16012019 - 2019: Buhari, Atiku split Niger-Delta militants

Southern, M-Belt 

leaders warn against 

arrest of CJN 

8 9 

•My home not raided 

by EFCC — Onnoghen 

ANTI-PARTY: 

APC 

dangles 

suspension 

axe on 

Okorocha, 

Amosun 9 

We’re going to have crazy fun at 

Vanguard Awards night—TUFACE 

Hip-hop superstar, Innocent Idibia, aka 2Face 

has promised a crazy night of fun at the 

Vanguard Personality of the Year Awards 

holding on Friday, January 18, 2019, at the Eko 

Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites, 

Victoria Island, Lagos. SEE STORY ON PAGE 10. 

Oil price rises to $59.47 on supply cuts 

9 

VOL. 26: NO. 63723 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 

2019: Buhari, Atiku split 

Niger-Delta militants 

•RNDA warns South-South govs 

•21st Century Youths threaten oil companies 

DECORATING NEW IGP 

By Emma Amaize, 

South-South Editor 

W 

A R R I : 

PRESIDENT 

Muhammadu Buhari 

and his foremost 

challenger, Alhaji Atiku 

Abubakar, of the Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP, 

have split Niger Delta 

militants, causing them 

to speak in discordant 

tunes over who the 

people of the region 

Continues on Page 5 

NNPC 

raises 

alarm over 

pipeline 

vandalism 

•FG to determine 

actual fuel 8 

consumption 

Naira down at 

N361/$ in 

parallel 

market 

41 

Mr & Mrs 

President Muhammadu Buhari (Right) assisted by the out-going Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris (left), while decorating 

the new IGP, Adamu Mohammed, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida. Story on Page 41. 

Massive 

quake in 

Police 42 

hierarchy 

COLUMNISTS 

FG to present 

N30,000 new 8 

minimum wage 

to NEC tomorrow 

DEAR BUNMI 

43 

PRINCEWILL 

17 

Gov. Ahmed 

bans street 

rallies in Kwara, 

as women 8 

protest against 

violence in Ilorin 

Rising state of 

poverty, 

abandonment of 

Agriculture (1) 

OHUABUNWA 31 FASAN 31 

40 

SEE 

INSIDE

2 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 — 3


vanguardnews 

@vanguardnews 

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019—5 

NEWS HOTLINES 

POCKET CARTOON 

018773962, 

@vanguardnews 08052867058 

FOR FALLEN HEROES—President Muhammadu Buhari laying a wreath in honour of fallen 

heroes during the 2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations at the Cenotaph, Three Arms 

Zone, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida. 

2019: Buhari, Atiku split Niger 

people 

want 

Delta militants restructuring and 

Continues from Page 1 

should support in next 

month’s presidential 

election. 

Recently, a self-styled 

coalition, known as the 

21st Century Youths for 

Restructuring, 

threatened to attack oil 

facilities in the creeks if 

the Federal Government 

did not stop the move to 

dock the Chief Justice of 

Nigerian, CJN, Justice 

Walter Onnoghen, over 

alleged failure to declare 

his assets. 

However, another 

assembly of Niger-Delta 

militants, led by the 

Reformed Niger Delta 

Avengers, RNDA, and 

nine other militant 

groups, yesterday, said 

the former was working 

for Atiku Abubakar and 

warned governors of the 

South-South to stop 

playing politics with 

Onnoghen’s case. 

The 21st Century 

Youths in a statement by 

its leader, self-styled 

“Gen” Izon Ebi, 

declared: “Niger Delta 

anything short of 

allowing our people to 

freely exercise their 

rights and choose 

leaders that will 

restructure Nigeria to 

meet modern and current 

reality will give us no 

choice but to stop the 

activities of oil 

exploration and 

exploitation in our land 

and ocean. 

“The current 

harassment, intimidation, 

assassination attempt, 

forcible dismissal and 

retirement of 

distinguished 

personalities and 

leaders of the Niger 

Delta from the affairs of 

this country is no more 

acceptable. 

“Our wealth will not be 

allowed to be used freely 

to run and sustain a 

system and a country 

that does not appreciate 

and respect the people 

whose wealth is used to 

sustain this country 

called Nigeria. 

“The six-count charge 

the federal government 

p r e f e r r e d 

against Justice 

Onnoghen by the Code 

of Conduct Tribunal 

bordering on false 

declaration of assets is 

another act of 

dictatorship. 

“This unfortunate 

action of the APC and 

President Buhari’s 

administration to 

intimidate the judiciary 

and undermine the rule 

of law and separation of 

power in our democracy 

is unacceptable in this 

21st century. 

“It is now clear to all 

Nigerians that this 

administration is 

completely out of tune 

with the reality and 

situation we find 

ourselves concerning the 

2019 general election 

and the position of Niger 

Delta people whose lives 

and existence are being 

threatened by the 

activities of oil 

exploration and the 

insensitivity of the 

federal government. 

“The 2019 general 

elections next month will 

determine a new Nigeria 

or break the false 

marriage held in the 

Nigerian state without 

the consent of Niger 

Delta people that gave 

birth to Nigeria in 1914. 

“We applaud our 

distinguished Niger 

Delta leader, Pa E.K. 

Clark, governors of the 

South-South and the 

Coalition of Niger Delta 

Agitators, especially for 

their stance because it 

reflects and represents 

the current reality and 

happenings that are no 

more acceptable to Niger 

Delta people. 

“Anything short of a 

free, fair, credible and 

acceptable election will 

give us no choice but to 

seek self-determination 

and destiny take over. 

"The 21st Century 

Youths of Nigeria for 

Restructuring and the 

21st Century Youths of 

the Niger Delta and 

Agitators with 

Conscience will not sit 

on the fence to watch the 

demonic and barbaric 

script of some few 

unpatriotic, tribal and 

selfish leaders that are 

out of tune with reality 

and civilization. 

“ We, therefore, call on 

Continues on Page 41 

By Bose Adelaja, Ebun Sessou, Yinka 

Latona, & Tade Oluwapelumi 

Release of repentant Boko Haram members (3) 

I 

think the Borno 

elders should allow 


to release the repentant 

Boko Haram members. 

However, I will 

suggest that the 

government put 

necessary machineries in 

place to ensure that these 

people repent genuinely 

so that they will not 

become thorn in the flesh 

of the masses. 

Mrs. Akanni Titilayo 

Event planner 

I 

will advise that the 

government should 

continue releasing those 

who have truly repented 

among the Boko Haram 

s e c t . 

Government should just 

ensure that they equip 

them before releasing 

them into the society so 

that they will not be idle 

and go back to their old 

way of life. 

Mrs. Afolabi 

Oluwafolakemi 

Businesswoman 

Releasing 

the 

repentant Boko 

Haram members is not a 

problem for me but hope 

the federal and state 

governments will put 

genuine and working 

monitoring mechanism in 

place. 

The monitoring team 

should comprise 

traditional rulers and 

security personnel who will 

monitor their movement 

after they are released. 

Miss Precious Bullese 

Beautician 

I 

T is wrong for the 

government to even 

contemplate doing so. 

This is a group that is 

killing both Christians 

and Muslims, and there 

is no justification for what 

they are doing. How are 

they sure that they have 

been deradicalised? Can 

a terrorist change? Who 

were the people that 

trained them during the 

deradicalisation programme? 

Mr. Morka Chukwuka, 

Businessman 

I 

want to use this op 

portunity to urge 

the federal government 

to visit Somalia, Iraq, 

Afghanistan and Pakistan 

to learn how to 

treat terrorists. They are 

dangerous people, who 

should not be spared 

because they are waging 

war against humanity. 

The countries I 

mentioned do not treat 

the militants with kid 

gloves. Mr. Kenneth 

Okonkwo, Worker 

I 

am not surprised, 

because this government 

has not shown 

strong commitment in 

the war against terrorism. 

If they are committed, 

why are our soldiers 

abandoning the battlefields 

because of Boko 

Haram? Our Army is capable 

of defeating the 

terrorists but they can’t 

do so without motivation. 

They need to be 

well motivated. 

Mr.Chukwuma Tony, 

Mechanic

6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 

19-yr-old boy 

defiles his 

sisters 

aged 6, 8 

AN Ogudu Magistrates’ 

Court in Lagos State , 

yesterday, remanded a 19- 

year-old man, Andrew 

Chinedu, in prison over 

alleged defilement of two 

sisters, aged eight and six 

years. 

The magistrate, Mrs E. 

Kubeinje, said that Chinedu 

was to spend the next 65 days 

in prison pending the receipt 

of legal advice from the State 

Director of Public Prosecutions, 

DPPs. 

Kubeinje, who gave the 

ruling, also refused to take the 

plea of the accused. 

Chinedu, an apprentice, who 

resides in Irawo, is standing 

trial on a two-count charge of 

child defilement and sexual 

assault. 

At the commencement of the 

case, the prosecutor, Inspector 

Lucky Ihiehie, urged the court 

to remand the accused in 

prison, pending the receipt of 

legal advice from the DPP’s 

office. 

He alleged that the accused 

committed the offences 

between the months of June 

2018 and September 2018 at 

Abayomi Street, Irawo, in 

Ajegunle area of Ikorodu in 

Lagos State. 

The prosecutor said that the 

Lagos State Domestic and 

Social Violence Office, which 

initially handled the case and 

confirmed the violation of the 

girls, referred the father to 

report the case to the Police. 

Ihiehie said that the accused 

lived in the same compound 

with the parents of the girls. 

According to him, when the 

older of the siblings was 

questioned, she claimed that 

the accused normally calls her 

into his room when her parents 

were not around to have sex 

with her. 

“Any time I refused, he would 

beat me. He normally promises 

to buy me sweet but he never 

did,” Ihiehie quoted the child 

as saying. 

The prosecutor also said that 

the six-year-old girl 

corroborated what her sister 

said and told the Police that 

the accused always had sex 

with her whenever their 

parents were not around and 

beats them if they refused. 

“ He would tell her he wants 

to show her something and 

carry her to his bed and 

remove her cloths. 

“She said it was when her 

elder sister fell sick and their 

father took them to the hospital 

that she opened up to him.” 

Ihiehie said that the offences 

contravened Sections 137 and 

259 of the Criminal Law of 

Lagos State, 2015. 

The case was adjourned 

until March 20 for mention. 

Tenant, 31, beats 63-yr-old landlord in Lagos 

A 

31-year-old tenant, Abass 

Babatunde, was yesterday 

arraigned in Lagos for beating up his 

63-year-old landlord. 

Babatunde, who resides at No. 8 

Omo Osagie St., Iju Ishaga, a Lagos 

suburb, is facing a two-count charge 

of assault and malicious damage 

before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ 

court 

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Michael Unah, 

told the court that the accused 

allegedly assaulted his landlord, Mr. 

FOUR men were, yesterday, 

arraigned by the Police in an 

Ikeja Magistrate’s Court in Lagos 

for allegedly operating an illegal 

drug factory and manufacturing 

fake drugs. 

The accused namely Emeka 

Madu, 47; Eze Young, 26; Chijoke 

Umunna, 19; and Kingsley Obilor, 

22, are standing trial on a threecount 

charge of conspiracy, 

unlawful manufacturing of drugs 

and operation of illegal drug factory. 

The Police prosecutor, Peter 

Nwangwu told the court that the 

accused persons committed the 

offences on December 13, 2018 at 

2, Okunneye Street, Ikotun-Egbe, 

a Lagos suburb. 

Nwangwu said that the accused 

persons conspired with others now 

at large to commit the crime. 

Nwangwu alleged that Madu, 

sometimes in 2014, unlawfully 

acquired two tablet machines, two 

blister machines and other 

equipment for the purpose of 

operating an illegal drug factory 

without license or any formal 

training. 

It was gathered that the accused 

persons were earlier arrested by 

the Intelligence Response Team 

(IRT) on Nov.23 2018. 

According to the police, the 

factory was raided by IRT and the 

four accused persons were arrested. 

The Force Headquarters 

spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, said 

Madu was the owner of the factory 

known as Cabara. 

Moshood said the operatives 

received credible intelligence 

report and acted on it in uncovering 

the hidden fake factory where 

substantial production, packaging 

Rahmon Adewale, by punching 

him on the face, following an 

unresolved argument. 

He said that the accused 

committed the offences on Dec. 

26 at about 9.30p.m. at his 

residence. 

Unah said that the accused 

maliciously damaged the 

complainant’s entrance gate 

padlock, worth N2, 500. 

According to the prosecutor, 

the accused met the complainant 

and distribution of suspected 

fake drugs to different parts of 

the country was being carried 

out. 

“The police recovered 

cartons of different fake drugs, 

large quantity of unprocessed 

chemical substances used in 

manufacturing drugs, 

machines for processing, 

manufacturing and packaging 

of these drugs as well as 

forged pharmaceutical papers. 

“Plastic buckets of different 

types suspected to contain fake 

while trying to lock up the gate, 

and he told him that he wanted 

to go out to purchase some 

drugs for his sick baby. 

He said that the complainant 

refused him going out, stating 

that it was too late to go out. 

He added that out of 

annoyance the accused 

damaged the padlock and beat 

up the complainant. 

The offences contravened 

Section 172 of the Criminal 

drugs were also recovered,” 

Moshood said 

The prosecutor said that the 

offences contravened the 

provisions of sections, 160 

(1), (a), (b), 252 and 411 of 

the Criminal Law of Lagos 

State, 2015. 

After the charges were read 

to the accused persons, they 

pleaded not guilty. 

In her ruling, the 

Magistrate, Mrs Yewande 

Aje-Afunwa, admitted the 

four accused persons to a bail 

Law of Lagos State 2015, which 

stipulates three years for assault 

and Section 339 of same, which 

prescribes two years for malicious 

damage, if convicted. 

Chief Magistrate A. A. Fashola, 

granted the accused N5, 000 bail 

with one surety. 

Fashola said the surety must be 

gainfully employed with evidence 

of two years tax payment to Lagos 

State Government and adjourned 

the case till February 18. 

Police arraign 4 men over illegal drug factory in Lagos 

By Chinenyeh Ozor 

N SUKKA—PROPERTY 

worth millions of naira 

were reportedly razed by candle 

light fire in the University town 

of Nsukka, Enugu State, 

yesterday. 

It was gathered that the fire 

started in one of the rooms in 

the building housing rooms and 

shops as the tenant was busy 

attending to customers while 

the candle gradually melted the 

rug carpet and spread to other 

rooms before it was noticed. 

The landlord of the building, 

Emmanuel Aka, who lives in one 

of the rooms, said he was asleep 

when he heard people 

shouting. 

He said: “I managed to jump 

out of the room with the help of 

friends, only to see the entire 

building overtaken by fire while 

people poured water and other 

things to see if they could put 

the fire out, but it has escalated 

to the other rooms in the 

building. 

“I called the fire service men 

and they said that they have 

received distress call and were 

on the way. 

“The fire fighting men 

arrived 30 minutes later, but 

before then the fire had taken 

over the entire building. They 

helped a lot in putting out the 

fire, but no valuable property 

was saved at all. 

“We have five rooms, two 

shops and four packing stores. 

All of them were touched by 

the fire, but no life was lost. I 

have shoes and bags from 

America for sale packed inside 

my room and N185,000 cash, 

Commander, 

Operation Safe 

Haven, Major- 

General Augustine 

Agudu (middle), 

briefing newsmen 

after a stakeholders’ 

peace meeting 

between Fulani and 

Berom communities 

in Barkin-Ladi Local 

Government Area of 

Plateau State, 

yesterday. With him 

is Deputy 

Commander, ACP 

Emmanuel Ado 

(2nd left). 

NAN PHOTO. 

of N1million each with two 

responsible sureties each in like 

sum. 

Aje-Afunwa ordered that one 

of the sureties must be a blood 

relation to the accused persons. 

She added that the sureties 

must be gainfully employed 

and show evidence of two years 

tax payment to the Lagos State 

Government as part of the bail 

conditions. 

The magistrate adjourned the 

case until February 28 for 

mention. 

Candlelight fire guts 

building, shops in Nsukka 

which I was to pay into the bank. 

“The two shops were of 

supermarket standard and the 

biggest shops in Odenigbo round 

about and nothing was picked out 

of the two shops. 

“I can’t say exactly what caused 

the fire incident. There was 

electricity power outage and 

nobody uses gas in the house. All 

I can say is that the fire emanated 

from the last room due to the 

carelessness of the children. 

“I have asked one of my tenants' 

wife and she is reluctant to own 

up, but I know one of her children 

lit a candle, locked the doors of 

their three rooms apartment and 

joined her parents and other 

siblings in the shop. 

“The candle burnt, melted into 

the rug and spread to other rooms 

of the building and razed 

everything in the building.”


Guest commits suicide in Lagos 

hotel, as 60-yr-old man hangs self 

By Evelyn Usman 

TENSION is presently 

brewing in a hotel located on 

4th avenue, Festac Town, following 

the discovery of the lifeless body 

of one of its guest. 

The deceased, identified as 

Moses Prince, was said to have 

drank an insecticide, after 

checking in Sunday. 

On Monday, one of the cleaners 

who went to clean his room was 

said to have raised the alarm upon 

discovering his lifeless body, with 

foamy white substance coming out 

from his mouth. 

Management of the hotel 

contacted policemen at Festac 

Division, who evacuated the body 

from the hotel. 

Spokesman for the Lagos State 

Police Command, CSP Chike Oti, 

who confirmed the incident, said 

investigation into it was ongoing. 

He informed that the matter had 

been transferred to the Homicide 

section of the State Criminal 

Investigation and Intelligence 

Department, SCIID, Yaba for 

further investigation. 

In a related development, the 

lifeless body of a 61-year-old man 

was found dangling from a tree at 

Catholic Mission Street, Lagos 

Island, Monday. 

The reason for his action was 

unknown as the deceased, 

identified as Jesutosin Adeniyi, did 

not leave a suicide note. 

The deceased, who lived at 3 

Kadaki Lere Street, was said to have 

left home the previous day. 

Oti, who also confirmed the 

incident, informed that 

investigaton was also ongoing. 

Yesterday, a middle aged 

man, who attempted to commit 

suicide by trying to jump into 

the Lagos Lagoon on the third 

mainland bridge, was rescued 

by operatives of the Rapid 

Response Squad (RRS) 

patrolling the area. 

In a tweet yesterday 

afternoon, RRS stated that the 

man was prevented from 

jumping into the Lagoon by 

officers on patrol along Third 

Mainland Bridge. 

He has been handed over to 

Adekunle Police Station for 

investigation. 

Police nab Ekiti lawmaker's killers, 

parade 29 suspected cultists, robbers 

By Rotimi Ojomoyela 

ADO-EKITI—ONE of the 

six-man robbery gang 

arrested by the Ekiti State Police 

Command over the death of a 

member of the House of Assembly, 

Hon. Michael Adedeji, said they 

did not know he was a lawmaker. 

Adedeji, a People’s Democratic 

Party (PDP) Lawmaker that 

represented Ekiti southwest 

constituency II, was shot in the 

head by the robbers on August 10, 

2018 along Onigaari, GRA, Ado 

Ekiti capital city. 

Those arrested and paraded in 

connection with the gruesome 

murder of Adedeji were: Dele 

Obamoyegun, Idowu Sunday, 

Adeniyi Wumi, Leye Ojo, 

Akindanhunsi Damilola and 

Olaosebikan Babatunde 

Speaking during the parade at 

the Command headquarters in 

Ado-Ekiti, yesterday, Dele 

Obamoyegun said “We shot him 

(Adedeji) after robbing him. He 

did not struggle with us but one 

of us shot him. I have to confess, 

we didn’t know he was a 

lawmaker.” 

Ekiti State Commissioner of 

Police, Asuquo Amba, disclosed 

that the suspects were arrested by 

men and officers of Federal 

Special Anti-Robbery Squad, 

FSARS, during a stop and search 

operation carried out along Ado- 

Iworoko road. 

Items recovered from them were 

cut-to-size guns, 17 live 

cartridges, 75 handsets, seven 

laptops, cash sum of N147,000, 

four stolen vehicles, one of them 

belonging to the late Omowaye, 

among others. 

The CP said most disturbing was 

that Dele’s mother, Bola 

Obamoyegun, was the one 

accepting and concealing stolen 

items for the aforementioned 

robbery gang being led by his son. 

“Dele’s mother was the one 

concealing stolen items for them. 

As we speak, two of her children 

had been convicted for robbery and 

this to us was a failure of 

motherhood. Our parents must 

learn how to make their children 

responsible,” he said. 

The CP added that the gang also 

killed one Kayode Omowaye when 

they raided OJAS Pleasure Hotels 

in Oye Ekiti on August 10, 2018, 

just as they also invaded Afe 

Babalola University Junior Staff 

Quarters and snatched a car 

belonging to one Mrs Bosede Ojo. 

Amba disclosed that the 

command is synergising with the 

Army and “we held a meeting with 

hunters, members of vigilante 

group and Odua People’s 

Congress, OPC, on how to curb 

kidnappers in Ekiti.” 

Also, Amba revealed that the 

new security architecture in form 

of effective 24 hours patrol will 

soon be put in place to make 

Ekiti unsafe for criminals. 

“We are working with the 

Commissioners of police in 

Osun, Kogi, Ondo, Kwara and 

other border states, so that our 

people can live in peace.” 

AGF takes oil marketer to court, 

alleges forgery, N2.066bn fraud 

THE Attorney-General of the 

Federation, AGF, has charged 

an oil marketer, Chima Anyaso, 

alongside his company, Ceecon 

Energy Oil and Gas Limited, before 

a Federal High Court, Lagos, on a 

three count-charge bordering on 

forgery and N2,066,400 billion 

fraud. 

AGF in the charge, alleged that 

the oil marketer of 16, Babatunde 

Dabiri Street, Lekki Phase 1 and 

having his company’s cooperate 

office at the third floor of Worth 

Plaza, Olaza 307, Suit 301, Adeola 

Odeku Street, Victoria Island, 

Lagos, was alleged to have 

committed the offence on a or about 

February 21, 2011. 

The oil marketer was alleged to 

have forged a letterhead of Total 

Nigeria Limited, captioned ‘offer to 

sale dated February 21, 2011, 

which he falsely presented to a 

bank to obtain N2,066,400,000 

credit facility for delivery of 15 

metric tonnes of aviation turbine 

kerosene. 

He was also alleged to have on 

February 22, 2011, forged another 

letterhead of Total Nigeria 

Limited, dated February 22, 2011, 

which he presented to same bank 

for the payment of N2.066 billion 

for supply of 15 metric tonnes of 

ATK. 

The AGF also alleged that the 

oil marketer fraudulently 

obtained the said sum from the 

as credit facility. 

The offences, according to 

the prosecutor, Mr. Julius 

Ajakaiye, a deputy director in 

the AGF’s office, are contrary to 

and punishable under Section 

2(1)(c) and Section 1(1)(a) of 

Advance Fee Fraud and other 

related offences, Cap. A6 Laws 

of the Federation of Nigeria, 

2004. 

He told the court that the 

criminal charge against the oil 

marketer and his company 

arose from a petition by the 

bank of January 19, 2017. 

However, at the resumed 

hearing yesterday, the 

prosecutor informed the court 

that the defendants have been 

evading services and 

therefore urged the court for 

an order of substituted service, 

through an exparte motion, by 

way of pasting the charge in 

defendants’ last known 

address, which are number 16, 

Babatunde Dabiri Street, 

Lekki Phase 1 and Olaza 307/ 

Suit 301, third wing, Worth 

Plaza, Adeola Odeku Street, 

Victoria Island, Lagos. 

Justice Ayotunde Faji, while 

adjourning the matter till 

January 30 for report of 

service, ordered that the 

charge sheet be pasted at the 

last known addresses of the oil 

marketer and his company. 

... with Emma'nKen (08163121378) 

Emma: Ken, was that in this our Nigeria? 

Ken: Bush man like you. Go school, you 

say no. That was United Republic of Nigeria 

Are these roads in Nigeria? 

They are too smooth! 

Lord, 

don't 

answer 

him. 

Every 

man 

shall 

bear his 

burden

8—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 

Ahmed bans street 

rallies in Kwara 

•As Kwara women protest against 

violence in Ilorin 

By Demola 

Akinyemi 

I LORIN—GOVERNOR 

Abdulfatah Ahmed of 

Kwara State, yesterday, 

banned political street rallies 

and processions across the 

state. 

The governor, whose action 

came against the backdrop 

of the violence that had 

characterised political rallies 

in the state, authorised 

political rallies only in 

designated areas after 

clearance with the police. 

This came as women in the 

state, yesterday, took to the 

streets to protest the largescale 

violence that had 

trailed campaigns, leaving in 

its trail destruction of lives 

and property. 

Recall that last weekend, 

supporters of Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP, and 

All Progressives Congress, 

APC, clashed during which 

lives were lost and property 

damaged. 

The governor, who ordered 

the ban in a state broadcast, 

yesterday, said any one 

found to be involved in 

political clashes that rocked 

the state in the last few days 

would be visited with the full 

weight of the law. 

He said: “Yesterday 

(Monday), I chaired an 

emergency state security 

council meeting and 

charged the police and other 

security agencies to deploy 

all lawful measures to secure 

lives and property in the 

state. 

“In this regard, I have 

approved the establishment 

of a Joint Military Task Force, 

comprising police, Army, 

Navy, Air Force, Department 

of State Security, Civil 

Defence and National Drug 

Law Enforcement Agency, 

NDLEA. 

“This body is tasked with 

providing an extra layer of 

security and preventing a 

recurrence of the political 

violence witnessed in the last 

couple of days. 

“As an additional security 

measure, political street 

rallies and processions are, 

hereby, banned across the 

state. Only political rallies in 

designated areas and with 

prior notification to the state 

police command will be 

allowed henceforth. 

Meanwhile, hundreds of 

women in the state, 

Monday, hit the streets of 

Ilorin to protest against the 

recent violent clashes 

between members APC and 

PDP. 

Clad in black attires, the 

women, led by Rahmat 

Oganija, a market leader, 

went to the Agbaji 

compound to commiserate 

with the people. 

The women also took their 

protest to Kwara State 

Government House where 

they were received by 

Abdulfatah 

Ahmed, 

governor of the state. 

FG to present N30,000 new 

minimum wage to NEC 

tomorrow •Launches new Nigeria 

e-passport 

By Johnbosco 

Agbakwuru 

ABUJA—THE Federal 

Government, yesterday, 

concluded plans to take the 

N30,000 new national 

minimum wage demand to 

National Economic Council, 

NEC, holding tomorrow and 

then to National Council of 

State slated for January 22. 

The Federal Government 

also at the emergency 

Federal Executive Council, 

FEC, meeting, presided over 

by President Muhammadu 

Buhari, yesterday, at the 

Council Chambers, 

Presidential Villa, Abuja, 

launched a new 60-page 

Nigeria international 

electronic passport. 

Briefing State House 

correspondents after the 

emergency FEC, Minister of 

Information, Lai 

Mohammed, disclosed that 

the N30,000 minimum wage 

will be taken to NEC but 

declined to give details, 

because the meeting was 

inconclusive. 

vanguardnews @vanguardnews @vanguardnews 

Asked to comment on the 

outcome of the FEC meeting 

and decisions on the 

minimum wage, the minister 

who confirmed that the 

meeting was solely dedicated 

to minimum wage issue, 

however, said he could not 

disclose decisions arrived at 

“ until after the meeting of the 

National Economic Council 

NEC” 

Meanwhile, as the FEC 

meeting ended, President 

Muhammadu Buhari was 

issued a new security 

features-enhanced 

international diplomatic 

passports following his 

launch of the new series of 

passports for Nigerians rolled 

out by the Nigeria 

Immigration Service, NIS. 

The Comptroller General of 

the Nigeria Immigration 

Service (NIS) Mr. 

Mohammad Babandede, 

handed Buhari the new 

passport after the President 

inspected the mobile 

processing stand mounted at 

the Villa by NIS officials. 

NNPC raises alarm over increasing 

pipeline vandalism 

•As FG moves to determine actual fuel consumption 

•Why movement of petrol by rail is delayed — PEF 

By Michael Eboh 

NIGERIAN National 

Petroleum Corporation, 

NNPC, yesterday, bemoaned 

rising incidents of pipeline 

vandalism across the country. 

According to NNPC, 

incidences of pipeline 

vandalism in October 2018 

rose to 42.9 percent, 

compared to the previous 

month during the year. 

Giving a breakdown of 

incidents of breaches in its 

infrastructure in a statement 

in Abuja, Group General 

Manager, Group Public 

Affairs Division of the NNPC, 

Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, said 

the corporation recorded 219 

pipeline vandalised points in 

the month under review, 

compared to 125 incidents it 

suffered in September of the 

same year. 

Ughamadu said the 

findings captured in NNPC 

Monthly Financial and 

Operations Report for 

October 2018 revealed that 

among the breaches, four 

vandalised pipeline points 

failed to be welded, while 

one point was ruptured. 

According to him, the 

report stated that cases of 

vandalism of pipeline 

facilities were high along 

Ibadan-Ilorin and Aba- 

Enugu axis, accounting for 

81 cases, representing 40 per 

cent and 39 cases, 

representing 18 per cent of 

total vandalised points 

respectively. 

Ughamadu said despite the 

NEW PASSPORT: President Muhammadu Buhari (left) receiving 

a specimen copy of the New Enhanced Electronic International 

Passport from Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, 

Mohammed Babandede, at State House. With them is Vice President 

Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday. 

Southern, M-Belt leaders warn against 

arrest of CJN •Condemn Buhari’s style of 

appointing junior officers as IGP 

By Henry Umoru 

ABUJA— LEADERS of 

thought and elder 

statesmen from four of the six 

geo-political zones of the 

country, under the aegis of 

Southern and Middle Belt 

Leaders Forum, yesterday, 

warned that any attempt by 

the Federal Government to 

use Economic and Financial 

Crimes Commission, EFCC, 

to arrest Chief Justice of 

Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter 

Onnoghen, would push the 

country into unnecessary 

crisis. 

Rising from an emergency 

meeting, yesterday, at the 

Asokoro, Abuja, residence of 

former Federal 

Commissioner for 

Information and South-South 

Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, 

the leaders of Middle-Belt, 

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Pan 

Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, 

and Afenifere also flayed the 

President Buhari’s decision to 

appoint an Assistant 

Inspector-General of Police 

over his seniors as the new 

police boss. 

The statement read: “That 

the current assault on the 

person and office of the Chief 

Justice of Nigeria, Justice 

Walter Onnoghen, is an 

unprecedented, unacceptable 

and condemnable act, which 

has already done severe 

damage to the judicial arm of 

government. 

“It is clearly evident that the 

rule of law and due process 

have been totally ignored as 

Section 153 of the 1999 

Constitution of the Federal 

Republic of Nigeria (as 

amended) makes full 

provisions for the 

appointment, career 

progression and discipline of 

judicial officers, which have 

been totally jettisoned in this 

case. 

“The Federal Government 

should take immediate steps 

to bring this growing pattern 

of assault on the judiciary and 

other arms of government to 

an immediate halt to prevent 

this country from further 

degenerating into chaos and 

anarchy and subjecting 

Nigeria to continued 

International ridicule and 

disrepute. 

“With respect to 

preparations for the 2019 

general election, we demand 

the immediate removal from 

office of Mrs Amina Zakari, 

a niece of President 

Muhammadu Buhari who is 

a major contender in the 

elections. 

“That non-removal of Mrs 

Zakari, whose tenure was 

renewed by President 

Buhari in 2015, casts doubts 

on the commitment of INEC 

and the Federal 

Government to conduct free, 

fair and credible elections. 

“With respect to the now 

vacant position of the 

Inspector General of Police, 

we express concern and 

dismay that the pattern of 

appointments, which in this 

case has resulted in the 

appointment of a relatively 

junior officer as acting 

Inspector General of Police 

has further caused cleansing 

in the top hierarchy of the 

Police Force, especially with 

officers from the Southern 

part of the country.” 

NEWS HOTLINES 

018773962, 

08052867058 

challenge posed by pipeline 

vandalism, the NNPC kept 

an eye on Premium Motor 

Spirit, PMS, stock level to 

ensure zero fuel queue 

across the nation. 

Furthermore, the NNPC 

financial report for October 

also pointed out that Nigeria 

earned $640.35 million from 

the export of crude oil and gas 

in the month under review. 

The report said the total 

export receipt of $640.35 

million recorded in October 

2018 was higher than the 

$527.70 million logged in 

September 2018, noting that 

the receipt showed $450.44 

million accrued from crude oil 

sale, with gas and 

miscellaneous receipts 

standing at $173.92 million 

and $15.99 million 

respectively. 

FG moves to 

determine actual 

fuel consumption 

Meanwhile, the Petroleum 

Equalisation Fund 

Management Board, PEF 

(MB), yesterday, said it had 

commenced the Sensor 

Monitoring project, designed 

to help determine the 

accurate quantity of 

petroleum products, 

especially Premium Motor 

Spirit, also known as petrol, 

consumed in the country. 

The actual quantity of petrol 

consumed had been a source 

of controversy over the last 

couple of months. 

While NNPC put the daily 

consumption at an average 

of 50 million litres, Senate 

President, Bukola Saraki, 

and some other stakeholders 

had argued that Nigeria’s 

fuel consumption cannot be 

more than 30 million litres 

daily. 

Speaking at a training for 

journalists in Abuja, 

Executive Secretary of PEF, 

Mr. Ahmed Bobboi, said the 

sensor monitoring project 

was embarked upon after it 

commissioned a study to 

determine the technology gap 

assessment of its operations, 

adding that the outcome of 

the study revealed areas that 

needed to be addressed. 

Why rail 

transportation of 

fuel is delayed 

He explained that the 

planned commencement of 

equalisation of petroleum 

products through the railway 

was suspended due to the 

proposed policies of the 

Federal Government 

concerning the rails. 

Bobboi noted that PEF was 

waiting to determine the 

direction of the government 

as regards the rail system, so 

it could enter into discussions 

with the eventual managers 

of the railway on the 

modalities for the 

transportation of Premium 

Motor Spirit, PMS, and 

Liquefied Petroleum Gas, 

LPG, through the railways.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019—9 

PROMO: From left, Head Lagos Office, Consumer Protection Council, CPC, Susie Onwuka; Group 

Executive, Digital & Consumer Banking, UBA Plc, Anant Rao; Officer, Lagos Office, CPC, Abideen 

Onifade; Executive Director, UBA Plc, Liadi Ayoku; Regional Head, Lagos, UBA Plc , Aminat 

Tunji-Akinwande; Marketing Monitoring and Enforcement Officer, National Lottery Regulatory 

Commission, Ayeniyi Idowu; and Head, Retail Liabilities, UBA Plc, Tomiwa Sotiloye, at the First 

Quarter Draw of UBA Wise Savers Promo where 20 savings account holders won N1.5 million 

each, in Lagos, yesterday. 

Anti-party activities: APC moves to 

suspend Okorocha, Amosun 

By Emmanuel 

Aziken, Political 

Editor 

MOVED by their 

actions in flaunting 

rival governorship 

candidates, All Progressives 

Congress, APC, has initiated 

moves to suspend Governors 

Rochas Okorocha of Imo State 

and Ibikunle Amosun of 

Ogun State from the party. 

High level sources told 

Vanguard, yesterday, that 

pressure is also mounting on 

First Lady, Aisha Buhari, to 

withdraw the Imo governor’s 

wife, Mrs. Nkechi Okorocha, 

from the APC’s 99-man 

Advisory Council for the 

Women and Youth 

Presidential Campaign 

Team. Mrs. Okrocha is also 

South-East coordinator for 

the Women and Youth 


council. 

Governor Okorocha’s 

spokesman, Mr. Sam 

Onwuemeodo, dismissed the 

claim yesterday, describing it 

as a rumour that had been in 

circulation for the past five 

months. 

The two governors have 

been at loggerheads with the 

Adams Oshiomhole-led 

NWC, following their 

differences over the 

governors’ insistence on the 

emergence of their preferred 

choices as APC governorship 

candidates in Imo and 

Ogun states. 

Okorocha had backed his 

son-in-law, Mr. Uche 

Nwosu, as his successor, 

while Amosun backed a 

member of the House of 

Representat 

ives, Adekunle Akinlade, 

as his successor. However, 

their failure to realise the 

goal of making them APC 

flag bearers forced them to 

other party platforms. 

The brickbat between 

Okorocha and Oshiomhole 

was despite the fact that 

Okorocha was one of the 

strongest backers of 

Oshiomhole’s emergence as 

national chairman. 

Following his failure to 

emerge as APC governorship 

candidate, Nwosu was 

crowned as the governorship 

candidate of Action Alliance, 

AA, a party conceived 

by Okorocha 10 years ago 

to pursue his onetime presidential 

ambition. 

Akinlade has since 

emerged as candidate of Allied 

Peoples Movement, 

APM, in Ogun State. 

The move to suspend 

Okorocha, Vanguard gathered, 

yesterday, is being 

spearheaded by Imo State 

chapter of the party and a 

reasonable proportion of the 

party’s National Working 

Committee, NWC, is now 

disposed towards it. 

The ratification of the move 

would, however, be given by 

the National Executive 

Committee, NEC. 

Vanguard gathered, 

yesterday, that the last straw 

for the APC was the governor’s 

open support for the 

Action Alliance candidate, 

Nwosu, during Mrs. 

Buhari’s visit to Owerri, the 

Imo State capital, last weekend. 

A high-level party source 

said: “Rochas campaigned 

against the APC candidate 

during the women rally last 

Saturday. He is supporting 

AA and we know that the AA 

national chairman is also 

backing the Peoples 


presidential candidate, Atiku. 

So, APC sees this as a deceit. 

“The same thing will 

happen in Ogun State as the 

APC leadership will not tolerate 

such acts at all. 

“The APC sees their action 

as an insult to Mr. President 

who is the leader of the 

party. The AA national chairman 

cannot be supporting 

Onnoghen: Industrial Court issues 

restraining order against CCT 

NATIONAL Industrial 

Court has issued a 

restraining order against 

Code of Conduct Tribunal, 

CCT, stopping it from 

proceeding with the trial of 

the Chief Justice of Nigeria, 

Walter Onnoghen. 

Onnoghen is being 

prosecuted by the Code of 

Conduct Bureau, CCB, on 

six counts, for alleged false 

asset declaration following a 

petition by a group, Anticorruption, 

Research and 

Data-based Initiative, 

headed by a member of All 

Progressives Congress, 

APC, and former official of 

Congress for Progressive 

Change, CPC, of which 

incumbent president, 

Muhammadu Buhari, was 

a stalwart. 

The case earlier scheduled 

to begin on Monday was 

adjourned till January 22, 

after Onnoghen’s lawyers 

argued that the defendant 

was not duly served with the 

court summons. 

The Abuja Division of the 

Federal High Court had issued 

a similar order, Monday 

afternoon, following 

separate ex-parte applications, 

seeking to suspend 

the ongoing trial of the head 

of Nigeria’s third arm of government. 

Although the requests 

made ex-parte implied that 

the court took its decision, 

without hearing from other 

parties, the FHC adjourned 

the substantive matter till 

January 17, after directing a 

service of notice to the parties 

to appear in court and 

explain why the trial should 

not be stopped. 

In a similar ruling, Friday 

evening, National Industrial 

Court allowed another 

motion, ex-parte, seeking to 

suspend further action by 

parties to the matter, pending 

the determination of an 

application challenging the 

CCT trial. 

In a request brought by 

an applicant, Peter Abang, 

the court, headed by Sanusi 

Kado, made an interim order 

for the suspension of the 

trial pending the determination 

of the suit challenging 

Onnoghen’s false asset 

charge at the CCT. 

The ruling, published on 

the website of the industrial 

court on Monday, restrained 

the CCT Chairman, Danladi 

Umar; Inspector General of 

Police and Justice Minister, 

Abubakar Malami, from 

proceeding with the hearing, 

pending the determination of 

the substantive application 

before the court, which will be 

heard on January 21. 

The court papers indicate 

that the application included 

seven defendants, namely: 

Messrs, Malami, Umar, Idris, 

Senate President, Bukola 

Saraki, CCT, CCB and 

National Judicial Council. 

Oil prices rise to $59.47 

on supply cuts 

L ONDON—OIL 

prices rose, 

yesterday, amid supply 

cuts by Organisation of 

Petroleum Exporting 

Countries, OPEC, and 

Russia, although a 

darkening economic 

outlook may soon weigh 

on growth in fuel 

demand. 

Brent crude oil futures 

LCOc1 were at $59.47 per 

barrel at 0950 GMT, up 

48 cents, or 0.81 per cent 

from their last close. 

U.S. West Texas 

Intermediate, WTI, crude 

futures CLc1 were at 

$50.92 per barrel, also up 

0.81 per cent or 41 cents. 

“OPEC-led cuts and 

declining U.S. rig counts 

have bolstered market 

sentiment in the new 

year,” Singapore-based 

brokerage Phillip Futures 

said. 

The Middle Eastdominated 

OPEC and 

allies, including the 

world’s number two 

producer, Russia, agreed in 

late 2018 to cut supply to 

rein in a global glut. 

In the United States, the 

number of rigs looking for 

new oil production has 

dropped from a 2018 peak 

of 888 to a still-high 873 in 

early 2019. 

The rig data, released on 

Friday, pointed to a 

potential dent in 

production growth which 

was at more than two 

million barrels per day last 

year, making the United 

States the world’s top oil 

producer. 

Elections: Govs, others stockpiling Arms — NATFORCE 

By Henry Umoru 

ABUJA— AHEAD of next 

month’s presidential 

election, Director General of 

National Taskforce on Small 

Arms, Light and Chemical 

Weapons, NATFORCE, Dr 

Emmanuel Okereke, 

yesterday, raised the alarm 

that some state governors and 

other politicians across the 

country were stockpiling 

arms and ammunition to 

cause mayhem. 

Briefing journalists, 

yesterday in Abuja, Okereke 

alleged that the stockpiling of 

ammunition by those he 

described as desperate 

political players ahead of the 

elections was facilitated by the 

porous nature of the country’s 

border and non-existence of 

a specific body in the form of 

commission, to tackle the 

menace . 

My home not raided 

by EFCC —CJN 

By Ikechukwu 

Nnochiri 

ABUJA—THE Chief 

Justice of Nigeria, 

CJN, Justice Walter 

Onnoghen, yesterday, 

debunked reports that his 

residence was invaded by 

operatives of the 

Economic Financial and 

Crimes Commission, 

EFCC. 

Reacting to the report 

which has continued to 

gain traction in several 

social media platforms, 

Senior Special Adviser to 

the CJN on media, Mr. 

Awassam Bassey, 

described it as fake 

news. 

“I really don’t know 

where they got the 

information from. So 

many media men were 

here earlier with cameras 

over the same report, but 

what I can tell you for now 

is that there was no such 

thing. It is fake news”, 

Bassey told Vanguard. 

Meanwhile, many 

social media users that 

shared the story had 

attributed it to a post that 

originated from the 

former Minister of 

Aviation, Chief Femi 

He said: “Due to lack of a 

legally established specific 

body or commission as 

obtainable in 14 of the 16 

countries in the West African 

sub-region, all manner of 

ammunition have been 

illegally brought into the 

country ahead of the coming 

elections by high class 

political players including 

some state governors.” 

He advised that for Nigeria 

Fani-Kayode. 

Fani-Kayode had in the 

said post, asked President 

Muhammadu Buhari to 

immediately call off EFCC 

from Onnoghen’s 

residence. 

He wrote: “Why have the 

EFCC surrounded the 

home of CJN Onnoghen 

and why are they seeking 

to arrest him? 

“These people want 

Nigeria to burn! Buhari call 

off your dogs before it is too 

late! This is a democracy 

and not a gestapo state! In 

the name of God let this 

madness stop.” 

The CJN is currently 

enmeshed in a legal battle 

with the Federal 

Government over the 

propriety of a six-count 

charge that was preferred 

against him before the 

Code of Conduct Tribunal, 

CCT, following his alleged 

non declaration of some of 

his assets. 

Aside allegation that he 

failed to disclose his assets 

as prescribed by law, FG, 

in the charge that was filed 

by the Code of Conduct 

Bureau, CCB, accused the 

CJN of operating foreign 

back accounts. 

to effectively tackle the menace 

of proliferation of ammunition 

in the country with its 

attendant crimes, a National 

Commission for the 

Prohibition of Illegal 

importation of Small Arms, 

Ammunition and Light 

Weapons and other related 

matters, must be established 

as already done by other West 

African countries, except 

Nigeria and Gambia.

10 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 

Tuface ready for 

Vanguard Awards 

•Says we’ll have crazy fun 

By Rotimi Agbana 

L AGOS—WORK 

stopped in our 

head office in Lagos, 

yesterday, when this 

legend of our time 

breezed in on a visit to 

familiarise with our staff 

and signal what to expect 

from him on Friday. 

From the gate to the 

office of the Editor and to 

the conference room 

where he granted us an 

interview, our staff 

abandoned their offices, 

trooped out to welcome 

Innocent Idibia, 

popularly known as 

Tuface. Fans now call 

2baba. 

Mechanics at the 

workshop, drivers, gate 

men, and administration 

personnel from big and 

small offices, junior and 

senior journalists were 

not left out. 2baba’s 

presence caused a 

pleasant stir. Work 

stopped temporarily. 

Even those working in 

The Canal, our popular 

restaurant stopped 

serving food. They all 

wanted to capture a 

glimpse of the legend. 

They did. Some now 

boast of selfies with him 

to tell their story. 

“Friday will be a 

jaaam, it will be crazy,” 

Tuface said of the 

Vanguard Awards at Eko 

Hotel where he will 

perform. 

‘We'll have crazy fun' 

The hiphop superstar, 

also promised a night of 

crazy entertainment 

panache at the 

Vanguard Personality of 

the Year awards. 

The veteran singer is 

billed to thrill guests with 

good music at the muchanticipated 

awards 

scheduled to hold on 

Friday, January 18, 2019, 

at the Eko Convention 

Centre, Eko Hotel and 

Suites, Victoria Island, 

Lagos. 

He said this during a 

courtesy visit to 

Vanguard’s corporate 

head office in Lagos. 

The African Queen 

crooner said: “We’re 

going to have fun, we’re 

going to be crazy, we’re 

going to be spiritual and 

we’re going to be peaceful 

at the same time. I’m 

going to be performing 

my old songs, new 

songs, and even songs 

that have not been 

released. I’m definitely 

going to be talking about 

politics in Nigeria, the 

way forward. 

''Most importantly, it’s 

going to be wrapped up 

in one love. You know it’s 

going to be a fun 

atmosphere so we must 

enjoy ourselves in as 

much as we’re going to 

add some serious stuff. I’m 

going to be performing 

live; if any of your staff or 

guests has musical skills 

such a person is welcome 

to join me on the stage to 

perform, I will give the 

person the microphone to 

show his or her music 

craft. We’re just going to 

have fun and enjoy good 

music.” 

Speaking further, he 

said: “I think the 

entertainment industry, 

celebrities, and public 

figures have a symbiotic 

relationship. But for me, 

it’s always nice to 

recognize good people 

and show some love. Over 

the years, Vanguard has 

always been cool to me. 

When Vanguard writes 

anything, it is always with 

facts. I cannot say 

because you have not 

written any rubbish about 

me then I should be 

flattery, no, I will speak the 

truth. The manner in 

which you approached me 

was cool so I’m looking 

forward to a better 

working relationship with 

Vanguard.” 

TUFACE IN VANGUARD: From left: Mr. Ayo Onikoyi, Entertainment Editor, Vanguard; Mr. Eze Anaba, Editor, 

Vanguard; Mr. Innocent Idibia, popularly known as Tuface and Mr. Onochie Anibeze, Editor, Saturday Vanguard 

during Tuface's visit to Vanguard's Apapa, Lagos headquarters yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez. 

Drama as Edgal remains Lagos CP 

By Evelyn Usman 

L anticipated 

AGOS—THE 

change of guard between 

the Commissioner of 

Police, CP Imohimi 

Edgal and his supposed 

successor, CP Kayode Egbetokun, 

took a dramatic 

turn, yesterday, following a 

directive from Abuja that 

status quo should be 

maintained. 

Mr. Edgal was 

expected to handover to 

his supposed successor, 

Mr. Egbetokun, 

yesterday. 

As part of the 

preparation to receive 

Egbetokun, all Area 

Commanders, Divisional 

Police Officers and 

other Unit Commanders, 

including the Deputy 

Commissioners of Police 

in-charge of Operations, 

Administration and the 

State Criminal 

Investigation, SCI, and 

I n t e l l i g e n c e 

Department, assembled 

at the conference hall of 

the Command as early as 

11am, for a formal 

introduction of 

Egbetokun, by Edgal. 

Drama over change of 

guard 

Journalists, on their 

part, assembled, 

waiting for Edgal and 

Egbetokun to conclude the 

indoor procedures before 

the official handover, as 

earlier reported. 

However, at about 1.30 

pm, journalists were 

requested to go to the 

Commissioner of Police 

mini conference hall, 

where they were later 

joined by Edgal and 

Egbetokun. 

But they were taken 

aback after what was 

expected to be a 

handover speech by 

Edgal, turned out to be 

the opposite. 

In his brief remark, 

Edgal, said: “As we were 

about concluding the 

handing over procedure, 

we were instructed from 

our bosses in Abuja to 

stop action for now. So, 

there will be no change 

of guard for now. 

“I am happy and 

humbled that you find 

this serious enough for 

you all to come and see 

what is happening here. 

I consider it an honour.” 

Also speaking, Mr. 

CRISIS @ IVORY TOWERS: ASUU accuses LASU mgt 

of planning to disrupt union’s congress 

•Union trying to whip up sentiment—LASU mgt 

By Elizabeth 

Uwandu 

L Academic 

AGOS—THE 

Staff 

Union of Universities, 

ASUU, Lagos State 

University chapter, 

yesterday, accused the 

management of the 

institution of planning 

to disrupt its congress 

scheduled to hold this 

morning. 

But in a swift reaction, 

LASU accused the union of 

trying to whip up public 

sentiment. 

The union also hinted of 

the university’s alleged 

plan to “simulate chaos and 

inflict bodily harm on some 

members of the Executive 

committee of the union”. 

In a statement by the 

union’s Secretary, Tony 

Dansu, said: “It has come 

to the attention of ASUU- 

LASU executive committee 

that some suspended 

members of the Union who 

are yet to purge themselves 

and return to the Union with 

contrition, and in line with 

its laid down principles, are 

being mobilized by the 

University Administration 

to attend Congress 

tomorrow. 

“The agenda, from what 

we gather, is for them to 

ensure Congress doesn’t 

proceed, and that nothing 

related to EAA is discussed. 

We urge members to ignore 

the desperate antics of the 

University Administration, 

and gather peacefully for 

deliberations tomorrow. Our 

Earned Academic 

Allowances is a legitimate 

demand whose time has 

come, and no amount of 

scheming can stop it.” 

Union trying to whip 

up sentiment—School 

mgt 

But the Acting Head of 

the institution’s Centre 

for Information, Press 

and Public Relations, 

CIPPR, Ademola Adekoya 

said the university was too 

busy beyond engaging in 

what he described as 

pettiness. 

Adekoya said: “I think 

this administration is too 

busy to be involved in 

union matters. Whoever is 

haunted by its past 

activities and wrongdoings 

should settle it within 

themselves and not involve 

the management. We have 

enjoyed peace on this 

campus and would not want 

a return to the ugly past.” 

Egbetokun said,: “We are 

government agents and 

we take directives.” 

When news of the 

suspension of the 

change of guard reached 

the conference hall 

where senior police 

officers were waiting to 

be briefed, there was 

jubilation. 

One of Egbetokun’s 

aides was seen carrying 

his boss’s seat, which 

was brought from his 

former office, into one of 

the vans. 

At about 3.20pm, 

Egbetokun drove out in 

his official car which was 

parked at the designated 

space for the CP, 

followed by those of his 

orderlies. 

Moments later, Edgal 

drove out as well as they 

were both said to be 

leaving for Abuja. 

Other senior police 

officers also took turns to 

leave the premises in their 

respective cars, declining to 

speak with journalists on 

the development. 

Our incentive strategy has 

led to increase in business 

registration — CAC 

By Gabriel Olawale 

L Acting AGOS—THE 

Registrar- 

General of Corporate Affairs 

Commission, CAC, Mrs. 

Azuka Azinge, yesterday, 

commended the Business 

Incentive Strategy, BIS, 

initiative, introduced in 

collaboration with 

Presidential Enabling 

Business Environment 

Council, to enable Micro, 

Small, and Medium 

Enterprises MSMEs 

formalize their businesses. 

Speaking during the 

Customers’ Forum and 

Interactive Session between 

Management and 

Stakeholders in Lagos, 

Azinge said that the 

reduction in cost of business 

registration from N10,000 to 

N5,000 has led to increase 

in Business Names registrations. 

She said: “In 2018, we 

recorded 147,085 Business 

Names Registrations as 

against 93,271 in 2017 and 

87,320 in 2016. 

Incorporated Trustee 

increase from 12,032 in 2017 

to 17,297 in 2018 while little 

decline was recorded in 

area of Companies 

Registration from 87,891 in 

2017 to 85,635 in 2018. 

“The total registrations of 

all entities are Companies 

1.713, 439; Business Names 

1.215,164 and Incorporated 

Trustees 75,673. 

“The Commission also 

recently dispensed with 

proficiency certificate 

requirement for the 

registration of businesses. 

This is in line with global 

best practice.''

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 — 11 

By Dayo Johnson, 

Dapo Akinrefon, 

Rotimi Ojomoyela & 

Adeola Badru 

A 

K 

U R E — 

PRESIDENTIAL 

candidate of the Peoples 


Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, 

yesterday, promised to 

review the condition of 

service of the country's exservice 

men if elected in the 

February elections. 

This came as governors 

Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), 

Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), 

Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), 

Akinwunmi Ambode 

(Lagos) and Gboyega 

Oyetola (Osun) hailed 

soldiers who fought for the 

nation’s unity. 

They spoke at special 

prayer sessions to mark the 

Nigerian Armed Forces 

Remembrance Day in their 

respective states. 

Speaking in Akure, 

Abubakar said those that 

laid down their lives to 

preserve the unity of the 

nation deserve better than 

they are presently getting. 

His words: “If elected, I 

shall review the condition of 

service of our service men. 

They deserve the best; but 

for them, the peace and 

unity we are enjoying as 

Nigerians won’t be there. 

We owe them a lot and their 

sweat should not be 

allowed to go unrewarded. 

“I today join Nigerians to 

remember our fallen heroes 

ARMED FORCES REMEBERANCE DAY: I’ll review condition 

of ex-service men if elected — ATIKU 

•As Ajimobi, Fayemi, Akeredolu, Ambode, Oyetola hail fallen heroes 

who laid their lives for the 

unity of this nation.” 

Akeredolu gives credit 

loans to widows of soldiers 

On his part, Governor 

Akeredolu distributed 

micro-credit loans to 

widows of soldiers from the 

32 Artillery Brigade, 

Owena Cantonment, 

Akure, who lost their lives 

in the war against the Boko 

Haram insurgents. 

The governor also doled 

out a cash gift of N100, 000 

to each of the widows of the 

fallen soldiers from the 

cantonment, with a promise 

that his administration will 

continue to put smiles on 

the faces of the dependants 

of the fallen heroes. 

Akeredolu said the token 

is to cushion the impact of 

immediate problems 

engendered by the 

unfortunate losses. 

Ambode canvasses 

support for armed forces 

In Lagos State, Governor 

Ambode urged Nigerians 

to support officers and men 

of the armed forces 

presently fighting the war 

against insurgency in the 

northern part of the country 

and other territorial threats. 

Speaking after 

performing the laying of 

wreath and release of 

pigeons in commemoration 

of the 2019 Armed Forces 

Remembrance Day 

Celebration 

at 

Remembrance Arcade, 

Tafawa Balewa Square, 

TBS, in Lagos, the governor 

called for prayers for 

military personnel in the 

battle front to win the war 

and keep Nigeria as one 

indivisible entity. 

Represented by his 

deputy, Dr. Oluranti 

Adebule, Ambode said: “I 

call on every Nigerian to 

support our men and 

women engaged in fields of 

war with prayers so that they 

could achieve resounding 

victory over those who 

threaten our peace and 

sovereignty.” 

Ajimobi tasks Nigerians 

to sacrifice for unity, 

progress 

On his part, Governor 

Ajimobi of Oyo State urged 

Nigerians to continue to 

sacrifice for the country in 

order to maintain peace, 

progress and for sustenance 

of development. 

The governor gave the 

charge during the laying 

of wreaths at the Armed 

Forces Remembrance Day 

yesterday at the 

Government House 

Arcade. 

Ajimobi said: “Let us live 

in the spirit of the 

Remembrance Day, which 

is the unity and progress 

of the country and our 

state.” 

Emulate military’s 

sacrifice for Nigeria’s 

Unity — Fayemi 

Also speaking in Ekiti 

State, Governor Fayemi 

said there is need for all 

citizens to join forces with 

the security agencies in 

promoting peace and unity 

in the country. 

The governor, 

represented by his deputy, 

Mr. Bisi Egbeyemi, said this 

at the parade command 

and wreath laying marking 

the end of the activities of 

2019 Armed Forces 


celebrations at Fajuyi Park, 

Ado Ekiti. 

Fayemi said: “We need to 

support the Federal 

Government, the state 

government and 

government at the Local 

level in their bid to ensure 

the continuous sustenance 

of peace in the country.” 

Oyetola urges Nigerians 

to seek peace, shun hate 

speech 

In his remarks, Governor 

Oyetola of Osun State 

urged Nigerians to 

embrace peace, shun hate 

speech and set apart 

sentiments that can trigger 

crisis and violence. 

The governor spoke 

during the 2019 Armed 

Forces Remembrance Day 

POLLS: CAN tasks INEC 

on credible elections 

By Olayinka Ajayi 

L C AGOS—THE 

h r i s t i a n 

Association of Nigeria, 

CAN, yesterday, urged the 

Independent National 

Electoral Commission, 

INEC, to organise the most 

credible elections in the 

country’s history. 

Speaking during an 

interactive section with 

religious leaders organised 

by INEC, Chairman of 

CAN in Lagos, Apostle 

Alexander Gbamgbola 

urged the commission to 

make the forthcoming 

elections the most credible 

in the nation’s history. 

Gbamgbola said: “We 

congratulate INEC for the 

job they have being doing 

so far. We have been 

complaining since last year 

about so many hindrances 

celebration, at the military 

Cenotaph in Osogbo. 

He said: “As we 

commemorate this day, I 

appeal to our fellow citizens 

to let us all remember that 

the best honour we can give 

to our fallen and living 

heroes is to resolve to 

live together in peace 

and unity as a people.'' 

but we have to resort to 

praying because we believe 

it is the will of God that will 

be done in Nigeria and 

across Lagos. 

“In the history of INEC, 

no matter how good the 

commission conduct 

elections, Nigerians will 

still point accusing fingers 

at you. So, the nation is 

depending on INEC to do 

its best. And I will urge you 

to do that which will please 

God and Nigeria will have 

peace.” 

In his response, the 

Resident Electoral 

Commissioner, for Lagos 

State Mr. Sam Olumekun 

said: “To conduct a free, 

fair, credible and acceptable 

elections is quite an 

arduous task but I want to 

assure you that the 

commission is not leaving 

anything to chance.”


More troubles for Rivers APC, as 

A-court declines to stay judgment 

By Davies 

Iheamnachor 

PORT HARCOURT— 

THE woes of the All 


APC, in Rivers State, 

yesterday, took a turn for 

the worse as the application 

for stay of execution on the 

order of a Federal High 

Court stopping the party 

from fielding candidates in 

the general election was 

declined by the Court of 

Appeal sitting in Port 

Harcourt. 

The Appeal Court panel 

hearing the matter had 

declined to entertain the 

application, saying that the 

application was premature. 

The APC and its 

candidates for the 2019 

elections, led by the 

governorship candidate, 

Tonye Cole, had appealed 

the ruling of the High Court 

which barred the party 

from fielding them as 

candidates in the 

forthcoming election. 

The appellants had 

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018773962, 08052867058 

prayed the court to stay 

execution on the order of 

the court to enable its 

candidates participate in 

the polls. 

When the matter came up, 

the leader of the visiting 

appeal panel, Justice C N 

Uwa, said the application 

was premature to be heard. 

Uwa noted that the court 

cannot make any order on 

the matter when appeal on 

it has not been entered 

properly. 

She added that there was 

no record to show that 

appeal had been entered 

on the matter, urging 

parties to go back to the 

registry to put their houses 

in order. 

Reacting, Mr Emma 

Okah, Rivers State 


Information, said: "If the 

Appeal Court ruled that 

APC applications is 

premature, there is nothing 

we can add.” 

On their part, Mr Chris 

Finebone, spokesman to 

Rivers State APC and Parry 

Benson, Media Aide to Sen 

Magmus Abe, were yet to 

respond to call and text 

enquiries on their reaction 

to the court decision at 

press time..



2019 ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY 

President Muhammadu Buhari releases the pigeons to mark the end of the 2018 

Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations, while Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, 

and others look on at the National Arcade, Eagle Square Abuja yesterday. 

Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State laying the wreath, during 

the 2019 Armed Forces remembrance day, at the new military 

cenotaph infront of the State House of Assembly complex, Osogbo. 

From left; Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi; GOC, 2 

Division of the Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Maj.-Gen. Fidelis 

Azinta; Commander, 671 Nigerian Air Force Detachment, 

Ibadan, Air Comm. Razaq Shittu and Oyo State 

Commissioner of Police, Mr Abiodun Odude at the 

Remembrance Arcade, Agodi, Ibadan. 

Governor Simon Lalong laying the wreath 

at the JD Gomwalk Secretariat in Jos. 

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule 

performing the laying of wreath in 

commemoration of the 2019 Armed Forces 

Remembrance Day Celebration at Remembrance 

Arcade, Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos. 

IGBOBI COLLEGE OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION REUNION PARTY 

Igbobi College Old Boys Association, ICOBA sets of 59/63/64-65 held their reunion thanksgiving and party on Sunday. 

They were hosted by Dr Olumide Phillips at his Parkview, Ikoyi, Lagos residence. PHOTOS: JOE AKINTOLA, PHOTO EDITOR 

From left; Mr Ralph Osayameh; Dr Olumide Phillips (host of 

the event) and his wife, Toyin. 

Some members of the Association. 

From left; Rt Rev Oluranti Odubogun; former Aviation 

Minister, Chief Ebenezer Babatope; HRM Oba Gbadebo 

Oni, Olu of Imasayi Yewa, Ogun State and Olori Obasola. 

Mr Bruce Ovbiagele and his wife, Helen. 

From left; Mr Foluso Phillips, National President, ICOBA; 

Dr Olumide Phillips and Justice Sola Humponu-Wusu.


Polls: I endorsed only APGA candidates 

—Obiano 

By Vincent 

Ujumadu 

A WKA—GOVERNOR 

Willie Obiano of 

Anambra State has denied 

claims by candidates of 

some political parties in the 

state that he had endorsed 

them for the forthcoming 

general elections, saying 

that he had endorsed only 

candidates of All 

Progressive Grand 

Alliance, APGA. 

The Commissioner for 

Information and Public 

Enlightenment, Mr. C. Don 

Adinuba, who reacted on 

behalf of the governor, said 

it had come to the 

knowledge of the state 

government that a number 

of political parties and their 

candidates participating in 

the 2019 general elections, 

were boldly claiming that 

Governor Obiano had 

endorsed them, adding that 

there was no iota of truth in 

such claims. 

He said that in order to 

make the claim look 

authentic, many candidates 

had published in their 

campaign posters, fliers 

and banner, their pictures 

with Governor Obiano, 

even when many of the 

photographs were taken 

with the governor at public 

functions without the 

governor knowing about 

them. 

According to him, some 

of the parties and their 

candidates had pledged to 

publicly declare support to 

Governor Obiano and join 

or rejoin APGA once they 

win, alleging that some of 

them had even forged 

statements purportedly 

made by the Anambra State 


Information and Public 

Enlightenment, supporting 

their candidatures. 

The Commissioner said: 

“The Anambra State 

government wishes to state 

categorically that the claims 

are false, misleading and 

disingenuous. Governor 

Obiano endorses only 

APGA candidates in the 

forthcoming election. 

“As the APGA national 

leader and chairman of the 

APGA Board of Trustees, he 

cannot endorse candidates 

contesting on the platform 

of other political parties. 

“Anambra people should 

therefore, disregard the 

claim by the politicians that 

Chief Obiano has 

endorsed them when they 

are not APGA candidates. 

These politicians want to 

use Chief Obiano’s 

immense popularity to 

hoodwink Anambra State 

voters and make them vote 

for candidates other than 

those of APGA.” 

Adinuba said though the 

overwhelming majority of 

Anambra people were too 

sophisticated to fall prey to 

such a trick, it was 

important to bring to the 

fore the grand design by 

people seeking public office 

by all means to cajole the 

people. 

The trick, he argued, was 

nothing less than “419” 

because the perpetrators 

want to obtain power 

through false pretense. 

“For the umpteenth time, 

the good people of Anambra 

State are encouraged to 

vote only APGA, so that the 

ongoing excellent work in 

various facets of our 

existence will continue. 

“Anambra State has now 

become about the most 

competitive state in Nigeria 

and the most peaceful and 

stable in the country. Ndi 

Anambra will not tolerate 

anything which can disrupt 

the present development 

trajectory,” 

Commissioner said. 

PROMO: From left, Head Lagos Office, Consumer Protection Council, CPC, Susie Onwuka; 

Group Executive, Digital & Consumer Banking, UBA Plc, Anant Rao; Officer, Lagos Office, 

CPC, Abideen Onifade; Executive Director, UBA Plc, Liadi Ayoku; Regional Head, 

Lagos, UBA Plc , Aminat Tunji-Akinwande; Marketing Monitoring and Enforcement Officer, 

National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Ayeniyi Idowu; and Head, Retail Liabilities, 

UBA Plc, Tomiwa Sotiloye, at the First Quarter Draw of UBA Wise Savers Promo where 20 

Savings Account Holders won N1.5m each, in Lagos, yesterday. 

We’ll boycott presidential poll, but vote against 

Abia, Ebonyi govs —IPOB 

By Vincent 

Ujumadu 

A WKA—THE 

Indigenous People 

of Biafra, IPOB, insisted 

yesterday that it would 

boycott the February 16 

presidential election, but 

would vote during the 

governorship poll in Abia 

and Ebonyi states to ensure 

that their incumbent 

governors were not reelected. 

In a statement by the 

IPOB Media and Publicity 

Secretary, Comrade Emma 

Powerful, the pro-Biafra 

group denied reports that 

it had decided to direct its 

members to vote during the 

election, adding that what 

the IPOB leader, Mazi 

Nnamdi Kanu said in a 

broadcast, was that 

Governors Okezie Ikpeazu 

of Abia and David Umahi 

of Ebonyi must not be 

allowed to return to office 

because of their roles in the 

arrest and detention of 

IPOB members. 

The IPOB statement 

read: “We shall boycott the 

forthcoming presidential 

election and every other 

with the notable exception 

of Abia and Ebonyi states 

where the incumbents, 

Okezie Ikpeazu and Dave 

Umahi, are using their 

positions to facilitate the 

kidnap, arrest, torture and 

execution of our people. 

Okorocha calls for credible elections 

By Chinonso 

Alozie 

OWERRI—IMO State 

Governor, Rochas 

Okorocha, yesterday asked 

Nigerians to come out 

enmasse and make sure 

that the 2019 general 

elections is free and fair. 

Okorocha stated this in 

Owerri through his Chief 

Press Secretary, Sam 

Onwuemeodo, after 

laying wreath of the 

unknown soldier at the 

Armed Forces 


Celebration. 

Okorocha also called on 

fellow politicians to shun 

violence in the forthcoming 

general elections. 

According to the release, 

“Governor Rochas 

Okorocha has urged 

Nigerians to ensure that 

the 2019 election is hitchfree 

in honour of the fallen 

heroes and also called on 

those contesting the 

election to shun violence." 

the 

“The misconception by 

some individuals, who 

intend to have Umahi and 

Ikpeazu return to office, 

will never deter us. The 

decision by IPOB to 

shutdown Biafraland on 

the Election Day has gone 

far and cannot be changed 

or stopped, unless our 

terms are met. 

“People are at liberty to 

twist, fabricate and 

misunderstand IPOB, but 

the people of Biafra 

understand clearly where 

we are going. We will 

continue to deploy all forms 

of civil disobedience, most 

notably boycott of every 

Nigerian election until they 

give us date for Biafra 

referendum. 

“Our aim towards 

achieving this goal and 

desire cannot be truncated 

by an orchestrated attempt 

to misinform the public by 

enemies of Biafra both 

within and without." 

Group bemoans Tinubu 

over attack on Atiku 

By Chidi 

Nkwopara 

O WERRI—The 

national leader of 

All Progressives 

Congress, APC, Asiwaju 

Ahmed Bola Tinubu, has 

been tasked to “explain 

how and why the 

presidential candidate of 

Peoples Democratic Party, 

PDP, Alhaji Atiku 

Abubakar, suddenly 

became corrupt after 

leaving the APC family”. 

The national chairman 

of Vote for Atiku Initiative, 

VAI, Mr. Ifeanyi 

Maduako who gave the 

charge yesterday during 

a press conference in 

Owerri, expressed shock 

at the way Tinubu has 

been attacking Atiku, 

since the electioneering 

campaign started. 

“VAI is alarmed over 

the way and manner the 

APC chieftain has been 

attacking Atiku, since the 

electioneering campaign 

started”, Maduka said. 

He further queried that 

“if Atiku is corrupt, as 

Tinubu and APC want 

Nigerians to believe, why 

was he given the 

Presidential ticket of the 

defunct Action Congress, 

which Tinubu controlled 

in 2007?” 

Maduako did not 

equally understand why 

the APC family refused to 

brand Atiku as corrupt, 

throughout the time he 

was an APC loyalist. 

“Why did Tinubu and 

APC refuse to brand Atiku 

as corrupt, throughout 

the time he was an APC 

member?”, Maduako 

sought to know. 

The group leader 

admonished Tinubu to 

reciprocate Atiku’s kind 

gesture to him, especially 

now that the PDP flag 

bearer needs his 

friendship most. 

“The pertinent question 

Tinubu should ask 

himself is what was 

President Muhammadu 

Buhari’s contribution to 

his political life, prior to 

2015", Maduako said. 

Enugu APC faction vows to 

re-elect Buhari 

By Chinedu 

Adonu 

ENUGU—A faction of 

All Progressives 

Congress, APC, in 

Enugu State led by Okey 

Ogbodo has expressed 

their commitment to work 

for the re-election of 


Buhari in the forthcoming 

general election. 

Ogbodo who disclosed 

that Buhari improved on 

the lots of abandoned 

federal infrastructure in 

the South East zone and 

now giving hope to do 

more in his second term, 

pointed out that his re 

election would pave way 

for the tall dream of 

producing a president of 

Igbo extraction in 2023. 

The Enugu APC faction 

in their meeting, also 

appraised the 

appointment of Chief 

Ken Nnamani, a former 

senate president as a 

member of the 2019 


Council, on the position 

of national vice 

chairman[South], 

assuring that Chief 

Nnamani will use his 

reputation to influence 

Ndigbo most especially 

and the entire Southern 

Nigeria to cast their votes 

for President Buhari better 

than they did in 2015. 

Ogbodo who briefed 

newsmen after the 

meeting said: “After a 

thorough brainstorming 

session today, members of 

Enugu APC family loyal 

to my leadership 

expressed their undiluted 

and die hard support for 

the re-election bid of 

President Buhari for 

having proven that he 

loves Ndigbo by 

embarking on most of the 

federal projects in the 

zone that were either 

abandoned or neglected 

by the past administration 

of PDP." 

Enugu Assembly to pass 

2019 budget 

By Chinedu Adonu 

E NUGU—ENUGU 

State House of 

Assembly says it is now set 

to pass the 2019 

appropriation bill into law 

as it has passed a second 

reading. 

Recall that Gov. Ifeanyi 

Ugwuanyi on December 

17, 2018 presented a 

budget estimate of 

N109,199,243,000.00 for 

the 2019 fiscal year before 

the State House of 

Assembly, urging them 

to ensure the speedy 

passage of the bill to enable 

his administration 

deliver the needed 

democracy dividends to 

the people. 

Commenting on the 

debate on the bill after it 

was read for the second 

time on the floor of the 

House, Speaker, Hon. 

Edward Ubosi, referred 

the bill to different 

standing committees of 

the House for budget 

defence.

16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANIUARY 16, 2019 

MEETING: From left— Vice presidential candidate/National Chairman, Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, Mr 

Gani Galadima; presidential candidate, ACPN, Dr Oby Ezekwesili; Director General, ACPN presidential campaign, 

Mr Ibrahim Goronyo and Deputy National Chairman, South, ACPN, Chief Bosun Omosule, during a Town Hall 

meeting with stakeholders in Lagos. 

Imo gov: Uzodinma donates 30 vehicles to 

coordinators, urges them to resist rigging 

OWERRI—AHEAD the 

March 2, 2019 

governorship election in 

Imo State, the governorship 

candidate of the All 

NANS leadership warns against 

politicisation of students' body 

By Alemma Aliu 

BENIN CITY—THE 

Joint Campus 

Committee, JCC, Edo State 

axis of the National 

Association of Nigerian 

Students, NANS, has 

cautioned politicians 

against politicising the 

association and using it for 

their selfish interests even 

as it urged its members to 

ensure they were not used 

by politicians. 

The newly appointed 

chairman of the JCC in the 

axis which is made up of 

all tertiary institutions in the 

state, Comrade Salami 

David stated, weekend, 

when he and members of 

his team were inaugurated 

at the University of Benin. 

He said; “NANS is not 

an appendage of any 

political party neither is it 

meant to serve any 

politician. Any attempt to 

politicise our activities in 

Edo state will be resisted. 

The welfare of students is 

our primary responsibility. 

“However, we urge all 

Nigerian students to 

participate in the next election in 


APC, in Imo State, Senator 

Hope Uzodinma, yesterday 

presented 30 Hiace buses to 

his coordinators in the 27 

the country as part of their civic 

responsibilities.” 

Earlier in his hand over note, 

the former chairman of JCC, Edo 

axis, Comrade Osaro Ogieva said 

the first major task before the new 

leadership was to ensure the reopening 

of the College of 

Agriculture Iguoriakhi which has 

been shut down by the state 

government for reasons of 

restructuring which the students 

said has been over delayed and 

the College of Education, 

Ekiadolor which has been 

upgraded to a University but is 

yet to take off. 

Edo residents raise alarm 

over fear of epidemic 

outbreak 

BENIN 

CITY— 

RESIDENTS of 

Federal Road in Egor Local 

Government Area of Edo 

state have raised the alarm 

over fear of outbreak of 

epidemic against the 

backdrop of suspected toxic 

waste reportedly brought 

by a councilor allegedly 

under the pretence of 

Local Government 

Councils of the state. 

He charged them to use 

the buses to campaign 

through out the nooks 

On his part, the Dean of 

Students, University of Benin, 

Professor Osaretin Aigbogun 

who was represented by the 

Deputy Registrar, Students 

Affairs, Barrister Harrison 

Osarenren urged the students 

leadership to be conscious of the 

enormous responsibilities their 

new roles are bequeathing on 

them. 

The event was attended by 

students from various tertiary 

institutions in the state, past 

leaders of NANS and the 

leadership of NANS Zone B. 

sand filling the road. 

According to leader of 

the community Mr Martins 

Isagua, the attention 

of the supposed benefactor 

was drawn to the danger 

posed by the supposed 

sand filing particles. 

He alleged that since 

the dumping of the suspected 

toxic waste on the 

road with an offensive 

odour emanating from it, 

residents have been visiting 

health care facilities 

to get themselves treated 

of various illnesses, a situation 

he described as inhuman, 

malicious and 

barbaric. 

The spokes person for 

the residents, however, 

called on Edo State Governor, 

Godwin Obaseki 

and the local government 

council chairman, Eghe 

Ogbemudia to immediately 

call those responsible 

to evacuate the suspected 

toxic waste from the 

community in a bid to avoid 

crisis in the community. 

and crannies of the councils, 

expressing optimism 

that with the increasing 

number of APGA and PDP 

leaders dumping their 

parties for the APC after 

his emergence as the governorship 

candidate of the 

APC, victory in the forthcoming 

election is assured. 

Presenting the Hiace 

buses to the Coordinators 

on behalf of senator 

Uzodinma, the Director 

General of the Hope 

Uzodinma Campaign Organization, 

Dr Cosmas 

Iwu, described the APC 

candidate as " the Messiah 

God sent to reclaim Imo 

State from the clutches of 

governor Rochas and his 

family and that is why today 

he is described as the 

candidate of Ndi Imo and 

not just APC". 

According to him, " even 

though we know that the 

entire Imo people have 

made up their minds on 

Senator Uzodinma, we 

are not relenting in our effort 

to give the message 

of hope to our people. We 

are dealing with people 

who have turned our state 

to their personal estate 

and that is why today they 

are desperate to impose 

their son in-law. 

"And we are aware that 

they have a 30-year plan. 

After the son in-law they 

plan to hand over to the 

son of the Emperor himself. 

But God in his infinite 

mercy brought Hope 

Uzodinma to stop them. 

That is why today, they are 

frustrated. 

"Rochas and his son inlaw 

said their party AA is 

supporting our President, 

Muhammadu Buhari. But 

we saw the National 

Chairman of the AA saying 

the party is supporting 

the ambition of the 

PDP Presidential candidate, 

Alhaji Atiku 

Abubakar. 

"So who is fooling who. 

However, use these vehicles 

to campaign through 

out the state and preach 

the message of Hope." 

W/Africa Crude: Extra cargo added to 

Nigeria’s February programme 

March loading programmes had not yet 

emerged on Tuesday but were expected 

before the end of the week, while an extra cargo 

of new grade Egina was added to Nigeria’s 

February programme. 

Angola’s state oil company Sonangol has still not 

issued its March loading programme. 

Sahara sold a cargo of end-February loading 

Nigerian Egina and Phillips 66 was said to be the 

buyer, traders said. 

An additional cargo of Egina was added to the 

February programme loading at the end of the 

month and taking the total number of Egina 

cargoes to four. 

UK watchdog drops probe into Credit 

Suisse over Mozambique loans 

Britain’s financial watchdog has dropped a 

criminal probe into Credit Suisse related to 

an alleged fraud in Mozambique, but is still 

checking the bank and individuals for any 

breaches of conduct rules, the watchdog said on 

Tuesday. 

In 2016, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) 

launched an investigation into the Swiss bank’s 

activities in Mozambique, where around $2 billion 

of loans to state-owned companies pushed the 

country into a debt crisis. 

Appearing before British lawmakers on Tuesday, 

FCA chief executive Andrew Bailey confirmed a 

newspaper report that the watchdog had 

downgraded its investigation in August, saying it 

had no power to prosecute under Britain’s antibribery 

law. 

“We concluded we couldn’t bring a criminal case,” 

he told parliament’s Treasury Select Committee. 

“But our regulatory powers still apply to both the 

individuals and the firm, and that would be in 

respect of systems and controls of the firm, and 

also in respect to fitness and properness in respect 

to the individuals.” 

South Africa’s rand could tumble 3.5% 

— Goldman Sach 

Investment bank Goldman Sachs said South 

Africa’s rand could tumble 3.5 percent if staterun 

power utility Eskom suffers a major sell-off 

in its bonds, but it could also jump 4.5 percent if 

the firm’s troubles improve. 

Goldman’s analysts said an Eskom risk gauge 

used by the bank was now close to its most 

elevated reading since it was started in 2013, 

suggesting that markets were currently pricing 

“close to peak Eskom risk”. 

While there was no precedent in South Africa, 

they said international experience with distressed 

quasi-sovereign entities suggested Eskom credit 

spreads to U.S. debt could conceivably widen to 

more than 1000 basis points. 

“In a negative one where Eskom risk rises further, 

the rand could weaken by 3.5 percent and (South 

African government debt) yields could widen by 

45 basis points,” Goldman’s analysts said, adding 

that even more outsized reactions were also 

possible. 

Algeria eyes Exxon deal, trading JV in 

first half 

A 

lgeria will conclude its deal with Exxon Mobil 

Corp and set up a trade joint venture with an 

international company before the first half of 2019, 

Sonatrach’s CEO said on Monday. 

“We are very optimistic and things are moving in 

the right direction so we will conclude with Exxon 

and have our trade JV,” Abdelmoumen Ould 

Kaddour told reporters. 

He gave no further details. Sonatrach has 

previously said it wanted a shale gas cooperation 

with the U.S. major. 

The state energy firm had also said before it was 

in talks with 14 international companies over a 

joint venture to trade oil and gas products after 

agreeing to buy its first overseas refinery.

IF “stealing isn’t corruption” 

perhaps this is why a 

section of the country is intent 

on ignoring allegations of 

wrongdoing and insisting their 

kinsmen can’t be investigated 

or tried, otherwise there’ll be 

“trouble.” Many people don’t 

hate corruption, they simply 

despise being left out of it and 

it is now commonplace to hear 

excuses replace important 

questions such as: are the 

allegations true? 

If a person did break the law, 

then why shouldn’t a trial take 

place? Using the accused’s 

ethno-religious identity as a 

shield is a typical way, in 

Nigeria, of manipulating the 

public. Why not prove your 

innocence in court? Why ignore 

the facts presented by the 

prosecution? Why attempt to 

scuttle a process before it even 

begins? 

Politicians would rather shield 

individuals from investigation 

(who is to say whose turn it will 

be next if one case is 

successfully tried) but one of the 

strangest customs in Nigeria 

has to be the repeated denial of 

guilt based on the following 

warped logic: “why him? Why 

should he or she be 

investigated? Why now? Is he 

or she the only one? How about 

all the others ...” 

If a hundred people get away 

with murder does that mean 

that on the discovery of a new 

murder (let’s call it murder 

number 101), the case should 

be ignored because it’s unfair 

to the accused as hundred other 

murderers walk free? 

Discovery of a 

new murder 

Everyone in Nigeria imagines 

they are being witch-hunted the 

second they are asked to 

account for anything: Nigerians 

must decide, do we want 

change or continued impunity? 

Under former President 

Olusegun Obasanjo, the EFCC 

was also accused of going after 

the President’s enemies. 

Nigerians have a curious habit 

of defending the rights and 

freedoms of politically exposed 

persons (very often this 

amounts to the right to defraud 

the country and get away with 

it) while ignoring the facts 

Willie Obiano 

PDP 

presidential 

candidate, Atiku 

Abubakar, asked the Governor 

of Anambra to stop supporting 


Buhari. Isn’t Willie Obiano a 

member of APGA, not PDP? 

Atiku claims supporting Buhari 

is contrary to Igbo interest: tribal 

rhetoric should be left in the 

past, so should the narrative of 

Igbo marginalisation. 

So, we can focus on the real 

issue. Governor Obiano praised 

Buhari over the completion of 

the Zik Mausoleum 

“abandoned” by previous 

administrations, and the work 

done on the Second Niger 

Bridge. 

Under Jonathan, the financial 

and security apparatus was 

Does belonging to a particular ethnic group 

make allowances for corruption? 

pointing to their possible guilt. 

Then and now, the anticorruption 

fight is always 

perceived as a personal attack 

on individuals while the 

question of whether the accused 

is guilty or not rarely features 

in conversations. 

Instead, they shouldn’t be 

investigated because they’re 

Igbo, marginalised, Muslim, 

etc. Why disregard alleged 

evidence of wrong-doing based 

on tribe? Why have a legal 

system at all? According to 

reports, the Chief Justice of 

Nigeria, CJN, Walter 

Onnoghen, didn’t disclose his 

assets as required by the law. 

•Gov. Willie Obiano 

controlled by the South-East 

and the South-South. Did this 

better the lives of the poor? Igbo/ 

Nigerian interest is to support 

who performs well based on 

evidence not ethnic sentiment. 

One would think there would 

be more than enough checks to 

ensure the supreme guardian 

of Nigerian law would himself 

be “law-abiding”. But that is the 

irony of Nigerian life where 

doctors practice for years 

without going to medical school 

and lawyers forge certificates for 

themselves and their clients. 

When the Federal 

Government charged the CJN 

to court, the usual apologists 

resumed their duty, ignoring 

the central question: are the 

facts presented true? If they are, 

why should they be ignored? 

Lawyers protested, saying a 

complaint should first have 

been filed before the National 

Dino Melaye 

SOCIAL media users 

declared him an “Oscar 

winner” following pictures of 

him sleeping on the floor in the 

Department of State Services, 

DSS, medical facility. 

The police say he’s fit to stand 

trial (which he disputes) over 

allegations surrounding arms 

possessions and an altercation 

which led to the death of an 

officer last July. 

Ben Bruce attempted to 

support his colleague, stating 

Senator Melaye’s children 

“don’t have light” following the 

raid on their father’s property 

to which Twitter users 

responded: “Neither do we. E 

don tey!” 

Ironically, the privatisation 

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 —17 

Judicial Council, NJC. But the 

CJN is the Chairman of the 

NJC: in the Nigerian context, 

how many subordinates can 

accuse their bosses of anything, 

and how would such an 

investigation go, realistically? 

We confuse the occupant of an 

office with the institution itself. 

Trying a Senate President or a 

Chief Justice, with evidence 

supporting accusations, doesn’t 

discredit the institutions they 

temporarily represent. Donald 

Trump is still being investigated 

in regards to his presidential 

campaign ties to Russia, and 

When the 

Federal 

Government 

charged the CJN 

to court, the 

usual apologists 

resumed their 

duty, ignoring 

the central 

question: are the 

facts presented 

true? 

despite his protests, the 

investigation wasn’t shelved 

because “he’s a good Christian” 

or a “white American”. 

Do we see how ridiculous 

these fake ethno-religious 

markers of innocence sound 

when transposed to America? 

Despite some of his supporters 

calling it a witch-hunt, the 

investigation wasn’t shelved: 

the evidence can’t and won’t be 

ignored. The American people 

want to know the truth, one way 

or the other: the Presidency as 

an institution doesn’t start or 

end with Trump. 

Every time we confuse a 

search for truth and justice with 

“intimidating” individuals, we 

set Nigeria’s democracy back. 

•Senator Dino Melaye 

exercise has a lot to do with the 

current state of affairs. 

Politicians’ defence often opens 

them up to more scrutiny. 

Contrary to what Senator Ike 

Ekweremadu seems to assert by 

asking the government to 

“apologise” to the Judiciary 

(even before the trial begins, 

before it is concluded for that 

matter!), such trials aren’t a 

danger to democracy. What is 

dangerous is ignoring 

allegations that our laws were 

broken: that is why Nigeria is 

where it is today. 

These calls on the government 

to “apologise” for doing what a 

majority of Nigerians voted it in 

for, which is, to lead the fight 

against corruption across 

industries and sectors, is doubly 

interesting, given the tendency 

to protect and excuse corruption 

in Nigeria based on ethnoreligious 

allegiance. 

Niger Delta militants 

threatened the government 

following the CJN’s 

“harassment”. No word from 

them on the allegations 

themselves. Don’t they wonder 

how a public servant “acquires” 

and then “forgets” hundreds of 

millions of Naira equivalent and 

houses? 

Public 

servant 

One would have to be as rich 

as Jeff Bezos or Bill Gates to 

forget the existence of such 

sums. But Nigerians are to 

ignore it all because Onnoghen 

is their “brother”. Others stated 

Justice Onnoghen’s trial is 

connected to the 2019 elections 

or that the petitioner knows 

Buhari. The petition could have 

been written by the devil 

himself but the questions raised 

must still be answered. 

This is an excerpt from the 

Code of Conduct for public 

officers: “Any property or assets 

acquired by a public officer after 

any declaration required under 

this Constitution and which is 

not fairly attributable to income, 

gift or loan approved by this 

code shall be deemed to have 

been acquired in breach of this 

code unless the contrary is 

proved”. 

Legally, onus is thus on the 

accused to prove his innocence 

given the alleged discovery of 

money and properties beyond 

the income of a Chief Justice. 

Dennis Aghanya, the Executive 

Director, Anti-Corruption and 

Research Based Data Initiative, 

ARDI, who wrote the petition 

against the CJN said: “People 

are leaving the substance of the 

case to pursue shadows. People 

haven’t looked at the merit of 

the case. Before he was sworn 

in as the CJN, cases were 

established against him, but 

nobody had the courage to take 

them up”. 

South-South governors asked 

Justice Onnoghen to ignore his 

summons by the Code of 

Conduct Bureau. How can 

Nigeria progress if ethnic 

support keeps replacing the will 

for justice? 

Tabia Princewill is a 

strategic communications 

consultant and public policy 

analyst. She is also the cohost 

and executive producer 

of a talk show, WALK THE 

TALK which airs on 

Channels TV.

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 

HOW time has changed the vision 

and ideological reflexes of the 

umbrella of students’ unionism in 

Nigeria, the National Association of 

Nigerian Students, NANS! 

Formed as the National Union of 

Nigerian Students, NUNS, in the 1970s 

as a revolutionary vanguard of youth 

dynamism for the promotion of good 

governance, justice and the rule of 

law; and led by committed and fearless 

progressives such as the late Segun 

Okeowo, NUNS commanded the 

mass solidarity of students nationwide 

and helped to force positive changes 

even during the military eras. 

But today, NANS is a hollow shadow 

of itself, with some members of its 

leadership fighting to outdo one 

another for the favours of politicians; 

a trait that has been noticeable since 

the restoration of our democracy. 

The latest infamy that threatens to 

tear the Association asunder was the 

Call NANS leadership to order 

recent visit by the NANS leadership 

led by Danielson Bamidele Akpan to 

President Muhammadu Buhari in 

which Akpan was reported to have 

promised to “pull nothing less than 

20 million votes” for the president and 

candidate of the All Progressives 

Congress, APC. 

The striking Academic Staff Union 

of Universities, ASUU, had also 

accused the NANS leadership of 

“selling out” to the Presidency for a 

huge sum, which has since been 

denied by the Association’s 

leadership. The actions of the Akpanled 

NANS had forced a former 

President of the Association, Abdul 

Mahmud, to angrily demand that his 

name be deleted from all documents 

of NANS. 

In a twist of irony, the same Akpanled 

NANS had, earlier in September 

2018, dissociated itself from the open 

endorsement of the APC 

governorship candidate in Lagos, Mr. 

Babajide Sanwo-Olu by some youth 

and student groups, describing it as 

“embarrassing”. In a statement, 

Akpan had hinted that: “NANS will 

make its decision (about the primaries 

in the various political parties) known 

based on the interests of its members, 

which is majorly educational 

development and rightfully direct 

them in fulfilling their civic 

responsibilities.” 

It is about time that the students and 

youths of this country called their various 

executive bodies to order in respect of 

their reckless hobnobbing with politicians. 

NANS is the umbrella of all students who 

have all shades of political opinions and 

interests. Allowing the leadership to 

railroad NANS to support any particular 

party or its candidate will destroy the 

association and deny it of its capacity to 

help drive positive change and good 

governance. 

We call on students’ union leaders, 

especially those of NANS, who are 

interested in partisan politics to resign 

their posts and join political parties of their 

choice. They should stop dragging the 

image of students’ unionism in the mud. 

Students should return to progressive 

unionism and activism. They should stop 

behaving like opportunistic, hungry youth 

who have no future. 

By Sunny Ikhioya 

THE Nigerian entertainment industry 

is bubbling despite the deplorable 

state of the nation's economy. Yes, against 

all odds entertainers still manage to bring 

smiles to the faces of Nigerians. And they 

can be very ingenious with it. At a recent 

event organised by one of the country's 

top comedians, he used google, an internet 

search engine, to spice up his jokes. He 

said: "When you google the word 'idiot' on 

the net, the name Donald Trump will pop 

up." He went further to say 'I don't care' 

will pop up in reference to Muhammadu 

Buhari. And by way of saying no harm is 

meant through their jokes, they 

(comedians) will usually tell their 

audience that: 'it is a joke o'! 

The crux of the matter here is the 

perceived "I don't care syndrome" that is 

festering at the leadership level of the 

country. Whether people are dying 

through acts of terrorism, whether our 

youths are leaving the country in droves, 

whether people are suffering, whether the 

anti-corruption fight is perceived to be 

skewed towards hounding certain 

individuals, whether appointments favour 

particular regions and interest groups, and 

whether the opposition shouts to high 

heaven, the response is: 'I don't care'. 

When we talk about equity and fairness 

in a country that is constitutionally secular, 

it will not be right to have this kind of 

perception about the leadership in the 

country. ' I don't care’ is when you do not 

take the feelings of your countrymen into 

consideration in your decision-making 

process. 'I don't care' is when no action is 

taken when a governor who belongs to 

your party is caught on camera collecting 

wads of currency as kick back. 'I don't care' 

is when a clear case for prosecution is 

OPINION 

Amina Zakari and the "I don't care" syndrome 

established against one of your own and 

you do nothing, as in the case of Lawal 

Babachir. 

'I don't care' is when a minister, from a 

certain part of the country, resigns and 

replacement is with someone from areas 

that already have their full representation 

in the cabinet, as it happened to Kemi 

Adeosun from Ogun State. 'I don't care' is 

when hundreds are being massacred in the 

land and you choose to comfortably go 

out to campaign in other areas as it 

happened in Zamfara and Akwa Ibom 

states. 'I don't care' is when the people, 

either opposition political parties or the 

generality of the people, are complaining 

of a particular appointment, an 

appointment that can taint the credibility 

of a process and you turn a deaf ear. 

'I don't care', if not checked, can taint 

the credibility of the forthcoming 

elections. Some say that it is a virtue to 

disregard people's feelings by standing 

firm on your convictions. Others see it as 

symbol of strength, hubris. The praise 

singers are goading him on. And so, while 

people are suffering and dying, some are 

saying that it is okay, since the killings 

and sufferings did not start with this 

government. And you wonder if this is the 

appropriate response to the situation. For 

a government that came in under the 

popular sentiment of bringing succourchange 

to the people, it is amazing how 

low it has sunk. 

The strength of a leader is in his 

meekness, his ability to lead bottom-up 

or what is commonly referred to as servant 

leadership. President Buhari has been in 

leadership position before and he knows 

what praise-singing can do to a leader. 

He experienced it when he was toppled by 

General Ibrahim Babangida and his 

group. He knew how people reacted when 

he left government. It will be very 

unfortunate if on his second outing he 

has not learnt from that experience. 

Every time Amina Zakari's name has 

come up for appointment by the Buhari 

government, there has always been 

opposition and outcry against it. That is 

why it is a surprise that the people making 

As a person, Amina could be a 

very honest, devoted, 

intelligent, hardworking and 

competent person, but the fact 

that she is remotely related or 

acquainted to one of the 

principal candidates contesting 

for position in the election, 

makes her unsuitable for the 

assignment 

decision for the Independent National 

Electoral Commission, INEC, keep doing 

the same thing. 

We do not lack human capital in any 

area of endeavour in this country. There 

are very many capable hands that can do 

the job. It is, therefore, inappropriate for 

us to be wasting so much time, energy and 

resources on a single individual. The 

question to ask is: why must it be Amina 

Zakari? The Presidency has come out to 

say that they are not related but "an intermarriage 

occurred in their extended 

families." Is this not a ground for objection? 

The issue should not even be whether 

Amina Zakari is related to President 

Buhari or not, but on the basis that there 

has been a controversial appointment 

since she was first made acting head of 

INEC after the departure of Professor 

Attahiru Jega. Also, since she worked as 

a principal staff in Buhari's PTF, it 

behoves the authorities to consider these 

sentiments because appointments must 

be untainted in whatever form. If there is 

any doubt therefore, as in the case of 

Amina, such appointment should be 

reversed. Given the criticisms and 

protests that have trailed that decision, 

the INEC leadership and the Presidency 

should not allow Amina to head the 

central collation unit of INEC as that will 

be doing grave injustice to the credibility 

of the elections. 

As someone once said: "The people who 

cast the votes decide nothing. The people 

who count the votes decide everything". 

That is why, in an election process, 

everything must be transparent. It should 

not be about individuals but the process 

and procedures. The rules must be 

followed and persons to be appointed into 

INEC positions must have no sentimental 

baggage for any reason. As a person, 

Amina could be a very honest, devoted, 

intelligent, hardworking and competent, 

but the fact that she is remotely related 

or acquainted to one of the principal 

candidates contesting for position in the 

election, makes her unsuitable for the 

assignment. Amina Zakari should be 

removed from that position immediately 

and replaced with someone else, 

preferably someone from the Southern 

part of the country. 

*Mr. Ikhioya, www.southsouthecho.com 

Twitter: @SunnyIkhioya

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 — 19 

Average price of petrol drops to N145.80 per litre — NBS 

By Udeme Akpan 

THE National Bureau of 

Statistics, NBS report, 

released yesterday, showed that 

the average price paid by 

consumers for premium motor 

spirit (petrol) decreased by -15.1% 

year-on-year and -1.1per cent 

month-on-month to N145.80 in 

December 2018 from N147.50 in 

November 2018. 

Although the report did not 

provide explanation, investigation 

by Vanguard showed that the fall 

in price was as a result of the drop 

in the price of crude oil from $85 

to about $50 during the period. 

Consequently, refiners paid less 

for crude oil, thus leading to the 

fall in the price of petrol, a bulk of 

which is still imported from the 

global market into Nigeria. 

The NBS report also stated: 

“States with the highest average 

price of premium motor spirit 

(petrol) were Taraba (N150.27), 

Gombe (N150.20) & Bayelsa 

(N150.00). 

“States with the lowest average 

price of premium motor spirit 

(petrol) were Jigawa (N144.21), 

Bauchi (N144.20) & Yobe 

(N143.33).” 

Meanwhile, the Group Managing 

Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, 

Nigerian National Petroleum 

Corporation (NNPC), said it was 

able to import adequate fuel for 

domestic consumption during the 

period. 

Dr. Baru who attributed the success 

to the support NNPC received 

from President 

Muhammadu Buhari, disclosed 

that NNPC had 3billion litres of 

Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 

(otherwise known as petrol), 

equivalent to 60 days sufficiency, 

adding that the stock would suffice 

through the election period, 

even if no fresh addition was 

made. 

The GMD thanked President 

Buhari for maintaining the existing 

pump price of N145.00 per 

litre “ even when there were times 

when we brought in products that 

indicated under recovery of almost 

N80.00 per litre,” while advising 

hoarders to turn a new leaf, 

saying that Government would 

CURRENCY BUYING SELLING 

US DOLLAR 

POUNDS 

EURO 

FRANC 

YEN 

CFA 

WAUA 

RENMINBI 

RIYAL 

SDR 

DANISH 

RAND 

$102.25 -0.50 

2,322.00 -19.00 

$12.89 0.14 

$59.95 0.96 

$51.19 0.68 

305.85 306.35 306.85 

393.476 394.1193 394.7625 

350.7182 351.2915 351.8649 

311.5197 312.0289 312.5382 

2.8301 2.8347 2.8394 

0.5188 0.5288 0.5388 

426.881 427.5788 428.2767 

45.191 45.2654 45.3397 

81.5317 81.665 81.7983 

427.9759 428.6756 429.3752 

46.9845 47.0613 47.1381 

. 22.0191 22.0551 22.0911 

CBN Exchange rate as at 15/01/2019 

From left: Mr. Debo Fagbami,the Chairman of SPE Nigeria Council ; Mr. Bank-Anthony 

Okoroafor, the Chairman, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria(PETAN); Mrs. Patricia 

Simon-Hart,a Council member of PETAN and Mr. Udochukwu Akunna, the event manager 

of SPE Nigeria Council during Society of Petroleum Engineers Nigeria Council courtesy call to 

PETAN executive members in Port Harcourt. 

not tolerate sharp practices. 

Also, he has charged the Corporation 

Downstream Company, 

NNPC Retail, to increase 

its current 14 per cent market 

share to 30 per cent by 2020. 

Dr. Baru stated that NNPC was 

determined to ensure that the prevailing 

availability of petroleum 

products across the country was 

sustained as arrangements have 

reachedadvanced stage to acquire 

more landed property in 

Abuja and across the states to 

build more NNPC retail outlets. 

NSE Council, other stakeholders to decide on 

demutualisation take off 

*NSE can’t stop CBN from taking regulatory action on banks – NSE CEO 

By Peter Egwuatu & Nkiruka 

Nnorom 

THE Nigerian Stock 

Exchange, NSE has 

disclosed that the much awaited 

demutualisation Bill has been 

accented to and signed into law by 

the President Muhammadu 

Buhari as the Council and all 

other stakeholders now have to 

decide on the take off. 

The Exchange also stated that it 

will continue to protect investors 

in the market but admitted that it 

cannot stop the Central Bank of 

Nigeria, CBN from carry out 

regulatory actions with regards to 

winding up of banks or taking over 

banks that are listed on the NSE. 

The Chief Executive Officer, Oscar 

Onyema stated this, while 

while presenting 2018 market recap 

and 2019 outlook to the capital 

market community in Lagos. 

A demutualised NSE will allow 

the stock exchange become a company 

limited by shares; having 

share capital or shareholders, a 

board of directors, management 

that is separate 

and independent from the 

board and subject to rules 

and regulations of company 

operations in Nigeria. 

Onyema said a total of 

5.42 million was paid to 62 

claimants in 2018 as part 

of its investors ‘protection 

initiative. 

The amount, according 

to Onyema, brought the total 

amount paid out to beneficiaries 

of the Investors’ 

Protection Fund, IPF, to 

N65.58 million in three 

years. 

Onyema said: 

“Demutualisation Bill has 

been accented to and 

signed into law by the president, 

as the Exchange 

along with other stakeholders 

are working on the final 

stages of the process.” 

While presenting 2018 

market recap and 2019 

outlook, Onyema ex- 

plained political risks, oil price volatility 

ans rising global yields resulted 

in the bearish run witnessed in the 

equities market in 2018 and consequent 

increase in the fixed income 

segment of the market by 22.34 percent. 

“While listing activity remained 

relatively low during the year, (one 

listing and four delistings) equity 

turnover remained relatively stable, 

marginally declining by 5.45 percent 

to N1.20 trillion. Turnover velocity 

inched up 0.91 percentage points to 

10.25 percent, and likewise, the size 

of volumes traded in the period increased 

by 0.96 percent to 101.43billion 

with the financial services sector 

being responsible for the highest 

traded volume and value. Also, fixed 

income market capitalization increased 

by 11.75 percent to N10.17 

trillion from N9.10 trillion in 2017. 

With regards to NSE derivatives 

initiative, My Onyema said that “our 

technology infrastructure has been 

enhanced to support the trading 

launch. The rulebook has been created 

and is currently going through 

the approval process alongside onboarding 

of dealing members. 

Onyema stated that in order to 

enhance its listing prospects, it would 

strengthen engagement with government 

on privatization and listing of 

state owned enterprises, while taking 

advantage of opportunities 

within the space during the year to 

attract new listings. “We also intend 

to maintain our collaborative efforts 

with public and private sector stakeholders 

to advocate for market 

friendly policies, and cater to infrastructure 

financing needs as well as 

other capital requirements necessary 

for sustainable economic 

growth. The Exchange intends to 

work with the private sector as well, 

to catalyse the listing of more companies,” 

he said. 

Stakeholders to launch policy documents on 

financial inclusion 

By Elizabeth Adegbesan 

THE National financial 

inclusion stakeholders, 

including the Central Bank of 

Nigeria (CBN), will launch key policy 

documents aimed at facilitating the 

attainment of the financial inclusion 

target of 80 per cent by 2020. 

The launch according to the CBN 

will hold on January 17 and 18, 2019. 

The CBN disclosed that Policy documents 

to be unveiled at the conference 

are the Revised National Financial 

Inclusion Strategy (NFIS 2.0), the Financial 

Literacy Framework, the 

Consumer Protection Framework 

and the Consumer Education framework, 

which are expected to attract 

over 400 delegates. 

The apex bank also noted that the 

conference aims to ensure that new 

comers into the financial inclusion 

bracket are adequately protected and 

educated in line with the provisions of 

the policy documents; to update participants 

on the growing sophistication 

of the financial market, the competitive 

environment in which financial 

services providers operate, and 

the benefit and value of providing access 

to financial services among others, 

while hoping to enhance consumer 

confidence and trust in the financial 

services to facilitate progress towards 

achieving 80 percent financial inclusion 

target by 2020. 

NCDMB, AGF partner on Nigerian 

Content enforcement 


THE Minister of Justice and the 

Attorney General of the Federation, 

Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) has 

pledged that the Ministry of Justice would 

collaborate with the Nigerian Content Development 

and Monitoring Board 

(NCDMB) to enforce compliance and 

prosecute defaulters of the Nigerian Oil 

and Gas Industry Content Development 

(NOGICD) Act. 

The chief law officer made the commitment 

when the Executive Secretary of 

NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote paid him 

a courtesy visit in Abuja recently.Earlier 

in his remarks, the Executive Secretary 

highlighted the need for in-country value 

NERC to enhance 

liquidity, revenue 

gap, others in 

2019 


THE 

Nigerian 

Electricity Regulatory 

Commission, NERC, has determined 

to tackle market liquidity, 

funding of the revenue 

gap and accumulated tariff 

deficits in this year. 

In its communiqué obtained 

by Vanguard, the commission 

stated: “The Commission presented 

a heads up on its regulatory 

initiatives planned for 

implementation in the year 

2019 with a primary focus on 

improving market liquidity, 

funding of the revenue gap and 

accumulated tariff deficits in 

the books of the electricity 

Distribution Companies. 

“The Commission reiterated 

the urgency to close metering 

gap and highlighted the strategies 

put in place for accelerated 

metering of end-use customers 

under the Meter Asset 

Provider Regulations. 

“Other key initiatives 

planned for 2019 include the 

completion of the ongoing 

enumeration of customers, 

promotion of embedded generation 

and creation of new 

investment opportunities 

through distribution franchising.” 

It also stated: “It also reiterated 

its strict approach to 

safety, compliance monitoring 

and customer service issues. 

Following the extensive deliberation 

on the state of the electricity 

industry, the following 

actions were agreed:The meeting 

considered the status of 

Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited 

in the electricity market 

and noted that the company 

currently has a Power Purchase 

Agreement with the Nigerian 

Bulk Electricity Trading 

Plc and a net billing arrangement 

for energy export 

from its Captive Power Plant.” 

“(ii) An update on the Eligible 

Customer transactions 

involving the Transmission 

Company of Nigeria Plc, 

Mainstream Energy Ltd. 

retention in the oil and gas industry and 

compliance by operating and service 

companies with the provisions of the 

NOGICD Act. 

He asked staff of the Ministry of Justice 

to acquire knowledge about the Nigerian 

Content Act and the operations of 

the Board.This would enable them interpret 

matters that might be brought to 

their attention and support the Board in 

prosecuting defaulters as stated in the 

Act. 

Wabote reiterated the Board’s eagerness 

to complete the review of the draft 

Nigerian Content regulations, which are 

tailored to achieve 70 percent in-country 

value retention by 2027 and foster the 

development of Nigerian Content.





C 

M 

Y 

K 

24 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 

Microsoft 4Afrika joins FirstBank to bail out SMEs 

By Prince Osuagwu 

FIRST Bank of Nigeria Limit 

ed and Microsoft 4Afrika, will 

on Friday, promote technology adoption 

and skills development in a different 

way, when they will jointly host 

a free-to-attend event for SMEs in 

Nigeria. 

The event will serve as an official 

launch of the new partnership between 

Microsoft 4Afrika and First- 

Bank, following a memorandum 

of understanding signed earlier in 

June 2018. The partnership seeks 

to build the capacity of local SMEs 

and accelerate their digital transformation, 

by providing them with 

exclusive and tailored non-financial 

solutions. Participants will be 

exposed to skills development resources, 

access to business networks 

and an educational platform. 

Head Customer Experience and 

Value Management, First Bank of 

Nigeria Limited, Taiwo Shonekan, 

said: “This partnership with Microsoft 

enables us to deliver a portfolio 

of non-financial solutions to our 

SME customers. We have over the 

last 125 years supported SMEs in 

building their business, whilst contributing 

to the national economy. 

This partnership is a landmark step 

in our quest to leverage the influence 

of technology in businesses, 

especially in today’s digital age.” 

“With this partnership, FirstBank 

customers can buy Microsoft products 

at discounted rates in the local 

currency – the naira – as this seamlessly 

aids technology adoption, 

skills and capacity development 

among SMEs in Nigeria,” she 

adds. 

Meanwhile, Regional Director of 

the Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative and 

the keynote speaker for the event, 

Amrote Abdella, says: “For 

SMEs, integrating technology 

into their operations is no longer 

an option, but a necessity for future 

growth and success. We’re looking 

forward to engaging in discussions 

that explore how technology 

can extend reach to new markets 

and improve productivity, 

which results in better customer 

service, more competitive offerings 

and the ability to act with 

agility.” 

By Emmanuel Elebeke 

With all the enviable statistics 

Nigeria can 

boast of, in telecommunications 

development, cost of 

doing business, particularly 

in the rural areas, is still very 

high. Apart from the 

inadequate power supply 

which sees almost every business 

generating all the energy 

it requires to operate 

smoothly, the issue of unavailability 

of ubiquitous 

broadband and high cost of 

data bogs down the speed of 

doing business, just as it 

jerks up the cost. 

However, several measures 

have been applied to ease the 

problem. Attempts have been 

made to deploy broadband in 

the rural areas from the 

quantum capacity available 

from submarine broadband 

cables on the shores of Lagos. 

The capacity was made 

available through private 

investments, including 

MainOne, Glo1, West African 

Cable System, WACS, and 

even Sat3. 

Such measures included 

instituting a national 

broadband plan, which 

projected certain levels of 

broadband penetration within 

given time frames; a national 

Economic Council which 

stipulated and pegged costs 

for Right of Way, RoW access, 

for operators willing to deploy 

services in rural areas. 

Again, the telecom regulator, 

Last mile broadband: 

ITU’s lightweight optical 

cable to the rescue 

•Rural communities to get respite 

•Effort to drive down cost of doing business 

the 

Nigerian 

Communications 

Commission, NCC, also set 

out a huge chunk of fund as 

incentive to operators who 

are willing to take broadband 

deployments in less 

business areas. 

These measures, have 

however, either failed or 

have not achieved the 

desired results, due to many 

factors. It’s either every 

level of government has 

refused to abide by the 

pronouncement of NEC on 

the stipulated amount or the 

facilities are being vandalised 

by the people the development 

was meant for. 

But the International Telecommunication 

Union, ITU, 

has come with a respite. Its 

new standard on telecom deployment 

tends to consider 

use of lightweight optics cable 

to deploy high-speed 

broadband services to rural 

communities in developing 

countries. 

The lightweight, terabit-capable 

optical cable can be deployed 

on the ground’s surface 

with minimal expense 

and environmental impact. 

The standard is giving 

developing countries the 

confidence to consider the 

rollout of optical networks in 

some of the world’s most 

challenging conditions. 

“The new standards put 

advanced optical technology 

in the hands of rural 

communities, leveraging the 

ingenuity of local communities 

to overcome the prohibitive 

costs of traditional optical 

cable deployment in areas 

with a challenging installation 

environment. 

The unique feature of this 

solution is its focus on ease of 

deployment, cost-effective 

and practical implementation. 

Local communities will have 

the ability to secure the 

standard on-surface lines, 

using everyday tools to 

partially bury the lines, settle 

them on ground underwater, 

suspend them aerially, or 

relocate the lines as 

necessary. 

Editor of the new 

standards, Haruo Okamura 

said that “Optical cable is 

becoming an absolute must 

for telemedicine. Only 

optical cable provides 

capacity high enough and latency 

low enough for the live 

transmission of HD medical 

imagery to remote medical 

professionals.” 

Okamura added that “the 

designs of conventional 

optical cables are specific to 

their installation environment 

– whether duct, directly 

buried, lashed aerial or 

Continues on Page 25

By Godfrey Bivbere 

There are indications that 

the ‘safe territories’ on 

the Lagos waters known as 

the Secure Anchorage Area, 

SAA, may have come under 

attacks by sea robbers. The 

attackers were said to have 

bridged the facility in search 

of petroleum products. 

The facility was created by 

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 

Sea robberies: Secure Anchorage Area comes under attack, targets petroleum product tankers 

... Sea robbery has reduced — Labour union 

the Federal government 

following increasing 

insecurity on the Lagos 

waters. 

A source in the Nigerian 

Customs Service, NCS, 

told Vanguard Maritime 

Report that there have been 

several attacks on the facility 

in an attempt to steal 

petroleum products in the 

last few months, but noted 

that the attackers have not 

recorded any success. 

The source said unless an 

urgent measure is taken to 

stem the tide, the criminals 

may succeed, a development 

which will booster more 

attacks taking a big and 

more dangerous dimension. 

Vanguard Maritime 

Reports had exclusively 

reported the establishment 

of the Lagos Secured 

Anchorage and the amount 

being charged by the 

managers of the facility, 

Ocean Marine Services, 

OMS. 

Assistant General 

Manager, in charge of 

Business Development at 

OMS, Comdr. Chuma Adogu 

(retd) told Vanguard 

Maritime Report that it is 

not true that there have been 

several attacks. 

However, he admitted 

there was just one 

attempted attack and that 

an alarm was raised which 

led to the sea robbers fleeing 

on their speed boat. 

Meanwhile, despite the 

seeming increase in the 

number of sea robbery 

attack at the beginning of 

this year, President General 

of the Maritime Workers 

Union of Nigeria, MWUN, 

Continues on page 2 

maritimerepor6005@gmail.com 

VOl. 2 No. 27 

N10.8trn investments projected for 

maritime industry in 2019 

*As NIMASA convenes world summit on piracy 

By Godwin Oritse would hope to take 

The Nigerian maritime 

industry may be 

attracting investments worth 

USD30 billion (about N10.8 

trillion) in 2019 financial 

year. 

Director-General of the 

Nigerian Maritime 

Administration and Safety 

Agency, NIMASA, Dr. 

Dakuku Peterside, who 

disclosed this to Vanguard 

Maritime Reports on the 

sidelines of the agency’s 

award night held at the Eko 

Hotel in Lagos last weekend, 

said that now is the time for 

Nigerian maritime industry 

players to position 

themselves to take 

advantage of the projected 

investments. 

Peterside also said that the 

agency will work more with 

its various stakeholders to 

achieve more and make 

better progress in this new 

year. 

He stated: “We believe that 

2019 is a great year, there’s 

been a forecast that there is 

going to be about $30billion 

to spend in the Nigerian 

maritime industry and it is 

Nigerian investors that 

advantage of this to grow 

wealth, create opportunities 

for our people. 

“The only way we can 

appreciate them is to 

publicly acknowledge them 

like this and encourage 

them to do more and assure 

them that we are standing 

with them to achieve more 

goals. 

“This is an opportunity to 

encourage them to do more, 

to continue to weather the 

storm and achieve more 

results.” 

Piracy summit 

Meanwhile, following the 

recent up-surge in pirate 

attacks on vessels and 

abduction of sailors on 

Nigeria’s territorial and 

coastal waters, Peterside 

said that NIMASA has 

concluded plans to host a 

global summit on sea piracy. 

He attributed the 

incessant pirate attacks on 

vessels and crew members 

to the attractions the huge 

oil and gas industry in 

Nigeria holds, an economy 

that is absent in most African 

countries. 

Continues on page 2


2 

NEWS 


Neglect of 

Eastern, 

Delta 

Ports 

deliberate 

— Tyre 

importers 

By Godfrey Bivbere and 

Ebuka Oko 

From left, Captain Emmanuel Ihenacho, Chairman Integrated Oil and Gas Ltd, Oba Otudeko, Chairman Honeywell, and 

Atedo Peterside, former Managing Director of IBTC Bank Ltd at the NIMASA awards held in Lagos. 

Introduction of Single Window System in the 

Ports will increase govt revenue — Shittu 

By Ebuka Oko 

THE former National 

President, Association 

of Nigerian Licensed Custom 

Agents, ANLCA, Olayiwola 

Shittu, has urged the Federal 

Government to support the 

Sea robberies: Secure Anchorage Area comes under 

attack, targets petroleum product tankers 

Continues from page 1 

Adewale Adeyunju, has said 

that the incident is on the 

decrease. 

Speaking with Vanguard 

Maritime Report at the 

Dinner/Award night held by 

the Nigerian Maritime 


Agency, NIMASA, in Lagos 

over the weekend, Adeyunju 

said that these incidents are 


Consequently, he expects 

the maritime world to gather 

in Nigeria to discuss 

maritime security adding 

that after the summit, piracy 

will become much degraded 

in Nigeria. 

reducing compared to last 

year. 

He noted that there were 

several attacks on vessels and 

even terminals leading to the 

death of some seafarers and 

damages to some vessels. 

In his words, “It has even 

reduced because I could 

remember last year we lost so 

many seafarers, and we lost 

so many vessels as a result of 

piracy trouble on our waters. 

N10.8trn investments projected 

for maritime industry in 2019 

Although he did not 

disclose the date of the 

summit, he stated that 

measures will continue to be 

put in place to reduce or 

eliminate the menace of 

piracy in Nigeria’s territorial 

waters. 

adoption and implementation 

of a Single Window System, to 

enable swift movement of 

goods and services in the ports. 

Shittu, while speaking to 

Vanguard Maritime Report, 

wondered why Nigerian government 

was delaying in the 

implementation of the system 

and advised appropriate 

agencies in the maritime sector 

to follow the footsteps of 

other neighboring countries 

that have implemented the 

So but now, I think what we 

need to do is to pray that this 

year is going to be better 

than last year.” 

He pointed out that 

NIMASA, being the 

regulatory agency are doing 

their best but called of the 

federal government to 

strengthen and empower 

them to do more. 

On the issue of safety 

gadgets for dockworkers he 

said, “When you talk of 

safety kit for dock workers, 

I think it has improved too 

because the new Collective 

Bargaining Agreement, CBA 

we just signed for dock 

workers, safety kit for 

dockworkers and all other 

security issues are part of the 

CBA we just signed.” 

He stressed the need for 

the road to the port, Tin 

Can Island port especially, 

should be repaired. 

system. 

He stated: “When Single 

Window was established at the 

Cotonou Port, it reduced cargo 

delivery time from 40 days 

to less than 10 days. It increased 

government revenue 

by more than 39 per cent. In 

terms of truck transit down to 

port they gained 23 per cent 

of the time, so it is something 

we cannot run away from”. 

He further stressed the need 

for cooperation among the various 

stakeholders in the industry 

for the system to work. 

“It is only here in Nigeria 

that there is no connectivity 

between the stakeholders; the 

terminal operators do not know 

what a shipping company is 

doing, port authority does not 

know what the terminal operator 

is doing, other government 

agencies don’t even 

know what the operators are 

doing. 

“So there is need for us to 

work together and that is the 

essence of the port community 

system that is supposed to 

be a common platform for interaction 

so that the faster we 

embrace the single window 

system the better it’s going to 

be for the port and that is going 

to lead to cost reduction” 

Also on the issue of tariff, he 

said that the appropriate 

stakeholders will put hands 

on deck and review the future 

of tariff. 

DESPITE the just con 

cluded dredging of 

the Delta port channel and 

efforts to commence that of 

Calabar port channel by 

the Nigerian Ports Authority, 

NPA, the Vice President 

of Association of Nigeria 

Tyre Marketers, ANTM, 

Okechukwu Ezeifeoma, 

has attributed the lull in 

business at Eastern and 

Delta ports to negligence 

by the current government. 


Maritime Report, Ezeifeoma 

explained that the government 

is deliberately doing 

this to shut down activities 

at the Eastern ports 

and promote that of Lagos 

ports. 

“When I say they, I mean 

the authority or the government 

in power. This is 

a deliberate action from 

them not to allow other sea 

ports to function by transferring 

a lot of people to 

these ports. 

“For example, you have 

goods in Ontisha and it is 

brought to Lagos and there 

is Port Harcourt there, why 

don’t you direct the goods 

to that place, what business 

does the person have 

with coming to Lagos. 

They will offload in Lagos 

and transfer the goods to 

Ontisha. They should open 

up other sea ports so that 

concentration will not be in 

Lagos”. 

Ezeifeoma also suggested 

that government should 

make strategic efforts for 

these ports to start attracting 

patronages and work 

efficiently. 

“Government should 

open up the ports, provide 

incentives and reduce levies 

and charges to attract 

patronage, the port is 

there already, and it’s for 

them to make it work. If 

there is anything that is 

not working they should 

put it in other, they are 

concentrating in Lagos because 

they don’t want to 

open the other ports” he 

added.


Regulations & Policies 3 


From Left: Tony Elumelu, chairman of Heirs Holdings, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group, Rotimi Amaechi, 

Minister of Transportation, and Dakuku Peterside, Director General, Nigerian 

Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), at the NIMASA 

Corporate Dinner and Merit Awards held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos. 

From left: Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, former, Head of State, 

General Abdulsalami Abubakar flanked by Director General, Nigerian 

Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside 

at the NIMASA Corporate Dinner and Merit Awards held at Eko Hotels and 

Suites, Lagos. 

From left: Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, former, 

Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Winner of NIMASA Staff of 

the Year, Mr. Abraham Iseghohi and Director General, Nigerian Maritime 

Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside at the 

NIMASA Corporate Dinner and Merit Awards held at Eko Hotels and Suites, 

Lagos. 

From left: Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety 

Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, His Highness, the Emir of Kano, 

Mallam Sanusi Lamido, His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye 

Enitan Ogunwusi at the NIMASA Corporate Dinner and Merit Awards held 

at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos. 

FG is repositioning maritime industry 

to grow the economy — SGF 

By Godwin Oritse 

The Secretary to the 

Government of the 

Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss 

Mustapha, has said that the 

Federal Government has 

successfully worked hard 

through the Nigerian 

Maritime Administration and 

Safety Agency, NIMASA, to 

reposition the Nigerian 

maritime industry for the 

nation’s economic growth. 

The SGF, who spoke at the 

NIMASA Corporate Dinner 

and Merit Awards held at 

Eko Hotels, Lagos last 

weekend pointed out the 

nation was beginning to see 

another opportunity through 

which it could harness its vast 

resources. 

Mustapha, who was 

represented by the Minister of 

Budget and Planning, Senator 

Udo Udoma, equally noted 

that the current management 

of NIMASA had, in about 

three years of President 

Buhari’s Administration, 

turned around the Agency and 

placed it on a good position to 

continue to contribute to the 

growth of the economy. 

He stated: “The DG and his 

team and the Board are doing 

well in NIMASA. They have 

transformed 

the 

organisation. I will also like 

to congratulate the Minister 

of Transportation because it 

is through his guidance and 

supervision that all these 

transformations have taken 

place. He is an action man, 

somebody that makes things 

happen.” 

Earlier in his welcome 

address, the Director 

General of NIMASA, Dr. 

Dakuku Peterside, said that 

the maritime industry in 

Nigeria remains the 

backbone of international 

trade and that the Nigerian 

maritime sector has made 

remarkable achievements in 

the last two years. 

Speaking further, he also 

noted that despite the 

challenges being faced in the 

sector, the stakeholders’ 

NIMASA our strongest 

partner in the Gulf of Guinea 

— Ghana Maritime boss 

By Godwin Oritse 

THE Ghana Maritime 

Authority, GMA, has 

said that Ghana will welcome 

Regional Coast Guard to help 

the fight against piracy in the 

region. 

Speaking to Vanguard 

Maritime Report on the 

sideline of the just concluded 

maritime industry awards 

hosted by the Nigerian 

Maritime Administration and 

NIMASA, Shipowners, cadets disagree on sea time training 


A 

disagreement has 

erupted between the 



Agency, NIMASA, Ship 

Owners Association of 

Nigeria, SOAN and Cadets 

of the National Seafarers 

Development Programme, 

NSDP, over sea time training 

for Nigerian cadets. 

While NIMASA and the 

Cadets insist that only sea 

time training on-board ocean 

going vessels are recognised 

at the global level, SOAN is 

of the view that their vessels 

should be used for the 

mandatory training 

requirement. 


Maritime Report on the 

issue, Executive Director in 

charge of Finance and 

Administration at NIMASA, 

Bashir Jamoh, said the 

agency is not going to place 

graduate cadets of the 

National Seafarers 

Development Programme, 

NSDP, on ships in the 

Cabotage area. 

Jamoh, who disclosed this 

in a chat with Vanguard 

Maritime Report, explained 

that it is only cadets trained 

on-board ocean going vessels 

are recognised globally. 

He stressed the need to 

develop local capacity to 

acquire ocean going vessels 

Continues on page 5 

Safety Agency, NIMASA, the 

Director General of the GMA, 

Dr. Kwame Wusu, said that 

Nigeria is currently its 

strongest partner in the fight 

against the menace of pirates 

in the Gulf of Guinea. 

He stated: “NIMASA as our 

partners in Nigeria, we have 

the strongest bond in the 

maritime industry amongst 

the nations in the Gulf of 

Guinea. 

“The cooperation has been 

very strong, we need to 

continue and also to help grow 

the other administrations 

which are weak and have not 

been participating because like 

Dr. Kwame Nkruma, until the 

total independence of Africa, 

the independence of Ghana is 

meaningless. 

“We need to put together the 

structures, cooperation so that 

we can get rid of the bad guys. 

No one country can do it 

because it is a chain because I 

believe that in strengthening 

maritime administrations in 

Africa is key so that we put 

the linkages together.


4 

Terminals & Ships 


Hoodlums 

take over 

Tin-can port 

holding bay 

From left: Deputy Comptroller Joseph Attah,National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Ismail 

Aniemu, publisher of The Journal Magazine and Uche Ejesieme, Public Relations Officer of Tin-can Island Command of the 

Nigerian Customs Service, at the burial of Mrs Susan Aniemu, wife of Ismail Aniemu in Lagos last Thursday. 

Maritime expert tasks FG on Nigeria’s 

ship ownership 


& Ebuka Oko 

FOLLOWING the 

absence of locally 

owned ships operating 

in international waters which 

has affected the sea time 

training for Nigerian seafarers, 

the Federal Government has 

been charged to put policies in 

place to increase the nation’s 

ship owning capacity. 

Making the call in Lagos, 

Secretary General, of the 

Abuja Memorandum of 

Understanding, MoU, on Port 

State Control for West and 

Central African Region, Mfon 

Ekong Usoro, said the absence 

of locally owned vessels trading 

at the international stage has 

reduced opportunities available 

to Nigerian seafarers for handson 

experience in the industry. 

She said that this has resulted 

to poor reckoning of the 

Nigerian seafarers against their 

contemporaries all over the 

world when it comes to 

international shipping. 

In a paper presented at a 

function in Lagos recently with 

the theme “Examining 

Government Policies for the 

Development of Nigeria’s 

Maritime Industry”, Usoro 

said despite the fact that 

Nigerians have the potentials 

to compete with other 

countries; it still requires 

government efforts to make it 

a reality. 

She stated: “With Nigeria’s 

teeming population estimated 

at about 190 million and 

reportedly, the largest youth 

population in the world, 

Nigeria could compete with the 

Philippines in the export of 

seafarers and maritime labour. 

But there is a problem. Nigerian 

seafarers are insignificant in 

international shipping. Again, 

it requires a whole of 

government approach. 

“Nigerian government 

agencies could implement a 

policy on maritime manpower 

which will require every 

company that employs the 

services of ships to leverage on 

and insist that such ships must 

have a certain minimum 

number of Nigerian ship board 

The League of Maritime 

Editors and Publishers 

(LOMEP) is set to hold its 20th 

Anniversary Lecture, Awards 

and inauguration of Patrons 

and Executives on January 24, 

2019. The event which comes 

up at Golden Gate Restaurant, 

Ikoyi, Lagos, will feature the 

recognition of deserving 

maritime industry leaders and 

reform agents as patrons and 

awardees. 

While the Minister of 

Transportation, Mr. Rotimi 

Amaechi, who is the Chief 

Guest of Honour, is billed to 

give the keynote address, the 

Executive Secretary and Chief 

Executive Officer (CEO) of the 

Nigerian Shippers Council 

(NSC), Barr Hassan Bello, 

who is the Guest Speaker, will 

deliver the lecture on the topic: 

officers and crew on board. 

“The government agencies 

could leverage on and insist 

that ships which trade 

regularly with us offer berths 

to our cadets. Nigerian 

government could on the 

diplomatic side, have a 

dedicated team to iron out the 

diplomatic bottlenecks/ 

recognition issues involved in 

engagement of foreign 

seafarers on board ships”. 

She also lamented over the 

scarcity of training vessels for 

sea training and urged the 

Amaechi, Bello, Iheanacho to attend 

League Lecture, Awards 

... Aniebonam, Shittu, others to receive awards 

“Indigenous Fleet 

Development, What Options?” 

Some of the agencies and 

firm to be recognized under 

the corporate award category 

include: Nigerian Ports 

Authority(NPA) which got an 

award for “Transparency and 

Infrastructural Development 

in Nigerian Ports”; Nigerian 

Shippers’ Council(NSC) , an 

award for “ Port Economic 

Regulations in Nigeria”; 

Sifax Group, an award as “ 

Outstanding Indigenous 

Terminal Operator in 

Nigeria”. 

The founder of the National 

Association of Government 

Approved Freight Forwarders 

(NAGAFF), Dr. Boniface 

Aniebonam, was nominated for 

award under the individual 

award category for “Promotion 



Agency, NIMASA, to invest in 

ship training as it is being 

done by their counterparts in 

South Africa. 

“We are aware of the scarcity 

of berths for sea training. 

NIMASA could invest in a 

training ship as SAMSA of 

South Africa has done,” she 

concluded. 

of Capacity Building in Freight 

Forwarding Industry in 

Nigeria” 

Also listed in the individual 

award category is former 

National President of the 

Association of Nigerian 

Licensed Customs Agents 

(ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola 

Shittu, who is being 

recognized for “Innovation in 

Customs Brokerage in 

Nigeria”. 

Among the special guests of 

honour are: the Managing 

Director of National Inland 

Waterways Authority(NIWA), 

Senator Olorunnimbe 

Mamora, Governing Council 

Chairman of Council for the 

Regulation of Freight 

Forwarding 

in 

Nigeria(CRFFN), Col. Tsanni 

Abubakar (rtd). 


HOODLUMS 

have 

taken over the port 

holding bay at the second gate 

end of Tin-can Island port, 

Apapa, Lagos. 

The holding bay facility was 

built to accommodate trucks 

waiting to go into the port and 

prevent them from parking 

along the road as they do 

presently, causing traffic 

gridlocks. 

Vanguard Maritime Report 

investigation revealed that the 

hoodlums have turned the 

facility into make-shift homes 

while littering the place with 

human wastes. 

A clearing agent who 

operates at the Tin-can Island 

port told Vanguard Maritime 

Reportthat the hoodlums now 

attack motorists and bike 

riders who ply that route in the 

nights. 

While he said port operators 

have informed the 

management of the Nigerian 

Ports Authority, NPA, to do 

something about the situation, 

he warned that unless urgent 

steps are taken to address the 

issue, the hoodlums may 

become emboldened and 

begin to attack people during 

the day. 

Port Manager of Tin-can 

Island Port, Engr. Emmanuel 

Akporherhi, told Vanguard 

Maritime Report that the 

holding bay is still under the 

management of the Federal 

Ministry of Works. 

Akporherhi said that the 

facility is important and would 

have been useful to easing 

congestion at the port adding 

that the management of NPA 

had demanded it be handed 

over to the Authority for 

completion of the shore 

protection works. 

But Akporherhi said he was 

not aware of attacks at the 

location, though he promised 

to look into the issue and take 

action if necessary. 

Managing Director of NPA, 

Ms Hadiza Usman, during a 

courtesy visit to Vanguard 

Newspaper last year, had said 

that NPA had wanted to take 

over the facility and complete 

it but lamented that the 

ministry had claimed that the 

shore protection contract was 

tired to that of the holding bay 

and therefore could not be 

separated. 

Reacting to the 

development, President of the 

Association of Maritime Truck 

Owners, AMATO, Remi 

Ogungbemi, said the solution 

is for the government to 

complete the project and put 

it to use.



Customs & Imports 5 

Feelers from shipment 

agents indicate that 

there is increasing patronage 

from exporters as more 

Nigerians are venturing into 

export business. 

Vanguard Maritime Report 

gathered that the products 

exported mostly by these 

new set of exporters are 

Charcoal, Hibiscus 

(popularly referred to as 

Zobo), dried fish, Cashew 

nut, farm produce and cocoa 

amongst others. 

While some stakeholders 

welcomed the development, 

others are of the opinion that 

the new trend have led to a 

hike in the cost of the items 

for local consumers. 

In some cases, they noted, 

the cost of some of the 

products have become 

higher than the international 

market price but Nigerians 

keep buying in the hope for 

a price surge. 

Chairman of the Cross 

Rivers State Shippers 

Association, Michael Ogodo, 

who confirmed this to 

Vanguard Maritime Report, 

said the situation is true 

regarding the export of 

Cocoa in that state. 

Ogodo disclosed that cocoa 

output in the state is lower 

than the quantity the 

exporters are scrambling 

for. 

According to him, “There 

is something I can see very 

clear and I like to be 

challenged. As a result of the 

slump in the Nigerian 

economy generally, a lot of 

Nigerians now crowd into 

exports business and people 

take unnecessary risks in the 

hope that future would be 

better. 

“Particularly, like in the 

cocoa industry, they are 

killing themselves; there are 

more traders than farmers in 

the Nigerian cocoa sector. 

Check it out; there are more 

traders, more buyers, those 

who are trading in the cocoa 

are more than those who are 

producing. Number of 

traders is increasing by the 

day but Nigerian cocoa 

production is stalling. 

“In Cross River state 

where I am operating from, 

I can confirm that not less 

than 80 per cent of the cocoa 

L-R: Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, Oluwo of Iwo; Mr. Bala Yesufu, Corporate and Government Affairs Director, Cadbury West 

Africa; Dr. Taiwo Afolabi (MON), Group Executive Vice Chairman, SIFAX Group and Oba Saheed Elegushi of Ikate Land at 

the New Year party organized by the SIFAX Group boss at his residence in Ikoyi recently. 

More export cargoes driven by 

unemployment — Shipping agents 


in the state today is derived 

from Republic of Cameroon 

and I have tried to say that 

we should go and develop 

that market. 

“This has been the trend in 

the last four to five years. 

Cameroon that bordered 

Nigeria will prefer to bring 

their cocoa to Nigeria to 

Ikom (the center of cocoa 

trade in Criss River) than to 

their own ports which is a 

longer distance and have bad 

road, and of course they are 

English speaking people. 

“More than 80 per cent of 

cocoa coming in Nigeria are 

from Cameroon but the other 

statement I made is that our 

cocoa production in Nigeria 

has been in decline but 

because of lack of other 

opportunities, we have had all 

manner of persons going into 

buying and selling. So most 

of the times you see local 

prices are higher than the 

export prices.” 

However, a Board of Trustee 

member of the Shippers 

Association of Lagos State, 

SALS, Nichodemus Idolo, 

said that there has been a 

drop in the volume of export 

presently because of the 

traffic congestion in Apapa, 

Lagos. 

Idolo explained that the 

traffic situation is costing 

exporters more to ship their 

goods out of the country 

through the ports in Lagos. 

Customs officer linked with smuggling will be 

sanctioned — CAC Uba 

By Ebuka Oko 

THE Customs Area Con 

troller, CAC, of Seme-Border 

Command of the Nigeria 

Customs Service, NCS, Garba 

Uba Mohammed, has issued a 

stern warning to the Customs 

officers in his command over 

aiding of smugglers. 

While speaking to Vanguard 

Maritime Report, Uba stated 

that any Custom Officer caught 

in the act will be severely 

sanctioned, either by suspension, 

demotion or outright dismissal 

from the Service. 

“Anybody caught is out. 

There are sanctions provided 

for such erring officers, you are 

aware in recent time, officers 

have been dismissed, they 

NIMASA, Shipowners, cadets disagree on sea time training 

have been demoted in rank 

and they have been suspended” 

He equally revealed the efforts 

of the Custom in fighting 

smuggling and making sure 

that nobody escapes the wrath 

of the law if found guilty. 

“In Customs, we have three 

layers of defence for fighting 

smuggling. That’s the area 

command, if the smuggled 

items or goods that are supposed 

to pay duty did not pay, 

they escape the area command, 

the federal operation 

are there all over, whether on 

information patrol or conventional 

patrol, to make sure that 

such goods are seized. If government 

money is not collected, 

such money is collected. 

If the federal operations have 

not been able to check that, 

there is the last line of the defence, 

the Comptroller General 

of Customs, CGC Strike 

Force, they do that”, he concluded. 


to enable local training of 

NSDP cadets. 

He stated: “Those ones 

(vessels) are not 

internationally recognized, 

so even if we have it, by the 

time they go abroad to look 

for employment, when their 

Certificate of Competence, 

CoC, are checked, they will 

have problems. 

“International ship owners 

may not be able to recognize 

them. The number of people 

are too much for our 

consumption so we are 

targeting most of them for the 

international market, maybe 

the international ship owners 

will be able to absorb them 

just like the way Philippines, 

Indonesians and those 

developed nations are 

exporting labour to other 

countries, just like Philippines 

whose major economic gains 

comes from seafarers’ export. 

He noted that there are no 

ocean going vessels owned by 

a Nigerian. 

One of the cadets who spoke 

with Vanguard Maritime 

Reports on the condition of 

anonymity, said part of the 

requirement is that a cadet 

must have sailed through one 

of the four existing oceans to 

be recognised. 

The cadet however 

complained that the 

NIMASA management had 

promised to send about 400 

to 500 out of the 600 to 700 

cadets trained in the 

Philippines for training by the 

end this month. 

The cadet pointed out that 

there are moves amongst 

them for a protest at the 

National Assembly early next 

month. 

President of the SOAN, 

Greg Ogbeifun, lamented 

that the country do not have 

ocean going vessels to meet 

the requirements for modern 

cadet training, though he said 

that there are modern vessels 

trading in the Cabotage area 

in the country but that the 

NIMASA is refusing to allow 

the cadets train on-board 

these ships. 

*Garba Uba Mohammed


6 

International News 

No controversy in our 

relationship with 

Stevedores 

— MWUN boss 

Contrary to controversies surrounding the recent signing 

of dockworkers Collective Bargaining Agreement, CBA, 

the President General of the Maritime Workers Union of 

Nigeria, MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, has said 

the relationship between the Union and Stevedoring 

Contractors is smooth. 

In this interview, he explained the situation and also 

talked about other related industry issues. Excerpt: 

By Eguono Odjegba 

BEING a principal 

promoter, can you tell 

us how long the 

journey to the CBA took and 

the major challenges you had? 

The journey actually started in 

2006 after the port concession. 

Remember it was initiated and 

strongly promoted by the former 

Managing Director of the 

Nigerian Ports Authority, Alhaji 

Abdulsalam Mohammed. He 

started the process when he set 

up the National Joint Industrial 

Council, NJIC, which all of us 

are enjoying now. It was a long 

journey but we thank God that 

through the NJIC the dock 

labour now has structure in 

place; structure in the sense 

that if a dockworker is leaving 

tomorrow, he will be doing so 

with a guarantee that 

something reasonable will 

follow. 

Given that the agreement 

more or less succeeded 

because the Ship Terminal 

Owners Association of 

Nigeria, STOAN, played 

along, would you say the CBA 

is binding on terminal 

operators not in the umbrella 

of STOAN? 

The agreement is binding on 

all terminal operators. I also 

like to believe that all terminal 

operators are registered with 

STOAN. That is the only 

umbrella through which we 

discuss with all terminal 

operators as a group. It is the 

same way you find all 

dockworkers doing related 

jobs are housed here in the 

union. 

There were reports that the 

National Association of 

Stevedoring Companies 

kicked over your position that 

dockworkers would 

henceforth deal directly with 

terminal operators on wages, 

terminal benefits and the 

other related financials, based 

on the CBA. Are you not 

worried this may generate 

some industrial crisis? 

The dockworkers and 

stevedoring contractors are 

members of one family. There 

is no way we will not continue 

to relate on certain issues, 

because in the first 

place they are the one 

that recruits 

dockworkers on behalf of 

terminal operators. So there 

is no controversy as far as our 

relationship is concerned. 

What the Union is saying is that 

the stevedoring contractors lack 

what it takes to discuss wage and 

benefits issues. They are like 

middle men between 

dockworkers and the terminal 

operators who are the actual 

employers. Stevedores get a fee 

for their role, they get royalty. 

With the new arrangement 

under CBA, roles have been 

redefined where both contractors 

and employers positions have 

been spelt out very clearly. If the 

terminal operators want 

dockworkers, the stevedores 

stand in and recruits and the 

union recognizes this important 

role. However, all assets and 

liabilities lies with the terminal 

operators, and the dockworkers 

livelihood depends on this 

operational assets and 

liabilities. Ask yourself, can 

the stevedoring contractors 

respond to issues of wages and 

benefits? The answer is no, 

because it is the responsibility 

of the terminal operators who 

are the master stevedores. 

Before the port concession the 

NPA which deals with all 

manner of wages and issues of 

gratuities and compensations 

was the master stevedore. This 

status was transferred to the 

terminal operators after the 

port reforms. The CBA has 

addressed all of these issues, 

while the stevedoring 

contractors retains the 

statutory mandate for 

recruiting dockworkers, only 

the master stevedores, the 

terminal operators have the 

responsibility for wages and 

terminal benefits issues. Both 

the dockworkers and 

stevedoring contractors are 

paid by the terminal operators 

for different services. So is it 

fair for the dockworkers to 

remain tied to the influence of 

the stevedoring contractors, 

who has no assets and 

liabilities and does not have the 

power to decide on the 

dockworkers welfare? This 

*Comrade Adewale Adeyanju 

clearly explains our position to 

deal with the actual employers. 

So the relationship is still 

there? 

Intact and cordial and 

working as far as dockworkers 

recruitment is concerned. 

Stevedoring Contractors are 

also still part of the NJIC. All 

we are saying is that with the 

CBA, dockworkers henceforth 

will deal with matters of wage 

and benefits and pension with 

terminal operators, who are the 

real employers and the master 

stevedores. 

Prior to the signing of the 

CBA there were pending 

issues of dockworkers 

benefits and compensation. 

How will the union deal with 

Before the port 

concession the 

NPA which deals 

with all manner 

of wages and 

issues of 

gratuities and 

compensations 

was the master 

stevedore 

those outstanding issues under 

the present agreement? 

All outstanding matters are 

covered by the new agreement. 

In the past if somebody was 

involved in an accident onboard 

vessel, they direct them to the 

stevedoring contractors. Why 

didn’t they put PI Club, the 

Charterer who brought the 

vessel? It is an international 

business binding on both 

parties, all workers onboard 

that vessel whether you are a 

staff or cleaner, if there is any 

eventuality like accident, it will 

be borne by the PI Club and 

no longer the stevedoring 

contractor. It is now a tripartite 

agreement between the 

Stevedoring Contractor, the 

Union and PI Club. So, all 

matters will be taken care of 

under the CBA. 

Is there still job for the NJIC 

with the eventual coming into 

being of the CBA? 

The CBA falls under two 

categories. We have CBA for 

dockworkers and CBA for 

seafarers. You know that NPA 

is a government agency which 

enjoys civil service coverage, 

they review theirs as at when 

due. But we also have another 

arm which is shipping and the 

wage issue in that area is 

nothing to write home about. 

We have written several letters 

to the Shipping Association of 

Nigeria, SAN, they have failed 

to respond so far. This year we 

have written a reminder, and 

the Union is considering 

declaring state of emergency in 

the shipping services. We are 

waiting; we want to know 

whether they will respond to 

our letters or not. 

Do you have 100% faith in 

the workability of the CBA? 

Absolutely, but we are not 

resting on our oars. The Union 

will ensure that its 

implementation is not impeded 

in anyway; we will follow the 

contents of the agreement page 

by page. The CBA has taken 

care of 60percent of our 

problems; problems of wages, 

terminal benefits, pensions etc. 

Not that we expect that anyone 

would renege but we don’t 

want to be taken unawares. So 

we are watching and we will 

shout anytime we notice any 

dubious movement. As things 

stand the dockworker is 

becoming a critical part of the 

port system. Nobody can now 

just walk in and say he wants 

to be a dockworker; due 

processes will be laid down. 

There will be job application 

because we now have condition 

of service attached. These are 

important developments, with 

job applications, there will also 

be letter of employment for 


those engaged; otherwise how 

can you access your pension? 

We have reasons to believe 

that government does not 

have current and updated 

dockworkers employers 

register or is the register no 

longer relevant? 

It is not the Union’s 

responsibility to provide the 

dockworkers register, only 

NIMASA is empowered to do 

that as the regulator. You cannot 

be a dockworker without being 

duly registered. The Union is 

not happy that dockworkers are 

carrying expired ID cards, so 

our position is that all 

dockworkers in our port should 

be registered and captured 

under a database. It is bad to 

have somebody come from Oyo 

or Warri or Calabar and say he 

is a dockworker and we do not 

have a database to verify. Lack 

of dockworkers register even 

negates port security. If I am a 

tally clerk, onboard security 

man or cargo superintendent, 

it should reflect in the ID card 

am carrying and captured in 

the register. I think the delay 

has to do with the usual 

government bureaucracy. So I 

agree with you that there is no 

reliable dockworkers 

employers register and anyone 

showing you one is not sincere, 

it is fake. 

There are complaints that 

the maritime workforce, the 

ship chandelling, seamen and 

other services are dominated 

by foreigners. Is the union 

concerned about this? 

We are very much concerned 

about this development which 

is very pronounced in the 

seafarers industry where 

Philippines have taken over 

jobs that Nigerians should be 

doing. Incidentally, it is still 

NIMASA that is in charge of 

enforcement. At our level we 

have established a task force, 

we have notified NIMASA. 

The task force will be going 

around for monitoring and to 

identify foreign vessels illegally 

operating in our exclusive 

zones. They will commence 

activities soon, and anytime we 

identify an offender we will 

raise the alarm. 

There were cases of 

increased onboard vessel 

accidents last year, what 

would say was responsible? 

I am not sure there was 

increase; I think onboard 

vessels accident was reduced 

to the minimum last year 

following massive sensitization 

of dockworkers by the union. 

We educated them on safety 

measures. 

Would you recall that one 

vessel sailed off after an 

accident occurred, and when 

investigations have hardly 

provided facts responsible for 

it? 

We were able to trace the ship 

concerned. The Union and 

NIMASA got reasonable 

compensation for the family of 

the dead dockworker.

British charity Justice 

Upheld has launched an 

online petition for the 40 

seafarers abandoned in UAE 

waters for over 27 months. 

The petition is directed 

toward Vice-President and 

Prime Minister of the UAE 

and Ruler of Dubai H. H. 

Sheikh Mohammed bin 

Rashid Al Maktoum, urging 

for a solution to be found for 

the stranded seafarers. The 

seafarers have reportedly been 

denied their salaries, stripped 

of their passports and left in 

dire conditions on board the 

rusting vessels. 

As World Maritime News 

reported earlier, the 

seafarers, including Indian, 

Sudanese, Tanzanian, 

Eritrean, Filipino and 

Ethiopian nationals, have 

been stranded at the Port of 

Sharjah in the UAE for over 

two years on three separate 

vessels, all owned by the 

same shipping company, the 

Dubai-based Elite Way 

Marine Services EST. 

The three ships include 

UAE-flagged deck cargo ship 

M/V Azraqmoiah, deck cargo 

vessel M/V Tamim Aldar and 

the offshore supply vessel M/ 

V Al Nader. 

Left without salaries and 

basic provisions on board 

unseaworthy ships, the 

seafarers, including one 

diabetic, have been denied 

medical assistance and are 

traumatized, fearing for their 

safety due to power outages 

and risks of being involved 

in collisions due to power 

blackouts. 

“The disturbing practice of 

‘abandonment’ is a 

deliberate ploy used by some 

shipping companies in the 

Gulf States to avoid paying 

the salaries of migrant 

workers. It is targeted and 

discriminatory. The intention 

is clearly to exploit the 

migrant workers. It is 

enslavement- modern 

slavery. 

Defenders and protectors of 

Human Rights must show 

solidarity by supporting this 

cause. Companies like ‘Elite 

Way Marine Services’ are 

part of the international 

supply chain. They must be 

made to account for their 

actions. They cannot 

continue with impunity, ” 

the petition reads. 

The abandoned seafarers 

have provided footage of 

their living conditions as they 

desperately seek sign-off and 

payment of outstanding 

salaries. 

The Federal Transport 

Authority (FTA) of UAE has 

been made aware of the case 

and has since taken legal 

action and banned Elite Way 

Marine Services EST in UAE 

on the grounds of seafarer 


Intervention sought from Dubai ruler for 

40 abandoned seafarers 

abandonment. The owner 

and managers of the ships 

told the authority that they 

plan to sell the ships to 

resolve the issue, however, 

they have failed to do so until 

now. 

According to FTA’s latest 

circular, there has been 

* Ship at sea 

The Port of Rotterdam is 

investing in the 

development of Pronto, an 

application for standardized 

data exchange on port calls. 

Almost half of the shipping 

companies, agents, terminals 

and other nautical service 

providers in the port use the 

system to plan, implement 

and monitor their activities 

during a port call, as explained 

by the Port of Rotterdam. 

Pronto uses artificial 

intelligence to predict vessel 

arrival times in the port. 

Artificial intelligence and big 

data are enabling the arrival 

times of vessels in sea and 

inland ports to be predicted 

earlier and with increased 

precision. 

“Various factors influence a 

vessel’s arrival time. This 

includes the vessel type and 

cargo type, as well as the 

location, route, sailing speed 

and movements of other 

vessels in the vicinity,” Arjen 

Leege, Senior Data Scientist 

at the Port of Rotterdam 

Authority, said. 

“We have mapped out the 

most crucial parameters. 

During this process, we 

sometimes dropped 

parameters or added new 

ones. For instance, it emerged 

significant reduction in the 

seafarers’ abandonment cases 

in UAE. 

The authority has 

introduced mandatory 

insurance requirements for 

ship owners toward seafarers 

in the UAE applicable to all 

UAE-flagged vessels, ships 


International News 7 

with navigation licence issued 

by FTA and ships calling ports 

and/or anchorages of the 

country. As a result, ship 

agents must ensure the ships 

comply with the resolution, 

otherwise they would be liable 

in case of a crew 

abandonment. 

Port of Rotterdam: Self-learning computers 

predicting vessel arrival times 

that the number of times a 

vessel has already entered the 

Port of Rotterdam is also 

relevant,” he added. 

Data sources include AIS 

and the port authority 

databases, including vessel 

arrival times at the loading 

platform. Port authority data 

scientists used the parameters 

to develop a self-learning 

computer model. Initially, this 

was fed with some 12,000 

items of historical data. The 

computer recognised patterns 

in these, enabling it to learn 

to predict how much time a 

vessel needs to move from the 

loading platform to the berth. 

“Computers can make 

complex connections must 

faster than people. That is 

actually the power of artificial 

intelligence. A computer’s 

predictive capacity increases 

when it is fed continuously 

with up-to-date data. We can 

now predict with 20-minute 

precision when arriving 

vessels will reach the berth,” 

Leege explained. 

“The computer can also look 

further into the future and 

calculate the arrival times of 

vessels that are still some 

seven days away from the Port 

of Rotterdam. By looking 

further ahead, we will 

ultimately be able to predict a 

vessel’s entire route. Perhaps 

even some 30 days in advance, 

including multiple ports.” 

“The more details we know 

at an earlier stage, the better 

we can plan our resources. If 

you know it will be busy in the 

port you can, for instance, 

increase the towage capacity 

in advance by requesting 

tugboats from another port to 

call at Rotterdam. Pronto can 

now also identify which 

vessels are bunkered, piloted 

or towed in the port. Possibly 

there will be new applications 

in the future that we’ve not 

considered as yet,” he 

continued. 

As informed, using artificial 

intelligence has already 

reduced vessel waiting times 

in the Port of Rotterdam by 20 

percent. 

Robbert Engels, Product 

Lead Port Call Optimisation, 

sees further optimization 

potential: 

“The more parties share 

data and work actively with 

the information they receive 

from the system, the more 

transparent the chain will 

become, the better we will be 

at taking decisions and the 

better we will be able to 

manage planning deviations.” 

Search for 

missing palm 

oil carrier 

enters third 

week 

The search for the missing 

palm oil carrier Namse 

Bangdzhod and its twelve 

crew members is being 

intensified, according to 

Indonesia’s Ministry of 

Transport. 

All communication with the 

vessel, operated by PT 

Surabaya Shipping Lines, 

was lost on December 27, 

sparking a wide search and 

rescue operation. 

The Indonesian-flagged 

vessel was transporting 

crude palm oil from Sampit, 

Central Kalimantan, to Tanjug 

Priok Port in North Jakarta 

when it was last contacted. 

So far the search efforts 

haven’t yielded success, and 

there is no trace of the ship. 

Vessel tracking services have 

also lost track of the vessel. 

In its latest update, the 

ministry added it was 

expanding the search area 

from Sunda Strait to 

Semarang and deploying 

seven vessels to comb 

through the area. 

The cause of the ship’s 

disappearance is yet to be 

determined. 

World Maritime News Staff; 

Image Courtesy: Directorate 

General of Sea 

Transportation, Ministry of 

Transportation of Indonesia 

BIMCO: Tariffs Affect 27.4 

Mn Tonnes of US Imports 

The impact of the trade war 

between US and China is 

beginning to show its colours, 

according to a report from 

BIMCO. Based on data for the 

full year of 2017 and BIMCO’s 

estimates, some 27.4 million 

tonnes of US containerized 

imports are affected by the 

tariffs, which represents 14.2% 

of total US container imports 

or 24.7% of those imported on 

the West Coast. 

“With many stocks full and 

uncertainty regarding the 

outcome of ongoing trade talks 

between China and the US, it 

seems doubtful that the levels 

of frontloading seen at the end 

of 2018 will continue into 

2019,” the shipping 

association said. 

Additionally, any future fall 

in container imports by the US 

and in particular the US West 

Coast, which is where most of 

the tariffed goods from China 

are discharged, “will be 

particularly harmful for the 

container shipping industry.” 

This is because the volume 

of containers will be reduced 

on the fronthaul leg of the 

transpacific trade lane. The 

fronthaul volumes are the 

capacity setters as they are 

much higher than those on the 

backhaul leg.


Data & Figures 


VESSELS EXPECTED AT THE LAGOS PILOTAGE DISTRICT 

DELTA STATE


Technology Innovations 

were never in short supply 

at the just-ended 2019 Consumer 

Electronics Show, CES, in Las 

Vegas. 

From earth-shaking driver- less 

cars, to sleeky smartphones and 

different types and models of 

wearables, visitors to the CES 

show had a field day peeping into 

what the future would look like, 

with technovation. 

However, there was one remarkable 

showcase that caught almost 

everybody’s attention. The LG 

Electronics' range of televisions 

immediately reminds you of cinema, 

in the old good days. 

The South Korean company 

demonstrated innovative ways 

that its latest artificial intelligence, 

AI and the Internet of Things, 

IoT technologies simplify daily 

lives. 

It also showcased its new 

ThinQ smart TVs which is a collaborative 

work with Amazon Alexa 

and Google Assistant support. 

General Manager, Home Appliances 

Division of LG Electronics 

West Africa, Mr Jiung Park 

said: “LG appliances will be able 

to anticipate owners’ needs if they 

opt into having their habits analysed.” 

Such products included a consumer-ready 

88-inch 8K OLED 

TV, a 75-inch 8K LED TV, Cine- 

Beam Laser 4K projector and an 

all-new version of its eye-catching 

‘wallpaper’ OLED, among 

many other electronics. 

8k 88-inch Z9 Oled 

LG also unveiled its first 8K 

OLED TV to the market this year. 

The 88-inch LG Z9 8K OLED TV 

debuted at Las Vegas. 

How cinema experience 

resurfaces in latest range of TVs 

Agency Banking: 

Nigerian MFBs deploying new techs to push boundaries 


I 

N December 2018, the Cen 

tral Bank of Nigeria, CBN, 

announced its plans to launch a 

national Microfinance Bank, 

MFB in collaboration with the 

Bankers’ Committee and the 774 

local Nigerian Postal Services 

offices. The presence of new 

countrywide MFB and recent 

mergers between existing banks 

are steadily increasing competition 

for Nigerian MFBs. To continue 

growing in their markets, 

MFBs are implementing new 

technology to deliver their services 

to more individuals in remote, 

hard-to-reach communities 

through agency banking 

and delivery channels. 

As part of CBN’s national 

strategy to reach 80per cent financial 

inclusion by 2020, the 

Shared Agent Network Expansion 

Facility, SANEF, is setting 

out to improve access to financial 

services by increasing the 

number of access points from 

50,000 to 500,000. The introduction 

of an agent network and 

alternative delivery channels 

will enable microfinance banks 

across Nigeria to deliver financial 

services to more individuals 

in Nigeria more effectively 

and efficiently. 

To quickly rollout delivery 

channels and build a network of 

agents, MFBs are looking to implement 

flexible cloud-based 

core banking systems that will 

enable them to integrate their 

core business operations with 

LG AI TV 

The new LG Z9, will be running on the 

new alpha9 Gen 2 CPU like the other top of 

the line new 2019 4K OLED TVs. The LG Z9 

will also feature the new HDM1 2.1 port, allowing 

high frame rate (HFR). The result is 

smoother and clearer motion at 120 frames 

per second for better rendering of fast-action 

content such as sports and action movies. 

Support for enhanced audio return channel 

(eARC) enables home theatre enthusiasts 

to seamlessly utilise HDMI connectivity and 

enjoy the highest quality audio formats available 

with superb detail and depth. 

W9 ‘Wallpaper’ Oled 

LG’s ‘wallpaper’ OLED TV will come with 

the new a9 Gen 2 processor’s improvements 

to High Frame Rate, HDR, and overall picture 

and sound processing – as well as the 

same thin, picture frame shape that made this 

‘wallpaper’ television series so attractive. The 

W8 came with a 60W 4.2 Dolby Atmos soundbar 

built into the set, so we’re likely to see similar 

audio credentials for this model. 

Cineboom 

LG also unveiled its second-generation 

CineBeam Laser 4K projector (model 

HU85L) with Ultra Short Throw, UST technology 

at this year’s show. This new innovation 

builds upon the success of its first 4K 

projector (model HU80K) and continues to 

stand out from the crowd with its minimal 

space requirement and compact design that 

can project stunningly sharp 4K images on 

practically any flat surface – a wall, floor or 

delivery channels and agents. 

Delivery channels offer a way 

for financial institutions to deliver 

services to their clients. A delivery 

channel can be through an 

institution’s branches, through 

clients’ mobile phones, ATMs, 

Internet or online portals, call or 

contact centres etc. 

Through agency banking, financial 

institutions provide financial 

services to clients 

through partnerships with other 

businesses which serve as transaction 

centres, called agents. 

These agents, collectively known 

as agency banking, allow financial 

institutions’ clients to access 

the institution’s products and services 

seamlessly and securely, via 

third-party providers. 

MFBs are leading innovation 

in Nigeria’s financial services 

sector by tapping into cloudbased 

technology, rather than onpremise 

IT systems that include 

investment in heavy servers and 

data centres. Through cloudbased 

technology, MFBs can integrate 

their core banking system 

with delivery channels and 

agents through an open Application 

Programming Interface, 

API, a technical intermediary that 

enables two applications or software 

programs to communicate 

and function as one. This enables 

MFBs to be more competitive in 

their markets and build their client 

base. 

In addition to streamlined integration, 

cloud-based core banking 

systems are enabling MFBs 

to digitise their operations, become 

more efficient and make informed decisions with 

real-time data and real-time reporting, consolidated from 

all their branches. 

Making it easy for them is Oradian, the financial inclusion 

company delivering core banking system through a 

Software-as-a-Service, SaaS, model in Nigeria. 

Oradian makes leading technology become affordable 

and accessible for not only commercial banks but also 

the microfinance banks. With a SaaS model, MFBs in 

Nigeria are accessing global best practice through an 

affordable annual subscription or ‘pay-as-you-go’ payment 

model. Rather than making heavy upfront capital 

investments on on-premise hardware and purchasing 

software, financial institutions pay an annual subscription 

to access the software that they need. 

ITU’s lightweight optical cable to the rescue 


submerged – with 

installation methods relying 

on specialised machinery 

and skilled labour.” 

Radiocommunications, he 

said, can provide last-mile 

connectivity “but in the 

broadband era, optical infrastructure 

is indispensable as 

rural communities are often 

many, many kilometres away 

from core networks.” 

According to ITU, the 

challenge is made even 

greater by the low densities 

of remote rural communities, 

where fibre rollouts demand 

a disproportionate level of 

initial capital investment 

relative to the potential 

return on such investment. 


New ITU standards aim to 

change that equation by 

providing a low-cost ‘do-ityourself’ 

solution able to be 

deployed in even the world’s 

most remote areas. 

Notable industry stakeholders 

have also hailed the 

standards, saying it would 

help countries like Nigeria 

compete favourably and 

fairly in the global market 

place as the idea would drive 

telecom inclusiveness just as 

it would drive down cost of 

doing business. 

A Lagos-based telecom engineer 

Engr. Tunde Awali, 

said: "This is good news for 

telecom operators in 

Nigeria; it is good news for 

rural communities. Now, the 

rural dwellers can have same 

iSON scoops 

four awards 

@2018 NiTA 

Awards 

By Juliet Umeh 

iSON Group, clinched four awards at the 

recently-concluded 2018 Nigerian Technology 

Awards in Lagos, Nigeria. iSON 

Technologies, a subsidiary of iSON Group 

bagged the I.T Services & Support Company 

of the Year and the Managed Services & 

Support Company of the Year awards while 

iSON BPO International Limited carted 

away the Contact Centre & BPO Operator 

of the Year awards as well at the Nigeria 

Technology Awards, NiTA and Business Excellence 

Award, BEXA ceremony. 

Having bagged the same award for two 

years consecutively, iSON Group says it 

was an evidence of a concretized position 

as the mainstay of Information Technology 

Solutions in Africa. 

The awards also aimed to encourage the 

company to develop innovative and creative 

Technology solutions, which will uplift the 

image of Nigeria both locally and 

internationally. 

iSON Group’s Founder and Chairman, 

Ramesh Awtaney, in expressing his 

appreciation for the awards said: “The company 

is honoured to receive this great award; 

and in a special way, we would like to thank 

our customers, partners, policymakers and 

other stakeholders who challenge us to do 

better every time, thereby fostering our drive 

for excellence. Since inception, the company 

has had a history of revolutionizing the way 

IT has been done in Africa. Innovation has 

been our focus and we try to portray this in 

everything we do. In line with our vision, we 

aim to be the foremost provider of Information 

Technology solutions in Africa. 

“We are further inspired by this 

acknowledgement and will continue to 

extend the frontiers of information 

technology, call centre, and our servicing 

services solutions which iSON Group is 

known for. We remain committed to 

consistently providing solutions that will 

enable our clients make a difference and 

we are honoured to be recognised as a 

breakthrough innovator by such an established 

group of industry experts and to 

have won in multiple categories.” 

iSON Group is leading IT and ITeS 

companies with presence in about 14 

countries in Africa. 

iSON BPO team displaying their awards 

bragging rights people living 

in urban areas have. They 

would enjoy the benefit of reduced 

cost of doing business 

because whether we like it 

or not, every business today 

relies more on internet and 

you can agree with me that 

data is costly here. So, the 

standard is the solution we 

are waiting for,” he added. 

Meanwhile, ITU’s Okamura 

had said: “This is the 

world’s first standardised solution 

expressly designed to 

narrow the digital divide. It 

will assist us in ensuring that 

communications 

infrastructure fulfils its great 

potential to support the 

achievement of the United 

Nations Sustainable Development 

Goals.”



28 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,JANUARY 16, 2019 

VOL. 2 NO. 42 

How Igbo Day was celebrated 

in Owerri ....As Ndigbo cry over unfair treatment 

By Chinonso Alozie, Owerri 

It was endless 

lamentations as Igbo leaders 

called for an end to what they described 

as unfair treatment in the 

Nigeria project. The call was 

made during the Igbo Day celebration 

held in Owerri recently. 

The two-day event started with 

an award night by the Imo State 

Government, "Grand Commander 

of Order of Imo State" 

GCOI, given to 15 Igbo sons of 

Igbo as well as outside Igbo land. 

The awardees included the 

Governor of Kano State, Abdulahi 

Ganduje; Chief Jim Nwobodo; 

Chief Francis Arthur Nzeribe; 

former President of Ohanaeze 

Ndigbo, Chief Gary Enwo 

Igariwey; former Chief of Army 

Staff, Azubuike Ihejirika and 

Ndubuisi Kanu. 

Others included John Nnia 

Nwodo; Dr Paul Unogo and 

Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu. 

For posthumous awards, former 

governor of Imo State, the late 

Sam Onunaka Mbakwe; the late 

Akanu Ibiam; the late Maitama 

Sule; the late Dick Tiger Ihetu; 

and the late Chukwuemeka 

Odumegwu Ojukwu were honoured. 

The awards ceremony also witnessed 

the presence of the representatives 

of Afenifere, Ayo 

Adebanjo; PANDEF, Francis 

Doukpola; as well as the Middle 

Belt Forum led by Jonathan 

Asagie. 

According to the President of 

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, John Nnia 

Nwodo, “with restructuring, the 

issue of agitation will be addressed. 

"Igbos are meeting in Imo to celebrate 

and appraise themselves 

and to see if there were things 

they needed to do that were not 

done and then take the needed 

actions to see those things done. 

“Ohanaeze is interested in seeing 

how our people who are in 

government have fared. We owe 

it to our people to tell them who 

has done well and who has not. 

"Restructuring Nigeria will end 

the marginalisation of the 

SouthEast and South-South parts 

of this country. 

"This problem which started for 

decades has not been addressed 

by successive governments and 

it is the reason for which we are 

experiencing this level of 

agitation in the country. 

"Ndigbo have had and are still 

having unmitigated hatred from 

other tribes in Nigeria as a result 

of their industry and perseverance." 

He added that it was a moment 

for the Igbo to look into how they 

have been treated and to know if 

there were things they should do 

that they did not do. 

The representative of Afenifere, 

Ayo Adebanjo agreed that the 

*Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and a cross section of leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, 

Afenifere, PANDEF and Middle Belt Forum at the Igbo Day celebration in Owerri. 

Igbo have not been properly carried 

along in the scheme of things 

in the country, adding that Igbo 

have been marginalised. 

According to Adebanjo: "Never 

in the history of this country has 

Ndigbo been so marginalised, denied 

their fundamental human 

rights and traumatised as they are 

today. In fact, never at any time 

has Nigeria been at crossroads as 

it is today.Ndigbo are feeling the 

main brunt of it." 

It was his view that, "Ndigbo 

have been completely emasculated 

and dehumanized in their 

fatherland." Adebanjo felt that 

such treatment "has made the 

Igbo third class citizens, a little 

short of the slave trade era." 

Jonathan Asagie, the representative 

of the Middle Belt Forum 

said that, "the end to these 

issues and challenges is to have 

the country restructured for better. 

This is the solution to our problems 

and that is what Nigerians 

are demanding for. 

Marginalisation will end and Nigeria 

will be better for it." 

Chairman of traditional rulers 

of Imo State, Eze Samuel Ohiri 

who spoke in support of restructuring 

said that it would bring 

By Nwabueze Okonkwo 

ONITSHA—No fewer than 

800 graduands of Nwafor 

Orizu College of Education 

Nsugbe, NOCEN were conferred 

with the Nigeria Certificate in Education, 

NCE and Professional 

Diploma in Education, PDE at the 

19th convocation ceremony of the 

institution. 

In her convocation address, the 

Provost of the college, Dr Ifeyinwa 

Osegbo said: "704 graduands received 

NCE and 96 others were 

awarded teaching certificates.'' 

Osegbo urged the graduands 

to see their convocation as a call 

about even distribution of the resources 

in the country as well as 

address the issue of 

marginalisation. But another traditional 

ruler in Imo State, Eze Oliver 

Ohanwe of Ihim Autonomous community 

in Isiala Mbano said that 

for restructuring to work, the 

Federal Government should give 

the South-East region one additional 

state. 

However, the host of the Igbo Day 

celebration, Imo State Governor, 

Rochas Okorocha, said that the time 

has come for Igbo people to take a 

bold step and change their story for 

the better. 

He said: "Ohanaeze means the 

people and their kings, hence they 

should carry the Ezes along in 

whatever they do towards having 

one voice and achieving their aim. 

"Let me say this, restructuring of 

this country is long overdue. We 

have to know that restructuring Nigeria 

will bring about even distribution 

of appointments at the federal 

level among the six geopolitical 

zones. We wish to have a Nigeria 

where all citizens will be treated 

equally irrespective of tribe, religion 

and ethnicity." 

According to Ohanwe: "We should 

have a united force to ask for what 

we want. The issue of restructuring 

did not start with the present 

administration it has been there for 

long. We have not approached the 

matter with passion. 

When South-East Voice asked 

Ohanwe if restructuring will end 

Igbo marginalisation, he said: "Restructuring 

will create a new face 

of Nigeria, restructuring means 

that you give every zone that which 

is due them. 

"Now that the Senate has passed 

the South-East Development Commission 

into law, this is part of 

what we have been talking about. 

Also the constitution of Nigeria 

must be a democratic constitution 

and not carried over from the military 

regime to civilian regime. 

"Now for you to talk about restructuring, 

there is need to have one 

more state so that there will be a 

balance. If you restructure when 

we have not gotten one more state 

like others, then we will still remain 

marginalised. 

"So, getting one more state is 

what this present administration 

can do for us. 

"You remember that the South- 

East Development Commission 

was thrown out by the lower House 

and I was among those who 

pleaded with the South-East Caucus 

at the National Assembly not 

to allow it fail and finally, it was 

passed by the Senate." 

Imo State Governor, Okorocha 

said: "Ohanaeze could relate with, 

and marry these organisations and 

use them to launch the campaign 

that would truly make other parts 

of Nigeria to see Igbos as fellow 

Nigerians in whom they should 

be well pleased. We are highly 

misunderstood and until you come 

to an Igboman’s house, you will 

not know how hospitable he is. 

"We are highly misunderstood. 

This is why we must use 

organisations like these ones I 

mentioned to tell our story so that 

other tribes may understand us. 

“It is a privilege for any leader to 

host the leadership of his people. 

My joy knows no bound for the 

fact that we still have an Ohanaeze 

today. Few years ago, it was a different 

story and that’s why I must 

salute the immediate past President-General 

of Ohanaeze, Dr. 

Igariwey and Chief Ralph 

Obioha. 

"When it looked like Ohanaeze 

will be in pieces because of crisis, 

they honoured me and came to Imo 

State. What we thought was beyond 

fixing, surprisingly both parties 

agreed and today, we have 

Ohanaeze of our dream. 

“Many people have wondered 

why I should build such a gigantic 

building for Ohanaeze. It was 

easily interpreted to be either for 

political reason or social reason, 

but believe me, I did so because I 

truly understand the people, that 

Igbos are not good beginners but 

good finishers. 

"When others start, Igbos don’t 

start but once they start, they can 

defeat any other person. Understanding 

this, I thought it would 

be good to build that edifice for my 

people to help them come together. 

I am happy the building is nearing 

completion and will soon be 

handed over to the Igbo nation. 

"There is a lot of difference between 

the Imo State of today and 

Imo State of 2011 in all spheres of 

human existence. You have just attested 

to what you have seen but I 

don’t think you have seen it all. 

"That goes a long way to explain 

why cultural organisations like 

yours should hold your governors 

accountable because when funds 

come to those states, it is indirectly 

given to those cultural organisations 

because they are among the beneficiaries 

of those funds. I urge all 

of you to set up a special committee 

to go round and assess what 

your leaders are doing with the 

funds allotted to them." 

Nwafor Orizu Education College churns out 800 teachers at 

19th convocation 

to duty and a mark to the end of 

dependence on their families, adding 

that they should use the knowledge 

acquired as weapon of 

survival and excellence in their 

various fields of human endeavour. 

She commended Governor Willie 

Obiano of Anambra State for his 

commitment to the welfare of the 

staff and students of the college, especially 

for the construction of roads 

within the institution.and appealed 

to him to construct hostels to 

reduce accommodation problems 

faced by students and to convert 

the college into a University of Education, 

to help boost the strength of 

the institution, staff and students, 

Never in the history 

of this country has 

Ndigbo been so 

marginalised, denied 

their fundamental 

human rights and 

traumatised 

as well as increase the Internally 

Generated Revenue, IGR of the 

college. In his address, Gov. 

Obiano represented by the state 

Commissioner for Tertiary and 

Science Education, Prof. 

Theresa Obiekezie assured that 

his administration was 

committed to providing equal 

educational opportunity for all, 

adding that education remains 

a pillar and an enabler in his 

administration to ensure that all 

citizens receive equal opportunity 

in education. 

The governor disclosed that 

more roads would be 

constructed within the institution 

as contracts have been awarded 

while perimeter fencing would 

soon commence to further provide 

security to the college. 

While commending the staff 

and students of the college for 

their dedication, Obiano 

pledged to provide scholarships 

to indigent students in the 

college. 

Highlight of the event was the 

award of college prizes to six 

deserving graduates, just as 

Miss Marycynthia 

Mmaduchebe, a graduate of 

Biology/Chemistry emerged 

the overall best student for 

2018 academic session.




Is INEC really preparing for success 

or failure? 

USUALLY, there are many 

parties to every contest. In a 

football contest you have the 

teams, the referee and his 

linesman, the spectatorssupporters 

and opposers and then 

the managers of the stadium and 

finally those who control the crowd 

and provide safety for all. This is 

largely the same for all other 

sports. In educational pursuits 

which can some times turn into a 

contest when we want to determine 

winners and losers for prizes, 

honors or for access to limited 

space, you have the students, the 

teachers, the examiners and those 

who set standards. 

But in these situations there are 

always the most critical parties, 

those who really can make or 

unmake. Similarly, in Political 

contests, there are many partiesthe 

political parties, the electorate 

(voters), the electoral umpire, the 

security agencies and the 

government in power. The question 

is which party determines the 

election? 

It depends. In normal 

circumstances, every party has 

significant impact. The political 

parties and their conduct may 

make or mar an election. In deed 

in our experience as a Nation, the 

political parties have largely 

determined the outcomes of many 

of the political contests. When they 

buy votes, snatch ballot boxes, steal 

or destroy ballot papers, instigate 

violence at pooling booths and 

collating centers including 

burning down electoral centers, 

they often determine the election. 

When the security agencies 

decide to jump into the fray, 

intimidating and rough handling 

opposition parties members or 

preventing voters from voting their 

choice, then they help to determine 

the outcome of the elections. When 

the electoral umpire decides to be 

partial, then they will naturally 

determine the outcomes of the 

elections. 

At every election when the 

government in power is 

determined to see free, fair and 

violence-free elections, they take 

actions to get every party in the 

contest to behave well and act 

according to the rules of 

engagement. That does not always 

guarantee that all parties will 

behave well, including the 

government itself. That was why 

despite all the advertised desire of 

President Babangida’s 

Government to bequeath a good 

election, it went ahead to sabotage 

the same election which has been 

variously described as the best 

election in NIgeria. 

But if one particular party 

behaves well, it can check or 

dampen the impact of the 

misbehavior of other party or 

parties. But if that same party 

decides to misbehave, it is not 

certain that the other parties can 

sufficiently contain its impact. That 

party is the electoral umpire which 

in Nigeria is called the 

Independent National Electoral 

Commission, INEC. Indeed in 

What is important 

in a democracy is 

that if a significant 

segment of the 

electorate opposes 

any decision, then 

they must be listened 

to 

many elections the electoral 

umpire holds the ace. 

Their ability to determine the 

election is influenced by the 

discretion they can exercise. In 

sophisticated and automated 

systems where voting and/or 

results collation are 

done electronically their ability to 

do harm is minimized. But in less 

developed and analogue systems 

where collation of results from the 

pooling booths to the national 

collation centre is done manually, 

the capacity of the umpire to do 

harm is grossly accentuated. And 

this is exactly where Nigeria is 

currently located. That this 

umpire has the capacity and 

perhaps the looming propensity to 

work along this dangerous path is 

indicated by a couple of baffling 

false steps. 

The primary dissonance is a 

tendency to work at cross purposes 

with its major parties in the contest 

- the political parties. INEC is 

showing strong headedness, not 

willing to listen to the political 

parties except perhaps to only onethe 

one in power. If INEC desires 

to superintendent over a peaceful, 

free and fair election, it can not 

feel unconcerned with the concerns 

of the 91 parties that make up the 

CUPP. 

The first concern is Amina 

Zakari. Whether she has a blood 

or water relationship with Mr 

President should not be the only 

issue. What is important in a 

democracy is that if a significant 

segment of the electorate opposes 

any decision, then they must be 

listened to. This was what 

happened when she was made the 

acting Chairman, when Prof 

Attahiru Jega finished his term. 

Perhaps the President was minded 

to send her name for confirmation 

as substantive chairman but when 

he listened to the voice of a 

significant segment of the 

stakeholders, he decided against 

it, and rather appointed Prof 

Mahmoud Yakubu. 

I think, INEC if it is truly 

independent must listen to the 

stakeholders and avoid any thing 

that can tarnish the outcome of the 

elections. They should learn from 

the President or are they? Already 

the leading opposition parties 

have drawn international attention 

to their objections and the 

stubbornness of INEC. The parties 

are not asking that she be removed 

as a national commissioner but just 

that she be reassigned. To me that 

is not too much sacrifice. It is 

essentially complying with good 

corporate governance practices 

because there is perceived conflict 

of interest. In many advanced 

Nations, she would naturally 

recuse herself even if no body raised 

any objection.That is where 

honour means much. 

The second concern is that INEC 

is re-writing the guidelines for 

conducting the elections without 

taking the parties into confidence. 

They have just been presented with 

a fait accompli. And now the 

parties are protesting. Was this not 

avoidable? In 2015, accreditation 

was completed and the number of 

accredited voters announced 

before voting started. That way, 

voters and party agents watched 

out for over-voting and that helped 

in some way to deliver a good 

election. 

But now INEC says accreditation 

will go on simultaneously with 

voting. There are certainly pros 

and cons for either procedure. But 

why would INEC not sell these to 

the parties before firming up the 

guidelines. To me this is breeding 

unnecessary controversies and 

contradictions which are souring 

the relationship between the 

parties to the contest even before 

the contest begins. 

Thus from the look of things, 

INEC will determine the 2019 

elections and must be prepared to 

bear the consequences. But with the 

most recent rumblings in the polity 

the Government in power may 

beat INEC to it!!! 

The assassination of Alex Badeh, insecurity 

and the privatisation of the police (3) 

WE must try to put issues in their right 

perspective and recognise things as 

they are. What our legislators and others bent 

on playing politics with the unfortunate death 

of a man should be asking for is justice for all. 

They do not love Badeh more or care for the 

security of Nigerians more than those who 

demand that the murderers of Badeh should 

be tracked down and made to face the law 

while the question of his trial is not linked to 

some nebulous claims of his being privy to 

some classified information. We can love Alex 

Badeh without spinning or rewriting the story 

of his life. Nor should we condone what might 

be the less desirable or condemnable aspects 

of his official conduct. Nigerians are best 

served when all of us, especially the elite, 

understand that our safety lies in the safety 

and security of all. In collective security is our 

safety guaranteed. Creating privilege for a few 

Nigerians at the expense of hundreds of 

millions is at best foolishness. 

Today the Nigerian police operates as a 

private security guard company where 

everybody, including common felons, who 

have the means are assigned armed guards. 

Once an individual has some few thousands 

of naira to expend they are assigned police 

officers to serve as their personal guards. Other 

times, police men or women are deployed to 

enforce payment of debts by persons with the 

right connections or execute illegal arrest of 

people. Even on short time basis, police officers 

on clearly illegal assignments accompany 

those who can afford it to navigate dangerous 

highways or simply join the travelling convoy 

of a private individual for protection against 

armed robbers or indeed just for a 

demonstration of power against fellow 

citizens. This is increasingly the case in a 

country where money and the privilege it 

confers is everything. Nigerians who don’t have 

the means are left to safeguard their own life 

and property. Not only are Nigerians called 

upon to provide their own electricity, drill 

boreholes or wells for water and transform dirt 

roads to thoroughfares, they now provide their 

own security by way of neigbourhood watch 

and vigilantes where the Police Force have been 

taken over by the rich and connected. 

Under Ibrahim Idris, the Inspector General 

of Police, the Nigerian Police has become 

totally venal having turned the private property 

of just some and not all Nigerians. So after 

government officials, appointed and elected, 

have had their pick, other persons and groups 

of interested parties, comprising wealthy 

business people, traditional rulers, lower level 

government officials- past and present; people 

connected to police officers, banks and other 

business concerns- after these all have had their 

Our uniformed personnel are 

poorly paid, kitted and housed, 

yet they are assigned weapons, 

albeit decrepit and obsolete, 

with which they can at least do a 

lot of damage to their superiors 

in uniform and the unfortunate 

‘bloody civilians’ 

pick, then the remaining hundreds of millions 

of Nigerians are left at the mercy of the 

demoralised constabulary that constantly 

harasses the populace in an obvious display of 

their frustrations. We have it on the authority 

of Isa Mishau, a senator of the Nigerian State 

that hundreds of millions of naira go into the 

private coffers of the top echelon of the Police 

Force who have turned the police into a 

money-making 

concern. 

Today you find police officers in a brazen 

show of power accompanying well known 

fraudsters, yahoo-boys and men, around major 

towns and cities. They protect noisy musicians, 

politicians, oil 

magnates, 

officials of 

multinational 

corporations, 

foreign and local 

oil company 

executives and 

their families. 

They are involved 

in executing demeaning errands and chores 

like cleaning, sweeping, cooking and all whatnot- 

carrying handbags and files of not just 

their hirers but the wives and mistresses of these 

individuals. They are often to be spotted in the 

convoy of political thugs or providing cover 

for their criminally-minded principals, 

lounging or dozing lazily at the entrance of 

private homes where they are treated as 

ordinary ‘mai guard’- yet these are men and 

women of the Nigerian police trained at tax 

payers expense! They become easy targets of 

armed bandits on their routine call at 

commercial concerns like bank premises. A 

most recent case being in Offa where police 

offices were slaughtered by a gang of robbers 

led by no less a personality than –wait for it: a 

dismissed police man! 

The Nigerian police, driven by the lure of 

profit for the senior officers, compete with 

private security outfits for the patronage of 

commercial concerns. Never before now have 

police officers been reduced to their present 

level of beggary where officers are more 

interested in performing guard duty for those 

able to afford it than serve in their primary 

role of prevention, investigation and 

prosecution of crime. Today’s police officers 

are happy conducting ‘stop and search’ duties 

at illegal check points and openly demand 

gratifications in cash and kind from road users. 

While the Police have in recent times increased 

their recruitment drive, the entire process has 

been fraught with allegations of corruption, 

nepotism and favouritism. At less than half a 

million, indeed about three hundred 

thousand(?) officers, relative to a population 

of about two hundred million people, Nigeria 

is one of the least policed states in the world 

even when a close scrutiny of the police pay 

roll may reveal there are hundreds of thousands 

more people in the Police than actually exist 

on ground. 

It amounts to no exaggeration to say that 

the Nigerian police and other security 

agencies exist to serve only people in authority. 

In Lagos, for example, a former governor is 

entitled to six police officers as personal guards 

and two officers of the Department of State 

Services. If a retired governor has this number 

of police officers as personal security, what 

would a serving governor have? We are not 

talking here of those hangers-on of the 

governor and those of their spouses that would 

also demand their own personal security 

arrangement. Multiply this by the number of 

officials at different tiers of our bloated 

bureaucracy nationwide and you begin to have 

an idea of what I am saying. By the time police 

officers are deployed to guard duties of various 

kinds, there are too few left to take care of the 

vast majority of the people with an extensive 

army of young, unemployed and sometimes 

unemployable graduates, artisans with little 

or no capital to set up, workers that are owed 

many months, even years of unpaid salariesin 

a country where infrastructure is in near 

total collapse and hunger is rife. Our 

uniformed personnel are poorly paid, kitted 

and housed, yet they are assigned weapons, 

albeit decrepit and obsolete, with which they 

can at least do a lot of damage to their superiors 

in uniform and the unfortunate ‘bloody 

civilians’. With such level of disfunctionality 

do we still wonder why there is neither hiding 

place nor protection for the privileged few? 

Concluded 

C 

M 

Y 

K


VISIT: All 

Progressives 

Congress, APC, 

senatorial candidate 

for Lagos East, Bayo 

Oshinowo; APC 

deputy gubernatorial 

candidate, Lagos 

State, Mr. Obafemi 

Hamzat; Senator 

representing Lagos 

East, Gbenga Ashafa; 

Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; 

Oba Bashiru 

Oloruntoyin Saliu, 

the Oloworo of 

Oworonshoki, and 

APC gubernatorial 

candidate for Lagos 

State, Mr. Babajide 

Sanwo-olu during a 

courtesy visit to the 

king by Prof. 

Osinbajo. 

Anioma'll find it hard to get another 

Sunny Odogwu — Jibunoh, Utomi 

By Emma 

Amaize, South- 

South Editor & 

Festus Ahon 

A 

S A B A — 

ENVIRONMENTAL 

activist, Chief Newton 

Jibunoh; Prof. Pat Utomi and 

other Delta North (Anioma) 

leaders in Delta State, said 

yesterday, it would take a 

long time for the ethnic 

group to find a replacement 

for business tycoon and Ide 

of Asaba, the late Chief 

Sunny Odogwu, who they 

described as a “risk taker” 

and “important voice” in 

Anioma. 

Jibunoh, the famous desert 

explorer from Akwukwu 

Igbo, told Vanguard: “I 

received the news of the 

death of Chief Odogwu with 

sadness because he was one 

of the pillars of Anioma 

nation. 

“In building Anioma 

industrially, he is one of the 

pioneers and risk takers. It 

was through taking risk that 

he was able to build an 

empire, yes, I call it an 

empire. And we have few 

of such persons in our area. 

“And I can tell you that 

Anioma nation will go a long 

way to before we can find 

another Odogwu. He was in 

a class of his own in Anioma. 

In fact, it is not only Anioma, 

but Delta that will be 

searching for somebody of 

his calibre for a long time. 

“Apart from the fact that we 

were friends, my children 

and his are very close, I will 

surely be in Asaba to bid him 

final farewell,” Jibunoh 

added. 

Prof Utomi, who also spoke 

to Vanguard, said: “When 

the inclination of many was 

to go towards government to 

survival, Chief Odogwu 

moved into private business 

and remained steadfast and 

he never gave up on 

encouraging the new 

generation. 

“I remember that I actually 

met him very strangely in 

Jos, Plateau State, nearly 40 

years ago, when as a young 

man, who just returned from 

graduate studies in United 

States and trying to change 

Nigeria, I had gone to Jos 

for a debate with former 

Senate President, Iyorchia 

Ayu, and others on the way 

forward for Nigeria. 

“I was in the restaurant of 

a hotel where I lodged when 

NGO sues AGF over Warri dredging 

contract 

By Henry Ojelu 

A non-governmental 

organisation, Cadrel 

Advocacy Centre, has 

dragged Attorney-General 

of the Federation, AGF 

before a Federal High 

Court sitting in Lagos over 

the contract for dredging of 

Warri channel. 

The centre is asking the 

court to direct the AGF and 

Nigerian Ports Authority, 

NPA, to withdraw the letter 

awarding the contract for 

the dredging of the Warri 

channel to Dredging 

International Services Ltd. 

somebody came to me and 

asked, ‘are you not Utomi?' I 

said yes, he said ‘you did 

very well...you did very 

well.’ That was how he met 

me." 

Prof Utomi said the late 

Odogwu inspired many 

young Anioma men, 

adding: “Sunny Iwedike 

Odogwu, SIO Industries is 

his brand. The company 

The claimant had hinged 

its prayer on ground that 

the said company, which is 

a sister company to another 

company, Dredging 

International Services, 

Cyprus, shared the same 

Directors with both of them 

owned by the DEME 

Group Belgium and same 

not legally qualified to 

execute contracts in 


Meanwhile, the 

defendants are yet to file 

their defence to the suit. 

The claimant through its 

counsel, Chief Mike 

Ozekhome SAN is praying 

the court to declare that by 

manufactured bags and 

other things, incidentally, 

when he thought of setting it 

up, he called me and sought 

my views, which I gave him. 

“We want to say to people, 

see what Odogwu had done, 

let us go back home, set up 

industrial layout where we 

will bring investments and 

create jobs for our people, but 

we did not manage to do a 

good job of it as we hoped.” 

Rivers Oba to ONELGA stakeholders: 

Shun repeat of 2015 fatal elections 

By Egufe 

Yafugborhi 


AHEAD of the elections 

from next month, the Oba 

of Ogbaland, Dr. 

Chukumela Nnam, Obi II, 

has urged stakeholders to 

avoid repeat of 2015 

partisan conflicts, which 

claimed lives in his Ogba/ 

Egbema/Ndoni Local 

Government Area, 

ONELGA, Rivers State 

domain and Nigeria at 

large. 

Omoku, ONELGA 

headquarters and the 

Oba’s seat of kingship, was 

worst hit by the widespread 

destruction of property and 

killings, which marred the 

2015 governorship election 

in the state and the re-run 

that followed in 2016. 

Addressing his subjects, 

party leaders, electorate, 

Independent National 


INEC and security 

operatives in his palace at 

Omoku, the monarch urged 

all, “irrespective of religion, 

ethnicity, gender, political 

affiliation or status to 

fervently pray for a peaceful 

2019 general election. 

“Crisis is an ill wind that 

blows no good. What 

Nigerians expect from 

politicians are issue-based 

electioneering campaigns 

devoid of acrimony, 

character assassination, 

violence, hate speeches, 

blame games and to have a 

more united country called 

Nigeria at the end of the 

2019 elections. 

“Our youths must learn 

from what happened in the 

area few years ago. Avoid 

being used as tools for 

violence by desperate and 

greedy politicians. Vote 

according to your 

conscience peacefully. 

INEC and security 

operatives must be neutral 

and not compromise their 

integrity in discharge of 

their duties.” 

virtue of Item 8 of the Expression 

of Interest Document 

of the bid released 

by NPA , the award of the 

contract for the dredging 

of the Warri channel by the 

NPA to Dredging International 

Company Ltd, a 

company whose directors 

are already in fiducial relationship 

with the NPA by 

virtue of their membership 

of the same board of Bonny 

Channel Company Ltd, 

without first disclosing 

same to other participants 

in the bidding process constitutes 

a clear breach and 

conflict of interest and public 

trust reposed in the 

NPA. 

Wike sets up business grants 

for widows of war veterans 

P 

O R T 

HARCOURT— 

Governor Nyesom Wike 

of Rivers State has 

announced a N30 million 

business grant to widows 

and wives of fallen 

heroes and war veterans 

of the Nigerian Legion in 

the state. 

Speaking during a 

ceremony to mark this 

year’s Armed Forces 

Remembrance Day at the 

courtyard of the 

Government House, Port 

Harcourt, yesterday, 

Wike said the grant 

would help the women 

expand their businesses 

and cater for their 

families. 

The governor also 

announced a donation of 

N20 million to Rivers State 

Branch of Nigerian Legion, 

noting that the two 

donations will be effective 

after the legion make peace 

among their persons. 

The Armed Forces 

Remembrance Day was 

held at the Isaac Boro 

where Governor Wike 

inspected a guard of 

honour and released 

pigeons of peace. 

The governor, leaders of 

the state and service 

commanders laid wreaths 

at the tomb of the unknown 

soldier, while there was a 

21 gun salute for the fallen 

heroes. 

Manager, Mutu, Preyor move 

to capture Bomadi LGA votes 

BOMADI—IN 

a 

bid to capture all votes 

for Peoples Democratic 

Party PDP, the incumbent 

federal lawmakers, Senator 

James Manager, 

representing Delta South 

senatorial district; Mr. 

Nicholas Mutu, 

representing Bomadi/ 

Patani federal constituency 

and Mr. Oboro Preyor, 

representing Bomadi in 

Delta State House of 

Assembly, have stormed 10 

political wards of Bomadi 

Local Government Area of 

the state, seeking block 

votes for the party. 

The campaign, which 

lasted for two days in the 

council, witnessed the 

inauguration of 10 political 

wards PDP campaign 

committees conducted by 

Mr Newworld Safugha, 

Delta State Commissioner for 

Power and Energy and 

Chairman, Bomadi Council 

PDP Campaign 

Organisation. 

Manager, addressing 

crowd at Akugbene town, 

noted that though they are 

their kinsmen and have 

attracted projects to their 

communities, there was still 

the need for them to further 

request block votes from 

them. 

He said the Ijaw nation 

lagged behind in projects 

from the federal and state 

governments due to lack of 

collective bargain for its needs 

and aspirations, enjoining the 

people through their royal 

fathers to form bargaining 

team for the kingdom. 

Onnoghen: Follow due 

process, UPU tells FG 

P RESIDENT- 

GENERAL of 

Urhobo Progress Union 

Worldwide, UPU, 

Olorogun Moses Taiga, 

has advised the Federal 

Government to follow 

due process in the 

handling of the false 

asset charges against 

Chief Justice of Nigeria, 

Justice Walter 

Onnoghen. 

Acknowledging that 

Justice Onnoghen was 

not above the law and 

immune from 

prosecution, Taiga said 

the right channel should 

be followed. 

He noted that 

“normally, Justice 

Onnoghen, as a judicial 

officer, should first of all 

face National Judicial 

Council, NJC. It is only 

after he is found guilty 

by the NJC that he can 

be arraigned before the 

Code of Conduct 

Tribunal or a court of 

competent jurisdiction. 

“The UPU is worried 

about the speed with 

which the CJN is being 

arraigned. The petition 

was dated January 7. 

Within a week, the Code 

of Conduct Bureau, CCB, 

had concluded investigation 

and the CCT was 

ready to arraign the CJN. 

It raises suspicion in a 

country where the judicial 

system is usually very 

Church holds 

revival 

The Holy Mountain of 

Blessing Church of Zion is 

holding its 2019 revival 

service from January 14 to 

January 20, 2019 at its 

National headquarters in 

Iba New Town, Lagos. 

According to the General 

Overseer of the church, Dr. 

R. O. Oguntibeju, the 

revival promises to witness 

miracles, breakthrough 

and deliverance and 

inspiring sermons and 

teachings from anointed 

men of God.


Oba of Benin tasks new Edo 

security chiefs on professionalism 

By Gabriel 

Enogholase 

BENIN—THE Oba of 

Benin, Omo N’ Oba 

N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, 

Oba Ewuare II, has 

charged the new security 

chiefs recently posted to 

Edo State to join forces with 

his palace and the Edo 

State Government to tackle 

the security challenges in 

the state. 

The Benin monarch gave 

the charge when he 

received the new 

Commander of the 4 

Brigade, Nigeria Army, 

Benin, Brigadier-General 

Greg Omorogbe; the new 

By Davies 

Iheamnachor 


THE embattled Rivers 

State governorship 

candidate of All 


APC, Mr. Tonye Cole, has 

come under fire for 

describing Bille Kingdom 

in Degema Local 

Government Area of the 

state as the heart of oil 

bunkering and 

gunrunning. 

The community said it will 

institute a law suit against 

Cole if he does not 

apologise within 48 hours. 

Cole had, while 

appearing as guest on a 

radio programme in Port 

Harcourt on Saturday, 

reportedly described Bille 

Kingdom as the heart of oil 

bunkering and proliferation 

of firearm. 

Cole said when he visited 

the kingdom, he saw many 

youths with guns, adding 

that their illegal activities in 

oil has caused devastation 

in the area. 

Speaking, yesterday, in 

Commissioner of Police, 

Mr. Akeem Odumosun, 

and Flight Commander, 

107 Air Maritime Group, 

Benin, Mr. Fatai Ganiyu, in 

his palace. 

While addressing the 4 

Brigade Commander, Oba 

Ewuare II expressed 

delight that the first Edo 

man has been posted to the 

Brigade, and prayed God 

and the ancestors to guide 

and protect him, while 

assuring of the palace’s 

support at all times. 

On his part, Brigadier- 

General Omorogbe said he 

was at the palace to 

introduce himself to the 

Oba as well as solicit his 

royal blessings and support 

to enable him succeed in 

his new assignment. 

The Benin monarch, 

while receiving the new 


Mr. Odumosun, reminded 

him that this year was 

critical in the history of 

Nigeria because of the 

forthcoming elections. 

He urged him to put his 

experiences to bear on the 

job and should not be 

partial, but be diligent in 

his job. 

Commending the former 


Babatunde Kokumo, for 

doing a good job and for 

always consulting with the 

negative light. Bille 

Kingdom rejects and 

condemns in its entirety, the 

surreptitious move by Cole 

to bring calamity upon the 

kingdom. 

“Is it not possible for him 

to do his political campaign 

without having to 

blackmail the Bille 

Kingdom? 

“We are proud to say that 

Bille Kingdom is and has 

been the most peaceful Ijaw 

or riverine kingdom in 

Rivers State, a kingdom 

where cultism, piracy and 

militancy are taboos. 

“In light of the above, the 

Amayanabo-in-Council, 

Chiefs and the people of 

palace, the Oba enjoined 

the new Police boss to 

emulate his predecessor 

and assured him of 

necessary support. 

Odumosun promised to 

remain dedicated to his 

duties, pointing out that he 

would ensure that officers 

and men of the command 

do their job within the ambit 

of the law. 

Addressing the Flight 

Commander of 107 Air 

Maritime Group, the Omo 

N’Oba assured him that 

the palace would look into 

his requests, especially that 

of the Air Force land in 

dispute with some communities 

in the kingdom. 

FCMB: From left— Regional Head, South-West, First City Monument Bank, FCMB, Mr. Adelaja 

Adeleye; Founder of FCMB Group, Otunba Olasubomi Balogun, and Divisional Head, Corporate Services, 

FCMB, Felicia Obozuwa, at the commissioning of the newly-renovated Ijebu-Ode 1 branch of the bank at 

Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.. 

Rivers community gives Cole 48 hrs to apologise 

over gunrunning, bunkering comments 

By Chioma Onuegbu 

U YO—GOVERNOR 

Udom Emmanuel of 

Akwa Ibom State has 

assured workers of his 

readiness to pay the 

N30,000 new minimum 

wage. 

Emmanuel, who spoke on 

Monday in Uyo during 

consultation with the state 

chapters of Nigeria Labour 

Congress, NLC; Trade 

Union Congress, TUC, and 

other affiliated unions, 

noted that the state 

government was only 

waiting for the Federal 

Government to decide on 

the new minimum wage. 

He described labour as 

the bedrock of development 

in any nation and 

Port Harcourt on behalf of 

the Amayanabo-in- 

Council, Vice Chairman of 

Bille Kingdom Chiefs 

Council, Alabo Ibitamino 

Minapakama, called on 

Cole to tender apology for 

accusing the people 

wrongly. 

Minapakama said it was 

wrong for Cole to go on air 

and pass biased judgment 

on the kingdom, adding 

that Bille remains the most 

peaceful community in Ijaw 

nation. 

He said: “It is totally 

unacceptable that Cole 

could maliciously portray 

the calm and peaceful Bille 

Kingdom in such a 

the Bille Kingdom hereby 

give Cole, APC 

governorship aspirant in 

Rivers State 48 hours to 

make public withdrawal of 

his malicious statements 

and render apologies to the 

Amayanabo-in-Council, 

chiefs and people of Bille 

Kingdom in both prints 

and electronic media. 

“Notice is hereby given to 

Cole that should he refuse 

and/or neglect to carry out 

the above simple demand, 

the Amayanabo-in- 

Council, chiefs and people 

of Bille Kingdom shall 

without further recourse to 

him, take all appropriate 

legal action on the matter.” 

Emmanuel vows to pay new minimum wage, but... 

commended the unions in 

the state for their support 

towards his administration 

so far. 

His words: “Labour is the 

key to development. You 

cannot relegate labour to 

the background. 

“Minimum wage has 

never been an issue; it is 

just that it has been a matter 

of legislation. We are 

UPN canvasses for 

Okowa's re-election 

By Jimitota 

Onoyume & Festus 

Ahon 

P ROMINENT 

Urhobo, on the 

platform of Urhobo 

Progressives Network, 

UPN, have called for the 

re-election of Governor 

Ifeanyi Okowa, stressing 

that all ethnic groups in 

the state should respect 

the rotation arrangement 

that had seen the 

governorship seat rotate 

among the three 

senatorial districts since 

1999. 

Addressing journalists 

in Warri, Delta State, 

Director General of the 

group, Chief Emmanuel 

Okumagba, flanked by 

other officers of the 

...Alex Idu, too 

By Simom 

Adewale 

THE President of 

Urhobo National 

Youth Movement, 

UNYM, Mr. Alex Idu, 

has urged Deltans to cast 

their vote for Governor 

Ifeanyi Okowa and 

Kingsley Otuaro. 

Addressing newsmen 

during Okowa’s 

campaign tour, Idu said 

Okowa had touched 

every community and 

the lives of Deltans 

through infrastructure 

development and his 

SMART agenda, adding 

that the people of the 

state should vote for him 

to consolidate on the 

gains of democracy he 

Isa Clark not our 

leader—PDP Burutu 

By Gab Ejuwa 

PEOPLES Democratic 

Party, PDP, caucus 

Ward 8, Burutu Local 

Government Area, 

Kiagbodo town, Delta 

State, on the platform of 

Ward 8 Integrity Group, 

has reaffirmed its vote of 

no confidence on the 

leadership of Mr. Isa 

Clark. 

The Ward 8 PDP 

Caucus, at an enlarged 

meeting in Kiagbodo, 

waiting for directions from 

the Federal Government. 

Once the direction is given, 

we will pay. 

“I have done my best to 

make sure that workers do 

not suffer. I pay salaries 

even when I do not receive 

allocation. 

“You did not elect me to 

make excuses, but to find 

solution to problems.” 

group, commended 

Okowa for his 

achievements so far, 

adding that the governor 

had transformed several 

communities to modern 

cities. 

He said: “Given the 

unwritten agreement for 

the rotation of the 

governorship position 

among the three senatorial 

districts, our stands is that 

UPN, unequivocally 

supports Okowa to be reelected 

for a second tenure 

in line with existing facts. 

“In this regard, the 

Urhobo Progressive 

Network, hereby, calls on 

all our Urhobo sons and 

daughters to vote en 

mass for Okowa in the 

interest of justice, equity 

and fair play.” 

brought to the state. 

He charged the 

electorate in Urhobo 

Kingdom, stakeholders, 

leaders, youths and 

women to vote for all 

Peoples Democratic Party, 

PDP, candidates from 

federal to state levels, 

adding “do not be 

deceived by parties 

encouraging insecurity in 


“PDP is the only 

antidote to all antidevelopment 

agenda.” 

He said Deltans should 

know that Okowa keeps 

promises, as UNYM was 

set to campaign vigorously 

to sustain the equity and 

prosperity his 

administration brought to 

Delta State. 

headquarters of the ward, 

said that the reason for the 

reaffirmation of the vote of 

no confidence was as a 

result of the continuous 

dealings with Isa Clark by 

the ward executives 

despite not being the 

ward leader. 

Reacting, Clark said he 

remained the PDP leader 

of the ward and that 

members of PDP Ward 8 

Integrity Group were 

being used by a leader that 

does not want him. 

The caucus, in a 

statement by Godwin 

Masah, SSA to Governor 

Ifeanyi Okowa on Political 

Matters, Dr. Jimmy 

Okolakpa, Lucky 

Oweimieotu and 30 

others, alleged that Clark's 

refusal to attend meetings 

of the reconciliation 

committee set up by the 

Burutu Campaign 

Council showed that he 

had no regard for the party.


Curb unemployment crisis to 

check security challenges, 

Obi of Onitsha tells FG 

By Nwabueze 

Okonkwo 

ONITSHA—THE Obi 

of Onitsha, Igwe 

Alfred Achebe has 

attributed the present 

unemployment crisis 

bedeviling the youth 

population to the security 

challenges facing the 

country and warned that 

if drastic measures were 

not taken, the situation 

might deteriorate to an 

alarming stage. 

Achebe who made the 

observation in Onitsha 

yesterday at the 

graduation ceremony of 

69 youths of Onitsha 

origin, who were trained 

in various vocations 

facilitated by the monarch, 

under his Ime-Obi 

Entrepreneurship 

Development programme 

for Onitsha youths and 

sponsored by Ford 

Foundation, described 

unemployment as 

fundamental to many of 

the social ills in the 

country which made 

youths to join cultism, 

kidnapping and robbery. 

Achebe explained that 

the programme was 

therefore aimed at making 

youths acquire skills and 

become useful to 

themselves and the 

society by becoming 

employers of labour, 

rather than waiting to 

become employees. 

According to the 

monarch, “one of those 

graduating today is 

already employing seven 

graduates in his outfit. It is 

one way to build the 

economy and the country 

and to discourage youths 

from committing crime”. 

The monarch disclosed 

that the first set of 70 

youths, who were trained 

and assisted with loans 

worth N500,000 each, 

totaling N35 million have 

repaid over N33 million, 

even as he commended 

Ford Foundation for 

supporting the community 

outreach and 

entrepreneurship in 

Onitsha. 

He said: “the financial 

support was also used to 

organise long vacation 

programmes for secondary 

school students as well as 

special remedial 

programme for Onitsha 

indigenes seeking 

admission into universities. 

“We equally have drug 

addiction programme to 

prevent and rehabilitate 

our youths who are into 

drugs”. 

He therefore urged 

youths of Onitsha origin 

who were yet to register 

with the Onitsha Youth 

Council to do so in their 

interest and for their 

development. 

Halogen Security attains ISO 

9001:2015 certification 

By Etop Ekanem 

I NTERNATIONAL 

Organisation for 

Standardisation, ISO, has 

announced the elevation 

of Halogen Security 

Company Limited, 

Nigeria’s premier 

enterprise security risk 

solution company, to its 

certification category of 

ISO 9001:2015 

Halogen achieved the 

new ISO certification 

recently following a 

rigorous certification 

exercise in which 

representatives of ISO 

conducted a company 

wide audit of Halogen’s 

operations. 

The exercise which took 

the ISO representatives to 

all Halogen offices 

nationwide, featured 

exhaustive interrogation 

of Halogen’s executives, 

systems, processes and 

operations, with a view to 

determining the 

company’s compliance 

with ISO’s stringent 

quality management 

system, QMS, 

stipulations. 

Speaking on the ISO 

certification, Group 

Managing Director, 

Halogen Security 

Company Limited, Mr. 

Wale Olaoye, said: “We are 

excited to receive 

certification to ISO 

9001:2015. This, no doubt, 

is an impetus for us to do 

more for our clients and the 

industry. For us, we believe 

this will provide renewed 

assurance to our customers 

and other stakeholders that 

we are focused on service 

excellence, endless 

improvement of our work 

processes and continuous 

desire for client 

satisfaction. With this 

award, we will continue to 

improve our processes 

across all the spectrum of 

the enterprise security risk 

enterprise professional 

service offering.” 

Nwosu, AA National Chairman clash 

over support for Buhari, Atiku 

By Chinonso 

Alozie 

OWERRI—THE 2019 

Imo State 

governorship candidate of 

the Action Alliance, AA, 

Uche Nwosu, yesterday 

said members of AA party 

in the state would continue 

to support President 

Muhammadu Buhari's reelection 

bid no matter the 

threat from anybody. 

His statement in Owerri 

came days after the national 

chairman of AA, Kenneth 

Udeze, said that AA as a 

party had adopted the 

presidential candidate of 

the Peoples Democratic 

Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku 

Abubakar as it’s candidate 

for the 2019 presidential 

election. 

He also told the Imo State 

chapter of the party to key 

into the Atiku agenda. 

Udeze also issued a threat 

of sanctioning anybody 

who goes against the 

decision of the party. 

However, the Imo State 

governorship candidate of 

AA, Nwosu, insisted the 

party in Imo had "entered 

into perfect alliance with 

President Buhari to support 

his 2019 ambition of 

returning to power." 

Nwosu maintained that 

no amount of threat would 

stop his support for Buhari, 

adding that AA members' 

support for Buhari was 

above party or religious 

perception. 

Nwosu said: “We, the 

members of AA have 

decided that President 

Muhammadu Buhari is 

our presidential candidate 

for 2019 and we will vote 

for him as the next 

President of Nigeria. 

“We have made up our 

mind in Imo State chapter 

of the party to support 

President Buhari and 

nothing can change that. 

No amount of threat or 

blackmail can change our 

decision. The AA can 

decide what they want in 

other states but in Imo, we 

have made up our mind 

and nothing can change 

that. 

“He is our candidate and 

we are happy with him. 

Buhari is the next president 

and Nigeria will continue 

to be better and that is why 

we are supporting him 

with all our minds.” 

But the AA national 

chairman, said: “For your 

information, AA moved the 

motion for the adoption of 

Atiku as the presidential 

candidate of CUPP, and we 

are on it to the end. 

“On this note, let me warn 

all our members in Nigeria, 

and the lmo State Chapter 

in particular that we don’t 

need any infraction in our 

party. In fact, there is no 

room for that. 

“It is our unshakable/ 

unfailing resolve to work for 

the emergence of Atiku/ 

Obi in the Presidential 

election. We must not only 

be seen to be doing but to 

truly do. 

“I will not hesitate to 

invoke from relevant 

sections of our party's 

constitution to deal with 

erring members no matter 

how highly placed, as AA 

constitution which I swore 

to protect remains 

supremely sacrosanct. 

Please be warned.” 

We’re not part of any agreement to vote Buhari 

—Igboezue 

By Chimaobi 

Nwaiwu 

N NEWI—THE 

I g b o e z u e 

International Association, 

Nigeria and the Diaspora, 

IIAND, has denied being 

part of any meeting and 

agreement by Ndigbo to 

vote President 

Muhammadu Buhari for 

second tenure. 

The group also said it has 

no link with Chief 

Chekwas Okorie-led 

Igboezue cultural group 

that has endorsed 

President Buhari for the 

second tenure. 

“Chief Okorie is on a lone 

assignment, IIAND has no 

link and has nothing to do 

with his group that has 

endorsed President Buhari 

for second tenure, he is on 

a personal mission.” 

IIAND however, said it 

has endorsed the Peoples 


candidature of Alhaji Atiku 

Abubakar and Mr. Peter 

Obi for President and Vice 

President respectively, of 

the Federal of Nigeria. 

IIAND had in a statement 

signed by its national 

president, Chief Pius 

Okoye, national patron, 

Chief Vincent Udobi and its 

diaspora coordinator, Chief 

Ken Nwose, after a meeting 

in Onitsha endorsed Alhaji 

Abubakar and Mr Obi, and 

called on Ndigbo and 

Nigerians in general to 

massively vote for them 

in the forthcoming 

February presidential 

election. 

It said that Alhaji Atiku 

178,420 PVCs not yet collected in Ebonyi, says REC 

By Peter Okutu 

AIndependent BAKALIKI—THE 

National 


INEC, Ebonyi State, 

yesterday stated that 178, 420 

Permanent Voters Cards 

were yet to be collected by the 

electorate in the State. 

RALLY: Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, addressing a women group during a 

solidarity rally to Government House, Ilorin, Monday. 

The State Resident 

Electoral Commissioner, 

Professor Godswill Obioma 

made this known during 

an interactive session with 

religious leaders on 

preparations for the 2019 

general elections at the 

Pavilion, INEC 

Headquarters, Abakaliki. 

Obioma who stated that 

the commission had 

adopted the strategy of 

issuing PVCs to electorate 

at both the wards and 

polling unit levels called on 

the religious leaders to 

sensitize their followers on 

the need for them to go and 

collect their PVCs to avoid 

being disenfranchised in 

the forthcoming elections. 

According to him, "INEC 

condemns in strong terms 

the act of vote buying by 

some unscrupulous 

politicians as it is not only 

punishable under the law 

but also a way of selling our 

future and that of our 

Abubakar and Mr. Peter 

Obi’s ticket is God's 

assignment to Nigerians 

that must not be neglected, 

if Nigeria must come out of 

its present pitiable situation. 

According to IIAND, “we 

are not a political party, but 

an Igbo group that is after 

the welfare of Ndigbo and 

Nigerians in general. The 

election of Alhaji 

Abubakar and Mr. Obi, to 

become the next President 

and Vice President of 

Nigeria, respectively, is an 

assignment that must be 

successfully carried out." 

children. 

“As at 14th January, 2019, 

178, 420 PVCs are yet to 

be collected in Ebonyi State 

and between now and 8th 

February, 2019, the owners 

are expected to have come 

and collected them," he said.


LEGACY INT'L: From left— Member, Dupe Ogunsanwo; Patron, Bishop Adebayo Babalola; 

Grandpatron, Dr. Kenny Martins; Patron, Bishop Oscar Ossai, and Secretary, Johnny Ucheaga, all of 

Legacy Initiative International, at a ceremony to mark the birthday of Dr. Martins and Bishop Babalola, in 

Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: Lamidi Bamidele. 

190,000 Benue IDPs 'll vote—INEC 

By Peter Duru 

M AKURDI—THE 

Independent 

National Electoral 

Commission, INEC, has 

said provisions have been 

made to ensure that the 

over 190,000 internallydisplaced 

persons, IDPs, in 

various camps in Benue 

State vote in the 

forthcoming elections. 

The INEC Resident 

Electoral Commissioner, 

REC, for Benue State, Dr. 

Nentawe Yilwatda, made 

this known yesterday in 

Makurdi, during an 

interactive session with 

religious leaders. 

Dr. Yilwatda explained 

that “we are going to have 

what we call IDPs voting 

points, which will be based 

on ward level and not 

voting units. 

“They are going to vote 

in the local governments 

they are situated and their 

results taken back to their 

local governments of origin 

or residence. That will allow 

them to get their votes 

counted in their places of 

residence. 

“Secondly, those who are 

displaced and taking refuge 

in another state will vote in 

the state they are taking 

refuge in, but they can only 

vote in the presidential 

election. 

“It means IDPs situated 

in their states of origin will 

vote in all the elections, but 

those taking refuge outside 

their states of origin will 

only vote in the presidential 

election.” 

He added that INEC was 

working to ensure hitchfree 

elections, noting that 

the interactive session 

would help the commission 

to properly enlighten the 

religious leaders, who 

would in turn sensitise their 

followers on the import of a 

crisis-free elections. 

My campaigns are issues based, Ortom replies Garba Shehu 

By Peter Duru 

M AKURDI— 

GOVERNOR 

Samuel Ortom of Benue 

State has faulted allegation 

by the Senior Special 

Assistant to President 

Muhammadu Buhari on 

Media and Publicity, Garba 

Shehu, accusing him of 

inciting Benue people 

against the President in his 

campaigns ahead of the 

elections. 

Ortom maintained that 

his campaigns are issues 

based and not centred on 

insulting the President or 

anybody, stressing that the 

allegation was the 

handiwork of the cabal in 

the Presidency. 

The governor, who spoke 

during his campaign at 

Tse-Agbaragba, Konshisha 

Local Government Area, 

was reacting to a statement 

by the presidential 

spokesman, who alleged 

that Governor Ortom was 

promoting hate campaigns 

in churches that President 

Buhari was on a mission to 

Islamise the country. 

Ortom said: “In my 

campaigns, I have never 

insulted President Buhari 

and have never made any 

hate speech against him at 

any given time. 

“If I talked of Miyetti Allah 

claiming responsibility for 

the killings in Benue State, 

it came from them and it 

was before the media and 

everybody knew about it. If 

I talk about the Fulani 

Nationality Movement, 

FUNAM, who did a press 

conference in Kano and 

proclaimed that the killings 

in Benue were continuation 

of 1804 jihad, it didn’t 

come from me, it came from 

them. 

“I actually called for the 

arrest of these people 

because they were making 

hate speeches and 

displaying impunity over 

this country and I also 

reported them to security 

agencies. 

“I expected that these 

people should have been 

arrested; I was just 

repeating that. Can Garba 

Shehu come and tell me 

where to campaign? He 

doesn’t have the right, he 

is from APC and I am of the 

PDP and I’m campaigning 

to win election for my party 

and my presidential 

candidate, Atiku Abubakar, 

because I believe he will not 

keep a cabal in the Villa.” 

Onitiri faults FG on CJN's trial 

PEOPLES Democratic 

Party, PDP, senatorial 

candidate for Lagos 

Central, Chief Adesunbo 

Onitiri, has implored 


Buhari to stop the trial of 

the Chief Justice of Nigeria, 

CJN, Walter Onnoghen, 

before the Code of 

Conduct, CCT, saying it is 

capable of setting Nigeria 

on fire and scuttle 

democracy. 

In a statement in Lagos 

GOVERNOR Aminu 

Tambuwal of Sokoto 

State was among 

dignitaries that attended 

the funeral prayer for the 

26 persons killed by armed 

bandits in three 

communities of Gandi 

District in Rabah Local 

Government Area, for 

victims of Warwana, Kursa 

and Dutsi villages. 

The Deputy Governor, 

yesterday, Onitiri cautioned 


that the timing of the trial 

smacks of political 

undertone. 

His words: “The 

President should emulate 

the exemplary precedent 

former President 

Goodluck Jonathan left 

behind by leaving power 

without shedding the 

blood of any innocent 

Nigerian. 

“Nigeria is greater than 

Manir Dan-Iya, former 

governor, Alhaji Attahiru 

Bafarawa, representatives 

of Sultan, PDP leaders and 

senior government officials 

were also in attendance. 

Governor Tambuwal 

condoled with the family 

and people of Rabah council 

at the palace of the District 

Head of Gandi, Alhaji 

Maccido. 

He appealed to the 

anybody and power is 

transient. Nobody is saying 

that the CJN is right or 

wrong, but the timing is 

wrong. Our democracy 

should be nurtured and not 

destroyed. 

“All the three pillars of 

democracy should be 

independent of one 

another, as Nigeria is not 

a banana republic where 

you trample on the rule of 

law. The current trial of the 

CJN is totally in bad faith.” 

Tambuwal attends funeral of 26 killed by bandits 

communities to always 

report suspicious 

movements in their areas to 

security agencies for 

necessary actions and 

cooperate with them for 

successful discharge of their 

duties, assuring that 

government would take 

adequate care of the 

refugees and ensure 

adequate protection for lives 

and properties. 

MultiChoice’s 

talent factory begins 

THE 

highlyanticipated 

MultiChoice Talent 

Factory, MTF, 

masterclasses, the 

flagship Corporate 

Shared Value project of 

MultiChoice Nigeria, will 

begin on Friday, the firm 

announced in a 

statement. 

According to the 

statement, the 

masterclasses will present 

the industry with best in 

class workshops to 

increase MTF’s upskilling 

outreach to 

established film and 

television industry 

professionals aimed at 

developing technical 

skills in cinematography, 

audio and storytelling to 

improve the quality of 

local productions. 

Partners, participants 

The masterclasses will 

be powered by various 

industry partners as part 

of the shared value 

initiative’s three touch 

points alongside the 

MTF Academy and the 

soon-to-be launched 

industry networking 

portal. 

Participants will be 

drawn from across the 

spectrum of the industry, 

with delegates from the 

Nigeria Television 

Authority, NTA, Lagos 

Television, independent 

television production 

companies and leading 

N o l l y w o o d 

professionals. 

These will be led by 

well-respected experts 

such as South African 

director and producer, 

Bobby Heaney; 

accomplished sound 

consultant from Dolby 

India, Vikram Joglekar; 

pan-African storytelling 

and creative consultant, 

Transitions 

WAKE keep for Pa 

Ayodeji Ogundimu, who 

died October 25, 2018, 

takes place January 24, 

while burial holds 

January 25 at RCCG 

Dominion Sanctuary, 

Acme, Ikeja, Lagos. He is 

survived by widow and 

children, among who is 

Adewunmi Ogundimu. 

Allison Triegaardt; 

award-winning Kenyan 

film producer, Appie 

Matere, and Jonathan 

Kovel, 

the 

cinematographer behind 

the award-winning 

South African film 

Ayanda. 

Additionally, a special 

MTF masterclass on 

Nollywood will be 

facilitated by Femi 

Odugbemi, Nigerian 

film/television expert 

and Academy Director 

for MTF Academy, West 

Africa. 

“We are excited about 

the launch of this next 

touch point of MTF, as it 

reaffirms our commitment 

to supporting the industry 

and promoting 

sustainability by creating 

shared value through 

quality programming for 

our customers,” said John 

Ugbe, Chief Executive 

Officer, MultiChoice 


Objectives 

The masterclasses will 

be presented with 

support from Dolby 

Laboratories and FOX 

Portugal, which both play 

a crucial role in priming 

the MTF Academy 

students as key players in 

the growth and 

sustainability of Africa’s 

creative film and television 

industry. 

Speaking about the 

workshop Odugbemi 

said: “The success of these 

MTF masterclasses will, 

over time, deliver a more 

professionalised, 

networked film and 

television industry across 

Africa and an expanded 

community of highlyskilled 

professionals, who 

are passionate about 

creating quality homegrown 

content.” 

MRS Rosemary 

Chukwuma, 79, is dead. 

She died September 10, 

2018. She was buried at 

her home town, Ndoni, 

Rivers State on Saturday, 

January 12, after a funeral 

mass at St. Patrick 

Catholic Church, Ndoni. 

She is survived by eight 

children, grandchildren, 

brother and in-laws, 

among who is Engineer 

Charles Chukwuma, a 

Benin-based chemical 

manufacturer.


WITH CHARLES KUMOLU 

midweekpersonality@gmail.com 

08052140865 (sms only) 

IFEANYI UBAH: 

How I became a 

millionaire at 19 

This piece offers a rare insight into the life of the 

Chairman, Capital Oil & Gas Ltd, Chief Ifeanyi 

Ubah. It presents the restlessness and vision of 

someone, who early considered his humble 

background as a box that should not determine 

how far he would go in life. In discussing the big 

moments leading to his prominence in the 

society, Uba believes certain defining decisions 

he made along the line could be useful for 

anyone. 

Humble background: 

I am from a humble 

background. It was very tough 

but God in his infinite mercy 

favoured me and it has been 

great so far. Sometimes, 

Ifeanyi Uba is highly 

misunderstood and people try 

to make the name look 

controversial. I thank God for 

his grace upon my life and I 

know that the blessings of God 

will get back to humanity. If 

someone who God has 

blessed forgets his people, 

God can take back the 

blessing. I am the son of a 

teacher. I was doing very well 

when I was growing up but 

at a point, I looked at my 

parents and I advised myself 

that I have to be more useful. 

Memorable event 

At the age of 17, I was 

already struggling to see how 

I can put food on the table. It 

is very important for people 

to aspire to be great in life but 

while aspiring to be great, 

they must have the fear of 

God. I am the first son of my 

parents, I have three elder 

sisters. I have always been 

known as someone who 

stands for the truth. When I 

was growing up, there was a 

day my mother was at 

loggerheads with my 

grandmother over who should 

harvest our breadfruit in the 

village, knowing very well 

that my grandmother had 

always been the one who 

harvested it and shared with 

others, my mother felt it was 

time for the harvesting 

responsibility to be passed on 

to her. To her surprise, I stood 

on the side of my 

grandmother and she was 

very embittered. She even 

labelled me a traitor. I 

explained to her that my 

grandmother played a very 

important role in the family, 

because without her, neither 

my father nor she would have 

Personality Ethics 

*Anyone who God 

has blessed should 

not forget others 

*Aspiring to be 

great is a priority 

*I don't seek to 

have the whole 

world and lose my 

soul 

been born into the Ubah 

family. That was how the 

responsibility of harvesting 

the fruit remained with her. 

Disappointed and downcast 

When I was young, I played 

a great deal of football as a 

goalkeeper both at school and 

in my community. On one 

occasion, I sneaked away from 

the house to play football at 

the camp. My parents began 

to search for me at home. 

When they did not see me, my 

father headed to the coach's 

house where he found me. He 

angrily asked me if I could not 

stay at home and help with 

the chores. At the time, football 

was not as profitable and 

fashionable as it is now. My 

father angrily asked what I 

wanted to do. He asked if I 

wanted to go to school, learn 

a trade or play football. I told 

him that I preferred business. 

He was disappointed and 

downcast. He asked me if I 

expected him to tell his 

colleagues that a teacher's 

son wants to become a street 

hawker. I told him not to 

worry that I would make him 

proud. Even though I could 

hustle to earn money 

independently, I just couldn't 

see myself allowing my father 

to go through the stress of 

paying the school fees of my 

elder sisters, my younger 

ones and myself from his 

meagre salary. I took a 

decision so that we would not, 

in the end, go into farming to 

sustain our family. I felt it was 

time for me to step out and 

assist my parents. 

Turning point 

I struggled hard. I left 

Nigeria at 19 and I became a 

millionaire when I bought my 

first car. At 20 , I became a 

dealer in liquid diamond at 

the Democratic Republic of 

Congo. At the time, I would 

go all the way to South Africa 

to sell my products. I made it 

so big that I started to charter 

an airplane. Along the way, I 

was heartbroken by the 

woman I wanted to marry, this 

made me angry and as God 

would have it, at 21, I met my 

wife and the same day I met 

her, I proposed to her. I told 

my parents that I wanted to 

get married. 

Rich single man 

They tried to discourage me, 

saying that I was still very 

young and that marriage 

should not be my priority. I 

explained to them the 

problems of being a rich 

single man and living in the 

DRC, with the associated 

dangers of loose women 

frolicking around me. In those 

days, DRC was known for 

Beer, Music and Women, 

BMW. With my explanation, 

they had no choice but to 

respect my decision to get 

married, to avoid me being 

distracted. Marriage was the 

only option to help me 

concentrate and focus. In all, 

I did not have the opportunity 

to enjoy the days of my youth 

as most people did. However, 

I don't regret that, since God 

blessed me with a wonderful 

partner who has always been 

there for me, without whom I 

would not have achieved all 

that I have today. I don't seek 

to have the whole world and 

lose my soul. 

A solution to someone's 

problems 

For me, seeing people 

happy makes me happy. 

There is hardly any day of my 

life that I don't attend to at 

least 10 people, ranging from 

my employees, to business 

partners, and aides among 

others. The fact that I can be 

a solution to someone's 

problem gladdens my heart. 

Sometimes I stay without 

sleeping for three days. The 

grace of touching lives gives 

me extra joy. I also understand 

the ills of our society, as people 

tend to misuse opportunities. 

Thus I would want to work with 

the best brains, with people 

who have something to offer 

and not just people who want 

to live off me. I want to see how 

I can bring out the best in 

people who have something to 

offer, so as to make our society 

a better one. In the last 25 years 

of my life, I have lived the life 

of giving. It is a pity that in the 

world we live in today, people 

don't understand what it means 

to take on a challenge. 

Contract for anyone 

I don't see what one would be 

expecting from a game's village 

we are building than where 

people can have leisure and 

exercise themselves. We need 

to make the games village a 

world tourism center in 

Anambra State. We need to 

engage our people in sporting 

activities and also use it to help 

ourselves and bring dividends 

to the country. We want to 

celebrate Anambra State again 

the way it is done in Delta State. 

Anambra has been leading in 

sports and won't stop. There is 

no construction company in this 

state that has the kind of 

equipment we have at the 

construction site of the games 

village. I never did any 

contract for anyone in my life. 

This is solely our company's 

project. But I thank God I was 

able to move them to the state 

and they are giving us lots of 

value in terms of logistics. So, 

we are jumping and rolling. We 

can't wait to have a games 

village. The storm will soon be 

over. The people that love 

football will live to enjoy it. We 

are building a 200 selfcontained 

suit for our team. We 

are going to have over 200 

players. Whatever you see in 

Europe would be replicated 

here. So much is ongoing, and 

I am sure we are going to 

achieve that. 

Senate race 

My political value is not only 

known in Anambra State but 

across the country. Our major 

task now is to take the YPP to 

other states in the South-East 

zone and beyond. I have fought 

for the interest of the Igbo all 

over the country. I have given 

so much to All Progressives 

Grand Allinace ,APGA, in the 

past including making sure 

that the party continues to exist. 

I want to represent the people 

of Anambra South in the Senate 

and I believe we will actualise 

it by the grace of God. 

Youth and women 

empowerment, education and 

commerce remain my major 

areas of focus. 

Read full version at 

www.vanguardngr.com





Over the last three 

editions I under 

took an examination 

of extreme poverty 

which now pervades the 

country. I stated the poor 

attitude of Nigerians to 

giving and contrasted this 

with how charities and 

foundations in other 

countries are helping to 

ameliorate the effects of 

poor governmental policies 

on the citizens and 

concluded with the fact 

that philanthropy could 

actually aid development 

if properly channeled in 

the direction of critical 

sectors of the economy. 

This week I will examine 

another contributing factor 

to rising state of poverty 

which is the abandonment 

of the agricultural 

sector. 

Agriculture was 

once the mainstay 

of the economy 

Before the discovery of 

oil, Nigeria which is 

blessed with mineral 

deposits of all types 

including tin, gold, coal 

and many other minerals 

earned appreciable 

income from the 

aforementioned minerals. 

The tin, gold, coal fields 

were abandoned 

following the discovery of 

oil. During the first 

Republic Agriculture was 

Rising state of poverty: Abandonment of 

agriculture (1) 

the mainstay of the 

economy. The north had 

cotton, groundnuts and 

other products. The East 

and the Southwest had 

Palm Oil and Cocoa 

respectively. With revenue 

generated from these 

products, the regional 

governments were able to 

cater to the needs of their 

regions. They embarked 

upon programs which 

impacted positively on the 

populace. In the 

Southwest, buildings 

such as the Cocoa House 

in Ibadan and the 

magnificent structures of 

the University of Ife (now 

Obafemi Awolowo University) 

are eternal reminders 

of the prosperity 

of that era. However with 

the increased production 

of Oil and the huge revenue 

which it attracted, 

successive Nigerian governments 

and the military 

ones in particular soon 

began to pay less attention 

to the need for sustainable 

agricultural policies. 

Such was the country’s 

newly found comfort 

that an entire civil war 

was prosecuted without 

any external borrowing of 

funds. 

Unfortunately instead of 

refining the crude oil 

which was in high 

demand because of the 

quality, we exported the 

crude oil which was 

refined overseas by 

European countries and 

we imported the refined 

products at higher price 

and also purchased the 

by-product of the crude oil 

exported by us. Because 

of the price of crude oil at 

that time, we had excess 

money so much so that 

government increased the 

salaries of government 

workers and even paid 

one year arrears. There 

was so much money 

going round among the 

government workers that 

the farmers were induced 

to come to the cities as 

labourers and the cart 

pullers. Government even 

The foreigners 

from US 

and Europe 

visiting Nigeria 

wonder 

why Nigeria 

has vast underdeveloped 

land overgrown 

with 

green vegetation 

told the world that the 

problem of Nigeria was 

not money but how to 

spend it! The cart pullers 

and labourers who were 

attracted to the town by 

easy money going around 

in the town became more 

comfortable than their 

colleagues who remained 

on the farm. That was the 

beginning of the 

abandonment of farming 

which led to reduction in 

production of raw materials 

and of course a big 

drain on our foreign re- 

serves. Nigeria had to 

import food items which 

we were producing before 

the introduction of 

IMF which further 

complicated matters as 

naira depreciated in 

value.Unemployment 

crept in and poverty 

skyrocketed. 

Consequently, the 

unemployed and those 

who could not feed 

themselves or even rent 

houses started to beg. 

Firstly, in corners but 

lately openly at burials, 

wedding, chieftaincy 

installation, churches, 

mosques, birthday parties 

and now on the 

highway.Recently, the 

few who made money 

from oil and imported 

goods form a new class of 

super rich. The gap 

between the rich and the 

poor is becoming wider 

by the day. We now have 

extremely rich people and 

extremely poor people. 

Poverty induced 

societal ills 

The widening gap 

between the rich and the 

poor has naturally come 

at a cost. It has for 

example brought about 

with it a devaluation of 

societal values, as those 

without the means of 

getting rich legitimately 

have devised other means 

of meeting up with their 

rich counterparts. This 

accounts for the rise in 

vice and crimes such as 

armed robbery, 

kidnapping, oil 

bunkering and pipeline 

vandalisation, drug 

smuggling etc. Every 

year, Nigeria is 

continually listed amongst 

the most corrupt and crime 

ridden countries. Many 

businesses cannot hope 

to survive or thrive 

without having to resort 

to corrupt practices. 

Sometimes ago, a foreign 

investor who left Nigeria 

attributed its decision to 

the prevalence of 

corruption. 

Yet it is common knowledge 

that the first profession 

ordained by God was 

agriculture. The great 

countries of the world including 

Canada, USA, 

Brazil, Argentina, European 

countries, Russia, 

China, Australia, New 

Zealand etc give pride of 

place to Agriculture. Most 

of the wealthy citizens of 

these countries are farmers. 

The first wealthy Nigerians 

I grew up to know 

were farmers. They acquired 

their wealth from 

proceeds from cocoa, palm 

oil, palm kernel, rubber, 

cotton, groundnut etc. 

Gone are the days when 

the road between Ibadan 

were laced on both sides 

with cocoa plantation. 

The roads from Ado-Ekiti 

to Ilesa, or Ilesa to 

Ibadan, Or Ibadan to 

Ijebu-Ode through 

Gambari were not left out. 

The foreigners from US 

and Europe visiting 

Nigeria wonder why 

Nigeria has vast 

underdeveloped land 

overgrown with green 

vegetation. Yet Nigeria 

orders maize from far 

away Argentina to feed 

poultry farms. Nigeria 

imports rice worth over 

several billions of naira 

annually. At the moment 

it is estimated that only 

12% of arable land in 

Nigeria is cultivated 

while the remainder are 

not utilized. 

Urgent plans to diversify 

the revenue 

base 

However, it was only a 

matter of time before we 

realized that we could not 

depend entirely on oil 

based revenue. In 

September 2015, the 

severity of the situation 

was brought home when 

N 502.09 billion was 

received as revenue, an 

amount lower than the N 

601.05 billion received in 

August 2015. This decline 

of N 99.55 billion in one 

month alone was due to 

the drastic fall of the price 

of oil as well as the 

inability of the country to 

meet its production quota 

due to production losses 

arising from shut down of 

trunk lines and pipeline 

vandalism at the various 

export terminals. To 

further compound 

matters, it has already 

been predicted that 

current Oil depositories 

may become exhausted in 

less than 50 years’ time. 

So it is evident that we 

must either begin serious 

exploratory activities to 

discover fresh Oil deposits 

or we must put in place 

urgent plans to diversify 

the revenue base of the 

economy. This is where a 

return to Agriculture 

becomes imperative. 

To be continued.

vanguardnews @vanguardnews @vanguardnews 


NEWS HOTLINES 

018773962, 

08052867058 

FOR THE FALLEN HEROES—Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta (M) inspecting the guard of honour 

during the 2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Asaba, yesterday. Photo: NAN. 

2019: Buhari, Atiku split Niger 

Delta militants 


all patriotic youths and 

fellow Nigerians to stand 

up and vote out the APC 

and President 

Muhammadu Buhari in 

the general elections 

next month and restore 

their dignity and liberty 

as a people because the 

APC and President 

Buhari are synonymous 

with hardship." 

RNDA warns 

But rising from a 

meeting with various 

unit commanders at 

Benin River, Delta State, 

RNDA, led by self-styled 

“Major- General” John 

Mark Ezonebi, aka 

Obama, urged President 

Buhari and the Presidency 

to ignore and disregard 

the purported empty threat 

made by the 21st Century 

Youths for Restructuring 

in totality. 

It described them as 

“criminal elements of 

youths, who do not exist 

anywhere in the creek of 

Niger Delta and being 

used by some 

disgruntled looters of our 

national treasury, who 

are supporters of Atiku/ 

PDP Presidential 

Movement.” 

Ezonebi noted further: 

“RNDA, hereby, warns 

the coalition to desist from 

their incessant careless 

empty threats, otherwise 

the Reformed Niger 

Delta Avengers with the 

coalition of the nine 

militant groups, will 

smoke them out from 

their hiding places in the 

cities and expose their 

sponsors and cotravellers 

in their ill-fated 

journey. 

“They should not 

forget so soon how the 

RNDA with its affiliates 

brought the defunct 

Naira down at N361/$ in 

parallel market 

By Elizabeth Adegbesan 

The Naira yesterday depreciated to N361 per 

dollar in the parallel market. 

According to naijabdcs.com, the live exchange 

rate platform of the Association of Bureaux De 

Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), the 

parallel market exchange rose to N361 per dollar 

from N360 per dollar on Monday, indicating one 

naira depreciation of the naira. 

However, the naira appreciated by 10 kobo in the 

Investors and Exporters (I&E) window due to a 72 

percent increase in the volume of dollars traded. 

Data from FMDQ showed that the indicative 

exchange rate for the window dropped to N364.20 

per dollar yesterday from N364.30 per dollar on 

Monday, translating to 10 kobo appreciation of the 

naira. 

The volume of dollars (turnover) traded on the 

window rose by 72 percent to $ 259.02 million from 

$148.67 million on Monday. 

Niger Delta Avengers, 

NDA, activities to stand 

still in the creek.” 

Cautions S’South 

govs 

The RNDA, however, 

warned South-South 

governors “not to 

politicize the issue of nondeclaration 

of assets by the 

CJN, who is the head of 

an arm of government 

saddled with the 

responsibility of 

interpreting the 

constitution, more so when 

the petitioner alleged that 

$3 million was found in 

one of his foreign accounts. 

“It is a grievous criminal 

offence being committed 

against his highly exalted 

office, according to the 

sections prescribed in the 

Code of Conduct Bureau 

established in the 1999 

constitution as amended. 

“The South-South 

governors made up more 

of PDP governors should 

not support any form of 

illegality and should not 

compromise corruption 

allegations on grounds of 

ethnicity, but look at the 

matter based on its merits 

and holistically. 

“As a group, RNDA is 

not surprised at the stand 

of the South-South 

governors on this matter 

because their 

mismanagement of 

resources has led to the 

under-development of the 

Niger Delta. 

“We expect the South- 

South governors to join 

hands with Mr President 

to fight corruption because 

corruption is the reason 

the region is not 

developed over the years, 

despite its huge economic 

importance to the country, 

particularly during PDP’s 

wasted years of misrule. 

“More 

so, 

the governors of the 

Niger Delta have not been 

able to account for the 13 

per cent derivation funds 

from the proceeds of 

crude oil, which has 

amounted to trillions of 

naira that run into the 

pockets of governors and 

their cronies in foreign 

accounts abroad. 

“In the first place, the 

funds are meant for direct 

development of the oil 

producing communities 

in the creek of Niger 

Delta. But the story is a 

sad tale against the 

constitutional provisions 

of this 13 per cent funds. 

At the appropriate time, 

when we get to the 

bridge, we are going to 

address this issue and the 

abnormalities will be 

corrected.” 

On ceasefire 

On the reported 

abortion of the ceasefire 

between Niger Delta 

militants and government, 

the group said: “RNDA 

with the coalition of the 

nine militant groups in the 

creek that accepted the 

ceasefire agreement with 

the federal government, 

on the 21st of August 

2016, want to use this 

opportunity to re-endorse 


Buhari for a second term 

in office.” 

It claimed that the 

endorsement was “to 

enable the president 

complete the good works 

he has done so far in the 

country, especially the 

anti corruption fight and 

rebuilding of decayed 

infrastructure in the 

country.” 

POLLS: 

We'll be 

professional, says 

new IGP 

•As Buhari decorates him in his new rank 

•I’ve reached the pinnacle of my career— ex-IGP 

•PDP sets agenda for him 

By Johnbosco 

Agbakwuru, Joseph 

Erunke & Dirisu 

Yakubu 

ABUJA—THE new 

Acting Inspector- 

General of Police, IGP, 

Mohammed Adamu, 

yesterday, promised to 

handle the forthcoming 

general elections in the 

country in a professional 

manner, as he assured a 

level playing field for all 

candidates. 

Adamu, who was an 

Assistant Inspector 

General, AIG, before his 

appointment was 

decorated in his new rank 

by 

President 

Muhammadu Buhari at 

the Presidential Villa, 

Abuja, yesterday. 

Accompanied by his 

immediate predecessor, 

Ibrahim Idris, who 

incidentally wore the 

same rank as they were 

leaving the State House, 

Adamu, who is from 

Nasarawa State, thanked 

President Buhari for 

finding him worthy of the 

position and promised to 

be professional in the 

discharge of his duties. 

He said: “I want to 

thank Mr. President for 

considering me worthy to 

be the next Inspector 

General of Police. We 

know that there are 

security challenges that 

we need to tackle in the 

country. From the 

strategies put in place by 

the former IGP, we will restrategise 

and make sure 

that we tackle these 

challenges squarely. 

"We know that there are 

issues of kidnapping, 

abduction and other 

security challenges." 

On what to expect 

during the forthcoming 

general elections, the 

acting IGP said: “On the 

elections, you have heard 

from the former IGP, 

adequate arrangement 

has been made to make 

sure that free, fair and 

credible elections take 

place in Nigeria. 

“We are going to build 

up on the strategies put 

in place to make sure 

that we have hitch-free 

elections in the country.” 

We'll stick to the 

rules 

On partisanship, the 

new IGP said: “Well, we 

are professionals. We are 

going to stick to the 

rules. We are going to do 

the right thing; we will 

not go outside the ethics 

of our job to do things 

that are untoward. 

Everybody will be given 

level playing ground to 

play his or her politics.” 

In his remarks, the 

former IGP, Ibrahim 

Idris, told State House 

correspondents: “I want 

to inform Nigerians that 

today (yesterday) I am 

60 years and I think I 

have reached the 

pinnacle of my career. 

“So, I am going to 

handover to my 

successor, the incoming 

Inspector General of 

Police. He is an officer I 

know very well. We knew 

each other, we have 

worked together and I 

wish him success.” 

On his advice to the 

new Police boss, he said: 

“The advice I will give 

is that just like in our 

time, he should try to go 

round the country and 

adopt measures to 

ensure that the Nigerian 

Police Force give 

maximum protection to 

lives and property.” 

On challenges faced by 

the Police Force, he said: 

“I think so far under this 

government, Nigeria 

Police Force has been 

making a lot of effort to 

secure Nigerians. 

“Obviously, there are 

challenges in the area of 

recruitment. Of course, 

you are aware that the 

government has just 

given us approval to 

recruit more people 

yearly. By the grace of 

God this year, the 

number of police officers 

is going to increase 

considerably.” 

He said the Police were 

adequately prepared for 

the elections, adding 

that “we have carried out 

a lot of elections in this 

country and I think you 

will agree with me that 

the Nigeria Police Force 

tried in these elections. 

I am assuring Nigerians 

that the Police will do 

their best in the coming 

elections.” 

Recall that the new IGP 

had met with the Chief 

of Staff to the President, 

Malam Abba Kyari, in 

the early hours of 

yesterday, when the 

former Police boss was 

still performing his last 

function at the Armed 

Forces Remembrance 

Day celebration where 

he laid wreaths at the 

cenotaph of unknown 

soldiers. 

Reacting to the 

development yesterday, 

Peoples Democratic 

Party, PDP, tasked the 

new IGP to immediately 

commence the reengineering 

of the 

Nigeria Police to restore 

professionalism and 

adherence to rules of 

engagement in the 

Force.


Massive quake in Police hierarchy 

•7 DIGs sacrificed for new Acting IGP Muhammed Abubakar Adamu 

•Acting IGP Adamu Mohammed 

By Kingsley Omonobi, Abuja, and Esther Onyegbula 

AREPORT on Monday that Ibrahim Kpotu Idris had been retired as the 

Inspector 

General of Police, IGP, sent shock waves across the country, 

with the social media, as usual, in the lead in disseminating the announcement. 

And even before the report was confirmed, speculations were rife as to who was 

going to be his successor. 

Idris, it will be recalled, had been the subject of controversy over alleged plans by 

the Federal Government to extend his tenure as IGP even after reaching his 

retirement age. Indeed there were spirited campaigns in several quarters, especially 

the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, that the presidency should in consonance 

with the enabling law retire the Police boss and announce his replacement. 

Nigerians were still reeling from the shock engendered by the report when there 

was another attendant bombshell. First was the official confirmation that IGP 

Idris had indeed been retired, and then the announcement of his successor in the 

person of Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, an Assistant Inspector General of Police, 

AIG. The identity of the new Police boss, who will be operating for now in an acting 

capacity, had triggered a quake in the Police hierarchy. The reason for this is not far 

to seek. Since he was an AIG at the time of his 

appointment, the implication is that seven Deputy 

Inspectors General of Police, DIGs, who by virtue 

of their appointment in 2018 became his seniors 

would inevitably be sacrificed and made to proceed 

on retirement. 

Affected top 

police officers 

•DIG Maigari Dikko 

The affected top police officers are Deputy 

Inspector General of Police Muhammad Dikko, 

DIG in charge of Administration; Joshak Habila, 

DIG in charge of Operations; Mohammed 

Katsina, DIG in charge of Research and Planning; 

Peace Ibekwe Abdallah, DIG in charge of 

Investigations; Emmanuel Inyang, DIG in charge 

of Information and Communications Technology; 

Oshodi Glover, DIG in charge of Logistics; 

Mohammed Sani, DIG in charge of Training. 

Before now four former Deputy Inspectors 

General of Police who formed the first management 

team of the IGP Ibrahim Idris led administration 

had resigned. They are DIG Foluso Adebanjo in 

charge of ICT; DIG Shuaibu Gambo in charge of 

Administration, DIG Valentine Ntomchukwu in 

charge Research and Planning, DIG Hyacinth 

Dagala in charge of Force Criminal Investigation 

Department and former Force Secretary, AIG 

Abdul Bube. 

Following their retirement in 2018, DIG Dikko 

formerly in charge of Logistic was moved to 

Administration, DIG Emmanuel Inyang formerly 

in charge of Training was moved to ICT, DIG Peace 

Abdallah was appointed as DIG in charge 

Administration, DIG Mohammed Katsina was 

appointed as DIG in charge of Research and 

Planning, DIG Oshodi Glover was appointed DIG 

Logistics and DIG Mohammed Sani was 

appointed DIG in charge of Trainining. 

Ordinarily this should not elicit any surprise given 

that this has become the pattern over the years 

once a junior ranking officer is appointed as the 

Inspector- General of Police, all the senior ranking 

officers will have to be retired. 

It will be recalled that a similar scenario played 

out when these seven DIGs were appointed after 

the retirement of 21 Assistant Inspectors General, 

AIGs, on July 1, 2016. 

The 21 AIGs of police who were retired following 

the appointment of the Ibrahim Idris as Inspection 

•DIG Emmanuel Inyang 

General of Police were: Bala A Hassan, Yahaya 

Garba Ardo, Irmiya Yarima, Danladi Mshebwala, 

Tambari Mohammed, Bala Nasarawa, Musa 

Abdulsalam, Adisa Bolanta, Mohammed Gana, 

Umaru Manko and Lawal Tanko. 

The others were Olufemi Adenike, Johson 

Ogunsakin, Adenrele Shinaba, James Caulcrick, 

Olufefemi Ogumbayod, Edgar Nanakumo, 

Kalafite Adeyemi, Patrick Dokumor, Joseph Mbu 

and Sabo Ringim. 

No doubt, these seven Deputy Inspectors General 

of Police also benefited from this systemic 

arrangement as some of them were immediately 

elevated from the position of 

Commissioner of Police to 

Deputy Inspectors General 

and later from AIGs to DIGs. 

Reacting to the retirement 

of the seven DIGs, human 

rights activist and Director 

General, National 

Coordinator Network on 

Police Reform in Nigeria, 

NOPRIN, Okechukwu 

Nwanguma said: “As we have 

said in the past, we need to 

move away from the practice 

of handpicking an Assistant 

Inspector General, for 

appointment as Inspector-General of Police, IGP, 

thereby forcing several Deputy Inspectors General 

of Police to retire prematurely. 

“It means that seniority is not followed in 

appointment of Inspectors- General of Police. 

Presidents simply pick who they like. When seven 

DIGs are forced to retire before they are due, we 

waste human capital and financial resources; we 

wipe out institutional memory and we waste the 

financial resources used in training and retraining 

them over the long period of their service. It is also 

not being fair to the affected senior officers.” 

•DIG Habila Joshak 

Rtd IGP Ibrahim Idris: End of an infamous era? 

By Emma Nnadozie, Crime Editor 

WHEN former Inspector-General of Police, 

Solomon Arase was sacked on September 

2016, over his inability to arrest rising insecurity in 

Nigeria and Ibrahim Kpotu Idris appointed as the 

new police helmsman by President Muhammad 

Buhari, many celebrated, believing that a credible 

crime-bursting boss had indeed come to town. But 

their joy was to be short-lived. This is because rather 

than decrease, there was an upsurge in crime and 

corruption that soon took a disturbing dimension. 

Worse still, it was not long before the new IGP got 

enmeshed in unwarranted controversies. The 

controversies ranged from insubordination to 

outright disobedience of law and order. Allegations 

of misappropriation of security funds and other 

infractions were raised against him by many 

Nigerians, including members of the National 

Assembly. The situation was such that strident calls 

were made for his immediate removal and 

replacement. Idris also consistently embarrassed 

even the presidency on issues bordering on internal 

security of the nation. Various cases of threats to 

lives and property, including the mayhem by 

suspected cattle herders which sparked violence in 

many parts of the country, were treated with kid’s 

glove and neglect by the police prompting the 

intervention of soldiers. 

Following his failure to stop the incessant killings 

of innocent citizens in 

almost all the parts of 

the country by 

suspected herdsmen, 

A m n e s t y 

International claimed 

that clashes between 

farmers and 

herdsmen in 

Adamawa, Benue, 

Taraba, Enugu, 

Plateau, Ondo, 

Kaduna etc claimed 

no fewer than 168 lives 

in January 2018 

alone. The country’s 

Perhaps, no 

Inspector 

General of Police 

had attracted so 

much 

outpouring of 

criticisms than 

the just retired 

IGP Ibrahim 

Idris 

Director of 

Organisation, Ossai Ojigho, in a statement boldly 

asserted that “the responses of police authorities 

were ineffective, too slow, totally inadequate, 

ineffective and in some cases, unlawful”. 

Unfortunately, in spite of all these condemnations, 

police authorities continued to be seemingly 

indifferent to the wanton killings in the country. It 

was so much that in March, 2018, over 70 people 

were killed in Benue by suspected herders and the 

killing extended to Plateau State where more than 

130 persons were massacred in one fell swoop, 

while over 50 houses were burnt. Eyebrows were 

raised after President Buhari who was disturbed by 

the killings directed the IGP to relocate to the area 

in Benue, but he failed to obey the order, to the 

chagrin of Nigerians and the international 

community. 

Not long after, he continued to stoke the embers 

of controversy when he failed to order the arrest of 

some members of Arewa Youths who brazenly issued 

an October 1 quit notice to Igbos living in the North. 

He also got involved in war of words with members 

of the National Assembly. He also incurred the wrath 

of the Presidency after he vehemently dishonoured 

the office of the Vice-President by re-deploying his 

Aid-de-Camp, claiming that postings in the Force 

are a routine exercise. 

Similarly, Anambra State, Governor Willie 

Obianor, bitterly complained about the irresponsible 

attitude displayed by the IGP who redeployed the 

Governor's ADC without prior notice. 

Recall also that in October 27, 2017, a serving 

member of the National Assembly, Senator Isa Misau, 

publicly accused Idris of misappropriation of public 

funds and failure to account for over N10 billion he 

earned monthly from special security postings of over 

100,000 police men assigned to individuals and 

corporate bodies. The IG was said to be using the 

police men and properties to enrich himself by 

attaching police officers to VIPs and organisations, 

using monies earned from such for his personal care, 

rather than funding the Police Force. 

Likewise, in January 2016, members of House of 

Representatives queried Idris on why the sum of N1.2 

billion approved in the Appropriation Act of 2016 for 

the purchase of ten armoured vehicles personnel 

carriers, APC, by the Nigerian Police Force was 

diverted to purchase 64 Toyota Hiace commuter 

vehicles without the approval of the National 

Assembly. House members tagged this move as 

unconstitutional, flagrant disregard for authority, and 

improper spending of public fund. 

In the same vein, his failure to pay the arrears and 

salaries of police operatives which culminated into a 

protest in Maiduguri by masked members of the force 

on July 1, was another controversy that tainted his 

chequered tenure. 

Also to be forgotten was the ding-dong face-offs 

between the police and a serving senator, Dino 

Melaye and the Senate president, Olusola Seraki 

over a robbery incident that claimed many lives in 

Kwara State. 

Perhaps, no Inspector General of Police had 

attracted so much outpouring of criticisms than the 

just retired IGP Ibrahim Idris. Glaringly, the fact that 

President Buhari could not extend his tenure in an 

election period is a manifestly clear testimony that 

his era was a woeful one for the police force. And, of 

course, Buhari would not allow his re-election to be 

tarred by Ibrahim Idris. 

It should, however, be noted that aside the 

commendable roles played by some of his officers 

like the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Imohimi 

Edgal and the Commander of his Intelligence 

Response Unit, IRT, DCP Abba Kyari, the former 

police boss would not have recorded any positive 

result for the Nigeria police force during his tenure. 

As it were, posterity many not remember him as one 

who performed or served creditably as a one time 

Inspector General of police in Nigeria. Therein lies 

the lesson for the new police IGP, Adamu Muhamed 

and a challenge for him to live up to the high 

expectations of Nigerians.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16 , 2019 — 43 

My bum’s too big! 

Dear Bunmi, 

I know the average girl 

should feel happy with a 

well-rounded jiggling 

bum,but my bum is too 

round and sticks out too far. 

As a result, I find it hard to 

wear tight jeans and feel 

sure men are staring at my 

bum. 

I'm really self-conscious to 

wear shorts any more 

because my bum wobbles. 

Hubby’s a chronic debtor 

Dear Bunmi, 

I’m living a nightmare! My 

husband of five years is a 

chronic debtor, it seems as if 

borrowing money is second 

nature to him. He’s taken 

every available loan in his 

office and has borrowed 

money off neighbours and 

friends. 

No month goes by without 

irate people he’d borrowed 

money from coming to the 

house breathing fire. He’s 

even gone as low as to 

borrow from artisans in the 

neighbourhood. 

The trouble is, he’s not a 

generous husband and 

father to our child and it is 

virtually impossible to plan 

for the future with all these 

debts hanging down his 

neck. I have threatened to 

leave but he is urging me to 

have more children. How can 

I stay in this kind of 

situation? 

Chioma, by e-mail. 

Dear Chioma, 

However much you love 

Why don’t women find me attractive? 

Dear Bunmi, 

I’m in my mid 40s and need 

to know how to be more 

successful with women. 

When I think about women, 

it isn’t only for sex but 

desperation to find some 

tenderness in a relationship. 

I’ve hardly ever known this. 

Even as a child, I was raised 

by a mother who didn’t show 

us that much love. 

I am a graduate, polite and 

caring and resent this unkind 

attitude women have towards 

me. They either ignore me or 

treat me very casually. Even 

though I’m big, tall and not 

ugly, women don’t seem to 

fancy me. 

In spite of the education, I 

haven’t really been that 

successful in life and I believe 

this is why they don’t fancy 

Please, help me to feel better 

about myself. 

Lape, by e-mail. 

Dear Lape, 

My advice to you is the 

same as my advice to any 

woman who feels bad about 

any part of her body - from 

the size of her breasts to the 

shape of her lips. Remember 

that the way other people see 

you is down to how you see 

yourself. 

your man, heavy financial 

problems will strain your 

relationship. Money issues 

are major argument topics for 

couples and you need to sort 

out your husband’s 

recklessness before you 

decide on having more 

children. 

By the sound of it, your 

man is not good with money, 

but do you know on what he 

spends all these monies he 

me. 

The few I’ve had dropped 

me as soon as they realised I 

wasn’t a cash register. 

It’s obvious that women are 

really interested in a 

relationship because of the 

money they can get out of it. 

My life has been horribly 

desolate and I have a low 

self-esteem. Is there a way 

out of my situation? 

Samuel, by e-mail. 

Dear Samuel, 

A woman will eagerly give 

her affection to a man who is 

penniless if he offers her 

passion, protection and love. 

Instead, you seem to be on an 

endless search for the love 

you felt your mother denied 

you. 

This sends the message that 

So, if you feel selfconscious, 

you will give off 

vibes that others will pick up 

on and react to. But if you 

just let your personality 

shine through, then other 

people will respond to that. 

If you feel good about 

yourself, you’ll find other 

people will feel good about 

you too. 

So, forget about your bum 

and flaunt other parts of your 

body you like. 

keeps borrowing? Does he 

gamble? Is he on drugs? 

Does he support a lot of 

members of his extended 

family? 

Your husband needs to 

change and very quickly too. 

His habit is one of the most 

difficult to break, so set your 

mind on keeping him if you 

can, by helping him manage 

his finances. 

Unfortunately, there’s not 

enough hot and sexy undies to 

solve his problems so, instead of 

concentrating on seduction, focus 

on lifting his spirit while avoiding 

the subject of money as much as 

possible. Whatever you do, don’t 

offer to pay for everything, it’ll just 

make him feel worse 

you are someone who, 

although gentle and nice, has 

litlle to give. Also, the anger 

you feel towards women 

because you have been 

unable to win their affection 

shines through. That’s why 

they turn away. 

Your childhood greatly 

influences you, but it doesn’t 

dictate the adult you become. 

So, push aside the urge to 

measure your worth by the 

love you receive from women, 

take stock of the person you 

are and learn to love yourself. 

Then ask yourself: 'In what 

sense am I a failure?’ Our 

worth is measured not by 

money but in the love we give 

to ourselves and others. You’ll 

soon discover that women are 

attracted to a self-confident 

man. 

He's lost his libido all of a 

sudden! 

Dear Bunmi, 

When I met my current 

boyfriend two years ago, we 

had a very active love life. 

These days, his libido has 

totally tapered off and I can’t 

figure out why. I know I 

haven’t changed, but he’s 

now seldom able to rev his 

engine. 

He’s currently having some 

financial issues, so I can’t 

really suggest a romantic 

getaway to reignite his 

flame. Do you have an idea 

of what the problem could 

be? 

Angelica,by e-mail. 

Dear Angelica, 

It could be a number of 

things: a medical issue, 

depression or stress. But I 

think you actually provided 

a much more specific answer 

to your question than I ever 

could. That’s because money 

or lack of it has a 

tremendous effect on his 

manhood. So your guy is 

probably depressed and 

stressed out by his current 

lack of funds. 

Unfortunately, there’s not 

enough hot and sexy undies 

to solve his problems. So, 

instead of concentrating on 

seduction, focus on lifting 

his spirit while avoiding the 

subject of money as much as 

possible. 

Whatever you do, don’t 

offer to pay for everything, 

it’ll just make him feel 

worse. 

Instead, suggest low-key 

dates: renting movies, 

visiting mutual friends or 

even going for walks. It’ll 

prove to him that you don’t 

care about fancy things at 

least for now, and love him 

enough to see him through 

his rough patch. 

Eventually, he’ll regain his 

mojo and demonstrate his 

appreciation in the sack! 

A woman will eagerly give 

her affection to a man who 

is penniless if he offers her 

passion, protection and 

love. Instead, you seem to 

be on an endless search for 

the love you felt your 

mother denied you. 

Mum wants a big wedding 

but I don’t 

Dear Bunmi, 

I'm getting married to my 

boyfriend of two years in a 

couple of months’ time but 

I’m dreading it. We both 

wanted a simple wedding 

with close families and 

friends, but my mother 

wouldn’t hear of it. I’m the 

only girl of the family and 

she’s really pushing out the 

boat for this wedding, 

picking aso-ebi and 

arranging a lavish reception. 

In short, she has taken over 

the whole day and I have 

hardly been involved at all. 

My fiance says we should 

let her get on with it if it 

would really make her 

happy as she is paying, but 

I feel resentful that she has 

hijacked my day in this way. 

I feel like running off to have 

a quiet wedding. 

Halimat, by e-mail. 

Dear Halimat, 

You’re likely to cause a lot 

of upset if you run away to 

get married. Really, there is 

no need for you to resent 

your mother for trying to 

control your life. As it’s only 

one day, does it really matter? 

All that’s important is that 

you and your fiance are 

happy together. He’s not 

complaining. 

All you need to do is relax, 

humour your mum who’s 

happy to be the ‘mother-ofthe-bride’ 

and enjoy all the 

fuss. You might even look 

back at your wedding day in 

future and feel a lot of 

gratitude for your mum for 

being in control of such a 

memorable day! 

Share your problems and release your 

burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, 

Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, 

Apapa, Lagos, or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk


YOUR LUCK TODAY 

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 

ARIES: The more self assertive you are the better but 

then it is important you don’t take things and people 

for granted. Be wise. 

TAURUS: ALTHOUGH there seem to be an air of 

understanding within your working arena today, 

tomorrow may turn the whole thing the other way. 

GEMINI: HERE is an exciting day that will climax 

tomorrow. After a long time, others will see how 

passionate you can be even in love. Don’t gamble, please. 

CANCER: IF your desire is to make money today, you 

will need to be less emotional and prepare for domestic 

challenges tomorrow. Enjoy your love life. 

LEO: GOOD relationship between the Moon and other 

Planets will bring you good opportunities. Be less 

argumentative and take your love life more seriously. 

L E I S U R E 

TAKE HEART — ELLA RANDLE 

“A little thought and a little kindness are often worth 

more than a great deal of money.” -John Ruskin- 

Be kind in your dealings with others. Be considerate. 

Those who bring sunshine to others dwell in a rich 

consciousness of love not necessarily in the world’s 

standard but the assurance that all the wealth of the 

universe is possessed within thy heart. We attract what 

we are into our lives.- Ella Randle- 

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye” 

SAYINGS OF 

OUR PEOPLE 

He who 

loves money 

must labour. 

~ Mauritania 

By Kola Fayemi 

VIRGO: THIS is your day when things will go according 

to your plans. Financial success indicated but if you 

wait till tomorrow, opposition’ll bring disappointment. 

LIBRA: THE Moon encourages you to be as assertive 

as possible but you will need to expect certain level of 

opposition. Try to be more friendly. 

SCORPIO: HAPPENINGS within your working arena 

should be taken more seriously now or else, avoidable 

trouble would start tomorrow. Again, it’s important you 

are more practical about your health. Be more loving. 

SAGITTARIUS: EVEN, if friends and others are helpful 

and pledging loyalty today, they may be forced and get 

on your nerve tomorrow. Be graceful in your expression. 

CAPRICORN: WHATEVER can lead to avoidable 

trouble tomorrow, either at home or along your career/ 

business lines, should be well taken care of today. Be 

very open. 

DUDU in “ROLLING HOT” By A.O. OLAIDE 

AQUARIUS: YOUR best bet today is to seek important 

co-operation of influential people and that of your 

spouse/partner. The more legal conscious you are, the 

better for you. 

PISCES: IF others want you to conclude an important 

financial transactions that can possibly be done today, 

you’ll need to say no and go ahead as tomorrow may not 

be as conducive as today. 

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING 

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING 

Send your date e and place of birth th to the Astr 

trological 

Counselling, P.M.B 100 

007, 7, Apapa, Lagos 

WHAT,S MY IMMEDIATE FUTURE? 

Dear Joshua, 

I am interested in what you are doing. Please tell me what I 

should expect concerning my immediate future. Would I 

succeed in business ? 

George, Lagos. 

Dear George, 

Few years back you have started a very longer (years) great 

cycle of success and happiness, and this year you will be moving 

closer to the peak of the said cycle. What are ahead of you 

between now and the month of March 2019. If you utilise 

those sub-periods and your lucky dates you would be successful. 

Similar to your immediate past (two week) period. Good 

opportunities to assert yourself will come your way but the 

Stars are saying tarry a while till your next period that will 

prove tremendously fortunate for you. 

That is not to say the business world have to be avoided but 

whatever will need higher degrees of positive luck should be 

delayed till next month when the heavens will smile broadly at 

you. During this period you will have more to gain if you take 

your younger subordinates seriously so also your personal new 

ideas on the best ways to successfully forge ahead in the business 

world, especially during the last two weeks of the period 

Ironically the same last two weeks called for carefulness while 

handling spiritual related issues, so also behind-the-sceneactivities. 

Then a particular member of your opposite sex may 

be looking for a man she would like to lure into secret affairs; 

it is better for her to get such elsewhere so that one will not run 

into avoidable troubles. 

MONEY will come in where you expect it and from unexpected 

sources too. If there are times when element of luck is needed 

to succeed, this is one of such periods; actually British 

Astrologer will say go for sweepstakes (like lotteries, lotto, 

pool betting and the like) and truly you can win. 

VIRGINIA 

HOME & ABROAD 

dadadekola@yahoo.com 

By Lawrence Akapa

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 — 45 

a 

May faces no confidence vote as 

Brexit fails 

Prime Minister Theresa 

May’s Brexit deal has been 

rejected by 230 votes - the 

largest defeat for a sitting government 

in history. 

MPs voted by 432 votes to 

202 to reject the deal, which 

sets out the terms of Britain’s 

exit from the EU on 29 

March. 

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn 

has now tabled a vote of 

no confidence in the government, 

which could trigger a 

general election. 

Mrs May said she would 

make time for a debate on the 

motion on Wednesday. 

Mr Corbyn said the confidence 

vote would allow the 

Commons to “give its verdict 

on the sheer incompetence 

of this government”. 

May, faces a leadership 

challenge today that could 

•May 

see her exit her position as 

leader of the Conservative 

Party and thus prime minister 

Ṫhe vote of confidence was 

triggered by a request by 48 

Conservative parliamentarians. 

A vote by Conservative 

MPs is expected to be held 

on Wednesday evening between 

6 and 8 p.m. local time. 

Ms May, however, said 

she would do everything 

possible to keep her seat. 

“I will contest that vote with 

everything that I’ve got,” she 

said. 

She said she believes “in 

the conservative vision for a 

better future.” 

In an address to the public 

on Wednesday morning, Ms 

May said she was in the best 

position to lead the UK 

through a successful Brexit 

deal. She said her exit as 

Conservative leader would 

only favour opposition politicians 

including labour 

leader Jeremy Corbyn. 

Many Conservative lawmakers 

had opposed Ms 

May’s deal she got with the 

EU in the process to get the 

UK out of the European 

Union. 

ICC acquits ex-Ivorian leader, Gbagbo 

of war crimes 

THE former president 

of Ivory Coast is to be 

released and charges of 

crimes against humanity 

dropped after the international 

criminal court ruled he 

had no case to answer. 

The court in The Hague 

acquitted Laurent Gbagbo 

and his former youth minister 

of all charges and ordered 

their immediate release. 

The charges, which included 

ordering murder and 

gang-rape, related to postelection 

violence in the west 

African country in 2011. 

Gbagbo refused to hand 

over power to Alassane 

Ouattara, the current president, 

and about 3,000 people 

died in the aftermath. 

After French troops and the 

*Laurent Gbagbo 

UN intervened, Gbagbo 

was prised out of the bunker 

where he was hiding 

with his wife, Simone. 

The judges ruled that 

Gbagbo and his then youth 

minister, Charles Blé Goudé, 

had no plan to keep Gbagbo 

in power, and so there was 

“no need for defence to submit 

further defence, as the 

prosecutor has not satisfied 

the burden of proof”. 

The decision will be a severe 

blow for the ICC prosecutor, 

for whom it was a landmark 

case. The court will resume 

on Wednesday, where 

the prosecution will say 

whether it intends to appeal, 

and if it does, what conditions 

it wants to impose on 

Gbagbo’s release. 

The ICC has been accused 

of being one-sided as it did 

not bring any charges against 

pro-Ouattara commanders 

who were also accused of 

abuses. Ouattara, who was 

re-elected in 2015, has been 

accused by his opponents of 

using the ICC to silence opposition. 

Shutdown bites economy as Democrats 

reject Trump invitation to talk 

THE U.S. economy is 

taking a larger-thanexpected 

hit from the partial 

government shutdown, 

White House estimates 

showed on Tuesday, as 

congressional Democrats 

rejected President Donald 

Trump’s invitation to discuss 

the issue. 

The shutdown dragged 

into its 25th day on Tuesday 

with neither Trump 

nor Democratic congressional 

leaders showing 

signs of bending on the 

topic that triggered it - 

funding for the wall 

Trump promised to build 

along the border with 

Mexico. 

Trump invited a bipartisan 

group of members of 

Congress for lunch at 

12:30 p.m. EST (1730 

GMT) to discuss the 

standoff but the White 

House said Democrats 

turned down the invitation. 

Nine Republicans 

were expected to attend. 

Trump is insisting Congress 

shell out $5.7 billion 

(4.5 billion pounds) as 

about 800,000 federal 

workers go unpaid during 

the partial shutdown. 

“It’s time for the Democrats 

to come to the table 

and make a deal,” said 

White House spokeswoman 

Sarah Sanders." 

Runner-up in Congo’s disputed 

election launches official appeal 

LAWYERS for the run 

ner-up in Democratic 

Republic of Congo’s disputed 

election on Tuesday urged 

the Constitutional Court in a 

series of impassioned 

speeches to order a recount 

of a poll that they said was 

rigged against their candidate. 

The Dec. 30 election was 

meant to lead to Congo’s first 

democratic handover of power 

since independence from 

Belgium in 1960. But hope 

for a new era after 18 years of 

rule by President Joseph 

Kabila has faded amid a bitter 

dispute over the outcome 

that some fear could fan unrest. 

The second-place finisher, 

former Exxon Mobil executive 

Martin Fayulu, says he 

in fact won with more than 

60 percent of votes based on 

tallies his camp compiled, 

and that the official winner, 

opposition leader Felix 

Tshisekedi, struck a deal with 

Kabila to be declared the victor. 

Tshisekedi and Kabila 

deny this. 

Hearings on a fraud complaint 

filed by Fayulu opened 

on Tuesday in a packed room 

at the Constitutional Court, 

which has until Friday to pass 

judgment. The court, made 

up of nine judges, is considered 

by the opposition to be 

friendly to Kabila and Fayulu 

has said he is not confident 

that it will rule in his favour.



Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 

TODAY’S PUZZLE 

Sudoku 

FRIDAY’S ANSWER 

TODAY’S CROSSWORD 

QUICK CROSSWORD 

THURSDAY’S SOLUTION 

How to Play Sudoku 

ACROSS 

1 Miscellany (10) 

7 Rider’s footrest (7) 

8 Long story (4) 

10 Depose (4) 

11 Age of majority (8) 

13 Frail (6) 

15 Confer, impart (6) 

17 Capable of being 

touched (8) 

18 Speedy (4) 

21 Volcanic matter (4) 

22 Songbird (7) 

23 Dramatist (10) 

DOWN 

1 Wrong (5) 

2 Villein (4) 

3 Mend (6) 

4 Naughtiness (8) 

5 Fail to care for (7) 

6 Colleague (9) 

9 Blizzard (9) 

12 Common, everyday (8) 

14 Type of pigeon (7) 

16 Not so fast (6) 

19 Apportion (5) 

20 Boast (4) 

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

of the same number). 

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

from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine 

blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no 

number can appear twice in any block, column or row. 

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or 

multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination. 

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

08027767834; 01-4544821. Abuja office: 7, Dambata Close, Area 7, Garki, 09-2921024. Ikeja office: 73, Awolowo Way. V.I. Office: Murplus Plaza, 27, Sanusi Fafunwa Street. Asaba: 21, Anwai 

Road. Benin City: 4E, Arusa Street. Port Harcourt: 50, Ikwerre Road; Warri: 102, Efurun-Sapele Road. Advert: advertproduction@yahoo.com; E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, 

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

16012019 - 2019: Buhari, Atiku split Niger-Delta militants

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