22032018 - Dapchi: 5 of our students died on day of attack —Fasima, released girl

NASS’ll pass 

2018 budget 

April 24 

— DOGARA 

CFTA: I won’t 

allow Nigeria to 

be a dumping 

9 8 

FG moves 

to seize 

Ekweremadu's 

ground — BUHARI assets 

15 

VOL. 26: NO. 63511 THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018 

<strong>Dapchi</strong>: 5 <strong>of</strong> <strong>our</strong> <strong>students</strong> <strong>died</strong> 

on day <strong>of</strong> attack —Fasima, released girl 

By Henry Umoru, Ben Agande, Joseph 

Erunke, Ndahi Marama, Omeiza Ajayi, 

Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Dirisu Yakubu & 

Rotimi Ojomoyela 

ABUJA—One <strong>of</strong> the 

<strong>students</strong> <strong>of</strong> 

** ** 

•We didn't pay ransom for released schoolgirls — FG 

•Insurgents hold on to girl who refused to denounce Christianity 

•We can’t ascertain any dead girl — FG 

•I'm happy my daughter didn't denounce Christ — Sharibu 

•Saraki, Fayose, JNI, ACF, APC, PDP, BBOG, others react 

RELEASED DAPCHI SCHOOLGIRLS 

Government Girls 

Technical Science 

College, <strong>Dapchi</strong>, Yobe 

State, identified as 

Fasima, said yesterday 

that some <strong>of</strong> their 

colleagues <strong>died</strong> <strong>of</strong> 

exhaustion on the day <strong>of</strong> 

the attack by Boko Haram, 

Continues on Page 5 

The freed 104 <strong>Dapchi</strong> girls and one other girl assembled at the Nigerian Air Force Base in Maiduguri, yesterday. 

$9m was not found in <strong>our</strong> house — Mrs Boroh 7 

FG releases 

N1.24trn for 

capital projects 

– ADEOSUN 8 

I’ve sodomised 

8 adults, boys 

—SUSPECT 

COLUMNISTS AMAECHI 40 OCHEREOME 30 GAMBO DORI 17 ADAMU 

7 

Access Bank 

grows earnings by 

20%, proposes 

40k dividend 

8 

17 

Mr & Mrs

2—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018—3

4—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018—5 

POCKET CARTOON 

APC—President <strong>of</strong> the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (M) with the National Chairman <strong>of</strong> the 

All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun (R) and Leader <strong>of</strong> the Senate, Senator 

Ahmad Lawan, during a meeting between the National Working Committee <strong>of</strong> the APC and the APC 

caucus in the Senate at the National Assembly, yesterday. 

<strong>Dapchi</strong>: 5 <strong>of</strong> <strong>our</strong> <strong>students</strong> <strong>died</strong> on day 

<strong>of</strong> attack — FASIMA 

Continues from page 1 

following the manner they 

were crammed into the 

vehicles that took them 

away. 

There was wild 

jubilation in <strong>Dapchi</strong>, 

yesterday, as 104 <strong>of</strong> the 

110 schoolgirls abducted 

by the terrorist group 

were released by the 

insurgents and returned 

home safely. 

The insurgents, 

believed to be the 

Mamman Nur-led 

faction, transported the 

girls back to <strong>Dapchi</strong> in the 

early h<strong>our</strong>s <strong>of</strong> yesterday 

in about nine vehicles. 

Unfortunately, one <strong>of</strong> the 

abducted school girls, 

names withheld, was not 

freed as the insurgents 

insisted they took her back 

to their hideouts because 

she refused to denounce 

her faith (Christianity) 

and be converted to Islam. 

The girls’ release 

coincided with a solidarity 

visit <strong>of</strong> parents <strong>of</strong> the 

abducted Chibok girls 

who were in <strong>Dapchi</strong> 

yesterday. 

A security s<strong>our</strong>ce said: 

“Boko Haram militants 

drove into <strong>Dapchi</strong> and 

dropped <strong>of</strong>f the girls in 

the heart <strong>of</strong> the town and 

went back with no shot 

fired at them. We were 

asked to leave <strong>our</strong> camp 

which is the same route 

that Boko Haram followed 

to drop <strong>of</strong>f the girls.” 

Residents said before 

taking them out <strong>of</strong> <strong>Dapchi</strong> 

to Abuja, via Maiduguri, 

the girls received medical 

treatment at the General 

Hospital in <strong>Dapchi</strong>. 

“The girls are looking 

terrible. Most <strong>of</strong> them are 

on drip because they 

were very exhausted and 

underfed,“ a medical 

personnel at the hospital 

said. 

Speaking on the number 

<strong>of</strong> girls released, another 

security s<strong>our</strong>ce said some 

<strong>of</strong> the parents took their 

children away 

immediately Boko Haram 

dropped them. 

“We are having 

challenges getting the 

exact number <strong>of</strong> girls 

released because some <strong>of</strong> 

the parents came and took 

their children away 

immediately Boko Haram 

came and dropped them 

<strong>of</strong>f. We are trying to 

retrieve some <strong>of</strong> the girls 

now but it is difficult,” he 

stated. 

But one <strong>of</strong> the released 

girls, who gave her name 

simply as Fasima, 

confirmed that two <strong>of</strong> her 

colleagues, Aisha and 

Maimuna, were among 

those who <strong>died</strong> as a result 

<strong>of</strong> suffocation in one <strong>of</strong> the 

vehicles conveying them 

to the insurgents’ 

hideouts on the day <strong>of</strong> the 

abduction. 

“They (insurgents) 

brought us this morning 

safely, when they 

abducted us, they took us 

to one <strong>of</strong> their 

underground hideouts, 

we only heard sounds <strong>of</strong> 

jets/aeroplanes, but we 

could’t see. We were not 

starved one day, the 

insurgents allowed us to 

cook any food <strong>of</strong> <strong>our</strong> 

choice. 

“Unfortunately, five <strong>of</strong> us 

could not make it as they 

were confirmed dead on 

arrival at their hideouts 

due to suffocation in the 

vehicle that conveyed 

their batch. 

"We are now set to go to 

<strong>Dapchi</strong> General Hospital 

for medical check up 

please,” Fasima hurriedly 

said and cut <strong>of</strong>f the 

interview with Vanguard. 

Vanguard reliably 

gathered that Governor 

Ibrahim Gaidam <strong>of</strong> Yobe 

is not in the country, as he 

is reported to be at 

Lincoln University 

College <strong>of</strong> Malaysia, 

Petaling Jaya, near Kuala 

Lumpur, to receive a Gold 

Merit Award conferred on 

him for working hard to 

improve education and 

security in Yobe State, 

despite the ongoing sixyear 

old Boko Haram 

insurgency in the state. 

The release <strong>of</strong> the 

schoolgirls was initially 

confirmed by Abdullahi 

Kawi, father <strong>of</strong> Aisha 

Abdullahi <strong>of</strong> JSS 2 and 

Mustapha Mohammed 

<strong>Dapchi</strong>, Vice Chairman, 

Youth Assembly <strong>of</strong> 

Nigeria (YAN), Yobe State 

chapter, whose house is 

located around the school. 

He said his friend called 

him to confirm that one <strong>of</strong> 

the girls was dropped <strong>of</strong>f 

at Gumsa yesterday night, 

"while the others who 

were on their way to 

<strong>Dapchi</strong> arrived this 

morning" (yesterday). 

However, Mustapha 

<strong>Dapchi</strong>, said: “I saw them 

dropped at the town’s 

motor park, near the Main 

Market and the 

insurgents who brought 

them in a convoy <strong>of</strong> about 

nine vehicles told them to 

go back to their respective 

houses.” 

Continues on page 41 

By Bose Adelaja & 

Frederick Okopie 

President Muhammadu Buhari’s rejection <strong>of</strong> Peace Corps Bill (4) 

I 

think the President 

has the right to refuse 

assent to any Bill. The 

National Assembly also 

has the right to override 

the President within the 

period specified by the 

law. However, we have 

seen a trend whereby 

key <strong>of</strong>ficers in the executive 

and judiciary continue 

to disagree on vital 

policies that affect the 

country. This is a strong 

indication that party unity 

is under threat. 

Adeoye Feyisike, Non 

Governmental Organisation 

Head 

MY take is that 

the Peace 

Corps should be a vehicle 

for recruitment 

into the Nigeria Police. 

It would reduce unemployment 

rate. The President 

should rescind his 

decision. 

-Mr Sehinde Ilegbusi, 

Social Commentator 

THE 

Peace 

Corps should be 

epowered but subject to 

state supervision. The 

country will benefit immensely 

from them especially 

in the area <strong>of</strong> 

tackling insecurity in 

schools. 

In other words, the Bill 

should not be discarded. 

Ilah Jimoh, Businessman 

THE 

President 

should have considerd 

the large number <strong>of</strong> 

Nigerians who are roaming 

the streets for jobs. 

There is instability in the 

country. Signing the Bill 

will assist the Police and 

other agencies. 

There are countless 

graduates who will benefit 

from it. He should 

reconsider his stance. 

Mr. Peter Efosa, Seafarer 

CONSIDERING the 

security and unemployment 

challenges we 

are experiencing in the 

country, the President 

should have signed the 

Bill. Truly, it looks as if 

we are duplicating agencies 

but Peace Corps employees 

will have defined 

roles. The name <strong>of</strong> 

the corps will make the 

<strong>of</strong>ficers work towards reforming 

the character <strong>of</strong> 

Nigerians. 

Mr. Felix Emesaha, 

Engineer 

The President and the 

Vice President should go 

through the Bill again to 

be able to see the advantages 

<strong>of</strong> it. The argument 

that there are many security 

agencies does not 

stand because the corps 

would create many jobs 

and improve security in 

the country. 

Pat Adigwe, Publicist

6—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018 

Customs 

stray bullet 

hits lunatic at 

Mile 12 

By Bose Adelaja 

AN overnight raid <strong>of</strong> the 

popular Mile 12 

market, Lagos State, by 

men <strong>of</strong> the Nigeria Customs 

Service, NCS, for rice 

smugglers turned awry 

yesterday, as a stray bullet 

hit a mad man. 

It was gathered that the 

custom <strong>of</strong>ficers had 

reportedly taken position in 

the market as early as 5a.m., 

but unknown to them the 

rice traders in the market 

were already prepared for 

confrontation. 

Vanguard gathered that 

immediately the Customs 

<strong>of</strong>ficers started the raid, the 

traders started throwing 

pebbles and other objects 

at the <strong>of</strong>ficials, while street 

urchins popularly called 

‘Area Boys’ took advantage 

<strong>of</strong> the occasion to cart away 

bags <strong>of</strong> rice, vegetable oil 

and other edibles. 

An eyewitness, Mr. 

Ajenifuja Ojo, said the 

confrontation between 

street urchins and the 

Customs operatives 

extended to the 

expressway, prompting 

commuters and road users 

to scamper for safety. 

One <strong>of</strong> the traders, who 

pleaded anonymity, said 

the NCS <strong>of</strong>ficials had to 

defend themselves by 

shooting into the air to scare 

their assailants, 

unfortunately, “this turned 

s<strong>our</strong> as a lunatic identified 

as Ayo Ibukun, was hit by 

stray bullet.” 

The trader said the victim 

was half dressed at the time 

<strong>of</strong> the incident, but the 

<strong>of</strong>ficials suspected him as 

one <strong>of</strong> their assailants. A 

stray bullet was then said 

to have hit his lap. 

When Vanguard arrived 

the scene, the victim laid 

helpless on the expressway 

as people were scared <strong>of</strong> 

rendering assistance. 

He was able to mutter his 

full: Ayo Ibukun. 

By Daud Olatunji 

ABEOKUTA—THE Ogun 

State Police Command has 

reportedly uncovered a 

kidnappers’ den inside a thick 

forest in Fidiwo village in Remo- 

North Local Government, along 

Lagos/Ibadan expressway, 

killing six <strong>of</strong> the suspected 

kidnappers. 

The State Police Public 

Relations Officer, Abimbola 

Oyeyemi in a statement, said the 

suspects had been on the wanted 

list <strong>of</strong> the Command for quite 

some time as a result <strong>of</strong> their 

nefarious activities along the 

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

Bandits kill 11 soldiers in Birnin Gwari reprisal attack 

By Ben Agande 

BANDITS loyal to the 

assassinated gang leader, 

Buharin Daji, at Nabango area 

under Birnin-Gwari Local 

Government Area <strong>of</strong> Kaduna 

State, Tuesday night, reportedly 

killed 11 soldiers in what seems 

like a daring reprisal attack. 

A s<strong>our</strong>ce conversant with the 

development disclosed that the 

well-armed bandits stormed a 

military post at Doka, an area 

between Funtua and Birnin 

Gwari where the soldiers were 

killed on the spot. 

The s<strong>our</strong>ce added that the 

bodies <strong>of</strong> the slain soldiers have 

been dumped in a mortuary. 

It was further gathered that the 

attackers had earlier attacked 

Maganda District in the 

afternoon on a revenge mission 

By Evelyn Usman 

NOTORIOUS 

kidnap 

kingpin, terrorising Lekki 

and Epe axis <strong>of</strong> Lagos, Aeron 

Muboh, has been arrested by 

operatives <strong>of</strong> the Anti 

Kidnapping Squad <strong>of</strong> the Lagos 

State Police command. 

The father <strong>of</strong> two, who resided 

at Edirin village in Epe, 

allegedly had his hideout in a 

creek at Milajonye area <strong>of</strong> Epe, 

where he kept his victims until 

ransom was paid. 

Vanguard gathered that his 

victims were usually residents, 

whose houses are situated close 

to the river as the gang’s modus 

oparandi included besieging 

residents’ apartments in its Gulf 

3 operational car at night. 

Thereafter, victims will be 

driven to the river bank, from 

where they are taken in speed 

boats to the creeks. 

One <strong>of</strong> the victims, a retired 

bank manager, Mr Adebola 

Ogunyemi, was kidnapped 

twice by Muboh’s gang. 

Ogunyemi as gathered spent 

one week in the creek before he 

was released after payment <strong>of</strong> 

an undisclosed amount as 

ransom. While he was still 

smarting from his abduction 

experience, the kidnappers 

stormed his residence again 

and whisked him away. 

over the killing <strong>of</strong> Buhari Tsoho 

where nine (9) members <strong>of</strong> 

security volunteer groups were 

critically injured. 

After Maganda, the armed 

bandits moved toward Kampanin 

Doka at the junction road leading 

to Gwaska and Dansadau before 

re-launching another attack that 

lead to the death <strong>of</strong> the soldiers. 

A leader <strong>of</strong> security volunteer 

groups in the town said the 

community had notified Kaduna 

State government since last 

week <strong>of</strong> strange movements <strong>of</strong> 

bandits in the Birnin Gwari 

through Funtua-Dansadau axis, 

but no action was taken. 

The s<strong>our</strong>ce said: “With the 

killing <strong>of</strong> the bandit commander, 

Buhari Daji, at Nabango area 

under Birnin-Gwari local 

government <strong>of</strong> Kaduna State just 

16 kilometers to Dansadau in 

Zamfara State, there were 

strange movements <strong>of</strong> some <strong>of</strong> 

the armed men in the area. 

“Suspicious <strong>of</strong> their 

movements with sophisticated 

weapons around Goron Dutse, 

Kuiga, Maganda, Unguwar 

Nachibi communities, we 

immediately sent alerts and 

warning signals to Kaduna 

state government.” 

el-Rufai reacts 

Meanwhile, Governor Nasir 

el-Rufai has vowed that the 

state will bring the perpetrators 

to book. 

Though there has been no 

<strong>of</strong>ficial confirmation from the 

military high command in 

Kaduna State, a statement by 

Governor el-Rufai expressed 

condolences to the military for 

the death <strong>of</strong> its personnel. 

Governor el-Rufai, in a statement 

by his spokesman, Samuel 

Aruwan, vowed that the state 

government was ready to 

tackle banditry in the state. 

Birnin Gwari is a notorious 

haven for armed bandits, mainly 

cattle rustlers, who have been 

displaced from Zamfara and 

surrounding states. 

In the statement, “Malam 

Nasir el-Rufai received with 

sadness reports <strong>of</strong> bandit 

attacks in Doka and Maganda 

villages, while praising the 

communities for their vigilance 

and their collaboration with the 

military to thwart the attacks.” 

It said the governor 

condoled families <strong>of</strong> security 

personnel that lost their lives, 

while wishing the civilians 

that sustained injuries speedy 

recovery. 

Police nab Muboh, Lagos kidnap kingpin 

express road which he said is 

one <strong>of</strong> the busiest roads in the 

country. 

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

Ahmed Iliyasu, during the 

parade explained that the 

suspects had earlier kidnapped 

two medical doctors <strong>of</strong> 

University College Hospital, 

Ibadan, who were heading to 

Lagos for a programme, but 

they were rescued by 

operatives <strong>of</strong> FSARS. 

He said his men were able to 

track down the kidnappers as 

a result <strong>of</strong> intelligence 

gathering, commitment and 

pr<strong>of</strong>essionalism. 

Aeron Muboh 

As at time <strong>of</strong> writing this 

He said: “This audacity <strong>of</strong> the 

suspects infuriated me and 

then we ordered the <strong>of</strong>ficer incharge 

<strong>of</strong> FSARS, DSP Uba 

Adam, to go after the 

hoodlums. 

“The FSARS operatives 

embarked on technical 

intelligence investigation and 

the suspects were tracked 

down to their hideout in a thick 

forest at Fidiwo area along 

Lagos/Ibadan expressway. 

“The hideout was stormed, 

consequent upon which the 

suspects engaged the men <strong>of</strong> 

FSARS in gun duel which 

lasted about an h<strong>our</strong>. At the 

report, Ogunyemi had fled 

Police uncover kidnappers’ den in Ogun, kill 6, rescue 2 doctors 

end <strong>of</strong> the encounter, six <strong>of</strong> 

the suspects were gunned 

down while two Policemen 

also sustained injuries. The 

injured Policemen have been 

taken to the Hospital for 

medical attention. 

“Recovered from the 

suspects are, one double 

barrel shot gun, one single 

barrel long gun, several 

cartridges, live and 

expended ones, assorted 

charms and cutlass. 

“There is a criminal gang 

festering around this thick 

forest, between Onigare, 

Fidiwo and Sapade.” 

his home, for fear <strong>of</strong> falling 

victim again. 

It was gathered that the Lagos 

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

Mr Imohimi Edgal, later 

directed the Anti kidnapping 

Squad to go after the gang 

when he learnt about their 

activities. 

Vanguard also gathered that 

Moboh relocated from Edirin 

village with members <strong>of</strong> his 

family when he got wind <strong>of</strong> the 

command’s move. 

He was however arrested at 

about 6am on March 9, 2018, at 

Itokin village, in Epe. 

Paraded alongside other 

suspected criminals that had 

been terrorising Lagos, Muboh 

said: “My role is to negotiate for 

ransom and I only got N40, 000 

from one <strong>of</strong> the payments 

made.” 

Asked how much he collected 

from the ex-banker on the two 

occasions he was kidnapped, 

he kept mum. 

Commenting on the arrest, 

Lagos State Commissioner <strong>of</strong> 

Police, Imohimi Edgal, said: 

“Other members <strong>of</strong> the gang, 

including one Kadiga, is in 

prison custody for other <strong>of</strong>fences 

while one Akororojo is at large.” 

He also said another kidnap 

gang was smashed in Epe, with 

the arrest <strong>of</strong> its suspected leader, 

Lukman Fokojoh. 

Trader steals neighbo 

By Onozure Dania 

LAGOS—A 

trader, 

Oluwayemisi Adegbola, was 

yesterday taken before an Ikeja 

Magistrate’s C<strong>our</strong>t, for 

allegedly breaking into her 

neighb<strong>our</strong>’s apartment to steal 

underwear, two pairs <strong>of</strong> jeans 

and two wrappers, worth 

N187,000. 

Adegbola, 44, who resides at 

Ogo-Oluwa Street, Olude, 

Ipaja, Lagos, is facing a threecount 

charge bordering on 

housebreaking and stealing. 

The prosecutor, Sergeant Ishola 

Samuel, told the c<strong>our</strong>t that the


:Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews 

$9m was not found in 

<strong>our</strong> house— Mrs Boroh 

By Soni Daniel & 

Emmanuel Elebeke 

THE wife <strong>of</strong> the embattled 

former Special Assistant to the 

President on Niger Delta and 

Coordinator <strong>of</strong> Amnesty 

Programme, Brig. Gen. Paul 

Boroh(retd) has dismissed the 

report in the media claiming that 

the operatives <strong>of</strong> the Economic 

and Financial Crime Commission 

(EFCC) and Office <strong>of</strong> the National 

Security Adviser (ONSA) 

discovered $9million cash at his 

residence. 

Just as there was indication last 

night that EFCC was not in a hurry 

to free Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh,( rtd) 

over alleged looting <strong>of</strong> the funds 

<strong>of</strong> the agency. 

Although a top <strong>of</strong>ficial <strong>of</strong> the 

EFCC confirmed to Vanguard that 

Mr. Boroh had been cooperating 

with his interrogators in EFCC 

custody, the s<strong>our</strong>ce hinted that the 

issue <strong>of</strong> releasing him on 

administrative or whatever form <strong>of</strong> 

bail had not been considered. 

Addressing the press yesterday, 

Mrs. Ibinye Boroh said no cash 

was discovered, describing reports 

in the media as fabrication <strong>of</strong> lies, 

false and malicious and calculated 

attempt to mislead the public. 

Her words: “My attention has 

been drawn to the publication in 

some <strong>of</strong> the Nigerian media to 

the effect that $9million was 

recovered by the operatives <strong>of</strong> the 

EFCC from <strong>our</strong> house and 

premises in the c<strong>our</strong>se <strong>of</strong> their 

search. 

“This is to inform the general 

public that no cash was 

discovered and could not have 

been discovered by government 

operatives during their search in 

<strong>our</strong> house last Monday. 

“The publication by a section <strong>of</strong> 

the press stating the contrary is 

fabricated, false in its entirety, 

malicious and calculated to 

mislead the public. 

“Our family feels embarrassed 

and harassed and therefore 

request the authors to retract 

same.” 

On whether her house was 

search, she said: “My house 

was searched by government 

operatives and my door was 

broken an ransacked. But I do 

not know whether if they were 

EFCC or NSA agents.” 

Also addressing the media on 

the matter, the legal adviser to 

Gen. Boroh, Chief Olusola 

Oke, also faulted the media 

reports, insisting 

that no money was found in 

the home <strong>of</strong> his client. 

He demanded immediate 

retraction <strong>of</strong> the reports by all 

the media that reported same. 

His words: “I am speaking to 

you on the instruction <strong>of</strong> my 

client, Gen. Boroh.” 

Is God a Nigerian? 

Catch it young! 

From left— Rebecca Tanga-Okulaja, Mulikat Thomas, Uwuala Murphy-Akpieyi, Mandai 

Asagba (President <strong>of</strong> the association), Perpetual Oparanza and Bibian Aloba, all <strong>of</strong> African 

Women Lawyers Association, AWLA, celebrating Women's Day with Ayetoro Market women 

in Epe, Lagos. 

I’ve sodomised 8 adults, boys— Suspect 

By Esther Onyegbula 

A 

42-year-old driver, Seyi 

Olowukere, arrested by 

operatives <strong>of</strong> the Lagos State Police 

command for sodomizing a young 

boy, has confessed doing same to 

seven people including adults. 

It was gathered that the suspect 

lured the victim from a football 

field to his apartment at Alhaji 

Marshal Street, Surulere, Lagos 

where he perpetrated the act. 

According to the 12-year-old 

victim (names with held), “I was 

b<strong>our</strong>’s underwear, pots, clock, others 

defendant committed the <strong>of</strong>fence 

on February 19. 

He alleged that Adegbola 

ransacked the apartment <strong>of</strong> the 

complainant, Miss Joy Okorocha, 

and stole one mattress, two wrist 

watches, two pillows, eight 

plates and a spoon. 

His words: “She also stole one 

handbag, one electric iron, one 

wall clock, one cooking pot, two 

jeans, underwear, two 

wrappers, two tops, three 

curtains and a cash sum <strong>of</strong> N50, 

000. 

“Okorocha, who found the 

stolen items in her neighb<strong>our</strong>’s 

playing football with my friends 

when Mr. Seyi asked me to 

freestyle for him because I am a 

rapper. I rapped a few songs for 

him and he asked me to come with 

him that he will help me. 

“When we got to his apartment, 

he removed his clothes and asked 

me to do same. And then from 

behind, he inserted his manhood 

into my anus. He begged me to 

suck his breast, I said no. 

“When he was done, he pleaded 

with me not to tell anyone but when 

I got home, I couldn’t keep it to 

apartment, reported the case at 

the station and the defendant was 

immediately apprehended.” 

He added that the <strong>of</strong>fences are 

punishable under Sections 287 

and 308 <strong>of</strong> the Criminal Law <strong>of</strong> 

Lagos State, 2015. 

I'm not guilty—Suspect 

The defendant, however, 

pleaded not guilty to the charge. 

Magistrate G. O. Anifowoshe, 

granted her bail in the sum <strong>of</strong> 

N50, 000 with two sureties in like 

sum. 

She adj<strong>our</strong>ned the case till 

March 28, for mention. 

myself. So I told my parents, 

who got the Police involved.” 

According to the suspect, 

Seyi, “I promised to help him 

when I saw him playing and 

singing with his friends. I 

asked him to follow me that I 

will help him. 

“When we got to my house, I 

locked the door, asked the little 

boy to take <strong>of</strong> his clothes and 

kneel down after which I 

inserted my manhood inside his 

anus from behind and the little 

boy wasn’t shouting. 

“I have been doing this for a 

long time. I have done it with 

seven people including adults. 

I am not a ritualist. I am a 

native <strong>of</strong> Uso in Ondo state. I 

want the police to help me in 

this case. 

“I am a driver, I was married 

but we have separated. And I 

have a child.” 

It was gathered that the victim 

was taken to Mirabel Centre for 

treatment, where it was 

confirmed that there was 

penetration. 

Confirming the report, the 

spokesperson for Lagos State 

Police Command, Chike Oti, 

stated that the case was still 

under investigation and that the 

suspect will be charged to c<strong>our</strong>t. 

S<strong>our</strong>ce: krakshq 

Daddy Freeeze and 

fake time keepers 

ON Daddy Freeze's Instagram page, he warns users <strong>of</strong> fake 

designers wristwatches <strong>of</strong> jail time: 

Guys, act y<strong>our</strong> wage! 

Don’t fake what you are not; live within y<strong>our</strong> means! I know 

someone who went to jail for five years selling fake jeans. You 

heard right. True Religion jeans sent him to prison! 

If you can’t afford a real Rolex, Patek or Audemars, buy Seiko, 

Citizen, Timex or Swatch! I have never seen a greater 

concentration <strong>of</strong> fake watches anywhere on the globe, than in 

the Nigerian entertainment industry. Gospel musicians, 

upcoming pastors, OAPs, etc aren’t left out <strong>of</strong> this idiocy.

8—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018 


CFTA: I won’t allow Nigeria to be 

dumping ground —Buhari 

•Sets up c’ttee to review framework agreement 

•Nigeria, S/Africa lead boycott 

•44 countries agree on $3trn African trade bloc 

•MAN calls for review <strong>of</strong> draft agreement 

By Yinka 

Kolawole, 

Johnbosco 

Agbakwuru & 

Naomi Uzor 

A BUJA—PRESIDENT 

Muhammadu Buhari, 

yesterday, said his 

administration will not be in 

a hurry to enter into any 

agreement that would make 

the country a dumping 

ground and jeopardise the 

security <strong>of</strong> the nation. 

Consequently, the 

President has set up a 

committee to review the 

Continental Free Trade Area, 

CFTA, framework 

agreement, which was 

signed in Kigali, Rwanda, 

yesterday, by some African 

countries. 

The President’s declaration 

came as 44 African countries 

agreed to form a $3 trillion 

continental free-trade zone 

encompassing 1.2 billion 

people, even as the 

continent’s two biggest 

economies, Nigeria and 

South Africa, were among 

countries that withheld their 

consent. 

This is even as President <strong>of</strong> 

Manufacturers Association <strong>of</strong> 

Nigeria, MAN, Dr. Frank 

Jacobs, said at a media 

briefing, yesterday, that the 

agreement, in its present 

form, would put Nigeria’s 

manufacturing sector and the 

economy in general at a gross 

disadvantage against other 

countries. 

Briefing State House 

correspondents after the 

Federal Executive Council, 

FEC, meeting presided over 

by the President at the 

Council Chambers, 

Presidential Villa, Abuja, 

Special Adviser to the 

President on Media and 

Publicity, Chief Femi 

Adesina, said it was expected 

that Minister <strong>of</strong> Lab<strong>our</strong> would 

call for a stakeholders' 

meeting with the lab<strong>our</strong> 

movement to brainstorm on 

the implications <strong>of</strong> the CFTA 

framework agreement. 

He said: “The explanation 

from the President, which the 

FEC bought, was that he 

would not want to agree to 

anything that would hinder 

local entrepreneurs, and on 

the surface, except if proven 

wrong, is that that agreement 

has the capacity to affect local 

entrepreneurship. 

“Then he also said anything 

that could enc<strong>our</strong>age the 

dumping <strong>of</strong> finished goods 

in Nigeria was going to be 

contrary to <strong>our</strong> interest. So, it 

is one <strong>of</strong> the reasons he 

declined. Then he said the 

country is yet to fully 

understand the economic and 

security implications <strong>of</strong> the 

agreement." 

44 countries agree 

on $3trn African 

trade bloc 

Meanwhile, 44 African 

countries, yesterday, agreed 

to form a $3 trillion 

continental free-trade zone 

encompassing 1.2 billion 

people, even as the 

continent’s two biggest 

economies, Nigeria and 

South Africa, were among 

countries that withheld their 

consent. 

The African Union, AU, in 

2015 moved to establish a 55- 

nation bloc, African 

Continental Free Trade Area, 

AfCFTA, expected to be the 

biggest in the world by 

member states, in a bid to 

increase intra-regional trade. 

Nigeria, S/Africa 

lead boycott 

Nigeria pulled out at the 

last minute due to pressure 

on government from 

stakeholders that they were 

not adequately consulted on 

the agreement. 

Others staying out <strong>of</strong> the 

bloc were Botswana, Lesotho, 

Namibia, Zambia, Burundi, 

Eritrea, Benin, Sierra Leone 

and Guinea Bissau. It was not 

immediately clear why South 

Africa stayed on the sidelines. 

MAN calls for 

review <strong>of</strong> draft 

agreement 

At a press briefing, 

yesterday, in Lagos, President 

<strong>of</strong> MAN, Dr. Frank Jacobs, 

said the agreement, in its 

current form, will put 

Nigeria’s manufacturing 

sector and the economy in 

general at a gross 

disadvantage against other 

countries. 

MAN called on 

government to convene a 

special meeting <strong>of</strong> relevant 

stakeholders, including 

experts on trade policy, to 

quickly review the text <strong>of</strong> the 

draft agreement to reflect 

Nigeria’s national interest. 

He said: “We are at a great 

disadvantage to many 

countries in the continent in 

terms <strong>of</strong> infrastructure such as 

inadequate power, bad roads, 

and inefficient rail services. 

‘’Though, we acknowledge 

that government has scaled 

up intervention in 

infrastructural development, 

as evidenced in devoting 

more funds to capital projects 

in 2018 budget, until we 

achieve appreciable progress 

in this regard, we would be 

competing at an unfair 

advantage. ‘We 

recommended that 

government should back out 

because there was no 

adequate and proper 

consultation." 

VISIT: From Left; Governor Simon Lalong <strong>of</strong> Plateau State (left) 

and Dr Zhou Pingjian, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, during a 

working visit by Chinese investors to Plateau State government, at 

Governor's Office, in Jos. 

Access Bank grows earnings by 

20%, proposes 40kobo dividend 

By Peter 

Egwuatu 

LAGOS— 

ACCESS 

Bank Plc has released 

its audited results for the 

year ended 31 December, 

2017, showing resilient 

growth in total income, just 

as it proposed 40 kobo per 

share dividend to its 

shareholders. 

In the audited financial 

results released to Nigerian 

Stock Exchange, NSE, 

yesterday, Access Bank 

recorded a total income <strong>of</strong> 

N459.1 billion, representing 

an increase <strong>of</strong> 20 percent 

over N381.3 billion recorded 

in the corresponding period 

<strong>of</strong> 2016. 

Growth in gross earnings 

was boosted by a 29 per cent 

increase in interest income 

to N319.9 billion in 2017, 

from N247.2 billion in 2016 

while net interest income 

grew by 17 percent from 

N163,452 billion in FY 2017, 

from N139,148 billion in the 

comparative period <strong>of</strong> 2016. 

Similarly, Non-Interest 

Income grew five percent to 

N139.1 billion, in 2017 from 

N133.4 billion in 2016, 

leading to an 11 per cent 

increase in the group’s 

operating income to 

N302,596 billion in 2017, 

from N272,605 billion in 

2016. 

The growth in the group’s 

earnings is underlined by 

an expansion in its core 

business, as asset book loans 

and advances grew 11 

percent to N2,064 trillion in 

2017, from N1,855 trillion in 

December 2016. 

Total assets grew 18 

percent to N4,102 trillion in 

December 2017, from 

N3,484 trillion in the 

corresponding period in 

2016. Additionally, the 

group recorded an increase 

<strong>of</strong> 13 percent in shareholder 

returns <strong>of</strong> N515 billion in 

December 2017, from N454 

billion in the corresponding 

period in 2016. 

Although the group 

posted significant growth in 

earnings, the adverse 

lingering effects <strong>of</strong> the 

macro on asset quality in the 

industry led to the bank 

taking prudent provisions in 

the c<strong>our</strong>se <strong>of</strong> the year, 

thereby dampening 

pr<strong>of</strong>itability, as Pr<strong>of</strong>it Before 

Tax, PBT, declined 11 

percent to N80.1 billion in 

2017 from N90.3 billion in 

2016. 

FG releases N1.248trn 

for capital projects 

—Adeosun 

By Emma Ujah, 

Abuja Bureau 

Chief & 

Johnbosco 

Agbakwuru 

ABUJA—THE Federal 

Government has 

released N1.248 trillion for 

capital projects, Minister <strong>of</strong> 

Finance, Mrs Kemi 

Adeosun, disclosed, 

yesterday. 

Adeosun, who addressed 

State House correspondents 

after the Federal Executive 

Council meeting, presided 

over by President 

Muhammadu Buhari, also 

said the government had 

saved N68 billion on 

personnel cost in 2017. 

According to her, this 

brings the aggregate savings 

by the government on 

personnel cost since 2001 to 

N288 billion. 

She said: “The final update 

I gave was the level <strong>of</strong> capital 

releases till date from 2017 and 

l gave details <strong>of</strong> the big f<strong>our</strong> 

areas and then others. 

"So, Power, Works and 

Housing got N301.89 billion, 

Defence 151.2 billion, 

Agriculture N119.9 billion, 

Transport N127.9 billion and 

other areas combined is 

N545.6 billion. So, the total 

capital budget release for 

2017 so far is N1.248,310 

trillion. 

“We haven’t closed yet. We 

are confident we will close the 

year roughly around where 

we closed last year. We will 

close around N1.3 trillion 

mark. So, <strong>our</strong> commitment to 

infrastructure spending 

remains very strong. That is 

what is going to drive growth 

<strong>of</strong> the economy. That is what 

is going to drive jobs.” 

<strong>Dapchi</strong>: Probe security 

failure pre-abduction, 

Amnesty Int’l tasks FG 

By Emma Ujah, 

Abuja Bureau Chief 

A 

M N E S T Y 

International, AI, 

yesterday, reacted to the 

released <strong>of</strong> 101 <strong>of</strong> the 

abducted Dachi girls, tasking 

the Federal Government to 

investigate the security 

failure which led to the 


The international human 

rights body also said the 

result, as well as the report 

<strong>of</strong> the last administration’s 

investigation <strong>of</strong> the 2014 

abduction <strong>of</strong> the Chibok girls 

should be made public. 

Amnesty International’s 

Nigeria Director, Osai 

Ojigho, said the girls should 

be released to their families, 

rather than holding them in 

government custody, 

prolonging their ordeal. 

She said: “For the 

Govt saves N68bn 

on personnel cost, 

captures 511 MDAs 

under IPPIS 

On the saving <strong>of</strong> N68 billion 

on personnel cost, Adeosun 

explained that the savngs 

were funds that would have 

otherwise gone unaccounted 

for, which she added, were 

now free for the government 

to fund capital projects. 

She said the savings were 

achieved, despite increase in 

personnel, including the 

employment <strong>of</strong> 10,000 by the 

Police. 

The minister confirmed that 

a total <strong>of</strong> 511 Ministries, 

Departments and Agencies, 

MDAs, had been captured 

under the Integrated Payroll 

and Personnel Information 

System, IPPIS, with staff 

count <strong>of</strong> 607,843. 

“As at March 20, 2018 the 

number <strong>of</strong> MDAs on IPPIS 

Payroll is 469 with 316,158 

staff count with gross salary 

<strong>of</strong> N43,979,383,997.78 and 42 

Police commands and 

formations paid on IPPIS 

platform in February, 2018 

with Staff Count <strong>of</strong> 291,685 

and gross salary <strong>of</strong> 

N22,276,669,257.21. 

Recovers N9bn 

from whistle 

blowing policy 

Meanwhile, the Finance 

Minister also said the whistleblowing 

policy introduced by 

President Buhari’s 

administration has helped to 

save about N9 billion. 

Adeosun, who disclosed 

the money recovered from the 

whistle blowing policy, 

explained that the money was 

in the region <strong>of</strong> N7.8 billion, 

$378 million and £27, 800. 

abducted girls who have 

been returned, and their 

families, this is a day <strong>of</strong> huge 

relief. But despite this 

positive development, f<strong>our</strong> 

girls from <strong>Dapchi</strong> are still 

being held by Boko Haram. 

‘’Boko Haram must 

immediately release these 

girls and all other abductees, 

including some <strong>of</strong> the 

Chibok girls, and end the 

spate <strong>of</strong> abductions <strong>of</strong> 

civilians, which amount to 

war crimes. 

“Moreover, the 101 

released girls are currently 

being held in the 

government’s custody, 

further prolonging their 

ordeal. 

“The authorities must 

immediately release them, 

and ensure that they are able 

to return to their families or 

be provided with an 

alternative safe option if they 

so choose."

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018 —9 


2019’ll be a rough, tough fight 

—Third Force 

By Omeiza Ajayi 

ABUJA— The Nigerian 

Intervention 

Movement, NIM, which 

prides itself as a Third Force 

coalition has said its major 

priority was to impact on the 

2019 general elections, 

which would be tough and 

require a huge war chest to 

prosecute. 

The movement made its 

position known at its grand 

national summit and launch 

<strong>of</strong> a grand political coalition 

on the future <strong>of</strong> Nigeria in 

Abuja, yesterday. 

Co-chairperson <strong>of</strong> the 

group, Olisa Agbakoba, who 

stated this in his opening 

remarks, said: “Our 

immediate agenda is to 

impact on 2019. And if you 

agree, it means that we here 

must be very united. 

‘’We cannot do it alone. It 

reminds me <strong>of</strong> when we 

started the Civil Liberties 

Organisation, CLO; we were 

exactly seven but confronted 

this huge military apparatus. 

Eventually, we became the 

12th largest human rights 

organisation in the world. 

"It was <strong>our</strong> shared 

commitment. So, that is the 

commitment you are going 

to make. It is not to come to 

Abuja, dress fine and sit 

down. If you want to displace 

the APC or PDP, it is going 

to be a rough fight. It is going 

to be tough. 

‘’I can see so many people 

without PVCs. So, if we are 

going to make a difference, 

the first thing is to get y<strong>our</strong> 

PVCs. It is <strong>of</strong> no use going 

to the mosques on Fridays 

or churches on Sundays to 

pray. 

‘’Without PVCs, there will 

be no change. Nigeria is like 

a big company where there 

are two million shareholders 

and in the case <strong>of</strong> Nigeria, 

about 200 million 

shareholders. Less than one 

thousand are controlling the 

rest. Think about it. 

‘’The people holding you 

bondage, how many are 

they? They are not many. So, 

we have to break this 

bondage by participating in 

the affairs <strong>of</strong> <strong>our</strong> nation. That 

is the only way, but we need 

money. 

‘’We do not want the 

money bags, but we need 

money. Do not kid y<strong>our</strong>self, 

we need money to prosecute 

this election but we do not 

need the old type <strong>of</strong> money. 

I have stu<strong>died</strong> National 

Bureau <strong>of</strong> Statistics 

Demographic analysis. 

‘’There are 30 million 

Nigerian youths between 18 

and 40 years. That is <strong>our</strong> 

base. Trump had a base. 

Trump won because he 

allowed Hillary Clinton to 

roam around the whole 

place. He focused on the 

uneducated white working 

class. We will focus, once we 

identify this base and work 

on them. If we have 10 

million youths on <strong>our</strong> side, 

we are going to win.” 

Another Co-chairperson <strong>of</strong> 

the movement, Dr Abdul 

Jhalil Tafawa Balewa, said 

the NIM was not “moved by 

bitterness nor are we 

motivated by hatred. So we 

shall not wipe away <strong>our</strong> past. 

“If we were asked to 

choose only three things for 

<strong>our</strong> children, it will be 

education, education and 

•Says it needs money, not moneybags 

•As Soyinka warns <strong>of</strong> experienced 

spoilers 

education. You cannot have 

prosperity without education 

and as <strong>our</strong> recent experience 

is showing us, you cannot 

even have peace and order 

without education.” 

Soyinka warns 

against 

experienced 

spoilers 

In a message to the 

launch, Nobel laureate, Pr<strong>of</strong>. 

Wole Soyinka, urged them 

to be vigilant and watch out 

for "experienced spoilers." 

He said: “You must, 

however, exercise 

unrelenting vigilance. 

Prowling around, you 

already know those who are 

recurrent interlopers, whose 

sole aim is to hijack y<strong>our</strong> 

efforts or infiltrate y<strong>our</strong> ranks 

with their stooges. 

‘’Experienced spoilers, 

they are part and parcel <strong>of</strong> 

the very predicament you are 

trying to alleviate. The more 

notorious suffer from a 

messianic complex and a 

desperate need to obliterate 

the roles, they have played 

in placing the nation in her 

current plight." 

BBC NEWS SERVICE: From left, Mallam Garba Shehu, 

President's Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity; Mrs. 

Funke Egbemode, Managing Director, New Telegraph newspapers 

and President, Nigerian Guild <strong>of</strong> Editors; Toyosi Ogunseye, Head, 

West Africa, BBC World Service, and Mr. Solomon Mugba, Regional 

Editor Africa, BBC World Service, during the celebration <strong>of</strong> BBC 

News Service and Bureau in Nigeria, in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: 

Bunmi Azeez. 

NASS’ll pass 2018 Budget April 

24—Dogara 

By Levinus 

Nwabughiogu 

ABUJA—BARING any 

unforeseen 

circumstances, the 2018 

Appropriation Bill will be 

passed into law by National 

Assembly on April 24. 

Recall that President 

Muhammadu Buhari laid 

the document before a joint 

session <strong>of</strong> the two chambers 

<strong>of</strong> the National Assembly 

on November 7, 2017. 

In in an announcement 

given to him by Deputy 

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

Yusuf Lasun, the Speaker, 

Yakubu Dogara, said a 

harmonised committee <strong>of</strong> 

both chambers had 

proposed to lay the budget 

on April 19, 2018, to pave 

the way for its passage on 

April 24, 2018. 

He said: “We are 

proposing that we are 

laying the budget finally on 

April 19, 2018, hopefully we 

will be passing the budget 

on April 24, 2018. This is 

harmonised calendar with 

the Senate.” 

The House also 

commenced what could be 

likened to override <strong>of</strong> the 

presidential assent to the 

two bills <strong>of</strong> the National 

Assembly rejected by 

President Buhari. 

The two bills are Electoral 

Amendment Bill and the 

Nigeria Peace Corps Bill. 

DSS arrests Kwankwaso’s 

ex-aide, retired captain over 

Boko Haram scare in Kano 

By AbdulSalam 

Muhammad 

KANO —OPERATIVES 

<strong>of</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> State 

Service, DSS, have arrested 

Alhaji Yunusa Adamu 

Dangwani, Chief <strong>of</strong> Staff <strong>of</strong> 

Kano State ex-governor, 

Rabiu Kwankwaso, and one 

Captain Umar Abdullahi 

(retd) <strong>of</strong> the Nigerian Army 

in Kano over alleged 

involvement in Boko Haram 

scare that rocked the state last 

week. 

Multiple security s<strong>our</strong>ces in 

Kano confided in Vanguard 

that the Kano frontline 

politician, who was picked up 

at Malam Aminu Kano 

International Airport, had 

been flown to DSS 

headquarters in Abuja. 

The bubble burst when 

Captain Abdullahi circulated 

a “toxic SMS” to prominent 

individuals, including 

Governor Ganduje’s family 

member in Kano last week, 

threatening to cause mayhem 

by exploiting the 

instrumentals <strong>of</strong> Boko Haram 

terror machines. 

A top DSS <strong>of</strong>ficer, who 

didn’t want his name in print, 

confirmed that the retired 

PDP drags APC, INEC to UN over alleged 

plot to rig 2019 polls 

By Dirisu 

Yakubu 

ABUJA— PEOPLES 

Democratic Party, PDP, 

has elicited the intervention 

<strong>of</strong> United Nations, UN, to 

nip in the bud what it 

described as subtle plot by 

ruling All Progressives 

Congress, APC, and 

Independent National 

Electoral Commission, 

INEC, to rig the 2019 

general elections. 

The party said the plot, if 

not checked, would deprive 

the nation <strong>of</strong> a credible, free 

and fair elections. 

National Chairman <strong>of</strong> the 

party, Prince Uche 

Secondus, who made the 

request, yesterday, while 

playing host to a 

delegation <strong>of</strong> United 

Nations, led by 

Mohammed Ibn Chambas, 

said the PDP had lost 

confidence in the ability <strong>of</strong> 

INEC to conduct credible 

polls, warning that 

Nigerians would resist any 

attempt to impose an 

unpopular government. 

While decrying for the 

umpteenth time alleged 

manipulation <strong>of</strong> the voter 

register by the electoral 

umpire, Secondus also 

drew the attention <strong>of</strong> the UN 

to the mindless killings 

going on in the country, 

stressing that same could be 

part <strong>of</strong> grand design to 

prevent some eligible 

voters from casting their 

votes in 2019. 

He said: “INEC has not 

lived up to expectation. It 

should come out in clear 

terms and be seen as an 

umpire. Since they took 

over, a lot <strong>of</strong> issues have 

trailed their conduct <strong>of</strong> 

elections. 

“We don’t have 

confidence in the 

leadership <strong>of</strong> INEC. There 

are no perfect elections 

anywhere in the world but 

there are glaring issues <strong>of</strong> 

concern. 

Earlier in his remarks, 

Chambas said the 

delegation was at the 

party’s secretariat to get a 

feel <strong>of</strong> PDP’s readiness for 

the polls vis-à-vis its 

observation <strong>of</strong> the electoral 

process ahead <strong>of</strong> the polls. 

While expressing UN 

support for the Gender 

Equality Bill and Not-too- 

Young-to-Run Bill, 

Chambas tasked the party 

to do its part in ensuring 

the conduct <strong>of</strong> credible 

elections in 2019. 

army captain had already 

been whisked away to Abuja 

for further interrogations. 

The retired captain was 

believed to have made phone 

contact with certain unnamed 

senior citizens with a vow to 

make Kano another Somalia. 

Vanguard learned that the 

suspect implicated Dr Yunusa 

Adamu Dangwani as alleged 

sponsor, having been given 

N1.5 million part payment to 

destabilise the state. 

Kano was thrown into 

confusion last week, 

following unsubstantiated 

report <strong>of</strong> an impending Boko 

Haram attack on schools and 

this led to temporary 

suspension <strong>of</strong> academic 

activities across the state. 

When Vanguard called 

Kano DSS <strong>of</strong>fice for 

confirmation, a certain <strong>of</strong>ficer 

who did not want his name 

in print, said: “We invited the 

former Commissioner, Dr 

Yunusa Dagwani, in 

connection with the arrest <strong>of</strong> 

the retired captain in <strong>our</strong> 

custody. 

“The retired captain has 

been taken to Abuja for further 

investigations over his 

alleged moves to attack Kano. 

Reps move to suspend 

another member 

ABUJA— HOUSE <strong>of</strong> 

Representatives, 

yesterday, moved against 

one <strong>of</strong> its members, 

Johnson Agbonayinma 

(Edo-APC) over his 

comments on the 

amendment <strong>of</strong> Electoral 

Act. 

Agbonayinma had in an 

interview he granted to 

Channels Television said 

the National Assembly did 

not follow due process in 

the controversial amendments. 

Moving a point <strong>of</strong> order, 

Awaji Abiante drew the 

attention <strong>of</strong> the House to 

the comments made by his 

colleague. 

He said Agbonayinma 

abused his <strong>of</strong>fice by 

dragging the House to 

disrepute. 

Also contributing, Daniel 

Asuquo (Cross-River- 

PDP) suggested that 

Agbonayinma be given the 

same treatment as former 

chairman <strong>of</strong> the 

appropriations committee, 

who just resumed from 

suspension. 

He said: “He should be 

suspended just like one <strong>of</strong> 

<strong>our</strong> member who just 

returned from sabbatical.” 

In his ruling, Speaker, 

Yakubu Dogara, said the 

National Assembly had 

followed the same 

procedures in amending 

the electoral act over the 

years, even before 

Agbonayinma became a 

legislator and saw no 

reason he would allege that 

due process was not 

followed. 

“I don’t think he can 

school us on parliamentary 

procedures,’’ Dogara said. 

The matter was referred 

to the committee on ethics 

and privileges to 

investigate and ascertain 

whether the allegations 

were true or not.

10 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018 


WAKE-KEEP: From left; Mrs Elizabeth Elegbede (widow); Mrs Bose Adebiyi; Mrs Sumbo 

Alake; Mrs Busola Bakare (all children); Mr Adebola Bakare and Mr Dele Alake (in-laws) at the 

wake- keep <strong>of</strong> Late Pa Emmanuel Olufemi Elegbede at Darlington Hall, Ilupeju, Lagos yesterday. 

From left; Wunmi Adebiyi; Taiye Elegbede-Moses; Tosin Adebiyi; 

Fikayo Bakare and Tubosun Alake (grandchildren) during the 

wake-keep service. PHOTOS BY LAMIDI BAMIDELE. 

BBC opens new bureau in 

Lagos, with pidgin, Igbo, 

other languages 

By Prince Okafor 

L AGOS—BRITISH 

Broadcasting 

Corporation, BBC has 

<strong>of</strong>ficially opened its new 

Bureau in Lagos, with five 

different languages in 

Nigeria, saying the BBC’s 

international news currently 

had an audience <strong>of</strong> 36 

million in Nigeria. 

The BBC News will 

include, Igbo, Pidgin, 

Hausa, English and Yoruba 

reports on stories affecting 

the lives <strong>of</strong> audiences across 

the region, and available 

online and on social media. 

There is also a 60 second 

audio round up, BBC 

Minute, twice daily. 

Speaking during the 

<strong>of</strong>ficial launch in Lagos, the 

Director, BBC world service, 

Jamie Angus, said: “It’s 

wonderful to be here to open 

this Bureau, which will be 

the headquarters for <strong>our</strong> 

operations across West 

Africa. It will be a beacon 

for out j<strong>our</strong>nalism and as 

such I am delighted to 

announce <strong>our</strong> mentorship 

and internship scheme for 

up and coming 

j<strong>our</strong>nalists. This is part <strong>of</strong> 

BBC’s contribution to the 

growth <strong>of</strong> media best 

practice 

and 

pr<strong>of</strong>essionalism in Nigeria, 

and the fight against ‘Fake 

News’ and we’ll benefit 

from young j<strong>our</strong>nalists’ 

insight into West Africa. 

“The World Service 

delivers accurate, Impartial 

and independent news to 

all countries. We spot the 

stories, see the patterns and 

make sense <strong>of</strong> y<strong>our</strong> world. 

We promise to remain y<strong>our</strong> 

most trusted s<strong>our</strong>ce <strong>of</strong> news 

in the years to come.'' 

LAGOS REFUSE MENACE: Akiolu 

urges support for Visionscape 

By Kingsley 

Adegboye 

LAGOS—TO get rid <strong>of</strong> 

refuse which has 

taken over the streets <strong>of</strong> 

Lagos metropolis, Oba <strong>of</strong> 

Lagos, His Royal Majesty 

Rilwanu Akiolu, has called 

for support from Lagos 

residents to make 

Visionscape succeed in its 

responsibility to manage 

waste in the state. 

The monarch, who made 

the call when management 

team <strong>of</strong> Visionscape led by 

its Managing Director, 

John Irvine, paid a 

c<strong>our</strong>tesy visit to him in his 

palace, said everywhere in 

the world, there was 

problem <strong>of</strong> refuse, pointing 

out however, that the way 

to go about it was for 

everybody to support 

whatever arrangement is on 

ground to get rid <strong>of</strong> the 

situation. 

“Everywhere in the 

world, the issue <strong>of</strong> refuse is 

a serious one. But with 

active support from all <strong>of</strong> us, 

the issue will become a thing 

<strong>of</strong> the past. No organisation 

can succeed without the 

support <strong>of</strong> the people. So, 

we need to support 

Visionscape to succeed. 

The monarch 

acknowledged that 

Visionscape had a good 

reputation and an 

international pedigree, 

adding that though he was 

not an investor in the 

company, he decided to 

give it 100 percent support. 

He said: “I appeal to them 

that understand that 

Visionscape is not taking 

their daily bread from them 

but to teach them better way 

manage waste in Lagos 

state:, he said. 

Speaking earlier, John 

Irvine said they were in the 

palace to seek Oba’s 

blessing and wisdom 

concerning waste 

management in the state 

which is why the state 

government contracted the 

job to his company. 

NBA volunteers 3, 000 lawyers to defend 

LUC cases 

By Abdulwahab 

Abdulah & Jane 

Echewodo 

LAGOS—THE Ikeja 

Branch <strong>of</strong> the 

Nigerian Bar Association, 

NBA, yesterday promised 

to volunteer 3000 

lawyers to defend 

anybody dragged to c<strong>our</strong>t 

by Lagos State 

Government over the the 

reviewed Land Use Charge, 

LUC, introduced by the 

Governor Akinwunmi 

Ambode-led Lagos State 

government. 

This came as the branch 

threatened another round <strong>of</strong> 

protest on Friday, March 

29, 2018, describing the new 

law as “nothing but a fraud 

and a toxic charge. It urged 

Lagosians not to be in hurry 

to pay the charge. 

Its Chairman, Adesina 

Ogunlana at briefing 

tagged, ‘Land Use Charge: 

Matters Arising: GATT 

Must Go’, insisted that the 

introduction <strong>of</strong> the charge 

was undemocratic, illegal, 

excessively oppressive, 

arbitrary and parochial. 

Ogunlana, who frowned 

at the shabby way Ikeja 

NBA branch was allegedly 

treated by the state 

government during its 

protest tagged, ‘Walk The 

Talk’, argued that sudden 

reduction <strong>of</strong> the charge by 

the state government was a 

sham. 

According to Ogunlana, 

“In fact, we NBA Ikeja 

branch completely reject the 

reduction for being a sham, 

a calculated ploy to 

hoodwink the good people 

<strong>of</strong> Lagos State and to present 

the facade that here – 

Ambode government is a 

listening and sensitive 

government. 

''The reduction is a sham, 

a farce and a fraud because, 

the rates prescribed now 

subjected to reduction is 

based on a fraudulently 

extractive foundation. There 

was no proper evaluation <strong>of</strong> 

properties. Property owners 

were never aware or involve 

in any evaluation <strong>of</strong> their 

properties. So what we had 

from government is ghost 

evaluation. 

“So when the government 

says it is slashing cost, they 

are only deceiving people: 

the amounts prescribed are 

mere fantasies <strong>of</strong> their 

imagination. We reiterate 

<strong>our</strong> rejection <strong>of</strong> the Land 

Use Charge, high litigation 

cost in the c<strong>our</strong>t, borehole 

levies, car registration and 

all such other oppressive, 

illegal, extortionate charge 

<strong>of</strong> Lagos State. 

“The Land Use Charge 

Law 2018 as known now 

must be repealed. 

Lagosians, from <strong>our</strong> own 

understanding and 

interactions are not against 

taxation in Lagos State and 

are not even against 

increase in taxation. 

However, the conditions for 

their acceptance <strong>of</strong> taxes 

are: transparent, gradual, 

reasonable and legally 

utilized. No Lagosian 

should be in any hurry to 

pay the Land Use Charge.'' 

Rickey Tarfa deposited N225,000 

in my account — WITNESS 

By Onozure Dania 

LAGOS—A lawyer Mr 

Mohammed Auwal 

Yinusa, who is a second 

defence witness in the 

ongoing trial <strong>of</strong> a Senior 

Advocate <strong>of</strong> Nigeria SAN, 

Mr. Rickey Tarfa, over 

alleged <strong>of</strong>fering <strong>of</strong> 

gratification, yesterday told 

a Lagos High C<strong>our</strong>t sitting 

in Igbosere that the account 

in which the SAN, 

deposited N225, 000, 

belonged to him and not 

Justice Mohammed Nasir 

Yinusa. 

The witness, who was 

testifying before Justice 

Adedayo Akintoye, told the 

c<strong>our</strong>t that he read in the 

newspapers that his Access 

Bank account number was 

quoted as belonging to the 

judge. 

He said that he was the 

owner <strong>of</strong> the Access Bank 

account into which the 

N225,000 which Economic 

and Financial Crimes 

Commission, EFCC, 

claimed that Tarfa bribed a 

judge with, was paid, and 

not Justice Yinusa. 

Yinusa said: “I found out 

that my Access Bank 

account was quoted in that 

publication. I was in a state 

<strong>of</strong> shock.” 

The witness noted that he 

rushed to his bank and 

obtained a certified true 

copy <strong>of</strong> his statement <strong>of</strong> 

account, which showed 

that it was indeed his 

account that was quoted 

by EFCC. 

Yinusa said: “I was 

shocked, my Lord, because 

I am not a judge, I never 

received gratification 

from the defendant. My 

name is Mohammed 

Auwal Yinusa. The 

judge’s name is 

Mohammed Nasir 

Yinusa. I am not related 

to him. He is from Yobe 

State, I am Igalla from 

Kogi State. Until 

recently when I saw him 

on television; I had never 

set my eyes on him.” 

E NUGU—THE 

Investments and 

Securities Tribunal sitting 

in Enugu has ordered f<strong>our</strong> 

stock broking firms to pay 

N5 million as penalty for 

illegal transactions and 

unlawful sale <strong>of</strong> multimillion 

naira worth <strong>of</strong> an 

investor’s shares. 

The Tribunal, in its 

judgment delivered by 

Presiding Chairman Hon. 

Nosa Smart Osemwengie, 

found the firms namely- 

Union Registrars Limited, 

UIDC Securities Limited, 

Gosord Securities Limited 

and Kapital Care Trust 

Securities Limited wanting 

in the handling <strong>of</strong> their 

customers’ investments. 

Delivering judgment in a 

case instituted by Dr. Okam 

Kalu Ugwu, a medical 

doctor, against the 

Yinusa, a former employee 

in Tarfa’s chambers 

between 2011 and 2014, 

was led in evidence by 

Tarfa’s counsel, Mr 

Abiodun Owonikoko SAN. 

At the resumed hearing <strong>of</strong> 

the case, Yinusa informed 

the c<strong>our</strong>t that he left Tarfa’s 

employment in 2014, for 

further studies abroad, 

following which the SAN 

gifted him N225,000 to 

support his education. 

F<strong>our</strong> stocks firms penalised 

for illegal transactions 

By Abdulwahab 

Abdulah 

Securities and Exchange 

Commission (SEC) and the 

f<strong>our</strong> firms, the Tribunal 

ordered that all irregular 

transactions in the Union 

Bank shares variously 

numbering 9,740 units, 

20,740 units, 13,333, units, 

9, 740 units, 25, 000 units, 

16, 000, and 12, 986 units 

contained in different share 

certificates are declared 

illegal, unlawful, null and 

void. 

In a statement by the Ag. 

Director, Corporate Affairs, 

Kenneth Ezea, the Tribunal 

also held that Union 

Registrars Limited, UIDC 

Securities Limited and 

Gosord Securities Limited 

are to restore and restitute 

the Claimant with 549,453 

Union Bank shares and all 

bonuses and dividends in 

line with capital market 

rules, practice and 

procedures not later 

than 30 days from the 

date <strong>of</strong> the judgment.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018 — 11 


2019 POLLS: Don’t allow Nigerians lose 

confidence in you, Akeredolu tells INEC 

By Dayo Johnson 

AKURE—AHEAD <strong>of</strong> 

the 2019 general 

election, Governor Rotimi 

Akeredolu <strong>of</strong> Ondo State 

has advised the 



INEC, to resist temptations 

that would make Nigerians 

lose confidence in the 

commission. 

Governor Akeredolu said 

this when the Resident 

Electoral Commissioner , 

REC, in Ondo State, Dr. 

Rufus Akeju paid him a 

c<strong>our</strong>tesy call in Akure. 

He said that the electoral 

umpire should “be neutral 

and fair to all stakeholders 

in the discharge <strong>of</strong> its 

activities.” 

Akeredolu also said: “The 

commission should resist 

temptations that would 

make the people lose 

confidence in it. INEC 

should see all political 

parties as equal. 

“This will go along way 

to create trust and 

believability in the electoral 

body by Nigerians. When 

each political party is 

treated without fear 

or fav<strong>our</strong>, the nation’s 

OGUN STATE INVESTORS' FORUM: From left; Mr. Segun Adebutu, Chairman, 

Petrolex Group; Mr Ibrahim Boyi, MD, Peugeot Automobile Nigeria; Governor 

Ibikunle Amosun <strong>of</strong> Ogun State; Mrs Yewande Sadiku, Executive Secretary, Nigerian 

Investment Promotion Council; Mr Michael Ajukwu, Non-Executive Director, 

International Breweries/SAB Miller and Mr Adewale Adegbite, President, 

Manufacturers Association <strong>of</strong> Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter at the 2nd day <strong>of</strong> the 

Ogun State Investors' Forum 2018, themed: 'Consolidating the Gains: Accelerating 

Growth' in Abeokuta, Ogun State yesterday. Photo by Lamidi Bamidele. 

democracy will compete 

fav<strong>our</strong>ably with what is 

obtainable in the developed 

nations.” 

The governor also called 

on “the electorate and 

political parties to 

cooperate with INEC with 

a view to achieving hitchfree 

polls in 2019.” 

Akeredolu, who urged 

the REC to discharge his 

duties with integrity, truth 

and conscience, pledged 

his administration’s 

readiness to partner with 

the commission towards 

ensuring credible electoral 

processes. 

Earlier, Akeju had 

2019: We’ll wrest power from Lagos APC — PDP 

By Dapo Akinrefon 

L AGOS—THE 

P e o p l e s 

Democratic Party, PDP, in 

Lagos State, yesterday, 

said it had perfected 

plans to wrest power from 

the All Progressives 

Congress, APC, in 2019. 

This was as the APC in 

the state said it does not 

consider the PDP as a 

credible alternative given its 

historic failure as a ruling 

party in the country. 

Addressing newsmen in 

Lagos, the party’s 

chairman, Mr. Moshood 

Salvador said the PDP was 

determined to win Lagos 

State, for the first time, 

noting that the PDP had 

been repositioned to 

achieve this feat. 

Salvador said: “PDP is 

ready to win the state in 

2019; we have perfected <strong>our</strong> 

strategies; we are going to 

kick APC out because they 

have failed. 

“We are not going to 

reveal or discuss <strong>our</strong> 

strategies on the pages <strong>of</strong> 

newspapers because the 

opposition and some 

people might go and block 

<strong>our</strong> strategies. 

“But we are ready, party 

members are ready, we are 

ready to win Lagos in 2019." 

Salvador said the gale <strong>of</strong> 

endorsements <strong>of</strong> Gov. 

Akinwunmi Ambode to 

seek a second term by 

groups in APC was 

nothing, but mere political 

gimmicks. 

He said: "A performing 

government will not 

impose an obnoxious Land 

Use Charge in spite <strong>of</strong> the 

huge res<strong>our</strong>ces <strong>of</strong> the state. 

“If they need money, they 

should make a lot <strong>of</strong> 

investments to get more 

revenue, not to unfairly tax 

residents.” 

He urged residents to 

vote out APC in 2019 in 

view <strong>of</strong> their “draconian 

policies." 

On the crack in the party, 

Salvador said: “I am an 

advocate <strong>of</strong> discipline; I 

believe in honesty and I 

think the party should be 

guided by all that. I don’t 

want to talk about those 

causing trouble because all 

Investors urge Amosun to focus devt on 

industrial cluster areas 

By Daud Olatunji 

A SPEAKERS BEOKUTA— 

at the 

just-concluded 2018 Ogun 

Investors Forum have 

urged the state 

government to enc<strong>our</strong>age 

private investment in 

infrastructural development 

and review introduction <strong>of</strong> 

new taxes in the state. 

The speakers’ views were 

contained in the 

communique issued and 

presented by the State 

Head <strong>of</strong> Service, Abayomi 

Sobande at the second day 

<strong>of</strong> the forum, submitting that 

•You’re no credible alternative — APC 

private investment must be 

enc<strong>our</strong>aged through 

infrastructural development. 

Investors and 

industrialists challenged 

Governor Amosun to 

focus his developmental 

stride on industrial cluster 

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

Most <strong>of</strong> the industrialists, 

who spoke at different 

sessions <strong>of</strong> the two-day 

programme, expressed 

reservations at the state <strong>of</strong> 

roads in industrial areas 

especially the Atan- 

Agabara road. 

The communiqué reads in 

part: “Ogun state’s giant 

leap in infrastructure 

was commended but also 

urged to continue in the 

development <strong>of</strong> key 

infrastructure with a 

focus on industrial 

cluster areas.” 

The governor in his 

closing remarks shortly 

before the communique 

was read, said about N23 

billion Naira was 

required to fix the road. 

The Governor told the 

investors that the road 

had earlier been 

awarded at the cost <strong>of</strong> 

N14 billion before the 

contract was reviewed 

from an asphalt road to 

a concrete road. 

explained that the priority 

<strong>of</strong> the electoral body was to 

ensure that people’s votes 

count. 

Akeju assured political 

parties <strong>of</strong> a level playing 

ground even as he urged 

aspirants not to entertain 

any fear while pursuing 

their political ambitions. 

they want is business as 

usual and not real change.” 

You’re no credible 

alternative — APC 

In its reaction, the APC 

said the PDP was making 

"needless efforts to resurrect 

a dead party through vain 

grandstanding, making 

empty and hollow promises 

that mark PDP’s 16 wasteful 

years in power." 

Reacting to criticisms 

credited to the PDP 

Chairman against the Lagos 

State government, the APC 

says it does not consider 

PDP as a credible alternative 

given "its historic failure as 

a ruling party in Nigeria for 

16 years where Nigeria 

became a cesspit for 

corruption, looting and 

impunity with not even one 

worthwhile project to outlive 

those wasted years." 

In a statement by the state 

Publicity Secretary, Joe 

Igbokwe, the party said: 

“PDP is latching to the 

review <strong>of</strong> Land Use Charge 

by the hyperactive Ambode 

regime to seek the revival 

<strong>of</strong> a party that is 

synonymous with 

corruption and 

incompetence in a Lagos 

that had been turned into a 

bursting centre <strong>of</strong> growth, 

progress and 

development in the last 16 

years. This is a cheeky way 

that would not be allowed 

the surviving remnants <strong>of</strong> 

PDP. Governor Ambode is 

setting a pace in resultoriented 

governance and 

quick and classy 

deliverance.'' 

Akeredolu suspends LG 

boss for misconduct 

By Dayo Johnson 

A 

K U R E — 

GOVERNOR Rotimi 

Akeredolu <strong>of</strong> Ondo State 

has suspended chairman <strong>of</strong> 

the Caretaker Committee for 

Ondo West Local 

Government Area, Mr 

Ebenezer Akinsulire for 

alleged gross misconduct. 

An investigative panel 

to look into all the 

allegations leveled 

against him and came up 

with appropriate 

recommendation. 

Akinsulire’s suspension 

was announced in Akure by 

the Chief Press Secretary to 

the governor, Mr Segun 

Ajiboye. 

Ajiboye, in a statement, 

said: “The Governor’s 

directive was based on a 

petition against Akinsulire 

in which he was alleged <strong>of</strong> 

various <strong>of</strong>fences, including 

gross misconduct. 

“Governor Akeredolu has 

also given directive that the 

DLGA takes over the 

running <strong>of</strong> the affairs <strong>of</strong> the 

LGA until further notice. 

“The Governor has set up 

an investigative panel to 

look into all the allegations 

leveled against Akinsulire 

and come up with 

a p p r o p r i a t e 

recommendation on the 

matter. 

“Akinsulire is expected to 

hand over all government’s 

property in his possession. 

“The governor warns 

other political <strong>of</strong>fice holders 

in the State that the 

administration has zero 

tolerance for any act that 

may tarnish the image <strong>of</strong> 

the government." 

UCH doctors call for arrest <strong>of</strong> 

herdsmen who kidnapped 

colleagues 

By Ola Ajayi 

I 

B A D A N — 

FOLLOWING the 

abduction <strong>of</strong> two doctors by 

herdsmen on the Lagos- 

Ibadan expressway, the 

National Association <strong>of</strong> 

Resident Doctors has 

faulted the delay in the 

arrest <strong>of</strong> the kidnappers 

saying the unimpressive 

response <strong>of</strong> the police 

portends danger for other 

medical practitioners across 

the country. 

It, however, threatened to 

declare a state <strong>of</strong> 

emergency if President 

Muhammadu Buhari and 

the Inspector General <strong>of</strong> 

Police, Ibrahim Idris fail to 

take urgent measures. 

National President <strong>of</strong> the 

association, Dr. Ibisola 

Babalola, who addressed 

newsmen, yesterday, at the 

University College 

A BUJA—THE 

Director General <strong>of</strong> 

the National Emergency 

Management Agency, 

NEMA, Engr. Mustapha 

Maihaja, said yesterday that 

about N10.322billion was 

allocated to emergency 

needs by the Federal 

Government from January 

2017 to date. 

Maihaja, who made the 

clarifications at a public 

hearing by the House 

Committee on Emergency 

and Disaster Preparedness 

on alleged violation <strong>of</strong> 

public trust in NEMA said 

he could only account 

for NEMA activities from 

April 2017 when he took over 

to date. 

According to him, 

contrary to allegations, 

Hospital, Ibadan, said: “Two 

<strong>of</strong> <strong>our</strong> colleagues, Dr. 

Damola Olufajo and Dr. 

Tayo Odebunmi, were 

kidnapped by three 

herdsmen. The doctors are 

now calling on President 

Buhari and the Inspector 

General <strong>of</strong> Police to ensure 

that the culprits are 

apprehended. Until the 

suspects are arrested and 

brought to book, <strong>our</strong> lives 

are not safe. These 

hoodlums could be lurking 

around the UCH waiting for 

doctors to kidnap.” 

“Nigeria, with a 

population <strong>of</strong> 180 million, 

needs at least 300,000 

doctors to take care <strong>of</strong> the 

people. But, due to the 

dearth <strong>of</strong> doctors in the 

country, we only have 

less than 35,000. With 

this trend <strong>of</strong> insecurity, 

More doctors may leave the 

country. We want the IGP to 

use his pr<strong>of</strong>essionalism to 

save the day.” 

‘N10.3bn allocated for emergency 

needs from Jan 2017 to date' 

NEMA cannot award any 

procurement contract worth 

more than N300 million. 

He insisted that he has 

acted in good faith and with 

respect for accountability 

and transparency since he 

became DG in April 2017. 

He said: “We insist that 

due process be followed on 

procurement since my 

assumption <strong>of</strong> duties in April 

2017 because different 

methods were used before 

then with serious resistance 

from within and outside. In 

fact, BPP’s approval was 

also got before 

procurements. 

“Today, NEMA is one <strong>of</strong> 

the most investigated 

agencies but due process 

was followed in <strong>our</strong> 

procurements.''


:Vanguard :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnewsNEWS HOTLINES: 

Corruption in amnesty: Reps 

probe Boroh, Kuku 

By Levinus 

Nwabughiogu 

A BUJA—WORRIED 

by the alleged large 

scale corruption in the 

Niger Delta Presidential 

Amnesty Office, the House 

<strong>of</strong> Representatives has 

mandated its relevant 

committee to carry out a 

comprehensive probe into 

the activities <strong>of</strong> the <strong>of</strong>fice 

since inception. 

Following this, the 

recently sacked coordinator 

<strong>of</strong> the Office, Gen. Paul 

Boroh (retd) and his 

predecessor, Mr. Kingsley 

Kuku will be appearing 

before the House 

Committee on Niger Delta 

on a date yet to be 

announced. 

Already, Boroh is being 

quizzed by the Economic 

....As Ijaw elders caution 

ex-militants over Boroh’s removal 

By Elizabeth 

Uwandu 

CO-ORDINATOR <strong>of</strong> 

Ijaw Monitoring 

Group, Mr Joseph Evah on 

behalf <strong>of</strong> the group and Ijaw 

elders, has cautioned Ijaw 

youths over the ultimatum 

given the Federal 

Government to recall the 

sacked Co-ordinator <strong>of</strong> 

Amnesty Programme, 

Maj.Gen Paul Boroh (retd). 

He enjoined the youths 

to withdraw their threat and 

maintain peace in the 

region. 

The former Publicity 

Secretary <strong>of</strong> Ijaw National 

Congress, INC, regretted 

that “The threat will lead to 

military mobilising against 

<strong>our</strong> villages and <strong>our</strong> women 

and children will suffer. 

“We urge the ex-militants 

to consult <strong>our</strong> National 

Leader, Chief Edwin Clark 

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

region under PANDEF 

leadership at all times so 

that the world will see us 

as a united region. 

“Recently PANDEF set up 

committee on the amnesty 

<strong>of</strong>fice, therefore, the exmilitants 

should consult 

PANDEF leadership. The 

planned demonstration <strong>of</strong> 

ex-militants around media 

houses will increase 

tension in the region and 

attract negative global flash 

points. 

“We need a united front 

to tackle issues such as the 

Arewa group in the North, 

Afenifere in South-West 

and Ohanaeze Ndigbo in 

South East. The youths in 

<strong>our</strong> region should work 

with PANDEF on all issues 

affecting the region to make 

the region move faster in 

development matters,” the 

statement added. 

and Financial Crimes Commission, 

EFCC and the 

Office <strong>of</strong> National Security 

Adviser, NSA over alleged 

financial improprieties after 

his sack by President 

Muhammadu Buhari, last 

week. 

The House also 

mandated the committee to 

assess the impact <strong>of</strong> the 

amnesty programme on 

the ex-agitators in the Niger 

Delta region. 

The resolution <strong>of</strong> the 

House was sequel to the 

consideration and adoption 

<strong>of</strong> a motion by Abubakar 

Chika Adamu from Niger 

State at plenary, yesterday. 

Canvassing support for 

the motion earlier, Adamu 

recalled "that hundreds <strong>of</strong> 

ex- agitators besieged the 

gate <strong>of</strong> the National 

Assembly in November last 

year, protesting the non 

payment <strong>of</strong> their stipends 

and other allowances. 

"Despite the huge 

amount <strong>of</strong> money ranging 

from N60 to N70 billion 

allocated to the <strong>of</strong>fice, most 

<strong>of</strong> repented militants sent 

to various schools abroad 

had faced all sorts <strong>of</strong> 

humiliations and 

embarrassment by their 

host country embassies," he 

noted. 

When subjected to voice 

vote by the Speaker <strong>of</strong> the 

House, Mr Yakubu Dogara, 

the motion was 

unanimously adopted by 

the members. 

Police moving to reclaim territories seized 

from Delta community by herdsmen—Okowa 

By Emma Amaize, 

Festus Ahon, 

Akpokona 

Omafuaire & 

Ochuko Akuopha 

ASABA—GOVERNOR 

Ifeanyi Okowa <strong>of</strong> Delta, 

yesterday, said the police 

had initiated machineries to 

reclaim the territory seized 

from Uwheru community, 

Ughelli North Local 

Government Area <strong>of</strong> the 

state by rampaging 

herdsmen. 

He also expressed 

optimism that he would 

return for a second term 

with his deputy, Mr 

Kingsley Otuaro in 2019. 

Okowa, who spoke to 

j<strong>our</strong>nalists at Asaba, during 

his quarterly press briefing, 

said the state 

Commissioner <strong>of</strong> Police 

had briefed him on Tuesday 

after reporting to the 

Inspector General <strong>of</strong> Police 

on the development. 

He stated that the 

measures used were 

classified intelligence 

information that he could 

not disclose to the media, 

adding that reports <strong>of</strong> three 

communities being 

overtaken by herdsmen 

were exaggerated by a 

section <strong>of</strong> the media. 

He said: “When the Assistant 

lnspector General <strong>of</strong> 

Police in charge <strong>of</strong> zone 5 

came, l had to raise the issue, 

because l was fresh 

from a town hall meeting 

at Ughelli. The problem has 

been lingering about 

herdsmen taking over 

lands and destroying their 

crops. 

“The Uwheru community 

has several small villages 

and I was told that in three 

<strong>of</strong> the smaller villages, 

herdsmen had taken over 

their bushes and not where 

they stay. The state 

government is working 

hard to arrest the situation.” 

Okowa disclosed that 

several stakeholders 

meetings had been held 

where “all council chairmen 

have been directed to 

constitute committees, a 

kind <strong>of</strong> intervention 

committees led by the local 

government council 

chairmen with the farmers 

union in the councils, the 

Presidents General <strong>of</strong> 

communities, traditional 

rulers and representatives 

<strong>of</strong> Miyeti-Allah and we 

hope that we will be able to 

address the major issues 

that we have while 

awaiting policy direction 

that will be given at the 

federal level.”

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018 —13 


SUMMIT: From left: Director-General, Save Democracy Africa, SDA, Dr Ifedi Okwenna; 

Res<strong>our</strong>ce person/retired broadcaster, Mr Mac Emakpore; Chairman, Governing Council, 

SDA, Sen. Jonathan Zwingina and Guest Speaker, Sen Adefemi Kila, during a communiqué 

presentation at 2018 Annual National Political Summit, in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN. 

Give Ogoni justice, not prison, 

cemetery, Mitee tells FG 

By Davies 

Iheamnachor 

PORT HARCOURT— 

Former President <strong>of</strong> 

Movement for the Survival 

<strong>of</strong> Ogoni People, MOSOP, 

Ledum Mitee, has told the 

Federal Government not to 

substitute justice, which 

Ogoni people deserve, by 

building <strong>of</strong> prison and 

cemetery in Ogoniland. 

MOSOP had in its recent 

statement alleged that it 

had uncovered a plan by 

the Federal Government to 

build a maximum prison 

and a cemetery in Bori, 

Khana Local Government 

Area <strong>of</strong> Rivers State. 

In a statement in Port 

Harc<strong>our</strong>t, yesterday, Mitee 

noted that it was wrong for 

the government not to focus 

on developing Ogoni oil 

devastated environment, 

adding that the area has 

been battling 

environmental degradation 

for decades. 

Mitee said: “In a step 

reminiscent <strong>of</strong> <strong>our</strong> 

pr<strong>of</strong>oundly painful past, the 

Federal Government’s 

response is reported to be 

a plan to build a prison and 

a cemetery in Ogoniland. 

This must indeed be a 

listening government, a 

Don't panic over Avengers' threat on 

sacked Boroh, DSS tells Nigerians 

By Jimitota 

Onoyume 

W 

A R R I — 

DEPARTMENT 

<strong>of</strong> State Service, DSS, has 

called on Nigerians not to 

panic over reported threat 

by some groups under the 

aegis <strong>of</strong> Niger Delta 

Avengers to wreak havoc in 

the region if former 

Presidential Coordinator <strong>of</strong> 

the amnesty programme, 

Brigadier-General Paul 

Boroh (retd) was not 

reinstated within the next 

one month. 

A top <strong>of</strong>ficer <strong>of</strong> DSS in the 

region , who spoke to 

Vanguard on conditions <strong>of</strong> 

anonymity, said a check 

showed that the threat was 

from some persons merely 

flying a kite, stressing that 

Nigerians should not be 

afraid because <strong>of</strong> the media 

report. 

Meantime, Niger Delta 

Youth Movement has 

dissociated itself from 

threats issued by one 

Ebitare Pere, calling for the 

reinstatement <strong>of</strong> Boroh as 

Coordinator <strong>of</strong> Presidential 

Amnesty Programme. 

According to the group, 

Pere was neither a 

spokesman <strong>of</strong> the body at 

any level nor even a 

member. 

A statement by National 

Prerogative <strong>of</strong> Mercy Council assures 

on amnesty for prison inmates 

By Festus Ahon 

& Ochuko 

Akuopha 

ASABA— WORRIED 

by the deplorable 

conditions <strong>of</strong> prisons in the 

country, Chairman <strong>of</strong> Delta 

State Advisory Council on 

Prerogative <strong>of</strong> Mercy, Chief 

Patrick Okpakpor, has 

promised to make 

a p p r o p r i a t e 

recommendations to 

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to 

grant amnesty to deserving 

inmates. 

Okpakpor, who spoke 

after members <strong>of</strong> the council 

concluded their maiden 

government that listens and 

thus responds to the 

consequences <strong>of</strong> its actions 

and inactions. 

“That must explain why 

it responds to the threats 

posed to <strong>our</strong> lives by an uncleaned 

and poisoned 

Ogoni environment is by 

proposing a cemetery for 

<strong>our</strong> eventual death and 

prison for would-be 

visits to all prisons across 

the state, advised youths to 

stay away from crime. 

A total <strong>of</strong> 1154 convicted 

persons currently serving 

jail terms for various 

<strong>of</strong>fences were discovered by 

the council during the 

visits. The figure includes 

32 inmates on life 

imprisonment, 222 

condemned convicts and 

900 others serving various 

jail terms. 

He said the Okowa-led 

administration was 

“committed to the 

betterment <strong>of</strong> lives <strong>of</strong> all 

Deltans, including that <strong>of</strong> 

prisoners, so that when they 

survivors. 

“Otherwise, why must it 

be that when we cried for 

justice in the past, the 

government responded by 

turning <strong>our</strong> land into a 

virtual prison and cemetery 

and as we cry today for 

justice, government’s 

response appears to also 

give us, this time, a concrete 

prison and cemetery? The 

return to society, they will 

become useful to 

themselves and society.” 

Expressing shock at the 

level <strong>of</strong> congestion in the 

prisons, Okpakpor decried 

what he described as the 

undignified and 

dehumanised conditions <strong>of</strong> 

inmates. 

Okpakpor, who was first 

Attorney-General and 

Commissioner for Justice in 

Delta State, charged the 

Federal Government “to 

make adequate budgetary 

provisions to expand the 

already over stretched 

prison facilities in the 

country.” 

snag, however, is that we 

the Ogoni don’t bury <strong>our</strong> 

dead in cemeteries.” 

Mitee urged the Federal 

Government to shun its 

plans to build prison and 

cemetery in the area, 

adding that a responsible 

government ought to think 

<strong>of</strong> full implementation <strong>of</strong> 

United Nations 

Environmental 

Programme, UNEP, report 

other than projects that will 

not benefit the people. 

President <strong>of</strong> the body, Mr 

Joe Jackson, said: “We wish 

to state that the so-called 

Pere is not known in the 

NDYM. He/she is not the 

national spokesperson <strong>of</strong> 

<strong>our</strong> movement, neither is he/ 

she the spokesperson in any 

<strong>of</strong> <strong>our</strong> nine state chapters. 

“Flowing from the above, 

we heartily embrace the 

appointment <strong>of</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor 

Charles Dokubo as the new 

Special Adviser and 

Coordinator <strong>of</strong> Presidential 

Amnesty Programme. 

“We, therefore, advise that 

he should be pan Niger 

Delta in the discharge <strong>of</strong> his 

duties and learn from the 

mistakes <strong>of</strong> his predecessors 

so that the nine state 

governments, leaders and, 

indeed, Niger Delta Youth 

Movement will support his 

stay in <strong>of</strong>fice.” 

By Onozure 

Dania 

FOLLOWING 

the 

fraudulent activities <strong>of</strong> 

some property agents in the 

country, a body, Association 

<strong>of</strong> Property Agents, APA, 

has been inaugurated in 

Ughelli, Delta State to check 

its members. 

At the inaugural event, 

President <strong>of</strong> APA, Dr. Jonah 

Esegine, said: “The 

inauguration <strong>of</strong> this 

association has been long 

overdue because the 

Oba <strong>of</strong> Benin did not place 

curse on Iguomon 

community —Chief priest 

By Gabriel 

Enogholase 

B ENIN—OHEN 

Okhuaihe Ne Uleku 

(Chief Priest) <strong>of</strong> Iguomon 

community in Uhunmwode 

Local Government Area <strong>of</strong> 

Edo State, Chief Joseph 

Odeh, has described as 

untrue, media reports that 

mysterious deaths or 

diseases have been ravaging 

the town arising from curses 

allegedly placed on it by the 

Oba <strong>of</strong> Benin. 

He said the Benin 

monarch never placed a 

curse on the community. 

In a statement in Benin 

City, yesterday, the chief 

priest said one Joseph 

Ighodaro, said to have led a 

group <strong>of</strong> people to the Palace 

<strong>of</strong> Oba <strong>of</strong> Benin to plead for 

the revocation <strong>of</strong> the curses, 

was neither the spokesman 

nor secretary <strong>of</strong> the 

community 

He said he had no right, 

authority, whether actual or 

implied, to speak for the 

community just as he said the 

statement he made was a 

complete deviation from what 

actually transpired. 

He said: “Contrary to the 

publication, sometime in 

December 2016, the aforesaid 

Joseph Ighodaro led some 

misguided and disgruntled 

property business in 

Ughelli and its environs is 

becoming chaotic by the day 

as purchasers have lost 

confidence in the vendors. 

“Therefore, the primary 

aim <strong>of</strong> this body is to 

guarantee purchase 

without bitterness, lost <strong>of</strong> 

money and property. It is 

<strong>our</strong> resolve that purchasers 

go home without 

unnecessary litigation after 

purchase. 

“Agents have no rules 

guiding their operations, 

elements from Iguomon and 

a Pastor, whose name 

remains unknown, to cut 

down all the sacred and 

ancestral trees at Uleku 

shrine, Aronde shrine and 

Oguedion shrine in the 

community. 

"Some <strong>of</strong> these sacred and 

ancestral trees include Uloko 

Ewuare at Okhuaihe, Ne 

Aronde shrine, Ikhinmwin 

Ewuare at Okhuaihe Ne 

Uleku shrine, the Ikhinmwin 

at Aruotor shrine and those 

<strong>of</strong> Oguedion in the 

community. 

“These sacred trees are the 

trees that sustain not only the 

Oba <strong>of</strong> Benin, but the entire 

Benin Kingdom. This wanton 

and abominable destruction 

<strong>of</strong> these sacred and ancestral 

trees was reported to the Oba 

<strong>of</strong> Benin, who thereafter, 

reprimanded the people 

responsible for committing 

the sacred cultural sacrilege. 

And that in the future, those 

involved were going to 

appease the ancestors <strong>of</strong> 

Iguomon. 

“For the sake <strong>of</strong> emphasis, 

there was never a time 

whatsoever that the Oba <strong>of</strong> 

Benin, Oba Ewuare 11, 

evoked any curse on 

Iguomon community as a 

result <strong>of</strong> the activities <strong>of</strong> the 

defunct CDA <strong>of</strong> Iguomon." 

Eyube congratulates 

Emerhor, APC members 

over federal appointments 

By Babatunde 

Jimoh 

ACHIEFTAIN <strong>of</strong> All 

Progressives 

Congress, APC, in Okpe 

Local Government Area <strong>of</strong> 

Delta State, Kennedy 

Eyube, has congratulated 

Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, 

on his appointment as 

Chairman <strong>of</strong> University <strong>of</strong> 

Ilorin Teaching Hospital, 

Ilorin. 

Eyube, who spoke, 

yesterday, in Warri, Delta 

State, also expressed 

appreciation to President 

Muhammadu Buhari for 

the numerous federal 

appointments given to 

members <strong>of</strong> APC in Delta 

State, noting that the 

President’s kind gesture 

has strengthened the party 

in the state. 

He said: “The 

appointment <strong>of</strong> Olorogun 

Emerhor, leader <strong>of</strong> APC in 

Delta State and other 

members <strong>of</strong> APC in the 

state by President Buhari is 

commendable and a 

reaffirmation <strong>of</strong> Buhari’s 

genuine commitment 

toward to the growth and 

development <strong>of</strong> APC in 

Delta State." 

Property agents inaugurate body to 

check fraudulent activities 

everybody in town is an 

emergency agent while 

property buyers lose money 

and property <strong>of</strong>ten and 

property related litigations 

are on the increase. 

“It is for these reasons that 

this body is today 

inaugurated to improve on 

service delivery among <strong>our</strong> 

members to check the 

ungodly and unguided 

transaction by unknown 

emergency agents who go 

about investigating landed 

property before advising 

buyers to put in their hard 

earned money."

14 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018 

TUC accuses debtor 

states <strong>of</strong> diverting funds 

meant for workers’salaries 

By Victor Ahiuma- 

Young 

A BUJA—TRADE 

Union Congress <strong>of</strong> 

Nigeria, TUC, yesterday 

accused state governments 

still owing workers’ 

salaries <strong>of</strong> diverting 

money meant for payment 

<strong>of</strong> salaries and other 

benefits to buy properties 

across the world. 

The umbrella body <strong>of</strong> 

senior workers in the 

country insisted that governors 

still owing workers 

salaries should resign 

now to avoid disgrace 

come 2019 election. 

TUC’s position followed 

recent disclosure by Vice 

President Yemi Osinbajo, 

that N1.9 trillion had 

been released to state 

governments as Paris 

Club Refund. 

In a statement, TUC 

contended that it was 

unfair and inhuman for 

governors after sharing a 

total <strong>of</strong> N1.9 trillion and 

budget support facilities 

since the inception <strong>of</strong> this 

administration to fail to 

meet their obligations to 

workers. 

The statement by Bobboi 

Kaigama and Musa 

Lawal, President and Sec- 


retary General <strong>of</strong> TUC, 

lamented that instead <strong>of</strong> 

paying workers, “governors 

are busy buying 

properties all over the 

world. One wonders how 

they (governors) sleep at 

night while the people 

they govern go to bed 

hungry, sick and have 

their wards out <strong>of</strong> school.” 

The group commended 

Vice President Osinbajo 

and Senator Shehu 

Sani (APC, Kaduna 

Central) for their recent 

revelations on monies 

released to states and a 

fraction <strong>of</strong> the take home 

<strong>of</strong> senators, saying: “The 

public and the international 

community is now 

abreast <strong>of</strong> how politicians 

and cronies rape <strong>our</strong> national 

patrimony while 

the masses live in abject 

poverty. 

‘’For us, this revelation 

is an eye opener and we 

are going to mobilise 

members throughout the 

country to ensure that 

defaulting governors 

seeking re-election and 

even those who have 

served out their second 

term but want to impose 

a stooge will not be allowed 

to emerge, but face 

perdition come 2019.’’ 

FG raises concern over $215m shortfall in 

fight against tuberculosis 

Customs intercepts exotic vehicles, trailers <strong>of</strong> rice, 

others worth N2.5bn in March 

By Godfrey Bivbere 

& Esther Onyegbula 

L AGOS—FEDERAL 

Operations Unit, 

FOU, the anti-smuggling 

arm <strong>of</strong> the Nigeria Customs 

Service, NCS, has 

intercepted exotic vehicles, 

trailer load <strong>of</strong> imported 

rice, poultry products 

and other products with 

Duty Paid Value, DPV <strong>of</strong> 

over N2.5 billion between 

March 1st and 19th. 

Customs Area Controller, 

CAC, <strong>of</strong> the Unit, Garba 

Uba Mohammed, who 

By Michael Eboh 

ABUJA—THE Feder 

al Government has 

called for private sector financing 

in the fight 

against tuberculosis, declaring 

that the country is 

suffering funding shortfall 

<strong>of</strong> $215 million, about 64 

per cent <strong>of</strong> the total funding 

required in the campaign 

against the disease. 

Speaking in Abuja, at a 

roundtable on sustainable 

financing to end tuberculosis 

in Nigeria, National 

Coordinator <strong>of</strong> the National 

Tuberculosis and Leprosy 

Control Programme, 

NTBLCP, a Federal Ministry 

<strong>of</strong> Health initiative, 

Mrs. Adebola Lawanson, 

lamented that the current 

rate <strong>of</strong> financing for TB was 

very low, hence the need 

for the government to look 

inward and see how it 

could mobilize res<strong>our</strong>ces to 

prosecute the campaign. 

She said in 2017, the Federal 

Government declared 

disclosed this, said the 

seized items included 16 

exotic vehicles mostly 2017 

model, 7201 bags <strong>of</strong> foreign 

parboiled rice, 12 trailers, 

1,172 cartons <strong>of</strong> frozen poultry 

products, 1,352 jerry 

cans <strong>of</strong> vegetable oil, 72 

bales <strong>of</strong> used clothing, 464 

pieces <strong>of</strong> used tyres, 407 

sacks <strong>of</strong> Pangolin scales 

and 629 pieces <strong>of</strong> textile 

Ankara material among 

others. 

The vehicles included 

two Lexus jeep (2016, 2017 

model), one Rolls Royce, 

one Lincoln limousine 

•Chevron, Agbami partner, 

invest $2.2bn 

that $336 million was 

needed to successfully 

prosecute the fight against 

the disease. But only nine 

per cent, about $31 million 

was contributed by the government, 

while $90 million, 

representing 27 per cent <strong>of</strong> 

the total was contributed by 

international donor agencies, 

leaving a shortfall <strong>of</strong> 

$215 million. 

“Tuberculosis needs to 

be treated with the same 

urgency with which we 

tackled the Ebolas virus 

(2014), three Toyota Camry 

(2009, 2013 and 2017 

models) one Toyota Rav 4, 

one Toyota Avalon (2016) 

one Dogde. The 16 exotic 

vehicles alone have a DPV 

<strong>of</strong> over N340 million. 

While six vehicles were 

impounded based on intelligence 

at a shop along Lekki 

- Epe expressway, the 

remaining 10 were intercepted 

while on information 

patrol at various locations. 

According to Mohammed, 

“the ban on the importation 

<strong>of</strong> foreign rice 

through the land was to enc<strong>our</strong>age 

local production.’’ 

SOME OF THE FREED 100 

DAPCHI 

SCHOOLGIRLS 

outbreak. This would 

help change the landscape 

in the fight 

against TB. We need 

more res<strong>our</strong>ces, advocacy 

and support to prosecute 

the fight against tuberculosis,” 

Lawanson 

noted. 

Also speaking, Head, 

Occupation Health, 

Chevron Nigeria Limited, 

Dr. Femi Pitan, disclosed 

that Chevron, its 

subsidiary, Star Deep Water 

and partners in the Agbami 

project, as well as other 

companies in the petroleum 

industry were committed 

to investing in the 

fight against tuberculosis, 

noting that Nigeria’s control 

efforts could leverage 

on the industry’s activities 

in the fight. 

According to her, since 

2008, Chevron and the 

Agbami parties had spent 

a total <strong>of</strong> N2.2 billion on 

chest clinics built, furnished 

and equipped, saying: 

“A practical training on 

molecular-genetic diagnostics 

<strong>of</strong> tuberculosis was 

organized for over 100 laboratory 

attendants and supervisors 

from the chest 

clinics and neighboring 

hospitals in collaboration 

with the National TB Program 

as at 2014.’’ 

101 <strong>of</strong> the 110 <strong>Dapchi</strong> Schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents few weeks ago were released yesterday. 

PHOTOS BY NDAHI MARAMA & AFP. 

One <strong>of</strong> the released girls with her father (2nd left) in <strong>Dapchi</strong> town. 

...Some <strong>of</strong> the freed girls. 

Alhaji Inuwa (left), father <strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> girls who was 

not released weeps in <strong>Dapchi</strong>. Another girl breathing air <strong>of</strong> freedom. Yet another set <strong>of</strong> the girls with a relation.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018—15 


By Ikechukwu 

Nnochiri 

A BUJA—FEDERAL 

Government, 

yesterday, asked the 

Federal High C<strong>our</strong>t in 

Abuja to freeze undeclared 

assets that were traced to 

the Deputy Senate 

President, Ike 

Ekweremadu. 

Federal Government, via 

an ex-parte motion marked 

FHC/ABJ/CS/284/2018, 

specifically applied for an 

interim c<strong>our</strong>t order 

“temporarily attaching/ 

forfeiting the properties 

listed in Schedule B 

hereunder, to the Federal 

Government <strong>of</strong> Nigeria, 

pending the conclusion <strong>of</strong> 

further inquiry/ 

investigation by the Special 

Presidential Investigation 

Panel for the Recovery <strong>of</strong> 

Public Property and/or 

possible arraignment <strong>of</strong> the 

Respondent”. 

The motion was filed on 

behalf <strong>of</strong> the government by 

Lagos based lawyer, Mr. 

Festus Keyamo, SAN. 

While nine <strong>of</strong> the 

properties are in Nigeria, 

two are in London, eight in 

Dubai and three in the 

United States <strong>of</strong> America. 

FG predicated the motion 

on section 330 <strong>of</strong> the 

Administration <strong>of</strong> Criminal 

Justice Act, 2015, section 8 

<strong>of</strong> the Recovery <strong>of</strong> Public 

Property (Special 

Provisions) Act, section 44 

(2) (K) <strong>of</strong> the 1999 

Constitution, as amended. 

It listed as Schedule A, 19 

properties Ekweremadu 

declared in the Assets 

Declaration Form he 

submitted before the Code 

<strong>of</strong> Conduct Bureau, CCB, 

on June 5, 2015, seven 

properties he declared on 

June 1, 2007, as well as 

details <strong>of</strong> his investments in 

and outside Nigeria, 

including his shares, 

debentures & other 

securities. 

Properties not 

declared 

Specifically, properties 

contained in the Schedule 

B, which FG is seeking to 

seize from Ekweremadu 

over his failure to declare 

them, are located at No. 11, 

Evans Enwerem Street, 

Apo Legislative Quarters, 

Apo, Abuja; Plot 2633 

Kyami, Abuja, Housing 

Estate; (Plot 1106 CRD, 

Cadastral Zone 07-07, 

Lugbe, Abuja; Plot 2782 

Asokoro Extension, Abuja; 

Houses at Citi Park Estate, 

Gwagwalada, Abuja; Plot 

1474 Cadastral Zone BD6, 

Mabushi, Abuja; Congress 

C<strong>our</strong>t, Abuja; Flat 1, Block 

D25, Athletics Street, (24th 

Street) Games Village, 

Abuja and Plot 66, 64 

Crescent, Gwarimpa 

Estate, Abuja. 

Those in London are Flat 

MEETING: From left—Chief Executive Officer, Union Bank, Emeka 

Emuwa; HRH Igwe Okeke Patrick Mbamalu, Igwe <strong>of</strong> Abagana; Executive 

Director, Corporate and Investment Banking, Union Bank, Emeka 

Okonkwo and Managing Director, Fitex Nigeria Limited, Chief 

Ifeanyichukwu Chukwudum, at a forum organised for Union Bank 

Customers and stakeholders in Onitsha. 

FG moves to seize 

Ekweremadu’s assets 

•No asset to forfeit—Ekweremadu 

4 Varsity C<strong>our</strong>t, Harmer 

Street, WIH 4NW, London; 

52 Ayleston Avenue, NW6 

7AB, London. 

Other properties in Dubai 

and USA are; Room 1903, 

The Address Hotel, 

Downtown Dubai; The 

Address Boulevard, 3901, 

Dubai; 2 Flats <strong>of</strong> Burij Side 

Boulevard (the signature), 

Dubai; Emirate Gardens 

Apartment No. EGG1/1/ 

114, Dubai; Emirate 

Gardens Apartment No. 

EGG1/115, Dubai; 

Apartment No. DFB/12/B 

1204, Park Towers, Dubai; 

Flat 3604, MAG214, Dubai 

and Villa No 148, Maeen 

1, The Lakes Emirates 

Hills, Dubai. 

As well as 4507 Stella 

Street, Bellavida Estate 

Kissime, Florida, USA; 

2747 Club Cortile Circle, 

Kissime, Florida, USA 

and 2763 Club Cortile 

Circle, Kissime, Florida, 

USA. 

FG told the c<strong>our</strong>t that ongoing 

investigation and 

inquiries revealed that the 

properties listed in 

Schedule B belonged to 

Ekweremadu as at the time 

he declared his assets. 

It said: “That preliminary 

investigation by the 

Applicant reveals that a 

prima facie case <strong>of</strong> a breach 

<strong>of</strong> Code <strong>of</strong> Conduct for 

Public Officers has been 

made out against the 

Respondent”. 

FG further told the c<strong>our</strong>t 

in an affidavit that was 

deposed to by one Yohanna 

Shankuk, that its 

investigation was based on 

a petition that was written 

against Ekweremadu by a 

retired Chief Judge <strong>of</strong> 

Enugu State, Justice A.I. 

Umezulike. 

It's 

smear 

c a m p a i g n — 

Ekweremadu 

However, Senator Ike 

Ekweremadu yesterday 

affirmed that he has no 

further assets to declare 

as he dared the Special 

Investigation Panel to go 

ahead to confiscate 

whatever assets it 

claimed he did not 

properly declare. 

Ekweremadu in a 

tersely worded statement 

issued by his Special 

Adviser, Media, affirmed 

that the effort was a 

vendetta campaign 

shaped by 2019 politics 

given his claim that the 

panel actually sought 

and obtained his legally 

declared assets at the 

Code <strong>of</strong> Conduct 

Bureau. 

Without drawing 

attention to claims that 

the panel may have 

usurped the work <strong>of</strong> the 

Code <strong>of</strong> Conduct Bureau 

and the Code <strong>of</strong> Conduct 

Tribunal, he said: 

“Senator Ekweremadu, 

however, wishes to state 

unequivocally that there 

is no asset to forfeit as he 

declared all his assets 

with the Code <strong>of</strong> Conduct 

Bureau as required by 

law. The so-called Panel 

sought and obtained his 

Assets Declaration 

Forms, but could not look 

at them since it is clearly 

out on a vendetta and 

smear campaign 

championed by Mr. Okoi 

Obono-Obla. 

“This is clearly part <strong>of</strong> 

the politics <strong>of</strong> 2019, and 

is further exposing 

those, who colluded with 

the dismissed former 

Chief Judge <strong>of</strong> Enugu 

State, Justice Innocent 

Umezulike and his 

cronies to steal and 

doctor his will. 

“The Senator has, 

nevertheless, briefed his 

lawyers and will meet 

the panel in c<strong>our</strong>t. 

“Again, Senator 

Ekweremadu wishes to 

assure all his supporters 

and well-wishers that 

there is nothing to worry 

about.” 

Assets declared 

Meanwhile, FG listed 

assets it said Ekweremadu 

declared in 2015 as “5 

Bedroom Duplex & Boys 

Quarters, House A40 Apo 

Quarters, Apo, Abuja 

(purportedly acquired with 

a loan <strong>of</strong> N13.5 Million from 

Bank PHB); 

“10 Bedroom House with 

Guest Chalet & Boy 

Quarters, 2 Jim Nwobodo 

Street, Apo, Abuja 

(purportedly acquired with 

a mortgage loan <strong>of</strong> N412, 

200, 000.00 from Aso 

Savings & Loan); 

“7 Bedroom House with 

Pent House & Boy quarters, 

Plot 147A Mabushi, Abuja 

(purportedly valued at N3, 

471, 922.1 acquired with 

salaries & allowances); 

“2 RM Apartment, MAG 

214 Dubai (purportedly 

bought for $ 50,000.00); 4 

Bedroom Town House, The 

Lake Dubai (purportedly 

bought for $20,000.00); 4 

RM Town House, Florida 

(he claims he bought this 

House from a loan <strong>of</strong> 

$155,000.00 gotten from 

PHB), among other 

property. 

Amaechi, Ohanaeze disagree 

over Igbo presidency 

By Vincent 

Ujumadu 

AWKA—MINISTER <strong>of</strong> 

Transport, Chief Chibuike 

Amaechi and the President 

General <strong>of</strong> Ohanaeze 

Ndigbo, Chief Nnia 

Nwodo, yesterday, 

disagreed on the quickest 

way for the Igbo to produce 

president. 

While Amaechi, who was 

the convocation lecturer for 

the 12th Convocation 

ceremony <strong>of</strong> Nnamdi 

Azikiwe University, Awka 

called on the Igbo to vote 

for President Muhammadu 

Buhari in 2019 to serve his 

second term to pave way 

for the Igbo to produce the 

president after his tenure, 

Nwodo disagreed, saying 

such argument should not 

have a place in a true 

democratic system. 

Speaking on the topic, 

"The Igbo in the politics <strong>of</strong> 

Nigeria," Amaechi said 

Igbo had not benefited 

much by voting for minority 

parties. 

He said: “We are not here 

for campaign; we are here 

for an academic exercise. If 

we are here for campaign, 

I would not be putting on 

academic gown, but we 

must tell <strong>our</strong>selves the truth 

about what Buhari has 

done. 

“Since 1999, the Igbo 

people have always voted 

for the Peoples Democratic 

Party, PDP. There is nothing 

wrong with that, but the 

question must be asked; has 

the PDP justified that 

support or reciprocated it in 

any manner? 

“Is that support really 

earned? The complaint 

now is that the All 

Progressives Congress, 

APC government <strong>of</strong> 

President Muhammadu 

Uma Ukpai storms Anambra for 

Obiano's 2nd term dedication 

By Nwabueze 

Okonkwo 

O NITSHA— 

OKPOKO, a 

sprawling suburb <strong>of</strong> 

Onitsha, the Anambra 

commercial hub will be 

agog as from today, as 

Governor Willie Obiano <strong>of</strong> 

Anambra State and his 

deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke 

are expected to lead other 

political and business 

leaders in the state to pray 

for the security <strong>of</strong> Ndigbo 

and Nigeria in general, 

during a three-day crusade 

to be conducted by a world 

renowned preacher, Rev 

(Dr) Uma Ukpai. 

During the events which 

will be kick-started later 

today with a free medical 

outreach, Rev. Ukpai is also 

expected to rededicate 

Obiano and his lieutenants 

to God for rapid 

Buhari abandoned the 

South East and is 

marginalising them. 

“Without conceding to 

that, let us compare a 

situation where the PDP 

you voted for gave you a 

few appointments here and 

there and denied you any 

major developmental 

projects as against the APC 

government <strong>of</strong> President 

Buhari you did not vote for 

and who, even if he denied 

you appointments, has 

certainly not denied you 

crucial developmental 

projects." 

But the President 

General <strong>of</strong> Ohanaeze, Dr 

Nwodo, who was a guest 

at the lecture punctured 

some <strong>of</strong> Amaechi’s claims, 

arguing that Nigeria was 

not operating as a true 

federation, as pockets <strong>of</strong> 

marginalisation still 

abound against the Igbo. 

He said: “I am yet to see 

a federation in which the 

security apparatus is 

domiciled in one section <strong>of</strong> 

the country. Doing so has 

not also solved the security 

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

“Our country is in a state 

<strong>of</strong> war, with no one 

declaring it. I refuse to 

agree with you that people 

should join a federal 

movement as you said 

before they get what is due 

to them. If <strong>our</strong> constitution 

is not revisited for people 

to live and feel safe, then 

we are wasting <strong>our</strong> time. 

“Hon<strong>our</strong>able minister, I 

urge you to fight for us. We 

are the true Nigerians. 

Whether we voted left or 

right, <strong>our</strong> behavioral 

pattern has shown 

confidence in Nigeria. 

“Help us talk to y<strong>our</strong> 

people and make them 

understand that whatever 

views they held during the 

war, tell them that the war 

is over.” 

transformation <strong>of</strong> the state 

and economic prosperity. 

General Overseer <strong>of</strong> 

Bible Base and Miracle 

Assembly, Onitsha, Rev. 

Jeremiah Nwachukwu 

whose church is 

organising the crusade, 

disclosed that the 

international evangelist has 

the burden for the safety 

and security <strong>of</strong> Nigeria and 

Ndigbo in particular, 

adding that he will equally 

use the event to pray for 

the prosperity and security 

<strong>of</strong> the people around 

Okpoko and its environs. 

According to Rev. 

Nwachukwu, “People 

should not be afraid. Our 

God will protect and 

preserve his people. Ukpai 

will pray for the prosperity, 

security <strong>of</strong> Nigeria and 

Ndigbo in particular and 

God will hear <strong>our</strong> prayers.”



Dino Melaye gets April 27 date for recall verification 

By Boluwaji 

Obahopo 

L OKOJA—THE 

Indepen-dent 

National Electoral 

Commission, INEC, 

yesterday, announced April 

27 for verification <strong>of</strong> the 

recall process <strong>of</strong> embattled 

Senator representing Kogi 

West, Dino Melaye. 

Kogi State Resident 

Electoral Commissioner, 

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor James Apam, 

who revealed this at a 

stakeholders’ forum in 

Lokoja, said continuation <strong>of</strong> 

the recall process followed 

the Appeal C<strong>our</strong>t ruling that 

INEC can commence the 

recall process. 

The Commissioner said: 

“In line with the Electoral 

Act, INEC has fixed the last 

Saturday <strong>of</strong> April as the 

verification date while the 

first Saturday in May will 

be used for referendum. 

“The commission will 

endeav<strong>our</strong> to invite all 

those who have signed the 

recall register to come 

forward and identify their 

signatures. 

“If this process is 

successful, the commission 

will proceed to the next 

stage where a referendum 

<strong>of</strong> all registered voters will 

be conducted. 

“Here, voters will be 

asked to vote either ‘yes’ or 

‘no’ to the question <strong>of</strong> 

whether they want Senator 

Dino Melaye recalled. 

“If the answer is able to 

meet the constitutional 

requirement <strong>of</strong> 51 percent 

‘yes,’ the process moves to 

the next stage. But if it fails, 

the process stops.” 

EMIRATES: From left— Lifestyle and food blogger/Publisher, Sisiyemmie.com, Mrs Yemisi 

Aiyedun; Emirates Regional Manager, West Africa, Mr. Afzal Parambil; Publisher, Travel Port Online, 

Mrs Sade Williams; Airport Service Agent, Mrs Eyitomi Kuti, and Airport Manager, Mr. George Ikpeahia, 

both <strong>of</strong> Emirates Airlines, shortly before the departure <strong>of</strong> selected j<strong>our</strong>nalists and influencers to Dubai 

on a familiarisation trip c<strong>our</strong>tesy <strong>of</strong> Emirates Airlines. 

Kogi places N5m bounty on 

killer-herdsmen 

By Emman 

Ovuakpori & 

Boluwaji Obahopo 

LOKOJA—KOGI State 

Government has 

<strong>of</strong>fered five million Naira 

reward to anybody who can 

volunteer information 

leading to the arrest <strong>of</strong> the 

herdsmen that killed about 

10 persons in Dekina and 

Omala Local Government 

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

This came as the House 

<strong>of</strong> Representatives set up 

an ad hoc committee on 

herdsmen attacks; to 

provide solutions for 

peaceful habitation <strong>of</strong> 

citizens in cattle-rearing 

By WoleMosadomi 

G OVERNOR 

Abubakar Bello <strong>of</strong> 

Niger, yesterday in Minna, 

assented to the N134.286 

billion 2018 budget <strong>of</strong> the 

state tagged Peoples 

Budget. 

The State House <strong>of</strong> 

Assembly had, on March 

15, passed the budget into 

law. 

The figure showed an 

increase <strong>of</strong> N6 billion from 

the N128.10 billion 

presented to the house by 

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

Governor Yahaya Bello, 

in a statement by his 

Director General, Media 

and Publicity, Mr. Kingsley 

Fanwo, said the 

government was 

saddened by the attacks. 

The statement, which 

also confirmed the killing 

<strong>of</strong> Chief Musa Edibo, the 

Onu <strong>of</strong> Agbenema, 

however said the late 

traditional ruler’s wife 

was not affected by the 

attack. 

It read: “Contrary to 

trending reports, the wife 

<strong>of</strong> the murdered 

traditional chief was 

neither injured nor killed. 

Bello on December 14, 

2017. 

Speaking at the 

ceremony, Governor Bello 

said the passage <strong>of</strong> the 

budget will make 

government machineries 

fully operational towards 

uplifting the living 

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

His words: “We don’t 

have any excuse to fail as a 

government, as we have to 

put in more effort to ensure 

that we achieve full 

implementation <strong>of</strong> the 2018 

budget.” 

Though advanced in age 

and battling age-related 

ailments, she interacted 

extensively with <strong>our</strong> 

<strong>of</strong>ficials who paid a 

condolence visit to the 

community today 

(yesterday).” 

The government said 

intelligence reports 

showed that the 

Monday’s attack on 

Agbenema’s community 

was carried out by same 

group <strong>of</strong> people that 

attacked Ojuwo 

Ajamàgbe, near 

Oganenigu in Dekina 

Local Government Area 

last week. 

House <strong>of</strong> Reps 

Meanwhile, the House 

<strong>of</strong> Representatives 

Gov Bello signs N134bn People's Budget 

Bello commended the 

legislature for its support 

towards 

the 

implementation <strong>of</strong> 

government’s 

programmes. 

Earlier, Alhaji Ahmed 

Marafa, Speaker <strong>of</strong> the 

House, lauded the state 

government for adequate 

provision for various sectors 

<strong>of</strong> the economy in the 

budget. 

Marafa gave assurance 

that the legislative arm <strong>of</strong> 

government will continue 

to support the government. 

position followed a motion 

by Emmanuel Egwu 

entitled Urgent need for 

Federal Government to 

curb further attacks, 

killings and destruction <strong>of</strong> 

lives and properties in 

Kogi State and some 

other states in Nigeria. 

While moving the 

motion, Egwu said: 

“Several killings, attacks, 

rapes on farmers, 

villagers, community 

leaders, innocent citizens 

by herdsmen in several 

parts <strong>of</strong> the country like 

Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, 

Adamawa, Cross River, 

Delta, Edo, Enugu, Ondo, 

Ekiti, Kogi states and 

many more, have become 

so rampant and alarming, 

both reported and 

unreported by the media.” 

He explained that 

“there are several attacks 

by armed herdsmen 

within Kogi in the last two 

weeks at Abejukolo, Bagaji 

Odo, Bagana, Ajokopi, 

Agbada II, Ebeje-Erabo, 

Edede, One Icheke in 

Omalla Local Government; 

Ogane-Nigu, Agojeju in 

Dekina and Bass Local 

Government areas <strong>of</strong> Kogi 

State.” 

Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, 

who presided, did not 

subject the motion to 

debate, as Egwu’s five 

prayers were adopted after 

a voice vote. 

Plateau monarch weeps 

over herdsmen's attacks 

By Marie- 

Therese Nanlong 

JOS—THE District 

Head <strong>of</strong> Dong, Jos 

North Local Government 

Area <strong>of</strong> Plateau State, 

Adagwom Azi Nyam, 

yesterday openly wept 

before a group <strong>of</strong> women 

who visited his palace to 

comfort the community’s 

women displaced by 

recent attacks by 

herdsmen. 

The District Head 

accused some security 

operatives <strong>of</strong> working 

with herdsmen to destroy 

their farmlands following 

report that soldiers used 

their van to carry cows to 

the community sacked by 

herdsmen, lamenting 

that until recently the 

herdsmen and natives 

By Victoria Ojeme 

THE 

Progressive 

Impact Organisation 

for Community 

Development, 

PRIMORG, a non - 

governmental 

organisation, NGO, 

yesterday, challenged 

traders in the country to 

be involved in the 

processes leading to the 

2019 general elections. 

Chairman <strong>of</strong> 

PRIMORG, Mr. 

Agbonsuremi Augustine 

Okhiria, told market men 

and women at a townhall 

meeting at Wuye 

Ultramodern Market, in 

Abuja, that they must be 

involved as they were all 

stakeholders in the 

Gombe governorship 

aspirant blames scarcity <strong>of</strong> 

potable water on Dakwambo 

THE All Progressives 

Congress, APC, 

governorship aspirant in 

Gombe State, Mr. 

Muhammad Badre, has 

said the refusal <strong>of</strong> 

Governor Ibrahim 

Dakwambo to pay N200 

million annually in 

maintaining and 

servicing the 

Dadinkowa Dam is 

denying the people <strong>of</strong> 

Gombe portable water 

supply. 

In a statement by his 

media <strong>of</strong>fice yesterday, 

Badre lamented the 

pains the people are 

going through to access 

drinkable water, noting 

that he sunk 100 

boreholes across Gombe 

metropolis at the rate <strong>of</strong> 

were living in peace. 

However, Operation Safe 

Haven’s spokesman, 

Major Adam Umar, refuted 

the claim, saying “we don’t 

use <strong>our</strong> vehicles to do any 

other thing apart from 

operational activities. 

“There is military activity 

going on there. We have 

<strong>our</strong> checkpoints, <strong>our</strong> guard 

locations, <strong>our</strong> men that are 

carrying out patrol day and 

night to ensure that civil 

disturbances that took 

place a few days ago are 

not repeated.” 

Contacted, the State 

Commissioner for 

Information and 

Communication, Yakubu 

Dati, told Vanguard on 

phone: “Let me make a few 

calls; I will call you back.” 

He had not done so at 

press time. 

Be part <strong>of</strong> 2019 politicking, 

NGO urges traders 

electoral process. 

Yesterday’s meeting was 

on roadmap to a 

sustainable electoral 

progress, with the theme 

Targeting Market Women 

Ahead <strong>of</strong> the 2019 General 

Elections. 

Mr. Okhiria, explained 

that Nigeria needs a 

comprehensive awareness 

and empowerment 

programme with a view to 

assessing the current 

political situation and 

educating the electorate. 

The National President 

<strong>of</strong> Market Women 

Association, Felicia Sani, 

called on members to be 

registered ahead <strong>of</strong> the 

2019 elections, adding that 

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

their families is at stake. 

N3 million each five 

years ago to ameliorate the 

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

According to him, if 

Governor Dakwambo had 

faithfully and religiously 

serviced the annual N200 

million fee meant for the 

Dadinkowa Dam located 

in Yamaltu Deba Local 

Government Area, the 

entire people <strong>of</strong> Gombe 

would not have been 

experiencing the 

hardships associated 

with water and other 

social facilities. 

Badre assured the 

people that if given the 

opportunity to govern the 

state, he will ensure 

abundant peopleoriented 

projects that will 

make life better for all.

Three days with The Oranmiyan (2) 

IF ‘governance’ was ‘rocket 

science’, as politicians would 

have us believe, what I felt –after just 

three days <strong>of</strong> visit to the State <strong>of</strong> Osunwas 

that ‘governance’ at last had met, 

in Governor Aregbesola, its own 

‘Albert Einstein’. Because after what 

I personally saw, and after gorging 

myself with a ‘library’ <strong>of</strong> literature 

on what I saw, I must admit that 

Osun is truly where ‘empiricism’ – 

rather than tokenism- has come to 

season ‘political governance’: the 

vision, the mission, the thought 

processes occasioning the birth <strong>of</strong> 

every idea and the meticulousness 

by which these ideas are 

implemented, is simply as 

laboratorial as would the ‘Einstein 

Observatory’ itself. 

By the way, Einstein was the one 

who said that “Genius is 1% talent 

and 99% hard work” –and which 

other thinkers may have corrupted 

to ‘1% inspiration and 99% 

perspiration’. But Einstein was also 

the one who said that “Intellectuals 

solve problems, geniuses prevent 

them”; suggesting that ‘intellectuals’ 

are ‘re-active’ by nature, and that 

‘pro-active’ motivation is the 

province only <strong>of</strong> the ‘genius’. But 

sometimes even geniuses may be 

doomed to tackle ‘problems’ their 

prodigy could not, at first, have 

averted. And in which case even they 

sometimes may have to act 

‘intellectually’ first -by being 

reactive- to certain prevailing 

problems, before they get to act 

‘ingeniously’ second -by being 

proactive- like geniuses do. 

I ended last week’s with a sneak 

Can we save Lake Chad? 

I have always marvelled at the lack <strong>of</strong> 

awareness by many in this country on the 

strategic importance <strong>of</strong> Lake Chad and what 

it means for the livelihood and sustenance to 

millions <strong>of</strong> <strong>our</strong> countrymen. When the 

conference on Saving the Lake Chad was 

taking place late in February many were 

wondering what the problem was. But when 

they realised that the conference was receiving 

lavish press and rare privilege <strong>of</strong> having the 

presence <strong>of</strong> the President as well as the Vice- 

President in quick succession they then knew 

that something big was really happening. In 

fact, people realised that it was an even bigger 

do when many other Presidents started arriving 

for the conference. By the time the conference 

ended, Presidents Mahamadou Issoufou <strong>of</strong> 

Niger, Idriss Deby Itno <strong>of</strong> Chad, Ali Bongo 

Ondimba <strong>of</strong> Gabon and Faustin-Archange 

Touadera <strong>of</strong> Central Africa had graced the 

occasion and participated in the discussions. 

Besides the fight on corruption, perhaps the 

effort to save Lake Chad would be one area 

where praise must be given to President Buhari 

for being consistent. Right from 2015 on 

assumption <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fice, Buhari has been a 

persistent advocate for taking measures to save 

the lake. In all the international trips he 

undertook immediately after taking <strong>of</strong>fice as 

President the issue <strong>of</strong> Boko Haram and saving 

the lake were consistently pronounced in his 

statements. And whenever foreign dignitaries 

visited Nigeria and called on him, he made 

the same plea. 

A good example is the visit <strong>of</strong> the UNESCO 

Director-General Irina Bokova to Nigeria in 

2016, where President Buhari seized the 

opportunity to make a case for the preservation 

<strong>of</strong> the lake. As reported, the President was said 

to have led seven Ministers to the meeting with 

the UNESCO Director-General where he 

pleaded for the involvement <strong>of</strong> the United 

Nations and the World Powers to save the lake 

otherwise ‘the migration crisis and the sociosecurity 

issues that accompany them will 

worsen and reverberate in far-flung corners <strong>of</strong> 

the world’. 

preview <strong>of</strong> what Aregbesola had 

inherited, an insolvent State “owing 

a ‘suffocating’ N18.3 billion when 

its monthly income was a measly 

N1.5 billion”. In actual fact, what 

Aregbesola inherited was N22 

billion, made up <strong>of</strong> what a 

commissioner described as an 

‘irresponsible’ N18.38 billion shortterm 

loan to build ‘six stadia’ and 

some smaller local loans totaling N4 

billion. But it was the N18.3 billion 

that was debilitatingly at issue -both 

in its irrelevant ‘purpose’ and more 

worrisomely in the suffocating shortterm 

‘tenure’ <strong>of</strong> its repayment. 

Nothing defined ‘irresponsibility’ 

better than borrowing such amount 

on a short-term and, ironically only 

to build such ‘long-term’ social 

projects like stadia, amidst a 

frightening falling standard <strong>of</strong> 

education. But debt was already an 

infliction, the handling <strong>of</strong> which had 

occasioned something even more 

benign, namely a resort by the infant 

and insolvent administration to 

taking a “bridge finance <strong>of</strong> N1billion 

every month” just to meet its statutory 

obligations. 

Thus, saddled with a virtual fait 

accompli, the Governor had to be 

the Einstein “intellectual” first, by 

solving an inherited problem 

reactively, even though the 

shrewdness he had to apply to relax 

the grip <strong>of</strong> that stranglehold 

required more <strong>of</strong> the Einstein 

‘genius’ <strong>of</strong> ‘1% inspiration’ and ‘99% 

perspiration’ than bare 

‘intellectualism’. As Einstein himself 

would say “Imagination is more 

important than knowledge”. The 

When readers look at the map <strong>of</strong> Africa, the 

lake would be found centrally placed. What 

would not be immediately apparent would be 

the fine lines criss-crossing over the surface <strong>of</strong> 

the lake as national boundaries sharing it 

between Nigeria, Cameroun, Chad and 

Republic <strong>of</strong> Niger. As divided by the 

colonialists then, Chad has the largest chunk 

<strong>of</strong> over 40%, the remainder was apportioned 

to the other three countries with Cameroun 

having the least share <strong>of</strong> less than 10%. 

The lake is historically one <strong>of</strong> the largest 

lakes in Africa and said to be the sixth in the 

What is instructive about 

the efforts to save the lake is 

that the matter has now 

gone international 

world in the old days. In its heydays, Lake Chad 

had provided water for millions in the 

communities surrounding it for the benefit <strong>of</strong> 

both man and animal. Placed in a semi-arid 

area straddling the North, Central and West 

Africa, the Lake Chad became a veritable 

s<strong>our</strong>ce <strong>of</strong> livelihood and a hub <strong>of</strong> economic 

activity for the citizens who were principally 

fishermen, farmers, herdsmen and traders who 

came from all over West Africa. There was 

contentment, prosperity, progress and stability 

in the region. 

Then disaster struck. A lake that covered over 

25000 square miles in the first half <strong>of</strong> the 

previous century gradually shrank to less than 

10% <strong>of</strong> its size with major consequences for 

the teeming citizens living on it. The lake 

began to shrink in the late 1960s and the cycles 

<strong>of</strong> drought <strong>of</strong> the 1970s and 80s worsened 

matters. As water became scarce in this 

environment that could be inhospitable even 

at best <strong>of</strong> times, it generated poverty and 

conflict. When the dryness continued both 

loan was carefully re-structured first 

to ease the grip on the jugular <strong>of</strong> the 

State –so that it now repaid N100 

million monthly instead <strong>of</strong> N600 

million- and even to free some 

res<strong>our</strong>ces for the execution <strong>of</strong> vital 

projects without having to 

compromise the State’s obligations 

to its creditors. 

And as the Governor himself had 

said: “we… re-financed that (loan) 

through some ingenious means and 

<strong>our</strong> own goodwill; through <strong>our</strong> own 

strategy <strong>of</strong> usually turning liability 

into asset”. Needless to say that many 

a governor on such death-bed 

No matter how 

prejudiced you are 

against the man you 

cannot fail to apprehend 

a conscious effort by one 

man to reason differently, 

to govern sincerely and to 

apply systemically 

struggle would, disingenuously, have 

indulged in more reckless –even if 

more suffocating- borrowings. 

In fact, that loan restructuring was 

the reason also that the State could 

accommodate a new minimum 

wage which had just shot salaries 

from N900million to N1.8billion. 

And –contrary to media umbrage- it 

was the needless rancor ignited by 

Lab<strong>our</strong> over the Governor’s systemic 

approach to accommodating the 

new wage that actually led to an 

unwarranted strike, which in turn 

occasioned the infamous salary 

backlog by which the opposition was 

bent on hanging the Governor. Just 

as –on the hijab issue- it was an 

innocuous state-wide schools 

merger bringing together two 

mutually exclusive school uniforms 

that CAN and partisan politics 

divisively played up to de-campaign 

the man. 

By the way, to get his ‘Six Point 

Integral Action Plan’ fully <strong>of</strong>f the 

ground, Governor Aregbesola had 

also ingeniously tapped into a 

delicate financial instrument, 

namely the use <strong>of</strong> ‘promissory notes’ 

to finance especially highly 

prioritized projects, riding –as Dr. 

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018 —17 

17 

Wale Boluwaduro, his Finance 

Commissioner had said- on the crest 

<strong>of</strong> his impeccable ‘credibility’ and 

his unassailable ‘pedigree’. Soon 

with a combination <strong>of</strong> rescaling and 

reprioritizing <strong>of</strong> irrelevant, loanbacked 

projects, coupled with 

‘prudent’, ‘transparent’ and ‘fiscal 

discipline’, the State had not only 

come out <strong>of</strong> insolvency, but the 

Governor now even had a pool <strong>of</strong> 

funds to play Einstein with. 

And with his many socioeconomically 

empowering 

programmes, especially the skillsimparting 

Youth Empowerment 

Scheme which injects into the State 

economy N200 million monthly 

(representing N10,000 monthly pay 

for each participating youth in a 

revolving series <strong>of</strong> a three-monthly 

programme), money circulates 

regularly not only to reflate the 

economy but to empower the people 

to create wealth. Which is consistent 

with Ogbeni’s personal philosophy, 

that as “companies invest in pr<strong>of</strong>it, 

government must invest in the 

people” -to empower them he said, 

so that when they create wealth and 

especially when they pay taxes, “they 

in return can empower the 

government”. 

And in fact by ‘improving 

efficiency’ in administration, ‘cutting 

down on recurrent expenditure’, 

‘blocking leakages’ and 

‘maximizing revenue collection’ 

Aregbesola, in no time had improved 

Osun’s savings and significantly 

upped her Internally Generated 

Revenue, IGR without necessarily 

having to increase tax heads or tax 

rates. In much the same way he had 

radically reformed education and 

improved pupils’ and <strong>students</strong>’ 

performances without having to sack 

teachers. And in much the same way 

also, that –unlike his equally 

prodigious Kaduna State 

counterpart, El-Rufai- Aregbesola 

has, in the last seven years, been 

feeding over 350,000 pupils under 

the School Feeding program, 

‘O’Meal’ without counterpart 

funding from the Federal 

Government. 

But that is not all. Aregbesola has 

constructed over 300 kilometres <strong>of</strong> 

farmers and 

herders were 

compelled to 

move southwards 

in search for 

greener pastures 

where inevitably 

they ended up 

competing for the 

same res<strong>our</strong>ces 

with the host 

communities. And it is possible that this 

explains part <strong>of</strong> the genesis <strong>of</strong> the conflicts 

between herders and farming communities not 

only in the north-east <strong>of</strong> Nigeria but also in the 

middle-belt <strong>of</strong> the country. 

The environmental degradation broke up 

families and communities. The weak, old and 

sick got left behind, while the young and strong 

moved elsewhere to inextricably earn a living 

in very low paying jobs. If a census is taken in 

Nigeria <strong>of</strong> those who were stuck in lowest 

paying jobs over the last many years, you would 

find that a good percentage would be coming 

from the states surrounding the Lake Chad. 

The land surrounding Lake Chad inevitably 

became prone to diseases and disasters. There 

was lack <strong>of</strong> education, lack <strong>of</strong> infrastructure 

and lack <strong>of</strong> investment. To date the area is 

always rated very low in developmental indices. 

The governments, both the state and local, 

became overwhelmed and found it impossible 

to meet the yearnings <strong>of</strong> the citizens. People 

became prey to extremists’ ideologies, 

complete with their violent ways and means. 

The misguided ideologues then began to cause 

mayhem with consequences not only for the 

locality but for the nation and international 

community as well. 

The grim condition <strong>of</strong> the lake had always 

been in the front-burner <strong>of</strong> all the governments 

<strong>of</strong> the region. The Nigerian government had 

probably been the most active by the provision 

<strong>of</strong> modern infrastructure in the region. Its side 

<strong>of</strong> the region was opened up with beautiful 

macadamised roads. By the close <strong>of</strong> the 1970s, 

you could travel without any hassle from 

Maiduguri to Baga on the shores <strong>of</strong> the lake 

through Monguno and Kukawa and also to 

Gamboru Ngala through Dikwa. Another 

roads across the State; initiated a 

Free Train Ride to and from Lagos 

during festive seasons and 

particularly for freighting <strong>of</strong> farm 

produce; introduced a social welfare 

for the aged (Agba Osun) providing 

monetary support and free 

Medicare for the State’s most 

vulnerable elders; pioneered the 

distribution to <strong>students</strong>, <strong>of</strong> IPADs 

(called ‘The Tablet <strong>of</strong> Knowledge’ or 

‘Opon Imo’), regarded as the “first 

Stand-Alone-E-Learning System in 

Sub-Saharan Africa containing 57 

textbooks, past JAMB/WAEC 

questions and a Virtual Classroom 

for all subjects from SS-1 to SS-3”. 

And I was wondering why, in spite 

<strong>of</strong> all these achievements, it had to 

take a personal visit to Osun for one 

to know, after all, that Aregbesola, 

rather than the fatwa-issuing-mullah 

on <strong>students</strong> ‘hijab’, or the ‘sadistic’ 

salary-owing Chief Executive, is 

actually a reincarnated Awo gifted 

with the Einsteinian sleight <strong>of</strong> hand 

to revolutionise political governance 

in Nigeria. No matter how 

prejudiced you are against the man 

you cannot fail to apprehend a 

conscious effort by one man to 

reason differently, to govern 

sincerely and to apply systemically. 

When we finally sat for an 

interview, very late in the night, it was 

virtually amidst intermittent dozes 

that he alluded to a Report <strong>of</strong> 

Nigerian Bureau <strong>of</strong> Statistics 

confirming Osun as the best in 

governance on the human, poverty, 

unemployment and environment 

related indexes. But for all partisan 

politics care, ‘so what!?’ After all the 

Scottish writer, Andrew Lang has 

said that “Politicians use statistics in 

the same way that a drunken man 

uses lamp posts –for support rather 

than illumination”. And which was 

exactly what Aregbesola himself -in 

a 4th May 2012 interview with 

Punch Newspaper- once said, 

despondently: “When I tell people 

that what we have done for this State 

is extra ordinary, they don’t want to 

listen”. 

But “Facts do not cease to exist 

because they are ignored”. Or so said 

Aldous Huxley. 

Concluded 

road picked up from Dikwa to New Marte to 

Monguno. 

The Federal Government then established 

the Chad Basin Development Authority, CBDA, 

hoping to develop the land around the basin 

for irrigation <strong>of</strong> a whopping 67,000 hectares 

for the cultivation <strong>of</strong> mainly rice and wheat. 

Lake Chad Research Institute was also created 

out <strong>of</strong> CBDA to provide ancillary services. On 

the whole, various efforts were made to obviate 

the social and economic problems wrought 

by the receding lake but the condition the 

country found itself from the 1990s dried up 

government investments in the region. Most 

<strong>of</strong> the infrastructure provided broke down and 

could not be redeemed for years. 

The twin approach <strong>of</strong> fighting the insurgency 

in the region as well as taking concrete 

measures to save the lake itself is a worthwhile 

effort. The conference on saving the lake that 

held in Abuja a few days ago must be a step in 

the right direction particularly on the decision 

to adopt the option <strong>of</strong> recharging the lake by 

means <strong>of</strong> water transfer from the Congo. What 

is instructive about the efforts to save the lake 

is that the matter has now gone international 

bearing in mind the many countries that were 

brought together at the conference hall. 

Besides the heavy presence <strong>of</strong> the affected 

African countries and the overwhelming 

presence <strong>of</strong> United Nation organs, there was 

also a conspicuous presence <strong>of</strong> the Chinese, 

the Italians and the French. One hopes that 

<strong>our</strong> government will put structures on the 

ground to implement the decisions reached at 

the conference. We should continue to engage 

the International donors to redeem their 

pledges as well as <strong>our</strong> West African 

counterparts to fulfil their obligations. 

C 

M 

Y 

K


THE Ajaokuta Steel Company 

Ltd (ASCL) in Ajaokuta, Kogi State 

is the greatest signature <strong>of</strong> the 

failure <strong>of</strong> Nigeria to deliver one 

<strong>of</strong> its grand strategic national 

plans for rapid industrialisation. 

It is a generational failure which 

came as a result <strong>of</strong> deep seated 

corruption and selfish pursuits by 

vested interests in each 

succeeding regime since its 

incorporation in 1979. 

By 1994, the Soviet experts 

handling the project announced 

that its completion had reached 98 

per cent. In fact, at a point, some 

grades <strong>of</strong> steel products were 

already rolling out <strong>of</strong> the factory. 

However, apart from the general 

regime <strong>of</strong> corruption that 

bedeviled the project since it was 

first conceived as far back as 1967, 

the virus <strong>of</strong> selfish interests 

caught up with it when the gale 

<strong>of</strong> privatisation and 

commercialisation <strong>of</strong> government 

Untangling the Ajaokuta puzzle 

companies and enterprises 

gathered steam. 

Several regimes attempted to 

sell the company to private 

operators, one <strong>of</strong> which was 

Global Infrastructure Nigeria Ltd 

(GINL) which initially won the 

right to run the complex. 

Following allegations that the 

nation’s interests were not being 

served by this concession the 

Federal Government settled with 

the owners <strong>of</strong> GlNL through 

arbitration for which the 

Goodluck Jonathan regime 

reportedly paid $525 million to 

retrieve the Complex to full 

federal ownership under a 

Modified Concession Agreement 

with GINL. 


Buhari’s regime has already 

announced its intention to s<strong>our</strong>ce 

for a new “core investor with the 

financial and technical capacity 

to run the steel complex”, 

according to the Minister <strong>of</strong> 

Mines and Steel Development, Dr 

Kayode Fayemi. 

We share the concerns <strong>of</strong> the 

House <strong>of</strong> Representatives about 

the move to look for this new 

“core investor”. Though we 

believe that government has 

sufficiently demonstrated gross 

inability to run this complex, we 

wish to advise the Federal 

Government to first find out what 

went wrong with the first failed 

attempt to transfer the 

proprietorship <strong>of</strong> the company to 

private companies. Billions <strong>of</strong> 

naira has gone down the drain. 

Unimaginable corruption has 

bedeviled this project. Perhaps a 

high-powered judicial enquiry 

panel made up <strong>of</strong> non-political 

persons <strong>of</strong> integrity should be set 

up to probe the woes <strong>of</strong> the 

company and bring all 

perpetrators to book. 

We need to do this no-nonsense 

house cleaning first before 

venturing into a new concession. 

Otherwise, it might simply end up 

as a repeat <strong>of</strong> <strong>our</strong> failed attempt 

under a new set <strong>of</strong> political 

cankerworms seeking to have a go 

at the ASCL cash cow. 

When the house-cleaning is 

done, the concession process must 

be transparent, non-political and 

corrupt-free. 

By Eddie Mbadiwe 

SOMETIME ago, I was on a flight 

from London Heathrow to Abuja. 

In the compartment next to mine sat a 

middle-aged English lady by name 

Janet. 

About an h<strong>our</strong> into this flight and I can’t 

remember exactly how, a conversation 

developed. Janet had a thriving beauty 

outfit in London West End and visited 

Nigeria on invitation to attend to the 

sartorial and aesthetic needs <strong>of</strong> a then 

State governor. She was not travelling 

economy and said she could spend 

between one to two weeks all expenses 

paid in the best hotel in the state capital. 

She was particularly busy on days when 

the governor had functions covered by 

television. Since the pay was good, she 

looked forward to these ‘’Nigerian 

treats’’ as she called them. 

I can understand a woman devoting 

unlimited time and energy to massage 

her ego for that can be traceable to her 

genetic makeup. For a man to engage 

in that luxury <strong>of</strong> time COME ON !!! 

In my view, any man who spends more 

than thirty minutes on morning 

ablutions, cleansing and purification 

possibly has mental health issues and 

his family will be well advised to get in 

their psychiatrists or psychologists for 

the needed psycho-analysis and early 

remediation. 

Reflecting on this fortuitous flight set 

me thinking about the quality, structure, 

and by extension the Practitioners <strong>of</strong> 

governance in <strong>our</strong> country. There seems 

to be emphasis on playing to the gallery 

and glam<strong>our</strong> rather than permanence 

and solidity. Is it all a matter <strong>of</strong> show? 

We do not seem to build for posterity. 

OPINION 

Cosmetic governance 

Projects that impact positively on 

People’s well-being and enrichment do 

not matter. Otherwise how can we justify 

billions (most <strong>of</strong> it borrowed money) 

spent on roads which collapse after two 

rainy seasons? Could the National 

Assembly tarry a little and bring into 

<strong>our</strong> statute books laws that will prosecute 

and punish anyone- Governor, Minister, 

local government Chairmen etcetera who 

Governance is serious 

business demanding trust 

and transparency and that 

is why people surrender 

their rights to a group 

called government 

recklessly waste tax payers money on 

Projects whose life-span is less than ten 

years. 

In the former Soviet Union, some 

component countries had such laws and 

even when the Culprits had <strong>died</strong> and 

their projects collapsed, they were still 

sentenced. This was the inheritance and 

legacy for their families. 

For people <strong>of</strong> doubt, let us remind 

<strong>our</strong>selves that longevity <strong>of</strong> projects exists 

in many countries. Some parts <strong>of</strong> the Auto 

bahn in Germany built under Adolf 

Hitler’s third Reich regime are still in 

use. An example is the Berlin-Munich 

Reich Santo bahn built in 1936. 

If the truth be told, all <strong>of</strong> us in various 

levels <strong>of</strong> governance in <strong>our</strong> country 

know the right thing to do. The level <strong>of</strong> 

recklessness seen in government 

business is completely absent in private 

businesses. Objectivity also demands 

that we do not tar all projects with the 

same brush. There are few exceptions, 

Samuel Ogbemudia was military 

governor <strong>of</strong> the old Bendel State. Some 

<strong>of</strong> his roads have endured till now. On 

a visit to Ondo State a few years back, 

one was pleasantly surprised and 

pleased that the roads in construction 

then were anchored on concrete 

foundations <strong>of</strong> about six inches 

thickness with reinforced rods. 

In a number <strong>of</strong> other states for 

example Imo, a majority <strong>of</strong> the roads 

have washed away after one rainy 

season. How sad! 

Governance is serious business 

demanding trust and transparency and 

that is why people surrender their rights 

to a group called government. In that 

vein therefore one cannot help but 

condemn the recent fad which can be 

labelled as governance by television 

and newspaper self- congratulatory 

messages. The flip side <strong>of</strong> the c<strong>our</strong>se is 

that this craze spins money for <strong>our</strong> 

friends in the media. 

A situation where a governor basks in 

adulation and vain-glory, praise singing 

by a deprived crowd who are 

unemployed, hungry and angry is 

nothing but cosmetic governance. 

Could the governors please take a cue 

from the President who is unfazed by 

this nonsense. We need some degree <strong>of</strong> 

quiet and cand<strong>our</strong> in the polity. 

What the people demand are projects 

which will create jobs and take the 

unemployed youth <strong>of</strong>f the streets. One 

has in mind, projects like the largest parboiled 

rice mill in Africa situated in 

Argungu capable <strong>of</strong> giving jobs to 50,000 

Farmers. Another laudable example is 

the integrated poultry farm in Kaduna 

State capable <strong>of</strong> processing 1.65 million 

chicks and a billion eggs weekly. 

To close this write-up without touching 

<strong>our</strong> cosmetic ritual called the Federal 

budget is a disservice. We are limping 

into April and the National Assembly has 

not passed the 2018 budget. This is the 

mandatory prelude prior to the jig-saw 

<strong>of</strong> assent and signing by the President. 

Who is prepared to wager unsuccessful 

implementation since no Nigerian 

budget since the return <strong>of</strong> democracy in 

1999 has achieved 50% success. This is 

under both the PDP and APC 

governments. 

The congressional budget <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> the 

U.S. Congress whose pattern <strong>of</strong> 

democracy we are aping unsuccessfully 

prepares budgets two years in advance. 

Members <strong>of</strong> <strong>our</strong> parliament have been 

at c<strong>our</strong>ses at JOHN HOPKINS in 

collaboration with the Capitol so this is 

not new to them. 

My friend Dr. Eugene Mgbojikwe 

(God bless his noble soul) asked us 

repeatedly in the Chairman’s lodge 

‘’Where did we get it wrong’’. I wish 

someone can give him an answer. 

Dr. Mbadiwe, former member <strong>of</strong> the 

House <strong>of</strong> Reps., wrote from Abuja.

DBN, NIRSAL sign MOU to promote agric 

lending 

By Emma Ujah, Abuja 

Bureau Chief 

THE Development Bank 

<strong>of</strong> Nigeria Plc (DBN) 

and Nigeria Incentive-Based 

Risk Sharing System for Agricultural 

Lending (NIRSAL) 

have signed a memorandum 

<strong>of</strong> understanding (MoU) 

aimed at promoting lending to 

the Agricultural sub-sector <strong>of</strong> 

the economy and its value 

chain. 

The signing ceremony which 

took place, yesterday, at 

NIRSAL Headquarters in 

Abuja, was a strategic collaboration 

that would impact positively 

on agriculture and all 

the value chain players and 

thus address the concerns <strong>of</strong> 

financial institutions on the 

high risk <strong>of</strong> lending to the sector. 

Speaking at the occasion, 

Managing Director <strong>of</strong> DBN, 

Tony Okpanachi, said: “The 

Micro, Small and Mediumscale 

Enterprises (MSMEs), if 

well managed, have the potential 

to achieve key macro-economic 

objectives <strong>of</strong> the Federal 

Government which include, but 

are not limited to job creation, 

poverty alleviation, financial inclusion, 

and development <strong>of</strong> 

technology.” 

He explained that the core 

mandate <strong>of</strong> DBN was to alleviate 

financing constraints faced 

by MSMEs and small 

corporates in Nigeria through 

the provision <strong>of</strong> financing and 

partial credit guarantees to eligible 

financial intermediaries on 

a market -conforming and on a 

sustainable basis’. 

Also speaking, Managing Director 

<strong>of</strong> NIRSAL, Aliyu 

Abdulhameed, said: “NIRSAL’s 

CURRENCY 

SELLING 

US DOLLAR 

POUNDS 

EURO 

FRANC 

YEN 

CFA 

WAUA 

RENMINBI 

RIYAL 

SDR 

DANISH 

RAND 

$120.30 1.49 

$2,486.00 6.00 

$12.75 0.19 

$68.91 1.49 

$64.74 1.20 

BUYING 

304.7 305.2 305.7 

426.8238 427.5242 428.2246 

374.6896 375.3044 375.9193 

319.2916 319.8156 320.3395 

2.8605 2.8652 2.8699 

0.5527 0.5627 0.5727 

441.6185 442.3432 443.0679 

48.0939 48.1733 48.2527 

81.249 81.3823 81.5157 

25.4815 25.5233 25.5651 

50.2905 50.373 50.4555 

442.0588 442.7842 443.5096 

CBN Exchange rate as at 21/03/2018 


From left: Executive Secretary <strong>of</strong> the Nigerian Shippers Council, Hassan Bello and 

Chairman <strong>of</strong> the Governing Board <strong>of</strong> the Council, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, at the inaugural 

meeting <strong>of</strong> the recently constituted board in Lagos yesterday. 

primary mandate is to facilitate 

the flow <strong>of</strong> credit, finance and 

investments into Agriculture and 

Agribusiness. 

“NIRSAL believes strategic collaborations 

with major stakeholders 

in the industry is pivotal to 

achieving defined and well-tailored 

objectives and results. It is 

in line with this view, that the 

partnership with Development 

Bank <strong>of</strong> Nigeria (DBN) is structured. 

As Development Finance 

Institutions (DFIs), NIRSAL and 

DBN share a common goal <strong>of</strong> supporting 

investments that will 

catalyse sustainable economic 

growth, create more jobs and 

equip farmers with the capital 

needed to thrive in the Agricultural 

sector.” 

Under the partnership, 

NIRSAL was expected to provide 

risk mitigating credit guarantees 

while DBN is expected to provide 

the funds for on lending to 

MSMEs in the agricultural subsector 

and its value chain. 

While DBN was established by 

the Federal Government <strong>of</strong> Nigeria 

in collaboration with World 

Bank, African Development 

Bank (AfDB) and other International 

Development Finance Institutions 

to address the major 

financial constraints faced by 

MSMEs in Nigeria, NIRSAL 

was set up by the Central Bank 

<strong>of</strong> Nigeria (CBN) to provide the 

much needed risk management 

tool to enhance the flow <strong>of</strong> finance 

and investment in the agricultural 

value chain. 

FG to revoke licences <strong>of</strong> 2 ICDs over lack <strong>of</strong> 

progress 

By Godfrey Bivbere 

THE Federal Government has 

said it will revoke the licences 

<strong>of</strong> two <strong>of</strong> the seven licensed Inland 

Container Depots, 

ICDs, also known 

as Inland Dry Ports, 

IDPs, approved to operate 

in the six geographical 

areas <strong>of</strong> the 

country following lack 

<strong>of</strong> commitment towards 

actualisation <strong>of</strong> 

the projects. 

An ICD is equivalent 

<strong>of</strong> a sea port located in 

the hinterland. It receives 

containers by 

rail or road from the 

seaports for examination 

and clearance by 

customs and other 

competent authorities. 

Making this known 

at a workshop in 

Lagos, Executive Secretary 

<strong>of</strong> the Nigerian 

Shippers Council, 

NSC, Hassan Bello, 

noted that government 

is not satisfied with the 

work rate at the two ICDs which 

he did not name. 

According to Bello, “Government 

placed high priority on the ICD 

projects because <strong>of</strong> the economic 

and employment benefit for the 

country. The licences <strong>of</strong> two <strong>of</strong> them 

would soon be revoked if they do 

not show seriousness. If after 18 

months there is no development 

at the sites, they will lose their licences.” 

He, however, expressed happiness 

with the promoters <strong>of</strong> the 

Kaduna ICD for their effort at 

completing the project and starting 

operation and also commended 

the promoters <strong>of</strong> the 

projects in Jos, Plateau State and 

Isiala-Ngwa, Abia State, which 

the Shippers Council boss said 

are almost ready, but for a delay 

with that <strong>of</strong> Isiala-Ngwa because 

<strong>of</strong> problem with the state government. 

He however stressed that 

a new agreement will soon be in 

place for work to commence. 

Bics, NIPOST, 

others 

collaborate to 

boost financial 

inclusion 

By Elizabeth 

Adegbesan 

IN a bid to drive financial inclu 

sion and create employment in 

the country, Bics Enterprise in collaboration 

with Nigeria Postal Service 

(Nipost) and S<strong>of</strong>tware Group, 

said it is set to deploy agent banking 

distribution channels in the 

country. 

The agent distribution network, 

according to Bics, will provide employment 

for over 10,000 Nigerian 

youths and add 20 million 

unbanked and underserved Nigerians 

to the banking system, within 

two to three years after deployment. 

Bics’ Director, Corporate Services, 

Mr. Greg Nwamadi, yesterday, disclosed 

this during a workshop on 

financial inclusion held in Lagos. 

Speaking on the sidelines with 

J<strong>our</strong>nalists, Nwamadi said: “The 

major objective <strong>of</strong> Bics Enterprise 

is to provide channels to drive financial 

banking to rural areas. We 

are ruling out an agent distribution 

network that will provide employment 

for over ten thousand Nigerians 

in a short term. 

“We are going to activate Nipost 

locations as transaction centres 

which are about 4000 locations. 

Every location will have a mandate, 

because we are going to be involving 

micro-finance banks worldwide. 

The agreement we have with Nipost 

on this innovation is exclusive to 

micro-finance banks and Non- financial 

banking institutions. Commercial 

banks can come as settlement 

bank. We are already discussing 

with one or two <strong>of</strong> them to come 

in as settlement banks.” 

Sales Manager, Africa, S<strong>of</strong>tware 

Group, Joseph Agyeman-Badu, 

noted that the innovation was a direct 

drive to the achievement <strong>of</strong> the 

Central Bank <strong>of</strong> Nigeria’s (CBN) 

2013 financial inclusion goal. 

“Going on a national level is not a 

walk in a park; we will need to take 

some time. When we are done with 

<strong>our</strong> plotting we will be ready to go 

on a National scale. This innovation 

is a direct drive towards CBN’s 

2013 financial inclusion goal. 

“The underserved and the 

unbanked are the people that you 

won’t find in Lagos but in rural areas. 

90 million Nigerians today do 

not even have bank accounts or have 

bank accounts but cannot access financial 

services. This innovation is 

going to break that gap. In 2 to 3 

years, we will add at least 20 million 

out <strong>of</strong> the 90 million unbanked 

and underserved into the banking 

space.” 

Moghalu advocates repeal <strong>of</strong> Land Use Act, 

end to foreign debt 

By Babajide Komolafe & 

Adaezeokechukwu 

THE Former Deputy Gover 

nor <strong>of</strong> the Central Bank <strong>of</strong> 

Nigeria, CBN, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Kingsley 

Moghalu, has called for constitutional 

repeal <strong>of</strong> the Land Use Act, 

stressing the Act traps the wealth 

<strong>of</strong> Nigeria citizens in the hands 

<strong>of</strong> choking grip <strong>of</strong> state bureaucracy. 

He also called for an end to further 

foreign borrowing and deregulation 

<strong>of</strong> the downstream petroleum 

sector. 

He made this call in Lagos 

while speaking as Guest Lecturer 

<strong>of</strong> the 2018 edition <strong>of</strong> the Bullion 

Lecture organised by the Center 

for Financial J<strong>our</strong>nalism. 

Speaking on, “Overcoming Poverty: 

The Secret <strong>of</strong> the Wealth <strong>of</strong> 

Nations”, Moghalu presented a 

six point solution for the country 

to overcome poverty. 

These include establishment <strong>of</strong> 

a clear worldview for the Nigerian 

state; and the establishment 

and consistent application <strong>of</strong> 

a clear economic philosophy 

<strong>of</strong> entrepreneurial capitalism in 

context <strong>of</strong> a developmental state, 

as guiding framework for the 

Nigerian economy. 

Speaking on the need to repeal 

the Land Use Act, Moghalu said: 

:” I recommend the constitutional 

repeal <strong>of</strong> the Land Use Act that 

traps the wealth <strong>of</strong> Nigeria’s citizens 

in the hands choking grip 

<strong>of</strong> state bureaucracy. 

“One <strong>of</strong> the foundations <strong>of</strong> successful 

capitalism is property 

right. If you have a land vested 

in the state and you are just a tenant 

with Certificate <strong>of</strong> Occupancy 

instead <strong>of</strong> a freehold that allows 

you determine what you can use 

the land for in terms <strong>of</strong> generating 

capital or pledging it as collateral.


First City Monument 

Bank, FCMB, has 

entered into 

partnership with Abia State 

Government to provide 

financial and technical 

support to existing and 

potential owners <strong>of</strong> Small and 

Medium Enterprises, SMEs 

and youths in the state under 

the Youth Entrepreneurship 

Development Programme, 

YEDP. 

YEDP is an initiative <strong>of</strong> the 

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

CBN, National Youth Service 

FCMB deepens empowerment for SMEs, youths 

with YEDP 

Corps, NYSC, and 

Entrepreneurship 

Development Centre, EDC, 

aimed at discovering and 

deploying the ingenuity and 

res<strong>our</strong>cefulness <strong>of</strong> Nigerian 

youths for maximum 

economic development 

through empowerment in 

SMEs. 

Under the partnership, 

FCMB is <strong>of</strong>fering loans and 

technical support to eligible 

existing and aspiring young 

entrepreneurs who have 

viable business ideas. An 

individual can access up to 

N3 million, while group 

projects jointly owned by 

three to five qualified 

beneficiaries can access up 

to N10 million, payable in 

three years at an interest rate 

<strong>of</strong> 9 per cent. 

Target beneficiaries are 

NYSC members (or those 

who are not more than five 

years post-NYSC), those 

who possess verifiable 

tertiary institution 

certificate and artisans with 

First School Leaving 

Certificate or technical 

certificate or accredited 

pr<strong>of</strong>iciency certificate from 

the National Board for 

Technical Education, NBTE. 

Speaking at the Abia Mega 

Youth Summit at Aba, 

Executive Director, 

Business Development <strong>of</strong> 

FCMB, Mrs. Bukola Smith, 

described the intervention 

as another demonstration <strong>of</strong> 

its commitment to 

empower SMEs and youths 

in order to up-scale their 

contributions to the 

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

She stated: "We recognise the 

role <strong>of</strong> SMEs as drivers <strong>of</strong> 

Nigeria's development and 

how youths can key into the 

opportunities. YEDP is a 

major platform to address 

the challenges <strong>of</strong> 

unemployment among 

youths, as it will go a long 

way to ensure availability 

and affordability <strong>of</strong> capital 

required by entrepreneurs 

and start-ups.” 

Facebook's 2018 boot t camp for 

entrepreneurs kicks ks <strong>of</strong>f 

By Yinka Kolawole 

The 2018 edition <strong>of</strong> 

the Aspiring 

Entrepreneurs 

Digital Programme, a 

boot camp for 

entrepreneurs, 

organised by Facebook, 

in conjunction with Fate 

Foundation, has kicked 

<strong>of</strong>f in Abuja. 

Participants in the 

programme, which is a 

free f<strong>our</strong>-week boot camp 

for select entrepreneurs 

scheduled for seven 

cities across Nigeria, are 

expected to learn the 

fundamentals <strong>of</strong> digital 

marketing for business, 

coupled with key 

entrepreneurship skills 

designed to improve 

their businesses. 

Roll-out <strong>of</strong> the 

programme in the seven 

cities across the country 

is as follows: Abuja: 

March 12 - April 6, 2018; 

Ibadan: April 16 - May 

11, 2018; Port Harc<strong>our</strong>t: 

May 21 - June 15, 2018; 

Lagos: June 25 - July 20, 

2018; Calabar: July 30 - 

August 24, 2018; 

Kaduna: September 3 - 

September 28, 2018 and 

Enugu: October 8 - 

November 2, 2018. 

The training is aimed at 

helping to develop and 

nurture communities, 

including small 

businesses, the tech and 

start-up ecosystem, 

youths and creatives in 

Nigeria, and is open to 

participants between the 

ages <strong>of</strong> 18 and 35 years. 

Commenting on the 

programme, Ebele 

Okobi, Facebook Public 

Policy Director (Africa), 

said: "With this initiative, 

we are shaping 

entrepreneurs and future 

business leaders to 

promote innovation, job 

readiness and digital 

literacy in order to 

VISIT - From left: Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on Industries, Mr. 

Abdul-Fatai Buhari; Chairman, Senate Committee on Industries, Dr. Sam 

Egwu; Managing Director, Bank <strong>of</strong> Industry, BoI, Mr. Olukayode Pitan; and 

member <strong>of</strong> the committee, Sen. Barnabas Gemade during an oversight visit 

on the activities and programmes <strong>of</strong> BoI at the bank’s head <strong>of</strong>fice in Lagos. 

ensure that we have a 

positive impact on 

Nigeria's economy and 

society." 

Also speaking on the 

partnership, Adenike 

Adeyemi, Executive 

Director, FATE 

P&G, WEConnect to empower 

women entrepreneurs 

By Princewill Ekwujuru 

Procter & Gamble, in partnership with 

WEconnect International, has pledged to 

empower more women entrepreneurs. 

WEConnect International is a global network that 

connects women-owned businesses to qualified 

buyers around the world. The announcement 

which coincides with the International Women's 

Day was made at P&G's corporate <strong>of</strong>fice in Lagos. 

Speaking at the 2nd edition <strong>of</strong> its Women 

Entrepreneurs Development Programme, WEDP, 

Ihinosen Ebinum, Head <strong>of</strong> Purchases for P&G 

Nigeria said: "The programme is aimed at achieving 

equal representation <strong>of</strong> men and women in an 

inclusive environment, where they can deliver 

their full capabilities. Nigeria is a country <strong>of</strong> huge 

potential, yet women are being systematically 

excluded and disadvantaged. Through this 

programme, we aim to economically empower 

women with the right tools and knowledge needed 

to grow their businesses and <strong>of</strong>fer opportunities 

for them to provide solutions to multinationals 

across the country." 

Foundation said: "We 

believe programmes like 

this are vital to building 

and developing the skills 

<strong>of</strong> the next generation <strong>of</strong> 

entrepreneurs in Nigeria. 

At the heart <strong>of</strong> what we 

do is harnessing the 

already strong 

entrepreneurial culture 

<strong>of</strong> Nigerians, whilst 

providing the knowledge 

and support required to 

fully explore their 

innovative potential, and 

we look forward to 

working with Facebook 

to help achieve this." 

Graduates will also have 

opportunity to receive 

mentorship from Fate 

Foundation for a year 

along with other 

programme incentives. 

The programme will be 

broken into streams 

which will run f<strong>our</strong> times 

a week (Mondays to 

Thursdays) over a f<strong>our</strong>week 

period, in the form 

<strong>of</strong> practical workshops 

and learning sessions - all 

with a strong digital 

marketing component in 

the curriculum. 

Getting business 

loans from banks 

Skye Bank (2) 

Last week we started discussion on Skye 

Bank loan <strong>of</strong>fers to SME customers, 

and like other banks we discussed for 

several editions the discussions on Skye 

Bank will address their various products 

and services in several weeks from now. 

We discussed the bank’s small businesses 

loan product called 'SME Asset Finance'. In 

this edition we focus on two <strong>of</strong> the bank's 

loan <strong>of</strong>fers that are similar to their SME 

Asset Finance, viz., 'Short Term Loan' and 

the other is just called 'Advance'. The 

difference between these two and the first 

one is in the tenor. While 'SME Asset 

Finance' has longer tenor the other two 

have relatively short tenor. Also there are 

some differences in the usage <strong>of</strong> the loans. 

The 'Short Term Loan' has a maximum <strong>of</strong> 

12 months tenor though the focus is on just 

6 months. 

The loan amount must not be tied to more 

than 20 percent <strong>of</strong> y<strong>our</strong> company's annual 

turnover subject to maximum <strong>of</strong> N10 

million. 

It seems this loan package is targeted at 

private schools proprietors as the 

emphasis on the usage is to purchase 

laboratory equipment, furniture, books for 

library, pay rent and related needs in the 

schools' capital expenditure. 

The bank's other <strong>of</strong>fer <strong>of</strong> loan to small 

businesses it calls 'Advance' facility has a 

maximum tenor <strong>of</strong> 3 months (90 days) but 

comes with options <strong>of</strong> 45 days or 30 days 

to fee collection. 

In this <strong>of</strong>fer the bank says the maximum 

loan amount must not be tied to more than 

50 percent <strong>of</strong> the school collections for a 

term, subject to maximum <strong>of</strong> N10 million 

To confirm this facility is meant for school 

proprietors, the bank says it is created to 

provide working capital to schools for 

payment <strong>of</strong> salaries, purchase <strong>of</strong> 

stationery, repairs, etc.


Ondo First Lady urges NAOWA 

to key into democratic dividends 

By Gabriel Ewepu 

THE wife <strong>of</strong> Ondo State 

Governor, Betty Anyanwu- 

Akeredolu, has urged the 

Nigerian Army Officers Wives 

Association, NAOWA, to key 

into democratic dividends that 

would benefit the barrack 

community. 

Anyanwu-Akeredolu stated 

this when she received a 

delegation <strong>of</strong> NAOWA, 2 

Division, led by the wife <strong>of</strong> the 

General Officer Commanding, 

GOC, 2 Division, Ibadan, Mrs. 

Chioma Azinta and the wife <strong>of</strong> 

the Commander, 32 Artillery 

Brigade, Owena Barracks, 

Akure, Mrs Anthonia Ataguba, 

at Government House, Akure, 

Ondo State. 

In her response to some 

demands presented by 

NAOWA’s leadership, she said 

it was imperative on the part <strong>of</strong> 

NAOWA to make government 

know about their demands with 

relevant and convincing 

information that will facilitate 

development in their barracks 

as far as they were part <strong>of</strong> the 

state hosting them. 

She said: “There is nothing 

wrong with y<strong>our</strong> organisation, 

Nigerian Army Officers Wives 

Association, NAOWA, letting 

the Ministry <strong>of</strong> Education know 

about the need to site a school 

in y<strong>our</strong> barracks. 

“You don’t just say site a 

school in the barracks, get the 

number <strong>of</strong> children in the 

barracks. Most times 

government would like to see 

data. The nearest school to the 

barracks is this kilometers, you 

wouldn’t want to put the lives 

<strong>of</strong> y<strong>our</strong> children in danger, 

before you know it; it is 

captured in the next budget. 

“Take y<strong>our</strong> advocacy or needs 

to the appropriate quarters and 

package them well, that’s my 

advice for you.” 

Meanwhile, she called on the 

community to make hygiene 

paramount, and also to ensure 

good sanitation practice that 

would safeguard their health for 

high productivity and 

prevention against diseases. 

Earlier in her speech, the wife 

<strong>of</strong> the GOC 2 Division, Mrs 

Chioma Azinta said NAOWA 

was in Government House to 

familiarise with the First Lady. 

Azinta also highlighted the 

historical background <strong>of</strong> 

NAOWA, noting that the 

objectives include assisting the 

poor and the needy and raising 

the standard <strong>of</strong> living in the 

nation’s barracks. She said the 

association depends on 

government’s assistance and 

By Gabriel Ewepu 

ABUJA- A nongovernmental 

organisation, Complete 

Care and Aid Foundation, 

CCAF, has called on the Federal 

Government to urgently 

overhaul security network in the 

North-East Region <strong>of</strong> the 

country. 

This was contained in a 

statement signed by the 

Chairman, CCAF, Abuja 

chapter, Alh. Yusuf Danladi 

Musa, who said they have been 

worried by the new wave <strong>of</strong> 

donations from well spirited 

individuals and organisations 

to carry out its activities. 

She appreciated the 

Akeredolu-led administration 

for embarking on the barracks 

road construction, and used the 

opportunity to request for a 

school to be sited in the barracks 

and for government’s 

intervention in the welfare <strong>of</strong> 

windows <strong>of</strong> fallen heroes in and 

outside the barracks. 

In her vote <strong>of</strong> thanks, the 

NAOWA PRO, Akure, Mrs 

Omosola Ayoola, expressed 

gratitude to Ondo State First 

Lady for receiving them and 

pledged the association’s 

support for her programmes, 

especially as it concerns women 

empowerment. 

120 110 <strong>Dapchi</strong> Girls: Foundation urges FG 

to urgently overhaul security network 

…promises to give succ<strong>our</strong> to IDPs in North-East 

attacks by Boko Haram 

terrorists. Recently 110 female 

<strong>students</strong> <strong>of</strong> Government Girls 

Secondary, <strong>Dapchi</strong>, Yobe State 

were kidnapped. 

Musa said his organisation 

sympathises with the affected 

parents, and join faith with them 

for the release <strong>of</strong> their daughters 

in no distant time. 

According to him, it has 

become obvious and necessary 

for critical review and 

reorganisation <strong>of</strong> strategy in the 

fight against the Boko Haram 

terrorists who seem to be 

applying new strategy in 

maneuvering the entire security 

•Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu 

network <strong>of</strong> the government 

based on attacks launched on 

s<strong>of</strong>t targets, resulting in 

attendant loss <strong>of</strong> innocent lives 

and property. 

The Complete Care and Aids 

Foundation is a nongovernmental 

organisation, set 

up by concerned Nigerians to 

provide care and support for 

people displaced by communal 

crises, refugees in IDP camps, 

sick persons, drug addicts, child 

abuse victims and deradicalisation 

<strong>of</strong> members <strong>of</strong> 

terrorist groups that have been 

rescued by the government, 

among others. It will also in 

April 2018, inaugurate its Abuja 

chapter to pursue its vision and 

mission in accordance with set 

objectives. 

He said: “Complete Care and 

Aid Foundation, CCAF, is 

pained with the way Boko 

Haram terrorists are launching 

attacks and killing innocent 

Nigerians, especially in the 

North-East Region <strong>of</strong> recent. 

“The latest was the kidnap <strong>of</strong> 

110 female <strong>students</strong> <strong>of</strong> 

Government Girls Secondary 

School, <strong>Dapchi</strong>, Yobe State, and 

killing <strong>of</strong> Nigerians in some 

parts <strong>of</strong> the North-East Region 

<strong>of</strong> the country. It is worrisome 

and alarming. 

“The recent attacks on the 

Internally Displaced Persons’ 

camp in Rann, Borno State, 

where some security operatives 

were killed alongside a medical 

doctor who was providing care 

to refugees living in those 

camps. We condemn it in strong 

terms. 

“These attacks on schools and 

Internally Displaced Persons’ 

camps have become a recurring 

decimal despite the huge 

res<strong>our</strong>ces being expended by 

the government to improve 

security <strong>of</strong> lives and property in 

the affected areas. 

“President Muhammadu 

Buhari should urgently 

overhaul the entire security 

network in the country, 

particularly the North-East 

zone which is prone to Boko 

Haram attacks.” 

He noted that the strategy by 

Boko Haram is to provoke the 

sensibility <strong>of</strong> Nigerians 

against the government and 

create more tension to achieve 

their purpose <strong>of</strong> destablising 

the effort <strong>of</strong> government. 

“These terrorists’ strategies 

are meant to strike fear in the 

minds <strong>of</strong> the people so as to 

make them lose confidence in 

the capability <strong>of</strong> the security 

forces and the Federal 

Government’s ability to protect 

them against attacks and this 

must not be allowed to 

continue unchecked”, he said. 

Meanwhile, he disclosed 

that the Foundation will soon 

embark on a t<strong>our</strong> <strong>of</strong> IDP camps 

both in the Federal Capital 

Territory, FCT, and other flash 

points with communal clashes 

in Benue, Taraba and 

Adamawa states to provide 

succ<strong>our</strong> to refugees living in 

those camps.


Int’l Women’s Day 

celebration: 

Sahara Group stirs 

conversation on 

gender equality 

By Benjamin Njoku 

In keeping with the IWD 2018 

campaign theme- 

PressforProgress, time and care 

was taken to create an 

atmosphere and craft 

conversations that were most 

pertinent to the female 

experience within the corporate 

structure <strong>of</strong> the leading energy 

and infrastructure 

conglomerate. 

A roundtable discussion titled: 

Celebrating Extraordinary 

Women- A Seminar for Sahara 

Women by Sahara Women, was 

held in the company’s board 

room. Topics <strong>of</strong> discussion 

ranged from striking a work/life 

balance, power dressing and 

the young working mum 

experience. 

Chidilim Menakaya, Head, 

Human Res<strong>our</strong>ces Strategy 

said: “We thought it would be 

best to draw speakers from the 

rich pool <strong>of</strong> phenomenal women 

in <strong>our</strong> workforce. We set up a 

small committee <strong>of</strong> women from 

a pretty wide spectrum in terms 

<strong>of</strong> age and rank and came up 

with a list <strong>of</strong> women we’d most 

like to hear from and on what 

subjects.” 

A recurring observation from 

most women in attendance 

seemed to be the universality 

<strong>of</strong> the female struggle in 

domestic and pr<strong>of</strong>essional life. 

Pearl Uzokwe, one <strong>of</strong> the 

facilitators said: “I think we 

were all really struck by the 

sameness and diversity in <strong>our</strong> 

challenges and aspirations.” 

Another attendant remarked 

that it was especially gratifying 

to hear heartfelt and relatable 

narratives expressed by some <strong>of</strong> 

the highest ranking women 

within the organisation. “I 

gained more introspection on 

what it means to be a woman in 

power than ever before. 

Placed in the wider context 

<strong>of</strong> PressforProgress, it got 

me thinking about ways <strong>of</strong> 

striking a work life balance, 

a quest which remains 

challenging mostly for 

women in most formal 

sectors <strong>of</strong> the economy.” 

Sahara women lit up 

Lagos, Accra, Dubai, Dar 

es Salaam, Geneva, 

Abidjan, Singapore, 

Abuja, Port Harc<strong>our</strong>t and 

Tema with their sunshine 

yellow T-shirts which 

reinforced the 

PressforProgress theme 

and Sahara Group’s 

commitment to gender 

equality. The 

empowerment seminars 

held at Tema Secondary 

School in Ghana and 

Kigamboni Secondary 

School in Tanzania left scores 

<strong>of</strong> the female <strong>students</strong> inspired 

and determined to pursue their 

dreams. 

Recall that the Group recently 

partnered with Zuriel Oduwole, 

a 15-year-old young filmmaker 

and girl education advocate to 

empower 90 girls in the art <strong>of</strong> 

film-making in Nigeria, Ghana 

and Cote d’ Ivoire. The Group 

continues to support various 

interventions aimed at women 

empowerment. 

According to a UN Women 

article published just ahead <strong>of</strong> 

IWD, only one in f<strong>our</strong> 

parliamentarians worldwide are 

women and it will be 2086 

before we close the gender pay 

gap going by current trends. 

The agency goes on to state 

that “IWD is an opportunity to 

stand in solidarity with all those 

fearless women standing up for 

gender equality, and spotlight 

those who <strong>of</strong>ten pass 

unnoticed.” 

The general consensus from 

attendees was that Sahara 

Group remains a highly 

conducive environment in 

which women can nurse and 

realise their ambitions without 

necessarily having to sacrifice 

the things they aspire to in their 

personal lives. 

But the work is never 

complete and Sahara Group’s 

celebration <strong>of</strong> IWD on the 

grandest and most meaningful 

scale yet means that many more 

women within the organisation 

are alert to the travails <strong>of</strong> women 

outside <strong>of</strong> their daily orbit. 

In her remark, MIS Junior 

Analyst, Manuala Bamgbose- 

Martins said: “It is no longer 

possible to be inured to hard 

facts about the plight <strong>of</strong> women 

across all regions.” 

ENDOMETRIOSIS AWAREN 

average <strong>of</strong> 10yrs for a wo 

to get a diagnosis —Mrs. 

….Says 10% <strong>of</strong> women globally already 

By Destiny Eseaga 

The Founder <strong>of</strong> Endo- 

Survivors International 

Foundation, ESIF, a nonpr<strong>of</strong>it 

organisation, Mrs. Olivia 

Nwankudu has expressed 

shock over the pains and 

sufferings women living with 

endometriosis pass through 

before help comes their way, 

saying that she is committed to 

reducing the infamous 10-year 

delay to endometriosis 

diagnosis. 

“Did you know that according 

to research, it takes an average 

<strong>of</strong> 10 years for a woman living 

with endometriosis to get a 

diagnosis? A whole decade!! So 

much can happen in 10 years 

and it is indeed a painfully long 

time to suffer in the dark 

without the promise <strong>of</strong> a 

diagnosis, cure or permanent 

relief. This delay in diagnosis 

is not peculiar to Nigeria 

because it prevails even in 

Europe, America, Asia and 

Australia and indeed, all over 

the world,” Nwankudu said. 

The pioneer <strong>of</strong> endometriosis 

education amongst adolescents 

A non-governmental 

organisation, the Lift 

Above Poverty Organisation, 

LAPO, says the 

inclusiveness <strong>of</strong> women in 

all spheres <strong>of</strong> the society will 

help fast-track Nigeria’s 

socio-economic 

development. 

The Executive Director <strong>of</strong> 

LAPO, Mrs Sabina Idowu- 

Osehobo gave the charge 

while speaking at the 2018 

International Women’s Day 

ceremony organised by 

LAPO Lagos 2 Region. 

The International Women’s 

Day had the theme: Press for 

Progress, while LAPO’s 

celebration had the subtheme: 

Fundamentals <strong>of</strong> 

Progress for Nigerian 

Women. 

The executive director who 

was represented by Mrs 

Sandra Asowata, Regional 

Officer, LAPO Lagos 2 

Region, said the 

organisation was 

committed to the social, 

health and economic 

empowerment <strong>of</strong> the poor 

and the vulnerable across 

the country. 

She said: ”Historically, 

in Nigeria, and in keeping with 

the theme <strong>of</strong> the International 

Women’s 

Day, 

women are subjected to 

marginalisation, oppression 

and injustice in <strong>our</strong> patriarchal 

African society. They are 

discriminated against in their 

public and private life with 

increasing cases <strong>of</strong> 

infringement on their rights. 

“Women and girls do not 

enjoy equal access to 

education, economic 

res<strong>our</strong>ces, political 

representation, employment, 

PressforProgress, opined that 

gender equality and gender 

parity might just not be 

LAPO seeks more role for N 

By Esther Onyegbula 

*Mrs Olivia Nwankudu, founder <strong>of</strong> End Survivor International 

Foundation in a group photograph with <strong>students</strong> <strong>of</strong> Pholex Private School, 

Ebute Metta, Lagos. 

leadership and decision-making like 

their male counterparts at all levels. 

“In this age and time, we still have 

baffling reports <strong>of</strong> half a billion illiterate 

women, 120 million girls who have 

experienced rape and other forced 

sexual acts, 62 million uneducated 

girls, 40,000 daily child brides and 155 

countries operating discriminatory 

laws. 

“As a community development 

organisation, LAPO strongly believes 

that no appreciable development can 

•From left, Mrs. Airat Alamu, Education Secretary, Alimosho Local 

Government Education Authority, the guest lecturer, Mrs Margaret 

Mekwuye, Executive Director, Greenspring Development Initiative, 

ASP Matthew Ogenenosan, Ile-epo Division, Abule Egba, a guest and 

Mrs Sandra Asowata, Regional Officer, LAPO Lagos 2 Region.


ESS: It takes an 

man with endometriosis 

. Olivia Nwankudu 

y has their careers jeopardized 

achievable if women have to 

keep dealing with a healthcare 

system that has no definite cure 

for endometriosis. 

According to her, 

endometriosis affects 1 out <strong>of</strong> 10 

be made either at the local, national 

or international front without 

acknowledging women as equal 

players in decision-making and 

empowering, up-skilling and 

investing in them. 

According to her, in view <strong>of</strong> this, 

the organisation for over two decades 

has been at the forefront <strong>of</strong> the struggle 

<strong>of</strong> advancing women’s cause and 

supporting projects that empower 

them socially and economically. 

Idowu-Osehobo said in 2016, LAPO 

reached over 1.2 million persons with 

social and health awareness 

programmes. 

She added that between October 

2014 and December 2017, LAPO Lagos 

2 Region reached 27,853 clients <strong>of</strong> 

LAPO Micr<strong>of</strong>inance Bank on social 

issues like the consequences <strong>of</strong> 

widowhood rites, male preference, 

teenage pregnancy, early marriage, 

domestic violence, rape, divorce/ 

separation, among others. 

Also speaking, Mrs Airat Alamu, 

Education Secretary, Alimosho Local 

Government Education Authority, 

said women were mostly affected by 

poverty and other negative socioeconomic 

issues bedevilling the 

country. 

“The struggle <strong>of</strong> enhancing and 

broadening women’s opportunities to 

actively participate in the leadership 

<strong>of</strong> their societal affairs through gender 

equality and equal rights should be 

emphasised and improved upon for the 

The adolescent 

girls do not 

even know 

what normal 

menstruation 

should feel like 

and as a result, 

may be 

hesitant to 

report 

symptoms like 

killer cramps to 

the doctors 

girls and women, meaning 

that 10 per cent <strong>of</strong> the 

womenfolk globally already 

have their careers 

jeopardised. “How does a 

woman living with chronic 

pain compete effectively for 

the same jobs with healthy 

men?” she asked with 

palpable passion in her voice. 

Reasons for delay in 

endometriosis diagnosis 

Nigerian women 

women to have a say and 

responsibility in the 

society. 

“Our restructuring 

crusade should include the 

elevation <strong>of</strong> women in all 

sectors <strong>of</strong> <strong>our</strong> economy and 

political terrain to have 

gender balance,” she 

added. 

In her lecture, the guest 

lecturer, Mrs Margaret 

Mekwuye, Executive 

Director, Greenspring 

Development Initiative, 

urged the women to 

become active participants 

in national development by 

obtaining their Personal 

Voters‘ Cards, PVCs 

ahead <strong>of</strong> the 2019 polls. 

Mekwuye said there was 

need to improve upon the 

13 per cent affirmative 

action, stressing that many 

Nigerian women had 

distinguished themselves 

in various fields <strong>of</strong> 

endeav<strong>our</strong>. 

The high point <strong>of</strong> the 

celebration was the 

presentation <strong>of</strong> certificates 

to over 100 women who 

successfully completed the 

Financial Literacy Training 

organised by LAPO NGO. 

Explaining the reasons for the 

delay in endometriosis diagnosis, 

Nwankudu said:”The adolescent 

girls do not even know what 

normal menstruation should feel 

like and as a result, may be 

hesitant to report symptoms like 

killer cramps to the doctors. 

Secondly, many general 

practitioners miss out the 

diagnosis <strong>of</strong> endometriosis in 

adolescents because it mimics the 

symptoms <strong>of</strong> other diseases like 

irritable bowel syndrome, IBS and 

digestive problems. By the time 

the girl is ready to see a 

gynecologist, she is in her late 

20s.” 

Early signs <strong>of</strong> endometriosis 

Delivering a lecture entitled: 

Endometriosis 101 to over 200 

female <strong>students</strong> <strong>of</strong> Pholex Success 

Private School, Lagos, recently, 

Nwankudu enc<strong>our</strong>aged the girlchild 

to listen to her body and 

dedicate a notebook where she can 

take note <strong>of</strong> all her menstrual 

cycles, pelvic pain, extreme 

discomfort, nausea or vomiting if 

experienced during their periodas 

these are early signs <strong>of</strong> 

endometriosis. She counselled: 

“Endometriosis cannot be 

diagnosed through an ultrasound, 

blood test or scan; the only way 

y<strong>our</strong> doctor can make an informed 

suspicion is if you are able to give 

useful information regarding y<strong>our</strong> 

menstruation and pelvic health. 

You can do this easily by using a 

note book to write it down dutifully 

every month.” She explained that 

not every case <strong>of</strong> severe menstrual 

pain is endometriosis but it is 

better to have y<strong>our</strong> pain checked 

by a doctor than to be ignorant 

which could be very costly. 

Menstrual hygiene management 

The endometriosis campaigner 

spoke extensively on menstrual 

hygiene management. She 

explained that young women 

should practise simple hygiene 

when menstruating like handwashing 

after changing a sanitary 

towel, wearing a sanitary pad no 

longer than eight h<strong>our</strong>s, flushing 

the toilet properly, care <strong>of</strong> 

underwear, proper disposal <strong>of</strong> 

sanitary towels and a lot more. In 

addition, the teenagers were given 

free sanitary pads and free copies 

<strong>of</strong> the organisation’s 

Endometriosis 101 magazine, a 

timeless and must-have res<strong>our</strong>ce 

for every girl-child. 

Nwankudu, called on wellmeaning 

individuals, charities 

and businesses to collaborate with 

ESIF to help women living with 

this enervating, horrendous 

disease while raising selfadvocates 

among girls, thereby 

helping them understand the 

symptoms <strong>of</strong> endometriosis. 

NIOMR empowers 

unemployed women, 

youths on 

industrialised farming 

By Elizabeth Uwandu 

The need to empower 

women and youths to be 

self-reliant informed the fiveday 

training on Value chain 

capacity-building on 

aquaculture production and 

post-harvest technology 

organised by the Nigerian 

Institute for Oceanography 

and Marine Research, 

NIOMR, and facilitated by 

Chairman and members, 

House <strong>of</strong> Representatives 

Committee on Agricultural 

Colleges and Institutions. 

At the end <strong>of</strong> the training, 

the 56 unemployed women 

and youths would each be 

given a starter pack 

comprising one fish plastic 

tank that will contain 100 

catfish juveniles; 15 bags <strong>of</strong> 

fish-feed; scale, logbook; 

basin, hand-net and plastic 

spoons. 

Speaking at the opening, Dr 

Patricia Anyanwu, director, 

Aquaculture, NIOMR, said 

that the capacity-building and 

empowerment programme 

was geared towards making 

participants come out with 

harvest within the next f<strong>our</strong> 

months. 

According to her: “The 

essence is that aquaculture as 

a business, will empower 

unemployed youths, 

graduates and women to 

become self-employed in the 

aquaculture sector. While the 

value chain capacity-building 

will empower them either as 

fingerling producers or fishfeed 

producers, or as fish 

processors. 

“This seminar is coming at 

the right time as one <strong>of</strong> the 

Federal Government’s 

capital project allocation 

programme for the first 

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

workshop will also serve as 

a means <strong>of</strong> generating 

employment because 

aquaculture business 

demands hands. So, if you 

are trained, you will 

definitely train others. 

For Dr Adekunle 

Oresegun, one <strong>of</strong> the 

facilitators, the programme 

was relevant to boost food 

consumption and livelihood 

as a means <strong>of</strong> revenue 

generation. “Currently, 

Nigeria eats less fish 

compared to most countries 

in West Africa. So, the only 

way we can meet the WHO 

standard is to increase <strong>our</strong> 

fish production by 

enc<strong>our</strong>aging more people to 

go into fish rearing. The 

programme is to train and 

increase people’s skills in 

the art and science <strong>of</strong> fish 

rearing,” Oresegun said. 

Some <strong>of</strong> participants 

drawn from selected federal 

constituencies across 

Nigeria such as Mr 

Ndubuisi Akpa, Enugu 

State; Hon. Busari Nosiru, 

supervisor for health, 

Ojoroko LCDA, Ifako/ Ijaiye 

Federal Constituency <strong>of</strong> 

Lagos State and Mrs Kemi 

Fadairo, Lagos, expressed 

joy over the training as it will 

afford them the opportunity 

to be gainfully employed 

and also be employers <strong>of</strong> 

lab<strong>our</strong>. 

*Dr. Patricia Anyanwu (4h right) and Dr. Adekunle 

Oresegun flanked by some <strong>of</strong> the facilitators and 

participants at the training on industrialised farming 

organised by NIOMR in Lagos recently.

24 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018 — 25




A united Lab<strong>our</strong> can save 

Nigerians from mis-rule — NLC 

By Funmi Komolafe 

IT was a gathering <strong>of</strong> who 

is who in the lab<strong>our</strong> movement 

as the NLC rounded <strong>of</strong>f 

its 40 th anniversary activities. 

The events climaxed with induction 

into Lab<strong>our</strong>’s Hall <strong>of</strong> 

fame; the first <strong>of</strong> its kind in the 

history <strong>of</strong> the lab<strong>our</strong> movement 

in Nigeria. 

Expectedly, issues <strong>of</strong> wages, 

politics, the economy and other 

social issues featured during 

the three-day programme 

<strong>of</strong> February 26 – 28, 2018. 

The anniversary wasn’t for 

NLC alone. A former president 

<strong>of</strong> the NLC, Comrade Ali Chiroma 

turned 85 on February 

27. Once Comrade Chiroma 

mentioned it, the leadership <strong>of</strong> 

NLC made sure it was celebrated 

with the cutting <strong>of</strong> a cake. 

Cutting the cake drew some 

joyful tears from Comrade Ali 

Chiroma. Chiroma was the second 

president <strong>of</strong> the NLC that 

is now 40 years old. 

Comrade Hassan Sunmonu 

also reminded union members 

that he too turned 77 in January. 

Chiroma and Hassan Sunmonu 

have something in common 

which only those who 

worked closely with them ever 

noticed. True, both came from 

•Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (left), ex- NLC 

President and Comrade Hassan Sunmonu, 

NLC Pioneer President. 

the public sector, not that, both 

love proverbs. Osogbo-born 

Hassan Sunmonu hardly 

spoke to anyone without a 

proverb. Chiroma too would 

remind you <strong>of</strong> a particular Kanuri 

proverb while speaking. 

Chiroma, many a time, demonstrated 

the rigidity <strong>of</strong> a Kanuri 

but you knew where he 

stood at any time. 

Sunmonu’s tenure won the 

National Minimum Wage after 

the May 11, 1981 strike 

against the President Shehu 

Shagari civilian administration. 

Chiroma’s tenure was the 

height <strong>of</strong> ideological split 

within the NLC as progressives 

and democrats. 

Both sides resolved again to 

work together in the interest 

<strong>of</strong> Nigerian workers and this 

was reflected in the election <strong>of</strong> 

Comrade Pascal Bafyau. 

With Bafyau’s election, ide- 

ological differences were 

downplayed and unity was 

fully restored again. 

Comrade Pascal Bafyau from 

Numan in Adamawa State 

who succeeded Ali Chiroma 

had a rather controversial tenure 

essentially because <strong>of</strong> his 

attitude <strong>of</strong> diplomacy in Lab<strong>our</strong>’s 

relationship with the 

military that made the public 

see him as a weak leader. 

Paschal was general- secretary 

<strong>of</strong> the Nigeria Union <strong>of</strong> 

Railwaymen before his election 

as NLC president. 

The truth is, Pascal would 

rather do everything to ensure 

that workers owned a party 

and took over political power. 

Many faulted his method 

but not his commitment. 

He was the only one who 

was deceased when NLC 

turned 40. After Bafyau came 

Edo State-born, Kaduna-based 

Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole. 

Oshiomhole like Pascal, was 

general-secretary <strong>of</strong> the National 

Union <strong>of</strong> Textile, Garment 

and Tailoring Workers 

when he was elected president 

<strong>of</strong> the NLC. 

Oshiomhole like Sunmonu, 

led a militant NLC. Both 

were fearless leaders who had 

reasons to confront governments 

at all levels once convinced 

they were on the right 

path. Oshiomhole popularised 

the culture <strong>of</strong> protest on 

political and economic issues. 

Like Sunmonu, he fought 

and won battles <strong>of</strong> national 

minimum age. He also fought 

and won several battles 

against the deregulation <strong>of</strong> 

the downstream sector <strong>of</strong> the 

economy. Simply put, increase 

in the prices <strong>of</strong> petroleum 

products. 

Adams Oshiomhole’s tenure 

fought and won battles against 

state governments, against the 

federal legislature over N25 

million furniture allowance 

among others. Oshiomhole 

made history. as the first person 

from the trade union movement 

to hold an executive post 

in government with his election 

as Edo State governor for 

two terms <strong>of</strong> eight years. 

After Oshiomhole came Abddulwaheed 

Omar, president 

<strong>of</strong> the Nigeria Union <strong>of</strong> Teachers, 

NUT, Omar backed by a 

formidable secretariat started 

<strong>of</strong>f with the traditional militancy 

<strong>of</strong> lab<strong>our</strong> but was watered 

down to a level that made the 

public lose faith in the NLC 

leadership. His tenure also 

witnessed the manifestation <strong>of</strong> 

a deep internal crisis within 

the NLC. 

Comrade Ayuba Wabba, 

president <strong>of</strong> the Medical and 

Health Workers Union 

emerged president after Omar. 

With his election, history 

seemed to replay itself. 

Chiroma from the Medical 

and Health Union had his 

election challenged by Comrade 

Takaya Shammang <strong>of</strong> the 

Electricity Workers Union just 

as Ayuba Wabba also had his 

election challenged by Comrade 

Joe Ajaero <strong>of</strong> the same 

Electricity Workers Union. 

As president <strong>of</strong> Medical and 

Health Workers Union <strong>of</strong> Nigeria, 

Ayuba turned the fortunes 

<strong>of</strong> the union around. It 

is to his credit that the union 

built or acquired property in 

Abuja. 

After series <strong>of</strong> interventions, 

some <strong>of</strong> the unions that broke 

away returned to the NLC and 

were present at the 40 th anniversary.


30--- Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018 

Send Opinions & Letters to: 

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Ruled by jokers 

SINCE 

President 

Muhammadu Buhari 

returned from his controversial 

“condolence” visit to Benue on 

12th March 2018, Nigerians 

have been expectant for a 

consequential action to be taken. 

He had shocked those <strong>of</strong> us who 

are still shockable when he 

disclosed his “surprise” that the 

Inspector General <strong>of</strong> Police, 

Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, had 

disobeyed his order to relocate 

to Benue State to stop the killings 

and apprehend those 

perpetrating them. 

That consequential action was 

the immediate sack <strong>of</strong> the IGP. It 

is inconceivable that an IGP 

whose hiring and firing solely 

depends on the good graces <strong>of</strong> the 

President would only visit Benue 

State Government House and 

hop <strong>of</strong>f to neighb<strong>our</strong>ing 

Nasarawa State from where he 

returned to celebrate his 59th 

birthday in Abuja. As you read 

this article, that event took place 

ten days ago. IGP Idris is not only 

still in <strong>of</strong>fice, he is in power, as 

General Ibrahim Babangida put 

it. 

Only on Monday, IGP Idris 

barked out familiar orders 

asking all police <strong>of</strong>ficers attached 

to big men and women to detach 

themselves and come back for 

redeployment. This is a hollow 

ritual which every IGP engages 

in. Within the past nine years, at 

least five IGPs – Ogbonnaya 

Onovo, Hafiz Ringim, 

Mohammed Abubakar, Solomon 

Arase and Ibrahim Idris – have 

dished out exactly the same order. 

At the end <strong>of</strong> the day nothing 

changes. You hear when the Police 

Chiefs order for the withdrawals, 

but you never hear when the 

orders are rescinded and these 

personnel sent back to the fat 

cats. They are not meant to be 

implemented. They are for the 

ears <strong>of</strong> the gullible public only. 

The emerging truth is that it is 

highly inconvenient for the 

police authorities, the orderlies 

themselves and the fat cats they 

serve for genuine withdrawals to 

be carried out. The Chairman <strong>of</strong> 

the Police Service Commission, 

Mr. Mike Okiro, was recently 

quoted by online newspaper, 

Premium Times, <strong>of</strong> disclosing 

that out <strong>of</strong> the 400,000 personnel 

<strong>of</strong> the Police, 150,000 are 

protecting the fat cats. Okiro is a 

former IGP himself, so he knows 

what he is saying. He was quoted 

as saying: “We could not sustain 

the enforcement <strong>of</strong> the order on 

withdrawal <strong>of</strong> policemen to 

unqualified persons in the 

country because <strong>of</strong> lack <strong>of</strong> fund”. 

IGP Idris indicated his lack <strong>of</strong> 

seriousness in making the order 

when he said that the same 

individuals are free to reapply. 

Idris said there was 

no evidence <strong>of</strong> 

murder. Case 

closed. Barely ten 

weeks later, he was 

given multiple and 

accelerated 

promotions from 

COP to IGP 

Well, we had for long suspected 

that posting policemen to 

wealthy private citizens is good 

business for the police top brass. 

Police protection is a matter <strong>of</strong> 

cash. A senator, Isa Hamma 

Misau, in August last year 

accused this same IGP Idris <strong>of</strong> 

making between N120 to N180 

billion annually from renting out 

<strong>our</strong> policemen to fat cats. Funny 

enough, the Federal Government 

joined hands with IGP Idris to sue 

Misau. Nobody bordered to send 

the Economic and Financial 

Crimes Commission, EFCC, to 

check out Misau’s allegations in 

the same way that former 

President Olusegun Obasanjo 

had sent the EFCC to investigate, 

arrest, prosecute and jail his IGP, 

Tafa Balogun. Buhari is not 

Obasanjo. Yet, Tafa Balogun had 

played a key role in seeing 

Obasanjo re-elected to a second 

term in <strong>of</strong>fice in 2003, same as 

IGP Idris was seen to have done 

as Commissioner <strong>of</strong> Police in 

Kano State in 2015. 

You will recall the “American 

wonder” election that took place 

in Kano. On 28th March 2015, 

the National Assembly and 

Presidential polls took place 

nationwide. Kano, where COP 

(then) Ibrahim Idris provided the 

security cover, recorded a huge 

disparity that is still the talk <strong>of</strong> 

town which questions the integrity 

<strong>of</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Attahiru Jega’s 

Independent National Electoral 

Commission, INEC. The 

National Assembly poll recorded 

a total <strong>of</strong> about 800,000 votes 

while the Presidential Election 

nicked a whopping 2,172,447 out 

<strong>of</strong> which Buhari as the 

presidential candidate <strong>of</strong> the All 

Progressives Congress, APC, 

hauled unbelievable 1.9 million 

votes. 

As the murmurs on this 

electoral abracadabra rose, the 

INEC Resident Electoral 

Commissioner, Alhaji Munkaila 

Abdullahi, who was said to take 

exceptions to the results, perished 

with his family in a mystery fire 

on 3rd April 2015. Pronto, Kano 

State COP Idris told newsmen in 

his <strong>of</strong>fice that the family <strong>died</strong> 

from suffocation in the fire 

which, he alleged, was caused by 

a power surge. Idris said there 

was no evidence <strong>of</strong> murder. Case 

closed. Barely ten weeks later, he 

was given multiple and 

accelerated promotions from 

COP to IGP, with many senior 

<strong>of</strong>ficers sacrificed into early 

retirement to enable him serve as 

Buhari’s man in charge <strong>of</strong> the 

Nigerian Police Force. Since 

Idris assumed <strong>of</strong>fice, he has 

followed Buhari’s interests and 

agenda to the letter, including his 

obvious shadow-boxing with 

police deployment to places 

where Fulani herdsmen have 

been massacring and displacing 

indigenous people. 

The Police Spokesman, Mr. 

Jimoh Moshood, who seems to 

know what the game is all about, 

took the unprecedented risk <strong>of</strong> 

calling Governor Samuel Ortom 

“a drowning man” on national 

television over the Benue crisis, 

and nothing happened to him. 

IGP Idris knows he is safe. He 

knows he did not “disobey” 

Buhari’s order. He probably 

knew the order was not a genuine 

one from the bottom <strong>of</strong> the 

President’s heart, so he gave it the 

treatment meant for it. 

People are now saying that IGP 

Idris cannot be removed because 

he has another “good” job to do 

in 2019 – delivering the elections. 

On 15th January 2018, IGP Idris 

celebrated his 59th <strong>of</strong>ficial 

birthday. It is significant to know 

that he will still be eligible to stay 

and deliver the general election 

before he retires. 

And so, his sudden order 

withdrawing police orderlies 

from the fat cats <strong>of</strong> the nation was 

nothing but an attempt to divert 

attention from the continued 

expectation <strong>of</strong> the people on 

President Buhari to do the 

needful. 

But we will not be distracted. 

We may be ruled by jokers, but 

we know all their tricks. 

Knowing when to approach the C<strong>our</strong>ts 

TOO much <strong>of</strong> democracy destroys 

democracy. So soon, we have 

reached a point where this democracy, socalled, 

is driving some people coo-coo. A 

man wakes up in the morning and he 

rushes to c<strong>our</strong>t to ask the c<strong>our</strong>t to stop his 

neighb<strong>our</strong> from waking up. And the c<strong>our</strong>t 

must entertain the suit because we are said 

to be in a democracy – pseudo democracy, 

that is. 

But the world out there is watching us. 

They are unable to know when we are 

serious and when we are not. They get 

confused as to whether this is still the same 

nation they used to know – a nation 

abundantly endowed with men and women 

<strong>of</strong> intelligence. 

We saw it coming, and we asked, what is 

the business <strong>of</strong> government in the 

registration <strong>of</strong> political parties? 

Periodically, the Independent National 

Electoral Commission, INEC, would reel 

out hundreds <strong>of</strong> political parties as having 

been registered in Nigeria, without anyone 

demanding how much verifications have 

been carried out on INEC’s imposed 

conditions for the so-called registrations. 

It is possible for some money-bags who 

are specialists in chartering political 

parties to charter five political parties in 

a single swoop! One <strong>of</strong> these formations 

would be real while the other f<strong>our</strong> would 

be shadow-boxers, just set up to cause 

confusion and engage in other simple 

permutations. 

How else does anyone explain a 

situation where one registered political 

party is currently asking the c<strong>our</strong>t to stop 

the National Assembly, NASS, from 

overriding the proposed presidential veto 

<strong>of</strong> the Bill passed by the NASS aimed at 

amending the Electoral Act? Essentially, 

this party is applying to the c<strong>our</strong>t to prevent 

the NASS from performing its 

constitutionally-assigned duties. 

It may not matter much at this point that 

this Party could be doing the bidding <strong>of</strong> 

some invisible hands; but a political party, 

or branch there<strong>of</strong>, that allows itself to be 

used for such devious purposes certainly 

betrays its ignorance <strong>of</strong> the process <strong>of</strong> lawmaking. 

Such should not stand as a 

political party because even within the 

political parties, there are Rules and 

Regulations governing the action <strong>of</strong> men. 

You can only go to c<strong>our</strong>t to 

challenge the content <strong>of</strong> 

an Act after it has been 

duly enacted, not when it 

is still a Bill and only as 

good as any other piece <strong>of</strong> 

paper 

From <strong>our</strong> study <strong>of</strong> elementary Civics, it 

has been clear from very early in life that 

the Legislature makes laws; the laws are 

implemented by the Executive branch; 

while any matter <strong>of</strong> interpretation arising 

from the laws are resolved by the Judiciary. 

In furtherance <strong>of</strong> the foregoing, Sections 

4, 5 and 6 <strong>of</strong> the Constitution <strong>of</strong> the Federal 

Republic <strong>of</strong> Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) 

are devoted to spelling out the assignment 

<strong>of</strong> these powers to the three branches <strong>of</strong> 

government. In the process <strong>of</strong> carrying out 

these functions under the Constitution, 

there is no room for interference between 

other branches. No one can go to c<strong>our</strong>t to 

stop the NASS 

from passing a 

Bill into law. 

After the Bill 

has been passed 

by the two 

Houses <strong>of</strong> the 

NASS, it is 

transmitted to 

the President 

for his assent. If 

the President 

has reason to withhold his assent on the 

Bill, he returns it to the NASS, stating the 

grounds for the objection. Where the 

President withholds assent but does not 

return the Bill stating the grounds for his 

refusal to assent after the period allowed 

for that, he is said to have pocket-vetoed 

the Bill. Presidents are known to employ 

the pocket-veto method close to the 

Legislators’ proceeding on vacation or 

any long recess as a way <strong>of</strong> reducing the 

chances <strong>of</strong> overriding his veto. 

Notwithstanding the mode <strong>of</strong> veto 

adopted, where each House <strong>of</strong> the NASS 

musters an extra-ordinary majority <strong>of</strong> its 

members (at least two-thirds) to override 

the President’s veto the Bill becomes Law 

without the President’s assent. In all this, 

there is no provision for the C<strong>our</strong>t to stop 

the NASS passage <strong>of</strong> the Bill; presidential 

assent; or the NASS override <strong>of</strong> the 

President’s veto. It is in this light that the 

action <strong>of</strong> the litigating Party must be seen 

as ludicrous and a most hopeless attempt 

to embarrass itself. 

You can only go to c<strong>our</strong>t to challenge 

the content <strong>of</strong> an Act after it has been duly 

enacted, not when it is still a Bill and only 

as good as any other piece <strong>of</strong> paper. 

Even where it is possible to see through 

the smoke-screen that the measure has 

some invisible hands <strong>of</strong> the Executive 

behind it, it must still be accorded some 

semblance <strong>of</strong> fake neutrality. That 

explains why the principal law giver <strong>of</strong> 

the Federation, the Attorney General and 

Minister <strong>of</strong> Justice, is named as a 

defendant in the obnoxious suit. It gets 

more intriguing; and still more laughable. 

Changes come in various shapes and 

col<strong>our</strong>s. This is yet an innovation – that 

the Attorney-General is a defendant in a 

suit that is designed to advance the c<strong>our</strong>se 

<strong>of</strong> the presidency! 

Staring us in the face is a clear case <strong>of</strong> 

abuse <strong>of</strong> process. Given a free reign, the 

likes <strong>of</strong> the present litigants will soon find 

themselves challenging in c<strong>our</strong>t, perceived 

wrong answers on an examination script. 

Some may suggest that NASS should go 

to c<strong>our</strong>t to demand that the suit be thrown 

out. We think otherwise. Let NASS stoically 

ignore them while going about its normal 

duties and awaiting this vibrant bornagain 

Judiciary to slap heavy costs on the 

Party – if only as a way <strong>of</strong> cleansing the 

public space. Where they are unable to pay 

such costs, they should stand liquidated. 

INEC is not yet alive to the enormity <strong>of</strong> 

the task ahead. For instance, we have not 

been told how they intend to manage the 

sheer size <strong>of</strong> the ballot papers containing 

the candidates <strong>of</strong> close to a hundred 

political parties. Yet, the issue <strong>of</strong> 

Independent Candidature is lurking 

around. INEC must try to do well, what it 

ought to do and leave the issues <strong>of</strong> the 

sequence <strong>of</strong> election and Election Cycle 

to the NASS where they squarely belong. 

If we must return to Shakespeare, 

“Hon<strong>our</strong> and shame on no part arise; act 

well y<strong>our</strong> part and there the hon<strong>our</strong> lies”. 

C 

M 

YK






Anti-development govs afraid 

<strong>of</strong> LGA autonomy—LP 

Supplementary measles 

immunisation begins in Imo 

By Chinonso 

Alozie 

O WERRI—The 

Federal Ministry <strong>of</strong> Health 

has begun supplementary 

immunization against 

measles in Imo State. 

Speaking during a media 

sensitization campaign 

against measles in Owerri 

yesterday, Mr. David 

Onyemuche Anya, 

Immunisation Officer, 

Ministry <strong>of</strong> Health, Imo 

State, described routine 

immunisation exercises as 

one <strong>of</strong> the easiest and 

cheapest ways to prevent 

measles infection. 

He said that the reason 

for the introduction <strong>of</strong> 

supplementary 

immunisation was to 

completely eliminate 

measles. 

Anya warned that, 

measles kill easily and that 

routine immunisation is the 

cheapest and easiest way 

to prevent it. 

He said: “As a result <strong>of</strong> 

dangerous effects <strong>of</strong> 

measles, we introduced a 

supplementary 

immunisation programme. 

“In order to eliminate 

measles completely, we 

decided to set aside a 

period for every child 

between nine months and 

59 months to be 

immunised, irrespective <strong>of</strong> 

whether the child had been 

immuised earlier or not. 

“Measles is a viral 

infection that spreads easily 

and the best thing is to 

prevent it. The problem is 

not the measles but the 

complications that arise 

from the measles infection. 

“We call on the media to 

assist in disseminating this 

information properly so that 

the people will be aware <strong>of</strong> 

the measles vaccine and the 

need for them to take their 

children to get 

immunised.” 

Ugwuanyi reiterates commitment 

to develop youths' skills 

E 

N 

By Chinonso 

Alozie 

O governorship 

WERRI—A 

aspirant <strong>of</strong> the Lab<strong>our</strong> Party, 

LP, in Imo State, Mr. Tony 

Onyearugbulem, 

yesterday, said state 

governors who rejected 

local government 

autonomy were against 

grassroots development. 

He spoke to newsmen in 

Owerri, where he urged 

the governors to own up to 

the challenges <strong>of</strong> 

development. 

Onyearugbulem was not 

happy that the Imo State 

House <strong>of</strong> Assembly was 

among the state assemblies 

reported to have rejected 

the bill seeking to 

By Chinedu 

Adonu 

U G U — 

GOVERNOR 

Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi <strong>of</strong> 

Enugu State has promised 

continuous commitment to 

develop the youths through 

skills in Enugu State. 

Speaking at a town hall 

meeting with youths in 

Nsukka recently, 

representative <strong>of</strong> the the 

governor, Commissioner 

for Youths and Sports in 

Enugu, Joseph Udedi, 

disclosed that 500 youths 

will be trained in various 

skills in April 2018. 

He said 300 youths were 

trained and empowered in 

February by the state in 

collaboration with the 

Industrial Training Fund, 

ITF, in fabrication and metal 

work. 

The commissioner 

informed the youths that 

establish local government 

autonomy in the country. 

He said" “We are here 

talking about development, 

when we can’t endorse 


autonomy, then what is the 

need? 

“Let me say this: we need 


autonomy in Imo State. We 

want the government to be 

matured enough to uphold 

it. 

“It behoves on governors 

to show leadership and 

enc<strong>our</strong>age the passing into 

law the local government 

autonomy. 

“We anticipate a system, 

where the local 

government will be allowed 

to control their own 

economy." 

the ministry in partnership 

with a private organization 

had trained more than 1000 

youths in farming, craft 

making, hotel 

management, cosmetology 

and catering. 

He said Governor Ifeanyi 

Ugwuanyi had achieved so 

much in sports, noting that 

in 2016, Rangers won the 

Nigeria Pr<strong>of</strong>essional 

Football League, NPFL, 

after 32 years <strong>of</strong> trophy 

drought. 

“We are in collaboration 

with the Deputy Senate 

President, Sen. Ike 

Ekweremadu who 

organised football, athletics 

and basketball 

championship in Enugu. 

“At the final <strong>of</strong> the 

championship on Feb. 

18, former Super Eagles’ 

player, Kanu Nwankwo 

took f<strong>our</strong> players to Europe 

for pr<strong>of</strong>essional football,” he 

said. 

FG sets up 18-man panel to try 

electricity <strong>of</strong>fences in South East 

By Ikechukwu 

Nnochiri 

ABUJA—The Federal 

Government yesterday 

constituted an 18-man 

special panel to investigate 

and prosecute electricity 

<strong>of</strong>fences within the South 

East geopolitical zone. 

The panel, which FG said 

was set-up in line with the 

provisions <strong>of</strong> the Electric 

Power Sector Reform Act, 

2005, was inaugurated at 

the Federal Ministry <strong>of</strong> 

Justice Headquarters in 

Abuja by the Director <strong>of</strong> 

Public Prosecutions, DPP, <strong>of</strong> 

the Federation, Mr. 

Mohammed Etsu. 

The DPP said the Special 

Investigation and 

Prosecution Task-Force on 

Electricity Offences, 

SIPTEO, was a product <strong>of</strong> 

the collaboration between 

the Federal Ministry <strong>of</strong> 

Justice, Enugu Electricity 

Distribution Company Plc, 

EEDC and the Nigeria 

Police Force. 

He specifically tasked the 

panel to “deal with the 

menace <strong>of</strong> electricity theft 

and vandalism in the South 

East zone”. 

According to the DPP, 

“The growing theft <strong>of</strong> 

electricity and vandalism <strong>of</strong> 

electricity distribution 

assets in the area <strong>of</strong> 

coverage <strong>of</strong> the EEDC has 

contributed immensely to 

the economic challenges 

TOUR: Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Kingsley Moghalu, presidential aspirant, at the palace 

<strong>of</strong> the Och'Idoma, His Royal Highness, Agaba Idu, Dr. Elias Ikoyi 

Obekpa IV, in Otukpo, during Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Moghalu's nationwide listening 

t<strong>our</strong> 

APC expels members for going to 

c<strong>our</strong>t over exco tenure extension 

E 

N U G U — 

SECRETARY, 

Forum <strong>of</strong> States Chairmen 

<strong>of</strong> the All Progressives 

Congress, APC, Dr. Ben 

Nwoye yesterday disclosed 

that going by the provisions 

<strong>of</strong> the party’s constitution, 

all the APC members who 

took the party to c<strong>our</strong>t over 

tenure extension <strong>of</strong> the 

leadership <strong>of</strong> the party have 

been expelled from the 

party. 

Nwoye who is also the 

chairman <strong>of</strong> APC in Enugu 

State at a press briefing in 

Enugu, stated that he and 

his colleagues were 

dumbfounded to learn that 

some <strong>of</strong> its forum members 

went to c<strong>our</strong>t after 

accepting extension <strong>of</strong> 

tenures for the party 

executive nationwide. 

Nwoye said: “We (APC 

states chairmen) agreed on 

tenure extensions because 

this is election year and it 

will harm the party if you 

go into extensive 

convention. 

“The 37 chairmen agreed 

on the extension because 

we are all aware <strong>of</strong> the 

different crises in the 

country and we did not 

want to compound the 

crises. So, we passed votes 

<strong>of</strong> confidence on President 

Buhari and on Tinubu’s 

reconciliation committee. 

“Only f<strong>our</strong> voted against 

the decision but that could 

not override the majority 

votes. They did not petition 

the party’s NEC nor the 

Tinubu committee and they 

now went to c<strong>our</strong>t. 

“However, article 21 (a) <strong>of</strong> 

<strong>our</strong> party's constitution 

recommends automatic 

expulsion for members that 

take the party to c<strong>our</strong>t 

without exhausting all 

available internal 

settlement measures. 

“The provision is self 

executory and does not 

need a committee to 

pronounce the expulsion on 

them. But once they 

withdraw the action, they 

automatically regain their 

memberships.” 

Normalcy returns to Anambra 

community rocked by cult war 

By Chimaobi 

Nwaiwu 

NNEWI—PEACE has 

finally returned to 

Ihiala in Anambra State, 

after spates <strong>of</strong> attack by rival 

cult groups in the town. 

According to Nw<strong>of</strong>or 

Ikechukwu, the 

breakthrough in the war 

against cultism in his 

community is a product <strong>of</strong> 

synergy between the police 

and Ihiala Progress 

Union,IPU, which have 

been working together to 

end the crisis since its 

eruption. 

He noted that the newly 

instituted Ihiala Area 

Command <strong>of</strong> the Nigerian 

Police Force, NPF, under the 

leadership <strong>of</strong> Mr Michael 

Falade, an Assistant 

Commissioner <strong>of</strong> Police, 

ACP, threw the joker by 

introducing a pro-active 

approach to tackle the 

hydra-headed problem <strong>of</strong> 

cultism in the area. 

He said: “The war 

against cultism, has been 

very successful. Peace and 

stability have returned to 

<strong>our</strong> community. People are 

now free to carry out their 

legitimate businesses 

without fear <strong>of</strong> intimidation 

or harassment from cult 

groups that swooped on 

<strong>our</strong> community.” 

He revealed that about 

10 suspected cultists 

terrorising the community 

had been nabbed by the 

police. 

that the power sector has 

faced over time in the South 

East Zone, thus affecting 

effective delivery to 

legitimate customers”. 

He commended the 

Inspector General <strong>of</strong> Police 

for releasing additional 

team <strong>of</strong> “14 seasoned 

investigators” to serve on 

the Special Task-Force. 

“Electricity theft and 

vandalism has gone on 

unchecked for too long 

across this country. Today 

marks a new era for the 

South East and you, as 

members <strong>of</strong> this Special 

Task-Force have a 

herculean task on y<strong>our</strong> 

hands and it is a pressing 

national duty. 

“Y<strong>our</strong> job from today is to 

work assiduously in 

collaboration with Enugu 

Electricity Distribution 

Company to investigate 

and prosecute call cases <strong>of</strong> 

electricity theft within the 

area <strong>of</strong> coverage <strong>of</strong> EEDC. 

“Although SIPTEO is 

charged with the 

responsibility <strong>of</strong> 

investigating and 

prosecuting all electricity 

theft cases, you are also 

enjoined to make other 

recommendations to me 

and the management <strong>of</strong> the 

EEDC and make use <strong>of</strong> 

alternative dispute 

resolution mechanisms in 

appropriate cases. 

“Bear in mind that the 

overall objective <strong>of</strong> y<strong>our</strong> 

mandate is to prevent 

electricity theft, prosecute 

cases and recover lost 

revenue. As part <strong>of</strong> y<strong>our</strong> 

mandate, you are to carry 

out intensive campaigns in 

the South East to create 

public awareness on the 

adverse effects <strong>of</strong> electricity 

theft on the Nigerian 

economy. 

“I am convinced that y<strong>our</strong> 

commitment in carrying out 

this assignment will not 

only bring to book the 

<strong>of</strong>fenders, it will boost 

power supply and 

economic activities within 

the area <strong>of</strong> coverage <strong>of</strong> 

EEDC and eventually the 

work <strong>of</strong> this Task-Force will 

spread nationwide”, the 

DPP added. 

In his remarks, chairman 

<strong>of</strong> the panel, Mr. Emeka 

Offor, said his team would 

handle the assignment 

with dedication, noting 

however that influential 

and educated Nigerians 

engage in illegal 

consumption and theft <strong>of</strong> 

electricity assets. 

Similarly, the Managing 

Director <strong>of</strong> EEDC, Mr. Paul 

Okeke, said he was 

perturbed that top 

government <strong>of</strong>ficials also 

engage in electricity theft.



PEPSODENT ORAL HEALTH DAY: From left— Category Manager, Oral Care, Unilever, 

Toluwaleke Salu; Director/Head <strong>of</strong> Dentistry, Ministry <strong>of</strong> Health, Dr. Bola Alonge; Unilever Marketing 

Director, Ghana/Nigeria, Bunmi Adeniba; President, Nigerian Dental Association, Dr. Bode Ijarogbe, 

and Communications Director, Unilever, Ghana/Nigeria, Soromidayo George, at the Pepsodent World 

Oral Health Day 2018 celebration in Lagos. 

Edo govt, doctors bicker over 

NMA's 21-day ultimatum 

•Y<strong>our</strong> demands unrealistic; I won’t be blackmailed— Gov Obaseki 

•You’re insensitive; y<strong>our</strong> private doctors 'll use candlelight during operation—NMA 

By Simon 

Ebegbulem 

BENIN—EDO State 

Government and the 

state chapter <strong>of</strong> Nigeria 

Medical Association, 

NMA, yesterday, engaged 

in war <strong>of</strong> words over the 21- 

day ultimatum issued by 

NMA for government to 

heed to its demands or 

members will cripple the 

state health sector. 

While the governor <strong>of</strong> the 

state, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, 

described NMA’s demands 

as unrealistic and vowed 

not to be blackmailed, 

NMA accused the governor 

<strong>of</strong> insensitivity and 

insincerity in addressing 

the problems in the health 

sector, insisting on going 

ahead with the planned 

By Harris-Okon 

Emmanuel & 

Chioma Onuegbu 

UYO—THE 

crisis 

rocking Federal 

Government College, Ikot 

Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, 

has shown no sign <strong>of</strong> 

abating as the parents <strong>of</strong> 

<strong>students</strong> have petitioned 

the Presidency and the state 

governor, Mr. Udom 

Emmanuel, concerning the 

school's Principal, Mr. 

Festus Dappa. 

The parents had earlier 

taken to the street over what 

they described as “an 

inglorious return <strong>of</strong> the 

principal, at a time he was 

yet to exonerate himself 

from the alleged financial 

scam running into N100 

strike action at the 

expiration <strong>of</strong> the 21-day 

ultimatum. 

Governor Obaseki had, at 

the inauguration <strong>of</strong> the 

members <strong>of</strong> the Board <strong>of</strong> the 

University <strong>of</strong> Benin 

Teaching Hospital, UBTH, 

at Government House, 

disclosed plans by the state 

government to employ the 

services <strong>of</strong> private health 

care providers to <strong>of</strong>fer 

essential services to 

patients in state 

government hospitals. 

Obaseki said: “We 

believe that the doctors’ 

demands are unrealistic, 

having been part <strong>of</strong> the 

steps taken so far to improve 

the conditions <strong>of</strong> service <strong>of</strong> 

medical doctors in the state. 

They see what we are doing 

and yet have threatened to 

million.” 

In a fresh petition by the 

PTA Chairman, Mr. Imoh 

Abam, and eight others, 

copied President 

Muhammadu Buhari, 

Minister <strong>of</strong> Education, the 

governor, EFCC, DSS, 

Speaker <strong>of</strong> Akwa Ibom 

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

among others, the 

aggrieved parents said 

they decided on the initial 

petition having been 

financially stressed due to 

levies imposed by the 

principal. 

The petition read in part: 

“Following complaints by 

concerned parents, the 

Ministry <strong>of</strong> Education sent 

a team to the college. Also 

a new Principal, Ms D. I. 

Gogo, was transferred to 

go on strike because I 

cannot afford to fulfill 100 

percent <strong>of</strong> their demands.” 

We've heard from 

govt—NMA 

However, reacting in a 

statement by the Chairman 

<strong>of</strong> NMA, Dr. Emmanuel 

Osaigbovo, and Secretary, 

Dr. Omokhua, the doctors 

described the governor’s 

alleged threat as 

laughable, saying “up till 

now, there has been no 

communication to NMA by 

the government since the 

issuance <strong>of</strong> the ultimatum. 

“One would have 

expected the Edo State 

Government to seek 

immediate solutions to the 

issues raised by NMA 

instead <strong>of</strong> resorting to 

cheap blackmail and 

Parents petition Buhari, others, as 

scandal rocks A-Ibom unity school 

the college to replace Mr. 

Festus Dappa. 

“However, one week after, 

same Dappa was re-posted 

to the college to sit on his 

investigation.” 

However, reacting 

yesterday, Mr. Festus 

Dappa denied the 

allegations, noting that “all 

these allegations against 

me have been investigated 

and cleared by the EFCC, 

the education authorities 

and others. So I am 

surprised that this is 

coming up again. 

“I was asked to leave for 

the investigation to be 

carried out in the school, 

which I did. 

“After the investigation, I 

was asked to come back 

and resume duties.” 

threats. 

“The Edo State 

Government says that <strong>our</strong> 

demands are unrealistic. If 

we may ask, what is 

unrealistic in asking that 

you employ more doctors to 

man the 34 health facilities 

in the state so that <strong>our</strong> 

people can get better care? 

“What is unrealistic in 

asking for better facilities in 

the hospitals to enable the 

health personnel make 

better evaluation, diagnosis 

and consequent 

management <strong>of</strong> patients? 

What is unrealistic in 

asking for an equitable and 

enc<strong>our</strong>aging remuneration 

for the demoralised Edo 

State health workforce?” 

… to employ 

private doctors 

NMA described the plan 

by the governor to employ 

private doctors as “quite 

laughable as the doctors 

will probably have to come 

with their personal x-ray 

units, theatres, decent 

consulting rooms, drugs, 

laboratory equipment or 

maybe build new hospital 

because these things are 

grossly lacking in Edo 

State. 

“Even the best <strong>of</strong> trained 

hands will be handicapped 

in the discharge <strong>of</strong> their 

duties in Edo State due to 

lack <strong>of</strong> working materials 

and equipment. 

“The private doctors to be 

employed will have to be 

from Uganda, Togo, 

Lesotho or India, who will 

perform operations with 

candle or torchlights and 

who will work for days and 

weeks without rest because 

there is inadequate 

manpower.” 

CP assures Edo community 

<strong>of</strong> effective operations 

By Patrick 

Omorodion 

EDO 

State 

Commissioner <strong>of</strong> 

Police, Mr. Johnson 

Kokumo, has 

commissioned the new 

Police post built through 

self-help by the Ekpon 

community in Igueben 

Local Government Area 

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

the community <strong>of</strong> proper 

use and maintenance <strong>of</strong> 

the facility. 

The commissioner, 

hinting that the Police 

post will be upgraded to 

a full station with posting 

<strong>of</strong> six additional <strong>of</strong>ficers 

to join the two on ground, 

said: “A letter <strong>of</strong> 

commendation will be 

sent to the Ekpon 

community for the 

building and the facilities 

provided.” 

He appealed to the 

Chairman <strong>of</strong> Igueben 

By Egufe 

Yafugborhi 

PORT HARCOURT— 

PROTESTING 

youths in Choba, Obio- 

Akpor Local Government 

Area, Rivers State, 

yesterday vowed to shut 

down a factory belonging 

to a popular noodle 

manufacturing firm in the 

locality over perceived 

shortchanging by the 

company. 

Francis Ihunwo, 

President <strong>of</strong> Choba 

Youths, also accused 

some persons, including 

traditional rulers, <strong>of</strong> 

romancing with the 

company to casualise 

employees, a 

By Perez Brisibe 

U GHELLI—NO 

fewer than 197 

persons drawn from 111 

communities under the 

Oil Mining Lease, OML 

30, will benefit from a skill 

acquisition programme 

sponsored by the Nigeria 

Petroleum Development 

Company/Heritage 

Energy and Shoreline 

Joint partnership. 

The skill acquisition 

programme, which will 

last six months, is part <strong>of</strong> 

a General Memorandum 

<strong>of</strong> Understanding, 

GmoU, entered into between 

the companies and 

their host communities. 

Chairman, Community 

Development Board, 

council to look into 

providing marching grant 

to Ekpon community to 

assist them in maintaining 

the station, as he promised 

them effective police 

operation within the town 

and its environs. 

Earlier in his address, 

Chairman <strong>of</strong> the Building 

and Handover Committee, 

Mr. Celestine Edobor, said: 

“It all started when 

herdsmen began to attack 

<strong>our</strong> farmers in their farms 

and in town. 

“A local vigilante group 

was put in place, but could 

not cope. The activities <strong>of</strong> 

these criminals still persist 

up till now on daily basis.” 

He said the community, 

which built the Police post 

at a cost <strong>of</strong> N30 million, 

also provided “a Toyota 

Hilux patrol van, a 

motorcycle, a 6.5KVA 

power generator and an 

accommodation for the 

DPO for its take <strong>of</strong>f.” 

Youths threaten 

noodles plant in Rivers 

development they claim 

was denying them job 

opportunities in the firm. 

Ihunwo said: “We are 

calling on the Federal and 

Rivers State governments 

to intervene. 

“If <strong>our</strong> cries are not heard 

and an amicable settlement 

reached, <strong>our</strong> youths may 

be compelled to resort to 

self-help.” 

An <strong>of</strong>ficial <strong>of</strong> Dufil Prima 

Food, makers <strong>of</strong> popular 

Indomie, who identified 

himself as Iyangu, 

described the allegations 

as untrue, adding that 

ongoing installation work 

at the factory, which is the 

major cause <strong>of</strong> the youths’ 

anger, was only for staffers. 

197 from OML 30 

communities get training 

Morrison Idiovwa, urged 

the beneficiaries to key into 

the scheme with an appeal 

to them to use the 

knowledge gained to 

develop their immediate 

communities. 

Speaking on behalf <strong>of</strong> 

Heritage Energy Operational 

Services, Government 

and Community Relation 

Manager <strong>of</strong> the company, 

Funkakpo Fufeyin, said: 

“Though the number is a 

drop in the ocean, as a 

starting point it is a special 

privilege given to you all 

by OML 30 in the GMoU 

that was signed. 

“We hope that those who 

will go through this 

training will be focused and 

deliver as required <strong>of</strong> them 

by the society.”




ELECTION RE-ORDERING: Lawyers divided on c<strong>our</strong>t 

action 

By Abdulwahab Abdulah & 

Bartholomew Madukwe 

Following the move by the 

National Assembly to override 

the President’s veto on the bill on 

election re-ordering passed into 

law by lawmakers, a political 

party went to c<strong>our</strong>t, consequent 

upon which the High C<strong>our</strong>t 

ordered the federal lawmakers to 

halt their move. Vanguard Law 

and Human Rights in this edition 

sought the reactions <strong>of</strong> lawyers 

to the c<strong>our</strong>t action. 

Excerpts: 

No question <strong>of</strong> law arises on a 

bill yet to be law — Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Ben 

Nwabueze, SAN 

Nigeria is a country where 

strange things happen, where a 

C<strong>our</strong>t <strong>of</strong> Law, whose jurisdiction 

is limited to the application <strong>of</strong> 

law in dispute before it, can act 

on the basis <strong>of</strong> a Bill that has not 

yet become law; in other words, 

rendering an advisory opinion, 

which a C<strong>our</strong>t <strong>of</strong> Law under <strong>our</strong> 

system has no authority to give, 

that the eventual enactment <strong>of</strong> 

the Bill into law will be unconstitutional, 

null, and void. Even 

when the intention has been 

formulated into a bill, no 

question <strong>of</strong> law arises at that 

stage, for a bill is not law; as such, 

it cannot be an unlawful exercise 

<strong>of</strong> the power <strong>of</strong> law-making in 

as much as it may be abandoned 

or amended before the processes 

<strong>of</strong> its translation into law are 

completed. 

NASS is ignorant <strong>of</strong> the 

legal aspect —Pr<strong>of</strong>. Itse Sagay, 

SAN 

If you look at Section 6 <strong>of</strong> the 

Constitution, it is very clear that 

the C<strong>our</strong>t has the power to 

adjudicate in the matter between 

the Executive and the 

Legislature, virtually everything. 

Not only that, when there is a 

dispute between the Executive 

and the Legislature, the C<strong>our</strong>t is 

the only s<strong>our</strong>ce to which they can 

go to for adjudication. There is 

obviously a dispute between the 

Executive and Legislature in this 

area. That is number one. 

Secondly, the National Assembly 

is being very shortsighted. 

If for any reason the C<strong>our</strong>t 

declines to hear the case, in 

response to the National 

Assembly’s request, what 

happens? If the President and the 

Independent National Electoral 

Commission, INEC, refuse to implement 

the new law that they 

have over-ridden, they will rush 

back to the C<strong>our</strong>t. So, it is shortsighted 

and against the 

principles <strong>of</strong> law established in 

the Constitution and the 

common law. In common law, 

we have a principle that permits 

anybody who is in danger <strong>of</strong> an 

imminent injury <strong>of</strong> anyone to 

rush to the C<strong>our</strong>t to stop that 

person from carrying out the 

injury, rather than waiting for the 

injury to be done and going out 

to seek remedies. 

Those who took the matter to 

the C<strong>our</strong>t, is a political party 

which I understand; they have an 

*President Muhammadu Buhari 

interest or may be injured, if the 

legislation is implemented or if 

they override the President’s 

refusal to sign. To prevent that 

injury, they rushed to the C<strong>our</strong>t. 

It is for the National Assembly 

to get to the C<strong>our</strong>t and explain 

whether they have the power to 

pass that law and whether it will 

cause injury to the person that 

complained. So, I have no doubt 

in my mind, at all, that the 

National Assembly is ignorant 

<strong>of</strong> the legal aspect <strong>of</strong> the whole 

issue. 

The Order is interim and 

improper to comment on 

— Mr. Tani Molajo, SAN 

My view is that this dispute 

between the President and the 

National Assembly is one which 

is under adjudication and 

therefore, it is subjudice. That 

order made by the C<strong>our</strong>t is an 

interim order; it is not one which 

is made to last in perpetuity. It is 

made to last until the next 

adj<strong>our</strong>ned date, until further 

order. In my view, it is not proper 

for anyone to begin to comment 

on these proceedings or the 

order made in those proceedings 

publicly. There can be no public 

discussion <strong>of</strong> the totality or otherwise 

<strong>of</strong> a C<strong>our</strong>t order in proceedings 

which are subjudice. It 

is after the outcome that the 

matter can be thrown open for 

public debate. 

You know the laws <strong>of</strong> contempt 

to C<strong>our</strong>t are quite clear, definite 

and strict. Running commentary 

on proceedings which are 

ongoing should be disc<strong>our</strong>aged 

because <strong>of</strong> the risk that it may 

tend to influence the ultimate 

decision or influence the party, 

particularly to discontinue or 

abandon their claim or defense. 

No pressure should be put on 

either party as proceedings are 

continuing in C<strong>our</strong>t. That is why 

public debate and commentary 

are disc<strong>our</strong>aged by the laws <strong>of</strong> 

contempt. Commentary can run 

when proceedings are 

concluded, at least at a level in 

the judicial system in which 

dispute is currently being 

adjudicated. 

N/A should defend the case and 

make her points 

—Mr. Babatunde Fashanu, 

SAN 

The c<strong>our</strong>ts need to be aware <strong>of</strong> 

the separation <strong>of</strong> powers in the 

Constitution. For example, can 

the National Assembly legislate 

that the Supreme C<strong>our</strong>t must not 

hear a particular case? I can tell 

you that under the Constitution, 

each <strong>of</strong> the three arms <strong>of</strong> 

government have their respective 

roles spelt out. None <strong>of</strong> the arms 

can prevent the other from 

performing their functions 

except as spelt out. So, the 

legislature cannot legislate the 

judiciary out <strong>of</strong> hearing and 

adjudicating a case but can 

make laws to reverse the case 

after its conclusion. 

Similarly, the judiciary cannot 

stop the legislature from legislating 

but can declare a Law or 

Act illegal after it has been 

made. That is how far I can go 

generally without impinging the 

subjudice rule. However, the 

The National Assembly 

is being very shortsighted; 

if for any 

reason the C<strong>our</strong>t declines 

to hear the case, 

in response to the 

National Assembly’s 

request, what happens? 

If the President and the 



INEC, refuse to implement 

the new law that 

they have over-ridden, 

they will rush back to 

the C<strong>our</strong>t 

*Senator Bukola Saraki 

NASS writing the Chief Justice 

<strong>of</strong> Nigeria, CJN, about the 

ongoing case is neither here nor 

there. The Judge cannot be 

controlled by the CJN about how 

he determines a case until the 

case gets to the Supreme C<strong>our</strong>t 

through the appellate system. 

So, the NASS should direct its 

efforts at defending the case in 

c<strong>our</strong>t and make their points 

there, but can make Laws to 

reverse the effect <strong>of</strong> the case. 

The N/A has the right to veto 

the Bill —Mr Lawal Pedro, SAN- 

It is important to understand 

that Nigeria operates a 

presidential system <strong>of</strong> 

government with a National 

Assembly, a bicameral 

legislature established under 

section 4 <strong>of</strong> the Nigerian 

Constitution to make laws for 

the country as representatives <strong>of</strong> 

the people. Therefore, before any 

bill may become law, it must be 

agreed to by both the House <strong>of</strong> 

Representatives and the Senate, 

and thereafter passed to the 

President for his assent. Should 

the President refuse assent (veto), 

the National Assembly may pass 

the law by two-thirds <strong>of</strong> both 

chambers and overrule the veto 

and the President’s consent will 

not be required. 

That is the Constitutional law 

<strong>of</strong> the country and there is 

nothing anybody can do about 

that. From all indications, the 

National Assembly has not 

hidden its preparedness to 

overrule the President on the 

proposed amendment to the 

Electoral Law. 

The intervention <strong>of</strong> the 

Judiciary, the third arm <strong>of</strong> 

government vide the Federal 

High C<strong>our</strong>t order <strong>of</strong> injunction 

is a new development in <strong>our</strong> 

jurisprudence. We all know that 

the Constitutional duty <strong>of</strong> a 

c<strong>our</strong>t is interpretation <strong>of</strong> law and 

to give effect to it. The c<strong>our</strong>t 

should ordinarily not interfere 

with legislative process <strong>of</strong> 

making a law. 

However, where any person 

has commenced an action in 

c<strong>our</strong>t to challenge the power <strong>of</strong> 

the National Assembly and an 

interim/interlocutory Order <strong>of</strong> 

injunction is made, no matter 

how frivolous the action may be 

in the eyes <strong>of</strong> the National 

Assembly or the public, 

everybody has an unqualified 

obligation to obey and respect 

the order <strong>of</strong> the c<strong>our</strong>t and the 

judicial process until the order 

is set aside or action dismissed 

by due process. Any other way or 

step taken by the National 

Assembly or anybody will 

amount to self help and an 

invitation to chaos and anarchy 

which should be avoided. 

Therefore, anybody aggrieved by 

the order should apply to c<strong>our</strong>t 

to have it set aside. That is the 

dictate <strong>of</strong> the Rule <strong>of</strong> Law. 

The legislative arm can’t do 

executive duties—Chief Goddy 

Uwazurike 

The constitution <strong>of</strong> Nigeria 

placed this country on three 

pedestals at the federal level. 

The legislative body makes the 

laws implemented by the 

executive while the judicial arm 

interprets the outcome <strong>of</strong> the 

three arms. As it is today, the 

judicial interprets the outcome, 

not the work in progress. The 

legislative arm has the 

unfettered jurisdiction to make 

laws. It is after the law is made 

that you can challenge it in the 

law c<strong>our</strong>t, not before. The 

executive has the power to 

execute the functions <strong>of</strong> the 

executive arm. The judicial arm 

actually interprets the law. You 

cannot stop the executive or the 

legislature from exercising their 

constitutionally guaranteed 

functions. Mutual respect is 

always there. The legislative arm 

cannot do the executive duties 

such as oversight and even 

ordering arrest, confirmation or 

removal <strong>of</strong> judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018 — 39 

Defamatory publication becomes irrelevant when action cannot be proved 

FACTS 

The Appellant was the Chief 

Medical Director <strong>of</strong> the University 

<strong>of</strong> Nigeria Teaching 

Hospital, Enugu. The appellant 

and 4 others were 

charged to the Enugu Magistrate 

C<strong>our</strong>t for stealing in 

charge No. ME/75C/2002 before 

Magistrate P .I. Enejere. 

The case came up before the 

Magistrate C<strong>our</strong>t on 26/3/ 

2002, 9/3/2002 and 10/4/2002 

but same was struck out upon 

entering <strong>of</strong> a nolle prosequi 

by the Attorney-General <strong>of</strong> 

Enugu State. 

On page 8 <strong>of</strong> the Vanguard 

Newspaper <strong>of</strong> Wednesday, 

the 3rd day <strong>of</strong> April, 2002, 

under heading – “Chief Medical 

Director, others docked for 

stealing.”The said publication 

is contained in Exhibit “A” 

and it read thus: 

“The Chief Medical Director 

<strong>of</strong> the University <strong>of</strong> Nigeria 

Teaching Hospital (UNTH) 

Enugu, Dr. B. A. N. Nwokoby 

has been arraigned before an 

Enugu Chief Magistrate 

C<strong>our</strong>t charged with stealing. 

Charged along with him 

were the Zonal Manager <strong>of</strong> 

the National Insurance Corporation 

<strong>of</strong> Nigeria (NICON) 

Mr. Jonathan Obas, Assistant 

Director <strong>of</strong> finance, UNTH, 

Mr. Ferdinand A. Maduka, 

the UNTH cashier, Mr. Maxwell 

Ezepue and a representative 

<strong>of</strong> NICON at UNTH, 

Mr. Boniface Ekula.” 

According to the prosecution, 

the accused persons 

were said to have conspired 

among themselves and stole 

N839, 797.66 belonging to 

NICON thereby committing 

an <strong>of</strong>fence punishable under 

Section 353(12) <strong>of</strong> the Criminal 

Code, Cap 36 Volume 1 

Laws <strong>of</strong> Anambra State <strong>of</strong> Nigeria 

as applicable in Enugu 

State. 

The said amount represented 

the accruable money to 

NICON as insurance premium 

from UNTH. 

It was said that the money 

was paid in cash on or about 

November 3, 2000, to the fifth 

accused person, Boniface 

Ekula who was NICON’S representative 

to UNTH for onward 

transmission to NICON 

but the amount did not get to 

the insurance company hence 

the matter was referred to the 

police. 

Following this development, 

the police was said to have 

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL ENUGU JUDICIAL DIVI- 

SION HOLDEN AT ENUGU ON THURSDAY THE 7TH 

DAY OF DECEMBR, 2017 BEFORE THEIR LORDSHIPS: 

JUSTICE HUSSEIN MUKHTAR; JUSTICE HU- 

HAMMED L. SHUAIBU, JUSTICE FREDERICK. O. OHO 

APPEAL NO: CA/E/13/2013 

BETWEEN: 

DR. B.A.N. NWAKOBY - APPELLANT 

AND 

1. EMEKA MAMAH 

2. VANGUARD MEDIA LTD 

3. GBENGA ADEFAYE — RESPONDENTS 

spread their dragnet and arrested 

Mr. Ekula who allegedly 

implicated the rest <strong>of</strong> the 

accused persons. 

No plea was taken when the 

accused persons appeared before 

the Chief Magistrate, Mrs. 

P. I. Enejere but c<strong>our</strong>t adj<strong>our</strong>ned 

the matter indefinitely 

and referred the case file to 

the Director <strong>of</strong> Public Prosecution 

(DPP) for necessary action.” 

Sequel to the above; the appellant 

instructed his solicitors 

to write to the Respondents to 

retract the said publication as 

same was untrue. The Appellant 

vide Exhibit C; a letter ref. 

No. 12/02 dated 22nd July, 

2002 demanded an apology 

and retraction <strong>of</strong> the story. The 

respondents refused to act and 

the Appellant took out a writ 

<strong>of</strong> Summons against them, but 

the claim was dismissed and 

hence this appeal. 

HELD: 

On the nature <strong>of</strong> the tort <strong>of</strong> 

libel. 

The tort <strong>of</strong> libel is committed 

through the publication <strong>of</strong> defamatory 

words in writing. It is 

a tort in which the writer or 

publisher attacks the reputation, 

integrity, standing and / 

or fidelity <strong>of</strong> the victim <strong>of</strong> the 

publication. 

On what plaintiff must prove 

to sustain action for libel: To 

sustain an action for libel, the 

plaintiff must prove the follow:- 

The publication was in writing; 

The publication was false; 

The false publication was 

made to a person apart from 

the plaintiff and the defendant; 

The publication referred 

to the plaintiff and 

was defamatory <strong>of</strong> the said 

plaintiff; The publication 

was made by the defendant, 

and That there are no justifiable 

legal grounds for the 

publication <strong>of</strong> the words. 

See ILOABACHIE -V- ILO- 

ABACHIE (Supra) and 

OLOGE – V-NEW AFRICA 

HOLDINGS LTD(2013) 17 

NWLR(Prt 1384) 449. 

On what a defamatory 

statement is: A defamatory 

In an action 

for libel, the 

onus is on the 

plaintiff to 

show that the 

published word 

complained <strong>of</strong> 

are defamatory 

or that they 

conveyed a 

defamatory 

imputation 

statement has been defined in 

OLAGE –V- NEW AFRICA 

HOLDING LTD (Supra) as a 

statement which tends to:- 

a. Lower the claimant in the 

estimation <strong>of</strong> right thinking 

members <strong>of</strong> society generally, 

or 

b. Expose him to hatred, 

contempt or ridicule, 

c. Cause other persons to 

shun or avoid him, or 

d. Discredit him in his 

<strong>of</strong>fice, trade or pr<strong>of</strong>ession, or 

e. Injure his financial credit. 

On the onus on plaintiff to 

prove that the published words 

are defamatory: In an action for 

libel, the onus is on the plaintiff 

to show that the published 

word complained <strong>of</strong> are defamatory 

or that they conveyed 

a defamatory imputation. 

However, where the words 

complained <strong>of</strong> are defamatory 

in their natural and ordinary 

meaning, the plaintiff has no 

legal duty to lead any evidence 

to show additional defamatory 

meaning as understood by 

persons possessing some particular 

facts. 

On whether an accurate and 

fair report in a newspaper is 

defamatory: A publication in a 

newspaper is not defamatory 

if it is an accurate and fair report 

<strong>of</strong> what transpired, and it 

need not be verbatim or word 

for word. If what is stated is 

substantially a fair and accurate 

account <strong>of</strong> what is sought 

to be conveyed, then the statement 

cannot be said to be defamatory. 

See OLOGE –V- 

NEW AFRICAN HOLDINGS 

LTD (Supra) 

On the essential elements <strong>of</strong> 

the defence <strong>of</strong> qualified privilege: 

The essential elements 

for the defence <strong>of</strong> qualified 

privilege on the other hand 

are:- The privileged occasion 

must be fit; 

The matter which is subject 

<strong>of</strong> the action must have reference 

to the occasion, and It 

must be published from right 

and honest motives. 

On the burden on a plaintiff 

faced with the defence <strong>of</strong> 

qualified privilege: The burden 

is on the plaintiff to prove 

that the publication was not 

based on right and honest 

motive. 

On the distinction between 

the defence <strong>of</strong> fair comment 

and that <strong>of</strong> qualified privilege: 

The distinctive feature <strong>of</strong> the 

two is that the defence <strong>of</strong> fair 

comment permits untrammelled 

discussion <strong>of</strong> matters 

<strong>of</strong> public interest with impunity. 

One principal safeguard 

<strong>of</strong> the reputation <strong>of</strong> the citizen 

in regard to the defence 

<strong>of</strong> fair comment is that facts 

must be distinguished and 

that facts commented upon 

must not be invented or distorted 

but must be real and 

founded in truth. But in defence 

<strong>of</strong> qualified privilege the 

defamatory matter need not 

be true provided there is not 

such recklessness as would be 

indicative <strong>of</strong> malice. See NTA 

–V- BABATOPE (1996) 4 

NWLR (Prt. 440) 75 at 100. 

On whether a consideration 

<strong>of</strong> malice or qualified privilege 

is necessary where a 

c<strong>our</strong>t finds the published 

words not defamatory: The 

decision <strong>of</strong> this c<strong>our</strong>t above is 

no doubt in tune with the correct 

legal position; however 

the said principle applies 

where the c<strong>our</strong>t found the 

publication defamatory. But 

once the words or publication 

complained <strong>of</strong> as in the instant 

case, has been found not to 

be defamatory, the occasion in 

which the words were published 

or the publication was 

made becomes very irrelevant. 

There was indeed no 

basis for the trial c<strong>our</strong>t, having 

rightly found, in my view, 

that the publication in Exhibit 

“A” was not defamatory to 

even consider the defence <strong>of</strong> 

qualified privilege. 

JUDGMENT 

(DELIVERED BY MU- 

HAMMED L. SHUAAIBU, 

JCA) 

To be continued 

EDITORIAL 

Innocent Anaba 

( Head) 

Wahab Abdulah, 

Ikechukwu 

Nnochiri 

Dayo Benson 

(Supervising Editor) 

08056180119 

dayobenson@yahoo.com


<strong>Dapchi</strong> schoolgirls and swirling 

conspiracy theories 

By Ikechukwu Amaechi 

JUST as it happened on April 

14, 2014 when Boko Haram 

kidnapped 276 <strong>students</strong> <strong>of</strong> 

Government Girls State School 

(GGSS) Chibok, Borno State, 

conspiracy theories are once again 

swirling around the February 19, 

2018 abduction <strong>of</strong> 110 <strong>students</strong>, 

aged 11-19 years old, <strong>of</strong> 

Government Girls Science and 

Technical College (GGSTC), 

<strong>Dapchi</strong>, Yobe State. 

But there is a huge difference. 

F<strong>our</strong> years ago, President 

Goodluck Jonathan and the 

ruling Peoples Democratic Party 

(PDP) initially dismissed the story 

as a hoax by the opposition to 

accumulate political capital, but 

Nigerians believed the story to be 

true. Jonathan and the PDP paid 

dearly for their incredulity at the 

2015 polls. 

Now, unlike f<strong>our</strong> years ago, 

while the government believes 

the kidnap is real and claims to 

be working hard at resolving the 

matter, many Nigerians sneer, 

insinuating that it is a devious 

political stunt by President 

Muhammadu Buhari and the 

ruling All Progressives Congress 

(APC). 

Political pawns in the 

hands <strong>of</strong> politicians 

How such perception will 

impact the 2019 elections is 

ensconced in the womb <strong>of</strong> time. 

But why would anyone believe 

that the kidnapped <strong>Dapchi</strong> 

schoolgirls are nothing other than 

political pawns in hands <strong>of</strong> 

politicians? How can a rational 

mind believe that these girls aged 

between 11 and 19 years are safe 

and will be set free at the 

opportune time? Those far gone 

on this conspiracy boulevard 

believe that such time will be the 

eve <strong>of</strong> President Buhari’s 

anticipated declaration for a 

second term. 

For me, this notion that a 

government, for whatever reason, 

could contemplate such heinous 

crime against its own people, is 

absurd, uncharitable and spiteful, 

because I believe that it will only 

take a government run by Lucifer 

himself to descend that low. 

But the fact that some people 

believe it shows how wary 

Nigerians have become <strong>of</strong> the 

machinations <strong>of</strong> their leaders. 

Nigerians have become very 

cynical, distrustful and even 

contemptuous <strong>of</strong> their 

governments over the years 

because <strong>of</strong> acute trust deficit 

when leaders whimsically 

mislead the people. 

Good governance elicits trust. 

It is this trust that imbues in the 

people the faith that at any given 

time, the decisions <strong>of</strong> their 

leader(s) will promote public 

good. 

Where such a bond is nonexistent, 

innuendoes and 

conspiracy theories fill the void. 

As Pr<strong>of</strong> Kingsley Moghalu, 

former Deputy Governor <strong>of</strong> the 

Central Bank <strong>of</strong> Nigeria (CBN), 

noted in his new book, Build, 

Innovate and Grow (BIG), 

“Leadership requires a certain 

kind <strong>of</strong> character that emphasizes 

and upholds core values, a sense 

<strong>of</strong> abnegation to consciously forgo 

opportunities to advance self or 

other narrow interests, and the 

competence to bring these values 

to bear in a manner that creates 

change and sustains social 

progress.” 

At the best <strong>of</strong> times, these 

leadership qualities that promote 

trust are lacking in <strong>our</strong> clime, but 

it is even more so now. 

So, what on earth would make 

a Nigerian think that the 

government is using 110 innocent 

schoolgirls as a pawn on the 

political chessboard? 

The conspiracy theorists insist 

there are many tell-tale signs. 

First, they point to Yobe State 

governor, Ibrahim Gaidam’s 

allegation that the inexplicable 

withdrawal <strong>of</strong> security personnel 

was responsible for the abduction. 

“There wasn’t any justification 

whatsoever to withdraw the 

military from that place, knowing 

full well that there is a girls’ school 

there and it’s a local government 

headquarters,” he said. 

Global human rights watchdog, 

Amnesty International, 

corroborated Geidam’s claim on 

Tuesday, April 20, in a damning 

report. 

“Despite being repeatedly told 

that Boko Haram fighters were 

heading to <strong>Dapchi</strong>, it appears that 

the police and military did 

nothing to avert the abduction,” 

the group said, alleging further 

that the military commander was 

“aware <strong>of</strong> Boko Haram 

movement” f<strong>our</strong> h<strong>our</strong>s before the 


“The sighting <strong>of</strong> an armed 

convoy at Futchimiram 

immediately sparked several 

phone calls to alert authorities. 

S<strong>our</strong>ces who informed the 

military commander in Geidam at 

2 p.m. report that he responded 

The conspiracy 

theorists insist there are 

many tell-tale signs. 

First, they point to Yobe 

State governor, Ibrahim 

Gaidam’s allegation that 

the inexplicable 

withdrawal <strong>of</strong> security 

personnel was 

responsible for the 

abduction 

to them by saying he was aware 

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

monitoring it. 

“At around 3 p.m., the convoy 

arrived in Gumsa, where they 

remained till 5 p.m. People in 

Gumsa called <strong>Dapchi</strong> villagers to 

warn them that Boko Haram 

fighters were on their way. One 

villager who received such a call 

said he informed a police 

sergeant who promised to notify 

the <strong>Dapchi</strong> Divisional Police 

Officer (DPO). 

“At around 6:30 p.m., when 

residents were heading to the 

mosque for evening prayers, 

Boko Haram members entered 

<strong>Dapchi</strong>. Witnesses said Boko 

Haram fighters asked for 

directions to the military post, the 

local government <strong>of</strong>fice and the 

girls’ school.” 

Before this bombshell, Ms. 

Aisha Wakil, a member <strong>of</strong> the 

Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution 

<strong>of</strong> Security Challenges 

Committee in the northern 

region, set up during the 

President Goodluck Jonathan era, 

claimed that the Barnawi faction 

<strong>of</strong> Boko Haram contacted her to 

confirm it had the girls. 

Ms. Wakil, popularly known as 

‘Mama Boko Haram’ because <strong>of</strong> 

her perceived close ties to the 

terrorist group told the News 

Agency <strong>of</strong> Nigeria (NAN) on 

March 2, that the terrorists 

contacted her to confirm “the girls 

were safe, healthy and in good 

condition.” 

“They are even the ones that 

called me, and said Mama we 

heard what you have said and told 

me that they are with the girls 

and they are going to release 

them. 

“I begged <strong>of</strong> them and said 

please let this not be another 

1,000-plus days <strong>of</strong> Chibok girls, 

and they laughed and said no … 

“I can assure Nigerians that so 

far they are with my son Habib 

and his friends; Habib is a nice 

guy, he is a very nice boy. He will 

not harm them, he will not touch 

them, and he will not kill them. 

“He is going to listen to us, and 

so far he indicated interest that 

he loves peace. And I love them 

for that and believe what they said 

on this. 

“They will definitely give us the 

girls. All I am begging Nigerians 

is to calm down, be prayerful ...” 

Then, last weekend, the 

Minister <strong>of</strong> Defence, Mansur 

Dan-Ali, weighed in on the 

matter, assuring that the girls are 

on their way home. 

Speaking on Channels 

Television, Dan-Ali said 

intelligence reports at his 

disposal indicated that the girls 

would soon be released. 

“It can be earlier; maybe a week, 

it can be two weeks, but we are 

on it, and I’m telling you with all 

sense <strong>of</strong> sincerity that we are 

closing in on them.” 

How could the minister be so 

sure? How could he be talking 

about the security forces closing 

in on the terrorists and release <strong>of</strong> 

the girls at the same time? 

Shouldn’t we be talking <strong>of</strong> rescue 

in the circumstance? Or was the 

minister indirectly telling 

Nigerians that negotiations had 

already been concluded for the 

girls to be released? 

How can the defence minister 

be talking about a rescue, with its 

military undertone when 

President Muhammadu Buhari 

told the former U.S. Secretary <strong>of</strong> 

State, Rex Tillerson, that he 

preferred negotiation to military 

option? 

Two weeks after Ms. Wakil’s 

stunning disclosure, not a word 

has been heard from the security 

agencies. How can a citizen 

romanticize terrorists in the 

manner she did without 

consequences? 

It beggars belief that any 

government would conspire to 

kidnap citizens for the purpose 

<strong>of</strong> gaining political mileage. But 

it is instructive that not a few 

Nigerians believe so. 

Such belief that the government 

could contemplate something so 

contemptible shows the level <strong>of</strong> 

distrust between Nigerians and 

their leaders. 

Whatever is the case, Nigerians 

only hope that this drama will end 

sooner than later and whoever is 

keeping the hapless <strong>Dapchi</strong> 

schoolgirls will hasten the 

fulfillment <strong>of</strong> defence minister’s 

‘prophecy.’ 

This article was written 

before the release <strong>of</strong> Chibok 

girls. 

Ikechukwu Amaechi is the 

MD/Editor-in-Chief, TheNiche 

on Sunday newspaper, Ikeja, 

Lagos. 

Zuckerberg may face House <strong>of</strong> 

Commons again as Cambridge 

Analytica suspends CEO 

Prince Osuagwu with 

agency reports 

THERE are strong indications 

that Facebook CEO, Mark 

Zuckerberg, may appear before 

the British House <strong>of</strong> Commons 

over alleged data privacy breach 

which allegedly allowed political 

data firm Cambridge Analytica 

gain access to information on Facebook 

and used same to help 

Trump campaign team influence 

the 2016 US Presidential election 

In a related development, Cambridge 

Analytica on Tuesday suspended 

its CEO Mr Alexander 

Nix. 

Nix’s suspension followed a television 

broadcast in which Nix was 

recorded suggesting that the company 

had used unconventional 

ways to entrap politicians and influence 

foreign elections. The most 

damning footage was captured in 

January when Nix, sitting in a 

hotel bar in London, suggested 

the firm could send an attractive 

woman to seduce a rival candidate 

and secretly videotape the encounter, 

or send someone posing 

as a wealthy land developer to 

pass a bribe. 

Meanwhile, in Britain, Damian 

Collins, the chairman <strong>of</strong> the Digital, 

Culture, Media and Sport Select 

Committee <strong>of</strong> the House <strong>of</strong> 

Commons, which is running the 

inquiry into fake news, called on 

Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s 

chief executive, to give evidence 

to Parliament. 

In a letter, Collins said that previous 

answers from Facebook <strong>of</strong>ficials 

about the misuse <strong>of</strong> data had 

been “misleading. 

Part <strong>of</strong> the letter read: “It is now 

time to hear from a senior Facebook 

executive with the sufficient 

authority to give an accurate account 

<strong>of</strong> this catastrophic failure 

<strong>of</strong> process. I hope that this representative 

will be you.” Political data 

firm, Cambridge Analytica, on 

Tuesday suspended its chief executive, 

Alexander Nix, alleged 

unauthorised access it gained to 

private information on more than 

50 million Facebook users. 

However, Facebook has consistently 

maintained that no data 

breach occurred on its network on 

the issue <strong>of</strong> information acquired 

by Cambridge Analytica. On 

twitter, a Facebook executive, 

*Zuckerberg 

Andrew Bosworth, said: ”This 

was unequivocally not a data 

breach. No systems were infiltrated, 

no passwords or information 

were stolen or hacked.” 

The data was obtained in 2014, 

when Cambridge Analytica, 

through an outside researcher, 

paid users small sums to take a 

personality quiz and download an 

app, which would scrape some private 

information from their pr<strong>of</strong>iles 

and from those <strong>of</strong> their friends. It 

was an activity that Facebook permitted 

at the time. The approach 

was based on a technique pioneered 

at Cambridge University 

by data scientists who claimed it 

could reveal more about a person 

than even their parents or romantic 

partners knew. The debate has 

been on for the past one year, over 

Cambridge Analytica’s role in 

Trump’s emergence as United 

State <strong>of</strong> America’s President in the 

2016 general election 

Cambridge Analytica specializes 

in what is called “psychographic” 

pr<strong>of</strong>iling, meaning they use 

data collected online to create personality 

pr<strong>of</strong>iles for voters. They 

then take that information and target 

individuals with specifically 

tailored content The So-called psychographic 

modelling techniques 

were alleged to have been used 

alongside data harvested from Facebook, 

to influence the United 

States election in 2016. 

On Sunday,Facebook faced a 

backlash about how it protects user 

data, as American and British lawmakers 

demanded that it explain 

how a political data firm with links 

to President Trump’s 2016 campaign 

was able to harvest private 

information from more than 50 

million Facebook pr<strong>of</strong>iles without 

the social network’s alerting users. 

Facebook admits mistakes over 

Cambridge Analytica 

*Investors sue firm over shares 

FACEBOOK founder Mark 

Zuckerberg has admitted the 

giant social network “made mistakes” 

over the Cambridge Analytica 

scandal. 

He pledged to introduce changes 

that would make it harder for thirdparty 

apps to harvest users’ information. 

“I started Facebook, and at 

the end <strong>of</strong> the day I’m responsible 

for what happens on <strong>our</strong> platform,” 

he said in a statement on his 

Facebook page yesterday. 

Also, investors are suing Facebook 

in the wake <strong>of</strong> the Cambridge 

Analytica scandal, which sent the 

company’s value plunging almost 

$50 billion this week. 

Facebook shareholder Fan Yuan 

filed the lawsuit in federal c<strong>our</strong>t in 

San Francisco on Tuesday. The lawsuit 

was brought on behalf <strong>of</strong> an undisclosed 

number <strong>of</strong> investors who 

bought Facebook shares between 

February 3, 2017, and March 19, 

2018. 

The lawsuit said Facebook “made 

materially false and misleading 

statements” about the company’s 

policies, and claims Facebook did 

not disclose that it allowed third parties 

to access data on millions <strong>of</strong> 

people without their knowledge. 

“As a result <strong>of</strong> Defendants’ wrongful 

acts and omissions, and the precipitous 

decline in the market value 

<strong>of</strong> the Company’s common shares, 

Plaintiff and other Class members 

have suffered significant losses and 

damages,” the lawsuit said.


VISIT—From left: Chairman, Board <strong>of</strong> Trustees, Lagos State Security Trust 

Fund (LSSTF), Mr. Oye Hassan-Odukale; Chairman Zenith Bank PLC, Mr. 

Jim Ovia; and Executive Secretary/CEO LSSTF, Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun, 

during LSSTF BOT members visit to Jim Ovia in appreciation <strong>of</strong> his Donation 

to the Fund at the Civic Towers in Lagos, yesterday. 


on day <strong>of</strong> attack — FASIMA 


Another resident, 

Mallam Usman Ali, who 

lives near the motor park, 

where the schoolgirls 

were dropped, said: “The 

insurgents were very 

friendly as they told 

residents that they have 

to return back the girls 

and reunite with their 

parents, having realized 

that 99% <strong>of</strong> the schoolgirls 

are Muslims and most <strong>of</strong> 

them were fasting on the 

day <strong>of</strong> the attack. 

“One <strong>of</strong> the insurgents 

said they thought 

majority <strong>of</strong> the girls are 

infidels, hence the attack, 

but regretted their actions, 

and have no option than 

to return them back to 

their destinations without 

collecting a dime from 

any government. 

"Only one <strong>of</strong> the girls 

who refused to be 

converted to Islam, will 

not be freed as they will 

go back with her,” Ali 

quoted one <strong>of</strong> the 

insurgents who 

addressed some <strong>of</strong> the 

residents. 

Human right activist, 

Mrs Aisha Wakil, 

expressed joy over the 

release <strong>of</strong> the school girls 

from Boko Haram 

captivity. 

Wakil, popularly called 

“Mama Boko Haram”, 

who appeared highly 

elated, said she received 

the news <strong>of</strong> the release <strong>of</strong> 

the girls with “great joy.” 

She commended the 

Federal Government and 

other parties who 

contributed to the 

development, and 

expressed the hope that 

the remaining girls, 

including Chibok girls, 

would also be released 

soon. 

“I am highly elated over 

the release <strong>of</strong> the girls, it 

is a welcome 

development,” she said. 

Wakil had earlier 

indicated interest to work 

towards the release <strong>of</strong> the 

abducted girls. 

Also, Malam Bashir 

Manzo, the Chairman, 

Parents Association <strong>of</strong> the 

<strong>Dapchi</strong> Abducted Girls, 

said they were happy over 

the development. 

At press time, Manzo 

disclosed that they were 

currently taking head 

count <strong>of</strong> the girls, adding 

that most <strong>of</strong> them had 

returned to their homes. 

Representatives <strong>of</strong> the 

Chibok Parents 

Association had, 

yesterday morning, paid 

a solidarity visit to <strong>Dapchi</strong> 

to rejoice with the affected 

families. 

Similarly, Mr Maina 

Musa and Ayuba 

Alamson, parents <strong>of</strong> 

abducted Chibok school 

girls, who coincidentally 

were in <strong>Dapchi</strong>, 

expressed joy over the 

development. 

They, however, tasked 

the government to secure 

the release <strong>of</strong> the 

remaining school girls in 

captivity. 

“It is disheartening on 

<strong>our</strong> part to see that <strong>our</strong> 

remaining children are 

still languishing in the 

hands <strong>of</strong> Boko Haram 

insurgents in the past 

f<strong>our</strong> years,” Alamson 

said. 

Alamson noted that over 

100 Chibok girls were in 

Boko Haram captivity 

since 2014. 

He called on the 

international community 

to support the Federal 

Government to secure 

release <strong>of</strong> the girls and 

others still in captivity. 

Buhari dispatches 3 

ministers to <strong>Dapchi</strong> 

As it is, Ministers 

dispatched yesterday by 

President Buhari were the 

Minister <strong>of</strong> Information 

and Culture, Alhaji Lai 

Mohammed; Khadijat 

Bukar Abba (Foreign 

Affairs, State) and 

Abdulrahman 

Dambazzau, Interior. 

According to the 

Information Minister, 

Mohammed, 104 <strong>of</strong> the 

110 schoolgirls kidnapped 

by Boko Haram on 

February 19 in <strong>Dapchi</strong>, 

Yobe State were released 

unconditionally in the 

early h<strong>our</strong>s <strong>of</strong> yesterday. 

Fielding questions from 

j<strong>our</strong>nalists, Mohammed 

said contrary to initial 

information that 105 <strong>of</strong> the 

girls were released, it was 

actually 104 girls and a 

boy that were released by 

the insurgents. 

Mohammed said the 

girls were released by 

Boko Haram without any 

condition attached to it, 

pointing out that the 

release did not cost the 

government anything. 

However, s<strong>our</strong>ces 

revealed that there is no 

way the abductors will 

bring back the girls safely 

without collecting ransom 

from the Federal 

Government as been done 

in the past, citing the 

recent release <strong>of</strong> some 

Chibok schoolgirls, police 

women, oil exploration 

workers and University <strong>of</strong> 

Maiduguri staff. 

FEC members 

excited 

Meanwhile, members <strong>of</strong> 

the Federal Executive 

Council, FEC, were 

excited before 

commencement <strong>of</strong> the 

weekly meeting at the 

Council Chamber, 

Presidential Villa, Abuja, 

yesterday, following the 

release <strong>of</strong> the girls. 


Buhari, who presided 

over the FEC, directed 

three ministers to go to 

<strong>Dapchi</strong> to assess the true gave was that they will be 

I situation won't <strong>of</strong> events go and to school again 

the ones to drop the girls 

come with updates on the 

development. 

Cabinet members who 

gathered ahead <strong>of</strong> the 

FEC, were seen 

clustering in small 

groups, discussing news 

<strong>of</strong> release <strong>of</strong> the girls. 

The release <strong>of</strong> the 

<strong>students</strong> came on the 

heels <strong>of</strong> the allegation by 

Amnesty International 

that the federal 

government-controlled 

security agencies got 

advanced warning but 

failed to prevent the 

abduction <strong>of</strong> schoolgirls. 

While fielding questions 

from j<strong>our</strong>nalists, 

Mohammed said the 

directive by President 

Buhari to all security 

agencies to do everything 

possible to secure the 

release <strong>of</strong> the girls had 

yielded fruits, with the 

confirmed release <strong>of</strong> the 

abducted <strong>students</strong>. 

He said the number <strong>of</strong> 

the freed girls would be 

updated after the 

remaining ones had been 

documented, especially 

because the girls were 

not handed over to anyone 

but dropped <strong>of</strong>f in <strong>Dapchi</strong>. 

He said: “The girls were 

released unconditionally, 

no money changed 

hands. The only had one 

condition, that they will 

return them to where they 

picked them. So in the 

early h<strong>our</strong>s <strong>of</strong> today 

(yesterday), they did 

return the girls and most 

<strong>of</strong> them went to their 

homes. 

“As <strong>of</strong> now, I can confirm 

that 91 girls and one boy 

have been released. The 

event is developing. 

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

were released were not 

dropped in one place. 

Some were dropped on 

the road and they went 

back naturally to their 

parents’ houses. They are 

now being asked to come 

and be documented at a 

center and as at five 

minutes ago, I was told 91 

girls and a boy had been 

documented.” 

When asked how came 

a boy among the released 

girls as the school they 

were abducted was a 

female school, the 

Minister said, “I can tell 

you that is authentic. 

Whether they pick the 

boy or not I can’t hazard 

any guess but don’t forget 

even in a girl school, 

which is a boarding school 

there will be parents, 

there are teachers who 

can have children among 

them. But what I have 

been told is that 91 girls 

and one boy have been 

documented.” 

The minister later issued 

a statement, saying the 

number <strong>of</strong> girls released 

had increased to 104, 

another girl and a boy. 

On who dropped them 

and how they dropped, 

he responded: “The report 

we got was that one 

condition the insurgents 

and they dropped them in 

the early h<strong>our</strong>s <strong>of</strong> this 

morning.” 

Also asked how the 

release <strong>of</strong> the girls was 

secured with ease, 

Mohammed said: “Like I 

said in the statement 

released to you early, once 

violence and 

confrontation were ruled 

out and negotiation 

started, there was a 

deliberate pause on the 

part <strong>of</strong> the military. 

“In order words, it was 

agreed that there will be 

no force, there will be no 

confrontation, that was 

why it was possible for 

them to drop the girls. It 

was part <strong>of</strong> the agreement 

that we will release the 

girls there will be no 

violence 

nor 

confrontation. And don’t 

forget that the lives <strong>of</strong> this 

children are much more 

important to us than any 

cheap victory.” 

Responding to the 

question on what 

government was doing to 

prevent a repeat <strong>of</strong> the 

ugly incident, he said: “If 

you remember, 

immediately this thing 

happened, Mr. President 

actually directed the 

security agencies, 

especially the Nigeria 

Civil Defence Corps, to 

man every school. 

“But you see, we must 

look at this thing in 

context, if you look at other 

countries like the US, in 

Florida you saw how 

gunman entered the 

school and killed about 17 

pupils. Insurgency all 

over the world is a global 

issue and the government 

must always be on its 

toes. 

“One <strong>of</strong> the things we 

have done today is that we 

have tried to secure the 

schools and there is even 

efforts on parts <strong>of</strong> 

government to even 

merge some schools, 

schools that are far flung.” 

On the rehabilitation 

NAIRA WATCH 

plans for the girls, he said: 

“As I speak to you now, 

they are in General 

Hospital in <strong>Dapchi</strong> and 

the counselors are there 

with them. Just as we did 

when we had the first set 

and second set <strong>of</strong> release 

<strong>of</strong> the Chibok girls, they 

will be quarantined and 

psychologically be 

counseled before they go 

back to their schools." 

Also responding to the 

question to the effect that 

one <strong>of</strong> the parents said his 

daughter was not 

released because she 

refused to denounce her 

faith, the Minister said: 

“You see, all we can tell 

is what is got from <strong>our</strong> 

s<strong>our</strong>ces on ground. As 

these things develop, we 

will let you know.” 

No roll call <strong>of</strong> 

dead girls yet 

Also speaking to 

j<strong>our</strong>nalists, a member <strong>of</strong> 

the federal government 

delegation to Yobe State 

and Minister <strong>of</strong> State for 

Foreign Affairs, Khadijat 

Bukar Abba, said there 

was no roll call <strong>of</strong> the dead 

ones, contrary to the 

report that five <strong>of</strong> the 

abducted girls were dead. 

She said: “I am very 

excited today. My name 

is Khadijah Bukar Abba 

Ibrahim, the minister 

representing Yobe State. 

I am exhilarated, I am 

happy, you just describe 

anything today, that is 

what I feel because the 

<strong>Dapchi</strong> girls have been 

released. 

“We are very very 

happy. We have achieved 

what we had gone out to 

achieve and we thank the 

Almighty God for His 

mercies.” 

On the news that some 

<strong>of</strong> the girls were dead, 

she said: “As far as I know, 

now they are taking a role 

call, so we cannot 

ascertain how many have 

passed on or whatever. 

We will find out much 

later on what the 

Continues on page 44 

Naira appreciates 

marginally to N360.25/$ 

By Adaeze Okechukwu 

The naira yesterday appreciated for the third time 

this week by 1 kobo to N360.29 per dollar in the 

Investors and Exporters (I&E) window <strong>of</strong> the foreign 

exchange market. 

Data from the Financial Market Dealers Quote 

(FMDQ) showed that the indicative exchange rate 

for the I&E also known as Nigerian Autonomous 

Foreign Exchange, NAFEX, dropped further to 

N360.29 per dollar, yesterday, from N360.30 per 

dollar on Tuesday, indicating 1 kobo appreciation 

in the naira. 

The appreciation was occasioned by a 110 percent 

increase in the volume <strong>of</strong> dollars traded in the 

window. The window recorded $348.64 million worth 

<strong>of</strong> transactions yesterday, up from $166.22 million 

on Tuesday. 

Vanguard investigation revealed that naira 

remained unchanged at N362 yesterday in the 

parallel market for the third consecutive day.


The perennial crisis rocking the Lagos State University, LASU, 

is far from being over, as the Academic Staff Union <strong>of</strong> 

Universities, ASUU in LASU stormed Vanguard corporate 

headquarters and opened fresh can <strong>of</strong> worms, vowing to pursue 

the sack <strong>of</strong> their members to a logical conclusion. They argued 

that the Union had been badly represented by LASU authorities, 

and seized the opportunity to explain their side <strong>of</strong> the lingering 

crisis. 

Backed by the Zonal and National leadership <strong>of</strong> ASUU, the 

Union is seeking for the immediate withdrawal <strong>of</strong> the doctored 

Conditions and Schemes <strong>of</strong> Service (2017), and the immediate 

circulation <strong>of</strong> the agreed draft as approved by the Council on 

October 20, 2016. The ASUU executives also demand the full 

implementation <strong>of</strong> the University Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 

2012 (UMPA 2012) and an executive bill to the State House <strong>of</strong> 

Assembly to facilitate quick passage, among others. 

Representatives <strong>of</strong> the union who spoke through ASUU-LASU 

Secretary, Dr. Tony Dansu, also submitted to Vanguard a 24-page 

release. Among other burning issues raised in the release, Dansu 

outlined 10 grey areas that bordered on the Vice-Chancellor, 

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Lanre Fagbohun and how he administers the affairs <strong>of</strong> 

the institution. 

Such major areas include: The appointment <strong>of</strong> nonrecommended 

and non-qualified academics as heads <strong>of</strong> 

department, double standard, aiding the registry to manipulate 

governing council’s decisions, waste <strong>of</strong> NEEDS Assessment 

Funds and election <strong>of</strong> deputy vice-chancellor. 

Other allegations levelled against the vice chancellor were the 

resistance to the reversal <strong>of</strong> Dr. O. T. F Abanikannda’s 

pr<strong>of</strong>essorial chair, appointment <strong>of</strong> Dr. Kolawole Obayemi as a 

senior lecturer in the Faculty <strong>of</strong> Law: A case <strong>of</strong> maladministration 

and double standard, fruitless effort <strong>of</strong> the vice chancellor to 

renew the appointment <strong>of</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Princewill Alozie against the 

law <strong>of</strong> the university and the onslaught <strong>of</strong> the union. 

Fagbohun was also accused <strong>of</strong> trumped up cases in the 

university. These include those <strong>of</strong> Dr. Isaac Akinloye Oyewumi 

(Chairman, ASUU-LASU), Dr. Adebowale Adeyemi-Suenu 

(Secretary, ASUU-LASU), Dr. Femi Adeogun (Department <strong>of</strong> 

Human Kinetics, Sports and Health Education) and the dismissal 

<strong>of</strong> 15 academics which Dansu described as pseudo sanitation. 

Excerpts: 

By Dayo Adesulu 

ON appointment <strong>of</strong> nonrecommended 

and nonqualified 

academics as HODs 

He said: "There are rules guiding 

the appointment <strong>of</strong> Heads <strong>of</strong> 

Department, HODs, in the university, 

just like in many other institutions. 

Significantly, seniority is a factor and 

appointments are based on the 

recommendations <strong>of</strong> the Dean. 

Where the vice chancellor disagrees 

with a Dean’s recommendation, he 

is expected to consult with the Dean 

for another nomination. 

In the first set <strong>of</strong> appointments <strong>of</strong> 

HODs made by Pr<strong>of</strong>. Fagbohun, the 

university regulations were grossly 

violated on the basis <strong>of</strong> sentiments. 

For example: 

i) In the Department <strong>of</strong> Electrical 

and Computer Engineering, an 

academic staff who had just applied 

as a PhD student in the department 

was appointed HOD above his 

lecturers and prospective supervisor. 

ii) In the Faculty <strong>of</strong> Science, only 

three out <strong>of</strong> the nine recommended 

HODs were appointed; six were 

substituted without any explanation 

to the Faculty. 

iii) In the Department <strong>of</strong> Insurance 

where there is a senior lecturer and 

lecturers at Grade level I, none <strong>of</strong> 

them was appointed. The HOD was 

appointed (imported) from 

Accounting Department. 

Of recent, the current HOD <strong>of</strong> 

Philosophy was appointed 

(imported) from Music and Theatre 

Arts Department. Yet, there are f<strong>our</strong> 

lecturers Grade I with Ph.D in the 

department. Notably, in some other 

departments in the same university, 

Lecturers I are HODs (e.g. College 

<strong>of</strong> Medicine). Even a Lecturer II is 

an HOD in the School <strong>of</strong> Transport 

<strong>of</strong> the university.’’ 

Double Standard 

He said: "Before the Governor and 

Visitor to LASU signed the 70 years 

retirement age bill for academic staff 

in the pr<strong>of</strong>essorial cadre into law in 

2016, two pr<strong>of</strong>essors in the 

Department <strong>of</strong> Educational Science 

and Technology reached their 65 

years retirement age – Pr<strong>of</strong>. Peter 

Okebukola on February 2016, and 

Pr<strong>of</strong>. (Mrs.) Bolanle Danmole in 

March 2016. While Pr<strong>of</strong>. Okebukola 

received his full salary for February, 

and even March, a month after he 

was supposed to have retired, that <strong>of</strong> 

Pr<strong>of</strong>. Danmole was stopped and 

accordingly pro-rated for March. 

To worsen the situation, the Vice 

Chancellor, Pr<strong>of</strong>. Fagbohun 

presented papers <strong>of</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor 

Okebukola to the Appointments and 

Promotions (Academic) Committee 

<strong>of</strong> the university at its 112th Statutory 

meeting <strong>of</strong> April 29, 2016 for him to 

proceed on sabbatical leave effective 

February 15, 2016 (two days before 

his retirement!). Sabbatical Leave in 

retirement!! Fortunately, for the vice 

chancellor, this act <strong>of</strong> impunity was 

covered when the Governor signed 

the 70 years retirement bill in 2016. 

The bill was as a result <strong>of</strong> the union’s 

struggle. 

ii) After a group <strong>of</strong> individuals got 

their promotion to the pr<strong>of</strong>essorial 

cadre, the Vice- Chancellor quickly 

changed the rule for the papers <strong>of</strong> 

others to be sent abroad for 

assessment. The reason was to delay 

*Some members <strong>of</strong> management <strong>of</strong> Anchor University, with the Chairman, Board <strong>of</strong> Trustees, 

Pastor Philip Oluwi (without gown) after the ceremony. From left: Director, International Office, 

Mrs Akanle Bose; Vice-Chancellor, Pr<strong>of</strong>. Joseph Afolayan; BoT Chairman, Pastor Philip Oluwi; 

Ag. Registrar, Mr Abimbola Olulesi; and Ag. Librarian, Pastor Zaccheus Emmanuel. 

LASU Crisis: The untold 

ASUU-LASU perspective 

the promotion process <strong>of</strong> this group, 

because this set included the 

Chairman and the Vice-Chairman 

<strong>of</strong> ASUU-LASU, Drs. Isaac 

Oyewumi and Adeyemi-Suenu 

Adebowale, whose dismissals were 

eventually contrived and masterly 

executed." 

On aiding the Registry to 

manipulate Governing Council’s 

decisions 

He said: "The registry <strong>of</strong> LASU 

under Mr. Akinwunmi Lewis 

(Registrar) is known for impunities, 

which include the manipulation <strong>of</strong> 

Governing Council’s decisions. We 

will cite only f<strong>our</strong> examples out <strong>of</strong> 

many during the tenure <strong>of</strong> the current 

vice chancellor. 

One, a certain Coach Atanda 

whose appointment was wrongfully 

terminated as a result <strong>of</strong> improper 

interpretation <strong>of</strong> <strong>our</strong> regulations by 

the Registry petitioned the 

Governing Council. Council in its 

wisdom ruled that he ought not to 

have been sacked initially and 

should be reinstated and paid. In 

communicating to him, the Registry 

denied him pay for the five months 

he was outside. The gentleman <strong>died</strong> 

recently. 

"Two, one Dr. Oladele Abodoye 

(Department <strong>of</strong> Physiology) was 

employed at LASUCOM when Pr<strong>of</strong>. 

Obafunwa was Provost; and was 

placed below his appropriate 

position. When another Provost 

assumed duty (Pr<strong>of</strong>. Oshinusi), he 

petitioned the College and he was 

properly placed and paid his arrears. 

When Pr<strong>of</strong>. Obafunwa became vice 

chancellor, using Mr. Akinwunmi 

Lewis as Deputy Registrar 

(Academics Staff Establishment) to 

bye-pass the then Registrar, the case 

was re-visited by Pr<strong>of</strong>. Obafunwa. 

"The placement <strong>of</strong> Dr. Abidoye was 

reversed and he was made to pay 

back all monies collected as per the 

salary grade placement. When Pr<strong>of</strong>. 

Obafunwa left and the current 10 th 

Governing Council called for 

memoranda from all aggrieved 

parties, Dr. Abidoye petitioned in 

2016. The Council decided in his 

fav<strong>our</strong> that he should be properly 

placed and paid accordingly. Rather 

than implement Council decision 

and communicate same to Dr. 

Abidoye, the Registrar, Mr. 

Akinwunmi Lewis, wrote a letter to 

LUTH to obtain documents which 

were ab initio the bone <strong>of</strong> contention 

and on which Council had passed a 

decision. Till date, he has refused to 

implement the Governing Council 

decision choosing to pursue the 

In the first set <strong>of</strong> 

appointments <strong>of</strong> 

HODs made by 

Pr<strong>of</strong>. Fagbohun, 

the university 

regulations were 

grossly violated 

on the basis <strong>of</strong> 

sentiments 

vendetta agenda <strong>of</strong> his master, Pr<strong>of</strong>. 

Oladapo Obafunwa. The current 

vice chancellor has chosen to look 

the other way. 

Three - the new Conditions and 

Schemes <strong>of</strong> Service 2017. The 

Governing Council approved a draft 

which is the result <strong>of</strong> collective 

bargaining with all the Staff Unions. 

Council directed the Registrar to 

return same to the Committee for 

minor editorial work with a deadline 

<strong>of</strong> three weeks. Rather than carry out 

Council decision, the Registrar kept 

the document for one year; and a 

completely doctored document with 

many strange insertions was finally 

circulated a year after. 

F<strong>our</strong>, Council decided in the case 

<strong>of</strong> a guarantor (Pr<strong>of</strong>. F.A.R. Adeleke) 

to a member who took a bond that 

he was not liable to pay as the 

University faltered in its 

responsibility. Rather than 

communicate Council decision as 

taken, the Registrar, as Secretary to 

Council, wrote Pr<strong>of</strong>. Adeleke 

demanding that he pays over N1 

million. Fortunately, Pr<strong>of</strong>. Adeleke 

is a member <strong>of</strong> Council and was 

aware <strong>of</strong> the decision taken; and so 

he petitioned. The Registrar was 

over-ruled. If he had not been a 

member <strong>of</strong> Council, Pr<strong>of</strong>. Adeleke 

would have had to live with the act 

<strong>of</strong> impunity <strong>of</strong> the Registrar, like 

others who were helpless. 

In all these, the Governing Council 

appears powerless and unable to call 

to order the vice chancellor and the 

Registrar, Mr. Akinwunmi Lewis. Mr. 

Lewis continues to run the Registry 

as a crisis-generating arm <strong>of</strong> the 

University." 

Deliberate Misinterpretation <strong>of</strong> 

the Law to Witch-Hunt Perceived 

Opposition 

He said: "Rules governing the 

University are being deliberately 

misinterpreted by the registry under 

Mr. Akinwunmi Lewis to deal with 

those perceived to be loyalists <strong>of</strong> the 

Union, because the University 

Administration under Pr<strong>of</strong>. 

Fagbohun sees ASUU-LASU as 

opposition. 

A clear case is that <strong>of</strong> retroactive 

bonding. Many members on training 

in many instances wrote the 

University that they are on training 

for Ph.D programmes. The 

University failed to respond, but 

turned round after years to claim they 

are running the programmes 

illegally and must, therefore, be 

bonded retroactively from the date 

<strong>of</strong> their admissions, despite the fact 

that the University failed to sponsor 

them. Yet, these are staff members 

who combine training with 

Continues on page 43

•Cross section <strong>of</strong> participants at the HIIMA International Education Services forum in Lagos, 

weekend. 

WASSCE Mass Failure: Double promotion 

responsible – Stakeholder 

•As HIIMA seeks govt partnership for special need children 

By Dayo Adesulu 

A 

STAKEHOLDER in 

education sector has 

warned teachers to desist from 

given pupils double promotion, 

adding that such initiative is the 

causative reason <strong>students</strong> fail 

English Language and 

Mathematics in their West 

African Senior School Certificate 

Examinations, WASSCE. This is 

just as parents were also urged 

not to influence teachers to give 

their children double promotion. 

ManagingDirector/CEO, 

HIIMA International Education, 

Dr. Yinka Agunbiade said in an 

interview that parents should not 

enc<strong>our</strong>age pupils in primary five 

to seek promotion into 

secondary schools. 

Agunbiade who noted that 

many parents enc<strong>our</strong>age double 

promotion for financial reasons, 

decried that the same parents 

have to pay lesson teachers to fill 

in the gap in future. She warned 

that if it is not addressed in time, 

it will cost the child to have a low 

esteem. 

Meanwhile, Agunbiade while 

tracing the genesis <strong>of</strong> some 

children with low performance in 

education, explained that 

children have special needs and 

disabilities that may make it 

difficult for them to perform tasks 

that other children <strong>of</strong> their age 

can perform. These special 

educational needs include 

learning difficulties, behavi<strong>our</strong>al, 

social, and emotional difficulties, 

as well as sensory/ physical 

needs, intellectual disabilities 

and medical or health conditions 

are also signs <strong>of</strong> special 

educational needs in children. 

She said: "In developed 

countries like United Kingdom, 

when a child is diagnosed as 

having these difficulties, 

government works with the 

school to take care <strong>of</strong> the child’s 

education by providing what is 

called “special educational 

provision”. Government together 

with the school will provide extra 

help for the child with such 

difficulties to learn quickly." Such 

help, according to her, is usually 

<strong>of</strong> a graduated approach, noting 

that a continuous and continuum 

<strong>of</strong> help gradually help with the 

child’s learning. 

Agunbiade who lamented that 

such gesture and approach were 

missing in Nigeria, regretted that 

the government does not provide 

for children with learning 

difficulties because there is no 

law in Nigeria to compel schools 

to practice inclusion. 

According to her, "most schools 

in Nigeria don’t practice 

inclusion because it is a bit 

expensive to practice. It requires 

having a learning difficulties 

coordinator, assistant teachers, 

and sometimes therapists. Also 

teachers in Nigeria are not 

trained to handle or teach 

children with lelarning 

difficulties." She advised 

government to assist schools by 

providing training for their 

teachers and also makes law <strong>of</strong> 

inclusion in Nigerian schools. 

Speaking on HIIMA learning 

system which she described as 


university assignments. They were 

not found wanting in their duties as 

employees <strong>of</strong> LASU." 

Election <strong>of</strong> Deputy Vice 

Chancellors 

He said: "The law establishing 

LASU makes it very clear that there 

shall be two vice chancellors at every 

point in time, and there are 

procedures for electing them. It took 

the Union a series <strong>of</strong> letters and 

agitations on the need for 

compliance before the vice 

chancellor conducted elections into 

these <strong>of</strong>fices. The election <strong>of</strong> the 

deputy vice chancellor (Admin) was 

recently held in October, 2017 close 

to two years after the assumption <strong>of</strong> 

<strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> the vice chancellor. It was 

one issue over which the Union and 

the vice chancellor had very serious 

disagreement." 

Resistance to the Reversal <strong>of</strong> Dr. 

O.T.F. Abanikannda’s Pr<strong>of</strong>essorial 

Chair 

He said: "O.T.F Abanikannda is a 

capable <strong>of</strong> arresting defects in 

children learning, Agunbiade 

said: "HIIMA teachers have been 

trained with <strong>our</strong> unique learning 

system to help discover children’s 

learning styles and abilities. 

Differentiated learning, synthtic 

phonics, structured teaching, 

group and one-on-one, praise 

and reward. Other functions 

include coaching, unconscious 

learning, intrinsic motivation, use 

<strong>of</strong> HIIMA didactic props and 

HIIMA learning sets and much 

more are among what contribute 

to HIIMA learning system. 

Listing HIIMA education 

benefits, Agunbiade said that it 

helps to discover the strength 

and weakness in child’s previous 

knowledge and providing 

enchancement topics designed 

by experienced teachers to fill in 

gaps, adding, "HIIMA opens the 

teacher or parent to know child’s 

learning characteristics and 

learning style. It introduces 

opportunity for differentiated 

learning, gives opportunity for 

structured teaching and the use 

<strong>of</strong> synthetic phonics at the 

school." 

name that has been recurrent in the 

dirty politics <strong>of</strong> LASU from the days 

<strong>of</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Abisogun Leigh as the 

vice chancellor in the early 2000s. 

There is no crisis in LASU in the last 

two decades in which he hasn’t been 

prominent. It is via this political 

game that he got elevated from the 

rank <strong>of</strong> Lecturer I to Senior Lecturer, 

and from Senior Lecturer (skipping 

the rank <strong>of</strong> Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essor) to a 

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor, both through illegal 

means during the tenures <strong>of</strong> 

Pr<strong>of</strong>essors Abisogun Leigh and John 

Obafunwa respectively. He 

increased his act <strong>of</strong> academic 

terrorism as soon as he became a 

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor. 

"ASUU-LASU challenged the 

pr<strong>of</strong>essorship <strong>of</strong> Dr. O.T.F. 

Abanikannda. The 10 th Governing 

Council <strong>of</strong> LASU under the 

chairmanship <strong>of</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Bayo 

Ninalowo set up a committee to 

investigate the process that made 

him Pr<strong>of</strong>essor. This was found to 

have violated all principles and rules 


Raise y<strong>our</strong> games to be best, 

Anchor V-C tells <strong>students</strong> 

By Oghenefego Obaebor 

VICE CHANCELLOR, 

Anchor University, Lagos, 

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Joseph Afolayan, has 

charged <strong>students</strong> <strong>of</strong> the 

institution to raise their games to 

be at best academically, stressing 

that the university would only 

celebrate success and failure. 

Speaking during their second 

matriculation ceremony held at 

its multipurpose hall, Afolayan 

tasked the 117 <strong>students</strong> from the 

Faculty <strong>of</strong> Humanities, Faculty <strong>of</strong> 

Social and Management 

Sciences and Faculty <strong>of</strong> Natural 

and Applied Sciences to beat the 

record they met at the institution. 

Afolayan said the institution’s 

<strong>students</strong> who started academic 

session February 1, 2017 

recorded 95 per cent success at 

the ICAN/ATS examinations sat 

for the first time, noting, "For us, 

great future is non-negotiable for 

<strong>our</strong> <strong>students</strong>." 

Addressing the matriculants, 

the vice chancellor said: "Anchor 

University is like a potter’s house. 

While <strong>our</strong> plans are to make 

great and attractive vessels, the 

clay must be willing and ready 

to go through the pains <strong>of</strong> the 

potter’s fire. Y<strong>our</strong> time here won’t 

be all roses without thorns. 

Indeed, there will be challenges 

and you will have to respond 

with discipline. As an Anchorite, 

you must be willing to be led, 

willing to be trained and ready 

to obey the rules <strong>of</strong> the 

university. 

"As a student in Anchor 

University, you will need to get 

up early enough to have quality 

devotions because here, you are 

lent out to God, the great Potter. 

You will need to raise y<strong>our</strong> games 

to be at the best academically. We 

celebrate only success here and 

failure is not an option. You will 

need to keep sleepless nights to 

stand tall in the day. Fortunately, 

there are arrays <strong>of</strong> growing 

facilities on ground that will be 

deployed to ensuring you are 

giving the best <strong>of</strong> experience and 

training. 

"We do not condone any form 

<strong>of</strong> vices no matter how 

fashionable it is outside <strong>of</strong> these 

LASU Crisis: The untold ASUU-LASU perspective 

known to LASU books, and global 

university practices. He was found 

not prima facie qualified (PFQ) ab 

initio. 

"The vice chancellor made all 

efforts to arm-twist the Staff Unions 

to allow the illegal pr<strong>of</strong>essorial 

appointment to be sustained, but all 

pleas (including weeping at a 

stakeholders’ meeting convened by 

the vice chancellor on the matter) 

met the deaf ears <strong>of</strong> the Unions. It 

was on the basis <strong>of</strong> these that the 

pr<strong>of</strong>essorial chair <strong>of</strong> Dr. O.T.F. 

Abanikannda was withdrawn by the 

Governing Council, and his rank 

reversed to senior lecturer about 

July, 2016. 

"Dr. O.T.F. Abanikannda has taken 

the university to c<strong>our</strong>t with the hope 

<strong>of</strong> reversing the decision <strong>of</strong> the 

Governing Council on this matter. 

The University Administration 

under Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Lanre Fagbohun 

that is expected to defend the 

decision <strong>of</strong> the Governing Council 

is attending to the case so weakly 

walls. Anchor University has zero 

tolerance for use and/or abuse <strong>of</strong> 

drugs. Hard drugs are never to 

be taken by any <strong>students</strong> on this 

Campus. We do not permit any 

form <strong>of</strong> immoral relationship and 

immoral dressing is a big no 

here. We will not condone any 

form <strong>of</strong> violence, and 

examination malpractices are 

completely unacceptable in 

Anchor University. 

"Here, the focus is to take you 

as teenagers and return you to 

y<strong>our</strong> parents as respectable and 

responsible young men and 

ladies. We are determined to 

instill the virtues <strong>of</strong> honesty, 

discipline, godliness and 

modesty in every graduate <strong>of</strong> this 

citadel <strong>of</strong> learning." 

He reiterated that within the 

next ten years, Anchor University 

will become one <strong>of</strong> the top five 

universities in Nigeria, noting, 

"Anchor University is built on this 

ageless and firm anchor with a 

clearly defined vision <strong>of</strong> bringing 

Christ to the centre <strong>of</strong> activities 

at the ivory tower. Today, there 

are many kinds <strong>of</strong> storms 

confronting <strong>our</strong> educational 

system as a nation and the world 

over. There are moral storms; 

there are storms affecting the very 

quality <strong>of</strong> <strong>our</strong> education; there 

are huge storms slamming 

damning questions on the 

integrity <strong>of</strong> <strong>our</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionals, 

technocrats and the general 

products <strong>of</strong> institutions across the 

globe. There are storms denying 

the world <strong>of</strong> good leadership. 

The number is almost countless. 

Nonetheless, there is a sure 

Anchor that is certain to calm the 

fiercest <strong>of</strong> storms. 

Our mandate, as a university, 

is to ensure every student who 

goes through Anchor University 

becomes the best in anything 

they do. 

Our drive is to raise an 

invincible generation <strong>of</strong> young 

and c<strong>our</strong>ageous leaders who will 

defend the truth and stand for 

the right no matter what comes 

their way. Our vision is to raise 

young men and woman who will 

stand tall in righteousness and 

lead their peers in their chosen 

fields.’’ 

and secretly too, to ensure that Dr. 

Abanikannda succeed in reversing 

the justice done to this case. We have 

reliable information that the 

University intends to bungle the case 

so as to let Dr. O.T.F. Abanikannda 

get a fav<strong>our</strong>able judgement." 

Appointment <strong>of</strong> Dr. Kolawole 

Obayemi as a senior lecturer in the 

Faculty <strong>of</strong> Law: A Case <strong>of</strong> 

Maladministration and Double 

Standard 

He said: "Pr<strong>of</strong>. John Obafunwa in 

his days as the vice chancellor 

appointed one Dr. Kolawole 

Obayemi as a senior lecturer to the 

Department <strong>of</strong> Business Law with 

only two academic publications. 

This is the same vice chancellor who 

had refused to promote old staff 

members in the same Faculty, who 

had between 15 and 20 academic 

publications, with Ph.D, from lower 

ranks to the ranks <strong>of</strong> lecturer I and 

senior lecturer. 

To be continued


RELEASED—Some <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Dapchi</strong> schoolgirls, a mother (Middle) after their 

release, yesterday. 


on day <strong>of</strong> attack — FASIMA 


casualties are.” 

On her advice to 

parents regarding the 

girls going back to 

school, the minister 

said: “I will advise them 

to continue sending their 

children to school. We, as 

a government, will just 

fortify the schools in 

order to make them safe 

for children to actually go 

and learn.” 

Also speaking, the 

Minister <strong>of</strong> Defence, 

Mansur Dan-Ali, who 

predicted that the girls 

would be released a week 

ago, said: “Basically, I 

want to speak on the 

impression that people 

had that we cannot get the 

girls released. If you can 

remember the last 

interview I had with 

Channels Television, I 

said in two weeks, two 

months or less we are 

going to get the girls 

released and this has 

happened. 

“So, this is as result <strong>of</strong> 

the efforts <strong>of</strong> Mr. 

President and the 

Commander-in-Chief <strong>of</strong> 

the Armed Forces for the 

support he has been 

giving us and the output 

is showing now.” 

On the negotiations 

that went in before the 

release, Dan-Ali said: “I 

did say even if you are 

going for negotiations, if 

you are not doing so from 

the point <strong>of</strong> strength then 

you cannot make it.” 

DSS led 

negotiations for 

the release <strong>of</strong> 

<strong>Dapchi</strong> 

schoolgirls—DHQ 

THE Defence 

Headquarters, yesterday, 

distanced itself from 

negotiations that saw the 

release <strong>of</strong> abducted 

<strong>students</strong> <strong>of</strong> Government 

Girls’ Science and 

Technical College, 

<strong>Dapchi</strong>. 

But it claimed that the 

Department <strong>of</strong> State 

Services, DSS, led the 

negotiations that resulted 

in the release <strong>of</strong> the 

<strong>students</strong>. 

Acting Director, 

Defence Information, 

Brigadier General John 

Agim, said this, following 

inquiry. 

Responding to a text 

message sent to his 

known telephone line, 

the military spokesman 

simply said: "The girls 

were released through 

negotiations led by the 

Department <strong>of</strong> State 

Services, DSS.” 

He, however, could not 

say anything further. 

Our prayers have 

been answered, 

says Saraki 

Reacting to the release 

<strong>of</strong> the girls, Senate 

President, Dr. Bukola 

Saraki, described it as the 

answered prayers <strong>of</strong> 

millions <strong>of</strong> Nigerians, 

and urged the 

government not to rest on 

its oars until the 

remaining girls were 

released to their parents. 

In a statement signed 

by his Special Adviser on 

Media and Publicity, 

Yusuph Olaniyonu, 

Saraki commended 

President Buhari, the 

Nigerian security forces 

and the government <strong>of</strong> 

Yobe State for the ongoing 

efforts that led to the 

release <strong>of</strong> the girls, 

stating that the 

government should do all 

within its power to ensure 

the return <strong>of</strong> the 

remaining <strong>Dapchi</strong> and 

Chibok girls. 

Saraki said: “The 

release <strong>of</strong> the abducted 

<strong>Dapchi</strong> schoolgirls is 

tremendous news for the 

country. Our prayers 

have been answered." 

Fayose accuses 

FG <strong>of</strong> conspiracy 

On his part, Governor 

Ayodele Fayose <strong>of</strong> Ekiti 

State described the 

abduction and 

subsequent release <strong>of</strong> the 

<strong>Dapchi</strong> girls as an 

indictment on the federal 

government. 

According to him, it is a 

drama scripted by the 

government and its 

agents to swindle 

Nigerians. 

Fayose said in a 

statement signed by his 

Special Assistant on 

Public Communications 

and New Media, Lere 

Olayinka: “This appears 

like an arranged 

abduction and an 

arranged release, but we 

thank God that the 

innocent girls have 

returned home and we 

condole with parents <strong>of</strong> 

those that <strong>died</strong>. 

“Curiously, the same 

spirit who made sure that 

all military checkpoints in 

<strong>Dapchi</strong> and other 

surrounding towns were 

removed to pave way for 

abduction <strong>of</strong> the girls also 

made sure that the girls 

were returned without 

any security agent seeing 

them." 

BBOG to 

interrogate return 

<strong>of</strong> school girls 

The Bring Back Our 

Girls, BBOG, movement 

has expressed pleasure at 

the return <strong>of</strong> the abducted 

<strong>Dapchi</strong> school girls but 

said it would interrogate 

the circumstances 

surrounding the entire 

incident. 

The BBOG in a 

statement by its 

spokesman, Sesugh 

Akume said; “The 

#BringBackOurGirls 

movement has been 

made aware <strong>of</strong> the 

cheering news <strong>of</strong> the 

return <strong>of</strong> <strong>our</strong> missing 

#<strong>Dapchi</strong>Girls. Our 

movement has confirmed 

this to be true and the 

accurate position <strong>of</strong> 

things. 

“Reports say that five <strong>of</strong> 

them may have passed 

on, and one is still held 

back. This we are not yet 

able to fully verify. 

“Our immense pleasure 

at the return <strong>of</strong> most <strong>of</strong> <strong>our</strong> 

#<strong>Dapchi</strong>Girls on this 

30th day <strong>of</strong> their captivity 

notwithstanding, the 14 

questions we posed to the 

Government <strong>of</strong> Nigeria 

still stand, as well as <strong>our</strong> 

notice to commence legal 

action. 

“The circumstances <strong>of</strong> 

this return shall also be 

interrogated. We shall be 

communicating further as 

we gain more clarity on 

what transpired and what 

is going on.” 

<strong>Dapchi</strong> girls’ 

kidnap/release, 

stage-managed 

— PDP 

In its reaction, Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP, 

condemned the All 


APC, and certain <strong>of</strong>ficials 

in the Presidency for 

allegedly staging the 

abduction <strong>of</strong> the 

schoolgirls for political 

purposes. 

In a press briefing by 

the party spokesman, 

Kola Ologbondiyan 

yesterday, the party 

described the ordeal 

suffered by the abducted 

girls as callous, saying 

same was perpetrated 

with the 2019 polls in 

mind. 

“Our party considers 

this act as wicked, callous 

and tormenting to use 

innocent schoolgirls as 

pawns in an ignoble 

script that was designed 

to hoodwink Nigerians 

and orchestrate a great 

rescue and security 

prowess <strong>of</strong> a conquering 

General, all to push a 

2019 re-election bid, is an 

unpardonable gamble 

with human lives," the 

party said. 

JNI hails release 

<strong>of</strong> <strong>Dapchi</strong> school 

girls 

The Jamaátu Nasril 

Islam, JNI, yesterday, 

applauded the release <strong>of</strong> 

the abducted <strong>Dapchi</strong> 

school girls, saying the 

Federal Government was 

living up to its 

constitutional 

responsibilities. 

The JNI Secretary 

General, Dr Khalid 

Abubakar said in an 

interview with the News 

Agency <strong>of</strong> Nigeria (NAN) 

in Kaduna that the news 

<strong>of</strong> the release <strong>of</strong> the girls 

was reassuring and 

commendable. 

“The JNI applauds the 

Federal Government, 

parents, all security 

agencies, and other 

stakeholders for this good 

news,” he said. 

He tasked the 

government to also 

intensify efforts for the 

release <strong>of</strong> the remaining 

Chibok school girls “and 

all those whose cries were 

not heard but are in the 

hands <strong>of</strong> the insurgents.” 

ACF hails release 

<strong>of</strong> <strong>Dapchi</strong> girls 

Similarly, Arewa 

Consultative Forum, 

hailed the release <strong>of</strong> the 

girls by Boko Haram. 

In a statement issued in 

Kaduna yesterday, the 

Forum also called on the 

federal government to 

intensify efforts to release 

the Chibok girls abducted 

by the terrorist sect almost 

f<strong>our</strong> years ago. 

The statement, signed 

by Ibrahim Biu, Publicity 

Secretary, also called on 

the federal government to 

do everything possible to 

ensure that such incident 

never happened again. 

“The good news from 

the Federal Government 

that the kidnapped female 


Girls Science Technical 

College, <strong>Dapchi</strong> in Yobe 

State that were abducted 

early this year by some 

Boko Haram terrorists 

have been release by 

their abductors is a 

welcome and reassuring 

development. 

“ACF, therefore, 

commends the Federal 

Government for its 

commitment and 

determination to the rescue 

and release <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Dapchi</strong> 

girls. The release <strong>of</strong> the 

<strong>Dapchi</strong> girls has certainly 

gladdened the hearts <strong>of</strong> the 

affected parents, relations, 

the Yobe State government 

and other Nigerians. ACF, 

therefore, urges the 

Federal Government to 

immediately provide 

necessary medical facilities 

and other psychological 

therapy for the traumatized 

girls and also unite them 

with their parents," the 

group stated. 

We’ve done what 

Jonathan, PDP 

couldn’t do — APC 

Also reacting to the 

release <strong>of</strong> the girls, ruling 

All Progressives Congress, 

APC, gave itself a pass 

mark, lashing out at the 

immediate past 

administration <strong>of</strong> President 

Goodluck Jonathan for 

allegedly idling away for 

several weeks when it was 

confronted with a similar 

scenario, the 2014 

abduction <strong>of</strong> scores <strong>of</strong> 

school girls in Chibok. 

National Publicity 

Secretary, Mallam Bolaji 

Abdullahi, said in a 

statement yesterday: “The 

APC is extremely delighted 

with the news <strong>of</strong> the return 

<strong>of</strong> the schoolgirls abducted 

from Government Girls 

Science Technical College, 

<strong>Dapchi</strong>, Yobe State by Boko 

Haram. 

“The prompt release <strong>of</strong> 

the <strong>Dapchi</strong> schoolgirls is 

another solid 

demonstration <strong>of</strong> the 

political will <strong>of</strong> the 


Buhari-led APC 

administration to secure 

the lives <strong>of</strong> all Nigerians. 

“With this prompt 

release <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Dapchi</strong> girls, 

the APC government has 

demonstrated how 

government should 

respond to such situations. 

If the immediate-past 

Peoples Democratic Party 

PDP administration had 

responded with similar 

alacrity, the Chibok 

schoolgirls would have 

been released or rescued. 

"Instead, the PDP wasted 

several weeks wallowing in 

denial and conspiracy 

theories such that it was 

now left for the APC 

government to rescue 

many <strong>of</strong> the girls and 

rehabilitate them. 

“We assure Nigerians 

that the current 

administration remains 

committed to securing the 

release <strong>of</strong> the remaining 

Chibok schoolgirl still held 

in captivity by Boko Haram 

and ultimately rehabilitate 

and reunite them with their 

families and loved ones. 

“The Party is confident 

that reforms that the 

government has embarked 

on would improve the 

capacity and efficiency <strong>of</strong> 

<strong>our</strong> security agencies to 

prevent the kidnap <strong>of</strong> 

children by terrorists and 

diminish their ability to 

carry out attacks on s<strong>of</strong>t 

targets." 

I'm happy my 

daughter didn't 

denounce Christ 

—Sharibu 

Nata Sharibu, father <strong>of</strong> 

the only student who is yet 

to be freed, says Boko 

Haram insurgents decided 

not to release his daughter 

because she refused to 

denounce Christ. 

Speaking on RayPower 

FM shortly after the 

<strong>students</strong> were released, the 

girl’s father said he learned 

that the insurgents gave his 

daughter the option <strong>of</strong> 

converting to Islam but 

she rejected it. 

He expressed delight 

over her stance but 

prayed for her return. 

“All <strong>of</strong> them were 

released. They said some 

were dead there and my 

daughter is alive but they 

cannot release her 

because she is a 

Christian,” he said. 

“They gave her the 

option <strong>of</strong> converting in 

order to be released but 

she said she will never 

become a Muslim… I am 

very sad but I am also 

jubilating too because my 

daughter did not 

denounce Christ."

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018—45 


DAPCHI GIRLS KIDNAP AND RELEASE 

Timeline <strong>of</strong> issues, events 

*President Muhammadu Buhari 

By Mike Ebonugwo 

and Charles 

Kumolu 

IN a daring move 

reminiscent <strong>of</strong> the 

kidnap <strong>of</strong> over 270 school 

girls in Chibok, Borno State 

f<strong>our</strong> years ago, some 

members <strong>of</strong> the Islamic 

terrorist group, Boko 

Haram, had on the 

evening <strong>of</strong> Monday 

February 19, 2018 stormed 

the town <strong>of</strong> <strong>Dapchi</strong>, Yobe 

State and kidnapped 110 


Girls Science and Technical 

College. 

Initially, there was 

confusion as to whether the 

girls were kidnapped or not 

with claims that many <strong>of</strong> 

them managed to escape. 

The confusion, however, 

ended with the Federal 

Government and the 

military authorities later 

admitting that the sad 

event actually took place. 

Thus began the count 

down on when the 

kidnapped girls could 

possibly be rescued or 

released. With fears 

mounting that the girls 

could face a long time in 

captivity or worse as is the 

case with the still missing 

Chibok school girls, 


Buhari had assured that no 

stone would be left 

unturned until the <strong>Dapchi</strong> 

girls were found and 

reunited with their families. 

He also informed that 

apart from military option, 

his government was also 

considering negotiation 

with the kidnappers in 

order to secure the release 

<strong>of</strong> the girls. 

Happily that assurance 

can be said to have been 

fulfilled with the release, 

Wednesday <strong>of</strong> 101 <strong>of</strong> the 

kidnapped <strong>Dapchi</strong> school 

girls by their Boko Haram 

abductors. 

How the drama 

began and ended 

February 19: 

More than 100 school 

girls <strong>of</strong> Government Girls 

Science and Technical 

College, <strong>Dapchi</strong>, were 

reportedly abducted in 

their school by Boko 

Haram terrorists. 

February 22: 

Yobe State Government 

announced that the 

Nigerian Military had 

rescued some <strong>of</strong> the 

abducted school girls <strong>of</strong> 

Government Girls Science 

Technical College, GGSTC, 

DAPCHI. 

February 22: 

The Yobe State Governor, 

Ibrahim Gaidam, faulted 

the claim that the Nigerian 

Army rescued some <strong>of</strong> the 

girls <strong>of</strong> the Government 

Girls Science Technical 

College, <strong>Dapchi</strong> who were 

abducted by Boko Haram 

terrorists. 

*February 22: 

THE Yobe State Governor, 

Ibrahim Gaidam, visited 

<strong>Dapchi</strong> but his visit was cut 

short as angry residents <strong>of</strong> 

the town pelted his convoy 

with stones. 

*February 23: 

F<strong>our</strong> days after an attack 

on a girls’ school in <strong>Dapchi</strong>, 

Yobe State, President 

Muhammadu Buhari 

spoke publicly about it and 

also listed the steps his 

administration had taken to 

find the missing girls. 

*February 24: 

The British Military 

Advisory and Training 

Team, BMATT, in Nigeria 

has <strong>of</strong>fered to assist the 

Nigerian armed forces in 

rescuing the abducted 

<strong>Dapchi</strong> school girls. 

The general advisor <strong>of</strong> 

BMATT, Major Ian 

Robertson, disclosed that 

his team was still 

monitoring the situation 

*Adamu Adamu, Education Minister 

closely, after which it will 

come in. 

*February 26: 

The Nigerian Army and 

the Police Monday, 

disagreed over who should 

be blamed for the February 

19 abduction <strong>of</strong> 110 <strong>Dapchi</strong> 

schoolgirls. 

The Army said it 

“formally” handed over 

security in <strong>Dapchi</strong> to the 

Police as its men moved to 

another operation, but the 

Police said there was no 

such thing. 

March 2: 

As the Nigerian 

government extended to 

neighb<strong>our</strong>ing countries, 

the search for the 110 

schoolgirls abducted last 

week in <strong>Dapchi</strong>, Yobe 

State, a human rights 

activist, Mrs Aisha Wakil, 

claimed a Boko Haram 

faction had contacted her 

to confirm it has the girls. 

March 3; 

The leader <strong>of</strong> the Latter 

Rain Assembly, LRA, 

Pastor Tunde Bakare, has 

said that he cannot 

understand what President 

Muhammadu Buhari and 

other governors were 

doing at the wedding 

Fatiha <strong>of</strong> Idris Ajimobi, 

son <strong>of</strong> Governors Isiaka 

Ajimobi and Fatima Umar 

Ganduje daughter <strong>of</strong> 

Abdullahi Umar Ganduje 

in Kano on Saturday when 

when other peoples’ 

daughters are in captivity. 

*March 13: 


Buhari said his 

administration has opted 

for negotiation, rather than 

military action to secure the 

release <strong>of</strong> hundreds <strong>of</strong> 

schoolgirls abducted by 

Boko Haram insurgents. 

*March 14: 


Buhari visited Government 

Girls Science and 

Technical College 

(GGSTC) in <strong>Dapchi</strong>, Yobe 

State. 

President Buhari during 

the visit held a meeting 

with parents and teachers 

<strong>of</strong> the GGSTC <strong>Dapchi</strong> 

where 110 <strong>students</strong> were 

abducted by Boko Haram 

insurgents. 

*March 16: 

Defence Minister, 

Mansur Dan-Ali, had 

given hopes that the 110 

abducted <strong>students</strong> <strong>of</strong> 

Government Girls 

Science and Technical 

College, <strong>Dapchi</strong>, Yobe 

State, might be released 

by Boko Haram in the 

next two weeks, noting 

that the federal 

government was closing 

in on them. 

*March 18: 

Some parents <strong>of</strong> the 110 

<strong>Dapchi</strong> missing 

schoolgirls expressed 

their lack <strong>of</strong> faith in 


Buhari’s promise during 

his visit that the girls 

would be rescued. 

*March 20: 

Amnesty International 

said Nigerian security 

forces failed to act on 

advance warnings that a 

convoy <strong>of</strong> Boko Haram 

fighters was heading 

towards a town where 

they abducted 110 

schoolgirls last month. 

*March 20: 

Minister <strong>of</strong> Defence, 

Mansur Dan-Ali had 

denied having said that 

the abducted <strong>Dapchi</strong> 

schoolgirls would be 

freed in two weeks’ time, 

saying that being a 

purely operational matter, 

it would be absolutely 

unfeasible and 

impracticable to give a 

specific timeline. 

Anxiety as Adedoja moves 

against PDP 

By Dirisu Yakubu 

AMinister BUJA—FORMER 

<strong>of</strong> Sports and 

chairmanship candidate <strong>of</strong> 

the Peoples Democratic 

Party in the December 2017 

elective convention <strong>of</strong> the 

party, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Taoheed 

Adedoja, has urged Justice 

Ahmed Mohammed <strong>of</strong> the 

Federal High C<strong>our</strong>t sitting 

in Abuja to dismiss the 

objection filed by the PDP 

chairman, Uche Secondus, 

the party and the governor 

<strong>of</strong> Delta State, Ifeanyi 

Okowa, against a suit 

seeking to nullify the 

December 9 convention. 

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Adedoja had 

approached the c<strong>our</strong>t, 

seeking to upturn the 

convention <strong>of</strong> the party 

which produced Secondus 

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

party’s National Working 

Committee (NWC) on the 

ground that his name was 

not on the ballot, thus 

making it impossible for the 

delegates to vote for him. 

Vodacom trains 36 Nigerian 

<strong>students</strong> on IoT 

By Tare Youdeowei 

LAGOS—IN order to 

further technological 

development in the 

education sector and 

among the next 

generation, Vodacom 

Business Nigeria has 

organised a robotics 

training session for thirtysix 

young <strong>students</strong> from the 

S.S. Peter and Paul 

Nursery and Primary 

School. 

The young <strong>students</strong>, 

aged between eight and 

2019: Ifako-Ijaiye council 

endorses Ambode for 2nd term 

By Olasunkanmi 

Akoni 

LAGOS—IN apparent 

preparation toward the 

next general elections, All 


APC, chieftains and 

members <strong>of</strong> Ifako-Ijaiye 

Local Government have 

unanimously expressed 

support for the second term 

bid <strong>of</strong> the incumbent 

Governor Akinwunmi 

Ambode <strong>of</strong> Lagos State in 

2019 poll. 

‘How Nigeria can raise 

standard <strong>of</strong> education' 

By Emmanuel 

Elebeke 

ABUJA—THE Federal 

Government has been 

urged to constantly train 

and retrain teachers to keep 

up with modern teaching 

method and raise the 

standard <strong>of</strong> education in the 

country. 

The Principal <strong>of</strong> Marist 

College, Yangoji, Rev 

Ifeanyi Mbaegbu made the 

call when a delegation <strong>of</strong> 

the Nigerian Youth 

Organisation embarked on 

a t<strong>our</strong> <strong>of</strong> the school facility 

in Yankoji, Abuja, recently. 

But Secondus and other 

had asked the c<strong>our</strong>t to 

decline jurisdiction in the 

case; forcing Adedoja to file 

a counter motion asking the 

c<strong>our</strong>t to dismiss the 

objections <strong>of</strong> the 

defendants, insisting that 

as a bonafide member <strong>of</strong> the 

party, he has the legal right 

to institute the action.. 

The case has been fixed 

for April 19 for hearing <strong>of</strong> 

his motion. 

Adedoja in an interview 

explained that “All the 

defendants/respondents in 

this case including Prince 

Uche Secondus, the PDP 

and the Independent 

National Electoral 

Commission, INEC, had long 

been served with the originating 

processes in the earlier suit." 

Adedoja is angry at the zero 

(0) score credited to him as a 

national chairmanship candidate 

at the convention, insisting the 

outcome left him utterly 

embarrassed nationally and 

internationally. 

10, through a practical 

c<strong>our</strong>se on robotics, were 

given the opportunity to 

learn about the integration 

<strong>of</strong> the Internet <strong>of</strong> Things 

(IoT) in robotics and its 

growing relevance in 

various areas <strong>of</strong> modern life. 

Speaking on the training, Abu 

Etu, Senior Manager, Product 

Portfolio, Vodacom Business 

Nigeria said:, “ As part <strong>of</strong> <strong>our</strong> 

commitment to empower the next 

generation in Nigeria through 

ICT, Vodacom believes that it is 

important to promote training for 

<strong>students</strong> at the primary level <strong>of</strong> 

education. 

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

Apostle Oloruntoba Oke, 

led thousands <strong>of</strong> party 

faithful to endorse his 

candidacy at the Local 

G o v e r n m e n t 

Headquarters, Fagba, Iju, 

area <strong>of</strong> Lagos. 

Oke explained that the 

council's endorsement was 

as a result <strong>of</strong> Ambode's 

grassroots policies and all 

inclusive programmes <strong>of</strong> 

the government that had 

impacted positively on 

residents. 

The principal said apart 

from recruiting qualified 

and dedicated teachers, the 

government should also 

increase budgetary 

allocations to education to 

improve the facilities in the 

schools. 

He also advocated a 

broad-based academic 

curriculum that can prepare 

<strong>students</strong> for further studies 

should be adopted. 

"The facilities should also 

be improved upon to make 

the <strong>students</strong> and the 

teachers up-to-date," he 

added.


Amuneke sacked 

as Al Khartoum 

coach 

Former Nigeria winger Emmanuel 

Amuneke has been sacked as 

coach <strong>of</strong> Sudanese side Al Khartoum 

SC following a string <strong>of</strong> bad results. 

The former manager <strong>of</strong> Nigeria’s 

U20 joined Al Khartoum in 

November on a one-year deal. He 

had some fine results in the preseason 

matches but his side have 

later shown poor performances 

on the field as they gained just 

11 points from eight matches 

in the Sudanese Premier 

League. 

The sacking came after a 

1-3 loss against the newly 

promoted team Ahli Meroe, 

which led the club to 

terminate the contract with 

the Nigerian coach. The Al 

Khartoum-based side now 

stand f<strong>our</strong>th on the league table 

while Ahli Meroe hold the second spot 

in the league below leaders Merreikh Al- 

Fasher. 

The former Zamalek legend previously 

led Nigeria to the 2015 FIFA U-17 World 

Cup title. He played for Zamalek from 

1991-1994 before moving on to 

Portuguese side Sporting CP and later 

FC Barcelona and represented 

Nigeria in the 1994 World Cup – the 

first time Nigeria appeared in the 

competition. 

African Senior Athletics Championships: 

Fifteen countries have already 

sent in their provisional 

list <strong>of</strong> athletes and <strong>of</strong>ficials ahead 

<strong>of</strong> the 2018 Africa Senior Athletics 

Championships to be hosted in 

Asaba, Delta State. 

After scoring a big point with 

the hosting <strong>of</strong> the inaugural 

edition <strong>of</strong> the Africa Junior 

Athletics Championship in 

Warri, which is the best in the 

series till date, Delta State is set 

for another big mark this time 

with the flagship Africa Senior 

Athletics Championships. 

According to the Chairman <strong>of</strong> 

the Local Organizing Committee 

<strong>of</strong> Asaba 2018 African Senior 

Athletics Championships, 

Solomon Ogba, a record 

attendance is expected at the 

event. 

Ogba said that for the first time 

in the history <strong>of</strong> the biennial 

athletics championship, all the 

countries in Africa would be 

represented in Asaba. 

“I can guarantee you that we 

will be having a historic 

championship in Asaba as every 

country will be represented. The 

LOC will be sponsoring two 

athletes from all the countries so 

you can be sure that everybody 

will be present,” the former 

president <strong>of</strong> the Athletics 

Federation <strong>of</strong> Nigeria assured. 

•Amuneke 

Asaba 2018 set for record 

attendance 

... as Kenya, 14 other 

countries send early entries 

Ogba who played a key role in 

the successful hosting <strong>of</strong> first 

Africa Youth Championships 

which has served as a template 

in subsequent editions disclosed 

that the aim is to also make Asaba 

2018 the best ever in the history 

<strong>of</strong> the Africa Senior Athletics 

Championships. 

“We want to set a new standard 

as far as the Africa Senior 

Athletics Championships is 

concerned, the goal is to make 

this edition as glamorous as the 

World Championships itself,” 

Ogba stressed. 

Djokovic and Federer are 

taking part in the 

Miami Open <strong>of</strong>f the back <strong>of</strong> the 

Swiss’ Indian Wells final defeat 

to Juan Martin del Potro on 

Sunday. 

Having finished runner-up in 

California, Federer is the 

fav<strong>our</strong>ite to win in Miami. 

Meanwhile, Djokovic’s form 

is the opposite as the former 

world No.1 is not yet at the top 

<strong>of</strong> his game following a long 

battle with injury. 

The 30-year-old suffered an 

early exit at the Indian Wells 

last week, having spent the last 

six months <strong>of</strong> the 2017 season 

•Ezenwa 

Djokovic: I want to get back to my best 

dealing with an elbow injury. 

Djokovic, though, has a solid 

record at the Miami Open, 

winning the t<strong>our</strong>nament six 

times during his career. 

Federer is the reigning 

champion, and the draw means 

the two could face an epic 

showdown in the final. 

Djokovic is not in action until 

Friday, and he said he is not 

thinking about how he would 

perform against Federer. 

“I’m not yet at my best but I’m 

working to get there. 

“Every day is a process for me 

and is an opportunity to learn, 

to grow, to get better." 

I’ll present strongest squad 

against Poland – Rohr 

Super Eagles manager, 

Gernot Rohr has 

promised to name his strongest 

possible starting line-up for 

tomorrow’s pre-World Cup 

friendly against Poland at the 

Municipal Stadium. 

It means the likes <strong>of</strong> Wilfred 

Ndidi, Leon Balogun, William 

Troost-Ekong, Alex Iwobi and 

Eddy Onazi are set to start 

against the Europeans, while 

Deportivo de La Coruña’s 

Francis Uzoho might be in goal 

as Chippa United’s Daniel 

Akpeyi is unlikely to make it to 

Poland and Ikechukwu 

Ezenwa has yet to arrive in 

camp. 

‘’For us this is a very important 

match. We have not played 

since November. There were 

two matches in March to test 

the players,’’ Rohr told Przegld 

Sportowy. 

‘’During the World Cup <strong>our</strong> 

opponents will be Croatia and 

Iceland, that’s why we wanted 

to play with a team from 

Europe. 

‘’In turn, Poland got Senegal, 

and <strong>our</strong> team is somewhat 

similar physically to this 

opponent. This match is 

therefore the interest <strong>of</strong> both 

teams. A moment after the 

draw, I talked to y<strong>our</strong> trainer 

and we agreed that we should 

face. 

‘’We will start the game with 

Poland with the strongest lineup. 

I do not know yet what I 

will do before the next match 

with Serbia.’’ 

The Super Eagles had a 

workout twice yesterday and 

will train at the Municipal 

Stadium in Wroclaw tonight. 

World Cup: Rohr rues Ikeme’s illness, 

worried about Eagles goalkeepers 

*Says Mikel needs rigorous training 

A 

fter 

•Rohr 

closing his door to former Super 

Eagles captain and goalkeeper, 

Vincent Enyeama, Super Eagles coach, 

Gernot Rohr is still have problem getting a 

replacement for Carl Ikeme who was 

diagnosed with Leukaemia. 

The German coach admitted he has a 

goalkeeping problem ahead <strong>of</strong> the Mundial, 

saying : ‘’It is true. Our problem is Ikeme’s 

illness (he was diagnosed with leukemia)’’. 

Meanwhile Rohr has also said his captain 

John Obi Mikel will have to undergo rigorous 

training with the national team ahead <strong>of</strong> the 

2018 World Cup, bearing it in mind that the 

Chinese Super League is not too competitive. 

The Tianjin Teda star is set to miss out on 

the Super Eagles last friendly in the 2017- 

2018 season as he has remained in China to 

renew his work permit. 

Asked if Mikel’s transfer to China is a 

problem, Rohr told Przegld Sportowy: ‘’It might 

be a problem once, but the level has risen 

there. Before the World Cup there will be a 

break to bring the players to a good physical 

condition.’’ 

L-R: Jimmy Sogbesan, Chief operating <strong>of</strong>ficer, Mediavision; 

Babatunde Bank-Anthony, DG, Lagos State Sports Commission; 

Tolulope Onipede, Corporate Communications and External 

Affairs, GTBank, and Seyi Akinwunmi, First Vice President, 

Nigeria Football Federation who doubles as Chairman Lagos FA, 

at the press conference to unveil GTBank-Lagos State Principal 

Cup Season 9 in Lagos.


Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018 

TODAY’S PUZZLE 

Sudoku 

YESTERDAY’S ANSWER 

TODAY’S CROSSWORD 

QUICK CROSSWORD 

YESTERDAY’SOLUTION 

ACROSS 

1 Multitude (4) 

3 Zimbabwe, formerly (8) 

9 Male sibling (7) 

10 Fear-stricken state (5) 

11 Cabs (5) 

12 Large bodies <strong>of</strong> water (6) 

14 Fervent (6) 

16 Consequence (6) 

19 Northern Ireland (6) 

21 Food from heaven (5) 

24 Easily digested (5) 

25 Pencilled picture (7) 

26 Stubbornly persistent (8) 

27 Fledgling’s home (4) 

DOWN 

1 Wonted (8) 

2 Sitting Bull’s tribe (5) 

4 Famous public school (6) 

5 Male duck (5) 

6 Steadfast (7) 

7 Weapons (4) 

8 Selected (6) 

13 Direct (8) 

15 Inundated (7) 

17 Large treeless plains 

in South America (6) 

18 Direct (anag) (6) 

20 Instructor (5) 

22 Din (5) 

23 Lowest female singing 

voice (4) 

How to Play Sudoku 

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 y<strong>our</strong> imagination. 

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

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

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

22032018 - Dapchi: 5 of our students died on day of attack —Fasima, released girl

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