days after the visit, Tinubu’s 

boys, including Kekemeke, 

Senator Ajayi Boroffice, Osun 

State Commissioner for Regional 

Integration, Mr. Bola llori and 

over 5000 party leaders across the 

18 council areas of the state, came 

out smoking and announced their 

faction as the “authentic APC in 

Ondo State.” 

At a meeting, they granted 

‘unconditional amnesty’ to all 

governorship aspirants, National 

Assembly members and leaders 

across the state “who expressed 

their grievances by contesting the 

2016 governorship election under 

other parties.” 

They equally passed a vote of 

confidence on the sacked 

chairman, Mr. Isaac Kekemeke 

and declared him the authentic 

state chairman. 

Senator Boroffice, at the 

meeting, said: “I can assure you 

that this meeting we started will 

go a long way in helping the party 

in its future endeavours. We also 

repose confidence in Hon. 

Kekemeke-led executive 

committee and we are not aware 

of any other chairman.” 

In his remarks, Kekemeke said: 

“All members that left the party in 

annoyance or became less active 

in the party because of the fallout 

of the last gubernatorial election 

are hereby invited to return home 

to their party and are hereby 

granted unconditional amnesty 

with full rights and privileges as 

obtained before their brief 

departure.” 

Adetimehin’s faction reacts 

But in a swift reaction to the 

development, the acting state 

chairman, Ade Adetimehin 

described the meeting held by the 

leaders as illegal. 

Adetimehin said: “It is important 

that we remind all those affected 

by the sudden change in fortune 

and status, burdened with 

delusion, with regard to the true 

state of their relevance in the 

politics of Ondo State generally, 

that their dubious claim to 

membership of a party against 

which they worked during the last 

gubernatorial election in the state, 

until they were driven to the 

depth of infamy is indecorous. 

“Our party will not be stamped 

to accommodate fair-weather and 

unprincipled persons who see 

politics as a means to satisfying 

their parochial interest.” 

The question agitating the 

minds of party members is when 

will peace return to the party?


How The Experience Lagos is 

changing perspectives of Africa 

By Charles Kumolu 

LAGOS STATE 

•Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Aare Gani Adams paid a courtesy visit to 

the Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Adeyemi Ajimobi, at the Oyo State 

Governor's office, Agodi, Ibadan. 

•From left: Community Affairs Manager, Coca-Cola, Emeka Mba, 

Communications Manager, Coca-Cola, Linda Okondo, Director, Legal, 

Public Affairs and Communications, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited, 

(NBC), Sade Morgan, Public Affairs and Communications Manager, Coca- 

Cola, Nwamaka Onyemelukwe and Corporate Communications Manager, 

Nigerian Bottling Company Limited, Akomen Omijeh at the NBC/Coca- 

Cola system media parley in Lagos. Photo;AKEEM SALAU 

THE Experience Lagos, now in its 

12th edition, plays host to the most 

internationally and locally 

renowned award-winning artists on the 

African continent and all over the world – 

albeit in the gospel genre. While most music 

concerts are lauded for bringing in a single 

A-lister, this concert brings in an average 

of 10, with at least half of that number being 

international artistes, who are used to the 

glitz, the glamour and the grandeur of some 

of the biggest stages in the world and they 

have openly compared their experience 

with The Experience Lagos as being 

comparable to the best they have known 

anywhere else in the world. 

It would, therefore, be fair to say that for 

internationally acclaimed, Grammy-award 

winning artistes such as Kirk Franklin, 

CeceWinans, Donnie McClurkin, Don 

Moen to name a few, to choose to return 

repeatedly to Nigeria and continue to speak 

in positive terms of the world-class 

standards of The Experience Lagos has 

attained; this is a testament to the 

reputation the concert and its organisers 

have established for themselves. 

To further underscore how The Experience 

Lagos has forged a trans-continental appeal 

and a sense of how Africa has gained 

notoriety in the Western hemisphere, the 

America states of Georgia and South 

Carolina respectively, conferred on the 

Metropolitan and Senior Pastor of all House 

On The Rock churches and Convener of 

The Experience Lagos 2017, Paul 

Adefarasin with the Honorary Citizenship. 

This was done in recognition of the stellar 

leadership and commitment to the ministry 

is known for throughout the world. 

For others, the reach of The Experience is 

quite unprecedented. With its track record 

of maxing out its current venue, the 

TafawaBalewa Square, Lagos (a venue 

structured to take a modest estimation of 

about half a million people; making this 

one of the biggest concerts not just in Africa 

but the world) as well as live-streaming the 

broadcast to countries, it is evident that this 

platform has the ability to reach millions of 

people in every continent around the globe. 

A final point would be that the music 

concert’s use of the universal language of 

music, a common denominator that cuts 

across tribes, races and the many languages 

of the people of the world. Music is a great 

unifier and its appeal is unequalled. This 

would explain why the unique hashtags 

generated by The Experience Lagos has 

•Adefarasin: Convener of The 

Experience 

trended number one on social media 

globally two years in a row. 

It is unlikely that any one of the 

millions of people across the world, 

watching their favourite gospel artiste 

sing on the massive stage or any 

analysts studying these statistics 

objectively, will be able to think of 

Nigeria or Africa only in terms of its 

negatives nor will the compounded 

impact of the concert allow them relegate 

the continent to the uncharted back 

waters of the world as it is only logical 

for them to conclude that any concert, 

city, country or continent that can play 

host to such a line-up of artistes, and 

has the resources to live stream it, cannot 

possibly be as decrepit as the media 

makes them out to be. 

Therefore, rather than constitute the 

committees to explore the ways and 

means of changing the perspective the 

rest of the world has of Africa, it would 

be wise to quietly invite Adefarasin and 

find out how he and his lieutenants are 

able to host a world-class mega event 

like The Experience year after year. 

Sadly, the most widely spread stories 

of Africa are those of humanitarian 

conflicts; creating the myopic and 

misconstrued view that the continent is 

only about an unending spiral of 

genocides, human rights violations, 

coups, civil unrest and other 

unspeakable atrocities. 

•From left: Engr. Alewu Cherry Achema, State Coordinator, Ogun State 

Office 11, Standards Organisation of Nigeria,(SON), Engr. Enebi Shaibu 

Onucheyo, Head of Department, Product Registration, SON, Oluremi Ayeni, 

Director, Quality Management System, SON, and Ukadike Idaboh, Lead 

Consultant, Nipol Global Resources, at the SON stakeholders workshop on 

the Reduction of Substandard Goods in Nigeria for North-Central & South- 

West Zones in Lagos 

EDITOR: 

Adeleke Adeseri 

CORRESPONDENTS: 

Dapo Akinrefon 

Ola Ajayi 

Gbenga Olarinoye 

Dayo Johnson 

Olasunkanmi Akoni 

Daud Olatunji 

Rotimi Ojomoyela 

Monsuru Olowoepejo 

THE TEAM 

08054682557 (sms only) 

Lagos 

Ibadan 

Osogbo 

Akure 

Lagos 

Abeokuta 

Ekiti 

YULTIDE: Airtel seeks to feed 5,000 Nigerians 

IN the spirit of the yuletide, 

a telecoms services provider, Airtel 

Nigeria, has partnered with Chicken 

Republic, a subsidiary of Food 

Concepts Plc, to feed over 5,000 less 

privileged Nigerians as part of its 

annual Corporate Social Responsibility 

initiative dubbed ‘Airtel Five Days of 

Love.’ 

Through the initiative, the telco says 

it is sharing the reason for the season 

– love – and celebrating with the 

underprivileged by providing quality, 

hot meals amidst an electrifying 

atmosphere of fun, good entertainment 

and love. 

The initiative kicked off during the 

week, with the Chief Executive Officer 

and Managing Director of Airtel, Mr. 

Segun Ogunsanya, leading his 

colleagues to feed over 1,000 people 

at the venue. 

According to Ogunsanya, 

“Christmas is a time of celebration, 

festivity and love. Airtel, in 

celebration of this yuletide, remains 

committed to spreading love, joy, 

and happiness across the 

communities where we operate. 

“We are passionate about uplifting 

and empowering Nigerians and will 

continue to create and support 

platforms that make lives better for 

our consumers. 

“My colleagues across different 

regions of the country will also be 

embarking on this journey of giving, 

which is one of our key CSR 

interventions,” he said.

30 —VANGUARD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 

Walt Disney buys Murdoch’s Fox 

for $52.4bn 

WALT Disney has 

agreed to buy 21st 

Century Fox’s 

entertainment assets for 

a total $52.4bn (£39bn). 

The deal includes Fox’s 

39% stake in satellite 

broadcaster Sky, and the 

20th Century Fox film 

studio, Disney 

announced. 

Much of Fox’s 

remaining assets, 

including Fox News and 

Sports, will form a new 

company. 

The deal ends more 

than half a century of 

media expansion by Fox 

owner Rupert Murdoch, 

who is 86 years old. 

He turned a single 

Australian newspaper he 

inherited from his father 

at the age of 21 into one 

of the world’s largest 

news and film empires. 

Mr Murdoch said the 

transaction makes sense 

in a media industry 

undergoing seismic 

shifts due to online 

advertising and 

competitors who are 

streaming entertainment 

into homes via the 

internet. 

“With today’s announcement, 

we launch the 

next great leg of our 

journey,” Rupert 

Murdoch said on 

Thursday. 

“We are paving the 

way for the new Fox and 

a transformed Disney to 

chart a course across a 

broad frontier of 

opportunity.” 

Disney chief executive 

Bob Iger said that Disney 

was “incredibly excited” 

about the acquisition, 

and that it was an 

“opportunity to expand 

iconic franchises”, 

including Avatar and 

Star Wars. 

“May the Force be with 

us all,” Mr Iger said. 

Defiant Syrian envoy blames West, Saudi, 

UN as peace talks end 

SYRIAN government 

negotiator Bashar al- 

Ja‘afari accused its 

opposition, backed by 

Western countries and 

Saudi Arabia, of 

sabotaging a round of 

U.N.-led peace talks that 

ended in Geneva on 

Thursday without any 

results. 

He said Damascus did 

not want the talks to fail 

but the opposition had 

put down a precondition 

last month by concluding 

a conference known as 

“Riyadh 2” with a 

declaration that President 

Bashar al-Assad had no 

role in Syria’s political 

transition. 

“The Riyadh 2 

Communique is 

blackmail of the Geneva 

process,” Ja‘afari told 

reporters. 

“Those who drew up 

the Riyadh 2 statement 

were the ones who 

sabotaged this round. I 

mean by that the other 

side. I mean the Saudis 

and the Saudi handlers 

themselves who are the 

Western countries. They 

do not want the Geneva 

process to succeed.” 

Ja‘afari said that the 

Syrian delegation at the 

Geneva talks had 

engaged seriously in 

the round, which he said 

had focused on counterterrorism. 

The mediator of the 

talks, U.N. Special 

Envoy for Syria Staffan 

de Mistura, used a 

television interview on 

Wednesday to urge 

Russia to convince its 

ally Assad of the need to 

clinch a peace deal to 

end the nearly sevenyear-old 

war. 

Zimbabwe’s Mnangagwa seeks end 

to Western sanctions 

ZIMBABWE’S new 

President Emmerson 

Mnangagwa is seeking 

the removal of sanctions 

imposed by Western 

countries, saying they 

are crippling national 

development. 

He also indicated that 

elections due next July 

could be brought forward. 

Speaking to governing 

Zanu-PF party leaders, 

Mr Mnangagwa said the 

government would do 

everything to make sure 

they were credible, free 

and fair. 

Mr Mnangagwa 

became president last 

month after Robert 

Mugabe was ousted. 

Mr Mnangagwa is 

expected to be endorsed 

on Friday as party leader 

and presidential 

candidate for Zanu-PF at 

the elections. 

Mr Mugabe, 93, has 

not been seen in public 

since he was forced out of 

office by the military after 

37 years in power. 

However, former spokesman 

George Charamba 

said he had flown to 

Singapore for a routine 

medical check-up. 

US, Britain, three others call 

for intensified security around 

embassies in Lagos 

By Suliat Elemosho, 

Chizubem Eze& Esther 

Ewa-Effiom 

THE governments of the 

United States of 

America, Britain, Germany, 

Italy and Netherlands, 

yesterday, called for the 

need to intensify security 

around its embassies in 

Lagos. 

The call was as a result 

of the recent security breach 

at the German Embassy on 

Angola’s President offers 

ultimatum for repatriation of funds 

A 

NGOLA’S President João Lourenço has told Angolans 

to repatriate funds illegally held abroad in coming 

months or risk prosecution, in a bid to spur domestic 

investment and combat corruption. 

The announcement marks one of Lourenço’s boldest 

policy moves since he took power in September and 

suggests he intends to try and draw a line under years of 

endemic corruption and impunity. 

Central bank Governor José Massano told state news 

agency Angop that at least $30 billion of Angolan money 

is held abroad, though that figure includes legal deposits. 

Walter Carrington 

Crescent, Lagos. The 

governments through their 

respective diplomats, made 

the call during a courtesy 

visit on the Commissioner 

of Police, Lagos State Police 

Command, Mr. Imohimi 

Edgal. 

They stated that the 

Nigerian Military Mammy 

Market located in the 

vicinity of the embassies 

posed a security threat. 

They, however, called for 

the closure of the market. 

Responding, the Police 

boss stated that the market 

belonged to the Military, 

adding that there was no 

way the Police would carry 

out any operation there 

without the support of the 

Military. 

Edgal suggested that the 

diplomats should 

endeavour to have at least 

three policemen within 

their embassies.

C 

M 

Y 

K 

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017—31 

Jerusalem: Let justice roll 

down like waters 

THE world is full of 

contradictions and contrasts. 

While some work for world peace, 

others work to wreck world peace. 

In no other two world figures are 

these more pronounced than in 

American President, Donald 

Trump and Pope Francis. While 

one is a ruthless politician and 

worldly businessman with a lot of 

store in material possessions, the 

other is a spiritual father with a 

lot of store in spiritual possessions. 

While Trump as Commander-in- 

Chief of the 1,281 American 

military and 801, 200 reserve 

service component, is a powerful 

military force, the Pope as leader 

of 1.2 Billion Catholics, is a 

powerful moral force. One relies 

on might, the other on persuasion. 

Trump reasons, based on his 

perceived powers and personal 

interest, the Pope, on his intellect 

and human interest. While the 

latter is concerned about the 

tragic effects of climate change, 

Trump argues that climate change 

is a fluke. 

It is therefore not surprising that 

both stand on opposite sides on the 

potentially divisive issue of 

Jerusalem which the world knows 

and accepts as being indigenous 

to the Israeli and Palestinian 

people. The latest United Nations 

decision on it is the December 23, 

2016 UNSC Resolution 2334 

passed by 14 -0 votes which told 

all countries "to distinguish, in their 

relevant dealings, between the 

territory of the State of Israel and 

the territories occupied since 

1967." This refers to the year 

Israel seized East Jerusalem which 

is owned by the Palestinians, and 

forcibly annexed it to the West 

Jerusalem it owns. Although its 

capital is Tel Aviv, It had 

subsequently designated 

Jerusalem including the 

indigenous Palestinian lands, as its 

capital. This is like the Biblical 

story of the powerful King Ahab 

who summoned Naboth the 

Jezreelite and told him: ““Let me 

have your vineyard to use for a 

vegetable garden, since it is close 

to my palace. In exchange I will 

give you a better vineyard or, if you 

prefer, I will pay you whatever it is 

worth.” But Naboth replied, “The 

Lord forbid that I should give you 

the inheritance of my ancestors.” 

Naboth was murdered and Ahab 

annexed the vineyard. But God 

would not condone injustice, so He 

had the monarchy punished. 

(1Kings 21) 

Although Israel has seized the 

lands of its neigbour, the rest of 

humanity will not condone it; 

humanity refused to recognise the 

lands stolen from their legitimate 

owners. The world also accepts the 

two-state solution to the Middle 

East crisis; the existence of the 

Israeli and Palestinian states as 

independent entities within 

secured and internationally 

recognised borders with each side 

keeping its indigenous side of 

Jerusalem. 

However, on December 6, Trump 

decided to legitimise the seizure 

of Palestinian lands by deciding to 

recognise the whole Jerusalem as 

the new capital of Israel arguing: 

“ Israel is a sovereign nation with 

the right, like every other sovereign 

nation, to determine its own 

capital". But Pope Francis 

declared: “I cannot remain 

silent…I make a heartfelt appeal 

so that all commit themselves to 

respecting the status quo of the city 

(Jerusalem) in conformity with the 

pertinent resolutions of the United 

Nations." He pointed out that 

Jerusalem is a sacred city of 

Judaism, Christianity and Islam. 

Indeed, the religious trinity have 

their common DNA in Abraham 

GMB's first ever ‘orderly’, ‘tumultous’ Kano crowds 

IT is so sad that one has to 

keep on talking of GMB and 

things around him in a 

weekly chat of this type that 

RIPPLES is, time and again. But 

these days there is nothing as 

engaging as the actions and 

inactions of GMB, our President. 

So, do bear with me yet again 

this morning as I overlook the 

successful PDP Convention (don't 

mind the ruling party 

propaganda). The PDP convention 

last Saturday elected a new 

chairman, Uche Secondus, a key 

executive of the same PDP before 

it went gaga after losing to GMB 

and APC at the 2015 general 

elections. We will duly RIPPLE on 

PDP after the convention on the 

whys and wheretofores of the event 

on who won and lost, with 2019 in 

view. Who knows, maybe a 

reawakened PDP might be the 

wake-up call to get APC back on 

track. 

Now, on GMB, again this week, 

it is the video shots of his tour of 

Kano from clips shown of Kano 

Government House entrance that 

caught my attention and gave 

reason to this Friday morning 

RIPPLES. 

The clips indicate an 

exceptionally "orderly" and 

cheering "tumultous" crowd. Neat, 

with hardly any of the traditional 

rowdiness of GMB events in Kano. 

From Kano Airport to Emir's 

Palace, it took only a little more 

than 20 minutes drive. GMB's last 

trip from Government House to 

Emir's Palace in early 2015 took 

nearly three hours. 

That was when he came in to ask 

for votes for himself and all APC 

candidates under the usual GMB 

SAK bandwagon slogan we 

introduced in Kano ANPP in 2003. 

We initiated the SAK to ensure 

GMB got all the votes we could 

muster. The SAK bandwagon will 

be unlikely in 2019, especially now 

that it is clear no matter the 

manipulations of those who want 

to use and as usual dump him later, 

GMB is still likely to have his 

Kano votes. Or at least a significant 

portion of what he'd always gotten 

despite the mishandling of the 

mandate in Kano. 

GMB's Kano voters are now 

obviously more sophisticated than 

in those heady days of 2003 and a 

lot more since the 2015 elections 

too. In addition 

there are more 

media hosues now, 

as FM radio 

stations alone are 

15 and counting. 

The booming 

social media 

content also has 

more impact than 

public officers and 

politicians will ever 

realise, before the 

poll results in 2019. 

The attitude of 

our lawmakers and 

most of our 

governors has 

further woken the 

voter. The common 

voter is now acutely 

aware of the danger 

of bandwagons 

without quality checks on 

candidates. The two days of GMB's 

Kano State Visit, after two-and-ahalf-years 

since the elections, was 

a well-choreographed event. 

As GMB was a guest of the Kano 

State Governor he did exactly what 

the governor wanted. After all it 

was a visit that many never 

So the contention 

about Jerusalem 

is not religious; it 

is politics; yet 

humanity has the 

unique 

opportunity of 

turning the city 

into a centre of 

unity 

expected, knowing GMB doesn't 

usual show face where his 

"supporters" are divided. Coming 

in for Ganduje he had to sit through 

numerous monologues on his 

sterling qualities of integrity and 

all that to coax him to praise our 

Kano APC Government. As a 

dutiful guest he murmured 

platitudes of politeness. 

Acutely aware of what is on 

ground he however refused to 

endorse any SAK bandwagon 

again despite the lobbying (and 

"tumasanci") from "Honorable" 

Whip Doguwa who revealed he'd 

never won an election as easily as 

2015 on the 

To round off the 

"tumultous", 

"orderly" crowds 

or whatever, 

engaged 

howsoever to 

welcome GMB, I 

am glad the 

General is clearly 

in good health 

GMB APC SAK 

bandwagon. 

Doguwa said 

in five elections 

this is the first 

time he'd not 

been taken to 

court over a win. 

Despite being on 

that SAK 

bandwagon 

though he was 

all along 

working extra 

time then with 

GMB opponents 

in the APC, 

Kwankwaso/ 

Ganduje's team 

before the 

primaries and 

right through to 

take off of the 8th National 

Assembly. He was to find his way 

into the "winning team" well after 

his team had lost in the National 

Assembly smartly working to 

clinch the prestigious Chief Whip's 

post. 

While in Kano, Mr. President sat 

son of Terah from Ur of the 

Chaldeans (Genesis 11) which is 

in Southern Iraq. Jerusalem is 

sacred to the Jews and those of 

them outside the city pray facing 

it. To them, Jerusalem is sacred 

partly because it was on its Mount 

Moriah, God asked Abraham to 

sacrifice is beloved son, Issac, then 

substituted Issac with a ram. It 

was in Jerusalem, Abraham was 

believed to have spoken directly 

with God. Jerusalem is also 

sacred to them because it was in it 

King Solomon built the Temple 

Mount by 950BC which housed the 

Ark of the Covenant. When it was 

destroyed in 587BC, it was rebuilt 

by Herod but destroyed again in 

70 AD by the Romans. The 

remains of this second temple is 

the Western Wall or Wailing Wall, 

the sacred praying place. 

To Christians, Jerusalem is 

sacred partly because it was there 

Jesus was brought as a child and 

presented to the Lord at the 

temple. It was also in Jerusalem 

he preached and healed. It was in 

the Jerusalem Temple he chased 

away the traders and money 

changers saying his Father’s house 

should not be turned to a den of 

thieves. (Mark 11:15) 

It was also in Jerusalem he held 

the Last Super in the ‘Upper 

Room’. It was on this site, the 

original Church of the Apostles 

was built. Since the 4th Century, 

the Cenacle structure has stood on 

the spot. Today, it remains a 

pilgrimage site. 

Gethsemane where Jesus was 

arrested is in Jerusalem. It is also 

the city he was tried and sentenced. 

The Golgotha where he was 

crucified is in Jerusalem, it was 

also where he rose from the dead 

and ascended to heaven. The 

Church of the Holy Sepulchre is 

said to be built on the Golgotha 

crucifixion site. 

through all the "tumultous" crowd 

under reference at Africa House to 

be told State Governor Ganduje is 

sole APC candidate for 2019 and 

that he had also been endorsed as 

sole candidate. As if he had ever 

needed that from that team! 

The target was obviously to tell 

him "scratch our back, we scratch 

yours, or else.." He was told the two 

"sole candidates" decision by the 

spokesperson of those corraled as 

political stakeholders in APC. The 

spokesperson cleverly meant to tell 

GMB that he doesn't need anybody 

else in the party, as if the general 

elections take place only within the 

party, with party executives and 

government functionaries alone as 

voters — the same functionaries 

who organised such a "tumultous 

crowd" that took Kano's beloved 

GMB only 26 minutes from Kano 

Airport to the Emir's Palace. GMB 

tours to Kano used to bring the city 

and environs to a total stand still 

for the whole day. 

During the state visit for 

endorsement of Ganduje and co., no 

matter what else may be the 

political realities, GMB 

commissioned two of Governor 

Shekarau's projects, both of them 

hospitals. And Shekarau is the 

Basher-in-Chief of General Buhari. 

With a look at the crises in GMB's 

core states that give him the most 

votes, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, 

Bauchi and Jigawa it'd be foolhardy 

Islam’s three holy sites are 

Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. In 

Arabic, Jerusalem is known as Al- 

Quds or Baitul-Maqdis (The 

Noble or Sacred Place) Prophet 

Muhammed (SAW) visited 

Jerusalem (Isra and Mi’raj) about 

621 AD during which he met other 

prophets including Abraham, 

Moses and Jesus at the site of the 

Al-Aqsa Mosque also referred to 

as ‘The Farthest Mosque’. That is 

why it is one of the three mosques 

in the world, Muslims can journey 

to visit. 

Also, the Dome of the Rock, built 

on the Temple Mount in 

Jerusalem, is believed to be where 

the Prophet ascended to heaven, 

and where God gave him the 

Second Pillar of Islam; that 

Believers should pray five times a 

day. In fact, the first direction of 

prayer (Quibla) in Islam, was 

Jerusalem. Muslims in the Holy 

City of Mecca were asked to pray, 

facing Jerusalem. This was so 

until it was changed to Mecca in 

625 AD. The city is so sacred to 

Muslims that the early mosques 

in Medina, were built facing the 

Jerusalem. 

So the contention about 

Jerusalem is not religious; it is 

politics; yet humanity has the 

unique opportunity of turning the 

city into a centre of unity. That is 

why we all need to stand for justice. 

Like Malcolm X declared: “I'm 

for truth, no matter who tells it. 

I'm for justice, no matter who it is 

for or against. I'm a human being, 

first and foremost, and as such I'm 

for whoever and whatever benefits 

humanity as a whole.” 

What is needed in Jerusalem is 

basically justice. Like the Prophet 

Amos demanded: “Let justice roll 

down like waters, and 

righteousness like an ever-flowing 

stream. (Amos5:24) 

to expect a freee ride to victory on 

the SAK bandwagon. 

To compound the case for SAK, 

just look to the National Assembly 

top SAK beneficiary as confirmed 

by Hon. Doguwa. Voters won't 

forget in a hurry the iniquitous 

handling of our GMB APC 

Government's mandate by those we 

elected and the many others 

selected by those we elected. We 

won't ever forget budget padding 

exposed by a lawmaker suspended 

by his mates for whistleblowing 

before it became a money-making 

venture. 

Voters also won't ever forget the 

dance of the madman by our 

slippery Senate, its President and 

his many friends in the Senate who, 

in brazen defiance of public 

opinion, escorted him to all his Code 

of Conduct Tribunal (CCB) trials. 

And all of them are beneficiaries 

of the GMB bandwagon. They are 

politicians; voters know who have 

mortally hurt GMB and his 

mission. 

To round off the "tumultous", 

"orderly" crowds or whatever, 

engaged howsoever to welcome 

GMB, I am glad the General is 

clearly in good health, 

Alhamdulillah. "Sai dai, ku ci kan 

ku 'yan uwan mayu..", as Dauda 

Kahuta Rarara put it so poetically 

well. And no one will fool or SAK 

bandwagon us, Common Voters 

anymore.

32 -- Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 

YOUR LUCK TODAY 

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 

SAGITTARIUS; Miscalculation is possible that is 

why you will need to be as practical as possible and 

refuse to take people for granted throughout. 

CAPRICORN; Yes it is good to take partnership 

related issue seriously but priority attention must be 

given to money. Watch what you tell others. 

AQUARIUS; If you take your new ideas too seriously 

they would mislead you. But taken good advice from 

your influential friends can prove helpful. As the Moon 

fluctuates during AM period it is important you’re 

more practical. 

PISCES; Provided you don’t allow mid-morning 

blues to get better off you will eventually live up to 

expectation at work. Take good care of your health, 

please. 

ARIES; Many of you may be tempted and give in to 

the urge to gamble either with love or other important 

issue to the detriment of your cause. Be practical. 

TAURUS; This is not the right time to take 

happenings along your career line for granted. 

Prepare for important domestic challenge. Keep your 

family secrets. 

GEMINI; You may over inflate your ego to the 

resentment of people that matter. Watch what you do 

with money. Try to be more diplomatic. 

CANCER; If care is not taken you would mislead 

others while you are close to minor but costly 

mistakes. Whatever happens you will be luckier today.. 

LEO; After initial confusion before 1pm you find your 

bearing and assert yourself but you will need to 

prepare to take care of oppositions that may come up 

suddenly. Friends’ll help you succeed. 

L E I S U R E 

THOUGHTS FOR TODAY 

Never regret. If it’s good, it’s wonderful. If it’s bad, it’s experience. 

Victoria Holt - Regret 

It is often not the words but the message behind the words 

that makes a quote so meaningful. Even the shortest of quotations 

can convey the most powerful of messages, provide 

meaningful perspective, and impart hard-won wisdom. 

Paul Ayoub 

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye” 

By Kola Fayemi 

VIRGO ;It is important you don’t allow friends 

mislead you no matter how genuine their intention. 

Watch what you do with your, career/business lines 

and health. 

DUDU in “Rolling Hotc’ By A. O. OLAIDE 

LIBRA; Take it easy along your career/business line 

during the morning period so that costly mistakes will 

not make things difficult for. Take your social life 

seriously. 

SCORPIO; What may look like a very good advice 

from younger members within your base of operation 

may eventually lead to avoidable trouble. 

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING 

Send your date and place of birth to the Astr 

trological 

Counselling, P.M.B 100 

007, 7, Apapa, Lagos 

What about my health? 

Dear Joshua, 

I am interested in your daily analysis in Vanguard 

Newspapers. The truth is your daily horoscope 

column always work for me and now I just cant do 

without reading my Star in your papers. 

My believe is since you can be as accurate as 

possible writing daily horoscope you are in a better 

position to analyse my health which is very important 

to me. I want to know which area(s) of my body should 

be taken more seriously. 

Anonymous, Lagos. 

VIRGINIA dadadekola@yahoo.com 

Dear Anonymous, 

According to your natal horoscope you have gone 

above danger zones of your life health-wise. But then 

what you will find here-under will be of benefit. 

Thanks for your commendation. 

Opposition between the Sun (an indicator of basic 

self-hood) and difficult Saturn during your birth hour 

pointed to a very tough beginning in life but luckily 

for you both Spiritual Neptune in powerful Scorpio 

and steady Pluto in healthy Virgo were at positive 

angles to your natal Sun thus, your chances of 

surviving are more than the delicate ones. More so 

as your natal Sun and Moon are members of 

strongest Star signs-health wise. 

Certainly Saturn must have brought you a few 

number of health related challenges raging from skin, 

bone, sometimes the stomach and importantly 

headache . Since you were able to survive infancy 

and middle age you have very good chances of living 

to a very old age. While the ailments stated here can 

easily be managed by yourself one important organ 

of your body that must be managed by medical expert 

is your HEART because of many placement in heart 

related Star sign. This is not to say you must have 

heart problem but here is an organ you in particular 

must take very seriously. Yes fever is common in Africa 

and today fear of STDs is the beginning of good 

health. STDs are mentioned here because of your 

natal planets is sexual Scorpio. Mind you nothing 

fatalistic here, but mere warnings. 

HOME & ABROAD 

By Lawrence Akapa



Be wary of political jobbers, CGG warns Deltans 

By Festus Ahon 

A 

S A B A — 

CAMPAIGN for 

Good Governance, CGG, 

has told Deltans to be wary 

of political jobbers and 

hucksters, who are bent on 

creating confusion and 

derailing the progress of 

the state. 

The group, in a statement 

by its National Coordinator, 

Prince Obaro Unuafe, 

I'll always work for PDP's growth —Wike 


RIVERS 

State 

governor, Mr 

Nyesom Wike, has said 

that he will always work for 

the stability and growth of 

the Peoples Democratic 

Party, PDP, because 

Nigerians are yearning for 

the party to restore the 

welfare of the citizenry. 

He spoke as PDP leaders 

from across the country 

described the governor as 

a man of character who is 

steadfast and committed to 

nation-building and the 

survival of the PDP. 

They spoke on 

Wednesday night during a 

special birthday service 

and dinner in honour of 

Governor Wike at his 

country home in Port 

Harcourt. 

Wike said: “I will never 

do anything that will bring 

down the PDP. I will 

continue to work for the 

party to meet the 

expectations of Nigerians. 

Nigerians are waiting for 

the PDP to rise and salvage 

them. 

“My advice to the new 

National Working 

noted that Governor Ifeanyi 

Okowa had undertaken a 

paradigm shift from the 

ways of the past by 

developing a human 

capital model to drive 

economic growth, social 

inclusion and sustainable 

development in the state. 

He said: “Governor 

Okowa’s human capital 

model is in line with 

international best practices 

that focus on production 

Committee is that you 

should endeavour not to fail 

Nigerians. Do not 

compromise, no matter the 

bait.” 

He stated that he was 

strong politically because 

of the solid support he 

received from the leaders 

of Rivers State from all 

ethnic divides. 

The governor said that 

such support made it 

impossible for the 

rampaging All Progressives 

Congress, APC, Federal 

Government to derail the 

process of development 

and rebirth taking place in 

the state. 

rather than consumption. 

“For employment 

generation, Dr. Okowa 

created a special purpose 

vehicle known as Office of 

the Job Creation Officer to 

design and implement 

programmes to equip our 

youths with life skills, 

management and business 

knowledge to help them 

function as job and wealth 

creators. 

“Through the flagship, 

“I will continue to work 

for the people of Rivers 

State and Nigeria because 

my survival and longevity 

are deposited in the hands 

of God. God has protected 

me over the years, despite 

the challenges I have faced. 

Every additional year is a 

blessing from God and a call 

to greater service,” Wike 

said. 

He said he would always 

stand for what was right 

because God had been 

kind to him and his family. 

According to him: 

“People should be firm and 

truthful at all times. I don’t 

abandon my friends no 

Skills Training and 

Entrepreneurship 

Programme, STEP and 

Youth Agricultural and 

Entrepreneurs Programme, 

YAGEP, the office of the 

Chief Job Creation Officer 

has so far trained and 

established over 2,000 

youths in various 

enterprises. That translates 

to over 2,000 new Micro, 

Small, and Medium Scale 

Enterprises, MSMEs." 

CALL TO BAR: From left: Prof. Marshal, Ese, Barr. Dennis (father), New Wig, Ikeke Dennis, 

Henrieta (mother) Azeke and Dr. Andy Okanu, when I.D. Azeke was called to the Bar in Abuja. 

matter the situation. If you 

take a bullet for me, I will 

take a bullet for you.” 

He said beginning from 

today, his administration 

would flag off the 

construction of new projects 

in Port Harcourt, Ikwerre , 

Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, 

Abua, Ahoada East/West 

and Asari-Toru Local 

Government Areas of the 

state. 

In his remarks, Taraba 

State Governor, Darius 

Ishaku stated that Governor 

Wike had done well for 

Rivers State and Nigeria, 

hence he should be 

celebrated. 

Asiodu moves to stop super highway project 

March 2016, for the 

in C-River 

promotion of nature 

By Fredrick Okopie 

FORMER Petroleum 

Minister and 

President, Board of 

Trustees, Nigerian 

Conversation Foundation, 

NCF, Mr. Philip Asiodu, 

has said the foundation has 

joined forces with other 

notable non-governmental 

organisations, NGOs, to 

stop the super highway 

project in Cross River State, 

saying it is not in the best 

interest of the local people. 

Mr. Asiodu, who spoke at 

the 28th Annual General 

Meeting, AGM, held at the 

National Headquarters of 

the NCF, in Lekki, Lagos, 

said they had strengthened 

their collaboration with the 

Federal Ministry of 

Environment by signing a 

Memorandum of 

Understanding, MoU, in 

conversation, ecotourism 

and sustainable 

management of Nigeria’s 

Environmental Resources. 

According to him: “The 

NCF has teamed up with 

other civil society groups 

and international partners 

to mobilise support against 

the proposed super 

highway project as it will 

destroy much of the 

remaining rain forest.” 

1.6 million Bonga oil spill 

victims battle Shell in court 

By Jimitota 

Onoyume 

W ARRI—NO 

fewer than 

1,686,000 victims of 

Bonga oil field spillage 

in Rivers State have 

dragged oil giant, Shell 

Nigeria Exploration 

Company, SNEPCO, 

before a United Kingdom 

court over its alleged 

failure to pay 

$3,600,191,206 as 

compensation to them 

and communities affected 

by the incident. 

Director, Oil Spill 

Victims Vanguard, 

OSPIVV, Mr Harrison 

Jalla, who disclosed this 

to newsmen in Warri, 

Delta State, said he filed 

a pre-action notice at the 

TCC High Court of 

Justice in London for the 

victims and 

communities, noting that it 

was unfortunate that the oil 

giant had allegedly failed 

to cushion the pains 

suffered by victims of the 

spill. 

He alleged that about 

40,000 barrels of crude oil 

spilled into the 

communities destroyed the 

environment. 

“The pollution from the 

discharge which covered a 

distance of 185 kilometres 

along the Nigerian coast 

line compelled fishermen 

to desert the sea, polluted 

farmlands, vegetation and 

contaminated the 

environment in Ekeremo, 

Southern Ijaw and Brass 

Local Government Area of 

Bayelsa State and Warri 

South West, Warri North 

and Burutu local 

Government Areas of Delta 

State and some riverine 

areas in Ondo State." 

Why Nigerian varsities can't produce 

qualified accountants —ICAN 

By Davies 

Iheamnachor 

PORT 

HAR- 

COURT—THE 

Institute of Chartered 

Accountants of Nigeria, 

ICAN, has explained 

why some Nigerian 

universities cannot 

produce qualified 

accountants. 

The body, at its 2017 

annual award and gala 

night in Port Harcourt, 

Rivers State, said ICAN 

provided opportunity of 

retraining and 

equipping accountants 

with requisite skills to 

function effectively. 

Chairman of the event 

planning committee, 

Mr. Timothy Osondu and 

member of ICAN Port 

Harcourt and District 

Society, said ICAN had a 

different syllabus used in 

retraining of accountants. 

Osondu explained that 

most universities in the 

nation could not produce 

qualified accountants 

because either their 

syllabuses were 

compromised or the 

lecturers took bribes to 

pass the students. 

He said that ICAN in 

its training puts closer 

check on the teachers and 

students during the 

period, adding that the 

retraining process for 

would-be accountants 

was taken seriously. 

Okwagbe alleges marginalisation 

at IPMAN Warri Depot 

By Simon Adewale 

THE Esama of 

U k e p e d i 

Kingdom in Ughelli, 

Delta State, Olorogun 

Okiemute Okwagbe, 

has kicked against the 

alleged marginalisation 

policy of the 

Independent Petroleum 

Marketers Association 

of Nigerian, IPMAN, 

executive at the Warri 

depot and called for 

IPMAN's general 

election. 

Addressing newsmen 

in Warri, Okwagbe 

alleged that the Warri 

depot of IPMAN 

executives had targeted 

their practices against 


marketers of the union, 

considered not to be in 

the good books of the 

executives. 

Burial 

CHIEF 

James 

Opiah is dead, 

aged 87. Funeral service 

and interment will take 

place at his Ogume 

country home, Kwale 

LGA, Delta State, today. 

A service of songs was 

held in his honour at his 

Lagos residence 

yesterday. 

Late Chief Opiah 

C 

M 

Y


G O S — 

PRESIDENT- 

General of apex Igbo Sociocultural 

organisation, 

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief 

John Nnia Nwodo has 

vowed to sabotage any 

attempt to levy war on 

Igboland in the name of 

agitation for Biafra. 

Chief Nwodo made the 

vow, yesterday, while 

addressing Ndigbo in 

Lagos at the practice pitch 

of the National Stadium. 

Recalling how he lost his 

best friend at the war front 

during the Nigeria-Biafra 

war, how more than two 

million Igbo lost their lives 

and how many dreams 

were aborted, Nwodo said 

that as a leader, he would 

not fold his arms and watch 

his people suffer such 

destruction again. 

Nwodo said he is not 

against the agitation for 

Biafra, self determination 

and cries of the Indigenous 

People of Biafra, IPOB 

because the Igbo are truly 

marginalised and 

oppressed in Nigeria. 

However, he said he is 

opposed to the 

methodology of the 

agitators because it cannot 

work in Nigeria as 

currently constituted. 

The only way out, he 

argued, is restructuring 

and enthronement of fiscal 

federalism which will allow 

the states to control their 

resources, handle issues 

like police, education, 

health, mineral resources, 

etc, while the Federal 

Government handles 

functions like immigration, 

customs, central banking, 

aviation and external 

affairs. 

Nwodo declared his 

opposition to another war 

in Igboland when pro- 

Biafran youths wielding 

placards stormed the venue 

while he was addressing 

the crowd. 

Pleading with the security 

not to deal with the 

protesters, Nwodo said: 


BIAFRA: I ‘ll sabotage another war on 

Igboland — OHANAEZE PRESIDENT 

By Clifford Ndujihe, 

Deputy Political Editor 

L 

A 

VISIT: From right; Comissioner of Police, Lagos State, Imohimi Oluwole Edgal 

exchanging pleasantries with the new Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos, Prof 

Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, while deputy Commissioner of police, administration, Ayuba 

Elkanah Nabuni looks on during a visit to the commissioner in Lagos yesterday. 

Obiano, Okowa to partner with FRSC to ease 

traffic jam on Niger Bridge at Xmas 

By Chimaobi 

Nwaiwu 

ALLEGED N5.3BN FRAUD: Ex-Enugu gov, Nnamani 

challenges court’s jurisdiction to try him 


L AGOS—FORMER 

Enugu State 

governor, Mr. Chimaroke 

Nnamani has challenged 

a Federal High Court, 

sitting in Lagos, that it does 

not have the jurisdiction to 

try him over alleged N5.3 

billion fraud filed against 

him by the Economic and 

Financial Crimes 

Commission (EFCC). 

Justice Chuka Obiozor, 

had on December 4, issued 

a bench warrant against the 

former governor and one 

Sunday Onyekazuru 

Anyaogu, over their failure 

“Nobody should touch 

these youths. They are my 

children. When I was their 

age, I was in the trench 

fighting for Biafra. My best 

friend died at the battle 

front. More than one 

million people were killed 

in the battle, one and half 

million people starved to 

death...you can’t be a youth 

then without going to the 

battle front. I can’t allow 

that to happen to my 

people again. That is 

why I will be a saboteur 

in any attempt to levy 

another war on 

Igboland. That is why 

Ohanaeze wants 

restructuring of Nigeria.” 

Noting that Southern 

leaders, southern 

governors and senators, 

N 

N E W I — 

GOVERNOR 

Willie Obiano of Anambra 

State and his Delta State 

counterpart, Dr Ifeanyi 

Okowa, in conjunction 

with the Corp Marshal of 

to appear before the court 

to take their pleas on the 

criminal charge filed 

against them by the EFCC. 

At the resumed hearing 

of the matter yesterday, 

Nnamani’s lawyer, 

Abubakar Samsudeen 

informed the court of his 

client’s application 

challenging the court’s 

jurisdiction to try his client. 

Samsudeen told the court 

that the application was 

brought pursuant to 

sections 6(6) and 36 of the 

1999 Constitution. 

Nnamani through his 

lawyer also sought for a 

declaration that it lacks 

and the Middle belt have 

agreed on the need to 

restructure Nigeria, he said 

the rejoinder of Northern 

senators to the Southern 

senators’ call on President 

Muhammadu Buhari to 

restructure the country was 

watery. 

“Northern senators 

issued a rejoinder to our 

position on restructuring, 

that we are heating the 

polity but they did not 

address the points we 

raised,” he said. 

On the leadership crisis 

in Lagos chapter of 

Ohanaeze, he said the 

recent election remains 

nullified because it was 

held in breach of the 

directives of Ohanaeze 

National Executive 

Federal Road Safety 

Corps, Dr. Boboye 

Oyeyemi have resolved to 

work together to ease the 

traffic jam that nomally 

keeps December and New 

Year travellers along Asaba 

end of the River Niger 

Bridge and Onitsha 

Enugu Express way 

jurisdiction to try him and 

or determine the offences 

contained in charge No. 

FHC/L/90c/07, between 

FRN vs Chimaroke 

Nnamani and eight others, 

in respect of which a plea 

agreement was reached 

between parties. 

He also prayed the court 

for an order setting aside 

the said charge. 

And an order restraining 

government, it’s agents, 

privies, or any other 

persons from inviting, 

instituting, maintaining or 

otherwise prosecuting 

them in respect of the same 

charge. 

Committee, NEC. 

He urged all Igbo in 

Lagos to end their 

differences, unite and go 

for fresh elections, which 

he assured will be 

transparent, free and fair. 

He lamented that 

disunity is the major reason 

Igbo are not getting their 

fair share in the affairs of 

the state in spite of being 

over four million in 

population and 

contributing about 40 per 

cent of taxes paid in Lagos. 

Notable Igbo leaders at 

the gathering are Chief Guy 

Ikokwu, Agunze Chibueze 

Ikokwu, Chief Sylvan 

Ebigwei, Eze Hyacinth 

Ohazulike, Chief Eric Ebe, 

Prince Emeka Ogbu and 

Chief Fabian Duru. 

sleeping on the road. 

Governor Obiano and Dr 

Oyeyemi who visited 

Governor Okowa in Asaba 

before flagging off the 

Anambra 2017 Ember 

Months Awareness 

Campaign, promised that 

travellers will not witness 

such excruciating traffic 

and warned motorists that 

will try to obstruct traffic 

movement that their 

vehicles will be 

impounded, coupled with 

heavy penalty or 

prosecution. 

FRSC Ember Months 

Awareness Campaign 

theme, “Right to Life on 

Highway is not Negotiable" 

campaign flag- off was done 

at Chisco Motors Transport 

Company at Upper Iweka, 

Onitsha, and had all the 

road traffic outfits, such as 

Obinna Ajaegbu- led Willie 

Work Force, WWF; Anambra 

State Traffic Agency, ASTA; 

National Union of Road 

Transport Workers, NURTW 

and Nigeria Association of 

Road Transport Owners, 

NARTO represented. 

IGR: Ugwuanyi disbands 

manual collection of 

revenues 

ENUGU—IN a bid to 

fully actualize the 

ongoing reform 

programmes in the Enugu 

State Internal Revenue 

Service, Governor Ifeanyi 

Ugwuanyi has disbanded 


government revenues in the 

state in order to align with 

the current realities in the 

sector. 

Speaking during the 

commissioning of the 

Revenue Centre of the 

board, in Enugu, which also 

witnessed the launch of the 

Government Revenue 

Automation Project as well 

as release of operational 

vehicles, Ugwuanyi 

declared that “the era of 


government revenues is 

over.” 

The 

governor 

O 

WERRI—THE Imo 

State Comptroller of 

Prisons, Mr. Chris Okoye, 

has raised alarm that the 

reformation of prison 

inmates may remain a 

mirage, if existing facilities 

were not periodically 

upgraded and maintained 

by government. 

Mr. Okoye, who raised 

the alarm while speaking 

after receiving a 

consignment of drugs 

worth over N450,000, 

donated by the Rotary Club 

of Ikenegbu, also lamented 

that the facility was 

overcrowded. 

“The Owerri prison, 

which was constructed by 

the colonial masters to 

accommodate only 548, is 

now holding 2,308 

consequently directed the 

state’s Internal Revenue 

Service to ensure that it 

eliminates manual 

processes in its operations, 

stressing that the new order 

is the automation of all 

activities in the collection of 

government revenue, such 

as enumeration, 

assessment, collections and 

issuance of tax clearance 

certificates, levies, fees and 

other non-tax revenues by 

various ministries, 

departments and agencies 

(MDAs) of government. 

He disclosed the 

objective of the project “is 

to once and for all, plug all 

loopholes through which 

government funds seep out 

to private pockets, 

eliminate corruption and 

ensure that all revenues are 

properly accounted for in a 

transparent manner.” 

Prison facilities inadequate, 

says Imo Prisons boss 

By Chidi Nkwopara 

inmates”, Okoye said. 

The Comptroller of Prison 

further disclosed that the 

inmates take turns to sleep 

at night, in their cells. 

“ It is indeed very sad that 

in this day and age, 

inmates in Owerri Prisons 

take turns to sleep. Some 

even stand throughout the 

night, to make way for their 

colleagues to take a nap”, 

the Imo Prisons boss 

lamented. 

He urged the Federal 

and State governments to 

erect more structures in the 

prison, so as to help 

dicongest the cells. 

“Apart from all these 

problems, our inmates 

suffer from various health 

challenges and it is a thing 

of joy that Rotarians have 

chosen to come to our aid”, 

Okoye said. 

TOTI enters Nigeria lotto 

market 

TOTI Prima, a new 

lottery company has 

berthed in Nigerian market. 

The lotto brand was unveiled 

at a ceremony that took place 

recently in Lagos. 

The firm which is part of 

the Sky Ventures Limited 

Group of Companies and 

has a registered office in San 

Gwann, Malta also 

unveiled media personality 

and former Big Brother 

Africa Reality Show winner, 

Uti Nwachukwu as its brand 

ambassador. 

Chairman, TOTI Prima, 

Mario Camilleri said the 

company had engaged in a 

market research which took 

about two years of planning, 

to come to the conclusion 

that TOTI Prima should play 

in the Nigeria lotto market. 

At a time when some 

companies are afraid to 

invest in the Nigerian 

economy, Camilleri said 

the firm showed confidence 

in Nigeria and the Nigerian 

people. 

According to him, TOTI 

Prima believes in Nigeria, 

its economy and its people. 

The company sees a country 

where it can contribute its 

own quota to make the 

economy more robust, 

adding that the company 

feels the energy of the 

people and the vast 

opportunity in the land for 

companies that are ready to 

bring something refreshing 

to the people and the 

economy. TOTI Prima is 

ready to give the people the 

game to fly their dream, he 

said. 

The Chairman also said 

that, apart from the approval 

from both the Lagos State 

Lotteries Board and the 

National Lottery Regulatory 

Commission, NLRC, the 

firm also discovered that the 

Nigerian market is a mature 

economy.

C 

M 

Y 

K 



$1.1bn needed for humanitarian 

assistance in North-East in 2018—UNDP 

By Ndahi Marama 

M AIDUGURI—THE 

Country Director, 

United Nations 

Development Programme, 

UNDP, Mr. Edward 

Kollon has said $ 1.1 

billion is needed for the 

humanitarian assistance in 

the North-East Nigeria in 

the year 2018 and called on 

the international donors to 

fund the programme. 

Kallon said the North- 

East Nigeria humanitarian 

crisis, where 1.6 million 

persons were displaced, 

was the fifth largest 

humanitarian crisis in the 

world. 

“I call on the Nigerian 

Government to take the 

ownership and leadership 

in the humanitarian crisis. 

The only solution to the 

crisis in the North-East is 

peace; without peace, there 

is no development. I 

believe Nigeria will not 

afford to fail,” he said. 

According to him, 1.6 

million persons were 

displaced in the North-East 

sub region and out of that, 

1.3 million persons were 

ready to go back to their 

communities. He said the 

UNDP had constructed 300 

houses in Ngom 

community of Borno State 

with modern market, 

mosque, police station, 

school and health facilities, 

among others, in their 

quest to bring better 

livelihood to the people of 

the area, noting that the 

project was funded by 

Japanese government. 

He said the humanitarian 

organisation had 

succeeded in averting 

famine in the North-East 

and that the efforts needed 

to be sustained to avoid 

going back to the threat of 

famine in the region. 

Also speaking, Irish 

Ambassador to Nigeria, 

Ambassador Sean HOy 

said there were many 

competing disasters across 

the world, noting that it was 

high time Nigeria took 

ownership. 

He said: “It takes stronger 

politicians to make peace 

than to make war. Peace is 

something that someone 

cannot value until one loses 

it. So we will work hard to 

earn peace. 

"I went to Bama and saw 

how people were in need 

of assistance in the areas of 

education, health, security, 

food and shelter, among 

others. Nigerian 

government and the 

internal community must 

work hard to restore 

livelihood and economic 

recovery in the North-East.” 

Niger Govt presents N128bn budget for 2018 

By Wole 

Mosadomi 

M INNA—NIGER 

State Governor, 

Abubakar Sani Bello, 

yesterday, presented a 

budget of N128 billion 

budget for 2018 fiscal year 

to the state house of 

assembly. 

It is N16 billion or 16.62 

per cent higher than that 

of 2016. 

The Governor, while 

presenting the estimate 

before the Niger State 

House of Assembly, in 

Minna, yesterday, 

christened, “the peoples 

budget,” which he said was 

aimed at "reconnecting with 

the ordinary citizens." 

He said: "The state 

government decided to 

hike the 2018 budget from 

that of last year, which was 

N109 bilion, because of the 

relative peace in the Niger 

Delta and the upward 

swing in the oil price in the 

international market, with 

the fact that the country is 

technically out of 

recession.” 

While giving the 

breakdown, the Governor 

said recurrent 

GAMES: From left: Anthony Ulikere; Ali Mukhtar Dambata, Team FAAN; 

Dahiru Hassan, President Federation of Public Service Games; Ayo 

Onowumi, Secretary General Federation of Public Service Games; and 

Adeleye Taiwo, Secretary General of Team FAAN, during the Federation 

of Public Service Games in Bauchi. 

expenditure would gulp 

over N52 billion, 

representing about 40.7 per 

cent of the total revenue 

projection, while capital 

project would cost over N75 

billion, representing about 

59.8 percent of the budget. 

Bello said the budget 

would be financed through 

statutory allocations, 

which would account for 

about 57.6 billion expected 

as capital receipt; value 

added tax, to contribute 

over N9 billion, Paris 

refund, to fund over N10 

billion and internally 

generated revenue, which 

would cover over N11 

billion of the budget 

estimate. 

Other sources of funding 

the budget include, cash 

receipt of N35 billion and 

Pension reduction to cover 

over N10 billion . 

Highlighting the 

budget, the Governor 

disclosed that the state 

government would 

spend N44 billion on the 

Economic sector, with 

Agriculture receiving top 

priority as the 

administration would 

ensure that 200 hectares 

of land would be 

cleared for the State 

accelerated Agriculture 

scheme aimed at 

upgrading of farm centres 

at Tegina, Gwada and 

Nasko with modern 

farming implements. 

Constitution amendment: Adamawa lawmakers 

reject ‘Independent Candidate’ 

ADAMAWA 

State 

House of Assembly 

has rejected the 

Independent Candidate 

bill and deferred Local 

Government Autonomy 

and State/Local 

Government Joint Account 

bills for Public Hearing. 

The position of the House 

was made known to 

newsmen, yesterday by the 

House Committee 

Chairman on Information, 

Alhaji Abubakar Isa (APC- 

Shalleng). 

Isa said the House, in a 

committee of whole 

considered 11 out of the 15 

alteration bills transmitted 

to it by the National 

Assembly. 

Isa said the bills approved 

included financial 

autonomy for state 

legislature, legislative 

immunity for things said on 

the floor during plenary, 

and change of Nigerian 

Police Force to Nigerian 

Police. 

According to him, the rest 

are; limitation of time for 

budget presentation and 

single tenure for a person 

who concluded another 

person’s tenure. 

Meanwhile, the House at 

plenary on Thursday 

considered and adopted 

the report of the House 

Committee on Health and 

Human Services on a bill 

to amend the law 

establishing the Adamawa 

State College of Health 

Technology. 

The report was presented 

by Mr Sani Shehu (APC- 

Mubi North). 

Presenting the report, 

Shehu said that the bill if 

considered would enhance 

operations of the college. 

The Speaker of the 

House, Alhaji Kabiru 

Mijinyawa who presided 

over the plenary directed 

that the bill be scheduled 

for third reading. 

Ortom presents N178.4bn 

budget for 2018 

By Peter Duru 

M AKURDI— 

GOVERNOR 

Samuel Ortom of Benue 

State, yesterday presented 

a fiscal estimate of N178.4 

billion to the state House 

of Assembly for approval 

as the 2018 budget of the 

state. 

Christened, “Budget of 

Rural Transformation 

Consolidation,” the 

estimate is N4.9 billion or 

2.7 per cent lower than the 

2017 estimate of about 

N183.4 billion 

Making the presentation 

in Makurdi, Governor 

Ortom regretted that only 

32.68 per cent of the last 

estimate was realised as at 

the end of September 2017. 

Breaking down the 

Speed limiters don't reduce 

life span—FRSC 

By Suzan Edeh 

B AUCHI—THE 

Federal Road Safety 

Commission, FRSC, 

Bauchi State Command 

has debunked the claim 

that the speed limit device 

reduces the life span of 

vehicle engines. 

The Sector Head of 

Operations Bauchi 

Command, Paul Gua who 

stated this yesterday while 

fielding questions from 

newsmen on the 

command’s preparedness 

for the Christmas festive 

season, said some drivers 

of commercial vehicles 

were using the excuse as 

one of the grounds for 

resisting the installation of 

the device. 

According to him, the 

device had no negative 

effect on vehicles, noting 

that passengers travelling 

during the festive season 

budget he said, “from this 

figure, a total sum of N77.7 

billion is projected as 

recurrent expenditure 

representing 44 per cent of 

this figure. Of the sum N51 

billion is projected as 

personnel expenditure 

representing 29 per cent, 

while N26.3 billion, 

representing 15 per cent is 

for overhead expenditure.” 

“The capital expenditure 

for fiscal year 2018 is N100.6 

billion, representing 56 per 

cent of the total 

expenditure. 

"We have proposed this 

figure for 2018 bearing in 

mind the compelling need 

to make adequate 

provisions for the productive 

sector of the economy and 

consolidate the on-going 

rural transformation." 

should ensure they 

patronize motor parks that 

had the device installed in 

their vehicles. 

“You and I know that 

speed kills not just 

occupants of a car, the 

engine is also affected. So 

how can speed limit device 

reduce the life span of an 

engine? The device is just 

to control speed, since most 

commercial drivers refuse to 

control their speed while 

driving. Most of the device 

come with trackers that will 

be used to trace the 

whereabouts of vehicle, in 

case it got stolen. So, the 

device has many benefits to 

the owner of the vehicle” he 

said 

He said the FRSC was not 

responsible for installing the 

device in commercial 

vehicles, but was only 

enforcing compliance with 

the rule, pointing out that 

the commission had licensed 

vendors to install the device. 

Aisha empowers 1,000 

youths, women in Bauchi 

By Suzan Edeh 

BAUCHI—THE first 

batch of 1,000 

beneficiaries of the 

women and youths 

empowerment 

programme in Bauchi 

State, organised by the 

wife of the President, 

Aisha Buhari, under her 

pet project, “ Future 

Assured” have rounded 

up their training. 

The programme was 

facilitated by the Bauchi 

State Commission for 

Youths and Women 

Rehabilitation and 

Development, 

BACYWORD. The 1000 

beneficiaries were 

randomly selected from 

different women and 

youth groups from three 

local governments areas 

of Katagum, Ningi and 

Toro and trained based on 

their choice of vocations. 

The women 

beneficiaries were taught 

fashion designing, 

interior decoration, event 

management, catering 

and leatherwork. Others 

were trained how to 

produce cosmetics and 

household cleaning 

products, while the 

youths were taught 

carpentry work, phone 

and computers repairs, 

and furniture repairs.


Unforgetable moments 

There are many reasons 

why the world will not 

forget 2017. In just one year 

of his presidency Donald 

Trump has changed the 

world beyond recognition. 

He has been compared to 

John Adams, Quincy 

Adams, Andrew Jackson 

and John Tyler – all 19th 

Century US Presidents 

whose gift of rage made 

some wonder if they were 

all right upstairs. 

But none of them was 

quite exactly like Trump. 

They were intellectuals or 

soldiers and had held 

elective positions before 

taking office. When Trump 

was sworn in on January 

20, 2017, he was a barbarian 

occupying elective position 

for the first time ever. 

He was elected for the 

same reasons why a long 

list of candidates before him 

had gone to their early 

political graves – 

concealing his tax records; 

despising women, blacks, 

Latinos and Muslims; 

thrashing the liberal press 

and calling CNN and New 

York Times carriers of fake 

news, while at the same 

time, extending an 

unpatriotic hand of 

friendship to Russia, his 

country’s traditional rival. 

Twitterer-In-Chief 

Before his first 100 days 

in office, Trump had started 

campaigning for his second 

term. His twitter handle 

was his staging post during 

his campaign. But even in 

office, it has been his 

mainstay and weapon. 

Trump is the world’s 

Twitterer-in-Chief. And 

those who thought that his 

reckless tweeting would 

end with the campaign 

have been treated to some 

of Trump’s most memorable 

tweeter posts this year. 

Samples: “Arnold 

Schwarzenegger isn’t 

voluntarily leaving the 

Apprentice, he was fired by 

his bad (pathetic) ratings, 

not by me. Sad end to a 

great show.” March 4, 2017 

“How low has President 

Obama gone to tap my 

phones during the very 

sacred election process. 

This is Nixon/Watergate. 

Bad (or sick) guy.” March 

4, 2017 

“Despite the constant 

negative press covfefe 

(sic).” May 31, 2017 

“How can a dummy dope 

like Harry Hurt, who wrote 

a failed book about me but 

doesn’t know me or 

anything about me be on 

TV discussing Trump?” 

July 15, 2017 

“@FrankLuntz is a low 

class slob who came to my 

office looking for consulting 

work and I had zero 

interest. Now he picks anti- 

Trump panels.” August 15, 

2017 

“Truly weird Senator 

Rand Paul of Kentucky 

reminds me of a spoiled brat 

without properly 

functioning brain. He was 

terrible at the DEBATE!” 

August 15, 2017 

“Nobody has better 

respect for intelligence than 

Donald Trump.” August 10, 

2017 

“Why would Kim Jongun 

insult me by calling me 

“old”, when I would 

NEVER call him “short and 

fat?” I try so hard to be his 

friend – and maybe 

someday that will 

happen!” November 12, 

2017. 

“Crooked Hillary Clinton 

is the worst (and biggest) 

loser of all time. She just 

can’t stop, which is so good 

for the Republican Party. 

Hillary, get on with your life 

and give it another try in 

three years.” November 18, 

2017 

Mugabe’s Zim 

There is someone else 

who would have matched 

Trump tweet-for-tweet, this 

year. If former Zimbabwean 

President Robert Mugabe 

were a tweeting man, he 

surely would have 

captured the unexpected 

Of all the 

l o c a l 

newsmakers 

this year, none 

appears more 

worthy of the 

prize than the 

Imo State 

Governor 

O w e l l e 

R o c h a s 

Okorocha 

and dramatic end to his 37- 

year rule in a marble of 

tweets. 

After boasting three years 

ago that he would tell the 

world when he decides to 

leave, 93-year-old Mugabe 

was nudged out of office 

in a palace coup which, 

quite frankly, might not 

have been significantly 

different if he staged it 

against himself. 

For days, the world was 

riveted on the drama in 

Harare such as had never 

been seen since General 

Prats disarmed rebel armed 

tanks trying to overthrow 

Chile’s Allende. 

Except that in Harare, 

everyone seemed to be on 

the same page, with the 

soldiers even seeing 

Mugabe off to a graduation 

ceremony from house arrest 

and, a few days later, 

assisting him to shuffle 

pages of a long rambling 

speech later followed by a 

notice of resignation. 

Mugabe has been paid 

off, and his former deputy 

and now successor, 

Emerson Mnangagwa, 

who instigated the coup, 

has even given the old fox 

a pass to Singapore for 

medical check up. The 

Harare palace coup 

template has left soldiers all 

around the world 

scratching their heads. 

Melaye and co 

Yet, this year, Nigeria has 

also thrown up its own 

memorable examples in 

profiles of bizarre 

leadership. Senator Dino 

Melaye was a shining 

example. While his 

constituents were 

struggling to put food on 

their tables, he was 

showing off his latest 

collection of exotic cars on 

social media or waxing his 

cringe-worthy chart buster, 

Aje ku iya. 

At a point, nuisanceweary 

constituents in Kogi 

signed up for Melaye’s 

recall, but that was not 

before Melaye passed on 

his gift of singing and 

dancing to his colleague, 

Senator Ademola Adeleke. 

Governor Ayo Fayose 

bequeathed the year with 

another kind of legacy. He 

created a huge following by 

just being a contrarian and 

betting, quite disastrously, 

that President 

Muhammadu Buhari was 

a dead man walking. 

When Fayose posed with 

Pastor Enoch Adeboye, he 

was the defender of the 

Pentecostal church and 

when he posed with 

Muslims during the 

Ramadan, he asked for a 

knife to kill the ram in 

sacrilegious defiance of 

common sense and 

tradition. 

But crowds loved him 

anyway, especially in the 

South East where he made 

friends with Nnamdi 

Kanu, that fugitive who 

probably never took his 

mother’s advice not to play 

with fire. 

Fayose has been looking 

at his watch lately. He’s 

nearing the end of his 

tenure and he can see from 

the writing on the wall that 

he cannot repeat the hubris 

of 2017 in 2018. My guess 

is that as he works out his 

exit plan, he would be 

shopping for the humble 

pie this Christmas. He’ll 

need tons of it next year. 

Happiness 

redefined 

Of all the local 

newsmakers this year, none 

appears more worthy of the 

prize than the Imo State 

Governor Owelle Rochas 

Okorocha. It was a 

regrettable accident of 

history that he met Barack 

Obama in the White House 

earlier, when he should 

have met his real cousin, 

Donald Trump. 

Where Trump uses Twitter 

as staging post, Okorocha 

uses statues, falling back on 

his creative ingenuity to 

invent an office for every 

member of his family at 

huge public expense. 

The newly created 

Ministry of Happiness and 

Purpose Fulfillment in Imo 

State is perhaps the single 

most innovative idea since 

Spain appointed Edelmira 

Barreira as its first Minister 

of Sex in February this year. 

Perhaps the real 

disappointment for me is 

that in a year when the 

video of Bukar Abba 

Ibrahim having a twosome 

proved the prowess of the 

67-year-old senator and 

former governor beyond a 

doubt, Okorocha appointed 

a commissioner with far less 

requisite experience for his 

new Happiness ministry. 

Isn’t there something that 

Bukar Ibrahim can still do 

in that Ministry? 

It doesn’t matter to 

Okorocha that workers’ 

salaries are unpaid and 

pensioners are pinning 

away in long, waiting lines. 

This is a year when Imo 

produced enough statues to 

feed the poor and also 

created enough ministries 

to keep Okorocha’s family 

members employed. 

The Chinese said this 

would be the Year of the 

(fire) Rooster, characterised 

by trustworthiness, a strong 

sense of trust and 

responsibility at work. 

The Rooster did not see 

Trump or Okorocha 

coming. 

Ishiekwene is the 

Managing Director/ 

Editor-In-Chief of The 

Interview and member of 

the board of the Global 

Editors Network. 

20 vehicles burn as tanker 

explodes in Festac 

Olufemi 

Most vehicles in Nigeria 

are not road worthy 

and this is clearly highlighted 

in the report that 

a 2010 registered vehicle 

was burnt. The tanker 

breaking into two is a 

sign that the Vehicle 

would not have passed 

MOT in a sane country, 

as if the poor states of the 

vehicles are not enough, 

they do not generally 

have valid insurance that 

will pay the damages, 

how I wish this tanker 

has insurance to pay for 

all the vehicles damaged 

and compensate the victims 

for financial losses. 

I pray for a sane nation 

where people, organizations, 

and institutions are 

accountable. 

Nzeputa 

OlufemiAdeniyi 

Sane nation is only 

when people living in it 

are sane especially their 

leaders. It is the people 

that make a nation. I 

don’t know why you are 

praying for sane nation. 

God has created people 

and it is left for them to 

live well. Stop bothering 

God, bother this government. 

Comfortkay 

Poverty alleviation in 

our country Nigeria, 

these type of Fire-fighter 

truck are already 

phased out in many developing 

country. Fire 

Fighters can save life 

and the state and Federal 

government should 

invest in it, many jobless 

youth can be trained as 

•Tanker explosion 

fire-fighters, we lost 

many life and property in 

fire related incidents 

and it should stop. 

Mac 

Why can’t Nigeria government 

introduce a law 

that will guide against 

tanker/trailer owners and 

their drivers concerning 

their careless preparation 

before entering the 

road? Is it not time to 

introduce a serious penalty 

that will force this 

group of people to learn 

how to guide themselves, 

how to put their 

trucks in good shape and 

as well maintain road 

signs? Really, it seems 

that Nigeria leaders enjoy 

this constant destruction 

of people’s live? Every 

day, blood of the innocent 

is being poured 

on the surface of the 

road. 

Tunji Mac 

Because government 

doesn’t care. 70% of the 

country without current 

water, electricity and 

hospitals. End of story. 

Olooto 

In a real country, fuel 

are transported by trains 

and where emergency 

warrants it to be ferried 

in Tankers, adequately 

equipped fire service follows 

it. But in Niger 

Area, anything goes. My 

question now is who 

pays for these damages? 

Nwa-Africa 

Why will it take Fire 

Service 30 minutes to respond 

when their office 

is in 3rd Ave. Festac 

Town? 

Kanu’s lawyer writes FG, 

seeks pardon for detained 

IPOB members 

By Saheed Shittu Ofuzo 

BUT Kanu said,’it is 

either Biafra or 

death’. Why is the lawyer 

seeking pardon? 

They should be man 

enough to act according 

to their slogan ‘Biafra or 

death’ 

Ofuzo CharlyB 

It’s also the responsibilities 

of judges to acquit 

or convict but the political 

cabals may not follow 

due process. 

Onye Obosi 

I know eventually, it 

will end up like this. See 

what lack of wisdom has 

resulted to. A lot of people 

lost their lives, some 

were permanently incapacitated, 

and some lost 

their business, while others 

are cooling off in 

prisons.My question is: 

Where is Nnamdi Kanu 

or any member of his 

close family? His wife 

and kids are resting in 

the UK. His parents and 

brothers have been 

moved to safety, while he 

himself is hiding. People 

should reason. 

Moon Onye Obosi 

Do you think the government 

is doing the 

right thing by murdering 

innocent people?


UZONDU 

I, formerly known and 

addressed as Uzondu 

Samuel, wish to add 

Ifeanyichukwu to my 

name and be known and 

addressed as Uzondu 

Samuel Ifeanyichukwu. 

All former documents 

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EIGBIREMONLEN 

I , formerly known and 

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IGE 


addressed as Miss Ige 

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ADEBAYO 

EFIJEMUE 


addressed Miss 

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OGUMELU 

VANGUARD CLASSIFIED 

MAMUS 

ADEDOKUN 

OLADIMEJI UMEH 


addressed as Ibraheem 

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OKON 

ON 

ADJERESE 

DIDDY 

MATTHEW 

OSOGBA OKOCHA EWERE 



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as Mrs. Erimoh Olory 

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addressed as 

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ADESHINA ONYEWENDIDI ONYEWENDIDI UCHEGBU EZEAYINKA 



Morounranti Rukaya 

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Morounranti Rukaya 

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addressed as 

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ORDOR ONI-ISIAHAKA ISTIFANUS MUSTAPHA ANI NWABUEZE 



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addressed as Quadri 

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take note. 



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addressed as Oni- 

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addressed as Lucky 

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addressed as Istifanus 

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addressed as Adejumoke 

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This is to confirm that the 

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addressed as Willie 

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addressed as Miss Ani 

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FAK 

AKOLADE 


called as Miss 

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ADIGWE 


called as Miss Adigwe 

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CHANGE OF NAME 

UBOHO CHIJIOKE ELESHIN CHUKWULU MICHAEL FILADE 



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names Shiaka Ugbede 

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names Geregere 

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ONUKA ENAIBRE ORIABURE AMANLUOGHE 

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ERIE UGBO DONALD ANITA ENETIMI AMOS 



Augustina Ngozi Erie, 


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University of Jos and 

the general public 



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OJONE EKOH UGWU EFFIONG ALENI DOBA 

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addressed as Miss and addressed as addressed as Miss addressed as Miss 

Peace Rowland Ekoh, Ugwu Crescent, Justina Effiong Tom, Jennifer Otibhor Aleni, 


now wish to be 


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Peace John Offiong. All 

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C r e s c e n t 

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Uhuangho. All former 


remain valid. 



remain valid. IBTC, 

Ministry of Interior and 








Doba P. Lebonmene, 



Ozoemenem Hill 

Lebonmene. All former 



please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME 

CHIKA 


addressed as Chika 

Anyamele, now wish 


addressed as 

Chikaodinaka 

Anyamele. All former 




AKASA 


addressed as Joseph 

Joseph and Akasa 

Rebecca, now wish to 

be known and 


Burutu Rebecca Joseph. 




ODION 



Roseline Nwankaego 

Odion, now wish to be 


as Mrs. Roseline 

Nwankaego Dele- 

Makun. All former 


valid. The general 

public to please take 

note. 

EGBARA 


addressed as Egbara, 

Doris Ikot now wish to 

be known and 

addressed as Edah 

Doris Ikot. All former 


valid. University of 

Calabar, FCE Obudu, 

WAEC, CUSO, First 

Bank, Union Bank and 



ISSIBOR 



Blessing Issibor, now 


addressed as Miss Peter 

Blessing Ogheneware. 




PALMER 



Palmer Oyadonghan, 



Ofe Oyadonghan. All 




VOKE 



Okor Voke, now wish 



Okome Okor 

Voke. All former 




LAUNCHING: Fromleft: Mr Ripudaman Sharma, Corporate Sales Head, 

Multipro Consumer Products Ltd, Ms Rosette Agbor, Brand Manager, Arla 

Dano, Dr Bartholomew Bral, President, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Mr Mads 

Burmester, Managing Director, TG Arla Nigeria, and Ms Ifunanya Obiakor, 

Marketing Manager, TG Arla Nigeria, at the launch of Dano Flavoured Milk 

Powder in Lagos. 

SYMPOSIUM: From left: Amanda Ihemebiri, Psychotherapist and 

Architecture photographer; Dami Ajayi, author of the book ‘A Woman’s Body 

is a Country’; Olumide Makanjuola, Executive Director, The Initiative for 

Equal Rights; Victor Ugo, and Wana Udobang, Journalist, Poet and Film 

Maker, at the third edition of the Symposium with the theme; Human Rights, 

Sexuality And The Law in Lagos. 

VISIT: From left: Dr. Odusote Olumuyiwa, Babatunde Hunpe, Special 

Adviser on Environment, Dr. Mike Ogirimah, President, NMA, Dr. Babatunde 

Adejare, Commissioner for the Environment, and Mr Abiodun Bamgboye, 

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Environment, during NMA's visit to 

the ministry in Lagos. 

BRIEFING: From left: Comrade Adeola Ilori, Executive Director, Human 

and Consumer Rights Advocacy Centre, Comrade Sina Loremikan, Convener 

of Fight Aganist Impunity, and Daniju Adeniyi, Human Rights Activist, during 

the briefing by Campaign Against Impunity in Nigeria, on Allegation of 

Corruption and Abuse of Office by Director General of Securities and 

Exchange Commission , at the Human Rights House, Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja 

Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi. 


:Vanguard :@vanguardnews :@vangu 

NIGCOMSAT partners 

NIPOST on broadband 

penetration 

By Emmanuel 

Elebeke 

ABUJA—THE Nigeria 

Communication 

Satellite, NIGCOMSAT, is 

partnering with the 

Nigerian Postal Service, 

NIPOST, to deepen 

broadband penetration in 

the country. 

The Executive Director, 

Marketing and Business 

Development, 

NIGCOMSAT, Hon. 

Samson Osagie disclosed 

this, yesterday, at a 

business meeting and 

award ceremony in 

honour of retail partners 

of NIGCOMSAT held in 

Abuja. 

Osagie said in a bid to 

increase broadband 

penetration in Nigeria, the 

company is partnering 

with NIPOST to deploy 

broadband services using 

the NIPOST infrastructure 

in order to provide 

unswerving service to the 

unserved and 

By Providence 

Emmanuel 

L Middle AGOS—BAYER 

Africa has 

introduced new pack of 

Claritine, best selling 

allergy brand worldwide 

into the Nigerian market. 

Claritine is Bayer’s 

brand of Loratadine 

offering non-drowsy relief 

from symptoms of cold and 

allergies including 

itching, catarrh and itchy/ 

teary eyes. 


pharmaceutical company, 

“we are making good our 

promise to deliver quality 

pharmaceutical support to 

underserved areas. 

While reflecting on the 

activities of agency the in 

2017, Osagie described 2017 as a 

year of happiness as NIGCOMSAT 

limited witnessed a successful 

signing of MoU with Berlintersat 

as a mutual back up service to boost 

penetration in Nigeria. 

‘‘In a bid to increase broadband 

penetration in Nigeria, we are 

partnering with NIPOST to deploy 

broadband services using the 

NIPOTST infrastructure in order 

to provide unswerving service to 

the unserved and underserved 

areas. 

‘‘Our continuous partnership 

with China Great Wall Industry 

Corporation, CGWIC, has 

remained beneficial to both parties. 

’The Federal Government recently 

appointed three new Executive 

Directors to support the CEO in 

strengthening corporate 

governance for appropriate 

positions of NIGCIOMSAT 

through the commercialization of 

our infrastructure in order to 

generate revenue via the Direct- 

To-Home platform, navigational 

services and broadband 

connectivity.’’ 

Bayer unveils new pack 

of Claritine 

Nigerians. Claritine is now 

available for purchase in all 

leading pharmacies in the 

country. 

The company advised 

consumers to insist on packs 

with NAFDAC Registration 

number at point of purchase. 

However, Bayer is a Life 

Science company with more 

than 150-year history and 

core competencies in the areas of 

health care and agriculture. Bayer 

has been improving the quality of 

life of people by preventing, 

alleviating and treating diseases, 

through its pharmaceutical 

division, and providing a reliable 

supply of high-quality food, feed 

and plant-based raw materials 

around the world through its crop 

science division.


41—Vanguard, 

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 

Government hospitals detain 

patients in Lagos 

. I was crushed by BRT, abandoned by family — Tawa 

.My 

. 

mother has stroke, I have no helper — Oluwole 

We do not detain patients — LUTH, LASUTH 


FOUR months after 

Dapo Sheba and Oluwole 

Abisogun were officially 

discharged from the Lagos State 

University Teaching Hospital, 

LASUTH, Ikeja, they are yet to 

go home. Tawa Yusuf who was 

also discharged three months ago 

from the Lagos University 

Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi 

Araba, is yet to be reunited with 

her family. 

The three patients have alleged 

that they are being detained in 

the two tertiary hospitals as a 

result of indebtedness. 

At the Male Medical Ward B of 

LASUTH, where Dapo with 

hospital file number 404263 and 

Oluwole (file number 394151) 

alleged they are being confined, 

Features Health & Living 

gathered that both of them had 

been officially discharged since 

August, 2017 but could not 

breathe the air of freedom because 

of their inability to settle their bills. 

Recounting her ordeal at the 

Female Medical Ward B1 of 

LUTH, Tawa, victim of hit-andrun 

Lagos Bus Rapid Transit 

(BRT), was in tears. 

“Around May this year, my leg 

was crushed by a BRT bus in Ketu 

area of Lagos State as I was on 

my way home around 7:45 pm 

after selling my goods. The driver 

did not stop and no one got the 

registration number of the bus. A 

Good Samaritan rushed me to a 

hospital around toll gate area. 

“From there, I was referred to 

the National Orthopaedic 

Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, where I 

was on admission for some days 

and later referred to LUTH. At 

LUTH, I was told that the accident 

affected my leg and private part 

and I could not be treated there. 

“While I was at Igbobi, my 

husband and elder sister ran 

around to raise money to pay my 

bill. It was the remaining N25,000 

they had left that was deposited 

when I was first admitted at 

LUTH.” 

Part of Tawa’s pain is not seeing 

her husband since the day after 

she was admitted. “My husband 

promised to come back but I have 

not seen him since. Even my 

sister that came around for a few 

weeks, later stopped coming. I 

miss my children. 

Tawa said the hospital did a 

colostomy to assist her pass faeces 

normally but the procedure is yet 

to be completed. 

“I have not settled my medical 

bill estimated at N351,000. I was 

discharged on the 12th of 

September, 2017, and the doctors 

urged me to return when I have 

money for the corrective surgery. 

But they refused to let me 

go without settling my 

bill.” 

Tawa said a Good 

Samaritan gave her 

N50,000 while another 

person gave her N15,000. 

Dapo, Oluwole 

lament 

Sharing his own 

experience, Dapo Sheba 

recalled that he was 

admitted at LASUTH 

following a case of food 

poisoning. 

“I was taken to Premass 

Hospital, Igando, and 

later referred to LASUTH 

on the 11th of July 2017. 

They drained something 

from my stomach and told 

me that it was my leg 

wound that caused the 

infection. I spent about 

N150,000 on tests and 

other expenses up till the 

30th of August when I 

was discharged.” 

According to Dapo, his 

overall expenses for 

treatment was about 

N400,000, but he had an 

outstanding of N118,000. 

“As a result of my 

inability to pay, the bill 

accumulated to about 

N180,000. My younger 

brother brought N40,000 

and pleaded with the 

hospital management to 

strike an agreement to 

pay the balance as soon 

as he collected his salary. 

We have written the letter 

over eight weeks ago, but 

the hospital has not 

responded. 

"Now the bill is about N268,000 

and I am no longer receiving 

treatment, they are just charging 

me N2,400 on daily basis. They 

don’t even allow me to move 

around, if I want to go and 

urinate, they will monitor me. 

“Tailoring is my trade, but I have 

no shop or tools. I want people to 

assist me with my bill, so that I 

can start selling pure water to 

sustain myself,” Dapo pleaded. 

Also recounting his experience, 

Oluwole Abisogun, 51, who had 

his left leg previously amputated 

as a result of diabetes 

complications, said he 

approached LASUTH to save his 

other leg. 

“I was admitted on the 8th of 

April, 2017 and discharged on the 

27th of August, 2017 but 

prevented from going home due 

to my failure to pay up the balance 

of of my bill of about N318,900.” 

Oluwole, who hails from Edo 

State and resides in Abeokuta, 

said his greatest wish is to spend 

the yuletide in his house. 

Dapo Sheba 

Oluwole Abisogun 

“My father is late and my 

mother is down with stroke and 

is being looked after by the only 

sibling I have. 

“After spending about N800,000 

for treatment while on admission, 

when I was discharged in August, 

I was given a bill of N318,000 and 

told I could not go home until the 

bill was settled. 

“But the following day, they 

started charging me for the bed 

(N1,200 per night) and food 

(1,200 per day). 

Somebody must 

foot the bill as 

the cost of 

providing these 

services need to 

be recovered in 

order to maintain 

and render same 

or better care to 

others 

Tawa Yusuf 

Oluwole said it got to a stage 

he requested the hospital to stop 

giving him food so that the bill 

would stop accumulating. 

“As at last week, the bill had 

accumulated to about N393,600 

even without receiving any 

treatment, some people came to 

assist me with N150,000 but they 

still refused to let me go. 

“I am a driver, since my left leg 

was amputated, I have not been 

able to work. I can drive an 

automatic transmission vehicle to 

survive or if I can get a shop, I 

can still start a petty trade. I have 

two very young children. I want 

people to assist me to get out of 

here.” 

LUTH, LASUTH 

react 

But reacting to the allegation, 

the Chief Medical Director, 

LUTH, Prof. Chris Bode 

described it as untrue. 

“LUTH does not detain 

anybody. We have no detention 

facility nor do we restrain the 

movement of anybody except in 

the Psychiatry Ward. What 

happens is that patients who are 

unable to pay stay on their own, 

asking to be given time while they 

look for money from relations to 

offset their bills. 

“As we embark on this renewed 

quest for good healthcare, we 

must accept that this is not free 

and tertiary care is costly if it must 

be qualitative, affordable and 

accessible. 

“Somebody must foot the bill as 

the cost of providing these 

services should be recovered in 

order to maintain and render 

same or better care to others. 

Treatment is highly subsidised by 

over 70 per cent but not free in 

LUTH. This patient who readily 

resorts to making inaccurate and 

misleading statements about the 

hospital received extensive care.” 

According to Bode, over 60 

patients are owing the hospital 

more than N12 million. 

“We are taking steps to recover 

as much of this sum as possible 

so we can buy syringes, drugs, 

oxygen, diesel, other 

consumables, pay our electricity 

bills etc., so we can continue to 

fulfill our mandate to serve 

Nigerians. 

“There is a robust protocol in 

place for anybody who says they 

cannot pay, to give the hospital a 

payment plan and a guarantor 

and it would have been better if 

this patient had approached the 

Hospital Management with her 

plight and given a pledge on 

staged payment plan. She is 

advised to do so. 

Also reacting, the Chief 

Medical Director of LASUTH, 

Professor Adewale Oke denied 

the allegation of detention. 

“We don’t detain patients. What 

we usually do is to investigate 

what the issues are. If things are 

so bad that the patient cannot pay, 

that patient will enter into 

agreement with Medical Social 

Welfare Service Unit about how 

the bill will be settled, but 

oftentimes, they don’t come back 

to pay. 

“I cannot as a person say that 

the patient should go home but 

we don’t detain any patient in the 

hospital. I was on vacation for 

some time and have just resumed. 

Their matter will be looked into 

and sorted out,” he assured. 

Also reacting, a Medical 

Lawyer, Laolu Osanyin, said 

under no circumstances should a 

hospital detain or prevent patients 

from leaving the hospital after 

treatment. 

Osanyin who is the first African 

member of the Board of 

Governors of the World 

Association for Medical Law, said 

such act is illegal and can simply 

be regarded as an infringement 

on the patient’s fundamental 

human rights. 

"There is what we call Patient 

Chartered which is a legal 

document that the patient ought 

to sign before being treated if it's 

not an emergency case. 

"This document will state clearly 

that if a patient defaults in 

payment, the hospital has right 

to take legal action against such 

patient but such action does not 

include detaining the patient in 

the hospital.” 

THEY

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 —42 

Kajuru Castle is a remote 

piece of wilderness most 

Nigerians have never heard of 

– and only a few have been 

there. Designed typically 

European and similar to what 

is seen on Western TV or 

publications. 

Kajuru Castle is a luxury 

resort built in early medieval 

style at Kajuru village, Kaduna 

State in 1978 by a German 

expatriate, who lived in Kaduna 

at the time. It took five years to 

build complete with turrets, 

armoury and dungeon, 

Located at about 45 kilometres 

from Kaduna on the Southern 

Kachia road is the village of 

Kajuru. If one takes to the road 

at the right, in the centre of the 

town and drives past the Local 

Government Headquarters, for 

about 5-7 kilometres, one will 

see on the left a strange sight 

on a mountain ridge; a 

European castle in Africa! 

Indeed, the first timer may 

assume he is imagining things 

or his eyes are probably playing 

games on him, but this is for 

real. 

The breathtaking 

architectural master-piece is a 

tourist wonder of sorts. The 

style is very European and 

clearly German with a baronial 

hall, complete with suits of 

Kajuru Castle: An unexpected 

mountain resort 

armour. 

Being surrounded on all sides 

by mountains and hills give the 

castle a setting and an ambience 

that offers a ‘Home away from 

Home’ experience for visitors, 

who need the sort of serenity to 

refresh, to reflect or simply to 

get away from a busy schedule. 

The castle’s remote location 

and hilly topography is ideal for 

The International Air 

Transport Association 

(IATA) and the African 

Development Bank (AfDB) 

have signed a memorandum 

of understanding (MoU) to 

establish a framework for 

collaboration to boost the 

aviation sector in Africa. 

The MoU was signed in 

Abuja on the sidelines of the 

International Civil Aviation 

Organization’s World 

Aviation Forum, “Financing 

the Development of Aviation 

Infrastructure” by IATA’s 

a hike. 

In the castle, there are 

bedrooms looking like 

dungeons and several towers 

with crenelated walls. 

The rooms are spread across 

the castle’s three floors, inside 

the structure to the left, which 

is the one that has the turrets at 

the top. On the right is the 

cylindrical castle building, also 

with its own apartments and 

rooms which include four 

dungeon-like bedrooms, a 

master suite (referred to as the 

Landlord’s residence and a 

baronial hall with a complement 

of armour. 

On the rooftop, there is a set 

of tables and chairs that can sit 

no less than 10 guests at a time. 

There is also a garden but the 

most attractive part of the facility 

is the open courtyard with the 

large pool and pool chairs, plus 

a barbecue area complete with 

an outdoor oven. 

The castle is made up of a 

magnificent large stainless 

steel swimming pool and well 

equipped kitchens (it is selfcatering 

for those who can gain 

entry). It is a Private Property, 

and entry to this place is not 

very easy. 

Beware there are also 

crocodiles in the moat 

protecting the castle gates! The 

road up to the castle requires a 

4×4 vehicle. 

IATA, African Development Bank sign MoU to advance Africa’s aviation 

Director General and Chief 

Executive Officer, Alexandre 

de Juniac, and African 

Development Bank President 

Akinwumi Adesina. 

The aviation industry in 

Africa currently supports US 

$72.5 billion in economic 

activity and 6.8 million jobs. 

Over the next 20 years, the 

industry is forecast to grow at 

nearly 6% per year. 

“This creates significant 

opportunities. But achieving 

this potential will not happen 

by chance; strong partnerships 

are key. The MoU with AfDB 

will help facilitate the growth 

and development of Africa’s 

aviation industry. 

“In so doing, it will expand 

prosperity and change 

peoples’ lives for the better in 

the continent’s 54 nations,” de 

Juniac told the African Aviation 

Ministers, Africa aviation 

industry experts, and airline 

executives present at the 

signing ceremony. 

Under the MoU, IATA and 

the AfDB will work in 

partnership to further 

Africa’s economic and social 

development by helping 

build a safe, secure and 

efficient aviation industry. 

The two organizations have 

committed to create and 

implement programs and 

projects, including technical 

cooperation for capacity 

building. Priority areas will 

include improving 

connectivity, safety and 

aviation infrastructure.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 — 43 

Atiku’s not a threat to APC 

— Idahosa 

CHIEF Charles Idahosa is a Special Adviser on Political Matters to former 

governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole. In this interview, Idahosa, a 

chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, states that the reason given by 

former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for defecting to the Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP, does not hold water adding that the former Vice 

President is not a threat to the APC. He also bares his mind on other burning 

sundry issues. Excerpts: 

By Dapo Akinrefon 

ALHAJI Atiku 

Abubakar, former 

Vice- President 

recently dumped your party, 

APC for PDP and gave some 

reasons for his actions. But 

some Nigerians are saying his 

reasons are not genuine but he 

is only desperate to become 

President. Do you also share 

this view? 

The reasons Atiku gave for 

leaving APC can be likened to 

the old adage that says ‘You 

give a dog a bad name in order 

to hang it’. I think he left the 

APC because he wanted to give 

a last shot to his presidential 

ambition and he strongly 

believes that that opportunity 

may not come if he remains in 

APC considering the fact that 

in the last presidential primary 

of the party in December 2014, 

he took a distant third. 

That is the major reason why 

he left APC. Every other thing 

he said about his leaving APC 

because of lack of internal 

democracy and no future for 

Nigerian youths does not hold 

water. He needed to go but you 

don’t expect him to tell 

Nigerians that ‘I am leaving 

New twist to PDP/APC media war 

By Emmanuel Aziken, 

Political Editor 

THE heated campaign for 

the office of spokesman of the 

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP 

ended with the emergence of a 

veteran journalist Mr. Kola 

Ologbondinyan. He beat a 

number of passionate advocates 

of the PDP among whom were 

Mr. Farouk Audu-Adejoh from 

Kogi State and Prof. Abubakar 

Suleiman, a former minister in 

the Goodluck Jonathan 

administration. 

His emergence has inevitably 

set the stage for what many 

political observers expect to see 

a vigorous contest of ideas 

between the PDP and the ruling 

All Progressives Congress, APC. 

The interest arises from the fact 

that both party spokesmen were 

at one time editors at Thisday. 

Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the 

spokesman of the APC, a former 

minister was, however, by far the 

senior editor having left Thisday 

in 2003 to serve in the Bukola 

Saraki administration in Kwara 

State. Following his stint in 

Kwara, he was appointed the 

minister in the Goodluck 

APC because I want to contest 

for presidency elsewhere’. 

If you remember, he said APC 

will be his final bus stop in 

2014, meaning that he will not 

join any other political party 

again. Atiku is a man I know 

very well and I have great 

respect for. 

How did he miss the 

opportunity? 

Atiku was a protégé of the late 

Shehu Musa Yar’Adua. He 

has a political machinery that 

cuts across the country. When 

Yar’Adua was in prison during 

the Abacha era, he confided in 

some of his lieutenants that in 

case he dies in prison, they 

should ensure they draft in 

Olusegun Obasanjo in order to 

compensate the South West for 

what happened to the late 

MKO Abiola. Yar’Adua’s key 

man then was Atiku so 

Obasanjo was forced to work 

with him. 

When Obasanjo was 

contesting as president, he had 

no money. Atiku provided all 

the funds. I know all this 

because I was part and parcel 

of the whole thing. Having 

agreed on Obasanjo, they 

needed people to execute the 

project. It was Atiku that called 

•Abdullahi 

Jonathan cabinet and left the 

cabinet in March 2014 upon his 

loyalty to Saraki who had at that 

time left the PDP for the APC. 

Ologbondinyan may have 

been a junior editor in Thisday 

when Abdullahi left having been 

the Senate Correspondent at that 

time before stints as Political 

Editor and subsequently 

spokesman to Senate President 

David Mark, one of his two 

political godfathers, the other 

being Senator Tunde Ogbeha. 

Remarkably, both men pulled 

the levels with Chief Olisa 

Metuh and Senator Ike 

Ekweremadu to help him become 

the spokesman of the PDP. Given 

Chief Anthony Anenih to lead 

the campaign of Obasanjo. I 

was the first person Chief 

Anenih took from Benin in 

1998. We usually meet in one 

very popular hotel in Abuja. 

That was where the whole plans 

started before we went to Jos 

for the convention. 

Atiku had already won 

election as governor of 

Adamawa state because that 

was his ambition then. But 

Obasanjo insisted that he 

wanted him as his running 

mate so he contested as 

running mate to Obasanjo 

despite his position as the 

governor-elect of Adamawa 

state. According to sources 

available to us that time, 

Obasanjo said he will do a 

single term but after that, he 

decided to go for second term. 

I was physically present at 

Rivers state Governor’s Lodge 

when the heat became too much 

and Obasanjo in the presence 

of all of us knelt down in front 

of Atiku begging him to allow 

him do a second term. 

I think that was how Atiku 

missed the opportunity by 

agreeing to Obasanjo’s plea. 

He thought at least if Obasanjo 

completes his second term, he 

•Ologbodiyan 

the antecedents of the two men 

it was not surprising that just one 

day after the PDP convention that 

the fireworks sparked out. 

Welcoming Ologbondiyan to 

the scene, Abdullahi in a press 

statement last Sunday flayed the 

outcome of the PDP convention 

saying, that it was characterised 

by vote-buying and that the PDP 

has refused to change its colours. 

“The abnormalities that trailed 

the PDP National Convention 

have further exposed the PDP as 

a Party not ready and willing to 

change. Indeed, the PDP has 

once again displayed itself to the 

generality of Nigerians that it is 

a Party with corruption deeply 

•Idahosa 

will handover to him but you 

all know the story of third term 

and that was how they fell 

apart. Atiku had the best 

opportunity to become 

president in 2003 and lost it. 

He had the support of PDP 

governors then. Now, in the 

process of jumping from one 

place to another to realise his 

ambition, he has lost woefully. 

But do you see Atiku as a 

threat now that he is in PDP? 

Atiku is not a pushover. The 

political machinery of the late 

Yar’Adua is very awesome and 

still intact. But Atiku as I speak 

today cannot be a threat to APC 

or President Muhammadu 

Buhari if the president decides 

to run which I believe he will 

do. We must understand that it 

is easier to destroy than to 

build. Buhari is taking 

Nigeria through a building 

process and he is doing a great 

job. 

rooted in its DNA. 

“Again, it is tragic that the PDP 

which used to pride itself as “the 

biggest political Party in Africa” 

has now been reduced to a 

regional party. By frustrating 

South West Chairmanship 

candidates, it is unfortunate that 

the PDP has decided to punish 

the South West for not voting for 

the Party in 2015.” “We urge 

members of the PDP that can 

pass the integrity test to join the 

APC so that we can together bring 

about the much-needed Change 

the country deserves.” 

Hours later, Ologbondiyan in 

his first statement retorted 

describing the APC as being 

jittery over the resolution of the 

enthronement of a new PDP 

exco. 

PDP Convention: APC Jittery, 

Clutching On Straws. 

“It is indeed laughable that the 

APC which has roundly failed in 

not only managing the affairs of 

the country but also its own 

internal issues would recourse to 

panic mode just because the PDP 

has succeeded in uniting its fronts 

by conducting of a very credible 

elective National Convention. 

You said you don’t see Atiku 

as a threat to President Buhari. 

What if the votes of the South- 

South and South- East goes to 

PDP and both Atiku and 

Buhari share the votes from 

the Northern region and 

South- West in 2019? 

Yes, it is going to be a very 

difficult election. There is no 

doubt about that. I have been 

part and parcel of these things 

for a long time, so I understand 

the political narratives in these 

areas you mentioned. One 

thing we must understand is 

the fact that the 2015 election 

was easy for APC because it 

was Jonathan. Jonathan 

does not have any idea of 

governance. He was just 

fortunate to become Deputy 

Governor, Governor, Vice- 

President, Acting President 

and President. 

“We were very much aware of 

the plots by the APC to scuttle 

the convention and failing it has 

resorted to a failed attempt to 

discredit an elective convention 

that has been adjudged as 

creditable, novel and laudable by 

political stakeholders and lovers 

of democracy across the nation. 

“Is it not disgusting, 

reprehensible and embarrassing 

that the APC that has repeatedly 

failed to hold meetings, 

congresses and convention in the 

last three years and has flagrantly 

continued to violate its own 

constitution is questioning our 

party’s rights to perform her 

legitimate and constitutional 

obligation? 

“Perhaps APC leaders have 

never read Article 25 (A)(i) of their 

party’s Constitution which 

stipulates that “the National 

Convention of the party (APC) 

shall be held once in two years 

at a date, venue and time to be 

recommended by the National 

Working Committee (NWC) and 

approved by the National 

Executive Committee (NEC) 

subject to the giving of the 

statutory notices to the 

Independent National Electoral 

Commission (INEC) and at least 

14 days notice given to members 

eligible to attend.”


What politicians can learn from 

the Army on restructuring (3) 

— Ike Nwachukwu 

*How to safeguard Nigeria's unity 

Continued from yesterday 

Welfare 

T 

of the Nigerian Army 

he Nigerian Army should place 

welfare of its personnel as a top 

priority. However, we are not unaware 

that it has over time introduced and 

still introducing various welfare 

packages in order to meet its morale 

boosting component strategy which 

would produce well-focused and wellmotivated 

troops. Among these 

packages should include sponsoring 

soldiers to acquire more academic and 

professional qualifications and 

competences to improve on their 

positions in life. 

I remember when as the Adjutant 

General, I introduced what was known 

as the Nigerian Army Welfare 

Insurance Scheme (NAWIS). Then it 

was a pro-rated contributory fund for 

troops welfare. It was meant to pay 

families of deceased officers and 

soldiers ten –times their annual salaries 

pending when the Army will work out 

their Death Benefits. It was also meant 

to provide scholarships for children of 

serving soldiers. It was further meant 

to provide housing loans to serving 

soldiers such that they can own homes 

anywhere they wish in the country. I 

hope this welfare scheme is still 

operating. 

As I speak many of our retirees are 

dying off from penury. The pensions 

and gratuities paid them are so 

minuscule that none can start a new 

life on them nor live a fairly decent life 

in retirement. It is time to review these 

so that officers and men under the army 

may live their lives in retirement not 

regretting their service to country. A 

look at the severance pays and pensions 

paid to our civilian counterparts tell 

the story better. There should be an 

upward review of the army pension 

and gratuity to make it attractive so 

that service men and women are not 

tempted to illegally enrich themselves 

while in service. 

Therefore, it is saddening to see some 

Military officers and soldiers being 

paraded in civil courts for crimes from 

corruption and abuse of office. During 

our time the military had established 

procedures according to military 

norms and values where such cases 

were tried and appropriate sanctions 

made that may include death 

sentencing and in some cases life jail 

terms. 

Nowadays, young officers and 

soldiers show up in the Barracks in very 

expensive vehicles without the unit 

commanders being aware of them. 

Such acts could result in indiscipline 

and insubordination within the 

Barracks. Back in our days, an officer 

drove into the barracks in a Citroen 

Palace car way beyond his means of 

livelihood. Our Battalion Commander 

in the 5th Battalion, Bukavu Barracks, 

Kano, Lt. Col. Chukwuemeka 

Odumegwu - Ojukwu impounded the 

vehicle and kept it in the Mechanical 

and Transport (MT) Yard. The officer 

was denied access to the vehicle until 

he was able to explain how he could 

afford such an expensive vehicle at that 

time. It took the officer three months 

before he gained access to his car, 

having convinced the Commanding 

Officer that he was able to save some 

money to buy the car when he was 

serving in Congo with the UN flag. 

May I ask, how many of you here will 

or have challenged officers and men 

under you for living beyond their 

legitimate means? 

I must recall, with nostalgia, how Lt. 

Gen. Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma 

(rtd.) our then Chief of Army Staff, was 

able to stamp out cultism among 

officers and men at the 2nd Division of 

the Nigerian Army. He and such 

officers like Lt. Gen. Julius Ipoola 

Akinrinade and the bulk of officers 

never tolerated such at that time. 

Collectively, we stopped the spread of 

cultism in the Nigerian Army. 

To achieve spirit of oneness 

It is my belief, therefore, that to 

achieve the spirit of oneness, and to 

safeguard Nigeria´s unity and 

sovereignty, the Army needs a mindset 

which allows for tolerance, 

accommodation and better 

understanding to remove, in large 

measure, the trust deficit among our 

people towards it. It must work to 

remove any inclination that will lead 

to the perception that some have undue 

advantages over the others. 

The role of the Army is imperative in 

safeguarding our territorial integrity, 

our democracy, ethics and values. In 

doing so, it must be an apolitical 

organization holding itself at a great 

distance from political parties and 

avoid commenting on political issues. 

It must deny political parties or leaders 

access to military bases/barracks. The 

Army should not be used by the political 

class as agents to destabilise the polity 

especially before, during and after 

elections in Nigeria. As I mentioned 

earlier, in the course of this lecture, the 

The Nigerian 

Army should 

maintain its 

distance from 

political parties, 

commenting on 

political issues, 

and, not allow 

political parties 

or leaders access 

to its personnel or 

military bases 

Nigerian Army since inception has 

fought and defended the unity and 

sovereignty of the Nigerian State. In 

all of its operations, it tried to maintain 

high level of professionalism. It 

distinguished itself in international 

operations as an effective fighting and 

peace making force, in the United 

Nations (UN), African Union (AU), 

Economic Community Of West 

African States (ECOWAS), etc. 

The Nigerian Army should adhere 

to the international operational 

procedure that modern Armies should 

be devoid of ethnicism, religionism, 

sexism, and should continue to resist 

any temptation to disrupt democracy. 

It should be citizen friendly, respect 

human rights, Rule of Law, and the 

Nigerian Constitution. 

Finally, the Civil Military relations 

should be nurtured and encouraged. 

Senator Ike Nwachukwu 

This should reduce the misperception 

about the role of Nigerian Army in 

building a united, just, equitable and 

fair country. Nigerian citizens should 

recognize that the military is made up 

of Nigerians while the members of the 

Armed Forces, indeed the Nigerian 

Army, themselves must recognize the 

right of the citizens as the sovereign 

whose fundamental human rights and 

entity they have sworn to protect. 

Recommendations 

There is the need therefore to embark 

on a major exercise to have Nigerians 

and all its institutions to accept their 

responsibilities in being part of the 

national defence architecture. 

The Nigerian Army should maintain 

its distance from political parties, 

commenting on political issues, and, 

not allow political parties or leaders 

access to its personnel or military 

bases. 

The political class in Nigeria should 

embrace good governance and 

international best practices. 

? Mechanisms be put in place to 

inculcate national values, ethics, 

statehood and the spirit of nationalism 

in our Military, particularly, the Army 

to strengthen our unity and sovereignty. 

The Army must act strictly in 

accordance with the rules of 

engagement and the Laws of the 

Federal Republic of Nigeria. It should 

not act of its own volition nor 

independent of the directive of the 

President, Commander- in- Chief. 

It is imperative for the Nigerian 

Military, particularly the Army to 

review the system of recruitment, 

training, commissioning, promotion 

and appointment in order to reflect 

our multi-ethnic and religious 

diversities, but that should not 

undermine the quality and operational 

capability of the Army. 

Recruitments into the Army should 

be based on proportional 

representations among the multiethnic 

diversities and should be 

managed to become a source of 

national stability and motivation. 

The Army should consider adopting 

the regimental system as in the Indian 

Army. 

The Army should review her 

pension and gratuity packages to 

provide a decent living conditions for 

retirees. 

The media should be used to 

enlighten the public about Army 

activities and its role in society. 

The Army should be integrated into 

the national development process, such 

as specialists in corps like signals, 

engineers, medical, finance, electrical 

and mechanical engineering could 

put their technical expertise and 

facilities at the service of the public 

thus building the necessary partnership 

for the development and survival of 

the nation. 

Concluded. 

COPA LAGOS... Norden Thurston, Head of Marketing, 

Seven-Up Bottling Company, presenting the Best Goalkeeper 

of the tournament award to Dona-Francisco Jesus, Dr. Tandor 

kweku(left), D-G, Lagos State Sports Commission and Sezno 

Benson(right). 

iBet Nigeria targets sports 

development from grassroots 

The Chairman of the 

newly unveiled sports 

betting company in Nigeria iBet 

Nigeria Otunba Gbenga 

Elegbeleye has vowed to use 

the company to positively 

change the face of sports 

development in Nigeria. 

The former Director General 

of National Sports Commission 

Elegbeleye disclosed this at the 

unveiling ceremony of the 

betting company held at the 

Jabi Lake Boat Club, Abuja on 

Monday. 

“What we are trying to do is 

to start a process where sports 

betting in Nigeria will be 

beneficial to sports development 

in the country. 

“ Already we are discussing 

with the President of the Nigeria 

Football Federation Amaju 

Pinnick on the ways iBet 

Nigeria can promote our young 

Edo State FA has 

announced that her 

annual award would take 

place December 22 at the 

prestigious Imaguero College 

Hall, Benin. 

Edo FA chairman, Frank 

Ilaboya in a release made 

available to the media 

yesterday in Benin said 

arrangements are in top gear 

to ensure that the event which 

enters its third year remains 

as glamorous as it has always 

been since it was instituted. 

Ilaboya’s release stated in 

part: “We wish to state that the 

Edo FA award would take 

place December 22 this year 

in Benin at the prestigious 

Imaguero College Hall. 

Arrangements are in top gear 

to make it another glamorous 

and talented players from the 

grassroots level. Not those that 

were already discovered but the 

ones yet to rediscovered. 

We want to help discover 

them, polish them and prepare 

them well to be ready for our 

U-17 and U-20 national teams. 

“Again iBet Nigeria will help 

in empowering our youths. We 

want to engage Nigerian youths 

as iBet agents such as you have 

your shops and we give you our 

materials and people come to 

you to stake and you make 

commission. 

“ We are going to have offices 

in all the states of Nigeria and 

all the local governments as well 

as towns and villages in the 

country. iBet Nigeria will be 

everywhere. We are targeting 

giving employments to at least 

5,000 youths in the country”, 

Elegbeleye explained. 

Edo FA Award gets Dec 22 date 

outing. We would be 

rewarding stakeholders who 

have excelled this year and the 

names of those that deserve to 

be honored would be made 

known in the next couple of 

days.” 

Ilaboya pointed out that the 

annual Edo FA award is the 

state FA’s little way of 

appreciating and encouraging 

those who make football tick 

not just in the state, but in the 

country. 

He expressed happiness 

that Edo is fast regaining its 

position as a state to be 

reckoned with in the round 

leather game, thanks to the 

state government that is 

attracting football activities to 

Benin.



I knew about 

Shehu’s suspension 

— NFF Secretary-General 

Nigeria 

Football 

Federation 

Secretary-General, 

Mohammed Sanusi has 

disclosed that he was 

quite aware Super 

Eagles defender, 

Abudullahi Shehu was 

not eligible to play the 

final World Cup 

qualification match 

against Algeria. 

FIFA deducted three 

points from the Super 

Eagles and the match 

awarded to Algeria, 

after it was clear that 

Nigeria violated the 

rules, fielded the player 

despite warning from 

FIFA. 

‘’We received that 

communication from 

FIFA long ago and we 

sent it to the relevant 

department for them to 

take note of,” Dr. 

Mohammed Sanusi 

said. 

‘’You will agree with 

me that the office of 

General Secretary is 

like a clearing house, 

when information is 

sent, it is forwarded to 

Super 

Eagles 

manager, 

Gernot Rohr is 

considering inviting CS 

Sfaxien midfielder 

Kingsley Sokari for the 

pre-World Cup friendly 

against Poland on 

March 23, 2018, 

according to reports. 

Although respected 

Tunisian outlet Gnet 

has claimed that the 

playmaker will 

definitely be summoned 

by the Nigeria Football 

Federation for the 

friendly in Poland, it is 

known that the list will 

not be made public until 

the first week of March 

next year. 

The former Enyimba 

star, dubbed the new 

Iniesta in his homeland, 

has consistently 

churned out brilliant 

displays in the Tunisian 

Ligue 1 in the ongoing 

season and has taken 

part in all but one of the 

games played by the 

club. 

the relevant 

department for them to 

make use of and if there 

is any progress they 

now revert to the office 

of Secretary-General. 

‘’That is why we have 

departments that are in 

charge of different 

segments. We have 

T e c h n i c a l , 

Competitions, we have 

Accounts. 

‘’As I said, we do not 

want to trade blames 

here, we do not want to 

say this is the one that 

is at fault. A committee 

has been formed and 

we wait for the 

committee to finish 

their job.’’ 

Rohr to invite Sokari for World Cup friendly 

Both 

Arsenal 

players 

Mesut Özil and 

Alexis Sánchez have 

yet to renew their 

contracts with the 

North London club 

with their current 

deals expiring on 

Sokari was named CS 

Sfaxien’s Player of the 

Month for November 

2017 and officially 

picked as Man of the 

Match in his team’s 1-0 

win over Métlaoui late 

November. 

A product of Port 

Harcourt City Academy, 

Sokari starred for the 

Flying Eagles at the 

Barcelona captain, 

Andres Iniesta 

has warned Neymar 

against leaving Paris 

Saint-German to join 

arch rivals Real 

Madrid. 

The Brazil superstar 

left the Catalans in a 

world record 

£200million move to 

France last summer 

after Unai Emery’s 

men met the forward’s 

release clause. 

Neymar has scored 16 

Testing Times... Nigeria’s Leon Balogun battles 

Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez during the FIFA World Cup 

qualifiers. Nigeria forfeited the match after fielding 

Abudulahi Shehu. 

Tottenham target three points at City 

M 

a u r i c i o 

Pochettino 

says he is excited to 

challenge the best team 

in England when he 

takes Tottenham to 

Manchester City on Saturday, 

and that he will 

head north in a positive 

2015 Fifa U20 World 

Cup and was on target 

from 25 yards out in 

their 4-0 win against 

Korea DPR. 

He has full caps for 

the Super Eagles but 

has not been invited to 

the national team since 

the appointment of 

Gernot Rohr. 

Don’t listen to Real offers, Iniesta 

warns Neymar 

Ozil set to choose Man U over Barca 

June 30, 2018. 

According to UK 

outlets, Arsene 

Wenger is still in the 

process of trying to 

convince the German 

international that his 

future lies with the 

Gunners after Ozil 

mind frame. 

While it will be some 

task to defeat runaway 

leaders on their home 

patch, the Argentine is 

not in awe of the task at 

hand. 

“Look. I am so 

positive, I am a positive 

goals in 19 

appearances for the 

Ligue 1 giants but 

speculation has 

persisted that he’s set 

to move back to Spain 

with Real Madrid. 

Madrid’s president, 

Florentino Perez, 

recently said Neymar 

should move to the club 

in order to win the 

Ballon d’Or and reports 

in Spain claim Madrid 

have held talks with 

the forward’s agent. 

turned down the last 

offer which would 

have seen the player 

earn a salary of 267,000 

euro per week, 

equating to an annual 

earnings of 13,8 

million euro per 

season. 

person,” Pochettino told 

reporters. 

“I am so happy 

because we won and the 

three points are so 

important for us. What 

is going to happen 

Saturday? Who knows? 

“I am positive, we go 

to Manchester trying to 

win, thinking we can 

win and then football is 

football and anything 

can happen.” 

Guardiola’s side are 

18 points clear of 

Pochettino’s, however, 

in facing the likes of 

Real Madrid and 

Borussia Dortmund so 

far this season, and 

coming out unscathed 

and with famous 

victories. 

Neymar’s departure 

sent shockwaves 

through the Barcelona 

camp and captain 

Iniesta admits he 

would be annoyed to 

see the Brazilian join 

Madrid. “Anything can 

happen in football and 

I would not rule it out,” 

said Iniesta, when 

asked if he saw 

Neymar moving to the 

Bernabeu. 

“We’ve seen 

numerous times how 

there are situations 

which seem unlikely or 

impossible but they end 

up happening. ‘If 

Neymar was to join 

Madrid? It would 

annoy me in the sense 

that he wins matches 

and would strengthen a 

direct rival, but I’m not 

worried.” 

Pele wants Salah to 

shine at Russia 2018 

Football 

legend, 

Pele has urged 

Liverpool winger 

Mohamed Salah, to 

brace up and prove his 

worth at the 2018 FIFA 

World Cup tournament 

in Russia. 

The Reds winger has 

enjoyed a stunning 

start to life as a 

Liverpool player, 

scoring 19 goals 

already this season for 

Jurgen Klopp’s men. 

The club-record 

£36.9m wideman has 

also won the club’s inhouse 

Player of the 

Month award three 

times and has settled 

into life at Anfield 

seamlessly since 

joining from Roma. 

Salah ‘s remarkable 

year continued when 

Mohammed Salah 

Super Eagles team 

B coach, Salisu 

Yusuf revealed that he 

will be fielding a new 

set of players against 

Enyimba in today’s 

Super 6 tie. 

The Eagles are using 

the tournament to 

prepare for the CAF 

African Nations 

Championship starting 

January 13 in Morocco. 

The team were held to 

a goalless draw by 

Nigeria Professional 

League champions 

Plateau United on 

Wednesday. 

“We are testing 

players, we played 

eight new players 

against Plateau United 

and the result of the 

match does not 

he won the Africa 

Player of the Year 

award earlier this 

week, and three-time 

World Cup winner 

Pele has hailed the 

Egyptian. Pele praised 

the Reds star’s 

“incredible year” and 

said he was looking 

forward to seeing him 

perform at next 

summer’s World Cup. 

Liverpool’s two 

draws have felt like 

defeats - but the Reds 

can’t dwell on it 

against Bournemouth 

He tweeted: “It’s 

been an incredible 

year! Keep going and 

I look forward to 

seeing you play on the 

greatest stage next 

year - the World Cup.” 

Super 6: Yusuf to field new set of 

CHAN Eagles against Enyimba 

CHAN Eagels in action 

matter,” he said. 

“The players took 

responsibilities and 

they did not do too 

badly. We will try 

another new set of 

players for our next 

game against 

Enyimba.” 

Yusuf admitted that 

there was more work 

to be done to put the 

team in top condition 

for the tournament. 

“Since the WAFU 

Cup, this is our first 

game together and, 

though the team still 

has some ways to go 

before the CHAN, all 

the vacuums will be 

taken care of in the few 

days we have before 

we depart for 

Morocco.” 

Fri page 46 14/12/2017


Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 

Sudoku 

QUICK CROSSWORD 

TODAY’S PUZZLE 

YESTERDAY’S ANSWER 

TODAY’S CROSSWORD 

YESTERDAY’SOLUTION 

How to Play Sudoku 

ACROSS 

1 Destructive migratory 

insect (6) 

4 One of the planets (6) 

8 Vestige (5) 

9 Senior naval officer (7) 

10 Large crustacean (7) 

11 Stay longer abed (3,2) 

12 Remedied (9) 

17 Infants (5) 

19 Italian child (7) 

21 Make bigger (7) 

22 Stupefied (5) 

23 Tantalised (6) 

24 At the back of a ship (6) 

DOWN 

1 Small (6) 

2 Climb with difficulty (7) 

3 Slumbered (5) 

5 Legendary founder of 

Rome (7) 

6 Tend, care for (5) 

7 Mute (6 

9 Pleasant (9) 

13 Merit (7) 

14 Gentle misty rain (7) 

15 Most proficient (6) 

16 Bleu (6) 

18 Wood for model makers (5) 

20 King with the golden 

touch (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. 

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