12042019 - I N S E C U R I T Y: Buhari launches offensive; orders ruthless action

C 

M 

Y 

K 

Chairman 

Chukwu 

finally 

speaks, 

clears air 

on his 

condition 

45 

FG to Atiku: Don’t 

instigate political 

crisis in Nigeria 

APC, presidency in fresh 

plot to set up Atiku —PDP , 

NWC 

ECONOMY 

Nigeria to award gas flare 19 

contract in Q3’19 —KACHIKWU 

NDIC to support banks, others 

with N440bn in 2019 19 

Why Nigeria must remove 

21 

fuel subsidy —IMF 

System failure, delays, other hitches mar JAMB exams 

8 

9 

8 

** 

VOL. 26: NO. 63785 FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019 

I N S E C U R I T Y: 

Buhari launches offensive; 

orders ruthless action 

•As 15 persons die; houses, cars motorbikes burnt in Benue 

•Northern Elders, Reps task Buhari on menace 

•Rejig security, PANDEF tells Buhari; Get to the roots — Ohanaeze 

•We’re for a secured Nigeria –Afenifere; Falana threatens public protests 

•Many Zamfara royal fathers involved in gold mining — IGP 

SECURITY BRIEFING... 

By Chioma Gabriel, 

Emma Amaize, 

Kingsley Omonobi, 

Dapo Akinrefon, 

Johnbosco 

Agbakwuru, Levinus 

Nwabughiogu, 

Joseph Erunke & 

Peter Duru 

A 

B U J A — 

PRESIDENT 

Muhammadu Buhari 

yesterday ordered security 

operatives to deal decisively 

with insecurity across the 

country. 

He particularly gave 

security operatives 

marching orders to deal 

ruthlessly with the bandits 

Continues on Page 5 

Naira stable 

at N359/$ in 

parallel 

market 41 

Mr & Mrs 

President Muhammadu Buhari and General Abayomi Olonisakin, Chief of Defence Staff, at the State House, Abuja, yesterday. 

Photo: State House. 

What World Bank 

Award on Ease of 

Doing Business 

mean to us 

— Shippers’ 

Council boss 

COLUMNISTS 

NECO postpones Rivers: S-Court 

National Common declines to reverse 

Entrance Examination 

34 self; throws out 

Defection: Court berates Saraki, APC’s appeal 

Dogara, Akpabio, 51 others for •Wike extends hands of 

13 

misconduct 

11 fellowship to Amaechi 

AZU 36 DONU 17 OWEI LAKEMFA 31 

12

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019 — 3


vanguardnews @vanguardnews @vanguardnews 

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019 — 5 

POCKET CARTOON 

ENUGU TRADE FAIR—From left: President, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, 

Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Sir Emeka Udeze; 

representative of Managing Director, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation 

(NDIC), Mrs Veronica Ogbu-Ikwue; Zonal Head of Economic and Financial 

Crimes Commission (EFCC), in Enugu, Mr Usman Imam; Head of 

Communication of NDIC, Mr Mohammed Ibrahim and the Director-General, 

ECCIMA, Sir Emeka Okereke, during the NDIC Day at the on-going 30th 

Enugu International Trade Fair in Enugu, yesterday. Photo: NAN. 

Buhari launches offensive; orders 

ruthless action 

Continues from Page 1 

terrorizing Zamfara State 

and its environs, as well as 

kidnappers and other 

security challenges 

confronting the country. 

This is coming on a day 

15 persons were killed, 

houses, cars and 

motorbikes burnt in Vaase, 

Ukum Local Government 

Area of Benue State by 

suspected armed Jukun 

youths and militant 

herdsmen. 

Meanwhile, the acting 

Inspector General of Police, 

IGP, Mr Mohammed 

Adamu, yesterday, shed 

more light on why banditry 

thrives in Zamfara State 

and other areas of the 

North-West resulting in 

several killings, saying 

many traditional rulers 

were involved in gold 

mining activities. 

Also, the House of 

Representatives has asked 

President Buhari to 

address the insecurity in 

the country within 48 hours, 

noting that failure of the 

President to check 

insecurity in the country 

smacks of incompetence. 

According to the Reps, 

areas of attention include 

inability of the President 

and that of his 

administration since 

inception to declare killer 

herdsmen as terrorists; 

inability of the armed forces 

under his watch to stop the 

recurring deaths of scores 

of innocent Nigerians 

annually from attacks by 

killer herdsmen and 

bandits and the gradual 

occupation of affected 

communities by these 

herdsmen despite 

countless assurances and 

statements by him 

promising to stop the 

attacks; his selective and 

ineffective responses to the 

killing of Nigerians by 

herdsmen, especially in 

Benue State and his 

immediate measure to 

dislodge the killers. 

Also, Pan Niger Delta 

Forum, PANDEF, the 

umbrella body of traditional 

rulers, leaders and 

stakeholders of the coastal 

states of Niger Delta, 

yesterday, urged President 

Buhari to overhaul the 

entire security architecture 

of the country, maintaining 

that the nation can no 

longer afford to toy with 

human lives. 

On its part, the Pan- 

Yoruba socio-political 

organisation, Afenifere 

said previous meetings 

convened by the President 

with security chiefs have 

not yielded any fruit, noting 

that all that is needed is a 

secured country. 

Similarly, Ohanaeze 

Ndigbo, apex Igbo sociocultural 

organisation, while 

reacting to the Presidential 

order to service chiefs, said 

the order was okay but the 

root of the problem needs 

to be tackled. 

It therefore, charged 

President Buhari to 

address the root cause of 

the killings and insecurity 

in the land. 

Meanwhile, a team from 

the human rights 

community, under the 

banner of People’s 

Alternative Front, led by 

Mr. Femi Falana SAN, met 

with the acting IGP, Adamu 

and other top police officers 

at the Police Force 

Headquarters Abuja, 

yesterday, where they 

informed the IGP of their 

plan to embark on series of 

public protests if the 

Federal Government fails 

to take over the monopoly 

of violence from criminal 

gangs. 

We're revising our 

strategies — Defence chief 

The order was given after 

a two-hour closed door 

meeting the President had 

with the Service Chiefs and 

some heads of security 

agencies at the Presidential 

villa, Abuja. 

Briefing State House 

correspondents after the 

meeting, Chief of Defence 

Staff, General Gabriel 

Olonisakin said: “The 

security meeting we just 

had with Mr. President 

today (yesterday) is to 

review the strategy that we 

are adopting in confronting 

security issues in Zamfara 

State and other places 

nationwide. 

“This review strategy is to 

address all the issues 

including kidnapping, 

banditry and other 

associated issues 

confronting the nation and 

we are coming out with a 

revised strategy to handle 

those challenges. 

“The marching order is 

for us to deal with the issue 

immediately and ruthlessly 

and ensure that all the 

bandits are immediately 

dealt with and all issues 

bordering on our security 

are properly addressed.” 

Also speaking, acting 

Inspector-General of Police, 

IGP, Mr Mohammed 

Adamu said that the Abuja- 

Kaduna Road has been 

cleared and is now safe for 

motorists. 

The IGP said: “I want to 

assure Nigerians that 

Kaduna/Abuja roads are 

now safe. We have cleared 

the roads, we have arrested 

a lot of kidnappers and in 

confrontation with some of 

them, some were fatally 

injured. 

“So the road is cleared. 

Our patrol teams, the 

combined security services 

that are patrolling the road 

are constantly there, 24 

hours.” 

The service chiefs at the 

meeting were, Chief of 

Defence Staff, General 

Gabriel Olonishakin, Chief 

of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. 

Yusuf Buratai, Chief of 

Naval Staff, Ibok-Ete Ibas, 

and Chief of Air Staff, Air 

Marshal Sadiq Abubakar. 

Also present at the 

meeting included the 

National Security Adviser, 

Major Gen. Babagana 

Monguno, Director 

General of National 

Intelligence Agency, NIA 

and the Director General, 

Department of Security 

Service, DSS. 

Minister of Interior, Lt. 

Gen. Abdulrahman 

Dangazzau and the 

Minister of Defence, 

Brigadier Gen. Mansur 

Dan-Ali were also part of 

the meeting. 

Address insecurity 

within 48hrs, Reps tell 

Buhari 

The House of 

Representatives, which 

tasked Buhari to address 

the nation within 48 hours, 

also want the inability of the 

National Emergency 

Management Agency, 

NEMA, under his (Buhari) 

watch to immediately 

provide relief materials and 

rehabilitation of affected 

communities in line with 

their statutory mandate 

despite the N10 billion he 

announced had been 

provided; the inability of his 

administration through the 

Nigerian Communication 

Commission, NCC and 

other relevant agencies or 

policy initiatives to enable 

proper communication 

network provision in 

affected communities and 

evidence of complicity of 

traditional rulers, political 

detractors and recently 

foreign miners in the 

perpetration of incessant 

killing of Nigerians to be 

address by the President. 

Continues on Page 41 

By Bose Adelaja, Ebun Sessou, 

Yinka Latona, Chiamaka Uba, 

Dickson Omobola&Tolulope Oke 

FG feeding pupils with 594 cows, 138,000 chickens, 6.8m eggs weekly (2) 

THIS is just appall 

ing. The government 

can say anything 

to have its way. No one 

cares or investigates the 

veracity of what the government 

says. The structures 

in which the students 

learn are dilapidated, 

yet, the government 

could boast of feeding 

pupils with meals 

that are not needed. 

Mr. Obaseki Ejiroghene, 

Sports Analyst 

I 

would say that it 

amounts to a misplacement 

of priority because 

there are other issues 

that need attention 

rather than spending 

such a huge amount on 

food. We don’t even know 

if it is true or another 

means to embezzle funds. 

The health and education 

sectors need proper 

attention and the money 

should be channeled to 

those sectors. 

Miss Oyewale Christiana, 

Teacher 

PUPILS throughout 

the country are 

quite many. The number 

of Nigerian pupils said to 

be fed wasn’t revealed. 

Are they telling us that all 

the pupils in the country 

are being fed with what 

they listed? I don’t agree 

with this and I think the 

programme is a white elephant 

project just to embezzle 

money. 

Mr. Faleye Oluwatobi, 

Student 

I 

can’t really vouch for 

the government because 

governments in 

Nigeria are not trustworthy. 

I want to know if the 

programme covers all 

the schools in Nigeria. 

What happens to those, 

who do not have access 

to the feeding? Of what 

importance is it to the 

education sector? 

Mr. Salako Adetayomi, 

Student 

It is a fraudulent 

claim that should be 

discredited by the entire 

citizenry. It could be an 

obvious ploy of the ruling 

elites to hoodwink us 

into accepting their lies. 

Nigerians do not believe 

in the scheme. I am 

challenging the government 

to show me the 

beneficiaries. 

Mr. Akingbondere 

Tunde, Student 

THERE are so many 

pupils who come 

back from school hungry. 

How can the Federal 

Government claim to be 

feeding pupils with the 

items they listed? It is a 

lie. Nigerians deserve 

better than to be treated 

like fools. I am sure all 

the funds allocated to 

feed these students are 

pocketed by greedy people. 

Miss Adeshua 

Moyosore, Student

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019 

Police arrest 

butchers for 

stabbing 

barber at 

viewing 

centre in 

Ekiti 

By Rotimi 

Ojomoyela 

ADO EKITI— Three 

butchers have been 

arrested by Ekiti State 

Police Command for 

allegedly stabbing a 

barber, Ajibola Falegan, 

at a viewing centre in 

Ado Ekiti. 

Falegan, an indigene 

of Erinjiyan Ekiti in 

Ekiti West Local 

Government Area of the 

state, was allegedly 

attacked by the 

assailants at the 

viewing centre located 

along Nova Road, 

Baisiri, Wednesday 

evening. 

The suspects are 

being detained at a 

police station located 

along new Iyin Road in 

Ado-Ekiti. 

The 33-year-old 

Falegan, who is now 

receiving treatment at a 

private medical centre 

in the state, had a deep 

cut in the head and 

other parts of his body 

from his attackers. 

How I was 

attacked 

—Falegan 

Narrating his ordeal to 

journalists on his 

hospital bed, yesterday, 

Falegan said the 

suspects were having 

altercation with a 

brother at the viewing 

centre before he got 

there, only for them to 

pounce on him. 

Falegan said the 

attackers allegedly stole 

his Tecno L9+ phone 

worth N70,000 and 

cash sum of N10,000 

during the attack, which 

he described as 

unwarranted. 

The Police Public 

Relations Officer, Ekiti 

Command, DSP Caleb 

Ikechukwu, who 

confirmed the 

incident,said the 

command won’t tolerate 

any act of hooliganism 

and disruption of public 

peace by any individual 

or group. 

He said the 

perpetrators had been 

arrested and would be 

charged to court after 

the investigations must 

have been concluded. 

:Vanguard 

News 

Man, 65, arrested for defiling 

10-yr-old girl in Ogun 

By Daud Olatunji 

ABEOKUTA—A 65-year-old 

man, Sulaiman Rauf, has been 

arrested by men of Ogun State Police 

Command for allegedly having 

carnal knowledge of a 10-year-old girl 

(name withheld). 

Police Public Relations Officer in the 

state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who 

disclosed this in a statement made 

available to newsmen in Abeokuta, 

yesterday, said the arrest of the 

suspect followed a complaint lodged 

by the father of the victim, one 

Fahinhun Matthew, who reported at 

Idi-Iroko divisional headquarters that 

the suspect, who is living in their 

neighbourhood sent his daughter on 

an errand. 

Oyeyemi further said Matthew told 

the police that when her daughter 

came back, she was lured into his 

room where he forcefully had carnal 

knowledge of her. 

He said: “When the girl came out 

of the suspect’s room, she quickly 

informed her father of what the 

suspect did to her, hence the report. 

“Upon the report, the DPO Idi- 

Iroko Division, CSP Aloko Amodu, 

The suspect. 

detailed his detectives to 7, 

Araromi Street, Ilase where the 

suspect resides and was 

arrested. 

“On interrogation, the suspect 

admitted having carnal 

knowledge of the victim but 

claimed not to know what led 

him to it. The victim has been 

taken to general hospital." 

Ritualists cut off 50-year-old palm oil seller's 

breasts in Ondo •Mother of 3 found dead in her room 

By Dayo Johnson 

AKURE—A 50-year-old palm 

oil seller, identified as lya 

Dunsi, was reportedly murdered 

by ritualists, who removed her 

two breasts in Arigidi-Akoko in 

Akoko North West Local 

Government Area of Ondo State. 

This came as another middle 

aged woman, identified as 

Toyin, was found dead in her 

room with two calabashes said 

to contain concoction in Akure, 

the Ondo State capital. 

Late lya Dunsi, according to 

police source, was kidnapped 

and her corpse later found 

where it was dumped in a 

nearby bush at her Odiolowo, 

Arigidi-Akoko residence. 

Her assailants, according to 

police source, tied a rope on one 

of her legs and pulled her to the 

bush, which is not more than a 

distance of 100 kilometrs to her 

house. 

Vanguard gathered that those 

going to the farm early in the 

morning discovered her corpse 

and raised the alarm. 

She was reportedly stripped 

naked by the ritualists before her 

two breasts were removed. 

Recall that similar ritual 

killings took place in lkare Akoko 

late last year in which a woman 

was killed and her private parts, 

including her breast removed. 

Also, an eight-year-old pupil 

of St George’s Anglican Primary 

School, Okeagbe Akoko was 

murdered for ritual purposes. 

Speaking with newsmen, 

Divisional Police Officer for 

Okeagbe Akoko, Ibitayo 

Adetanranmi, confirmed the 

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

murder of the palm oil 

seller and the removal of 

her organs. 

Adetanranmi assured that 

the perpetrators of the 

dastardly act will not only 

be fished out but punished 

in accordance with the law. 

Mother of 3 found 

dead in her room 

Meanwhile, the middle 

aged woman and mother of 

three found dead in her 

room was a food seller at 

Tipper park area, along 

Ondo road in Akure. 

Sources said her 

neighbours and her 

customers became worried 

when she remained 

indoors when she was 

expected to have started 

selling food early in the 

morning to them. 

After several knocks on 

her door and no response, 

the neighbours reportedly 

broke into her room and 

saw her lifeless body with 

two calabashes by the side 

of her bed. 

The deceased, according, 

to her neighbours lived 

alone in one of the rooms 

in the building. 

Neighbours interviewed 

alleged that it was 

discovered through her 

telephone that she made 

two calls between 1 am and 

3 am to the same person 

whose identity was 

registered as Alfa on her 

phone. 

They said the deceased 

had been having issues 

with her husband over the 

custody of their three 

children. 

The court case, Vanguard 

was informed, was 

adjourned to 18th of this 

month. 

A visit to the residence of 

the deceased indicated 

that her corpse was yet to 

be evacuated to the 

mortuary as at press 

time.Vanguard was 

informed that the 

neighbours had sent 

messages to her family but 

none had shown up to 

arrange how her corpse 

would be moved to the 

mortuary. 

Bees attack, kill Customs 

officer 

A 

SENIOR officer of 

Nigeria Customs 

Service has died after he 

was attacked by a swarm of 

bees while on patrol duty. 

Abba Abubakar, an officer 

operating at the Seme 

Customs Command, along 

Ashipa axis of Badagry, 

Lagos, met his untimely 

death, Tuesday, after he was 

stung by the bees, the 

agency said in a statement. 

“With sadness and deep 

sorrow, the Seme Area 

Command announces the 

death of our colleague, CSC 

Abba, A.,” Saidu Abdullahi, 

the spokesperson of the 

Seme Customs command, 

said in the statement. 

“The sad event occurred, 

FCTA 

evacuates 19 

children from 

Zuba 

orphanage 

By Henry Umoru 

ABUJA— THE Federal 

Capital Territory 

Administration, FCTA, 

yesterday, evacuated 19 

children from Famouskids 

Orphanage, in Tungan Maje 

area of Zuba, Gwagwalada 

Area Council, Abuja. 

According to the FCTA, the 

action was carried out over 

what it described as alleged 

negligence and other 

nefarious acts. 

The evacuation was done by 

Social Development 

Secretariat, SDS, of the FCTA, 

which officials, accompanied 

by joint team of security 

personnel, stormed and 

sealed off the premises of the 

orphanage, which also runs 

a school in the area. 

It was gathered that 

Famouskids orphanage had 

25 children as inmates, but 

only 19 whose ages are 

between four and 17 years 

were met at the time of the 

evaluation exercise. 

Speaking with journalists 

during the exercise, SDS’s 

Acting Secretary, Hajiya 

Safiya Umar, explained that 

the action followed a request 

by the police authorities in the 

area, asking the secretariat to 

evacuate the children from the 

hitherto orphanage home. 

According to Umar, 

following information from the 

police that the owner of the 

orphanage, Nkechi Udoh, 

had abandoned the home, 

SDS was given a directive to 

pick up the kids and transfer 

them to a government facility 

pending when she would 

return from wherever she may 

have travelled to. 

Umar explained that 

preliminary report revealed 

that most of the children were 

brought to Abuja from Cross 

River and Akwa Ibom states. 

yesterday, due to an attack by 

a swarm of bees around 

Ashipa axis, Lagos-Badagry 

Expressway. 

“We pray that Allah (SWT) 

showers His mercy and grant 

him the highest level of 

Jannah, and give his family 

the patience and fortitude to 

bear this irreparable loss. 

Aameen.” 

Mr Abdullahi described the 

deceased as an astute officer 

who discharged his duties 

diligently. 

“He has never failed to report 

at his duty post daily. We 

regret to lose such a gallant 

officer,” Mr Abdullahi said. 

The Yobe State-born officer 

was survived by his wife and 

children.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019—7 

NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 

Gunmen abduct 4 travellers in Delta 

By Perez Brisibe 

ISIOKOLO —THE spate of in 

security in Ethiope East Local 

Government Area continued, 

Wednesday, with the abduction of 

four travellers by a gang of hoodlums 

at Okurekpo community in 

Okpara inland, Delta State. 

This came as the remains of the 

fifth victim killed on Tuesday by 

suspected herdsmen was recovered 

from his farm. 

Speaking on the recovered 

corpse, a relative of one of the victims, 

Prince Godstime Ukuanovwe, 

said: “Despite reporting 

the matter at the Police Division, 

the police refused to assist in the 

recovery of the lifeless body 

hence, a search party was constituted, 

which recovered the 

corpse.” 

On the abduction of the travellers 

made up of three males 

and a female, a security source 

in the area said the victims had 

a flat tyre along the community 

road and alighted to change it 

when the hoodlums struck. 

The source gave the names of 

the victims, who were on their 

way to Okpara waterside when 

the incident occurred, asOgujove 

Blessing, Ejiro Solomon, Akpos 

Thomas and Edijana Okro. 

The source, who spoke on condition 

of anonymity, said: “The victims 

were coming from Okpara inland 

heading toward Okpara-waterside 

when they had a flat tyre, then 

stopped to change it when the gunmen 

surrounded them and took them 

away. 

“The car with number plate UGH 

241 EY, was left at the scene of the 

incident with the doors flung open 

while a wheel spanner and other accessories 

where on the ground. The 

vehicle and all its items have been 

taken to the Isiokolo Police Division.” 

About-to-wed man shot dead in Aba 

By Eric Ugbor 

ABA—A yet to be identified 

young man preparing for 

his wedding was reportedly 

killed by suspected cultists in 

Aba, Abia State during a visit 

to his parents. 

The incident, which occurred, 

yesterday, at Uwakwe Street 

off Ukaegbu Road in Ogbor- 

Hill axis of Aba North Local 

Government Area, threw 

residents of the area into 

serious panic. 

According to sources, the 

deceased was said to be 

getting ready for his wedding 

this month before his untimely 

death as he was in Aba to visit 

his parents from his base in 

Owerri, Imo State. 

The source said residents of 

the area were gripped with fear 

because they suspected his 

killing to be related to the 

series of cults related war in 

the city. 

He said: “We don’t know 

what actually happened. We 

don’t know the young man, but 

some persons are saying he 

came to visit his parents at 

Medical Drive, which is also 

within Ukaegbu Road. I also 

learned he was about to wed 

and came to intimate his 

people on the issue before the 

cultists chased him and shot 

him dead." 

Geoffrey Ogbonna, 

spokesman of Abia State 

Police Command, who 

confirmed the incident in a 

telephone chat, promised to 

furnish our reporter with 

details of the incident as he was 

yet to be fully briefed. 

Meanwhile, the corpse of the 

deceased has been moved from 

the street and deposited at the 

mortuary. 

Police arrest officer who harassed 

victim for possessing iPhone 

THE police have 

confirmed the arrest of 

an officer caught on camera 

harassing a young Nigerian 

for being in possession of an 

iPhone. 

A video clip posted on 

Twitter on Tuesday showed a 

young man being picked out 

by the police officer among 

other passengers inside a 

commercial vehicle on the 

highway. 

The Twitter user said he shot 

the video, about 44 seconds, 

on Tuesday in Okpe, Delta 

State. 

The man, looking confused, 

is seen standing beside the 

officer who was checking 

through the phone. 

“Two hundred and fifty 

thousand,” the young man is 

heard saying, in the video, 

when the officer asked him 

how much he bought the 

phone. 

“No wahala! Una dey hearam 

so?” the officer said in 

Pidgin English. 

“Me, wey I dey work for over 

13 years now, I never see motor 

buy for N250,000,” the officer 

added, apparently suggesting the 

young man was living above his 

means of income. 

Officer arrested 

Meanwhile, the police through 

its official Twitter handle on 

Wednesday said the officer 

reported to have harassed the 

innocent Nigerian is now in its 

custody. 

“The Commissioner of Police, 

Delta State Command has 

confirmed that the police sergeant 

reported having harassed and 

embarrassed an innocent student 

is now in police custody. 

“The force wishes to state that 

such behavioural pattern is not a 

true reflection of Nigeria Police 

Force, especially under the 

leadership of Inspector-General of 

Police, Acting IGP M.A. Adamu." 

... with Emma'nKen (08163121378) 

...Me, teacher, we go die here 

Going back to primitive life 

That is called wisdom 

DANGEROUS TRIP: Passengers commuting along Lagos-Ibadan expressway. 

Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi


FG to Atiku: You can’t become president via 

back-door after being rejected by Nigerians 

By Soni Daniel, 

Northern Region 

Editor 

THE 

Federal 

Government, yesterday, 

accused former Vice 

President, Atiku Abubakar, of 

desperately trying to become 

president through the backdoor 

after being rejected at the 

polls by Nigerians. 

The government also 

warned Atiku to stop 

overheating the polity and 

stop trying to instigate a 

political crisis in Nigeria 

through desperate actions 

that may not be backed by 

law. 

Minister of Information, 

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said 

at a briefing in Abuja, while 

flanked by the President’s 

Senior Special Assistant on 

Media, Garba Shehu, said: 

“Yes, Atiku Abubakar has lost 

an election. But he will not 

be the first or the last person 

to lose an election, and he 

should realise that losing an 

election is not the end of the 

world. He has challenged the 

result of the election in court. 

That’s just as well. 

“However, he should not 

give the impression that he 

does not have confidence in 

the judicial process, which is 

what resorting to self-help 

implies. He should stop 

overheating the polity and 

quit trying to instigate a 

political crisis in Nigeria. No 

citizen, no matter how highly 

placed, is above the laws of 

the land. Enough is enough. 

“There is no doubt that the 

PDP presidential candidate, 

out of desperation, is thinking 

of replicating the Venezuelan 

model right here in Nigeria. 

But he should realise that 

Nigeria is not Venezuela, 

and that the situations in both 

countries are not the same. 

“President Muhammadu 

Buhari won the February 23, 

2019 presidential elections 

fair and square, with a margin 

of 3,928,869 million votes. 

The election’s credibility was 

attested to by local and foreign 

observers. 

“There is no doubt that 

President Buhari’s victory is 

well deserved. As I said at a 

different fora, it represents the 

triumph of the ordinary 

Nigerians over the elite. The 

election is a direct contest 

between ordinary Nigerians 

and the elite, most of whom 

are rent seekers. 

“Of course, the ordinary 

Nigerians have won. This is 

not a surprise, considering 

the pro-poor policy of the 

administration. Despite the 

antics of the naysayers, 

Nigerians demonstrated that 

they appreciate the giant 

strides that have been made 

by the administration; 

whether in the areas of 

economy, fight against 

corruption or in tackling 

insecurity. 

“Atiku Abubakar has the 

right to do whatever is lawful 

to challenge the outcome of 

that election. But he cannot 

get through the backdoor 

what he couldn’t get through 

the front door. That will be a 

pipe dream. 

“If he believes hiring a 

foreign lobbying firm will 

advance his quest, we wish 

him the best of luck. But 

seeking US recognition as 

the winner of an election that 

he lost by almost four million 

votes is unconscionable. 

Recall, gentlemen, that after 

the result of the presidential 

election was announced, the 

US joined other countries to 

congratulate President 

Buhari. 

“We are aware of media 

reports that the PDP 

presidential candidate, on 

Wednesday, distanced 

himself from the posters that 

are circulating in Abuja. He 

also reportedly denied hiring 

US lobbyists, claiming 

tongue-in-cheek that the APC 

fabricated the report. 

“If the media reports are 

right, it means that the former 

vice president has suddenly 

realised the grave implication 

of his actions, hence has 

decided to beat a quick retreat 

before it is too late." 

"As a self-avowed democrat, 

BRIEFING: Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai 

Mohammed (left) and Senior Special Assistant to the President on 

Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, at a press conference in 

Abuja on the emergence of the new posters of Peoples Democratic 

Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on the 

streets of Abuja, yesterday. 

System failure, delays, other 

hitches mar JAMB exams 

•JAMB bars journalists from taking pictures, videos of candidates 

•Security personnel confiscate Vanguard reporter’s phone 

By Joseph Erunke, 

with agency reports 

A BUJA—SYSTEM 

failure, lateness and 

other hitches, yesterday, 

marred the commencement 

of 2019 Unified Tertiary 

Matriculation Examination, 

UTME, across the country. 

Reports across the centres 

nationwide indicated 

computer failure, late 

commencement of 

examinations, especially in 

Lagos, Kano and Kaduna 

states. 

In Lagos, anxious parents 

at Dalewares Centre, 

Ilupeju, who spoke to 

Vanguard, lamented that 

examinations were yet to 

commence as at 7.30 p.m., 

saying: "Candidates who 

arrived the centre since 7 

a.m., were famished and 

exhausted all day without 

any explanation for the 

delay.” 

At a centre located at School 

of Technology, Kano 

Polytechnic, candidates were 

still waiting anxiously to write 

the examination by 7.20 p.m 

Similarly, at God is Able 

Centre, Olodo, Ibadan, Oyo 

State, candidates were yet to 

start the examination by 8 

p.m, earlier scheduled for 11 

a.m. 

A parent who lamented the 

delay, said: “You (JAMB) had 

a whole year to prepare for 

this exam and by 8p.m., 

candidates are still waiting to 

write exams. This is total 

rubbish; you put most parents 

and guardians in total 

confusion.” 

The frustration of parents 

and guardians were also 

expressed in the following 

tweets by Oloruntola 

babatunde @haztola 

“My sister couldn’t write 

her JAMB this morning 

(yesterday) because her 

fingerprints and four others 

couldn’t be verified by the 

computer and there was no 

provision made by @jamb for 

the failure of their machine. 

So unfair.” 

Malikah @husnahkassim, 

said: “This computer based 

jamb? My sister’s computer 

went off today (yesterday) 

while she was taking the 

exams and the time was still 

reading before they finished 

restoring it. It wasn’t her fault 

but she will be the one to pay 

for it.” 

Security personnel 

confiscates 

Vanguard reporters’ 

phone 

This came as journalists 

were barred from entering 

examination halls to take 

pictures and videos of the 

process in Abuja and 

Nasarawa State among other 

states. 

Specifically, security 

operatives attached to 

Childworth International 

School, one of the centres in 

Masaka, Nasarawa State, 

working on the directive of 

JAMB officials at the centre, 

confiscated Vanguard 

reporter’s phone following 

pictures and videos he took 

at the Computer Based Test, 

CBT, centre. 

After establishing that some 

pictures and videos of some 

candidates and the 

examination process were 

saved on the phone, the 

security men, drawn from 

Nigerian Security and Civil 

Defence Corps, Nigerian 

Army and plain clothes 

detectives believed to be from 

Department of State Service, 

DSS, insisted that the saved 

items be deleted. 

After deleting the items, the 

officials instructed the security 

men not to allow journalists 

inside the premises anymore. 

Also, at Global Distance 

Learning Institution, one of 

the CBT centres at the 

Central Business District in 

Abuja, journalists who went 

to monitor the process were 

told not to take pictures and 

videos in the examination 

halls. 

Presidency rewards driver, 9 

others for outstanding 

performance 

By Johnbosco 

Agbakwuru 

A BUJA—THE 

Presidency, 

yesterday, rewarded a 

driver, Mr. Yashim Nuhu, 

and nine others for 

outstanding performance for 

2018. 

The workers who received 

an undisclosed cash gift and 

plaque from the Permanent 

Secretary, State House, Mr 

Jalal Arabi, were recognised 

for outstanding works in 

administration, stores 

management, catering, 

library, transportation and 

medical departments. 

One of the recipients, Mr 

Yashim Nuhu, a Senior 

Motor Driver Mechanic II 

on Grade Level 5 in the 

Transport department 

bagged the Outstanding 

Driver award. 

Nuhu, who has put in 

eight years in the State 

House, is very popular for 

his cordiality and enviable 

sense of dedication to duty 

among staff and journalists 

covering the seat of power. 

Another recipient, Mr 

Gwaza Habila, a Principal 

Catering Officer on Grade 

Level 12, has put in 19 years 

and catered for prominent 

State guests, including Her 

Royal Majesty, Queen 

Elizabeth II, the Queen of 

England during a State 

Visit in 2003. 

Habila was given the 

“Outstanding Catering 

Staff ” award and was 

praised for his “hardwork 

and effectiveness at 

Presidential functions” as 

well as imparting 

knowledge to his 

subordinates. 

One of the two female 

recipients, Mrs Margaret 

Arigu, a Principal 

Executive Officer II, in the 

State House Medical 

Centre, was decorated 

with “Outstanding 

Medical Registry Staff.” 

Arigu who has served for 

23 years in the State House 

Clinic, all in the Medical 

Centre, received 

encomiums for being “very 

professional, courteous, 

respectful to staff and 

clients alike.” 

Other award recipients 

were Mr Ogba Ukpabi 

(Evergreen Outstanding 

Contributor to 

SERVICOM Unit), Mr 

Olutayo Fasipe 

(Outstanding 

S E R V I C O M 

Departmental 

Representative), Mr 

Abubakar Wambai 

(Outstanding Stores Staff) 

and Mr Rilwan Badega 

(Outstanding Library 

Staff). 

Others are Mr 

Mohammed Abdulkarim 

(Outstanding Finance and 

Accounts Staff), Mr 

Samuel Arigu 

(Outstanding Registry 

Staff), and Mrs Christiana 

Kontekopo (Outstanding 

Staff Canteen Staff). 

Nigeria still bleeding from 

corruption —ANEEJ 

By Johnbosco 

Agbakwuru 

A BUJA—African 

Network for 

Environment and Economic 

Justice, ANEEJ, yesterday, 

said despite efforts of the 

President Muhammadu 

Buhari-led administration in 

the fight against corruption, 

the country was still 

bleeding from corruption. 

The group said the current 

administration had made 

considerable effort directed 

towards addressing 

corruption, such as the 

signing on ofOpen 

Government Partnership, 

the establishment of 

Presidential Advisory 

Committee Against 

Corruption, PACAC, and 

designing a national anticorruption 

strategy currently 

prosecuting high profile 

corruption cases. 

In his address at a Policy 

Dialogue in Abuja, 

Executive Director of 

ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor 

noted: “Despite these 

successes, Nigeria has not 

fared better in the 

corruption perception 

index released annually by 

Transparency 

International. 

“Nigeria scored 27 points 

out of 100 on the 2018 

Corruption Perceptions 

Index reported by 

Transparency 

International, moving up 

to 144th out of 148 

countries ranked.” 

Ugolor represented by 

the deputy executive 

director of the group, Leo 

Atakpu, said: “The 

purpose of this policy 

dialogue, therefore, is to 

provide opportunity for 

stakeholders to, among 

other things, review 

progress made by the 

current administration in 

the fight against 

corruption, review major 

challenges/obstacles to 

Nigeria’s anti graft efforts 

and proffer solutions, 

(and) set an anticorruption 

agenda for the 

second term of President 

Buhari’s government."


FORUM: From left, Steve Brice, Chief Investment Strategist, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria, 

SCBN; Ayo Ifaturoti, CEO, CPMC Nig Ltd; Ijeoma Anusionwu, Head, Managed Investments 

and Advisory, Africa, SCBN; Bolaji Adebiyi, Retired Federal Permanent Secretary; and Roop 

Barua, Head, Credit Products Wealth Management, Standard Chartered Bank, during the 

Wealth Management 2019 Outlook event organised by the Bank in Lagos. 

APC, Presidency in fresh plot to set up 

Atiku —PDP 

By Dirisu Yakubu 

& Omeiza Ajayi 

AWorking BUJA—NATIONAL 

Committee, 

NWC, of the Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP, 

yesterday, said no amount 

of fabrications, attempt at 

set-up, veiled and open 

threats by the All 

Progressives Congress, 

APC-led Federal 

Government would stop its 

Presidential candidate in 

the 2019 election, Atiku 

Abubakar from reclaiming 

his mandate at the tribunal. 

The party rejected in its 

entirety, “the declaration by 

the Presidency that Atiku 

Abubakar is “lucky to be 

walking free,” adding that 

such a statement was 

inciting and “brings to the 

fore the unwholesome 

intention of the APC-led 

administration against 

Atiku Abubakar for seeking 

to retrieve his stolen 

mandate at the court.” 

This came as the 

Independent National 

Electoral Commission, 

INEC, said it had filed its 

response to Atiku’s petition 

and others. Yesterday was 

the deadline for the INEC 

and APC to file their 

responses. It was not clear, 

at press time, if the APC 

had complied as National 

Publicity Secretary of the 

...insists party needs no lobby group to 

reclaim presidential mandate 

•INEC files response to Atiku’s petition 

party, Malam Lanre Issa- 

Onilu did not pick his calls. 

“For other petitions like 

those of the HDP, PDM and 

others, we filed our 

responses last week. As for 

the Atiki/PDP petition, we 

filed our response 

yesterday (Wednesday),” 

said Mr. Festus Okoye, 

INEC National 

Commissioner and 

Chairman, Information and 

Voter Education Committee 

of the Commission. 

Meanwhile, PDP in a 

statement by its 

spokesman, Kola 

Ologbondiyan, said it was 

aware “that the series of 

orchestrations against 

Atiku Abubakar and the 

PDP by agents of the 

Federal Government, 

officials of the Presidency 

and the Buhari Media 

Organisation, BMO, 

expose a well-coordinated 

plot, which includes a 

resort to unfounded claims 

of links with a foreign lobby 

group, to attempt to frame 

Atiku Abubakar, cause 

tension and ultimately 

derail the recovery of the 

stolen mandate at the 

Presidential election 

tribunal. 

“Such orchestrations are 

also targeted at instilling 

fear, cause apprehension in 

the citizenry and create 

opening to further suppress 

genuine public opinion 

and the course of justice in 

the quest by Atiku 

Abubakar and the PDP to 

restore the will of the 

people. 

“Part of the motive is to 

use lies, fabrications, threats 

and sponsoring of Atiku 

campaign posters to portray 

Atiku Abubakar and the 

PDP as being desperate 

and ready to subvert the 

rules in the pursuit of our 

mandate; and by so doing 

discredit our candidate in 

the eyes of the judiciary and 

the public in general. 

“This explains why 

agents of the APC-led 

government fabricated and 

pushed into the public 

space, bogus and 

laughable claims that Atiku 

Abubakar paid $30,000 to 

a US lobby group to assist 

in the quest to reclaim our 

mandate only for the 

Federal Government and 

the Presidency to turn 

around to feast on the 

fabrications with threats 

against Atiku Abubakar. 

“The PDP calls on 

Nigerians to take copious 

note of threats by the 

Presidency through the 

Special Assistant to 


Buhari on Social Media, 

Lauretta Onochie, to jail 

Atiku Abubakar based on 

trumped up allegations, 

while describing him as 

“one who is lucky to be 

walking free. 

“Nigerians now know 

who to hold responsible 

should any harm come to 

Atiku Abubakar, his family 

or any member of the PDP 

Presidential Campaign 

Organisation, PPCO, in the 

course of the pursuit of the 

mandate at the tribunal. 

“Moreover, it is instructive 

to state that the PDP and 

Atiku Abubakar, do not 

need any foreign lobby 

group to prove our case 

before the tribunal as 

Nigerians themselves have 

been at the forefront of this 

pursuit, especially with our 

overwhelming evidence 

before the court. 

“The PDP therefore 

cautions the APC-led 

Federal Government to 

allow the tribunal to 

judiciously carry out its 

responsibilities without 

hindrance as well as stop 

their unrelenting plots to 

overheat the system and 

derail the course of justice 

as such will come to 

naught.” 

No back door communication, tribunal chairman 

tells lawyers 

K 

A 

D U N A — 

CHAIRMAN of 

National Assembly and 

state House of Assembly 

election tribunal, Justice 

Abdulkadir Suleiman, 

yesterday, warned litigants 

to avoid “behind the door 

communication” with 

members of the tribunal 

and their support staff. 

Inaugurating the tribunal 

in Kaduna, Justice 

Suleiman said all 

communications must be 

open. 

He said members of the 

Tribunal would strive to 

ensure that justice was not 

only done but is seen to be 

done. 

According to him, “It is 

not in doubt that this 

Tribunal is a product of the 

Supreme Law of the 

country, otherwise called 

the grundnorm, i.e. 1999 

Constitution of the Federal 

Republic of Nigeria (as 

amended). 

“For the avoidance of 

doubt, the Tribunal will not 

entertain unnecessary 

delay as the petitions will 

be treated with utmost 

urgency and dispatch. 

Lawyers appearing for 

parties are further 

reminded to avoid the 

request for unnecessary 

adjournment. 

“On our part as Judicial 

Officers, we are under an 

oath to dispense justice 

without fear or favour, 

affection or ill-will. The 

Tribunal will afford parties 

adequate and equal 

opportunity within the 

ambit of the law to present 

their cases to the best of 

their ability for 

adjudication. 

“Let it be stressed at this 

juncture that parties and 

counsel are forewarned to 

desist from engaging in any 

untoward act that may stifle 

the administration of justice. 

In this regard, any attempt 

to influence the Tribunal, in 

any way or mode, should 

be totally avoided as such 

attempt shall be severely 

dealt with according to the 

law." 

Abdulsalami Abubakar, Ebri, 

others for honours at UNICAL 

convocation Chancellor’s Office, 

By Tony Nyong & 

Dennis Udoma 

C ALABAR—FORMER 

Military Head of State, 

General Abdulsalami 

Abubakar (retd), Third 

Republic Civilian Governor 

of Cross River State, Dr. 

Clement Ebri and HRM 

Eze C. I. Ilomuanya, are 

among some of the eminent 

Nigerians to be honoured 

by the University of 

Calabar, Cross River State 

during her 32nd 

Convocation ceremony 

slated for Saturday. 

Gen. Abubakar and Chief 

Ebri are billed to receive 

honoris Doctorates of Public 

Administration and Political 

Science respectively, while 

the Chairman, Igbo 

Traditional Rulers Forum, 

Eze IIomuanya is to bag 

Honoris Doctor of Business 

Administration. 

Abubakar according to 

Chairman, Board of Media/ 

Community Relations, Vice 

UNICAL, Mr Joseph 

Ekpang is to be honoured 

for his peace initiative, 

which has largely helped 

prevent a descent to violent 

political anarchy after each 

electoral circle. 

He added that Dr. Ebri 

was chosen for being the 

first indigenous civilian 

Governor of Cross River 

State, while HRM Eze 

Ilomuanya was selected for 

his continuous effort in 

uniting the Igbo race. 

Meanwhile, the 

University of Calabar is 

graduating about 9, 174 

graduands during the 

forthcoming 32nd 

convocation ceremony on 

Saturday. 

Out of the number, 51 are 

First Class, 7, 782 are first 

degree graduates, higher 

degrees, 1, 074, Second 

Class Upper, 2, 356, 

Second Class Lower 4, 535, 

Third Class 672, while 42 

will graduate with ordinary 

Pass. 

Tony Elumelu Foundation holds 

discussion on Africa's economic 

challenges in Belgium 

T 

HE Tony Elumelu 

Foundation recently 

brought together leading 

stakeholders in the 

development finance 

sector, at a case study 

session in the European 

Union capital, Belgium. 

According to a statement 

from the foundation, the 

convening demonstrated 

that Africa also had 

solutions to bring to the 

table and platform the 

Foundation’s unique 

approach to catalysing 

entrepreneurship in scale 

across the continent. 

Themed, “A Convening 

on Africa’s Economic 

Transformation: A Case 

Study of the Tony Elumelu 

Foundation,” the event 

presented the results of the 

first five years of the 

Foundation’s 

entrepreneurship 

programme a unique 

programme, which has 

trained, mentored and 

NNPC assures of petrol 

availability during Easter 

By Mike Eboh 

NIGERIAN National 

P e t r o l e u m 

Corporation, NNPC, 

yesterday, restated its 

commitment to the 

sustenance of the present 

seamless supply and 

distribution of petroleum 

products across the country. 

Group Managing 

Director of the corporation, 

Mr. Maikanti Baru, spoke 

during the NNPC Special 

Day at the 30th Enugu 

International Trade Fair. 

Baru assured that the 

present zero queues in the 

country would be 

sustained, especially as 

Easter approaches, adding 

seeded 4,470 African entrepreneurs 

with 3,050 

newly announced to 

receive seed funding, and 

drawn over 200,000 

applications to its 2019 

cycle. 

Tony Elumelu’s $100 

million investment in 

entrepreneurial 

philanthropy was held as 

an example of how vital 

capital could be targeted 

efficiently and effectively, at 

African businesses best able 

to create significant 

economic and 

developmental impact. 

Opening the event, Mr. 

Koen Doens, Deputy 

Director General, DEVCO, 

EU, said: “Africa needs to 

create jobs by the millions 

to match the needs of its 

exponentially growing 

population. It will achieve 

this only if it unleashes a 

generation of empowered 

entrepreneurs." 

that no fewer than 55 depots 

across the country 

were fully stocked with 

petrol. 

He explained that 23 

depots in Lagos, seven in 

Port Harcourt, 11 in Warri, 

six in Calabar and eight in 

Kaduna, were stocked with 

petrol. 

Baru who was 

represented by the Chief 

Operating Officer, 

Refineries and 

Petrochemicals, Mr. Anibo 

Kragha, said that the 

ongoing rehabilitation of 

the nation’s refineries was 

aimed at reducing 

importation of petroleum 

products and demand for 

foreign exchange in the 

country.

10 — VANGUARD, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019 


NEWS HOTLINES 

018773962, 

08052867058 

Wife accused of killing husband: 

Court dismisses application 

seeking to reject confessional 

statements 

By Onozure Dania 

LAdedayo AGOS—JUSTICE 

Akintoye of 

a Lagos High Court sitting 

in Igbosere, yesterday, 

trashed an application 

asking it to reject the 

alleged confessional 

statements made by a 

female lawyer, Udeme 

Otike-Odibi, accused of 

killing her lawyer husband, 

Symphorosa. 

Justice Akintoye in her 

ruling stated that Otike- 

Odibi’s application, made 

through her lawyer, 

Oluseye Banjoko, did not 

satisfy the requirements of 

the law. 

The judge, however, 

ordered a trial within trial 

be conducted on May 23 to 

determine whether the 

confessional statement 

allegedly obtained from her 

by the police on May 4, 

2018, should be admitted as 

having been made by her. 

Banjoko said the 

statements were made 

without her lawyer being 

present and without being 

videoed, as required by law, 

among other reasons. 

While dismissing Otike- 

Odibi’s application 

yesterday, Justice Akintoye 

said: “This court does not 

find that the said 

confessional statement was 

obtained contrary to the 

provisions of Section 93 of 

the Administration of 

I’m fulfilled with outcome 

of 2019 polls in Kwara — REC 

I LORIN—THE 

Resident Electoral 

Commissioner, REC, in 

Kwara State, Malam Garba 

Attahiru-Madami, says he 

is fulfilled with the 

outcome of the 2019 

general elections in the 

state. 

He spoke in Ilorin when 

the West African Students 

Union, WASU, presented 

him with the Pan-African 

Leadership Award of 

Excellence as “Icon of 

Humanitarian Services 

2019.” 

Attahiru-Madami, who 

received the plaque from 

Ibrahim Fatai of Federal 

University, Lokoja, 

Criminal Justice Law 

(ACJL). 

“The defence counsel has 

not been able to establish 

that the defendant was not 

given the option to remain 

silent or to avoid answering 

any question until after 

consultation with a legal 

practitioner or any other 

person of her choice. This 

has not been proved to be 

so. He who asserts must 

prove. 

“It is also important to 

point out that the 

defendant, of all people, 

was well aware of her right, 

being a Legal Practitioner 

herself and as such, could 

have decided not to speak 

to any police officer. 

“To now imply that she is 

not aware of her rights or 

that the police forced her to 

speak appears to be very 

farfetched to this court. 

“The end result is that I 

do not find that the 

confessional statement 

being sought to be 

tendered has in any way 

contravened the provisions 

of sections 93 of the 

Administration of Criminal 

Justice Law (ACJL) of 

Lagos State, 2015 or 

Section 35(2) of the 1999 

Constitution (As 

amended). 

“The prayer for an order 

rejecting the confessional 

statement for having been 

procured contrary to the 

above stated laws is hereby 

refused the motion is 

hereby dismissed.” 

expressed gratitude to the 

union for considering him 

worthy of the award. 

He said: “I alone could 

not do it; my job was to give 

directives and leadership, 

so the success of the 

elections in the state goes 

to everybody. 

“I am very happy and 

fulfilled at the success of 

the 2019 general elections 

in Kwara, it was peaceful, 

free, fair, credible and 

accepted by all 

stakeholders. 

“So this award goes to 

everybody in Kwara, my 

electoral officers who are my 

field soldiers and the entire 

staff of INEC in Kwara.” 

COMMISSIONING: From left: Mr. Tunde Shoneye, Education Secretary, Kosofe LGA; Mrs. Foluso Ajimoti, 

Board Secretary, Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Rotn. Basirat Giwa, President, Rotary Club of Gbagada, 

Rotn. Dele Ogunbamwo, Rotn. Lanre Kazim, Past Assistant District Governor and High Chief Halbert Oluwole 

Bankole, Baale Isheri-Oke, during the official commissioning of District Grant Water Supply and toilet rehabilitation 

project at Isheri Nursery & Primary School, Isheri-Oke, Kosofe LGA, Lagos yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez. 

Police arrest 33 suspects for cultism 

in Lagos 

By Esther Onyegbula 

LAGOS—THE Police in 

Lagos, yesterday, 

arrested 33 persons 

allegedly involved in the 

clash on Wednesday 

between two rival cult 

groups at Fadeyi-Onipanu 

area where two persons 

were killed. 

Trouble started after rival 

cult groups from Alakara, 

Mushin and Onipanu in 

Shomolu, armed with 

dangerous weapons, were 

engaged in a fierce 

supremacy fight at Fadeyi, 

Onipanu, along Ikorodu 

road. 

At the end of the clash, 

two persons were killed. 

The two victims, 

identified as Tobi Kuti 

suspected to be one of the 

hoodlums and Samuel 

Geoffrey, who works 

with DTD Services, Apapa 

were caught up in the web 

of the hoodlums as they 

unleashed terror at Fadeyi, 

Onipanu. 

Confirming their arrest, 

Police Public Relations 

Officer, 

Lagos State, DSP Bala 

Elkana, said on 

Wednesday 10 April at 

about 11:30 Onipanu 

Police Station received a 

distress call that hoodlums 

were on rampage and 

Alleged Kidnap: Evans accused 

of frustrating trial 

By Henry Ojelu 

LAGOS — A lawyer, 

Mr. A. A. Uzokwu, 

yesterday, accused alleged 

kidnap kingpin, 

Chikwudumeme 

Onwiamadike, alias Evans 

of frustrating his ongoing 

trial by not securing the 

services of a lawyer. 

Uzokwu is the counsel to 

O k w u c h u k w u 

Nwachukwu, who is the 

fifth defendant in the trial. 

Evans, who is standing 

trial before an Ikeja High 

Court alongside five other 

co-defendants, appeared in 

court for the 3rd time 

yesterday without his 

counsel. 

Evans’ co-defendants 

are: Uche Amadi, Ogechi 

Uchechukwu, Chilaka 

Ifeanyi and Victor Aduba. 

Traffic law: LASG impounds 13,750 vehicles owned 

by commissioners, lawmakers others in 3 months 

By Monsuru 

Olowoopejo 

L vehicles AGOS—13,750 

belonging 

to commissioners, 

lawmakers, clerics and 

others were impounded 

after been caught by the 

newly introduced 

Automatic Number Plate 

Recognition camera for 

violating the Lagos State 

Traffic Law between 

January and March, 2019. 

Explaining how the 

immediately patrol teams 

and operatives of Tactical 

Units were promptly 

deployed to the scene. 

The teams swiftly 

contained the situation and 

restored normalcy. 

Elkana said: “During the 

scuffle, one Tobi Kuti 

suspected to be one of the 

hoodlums and one Samuel 

Geofrey of DTD Services, 

Apapa, who was caught 

in the web were killed by 

vehicles were impounded 

for violating the traffic law, 

Director, Vehicle 

Inspection Service, 

Gbolahan Toriola said that 

the new technology, 

ANPR camera, captures 

the number plate of 

vehicles and records them 

into its system after which 

they are synchronized with 

a data base platform already 

provided. 

Toriola said: “It is 

important to state that this 

device encourages 

the hoodlums. 

“Patrol teams and 

operatives of Tactical Units 

were promptly deployed to 

the scene. The teams swiftly 

contained the situation and 

restored normalcy to the 

area. 

“The command has 

deployed more resources to 

the affected areas for 

manhunt of other fleeing 

members of the gangs. 

Investigation is ongoing. 

At the resumed hearing 

of the trial Uzokwu said: 

“The first defendant is 

playing games. This same 

scenario played out before 

your learned brother, 

Akinlade J, on 

Wednesday. The 1st 

defendant also appeared in 

court without any legal 

representation. That was 

the third adjournment 

granted in the instance of 

the 1st defendant 

“I don’t know why they 

don’t have any legal 

representation. 

“They are playing games 

and My Lord has to assist 

us. We urge the court to 

invoke sections 233 on the 

defendants which allow the 

court to appoint counsels for 

the defendants in this 

circumstance so that they 

would stop playing this kind 

voluntary compliance. 

When an offender could 

not be found or does not 

respond with prompt 

payment within 7 days, 

he will be blacklisted 

and charged to the 

mobile court in addition 

with 100 percent 

increment in the fine. 

“The camera was 

launched after a number 

of pilot schemes to test 

its 

efficiency 

considering the nature 

of Lagos road network.” 

“The Commissioner of 

Police, Zubairu Muazu has 

called on Parents to monitor 

the activities of their 

children especially those 

who engage themselves in 

cult activities and 

gangsterism, as the 

Command is duty bound to 

deal decisively with 

criminal elements in line 

with the law and protect the 

lives of the good people of 

Lagos State”, he added. 

of games. If they also 

wish, they also have the 

option of representing 

themselves. 

“My Lord at this 

stage, we are like stuck 

behind a stationary 

vehicle.” 

However, when the court 

pointedly asked Evans 

where his counsel was, the 

alleged kidnap kingpin 

said: “I don’t know. There 

is no communication 

between us.” 

Other defendants, Uche 

Amadi, Ogechi 

Uchechukwu, Chilaka 

Ifeanyi, who had also 

appeared in court without 

any legal representation, 

said that there was no 

communication between 

them and their lawyers. 

Responding to the 

accusations against 

Evans, Justice Hakeem 

Oshodi threatened to 

invoke Sections 233 against 

the defendants. 

Justice Oshodi said: “I 

know that there is a section 

of the constitution that 

mandates the counsel that 

started a matter to conclude 

it, but I am not ready to 

invoke that section.” 

In a short ruling, the 

judge said: “If the 

defendants are not 

represented at the next 

hearing date, the court 

would have to appoint 

counsels for them, or they 

would have to represent 

themselves. 

The matter was, thereafter, 

adjourned till May 14 for 

the continuation of trial.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019 — 11 

By Ikechukwu 

Nnochiri 

ABUJA—THE Abuja 

Division of the 

Federal High Court, 

yesterday berated the 

Senate President, Dr. 

Bukola Saraki, Speaker of 

the House of 

Representatives, Yakubu 

Dogara, and 52 other 

lawmakers for engaging 

in misconduct by 

arresting judgment on a 

suit seeking to declare 

their seats vacant for 

defecting from political 

parties that brought them 

to power. 

The court, in a ruling 

that was delivered by 

Justice Okon Abang, 

decried what it termed as 

“frustrating conduct” of the 

lawmakers, who it said 

disrespected its authority 

by approaching the court to 

suspend an already 

prepared judgment. 

The judgment was sequel 

to a suit that was lodged 

before the court on 

September 14, 2018, by a 

nongovernmental 

organization under the 

aegis of Legal Defence and 

Assistance Project, LEDAP. 

The Plaintiff had through 

its lawyer, Mr. Chino 

Obiagwu, SAN, prayed the 

court to declare the seat of 

54 lawmakers, including 

that of Saraki and Dogara, 

vacant in accordance with 

Section 68 of the 1999 

Constitution, following their 

:Vanguard 

News 

DEFECTION: Court berates Saraki, Dogara, 

Akpabio, 51 lawmakers for misconduct 

•Decries ‘arrest’ of judgment on suit seeking to declare their seats vacant 

defection from the political 

party that sponsored them. 

The outcome of the suit 

will affect lawmakers within 

the fold of both the ruling 

All Progressives Congress, 

APC, and the Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP. 

Those the Plaintiff is 

asking the court to void 

their continued stay at the 

National Assembly, 

included the former 

Minority Leader of the 

Senate, Godswill Akpabio, 

Senators Dino Melaye, 

Rabiu Kwankwanso, Lanre 

Tejuoso, Shaaba Lafiagi, 

Rafiu Ibrahim, Barnabas 

Gemade, Abdulazeez 

Nyako, Monsurat 

Sunmonu, Usman Nafada, 

Suleiman Hunkuyi, 

Ibrahim Danbaba, Ubale 

Shittu, lsah Misau and 

Suleiman Nafif. 

Others are Hon. Zakari 

Mohammed, Hon. Aminu 

Shagari, Hon Ooker-Jev, 

Hon. Rufai Chanchangi, 

Hon. Abdulsamad Dasuki, 

Hon. Sani Zoro, Hon. 

Benjamin Okolo, Hon. 

Bode Ayorinde, Hon. Sani 

Rank, Hon. Dickson 

Tarkighir, among others. 

Contending that the 

Defendants had no 


business at the National 

Assembly haven dumped 

the political party on which 

they were elected into 

office contrary to section 68 

of the Constitution, the 

Plaintiff, applied for an 

order of mandamus to 

compel the Deputy Senate 

President and his 

counterpart at the House of 

Reps, to declare their seats 

vacant to allow the 

Independent National 

Electoral Commission, 

INEC, to conduct byelections 

to fill the 

positions. 

It further prayed the court 

to order the Defendants to 

refund all salaries and 

emoluments they received 

after their defection. 

Equally cited as 

defendants in the matter 

were INEC, the Attorney 

General of the Federation, 

the Deputy Senate 

President and the Deputy 

Speaker of the House of 

Reps. 

Meantime, after the 

matter was called up for 

judgment, Saraki and his 

co-defendants, through 

their lawyer, Mr. Mahmud 

Magaji, SAN, insisted they 

were not aware that the suit 

was pending against them. 

Magaji told the court 

that after Saraki became 

aware of the suit, he wrote 

a letter to the Deputy 

Chief Registrar of the 

court to be allowed access 

to all the processes that 

were filed in respect of the 

matter. 

“On perusing through the 

file, the Registrar said we 

have to pay a penalty 

which was calculated at 

N91, 000.00. We made the 

payment via Fidelity 

account that was given to 

us and we quickly filed a 

motion of conditional 

appearance. We also filed 

another motion 

challenging the locusstandi 

of the Plaintiff and 

jurisdiction of this court to 

even entertain the suit.The 

motions have been served 

on the Plaintiffs and it is in 

the court’s file”, Magaji 

submitted. 

Placing reliance on 

section 6(6) of the 1999 

Constitution, Magaji, SAN, 

argued that the court had 

powers to temporarily 

suspend the judgment to 

consider the pending 

applications. 

“It is trite that the issue of 

jurisdiction can be raised at 

any time. It can be raised 

orally even on the day of 

judgment, including at the 

Supreme Court. It is in this 

regard that we seek the 

indulgence of your lordship 

to admit and allow us to our 

processes.” 

He argued that the suit 

was grossly defective since 

the name of a late lawmaker 

was still retained as the 41st 

Defendant. 

“What we are saying is 

that the court should tarry 

awhile and hear the other 

side now that certain facts 

are now available to the 

court”. 

However, counsel to the 

Plaintiff, Mr. Ede Uko, 

urged the court to strike out 

the applications and 

proceed with the 

judgment. 

“My lord one thing is 

pointed out this morning 

and it is the bid by the 

Defendants to arrest the 

judgment of this court. I 

submit that the application 

of the Defendants is 

seeking to arrest the 

judgment. 

“The conduct of the 

Defendants in this case is 

not worthy of any 

sympathetic consideration. 

The matter was 

subsequently adjourned 

till Friday for hearing. 

NECO postpones National 

Common Entrance Examination 

A BUJA—THE 

N a t i o n a l 

Examinations 

Council,NECO, has 

postponed the 2019 

National Common 

Entrance Examination 

into unity schools to 27th 

April, 2019. 

The Head, Information 

and Public Relations 

Division of NECO,Azeez 

Sani,in a statement, said 

the “examination which 

was initially scheduled 

for 13th April, was rescheduled 

to give states 

with low registration of 

candidates the 

opportunity to register 

for the examination.” 

Meanwhile, a total of 

70,720 candidates have 

so far registered for the 

examination, according 

to the examination 

body. 

“Candidates are advised 

to download the new 

Examination Time-Table 

from the Council’s website: 

www.neco.gov.ng”,it said. 

FUNERAL SERVICE FOR LATE MRS JANET ALERO OHIWEREI 

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo led other prominent Nigerians to the funeral service for late Mrs Janet Ohiwerei, 

wife of former Chairman of Nigerian Breweries, Mr Felix Ohiwerei at The Redeemed Christian Church of God, 

RCCG, Resurrection Parish, 1st Gate, Jakande Estate, Lekki, Lagos yesterday. PHOTOS: BUNMI AZEEZ. 

From left: Pastor Folu Adeboye, wife of the General Overseer of the Redeemed 

Christian Church of God, Mr Felix Ohiwerei, widower and Pastor Fola Aboaba, 

a member of RCCG's Governing Council. 

From left: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; ex-Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; 

his wife, Victoria and Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, wife of Edo State governor. 

Cross section of children of the deceased. 

From left: Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, CAN President, Lagos State; 

his wife,Nike and Mrs. Bella Alex-Nosiage.

12—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019 

:Vanguard 

News 

We're tired of election violence, 

killing of our husbands, children, 

N-Delta women cry out 

By Emma Amaize, 

Regional Editor, 

South-South & 

Davies 

Iheamnachor 

PORT HARCOURT- 

WOMEN of the six 

states in the South-South 

geopolitical zone rose from 

the 12th Niger Delta 

Dialogue, NDD, in Port 

Harcourt, Rivers State, 

saying they are 

discontented and weary of 

electoral malpractices and 

violence, which resulted in 

the killing of their 

husbands, children, 

maiming of several persons 

and destruction of property. 

The women in a 

communiqué signed by the 

Omu of Anioma Kingdom, 

Delta State, Her Majesty, 

Obi Martha Dunkwu, who 

presided over the two-day 

Dialogue, Senator Stella 

Omu, Ambassador Nkoyo 

Toyo, Ms Ankio Briggs and 

other leaders, resolved that 

they would mobilise and 

engage governors, elected 

representatives, and youths 

of the region to end all 

forms of electoral violence. 

Academic Associates 

PeaceWorks, a Non- 

Governmental 

Organisation facilitated the 

forum sponsored by the 

European Union, EU, 

which is a platform for the 

women to discuss and set 

an agenda for changing 

the narratives in the region. 

No fewer than 140 

women drawn from Rivers, 

Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Cross 

River and Akwa-Ibom 

states attended the event to 

share their experiences and 

agree on the way forward. 

The communiqué reads 

in part: “Niger Delta 

women are disenchanted 

and tired of election 

violence in the region, 

which has caused the 

killings of our husbands, 

children and even some 

security agents, maiming, 

humanitarian crisis, 

homelessness of several 

persons and destruction of 

properties." 

Insecurity in Rivers threatening 

Ogoni clean-up —Abe 


A BUJA—CHAIRMAN, 

Senate Committee on 

Federal Road 

Maintenance Agency, 

FERMA, Senator Magnus 

Abe, All Progressives 

Congress, APC, Rivers 

South East, yesterday, said 

the insecurity in Rivers 

State was responsible for 

the non-realisation of 

Ogoni clean-up. 

According to Abe, the 

exercise was being 

hampered by the continued 

violence in the state which 

has made many residents 

to leave their homes. 

Meanwhile, a bill for an 

act to establish the Federal 

University of Environment, 

Science and Agriculture in 

Ogoni Land, Rivers State 

and sponsored by Abe, 

yesterday scaled the 

second reading in the 

Senate. 

Abe said: “Right now as 

we speak, the security 

situation in the area does 

not allow a meaningful 

economic or even 

contractual activity to take 

place." 


COMMISSIONING: From left—VC, Uniport, Prof Ndowa Lale; Executive Sec, TETFund, Prof Elias Bogoro; 

Sec, NUC, Prof Abubakar Rasheed; Deputy Chairman, House of Reps C'ttee on Fed Character, Darlington 

Nwokocha; and Contractor, Adamu Aliyu, during the commissioning of 7-In-1 structure, a TETFund project, at 

Uniport, Rivers State. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke. 

S-Court judgment: Wike extends hand 

of fellowship to Amaechi 

...pledges inclusive govt 

•As S’Court dismisses APC’s appeal on Rivers 

poll, declines to reverse self 

By Ikechukwu 

Nnochiri & Dirisu 

Yakubu 

PORT HARCOURT— 

Rivers State Governor, 

Nyesom Wike has called 

on the Minister of 

Transportation, Chibuike 

Rotimi Amaechi to join 

hands with him to develop 

the state. 

In a state broadcast to 

mark the Supreme Court 

judgment striking out the 

appeals by Rivers APC, 

yesterday, Wike said the 

state stood to benefit more 

if all leaders were united. 

He said: “Although the 

politics of acrimony and 

bitterness may have strayed 

from the noble path of the 

past, I still believe that we 

shall be better of standing 

and working together for 

our state and our people. 

“ I, therefore, appeal to 

the APC and the Minister 

of Transportation to join 

hands with us to move our 

dear state forward. We 

cannot as leaders continue 

to remain divided and 

expect the government to 

deliver on its 

responsibilities to our 

people. Let us from 

henceforth seek the 

common ground instead of 

allowing our differences to 

be exploited to retard our 

march to progress. 

“ I appeal to our people 

to eschew all acts of 

acrimony. I wish to 

recommit myself to the unity 

and peaceful co-existence 

of all our people 

irrespective of political 

affiliation.” 

He directed the state 

Attorney General and 

Commissioner to review all 

pending criminal cases 

linked to politics before the 

2019 elections and make 

n e c e s s a r y 

recommendations to 

promote reconciliation. 

He said: “I hereby direct 

the Honourable Attorney 

General 

and 

Commissioner for Justice to 

review all pending criminal 

proceedings filed against 

any person by the state and 

directly related to political 

activities prior to the 2019 

general election and make 

a p p r o p r i a t e 

recommendations to me for 

necessary action to promote 

reconciliation among us. 

“Today, I recommit myself 

to be the governor for all the 

people of Rivers State for 

the next four years. 

Accordingly, we shall form 

an all-inclusive 

government to advance the 

collective interest of our 

people, irrespective of 

party, ethnic or religious 

affiliations." 

S-Court dismisses 

APC’s appeal, 

Also yesterday in Abuja, 

the Supreme Court, 

foreclosed any chance by 

the All Progressives 

open the ICAN Southern 

Zonal Conference in 

Asaba, said the theme 

“Wealth Creation and 

Sustainable Development,” 

was timely. He charged the 

accountants to continually 

uphold the virtues of 

professional competence, 

objectivity, integrity and 

confidentiality. 

The display of such 

virtues in ICAN members 

in Delta State, Otuaro said, 

helped the state 

Congress, APC, to 

challenge the outcome of 

the 2019 general election in 

Rivers State. 

The apex court, in a 

unanimous ruling by a 

seven-man panel of 

Justices led by the Acting 

Chief Justice of Nigeria, 

CJN, Justice Tanko 

Muhammad, dismissed 

the remainder of appeals 

the APC lodged to reverse 

court judgements that led 

to the exclusion of its 

candidates from vying for 

any elective position in the 

state. 

The APC had through its 

lawyer, Mr. Jubrin 

Okutekpa, SAN, 

approached the apex court, 

praying it to set aside its 

previous decisions that 

validated lower court 

judgements that barred it 

from participating in the 

Rivers State elections. 

The ruling party urged 

the Supreme Court to 

invoke its original 

jurisdiction under section 

22 of its Act, and review all 

the circumstances that 

resulted in the exclusion of 

all its candidates. 

It prayed the apex court 

to set aside the judgement 

of the Rivers State High 

Court which held that it did 

not conduct valid primary 

elections to nominate 

candidates for various 

positions in the state. 

The APC further asked 

Wealth creation: Delta, ICAN on laudable path 

—Otuaro 

By Etop Ekanem 

ACTING Governor of 

Delta State, Kingsley 

Otuaro, has said the 

Institute of Chattered 

Accountants of Nigeria, 

ICAN, is taking the path 

taken by Senator Ifeanyi 

Okowa-led Delta State 

Government on wealth 

creation. 

Otuaro, who declared 

government in prudent 

management of resources 

to navigate through the 

recession. 

National President of 

ICAN, Alhaji Razak 

Jayeola, in his speech, 

promised that ICAN would 

continue to contribute to 

socio-economic growth of 

the country. 

Otuaro commended 

ICAN “for setting 

standards for the 

accounting profession." 

the Supreme Court to 

reverse its previous 

position on the grounds that 

its appeal against the 

verdict of the Port Harcourt 

Division of the Court of 

Appeal, was merely 

academic. 

Delivering ruling on the 

matter, the apex court 

panel said it was satisfied 

that the appeal by APC was 

grossly incompetent and 

deserved to be dismissed in 

its entirety. 

The Acting CJN, who 

gave the ruling, upheld 

argument by counsel to the 

Peoples Democratic Party, 

Chief Emmanuel Ukala, 

SAN, that the appeal was 

incurably defective. 

In its preliminary 

objection, PDP noted that 

the APC had in its notice of 

appeal, erroneously 

directed its prayers to the 

Court of Appeal instead of 

the Supreme Court. 

Consequently, Ukala, 

SAN, argued that the APC 

had no valid appeal before 

the the apex court, a 

submission that was 

affirmed by the CJN-led 

panel. 

Similarly, the apex court 

dismissed two other 

separate appeals relating to 

the elections. 

Whereas in the second 

appeal, Prince Tonye Cole 

sought to be declared the 

authentic governorship 

candidate of the APC in 

Rivers State, the third 

appeal was lodged against 

Senator Magnus Abe by 

the APC. 

Judgment, respite to 

Nigerians 

Reacting to the 

judgement, the PDP in a 

statement by its National 

Publicity Secretary, Mr. 

Kola Ologbodiyan said: 

“The resoluteness of the 

Supreme Court in 

upholding justice and 

resisting manipulations by 

APC leaders to revisit the 

issue of APC flawed 

primaries in the state, 

which were lawfully 

annulled by the lower 

courts, has brought respite 

to Nigerians and further 

restored their confidence in 

the institution of the 

judiciary.”


FG has given priority to women, youth 

empowerment —Lai Muhammed 

By Boluwaji 

Obahopo 

L OKOJA—MINISTER 

of Information and 

Culture, Lai Muhammed, 

yesterday said the federal 

government has given the 

needed priority to the 

empowerment of women 

and engagement of youths 

in the country. 

Muhammed, who spoke 

in Lokoja at the opening 

ceremony of a two-day 

“Annual Round-table on 

Cultural Orientation” 

ARTCO, organised by the 

National Institute for 

Cultural Orientation, 

NICO, said women and 

youth constituted over 50 

percent of the country’s 

population, hence they 

need to be given priority. 

The Minister also said 

government had taken 

concrete steps to eliminate 

all forms of discrimination 

against women and 

encourage their 

participation on equal basis 

with men. 

On youth engagement, 

the Minister said the "Not 

Too Young to Run" bill 

recently signed into law by 

President Buhari, the N- 

Power and host of other 

initiatives by the present 

government were designed 

to enhance youth 

empowerment and active 

involvement in the 

democratic process. 

The Minister who was 

represented at the occasion 

by the Deputy Director, 

Festival and Carnival in the 

ministry, Mrs Maimunat 

Ndu-lah said “the federal 

government has stepped 

up its youth and voter 

education campaigns 

through agencies such as 

the National Orientation 

Agency , NOA, to tackle the 

menace of violence, ballot 

box snatching, thuggery 

and all forms of 

manipulations during 

elections.” 

Earlier, the Acting 

Executive Secretary of 

NICO, Mr Louis Eriomala 

said the 2019 edition of 

ARTCO with the theme 

“Culture in the 

Consolidation of Nigeria’s 

Democracy: The Role of 

Women and Youths”, was 

designed to address issues 

of moral/cultural 

degeneration amongst 

youths and how to 

engender greater 

empowerment of women in 

the country, amongst 

others. 

JUSUN distrupts courts 

activities in Nasarawa 

By David Odama 

L AFIA—NASARAWA 

State chapter of the 

Judicial Staff Union of 

Nigeria, JUSUN, 

yesterday chased away 

litigants, lawyers and shut 

the courts in Akwanga 

Local Government Area of 

the state. 

The state chairman of the 

union, Jimoh Musa who 

spoke in an interview with 

newsmen in Lafia while 

reacting to the union’s 

action said the union was 

rejecting the scraping of 

the Customary Court of 

Appeal in the state. 

He claimed that the 

National Judicial 

Commission, NJC, had 

given three slots for the 

appointment of judges into 

the Customary Court in 

2018, but nothing was 

done to reopen the court till 

date. 

Musa said the decision 

to embark on the strike was 

reached at a meeting 

because of the insensitivity 

and refusal of the Chief 

Judge, Justice Suleiman 

Dikko to address the 

union’s demands. 

The Chairman said other 

grievances of the union 

included non-conversion or 

promotion of workers, who 

had obtained educational 

qualification after further 

studies legitimately for the 

past four years and the 

inordinate reduction of 

workers’ salaries. 

Also speaking, the Public 

Relations Officer of the 

union, Solomon Iyigulu 

blamed the state 

government for the crisis 

saying, “we are here to 

ensure that the strike which 

commenced last year is 

fully complied with. We are 

here to ensure its total 

compliance as the state 

government has remained 

adamant over our 

demands after several 

correspondence by our 

union.” 

Shut radio station sues NBC 

HEALTHCARE:From Left; Engr. Chidi Izuwah, Director General / Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure 

Concession Regulatory Commission, Mrs Njide Ndili, Country Director, PharmAccess Foundation, Dr 

Hawru Yahaya, Emir of Shonga, Kwara State, Mr Saad Olademeji, Director General Kwara State Hospital 

Management, and Dr Jide Idris, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, during the Policy Dialogue 

Disrupting Health Care , organised by Pharmaccess Foundation which held yesterday at Radisson Blu 

Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. PHOTO: Kehinde Gbadamosi 

What World Bank award on ease of doing business 

means to us — Shippers’ Council boss 

By Samson 

Echenim 

E XECUTIVE— 

SECRETARY of 

Nigeria Shippers’ Council, 

NSC, Hassan Bello, 

yesterday described the 

World Bank award to the 

council on Ease of Doing 

Business, EoDB, as a 

recognition of a successful 

synergy among federal 

government agencies and 

institutions in the maritime 

sub-sector. 

NSC bagged the “World 

Bank 2019 Ease of Doing 

Business Ranking Award” 

in recognition of its 

immense contribution and 

support towards ensuring 

the success of the federal 

government’s Ease of 

Doing Business policy and 

drive of the Presidential 

Enabling Business 

Environment Council, 

PEBEC, overall reform 

initiatives in 2018. 

Bello told Vanguard,“the 

award is for all agencies in 

the transport and maritime 

industries. It signifies the 

coordinated response by 

the agencies to collectively 

improve service delivery , 

inclusiveness, deliver 

modern infrastructure , 

provide employment and 

accelerate economic 

development. 

“So, it is not only for NSC, 

but also for Nigerian 

Maritime Administration 

and Safety Agency, 

NIMASA, Nigeria Ports 

Authority, NPA, Nigeria 

Waterways Authority, NIWA, 

Nigeria Railway Corporation, 

NRC, and the Maritime Academy 

of Nigeria, MAN. I use this 

opportunity to call for greater 

synergy among the agencies so 

that more progress can be made 

toward this direction.” 

He also said the award is an 

indication of what the country 

stands to benefit when NSC 

transmutes to the National 

Transport Commission, NTC, as 

an effective regulation of the 

Ban on mining activities won’t last long 

—Minister 

By Gabriel Ewepu 

ABUJA—THE Minister 

of State for Mines and 

Steel Development, 

Abubakar Bwari, yesterday, 

assured miners and 

investors that the ban on 

mining activities in 

Zamfara State would not 

last long. 

Bwari said this while speaking 

on the need for government to 

take the action in the interest of 

protecting lives and property in 

the state, expressed optimism 

that very soon the government 

would sanitise the mining 

industry for legitimate miners to 

do their business. 

He said: “It’s quite unfortunate 

that we had to stop mining in 

Zamfara, a state so well endowed, 

a state in which we are right now 

doing some exploration works and 

where we have even discovered 

St. Ambroses College Old 

Students Association meets 

THE—OLD Students 

Association of St 

Ambroses College 

Usiefurun (SACOSA) 

will hold their National 

General Meeting on 

transport sector will result to an 

improved ease of doing business 

in Nigeria. 

Recall that experts and industry 

stakeholders had postulated that 

the country’s ease of doing 

business could witness a huge 

improvement with the multimodal 

transport system, a major 

aim the proposed National 

Transport Commission is 

expected to achieve when the 

NTC Bill is signed into law. 

some minerals such as barite, 

nickel, manganese, and others. 

While pursuing economic 

activities, the human angle must 

be considered. It happened that 

lives were being lost to the criminal 

activities there." 

Saturday 13th, 

April,2019,at Marshal 

Umukoro’s residence, 

High Court Road, 

Asaba.Time:11.00am. 

By Marie-Therese 

Nanlong 

J OS—MANAGEMENT 

of Jos based radio 

station, Jay FM, recently 

shut by the National 

Broadcasting Commission, 

NBC, has dragged the 

commission to court 

seeking for redress over 

continued closure of the 

station. 

It will be recalled that Jay 

Fm was shut on March 

1,,2019 by NBC. 

Managing Director, 

Clinton Garuba in a 

statement yesterday 

said,“it has become 

incumbent for us at Jay FM 

Jos to issue this statement 

as an update to our 

indefatigable fans, 

followers, listeners, and 

supporters on the status of 

the station and the state of 

our struggle. Importantly, 

we call on the National 

Broadcasting Commission, 

NBC, the regulator of 

broadcasting in Nigeria, to 

free itself from political 

manipulation by people 

who wield power in high 

places, and those who 

have conscripted 

themselves in the army of 

the enemies of liberty, 

justice, and freedom in 

Nigeria. 

Jay FM Jos was shut 

down under controversial 

circumstances on March 1, 

2019, by the NBC. In a 

letter signed by its Jos 

Zonal Director, the 

Commission alleged that 

the Station’s continued 

broadcast may lead to break 

down of law and order.

14 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019 

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

VISIT: From left: Frederick Mordi, Corporate Communication and Government Affairs Manager, Cadbury 

Nigeria Plc; Mr. Lanre Odunlami, Senior Private Sector Partnerships Associate, United Nations High Commission 

for Refugees (UNHCR) Abuja; Mrs. Oyeyimika Adeboye, Managing Director, Cadbury Nigeria Plc; Mr. Antonio 

Canhandula, Country Representative, Nigeria and ECOWAS, UNHCR; and Mr. Babawale Owolabi, Head of 

Lagos Field Office, UNHCR, during a courtesy visit to Cadbury head office in Lagos. 

IBADAN ROYAL TUSSLE: Court of Appeal 

strikes out Ladoja’s motion on gazette 

By Ola Ajayi 

I Court BADAN—THE 

of Appeal 

sitting in Ibadan, yesterday, 

set aside a motion filed by 

a former governor of Oyo 

State, who is Osi 

Olubadan, Senator Rashidi 

Ladoja seeking to set aside 

the approval of Governor 

Abiola Ajimobi and his 

decision to gazette the 

matter. 

Governor Ajimobi, after 

setting up a judicial inquiry 

to review the 1959 Olubadan 

Chieftaincy Declaration, 

installed 48 kings in the 

state and further went on to 

gazette it to make it legal. 

Ajimobi, who was 

dissatisfied with the 

January 20, 2018 decision of 

Justice Olajumoke Aiki at 

the Oyo State High Court, 

appealed the judgment of 

the lower court. 

The appellate court led by 

Justice Nonyerem 

Okoronkwo, ruled that the 

thrust of the relief sought 

was trying to invoke the 

court to set aside the 

gazette which approved 

the crowning of the kings. 

Other members of the 

panel that set aside the 

motion included Justice A. 

Talba and Justice F. Ojo. 

According to them, the 

gazette which Ladoja is 

praying the court to set 

aside was not the subject 

matter at the lower court. 

Without Ifa, there’d be no Google —-OONI OF IFE 

ILE-IFE—THE Ooni 

of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan 

Ogunwusi, says the 

popular search engine, 

Google, originated from the 

oracle in Yoruba mythology, 

Ifa. 

Ogunwusi said this, on 

Wednesday, during a press 

tour of the tourists sites 

within the ancient city 

ahead of the tourism 

innovation and 

development innovation 

conference, TIDA, slated 

for April 24. 

The theme of the 

forthcoming conference is: 

Impact of Sustainable 

Tourism Development and 

Marketing of Tourism 

Destinations on Host 

Communities. 

The traditional leader 

said that without ‘Ifa’, 

Google would not have 

been created. 

NAN reports that ‘Odu 

Ifa’ refers to the verses of 

the literary corpus that are 

usually consulted by 

people who believe in its 

efficacy before embarking 

on any project or activity. 

It is also a West African 

religion and system of 

divination 

Ogunwusi said that the 

Google could be regarded 

as the modern way of 

sourcing for past 

information and what was 

likely to happen in the 

future too. 

He said: “Ifa originated 

several thousands of years 

ago and is seen as the voice 

of the almighty God 

referred to as ‘Orisa Oke’ 

which is supreme to other 

lesser gods. 

“Without ‘Ifa’, there could 

never have been the 

google, so the google is the 

modern day version of Ifa. 

“Ifa is all about 

information, getting 

knowledge from the 

almighty God. 

“Whenever you search 

the google for information 

or knowledge, you are 

consulting ‘Ifa’; and 

without “Ifa”, there would 

not have been the google.” 

He said Ifa was still 

The three-man panel 

said: “We refuse to 

entertain the issue and 

urged the appellant to 

incorporate it in the main 

appeal and the motion is 

hereby strike out. The 

matter was then adjourned 

to May 27, 2019 for hearing 

of the main appeal. 

When Vanguard called 

some of the new kings for 

comments on the ruling, 

they said they had not got 

the full gist of the ruling. 

relevant in contemporary 

time, that was why people 

were still consulting the 

oracle for information and 

solutions to their problems. 

“That is part of the 

functions that Ifa’ does for 

its believers and followers; 

that is the truth but it may 

sound strange,” he said. 

Maiden Eko Chocolate Show 

begins tomorrow 

THE inaugural edition 

of the Eko Chocolate 

Show will hold tomorrow, 

Saturday, April 13 and 

Sunday, 14. 

The event, which is 

endorsed by Lagos and 

Osun State governments is 

billed for Ilase Beach Resort 

between 12 and 6pm 

tomorrow and the Ball 

Room of Oriental Hotel, 

Victoria Island, Lagos 

between 12 and 8pm on 

Sunday. 

Speaking at the pre-event 

press conference for the 

show at the Conference 

Room of Lagos State 

Ministry of Agriculture 

Secretariat Complex, 

Alausa, Ikeja, Yetunde Isi 

Adegbite, Strategy and 

Corporate Affairs Executive 

of Eti-Oni Development 

Group, organisers of the 

event, said: ‘’The main 

objective of Eko Chocolate 

Show is to become the 

biggest show dedicated to 

chocolate and confectionery 

in Africa, while we continue 

to create awareness to 

develop the cocoa culture 

that will build bridges 

between production and 

consumption to appreciate 

the value in the Nigerian 

cocoa narrative and change 

it from an extractive 

position to an integrated 

one with extensive valueadd 

for shared value 

purposes. 

‘’The event is designed to 

create opportunities for 

networking, cultural 

exchanges and improving 

of bilateral relations for 

mutual benefits and bring 

together investors, partners, 

experts, manufacturers, 

entrepreneurs, traders and 

buyers and all stakeholders 

along the supply chain of 

cocoa to chocolate. 

According to her rationale 

behind holding the Eko 

Chocolate show is that 

‘’Lagos being a mega city 

and one of the most 

populated cities in the world 

is well positioned to be the 

main consumer market and 

trading centre for chocolate 

in Africa.’’ 

She said the show is 

jointly endorsed by Lagos 

and Osun states, which will 

also participate in it. 

Boroffice accuses Akeredolu of 

instigating tribunal against him 

By Dayo Johnson 

A S KURE—THE 

e n a t o r 

representing Ondo North 

Senatorial district in Ondo 

state, Prof Ajayi Boroffice, 

yesterday, accused 

Governor Rotimi 

Akeredolu’s loyalist, Dr. 

Tunji Abayomi of sponsoring 

a petition against him at the 

Election Petition Tribunal as 

the candidate of the All 

Progressive Congress, APC, 

in the last election in the 

state. 

Boroffice said this in a 

statement by his Press 

Secretary, Kayode Fakuyi in 

Akure. 

The statement was in 

response to a report in 

Vanguard that Akeredolu 

served as an arbiter to save 

Senator Boroffice by asking 

the Mega Party of Nigeria, 

MPA, to withdraw the 

petition against him over 

absence of its logo on the 

ballot paper. 

Fakuyi said: “The Mega 

Party of Nigeria, MPN, did 

not actually file petition 

against INEC and Senator 

Ajayi Boroffice. It was the 

senatorial candidate of 

Action Alliance, AA, for 

Ondo North, Mr. Tunji 

Abayomi who sponsored 

the case on behalf of MPN 

without the authorisation of 

the National leadership of 

MPN. 

“Instructively, Mr. Tunji 

Abayomi of the Action 

Alliance could not have 

sponsored the case without 

the support and nod of his 

political leader, Governor 

Rotimi Akeredolu. 

“From the above-stated 

facts, it is clear Governor 

Rotimi Akeredolu did not 

play any such role like role 

of arbiter in the resolution 

of the MPN to discontinue 

a case that was initiated 

and instituted on its behalf 

without its authorisation.” 

Reforms in Ekiti’ll re-order 

society — FAYEMI 

...As gov names SAs, DGs, board members 

By Rotimi Ojomoyela 

A GOVERNOR 

DO-EKITI— 

Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti 

State said, yesterday, 

that the ongoing reform 

in the justice sector 

embarked upon by his 

administration will help 

reorder the society and 

nip crimes in the bud. 

Speaking in Ado Ekiti 

at a meeting with Legal 

Officers in the employ of 

the state government, 

Fayemi said: “For us, we 

believe that the law is an 

instrument for social 

justice. The beauty of the 

law is to help re-order 

the society the way we 

want it. That is why we 

are investing in the 

reform of the 

administration of 

criminal justice. This 

administration has zero 

tolerance for sexual 

violence. We will do 

everything possible to 

ensure that we bring an 

end to this menace.” 

While reacting to the 

claim that government 

lawyers file government 

cases with their personal 

money, the governor 

expressed dissatisfaction 

with the development; 

assuring that government 

Bowen students develop app 

to tackle campus insecurity 

By Juliet Umeh 

I students WO—SOME 

of Bowen 

University, Iwo Osun State, 

have developed an App to 

curb insecurity in the 

campus. 

According to the 

students, the App, Campus 

eSecurity Alert App 

System, was developed to 

tackle challenges of 

insecurity arising on 

campuses. 

Presenting the App in a 

would no longer shirk its 

responsibilities or allow 

workers shoulder what 

government should 

normally attend to. 

Fayemi names Special 

Assistants, DGs, board 

members 

In 

another 

development, Governor 

Fayemi, yesterday, 

approved appointments 

into some commissions 

and government 

agencies. 

The governor also 

approved appointments 

of Senior Special 

Assistants and Special 

Assistants with specific 

assignment. 

This came barely two 

days after the new set of 

Commissioners and 

Special Advisers were 

inaugurated by the 

governor. 

The appointments are 

contained in statement 

signed by the Chief 

Press Secretary to the 

governor, Mr Yinka 

Oyebode. 

According to Oyebode, 

the appointments have 

been made to further 

enhance the present 

administration in the 

State for effective service 

delivery. 

programme organised by 

New Horizons dubbed 

Bowen University’s 

Innovation 

& 

Entrepreneurship 

Revolution conference, 

yesterday, the App team 

leader, a 200 level 

Medicine and Surgery 

student, Miss Akinlua 

Oluwasegun said the App 

will curb insecurity issues 

in schools as it will help 

students report drug cases, 

record lost but found items 

or theft cases.


Imo Assembly to probe cause of 

Owerri Airport fire 

...As issue of five suspended lawmakers resonates 

By Chinonso 

Alozie 

OWERRI—IMO State 

House of Assembly, 

yesterday passed a motion 

to look into the 

circumstances that led to the 

fire incident at the Imo 

Airport. 

The motion which was 

raised at the floor of the 

House of Assembly by the 

member representing Isu 

State Constituency, Mrs 

Ngozi Obiefule, was 

seconded by Mr. 

Ikechukwu Amuka, 

representing Ideato 

South. 

After the deliberations, 

the Speaker of the House, 

Acho Ihim set up a 

committee of five members 

led by Mr. Obinna Egu, 

representing Ngor Okpala 

State Constituency. He said 

the committee has till April 

16, 2019 to report back to 

the House. 

Other members of the 

committee included Ngozi 

Obiefule (Isu) Ken Agbim 

(Ahiazu) Chukwuemeka 

Lloyd (Owerri North) and 

Ukoha Bruno (Ezinihitte). 

According to the speaker, 

the committee has the 

responsibility, “To visit the 

airport to ascertain the 

extent of damages; to assess 

the cause of the fire incident 

and get back to the House. 

“The committee should 

arrange the visit to the 

airport and get back to the 

House and present their 

findings on the 16 day of 

April 2019.” 

Members call for 

recall of five 

suspended members 

The member of the 

House representing 

Nkwerre State 

Constituency, Chika 

Madumere also made an 

appeal that five of their 

colleagues who were 

earlier suspended be 

recalled to represent their 

constituencies. 

Madumere said: “I rise to 

appeal to my colleagues in 

the House that five of our 

members who were 

suspended be recalled so 

that they can represent their 

respective constituencies.” 

Also, the member 

representing Ehime 

Mbano State Constituency, 

Lawman Duruji joined in 

the appeal for the said 

lawmakers to be recalled. 

But the speaker replied by 

saying that a far reaching 

decisions have been taken 

on the issue, adding that 

the clerk of the House 

should write to the 

suspended lawmakers and 

that they should come and 

interface with the 

lawmakers at the executive 

session for a possible 

recall. 

It would be recalled that 

the reason for the 

suspension of the five 

lawmakers was linked to the 

suspension of the Deputy 

governor, Eze Madumere, 

who was later reinstated 

by the court. 

The suspended 

lawmakers were Ifeanyi 

Nnataonye (Mbaitoli) 

Uche Oguwuike (Ikeduru) 

Donatus Onuigwe (Oru 

West) Chiji Collins (Isiala 

Mbano) and Nkenna 

Nzeruo (Oru east). 

Abia IPAC crisis deepens, as APGA factional 

chairmen claim leadership 

By Anayo Okoli 

U MUAHIA—CRISIS 

rocking the Abia State 

chapter of the inter party 

advisory council, IPAC, is 

deepening with a faction 

disowning those who 

recently visited Governor 

Okezie to congratulate him 

on his re-election, saying 

that the people who led the 

delegation to the governor 

were not State officers of 

Abia IPAC. 

The state IPAC is 

factionalised with two 

factional APGA chairmen, 

Rev. Augustine Ehimere 

who leads the Dr. Alex Otti 

group and Prince Nnanna 

Ukaegbu who leads the 

Chikwe Udensi camp 

claiming to be leading the 

authentic IPAC in the State. 

And the Rev. Ehiemere 

group was the one that 

visited the governor. 

But addressing 

journalists in Umuahia 

yesterday, Nnanna 

Ukaegbu dismissed 

Ehiemere’s claim as the 

state chairman of IPAC, 

insisting that himself and 

his executive committee are 

the authentic leaders of the 

council in the State. He 

described Ehiemere and 

his group as imposters. 

Speaking on the last 

general elections in the 

State, Ukaegbu 

commended Abia people 

for the mature manner they 

conducted themselves 

during the polls, saying 

that there was no untoward 

incidents during the 

elections. 

Speaking on the reelection 

of Governor Okezie 

Ikpeazu, Ukaegbu said that 

since it was the wish of Abia 

people to re-elect him, he 

should not disappoint the 

people who have trusted 

their next four years in his 

hands for him to direct 

them. 

Commenting on 

Ikpeazu’s performance in 

the last four years, Ukaegbu 

disagreed with the opinion 

that he did not do well, 

saying the governor has 

done well in some areas 

compared to what the state 

had gone through in the 

past. 

“Abia, unfortunately has 

been blessed with bad 

leadership. The last time 

we had good governance 

was about 35 years, during 

Community protests indiscriminate arrest 

by police over murder of 18-year-old in Imo 

By Chinonso 

Alozie 

OWERRI—NO fewer 

than 10 persons were 

arrested by Imo policemen 

in Umuohunma, Ezuofoke 

community of Umunna in 

Onuimo Local Government 

Area Of Imo State, 

following the murder of an 

18-year old lady, Ulumma 

Ekwebelem. 

Vanguard gathered 

yesterday in Owerri that 

despite reports that a 

known suspect, one 

Chibuzor Alaneme, was 

allegedly responsible for 

the the murder, the police 

went on rampage in the 

community, arresting 

anyone on sight. 

However, relatives of 

those arrested and taken to 

the Imo State police 

headquarters in Owerri at 

06:15pm on Wednesday, 

told Vanguard that those 

arrested had nothing to do 

with the murder case. 

One of them who did not 

want his name mentioned 

said: “The police came 

before 7:00am, Thursday 

and arrested about 10 

people. The thing 

happened in such a way 

that everybody started 

running. We are not happy 

it is a murder issue that 

happened but we want the 

police to do their 

investigation well and let 

the person face the law. 

Arresting people who have 

nothing in connection with 

the incident is not good.” 

At the time of filing this 

report, Vanguard 

gathered that they were still 

battling to convince the Imo 

police to see if those 

arrested would be granted 

bail. 

It should be recalled that 

the deceased is said to be a 

fiancee to Chibuzor and 

both have dated for years. 

The root cause of the death 

of Ulumma has been 

weaved round the issue of 

sexuality. 

When Vanguard called 

the Imo State Police Public 

Relations Officer, PPRO, 

Orlando Ikeokwu, to 

confirm the development, 

he said: "To cut it short, I 

am not in town and I have 

not been briefed of any such 

thing.” 

the era of Late Sam 

Mbakwe." 

INEC ad-hoc staff protest: 

We'll never pay impostors, 

REC warns 

By Chinedu 

Adonu 

E NUGU—RESIDENT 

E l e c t o r a l 

Commissioner of INEC in 

Enugu, Dr Emeka 

Ononammadu has warned 

that the commission will 

never be intimidated into 

paying impostors who 

never worked for the 

commission during the 

2019 general elections. 

Ononammadu gave this 

warning during a press 

briefing at the office of the 

commission in Enugu in 

reaction to a protest on 

Tuesday by some 

acclaimed ad-hoc staff who 

claimed their entitlements 

were yet to be paid weeks 

after the election. 

The protesters were 

alleged to have locked up 

the three gates leading to 

the commission’s office, 

holding staff and visitors 

hostage, a situation that led 

to the protesters being 

teargassed by the Police. 

According to Dr 

Ononammadu, “we have 

invited the media to clear 

the air on some negative 

reportage of INEC which 

occupied front page in 

major newspapers and 

headlines in some 

television stations despite 

the efforts made by INEC 

to clarify issues. 

“We are paying our Adhoc 

staff after a thorough 

verification. Non-payment 

of genuine ad-hoc staff is 

history in INEC because 

payment of this nature is 

done through Central 

Bank Electronic platform, a 

measure approved by 

INEC to forestall non 

payment of those who 

worked. 

“When we inquired on 

the details of few of the 

protesters, we discovered 

that majority of them are 

those INEC did not 

originally posted to where 

they claimed they have 

worked and there is no 

documentation either in our 

posting list to support their 

claims. Most of them could 

not have been posted when 

they are not either youth 

corpers, students of federal 

tertiary institutions or staff 

of federal ministries, 

agencies 

departments." 

and


TRAINING: From left— Chief Executive Officer, Human Capital Management Solution Ltd, Mrs. Tetsoma 

Onwuka, Permanent Secretary, Office of Establishment and Training, Mrs. Rhoda Ayinde, Facilitator, 

Professor Pat Utomi, Commissioner, Ministry of Establishment, Training and Pensions, Lagos State, Dr. 

AKintola Oke and Facilitator, Mrs. Folashade Ogunnaike, during a team building and synergy for peak 

performance training organized by Lagos State Government, Ministry of Establishment, Training and 

Pensions in collaboration with Human Capital Management and Solution Ltd in Lagos, yesterday. 

NCC arrests 200 agents over alleged 

fraudulent activation of Sim cards 

By Emmanuel 

Elebeke 

ABUJA—IN a bid to curb 

the rising cases of 

kidnapping and other 

related crimes, the 

N i g e r i a n 

Communications 

Commission, NCC, says 

it has arrested over 200 

agents across the country 

over fraudulent 

registration of Sim cards. 

The director, 

Compliance, Monitoring 

and Enforcement, NCC, 

Mr. Efosa Idehen 

disclosed this, yesterday, 

at a one-day regional 

sensitization workshop 

on the dangers of 

dealing on fraudulently 

activated Sim cards 

held at Keffi, Nasarawa 

State. 

According to him, 

most of the arrests were 

made in Jigawa and 

Gombe states and those 

arrested had been 

charged to court. 

Idehen said the commission 

has been engaging 

the public through 

several programmes on 

the need for proper registration 

of Sim cards but 

realised that most of the 

agents put monetary 

gains above national interest. 

He explained that no 

individual is allowed to 

register more than five 

Sim cards, except 

corporate entities and 

vowed to make sure the 

Commission follow the 

prosecution of the 

offenders. 

"As a government, we 

are putting in place, 

strong process to track 

any criminal engaging in 

fraudulent registration of 

Sim cards. 

"We understand that 

one of the issues driving 

this is meeting target but 

you cannot micromanage 

it. 

"We are not going to 

compromise in driving 

out these people out of 

the market. We have 

been getting results from 

the MoU we signed with 

the NSDC, hoping that 

the proposed MoU with 

NIMC will probably 

bring everything to 

check." 

Earlier, the Executive 

Commissioner, 

Stakeholders 

Management, NCC, Mr. 

Sunday Dare, said the 

essence of the workshop 

was to ensure standardised 

subscriber registration 

in the country and 

also ensure easy detection 

of subscriber identity. 

Dare, who was represented 

at the occasion by 

Mr. Idehen said the Commission 

had given eight 

years grace for operators 

and their agents to clean 

up their data and has 

now resolved to be rootless 

with anybody found 

culpable in the commission 

of the crime. 

Wall Street dips ahead of big 

bank earnings 

WALL Street’s main indexes dipped yesterday, hit 

by a drop healthcare shares, but gains in financials 

ahead of big bank earnings helped limit losses. 

The S&P financial index rose 0.54 percent, while the 

banking sector was up 0.36 percent. 

JPMorgan Chase & Co and Wells Fargo & Co will kick 

off what is expected to be a tough quarterly earnings 

season for banks on Friday. 

Earnings of S&P 500 bank are expected to grow 1.8 

percent in the first quarter, well below 8.2 percent estimated 

six months ago, according to Refinitiv data. The 

steep drop in the estimate comes in the wake of the 

Federal Reserve’s dovish tilt and the subsequent drop 

in 10-year Treasury yields. 

“We are in a week that kicks off earnings season, it is 

not unusual for the markets to turn sideways until we 

start things off and get an idea of what the first quarter 

is going to look like,” said Art Hogan, chief market strategist 

at National Securities in New York. 

The S&P 500 is hovering near its six-month high and 

is just 1.7 percent away from its record high touched in 

late September. 

Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s March meeting 

on Wednesday showed that it was likely to leave interest 

rates unchanged this year given risks to the U.S. 

economy from the slowdown and uncertainty over 

trade policies and financial conditions. 

Developing capital markets can save 

emerging markets $13 billion—Study 

PURSUING so-called ‘euroclearability’ can help 

some emerging market economies lower borrowing 

costs by over $13 billion over 10 years while increasing 

their investor base, a report showed yesterday. 

Euroclearability is seen as one of the last stages of 

capital market development, and would only benefit 

countries with relatively larger economies and local 

bond markets, Nick Forrest, who headed the report as 

director of financial services at PCW UK, told a conference 

on the sidelines of the spring meetings of the International 

Monetary Fund and World Bank. 

The process of becoming ‘euroclearable’ - establishing 

a clearing and settlement link with Belgium-based 

Euroclear - involves high levels of transparency as well 

as specifics on size and structure of the debt to be issued, 

among other aspects. 

India, Brazil, Turkey, Indonesia, Philippines and Colombia 

could see their borrowing costs fall by an average 

of 28 basis points, in a range of 14-to-42 basis 

points, saving them over $13 billion over the next 10 

years, according to the study by PWC for Euroclear. 

The drop in borrowing costs, the report said, is comparable 

to a one-notch upgrade from a credit ratings 

agency. 

“This is extremely important to developing local markets” 

and a key benchmark for countries to reach, said 

Thordur Jonasson, who advises governments and 

agencies on domestic debt market development and 

risk management as deputy division chief at the IMF. 

Deutsche Bank investor plans to file 

motion to oust chairman at AGM 

DEUTSCHE Bank investor Riebeck-Brauerei 

plans to file a motion seeking a vote to oust 

the lender’s chairman Paul Achleitner at this year’s 

annual general meeting, a lawyer for the activist 

shareholder said on Thursday. 

Jan Bayer, the lawyer for investor Riebeck- 

Brauerei, said the justification to oust Achleitner was 

for his “dismal performance” and for pursuing a “value-destructive” 

merger with Commerzbank. 

Bayer said that he plans to file the motion for his 

client in the next week. Deutsche Bank declined to 

comment. 

All stories credited to Reuters


MANY Nigerians who 

are frequent travellers, 

this columnist included, do not 

travel enough or at all within 

our continent. 

We fly to and from London, 

Paris, Rome, Berlin, New York, 

Dubai, Beijing, etc, on a regular 

basis – to live, work, study, 

shop, do business, take care of 

our health, socialise, etc. But 

we rarely or never bother to 

check out the many fascinating 

countries in Africa. 

I’ve felt guilty for ages about 

this failure to sufficiently 

explore my own backyard; and 

I decided to do something 

about it this year…and to make 

my way to the AFRICA CEO 

Forum in Kigali last month. 

I’m really glad I made the 

effort because Rwanda, known 

as “the land of a thousand 

hills”, is so beautiful. And the 

convention centre in which the 

CEO Forum – organised by the 

French Jeune Afrique Group – 

was held is a world-class, stateof-the-art 

events facility. 

Architectural 

superiority 

Frankly, its technological and 

architectural superiority puts 

similar buildings in our three 

top cities – Abuja, Lagos, Port 

Harcourt - to shame. 

And I kept asking myself why 

massive Nigeria should be so 

embarrassingly outshone by a 

tiny nation that hasn’t earned 

a fraction of the billions of 

petrodollars we’ve been 

generating for decades. 

Even if we can’t cope with 

major challenges such as 

providing ourselves with 

round-the-clock electricity and 

ensuring that every child in 

every corner of the Federation 

goes to school, can we not at 

least manage more small 

triumphs such as erecting and 

efficiently maintaining 

sparkling, sophisticated and 

superb conference venues?!!! 

Ok, so while I was in Kigali, 

I was forced to wonder, for the 

umpteenth time, why despite 

regarding ourselves as the 

Giant of Africa, we have yet to 

fulfil even one-tenth of our 

potential. 

Ah well. Never mind. Perhaps 

Nigeria will truly rise one day. 

•L-r: Ekiti State governor Kayode Fayemi and Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson, 

jointly holding a copy of a magazine in which Dickson’s performance was praised 

•Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson and Ekiti State governor Kayode Fayemi with one 

of the AFRICA CEO FORUM organisers 

My Rwandan experience 

And while some of us are 

fervently praying for elevation 

from mediocrity and defeat, we 

should also simultaneously 

count our blessings. 

Almost every cloud has a 

silver lining; and I’m delighted 

The likes of Fayemi 

and Dickson remind 

and teach us, by 

avoiding avoidable 

rancour, that it is not 

necessary for political 

differences of 

opinion to become 

bitter and destructive 

enmities 

to report that the good news on 

this occasion is that the 

Nigerian VIP speakers at the 

CEO Forum did us more than 

proud. 

Special kudos to (in 

alphabetical order) Mr. Tony 

Attah, the Managing Director 

of Nigeria LNG Limited, Mr. 

Austin Avuru of Seplat Petro- 

leum; Bayelsa State Governor, 

Mr. Henry Seriake Dickson 

and Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the 

Governor of Ekiti State. 

All of the above spoke very 

eloquently and provided me 

and other members of their 

audiences with valuable 

learning experiences. And, by 

the way, I and many other 

Nigerian and non-Nigerian 

onlookers were especially 

impressed by the fact that 

though Fayemi (APC) and 

Dickson (PDP) belong to 

different political parties that 

had just emerged from bruising 

electoral battles back home, 

they related to each other very 

warmly and cerebrally in 

Rwanda. 

Of course, they couldn’t 

possibly agree on every topic. 

But they focussed on the bigger 

picture, rather than on petty 

rivalries, thereby proving 

themselves to be well broughtup, 

civilized gentlemen who 

prioritise collective 

development issues. 

The likes of Fayemi and 

Dickson remind and teach us, 

by avoiding avoidable rancour, 

that it is not necessary for 

political differences of opinion 

to become bitter and destructive 

enmities. 

If more Naija leaders shared 

their benign, intelligent and 

mature mindsets, our country 

might be in much better shape! 

I also learned a lot from my 

visit to the chilling and 

emotionally destabilising 

Genocide Memorial in Kigali, 

which commemorates the 

800,000 or so adults and 

youngsters who were murdered 

during a ferocious and 

frenzied 100-day ethnic cleansing 

attack in 1994. 

The 250,000-plus of the massacre 

victims are buried at this 

site; and I am still struggling 

to get my head around the 

shocking savagery that was 

described by our guide and 

showcased in the museum. 

We tourists were reduced to 

traumatised silence as we filed 

past tragic photograph after 

tragic photograph of departed 

souls, eerie exhibits such as 

their torn bloodstained clothing 

and poignant panels outlining 

the history of the 

massacre…which, to some 

extent, can be blamed on 

Belgian colonialist divide-andrule 

tactics. 

Most of the victims were 

members of the minority Tutsi 

tribe. Most of the perpetrators 

were extremist members of the 

Hutu tribe. 

Some of the perpetrators were 

Catholic priests and nuns. 

People slaughtered neighbours 

who had once been their 

dearest friends. People maimed 

innocent infants who were their 

godchildren. 

President Paul Kagame of 

Rwanda (who by the way looks 

like Buhari!) has a mixed 

reputation, in the sense that 

he’s frequently accused of 

human rights abuses against 

dissenters, including 

journalists. But Kagame, a 

Tutsi, is also praised for 

running his country 

competently and ending the 

Tutsi-Hutu fight. And I think 

that this positive aspect of his 

reputation is deserved. 

Detribalised 

nationalism 

Kagame could easily have 

encouraged the Tutsis to 

retaliate viciously; and the titfor-tat 

bloodletting could have 

dragged on for years. But he 

has gone out of his way to 

persuade Tutsis and Hutus to 

at least say that they regard 

themselves as Rwandans first. 

Does this laudable detribalised 

nationalism go beyond 

superficial platitudes? Can it be 

sustained when Kagame 

ceases to be in charge? 

Who knows? 

Twenty five years is not that 

long. It’s barely one 

generation. And many of those 

who were personally involved 

in terrible dramas in 1994 – 

either as recipients or initiators 

of evil acts - are still alive. 

Have these survivors 

REALLY completely cast off 

their anger, pain and sadism 

to the point where they don’t 

think like Hutus or Tutsi 

adversaries any more and are 

only interested in being 

Rwandans? 

Hmmm! 

I will be watching the 

complicated Rwandan situation 

closely. 

In the meantime, we 

Nigerians need to seriously 

address our own tribal 

antagonisms – which are 

escalating - because if we 

cannot eliminate them, we 

might as well go our separate 

ways. 

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.


THE Federal and Osun State 

governments must quickly rally the 

law enforcement agencies to respond 

to the distress call of the management 

of the Obafemi Awolowo University, 

OAU, Ile Ife, over alleged “criminal 

poisoning” of a dam which provides 

water for the over 30,000 members of 

the university community. 

Vice-Chancellor of the University, 

Prof. Eyitayo Ogunmodede, in a 

recent petition to the Commissioner 

of the Osun State Police Command, 

Osogbo, alleged that a group of 

armed members of the Ife community 

on April 3, 2019, invaded the Opa Dam 

site with dangerous weapons. They 

reportedly overpowered the 

university’s security personnel and 

“polluted the water with chemicals 

which led to the death of several fishes 

and other aquatic animals.” 

Professor Ogunmodede, who 

identified the alleged ringleader of the 

invaders, said he purportedly acted on 

OAU Varsity’s SOS over dam poisoning 

behalf of institutions and persons 

which the VC accused of encroaching 

on the institution’s land. 

The vice chancellor’s allegations 

against elements of the host Ife 

community are very weighty and 

grave, and should not be left in the 

hands of the Nigeria Police alone to 

resolve. The alleged offenders should 

be invited to say what they know of 

the incident, while an urgent 

investigation of the substance 

allegedly used to poison the dam 

should be ascertained to prevent the 

mass poisoning of the students, staff 

and others who depend on it for their 

daily needs. 

Poisoning of dams and public water 

bodies should be treated as terrorism, 

crime against humanity and an 

attempt at mass murder. The 

punishment for it must be severe 

enough to deter evil-minded people 

from adopting such an inhuman 

approach in their tussles over land and 

other natural resources. 

We also call for a negotiated 

settlement of any dispute between the 

OAU and its Ife community hosts to 

promote continued peace between the 

two sides which have enjoyed 

mutually-beneficial co-existence for 58 

years. 

Relationships between major 

academic institutions such as the OAU 

and their host communities require 

strict adherence to laid-down rules of 

engagement to ensure that the rapidlyexpanding 

populations on both sides 

do not result in physical conflicts. 

Under no excuse should anyone take 

the law into their own hands. 

Encroachment on the lands of public 

institutions by elements of the original 

owner-families or communities is a 

growing phenomenon in many parts 

of the country. Unfortunately, 

governments’ lackadaisical attitude to 

the problem (perhaps due to 

corruption among officials) is like 

stoking a time bomb that could 

explode with unpleasant 

consequences as evident in the 

unfolding OAU episode. 

Unless the OAU distress call is 

decisively attended to, other 

universities and public institutions 

around the country might begin to face 

such dangerous challenges from 

native land-grabbers. 

Ending the international shame 

By Tony Ademiluyi 

THE introduction and implementation of 

the Structural Adjustment Programme, 

SAP, by the General Ibrahim Badamasi 

Babangida military regime, under the 

promptings of the Bretton Woods Institutions, 

was indeed the root cause of the locust years 

that have since haunted this once prosperous 

nation. SAP was a homegrown clone of the 

desire of the International Monetary Fund and 

the World Bank to remove subsidies from 

critical sectors of the economy, most notably 

education and healthcare. 

The concomitant effect of this was the 

resultant brain drain by brilliant professionals 

who emigrated to the West and Asia for greener 

pastures. The migration wasn’t restricted to 

the professionals - Average Joes, artisans and 

even criminals found reasons to dump 

residence in the so-called ‘Giant of Africa’ and 

head abroad to have a more meaningful 

existence. 

While some of these professionals made the 

nation proud with their exploits in their 

different fields of endeavour, a few of them 

who were criminally-minded made the 

country an international object of ridicule 

through their activities in drug running, credit 

card fraud, internet scams, amongst other 

crimes that projected the country in bad light. 

Things got to a head when sniffer drugs were 

used to search some Nigerians at the various 

international airports. Visa denials increased 

as many Nigerians went abroad on tourist visas 

and never returned to their ‘shit hole’ of a 

country, apologies to US President, Donald 

Trump. 

Nigeria is a country which doesn’t work - all 

sectors of the economy lie prostrate, and so 

there is the pull of relocating abroad at the 

slightest opportunity for a more meaningful 

life. Any opportunity to relocate is always 

welcome. It is a thing of joy to have a family 

member or even a close friend abroad as it is 

seen as a status symbol and a sign of upward 

economic mobility. The financial contribution 

by Nigerians in the Diaspora runs into billions 

of US Dollars, making it a group that cannot 

be ignored. Some political parties even have a 

presence abroad underscoring their 

importance. 

For a long time some young and promising 

Nigerians have been executed for drug running 

in some Asian countries that have zero 

tolerance for drugs. The Nigerian authorities 

have done little or nothing to put pressure on 

these countries to stop the executions. 

Nigerians who were caught on the wrong side 

of the law were tragically left to their fate in 

these unforgiving countries. 

Nigerians were woken to the rude shock with 

the execution of a young woman in Saudi 

Arabia for drug related offences and the arrest 

of five young Nigerian males for the robbery 

of a Bureau De Change. The robbery was 

allegedly said to be about $225,000. Some 

other young Nigerians are on death row in 

Saudi Arabia with little hope of a reprieve. 

The UAE was said to have retaliated by 

slamming a ban of three months visa to Nigeria 

though they later came out to deny it. 

Other countries would definitely tighten their 

immigration policies to not be in favour of 

Nigerians as the one bad apple has spoilt the 

entire cart. In an investigative report done by a 

national newspaper, the US Embassy makes a 

killing running into billions of naira through 

their N64,000 visa fee with only a few visas 

issued to Nigerians. This is worse than daylight 

robbery as it’s akin to an organised ring of a 

monumental scam. 

At independence, we held so much promise. 

OPINION 

Our universities had foreign students and 

academics. The University College Hospital, 

Ibadan, was the best in Africa with foreign 

medical students trooping there to learn. The 

story of Malaysians coming here to borrow 

our oil palm seedlings has been rehashed again 

and again like a broken record. We financed 

the liberation struggles of South Africa and 

Zimbabwe. Robert Mugabe and the late 

Joshua Nkomo even came to Lagos for 

Olusegun Obasanjo to mediate in their 

squabble. I still recall watching the video of 

the 1961 visit of former Prime Minister, Alhaji 

Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa to the White 

House and the impeccable English he spoke 

Nigeria is a country which 

doesn’t work, and so there is 

the pull of relocating abroad at 

the slightest opportunity for a 

more meaningful life 

when he addressed the Camelot led by the later 

to be assassinated President John Fitzgerald 

Kennedy. 

Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Chief Obafemi 

Awolowo famously rejected the knighthood by 

Queen Elizabeth 11. Nigerian students who 

studied abroad returned home with the firm 

resolve to contribute their quota to nation 

building. Our literature flooded foreign 

libraries with numerous scholarship 

opportunities being given to our students to 

show their prodigy to the entire world. Our 

Judges were being exported to help the 

judiciaries of other African nations, most 

notably Justices Akinola Aguda who was the 

Chief Justice of Botswana and Egbert Udo 

Udoma, the father of the present Minister for 

Budget and National Planning, who was the 

Chief Justice of Uganda. 

The problems of Nigeria and its decline from 

its former potential for world leadership were 

lucidly captured in Prof Chinua Achebe’s 

seminal book, There was a country. The decline 

of Nigeria is responsible for her citizens 

wanting or seeking salvation in foreign climes. 

You can’t blame them as ‘Man must wack.’ 

The followership is equally as guilty as the 

leadership as the complacency of the former 

leaves much to be desired. The onus of a 

functional state lies even more on the 

followership. The Arab Spring showed that 

with effective mobilization of people with the 

social media, change can occur. The recent 

resignation of former Algerian President, Abdul 

Azeez Bouteflika showed the potency of street 

protests and a determined populace to change 

their state of affairs. Ranting on social media 

all day wouldn’t cause the crisis to be solved. 

The last elections were said to be fraught 

with a lot of malfeasances and fraud. What did 

the youths who are said to be future leaders 

do? After enduring four years of hardship 

under Buhari, they are ready for another lap of 

four without any iota of resistance. 2019 was 

supposed to be an electoral year of upset in 

favour of a youth focused government which 

would implement policies that would make 

economic migration and its attendant 

shaming not attractive. 

Countries like Japan and the Asian tigers 

made migration unattractive by investing 

heavily in human capital. Tragically, there is 

no blueprint in this current administration for 

the massive investment in human capital 

development. We are in danger as the demand 

for our oil is in steady decline in the global 

market. It has gotten so bad that many states 

are practically insolvent. If care isn’t taken, 

the insolvency may spread to the Federal 

Government. 

•Ademiluyi , a social analyst, wrote from 

Lagos

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 12 , 2019 — 19 

Nigeria to award gas flare contract 

in Q3’19 — Kachikwu 

...Loses $1bn to gas flare annually 

•FG to compel petrol stations to sell cooking gas 

By Sebastine Obasi & Mike 

Eboh 

Minister of State for 

Petroleum Resources, Ibe 

Kachikwu yesterday said that Nigeria 

will award contracts for its flared gas 

by the third quarter of the year. 

Kachikwu who stated this in a 

media parley in Abuja, also said that 

Nigeria is losing about $1 billion 

annually to gas flare. 

According to the Minister, the 

country had already eliminated 75 

percent of flared gas and was on 

track to eliminate flaring entirely by 

2020, as more than 200 companies 

submitted bids for the right to 

commercialise the gas. However, he 

did not mention the names of the 

companies. Speaking on ‘The 

Journey So Far and the Next Line of 

Action for the Nigerian Gas Flare 

Commercialisation Programme, 

NGFCP’, Kachikwu noted that the 

country had not used the tonnes of 

gas resources it has to achieve 

industrialization and agricultural 

development, especially through 

fertilizer production. He bemoaned 

the fact that a significant volume of 

gas produced in the country was 

flared, depriving the country the 

benefits that could have been accrued 

from the resources. 

He said, “Premised on the 

foregoing, the policy position of His 

Excellency, President Muhammad 

Buhari is that gas flaring is totally 

unacceptable. In this regard, the 

Federal Government of Nigeria, 

FGN, initiated a number of actions 

to reaffirm its commitment to ending 

the practice of gas flaring in our oil 

fields. “Furthermore, in recognition 

that flared gas could be harnessed 

to stimulate economic growth, drive 

investments and provide jobs in oil 

producing communities and indeed 

for Nigerians through the utilisation 

of widely available innovative 

technologies, the Federal Executive 

CURRENCY BUYING SELLING 

US DOLLAR 

POUNDS 

EURO 

FRANC 

YEN 

CFA 

WAUA 

RENMINBI 

RIYAL 

SDR 

DANISH 

RAND 

$94.25 0.60 

2,441.00 -5.00 

$12.79 0.01 

$70.98 0.37 

$64.30 0.32 

306 306.5 307 

399.483 400.1358 400.7885 

345.1374 345.7014 346.2653 

306.1224 306.6226 307.1228 

2.7478 2.7523 2.7568 

0.5042 0.5142 0.5242 

424.024 424.7169 425.4097 

45.5864 45.6613 45.7362 

81.5913 81.7246 81.8579 

424.6056 425.2994 425.9932 

46.2173 46.2928 46.3683 

. 21.8082 21.8439 21.8795 

CBN Exchange rate as at 10/04/2019 

Council in June 2016, approved the 

Nigerian Gas Flare 

Commercialisation Programme, 

NGFCP.” 

In another development, 

Kachikwu said that the federal 

government is working on a 

legislation, through the Department 

of Petroleum Resources, DPR, to 

compel petroleum products 

marketers to set up gas filling plants 

in all their petrol stations across the 

country. 

He stated this in Abuja, during the 

commissioning of Nigerian Army 

Welfare Limited by Guarantee, 

NAWLG/Gasland Nigeria Limited, 

Liquefied Petroleum Gas plant in 

Mambila Barracks, Abuja, and the 

launch of LPG Micro Distribution 

Centres in Nigeria Army barracks 

and cantonments. 

Kachikwu stated that the directive 

was aimed at deepening the use of 

LPG across the country, in addition 

to promoting the issue of clean 

energy as well creating employment 

opportunities. 

The minister explained that the 

regulation would increase cooking 

gas selling points across the country 

by about 10,000, which is about the 

same number of filling stations in 

Nigeria. 

He also disclosed that the Federal 

Government, through the Ministry 

of Petroleum Resources, was already 

working with stakeholders across the 

LPG value chain, and had set a 

target to build at least one gas filling 

plants across all the 774 local 

government areas in the country 

within the next three years. 

Kachikwu noted that the ministry 

had already engaged LPG cylinder 

manufacturers, encouraging them 

through special funding and other 

incentives to increase their production 

capacity, especially as this is critical 

to LPG penetration. 

He said, “We are working with the 

LPG cylinder manufacturers. We are 

giving them strong presidential 

backed incentives to enable them 

produce LPG cylinders in this 

country. About four of them are 

getting facilities from the Nigerian 

Content Development Monitoring 

Board, NCMBD, through the N 

200million facility we have. They are 

getting import exemption for 

materials to be assembled for the 

plants. 

Chief Executive Officer, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan (left), flanked 

by the Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, FirstBank, Folake Ani-Mumuney 

(right) during the prize presentation of an all expense paid trip to South Africa, to Salawudeen 

Olatoye Lekan, one of the winners in the “Magic 125 Campaign” on twitter by FirstBank, in 

commemoration of the Bank’s 125 anniversary. 

Customs grants concession over trapped containers 

at Lagos ports •Importers to pay 25% penalty 

By Godwin Oritse 

Reprieve 

has 

finally come the 

way of importers over the 

trapped third party 

containers at the Lagos 

ports as the Nigeria 

Customs Service, NCS, 

has agreed to resume the 

clearing of over 5000 

third party containers 

trapped in the wake of a 

suspension order. 

The Customs service 

however noted that the 

reprieve carries a 25 

percent penalty. 

NCS had in January, via 

a circular signed by 

Deputy Comptroller- 

General in charge of Tariff 

and Trade, Issa Talatu, 

ordered the immediate 

stop to the clearance of 

goods that had 

discrepancies in the names of 

importers and other information 

provided in the clearing documents. 

Specifically, the customs authority 

said it was alarmed at the increasing 

practice among freight forwarders, 

who clear goods with Form M, Bill 

of Laden and Pre Arrival 

Assessment Report (PAAR) that 

carry different names from that of 

the consignees, referred as third 

party consignments. 

In the circular, Customs boss, 

Hameed Ali, had directed all Area 

Controllers to suspend the release 

of such consignments till further 

notice. Over 5000 containers were 

said to have been affected by the 

order and were trapped at the Lagos 

ports as a result. 

To compound the misery of the 

distraught importers, who have 

severally appealed to Ali for an 

amnesty over the trapped 

containers, the Customs helmsman 

also deployed multiple units of adhoc 

task force teams whose 

operations were said to be 

duplication of customs duties. 

However, the Customs boss may 

have acceded to the appeal for 

amnesty on the trapped third party 

containers as he has directed that 

Area Controllers of Customs 

commands should resume their 

clearing procedures. 

It was further gathered that the 

compliance team deployed by the 

Customs boss from Abuja to 

superintendent over the issue has 

been withdrawn. 

Alhaji Tanko Ibrahim, Vice- 

President of Western Zone of 

National Association of Government 

Approved Freight Forwarders 

(NAGAFF) who confirmed the 

development, however said that the 

amnesty granted on the 

controversial containers was not 

without a cost. He disclosed that the 

owners of the trapped containers will 

pay 25 percent of the total payable 

duties as a penalty. 

NDIC to 

support 

banks, others 

with N440bn 

in 2019 

By Babajide Komolafe 

The Nigeria Deposit 

Insurance Corporation 

(NDIC) said it is ready to provide 

N440 billion as financial 

assistance to eligible banks in the 

2019 fiscal year. 

The Corporation also said it has 

set aside N258.767 billion in the 

2019 fiscal year for the 

reimbursement of depositors in 

the unlikely event of closure of 

licensed banks. 

Meanwhile, Chairman of 

House of Representatives 

Committee on Insurance and 

Actuarial Matters 

Hon.Olufemi Fakeye, has 

commended NDIC for carving a 

niche for itself as the leading 

Deposit Insurer in Africa. 

Managing/Chief Executive, 

NDIC, Umaru Ibrahim, made 

the disclosure during the 

appearance of the 

Corporation’s management 

before the House of 

Representatives Committee on 

Insurance and Actuarial 

Matters to defend the 

Corporation’s 2019 budget 

estimates. 

A statement by Head, 

Communications and Public 

Affairs Department, NDIC, 

Mohammed Kudu Ibrahim, said: 

“The House Committee 

Chairman recalled the role 

played by NDIC in the 

resolution of the defunct Skye 

Bank and the establishment of 

Polaris Bank Ltd as a bridge bank 

and charged NDIC to be more 

pro-active in detecting and 

addressing distress in banks as 

a way of sustaining public 

confidence in the system. 

“Earlier, while presenting 

details of the budget before the 

House Committee, the NDIC 

boss disclosed that the 

Corporation has set aside the 

sum of N258.767 billion in the 

2019 fiscal year for the 

reimbursement of depositors in 

the unlikely event of closure of 

licensed banks. 

“Giving a breakdown of the 

funds, the NDIC CEO said 

N109.686 billion was provided 

for depositors of Deposit Money 

Banks (DMBs), while N149.081 

billion has been set aside for 

depositors of Primary Mortgage 

Banks (PMBs) and Micro 

Finance Banks (MFBs).” 

He explained that the 

estimates were consistent with 

the Corporation’s mandate of 

providing financial guarantee to 

depositors of failed banks 

towards promoting public 

confidence in the banking sector. 

This, he added, is critical to the 

sustenance of the stability of the 

entire financial system.



Why we want fuel subsidy 

removed — IMF 

...demands transparency in China loans 

By Emeka Anaeto & Emma 

Ujah Washington DC 

The Managing Director of 

International Monetary 

Fund, IMF, Christine Lagarde, 

has justified the call for the 

removal of fuel subsidy in 

Nigeria and other countries, 

saying that it was a distortion 

through which over $ 5.2 trillion 

public funds has been lost 

globally, since 2015. 

Lagarde said this yesterday at 

the on-going IMF/World Bank 

Spring Meetings in Washington 

DC, USA. 

Her words: “As a general 

principle, we believe that 

removal of fossil fuel subsidies 

is the right way to go. If you look 

at our numbers since 2015, it is 

not less than $5.2 trillion that 

were spent on fuel subsidies and 

the consequences there of. 

“The Fiscal Affairs 

Department actually identified 

how much would have been 

saved fiscally but also in terms 

of human life, if there had been 

the right price on carbon 

emission as of 2015, the 

numbers are quite staggering. 

If that was to happen, then 

there would be more public 

spending available to build 

hospitals, to build roads, to build 

schools, and to support 

education and health for the 

people. 

“Now, how this is done is the 

more complicated path because 

there has to be a social 

protection safety net that is in 

place so that the most exposed 

in the population do not take 

the brunt of those removal of 

subsidies. That is the position 

we take. 

“I would add as a footnote, as 

far as Nigeria is concerned that 

with the low revenue 

mobilisation that exists in the 

country in terms of tax to GDP, 

Nigeria is amongst the lowest. 

A real effort has to be done in 

order to maintain a good public 

finance situation for the country 

and in order to direct 

investment towards health, 

education and infrastructure.” 

Demands transparency in 

China loans 

Responding to concerns about 

the growing debt profile of 

African countries, she said that 

the Fund would work with other 

multilateral organisations with 

a view to ensuring more 

transparency in terms of loans 

that China has been advancing 

to countries of the region. 

She said: “On the debt issues, 

both IMF and the World Bank 

are working together in order 

to bring about more 

transparency and be better able 

Christine Lagarde, IMF 

Managing Director 

to identify debts out there. 

Terms and conditions, volumes 

and maturity, this is an 

endeavour that we will pursue 

David Malpass, World Bank 

President 

together and which the G20 has 

actually asked us to develop. So 

we are doing that now.” 

Lagarde added that the Fund 

was working to encourage both 

lenders and borrowers of such 

loans to be transparent and ensure 

that the terms of the loans complied 

with international best practices. 

“We are constantly encouraging 

both borrowers and lenders to 

align as much as possible with the 

debt principles that have been 

approved by the G20 and that we 

have endorsed internally and 

developed ourselves.“It is clear 

that any debt restructuring 

programmes going forward in the 

years to come will be more 

...ranks Nigeria among bottom 3 in 

real GDP growth projection 

•Ghana, Ethiopia, Cote d’ Ivoire lead 

By Emeka Anaeto & Peter 

Egwuatu 

Nigeria has been 

ranked among the 

three least performing 

economies in the sub- 

Saharan Africa in terms of 

the real Gross Domestic 

Product, GDP, growth 

projection for the year 2019, 

the latest International 

Monetary Fund, IMF World 

Economic Outlook Report 

released at the ongoing 

World Bank /IMF 2019 

Spring Meeting has 

indicated. A total of 18 

economies in the region were 

rated by the report. 

Vanguard’s findings from 

the report show that Ghana 

has been projected to have 

the highest real GDP growth 

rate of 8.8 percent among 

the Sub Saharan countries in 

the year 2019, followed by 

Ethiopia with 7.7 percent and 

Cote d’ Ivoire 7.4 percent 

occupying third position. 

The three least performers 

are Nigeria projected to grow 

by 2.1 percent, followed by 

South Africa with 1.2 percent 

and the least being Angola 

at 0.4 percent. 

The entire Sub Saharan 

African countries have been 

projected to have a real GDP 

growth of 3.5 percent in 2019 

from 3.0 percent in 2018. 

Vanguard’s findings also 

showed that Nigeria’s rank 

is the second least among 

the oil exporters in the 

region, with the group of 

five economies led by 

Republic of Congo projected 

to grow by 5.4 percent, Chad 

by 4.5 percent and Gabon by 

3.1 percent. 

Commenting, Chief 

Economist & Director of 

Research, IMF, Gita 

Gopinath, stated that growth 

prospects vary across Sub 

Saharan Africa, reflecting 

the heterogeneity of the 

economies, associated with 

disparities in the level of 

development, exposure to 

weather shocks, and 

commodity dependence. 

The current 

forecast 

envisages that 

global growth 

will level off in 

the first half of 

2019 and firm up 

after that 

According to him, for the 

region as a whole, growth is 

projected to increase from 

3.7 percent in 2020 to about 

4 percent in 2024(although 

for close to two-fifths of 

economies, the average 

growth rate over the medium 

term is projected to exceed 

5 percent). 

“Growth prospects for 

commodity exporters are 

weighed down by the soft 

outlook for commodity 

By Peter Egwuatu 

The World Bank yesterday 

said that poverty is going 

worsen in the developing 

countries as the per capita 

income growth projected for the 

prices, including for Nigeria 

and Angola, where growth is 

expected to reach about 2.6 

percent and 3.9 percent, 

respectively, in the medium 

term. 

In South Africa, Growth is 

projected to stabilize at one 

three quarter percent over 

the medium term as 

structural bottlenecks 

continue to weigh on 

investment and productivity 

and metal export prices are 

expected to remain subdued” 

he noted. 

He further narrated that 

after strong growth in 2017 

and early 2018, global 

economic activity slowed 

notably in the second half of 

last year, reflecting a 

confluence of factors 

affecting major economies. 

Gopinath added that global 

growth is set to moderate in 

the near term, and then pick 

up modestly. 

He said: “As a result of 

these developments, global 

growth is now projected to 

slow from 3.6 percent in 2018 

to 3.3 percent in 2019 before 

returning to 3.6 percent in 

2020. Growth for 2018 was 

revised down by 0.1 

percentage point relative to 

the October 2018 World 

Economic Outlook, reflecting 

weakness in the second half 

of the year, and the forecasts 

for 2019 and 2020 are now 

marked down by 0.4 

percentage point and 0.1 

point respectively. The 

current forecast envisages 

that global growth will level 

off in the first half of 2019 

and firm up after that.” 

complicated than debt 

restructuring programmes that 

were conducted 10 years ago 

simply because of the multiplicity 

of lenders and the fact that not all 

public debt is offered by members 

of the Paris Club.” 

Lagarde said that IMF was 

working to ensure a more 

equitable and fair international 

trade deals among nations of the 

world, with a view to eliminating 

a situation where some nations 

have been taking the benefits to 

the detriment of others. 

World Bank projects below 1% per 

capita income growth for Sub 

Saharan Africa 

Sub Saharan Africa including 

Nigeria, is now to stay below 

one percent until 2021. 

The World Bank President, 

David Malpass, disclosed this 

at a press briefing during the 

ongoing World Bank/IMF 2019 

Spring Meeting in Washington 

DC, USA. 

He said:” Per capita income 

growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, 

as a whole, is now projected to 

stay below 1 percent until at 

least 2021, which elevates the 

risk of a further concentration 

of extreme poverty on the 

continent. Growth in median 

countries will also be weak.” 

Explaining the global 

economic situation, he said: 

“This fact is extremely 

troubling, because it 

jeopardizes the World Bank’s 

primary goal of ending 

extreme poverty by 2030.” 

According to him, on a global 

scale, extreme poverty has 

dropped to 700 million at the 

last count, that’s down from 

much higher levels in the 1990s 

and 2000s. 

But he added that the number 

of people living in extreme 

poverty is on the rise in Sub- 

Saharan Africa. 

He stressed that the 

situation calls for urgent 

action by countries 

themselves, and by the global 

community. 

However, he stated: “The 

World Bank Group is 

financially strong. And with 

the capital package which was 

agreed to a year ago at the 

Spring Meetings, and which 

I was proud to support – the 

organization is becoming even 

more responsive, efficient, and 

effective. This week we at the 

World Bank Group have joined 

the IMF in welcoming our 189 

shareholders to the Spring 

Meetings. I have already 

begun meeting with member 

countries and other 

stakeholders to discuss the 

challenges ahead, and to 

advance the broader global 

development agenda.” 

Malpass, noted that the 

World Bank Group plays an 

increasingly vital role in 

leading on global challenges 

that people face in developing 

countries.

22— Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019 

By Theodore Opara 

Massilia targets 

number one spot with 

all-new L200 Pick-up 

DETERMINED 

to 

continuously satisfy its 

teeming customers, Massilia 

Motors, sole distributor of Mitsubishi 

vehicles in Nigeria and a 

joint venture between CFAO and 

CHANRAI Group, has unvealed 

the all new Mitsubishi L200 Pickup. 

The award winning pick up 

was unveiled in an impressive 

event which held at the Landmark 

beach, Victoria Island, Lagos. The 

car was launched by top officials 

of Massilia Motors led by the 

Managing Director/CFAO Country 

Delegate, Mr. Thomas Pelletier. 

The crowning moment of the 

event was about 8:45 pm when 

the curtain LED screens slid open 

and the L200 pick-up emerged on 

the podium to the delight of customers, 

celebrities and automotive 

journalists. Guests at the event 

experienced the immense benefits 

of the L200 during a test drive 

session anchored by MC Gideon 

Okeke and music provided by 

popular Nigerian disc jockey, DJ 

Xclusive. 

The managing director who addressed 

the enthusiastic gathering, 

welcomed them to the first 

automotive beach party launch by 

Missilia Motors. He said, "Massilia 

Motors started business three 

years ago and so far it has been a 

successful story with the Mitsubishi 

L200 as a major contributor. 

He said: "The Mitsubishi L200 is 

very important to us because it 

represents 80 per cent of our sales, 

and I am optimistic that customers 

will like the new generation 

L200". 

The Mitsubishi L200 pickup 

gained popularity through its constant 

evolution in the last 40 years 

thanks to its driving dynamics, 

running costs, standard kit and 

attractive prices. The outgoing 

version was also the runner up at 

the 2018 Nigeria Auto Journalists 

Range Rover Evoque 2019 model 

Award. 

Pelletier maintained that "in 

terms of value for money, we are 

the best because we do not compromise 

in quality delivery and 

our Mitsubishi cars have been 

tried and tested over the years. 

Our after-sales support is backed 

by qualified technicians who have 

been adequately trained by the 

Japanese manufacturer." 

Deputy Managing Director 

Massilia Motors, Mr. Kunle 

Jaiyesimi, pointed out that the 

Mitsubishi L200 has hugely accounted 

for the success recorded 

by the company from the inception. 

He said, “from number three 

position we have moved to number 

two position in the Pickup segment 

with 11 per cent market 

share. Our next target is to become 

number one in the nearest 

future. We have been improving 

continuously and Massilia has 

been a success story.” 

Also speaking at the event, 

•From Left: General Manager, Sales, Tunji Itiola; Deputy Managing Director, Kunle Jaiyesimi, 

Managing Director, Thomas Pelletier, and Head, Marketing and Communications, Funmi Abiola; 

all of Massilia Motors during the press launch of the All new Mitsubishi L200 Pick up by 

Massilia Motors in Lagos. 

Massilia Motors General Manager, 

Sales, Mr. TunjiItiola explained 

that the Mitsubishi L200 

is the best-selling model in the 

brand’s line up and the L200’s 

market share significantly increased 

in 2018. According to 

him, the enhanced rugged exterior 

features and advanced safety 

Range Rover Evoque scores another first 

•Earns five-star Euro, NCAP safety award 

THE new Range Rover 

Evoque has been awarded 

a maximum five-star Euro 

NCAP safety rating, confirming 

its status as one of the most refined, 

capable and safe luxury 

compact SUVs on the market. 

Not only did the luxury compact 

SUV score 94 per cent for 

features are prominent inclusions 

in the new vehicle which comes 

in three variants: single/double 

cabins 4x2 and double cabin 4x4 

powered by 2.4 litre engine. The 

new pickup is available in Massilia 

showrooms and dealers nationwide. 

The L200 is used as a utility 

Toyota shows resilience, invests $13bn in US 

WHILE other auto-mak 

ers are closing plants 

in the United States of America, 

Toyota is proving its resilience 

by investing more in the 

country. 

Akio Toyoda, CEO of Toyota, 

was in Washington, DC, 

last month as the Japanese 

automaker revealed plans to 

pump billions into US manufacturing. 

Toyota began selling 

cars in the US in 1958, 

opened its first US production 

facility in 1971 (in Long 

Beach, California), and has 

been making cars in the country 

ever since. The 62-year-old 

seemed keen to burnish his 

company’s US profile at a time 

when foreign car makers face 

new tariffs and President 

Donald Trump has accused 

them of being a national security 

threat. 

Speaking at the Economic 

Club of Washington, Toyoda, 

grandson of Toyota founder 

Kiichiro Toyoda, said he was 

“sad” that Trump viewed foreign 

carmakers that way, adding, 

“I hope this kind of conversation 

can go away.” In an 

onstage interview, Toyoda told 

Carlyle Group co-founder 

David Rubenstein, “I love 

America,” adding, “I promise, 

regardless of the direction we 

go, we will never leave the 

United States.” 

The same day, Toyota revealed 

plans to invest nearly 

$13 billion in the US over the 

years to 2022, boosting a $10 

billion five-year pledge it 

made in 2017. As part of the 

adult occupant safety - the highest 

score of any Jaguar or Land 

Rover product to date - but for 

those with younger passengers 

in the back, it also received 87 

per cent for child occupant safety. 

It means the Evoque is the 

latest Land Rover to be awarded 

a five-star safety rating by Euro 

NCAP, following the most recent 

Range Rover Velar and Land 

Rover Discovery SUV. 

Built on Land Rover’s new Premium 

Transverse Architecture to 

ensure maximum occupant safety, 

the new Range Rover Evoque 

comes with the latest advanced 

driver assistance features, including 

Emergency Braking; 

Lane Keep Assist; Front and 

Rear Parking Aids; and a Rear 

Camera as standard, to help 

avoid road traffic accidents. 

This combination of features 

ensured the new Evoque received 

the full five-star rating in 

the toughest Euro NCAP testing 

programme to date. 

Owners can add to this with 

the addition of two optional 

vehicle in a wide variety of applications 

such as construction sites, 

fast moving consumer goods distribution, 

oil field sites, among 

others. Aside the new L200, the 

company also distributes the legendary 

Pajero, Pajero 

Sport,Outlander, Eclipse Cross 

and ASX. 

plan, the automaker is pouring 

$749 million into facilities 

across five states, which it says 

will create 568 new jobs. 

Producing more components 

and hybrid vehicles in the US 

can avoid the tariffs of up to 

25% specified in the US-Mexico-Canada 

Agreement, the 

successor, concluded last year, 

to the North American Free 

packs. The Park Pack adds Park 

Assist, 360-degree Parking Aid, 

Rear Traffic Monitor and Clear 

Exit Monitor, while the Drive 

Pack offers Adaptive Cruise Control, 

Blind Spot Assist and High 

Speed Emergency Braking, for 

convenience and safety wherever 

the road takes you. 

In addition, a comprehensive 

system of airbags and restraints 

throughout the cabin – including 

a pedestrian airbag – mean 

owners can rest assured the luxury 

compact SUV will protect 

those inside and outside the vehicle. 

Finbar McFall, Global Product 

Marketing Director at Jaguar 

Land Rover, said: “The Range 

Rover Evoque is at home in 

the city and the country, so we 

added the latest technologies 

aimed at preventing accidents 

and a new vehicle architecture 

to protect occupants in the event 

of an incident. The result is another 

five-star performer from 

Land Rover.”


M ERCEDES-Benz 

closed the first 

quarter of 2019 with 560,873 

passenger cars sold worldwide 

(-5.6%). For the third 

year in a row, sales in the first 

quarter were, therefore, well 

over 550,000 units. In 

March, 227,644 vehicles with 

the three-pointed star were 

delivered to customers all 

over the world (-4.1%). The 

first three months of the year 

featured important model 

changes in the highest-volume 

SUV and compact-car 

segments. The company expects 

an increasing vehicle 

availability in the next few 

months and, therefore, global 

sales to increase slightly 

overall in 2019. Since the beginning 

of the year, Mercedes-Benz 

has maintained 

its market leadership in the 

premium segment in Germany, 

UK, France, Italy, Switzerland, 

Sweden, Portugal, 

Poland, Denmark, South Korea, 

Australia, Canada, Brazil 

and other markets. 

“We are delighted with the 

best quarter ever for Mercedes-Benz 

in China and the 

successful market launch of 

the new B-Class in Europe. 

The first three months of the 

year were challenging 

worldwide due to the ongoing 

model changes for SUVs 

and compact cars,” said Britta 

Seeger, Member of the 

Board of Management of 

•Mercedes 

CLA Coupe 

Benz 

Mercedes-Benz maintains lead 

with launch of new SUVs 

•Sells 560,873 vehicles in Q1 

Daimler AG responsible for 

Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing 

and Sales. “In the 

coming months, further 

highlights of our current 

model offensive at Mercedes-Benz 

will be launched; 

the CLA Coupé, for example, 

will be available in our 

showrooms in May.From the 

middle of the year, the ungraded 

generation of our 

very popular Mid size SUVs 

GLC and GLC Coupé will 

then be available at our dealerships.” 

In Europe, Mercedes- 

Benz sold103,155vehicles in 

March (-5.6%) and as per 

March the sales amounted 

to 224,678 (-5.6%). The discontinuation 

of the CLA and 

the GLE due to the model 

change had an impact on 

unit sales in many European 

markets. In Germany, the 

region’s core market,sales 

of70.542units were achieved 

in the first quarter (-5.0%). 

In the United Kingdom, first 

quarter sales increased by 

1.1%, while the best-ever 

first-quarter unit sales were 

achieved in France, Poland 

and in Denmark. 

In the Asia-Pacific region, 

Mercedes-Benz 

delivered87,509cars to customers 

last month (-1.6%). 

Unit sales reached a new 

record in China, the region’s 

core market: 61,913 customers 

were delighted to receive 

their new Mercedes-Benz car 

(+5.9%). Mercedes-Benz 

concluded the first three 

months of the year, as the best 

quarter ever in China 

(+2.6%) with sales of 174,343 

units. 

Uber partners 

AXA Mansard 

to sensitise 

driver-parners 

on safety 

D RIVER-PART 

NERS registered 

on the Uber app, had the opportunity 

of engaging with 

law enforcement officials, 

health and safety organizations, 

and members of the 

local Uber team at a workshop 

geared towards improving 

safety and security 

on trips. The sessions highlighted 

different topics such 

as where to obtain original 

vehicle registration details, 

how to minimize risks and 

prevent potential accidents 

while driving, improving 

wellbeing and stress management 

for driver-partners, 

and a thorough run-through 

of Uber’s in-app safety features. 

“At Uber, we are committed 

to safety and are always 

working to build a better 

experience for driver-partners,” 

said Lola Kassim, 

General Manager West Africa, 

Uber. He added, "It 

made sense for us to collaborate 

with relevant safety 

and security experts, and organizations 

like AXA Mansard 

to organize a workshop 

that provides driver-partners 

with relevant and useful 

safety 

tips. 

Toyota 

redesigns 

RAV4 

TOYOTA has an 

nounced t h e 

launch of its completely 

redesigned RAV4 in Japan 

and the start of sales 

at all nationwide Toyota 

“Corolla” and “Netz” 

dealers, and Toyota Mobility 

Tokyo, Inc. 

The first-generation 

RAV4(4) debuted in 

1994, when body-onframe 

four-wheel drive 

vehicles were positioned 

as off-road vehicles. The 

RAV4 would go on to 

play a pivotal role in the 

development of a new 

market for the passenger-friendly 

sport utility 

vehicle (SUV/crossover 

SUV). New models continue 

to be launched in 

the ever-expanding 

crossover SUV market. 

Based on creating a 

“Robust Accurate Vehicle 

with 4 Wheel Drive,” 

the new RAV4 development 

concept blends the 

power and sophistication 

of an SUV, achieving 

top-class generous rear 

cargo space and outstanding 

driving performance 

realized by a new 

4WD system. 

Porsche to 

invest 15bn 

Euro in new 

products 

SUCCESS in a time of 

transformation: 

In the 2018 financial year, 

Porsche AG achieved new 

records for operating profit, 

sales revenue, deliveries 

and headcount. The 

company’s operating profit 

grew by around four per 

cent compared with the 

same period in the previous 

year, reaching €4.3 billion, 

and sales revenue 

increased by 10 per cent to 

€25.8 billion. The operating 

return on sales was 16.6 per 

cent. In 2018, the company 

delivered 256,255 vehicles 

to customers, representing 

a four per cent increase on 

the previous year. 

“In the 2018 financial 

year, our attractive product 

range enabled us to once 

again significantly increase 

deliveries. Porsche is 

synonymous with 

emotional petrol engines 

and high-performance 

plug-in hybrids; in the 

future, it will be just known 

as well for pure electric 

drive systems,” comments 

Oliver Blume, Chairman of 

the Executive Board of 

Porsche AG. Porsche will be 

investing around €15 billion 

in new products in the 

period up to 2023.



Ife Grand Resort & Leisure: Before assuming the throne of his ancestors as the Ooni of Ife, Enitan Ogunwusi built the popular Inagbe Grand 

Resorts located on an Island off Lagos waters and today, the Ooni has replicated that in Ile-Ife with the Ife Grand Resort & Leisure. 

The resort in the cradle of Yoruba civilization sitting on 252 hectares of land with a 300 room capacity is a place where modernity meets an 

African rural setting as the Ooni blended tradition and modernity in terms of design and concept of the new resort. 

In his quest to beautify the place and transform it into a world-class tourist site, a waterfall that beats human imagination was discovered and 

remodelled. 

Reps call for adequate funding for tourism sector 

THE House of 

Representatives 

Committee on Information 

and Culture, has called for 

adequate funding for the 

culture and tourism sector. 

The committee, Chaired 

by Rep. Omoregie 

Ogbeide-Ihama (PDP-Edo) 

made the appeal during 

the Ministry of Information 

and Culture budget 

defence on Tuesday in 

Abuja. 

Ogbeide-Ihama, said 

that the committee would 

try within its jurisdiction as 

lawmakers to ensure all 

necessary support to the 

sector. 

“From our end as 

legislators, we are always 

willing to give any 

necessary support that falls 

within our jurisdiction or 

powers 

as 

parliamentarians. 

“I keep seeing Federal 

Government with the 

Federal Executive Council 

(FEC) approving billions 

for various ministries and 

as the mouth piece of the 

administration, it falls 

within your purview to be 

the one to sit beside the 

minister who gives the 

brief. 

“I don’t know how we can 

support you to get the 

federal government to 

make Nigerians also hear 

one day on Television that 

N2 billion, N3 billion, N4 

billion, N5 billion and so 

on has been approved by 

FEC to turn around and 

boost the culture and 

tourism sector in Nigeria. 

“For us when we watch 

TV and we hear that they 

approved N7 billion for 

Solid Minerals, N10 billion 

for some others. 

“It makes us wonder as 

minister of Information who 

oversees the culture and 

tourism sector is saddled 

with the responsibility of 

giving Nigerians this 

information and we wonder 

why. “So let them refer you 

to say what they have 

approved, it is time to say, 

what have you approved 

for culture and tourism. 

“This is because it is a 

sector that will create job 

opportunities,”he said. 

“The minister gave me an 

insight into his vision for 

the sector two years ago. 

“We had an in-depth talk 

about the National Theatre 

and others. 

“But they cannot tell you 

to be announcing billions 

of other sectors and not 

announce for culture and 

tourism. 

“So if there is anything we 

can do, we will support you 

and at your end it is time to 

ask your questions,”he 

said. 

Ogbeide-Ihama also 

commended the minister 

for the good work in the 

tourism sector. Alhaji Lai 

Mohammed, Minister of 

Information, Culture and 

Tourism, spoke on the 

ministry’s financial 

performance of the 2018 

budget. 

He said that the 

personnel appropriation, 

under the 2018 emolument 

cost of N3.1 billion was 

appropriated for the 

Ministry of Information and 

Culture and released for 

payment of staff salaries 

and allowances for 2018. 

“The nominal role is also 

included for both serving 

and retiring officers. “The 

2018 overhead 

appropriation is N660.5 

million. 

“Actual release is N440. 2 

million leaving a balance of 

N220. 4million, yet to be 

released. “Percentage 

release therefore is 67 per 

cent,” he said. 

According to him, the 

total releases of 

N440,295,754 million only 

indicated about total 

expenditure, stood at the 

sum of N440, 295, 754 

million. 

For capital development 

fund, he said the sum of 

N840,510,582 million only 

was appropriated in 2018 

for the culture sector to 

undertake the nine projects. 

“For the capital projects 

and sensitisation, 

workshop on the potentials 

in the creative industry and 

tourism sector,” he said. 

He said N50 million was 

appropriated and nothing 

was released as they could 

not do anything in that area 

till date. The minister 

prayed for timely release of 

funds, adequate release of 

funds. 

42m long luxury yacht berths in Lagos 

NIGERIA’s foremost 

and biggest 

Amusement Park and Resort 

owner, Solution Media & 

Infotech is set to 

revolutionize the tourism 

and hospitality industry with 

its plan to bring to the shores 

of Nigeria, a 42m long 

luxury yacht. 

In a release signed by the 

Chairman and Chief 

Executive Officer of the 

company, Prince Adeyanju 

Lipede, the luxurious yacht 

which is part of “Hi-Impact 

Cruise” is said to be 42m 

long, 12m high and 

designed with exquisite 

fittings for guests particular 

about quality and elegance. 

The yacht is poised to cater 

for corporate organizations 

and individuals who desire 

to host their events in a 

serene environment that 

reflects their taste for 

excellence and uniqueness. 

The magnificent edifice, 

which is designed for events 

such as Corporate Annual 

General Meetings (AGM), 

Conferences, Luxury 

Cruises, Birthdays, 

Destination Weddings, 

Team Bonding Activities 

and Parties will be stationed 

at the water fronts of 

Nigeria’s economic capital, 

Lagos State. 

The release also has it that 

the yacht has a guest 

capacity of 600 banquet 

seating and 1100 standing 

with full air-conditioned 

interior and chilling capacity 

of 528,000BTU. 

The automated sunroof 

impressive piece also has 

in-built 32 CCTV Cameras, 

6 Automated Sensor Doors, 

4 Cabin Rooms, an exotic 

bar, relaxing lounge, 7 very 

clean and hygienic toilets as 

well as 230 KW power 

generator the release 

contained. 

Solution Media & Infotech 

is the owner and operator 

of the biggest Amusement 

Park and Resort in Nigeria 

called Hi-impact Planet 

Amusement Park and 

Resort, as well as Hi-Impact 

Television- Nigeria’s first 

full HD television station.

• 

26— Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, , 2019 

Shaaban 7, 1440 A.H. 

2019 19 Hajj: Seven en states es begin biometric tric capturing 

•Lagos not yet ready for exercise 

BY ISHOLA BALOGUN 

THE biometric data cap 

turing exercise for intending 

pilgrims to 2019 Hajj has 

kicked off in some states. 

The states where the exercise 

has kicked off are Kwara, Kaduna, 

Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Zamfara 

and Niger states. The exercise 

is mandatory for the issuance 

of visa for all intending pilgrims. 

It will be recalled that 

the exercise almost marred the 

2018 hajj process last June-July 

when the biometric data capturing 

was delayed in most states 

of the federation. 

It was gathered that these are 

states that have successfully 

uploaded details of their registered 

intending pilgrims on the 

e-portal and have also completed 

all other necessary requirements, 

hence, they have taken 

the lead in the mandatory biometric 

data capturing. 

Meanwhile, Lagos, according 

to information was still battling 

with registration and Medical 

test on intending members. As 

at press time, the official information 

reaching Vanguard was 

that lectures and enlightenment 

programme of intending pilgrims 

will begin on Sunday April 

14 in each of the local government 

areas of the state. A source 

in the state Pilgrims Board said 

the political development in the 

state may not be unconnected 

with the delay of hajj process in 

the state. “Some of our programmes 

may be delayed because 

of the political development 

in the state, untill May 29 

when the baton will change, we 

are not likely to sort out all the 

major issues on the hajj process.” 

Also, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo 

and a few others are still battling 

with registration of intending 

pilgrims. 

NAHCON commends 

seven states on early preparation 

Also, the National Hajj Commission, 

NAHCON has commended 

the seven states that 

have advanced their processes 

to the Biometric data capturing 

stage, adding that early biometric 

registration is essential to 

forestall last minute rush, a situation 

that could lead to panic. 

In a statement signed by the 

Head, Public Affairs Division of 

the commission, Hajia Fatima 

Sanda Usara, the Chairman/ 

Chief Executive Officer of NAH- 

CON, Barrister Abdullahi 

Mukhtar Muhammad, however, 

expressed appreciation to the 

Saudi Arabian Ambassador to 

Nigeria, His Excellency Mr. Adnan 

Bostaji and the Kingdom’s 

Consulate in Kano for facilitating 

early commencement of the 

biometric data registration. 

The NAHCON helmsman also 

LAGOS State Muslim 

Pilgrims Welfare Board 

has scheduled Sunday 14th 

April for inaugural lecture 

for 2019 Hajj intending pilgrims. 

The Board Secretary, Ishola 

Rahman who stated this 

while briefing members of 

Staff on preparation for 2019 

hajj exercise, added that the 

exercise will hold at the Old 

Secretariat Central Mosque 

GRA, Ikeja. 

Ishola said that intending 

pilgrims across the 20 local 

governments and 37 local 

council development areas 

of the state have been invit- 

acknowledged VHS Tasheel for 

their preparedness in starting 

the process immediately. He 

commended the state boards 

currently performing the exercise 

for their cooperation. 

Barrister Muhammad urged 

other state pilgrims’ boards to 

emulate those states that have 

fulfilled all registration requirements 

which enabled them to 

begin the data-capturing programme 

for their pilgrims. Early 

biometric registration is essential 

to forestall last minute 

rush, forcing intending pilgrims 

into panic mode. 

He urged intending pilgrims to 

complete their payments in order 

to avoid delay and other 

consequence of late payment. 

“They must make their payments 

in banks and thereafter 

present the bank draft to their 

respective boards. They must 

also ensure that their correct details 

are uploaded in the e-portal 

after completing payment. 

Lagos flags off weekend 

lectures for intending pilgrims 

ed to the lecture in order to 

acquaint them with the dos and 

don’ts of hajj and to enrich 

them with the required knowledge 

that will enable them to 

perform acceptable hajj. 

Ishola declared that the 

lecture which will begin by 

12 noon is compulsory for all 

Lagos State intending pilgrims. 

He also disclosed that the 

lecture will provide the opportunity 

for the pilgrims to 

meet their coordinators and 

other co-pilgrims for the 

purpose of networking and 

chatting the way forward for 

the hajj exercise. 

From Left: Former Osun Governor, Rauf Aregbesola; former Minister of State 

for Defence, Sen Musiliu Obanikoro; former Lagos Commissioner for Environment 

and Physical Planing, Hashim Oyekan; National Leader, All Progressive 

Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, 

during the Fidauprayer for Senator Hassan Fasinro, a 2nd Republic Senator, 

in Lagos, las Sunday. By Wasiu Zubir NAN 

BARKA JUMAH 

Doing good builds blessings 

How right has life turned out to be that those who 

do good infinitely triumph. And the wicked ever 

wallow in sadness and the scourge of unending 

misery. It's the goodness that we extend to humanity 

that perfectly cobble together the broken pieces 

of our faith. Doing good anchor itself to purpose 

which eliminate greed and ignorance; but build 

assured blessings. May Allah gift to each of us inner 

peace and the amazing enchantment of salvation. 

Happy Jumat. 

— Dr. Adewale Adeeyo, OON 

Biometric Data Capturing going on in Kano 

Biometric Data Capturing going on in Kwara 

Muslim SoulMates 

Do you seek a Muslim life partner? 

Send your profile as published below, contact telephone, 

and photo, to isholaism@yahoo.co.uk or on whatsapp 

08036688535. Names and contact numbers will not be 

published. 

STAR REQUEST: 

A Muslim lady, 22, Genotype AS, from Ogun 

state, soon to be law graduate is looking for a 

serious relationship with a God fearing Muslim. 

He must be a graduate, working, between 

the age of 25-32, responsible and preferably 

based in Lagos. 

Profile 210: A Muslim lady, 22, Genotype AS, from Ogun 

state, soon to be law graduate is looking for a serious relationship 

with a God fearing Muslim. He must be a graduate, 

working, between the age of 25-32, responsible and preferably 

based in Lagos. 

Profile 211: A USA based Muslim man, 57, from South 

West, Nigeria, 1.8meters, university educated and professionally 

employed in the US wants a Muslim woman for 

marriage. 

Profile 212: A Muslim lady, 25, from North Central 1- 

year-old male Muslim from northern Nigeria but based in 

Lagos State, searching for a Muslim ladywith fear of Allah, 

working and ready for marriage. Preferably based in Lagos. 

Profile 212: A Muslim lady, 26, from Kaduna, lives in 

Lagos, an OND holder, a stylist, AS genotype needs a handsome, 

learned Muslim man between the ages of 30-34 for 

relationship. He must be a graduate, AA genotype.

"Vanguard, 

FRIDAY APRIL 12, 2019—27 

LEKKI Muslim Ummah 

(LEMU) has called for 

healthy marriage in Muslim 

homes to stem the tide of spousal 

abuse in the society, just as 

Islamic scholars decried spousal 

scarcity is real and should be 

dealt in the way Allah and His 

Messenger prescribed for Muslims. 

At its Quarterly Da’wah Workshop 

themed ‘towards a happy 

Marriage’ Muslim clerics dissected 

causes of marital abuse 

and shared thoughts on how 

Muslims can achieve happiness 

in their matrimonial homes. 

Singles and married couples at 

the seminar were admonished 

on how a successful marriage 

can be achieved. 

Speaking at the occasion, the 

Executive Director, Jaiz Bank, 

Ustaz AbdulFattah Amoo said 

spousal scarcity is real and has 

to be dealt in the way Allah and 

His Messenger have prescribed 

for Muslims. 

“Muslims who truly believe in 

Allah and the last day cannot 

cut corners, whereas some other 

people can satisfy their needs 

in a sinful manner, 

He mentioned factors responsible 

for spousal scarcity as fornication, 

socio-economic issues, 

Issues of compatibility 

concerns, misplacement of priorities, 

financial difficulties 

(high rate of unemployment/ 

under-employment), parent’s 

biases and marriage to non- 

Muslims 

To end spousal scarcity, he 

suggested that Muslim community 

should consciously create 

platforms that provide halal forums, 

which will facilitate the 

meeting of prospective couples, 

avoid stereotypes as much as 

possible and embrace polygyny 

as a practical and credible 

option provided by Allah. 

The Chief Imam of LEMU, 

Shaykh Ridwan Jamiu, during 

his presentation on ‘Sustaining 

love in your marriage’ described 

love as the foundation 

of marriage, adding that hatred 

makes a relationship to dilapidate. 

“Love draws lover to each other, 

while hate distances couple 

from one another by becoming 

estranged, ending up in divorce 

or separation”. 

He noted that problems arise 

when the objectives of marriage 

are not met in a relationship. 

“Unmet expectations are often 

a challenge in marriage. Allah 

refers to marriage as a challenging 

commitment; couple must 

therefore be prepared for adjustment 

and a problem-solving 

mentality. 

“Couples must learn to live life 

as it comes without undue comparison. 

That is how to engender 

love and sanity in marriage’. 

He added that, option of separation 

could be considered only 

when all efforts to salvage a relationship 

have been exhaust- 

Shaaban 7, 1440 A.H. 

Spousal scarcity is real — Islamic scholars 

…AS LEMU holds workshop on "happy marriage" 

ed. “Couples are meant to 

be friends and partners. 

Friendship and partnership 

require humility, cooperation 

not competition 

except in winning Allah’s 

love and in righteousness, 

generosity, forgiveness, 

and trust. “Leadership in 

marriage belongs to the 

husband. Leadership in the 

family belongs to both parents. 

Imam Nojeem Jimoh, in 

his own submission said a 

pious Muslim is not ticket 

to a happy marriage because 

all marriage comes 

with their challenges. ‘Most 

marriages become unsuccessful 

due to how they 

were managed. Accepting 

the challenges of marriage 

will shape couples into a 

better Muslim parent and 

role model 

The Director, Office of 

Public Defender, Lagos 

State Ministry of Justice, 

Alhaja Mariam Adeyemi, 

said many marital difficulties 

are caused by control 

and rule stratagem. 

“A shift in this attitude of 

gender equality as human 

beings causes an imbalance 

in marital relationships 

leading to dysfunctional 

marriages. Whenever 

one party considers that 

they are superior or above 

the law there is a power 

shift which may subsequently 

lead to misuse or 

abuse of that power. As a 

result, the less valuable 

partner is seen as an easy 

prey 

She noted that domestic 

violence is a deliberate act 

of the perpetrator against 

the victims, adding that 

separation in marriage as a 

result of domestic violence 

also affects the children. 

She advised couples with 

cases of extreme violence 

to leave the home and see 

seek help immediately. 

She urged religious organization 

to establish shelters 

for protective custody 

of survivors. Noting that 

there is no single Islamic 

rehabilitation home in Lagos. 

“We need to establish 

Muslim orphanages and 

shelters where we can promote 

Islamic doctrines,” 

she said. 

Jalsa Tarbiya: Dignitaries storm Warri arri for Ahmadiyya 

conference 

THE 

National 

President/Amir 

Ahmadiyya Muslim 

J a m a ’ a t , 

Nigeria, Dr. Mashu’ud 

Adenrele Fashola will 

today lead other members 

across the country to the 

4th Eastern Regional 

Conference of the group 

The Awardee, Chief Lamidi Aliyu Balogun, Ohinoyi 

Anebira Ibadanland, (3rd right in handshake with 

Alh. Muhammed Baba Usman, founder, The Zawiyatul 

Usmaniya Society of Nigeria, Apete, Ibadan while 

Mal. Abubakar Aliyu Balogun elder brother of the 

Awardeen (left) in Ibadan recently. 

holding in Warri, Delta State. 

The three-day event 

scheduled to commence on 

today, April 12, 2019, is 

themed: Recognition of God: 

A true means of salvation 

The Naibul Amir, Eastern 

Region, Dr. AbdulGaniyy 

Enahoro, said dignitaries 

across religions and 

traditional rulers will grace 

the occasion as well as 

President Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates' Association, Mr 

Abdul Waheed Odeyinka, Chairman of the occasion, Mr Kolawole Ayanwale; 

Lagos State Deputy Governor-Elect, Dr Obafemi Hamzat and Chairman, 

Board of Trustees of the Association, Alhaji AbduRafiu Ebiti at the 19th Annual 

Public Lecture of Lagos Chapter of UNIFEMGA on Sunday in Lagos. By- 

Okoya Olatunde. NAN 

NASFAT partner 

tners NBA to train members on News writing 

IN line with its vision 

and mission Nasrul 

lahi l faith Society NASFAT 

has forged a partnership 

with a foremost media 

training institute, National 

Broadcast Academy Lagos 

to train its members in 

various aspects of media to 

enhance their skills in the 

performance of dawah 

activities. 

The 3-day media training 

workshop which is billed to 

commence on the 12th 

April is scheduled to focus 

on knowledge acquisition in 

four key areas of the media. 

These are News Writing and 

Reporting; Media Ethics 

and Law; Presentation, 

Public Speaking and 

Elocution. 

According to the Director of 

the National Broadcast 

Academy, Engr Abiola 

Ajibola these courses have 

been specially selected and 

tailored to the needs of the 

participants for value 

addition in their various roles 

within NASFAT and their 

individual organisations. 

Sheikh 

Sani Awal 

son of 

Sheikh Ibr 

a h i m 

Nyass, (left) 

presenting 

an award of 

Baba Adinni 

of Zawiyatul 

Usm 

a n i y a 

Central 

Mosque, 

A p e t e , 

Ibadan, to 

Chief Lamidi 

Aliyu 

Balogun in 

Ibadan recently. 

leaders of the Jama’at from 

the headquarters in Lagos, 

Abuja, Edo, Delta, Rivers and 

other states in the South- 

South and South-East geopolitical 

zones, will attend 

the event. 

. 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.

28 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, April 12, 2019 

Who poisoned OAU Dam? 

By Gbenga Olarinoye 

OSOGBO — VICE 

Chancellor of the 

Obafemi Awolowo University, 

Ile-Ife, in Osun State, Prof. 

Eyitope Ogunmodede had 

recently petitioned the 

Commissioner of Police, Osun 

Police Command over the 

poisoning of institution’s dam. 

Before now, a land dispute 

between OAU and some 

indigenes of Ile Ife, last week, 

assumed a dangerous 

dimension as some of the 

aggrieved persons, claiming 

ownership of some portions of 

the university land, invaded the 

university and reportedly 

poisoned the university dam. 

It was reported that some 

indigenes, who claimed their 

land was taken for the university 

when it was established in 1962, 

had been selling some portions 

of the land. 

The management of OAU had 

accused some individuals of the 

host community of ‘‘criminally 

poisoning’’ the institution’s dam 

which provides water to the 

OAU community of over 30,000 

students and staff. 

The institution has insisted 

that the 162 hectares of land 

was given to the University in 

the 1960s by the then Ooni of 

Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi. 

In the petition, the university 

authorities, named one of the 

attackers as Idowu Ogunwusi 

(alias Dagunduro). 

The petition, entitled 

Complaint of Criminal Pollution 

of Opa Dam, Obafemi Awolowo 

University, Ile-Ife, noted that the 

assailants gained access to the 

dam through a portion of the 

university land adjoining 

Parakin Area. 

The petition, signed by the 

Vice Chancellor of the university, 

reads in part; “I wish to formally 

make a complaint of criminal 

pollution of Opa Dam in the 

Obafemi Awolowo University, 

Ile-Ife by some murderous 

members of the Ife Community. 

“On 3rd April 2019 at about 

1500hours, a report of invasion 

and pollution of the University 

Dam by a group of people who 

claimed to be members of Great 

Ife Development Board was 

received by the Security Unit 

of the University. 

“The suspected culprits 

threatened the University 

Security Operative manning the 

area, Mr. O. A. Omotosho, with 

guns and some other dangerous 

weapons. They however 

escaped on sighting 

reinforcement from the 

University Security 

Department. Fortunately, one of 

the ringleaders of the invaders, 

Mr. Idowu Ogunwusi, alias 

DAGUNDURO, was identified 

by the University Security men 

sent as reinforcement.” 

Allegations, counter 

allegations 

The institution fingered 

members of the Ife 

Development Board, IDB, for 

carrying out such acts. 

But the IDB has debunked the 

allegation of its members 

involvement in the poisoning of 

the OAU dam as alleged by the 

university authorities. 

Speaking with Vanguard on 

the development, the President 

of IDB, Mr. Lawrence Olajire 

Awowoyin said the university’s 

claim that Great Ife 

Development Board 

perpetrated the act must not be 

misinterpreted as Ife 

Development Board. 

Awowoyin said: “We are 

worried. We are not 

comfortable. IDB is not Great 

Ife Development Board. We 

have nothing to do with the 

poisoning of OAU dam.” 

He challenged the Vice 

Chancellor of the university to 

go beyond alleging member of 

Ife community of poisoning the 

university dam. 

He said: “The Vice Chancellor 

should go beyond mere 

allegation and should be able 

to take a step forward to provide 

cogent reason for the 

allegation. OAU is our 

institution and there is no any 

right and reasonable Ife 

indigene that will think of 

poisoning the dam. 

“We don’t know any group 

called Great Ife Development 

Board in Ile-Ife. We have the Ife 

Development Board. 

“On the issue of land dispute, 

the Board or any of 

our members has never been 

involved in any land dispute/ 

infraction with OAU up till now. 

Therefore, Great Ife 

Development Board, if it exists 

should, not be linked with us, we 

have no association with the body 

if it exists. 

“However and seriously too, 

we as Ife Community is very 

sad that our Community is 

being linked with the alleged 

poisoning of the Dam. We want 

to know the person or persons 

caught doing such, hence we are 

requesting OAU Management 

to come up with evidence.” 

He stressed that the IDB 

would soon come out with its 

position on the issue, saying 

those people that allegedly 

encroached on the university 

land claimed to be members of 

great Ife Development Board. 

Land grabbers poisoned our 

dam—OAU mgt 

Meanwhile, the Management 

of OAU, Ile-Ife has described 

the alleged poisoning of the 

university dam that supplied 

water to the university 

community people suspected to 

The act is 

condemnable and 

wicked. How can 

some group of people 

poison the only source 

of dam where over 

36,000 peoples in the 

university community 

were drinking from? 

•Adeyeye-Ogunwusi, 

Ooni of Ife 

be land grabbers as an act of 

genocide against the University 

community. 

The university management 

argued that if the hoodlums had 

succeeded in their act, the effect 

of their action was capable of 

destroying the credibility and the 

good image the university had 

built over the years. 

Conducting journalists round 

the disputed land, the 

University’s Public Relations 

Officer, Mr. Abiodun 

Olanrewaju noted that a section 

of the land had already been 

marked for the construction of a 

proposed Oduduwa Estate within 

the university land. 

The management added that 

the hoodlums at a time chased 

out workers on construction site 

on the university land and 

erected “stop work” order on it. 

Chemicals used to 

poison dam 

Olanrewaju said the chemical 

used in poisoning the 

dam, which was the only source 

of water to the University killed 

all the aquatic animals in it. 

He, however, said that the 

dam had been treated and now 

safe for drinking. 

His words: “The act is 

condemnable and wicked. How 

can some group of people 

poison the only source of dam 

where over 36,000 peoples in 

the university community were 

drinking from? The act is 

genocidal and wicked. 

“They came through the 

Parakin area of the town to 

poison the dam but God was so 

good to us that immediately the 

dam was poisoned, it rained for 

two days and washed the 

poisonous chemical away. 

“We have treated the water 

and laboratory test had been 

done on it and now very safe to 

drink.” 

Disputed land 

On the disputed the 

land, Olanrewaju said the 

whole land belongs to the 

Federal Government, adding 

the University was not ready to 

concede any portion of it to 

anybody. 

He said the land grabbers had 

started selling portions of land 

to the people while construction 

workers working on the 

proposed OAU International 

Secondary school on the land 

were chased away with 

cutlasses and other dangerous 

weapons by the hoodlums. 

He said: “The Vice-Chancellor 

has instructed our security men 

not to retaliate but it is not 

possible for anyone to invade 

Federal Government land for 

personal gain because the land 

is gazette. 

“We have informed the police 

and other security agencies and 

we believe they will act 

accordingly. We have also 

informed the Ooni of Ife, Oba 

Adeyeye Ogunwusi and Ife 

Development Board.” 

Allegation spurious 

—Ooni’s palace 

When contacted to speak on 

the issue, the spokesman of 

Ooni’s palace, Moses Olafare 

said the palace received the 

allegation of dam poisoning by 

people suspected to be 

members of the community with 

trepidation and bewilderment 

adding that it is very difficult 

for any right thinking person to 

believe such allegation. 

His words: “The allegation is 

spurious and unfounded. It is 

an expression of absurdity 

because how can any 

reasonable person believe such 

allegation. Both OAU and Ife 

community have been living 

harmoniously together for the 

past 50 years and such 

allegation never occurred. 

“Come to think of it, let’s 

assume it is true. Where is the 

university situated? Majority of 

the students and staff of the 

university are indigenes of the 

community and you 

expect indigenes of the 

community would want to wipe 

away their lives. 

“We, as a palace, are furious 

to read in the newspapers and 

in the online media that people 

poisoned water in the 

university. It is very absurd.” 

Water safe for drinking 

—OAU mgt 

However, barely after the 

incident of dam poisoning, the 

management of OAU, assured 

members of the University 

community and other 

stakeholders of the safety of 

water from the school dam. 

The institution’s 

Registrar, Mrs. M.I Omosule 

said that the pumping of water 

was only resumed after 

necessary and satisfactory steps 

had been taken so as to confirm 

and ensure the safety of the 

discharge from the 

waterworks. 

We’re yet to make any 

arrest—Police 

When contacted five days 

when the petition was written, 

the State Commissioner of 

Police, Mrs. Abiodun Ige 

confirmed the receipt of the 

petition, but said the command 

is yet to make any arrest. 

She, however, said the police 

has commenced investigations 

to unravel circumstances that 

led to the petition assuring that 

its findings would be made 

public. 

Meanwhile, it is surprising 

that more than a week when the 

police claimed it has received 

the petition the major suspect, 

Idowu Ogunwusi who claimed 

to be a member of a non 

recognised organization, Great 

Ife Development Board, is yet 

to be apprehended.



When your enemy fights 

your battles 

IN an unprecedented and 

meaningless step, the United 

States President Donald Trump this 

Monday, designated Iran’s Islamic 

Revolutionary Guards Corps as a 

foreign terrorist organisation. It is 

like designating the American 

Marines Corps a terrorist 

organisation. Some of the 

implications are that economic and 

travel sanctions would be imposed 

on the corps, and organisations that 

maintain ties with it, will be 

sanctioned. 

But this does not appear logical 

because the entire Iran is already 

under comprehensive American 

sanctions. So Trump’s hope that his 

latest action “will significantly 

expand the scope and scale of our 

(American) maximum pressure on 

the Iranian regime” appears 

misplaced. 

Iran immediately retaliated by 

designating America as a state 

sponsor of terrorism, and all 

American forces in the Middle East, 

as terrorists. That means that in any 

battle both armies meet, the Geneva 

Convention on Prisoners of War, will 

not apply as the soldiers of either 

country will be considered 

combatant terrorists. 

The possibility of this happening 

is very high because both countries 

have their armies in Syria fighting 

the Islamic State, ISIS, terrorists, 

and both have their soldiers 

stationed in Iraq where they support 

the same government. Currently, the 

US has 5,800 troops in Iraq while 

Iran has an unknown number of 

soldiers and an estimated 150,000 

pro-Iranian militia forces, especially 

under the Popular Mobilisation 

Forces, PMF. These pro-Iranian 

forces have been integrated into the 

official Iraqi forces. 

Apart from Shiites accounting for 

about two thirds of the Iraqi 

population and the government 

being mainly Shiite and pro-Iran, 

Iraq is also the main importer of 

Iranian goods. Trump’s move on the 

eve of the Israeli elections might 

appear to be an attempt to give a 

boost to Prime Minister Benjamin 

Netanyahu’s re-election efforts, but 

it appears more of an impotent act. 

America has staked a lot to tackle 

the Iranians, including going 

against the rest of the world over the 

nuclear weapons deal, but Iran 

appears to be gaining in strength. 

The irony is that Iran’s growing 

strength is mainly a result of 

American miscalculations and 

sacrifices, including in American 

lives! 

For instance, following the 

February 11,1979 Iranian 

Revolution that brought to an end 

the reign of the pro-American Shah 

Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, President 

Sadam Hussein of Iraq had on 

September 22, 1980, in a pro- 

American move, invaded Iran. He 

hoped to overrun a country he 

thought was in chaos. 

That war lasted eight years with 

500,000 killed and over that number 

injured. In invading Iraq in 2003 

under false pretenses, and 

overthrowing Sadam, America 

forgot the sacrifices of Sadam in 

invading Iran. It also might not have 

thought through its actions which 

could only end in the majority Shiite 

populace taking over Iran. This 

came to pass. So in reality, the winner 

of the Americo-European invasion 

of Iraq, was Iran. 

America is not likely 

to get international 

support even of its 

NATO allies in 

designating the 

Iranian Revolutionary 

Guards, a terrorist 

organisation 

When the Americo-European 

alliance with the Gulf States 

established, trained and bankrolled 

the Islamic State, ISIS, to overthrow 

the pro-Iranian Syrian government, 

it did not immediately realise that it 

was giving birth to a monster. After 

encouraging European and 

American Muslim fighters to join 

ISIS, America turned round to fight 

ISIS. In the process, it strengthened 

the pro-Iranian Iraqi government 

and contributed in defeating the 

ISIS. Ultimately, victory in Iraq and 

Syria, is victory for Iran. 

Qatar was a close ally of the US. It 


Send Opinions & Letters to: 

opinions1234@yahoo.com 

is also host to the largest American 

military base in the Middle East: the 

Al Udeid Air Base. In June 2017, 

things began to fall apart for the tiny 

country when a coalition of Gulf and 

African Muslim countries, including 

Jordan and Senegal, severed 

diplomatic ties with it. Qatar was 

falsely accused of aiding terrorism. 

In 2018, four of the countries: 

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab 

Emirate, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt 

imposed a land, sea and air 

embargo on Qatar with the intent of 

suffocating it. Running out of food, 

with imports declining by 40 percent 

and tourism drying up, a hapless 

Qatar cried for assistance from big 

brother America, but the Trump 

government not only turned its back, 

but also supported the four 

countries. Qatar’s cries that the 

embargo and stifling conditions 

violated international laws, fell on 

deaf ears. 

A suffocating Qatar cried out to 

other countries for help. Iran wasted 

no time offering Qatar a breather, 

including opening its airspace to 

Qatar Air and its shipping routes to 

the besieged country. Qatar 

embraced Iran and restored full 

diplomatic relations. So Iran is a 

net beneficiary of the embargo on 

Qatar. 

Turkey was an ally of the 

Americans in the Syrian Civil War. 

It supported rebels against the 

Syrian government which was allied 

to Iran. It went so far as deliberately 

using its American F-16 jet fighter 

on November 24, 2015 to shoot 

down a Russian Suhhoi Su-24 attack 

aircraft over Syrian airspace. But 

Russia and Iran warmed up to Turkey 

and won it over to the Syrian 

government side. 

Today, the Turks are in alliance 

with the Russian, Iranian and Syrian 

governments and are resisting 

American pressures to drop their 

decision to purchase Russian S-400 

air-defense missiles. Now, Iran’s 

borders with Turkey can be said to 

be safe and it is a beneficiary of the 

on-going Turkey-US spat. The 

American withdrawal from the Iran 

Nuclear Peace Deal, its renewed 

sanctions and threats against Iran, 

have given the latter the excuse to 

resume its nuclear race. 

The contemporary American-Iran 

‘wars’ began when the American 

Central Intelligence Agency, CIA, in 

1953 organised the coup which 

overthrew Iran's democratically 

elected Prime Minister Mohammad 

Mosaddeq. In its ‘The Battle for Iran’ 

documents, published on its archive's 

website under freedom of 

information laws, the CIA confessed: 

"The military coup that overthrew 

Mosaddeq and his National Front 

cabinet was carried out under CIA 

direction as an act of US foreign 

policy, conceived and approved at 

the highest levels of government." 

The Mosaddeq government had 

nationalised the British Anglo- 

Iranian Oil Company, BP, and Britain 

appealed to the Eisenhower 

administration for assistance. It 

obliged with the coup, codenamed 

TPAJAX by the CIA and Operation 

Boot by Britain's MI6. 

America is not likely to get 

international support even of its 

NATO allies in designating the 

Iranian Revolutionary Guards, a 

terrorist organisation. Also, its 

insistence that all other countries and 

organisations, including businesses 

must join its sanctions against Iran, 

would not win it much friends. For 

instance, it has just forced the 

Standard Chartered Bank to part 

with $1billion fine for allegedly 

violating sanctions against Iran and 

its allies. 

The American foreign policy 

resembles a nursery school rhyme 

which sounds like: My enemy is your 

enemy. My enemy must be your 

enemy. My enemy shall be your 

enemy. If my enemy is not your 

enemy. Then you are my enemy. 

Imo people and the Ihedioha hysteria 

By Ugochukwu Ejinkeonye 

SINCE Mr. Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP, emerged the 

winner of the governorship election held 

recently in Imo State, all sorts of people who 

are able to get themselves interviewed by 

reporters have been filling our ears with 

rambling tales about how a new “messiah” 

had emerged to liberate Imo people from the 

hands of their “oppressors” and “exploiters” 

and usher them into a glorious era of limitless 

happiness. As a citizen of Imo State who has 

closely observed several governors enter and 

leave the Imo Government House, I find the 

whole absurd drama so revolting. 

If only Mr. Ihedioha would spare some 

moments and reflect, he would realise that 

there is nothing new about the drab 

performance that these characters are staging 

today; nor is it peculiar to Imo State. We saw it 

during the tenure of Achike Udenwa. At that 

time, my newspaper articles always told 

Udenwa the truth I thought he should hear for 

the benefit of our state. Indeed, it was clear to 

me that after he had exhausted his tenure and 

left, Imo State would still be there for all of us 

whether left in a good or bad state. My loyalty, 

therefore, was to my state and not to any 

governor. 

When in 2007 (12 years ago), Ikedi Ohakim 

became the governor, the noise was even louder. 

And Ohakim himself was such a fantastic and 

charming orator. Shortly after he was sworn 

in, he came to Lagos and gathered a select few 

of senior journalists and reeled out a very 

wonderful, if not tantalising, programme for 

Imo State. I could not help being impressed. 

When I introduced myself, he screamed that 

each time he read my articles, he always 

thought I was “one very old veteran journalist” 

because of the quality of my thoughts. Like 

many other people that have met me, he didn’t 

realise that he had been fooled by my youthful 

look. I am not as young as several of them 

think. 

Soon, Ohakim’s popularity plummeted so 

badly. He must have been very surprised when 

I was driven by my enduring loyalty to the 

state to become very critical of his 

administration. When it became clear to him 

that his second term bid might be aborted by 

Mr. Rochas Okorocha of the All Progressive 

Grand Alliance, APGA, he boasted that no one 

could take the office of the governor from him. 

This may have enraged the people the more 

because their determination to boot him out 

received additional fuel. When he eventually 

fell and you listened to some of the same people 

that had praised him to high heavens only a 

couple of years earlier, you wondered at the 

kind of terrible mindset some human beings 

carried about with them. Well, age is still on 

Ohakim’s side, and he appears to have been 

sufficiently sobered by his humbling 

experience at the polls; may be, if he gets 

another opportunity (which he has sought with 

amazing zeal since he left office), he might 

post a more edifying performance. 

Rochas Okorocha was the most praised of 

them all. It was as if the long-awaited 

“messiah” had finally arrived. He also wowed 

the people by paying the arrears of salaries 

and pensions accumulated under his 

predecessor, opened countless roads that 

almost completely eliminated the gridlocks 

that egregiously distinguished Owerri at that 

time. People going to the airport could easily 

bypass the town and access Aba Road to head 

straight to the airport with little or no stress. 

Stories had it that he often walked on the streets 

with modest security and market women and 

poor artisans rushed unrestrained to embrace 

him, shake his hands and even offer him cold 

water which he received from their hands. 

But soon, the roads began to wear off 

betraying substandard work. He then 

compounded his problems by joining the All 

Progressives Congress, APC, a party that held 

no appeal to Imo people given its anti-people 

policies; he, however, fought really hard to 

ensure its victory. After the arrival of CHANGE, 

the Imo became so broke that he could no 

longer pay salaries and even when he paid 

them, he chose whatever percentage that suited 

him to dish out to the workers each month. As 

a public service worker you could not say what 

your salary would be at the end of the month. 

Soon, he reduced the number of work days 

and asked the impoverished civil servants to 

devote Thursday and Friday for farm work, 

not bothering if they had the funds to undertake 

such an endeavour. Even when he created the 

office of the Commissioner for Happiness and 

put his lovely sister in charge of it, the people 

still could not be appeased. 

As governor, Emeka 

Ihedioha should confront 

headlong the problem of civil 

servants, especially, teachers 

and pensioners and clear their 

arrears of salaries 

Although he had managed to get reelected, 

he was no longer the “man of the people”. He 

soon compounded his predicament further by 

his ill-advised decision to install a certain young 

man, his daughter’s spouse, to succeed him as 

governor. Quite a number of Imo people took 

the insult personally. That opened the door 

wider to many conflicts and increased the 

number of his bitter antagonists both within 

and outside his party. While his anointed 

candidate failed woefully, his own senatorial 

bid is still imperiled. Even his position in his 

party has become shaky. 

Since it was clear that the APC had no 

chances in Imo, APGA, which naturally should 

have taken the governorship seat, 

miscalculated so badly. They offered Imo 

people a hard-sell (some say at the mischievous 

instigation of the presidency). The next natural 

choice for Imo people was then Mr. Ihedioha 

of the PDP. There is serious doubt today among 

many informed minds that the result of the 

election would have been the same if APGA 

had fielded somebody like Mr. Frank Nneji, 

Ihedioha’s kinsman, as its governorship 

candidate for Imo State. 

I have gone all this way to help Ihedioha to 

appreciate the peculiar circumstances that 

threw the governorship mandate on his lap. I 

have not seen Ihedioha address any crowd, 

but I would be highly surprised to witness him 

manifest an ability to charm a crowd. It would, 

therefore, be very unhelpful if he allows any 

sycophant to lull him into the false belief that 

Imo people had suddenly seen in him an ability 

and charisma they were unable to see the 

previous time. This realisation would now 

make his work more enormous but not 

impossible. He should go all out to win the 

people’s confidence (which, if he must tell 

himself the truth, is very low at the moment) 

and prove to them that they had grossly 

misjudged him by not voting him in earlier. 

Already, he appears to have taken the first 

unappetising step by the unwieldy crowd he 

published as members of his Transition 

Committee. The list looks like a village 

meeting. He needs to work hard to correct the 

unsavoury signal this first step has already sent 

out. As governor, Emeka Ihedioha should 

confront headlong the problem of civil 

servants, especially, teachers and pensioners 

and clear their arrears of salaries. Also, and 

very importantly, he would be missing it if he 

begins immediately to build new roads. Rather, 

he should solidify the ones constructed by 

Okorocha, especially, in the state capital, 

reopen the adjoining streets closed by the open 

gutters of newly reconstructed roads to enable 

the free-flow of traffic in Owerri, and clear the 

mountains of refuse everywhere to give the state 

a facelift. 

• Ejinkeonye, a public affairs analyst, 

wrote from Lagos

32—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL12, 2019 

YOUR LUCK TODAY 

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 

ARIES You can still count on the supports of your 

tried and trusted friends. But it’s imperative you keep 

secrets as much as you can positively do. 

TAURUS; The more receptive and willing you are to 

give and take co-operation the better for you today. It’s 

wrong of you to neglect your friends in need now. 

GEMINI; You’ll have the needed opportunity to consolidate 

on progress you have recorded recently along 

your career/business lines. Try to work harder. 

CANCER; Element of luck will work favourably for 

you. Therefore you’re advised to expand the scope of 

your tentacle for better results. It’s another fairly 

favourable day for lovers who are more enterprising 

today. 

L E I S U R E 

TAKE HEART — ELLA RANDLE 

“Serving others enriched the giver’s soul.” -George W 

Bush.- 

We cannot hope only to leave our children a bigger car, a bigger 

bank account. We must hope to give them a sense of what it means 

to be a loyal friend, a loving parent, a citizen who leaves his home, 

his neighborhood and town better than he found it. 

What matters most. That we were more driven to succeed than anyone 

around us? 

or that we stopped to ask if a sick child had gotten better, and stayed 

a moment there to trade a word of friendship. Ella Randle. 

SAYINGS OF 

OUR PEOPLE 

An abundance 

of food at your 

neighbour’s 

will not satisfy 

your hunger. 

~Bayaka Proverb 

LEO; Joining forces with other people is not a sin but 

it’s important everybody knows the clear term of the 

venture , be it of short or longer duration. Be very practical. 

VIRGO; Many of you’ll travel either physically or 

within your mind; whichever one you’re involved with, 

the out come will be favourable. Be more receptive, 

especially if your priority is commercial success. Take 

your new ideas more seriously today. 

LIBRA; Similar to yesterday but, today more 

emphasis’ll be on money. Thus those of you who are 

more financially ambitious’ll have better and rewarding 

day than others. However that is not to say you 

should neglect your health. 

SCORPIO; Positive things are happening from (and 

around) you. The more enterprising you are the better 

for you today. And some of you will be mixing business 

& pleasure 

SAGITTARIUS; This is your day when things’ll go 

according to your plans. And you’re advised to hit very 

hard not minding minor pressure from your base. 

CAPRICORN; Once again success would come if you 

experiment with good ideas rightly at the right time. 

Those of you travelling are in for an exciting day. 

AQUARIUS; Early part of the day may bring you good 

opportunity along your business/business lines. Work 

and your health must be taken very seriously 

PISCES; Like yesterday the Moon will operate from 

a positive angle to your Star sign to the betterment of 

your cause. Think of both your immediate and far future 

now. 

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye” 

DUDU in “ROLLING HOT” By A.O. OLAIDE 

By Kola Fayemi 

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING 

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING 

Send your date and place of birth to the Astr 

trological 

Counselling, P.M.B 100 

007, Apapa, Lagos 

Basic characteristics of 

Aquarius 

Aquarius is ruled by freedom loving Uranus-the 

planet of unpredictability, eccentricity and genius. 

Aquarius is friendly, loving, hopeful and very altruistic 

in nature. That is why they are nice persons 

who truly care for others, especially the less fortunate 

ones. They are loyal friend willing to belong 

to powerful social clubs or reasonable community. 

The quality of Aquarius is fixed. That means it is 

important for them to watch the way they change 

their minds on important issues; Uranus factor 

makes all Aquarius natives freedom loving and 

whoever tries to impose any idea on you will be 

resented. 

The element of Aquarius is the air. That makes 

you an intelligent person with fair share of sense of 

humour. Aquarius is the star sign that rules considerable 

social influence, and the natives of this star 

have better chances to have at least some influential 

friends. Then, Aquarians are truly good friends 

and bad enemies; it is not in the best interest of 

anybody to frustrate an Aquarian.. 

Aquarius being a scientific sign. Aquarians can 

be inventive. Any Aquarian who falls to take his 

sudden flashes of ideas seriously is doom (to fail 

eventually) because, Uranus the ruler of Aquarius, 

usually bring success to Aquarians unexpectedly 

through ideas that come suddenly, and unexpected 

luck usually accompany their sudden inspiration 

and/or ideas. 

The most dangerous weak points of Aquarian are 

the tendencies to procrastinate things and willingness 

to take opponents or enemies for granted I 

mean you must not believe that some body you 

might have had heated argument with will not try 

to undermine your progress after what will look 

like intervention of peace makers. 

VIRGINIA 

HOME & ABROAD 

dadadekola@yahoo.com 

By Lawrence Akapa


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

Delta govt approves completion of 

Ughelli/Asaba Road 

By Festus Ahon 

A SABA—DELTA 

State government 

has approved the 

completion of the 

remaining part of the 

Ughelli/Asaba Road. 

The Commissioner for 

Information, Chief 

Patrick Ukah, who spoke 

to newsmen after the 

State Executive Council 

meeting presided over 

by acting Governor, 

Kingsley Utuaro, 

disclosed that the 

completion of the 

dualisation of Ughelli/ 

Asaba Road, sector A and 

that of sector C1 from 

Ossissa to Kwale 

NDU tasks Okowa on flood, erosion control, applauds his 

re-election 

By Cynthia Alo & 

Toyin Chemapo 

N Development 

DOSIMILI 

Union, NDU, has charged 

Delta State governor, 

Ifeanyi Okowa to focus on 

environmental problems 

facing major parts of the 

state. 

NDU also called on the 

governor to extend his 

developmental 

programmes to Ndokwa 

East in the area of 

provision of roads, health 

care facilities and potable 

water to accelerate the 

socio-economic 

development of the area. 

The union noted that the 

governor’s SMART 

agenda on infrastructural 

development has increased 

economic activities in the 

state. 

NDU ascribed the 

victory of Okowa at the 

poll to his competence, 

drive and aggressiveness 

in the execution of various 

projects in the state. 

It noted that since 

Okowa mounted the 

saddle in 2015, he has 

changed the narrative in 

the state. 

NDU National 

President, Francis Adone 

said that the votes given 

to Okowa were votes for 

competence, sincerity of 

purpose and an exhibition 

of good governance the 

people of the state have 

been yearning for. 

The union remarked that 

the numerous road projects 

in the state will definitely 

open the state for economic 

development that will 

benefit everyone, adding 

INEC set for supplementary 

elections in Rivers tomorrow 

By Egufe 

Yafugborhi 

PORT HARCOURT 

— INDEPENDENT 

National Electoral 

Commission, INEC, is 

set for Saturday’s 

supplementary elections 

for four outstanding state 

Constituencies in Rivers 

State. 


timeline released by the 

Resident Electoral 

Commissioner, REC, in 

Port Harcourt, 

supplementary elections, 

that the SMART agenda of 

the governor has recorded 

tremendous achievements, 

describing them as 

monumental strides. 

NDU also felicitated with 

all elected legislators of 

junction in Ogwashi Uku 

had been approved. 

According to Ukah, the 

approval was to ensure 

safety of lives of persons 

and facilitate easier 

movement of goods and 

services across the state. 

The Commissioner 

said the State Executive 

Council also approved 

the completion of 

Ugbolu/Akwukwu-Igbo 

Road from the Local 

Government Council 

Secretariat to Akwukwu 

Board camp in Oshimili 

North LGA of the state. 

Other roads approved 

according to him, are the 

construction of 

Idumuesah/Ute-Alohen 

Road, rehabilitation/ 

construction of Owa- 

Oyibu/Udomi-Abavo 

Road and rehabilitation/ 

construction of Owa- 

Alero Internal Roads, 

Owa-Alero, all in Ika 

North LGA. 

AWARD: From left; MD, Degbola Abudu; Head, Risk and Control, Omotayo Oyetayo; 

Head, Treasury, George Wamonje; Head, Legal, Mojisola Oyeyinka and Financial 

Controller, Sherif Adejobi, all of Capricon Digital Ltd, after receiving the 2018 Efficiency 

Award for outstanding performance in driving CBN's cashless initiative in Lagos. 

Y current ENAGOA—THE 

power outage 

being experienced by the 

residents of Yenagoa, the 

Baylesa State capital and 

it’s environ will persist 

following alleged refusal of 

Port Harcourt Electricity 

Distribution Company, 

PHEDC, to take 101.8 

Megawatts of electricity 

from Gbarantoru 

Substation in the state. 

for reason of insufficient 

margin of lead, would 

hold in 20 polling units 

in Opobo/Nkoro 

Constituency and 47 in 

Ahoada West, where the 

March 9. exercise was 

disrupted. 

Supplementary 

elections would be held 

in entire Abua Odual 

State Constituency, 

where no electoral 

material was deployed 

over signals of violence, 

just as entire Gokana 

Constituency would 

undergo rerun due to 

March 9, disruptions. 

Ndokwa to the state House 

of Assembly, Friday 

Osanebi, the deputy 

speaker of the House for 

his re-election, Charles 

Emetulu, Ndokwa West, 

Ochor Ochor, Ukwani, 

The 1x90MVA, 132/33KV 

transmission Substation 

currently has 104 

Megawatts of electricity, 

while the Port Harcourt 

Disco is taking only 2.2 

Megawatts, leaving 

101.8MW stranded power 

in the substation. 

Meanwhile, the Minister 

of Works, Power and 

Housing, Mr. Babatunde 

Fashola, has vowed that 

there is no going back on 

the resolve by the current 

administration to pursue 

it’s incremental, steady and 

uninterrupted power 

supply agenda to a logical 

conclusion. 

The 132/33KV 

Gbarantoru Substation was 

transmitting at the capacity 

of 40MW until July 2018, 

when the Federal 

Government installed and 

commissioned 1z90MVA 

to upgrade substation to 

104MW transmission 

capacity. 

Briefing journalists 

during the ministerial 

media tour of the facility, 

General Manager of 

Transmission Company of 

Nigeria, TCN, in Port 

Harcourt region, Engr. 

Solomon Uyoko, explained 

that 90MW of electricity 

was recently added in order 

enjoining them to work 

in concert with their 

colleagues in the Assembly 

to make laws that will 

promote economic 

development of the state 

and its stability. 

to boast substation. 

Uyoko noted that, ‘The 

90MVA transformer was 

actually commissioned last 

year to boost power supply 

to Bayelsa State. Before the 

coming of this 90MVA 

transformer, we had a 

2x40MVA transformer. 

One of them went bad so 

we were left with only 

40MVA. 

“So with the addition of 

this 90MVA we now have 

a 130MVA which for now 

can provide enough power 

supply to the state. This is 

a direct intervention from 

the Federal government. 

Newspaper vendors protest 

alleged harassment by A'Íbom 

govt agents 

By Chioma Onuegbu 

U YO—NEWSPAPER 

vendors under the 

auspices of Akwa Ibom 

State Newspapers 

Association, yesterday, 

stormed 

the 

Correspondents’ Chapel 

Secretariat of the Nigerian 

Union of Journalists, 

NUN, on Asutan Street, 

Uyo, to protest alleged 

harassment and 

intimidation of its 

members by government 

officials in the state. 

The vendors who sell 

newspapers around the 

vicinity of Ibom Plaza, a 

central business hub in 

Uyo, complained that some 

of them had been beaten 

and unduly harassed on 

regular basis by the Ibom 

Plaza Management 

officials. 

Chairman of the 

Association, Otobong 

Udofia, who spoke on 

behalf of the vendors, 

accused the management 

of harassing his members 

on daily basis, adding that 

efforts stop them had fallen 

on debt ears. 

“The management of 

Ibom Plaza has been 

coming to harass our 

members on daily basis, so 

we don’t understand what 

is the stand of newspaper 

vendors in the state, if they 

don’t want us to be in the 

state, they should let us 

know. 

“When they come, they 

will demand for money 

from vendors that we are 

the reason people come to 

steal at the plaza. But we 

asked questions, how do 

TCN blames PHEDC for power outage in Bayelsa 

•No going back on incremental power supply — Fashola 

By Chris Ochayi 

With the capacity of the 

transformer, we have about 

104 megawatt of power to 

supply the state. When I 

came in, we have about 

2.2megawatt being 

evacuated to the people.'' 

In his remarks, the 

Minister of Works, Power 

and Housing, Fashola said 

the government was 

working on ensuring 

incremental, steady and 

uninterrupted power 

supply. 

Fashola, who was 

represented by Director, 

Investment and Sector 

Development, Osaisai 

pick pocket in the area concern 

vendors? They say government 

said we should 

leave the plaza. 

“We insisted and said that 

by right, vendors cannot 

pay a fee of N2000 monthly 

demanded by the 

management because our 

commission is only N40.00. 

“A lot of people have been 

reading papers online, 

papers don’t sell again and 

before we labour to sell 

1000 copy a day, we will go 

round Uyo. We have been 

supporting government, 

we wonder why 

government is against us. 

“We don’t sell up to 

N2000, so it will be difficult 

for us to raise N2000 and 

pay, we eat from the 

amount and pay transport 

from there. 

“When they come, they 

harass our members and 

our people will run way and 

many papers have been 

reported missing in the 

process.” 

However, the Chairman 

of the Ibom Plaza Plaza 

Management, Ima Umoh, 

denied the alleged 

harassments of vendors by 

his members. 

He said the idea was to 

sanitise the place against 

hoodlums, adding, “We 

asked them not to display 

their papers wrongly 

because by doing that they 

attract hoodlums. We had 

issue, their leaders came 

and we have settled. They 

should go back and sell 

their papers.” 

When contacted the state 

Commissioner of 

Information and Strategy, 

Mr. Charles Udoh said, 

that government was not 

aware of the situation.'' 

Emontonghan, said, “In 

that vein, government has 

a programme running 

called the distribution 

expansion programme 

where we are making all 

efforts to strengthen the 

distribution link. 

“We also want to 

emphasize that as much as 

government will ensure 

that there is power it 

behoves on the citizen to 

note that the power has 

been privatized and that 

they have to pay for this 

power because if they 

don’t pay we won’t be 

able to provide the 

facilities that will ensure 

that this power is available 

for everybody to use.” 

NNPC commends Oilserv on East-West gas pipeline 

project 

THE Nigeria National 

P e t r o l e u m 

Corporation, NNPC, has 

lauded the management of 

Oilserv Limited for its 

contribution towards the 

development of the 

country’s gas supply via the 

construction of biggest 

pipeline in Nigeria, the 

East-West Gas Pipeline 

Project popularly called 

OB3 Project. 

Oilserv is currently 

executing the biggest 

pipeline in Nigeria, the 

East-West Gas Pipeline 

Project popularly called 

OB3 Project (136km x 48 

inch). 

The company has 

demonstrated indigenous 

capacity and expertise 

which used to be the forte 

of international EPC 

companies in Nigeria and 

have earned a reputation for 

quality, safety and on-time 

delivery of projects. 

Speaking at the inspection 

of the project by some key 

officials of NNPC and the 

Nigerian Gas Company 

(NGC), COO, NNPC, Gas 

and Power, Engr. Saidu 

Mohammed, stated that the 

project is an aid to 

government dreams and 

aspirations for the sector. 

“This is a project that we 

have been waiting for in 

Nigeria and we are glad that 

Contractor is performing 

towards bringing light at 

the end of the tunnel. What 

I have seen so far is very 

impressive and the 

deadline of completing 

this project is achievable 

as all materials needed for 

the completion of the work 

are on ground,” he said.

34—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019 

MARKETING: From left—Uchendu Ovuike, Brand Executive, Dexa Medica, Kwara State; 

Alhaji Hammed Toyin, Perm Sec, Ministry of Commerce and Cooperative, Kwara State; 

Alhaja Hafusat Dare, Iyaloja, Mandate Ultra-modern Market, Ilorin; Alhaji Hammed 

Sarbauna, Schedule Officer; Aremu Jimoh Asst Schedule Officer, Min of Commerce, Kwara 

State, during the "Boska pain-free day event" held in Ilorin, Kwara State. 

NASS leadership: APC group wants speakership 

zoned to S’East, says S’West greedy 

•Why PDP remains appealling to Ndigbo —APC group 

By Omeiza Ajayi 

ABUJA—A pressure 

group within the 

ruling All Progressives 

Congress APC, the South- 

East Renaissance, has 

accused the Southwest bloc 

of the party of avarice, 

saying that having gotten 

the position of the vice 

president, it would be 

inconsiderate to again seek 

to produce the Speaker of 

the House of 

Representatives. 

The group said since the 

party leadership has zoned 

the Senate presidency to 

the Northeast, the more 

plausible thing to do is to 

allow the Southeast 

produce the Speaker. 

“From established 

political norms and 

antecedents, in the spirit of 

natural justice and equity, 

what we thought our party 

would have naturally 

bequeathed us, the Senate 

Presidency or the 

Speakership of the House 

of Representatives are now 

subjects of political 

contention and controversy. 

“However, now that the 

party in its wisdom has 

decided to zone the Senate 

President position to the 

North-East, we strongly 

believe that the just and 

equitable thing for our party 

to do is to zone the 


of Representatives to the 

South-East. Instead, what 

we see rankles our sense 

of justice and distorts the 

pattern of fair sharing as 

intended by the Federal 

Character clause in our 

constitution. 

“A situation where the 

same geopolitical zone 

which produced the Vice 

President of the country 

and the national leader of 

our party is seen scheming 

and demanding, with a 

bloated sense of 

entitlement, the 


of Representatives, smacks 

of political avarice, brazen 

injustice and grave 

disservice to good 

conscience”, the group 

said in a statement read by 

its Convener, Hon. Chrislance 

O. Onyemechara, at 

a news conference 

yesterday in Abuja. 

Other signatories to the 

statement are Prince 

Magnus Okeke, 

Chukwukadibia Kalu, 

Collins Ohagwam, Ozochi 

Mmadi, Chikwelu 

Nnabuife and Ozobia 

Ifeanyi. 

They argued that many 

years after the civil war, “the 

South-East and indeed the 

former eastern region 

comprising the lgbo, 

ltsekiri, lbibio, Tiv, Idoma, 

Jukun and many others are 

still faced with rejection, 

denials, deprivations and 

exclusion of political and 

socio-economic 

ramifications. Regrettably, 

this scenario continues to 

fuel and amplify the voice 

of few of our agitating 

brothers who purport to 

seek the end of the union, 

in the absence of fairness 

and justice. 

Why S’Easterners 

continue to embrace 

PDP 

“Leaders of our great 

party, the APC always 

wonder why the people of 

the South-East pander to 

the peoples Democratic 

Party PDP always but the 

answer stares us in the 

face. 

“The PDP was not 

founded by an Igbo man, it 

is not a South-Eastern party 

but it offered the lgbo man 

Senate President, Deputy 

Senate President, Deputy 

Speaker, IGP, Defence 

Chief, ambassadors and 

very senior ministers. 

Imagine the multiplier 

effect across the South-East 

and it becomes just natural 

that they will pander to the 

party that embraced and 

included them in the 

scheme of things. It also 

makes it easier for these top 

functionaries of the PDP to 

convince and steer their 

people to supporting the 

party in every 

electioneering period. 

“But in our case, we are 

left to swim against the 

tide. Our assurances to our 

people that the APC mean 

well for our people and are 

willing to integrate us into 

the mainstream always fall 

flat on its face because of 

the attitude of our party to 

the region. 

“In 2015, the APC denied 

the South-East principal 

office positions in the 

National Assembly on the 

ground that we did not 

have a ranking member 

under the APC. 

“Four years after, we have 

produced two ranking 

members and now our 

party seems set to shift the 

goal post again”, they 

lamented. 

Cybercrime, ponzi schemes 

our major headaches 

—NDIC 

By Dennis Agbo 

ENUGU—THE Nigeria 

Deposit Insurance 

Corporation, NDIC, has 

disclosed that the increased 

sophistication of cybercrime 

and the proliferation of 

Ponzi schemes were major 

challenges it is facing at the 

moment. 

The corporation however 

said it is determined to 

arrest the economic crimes, 

using requisite knowledge 

and capacity. 

It therefore said it was 

seeking higher knowledge 

and sophistication to tame 

the tide and play distinct 

role as a critical member of 

Nigeria safety net with 

distinction. 

The Economic and 

Financial Crimes 

Commission, EFCC, also 

said that NDIC was not on 

the war alone as it was 

partnering with the 

corporation to abolish the 

economic sabotage. 

Managing Director/CEO 

of NDIC, Alhaji Umaru 

Ibrahim made the 

disclosure yesterday at the 

ongoing 30th Enugu 

International Trade Fair. 

Represented by the 

Corporation’s Deputy 

Director, South East zonal 

office, Mrs Vera Ogbo- 

Ikwue, Ibrahim also 

disclosed that NDIC has 

extended deposit insurance 

coverage to depositors of 

non-interest banking 

institutions and subscribers 

of Mobile Money 

Operators to the maximum 

limit of half a million naira. 

He said that the 

cooperation has also taken 

measures to ensure that all 

those who contributed to 

the failure of the defunct 

Skye bank, now Polaris 

bank, are prosecuted 

through the appropriate 

legal means to serve as a 

deterrent to others. 

“In 2018, a total of N526.4 

million was recovered in 

respect of deposit money 

banks liquidation; N51.1 

million and N710,000 from 

primary mortgage banks 

and micro finance banks, 

respectively,” Ibrahim said. 

Buhari plotting to hand 

over to another Muslim, 

MASSOB alleges 

By Vincent 

Ujumadu 

A 

WKA—THE 

Movement for the 

Actualisation of the 

Sovereign state of Biafra, 

MASSOB, said yesterday 

that indications have 

emerged that President 

Muhammadu Buhari 

would hand over the 

government to another 

Muslim after his tenure. 

MASSOB leader, 

Comrade Uchenna Madu, 

in a statement in Awka said 

that going by the body 

language of the president, 

there were already moves 

to actualise the plan. 

He said: “We have seen 

the handwriting on the 

wall, which is as a result of 

the secret pact reached and 

agreed by the Hausa/ 

Fulani representing Arewa 

Candidates protest as WAEC omits their names in ongoing exams 

By Vincent 

Ujumadu 

A WKA—TWENTYnine 

students of 

God’s Own Secondary 

School, Umuchu in Aguata 

local government area of 

Anambra State, who 

registered for the ongoing 

West African School 

Certificate Examinations, 

WASCE, have protested 

the alleged omission of their 

names for the examination 

by the West African 

Examinations Council, 

WAEC. 

Chairman of Board of 

Governors of the school, 

Mr. E.C. Eze and the 

Parents Teachers 

Association, PTA, 

chairman, Nze Umeanozie, 

in a statement made 

available to reporters in 

Awka yesterday, expressed 

shock that WAEC collected 

money from the students 

and failed to include them 

among those sitting for the 

examination. 

According to them, the 

students have already 

missed some papers. They 

wondered what would be 

their fate after meeting all 

the payment requirements 

by WAEC. 

Their statement read: 

“The WAEC-organised 

May/June 2019 Senior 

Secondary School 

Examinations started 

nationwide on April 8 and 

many students were denied 

entrance into the exam 

halls after WAEC had 

collected high exam fees 

from them. 

“For instance, 53 students 

of God’s Own School 

Umuchu, Anambra State 

paid N739,350 to WAEC 

vide Receipt No 265698 & 

2656789 and FBN 

Ekwulobia Bank Draft Nos 

90795523 & 19720179 of 11/ 

2/2019. 

“WAEC issued the 

school, a revenue receipt 

voucher for the 53 

candidates. However, on 

1st March 2019, the cyber 

café engaged to upload the 

student’s record to WAEC 

server uploaded only 24 

students before it 

experienced network 

problem and closed 12am 

March 1, 2019, thereby 

leaving 29 students not 

uploaded." 

“The Principal of the 

school, Mr. C.P.Anyikwa 

had been to the WAEC 

offices in Awka and Lagos 

four times, pleading with 

the examination’s 

authorities to open their 

server and upload the 29 

students for the exam, but 

they refused. 

“The Deputy Registrar of 

WAEC Mr. Olajide 

Adebayo told the Principal 

that his boss, Mr. Olu I. 

Adenipekun, who is the 

head of WAEC national 

office was said to have 

travelled abroad." 

and Yoruba representing 

Oduduwa, against the 

people of old Eastern 

region on the platform of 

the All progressives 

Congress, APC. It is very 

obvious that President 

Buhari will hand over the 

relay baton of APC to a 

Muslim Yoruba man after 

his tenure, unless the 

judiciary sacks this 

government. 

“They are seriously 

working on this Islamic 

agenda, which no APC 

bigwig from old Eastern 

region can stop. 

“With President Buhari’s 

body language and 

Osibanjo’s consistent 

defence of his master, the 

appointments of all security 

service chiefs from Buhari’s 

Islamic kinsmen, his 

continuous defence and 

protection of his foot 

soldiers popularly known as 

herdsmen, his 

insensitivities against non- 

Muslims and inability to 

protect the citizens, are all 

clear signs and evidence 

that Buhari is executing an 

arranged and planned 

agenda that is detrimental 

to non-Muslims in 

Nigeria. 

“There are rot, 

imbalances and 

inequalities in the 

education sector where 

there are special and 

preferential academic laws 

for northern citizens against 

the southern citizens; and 

harsh economic policies 

against the people of 

Eastern region."


FG flags off AFS to deliver additional 

624MW to FCT 

By Dirisu 

Yakubu 

ABUJA—THE Federal 

Government, 

yesterday, commenced 

process for the construction 

of nine 330 KV lines under 

Abuja Feeding Scheme, 

AFS, to deliver additional 

624 MW to the Federal 

Capital Territory, FCT, when 

completed. 

The project is expected to 

add 1,380MVA transformer 

capacity, improve power 

transmission and supply 

within the nation’s capital 

and its environs as well as 

positively impacting the 

socio-economic well-being 

of residents. 

Speaking at the official 

ground breaking ceremony 

in Dawaki, a suburb of 

Abuja, Permanent 

Secretary, Federal Ministry 

of Power, Dr. Louis 

Edozien, charged the 

Managing Director, Abuja 

Electricity Distribution 

Company, AEDC, Mr. 

Ernest Mupwaya, and 

Generation Companies, 

GENCOs, to ensure 

optimal utilisation of the 

facility when it is completed 

in 2021. 

Edozien said: “It is the 

distribution company that 

must play the role in taking 

this extra capacity and 

delivering it to customers. 

At the same time, the 

partnership also expects 

from the generation 

companies because if they 

don’t produce another 624 

MW, it is only the engineers 

that will at the end of two 

years admire the facility.” 

The permanent secretary 

added that it was “time to 

reconsider a more 

purposeful and successful 

financing intervention at 

the distribution and retail 

end of the industry.” 

Of concern, however, is 

that the Transmission 

Company of Nigeria, TCN, 

is siting the project on the 

right of way of the high 

tension passing through 

Dawaki in Abuja. 

The company is currently 

weeding out all structures 

on the right of way through 

out the country with the 

support of most state 

governors. 

TCN Managing Director, 

Mr. Usman Mohammed, 

charged Abuja residents to 

•Urges DISCOs, GENCOs to prioritise utilisation 

brace up for good times, 

saying when completed, 

they will enjoy quality 

electricity supply. 

He noted that the TCN 

saved about N25million 

from the procurement 

process of the project 

because the contractors 

were ready to commence 

implementation before 

payment. 

He said: "Transmission 

Rehabilitation Expansion 

Programme, which TCN 

was implementing was on 

course as all the 

components that included 

the frequency control have 

hit 65 per cent. 

“I am happy to tell you 

that we have achieved 

frequency control of 59.8 

and 2Hz for 65 per cent of 

the time from December 23 

to date, being the best in 

the history of the country.” 

SESSION: Ahmed Wase, top contender for Speakership of House of 

Representatives (left) and Yakubu Dogara, Speaker, House of Representatives, 

during House of Representatives ssession at the National Assembly, Abuja. 

APC, guber candidate file petition 

against election of Tambuwal 

By Babatunde 

Jimoh 

ALL 

Progressives 

Congress, APC, Sokoto 

State Chapter, and its 

gubernatorial candidate, 

Alhaji Ahmed Sokoto have 

filed a petition at the 2019 

Gubernatorial Election 

Petitions Tribunal, 

challenging the election of 

Governor Aminu Tambuwal 

of Peoples Democratic Party, 

PDP. 

A member of APC legal 

team in the state, Bashir Jodi, 

disclosed this to newsmen in 

Sokoto, yesterday, shortly 

after the sitting of the 

tribunal, on behalf of the lead 

counsel, Dr Alex Izinyon, 

SAN. 

Jodi said the counsel had 

over 40 witnesses to present 

at the court when the 

hearing commences. 

Public Service Negotiating Council begs 

Buhari to assent to minimum wage bill 

By Victor Young 

JOINT 

National 

Public Service 

Negotiating Council, 

JNPSNC, Trade Union 

side, has pleaded with 


Buhari to expedite action 

in signing the N30,000 

minimum wage bill into 

law, saying workers have 

been eagerly looking 

forward to the new wage. 

In a statement, 

JNPSNC Chairman, 

Trade Union side, 

Abdrafiu Adeniji and 

Secretary, Alade Lawal, 

argued that the Tripartite 

Committee on National 

Minimum Wage and the 

National Assembly had 

done a good job by 

approving N30,000 as 

monthly national 

minimum wage and 

accordingly deserved 

commendation. 


statement, “all that is 

now left is for the 

president, as the father 

of the nation, to sign the 

bill into law and bring 

the national minimum 

wage saga to a positive 

conclusion. 

"Nigerians, including 

millions of workers, 

gave President Buhari a 

resounding victory at the 

poll for his second term 

in office and as such we 

expect him to reciprocate 

this gesture by signing 

the N30,000 monthly 

national minimum wage 

bill into law without 

further delay. 

“The current N18,000 

monthly minimum wage 

has become very much 

inadequate and workers 

are finding it extremely 

difficult to cope with 

daily challenges thrown 

up by skyrocketing 

prices of goods and 

Jodi added that there are 

many cogent grounds upon 

which the election of 

Tambuwal is being 

challenged, centring majorly 

on trampling of Electoral Act, 

2010 (as amended), during 

the March 9, 2019, 

gubernatorial election, as 

well as March 23, 2019 

rerun gubernatorial poll. 

The respondents are 

Tambuwal, Independent 


Commission, INEC, and 

PDP. 

According to him, the 

respondents will later be 

served, while they have two 

weeks to reply, after which 

the court will fix a date for 

hearing. 

Meanwhile , the court has 

granted an exparte order 

allowing the APC counsel to 

inspect the electoral materials 

used for the two polls . 

The materials include 

various forms, ballot papers 

and card reader machines 

among others . 

This was sequel to the filing 

of Motion Ex Parte by the 

APC Counsels. 

Jodi explained that INEC 

would later be served with 

the order while a date will 

be fixed for them to inspect 

the materials. 

Stakeholders advocate 

inclusive governance for 

continued peace in A-Ibom 

By Chioma 

Onuegbu 

UYO — 

STAKEHOLDERS in 

Akwa Ibom State have 

advocated inclusive 

governance as one of the key 

strategies in promoting peace 

and unity among members 

and supporters of the various 

political parties after the just 

concluded general election. 

They spoke, yesterday, in 

Uyo, the state capital at a oneday 

public forum to curb post 

election violence and 

promote peace, unity and 

patriotism organised by 

National Orientation Agency, 

NOA, on the theme 

“Building a people of peace.” 

Speaking, the Paramount 

Ruler of Itu Local Government 

Area of the state, Edidem 

Inyang, stressed the need for 

winners in the elections to 

carry the losers along 

through appointments into 

positions, adding that such 

would discourage animosity. 

The state Director, NOA, 

Mr. Enoh Uyoh, in his 

keynote address said the 

principle of post-election 

peace building is sine-qua 

non in stabilising the polity 

and the society at large. 

He said: “Peace building 

entails repairing 

relationships, and putting in 

place schemes that can help 

the individuals, groups and 

disputing parties to be 

united once again." 

Similarly, Chief Imam of 

Akwa Ibom State, 

Mohammed Adamu, said: 

“The elections have come 

and gone and I thank God 

the elections were peaceful 

in Akwa Ibom State. My 

advice to all the actors, 

especially the winners, is 

that they should be 

magnanimous in victory.” 

Also speaking, 

representative of All 

Progressives Congress, 

APC, and state chairman of 

the party, Mr. Ini Okopido, 

who was represented by his 

deputy, Dr. Ita Udosen, 

thanked the security 

agencies for helping in 

bringing down the tension 

in the state prior to the 

elections. 

Expert makes case for 

employee development 

Henry Ojelu 

MANAGING Director 

of Moahz Oil and 

Gas, Ojo Abdulqadir, has 

said deliberate investment 

in the personal 

development of employees 

is key to any organisation’s 

growth. 

Speaking on the 

imperative of employee 

development, Ojo 

advocated that employees 

deserve and should be 

given the opportunities to 

explore. 

He said: “We need to take 

the internal promotion of 

employees very seriously as 

much as we pay heavily on 

external promotions. 

"As an employer at Moahz 

Oil and Gas, I take it upon 

myself to give room for the 

personal development of 

our employees. Allow them 

to explore opportunities. 

Don’t restrict, though you 

try to focus on your area of 

speciality. 

“This philosophy is 

informed by our 

determination to recruit 

and reward a high-quality 

workforce in a competitive 

economy by creating an 

environment that supports 

professionalism, integrity 

and innovation.” 

He argued that 

employees could only give 

and operate within the limit 

of their knowledge, adding 

that it would serve as a 

determinant and pedestal 

on which their assessment 

would be based. 

Edo warns against hoarding of 

petroleum products 

By Gabriel 

Enogholase 

BENIN — FOLLOWING 

fears that the Federal 

Government might increase 

the price of petroleum 

products, Edo State 

government has warned 

petroleum marketers against 

selling the product above the 

pump price of N145 per litre. 

The state government also 

warned marketers to desist 

from the act, as those found 

culpable would be made to 

face the full wrath of the law. 

Edo State Commissioner 

for Energy, Oil and Gas, Mr. 

Joseph Ugheoke, who gave 

the warning in a statement 

in Benin City, yesterday, said 

the state government had 

called a meeting with 

executives of the Edo State 

Chapter of Independent 

Petroleum Marketers 

Association of Nigerian, 

IPMAN, and Major Oil 

Marketers Association of 

Nigeria, MOMAN, to 

strategise on how to ensure 

steady supply of petroleum 

products during the Easter 

celebrations. 

He said: “It has come to 

the notice of the state 

government that petroleum 

marketers are illegally 

hoarding and diverting 

petroleum products thereby, 

creating unnecessary 

hiccups and tension in the 

sector."


Ndume v Lawan: The 

danger ahead 

WHAT would it take 

P r e s i d e n t 

Muhammadu Buhari to get the 

politics of the National 

Assembly right? Four years 

ago, he had a problem which, 

like a stubborn fly, has 

refused to go away. After his 

election victory speech in 

2015 when he was for all and 

for none, things went 

haywire, leading to the 

emergence of a National 

Assembly leadership that 

would haunt him for the rest 

of his tenure. 

His wars with the legislature 

- from inflated budgets to 

outright refusal to confirm a 

number of high profile 

appointees and God knows 

what not - were probably next 

to his ill-health in the 

pecking order of his 

woes. Most people blamed 

Buhari. If he had taken the 

lead early on and given a 

clear indication who he was 

comfortable to work with, 

instead of barricading 

himself in Aso Rock after the 

election, his party and, 

perhaps, his government, 

might have been spared the 

misery of a tumultuous 

executive-legislative 

relationship that made Tom 

and Jerry look like best of 

friends. 

Anointing crisis 

To avoid that this time, it 

appears that at Buhari’s 

behest, the APC has made its 

preference clear: Ahmed 

Lawan for Senate president, 

and Femi Gbajabiamila as 

speaker for the House of 

Reps. Buhari did not issue a 

statement or call a press 

conference to announce his 

preference. He apparently 

gave his party the hint and 

left chairman Adams 

Oshiomhole to do the rest. 

If delay or indifference was 

the source of his problem the 

last time, it does not look like 

speed or enthusiasm will 

make any difference now. Not 

only have significant numbers 

of legislators made it clear 

that it is not the business of 

the president or the executive 

to choose their leaders for 

them, politicians within the 

ranks of the ruling APC have 

also told Oshiomhole to find 

a job and Buhari to mind his 

business. 

Buhari, an introvert by 

nature and practice, must be 

wondering how he got himself 

into this mess: Steer clear 

he’s damned, get involved 

he’s damned. Interestingly, 

Ali Ndume who is probably 

the biggest threat to APC’s 

official candidate, Lawan, 

said he had personally 

informed Buhari of his 

decision to contest and 

received the president’s 

consent. Two private 

meetings with Vice President 

Yemi Osinbajo on the matter 

have, so far, been unable to 

persuade Ndume to drop his 

ambition. 

Ndume has maintained that 

he is opposed to anyone 

“imposing” a candidate on 

the Senate. Which sounds 

sensible until you remember 

that in 2011 Ndume was not 

the preferred candidate of 

Southern Borno senatorial 

It’s difficult to 

hold the National 

Assembly to 

account when its 

leadership, which 

sets out and 

provides direction 

for legislative 

business, has 

been subverted by 

the opposition 

district. A returnee member of 

the Peoples Democratic Party 

at the time, he was, in fact, 

imposed on the district over 

Garba Sanda who was forced 

to step down for him. But in 

politics where one week could 

be a lifetime, eight years are 

like eons past. 

Politics of bloodletting 

You would think that after 

the bloodletting of the last four 

years, the ruling party would 

have learnt its lessons and 

members would desperately 

avoid anything that could 

make it a laughing stock so 

soon. But politicians, being 

politicians, they have only 

one motivation: power and 

how to keep or advance it at 

any cost and for as long as 

possible. 

Ndume’s case is 

complicated by two things. 

The first is the nagging sense 

of injustice which goes back 

to his roots in Southern 

Borno, generally regarded 

and treated as the political 

backwaters of the state. If a 

Gwoza, Shani or Biu cannot 

be governor in Borno but 

manages, against all odds, to 

make it to the Senate, why 

should the candidate be 

prevented from pursuing his 

ambition to the end? 

The second complication is 

Ndume’s sense of 

entitlement. Having occupied 

a leadership position in the 

Senate before Lawan, he feels 

the prize should naturally 

come to him. Why should he 

sacrifice his rank for Lawan’s 

ambition or the party’s 

vanity? He fancies himself as 

the truly “independent” 

candidate, a worn-out mask 

for self-interest. 

Beyond Ndume, however, 

there is what may be 

described as the latent spite 

factor - the resentment of APC 

national leader, Bola Ahmed 

Tinubu - who for some 

strange reason is regarded as 

good party talisman at the 

time of election but resented 

and despised as bad omen 

when it is time to share the 

spoils. 

A lot has been said about 

what the so-called Tinubu 

agenda might be: that he’s 

lining things up for a bid for 

the presidency in 2023; that 

he is planting his men 

everywhere - including the 

National Assembly - to 

expand and consolidate his 

power base against the next 

general elections; that he is 

driven by an obsession for 

control and power grab and 

nothing else. 

Quite harsh 

and mostly 

far-fetched, to 

be honest. 

Does anyone 

seriously 

believe that 

Tinubu is 

s i n g l e - 

handedly 

pressing the 

candidacy of 

Lawan and 

Gbajabiamila 

without the 

consent and 

approval of 

B u h a r i ? 

Seriously? 

Answer to 

prayer 

It’s shaping 

up like an 

answer to the 

prayer of the 

P D P . 

Nigerians 

rejected the 

party at the 

polls in 2015, 

but Bukola 

Saraki and 

Speaker 

Y a k u b u 

Dogara, both 

elected on the 

ticket of the 

APC, opened 

the backdoor 

for PDP and 

consummated 

a marriage of 

convenience 

w h o s e 

illegitimate 

children have 

haunted the country for four 

years. 

And I’m not talking here 

about insinuations that Saraki 

is prepping Danjuma Goje or 

whoever he thinks can smear 

pepper in Buhari’s eye to 

take over the leadership of 

the National Assembly. 

I’m saying that I’m shocked 

beyond words that once 

bitten, the APC is not even 

remotely shy to see that the 

precarious numerical 

advantage it has in the 

Senate, for example - 65-41 - 

would again be exploited 

ruthlessly by the PDP. 

It may appear that this is not 

our business: that the results 

of the last general elections 

show that some regions are 

overrated and those who have 

delivered the numbers should 

not only get preferential 

share of the pie but also the 

legislature as a whole should 

be left alone to choose its 

leaders. 

That sounds great, except 

that after four years of 

weaponised hybrid 

leadership in the National 

Assembly, we have seen that 

it only produces stalemate, 

blackmail and a permanently 

divided house fighting over 

more allowances and benefits 

for its members. 

It’s difficult to hold the 

National Assembly to account 

when its leadership, which 

sets out and provides 

direction for legislative 

business, has been subverted 

by the opposition. We cannot 

and will not have another 

four years of the minority tail 

wagging the majority dog 

after voters made their 

preference clear at the polls. 

Way out 

PDP is waiting to pounce 

again - and it will if APC 

refuses to look in the flea 

market just to purchase 

common sense. If other 

contestants refuse to step 

down for the party’s 

preferred candidates - and 

they have a right to refuse - 

then the party should ask the 

pre-designated zones to 

present candidates. 

There’s no guarantee that 

desperate, wounded 

moneybags will not find their 

way to the zones, but that’s a 

lesser evil compared with the 

chaos that awaits the party if 

matters continue this way, 

and eventually end up on the 

floor of the National 

Assembly. 

Since indifference is 

proving to be as deadly as 

meddling, a viable way to 

manage the chaos would be 

to let the candidates test their 

strength at the zones. The 

irony of these matters is that 

we may never see the real 

demons in the candidates - 

and that includes even the 

most carefully pre-selected 

ones - until they have been 

tested with power.



ATAGAHMEN 

I, formerly known as 

Atagahmen Elizabeth Isioma, 

now wish to be known as 

Okosun Elizabeth Isioma. All 

former documents remain 

valid. General public please 

take note. 

ABIONU 

My name was wrongly 

written on my BVN as Abbey 

Toyin Abionu, instead of Abe 

Toyin, which is my correct 

name. All former documents 

remain valid. General public 

please take note. 

DANMOLA 

I, formerly known as Danmola 

Bukola Abiodun, now wish to 

be known as Ojajuni Bukola 

Abiodun. All former 

documents remain valid. 

General public please take 

note. 

OGHOGHO 

I, formerly known as Oghogho 

Omorotionwan Christopher 

and Oghogho Omorotionwan, 


Oghogho Omorotionwan 

Christopher. All former 

documents remain valid, 

general public please take note. 

EBHOMEN 

I, formerly known as Ejemeire 

Jennifer Ebhomen, now wish 

to be known as Ejemeire 

Jennifer Bakumo. All former 



note. 

UKPEREGBU 

My name was wrongly written 

as Ukperegbu Oromezune 

Victoria, instead of Ukperegbu 

Onyeisi Victoria, which is my 

correct name. All former 



note. 

IDEMUDIA 


Idemudia Evelyn, now wish 

to be known as Endurance 

Evelyn. All former 



note. 

AYEBAKURO 


Ayebakuro Festus, now wish 

to be known as Ayebakuro 

Charles Festus. Former 


General public, UBA Bank Plc 

and all relevant authorities 


NWOSE 

I, formerly known as Miss 

Nwose Ifeoma Juliet, now 

wish to be known as Mrs. 

Logos Ifeoma Juliet. All 



take note. 

MAKO 


Mako Ifeoma Faith, now 


Obimeze Ifeoma Faith. All 



take note. 

IBESHI 


Elfreda Ibeshi, now wish to 

be known as Mrs. Elfreda 

Osawe. All former documents 



OWHEGBE-IGO 


Mercy .E. Emuobonuvie 

Eseoghene Owhegbe-Igo, now 


Mercy .E. E. Basil 

Ifeanyichukwu Korie. All 



take note. 

ILEGBEMI 

I, formerly known as Ilegbemi 

Abimbola Olufunmilayo, now 

wish to be known as Alfred 

Abimbola Oluwafunmilayo. All 



take note. 

EGBEYEMI 

I, formerly known as Bukola 

Olabisi Egbeyemi, now wish to 

be known as Bukola Olabisi 

Femi-Johnson. All former 



note. 

OSUJI 

I hereby confirm that my 

name was wrongly written as 

Osuji Simon Anthony, instead 

of Osuji Osondu Anthony, 

which is my correct name. All 



take note. 

NWANNE 

This is to confirm that the 

name, Nwanne Kido and 

Sunday Philip Kido refer to me. 

I now wish to be known as 

Sunday Philip Kido All former 



note. 

ONABULU 

I, formerly known as Onabulu 

Queen, now wish to add 

Obehi, to be known as Ogun 

Queen Obehi. All former 



note. 

AFEKAFE 

I, formerly known as Afekafe 

Pereokosifa, now wish to be 

known as Afekafe SonofGod 

Pereokosifa. Former 


General public and all relevant 

authorities please take note. 

ALORO 


Ebi Aloro, now wish to be 

known as Mrs Ebi 

Oladimeji. All former 



note. 

UDE 


Ude Ebere Chinonso, now 

wish to be known as Mrs. Aja 

Ebere Chinonso. All former 



note. 

NDIGWE 

I, formerly known as Chika 

Chukwudi Ndigwe, now 

wish to be known as Chika 

Chukwudi Nmadu. All former 



note. 

UDOH 


Ikemesit Aniedi Udoh, now 


Ikemesit Jo Sackey. All 



take note. 

SAMPSON 


Sampson Kate Monday and 

Miss Sampson Kate Ugwushi, 

now wish to be known as Mrs 

Meenu Kate Ugwushi. All 


valid, general public please 

take note. 

ALEICHENU 

I, formerly known as Matthew 

Aleichenu, now wish to be 

known as Ochube Matthew 

Aleichenu. All former 



note. 

ADEGBEGHA 


Omolara Olatoun Adegbegha, 


Omolara Olatoun Clay. All 



take note. 

HILDA 

I, formerly known as Awala 

Abiye Hilda, now wish to be 

known as Awala Abiye 

Mercy. All former documents 



OGIERIAKHI 

I, formerly known as Miss Ogieriakhi 

Sonia Loveth Emwinghare, now 

wish to be known as Mrs. Poiba 

Sonia Loveth. Former documents 

remain Valid. General public, Nigeria 

Local Content, Monitoring and 

Development Board (NCDMB), 

West Africa Ventures (WAV), 

Chevron- Nigeria Limited, Maritime 

Academy of Nigeria Oron and all 

relevant authorities please take note. 

ITUNUOLUWA 


Adebayo Itunuoluwa 

Omolasho, now wish to be 

known as Adebayo Sekinat 

Omolasho. All former 



note. 

AKPOVIRORO 


Akpoviroro Precious, now 

wish to be known as Mrs 

Aitufe Precious. All former 



note. 

AUDU 


Audu Zainab Ojali, now 


Owoyale Zainab Ojali. All 



take note. 

AMOO 

I, formerly known as Amoo 

Jamiu, now wish to be known 

as Oladejo Jamiu Amoo. All 



take note. 

OMOROJIE 


Omorojie Ejime Franca, now 


James Ejime Franca. All 



take note. 

EKEZIE 


Ekezie Blessing Chinyere, now 


Onyebuchi Blessing Chinyere. 

All former documents remain 


take note. 

IROAJA OD 

I, formerly known as Princess 

Nene Joe Iroaja, now wish to 

be known as Princess Joe 

Mark. All former documents 

remain valid, general public 


IYASERE 


Iyasere Linda Ndu, now wish 

to be known as Mrs. Obianke 

Ndu Linda. All former 



note. 

ONASHOGA 


Onashoga Jimoh Adebayo, 


Onasoga Jimoh Olowo. All 



take note. 

UFABOR 

I, hereby confirm that 

Uwoufinnei Ufabor Cleopas, 

Uwoufinne Cleopas, Cleopas 

Uwoufinney Ufabor and 

Uwoufinne Ufabo Cleopas 

refer to the me. Former 



note. 

NED 


Ned Esther, now wish to 

be known as Mrs Emiko 

Oke Esther. All former 


General public take note. 

OJABECHO 


Nancy Ejovwo Ojabecho, now 

wish known as Mrs. Nancy 

Ejovwo Osazee. All former 

documents remain valid, any 

authority it may concern and 

the general public to take 

note. 

ABIODUN 


Abiodun Kikelomo 

Oluwakemi, now wish to be 

known as Mrs Simeon 

Kikelomo Oluwakemi. All 


valid. General public take 

note. 

OKPOKO 

I, formerly known as Miss Joy 

Romarua Okpoko, now wish 

to be known as Mrs. Joy 

Romarua Anamuehan. All 


valid. First Bank Plc and 


NZEREM 


Nzerem Melvis Nkechi, now 


Ojikeya Melvis Nkechi. All 



take note. 

DURU 


Duru Anulika Rachael, now 

wish to be known as Mrs Ibeke 

Anulika Rachael. All former 


general public please take 

note. 

NDACE 

I, formerly known as Mary 

David Ndace, now wish to be 

known as Mary Nifaye 

Okefiena. All former 



GBEGHENE 


Gbeghene Orhorhomu 

Promise, now wish to be 

known as Mrs.Harrison 

Orhorhomu Promise. All 



take note. 

ETUKUDO 


Mercy Friday Etukudo, now 


Mercy Friday Essien. All 



take note. 

ORIRIBIA 


Preela Evelyn Oriribia, now 


Preela Evelyn Njoku. Former 

documents remain Valid. 


ETEPHO 


Etepho Florence, now 

wish to be known as 

Etepho Favour. All former 



OKOH 


Okoh Vivian Isioma, now 


Ogala Vivian Isioma. All 



take note. 

ADEBISI 


Adebisi Mujidat 

Adenike,now wish to be 

known as Mrs Adeshina 

Mujidat Adenike. All former 


Public take note. 

ONYEKONWU 


Onyekonwu Oluchi Theresa, 


Muoneke Oluchi Theresa. All 



take note. 

AKPORURHOBO 


Akporurhobo Grace, now 


Ejakpomehme Ochuko Grace 



take note. 

IBEKWE 


Ibekwe Mariagoretti 

Chinwendu, now wish to be 

known as Mrs Igwe 

Mariagoretti Chinwendu. All 



take note. 

OSITADE 


Khaleelat Omotayo Ositade, 

now wish to be known as Mrs. 

Khaleelat Omobola Omotayo 

Omo-owo. All former 



note. 

OGBODU 


Ogbodu Charity, now wish to 

be known as Mrs. Idehen 

Charity. All former 



note. 

ARCHIBONG 


Glory Effiong Archibong, 


Mrs. Glory O’Neill. All 



take note. 

CHIMA 


Anthony Godknows Chima, 


Anthony Godknows 

Opkene. General public, 

Polaris Bank and all relevant 

authorities please take note. 

NWAFOR 


Nwafor Juliet Uchenna, now 


Gbagbeke Juliet Uchenna. All 



take note. 

NEBO 

I, formerly known as Nebo 

Chioma Sandra, now wish to 

be known as Aneke Chioma 

Sandra. All former documents 



ADESANYA 


Adesanya Rashidat 

Modupeola,now wish to be 

known as Fasola Rashidat 

Modupeola. All former 


General public take note.

IHIASOTA 


Ihiasota Deborah Nkeyah, 


Mrs Kafor Deborah Nkeyah. 


valid. The general public 

should please take note. 

OSAYANDE 

This is to confirm that the 

names Friday Osayande, Friday 

Osunde and Osunde Owa Friday 

refer to one and the same 

person. I now wish to be known 

as Osunde Owa Friday. All 



take note. 

CHANGE OF NAME 

IZEBEAFE-ABACHE PETER-ALEX TEISEIGHA 

I, Mr. James Izebeafa Abache, of Afor-Okpella hereby confirm that I have authorized my I, formerly known as Veronica I, formerly known as Miss 

surname to be addressed as Izebeafe-Abache, instead of Abache, in otherwords, my family 

Ndaeyo Peter-Alex, now Teiseigha Woyinkuro Jane, 

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

members name; formerly known as Harmony Ayo Abache, Blessing Izebeafe Abache, Treasure 

Ndaeyo Peter. All former Edumogiren Woyinkuro Jane. 

Anurim Abache, and Star Ifechinkwuru Abache, should now be known as Harmony Ayo Izebeafedocuments 

remain valid. All former documents remain 

Abache, Blessing Izebeafe Izebeafe-Abache, Treasure Anurim Izebeafe-Abache, and Star 

General public please take valid. General public please 

Ifechinkwuru Izebeafe-Abache. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. note. 

take note. 

IGWE 

I, formerly known as Igwe 

ONOYAKE 


EKAKITIE 

I, formerly known as Ekakitie 

OBASUYI 

I, formerly known as Obasuyi 

OLAMIDE 

I, formerly known as Olamide 

Benedicta Afoma, now wish Onoyake Magdalene Itivere Golden, now wish to Grace Amenze, now wish to Gramson, now wish to be 

to be known as Ekejimbe Ufuoma, now wish to be known be known as Joseph Golden be known as Onoriode Grace known as Ujakpor Onoriode 

Benedicta Afoma. All former 

as Mrs Ophoriferere Itive Ejoke. All former Amenze. All former Gramson. All former 

Magdalene Ufuoma. All 




documents remain valid. documents remain valid. 

General public please take valid. General public please 

General public please take General public please take General public please take 

note. 

take note. 

note. 

note. 

note. 

SATURDAY 

ASAGBA 

ONOTOLE 

OKOME 

NWACHOKO 

I, formerly known as Miss I, formerly known as Miss I, formerly known as Miss I, formerly known as Miss I, formerly known as Mrs 

Mercy Ebede Saturday, now Oghenevwaire Asagba, now 

Okome Esiwo. .O. Stella. now 

Onotole Deborah Osemegbe, 

Egbule Joy Kos Nwachoko, 

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


now wish to be known as Mrs Temiyon Esiwo. O. Stella. All now wish to be known as 

Mercy Ebede Akiefa. All 

Oghenevwaire Asagba 

Ageh Deborah Osemegbe. All documents bearing former Mrs Egbule Joy Kosinedi. All 

Akpojotor. All former 


former documents remain names remain valid, Banks and 



other relevant authorities 

valid. General public please General public please take valid. General public please 

concern and the general public 


take note. 

note. 

take note. 


take note. 

OLATUNJI 

SHEMISHERE 

SUNDAY 

EGIDE 

GBADAGRI 

I, formerly known as Miss I, formerly known as Miss I, formerly known as Samuel I, formerly known as Miss I, formerly known as Miss 

Olatunji Mojishola Christiana, Shemishere Elohor, now wish Sunday Adebayo, now wish to Egide Uyoyo, now wish to be Eunice Gbadagri, now wish to 

now wish to be known as Mrs to be known as Mrs Okaro be known as Samuel Olayemi known as Mrs. Ekaun Uyoyo. 

be known as Mrs Eunice 

Oribhabor. All former 

Ayelo Mojishola Christiana. Elohor . All former Adebayo. All former All former documents remain 


All former documents remain documents remain valid. documents remain valid. valid. General public, banks 

General public, banks and all 

valid. General public please General public please take General public please take and all concerned institutions concerned institutions should 

take note. 

note. 

note. 

should please take note. please take note. 

OBODO 

OLALEYE 

INYANG 

ANIEZE 

KONWEA 

I, formerly known as Miss I, formerly known and I, formerly known and I, formerly known and I, formerly known and 

Obodo Happy Vwede, now addressed as Miss Olaleye addressed as Miss Inyang addressed as Miss Anieze addressed as Miss Konwea 

wish to be known as Mrs Isibor Olanrewaju Oyinloye, now Inyene Udo, now wish to be Onyeka Maria, now wish to be Josephine Nkemdilim, now 

Happy. All former documents wish to be known and addressed known and addressed as known and addressed as 

wish to be known and addressed 

remain valid. General public, as Mrs. Yisa Olanrewaju 

Mrs. Equere Inyene Israel. All 

as Mrs. Okwuoma-Nkechi 

Mrs. Ogoh Onyeka Maria. All 

Oyinloye. All former 

Josephine Nkemdilim. All 

banks and all concerned 


former documents remain former documents remain 


institutions sholud please take General public please take valid. General public please valid. General public please valid. General public please 

note. 

note. 

take note. 

take note. 

take note. 

INYANG 

UMONYE 

ONYEBADI 

IFEANYI 

ENUMAH 

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

addressed as Miss Brenda addressed as Miss Umonye addressed as Miss Onyebadi addressed as Miss Patience addressed as Miss Enumah 

Unyime Inyang, now wish to Nkoyeasua Naomi, now wish 

Onyinye Cornelia, now wish Ewere Ifeanyi, now wish to be Grace Ebele, now wish to be 

to be known and addressed as 

be known and addressed as 

known and addressed as 

to be known and addressed as 

known and addressed as 

Mrs. Omajemite Onyinye Mrs. Patience Ewere 

Mrs. Ogbechie Brenda Mrs. Akumabor Nkoyeasua 

Cornelia. All former Okereka. All former 

Mrs. Emmanuel Grace 

Godwin. All former documents Naomi. All former documents documents remain valid. documents remain valid. Ebele. All former documents 

remain valid. General public remain valid. General public General public please take General public please take remain valid. General public 



note. 

note. 


OBI 

NANNA 

OKOLONKWO 

MORKA 

EGEJURU 

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

addressed as Miss Obi addressed as Miss Grace addressed as Miss Okolonkwo addressed as Miss Morka addressed as Miss Egejuru 

Oritsesutieyinmi Nanna, now 

Nwakaego Juliet, now wish to 

Sarah Ozioma, now wish to be Ngozi, now wish to be known Mmeri Victory, now wish to 

wish to be known and addressed 

be known and addressed as 

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

as Mrs. Grace Oritsesutieyinmi Mrs. Emuemukoro Sarah 

Mrs. Emeagwai Nwakaego 

Mrs. Nwagbonoku Ngozi 

Nanna Ogbakpah. All former 

Mrs. Onwusa Mmeri 

Ozioma. All former 

Juliet. All former documents documents remain valid. 

Blessing. All former documents 


Victory. All former documents 

remain valid. General public General public please take General public please take 

remain valid. General public remain valid. General public 


note. 

note. 



BASHIRU 

CHUKWUEDO 

OGHENEALE 

OLUWATOFUNMI 

I, formerly known and I, formerly known and This is to confirm that Benjamin Abednigo, Abednego Ovrawah I, formerly known as Lawal 

addressed as Charles Nwamaka 

addressed as Habubakah 

Ogheneale, Ovrawah Alen Ogheneale A., Ovrawah Alen A., Ovrawah Oluwasegun Oluwatofunmi, 

Chukwuedo, now wish to be 

Bashiru, now wish to be known 

Alen Ogheneale Abednego, Ovrawah Alen Ogheneale, Allen now wish to be known as 

known and addressed 

Ovrawah, Allen Ogheneale Ovrawah, and Allen Ogheneale A. Lawal Oluwasegun 

and addressed as Habubakah as Charles Chukwuedo 

David. All former documents Nathaniel. All former 

Ovrawah refer to the same person. I now wish to be known and Oluwatimileyin. All former 

documents remain valid. addressed as Ovrawah Allen Ogheneale. All former documents documents remain valid. The 


General public please take remain valid. Nigeria Immigration Service, Financial Institutions general public should please 


note. 

and general public please take note. 

take note. 

EJIKE 

AGBAISI 

SUNDAY 

RAHAMON 

JOHNSON 

I, formerly known as Miss I, formerly known as Onoriode I, formerly known as Miss This is to confirm that the name This is to confirm that the name Emem 

Ejike Chinwendu Rodah, now Blessing Oniovomena Agbaisi, 

Sunday Blessing Dupe, now Rahamon Bidemi Jimoh and Etido Johnson and Udongwo Etido 

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

wish to be known as Mrs. Abdulrahaman Jimoh Bidemi refer to Emem refer to one and the same person 

Christiome Chinwendu 

Onoriode Blessing 

Oniovomena Christensen. All 

Blessing Dupe Usifo one and the same person, but now but now wish to be known as 

Flourish. All former 

former documents remain Christopher Osuman. All wish to be known as Abdulrahaman Udongwo Etido Emem. All former 

documents remain valid, any valid, any authority it may former documents remain Jimoh Bidemi. All former documents documents remain valid. Federal 

authority it may concern and concern and general public to valid. General public please remain valid. General public please Ministry of Justice and the general 

general public to take note. take note. 

take note. 

take note. 

public please take note. 

OSIME UWADIA IBIKUNLE AKPO 

OKPALA 


Eunice Osime, now wish to 

be known as Mrs Eunice 

Bamidele. All former 



note. 

I, formerly known as Patric 

Azuka Uwadia, now wish to 

be known as Patrick 

Oluchukwu Uwadia. All 



take note. 


Ibikunle Mojisola Funmi, now 

wish to be known as Mrs Wale- 

Oladapo Mojisola Funmi. All 



take note. 

OKONKWO 

I, formerly known as Mrs. 

Okonkwo Racheal Chekwube, 

now wish to be known as Mrs. 

Orji Racheal Chekwube. All 


valid. Banks and the general 

public should please take note. 


Idiaghoghogbe Peter Akpo, 


Dedewo Peter Akpo. All 



take note. 

I, formerly known as Okpala 

Uju Julian, now wish to be 

known as Nwolisa Uju 

Julian. All former documents 



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 


Boko Haram: 

Senate urges FG 

to expedite action 

on Leah Sharibu’s 

release 


A TURBED BUJA—DIS 

by the 

continued captivity of 

Leah Sharibu and others 

by Boko Haram insurgents 

since last year 

February, the Senate, 

yesterday, asked the 

Federal Government to 

as a matter of urgency, 

expedite action on ensuring 

her release and 

the remaining pupils of 

Science Secondary 

School Dapchi, Yobe 

S t a t e . 

The resolution of the 

Senate yesterday, was 

sequel to a point of Order 

by Senator Shehu 

Sani, PRP, Kaduna Central. 

Senator Sani who 

drew the attention of his 

colleagues to the plight 

of Leah, said that there 

was need for the Federal 

Government to expedite 

action on whatever 

means possible in getting 

the girl rescued. 

Sani said, “It is 14 

months of Leah Sharibu 

in the captivity of 

Boko Haram insurgents 

and five years of the yet 

to be released Chibok 

girls. This calls for national 

concern and urgent 

need by relevant 

authorities to do all 

within their powers to 

get them released. 

“Their continued stay 

in captivity has raised 

international concerns. 

Continued detention of 

the captured girls 

should prick the conscience 

of all Nigerians. 

“What perhaps may 

be the most important 

strategy to be adopted 

in getting Leah and others 

out of captivity, is 

the option of dialogue 

with their abductors. It 

has worked in so many 

other places where similar 

abductions took 

place as Afghanistan, 

Pakistan etc, terrorised 

by the Talibans. 

“Though government 

cannot be said not to 

have taken actions in 

getting Leah and others 

released, but there is 

need for it to redouble 

and expedite actions in 

that direction for the 

parents and relatives of 

the abductees to be 

freed from psychological 

trauma they must 

have been facing and 

for the abductees to 

know that they have a 

country that cares for 

them.” 

Being a matter raised 

under self explanation, 

Shehu Sani’s motion 

was not put to debate 

by other Senators but in 

his remarks, Senate 

President, Dr. Bukola 

Saraki said that all efforts 

must be made by 

the Federal Government 

to get Leah and 

others released.


Pomp, pageantry as Ghana bids 

Lulu-Briggs farewell 

BY ABIOLA OGUNDOKUN 

FROM the Gold Coast country, 

Ghana, came a befitting 

farewell to one of Nigeria’s foremost 

business men and philanthropist, 

High Chief (Dr.) Olu Benson Lulu 

Briggs, who passed on to glory in 

Ghana on December 27, 2018 at the 

age of 88 years. At a spectacular 

event put together by his long 

standing associate and very good 

friend, His Royal Majesty, Nana 

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, King of 

Ashanti, Ghana, to honour and bid 

him good bye, encomiums and tears 

flowed freely as friends, family and 

well wishers from various 

nationalities across the globe 

recalled the impact the late High 

Chief (Dr.) O. B. Lulu Briggs had in 

their lives. 

The King of Ashanti who invited 

his international and local friends 

to honour, in his own words, "my 

friend in whom I am well pleased,” 

noted earlier in his welcome remark 

to invited guests that, “death had 

robbed him of a great friend, brother 

and compatriot”, hence, his 

decision to accord the late High 

Chief the greatest honour of 

celebrating him in the East Legon 

province of Ghana, a part of which 

the king hold forte. The service to 

honour the departed was flagged off 

at The Chapel, Transition Place, in 

Haatso, Accra at about 11:25am 

with families, friends, well wishers, 

top government functionaries from 

various countries, diplomatic corps 

and foremost traditional rulers from 

Nigeria and Ghana in attendance. 

The event, with venue, draped in 

colourful flowers and decorations, 

started on a joyous note with the 

choral groups from both Nigeria 

and Ghana rendering sonorous 

hymns that lighted the solemn 

ceremony. From the Nigeria end was 

the Port Harcourt based Royal Male 

Choir and the Ghana ensemble was 

an all star group of the Accra Youth 

Choir. Both groups thrilled the 

audience with soul lifting tunes that 

kept the congregation singing and 

dancing. 

The Lulu Briggs family and friends 

chose a purple Ankara material with 

the inscription “High Chief OB Lulu 

Briggs” and the women had a purple 

headgear to match the combination. 

Joining the Lulu Briggs were 

traditional rulers from Kalabari 

Kingdom among who were, HRH 

King Diamond Tobin West, 

Amayanabo of Okpo; HRH Iwari 

Bala, Amanayabo of Krakrama; 

Chief Obrasua Ernest Briggs, 

Secretary, Oruwari Briggs Council 

of Chiefs, Abonnema and many 

other chiefs from Rivers State, while 

the South west traditional rulers had 

a foremost King in the South west, 

Owa Ajero of Ijero Ekiti leading the 

pack of eminent traditional rulers 

from the part of the country. The Igbo 

community in Ghana had a huge 

turn out as they insisted that High 

Chief OB Lulu Briggs supported “our 

people in Ghana when he was alive”. 

The Eze Ndigbo of Ghana, Igwe 

Chukwudi Ihenetu, led his people 

from the South east to a rousing 

farewell for the late business mogul. 

The Ghana delegation at whose 

behest the event was being held was 

resplendent in a very colourful attire 

and ornaments that has become 

synonymous with them. 

Great man who 

inspired so many 

Offering the opening prayer, a 

good friend of the family and clergy, 

Venerable Dubem Okwuosa said 

Tribute 

Olojudo of Ido Ile, Ekiti, High Chief Abiola Ogundokun, Oba 

Nla of Iwo Kingdom, Owa Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Adebayo 

Joseph Adewole and his wife, and the Eze Ndigbo of Ghana, 

Igwe Chukwudi Ihenetu. 

•Dr. Patrick Dele Cole (right) and some Abonnema chiefs at the 

event. 

•Late High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs's widow, Seinye and daughter, 

Solate at the event. 

•Late High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs 

that it was noteworthy that High 

Chief Lulu Briggs "left something to 

celebrate about. Our late daddy was 

a great man who inspired so many 

of us. This was a man who created a 

place of worship for winning souls 

for Christ. We thank God for 

celebrating the life of a great sage 

God gave us. Let it be known that on 

a day like this, High Chief OB Lulu 

Briggs made an impact on this part 

of the world (Ghana) and today, a 

grateful people are celebrating him.” 

Taking a cue from Venerable 

Okwuosa, Reverend Eric Bosu of the 

Ghana Methodist Church who coordinated 

the service also noted that 

the late OB Lulu Briggs “was a friend 

of Ghana” and as such, the Ghana 

people were not at the service 

tomourn the departed, but to 

celebrate a life well lived. With his 

admonition coming to a close, the 

song, “It is well with my soul” started 

the helluva of praise and worship 

that made the hall erupt in 

gargantuan praises while the well 

wishers and family had a field day 

singing and dancing. 

After the praise moment, the 

scripture reading of Matthew 25:31- 

46 was taken by the daughter of the 

departed philanthropist, Rachael. In 

his homily, the pastor noted that 

those close to the late OB Lulu 

Benson would fight back tears 

whenever the reality dawned on them 

that “the great Opuda was no more. 

It is not very easy when you are close 

with a man like OB Lulu Briggs to 

read the history of his life on a day 

like this. Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs was 

born into royalty. His great 

grandfather, Chief Iniikeiroari 

Young Briggs, was an extremely 

successful trader and an intrepid 

adventurer, who up till today is 

referred to as the founder and sole 

defender of Abonnema. 

“Young Briggs was totally a fearless 

man, when it came to liberating his 

people from the shackles of 

superstition and hidebound 

tradition. He was a man whose entire 

life was defined by love for his father, 

his family and kinsmen. These are 

the traits that High Chief OB Lulu 

Briggs inherited and had consistently 

exhibited in his personal and 

professional life 

“OB Lulu Briggs was courageous 

and resourceful. The source of his 

strength is mostly captured in Psalm 

18, verse 29 of the Bible, which says: 

‘For by thee I have run through a 

troop; and by my God have I leaped 

over a wall.’ With the grace and 

goodness of God manifested in his 

life, he moved seamlessly into a phase 

of life as a successful entrepreneur. 

His fundamental values of hard 

work, tenacity,and integrity 

continued to stand him in good stead, 

as he established businesses like 

Rachael Hotels Limited, Moni Pulo 

Limited, Krakrama Investments 

Limited and Lubrik Construction 

Company Limited. 

“For the High Chief, merely setting 

up businesses was not sufficient, his 

desire was to have organisations in 

different sectors, which would model 

global best practices in operations 

and financial returns. Whatever can 

be done successfully internationally 

can also be done in Nigeria and by 

Nigerians; this remained his 

conviction and explains why his 

organisations have attracted and 

retained high calibre indigenous 

human capital over the years. 

Where can we begin 

to catalogue his acts of 

love? Is it the 

innumerable deeds of 

personal generosity or 

the corporate 

scholarships, which 

have enabled 

thousands of Nigerian 

children and youth 

receive qualitative 

education? 

“Where can we begin to catalogue 

his acts of love? Is it the innumerable 

deeds of personal generosity or the 

corporate scholarships, which have 

enabled thousands of Nigerian 

children and youth receive 

qualitative education? Can we begin 

to count the hundreds of thousands 

of lives touched throughout the 

Nigeria Delta by the OB Lulu Briggs 

Foundation, started by him and his 

wife, Seinye? " 

Reeling out his achievements 

could have consoled the 

congregation if only the Royal Male 

Choir had not sang a music 

ministration that made emotion run 

high with the song “If I can help 

somebody as I pass along, then my 

living shall not be in vain” in honour 

of OB Lulu Briggs. The song again 

ignited an emotional uprising as 

some beneficiaries of OB Lulu Briggs 

magnanimity begun wiping tears off 

their eyes as the song was rendered. 

A soul-lifting sermon by Pastor 

Emmanuel Oarhe was to later jolt 

everyone. The pastor noted that OB 

Lulu Briggs' kindness did not know 

status. “In life, you don’t help 

somebody that has the ability to help 

you. You should help somebody who 

cannot help you. What is that thing 

that is so precious to you that can 

give life to somebody? The help you 

give to somebody will outlive you 

and that is the truth about the man 

we have come to honour. The good 

we do today will live after us.” 

Pastor Oarhe noted that a good 

deed will qualify a good name. “The 

purpose of today is to celebrate a 

man who poured his life to people. I 

heard that it was a popular talk in 

Rivers State that some people would 

say, 'For any calamity to happen to 

OB Lulu Briggs, let it befall them 

instead of OB Lulu Briggs'," he said. 

Reverend Eric Bosu in his remarks 

also noted that people should reflect 

on the message of the life and times 

of High Chief OB Lulu Briggs. He 

added that the departed led a 

remarkable life that was exemplary. 

“God gave Chief OB Lulu Briggs for 

a season and his life should continue 

to challenge us. I pray that the family 

would be consoled and comforted 

by the love of Christ. I also pray that 

the family would continue to walk 

in the good deeds of the late OB Lulu 

Briggs”. 

Deep bond of 

friendship 

The representative of the King of 

Asante, Nana Otumfuo Osei Tutu, 

Dr. SKB Asante noted that High 

Chief OB Lulu Briggs and Nana 

Otumfuo Osei Tutu had forged what 

has become today a legendary 

friendship. “When the King 

instructed me to drop whatever I was 

doing and come to this place, I knew 

that it wasn’t just any kind of 

assignment. High Chief OB Lulu 

Briggs was our King’s best friend. 

They share a deep bond of friendship 

and it is quite evident that they share 

a common interest in the way they 

both treat people with kindness and 

generosity,” he said. 

After the church service, guests 

were treated to a rousy reception at 

the Lulu Briggs East Legon 

residence. It was a show of class, and 

taste as guests helped themselves to 

a variety of good food and choice 

drinks. At the reception, guests 

recalled their moments with the late 

ebullient OB Lulu Briggs. A friend 

of the late philanthropist, Dr. Patrick 

Dele Cole, spoke poignantly about 

the deceased. He waxed 

philosophical, stating that, “At a 

moment like this, I know that people 

will want to talk about the man who 

has passed on, but I think that most 

of us here now owe it a duty to say to 

ourselves that knowing OB Lulu 

Briggs was a privilege and a 

pleasure.” 

Speaking further, Cole noted that 

OB Lulu Briggs had a remarkable 

gift of presence. “It is the 

magnificence of his presence that 

matters. If Chief is here, everybody 

will know he is here because his 

presence will fill this place. We were 

given the privilege of his particular 

presence. Please, remember that we 

will all leave here some day but that 

may not be too important. What is 

very important is knowing that we 

found love in OB Lulu Briggs. I am 

grateful for my association with him. 

I want all of you to contemplate how 

lucky you have been to have known 

OB Lulu Briggs”. 

Speaking in the same vein, the 

Obanla of Iwoland, High Chief 

Abiola Ogundokun, who was a 

political associate and close friend 

of the deceased spoke glowingly 

about the exemplary virtues 

espoused by the late OB Lulu 

Benson. “I want to speak from the 

vantage position of our days as 

political associates. I knew him at 

close quarters as a very humane, kind 

hearted, trustworthy and brilliant 

man. He contributed to development 

of this nation and he is one of the 

most sincere patriots Nigeria ever 

have had. He was very well respected 

by politicians in this country. Once 

you are his friend, you can go to sleep 

,knowing he would always watch 

your back.” 

An in-law to the late OB Lulu 

Briggs, King Diamond Tobin West, 

was full of gratitude to the Ghana 

monarch for considering to honour 

the late Chief Lulu Briggs. “We 

thought we owned High Chief OB 

Lulu Briggs but we didn’t reckon 

Ghana owned him more. We thank 

you for your friendship. We are very 

grateful to you. We, the family of West 

in Buguma, Kalabari Kingdom, 

from where his wife, Seinye, hails 

from, will miss him.” 

•This tribute was sent in by High 

Chief Abiola Ogundokun, Obanla 

of Iwo Land.



NEWS HOTLINES 

018773962, 

08052867058 

Buhari launches offensive; 

orders ruthless action 

Continues from Page 5 

The House resolved that 

failure to address the 

people within the 

stipulated period of 48 

hours would leave it with 

an impression that the 

president and his 

“administration are 

incapable of permanently 

curtailing the incessant 

killing of innocent 

Nigerians by killer 

herdsmen.” 

The parliament also said 

that it would mean that the 

president and his 

administration have failed 

in their primary 

constitutional responsibility 

of ensuring the security 

and welfare of the citizens 

of Nigeria. 

The resolutions were 

reached by the members of 

the House at plenary, 

yesterday, after considering 

and adopting a motion 

entitled “Resurgence of the 

Incessant and Annual 

Massacre of Innocent 

Nigerians Across the 

Country by Alleged 

Bandits and Killer 

Herdsmen, the Gradual 

Occupation of Affected 

Communities by These 

Attackers And The Lack of 

Adequate Rehabilitation 

and Relief Materials,” 

sponsored by Mr Mark 

Gbillah, representing Gwer 

East and Gwer West federal 

constituency of Benue 

State. 

Gbillah, while moving the 

motion, told the members 

that the people were 

disappointed that the 

government and the armed 

forces have failed to protect 

them. 

On a similar note, the 

House mandated its 

committees on Army, 

Human Rights, Justice and 

Police Affairs to probe the 

killings of some ad-hoc 

staff of the Independent 


Commission, INEC, in 

Rivers State during the last 

general election. The 

decision was sequel to a 

motion by Mr Kingsley 

Chinda from Rivers State. 

Again, 15 killed, houses, 

cars, motorbikes burnt in 

Benue 

No fewer than 15 persons 

were feared dead, 

yesterday morning, when 

armed men dressed in 

black alleged to be Jukun 

youths supported by 

armed herdsmen invaded 

and sacked Vaase 

community in Ukum Local 

Government Area of Benue 

State. 

An eyewitness, who said 

he narrowly escaped death 

in the latest attack which 

came on the heels of a 

recent peace initiative by 

the federal and state 

governments, said the 

armed invaders stormed 

Vaase as early as 6a.m., 

yesterday, shooting 

sporadically and burning 

down houses and 

farmlands in the 

community. 

The witness said: “This 

morning (yesterday) over 

150 well armed men 

dressed in black marched 

into Vaase from 

neighbouring Taraba State. 

It was as if they were 

prepared for war. Sporadic 

gunshots were fired from 

different directions and 

people who were woken 

up by the sound of the 

gunshots ran for safety. 

“They mindlessly shot at 

anyone they caught up 

with, including women 

and children who were 

unarmed. They did not 

stop there, they burnt 

down over 50 houses and 

looted the people’s 

property after which they 

retreated to Taraba State. 

As we speak, 15 corpses 

have been recovered from 

the deserted community 

but the number may 

increase because we are 

still searching the 

neighbourhood for more 

bodies or survivors.” 

Corroborating the 

account, a former state 

Commissioner of Trade 

and Investments, Prof. 

Terso Kpelai who is an 

indigene of the area, said 

he lost loved ones in the 

fresh attack. 

Kpelai said: “They 

attacked my village this 

morning (yesterday) about 

6a.m., and killed several 

persons. Three cars and 11 

motorcycles were burnt 

and so many houses were 

razed. From what we 

Naira stable at N359/$ 

in parallel market 

By Elizabeth Adegbesan 

THE Naira, yesterday, was stable at N359 per 

dollar in the parallel market. 

However, the Naira appreciated by 22 kobo in the 

Investors and Exporters (I&E) window even as the 

volume of dollars traded dropped by 39 percent. 

Data from FMDQ showed that the indicative 

exchange rate for the I&E window dropped to N 

360.14 per dollar from N360.33 per dollar on 

Wednesday, translating to 19 kobo appreciation for 

the Naira. 

The volume of dollars (turnover) traded yesterday 

dropped by 39 percent to $204.80 million from 

$335.03 million sold on Wednesday. 

gathered, it was a combined 

team of armed herdsmen 

and Jukun militia that are 

working on one strategy to 

unleash mayhem in our 

communities and it is a 

serious matter. 

“Before now, I had called 

on the Security Adviser to 

ensure the deployment of 

security personnel there 

because we got prior 

information that they 

planned to launch an attack 

on the community. 

“The chairman of the local 

government council also 

met the Commissioner of 

Police over the matter and 

on Wednesday, the Deputy 

Commissioner of Police was 

there to assess the situation 

and promised that he 

would reinforce his 

personnel because the team 

he took there was small but 

before the deployment of 

more personnel, the people 

struck this morning 

(yesterday). 

“Those killed were of the 

same grandfather with me 

because we have a large 

family,” Kpelai said in an 

emotion-laden voice. 

When contacted, the State 

Police Public Relations 

Officer, PPRO, Catherine 

Anene, disclosed that police 

personnel were actually 

moved to Ukum on 

Wednesday for deployment 

to various flash-points, 

adding that the command 

was yet to receive 

information from the 

Divisional Police Officer in 

charge of Ukum on the 

latest development. 

Revolutionize entire 

security apparatus, 

PANDEF tells Buhari 

Also, PANDEF, in a 

statement by its National 

Secretary, Dr. Alfred 

Mulade, said: “There is no 

wisdom in concentrating all 

the service chiefs and the 

security infrastructure in one 

part of the country. 

“Security is too expensive 

to be handled from a 

particular section of the 

country. Again, this 

resonates the question of 

restructuring of the country. 

State policing is an integral 

part of the restructuring, 

which the President should 

implement without further 

delay. 

“The present structure 

has failed. Instructively, the 

National Assembly is fully 

in support of the state 

policing. The president 

must devolve powers to the 

federating states so that the 

governors would also have 

the authority to exercise 

requisite security 

responsibilities to secure 

their respective states. 

“There is no going back 

on this if Nigeria must 

experience peace again, 

given the very clear inability 

of the national police and 

the central security system 

to effectively secure the 

peoples of Nigeria. 

“Further delay in securing 

the lives of the citizens is a 

clear demonstration of 

failure on the part of FG, 

which retains and 

monopolises the ineffective 

‘franchise’ of providing 

security of Nigerians. 

“Human life is too 

sacrosanct to gamble with. 

The President must act now 

to save lives of innocent 

JAMB EXAM—Candidates writing the 2019 Joint Admissions and 

Matriculations Board (JAMB) examination at Kaduna State University ICT 

Center in Kaduna, yesterday. Photo: NAN. 

Nigerians, who are being 

hacked to death in their 

numbers. This clearly goes 

beyond political or regional 

considerations and 

exigencies. It is lack of 

capacity and wherewithal 

to deal with the situation.” 

We’re not interested in 

meetings but a secured 

Nigeria —Afenifere 

Afenifere’s National 

Publicity Secretary, Mr. 

Yinka Odumakin said: “We 

are not interested in their 

meetings; this is not the 

first time they have been 

meeting. All we want is for 

Nigeria to be secured. We 

want an end to banditry that 

is going on all over the 

country. The kidnappings, 

killings and banditry are 

enough, although there is 

a fundamental issue we 

have to address in Zamfara 

and some Northern States. 

“Now that we know that 

gold is the main issue in 

Zamfara, we want to know 

what the gold is bringing 

to the federation account. 

We cannot be sharing 

money from oil in the Niger 

Delta or sharing money 

from Value Added Tax and 

only bandits and unknown 

people are making money 

from gold deposits in 

Zamfara and other places. 

That has to be addressed. 

“The most important 

thing we need now is a 

secured country; we are not 

interested in meetings. We 

want Nigeria secured.” 

Root problem needs to 

be tackled —Ohanaeze 

Reacting through its 

National Deputy Publicity 

Secretary, Chuks Ibegbu, 

Ohanaeze noted that the 

attempt by armed herders 

to seize the land of host 

farming communities is the 

root cause of the killings by 

armed herdsmen. 

“Our porous borders that 

facilitate entry of foreign 

herders who join their local 

kin to perpetrate anarchy in 

the country is also a factor. 

The overhaul of the 

security architecture in the 

country as in some cases, 

security agents look the 

other way when these 

killers operate. We 

however, commended some 

security agents who have 

at the risk of their lives 

resisted these killer 

herdsmen. 

“Other forms of insecurity 

in the land such as rituals, 

cult- related killings and 

armed banditry, should be 

blamed on economic 

factors, do or die politics, 

failed values, get-rich - 

quick syndrome, 

wickedness in low and 

high places and there is 

need for a moral revolution 

in Nigeria." 

Northern Elders tackle 

FG over worsening 

insecurity, quality of lives 

Key Northern leaders, 

yesterday, converged on 

Zaria, Kaduna State, and 

reviewed the security 

situation in Nigeria, with a 

damning verdict that the 

Federal Government has 

not done enough to check 

the spate of killings and 

destruction of property 

across the land. 

In a communiqué at the 

end of the meeting by the 

Convener of the NEF, Prof 

Ango Abdullahi, the elders 

questioned the undue 

priority given by the 

government to politics over 

human lives, blaming it on 

what it calls ‘weak political 

will and monumental 

political corruption.’ 

He said: “Today, the 

North still lives under 

horrendous Boko Haram 

threats, a situation, which 

has been aggravated by 

threats of banditry, 

kidnappings, armed 

robbery, marauding youth 

gangs, herders and farmers 

mini-wars and seemingly 

overwhelmed or indifferent 

governments. 

“Agriculture, our pride 

and national economic 

comparative advantage, 

the greatest employer of 

labour and leading 

contributor to GDP is in 

ruins as animal husbandry 

and crop and roots farming 

are in the throes of war and 

damage. 

“Our rural folks live in 

perpetual fear of attacks 

from sundry terrorist 

assassins without any 

reprieve. Our major 

highways 

and 

transportation systems are 

being abandoned as they 

have become death traps. 

“Should the Nigerian 

people continue to run and 

hide from criminals under 

an administration that has 

enjoyed and received 

support especially from 

Northern Nigerians that it 

cannot address their 

existential and 

developmental 

challenges?” the elders 

queried. 

Traditional Rulers in 

Zamfara involved in 

mining of gold — IGP 

The acting AGP, who 

spoke at a meeting with 

Strategic Police Managers 

(Zonal AIGs & Command 

CPs) which he summoned 

to evolve new approaches 

that will be potent enough 

to effectively mitigate the 

insecurity in the country, 

particularly Zamfara State, 

said “We saw a kind of 

nexus between activities of 

the bandits and the mining 

fields. That is why the 

Federal Government 

banned mining.” 

He disclosed that the 

launch of Operation Puff 

Adder was conceptualized 

and launched on April 5, 

2019 to address in the 

shortest possible time, the 

threat of kidnapping, 

armed robbery and armed 

banditry in Kogi, Niger, 

Zamfara, Kaduna and 

Katsina states as well as 

FCT. 

Falana threatens public 

protests over State of 

insecurity 

Falana, who expressed 

the concern of the human 

rights community over the 

worsening security 

situation in the country 

especially the increasing 

rate of armed robbery, 

kidnapping, killings, 

terrorism and banditry in 

the land, however, 

informed the acting IGP of 

the human rights 

community plan to embark 

on series of public protests 

if the Federal Government 

fails to take over the 

monopoly of violence from 

criminal gangs. 

Thanking the group for 

the meeting, the police boss 

gave detailed explanation 

on the combined efforts of 

the police and other 

security agencies to 

confront the security 

challenges. 

On the new strategy of 

the police force, Mr. 

Adamu noted that the 

police now works with 

human intelligence, in 

collaboration with the Air 

Force and other sister 

security agencies, including 

the Civilian JTF, whom he 

maintained have been of 

immense assistance to the 

various security agencies in 

the onerous task of securing 

the nation.

42 — Vanguard, FRIDAY APRIL 12, 2019 

WIKE’S VICTORY: Real owners, Rivers’ 

friends are mourning – Princewill 

By Olayinka Ajayi 

Prince Tonye Princewill, a 

chieftain of the All 

Progressives Congress, APC, 

in Rivers State was spokesman of 

the Tony Cole Campaign before 

the courts axed APC candidates 

from the elections. The former 

governorship candidate, in this 

interview, speaks on the outcome 

of the governorship election and 

how it will affect Rivers among 

others. 

On the re-election of Governor 

Nyesom Wike 

What has happened so far 

teaches me a lot of things. One, 

some Nigerians do not care 

enough about our corruption; at 

least not enough to call a spade a 

spade when they see it. We all 

know what transpired even if we 

don’t know the details. Yet, we put 

it down to how things are in 

Nigeria and in Rivers State. Two, 

many Nigerians do not care how 

you win, as long as you win. You 

can kill and maim your way to 

power and it won’t matter to them, 

they will gladly shake the 

bloodstained hands of the winner 

and bow down in loyalty. Our 

moral compasses have so ossified 

to the point where winning is 

more important than how you win. 

The outrage of what led to the 

Independent National Electoral 

Commission, INEC’s declaration 

is shared by many, but not 

enough. Some of us have elected 

to do something about it. 

Your party, the APC did not 

participate but it adopted the 

African Action Congress, AAC 

candidate. Wike defeated the AAC 

with over 700,000 votes. What 

KWARA: Battle royale as Popoola, Danbaba fight for speakership 

By Demola Akinyemi 

ILORIN – IN every democracy 

lawmakers play very critical 

roles in delivering dividends of 

democracy to the citizenry. In 

fact, the legislature provides a 

platform for the people to be part 

of governance as stakeholders 

are invited to air their views on 

issues through public hearings. 

And bills are passed on crucial 

matters to make life better for 

the people. 

In Kwara, christened State of 

Harmony, the situation is not 

different. Since the creation 

Kwara in 1967, the state has had 

its own share of robust assembly 

with many of the heads coming 

from the northern part of the 

state. 

Kwara North, which accounts 

for 20 per cent of the electorate 

is a minority compared to Kwara 

Central which has about 50 cent 

of the electorate, and Kwara 

South that has about 30 per cent. 

Consequently, more often than 

not the governorship seat 

oscillates between Kwara 

Central and Kwara South 

senatorial districts, leaving the 

North with the speaker on many 

occasions. 

However, the zone produced 

the governor in the Third 

Republic when the strongman 

of Kwara politics, late Dr 

Abubakar Olusola Saraki, who 

used his political machinery to 

make Alhaji Shaaba Lafiagi 

governor. Since then, Kwara 

North has not produced the 

does that say about the people 

making a choice? 

There is no 

correlation between 

that result and 

Rivers people. 

Unless it is in the 

minds of the 

ignorant or the 

complicit. If like 

some, you believe 

that the end 

justifies the 

means, it 

i s 

•Princewill 

convenient to disregard how that 

result was arrived at. But those 

who know better aren’t fooled. You 

say 700,000 votes, yet you ignore 

that one LGA, Wike’s own, 

accounts for over 300,000 votes 

unchallenged after he stormed its 

collation centre where a soldier 

was shot, yet another was injured 

critically with a machete and AAC 

agents taken hostage while 

electoral materials where carted 

away. An LGA where such 

occurred really had no business 

being accepted by INEC. The list 

of high crimes by INEC and the 

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, 

continued across the other LGAs, 

governor on account of the 

population disadvantage. But it 

has had a good share of speakers. 

During the days of National 

Party of Nigeria, NPN, and Unity 

Party of Nigeria, UPN, between 

1979 and 1983, the first speaker 

of the state was produced by the 

NPN under the political guidance 

of Dr Olusola Saraki. In 1983 

before the democracy was 

truncated by the military after 

three months, Barrister Ishmaila 

Sadiq was the speaker during the 

tenure of Chief Cornelius 

Adebayo as governor. 

In the botched Third Republic, 

Alhaji Issa Gomi from Asa Local 

Council in Kwara Central was the 

speaker because Lafiagi (Kwara 

North) was the governor. 

In 1999, Pastor Issa Benjamin 

Ezekiel was the Speaker, while 

Alhaji Mohammed Lawal from 

Kwara Central was the governor. 

Ezekiel was followed by Hon 

Razaq Atunwa (from Asa in 

Kwara Central) while Dr Bukola 

Saraki also from Kwara Central 

was the governor. 

The outgoing Speaker, Dr Ali 

Ahmad, is from Kwara Central 

while the outgoing governor 

Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed is from 

Kwara South. 

Following the election of Alhaji 

Abdulraham Abdulrasaq of the 

All Progressives Congress, APC, 

from Kwara Central as governorelect, 

the speaker in the next 

dispensation may come from 

Kwara North. 

While the zoning factor takes 

precedence, the issues of House 

Rules and loyalty of the contender 

but the APC Federal Government 

let it be. If we had taken matters 

into our own hands, people would 

have died and the neutral 

observer would have said we in 

Rivers State are savages. I 

don’t blame Wike, I blame his 

accomplices. They too must 

answer to this show of shame. 

They cannot escape it. 

This election was held on 

March 9, it took 24 days to fully 

collate and announce the 

result. Is that normal, 

what happened? 

I t 

isn’t normal. And yet some expect 

a normal result to emerge from 

such an abnormal process. Like 

Our moral compasses have been 

so redacted to the point where we 

cannot call a spade what it is. 

INEC suspended a whole election 

in an entire state against the 

provisions of an electoral act and 

it stood. Our cries were dismissed 

and our voices ignored. Nobody 

listened. Rotimi Amaechi is one 

man. If PDP and internal 

saboteurs cannot forgive him, 

should the entire state be made 

to suffer? Do our elders and 

youths have to be subjected to a 

Wike administration for another 

•Popoola 

to party leaders will play critical 

roles in who will eventually 

emerge as speaker. 

Currently, the contest for the 

speakership is between Hon 

Saheed Popoola, who is 

representing Balogun/Ojomu 

constituency (Kwara South) in the 

outgoing assembly and Hon 

Haliru Danbaba from Kaima 

constituency in Kwara North. 

Popoola’s game plan 

Popoola was the only legislator 

who disobeyed the directive of 

Senate President Bukola Saraki 

and stayed back in the APC while 

the others ditched the party for the 

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP 

before the 2019 polls. 

Thus, he is banking on his 

loyalty to the APC and experience 

as a lawmaker to clinch the plum 

office. 

He is also banking on his rich 

four years because of your hate for 

Amaechi? What did he do to you? 

What did we do to you? Every life 

in Rivers State is valuable and we 

will not rest until they are given 

the opportunity to realize their full 

potential. Some of the people 

lining up to stab Amaechi today 

were the beneficiaries of his good 

heart yesterday. In some cases, he 

even saved their lives. 

You once raised objections that 

the result should have been 

announced within 21 days, that 

INEC kept result sheets in its 

custody rather than with the CBN. 

What difference does this make? 

Our objections made 

no difference because 

they interrupted the 

agenda that was in 

play. There is a reason 

elections are covered by 

guidelines and 

transparency is the currency 

which INEC has to protect. In 

the Rivers State matter, they 

exhibited an arrogance of the 

highest order and made no 

concessions in our favour. None. 

The blatant disregard they 

showed is why we cannot let this 

matter rest. In a very short 

statement I issued after they 

declared Wike, I said they have 

murdered sleep and asked us to 

go to hell. We have heard them. 

They too will hear us soon. 

You issued a statement after the 

return of Wike by INEC saying 

the election will not stand the test 

of time, why? 

We have several options before 

us and each option will be 

scrutinized to the full. If this isn’t 

countered, it will become the 

norm. By our traditionally low 

standards, 2019 in Rivers State 

was a very new low. Therefore 

•Danbaba 

political background during the 

days of the Action Congress of 

Nigeria, ACN, which he 

popularized in Offa as a one man 

riot squad and later elected as 

Chairman of Offa Local Council. 

Popoola was also at various times 

appointed special adviser to the 

governor and later commissioner 

for Sports. 

Danbaba backs on zoning 

On the other hand, Danbaba 

from Kwara North, and relatively 

new in the legislative business is 

banking on the current zoning 

formula. The Governor-elect, 

Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq 

is from Kwara Central while his 

Deputy, Mr Kayode Alabi hails 

from Kwara South. 

Currently, political gladiators 

are divided on who to support 

between the duo. 

A chieftain of the party and 

there must be consequences. You 

can ignore a small party and 

maybe get away with it, but not 

the APC. My saying after the 

selection and declaration was 

“Fiat justitia ruat caelum” and I 

stand by it. Rivers state deserves 

better than such an organized 

oppression. We are way too big for 

that. 

You have severally accused 

Senator Magnus Abe, who is of 

your party and who was factional 

governorship candidate of APC 

of fraternizing with Wike. How 

did he do that? 

Let me quickly correct you. Abe 

was an aspirant, not a candidate. 

And the APC only recognized 

Tonye Cole as its candidate. So the 

use of the term factional candidate 

is like calling someone a factional 

parent. It won’t fly. I’m not going 

to discuss Abe at length except to 

say that when the baby is not your 

own, its death does not affect you. 

We saw it in the Bible when 

Solomon confronted the two 

women over the ownership of the 

child. We know those who are 

happy about this hollow victory 

and we know those who avoided 

bloodshed to allow it pass. The 

real owners of Rivers State are in 

tears. The real friends of Rivers 

State are sad. The real lovers of 

Rivers state are in mourning, 

while those without a stake or 

conscience are either indifferent 

or at peace. Let every man take 

his position. The time to be held 

accountable will definitely come. 

Any message for Rivers people? 

Yes. To all of you at home and 

away, I say that the night is 

darkest just before the dawn. Be 

hopeful. Wike is a cancer that has 

to be removed. We know how he 

got there, we know what has 

become of our state since he did. 

Rather than touch our people and 

develop our state, he has touched 

the media, developed propaganda 

and bribed our institutions just to 

remain as Governor. Far fewer 

people died in 2019 than in 2015 

by a ratio of 50 to 1, but looking at 

media reports, you won’t see this. 

Just hold on to your faith. Our God 

is not sleeping. Tonye Cole means 

well. He is not here to settle scores 

or take sides. He is here to make 

peace. I am ready to fight for that. 

And I know I am not alone. 

former Chief Whip in the state 

assembly, Chief Iyiola Oyedepo, 

in an interview with Vanguard 

favoured zoning in the 

determination of who becomes the 

next speaker, even though he is 

also from Kwara South as Popoola. 

Oyedepo, who recalled his days 

in the assembly said that the 

speaker then, Pastor Issa 

Benjamin, was a green horn in 

legislative business but so far, has 

remained the best speaker the 

House has ever produced. 

However, a political group, the 

Kwara Youths Democratic 

Alliance, KYDA, urged the 

leadership of APC in Kwara State 

to consider Popoola as the next 

speaker of the state house of 

assembly, by allowing core 

legislative and political 

experience, and rules of the 

House to guide them in the 

emergence of the leadership of 

the 9th assembly. 

Speaking at a news conference 

in Ilorin , the Spokesperson of the 

group, Mallam Yakub Bello, said 

the consideration of Popoola as the 

next Speaker has become 

imperative in view of the need for 

merit and loyalty because of the 

high expectations of Kwarans 

from the incoming 

administration. 

According to him, “the 

expectations of all Kwarans in 

this forthcoming administration 

are enormous and the only way to 

articulate the yearnings and 

aspirations of the residents is to 

have a capable, experienced and 

competent speaker that would 

help the governor-elect to achieve 

all the needs and aspirations of 

the people of the state.’’

Vanguard, FRIDAY APRIL 12, 2019 — 43 

Why APGA lost to PDP in Imo – Njoku, 

chairmanship aspirant 

By Chinonso Alozie, 

Owerri 

Ahead of the May, 2019 

National Convention 

of the All Progressive 

Grand Alliance, APGA, a 

national chairmanship 

aspirant, Edozie Njoku, has 

said that the party lost the 

Imo State governorship 

election to the Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP, 

because of lack of internal 

democracy. 

Njoku, a former national 

vice chairman of APGA, 

disclosed this at the party’s 

state secretariat in Owerri, 

while declaring his 

intention to vie for the 

National chairmanship 

position. 

He said among other 

things that he would restore 

internal democracy in 

APGA at all levels adding 

that with internal 

democracy, the people 

would believe in the party 

again. 

Njoku argued that the 

position of national 

chairman should be allowed 

to go to other states, adding 

that Anambra State should 

not be the only state 

producing the national 

chairman. 

He also called on leaders 

of the party to allow due 

process by allowing 

delegates choose who they 

want as their leaders. 

Njoku said: “We in the 

South-East believed that in 

2023 there must be a strive 

for Igbo to produce the 

president. What I am 

Parliamentary staff rally support for Nasarawa 

speaker's return 

By David Odama 

AHEAD of the 

inauguration of the 

Sixth House of Assembly in 

Nasarawa State, the 

Parliamentary Staff 

Association of Nigeria, 

PASAN, Nasarawa State 

Chapter, has called on 

members-elect to re-elect 

Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi 

as Speaker considering his 

achievements and 

leadership qualities. 

saying is that I am here in 

my state and I have the 

passion to drive the party 

to a greater height. I am 

here to declare my intention 

to contest for the National 

chairmanship of APGA. 

“My main interest is to 

put APGA back to it’s 

position. Anambra must not 

hold the position alone. The 

position of the National 

The Chairman of the 

association, comrade Nuhu 

Daudu Illiyasu made the 

appeal in Lafia, the state 

capital, in a chat with 

newsmen. 

According Dauda-Iliyasu 

in the last 20 years the state 

has never had it so good in 

legislative activities as 

being witnessed in the 

current fifth assembly. 

“I challenge the press to 

go and verify whether any 

of the past speakers 

sponsored personal bill as 

chairman should move out of 

Anambra State. We must 

give it that coloration that 

it is a party for all. We must 

make sure that we put 

APGA back on track. 

“There will be a backlash 

if the right thing is not done 

this time around. They 

should allow the congress 

to be without undue 

interference.” 

a presiding officer apart 

from the present speaker 

who has two personal bills 

to his credit. 

“Let me also inform you 

that this is the first speaker 

that under his watch, many 

bills and resolutions have 

been passed as he even 

embarked on an oversight 

functions personally. 

He described Balarabe- 

Abdullahi as the best 

performing speaker in the 

history of the state. 

“The re-election of the 

He continued: “The work of 

the National chairman is to 

build relationships and 

continue to mobilize the 

people for APGA, let me say 

this, APGA, needs a 

direction so that it can give 

the people what they need. 

APGA lacks internal 

democracy that is why the 

whole thing is going the 

way you are seeing it. If not 

for lack of internal 

democracy in APGA, 

Emeka Ihedioha would not 

have won Imo. We must 

rebuild APGA, so that our 

people will believe in us 

again.” 

speaker will guarantee 

consolidation and 

continuity as well as to 

ensure good governance 

and will bring more 

democratic dividends to 

the people of the state... 

“We are proud and excited 

over his leadership 

qualities as he has united 

the fifth Assembly and 

brought about a good 

working relationship 

between the executive and 

the legislature in the 

state.’’


Sudan’s Bashir ousted by military; 

protesters demand civilian govt 

*Army promises two-year rule 

*Ousted President may be tried by ICC 

PRESIDENT Omar al- 

Bashir, who ruled 

Sudan in autocratic style for 

30 years, was overthrown 

and arrested in a coup by 

the armed forces on Thursday, 

but protesters took to 

the streets demanding the 

military hand over power to 

civilians. 

The ouster of Bashir, 75, 

followed months of demonstrations 

against his rule. 

In an address on state 

television, Defence Minister 

Awad Mohamed Ahmed 

Ibn Auf, announced a twoyear 

period of military rule 

to be followed by presidential 

elections. 

He said Bashir was being 

detained in a “safe place” 

and a military council would 

now run the country. He did 

not say who would head it. 

Ibn Auf announced a state 

of emergency, a nationwide 

ceasefire and the suspension 

of the constitution. 

Seated on a gold-upholstered 

armchair, he said 

Sudan’s airspace would be 

closed for 24 hours and border 

crossings shut until further 

notice. 

The main organiser of protests 

against Bashir, the 

Sudanese Professionals Association 

(SPA), rejected the 

minister’s plans. It called on 

protesters to maintain a sitin 

outside the defence ministry 

that began on Saturday. 

Shortly afterwards, thousands 

of demonstrators 

packed the streets of central 

Khartoum, their mood turning 

from jubilation at Bashir’s 

expected departure to 

anger at the announcement 

of a military-led transition, 

a Reuters witness said. 

“Fall, again!” many chanted, 

adapting an earlier anti- 

Bashir slogan of “Fall, that’s 

all!”. 

Sudanese sources told 

Reuters that Bashir was at 

the presidential residence 

under “heavy guard”. A son 

of Sadiq al-Mahdi, the head 

of the main opposition 

Umma Party, told al-Hadath 

TV that Bashir was being 

held with “a number of 

leaders of the terrorist Muslim 

Brotherhood group”. 

Bashir has been indicted 

by the International Criminal 

Court in The Hague and 

is facing an arrest warrant 

over allegations of genocide 

in Sudan’s Darfur region 

during an insurgency that 

began in 2003 and led to 

death of an estimated 

300,000 people. 

Despite the arrest warrant 

Bashir defied the court by 

visiting several ICC member 

states. Diplomatic rows 

broke out when he went to 

South Africa in 2015 and Jordan 

in 2017 and both failed 

to arrest him. 

The downfall of Bashir fol- 

lows the toppling this month 

of Algerian strongman Abdelaziz 

Bouteflika, also following 

mass protests after 

two decades in power. 

MILITARY RULE 

AGAIN? 

Names of Bashir’s possible 

successors that have 

been circulating include the 

defence minister, an ex-military 

intelligence chief, also 

an Islamist, and former army 

chief of staff Emad al-Din 

Adawi. Adawi is said to be 

favoured by regional neighbours 

at odds with Bashir 

over his Islamist leanings. 

Omar Saleh Sennar, a senior 

SPA member, said the 

Julian Assange is seen in a police van after he was arrested by 

British police outside the Ecuadorian embassy in London, April 

11, 2019. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls 

group expected to negotiate 

with the military over a 

transfer of power. 

“We will only accept a transitional 

civilian government,” 

Sennar told Reuters. 

Kamal Omar, 38, another 

demonstrator, said: “We will 

continue our sit-in until we 

prevail”. 

Ibn Auf announced the 

release of all political prisoners, 

and images circulated 

of freed detainees joining 

the protests. 

Troops were deployed in 

strategic areas of the capital 

and also stormed the headquarters 

of Bashir’s Islamic 

Movement, the main component 

of the ruling National 

Congress Party. 

In the eastern cities of 

Port Sudan and Kassala, 

protesters attacked the offices 

of Sudan’s intelligence 

and security service, witnesses 

said.Bashir, a former 

paratrooper who seized 

power in a bloodless coup 

in 1989, has been a divisive 

figure who has managed his 

way through one internal 

crisis after another while 

withstanding attempts by 

the West to weaken him. 

Sudan has suffered prolonged 

periods of isolation 

since 1993 

when the United States 

added Bashir’s government 

to its list of terrorism sponsors 

for harbouring Islamist 

militants. Washington 

followed up with sanctions 

four years later. 

A long civil war with 

southern separatists ended 

in 2005 and South Sudan 

became an independent 

country in 2011. 

Since December, Sudan 

has been rocked by persistent 

protests sparked by the 

government’s attempt to 

raise the price of bread, and 

an economic crisis that has 

led to fuel and cash shortages 

The unrest escalated 

since the weekend, when 

thousands of demonstrators 

began camping out 

outside the defence ministry 

compound, where 

Bashir’s residence is located 

Ċlashes erupted between 

soldiers trying to protect the 

protesters and intelligence 

and security personnel trying 

to disperse them. 

Around 20 people were 

killed since the sit-in began. 

Activists abroad pressed 

for Sudan to turn over Bashir 

to the International Criminal 

Court. 

“Victims of the gravest 

crimes in Darfur should not 

have to wait any longer for 

justice” said Jehanne Henry, 

associate director at the 

Africa division of Human 

Rights Watch. 

Wikileaks co-founder, Assange 

arrested in London 

*To be extradited to US 

BRITISH 

police 

dragged Julian Assange 

out of the Ecuadorean 

embassy on Thursday after 

his seven-year asylum was 

revoked, paving the way for 

his extradition to the United 

States for one of the biggest 

ever leaks of classified information. 

The frail-looking WikiLeaks 

founder, with white hair and 

a long beard, was carried 

head first out of the embassy 

in London shortly after 0900 

GMT by at least seven men 

to a waiting police van, after 

shouting “This is unlawful, 

I’m not leaving.” 

British Prime Minister 

Theresa May hailed the 

news in parliament, to cheers 

and cries of “Hear, hear!” from 

lawmakers. 

“The whole House will welcome 

the news this morning 

that the Metropolitan Police 

have arrested Julian Assange, 

arrested for breach of bail after 

nearly seven years in the 

Ecuadorean embassy,” May 

said. Appearing before a London 

court, Assange said he 

was not guilty of failing to surrender 

in 2012. District judge 

Michael Snow, who cast Assange 

as a “narcissist”, convicted 

him of skipping bail. 

Sentencing will be at a later 

date. Assange’s lawyer in 

Quito said his life would be 

in danger if he were to be extradited 

to the United States. 

Police said they had arrested 

Assange, 47, after 

being invited into the embassy 

following the Ecuadorean 

government’s withdrawal 

of asylum. Assange 

was carried out of the building 

carrying a copy of Gore 

Vidal’s “History of The National 

Security State”, which 

he continued reading in 

court. 

Just hours later, U.S. 

prosecutors said they had 

charged Assange with conspiracy 

in trying to access a 

classified U.S. government 

computer with former U.S. 

Army intelligence analyst 

Chelsea Manning in 2010. 

The arrests, after nearly seven 

years holed up in a few 

cramped rooms at the embassy, 

mark one of the most sensational 

turns in a tumultuous 

life that has transformed 

the Australian programmer 

into a rebel wanted by the 

United States. 

EU agrees to another 

Brexit extension 

EUROPEAN Union leaders have granted the 

UK a six-month extension to Brexit, after latenight 

talks in Brussels. 

The new deadline - 31 October - averts the prospect 

of the UK having to leave the EU without a 

deal on Friday, as MPs are still deadlocked over a 

deal. 

European Council President Donald Tusk said his 

“message to British friends” was “please do not 

waste this time”. 

Theresa May, who had wanted a shorter delay, 

said the UK would still aim to leave the EU as soon 

as possible. 

The UK must now hold European elections in 

May, or leave on 1 June without a deal. 

The prime minister will later make a statement on 

the Brussels summit to the House of Commons, 

while talks with the Labour Party, aimed at reaching 

consensus on how to handle Brexit, are set to 

continue. 

Mrs May tweeted: “The choices we now face are 

stark and the timetable is clear. So we must now 

press on at pace with our efforts to reach a consensus 

on a deal that is in the national interest.” 

So far, MPs have rejected the withdrawal agreement 

Mrs May reached with other European leaders 

last year and they have voted against leaving 

the EU without a deal. 

Ex-Pope blames 1960s 

revolution for sex abuse 

RETIRED Pope Benedict XVI has published a 

letter which blames clerical sex abuse on the 

“all-out sexual freedom” of the 1960s. 

He said that cultural and historical change had 

led to a “dissolution” of morality in Catholicism. 

The sexual revolution in the 1960s had led to homosexuality 

and paedophilia in Catholic establishments, 

he claimed. 

The letter sparked fierce criticism from theologians 

who claim it is “deeply flawed”. 

Vatican expert Joshua McElwee said in the National 

Catholic Reporter: “It does not address structural 

issues that abetted abuse cover-up, or Benedict’s 

own contested 24-year role as head of the 

Vatican’s powerful doctrinal office.” 

Some allegations of child sex abuse by priests that 

have emerged date back to decades before the 

1960s, the decade that Pope Benedict claims sparked 

the abuse crisis.


Majority of drivers 

across the world 

obviously, deal with difficulty 

of driving at night due to glare, 

fog and mist daily basis. They 

are, therefore, bothered and 

anxious. 

However, for such people, 

the anti-glare night driving 

glasses is their solution for the 

few seconds of vision 

impairment. 

These driving glasses block 

the glare from on-coming 

traffic and make it safer for one 

to drive at night. 

This device fits over your 

eyeglasses and locks harmful 

UV rays. 

These lenses are equipped 

with tinted yellowish hue that 

protects your eyes from the 


As technology is 

impacting every 

human endeavour, making 

life worth living, means of 

transportation is not left 

behind. Today, moving from 

one place to another is a lot 

easier as one can order a 

ride to any place of choice 

from any point. However, 

this has not come without 

challenges as some of the 

users have been 

complaining of crime. 

You should: 

*Request your ride inside 

the house 

If it is possible, make your 

request indoors to avoid 

thieves, human traffickers 

or pickpockets. Instead, 

wait indoors until the app 

shows your driver has 

arrived. 

*Confirm your driver and 

Edited by: 

Prince Osuagwu 

08050498513 

princeosuagwu@gmail.com 

Meet safety glasses for night 

driving 

excessive light that may limit 

visibility at night. 

It lets you see with 

enhanced colour and clarity 

just like high definition TVs. 

•Anti glare vision driver 

GEEK ‘N’ TEK 

Whether driving, reading or 

golfing, these versatile glasses 

make perception a whole new 

experience. 

It is perfect for all. 

Safety tips before requesting 

online rides 

car before boarding 

There are cases of 

scammers posing as drivers, 

so always confirm the 

license plate and name of 

your driver before 

boarding. Both of these 

pieces of information are 

clearly presented in the 

app. However, if you’re 

getting picked up in a 

popular area, like the 

airport, this will also avoid 

accidentally taking 

someone else’s ride. 

* Share Your Trip 

Before you embark on 

any journey, it's important 

you share your trip with 

one or two persons. This is 

one of the quickest ways to 

let someone track your ride 

and know your 

whereabouts in case 

something happens during 

your ride. The person you 

shared your trip with will 

get a notification to his or 

her phone and will be able 

to follow along via GPS. 

NEWS 

MEA 2019: LG moves into living rooms with 

premium living space technology 


AS 2019 enters its 

second quarter, 

Electronic Maker, LG, 

said it has re-positioned 

its product lines as an integrated 

service that 

offers premium solution 

for enhanced living. The 

repositioning facilitated 

solutions for everybody 

The products were 

showcased at Middle 

East and Africa, MEA 

Innofest event at LG Science 

Park. 

This year’s InnoFest 

MEA showcased the 

real-life benefits of the 

company’s latest innovations. 

The exhibition, 

which featured several 

‘recreated’ living spaces, 

afforded visitors the 

opportunity to 

experience home appliance 

such as the LG 

ThinQ, LG SIGNA- 

TURE and LG Objet 

lineups. The company 

said it is bringing greater 

efficiency, convenience 

and enjoyment into consumers’ 

lives. 

Guests experienced a 

connected, futuristic lifestyle 

enabled by diverse 

products that seamlessly 

integrate with the 

home. Meanwhile, the 

company’s premium design-focused 

brands, LG 

Objet and LG signature, 

illustrated the superior 

alignment of style and 

practicality in separate, 

interactive displays. 

LG’s constant efforts to 

push the boundaries of 

technology and design 

motivated the gamechanging 

LG signature 

Oled TV R Recall that 

the rollable TV, LG's 

Oled TV R received more 

than 70 awards and honours 

at this year’s CES 

alone, and serves as yet 

another reminder of the 

company’s strength in 

R&D and manufacturing 

techniques. 

InnoFest MEA also 

saw an appearance by 

‘big data’ specialist, Song 

Gil-young, who delivered 

a talk about how big data 

can be a powerful tool for 

uncovering new trends 

and establishing effective 

strategies. Participants 

were also given 

the opportunity to tour 

LG’s Changwon production 

facility. 


Chukwu finally speaks, 

clears air on his condition 

•Commends Enugu govt, thanks Nigerians 

By Onochie Anibeze 

Former Green Eagles 

captain and later coach of 

Nigeria, Christian Chukwu, 

has spoken from his hospital 

bed in Enugu: 

“I sincerely thank 

Nigerians for their concern 

on my health. By the grace 

of God I’ll be back on my 

feet. It, however, feels bad 

that people have created 

controversy over my health. 

It doesn’t feel good. I have 

not been abandoned. The 

Enugu State Government 

has been helpful and I 

appreciate them. My friend, 

Benson Ejindu who lives in 

USA and who is patron of Ex 

Rangers players has been 

Christian Chukwu Is Not A Destitute Old Man 

The Enugu State 

Government has so far been 

restrained in its reaction to 

the spate of misinformation 

and outright lies promoted 

by a friend of the iconic 

Enugu Rangers player, Mr. 

Christian Chukwu who is ill 

and has been hospitalised. 

This restraint is out of 

respect to the wishes of both 

the Chukwu family and the 

request of his doctors who 

wanted a space to quietly 

deal with the emergency 

situation that brought 

Chukwu to hospital on a 

stretcher. 

Today, however, Chairman 

Chukwu is walking with a 

stick and has granted 

interviews to the BBC and a 

couple of local media. It is 

on the strength of this that 

the Enugu State 

Government is now putting 

out the following 

information and 

clarifications to explain 

what is happening to 

Christian Chukwu and how 

it is being taken care of: 

1. Christian Chukwu, 

popularly called 

“Chairman” in his playing 

days, is NOT a destitute old 

man abandoned to his fate in 

the face of an emergency 

health situation. He is 

currently the Director of 

Sports in the Rangers 

Management Corporation, a 

public service job that 

enables him to meet his 

basic health needs. 

2. In the circumstance, 

Christian Chukwu is an 

employee of the Enugu State 

Government. This was one 

of the strategies that Rt. 

Hon. Dr. Ugwuanyi, the 

Governor of Chukwu’s home 

state of Enugu, designed to 

take care of sportsmen who 

had served the State or the 

nation in their youth. 

3. When Chukwu’s health 

situation was brought to the 

attention of his employer - 

Rangers Management 

Corporation - he was rushed 

to one of the best medical 

facilities in Enugu where a 

team of five (5) specialists 

have been attending to him. 

4. The management of 

Rangers Management 

Corporation immediately 

deposited N200,000 with this 

health facility to begin his 

treatment. 

5. On hearing about his 

health condition, Gov. 

Ugwuanyi gave an 

additional N1.5million to 

the Commissioner for Youth 

and Sports to give to the 

family — in order to ensure 

tremendous too. He 

directed that I be brought 

to this hospital where I 

am now. He contacted 

them and moved me to 

this place. I did not tell 

anybody that I have 

been abandoned. Ejindu 

did not also tell anybody 

that Enugu State 

Government 

has 

abandoned me. Nobody 

has said that. So, I don’t 

know where this 

controversy is coming 

from.” 

Chukwu spoke to this 

reporter on phone. 

Three days ago, Enugu 

State Commissioner of 

Information, Ogbuagu 

Anikwe issued the 

statement below: 

Press Release 

that the football legend did 

not lack anything that the 

team of specialists may 

require to manage his 

condition. 

6. The Governor has also 

given an additional 

N1million to the family 

when the doctors 

demanded for a further 

deposit, bringing the total 

amount disbursed by Gov. 

Ugwuanyi and the Rangers 

Management to the 

Chukwu family to 

N2.7million. 

7. The total bill 

submitted to date by the 

hospital for Chukwu’s 

treatment is N2.7million. 

8. To date, the doctors 

taking care of Chukwu 

have NOT released a 

medical report of his health 

condition to anyone, not 

even to the state 

government that has been 

picking up his bills. It is 

therefore curious how 

anyone without this 

information could have 

determined that (a) 

Christian Chukwu needs 

oversea medical care, and 

(b) the cost of this oversea 

care. 

9. This point needs 

restating: the medical 

director of the Hospital is 

also as surprised as we are 

that someone in the USA 

who is not privy to a 

medical report on 

Chairman Chukwu’s 

condition can determine 

that (a) Chukwu needs a 

treatment abroad (b) the 

cost of such treatment, and 

(c) even without Chukwu or 

any member of his family 

asking for a second 

medical opinion or for 

treatment abroad. 

10. Our intervention on 

this matter has become 

necessary to clear the air on 

the spate of 

misinformation, 

disinformation and 

outright mischief that 

otherwise well-intentioned 

commentators have 

continued to dish out, 

based on the misguided 

efforts of a friend of the 

football legend who is 

giving a false impression 

that Chukwu is a destitute 

old man, perhaps in a bid 

to whip up public 

sympathy that enables him 

meet his goal of raising 

money to help his friend. 

11. The Enugu State 

government notes that the 

negative stories 

surrounding Chukwu’s 

condition originated from 

•Christian Chukwu 

the desperation of his friend 

in the US who is falsely 

claiming in his appeal fund 

drive message that Chukwu 

has been “abandoned.” 

12. Finally, if at any time 

the hospital doctors or the 

Chukwu family indicate 

that oversea treatment is 

required, the Enugu State 

Government will be notified 

and will respond 

appropriately. 

Ogbuagu Anikwe 

Hon. Commissioner for 

Information, Enugu State 

Tues 9 April 2019 

Chukwu was yet to see the 

full text of this statement as 

at yesterday but when 

briefed he sounded sad 

about the controversy people 

have created following his 

condition. 

“Ejindu is the biggest 

patron of Rangers. He made 

it possible for me to be in this 

hospital. He comes with a 

clean mind to help and this 

controversy is not necessary. 

The commissioner and the 

state government have shown 

tremendous concern. The 

governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi 

has been wonderful and 

Ejindu has been of great help, 

so why all these? My prayer is 

for all to be well and I can’t 

thank Nigerians enough for 

their concern.” 

Apparently to assure that 

he’s still alive to things, he 

cracked a joke just before the 

chat ended. Many years ago 

at Ibadan when Rangers 

played Leventis United. 

Chukwu had retired and now 

coaching with Emmanuel 

Okala. Rangers dominated 

the game. Rain was falling 

heavily. Ikechukwu Ofoje had 

overlapped to hit the bar two 

times. It was in one of those 

incessant attacks on Leventis 

goal area that Bunmi Adigun 

cleared the ball. From 

Leventis goal area the ball 

sailed and rolled to the goal 

of Rangers. David Ngodigha, 

in goal for Rangers bent to 

hold the ball but slipped. The 

ball lazily rolled into the net. 

Many of Leventis players 

didn’t even immediately see 

what happened until the 

referee signaled to the centre 

for a goal. Rangers players 

were so shocked they did not 

know whether to pass the ball 

or just walk away. It 

happened in stoppage time. As 

soon as they passed the ball 

the referee blew the final 

whistle. Without allowing 

nerves to calm down, the 

seemingly overzealous 

reporter in me rushed to Okala 

and asked ‘coach, what could 

Continues on page 47


Ole Gunnar’s 

relationship 

with Pogba 

‘breaks down’ 

Manchester United midfielder 

Paul Pogba’s relationship 

with head coach Ole Gunnar 

Solskjaer is ‘slowly fading’, with the 

Frenchman said to be determined to 

leave Old Trafford this summer. 

Pogba has been one of United’s star 

performers since Solskjaer replaced 

Jose Mourinho as head coach in 

December. Indeed, the 26-year-old 

has now contributed 14 goals and 11 

assists in 40 appearances for the Red 

Devils this term. 

Talk of a potential summer switch 

to Real Madrid or Barcelona is 

refusing to go away, though, with 

Pogba believed to be determined to 

force a move to Spain. 

Solskjaer recently insisted that 

United would keep hold of the 

midfielder this summer, but 

according to Le Parisien, the 

relationship between the two has 

deteriorated, which could lead to an 

exit. Pogba - who played the full 90 

minutes as United lost 1-0 to 

Barcelona in the Champions League 

on Wednesday night - has a contract 

at Old Trafford until the summer of 

2021, with the option of a further year. 

Ronaldo tops 

Champions League 

goal-scorer chart 

CRISTIANO Ronaldo was on the 

scoresheet again in the 

Champions League Wednesday 

evening, netting Juventus’ opener 

against Ajax in their quarter-final 

first leg in Amsterdam. Ajax 

levelled through Neres to take a 1-1 

draw back to Turin. 

That goal was Cristiano Ronaldo’s 

125th in the Champions League 

and his 41st in the final stages of 

the tournament (quarter-finals, 

semi-finals and finals). The 

Portuguese striker is of course the 

overall top scorer in the 

tournament (his closest 

challenger is Messi on 108), but 

in terms of final stage goals 

nobody even comes close to his 

tally. Next on the list is Messi, 

who has less than half Ronaldo’s 

haul at this stage of the Champions League 

with just 16 goals. 

Following Messi are : 

Raúl González, Filippo 

Inzaghi and Andriy 

Schevchenko all on 

13 goals in the 

latter stages of 

Europe’s elite 

competition. 

Man City goalkeeper adds 

to his incredible tattoo 

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson has 

added to his extensive tattoo collection 

with a lion, eagle and gloved hands inked onto 

his back. After the work was completed, the 

artist Adao Rosa posted a picture of the end 

product on Instagram. 

At the top of the back is some Biblical 

imagery with a Christ-like figure and angel 

wings. 

Below is an eagle to the left, dragon on the 

right and then some goalkeeper hands catching 

a football above a very detailed image of a lion’s 

head. Inch by inch, the 25-year-old seems to 

be covering his whole body. 

He already has a skull around his 

Adam’s apple and a rose beneath 

his ear. There are three female 

faces on his right arm above 

a sleeve. 

On the left arm there is a 

name on his bicep and a 

crown on top. On his chest 

is another nod to his 

religious beliefs with the 

words: ‘I belong to Jesus’, 

inked onto him.’ 

Messi will never 

reach Maradona’s 

level — Enrique 

Former Argentina midfielder Hector 

Enrique has claimed that Lionel 

Messi will never be as good as Diego 

Maradona. 

The 1986 World Cup winner picked 

a side on the debate concerning 

which of the two superstars 

should be regarded as the 

best Argentine player of all 

time. 

“Messi, unfortunately, 

has had a hard time in 

the national team,” he 

told ‘Ataque Futbolero’. 

“I hope that in the 

next World Cup he 

will have the luck we 

had, but Messi will 

never reach Maradona’s 

level. 

“What I want is for Messi to 

play.”If he is not having a good 

time [in the team], it’s better 

not to come.” 

•Serena 

Lewandowski , Coman 

come to blows in training 

Bayern Munich strikers Robert Lewandowski and 

Kingsley Coman came to blows during a closed door 

training session yesterday, according to German media 

sources. 

German daily Bild reports that during the training 

session, Polish striker Lewandowski and France 

international Coman got into a heated argument after 

Lewandowski had criticized his 21-year-old strike 

partner. The argument quickly escalated to a 

physical confrontation with the pair exchanging 

several punches. 

According to the same media source, team 

mates Niclas Süle and Jerome Boateng were the 

first on the scene to try to separate Lewandowski 

and Coman. But the fight had grown so intense 

that the two players could not separate them 

alone, with practically the whole team needing 

to intervene in order to break up the pair. 

Costa banned for eight matches 

Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa has been 

banned for eight matches by the Spanish Football 

Federation after verbally abusing the referee during 

Saturday’s defeat to Barcelona. The suspension means 

the Spaniard will miss the rest of the season, as Atletico 

Madrid have just seven games left to play. Costa was 

shown the red card for for insulting referee Gil Manzano 

after 28 minutes of Atletico’s trip to Barcelona. 

The former Chelsea forward repeatedly insulted the 

official’s mother, for which he was given a four-match 

ban. A further four matches were added to the ban 

because Costa grabbed the official’s hand to prevent 

him from showing yellow cards to his team-mates 

Europa League: Olayinka risks 

missing trip to Chelsea 

Former Dream Team invitee Peter 

Olayinka risks missing Slavia 

Prague’s trip to London next week for 

the return leg of their Europa League 

quarterfinal clash with Chelsea. 

The striker is walking a tightrope 

in order to avoid picking up his third 

yellow card of the competition which 

would trigger a suspension. 

Olayinka received his first yellow 

card in the Europa League against 

Samuel Kalu’s Bordeaux on game 

week five and was shown a yellow 

card eleven minutes after his 

introduction in the seven-goal 

thriller against Sevilla last month. 

•Olayinka 

Serena flashes her 

underwear on the street 

Just when you thought woman had found all possible 

variations on the shirtdress and heels combo, Serena 

Williams revolutionized the game (it’s kind of her thing). 

The tennis superstar, businesswoman, designer, and new 

mom confidently stepped out in N.Y.C. on Wednesday in a 

belted patterned shirtdress from her Serena line and a pair 

of metallic red pumps — but not all was biz as usual with 

the athlete’s spring-y look … In a photograph taken in front 

of Buzzfeed’s office, the 37-year-old is staring directly at 

the camera, the skirt of her dress parted at the bottom to 

reveal a flash of white underwear or a possible swath of a 

bodysuit. 

Far be it from a wardrobe malfunction, Williams appears 

to have styled her dress to reveal the undergarment on 

purpose — in fact, it looks like she’s pulling the hem of her 

skirt away from her leg.

The Draw Ceremony for 

the 32nd Africa Cup of 

Nations finals will hold 

today in Cairo, Egypt. 

It is scheduled to take 

place behind the famous 

Giza Pyramids as from 6pm 

GMT (7pm Nigeria time). 

It is the biggest Africa 

Cup of Nations finals in the 

history of the competition, 

due to feature 24 teams, as 

against three teams that 

took part in the first edition 

of the competition in Sudan 

62 years ago. 

Hosts Egypt (who have 

also won the competition 

the highest number of times 

– seven), Cameroon (five – 

time winners and Cup 

holders), Nigeria (three – 

time winners), 2004 

champions Tunisia, Senegal 

and 1976 champions 

Morocco are the seeded 

countries in the draw. 

Egypt is also the country 

to have taken part the most 

in the championship, as she 

countenances a 24th 

appearance, while Cote 

d’Ivoire is heading to a 23rd 

show and Ghana will be 

making a 22nd appearance. 

Tunisia will make a 19th 

appearance while Nigeria 

will make her 18th 

appearance. 

The 32nd Africa Cup of 

Nations will hold 21st June 

Contrary to earlier 

speculations on the Pot 

placements of the 24 teams 

of the Africa Cup of Nations, 

it can be revealed that 

Nigeria’s Super Eagles are 

now in Pot 1. This is the 

outcome of the seeding 

released yesterday, 24 hours 

AFCON 2019 Draw: 

Eagles to know AFCON 

opponents today 

– 19th July 2019, in six 

venues: Cairo International 

Stadium; Borg El-Arab 

Stadium, Alexandria; Suez 

Stadium; Air Defence 

Stadium; Ismailia Stadium 

and; Al Salam Stadium. 

President of the Nigeria 

Football Federation and 1st 

Vice President of CAF, Mr. 

Amaju Melvin Pinnick, who 

is also the President of the 

AFCON organizing 

committee, will be joined at 

the ceremony by the NFF 

Secretary General, Dr. 

Mohammed Sanusi who 

arrived in Cairo on 

Wednesday. Pinnick has 

been in Cairo since the 

beginning of the week, 

leading final inspection 

teams across the various 

stadia, and chairing the 

AFCON committee meeting 

on Wednesday. 

2019 AFCON Draw: Super Eagles now in Pot 1 

* Avoid Egypt, Cameroon, Senegal, Tunisia, Morocco 

to the final draw of the 2019 

Africa Cup of Nations. 

Nigeria thus make the 

first seeding level ahead of 

the draw. With Super Eagles 

in Pot 1 are: Egypt, 

Cameroon, Tunisia, 

Morocco and Senegal. It 

FIFA WWC: Super Falcons can 

improve, says Dennerby 

uper Falcons coach 

SThomas Dennerby has 

assured Nigerian soccer fans 

that the team will improve and 

do well at the FIFA Women 

World Cup billed for June in 

France. 

This followed a 2-1 defeat 

suffered by the Super Falcons 

in the hands of Canada 

during a friendly game in 

Spain. The team have not 

been inspiring after winning 

the Africa Women Cup of 

Nations and they are fears 

that they might not last 

beyond the group stages in 

France. 

“For every game we play, 

we’re getting closer and 

closer,” Dennerby told Goal. 

“We know that we have a 

couple of players that were 

not here in Spain but will 

definitely be fighting for a shirt 

in the starting eleven. 

We’ve had great camping so 

Chukwu speaks 

Continued from page 45 

you attribute to the defeat of 

your players?’. Okala did not 

take the question kindly as he 

was sure I saw what 

happened. I did but wanted 

his own description. Okala 

frowned and charged at me 

saying “ina attribute ifuro 

rain? It means ‘what are you 

attributing, didn’t you see 

rain? I made three steps 

backwards before leaving him 

to interview another person. It 

became a source of joke 

among a few of us till date. 

When I finished discussing 

with Chukwu yesterday, he 

asked me “what are you 

attributing to this 

far but it’s still two months to 

the World Cup and when it’s 

June, we will have the best 

players on the field. 

“Even though some of the 

players are not performing at 

the level we hope but they also 

need a little bit of experience 

and they also need some time 

to improve.” 

The team’s tactician further 

expressed disappointment in 

their loss from an advantage 

lead but has challenged his 

players to improve 

themselves." 

ormer Super Eagles 

Fmidfielder, Garba Lawal 

has said the team need to be 

battle ready to face the top 

means Nigeria will head its 

group and will also not face 

any of these top teams at the 

group stage. 

The other level of seeding 

put DR Congo, Ghana, Mali, 

Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea and 

Algeria in Pot 2. One of 

these countries will be 

AFCON 2019: Super Eagles can beat 

Egypt, Senegal to title — Lawal 

controversy?”. 

It felt good that on his 

hospital bed Chukwu, 

Nigeria’s living football 

legend, was alive to jokes. 

Could it be that the Enugu 

commissioner was not well 

briefed or misinformed about 

Christian Chukwu’s friend 

before he issued the 

statement? Or could it be 

wrong for anybody to plan to 

move his friend abroad for 

medical treatment? For 

Enjindu to move Chukwu to 

the hospital where he is now, 

could he not have spoken with 

Medical Director or any 

medical staff there? Could it be 

that Ogbuagu himself was 

misinformed? We have more 

on this tomorrow. 

teams of the 2019 Africa Cup 

of Nations starting in June. 

Speaking ahead of today’s 

draws in Egypt, Lawal 

submitted that the Super 

Eagles are favourites, but they 

must have to prepare 

adequately to meet up the 

expected challenge from top 

rated countries like hosts 

Egypt, Senegal and Morocco. 

“We have to be ready to face 

strong teams whether it is 

Senegal or Egypt,” 

“We must not be afraid to 

play any team, Egypt, for 

instance, may have Mohamed 

Salah but we also have 

Ahmed Musa and other good 

players in our team. 

“The way we prepare that is 

how they prepare too. If you 

want to be the best, you have 

to be prepared to beat strong 

teams. 

“If you are in a weaker 

group you can still be gone in 

the group stage. So the most 

important thing is to prepare 

well" 

Nigeria’s opponent in the 

group stage. 

In Pot 3 where the Super 

Eagles will also draw one 

group opponent are: South 

Africa, Uganda, Benin, 

Mauritania, Madagascar 

and Kenya. Two of these 

teams – Mauritania and 

Madagascar are debutants. 

In Pot 4 are Zimbabwe, 

Namibia, Guinea Bissau, 

Angola, Tanzania and 

Burundi. One of them will 

complete the group in which 

Nigeria heads. 

THE DIFFERENT POTS 

Pot 1: Egypt, Cameroon, 

Senegal, Tunisia, Nigeria, 

Morocco 

Pot 2: DR Congo, Ghana, 

Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, 

Algeria 

Pot 3: South Africa, 

Uganda, Benin Republic, 

Mauritania, Madagascar, 

Kenya 

Pot 4: Zimbabwe, 

Namibia, Guinea Bissau, 

Angola, Tanzania, Burundi 


Ethiopia to dump 2020 CHAN hosting 

The Ethiopia Football 

Federation (EFF) has 

admitted it doubts it will be 

ready to host the 2020 Africa 

Nations Championship 

(CHAN). 

The EFF president Esayas 

Jira says preparations are 

behind schedule. 

“The stadiums are not ready 

and next year being a 

(parliamentary) election year 

also makes it tricky for us to 

host this event,” Jira told BBC 

Sport. 

Ahead France 2019: 

Akinwunmi assures Falcons 

will get even more support, 

as trophy stops over in Abuja 

Acting President of the 

Nigeria Football 

Federation, Barrister Seyi 

Akinwunmi has assured that 

the Federation will provide 

even more support and 

encouragement for the Super 

Falcons as they enter the final 

stages of preparation for this 

year’s FIFA World Cup finals 

in France. 

Speaking yesterday when 

the FIFA Women’s World Cup 

trophy made a stop-over in 

Nigeria on its tour of 24 

countries qualified to 

participate at the 

championship in France, 

Akinwunmi acknowledged 

that the women’s game has 

brought so much honour to 

Nigeria, and therefore 

deserves all the 

encouragement and push 

necessary to thrive. 

“The Government of Nigeria 

has been giving so much 

support to the various 

National Teams, including the 

Super Falcons. On our part at 

the NFF, we will ensure that 

the girls receive even stronger 

support before the FIFA World 

Cup in France,” he said at a 

ceremony inside the Transcorp 

Hilton Hotel, Abuja. 

Earlier, at the office of the 

Hon. Minister of Youth and 

Sports, the Acting Permanent 

Secretary, Mrs Hauwa Kulu- 

Akinyemi traced the evolution 

of women football in Nigeria 

and stated that “the 

Government of Nigeria 

recognizes the pivotal role of 

football in unifying peoples 

across various physical and 

mental divides, and creating 

joy, love and passion among 

the youth. Football is a 

remarkable boundaryeliminator 

and works wonders 

in drastically reducing 

insecurity while fostering 

peace and tranquility within 

and across jurisdictions all 

over the world.” 

Sarai Bareman (chief 

women’s football officer) who 

led the FIFA team, thanked 

the Government of Nigeria for 

its continued support for 

football, especially the 

women’s game. Also with her 

were Nicole Fisch (lead for 

“I’m worried as President of 

the EFF because although we 

are still willing to host, I doubt 

we can be ready.” 

Jira was voted into office last 

June after Caf had awarded 

the hosting rights to Ethiopia 

for the tournament that is only 

open to locally-based players. 

He added that a CAF 

inspection team visited 

Ethiopia over a month ago but 

are yet too release their 

findings. 

women’s football project), 

Vanessa Marques (lead for 

marketing project) and FIFA 

legend Osaze Peter 

Odemwingie – former Nigeria 

international. 

The gold –plated trophy, 

nearly 5 kilograms in weight, 

was unveiled by Odemwingie, 

who featured in four Africa 

Cup of Nations finals for 

Nigeria and played at two 

FIFA World Cup finals. 

Also at the Minister’s office 

were NFF Executive 

Committee members 

Emmanuel Ibah and Aisha 

Falode, Brigadier-General 

Emico Eruwa (President, 

Paralympics Committee of 

Nigeria), Mrs Tayo Oreweme 

(Director FEAD), Dr. 

Emmanuel Ikpeme (NFF 

deputy secretary-general), Mr. 

Bola Oyeyode (NFF Director 

of Competitions), Mr. Bitrus 

Bewarang (NFF Director of 

Technical), Mr. Ademola 

Olajire (Director of 

Communications), Ms Ruth 

David (Head of Women’s 

Football), directors from the 

Ministry, Alh. Fika Adamu, 

Dr. Paul Onyeudo, Architect 

Mohammed Gambo, Mrs 

Blessing Lere-Adams and Dr. 

Toyin Aluko, Mr. Emmanuel 

Nwaeri from the Nigeria 

Olympic Committee, as well 

as other directors from the 

NFF, Rafiu Yusuf, Dr. 

Robinson Okosun and 

Sunday Okayi. 

At the Transcorp Hilton 

Hotel, the train was joined by 

players, technical team and 

backroom staff of the Super 

Falcons led by Head Coach 

Thomas Dennerby, a number 

of pupils from a secondary 

school in Abuja and other 

stakeholders. 

The Hilton part of the tour 

also witnessed two video 

documentaries. 

In her presentation, 

Bareman disclosed that six of 

the group phase matches at 

the 8th FIFA Women’s World 

Cup finals in France has been 

sold out, including that 

pitching Nigeria’s Super 

Falcons against France at the 

Roazhon Park in Rennes on 

17th June. 

Supers Falcons pose with the FIFA Women's World Cup trophy tour

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019 

TODAY’S PUZZLE 

Sudoku 

FRIDAY’S ANSWER 

TODAY’S CROSSWORD 

QUICK CROSSWORD 

THURSDAY’S SOLUTION 

How to Play Sudoku 

Across 

1 Temperature scale (10) 

7 Holiday (8) 

8 Cain’s brother (4) 

9 Small branch (4) 

10 Border plant (7) 

12 Puppets on strings (11) 

14 Complain (7) 

16 Pile (4) 

19 Half of a quart (4) 

20 Crested parrot (8) 

21 Understand (10) 

Down 

1 Banquet (5) 

2 Weightier (7) 

3 One of the Great Lakes (4) 

4 Result of excessive drinking 

(8) 

5 Fatuous (5) 

6 Dangers (6) 

11 Paper Size (8) 

12 Space at edge of 

page (6) 

13 Aged between 12 

and 20 (7) 

15 Paris underground 

(5) 

17 Haughty (5) 

18 Hurt (4) 

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

of the same number). 

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

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

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

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

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

multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination. 

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

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

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

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

12042019 - I N S E C U R I T Y: Buhari launches offensive; orders ruthless action

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?