04012018 - WAY OUT OF FUEL CRISIS: Payment of N800b subsidy arrears on the cards

Re: ‘East-West road project designed to fail'' 

"This project has been supervised by, at 

least, five ministers; three from the defunct 

Federal Ministry <strong>of</strong> Works and about two 

from the Ministry <strong>of</strong> Niger-Delta Affairs. 

None <strong>of</strong> these ministers, some <strong>of</strong> whom are 

solid pr<strong>of</strong>essionals in their own right, had 

ever made such a satanic statement." 

G.E. Otobo replies Minister <strong>of</strong> Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru Usani 

<strong>OUT</strong> TOMORROW 

How Alaafin 

Ajagbo 

created the 

Aare Ona 

Kakanfo title 

Suicide 

bomber hits 

mosque, 

kills 11 

Coming your way tomorrow 

2 

** ** 

VOL. 26: NO. 63457 THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018 

<strong>WAY</strong> <strong>OUT</strong> <strong>OF</strong> <strong>FUEL</strong> <strong>CRISIS</strong>: 

<strong>Payment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>N800b</strong> <strong>subsidy</strong> 

<strong>arrears</strong> on the cards 

•Kachikwu, NNPC, DPR, MOMAN, DAPPMA, IPMAN, others end engagement 

•Buhari announces new policy to end fuel scarcity soon 

•Fuel price to remain unchanged at N145 per litre 

•No request from Presidency on payment to oil marketers—Senate 

SEALED PROPERTY <strong>OF</strong> BADOO KINGPIN, ALAKA 

By Adekunle Aliyu, 

Udeme Akpan, 

Victor Ahiuma- 

Young, Samuel 

Oyadongha, Gabriel 

Enogholase and 

Ochuko Akuopha 

THE Federal 

Government is 

considering 

payment <strong>of</strong> N800 billion fuel 

<strong>subsidy</strong> <strong>arrears</strong> to oil 

marketers, provision <strong>of</strong> tax 

holidays and other 

incentives as part <strong>of</strong> 

measures targeted at 

ending the lingering 

scarcity. 

These and other issues 

were pushed forward at the 

engagement <strong>of</strong> 

Continues on page 5 

Why Senate 

may not pass 

2018 budget 

till April 11 

— Sen Adeola 

Sealed property <strong>of</strong> Badoo cult kingpin, Alhaji Alaka Abayomi Kamal in Lagos yesterday. SEE STORY ON PAGE 6. 

BENUE KILLINGS: Gov Ortom escapes mob 

action as protesters lock down Makurdi 

Kaita was a 

fearless 

democrat —Atiku 

COLUMNISTS 

2019: We’ll support 11 

parties committed to 

restructuring – Afenifere 

Rep urges FG to 

withdraw licences 

<strong>of</strong> inept Discos 

34 34 

JOSEF OMOROTIONMWAN 31 MOHAMMED ADAMU 17 

9 

Naira stable at 

N361 in I&E 5 

Mr & Mrs

2—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018 

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

Suicide bomber hits mosque, kills 11 

A 

TEENAGE suicide 

bomber killed 11 

people, including his 

biological father, at a 

mosque in Gamboru, Borno 

State. 

It was learned that the 

incident happened in the 

early hours <strong>of</strong> yesterday. 

Lawan Abba, a resident <strong>of</strong> 

Gamboru, told NAN that 10 

persons were killed and six 

others sustained injuries in 

the attack. 

Abba disclosed that the 

suicide bomber sneaked 

into a crowded mosque 

while people gathered to 

observe morning prayer 

and detonated the 

explosive. 

“The suicide bomber 

hailed from Gamboru town, 

he disowned his parents 

and joined the insurgents 

in the bush,” Abba said. 

“He entered the mosque 

blew up himself into pieces 

and killed 10 persons 

including his biological 

father,” he said. 

Abba added that the 

wounded persons were 

referred to the clinic in the 

internally displaced persons 

(IDPs) camp in the area for 

treatment.” 

It is not clear how many 

people sustained injuries 

from the bombing. 

We’ll soon completely decimate Boko Haram, 

militants in N-Delta —CAS 

•As Air Force honours 2 late pilots, 13 others 

By Joseph 

Erunke 

ABUJA—THE Chief <strong>of</strong> 

Air Staff, Air Marshal 

Sadique Abubakar, 

assured, yesterday, that the 

military will soon completely 

end Boko Haram, their 

inglorious activities as well 

as other criminal elements 

in the Niger Delta region. 

To achieve this, he tasked 

personnel <strong>of</strong> the service, 

especially field 

commanders, to maintain 

the current tempo with a 

view to actualising the 

onerous task. 

This came as the 

Nigerian Air Force 

honoured two <strong>of</strong> its late 

pilots, Group Captain 

Gabriel Ochai, who lost his 

life in an air mishap 

involving a NAF Air Beetle 

aircraft on August 24, 2017 

and Wing Commander 

Chimda Hedima, who died 

in Borno State during battle 

with Boko Haram in 

September 2014. 

Speaking yesterday, at a 

workshop for newly posted 

field commanders and 

award for dedicated 

personnel, including 

civilian staff, which held at 

the Nigerian Air Force 

Headquarters, Abuja, Chief 

<strong>of</strong> Air Staff, Air Marshal 

Abubakar, said his 

organisation was looking 

forward to imminent 

complete defeat <strong>of</strong> not just 

the Boko Haram insurgents 

but also the militants in 

Niger Delta. 

He insisted that 

imminent defeat <strong>of</strong> the two 

groups had become 

inevitable for the military to 

ensure that the labour <strong>of</strong> 

Nigeria’s past heroes was 

not in vain and further 

tasked the newly posted 

field commanders to ensure 

that they keep the country 

peaceful and secured in the 

face <strong>of</strong> the current security 

challenges in the country. 

Abubakar regretted that 

the country was facing 

series <strong>of</strong> problems 

threatening to destroy the 

country’s foundation as laid 

by its founding fathers. 

“We are living in 

extraordinary times with 

myriads <strong>of</strong> problems 

threatening to shake the 

foundation laid by the 

founding fathers <strong>of</strong> this 

great nation and by 

extension, threatening to 

erode the labour <strong>of</strong> our 

heroes past.” 

The workshop, according 

to him, aimed at both 

equipping the new and 

reminding older 

Commanders <strong>of</strong> their 

responsibilities in line with 

the Nigerian Air Force 

MEETING: Transport Minister, Mr Rotimi Amaechi (left), and 

Senior Special Assistant on Legislative Matters to the President, 

Sumaila Kawu, as arrangements were concluded for the <strong>of</strong>ficial 

commissioning <strong>of</strong> two major transportation projects in Kaduna, at 

the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida 

China to pay $550m for 2 NigComSat 

By Johnbosco 

Agbakwuru 

A BUJA—TWO 

Chinese firms that 

are into satellite 

manufacturing, China 

EXIM Bank and China 

Great Walls, have agreed 

with the Federal 

Government to procure two 

satellites. 

Minister 

<strong>of</strong> 

Communication, Mr. 

Adebayo Shittu, disclosed 

this to State House 

correspondents, yesterday, 

after meeting with President 

Muhammadu Buhari at the 

Presidential Villa, Abuja. 

The minister said the 

satellites, which will take 

about two years to 

manufacture, will serve the 

African continent. 

He said: “I am in the 

Presidency to see Mr. 

President and to brief him 

on some major issues. One, 

NigComSat, which is one 

<strong>of</strong> our agencies where we 

hope to procure two new 

satellites from China. 

"Initially, the agreement 

was that they will provide 

the cost <strong>of</strong> the two satellites 

at $550 million minus 15 

per cent, which is the 

counterpart funding. 

“Because we could not 

afford the 15 per cent, we 

have renegotiated with 

China EXIM Bank and 

China Great Walls, which 

are the manufacturers and 

they have agreed to pay the 

entire $550 million to 

procure two new satellites. 

The two new ones will 

ensure that the Nigerian 

satellite company which is 

NigCOMSAT can conquer 

the entire African continent 

with regard to the provision 

<strong>of</strong> satellite communication 

services. 

“This is a very big 

business opportunity and I 

am sure that the Chinese 

appreciate the potential 

market which is so vast and 

that is why they have 

agreed that even without 

our ability to contribute 15 

percent, they are prepared 

to pay the entire sum <strong>of</strong> 

expectations. 

The CAS also said that 

the honour to the personnel 

was aimed at “celebrating 

our personnel that have 

demonstrated courage, 

resilience, commitment, 

ingenuity and dedication to 

service within the purview 

<strong>of</strong> their assigned tasks." 

$550 million for the procurement 

<strong>of</strong> the two new 

satellites for Nigeria.” 

On when Nigeria will 

launch the two new 

satellites, the Minister said 

it will take two years to 

procure. 

According to him, “It will 

take two years to produce 

because it is when we sign 

the papers that they will 

start production. We hope 

that before the end <strong>of</strong> this 

month, we will sign the 

papers and then they will 

commence the production. 

It is at the completion <strong>of</strong> the 

production that the two 

satellites will be launched.” 

He explained that the 

money was not loan, rather 

equity participation <strong>of</strong> 

Chinese company in the 

nation’s business. 

He said: “It is not a loan. 

It will be equity 

participation <strong>of</strong> the Chinese 

company into our business. 

NigComSat is a limited 

liability company owned 

entirely by the Federal 

Government." 

Minister kick-starts 

Buhari’s re-election 

campaign 

By Johnbosco 

Agbakwuru 

ABUJA—MINISTER <strong>of</strong> 

Communication, Mr. 

Adebayo Shittu, yesterday, 

said that the South-West 

zonal <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> the 

campaign organisation <strong>of</strong> 

Buhari/Osinbajo will be 

commissioned on January 

20, 2018. 

He disclosed this to State 

House correspondents, 

yesterday, after meeting 

with President 

Muhammadu Buhari at the 

Presidential Villa, Abuja. 

Speaking on the reason 

for meeting with the 

President, he said: “I 

informed Mr. President 

that I have appointed a 

national chairman for the 

Board <strong>of</strong> Trustees <strong>of</strong> 

Muhammadu Buhari/ 

Osinbajo dynamic support 

group and on January 20, 

we are commissioning the 

South West zonal <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> 

the campaign organisation 

<strong>of</strong> Buhari/Osinbajo. 

“Everyday since he came 

into <strong>of</strong>fice, all his activities 

have been geared towards 

letting Nigeria know that 

they have a saviour, a 

rescuer, somebody who is 

committed to providing 

relief for Nigerians in all 

respects. 

“In the areas <strong>of</strong> fighting 

corruption, insurgency, 

whether in the North-East 

or the Niger Delta, in the 

areas <strong>of</strong> repairing the 

economy and providing 

jobs and providing social 

stability in the society, you 

will agree with me today 

that but for Buhari, Boko 

Haram would have 

invaded even Lagos. 

“It goes without saying 

that if you have a child who 

goes to primary school and 

does well, proceeds to 

secondary school, does 

well and you keep asking, 

is he going to university? 

“By the grace <strong>of</strong> God, we 

his ardent supporters who 

appreciate his worth on 

behalf <strong>of</strong> millions <strong>of</strong> 

Nigerians will urge him to 

re-contest. I know he has 

not made up his mind, but 

I can say that some <strong>of</strong> us 

can assist him in making up 

his mind, so that Nigeria 

can continue to enjoy 

stability and progress in our 

land.” 

The other issue, he said 

was to inform the President 

that a university in Benin 

Republic had <strong>of</strong>fered him 

(Shittu) a Doctorate in 

Public Administration and 

to notify him that the 

convocation will be coming 

up on January 27. 

Atiku condemns killings, 

says Nigeria’s diversity, 

its strength 

By Dirisu 

Yakubu 

A BUJA—FORMER 

Vice President and 

chieftain <strong>of</strong> the Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP, 

Atiku Abubakar, has 

described 

as 

unacceptable, the cycle <strong>of</strong> 

blood-letting that had led 

to the loss <strong>of</strong> innocent 

lives in some parts <strong>of</strong> the 

country, early in the week. 

He stated this, 

yesterday, against the 

backdrop <strong>of</strong> recent killings 

in Rivers, Kaduna, Benue 

and other parts <strong>of</strong> the 

country, including 

yesterday's early morning 

suicide bombing at 

Gamboru mosque in 

Borno State, barely three 

days into the New Year. 

The Waziri Adamawa, 

according to a statement 

by his media <strong>of</strong>fice in 

Abuja, yesterday, said the 

killings in those states 

and other senseless 

killings and reprisal 

blood-lettings that 

preceded them in parts <strong>of</strong> 

the country are “ungodly, 

a throwback to the stone 

age and a hindrance to 

the promotion <strong>of</strong> peace 

and unity in the country.” 

Atiku stressed that the 

diversity <strong>of</strong> Nigeria 

remains one <strong>of</strong> its 

strongest points, 

reminding leaders <strong>of</strong> all 

faiths and at all levels to 

ensure that they promote 

the things that unite the 

people rather than those 

that create divisive 

cleavages. 

“The Almighty God in 

his wisdom, who made us 

a nation <strong>of</strong> different 

tongues and tribes, made 

us Africa’s most populous 

nation with more than 300 

tribes, it was no accident. 

If well enhanced, our 

diversity should be our 

biggest strength. 

“There cannot be 

development when 

innocent lives are being 

lost in a seeming endless 

cycle <strong>of</strong> attacks and 

reprisals. While we 

should hold every life 

precious, it is more 

painful that the victims <strong>of</strong> 

these attacks are women 

and youths, the 

demography that we 

depend upon to drive 

development.”

C 

M 

Y 

K 

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018 — 3

4 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018 

BENUE KILLINGS: Enough 

is enough — DOGARA 

•Asks Buhari to overhaul Nigeria’s internal security 

By Levinus 

Nwabughiogu 

A BUJA—THE 

Speaker <strong>of</strong> the 

House <strong>of</strong> Representatives, 

Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, 

has said that the federal 

government must evolve 

drastic measures to put an 

end to mindless killings <strong>of</strong> 

Nigerians across the 

country. 

The Speaker made the 

declaration while 

expressing concerns over 

the heinous and wanton 

killing <strong>of</strong> innocent people, 

especially women and 

children in Logo and Guma 

local governments areas <strong>of</strong> 

Benue State. 

Dogara said that no 

conceivable reasons could 

justify the shedding <strong>of</strong> 

innocent blood. 

He said: “These killings 

coming shortly after the 

whole world was outraged 

by similar killings in Agatu 

in same Benue State and 

another in Rivers State, are 

clear indications that it is 

high time all the security 

apparatuses <strong>of</strong> the country 

are mobilsed to put a stop 

to these mindless killings. 

Enough is enough. 

“No reason whatsoever, 

can be enough justification 

for such dastardly act.” 

A traditional ruler in 

Kaduna state was 

recently killed by same 

Commander seeks 

collaboration <strong>of</strong> police, 

others to tackle insurgency 

M AIDUGURI— 

THE Theatre 

Commander, Operation 

Lafiya Dole, Major-Gen. 

Rogers Nicholas, has called 

for closer collaboration with 

the Nigeria Police Force and 

other security agencies to 

fast-track successful 

implementation <strong>of</strong> the 

counter-insurgency 

campaign. 

Nicholas made the call 

during a familiarisation visit 

to the Police Command in 

Borno, yesterday. 

He said that Operation 

Lafiya Dole was a joint 

operation to be 

implemented in 

partnership with the 

military, police and other 

security agencies in the 

North-East. 

Nicholas noted that such 

collaboration was necessary 

to facilitate restoration <strong>of</strong> 

civil authorities in liberated 

communities by police and 

other agencies as 

enshrined in the 

constitution. 

“The counter-insurgency 

campaign is not a military 

business alone, it must 


“unknown gunmen.” 

The killing <strong>of</strong> the second 

class chief came few days 

after several people were 

also killed during a 

Christmas carol in Jama’a 

local government <strong>of</strong> the 

state. 

“It is very worrisome that 

at a time government is 

taking every step to tame the 

security challenges in the 

country, there seems to be a 

steady deterioration <strong>of</strong> 

security <strong>of</strong> lives and 

properties all over the 

country. This is totally 

unacceptable and the 

legislature is determined to 

hold all authorities vested 

with the protection <strong>of</strong> lives 

and properties accountable,” 

he said. 

While commiserating with 

the people and government 

<strong>of</strong> Benue, Kaduna and 

Rivers states, Dogara 

assured Nigerians that the 

legislature would not allow 

the lives <strong>of</strong> the victims go in 

vain. 

He therefore called on the 

President to immediately 

deploy adequate security 

personnel to the hotspots in 

order to halt further killings. 

He also called for overhaul 

<strong>of</strong> Nigeria’s internal security 

architecture to check the 

prevailing mass murders, 

killings and kidnappings, 

assuring that the legislature 

would give the Executive 

full backing in that regard. 

comprise all stakeholders 

such as the police, 

Nigeria Security and Civil 

Defence Corps (NSCDC), 

Immigration and Customs 

Services as well as Civilian 

Joint Task Force (CJFT). As 

far as we are concerned, no 

one is superior; everybody 

must be carried along to 

defeat Boko Haram. We are 

very committed to support 

you to discharge your 

constitutional 

responsibilities,” he said. 

Responding, the 

Commissioner <strong>of</strong> Police, Mr 

Damian Chukwu, pledged 

to support the counterinsurgency 

operation and 

restoration <strong>of</strong> peace in the 

state, disclosing that the 

command had deployed 

over 500 personnel to the 

counter-insurgency 

operation. 

“I am appealing to you to 

talk to soldiers who are 

always overzealous while 

working with policemen in 

the operation,” he said, 

expressing optimism that 

such collaboration would 

bring an end to the Boko 

Haram insurgency.'' 

Ganduje <strong>of</strong>fsets N660m scholarship 

allowances 

By AbdulSalam 

Muhammad 

K ANO—KANO 

State Governor, 

Dr Abdullahi Umar 

Ganduje, yesterday, said 

that his administration 

has paid an outstanding 

N660 million scholarship 

allowances he allegedly 

inherited from his 

predecessor, Dr Rabiu 

Musa Kwankwaso. 

Briefing reporters in her 

<strong>of</strong>fice, the Executive 

Secretary, Kano State 

Scholarship Board, 

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Fatima 

Muhammad, said that 

payment <strong>of</strong> scholarship 

allowances to local 

students was halted since 

2011. 

The Executive Secretary 

said Governor Ganduje’s 

predecessor did not pay a 

dime to those on the 

scholarship scheme 

studying in various 

institutions in the country. 

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Muhammad 

disclosed that the 

present administration 

paid N360 million to 

24,901 local students 

for the 2012/2013 

academic session and 

N300m to 23,989 

students for the 2013/ 

2014 academic session 

respectively. 

She however said that 

payment <strong>of</strong> allowances to 

the 23,989 students would 

commence today and be 

completed within two 

weeks. 

The Executive 

Secretary revealed that 

the beneficiaries were 

currently studying in 15 

institutions comprising 

<strong>of</strong> universities, colleges 

<strong>of</strong> education and 

polytechnics across the 

country. 

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Muhammad 

further stated that 

arrangements are on for 

the commencement <strong>of</strong> 

payment <strong>of</strong> similar 

allowances to eligible 

students for the 2014/ 

2018 Appropriation Bill passes 

2nd reading at Sokoto Assembly 

S OKOTO—THE 

Sokoto State 2018 

Appropriation Bill <strong>of</strong> 

N220.5 billion, 

yesterday passed 

second reading at the 

State House <strong>of</strong> 

Assembly, following a 

motion by the House 

Leader, Alhaji Garba 

Bello (APC-Yabo), at the 

plenary. 

Bello said that there 

was the need for the 

House to debate on the 

general principles <strong>of</strong> 

2018 budget presented 

by Governor Aminu 

Tambuwal on December 

21, 2017. 

The Deputy Speaker, 

NEMA’S OPERATION EAGLE EYE: Officials <strong>of</strong> National Emergency Management 

Agency (NEMA) and other stakeholders during the closing ceremony 

<strong>of</strong> 2017/2018 Operation Eagle Eye in Gombe, yesterday. 

2015 academic session. 

She said that 

government would also 

pay the sum <strong>of</strong> N5, 

642,800.00 as 10 per cent 

<strong>of</strong> students’ union dues 

to the National 

Association <strong>of</strong> Kano State 

Students. 

The Executive 

Secretary said Kano state 

government had 

equally paid a total <strong>of</strong> 

N60m to Al-Qalam 

University, Katsina for 

Kano State students. 

Police nab 39 ‘strange men' in Taraba 

J ALINGO—THE 

Police Command in 

Taraba has arrested 39 

‘strange men’ parading 

in Nguroje, Sardauna 

Local Government Area 

<strong>of</strong> the state. 

The spokesperson <strong>of</strong> 

the command, ASP 

David Missal, disclosed 

this, yesterday, while 

briefing newsmen in 

Jalingo. 

Missal said the arrest 

<strong>of</strong> the suspicious men, 

whose ages ranged 

Alhaji Abubakar Magaji 

(APC- Bodinga North), 

who presided over the 

plenary, however, 

subjected the motion to 

voting which was 

unanimously adopted 

by the lawmakers. 

The House also 

received a letter from 

Governor Tambuwal 

seeking confirmation <strong>of</strong> 

four new nominees as 

commissioners and 

members <strong>of</strong> the state 

executive council. 

The nominees are 

Pr<strong>of</strong>. Aisha Madawaki, 

Alhaji Ahmad Barade, 

Alhaji Garba Tsitse and 

Alhaji Bello Ambarura. 

between 30 and 40 

years, followed an alarm 

raised by residents <strong>of</strong> 

Nguroje. 

He said the men, who 

were allegedly 

harboured by a woman 

in the community were 

first taken to Gembu 

Divisional Police 

Headquarters where 

they were interrogated 

and later transferred to 

the Command 

Headquarters in Jalingo 

for further investigation. 

The 

police 

spokesperson said the 

men claimed to be refugees 

from Cameroun Republic, 

but that their movement was 

suspicious because they 

did not report their 

arrival in the area to any 

security agency or any 

other appropriate 

authority. 

He said that earlier 

batches <strong>of</strong> refugees who 

fled the crisis-ridden 

North-West Cameroun 

comprising women, 

children and the aged 

reported to appropriate 

quarters and were 

camped and catered for. 

“This set <strong>of</strong> able bodied 

men only sneaked into 

Nguroje, passing 

through other towns and 

Gembu, the council’s 

headquarters, without 

information,” he said. 

Missal, however, said 

that no incriminating 

item was found on them, 

adding that the people 

were currently 

undergoing security 

interrogation with a view 

to ascertaining their 

mission in the area. 

Meanwhile, the Acting 

Chairman <strong>of</strong> Sardauna 

Local Government, Rev. 

Godwin Sol, said the 

suspects, who claimed to be 

from Bamenda in 

Cameroun, did not notify 

the council <strong>of</strong> their coming. 

Sol wondered why they 

opted to proceed to 

Nguroje instead <strong>of</strong> 

stopping in Gembu 

where there is a camp for 

refugees. 

The chairman said 

such action raised doubts 

about their movement, 

saying that it was not 

only illegal but also 

suspicious. 

He warned that the 

council would not fold its 

arms and allow people <strong>of</strong> 

questionable character to 

be a source <strong>of</strong> trouble on the 

Mambilla Plateau, any 

more. 

In June 2017, 

Sardauna local 

government area 

witnessed a bloody crisis 

that led to the death <strong>of</strong> 

hundreds <strong>of</strong> people, 

destruction <strong>of</strong> property 

and killing <strong>of</strong> thousands 

<strong>of</strong> livestock.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018—5 

POCKET CARTOON 

ON <strong>FUEL</strong> SCARCITY—From left: Minister <strong>of</strong> State, Petroleum, Dr. Ibe 

Kachikwu; Permanent Secretary, Ministry <strong>of</strong> Petroleum, Mrs. Folashade Yemi- 

Esan and the Director <strong>of</strong> Petroleum Resources, Mr. Mordecai Danteni Baba 

Ladan, during the meeting <strong>of</strong> the Presidential Ad-hoc Committee on 

Petroleum Scarcity at the conference hall <strong>of</strong> the minister's <strong>of</strong>fice, NNPC 

Towers, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida. 

<strong>Payment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>N800b</strong> <strong>subsidy</strong> 

<strong>arrears</strong> on the cards 

Continues from page 1 

stakeholders, Nigerian 

National Petroleum 

Corporation, NNPC; 

Department <strong>of</strong> Petroleum 

Resources, DPR; Major Oil 

Marketers Association <strong>of</strong> 

Nigeria, MOMAN; 

Independent Petroleum 

Marketers Association <strong>of</strong> 

Nigeria, IPMAN; Depot 

and Petroleum Products 

Marketers Association, 

DAPPMA and others, 

hosted by Dr. Ibe 

Kachikwu, Minister <strong>of</strong> State 

for Petroleum Resources in 

Abuja, yesterday. 

Mr. Idang Alibi, Director, 

Press in the Ministry <strong>of</strong> 

Petroleum Resources, who 

spoke with Vanguard on 

phone, yesterday, declined 

to provide information, 

noting that the 

engagement was still 

ongoing. 

But a source, who 

attended the meeting, but 

preferred not to be named, 

told Vanguard that the 

payment <strong>of</strong> the debt was 

adopted, as it will enable 

the oil marketers settle 

huge debts to commercial 

banks and embark on new 

importation <strong>of</strong> petroleum 

products. 

He said other measures 

adopted to tackle the crisis, 

include maintenance <strong>of</strong> 

local refineries, preferential 

allocation <strong>of</strong> foreign 

exchange to oil marketers 

and increased monitoring 

<strong>of</strong> petroleum products by 

DPR. 

The source said 

stakeholders, who agreed 

not to increase the price <strong>of</strong> 

fuel, also resolved to adopt 

cost-cutting strategies, 

while four sub-committees 

were inaugurated to 

address the challenges <strong>of</strong> 

fuel supply across the 

country. 

He said: “There is no 

planned increase in fuel 

price. The minister said it 

should not be 

contemplated. None <strong>of</strong> us 

want fuel price to rise. What 

we talked about was tax 

holidays and other things 

in that line. 

“Also, all stakeholders 

have agreed to look inward 

and improve efficiency so 

that we can cut down cost 

and resume our business. 

Nobody is concerned about 

price increment. 

“The Minister also 

inaugurated some subcommittees, 

about four in 

number, some <strong>of</strong> which are 

logistics and business 

conduct committees. Some 

individuals were appointed 

into all the committees.” 

The source said all the 

agreements reached at the 

meeting, which was still 

ongoing at press time, 

would be relayed to the 

Presidency, hopefully by 

today, before they are made 

public. 

The committee was 

headed by the Minister <strong>of</strong> 

State for Petroleum 

TAKE HEART - ELLA RANDLE 

Whatever you decide to do, make sure it makes 

you happy — Take Heart Quotes 

LOOKING deeper at what makes people 

genuinely happy, we see that people who are 

happy usually have, or can get what they need when 

they need it. The essential word here being need 

not want. We can infer then that happiness is 

enabled by an ability to create at will what we need, 

such as peace <strong>of</strong> mind and contentment, what uplifts 

mentally, emotionally and materially. 

SAYINGS <strong>OF</strong> OUR PEOPLE 

A cow that has no tail, only God helps it 

drive away flies. 

Resources, Dr. Ibe 

Kachikwu and has as 

members, heads <strong>of</strong> some 

parastatals under the 

ministry, the Group 

Managing Director <strong>of</strong> 

NNPC, DAPPMA, IPMAN 

and labour <strong>of</strong>ficials. 

Diversion 

Also, another source at the 

meeting told vanguard that 

it was discovered that 

diversion played a major 

role in the current scarcity 

in the country, “as between 

30 and 50 percent <strong>of</strong> 

petroleum products in other 

African countries are from 

Nigeria. This is because the 

products are more 

expensive in those other 

countries than Nigeria. 

“It was discovered that 

most <strong>of</strong> the diversion take 

place in the Northern part 

<strong>of</strong> the country. That is why 

you hear that some number 

<strong>of</strong> trucks have been 

allocated to certain parts <strong>of</strong> 

the country, but will never 

get to the filling stations. 

Though the meeting did 

not want to blame anybody, 

it was obvious that certain 

people are not doing their 

jobs and are conniving with 

smugglers to undermine 

the system." 

ASUU blames FG 

Meanwhile, the 

Academic Staff Union <strong>of</strong> 

Universities, ASUU, 

Ambrose Alli University 

chapter, has expressed 

disappointment over the 

blame game by the Federal 

Government and the way 

and manner it was 

handling issues affecting 

masses <strong>of</strong> the country. 

The union also expressed 

shock at the silence <strong>of</strong> some 

persons, who were very 

vocal in condemning antimasses 

policies <strong>of</strong> the 

previous administration. 

Dr. Monday Igbafen, 

Chairman, AAU-ASUU, at 

a media briefing at the end 

<strong>of</strong> the chapter’s first 

congress for the year in 

Ekpoma, Esan West Local 

Government Area <strong>of</strong> Edo 

State, stated that the 

already bad living 

conditions <strong>of</strong> Nigerians was 

being compounded by the 

biting fuel scarcity and 

called on government to do 

self-appraisal with a view 

to making amends to 

salvage the deteriorating 

conditions <strong>of</strong> citizens. 

He said: “The issue <strong>of</strong> fuel 

is affecting everybody. We 

are extremely worried 

because the vocal voices 

before now have become 

silent. The question is, is 

the silence ideological? 

Why is it that same 

Nigerians have become 

silent when we are fuelling 

our vehicles with N300, 

N400 per litre? 

“For us as a union, we 

feel that government 

should be indicted because 

we do not believe that 

government is not aware <strong>of</strong> 

what is going on. We felt 

Buhari represented 

change, but what we see 

today is abysmal failure.” 

He cautioned Nigerians 

not to be too expectant in 

2018, predicting that 2018 

will be tougher, because 

according to him, the 

oppressors would be more 

hardened. 

“We foresee a tougher 

2018 because the 

oppressors will get more 

hardened at all levels. The 

issue <strong>of</strong> our liberation 

should not be tied to any 

existing political party. It 

should be tied to our 

ideological belief,” he 

warned. 

Revert to N145 

pump price 

—CDHR 

Also, the Committee for 

the Defence <strong>of</strong> Human 

Rights, CDHR, Delta State 

Chapter, has issued a 48- 

hour ultimatum to petrol 

stations in the state to revert 

to the approved pump 

price <strong>of</strong> N145 per litre, 

failing which it would assist 

the DPR to seal defaulting 

stations. 

CDHR, in a statement by 

Comrade Prince Taiga, 

noted that several filling 

stations were shut down in 

collaboration with DPR in 

Edo and Ondo states, a 

development which it said 

returned pump price to 

N145. 

It warned that the 

committee and other 

stakeholders would not 

hesitate to seal those filling 

stations selling at 

outrageous prices, if by the 

end <strong>of</strong> the ultimatum; they 

fail to revert to N145 pump 

price. 

Situation report 

Our Correspondents who 

visited various filling 

stations nationwide, 

observed that fuel scarcity 

was still being experienced 

in many parts <strong>of</strong> the nation. 

In Yenagoa, Bayelsa 

State, Vanguard observed 

that though the price 

remained high, motorists 

now drive into filling 

stations with ease to buy 

fuel. 

Also, black market 

operators, who were selling 

in jerry cans along major 

roads in the state capital 

during the scarcity period 

at N300 per litre, have been 

put out <strong>of</strong> business 

following the availability <strong>of</strong> 

the product in most <strong>of</strong> the 

filling stations. 

Many <strong>of</strong> the stations that 

were under lock and keys 

during the scarcity have 

started selling the product 

ostensibly due to high price 

<strong>of</strong> N230 per litre. 

Aside the NNPC mega 

station, which sells at N143 

per litre and has long 

queue, others have no 

queues as motorists and 

other product users could 

be seen procuring fuel 

with ease. 

“The fuel situation has 

improved greatly. You can 

drive into the filling stations 

having product with ease 

and purchase fuel though 

at N230 per litre. 

“The NNPC mega station 

is the only place in town 

where you can get the 

product at N143 per litre 

and that is the only reason 

why you still see long 

queue there,” said Collins 

Tarila, a civil servant.” 

Senate: No 

request from 

presidency on 

payment to oil 

marketers 

The Senate said, 

yesterday: "The attention <strong>of</strong> 

the Senate has been drawn 

to a claim said to have been 

made by the Chief <strong>of</strong> Staff 

to the President, Mallam 

Abba Kyari, during a 

meeting with stakeholders 

in the oil industry on the 

perennial fuel scarcity in 

the country to the effect that 

the payment <strong>of</strong> debt owed 

to oil marketers was being 

delayed because the 

National Assembly has not 

approved request 

NAIRA WATCH 

Naira stable at N361 in I&E 

By Babajide Komolafe 

presented to the legislature 

for loan meant for that 

purpose." 

The Senate in a statement 

signed by Sen. Aliyu Sabi 

Abdullahi, Chairman, 

Senate Committee on 

Media and Public Affairs, 

said it would want members 

<strong>of</strong> the public to know that 

no such request has been 

made to it specifically 

requesting for loan meant 

for payment to oil marketers. 

“The Senate is aware that 

<strong>subsidy</strong> on petroleum had 

been cancelled by this 

administration; so we 

wonder which payment we 

are talking about now. 

“Senators have been 

inundated with calls from 

oil marketers who were 

present at the meeting with 

the Chief <strong>of</strong> Staff to the 

President on the issue and 

thus, we call on Kyari to 

either prove his claim or 

retract it. 

“It should be noted that a 

similar claim was made by 

the Minister <strong>of</strong> Finance on 

the foreign loan at a time 

the Presidency had not 

forwarded the request. The 

letter requesting for the 

foreign loan was submitted 

long after she was 

confronted with the fact. 

“It is the opinion <strong>of</strong> the 

Senate that instead <strong>of</strong> 

resorting to false claims and 

shifting blames in the 

mould <strong>of</strong> ‘ Blame Someone 

Else’, both the executive 

and legislature should 

work together to solve this 

unnecessary fuel crisis 

which is making life more 

difficult for our people. 

That is why members <strong>of</strong> 

the Senate Committee on 

Petroleum (Downstream) 

were mandated by the 

Senate President to 

suspend their recess and 

embark on oversight visits 

to key areas in the sector 

while it would tomorrow 

(today) hold an 

investigative public hearing 

with all stakeholders aimed 

at finding solution to the 

problem <strong>of</strong> fuel scarcity 

The naira yesterday was stable at N361 per 

dollar in the Investors and Exporters (I&E) 

window. 

The naira also remained stable at N363 per dollar 

in the parallel market.


4 children 

die in 

Zamfara fire 

G USAU—THE 

Department <strong>of</strong> Fire 

Service in Zamfara, 

yesterday, confirmed the 

death <strong>of</strong> four children in a 

fire outbreak that occurred 

at Awala Filin-Jirgi in 

Gusau metropolis in the 

state. 

Mr. Abdullahi Jibo, 

Deputy Director, Fire 

Prevention and Public 

Enlightenment, confirmed 

the incident in an interview 

with newsmen in Gusau, 

adding that the affected 

house belonged to a driver 

attached to the Government 

House, Gusau. 

He said four children, 

comprising two boys and 

two girls, lost their lives in 

the incident, which 

occurred on Tuesday night. 

According to Jibo, “we 

received distress calls from 

the area on the fire around 

10p.m. Before we got to the 

place, the fire had already 

taken over the house; we 

exhausted four water 

tankers to control the 

disaster.” 

Police arraign 

man for 

stabbing 

another 

A 

28-year-old man, 

Patrick John, was, 

yesterday, arraigned before 

an Ado-Ekiti Magistrate’s 

Court for allegedly stabbing 

another man with broken 

bottle. 

John, whose address was 

not given, is facing a 

charge. 

The prosecutor, Sergeant 

Monica Ikebuilo, told the 

court that the accused and 

others at large committed 

the <strong>of</strong>fence on December 27, 

at about 8:50p.m., at 

Omisanjana area in Ado- 

Ekiti. 

She said the accused 

wounded one Wale 

Ayodele, by stabbing him 

with a bottle on the neck. 

Ikebuilo said the <strong>of</strong>fence 

contravened section 388 (1) 

<strong>of</strong> the Criminal Law <strong>of</strong> Ekiti 

State, 2012. 

The prosecutor urged the 

court to adjourn the case to 

enable her study the file 

and assemble her 

witnesses. 

The accused pleaded not 

guilty, and his counsel, Mr. 

Emmanuel Sumonu, urged 

the court to grant his client 

bail. 

The magistrate, Mrs 

Omolola Akosile, granted 

the accused bail in the sum 

<strong>of</strong> N20,000 with one surety 

in like sum and adjourned 

the case till January 22 for 

hearing. 


Lagos seals Badoo cult kingpin, Alaka’s 

filling station, hotel, event centre 

By Olasunkanmi Akoni 

THE Lagos State 

Government, yesterday, 

sealed a petrol filling station, a 

hotel and event centre 

belonging to a suspected 

Badoo cult kingpin, Alhaji 

Alaka Abayomi Kamal. 

In a statement by the state 

Commissioner for Information 

and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, 

the structures, situated along 

Ijebu-Ode-Itoikin Road in Sabo 

area <strong>of</strong> Ikorodu, were sealed for 

violating the state’s Urban and 

Regional Planning Law, 2010. 

The Police had, on December 

22, 2017, declared Alaka, who 

is believed to be the ring leader 

<strong>of</strong> the Badoo cult, wanted in 

connection with series <strong>of</strong> 

killings and activities <strong>of</strong> the 

Badoo cult group in Ikorodu 

and Epe area <strong>of</strong> the state. 

Ayorinde said the order 

sealing <strong>of</strong>f the structures was 

in pursuant to Section 60 <strong>of</strong> the 

said law. 

According to Ayorinde, “the 

Lagos State Government is 

joining the Police in asking the 

said Alaka to come out <strong>of</strong> hiding 

and submit himself to the law 

in his own interest. 

“The state government has 

also enjoined the Police to <strong>of</strong>fer 

the public a reward for any 

useful information on the owner 

<strong>of</strong> the Alaka Filling Station, 

Hotel and Event Centre in 

Ikorodu. 

“The government is once 

again asking its citizens to go 

about their businesses without 

fear. We will leave no stone 

unturned in keeping the state 

safe in 2018.” 

Cook steals Delta lawmaker’s safe 

By Emma Amaize 

ASABA—OPERATIVES <strong>of</strong> 

the Special Anti- 

Kidnapping and Cyber Crime 

Squad, SAKCCS, Delta State 

Police Command, Asaba, have 

apprehended a Beninoise, 

Tagboe Celestine, who 

allegedly carted away his 

boss’ safe. 

His boss, Angela Nwaka, is 

a member <strong>of</strong> Delta State House 

<strong>of</strong> Assembly, representing 

Aniocha North Constituency. 

When the suspects opened 

the safe, they found the 

international passport <strong>of</strong> 

Nwaka, which Celestine sent 

to his former boss from Lagos 

through a courier company, 

and she confirmed receiving 

it. 

Celestine, a cook to the 

lawmaker, burgled the house 

and stole the safe containing 

money, jewelleries and other 

valuables last year, before 

escaping to Abuja from where 

he was picked up by Police. 

Outgoing Commissioner <strong>of</strong> 

•...mails back employer’s international 

passport after opening the safe 

Police, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim, 

told reporters: “Acting on 

technical intelligence at the 

Command’s disposal, 

operatives <strong>of</strong> SAKCCS, 

November 22, 2017, arrested 

at Lagos one Sule Ahmed, 32, 

who harboured the principal 

suspect and also assisted him 

in unlocking the safe.” 

Ibrahim added that Ahmed 

39 ‘strange men’ arrested in Taraba 

THE Taraba Sate Police 

Command has arrested 39 

‘strange men’ in Nguroje, 

Sardauna Local Government 

Area <strong>of</strong> the state. 

The Command’s spokesman, 

ASP David Missal, disclosed this 

yesterday, while briefing 

newsmen in Jalingo. 

Missal said the arrest <strong>of</strong> the 

suspicious men, whose ages 

ranged between 30 and 40, 

also shared in the proceeds, 

“as he provided useful 

information that led to the 

arrest <strong>of</strong> the 40-year-old 

prime suspect at Abuja.” 

Confession 

He disclosed that “the 

suspects have confessed to 

the act and that the case 

would soon be charged to 

followed an alarm raised by 

Nguroje residents. 

He said the men, who were 

allegedly harboured by a 

woman in the community, were 

first taken to Gembu Divisional 

Police Headquarters, where 

they were interrogated and later 

transferred to the Command 

Headquarters in Jalingo, for 

further investigation. 

The police spokesperson said 

the court.” 

The Police boss, who frowned 

at the failure <strong>of</strong> many well-todo 

Nigerians to cross-check 

the background and 

personality <strong>of</strong> the house helps 

they recruit, wondered how 

the prime suspect was able to 

transport the safe to Lagos 

without security agents 

spotting him. 

the men claimed to be refugees 

from Cameroon Republic, but that 

their movement was suspicious 

because they did not report their 

arrival in the area to any security 

agency or any other appropriate 

authority. 

He said that earlier batches <strong>of</strong> 

refugees, who fled the crisis ridden 

North-West Cameroon, comprising 

women, children and the aged, 

reported to appropriate quarters



Protesters shut down Makurdi, the Benue State capital yesterday, over attacks on communities by herdsmen, which left over 50 persons dead and many 

hospitalised. (Story on Page 9). 

Omoku New Year massacre: 

Soldiers met my wife dying in my arms, 

turned blind eye—Bereaved husband 

By Egufe Yafugborhi & 

Davies Iheamnachor 

PORT 

HARCOURT— 

GRIEVING family members 

<strong>of</strong> some <strong>of</strong> those killed in the 

New Year eve by marauding 

gunmen in Omoku, Ogba/ 

Egbema/Ndoni, ONELGA, 

Local Government Area, Rivers 

State, yesterday, narrated how 

their loved ones were killed 

and the pains they are going 

through. 

Bright Nwokocha said his 

wife, Joy, who died among 

those shot could have been 

alive if soldiers that met her 

bleeding didn’t turn a blind 

eye. 

Nwokocha, 34, told Vanguard 

at his Lucky Ojobo residence, 

that his 34-year-old wife, who 

hails from Isoko in Delta State, 

was entrapped with their three 

children on a bike metres away 

from their home while 

returning from the New Year 

eve service. 

He said: “I read in the paper 

that there were two shooting 

scenes. Far more than that; the 

bloodsuckers were on a 

rampage. They met my wife 

and children already near 

home on our street. I had 

cautioned that they stay home 

and watch Emmanuel TV for 

the crossover service, but she 

insisted they go to church. 

“I went my way, returned 

and were camped and catered for. 

“This set <strong>of</strong> able-bodied men 

only sneaked into Nguroje, 

passing through other towns and 

Gembu, the council’s 

headquarters, without 

information,” he said. 

Missal, however, said no 

incriminating item was found on 

them, adding that the people 

were currently undergoing 

interrogation with a view to 

ascertaining their mission in the 

area. 

•My daughter called while dying—Mother 

home earlier, called them at past 

midnight and they said they 

were home-bound. Minutes 

later, I called to know how close 

they were, but there was no 

response. 

“The next minute, I heard 

booming sound <strong>of</strong> guns in 

succession close to the house we 

live. My second daughter 

rushed in shouting, ‘Daddy, 

Daddy, come, come some 

people are shooting knock-out 

and Mummy is sleeping there.’ 

Soldiers came, saw, 

zoomed <strong>of</strong>f 

Nwokocha further narrated: “I 

rushed to the scene and saw my 

wife lying on the road in a pool 

<strong>of</strong> blood. Our four year-old baby, 

shot in the buttocks too, was 

screaming. All my neighbours, 

who could help, ran into hiding 

out <strong>of</strong> fear. 

“I held my wife, confused as 

to how to rush her to hospital. 

Then an Army van came in. I 

raised my hands up, shouting, 

‘don’t kill me oo, my wife and 

daughter have been shot among 

other persons coming from New 

Year eve service. Please help 

me’. 

“The soldiers in the truck 

peeped from the vehicle. One 

muttered some words in Hausa 

and they zoomed <strong>of</strong>f, leaving my 

wife dying in my arms. It was 

too late when help finally came 

from a neighbour, who 

volunteered to take us to the 

hospital in his car, where my 

wife was pronounced dead.” 

When Vanguard visited his 

home, relatives, friends and 

neighbours were gathered 

consoling him. 

He cried: “My wife has left 

me. Men who have their own 

wives, children and parents, 

just trapped and shot my wife 

dead and they expect their 

homes and wards to be safe. It 

is well.” 

‘Mama, they’ve shot 

me; I’m dying’ 

For Madam Gold Ordu, 72, 

her New Year Eve shock was 

the phone call from her dying 

daughter, Jennifer Ohia, 38, 

who was shot dead along with 

her son, Innocent Ohia, 14. 

Success, her other 

daughter, who survived the 

shooting, is nursing her 

injuries at a hospital in 

Omoku. 

Madam Ordu, speaking at 

her Ordu Quarters, told 

Vanguard that “they were all 

around and attended the 

crossover with us uptown at 

the Deeper Life Church. 

“They then left, trekking to 

their home in Aligu,” the 

Omoku outpost that is home 

to dreaded Don Waney, who 

is being fingered by 

community sources as the 

mastermind <strong>of</strong> the massacre. 

The septuagenarian 

bereaved mother, who lost his 

daughter and grandson, 

continued that: “We were 

jolted by shouting and people 

running from the direction my 

daughter was headed with 

her children, with the fearstricken 

runners shouting that 

they have shot a crowd <strong>of</strong> 

trekkers in Aligu. 

“In no time, my daughter 

called, talking faintly in pain: 

‘Mama they have shot me, I 

am dying’. 

“We tried rushing down, but 

were sternly warned not to go 

in the dead <strong>of</strong> the night. We 

waited and left at dawn. There 

they were, my daughter and 

her son, Innocent, dead. 

“Success was shot in the leg 

and only Amaka, the eldest 

daughter, was unhurt. We 

have since taken the bodies 

and buried them on the plot 

they acquired when her 

husband was still alive. 

“Success is being treated at 

an Omoku Hospital. The 

governor (Wike) visited and 

promised to pay the bills and 

assist us.” 

At the hospital 

Coincidentally, Augustine 

Ordu, husband <strong>of</strong> Prophetess 

Comfort Ordu, who was shot 

with his two children is 

paternally related to the 

Ordus, who lost Jennifer and 

her son in two separate 

shootings. 

At the Castle Clinic, Omoku, 

where little Success is being 

treated, Vanguard met 

another baby, Mercy 

Ogadinma, 7, nursing more 

serious gunshot injuries: her 

left leg in POP, from toes to 

waist, from the impact <strong>of</strong> 

another shooting at Kringine 

Road, Omoku. 

Godday ThanksGod, 

brother to Mercy’s mother, 

said: “My sister, Oyi 

Ogadinma and her daughter, 

Nwakaego Ogadinma, were 

both killed in that shooting, 

leaving Mercy at God’s own 

mercy. It is hard to recount 

this experience.” 

OSPAC razes 

suspected killers’ home 

Meanwhile, the local 

vigilante, ONELGA Security, 

Planning and Advisory 

Committee, OSPAC, may 

have begun burning houses 

belonging to alleged suspects 

involved in the New Year Eve 

killings. 

An OSPAC member, who 

confided in Vanguard, said: 

“We have started torching 

some places, including that 

<strong>of</strong> persons reportedly selling 

out OSPAC information to 

these hoodlums.” 

Unidentified 

young lady 

found dead in 

Calabar 

By Ike 

Uchechukwu 

C ALABAR—THE 

corpse <strong>of</strong> a young 

lady in her 20s was found 

yesterday, covered in a 

wrapper and abandoned 

by the roadside at Etta 

Agbor Layout in Calabar 

Municipal Local 

Government Area <strong>of</strong> Cross 

River State. 

Vanguard gathered that 

the corpse was dragged to 

the spot by unknown 

person(s) Tuesday night. 

A resident <strong>of</strong> the area, 

Bassey, said they were 

shocked when they woke 

up to see the corpse <strong>of</strong> the 

young lady believed to 

have been killed by her 

lover. 

Bassey said: “We were 

perplexed when we saw 

the corpse this morning 

(yesterday); people 

around the vicinity were 

sceptical about what 

happened and we have to 

leave the environment to 

avoid arrest by the Police. 

“The sad thing was that 

the victim was stabbed to 

death by an unknown 

person, suspected to be 

her boyfriend, in the 

night. We made spirited 

efforts to identify the 

corpse, but it wasn’t 

possible. 

“Probably, the suspect 

brought her from far and 

dumped her here; but we 

don’t know her at all. 

Even the women and 

other young ladies could 

not identify her. We have 

reported the matter to the 

Police.” 

The state’s Police Public 

Relations Officer, ASP 

Irene Ugbo, confirmed the 

deposition <strong>of</strong> the corpse <strong>of</strong> 

the unknown lady on the 

roadside and said nobody 

was arrested, but that 

investigations continue.

C 

M 

Y 

K 

8 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018


The protesting youths, yesterday. Photo: Peter Duru. 


Benue killings: Gov Ortom 

escapes mob attack 

•As protesters lock down Makurdi 

•Police nab 8 suspects 

•Arrest Miyetti Allah leaders now—Ortom 

By Peter Duru 

M AKURDI— 

Governor Samuel 

Ortom <strong>of</strong> Benue State, 

yesterday, escaped mob 

attack in Makurdi, the state 

capital, as thousands <strong>of</strong> 

youths took over the strategic 

Wurukum roundabout and 

Makurdi Lafia Road in 

protest over Tuesday’s attack 

on Benue communities by 

suspected herdsmen, which 

left over 50 dead. 

The protest turned violent 

when Governor Ortom, 

alongside members <strong>of</strong> the 

State Executive Council, 

tried to prevail on the youths 

to remain calm, with a 

promise that the matter had 

been reported to President 

Muhammadu Buhari, who 

also promised to intervene. 

At that point, the youths 

demanded that the President 

should address Benue 

people over the killings and 

when the governor tried to 

prevail on them to show 

understanding, the 

protesters became unruly 

and started throwing stones 

and sticks. 

Security operatives had to 

whisk away the governor 

from the scene to safety. 

This came as the Benue 

State Police Command said 

it had arrested eight 

herdsmen in Guma and 

Logo Local Government 

Areas <strong>of</strong> the state in 

connection with the 

massacre. 

The protesters numbering 

over 3,000, stormed the major 

roads as early as 8 a.m., in a 

peaceful protests that led to 

gridlock, as thousands <strong>of</strong> 

motorists were stranded. 

They, however, went wild 

when they saw a car 

conveying about six bodies 

from Guma council to the 

BSUTH morgue. 

The irate youths, who sang 

war songs demanded 

President Buhari’s 

resignation, if he could not 

address the herdsmen 

menace in the state and the 

entire country. 

Arrest Miyetti 

Allah Kautal Hore 

leaders now 

—Ortom 

Reacting to the 

development, Governor 

Ortom appealed to the 

Federal Government to 

immediately arrest the 

leadership <strong>of</strong> the Miyetti 

Allah Kautal Hore over the 

killings. 

He said: “The president 

and secretary <strong>of</strong> that group 

had threatened to invade 

Benue State, they have 

made good their threat. I am 

accusing them directly, they 

should be arrested, there are 

no sacred cows in this 

country if we all must be 

seen to be Nigerians.” 

The governor, who also 

disclosed that more bodies 

were being recovered from 

the bushes in the affected 

communities, pleaded for 

calm, stressing: “I feel the 

pains <strong>of</strong> my people and that 

is why we have this kind <strong>of</strong> 

situation but we must not 

allow our anger to linger.” 

Police arrest 8 

suspects 

Meanwhile, the state 

Police Public Relations 

Officer, Mr Moses Yamu, in 

a statement in Makurdi, 

yesterday, said “eight 

herdsmen, six in Guma and 

two in Logo, have been 

arrested in connection with 

the attacks.” 

He added that the 

command had made 

additional deployments in 

the troubled area to forestall 

further attacks and restore 

confidence <strong>of</strong> the people. 

Yamu stressed that the 

situation in the two local 

government areas had been 

brought under control while 

investigation was ongoing. 

CAN, Muslims 

react 

Also reacting, Chairman <strong>of</strong> 

Christian Association <strong>of</strong> 

Nigeria, CAN, Rev. Akpen 

Leva, accused President 

Buhari <strong>of</strong> long silence over 

the persistent massacre <strong>of</strong> 

Benue people by herdsmen. 

Rev. Leva said if the 

President had not remained 

mute over the threats by the 

herdsmen to invade Benue 

State, the massacre in parts 

<strong>of</strong> the state would have been 

averted. 

He said: “The church is 

saddened by the renewed 

attacks on Benue people by 

the Fulani militia, the action 

is a Jihadist agenda against 

Benue people. We blame the 

Presidency for the attacks 

because several letters had 

been written to Mr. President 

on the issue <strong>of</strong> threats <strong>of</strong> 

attacks by Miyetti Allah 

Kautal Hore but none was 

responded to. 

“If the President could 

quell the Boko Haram and 

Biafra agitators, why has he 

continued to keep silent on 

the herders menace.” 

He noted that the attacks 

were a materialization <strong>of</strong> the 

threats by Miyetti Allah 

Kautal Hore, which openly 

rejected the implementation 

<strong>of</strong> the Open Grazing 

Prohibition and Ranches 

Establishment Law. 

In his reaction, the Muslim 

community through Alhaji 

Abubakar Dankeji, Senior 

Special Assistant to 

Governor on Community 

Relations urged President 

Buhari to urgently intervene 

to stop the killings in Benue 

State. 

Dankeji said: “Honestly, 

we, the Muslim community, 

are not happy over the 

killings. In the last one 

month, we have been 

organising people in various 

mosques to pray for this 

government. We will not 

accept people coming from 

other places to cause chaos 

in the state. 

“The governor is trying, the 

grazing law was enacted for 

peaceful coexistence 

between farmers and 

herders. The governor gave 

the people the law because 

they demanded for it in order 

to ensure peace. 

"A human being should not 

kill a fellow human being 

because <strong>of</strong> animals, it is 

unfair, the President has to 

act fast to stop these killings 

in the interest <strong>of</strong> the 

generality <strong>of</strong> the people.” 

...Buhari commiserates with 

Ortom 

By Johnbosco 

Agbakwuru 

A BUJA—PRESIDENT 

Muhammadu Buhari, 

yesterday, commiserated 

with Governor Samuel 

Ortom <strong>of</strong> Benue State over 

the killings, injury <strong>of</strong> several 

persons and wanton 

destruction <strong>of</strong> property in 

Guma and Logo Local 

Government Areas <strong>of</strong> the 

state. 

President Buhari, who 

expressed sadness at the 

“wicked and callous” 

attacks on innocent 

children, assured the 

Wak 

ake up to your 

responsibilities, CAN tells 

Buhari, Service chiefs 

By Luminous 

Jannamike 

ABUJA —Christian 

Association <strong>of</strong> Nigeria, 

CAN, has urged President 

Muhammadu Buhari and 

his Service chiefs to wake 

up to their responsibilities 

by ending the rising spate 

<strong>of</strong> killings in many 

communities across the 

nation. 

CAN President, Rev 

Samson Ayokunle, in a 

statement in Abuja by his 

Special Assistant, Media 

and Communications, 

Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, 

condemned the recent 

bloodbath in several parts 

<strong>of</strong> the country, which were 

carried out by armed men, 

since last Christmas day 

celebration. 

According to him, “it is 

unfortunate that between 

Christmas and today, scores 

<strong>of</strong> innocent Christians have 

been killed across the 

nation as if all our security 

agencies are on holiday. 

What has become <strong>of</strong> 

intelligence gathering? 

governor and people <strong>of</strong> the 

state that relevant security 

agencies had been directed 

to do everything possible to 

arrest those behind the 

regrettable incidents and 

avert further attacks. 

According to a statement 

by Senior Special Assistant 

to the President on Media 

and Publicity, Buhari said: 

“This is one attack too many 

and everything must be 

done to provide security for 

the people in our rural 

communities.” 

He also commiserated 

with families <strong>of</strong> the victims 

and wished the injured 

speedy recovery. 

These incessant killings are 

unacceptable, ungodly, 

wicked and reprehensible. 

“The last two years in 

Nigeria has recorded 

unprecedented killings by 

the criminal Fulani 

herdsmen and the Boko 

Haram terrorists with other 

religious extremists. 

“Christian Association <strong>of</strong> 

Nigeria calls on President 

Buhari and his security 

chiefs to wake up to their 

responsibilities and stop 

paying lips service to the 

security <strong>of</strong> lives and 

property. Nowhere is safe 

and secured in Nigeria 

despite the huge amount <strong>of</strong> 

money being spent on 

defence. This is why many 

are asking questions about 

our security. 

“And for Abubakar 

Shekau to be claiming 

responsible for these 

killings is a dirty slap on the 

government that claims 

victory over terrorism. We 

wonder what the National 

Security Council does at its 

meetings." 

Fayose, Mark carpe 

pet 

Buhari over killings 

By Dirisu 

Yakubu 

ABUJA—Governor <strong>of</strong> 

Ekiti State and 

Chairman, Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP, 

Governors’ Forum, Mr 

Ayodele Fayose, has taken 

a swipe on President 

Muhammadu Buhari over 

his presumed silence on the 

recent killing <strong>of</strong> innocent 

Nigerians in Benue State 

by alleged Fulani 

herdsmen. 

Fayose took to his Twitter 

handle, yesterday, to 

condemn what he termed 

the “silence” <strong>of</strong> the first 

citizen to the brutal killing 

<strong>of</strong> Nigerians during the 

festive periods. 

“I am deeply sad about 

the killings going on in 

Benue State. When will 

these killings by Fulani 

herdsmen stop? When is 

President Buhari going to 

act? Isn’t the silence <strong>of</strong> the 

President suggestive?” he 

wrote. 

Also, former President <strong>of</strong> 

the Senate, Senator David 

Mark, took stock <strong>of</strong> the 

renewed attacks in Benue, 

Rivers and Kaduna States 

and called for urgent and 

strategic approach to halt 

further tragedies. 

Mark condemned the 

attacks on defenceless 

citizens in Benue, Rivers 

and Kaduna states, saying: 

“This pogrom is 

reprehensible, barbaric and 

inhuman.” 

Senator Mark lamented 

the endless anarchy across 

the land and urged security 

operatives to rise up to the 

challenges and curb the 

menace. 

He called for a working 

synergy between and 

among security operatives 

to combat the worrisome 

situation. 

Senator Mark condoled 

with the governments and 

people <strong>of</strong> Benue, Rivers 

and Kaduna States over the 

heinous crimes and 

asked them to step up 

measures needed to protect 

lives and property.


2018 APPROPRIATION BILL: 

Agbakoba threatens to sue 

FG over wrong procedure 

By Innocent Anaba 

& Bartholomew 

Madukwe 

FORMER President <strong>of</strong> 

the Nigerian Bar 

Association, NBA, Dr. 

Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, 

yesterday, threatened to 

take legal action against the 

Federal Government over 

what he said was the 

executive arm <strong>of</strong> 

government adoption <strong>of</strong> a 

wrong procedure in 

preparing the 2018 

Appropriation Bill. 

Dr Agbakoba in a letter 

addressed to the Senate 

President, Senator Bukola 

Saraki and Speaker <strong>of</strong> the 

House <strong>of</strong> Representatives, 

Mr Yakubu Dogara, 

entitled Is the 2018 

Appropriation Bill 

Constitutional? Said, “As 

you are well aware, the 

2018 Appropriation Bill has 

been laid before the 

National Assembly by the 

President and discussions 

are ongoing on the 

estimates. Sections 81 to 84 

<strong>of</strong> the Constitution <strong>of</strong> the 

Federal Republic <strong>of</strong> 

Nigeria 1999 (as 

amended) set out the 

procedure for preparing the 

Appropriation Bill. 

“The Constitution 

requests each arm <strong>of</strong> 

NCAA reviews operating weather 

minima <strong>of</strong> 18 Airports 

By Lawani Mikairu 

L AGOS—THE 

Nigerian Civil 

Aviation Authority, 

NCAA, in conjunction 

with the Nigerian 

Airspace Management 

Agency, NAMA, 

yesterday carried out a 

review <strong>of</strong> Aerodrome 

Operating Weather 

Minima for 18 airports in 

Nigeria. 

With the latest review, 

planes will henceforth 

take <strong>of</strong>f as low as 150 

metres Runway Visual 

Range, RVR as against 

previous take <strong>of</strong>f at 800 

meters visibility . The 

new weather minima will 

take effect from today . 

By the way, weather 

minima entails the 

visibility at which a 

plane can land or take 

<strong>of</strong>f . With the latest 

review, flight will no 

longer be cancealed at 

will due to hazy weather. 

Commenting on the 

latest review, NCAA 

General Manager, 

Public Relations, Mr 

Sam Adurogboye, 

explained that it was in 

compliance with the 

provision <strong>of</strong> Part 8 <strong>of</strong> the 

Nigerian Civil Aviation 


government (the 

Executive, Legislature and 

the Judiciary) to lay before 

the National Assembly its 

estimates <strong>of</strong> revenue and 

expenditure for each 

financial year after which it 

is appropriated, 

harmonized as a bill and 

presented to the President 

for his assent. 

“Unfortunately, the 

Executive has failed to 

comply with this procedure 

by laying before the 

National Assembly 

estimates <strong>of</strong> revenues and 

expenditure for the 

Judiciary. This is inspite <strong>of</strong> 

a subsisting Federal High 

Court decision in OLISA 

AGBAKOBA VS. 

ATTORNEY GENERAL 

<strong>OF</strong> THE FEDERATION & 

OTHERS SUIT No. FHC/ 

ABJ/CS/63/2013 that has 

declared this practice 

unconstitutional. 

“We suggest that the 

National Assembly draws 

the attention <strong>of</strong> the 

Executive to the decision <strong>of</strong> 

the Federal High Court. 

The National Assembly 

should request the National 

Judicial Council to lay 

before it the Judiciary’s 

estimates <strong>of</strong> revenue and 

expenditure for 2018 and 

the Executive be made 

to represent its 

Regulations (Nig.CARs 

Part 8), and in 

accordance with 

International Civil 

Aviation Organisation 

(ICAO) Doc.9365. 

According to 

Adurogboye: “In this 

review, the Regulatory 

Authority took 

cognisance <strong>of</strong> 

improvements in visual 

and navigational aids 

within the affected 

airports. The reviewed 

Aerodrome Operating 

Minima would serve to 

enhance the operating 

capacity <strong>of</strong> the 

aerodromes. This is due 

to the fact that it will 

avail the operators with 

improved minima for low 

visibility operations. 

“According to the 

review, the landing 

minima specified for all 

the 18 (Eighteen) 

airports were determined 

based on applicable 

criteria as defined in the 

ICAO PANS-OPS Doc. 

8168, Doc.9365.This 

includes all relevant 

amendments, as well as 

available navigational 

facilities (ILS,VOR/ 

DME, etc) or PBN 

Navigational Specification 

(RNAV/GNSS).” 

Lagos records highest Consumer 

rights infraction — AMBODE 

•Vows to eradicate sub-standard products 

By Monsuru 

Olowoopejo 

L AGOS—WORRIED 

by the increasing 

cases <strong>of</strong> infractions on 

consumer rights in Lagos 

State, Governor, 

Akinwunmi Ambode, 

yesterday, inaugurated 

Consumer Protection 

Agency, LASCOPA Board, 

with a charge to its 

members at end sharp 

practices <strong>of</strong> manufacturers. 

While inaugurating the 

12-man board members 

headed by wife <strong>of</strong> human 

rights lawyer, Mrs. 

Olufumilola Falana, at the 

State House, Alausa Ikeja, 

Ambode lamented that 

daily, consumer rights were 

infringed upon by 

manufacturers and service 

providers. 

He stated emphatically 

that members <strong>of</strong> the board 

must ensure that 

consumers in Lagos got 

satisfaction for money spent 

on goods and services, 

reminding that they were 

carefully selected from the 

public and private sectors 

based on their characters 

over the years. 

“The need for the agency 

has become more 

imperative due to the fact 

that Lagos State with its 

huge population provides 

commercial market in Sub- 

Saharan Africa with the 

highest reported cases <strong>of</strong> 

daily infraction on 

consumer right. 

“The agency is meant to 

complement the state 

government reform on the 

ease <strong>of</strong> doing business 

especially as it affects the 

development <strong>of</strong> the 

industrial, commercial and 

consumer satisfaction value 

chain. 

“LASCOPA will be an 

effective service centre for 

the protection <strong>of</strong> consumer 

interest, settlement <strong>of</strong> 

consumer dispute and other 

INAUGURATION: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right); 

congratulates Mrs. Olufunmilola Falana as the Board Chairman <strong>of</strong> Lagos 

State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) during the inauguration 

<strong>of</strong> the Board at Lagos House, Ikeja, yesterday. 

connected purposes as 

enshrined in the Lagos 

State Consumer protection 

law 2013,” he stated. 

He therefore, directed the 

board to commence work 

immediately, by protecting 

the rights <strong>of</strong> the citizens and 

consumers in the state. 

Earlier, while presenting 

the members to the 

Governor, the 

Commissioner for 

Commerce and 

Cooperatives, Rotimi 

Ogunleye, listed the duties 

<strong>of</strong> the agency to include: 

speedy redress <strong>of</strong> 

consumers’ complaints 

through negotiation, 

mediation or conciliation: to 

ensure replacement <strong>of</strong> 

hazardous products and 

seek ways <strong>of</strong> eliminating 

them from the market, in 

conjunction with other 

relevant agencies; advice 

the state government on 

consumer protection policy 

and cause any company 

found culpable to pay 

compensation for injuries 

as a result <strong>of</strong> adverse effect 

<strong>of</strong> their products. 

Police nab man with 114 bags <strong>of</strong> Indian 

hemp in Ogun 

By Evelyn Usman 

THE Ogun State 

Police Command 

has smashed a syndicate 

which specialised in 

smuggling Indian hemp 

from Benin Republic into 

Ogun State, arresting one 

<strong>of</strong> its suspected members. 

Recovered from the 

suspect, Noah Olaore, 

were 114 bags <strong>of</strong> Indian 

hemp. 

Olaore as gathered, was 

arrested in front <strong>of</strong> M.K.O 

Abiola Stadium in 

Abeokuta by operatives <strong>of</strong> 

the Federal Special Anti- 

Robbery Squad, FSARS 

attached to the command. 

The command’s image 

maker, Abimbola 

Oyeyemi, an Assistant 

Superintendent <strong>of</strong> Police 

who confirmed the arrest, 

said: “The arrest <strong>of</strong> the 

suspect followed an 

information that some 

hoodlums who 

specialized in importing 

hard drug from Benin 

Republic into Ogun State 

were on their way 

coming. A team <strong>of</strong> FSARS 

operatives led by 

Inspector Adeyemi 

Responding on behalf <strong>of</strong> 

the appointees, head <strong>of</strong> the 

board, Falana, assured that 

they would work in the best 

interest <strong>of</strong> consumers and 

leave very good footprints 

on the sand <strong>of</strong> time. 

Other members <strong>of</strong> the 

board are: Mrs. Ajoke 

Olugbode, GM; Mrs. Sola 

By Onozure Dania 

LAGOS—A 56- yearold 

man, Raphael 

Ajogu, who allegedly 

obtained N6.7m from a 

businessman under the 

pretext <strong>of</strong> supplying him 

petroleum product was 

yesterday brought before 

an Igbosere Magistrates’ 

Court in Lagos. 

Ajogu whose residential 

address was not given, was 

tried on a three-count 

charge bordering on 

conspiracy, fraud and 

stealing preferred against 

Akeem, were detailed to 

go after the hoodlums. 

''They accosted one <strong>of</strong> 

the the hoodlums in front 

<strong>of</strong> M.K.O Abiola stadium 

with some exhibits. 

Further investigation led 

the Police to Igbo-Ora in 

Oyo State where more 

bags <strong>of</strong> the weeds were 

recovered. In all, 114 bags 

<strong>of</strong> Indian hemp were 

recovered. 

''The Commissioner <strong>of</strong> 

Police, CP Ahmed Iliyasu, 

has ordered a full scale 

investigation into the 

case with a view <strong>of</strong> 

arresting other members 

<strong>of</strong> the syndicate.” 

Ajulo, Mr. Olufemi 

Awogbami, Mrs. Toki 

Mabogunje, Dr. Monsurat 

Adeleke, Mrs. Adejoke 

Oladipupo, Mr. Lanrewaju 

Alayande, Mrs. Faderera 

Lekan-Rotimi, Mr. Segun 

Kuti-George, Mrs. 

Mosunmola Samuel and 

Mr. Olajide Oduyebo. 

Man defraud’s bizman <strong>of</strong> N6.7m 

•On pretence <strong>of</strong> supplying him petrol 

him by the police. 

The Prosecutor, Sergeant 

Friday Mameh, told the 

court that the defendant 

and his accomplices, who 

were still at large, 

committed the alleged 

<strong>of</strong>fences at about 11am, 

sometime in April 2016. 

Mameh said that Ajogu 

promised the complainant, 

Oguntelure Olusoye Isaac, 

that he would supply him 

45,000 litres <strong>of</strong> Premium 

Motor Spirit (PMS), at the 

rate <strong>of</strong> N135 per litre, at a 

total value <strong>of</strong> N6,750,000, 

“a representation he knew 

to be false.” 

He said that after Ajogu 

obtained the sum from 

Isaac, he failed to supply 

the fuel, as promised. 

According to Mameh, the 

alleged <strong>of</strong>fences are 

punishable under sections 

287, 314 (a) (b) and 411 <strong>of</strong> 

the Criminal Law <strong>of</strong> Lagos 

State, 2015. 

However Ajogu pleaded 

not guilty to the charge 

against him. 

Consequently 

Magistrate Adekomaya 

granted him bail in the sum 

<strong>of</strong> N1million with two 

sureties in like sum. He was 

however, remanded in 

prison custody over failure 

to meet with the bail 

condition, with the case 

adjourned to January 30, 

for mention.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018 — 11 


2019 POLL: We’ll support party committed 

to restructuring — AFENIFERE 

By Dapo Akinrefon 

THE pan-Yoruba 

socio-political 

organisation, Afenifere, 

has said it will support a 

political party in the 

2019 general elections 

that will be committed to 

the restructuring <strong>of</strong> 

Nigeria. 

It, however, berated the 

All Progressives 

Congress, APC, for failing 

to restructure Nigeria 

despite its promise during 

the 2015 electioneering 

campaigns. 

National Publicity 

Secretary <strong>of</strong> Afenifere, Mr 

Yinka Odumakin said the 

2019 elections will be 

between pro-unitary and 

pro-federal supporters 

saying any political party 

not committed to 

restructuring will be 

wasting its time. 

Odumakin said: 

“Afenifere and its partners 

are committed to the 

restructuring <strong>of</strong> Nigeria. It 

is now clear that with 11 

months to the next general 

elections and with the 

government in power not 

keen on restructuring, it 

will be the main issue for 

2019 general elections.” 

The group’s 

spokesperson, however, 

said it will work with 

forces <strong>of</strong> federalism to 

prevail. 

He said: “The 2019 

elections will be between 

a pro-unitary 

government and pr<strong>of</strong>ederal 

government. By 

God’s grace, we will be 

working with our partners 

to ensure that the forces <strong>of</strong> 

federalism prevail. 

It is not enough for 

political parties to promise 

restructuring. The APC 

promised but if you 

want to earn our 

support, they must show 

evidence, total 

commitment to the 

restructuring <strong>of</strong> 

Nigeria. Any other 

thing is waste <strong>of</strong> time.” 

AWARD: From left; Vice President, the Nigerian Institute <strong>of</strong> Public Relations 

(NIPR), Alh. Mukhtar Sirajo; President/Chairman <strong>of</strong> Council, NIPR, Rotimi 

Oladele; Chairman/Lead Strategist, TPT International Limited, Adetokunbo 

Modupe; Chairman, NIPR Lagos State Chapter, Olusegun McMedal, during 

the presentation <strong>of</strong> the 2017 Presidential Award in Corporate Practitioner <strong>of</strong> 

Excellence to TPT International at the 2017 Dinner &Awards held in Lagos. 

Why Senate may not pass 2018 budget till April 

— SENATOR ADEOLA •Blames ministries for delay 

NEW YEAR: Put your faith in God, Subomi Balogun 

counsels Nigerians 

By Jimoh Babatunde 

I JEBU-ODE— 

CHAIRMAN <strong>of</strong> the 

First City Monument Bank 

Ltd, FCMB Group, Otunba 

Michael Olasubomi 

Balogun, has urged 

Nigerians to put their faith 

in God in the New Year 

saying most people are 

suffering due to lack <strong>of</strong> faith 

in God. 

He said this yesterday 

during the annual New 

Year Prayers in his Ijebu 

Ode country home. 

By Daud Olatunji 

A BEOKUTA— 

CHAIRMAN, 

Senate House 

Committee on Local 

Content, Senator 

Solomon Adeola has 

explained why the 

Senate may not pass into 

law the 2018 

appropriation bill 

presented by President 

Muhammadu Buhari. 

He declared that the 

Senate may not pass the 

budget until March or 

April, 2018. 

Adeola, who 

represents Lagos West at 

the Senate, absolved 

the Senate <strong>of</strong> delaying the 

passage <strong>of</strong> the proposed 

2018 budget, accused 

ministries and 

departments <strong>of</strong> refusing to 

submit documents 

necessary for passage <strong>of</strong> 

the bill. 

Addressing newsmen in 

Ilaro, at the sideline <strong>of</strong> 

the end-<strong>of</strong>-year gettogether 

organised for 

Otunba Balogun, who 

called on youths to trust, 

worship God and regularly 

follow His teachings, “all 

shall be well with them.” 

He said: “I will urge 

prayerfulness and 

steadfastness for Nigerians 

in our faith in God, with God 

behind us, nothing is 

impossible.” 

Balogun, who is the 

Asiwaju <strong>of</strong> the Ijebu 

Christians Association, said: 

“the first thing I will say to 

Nigerians is to be 

conscientious in prayers and 

members and chieftains 

<strong>of</strong> the All Progressives 

Congress, APC, on 

Wednesday, said Senate 

would not allow itself to 

be a rubber stamp for the 

executive. 

Adeola said rather than 

blaming the Senate, 

government ministries, 

agencies and parastatals, 

should be blamed for 

failure to provide the 

n e c e s s a r y 

documentations and 

defend their respective 

financial proposals before 

the Senate. 

Disclosing that members 

<strong>of</strong> the Senate had worked 

round the clock to ensure 

prompt passage <strong>of</strong> the 

budget by December 21, 

2017, the lawmaker 

lamented the lack <strong>of</strong> 

sense <strong>of</strong> urgency by the 

Federal Government’s 

agencies in defending 

their fiscal proposals, to 

enable the senate pass 

the budget in record time. 

The Senator, however, 

declared that unless the 

have faith and that having 

prayed that the good Lord 

will answer our prayer.” 

He said there are lots 

wrong with the country and 

“my prayer is that the good 

lord will guard and guide 

everyone, including our 

government so that 

everybody will do the right 

thing. Among friends, 

family and universally, we 

should put God first and 

seek His face and 

everything will be right. I 

think we need prayers and 

the good face <strong>of</strong> God to move 

us forward.” 

Senate is provided with 

documentation, fact and 

figures to work with, the 

senate could not just 

rubber stamp the 2018 

budget. 

He said: “Let me make 

some clarification on the 

issue <strong>of</strong> the budget. As 

you can see the last time, 

we’re trying to work 

round the clock to ensure 

that by 31st <strong>of</strong> December 

2017, if possibly for the 

first time, in our nation’s 

history we can pass the 

budget in a record time. 

But as it were, 

documentation and facts 

and figures that we need 

to buttress all items <strong>of</strong> 

transaction both in the 

recurrent and capital 

expenditure as contained 

in that particular 

document is not given to 

us by these ministries and 

the lackadaisical attitude 

<strong>of</strong> the various agencies <strong>of</strong> 

the government, both the 

ministries and 

parastatals, is nothing to 

write home about. 

“Because, it is when 

they are prepared to 

defend these 

documentation, those 

figures as contained in 

that document that we can 

be looking at the record 

time in passing this 

budget. Since we don’t 

have all these 

documentation and the 

figures to work with, it 

will be difficult for us as a 

National Assembly. We 

can’t be rubber stamp. 

The power <strong>of</strong> the purse is 

the power that resides 

with us as the legislature. 

Yes, the government has 

submitted their document, 

Ex-Speaker decamps to 

APC in Ekiti 

By Rotimi 

Ojomoyela 

Ado-Ekiti—Former 

Speaker <strong>of</strong> old Ondo State 

House <strong>of</strong> Assembly, Chief 

Femi Akinyemi, on 

Wednesday dumped the 

People’s Democratic Party, 

PDP, for the All Progressives 

Congress, APC, in Ekiti 

State. 

Akinyemi joined the APC 

in his Unit 001, Aafin 

Compound, Usi Ward, Usi- 

Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local 

Government Area 

alongside scores <strong>of</strong> his 

supporters. 

The former Speaker, who 

also served as the 

Chairman <strong>of</strong> Local 

Government Service 

Commission during former 

Governor Segun Oni’s 

administration declared 

support for the anti 

corruption crusade <strong>of</strong> 

their proposal, their policy 

in numerical term called 

budget. 

“But we have the option 

to look at these issues 

critically and analysed if 

the N7 or N8trillion 

budget as proposed by the 

president is achievable or 

not. And that can only be 

done if the right 

documentation, figures 

are given to us. 

“The MTEF had their 

issues; we are able to 

overcome the issue <strong>of</strong> 

MTEF - the Medium 

Term Expenditure 

Framework which we 

have since passed at the 

National Assembly. 

“But if we are going to 

pass 2018 budget in a 

record time, there is need 

for us to know the 

performance <strong>of</strong> 2017 

budget. We cannot be 

pre-emptive. We need to 

look at the performance 

upon which we can 

predicate whatever we 

are doing with the 2018 

budget upon. And if all 

these documentations 

are not given to us, there 

is little or nothing we 

can do as a National 

Assembly. 

“So, we are hoping the 

Executive takes this 

seriously, then look 

inward and ensure that 

all necessary 

documentation that will 

assist the National 

Assembly in considering 

this budget before us 

should be forwarded to us 

so that we can work round 

the clock and give Nigeria 

this document in a record 

time maybe by March or 

April this year.” 

President Muhammadu 

Buhari saying “the 

President’s zero tolerance 

for corruption is the 

precursor to restoring the 

country’s lost glory.” 

Akinyemi told APC 

members present at his 

defection that the 

governorship ambition <strong>of</strong> 

Oni further stimulated his 

interest to join the APC 

urging the party to give his 

followers a sense <strong>of</strong> 

belonging and recognition. 

He said: “It is a matter <strong>of</strong> 

choice, I know somebody 

that I have worked with very 

closely and that is Engr. 

Segun Oni. 

“He is planning <strong>of</strong> coming 

back and I see some 

genuineness about 

development both human 

and others in him and I feel 

I should join hands with 

him and give him some 

support. 

“I hardly criticize any 

government because we 

are all human but I hope 

Engr. Segun Oni takes over 

from the incumbent so that 

dividends <strong>of</strong> democracy 

will reach the commonest 

<strong>of</strong> the society.” 

ALLEGED 

MURDER: 

Olukere title 

abrogated 

By Rotimi 

Ojomoyela 

ADO EKITI—THE 

Ogoga in Council, a 

body <strong>of</strong> royal chiefs <strong>of</strong> Ikere 

kingdom has abrogated the 

title <strong>of</strong> Olukere, a post held 

by Ganiyu Obasoyin until 

yesterday. 

Obasoyin and the Ogoga 

<strong>of</strong> Ikere, Oba Adu Adejimi 

Alagbado have been 

embroiled in supremacy 

battle since the ascension 

<strong>of</strong> the latter. 

In December 2017, 

Obasoyin got into trouble 

when he was accused <strong>of</strong> 

allegedly murdering one 

Femi Kolade in a reprisal 

attack on Christmas Day, he 

was subsequently arrested, 

charged to court and 

remanded in prison 

custody. 

It was gathered that 

Obasoyin led a team <strong>of</strong> his 

loyalists and some men <strong>of</strong> 

the Special Anti-Robbery 

Squad (SARS) to a place 

in Ado Ekiti for a reprisal 

attack against some 

suspected thugs who 

allegedly attacked his new 

hotel and destroyed some 

facilities there. 

In the course <strong>of</strong> the 

reprisal, Kolade, a toilet 

attendant in Fayose market 

in Ado Ekiti, was allegedly 

stabbed to death.



FERMA reconstructs bad portion 

<strong>of</strong> East-West link in A-Ibom 

By Dennis Udoma 

& Okon Emmanuel 

U YO—THE 

Federal Roads 

Maintenance Agency, 

FERMA, yesterday, 

said it had begun reconstructing 

the failed 

portion <strong>of</strong> Essene– 

Edemaya road in Ikot 

Abasi Local 

Government Area <strong>of</strong> 

Akwa Ibom. 

Mr Nkereuwem 

Asuquo, the engineer 

in charge <strong>of</strong> Federal 

Roads in the state, 

made this known to 

newsmen while 

inspecting the 

construction site. 

He blamed shoddy 

construction for the 

failure <strong>of</strong> the previous 

interventions on the 

road. 

Asuquo expressed 

optimism that the road 

construction would be 

completed within two 

weeks, noting that the 

re-constructed road 

would be durable. 

According to him, the 

agency is also carrying 

out vegetation control 

on the Ikot Ekpene–Itu/ 

Cross River border 

road. 

He said: "We are 

working on the Essene 

spur to Edemaya. The 

reason we chose that 

road is because <strong>of</strong> the 

main alignment from 

Abak to Ette. There is a 

collapsed culvert and 

we know that road is a 

very busy one because 

it takes a lot <strong>of</strong> heavy 

vehicular movement. 

Most <strong>of</strong> those heavy 

vehicles take materials 

from Akampa to most 

parts <strong>of</strong> the state and 

even Port Harcourt. 

“There is a collapsed 

culvert at a point, and 

most vehicles now take 

a diversion through the 

Essene spur to Port 

Harcourt and that 

portion is very bad too. 

So we decided to do an 

intervention there. Our 

people are on site 

working. If that road 

closes to traffic, there is 

going to be a big 

problem because that is 

the only road that links 

to the East–West Road. 

That is why we chose to 

work on that road. We 

are also doing 

vegetation control on 

the Ikot Ekpene–Itu/ 

Cross River border road. 

Our people are there 

working.” 

The road which serves 

as a link to the East– 

West road is the only 

alternative route from 

Akwa Ibom to Rivers but 

has been closed to traffic 

because <strong>of</strong> on-going 

repair work on some 

failed portions <strong>of</strong> the 

road. 

Also, Mr Sola 

Omimago, the Site 

Engineer supervising 

one <strong>of</strong> the failed 

portions <strong>of</strong> the road by 

Akama Catholic Girls 

High School, Essene, 

said underground 

water was responsible 

for the frequent 

collapse <strong>of</strong> the road. 

He said that the 

removal 


underground water and 

the excavation <strong>of</strong> 1.5 

metres <strong>of</strong> soil from the 

bad portion <strong>of</strong> the road 

had solved the problem 

<strong>of</strong> the road. 

SEMINAR: From left: Consultant Cardiologist, Aminu Kano University Teaching Hospital, AKTH, 

Pr<strong>of</strong>. Kamilu Karaye; Consultant Cardiologist, University <strong>of</strong> Abuja Teaching Hospital, UATH, Dr. Dike 

Ojji; Consultant Cardiologist, University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, Dr. Ikechukwu Ogah; the 

Chairman <strong>of</strong> the occasion/Consultant Cardiologist, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, 

OAUTH, Pr<strong>of</strong>. Micheal Balogun; Consultant Cardiologist, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, 

Pr<strong>of</strong>. Amam Mbakwem; Consultant Cardiologist, University <strong>of</strong> Ilorin Teaching Hospital, UITH, Pr<strong>of</strong>. 

Ibraheem Katibi and Consultant Cardiologist, University <strong>of</strong> Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, UPTH, 

Dr. Maclean Akpa, during a Heart Failure Awareness event in Lagos. 

FG unfair to Ijaw ethnic nationality 

—Clark 

By Samuel 

Oyadongha 

Y ENAGOA—IJAW 

National Leader, 

Chief Edwin Clark, 

yesterday, said the 

Federal Government had 

been unfair to the Ijaw 

ethnic nationality <strong>of</strong> the 

Niger Delta. 

Clark, a former Federal 

Commissioner for 

Information, lamented 

that the time had come 

for the Federal 

Government to address 

the issue <strong>of</strong> long years <strong>of</strong> 

neglect to which the Ijaw 

had been subjected by 

the Nigerian state. 

Clark spoke while 

hosting Governor 

Seriake Dickson, who 

led a high-powered 

delegation <strong>of</strong> Bayelsa 

government <strong>of</strong>ficials and 

Ijaw leaders to his 

Kiagbodo country home 

in Delta State, on a New 

Year visit. 

He urged the Federal 

Government to have the 

right attitude to address 

the Ijaw factor in the 

Nigerian federation, this 

year. 

“This New Year will 

touch the heart <strong>of</strong> the 

Federal Government that 

the Ijaw people have 

been neglected for too 

long. Something has to 

be done for them. We 

want 

actual 

appreciation, something 

has to be done for us,” 

he said. 

The Ijaw National 

Leader also commended 

Dickson for excellent 

leadership and delivery 

<strong>of</strong> the dividends <strong>of</strong> 

democracy in Bayelsa 

State. 

Clark hailed Dickson 

for the construction <strong>of</strong> the 

40-year-old Sagbama 

Ekeremor road which he 

described as a marvel. 

According to him, “You 

are the man who speaks 

for us. We are very proud 

<strong>of</strong> you. God will 

continue to guide you. 

Those who want to cause 

trouble will be taken 

care <strong>of</strong> by God. I listened 

to the governor in 2017 

when he was declaring 

an emergency in 

education and I was 

waiting to see what that 

meant. Recently, he 

invited me to Bayelsa to 

see what he has done. He 

invited General Gowon 

and his wife. And what I 

saw in the field <strong>of</strong> 

education, if I don’t say 

it publicly, I will be 

doing harm to myself. 

“Gowon told me at the 

airport that he had not 

seen any school like that. 

Apart from the building, 

the students know what 

they are doing. I was 

very proud <strong>of</strong> them, and 

the governor said that 

the students are drawn 

from all Ijaw 

communities with the 

head girl coming from 

Arogbo in Ondo State.” 

Speaking, Governor 

Dickson said he led the 

delegation to Kiagbodo 

on a Christmas and 

New Year visit to Pa 

Clark and other top 

Ijaw leaders in the 

country, among others, 

to consult the Ijaw 

leader on issues <strong>of</strong> 

urgent importance to 

the Ijaw nation. 

He called for more 

unity in all the 

segments <strong>of</strong> the Ijaw 

movements, especially 

the Ijaw Youth Council. 

He said: “We will 

consult on other issues 

<strong>of</strong> urgent importance 

both at the level <strong>of</strong> Ijaw 

nation, and the level <strong>of</strong> 

the larger Nigerian 

nation. Our leader is 

there to encourage us, 

to support us. So, apart 

from bringing season’s 

greetings and warm 

felicitations to our 

leader and our father, I 

am also here to consult 

our leader because we 

have an urgent task to 

put the Ijaw nation 

together. We have an 

urgent duty to put all 

sections and 

components <strong>of</strong> the Ijaw 

movement together. I 

want to make a public 

call for unity at all 

levels. I call for unity in 

the IYC. I want to see 

greater unity, greater 

display <strong>of</strong> dedication at all 

levels in the course <strong>of</strong> 

service to our people. I 

call for support as we 

move together to 

reposition the Ijaw nation 

as we move forward. I call 

for peaceful coexistence in 

all the states where we 

have the Ijaw nation. I also 

call for justice, fairness 

and equity.” 

He promised to work 

hard to expand the 

frontiers <strong>of</strong> stability and 

development in Bayelsa. 

Present at the event 

were Pr<strong>of</strong>. Emeritus and 

prominent writer and 

author, JP Clark, the 

Bolowei òf Gbaramatu 

Kingdom, Chief 

Wellington Okrika, who 

was the Pioneer Chairman 

<strong>of</strong> the Delta State Oil 

Minerals Producing Areas 

D e v e l o p m e n t 

Commission, the 

President <strong>of</strong> the Ijaw Youth 

Council, Mr. Pereotubo 

Oweilaemi, former Delta 

PDP Chairman, Chief Pius 

Sinebe. 

Others are Mr. Fred 

Agbedi and Douye Diri <strong>of</strong> 

the House <strong>of</strong> 

Representatives from 

Bayelsa State, the Speaker 

<strong>of</strong> the Bayelsa State House 

<strong>of</strong> Assembly, Rt. Hon. 

Konbowei Benson, his 

deputy, Mr. Abraham 

Ngobere, Assembly 

members, commissioners, 

traditional rulers and 

others.



Ogoni communities demand 13 per cent derivation for devt 

By Davies 

Iheamnachor 

PORT 

HAR- 

COURT— OIL 

bearing communities <strong>of</strong> 

Ogoni ethnic nationality 

have constituted a 

traditional rulers’ council to 

help in the fight against 

their marginalization, even 

as they demanded that the 

13 percent derivation 

Delta LG poll: Police read riot act to politicians 

By Godwin Oghre 

SAPELE—AHEAD <strong>of</strong> 

Saturday’s council 

poll in Delta State, Sapele 

Area Police Command, 

yesterday in Sapele, 

convened a stakeholders’ 

meeting <strong>of</strong> the 

participating political 

parties and their 

candidates, declaring that 

the police would not 

tolerate any breach <strong>of</strong> 

peace or act contrary to 

electoral law. 

The political parties and 

their chairmanship and 

vice-chairmanship 

candidates, agents and 

key party members 

invited to the meeting 

included those <strong>of</strong> the All 

Progressives Congress, 

APC, Peoples Democratic 

Party, PDP, Labour Party, 

LP, All Progressives 

Grand Alliance, APGA, 

among others, in Sapele, 

Okpe, Ethoipe East, 

Ethoipe West, and Warri 

North Local Government 

Areas. 

Police Area 

Commander, ACP 

Mauma Rijau, who 

convened the meeting, 

told the politicians: “The 

Police will provide 

adequate security to 

ensure the conduct <strong>of</strong> free 

and fair elections in these 

meant for oil producing 

communities be directed to 

the council to speed up 

development <strong>of</strong> their 

areas. 

The body, known as 

Ogoni Oil Bearing 

Communities Traditional 

Rulers Council, 

OOBCTRC, is to liaise with 

oil companies that intend 

to resume operation in the 

area for good relationship. 

areas. Take note that the 

Police is familiar with all 

the nooks and crannies <strong>of</strong> 

the areas, particularly 

crime prone areas, and I 

urge anyone likely to be 

<strong>of</strong>fended to report all 

grievances to the 

Divisional Police Officer 

<strong>of</strong> Sapele Police 

Command or myself for 

immediate action. 

“I urge you not to take 

laws into your hands. Call 

the DPO if you notice any 

ugly incident. If you wish 

to call me, feel free to do 

so. I assure you that no 

electoral material will be 

found in the possession <strong>of</strong> 

any police <strong>of</strong>ficer. The 

Police will not aid or abet 

crime in the election. We 

will not tolerate any act <strong>of</strong> 

criminality. I assure you 

that we will nip in the bud 

any likely ugly incident.” 

Delta State Independent 

Electoral Commissioner, 

speaking through his 

representative, Mr 

Omeuku Kingsley, 

assured <strong>of</strong> a peaceful and 

fair election, adding: 

“DESIEC is fully ready 

for a free and fair local 

government election 

across the state on 

Saturday.” 

Earlier, some <strong>of</strong> the 

chairmanship candidates, 

particularly those <strong>of</strong> APC, 

AGPA and LP and their 

supporters, had 

expressed fear over the 

ability and honesty <strong>of</strong> 

DESIEC to conduct a free 

and fair election, noting 

that “in the past, <strong>of</strong>ficials 

<strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> the political 

parties in the state had 

connived with security 

<strong>of</strong>ficials to snatch ballot 

boxes and produce fake 

results in the areas, just 

as some results were 

announced and winners 

emerged even before the 

elections were 

conducted.” 

I'll implement 2018 budget to the 

letter —Obaseki 

By Simon Ebegbulem 

B 

E N I N — 

GOVERNOR 

Godwin Obaseki <strong>of</strong> Edo 

State has told senior civil 

servants in the state that he 

intends to implement the 

2018 budget to the letter 

and vowed to query any 

civil servant who failed to 

respond to memos within 

72 hours. 

This came as the 

governor declared that the 

era <strong>of</strong> automatic promotion 

was gone and that workers 

must earn their promotions, 

Speaking at Kegbara- 

Dere, Chief Donald 

Gberesu, President <strong>of</strong> the 

body, noted that the body 

would stand in the gap 

between oil companies in 

the area and the host 

communities. 

He said: “The main aim 

<strong>of</strong> the organization is to 

bridge the gap between oil 

companies and the 

communities, as well as 

saying: “Promotions will 

not be delayed. But 

assessment will be done on 

time as delay in promoting 

workers will not be 

tolerated.” 

He spoke when he met 

with the Head <strong>of</strong> Service, 

Permanent Secretaries and 

other state civil servants on 

salary grade level 15 to 17 

and assured that his 

administration would boost 

their capacities and provide 

health insurance for 

workers in the state. 

Obaseki, who insisted 

that he wanted to ensure a 

ensuring harmonious relationship 

between prospecting 

oil companies and the 

communities to avoid further 

feud. It is on record that 

our communities have suffered 

neglect in the past 

and even now despite millions 

<strong>of</strong> barrels <strong>of</strong> oil explored 

from our land, we 

have nothing in return to 

show for them." 

AWARD: Paul Bebenimibo, Executive Secretary, Tompolo Foundation (middle), during double awards 

for High Chief Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo, by students <strong>of</strong> the Niger Delta region. Photo: 

Akpokona Omafuaire. 

more efficient and result 

oriented civil service in Edo 

State to pursue the 

objectives <strong>of</strong> the 2018 

budget, said he spent 48 

hours responding to 

memos and mandated 

senior <strong>of</strong>ficials to respond 

to all memos within 72 

hours. 

According to him, “I have 

a dashboard tracker to 

monitor the response time. 

Government will issue 

queries to those who flout 

this rule, and other areas 

where <strong>of</strong>ficers are found 

wanting." 

DESOPADEC'll focus on completion 

<strong>of</strong> ongoing projects —MD 

M ANAGING 

Director, Delta 

Oil Producing Areas 

Development 

Commission, 

DESOPADEC, Mr 

Williams Makinde, has 

said the commission will 

focus on the completion 

<strong>of</strong> ongoing projects in 

the oil producing 

communities rather than 

embarking on new 

ones. 

Makinde spoke while 

addressing newsmen in 

Oghara, Ethiope West 

Local Government Area 

<strong>of</strong> Delta. 

He said it would be 

unwise for the 

commission to award 

new projects in 2018 

while most <strong>of</strong> the 

Jail break: A-Ibom Police 

tighten security at Ikot 

Ekpene Prison 

By Harris-Okon 

Emmanuel 

U YO—AKWA 

Ibom State 

Police Command, 

yesterday, said it had 

beefed up security at 

the Ikot Ekpene 

Prisons, to avoid a reoccurrence 

<strong>of</strong> the 

recent jail break by 

inmates. 

Commissioner <strong>of</strong> 

Police, Adeyemi 

Ogunjemilusi, who 

disclosed this in Uyo, 

while briefing 

newsmen, said the 

Command was 

working in 

collaboration with the 

Department <strong>of</strong> State 

Service, DSS, and the 

Prisons authorities to 

re-arrest the fleeing 

inmates. 

Delta LG polls: PDP reconciles 

aggrieved members 

By Festus Ahon 

A SABA—LESS 

than three days to 

the Delta State local 

government election, 

Peoples Democratic Party, 

PDP, has reconciled all 

aggrieved persons in 

Sapele as part <strong>of</strong> efforts 

towards winning the 

election in the area. 

Speaking after the 

reconciliation meeting in 

Sapele Ward One, 

Sapele Local 

Government Area, the 

ward leader, Mr Sunny 

Nwakaego, said the 

meeting was aimed at 

repositioning the party to 

win the January 6 

existing ones were yet to 

be completed. 

“It will be <strong>of</strong> no use 

embarking on thousands 

<strong>of</strong> projects that will be 

abandoned later. We will 

definitely complete our 

centralised projects in 

2018. Those that are 92 

per cent, we will increase 

the funding in order to 

complete them. We don’t 

want to leave hundreds 

<strong>of</strong> projects hanging 

around uncompleted. 

The people should not 

expect a new project in 

2018. However, the 

communities we have not 

visited before in our 

catchment areas, we will 

ensure we put in 

something,” he said. 

‘’We have re-inforced 

security around the 

Prisons and we are 

working together with 

sister agencies and 

some <strong>of</strong> the inmates 

have been rearrested,” 

he said. 

When Vanguard 

visited the prison, some 

stern looking combat 

ready police personnel 

were stationed at the 

entrance, while others 

were seen patrolling the 

expansive grounds. 

It will be recalled that 

about 47 inmates 

escaped from Ikot 

Ekpene Prison on 

December 7, at about 

12.45p.m. While four 

were shot dead on the 

spot, 14 prisoners were 

recaptured and 29 

escaped. 

election. 

Saying they have 

resolved to build a strong, 

united political platform 

ahead <strong>of</strong> the 2019 general 

election, he said: “We are 

pleased with the 

individual and collective 

responses and the 

willingness <strong>of</strong> the ward 

members and leaders to 

build a strong and 

cohesive front in delivering 

our candidates on January 

6, and ahead <strong>of</strong> the 2019 

general elections. 

“Our reconciliation 

efforts have gone on very 

well, our party members 

and leaders have left 

nobody in doubt about 

their commitment."

C 

M 

Y 

K 



TRAFFICKING: FG’s delegation storms Libya to evacuate 

trapped Nigerians 

ABUJA—THE Fed 

eral Government’s 

special delegation, led 

by Foreign Affairs Minister 

Ge<strong>of</strong>frey Onyeama, 

yesterday, left Abuja for 

Tripoli, the Libyan Capital 

to evacuate Nigerians 

trapped in North African 

country. 

The Head, Press and 

Public Relations <strong>of</strong> the 

National Agency for the 

Prohibition <strong>of</strong> Trafficking 

in Persons, NAPTIP, Mr 

Josiah Emerole, in a 

statement, in Abuja, explained 

that the delegation 

was led by the Minister 

<strong>of</strong> Foreign Affairs. 

“Others members are 

the Director-General, 

NAPTIP, Julie Okah- 

Donli, and Mrs Abike 

Dabiri-Erewa, the Senior 

Special Assistant to the 

President <strong>of</strong> Diaspora 

Matters,” he said, adding 

that the delegation departed 

the Presidential 

wing <strong>of</strong> the Nnamdi Azikiwe 

International Airport, 

Abuja, on at 9:20a.m onboard 

the Nigeria Air Force 

Flight N5FGS. 

According to him, facts 

finding mission on the level 

<strong>of</strong> the enslavement <strong>of</strong> 

Nigerians in that country 

would be part <strong>of</strong> their engagements 

in Libya. 

He said that they 

would also engage the 

Libyan Authorities, Nigerian 

<strong>of</strong>ficials and Nigeria 

citizens living 

there, as well as International 

organisations 

working on migration issues 

in Libya. 

Following reports <strong>of</strong> 

the enslavement <strong>of</strong> Nigerian 

migrants in Libya, 


Buhari, recently, 

ordered the evacuation 

<strong>of</strong> all Nigerians trapped 

in the country, and set 

up a team led by the Foreign 

Affairs Minister to 

work out modalities for 

carrying out the mass 

evacuation. 

Since then, some high 

level meetings have 

been held among various 

Federal Government 

agencies presided by 

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. 

Emerole quoted the 

NAPTIP’s Director-General 

as saying that, “the 

Agency is ready to assist 

victims <strong>of</strong> human trafficking 

who will be returning 

to Nigeria to get 

properly reintegrated 

into the Nigerian Society. 

’”Our Counsellors are 

fully ready to receive the 

returnees and give them 

the needed psycho-social 

assistance for proper 

reintegration into the 

society. We will also help 

them with all the necessary 

tools to sustain 

themselves including 

vocational training and 

education assistance. 

‘’This will be done with 

assistance from Government, 

Corporate bodies 

and the international organisations. 

This is not the 

time for anybody to stand 

alo<strong>of</strong> and watch the Federal 

Government to do it 

alone; all hands must be on 

deck now. Doing nothing 

will affect all <strong>of</strong> us.” 

Encomiums as Lawal Kaita goes home 

FUNERAL PRAYER FOR LATE LAWAL KAITA: Mourners at the funeral 

prayer for late former Governor <strong>of</strong> old Kaduna State, Alhaji Lawal Kaita at 

the Emir <strong>of</strong> Katsina’s palace, Katsina, yesterday. 

•We’ve lost an epitome <strong>of</strong> democracy, good governance – Dogara 

TODAY’S WEATHER: NiMET 

predicts moderate dust haze 

THE Nigerian Mete 

orological Agency 

(NiMet), has predicted 

moderate dust haze 

weather conditions in 

visibility range <strong>of</strong> two to 

three kilometres over the 

Central states <strong>of</strong> the 

country, today. 

NiMet’s Weather Outlook 

by its Central Forecast 

Office (CFO), yesterday, 

in Abuja, also 

predicted day and night 

temperatures in the 

range <strong>of</strong> 25 to 34 and 10 

to 18 degrees Celsius respectively. 

The agency predicted 

that the Southern states 

would experience moderate 

dust haze conditions 

over the inland cities 

throughout the forecast 

period. 

It also predicted dust 

haze with visibility 

range <strong>of</strong> about one to 

three kilometres over the 

coastal cities with day 

and night temperatures 

in the range <strong>of</strong> 32 to 34 

and 17 to 23 degrees 

Celsius respectively. 

According to NiMet, 

Northern states will experience 

dust haze condition 

in visibility range 

<strong>of</strong> about one to three kilometres 

with localised 

visibility <strong>of</strong> less than 

1000m in few cities 

throughout the forecast 

period. 

“The northern states 

will also have day and 

night temperatures in 

the range <strong>of</strong> 25 to 29 and 

11 and 16 respectively. 

“The particles <strong>of</strong> dust 

in suspension around 

the country are expected 

to still reduce visibilities 

across the northern 

states to about one to 

three kilometres. 

“The inland and the 

central cities are anticipated 

to be in moderate 

dust with visibility <strong>of</strong> two 

to three kilometers, while 

the coastal cities are also 

expected to be in the 

range <strong>of</strong> one to three kilometres 

in the next 24 

hours,” NiMet predicted. 

By Grace Ud<strong>of</strong>ia 

K ATSINA—THE 

remains <strong>of</strong> the 

late former Governor <strong>of</strong> 

old Kaduna State, Alhaji 

Lawal Kaita, were 

yesterday laid to rest in 

his country home in 

Katsina State. 

Kaita’s corpse was 

brought to the Emir <strong>of</strong> 

Katsina’s palace at 

1:50pm in an ambulance 

<strong>of</strong> the Orthopaedic 

and Speciality 

Hospital, Katsina State. 

Deputy Chief Imam 

<strong>of</strong> Katsina Central 

Mosque, Malam Mustapha 

Ratibi, who represented 

the Chief 

Imam, Muhammad Lawal, 

led the funeral 

prayer at the Emir’s 

palace at 2:10pm and 

afterwards the corpse 

was conveyed to Danmarna 

burial ground 

where he was laid to 

rest. 

Minister <strong>of</strong> State for 

Aviation, Hadi Sirika 

led the Federal Government 

delegation, 

which included the 

Minister <strong>of</strong> Defence, 

Brigadier-General 

Mannir Dan Ali, Minister 

<strong>of</strong> Water Resources, 

Suleiman Adamu 

Kazaure and Senior 



Buhari on Media and 

Publicity, Alhaji Garba 

Shehu. 

Meanwhile, Speaker 

<strong>of</strong> the House <strong>of</strong> Representatives, 

Mr. Yakubu 

Dogara, expressed sadness 

over the demise <strong>of</strong> 

Kaita, who he said ‘’was 

a very courageous man 

who left a legacy <strong>of</strong> service 

and built bridges 

<strong>of</strong> friendship and unity 

across the north and the 

country in general.” 

In a statement, by his 

Special Adviser on Media 

and Public Affairs, 

Turaki Hassan, the 

Speaker described the 

late elder statesman as 

a man <strong>of</strong> outstanding 

character and a committed 

democrat, who devoted 

his life to working 

for the development 

<strong>of</strong> democracy in 

Nigeria. 

While noting the exploits 

and positive contributions 

<strong>of</strong> the late 

politician as a member 

<strong>of</strong> Constituent Assembly 

that midwifed Nigeria’s 

Constitution and 

Governor <strong>of</strong> old Kaduna 

State, Dogara said 

he would be remembered 

for his selfless 

service, patriotism and 

abiding faith in the unity 

and progress <strong>of</strong> the 

country. 

He said: “He will continue 

to be honoured 

and remembered by 

present and future generations 

for his dedication 

to the service <strong>of</strong> his 

people during his tenure 

as a Governor and 

even after. 

“Painful as his death 

is, we are however consoled 

with the fact that 

Alhaji Kaita left an indelible 

footprint and 

legacy <strong>of</strong> service to the 

society as well as commitment 

to the ideals <strong>of</strong> 

democracy and nationhood. 

“ 

While condoling with 

the bereaved family, the 

government and people 

<strong>of</strong> Katsina state, 

Speaker Dogara 

prayed God Almighty 

to grant the deceased 

eternal rest. 

Speaking with newsmen, 

Sirika described 

the late Kaita as a patriot 

and a true Nigerian, 

who believed in the 

Nigerian project, lived 

by it, taught it and 

caused other people to 

follow it. 

“It is not only a loss 

for Katsina, it is indeed 

a loss for black Africa. 

Indeed, Muhammadu 

Lawal Kaita was eminent, 

he has such an 

imposing personality in 

his life time. 

“We will miss him, we 

will rever him, we will 

honour him. He is a 

man <strong>of</strong> honour and dignity. 

He was a true royal 

son. He was indeed 

worthy <strong>of</strong> being emulated. 

“The advice is that all 

and sundry should 

copy the lifestyle <strong>of</strong> Alhaji 

Muhammadu Lawal 

Kaita. A true politician, 

who lived by his 

words and dictates, 

who believed in the 

majority, fairness, equity 

and justice. We have 

seen it in him, he had 

taught us and we will 

continue to live by his 

examples,” Sirika said. 

Former Deputy Governor 

to Ibrahim Shehu 

Shema, Barrister Abdullahi 

Faskari said the 

death <strong>of</strong> Lawal Kaita 

has created a vacuum 

that cannot be filled. 

“He was an elder 

statesman and certainly 

his demise will create 

a vacuum not only 

in Katsina State but 

also throughout the 

federation. We have lost 

a father, an elder 

statesman, a mentor, an 

adviser and everything. 

I don’t think <strong>of</strong> 

having a replacement 

because you cannot 

have another Muhammadu 

Lawal Kaita. 

Son <strong>of</strong> Lawal Kaita’s 

classmate (Ibrahim 

Abubakar) in Barewa 

College, Captain Yaya 

Abubakar, described 

the former governor as 

a peace builder. 

He said: “Whoever 

knows late Lawal Kaita 

knows was a person 

who liked to unite the 

people and nation to 

live in peace with one 

another.’’ 

The Emir <strong>of</strong> Katsina, 

Dr. Abdulmumini Kabir 

Usman expressed gratitude 

<strong>of</strong> the people <strong>of</strong> 

the state to the President 

for sympathizing 

with them over the loss 

<strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> their sons. 

Represented by the 

Kauran Katsina and 

District Head <strong>of</strong> Rimi, 

Nuhu Abdulkadir 

thanked everyone who 

came to commiserate 

with the family and the 

state over Kaita’s death. 

Dignitaries at the 

burial included; Lamido 

Adamawa, Barkindo 

Aliyu Mustapha; 

Emir <strong>of</strong> Daura, Dr. 

Umar Faruq Umar; Katsina 

State Deputy Governor, 

Mannir Yakubu; 

former President <strong>of</strong> 

NPAN, Samaila Isa 

Funtua; Director General 

<strong>of</strong> SMEDAN, Dr. 

Dikko Radda; former 

Katsina Deputy Governor, 

Bar. Abubakar Garba 

Faskari; business tycoon, 

Alhaji Aminu 

Dantata; former Katsina 

Deputy Governor, 

Tukur Jikamshi. 

Others are National 

Secretary, Peoples Democratic 

Party, PDP, Senator 

Umar Tsauri and 

Katsina State PDP 

Chairman, Salisu Majigiri. 

Members representing 

Kankia, Kusada and 

Ingawa Federal Constituencies 

at the House 

<strong>of</strong> Representatives, 

Hon. Ahmed Babba 

Kaita and Madawakin 

Majindadi, Alhaji Sani 

Lawal and all other district 

heads were also 

there. 

Ambassador Yahaya 

Kwande led a delegation 

that represented 

former Vice President 

Atiku Abubakar. 

(See more tributes on 

Page 35)

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018—15 

Okorocha, APC members 

face-<strong>of</strong>f deepens 

By Chinonso 

Alozie 

O WERRI—The 

seeming face-<strong>of</strong>f 

between Imo State 

Governor, Rochas 

Okorocha and members <strong>of</strong> 

the All Progressives 

Congress, APC, in the state 

has deepened. 

Vanguard gathered in 

Owerri, that the rumpus 

started after Okorocha was 

said to have endorsed the 

current Commissioner <strong>of</strong> 

Information, Mr. Nnamdi 

Obiaraeri, for 2019 Imo 

North Senatorial election. 

The Senator representing 

Imo North at the Senate, 

Mr. Benjamin Uwajumogu 

was said to have viewed the 

move by the governor as an 

act <strong>of</strong> sabotage. 

The latest was when the 

Senator was quoted to have 

threatened to expose 

Okorocha, saying the 

governor’s style <strong>of</strong> running 

the affairs <strong>of</strong> the party and 

the state was causing more 


dissatisfaction in the party 

and making APC 

unpopular in the state. 

Uwajumogu who was at 

Isiebu in Isiala Mbano local 

government area, the home 

town <strong>of</strong> the former Senator 

representing the zone, Mr. 

Ifeanyi Araraume, to 

celebrate Christmas with 

the executives <strong>of</strong> APC, said 

he was not happy with the 

happenings in the party. 

The former Speaker, Imo 

State House <strong>of</strong> Assembly, 

was captured to have said: 

“I will expose to people 

how Okorocha has 

changed the programmes 

<strong>of</strong> the APC. He will not win 

any election in Imo again. 

APC and Okorocha are two 

different people." 

Governor Okorocha and 

Senator Araraume, were 

said to be in a battle <strong>of</strong> who 

controls the soul <strong>of</strong> the 

party in Imo. As such, the 

APC chapter <strong>of</strong> Isiala 

Mbano Local Government 

Area said the party had 

been factionalised. 

...As Catholics move to reclaim 

Maria Assumpta Avenue fully 

By Chidi 

Nkwopara 

OWERRI—The dust 

raised by the recent 

renaming <strong>of</strong> Maria 

Assumpta Avenue to 

Muhammadu Buhari 

Road, has not settled, as 

Catholics appear very 

determined to recover the 

entire stretch <strong>of</strong> the road. 

Speaking to Vanguard 

yesterday, the Worthy 

Grand Knight <strong>of</strong> the 

Knights <strong>of</strong> Saint Mulumba, 

KSM, Dr. Emmanuel 

Esenwah, confirmed that 

only the first half <strong>of</strong> the road 

had been reversed. 

“The remaining half from 

Orlu Road/Warehouse 

Roundabout to Library/ 

Okigwe Road Roundabout, 

has remained 


Road. As the correction has 

started, we urge the 

government to complete it 

by reverting the entire 

stretch to it’s original 

status,” Dr. Esenwah said. 

While commending the 

Governor’s courage in 

starting the process <strong>of</strong> 

reversing himself, 

Esenwah however added 

that history will be kind on 

him, in this matter, if he 

completes the process. 

Battle facing Ndigbo requires diplomacy, 

not gun, street protests—Nwodo, others 

By Vincent 

Ujumadu 

AIgbo 

WKA—NOTABLE 

leaders, 

including the President 

General <strong>of</strong> the apex Igbo 

socio-political organisation, 

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief 

Nnia Nwodo and former 

coordinator <strong>of</strong> Ohanaeze 

chairmen in the seven Igbo 

speaking states, Dr. Chris 

Eluemunoh, have again 

reminded the Ndigbo that 

the battle facing them in 

Nigeria requires 

application <strong>of</strong> diplomacy 

and not through gun or by 

protesting on the streets. 

They spoke at the 2018 

Igbo International 

Leadership and Good 

Governance Retreat 

organised by the World 

Igbo Leadership Council 

and the World Igbo 

Information and 

Communication Network at 

Abagana in Njikoka Local 

Government Area <strong>of</strong> 

Anambra State. 

The Abagana event, 

which was third in the 

series, was attended by 

renowned Igbo scholars 

from Abia, Anambra, Delta, 

Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and 

Rivers states. It was hosted 

by the President <strong>of</strong> World 

Igbo Assembly, Dr. 

Nwachukwu Anakwenze, 

who is the traditional prime 

minister <strong>of</strong> Abagana. 

Nwodo, who commended 

the organisers <strong>of</strong> the annual 

retreat, said though it was 

not in doubt that Igbos were 

facing large scale 

marginalisation in Nigeria, 

the way to overcome it was 

not through fighting 

another war requiring 

killing <strong>of</strong> people at the war 

fronts, but by adopting 

peaceful means and 

dialogue with the 

opposition. 

He cited the issue <strong>of</strong> states 

and local governments 

creation in Nigeria in 

which, he observed, Igbo 

were 

grossly 

shortchanged, noting that 

such anomalies could only 

be corrected through 

dialogue and making other 

Nigerians to see the need 

for equity and justice in the 

Nigeria project. 

He said: “The military 

created states and local 

governments and gave the 

North the highest 

numbers, not because our 

population was the 

smallest, but just part <strong>of</strong> the 

marginalisation. But we 

should be patient and 

continue to do what we 

have already started, 

knowing that the battle is 

no longer the type that will 

PEOPLE SPEAK 

be fought with guns, but 

using intelligence. 

“We have suffered so 

much and that is why we 

should apply diplomacy. 

One <strong>of</strong> such diplomatic 

moves is the planned 

handshake across the 

Niger in which Igbo leaders 

will be dialoguing with 

Yoruba leaders in Enugu in 

the coming week.” 

Former President <strong>of</strong> 

Ohanaeze in Anambra 

State, Eluemunor, in his 

address, said that as 

someone, who fought in 

the Nigeria –Biafra war, he 

would not like another 

generation <strong>of</strong> Igbo to 

experience war, adding 

that what the people should 

be fighting for is the 

would be happy. 

He said: “What the Igbo 

people want is 

restructuring because if you 

restructure properly, it is as 

good as being independent 

in your country. You cannot 

declare independence in 

an enemy territory and 

expect him to allow you to 

go just like that. 

“What Ohanaeze is 

saying is that it is 

restructuring that will give 

us what we want. Our 

people are doing business 

in all parts <strong>of</strong> the country 

and in a restructured 

Nigeria, Igbo will have a 

good base.We learnt our 

lessons during and after the 

civil war and we would not 

like our people to make 

another mistake.” 

2019: Gombe indigenes bemoan Mbaka’s 

endorsement <strong>of</strong> Dankwambo 

By Emmanuel 

Aziken 

AGOS—ENUGU State 

Lbased cleric, Fr. Mbaka 

has been taken to task on 

his endorsement <strong>of</strong> 

Governor Ibrahim 

Dankwambo as Nigeria’s 

next president with the 

Coalition <strong>of</strong> Gombe State 

Indigenes saying that the 

priest spoke out <strong>of</strong> context 

in his assessment <strong>of</strong> the 

work and worth <strong>of</strong> the 

Gombe State governor. 

The coalition in a 

statement on Wednesday 

issued on its behalf by a 

prominent son <strong>of</strong> the state, 

Muhammad Jibrin drew 

attention to what it claimed 

as the failures <strong>of</strong> the 

outgoing administration in 

water supply, education, 

health among others to 

emphasise why it 

disagreed with Fr Mbaka 

and urged the cleric to travel 

to Gombe and see things 

for himself. 

Fr Mbaka, a former 

enthusiast <strong>of</strong> President 

Muhammadu Buhari had 

restructuring <strong>of</strong> Nigeria in 

such a way that everybody 

in his New Year message 

upbraided the president 

and asked him not to seek 

a second term in <strong>of</strong>fice, 

charging that Governor 

Dankwambo who he 

praised for his sterling 

achievements should be 

projected to fill the North’s 

turn. 

But responding to 

Mbaka, the Coalition 

through Jibrin said: 

“If the Rev Fr is well 

apprised <strong>of</strong> the state <strong>of</strong> 

affairs <strong>of</strong> Gombe State, he 

will certainly not 

recommend Governor 

Dankwambo as a worthy 

replacement for President 

Buhari. Perhaps, some 

examples will show Rev Fr 

Mbaka <strong>of</strong> the extent <strong>of</strong> the 

damage Governor 

Dankwambo has done to 

our State 

“It is a well-known fact 

that Gombe town had 

battled with lack <strong>of</strong> portable 

drinking water since 

independence. The 

previous administration <strong>of</strong> 

Senator Danjuma Goje 

took this as a priority and 

spent over N8 billion to 

ensure the provision <strong>of</strong> 

water across the State and 

specifically within the 

metropolis <strong>of</strong> Gombe. 

Governor Dankwambo 

refused to make an annual 

budgetary spending <strong>of</strong> 

only N200m required to 

maintain the supply <strong>of</strong> 

water. Today, you will 

easily find water in the 

desert before Gombe State. 

“Gombe State Education 

system was adjudged one 

<strong>of</strong> the best in the country. 

With a State University 

founded by the previous 

administration being rated 

as one <strong>of</strong> the top 10 State 

owned Universities in 

Nigeria as at 2011. As with 

the water project, he has 

neglected to continue with 

the required funding <strong>of</strong> the 

university. Today, the 

university and the entire 

education system is now in 

shambles and our class 

rooms are playground for 

idle students without 

teachers who have left en 

mass due to unpaid 

salaries." 

By Bartholomew 

Madukwe (08051019450) 

nwamad@yahoo.com 

On recent Herdsmen killing <strong>of</strong> 50 in six Benue communities 

If Benue people had act 

ed earlier in 2015, when 

these men reared their 

ugly heads, the story would 

have been different like we 

have in Ekiti. The delay embolden 

the herdsmen and 

made them stake a majority 

claim on Benue land. 

Miss Okonta Rose, Self 

Employed 

If the Nigerian Army can 

not protect the Benue 

people from persistent 

herdsmen attacks, is it 

not time to arm them to 

defend themselves? 

These herdsmen act as if 

they have been licensed 

to kill and destroy. Mr 

Tayo Akinyemi, Self 

Employed 

For how long will this 

governor be crying and 

repeating his subdued appeal 

to President Buhari to 

protect a people that is facing 

extermination? How 

can this people be sacrificing 

their own people just 

because <strong>of</strong> second term? 

Miss Joy Amos, Entrepreneur 

Since Presdient Buhari 

came to power it has 

been all about killing everywhere 

by herdsmen. 

He should please forget 

oil and gas and divide 

this country. The innocent 

blood the herdsmen are 

shedding is too much. 

Mr Okino Edward, 

Businessman 

With all the killings in 

Nigeria by this 

group, none have been arrested. 

No one can declare 

them terrorist, but the IPOB 

people took this government 

little to be tagged a 

terrorist group. We applauded 

as if it is the problem 

we have in Nigeria . 

Mr Francis Igwe, Worker 

The herdsmen are em 

boldened by the fact 

that it is one <strong>of</strong> their own 

that is president and he 

is turning a blind eye to 

their activities. Another 

person would have started 

dealing with them and 

the killings would have 

reduced. Miss Ngozi 

Ikem, Student 

C 

M 

Y


MEETING: Chairman, Board <strong>of</strong> Trustees, IPMAN, Alhaji Aminu Abdulkadir flanked 

by other marketers during the meeting <strong>of</strong> the Presidential Ad-hoc Committee on Petroleum 

Scarcity at the Confrenece Hall, Minister <strong>of</strong> Petroleum Office, NNPC Towers, Abuja, 

yesterday. Photos: Abayomi Adeshida. 

President <strong>of</strong> Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association <strong>of</strong> Nigeria, PENGASSAN, 

Olabode Johnson (right) and other stakeholders during the meeting. 

National Chairman <strong>of</strong> PTD, Mr. Salimon Oladiti (left) and other stakeholders during the 

meeting. 

:Van- :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnewsN E W S 

Bwari crisis: FCT Minister 

pledges succour to traders 

ABUJA—THE Federal 

Capital Territory 

Minister, Mr Musa Bello, 

has pledged to provide 

succour to Bwari Market 

traders whose property 

were destroyed during a 

crisis on Christmas day. 

The minister, who was 

represented by Mr Adamu 

Bappa, the Mandate 

Secretary <strong>of</strong> the Area 

Council Service <strong>of</strong> the FCT 

Administration, gave the 

assurance, yesterday, in 

Abuja when he visited the 

area. 

Inspecting the market, 

Bello promised the traders 

that the administration 

would assist them in 

resuming commercial 

activities. 

“The incident is quite 

unfortunate. We assure you 

that the FCT administration 

is collaborating with the 

Bwari Area Council to 

ensure that proper 

assessment <strong>of</strong> the losses are 

Stop employment <strong>of</strong> new 

plant operators, NAIG tells 

Chevron 

By Jeremiah 

Urowayino 

WARRI—THE National 

Association <strong>of</strong> Itsekiri 

Graduates (NAIG) has 

called on the Management 

<strong>of</strong> Chevron Nigeria Limited 

to halt the current employment 

<strong>of</strong> plant Operators or 

face operations shut down, 

noting that the Host communities 

were not informed 

nor given the opportunity 

to participate in the recruitment 

process which is contrary 

to the GMOU, and the 

Local Community Content 

Guideline <strong>of</strong> Chevron. 

NAIG, in a statement 

signed by its president 

Comrade Edema Collins 

Oritsetimeyin, said over 50 

operators were interviewed 

by Chevron in November 

6, 2017 at Oakwood Hotel 

Lekki, and sucessful 

Nosak Group rewards employees 

for long service 

By Destiny Eseaga 

L AGOS—NOSAK 

Group <strong>of</strong> Companies 

with interests in key sectors 

<strong>of</strong> the economy has 

recognised and rewarded 

180 staff for their 

dedications and 

meritorious services over 

the years during the Long 

Service Award Ceremony, 

held recently in Lagos. 

The event was put 

together to honour and 

appreciate deserving 

employees who have 

worked for 5 years and 

above. 

Speaking at the 

ceremony, the Chairman <strong>of</strong> 

the Group, Dr. Toni 

Ogunbor, praised the 

made and recorded. 

“We have set up a 

committee to look into the 

crisis and I assure you that 

both relief materials and 

further compensation will 

come your way 

appropriately. 

“However, it is necessary 

for all <strong>of</strong> you to evacuate the 

market for now and relocate 

to the temporary site as 

provided by the council so 

that proper assessment <strong>of</strong> 

the market can be carried 

out. 

“This is to give us proper 

account <strong>of</strong> number <strong>of</strong> 

shops, stalls and stands 

affected as well as assess 

the market for 

reconstruction,” he said. 

The minister expressed 

delight that normalcy was 

gradually returning to the 

town, adding that security 

agents would remain in the 

community until peace was 

finally restored. 

applicants has done their 

Medical with Chevron 

awaiting their resumption. 

“The Itsekiri Nation play 

host to 70% <strong>of</strong> Chevron 

Operations in Nigeira and 

as such deserve 

employment based on our 

production quantum. 

“Chevron has conducted 

OPITO training program 

for over 10 years for our 

graduates without an 

OPITO Certificate given. 

“The last set <strong>of</strong> trainees 

has been under slave labour 

since March 2013 without 

their employment being 

regularised. 

“We will not accept any 

training contract renewal or 

casual labour contract for 

our VTP5/OTP2, and VTP6 

Trainees” 

awardees for remaining 

resolute and their faith in 

the Group in spite <strong>of</strong> all 

odds. He urged other 

employees to emulate the 

worthy examples <strong>of</strong> the 

awardees as the Group is 

set to be among the leading 

private sector organisations 

in Africa. 

A breakdown shows that 

126 members <strong>of</strong> staff were 

rewarded for 5 – 10 years 

<strong>of</strong> service; 34 members <strong>of</strong> 

staff for 11 – 15 years <strong>of</strong> 

service; 15 members <strong>of</strong> staff 

for 16 - 20 years <strong>of</strong> service 

and 5 members <strong>of</strong> staff for 

20 years <strong>of</strong> service. Each <strong>of</strong> 

them also received gift items 

including, gas cookers, 

televisions, microwaves, 

steam irons, blenders, 

kettles and many more.

NO sympathy, no 

antipathy: “Nonetheless 

it is both a moral and legal 

requirement that in the fight 

against corruption a political 

leader must proceed with the 

utmost detachment and unaffection. 

He must approach the 

fight as much without fear or 

favor as without bias or malice 

aforethought. He is obligated 

both by law and by morality to 

be true to ‘friends’ and to ‘foes’ 

alike. Only thereafter will he be 

justified -by law and by 

morality- to ride the chariot <strong>of</strong> 

fire and to wield the Sword <strong>of</strong> 

Damocles without sympathy 

and without antipathy.” –from 

‘INTEGRITY AND THE WAR 

ON CORRUPTION’ -27/01/17 

A stitch in time… 

“Corruption has a tendency 

within the shortest possible time 

to fester from reversible 

benignity to incurable 

malignance. The same way a 

spoilt child grows from 

remediable delinquency to 

incorrigible deviance. 

Left untreated, more and more 

people become attracted to -or 

get consumed by- corruption. 

Either because it is so 

widespread that the opportunity 

to benefit from corruption 

abounds, or because it is so 

pervasive that the capacity even 

for otherwise morallyrestrainable 

citizens to resist its 

influence progressively wanes.” 

–from ‘ON DIEZANI’S ‘BAD 

LOOT’ -2/01/17 

A troika <strong>of</strong> evil 

“We have allowed ourselves to 

be hijacked by this troika <strong>of</strong> 

mischief makers (namely 

mischievous lawyers, crooked 

politicians and compromised 

journalists) who over time have 

come to the realization <strong>of</strong> the 

efficacy <strong>of</strong> their combined 

influence over society; and 

together they now constitute a 

gangling pack <strong>of</strong> ravenous 

hyenas; patient and 

persevering; nibbling and 

nagging; squealing and 

squeaking, they are determined 

always to go the distance to 

bring their prey down. 

National 

debate 

What they ignore remains 

rested; what they want as 

agenda is set! They will strain 

at a gnat but they will ignore a 

whole camel. They will magnify 

trivia to the height <strong>of</strong> national 

debate, but they will look the 

other way when murder and 

arson are committed on a 

scale”. – from ‘ON JUSTICE 

ONONGHEN’ -02/09/17 

Comedy <strong>of</strong> fellows 

“Nigeria has become one 

huge Elizabethan theatre where 

clowns, harlequins and 

pantomimes now prowl the 

stage in an unending 

melodrama that is sometimes 

more comic than Shakespeare’s 

‘Comedy <strong>of</strong> Errors‘. 

And in this unfortunate milieu 

it seems we are no longer 

divided over issues. We are 

rather titillated by 

personalities. We are so 

extreme in the way we canvass 

opinion nowadays that there is 

hardly any middle ground left 

- neither one as giddy height 

2017: Diary <strong>of</strong> a columnist (1) 

for the fence sitter, nor any as 

sanctuary for the non-aligned. 

We are either protagonistic 

about personalities or we are 

antagonistic about them. And 

either way, we are just simply 

unapologetic”. –from 

‘METAPHORS FOR A 

TROUBLED NATION’ – 02/16/ 

17 

God and man 

“whether we like it or not, 

man will, sooner or later, 

‘multiply’ to fill the earth’ if not 

Those who 

should be angry 

and tearing down 

fences, are the 

ones who are 

preaching law 

and the due 

process <strong>of</strong> law; 

yet those who 

steal our 

patrimony have 

not the littlest 

scruple 

subverting the 

law 

by the legitimate conjugal 

union <strong>of</strong> polygamists and 

monogamists alike, then by the 

illegitimate philandering <strong>of</strong> 

fornicators and adulterers. The 

earth will have to be filled - 

someday; whether we grow its 

population by geometric or 

arithmetic progression. It is the 

failure <strong>of</strong> selfish political man 

and not the absence <strong>of</strong> divine 

provision that has put the world 

in the condition <strong>of</strong> perpetual 

lack! 

Political man has learnt to 

shackle and unsettle the world 

through the waging <strong>of</strong> wars and 

rumors <strong>of</strong> war, to keep it from 

attaining the bliss that God has 

intended for it. It is neither the 

problem <strong>of</strong> religion nor the 

inadequacy <strong>of</strong> the earth to 

provide. 

It is the wickedness <strong>of</strong> man 

who politicizes everything 

including the economics <strong>of</strong> food 

- in a world where the havenots 

starve to death and those 

who have in excess <strong>of</strong> what they 

need, <strong>of</strong>ten have to dump at 

sea. Those who continue to rob 

the economies <strong>of</strong> most nations 

are in fact not the most ardent 

‘polygamists’. Many <strong>of</strong> them 

are monogamists with a cat or a 

puppy, for child. Sanusi should 

leave Muslim polygamists 

alone.” –from ‘SANUSI’S 

WEDLOCK <strong>OF</strong> THE RICH’ - 

02/23/17 

Alive and kicking 

“Life”, said “Stephen 

Vincent Benet is not lost by 

dying; it is lost minute by 

minute, day by dragging day, 

in all the thousand small 

uncaring ways” And maybe it 

is the reason the Spanish-born 

U.S. philosopher and poet 

George Santayana once said: 

“The diseases which destroy a 

man are no less natural than the 

instincts which preserve him.” 

Many will die <strong>of</strong> the most 

trifling <strong>of</strong> diseases if they have 

not the spirit to resist, even as 

many will survive the most 

malignant <strong>of</strong> diseases even 

without medicament. Or as 

Edward Bach would say 

“Disease is in essence the result 

<strong>of</strong> conflict between soul and 

mind” –from ‘ON BUHARI’S 

‘HALE’ AND ‘HEARTINESS’ 

03/01/17 

Broken record 

“Pro-Jonathans still insist that 

although his government was 

filthy-corrupt, Jonathan himself 

was unsullied by the torrents <strong>of</strong> 

sordid faeces which had bathed 

it head and trunk, torso to 

limbs. They admit that although 

everyone else in the Jonathan 

Government could be guilty <strong>of</strong> 

one form <strong>of</strong> corruption or 

maladministration, Jonathan 

himself was not. And the man 

is so naively emboldened by the 

brazen, unscrupulous defense 

<strong>of</strong> this army <strong>of</strong> blind supporters, 

he has become himself a broken 

record <strong>of</strong> Shaggy’s lyric <strong>of</strong> 

intransigent self-defense: so 

that to every allegation <strong>of</strong> 

corruption, Jonathan now sings 

‘It wasn’t me’.” –from ‘NOW 

THAT JONATHAN IS ON THE 

MENU -03/09/17’ 

Gangsterism and the law 

“They say that when he 

headed the Federal Roads 

Safety Commission FRSC, 

Major General Haladu 

Hannaniya wore the 

Commission’s uniform. But 

they did not say whether 

Hannaniya did so in compliance 

with the Act establishing the 

Commission or that he did so 

merely in deference to a nonmandatory 

tradition. If the law 

is silent on whether or not noncareer 

political appointees 

heading paramilitary bodies 

should wear uniform, why 

should any who chooses to wear 

uniform be deemed in 

compliance with that law or that 

any who chooses not to, is 

adjudged in breach <strong>of</strong> it? By the 

way if the precedent <strong>of</strong> 

Hannaniya wearing FRSC 

uniform in deference to 

operational tradition, is the 

compelling yardstick for 

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2017 —17 

17 

judging Ali’s obduracy in not the parts one and two. How do 

wearing one, why should the I lay my hands on them? My 

precedent <strong>of</strong> Wole Soyinka, contact 

is 

who pioneered the same FRSC 

but did not wear its uniform, not 

be even more compelling?” – 

from ‘MUCH ADO AB<strong>OUT</strong> 

UNIFORM -03/16/17’ 

Unavailing majority 

“Why would an APCmajority-Assembly 

be poised 

always to give executive 

requests from an APC 

government such hard time? 

Because APC’s victory at the 

polls has not been properly 

managed. 

This <strong>of</strong>ten bi-partisan hostile 

treatment <strong>of</strong> presidential 

requests at the legislature, is an 

indication not only <strong>of</strong> the 

inability <strong>of</strong> the APC 

government to manage its 

legislative majority tactfully, it 

is also a clear indication that the 

President’s ‘Executive 

Initiative’ at the legislature is 

not handled with the 

circumspection, tact and 

diplomacy that it requires.” – 

from “BUHARI’S POOR 

GAME’ -03/23/17 

Inter-dependence 

“In truth, theoretically or even 

in practice, there is no such 

thing as ‘independence’ <strong>of</strong> any 

<strong>of</strong> the arms <strong>of</strong> government. No 

one arm <strong>of</strong> government is 

‘independent’ <strong>of</strong> the others. 

Practice <strong>of</strong> 

democracy 

The doctrine <strong>of</strong> separation <strong>of</strong> 

powers did not envisage that; 

nor has the practice <strong>of</strong> 

democracy in whatever garb 

made such democratic utopia 

possible. The three arms <strong>of</strong> 

government are mutually interdependent, 

with each enjoying 

a sphere <strong>of</strong> independence 

subject to the constitutionally 

permissible interference <strong>of</strong> the 

others.” –from “WHAT TO DO 

WITH THE SARAKI NASS’ -03/ 

30/17’ 

Despotism <strong>of</strong> kings 

“Those who should be angry 

and tearing down fences, are 

the ones who are preaching law 

and the due process <strong>of</strong> law. Yet 

those who steal our patrimony 

have not the littlest scruple 

subverting the law. In truth 

‘singing’ and ‘swinging’ in a 

democracy, are not the enemies 

<strong>of</strong> law or <strong>of</strong> the due process <strong>of</strong> 

law. Said Jean Paul Marat, the 

17th century French 

revolutionary “It is through 

violence that one must achieve 

liberty”; and that sometimes “a 

temporary despotism <strong>of</strong> liberty” 

may be 

necessary “to crush the 

despotism <strong>of</strong> kings.” -from 

‘BY ANY MEANS 

NECESSARY’ -04/06/17 

Re-‘Who’s Jerusalem’ 

+2347034325535:- “Thank 

you for a job well done on the 

issue <strong>of</strong> ‘Who’s Jerusalem?’ Yes 

I missed the part one but two 

and three which I have 

followed carefully changed my 

mentality. God bless you. We 

need more <strong>of</strong> such. How can I 

get part one”. –Pst. Gift Isiekwe 

Henry. 

+2348025565277:- “Sir, I read 

your article ‘Who’s Jerusalem’ 

part three. It is highly 

educative. I would like to read 

Mathew.makolo@gmail.com” 

Online:- “Feeling like I timetraveled 

back in time. Enjoyed 

every bit <strong>of</strong> it. Very insightful. I 

feel truly enlightened. I pray the 

people <strong>of</strong> this region have peace 

once and for all. Keep the 

beautiful work coming Sir. We 

really appreciate your efforts in 

enlightening us. May Allah 

increase you in knowledge”. - 

Buhari Aliyu. 

Online:- “Mallam, always 

immersed in the ocean <strong>of</strong> history. 

This is truly amazing revelation 

to those who care to know 

historical antecedents <strong>of</strong> the 

only city that is dear to the trio 

<strong>of</strong> Abrahamic religions. Your 

piece as usual is always 

refreshingly educating. All 

those that ‘give’ the right to the 

Israelis almost always try to 

portray Israelis as the aboriginal 

inhabitants <strong>of</strong> the city. 

This is just incredible 

response. …But the way things 

are today, Israel has annexed 

Jerusalem and the world has 

betrayed Palestine. Even 

Palestinians now accept this sad 

reality. But we pray one day God 

will miraculously give them 

back their land. God bless your 

pen Sir. Thank you very much 

sir for giving us this unique 

update from history”. -Aminu 

Naganye. 

Online:- “Well written Sir. It 

seems this land has been 

promised to everyone by the 

cosmic forces, as such the 

claims. The unfortunate thing is 

the way some occupiers are 

doing everything devilishly 

possible to exterminate the 

inhabitants <strong>of</strong> the land simply 

because they claim it has been 

promised only them in their 

scriptures –knowing and 

disregarding the fact that the 

same land has been promised 

the inhabitants in their own 

scriptures too” -Aso Salisu. 

Online:- “Very educative and 

insightful masterpiece indeed! 

I am educated. Best regards, 

Sir”. -Ibrahim Ba’ala. 

Online:- “I did not know this 

before. Very good indeed. 

Please keep it up” -Abdullahi 

Dahiru Jauro. 

Online:- “Good research!” – 

Muhammad Ibn Umar. 

Online:- “Well composed.” – 

Ibrahim Haruna Ak. 

Online:- “When will the world 

settle this rift between brothers 

and sisters?” –Danjuma 

Abdullahi. 

Online:- “Sir, this article is 

really educating”. -Abubakar Al- 

Mustapha 

Online:- “More power to your 

elbow sir”. -Abdulrahman 

Yahaya. 

Online:- “I learnt a lot from this 

article. May Allah reward you 

Sir”. -Aboubakar Sadeeqds. 

Online:- “Thanks for this! Rare 

education!” -Abubakar Alhaji 

Ahmed. 

Online:- “Well researched and 

articulated” -Muhammad 

Danyaro Musa. 

Online:- “Spot on as always” 

–MT Abubakar 

Online:- “Thank you for this 

sir”. –Aliyu Balarabe 

Online:- “Nice piece bro”. – 

Aliyu Abba 

C 

M 

Y 

K

C 

M 

Y 

K 

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018 

THE reported approval <strong>of</strong> the United 

States <strong>of</strong> America’s Department <strong>of</strong> 

State to sell crucial military aircraft to 

Nigeria to fight Boko Haram 

represents a major policy shift which 

gladdens the hearts <strong>of</strong> all well-meaning 

and patriotic Nigerians. It shows that 

the government <strong>of</strong> President Donald 

Trump is genuine in its avowed 

determination to “stamp out radical 

Islamic terrorism” in all parts <strong>of</strong> the 

globe. 

The deal, which is worth nearly $600 

million (about N216 billion), involves 

the sale <strong>of</strong> 12 Super Tucano A-29 

ground attack aircraft and associated 

materiel to help in finishing <strong>of</strong>f the 

insurgency that has proved intractable 

over the past eight years. 

A Wikipaedia entry on the capacity <strong>of</strong> 

the aircraft reads as follows: “The 

Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano, also 

named ALX or A-29, is 

a turboprop light attack aircraft 

designed for counter-insurgency, close 

air support, and aerial 

Sale <strong>of</strong> US war planes to Nigeria welcome 

reconnaissance missions in low-threat 

environments, as well as 

providing pilot training. Designed to 

operate in high temperature and 

humidity conditions in extremely 

rugged terrain, the Super Tucano is 

highly manoeuvrable, has a low heat 

signature, and incorporates fourthgeneration 

avionics and weapons 

systems to deliver precision-guided 

munitions.” 

With such acquisition, the air 

dominance <strong>of</strong> the nation’s armed forces 

over the insurgents will be considerably 

augmented, and the effort to 

exterminate the terrorists is likely to go 

into irreversible gear. 

We commend the Trump 

administration for this change <strong>of</strong> policy 

direction from what its ex-President 

Barack Obama had adopted towards 

Nigeria. In October 2014, the former 

US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James 

Entwistle, had explained that allegations 

<strong>of</strong> “human rights abuses” against 

captured Boko Haram fighters were 

behind the refusal <strong>of</strong> his country to sell 

arms and ammunition to Nigeria. He 

pointed to the Leahy Law, which 

forbade the sale <strong>of</strong> US weapons to 

countries that violate human rights. 

Unfortunately, America did not 

consider that the terrorists, who were 

capturing territories, slaughtering 

innocent citizens like chicken and 

creating widespread human misery, 

were violating human rights. The 

American government went beyond 

refusing to sell arms to Nigeria and 

even blocked efforts to buy from other 

countries, which led the Goodluck 

Jonathan government to turn to Russia 

for the armaments which helped in the 

six-week surge in February/March 

2015. 

We are happy that President 

Muhammadu Buhari’s pleas for 

America to relax its emphasis on the 

Leahy Law has been met with a 

favourable response. 

It is a pleasant irony that the Trump 

administration, which has severally 

been linked with true or made-up 

belligerent rhetoric towards Nigerians, 

is far more willing than the Obama 

regime to do strategic business with our 

country towards removing a major 

threat to our national unity, the Boko 

Haram insurgency. 

We hope this will be extended to other 

areas such as restoring America’s full 

patronage <strong>of</strong> Nigeria’s oil. 

OPINION 

Delta: Between politics and governance 

By Prince Akpo’ Abugo 

DESPITE economic recession, Delta State 

is standing strong, all thanks to the 

Ifeanyi Okowa administration which has risen 

above pettiness and inherited problems to 

return the state to the people. So, I expect that 

this year, political activities will sprout as 

politicians in exile will return to the arena for 

personal interest. They will host meetings, 

attend social functions to resuscitate their 

ambitions. They will revive tribal, religious and 

sectional interests to join forces with imaginary 

advocates who when in corridors <strong>of</strong> power were 

insensitive. Bats and hyenas will throw tribal 

banters with chorus <strong>of</strong> underperformance and 

like a disgruntled housewife can’t be pacified. 

Delta is a multi-ethnic state. As the Hausa 

language unites the North, Yoruba language 

unites the South West, Igbo language unites 

the South East, so Pidgin English unites Delta. 

We have Ndokwa, Ika, Agbor and other derived 

Igbo, Yoruba and Benin lingua from Delta 

north. In Delta Central, we have Urhobo dialect 

and in Delta South, we have Isoko, Itsekiri and 

Ijaw. Our diversity enriches the state in culture, 

economic, political and social stability. Okowa 

came at a time state institutions were used to 

sustain personal aspirations, his traducers 

played god with clannish intentions but failed. 

Okowa is a movement anchored on people. 

When opponents relied on rotational 

governorship, Okowa encouraged excellence 

and competence; when they promoted 

primordial tribal sentiments, Okowa supported 

unity in diversity; when opportunists were 

throwing darts <strong>of</strong> falsehood, Okowa educated 

them with politics without bitterness. There is 

no godfather or group that owns Delta more 

than the people; Okowa shattered political 

godfatherism and critics must rally round him 

to invent their relevance, they should take 

advantage <strong>of</strong> his openness and 

accommodation. 

He is strengthening his foot soldiers because 

foot soldiers and party loyalists are cardinal 

intercessors, bridge <strong>of</strong> understanding that meet 

the yearnings and aspirations <strong>of</strong> the masses; 

they reflect the Governor’s heart; if they are 

well nourished the state is healthier. So, the 

fate <strong>of</strong> Okowa is not tied to any godfather, 

Okowa has demonstrated 

leadership competence by 

accommodating various 

interests, united the state, 

giving umbrella <strong>of</strong> hope to all 

irrespective <strong>of</strong> tribe or tongue 

person or groups but people. Those holding 

imaginary rallies or meetings to revive 

concocted conspiracies are jesters without 

political foundation. They represent a 

gathering <strong>of</strong> scavengers seeking political 

fortune; these are clueless self acclaimed 

leaders with no electoral value; we should not 

mistake wealth for electoral acceptability. 

Their platform festers in greed and 

opportunistic wrangling. And this only confirms 

that there is no alternative to the PDP in Delta. 

Remarkably, all those who gave PDP a bad 

name after migrating to APC for political 

merchandise were former PDP beneficiaries. 

These ‘politricians’ cannot salvage themselves; 

we cannot be drunk in watery euphemism to 

impose “change” with uncertainty when “power 

to the people” is the solution. 

There is no alternative to stability, we can’t 

accommodate gamblers because their skills 

derived from opportunistic greed is risky to 

development. Okowa has demonstrated 

leadership competence by accommodating 

various interests, united the state by giving an 

umbrella <strong>of</strong> hope to all irrespective <strong>of</strong> tribe or 

tongue. “Ekwueme” is a man <strong>of</strong> character, 

integrity and honour, who makes promises and 

keeps them, where ‘politricians’ pollute our 

space and make bogus promises. He has 

brought stability in politics and economy which 

has paved the way for peace to thrive under 

secure environment. 

This is why I fell that Okowa needs a second 

term to sustain programmes under the auspices 

<strong>of</strong> his SMART agenda. Delta is an unfinished 

structure and not seeking a second term is 

leaving it uncompleted. My appeal to political 

merchants is to love the state above personal 

greed; they must not destroy the state for 

personal engradisement. We cannot disregard 

good because good has no ethnic or political 

colouration, it’s a universal language. 

The reality is visible in road construction and 

rehabilitations <strong>of</strong> technical colleges, revival <strong>of</strong> 

technical education and skills acquisition, his 

initiatives in agriculture, especially fishery and 

rice production. Also commendable is the 

revival <strong>of</strong> critical infrastructures like industries 

considering the importance to the economy. 

Okowa is strengthening the economy through 

wealth creation and peace as a cardinal policy 

in reaching out to groups and communities. 

Warri is strengthened through inter-ethnic 

relationships which have advanced healthy 

agitation for oil companies to return back to 

their operational base, supporting Pandef and 

genuine patriotic groups to revive the economic 

base <strong>of</strong> Niger Delta. We are not looking for a 

tribal or sectional Governor but a unifier who 

transforms aspirations into reality; not bigots 

who promote ethnic divisions; we don’t want 

questionable characters whose accolades lie 

in self-messianic claims, but men <strong>of</strong> goodwill 

who sacrifice in pains, tears and blood. We 

have no alternative to Okowa because we must 

finish the house we started. 

Politics should be about service. Okowa has 

exhibited financial discipline devoid <strong>of</strong> past 

pr<strong>of</strong>ligacy; provocative exhibition <strong>of</strong> wealth by 

politicians is absent because funds are directed 

for human development; electorates are 

supreme partakers in political process and have 

access to the Governor. Deltans need Okowa 

to consolidate the state in ideas and visions so 

that when a successor emerges in 2023, the 

state would had sustained good governance, 

food sufficiency and agriculture made pillar 

<strong>of</strong> economic and industrial growth. 

We must sustain technical education and 

skills acquisition as jobs creation initiatives. 

He is teaching us today to see the private sector 

as indispensable and pillar <strong>of</strong> government 

policies, to absorb youths in jobs and galvanize 

economic activities that make people 

entrepreneurs and employers <strong>of</strong> labour. Okowa 

regards security as key to gainful employment, 

jobs creation, skills acquisition, technical 

education, food production and diversification 

<strong>of</strong> the economy. That militancy, pipelines 

vandalism and economic sabotage had 

subsided is credit to his diplomacy. 

We must divorce politics from governance; 

Okowa has carried all interests without malice 

or prejudice, and through competence showed 

capacity by touching every community in 

execution <strong>of</strong> projects. Though bats and greedy 

hyenas cannot be satisfied, the state is healthy. 

It’s a new Delta because continuity with Okowa 

is ‘power to the people’. 

*Prince Abugo is <strong>of</strong> the Delta Political 

Vanguard

Nigeria’s economic expansion persist 

rapidly in December — CBN 

By Babajide Komolafe & 

Elizebeth Adegbesan 

THE Central Bank <strong>of</strong> 

Nigeria, CBN yesterday 

released its Purchasing 

Managers Index (PMI) survey 

for December which indicated 

continuous rapid expansion <strong>of</strong> 

economic activities during the 

month. 

The report showed that the 

Manufacturing PMI and Non- 

Manufacturing PMI rose to the 

highest level in more than three 

years. While the Manufacturing 

PMI rose to 59.3 percent and the 

Non-Manufacturing PMI rose to 

62.1 percent during the month. 

The report also showed that 30 

out <strong>of</strong> the 34 subsectors surveyed 

by the apex bank recorded 

expansion, up from 27 subsectors 

that recorded expansion in 

November. 

The Manufacturing and Non- 

Manufacturing PMI report on 

businesses is based on survey 

responses indicating the changes 

in the level <strong>of</strong> business activities 

in the current month compared 

with the preceding month. A 

composite PMI above 50 points 

indicates that the manufacturing/ 

non-manufacturing economy is 

generally expanding, 50 points 

indicates no change and below 

50 points indicates that it is 

generally contracting. 

The December PMI report 

stated: “The Manufacturing PMI 

in the month <strong>of</strong> December stood 

at 59.3 per cent index points 

indicating expansion in the 

manufacturing sector for the ninth 

consecutive months. Fifteen <strong>of</strong> the 

16 subsectors reported growth in 

the review month in the following 

order: petroleum & coal products; 

printing & related support 

activities; computer & electronic 

CURRENCY BUYING SELLING 

US DOLLAR 

POUNDS 

EURO 

FRANC 

YEN 

CFA 

WAUA 

RENMINBI 

RIYAL 

SDR 

DANISH 

RAND 

$130.20 0.00 

$1,893.00-43.00 

$15.34 0.01 

$66.57 0.00 

61.47 1.10 

304.95 305.45 306.95 

413.5427 414.2207 414.8988 

366.3974 366.9982 367.5989 

312.3848 312.8969 313.4091 

2.7169 2.7214 2.7259 

0.5419 0.5519 0.5619 

434.8646 435.5776 436.2906 

46. 8928 46.9702 47.0475 

81.3135 81.4468 81.5801 

435.4991 436.2131 436.9272 

49.2141 49.2948 49.3754 

24.6723 24.7128 24.7532 

CBN Exchange rate as at 03/01/2018 

L-R: is Excellency, Engr. Benson Abounu , Deputy Governor <strong>of</strong> Benue State; Hon. Shior 

Emmanuel, Executive Secretary, Benue State Emergency Management Board; Dangaladima 

Buhari, Zonal Head, Public Sector Group, FirstBank and Micah Sahiru, Business 

Development Manager at FirstBank during the presentation <strong>of</strong> relief materials by FirstBank 

to Benue State Government to complement the efforts in providing succour to flood 

victims…recently. 

products; textile, apparel, leather 

and footwear; cement: 

transportation equipment; paper 

products; food, beverages & 

tobacco products; furniture and 

related products; plastics and 

rubber products; non-metallic 

mineral products; printing and 

related support activities; 

appliances and components; 

chemical & pharmaceutical 

products; fabricated metal 

products; primary metal and 

electrical equipment sector. The 

computer & electronic product 

sector contracted in the review 

month.” 

The report further stated: “The 

composite PMI for the nonmanufacturing 

sector stood at 

62.1 points in December 2017, 

indicating growth in the Nonmanufacturing 

PMI for the 

eighth consecutive month. 

Fifteen <strong>of</strong> the 18 nonmanufacturing 

sectors recorded 

growth in the following order: 

arts, entertainment and 

recreation; agriculture; 

transportation and warehousing; 

utilities; water supply, sewage 

and waste management; finance 

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018 — 19 

and insurance; health care and 

social assistance; real estate 

rental and leasing; wholesale 

trade; accommodation and food 

services; electricity, gas, steam 

and air conditioning supply; 

educational services; 

construction; information and 

communication and pr<strong>of</strong>essional, 

scientific, and technical services. 

The management <strong>of</strong> companies 

remained unchanged, while the 

public administration and repair, 

maintenance/washing <strong>of</strong> motor 

vehicles… subsectors recorded 

contraction in the review period” 

Electricity: Blackout, as Nigeria again records system 

collapse 

By Sebastine Obasi 

THERE 

are 

indications that 

the lingering poor 

power supply in the 

country may not be 

anytime over as three 

days into the new 

year, the nation has 

recorded another 

system collapse. 

Vanguard gathered 

from the Transmission 

Company <strong>of</strong> Nigeria 

(TCN) that the 

collapse occurred at 

about 14.19 hours 

yesterday. 

TCN stated that it 

“regrets to report 

another system 

collapse at about 

14.19hours today 

(yesterday) 3rd 

January, 2018. 

Preliminary information from 

NCC indicated that the tripping 

<strong>of</strong> Odukpani-Ikot Ekpene 

330kV line, cut <strong>of</strong>f generation 

from Odukpani Power Station to 

the grid. Restoration <strong>of</strong> the grid 

has reached advanced stage. 

TCN has also commenced 

investigations to determine the 

exact cause <strong>of</strong> the system 

disturbance and the outcome 

will publicised,” it stated. 

The system disturbance was 

said to have happened at a time 

when work on the Western Gas 

Pipeline by the Nigerian Gas 

Company, NGC which earlier 

caused system collapse at about 

21.17hours on Tuesday, January 

2, is yet to be completed. 

Blue chip stocks halt winning streak on stock market 

By Nkiruka Nnorom 

LOSSES sustained by some 

<strong>of</strong> the highly capitalised 

stocks (blue chips) yesterday 

halted the uptrend on the 

Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, 

with investors losing N3 billion 

at the end <strong>of</strong> the day’s trading. 

Though the gainers outweighed 

the losers during the day, (37 

gainers to 11 losers) but losses in 

stocks like Dangote Cement Plc, 

Nigerian Breweries Plc, Unilever 

Nigeria Plc, Mobil Oil Nigerian 

Plc and Cadbury Nigeria Plc 

reversed the trend in favour <strong>of</strong> the 

bears. 

Dangote Cement Plc, the most 

highly capitalised stock in the 

market, went down by 3.04 

percent. NB, another big cap 

stock, depreciated by 0.04 percent, 

Unilever lost 0.87 percent, while 

Mobil and Cadbury Nig. Plc 

were down 4.17 percent and 9.15 

percent respectively. 

Consequently, the equities 

market capitalisation declined by 

N3 billion to close the day N13.59 

Banks record 

increased default 

on credit card, 

overdraft loans 

By Babajide Komolafe 

BANKS recorded increased 

default on credit card and 

overdraft loans to households in the 

fourth quarter <strong>of</strong> 2017. 

The Central Bank <strong>of</strong> Nigeria 

(CBN) disclosed this in its Credit 

Conditions survey report for the 

fourth quarter <strong>of</strong> 2017. 

The report showed that while 

banks approved more unsecured 

loans to households during the 

quarter, they however reduced the 

limit on credit card loans during the 

quarter. 

The report stated: “Despite 

lenders’ resolve to tighten the credit 

scoring criteria for total unsecured 

loan applications in the review 

quarter, the proportion <strong>of</strong> approved 

total loan applications for 

households increased. Lenders 

expect to still loosen the credit 

scoring criteria in the next quarter, 

but anticipated that the total loans 

applications to be approved in Q1 

2018 will rather decrease. 

“The proportion <strong>of</strong> approved credit 

card loans increased in Q4 2017 

despite the lenders’ stance on the 

credit scoring criteria for granting 

credit card loans. However, the 

proportion <strong>of</strong> approved overdraft/ 

personal loans applications 

decreased. 

“The limit on unsecured credit 

cards on approved new loan 

applications decreased in Q4 2017 

and was expected to decrease 

further in the next quarter. The 

minimum proportion <strong>of</strong> credit card 

balances to be paid on approved 

new loan applications increased in 

the review quarter, and was 

expected to further increase in the 

next quarter. 

“Maximum maturities on 

approved unsecured new loan 

applications were shortened in the 

current quarter, and lenders 

anticipated that they will remain 

shortened in the next quarter. 

“Lenders experienced higher 

default rates on credit card and 

overdrafts/personal lending to 

households in the current quarter. 

They however, expect improvement 

in default rates in the next quarter. 

Losses given default on total 

unsecured loans to households 

worsened in Q4 2017 but were 

expected to improve in the next 

quarter.” 

The report also indicated that 

while banks are disposed to 

increasing lending to the private 

sector in the first quarter <strong>of</strong> this year, 

they will charge higher interest rates 

on loans to large and medium firms. 

trillion from N13.62 trillion, 

representing 0.2 percent decline. 

Similarly, the All Share Index, 

ASI, nose-dived by 0.2 percent to 

close at 38,187.28 points from 

38,264.79 at the beginning <strong>of</strong> the 

year. 

However, analysis <strong>of</strong> the 

sectorial performance showed that 

with the exception <strong>of</strong> the oil and 

gas sector, which recorded 

negative return <strong>of</strong> 1.4 percent on 

the back <strong>of</strong> losses in Mobil Oil 

Nigeria Plc, all the sectorial 

indices ended in positive.

C 

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20 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018

C 

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Easy <strong>of</strong> Doing Business can’t work without coordination 

—-Expert 

Stories by Godfrey 

Bivbere 

Immediate 

past 

Chairman <strong>of</strong> the 

Council for the 

Regulation <strong>of</strong> Freight 

Forwarding in Nigeria, 

CRFFN and Managing 

Director <strong>of</strong> Talod 

Oceanair Freight 

Limited, Alh. Hakeem 

Olarenwaju, has said 

that the Federal 

Government’s directive 

on Easy <strong>of</strong> Doing 

Business is not working 

because there is no body 

coordinating. 

In an interview with 

Vanguard, Olarenwaju 

said the absence <strong>of</strong> a 

coordinating body has 

resulted in all the 

stakeholders doing 

whatever they like. He 

explained that the 

situation at the port 

presently is that every 

stakeholder has become 

a government unto 

himself. 


easy <strong>of</strong> doing business 

“is not succeeding. You 

see when you do law, 

there’s 

no 

implementation. 

Nobody to report to, 

everybody is just doing 

his own. That’s why I 

said we are all 

government. 

“Somebody will just 

take your document and 

go home and you can’t 

blame him because he is 

the only one to do your 

job and there is no road 

to take him to his <strong>of</strong>fice 

because <strong>of</strong> the traffic. 

You see our job is the 

most affected and 

neglected. 

‘‘Let’s go back to 

CRFFN, until most <strong>of</strong> 

the people trying to 

scuttle the CRFFN 

realize that all these 

things they are doing, 

they are destabilising 

their future and that <strong>of</strong> 

their children. 

“It is only here I see 

freight forwarding 

people that are poor. In 

Cotonou, you cannot 

even enter their port. 

That is where a nation’s 

security is to start 

from. In United States, 

By Godfrey Bivbere & 

Precious Duru 

THE Nassarawa state 

government has 

entered into partnership 

with the National Inland 

Waterways Authority, 

NIWA to develop water 

transportation in the state 

it is not anybody that 

does freight forwarding. 

Go to our port, 

everybody just enters 

the port. Everybody 

clears. As a citizen <strong>of</strong> 

this country, you can’t 

come to me and tell me 

you want to clear 

ammunition without 

having the proper 

documents and I will go 

and clear for you. If I 

tell you to sit down and 

I entered toilet, I’m 

calling the Police. And 

I will have my integrity. 

‘‘Even the Chinese 

have taking over the 

port. They clear their 

containers themselves. 

They have license. What 

is the difference 

between those who 

signs and those who are 

stamping for people? Is 

it their Job?’’ 

Customs, security agencies collaborate in tackling smuggling 

By Joshua Yousouph & 

Mabel Uyebi 

With 

the 

anticipated increase 

in smuggling 

with the Yuletide season, 

Nigeria Customs Service, 

NCS, has engaged 

other security agencies 

in the country to check 

smuggling activities and 

generate revenue. 

Disclosing this over the 

weekend, Controller <strong>of</strong> 

the Federal Operations 

Unit, FOU, Comptroller 

Garba Uba Mohammed, 

From left: Mrs, Chinelo Nwobi, Assistant General Manager, Human Resources and Administration; 

Funsho Adegoke, (20 years awardee); Mr. John Jenkins, Group Managing Director, at the 2017 SIFAX 

Group Long Service Award which was held recently in Lagos. 

said that the task <strong>of</strong> tackling 

smuggling activities 

in the country cannot be 

effective without the cooperation 

and support <strong>of</strong> 

other security agencies. 

The FOU which is the 

anti-smuggling unit <strong>of</strong> the 

Service, according to the 

Customs boss, has been 

holding meetings with 

other security agencies 

such as the Nigerian 

Army, Nigeria Police Force 

and the Department <strong>of</strong> 

State Security, DSS. 

According to him, “We 

interact and exchange 

ideas during these meetings 

and whenever we 

need their assistance, we 

call on them; this is because 

the Police most especially 

know the flash 

points and area <strong>of</strong> jurisdiction 

<strong>of</strong> these smugglers.” 

Mohammed also mentioned 

that “there are certain 

places we do not go 

with the Customs <strong>of</strong>ficers 

alone. We employ the 

Military, Police and even 

the DSS. However, we always 

make sure we partner 

with these security 

agencies because we have 

a common objective which 

is Security”. 

Speaking further, Garba 

stated: “As the society is 

changing and the year is 

coming to an end, traders, 

agents and smugglers 

may device to use new 

methods to get away with 

what they want. But however, 

the Service is ready 

to double their efforts, 

widen their scope <strong>of</strong> activities, 

search for information 

and knowledge 

and also ensure that all the 

flash points known to 

them are reinforced. 

“Where we do not even 

think smugglers or those 

importers who may decide 

to short change the government 

may not take, we 

will reinforce even without 

leaving out the s<strong>of</strong>t 

target areas. We will make 

sure that our Officers remain 

on Standby and ensure 

that no Government 

money is lost and no 

smuggled goods are allowed 

to come into the 

country,” he concluded. 

Nigeria Customs surpasses N1.2tr revenue target for 

2017 

The Nigeria Customs 

Service (NCS), has 

surpassed its 2017 

revenue target <strong>of</strong> N1.2 

trillion by one point two 

percent representing 

N10 billion as at 

November, the Customs 

National Public 

Relations Officer, PRO, 

Joseph Attah, has said. 

The achievement is the 

first in the last five years 

that the Service will meet 

it revenue target. 

The Service was only 

able to collect N898 

billion <strong>of</strong> its N937 billion 

in 2016, leaving a short 

fall <strong>of</strong> N39 billion. In 

2015 the story was not 

different, has the sum <strong>of</strong> 

N903 billion was 

collected from the target 

<strong>of</strong> N954 billion while the 

short fall <strong>of</strong> N223 billion 

was recorded in 2014. 

The service was given 

the target <strong>of</strong> N1.2 trillion 

but it collected N977.09 

billion. 

Of the amount, the 

ports in Apapa and Tincan 

Island as well as the 

Federal Operations Unit, 

FOU, Zone “A” 

contributed 9 percent <strong>of</strong> 

the total revenue 

collection amounting to 

N9.2 billion. 

While Apapa and Tincan 

Island commands, 

collected 3.5 percent and 

3.2 percent <strong>of</strong> the total 

revenue <strong>of</strong> the Service 

respectively, the FOU 

raked in 2.32 percent 

with the figures 

<strong>of</strong> N262.3 billion, 

N288,6 billion and N1.9 

billion respectively. 

Although the figures 

from the Tin-can Island 

and FOU are January to 

Nasawara State to partner NIWA on water transport 

and has concluded plans 

to construct jetties in the 

towns <strong>of</strong> Umasha, Loco 

and Tuna. 

Disclosing this to 

Vanguard in Lagos, the 

Commissioner <strong>of</strong> Works, 

Housing and Transport in 

Nasarawa State, Engr. 

Wada Yahaya 

Mohammed, said the 

governor <strong>of</strong> the state, 

Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, 

has signed agreement 

with the management <strong>of</strong> 

NIWA for the utilization 

<strong>of</strong> the waterways. 

According to him, 

“Nasarawa state has 

border with River Benue, 

about four local 

government in Nasarawa 

State has border with 

River Benue and the 

government <strong>of</strong> the day 

under the leadership <strong>of</strong> 

GovernorUmaru Tanko 

Al-Makura want to 

improve and introduce 

the inter model transport 

November that <strong>of</strong> Apapa 

is from January to 

October. 

Attah said the feat was 

achieved by hard work, 

dedication and 

determination <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficers 

<strong>of</strong> the service. 

Attah assured the NCS 

will not rest on its oars 

despite the feat 

achieved, stressing that 

the Comptroller General, 

Hameed Ali, had asked 

the <strong>of</strong>ficers to aim for 

higher goals. 

Uche Ejesieme, the 

Public Relations Officer 

so that it would improve 

the economy and the 

mobility <strong>of</strong> the people <strong>of</strong> 

the state. 

“To achieve this, we are 

looking at the possibility 

<strong>of</strong> utilizing the waterways 

through establishment <strong>of</strong> 

jetties at least in three 

major local governments. 

<strong>of</strong> the Tin-can Island 

Command said in a 

statement made 

available to Vanguard, 

that the Customs Area 

Controller, CAC, in 

charge <strong>of</strong> the command, 

Yusuf Bashar, 

disclosure this while 

receiving the delegation 

<strong>of</strong> the Federation 

Accounts Allocation 

Committee (FAAC), Post- 

Mortem Sub-Committee. 

He said the 2017 

revenue collected by the 

command surpassed the 

N233.5 billion it 

generated in 2016. 

A breakdown <strong>of</strong> the 

revenue collected by 

Apapa Area 1 Command 

showed that the sum <strong>of</strong> 

N25.9 billion, N24.7 

billion and N26.7 billion 

respectively for the 

months <strong>of</strong> January, 

February and March 

2017.

C 

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2018: Senior advocates set agenda 

for bar, bench 

By Abdulwahab Abdulah 

Over the years, the nation’s 

justice delivery system has 

suffered some levels <strong>of</strong> defeats 

owing to many deficiencies. 

These include but not limited 

to court cases management, 

corruption, non implementation 

<strong>of</strong> court judgements and abuse 

<strong>of</strong> court processes. Eventually, 

the development has led to 

many people feeling the pains 

to the extent <strong>of</strong> almost losing 

interest in the country's court 

system. The Vanguard Law 

and Human Rights was in 

town to seek senior lawyers’ 

opinion on the way forward in 

2018. 

HERE are the comments: 

Bar and Bench must 

implement provisions <strong>of</strong> 

ACJA —Mr Femi Falana, SAN 

“In enhancing the criminal 

justice system the Bar and the 

Bench should ensure a zealous 


provisions <strong>of</strong> the 

Administration <strong>of</strong> Criminal 

Justice Act, 2015. To achieve the 

principal objectives <strong>of</strong> the Act, 

the Administration <strong>of</strong> Criminal 

Justice Monitoring Committee 

must be allowed to monitor the 

prosecution <strong>of</strong> all criminal 

matters including corruption 

cases and decongest our 

prisons in line with sections 110 

and 469 <strong>of</strong> the Act. 

“The chief judges <strong>of</strong> the 

Federal Capital Territory and 

the states should appoint 

designate chief magistrates to 

conduct monthly visitations to 

police stations and other 

detention centres in the 

country. I expect the 125 

branches <strong>of</strong> the Nigerian Bar 

Association and the human 

rights community to take 

advantage <strong>of</strong> the Act to put an 

end to illegal detention <strong>of</strong> 

Nigerian citizens by the Police 

and other law enforcement 

agencies. 

“Instead <strong>of</strong> appealing to the 

government to obey court orders 

the NBA should adopt 

measures that will force the 

Buhari administration to 

embrace the rule <strong>of</strong> law. State 

governments which have not 

adopted the Administration <strong>of</strong> 

Criminal Justice Act Act should 

do so without any further delay. 

With respect to civil 

proceedings the uniform rules 

<strong>of</strong> procedure are capable to 

enhance justice but the courts 

have to engage in case 

management.” 

Judiciary must be 

independent, fearless — 

•Mr Femi Falana, SAN 

Mallam Yusuf Ali, SAN 

“We need a fearless, courageous, 

strong virile and independent 

Bar, This is because, 

it is the backbone <strong>of</strong> the judiciary. 

We need a bar that is articulate 

and alive to its responsibilities 

as the voice <strong>of</strong> the 

voiceless and the helper <strong>of</strong> 

helpless. Thank God, the Nigerian 

Bar Association has 

shown over the year that it is 

partner in progress with the 

ordinary citizen. To be able to 

play its role as social engineer, 

the bar must continue with 

what it has been doing over the 

years. It must remain 

committed, remain dedicated, 

to be able to support the 

helpless people in our country. 

And it should stand at all times, 

whenever the independence <strong>of</strong> 

the judiciary is being 

threatened by anybody. It must 

act as the bulwark against 

oppression. And if the NBA 

gets it right, it would assist in 

no little measure to help the 

judiciary. 

“For the judiciary to discharge 

its duty very well and creditably, 

it must be free, must be 

courageous, be independent, it 

must be able to call the spade 

by its name and remain 

absolutely incorruptible. Now if 

the judiciary is able to possess 

these qualities, all <strong>of</strong> us will 

be the beneficiaries <strong>of</strong> the 

qualitative judiciary." 

Justice is not sentiments but 

issues <strong>of</strong> Law—Mr. Layi Babatunde, 

SAN 

“The new year, <strong>of</strong>fers a good 

opportunity for the Bench and 

the Bar to work together, with 

a view to enhancing Justice 

delivery that is timely and fair. 

Our calling as legal 

practitioners, is beyond 

business or sheer money 

making. It is a calling to be 

partakers in the higher ideal <strong>of</strong> 

justice delivery. It’s a great 

•Mallam Yusuf Ali, SAN 

honor for which our country, 

indeed humanity will be grateful 

if we discharged it well. 

“Nigerians have enough 

frustrations already, we should 

make it our bounden duty to 

lessen it by making the process 

serve it’s purpose. There is a 

link between injustice and 

insecurity, we will do well to 

be conscious <strong>of</strong> it. It is not too 

late, to join hands to build a 

secured and prosperous 

country, <strong>of</strong> which we will all be 

proud. 

On Appellate Court 

“Perhaps it is time to look 

more closely into the 

suggestion <strong>of</strong> Tobi JSC ; (<strong>of</strong> 

blessed memory ) that the 

The chief judges 

<strong>of</strong> the Federal 

Capital Territory 

and the states 

should appoint 

designate chief 

magistrates to 

conduct monthly 

visitations to 

police stations 

and other 

detention 

centres in the 

country 

•Mr. Layi Babatunde, SAN 

various divisions <strong>of</strong> the court <strong>of</strong> 

appeal should have an exchange 

Programme for their 

judgements, so that the right 

hand will know what the left 

hand has done or is doing. That 

I believe, will help ameliorate 

the incidents <strong>of</strong> conflicting 

judgements, more so that not 

all <strong>of</strong> their judgements get 

reported. We Lawyers, can also 

do better to expedite the 

determination <strong>of</strong> cases, by 

meaningful reliance on the 

body <strong>of</strong> case Law, particularly 

<strong>of</strong> Supreme Court judgements 

already available. I believe that 

this is the essence <strong>of</strong> the 

doctrine <strong>of</strong> judicial precedent. 

Why take coal to Newcastle over 

and over again? One thing we 

must never lose sight <strong>of</strong> though 

, is that Justice in it’s true 

sense, is always according to 

Law and not sentiments or 

emotions . “ 

Supreme court must be 

fearless and consistent — Mr. 

Babatunde Fashanu, SAN 

The Bench: “To me, the expectations 

from the bench areto 

be independent <strong>of</strong> the other 

arms <strong>of</strong> government especially 

the executive which wields 

enormous powers, by dispensing 

cases in such a way as to 

protect the rights <strong>of</strong> ordinary citizens 

under the Constitution. 

“The Supreme Court, especially, 

must be fearless in its 

decisions and should also be 

consistent to reduce the incidence 

<strong>of</strong> its own conflicting 

judgements and those <strong>of</strong> different 

divisions <strong>of</strong> the Court <strong>of</strong> 

Appeal. 

“The Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> Nigeria, 

CJN, has engendered high 

expectations in the land <strong>of</strong> the 

Judiciary ‘s cooperation in the 

anti-corruption war by his 

recent statement that special 

courts will be set up to hear 

corruption cases. I commend 

the CJN for this move and earnestly 

await that happening 

because it is the harbinger <strong>of</strong> a 

revolution in the anti-corruption 

war if well managed. 

The Bar: 

“The NBA is expected to be 

more vitriolic in bringing out to 

the fore the lapses <strong>of</strong> the 

government in the 

administration <strong>of</strong> justice 

especially where it relates to 

the trampling <strong>of</strong> citizens’ rights 

and disobedience <strong>of</strong> court 

orders. 

“Same goes for 

inconsistencies and 

somersaults in the 

government’s war against 

corruption and any perceived 

ineptitude in general 

administration. The NBA has 

been too passive leaving most 

criticisms to discordant tunes <strong>of</strong> 

individual lawyers. 

“The current NBA has set up 

panels to look into certain areas 

affecting the dispensation <strong>of</strong> 

justice in Nigeria, especially 

legal education. We expect 

positive results out <strong>of</strong> this.” 

Independence <strong>of</strong> the 

Judiciary must be respected — 

Mr Kolawole Olaniyan, Ph.D, 

author <strong>of</strong> Corruption and 

Human Rights Law in Africa 

said, “The government has to 

respect the independence <strong>of</strong> 

the judiciary including by 

promptly implementing and 

complying with several court 

decisions and judgements such 

as those on the release from 

detention <strong>of</strong> the leader <strong>of</strong> the 

Islamic Movement <strong>of</strong> Nigeria 

(IMN), Ibraheem El-Zakzaky 

and his wife; and on the 

publication by the government 

<strong>of</strong> up-to-date information on 

recovered stolen funds since 

the return <strong>of</strong> civilian rule in 

1999. With respect to the latter, 

the court ordered the 

publication <strong>of</strong> detailed 

information on the total amount 

<strong>of</strong> stolen public assets that have 

so far been recovered by 

Nigeria, the amount that has 

been spent from the recovered 

assets and details <strong>of</strong> projects on 

which recovered funds were 

spent.” 

“The persistent disregard <strong>of</strong> 

court orders demonstrates a 

flagrant – and dangerous – 

contempt for the rule <strong>of</strong> law, 

and has to stop. The 

independence and integrity <strong>of</strong> 

the judiciary will count for 

nothing if the Muhammadu 

Buhari government continues 

to disobey court orders.” 

“In sum, Nigerian Judiciary 

should seize the opportunity to 

carry out long-awaited 

measures including those that 

will secure the effective 


Administration <strong>of</strong> Criminal 

Justice Act <strong>of</strong> 2015; implement 

numerous outstanding recommendations 

on the reform <strong>of</strong> 

•Continues on Page 23

C 

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VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018 — 23 

2018: Senior advocates set agenda for bar, bench 

•Continued from Page 22 

the justice system in Nigeria, 

and other similar measures that 

would dramatically improve 

the country’s criminal justice 

system and allow access to effective 

remedies for everyone, 

particularly the most disadvantaged 

and vulnerable sectors 

<strong>of</strong> the population.” 

Justice sector must focus on 

human rights, end conflicting 

judgements at appellate 

courts —Joseph Otteh, ED, 

Access to Justice 

“Immediately taking steps to 

improve Nigeria’s justice sector 

would mark a major step 

forward for human rights in 

Nigeria, and help contribute 

to the government’s efforts to 

fight grand corruption. 

“In 2018, the Judiciary 

should make a full-court press 

towards developing a more 

strategic engagement plan for 

transforming the delivery <strong>of</strong> 

services by our courts and 

delivering that transformation. 

Data emerging from credible 

sources have shown that our 

Judiciary is distressed and 

has been bumping along the 

bottom for so long a time. 

Court delays are creating 

widespread disillusionments 

and undermining citizen confidence 

in the justice system. 

The United Nations Office on 

Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) 

and National Bureau <strong>of</strong> Statistics 

(NBS) have reported 

that corruption is widespread 

in the Judiciary, the NJC itself 

has found astonishing 

evidence <strong>of</strong> corruption among 

a number <strong>of</strong> Judges. 

The Judiciary cannot afford 

to fold its arms in 2018 or 

come short <strong>of</strong> what is required 

to reboot our justice delivery 

system and make it work a lot 

better. It must wake up and 

harness more creative and 

bolder ideas for transformation. 

What the Judiciary is 

doing now is not nearly 

enough to lift the judicial services 

system out <strong>of</strong> the doldrums. 

First, the Judiciary needs a 

strategic and time-bound 

framework within which to 

undertake this enterprise 

which must be agreed by all 

stakeholders. A sort <strong>of</strong> vision 

<strong>of</strong> what we must do to liberate 

the system from the present 

stagnation and recession. 

Then the Judiciary should 

commission empirical studies 

to examine the sticking points 

and the data behind them. 

And then take bold, far reaching 

actions to change how 

things work within it. All not 

change needs huge resources 

to accomplish. 

The Judiciary must also look 

to end the problem <strong>of</strong> conflicting 

judgements at appellate 

courts as another illustration. 

Litigants are confused by 

these conflicts and will gamble 

their way to highest courts 

to explore whether the composition 

<strong>of</strong> an appellate court 

will elect to apply a line <strong>of</strong> 

(conflicting) precedents 

favourable to their case. This 

incentivizes more litigation, 

and more congestion <strong>of</strong> court 

dockets, not less. 

By Abdulwahab Abdulah 

A 

disable lawyer in the 

Ikeja branch <strong>of</strong> the 

Nigerian Bar Assosciation, 

NBA, Mr Abdusalam Idowu, 

has said in spite <strong>of</strong> his disability, 

he would not be detered 

from being an assest to the nation 

rather than a liability. 

Idowu, a cripple , who said 

he struggled so hard to become 

a lawyer made the disclosure 

while he was presented with a 

car and wheel chair to aid his 

legal practice by a group <strong>of</strong> 

Lawyers from Ikeja branch <strong>of</strong> 

the NBA recently. 

The Lawyers, who were coordinated 

by a former Chairman 

<strong>of</strong> the Branch and the second 

Vice President <strong>of</strong> the NBA, 

Mr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, 

whose Foundation, Ubani’s 

Foundation kick started the process 

with the initial seed, also 

presented a wheel chair to the 

physically challenged col- 

•Mr Joseph Otteh 

Furthermore, current Nigerian 

jurisprudence tells litigants 

they can prevail over their opponents 

if they muster enough 

technical fire power, and so, 

for every perceived misstep in 

a proceeding, an objection is 

raised on the “jurisdiction” <strong>of</strong> 

the court and the matter is 

fought up to the Supreme 

Court, with the possibility 

that the Supreme Court, perhaps, 

will sustain the objection. 

With respect to the Supreme 

Court, it is sometimes 

difficult to avoid the feeling 

that that Court, by its sometimes 

formalistic, legalistic 

interpretations, has encouraged 

litigants who have no 

answer to a suit filed, to hold 

fast to purely technical straws, 

in order to defeat the case 

against them. If our Supreme 

Court were more beholden 

to a liberal, egalitarian 

and justice-centred philosophy 

<strong>of</strong> interpretation and adjudication, 

there will be less 

fuss over technicalities and cases 

would be decided more on 

their merits. Where this is so, a 

lot <strong>of</strong> unnecessary appeals will 

cease to congest appellate 

courts and this can be a good 

way to reduce the delays in our 

appellate courts. 

In 2018, our Judiciary must 

not only aspire to transform the 

organic infrastructure for delivering 

justice, but the very principles 

that ought to guarantee 

real justice to our society.” 

Disable lawyer, promises to be asset, not liability to nation 

league. 

Speaking at the presentation 

ceremony, which took place at 

NBA Ikeja Bar Centre last week 

in the presence <strong>of</strong> some <strong>of</strong> the 

donors, Lawyers, Journalists 

and the representative <strong>of</strong> Lagos 

State Governor, Mrs. Clara 

•Mr Babatunde Fashanu, SAN 

•The disable lawyer, Abdusalam Idowu being presented with 

a wheel chair and car by the lawyers. 

Ibirogba, the Director <strong>of</strong> Citizens’ 

Rights, Lagos State, 

Ubani appreciated the donors 

whose efforts saw to the reality 

<strong>of</strong> the gifts. 

Ubani, who is also the Chairman 

<strong>of</strong> the Welfare Committee 

<strong>of</strong> the NBA, also used the 

opportunity to request that Lagos 

State Governor, Akinwunmi 

Ambode, who is known for 

his care and love to the physically 

challenged persons in the 

State, give employment in the 

Ministry <strong>of</strong> Justice to Idowu 

who holds a degree in both Political 

Science and Law. 

The NBA 2nd Vice-President 

further explained that, Idowu 

with a double degree will be an 

asset to the Ministry <strong>of</strong> Justice 

and to Lagos State in general. 

Reacting to the kind 

gesture,after receiving the key to 

the Toyota Camry brand car, the 

excited Idowu said he was short 

<strong>of</strong> words for the gesture. 

He explained that it was the 

desire to succeed in life, that 

made him undertake the venture 

<strong>of</strong> acquiring two degrees through 

begging. He promised never to 

be a liability to any person, but a 

huge asset to the nation. 

EDITORIAL 

Innocent Anaba 

( Head) 

Wahab Abdulah, 

Ikechukwu 

Nnochiri 

Dayo Benson 

(Supervising Editor) 

08056180119 

dayobenson@yahoo.com


Labour issues ultimatum on new 

minimum wage 

Stories by Victor 

Ahiuma-Young 

THOUGH a 

tripartite National 

Minimum Wage 

Committee was 

inaugurated by the 


Buhari on November 27, 

2017, it is becoming 

obvious that Organised 

Labour and indeed, 

workers, are now restive 

over the protracted issue 

which has been a focal 

point <strong>of</strong> Labour agitation 

since 2015 when the 

current N18,000 

minimum wage elapsed. 

Indications have 

emerged that the issue 

will certainly dominate 

Labour discourse. 

As a pointer, Labour 

has issued deadline 

for all processes 

concerning a new 

national minimum wage 

to be concluded. 

For Organised Labour 

on the platform <strong>of</strong> 

Nigeria Labour 

Congress, NLC, Trade 

Union Congress <strong>of</strong> 

Nigeria, TUC, and the 

United Labour Congress 

<strong>of</strong> Nigeria, ULC, the 

issue <strong>of</strong> a new minimum 

wage has to be 

addressed as quickly as 

possible to avoid 

industrial unrest. 

In its New Year 

message, NLC through 

its President, Ayuba 

Wabba, said among 

others things: 

“Following the recent 

inauguration <strong>of</strong> the 

tripartite National 

Minimum Wage 

Negotiating Committee 

by President Buhari, it is 

the expectation <strong>of</strong> 

Nigerian workers that 

the committee under the 

chairmanship <strong>of</strong> Ms. 

Ama Pepple, former 

Head <strong>of</strong> Service <strong>of</strong> the 

Federation, will 

expeditiously conclude 

its assignment. This is 

because a new national 

minimum wage has 

been due for over a year 

now. It is also our 

expectation that upon 

completion <strong>of</strong> 

negotiations, the 

National Assembly will 

give the executive bill 

that will emerge, an 

accelerated passage for 

the new national 

minimum wage to 

Across section Nigerian workers protesting against unfair government 

policies 

become a reality before 

the end <strong>of</strong> the 3rd quarter 

<strong>of</strong> 2018. 

“We entered into the 

new year with several 

states owing workers 

<strong>arrears</strong> <strong>of</strong> several months 

<strong>of</strong> salaries and pensions. 

We wish to re-state our 

determination to 

continue to mobilise for 

the full payment <strong>of</strong> these 

outstanding salaries and 

pensions. As we 

approach the 2019 

general elections, 

workers will certainly 

not forget governors that 

subjected them to untold 

hardship by refusal to 

pay their earned 

entitlements on the 

excuse <strong>of</strong> scarcity <strong>of</strong> 

resources while 

choosing to pay 

themselves, their 

political appointees and 

cronies’ huge packages.” 

In the same vein, TUC 

through its President 

and Secretary-General, 

Bobboi Kaigama and 

Musa Lawal, 

respectively, demanded 

that “the National 

Minimum Wage 

Committee set up by the 


should conclude 

everything concerning 

the new wage on or 

before the end <strong>of</strong> the 

second quarter <strong>of</strong> 2018. 

“All state governments 

should pay all 

outstanding salaries and 

allowances to workers 

before the end <strong>of</strong> the first 

quarter in 2018. All 

corrupt political <strong>of</strong>ficials 

should face the music, 

irrespective <strong>of</strong> their 

political affiliations. No 

more s<strong>of</strong>t landing for 

anybody found to have 

looted the country.” 

On its part, ULC 

through its President, 

Joe Ajaero said: “Our 

hands are stretched out 

to all whose interests it 

is to rid Nigeria <strong>of</strong> all 

the crass and corrupt 

actions <strong>of</strong> those in 

position <strong>of</strong> governance 

even as we commit to 

negotiating a fair and 

equitable minimum 

wage that would truly 

serve Nigerian workers 

and masses effectively 

and positively. We shall 

ensure that the 

minimum wage review 

is concluded 

expeditiously and 

becomes law on or 

before February, 2018. 

“ULC will work with 

other groupings with 

which it has already 

entered into discussions 

to ensure that the 

different platforms for 

insipid corruption 

leading 

to 

underdevelopment, is 

interrogated, exposed 

and dethroned. We shall 

look into the hidden and 

institutionalised 

corruption that the 

management <strong>of</strong> the 

nation’s c<strong>of</strong>fers especially 

the Foreign Exchange, 

FX, conundrum has 

become and we shall 

seek a new framework 

that would enable 

economic development 

that would benefit 

Nigerian masses.” 

NLC bombs el-Rufai, holds rally for Kaduna workers 

on Jan 11 

NIGERIA 

Labour 

Congress, NLC, has 

alerted the Presidency 

and Nigerians over 

perceived draconian 

leadership <strong>of</strong> the Kaduna 

State Government under 

Mallam Nasir el-Rufai as 

governor, accusing the 

governor 


unprecedented assault on 

the state workers. 

Consequently, NLC 

disclosed that it will give 

effect to its National 

Executive Council's 

decision to observe 

January 11, 2018 as a day 

<strong>of</strong> solidarity with the 

workers <strong>of</strong> Kaduna State, 

and would mobilise 

Nigerian workers to march 

for the reversion <strong>of</strong> the 

sacked workers in Kaduna 

City. 

NLC through its 

President, Ayuba Wabba, 

said: “We wish to once 

again draw the attention 

<strong>of</strong> the Presidency and 

Nigerians in general to 

the ongoing draconian 

leadership <strong>of</strong> the Kaduna 

State Government under 

Mallam Nasir el-Rufai as 

governor. A couple <strong>of</strong> 

months ago, Governor el- 

Rufai by administrative 

fiat dismissed over 22,000 

primary school teachers 

in the state under the 

excuse that they failed to 

pass assessment tests that 

the authorised teaching 

regulatory body did not 

conduct. Similarly, el- 

Rufai equally sacked over 

4,500 local government 

employees in the state. 

“Despite the wise 

counsel <strong>of</strong> well-meaning 

Nigerians and 

protestations from the 

Congress, including an 

injunction from the 

National Industrial Court 

(NIC) which had ruled 

that the status quo should 

be maintained till the 

determination <strong>of</strong> the 

substantive suit brought 

before it by the unjustly 

dismissed workers and 

unions in Kaduna State, 

Governor el-Rufai, like all 

despots, has remained 

adamant. 

“Last Friday, 29th 

December, 2017, 

Governor el-Rufai 

authorised Education 

Secretaries and relevant 

local government 

authorities to commence 

the distribution <strong>of</strong> sack 

letters to teachers and 

local government workers 

in the 23 local 

government areas <strong>of</strong> the 

state beginning from 

Tuesday, 2nd January, 

2018. While some state 

governments are 

struggling to devise ways 

<strong>of</strong> bringing succour to 

workers and the people 

generally in the new year, 

Governor el-Rufai’s 

Christmas and New Year 

gift to the working 

people <strong>of</strong> Kaduna State 

and their families is tears 

and sorrow. 

“Under this 

atmosphere <strong>of</strong> disregard 

for the rule <strong>of</strong> law and 

decency, Congress is left 

with no other option than 

to use all legitimate 

means to challenge the 

crass impunity and 

despotism being 

displayed by Governor 

el-Rufai. It will therefore 

give effect to the decision 

<strong>of</strong> the Congress' National 

Executive Council to 

observe January 11, 2018 

as a day <strong>of</strong> solidarity with 

the workers <strong>of</strong> Kaduna 

State, and shall mobilise 

Nigerian workers to 

march for the reversion <strong>of</strong> 

the sacked workers in 

Kaduna City.” 

No gender 

discrimination 

at work in 

Nigeria--FG 

THE 

Federal 

Government through 

the Minister <strong>of</strong> Labour and 

Employment, Senator 

Chris Ngige, has 

dispelled the fear <strong>of</strong> 

gender-based 

discrimination in Nigerian 

workplaces as expressed 

by the International 

Monetary Fund, IMF, 

Article IV Consultation 

Team. 

The Minister spoke 

while receiving an IMF 

team led by its Economist, 

Western 1 Division, Africa 

Department, Mrs 

Monique Newiak, on 

courtesy visit. 

According to him: “The 

fears you are expressing 

about gender-based 

discrimination in terms <strong>of</strong> 

work does not exist in 

Nigeria. As a matter <strong>of</strong> fact, 

Nigeria has implemented 

the Beijing Women 

Convention in 1995, and 

we do not believe that the 

female should be regarded 

as underdogs.” 

Ngige insisted that the 

Nigerian Constitution, 

Section 16, 2D, made 

provision for the 

government as a state 

policy to provide shelter, 

food, jobs, minimum wage 

for all irrespective <strong>of</strong> 

gender, saying: “the same 

constitution also makes 

provision for equal work 

and equal pay without 

discrimination.” 

Continuing, the minister 

said although President 


came into government at 

a time the economy <strong>of</strong> the 

country was nose-diving 

as a result <strong>of</strong> the global fall 

in the price <strong>of</strong> crude oil 

and mismanagement <strong>of</strong> 

the accrued resources in 

time <strong>of</strong> surplus by the 

previous administration, 

efforts were made to 

diversify the economy by 

paying more attention to 

the agricultural and 

mining sectors. 

“In diversification, we 

paid more attention to 

Agriculture and Mining so 

that we can feed ourselves 

because any country that 

cannot feed herself is not 

worth being called a stable 

country, " Ngige added. 

C 

M 

Y


FASHION: 

8Trends that 

will dominate 

2018 

You don't need to have spent too much time in the new year to know what 

fashion trends are going to dominate 2018. The writing is on the wall: 

Designers, influencers, and all the stylish people you see on the street 

seem to be on the same page about a handful <strong>of</strong> trends-a certain type <strong>of</strong> 

tops, a particular kind <strong>of</strong> sleeve. Before you know it, those trends will be at 

your neighborhood purveyor <strong>of</strong> fast-fashion; and from there... You won't be 

able to go anywhere without noticing them. So, before they reach that level 

<strong>of</strong> pervasiveness, brush up on the 8 fashion trends we're betting on big for 

2018. 

*Ebube 

4 

. Cyclers 

*Melania Trump 

1 

. Ballon sleeves 

We’ve already seen sleeves get 

super-sized in 2017. This year we will 

see more adventurous versions - 

voluminous blouses that feel a little bit 

19th century. Trend setters such as the 

First Lady <strong>of</strong> the USA Melania Trump 

already stepped out in her version. 

Cycling shorts are 

back, requisitioned from 

the Eighties aerobics 

studio. Well, only if they're 

beautifully rendered under 

tassel-heavy shirts. Time to 

tone up those thighs. 

3 

. Radically transparent 

The style cognoscenti don't waste time with handbag clutter. Streamline 

your daily haul and upgrade your wallet: with plastic as a key catwalk 

trend. Your entirely see-through handbag should only reveal a neatly curated 

interior. Also we will see more transparency in shoes and slippers in 2018 

Continues on pg 27 

Legacy <strong>of</strong> UN Mission in Liberia tied to former 

President Johnson Sirleaf, says senior UN <strong>of</strong>ficial 

The legacy <strong>of</strong> Ellen 

Johnson Sirleaf, the 

outgoing President <strong>of</strong> Liberia, 

is connected to the legacy <strong>of</strong> 

the United Nations Mission in 

the country , which will wind 

down in March after 15 years 

<strong>of</strong> operations, a senior UN 

<strong>of</strong>ficial said. 

In an interview with UN 

News, Farid Zarif, the head 

<strong>of</strong> UNMIL, said that UN 

peacekeepers, working with 

national authorities, 

managed to bring peace and 

stability to the country, to 

help it rebuild and to pave 

the way for renewed 

economic growth. 

"We are very confident that 

with the departure <strong>of</strong> 

UNMIL Liberia will be in a 

far better situation to meet 

the challenges <strong>of</strong> the future," 

Under-Secretary-General 

*Transparent bag, shoes 

*Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf 

Zarif said, despite continued 

vulnerabilities and fragilities. 

Liberia is a very 

rich country 

endowed with 

many natural 

resources, he 

added. With 

i m p r o v e d 

management <strong>of</strong> 

those resources, 

along with a 

diversification <strong>of</strong> 

the macroeconomy 

and support from 

the international 

community, the 

country has the 

potential. 

"[Ms.] Sirleaf 

should be credited 

for providing a 

vision for the future 

<strong>of</strong> Liberia. And if 

elements <strong>of</strong> that 

vision are implemented, 

Liberia will soon become a 

self-sustaining society," Mr. 

*Mercy Aigbe 

2 

. Triple denim 

Still partial to vintage 

stonewash denim? If you are 

wistful for the 90s trend the 

denim -all -the -way look is back 

for 2018. Now go shopping. 

Zarif said. 

"Her legacy is very much 

connected to the legacy <strong>of</strong> 

the UN mission in Liberia." 

Ms. Sirleaf will step down 

in January after two terms in 

<strong>of</strong>fice. Liberians are still 

waiting for the <strong>of</strong>ficial 

announcement <strong>of</strong> her 

successor following 

Tuesday's second round <strong>of</strong> 

vote. 

Former Nigerian leader 

Olusegun Obasanjo, who is 

a member <strong>of</strong> the UN 

Secretary-General's High- 

Level Advisory Board on 

Mediation, is due to arrive 

in the capital, Monrovia, 

today. 

Secretary-General António 

Guterres requested Mr. 

Obasanjo to travel to Liberia 

as part <strong>of</strong> the UN's continued 

Continues on pg 26


What female 

celebrities are 

planning for 2018 

18 

The transition from one year to another is traditionally known for two 

things: reflecting and planning. Thus, as another New Year begins rolling 

by, we bring you what some female celebrities have up their sleeves for 

the year 2018. 

By Josephine Agbonkhese & Juliet Ebirim 

Helen Paul, Comedian & 

actress 

For the New Year, I am simply believing 

God for the best and I am hoping that all 

things will work together for my good. 

With that in mind, my New Year resolution 

is to forge ahead unabashed and without 

the fear <strong>of</strong> challenges or obstacles. Simply 

put, I will pursue excellence in a bold 

manner. 

*Muma Gee 

Muma Gee, 

Actress and singer 

My plan for the New Year 

is basically to project and release 

AWS (African Woman 

Skilashi). It’s a song for the 

reappraisal <strong>of</strong> womanhood 

in Africa. Also, my culture 

TV/documentary project will 

be unveiled this year. From 

the 12th <strong>of</strong> January to 11th 

<strong>of</strong> February, 2018, I shall be 

spending a better part <strong>of</strong> my 

time in a Celebrity Reality 

TV Show. 

Finally, I have a lot <strong>of</strong> giving 

back projects through 

my Muma Gee Foundation 

through which I hope to 

help women realise who they 

are and what they are created 

for by God. 

*Helen Paul 

*Nse Ikpe Etim 

*Doris Simeon 

Doris Simeon, 

Actress, 

presenter 

I am grateful for another 

year, first and 

foremost. And I must say 

I have loads <strong>of</strong> plans for 

the New Year. The first 

is to release my two 

movies True Betrayal 

and Alone in the Dark. 

After that, I will be 

starting two TV shows. 

Other plans will be 

unveiled as the year rolls 

by. 

Yewande 

Lawal, Actress 

What I intend 

to consciously do 

henceforth in 

this New Year, is 

to pay more 

attention to 

putting myself 

first. Team selflove. 

Lol! I will 

let go <strong>of</strong> the 

things I cannot 

control and also 

worry less. 

*Yewande 

Lawal 

Nse Ikpe Etim, 

Actress 

I never have been able to 

make New Year resolutions 

and stick to them, so, 

this New Year, I accept the 

things I cannot change and 

make an effort to be a better 

person; not losing my 

grounding and humanity. 

That said, I am looking forward 

to a colourful year. 

Legacy <strong>of</strong> UN mission in Liberia... 

Continued from page 25 

good <strong>of</strong>fices engagement - a 

term for third-party assistance 

in mediating a conflict - and 

to help support an orderly and 

peaceful transition <strong>of</strong> power. 

This would be the first time 

one democratically elected 

leader in Liberia hands over 

power to another in more than 

70 years. 

Ahead <strong>of</strong> the 26 December 

election, as well as the first 

round <strong>of</strong> vote on 10 October, 

UNMIL supported national 

election <strong>of</strong>ficials, even 

delivering voting materials 

by plane. Other branches <strong>of</strong> 

the UN provided technical 

assistance. All security duties 

were transferred over to 

Liberian <strong>of</strong>ficials in June <strong>of</strong> 

last year. 

UNMIL also carried out its 

good <strong>of</strong>fices engagement 

with community members, 

bringing together local 

leaders, faith-based 

organizations, the media, 

women and youth, among 

others. 

"We thought that based on 

past experiences <strong>of</strong> violence, 

we need to really invest in 

preventive diplomacy," Mr. 

Zarif said. 

"Together we have been 

very successful in avoiding all 

forms <strong>of</strong> violence. Even 

demonstrations did not 

happen, let alone mortalities 

or casualties. So we are very 

happy with the success <strong>of</strong> the 

good <strong>of</strong>fices." 

Toke 

Makinwa, 

Presenter 

This year, I 

simply want to 

experience 

God in such a 

way that my 

life will never 

be the same 

again. 

*Toke Makinwa


8 trends that will dominate 2018 


*Eku Edewor 

6Satin 

Satin’s sheen 

in stantly elevates 

any silhouette; its 

inherent fluidity and 

lightness makes it 

comfortable for night. 

Target evening. 

8Clashing prints 

If corresponding colours 

aren’t your thing, mix 

feelings — and prints — in 

2018. Try sizes <strong>of</strong> all stripes. 

5Sheer 

Transparency is a head 

lining trend - sheer 

coats, dresses and skirts 

revealed cycling shorts and full 

briefs. Basically, it’s all about 

what lies beneath in 2018. 

Consider it a more demure 

take on the ubiquitous naked 

dress. 

7Sequins 

To say sequins 

and sparkles will 

be a big deal next summer 

is an understatement. 

In every fashion 

capital, glitter prevailed. 

Style yours with 

a sweatshirt to give 

them daytime longevity. 

Nollywood producer expresses concern 

over dumping <strong>of</strong> newborns 

By Gabriel Ewepu 

An Abuja based 

Nollywood producer 

and actress, Happy Julian- 

Unchendu, has expressed 

concern over dumping <strong>of</strong> 

newborns in public places by 

young and unprepared 

mothers across the country. 

Julian-Unchendu spoke 

on this while appraising the 

movie industry in Nigeria, 

said her love for these 

dumped babies who are 

being raised by 

orphanages, is because she 

is a mother who cares, and 

that has made her to 

continuously celebrate her 

birthdays, her son's 

birthday, Valentine and 

others with them in order 

to give them a sense <strong>of</strong> 

belonging, therefore 

lamented the callous nature 

<strong>of</strong> some young girls who give 

birth and abandon their 

babies on the streets without 

human feeling. 

According to the 

Nollywood diva, she has 

produced over 50 movies, 

which her maiden is 'My 

Mother's Wife' produced in 

2011, then 'Illicit Ways ends 

Illicit' came after. 

She said she ventured into 

Nollywood as an actress in 

2011 after graduating in 

2010 from University <strong>of</strong> Jos, 

where she studied 

Microbiology. 

*Newborn baby 

Other movies she has 

produced include Behind the 

curtains, Heroes and 

Valiant, The Injury, Blinded, 

Just Once, Blinded, Good 

Samaritan, A Day outside, 

Yes We can, Dear Dairy, 

Akor, Valarie, and others. 

She said in 2012, she 

produced three films, 2013 

had none produced because 

she was pregnant and traveled 

to have her baby in 2014, then 

in 2015 till date she has 

produced more than 50 movies 

including hers and other 

people's. 

She also stated that the 

industry is being developed 

b y 

individuals 

with little or 

no support 

from the 

government, 

as there is 

n o 

intervention 

by the 

government 

to assist 

operators, 

which they 

are being 

challenged 

by the 

menace <strong>of</strong> pirates unabatedly. 

She called on government to 

establish an effective agency 

that would fight piracy as the 

Economic and Financial 

Crimes Commission, EFCC, 

is fighting corruption, and that 

will save millions <strong>of</strong> Naira lost 

Continues on page 28 

Sen Oko urges 

young women to 

venture into 

politics 

By Gabriel Ewepu 

Ahead <strong>of</strong> 2019 general elections, Senator representing 

Cross River North Senatorial District, Dr Rose Oko, at 

the weekend, urged young women in the country to venture 

into politics without fear and intimidation. 

Sen Oko made the assertion while appraising service 

rendered to her senatorial district and the country at large 

during a media interaction in Abuja, where she said through 

the 2016 zonal intervention fund she has been able to 

develop the education sector in her senatorial district with 

the provision <strong>of</strong> science equipment, school desks across 34 

schools, built six numbers <strong>of</strong> classroom blocks, and supply 

computers and accessories to some schools. 

According to her some road projects were also attracted to 

the senatorial district, which include the Igoli/Abakpa/ Ndok 

Junction Road, Ogoja, Ochubi/ Ipuole/ Olachor road, 

Okpoma has been completed, while the Mary knoll/ 

Abakiliki Ring Road project is under construction. 

While in 2017 the Alege/Anikwong road in Obudu was part 

<strong>of</strong> the budget that was awarded by Niger Delta 

Development Commission, NDDC, and also the same 2017 

budget captured construction <strong>of</strong> some school blocks, 

because <strong>of</strong> her passion and concern for education. 

She said: "When you talk about party, when you talk about 

gender equity and justice, you can only get that when you 

have the numbers. Even trying to pass legislation, you saw 

what happened on the amendments on all issues concerning 

gender in the constitution, they were all shot down, we 

were simply not there, and the number is simply not there. 

"Even though the numbers were close for all <strong>of</strong> them; so if 

you had more women, it would have passed because quite 

a number <strong>of</strong> 

men came 

along with 

us that was 

why the 

numbers 

were close 

but the 

number <strong>of</strong> 

w o m e n 

there were 

so few, that 

if you had a 

fewer more 

women, 

added to 

the men 

that were 

ready to 

come with 

us, they 

would have 

passed and 

if they had 

passed that 

would have 

meant more 

w o m e n 

being in all 

the places 

that were 

agitated for. 

*Senator Rose Oko 

"My message to the young upcoming women is not to be 

afraid. For those that have the passion to serve not just 

because you are a woman but because you want to serve 

your society and you have something to <strong>of</strong>fer, is not to be 

afraid because too many times we are afraid <strong>of</strong> what we 

hear and not even what we see; we hear that it is difficult, 

that you need too much money and so that in the first 

instance scares you, you hear that it is rough and violent 

so that scares you and so you don't even try and venture." 

the people despite there are other challenges.


BOOK REVIEW: 

Raped in the Desert: Untold story <strong>of</strong> 

insurgency on women, children 

By Elizabeth Uwandu 

ften times than not, 

Owe forget the 

aftermath <strong>of</strong> terrorist 

attacks, especially on 

women and children. What 

becomes the fate <strong>of</strong> girls 

forcefully turned into 

women, what becomes the 

fate <strong>of</strong> the likes <strong>of</strong> Alele 

Williams, Funmi Ransome 

Kuti, Chioma Ajunwa , etc 

who due to insurgency get 

deprived <strong>of</strong> education, the 

hope <strong>of</strong> the common man? 

Rape in the Desert by 

Olayinka Kadiri and 

reviewed by Mature Tanko 

Okoduwa tells story <strong>of</strong> the 

family Baba Ahmed and 

Laraba, blessed with four 

children, Hauwa, Hadiza, 

Musa and Shehu that got 

torn apart by ravaging 

beasts <strong>of</strong> Boko Haram in 

Konduga village in Borno 

State, 

Armed with the desire to 

educate all his children 

irrespective <strong>of</strong> their 

gender, Baba Ahmed who 

strongly believes in 

education sent his 

daughters to boarding 

school to allow them 

mature not only 

academically but 

emotionally and physically. 

However, the l<strong>of</strong>ty 

narration <strong>of</strong> bliss and 

comfort <strong>of</strong> the Ahmed 

family in 226 paged novel, 

published by Dagamone 

Nigeria Limited, changed 

one Friday evening when 

their village was attacked 

and that changed the 

course <strong>of</strong> their lives. As 

everyone took safety only 

to return days later, Hauwa 

and her siblings could not 

find their parents already 

killed by the helmsmen. 

Left at the mercy <strong>of</strong> Uncle 

Mumuye who they simply 

called kau, the children's 

lives got messier as they 

got separated with Musa 

going to stay with his 

mother's cousin in Lagos. 

While the girls were sent 

back to boarding school on 

the meagre income made 

from the sale <strong>of</strong> their 

parents' properties by Kau, 

until for them to be 

abducted and sent to 

Sambedi forest where their 

dignity was abused and 

some <strong>of</strong> them put in the 

family way against their 

wish. 

Also highlighted in the 

novel is the inner strength 

<strong>of</strong> the girl child who defied 

odds to come out 

established as seen by 

Hauwa, the heroine who got 

trained to become a secret 

agent and was <strong>of</strong> assistance 

to the villagers and the 

larger society. 

In the words <strong>of</strong> Okoduwa," 

the book superbly captured 

the hostel life <strong>of</strong> the girls 

held against their will and 

wish by the Boko Haram 

terrorists' group. Its 

narrative is gripping, 

revealing and exposing the 

danger <strong>of</strong> terrorism and its 

menace to the society. 

" This book will serve as a 

foundation to those that 

want to teach Hausa 

language as the language 

was carefully integrated 

into the story like spices. 

This book will be a good 

read for secondary school 

students and tertiary 

institution General Studies 

courses, " noted the 

reviewer. 

Nollywood producer expresses concern 

over dumping <strong>of</strong> newborns 


to activities <strong>of</strong> pirates and will 

also sanitise the industry. 

She also asked what is the 

government doing with the 

Entertainment tax <strong>of</strong> 10 per 

cent and state tax <strong>of</strong> five per 

cent film producers pay, 

which they are not seeing 

what the money is being 

utilized on, as the industry 

remains unsecured. 

She said: "I spent my 

Christmas with the children 

at the orphanage, and also 

my birthday celebration is 

done with them including my 

son's birthday ceremony is 

with them. I cherish and see 

them as my children too. 

"I also believe in giving to 

the less privilege with what 

God has blessed me with, I 

mean the masses. This has 

been part <strong>of</strong> my upbringing 

and I have cultivated the 

habit <strong>of</strong> helping the masses 

because they need help and 

love." 

"I am a mother and I know 

the pain women pass 

through. After 22 hours <strong>of</strong> 

labour then delivery, 

somebody will now go and 

dump the baby on the street. I 

begin to imagine whether is 

the same labour process I went 

through these women who 

dump their newborns go 

through? 

"Even though they had the 

pregnancy without their 

parents knowing, I appeal to 

them not to go on with 

dumping the innocent 

babies, rather go home and 

plead with your mum to take 

care <strong>of</strong> the child, which you 

can go engage yourself with 

a little job to support the 

baby." 

She also advised parents to 

instill good morals and 

discipline in their children in 

order to checkmate what they 

are doing instead to condone 

and encourage them to 

continue with their indecent 

lifestyle. 

"Young girls should look at 

themselves and the way they 

are living their lives and for 

suffering the innocent child, 

I want them to be 

hardworking, and avoid 

giving birth to children and 

abandon them on streets", 

she said. 

On the movie industry she 

said more sponsors and 

investors are needed to move 

the industry forward because 

it is the highest employer <strong>of</strong> 

labour at the moment as 

hundreds <strong>of</strong> people are 

directly and indirectly 

employed in every movie 

produced. 

"Government and corporate 

organizations are not 

supporting, except some 

banks that are doing that. 

The movie industry is the 

highest recruiting sector <strong>of</strong> 

the economy, like my 

company, Ebanky Global 

Production, established in 

2012, which I have 12 

permanent employees on our 

payroll, like the script, which 

some take 20 people or cast, 

some 50, 100, and we have 

like over 100 productions 

going on in Nigeria. So it is 

a massive employment 

creation going on the sector. 

*Muma Gee

Vanguard, THURSDAY , JANUARY 4, 2018—29 

:Van- :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnewsNEWS HOTLINES: 

Edo govt, security agencies 

arrest 2 BUA staff 

For violating Stop Work order 

By Simon 

Ebegbulem 

THE Edo State 

Government and 

security agencies, 

comprising men <strong>of</strong> the 

Nigerian Army, the 

Police, Nigeria Security 

and Civil Defence 

Corps, NSCDC, 

Department <strong>of</strong> State 

Services, DSS, 

yesterday, stormed the 

disputed Obu mines site 

and arrested two 

employees <strong>of</strong> BUA 

International Limited for 

allegedly violating Stop 

Work order issued by the 

Federal Ministry <strong>of</strong> 

Mines and Steel. 

Governor Godwin 

Obaseki <strong>of</strong> Edo State 

ordered the arrest <strong>of</strong> the 

two employees when he 

visited the site and 

discovered that work 

was ongoing despite 

relaying directives from 

the Federal Government 

on a stop-work order 

pending the 

determination <strong>of</strong> a suit 

over the ownership <strong>of</strong> 

the mine site. 

Obaseki said the state 

government was more 

interested in the security 

<strong>of</strong> lives and property 

and that much as there 

was need for investors to 

make returns on their 

investment, no money 

was worth any life. 

He said: “There is a 

dispute over the 

ownership <strong>of</strong> this mines 

site. The dispute is in 

court. There was specific 

instruction from the 

Minister <strong>of</strong> Mines and 

Steel Development 

asking that work should 

stop pending the 

outcome <strong>of</strong> the matter 

before the court. I 

addressed a section <strong>of</strong> 

the Okpella community 

who came to me to 

express concerns about 

the growing tension in 

the community because 

<strong>of</strong> the dispute. 

“At that point, I issued 

instructions that the 

work should stop in line 


Government directive 

and the case in court. I 

said status quo be 

maintained until the 

determination <strong>of</strong> the 

case in court. I think 

that is the simple, 

commonsensical thing to 

do. There is a quarrel 

and all parties should 

maintain peace and the 

status quo.” 

He said it was 

regrettable that having 

got the directive, the 

management <strong>of</strong> BUA 

International Limited 

went on air to say that 

the state government 

had no authority and 

right to enforce a Federal 

Government directive. 


“what they are saying in 

essence is that 

government does not 

matter. That sort <strong>of</strong> 

utterance and position 

are very dangerous for 

our country for a 

company that needs 

government to treat us 

with such disdain. With 

this, things will 

degenerate into anarchy. 

How can they operate in 

such an environment? 

We don’t care who owns 

what, but human life is 

more expensive than 

whatever money 

anybody can make.” 

It was gathered that 

there are 10 other mines 

sites aside the disputed 

one, and with the stop 

work order, BUA 

International Limited 

could mine from its other 

sites in the area to 

sustain its production. 

Army seizes 

explosives 

Commander <strong>of</strong> 4 

Brigade, Major General 

Ibrahim Garba, who led 

the Army personnel to 

the enforcement 

exercise, directed that 

explosives being used 

for the mining activities 

be confiscated, adding: 

“We gave permission for 

the explosives to be 

used here. But now, they 

would be sent to the 

brigade headquarters.” 

Speaking at the Palace 

<strong>of</strong> the Okuokphellagbe 

<strong>of</strong> Okpella, His Royal 

Highness, Alhaji 

Andrew Dirisu, Obaseki, 

said the visit to the site 

was to assure the people 

<strong>of</strong> the area that 

government was on top 

<strong>of</strong> the situation and to 

ensure peace in the 

community. 

“With the action we 

have taken now, we 

know there would be 

pressure on the 

concerned parties to 

resolve the situation,” 

he added. 

Dirisu reiterated that 

the people wanted peace 

in the area, noting: 

“There is no way we 

wouldn’t welcome 

people to invest. But 

what we want is for 

everyone to take what 

they get and no one 

should take from 

another. For now, as you 

have given your order, 

who are we to dispute it. 

I thank you for calling 

for peace in this matter.” 

Etche LGA APC Chairman 

resigns, defects to PDP 

THE All Progressive 

Congress, APC, 

Chairman <strong>of</strong> Etche Local 

Government Area <strong>of</strong> Rivers 

State, Chief Musa Elekwa, 

has resigned his 

membership <strong>of</strong> the APC 

with immediate effect. 

The Etche APC 

Chairman has also 

formally joined the Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP. 

In a letter to the Rivers 

State APC Chairman, 

Chief Davies Ikanya dated 

January 3, 2017 entitled 

“Resignation <strong>of</strong> 

Membership <strong>of</strong> APC,” 

Chief Elekwa said he was 

rejoining PDP because the 

party had kept faith with 

the people through projects 

delivery. 

It read: “I have decided 

willingly to denounce my 

membership <strong>of</strong> APC and 

relinquish my <strong>of</strong>fice as LGA 

party chairman and go 

back to my parent party, 

the PDP, as a prodigal son. 

The PDP in Rivers State 

has kept faith with the people 

and kept its campaign 

promises. 

“Considering the 

colossal failure <strong>of</strong> the APC 

to keep to its promises and 

persistent battle with 

conscience for betraying 

the people <strong>of</strong> Rivers State, 

I am compelled to make 

this decision and set my 

conscience free. I cannot 

again mislead the people 

<strong>of</strong> Etche and indeed the 

people <strong>of</strong> Rivers State.“ 

He said after close to 

three years in power, the 

people <strong>of</strong> Etche had not 

seen any positive change 

as they had been 

neglected. 

Chief Elekwa claimed all 

the promises made to the 

people <strong>of</strong> Etche by the 

Minister <strong>of</strong> Transportation, 

Rotimi Amaechi, had not 

been fulfilled, stressing 

instead, Governor Wike 

had executed key 

projects in the area and 

empowered the people. 

2019 election and 

automatic ticket 

Why the automatic ticket for 

Buhari in 2019? my heart bleed for 

Nigeria when the APC Chairman 

and the rest stated that Buhari is 

their only qualified candidate 

come 2019! with all sense <strong>of</strong> seriousness 

and responsibility, APC’s 

led government led us to coma yet 

they are not ashamed to present 

President Buhari again come 2019 

election, to a nation that is struggling 

to survive. For almost 3years 

is concerned the nation is wasting 

its resources on unproductive 

ventures. Government has distance 

itself from the suffering 

masses. Buhari regime is a failure 

on all front, he’s unfit, if he loves 

the country as he pr<strong>of</strong>esses he 

ought have resigned by now, they 

spent billion touring the world with 

large and needless aids. How much 

have they recovered / why have we 

continue to borrow money? A nation 

where cow is important to human, 

what a shame. 

Barr Eva 08058165511 

Presentation <strong>of</strong> 2018 

budget to the NASS 

Presentation <strong>of</strong> the 2018 Appropriation 

bill to the NASS is a 

welcome development, the question 

is hope it will be fully implemented? 

Poor implementation <strong>of</strong> 

2016 and 2017 budget is what is 

affecting Nigerians today and beside 

the 2018 budget is the last 

budget before the 2019 election. 

The government should ensure 

that the 2017 budget is fully implemented 

inorder to boost the 2018 

budget to the benefit <strong>of</strong> Nigerians 

that are really suffering presently 

due to fail economy. 

Vincent Daudu 08137518785 

Third and second 

tranche refund <strong>of</strong> Paris 

Club debts to governors 

All Nigeria governors should be 

accountable to the people that 

voted them in. Recent publication 

reported that the second tranche 

<strong>of</strong> the Paris Club debt refund had 

been disbursed to all states <strong>of</strong> the 

federation and yet most states government 

cannot pay workers their 

salaries and benefits, knowing fully 

well that the workers depends on 

their salaries to pay house rents, 

children school fee, feeding among 

others! Now, all states governors 

are requesting for the third tranche 

<strong>of</strong> the Paris Club refund when they 

have not done well with the the second 

refund to improve the living 

standard <strong>of</strong> the masses! EFCC and 

other anti corruption agency 

should go after the affected state 

governors that diverted the Paris 

Club Debt refund into personal use 

for prosecution. Enough is enough 

<strong>of</strong> these madness. 

Ishola Bello writes in from 

Ogun State 

SAYINGS <strong>OF</strong> OUR ELDERS 

An untouched drum does not speak 

- Igbo proverb 

FG should stop negotiating 

with Niger Delta 

militants 

The federal government should 

stop negotiating with any group as 

far as Niger Delta issue is concerned, 

because it will give rise to other 

groups agitating for their region 

also. The federal government 

should start developing the Niger 

Delta region, building modular refineries 

to creates jobs and stop oil 

<strong>subsidy</strong>. Oil <strong>subsidy</strong> is an avenue for 

people to steal public funds. 

Martin 

08130865126 

Ezonfade 

Proposed N5 levy for petroleum 

products purchase 

by motorists and 

end user 

Nigerians should kicked against 

the proposed N5 levy for every litre 

<strong>of</strong> petroleum products purchases 

for road maintenance. What 

has the government doing with proceeds 

from petroleum products in 

the past and present? There had 

been several increases in petrol 

price in Nigeria that has no impact 

on Nigerians. The Mr. Gaya’s submission 

is nothing but to forward 

impoverish Nigerians and would be 

injurious to Nigerians’ economically; 

so it should kicked against by 

the Senate, NLC and Nigerians. 

K.C. 07035010016. 

Atiku presidential ambition 

If the former Vice President, 

Abubakar Atiku is ready to rule Nigeria 

as president; he has to mend 

fences by bring both old and new 

allies together and taking a step 

backward from the political party he 

came from. 

Anonymous 08067557715 

Forgotten cases <strong>of</strong> looting 

It beats my imagination that some 

former governors and other politicians 

with pending corruption cases 

in court are today senators and representatives, 

when they should be 

in jail. That government has not 

deemed it necessary to tackle the 

growing corruption in the country 

is understandable: its members are 

guilty <strong>of</strong> the same <strong>of</strong>fences. It is unfortunate 

that in Nigeria people get 

elected in public <strong>of</strong>fice while in detention 

or having criminals cases 

pending against them. It goes to 

show Nigerians are good at celebrating 

corruption. Nigeria’s constitution 

should be amended to bar 

people with questionable character 

from vying for elective posts until 

they are cleared. Until this done, 

criminals will continue to dominate 

the three tiers government. 

Lekan writes in from Lagos 

State 

Send us your Sayings <strong>of</strong> Our Elders. They must be African sayings or 

proverbs. Biblical or English proverbs are unacceptable. Address 

your sayings to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

30—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018 

E-mail — vanguardpolitics2@gmail.com 

DSIEC releases non sensitive materials as 

1,089 candidates slug it out 

*Police order restriction <strong>of</strong> vehicular movement on Saturday 

By Emma Amaize & Festus 

Ahon 

DELTA State 

Independent 

E l e c t o r a l 

Commission, DSIEC, has 

released non sensitive 

materials to Local 

Governments and voters 

register to political leaders 

two days to the local 

government elections. 

The Commission’s Public 

Relations Officer, Mr Arubi 

Orugboh who disclosed this 

in a chat with newsmen, said 

the commission was putting 

final arrangements in place 

to make the elections hitchfree 

and successful. 

Saying the commission was 

putting men and materials in 

place towards ensuring the 

conduct <strong>of</strong> a credible 

election, Orugboh said the 

commission worked all 

through the yuletide break, 

enjoining Deltans to feel free 

to go out to exercise their 

By Ochuko Akuopha 

PDP 

Chairmanship 

candidate in Isoko North 

Mr. Emmanuel Egbabor has 

described the appointment <strong>of</strong> 

deceased persons into some 

federal boards as the height <strong>of</strong> 

the incompetence and 

ineptitude which he said have 

been the hallmark <strong>of</strong> the 

APC. Speaking when the 

campaign train <strong>of</strong> the PDP 

visited Owheologbo, Otiibio, 

Owhe, Emevor and Iyede 

communities, Egbabor said the 

inability <strong>of</strong> the APC to give 

good governance to Nigerians 

•Ogbodu:DSIEC Chairman 

franchise. 


accreditation <strong>of</strong> media 

practitioners that would 

monitor and cover the 

elections would be done by 

Thursday, adding that the 

issue <strong>of</strong> logistics would have 

be addressed. 

He said that 16 political 

parties are expected to take 

part in the elections, while 

Ineptitude, hallmark <strong>of</strong> APC, says PDP 

chairmanship candidate 

had brought hunger and 

hopelessness to the people. 

Saying that the track record 

<strong>of</strong> the PDP in Isoko North and 

Delta State at large had 

endeared the party reiterated 

his determination to build on 

the successes <strong>of</strong> his first term 

in <strong>of</strong>fice. 

Earlier, the PDP Chairman in 

Isoko North, Prince Godwin 

Ogorugba expressed 

optimism that the PDP would 

maintain its winning streak, 

saying the party’s 

achievements in the state 

would enable it have a 

leaders <strong>of</strong> political parties in 

the state have been 

presented with voters’ 

register, disclosing that 1, 

089 candidates will be 

participating in the elections. 

He said 979 councillorship, 

55 chairmanship and 55 vice 

chairmanship candidates are 

contesting the election. 

Meanwhile, the State 

Commissioner <strong>of</strong> Police, Mr 

landslide victory during the 

polls. The State Commissioner 

for Housing, Mr. Joseph Ogeh, 

Majority Leader <strong>of</strong> the State 

House <strong>of</strong> Assembly, Mr. Tim 

Owh<strong>of</strong>ere, Commissioner 

Representing Isoko nation on 

the board <strong>of</strong> the Delta State Oil 

Producing Areas Development 

Commission, DESOPADEC, 

Mr. Oviemuno Oghoore, Mr. 

Mike Ogwah, Emmanuel 

Okoroand other party leaders 

who spoke during the rally, 

said the party had no opposition 

in the council area. 

Sapele Police Area Commander reads riot act to politicians 

By Godwin Oghre 

THE Commander, Sapele 

Area Police Command, 

ACP Mauma Rijau yesterday 

read the riot act to candidates 

and stakeholders involved in 

the forthcoming election 

warning that the police would 

on no account tolerate any 

breach <strong>of</strong> the peace. 

While he solicited the 

cooperation <strong>of</strong> the 

stakeholders at an interactive 

session in Sapele, the 

representative <strong>of</strong> DSIEC in 

the area, Mr Omeuku 

Kingsley on his part assured 

<strong>of</strong> a peaceful and fair election 

in the forthcoming local 

Government Chairmanship 

election in the State, adding 

that, “DESIEC is fully ready 

for a free and fair election on 

Saturday chairmanship 

election across the state. 

The political parties and 

their Chairmanship and Vice 

Chairmanship candidates, 

agents and key party 

members invited to the 

meeting were from APC, PDP, 

Labour Party, APGA, among 

others, in Sapele, Okpe, 

Ethoipe East, Ethoipe West, 

and Warri North L.G Areas. 

ACP Rijau told the 

politicians at the meeting that, 

“the police would provide 

adequate security to ensure 

the conduct <strong>of</strong> a free and fair 

elections these areas. 

Take note the police is 

familiar with all the nook and 

cranny <strong>of</strong> the areas, 

particularly crime prone 

areas, and I urge anyone 

likely to be <strong>of</strong>fended to report 

all grievances to the 

Divisional Police Officer <strong>of</strong> 

Sapele Police Command or 

myself for immediate action.” 

Earlier, some <strong>of</strong> the party 

Chairmanship candidates 

particularly those <strong>of</strong> APC, 

AGPA and Labour and their 

supporters had expressed fear 

over the capability, ability and 

honesty <strong>of</strong> DESIEC, to 

conduct a free and fair 

election, noting that “in the 

time past, <strong>of</strong>ficials <strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> the 

political parties in the state 

had connived with security 

<strong>of</strong>ficials to snatch ballot boxes 

and produced fake results in 

the areas, just as some results 

were announced and winners 

had emerged even before the 

elections were conducted.” 

Ibrahim Zanna has ordered 

the restriction <strong>of</strong> vehicular 

movements in the State from 

6am to 3pm on the election 

day. 

The police boss in a 

statement by the Police 

Public Relations Officer, 

PPRO, Mr Andrew 

Aniamaka said that only 

those on <strong>of</strong>ficial and 

emergency duties with valid 

means <strong>of</strong> identification, as 

well as the electorates with 

Permanent Voters’ Cards, 

PVCs, going to their polling 

FORMER Speaker <strong>of</strong> the 

Delta State House <strong>of</strong> 

Assembly, Rt Hon. Victor 

Ochie has dared the PDP-led 

administration <strong>of</strong> Governor 

Ifeanyi Okowa to test its 

popularity by allowing a free 

and fair conduct <strong>of</strong> the 

Saturday local government 

election. 

Ochei, a former member <strong>of</strong> 

the PDP but now a chieftain 

<strong>of</strong> the APC has also warned 

the Delta State Independent 

units to cast their votes 

would be allowed passage 

during the restriction order. 

While advising politicians 

and their supporters to 

adhere strictly to the 

electoral provisions and 

avoid any conduct that is 

capable <strong>of</strong> causing break 

down <strong>of</strong> law and order 

before, during and after the 

elections, Zanna in the 

statement regretted the 

inconvenience the restriction 

order will cause commuters 

passing Delta State to other 

states. 

He however appealed to 

them to take alternative 

routes or make do with other 

contingency plans. 

Ochei dares Okowa to allow free 

and fair poll 

By Perez Brisibe 

•Ochei: APC leader 

Electoral Commission, 

DSIEC against “result writing”, saying, “if they know they 

want to write results, they shouldn’t waste tax payers money 

in organizing an election.” 

He said: “Let the votes count and let us see where they 

stand in the state. It will give them a mirror on how they 

are viewed not the lies they tell themselves.” 

The former lawmaker also adviced DSIEC and its chairman 

to remember that their integrity is at stake saying, “whatever 

they do today, Deltans will hold them in posterity. If they do 

it right posterity will judge them right.” 

Speaking further, he said: “I dare the PDP to use 

Saturday’s election as a test and see how they are on the 

ground in Delta by allowing materials for the election get to 

the field, elections held, results counted and let’s see how 

many seats PDP would clinch come Saturday.” 

We are set to sweep the 3 warri Local 

Councils — PDP chieftain 

By Jeremiah Urowayino 

Peoples Democratic Party PDP candidates in the three Warri 

L o c a l 

Government Areas have expressed confidence <strong>of</strong> the party's 

victory in the forthcoming election, noting that the level <strong>of</strong> turnout 

by the people <strong>of</strong> the councils during the flag <strong>of</strong>f and campaign 

was indicative <strong>of</strong> the party's supremacy in the Warri area. 

The party’s chairmanship candidate in Warri South West, Mr. 

Taiye Tuoyo, in a chat said Warri South West has the highest 

number <strong>of</strong> PDP members in the state. He commended the people 

<strong>of</strong> the council for welcoming the party’s campaign train at the 

various wards in the council stating that the peoples disposition 

to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s Smart Agenda programme will aid 

development in the council. 

On his part, the party’s chairmanship candidate in Warri North, 

Mr. Aduge Okorodudu, said the council has been known as the 

home <strong>of</strong> PDP in the state since the return <strong>of</strong> democracy in 1999. 

“We have been meeting with the people <strong>of</strong> the council after our 

flag <strong>of</strong>f campaign in Koko, the warm reception <strong>of</strong> the people is an 

indication <strong>of</strong> victory in the forthcoming election”. 

In his reaction, the party chairman in Warri South, Mr. Johnson 

Agbeyegbe, said the party is on ground in the council, noting 

that the turnout <strong>of</strong> the people in the ongoing ward to ward 

campaign is a reflection <strong>of</strong> the party’s strength in the council.

C 

M 

Y 

K 


Send Opinions & Letters to: 

opinions1234@yahoo.com 

Fuel scarcity: The rich also cry 

NIGERIANS must count 

themselves lucky. The past 

year was one in which many 

ugly things were to happen in the 

land but God saw us through them 

all. For a good part <strong>of</strong> the year, our 

President was so ill that he was out 

<strong>of</strong> the country in search <strong>of</strong> superior 

treatment. Like the Biblical Paul and 

Silas, Nigerians prayed; they sang; 

and the Holy Ghost came down. 

As if that was not enough, just the 

day after Christmas, Tuesday, 

December 26, 2017, the President’s 

son, Yusuf Buhari, was involved in a 

motorcycle accident around the 

Gwarimpa area <strong>of</strong> Abuja. Although 

the young Buhari was reported to 

have broken a limb and sustained 

injuries on the head, to the glory <strong>of</strong> 

God, he is alive and he is responding 

to treatment. We sincerely rejoice 

with the First Family; and earnestly 

pray that affliction shall not come a 

third time. 

The world over, the dog <strong>of</strong> the 

President is also the president <strong>of</strong> dogs. 

Any member <strong>of</strong> the First Family is 

not an ordinary citizen. He must live 

above board. That’s why we must not 

fail to ask what the son <strong>of</strong> our own 

President, Yusuf, was doing on a bike? 

It is a taboo, which borders seriously 

on the failure <strong>of</strong> security. We demand 

an explanation on why the security 

details allowed him to go on a bike. 

We can imagine that his 

counterparts elsewhere could be 

involved in plane and automobile 

crashes - not bike accidents! It is 

<strong>of</strong>ten said that an Englishman 

dresses for dinner, even in the jungle. 

Apparently, anyone who grew up in 

the colony <strong>of</strong> motorcycles might find 

it difficult to recognise that his status 

has changed. All the same, every 

nation deserves the leadership it gets; 

and the way we treat our leaders also 

goes a long way in determining the 

quality <strong>of</strong> life <strong>of</strong> the citizenry. From 

the smallest things, the greatest <strong>of</strong>ten 

grow. This underscores the need to 

investigate the Buhari accident. 

Funny enough, Nigeria is one 

place where people must live with 

this open ambivalence: they have oil 

but they cannot see oil; they have 

petroleum but they cannot see 

petrol; and they pay for light, but end 

up getting darkness. If the full facts 

<strong>of</strong> the Buhari accident were known, 

it would be found that they may not 

be totally unconnected with the 

ongoing fuel scarcity ravaging the 

country. Why must we keep suffering 

The <strong>subsidy</strong> 

game has been 

a political one 

and has not 

been played on 

the rings <strong>of</strong> 

economic data 

for what we have in abundance? 

Nigeria is said to be the sixth largest 

producer <strong>of</strong> oil in the world. But with 

mismanagement, what was 

originally supposed to be a blessing 

from God has virtually turned a 

curse. At every point, we are either 

fighting because <strong>of</strong> the poor 

allocation <strong>of</strong> this resource, or we are 

crying that some dubious elements 

have stolen the total proceeds. The 

original arrangement was that as 

soon as the crude oil came out from 

the ground, Nigeria would sell 90 

per cent at the spot market in hard 

currency. The remaining 10 per cent 

was meant to be refined for local 

consumption. 

At various times, Nigeria had built 

four refineries - two in Port-Harcourt 

and one each in Warri and Kaduna, 

intended to refine different products. 

These refineries were run aground; 

and they are now old and practically 

comatose. Because <strong>of</strong> our lack <strong>of</strong> 

refineries, foreign concerns that had 

refineries began to pick up, at rockbottom 

prices, the 10 per cent crude 

reserved for local consumption. They 

would refine the products in their 

countries and export the refined 

products to us at their own prices. By 

the time the product returns to 

Nigeria after its triangular journey, 

the price has hit the ceiling and it is 

no longer within the reach <strong>of</strong> many. 

This is where government steps in to 

bring in what it calls <strong>subsidy</strong>. 

Under this scheme, a country like 

the Netherlands, which does not 

have a single drop <strong>of</strong> oil, is in the 

Organisation <strong>of</strong> Petroleum 

Exporting Countries, OPEC, as a net 

exporter <strong>of</strong> oil. The <strong>subsidy</strong> regime 

in Nigeria reminds us <strong>of</strong> two issues – 

first, <strong>subsidy</strong> would have been 

absolutely unnecessary if we were 

doing our own refining in Nigeria. 

Secondly, the <strong>subsidy</strong> regime has 

been fraught with fraud and 

dishonesty. 

Between 2006 and 2014, Nigeria 

paid over N7.5 trillion as <strong>subsidy</strong> 

claims. Yet, we are still where we are 

– the subsidised products are not 

available and where they are 

available, they sell for prices much 

higher than the unsubsidised 

products. Put differently, we have 

been subsidising fraud. The <strong>subsidy</strong> 

game has been a political one and 

has not been played on the rings <strong>of</strong> 

economic data; and rather than 

being fact-driven, it has been 

emotion-driven and politically 

played by those who use it as a 

political tool. 

Subsidy in itself is not a bad idea. 

In fact, it is defined in Economics as 

money paid by government or an 

organisation to reduce the cost <strong>of</strong> 

producing goods so that their prices 

can be kept low. It seeks to reduce 

the market price <strong>of</strong> an item below 

the cost <strong>of</strong> production. Government 

intervenes to support desirable 

activities to keep the prices <strong>of</strong> staple 

low; maintain the income <strong>of</strong> 

producers <strong>of</strong> critical or strategic 

products; induce investment while 

reducing unemployment. 

The ordinary Nigerian has always 

been at the receiving end <strong>of</strong> all the 

problems associated with fuel 

scarcity and the accompanying 

price increases. Successive 

administrations have put up the best 

arguments to support the desire for 

the removal <strong>of</strong> <strong>subsidy</strong> on petroleum 

products. We had no choice but to 

tag along. We have patiently watched 

the journey <strong>of</strong> the pump price <strong>of</strong> 

petrol go from six kobo per litre in 

1973 to N245 barely a year ago. 

Today, what are we getting? The 

current scarcity is perhaps a 

gimmick for their attempt to shoot 

at N500 per litre. 

Why, for goodness sake, should the 

refineries not work after the 

humongous amount we have put on 

turn around maintenance? And 

whatever happened to the modular 

refineries that held so much promise 

for us? Let something be done! The 

people are suffering! The rich also 

cry. 

Gov Ugwuanyi’s Giant Strides and 2018 

By Louis Amoke 

RECENTLY, Enugu State Economic 

Advisory Committee in a Press briefing 

to assess the performance <strong>of</strong> the administration 

<strong>of</strong> Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in the past two 

and half years, described the governor’s 

progress report as tremendous and enduring. 

The advisory committee, through its 

Chairman, Pr<strong>of</strong>. Monsignor Obiora Ike, noted 

with delight, the steadfastness and multidimensional 

approach <strong>of</strong> the governor in 

addressing issues that affect the people <strong>of</strong> the 

state. 

Pr<strong>of</strong>. Ike said that Governor Ugwuanyi’s 

administration has made remarkable impacts 

on improving the living standard <strong>of</strong> the people, 

especially in the areas <strong>of</strong> provision <strong>of</strong> critical 

infrastructure, socio-economic development, 

workers’ welfare, security, peace, 

empowerment, among others. He disclosed 

that the committee in line with its mandate 

has been able to <strong>of</strong>fer veritable advice that has 

enabled the government take positive 

measures aimed at moving the state forward, 

revealing that its area <strong>of</strong> concentration is how 

to meaningfully engage more unemployed 

youths through innovation and sustainable 

socio-economic development policies 

The chairman added that the committee was 

impressed that the peace and security in the 

state have continued to thrive, recalling with 

applause the recent verdict by the Inspector- 

General <strong>of</strong> Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, which 

listed Enugu as the state with the least criminal 

cases compared with other states <strong>of</strong> the 

federation. The erudite pr<strong>of</strong>essor announced 

that the committee was reviewing the entire 

structure <strong>of</strong> the state, including the Akanu 

Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, with a 

view to <strong>of</strong>fering more advice, within its 

mandate, for ease <strong>of</strong> business investments and 

engagements in the state. 

While reiterating that “international 

partnership holds the pillar <strong>of</strong> our existence”, 

Pr<strong>of</strong>. Ike further stated that the committee was 

also looking at the area <strong>of</strong> agriculture to 

harness its potentials for sustainable food 

production, job creation and economic growth. 

“We do think that going forward to 2018, 

having looked at what happened in the past, 

Enugu State <strong>of</strong> Nigeria will be more 

determined to ensure that it sustains the tempo 

<strong>of</strong> peace and good governance with the meager 

resources at its disposal,” he said. 

From the foregoing, it is established that the 

state’s economic advisory committee’s 

assessment <strong>of</strong> Governor Ugwuanyi’s 

administration, which revolves around its 

mandate, was in conformity with the 

standpoint <strong>of</strong> the people, who have continued 

to applaud the governor’s good works and 

sense <strong>of</strong> vision. On a broader perspective, a 

critical review <strong>of</strong> the governor’s tremendous 

achievements so far and analysis <strong>of</strong> his vision 

for sustainable peace and good governance in 

2018, in keeping with his campaign promises 

to the people <strong>of</strong> the state, became imperative. 

A few days ago, the governor presented the 

2018 budget proposal, christened: Budget for 

We will not stop until 

we leave an indelible 

mark on our people 

Sustainable Economic Growth, to the state’s 

House <strong>of</strong> Assembly for consideration and 

approval. The interesting aspect <strong>of</strong> the 2018 

proposal, which was 6.77 per cent less than 

that <strong>of</strong> 2017 <strong>of</strong> over N105 billion, unlike in 

other states, was modest and tailored “to our 

expectation, to the reality <strong>of</strong> the current 

economic circumstances.” 

However, Governor Ugwuanyi, while 

presenting the budget proposal, explained that 

his administration will gradually expand its 

subsequent annual budget in line with the 

consequent changes, bearing in mind the 

economic variables. This visionary approach, 

no doubt, goes a long way to underscore the 

dexterity, potency and ingenuity <strong>of</strong> the present 

administration in prudent management <strong>of</strong> the 

state’s lean resources and its economic indices. 

It shows how realistic and sensitive the 

government is in responding to the nation’s 

precarious economic challenges, which require 

strategic measures at any given time. 

At the budget presentation, Governor 

Ugwuanyi thanked the people <strong>of</strong> the state for 

their goodwill and massive support. The 

governor reassured the people <strong>of</strong> his 

administration’s resolve not to be deterred by 

the current economic situation, but will rather 

create more jobs and employment and 

increase the tempo <strong>of</strong> development in the state 

to impact positively on the lives <strong>of</strong> the people 

- the true heroes <strong>of</strong> democracy. 

The governor stated that the 2018 budget 

proposal was carefully designed to build on 

the foundation already laid, stressing that the 

mid-term development plan was anchored on 

his administration’s four-point agenda for 

rapid and sustainable economic growth. 

Pointing out that the 2017 budget was 

consistent with the four-point agenda, he 

maintained that the government through the 

budget, was able to strengthen the institution; 

build and rehabilitate critical infrastructure 

both in urban and rural areas to enhance 

business engagements in the state; promote 

agriculture to ensure food security; invest 

heavily on education; promote investment and 

private participation to revive the state’s 

economy and make Enugu the first choice 

destination for investment in the South-East 

geo-political zone, among others. 

Governor Ugwuanyi stated that all these 

achievements were geared towards impacting 

positively on the lives <strong>of</strong> the people in fulfillment 

<strong>of</strong> his promises, stressing: “We will not stop 

until we leave an indelible mark on our 

people.” While regretting that the nation’s 

economic situation had a negative impact on 

his administration’s vision, the governor 

maintained that his administration would in 

2018, in line with the 4-point agenda, enhance 

its efforts at infrastructure upgrade, improve 

on Visit Every Community, VEC, programme 

and Ease <strong>of</strong> Doing Business, EODB, in the state, 

among others. 

On the modest achievements <strong>of</strong> the 

government in economic development, one is 

impressed to note that the far reaching reforms 

initiated by Governor Ugwuanyi’s 

administration in the state’s Internal Revenue 

Service saw to the significant increase in the 

Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, from N14 

billion in 2016 to N18.4 billion in the first ten 

months <strong>of</strong> 2017. 

On infrastructure, which is the focal point <strong>of</strong> 

the government, it is pertinent to note that 

notwithstanding the bleak economic realities 

in the country, the administration has been able 

to execute verifiable massive road projects both 

in the urban and rural areas across the state in 

just two years, covering over 141 kilometers <strong>of</strong> 

intra and inter-state roads - an unbeatable feat 

in the annals <strong>of</strong> the state. It has also recorded 

tremendous feat in the maintenance <strong>of</strong> 

infrastructure built by past administrations, 

such as failed portions <strong>of</strong> roads, street and 

traffic lights, notwithstanding different 

cannibalisation suffered in the hands <strong>of</strong> 

vandals. 

For more effective operation <strong>of</strong> street lights 

in Enugu, the present administration recently 

procured 25-unit 60 KVA generating sets, 

which are being installed to replace the aged 

ones in Enugu metropolis as well as fresh 

installation in the University town <strong>of</strong> Nsukka. 

This was in addition to the 10 units <strong>of</strong> 200 KVA 

generators earlier procured to replace the ones 

that had been in use for over seven years. 

The state government has equally continued 

with some uncompleted projects, such as the 

Enugu State Medical Diagnostic Centre, which 

is almost completed for equipping <strong>of</strong> facilities, 

among others. Between November and 

December 2017, Ugwuanyi’s administration 

awarded multiple contracts for road projects 

worth over N2.16 billion in continuation <strong>of</strong> its 

massive infrastructure rehabilitation 

campaign across the nooks and crannies <strong>of</strong> 

Enugu State. Also worthy <strong>of</strong> commendation is 

the breakthrough recorded by the government 

in ridding Enugu metropolis <strong>of</strong> waste, 

especially at dump sites to ensure a clean 

environment, through the taskforce constituted 

to complement the efforts <strong>of</strong> the Enugu State 

Waste Management Authority, ESWAMA. 

In keeping with his inaugural address to pay 

a special attention to rural development, in 

recognition <strong>of</strong> the fact that majority <strong>of</strong> the 

people <strong>of</strong> the state live in the rural areas, the 

state government in October 2017, introduced 

the Choose-Your-Project policy, where 

stakeholders <strong>of</strong> every local government area 

in the state identified their priority project 

worth not less than N100 million for the 

government to execute for them. This 

unprecedented policy saw to the successful 

simultaneous execution <strong>of</strong> phase one <strong>of</strong> the 35 

development projects across the 17 councils in 


•Amoke Louis writes from Enugu

32 -- Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018 

YOUR LUCK TODAY 

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 

LIBRA; Good luck will knock at your door. Although it is 

good to plan ahead, you have to take advantage <strong>of</strong> now 

that presented good opportunities. 

SCORPIO; Keeping both your personal and other people 

secrets will do you lots <strong>of</strong> good today. Then tomorrow is 

your big day; prepare yourself accordingly. 

SAGITTARIUS; Here is a day when your closeness to the 

influential people can be source <strong>of</strong> assistance to both yourself 

in particular and your group in general. And then your 

love life is getting better. Exhibit loving maturity. 

CAPRICORN; Take your health more seriously than before. 

However that is not to say you have to ignore your 

responsibilities at work. Respect your senior colleagues. 

AQUARIUS; The influence looks more favourable to you 

now. You will certainly become more enterprising to the 

betterment <strong>of</strong> your cause. Right now nobody can ignore 

you. 

PISCES; Those <strong>of</strong> you who are more observant within 

your base <strong>of</strong> operation will have more to gain. Prepare to 

take good advice from the veterans within your base. 

ARIES; Although your personal ideas are very reliable 

and capable <strong>of</strong> bringing success, you will need to be as cooperative 

as possible to achieve your desire. 

TAURUS; It is important you take your sources <strong>of</strong> making 

money very seriously. Both hard work and element <strong>of</strong> 

luck will work favourably for you. 

GEMINI; Placement <strong>of</strong> the Moon will encourage you to 

become a little bit aggressive; here is a day when your 

leadership ability will assist many. 

CANCER; The Moon’s placement can force agitation 

on the minds <strong>of</strong> some <strong>of</strong> you but if keep your head above the 

cloudy atmosphere you will not have anything to fear. 

L E I S U R E 

THOUGHTS FOR TODAY 

Our children inspire us; watching our sons and daughters grow 

is one <strong>of</strong> the most rewarding aspects <strong>of</strong> life. Kate Somers 

“Our children inspire us; watching our sons and daughters grow 

is one <strong>of</strong> the most rewarding aspects <strong>of</strong> life.” 

Kate Somers - Daughter 

“Entrepreneurs find inspiration and ideas out <strong>of</strong> everything they 

do, see or for that matter even dream about.” 

Linda Corby, Zoom into Pr<strong>of</strong>it - Dream 

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye” 

By Kola Fayemi 

LEO; Young-at-heart Librans may be greatly excited today 

and for the next few weeks; if you take good decision 

on your love life you will enjoy it. 

DUDU in “ROLLING HOT’ By A. O. OLAIDE 

VIRGO; Here is an ambitious day for many <strong>of</strong> you. The 

more practical you are about your reasonable desire the 

better for your cause. Be more family minded. 

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING 

Send your date and place <strong>of</strong> birth to the Astr 

trological 

Counselling, P.M.B 100 

007, Apapa, Lagos 

Good health for me? 

Dear Joshua, 

I have never gone through any major sickness since I 

was born but it is always good to know, especially as people 

are saying that those that do not fall-sick <strong>of</strong>ten can die the 

very first time such happen. Can they be right? Please tell 

me about my financial prospects. 

Iyabo. Benin. 

Dear Iyabo, 

They are wrong. And you have no cause to fear. Actually 

my findings here pointed to your hard beginning-health 

wise. If you ask your parents they would tell you much 

than you think you know about yourself. 

Leo and Scorpio that hosted your natal Sun and Moon 

are members <strong>of</strong> few strongest Star signs available (when 

talking <strong>of</strong> health/life and death). Thus you are well endowed. 

Although as both the Sun and Moon were at loggerheads 

when you were born you must have gone through 

some tough times health-wise, especially when you were 

younger, very great ability <strong>of</strong> Scorpio to survive and good 

aspects the planets enjoyed during your birth hour are indications 

<strong>of</strong> good health for you. And as your age advances 

so also your health will continue to improve. 

Then concentration <strong>of</strong> many heavenly bodies in health 

related Virgo is another pointers to good health. However 

that is not to say you will go through adulthood life without 

any health related challenges but when they come you 

have what it takes to survive and be back on the road to 

sound health. 

What to watch out for include TOOTHACHE, the chest/ 

back, stomach and at very advanced age may come circulatory 

system related challenge. Being a female Scorpio 

born person always pay good attention to gynaecological 

related ailments and fever is common in this part <strong>of</strong> the 

world. 

But then all ailments mentioned here are mere warnings 

(although to be taken seriously) nothing fatalistic please!!!! 

Although you can be generous, kind and loving you are 

not the extravagant type. Thus you are reliable and can 

make success <strong>of</strong> your family purse. You are practical analyst 

with respect for your family dignity, therefore putting 

aside money for raining days comes natural to you 

Occasionally you think that money don’t come as faster 

as desired by you but it comes eventually after a few lesson. 

Luckily for you Libra that hosted your natal planet <strong>of</strong> 

desire (Mars) is money and partnership/marrige related. 

Thus money will find it way into your life either personally 

or via joint efforts between you and your husband. 

VIRGINIA 

HOME & ABROAD 

dadadekola@yahoo.com 

By Lawrence Akapa



Abe gives c'ttee on Ogoni clean-up three weeks to 

present report 

SENATOR Magnus 

Abe, representing 

Rivers South-East 

Senatorial Zone in the 

National Assembly, has 

called on the committee on 

Ogoni clean-up to present 

its report in three weeks. 

Abe made the call in a 

statement by his 

Spokesman, Parry Benson, 

in Port Harcourt, yesterday 

after he met with leaders <strong>of</strong> 

the Ogoni ethnic nationality 

Gas explosions, leakages endangering 

our health —Gbaramatu communities 

By Emma Amaize 

W 

A R R I — 

IKPOKPO, 

Okpeleama, Otogbene, 

Atangba and other Ijaw 

communities in Gbaramatu 

Kingdom, Warri South-West 

Local Government Area, 

Delta State, affected by gas 

explosions and frequent 

leakages allegedly from the 

Nigerian Gas Processing 

and Transportation 

Company Limited, 

NGPTC, gas pipeline in 

the area, have cried out over 

the grave danger posed to 

the inhabitants. 

Gbaramatu communities, 

in an SOS to President 

Muhammadu Buhari, 

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa 

and the Minister <strong>of</strong> State 

for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe 

Kachikwu, claimed that 

gas was constantly leaking 

from the Nigeria Gas 

Company, NGC, pipeline 

now known as NGPTC, 

thereby constituting 

“serious health hazard to 

the inhabitants <strong>of</strong> the 

communities affected since 

August 25, 2017.” 

In the SOS by Messrs 

Edwin Odudu and Godwin 

to discuss issues affecting 

resumption <strong>of</strong> oil 

exploration in the area and 

the ongoing clean-up 

exercise. 

Abe said the committee 

on oil exploration, headed 

by Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Ben Naanen 

and other five 

representatives which 

included MOSOP and 

KAGOTE, among others, 

were mandated to come up 

with the position <strong>of</strong> the 

Akori for the communities, 

the people alleged: 

“During the festive period, 

especially from December 

24, 2017 till date, there has 

been a constant and 

massive leakage from the 

gas pipeline. All efforts to 

get the Nigerian Gas 

Processing and 

Transportation Company, 

owners <strong>of</strong> the facility to stop 

the leakage have proved 

abortive. The people <strong>of</strong> the 

communities are now living 

in perpetual fear <strong>of</strong> inferno 

with unimaginable 

consequences. 

“It will be recalled that the 

Nigeria Gas Processing 

Ogoni on the issue <strong>of</strong> oil 

exploration. 

The senator said that the 

committee, made up <strong>of</strong> 

Ogoni representatives on 

the Board and Governing 

Council <strong>of</strong> Hydrocarbon 

Pollution Remediation 

Project, HYPREP, was 

mandated to meet with the 

Minister <strong>of</strong> Environment 

and to update the people 

on the financial releases 

and progress on the Ogoni 


Company has deliberately 

ignored several invitations 

by the National Oil Spill 

Detection and Response 

Agency, NOSDRA, to carry 

out a joint investigation 

visit, JIV, to determine the 

cause <strong>of</strong> the persistent 

explosion from the gas 

pipeline at Ikpokpo 

commuunity, Gbaramatu 

Kingdom. Therefore, for 

fear <strong>of</strong> an inferno, the 

affected Gbaramatu 

communities have called on 

President Buhari, 

Governor Okowa and the 

Minister <strong>of</strong> State, 

Petroleum, Dr. Ibe 

clean-up exercise. 

“On the issue <strong>of</strong> the cleanup, 

the representatives <strong>of</strong> 

Ogoni people who are part 

<strong>of</strong> the structure <strong>of</strong> HYPREP 

were also mandated to meet 

with the Minister <strong>of</strong> the 

Environment. The 

committee is to give us a 

clear update on the 

situation <strong>of</strong> the clean-up. 

The committee should meet 

and a report presented to 

everybody in three weeks,” 

he said. 

Kachikwu, to come to their 

aid by directing the 

management <strong>of</strong> the Nigeria 

Gas Processing and 

Transportation Company to 

immediately stop the 

continuous emission <strong>of</strong> gas 

from the gas pipeline at 

Ikpokpo community. "We 

have also demanded that 

they direct the appropriate 

agencies to send relief 

materials and medical 

facilities to the affected 

communities to treat those 

afflicted by different 

ailments and cushion the 

effect <strong>of</strong> the explosion, carry 

out joint investigation visits 

and pay compensation to 

the victims.” 

15 persons receive free surgery at Ogoni HIA 

By Davies 

Iheamnachor 

PORT 

HAR- 

COURT— NO fewer 

than 15 persons have 

received free surgery in the 

ongoing preliminary phase 

<strong>of</strong> the Health Impact 

Assessment, HIA, in 

Ogoniland, Rivers State. 

The Hydrocarbon 

Pollution Remediation 

Project, HYPREP, 

sponsored the conduct <strong>of</strong> 

the surgery on the persons 

to ensure good health in 

the area, even as the 

environment is being 

remediated. 

The patients received 

ocular surgery and 

appendicitis on the second 

day <strong>of</strong> the outreach at Bori, 

Khana Local Government 

Area <strong>of</strong> the state. 

The preliminary Health 

Impact Assessment is 

NEW 

YEAR 

ACTIVITY: Wife 

<strong>of</strong> Edo State deputy 

governor, Mrs Mary- 

Ann Shaibu (middle), 

Alhaji Abubakar 

Akohia, APC 

chairman, Etsako 

LGA and wife <strong>of</strong> the 

senator representing 

Edo North senatorial 

district, Lady Monica 

Alimikhena, when 

Mrs Shaibu hosted 

women from the six 

local government 

areas in Edo North in 

Jattu, where she 

donated gift items as 

part <strong>of</strong> activities 

marking the New 

Year. 

carried out by HYPREP as 

one <strong>of</strong> the 

recommendations <strong>of</strong> the 

United Nations 

Environment Programme 

report on Ogoniland. 

Speaking during the 

exercise, the Head, Project 

Coordination, HYPREP, Dr. 

Marvin Dekil, said attention 

would be given to every 

citizen <strong>of</strong> the area with any 

form <strong>of</strong> aliment. 

Jonathan’s cousin not part <strong>of</strong> 

N27bn PHCN scam 

—Engineering firm 

By Onozure Dania 

K 

A K A T A R 

Construction 

and Engineering Limited 

and its Managing 

Director, Azibaola Robert 

are not part <strong>of</strong> any scam 

involving alleged 

diversion <strong>of</strong> monies 

meant to settle insurance 

premium <strong>of</strong> sacked 

defunct Power Holding 

Company <strong>of</strong> Nigeria, 

PHCN, workers, the 

company’s spokesman 

Mr. Austin Ekeinde, has 

said. 

Ekheinde made the 

clarification following 

allegations that Kakatar 

CE Limited was part <strong>of</strong> 

an alleged diversion <strong>of</strong> 

insurance premium 

payments <strong>of</strong> PHCN 

workers. 

Azibaola Robert is a 

cousin <strong>of</strong> ex-President 

Goodluck Jonathan. 

A sworn affidavit for 

forfeiture order filed at 

the High Court by an 

<strong>of</strong>ficer <strong>of</strong> the Economic 

and Financial Crimes 

Commission, EFCC, 

Motorists task FG on repair 

<strong>of</strong> Eku-Sapele Road 

W 

A 

By Jimitota 

Onoyume 

R R I — 

MOTO- 

RISTS plying Abraka- 

Sapele road have 

decried the deplorable 

state <strong>of</strong> the Sapele-Eku 

end <strong>of</strong> the road, pleading 


Government to fix the 

road. 


yesterday, a taxi driver, 

Mr. Omonigho Alfred, 

said: "Most vehicles now 

have to go through Warri 

to Sapele from Abraka 

and Eku because <strong>of</strong> the 

bad state <strong>of</strong> the road. 

Private vehicle 

owners who also spoke, 

said the bad spots 

between Sapele and Eku 

had forced many vehicles 

going to Abraka from 

Sapele to go through 

Warri instead <strong>of</strong> 

driving through Sapele 

to Eku. 

“The Sapele-Eku end 

<strong>of</strong> the road connecting 

Abraka and Agbor is in a 

deplorable state. Vehicles 

can hardly drive through 

it. The deplorable 

situation <strong>of</strong> the road has 

also created security 

problem on the road. 

Kidnapers lay ambush at 

most <strong>of</strong> the bad spots 

waiting for vehicles. So 

most vehicle owners go 

alleged that his company, 

Kakatar CE, was involved 

in illegal payments <strong>of</strong> 

premium <strong>of</strong> PHCN 

workers which the 

company disputes. 

Speaking with reporters 

in Abuja, Ekeinde said: 

“An affidavit deposed to by 

an <strong>of</strong>ficer <strong>of</strong> the EFCC for 

a forfeiture order clearly 

misrepresented the facts. 

The truth is that Kakatar 

CE took a N2.5 billion 

facility from Bestworth 

Insurance Brokers Limited 

to fund a Federal 

Government contract we 

won to provide 

infrastructure for Kyami 

District, Abuja. 

“On the basis <strong>of</strong> 

documentary evidence the 

EFCC requested that the 

facility be repaid to it to 

enable it recoup the 

payment to Bestworth. It 

was on that basis that we 

commenced repayment 

through the EFCC to 

Besthworth. This has 

nothing clearly to do with 

any scam or fraud in that 

matter." 

through Warri to Sapele 

and Warri to Abraka and 

Eku, which is a very long 

route.” 

Motorists said they were 

elated when they heard in 

the new year broadcast <strong>of</strong> 


Buhari that the Federal 

Government had voted 

funds for Federal Road 

Maintenance Agency, 

FERMA, to fix some bad 

roads in the country, 

pleading that speedy 

attention should be given 

to the Sapele - Eku end <strong>of</strong> 

the road to make the place 

passable this year. 

Some students <strong>of</strong> Delta 

State University, Abraka 

campus, who also spoke to 

Vanguard, said they had 

a harrowing experience 

last year as they parted 

with double fares for what 

would have been a straight 

journey from Sapele to 

Abraka. “As medical 

students, we go to the 

Delta State University 

Teaching Hospital in 

Oghara. The normal route 

should be Sapele to Eku 

then the University in 

Abraka. But because <strong>of</strong> the 

state <strong>of</strong> the road and the 

security challenges 

created by the bad spots, 

most vehicles go through 

Warri to Abraka which is a 

longer route," one <strong>of</strong> the 

students said.

C 

M 

Y 

K 



Rep urges FG to withdraw licences 

<strong>of</strong> incompetent discos 

•Slams N100m suit against EEDC 

By Peter Okutu 

A BAKALIKI—THE 

member <strong>of</strong> the House 

<strong>of</strong> Representatives 

representing Afikpo North/ 

South Federal 

Constituency, Ebonyi State, 

Hon. Idu Igariwey has 

called on the Federal 

Government to 

immediately review the 

licenses granted to the 

Electricity Distribution 

Companies, DISCOS, 

especially, the Enugu 

Electricity Distribution 

Company, EEDC, and 

subsequently withdraw or 

cancel the licenses <strong>of</strong> those 

that are unable to meet the 

power demands <strong>of</strong> 

Nigerians across the 

country. 

The Rep made the call 

during a town hall meeting 

he organised for his 

constituents at Ukpa 

Town Hall in Afikpo North 

Local Government Area <strong>of</strong> 



situation forced him to slam 

a N100 million suit on the 

EEDC at the Federal High 

Court in October last year. 

Absolving both state and 

federal governments <strong>of</strong> any 

misdemeanour, the 

lawmaker accused the 

EEDC <strong>of</strong> sabotaging 

government’s effort 

towards stabilising power 

supply and distribution in 

the country even as he 

described the company as 

being incompetent and 

incapable <strong>of</strong> providing 

quality service to the 

people. 

He said: “We should lay 

the blame where it is. For 

today, government is no 

longer responsible for the 

distribution <strong>of</strong> power; it has 

gone to private hands. In 

our own case, it is EEDC. 

So, if something has gone 

to a private hand and that 

person is not providing the 

service, then that person 

should be held responsible. 

So nobody should hold 

government responsible, 

whether state or federal 

government, the person to 

hold responsible is EEDC. 

“The point I want to make 

about EEDC is that they lack 

the capacity to do the job, 

they are completely out <strong>of</strong> 

their depths, they have been 

unable to invest in 

infrastructure and I am very 

sure they must have 

deceived government into 

giving them a licence. They 

are completely incompetent 

and I see it as a systemic 

problem with the company. 

“I am recommending that 

the Federal Government 

should review the licenses 

granted to distribution 

companies. I am not 

making a blanket 

condemnation <strong>of</strong> all <strong>of</strong> 

them, some <strong>of</strong> them are 

quite responsible. I do my 

work in Abuja and I 

think that Abuja 

Distribution Company is 

quite responsible. 

“When you review, you 

see the good and bad 

aspects <strong>of</strong> what you are 

reviewing and that is what 

I am recommending. The 


should review the discos to 

see those that cannot go on 

with this business.” 

The lawmaker who 

expressed outrage at the 

poor power supply 

distributed to his 

constituency lamented that 

many small and medium 

scale businesses in the area 

has closed down due to the 

ugly development in the 

area. 

RTEAN wants Obiano to check activities <strong>of</strong> illegal 

revenue collectors 

By Chimaobi 

Nwaiwu 

N NEWI—Anambra 

State Governor, Chief 

Willie Obiano has been 

urged to check the activities 

<strong>of</strong> illegal revenue collectors 

in the state, who are 

allegedly still collecting 

revenues that he 

personally directed should 

be stopped. 

The call was made by 

members <strong>of</strong> Road Transport 

Employers Association <strong>of</strong> 

Nigeria, RTEAN, Anambra 

chapter, who alleged that 

“in spite <strong>of</strong> Governor 

Obiano’s directive against 

illegal collection <strong>of</strong> 

revenue, the molestation 

and intimidation <strong>of</strong> 

motorists by illegal revenue 

collectors had continued 

without recourse to the 

governors directive and 

order.” 

Addressing newsmen in 

ENDORSEMENT: Cross section <strong>of</strong> Northern youths at Arondizuogu 

in Imo State, after their youth summit, where they endorsed 

Iheanacho Ezeakor for Nigeria Presidency. 

Onitsha, after their 

meeting, State chairman 

<strong>of</strong> RTEAN, Mr Celestine 

Anere, appealed to 

Anambra government to 

state the exact levy for 

commercial bus drivers to 

avoid ongoing extortion <strong>of</strong> 

their members by fake 

revenue collectors. 

He also alleged that 

similar cases <strong>of</strong> extortion 

were ongoing among 

commercial tricycle and 

Men without integrity can’t 

rule Imo again—Group 

By Chidi 

Nkwopara 

O WERRI—Apparently 

irked by what they 

called “the level <strong>of</strong> 

suffering in Imo State”, a 

group, Imo Nke Anyi 

Movement, INAM, 

yesterday, resolved that 

“men without integrity and 

pedigree will never govern 

the state again.” 

Briefing journalists in 

Owerri, yesterday, leader <strong>of</strong> 

the group, Dr. Linus 

Okorie, said that poverty is 

boldly written everywhere 

in Imo State. 

“Never again will men 

without integrity and 

pedigree be allowed to 

govern Imo State. Only 

credible and trusted 

individuals will be voted 

into any public <strong>of</strong>fice”, 

Okorie said. 

Continuing, INAM 

leader urged Imolites to 

realise that there is a 

difference between 

leadership, competence 

and actual performance on 

the job. 

He said that he had 

critically listened to people 

over the plight <strong>of</strong> the 

citizenry, noting that they 

were unanimous in their 

belief that mediocrity 

remained the issue over the 

years. 

motorcycle operators in the 

state, noting that for the 

past one year, most people 

collecting revenue in the 

name <strong>of</strong> the state were not 

remitting same to the state 

c<strong>of</strong>fers as expected. 

He said: “While we agree 

that the government has 

every right to tax motorists, 

what we question is the 

fake revenue collectors who 

use hooligans and touts to 

force motorists to pay 

between N2,500 and 

N3,000 daily. 

"RTEAN in Anambra 

State decries and sees as 

unacceptable, multiple 

taxation imposed on our 

members by illegal revenue 

collectors. We therefore 

appeal to Governor Obiano 

to address the ugly 

situation. The unfortunate 

thing about these fake and 

illegal revenue collectors is 

that they are being shielded 

by some government 

<strong>of</strong>ficials, and those close to 

the corridors <strong>of</strong> power in the 

state." 

Another Igbo agitation group 

emerges 

By Vincent Ujumadu 

AWKA—A new Igbo 

socio-political group, 

the Igbo Ekunie Initiative, 

has emerged, with advice 

to President Muhammadu 

Buhari to engage self 

determination groups in 

Nigeria in a fruitful 

dialogue that would 

ultimately address their 

grievances and 

permanently end agitations 

in the country. 

The group, which had 

existed for about two years 

in the Diaspora, apparently 

came out in the open to fill 

the gap created by the 

proscribed Indigenous 

People <strong>of</strong> Biafra, IPOB. 

President <strong>of</strong> the group, 

Mazi Tochukwu Ezeoke, 

who spoke with reporters in 

Arinze Madueke to vie for Reps seat 

By Nkiru Nnorom 

NNEWI—DR. Arinze 

Madueke, Chief 

Executive Officer and 


Zidora Group, has declared 

his intention to contest for 

House <strong>of</strong> Representatives 

seat to represent Nnewi 

North, Nnewi South and 

Ekwusigo Federal 

Constituency come the 

2019 general election. 

He is contesting under 

the platform <strong>of</strong> All 

Progressive Grand 

Alliance, APGA. 

Madueke, who is a 

medical doctor by training, 

an entrepreneur per 

excellence and a serial 

philanthropist, hails from 

Ukpor, in Nnewi South 

Local Government Area <strong>of</strong> 

Anambra State. 

Speaking in an interview 

with Vanguard, Dr. 

Madueke said his decision 

to veer into the murky 

waters <strong>of</strong> Nigerian politics 

is to deliver unmatched 

representation to his 

constituents, correct <strong>of</strong>ficial 

impunity, develop a 

responsive system <strong>of</strong> 

representation and speak 

the mind <strong>of</strong> his people. 

He promised to use other 

legislative instruments to 

pr<strong>of</strong>itable advantage in a 

bid to directly and indirectly 

impact the lives <strong>of</strong> the 

people <strong>of</strong> his constituency 

and the nation by 

extension. 

Having spent time within 

his federal constituency 

which comprised three 

local government areas, Dr. 

Madueke expressed clear 

understanding <strong>of</strong> the 

problems in the area, which 

include lack <strong>of</strong> 

opportunities, poor 

knowledge <strong>of</strong> how the 

system works, poor 

education, lack <strong>of</strong> 

infrastructure and slow 

development <strong>of</strong> road 

network among many 


2019: Rigging no longer 

possible—REC 

By Chinonso Alozie 

OWERRI—Ahead <strong>of</strong> 

the 2019 general 

elections, the Enugu State 

Resident Electoral 

Commissioner, REC, Mr. 

Emeka Ononamadu, 

yesterday said that rigging 

has been made impossible, 

just as he advised the 

electorate in Imo State to 

quickly go and collect their 

Permanent Voters Card, 

PVC. 

Ononamadu was reacting 

to a question from 

Vanguard in Owerri, on the 

story that there were 

385,654 uncollected PVCs 

in the state, when he 

attended a funeral service 

Awka, however observed 

that violence and marching 

on the streets would not 

achieve any objective, 

insisting that dialogue 

remained the best 

approach. 

He said: “We, the Igbo 

Ekunie Initiative, submit 

that time has come for a 

fundamental restructuring 

<strong>of</strong> the Nigerian state to a 

structure and system that 

provides optimal 

governance that meets the 

needs <strong>of</strong> the populace and 

allows each region develop 

at their pace. 

“We note that the 

fundamentals <strong>of</strong> 

restructuring suffer no 

conflict as all proponents 

virtually agree that more 

control/autonomy in all 

facets should be given to 

the states and regions as 

the case may be." 

<strong>of</strong> Late Nneoma Susanna 

Nkechinyere Damian 

Osuji, at Umuaro 

Umunumo in Ehime 

Mbano LGA, in Imo State. 

He also asked Imo 

people to key into the 

ongoing Continuous 

Voters’ Registration 

exercise in the state, as 

such would help them to 

discharge their 

constitutional obligation. 

Ononamadu stated that 

the Independent National 

Electoral Commission, 

INEC, has made the 

process so easier for the 

electorate to obtain their 

PVC and there was no 

reason for any delay in 

collecting their permanent 

voters cards.

C 

M 

Y 

K 


IT was rain <strong>of</strong> tributes, 

yesterday, for late 

Second Republic politician 

and elder statesman, Alhaji 

Lawal Kaita, who died on 

Tuesday. 

Among those who 

showered tributes on him 

were former Vice President, 

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; 

Senate President, Dr. 

Bukola Saraki, and 

Governor Aminu Masari <strong>of</strong> 

Katsina State. 

The All Progressives 

Congress, APC, also 

poured encomiums on 

Kaita. 

Alhija Atiku Abubakar 

described the late governor 

<strong>of</strong> old Kaduna State as a 

fearless democrat, whose 

immense contribution to 

Nigeria’s democratic 

processes would be etched 

in brass. 

Atiku said the deceased, 

who was his political 

associate, was a man <strong>of</strong> 

remarkable virtues, who 

inspired anyone that came 

in contact with him. 

The ex-Vice President 

noted that only a few 

Nigerian politicians 

possess the courage to 

disagree with those in 

power, even as he lauded 

the late Kaita for keeping 

faith with his political 

conviction till the very end. 

Atiku explained that the 

late Kaita was never afraid 

to speak his mind in 

pursuit <strong>of</strong> his principles, 

including his insistence that 

political parties must 

respect internal democracy 

in order to pass the 

credibility test. 

Atiku, the Waziri 

Adamawa, noted that the 

late Kaita had left an 

unblemished public service 

record largely because 

politicians <strong>of</strong> his generation 

were motivated by the 

passion for service. 

He recalled that his close 

association with Kaita was 

a beneficial experience 

because he was a man <strong>of</strong> 

vast knowledge <strong>of</strong> politics 

and its associated 

intricacies. 

While extending his 

condolences to the 

government, family and the 

people <strong>of</strong> Katsina and 

Kaduna states, Atiku 

prayed God to grant the 

deceased eternal rest in 

paradise. 

Alhaji Kaita was a 

member <strong>of</strong> the Constituent 

Assembly <strong>of</strong> Nigeria (1977- 

1978) and was also a 



Kaita was a fearless democrat 

— Atiku •... as APC, Saraki, Gov Masari mourn 

By Clifford 

Ndujihe, Dirisu 

Yakubu & Bashir 

Bello 

Alhaji Lawal Kaita 

President Shehu Shagari 

(1980-1982). 

He was a founding 

member <strong>of</strong> Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP. 

A great loss to 

Nigeria— Saraki 

To Senate President, Dr. 

Saraki, Kaita’s death is a 

great loss, not only to 

Katsina and Kaduna states, 

but also to the entire nation. 

In a statement by his 

Special Adviser on Media 

and Publicity, Yusuph 

Olaniyonu, the Senate 

President described late 

Kaita as a courageous, 

experienced and 

consummate politician, 

who was always frank in his 

views and honest in his 

political activities. 

Saraki added: “I consider 

the death <strong>of</strong> Alhaji Kaita as 

a personal loss to me and 

my family, considering his 

long mutual and beneficial 

relationship with my late 

father, Dr. Abubakar 

Olusola Saraki, which he 

graciously extended to me. 

“As a father, I benefited 

immensely from his wise 

counsel and support at 

different times. His death 

has robbed the nation <strong>of</strong> a 

gentleman, fearless and 

honest politician, who 

thrived on building good 

relationships for the 

purpose <strong>of</strong> serving his 

people better.” 

Nigeria has lost a 

patriotic son— Masari 

Governor Masari <strong>of</strong> 

Katsina State expressed 

sadness over Kaita’s 

demise, saying Nigeria 

has lost a patriotic son, who 

had contributed immensely 

to the development <strong>of</strong> 

contemporary politics in 

Nigeria. 

Governor Masari, in a 

statement by his Senior 

Special Assistant on 

Media, Abdu Malumfashi, 

described the deceased as 

one <strong>of</strong> the most 

accommodating, generous 

and refined politicians the 

nation has produced, 

adding that politics will 

never be the same without 

the jocular banter <strong>of</strong> Kaita. 


governor, “Katsina State, 

and indeed the nation at 

large, will miss the wise 

counsel <strong>of</strong> Alhaji Lawal 

Kaita. 

“For Alhaji Lawal Kaita, 

politics was never a do-ordie 

affair, but a vehicle for 

service to the people. On 

behalf <strong>of</strong> the good people 

<strong>of</strong> Katsina State, I condole 

with President 

Muhammadu Buhari, the 

Emir <strong>of</strong> Katsina, Alhaji 

Abdulmumin Kabir Usman, 

and the immediate family 

<strong>of</strong> the deceased. 

“May Allah forgive all his 

shortcomings and grant 

him eternal rest, and grant 

his family the fortitude to 

bear the loss.” 

APC, too 

Also, the ruling All 

Progressives Congress, 

APC, mourned the late 

politician, saying Kaita was 

a courageous and 

principled leader, who 

stood firm and fearlessly 

canvassed causes he 

believed in. 

The party fondly recalls 

his outstanding tenure 

and service as member <strong>of</strong> 

the 1994–1995 

Constitutional 

Conference; leader <strong>of</strong> 

Peoples Democratic 

Movement, PDM, which 

largely metamorphosed 

to PDP, when the Fourth 

Republic was birthed; and 

one <strong>of</strong> the founding 

members <strong>of</strong> Action 

Congress, AC, in 2006. 

The party said in a 

statement: “Indeed, the 

country has lost one <strong>of</strong> its 

first-rate and influential 

politicians, who made 

solid contributions to the 

politics, political party 

and democratic 

development <strong>of</strong> the 

country. 

“We pray the Almighty 

Allah grant the late Alhaji 

Lawal Kaita eternal rest.” 

By Luminous 

Jannamike 

THE Management <strong>of</strong> 

Rockview Hotel, 

yesterday, visited inmates 

<strong>of</strong> Suleja Prison in Niger 

State as part <strong>of</strong> its corporate 

social responsibility-cum 

community development 

service during the Yuletide 

period. 

The Deputy Comptroller 

and Officer-in-Charge <strong>of</strong> 

the Prison, Baba Ibrahim, 

while welcoming the 

group, said the visit was a 

worthy act, aimed at 

putting a smile on the faces 

<strong>of</strong> the inmates. 

In her remarks, the Public 

APC's dragged Katsina 30 

years backward— PDP 

By Bashir Bello 

KATSINA 

State 

People’s Democratic 

Party, PDP, has 

challenged Governor 

Aminu Masari and his 

All Progressives 

Congress, APC-led 

government to a public 

debate on his 

stewardship. 

The party Chairman, 

Alhaji Salisu Majigiri, 

who made the challenge 

during PDP's end-<strong>of</strong>-theyear 

briefing, accused 

the APC administration 

<strong>of</strong> bastardising governance 

and taking the 

state 30 years backward. 

He said PDP was 

forced to go public after 

all attempts to get the 

government to make 

amends did not yield 

positive results. 


“they have been claiming 

so many things. The PDP 

in Katsina State is ready to 

face him. 

“On education, the 

highest thing he has done 

is painting the schools and 

removing the 

commissioner. 

“Despite constant and 

consistent lamentations, 

complaints, buck-passing 

and deceptions, the last 31 

months were Katsina 

State’s most prosperous 

months <strong>of</strong> its history. 

“During these months, 

the state government 

received monies from the 

Federation Account 

amounting to over N243 

billion, received four 

trenches <strong>of</strong> debt refunds 

amounting to over N30 

billion and borrowed 

various sums <strong>of</strong> monies 

from banks (including 

agonising throat-cutting 

amounts from commercial 

banks with interest rates in 

double digits) amounting 

to over N70 billion.” 

Let’s build Kogi together, 

says Bello’s aide 

By Boluwaji 

Obahopo 

LOKOJA— 

THE 

Director General, 

Media and Publicity to 

Kogi State Governor, Mr. 

Kingsley Fanwo, has 

urged citizens <strong>of</strong> the state 

to get behind the 

administration <strong>of</strong> 

Governor Yahaya Bello to 

build a better and more 

prosperous state. 

Fanwo, who made the 

appeal in Lokoja, said 

the greatness <strong>of</strong> the state 

is more important than 

the victory <strong>of</strong> any party 

in the 2019 polls. 

He charged political 

players not to heat up the 

polity because 2018 

being a pre-election year 

will present a tempting 

platform to further 

Relations Officer, Rockview 

Hotel, Amaka Ekeh, said 

the organisation chose to 

felicitate with the inmates 

<strong>of</strong> Suleja Prisons because 

they appear not to be 

getting adequate attention 

and support from members 

<strong>of</strong> the society. 

She also said aside the 

gifts they donated, the visit 

by the management <strong>of</strong> the 

hotel was to “equally 

encourage the inmates to 

still believe in the power 

<strong>of</strong> hope and to remember 

that they are currently 

remanded in prison as a 

way to reform them and 

make them better citizens.” 

Ekeh called on other 

polarise the state, urging 

politicians to resist the 

temptation <strong>of</strong> driving the 

state to a volatile level. 

He said: “Governor 

Yahaya Bello emerged 

through uncommon situations 

to take uncommon 

steps to achieve 

uncommon results for the 

uncommon turnaround <strong>of</strong> 

our dear state. 

“In doing this, toes will 

be stepped on, egos will be 

bruised. The civil service 

reforms were very 

challenging. It was an 

absolute necessity to 

straighten the bones <strong>of</strong> our 

statehood. 

“Let me apologise to the 

saints who went through 

the pains with the sinners. 

We have got over that 

phase. Government felt 

your pains.” 

Hospitality firm empowers Suleja Prisons inmates 

corporate bodies in the 

North-Central region as 

well as well-meaning 

Nigerians to remember 

the inmates and reach 

out to them through 

prayers and material 

donations during the 

Yuletide period. 

Speaking on behalf <strong>of</strong> 

the 437 inmates in the 

prison, Kingsley Akpan, 

who is awaiting trial, 

expressed gratitude for 

the words <strong>of</strong> encouragement 

and the gift items, 

saying “we appreciate 

the gesture and promise 

to become better 

individuals when we 

rejoin the wider society.”


BIRTHDAY: 

Mr. Steve 

Ekiri- 

Mekiriuwa, 

Publisher <strong>of</strong> 

Ika Weekly 

Newspaper, 

and his wife, 

Tessy, during 

his 70th 

birthday 

ceremony at 

Ewuru-Agbor, 

Delta State. 

(BELOW):Mr. 

Steve Ekiri- 

Mekiriuwa 

Ashien and 

members <strong>of</strong> 

Staff <strong>of</strong> Ika 

Weekly 

Newspaper. 

WORKSHOP: Service Desk Manager/Team Lead, Services, CWG 

Plc, Mrs. Moradeke Akintola (middle), flanked by Financial 

Services Team, CWG Plc and The Finacle Team at the end <strong>of</strong> year 

workshop, at CWG Headquarters, Lagos. 

LONG 

SERVICE 

AWARD: 

From left, 

Group Chief 

Operating 

Officer, 

Thomas 

Oloriegbe; 

Chairman, Dr. 

Toni Ogunbor, 

both <strong>of</strong> Nosak 

Group, at the 

long service 

awards 

ceremony for 

staff <strong>of</strong> the 

company, in 

Lagos.



CAN condemns miscreants’ 

attacks on Kwara worshippers 

THE 

Christian 

Association <strong>of</strong> 

Nigeria, CAN, Kwara 

State chapter, has 

condemned the attacks on 

some <strong>of</strong> their worshippers 

and places <strong>of</strong> worship in 

the early hours <strong>of</strong> January 

1, 2018 during the New 

Year Eve services. 

They were attacked at 

the Christ Apostolic 

Church, CAC, Oke- 

Isegun, the Methodist 

Cathedral and the St. 

Joseph Catholic 

Cathedral, all located 

within the Ibrahim Taiwo 

Road in Ilorin, the state 

capital. 

The association’s 

condemnation in a 

statement by Pr<strong>of</strong>essor T. 

O. Opoola, the State CAN 

Chairman, was made 

available to newsmen in 

Ilorin, yesterday. 

The association 

appealed to the Kwara 

State Government to 

prevent further attacks on 

churches and Christian 

worshippers in Kwara 

THE Nigeria Security 

and Civil Defence 

Corps, NSCDC, Niger 

Command, yesterday, 

said it recorded 29 cases 

<strong>of</strong> kidnapping and 12 

cases <strong>of</strong> cattle rustling in 

the state in 2017. 

The Commandant <strong>of</strong> the 

corps, Mr. Philip Ayuba, 

disclosed this in Minna in 

an interview with 

newsmen. 

Ayuba said 40 alleged 

murder cases, 17 robbery 

cases and 30 cases <strong>of</strong> 

fraud, job scam and 

State, particularly in the 

Ilorin metropolis. 

The association said the 

incident happened at 

about 2a.m. on January 1, 

when some miscreants 

attacked the Christ 

Apostolic Church, CAC, 

Oke-Isegun, located at 

the Taiwo Isale Area <strong>of</strong> the 

metropolis. 

The attacks, rape 


statement, “in fact, most <strong>of</strong> 

the Christian worshippers 

returning back home were 

allegedly raped, while 

some <strong>of</strong> them were 

rescued. Also, some <strong>of</strong> the 

girls who had fallen 

victims ran to the 

Methodist Cathedral for 

safety.’’ 

The statement said the 

fanatics destroyed the 

gate <strong>of</strong> the Methodist 

Cathedral and forcefully 

entered the premises, 

destroyed some Church 

buildings and vehicles. 

The association said that 

at this point, the CAN 

breach <strong>of</strong> trust were also 

recorded during the year. 

He added that 25 cases 

<strong>of</strong> theft and 13 <strong>of</strong> rape, 

abortion and human 

trafficking cases were 

similarly recorded during 

the period. 

His words: “We also 

recorded 12 cases <strong>of</strong> 

illegal mining, 18 cases <strong>of</strong> 

road accident, 14 fire 

incidents, flood, nine 

rainstorms and boat 

mishap, and 10 cases <strong>of</strong> 

vandalism and related 

matters were recorded.” 

Chairman had to phone 

the state Commissioner <strong>of</strong> 

Police, that CAC and 

Methodist Church were 

under attack. 

The association also said 

the miscreants moved 

from the CAC to the St. 

Joseph’s Catholic 

Cathedral premises, 

where they destroyed 

buildings, religious 

articles and vehicles. 

Destroyed property 

The association listed 

some <strong>of</strong> the articles 

destroyed inside the 

Catholic Church to 

include two statues, and 

a Bajaj motorcycle that 

was pushed out <strong>of</strong> the 

compound before being 

set ablaze. 

It also alleged that the 

miscreants dispossessed 

some <strong>of</strong> the worshippers 

<strong>of</strong> their phones, bags and 

other valuables. 

Also, Bishop Ayo-Maria 

Atoyebi <strong>of</strong> the Catholic 

Diocese <strong>of</strong> Ilorin 

corroborated the 

2017: NSCDC recorded 29 cases <strong>of</strong> 

kidnapping in Niger— Commandant 

Others, the 

commandant said, 

included 10 conflictrelated 

cases and four 

cases <strong>of</strong> quarry blasting, 

adding “we have 

successfully prosecuted 

22 <strong>of</strong> the suspects, while 

investigation is going on 

the remaining cases.” 

Ayuba also said that the 

command had introduced 

tight security measures 

through which to tackle 

any threat to peace in the 

state. 

He said effective 

development in another 

statement he personally 

signed. 

Atoyebi said: “At about 

2.15a.m., we perceived 

an attack on the 

Methodist Cathedral 

Church, that is opposite 

St. Joseph’s Catholic 

Cathedral. 

“This lasted for about 30 

minutes with stones 

thrown to break and 

damage other buildings 

at the Methodist 

Church.” 

‘Governor Ahmed aware’ 

The Bishop also said 

Governor Abdulfatah 

Ahmed had been 

informed <strong>of</strong> these 

developments, while the 

security agencies have 

also been alerted. 

The governor, Monday 

in a statement by his 

Chief Press Secretary, 

AbdulWahab Oba, 

condemned the attacks 

and directed the relevant 

security agencies to 

investigate the matter. 

CERTIFICATION: From left— Advisory Board member, Mr. Joseph Okonmah; CEO, Mr. 

Taiwo Oluboyede, both <strong>of</strong> Top 50 Brands Nigeria; Managing Director, Mr. Anders Einarsson; Head <strong>of</strong> 

Legal/PR, Mr. Andrew Enahoro; and Head <strong>of</strong> Marketing, Mr. Abiodun Ayodeji, all <strong>of</strong> Promasidor 

Nigeria Limited, at the presentation <strong>of</strong> the Top 50 Brands Certificate <strong>of</strong> Award to Promasidor in Lagos. 

operational order had 

been issued to <strong>of</strong>ficers in 

charge in the 25 local 

government areas <strong>of</strong> the 

state for implementation. 

He said the rate <strong>of</strong> crime 

had, therefore, been 

reduced in the state 

during the year under 

review. 

The commandant called 

on residents to assist the 

field <strong>of</strong>ficers with 

intelligence information 

that could lead to the 

arrest and prosecution <strong>of</strong> 

criminals. 

Gov Bello swears in 14 

new commissioners 

GOVERNOR Sani 

Bello <strong>of</strong> Niger State, 

yesterday, swore in 14 

new commissioners, 

warning them against all 

forms <strong>of</strong> corrupt practices. 

Speaking at the 

occasion in Minna, 

Governor Bello also 

urged them to work hard 

to uphold the confidence 

reposed on them. 

He said: “It will interest 

you to know that we have 

put in place a mechanism 

to monitor, evaluate and 

assess your 

performance.” 

The governor urged 

them to be proactive, 

exhibit high sense <strong>of</strong> 

patriotism and work hard 

to enable his 

administration to 

consolidate on its 

achievements in <strong>of</strong>fice. 

He said the state 

government will not 

THE Chief <strong>of</strong> Army 

Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur 

Buratai, has expressed 

satisfaction with the 

improved security 

situation in Bauchi State. 

Speaking with 

newsmen yesterday, after 

an operational visit to 

army formations in the 

state, Buratai attributed 

the improved security 

situation to the 

collaborative effort <strong>of</strong> all 

security agencies. 

He also commended 

the people <strong>of</strong> the state for 

tolerate laxity and 

disrespect to established 

rules and regulations. 

Bello had, in November 

last year, submitted names 

<strong>of</strong> 18 nominees to the state 

House <strong>of</strong> Assembly for 

confirmation as 

commissioners following 

the dissolution <strong>of</strong> the 

cabinet in October 2017. 

The commissioners 

include Alhaji Idris Jibrin, 

Alhaji Zakari Bawa, Alhaji 

Ibrahim Panti, Alhaji 

Zakari Abubakar, Hajiya 

Rahamtu Yaradu and 

Alhaji Mohammed 

Mundi. 

Others are Dr. Mustapha 

Jibrin, Alhaji Mamman 

Musa, Hajiya Amina 

Musa, Alhaji Ibrahim 

Shiroro, Alhaji Ibrahim 

Balarabe, Hajiya Fatima 

Madugu, Alhaji Haliru 

Jikantoro and Mr. Nasara 

Dan-Malam. 

Buratai satisfied with 

security in Bauchi 

RICE farmers in Borno 

State have called for 

road rehabilitation to 

accelerate production 

and ease movement <strong>of</strong> 

produce to markets. 

A cross section <strong>of</strong> the 

farmers made the call in 

separate interviews with 

newsmen, yesterday, at 

Zabarmari Rice 

Plantation in Maiduguri, 

the state capital. 

They described the 

deplorable state <strong>of</strong> road 

to the rice plantation as 

“inimical” to sustainable 

growth in food 

production. 

Malam Bello Na 

Bello, one <strong>of</strong> the rice 

farmers, said he had 

harvested his crops but 

found it difficult to 

evacuate same to 

markets. 

Bello added that 

farmers in the area 

relied on ox-cart to move 

produce to the main road 

and re-load it on trucks 

cooperating with the 

agencies to achieve the 

relative peace and security. 

The Army Chief lauded 

the commanders <strong>of</strong> the 33 

Artillery Brigade and 

Armour Corps for their 

efforts in infrastructural 

development and 

maintenance <strong>of</strong> equipment 

in the barracks. 

He used the visit to 

perform 

the 

commencement <strong>of</strong> work on 

the rehabilitation <strong>of</strong> 600- 

metre road, leading into 33 

Artillery Brigade. 

Borno rice farmers task 

govt on access road 

to be supplied to markets. 

Umaru Dan-Sokoto, 

another farmer, said the 

state <strong>of</strong> road forced him to 

spend too much on 

transportation <strong>of</strong> 

produce, noting that the 

situation exposed 

farmers to losses in view 

<strong>of</strong> the exorbitant cost <strong>of</strong> 

transportation. 

The farmer said he 

cultivated about 200 bags 

<strong>of</strong> paddy rice, but could 

not evacuate the produce 

due to poor road 

condition in the area. 

Also, Malam Hassan 

Muhammad, the 

Chairman, Rice 

Processors and Sellers 

Association, said farmers 

in the area produced 

about 150,000 tonnes <strong>of</strong> 

the grain during rain-fed 

and dry season activities. 

Muhammad added that 

the farmers needed 

access road to enable 

them to move their 

produce to the market.


KICC’s 12th annual charity 

for widows gears up 

2017: ‘The 

he Wed 

edding ding Par 

arty ty 2’ 

set a new w recor 

ecord 

•Grosses N312m at cinemas 

By Benjamin Njoku 

After it grossed over N73 

million on its opening 

weekend, in December, 

Nigeria’s blockbuster 

movie, “The Wedding Party 

2-Destination Dubai,” has 

yet raked in over N312 

million in just 18 days at the 

cinemas, setting a new 

record as the highest 

grossing movie in the 

country’s Box Office, in 

2017. 

The movie broke the N36 

million record set by the 

first part <strong>of</strong> the movie,’ The 

Wedding Party 1,’ on its 

opening weekend in 2016. 

Sharing the good news on 

her Instagram page 

yesterday, the producer, 

Mo Abudu revealed that 

the movie which was 

released in cinemas across 

the country on Friday, 

December 15, grossed over 

N 312 in just 18 days at the 

cinemas. 

“What a glorious and 

magnificent kick <strong>of</strong>f to the new 

year!!! We are now at N312m 

after just 18 days in the box 

<strong>of</strong>fice. This is nearly N70m 

more than our performance last 

year with The Wedding Party. A 

big thank you to all that have 

gone out to watch this film, to 

our cast and crew for all their 

hard work and our sponsors and 

partners for their support. 

Wishing everyone that has 

contributed to our success a 

glorious and magnificent 2018,” 

she wrote. 

Nigerian movie lovers have 

been expecting this sequel to 

the inter-tribal-marriagethemed 

movie, which recently 

translated to the real life 

marriage <strong>of</strong> its main characters 

Dunni (Adesua) and Dozie 

(Banky W). 

Saheed Osupa, others thrill guests 

...as Executive Elite 007 Club celebrates 10 th 

anniversary 

By Iyabo Aina 

It was indeed celebration 

galore as members <strong>of</strong> 

Executive Elite 007 Club <strong>of</strong> 

Nigeria recently marked the 

10th anniversary <strong>of</strong> their club 

amidst fun and sociability. 

The ceremony, which held 

at La’royale Events Centre, 

Puposola Street, new Oko- 

Oba, Abule-Egba, Lagos, 

brought together members <strong>of</strong> 

the club, home and abroad 

who converged at the venue 

to celebrate with one 

another. 

Apart from celebrating and 

venerating some 

philanthropic dignitaries 

with awards <strong>of</strong> honour, the 

event also afforded the club 

the opportunity to ignite the 

spirit <strong>of</strong> unity and foster 

peace among members. 

Speaking to journalists, the 

*Cast <strong>of</strong> The 

Wedding Party 2 

president, Elite Prince Kunle 

Omisore Thomas and the grand 

patron <strong>of</strong> the club, Prince Ade 

Dosumu, stressed that 

socialization is an engine process 

that elongates the life <strong>of</strong> a social 

practitioner. 

“Socialism captures the essence 

and being <strong>of</strong> creation. 

Saheed 

Osupa 

By Iyabo Aina 

The 

Kingsway 

International Christian 

center,KICC, has announced 

date for its 12 th annual 

widows’ party and 

empowerment programme. 

The event which is expected 

to have over 17,000 widows 

in attendance is billed to 

hold on Saturday, 

January 6, at the King’s 

University campus, 

Odeomu, Osun State. 

Addressing the 

press on the 

forthcoming 

programme 

during the 

week, the 

initiator and 

founder <strong>of</strong> 

KICC, Pastor 

Matthew 

Ashimolowo, said 

it all started as a 

simple instruction from the 

Lord, when he felt that God 

was laying on his heart to 

bless few widows in Ode- 

Omu, Osun State, his 

father’s hometown and root. 

“My initial action was to 

bring together all the 

progenies <strong>of</strong> my grandfather, 

who had started moving 

apart, with some having not 

seen each other for as long as 

35 years. It was during the 

first edition in 

January 2007, that I 

instructed my cousin 

to assemble widows in 

town because I 

wanted to bless them. 

That first event 

attracted about 

308 widows, 

Ashimolowo 

recalled. 

Continuing, 

he said “By the next year, the 

skeptical widows had shaken 

<strong>of</strong>f all doubts and 

approximately 850 <strong>of</strong> them 

showed up. They were all fed 

as well as given six yards <strong>of</strong> 

local fabrics each and cash. 

The following year the number 

doubled to about 1500,” 

“We could no longer hold it 

in our compound. We had to 

move it to the then proposed 

Kings University, which is 

now approved. The number 

has since increased. In 2014, 

Music act, Weir 

eirdz signs deal 

with TBMC 

By Juliet Ebirim 

Singing sensation, Osazee 

Moses Wilserhun 

otherwise known as Weirdz has 

signed a deal with The Bail 

Music Company, a creative 

talent and event management 

company. Weirdz’s signing 

with The Bail Music Company 

is a positive move primed to 

chart a new direction for his 

career whilst also helping meet 

his set targets. Under the new 

deal, The Bail Music Company 

will oversee the entire business 

affairs on behalf <strong>of</strong> the artiste 

as well as initiate, plan and 

execute various innovations 

aimed at propelling the career 

<strong>of</strong> the musician to a new level. 

Weirdz who has just released 

his E.P entitled ‘Let Us Pray’ 

expressed his delight at joining 

The Bail Music Company. “I 

had <strong>of</strong>fers from different brands 

but I opted for this because I 

trust in the capacity <strong>of</strong> the 

brand to help my music. I feel 

it is important for an artiste to 

entrust his management to a 

brand that has a keen 

understanding <strong>of</strong> the industry 

and has successfully shown its 

impact while working with 

other established stars.” 

Speaking on the new 

development, the CEO <strong>of</strong> 

The Bail Music 

Company, Lanre 

Lawal said the 

new move 

shows the fastgrowing 

company has 

taken the 

Weirdz 

necessary steps in the right 

direction. “We are delighted to 

have signed a deal with one <strong>of</strong> 

the finest talents in the industry. 

With this new move, we believe 

we are in the right direction 

towards achieving our dream 

as a brand at the forefront <strong>of</strong> 

providing needed support to 

help talents succeed in the 

highly demanding industry,” 

Pastor Mathew 

Oshimolowo 

we had a protest call from the 

widows <strong>of</strong> Modakeke who said 

because both towns are twin by 

history, they too should have 

been considered.” 

“That year, we had about 650 

widows in attendance. For this 

year’s edition, we are 

expecting nothing less that 17, 

000 widows from towns such as 

Modakeke, Ikire, Oshogbo 

and Ode-Omu in attendance. 

Also, we are expecting 15 

Royal fathers to grace the 

event,” Ashimolowo disclosed. 

Lawal said. 

“When we started few years 

ago, the idea was to use our 

wealth <strong>of</strong> experience to provide 

a platform where artistes are 

discovered and nurtured into 

becoming global brands that will 

further drive the much needed 

growth in the industry as well 

as rub <strong>of</strong>f on the Nigerian 

economy,” he added.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018— 39 

japhdave@yahoo.com 

08066625505 

Stanbic 

celebrates 

Nigeria’s 

creativity in 

style 

By Japhet Alakam 

It was indeed an 

evening <strong>of</strong> visual art, 

live music and comedy 

or what can be 

described as the best <strong>of</strong> art 

and entertainment as Stanbic 

IBTC demonstrated the symbiotic 

relationship that exists 

between business and arts at 

its yearly Fine Arts and The 

Acts event. 

The excitingly unique 

event, the third in the series, 

which featured an arts 

exhibition that showcased the 

works <strong>of</strong> many established artists, 

as well as musical performances, 

comedy, and a stage 

play by the Terra Kulture Crew 

was held at the Terra Kulture 

Arena in Lagos. 

According to the financial 

institution, the well attended 

event, themed ‘Nigeria to the 

World’, also served as an avenue 

to appreciate its loyal 

Terrorists in the cockpit: A narrative 

<strong>of</strong> Nigeria’s systemic failure 


No better way to describe the 

travails <strong>of</strong> Nigeria, presumably 

giant <strong>of</strong> Africa who despite her 

rich and endowed natural resources still 

has large numbers <strong>of</strong> her masses wallow 

in abject poverty, neglect and deprivation, 

than from the fallout in leadership. 

Terrorists in the cockpit written by Dr 

Dotun Oyeniyi, a lawyer that shuttles 

between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, 

espoused how neither our heterogeneous 

enclave as one entity nor the abundance 

<strong>of</strong> both human and natural resources, 

serve as bane for discord and disagreements 

as many will think, but that the quest 

for the control <strong>of</strong> power by few elites remain 

foetus <strong>of</strong> all problems Nigeria face. 

The 286 page book published by 

Grosvenor House Publishing Limited, 

UK gives a gripping historical narration 

with picture depictions, and real life 

examples <strong>of</strong> how few elites from Nigeria 

per-colonial, colonial to post independence 

up till May, 2015 have wrestled power 

through brutal, insensate and terrorism 

on the masses who most times become 

dependent and bear the brunt <strong>of</strong> the elephants 

‘ vicious trampling. 

A journey into the nine chapters work 

engages the reader with a rhetoric 

statement, “ In my father’s house, there 

are many rooms... “yet freedom is false as 

rather than enjoy the sweetness <strong>of</strong> plenty, 

we have ,” a democracy borne out <strong>of</strong> hell 

customers and to 

thank them for their 

patronage in the 

year. 

The exhibition segment 

featured the 

art collections <strong>of</strong> 

Pr<strong>of</strong> Olukonyinsola 

Ajayi (SAN) and 

those <strong>of</strong> Stanbic 

IBTC. Artists whose 

works were 

displayed included 

Olumide Onadipe, 

Dare Adenuga, 

Obinna Makata, Julius 

Agbaje, Uchay Joel*Some <strong>of</strong> the works exhibited/performance during the event 

Chima, Gbenga Offo, and 

Adeyinka Akingbade. Others ria. Also, we hope to appreciate, 

celebrate and thank intended to ignite the latent 

and sponsorships, is 

were Lamidi Fakeye and the 

master himself Ben Enwonwu. 

customs and support in spirit <strong>of</strong> the populace that 

our esteemed clients for their talent and entrepreneurial 

“This event is to demonstrate 

Stanbic IBTC’s support Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, society forward.” He assured 

2017,” Chief Executive, when harnessed will move 

for the creative industry and Mr Yinka Sanni, said. that Stanbic IBTC will 

to establish the nexus between 

entrepreneurship and support, through rich experience <strong>of</strong> the 154- 

According to Sanni, “Such continue to draw from the 

talent development in Nige- 

collaborations, partnerships year-old Standard Bank 

where abide, “ the land <strong>of</strong> (much) slaves and (few) masters; 

What becomes the order <strong>of</strong> the day is, “ Blood on the 

ballot boxes, and “ feeding on the floating corpses. 

The constant meddling <strong>of</strong> forces <strong>of</strong> control <strong>of</strong> power make 

Nigerians to seek solace in religion. However, rather 

than being an upright people, what is seen is a, “ 

religious but unrighteous nation resulting in, “ a people 

at War with itself. “ 

The implication <strong>of</strong> a people get at war with itself create 

channels <strong>of</strong> lawlessness, selfishness with all enmeshed 

in corruption. In order words, making process or 

changing the statuesque seem like ,” fighting armoured 

tank with a pistol. “ 

However, the gleam and pitiable Nigeria leadership 

seem, all hope may not be lost as Dr Oyeniyi in 

the last chapter <strong>of</strong> the non fiction book titled , “ towards 

a people’s government,” pr<strong>of</strong>fers recommendation for a 

better country. These include eradicating; patronage and 

political godfatherism; political dynasty; self and genealogical 

political recycling for positive structures. Also 

the setting <strong>of</strong> true federalism; erecting a wall between 

the state and religion; restructured educational system. 

In addition to imbibing the three 

Rs - Reason, Reasonableness 

and Responsibility by all Nigerians 

will be a stepping stone to 

Nigeria that will be pride <strong>of</strong> all. 

Terrorists in the cockpit is a 

book for all, Nigerians and foreigners 

who desire a positive 

change either as a follower or as 

a leader. This is based on getting 

a holistically analyses <strong>of</strong> 

how this country got to this level 

where we are now. 

The judging panel <strong>of</strong> the 

2018 edition <strong>of</strong> the 9mobile 

Prize for Literature has 

unveiled a longlist <strong>of</strong> nine 

books from a strong array <strong>of</strong> 

authors from across the continent 

who entered for the prize 

following the announcement 

for the call for entries made 

earlier in the year by Nigeria’s 

most innovative telecommunications 

company, 9mobile. 

The longlist is made up <strong>of</strong> 

entries received from first-time 

African writers whose books 

were published within the last 

24 months before the call for 

entries. Now in its fifth year, 

the Prize is already acknowledged 

as the most prestigious 

literary prize for African fiction. 

The nine books that made the 

longlist are: Aniete Isong - 

Radio Sunrise ;Ayobami Adebayo 

- Stay with Me ;Bronwyn 

Law – Viljoen- The 

Printmaker;David Cornwell - 

Like It Matters ;Lesley Nneka 

Arimah - What It Means When 

a Man Falls Down from the 

Group, to which Stanbic 

IBTC belongs, to provide 

business leadership and direction 

by supporting arts as 

well as other sectors <strong>of</strong> the 

economy in a way to ensure 

the socio-economic growth 

and development <strong>of</strong> society. 

The event also provided a 

platform for entrepreneurs, 

business people, bankers, industrialists, 

artists and art enthusiasts 

to interact as well as 

for networking opportunities 

exploited to advance business 

interests, especially those supportive 

<strong>of</strong> the arts community. 

The duo <strong>of</strong> IK Osakioduwa 

and Ayo Mario Ese compered 

the event and participants 

were treated to the best 

musical performances by Timi 

Dakolo and Isaac Geralds, 

while celebrated comedians 

Basketmouth and KennyBlaq 

thrilled the audience with 

their rib-cracking jokes. The 

highpoint <strong>of</strong> the event was the 

exhilarating performance <strong>of</strong> 

the stage play Fela and His 

Queens by the Terra Kulture 

Crew. 

Adebayo, Isong, others 

make 9mobile Prize for 

Literature Longlist 

Japhet Alakam 

Sky ;Marcus Low- Asylum 

;Mukuka Chipanta - A Casualty 

<strong>of</strong> Power ;Odafe Atogun - 

Taduno’s Song and Qarnita 

Loxtan - Being Kari 

In his comments, Chair <strong>of</strong> 

the Judging Panel, Harry 

Garuba noted that the books 

entered in the 2018 9mobile 

Prize for Literature testify to 

the abundance <strong>of</strong> talented new 

voices emerging from the African 

continent. 

“The entries range through 

a variety <strong>of</strong> themes and preoccupations 

that mirror the expanse 

and diversity <strong>of</strong> the continent. 

The care and craft that 

the authors bring to the exploration 

<strong>of</strong> their chosen themes 

show a level <strong>of</strong> skill and artistry 

not <strong>of</strong>ten found in first 

works <strong>of</strong> fiction. These works 

give us a glimpse <strong>of</strong> the exciting 

literary landscapes ahead 

for African fiction” he said. 

Director, Brand and Experience, 

9mobile, Elvis Ogiemwanye 

expressed his delight 

at reaching this stage <strong>of</strong> the 

Prize and commended the 

judges.



We lost property worth over 

N100m to Tin-can fire — 

Clearing agents 

•Allege saboutage 

By Godfrey 

Bivbere 

L AGOS—CLEARING 

agents operating at 

the container complex <strong>of</strong> 

Tin-can Island port in 

Lagos State, lost over a 

N100 million worth <strong>of</strong> 

property to the fire 

incident that razed down 

part <strong>of</strong> the complex on 

Tuesday, even as some 

agents are pointing 

accusing fingers at the 

Nigerian Ports Authority, 

NPA and a popular 

terminal operator, as 

being behind the fire 

outbreak. 


on the incident, 

Chairman, Port and 

Terminal Multi-purpose 

Limited, PTML, Chapter 

<strong>of</strong> the Association <strong>of</strong> 

Nigeria Licensed 

Customs Agents, 

ANLCA, Akintola 

Hastrop, said that the 

value <strong>of</strong> the property lost 

to the outbreak was far 

over N100 million. 

Hastrop disclosed that 

the lose was much 

because most agents 

were still on holidays and 

therefore, could not 

rescue their belongings. 

However, Chairman <strong>of</strong> 

the Complex and 

National President <strong>of</strong> 

Freight Forwarders 

Elders Forum, FFEF, 

Chukwuemeka Shedrack, 

told Vanguard that only 

five <strong>of</strong> the 91 

containerised <strong>of</strong>fices were 

affected by the fire 

PPPRA monitors petrol price 

in Abuja 

A BUJA—THE 

Petroleum Products 

Pricing Regulatory Agency, 

PPPRA, yesterday, 

monitored filling stations in 

Abuja to ensure that the 

limit <strong>of</strong> N145 was not 

exceeded. 

Most filling stations 

visited maintained the 

N145 cap, though there 

was no chaos in fuel 

stations with queues visited 

by <strong>of</strong>ficials <strong>of</strong> PPPRA. 

At all the stations by the 

<strong>of</strong>ficials, they were all 

selling at N145 and 

affirmed that they were 

expecting petroleum 

products to complement 

what was available. 

Among the 11 stations 

visited, the Oando Filling 

Station in Nyanya, a suburb 

<strong>of</strong> the Federal Capital 

Territory, FCT, had more 

than 4,500 litres but was not 

selling to motorists. 

outbreak. 

Shedrick explained that 

the property lost included 

buildings worth over 

N105 million and 

property belonging to the 

agents, worth over N1.5 

million. 

He listed some <strong>of</strong> the 

items lost to the fire to 

include <strong>of</strong>fice equipment, 

their client documents, 

physical cash, some <strong>of</strong> 

their licenses etc. 

He further noted that 

the fire outbreak was an 

act <strong>of</strong> saboutage by 

persons who want them 

out <strong>of</strong> the premises. 

The FFEF boss 

wondered how there 

could be fire outbreak at 

both the popular NPA 

building known as 

‘National’ around Tin 

Can Island Port second 

gate which affected 

several <strong>of</strong>fices including 

that <strong>of</strong> Ada Akpunonu, a 

former vice chairman <strong>of</strong> 

ANLCA at Tin Can and 

the container complex 

which belong to the 

Seaview Properties 

Limited, both a subsidiary 

<strong>of</strong> NPA. 

It will be recalled that 

the NPA had given 

occupants <strong>of</strong> the PTML 

container complex an 

eviction notice in 2016. 

The occupants alleged 

that it was an attempt by 

NPA to concession the 

complex to a popular port 

concessionaire and as a 

result, they had gone to 

court last year to 

challenge the quit order 

by the NPA. 

On the allegation on 

The station Manager, 

Aminu Adejoh, claimed he 

had been selling since 

January 1 and just stopped 

selling because he had run 

out <strong>of</strong> stock and was 

expecting more products. 

Speaking to NAN, Mr 

Lanre Oladele, the Head <strong>of</strong> 

the PPPRA monitoring 

team said that the <strong>of</strong>fice had 

received reports <strong>of</strong> sale <strong>of</strong> 

petrol to buyers with jerry 

cans and was out to ensure 

that the right thing was 

being carried out. 

He said: “We will 

continue to step up 

activities, monitor those that 

have products and are 

refusing to sell. If we find 

more, we will do what we 

just did now, force them to 

sell to motorists. 

“What the PPPRA is doing 

is to ensure that across the 

country, we have staff 

looking out for those who 

carry out sharp practices." 

By Michael Eboh, 

Ediri Ejoh & 

Prince Okafor 

A BUJA—POWER 

supply in Nigeria has 

dropped, as the 

Transmission Company <strong>of</strong> 

Nigeria, TCN and 

Nigerian National 

Petroleum Corporation, 

NNPC, record system 

collapse and pipeline 

shutdown respectively. 

TCN disclosed in a 

statement that: ‘’TCN 

regrets to report another 

System Collapse at about 

14.19 hours today January 

3, 2018. Preliminary 

information from NCC 

indicated that the tripping 

<strong>of</strong> Odukpani-Ikot Ekpene 

330kV line cut <strong>of</strong>f 

generation from Odukpani 

Power Station to the grid. 

Restoration <strong>of</strong> the grid has 

reached advanced stage. 

TCN has also commenced 

investigations to determine 

the exact cause <strong>of</strong> the 

system disturbance and the 

outcome will publicised. 

‘’The system disturbance 

happened at a time when 

work on the Western Gas 

Pipeline by NGC which 

caused system collapse at 

about 21.17Hours 

yesterday, is yet to be 

completed. The grid would 

have withstood the 

Odukpani infraction, if 

generation along Lagos 

Region were available." 

‘’NGC indicated that a 

contractor has been 

mobilised to reconstruct the 

affected segment <strong>of</strong> the 

Western Gas Pipeline, so 

that gas supply to 

Omotosho, Egbin, and 

Olorunsogo I and II can be 

restored. According to 

NGC the work would be 

carried out day and night 

and is expected to be 

completed within 24 hours. 

‘’TCN noted that with the 

support <strong>of</strong> the Federal 

Ministries <strong>of</strong> Power and 

Finance, it has embarked 

on the implementation <strong>of</strong> 

Transmission 

Rehabilitation and 

Expansion Program that 

seeks to expand, 

rehabilitate and stabilize 

the Grid. TCN appealed for 

patience 

understanding.” 

and 

NNPC shuts down 

gas pipeline in S- 

West 

Also, the Nigerian 


Corporation, NNPC, 

yesterday, warned <strong>of</strong> power 

outage in some states in the 

South-West, mainly in 

Lagos, Ogun, Ondo states 

following the shutdown <strong>of</strong> 

its gas pipeline for 

maintenance. 

The NNPC, in a 

statement in Abuja, by its 

Group General Manager, 

Group Public Affairs 

Division, Mr. Ndu 

Ughamadu, said that the 

outage will be as a result <strong>of</strong> 

plan to completely shut 

down the Escravos to Lagos 

Minister <strong>of</strong> Communications, Chief Adebayo Shittu, briefing journalists 

after a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on the 

procurement <strong>of</strong> two new satelites for Nigeria at the State House, Abuja, 

yesterday. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida. 

Power supply to worsen as 

TCN, NNPC record system 

collapse, pipeline shutdown 

Pipeline, ELP, to enable it 

extinguish the fire which 

engulfed the pipeline and 

repair the pipeline. 

It said the shutdown <strong>of</strong> 

the pipeline will affect gas 

supply to customers in the 

three listed states, leading 

to the shutdown <strong>of</strong> a 

number <strong>of</strong> power plants in 

the states, with a combined 

capacity <strong>of</strong> 1,143 

megawatts, MW, <strong>of</strong> 

electricity, effectively 

ensuring that the three 

states suffer a drop in 

electricity supply until the 

repair is completed. 

Ughamadu said that the 

Group Managing Director 

<strong>of</strong> the NNPC, Mr. 

Maikanti Baru, had 

ordered an immediate 

assessment <strong>of</strong> the damage 

caused by the fire on the 

ELP, a natural gas pipeline 

which supplies gas from 

Escravos region <strong>of</strong> the 

Niger Delta area to Lagos. 

He said, “NNPC firemen 

were drafted to the scene 

and were able to contain the 

fire from the leak point <strong>of</strong> 

the pipeline incident. 

However, the fire could not 

be extinguished due to the 

high pressure <strong>of</strong> the line. 

“To put out the fire, the 

line will require being 

isolated and depressurised, 

which might lead to a 

complete shutdown <strong>of</strong> the 

pipeline segment for repair 

works to be carried out. The 

exercise will affect gas 

supply to customers in 

Ondo, Ogun and Lagos 

State with subsequent 

shutdown <strong>of</strong> the following 

power plants with a 

combined generating 

capacity <strong>of</strong> 1,143 megwatts, 

MW: Egbin, Lagos, 

Olorunshogo, PEL 

Olorunshogo, Ogun, Paras 

Power Plant, Ogun and 

Omotosho plant, Ondo 

State.” 

He noted that the 

pipeline also supplies gas 

to power plants in the South 

West, in addition to feeding 

the West Africa Gas Pipeline 

System. 

According to Ughamadu, 

the incineration <strong>of</strong> the ELP, 

which was built in 1989, 

was suspected to have been 

caused by a bush fire, 

January 2, 2018 at Abakila, 

in Ondo State. 

3,182MW lost to fire 

Meanwhile, the Ministry 

<strong>of</strong> Power disclosed in a 

statement that Nigeria’s 

power sector lost 3,182 

megawatts, MW, as a result 

<strong>of</strong> a fire incident on the 

Escravos-Lagos Pipeline 

System which is close to 

Okada, Edo State. 

It stated that the fire 

incident required a 

shutdown <strong>of</strong> the pipeline 

supplying gas to Egbin, 

1,320MW; Olorunsogo 

NIPP, 676MW; 

Olorunsogo, 338MW; 

Omotosho NIPP, 450MW; 

Omotosho, 338 MW; and 

Paras, 60MW on Tuesday. 

It said that the sudden 

loss <strong>of</strong> generation due to 

interruption in gas supply 

from these stations caused 

the national transmission 

grid to trip <strong>of</strong>f around 

8:20p.m., on Tuesday. 

“Regrettably, after a 

sustained period <strong>of</strong> 

increasing production and 

distribution <strong>of</strong> power since 

September 2017 to date, the 



Company Ltd, NGPTC, 

has reported a fire incident 

on its Escravos Lagos 

Pipeline System near 

Okada, Edo State on 

January 2, 2018 

‘’The incident requires a 

shutdown <strong>of</strong> the pipeline 

supplying gas to Egbin 

1,320MW; Olorunsogo 

NIPP 676MW, Olorunsogo 

338MW, Omotosho NIPP 

450MW, Omotosho 338 

MW and Paras 60MW 

power stations. 

“The sudden loss <strong>of</strong> 

generation due to 

interruption in gas supply 

from these stations caused 

the national transmission 

grid to trip <strong>of</strong>f around 20:20 

on January 2, 2018. The 

national transmission grid 

is owned and operated by 

the Transmission Company 

<strong>of</strong> Nigeria. 

“Most <strong>of</strong> Nigeria’s power 

generation is from thermal 

power stations that require 

gas for fuel. The gas is 

produced by oil and gas 

companies overseen by the 

Ministry <strong>of</strong> Petroleum 

Resources. The gas is 

delivered to the power 

stations through pipelines 

owned and operated by 



Company Limited, a 

subsidiary <strong>of</strong> Nigerian 


Company. 

“TCN and the generation 

companies are working to 

restore operation <strong>of</strong> the 

national grid. Once the 

national grid is restored 

output from the 

hydroelectric power stations 

and all other unaffected gas 

fired thermal power stations 

will be increased to the 

extent possible to minimize 

the impact <strong>of</strong> loss <strong>of</strong> 

generation from the 

affected power stations 

while NNPC takes 

necessary steps to restore 

gas supply. 

“We urge members <strong>of</strong> the 

public to bear with us as we 

work to overcome this set 

back which should be 

temporary.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018 --- 41 


DOCTORS under the 

umbrella <strong>of</strong> Foreign 

Trained Doctors, FTDs, have 

accused the Registrar <strong>of</strong> 

Medical and Dental Council <strong>of</strong> 

Nigeria, MDCN, Dr. Tajudeen 

Sanusi, <strong>of</strong> victimisation, 

favouritism and bias, as the 

Council released their results, 

stating that only 249 out <strong>of</strong> 689 

who sat for the examinations 

passed. 

This was just as the Registrar 

was quoted as saying that only 

eight out <strong>of</strong> 689 doctors were 

given licence where they 

studied abroad. 

Speaking exclusively with 

Vanguard, spokespersons for 

the FTDs, Dr. Adam Ibrahim, 

Dr. Kelechi Wodike, Dr. Towie 

and Dr. Victor said: “These are 

the signs <strong>of</strong> corruption and 

favouritism displayed right 

before our eyes. 

"The acting Registrar said that 

only eight out <strong>of</strong> the 689 foreign 

trained doctors had licence to 

practise in the country <strong>of</strong> 

training. This statement is false 

because one <strong>of</strong> the criteria for 

the registration <strong>of</strong> the MDCN 

Programme which requires a 

letter from the institution <strong>of</strong> 

training stating that we are 

eligible to practise medicine in 

the country <strong>of</strong> training, was 

provided. 

Verification <strong>of</strong> 

medical credentials 

“We were also mandated to 

register with EPIC (Electronic 

Portfolio <strong>of</strong> International 

Credentials), which is an 

American body that <strong>of</strong>fers 

verification <strong>of</strong> medical 

credentials to physicians and 

organisations worldwide. 

How ironic that Dr. Sanusi is 

using a foreign body to verify 

medical credentials <strong>of</strong> foreign 

trained doctors. Since the 

acting Registrar <strong>of</strong>ten asserts 

that anything foreign is 

synonymous to incompetency or 

not up to standard, why then 

use an America-based body to 

verify our credentials?" 

They urged relevant 

authorities, including the 

National Assembly, to intervene 

in the alleged mass failure <strong>of</strong> 

440 out <strong>of</strong> the 689 doctors that 

sat for the recent MDCN 

assessment examination at the 

University <strong>of</strong> Ilorin Teaching 

Hospital, UITH. 

The FTD spokespersons' 

stated, "We are Nigerians who 

underwent training to become 

medical doctors in various 

medical colleges across the 

world. These countries have 

subsequently found us 

qualified and accordingly 

certified. As patriotic Nigerians, 

nearly 700 <strong>of</strong> us returned to the 

country with the view to making 

Medical doctors on duty 

Foreign trained doctors accuse 

MDCN Registrar <strong>of</strong> bias, favouritism 

• As only 8 out <strong>of</strong> 689 doctors pass exam 

our contributions to the nation’s 

health sector in consonance 

with the policy for certification 

<strong>of</strong> FTDs to practise in the 

country. 

"We enrolled in remedial 

course for tropical studies at 

University <strong>of</strong> Ilorin Teaching 

Hospital which started August 

1, 2017. On completion <strong>of</strong> the 

training and consequent 

assessment test, the Registrar 

declared a result showing only 

During the meeting 

with the acting 

Registrar on his visit 

to Ilorin, he called 

four medical doctors 

among us by their 

names and 

demanded that they 

see him after the 

meeting; to our 

greatest surprise, 

those doctors he 

called out to see him 

all passed his exam 

243 passed, including six from 

Dental Surgery out <strong>of</strong> 689 and 

implying that 437 have failed 

and were, therefore, not 

qualified for issuance <strong>of</strong> licence 

to practise in Nigeria. 

"We noticed that the media 

have been fed with lies, half 

truth, blackmail and biased 

narrations on the development 

portraying the acting Registrar, 

MDCN, Dr Sanusi as righteous 

and berating FTDs as 

incompetent. While in terms <strong>of</strong> 

narrations <strong>of</strong> bitter experience 

<strong>of</strong> space inadequacy, 700 <strong>of</strong> us 

were squeezed into a hall that 

was meant to accommodate 150 

students, there was not enough 

seats provided so majority <strong>of</strong> 

our colleagues were standing 

while receiving lecture and 

there was no ventilation. We 

nearly suffocated, we were 

physically and psychologically 

tortured. 

"The lack <strong>of</strong> standardized 

syllabus by the MDCN and lack 

<strong>of</strong> set cut-<strong>of</strong>f marks before the 

exam had raised suspicions <strong>of</strong> 

unfair play in the minds <strong>of</strong> the 

foreign trained doctors. The 

programme keeps changing 

every year due to lack <strong>of</strong> 

standardisation. 

"The remedial course was 

meant for tropical studies but 

there was not a single question 

on tropical disease in the final 

exam. On November 15, 2017, 

we wrote the computer-based 

test. We were supposed to start 

by 9.00 a.m but were delayed 

for four hours. We were not 

communicated on the reason for 

the delay only to hear from 

anonymous sources that Dr. 

Sanusi came with his questions 

and was trying to install the 

questions in the computers that 

morning. 

"The MDCN Act gave the 

power to the host centre to set 

the questions and release the 

results accordingly, but Dr. 

Sanusi’s abuse <strong>of</strong> power was 

supreme. On November 17, 

2017, the UITH conducted the 

clinical examination for us. 

"In an exam where the 

examiner was supposed to 

record every step performed by 

the candidate, unfortunately for 

us, the examiners were busy 

chatting on their phones, 

texting and reading 

newspapers. They were not 

even concentrating on what we 

were performing. How could 

this be a fair assessment <strong>of</strong> 

knowledge? The article is 

meant to highlight the bias, 

spite, hatred and berating <strong>of</strong> 

FTDs by the acting Registrar 

right from the beginning; <strong>of</strong>ten 

asserting that FTDs were 

incompetent and cannot pass 

the exam. True to his 

disposition, the results he 

declared attest to that. 

Screen shot <strong>of</strong> 

the results 

"The result was posted on the 

MDCN website on November 

18, 2017. Following questions 

about the credibility <strong>of</strong> the 

result, it was taken down from 

the website on November 21, 

2017 and was put back again 

and behold, it was altered, as 

some names were added and 

some names were subtracted. 

"A screen shot <strong>of</strong> the results is 

provided below, and indicates 

that it had been tampered with. 

This act alone has proven the 

charges <strong>of</strong> corruption, 

favoritism and bias <strong>of</strong> the acting 

Registrar, MDCN, Dr. Sanusi. 

"Before the commencement <strong>of</strong> 

the exam, we had a meeting 

with him at UITH where he was 

castigating us; saying our 

parents wasted their money, 

that we only learned diagnostic 

medicine. 

"He continued to berate us by 

saying that we are the sons and 

daughters <strong>of</strong> the elite and that 

only 200 <strong>of</strong> us will pass the 

exam. Majority <strong>of</strong> us were 

sponsored by federal and state 

governments and private 

individuals. His prejudice 

against foreign trained doctors 

was evident while speaking to 

us with total contempt. What a 

sentence before trial! 

''During the meeting with the 

acting Registrar on his visit to 

Ilorin, he called four medical 

doctors among us by their 

names and demanded that they 

see him after the meeting. To 

our greatest surprise, those 

doctors he called out to see him 

all passed the exam. These are 

the signs <strong>of</strong> corruption and 

favoritism displayed right 

before our eyes."

42 --- Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018 

*From left: Pr<strong>of</strong>. Dan 

Adebiyi, husband <strong>of</strong> the 

Proprietress; Mrs Titilayo 

Adebiyi, Proprietress, KIA 

Lakeside Academy Nursery, 

Primary and Secondary 

School; Primate <strong>of</strong> the 

Church <strong>of</strong> Nigeria, His 

Grace, Archbishop Nicholas 

Okoh and Chairman <strong>of</strong> the 

Governing Council, Pr<strong>of</strong>. 

Oladapo Afolabi during the 

<strong>of</strong>ficial dedication <strong>of</strong> KIA 

Lakeside Academy Nursery, 

Primary and Secondary 

School in Abuja. 

Lagos boosts tech education with 3 colleges 

•As LASTVEB churns out 1,324 graduands 

By Dayo Adesulu 

IN its quest to meet the 

needs <strong>of</strong> the youths in 

technical and vocational 

skills, the Lagos State 

Government has announced 

additional three technical 

colleges, bringing the total 

number to eight in the state. 

Speaking during the 2016/ 

2017 graduation ceremony 

and special awards for the 

Lagos State Government 

Technical Colleges 

graduands, Deputy Governor 

<strong>of</strong> Lagos State, Dr Idiat 

Oluranti Adebule said: "Three 

new technical colleges will be 

added to the existing five." 

According to her, the three 

technical colleges which will 

be sited at Alimosho, Ibeju 

Lekki and Badagry will 

enhance skills acquisition 

that will make youths self- 

By Happy Ekeyede 

NIGERIAN 

Bottling 

Company Limited, NBC, 

anchor bottlers for Coca-Cola has 

expressed determination to 

continue its empowerment 

programme for the youth through 

their various initiatives. The 

company made this known at a 

media parley held in Lagos. 

Speaking at the parley, the 

Director, Legal, Public Affairs and 

Communications, NBC, Mrs. 

Sade Morgan noted that NBC 

which kick-started the youth 

empowerment initiative last year, 

would continue in 2018 by 

empowering 15,000 youths. 

Morgan said the idea behind the 

empowerment was in line with 

the company’s vision, which is 

geared towards imparting 

employability and 

entrepreneurship skills to the 

youths. 

While commending the media for 

their invaluable support in the last 

12 months, Morgan stated that the 

company was already looking 

reliant and better the 

citizenry. 

She noted that due to Lagos 

State's rising population, it 

would continue to cultivate 

the culture <strong>of</strong> creating jobs for 

its teeming population. 

Adebule, who maintained 

that technical and vocational 

education is the way to expose 

students to self- reliance said: 

"Our administration will 

continue to improve on 

infrastructure in the various 

institutions to bring these 

dreams to pass. 

While congratulating the 

1,324 graduands from the five 

technical colleges, she said 

their attitude and disposition 

to work matters even after 

they have acquired the 

certificates. 

Meanwhile, the Executive 

Secretary <strong>of</strong> the Lagos State 

NBC restates commitment to youth 

empowerment 

•to empower 18,000 youths in 2018 

forward towards sustaining and 

improving on existing relationship. 

She said the NBC would 

continue to intensify efforts by 

focusing more on some <strong>of</strong> their lifechanging 

initiatives for the youths 

which she noted were open only to 

people between the ages <strong>of</strong> 18 and 

30, stressing that apart from these 

initiatives, NBC was also 

involved in a couple <strong>of</strong> 

programmes meant to better the 

lot <strong>of</strong> others above that age 

bracket. 

While taking stock <strong>of</strong> 2017 

activities, Morgan said NBC had 

already empowered no fewer 

than120,000 females through its 

Educating Nigerian Girls in New 

Enterprise Initiative, stating that 

some <strong>of</strong> the participants are now 

proud retailers for Coca-Cola. 

She said: ”I must say that our 

focus has been largely on the youth 

because we believe that they hold 

the future for Nigeria.We cannot 

afford to ignore them. That 

explains why our youth 

empowerment and personal 

development programmes are 

Technical and Vocational 

Education Board (LASTVEB), 

Mrs Lola Erogbogbo in her 

speech charged the 

graduands to create a world 

through their acquired skills 

where there will be no 

poverty. "We have the most 

amazing technology in the 

command <strong>of</strong> our students that 

made them unique," she said. 

On his part, the guest 

lecturer at the graduation and 

Director <strong>of</strong> Directorate, 

Adeniran Ogunsanya College 

<strong>of</strong> Education AOCOED, Dr 

J.O Owosho posited that 

technical college <strong>of</strong> education 

is the bedrock <strong>of</strong> nationbuilding. 

He lauded the 

Lagos State Government for 

the adequate funding <strong>of</strong> 

technical education and 

recruitment <strong>of</strong> teachers in the 

state. 

aimed at eradicating poverty and 

hunger in the country.” 

Commenting on other activities, 

Morgan stated that NBC had 

sustained its empowerment for 

women by training 100 <strong>of</strong> them 

every year to become certified 

mechanics through the lady’s 

mechanic initiative. 

She added: ”When next you go 

to a mechanic’s workshop, look 

out for a female mechanic. We 

need to encourage these 

people.” 

Responding to questions from 

journalists, Public Affairs and 

Communications Manager, Coca 

Cola Nigeria, Nwamaka 

Onyemelukwe stated that Coca- 

Cola was ready to improve on its 

support for sports in the coming 

year noting that plans were 

already on ground to the roll out 

<strong>of</strong> initiatives on sports for the 

youth. 

She said, "We want to encourage 

the spirit <strong>of</strong> sportsmanship in 

young adults. It is important that 

we engage the youth to prevent 

them from being a tool for 

criminal activities." 

KIA Lakeside Academy 

dedicated, unveiled in Abuja 

By Oghenefego Obaebor 

THE KIA Lakeside 

Academy, a crèche, 

nursery, primary and secondary 

school in Abuja, was, weekend, 

<strong>of</strong>ficially dedicated to God and 

formally unveiled to the public 

by the Primate, the Church <strong>of</strong> 

Nigeria, His Grace, Archbishop 

Nicholas Okoh. 

Speaking at the occasion, the 

chairman, Governing Council <strong>of</strong> 

the School, Pr<strong>of</strong>. Oladapo Afolabi 

stated that the KIA Lakeside 

Academy which was established 

in 2008 in Jabi, Abuja, has grown 

from seven pupils at inception to 

200 students now. According to 

him, the school was established 

in memory <strong>of</strong> the late Kunbi 

Irene Adebiyi (KIA), who lost her 

life in the unfortunate 2013 Dana 

air crash. “Kunbi was a 

prodigious child in whom the 

parents, friends, family members 

and well-wishers were well 

pleased. Kunbi was someone 

who cared for others, especially 

the less privileged. She was a BSc 

Economics degree holder and 

obtained a Master’s degree in 

Development Economics. She 

also had a Post-Graduate 

Diploma in Development 

Studies from the Harvard 

University. 

“In pursuit <strong>of</strong> her love to care 

for others, she established, quite 

early in life, a non-governmental 

organisation through which she 

sponsored and provided succour 

to the less privileged persons in 

Nigeria and Ghana. Her major 

goal was to give them a chance 

to survive and grow to become 

their best in life. She spent most 

<strong>of</strong> her time in the rural 

communities, interacting with 

rural dwellers, in a bid to seek 

for avenues to uplift their lives 

and give them a chance to 

actualise their dreams, even in 

the face <strong>of</strong> prevailing 

circumstances. She was like a 

shoulder for the poor to lean on. 

She did not like to see people 

suffer. So, all through her life, she 

fought to lift the less privileged 

out <strong>of</strong> poverty.” 

Pr<strong>of</strong>. Afolabi revealed that the 

school was established in her 

memory. "She will live forever in 

our hearts and in the hearts <strong>of</strong> 

all those she sought to give a wing 

to fly their dreams. The goal <strong>of</strong> 

this school is to continue from 

where Kunbi stopped. KIA 

Lakeside Academy is designed 

to give all Nigerians and other 

people the opportunity to access 

quality and affordable 

education. 

"The school is not established 

for pr<strong>of</strong>it-making. The goal is to 

<strong>of</strong>fer world class education to all 

who are opportune to apply and 

gain admission here. The 

facilities in this school can 

compare with the best anywhere 

in the world. The teachers and 

administrators are carefully 

selected and recruited based on 

high standards." 

MACTE accredits Greensprings 

Montessori Centre 

•To <strong>of</strong>fer int'l diploma for teachers 

AFTER rigorous exercise 

including fact-finding 

mission to Nigeria, the United 

States-based Montessori 

Accreditation Council for 

Teacher Education, MACTE, 

has accredited Greensprings 

Montessori Centre (GMC) in 

Lagos to operate as a training 

centre for aspiring teachers. In 

October 2017, a three-man 

team from MACTE, Dr. John 

Moncure, Mrs Marie Therese 

Bishay and Ms. Ruth Ogaga, 

were in Lagos for an on-site 

verification <strong>of</strong> GMC and with 

this accreditation, 

Greensprings can award 

International Montessori 

Diploma in Early Childhood 

Education to teachers in 

Nigeria. 

MACTE accredits Montessori 

certification programmes based 

on the quality, competence and 

relevance <strong>of</strong> their teaching 

content, methods and the 

suitability <strong>of</strong> the learning 

environment. The award which 

is coming on the back <strong>of</strong> a 

rigorous inspection and 

verification exercise, has seen 

the centre emerge as one <strong>of</strong> 

Africa’s best in Montessori 

education and training. 

GMC is an arm <strong>of</strong> the 

Greensprings Training College 

in Lagos, specifically designed 

for training adults in areas such 

as early childhood 

development, ECD, and 

learning support. Adult 

learners will receive the 

International Montessori 

Diploma certificates upon 

completion <strong>of</strong> a full-time 

(eight-months) or part-time (11 

months) training. In addition, 

learners will undergo 400 hours 

<strong>of</strong> teaching practice in 

reputable Montessori schools. 

This accreditation confirms our 

commitment to excellence and 

validates our training methods 

to be first class and 

commensurate to related 

trainings in more developed 

countries. 

"We are pleased to have 

achieved this feat,"states Mr. 

Abraham Ogunkanmbi,,Head 

<strong>of</strong> Greensprings Training 

College; "accreditation is a 

rigorous process, but one that 

we welcome as a continual 

quality improvement 

mechanism. The training 

college renders qualitative 

educational trainings in a 

very conducive and functional 

learning environment.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018 --- 43 

Research works should 

impact society— Pr<strong>of</strong> Egwari 

PR<strong>OF</strong>ESSOR Louis 

Egwari is the Chair 

<strong>of</strong> Centre for 

Biotechnology, 

Covenant University 

(CU), Ota, Ogun State. 

In this chat with 

Vanguard, the pr<strong>of</strong>essor 

<strong>of</strong> microbiology speaks 

on his research works, 

saying researchers 

should focus on things 

that impact society. 

Excerpts: 

By Ebele Orakpo 

PATENTS: "We have been 

on the Pawka (pawpaw) 

project for close to nine 

years. In 2009, I announced 

the discovery and 

subsequently, filed for 

patents for pawka and two 

other products. So we 

registered three patents in 

2010 - beverage drinks from 

pawpaw fruit; fermented 

rice products and culture 

media formulation from 

whole fauna <strong>of</strong> sun-dried 

crayfish and exoskeleton <strong>of</strong> 

crabs and shrimps. 

"As a result, the National 

Office for Technology 

Acquisition and Promotion 

(NOTAP), sited one <strong>of</strong> their 

Intellectual Property and 

Technology Transfer (IPTT) 

centres in CU to ease the 

process <strong>of</strong> filing for 

intellectual property rights. 

Since then, we have added 

about 10 more patents to the 

list,” said Egwari. 

Beyond publications 

Egwari said researchers at 

CU are looking beyond 

discovering things and 

getting them registered; they 

want to see how the 

discoveries can impact 

society. “The notion that 

academics just do research, 

publish papers, get 

promoted and become 

pr<strong>of</strong>essors is no longer 

tenable, our work must 

reflect in society. My notion 

is that if we have to grow, we 

have to learn and build up 

capacity. We must contribute 

to the society at large. That 

was why I started redirecting 

my research focus to things 

that are communal and 

societal-based. 

Value addition: "We still 

publish papers and we have 

done a good job in 

publications but I am trying 

to de-emphasise that. We've 

had discoveries and we still 

need to let people know 

about them but the man 

across the road wants to see 

how we have succeeded in 

influencing his life positively. 

What value have we added 

to his communal well-being? 

I am hoping that more 

people will begin to see it in 

*Pawka wine 

*Pr<strong>of</strong>. Louis Egwari 

that direction because that 

is where development starts 

from. So presently, in 

addition to these products, 

we are working very closely 

with the university to see 

how they will get to the 

market. We are trying to get 

them commercialised. 

Setting up factory: "Right 

now, we are setting up a 

factory. We have Pawka s<strong>of</strong>t 

from pawpaw (rich in 

antioxidants); Pawka wine, 

Pawka tea (different 

varieties); Green Particles 

(green tea made from 

Nigerian vegetables with 

medicinal properties.)" 

Nigeria is blessed: "God 

has blessed us but we ignore 

the blessings. If someone 

takes these materials abroad 

and brings them back to us 

in a packaged form, we will 

be eager to use them. We 

don’t have to wait for it to 

leave our shores and return 

in another form; we have the 

ability to transform them 

here. We may not be able to 

preserve vegetable for more 

than one week but if we 

process it, we can keep it for 

months or years; that is value 

addition. It encourages the 

peasant farmer to cultivate 

more." 

Job creation: Many 

people will diversify into 

agriculture to cultivate these 

things knowing that there is 

a ready market for them; an 

industry that can buy the 

produce <strong>of</strong>f them from the 

farm. 

Charity begins at home: 

"Very soon, I’ll be coming out 

with ogi, our common pap. 

Just as you have custard in 

powdered form, we want to 

have ogi in powdered form. 

What are we doing in the 

*Pawka tea 

*Pawka s<strong>of</strong>t 

universities if we cannot add 

value to, and refine these 

things? So when we talk 

about technology and stuff 

like that, it starts with you; 

the little things that you have 

been endowed with; the 

knowledge you got from 

your parents; how have you 

improved on the knowledge 

so that we can feed a larger 

population, so that it 

becomes an industry on its 

own? We are doing research 

on things that will benefit the 

people. We look at the 

people's trade and help them 

improve on it; so when you 

talk to them, they will easily 

identify with what you are 

talking about. 

"We also have cassava 

research. Cassava will make 

a big industry but the farmer 

is not adding value to the 

cassava he cultivates so we 

want to do that. We are 

converting the cassava into 

chips. The research is 

ongoing to determine the 

shelf life <strong>of</strong> the chips and how 

to reconvert the chips to 

different products. We chip 

the cassava and carry out 

some studies to determine 

the best storage conditions, 

temperature, atmospheric 

conditions and materials we 

can use for the storage. After 

a certain period <strong>of</strong> time, we 

will reconvert the chips to 

cassava powder, produce 

glucose, gum, ethanol and 

other things. So instead <strong>of</strong> the 

farmer carrying tubers, you 

can now have a kind <strong>of</strong> 

cottage industry very close to 

the farm where the tubers can 

be chipped. 

So the farmers get their 

money immediately and 

readily.The losses they are 

supposed to incur during 

transportation is reduced. 

*From left: The Pro-Chancellor <strong>of</strong> Lead City University, Ibadan, Pr<strong>of</strong>. Jide Owoeye; 

Vice-Chancellor, Pr<strong>of</strong>. Remi Adeyemo; the Chief <strong>of</strong> Army Staff, Lt- General Tukur 

Yusuf Buratai and Pr<strong>of</strong>. James Hentz <strong>of</strong> Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, U.S.A 

after a lecture entitled: “Responsibilities to Protect and United States Strategy for 

Africa,” held at the university. 

ECOBA honours Ehigie, Olotu, Isa, others 

EDO College Old 

Boys Association 

(ECOBA), Lagos Chapter 

has honoured retired Air 

Vice-Marshal Joe Ehigie 

with a Lifetime 

Achievement Award for his 

meritorious service to the 

country and contributions 

towards the development 

and progress <strong>of</strong> Edo 

College, Benin City. This 

was disclosed during the 

annual dinner that took 

place on Saturday, 

December 9, 2017 at the 

Metropolitan Hotel, 

Victoria Island, Lagos. 

Personalities in 

attendance included Mr. 

Victor Odozi, a former 

Governor <strong>of</strong> the Central 

Bank <strong>of</strong> Nigeria (CBN) 

who was chairman <strong>of</strong> the 

occasion, Ambassador 

Vincent Okobi, Chief (Dr.) 

Amechi Obiora, Joint 

Medical Director <strong>of</strong> Eko 

Hospital, Chief Lawson 

Omokhodion, former 


Liberty Bank and many 


Other award recipients 

were Mr. Aigbe Olotu; 

Group CFO <strong>of</strong> Sahara 

Power Group Limited, Mr. 

Charles Isa; Senior Vice- 

President and Head <strong>of</strong> 

Operations Control for Sub- 

Sahara Africa at Citibank 

and Mr. Tom Ilube, a 

technology entrepreneur 

and educational 

philanthropist who was 

recently ranked as the most 

influential black person in 

Britain by the annual 

Powerlist 2017. They were 

honoured with the 

Distinguished Old Boy <strong>of</strong> 

the Year Award. 

*Mrs. Bunmi Aderemi, MD/CEO,Custodian Social Responsibility Foundation, 

addressing student participants at the recent free First Aid Training for secondary 

school students in Abuja. Event was facilitated by Lifeline Care Association, an 

Abuja-based NGO. 

LBS donates N•5m to BEF 

AS part <strong>of</strong> its 

corporate social 

responsibility initiatives <strong>of</strong> 

adding value in the area <strong>of</strong> 

education, Lagos Business 

School 

has 

donated N500,000 to 

Bethesda Child Support 

Agency, a non-pr<strong>of</strong>it 

organisation that caters to 

the needs <strong>of</strong> less privileged 

children. The donation, 

which was presented on 

Monday at LBS, is in 

fulfillment <strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> the 

pledges made in 2016 to 

commemorate the school’s 

25th anniversary. 

Aderayo Bankole, Head, 

C o r p o r a t e 

Communications, Lagos 

Business School, said 

during the presentation that 

the donation was in line 

with the school’s vision <strong>of</strong> 

giving back to the society, 

particularly in the area <strong>of</strong> 

education where LBS 

chooses to make an impact. 

In achieving that, 

Bankole explained, LBS 

“sought for a foundation 

that has a structure with a 

good track record and 

found Bethesda Child 

Support Agency worthy <strong>of</strong> 

this donation.” 

She further said that the 

donation was for a good 

cause towards providing 

educational opportunities 

for children in poor 

communities, advancing 

the educational sector in the 

society and implored the 

management <strong>of</strong> the 

foundation to make good 

use <strong>of</strong> it. 

Ijeoma Nwachukwu, 

Programme Director, 

Bethesda Child Support 

Agency, expressed her 

appreciation to LBS and 

assured that the money 

would be used to improve 

the lives <strong>of</strong> over 800 

students currently under the 

direct care <strong>of</strong> the agency. 

“Presently, we have over 

869 students in Bethesda 

direct care who receive free 

education from nursery to 

secondary school level."


N/Korea reopens border as Trump boasts <strong>of</strong> 

bigger nuclear button 

NORTH 

Korea 

reopened a longclosed 

border hotline with 

South Korea on Wednesday, 

hours after U.S. President 

Donald Trump appeared to 

mock the North’s leader by 

saying he has a “bigger and 

more powerful” nuclear 

button than he does. 

The North’s decision to 

open the border phone line 

came a day after South Korea 

proposed high-level 

discussions amid a tense 

stand<strong>of</strong>f over North Korea’s 

missile and nuclear 

programmes. 

That followed North 

Korean leader Kim Jong 

Un’s New Year address in 

which he said he was open 

to speaking with the South 

and would consider sending 

a delegation to the Winter 

Olympics to be held just 

across the border in 

Pyeongchang in February. 

U.S. <strong>of</strong>ficials said 

Washington would not take 

any talks between North and 

South Korea seriously if they 

did not contribute to 

denuclearising North Korea. 

A State Department 

spokeswoman said North 

Korea “might be trying to 

drive a wedge <strong>of</strong> some sort”. 

Kim ordered the reopening 

<strong>of</strong> the hotline at the truce 

village <strong>of</strong> Panmunjom at 

0630 GMT on Wednesday, 

when South Korean <strong>of</strong>ficials 

at the border received a call 

from the North, the South’s 

unification ministry said in a 

text message. 

Officials on both sides were 

checking the line and 

conducting a conversation 

for about 20 minutes, the 

contents <strong>of</strong> which were not 

disclosed by the ministry. 

That gesture came only 

hours after Trump, who has 

mocked Kim as “Little 

Rocket Man”, again 

ridiculed the North Korean 

leader on Twitter. 

“Will someone from his 

depleted and food starved 

regime please inform him 

that I too have a Nuclear 

Button, but it is a much 

bigger & more powerful one 

than his, and my Button 

works!” Trump tweeted. 

Trump and Kim have 

exchanged a series <strong>of</strong> 

bellicose comments in 

recent months, raising 

alarm across the world, with 

Iran deploys Revolutionary Guards to quell protest 

IRAN’S elite Revolutionary 

Guards have 

deployed forces to three 

provinces to put down an 

eruption <strong>of</strong> anti-government 

unrest, their commander said 

on Wednesday, after six days 

<strong>of</strong> protests that have left 21 

people dead. 

Thousands <strong>of</strong> Iranians 

took part in pro-government 

rallies in several cities on 

Wednesday in a statesponsored 

show <strong>of</strong> force 

aimed at countering unrest 

posing the most sustained 

Palestinians condemn aid halt threat 

P condem-ned 

ALESTINIANS 

as 

blackmail on Wednesday 

U.S. President Donald 

Trump’s threat to withhold 

future aid payments over 

what he called the 

Palestinians’ unwillingness 

to talk peace with Israel. 

Trump drew praise from 

a cabinet minister in Israeli 

Prime Minister Benjamin 

Netanyahu’s right-wing 

government but a warning 

from a former Israeli peace 

negotiator <strong>of</strong> the dangers in 

cutting <strong>of</strong>f financial 

assistance to the 

Palestinians. 

On Twitter on Tuesday, 

Trump said that 

Washington gives 

Palestinians “HUNDRED 

<strong>OF</strong> MILLIONS <strong>OF</strong> 

DOLLARS a year and get 

no appreciation or respect. 

They don’t even want to 

negotiate a long overdue 

peace treaty with Israel ... 

with the Palestinians no 

longer willing to talk peace, 

why should we make any 

<strong>of</strong> these massive future 

payments to them?” 

Hanan Ashrawi, a 

member <strong>of</strong> the Palestine 

Liberation Organization’s 

executive committee, said 

in response: “We will not 

be blackmailed.” 

Palestinian anger at 

Trump is already high over 

his Dec. 6 recognition <strong>of</strong> 

Jerusalem as Israel’s 

capital, a declaration that 

also generated outrage 

challenge to the Islamic 

Republic’s clerical elite in 

almost a decade. 

State television broadcast 

live pictures <strong>of</strong> rallies in the 

southwestern cities <strong>of</strong> 

Kermanshah and Ilam and 

in the northern city <strong>of</strong> 

across the Arab world and 

concern among 

Washington’s Western 

allies. 

Commenting on Trump’s 

tweets, Nabil Abu 

Rdainah, a spokesman for 

Palestinian President 

Mahmoud Abbas, said: 

“Jerusalem is not for sale, 

neither for gold nor for 

silver.” 

Abu Rdainah said the 

Palestinians were not 

opposed to returning to 

peace talks that collapsed 

in 2014, but only on the 

basis <strong>of</strong> establishing a state 

<strong>of</strong> their own along the lines 

that existed before Israel 

captured the West Bank, 

East Jerusalem and the 

Gaza Strip in the 1967 war. 

Trump at times dismissing 

the prospect <strong>of</strong> a diplomatic 

solution to a crisis in which 

North Korea has threatened 

to destroy the United States. 

While appearing to open 

the door to discussing taking 

part in the Winter Olympics, 

Kim also warned that he 

would push ahead with 

“mass producing” nuclear 

warheads in defiance <strong>of</strong> U.N. 

sanctions. 

His New Year’s Day 

speech came after a steep 

increase in missile launches 

in 2017, as well as the 

North’s sixth and most 

powerful nuclear test. Kim, 

who has vowed to develop a 

nuclear-tipped missile 

capable <strong>of</strong> reaching the 

United States, said he had a 

nuclear button on his desk. 

A worker inspects the carriage <strong>of</strong> the Montreux Oberland Bernois (MOB) train lying on its side, after it was pushed <strong>of</strong>f 

the tracks by gusts <strong>of</strong> wind during storm Eleanor (Burglind) near Lenk, Switzerland. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth 

Gorgan, where marchers 

waved Iranian flags and 

pictures <strong>of</strong> Supreme Leader 

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 

But, in a sign <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficial 

concern about the resilience 

<strong>of</strong> the protests, the 

Revolutionary Guards 

commander, Major General 

Mohammad Ali Jafari, said 

he had dispatched forces to 

Isfahan, Lorestan and 

Hamadan provinces to 

tackle “the new sedition”. 

Most <strong>of</strong> the casualties 

among protesters have 

occurred in those regions. 

The Revolutionary Guards, 

the sword and shield <strong>of</strong> Iran’s 

Shi‘ite theocracy, were 

instrumental in suppressing 

the 2009 uprising, killing 

dozens <strong>of</strong> protesters then. 

In the Shi‘ite holy city 

Qom, pro-government 

demonstrators chanted 

“death to American 

mercenaries”. 

There were similar rallies 

in Isfahan, Iran’s third largest 

city, and Abadan and 

Khorramshahr in the oil-rich 

southwest, state TV footage 

showed. 

Norway suspends arms sales to 

UAE over Yemen war 

NOR<strong>WAY</strong> has suspended exports <strong>of</strong> weapons and 

ammunition to the United Arab Emirates over 

concerns they could be used in the war in Yemen, the 

Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. 

The UAE is part <strong>of</strong> a Saudi-led coalition formed in 2015 

to fight the Iran-aligned Houthi group that controls most 

<strong>of</strong> northern Yemen and the capital Sanaa, in a war that 

has killed more than 10,000 people and displaced more 

than 3 million. 

While there is currently no evidence that Norwegianmade 

ammunition has been used in Yemen, there was a 

rising risk related to the UAE’s military involvement there, 

the ministry said. 

“The decision reflects the strict precautionary approach 

taken by Norway,” it added. 

Existing export permits had been temporarily revoked 

and no new licence would be issued under the current 

circumstances. The decision was made on Dec. 19, but 

was not made public until Wednesday. 

In 2016, Norwegian exports <strong>of</strong> weapons and 

ammunition to the UAE rose to 79 million Norwegian 

crowns (7.2 million pounds) from 41 million in 2015, 

Statistics Norway data showed. 

Human rights groups and several members <strong>of</strong> Norway’s 

parliament have for months campaigned for a halt in 

arms exports to the UAE. 

“It is fantastic that the government finally has taken 

responsibility to end weapons exports to a country which 

is active in the bombing <strong>of</strong> schools and hospitals in 

Yemen,” said Line Hegna, a spokeswoman for the 

Norwegian branch <strong>of</strong> rights group Save the Children. 

“Furthermore, we are hopeful that the decision taken 

by the Norwegian government can act as an example for 

other exporting nations to act responsibly in the face <strong>of</strong> 

repeated violations <strong>of</strong> international humanitarian law,” 

she added. 

Deadly Storm Eleanor batters 

Europe 

WINTER storm Eleanor has swept into most <strong>of</strong> 

northern Europe, including France and Germany 

after battering the UK, cutting power to tens <strong>of</strong> thousands 

<strong>of</strong> homes and affecting transport. 

A skier died in the French Alps and 15 others were 

injured elsewhere in the country, four <strong>of</strong> them seriously. 

A train was blown <strong>of</strong>f its tracks in Switzerland, leaving 

several people with minor injuries. One person was hit 

by a falling tree in the Netherlands. 

Wind gusts may reach 200km/h (124mph). 

Storm Eleanor is the UK’s fifth named storm <strong>of</strong> the 

season 

In northern France, the storm cut power to more than 

200,000 households and Eleanor is set to move to other 

regions throughout the day, including Corsica. 

Air travel was also disrupted in the capital, Paris, and 

in the east <strong>of</strong> the country. 

In Paris, the Eiffel Tower was closed because <strong>of</strong> the 

strong winds. The city’s parks have also been closed 

until the storm dies down because <strong>of</strong> worries over falling 

tree branches. 

A skier was killed by a falling tree in Morillon, in the 

Haute-Savoie region <strong>of</strong> eastern France. 

In Germany, the storm - named Burglind there - has 

swept over much <strong>of</strong> the country. It packed gusts <strong>of</strong> more 

than 120km/h in the west <strong>of</strong> the country and led to 

transport disruption, reports say. 

Switzerland has also been badly hit, with some 14,000 

homes without power. The high winds left several people 

stranded in a ski lift in St Gallen canton, overturned a 

light airplane in Stans and snapped the 13m (42ft) high 

Christmas tree in the capital Bern, Reuters news agency 

reports. 

Meanwhile, record wind gusts <strong>of</strong> 195k/ph (122mph) 

were recorded on Pilatus Peak near the Swiss city <strong>of</strong> 

Lucerne, broadcaster SRF reported. 

Inmates escape from Berlin 

prison 

BERLIN authorities are the target <strong>of</strong> ridicule and 

disbelief after nine prisoners escaped or absconded 

from one prison in the space <strong>of</strong> five days. 

Six remain on the run from Plötzensee jail after four 

separate incidents. 

Last Thursday, four inmates used an angle grinder and 

hammer from the prison workshop to break through a 

ventilation shaft. They then crept under the perimeter 

fence. 

Despite CCTV capturing the escape, it was 41 minutes 

before it was noticed. 

Two <strong>of</strong> the four prisoners - who were serving sentences 

for theft, aggravated assault and extortion - are reported 

to be still at large. 

Berlin’s Senator <strong>of</strong> Justice Dirk Behrendt has so far 

faced down calls for him to resign, saying he has 

assembled a commission <strong>of</strong> experts to eliminate 

vulnerabilities in the prison system.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018—45 

Ex-aide Bannon has lost his 

mind—Trump 

FORMER 

White 

House aide Steve 

Bannon “lost his mind” 

after he lost his job at the 

White House, US 

President Donald Trump 

has said. 

The president 

disavowed Mr Bannon 

after he was quoted in a 

new book describing a 

meeting between Mr 

Trump’s son and a group 

<strong>of</strong> Russians as 

“treasonous”. 

The Russians had 

<strong>of</strong>fered Donald Trump Jr 

damaging information on 

Hillary Clinton at the 

June 2016 meeting. 

Mr Bannon’s quote 

appears in a new book by 

journalist Michael Wolff. 

“Steve Bannon has 

nothing to do with me or 

my presidency. When he 

was fired, he not only 

lost his job, he lost his 

mind,” Mr Trump said in 

a statement on 

Wednesday. 

“Steve was a staffer 

who worked for me after 

I had already won the 

nomination by defeating 

seventeen candidates, 

<strong>of</strong>ten described as the 

most talented field ever 

assembled in the 

Republican party,” he 

continued. 

“Now that he is on his 

own, Steve is learning 

that winning isn’t as 

easy as I make it look. 

Steve had very little to do 

with our historic victory, 

which was delivered by 

the forgotten men and 

women <strong>of</strong> this country.” 

Zambia: Foreign Minister 

resigns over ‘greed’ 

ZAMBIA’S foreign 

minister has announced 

his resignation in a 

scathing Facebook post, 

denouncing the country’s 

“path <strong>of</strong> insatiable greed 

and shame”. 

Henry Kalaba said his 

decision was prompted by 

the “swelling” levels <strong>of</strong> 

Ethiopia to release political 

prisoners 

IN a surprise move, 

Ethiopia’s prime 

minister has announced 

the release <strong>of</strong> political 

prisoners and the closure 

<strong>of</strong> a notorious detention 

centre, allegedly used as 

a torture chamber. 

Hailemariam Desalegn 

told a press conference 

the move was designed 

to allow political dialogue. 

But it is unclear exactly 

who will be released - or 

when it will take place. 

Ethiopia, a staunch ally 

<strong>of</strong> the West, is accused by 

rights groups <strong>of</strong> using 

mass arrests to stifle 

opposition. 

Amnesty International 

welcomed Mr 

Hailemariam’s 

announcement, saying it 

could signal “the end <strong>of</strong> 

an era <strong>of</strong> bloody 

repression in Ethiopia” - 

although warned the 

closure <strong>of</strong> Maekelawi 

detention centre should 

not be used to 

“whitewash” the 

“horrifying” events which 

took place under its ro<strong>of</strong>. 

Rights groups have 

previously accused the 

government <strong>of</strong> using antiterrorism 

laws to jail its 

critics. 

Equatorial Guinea thwarts coup 

attempt 

•President Obiang 

MERCENARIES have 

attempted to launch 

a coup in the Western 

African state <strong>of</strong> Equatorial 

Guinea, its government 

says. 

At least 30 armed men 

from Chad, Cameroon and 

the Central African 

Republic were arrested late 

last month, a minister said. 

They were found with 

rocket launchers, rifles and 

ammunition just over the 

border in Cameroon, he 

added. 

The government <strong>of</strong> 

President Teodoro Obiang 

Nguema is <strong>of</strong>ten accused <strong>of</strong> 

corruption and human 

rights abuses. 

Mr Obiang has been in 

power for nearly 40 years, 

taking power in a coup by 

corruption “perpetrated by 

those who are expected to 

be the solution”. 

Analysts suspect the 

move is an attempt to 

pressure President Edgar 

Lungu, who is 

considering seeking a 

third term. 

There is currently a twoterm 

limit in the Zambian 

constitution. 

Mr Lungu, who has 

been accused <strong>of</strong> being 

increasingly authoritarian 

by his critics, is arguing 

in the courts that he could 

stand for a third term, as 

he only served part <strong>of</strong> his 

first term following the 

death <strong>of</strong> his predecessor, 

Michael Sata. 

Mr Kalaba, an MP for 

the governing Patriotic 

Front (PF), is said to be a 

possible candidate for the 

2021 presidential election, 

should Mr Lungu step 

aside, Reuters news 

agency reports. 

“People have started 

realising that they will not 

get nominated as long as 

Lungu insists on 

standing.” Lee 

Habasonda, an analyst 

from the University <strong>of</strong> 

Zambia, told Reuters. 

ousting his own uncle, 

Francisco Macias Nguema, 

who was shot by firing 

squad. 

The long-time leader was 

re-elected to a fifth sevenyear 

term in 2016. 

In a statement read on 

public radio, Security 

Minister Nicholas Obama 

Nchama blamed the alleged 

coup on mercenaries hired 

by opposition groups and 

supported by unnamed 

“powers”. 

He said the coup attempt 

had been foiled with the help 

<strong>of</strong> the Cameroonian security 

services. 

Equatorial Guinea has 

faced alleged coup attempts 

in the past. 

In 2004, a former British 

soldier, Simon Mann, was 

linked to an attempt to 

overthrow Mr Obiang. 

The former British Army 

<strong>of</strong>ficer and businessman 

was arrested in Zimbabwe 

in 2004 and extradited four 

years later to Equatorial 

Guinea. 

Can Trump cause an 

international crisis in 2018? 

By Brian Klaas 

T is plainly obvious that 

ITrump has authoritarian 

instincts and impulses. 

2018 could be the year that 

they finally have real 

impact as America 

sleepwalks into a 

constitutional crisis. 

Trump, if cornered by the 

system <strong>of</strong> checks and 

balances, would gladly tear 

down those democratic 

institutions rather than 

letting himself be subject to 

them. And increasingly 

Trump is cornered, as he 

faces Robert Mueller’s 

criminal investigation and 

watches helplessly as his 

entourage gets picked <strong>of</strong>f 

one by one by indictments. 

In the meantime, Trump’s 

staunchest Republican 

allies are engaged in a 

carefully crafted attempt to 

politicize rule <strong>of</strong> law and 

delegitimize any checks 

and balances that could 

contain Trump’s most 

authoritarian desires. 

Last year, despite having 

an unprepared, 

uninformed, reckless 

conspiracy theorist in the 

White House, there was no 

global conflagration. 

American democracy was 

threatened, but not 

destroyed. 2017 was the 

year the Trump 

administration transformed 

the American presidency 

into a reckless reality show, 

created needless volatility 

and savaged America’s 

international reputation — 

but many <strong>of</strong> the most-feared 

cataclysms did not come to 

pass. 

We might not be so lucky 

in 2018. 

The President’s Twitter 

meltdown on Tuesday was 

a terrifying glimpse <strong>of</strong> the 

simmering political risks 

that menace the year 

ahead. There are many <strong>of</strong> 

them, they are all serious 

and each <strong>of</strong> them could 

create an unimaginable 

crisis at any moment. 

Being alarmed is not 

being alarmist — it’s being 

realistic. Trump’s 

presidency has helped 

usher in unprecedented 

risks on numerous fronts. 

Those 2018 Trumpian 

risks fall into three main 

categories: international 

security, American 

democracy and his 

dangerously unfit 

temperament. Let’s take 

them one by one, using 

Trump’s tweets — from just 

a single crazy day — as a 

disturbing vision <strong>of</strong> what 

may be in store this year. 

First, Trump effectively 

threatened nuclear war 

with North Korea on 

Twitter, boasting that his 

“Nuclear Button” is bigger 

than Kim Jong-un’s. 

Neither the United States 

nor North Korea has any 

strategic interest in a 

nuclear war that would 

leave millions dead. 

However, there is a rapidly 

growing risk <strong>of</strong> 

miscalculation as bluster 

between two ego-obsessed 

leaders ratchets up. 

Foreign policy experts 

•Trump 

agree there is a serious risk 

<strong>of</strong> nuclear escalation on the 

Korean peninsula this year. 

The highest risk <strong>of</strong> 

nuclear war since the 

Cuban missile crisis would 

present an overwhelming 

challenge for any seasoned 

and steady commander in 

chief. Trump is neither 

seasoned nor steady, but he 

does seem determined to 

create new international 

security risks outside <strong>of</strong> 

those (like North Korea) 

that he inherited. 

Trump also tweeted more 

incendiary language 

toward the Palestinians, 

further provoking them 

after stunning the world by 

declaring Jerusalem as the 

capital <strong>of</strong> Israel in 

December. 

And, while his tweets 

yesterday had reasonable 

Confidence in 

American 

leadership from 

Obama to Trump 

has fallen 75% in 

Germany; 71% in 

South Korea; 

70% in France; 

57% in the UK; 

and 54% 

language for dealing with 

Iran’s nascent protests, his 

total lack <strong>of</strong> understanding 

<strong>of</strong> regional politics and his 

careless undermining <strong>of</strong> 

experts at the State 

Department do not bode 

well for managing a rapidly 

evolving situation that could 

quickly spiral out <strong>of</strong> control. 

The same is true for his 

tweet baiting <strong>of</strong> Pakistan. 

Add that to the brutal war 

in Yemen and the ongoing 

slaughter in Syria. 

Cumulatively, despite 

Trump’s genuine success in 

degrading ISIS in the 

region, the Middle East is 

one spark away from a 

destabilizing disaster with 

far-reaching consequences 

for American interests and 

global stability. 

Most crucially, though, 

2017 was the year that 

Trump started to dismantle 

the America-centric global 

order that presidents <strong>of</strong> both 

parties steadfastly built 

since World War II. Trump’s 

“America First” tagline 

masks a foreign policy that 

has ended up putting 

China first because it aims 

to sharply reduce the role 

that the United States plays 

in the world. 

Trump views long-term 

investments in allies as 

wasteful spending, and he 

sees the American-built 

system <strong>of</strong> global 

governance and trade as a 

series <strong>of</strong> “bad deals.” 

In the process, 

confidence in American 

leadership from Obama to 

Trump has fallen 75% in 

Germany; 71% in South 

Korea; 70% in France; 57% 

in the UK; and 54% in 

Japan. As a result, 2018 will 

be a year that sees China’s 

rise accelerate as a chasm 

<strong>of</strong> global leadership 

opens,according to a Pew 

survey. 

When the tectonic plates 

<strong>of</strong> global power move, 

international security crises 

inevitably emerge from the 

gaps. 2018 will be no 

exception. 

Second, Trump’s tweets 

yesterday shine a light on 

how much he threatens 

democracy. 

In a single day, he called 

to jail a political opponent 

without an indictment; 

insinuated that the former 

FBI Director James Comey 

should be locked up; 

suggested that his own 

Department <strong>of</strong> Justice was 

part <strong>of</strong> a “deep state” plot; 

attacked the press; and 

promised to unveil awards 

for the “most dishonest and 

corrupt media.” 

Any <strong>of</strong> these outbursts 

would be presidencydefining 

scandals for any 

normal president. Instead, 

they weren’t really 

headline news because 

Trump’s nuclear bluster was 

even more shocking. 

•Brian Klaas is a fellow 

in comparative politics at 

the London School <strong>of</strong> 

Economics and author <strong>of</strong> 

the book, “The Despot’s 

Apprentice: Donald 

Trump’s Attack on 

Democracy.”


•Courtinho 

Liverpool star Philippe 

Coutinho will complete a 

move to Barcelona in the 

next few days, according to reports 

in the Spanish media. 

Reports on Tuesday suggested 

the La Liga giants have launched 

their biggest bid yet for 

Coutinho, with Liverpool’s reported 

<strong>of</strong>fer to raise his wages 

again and <strong>of</strong>fer him the long-term 

Ozil hints over his 

Arsenal future 

Arsenal 

playmaker 

Mesut Ozil has 

dropped a major hint that he 

could be ready to commit his 

future to the club. 

Ozil is out <strong>of</strong> contract at the 

Emirates at the end <strong>of</strong> the 

current campaign and the 

29-year-old has been heavily 

linked with a move away 

from north London in recent 

months. 

Manchester United and 

Barcelona have both been 

strongly linked with a move 

for the German, but Ozil insisted 

that he is ‘proud’ to 

play for the Gunners in a 

mock Sky Sports press conference 

with kids. 

When asked why he joined 

Arsene Wenger’s men, he replied: 

“Because <strong>of</strong> the history 

and the amazing players. I’m 

here to learn, to grow up and 

to show my talent for this 

club. 

“This club has made me 

bigger. I’m so proud to play 

Courtinho picks 

Barca shirt number 7 

Reds captaincy deemed to fail. 

Indeed, reports in Barcelona-based newspaper 

Sport believe the transfer has been agreed with 

the move expected to go through before the end 

<strong>of</strong> the week. Their headline simply translates to 

‘Coutinho very very close’. 

Sport go on say that there will be a meeting in 

England to finalise details <strong>of</strong> the transfer in 

the coming days and, in claiming the Brazilian 

does not want to play for Liverpool 

anymore, the Reds have been 

left with little option but to secure the 

best possible deal for their star player. 

And according to Marca, the deal for 

Coutinho will break a number two transfer 

records in Spain. Firstly, the €110million 

up front, plus €40million in add-ons, will 

represent a club-record signing for Barcelona – 

beating the €105million they paid Borussia Dortmund 

for Ousmane Dembele over the summer. 

Secondly, the deal will also shatter the current 

record for a January signing in Spain. That currently 

belongs to Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Real 

Madrid, who paid €27m to sign him from Ajax 

way back in 2009. 

Further reports in Spain claim Coutinho has also 

already chosen his squad number at Barcelona, 

with the Brazilian set to inherit the No 7 shirt, 

which will soon be vacated by Turkey star Arda 

Turan, who will leave the Nou Camp this month. 

Ozil 

for a big club like Arsenal.” 

Arsene Wenger also appears 

confident that Ozil is 

on the verge <strong>of</strong> signing a new 

deal: “I believe he wants to 

stay, he is not to be convinced 

[to sign a new contract]. 

“You want nobody to leave 

and you see where we stand 

on that. But at the moment, 

it’s very difficult. 

“Until the end <strong>of</strong> the season 

we know what it is, but 

after that, I cannot tell you.” 

Samuel wants more CSKA time to get Eagles’ spot 

Super Eagles fringe player, 

Aaron Samuel has 

admitted that he needs more 

playing time with his club 

CSKA Moscow to improve his 

chances <strong>of</strong> making the Super 

Eagles squad for the FIFA 

World Cup tournament in 

Russia. 

Samuel said it would be a 

good thing for him to star for 

the Super Eagles since the 

tournament is holding in 

Russia where he is based. 

“It will be a good thing, and 

it is very important for me,” he 

says <strong>of</strong> the chance to play at 

the World Cup. 

“Russia is where I am based, 

I know the country and the 

weather and as the World Cup 

is being played in the country 

where I am based, it will be 

very exciting for me to play in 

it.” 

While it is still a possibility for 

him to make the squad to the 

World Cup, Aaron, however, 

hasn’t been playing much for 

his Russian club and it is 

something the 23-year old 

admits has to change if his 

hopes <strong>of</strong> playing at football’s 

biggest event is to be 

actualized. 

“I need to start playing more, 

because I have not been 

playing so much at the 

moment because <strong>of</strong> some 

issues. 

“For me to be at the World 

Cup, I need to play more and 

it is something I am working 

on,” he added. 

Sergio Aguero has claimed 

he thinks Harry Kane 

would be a good player for Real 

Madrid – and that the forward 

would have no trouble fitting in 

at the Spanish side. 

Aguero was asked about Kane, 

who <strong>of</strong> course outshone 

everyone last year in terms <strong>of</strong> 

his goals, and with that the 

inevitable links to the world 

class clubs have come – and the 

Manchester City player thinks 

the Tottenham Hotspur forward 

would fit in like a dream. 

“The truth is that players <strong>of</strong> 

this quality, I think they 

By Ben Efe 

As the build-up to the 

2018 Commonwealth 

Games billed for April in 

Cape Coast, Australia 

continues, concerned 

athletics <strong>of</strong>ficials have faulted 

the preparations <strong>of</strong> Nigerian 

athletes, who have been in 

camp since November 2017. 

The athletes and coaches in 

the camp in Abuja are faced 

with difficulties. There are no 

medics in camp to take care <strong>of</strong> 

those who need medical help 

and they have no clothing to 

match the weather. Yet it was 

gathered that the athletes 

have been warned by the 

sports ministry and Athletics 

Federation <strong>of</strong> Nigeria not to 

voice their concern or they 

could be ejected from the 

camp. 

However, coach Gabriel 

Okon called to question the 

process that produced the 

camping, and has warned that 

the country faced a poor 

outing at the Games. He 

argued that there was no 

board meeting or a technical 

committee deliberation that 

forged a blue print for the 

training <strong>of</strong> the athletes in 

Antonio Conte has dropped a massive hint 

he will not stand in two <strong>of</strong> his players’ way 

if they wish to leave Chelsea this month. 

Michy Batshuayi has found game time hard to 

come by at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues manager 

clearly not fancying the Belgian and only 

picking him when his options are limited. 

In recent weeks, Conte 

has opted to play Eden 

Hazard in a central 

role to underline 

exactly what little 

You can go 

–Conte tells 

Luiz, 

Batshuayi 

future Batshuayi 

has at Stamford 

Bridge. 

The former Marseille 

striker – 

signed in a £33million 

deal in the 

summer <strong>of</strong> 2016 – reportedly 

fears for his 

World Cup chances 

and Conte has indicated 

that both he, and out-<strong>of</strong>-favour 

David Luiz can leave 

this month if a suitable <strong>of</strong>fer 

comes in. 

“I was a player, I will understand 

if someone is worried about the 

World Cup,” said Conte. “I understand it’s 

very important to keep players very happy to 

stay here to work with us and I think this must 

be our priority. 

“To keep the players happy to stay with us, to 

continue to work with us. At the same time, I was a 

player and I will understand if someone is thinking 

in this way (that they need to play more).” 

Real ‘ll be good for you, Aguero tells Kane 

Harry Kane 

wouldn’t have a problem 

playing for such an important 

club as Real Madrid. 

“I don’t know what he is 

thinking, but that’s not my 

problem – it’s his.” 

For his part, Kane has claimed 

he wants to stay in north 

London and is settled with his 

family and happy at the club, 

but as we know, anything can 

happen in football, and it seems 

that the forward may look to 

leave if Spurs fail to show they 

can match his ambition and 

indeed world class talent. 

Commonwealth Games: 

AFN planning to fail, concerned athletics <strong>of</strong>ficials lament 

camp. 

“We don’t 

know the 

athletes in 

camp. They 

just packed 

coaches 

who are 

loyal to 

them and 

camped the 

athletes. 

There was 

no meeting 

t o 

deliberate 

on the 

process, we 

don’t know 

the blue 

print for the 

commonwealth games. It is 

just Gusau that is running the 

board alone. 

“The other day during the 

congress we had, people like 

Amos Adamu were telling us 

that we should work together 

but up till now Gusau is not 

reaching out to anyone except 

the few he is favourably 

disposed to,” Okon, a former 

Nigerian sprinter, alleged. 

Also speaking, coach Tobias 

Igwe lamented that Nigerian 

athletics has been drowned in 

Luiz 

Batshuayi 

Nigerian athletes, Osazuwa and Jennifer 

Madu at the Rio 2016 Olympics 

turmoil and if something was 

not done urgently, things 

might get worse. 

“Honestly we don’t really 

know what is happening in 

the camp. They just selected 

coaches based on political 

considerations. 

“They kept the athletes in 

camp through out the 

Christmas what are they trying 

to achieve? Are they trying to 

overload the athletes and at 

the end <strong>of</strong> the day, they run 

the risk <strong>of</strong> picking up injury?”


2017 CAF Awards: Eagles, Rohr 

battle Egypt, Cuper for top prizes 

World Cup-bound Super 

Eagles and Egypt as 

well as their respective 

coaches, Gernot Rohr and Hector 

Cuper, will come head-to-head 

for the top prizes at the 2017 CAF 

Awards today in Accra, Ghana. 

The Eagles are up against 

African champions Cameroon 

and Egypt for the National Team 

<strong>of</strong> the Year, while Rohr will contest 

the Coach <strong>of</strong> the Year with Hector 

Cuper <strong>of</strong> Egypt and L’Hussein 

Amoutta <strong>of</strong> Moroccan club 

Wydad Casablanca. 

Egypt will feature at Russia 2018 

after a 28-year absence at the 

World Cup and were beaten in 

the final <strong>of</strong> AFCON 2017 in 

Gabon by Cameroon. 

Nigeria, on the other hand, 

qualified for this year’s World 

Cup from a tough qualifying 

group that had Cameroon, 

Algeria and Zambia. 

They did not qualify for 

AFCON 2017. 

Egypt’s Mohamed Salah is 

favourite to scoop the prestigious 

CAF African Player <strong>of</strong> the Year. 

Nigeria’s other interests in the 

N 

i g e r i a 

international 

defender Faith Ikidi 

has been named in 

the Top 100 Female 

footballers <strong>of</strong> 2017 by 

VAVEL UK. 

The Piteå IF longserving 

defender, 

who represented 

Bayelsa Queens 

prior to her move to 

Europe, ranked 

32nd on the list. 

‘’Over the years, 

the Swedish 

Damallsvenskan has 

been home to a 

•Rohr 

annual awards will be 

represented by Super Falcons 

star Asisat Oshoala and the 

country’s women’s U20 team, 

the Super Falconets. 

Oshoala is gunning for a third 

CHAN: We’ve picked 

best players 

– Salisu defends list 

•Cuper 

Coach Salisu Yusuf has said he believes his team will 

give a good account <strong>of</strong> themselves at CHAN 2018 

in Morocco as he and his assistants have picked the best players 

including some exciting new forwards. 

Yusuf announced a final 23-man squad for CHAN Tuesday night 

with as many as 10 players drawn from the team to the recent WAFU 

Cup in Ghana. 

“We have done all within us to go with the best players available 

because we wish to give a very good account <strong>of</strong> ourselves in Morocco,” 

the coach said. 

“There were some players who will not be with us in Morocco due 

to injury or they have signed for clubs in Europe. But overall, this is 

the best team. 

“We don’t want to start talking about winning the trophy because 

besides your quality, you will also need some luck to achieve this. 

“What I can guarantee is that Nigerians will be proud <strong>of</strong> this team.” 

Youngsters Sunday Faleye and Nura Mohammed as well as experienced 

Emeka Ogbuh have given the home-based Super Eagles options in attack. 

“We certainly have more options in attack than we had at the WAFU Cup,” 

said the coach. 

“And I believe after a week <strong>of</strong> final preparations in Morocco, we will be ready to 

take on the rest <strong>of</strong> Africa at this level.” 

The team are due to fly out this week for final training in Rabat. 

They begin their campaign on January 15 against Rwanda in Tangier. 

Libya and Equatorial Guinea are also in their first round group. 

Women’s Player <strong>of</strong> the Year after 

she scooped the same award in 

2014 and 2016. 

She led her Chinese club to win 

the country’s league and 

emerged top scorer. 

Ikidi among the best 40 female footballers <strong>of</strong> 2017 

•Ikidi 

number <strong>of</strong> great 

centrebacks and 

Faith Ikidi is up 

there with the 

best <strong>of</strong> them, and 

this season she 

has arguable 

been one <strong>of</strong> the 

best, if not the 

best defender in 

Sweden,’’ the 

website wrote on 

Ikidi. 

‘’One <strong>of</strong> the first 

names on the 

team-sheet, Ikidi 

played every 

second for Piteå 

this season and 

was key in PIF’s defensive 

rigidity, the Northern most team 

in Damallsvenskan boasting the 

fewest goals conceded over the 

course <strong>of</strong> the year.’’ 

Nominated as the best 

defender at the Swedish Football 

Awards, Ikidi eventually lost out 

to Swedish international, Jessica 

Samuelsson. 

The 30-year-old helped 

Nigeria win the 2016 Africa 

Women Cup <strong>of</strong> Nations held in 

Cameroon. 

•Okoro 

•Weah •Kanu •Ikpeba 

CAF Awards: President-elect, Weah joins 

Amuneke, Ikpeba, Kanu in Ghana 

Past winners <strong>of</strong> the African 

Football <strong>of</strong> the Year 

Awards are expected in Accra, 

Ghana at the 26th edition <strong>of</strong> the 

awards which holds today. 

Among the galaxy <strong>of</strong> stars will 

be Liberia’s George Weah who 

was last week elected as the 25th 

president <strong>of</strong> his country. 

He is expected to attract the 

greatest attention at the 

International Conference Centre 

venue <strong>of</strong> the event. He will 

possibly be accorded diplomatic 

status. He set a record <strong>of</strong> being 

the first former top athlete to 

become a head <strong>of</strong> state. 

He had been the only footballer 

to score an unusual hat trick as 

simultaneous holder <strong>of</strong> World 

Footballer <strong>of</strong> the Year, European 

Football <strong>of</strong> the Year and African 

Footballer <strong>of</strong> the Year – all in one 

year. A feat he achieved in 1997. 

Joining him are the living trio 

<strong>of</strong> Nigerian past winners <strong>of</strong> the 

CAF Awards – Emmanuel 

Amuneke, Victor Ikpeba and 

Nwankwo Kanu – all winners in 

1994, 1997 and 1999 respectively. 

Rashidi Yekini, winner <strong>of</strong> the 

award in 1993 is deceased. 

The Nigerians are part <strong>of</strong> the 

galaxy <strong>of</strong> awardees from 1992 that 

CAF has invited to the occasion 

being sponsored for the first time 

Argentina coach Jorge 

Sampaoli has 

embarked on a long tour <strong>of</strong> 

Europe to monitor national 

team players and those on the 

cusp <strong>of</strong> selection. 

Sampaoli says there are 60 

players in contention for a 

place in Argentina’s final 

squad for this summer’s 

World Cup in Russia. 

The 57-year-old, who left 

Buenos Aires for Spain on 

Tuesday 

accompanied 

by his 

assistant 

Sebastian 

Beccacece and 

fitness coach 

Jorge Desio, 

told the local 

media: “Our 

first stop will be 

Barcelona 

where we will 

talk with 

[ J a v i e r ] 

Mascherano 

and Leo 

[Messi]. We 

will then go to 

Seville, 

Manchester, 

London, 

by Nigeria-based Aiteo. 

The past awardees range from 

Abedi ‘Pele’ Ayew (1992) 

through to Riyad Mahrez who 

was crowned in 2016. 

The past winners represent 

various generations and CAF 

has indicated that they will be 

given prominence at the 

ceremony designed to celebrate 

the key stakeholders <strong>of</strong> African 

football. 

Others are Cameroonian and 

four-time winner, Samuel Eto’o 

and compatriot Patrick Mboma, 

Ivorian Yaya Toure, a four-time 

winner and countryman Didier 

Drogba and El Hadji Diouf <strong>of</strong> 

Senegal. 

The rest are Mustapha Hadji 

<strong>of</strong> Morocco, Malian Frederic 

Kanoute, Pierre-Emerick 

Aubameyang <strong>of</strong> Gabon and 

Togolese Emmanuel Adebayor. 

Also, the women are not left out 

as previous Queens <strong>of</strong> African 

football are also pencilled for the 

biggest assemblage <strong>of</strong> football 

stakeholders. 

The list <strong>of</strong> invitees is not only 

limited to previous winners, but 

also to other players and <strong>of</strong>ficials 

whose contribution towards the 

progress <strong>of</strong> African football cannot 

be overlooked. 

Argentina coach tour Europe 

to monitor Messi, others 

Liverpool and many more 

places. 

“It’s going to be a very long 

and very extensive tour. We 

will meet many players and I 

hope we make the most <strong>of</strong> it. 

We want to gain time. I will 

be talking to coaches <strong>of</strong> 

players that we are following, 

watch the training sessions 

and speak to players. The 

idea is to draw conclusions 

that will be positive with 

respect to the 

future.” 

Asked if this 

tour will be 

crucial when 

considering 

the final 

s q u a d , 

Sampaoli said: 

“No, I don’t 

think so. There 

will be a lot 

more events in 

the future that 

will determine 

a list that right 

•Messi now is 

conformed <strong>of</strong> 

45 to 60 

players, but 

has to be 

reduced to 23.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018 

Sudoku 

QUICK CROSSWORD 

TODAY’S PUZZLE 

YESTERDAY’S ANSWER 

TODAY’S CROSSWORD 

YESTERDAY’SOLUTION 

How to Play Sudoku 

ACROSS 

1 Flightless New Zealand 

bird (4) 

3 More than anything 

else (5,3) 

9 Instance (7) 

10 Drink made from 

apples (5) 

11 Leather with a s<strong>of</strong>t 

napped surface (5) 

12 Dapper (6) 

14 Cured herring (6) 

16 Sherlock Holmes’s 

assistant (5) 

19 Loll (6) 

21 Warble (5) 

24 Sixth sign <strong>of</strong> the 

zodiac (5) 

25 Bowmen (7) 

26 Languid, apathetic (8) 

27 Slender (4) 

DOWN 

1 Souvenir (8) 

2 Use a loom (5) 

4 Bosom (6) 

5 Parish clergyman (5) 

6 They need a fix (7) 

7 Cooking fat (4) 

8 Orb (6) 

13 Personification <strong>of</strong> US 

government (5,3) 

15 Ancient writing material 

(7) 

17 Assail (6) 

18 Constantly (6) 

20 Ring-shaped coral reef 

(5) 

22 Perfectly suited (5) 

23 Wicked (4) 

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

have two <strong>of</strong> the same number). 

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

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

within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number 

from 1 through 9. This means that no number can 

appear twice in any block, column or row. 

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, 

division or multiplication, just plain logic and your 

imagination. 

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

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

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