05042019 - Nigeria's total debt now N24.4 trillion — DMO

C 

M 

Y 

K 

FG, IOCs, 

indigenous firms 

create $102bn 

opportunities for 9 

investors in oil, gas 

Court 

voids 

Etisalat 

sale 41 

CDS 

defends 

8 

militarisation 

of elections 

13 

Nigeria loses 

N400bn on 

medical tourism 

annually — BUHARI 

Bankers Committee unveils N200bn fund for 5 cash crops 

20 

** 

VOL. 26: NO. 63780 FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019 

Nigeria's total debt now 

N24.4 trillion — DMO 

•FG owing N19.234 trillion by end of 2018 

•Domestic debt is 68.18% of total 

•New borrowings since 2015 in excess of N7 trillion 

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief 

ABUJA — The 

nation’s total 

debt stock 

escalated in 2018 to 

N24.387 trillion ($79. 

437 billion), about N2.7 

trillion or 9.1 per cent 

higher than the N21.725 

trillion recorded at end 

of 2017. Perhaps, the 

huge addition was 

recorded in the fourth 

quarter of 2018 which 

came with N1.96 trillion 

or 8.03 per cent increase 

against the N22.428 

trillion recorded at end 

of September 2018. 

Director-General of the 

Continues on Page 5 

Naira 

appreciates 

to N360.30/ 

$ in I&E 41 

Mr & Mrs 

SPECIAL ELECTION REPORT 

91 PARTIES: 

Cure or 

curse? 

COLUMNISTS 

Nwaoboshi 

appeals 

judgement, says 

he remains 

Senator-elect 

Dickson takes 

campaign against 

environmental 

degradation 

to IOC 

42 30 

12 

NUC, others 

propose N823bn 

varsity 

education reform 

AZU 40 DONU 17 OWEI LAKEMFA 31 

9

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019 — 3


vanguardnews @vanguardnews @vanguardnews 

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019 — 5 

POCKET CARTOON 

NNPC Day at Kaduna Int'l Trade Fair —Ms Uduak Udo (left) conducting the GMD NNPC, Dr.Maikanti 

Baru (M) with the President ,KADCCIMA, Dr. Farida Dankaka (2nd left) and Makama Zazzau Alhaji 

Miginyawa, during the NNPC Special Day at the 40th Kaduna International Trade Fair, yesterday. 

PHOTO: Olu Ajayi. 

Nigeria's total debt now 

N24.4 trillion — DMO 

Continues from Page 1 

Debt Management 

Office, DMO, Ms. 

Patience Oniha, 

disclosed this while 

briefing newsmen on the 

national debt profile in 

Abuja yesterday. 

She said that domestic 

debt accounted for 68.18 

percent of the figure 

which consisted of debts 

owed by both the federal 

and state governments. 

The N24.387 trillion 

debt stock at the end of 

2018 represented a N 

2,661trillion or 12.25 per 

cent increase above the 

figure of December 31, 

2017, which stood at N 

21.725 trillion. 

The DMO said that the 

CBN Official Exchange 

Rate of US$1/N306 as at 

December 31, 2017 and 

US$1/ N307.00 as at 

December 31, 2018 were 

used for the conversion 

of External Debt Stock to 

Naira. 

The new borrowings 

since the current 

administration came into 

power were: 2015, 

N1.457 trillion; 2016, not 

available; 2017, N2.321 

trillion; 2018 N 1. 643 

trillion; and 2019 (as 

proposed) N1.649 

trillion. 

States’ debt 

An analysis of the 

presentation by the D-G 

indicated that the 

Federal Government 

debt stock was N17.117 

trillion as of December 

2017 but increased to 

N19.234 trillion at the 

end of last year, 

representing an increase 

of 543.65 or 11.80 per 

cent. 

On the Promissory 

Notes, she said the 

Federal Executive 

Council, FEC, approved 

the establishment of a 

Promissory Note 

Programme for the 

settlement of Inherited 

Local Debts and other 

contractual obligations of 

the federal government. 

The Programme which 

had been estimated to be 

at N3.4trillion would 

also be used to pay 

judgment debt and 

export grants. 

Benefits 

On the benefits, Ms. 

Oniha said: “It will 

provide stimulus to the 

economy and unlock 

investment across a 

number of sectors 

currently having 

liquidity issues. 

“It will also have 

positive impact on the 

non-performing loan 

ratios of banks which will 

in turn, increase the 

banks’ capacity to lend 

and enable the Federal 

Government to formally 

recognise and account 

for its true liabilities in 

line with the 

International Public 

Sector Accounting 

Standards, IPSAS. 

The Notes, according 

to the DMO, will 

positively impact the 

economy because they 

will be sovereign 

instruments, negotiable 

and have liquid asset 

status. 

Already, as at 

December 31, 2018 – 

N331.12 billion 

Promissory Notes had 

been issued to oil 

marketers and state 

governments. 

The D-G said that the 

executive arm of 

government would issue 

the Notes as the 

National Assembly 

approved them. 

According to her, the 

liabilities covered under 

the programme were 

those from June 2017 

backwards. 

She explained that the 

Notes issued in respect 

of the oil marketers and 

state governments’ 

refunds were approved 

by the federal 

legislature. 

According to her, some 

Continues on Page 41 

Calls on FG to allocate oil wells to states (4 

By Bose Adelaja, Ebun Sessou, 

Yinka Latona, Chiamaka Uba, 

Dickson Omobola&Tolulope Oke 

This move is only 

is long overdue, 

and it is a step in the 

right direction. 

If given the licences, 

the states would have 

more resources at their 

disposal to meet their 

recurrent needs, while 

facing infrastructure 

deficits currently 

pervading the nation. 

Mr. William Jimoh 

Analyst 

It is a good idea to 

give oil blocs to state 

governments, at least, 

they will be able to 

develop their states. 

My only fear is how the 

members of the 

communities where these 

oil blocks are domiciled 

will respond to such 

development. 

Mr. Olatunbosun Ojo, 

Self-employed 

It is a very good idea, 

but the problem is: 

will the state 

governments distribute 

the wealth accordingly? 

More so, this might 

bring 

about 

godfatherism and in my 

opinion, this would make 

the rich richer and the 

poor poorer 

Miss 

Boluwatife 

Nurse 

Olagoke 

Nigerians will not 

have more to 

benefit if the proposal is 

granted. 

Nigerians who currently 

hold the licences cannot 

operate the blocs 

effectively. 

Moreover, the question of 

where the states will get 

funds to run these oil blocs 

also arises. I smell more 

suffering than benefits for 

the masses if the states are 

given oil blocs. Mr. Sunday 

Oladoye, Student 

It depends on the 

states getting the 

licence. Are they oilproducing 

states or any 

state? If they are oilproducing 

states, it is a 

good thing because oilproducing 

states have 

been yearning for a 

larger share of oil 

income which in my 

opinion, would be of 

great benefit. 

Mr. Ibraheem 

Okunade 

Freelance writer 

It is actually not a bad 

idea, I would agree 

with anything that the 

state would benefit 

from which would in 

turn lead to the success 

and progress of this 

nation. Anything that 

will make Nigerian 

states economically 

viable is welcome. 

Miss Odusanya 

Oluwatosin 

Entrepreneur

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019 

Police arrest 

man for 

allegedly 

killing wife in 

Kano 

THE Police Command in 

Kano State has arrested 

a 26-year-old man, Aminu 

Inuwa, of Jakada Quarters 

Kano, for allegedly 

slaughtering his 17-yearold 

wife, Safara’u Aminu. 

The command’s Public 

Relations Officer (PPRO), 

DSP Abdullahi Haruna, 

confirmed the arrest of the 

suspect, yesterday, in Kano. 

He said: “On April 3 at 

about 11am the command 

received a report that on 

April 2 at about noon that 

Inuwa slaughtered his wife 

with a knife. 

Haruna alleged that the 

suspect and his wife had a 

misunderstanding, after 

which Inuwa slaughtered 

and buried her in the 

house. 

“The police exhumed the 

corpse from the grave and 

took her to Murtala 

Muhammad Specialist 

Hospital Kano for autopsy, 

“he said. 

He said the command 

had since commenced 

investigation in the matter. 

Beninoise 

confessed to 

stealing 

$1,000, 

N500,000, 

IPO tells court 

A PROSECUTION 

witness, Sgt. James 

Ameh, told an FCT High 

Court that a 29-year old 

Beninoise, Remi Mike, 

confessed to stealing $1,000, 

N500,000 and also attempted 

to kill Mrs Jennifer Antuoun. 

The police charged him on 

November 30, 2018 with two 

counts of armed robbery and 

attempted culpable homicide. 

Ameh, who is also the 

investigative officer, told the 

court that the defendants 

attacked Jennifer, after she 

caught him in the act. 

He said: “After he was 

arrested, he confessed that 

he committed the crime 

because he was broke and he 

needed money to take his 

wife to the hospital. 

“We also recovered the 

$1000 from the defendant 

during investigation. He also 

confessed that he hit Jennifer 

on the head to prevent her 

from raising alarm,” he 

alleged. 

Ameh had informed the 

court that the confessional 

statement of the defendant 

was voluntary and that he 

signed it at the end. 

The Police Prosecutor, Mr 

Stanley Nwafoaku, then 

applied that the confessional 

statement, hammer and knife 

be admitted as exhibits. 

Murder of football fan: Police authorities dismiss 

Inspector Olalekan, to face trial 

•As panel finds Sergeant Orji not culpable 

By Evelyn Usman 

THE 

in-house 

investigation at the Lagos State 

Police Command, otherwise known 

as Orderly Room Trial, has found 

Inspector Ogunyemi Olalekan 

culpable of killing Kolade Johnson, 

the 36-year-old football fan, last 

Sunday. 

Recall that the Ogun State-born 

father of one was felled by a bullet 

from a team of policemen attached to 

Anti-Cultism unit, who stormed 

Onipetesi area of Mangoro to effect 

the arrest of a youth. 

Immediately the incident occurred, 

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, 

Zubairu Muazu, ordered members 

of the team arrested and subjected to 

internal disciplinary proceedings, 

where Inspector Olalekan and 

Sergeant Godwin Orji, were fingered 

as the main perpetrators. 

However, at the end of the Orderly 

Room Trial, yesterday, Sergeant Orji 

was exonerated, as leader of the team, 

Olalekan was discovered to have 

pulled the trigger that snuffed life 

out of Johnson. 

At the end of the Orderly Room 

Trial, Inspector Olalekan was found 

guilty of discreditable conduct. 

Spokesman for Lagos State Police 

Command, DSP Elkana Bala, who 

confirmed the dismissal of Olalekan 

said: “The two police officers alleged 

Inspector Olalekan 

to have been involved in the 

shooting of Kolade Johnson on 

March 31, 2019 were 

apprehended and subjected to 

internal disciplinary 

proceedings known as Orderly 

Room Trial by the command. 

The Orderly Room Trial 

commenced on Monday, April 

1, 2019, and ended on 

Thursday April 4, 2019. 

“They were tried on a three 

Woman dies from snake bite hours after wedding 

•As husband blames clinic for her death 

By Paul Olayemi 

FOUNDER of Miracle Working 

God Ministry in Sapele, Delta 

State, Prophet Patrick Eyaefe, whose 

wife died from snake bite hours after 

their wedding, yesterday, narrated 

how alleged negligence of a private 

hospital led to her death. 

The 44-year-old pastor said they 

have been together for eight years. 

You know as a man of God I was 

supposed to regularise my marriage, 

so after eight years and with a 

growing ministry and five kids, I 

decided to do the right thing. Now 

see what has happened after the 

marriage. 

“We were relaxing at home after the 

marriage at about 7pm on Sunday, 

March 30, 2019 when she went to buy 

sachet water and she had hardly left 

for five minutes when I heard 

her screaming for help. 

“I dashed down and she told 

me that a snake just bit her, I 

took her to the hospital that night 

and I tied the leg as someone 

instructed me. When we got t to 

the hospital, after paying N1,000 

to register, the doctor was not 

around. The nurse who was on 

duty had to call the doctor before 

he came and when he 

eventually arrived, they were 

looking at her as if her life was 

not important. 

“The drugs he (the doctor) 

prescribed for me I went to buy 

it and when I came back, he 

insisted I should go back and get 

the dosage of the drug, and my 

wife was lying there without 

Gunmen kill 1, injure 3 others in 

Bokkos 

GUNMEN, yesterday, killed a 

42-year-old man, Mr Mahan 

Ishaya, and injured three others in 

Daffo town of Bokkos Local 

Government Area of Plateau State. 

DSP Terna Tyopev, Police Public 

Relations Officer of the state Police 

Command, confirmed this, yesterday, 

in Jos. 

He said: “Yesterday (Wednesday) at 

about 9:45 p.m, we received 

information that about 8:30 p.m, some 

unknown gunmen attacked Daffo 

town in Bokkos LGA. 

“As a result, one Mr. Mahan Ishaku, 

a 42-year old man, lost his life, while 

Ahmadu Sale, Faiza Sale and 

Ishaya Maju sustained 

injuries.” 

The spokesperson said the 

injured persons were currently 

being treated at the Cottage 

Hospital in Bokkos. 

He said efforts had been 

intensified to track the 

perpetrators and penalise them 

in accordance with the law, 

adding that the command had 

intensified patrol in the area to 

avert break down of law and 

order, and therefore called on 

residents of the area to be lawabiding. 

The late Mrs Eyaefe. 

being attended to. 

"When I returned, they 

tightened the rope I used in 

tying the leg, so that the 

venom will not spread and 

right there after administering 

the anti venom drug, she still 

died. 

"My wife died on the day I 

took her to the altar. They left 

her for too long without 

attending to her. It was a case 

of neglect. If they had acted 

quickly she would not have 

died. She died leaving five 

kids for me. How do I go on?” 

CMD reacts 

count charge: (1) Discreditable 

Conduct (2) Unlawful and 

Unnecessary Exercise of Authority 

and (3) Damage to clothing or 

other articles contrary to 

paragraph E (iii), Q (ii) and D (i) 

First Schedule, Police Act and 

Regulations, Cap 370 LFN 1990. 

“The trial started with the 

reading of charges and taking of 

plea. Five witnesses testified. At 

the conclusion of the trial, the first 

defaulter, Inspector Ogunyemi 

Olalekan was found guilty of 

discreditable conduct by acting in 

a manner prejudicial to discipline 

and unbecoming of members of 

the force by shooting and killing 

Kolade Johnson; unlawful and 

unnecessary exercise of authority 

by using unnecessary violence 

with AK-47 rifle on the deceased 

in total neglect of the provisions 

of Force Order 237 on the use of 

firearms. 

“The adjudicating officer, CSP 

Indyar Apev, awarded the 

punishment of dismissal from 

service and prosecution to the first 

defaulter. 

“There was no evidence linking 

the second accused, Sergeant 

Godwin Orji, to the shooting. He 

was, therefore, found not guilty 

and discharged and acquitted. 

"The first accused, Inspector 

Ogunyemi Olalekan, was handed 

over to the SCIID, Panti for 

prosecution in a conventional 

court. 

But the Chief Medical Director 

of the hospital, Dr. John Akwara, 

denied negligence on the part of 

the hospital as there was little the 

doctor could do at the point she 

was taken to the hospital. 

He said: “Snake venoms kill 

within minutes, the doctor who 

treated her is a certified medical 

doctor with over 10 years in 

service. Snake bite is snake bite 

anywhere, five minutes you are 

gone. 

“We even gave her oxygen, 

which goes to show how far the 

damage has been done. Once 

venom has reached the heart, 

there is nothing anybody can do 

about it."

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019—7 

Robbers invade Ondo, kill church 

bursar •Cart away church, Agric ministry's money 

By Dayo Johnson 

A KURE—UNKNOWN 

gunmen, yesterday, invaded 

the Akure Diocesan office of Anglican 

Communion in Ondo State, killing 

the Bursar, Gabriel Abiodun, and 

carted away N500,000. 

The Bishop of the diocese, Rt Rev 

Simeon Borokini, was said to have 

left the office less than an hour after 

the robbers struck. 

Almost simultaneously, another set 

of armed robbers reportedly snatched 

N500,000 from the pay master of the 

Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Abiodun, 

at gun point as he alighted from his 

vehicle in the premises of the ministry. 

Top officials of the ministry and other 

staff watched helplessly as the three 

armed robbers disposed the 

paymaster of the money within the 

premises and fled unmolested. 

Meanwhile, the Diocesan office that 

was attack is located at Alagbaka area 

of Akure metropolis. 

The 58-year-old church bursar and 

father of four was said to have been 

trailed from a new generation bank 

where he had gone to cash money 

for church expenses. 

My friend introduced me to armed robbery 

—Driver 

By Esther Onyegbula 

OPERATIVES of Special Anti 

Robbery Squad have 

arrested a member of a three-man 

armed robbery gang who 

specialised in snatching exotic 

cars within and outside Lagos. 

The 33-year old suspect, Austine 

Orji, was arrested at Elegushi 

while dispossessing residents who 

had come to relax at the beach of 

their valuables. 

It was learned that after 

snatching the cars at gunpoint, the 

suspects would contract their 

receivers, who would assist them 

to dismantle the vehicle and, 

thereafter, sell the parts to buyers 

at the popular Ladipo market. 

Suspect's account 

According to Orji, “I was 

arrested by the police because I 

am a car snatcher. I was a driver 

before I went into car snatching. I 

was arrested at Elegushi beach. 

However, my friend, Victor, who 

He was shot on both 

legs by the bandits 

and gave up the ghost 

before he got to the 

hospital. Reports had 

it that he lost so much 

blood that led to his 

death. 

Vanguard gathered 

that the deceased, after 

returning from the 

bank, was swooped 

on by three gunmen, 

who arrived the office 

in a 2002 model Toyota 

Corolla car, and 

requested the money 

he went to withdraw 

from the bank. 

His refusal to hand 

over the money to the 

bandits, according to a 

church source, made one of them to 

shoot him at close range. 

The bandits ended up collecting the 

money after he was shot and fled the 

diocesan office. 

Police detectives invited by the 

church leaders removed his corpse 

and deposited same at the state 

Kidnap kingpin arrested in Ondo 

forest 

By Dayo Johnson 

DETECTIVES from Ondo 

State Police Command have 

arrested a kidnap kingpin, Ismaila 

Wakeel, at a rendezvous in the 

thick forest, while others 

reportedly fled when security 

operatives swooped on them. 

The arrest of the self acclaimed 

second-in-command of the gang 

was in conjunction with Myetti 

Allah Vigilante group in Akunnu 

Akoko in Akoko North East Local 

Government Area of the state. 

Speaking on the arrest, the State 

Police image maker, Femi Joseph, 

said: “The residents of the area 

who noticed a Mercedes Benz 

with number plates, EDO Ben 203 

introduced me into armed 

robbery, escaped. 

“I stopped driving in 

December 2018, after which 

Victor invited me to Ore, 

saying he had a business 

he wanted to introduce me 

to. When I got there, both 

of us travelled to Benin City, 

where we rented a locally 

made gun. We rented it for 

N30,000 but we paid 

N10,000 cash and 

promised to pay the balance 

of N20,000 when we return 

from robbery operation. 

“We have only snatched 

a car before I was arrested. 

I got N12,500 as my share 

from the N60,000. 

“We successfully snatched 

an old model Corolla car, 

which we sold for N60,000 

as scrap. The vehicle was 

butchered and sold in parts 

at Ladipo market, after I 

called an acquaintance, 

Ugobest, at Ladipo. Ugobest 

The late bursar 

PW parked in the area for three 

days suspected that the owner 

might be a victim of kidnappers. 

“The vigilante group called a 

telephone number found in the car 

and it was confirmed that the owner 

was a victim of kidnappers and 

informed the police about the 

development. 

In an interview, the suspect 

confirmed that he was the deputy 

of the group and that the victim was 

kept in their custody for three days 

while waiting for his family to pay 

ransom for his release. 

Police source said that the gang 

requested for N30m form their last 

victim but later reduced to N5m 

after which he was caught while 

negotiation was still on. 

specialist hospital in Akure 

metropolis. 

Sympathisers have continued to 

throng the office and the residence 

of the deceased bursar, whose wife 

works with the Federal Medical 

Centre in Owo. 

The Church Administrative 

Assistant, Venerable Blessing 

Aregbesola, confirmed the murder 

of the church’s bursar. 

Reacting on behalf of Bishop of 

the Akure Diocese of the Anglican 

Communion, Rt Rev Simeon 

Borokini, Aregbesola described the 

incident as the “height of insecurity 

in the state. 

Aregbesola said the deceased 

had been working with the church 

for eight years. 

Ondo State Police Public 

Relations Officer, Femi Joseph, 

who described the incident as 

unfortunate, said the deceased 

was shot on both legs by the armed 

robbers. 

Joseph assured that the bandits 

would soon be apprehended and 

made to face the music. 

The police spokesperson, 

however, said the robbery at the 

Ministry of Agriculture was yet to 

be reported to the command at 

press time . 

The suspect. 

connected me to the person who bought 

the vehicle parts. 

Confirming his arrest, spokesperson 

Lagos State police command, DSP Bala 

Elkana, said the suspect was arrested 

after policemen at Ajah station received 

information that some robbers were 

sighted at Eegushi beach, Ajah 

disposing unsuspecting victims of their 

valuables. 

... with Emma'nKen (08163121378) 

Maximum security 

No free food, even in Freetown 

Animal rights


WORK STUDY: From left, Ambassador, Chartered Insurance Institute, Dr. Tonia Smart; 

Managing Director of Engagement & CEO Personal Finance Society, Chartered Insurance 

Institute, Mr. Keith Richard; President & Chairman of Council, Chartered Insurance Institute 

of Nigeria, Mr. Eddie Efekoha; Accreditation Manager, Chartered Insurance Institute, Mr. 

Jeremy Mullen and Director General, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, Mr. Richard 

Borokini during the 2019 CII/CIIN Work Study programme, in London. 

Militarisation of polls: CDS defends 

action 

By Henry Umoru 

ABUJA—Chief 

of 

Defence Staff, CDS, 

General Abayomi 

Olonisakin, has defended 

the militarisation of the just 

concluded general 

election, saying if there was 

no such deployment of the 

military, the security 

situation in the country 

would have been 

jeopardised. 

Speaking, yesterday, in 

Abuja during the 

orientation programme for 

senators- elect and 

members of the House of 

Representatives-elect of the 

yet to be inaugurated 9th 

National Assembly, 

Olonisakin said: “The 

armed forces of Nigeria 

derived its authority from 

p1 s3, 217 of the 1999 

constitution, which 

provides for the armed 

forces of Nigeria, 

comprising of Nigerian 

Army, Nigerian Navy and 

Nigerian Air Force. 

“During the just 

concluded 2019 general 

election, the success of the 

electoral process was 

almost hampered by the 

security in some parts of the 

country. Many crisis prone 

areas were properly 

manned by security 

services to ensure that the 

electorate were secured 

enough to carry out their 

civic duties of electing 

candidates of their choices. 

“There have been various 

arguments by different 

political parties and other 

stakeholders of the legality 

and otherwise of the military 

action in support of the civic 

authority in the election 

process. 

"A critical area of support 

that was provided and 

perhaps not very visible to 

the public is the 

deployment of military 

logistics capabilities, 

especially naval and air 

•Says the election process would have been better 

imagined 

access to support the 

movement of materials 

across the country. 

“I need to reiterate that 

this deployment is in line 

with constitutional role of 

the Armed Forces of 

Nigeria as earlier stated. 

Even in the last general 

election 2019, the security 

situation in the country 

during the election process 

would have been better 

imagined if the military had 

not been deployed to 

perform their secondary 

responsibility, thus the 

effect of security on 

governance is an important 

aspect that lawmakers, 

military personnel and the 

civil public need to 

understand in ooder to 

make the right decisions. 

“A good understanding 

of these dynamics will 

enable political leaders and 

public officials to make 

realistic decisions and enact 

laws to achieve national 

security objectives. Over the 

years, the Armed Forces 

have built various capacities 

to enable it perform our 

various goals. 

"This capacity 

development is dependent 

on a number of factors, 

including training and the 

availability of adequate 

platforms which had direct 

impact in improving the 

capability of the armed 

forces of Nigeria in the field 

and subsequent effect on 

national security.” 

Kidnappers using pre-registered SIM cards to 

commit crime —NCC 

EXECUTIVE 

Vice 

Chairman of Nigerian 

Communication 

Commission, NCC, 

Professor Umar Garba 

Danbatta, has disclosed that 

kidnappers use preregistered 

SIM cards to 

perpetrate their nefarious 

activities, assuring, 

however, that such SIM 

cards are being tracked by 

the commission. 

Danbatta, who spoke at 

the ongoing 40th Kaduna 

International Trade Fair, 

said a task force had been 

set up by the commission 

to effectively deal with the 

trend. 

The executive vice 

chairman, who was 

represented by Mr 

Okechukwu Aninweke, 

Head of Internal Policy 

Review Unit, said phone 

subscribers should be wary 

of opening unfamiliar 

emails in view of the rising 

cases of cyber crime and e- 

fraud 

using 

telecommunications 

platforms. 

According to him, “you 

know one thing with these 

criminals is that they are 

always one step ahead of 

you and even if every SIM 

card is properly registered, 

there will still be crime. The 

commission is doing 

everything possible to track 

these elements and has 

even set up a task force to 

that effect.” 

He assured telecom 

subscribers that where 

service providers continued 

to fail to improve services to 

the detriment of consumers, 

the commission would 

apply appropriate 

regulatory actions and 

sanctions against such 

service providers. 

Danbatta urged 

consumers to take 

advantage of “Do-Not- 

Disturbed, DND” code to 

stop all unsolicited text 

messages as well as the 

available free telephone 

number 622 with which 

customers can lodge 

complaints to the 

commission if their service 

provider refuse or are 

unable to resolve such 

complaints when it is 

reported to them. 

We'll soon embark on strike, Colleges of Education 

lecturers tell FG 

By Joseph 

Erunke 

Ain BUJA—LECTURERS 

the nation’s Colleges 

of Education have 

threatened to embark on 

another strike unless the 

Federal Government meets 

their demands. 

The Colleges of Education 

teachers under the aegis of 

Colleges of Education 

Academic Staff Union, 

COEASU, in a letter to the 

Federal Government 

through the Minister of 

Education, Mallam Adamu 

Adamu, accused the 

government of reneging on 

agreements that led to the 

suspension of its strike four 

months ago. 

The union, in the letter 

entitled,”Non-fulfilment of 

the Federal Government’s 

commitment on the 

lingering issues in 

contention: A call for urgent 

redress,” by its president, 

Nuhu Ogirima, said: “The 

union might be compelled 

to take appropriate 

necessary labour action to 

seek redress if the situation 

is not arrested 

immediately.” 

Noting that it suspended 

its “industrial action on 

December 5, 2018, having 

accepted Federal 

Government's offer to 

release N15 billion as 

palliative to cushion the 

effects of the decay in the 

infrastructure in colleges of 

Budget defence: You can’t 

spend N29m to renovate 

toilets, Reps tell Nat’l 

Theatre boss 

By Emmanuel 

Ovuakporie 

ABUJA—THE House of 

Representatives 

Committee on Tourism and 

Culture, yesterday, queried 

the General Manager of 

National Theatre, Dr Stella 

Oyedepo, for spending N29 

million to renovate toilets. 

Oyedepo while reviewing 

her 2018 budget 

performance told the 

lawmakers that she 

expended N29 million to 

renovate toilets in the 

National Theatre. 

This did not go down well 

with the lawmakers who 

wanted to know how on 

earth she could spend such 

a huge amount in 

renovation of toilets. 

Chairman of the 

committee, Omoregie 

education.” 

He said it was, however, 

“quite disheartening to note 

that more than four months 

after the resolutions, the 

status of the issues remains 

as they had been. 

“The union is compelled 

by the prevailing 

atmosphere of noncommitment 

of Federal 

Government to the fulfilment 

of the resolutions reached 

with the union on issues of 

industrial concern, relative to 

the colleges of education, to 

call for urgent redress." 

Ogbeide-Ihama said: 

“There’s need to critically 

look at how you spent N29 

million to fix toilets.” 

In her response, 

Oyedepo said: “There 

were 500 toilets in the 

complex and it was making 

the place unattractive 

because they were in bad 

shape. What we did was to 

completely overhaul the 

toilets to make the complex 

look better. “ 

In his ruling, the 

chairman, said: “The GM 

just resumed duties, she 

can be excused but she has 

to go and put her 

documents to enable the 

committee properly do its 

job.” 

Meanwhile, the 

representative of the DG of 

National Art Gallery, Mr 

Richard Ovie, was walked 

out of the committee for 

improper representation. 

Buhari is keeping promises 

to Nigerians —Presidency 

By Johnbosco 

Agbakwuru 

A BUJA—THE 

Presidency, 

yesterday, said President 

Muhammadu Buhari has 

kept all his promises to 

Nigerians, especially 

when he said before the 

general election, that 

governance would not 

suffer during his 

campaign. 

The Presidency also said 

Buhari, as a man of 

integrity, had promised 

workers that his 

administration was 

committed 

to 

implementing new 

minimum wage and has 

fulfilled the promise. 

A statement by Special 

Adviser to the President on 

Media and Publicity, Chief 

Femi Adesina, in Abuja, said 

despite the rigorous 

campaigns, the President 

recorded tremendous success 

by keeping to all his promises. 

Reeling out the 

achievements and actions of 

the government during the 

campaign and election 

period, the presidential aide 

listed minimum wage, 

infrastructural financing and 

consumer protection as some 

of the areas that were 

touched by the president 

during the period. 

On minimum wage, he 

said the president, on 

January 9, 2019, inaugurated 

the Presidential Technical 

Advisory Committee on the 

Implementation of the 

National Minimum Wage, 

PTAC, with a mandate to 

advise the Federal 

Government on how best to 

fund, in a sustained manner, 

the additional costs of 

implementing the imminent 

increase in the National 

Minimum Wage. 

According to him, the 

committee, chaired by Mr. 

Bismarck Rewane, submitted 

its report on Monday, March 

25, 2019. 

“Also in January 2019, he 

said, President Buhari 

submitted a National 

Minimum Wage 

Amendment Bill to the 

National Assembly for 

passage, following the 

approval of the National 

Council of State. The Bill is 

now awaiting presidential 

assent,” he said. 

On financing government, 

Adesina said the Strategic 

Revenue Growth Initiatives, 

SRGI, programme of the 

Federal Government was 

launched on January 23, 2019 

by Minister of Finance, 

Zainab Ahmed, in Abuja. 

According to him, SRGI, 

was built on three main 

planks to achieve 

sustainability in revenue 

generation, identify new and 

enhance the enforcement of 

existing revenue streams and 

achieve cohesion in the 

revenue ecosystem (people 

and tools).


FG, IOCs, indigenous firms create $102bn 

opportunities for investors in oil, gas 

By Udeme Akpan 

Y ENAGOA—THE 

Federal Government, 

International Oil 

Companies, IOCs and 

indigenous companies, 

have created investment 

opportunities worth $102 

billion for investors in 

Nigeria’s oil and gas 

industry. 

In a document obtained 

by Vanguard, in Yenogoa, 

Bayelsa State, yesterday, 

the Nigerian Content 

Development and 

Monitoring Board, 

NCDMB, disclosed that 

the future of the industry 

was bright, especially as it 

holds many opportunities 

for investors. 

It stated: “The midstream 

and downstream sector of 

the industry has investment 

opportunities worth over 

$51 billion to support the 

growth phase of Nigeria. 

This certainly gives an 

insight into the future of the 

sector, which has always 

been a valuable support to 

the Nigerian economy. 

Opportunities abound for 

both operators and 

investors with around $35.5 

billion investment 

opportunities in gas 

exploration and production 

activities, power plants 

projects, fertilizer plants, 

virtual pipelines and flare 

gas commercialisation 

activities, as well as $16bn 

investment opportunities in 

the Free Trade Zone, FTZ 

infrastructure development 

and concessioning, port 

infrastructure, Central Gas 

Processing Facilities, CPF, 

gas transmission, Liquified 

petroleum Gas, LPG plants, 

real estate development, 

pipe milling and local 

fabrication yards among 

others.” 

Speaking at the ongoing 

Nigeria Oil and Gas 

Opportunity Fair, NOGOF, 

in Yenagoa, Minister of 

State for Petroleum 

Resources, Dr Ibe 

Kachickwu, urged 

indigenous operators and 

investors to work toward 

benefiting from these and 

other opportunities. 

Kachikwu said while the 

world was moving from 

fossil fuels to other 

environmentally friendly 

options, Nigeria was yet to 

take advantage of the 

opportunities in the 

industry. 

DIALOGUE: From left—Attahiru Jega, Pro-Chancellor/Chairman, Governing Council, Plateau 

State University, Bokkos; Fidelia Osime, Organisation/Human Resources Director, Lafarge 

Africa; Suleiman Elias Bogoro, Executive Secretary, TETFUND; Laoye Jaiyeola, CEO, Nigerian 

Economic Summit Group, NESG; Sonny Echnono, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education; 

and Doyin Salami, economist/member of faculty, Lagos Business School, LBS, during the 

NESG/NUC policy dialogue, with the theme, “Interactive Session on the Rapid Revitalisation 

of Higher Education in Nigeria,” held in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi. 

NUC, others propose N823bn university 

education reform 

•Nigeria has only 5,000 certified architects —Perm Sec 

By Prince Okafor 

L 

A G O S — 

DETERMINED to 

address the shortage of 

skills and high 

unemployment rate in the 

country, the National 

University Commission, 

NUC, along with other 

stakeholders in the 

education sector yesterday, 

proposed N823 billion to 

reform the nation’s 

university education 

system. 

Director Accreditation, 

NUC, Dr. Noel Saliu, who 

made this disclosure in his 

presentation at a media 

stakeholders’ interactive 

session with the Organised 

Private Sector, OPS, on 

“Revitalisation of Higher 

Education in Nigeria” in 

Lagos, noted that this 

would be achieved through 

the Triple Helix of 

University-Industry- 

Government relationship 

model adopted by the 

Nigerian Economic 

Summit Group, NESG. 

According to him, “The 

implementation of the fiveyear 

plan is expected to cost 

N823 billion. The costsharing 

scheme proposed 

for carrying the funding 

burden is 75 per cent by the 

proprietor (government for 

public universities and 

owners for private 

universities), 20 per cent 

from internally-generated 

revenue of the university 

and five per cent from other 

NNPC to continue oil exploration in the North 

—Baru 

K ADUNA—GROUP 

Managing Director of 

the Nigeria National 

Petroleum Corporation, 

NNPC, Maikanti Baru has 

said, oil exploration in 

Northern Nigeria will 

continue until the 

corporation reaches its 

target. 

Speaking with journalists 

in Kaduna at the on-going 

trade fair in the city, the 

NNPC boss said, 

continuing with the 

exploration will enable the 

NNPC do a massive 

appraisal of the discovery 

of gas reserves made in 

1999 in the region. 

According to Baru, the 

corporation was working on 

the Kolmani River II with 

optimism and high 

expectation, adding that 

President Muhammadu 

Buhari had personally 

urged the corporation to go 

back to exploration on the 

Kolmani River II Well. 

He said that as at the 

moment, the corporation 

has dug 10,075 ft deep 

with a target to reach 14,270 

ft exploration by the end of 

May. 

“The main purpose of 

this well is to start some 

massive appraisal of the 

discovery that was made 

way back in 1999 of some 

gas reserves in Kolmani 

River 1 and so far the 

drilling has been going on 

smoothly to enable 

exploration." 

sources including alumni, 

endowment and donor 

support.” 

Saliu noted that lack of 

political will to implement 

a recommendation, overly 

ambitious targets, lack of 

continuity of administration 

and short tenure of many 

Ministers of Education, 

remains a key challenge to 

the university system. 

He also said that, by 

2023, the Nigerian 

University system will be 

the best in Africa in the 

delivery of quality 

university education. 

“By 2023, access to 

university education 

should have increased by 

a factor of 20 per cent over 

2018 figures. By 2018, the 

curriculum of Nigerian 

universities should be 

rated among the best three 

in Africa in terms of its 

relevance to producing 

nationally and regionallyrelevant 

graduates who are 

high-level human 

resources for delivering on 

Africa’s Vision 2063 and 

addressing global SDGs. 

“By 2023, at least 30 per 

cent of facilities for 

teaching, learning and 

research should have been 

upgraded to meet 

international standards and 

maintained thereafter.” 

NFIU impounds N10bn 

suspected criminal funds 

—Director 

By Levinus 

Nwabughiogu 

A BUJA—NIGERIAN 

Financial Intelligence 

Unit, NFIU, by the Egmont 

Group of Financial 

Intelligence Unit 

yesterday, said it had 

impounded N10 billion 

suspected criminal funds. 

It also stated that all 

confiscated assets of public 

officials and senior political 

office holders would soon 

be made public. 

Director of NFIU, Alhaji 

Modibbo Hamman-Tukur 

made the disclosure at a 

budget defence session 

with the House of 


Committee on Financial 

Crimes chaired by Mr. 

Kayode Oladele (APC, 

Ogun). 

Briefing the committee on 

the activities of the NFIU, 

Tukur said the Egmont 

Group had requested 

NFIU to work in 

partnership with sister 

agencies to win the war 

against terrorism, financial 

crimes and other related 

offences. 

He said: “With the lifting 

of the suspension, it is likely 

that all assets of all leaders, 

public officials and political 

office holders will be 

displayed. They want to see 

us work with the Securities 

and Exchange 

Commission, SEC, Nigeria 

National Petroleum 

Corporation, NNPC, 

Federal Inland Revenue 

Service, FIRS and Nigeria 

Communications 

Commission, NCC. 

“They want us to work 

closely with the presidency, 

Code of Conduct Bureau, 

CCB and the Corporate 

Affairs Commission, CAC. 

They want to see the assets 

of all public officials 

displayed publicly. 

“We believe that NEITI 

and CAC are doing a good 

job, but it will be good that 

the beneficiary owner data 

base will be domiciled with 

the CCB, and we will 

subscribe; because CCB 

has assets declarations of all 

public officers.” 

The NFIU director 

however, said the 

European Union had 

attempted to blacklist 

Nigeria and stop all her 

transactions overseas 

involving European 

countries shortly after the 

ban placed on her by the 

Egmont group was lifted in 

September, 2018. 

Militarisation of polls 

illegal —Senator Jibrin 

...says Buhari govt eroding gains of 

democracy 

By Dirisu Yakubu 

ABUJA—THE Board of 

Trustees, BoT, of 

Peoples Democratic Party, 

PDP, has condemned what 

it called the involvement of 

the nation’s military in the 

conduct of the recently 

concluded elections, 

describing same as illegal. 

The board stated this 

yesterday, at its 65th 

meeting which held at the 

party’s national secretariat, 

Wadata Plaza, Abuja. 

In a communiqué issued 

at the end of the meeting 

signed by chairman of the 

BoT, Walid Jibrin also 

pledged support for PDP 

candidates contesting the 

outcome of the elections at 

the tribunal even as it 

berated the President 

Muhammadu Buhari-led 

government for eroding the 

gains of democracy 

recorded under the PDP. 

He said, “The BoT hereby 

wishes to congratulate our 

great party and all our 

candidates who 

participated in the 2019 

elections, for bracing the 

odds and strengthening 

democratic rules and 

culture despite the 

unprecedented level of 

militarisation , which runs 

clearly against the letters 

and spirit of the judgment 

of the supreme court that 

says the military has no 

business in the conduct of 

elections. 

“The BOT also wishes to 

assure Nigerians and all 

members of our great party, 

especially those whose 

mandate were openly 

stolen, that the BoT stands 

by them at all times in the 

quest to reclaim the 

mandate freely given to 

them by the good people 

of Nigeria. 

“The BoT notes with 

dismay, the systematic 

erosion of the gains made 

under the PDP 

administration in 

enhancing the credibility of 

the electoral process over 

the years, and frowns at the 

way all those gains are 

being distorted and eroded 

by the present 

administration. 

“The BoT calls on all 

Nigerians, especially our 

teeming PDP supporters to 

stay calm and be lawabiding, 

as we believe 

justice will take its proper 

place despite the 

traumatization of the 

judicial arm of government 

by the present 

administration.”

10 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019 

LASG urged to remove 

juveniles from adult prisons 

By Henry Ojelu 

L 


STAKEHOLDERS 

in the justice system, 

yesterday, called on the 

Lagos State Government to 

immediately take steps to 

remove juveniles from 

prisons across the state. 

Speaking at a summit on 

Criminal Justice Reform 

and Human Rights 

organized by Citizens 

United for the 

Rehabilitation of Errants in 

conjunction with the 

National Human Rights 

Commission, South West 

Zone and the office of 

Public Defender, the 

stakeholders observed that 

the growing situation 

where juvenile are 

detained in adult prisons is 

worrisome and 

condemnable. 

In his speech, the 

Coordinator, National 

Human Rights 

Commission, Lagos State 

office, Lucas Koyejo said: 

“Juvenile justice basically 

emphasizes rehabilitation 

By Lawani Mikairu 

LA AGOS—NIGERIA 

c c i d e n t 

Investigation Bureau, 

AIB, yesterday, disclosed 

that it will be reviewing its 

regulations soon to meet 

current challenges of 

investigating air accidents 

and incidences. 

This was revealed at a 

two-day Stakeholders 

Forum the bureau is 

hosting to review its 

proposed Civil Aviation 

Regulations of 2019, on 

the 4th and 5th April 

2019 in Lagos . 

Commissioner and 

Chief Executive Officer 

of the child instead of 

punishment, on prevention 

rather than retribution. A 

criminal justice system that 

fails to reform the youths is 

a danger both to itself and 

the unborn generations. The 

criminal justice system must 

be restructured and 

reformed to rehabilitate both 

the young and all and 

sundry.” 

On his part, Executive 

Director, CURE-Nigeria, 

Sylvester Uhaa noted that 

there is need to deemphasize 

incarceration 

and imprisonment of 

children. 

Meanwhile the 

Committee for the Defence 

of Human Rights, CDHR, 

yesterday, led scores of 

rights activists on a peaceful 

procession/rally to the 

governor’s office, Alausa 

Secretariat 

Speaking during the rally, 

the organisation’s chairman, 

Mr Alex Omotehinse said 

many inmates were victims 

of circumstances, and 

urged the state government 

to intervene in the matter. 

AIB to review regulations 

Connect Nigeria to close skill gap 

in SMEs sector with business fair 

By Providence 

Emmanuel 

L 


CONNECT 

Nigeria has announced 

plans to tackle technological 

skill gap Small and 

Medium Enterprises, 

SMEs face in their 

businesses especially as 

start-ups. 

The firm said this on the 

background of its 2019 

annual Business Fair 

themed: ‘Grow Global’ with 

a view to equiping SMEs 

with social and 

technological innovation to 

grow their businesses amid 

current economic 

challenges. 

Speaking at a media 

briefing in Lagos, Chief 

Executive Officer, Connect 

Nigeria, Emeka Okafor, 

said access to funding is 

not the only hurdle the 

SMEs sector face but the 

poor knowledge of how to 

use technology to grow 

their businesses in a 

tech-driven world. 

of AIB, Engineer Akin 

Olateru said: “We are 

amending our 

regulations to meet 

global standards, and 

the stakeholders input 

are of great importance. 

This is in conformance 

with international best 

practices.” 

The Forum is to enable 

the Bureau review its 

legal backing as to its 

duties and processes. 

The two-day meeting 

also features a 

stakeholders’ conference 

where safety and other 

critical issues were 

deliberated upon by the 

participants. 

He said the fair 

scheduled to hold on April 

26 and 27, 2019, would 

have key players in the 

economic, social and 

technology sectors in 

attendance and key note 

speeches will be delivered, 

as well as an interactive 

panel session, including 

masterclasses that would be 

facilitated by pioneers in 

various industries. 

Okafor said: “Participants 

can explore the many 

business prospects 

available while 

entrepreneurs can learn the 

skills they need to grow 

their businesses in today’s 

tech-driven world. Taking 

part in the exhibition 

positions participants as a 

reputable brand, because 

their goods and or services 

will be displayed, 

alongside brands from 

reputable companies. 

“No product or service is 

off limits, participants 

should ensure the 

packaging is presentable.'' 

LAUNCH: From left; Gbenga Awomodu, Marketing Lead, IT & Mobile (IM); Adetunji Taiwo, Head, (IM) both 

of Samsung Electronics West Africa; Reminisce, Samsung Brand Ambassador and Solomon Osibeluwo, Master 

Trainer, Samsung Electronics W/Africa, during the launch of the newest Galaxy A Series Smartphones into Nigerian 

Market at Samsung Experience Store, Ikeja City Mall, Lagos yesterday. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor, 

UNILAG honours Jim Ovia, Olukoya, others 

•As Babalakin tasks stakeholders on quality education 

By Dayo Adesulu 

L University AGOS—THE 

of Lagos, 

UNILAG, yesterday, 

conferred Honorary 

Doctorate Degrees on 

Chairman of Zenith Bank, 

Mr. Jim Ovia; General 

Overseer of the Mountain 

of Fire and Miracles, Dr. 

Daniel Olukoya 

and Alhaji Olufemi 

Okunnu during its 50th 

Convocation ceremony 

held at the institution’s 

main auditorium, Lagos. 

Speaking during the 

conferment, the Vice 

Chancellor of UNILAG, 

Professor Oluwatoyin 

Ogundipe said the gesture 

was done in recognition of 

the awardees’ various 

contribution to humanity. 

In his acceptance remark, 

Jim Ovia, who lauded the 

gesture, urged the Federal 

Government to approve 

more private universities to 

meet the shortfall of 

admission in tertiary 

institutions. 

He said: “The Federal 

Government should grant 

approval to more private 

universities to meet the 

shortfall of admission in 

our universities.” 

Also, Dr Olukoya called 

for financial motivation for 

undergraduates, stressing 

that since he publicly 

promised a car for any first 

class student in his church, 

the numbers of first class 

Army co-opts Police, others 

to tackle security challenges 

By Evelyn Usman 

LAGOS—IN a move 

aimed at addressing 

security challenges in the 

country, the Nigerian Army 

has widened its scope of 

operation by infusing other 

sister services, including the 

Police and paramilitary 

agencies, in Military 

Operations Other Than 

War, MOOTW. 

As first step, the Army, 

held a 5-Day training on 

Operation Planning 

Cadre, with the theme: 

Sustaining Capacity 

Building as Key to 

Successful Conduct of 

MOOTW, where 

representatives of all 

security agencies, except the 

Police, were present. 

Speaking yesterday, at the 

closing ceremony of the 

Operations Planning Cadre 

for officers within 81 

Division of the Nigerian 

Army‘s area of 

responsibility, the 

Commandant, Nigerian 

Armed Forces Resettlement 

Centre, Air Vice Marshal 

Sani Liman, said: “Your 

knowledge were broadened 

on Intelligence Gathering 

as a tool to successfully 

conduct military operations, 

logistics planning in 

MOOTW and Social 

Media/ Citizenship, their 

influence and effects on 

military operations as well 

as interactive sections. 

“I am, therefore, 

convinced that these topics 

were carefully selected for 

the cadre, in fulfillment of 

the Army Headquarters 

and the Division training 

directives. Let me also 

quickly point out here that 

as middle/junior 

commanders and staff 

officers, this cadre 

experience will come 

handy in your various 

courses, either in your 

service/organization or 

courses at AFCSC. It will 

equally be beneficial in 

command and staff roles 

while carrying out your 

professional military 

duties.” 

Speaking with newsmen 

after the conference, the 

General Officer 

Commanding (GOC) 81 

Division, Major Gen Sani 

Yusuf, noted that the 

training was designed to 

improve the operational 

planning skills of 

Commanders and Staff and 

officers in both joint and 

single service operations. 

graduates shot up. 

On his part, Alhaji 

Okunnu decried the state 

of education in the north 

saying “The State and the 

Federal Government must 

do more about secondary 

education.” 

Babalakin tasks 

stakeholders on quality 

education 

Earlier, the Pro- 

Chancellor and Chairman, 

UNILAG Governing 

Council, Dr. Wale 

Babalakin, SAN, urged 

Nigerians to go for quality 

Felix Ohiwerei's wife, Janet 

passes on 

AN educationist, Mrs. 

Janet Alero 

Ohiwerei, wife of corporate 

icon and boardroom guru, 

Mr Felix Ohiwerei has 

passed on. 

A statement from the 

family indicated that Mrs 

Ohiwerei passed away on 

the 21st of March, 2019. 

The family statement 

added that late Mrs 

Ohiwerei (nee Okorodudu) 

was born at Abeokuta, Ogun 

State on the 1st of 

September, 1943 to Chief 

Alfred O. Okorodudu, and 

attended Government 

Primary School, Owo, Ondo 

State and also St. Agnes 

Primary School, Yaba Lagos. 

For her secondary 

education, she attended St. 

Theresa’s College, Ibadan, 

after which she obtained a 

Bachelor’s degree in 

History at the University of 

Ife, Ibadan branch. She 

rounded up her education 

up at London University in 

the United Kingdom where 

she obtained a postgraduate 

degree in 

education in the 1966-67 

academic session. 

Janet got married to Felix 

Ohiwerei on the 17th of 

December, 1966 in London 

with a few family members 

and friends in attendance. 

The marriage produced five 

children. She was the proud 

grandmother of six boys and 

four girls. 

She taught at Jubril 

education as it is obtainable 

in developed countries. 

Babalakin said: “There is 

nothing like quality 

education in Nigeria, our 

aim in terms of quality 

education should be how 

Nigerian education can 

compete favourably with Ivy 

League institutions 

globally.” 

In the breakdown of the 

post graduates students, 

the VC said 150 had 

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) 

degrees, as 4,771 got 

Masters Degrees and 484 

Postgraduate Diplomas. 

Late Mrs Alero Ohiwerei. 

Martins Secondary School 

in Iponri for a year and then 

moved on to Corona School 

and then Lagos City 

College, before joining the 

West African Examination 

Council, WAEC, where she 

spent the longest spell of 

her career. 

She later teamed up with 

her good friends and former 

colleagues from WAEC 

(Mrs. Jean Obi and Mrs. 

Julie Esisi) to form 

JEMACO, a remedial 

college for secondary 

school leavers which was 

situated on Strachan Street 

in the heart of Lagos 

Island. 

The family statement 

added that burial 

announcements for the late 

Mrs. Ohiwerei, who was 

an assistant pastor of the 

Redeemed Christian 

Church of God, 

Resurrection Parish, and 

active RCCG Mass Choir 

member will be 

communicated shortly.


Ibadan Poly shut over bloody clash 

•SUG activities suspended 

By Ola Ajayi 

IBADAN—A bloody clash 

that ensued among 

students of the Polytechnic, 

Ibadan in Oyo State after a 

football match, yesterday, 

forced the school 

authorities to shut down the 

institution to prevent 

further breakdown of law 

and order. 

Also, the management of 

the school announced the 

suspension of the Students’ 

Union Government, SUG, 

activities. 

An impeccable source 

told Vanguard that as early 

as 11am, the students, who 

were protesting the 

stabbing of their colleagues 

and injuring of another 

during a fracas that broke 

out after the competition, 

trooped to all the major 

roads within the institution 

and later blocked the two 

gates leading to the 

premises of the institution. 

An eyewitness told 

Vanguard that crisis 

broke out after a football 

match, between the 

Faculty of Engineering 

and the Faculty of 

Business 

and 

Communications Studies, 

turned violent. 

The clash led to a free 

for all as some students 

were seen carrying with 

guns. 

The eyewitness said: “I 

saw some of the students 

with machetes and double 

barrel guns. Though, no 

one was killed in the 

process, gunshots were 

heard in some areas. 

Those I saw did not look 

like Polytechnic students, 

they looked like outsiders. 

While the melee lasted, 

some of the hoodlums 

reportedly entered into 

the female hostels. 

“Some of them were even 

telling their colleagues to 

let them enter the school 

bakery to get some loaves 

of bread and bags of pure 

water. But, they could not 

go there due to presence 

of security agents.” 

There 

were 

contradictory reports 

about those injured while 

the fracas lasted. 

While the source said, 

one of the students’ 

leaders was stabbed; 

another account stated 

that it was the Sports 

Director of the National 

Association of Polytechnic 

Engineering Students, 

NAPES, that was stabbed 

in the head. 

As at the time of filing 

this report, students 

living at Orisun Hall in 

NMA VISIT GOVERNOR OYETOLA: Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun 

State (left) and Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Osun State 

Chapter, Prof. Edward Komolafe, during a courtesy visit of the leadership 

of NMA to the Governor in his office, Abere, Osogbo yesterday. 

the North and south parts 

of the campus were 

gripped with fear. 

It was gathered that 

some of the students 

came from the North gate 

to cause trouble at the 

South gate. 

Cause of the clash 

Vanguard gathered that 

the crisis was between two 

rival cult groups which 

had been waiting for an 

opportunity to strike. 

“The crisis was a form of 

reprisal attack from one of 

the groups whose member 

had been attacked earlier. 

“The football match was 

just an opportunity for 

them. In fact, the 

rampaging students 

entered into lecture halls 

to disrupt students 

attending lectures”, the 

eyewitness told 

Vanguard. 

Why we shut 

institution—Poly mgt 

To avoid a deteriorating 

situation, the Public 

Relations Officer of the 

institution, Mr. Adewole 

Soladoye, said the 

suspension became 

necessary when the 

students union body had 

failed to obey and follow 

Ekiti Assembly confirms Fayemi’s 

13 commissioner nominees 

ADO-EKITI—THE Ekiti 

State House of 

Assembly, yesterday, 

unanimously confirmed 13 

commissioner nominees 

presented by Governor 

Kayode Fayemi. 

The News Agency of 

Nigeria, NAN, reports 

that the nominees were 

confirmed by the house 

during plenary, presided 

over by the Speaker, Mr. 

Adeniran Alagbada. 

The nominees include a 

former member of the 

House of Representatives- 

Mr Bamidele Faparusi, 

Mrs Moji Kolade, Mr. 

Febisola Adewale, Mr. 

Gbenga Agbeyo, Mr 

Michael Awopetu and 

Mrs. Moji Fafure. 

Others are Alhaji 

Ayodele Jinodu, Mr. 

Muyiwa Olumilua, Mr. 

Sola Adebayo, Dr. Adio 

Folayan and Mr Olusoga 

David, Chief Folorunso 

Olabode, and Mr. Femi 

Ajayi. 

The Speaker urged 

them to ensure that they 

contribute their quota 

towards the development 

of the state. 

Speaking to newsmen 

shortly after his 

confirmation, Faparusi 

said the new assignment 

is a call to serve the 

people of the state. 

“This is a call to serve 

the people, a call to 

support the realisation of 

the vision for 

development of Gov. 

Fayemi in the state,” he 

said. 

Withdraw court cases or face 

sanctions, PDP warns members 

By Dapo Akinrefon 

LAGOS—THE Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP, 

yesterday, directed its 

members that instituted 

cases against the party to 

withdraw them or face 

sanctions. 

In a statement by its the 

Deputy National Publicity 

Secretary, Prince Diran, the 

party said it considered 

myriads of cases instituted 

against it by members as 

inimical to string of 

successes it has achieved 

in the last few years. 

Odeyemi, however, 

warned that any PDP 

member with genuine 

interest in the party must 

not make himself 

available to be used by 

elements that want to 

slow down its progress 

the rules guiding its 

activities on campus. 

Soladoye said: “The 

management has 

suspended the students 

union activities on 

campus. 

The 

management has taken 

the decision by 

suspending the students 

Union activities on 

campus. 

“The students had a 

football match Thursday 

and resulted into a fracas. 

It is an in-fight between 

them and the school 

authority has taken the 

necessary action. 

“All students Union 

activities have been 

suspended.” 

The statement entitled 

Poly management closes 

school for mid-semester 

break, 

He said: “Parents and 

guidance are advised to 

request their children and 

wards to return home 

immediately as the 

management of the 

institution will not be 

responsible for the care of 

any student during the 

mid semester break.” 

through needless 

litigations. 

The statement reads: “We 

consider it inimical to our 

progress as a vibrant 

political party the myriad of 

cases instituted against 

PDP by members who are 

expected to be part of the 

concerted efforts towards 

being the ruling party in 

Nigeria. 

“We can’t continue to 

struggle under the yoke of 

needless litigations when 

we intend to return to 

power both at federal level 

and in other states that are 

out of control of PDP at the 

moment.” 

“We are monitoring 

situations in Osun, Ekiti, 

Oyo, Lagos and other 

states across the country 

regarding court matters 

instituted by our members.” 

$2.1bn deal with Embraer: 

Why we ordered 30 new E195-E2 

jets, by Onyema, Air Peace boss 

By Lawani Mikairu 

LAGOS— AIR Peace 

airline has placed an 

order for 10 brand new 

Embraer 195-E2 aircraft. 

The order comprises 

purchase rights for a further 

20 E195-E2 jets. 

The aircraft is a 124-seater 

jet in dual class and 146- 

seater jet in single class 

configurations respectively. 

With all purchase rights 

exercised, the contract has 

a value of $2.12 billion 

based on current list prices. 

The deal which was 

unveiled Wednesday, 

during Embraer Business 

Meeting with the Aviation 

World in Port Louis, 

Mauritius, makes Air Peace 

the first to order the brand 

of jets in the whole of 

Africa, thereby becoming 

the official launch customer 

of the brand of aircraft in 

Africa. 

Speaking on the latest 

order in Port Louis, Air 

Peace Chairman and Chief 

Executive Officer, Mr. Allen 

Onyema said: “Embraer’s 

new E195-E2 presents us 

with a marvel of economic 

performance. It’s also great 

that we will be the first E2 

operator on the African 

continent. We already have 

the ERJ145s in our fleet, so 

we understand the high 

L AGOS—POPULAR 

comic actor, John 

Okafor, also known as Mr. 

Ibu has debunked the 

rumours making the rounds 

that he is currently down 

with stroke, saying “Na their 

papa get stroke.” 

Mr. Ibu, who spoke 

exclusively with Vanguard 

on the telephone said he is 

hale and hearty, adding that 

he is not suffering from any 

ailment. 

He said: "I am hale and 

hearty. I am speaking from 

standards of Embraer 

products.” 

The E195-E2 aircraft, he 

said, would strengthen Air 

Peace’s drive to deploy the 

right kinds of aircraft to 

under-served and unserved 

domestic and 

regional routes under its 

no-city-left-behind 

project. 

Commending President 

Muhammadu Buhari for 

creating an enabling 

environment for the growth 

of aviation in Nigeria 

through waving customs 

duties on commercial 

aircraft, engines and spares 

as well as granting valueadded 

tax (VAT) waiver, 

Onyema said: “Without 

these noble gestures from 

my 

President, 

Muhammadu Buhari, Air 

Peace would not have been 

able to achieve this 

growth.” 

Responding, Vice 

President, Sales Africa, 

Embraer Commercial 

Aviation, Mr. Raul Villaron 

said: “Air Peace embodies 

the kind of pioneering spirit 

Embraer loves. 

"The airline was 

established to bring highly 

skilled work opportunities 

to the people of Nigeria, 

boosting connectivity, and 

therefore, the economy, in 

the region." 

Mr Ibu debunks stroke rumour 

By Benjamin 

Njoku 

IE partners slot foundation to 

train 40 youths 

L AGOS—LEADING 

Electricity Distribution 

Company, Ikeja Electric, IE, 

has partnered with foremost 

mobile phones sales/ 

support services company, 

Slot Foundation, to train 40 

youths on repairs of 

Phones, Laptops and other 

mobile devices. 

The training, which is a 

Corporate Social 

Responsibility, CSR, 

initiative, will be held at the 

Slot Academy and will 

benefit 40 youths selected 

from communities where 

Ikeja Electric operates. 

The beneficiaries will be 

trained by experts in 

intensive repair of phones, 

Laptops and other devices 

for the duration of 3 months 

when they are expected to 

have acquired competent 

technical and 

entrepreneurial skills to 

be able to set up a 

business venture. 

my house in Lekki. 

"I have been receiving 

calls from across the world 

since today. I don’t know 

who is spreading this false 

news about me. I don’t 

know what they saying. Na 

their papa get stroke.” 

News broke out, 

yesterday, that the popular 

comic actor was hit by a 

mysterious stroke shortly 

after he returned from his 

recent trip to Owerri. The 

President of Actors Guild of 

Nigeria, AGN, Mr. Emeka 

Rollas was quoted as 

saying that the actor is fast 

recovering. 

Speaking on the 

initiative, Head, Corporate 

Communications of IE, Mr. 

Felix Ofulue said “As a 

responsible corporate 

organisation, we will 

continue to create platforms 

to empower the youth in 

communities where we 

operate. Training of young 

and aspiring entrepreneurs 

is part of our commitment 

to giving back to the society 

and means of contributing 

to Nigeria’s economic 

growth with massive 

potential to generate 

e m p l o y m e n t 

opportunities.” 

In his remarks, founder of 

SLOT Foundation and 

CEO of SLOT Systems 

Limited, Nnamdi Ezeigbo, 

said: “Since inception, in 

2001, the programme has 

trained over 1000 

Nigerians in Mobile phone 

and Laptop repairs and 

has also provided 

employment for about 60 

percent of them.''

12—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019 

Dickson takes campaign 

against environmental 

degradation to IOCs, 

regulatory bodies 

By Samuel 

Oyadongha 

Y ENAGOA— 

GOVERNOR 

Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa 

State has urged the 

International Oil 

Companies, IOCs, and 

regulatory bodies in the oil 

industry to stop paying lip 

service to best practices in 

carrying out their 

operations in the Niger 

Delta. 

Dickson, who spoke at the 

ongoing Nigeria Oil and 

Gas Opportunity Fair in 

Yenagoa, yesterday, 

stressed the need for all 

stakeholders to take the 

issue of the environment 

and economic inclusion 

seriously to ensure 

sustainable peace and 

stability. 

His words: “I will continue 

to raise those issues and 

concerns that are germane 

to our people, especially as 

it concerns the 

environment. Just last 

week, I empanelled a factfinding 

commission of 

enquiry on our 

environment. 

“The concern of Bayelsa 

about the environment 

should be the concern for 

all of us because the 

environment is the 

collective heritage of all 

mankind. 

“We may feel it more 

today, but with time, it will 

get to everybody. We need 

to collaborate more on 

issues of the environment. 

“On our part as a state 

government, we want to 

assure you that we will 

continue to discharge our 

duty and obligation, 

working together with 

security agencies and 

community leaders to 

promote and maintain a 

conducive operating 

environment.” 

He, however, expressed 

gratitude to the Federal 

Government, Ministry of 

Petroleum Resources and 

other partners for building 

a state-of-the-art 

headquarters of the Local 

Content Board in Yenagoa. 

Dickson also 

commended the Executive 

Secretary of the Board, Mr. 

Simbi Wabote and 

Management and Staff of 

MegaStar Construction 

company for expediting 

action on the project. 

The governor, who 

reiterated his call on oil 

companies to relocate to 

Bayelsa which he 

described as the cradle of 

oil and gas business in 

Nigeria, said his 

administration would 

continue to provide an 

enabling environment for 

investments in the state. 


Bayelsa International 

Airport and other social 

investment in education, 

health, and tourism sectors 

were purposefully made to 

attract the oil companies 

and other investors to the 

state. 

Ekere challenges Emmanuel 

in court 

By Harris 

Emmanuel 

UYO—Akwa 

Ibom 

Governorship 

candidate of All 

Progressives Congress 

(APC), Obong Nsima 

Ekere has filed a petition, 

challenging the outcome of 

the just governorship poll 

won by the incumbent 

governor, Udom 

Emmanuel. 

Sources said the petition 

was filed by the former 

Attorney General and 

Commissioner for Justice, 

Mr. Victor Iyanam. 

The Tribunal Secretary, 

Sidiq Abubakar, who 

confirmed the 

development, said the 

Tribunal received a total of 

34 petitions as at April 1, 

stating that 33 of the 

petitions were from the 

APC, while one came from 

the Peoples Democratic 

Party. 

He said the Tribunal also 

received two petitions 

emanating from the 

senatorial election, adding 

that Senator Godswill 

Akpabio of APC filed one 

against Christopher 

Ekpeyong of the PDP from 

Akwa Ibom North West. 

He also said Bassey Etim 

of APC filed another 

petition against Senator 

Bassey Akpan of the PDP 

from Akwa Ibom North 

East. 

He said:‘’We have 

received 34 petitions, 

including that of the All 

Progressives Congress 

(APC) governorship 

candidate Mr. Nsima 

Ekere, two petitions were 

from the Senate, and eight 

were from the House of 

Representatives. There 

were also 23 petitions from 

the state House of Assembly 

elections.” 

No date has been fixed 

for the Tribunal to begin its 

sitting but sources told 

Vanguard that the Tribunal 

would be officially 

inaugurated today. 

VISIT: From left—Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Wealth Creation, Dr. Christian 

Madubuko; Chief Paul Okonkwo, Chairman Pokobros Group Ltd, Dozzy CEO, Daniel 

Chukwudozie and wife; private sector specialist of Word Bank, Mrs Anita Okemini; Ansippa 

boss, Ikrakor; World Bank team leader, Dikko; Dr. Ifediora Amobi, Executive Director, Ansippa; 

and Group General Manager, Dozzy Group, Emmanuel Enemuo, cutting a cake to mark the 

World Bank team's visit to Dozzy Group. 

RIVERS: Saraki, Dickson, Ortom, PANDEF, 

others hail Wike’s victory 

•INEC fixes April 13 for supplementary polls in 4 constituencies 

By our reporters 

THE declaration of 

Governor Nyesom 

Wike as the winner of the 

governorship election in 

Rivers State attracted 

commendations from 

leading political office 

holders, who unanimously 

described the victory as 

symbolic. 

Leading the pack of 

those, who were excited 

about the outcome of the 

controversial election, was 

the Senate President, Sen 

Bukola Saraki, who said the 

victory was a decisive 

triumph over antidemocratic 

forces. 

Saraki in a statement by 

his Special Adviser, Media, 

and Publicity, Yusuph 

Olaniyonu, said: 

“Congratulations, 

Governor Nyesom Wike, on 

your decisive victory at the 

Rivers State gubernatorial 

election. As you prepare to 

begin your next term, I wish 

you and the great people 

of Rivers State great 

success and many more 

achievements. 

“As a committed and 

resilient leader who has 

constantly demonstrated 

commitment to the 

development of your state, 

in particular, and Nigeria 

as a whole, the new 

decisive mandate that your 

people have entrusted in 

you is not surprising to 

anyone.’’ 

Wike's victory, 

heartwarming 

—Dickson 

Bayelsa State governor, 

Seriake Dickson, described 

the victory as heartwarming 

and well-deserved. 

In a statement by his 

Special Adviser on Public 

Affairs, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, 

Dickson said it was 

gratifying that the will of 

the Rivers people 

eventually prevailed over 

federal might. 

His words: “I congratulate 

my dear brother and 

colleague, Nyesom Wike, 

on his well-deserved reelection. 

This is most 

heartwarming just as it is 

equally gratifying that the 

expressed will of the 

people of Rivers State 

prevailed at the end of the 

day. Democracy thrives 

when the wishes of the 

people prevail. 

“I, therefore, commend 

the Rivers people for 

resisting the attempts to 

subvert their will. In the 

same vein, I condemn the 

roles played by security 

agencies." 

It's victory for Rivers 

people —Ortom 

On his part, Benue State 

governor, Samuel Ortom 

said: “The outcome of the 

Rivers election has 

reaffirmed the resilience of 

the people to determine 

who governs them." 

Also, the state chapter of 

the PDP in a statement by 

its Director of Information 

and Communications, Mr. 

Emma Okah said the 

people were able to defeat 

those he described as antidemocratic 

forces with 

resilience and prayers. 

He said: “The lessons 

learned from the ugly 

incidents should serve as a 

national compass in the 

genuine pursuit of electoral 

integrity. The people of 

Rivers State should 

rededicate themselves to 

loving one another and 

look forward with hope 

and optimism that we can 

collectively build a better 

and more progressive state 

which every stakeholder 

will be proud of, 

irrespective of political 

differences." 

Also reacting to the 

victory, PAN Niger Delta 

Forum, PANDEF, in a 

statement by its National 

Secretary, Dr. Alfred 

Mulade, said: “This 

election earned the 

notoriety of the most talked 

about in the history of 

governorship elections in 

recent time.” 

“We rejoice with Governor 

Wike and the people of 

Rivers State for their 

steadfastness and 

determination to defend 

their democratic rights 

within the ambit of the law 

and the Electoral Act, 

despite the intimidation 

and harassment by the 

enemies of democracy. We 

also enjoin losers at the 

election to be peaceful, as 

peace is key to 

development of our state. 

Supplementary 

polls to hold in 467 

polling units 


Independent National 

Electoral Commission, 

INEC, has said the 

supplementary elections in 

four constituencies of 

Rivers State will hold on 

April 13, 2019. 

The elections will be 

conducted in 467 polling 

units across the 

constituencies. 

INEC National 

Commissioner in charge of 

Information and Voter 

Education, Mr. Festus 

Okoye disclosed this 

yesterday in Abuja. 

He said the Commission 

met on Thursday and 

reviewed the conduct of the 

just concluded exercise, 

saying the outcome was 

satisfactory. 

MOSOP flays delayed Ogoni cleanup, demands 

portable water, health audit 

By Davies 

Iheamnachor 

PORT HARCOURT— 

Movement for the 

Survival of the Ogoni 

People, MOSOP, has 

flayed the ongoing cleanup 

exercise in Ogoni, 

stating that the remediation 

was not done in line with 

the recommendations of the 

United Nations 

Environmental Programme 

Report, UNEP. 

MOSOP demanded 

immediate provision of 

good drinking water and 

conduct of health audit in 

all Ogoni communities. 

This was contained in a 

statement issued at the end 

of the General Congress of 

MOSOP, held at its 

secretariat, Peace and 

Freedom Center, Bori, 

Khana Local Government 

Area, and jointly signed by 

the President of MOSOP, 

Fegalo Nsuke, and Deacon 

Monday Neeka Ziinu. 

The statement reads: “The 

congress condemned the 

poor implementation of the 

Ogoni clean-up exercise 

and demanded the 

immediate commencement 

of the recommended 

emergency measures. 

“The Congress 

demanded immediate 

action for the provision of 

water, the conduct of 

comprehensive health 

audit on Ogoni people, and 

the establishment of an 

Integrated Soil 

Management Center and 

the Center of Excellence."


By Marie-Therese 

Nanlong 

J OS—PRESIDENT 

Muhammadu Buhari 

has lamented that Nigeria 

loses over N400billion 

annually to medical 

tourism and urged 

stakeholders to join 

hands to find solution to 

it. 

The president urged the 

course participants of the 

Senior Executive Course, 

SEC 41 of the National 

Institute of Policy and 

Strategic Studies, NIPSS, 

to provide solutions to 

issues that could close the 

gaps in the institutional, 

legal and policy 

frameworks for funding 

universal healthcare 

delivery for the good of 

the country. 

He also persuaded 

them to embark on 

researches that 

wouldexamine the 

experiences of other 

countries in Africa, Asia, 

Europe and Americas in 

funding universal 

healthcare delivery and 

how lessons learnt can 

benefit the country. 

He spoke during the 

inauguration of SEC 41 at 

the Institute’s premises in 

Kuru, Plateau where he 

reiterated his 

administration’s 

commitment to 

revitalizing the health 

sector to minimize the rate 

of medical tourism and 

inability to combat 

outbreak of deadly 

diseases. 

Represented by the 

Plateau State governor, 

Simon Lalong, Buhari, 

noted that he approved 

the theme of the study, 

‘Funding Universal 

Healthcare Delivery in 

Nigeria’ out of his desire 

to tackle challenges of the 

health sector funding. 

He informed that his 

government provided 

N55.1billion in 2018 for 

basic healthcare system in 

accordance with the 

National Health Act 

signed in 2014. 

According to him “I am 

pleased to be at the 

National Institute for 

Policy and Strategic 

Studies, Kuru on the 

occasion of the 

inauguration of the 

Senior Executive Course 

41, 2019 of the National 

Institute. When in 2018, I 

approved the theme of 

your study, Funding 

Universal Healthcare 

Delivery in Nigeria, the 

decision was borne out of 

the sincere desire of my 

administration to tackle 

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

Nigeria loses N400bn on medical 

tourism annually — Buhari 

the challenges of health 

sector funding in Nigeria. 

“The essence of this 

programme is to ensure 

that quality basic 

healthcare services are 

delivered to the majority 

of Nigerians across the 

country irrespective of 

their locations.Early in 

2018,Government 

provided N55.1billion, 

which is the 1 percent 

By Demola 

Akinyemi 

I LORIN—STATE 

Governorship, 

National and State 

Houses of Assembly 

Election Petitions Tribunal, 

yesterday in Ilorin 

granted an order for 

substituted service on the 

state governor-elect 

Alhaji Abdulrahman 

Abdulrazaq, of the All 

Progressives Congress, 

APC, and three others in 

a petition filed by his 

closest rival, Rasak 

Atunwa of the People’s 

Democratic Party, PDP 

and the Action Alliance, 

AA challenging his 

qualification to contest the 

last governorship election 

in the state. 

Ruling on the ex-parte 

applications requesting 

for the substituted service 

on the respondents , the 

three-man panel of the 

tribunal which included , 

Justice Mariya Ismail, 

Justice Ngozikau 

Okaisabor and Justice 

Bassey Ikpeme as 

Chairman held that the 

essence of the ex-parte 

application was, “to bring 

the pending case to the 

notice of the 

respondents.” 

The Court ordered 

that,”the notice of the 

Consolidated Revenue 

Fund to cater for the Basic 

Healthcare Fund, 

provided for in the 

National Health Act. 

“Government has 

shown strong 

commitment in the 

revitalization of the health 

sector. These efforts 

notwithstanding, our 

health sector is still 

characterized by low 

response to public health 

emergencies, inability to 

combat outbreak of deadly 

diseases and mass 

migration of medical 

personnel out of the 

country. 

“This has resulted in 

increasing medical tourism 

by Nigerians in which 

Nigeria loses over 

N400billion on annual 

basis. 

PRESENTATION:From left:Corporate Communications Manager, 

Unilever Nigeria, Godfrey Adejumoh; Quality Manager, Unilever Ghana 

& Nigeria, Bukola Fadase; Ibidunni Ayeni ,a survivor of Ita Faji Lagos 

Island building collapse incident and General Manager, Lagos State 

Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Adesina Tiamiyu, during the 

presentation of Unilever products and household items to victims of Ita 

Faji, Lagos Island building collapse incident at the Lagos State Relief & 

Rehabilitation Camp, Igando, yesterday. 

Tribunal grants order for PDP, AA to 

serve Kwara gov-elect, others 

petitions and all other 

processes should be 

served on respondents 

through substituted 

means by pasting them on 

the notice board of High 

Court number one, and 

the resident of the 

governor-elect as well as 

the APC secretariat in 

Ilorin, Kwara State.” 

The court held that the 

substituted service when 

effected would be taken as 

proper service. 

At the resumed sitting of 

the tribunal, Counsel to 

the PDP governorship 

candidate , Mr 

Abdulwahab Bamidele, 

who stood in for Paul 

Erokoro SAN , and 

Counsel to AA , 

Abdulazeez Ibrahim who 

also held in brief for 

Oyetola Atoyebi, told the 

tribunal that their ex-parte 

applications were before 

the court.They said the exparte 

applications were 

written pursuant to 

paragraphs 8(2) and 10(1) 

of the first schedule of the 

electoral Act 2010 as 

amended and urged the 

court to grant them leave 

to enable the petitioners 

serve the governor -elect 

, and the APC with all the 

court processes through 

substituted means. 

They argued that their 

inability to effect personal 

service on the first and 

second respondents had 

been delaying the 

commencement of the 

tribunal sitting to hear the 

petitions. 

Declare herdsmen terrorist 

group now — Onitiri 

P RESIDENT 

MUHAMMADU 

Buhari has been charged 

to declare trigger-happy 

herdsmen rampaging and 

killing innocent 

Nigerians a terrorist 

group forthwith. 

This is because the 

herders’ activities are 

becoming too dangerous 

and unbearable to the 

people of this nation. 

In a statement in Lagos 

yesterday, Chief 

Adesunbo Onitiri, 

People’s Democratic Party, 

PDP, Lagos Central 

Senatorial candidate in 

the just concluded 

elections, said the federal 

government should do 

the needful and declare 

total and decisive action 

against them before they 

kill everyone. 

According to Onitiri, 

herders are now more 

daring and dangerous 

than the most dreaded 

Kogi Assembly: Yagba East youths demand speakership 

By Esther Onyegbula 

L 

O K O J A 

CONCERNED 

Yagba Youths for Good 

Governance have 

demanded that the 

speakership of Kogi 

State House of Assembly 

be zoned to Yagba East 

in the spirit of fairness 

and equity. 

It particularly urged 

the state governor, Alhaji 

Yahaya Bello to use his 

influence to ensure that 

the composition of the 

next leadership of the 

House reflects the spirit 

of zoning. 

The youth in a 

statement by its 

Chairman, Otunba 

Adekolade Samuel, also 

appealed to Senator 

Smart Adeyemi, to 

support the quest for the 

speaker to emerge from 

Yagba East. 

The statement reads: 

Boko Haram ravaging the 

North-East because they 

are now found all over the 

country attacking 

anybody in sight. 

“According to 

newspaper reports, the 

Herdsmen, some of them 

suspected Fulani, killed 

an Airforce officer, driver 

in Edo State, police 

nabbed four herdsmen for 

kidnapping a Catholic 

priest in Enugu, 

suspected Fulani 

herdsmen beat a lady to 

death recently. In 2016, 

suspected herdsmen 

attacked Agatu 

community in Benue 

State and killed 16 

persons. At another time 

also in Benue, over 

hundred people were 

murdered in cold blood 

which attracted world 

attention. This is 

unacceptable to all 

Nigerians. 

Living Faith donates N5m 

relief materials to IDPs 

By Femi Bolaji 

J 

A L I N G O — 

HUNDREDS of 

Internally Displaced 

Persons, IDPs, taking 

refuge in various camps 

in Jalingo, Taraba State, 

capital, yesterday heaved 

a sigh of relief when they 

took delivery of relief 

materials worth over N5 

million from Living Faith 

Church Worldwide, LFC 

. 

Presenting the relief 

materials at Howai 

primary school, Jalingo, 

and Nagatavah Primary 

school which house some 

of the IDPs, president of 

LFC, Bishop David 

Oyedepo represented by 

the resident pastor of the 

church in the state, 

Enoch Istifanus charged 

the IDPs to keep hope 

alive. 

According to him, “you 

are not alone in your 

trying period, and that is 

why we urge you to have 

“The confidence we 

repose in His Excellency 

prompted us to make this 

passionate appeal to him 

and the entire 

leadership of the APC, to 

graciously look into the 

composition of the next 

leadership of the Kogi 

State House of Assembly 

and give prominence and 

serious consideration to 

Yagba East Constituency. 

It is our humble desire 

to see Hon. Jimoh 

faith in God and keep 

hope alive. For over a 

year, things have not 

been easy with you, but 

we assure you that God is 

with you, and you will not 

be IDPs forever.” 

One of the camp 

leaders, Mr Ezekiel 

Barde who thanked the 

religious organisation for 

the humanitarian gesture 

appealed to government 

and well meaning 

individuals for more 

assistance. 

Some of the IDPs who 

also spoke, lamented lack 

of water, toiletries, 

mosquito nets and 

prevalence of preventable 

ailment as some of their 

major challenges. 

Some of the items 

donated included bags of 

maize, guinea corn, 

millet, rice, sugar, beans, 

toiletries, salt, cooking oil, 

clothes among others. 

IDPs at the Muslims 

Omiata becomes the next 

Speaker of Kogi State 

House of Assembly. 

“The various major 

parts of the state have 

benefited over the years 

from this principle of 

rotation but such has not 

been extended to Yagba 

East Constituency. 

Suffice to say that this 

has been the “tradition” 

of the Kogi State House 

of Assembly. This has 

been the norm.


UNILAG CONVOCATION & HONORARY DOCTORATE DEGREES CONFERMENT 

The grand Finale of University of Lagos 50th Convocation Ceremony and conferment of Honorary 

Doctorate Degree Awards, held at the school’s main auditorium, yesterday. PHOTOS: BUNMI AZEEZ. 

From left: Dr. Oladejo Azeez, Registrar, University of Lagos, Dr. Wale 

Babalakin, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Alhaja Lateefah 

From left: Dr. Oladejo Azeez, Registrar, University of Lagos; Dr. Wale Babalakin, Pro- Okunnu, wife of awardee and former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, 

Chancellor and Chairman of Council; Mrs. Kate Ovia; Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos Alh. Lateef Olufemi Okunnu, an awardee and former Commissioner of 

State Governor-elect; Mr. Jim Ovia, Chairman, Zenith Bank Plc, an awardee and Prof. Works and Housing and Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, Vice Chancellor. 

Rasheed Abubakar, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC). 

From left: Dr. Wale Babalakin, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council; Dr. Oladejo 

Azeez, Registrar, University of Lagos; Alhaji Lateef Olufemi Okunnu, (an awardee) 

and former Commissioner of Works and Housing and Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, 

Vice Chancellor. 

From left: Dr. Oladejo Azeez, Registrar, University of Lagos, Dr. Wale 

Babalakin; Prof. Ayolabi Elijah, Vice Chancellor, Mountain Top University, 

Pastor Daniel Olukoya, Founder/ General Overseer, Mountain of Fire Miracles 

Ministries, Prof. Rasheed Abubakar, Executive Secretary, National University 

Commission (NUC) and Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, Vice Chancellor. 

From left: Prof. Folashade Ogunsola, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Development Services; 

Prof. Oluwole Familoni, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic & Research; Dr. John Momoh, 

President, Unilag Alumni Association and Prof. Tolu Odugbemi, ex-UNILAG VC. 

From left: Dr. Wale Babalakin; Mrs. Frances Odueme (who bagged her PhD), 

and Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, Vice Chancellor. 

From left: Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe, former Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, 

his wife, Sola and Prof. Gbesan Adetambo. 

Graduating students.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019—15 

Ease of Doing Business: Enugu, Abia, Anambra, 

others top reformed states in 2018 

By Johnbosco 

Agbakwuru 

ABUJA—FIVE states 

on Wednesday night 

were rewarded for being 

top reformed states in ease 

of doing business in 2018. 

The five states which were 

presented with award by 

the Vice President at the 

Presidential Enabling 

Business Environment 

Council (PEBEC) Awards 

2019 at the Old Banquet 

Hall of the Presidential 

Villa Abuja are Enugu, 

Abia, Anambra, Lagos and 

Kaduna. 

This is as the senate and 

the House of 

Representatives also 

bagged awards at the event 

for enacting laws on 

Company and Allied 

Matters Act to create good 

atmosphere in doing 

business in the country. 

Speaking at the occasion, 

the Vice President, Prof. 

Yemi Osinbajo said: “It is 

really a pleasure to be here 

this evening to celebrate 

the phenomenal successes 

of the PEBEC reforms but 

more importantly, to 

recognize specially some 

of those who made it all 

possible: our incredibly 

selfless and committed 

private sector partners and 

the sterling performance of 

many in the public sector. 

In the past three years, 

Nigeria has implemented 

more than 140 reforms to 

make doing business in 

Nigeria easier. 

“Some of the successful 

reforms include the ability 

to reserve a business name 

within 4-hours, complete 

the registration of a 

company within 24 hours 

online, apply for and 

receive approval of a visaon-arrival 

electronically 

within 48hrs; file and pay 

taxes online; and access 

specialised small claims 

from commercial courts in 

Lagos and Kano. The 

World Bank also reported 

in 2018 that 32 states of 

Nigeria improved their 

Ease of doing business 

environment led by 

Kaduna, Enugu, Abia, 

Lagos and Anambra 

“In 2019, PEBEC set a 

goal to move Nigeria into 

the top-100 on the 2020 

World Bank Doing 

Business Index (DBI). To 

achieve this, we will be 

pursuing the continued 

implementation reforms 

across all indicators, 

i n c l u d i n g 

“implementation of 

legislative reforms, 

specifically the passage 

of the new Companies and 

Allied Matters Act and 

the Omnibus Bills; the 

expansion of the regulatory 

reform program started 

with NAFDAC and 

NAICOM to include other 

regulators, the 

establishment of a National 

Trading Platform for ports; 

and the concession of our 

major international 

airports.” 

Stressing that PEBEC has 

now commenced the 

fourth 60-day National 

Action Plan (NAP 4.0) on 

Judges aiding impunity through courts 

—IPOB 

By Chimaobi 

Nwaiwu 

N NEWI—THE 

Indigenous People 

of Biafra, IPOB, yesterday 

alleged that Nigerian 

Judges are aiding 

impunity through their 

courts, accusing the 

Nigerian Judiciary as 

having the most corrupt, 

injudicious and evil 

minded judges and officials 

in the world. 

IPOB said its leadership 

led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu 

will on Saturday do forensic 

analysis of the most corrupt, 


judiciary on earth and 

called on Biafrans both 

home and in the Diaspora 

to tune to Radio Biafra on 

Saturday by 7pm Biafran 

time for broadcast. 

IPOB in a statement by its 

Media and Publicity 

Secretary, Emma Powerful, 

said that “the Nigerian 

judiciary which is often 

touted as the last hope of 

the common man has 

turned into a nightmare for 

those unjustly singled out 

by the state for persecution” 

IPOB urged Nigerians 

not to be deceived as the 

Nigerian Judiciary serves 

its interest. "The judiciary 

in Nigeria represents the 

interest of the cabal running 

Aso Rock and not the common 

man. Some Judges 

now use court rooms to complete 

illegal and dastardly 

assignments given to them 

by the presidency. 

“How can one describe 

the court ruling on Adeleke 

in respect of Osun 

governorship election 

while when President 


not tendered any West 

African Examination 

Council, WAEC, certificate 

to date." 

It wondered the type of 

judiciary and country that 

can allow such blatant 

double standards if not 

Nigeria. 

Ease of Doing Business, he 

said, NAP 4.0 was running 

from the 1st of March to the 

29th of April, 2019. 

According to him, “It 

aims to deepen the reforms 

delivered over the past 3 

years and drive 

institutionalization. 

“We have highlighted key 

action items in all of the 

focus areas to ensure they 

do not unravel and to 

ensure we drive 

sustainability." 

Enugu assembly passes violence 

against persons bill 

By Chinedu 

Adonu 

E NUGU—ENUGU 

State lawmakers have 

passed into law, the bill 

seeking to eliminate 

Violence Against Persons, 

VAPP, and other related 

matters. 

The bill which was a 

private member bill, meant 

to eliminate all forms of 

violence against persons for 

both public and private 

lives, was sponsored by 

Chukwuka Eneh 

representing Udi South. 


House Bill No. 15, 2017, 

yesterday, scaled through 

the third reading and was 

therefore passed into law. 

Commending his 

colleagues for passing the 

bill, Speaker of the House, 

Hon. Edward Ubosi said 

that the bill was the first bill 

they were passing into law 

after the 2019 

electioneering period. 

“I want to thank you in a 

special way. This is the 

first bill we are passing into 

law after the 2019 general 

elections. 

“It is a wonderful bill that 

will curtail excesses in our 

society especially in the 

rural areas. 

“People are taking laws 

into their hands and this bill 

Fraudsters impersonating me 

—Ebonyi deputy gov 

By Peter Okutu 

A BAKALIKI— 

EBONYI Deputy 

Governor, Dr. Eric Kelechi 

Igwe, has raised the alarm 

over the activities of 

fraudsters who use his 

name to defraud 

unsuspecting members of 

the public. 

The deputy governor in 

a press statement issued by 

his Chief Press Secretary, 

Monday Uzor, yesterday 

stated that fraudsters use 

his name and photographs 

on social media especially 

Facebook to defraud people. 

Uzor said the fraudsters 

demand money from 


the public with a promise 

of assisting them to secure 

contracts or benefit from 

g o v e r n m e n t 

empowerment. 

The deputy governor’s 

spokesman who expressed 

dismay over how some 

persons had fallen to the 

antics of the fraudsters, 

advised the general public 

to henceforth disregard the 

impostors. 

will curtail them,” Ubosi 

said, while appraising the 

importance of the bill. 

Sponsor of the bill, Eneh, 

in his submission before 

the bill was passed into law 

posited that the bill would 

eliminate violence against 

private and public lives, 

physical, sexual, 

psychological, domestic, 

harmful traditional 

practices and 

discrimination against 

persons. 

Nwosu gets order to serve 

substituted service on 

Ihedioha, PDP 

•As another court dismisses 

Anyanwu’s suit against Ihedioha 

By Chinonso 

Alozie 

O 

W E R R I — 

GOVERNORSHIP 

candidate of Action 

Alliance, AA, yesterday got 

an order of substituted 

service to serve the 

governor-elect of Imo State, 

Emeka Ihedioha and the 


PDP. 

The order was given by 

the chairman of the panel 

of Imo State Governorship 

and House of Assembly 

Petitions Tribunal, Justice 

M.O Adewara. 

According to the counsel 

to Nwosu, Okey Amaechi, 

part of their prayers include 

“To determine and thus 

declare that Ihedioha did 

not satisfy the requirements 

of Section 179(2)(b) of the 

Constitution of the Federal 

Republic of Nigeria 1999 

(as amended) having failed 

to poll not less than onequarter 

of all the votes cast 

in at least, two-thirds of the 

Local Government Areas in 

Imo State at the 

governorship election held 

on 9th March, 2019. 

Court dismisses 

Senator Anyanwu 

suit against 

Ihedioha’s 

candidature 

Meantime, a federal high 

court sitting in Owerri, 

presided over by Justice 

Tijani Ringim 

yesterday dismissed a suit 

filed by a former 

governorship aspirant in 

the last guber primaries of 


Party, PDP, Senator Samuel 

Anyanwu, challenging the 

outcome of the said 

governorship primaries in 

which Emeka Ihedioha was 

declared winner. 

In his judgment, Justice 

Tijani Ringim dismissed the 

suit on the grounds that the 

plaintiff (Anyanwu) was 

unable to prove his 

claims. 

Anyanwu, representing 

Imo East Senatorial district, 

had gone to the court 

arguing that he was the 

rightful winner of the said 

PDP guber primaries.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019—15 

Ease of Doing Business: Enugu, Abia, Anambra, 

others top reformed states in 2018 

By Johnbosco 

Agbakwuru 

ABUJA—FIVE states 

on Wednesday night 

were rewarded for being 

top reformed states in ease 

of doing business in 2018. 

The five states which were 

presented with award by 

the Vice President at the 

Presidential Enabling 

Business Environment 

Council (PEBEC) Awards 

2019 at the Old Banquet 

Hall of the Presidential 

Villa Abuja are Enugu, 

Abia, Anambra, Lagos and 

Kaduna. 

This is as the senate and 

the House of 

Representatives also 

bagged awards at the event 

for enacting laws on 

Company and Allied 

Matters Act to create good 

atmosphere in doing 

business in the country. 

Speaking at the occasion, 

the Vice President, Prof. 

Yemi Osinbajo said: “It is 

really a pleasure to be here 

this evening to celebrate 

the phenomenal successes 

of the PEBEC reforms but 

more importantly, to 

recognize specially some 

of those who made it all 

possible: our incredibly 

selfless and committed 

private sector partners and 

the sterling performance of 

many in the public sector. 

In the past three years, 

Nigeria has implemented 

more than 140 reforms to 

make doing business in 

Nigeria easier. 

“Some of the successful 

reforms include the ability 

to reserve a business name 

within 4-hours, complete 

the registration of a 

company within 24 hours 

online, apply for and 

receive approval of a visaon-arrival 

electronically 

within 48hrs; file and pay 

taxes online; and access 

specialised small claims 

from commercial courts in 

Lagos and Kano. The 

World Bank also reported 

in 2018 that 32 states of 

Nigeria improved their 

Ease of doing business 

environment led by 

Kaduna, Enugu, Abia, 

Lagos and Anambra 

“In 2019, PEBEC set a 

goal to move Nigeria into 

the top-100 on the 2020 

World Bank Doing 

Business Index (DBI). To 

achieve this, we will be 


implementation reforms 

across all indicators, 

i n c l u d i n g 

“implementation of 

legislative reforms, 

specifically the passage 

of the new Companies and 

Allied Matters Act and 

the Omnibus Bills; the 

expansion of the regulatory 

reform program started 

with NAFDAC and 

NAICOM to include other 

regulators, the 

establishment of a National 

Trading Platform for ports; 

and the concession of our 

major international 

airports.” 

Stressing that PEBEC has 

now commenced the 

fourth 60-day National 

Action Plan (NAP 4.0) on 

Judges aiding impunity through courts 

—IPOB 

By Chimaobi 

Nwaiwu 

N NEWI—THE 

Indigenous People 

of Biafra, IPOB, yesterday 

alleged that Nigerian 

Judges are aiding 

impunity through their 

courts, accusing the 

Nigerian Judiciary as 

having the most corrupt, 


minded judges and officials 

in the world. 

IPOB said its leadership 

led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu 

will on Saturday do forensic 

analysis of the most corrupt, 


judiciary on earth and 

called on Biafrans both 

home and in the Diaspora 

to tune to Radio Biafra on 

Saturday by 7pm Biafran 

time for broadcast. 

IPOB in a statement by its 

Media and Publicity 

Secretary, Emma Powerful, 

said that “the Nigerian 

judiciary which is often 

touted as the last hope of 

the common man has 

turned into a nightmare for 

those unjustly singled out 

by the state for persecution” 

IPOB urged Nigerians 

not to be deceived as the 

Nigerian Judiciary serves 

its interest. "The judiciary 

in Nigeria represents the 

interest of the cabal running 

Aso Rock and not the common 

man. Some Judges 

now use court rooms to complete 

illegal and dastardly 

assignments given to them 

by the presidency. 

“How can one describe 

the court ruling on Adeleke 

in respect of Osun 

governorship election 

while when President 


not tendered any West 

African Examination 

Council, WAEC, certificate 

to date." 

It wondered the type of 

judiciary and country that 

can allow such blatant 

double standards if not 

Nigeria. 

Ease of Doing Business, he 

said, NAP 4.0 was running 

from the 1st of March to the 

29th of April, 2019. 

According to him, “It 

aims to deepen the reforms 

delivered over the past 3 

years and drive 

institutionalization. 

“We have highlighted key 

action items in all of the 

focus areas to ensure they 

do not unravel and to 

ensure we drive 

sustainability." 

Enugu assembly passes violence 

against persons bill into law 

By Chinedu 

Adonu 


State lawmakers have 

passed into law, the bill 

seeking to eliminate 

Violence Against Persons, 

VAPP, and other related 

matters. 


private member bill, meant 

to eliminate all forms of 

violence against persons for 

both public and private 

lives, was sponsored by 

Chukwuka Eneh 

representing Udi South. 


House Bill No. 15, 2017, 

yesterday, scaled through 

the third reading and was 

therefore passed into law. 

Commending his 

colleagues for passing the 

bill, Speaker of the House, 

Hon. Edward Ubosi said 

that the bill was the first bill 

they were passing into law 

after the 2019 

electioneering period. 

“I want to thank you in a 

special way. This is the 

first bill we are passing into 

law after the 2019 general 

elections. 

“It is a wonderful bill that 

will curtail excesses in our 

society especially in the 

rural areas. 

“People are taking laws 

into their hands and this bill 

Fraudsters impersonating me 

—Ebonyi deputy gov 



EBONYI Deputy 

Governor, Dr. Eric Kelechi 

Igwe, has raised the alarm 

over the activities of 

fraudsters who use his 

name to defraud 


the public. 

The deputy governor in 

a press statement issued by 

his Chief Press Secretary, 

Monday Uzor, yesterday 

stated that fraudsters use 

his name and photographs 

on social media especially 

Facebook to defraud people. 

Uzor said the fraudsters 

demand money from 


the public with a promise 

of assisting them to secure 

contracts or benefit from 

g o v e r n m e n t 

empowerment. 

The deputy governor’s 

spokesman who expressed 

dismay over how some 

persons had fallen to the 

antics of the fraudsters, 

advised the general public 

to henceforth disregard the 

impostors. 

will curtail them,” Ubosi 

said, while appraising the 

importance of the bill. 

Sponsor of the bill, Eneh, 

in his submission before 

the bill was passed into law 

posited that the bill would 

eliminate violence against 

private and public lives, 

physical, sexual, 

psychological, domestic, 

harmful traditional 

practices and 

discrimination against 

persons. 

Nwosu gets order to serve 

substituted service on 

Ihedioha, PDP 

•As another court dismisses 

Anyanwu’s suit against Ihedioha 

By Chinonso 

Alozie 

O 

W E R R I — 

GOVERNORSHIP 

candidate of Action 

Alliance, AA, yesterday got 

an order of substituted 

service to serve the 

governor-elect of Imo State, 

Emeka Ihedioha and the 


PDP. 

The order was given by 

the chairman of the panel 

of Imo State Governorship 

and House of Assembly 

Petitions Tribunal, Justice 

M.O Adewara. 

According to the counsel 

to Nwosu, Okey Amaechi, 

part of their prayers include 

“To determine and thus 

declare that Ihedioha did 

not satisfy the requirements 

of Section 179(2)(b) of the 

Constitution of the Federal 

Republic of Nigeria 1999 

(as amended) having failed 

to poll not less than onequarter 

of all the votes cast 

in at least, two-thirds of the 

Local Government Areas in 

Imo State at the 

governorship election held 

on 9th March, 2019. 

Court dismisses 

Senator Anyanwu 

suit against 

Ihedioha’s 

candidature 

Meantime, a federal high 

court sitting in Owerri, 

presided over by Justice 

Tijani Ringim 

yesterday dismissed a suit 

filed by a former 

governorship aspirant in 

the last guber primaries of 


Party, PDP, Senator Samuel 

Anyanwu, challenging the 

outcome of the said 

governorship primaries in 

which Emeka Ihedioha was 

declared winner. 


Tijani Ringim dismissed the 

suit on the grounds that the 

plaintiff (Anyanwu) was 

unable to prove his 

claims. 

Anyanwu, representing 

Imo East Senatorial district, 

had gone to the court 

arguing that he was the 

rightful winner of the said 

PDP guber primaries.


FORUM: From left— Mr. Tunde Fagbemi; Managing Director, Springfountain; Mrs. Olatokunbo 

Fagbemi, Group Managing Director/CEO, NAHCO Aviance Plc; Mr. Basil Agboarumi, MD/CEO, Skyway 

Aviation Handing Company Plc and Akin Olateru, Commissioner/CEO, AIB, during the Accident 

Investigation Bureau 2019 stakeholders forum in Lagos, yesterday. Photo Lamidi Bamidele. 

CAN’s call for religious balancing in 

NASS leadership ill-motivated — NSCIA 

By Luminous 

Jannamike 

A BUJA—NIGERI 

AN Supreme Council 

for Islamic Affairs, NS- 

CIA, has faulted the call by 

the Christian Association of 

Nigeria, CAN, for the appointment 

of principal officers 

of the ninth National 

Assembly across religious 

divides. 

A statement, yesterday 

by NSCIA’s Deputy Secretary-General, 

Prof. Salisu 

Shehu, described the call 

as an ill-advised and illmotivated 

intervention in 

the Nigerian polity. 

CAN had, in a goodwill 

message to federal lawmakers-elect, 

claimed that 

the practice since 1999 had 

been that whenever the 

Senate President was a 

Christian, the Speaker of 

EFCC recovers N251bn, multi-million dollar gold, 

trapped taxes in 16 months 

By Levinus 

Nwabughiogu 

A BUJA—ACTING 

Chairman of 

Economic and Financial 

Crimes Commission, 

EFCC, Ibrahim Magu 

yesterday, disclosed that 

the commission between 

January, 2018 and first 

quarter of 2019 recovered 

the sum of N251 billion in 

cash, multi-million dollar 

worth of jewelleries such as 

gold and trapped taxes. 

Magu made the disclosure 

at the ongoing 2018/ 

2019 budget defence held 

by the House of Representatives 

Committee on 

Financial Crimes, chaired 

by Kayode Oladele (APC- 

Ogun). 

According to him, a 

breakdown of the recovery 

shows N11.5 billion final 

forfeiture (cash and 

accounts); N133.8 billion 

Non-forfeiture recoveries; 

N8.92 billion direct 

deposits; N38.64 billion tax 

recoveries; N4.30 billion 

the House had always been 

a Muslim and viceversa. 

It further argued that 

such arrangement in the 

National Assembly prevented 

the domination and 

marginalization of any kind, 

and also promoted equity, 

justice, and fair play in line 

with the provisions of the 

1999 Constitution (as 

amended). 

However, NSCIA dismissed 

CAN’s argument on 

the grounds that the 

composition of principal 

officers of the National Assembly 

in five out of the 

eight federal legislatures so 

far constituted in the country 

since 1979 had been 

skewed in favour of Christians 

against Muslims. 

The statement reads in 

part, “Given the trajectory of 

the recent activities of the 

Christian Association of 

fuel subsidy recoveries and 

N42 billion banks (third 

party). 

“These are in addition to 

recoveries of assets as 

jewelleries (gold), various 

sums in other currencies 

and cash for major 

government agencies 

including NNPC, FIRS and 

Controversy trails Obaseki's 2nd term 

endorsement; Obende lauds action 

By Alemma Aliu 

BENIN 

CITY— 

ONTROVERSY is 

trailing the recent 

endorsement of Governor 

Godwin Obaseki of Edo 

State for a second term by 

leaders of the All 


APC, in his Oredo local 

government area as some 

members of the party 

yesterday alleged that the 

said endorsement was not 

part of the agenda in the 

meeting they held on 

Sunday, March 31. 

But a leader of the party 

in Edo North, Senator 

Domingo Obende lauded 

the action of the party 

members in Oredo saying 

that with the performance 

in the last two years “There 

is no vacancy in Osadebey 

Avenue and to whom much 

is given much is expected. 

Governor Godwin Obaseki 

has given his all to us and 

I believe that is not the 

finality of his capacity. The 

only good thing that can 

happen to us in Edo State 

is for him to come back for 

the second term so that he 

can download all his 

investment experiences 

Nigeria (CAN), the Nigerian 

Supreme Council for 

Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), 

like other informed groups 

and people in Nigeria, 

cannot but wonder 

whether CAN still remains 

a religious body or a 

political party in a religious 

garb. 

“The Council is persuaded 

to believe the latter because 

of the Association’s 

posture as the counterfoil 

for and opposition to everything 

Islam and 

Muslims in this country. 

We cannot also but wonder 

whether Islamophobia has 

indeed not replaced the 

more important responsibility 

of giving direction to 

millions of our compatriots 

who are law-abiding 

citizens of the Christian 

faith. It is really 

benumbing that CAN appears 

to be giving credence 

and relevance to the rhetorical 

question asked centuries 

ago: ‘if gold rusts, 

what should iron do? 

“Is CAN suffering from 

selective amnesia or is it 

just obsessed with chronic 

mendacity? Was there no 

CAN between 2009 and 

2011 when Dr. Goodluck 

Jonathan was the President 

of the Federal Republic of 

Nigeria, Justice Aloyious 

Katsina-Alu was the Chief 

Justice of Nigeria, Senator 

David A. B. Mark was 

President of the Senate and 

Senator Ike Ekweremadu 

was Deputy Senate 

President? Was there 

religious balance in 2007 

when David Mark was 

elected Senate President and 

Patricia Etteh was elected 

Speaker? Was there no 1999 

Constitution at that time? 

AMCON. Other details 

are in the appendix on recoveries, 

according to the 

EFCC boss. 

“In the first quarter 2019 

financial year, the commission 

made recoveries which 

include: Cash – N140.7 

million; Direct Deposits – 

N2.02 billion; Tax recoveries 

– N7.20 billion; Subsidy 

recoveries –N3.06 billion 

and $292 million,” Magu 

told lawmakers. 

He said that the Commission 

required a total sum of 

N22.071 billion in 2019 

budget as against the sum 

of N26.396 billion approved 

in 2018. 

and the opportunities so 

that Edo State can be better 

for it.” 

A leader of the party who 

was in the said meeting told 

Vanguard yesterday that “It 

was an embarrassment to me 

when I saw my name. The issue 

of endorsement for second term 

for Obaseki was not in the agenda 

and when it was even raised, 

nobody seconded the motion. I 

am surprised at what I saw. The 

so called names they pasted was 

the list of attendants in the 

meeting and not those who 

purportedly endorsed the second 

term agenda." 

Shell lost 12,000 barrels to 111 

reported spill incidents last year 

ROYAL Dutch, Shell last year experienced a 

sharp rise in the number of oil spills reportedly 

caused by pipeline theft in Nigeria which the 

company said were the result of larger output and 

higher oil prices. 

The number of spills caused by sabotage and theft 

in the Niger delta rose last year to 111 from 62 in 

2017, the Anglo-Dutch company said in its annual 

sustainability report. 

The volume of oil spilt as a result rose to 1,600 tonnes, 

or roughly 12,000 barrels, from 1,400 tonnes the 

previous year. 

"The increase can be partly explained by increased 

availability of our production facilities following the 

repair of a major export line in 2017 and the price of 

crude oil and refined products, which is seen as an 

opportunity for more illegal refining," Shell said. 

Shell, the largest foreign investor in Nigeria, has for 

decades struggled with oil spills, a result of theft as 

well as poor maintenance, in the Nigeria delta where 

it controls a web of oilfields and pipelines. 

Another Transsion’s Spark 3 on low 

budget 

MOBILE brand Tecno Mobile has release 

another low budget gadget under their 

Tecno Spark series which is the third 

variation of the Spark generation. 

The gadget comes packed with Android Pie System 

and is in two variants, Spark 3 pro and Spark 3 with 

the main difference being storage capacity. Spark 3 

pro has 32GB plus 2GB while the Spark 3 has 16GB 

plus 2GB. 

During the launch Jerry Hou Tecno Brand 

Manager said that they were excited to lauch 

another smart phone which is pocket friendly. “With 

an 8MP front camera that delivers exceptional HDR 

portrait with night shot algorithm that lifts weak light, 

for the “brightest” and “clearest” selfies. The Spark 

series offers decent specifications” he added. 

The Spark 3 Pro available at Tecno branded shops 

countrywide at a recommended retail price of Sh12, 

499. The Spark 3will be in the market from April 25, 

2019. 

Nigeria’s total debt stock grows to 

24.3 trillion, says DMO 

THE Debt Management Office (DMO) has 

announced Nigeria’s total debt stock 

comprising external and domestic debts stand 

at N24.387 trillion. 

Director General of the DMO Ms. Patience Oniha 

made this disclosure at the public breakdown of the 

nation’s public debt data in Abuja on Thursday. 

According to Oniha: “the Total Public Debt stood at 

N24.387 trillion or USD79.437 billion as at December 

31, 2018 representing a year-on-year growth of 12.25%. 

From the breakdown, it was revealed that the FGN 

External Debt in 2018 was N6. 460 trillion up from 

N4.527 trillion representing a 42.69% increase. 

OPL 245 oil field award to Shell and 

ENI flouts local laws 

THE federal government yesterday made 

progress in the prosecution of the flaws 

associated with the controversial award of OPL 

245 to oil giants, Shell and Eni. 

A consultant hired by Italian prosecutors, Dr Dayo Ayoade, 

said in Italy that the contract award of OPL 245 to Shell and 

ENI, did not follow Nigerian legal provisions. He spoke in 

Milan, where he made lead presentations to prosecutors 

yesterday. 

Ayoade of the Department of Law, University of Lagos was 

hired by Milan prosecutors to ascertain whether the two oil 

giants meet corporate and legal obligations. The celebrated 

case is being contested by high profile legal experts from 

Nigeria and across the world including a retired Nigerian 

Supreme Court Judge, Justice Emmanuel Ayoola JSC (Rtd) 

who stood in for Shell, a Queens Counsel, (QC) Prof. Frank 

Odita representing ENI with Mrs. Felicia Femi Olusegun.


•Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike (r) and APC's Senator Magnus Abe ...Wike won with a wide margin 

Delusions, death and disgrace 

BIOKPOMABO Awara is 

the governorship 

candidate of the African 

Action Congress, AAC, in my 

home state, Rivers. Neither 

AAC nor Awara had any 

standing or profile in Rivers 

State until Rotimi Amaechi, 

the Minister of Transportation 

and All Progressives Congress, 

APC, leader in our 

zone, decided to bestow relevance 

and fame on them. 

Most of you know how and 

why this unexpected elevation 

of AAC/Awara happened; but 

let me quickly recap for those 

who don’t. Last year, Amaechi 

selected his friend, Tonye 

Cole, a successful Lagosbased 

businessman, to be the 

APC’s gubernatorial 

flagbearer. 

Magnus Abe, an APC 

senator was also Amaechi’s 

friend at the time and also 

interested in the governorship. 

He not only felt betrayed 

on a personal level, he also objected, 

as a matter of principle, 

to Amaechi’s dictatorial 

modus operandi. 

So Abe went to court; and 

APC wound up with no guber, 

State House of Assembly or 

National Assembly candidates 

in Rivers. Amaechi doesn’t 

give up easily and was 

desperate to participate in the 

election, believing that he 

could use Federal Might to 

topple Nyesom Wike, the 

incumbent Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP, 

governor (yet another old pal 

with whom he had bitterly 

quarrelled). 

So he hastily, three days 

before the election, adopted 

the obscure AAC and 

unknown Awara…a move that 

attracted widespread ridicule. 

Amaechi did his best to fight 

Wike to a standstill and 

frighten Wike’s fans into 

submission, making himself 

even more unpopular than he 

already was in the process 

(hundreds of soldiers were 

deployed to do Amaechi’s bidding, 

local vigilantes and enraged 

village women fought 

back, mayhem ensued, innocent 

people died). 

But most Riverians don’t 

currently want APC, Buhari, 

Buhari’s nominees, Amaechi 

or Amaechi’s nominees. And 

Wike, a seasoned operator in 

I urge Mr 

President to earn 

some genuine 

respect from 

angry Rivers 

people by putting 

a stop to this 

disgraceful 

nonsense and 

telling his 

representatives to 

stop spoiling his 

name and 

issuing threats 

the tough terrain that is the 

Rivers political arena, has 

comprehensively trounced 

AAC, its candidate and its 

sponsor. 

Results according to INEC? 

886,264 votes to Wike. 

173,859 to Awara. 

But instead of telling himself 

the truth - which is that he 

cannot win any contest of any 

kind in Rivers State anytime 

soon, Awara is running 

around saying that he was 

leading until INEC allegedly 

intervened on behalf of 

Wike…and that AAC is a 

victim of chronic electoral 

fraud and will not rest till it 

reclaims its “stolen mandate”. 

Awara even, with a straight 

face, referred to his “teeming 

supporters”! This is someone 

who was unheard-off till last 

month! Talk about delusional 

and pot calling kettle black!!! 

Dangerous 

tactics 

Even if there have been 

malpractices on the PDP side, 

APC/AAC has excelled on the 

bullying front…to the point 

where some non-Rivers APC 

members have privately 

expressed disapproval of 

Amaechi’s dangerous tactics 

and concern about the impact 

these tactics are having on 

their party’s image and their 

President’s reputation. 

Meanwhile, Amaechi has 

been embarrassed by the 

defection of Awara’s running 

mate to Wike’s camp…and by 

Adams Oshiomhole, the APC 

chairman, making it clear that 

Amaechi is on his own. 

Meanwhile, one of 

Amaechi’s key associates has 

this to say: “…None of us will 

rest on this one, not until 

justice is done. My message 

to you Fiat justitia ruat caelum 

and I say it in Latin so the 

people who took their time to 

disenfranchise us can also 

take their time to remember it, 

especially those in INEC…You 

have just murdered sleep and 

asked us to go to hell. We have 

heard you. You too will hear 

from us soon.” 

J u s t i c e - k e ! 

Disenfranchisement indeed! 

You join a toxic conspiracy to 

impress outsiders. You force 

your own flesh and blood to 

accept candidates they cannot 

relate to. Then you have the 

barefaced cheek to carry on as 

if you are a saint who has 

been robbed?! 

I urge Mr President to earn 

some genuine respect from 

angry Rivers people by 

putting a stop to this 

disgraceful nonsense and 

telling his representatives to 

stop spoiling his name and 

issuing threats. 

Muhammadu Buhari is the 

Commander-In-Chief of the 

armed forces and many will 

blame him if security 

personnel misbehave, kill or 

injure. 

I would also like to appeal 

to Amaechi by reminding him 

that he was once loved and 

needs to think about the future 

and quit terrorising. It isn’t 

necessary to win every single 

battle. 

Congrats To Dear Betty 

Mrs Betty Apiafi is a woman 

of many parts. An ex-banker, 

the owner of a school, member 

of the House of 

Representatives; and so on. 

Betty has just become the 

first-ever female senator in 

Rivers State. Kudos to an amazon 

who definitely has what 

it takes to do a fantastic job on 

behalf of her constituents. 

Niger Delta Governors 

I would also like to 

congratulate the PDP’s Niger 

Delta Governors - Wike, 

Dickson (Bayelsa), Udom 

(Akwa Ibom), Okowa (Delta) 

and Ayade (Cross River) for 

vigorously defending their 

corners under immensely 

difficult circumstances. I am 

very proud of them. 

The strongest democracies 

are those that have the 

strongest oppositions. And we 

are heading in the right 

direction on some levels. If 

APC wants to electorally 

capture South-South states 

legitimately, it should try 

much harder to win hearts 

and minds, fair and square. 

Approaching this challenge 

aggressively and arrogantly is 

a huge mistake. Niger Deltans 

are not daft slaves who will 

meekly tolerate invading 

Conquistadors and their 

Quisling collaborators. We 

produce most of Nigeria’s 

wealth and deserve dignity. 

Responses 

To 

Donzol2002@Yahoo.co.uk Or 

To 0802 747 6458 Or 0811 675 

9752. Please kindly note that 

unless you specifically request 

anonymity, your email or text 

message may be published 

with your name and contact 

details attached.


End of Bouteflika’s era in Algeria 

THE curtain has finally fallen on the 

iron rule of Algerian President, General 

Abdulaziz Bouteflika. He ruled his 

country for 20 years (four five-year 

terms). He was preparing to run for 

another term in office when his countrymen 

and women rose with one voice 

and asked him to go. 

They had very good reasons to take 

this decision. Since April 27, 1999 when 

he won an election to replace former 

leader, Liamine Zeroual, the veteran of 

the Algerian war of independence 

against the French colonial masters 

provided political stability in Algeria. 

He successfully contained Islamist insurgents 

operating in the mountainous 

deserts, and made it impossible for the 

“Arab Spring” (which toppled several 

Arab leaders from January 2011) to infiltrate 

his country. 

But the tide went against the 82-yearold 

sit-tight leader when he suffered a 

stroke in 2013 and became reclusive. 

He spent a lot of time in Swiss hospitals. 

His announcement of his intention 

to run again in the scheduled April 18, 

2019 presidential election brought out 

Algerians to the streets in protest starting 

from February 22. 

Reminiscent of the “Arab Spring” revolutions 

that managed to evade Bouteflika 

eight years ago, the protests 

spread from sector to sector, the latest 

joiners being railway workers who 

stopped work, judges, clerics and most 

importantly, Bouteflika’s own constituency, 

the all-powerful military which 

pledged not to go against the people. 

On Monday, April 1, 2019, Bouteflika’s 

announcement that he would no 

longer participate in the election 

sparked off wild jubilations across the 

country. He also postponed the scheduled 

April 18 presidential election, 

though no new date has been announced. 

Two main issues stand out in the story 

of the rise and fall of Abdulaziz 

Bouteflika. One is the enduring reality 

of the people’s power. This has shown 

its hand throughout history. 

A leader is only strong and able to 

hold the people in thrall because the 

people have not taken the effort to say 

“enough is enough”. When the people 

are pushed to the wall no force can 

withstand their collective resolve. 

If, in Nigeria, we continue to endure 

bad leadership; we complain and whine 

about bad leaders, and we bemoan the 

“uselessness” of our voter’s cards, it is 

because we have not had enough. 

The other noteworthy issue is that a 

strong man like Bouteflika who survived 

the “Arab Spring” which claimed 

Tunisian President, Zine El Abidine Ben 

Ali; Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi; 

Yemen’s President, Ali Abdallah Saleh 

and sparked civil wars in Libya, Yemen 

and Syria, left office without a single 

shot fired when the people were tired 

of him. 

Western countries should stop exporting 

“democracy” to countries 

which already have systems that work 

for them. It pays to allow the political 

dynamics play out. 

Indeed, power belongs to the people! 

OPINION 

Contending with extreme heat wave 

By Tayo Ogunbiyi 

THE heat wave currently being experienced 

from across the country is becoming quite 

alarming, and to say the least, unbearable. It 

would thus be an understatement to state that 

many of our compatriots are finding it very 

difficult to cope. Children are principally worst 

hit as they develop heat rashes and become naturally 

uncomfortable, particularly at nights. 

According to medical experts, excessive heat 

has damaging effects on victim’s health as it 

can lead to dehydration due to excessive loss of 

water, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and sometimes 

death. 

Critical danger indicators to pay attention to 

in hot weather include weakness, tiredness and 

dizziness, shortness of breath, vomiting and 

general body disorder. Experience from across 

the globe actually validates the reality of the 

menace of excessive heat. 

In August 2003, northern France had a nasty 

experience of rare extreme heat for over three 

weeks. The result was catastrophic as it led to 

the death of over 15,000 people. Same year in 

England, over 2,000 people died as a result of a 

12-day heat wave. With the current state of heat 

wave in the country, one only hopes things won’t 

become worse. Unfortunately, succour is not 

likely to be in sight yet as experts have warned 

of more hot days, warm nights and heat waves 

ahead. 

In Lagos, the situation is even more unpleasant 

as the metropolis is presently experiencing 

a protracted heat wave which has ushered in 

strange hot weather with temperature over and 

above 32.2 degrees centigrade. Characteristically, 

lots of tips are being offered by experts on 

how to keep abreast of the situation. Top on the 

bill is a good eating habit that is effectively 

In view of the enormous 

importance of trees to the 

quality of human life, it 

would be foolhardy to 

neglect this simple and less 

expensive venture that is 

naturally endowed with life 

giving aura 

complemented with drinking of plenty of hygienic 

water at intervals. 

Naturally, to fight dehydration, the body requires 

constant supply of water. Reduction in 

the intake of caffeinated or intoxicating drinks 

is also one of the recommended antidotes to the 

consequences of excessive heat. Also, ensuring 

good ventilation in residential places as well as 

regular bathing at nights has been recommended 

as panacea. 

It is, however, important to stress that being a 

direct consequence of the global warming challenge 

which the entire world is currently contending 

with, long term solutions as against 

immediate remedies would be more appropriate 

and effective in dealing with excessive heat. 

In this respect, one would like to make a strong 

case for tree planting. 

Trees have been scientifically proven to be 

very useful as first line of defence in the fight 

against global warming as they absorb the carbon-dioxide 

in the atmosphere, replenish the 

air with oxygen and also contribute immensely 

to the aesthetics of the environment. They also 

check erosion and stem the tide of windstorm 

by serving as wind breakers. On another note, 

trees are brilliant cleansers. 

They remove other pollutants through the stomates 

in the leaf surface. It is considered that 

trees act as what some call a carbon sink, storing 

the gas in its branches, trunk, leaves, etc., 

instead of leaving the gas to become free-floating 

and further polluting the atmosphere. In 

this natural function alone, trees directly reduce 

the growth of the greenhouse effect and 

counteract global warming. 

Trees also serve the purpose of overall air quality 

enhancer, and a much needed one at that. 

They provide natural habitats for many small 

creatures, and reduce the temperature by providing 

shade. All in all, a tree is not just a beautiful 

work of nature standing amongst the many 

phenomenal picturesque settings of this world, 

it is a powerful and vital tool for human survival. 

Modern science recognises that without tree 

manufacturing oxygen, life on earth would have 

been impossible. 

As the world concentrates on global warming 

and its adverse effects on climatic changes, 

it is imperative that the public be more educated 

and enlightened on efficacy of trees. Although 

planting of trees has long been a suggestion 

to better the earth, there is a desperate 

need for sustained action at making it not just 

an annual ritual as it is being practiced in most 

states of the country but what everybody, especially 

land owners, must embrace if we are to 

take the decisive trend of climate change serious. 

According to climate experts, human-induced 

global deforestation is responsible for 

18-25 per cent of global climate change. The 

United Nations, World Bank and other leading 

non-governmental organisations are therefore 

encouraging re-forestation and other activities 

that promote tree planting to mitigate the effects 

of climate change. Ironically, as simple as 

tree planting process is, only quite a few pays 

adequate attention to it in this clime. This is not 

surprising since we are used to waiting for disaster 

to occur before doing the right thing. 

It is in order to alter the trend and preserve the 

environment that Lagos State government has 

been urging residents to embrace the culture of 

planting trees in view of its obvious benefits. 

Tree planting is one of the most valuable tools 

available to help to provide environmental stability. 

Consequently, the Lagos State government 

has embarked upon a plan that will see it 

planting 10 million trees by 2020. 

It has, therefore, become imperative for individuals, 

corporate bodies, community leaders, 

religious bodies, NGOs and all tiers of governments 

to give sufficient attention to tree planting. 

In view of the enormous importance of 

trees to the quality of human life, it would be 

foolhardy to neglect this simple and less expensive 

venture that is naturally endowed with life 

giving aura. 

With natural disasters occurring across the 

world, as a result of the abuse of the environment, 

this is the time for everyone to have a 

rethink about our attitude to the environment. 

That we have not experienced monumental 

environmental tragedy should not be taken for 

granted as being immune from such. Thus, we 

must take our destiny into our hands and do all 

the needful to ward off avoidable natural calamities. 

Hence, the need for everyone to embrace 

the tree planting project as well as other 

such ventures that could protect the environment. 

•Ogunbiyi is of the Ministry of Information & 

Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 5 , 2019 — 19 

From left: Mr Oscar Onyema, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange; Mr. Patrick Ezeagu, Chairman, Association 

of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria, (ASHON); Mr Abimbola Ogunbajo, President, NSE Council; Mr Olutola Mobolurin, Vice 

Chairman, Capital Bancorp Plc; Dr Shamshuddeen Usman, former Minister, National Planning; Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, 

immediate past president, NSE Council and Dr Olusegun Osunkeye, chairman of the occasion, at 2019 ASHON’S Capital 

Market Summit in Lagos. 

PMS imports rise 21.7% in Q4’18 

By Ediri Ejoh 

The 

two-quarter 

consecutive declines in the 

volume of premium motor spirit 

(PMS), popularly known as 

petrol, importation has been 

reversed with a 21.7 percent rise 

in the fourth quarter of 2018 

(Q4’18) to 5.32 billion litres up 

from 4.37 billion recorded in 

Q3’18. 

The National Bureau of 

Statistics, NBS, yesterday, 

disclosed this in its report titled: 

“Petroleum Products Imports and 

Consumption (Truck Out) 

Statistics (Q4 2018)” 

The report indicated that the 

country imported 5.32 billion 

litres of PMS and 1.30 billion 

litres of automotive gas oil (AGO), 

or diesel in Q4’18. 

It also stated that, 114.19 

million litres of dual purpose 

kerosene (DPK), 267.80 million 

CURRENCY BUYING SELLING 

US DOLLAR 

POUNDS 

EURO 

FRANC 

YEN 

CFA 

WAUA 

RENMINBI 

RIYAL 

SDR 

DANISH 

RAND 

$96.55 1.20 

2,411.00 35.00 

$12.72 0.30 

$69.28 -0.09 

$62.39 -0.22 

306 306.5 307 

401.9616 402.6184 403.2752 

343.485 344.0463 344.6075 

306.337 306.8375 307.3381 

2.7464 2.7509 2.7553 

0.5053 0.5153 0.5253 

424.2929 424.9862 425.6795 

45.5579 45.6328 45.7076 

81.5848 81.7181 81.8514 

424.9728 425.6672 426.3616 

46.0102 46.0854 46.1606 

. 21.6446 21.6799 21.7153 

CBN Exchange rate as at 04/04/2019 

litres of aviation turbine kerosene 

(ATK), 50.73 million litres of base 

oil, 42.38 million litres of bitumen, 

10.63 million litres of low pour fuel 

oil (LPFO) and 331.78 million litres 

of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) 

were imported into the country in 

Q4’18. 

Recall that the volume had 

declined to 4.79 billion litres in Q2’18 

from 5.67 billion litres in Q1’18. It 

also declined further to 4.37 billion 

litres in Q3’18. 

Meanwhile the report further 

showed State-wide distribution of 

truck-out volume for Q4’18 as 5.17 

billion liters of PMS, 1.16 billion 

litres of automotive gas oil (AGO), 

81.12 million litres of household 

kerosene (HHK), 256.73 million 

litres of aviation turbine kerosene 

(ATK) and 137.53 million of 

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) 

were distributed nationwide during 

the period. 

Petroleum products imports have 

been driven by poor state of Nigeria’s 

refineries. Nigeria National 

Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had 

couple of months ago revealed that 

none of Nigeria’s four refineries 

worked up to 50 per cent of their 

capacity at any time during 2018. 

Firms in positive sentiment on the economy 

— CBN survey 

By Elizabeth Adegbesan 

A 

survey by the Central 

Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has 

indicated private sector positive 

sentiment over the country’s macroeconomic 

conditions. 

Consequently, the firms have 

projected a decline in inflation rate 

this month even as they expect further 

growth in confidence in macroeconomy 

during the 

period. 

The CBN, yesterday, 

disclosed this in its 

Business Expectation 

Survey (BES) report for 

March 2019. 

According to the survey 

report, businesses’ overall 

confidence in the macro 

economy grew by 6.1 

points to 28.2 index points 

in March from 22.1 index 

points in February. 

The report also showed 

that firms expected 

confidence in the macroeconomy 

to grow by 6.3 

points to 64.8 index points 

in April from the projected 

growth of 58.5 index points 

in March. 

The report stated: “The 

respondents’ average 

expected inflation rate in 

the next six months and 

twelve months stood at 

11.2 and 11.1 percent, respectively. 

“Respondent firms expect 

borrowing rates to rise in current, next 

and the next twelve months as the 

confidence indices stood at 15.5, 0.4 

and 1.8 points, respectively.” 

On firms’ overall confidence index, 

the report read: “At 28.2 index points, 

respondents expressed optimism on 

the overall confidence index (CI) on 

the macro economy in the month of 

March 2019. The businesses outlook 

for April 2019 showed greater 

confidence on the macro economy 

with 64.8 index points. 

“The optimism on the macro 

economy in the current month was 

driven by the opinion of respondents 

from services (16.8 points), industrial 

(8.6 points), wholesale/retail trade (2.3 

points) and construction sectors (0.5 

points). Whereas the major drivers 

of the optimism for next month were 

services (37.0 points), industrial (19.4 

points), wholesale/retail trade (6.2 

points) and construction sectors (2.2 

points) 

“The positive outlook by type of 

business in March 2019 were driven 

by businesses that are neither importnor 

export-oriented (20.3 points), both 

import-and export-oriented (4.1 

points), import-oriented (3.5 points), 

and those that are export-related (0.2 

points) 

“All the four sectors expressed 

optimism on own operations in the 

review month. However, 

respondents from the services sector 

expressed the greatest optimism on 

own operation with an index of 7.1 

points, followed by the industrial 

sector with 3.3 points, the wholesale 

and retail trade with 2.0 points and 

the construction sector with 0.5 points 

respectively 

Ease of Doing Business: 

FG implements 

140 reforms in 3 

years—Osinbajo 

By Yinka Kolawole 

The federal government 

has implemented more than 

140 reforms aimed at improving the 

business environment in Nigeria in 

the past three years. 

Vice President, Prof. Yemi 

Osinbajo, stated this at the 2nd 

Presidential Enabling Business 

Environment Council (PEBEC) 

Awards. He also noted that 32 States 

were reported by the World Bank to 

have improved their Ease of Doing 

Business (EoDB) environment in 

2018. 

He stated: “In the past three years, 

Nigeria has implemented more than 

140 reforms to make doing business 

in Nigeria easier. 

“Some of the successful reforms 

include the ability to: Reserve a 

business name within four hours; 

Complete the registration of a 

company within 24 hours online; 

Apply for and receive approval of a 

visa-on-arrival electronically within 

48 hours; File and pay taxes online 

and; Access specialised small claims 

commercial courts in Lagos and 

Kano states. 

“The World Bank also reported in 

2018 that 32 states of Nigeria 

improved their Ease of doing 

business environment led by 

Kaduna, Enugu, Abia, Lagos and 

Anambra states.” 

Osinbajo further remarked that the 

target of the federal government is 

to move Nigeria into the top-100 on 

the 2020 World Bank Doing Business 

Index (DBI). 

“In 2019, PEBEC set a goal to move 

Nigeria into the top-100 on the 2020 

World Bank Doing Business Index 

(DBI). To achieve this, we will be 


implementation of reforms across all 

indicators, including the 

implementation of legislative 

reforms, specifically the passage of 

the new Companies and Allied 

Matters Act and the Omnibus Bills; 

the expansion of the regulatory reform 

program which started with National 

Agency for Food and Drug 

Administration and Control 

(NAFDAC) and National Insurance 

Commission (NAICOM); and now 

to include other regulators; the 

establishment of a National Trading 

Platform for ports; and the concession 

of our major international airports,” 

he added. 

Dangote refinery to boost Nigeria’s 1.095m bpd 

domestic target — NNPC 

By Ediri Ejoh 

The Nigerian National 


NNPC, yesterday said that the 

Dangote Refinery, currently under 

construction would complement 

Nigeria’s quest of attaining 1.095 

million barrels per day self-sufficiency 

in the refining of petroleum products. 

Chief Operating Officer, Upstream, 

NNPC, Engr. Bello Rabiu, made this 

known at the on-going Nigeria Oil 

and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) 

in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. 

Speaking on ‘Upstream 

Opportunity in the Oil and Gas 

Sector’, Rabiu commended the 

President of Dangote Group, Aliko 

Dangote for his commitment to 

Nigeria’s downstream sector, 

adding that “the coming on stream 

of the Dangote 650,000 barrels-perday 

refinery and efforts by NNPC 

to revamp the country’s refineries 

in Port Harcourt, Kaduna and 

Warri, would help Nigeria to 

achieve zero importation of refined 

petroleum products.” 

Speaking during a technical 

session on “Infrastructure as a Key 

Enabler for Opportunities in the Oil 

and Gas Sector”, Executive 

Director, Dangote Group, Ahmed 

Mansur, said private sector 

investment and execution capacity 

in the Nigeria gas sector need to 

complement government’s efforts 

in the industry.


Godwin Emefiele, CBN Governor 

Herbert Wigwe Access Bank GMD/ 

CEO 

Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, Managing 

Director/Chief Executive, UBA Plc 

Mr. Segun Agbaje, Managing 

Director/Chief Executive, GTBank Plc 

Bankers Committee unveils N200bn fund for 5 

cash crops 

•Special fund for creative industry in the offing 

By Babajide Komolafe 

The Bankers Committee 

yesterday announced a N200 

billion credit facility to boost 

production and export of five cash 

crops. The cash crops are Coaca, Oil 

Palm, Shea Butter, Sesame Seed and 

Cashew. 

The Committee also said it would 

soon announce a credit facility to 

support the creative industry with 

the aim of creating 300,000 jobs in 

the industry. 

Managing Director/Chief 

Executive, UBA Plc, Mr. Kennedy 

Uzoka and Managing Director/Chief 

Executive, GTBank Plc, Mr. Segun 

Agbaje, disclosed this in Lagos 

while speaking at a press conference 

after the meeting. The press 

conference was also addressed by 

the Managing Director/Chief 

Executive, Access Bank Plc, Mr. 

Herbert Wigwe, Managing Director/ 

Chief Executive, Ecobank Nigeria, 

Mr. Patrick Akinwuntan, Director, 

Banking Supervision Department, 

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. 

Ahmed Abdullahi and Director, 

Corporate Communications, CBN, 

Mr. Isaac Okoroafor. 

Speaking Abdullahi said that the 

Committee noted the stability in the 

economy especially improved 

foreign investors confidence in the 

nation’s economy which reflected in 

the $6 billion foreign portfolio 

investment inflow in the first quarter 

through the Investors and Exporters 

(I&E) window, the Committee 

decided to focus on initiatives that 

will consolidate the pro growth 

stance of the CBN, via the recent 

reduction the Monetary Policy Rate 

(MPR) to 13.5 percent from 14 

percent. 

N200bn facility for cash crops 

Kennedy Uzoka of UBA said that 

this led to the decision to set up the 

fund to boost production and export 

of cash crops. 

He said the N200 billion will be 

extended as loans to companies 

producing any of the five cash crops, 

at single digit interest rate for up to 

ten years tenor. 

He said: “As you know we have 

always talked about Nigeria been a 

mono economy, oil only, and many 

seminars have happened with so 

many resolutions. But the committee 

believe we have not made much 

progress in this direction hence that 

was the theme of the retreat. 

“And in terms of the policies that 

drive exports, we believe that a lot of 

them have to be changed. And we 

know about the congestion at the port. 

So we looked at all these things and 

we broke them into immediate, 

medium and long term because some 

we cannot address within a short 

period. 

“Fortunately CBN has different 

kind of funds. We looked at the 

existing funding structure so that we 

don’t reinvent the wheel, and see 

which of these funds can address the 

current challenges. And we did find 

a lot. Also we looked at the viability 

of these products in terms if we do 

this how will it help exports, address 

employment issues, create the 

necessary economic activities and also 

create relief in terms of foreign 

exchange (forex). This is because if 

a commodity, we add value to it, it 

will create employment and that we 

save us forex, as against what we do 

today, that most of our products are 

exported in raw forms. And indeed 

there are some of these things that 

with just a little push, we can either 

get to the final stage of refining we 

can get just close to that. 

“We have gone further to break this 

down to which of these products we 

should focus on, Oil palm as you all 

know, we use to be number one, and 

we decided to focus on that. Cocoa is 

another area, Sesame Seed is another 

area and off course Shea butter and 

cashew. “We are going ahead with 

these, applying the existing fund that 

we have identified in CBN. And 

based on the meeting we had today, 

we are going to be lending at single 

digit, up to a maximum of 10 years to 

each of these depending on the 

particular product and the stage of 

the company and we are going to 

devote almost N200 billion, and this 

will change the narrative of export in 

Nigeria”. 

To set up credit facility for creative 

industry 

On his part, MD/CEO of GTBank 

Plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje, said that the 

Committee also decided to set up a 

similar credit facility for the creative 

industry with the hope of creating 

300,000 jobs in the industry. 

He said: “This is basically a follow 

up to the last Bankers Committee 

retreat where we briefed the entire 

industry about the work the 

Committee was doing with respect to 

creative services and IT sectors. A lot 

The loans are for a 

maximum of ten years. 

They are single digit 

interest rate loans and of 

course they are reflective on 

the fact that in this specific 

industry, what it requires is 

long term financing, single 

digit funding and of course 

while we may ask for 

collateral but it will be very 

flexible. 

more work has been done and there 

are four verticals; one has to do with 

movies, the other has to do with 

music, the third has to do with IT and 

of course, the fourth has to do with 

fashion and what we have decided 

to do is to take it to the next level 

which is basically to revisit the entire 

value chain of each of these verticals. 

So right from the production facilities 

all the way to the last mile in terms 

of capacity building and making sure 

that whatever is introduced along 

each of the verticals is such that it is 

of world class standard. Today at the 

Bankers Committee we got the final 

nod to take it to the next level which 

is simply to do a final presentation 

and share with the market how it is 

going to happen. So I would imagine 

that sometime next week there would 

be some advertorials out in the 

market for eligible people who want 

to participate in each of the verticals, 

I am talking of people who want to 

be beneficiaries of the facilities which 

would be given. 

“The loans are for a maximum of 

ten years. They are single digit 

interest rate loans and of course they 

are reflective on the fact that in this 

specific industry, what it requires is 

long term financing, single digit 

funding and of course while we may 

ask for collateral but it will be very 

flexible. I think it is a big initiative 

because it will bring a couple of 

things to our country. As a starting 

point, it will lead to about 300,000 

employment in terms of number of 

people who are employed over a five 

year life span. 

“It will lead to significant 

appreciation as long as foreign 

exchange is concerned coming from 

each of the verticals and of course 

also lead to significant savings that 

you see today, the textile industry 

where most of the things that are 

produced are done oversees with 

textiles and the entire production 

facilities. So that is the thrust and so 

we expect, now it is imminent, by 

next week or the week after, 

hopefully, we should start seeing 

advertorials from beneficiaries who 

would be public-screened to make 

sure that they meet the eligibility 

criteria.” 

CBN laying building blocks to 

power economic growth 

Speaking further on the philosophy 

behind these initiatives, Isaac 

Okoroafor of CBN said: “With the 

stability recorded across all the macro 

magnitudes, the time has come to 

make the economy grow, to supply a 

stimulus that the economy requires 

to grow and so that is why the stories 

you have received today are in the 

logic of even what we have done at 

the CBN in cotton, garment, and 

textile as well as in palm produce. 

we are going into cocoa and other 

commodities and then into the 

creative industry. All these are 

building blocks that are been put in 

place to enable the economy power 

itself in growth.”


Cutlery need not change colour 

Take care of yours 

Stainless steel 

is the most 

popular 

material 

choice for 

cutlery but the 

way it is 

stored will 

determine how 

lasting it will 

be 

Clean dishes & utensils 

HOMEMAKERS 

don’t need to wait 

till they have guests 

before they keep their cutlery 

clean and sparkly. Everyone in 

your home is as important as 

your special guests and so they 

deserve to use clean and 

glittering cutlery for their 

meals. It is advised to train 

everyone in the house on the 

importance of caring and 

keeping cutlery to avoid stain 

or change of colour. 

Whether you go for 

silverware or utilitarian 

everyday set, it pays to look 

after your cutlery set. Stainless 

steel is the most popular 

material choice for cutlery but 

the way it is stored will 

determine how lasting it will 

be. Many are fond of washing 

their cutlery and storing them 

in the kitchen drawers. It may 

be fine to do so, but will reduce 

the lifespan. 

According to information 

available to Homemakers, 

Consumer Watch 

regardless of the composition 

of your cutlery, material for 

cutlery is not entirely resistant 

*Dirty utensils in the sink 

to stains and to keep your 

cutlery looking its best, there 

are a few things to remember 

which are as follows: 

•Remove all food particles as 

quickly as possible after eating 

as certain acidic foods can also 

cause corrosion. 

•The longer you leave your 

cutlery with food on it, the 

harder it becomes to clean. Salt 

and acid in your food can also 

cause damage to stainless 

steel. 

•Never leave stainless steel 

cutlery to soak or in damp 

conditions as this can cause 

staining which will require 

polishing to remove. 

Make friends with polish and 

white vinegar. 

A mild abrasive or metal 

polish will remove marks and 

stains from stainless steel. 

For water stains, rub in 

alcohol or salad oil and to 

maintain the shine, it is advised 

to use a sponge with white 

vinegar. 

How to clean tarnished 

cutlery with white vinegar? 

Mix 1 part vinegar to 8 parts 

hot water in a washing up bowl. 

Add your cutlery and leave to 

soak for 5-10 minutes. 

Rinse clean and dry straight 

away using a lintfree cloth. 

If you don’t have white 

vinegar at hand, try cleaning 

your cutlery using bicarbonate 

of soda. 

How? 

Fill a tray of warm water and 

add a teaspoon of bicarbonate 

of soda. 

Place the cutlery in and leave 

to soak for 10-15 minutes. 

Rinse under warm water and 

dry straight away using a lintfree 

cloth. 

Items Prices Items 

Prices 

Items Prices 

Basket of Tomatoes 

N8,000-10,000 

A bag of Pepper (Rodo) N 5,000- N7,000 

A bag of Long pepper N6, 000 – N7000 

A bag of Onions (white) N18,000 – N20, 000 

A bag of Onions (Red) N15, 000- N18, 000 

50kg of long grain Rice N14,000 - N14,500 

A derica of long grain Rice N230 -N250 

50kg of short grain Rice. N13,000 - N13,800 

A derica of short grain RiceN250 

A crate of eggs 

N1,000-1,100 

A bag of Olotu beans 

N14,000 -N38,000 

A bag of Oloyin 

N15,000 -N20,000 

A bag of Yam Flour (Elubo) N63, 000- N69,000 

A bag of Garri (Yellow) N5,000-8,000 

A paint bucket 

N400 

A bag of Ijebu Gari N5,000 - N8,000 

A paint bucket 

N500 

25 Litres of Vegetable Oil N12,000- N13, 000 

10Litres N4, 500-N4, 700 

25 Litres of Palm Oil N10,800-N9,000 

5Litres of Palm Oil 

N2,200 -N2,500 

Salt 

N50-N200 

Noodles- 70g N1,900- N2,200 

Spaghetti (1packet) 

N180-N200 

Macaroni(1packet) N180-200 

Semovita (10kg) N2,800- N3,000 

Pampers (cartons of 8) N3, 400 

Seasonings 

N100 – N500 

Tomato paste (2,200g) N1200-N1500 

Tomato paste (Medium) N550-N700 

Tomato paste(small) N150-N350 

Tomato sachet (a roll) 

N230 

Pack of toilet roll (48pieces)N1500-N1,800 

A Satchet of milk N25-N50 

A Sachet of beverage 

N40-N50 

Toothpaste 

N50-N300 

5 Litres of Kerosine N1,100 

12.5kg. Cooking gas N3, 700 

Yam (1 tuber). N400- N1,000 

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

A dozen of tied Ugu Leaf N7,50, 

Moin-Moin Leaf (a dozen)N800-1,000, 

1 pack- N150 

Carton Titus ice Fish N19,000 

1 Carton of Kote ice fish N14,500 

1 Carton of Sawa iced FishN10, 000, 1Kg-N600

22— Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019 

By Theodore Opara 

Kewalram Chanrai Group clinches FCA franchise 

•Distributes Fiat, Jeep, Dodge, 

Chrysler 

KEWALRAM Chanrai Group has se 

cured exclusive rights as the franchise 

representatives of FCA auto brands in 

Nigeria thus earning the right to distribute 

all Fiat and Chrysler automobile brands in 

the country. 

FCA Group is the renowned manufacturer 

of premium Italian and American auto brands 

such as Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, Ram, Fiat, 

Alfa Romeo, Maserati, amongst others. The 

automobiles are already on display at a purpose-built 

showroom on Victoria Island, Lagos 

solely dedicated to these brands. The 

company has already set in motion a strong 

mechanism to spread the presence of the 

brands to other parts of the country using its 

already established branch network. 

The acquisition of marketing rights for the 

world renowned automobiles is a major boost 

to Chanrai's reputation as a diverse conglomerate 

with strong presence in 12 countries 

including Nigeria. It has a distribution history 

spanning over 150 years. As part of its 

repositioning strategy to ensure dominance 

in the market, the company has strengthened 

its after- sales services for enhanced 

service delivery. 

According to a Chanrai source, who 

would not like to be mentioned, "outstanding 

after-sales personnel have been trained 

by the manufacturers' technical staff on how 

Unique features of 

all-new Toyota Rush 

APART from being a Toyota 

brand, Rush, the all new Toyota 

Sport Utility Vehicle, SUV, 

stands out among competition. It is 

the only SUV in its class that offers 

three-row seats and other premium 

features as standard. The three 

new seats can take seven in comfort 

when traveling with light cargo. 

But when there is need to take 

much load, the last row can be collapsed 

to give room for very large 

cargo space. A typical multi-purpose 

vehicle which can be deployed 

for official and family use, 

the Rush has everything to lead its 

segment in ride comfort, utility, safety 

and durability. 

Launched into the Nigerian market 

barely three months ago in three 

versions, automatic fabric mid 

All-new Jeep Wrangler Sahara distributed by Kewalram Chanrai Group in Nigeria 

grade, automatic fabric high grade 

and automatic leather high grade, 

the Rush meets the needs of most 

customers in the segment. Although, 

the Toyota Rush was introduced 

into the international market 

in 1997, it was unveiled in Nigeria 

in 2019. But Toyota Nigeria 

management says it is better late 

than never; and Nigeria is getting 

the car at a time that the SUV is 

ruling the world. 

According to Toyota Nigeria Ltd, 

Managing Director, Mr. Kunle Ade 

Ojo, “The Rush is being introduced 

into the Nigerian market to fulfil customers' 

yearnings for a Toyota SUV 

that would compete with the likes 

of Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson 

and Ford Escape”. 

Although, none of the Toyota 

Rush’s competitors comes in seven-seater, 

the Rush has a cute design 

that stands it out in the crowd. 

•From left: Steve Ezendiokwere, FES Manager, Mobil Nigeria; Franca Igwe, Head Marketing, 

BKG Exhibitions; Ifeanyi Agwu, MD BKG Exhibitions/Organising Committee Chairman/ 

14th Lagos Motor Fairp; Tunji Oyebanji, MD, Mobil Nigeria; Seun Oke, Distributor/Business 

Manager, Mobil and Abiodun Fagbuaro, Field Marketing Advisor, Mobil during a courtesy call 

by organisers of the Lagos Motor Fair on Mobil head office in Lagos. 

Impressive features like projector 

headlamps, dual-tone grille, LED 

tail-lights all give the Rush a bold 

and intimidating look. Another 

outstanding quality of the Rush is 

that you don’t need to break the 

bank to keep it on the road everyday 

as it comes with a fuel efficient 

1.5 litre engine with automatic 

transmission. The automatic 

transmission developed for the 

Rush engine has realised excellent 

power performance and fuel 

efficiency. 

The Rush is loaded with an array 

of unique features that are uncommon 

in vehicles in its class. 

Hosts of a full-colour infortainment 

system and Bluetooth with a powerful 

audio system, rear view camera, 

smart entry, leather inserts on 

steering wheel and gear shifter, 

steering mounted controls for auto 

render seamless after-sales services for 

all the brands. We don’t just sell, we ensure 

effective after-sales services.” 

He explained that Chanrai was chosen as 

the exclusive distributor for the FCA brands 

in the country because of its strong pedigree 

in automobile business as well as its 

firm commitment to the provision of aftersales 

service. 

Fiat Group, the Italian auto maker had in 

2014 acquired 100 per cent ownership in 

Chrysler Group, the American premium car 

company in a move that integrated the financial 

and the technical aspects of the two 

groups into one. The merger created a multinational 

organization that operates in more 

than 140 countries 

dio and telephone, automatically 

folding mirrors, give Rush away 

as an SUV in the premium segment. 

In every aspect, the Rush gives 

unmarched value in its class, be it 

design, performance economy or 

safety, the Rush is an all rounder. 

Safetywise, the Rush is well loaded 

with modern features. For instance, 

the brake is equipped with 

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and 

vehicle stability control, VSC as 

well as air bags, and seatbelts. 

Also the body structure features 

high level of safety in the event of 

a side impact as well as a frontal 

impact, considering pedestrian 

protection. 

Rush is not only beautiful from 

the outside, its interior is also well 

crafted by Toyota engine to give 

peace of mind.


Changan CS75 takes on midsize 

Korean, Japanese European SUVs 

CHANGAN Motors 

Nigeria, has unveiled 

one of its mid-size 

sport utility vehicles, the 

CS75, reaffirming the accomplishment 

of the 

brand, which was officially 

introduced three years 

ago, by Stallion Motors 

Nigeria. Riding on the 

heels of its compact SUV, 

the CS35, the Changan 

brand may have finally 

come to stay, having won 

the confidence of SUV 

enthusiasts in Nigeria. 

Changan Motors Nigeria 

Head, Sales and 

Marketing, Vijay Sengar, 

who gave this hint at a 

media preview of the vehicle 

in Lagos said the 

company is delighted 

that the brand has validated 

the quality, aesthetics 

and sturdiness of 

Chan-gan line of automobiles, 

barely three years 

after it was introduced in 

Nigeria. He disclosed 

that the vehicle is assembled 

in Nigeria by Nigerians, 

and is competitively 

priced to dare segment 

leaders including B-segment 

SUVs - Hyundai 

Tucson, GAC GS4, Nissan 

Qashqai and the 

likes. 

The Changan CS75 

crossover demonstrates 

the aura of an imposing 

SUV with the trappings 

of opulence, set apart by 

ample room, comfort, 

smooth ride, useful kits 

and striking ambience. 

Manufactured by 

Changan Automobile, 

one of China’s leading 

automobile manufacturers, 

with extensive investment 

in advanced research 

and innovative 

technologies, the Changan 

CS75 brings to bare 

the company’s 157-year 

experience in manufacturing. 

The urban-styled and 

functionally imbued 

CS75, no doubt, stands 

head-to-shoulder with 

renowned marquees, 

wielding a characteristically 

front-end and 

chunky single-slat grille 

that assertively profiles 

the company’s name to 

effortlessly grab the attention 

of vehicle enthusiasts. 

The rear end of 

this SUV similarly gets a 

distinguishing tailgate 

spoiler and a diffuser that 

exhibits a sporty character; 

incorporating Light 

Emitting Diodes (LED) 

taillights with brushed 

aluminum trim on the 

front and rear bumpers as 

well as agreeable 

chrome-plated elements 

and electroplated exterior 

trim pieces. 

The Chinese auto makers 

are quick to say that 

their aspiration to become 

a global top-10 manufacturer 

within five years,” 

as they don’t seem to be 

leaving any stone unturned 

to accomplish this 

objective. 

Powered by a 1.8 turbo 

charged engine matedto 

a 6-Speed automatic 

transmission the CS75 

churns out 130 horse 

power and 230Nm of 

torque @ 220 rpm in estimated 

fuel efficiency of 

8.1 litre per 100km. 

Quite unlike Chinese 

engineered automobiles, 

the CS75 demonstrates 

unprecedented finesse in 

its well-built interior, using 

acoustics and padded 

materials on the door 

cards to numb road noise, 

while also ensuring the fit 

and finish is of a high 

standard. This is in addition 

to the all wrapped in 

leather seats with nice 

stiches, a multifunctional 

leather steering wheel 

(that fits perfectly in the 

hand), which both add 

visual flair that makes the 

car very attractive and 

comfortable. 

Nissan task ECOWAS on 

competitive auto industry 

master-plan 

THE Nissan Group of 

Afri-ca has requested 

for an automotive master-plan 

that could make 

the most of the existing 

regional trade agreements 

in ECOWAS to 

build an automotive industry 

that isn’t just sustainable 

but internationally 

competitive. 

Nissan made this appeal 

through its Director 

of Sales and Operations, 

Jim Dando, who said instead 

of allowing every 

country in the sub-region 

own a vehicle assembly 

plant, which might not be 

economically viable, 

some countries should 

rather concentrate on 

their areas of proportional 

advantage. “We would 

rather strategically create 

opportunities, that some 

might specialise in providing 

tyres, others batteries 

and shock absorbers, 

while those countries 

who do not ultimately assemble 

vehicles won’t all 

make the same vehicles 

because it doesn’t make 

sense to compete against 

each other.” 

Mr. Dando who was 

speaking against the 

growing demand for vehicle 

plants in the subregion 

said: “Investing in 

an automotive plant is a 

huge undertaking, where 

there have to be incentives 

in place for the 

OEMs (Original Equipment 

Manufacturers) and 

there has to be a very 

strong message against 

grey import market because 

these cars are being 

brought in cheaper 

than we can make them.” 

He said grey imports 

are hugely problematic, 

not just because they 

skew the market, but they 

create expectations about 

after-sales service, which 

the manufacturers often 

can’t meet because the 

vehicles aren’t formerly 

made for African conditions 

and therefore, there 

can’t be spares or trained 

technicians to service 

them. The Nissan Group 

of Africa director therefore 

called on the various 

governments in the subregion 

to be proactive 

and shouldn’t be misled 

by the huge revenue in 

duties that accrue from 

grey imports as to jettison 

the unprecedented opportunities 

associated 

with industrialisation. 

POWER OIL: From left; Martin Bikalaid, Pay with Calories Fitness Instructor, Mr. 

Stanley Ebhojie, staff of Insignia Print Technology Enterprise, Omotayo Azeez- 

Abiodun, Public Relations Manager, Tolaram Group during Power Oil Pay-with- 

Calories Exercise at Insignia Print Technology Enterprise, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos. 

GRADUATION: 

Nollywood actress, 

Biola Ige 

graduated 

yesterday with 

Masters in History 

and Strategic 

Studies. 

She finished with 

a CGPA 4.33 out of 

maximum 5 points 

from the University 

of Lagos, Akoka. 

SEMINAR: Mr Paul Uduk, MD/CEO, Vision and Talents International Limited 

engaging participants from various parts of the country during a seminar on 

'How Experts Build Empire' held in Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele. 

•From left: Managing Director of Energy Up International, Rev. Ola Festus 

Bode-Ige handing over a Toyota Camry key to one of the qualifiers, Mrs. Tejiro 

Ologe, while Mr. Olaniyi Akinbani, Director of Accreditation and Miss Helen 

Ogbefor, Creativity Director, Energy Up International clap at the company's 

First Car Awards ceremony at their Ikeja, Lagos Office. 

BAPTISM: 

Stephanie 

Chizitere 

Azubuogu, 

daughter of Chief 

Okechukwu 

Azubuogu and 

Mrs. Roseline 

Atueyi Azubuogu 

being baptized at 

St. Peter Claver 

Catholic Church located 

at 24 Chi-vita 

Avenue, Ajao 

Estate, Lagos recently.

24—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 5 , 2019 

In Defence of Elite Educational 

Institutions 

By Ladipo Adamolekun 

Introduction 

EMMANUEL Macron who was 

elected president 

of France in mid-2017 is the fourth 

product of France’s elite Ecole 

Nationale d’Administration (ENA) 

among the eight to hold the highest 

public office in the country’s Fifth 

Republic (from 1958 to date). (His 

predecessors are Giscard d’Estaing, 

Jacques Chirac and Francois 

Hollande). Georges Pompidou, one 

of the remaining four, also attended 

another elite institution, the Ecole 

Normale Supérieure (ENS). Across 

the channel, in the United Kingdom, 

nine of the thirteen prime ministers 

who have served under Queen 

Elizabeth II from 1952 to date are 

alumni of the University of Oxford, one 

of the country’s two top elite 

educational institutions. (The other is 

the University of Cambridge). And 

across the Atlantic, in the United States, 

eight of the thirteen presidents since 

the end of World War II are products 

of four of the country’s eight Ivy 

League (elite) educational institutions 

(Harvard University, Princeton 

University, University of Pennsylvania 

and Yale University). 

Whilst conceding that rule by 

products of elite education and 

training institutions might not be all 

blessings, I belong to the school of 

thought that accentuates the positives 

associated with the nurturing of such 

elite institutions whose products, on 

the whole, contribute hugely to the 

prosperity of their respective societies. 

To cite a widely-acknowledged and 

highly praised example, the products 

of France’s ENA that was established 

in 1945 are recognized as having 

championed the country’s rapid socioeconomic 

recovery after the destruction 

of the Second World War. 

Against this backdrop, my defence 

of elite educational institutions is 

focused sharply on excellence and 

meritocracy, the two hallmarks of the 

education and training institutions 

cited above. And I highlight the 

positive linkage of educational 

excellence and meritocracy to quality 

public services. Next, I make the point 

that the “Federal Character” clause 

in Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution needs 

urgent drastic amendment to prevent 

it from further undermining 

excellence and meritocracy in the 

country. Finally, I review briefly the 

on-going efforts aimed at reinventing 

the elite status of Christ’s School and 

suggest the introduction of a Degree 

Foundation Year Programme in the 

envisaged new Christ’s School. 

A. Elite educational 

institutions: Excellence 

and meritocracy 

Although the examples of elite 

educational institutions cited above are 

at the higher education level, there 

are also examples of elite educational 

institutions at the secondary education 

level in both France and the United 

Kingdom. The idea of elite secondary 

educational institutions was 

transplanted into Nigeria by the British 

during colonial rule and maintained 

at independence but with varying 

fortunes during the postindependence 

decades. At both levels, 

the emphasis across countries is on 

excellence and meritocracy. 

My favourite illustration of an elite 

educational institution with excellence 

and meritocracy as its hallmarks is the 

French ENA. Entry is through open 

competitive examinations that the 

majority of interested candidates take 

after attending ten specialized 

Institutes of Political Studies that are 

spread across the country. At the end 

of about three years of rigorous 

education and training at ENA, the 

best overall performers among each 

100-strong cohort automatically have 

the first choice of the areas of the public 

service where they would begin a 

career. Normally, the top two dozen 

or so would opt for the prestigious 

administrative grands corps – Conseil 

d’Etat (Council of State), Inspection 

générale des Finances (General 

Inspectorate of Finance) and Cours 

des comptes (Court of Auditors) whilst 

the others would choose to serve as 

préfets (district officers), diplomats and 

generalist administrators. 

While the elite institutions in UK and 

US that are mentioned in the 

Introduction are characterised by 

excellence in their own different ways 

– Oxford and Cambridge and the 

majority of the Ivy League universities 

are regularly ranked among the top 

20 world-class universities - only the 

UK had a variation of ENA-style 

meritocratic linkage to the civil and 

colonial services up to the 1950s and 

1960s with Oxford and Cambridge 

graduates dominating both services. 

It is the broader adherence to the 

primacy of the merit principle that 

prevails in public service recruitment 

in both US and UK (since the 1970s) 

and graduates from the elite 

universities tend to succeed in open 

competitions for public service 

appointments more than graduates 

from the other universities. Strikingly, 

the Civil Service Commission in the 

US was re-constituted as a Merit 

Systems Protection Board in 1979. 

Emphasis on excellence in all the 

institutions 

In Nigeria, the University of Ibadan 

was widely acknowledged as an elite 

institution during its first three decades 

(up to the 1970s) and the five other 

“first generation” universities (Nsukka, 

Ife, Lagos, Zaria and Benin) were 

reputed for quality university 

education for a decade or two. There 

was emphasis on excellence in all the 

institutions. Today, of all the country’s 

public universities, only Ibadan has 

managed to retain some measure of 

elite status, cited among the bottom 

ten percentile – out of about 1000 total 

- in the 2017 ranking of world class 

universities. (Nsukka was also ranked 

among the top 1258 in 2018). I have 

suggested elsewhere that Nigeria 

needs six elite universities: Ibadan and 

five others, to be selected through open 

competition among the remaining 39 

federal universities. 

It was also during the1950s through 

the 1960s to the 1970s that the primacy 

of the merit principle was largely 

respected in recruitment into public 

services across the country. It is 

incontestable that the widely 

acknowledged efficiency standards of 

the country’s civil services during those 

decades was due, in large part, to 

merit-based recruitment. And the 

competent and efficient civil services 

were critical to the achievement of good 

development performance in the 

country from the second half of the 

1950s through the 1960s and early 

1970s. The good development 

performance was reflected in quality 

public services and low poverty level, 

estimated at about 25% in the mid- 

1960s. Then, the introduction of the 

“federal character” clause in the 1979 

Constitution marked the beginning of 

a de-emphasis on the merit principle 

as the primary criterion in recruitment 

into public services. Indeed, the merit 

principle progressively became 

subordinated to the federal character 

principle, interpreted as a crude quota 

system. More on federal character 

below. At the secondary education 

level, the small number of colleges 

established by the colonial government 

•Prof. Ladipo Adamolekun 

for male and female students across 

the country were all generally 

recognised as elite institutions and 

some of the colleges/secondary 

schools established by missionaries 

were also acknowledged as elite 

institutions. Notable among the 

Government colleges for boys were 

King’s College, Lagos and the 

Government Colleges in Keffi (North), 

Ibadan (West) and Umuahia (East). 

And there were Queen’s colleges for 

girls in each of the old regions. Igbobi 

College, Lagos and Christ’s School, 

Ado-Ekiti were among the few elite 

missionary secondary schools in the 

Western Region. The open 

competitive entrance examinations 

into all these schools attracted students 

from different parts of the country 

(across Western Region in the case of 

Christ’s School) and their products 

succeeded in the open and 

competitive processes for admission 

into the universities in significantly 

larger numbers than those of other 

secondary schools. 

Hardly any of these schools would 

today qualify as an elite institution and 

the Unity Secondary Schools 

established in the 1970s that could 

have been the successor elite 

government-owned secondary 

schools were dumbed down within a 

decade or two. According to the Report 

of the Presidential Task Force on 

Education (2010), the unity schools 

“do not appear to be sources of 

excellence in secondary education and 

The “Federal 

Character” clause in 

Nigeria’s 1999 

Constitution needs 

urgent drastic 

amendment to 

prevent it from further 

undermining 

excellence and 

meritocracy in the 

country 

cannot be model for the States and 

other School Proprietors – one of the 

reasons for establishing them in the 

first instance.” The few elite 

secondary schools in the country 

today are all private-owned. 

Obviously, only students from affluent 

families can afford the astronomical 

costs charged in the private schools, 

unlike the open access to their 

predecessors that were owned by 

governments and missionaries. 

The newly established Federal 

Government Academy, Suleja 

(Centre for the Gifted and Talented) 

appears to be the first public challenge 

to the existing private-owned elite 

secondary schools. The first cohort 

of students was admitted to the 

Academy for 2017/2018 academic 

year. The students were promised a 

“Gifted Education programme” that 

will allow “precocious students with 

outstanding intelligence capable of 

high academic performance to fast-track 

the secondary education curriculum 

and complete the programme in less 

than the prescribed years with excellent 

result” (sic). It is important to mention 

the nurturing that successful candidates 

will enjoy: “Federal Government 

scholarship which covers their tuition, 

boarding, feeding, uniforms and basic 

text/exercise books”. 

Although I wholeheartedly welcome 

the re-emergence of a governmentowned 

elite secondary school, as a 

federalist committed to the shrinking 

of the scope of the central government’s 

functions and resources, I would 

strongly argue that the Suleja Academy 

should be transferred to the Federal 

Capital Territory. To enhance the 

quality of secondary education nationwide, 

it is desirable for each of the thirtysix 

states to establish its own secondary 

education-level Academy for the Gifted 

and the Talented. The emerging 

network of elite government-owned 

secondary schools would nicely 

complement the proposed six elite 

federal universities mentioned above. 

B. Federal Character 

Constitutional Clause 

needs urgent drastic 

amendment 

The federal character clause that was 

first introduced in the 1979 Constitution 

was maintained in the 1999 

Constitution with significant 

modifications that include the 

establishment of a Federal Character 

Commission (FCC) to enforce the 

expanded interpretations of the clause. 

Although reflecting the federal character 

of the country with respect to political 

appointments (including the most 

senior administrative/bureaucratic 

positions) throughout the public service 

for the reasons stated in the 1979 

Constitution makes eminent sense, its 

interpretation as a crude quota system, 

beginning from the 1980s, and with 

cruder and cruder interpretation 

during the succeeding decades, is 

patently antithetical to the merit 

principle. 

In these circumstances, the 

alignment of excellence and 

meritocracy in educational institutions 

with the primacy of the merit principle 

in recruitment into public services in 

the 1950s, through the 1960s to the 

1970s was abandoned. Thus, the 

prevailing decline of excellence and 

meritocracy in educational institutions 

coexists with the subordination of the 

merit principle to a crude quota system 

characterised by nepotism, 

partisanship, ethnicity and quasi-total 

opacity. A very good illustration of the 

prevailing application of federal 

character as a crude quota system today 

is the dilution of merit through ad hoc 

annual “cut off” marks with respect to 

admissions to federal secondary 

schools. 

An essential quick fix (pending the 

longer route of constitutional 

amendment) is the issuance of 

Guidelines on the Application of the 

Federal Character Constitutional 

Clause with respect to the public 

services in the form of an Executive 

Order. The Guidelines should include 

(a) affirmation of the primacy of the merit 

principle in recruitment into the federal 

public service (outside positions that 

are categorised as political 

appointments) and obligation of all 

recruiting and appointing bodies to be 

open and transparent in the application 

of federal character, including 

explicating whether states or 

geopolitical zones are used for 

determining quotas and (b) formal and 

unequivocal exemption of specific rare 

skills from the application of the 

principle (as is the case in India) – senior 

technical posts in research and 

development, specialties in medicine 

and engineering, areas of nuclear and 

space applications in aviation, and 

aspects of electronics. 

Finally, it is important to add that the 

strong case made here for the primacy 

of the merit principle in recruitment of 

staff to public services is also 

dependent, to a considerable extent, 

on the restoration of excellence and 

meritocracy in the education sector. This 

will be a desirable re-creation of the 

alignment that helped ensure good 

development performance in the 

country up to the 1970s. 

C. Reinventing and 

sustaining the elite status 

of Christ's School 

I am aware of the steadfast efforts of 

Christ’s School Alumni Association to 

reinvent the elite status of the School 

since the early 2000s. Chapter 12 of 

In Deed and In Truth (2013) 

“Reformation Agenda: Master Plan, 

Academic and Physical” provides an 

overview of the Report of “Project 

Christ’s School Renewal” Committee 

constituted in 2003. The update 

provided in the book is that the existing 

Report needed to be reviewed, 

including attention to how best to 

ensure sustainability. 

The incumbent National Executive 

of the Alumni Association has 

produced a new Report (with a 

detailed 25-year master plan) on the 

transfer of proprietorship of the School 

back to Anglican Communion, Ekiti 

(the original owners) to run it jointly 

with the Alumni Association, as a 

private boarding school. The Report 

was submitted to Ekiti State 

Government jointly by the Alumni 

Association and the Anglican 

Communion, Ekiti on June 17 th 2017. 

Predictably, the emphasis in the Report 

is on excellence and meritocracy and 

admission into the School will be 

through competitive examinations 

open to candidates from across the 

country. This contrasts markedly with 

the School’s virtual localisation in recent 

decades with the derisive alternative 

name, “Agidimo High School”. 

I would like to suggest for 

consideration the introduction of a 

Degree Foundation Year Programme 

(DFYP) in the new Christ’s School. 

Concretely, the DFYP will be a oneyear 

version of the Higher School 

Certificate (HSC) programme run 

successfully in the School for about two 

decades between 1960 and 1981. 

Students will be prepared for the 

General Certificate of Education (“A” 

Level) and qualified to seek direct entry 

admission into universities (public and 

private), that is, at the 200-level of 

degree programmes. It is very likely 

that a well-run Degree Foundation 

Year Programme will both enhance the 

visibility of the new Christ’s School and 

contribute significantly towards 

assuring its sustainability. 

Conclusion 

I would like to conclude by 

highlighting three key messages. 

1.Elite educational institutions that 

are characterised by excellence and 

meritocracy at the higher education level 

contribute hugely to the prosperity of 

their respective societies. This explains 

why emphasis on excellence and 

meritocracy at the higher education level 

is world-wide. Today, the original elite 

higher education institution in the 

country barely merits that categorization 

when the country’s goal should be to 

have at least six universities that rank 

among the top 500 in the world by 2030. 

2.For elite educational institutions to 

impact positively on national 

development, recruitment into public 

services must be based on the primacy 

of the merit principle as is the case in 

well-performing economies across 

continents. I have argued that the 

subordination of the merit principle to 

a constitutional “federal character” 

principle interpreted as a crude quota 

system needs urgent radical 

amendment. And I suggest that a 

couple of interim corrective measures 

should be introduced through a 

presidential Executive Order. 

3.Although an emphasis on elite 

educational institutions at the secondary 

education level is not a world-wide 

phenomenon, Nigeria inherited the 

practice under colonial rule and 

maintained it for a few decades after 

independence. I wholeheartedly 

support the on-going efforts to re-invent 

Christ’s School as a private-owned elite 

boarding secondary school run co-jointly 

by the Anglican Communion, Ekiti and 

Christ’s School Alumni Association. 

NIGERIA NOTES (New Series) 

Prof. Ladipo Adamolekun writes 

from Iju, Akure North, Ondo State.


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C 

M 

Y


Rajab 29, 1440 A.H. 

We’re yet t to determine ermine 2019 fare —NAHCON 

•Gives licence, hajj slots to 115 Tour operators 

• 

•Commends Kogi on good preparation 

THE National Hajj 

Commission of Nigeria, 

NAHCON, has released the 

approved 2019 Licenced Tour 

Operators with the 

corresponding number of 

slots allocated to each. This 

followed a two-day hearing 

and verification of claims by 

the NAHCON committee set 

up for Consideration of 

Appeals by Appellant 

Companies for 2019 Hajj. 

A total of 115 out of 147 

companies that applied for 

the licence have so far been 

approved to participate in this 

year’s Umrah and Hajj 

exercises. The applications 

were submitted online. 


Commission said that it was 

yet to conclude the hajj fare 

for 2019 and has not 

authorised any state Muslim 

Pilgrims Board to announce 

any hajj fare for the 

forthcoming rites in Saudi 

Arabia. 

The Commission in a 

statement sent to Vanguard 

stated that the indices that 

determine final hajj fare were 

yet to be fully determined by 

the Commission, in 

collaboration with State 

Pilgrims’ bureaus and other 

stakeholders. 

“NAHCON wishes to draw 

the attention of Nigeria’s 2019 

intending pilgrims in 

particular and the general 

public that the Commission 

has not authorised any state 

Muslim Pilgrims’ Board to 

announce hajj fare for 2019. 

The indices that determine 

final fare for hajj are yet to be 

determined by the 

Commission, state pilgrims’ 

bureaus and other 

stakeholders. 

“However, registration of 

pilgrims in Nigeria had 

commenced in November of 

2018. The registration 

requires a tentative deposit 

of N1.5m (one million, five 

hundred thousand naira), in 

bank draft, with any of the 

certified state Muslim 

Pilgrims’ boards, agencies or 

commissions. This deposit 

can be done fully or by 

instalments and a copy of the 

draft should be presented to 

the respective state boards. 

Intending pilgrims are 

warned not to pay cash to any 

agent or board member as 

payment is strictly through 

the banks. 

Commends Kogi 

NAHCON also commended 

the Kogi State Hajj 

Commission, KSHC, for its 

proper management of 

general matters pertaining to 

2019 Hajj preparations. 

In a statement signed by 

Head, Public Affairs Division 

of the Commission, Hajia 

Fatima Sanda Usara, said 

KSHC was also the first to 

renew its licence with the 

Commission as well as 

decentralise structures of 

pilgrims and medical 

screening across its three 

sentorial districts. 

“In particular, NAHCON 

congratulates the Kogi State 

Commission for being the first 

to renew its licence with 

NAHCON in compliance with 

the rules and regulations of 

the national hajj body. 

Milestones like these ease the 

job of the nation’s hajj 

handlers, curtailing hiccups 

that may be experienced 

during peak period of the 

annual Muslim pilgrimage to 

the holy land. 

“Apart from renewal of its 

licence, the KSHC has moved 

ahead in decentralising 

structures of pilgrims’ 

screening across its three 

senatorial districts as well as 

decentralising medical 

screening across same zones. 

THE Chief Imam of Ajegunle 

Central Mosque, Boundary in 

Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local 

Government Area of Lagos State, 

Ismail Owolabi Bako has called for 

proper upbringing and monitoring 

of the girl-child especially from age 

10 and above saying this would 

minimize child sexual abuse across 

the country. 

Also, he advised parents and 

guardians to disallow unhealthy 

interaction of such children with 

the opposite sex. 

He was speaking with Vanguard 

shortly after a seminar titled: 

Community Pledge Against Child 

Sexual Abuse, organised by Cece 

Yara Foundation in collaboration 

with the Ministry of Justice and 

the Domestic Violence Response 

Team with the support of United 

Nations International Children's 

Emergency Fund, UNICEF, held at 

Ajegunle Central Mosque, Lagos 

recently. 

The Chief Imam said children 

under age 10, should be well 

monitored and guided to minimise 

incessant social ills in the society. 

He said: "We should monitor and 

train female children till age 40 to 

guard against social ills in the 

society. Moreso, if we can train 

them to retain their virginity, this 

is a plus to us as it is like guiding 

the entire nation against rape and 

molestation.” 

The Executive Director of the 

Foundation, Grace Ketefe said 

Ajegunle being a densely 

The state pilgrims’ 

commission has also been in 

the forefront of carrying out 

pilgrims’ enlightenment on 

electronic and print media in 

addition to one-on-one 

pilgrim education 

campaigns. Initiatives like 

these explain the 

coordinated execution of hajj 

schedules that KSHC has 

come to be known for. 

“Indeed, NAHCON had 

during 2018 Hajj 

commended the same Kogi 

Commission for its timely 

preparations that ultimately 

saw its pilgrims being first to 

be airlifted into and from 

Saudi Arabia. 

It is NAHCON’s prayer that 

KSHC under the 

chairmanship of Sheikh 

Luqman Imam Abdullahi will 

continue to achieve 

admirable feats in hajj 

management that will take 

the state and nation at large 

to international reverence. 

Chief Imam tasks parents on child 

upbringing 

…as Foundation battles 30 cases of child 

sexual abuse 

BY BOSE ADELAJA 

populated community is one of 

the mostly affected areas in terms 

of child sexual abuse. 

While enumerating the 

consequences of child sexual 

abuse, she urged the worshippers 

to guard against Sexually 

Transmitted Infections, STIs, and 

unwanted pregnancies among 

female children. 

*Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, ADSN, Lagos State 

Council Chairman, Alhaji AbdurRahman Salaudeen (2nd left) 

with the Tempo Group National Sales Manager, Allan Sonza 

after Health Walk organised by ADSN Lagos State Women 

Council in Oshodi, Lagos. With them from left: ADSN Lagos 

State Women Council Chairperson, Alhaja Safirah 

Animashaun, ADSN incoming National President, Alhaji Rafiu 

Sanni and National First Assistant Secretary, Alhaji Muritala 

Popoola. 

Why I accepted to be Balogun Musulumi of 

Itesi Egba Alake – Akintunde 

The former President of the National Council of Muslim 

Youth Organisations, NACOMYO, Alhaji Kamaldeen 

Akintunde, has been conferred with the title: Balogun 

Musulumi of Itesi in Egba Alake, Ogun State. 

The conferment was held on Saturday at the Itesi Central 

Mosque, Abeokuta, Ogun State just as the Chief Imam of the 

Itesi Central Mosque, Alhaji AbdulGaniy Salaudeen eulogised 

the exemplary character of Akintunde describing him as a 

doyen of Islam. 

Alhaji Salaudeen admonished the new Balogun Muslumi to 

continue to use his wealth of experience in public service to 

benefit Muslims and propagate the Islamic faith. 

In his lecture at the occasion, the Chief Imam of Gbagura, 

Professor Kamaldeen Balogun advised the new Balogun 

Musulumi to be humble and seek the help of Allah in his new 

assignment as an ambassador of Islam in the community. 

Professor Balogun implored Akintunde to be a role model, 

wary of sins and not associate with people of questionable 

character who will ill-advise him. 

Akintunde said he accepted the title based on his resolve to 

further serve Allah by promoting intra and inter-religious 

harmony within and outside the community. 

“With this conferment, it is an added responsibility because 

this title is a leadership responsibility and opportunity to 

use my experience in several activities outside my 

community and bring it to bear in my local community having 

served Islam in several capacities, both at state and national 

levels. 

“I think the inter-religious harmony, collaboration, 

networking between various religious groups and communities, 

is uppermost and very important. By this responsibility, I 

should ensure that.” 

New Balogun Musulumi of Itesi, Alhaji Kamaldeen Akintunde and his wives. 

Photo: Wunmi Akinola.

Rajab 29, 1440 A.H. 

Apply to be registered ered as political party 

ty, 

NSCIA tells CAN 

•Says letter to NASS is ill-motivated 

THE Nigerian Supreme Council for 

Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, has slammed 

the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN 

describing it as a political party in a religious 

garb. 

The apex Islamic body also urged CAN to 

apply to the Independent National Electoral 

Commission, INEC to be registered as a fullfledged 

political party, rather than front for 

politicians who nurse the ambitions of 

holding political offices. 

This followed CAN’s position requesting 

the National Assembly to balance the 

appointments of their principal officers 

across religious divides to avoid domination 

and marginalisation of any kind. 

Reacting to CAN’s request to the 

lawmakers, NSCIA in a statement signed by 

its Deputy Secretary-General, Prof. Salisu 

Shehu, said just as there are Christian 

Political parties in other climes such as 

Australia, Germany and New Zealand, the 

body should rather apply to be registered 

as a political party. 

Meanwhile, further to CAN's repeated cry 

of marginalisation of its members in 

government parastatals, NSCIA called on 

the Federal Government to conduct a 

holistic census of all Federal Ministries, 

Departments and Agencies including higher 

institutions of learning to determine whether 

there is anywhere Muslims constitute up to 

30 per cent of the staff strength and 

thereafter ensure compliance with the 

sections of the Constitution cited by CAN. 

The group added that the chronic 

intolerance and political partisanship of CAN 

and its alter egos are becoming alarming, 

adding that “they are ardent at purveying 

blatant falsehood and fake news. 

“Given the trajectory of the recent activities 

of the Christian Association of Nigeria, 

CAN, the Nigerian Supreme Council for 

Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, like other informed 

groups and people in Nigeria, cannot but 

wonder whether CAN still remains a religious 

body or a political party in a religious garb. 

“The Council is persuaded to believe the 

latter because of the Association’s posture 

as the counterfoil for and opposition to 

everything Islam and Muslims in this 

country. 

"We cannot also but wonder whether 

Islamophobia has indeed not replaced the 

more important responsibility of giving 

direction to millions of our compatriots who 

are law-abiding citizens of the Christian faith. 

It is really benumbing that CAN appears to 

be giving credence and relevance to the 

rhetorical question asked centuries ago: “if 

gold rust, what should iron do? 

“Specifically, the statement issued by 

Pastor Adebayo Oladeji (Special Assistant 

Media and Communication to CAN 

President) on behalf of CAN is the last straw 

to break the camel’s back in the Association’s 

ill-advised and ill-motivated interventions in 

the polity. The statement of CAN, addressed 

to the leadership of the National Assembly, 

partly reads: 

As you prepare for your inauguration, 

CAN urges you to balance the 

appointments of your principal officers 

across religious divides to avoid 

domination and marginalisation of any 

kind in the interest of equity, justice, and 

fair play as enshrined in the 1999 

Constitution (as amended). 

Although both the Senate and the House 

of Representatives have several principal 

officers, our focus here are the Senate 

President, the Deputy Senate President, the 

Speaker and the Deputy Speaker. As it 

has been the practice since 1999, 

whenever the Senate President is a 

Christian, the Speaker of the House 

has always been a Muslim and viceversa. 

And the same thing happens to 

their deputies. 

Our quest becomes imperative due 

to the existing order in the two other 

arms of the government. Today, both 

the President and the acting Chief 

Justice of Nigeria are Muslims and 

our appeal is to let either the Senate 

President or the Speaker be a 

Christian to address the religious 

dichotomy. This will give all 

Nigerians a sense of belonging 

irrespective of their religious 

affiliations. 

“Is CAN suffering from selective 

amnesia or is it just obsessed with 

chronic mendacity? Was there no 

CAN between 2009 and 2011 when 

Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was the 

President of the Federal Republic of 

Nigeria, Justice Aloyious Katsina- 

Alu was the Chief Justice of Nigeria, 

Senator David A. B. Mark was 

President of the Senate and Senator 

Ike Ekweremadu was Deputy Senate 

President? Was there religious 

balance in 2007 when David Mark 

was elected Senate President and 

Patricia Etteh was elected Speaker? 

Was there no 1999 Constitution at 

that time? 

“Even prior to 1999, the two arms 

of the National Assembly were 

headed by Christians. For instance, 

while between 1979 and 1983, the 

Senate was headed by Joseph Wayas 

and the House of Representatives 

by Ume-Ezeoke, from October to 

December, 1983, Joseph Wayas and 

Benjamin Chaha were leading the 

respective chambers. Furthermore, in 

the aborted Third Republic, the 

Senate Presidents were Iyocha Ayu 

and Ameh Ebute while the Speaker 

was Hon. Anakwo. 

“CAN also condemned Mallam 

Nasir El-Rufai for choosing a Muslim 

as his running mate and claimed that 

he had committed a political harakiri. 

The same CAN chose to turn a 

blind eye to Ekiti, Benue, Edo, Ondo 

and Plateau states where Muslims 

have a substantial number of 

indigenes and yet are denied the 

deputy governorship slots. Civilian 

governors of Plateau State, for 

instance, prior to 1999, had Muslims as 

What is the 

essence of 

conferring with 

hate-filled 

religious leaders 

whose wish is for 

Muslims to be 

exterminated 

from the polity 

and Nigerian 

society? 

their deputies but since the advent of the 

Fourth Republic, Muslims have not been 

considered for the position of deputy 

governor. Yet, the NSCIA has chosen not 

to dabble into such political issues but our 

silence is now being taken as stupidity by 

CAN. 

“The sheer impudence of CAN 

leaders and their chronic insincerity 

led them to release a statement that 

the leadership of parastatals under the 

Ministry of Education was dominated 

by Muslims but were embarrassed 

when the statistics of the last 10 years 

was presented to them by NSCIA. 

“Let CAN apply to the Independent 

National Electoral Commission, INEC 

to be registered as a full-fledged 

political party as “politicians in 

cassock,” to quote the CAN President 

himself, rather than front for politicians 

who nurse the ambitions of holding 

political offices. In other climes such 

as Australia, Germany, New Zealand, 

etc., there are Christian political parties 

and CAN should rather be 

straightforward and apply to be 

registered as a political party, if the 

Nigerian Constitution allows that 

tomfoolery. 

“The NSCIA is also well informed 

of the surreptitious pressure CAN is 

mounting on Christian judges serving 

in the various election petition 

tribunals across the country, under a 

pseudo-Christian organisation, to 

ensure the victory of Christians and/ 

or their sympathizers. Even the recent 

release of the so-called National 

Christian Elders Forum, NCEF lends 

credence to this point. 

“The indecorous and outright 

partisan statement by CAN which is 

meant to polarize the country has 

created doubt in NSCIA and any rightthinking 

person about the 

genuineness of the partnership of 

CAN with NSCIA. What is the 

essence of conferring with hate-filled 

religious leaders whose wish is for 

Muslims to be exterminated from the 

polity and Nigerian society? 

All these must stop! CAN should 

save itself from creating hatred in the 

minds of well-meaning Nigerians 

through its divisive and evil-impelled 

interventions.” 

"Vanguard, FRIDAY APRIL 5, 2019—27 

BARKA JUMAH 

Love and faith 

Love and faith needs to be balanced. The proof of 

having triumphed and truly lived a joyous life is to 

never speak ill of others. 

Pray hard. Forever lean on Allah. Do good always, 

and never waver. 

May Allah gift to you and all yours a grand life 

without bitterness. Happy Jumat. 

— Dr. Adewale Adeeyo, OON 

Jalsa Tarbiya: Ahmadiyya a Muslims 

gather in Warri 

ALL is set for the 4th Eastern Regional Conference of Ahmadiyya 

Muslim Jamaat, Nigeria. The three-day event scheduled to 

commence on Friday, April 12, 2019 in Warri, Delta State, is tagged: 

Jalsa Tarbiya for moral training. 

In a statement signed by the Naibul Amir, Eastern Region, Dr. 

AbdulGaniyy Enahoro, the event will be declared open by the National 

President/Amir of the group, Dr. Mash’hud Aderenle Fashola. 

Enahoro said dignitaries across religions and traditional rulers will 

grace the occasion as well as leaders of the Jama’at from the headquarters 

in Lagos, Abuja, Edo, Delta, Rivers and other states in the South-South 

and South-East geo-political zones, will attend the event. 

The theme of the conference is: Recognition of God: A true means of 

salvation. 

Ahmadiyya Jamaat is a 130-year-old religious organisation, known 

worldwide for preaching and promoting peaceful coexistence, 

tolerance, education and provision of social services including 

establishment of hospitals for the enhancement of human life. 

The conference which will be held at MOM Civic Center along Airport 

Road, Warri, shall include two segments. The first segment, he said, will 

be devoted to lectures on moral regeneration in our current decadent 

society, and peaceful co-existence among different faiths, while the 

second segment, the Economic Summit, will take place on Saturday, 

April 13, 2019 at 11am and would be tailored towards job creation, 

featuring presentations by a panel of successful business professionals 

on the various opportunities available in Nigeria that could generate 

employment for the youth. 

The speakers have been selected based on their identified moral 

orientation and accomplishments in business, and would speak on the 

theme, albeit from their business perspective. They will be addressing 

the audience on the resilience that is required for a successful business 

in a dipping economy without compromising strict moral values and 

good virtues. 

From left: Pa Saula Owoiya; Pa Mukaila Adebanjo, Pa Owolabi 

Amusa; Prince Abdul-Wahab Onasanya Mumuney (2nd right) 

receiving an award of Exellence Service from Alh Saka Jinadu 

of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society, Agbowa, recently. 

Prince Abdul-Wahab Onasanya Mumuney, awardee, (middle) with Prince Adedoyin Mumuney, 

Union Chairman, Vanguard Media Limited, son of the awaardee (2nd left); Prince Adeola 

Mumuney, grand-son (2nd right); Prince Nurudeen Adetoye (right) and other members of the 

family during the award ceremony organised by Ansar-Ud-Deen Society, Agbowa branch held 

in Agbowa, Lagos, recently.

28 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, April 5, 2019 

By Ola Ajayi 

IBADAN—UNLESS both 

the Olubadan of 

Ibadanland, Oba Saliu 

Adetunji and eleven 

members of Olubadan-in- 

Council, who serve as the 

kingmakers of the ancient 

city, sheathe their swords, 

the peace that has been 

ruptured in the once-orderly 

traditional institution may 

remain elusive for years to 

come. 

After various interventions 

by the Central Council of 

Ibadan Indigenes, Ibadan 

indigenes in Diaspora, 

Ibadan Elders Forum, 

several indigenes of the city 

were delighted that the royal 

tussle between the monarch 

and his kingmakers was 

about to be resolved. 

In fact, the reconciliation 

had reached an advanced 

stage that the high chiefs had 

attended series of meetings 

at the Olubadan palace. But, 

with the latest altercations 

between the two parties, it is 

apparent that the muchcherished 

peace being 

sought has finally taken flight 

from the traditional council. 

Botched peace move 

The peace move was going 

on smoothly until the death 

of Iyalode, Alhaja Aminat 

Abiodun on December 8, 2018 

at the age of 94. Though there 

appears to be no controversy 

over who should be installed 

as the new Iyalode, it is the 

process that would lead to her 

installation that has thrown a 

spanner in the wheel of 

reconciliation between the two 

parties. 

Both parties have agreed 

that Chief (Mrs.) Theresa 

Oyekanmi should step in as 

the new Iyalode because the 

ascendancy arrangement is 

not shrouded in mystery. 

When Vanguard spoke with 

Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, 

one of the credible voices in 

the Olubadan-in-Council, he 

said the Olubadan was not 

following the right order. 

According to him, instead of 

the monarch to involve them 

in all the processes leading 

to the emergence of a new 

Iyalode, he said the monarch 

sent a letter to them to sign. 

Another score that the 

council is trying to settle with 

the Olubadan is the alleged 

illegal involvement of his wife 

in traditional matters, which 

the high chiefs see as 

usurpation of their roles. 

Olubadan accused of 

irregularities, illegalities 

While speaking on behalf of 

the Olubadan-in-Council, 

Otun Olubadan, Oba Lekan 

Balogun, the second in 

•Rasak Ahmed who died in NSCDC custody in Ondo 

By Monsuru Olowoopejo 

LAGOS—EXACTLY two 

weeks after the Lagos 

IBADAN ROYAL CRISIS: 

Olubadan, kingmakers’ crisis deepens 

had been smooth until the 

command to the Olubadan, 

said: “We want to draw the 

attention of the people of 

Ibadan to some irregularities 

and illegalities embarked 

upon by the Olubadan. We are 

members of the Olubadan-in- 

Council but we are being 

sidelined by the Olubadan. 

“Against tradition, Oba 

Adetunji is running a oneman-show, 

disregarding the 

Council. He appoints Mogajis 

and Baales without making 

any recourse to the Council. 

“Most of the things that he 

does are illegal. For instance, 

the Olori is not a member of 

the Olubadan-in-Council but 

in his own case, the Olori 

unilaterally takes decisions on 

his behalf. 

“If Olubadan thinks we do 

not matter, we also can show 

that he doesn’t matter 

without us. He should not 

forget that when he was to 

be made the Olubadan, he 

rose through the Council. We 

(the Olubadan-in-Council) 

made Olubadan out of him, he 

did not make us what we are, 

but we made him the 

Olubadan.” 

“Kabiyesi, Oba Adetunji has 

turned the institution of 

Olubadan into a personal 

affair which can be run at his 

wife’s whims and caprices, but 

which amounts to illegality. 

Contrary to their belief at the 

Popoyemoja palace that 

Olubadan is an authority unto 

himself, we are telling the 

whole world that Olubadan 

only exists with his council. 

“The danger of what they are 

doing in the palace has been 

manifesting in the ridiculous 

action of appointing two or 

more mogajis from the same 

compound, honouring people 

with Mogaji title based on 

friendship as well as cash and 

carry award of Baales to 

undeserving people,” the 

Obas stated. 

Olubadan hits back at Ibadan 

chiefs 

But replying through his 

Director of Media and Public 

Affairs, Mr. Adeola Oloko, 

the Olubadan said before 

peace can return to the 

institution, all the nine 

promoted kings have to part 

with their crowns which he 

described as illegal. 

The Olubadan said: “Apart 

from violating our customs 

and tradition, there is no law 

that backs the wearing of 

illegal crowns in Ibadanland. 

He recalled that he had 

expected the high chiefs to 

comply with the Oyo State 

High Court judgment which 

declared the State 

Government reform that 

produced the crowns as 

illegal, null, void and of no 

effect. 

“If anybody should be 

castigated for denigrating 

our institution, it is the 

embattled high chiefs with 

inordinate ambition to 

become monarchs without 

domains that should 

examine themselves. It is 

those who commit crime 

against Yoruba customs and 

tradition and do not repent 

that deserve to be castigated. 

“It is those who run away 

from the palace and turn 

round to say they are not 

carried along. It is those who 

flagrantly disobey court 

orders. It is the chiefs who 

are sent to represent the 

Olubadan at the Local 

Government Traditional 

Councils but seize 

Olubadan’s salaries that 

have violated our customs 

and tradition. 

Crisis has political 

undertone 

Some residents in the city 

are saying the crisis appears 

to wear a toga of politics 

noting that the peace moves 

Ita-Faaji collapsed building: Two weeks 

after, Panel fails to submit report 

*Why we can’t submit report now-Panel 

defeat of All Progressives 

Congress at the governorship 

poll. Most politicians who 

are opposed to the review of 

1959 Olubadan chieftaincy 

declaration are in the 

opposition parties. It is the 

belief of many people that 

politicians like a former 

governor of the state, Senator 

Rashidi Ladoja are the ones 

behind the derailment of the 

peace move. 

When Engr. Seyi Makinde 

won the election, all peace 

moves stopped abruptly. It is 

believed that the governorelect 

is not favourably 

disposed to the review of the 

declaration and may reverse 

it when he is sworn in as the 

governor. 

This indication reflected in 

the recent comment from 

Olubadan's palace when his 

Personal Assistant, Adeola 

Oloko said: “Rather than 

engage in blame game, the 

embattled high chiefs who 

are understandably afraid of 

what is likely to befall them 

after May 29 when power 

would have changed hands, 

should have been bold 

enough to apologise to the 

entire people of Ibadanland 

in particular and the Yoruba 

people in general for 

undermining our custom and 

tradition.” 

O SOGBO—FORMER 

Governor of Oyo State, 

Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala 

has said that the best solution 

to the protracted problem of 

Ladoke Akintola University of 

Technology, LAUTECH, is to 

be run by a single state, saying 

the present joint ownership 

was responsible for its woes. 

The university is jointly 

owned by Oyo and Osun 

states. 

Otunba Akala made the 

suggestion during the 

foundation-laying ceremony 

of the N25m LAUTECH 

Alumni’s e-library in 

Ogbomoso. 

Akala said it was high time 

they stopped shifting 

responsibility by allowing one 

state take the driver's seat, 

while saying he would try to 

prevail on the governor-elect 

of Oyo State, Hon. Seyi 

Makinde, to see reasons to 

make Oyo State a sole 

proprietorship. 

He noted that Oyo State 

would be negligent in their 

duty when it is their turn to 

carry the responsibility of the 

State Government 

inaugurated a five-man panel 

of inquiry to investigate the 

collapsed three-storey 

building on 63 Massey Street 

in Ita-Faaji, the panel has 

failed to submit its report. 

The state government had 

appointed a panel, chaired by 

Engr. Wasiu Olokunola, with 

a mandate to submit its 

report two weeks after their 

swearing in. 

A source in the ministry 

told Vanguard that they were 

still expecting the five-man 

panel to submit their report 

as earlier stated in their 

terms. 

He noted that the report 

was expected because the 

recommendation would assist 

the government to issue 

possibly a white-paper that 

would assist in stemming the 

tide of building collapse in 

Lagos. 

Panel member reacts 

Explaining reasons the 

panel was unable to submit 

its report, a member of the 

committee, who spoke under 

condition of anonymity, 

explained that they have 

started compiling their 

findings on the collapsed 

building. 

He noted that the report 

cannot be done in a hurry 

because there was need to 

examine outcome of all tests 

conducted on materials 

collected from the site. 

The member stressed that 

the panel's aim was to conduct 

a thorough investigation and 

make best recommendations 

to the government. 

Joint ownership 

responsible for LAUTECH’s 

woes — Akala 

By Gbenga Olarinoye 

university so also Osun. "We 

are needlessly playing the 

institution like a card. If Osun 

is going to be the owner, let 

them have it and if it is Oyo, it 

will be okay instead of testing 

our political skills with the 

school.” 

The foundation-laying event 

which was well attended by 

dignitaries from all walks of 

life, also had the Vice- 

Chancellor of the institution, 

Prof. Michael Ologunde; the 

President of LAUTECH 

Alumni Association, Mr 

Solomon Onilede; Chairman 

of the Alumni Board of 

Trustees, Chief Jide Bewaji; 

the Benefactor and Chairman 

of Maigida Foundation, Dr 

Samson Adegoke and some 

other traditional rulers in 

attendance. 

The President of the alumni 

association, Solomon Onilede, 

in his welcome address, 

stressed that education is the 

only legacy that could 

guarantee a child’s future, 

noting that leaving behind 

several edifices for a child to 

inherit was not enough.

GADGET OF THE WEEK 

By Juliet Umeh 

Many occasions, 

people get tired 

of moving their laptop 

about probably because of 

the weight and the space 

it occupies. But, such 

people need not worry 

because technology has 

evolved in such a way 

that one can have a functional 

keyboard known as 

QWERTY right inside a 

small hand bag. 

Recently, a Chinese device 

maker, Royole, introduced 

this keyboard 

which you can slip into a 

bag and the person will 

never be far away from a 

decent typing surface. 

This device is basically 

a transparent and thin 

layer of a sheet that features 

full-fledged 

QWERTY keys. 

Edited by: 

Prince Osuagwu 

08050498513 

princeosuagwu@gmail.com 

Seen QWERTY, , a foldable keyboar 

yboard? 


IS your Android phone 

also suffering from insufficient 

storage error? If 

yes, don’t worry. You are 

not the only one; a lot of 

low budget Smartphones 

suffers the same fate. But 

the good news is that you 

can stop such problems 

with this procedure. 

*Clear App Cache 

to free up space 

Cache is probably one of 

the main causes of the 

insufficient storage available 

error that bedevils 

Android users. Usually, 

any Android app uses 

three sets of storage which 

includes app itself, app’s 

data files and the app’s 

cache. 

So if the cache turns 

large in size, a huge part 

of the space will be occupied. 

To have some space, 

go to setting and from 

Applications manager 

option, identify the irrelevant 

downloaded apps 

with much space and delete. 


Recognising some of 

the challenges bedevilling 

Nigeria such 

as traffic gridlocks, energy 

inefficiency, and 

waste management, an 

Information Technology 

and Software Developer 

organisation, Datacrest 

Technology Limited, has 

unveiled Smart City solutions 

in Nigeria. 

The company which 

says it partners with 

Original Equipment 

Manufacturers, OEMs, 

introduced the solutions 

at the recently concluded 

Oracle Cloud Day 

2019 held in Lagos, with 

For people who love to 

sit in the bus, or in a shop 

and type WhatsApp messages 

to friends, this keyboard 

is probably a better 

option for them. 

It is powered by a rechargeable 

battery and 

can be paired with a phone 

or tablet via Bluetooth. 

The entire keyboard can 

be rolled into a stick that’s 

about as tall as a 

Smartphone, making it 

incredibly easy to carry 

around. 

How to use it 

You have to roll it out and 

place it on any surface. 

The flexible film is transparent, 

featuring a drawing 

that matches a regular 

laptop keyboard. 

However, if you want a 

keyboard that’s a lot more 

portable than existing keyboard 

and can connect to 

mobile devices wirelessly; 

this keyboard could be 

your option. 

GEEK ‘N’ TEK 

Tips to solve your 

smartphone's insufficient 

storage problem 

Smartphone 

*Transfer Photos/Videos 

from Android to 

Computer 

Move some large files 

including photos, videos, 

audios, and others to your 

computer to create some 

space. To do this, you 

need a piece of third-party 

data transfer tool such as 

MiniTool Mobile Recovery 

to do so. 

*Save Pictures & Videos 

to external SD Card instead 

of internal memory 

In addition to moving 

NEWS 

pictures and videos to a 

computer, you fix the problem 

by saving your pictures 

or videos to an SD card. 

After that, change the default 

storage for the pictures 

and videos firstly remove 

them to the SD card. 

*Uninstall Unwanted 

Apps 

If you download many 

apps on your Android device 

and use them simultaneously, 

this can block 

cache memory on your 

phone, leading to Android 

insufficient storage. 

Tech intelligence: Datacrest offers 

smart city solutionsa 

a promise to assist governments, 

corporate organisations 

and individuals 

solve the issues. 

Speaking to the press 

during the event, the 

Managing Director & 

CEO of Datacrest, Mr. 

Kehinde Olashore said 

that as a data-driven 

company, they are passionate 

about offering 

practical solutions with 

the aid of data to meet the 

growing needs of corporations 

and governments. 

He noted that 

they have a suite of products 

on offer; from CRM 

to ERP, business intelligence 

to artificial intelligence 

technologies. 

He said: “We are also 

focusing heavily on 

groundbreaking technologies 

like Blockchain. We 

have a number of usecases, 

which we are currently 

deploying in Nigeria. 

We also deal with 

intelligent Chatbots, and 

we have a vast range of 

IT solutions for different 

aspects of industries.” 

Smart City Solutions 

“There are issues we 

are trying to solve in the 

Smart City space. We 

look at the pain points for 

different industries by 

either saving money, enabling 

efficiency or redefining 

the current solutions 

they have for either 

reduction in human power 

or time-related issues. 


No country can survive without 

tourism — Ned Nwoko 

Former House of 


member, Mr Ned Nwoko 

on Tuesday in Abuja said 

no country can survive 

without harnessing the 

potentials in the tourism 

sector. 

Nwoko, who is the 

Chairman, Project Tourism 

disclosed this during 

the formal unveiling and 

launch of the project organised 

by Linas International 

Ltd in collaboration 

with the Nigerian Tourism 

Development Corporation, 

NTDC, held in 

Abuja. According to him, 

the initiative would 

project the tourism assets 

in the country and run 

profitable projects that 

would highlight Nigeria’s 

hospitality culture as well 

as her rich cultural endowments. 

“Project Tourism is an 

initiative conceptualised 

to among other things, 

project the rich tourism 

assts of Nigeria and run 

profitable projects that 

will highlight our country’s 

hospitality culture as 

well as her rich cultural 

endowments.” 

He added that Project 

Tourism would focus on 

four key areas, which include 

culture village, 

grassroots sports development, 

host family 

scheme and global road 

show. He added that the 

culture village project targets 

existing villages, 

towns or cities that have 

viable tourist attractions, 

while the grassroots 

sports development would 

identify, nurture, encourage 

and manage talents 

in all areas of sports at the 

grassroots level. 

*CULTURE— THE rich tradition and cultural 

heritage of Benin Kingdom was showcased recently 

in Benin as His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo 

Ewuare II celebrated the “Ugie Ododua”. The 

ceremony which usually lasts for 14 days is for the 

commemoration of the return of Oranmiyan, the son 

of Ododua to Benin Kingdom and the beginning of 

the Obaship dynasty in the kingdom. The Ugie 

Ododua which is synonymous with Ovia Deity usually 

features ritual dance performances by seven 

masquerade dancers at the Ugha-Ehengbuda axis of 

the Benin Palace. Photo by Gabriel Enogholase. 

Hotels set for Easter celebration 

AS the Easter season 

approaches, hotels 

are already unveiling 

packages that will make 

the celebration worth the 

while for guests and customers. 

Southern Sun 

Ikoyi Hotel is offering 

guests the opportunity to 

enjoy a wonderfully chic 

and uncluttered room for 

a bed and breakfast stay 

at the hotel at the special 

rate in all its rooms inclusive 

of a refreshing 

breakfast for two. 

Famed for its fine dining 

and serene ambience, 

the Easter holiday’s package 

by Southern Sun Ikoyi 

is one dedicated to give 

guests a memorable treat 

of exquisite dishes designed 

to truly satisfy the 

taste buds and yearnings 

of guests with an experience 

reminiscent of a culinary 

ecstasy through its 

wide varieties on its special 

Easter Sunday 

brunch. Guests have been 

promised impressive experience 

of synergy of 

stylish sophistication and 

luxurious elegance, combining 

classic contemporary 

design with modern 

trends and rich textures 

with beautifully furnished 

rooms. For fitness enthusiasts, 

the gym is well 

equipped to meet their 

needs and is run with staff 

who are extremely warm, 

friendly and working together 

in making your 

overall stay at the hotel a 

memorable one. 

Also, the Sheraton Hotels 

in Lagos and Abuja 

have promised to offer 

families and friends the 

ideal place to dine together. 

The Area General 

Manager for Marriott 

The National Institute 

for Hospitality and 

Tourism, NIHOTOUR, 

has scheduled a four-day 

training programme for 

the Nigeria tourism media 

under the auspices of the 

Association of Nigerian 

Journalists and Writers of 

Tourism, ANJET. 

The Acting Director- 

General of NIHOTOUR, 

Mr. Kabir Momoh said 

the training billed for Abuja 

is part of its commitment 

to human capital 

building and deepening 

Hotels in Nigeria, Barry 

Curran, said: “Our aim is 

to create truly exciting experiences 

for everyone 

this Easter Holiday. 

“For those visiting 

Sheraton Lagos Hotel, we 

have put together a compelling 

package on our 

rooms. On Easter Sunday, 

we are offering a special 

brunch inclusive of nonalcoholic 

beverages and 

kids 12 years and below 

will be entitled to eat for 

half the price." 

Institute to train Journalists 

in Tourism sector 

reportage of the tourism 

sector. “This is one of the 

core mandates of the institute 

as it has over the 

years developed teaching 

modules and training 

packages for the different 

operators of tourism businesses 

in Nigeria,”Mr 

Momoh stated. 

According to him, AN- 

JET members are part of 

the tourism family and are 

crucial to the development 

and achievements 

that the sector have recorded 

over the years.


Polls: Court nullifies APC primaries that produced 

Ogboru’s candidature 

By Festus Ahon 

ASABA—A Federal 

High Court sitting in 

Asaba, Delta State, 

yesterday, nullified All 


APC, governorship 

primaries of September 30, 

2018 that produced Chief 

Great Ogboru as its 

governorship candidate for 

the just concluded general 

election. 

The plaintiff, Mr Victor 

Ochei, who was dissatisfied 

with the conduct of the APC 

primaries, had approached 

the court to seek cancellation 

of the primaries. 

Ochei urged the court to, 

among others, invalidate the 

results of APC primaries, 

arguing that the list of 

delegates used for the 

primaries was not that 

envisaged by the consent 

judgment of the court. 

He argued that aspirants 

did not get any advanced list 

of delegates prior to the APC 

primaries. 


Nnamdi Dimgba cancelled 

the APC governorship 

primaries that produced 

Ogboru, in addition to 

granting four out of the five 

reliefs sought by the plaintiff 

but did not grant relief four 

due to the effusion of time. 

The court said: “All the 

reliefs sought in this suit are 

similar with those for which 

Justice Adegoke 

pronounced judgment on, so 

I grant reliefs 1, 2, 3, 5. But 

relief 4 is refused because the 

governorship election is over 

and the relief is spent.” 

Dimgba said the Federal 

High Court had one 

jurisdiction and as such 

could not be seen giving 

discordant judgment, 

adding: “Having considered 

the decisions reached by the 

Federal High Court in the 

case of Cyril Ogodo, which 

has similar reliefs and the fact 

that some of the defendants 

in this suit are the same, the 

court has decided to follow 

the decisions arrived at in the 

Ogodo case.” 

FINANCIAL LITERACY DAY: From left, Abimbola Agbejule, Head Sustainability 

and CSR, Mohammed Kawu, Regional Manager, North; Mr Ademola Adebise, Managing 

Director, all of Wema Bank; Gade A. Guda, Vice Principal (Admin) Government Girls 

Secondary School, Kaduna and some of the students during the financial literacy day 

event at the school, in Kaduna. 

Nwaoboshi appeals judgment, says 

he remains senator-elect 

By Innocent 

Anaba & Henry 

Umoru 

S ENATOR-ELECT 

f o r 

Delta North senatorial 

district and serving 

senator, Peter Nwaoboshi, 

whose nomination as 


PDP, candidate to 

represent the senatorial 

district in the just 

concluded general 

elections, was nullified by 

a Federal High Court 

sitting in Abuja, on 

Wednesday, has asked 

the Court of Appeal 

sitting in Abuja to set 

aside the judgment. 

The lower court had 

ordered Independent 

National Electoral 

Commission, INEC, to 

immediately publish the 

name of the plaintiff, 

Prince Ned Nwoko, 

declaring him as the 

authentic candidate of 

PDP for Delta North 

senatorial district. 

Nwaoboshi in the appeal 

is contending that the trial 

judge overreached himself 

by deciding the suit on the 

basis of highly contradicted/ 

conflicting evidence, as the 

ballot papers upon which 

the trial judge based his 

judgment were seriously 

controverted and ballot 

counting was impossible 

without calling a witness. 


trial judge erred in law 

when he held that the 

suit was not caught by the 

14 days rule in section 

285(9) Fourth Alternation 

to the Constitution of the 

Federal Republic of 

Nigeria 1999 (as 

amended), as the primary 

election, subject matter of 

the suit, was conducted on 

October 2, 2018 and the 

14 days time allowed 

started running on the 

same October 2, 2018 

when the primary election 

took place 

That the trial judge 

erred in law when he held 

that he had jurisdiction to 

entertain the suit despite 

same being filed on 

December 11, 2018 

because the 1st 

respondent had earlier 

filed a suit before the 

High Court of the Federal 

Capital Territory, Abuja, 

which he withdrew and 

was struck out on 

December 11, 2018, as the 

said suit was caught by 

the same 14 days rule in 

view of section 285(9) 

Fourth Alteration to the 

constitution of the Federal 

Republic of Nigeria, 1999 

(as amended) upon the 

filling of a preliminary 

objection by the 

appellant. 

He is contending that 

the suit herein is not a 

continuation of the one 

before the High Court of 

the FCT, adding that the 

said suit before the High 

Court of the FCT was not 

transferred to the Federal 

High Court, Abuja neither 

was it the same as the 

present one. 

That the learned trial 

judge erred in law when he 

granted prayers (3) and (4) 

in the originating summons 

in favour of the 1st 

respondent thereby 

replacing the 1st 

respondent with the 

appellant as winner of the 

primary election conducted 

on October 2, 2018, noting 

that the aspirants and their 

scores at the said primary 

election were as follow; Paul 

Osagie, 216; Sen. 

Nwaoboshi (appellant), 

506; Prince Nwoko, 453; 

adding that the appellant 

clearly emerged winner 

with 506 votes as against 

the 1st respondent’s 453 

votes. 

According to him, rather 

than take and determine the 

said motion seeking to set 

aside the said order, the 

court took the motion along 

with the objection and the 

substantive suit by giving 

no room to the 3rd 

respondent to obey or 

disobey the court order. 

I remain senatorelect—Nwaoboshi 

Meanwhile, Nwaoboshi, 

yesterday, insisted that he 

remained a senatorelect, 

saying: “The beauty of 

Nigeria’s legal system is 

that we rely on precedence. 

What is even worrisome is 

that the same judge, who 

delivered the judgment on 

April 3, had ruled on similar 

case that the case was filed 

out of time. This country 

must be civil, this country 

is not where people believe 

and boast that they can buy 

judgment. 

“My party (PDP) has 

come to court to say that I 

am its candidate. I was not 

sacked and there was no 

order that said INEC 

should withdraw my 

certificate of return and it 

was not asked. The court 

does not give what you did 

not ask because the court 

is not Father Christmas.” 

Zamfara gov poll: Tribunal 

relocates to Abuja, okays 

APGA’s petition 

By Ikechukwu 

Nnochiri 

ABUJA— ZAMFARA 

State Governorship 

Election Petition Tribunal has 

relocated its proceedings to 

Abuja, citing security concerns 

in the state. 

The tribunal, which held its 

inaugural sitting, yesterday, 

okayed a petition lodged 

before it by the gubernatorial 

candidate of All Progressive 

Grand Alliance, APGA, in the 

state, Alhaji Sani Shinkafi. 

The three-man panel 

headed by Justice Binta 

Amina granted an ex-parte 

application the APGA 

candidate filed to be allowed 

to serve copies of his petition 

on All Progressives Congress, 

APC, and its candidate, 

Mukhta Idris, through 

substituted means. 

The tribunal gave the 

petitioner the nod to paste all 

the processes on the wall of 

APC National Headquarters 

in Abuja. 

Shinkafi and APGA had 

through their lawyer, Mr. 

Ifeanyi Mbaeri, applied to be 

allowed to effect service of the 

processes on any adult staff 

at APC National Secretariat 

situated at Plot 40, Blantyre 

Street, Wuse 2 or by pasting 

the petition and all other 

processes at the entrance gate 

or any other conspicuous 

place at the APC secretariat. 

Specifically, the petitioners 

are praying the court to 

nullify the governorship 

election that was conducted 

in Zamfara State on March 

9 and order for a fresh 

election without the 

participation of APC and its 

candidate. 

The petitioners argued, 

among others, that by virtue 

of Section 177(c) of the 1999 

Constitution (as amended), 

“a person shall be qualified 

for election to the office of 

governor of a state if inter alia: 

he is a member of a political 

party and is sponsored by 

that political party to contest 

the said election.” 

“Pursuant to section 87(1) 

of the Electoral Act 2010 (as 

amended), a political party 

seeking to sponsor or 

nominate candidates for 

elections under this section 

shall hold primaries for 

aspirants to all elective 

positions. 

"In other words, by the 

combined provisions of the 

1999 Constitution (as 

amended) and Electoral Act 

2010 (as amended), 

sponsorship of candidates for 

elective positions is only 

through the holding of 

primaries.” 

Tiv/Jukum crisis: Ortom 

condemns conflict, sues for 

peace 

By Peter Duru 

M AKURDI— 

GOVERNOR 

Samuel Ortom of Benue State 

has condemned recent 

communal crisis between 

Jukum and Tiv communities 

on the border of Benue and 

Taraba states, which claimed 

lives and forced many out of 

their homes in search of safe 

haven. 

Recall that two days ago, at 

least five persons were feared 

dead, including an aged 

woman who was reportedly 

burnt alive in her house while 

over 300 houses and farmland 

were also razed when alleged 

armed Jukum militia from 

neighbouring Kente 

community in Wukari Local 

Government Area of Taraba 

State, invaded Atsenga 

village in Ukum Local 

Government Area of Benue 

State. 

Ortom regretted that the 

conflict, which started as a 

minor disagreement between 

individuals led to loss of 

innocent lives and destruction 

of property and appealed to 

the feuding parties to embrace 

peace. 

The governor in a 

statement through his Chief 

Press Secretary, CPS, Terver 

Akase, stressed that he was 

in consultation with his Taraba 

State counterpart, Governor 

Darius Ishaku, and had taken 

far-reaching measures to end 

the conflict and restore 

lasting peace to the border 

communities and urged 

people of the affected 

communities to embrace the 

initiative. 

He said: “I, therefore 

appeal, to the people of the 

affected communities to 

support the peace initiatives 

of the governments of the two 

states to prevent further 

conflicts in the area. 

“The Jukum and Tiv in 

particular should emulate 

the example set by their sons, 

Archbishop Ignatius 

Kaigama of Catholic Diocese 

of Jos and Most Reverend 

Father James Bature, whose 

peace building efforts have 

immensely contributed to 

settling the age-long rivalry 

between the two ethnic 

groups spread across Taraba 

and Benue states. 

“We must appreciate the fact 

that here is no alternative to 

peace, which was why l 

promptly directed my 

Adviser on Security to visit 

Taraba State shortly after the 

unfortunate incident, where 

he held meetings with key 

stakeholders, including the 

Aku Uka of Wukari, as well 

as Chairmen of Ukum 

(Benue) and Wukari (Taraba) 

local government areas.”

Setting the world free by 

resting NATO 

BIRTHDAYS are not for 

dying. They are usually for 

celebration. However, in the case of 

the North Atlantic Treaty 

Organisation, NATO, which turned 

70 this Wednesday, April 4, it should 

be the Nunc Dimittis; and then, 

wishing its soul to rest in peace. That 

is if our goal is world peace, rather 

than a fractious world. 

Interestingly, administering 

poison on NATO as sort of 

euthanasia, is a position I share with 

American President Donald Trump, 

the principal of the NATO School 

of War. 

Resting NATO is one of the quite 

rare occasions our views will 

coincide. But while my primary 

reason for advocating the abolition 

of NATO is to enhance peace in the 

world and reduce bullying, Mr. 

Trump’s primary aim is to reduce 

the financial drain on his country. 

NATO is a military club of 

Europeans, Canadians and 

Americans. 

However, while the military 

spending of Germany, the European 

power house, is one percent of its 

gross domestic product, that of the 

Americans is about four 

percent. The combined annual 

total defence spending of the 29 

member-countries of NATO is 

$957 billion out of which the United 

States, US, accounts for $686 

billion or 72 percent. 

The annual NATO budget is 

$1.632 billion and the Americans 

pick up 22 percent of the bill. It is 

these statistics that anger Trump 

and made him threaten that the US 

would “go its own way” this year if 

other members do not increase their 

military spending. Trump explains: 

“NATO was set up when we were a 

richer country. 

We’re not a rich country anymore. 

We’re borrowing; we’re borrowing 

all of this money. We’re borrowing 

money from China, which is sort of 

an amazing situation.” But things 

are not about to change as 

Germany’s estimated defence 

spending by 2023 is 1.25 percent of 

GDP. 

Trump’s position can also be 

based on the fact that as the world’s 

largest arms exporter, the US will 

gain enormously from an increased 

military spending by NATO 

countries. In 2017, America had 42 

of the top 100 arms manufacturing 

companies in the world. The 

American companies accounted for 

$226.6 billion or 57 percent of the 

$398.2 billion arms sold worldwide 

that year. 

As I argued earlier, Trump’s 

reasons for wanting NATO 

countries spend more on arms or 

risk the demise of the organisation, 

are based on narrow American 

interests. But I think NATO should 

be abolished because it has not only 

outlived any usefulness it had, but 

is also a danger to world peace. 

NATO was established in 

Washington on April 4, 1949 by a 

dozen countries: Belgium, Canada, 

Denmark, France, Britain, Iceland, 

Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, 

Norway, Portugal and the United 

States. General Dwight David ‘Ike’ 

Eisenhower, its first Supreme 

Commander, went on in 1953 to 

become the 34th President of the US. 

The body was set up primarily to 

stop what its founders regarded as 

the contagious spread of 

communism as symbolised by the 

now defunct Union of Soviet 

Socialist Republics, USSR. It was 

The world is no 

longer divided on 

the ideological lines 

of capitalism and 

communism; it is 

now the West and 

the rest of humanity 

to engage what was then the Cold 

War which arose following the 

Second World War. The conflicts of 

the two sides in 1945 split Germany 

into two countries: East and West 

before its 1990 reunification; 

divided Korea into the present North 

Korea and South Korea, and 

Vietnam into North and South, 

before the victorious North led by 

Ho Chin Minh, reunited the country 

in 1975. 

In reaction to the establishment 

of NATO, seven socialist countries 

combined six years later to establish 

the Warsaw Pact. With the collapse 


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of the Socialist bloc, the death knell 

sounded for the Warsaw Pact. It 

came to an end from July 1, 1991 

when President Vaclav Havel of the 

now defunct Czechoslovakia 

withdrew his country. 

However, rather than the collapse 

of the Socialist bloc and the death 

of the Warsaw Pact signaling the 

decline of the rival NATO and a 

move towards world peace, NATO 

expanded. It absorbed 13 countries, 

or territories that were in the 

Warsaw Pact: Albania, Bulgaria, 

Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, 

Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, 

Montenegro, Poland, Romania, 

Slovakia, and Slovenia. 

Since the reasons NATO was 

established are no longer there, its 

continued existence is not logical. 

Today, NATO is a military club of 

Europeans, Americans and 

Canadians monopolising 

global violence, intervening 

militarily in the affairs of other 

countries and unseating 

governments that resist their 

dictation, or pose a threat to their 

economic interests. 

Hence, NATO bombed the 

Mouamar Ghadaffi government in 

Libya out of existence and replaced 

it with chaos; ousted the Saddam 

Hussein government in Iraq and 

replaced it with near disorder; 

invaded Afghanistan, leaving it in 

a state of continued anarchy; and 

intervened in Syria in a failed 

attempt at regime change, and 

leaving the country as a huge field 

of devastation and turmoil. 

NATO says its membership is 

open to “any other European state 

in a position to further the principles 

of this Treaty and to contribute to 

the security of the North Atlantic 

area.” So, it is an exclusive club 

based mainly on race. The world is 

no longer divided on the ideological 

lines of capitalism and 

communism; it is now the West and 

the rest of humanity. The top arms 

manufacturers are the Americans 

and Europeans and the top arms 

consumers are the under-developed 

countries where the wars take 

place. 

NATO declares that if diplomatic 

efforts fail, it has the military power 

to undertake military 

operations anywhere in the world 

under its Collective Defence 

Clause Article 5 of the Washington 

Treaty. To me as an African, this is a 

throwback of how Europeans 

colonised the world. 

It is also a reminder of the socalled 

Gun Boat Diplomacy: using 

or threatening force against weaker 

countries in order to make them 

comply with the wishes of the 

powerful bullies. 

Also, NATO’s principle that an 

attack against any of its 29 

members, is an attack on all 

members and that it has an 

obligation to militarily come to its 

member’s aid, is nothing but 

encouraging global impunity. 

NATO members, encouraged by the 

collective force, can afford to 

misbehave or attack other 

countries. 

NATO is about military 

dominance over the rest of the 

world; more, a warmongering 

organisation whose continued 

existence is inimical to global 

peace. 

It can be argued that situations 

may arise where collectively, 

humanity might need to intervene 

in parts of the world to protect lives, 

enforce peace or prevent genocide. 

Even if this were so, the United 

Nations, UN, is uniquely positioned 

to play such a role. Also, because 

it might not be partisan, and given 

its broad based membership, the 

UN presents a more acceptable 

platform than the narrow and closed 

membership of NATO. 

Let us dance the guns to silence; 

let us dance NATO to extinction. 

World, without end! 

2019 polls and the Akwa Ibom connection 

By Emmanuel Umohinyang 

THOUGH the 2019 general elections 

may have come and gone, history 

would no doubt record the exercise as a peculiar 

one. This may not be unconnected 

with the negatives that overshadowed the 

intent of the elections nationwide. Recall 

that the Independent National Electoral 

Commission, INEC, had given the world assurances 

that the election would be free, fair 

and credible. 

This was aside the chest-thumping by the 

electoral body that it was ready for the elections 

as scheduled. Indeed, nobody had 

cause to doubt INEC in view of the fact that 

the nation was conducting its most expensive 

election in history. Even INEC chairman, 

Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, told the world 

that the commission had enough funds to 

undertake the poll. 

Alas, the world was taken by surprise when 

INEC announced that it had postponed the 

presidential election scheduled to hold February 

16 to February 23. Curiously, the announcement 

was made long after Nigerians 

had gone to bed with the hope of exercising 

their franchise the next day. This was 

no doubt due to the fact that Nigerians had 

put their hope in an electoral umpire in dire 

need of help. Even President Muhammadu 

Buhari who had landed in his home town of 

Daura to vote was peeved by the development, 

as he assured the nation that a probe 

would be launched into the incident after 

the polls. 

Two weeks after, when the presidential 

election held, INEC’s inefficiency was again 

laid bare before the world. From Lagos to 

Kano, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Ondo and 

many more, it was complaints galore over 

different impediments arising from faulty 

card reader machines to poor voters turnout, 

late arrival of materials and many more. 

When the governorship election eventually 

held, things went from bad to worse 

across the states. On the said date, INEC 

ad-hoc staff staged an early morning strike 

to protest non-payment of their allowances 

among others, leading to late take off of the 

polls. In Akwa Ibom State, apathy was a 

major tool deployed by the people to express 

a vote of no confidence on the electoral 

body. It was also their way of protesting 

the perceived partiality of the Resident Electoral 

Commissioner, REC, Mr. Mike Igini, 

in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party, 

PDP, in the state. 

In fact, the All Progressives Congress, 

APC, had months before told the world that 

it was uncomfortable with Igini superintending 

over elections in the state. This was 

to no avail as the electoral body’s hierarchy 

in Abuja looked the other way despite 

this glaring injustice. 

Even when the APC chairman in the state, 

Mr. Ini Okopido, raised a weighty allegation 

in a petition that Igini told him in a 

telephone conversation that his party will 

never win in the state, this was never investigated. 

In other climes, a thorough investigation 

of such petition would have been 

carried out, but mum was the word from 

the Mahmud Yakubu-led INEC. 

Even when other political parties under 

the aegis of forum all registered political 

parties in Akwa Ibom State through their 

chairman, Kingsley Akaiso, corroborated 

the APC chairman’s claims, INEC refused 

to budge. Akaiso, who is also the chairman 

of Fresh Party, said: “In the political process 

in the state, INEC has portrayed unbridled 

partisanship through the selection of 

its ad-hoc staff, some of whom are drawn 

from the employees of the commission, contrary 

to extant practices and institutions requirement. 

“Through connivance with the state government, 

all the ad-hoc staff of the commission 

is made up of loyal members and supporters 

of PDP. In addition, the commission 

has acted as though it were part of the Government 

House, Uyo. In spite of our representations 

to the head office of the commission 

in Abuja, nothing has been done to allay 

our concern that INEC office in Akwa 

Ibom State is not a fair umpire and cannot 

The people of Akwa 

Ibom State must seize the 

opportunity to retrieve 

their mandate through 

legal means instead of 

resorting to any form of 

violence 

deliver a free, fair and transparent election 

because it is partisan and in bed with the 

ruling PDP government in the state. This 

anarchy must be looked into”. 

With the pictures painted it was, therefore, 

unsurprising that Akwa Ibom state recorded 

the least voter turnout in her recent history 

as only about 600,000 turned out to vote 

despite the fact that no fewer than two million 

PVCs were collected. Worse perhaps was 

the fact that despite widespread cases of 

faulty card reader machines in the state, 

manual voting was the order of the day. This 

was contrary to assurances by INEC that 

nobody would be allowed to vote if not captured 

by the card reader. 

No doubt, this gave INEC in the state a 

window to partner with its allies in the PDP 

to seize the moment by using the opportunity 

to their advantage. Even after the election, 

there are panicky measures being employed 

to cover the tracks in order not to 

further expose the charade that played out 

during the elections in the state. 

This is the least anyone would expect in 

view of the fact that APC was declared winner 

at several collation centres, with such 

eventually changing in favour of PDP, even 

as electoral officers of such places were suspended, 

including that of Ikot Abasi, for no 

just cause. 

Even in Obot Akara, homestead of former 

Akwa Ibom deputy governor, Chris Ekpeyong, 

where elections could not hold, results 

of a non-existent election were declared. 

Most annoying were the vituperation of 

former Prelate of the Methodist Church, 

Nigeria, Rev. Sunday Mbang, who used to 

stand up for what is right and just in the 

past, but is now uttering the unexpected in 

the circumstance. 

However, the beauty of it all is that the 

APC in the state has not embraced violence 

in any form as a way of fighting the carefully 

scripted fraud in the name of election. 

That it has toed the constitutional option in 

its attempts to right the wrongs as provided 

for in our Constitution is a welcome development. 

This it must continue to do since 

whatever has been stolen from the people 

by the way of their mandate can still be retrieved 

using the instrumentality of the law. 

The APC, nay the people of Akwa Ibom 

State must, therefore, rise to the occasion 

by seizing the opportunity to retrieve their 

mandate through legal means instead of 

resorting to any form of violence. Like the 

famous Poet, Ngugi Wa Thiongo wrote in 

one of his poems, “the raving clouds shall 

not be long. They shall not be long victorious”. 

•Umohinyang, a social commentator 

and political analyst, wrote in from Lagos.

32—Vanguard, FRIDAY APRIL 5, 2019 

YOUR LUCK TODAY 

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 

ARIES; If care is not taken what you have gained yesterday 

may be lost due to your care-free attitude within 

your base of operation. Avoid deceit today. 

TAURUS; You would fare better if you prepare your mind 

for possible confrontation from unexpected quarters. 

Don’t promise more than you can actually deliver. 

GEMINI; Both your mood and element of luck are as 

friendly as you would want them to be. Thus success 

may come the harder way today. Protect your finances. 

CANCER; Many will look up to you both for practical 

assistance and leadership direction thus, you must not 

ball-up under pressure. Try to reason with your spouse. 

LEO; Diplomacy may become very important today as 

development within your working arena calls for both 

maturity and cleverness. Be family minded today. 

VIRGO; No matter how helpful friends were yesterday 

it is important you don’t dance to discordant tunes from 

any quarter today; gamble not with matters-of-the-heart. 

LIBRA; Many people are under pressure today but, if 

you do away with sentiment and give priority attention 

to money making, your finances will be better for your 

efforts. Don’t allow misunderstanding within your family 

circle go out of hands. 

SCORPIO; To be on the safer side it is imperative you 

respect the law and it’s enforcement agents. Some people 

are trying to deceive you for an obvious reason. 

SAGITTARIUS; Early part of the day may bring you 

good opportunity but for you not to lose it you must 

exhibit maturity. Protect both your money and source of 

income. 

CAPRICORN; Others may step on your nerves yet it not 

the best for you to over-react today. It is good to prove 

reliable but your secrets must remain intact. 

L E I S U R E 

TAKE HEART — ELLA RANDLE 

“When you give your very best, you give others in 

your close circle permission to do the same.” -Take 

Heart Quotes- 

When you respect and love yourself to the highest degree, 

you are inadvertently teaching others that you 

will not accept anything less for yourself. 

Be courageous to speak your truth and be fair in your 

dealings with others. Do not feel guilty about speaking 

up your truth. Ella Randle 

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye” 

SAYINGS OF 

OUR PEOPLE 

Wisdom is 

not like 

money to be 

tied up and 

hidden. ~ 

Akan 

By Kola Fayemi 

AQUARIUS; This may not be the best of days as there 

will be a few challenges within your working arena. If 

you rely on luck today, you would be disappointed. 

DUDU in “ROLLING HOT” By A.O. OLAIDE 

PISCES; You will need to watch what you tell others, 

especially those friends you don’t know too well. Be more 

loving but refuse to gamble with love 

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING 

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING 

Send your date and place of birth to the Astr 

trological 

Counselling, P.M.B 100 

007, Apapa, Lagos 

Who do you think I am? 

Dear Joshua, 

I have been following your write-ups for a long 

time you can not believe and to be sincere you are 

good. Now I want you to analyse my star and tell 

me my personality according to my horoscope. 

More ink to your pen. 

Ambrose, Uyo. 

Dear Ambrose, 

What you will find here under will prove useful if 

you take them seriously and utilise them. 

ANALYSIS OF YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA/PLAN- 

ETARY PLACEMENT 

Spiritual Neptune as the Planet at home when you 

were born pointed to you as a person with great 

deal of spiritual energy you can tap at will, especially 

if you are conscious of it’s presence in your 

inner-self. But then, with majority of (five) planets 

placed in the Cardinal Zodiacal constellations you 

are equally an ambitious person who will desire 

worldly honour and prominence, and luckily for 

you, you were endowed with abilities to achieve 

your ambition. 

General Analysis 

Just 20 per cent of push-full influence in your chart 

can deceptively present you to others as a soft (or 

even timid) person but practical Virgo that hosted 

nothing less than three heavenly bodies whaen 

you were born and Astrological aspects between 

Mercury (mental focus) and aggressive Mars in 

you chart are pointers to the contrary. 

Yes! You are highly intelligent and your mind works 

the same way detective’s minds do. It is true, there 

are little contradictions between your inner self and 

your emotional being as indicated by water element 

and Virgo characteristics. 

One moment, you can be very emotional, exhibiting 

temper with stinging tongue but a few hour 

later you are amiable, easy going, friendly and 

compassionate. You are the adaptable type who will 

see changes as sources of good opportunities. 

LEADERSHIP quality is one of your greatest gifts 

from God. placement of your natal sun (basicselfhood) 

and moon (your emotional being) in Virgo 

and Pisces respectively mean that characteristics of 

both Virgo and Pisces are highly pronounced in 

your inner-self. 

VIRGINIA 

HOME & ABROAD 

dadadekola@yahoo.com 

By Lawrence Akapa


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

OIL THEFT: JTF, surveillance contractors 

intensify crackdown, seize vessels 

By Samuel 

Oyadongha 

RESIDENTS 

of 

Bayelsa State coastal 

communities have lauded 

the collaboration between 

the Joint Task Force, JTF, 

deployed to the Niger Delta 

and surveillance contractors 

for tackling oil theft. 

This came on the heels of 

a joint operation by troops 

of the JTF in the region and 

a local surveillance group 

which resulted in the 

seizure of a tugboat and a 

barge laden with over 

200,000 litres of suspected 

stolen crude off the Atlantic 

coast of Akassa. 

A community leader in 

Akassa, Chief Dona Biena 

said the renewed effort was 

putting oil theft in check. 

Biena, who commended 

the joint military force for 

improved patrols of the 

waterways said, the 

development had also 

reduced the activities of sea 

pirates. 

The community leader 

noted that the local 

surveillance group, 

Labrador Security 

leveraged on its 

knowledge of the terrain 

and provided intelligence 

and logistics to the troops. 

A member of the 

surveillance group who 

participated in the 

operation said, the vessel 

was being pushed by a 

tugboat when it was 

apprehended. 

It was gathered that the 

barge and tugboat were 

initially anchored at 

Labrador Security base in 

a coastal town at Bille and 

handed over to Nigerian 

Security and Civil Defence 

Corps on March 25. 

BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE: From left; The Non-Executive Director Sigma 

Pensions,Natalie Kolbe; Director Buraq Capital limited, Mallam Attahiru 

Maccido; Chairman Sigma Pensions, Mr. Mark Collier; Head Advisory Buraq 

Capital Mr. Abubakar Maina Sadiq; Chief Executive Officer, Sigma Pensions 

Mr. Dave Uduanu; Director General Debt Management Office, Ms. Patience 

Oniha during the Business roundtable held in Abuja yesterday. 

Consider our people in your recruitment, Delta host Communities 

urges NNPC 

relationship between 

By Akpokona 

Omafuaire 

WARRI—SOME host 

communities of the 

Warri Refinery and 

Petrochemical Company, 

WRPC, have urged the 

Nigerian National 


NNPC, to ensure that 

special consideration is 

given to their people in its 

ongoing recruitment 

exercise. 

Addressing newsmen in 

Warri, Delta State, the four 

host communities which 

comprise Aja-Etab, Ubeji, 

Ifie, and Ijala Ekeren said, 

they are blessed with 

qualified youths. 

Speaking on behalf of the 

communities, Mr. Clement 

Erewa, Mr. Billy Ekele, Mr. 

Clifton Edema, and 

Adolphus Tosanwumi, 

Chairmen of Ubeji, Aja- 

Etan, Ifie, and Ijala-Ikenren 

respectively said: “The 

management should plan 

By Jimitota Onoyume 

W2,500 ARRI—ABOUT 

ex militants 

are to be trained by five 

Greek companies in various 

areas of development. 

Spokesman of the 

presidential amnesty 

programme, Mr Murphy 

Ganagana disclosed this in 

Warri, Delta State during an 

interaction with journalists, 

adding that the trainees 

its process of recruitment to 

reflect the indigenes of the 

host communities in large 

numbers. 

‘’The four host 

communities are blessed 

with a deluge of 

educationally qualified and 

skilled youths who are 

ready to use their skills to 

better their lives and that of 

the various communities. 

“This will bolster the 

By Festus Ahon 

AAgricultural 

SABA—NIGERIA 

Enterprise Curriculum, 

NAEC and Market 

Development in Niger 

Delta, MADE, have said 

that they impacted on 323, 

000 farmers in the Niger 

Delta region in 2018. 

Dr. Yemi Olukuyide of 

NAEC who spoke during 

a one day workshop for 

stakeholders on learning 

On his part, Commander 

of the JTF, Rear Admiral 

Suileiman Apochi said that 

oil production figures from 

the Nigeria National 


NNPC, had indicated an 

upward swing in 

production in the past three 

years. 

Sulaiman said that the 

country’s oil production 

had increased to 2.2 million 

barrels per day from 900, 

NNPC and its hosts. A 

consideration of host 

communities in its 

employment exercise will 

ensure security and 

stability and will 

complement the vision of 

the Delta State Government 

in developing and 

empowering the youths. 

“Our gestures and 

privileges as host 

000 barrels per day because 

of the significant progress 

recorded in the fight 

against pipeline 

vandalism, militancy, and 

kidnapping, among others. 

The force commander 

said that oil production rate 

had fallen to about 900,000 

barrels per day three years 

ago just before the JTF was 

reorganised and 

repositioned for improved 

performance. 

communities have not been 

reciprocated. We have not 

been treated fairly. 

“We have not reaped the 

fruits of our God-given 

land. In other climes both 

within and outside Nigeria, 

host communities are 

treated with utmost respect 

and dignity. Basic 

amenities such as roads, 

hospitals, and schools are 

provided as part of 

We've impacted 323, 000 farmers in N/Delta in 

2018 — NAEC, MADE 

and dissemination held in 

Asaba, said farmers’ service 

providers who have 

embraced the initiative 

have received about 20-30 

percent profit increment 

compared to competitors 

who have not embraced the 

programme. 

Olukuyide said NAEC 

has a technical component 

which helps equip farmers 

with the proper knowledge 

while the enterprise 

component teaches the 

2,500 ex-militants to be trained by 5 Greek firms 

— AMNESTY OFFICE 

will be employed at the end 

of their training. 

He said the amnesty 

office had profiled 238 ex 

militants that have been 

trained in different areas for 

jobs in the public and 

private sectors, noting that 

additional 54 beneficiaries 

of the programme are to be 

deployed for various 

training on the commission’s 

scholarship programme. 

“Determined to facilitate 

job placement for 

beneficiaries of the amnesty 

programme, Prof Dokubo 

created a job placement and 

international development 

partners engagement unit. 

So far, the unit has profiled 

28 delegates for underwater 

welding jobs in oil servicing 

companies. 100 delegates 

for civil service jobs and 10 

delegates for aviation crop 

spray pilot jobs and 75 

delegates for other job 

opportunities,” he said. 

farmers on how to run their 

farms as a business. 

The Poultry Intervention 

Manager of MADE, Ayo 

Momodu, said “MADE 

works with pharmaceutical 

companies which are 

already providing 

vaccination drugs and 

services in commercial 

cities. We help them to 

develop their distribution 

channels so they can reach 

small holders poultry 

farmers. 

“I will say that MADE 

has been very successful. 

We have reached out to 

over 150, 000 farmers in 

the first phase which 

ended in 2018. We are 

already in phase II, and 

our target is to reach 155, 

000 people with increased 

income.” 

The Intervention Manger, 

fishery sector of MADE 

Project, Roy Ndidi, on his 

part, said “We try to identify 

constrains which mitigate 

the growth of different 

sectors across the value 

chains we work with. We 

work across agricultural 

value chains.'' 

Oba of Benin celebrates Ugie 

Ododua 

By Gabriel 

Enogholase 

BENIN—THE rich 

tradition and 

cultural heritage of 

Benin Kingdom was 

showcased yesterday, in 

Benin City, as the Oba 

of Benin, Omo Ewuare 

II celebrated the “Ugie 

Ododua.” 

The ceremony which 

usually lasts for 14 days 

was for the 

commemoration of the 

return of Oranmiyan, the 

son of Ododua to Benin 

Kingdom and the 

beginning of the 

Obaship dynasty in the 

kingdom. 

The Ugie Ododua 

which is synonymous 

with Ovia deity features 

performances by seven 

masquerades at the 

Ugha-Ehengbuda axis 

Prince Ovo Foundation 

empowerment programme 

takes off in Delta 

DELTA State-based 

Prince Ovo 

Foundation (POF) has 

concluded plans to roll out 

its empowerment 

programmes for people of 

the state in an move to 

complement Delta State 

government’s effort for 

human capital 

development. 

At its inauguration 

ceremony in Sapele, Delta 

State, the Chief Executive 

Officer of the foundation, 

Prince Ogheneovo 

Omojevwe at a press 

conference with journalists 

in Warri stated that the 

foundation is the contact 

and reference point for 

empowerment 

programmes aimed at 

reducing unemployment in 

the area. 

He said: ‘’As a Nigerian 

philanthropic organisation, 

POF is committed to 

improving the quality of life 

of the people of Jesse 

community, its environs 

and disadvantaged 

Nigerians at large by 

supporting primary health 

and education 

interventions implemented 

by Non-Governmental 

Organisations (NGOs), 

Community Based 

Organisations. Prince Ovo 

Burial 

THE families of 

Okoduwa and 

Dispensational Gospel 

Mission worldwide, DGM 

and CB1 & S have 

announced the demise of 

Late Archibishop (Prof.) 

Peter Okoduwa, D.D, Phd 

JP, 66, whose service of 

songs will take place today 

at DGM Int’l 

headquarters, behind 

Mega Chicken, Ikota Villa 

Estate, Lekki, Lagos. 

According to a statement 

signed by Okoduwa 

Deborah and Thankgod 

Idagho, his remains will be 

interred tomorrow at the 

of the Benin Palace. 

Chief Johnson Usen, 

the Osa of the Benin 

Kingdom, who spoke on 

the significance of Ugie 

Ododua ceremony, 

said: “It is one of 

the sacred and spiritual 

performances by Osa 

and Osuan for the Oba 

of Benin. 

“Ugie Ododua means 

many things but 

importantly, it is used to 

purify and sanctity the 

kingdom so that evils 

and problems will cease 

in Benin kingdom.” 

The costumes and 

other paraphernalia 

used during Ugie 

Ododua are kept by the 

Osague of Benin 

Kingdom, while the 

drum beat was 

performed by the 

Ogbelaka group. 

The ceremony could only 

be performed on the 

request of the Oba of Benin. 

foundation welcomes 

donors partners and 

philanthropist. 

“There is a growing need 

to bring urbanisation home 

by creating platforms and 

avenues for less privileged 

to access education, selfsustaining 

skills, 

productivity, health care 

and basics needs. We know 

all these will translate into 

social welfare programmes, 

and reduced youth-related 

crimes by capitalising on 

the approach of catching 

them young. 

‘’The Foundation, as a 

non-profit organization is 

working to improve 

knowledge, behaviours 

and skills for young people 

and encourage 

independent contribution 

of youths towards 

sustainable growth and 

development across Niger 

Delta and Nigeria at large.” 

The foundation’s primary 

objective was targeted 

towards helpless 

privileged, youths and 

women in various 

communities with 

prerequisite skills such as 

tailoring, catering, hair 

dressing, welding/ 

fabrication, aluminium 

work, electrical work and 

computer application. 

Late Prof. Okoduwa. 

DGM Int’l headquarter, 

Ikota Villa Estate, Plot 4 

Road 16, GRA, Lekki, 

Lagos. Thanksgiving 

service will take place on 

Sunday, April 7 at the same 

place by 11am.


Ifeanyi Ubah's victory: Court 

vindicates Returning Officer 

By Nwabueze 

Okonkwo 

O NITSHA—A 

federal high court 

sitting in Awka, Anambra 

State, presided over by 

Justice Ibrahim Bature 

Gafai has exonerated the 

Returning Officer for 

Anambra South Senatorial 

zone in the just concluded 

2019 general elections, Prof 

Meshach Umenweke from 

a prima facie case slammed 

against him for declaring 

Chief Ifeanyi Ubah winner 

of the election. 

Umenweke had declared 

Ubah winner of the election 

but one of the losers, Chief 

Christian Uba of the 


PDP, dragged him to the 

Federal High Court as 

second respondent while 

INEC and Ubah are the first 

and third respondents 

respectively. 

Uba had asked the court 

to investigate and 

prosecute Umenweke for 

falsely declaring Ubah the 

winner of the election, 

adding that what 

Umenweke declared was a 

Rivers gov poll: Umahi 

congratulates Wike 



CHAIRMAN of the 

South East Governors’ 

Forum and Governor of 

Ebonyi State, Chief David 

Umahi has congratulated 

his Rivers State 

counterpart, Nyesom Wike 

on his re-election as 

declared by the 

Independent National 


INEC. 

Governor Umahi in a 

statement signed by his 

Chief Press Secretary, 

Emmanuel Uzor described 

the declaration of Wike as 

the winner of the March 9th 

Governorship election in 

Rivers State by INEC as 

victory for democracy and 

a pointer to a better 

democratic norms in the 

false result of the election. 

Delivering his 

judgement, Justice Gafai 

stated that Prof Umenweke 

has no case to answer and 

at best, would serve as 

principal prosecution 

witness in the matter. 

He held that the court 

was not dealing with a 

criminal trial but to satisfy 

itself on whether there was 

a prima facie ground to 

proceed to investigate the 

allegations of the applicant 

or not. 

His words: “What I can 

however safely say 

categorically here, with all 

humility, arising from the 

facts is that the 2nd 

Respondent, Prof 

Umenweke in fairness, may 

at best be a principal 

prosecution witness on the 

combined facts, for he it is 

who knows who and who 

it was and there may be 

many that committed the 

alleged threats and 

intimidations on him if at 

all”. 

The judge informed that 

the duty to investigate and 

prosecute lies with the 1st 

respondent, INEC and not 

the police force or any other 

investigative body. 

country. 

While congratulating 

Governor Wike on his reelection, 

Umahi extolled his 

dogged spirit in fighting for 

his rights and to recover the 

mandate of the people of 

the state which they 

demonstrated through 

their ballots. 

He commended the 

INEC for standing firm and 

doing that which is right, 

adding that there is hope 

that Nigeria will still get it 

better in terms of 

conducting credible 

elections in future. 

Umahi called on all the 

political actors in the state 

to join hands together to 

move the state forward by 

eschewing the politics of 

bitterness and see politics 

as a vehicle to render 

service to mankind. 

Judges, lawyers mourn late 

colleague in Onitsha 

By Nwabueze 

Okonkwo 

O NITSHA—HIGH 

court judges and 

lawyers within Onitsha 

judicial division and 

beyond, yesterday filed out 

in their numbers during a 

valedictory court session to 

pay their last respect to their 

fallen colleague, Ossy 

Kizito Onyiuke, a legal 

practitioner based in 

Onitsha, Anambra State. 

The late Onyiuke who 

died on February 19 this 

year at the age of 55, after 

a brief illness, was a son of 

Onyiuke Royal Family of 

Nimo in Njikoka Local 

Government Area of 

Anambra State and 

younger brother to Chidi 

Onyiuke, former chairman 

of Nigerian Bar 

Association, NBA, Onitsha 

branch. 

In his valedictory speech, 

the Administrative Judge of 

Onitsha Judicial Division, 

Justice Joseph Nweze 

described the late Onyiuke 

as "a bombastic lawyer who 

had appeared before me on 

several occasions without 

having a dull moment. His 

flowery way of presenting 

his cases when he is in court 

was always needful to have 

an English dictionary 

easily available." 

Many killed as inter-communal conflict 

rages between Ebonyi, C-River communities 

By Emma Una 

C ALABAR—INTER- 

COMMUNAL conflict 

raging between the 

communities of Obubra in 

Cross River State and their 

Izzi–Ikwo neighbours of 

Ebonyi State has left many 

people dead and several 

houses razed. 

Reports from the area 

said that about three 

villages, Ogamala, 

Ofonekum, Idoro 1 and 2 

have been razed and many 

people rendered homeless 

following an attack by Izzi 

combatants on Wednesday 

and Thursday. 

“As I speak, all Cross 

River villages across the 

Obubra River have been 

razed down and many 

people have been killed 

with our property 

including houses, farms 

and domestic animals 

destroyed”. David Erom, a 

resident of the area told 

Vanguard through the 

telephone. 

Erom who said he was 

speaking from his hideout 

in the bush said the Ebonyi 

communities were claiming 

ownership of the land in 

Ofonekum Idoro and Ofon 

Idah across the river, 

asking the Cross River 

people to vacate the land. 

“We have been living here 

for several decades and 

many generations of our 

people have always known 

this place as their home but 

the recent claim by the Izzi 

people is strange 

“I cannot ascertain the 

number of those killed 

since I am in hiding but so 

many of our people were 

caught unawares and have 

fallen to the attack,” David 

said. 

According to him, there is 

a regiment of soldiers from 

Nkwegu Barracks 

stationed in the boundary 

between the Izzi and 

Obubra communities, yet 

the conflict is raging 

unabated. 

Ms Irene Ugbo, the 

Public Relations Officer of 

the Cross River Police 

Command said: "Our 

commissioner visited the 

area on Tuesday and we 

have not received a report 

of any violence in the area. 

Let me make a phone call 

and get back to you.” 

UNVEILING: From left—Mr Christian Gnangbo, Head of Customer Marketing, Bayer West 

Central Africa SA; Mr Temitope Banjo, Country Sales Manager, Bayer Middle Africa Ltd; Prof 

Friday Ekeleme, representatives of International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, IITA; Dr. 

Godwin Atser; and Mr. Ahmed Bello, Development & Regulatory Affairs Manager, Bayer 

Middle Africa Ltd, during the unveiling of Bayer’s Lagon for Maize farming held in Abuja. 

...as Ebonyi govt threatens to suspend LG 

appointees over boundary dispute with Benue 



EBONYI State 

government, yesterday 

threatened to suspend it’s 

appointees and 

Development Union 

executives from Ohaukwu 

Local Government Area of 

the state if any gunshot is 

fired from the troubled 

community of 

UmuoguduAkpu in Ngbo 

West Development Centre 

of the state. 

The Deputy Governor of 

the state, Dr. Eric Kelechi 

Igwe handed down the 

warning when he paid a 

scheduled visit with some 

government officials and 

security operatives to the 

troubled area in the state. 

Igwe who mandated the 

stakeholders of Ohaukwu 

LGA to hold a meeting and 

send the resolution of the 

meeting to him latest 

Saturday morning stated 

that the Umahi-led 

administration has put 

modalities in place to 

ensure a cordial 

relationship between it and 

Benue government. 

He called on 

Umuogudu-Akpu 

community to desist from 

any form of reprisal attacks 

on Agila people of Benue 

State as the present 

administration would not 

tolerate violence and 

violation of the law of the 

land. 

Kelechi further called on 

all government appointees 

including those elected to 

ensure there is absolute 

peace in Ohaukwu LGA as 

human lives remain sacred 

and therefore should not 

be toyed with. 

He said: “I don’t want to 

hear any gunshots in 

Ohaukwu and if by chance 

I hear any, all the political 

appointees including those 

elected and development 

Union President General 

will be suspended while a 

care taker committee will be 

set up. 

“We will make sure that 

nobody molests you. 

Information should be 

disseminated. I'm in 

constant touch with Benue 

government." 

Infrastructure: Enugu awards over N1.1bn contracts 

By Chinedu 

Adonu 


State Executive 

Council, yesterday awarded 

contracts for infrastructural 

development worth over 

N1.1 billion. 

Briefing newsmen after 

the council’s meeting at the 

Government House, 

Enugu, the Commissioner 

for Works and Infrastructure, 

Greg Nnaji, who was 

flanked by the 

Commissioners for 

Information and Gender 

Affairs and Social 

Development, Mr. 

Ogbuagu Anikwe and 

Princess Peace Nnaji, 

respectively, disclosed that 

the projects approved for 

immediate construction 

and reconstruction were 

“roads and public 

building”. 

Nnaji stated that the 

council in a bid to enhance 

efficiency and productivity 

in the civil service and ease 

the suffering of people 

coming to Enugu for certain 

administrative 

engagements, approved 

the construction of phase 

one (block A) of zonal 

secretariat at Nsukka 

satellite town at the cost of 

N418.64 million 

The works commissioner, 

who emphasised the need 

for the zonal secretariat, 

explained that the structure, 

which he described as a 

legacy project, has a 

ground floor and two 

suspended floors with 27 

offices, well planned to 

effectively serve the 

purpose it was meant for. 

On roads, Nnaji also 

disclosed that the state 

government awarded 

contracts for the 

reconstruction of Ogidi 

Street and Onyeama lane, 

Asata in Enugu metropolis 

to connect with Carter 

street, which is under 

construction by the present 

administration.





ILOANYA 

I, formerly known as 

Iloanya Jane Chile, now 

wish to be known as Bikom 

Jane Chile. All former 

documents remain valid. 

General public please take 

note. 

OJINKA 

I, formerly known as Ojinka 

Paul, now wish to be known 

as Ojinka Akunwanna Paul. 

All former documents remain 

valid. General public please 

take note. 

OPONE 

I, formerly known as Miss 

Opone Mabel Nkem, now 

wish to be known as Mrs. 

Aminu Mabel Nkem. All 

other documents remain 


take note. 

EBENEBE 


Ebenebe Ijeoma Ebelechukwu 

Nwamaka, now wish to be 

known as Ofoto Ijeoma 

Ebelechukwu Nwamaka. All 

former documents remain 


take note. 

IKPAT 

I, formerly known as Mrs. Eno- 

Iwatt Uwem Ikpat, now wish 

to be known as Ms Eno Iwatt. 


valid. Nigeria Immigration 

Service and general public 

please take note. 

WILLIAMS 


Anthony Alagba Williams 

Elo, now wish to be addressed 

as Anthony Alagba Elo. 

Former documents remain 


take note. 

RISIKAT 

My name was written on some 

of my documents as Lawal 

Olayinka Morenikeji Risikat, 

instead of Lawal Olayinka 

Morenikeji, which is my 

correct name. All former 



note. 

NWOKORO 


Nwokoro Onyebuchi 

Happiness, now wish to be 

known as Mrs. Happiness 

Nyeche Ihunwo. All former 

documents remain valid, 

general public please take note. 

IMOODE 

I, formerly known as Mrs. 

Imoode Rose Esievweghren 

Oghenevwede, now wish to be 

known as Ms Esievweghren 

Rose Oghenevwede. All former 


General public please take note. 

BANGI 


Bangi Ebifeme-ere Princess, 

now wish to be known as Mrs. 

Oghenewiro Ebifeme-ere 

Princess. All former 



note. 

ABIOLA 

I, formerly known as Abiola 

Sarafa, now wish to add 

Yusuf, to be known as Yusuf 

Abiola Sarafa. All former 



note. 

BELLO 

I, formerly known as Ibitoye 

Bello Seyi, now wish to be 

known as Ibitoye Seyi 

Adebayo. All former 



note. 

SWEETY 

I, formerly known as Sweety 

Asamowe Permoboere, now 

wish to be known as Toun 

Queen Alere. All other 



note. 

BRIGGS 


Obeine Ngowari Briggs, now 


Ngowari Oscar Chukwu. All 



take note. 

ONWUBOLU 


Onwubolu Onyekachi 

Precious, now wish to be 

addressed as Mrs Onyekachi 

Precious Daniel. Former 



note. 

MOHAMMED 


Tawakalitu Ajoke Mohammed, 

now wish to be addressed as 

Mrs Tawakalitu Ajoke Kadejo. 



take note. 

OSAKWE 

I, formerly known as Osakwe 

Chidinma Edith, now wish to 

be known as Izuchukwu 

Chidinma Edith. All 

documents bearing my former 

name remain valid. General 

public should please take note. 

TORNWE 

I, formerly known as Miss Sorle 

Taalor Tornwe, now wish to 

be known and addressed as Mrs. 

Sorle A. Akari Otu. All former 

documents remains valid, 


IGWENMA 


Igwenma Ogechukwu Victoria, 


Ododo Ogechukwu Victoria. All 



take note. 

ERUEMUKOHWOARIEN 


Eruemukohwoarien 

Uruemuowho Irene, now wish 

to be known as Mrs. Akpojotor 

Uruemuowho Irene. All former 



note. 

OLUWOGA 


Adenike Esther Oluwoga, 

now wish to be known as 

Mrs. Adenike Esther Sokoya. 



take note. 

ESELE 


Mercy Omoze Esele, now 


Mercy Omoze Eze. All 



take note. 

OLAJOYETAN 


Olajoyetan Oluwayemisi 

Helen, now wish to be 

addressed as Olotu 

Oluwayemisi Helen. Former 


National Industrial Court of 

Nigeria and general public take 

note. 

PERE 

I, formerly known as Miss Pere 

Ebiere, or Mrs. Akpobodor- 

Pere Ebiere Juliet, now wish 

to be known as Mrs. 

Akpobodor Ebiere Juliet Pere. 



take note. 

ENAGIE 

I, formerly known as Enagie 

Obakpororo Evelyn, now 

wish to be addressed as Mrs 

Enegadje Obakpororo 

Evelyn. Former documents 

remain valid. General public 


ANAELE 

I, formerly known as Anaele 

Joy Ngozi, now wish to be 

addressed as Anaelechukwu 

Joy Ngozi. Former 



note. 

ONIANWA 


Onianwa Patricia Chineweugo, 


Obiyor Patricia Chineweugo. 


valid, general public please 

take note. 

UMEODUAGU 


Umeoduagu Chiamaka 

Ukamaka, now wish to be 

known as Ezeogu Chiamaka 

Ukamaka. Former documents 

remain valid. Banks and 

General public take note. 

METSEAGHARUN 


Esima Metseagharun, now 


Esima Idama. All former 



note. 

IGHEDI 


Ighedi Uzuazomaro, now 


Irivradhe Uzuazomaro. All 



take note. 

ISHOLA 

I, formerly known as Isiaka 

Idris Ishola, now wish to be 

known as Isiaka Idris Olalere. 



take note. 

ABASIYA 


Abasiya Grace Alheri, now 

wish to be known as Mrs 

Bioseh Grace Alheri. All 


valid. The authorities 

concerned and the general 

public should take note. 

UWEM 

This is to confirm that the 

name, Peace Uwem and Okon 

Peace-Blessing Uwem refer to 

me. I now wish to be known as 

Okon Peace-Blessing Uwem. 

All other documents remain 


take note. 

NWACHUKWU OD 


Nwachukwu Geraldine 

Chidiogo, now wish to be 

known as Nweke Geraldine 

Chidiogo. All former 


Diamond Bank Plc and general 

public please take note. 

OKOJIE 

I, formerly known as Okojie 

Esther, now wish to be 

addressed as Okpata Princess 

Esther. Former documents 



BABATUNDE 


Babatunde Adewale 

Olasumbo, now wish to be 

addressed as Mrs Olutokun 

Adewale Olasumbo. Former 



note. 

UKAGHA 


Ukagha Ifeyinwa Juliet, now 


Iwuji Ifeyinwa Juliet. All 



take note. 

OZOR 


Ozor Edith Onyinye now 


Umeh Edith Onyinye. All 


vaild. General public take 

note. 

APPAH 


Innocent Appah, now wish to 

be known as Epema Innocent. 



take note. 

EDITH 

I, formerly known as Ezetoha- 

Nnodum Chinaza Edïth and 

Ezetoha-Nnodum Chinaza, 


Ezetoha Chinaza Edith. All 



take note. 

BASSEY 

I, formerly known as Bassey 

Sharon Evelyn, now wish to 

be known as Samuel Sharon 

Evelyn Bassey. All former 



note. 

EMOVON 


Emovon Blessing, now wish to 

be known as Mrs. 

Egharegbemi Blessing. .I. 

Oritsegbubemi. All former 

documents remain valid; 

Banks and general public should 


IGBOGBO 


Esimieburu Ofeoritse 

Igbogbo, now wish to be 

known as Esimieburu 

Ofeoritse Ogbobine. All other 



note. 

NWACHUKWU 


Nwachukwu Francis Chibuike, 


Nweke Francis Chibuike. All 


valid. Diamond Bank Plc and 


EWUDO 


Ewudo Juliet Ijeoma, now 


Nwankwo Juliet Ijeoma. 



take note. 

KOLAWOLE 


Kolawole Itunu Olabimbo, 

now wish to be addressed as 

Mrs Adeniyi Comfort 

Olabimbo. Former 



note. 

UKAEGBU 


Ukaegbu Mercy Chimezie, now 


Agunwah Ukaegbu Mercy 

Chimezie. All former 

documents remain valid, 

Nursing and Midwifery Council 

and general public please take 

note. 

EDAFE 

This is to notify the general 

public that Felix James Edafe 

and Akpochimora James 

Edafe refers to one and the 

same person now wish to be 

known as Felix James Edafe. 


vaild. General public take note. 

UDOISANG 

I, formerly known as Udoisang 

Kufre Friday and Friday Kufre, 


Udoisang Kufre Mabel. All 


valid. Eco Bank PLC and 


JONA 

I, formerly known as Ugwu 

Ifesinachi Jona, now wish to 

be known as Ugwu Jonas 

Ogonna. All former 


Banks and general public 


TUOYO 

Correction of names 

I, Tuoyo Sunday,also confirm 

that my full names are Tuoyo 

Sunday Esijolomi. Former 



note. 

ADAIGHOFUA 

I, formerly known as Rose 

Adaighofua, now wish to 

be known as Rose Edemu. 

All other documents 

remain valid. General 


OTITO 

I, formerly known as Otito 

Blessing, now wish to be 

known as Nwanweuche Otito 

Blessing. All former 


Access bank and general 


CHILO-OFFIA 

I, formerly known as Miss Ada 

Nwugo Chilo-Offia, now wish 

to be known as Mrs. Adaeze 

Nwugo Ukpong. All former 


Corporate Affairs Commission 

and general public please take 

note. 

CHUKWUDE 

I, formerly known as Pauline 

Chukwude, now wish to add 

Chizoba, to be addressed as 

Chukwude Chizoba Pauline. 



take note. 

DINYO 


Dinyo Janet Olayinka, now 


Ugwu Janet Olayinka. 



take note. 

DURU 


Rose Akuyoma Duru, now 


Rose Akuyoma Philips. All 



take note. 

KOMONE 

I, wish to notify the general 

public that during the time of 

opening account, my name was 

wrongly written as Komone 

.E. Solomon, now wish to be 

known as Komone Ejayeta. All 



take note. 

OKUBAMA 


Winnifred Okubama, now 


Winnifred Emiko. All former 



note. 

EZEOBI 


Ezeobi Sylverline Chidinma, 


Madubukoh Sylverline 

Chidinma. All former 



note.

CHANGE OF NAME 

MUBAH UKAULOR EDEH MBONU OKORO NWEKE 

I, formerly known as I, formerly known as Miss I, formerly known as Miss I, formerly known as Mbonu I, formerly known as Miss I, formerly known 

Miss Goodness Ozioma Ukaulor Chidimma Stella, Edeh Ogechukwu Cecilia, 

Okoro 

Chioma as Emmanuel Uchenna 

Mubah, now wish to be known 

Nathan Okechukwu, now wish 


now wish to be known as Mrs 

Chinonyerem, now wish to be Nweke, now wish to be 

as Mrs. Goodness Ozioma Ikea Chidimma Stella. All 

to be known as Okechukwu known as Mrs. Sebastian known as Emmanuel 

Osuji Ogechukwu Cecilia. All 

Uzoigwe. All former former documents remain 

documents remain valid. The valid. Imo State University and 


Cedar. All former documents Chioma Chinonyerem. All Uchenna Okorie. All former 

former documents remain documents remain valid. 

general public should please the general public should please valid. The general public remain valid. The general 

valid. The general public should General public please take 

take note. 

take note. 

should please take note. public should please take note. please take note. 

note. 

JOBI 

OBI 

ONWUKA 

OGBEIFUN 

EMEGHARA 

MADU 

I, formerly known as Miss I, formerly known as Miss Obi I, formerly known as Miss I, formerly known as Miss I, formerly known as I, formerly known as Miss 

Jobi Ediri Hannah, now wish Chukwualasu Endeavour, now Onwuka Eberechi Goodness, Stacey Imuwahen Ogbeifun, Ezenwata Chinomso Madu Goodness Chioma, now 


to be known as Mrs Oyubu 

now wish to be known as Mrs now wish to be known as 

Emeghara, now wish to be 


Eyemisa Chukwualasu 

known as Ezenwata 

Ediri Hannah. All former 

Egwuibe Eberechi Goodness. 

Excellent. All former 

Mrs. Stacey Imuwahen 

Emma-Ezirim Goodness 

Chinomso Divine. All former 

documents remain valid. documents remain valid. All former documents remain Imafidon. All former documents remain valid. The Chioma. All former documents 

General public please take General public please take valid. General public please documents remain valid. The general public should please remain valid. The general 

note. 

note. 

take note. 

general public take note. take note. 

public should please take note. 

EKPEKPE 

ALIBA 

OKEREKE 

OBRIKOGHO 

OMOYIBO 

ETIM 

I, formerly known as Miss I, formerly known as Miss I, formerly known as Miss I, formerly known as I, formerly known as Miss I, formerly known as Miss Edu 

Ekpekpe Tega Sophia, now Aliba Chioma Jennifer, now Okereke Chimara Mercy, now Obrikogho Emmanuel, now Blessing Omoyibo, now wish Etim, now wish to be known 

wish to be known as Mrs. wish to be known as Mrs wish to be known as Mrs wish to be known as Ejiyere to be known as Mrs Blessing as Mrs Edu Godspower 

Akpomiemie Tega Sophia. All Nwachukwu Chioma Jennifer. Enedah Chimara Mercy. All Omavwaye Emmanuel. All Daniel Asama. All former Onofere. All former 

former documents remain All former documents remain former documents remain former documents remain documents remain valid. documents remain valid. 

valid. General should public is valid. General should public is valid. General should public is valid. General should public is General should public is to General should public is to 

to please take note. 






AGIDOTAN 

OGWU 

POWDER 

OMOAGHE 

OGHENERO 

BABASEESIN 

I, formerly known as Miss I, formerly known as Miss I, formerly known as Miss I, formerly known as Miss I, formerly known as Francis I, formerly known as Miss 

Agidotan Akpomeran Lois, Peace Ogwu, now wish to be Powder Odomero Edna, now Omoaghe Lefishetu, now Festus Oghenero, now wish Babaseesin Esther Seun, now 

now wish to be known as Mrs known as Mrs Peace Rukeme wish to be known as Jugen wish to be known as Mrs to be known as Anabudoso wish to be known as Mrs 

Apenou Akpomeran Lois. All Emetovweke. All former Odomero Edna. All former Lefishetu Atsenokhai. All Francis Festus. All former Okpobia Esther Seun. All 

former documents remain documents remain valid. documents remain valid. former documents remain documents remain valid. former documents remain 

valid. General should public is General should public is to General should public is to valid. General should public General should public is to valid. General should public 




is to please take note. please take note. 

is to please take note. 

OKOLOCHUKWU 

OGINA 

OGBUAGU 

KANDUDI 

OHWOVE 

ABIODUN 

I, formerly known as Miss I,formerly known as Miss Philo I, formerly known as Miss I, formerly known as Miss I, formerly known as Miss I, formerly known as Balogun 

Chinyere Okolochukwu, now Oghenerukevwe Ogina, now wish to Oged Chinwe Oged Ogbuagu, Kandudi Chinwendu Vera, now Ohwove Edoka Felicita, now Sola Abiodun, now wish to 

wish to be known as Mrs. be known as Mrs Philo 

now wish to be known as Mrs wish to be known as Mrs 


Oghenerukevwe Ofuani. All 

Aggreh Edoka Felicita. All be known as Balogun Kudirat 

Chinyere Emmanuel Victor. 

Chinwe Jane Oged. All former Kakenechukwu Chinwendu 

documents bearing former names 

former documents remain Shola. All former documents 

All former documents remain remain valid, Banks, other relevant documents remain valid. Vera. All former documents valid. Ice , Delsu Hmb , Asaba, 



authorities concern and the general General should public is to remain valid. General should and general should public is to 

take note. 



public is to please take note. please take note. 

take note. 

OFFOR 

JOHN 

AKPOGHOR 

NWANZE 

JACOB 

IJEZIE 

This is to notify the general public I, formerly known as Miss John I, formerly known as I, formerly known as I, formerly known as I, formerly known as 

Chinenye Nita, now wish to be 

Miss Akpoghor Juliet 

that the name, Cosmas Nweke Offor 

Miss Nwanze Jennifer Miss Jacob Abidemi Florence, Miss Ijezie Odinaka Elizabeth, 

Ogheneovo, now wish to be 

known as Mrs. Uwaoluetan 

Oluchi, now wish to be known now wish to be known as 


and Cosmas Yahdubem Yoseph refer 

known as Mrs. Oghenegueke 

Mrs. Orajiaka Odinaka 

to one and the same me. I now wish to John Chinenye Nita. All Juliet Ogheneovo. All former 

as Mrs. Olokor Jennifer Mrs. Akinoluyemi Temidara 

Elizabeth. All former 

be known as Cosmas Yahdubem former documents remain documents remain valid. Oluchi. All former documents Florence Abidemi. All former 


Yoseph. All former documents remain valid. General public please General public please take remain valid. General public documents remain valid. General public please take 

vaild. General public take note. take note. 

note. 


General public please take note. note. 

EGEGURU 

OCHONOGOR 

EGURIASE 

OKOLIE 

OGUNWALE 

OFOZORBA 

I, formerly known as I, formerly known as I, formerly known and addressed as 

I, formerly known and I, formerly known and I, formerly known and 

addressed as Miss Okolie 

Miss Egeguru Mmeri Victory, Miss Ochonogor Ishioma Miss Precious Edirin Ubido 

addressed as Ogunwale addressed as Ofozorba 

Millicent Oluchi, now wish to Olusegun Tope, now wish to 

now wish to be known as Mercy, now wish to be known 

Christian, now wish to be 

Eguriase, now wish to be known and 

be known and addressed as be known and addressed known and addressed 

Mrs. Onwusa Victory as Mrs. Mbelu Ishioma addressed as Mrs. Precious Edirin Mrs. Boi Millicent Oluchi. All as Folorunso Olusegun Tope as Okafor Ofozorba Christian. 

Mmeri. All former documents Mercy. All former documents Ubido Eguriase-Odijie. All former former documents remain Simeon. All former documents All former documents remain 

remain valid. General public remain valid. General public documents remain valid. General valid. General public please remain valid. General public valid. General public please 




take note. 


take note. 

ELOHO 

BIBIANA 

OKAFOR 

OKAFOR 

OKONKWO 

OKOMAJE 

I, formerly known and addressed This is to confirm that Kerenkeren- I, formerly known as Okafor I, formerly known as Okafor I, formerly known as I, formerly known as Miss 

as Adjekophori Joy Eloho and 

Owei Bibiana, Oruseigha Bibiana Chikaodili Francisca, now Janemary Nkechi, now wish Okonkwo Peter Serah Okomaje Ameh, now 

and Gbeinbo Bibiana refer to the same 

Adjekophori Fejiro Joy, now wish to 

wish to be known as to be known as Ibekailo 

Ifeanyichukwu, now wish to wish to be known as Mrs. 

person. I now wish to be known and Nwankwo Chikaodili 

be known as Okoloudeh Adejoh Ameh Serah. All 

be known and addressed 

Janemary Nkechi. All former 

addressed as kerenkeren-Owei Francisca. All former 

Feargod Philip. All former former documents remain 

as Adjekophori Oghenefejiro Joy. 

Bibiana. All former documents remain documents remain 

documents remain documents remain valid. FCT Universal Basic 

All former documents remain valid. valid. General public please take valid. General public take valid. General public take valid. General public take Education and the general 

General public please take note. note. 

note. 

note. 

note. 


IKE 

OSHEVIRE 

ANDREW 

SUNDAY 

ADEBAYO 

ADELAKUN 

I, formerly known as Miss Ike I, formerly known as Miss This is to confirm that Andrew I, formerly known as Abeson I, formerly known as Adebayo I, formerly known as Miss 

Onyinyechi, now wish to Juliet Enohor Oshevire, now Eromosele, Andrew Isikhuemen Sunday, now wish to be known Omolasho Itunuoluwa, now Adelakun Fatimot Mojisola, 

be known as Mrs Onyinyechi wish to be known as Mrs Eromosele and Andrew Akhigbe as Abeson Roland Ademola wish to add Sekinat, to be now wish to be known as 

Eromosele is one and the same person henceforth. All documents known as Adebayo Sekinat 

Anikwata. All former 

Mrs. Ogunnaya Fatimot 

Juliet Enohor Ekuahorovwe. 

but now wish to known as Andrew bearing my former names Omolasho Itunuoluwa. All Mojisola. All former 

documents remain valid. All former documents remain Eromosele. All documents remain remain valid. Banks and the former documents remain documents remain 

General public please take valid. General public please valid. General public please take general public should please valid. General public take valid. General public take 

note. 

take note. 

note. 

take note. 

note. 

note. 

EKHENA AVWONYE ENUBIAKA EKA 

ABANUM 

OKEKE 

I, formerly known as Ekhena I, formerly known as Avwonye I, formerly known as Enubiaka I, formerly known as Miss This is to notify the general public I, formerly known as Okeke 

Esther, now wish to add Rachael, now wish to be known Romeo, now wish to add Susan Asuquo Eka, now that Agbanuri Gloria Abanum, Frank Obunike, now wish 

Omons, to be known as Busy as Tagbajumi Rachael. Former Chukwuyenu, to be known as 

Abanum Gloria, Agbanuri Gloria 


to be known as Anikpe Frank 

Esther Omons. All former documents remain valid. Enubiaka 

Romeo 

and Agbanuri Gloria Anwulika refer 

Susan Edet Inyang Okon. All 

Obum. All former documents 

documents remain Ethiope West Local 

Chukwuyenu. All former 

to one and the same person, now wish 

documents remain valid. former documents remain to be known as Abanum Gloria. All remain valid. General public 

valid. General public take Government Area and the 

General public please take valid. General public please former documents remain vaild. please take note. 

note. 

general public please take note. note. 

take note. 

General public take note. 

ONONYE 

I, formerly known as Ononye 

Rapuluchukwu Repheal, 


Okakpu Rapuluchukwu 

Repheal. All former 



note. 


FOR ADVERT PLACEMENT VISIT TRINITY MALL, BESIDE ZENITH 

BANK BALOGUN BUS STOP, OBAFEMI AWOLOWO WAY, IKEJA, 

OR MURPHIS PLAZA, SANUSI FAFUNWA STREET, VICTORIA ISLAND 

LAGOS


Nanny Vice Chancellor 

confronts helicopter parenting 

AT first, I thought it was fake 

news. But I read it to the end 

and later noticed that it had also 

been shared on a number of other 

serious platforms by serious 

people. And it was signed by the 

Vice Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther 

University, ACU, Rt. Rev. Prof. 

Dapo Asaju. 

The right reverend gentleman 

wore his misery on his sleeves. In 

an unusual WhatsApp conversation 

with parents, he laid out eight 

major reasons why most of the 

parents are their own children’s 

worst enemies. He also painted a 

scary picture of the danger that 

these students might turn out to be 

for society as a whole. 

I share the vice chancellor’s 

concern, but his anger is 

misplaced. Asaju is a professor of 

Christian Studies and vice 

chancellor of a university, not the 

headmaster of a village primary 

school. If the university postponed 

its resumption by two weeks and 

students - who are all supposed be 

adults - are turning up later than 

the resumption date, the way to go 

is not to lock them out. 

Why, when there are other less 

dramatic and far more effective 

options? The school could impose 

a late registration fine and/or ask 

lecturers not to register the late 

returnees for courses that they 

might have been eligible for that 

semester. 

They’ll have to carry over the 

course, if they have chosen to 

resume well past the deadline, and 

that’s it. And except if the process 

in ACU is still far behind, I expect 

that the whole business of course 

registration is mostly done online 

and, in some cases, ahead of school 

resumption. 

If the vice chancellor still needs 

to stand at the school gate, with a 

fat register in hand and a long line 

of students peering in from outside 

the school gate and grumbling 

parents behind them, then there’s 

a problem. And it’s not a problem 

with the students or their parents. 

It’s squarely a problem with the 

nanny vice chancellor and his 

administrators who apparently 

prefer drama to substance. 

Sex in 

classroom 

Vice Chancellor Asaju 

complained about a student 

having sex in the classroom with 

two other female students. Well, 

that’s indecent; really, really 

indecent. If it was rape - and I hope 

not - then the matter should have 

been reported straight to the police. 

Otherwise, if Asaju loosens his 

pastoral collar a bit, he might agree 

that sex in classroom is not unheard 

of. It happens all the time - in 

offices, in cars in street corners, and 

yes, in church vestries. It doesn’t 

make it right but those who want 

to curtail it cannot hope to succeed 

by taking the matter to WhatsApp. 

A less dramatic, more serious 

approach would be to provide 

more lighting, install CCTV 

cameras, and perhaps encourage 

whistle-blowers in addition to 

increasing physical patrols. The 

school can also encourage student 

groups to discuss these matters in 

more open, structured ways, and 

follow through with consequences 

where improper conduct is 

established. 

The bulk of the vice chancellor’s 

complaint was on the thankless 

efforts by the school to make the 

students comfortable by going the 

extra mile to provide electricity, 

library and generally making the 

hostels as cozy as possible. That’s 

a tough call, to be honest; but show 

me one home, one community or 

one organisation that does not 

endure this grief of being a onestop 

government in Nigeria today, 

and I’ll show you an organisation 

that is determined to fail. 

The vice chancellor said the 

Anglican Church does not provide 

any financial support for the 

school, but he did not say that the 

If the vice 

chancellor cannot 

improvise, the 

Church cannot 

provide any 

funding, and 

students won’t 

pay, who is Asaju 

trying to impress 

by squeezing 

water out of 

stone? 

school is a charity. If the church is 

not funding it, and Asaju has 

accepted the job of being vice 

chancellor, he has to find a 

judicious mix of tuition, 

donations, endowments and 

professional services that will 

support the school. That’s his job 

at this time. 

Ostrich game 

The whole business of 

pretending that the school can 

provide what it cannot afford is not 

working. If the vice chancellor 

cannot improvise, the Church 

cannot provide any funding, and 

students won’t pay, who is Asaju 

trying to impress by squeezing 

water out of stone? 

I was amused to read from his 

message that even after 

outsourcing all but one of the 

hostels, the vice chancellor not only 

thinks it’s the job of the school to 

collect rent for the owners, but the 

school also spent about N5 million 

last semester plugging stuff. That 

might be a good idea in Good 

Samaritan country, but in the real 

world, it’s absurd for a school in 

dire financial straits to still be 

providing subsidy for students! 

And then, the point the vice 

chancellor made about only 10 

students routinely being in class 

when 1600 students should have 

been there knocked me flat. That’s 

one clear evidence that something 

is fundamentally wrong. The vice 

chancellor obviously thinks the 

problem is caused by parents 

rubbing the heads of the students 

and feeding them breast milk, 

while students overdose on social 

media. 

I think it’s deeper than that. If 

class attendance is almost 

routinely nearly zero and the 

minimum attendance requirement 

as a basis for taking exams is not 

working and no survey has been 

conducted to find out from the 

students and faculty why 

attendance is so catastrophically 

poor, then it’s time to close down 

the school, convert it to a MOOC 

centre, or let the church have back 

its buildings as mega branches of 

the Anglican Church. 

Asaju may be a well-meaning 

reverend throwing good money 

after bad in the hope of preserving 

the church’s legacy as university 

owner. He is obviously also a 

passionate crusader about saving 

the next generation. But the 

university is not a nanny shop and 

clinging onto the vanity that every 

church must own a university 

doesn’t make much business sense. 

Nanny meets 

helicopter 

Not in ACU’s current form, 

structure or profile. Outsourcing 

the hostels is a good thing. But the 

school cannot outsource the 

hostels and at the same time be 

responsible for rent collection and 

a slew of purse-draining 

maintenance every semester. Why 

not review the contract or find 

competent property managers to 

handle the problem? 

For some time now, Asaju has 

had a running battle with the 

students, perhaps not unconnected 

with his hands-on approach going 

back to his days as ASUU 

chairman at the Lagos State 

University. About two years ago, 

ACU students threw trash and 

water bags at him when he 

personally intervened in a students’ 

dispute. And now, helicopter 

parenting has taken things to a 

boiling point. 

The vice chancellor’s frustration 

says something about his style of 

administration as it does about the 

attitude of the owners of the school, 

students and faculty and, perhaps 

too, about the whole process of 

recruitment/management of faithbased 

private universities in 

Nigeria. 

Most members of the faculty, 

especially at the top, are drawn 

from inside where loyalty and 

servile obedience are prioritised 

over competence and capacity. 

These schools need to open up 

the space and draw talents, even if 

they’re from Buddhist monks. 

Some of the best schools in the 

world have faith-based roots, but 

they have outgrown that parochial 

base to become global centres of 

knowledge and learning, 

attracting the best in students and 

faculty and competing for 

resources. 

Asaju is treating the school like 

an Anglican missionary, which is 

fine. But can he face the owners, 

the Anglican Church, and tell them 

that if they are not going to provide 

funding, they must let him emplace 

an academic model that works, 

even if it means stepping on big 

ecclesiastical toes? 

Facing the parents and lashing 

out at the students is just a small 

part of fixing the problem. The vice 

chancellor must also have the 

marbles to look at his employers 

in the face, tell them what needs to 

be done to fix the system and be 

prepared to take a walk if they 

refuse to listen. 

Murder of Ex-PDP Chairman’s Son: You’ve 

a case to answer, court tells ‘killer wife’ 

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri 

ABUJA—A High Court of 

the Federal Capital 

Territory, sitting at Maitama, 

yesterday, held that Maryam 

Sanda, the lady that allegedly 

stabbed her husband, 

Bilyamin Bello, son of former 

Chairman of the Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP, to 

death, had a criminal case to 

answer. 

The court, in a ruling that 

was delivered by trial Justice 

Yusuf Halilu, dismissed a nocase-submission 

the alleged 

‘killer-wife’ made against a 

two-count culpable homicide 

charge the Nigerian Police 

Force entered against her. 

In the charge marked CR/15/ 

17 which Police filed pursuant 

to section 109(d) of the 

Administration of Criminal 

Justice Act, 2015, Maryam was 

accused of stabbing her 

husband to death with a 

broken bottle on November 19 

By Olayinka Ajayi 

LAGOS—FOUNDER of 

leading technology 

company 

Huawei, 

RenZhengfei has said that 

moves by the United States 

President, Donald Trump to 

ban Chinese companies in 

Europe is politically and 

economically motivated. 

In a statement in Lagos, 

Zhengfei maintained that 

Huawei does not spy for China. 

He also accused the US of 

deliberately making such 

moves to level criminal 

charges against Chinese 

companies in Europe. 

He said: “Mr. Trump 

repeatedly undercut his own 

Justice Department, which 

unveiled sweeping criminal 

indictments against Huawei 

and its chief financial officer 

with accusations of fraud, 

Cyber threat: Firms lose $4m 

per click on phishing link 

By Princewill Ekwujuru 

LAGOS—A 

Security 

Expert has said that 

companies in Nigeria and 

globally lose an average of $4 

million (N1.4 billion) for clicking 

on phishing link while 

presenting a grim reality of global 

cyber threat. 

A Phishing link is a form of fraud 

in which an attacker 

masquerades as a reputable 

entity or person in email or other 

communication channels to steal 

information. 

Principal Service Delivery 

Manager for Microsoft, Felix 

Nwoshu revealed this at the 

Breakfast Meeting Organised by 

Philips Consulting for Chief 

Information Officers (CIOs) 

tagged: “Digital Transformation 

and Cyber Security: The 

Emerging Trend,” in Lagos. 

Nwoshu, who was speaking on 

a sub-topic ‘Securing Your Digital 

Transformation’ said 75 percent 

of persons in an organisation are 

likely to click on a phishing link, 

and each click results in cyberattack 

which costs firms an 

at their Abuja residence. 

The prosecution told the 

court that Bilyamin died as a 

result of several stabs on his 

chest and neck. 

Police maintained that the 

defendant attacked her 

husband with the knowledge 

that her act was likely to cause 

his death. 

She was equally charged 

with the offence of “causing 

grievous hurt”, contrary to 

section 247 of the Penal Code 

Law. 

The late Bilyaminu who is a 

real estate developer, was the 

son of ex-PDP Chairman, Mr. 

Mohammed Bello Haliru. 

Police subsequently amended 

the charge and added Maryam’s 

mother, Maimuna Aliyu, her 

brother, Aliyu Sanda and one 

Sadiya Aminu, as co-defendant 

in the matter. 

The prosecution alleged that 

Maryam’s family members 

attempted to destroy evidence 

that linked her to the murder. 

Moves by Trump to ban Huawei political 

— RenZhengfei, founder of Huawei 

sanctions evasion and 

obstruction of justice. Trump 

has suggested that the charges 

could be dropped as part of a 

trade deal with China. He 

(Mr.Trump) previously eased 

penalties on another Chinese 

telecom firm accused of violating 

American sanctions, ZTE, after a 

personal appeal by President Xi 

Jinping of China. 

“These moves have only 

deepened concerns that the 

administration’s fight against 

Huawei is not about national 

security, instead reflects its 

political and economic 

ambitions. Also, European and 

Asian officials complained that 

recent American intelligence 

briefings for allies did not 

share any sort of classified 

information that demonstrated 

how the Chinese government 

used Huawei to steal 

information.” 

average of $4 million.” 

He stated further: “A cyber risk, 

is currently the only risk to which 

an entire organisation can be 

lost.” 

Also speaking, Deputy Director 

at the Office of the National 

Security Adviser (ONSA) Dr. Bala 

Fakandu, who presented a 

glimpse into the regulatory 

perspective of Cyber Security 

posture in Nigeria, said the 

Cyber-Crime Act provides the 

agency the right for incidence 

management at the Nigerian 

Computer Emergency Response 

Team (ngCERT). 

On the partnership with 

Microsoft, PCL Managing 

Director, Robert Taiwo said, 

“Through its Digital Technology 

Consulting practice, PCl 

possesses deep industry and 

business expertise. Coupled with 

Microsoft’s market leading 

technology, in the areas of Cloud 

Computing, Cyber Security and 

Data Analytics, we can jointly 

provide our customers with a set 

of business aligned technology 

solutions that are perfectly in sync 

with a Digital 4.0 economy.”


Court voids 

sale of Etisalat 

(9mobile) 

...9mobile denies nullification 

of sale, appeals judgment 

vanguardnews @vanguardnews @vanguardnews 

NEWS HOTLINES 

018773962, 

08052867058 

By Prince Osuagwu 

& Ikechukwu 

Nnochiri 

ABUJA —A Federal 

High Court sitting 

in Abuja, yesterday, 

nullified the sale of 

telecommunication firm, 

Etisalat International 

Nigeria Limited 

(9mobile) to Teleology 

Nigeria Limited. 

Trial judge, Justice 

Binta Nyako, invalidated 

all steps taken with 

respect to the exchange 

of ownership of the 

defunct Etisalat. 

Justice Nyako held that 

such steps amounted to 

a nullity since they were 

taken despite an express 

order of the court that 

directed parties to 

maintain status quo, 

pending 

the 

determination of legal 

dispute involving 

investors and other 

stakeholders in the 

company. 

The judge said there 

was evidence before the 

court that parties were 

aware of the existence of 

the suit, noting that the 

defendants were duly 

served with relevant 

court processes between 

April 24 and 27, 2018. 

She observed that 

according to a motion by 

the plaintiffs on 

November 16, 2018, 

change of ownership of 

the telecommunications 

company was effected 

after the parties were 

notified that the court 

was already seized of the 

facts of the matter. 

“Any action that had 

been taken concerning 

the res (subject matter) of 

Naira appreciates to 

N360.30/$ in I&E 

this litigation from April 

25, which is earlier in 

time, should revert to 

the position, as of the res, 

to April 25, 2018,” 

Justice Nyako held. 

The ruling followed the 

suit by two major 

investors in Etisalat, 

Afdin Ventures Limited 

and Dirbia Nigeria 

Limited. 

Afdin and Dirbia, 

whose investments in 

Etisalat was estimated at 

$43,033,950, had sued to 

retrieve their 

investments on the 

premise that they were 

aggrieved, having been 

excluded from the 

decision making process 

of the company. 

Defendants in the 

matter were Karington 

Telecommunication Ltd, 

P r e m i u m 

Telecommunications 

Holdings NV, First Bank 

of Nigeria Plc, Central 

Bank of Nigeria, Etisalat 

International Nigeria 

Ltd and Nigeria 

Communication 

Commission, NCC. 

9mobile reacts 

Meanwhile, reacting 

to the judgment, 

9Mobile dismissing it as 

misrepresentation of 

facts. 

The company’s 

Secretary/ Legal 

Adviser, Ore Olajide, 

said the news that the 

court had nullified the 

sale of 9mobile to 

Teleology Nigeria 

Limited were incorrect, 

misleading, mischievous 

and a total falsehood. 

She said: “The Federal 

High Court, Abuja did 

not nullify the sale of 

By Elizabeth Adegbesan 

The naira yesterday appreciated to N360.30 per 

dollar in the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window. 

Data from FMDQ showed that the indicative 

exchange rate for the window dropped to N360.30 

per dollar from N360.55 per dollar on Wednesday, 

translating to 25 kobo appreciation for the naira. 

The volume of dollars (turnover) traded yesterday 

rose by 28 percent to $ 119.00 million from $165.84 

million sold on Wednesday. 

The naira, however, dropped by 50 kobo in the 

parallel market. 

According to naijabdcs.com, the live exchange 

rate platform of the Association of Bureaux De 

Change Operators (ABCON), the parallel market 

exchange dropped to N358.8 per dollar from N359 

on Wednesday, translating to 20 kobo appreciation 

of the naira. 

AWARD FOR ABIA STATE—Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (2nd right) presenting an award of the Top 

Five States on the World Bank Index to Abia State Governor, Mr. Okezie Ikpeazu (Right) being assisted 

by a staff of the Abia State Government while the SSA to the President on Trade and Investments/ 

PEBEC Secretary, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole (Left) joins to applaud the state during the presentation of The 

PEBEC Awards 2019 at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, Wednesday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida. 

9mobile. The court on 

April 1, 2019 made an 

order for parties to 

maintain status quo as at 

April 25, 2018. As at the 

said date, Emerging 

M a r k e t s 

Telecommunications 

Service, EMTS, trading 

as 9mobile was not a 

party in the suit before 

the court. The action 

before Justice Nyako was 

not about the sale of 

9mobile rather, the 

transfer of the license 

even without locus 

standi. 

“9mobile has however, 

appealed the order and 

also sought an injunction 

pending appeal at the 

Court of Appeal.” 

She urged 9mobile 

subscribers and all 

stakeholders to remain 

calm, claiming that 

matters are under control 

as the company’s team of 

counsel had promised to 

follow through the case 

as deemed necessary. 

Also, a reliable source 

at the Nigerian 

Communications 

Commission, NCC, said 

the commission was yet 

to see or know the details 

of the judgment and 

therefore, cannot make 

any informed comment. 

According to the 

source, “NCC cannot 

make any comment on 

the issue now because we 

are yet to see the 

judgment. Our comment 

will be informed by the 

details of the judgment.” 

Telecom operators 

react 

Also, the umbrella body 

of telecom operators in 

Nigeria, the Association 

of Telecom Operators in 

Nigeria, ALTON, 

declined comment on the 

issue, saying it was yet 

to be briefed by its 

member, 9mobile. 

The association’s 

chairman, Engr Gbenga 

Adebayo said: “We are 

waiting for the details of 

the judgment and also to 

hear from our member, 

9Mobile, before we could 

make any statement on 

the issue. 

“However, as an 

advocacy group, it is in 

our interest to see that 

9Mobile continues to 

operate as a profit 

oriented service 

provider. We will do all 

in our interest to support 

Continues from Page 5 

of the Notes yet to be 

issued to oil marketers, 

last year, would be paid 

this year. 

Speaking on the 2019 

borrowing plan, the D-G 

said the Federal 

Government will focus 

on longer-tenor bonds of 

up to 30-years with 

relatively low interest 

rates, compared to 2017 

levels of over 18 per 

cent. 

Benefits of such longterm 

instruments, the 

DMO boss said, include 

enabling the Federal 

Government to raise 

long-term capital for 

the telcom to continue 

providing services to 

Nigerians.” 

In the suit at the court, 

in their supporting 

affidavit, the plaintiffs, 

had told the court that 

they resorted to legal 

action to void the sale of 

Etisalat, upon learning 

that the defendants had 

proceeded to conclude 

the transfer of ownership 

of the firm, despite 

restraining orders that 

were earlier issued by 

the court. 

Oil prices hit $70 per barrel 

•As Oando divests 25% midstream business to offset $1.5bn debt 

By Ediri Ejoh & Prince 

Okafor 

CRUDE oil prices in 

the international 

market yesterday, hits 

$70 per barrel for the first 

time since November, 

2018 five months, as 

expectations of tight 

global supply 

outweighed pressure 

from rising U.S. 

production. 

This came as Nigerian 

indigenous energy 

company, Oando Plc, 

said it hds sold its 

midstream business 

subsidiary (Axxela 

Limited) to Helios 

Investment partners for 

$41.5 million, to offset 

$1.5 billion long-term 

debt after purchasing 

Conoco Phillips. 

The total purchase price 

for the transaction 

according to the 

company was $41.5 

million. The net 

proceeds of the 

transaction will be 

applied in partially 

prepaying the Group’s 

Medium Term Loan 

(MTL). 

Helios Investment 

Partners is a private 

equity investing firm 

operating in Africa and 

based in London, United 

Kingdom, with additional 

offices in Nairobi, Kenya 

and Lagos, Nigeria. 

Brent futures were up 

69 cents, to $70.01 a 

barrel around, touching 

its highest since 

November 12, when it 

last traded above $70. 

The United States, West 

Texas Intermediate 

crudes were up 26 cents 

at $62.72 a barrel. The 

contract dropped 12 

cents in the previous 

session after briefly 

Nigeria's total debt now N24.4 trillion — DMO 

infrastructure and serve 

as benchmark for private 

sector operators to 

equally raise long-term 

investment capital from 

the capital market. 

“It will reduce shortterm 

debt. It will deepen 

the Life Insurance sector 

in particular,” she 

added. 

The D-G said her 

team was confident that 

the huge pension funds 

in the country would be 

readily deployed to 

investments in long-term 

debt instruments of the 

Federal Government and 

corporate organisations 

that would follow the 

hitting $62.99, also the 

highest since November. 

Oando 

According to Oando 

Chief Executive Officer, 

CEO, Mr. Adewale 

Tinubu, “The completion 

of this divestment 

signifies another win for 

the company. The 

divestment further 

reinforces Oando’s 

ability to create value 

that can be monetized 

and the company’s 

status as the indigenous 

partner of choice for 

international companies 

looking to invest in 

Nigeria. 

“This transaction 

favourably positions us 

to significantly reduce 

our debt profile and 

remain focused on 

growth through our 

dollar denominated 

businesses." 

example of the 

government. 

Ms. Oniha said that 50 

per cent of the N 1. 649 

trillion borrowings 

proposed in this year’s 

budget would be sourced 

from foreign 

concessionary sources, 

while the other 50 per 

cent would be sourced 

locally. 

She said with reduced 

rates being witnessed in 

the economy, the cost of 

debt service will also 

reduce, thereby freeing 

more resources to enable 

government invest more 

in infrastructure and the 

social sectors.

42 — VANGUARD, FRIDAY APRIL 5, 2019 

91 parties: 

Cure or 

curse 

By Joseph Erunke and 

Dirisu Yakubu 

Democracy as a system 

of government 

thrives on plurality of 

opinions. As a government of 

the people and by the people, 

freedom of expression and liberty 

of association is one of 

the striking features that differentiate 

democracy from other 

governance systems. 

In the build-up to the First 

Republic, the nation 

experimented with a multiparty 

system with such 

parties as the National Council 

of Nigerian Citizens, 

NCNC, the Action Group, 

AG, Midwest Democratic 

Front, MDF, Borno Youth 

Movement, BYM, Dynamic 

Party, DP, to mention but a few, 

which played prominent role 

in the nation's journey to political 

development. 

Although, the democratic 

experimentation came to an 

abrupt end following the 

military coup of January 15, 

1966; the nation again 

returned to the part of civilian 

administration when the then 

military government of 

General Olusegun Obasanjo 

handed over power 

voluntarily to Alhaji Shehu 

Shagari of the National Party 

of Nigeria, NPN, in 1979. 

Alongside NPN, the Unity 

Party of Nigeria, UPN, Great 

Nigeria Peoples Party, GNPP, 

Nigeria Advance Party, NAP, 

Peoples Redemption Party, 

PRP, and the Nigeria People's 

Party, NPP all won 

representation in the National 

Assembly in the Second 

Republic. 

The botched Third Republic, 

however, witnessed a ditch of 

the multi-party model as the 

then military government of 

General Ibrahim Badamasi 

Babangida foisted a two-party 

system on the country with the 

registration of the National 

Republican Convention, 

NRC, and the Social Democratic 

Party, SDP. Although the 

military government 

conducted what generally 

passed for credible polls with 

the election of Chief Moshood 

Kashimawo Olawale, MKO, 

Abiola in 1993, the polls were 

annulled, sparking a spate of 

violent skirmishes that 

culminated in the death of 

many Nigerians, particularly 

in the South-West region of 

the country. 

The nation walked a similar 

path with the return of the 

men in khaki to the barracks 

in 1999 as three dominant 

parties made a bold statement 

of intent. The Peoples Democratic 

Party, PDP, All Peoples 

Party, APP and the Alliance 

for Democracy, AD, won big 

in their respective strongholds 

with the PDP however 

showing its strength as a truly 

national party. 

The big three as it were, 

continued to dominate the 

political space, until the late 

legal luminary, Chief Gani 

Fawehinmi, SAN successfully 

won his case in court for the 

opening of the political space, 

thus compelling the electoral 

commission to register more 

political parties provided they 

meet basic registration 

criteria. 

The recently concluded 

2019 general elections 

witnessed an unprecedented 

91 political parties fielding 

candidates for various 

elective positions, but at the 

end, only a handful justified 

their status as parties seeking 

political power to formulate 

and implement policies and 

programmes. 

This has again led to call for 

a return to a two-party system 

given the fact that apart from 

the ruling All Progressives 

Congress, APC, and the PDP, 

none of the existing 

registered parties won a state 

in the governorship elections 

held on March 9, 2019. 

Vanguard went to town to 

seek opinions of eminent Nigerians 

many of whom bared 

their minds on the development. 

Senior Advocate of Nigeria 

and renowned rights activist, 

Chief Mike Ozekhome, told 

Vanguard that plurality of 

opinion is the beauty of democracy, 

saying "I do not believe 

in the regimentalisation 

of political parties. Many will 

die naturally. Democracy is 

about choices, about plurality, 

about preferences, and 

leanings. 

"Even in the United States 

of America, there are many 

fringe political parties though 

•Mahmood Yakubu 

only the Republican and Democratic 

parties are dominant 

and most visible. It's true that 

the existence of many parties 

give the Independent National 


INEC, more job, and nightmares," 

adding that it will be 

a step in the right direction to 

introduce independent candidature. 

This position enjoys the 

support of Inebehe Effiong, 

Convener of the Coalition of 

Human Rights Defenders. 

According to Effiong, a twoparty 

system will breed dictatorship 

and stifle the democratic 

space and as such, 

should be avoided for now. 

He told Vanguard: "I do not 

support a two-party system. It 

will breed dictatorship and 

stifle political and civic space. 

In a country where the two 

leading political parties are 

plagued by corruption, 

criminality, and abuse of 

power, it will be 

counterproductive to give 

them a monopoly. 

"Nigeria is not suitable for a 

two-party system. If we reform 

our electoral process and 

strengthen election financing 

laws, both the APC and the 

PDP will be politically decimated. 

These two parties depend 

on the public treasury 

for existence. This is not the 

case in any advanced democracy." 

He further hit the APC and 

the PDP: "They have no 

ideology or principles. 

Therefore, to give them the 

right of exclusive participation 

in the political process in the 

name of a two-party system 

will lead to more impunity 

and criminality by the political 

elites. I am opposed to a twoparty 

system." 

For Andre Echono, 

Managing Consultant at 

Perfect Pitch Consults, Abuja, 

there is need to prune the 

number of existing political 

parties. He, however, insists 

that two will be inadequate for 

a country of close to 200 

million people. 

His words: "I do not support 

a two-party system. At the 

same time, I am not in 

support of 91 parties. I 

support a system that 

provides Nigerians with an 

alternative to the two 

dominant parties. Let's have 

more options, at most, five 

parties. Redemption for 

Nigerians cannot come from 

either PDP or APC." 

In advanced democracies, 

parties do not exist 

principally to struggle for 

political power. Education of 

the electorate in civic duties, 

political socialization and 

participation is a key component 

of democracy that parties 

in this part of the world 

should not gloss over. 

91 parties not a burden 

to INEC – Oyekanmi 

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor 

Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, the chief 

press secretary to the 

chairman of the Independent 

National Electoral Commission, INEC, 

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu does not see 

the proliferation of political parties as a 

burden to the election management 

body. The commission, he said, has 

adjusted itself to the reality of what the 

laws of the land have allowed for. 

He said: “The Commission does not 

see 

the 

current number of political parties 

as a “proliferation”. We have 91 of them 

now simply because the law allows it. 

INEC’s duty is to adjust its operations to 

carry out what the constitution says. 

“It is more appropriate to discuss the 

effects of more political parties on the 

electoral process, especially with regard 

to the 2019 general elections. 

“The first effect can be seen in the 

dimension/ size of the ballot paper, which 

had to reflect the acronyms and logos of 

73 political parties that took part in the 

presidential election. The Commission 

•Oyekanmi 

also has to do more in terms of voter education 

and also, the declaration of results took more 

time because the Commission had to read the 

scores of all participating political parties in 

the Presidential election for instance. 

“INEC will therefore not categorize the rise 

in the number of parties as a burden. Rather, it 

is more appropriate to say it has increased the 

Commission’s operational costs.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY APRIL 5, 2019 — 43 

Momoh: Many parties are now business enterprises 

By Omeiza Ajayi 

ABUJA -- Former Minister of 

Information, Chief Tony 

Momoh has advocated a 

reduction in the number of political 

parties, saying the system has become 

too porous that businessmen looking 

to make easy cash now easily resort 

to establishing political parties. 

Momoh, a former National 

Chairman of the Congress for 

Progressive Change CPC who is now 

a chieftain of the ruling All 

Progressives Congress, APC recalled 

how Nigeria missed the opportunity 

to have a well regulated political 

space, and lamented that the 

administration of President Olusegun 

Obasanjo and the Peoples Democratic 

Party, PDP are partly to blame for the 

increasing number of parties. 

He said; "What happened with the 

SDP and NRC during the time of IBB 

was an attempt to reduce the 

proliferation of parties in our political 

life and you know that a committee 

was set up and they had all the entries 

grouped into 'a little to the left' and 'a 

little to the right'. So, we had the SDP 

and the NRC, and when we began 

preparations for a return to civil rule 

in 1999, a lot of people said, no, that 

the SDP and NRC were government 

parastatals. But the fact is, what 

Smaller parties are 

good grounds for 

political greenhorns 

-- Dakpokpo, Chairman YDP 

By Emmanuel Aziken, 

Political Editor 

Edo State born lawyer, Mrs. 

Georgina Dakpokpo is the only 

female national chairman of a 

registered political party, that is the 

Youth Democratic Party, YDP. In this 

interview, she speaks on the 

advantages of keeping what she 

calls the lesser political parties. 

Excerpts: 

Do you think the proliferation of 

political parties is a cost on the 

political system? 

I don't think the cost is as enormous 

as we are wont to think. 

Whether they were two 

political parties or 500, 

INEC would still employ 

the same number of ad-hoc staff. INEC 

doesn't and stopped funding political 

parties since 2011. 

On the contrary, economically, 

political parties contribute 

somewhat... each of the lesser popular 

parties employs at least three members 

of staff. 

So, in essence, I do not agree at all 

to the proscription of parties...I mean, 

what's the essence of proscribing 

existing political parties that have not 

been given the opportunity to properly 

establish themselves within the polity, 

with some of them registered less than 

six months to the General Election. 

Meanwhile, there are over 100 

associations waiting to be registered 

already. 

So what role do you think the lesser 

political parties play in the polity? 

•Momoh 

people didn't know is that as at the 

time Abacha dissolved those parties, 

they had taken over the ownership of 

their party because after the 

These lesser popular 

political parties help to create 

more political awareness in 

the polity, by reason of their 

voters' education and 

membership drive. 

They also provide platforms 

for leadership training and 

recruitment. The more 

popular parties are saturated 

and barely afford greenhorns 

without godfathers any 

opportunity to play in the 

arena. However, these other 

parties, especially because 

they are created by ideological 

individuals and funded by them and 

not by godfathers are able to make 

themselves available as platforms for 

leadership training and recruitment. 

There are several other advantages 

that these less popular Parties bring 

to the political sphere, such as voters’ 

education and advocacy, expansion of 

the democratic space fostering 

inclusivity. 

How would someone like me as 

several other bright minds have had 

the opportunity to chair a political 

party or gain the politicking 

experience, beyond armchair 

participation? 

They also provide more 

opportunities for the electorate to 

choose from. 

Another important advantage that 

favours our democratic process is the 

networking among stakeholders made 

possible via our multi-party 

participation. 

Should there be a regulation on 

annulment of the June 12 

elections, meetings were 

being called and SDP that 

produced Abiola was deciding 

to or not to attend meetings 

because they were already in 

charge of their party. So, if we 

had allowed the NRC and SDP 

to grow with all the structures 

already in place at the local, 

state and national levels, they 

would have grown into 

institutions that would have 

stabilized our democracy. But 

what happened after 1999 was 

that we had a situation 

whereby the power of INEC 

to register was being 

questioned, and Obasanjo 

messed up the whole system 

by asking INEC to register as 

many parties as possible, most 

of which were initiated by the 

PDP. So, we had this situation 

where we had so many 

political parties, and as at the 

last count, we had 91 in the 

system, and it is not as if they 

are tired. More parties would 

spring up because we must 

look at what we have made of politics 

in Nigeria and you are a political 

association until you are registered 

as a political party. 

•Georgina Dakpokpo 

how parties can get on the ballot? 

However, I do agree that something 

needs to be done about getting parties 

on the ballot for elections. The process 

needs to be regulated, but I don't agree 

By Olayinka Ajayi 

National Chairman of United 

Progressives Party UPP, Chief 

Chekwas Okorie said 

multiple political parties are the 

necessary ingredients for deepening 

and promoting democracy. 

"Multiple political parties deepen 

and promote our democracy. It 

provides a wider space and alternative 

options to aspirants. Nigeria must 

embrace Electronic Voting System 

EVS to cope with the multiplicity of 

candidates during elections. 

Antagonists of multi-parties must know 

that their fears will be worsened when 

You cannot do business as a political 

association. You can only do business 

when you are registered as a political 

party. We have made politics a 

business and political parties are the 

vehicles for those businesses while 

Nigerians are ruthless businessmen. 

In business, there must be a gain. We 

are not going to have a reduction in 

parties; we are going to have more. 

So, we have a challenge which is to 

ensure that politics becomes what it 

should be. 

In other realms, it is service, not a 

business. As long as we continue to 

see it as a business in Nigeria, we 

are going to handle political parties 

as we handle selling pepper or sugar 

or even 419. We must decongest the 

political space. If we don't do that, 

we will continue to have the outcome 

of what we have now and even vote 

buying will increase because again 

if the National Assembly is, and then 

you decongest the political space, 

reduce the power at the centre, move 

them to the States, then cancel local 

government elections and reduce it 

to part-time if you must have them, 

you will see overnight how we will 

cure these ills because these are 

businesses. Nigerians are ruthless 

businessmen and women, and it will 

continue to be business as usual. 

to proscription, it could 

turn out to be a 

dangerous decision if we 

are unfortunately 

saddled with a despotic 

leader in future 

The solution is setting 

up conditions that must 

be met before any party 

can get on the ballot... 

this is what is 

obtainable in older 

democracies like the US 

and UK 

Our constitution states 

that for someone to be 

declared a president, 

(s)he must win 25% of 

votes cast in 2/3rd of the 

states of the federation. 

In my opinion, 

therefore, a party must 

prove with physical 

address and 

membership register of 

being able to have a 

presence in at least 2/ 

3rd of the States in the federation. 

I'm not implying they should have 

25% percent of the required voters as 

members because they could get votes 

from supporters who are not 

necessarily members of the party 

Multiparty system deepens democracy —Okorie. 

•Okorie 

Independent Candidature will come 

on stream with all its logistics and 

management implications", he said.


Chukwueze's 

release clause set 

at N25.4b 

...turns jewel of Villarreal 

Samuel Chukwueze 

was one of the best 

players on display at 

La Ceramica on Tuesday 

night between Villarreal and 

Barcelona. The young 

Nigerian, who was named as 

the best youngster in his home 

country just days before, drove 

Barcelona defenders insane 

with his speed, dribbling 

ability and threat on goal. 

Without doubt, he is one of 

the best emerging talents in 

LaLiga this season and it's not 

going unnoticed by scouts 

and agents. 

The rumours of interest in 

the attacker are ramping up 

as Villarreal fans fear the 

worst. The only silver lining 

is that his release clause is 

much higher than previously 

reported and the club might 

be able to replace him if, and 

potentially when, he does 

leave the club. 

Chukwueze renewed this 

past summer when he signed 

a professional deal with a 

release clause of €63 

million, not the €40 million 

previously reported. They 

signed him for €500,000 and 

look set to land a massive 

financial windfall with some 

of the best clubs in Europe 

interested in his services. 

He arrived 18 months ago 

to play in the youth team 

but outgrew his 

surroundings rather 

quickly and jumped up to the 

first team and has kept 

growing this season. 

His agent has already 

informed the club of the 

potential interest from 

several Premier 

League clubs, but 

Villarreal are eager to retain 

Former Super Eagles 

midfielder, Mutiu 

Adepoju said the form 

exhibited by the national team 

players in their various clubs in 

the Spanish LaLiga is exciting 

ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of 

Nations. 

Adepoju who is LaLiga 

Ambassador, said the exploits of 

Samuel Chukwueze in FC 

Villarreal, Moses Simon who 

plays for Levante and Kenneth 

Omeruo who has proved to be a 

stalwart in defence for CD 

Osaze regrets missing 

2013 AFCON 

Former Super Eagles 

striker, Peter Osaze 

Odemwingie 

admits he regrets not being 

part of his country’s Africa 

Cup of Nations winning 

team in 2013 as he formally 

retires from playing 

football. 

his services for the next 

campaign. 

If he does leave for his 

release clause, it would be by 

far the most important sale 

in the club's history. As it 

stands, Eric Bailly is the most 

lucrative departure when he 

left for €40 million and just 

behind that deal was Cedric 

Bakambu to Beijing Guoan 

for €37 million. 

Eagles players’ form in LaLiga excites Adepoju 

The 37-year-old has not 

played professionally since 

2017 but had been hopeful 

of continuing his career. 

He helped Nigeria finish 

third at the Nations Cup in 

2004, 2006 and 2010 but 

missed their triumph in 

South Africa. 

“I think not being part of 

the Nations Cup-winning 

squad when I was at my 

peak is a big regret,” he 

told BBC Sport. 

“I don’t think there is 

anyone that will say they 

are without regrets. 

“I did everything I could 

to be a part of that squad 

but it never happened, but 

I had an amazing time with 

my country. 

“A lot of interesting things 

to be proud of at club level 

that would be too much to 

talk about. 

Determined to walk the talk of 

ensuring adequate preparations 

for the Senior Women National 

Team, Super Falcons, that would enable 

the team compete favourably for honours 

at the 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals 

in France, the Nigeria Football Federation 

has approved the boosting of the team’s 

technical crew ahead of the finals. 

Per Harlsson has been brought on board 

as conditioning coach, while Matti 

Demegard will work as video analyst for 

the nine –time African champions before 

and during the World Cup finals. Both 

were recommended by Head Coach 

Thomas Dennerby. 

These additions come on the back of two 

preparatory tournaments in China and 

Cyprus, an ongoing one in Spain, 

Chukwueze left... 

New Bordeaux 

coach Paulo 

Sousa is 

planning to deploy 

Samuel Kalu as a right 

wing-back when he 

returns to full fitness. 

Speaking at the prematch 

press conference 

ahead of today’s Ligue 1 

match against Olympique 

de Marseille, Sousa 

confirmed that the Super 

Eagles star will not be 

available for selection, 

having failed to recover 

from a muscle injury. 

Kalu is predominantly a 

right winger but is also 

Leganes, is heartwarming adding that 

these players will continue to improve 

on their game in Spain. 

Chukwueze was brilinat as Villarreal 

were forced to a 4-4 draw by Barcelona 

on Tuesday night. 

“ I’m so happy they are doing well 

which is what we expect, and they are 

doing well and making a statement “ 

“We have Nigerian players doing 

well in the La Liga and they are doing 

well and I am happy for them, I just 

hope that they continue to do their best 

and play well consistently”, Adepoju 

said. 

Ahead France 2019: Falcons get additional backroom staff 

scheduled participation in the WAFU 

B Tournament and final camping 

programme in the world –renown 

Avita Resort in Austria, making the 

Class of 2019 perhaps the most – 

prepared Super Falcons for any FIFA 

World Cup finals since the competition 

was launched 28 years ago. 

Meanwhile, Coach Thomas 

Dennerby said that it is important to 

have good camps as the France 2019 

Women’s World Cup finals draw 

nearer. In an interview at the team’s 

hotel in San Pedro del Pinatar, Thalasia, 

Spain, Dennerby insisted that the team 

will get better with the different camps 

and tournaments ahead of the big 

showpiece in France. 

Bordeaux 

coach plans to 

copy Rohr’s 

tactics for Kalu 

comfortable playing as a 

left winger, right 

midfielder and second 

striker at club level. 

Gernot Rohr had no choice 

but to use the Bordeaux 

number 10 as a right wingback 

when the Super Eagles 

faced South 

Africa in an 

Africa Cup 

of Nations 

qualifier 

back in 

November 

due to the 

absence of 

Abdullahi 

Shehu and 

Tyronne 

Ebuehi, and 

Sousa wants 

to borrow a 

page from 

the German. 

•Dennerby 

Super Eagles move 

four steps up on 

world rankings 

Nigeria’s Super 

Eagles have 

moved up on 

the FIFA World 

Rankings from the 46th 

position to 42 after 

their Africa Cup of 

Nations win against 

Seychelles and the 1-0 

pipping of Egypt in a 

friendly game in 

Asaba, Delta State. 

The Super Eagles 

with the April ranking 

are now third behind 

Senegal and Tunisia in 

the African national 

teams ratings. 

The three-time 

African champions now 

sit behind Senegal [23] 

and Tunisia[28] in the 

continental standings 

while Morocco [45], 

DR Congo [46], Ghana 

[49], Cameroon [54], 

Egypt [57], Burkina 

Faso [58] and Mali 

[65] completed the top 

10. 

Belgium remain 

unmoved at the summit 

of the world ranking 

followed by France, 

Brazil, England and 

Croatia in the top five. 

Mikel laments Boro's 

goals drought 

Super Eagles captain 

a n d 

Middlesbrough’s 

inspiring midfielder, John 

Obi Mikel said it was 

lamentable the English 

championship side is 

struggling to score goals. 

The Riverside outfit have 

failed to win a game in their 

past six outings, extending 

their goalless run to three 

games on Tuesday 

“For the last three games, 

I don’t understand how 

some of the chances go in,” 

Mikel told club website. 

“It’s unbelievable. 

Sometimes football is very 

cruel like that. 

“We come out to try and 

put in a good performance 

and make sure we don’t 

disappoint the fans. 

“We keep getting these 

chances. The lads are doing 

everything possible so that 

we take the lead when 

we’re on top, get one or two 

and then we can settle, but 

it’s just not coming. 

“But we have to keep 

going.” Mikel will hope 

Middlesbrough, who have 

since dropped to the eighth 

position - two points adrift 

playoff spot - in the 

Championship log, get lucky 

in the final third when they 

visit South Wales to take on 

Swansea City on Saturday. 

Nigeria football agents hold 

summit, AGM in Lagos 

Football Intermediaries Association of 

Nigeria (FIAN) are set to host a 

summit with the theme “Best 

International Practices in Approaching 

Football Business,” this weekend in Lagos. 

This gathering of Nigerian football agents 

will be followed by their annual general 

meeting, where new officials will be elected. 

The summit will have in attendance 

officials of the Nigeria Football Federation, 

the National Association Of Nigerian 

Footballers, sports lawyers, officials of the 

European Football 

Agents Association, E.F.A.A and 

representatives of the Embassies of Norway 

and Denmark in Nigeria. 

The event is billed to begin today at the 

Four Point by Sheraton hotel at the Oniru 

Chieftaincy Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos. 

Some of the keynote speeches and 

discussion topics on the day include; “FIAN 

and EFAA Partnership, Benefits and 

Modalities,” to be delivered by Mr. Allison 

Hatch, who is Policy and Communication 

Assistant at the E.F.A.A and also “The Plight 

Of Nigerian Professional Footballers In The 

Nigeria Domestic Leagues Without Working 

With An Intermediary,” which will be given 

by Mr. Austin Popo, General Secretary of 

NANF.


Tottenham 

set worldrecord 

annual 

profit of 

£113m 

Tottenham posted a 

world-record annual 

profit for a football club of 

£113m in 2017/18, beating 

the £106m mark announced 

by Liverpool in February 

for the same season. 

The north London club’s 

bottom line was revealed 

on Thursday, the morning 

after their first Premier 

League game at the new, 

62,000-capacity Tottenham 

Hotspur Stadium. 

Spurs had spent just over 

£1billion on that stadium 

and their new training 

ground as of the end of 

June 2018, with nearly half 

of that amount being spent 

in the 2017/18 financial 

year. 

Much of that has been 

financed by secured loans 

from Bank of America, 

HSBC, Investec and 

Goldman Sachs, and Spurs 

owed a total of £461m at the 

end of the financial year, 

although the club have 

since extended their loan 

from Bank of America and 

Goldman Sachs by another 

£100m. 

The huge net profit was 

based on an underlying 

operating profit of £157m, 

more than double the 

figure for the year before, 

with turnover increasing to 

£381m, up from £310m. 

Ahead of the African 

Boxing Union (ABU) 

lightweight title clash, 

Ghana’s Success “Brave 

Warrior” Tetteh has vowed 

to be the first boxer to 

defeat Nigeria’s Oto “Joe 

Boy” Joseph, the reigning 

champion, when they meet 

at GOtv Boxing Night 18 on 

21 April. 

The bout will headline the 

event slated to hold at the 

Indoor Sports Hall of the 

Obafemi Awolowo Stadium 

(formerly Liberty Stadium) 

in Ibadan. Joe Boy, who also 

holds the Commonwealth 

(Africa) lightweight title, 

has remained undefeated in 

his 14-bout professional 

career. Speaking from his 

Accra base, the challenger 

said he is familiar with the 

champion’s strengths and 

weaknesses and is working 

Man Utd ready to offload 

SIX stars including Sanchez 

Ole 

Herrera 

Manchester United 

are ready to 

offload up to six 

players at the end of the 

season as Ole Gunnar 

Solskjaer builds a team 

capable of competing for 

the Premier League title. 

An overhaul of the squad 

is imminent even if 

Solskjaer can claim a 

Champions League place 

after Tuesday’s defeat at 

GOtv Boxing Night 18: Ghana’s 

Brave Warrior vows to defeat 

Joe Boy 

on plans to neutralize him. 

“I’m very motivated to 

become the first boxer to 

defeat Joe Boy. I have 

watched him fight many 

opponents, who clearly did 

not know what to do in the 

ring. He will fall. It doesn’t 

matter that the fight is 

holding in Nigeria. I’m not 

named Success for 

nothing,” boasted Tetteh. 

The Ghanaian added that 

he has intensified training 

and has also taken his diet 

more seriously. 

In another international 

bout billed for the event, 

Nigeria’s Akeem “Dodo” 

Sadiku will take on 

Republic of Benin’s 

Ekpresso Djamihou in a 

light middleweight contest. 

Dodo, a cult figure among 

boxing fans in Ibadan, is a 

knockout expert. 

Valencia 

Sanchez 

Wolves left United adrift of 

the top four. 

It promises to be the 

biggest shake-up at Old 

Trafford since 2015 when 

Louis van Gaal signed six 

players and jettisoned 

eight more. 

United usually prefer to 

replace three players a 

year, but accept the 

number may be 

significantly higher this 

Title race: 

Atletico to 

fight Barca 

until the end 

Atletico Madrid can 

reduce their gap 

behind Barcelona at the 

top of LaLiga Santander to 

five points, should they 

win at the Camp Nou on 

Saturday night.After 

easing past Alaves last 

Saturday, Los Rojiblancos 

beat Girona 2-0 on 

Tuesday whilst the 

Catalans dropped two 

points at the Estadio de la 

Ceramica against 

Villarreal.”This helps us 

release that it will be 

difficult to win this title,” 

Ernesto Valverde said 

after the 4-4 draw at 

Villarreal.With eight 

games to go until the end 

of the season, Diego 

Simeone’s side will take 

their chances against the 

Blaugrana and fight for 

the title until the very 

end.At Barcelona they are 

remaining calm as they 

are in pursuit of all three 

competitions, including 

LaLiga Santander, the 

Copa del Rey and the 

Champions League.The 

game will kick off on 

Saturday at 20:45 CET at 

the Camp Nou. 

summer because of the 

current state of the squad. 

Club captain Antonio 

Valencia looks certain to 

leave after a decade at 

United having not played 

since early January. 

Matteo Darmian is 

expected to follow having 

failed to secure the return 

to Italy he wanted in the 

summer. The 29-year-old 

defender has played only 

six times this season, and 

only twice under 

Solskjaer. 

United are also likely to 

sell one of their five 

centre-backs with Marcos 

Rojo and Eric Bailly the 

leading candidates to go. 

Rojo has made four 

appearances since being 

lined up for a move to 

Everton last summer, 

while Bailly has had a 

difficult campaign in 

which he suffered the 

indignity of being 

substituted in the first half 

against Newcastle and 

Paris Saint-Germain. 

Ander Herrera and Juan 

Mata are both set to leave 

as free agents if they 

cannot agree new 

contracts after 18 months 

of negotiations. 

Premier League clubs 

have paid out more 

than £260m to football 

agents during 2018-19 - an 

increase of £49m on the 

previous 12 months. 

Liverpool were the highest 

spending club in the top 

flight, paying £43m to 

agents between 1 

February 2018 and 31 

January 2019. 

Chelsea (£26m) and 

Manchester City (£24m) 

were the next biggest 

spenders. 

Championship clubs 

spent more than £50m 

while Sunderland 

accounted for more than 

50% of League One’s 

£5.5m outlay. 

Fees to agents went up 

despite spending on 

transfers falling by more 

Barcelona plan £250m 

clear-out with Coutinho, 

Umtiti, Rakitic under threat 

Barcelona are hoping to 

raise around 

£250million in player 

sales this summer as they 

look to finance their own 

spending spree. 

Ajax’s Matthijs de Ligt, 

Atletico Madrid forward 

Antoine Griezmann and 

Frankfurt star Luka Jovic 

are all on Barca’s wishlist, 

while they have already 

sealed a deal worth up to 

£75million for Frenkie de 

Jong. 

And according to ESPN, 

the Spanish champions 

are ready to sell a trio of 

big names in order to back 

Ernesto Valverde in the 

transfer market. 

They claim that Philippe 

Coutinho will be sold if 

Barca receive an offer in 

excess of £85m for the 

Brazilian, who only joined 

the club in January of last 

year. 

That would represent a 

significant loss on the fee 

paid to Liverpool, which 

was £145m including all 

add-ons and clauses. 

Coutinho is said to have a 

number of admirers after 

his impressive time in the 

Premier League, with 

Manchester United 

among the clubs 

interested in him. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is 

also reportedly keen on 

Samuel Umtiti, who is 

now Barca’s third-choice 

centre back after a season 

dogged by injuries. 

The France star has fallen 

behind Clement Lenglet 

in the pecking order 

despite returning to 

fitness and could be 

moved on in the summer. 

Ivan Rakitic is the third of 

first-team regulars who 

may leave the Nou Camp 

this summer, but only if 

Barcelona receive a huge 

offer. 

EPL clubs spend £260m on agents 

Jose Mourinho is 

convinced Porto have 

every chance of producing 

a surprise and knocking 

Liverpool out of the 

Champions League. 

Jurgen Klopp’s side meet 

Porto in the quarter-finals 

on Tuesday, the first leg at 

Anfield on April 9, and will 

be full of confidence having 

beaten them 5-0 over two 

legs in last season’s 

competition. 

But Mourinho, who 

coached Porto to 

Champions League glory in 

2003-04, feels his old side 

will be a different 

proposition to the one that 

was easily swatted aside 

last year. 

‘The tie is open and what 

happened last year, I 

believe, can play for Porto 

than £500m when 

compared with the 

previous season. 

Liverpool spent £27m on 

agents in 2017-18 to 

conclude deals for players 

including Virgil van Dijk 

and Mohamed Salah, and 

their 2018-19 expenditure 

covers a period in which 

they have invested heavily 

to compete for the Premier 

League title. 

Brazil midfielder Fabinho 

(£39m) arrived from 

Monaco, while his 

international team-mate 

Alisson cost a then world 

record £66.8m fee for a 

goalkeeper after being 

signed from Roma. 

Mourinho:Why Porto can shock Liverpool 

in Champions League quarter-final clash 

Mourinho 

Griezmann 

in both games,’ Mourinho 

said at the ANTF Coaches 

Forum in Portimao. 

‘Compared with last 

season, I think Sergio 

Conceicao will ask himself 

questions about what 

happened in order to do 

something different this 

time around. 

‘Liverpool have absolutely 

fantastic individual quality, 

but they are disputing the 

league title which means 

that they will not rest 

players in the previous 

game or between the two 

games.’ 

Liverpool’s primary focus is 

keeping pace with 

Manchester City in the race 

for the Premier League title 

and that leaves the door ajar 

for Porto to capitalise. 

Conceicao’s team are 

themselves engaged in a 

fierce battle for the title - 

level with rivals Benfica on 

66 points after 27 games - 

but they will be determined 

to prove they have learned 

lessons from the mauling to 

the Reds last season.



Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019 

TODAY’S PUZZLE 

Sudoku 

FRIDAY’S ANSWER 

TODAY’S CROSSWORD 

QUICK CROSSWORD 

THURSDAY’S SOLUTION 

How to Play Sudoku 

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. 

Across 

1 Adversary (8) 

6 Nervous twitch (3) 

9 Swimming stroke (5) 

10 American reindeer (7) 

11 Ignorant, not cognisant (7) 

13 Lifeless (5) 

14 Apprehensive, edgy (6) 

15 Exploding firework (6) 

18 First sign of the zodiac (5) 

20 Mean, medium (7) 

21 Immediate (7) 

22 Power (5) 

23 Information (3) 

24 Reject (4,4) 

Down 

2 Appease, pacify (7) 

3 Lubricant (3) 

4 Surpass (6) 

5 Bring to an end (9) 

6 Board (5) 

7 Forgeries (12) 

8 Amassing (12) 

12 Helper (9) 

16 Scottish city (7) 

17 Fried fish coating (6) 

19 Norwegian dramatist 

(5) 

22 Wet soft earth (3) 

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