22042019 - ACUTE HUNGER: Outrage as IDP children feed on onion leaves

How low yield,
high NPL took
toll on tier-1
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performance
INSIDE
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Nigerian, Atiku
replies Buhari, APC
VOL. 26: NO. 63791
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019
<strong>ACUTE</strong> <strong>HUNGER</strong>:
<strong>Outrage</strong> <strong>as</strong> <strong>IDP</strong> <strong>children</strong>
<strong>feed</strong> on onion leaves
•CAN laments the situation in <strong>IDP</strong> camps
•ACF calls for immediate probe
EASTER BLESSING...
By Ben Agande &
Sam Eyoboka
ABUJA—Intense
hunger due to
inadequate food
items in an Internally
Displaced Persons, <strong>IDP</strong>,
camp in the outskirts of
Bauchi State, h<strong>as</strong> forced
<strong>children</strong> to <strong>feed</strong> on onion
Continues on Page 5
Pope Francis delivers the "Urbi et Orbi" blessing to the city and to
the world from the balcony of St Peter's b<strong>as</strong>ilica, on April 21, 2019
after the E<strong>as</strong>ter Sunday M<strong>as</strong>s in the Vatican, yesterday. AFP Photo.
EASTER SUNDAY...
From left: Bola Ojofeitimi, Provost, The Cathedral Church
of Christ, Lagos; Adedayo Oyebanji, Chancellor, Diocese
of Lagos; Humphrey Olumakaiye, Bishop, Diocese of
Lagos; Olumide Sowofora, Deputy Chancellor, Diocese of
Lagos, and Joy Ebeledike, at the 2019 E<strong>as</strong>ter Sunday service
of the church in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Akeem Salau.
Mr & Mrs
2019 UTME:
JAMB says no
results
rele<strong>as</strong>ed, warns
candidates
41
9th NASS:
Why I support
APC, Buhari’s
position
44
—Tinubu
Oshodi-Apapa
Expressway: FG
insensitive to our
plight —Motorists,
commuters 10
200 killed in
Sri Lanka churches,
hotels' bombings 36
EASTER: Clerics t<strong>as</strong>k
political leaders 4
COLUMNISTS OWEI LAKEMFA 31 SOBOWALE 29 HENRY BOYO 30

2—Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22 , 2019
:Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058
Rising national debt: Finance Minister
disagrees with IMF, World Bank
By Emeka
Anaeto, with
agency report
DESPITE
the
mounting complaints
over rising debt profile
amidst plans to borrow more,
Minister of Finance, Mrs
Zainab Ahmed, h<strong>as</strong> said
while government borrows
to deliver on its promises, it
w<strong>as</strong> also mindful of rising
debt burden.
She also said International
Monetary Fund, IMF, and
World Bank were not right
to indicate Nigeria w<strong>as</strong>
headed to a debt crisis.
Current data from Debt
Management Office, DMO,
shows Nigeria’s total public
debt at N24.4 trillion <strong>as</strong> at
December 2018, which
indicated almost a 10 per cent
rise over the 2017 figure.
The figure, which had
maintained a steady rise
since 2015 prompted the
National Assembly, while
looking into the 2019
Appropriation Bill (National
Budget) to query the
planned borrowing of about
N2.0 trillion to part-fund the
budget.
The IMF had, late l<strong>as</strong>t
year, raised alarm over the
rising debt burden, saying
the concern is about the
country’s weak revenue
stream, which gives adverse
debt-servicing-to-revenue
ration of about 70 percent,
the worst in Africa and about
the worst globally.
But speaking to the media
on the side-line of the just
concluded International
Monetary Fund, IMF/World
Bank meetings, which took
place in W<strong>as</strong>hington DC
from April 9 to 14, Ahmed
insisted that despite
warnings by IMF and World
Bank, the country w<strong>as</strong> not in
any way near a debt crisis.
She stated: “The World
Bank and IMF are
cautioning us on the rate at
which we are borrowing.
They are also cautioning us
on the need to build fiscal
buffers because the global
economy is going to be
facing some risks and we
agree with that.
“We are very mindful of the
level of our borrowings. Our
borrowing is very much
within fiscal limits right now.
What we are doing is to
incre<strong>as</strong>e our revenue
generating capacity to make
it e<strong>as</strong>ier for us to meet our
debt obligations and our
routine <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> capital
expenditure.”
Speaking at the
presentation of the Regional
Economic Outlook for Sub-
Saharan Africa – Capital
Flows and the Future of Work
in Abuja l<strong>as</strong>t November,
Senior Resident
Representative and Mission
Chief for Nigeria, African
Department, Amine Mati,
said although Nigeria’s debt
to Gross Domestic Product
remained low at between 20
and 25 per cent, the country
spent a high proportion of its
revenue on debt servicing <strong>as</strong>
a result of low revenue
generation.
For Nigeria, he added:
“The debt servicing to
revenue ratio w<strong>as</strong> more than
50 per cent while for sub-
Saharan Africa, the rate w<strong>as</strong>
about 10 per cent,” a figure
he said w<strong>as</strong> too high and
reminiscent of what the
region went through in the
period following debt relief
at the beginning of the 21st
century.
On whether the conditions
for the loans were favourable
to the overall interest of
Nigeria, Ahmed said: “To
Speakership: Gbajabiamila’s camp
woos Dyegh for deputy speaker
•It’s an act of desperation —Bago campaign
By Levinus
Nwabughiogu
ABUJA—TO successfully
execute his ambition to
emerge <strong>as</strong> the Speaker of the
House of Representatives of
the 9th National Assembly,
Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila is now
making moves to reach out to
John Dyegh.
Recall that the ruling All
Progressives Congress, APC,
l<strong>as</strong>t Tuesday endorsed him <strong>as</strong>
its preferred choice for the
office. The lawmaker hails
from Lagos State, South West
geopolitical zone.
The endorsement is,
however, against the wishes
of other <strong>as</strong>pirants such <strong>as</strong>
Mohammed Bago and
Dyegh who hail from North
Central.
Bago, a three-time
lawmaker from Niger State is
Gbajabiamila’s main
challenger outside Dyegh.
Both men are contesting the
zoning to the South-West,
which they said w<strong>as</strong> at
variance with the principle of
equity, justice and fairness the
party preaches.
No sooner had the party
adopted Gbajabimila that
Dyegh formerly declared his
ambition to run for the same
office. He is a Christian
member-elect from Benue
State.
Outside him is Yusuf Buba
Yakub, a Christian from
Adamawa State, North E<strong>as</strong>t.
The duo are the only northern
Christians in the race for
speakership.
Vanguard gathered that the
consideration for Dyegh is to
weaken the momentum
Bago’s campaign w<strong>as</strong>
gathering among his
colleagues and to also give
the House leadership a
religious balancing in the
event that Gbajabiamila
emerges the speaker.
Gbajabimila’s endorsement
h<strong>as</strong> rather become
controversial one which may
have necessitated the need for
a Christian deputy.
It’s an act of
desperation—Bago
campaign
borrow, we go through
several processes of
<strong>as</strong>sessments <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong>
negotiations.
“We make sure we get the
best possible terms and
whether we are borrowing
from financial institutions or
in Europe or China or
anywhere else, we try to get
the best rates of borrowing.
So far, the conditions we’ve
got are very good ones.”
BRIEFING: Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State (middle)
being briefed by AVM Idi Lubo, Team Leader of an investigation
team on the recent allegations by the State Council of Chiefs that
Air Force personnel hit wrong targets in the state killing innocent
people. Photo: NAN.
Bago’s camp is, however,
not perturbed by the move
to break into the North Central.
The spokesman of the campaign
organisation, Mr Victor
Ogene, who described the
move <strong>as</strong> an act of desperation,
stated that the quest for
the speakership remained
un<strong>as</strong>sailable for his principal.
He said it w<strong>as</strong> a genuine
<strong>as</strong>piration for the people of
North Central zone to address
the issues of equity, justice
and fairness.
He said: “The quest for
North Central to get the
speakership remains un<strong>as</strong>sailable.
We are no <strong>as</strong>king for
it out of pity.
“We are saying that effort,
even if not rewarded, must
be acknowledged and so far
all the issues we put out
there, none h<strong>as</strong> been controverted,
that is the need for
justice, equity and fairness in
the distribution of offices along
the six geopolitical zones.
“For us, we see it <strong>as</strong> a desperate
act to buy into the
North Central and weaken
their legitimate <strong>as</strong>piration for
the first position.”
Dispose recovered loot
transparently, BudgIT charges
Buhari
By Soni Daniel
ABUJA —AS the Federal
Government moves to
dispose recovered loot from
corrupt elements, the
administration h<strong>as</strong> been
<strong>as</strong>ked to adopt transparent
method in selling the loot.
An international agency
involved in monitoring
national expenditures,
BudgIT, which made the call
in a statement, yesterday,
said the request w<strong>as</strong> in line
with Nigeria’s Open
Government Partnership
National Action Plan.
“The news on the sale of
recovered <strong>as</strong>sets, which the
president h<strong>as</strong> directed the
Ministry of Finance to carry
out within six months w<strong>as</strong>
received with mixed feelings
due to the non-disclosure of
information on <strong>as</strong>sets
recovered,” the group said in
a statement by its
Communications Lead,
Adeniyi Soleye.
“With this development,
BudgIT wants to remind the
Federal Government on its
commitment to Open
Government partnership,
which relates to <strong>as</strong>set recovery
- to strengthen Nigeria’s <strong>as</strong>set
recovery legislation including
non-conviction b<strong>as</strong>ed
confiscation powers and the
introduction of unexplained
wealth orders.
“A favourable framework
would have been the
enactment of the Proceeds of
Crime Act, POCA, which h<strong>as</strong>
been p<strong>as</strong>sed by the Senate but
awaiting p<strong>as</strong>sage by the
House of Representatives.
“If the bill w<strong>as</strong> p<strong>as</strong>sed, it
would have provided for an
effective legal and institutional
framework for the recovery
and management of the
proceeds of crime or benefits
derived from unlawful
activities."
“We have not seen
incre<strong>as</strong>ed interest in the
Nigerian government to
institutionalise the process of
disposing of <strong>as</strong>sets recovered
<strong>as</strong> proceeds of crime."
“We also notice that the
monthly publication of reports
of the recovered <strong>as</strong>sets and
utilization, <strong>as</strong> provided by the
OGP secretariat, stated that an
audit committee set up by the
President is verifying all
recovered <strong>as</strong>sets."
FMBN disburses N58bn
By Emma Ujah,
Abuja Bureau Chief
THE Federal Mortgage
Bank of Nigeria, FMBN,
h<strong>as</strong> disbursed N58billion to
its customers.
Group Head, Corporate
Communications, Mr.
Zubaida Umar, disclosed this
in a statement in Abuja,
yesterday.
According to him, the
disbursement, which w<strong>as</strong>
recorded in the l<strong>as</strong>t years w<strong>as</strong>
due to “historic improvements
in the speed and scale of
FMBN’s mortgage loan
operations.” He added that
the sum w<strong>as</strong> disbursed to 23,
600 beneficiaries.
Umar gave details of the
disbursement: “Current
company performance
statistics reveal that between
April 2017 (when the current
management took office) and
March 2019, the FMBN
posted strong performance
and disbursed mortgage
loans totalling N58 billion.
The amount covers the
provision of National
Housing Fund, NHF,
mortgage loans to 3,171
Nigerian workers valued at
N22.3 billion.
“Home Renovation Loans
valued at N16.9 billion to
20,429 Nigerian workers.
Estate Development Loans
valued at N13.6 billion.
Cooperative Development
Loans totalling N2.7 billion
and Ministerial Pilot Housing
Scheme Project at N2.5
billion.”
The high level of loan
disbursements, averaging
N29 billion per annum, he
said, represented a
significant incre<strong>as</strong>e in
performance in comparison to
the N152 bn, which the bank
had given out over a 24-year
period at an average of N6.3
bn per annum (1992 – April
2017).
Additionally, the FMBN he
said also posted strong
performance in the
processing of applications for
refund of contributions to the
National Housing Fund
(NHF) by workers who have
retired from service.
The company processed
120,759 NHF refund c<strong>as</strong>es
and paid out a total of
N16.5bn between April 2017
and March 2019.
The amount, which the new
Management h<strong>as</strong> recorded
in terms of NHF refunds in
about 24 months, exceeded
the total of N10.8bn recorded
between 1992 and April
2017, when the current
Management took office.
Furthermore, the FMBN
within the period under
review, funded the
construction of 6,538
housing units across the
country.
FMBN Managing
Director, MD, Mr Ahmed
Dangiwa, according to
Umar, said that the results
reflected the p<strong>as</strong>sion of
Management to reposition
the FMBN on the path of
greater impact,
responsiveness, and
professionalism.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019 —3

4—VANGUARD, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019
Address workers’
salaries, pension arrears,
CAN urges Gov Bello
C Association
HRISTIAN
of
Nigeria, CAN, Kogi
chapter, h<strong>as</strong> urged
Governor Yahaya Bello, to
settle outstanding salaries
of workers, pensions and
gratuity before the end of
his first term.
Chairman of CAN in the
state, Dr John Ibenu, made
the call in Lokoja, <strong>as</strong>
Christians worldwide
celebrate E<strong>as</strong>ter to mark the
resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Ibenu in a statement, also
appealed to the governor to
address the issues of
judicial staff who have been
on strike and other pressing
issues that would
ameliorate the challenges
people were facing in the
state.
“We call on Kogi
Government to do all it can
to address the issue of staff
salaries, pensions and
gratuity, judiciary and other
pressing issues to
ameliorate the suffering of
the people of the state.”
Ibenu, who is the Bishop
of Chapel of Freedom Int’l
Church, Lokoja, urged
Christians to emulate the
exemplary life of Jesus
Christ “which is love,
sacrifice and forgiveness for
a better society”.
He described E<strong>as</strong>ter <strong>as</strong>
the solemn celebration of
the highest sacrifice made
Court upholds
election of
Bayelsa
community
leaders
By Emem Idio
YENAGOA—A Bayelsa
State High Court,
Sagbama Judicial Division
and presided by Justice E.
J. Omukoro, h<strong>as</strong> upheld
the election of Mr. Okorie
Anthony and Otuvie
Davidson <strong>as</strong> the President
and Secretary General
respectively of Osekwenike
community in Sagbama
Local Government Area of
Bayelsa State.
In a judgment, Omukoro,
held that the community
election which w<strong>as</strong>
conducted on June 24,
2014, w<strong>as</strong> valid, saying the
duo were duly elected and
generally accepted by the
community.
On whether the court had
the jurisdiction to hear the
matter, Justice Umukoro
cited relevant sections of the
constitution which
empowered the court to do
so
Ṫhe court also ordered the
defendants, Mr. Prosper
Nwaguzo, a former House
of Assembly member and
former President of the
community to hand over all
documents to the new
executives.
by Christ by accepting to
die for mankind.
This, he said, should
serve <strong>as</strong> motivation to all
Nigerians, especially
Christians, to make
sacrifices for the peace and
unity of Nigeria.
He urged the people to
seek the face of God to put
an end to the incessant
killings and ethno-religious
divisions across the country.
“I wish all Christians in
Nigeria and around the
world celebrating the
resurrection of Jesus Christ,
a happy E<strong>as</strong>ter,” Ibenu
said.
EASTER: Clerics t<strong>as</strong>k political leaders on welfare
•Lawan, ACF others, seek tolerance, peaceful coexistence
•CAS celebrates E<strong>as</strong>ter with troops of Operation Diran Mikiya
By Sam Eyoboka,
Kingsley
Omonobi, Henry
Umoru,
Emmanuel
Elebeke &
Luminous
Jannamike
AS part of E<strong>as</strong>ter
celebrations, Christian
leaders have pleaded with
political leaders to place the
welfare of citizens above
their personal interests by
emulating Jesus Christ and
His teachings.
This came <strong>as</strong> politicians
including Senate Leader,
Senator Ahmad Lawan
(APC, Yobe North) and
Arewa Consultative Forum,
ACF, called for tolerance
and peaceful coexistence
among Nigerians,
irrespective of their
religious beliefs.
Speaking yesterday,
when he featured in a
special E<strong>as</strong>ter programme
organised by Lux Terra
Leadership Foundation
Abuja, Catholic Archbishop
of Abuja, His Eminence
John Cardinal Onaiyekan,
called on political leaders
to prioritise the welfare of
the citizens
Speaking on the topic:
‘The Meaning of E<strong>as</strong>ter
and Implications for
Christians,’ Onaiyekan
accused some political
leaders of caring less about
the killings in their states
<strong>as</strong> long <strong>as</strong> their personal
ambitions to remain in
power are not threatened.
He said: “We expect
leaders to prepare to pay
the price of leading their
people. Leadership should
come with a cost. To say it
bluntly, we are seeing too
many leaders sitting
around believing that it is
better for the whole nation
to perish than for them to
leave office.”
On the persecution of
Christians in Nigeria by
those in power <strong>as</strong> alleged
by some Church leaders
Captain, IBB International Golf and Country Club, Oseni Ahmed (middle); Minister of Water
Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu (4th right); Welfare and Social officer of the club, Jummai
Abdullahi (2nd right); wife of the former Governor of Kogi State, Hajia Halima Wada (4th left)
and other dignitaries cutting cake, during the tournament’s prize presentation and gala night
at the golf club in Abuja, weekend. Photo: NAN
within and outside the
country, Onaiyekan urged
believers to focus on their
faith rather than worry over
any Islamisation agenda <strong>as</strong>
peddled in some circles.
He said: “Jesus said love
your enemies. If you
became a Christian and it
didn’t challenge you in any
way, then, probably, you
have not seen it yet. It h<strong>as</strong>
to challenge you.
Christians in Europe hear
stories of our challenges
with Islam and keep
wanting to find out how we
are coping, saying: ‘We
hear the Muslims are
persecuting you.’ I tell
them to leave me alone.
“First of all, I am not
complaining. After all, even
if we are being persecuted,
are we forgetting that
persecution is in the DNA
of the Christian faith? Did
we forget how Christianity
started <strong>as</strong> a group that is
not even supposed to
survive? It w<strong>as</strong> pummelled
with persecution for 300
years. This means, rather
than worry over
persecutions, Christians
should focus on their faith.”
Similarly, Catholic
Archbishop of Lagos, Most
Rev. Adewale Martins in
his E<strong>as</strong>ter Message, called
on Nigerians to make
sacrifices for the common
good and the welfare of
fellow citizens in emulation
of Jesus Christ who made
the invaluable sacrifice of
His life out of love for
humanity.
He said: “In this E<strong>as</strong>ter
se<strong>as</strong>on, we are once again
reminded of the love that
made our Lord Jesus Christ
to take upon himself the
sins of all mankind and w<strong>as</strong>
crucified so that we might
have eternal life. Like
Jesus, we too must be
willing to make sacrifices
for the common good and
the growth of our nation. We
must show more tolerance
toward others and
accommodate those with
points of view that are
different from ours so that
we can all live together in
peace and unity.
“Nigeria will become a
better place if both the
leaders and followers learn
to embrace love, shun
selfishness and show more
empathy for one another.
Christ h<strong>as</strong> shown us that
love conquers all ills. I
believe very strongly that
when we learn to love and
tolerate one another
g e n u i n e l y ,
notwithstanding our
differences, we will grow
stronger and better <strong>as</strong> a
nation.
ACF t<strong>as</strong>ks Nigerians
on tolerance
On its part, Arewa
Consultative Forum, ACF
in a statement yesterday by
its National Publicity
Secretary, Muhammad
Ibrahim Biu, said
“Christians all over the
world celebrate E<strong>as</strong>ter with
prayers and activities of
self-sacrifice for the
common good of the society.
The period commemorates
the death and resurrection
of Jesus Christ which gives
Christians the opportunity
to reflect on the exemplary
life and good teachings of
Jesus Christ that include his
tolerance, forgiveness, love
and self-sacrifice for the
good of humanity, and
strive to live up His
legacies at all times.
“The death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ
h<strong>as</strong> united Christians to be
one people through
promotion of core value of
humanity that comes with
sacred inviolability of the
individual. We are now
equal before God. ACF,
therefore, wishes
Nigerians, especially
Christians, happy
celebration and also urges
all Nigerians, no matter
their status to practice the
virtue of tolerance,
forgiveness, self-sacrifice,
good neighbourliness and
love for one another, and
continue to pray for
peaceful coexistence,
harmony, stability and
prosperity for all.
“‘It is against such
backdrop that ACF wishes
to submit that the t<strong>as</strong>k of
overcoming security
challenges posed by
kidnapping, insurgency,
cattle rustling, banditry and
the unnecessary cl<strong>as</strong>hes
between various ethnic
groups cannot be left to
government alone.
“Specifically, ACF calls on
the government at all levels
and security agencies to
intensify their operations
and also maintain
surveillance in the red alert
states until peace and
normalcy are restored.
“But for the needed
normalcy to return, all
Nigerians must also play
their roles of providing
support by way of
intelligence to the security
agencies which would
enable them to succeed.
“Now that the 2019
general elections are over
with winners declared at
both the federal and state
levels, the forum wishes to
appeal to our leaders to note
that no society thrives on
the victory of its faction, but
through ultimate
reconciliation and
inclusiveness. Victory and
defeat are never final. ‘The
governments should
therefore hit the ground
running by making
Nigerians become one in
favour of good governance
needed for the good of all.”
Time to heal the
wounds —Lawan
Senator Ahmad Lawan,
in a statement said: “As our
Christian brothers and
sisters mark the E<strong>as</strong>ter
celebration, I urge all
Nigerians to imbibe the
spirit of hope, forbearance
and reconciliation it offers
<strong>as</strong> we seek to build a nation
where peace and justice
shall reign.
“We should also take
advantage of this period to
heal wounds and reunite
across board so that the
prosperity promised by this
administration, which is
well within our capacity <strong>as</strong>
a people, will be actualised.
“I am confident that with
all critical stakeholders in
both the public and private
sectors working together a
greater tomorrow awaits
our nation. I wish all
Nigerians the best of this
glorious se<strong>as</strong>on.”
Defend Nigeria
professionally
—CAS
Meanwhile, Chief of Air
Staff, CAS, Air Marshal
Sadique Abubakar, h<strong>as</strong>
hosted personnel of the Air
T<strong>as</strong>k Force, ATF, Operation
Duran Mikiya, to a social
gathering to mark the 2019
E<strong>as</strong>ter Celebration.
The occ<strong>as</strong>ion, which held
at the ATF Headquarters in
Katsina, provided an
opportunity for the CAS to
interact with the troops who
have been working
tirelessly to restore peace
and stability in the
Northwest of Nigeria.
Addressing the troops,
the Air Officer
Commanding, Special
Operations Command, Air
Vice Marshal (AVM)
Napoleon Bali, who
represented the CAS at the
event, expressed
satisfaction with the
performance of the ATF.
He extended the good
wishes of the CAS and
encouraged the personnel
to remain resolute while
sustaining their efforts
towards eliminating the
activities of armed bandits
in Zamfara and
surrounding States with a
view to ensuring peace in
the Country.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019—5
POCKET CARTOON
EASTER LUNCH—A cross-section of Nigerian Air Force personnel, during
lunch organized by Chief of Air Staff to mark E<strong>as</strong>ter celebration, at the Yola
Air force B<strong>as</strong>e, Adamawa State. Photo: NAN.
<strong>Outrage</strong> <strong>as</strong> <strong>IDP</strong> <strong>children</strong>
<strong>feed</strong> on onion leaves
Continues from Page 1
leaves for survival.
Reporters, who visited
the camp, located about
two km from Rindebin
community in Bauchi
Local Government Area,
noted that the <strong>children</strong>,
between the ages of
three and five, looked
pitiful <strong>as</strong> they consume
the leaves.
Meanwhile, the
umbrella body of
Christians in Nigeria,
Christian Association of
Nigeria, CAN, yesterday
lamented the pathetic
situation in <strong>IDP</strong> camps
in Bauchi and several
others across the nation,
saying that shows the
level the ugly state the
Nigerian human life h<strong>as</strong>
been degraded to.
Director of Legal and
Public Affairs, CAN, Mr
Samuel Kwankur said
recent gestures by CAN
and other public spirited
organisations should
only be regarded <strong>as</strong>
attempts to cushion the
hardship suffered by
these Nigerians..
Similarly, the Arewa
Consultative Forum,
ACF, h<strong>as</strong> called for
investigation into
allegations that <strong>IDP</strong>s
have resorted to eating
onion leaves to survive.
Secretary General of
the forum, Anthony Sani
in an interview with
Vanguard, said
journalists should also
pay more attention to the
plight of internally
displaced persons.
We are
helpless—
parents
Some of the parents of
the <strong>children</strong> interviewed
said there w<strong>as</strong> not
enough food, <strong>as</strong> such,
they had to ‘improvise’
ways of tackling hunger.
They said they believed
onion leaves were
nutritious and would
also protect their
<strong>children</strong> from hunger
and dise<strong>as</strong>es.
One of the parents,
Aisha Musa, said that for
the p<strong>as</strong>t one year,
<strong>children</strong> and adults in
the camp had been
struggling to survive,
with little or no
<strong>as</strong>sistance from all
quarters.
Another parent, Ajidda
Ahmed, said the
hardship being
encountered were
enormous, adding that
most of them had given
up any hope of living a
normal life.
“Both adults and
<strong>children</strong> suffer from
hunger; this h<strong>as</strong>
resulted in forcing us to
eat raw onion leaves
from sellers that come
into the camp.
“Rainy se<strong>as</strong>on is about
to set in and another fear
is the outbreak of
childhood dise<strong>as</strong>es.
Because for the p<strong>as</strong>t
year, our <strong>children</strong> were
not immunised and there
are no water, sanitation
and hygiene facilities.
“We defecate in the
bush and the rainwater
will soon w<strong>as</strong>h our faeces
back to the stream,
where we source for
water to drink,” she
lamented.
It w<strong>as</strong> also observed
that <strong>children</strong> under two
years in the camp were
showing signs of
malnutrition.
Commenting on the
situation, the leader of
the <strong>IDP</strong> camp, Bulama
Gojja, said that there
were over 200 people of
the Shuwa-Arab stock
from Marte, Marfa and
Jere local governments
of Borno State. He said
they were forced to
relocate to the camp l<strong>as</strong>t
year <strong>as</strong> a result of the
activities of ‘Boko-
Haram’ insurgents.
Gojja enumerated their
challenges to include
insufficiency of food
items, lack of potable
water, health facility and
education for their
<strong>children</strong>.
He said that in 2018,
no fewer than 20
pregnant women
delivered in the camp
without the required
medical attention,
expressing fears that the
off-springs might
develop health
challenges due to lack of
immunization.
He lamented that in
spite of their efforts at
drawing sympathy over
their plight, <strong>as</strong>sistance
w<strong>as</strong> not forthcoming from
any quarters.
The leader, therefore,
solicited for <strong>as</strong>sistance
from both government
and non-governmental
organisations,
particularly in the are<strong>as</strong>
of health, education,
potable water and
agriculture inputs like
fertiliser, seed and
herbicides to enable
them engage in farming.
When contacted
By Bose Adelaja,Yinka Latona,
Chiamaka Uba, Tolulope
Oke&Erinfolami Abdulkudus
Collapsed state of Lagos roads: Worsening traffic gridlock (1)
yesterday for comment,
the Bauchi State
Government, through
one of its senior officials,
said a visit had been
scheduled for the <strong>IDP</strong>
camp today, and they
will react accordingly
after the visit.
Similarly, an official of
the National Emergency
Management Agency,
NEMA, who spoke for
the agency, said they will
react after a visit to the
camp today.
CAN laments
the situation in
<strong>IDP</strong> camps
Meanwhile, CAN,
speaking through
Kwankur remarked: “It’s
the responsibility of
government to take
charge of the day-to-day
upkeep of the displaced
persons at the camp. It’s
unfortunate that today,
human life h<strong>as</strong> been
reduced to despicable
level and people are now
being treated with so
much disdain.
“If any dis<strong>as</strong>ter
happens outside the
Continues on Page 41
LAGOS economy
grew rapidly but
the government of Lagos
didn’t match the growth.
I have sat in traffic for
four hours from Victoria
Island to Iyana-Oworo
on countless occ<strong>as</strong>ions.
By now, there should be
third and even ninth
mainland bridges and a
mini airport to transport
people. I guess we are
just too busy being
corrupt.
Mr.Michael Ekanem
Visual communicator
THE Lagos Badagry
Expressway is in a
terrible state. It is a death
trap and robbers take
advantage of the constant
gridlock to rob
people.During the rainy
se<strong>as</strong>on, we hear of trucks
and tankers falling due to
numerous potholes and
ditches. I witnessed an
accident at Barracks,
where a pregnant woman
w<strong>as</strong> burnt to death due to
the explosion of an oil
tanker. Miss Senu
Victoria
Entrepreneur
THE roads are in a
terrible state.
Badagry road w<strong>as</strong>
started by the F<strong>as</strong>hola
with the hope of
completion but five years
down the line, it is yet
to be completed. A road
that links Nigeria to
Benin Republic is a
project that should be
taken seriously by both
federal and state
governments.
Mr. Abiola Oladimeji.
Student
I
would say that it h<strong>as</strong>
become a no-man’s
business since the
authorities only care
about the routes they
take, leaving the m<strong>as</strong>ses
to take care of
themselves.As for the
traffic gridlock, it is
caused by bad roads,
inexperienced and h<strong>as</strong>ty
driving by drivers to get
to their destinations. I
do not see any
possibility of it getting
better.
Mr.Stephen Andrew
Student
TRAFFIC congestion
is the biggest
nightmare of every
Lagosian. The pitiable
potholes on Lagos roads
is the prime culprit. I
have witnessed how a
friend lost a good
business deal because he
w<strong>as</strong> stuck in traffic for
hours. The traffic
situation is getting
worse everyday. The
government can tackle
this by working on a
functional waterway or
rail transport system.
Mr. Itseore
Benjamin, Public
affairs commentator
BOTH the state and
f e d e r a l
governments are
insensitive to the plight
of Lagosians. Containers
fall on people daily at
Alakija, while fuel
tankers are threatening
people in Satellite Town,
Old Ojo Road, and Mile
2. The roads have never
been this bad in Lagos.
Even my village in Delta
State h<strong>as</strong> better roads
than Lagos. It is sad.
Mr. Chukwuma Tony,
Mechanic

6—Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019
Community
shuts down
Baptist church
indefinitely
over
'cleansing' by
p<strong>as</strong>tor
By Perez Brisibe
UGHELLI
—The
Orogun Traditional
Council in Ughelli North
local government area of
Delta State h<strong>as</strong> ordered that
the First Baptist Church in
the town be shut down
indefinitely over an alleged
“spiritual cleansing” exercise
carried out by the p<strong>as</strong>tor and
members of the church.
The p<strong>as</strong>tor, Rev. Tode
Joseph Godspower, w<strong>as</strong> said
to have conducted a crusade
organised by the church after
which himself and members
of the church embarked on
a “sweeping exercise” with
the intention of sweeping
away evil from the
community.
Enraged by his action, the
monarch, Okpara-Uku,
(HRM) Akpojotor Epko,
invited the cleric in a letter
dated, April 15, 2019 with the
intention of “discussing
issues that will bring
progress to the kingdom.”
The p<strong>as</strong>tor, who is also the
chairman of Christian
Association of Nigeria, CAN,
Orogun branch, w<strong>as</strong>
reported to have been
<strong>as</strong>saulted by some persons
at the palace for “insulting
the gods” of the land while
he w<strong>as</strong> being grilled by the
traditional council.
Confirming the ban on the
church, a chief from the
kingdom, Chief Immanuel
Ogobene, debunked claims
that the p<strong>as</strong>tor w<strong>as</strong> <strong>as</strong>saulted
during his interrogation at
the palace, saying: “There
w<strong>as</strong> no confrontation or
<strong>as</strong>sault, he w<strong>as</strong> just warned
over his action.”
On what transpired at the
palace, Ogobene said: “He
(p<strong>as</strong>tor) went to the palace
with some selected members
of his church and w<strong>as</strong> <strong>as</strong>ked
why he did what he did, but
w<strong>as</strong> tongue tied and couldn’t
say anything to defend his
action and w<strong>as</strong> warned not
to open the church until
further notice.
“The council will meet and
they will deliberate on the
shut-down of the church <strong>as</strong>
soon <strong>as</strong> possible. You have
no right to go to a community
and start c<strong>as</strong>ting away their
idols; he does not have that
authority.
“Even if God h<strong>as</strong> revealed
something to him, the best
thing to do w<strong>as</strong> for him to go
to the Okpara-Uku, who is
the head of the community
and tell him. Then the
Okpara-Uku will consult his
council, deliberate on it
before he is permitted to do
so or not, but what he did
w<strong>as</strong> tresp<strong>as</strong>s of activities.”
Lady sells her 6-hour-old baby for N850,000
in Imo
By Chinonso Alozie
OWERRI—A 23-year-old lady,
Mrs Chinonye Oparaocha, is
currently cooling her heels in one of
the police cells in Imo State after she
w<strong>as</strong> arrested for selling her six-hourold
baby for N850,000 at a hospital
along Nekede Road in Owerri West
Local Government Area of Imo State.
Parading the lady, weekend, in
Owerri, it w<strong>as</strong> gathered that the lady
in collaboration with other suspects
that included a nurse, that runs an
undisclosed clinic along Nekede
Road in Owerri West Local
Government Area, took the baby to
PortHarcourt, River State, where the
buyer w<strong>as</strong> waiting.
The state Police Public Relations
Officer, PPRO, Orlando Ikeokwu,
disclosed that the nurse, Confidence
Anyanwu, 28, female, who facilitated
the shady deal, belongs to a child
trafficking syndicate that include
Duru Christain, male, 38-year-old;
George Iyowuna, female, 38-year-old;
and William Cynthia, female, 44-yearold.
He added that Confidence, with
her husband, Amaeze Anyanwu, who
is said to be at large, conspired to sell
the child. Both of them live at 41,
The suspects
Mbaise Road, Owerri.
According to the police, “on
arrival at Port Harcourt, Duru
Christian in company of one
Mrs. George Iyowuna met them
at the hideout, took over the
baby boy and handed over to a
prospective buyer, one Mrs.
William Cynthia, and her
husband, who eventually paid
the N850,000 on 13/04/2019.
“Operatives of the Scorpion
Squad arrested the above
named suspects and recovered
the newly born baby boy, Abiya
William, while efforts are ongoing
to arrest the fleeing
members of the syndicate.
“Suspects have made useful
statements to the police
concerning the crime and are
helping the police in the
investigation.”
I make N100,000 daily from sales of stolen phones
—Robbery gang leader •As police nab 5 traffic robbers in Lagos
By Evelyn Usman &
Ol<strong>as</strong>unkanmi Akoni
A
suspected criminal, Godwin
Okafor, who specialised in
robbery and pick-pocketing, arrested
by operatives of the State
Environmental Sanitation and Special
Offences Unit, popularly called
t<strong>as</strong>kforce, said he makes between
N80,000 and N100,000 every day
selling stolen phones.
The suspect, nabbed weekend, on
Costain Bridge around Surulere area
by Enforcement and Monitoring
patrol team of the agency, said: “I
make between N80,000 and N100,000
everyday after selling stolen phones
and other valuables from operation.
“We have been in this robbery and
pick-pocketing business for long <strong>as</strong> we
dispossessed our p<strong>as</strong>sengers of their
valuables such <strong>as</strong> wallets, jewellery,
including phones, which we sold <strong>as</strong>
fairly used to the public.”
Godwin Okafor, 31, of 127, Ojo
Road, Ajegunle, during interrogation
said he started <strong>as</strong> a bus conductor 15
years ago before he transformed into
pick-pocket.
He confessed further that he and his
gang had operated at different parts
of the state, including Oshodi to Mile
2, Obalende, Pen-Cinema, Agege,
Ojota and Ikorodu Road and that any
p<strong>as</strong>senger who refused to cooperate
with them w<strong>as</strong> beaten and thrown out
of their commercial bus on high speed.
The t<strong>as</strong>kforce chairman, CSP
Olayinka Egbeyemi, said preliminary
investigation revealed that the suspect
w<strong>as</strong> a ring leader of a four-man
criminal gang who specialises in
picking pockets and robbing the
public of their valuables such <strong>as</strong>
phones, wallets and jewellery with the
use of a commercial bus at different
parts of the state.
He explained: “The suspect
and three others who are
currently at large, w<strong>as</strong> nabbed
after they jumped down from a
commercial bus on top of
Costain Bridge immediately
they suspected that a patrol team
of the agency w<strong>as</strong> ch<strong>as</strong>ing them
from Ojuelegba."
Police nab 5 traffic
robbers
Also, the spokesman for Lagos
State Police Command, DSP
Elkana Bala, said five suspected
members of separate robbery
gangs that specialised in
attacking motorists trapped in
traffic along Oshodi/Apapa
expressway and Mile-Two/
Badagry expressway, Lagos,
have been arrested by the
surveillance team deployed by
Lagos State Police Command to
checkmate traffic robbery.
During interrogation, the
suspects, according to Bala,
confessed to have capitalised on
the situation along the Oshodi/
Apapa expressway, Daleko,
Mushin and its environs to carry
out nefarious activities.
Bala said: “ Taking advantage
of the traffic congestion, the
suspects robbed motorists and
other unsuspecting members of
the public of their valuables such
<strong>as</strong> laptops, handsets and c<strong>as</strong>h.
“They confessed during
interrogation to have stolen
phones and bags from victims
<strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> a bag containing
N25,000, belonging to one
Oyebanji Ibukun, a woman who
resides at Waheed Ologunju
Street, in Oke-Afa, Isolo area
before they were apprehended.
Godwin Okafor
Suspected One-Chance robbers.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019—7
I'm yet to recover from the shock of our
daughter’s demise —Late Adaobi’s father
By Victor
Arjiromanus
THE father of the 20-yearold
Adaobi Ifeanyi, killed by
a policeman while returning
from a nightclub with her
boyfriend, Emmanuel
Akomafuwa, Mr. Ifeanyi Ojide,
h<strong>as</strong> said he w<strong>as</strong> yet to come to
terms with the daughter’s
demise.
He said: “I w<strong>as</strong> in great
shock on that Saturday
morning, when people called to
inform me that my daughter
had been shot by some
policemen. Till this moment, I
am yet to recover from the
shock.”
Relating his l<strong>as</strong>t moment with
her, he said: “My l<strong>as</strong>t moment
with Ada, <strong>as</strong> she w<strong>as</strong> fondly
called, w<strong>as</strong> on Friday evening,
a day before she w<strong>as</strong> killed. I
left her with her siblings at
home before going out. We had
only talked briefly about how
she w<strong>as</strong> preparing for her
exams before I left home. I
thought it w<strong>as</strong> a lie when I w<strong>as</strong>
informed the next day that she
had been killed.
"She w<strong>as</strong> a very calm and
obedient girl, never troublesome.
She w<strong>as</strong> intelligent and
performed very well in her
secondary school.
“All I want is justice. The police
should not allow this c<strong>as</strong>e to die
The late Adaobi.
off without justice being done.
C<strong>as</strong>es like this have always
been swept under the carpet,
but, I know the current
3 die in Ondo auto cr<strong>as</strong>hes
By Dayo Johnson
AKURE —IT w<strong>as</strong> a sad E<strong>as</strong>ter
celebration for the families of
three persons, who reportedly
died in auto cr<strong>as</strong>hes in Ondo
State.
Eyewitness account disclosed
that the first auto cr<strong>as</strong>h occurred
along Ugbe-lboropa Road in
Akoko North-E<strong>as</strong>t council area of
the state.
It w<strong>as</strong> gathered that an
unidentified lady died when a
Mazda car reportedly had a
head-on collision with another
vehicle.
The second accident,
according to an eyewitness,
occurred when a vehicle
rammed into a stationary truck
and the two occupants of the
vehicle lost their lives along
Victory College, Ikare and
Bishop Court, Ikare.
Confirming the incident, the
Inspector-General of Police is a
good man, I know he won’t allow
the killers of my daughter go scotfree
without facing the law.
unit Commander of Federal Road
Safety Commission, FRSC, Ikare
Akoko, Yinka Akande, said his men
went to the two scenes for rescue
mission.
Also, lkare Divisional Police
Officer, Olu Agboola, confirmed the
two cr<strong>as</strong>hes, describing them <strong>as</strong>
“highly regrettable."
Agboola said investigation w<strong>as</strong>
on to unravel the cause of the
accidents.
... with Emma'nKen (08163121378)
Eiyaa! That is your destiny,
sorry ooh
Mr Poster, don't worry, God
understands
Stop excuses, Jesus h<strong>as</strong> risen
Sympathisers <strong>as</strong>sisting victms of a car fire accident on Berger fly-over, Wuse,
Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

8—Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22 , 2019
:Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058
By Ikechukwu
Nnochiri
A BUJA—THE
Presidential
candidate of Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku
Abubakar, h<strong>as</strong> rebuked All
Progressives Congress,
APC, describing the
allegation that he is a
Cameroonian <strong>as</strong> puerile,
face-saving, vexatious,
absolutely and completely
unfounded.
Atiku, in his response to
preliminary objection APC
filed to challenge his petition
against the declaration of
President Muhammadu
Buhari <strong>as</strong> winner of the
February 23 presidential
election, maintained that he
is a full blooded Nigerian.
He urged the presidential
election petition tribunal
sitting in Abuja to ignore
what he termed <strong>as</strong>
“extraneous facts,
contradictory, diversionary,
ev<strong>as</strong>ive, speculative and
vague <strong>as</strong>sertions,” by APC
and President Buhari.
Atiku told the tribunal that
contrary to APC’s allegation
that he is an alien, he said he
is a Nigerian by birth and a
Fulani by tribe.
He told the tribunal that he
h<strong>as</strong> been a Nigerian politician
for about 30 years, adding that
in 1992, he contested in the
presidential primaries on the
platform of then Social
Democratic Party, SDP,
alongside the late Chief M.K.O
Abiola and Amb<strong>as</strong>sador Baba
Gana Kingibe.
He said: “Contrary to the
allegations contained in
paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
of the 3rd Respondent’s reply,
the petitioners state that the 1st
petitioner is a citizen of Nigeria
by birth and thus qualified to
vote and be voted for and
returned in the election to the
office of the president of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria,
held on Saturday, February 23,
2019 going by the relevant
provisions of the 1999
Constitution (<strong>as</strong> amended).
“In further response to
paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and
8 of the 3rd respondent’s reply,
the petitioners state <strong>as</strong> follows:
‘The 1st petitioner w<strong>as</strong> born
on November 25, 1946 in
Jada, Adamawa State by
Nigerian parents and he is,
therefore, a citizen of Nigeria
by birth.
“The 1st petitioner’s father,
Garba Abdulkadir, w<strong>as</strong> a
Nigerian by birth, who hailed
from Wurno in present day
Sokoto State while the
mother, Aisha Kande w<strong>as</strong> also
a Nigerian who hailed from
Dutse in present day Jigawa
State.
“The parents of the 1st
petitioner are both Fulani, a
community/tribe indigenous
to Nigeria.
“The birth of the 1st
petitioner in Jada, in present
day Adamawa State of
Nigeria w<strong>as</strong> occ<strong>as</strong>ioned by
the movement of his paternal
grandfather called Atiku, who
w<strong>as</strong> an itinerant trader, from
Wurno in present day Sokoto
State to Jada in the company
of his friend, Ardo Usman.
“That in Jada, Atiku, the
grandfather of the 1st
petitioner gave birth to Garba
who in turn gave birth to the
1st petitioner and named him
after his own father Atiku.
“The 1st petitioner’s mother,
Aisha Kande, w<strong>as</strong> the granddaughter
of Inuwa Dutse who
came to Jada <strong>as</strong> an itinerant
trader too from Dutse in
present day Jigawa State.
“That all averments
concerning Germany, British
Cameroons, League of
Nations and Plebiscite are
false and misleading in
relation to the 1st petitioner
and, therefore, completely
irrelevant more so that the 1st
petitioner is a Nigerian by
birth within the
contemplation of the
Constitution of the Federal
Republic ofNigeria, 1999 (<strong>as</strong>
amended).
Fabricated,
contrived
“The averments in the
aforesaid paragraphs are
indeed fabricated, contrived,
made in bad faith and
designed to embarr<strong>as</strong>s the 1st
petitioner.
“In response to paragraph
7 of the 3rd respondent’s
reply, the petitioners aver that
the votes of the 1st petitioner
in the election of February 23,
2019 to the office of the
president are not w<strong>as</strong>ted
votes, and the 1st petitioner
being a qualified candidate
in the said election indeed
secured majority of lawful
votes over and above the
votes of the 2nd respondent.
Career and political
activities
“In further reaction to
Paragraph 7 of the 3rd
Respondent Reply, the
Petitioners hereby plead and
contend that at all times
material the 1st petitioner h<strong>as</strong>
been a Nigerian by birth and
h<strong>as</strong> participated in the
following career and political
activities and h<strong>as</strong> also
received the following
awards and honours:
“The 1st petitioner w<strong>as</strong> a
civil servant in the Nigeria
Customs Service for over 20
years and retired <strong>as</strong> a deputy
director.
Qualification to
contest elections
“The issue of qualification of
the 2nd respondent to contest
election to the office of
President of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria is a
mandatory statutory and/or
constitutional requirement
that cannot be waived by the
petitioners <strong>as</strong> erroneously
averred in paragraph 499 (d)
of the 3rd Respondent’s Reply.
“In further response to
paragraphs 493, 497, 498, 499,
500 and 501 of the 3rd
respondent’s reply, the
Petitioners challenge the 3rd
Respondent to produce the
originals or Certified True
Copies of the 2nd
Atiku replies APC, says I'm a full
blooded Nigerian
President Muhammadu Buhari.
respondent’s purported
certificates obtained from
elementary school, Daura and
Mai’adua, Middle School,
Katsina and Katsina
Provincial Secondary School
and all other institutions
pleaded in paragraphs 500
and 501 of 3rd respondent’s
reply.”
Atiku maintained that his
petition is competent and
meritorious, saying the return
of President Buhari <strong>as</strong> winner
of the February 23 presidential
poll w<strong>as</strong> undue and wrongful.
“The 3rd respondent’s reply
does not answer the points of
substance in the Petition but
same is full of extraneous facts,
contradictory, diversionary,
ev<strong>as</strong>ive, speculative and
vague <strong>as</strong>sertions”, he added.
Buhari's
qualification
More so, Atiku argued that
the tribunal h<strong>as</strong> the requisite
jurisdiction to consider his
contention that Buhari lacked
the educational qualification
to contest the presidential
election.
“Contrary to the 3rd
Respondent’s contention in
paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of
the Preliminary Objection, this
Honourable Court is vested
with the vires and jurisdiction
to adjudicate on the
Petitioners’ allegations <strong>as</strong>
raised vide Grounds (D) and
(E) in paragraph 15 of the
Petition, <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> the related
facts contained in paragraphs
384 to 409 of the petition, <strong>as</strong>
these grounds do not fall
within the purview of preelection
matters contemplated
by section 285 (9) and (14) of
the Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (4th
Alteration No 21) Act 2017.
“Grounds 15 (d) and (e) of
the petition and indeed all the
grounds of the Petition are
covered by Sections 35(1) and
(2) and 138 (1)(e) of the
Electoral Act, 2010 (<strong>as</strong>
amended) and are therefore
cognizable in an election
petition.
“The issue of the
qualification of the 2nd
respondent to contest the
presidential election under
scrutiny, which is at the
epicenter of the petitioners’
grounds (d) and (e) of
paragraph 15 of the petition
is not only a pre-election
matter but also a post-election
matter within the relevant
provisions of the Constitution
of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, 1999 (<strong>as</strong> amended)
<strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> the Electoral Act,
2010 (<strong>as</strong> amended) and
therefore competent and not
statute-barred.
“The issue of nonqualification
of the 2nd
respondent is fundamental
and can therefore not be
waived <strong>as</strong> erroneously alleged
by the 3rd Respondent.
“In reply to paragraph 6 of
the preliminary objection, the
petitioners contend that the
petition discloses re<strong>as</strong>onable
cause of action capable of
conferring this Honourable
Court with jurisdiction to
entertain same.
“In answer to paragraph 7
of the Preliminary Objection,
the Petitioners aver that the
paragraphs of the Petition set
out therein by the 3rd
Respondent are not in any
way generic, vague, unreferable
(sic), non- specific,
nebulous, bogus, imprecise,
speculative or at large.
“Indeed the said
paragraphs of the Petition
have stated clearly the facts of
the election Petition, the
grounds on which the Petition
is b<strong>as</strong>ed and the reliefs sought
by the Petitioners in
consonance with the dictates
of paragraph 4(1)(d) of the
First Schedule to the Electoral
Act, 2010 (<strong>as</strong> amended).
“In further answer to
•Adds Allegation puerile,
vexatious
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar
paragraph 7 of the Preliminary
Objection, the Petitioners
contend that <strong>as</strong>suming
without conceding that the
3rd Respondent is not clear
<strong>as</strong> to the import of all or any of
the paragraphs alleged to be
vague, the 3rd Respondent is
obliged to seek further and
better particulars from the
Petitioners, which they have
failed to do and can therefore
not be heard to complain of
vagueness.
“More so, when they have
replied to the paragraph in
question and others they
challenged.
Allegations of
non-compliance
“In answer to paragraphs 8,
9, 10, 11 and 12 of the
Preliminary Objection, the
Petitioners state that all the
allegations of noncompliance
in the petition
have been tied to specific
polling units, wards and local
governments <strong>as</strong>sociated with
the allegations.
“In further answer to
paragraphs 8, 9, 10, 11 and
12 of the preliminary
objection, the petitioners
contend that particulars of
polling units where
irregularities, non-compliance
and other infractions took
place were supplied in the
Petition which ought to be read
together and not in isolation
<strong>as</strong> the 3rd respondent h<strong>as</strong>
clearly done.
“In answer to paragraphs 13,
14, and 15, of the preliminary
objection alleging failure to
join persons named in the
paragraphs of the Petition
listed by the 3rd respondent,
the petitioners contend that the
individuals, officers,
institutions and personages
named in those paragraphs
acted for and on behalf of the
1st Respondent <strong>as</strong> agents,
and/or on the authority of the
1st Respondent which is a
named party in this Petition.
“In answer to paragraphs 16
and 17 of the preliminary
objection, the Petitioners
contend that to the extent that
the listed paragraphs deal
with the question of the
qualification of the 2nd
respondent to contest the
presidential election, these
paragraphs cannot be
pigeonholed within the
narrow confine of section 31(5)
and (6) of the Electoral Act,
2010 (<strong>as</strong> amended), since
qualification is both a pre and
post- election matter.
“In answer to paragraph 18
of the Preliminary Objection,
the Petitioners contend that
paragraph 15 (b) and (c) of
the Grounds of the Petition <strong>as</strong>
well <strong>as</strong> paragraphs 107 to 363
and 364 to 387 of the Petition
are proper, valid, and in no
way hypothetical in that the
reliefs sought in the Petition
are clearly tied to the
paragraphs aforesaid and the
entirety of the Petition taken
together, such that this court
h<strong>as</strong> the jurisdiction to entertain
the paragraphs and the
grounds upon which they are
b<strong>as</strong>ed.
“In answer to paragraph 19
of the Preliminary Objection,
the Petitioners contend that
paragraphs 389 and 390 of the
Petition are clear statements of
facts tied to the provisions of
the Electoral Act (supra),
which in no way offend the
rules of pleadings.”
On his lawyer's
qualification
Likewise, Atiku urged the
tribunal to ignore the
allegation that his lead lawyer
w<strong>as</strong> not qualified to practice
in Nigeria.
He told the tribunal that
contrary to APC’s allegation,
his lawyer, Livy Uzokwu,
SAN, w<strong>as</strong> a former Attorney
General of Imo State.

VANGUARD, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019—9
LEADERSHIP: From left—Director, Project Development, Social Good Fund in US, Oliver
Hack; Chief Volunteer, Servelead Global Ltd, Joledo Oyewole; and Executive Director/Co-
Founder of Impact Driven Young Leaders Initiative, Ovo Otarigho, during the grand finale
of Leadercom 2019, in Abuja yesterday. Photo: NAN
Food security: We‘ll make law on GES
to boost farm inputs —Reps
•As OFAB <strong>as</strong>sures full commercialisation of BT Cotton in 2020
By Gabriel Ewepu
A BUJA—MEMBERS
of the House of
Representatives
Committee on Agriculture,
have promised to make law
to back up the Growth
Enhancement Support,
GES, to boost farmers’
access to quality inputs to
improve food production
and security.
This w<strong>as</strong> disclosed by
Chairman of the committee,
Mohammed Monguno
represented by a member
of the Committee, Munir
Danagundi, at the 2nd
Edition
of
SEEDCONNECT Africa
Conference & Exhibition
2019, held in Abuja, with
countries from West Africa
in attendance and many
development partners,
YPP seeks urgent review of electoral laws
By Michael Eboh
YOUNG Progressives
Party, weekend, called
for an urgent review of the
country’s electoral laws to
forestall a recurrence of the
irregularities and violence
recorded during the
general election.
The YPP, in a communique
at the end of its 15th
National Executive
Committee, NEC, meeting
in Abuja, also condemned
the incessant c<strong>as</strong>es of extrajudicial
killings and the
widespread insecurity in
the country.
YPP in the communique
by its National Publicity
Secretary, Egbeola Martins,
said those found culpable
of extra-judicial killings
should not be allowed to go
unpunished, while
criminals should be fished
:Vanguard
News
seed companies and
farmers.
GES w<strong>as</strong> introduced by
former President Goodluck
Jonathan through the then
Minister of Agriculture and
Rural Development, Dr
Akinwunmi Adesina, to
boost farmers’ access to
fertilisers, seeds, agrochemicals,
nets, and others,
which impacted on food
production, employment
generation and wealth
creation, but w<strong>as</strong> not
continued by the Buhariled
administration.
Danagundi said: “We are
very conscious of the
importance attached to the
seed subsector. We can
<strong>as</strong>sure you that Nigeria will
continue to do her bidding
<strong>as</strong> the biggest economy in
Africa so that we can have
better seed industry in
out and prosecuted.
He said, “The NEC after
a comprehensive analysis
of the just concluded 2019
general election agreed on
the need for an urgent
review of the country’s
electoral laws identified to
be responsible for the
nationwide irregularities
and violence witnessed
during the elections and
call on President
Muhammadu Buhari, the
incoming leadership of the
9th National Assembly and
all relevant stakeholders to
<strong>as</strong> a matter of national
emergency embark on an
all inclusive electoral reform
using the amended 2015
Electoral Act Bill <strong>as</strong> the
foundation for this reform.
“The NEC unequivocally
condemns the incessant
extra-judicial killings by the
country’s security agencies
:@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058
terms of laws and other
are<strong>as</strong> promoting the
industry in our sub-region.
“I understand that the
market is so huge that we
can harness and have
regulations that will allow
us have free trade in the
sub-region.
“On the part of the
National Assembly, we
want to <strong>as</strong>sure you of our
support to make sure that
we do our best to make
laws that will promote the
seed industry and
agriculture.
“At the National
Assembly, we shall look at
the option of the GES so that
we can have laws with GES
<strong>as</strong> c<strong>as</strong>e study to tackle the
issue of agric inputs for our
teeming farmers.
Immediately we are in the
especially the Nigeria
Police found to have been
responsible for majority of
the killings in the l<strong>as</strong>t six
months.
This
unprecedented rate of
extra-judicial killings calls
for sober reflection and
should not go unpunished
<strong>as</strong> all those found culpable
should be made to face the
full wrath of the law.
“The NEC also calls on
Buhari and all security
stakeholders to urgently
review the current
approach to security in the
country through adequate
investment in training,
retraining, equipping and
proper remuneration of the
officers and men of our
security agencies.”
YPP also commended all
state executives of the party
including members and
volunteers for their
9th Assembly, we want
everybody to help us with
all necessary support in
terms of having law backing
GES, to serve our farmers.”
Meanwhile, the Country
Coordinator, Open Forum
for Agricultural
Biotechnology, OFAB
Nigeria, Dr Rose Gidado,
at the conference, said
farmers would have access
to BT Cotton after full
comercialisation in 2020,
following approval in 2018.
“We are going to train
them on how to produce
hybrid seeds and also train
the extension workers so by
2020, there is going to be
full commercialisation of
this, but we are training
farmers on how they can
have access to it,” Gidado
said.
invaluable contributions
since the inception of the
party.
How internet users in
Nigeria can be protected
from cybercrime —NCC
THE
Nigerian
Communications
Commission, NCC, h<strong>as</strong>
stressed the need for the
over 114 million internet
users in the country to show
interest in getting constant
enlightenment to ensure
proper protection against
cybercrime.
Director, Consumer
Affairs Bureau, NCC, Mrs
Felicia Onwuegbuchulam
stated this, yesterday,
noting that there w<strong>as</strong> need
for awareness programmes
where consumers were
informed on the dangers of
cybercrimes.
Onwuegbuchulam said
that such programmes
would ensure that internet
users learn and observe
skills through which they
could be protected while on
the internet.
She said, in a statement,
that the commission
recently held the 47th
edition of its monthly
Consumer Town Hall
Meeting, CTM, in Abia,
where it discussed cyber
space issues.
According to her, cyber
space covers everything
consumers do online or
with computing devices,
including mobile phones,
tablets and personal
computers.
“The internet touches
almost all <strong>as</strong>pects of human
lives. There is, therefore,
need for the consumers to
show interests in getting
constant enlightenment
and be conscious of
fraudulent tendencies by
some internet users while
online.
“As at February this year,
there are over 114 million
internet users in the
country, with over 63 million
of them accessing
broadband services on 3G
and 4G networks.
“The need to constantly
educate is further
underscored by the large
numbers of Nigerians
online, with even more to
come online," she said.
Olonisakin commends military
officers’ wives over home-building
By Joseph Erunke
ABUJA—WIFE of the
Chief of Defence Staff,
Mrs Omobolanle
Olonisakin, h<strong>as</strong>
commended military
officers’ wives for their roles
in home-building, saying
their efforts have kept their
spouses focused on their
duties.
Mr Olonisakin, who is
the President of Defence
and Police Officers’ Wives
Association, DEPOWA, at
the inauguration of Defence
Space Administration, DSA
Officers’ Wives Association,
in Abuja, t<strong>as</strong>ked them to
continue with the spirit of
ensuring a peaceful home,
<strong>as</strong> according to her, it would
keep their spouses focused
in their official duties.
She explained that the
Defence Space
Administration Officers’
Wives Association w<strong>as</strong> a
chapter of DEPOWA
which aimed at bringing
together wives of officers
serving in the Defence
Space Administration
which is a branch or
department under the
Defence Headquarters.
Mrs Olonisakin
commended the
coordinator, DSA’s chapter
of DEPOWA, Mrs Sylvia
Whyte, for her commitment
to the programmes, projects
and activities of DEPOWA.
“My executive officers
and I have watched your
activities carefully, we have
seen your cooperation and
commitment to the
programmes, projects and
activities of DEPOWA
hence have taken special
interest to be part of this
epoch-making event.
“It is pertinent to stress
that you have equally
worked <strong>as</strong>siduously with
DEPOWA to earn my
commendation."
Katsina <strong>children</strong> parliament demands
speedy p<strong>as</strong>sage of child protection bill
By B<strong>as</strong>hir Bello
K ATSINA—KATSINA
State Children
parliament have
demanded for the speedy
p<strong>as</strong>sage of the child
protection bill into law by
the state House of
Assembly.
Speaker of the
parliament, Mubarak
Yantaba made the call
when he led other
members of the parliament
on an advocacy visit to the
Speaker, Katsina State
House of Assembly,. T<strong>as</strong>i’u
Zango.
Yantaba also called on
the state House of Assembly
to create a House
Committee on Children
Affairs to either stand alone
or merge with another
committee where <strong>children</strong>
related and sensitive issues
would take centre stage.
According to him, “The
child protection law will
protect the <strong>children</strong> against
Child Abuse, child labour
and molestation <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong>
give them confidence
which would serve <strong>as</strong> the
pillar for prosperous
society.
“A protected child is a
confident child. A
protected child is the joy
and pride of every society.
A protected child would
serve <strong>as</strong> the pillar for a
prosperous society. Also,
enactment of a law that
will ensure retention of
<strong>children</strong> to complete
secondary school with
special focus on the girl
child (to complete at le<strong>as</strong>t
junior secondary school)
with the necessary
enabling structural,
financial and
administrative
environment should be
put in place. If you educate
the girl child, it is said you

10 — VANGUARD, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019
By Evelyn Usman &
Monsur Olowopejo
L
A G O S —
MOTORISTS
plying the Oshodi/Apapa
expressway in Lagos,
yesterday, blamed the
perennial gridlock on
what they described <strong>as</strong>
the insensitivity of the
Federal and Lagos State
governments to the state
of the roads.
As at yesterday, when
the expressway w<strong>as</strong>
expected to be free for
vehicular movement,
owing to the E<strong>as</strong>ter break,
motorists were still
trapped in traffic, from
Ijesha to Mile Two.
Some motorists, who
attempted to use the
E<strong>as</strong>ter break to visit
relations and friends
living around the Apapa
axis, were shocked to
discover that the situation
w<strong>as</strong> not different from
how it w<strong>as</strong> during work
days.
Some motorists were
forced to wind down their
gl<strong>as</strong>ses, while others
opened their doors for
fresh air.
Motorists flay FG,
Lagos govt
A motorist, Mr. Gboyega
Ishola, lamented that he
spent three hours
between Ijesha and 2 nd
Rainbow, from where he
w<strong>as</strong> compelled to make a
u-turn.
He expressed shock that
the situation w<strong>as</strong> like that
on an E<strong>as</strong>ter Sunday and
attributed it to failure on
the part of both the Federal
and Lagos State
governments.
Mr. Ishola said: “This is
appalling to say the le<strong>as</strong>t.
To think that we are
undergoing such a
situation under same
party government, at the
state and federal levels, is
even more disappointing.
This is an indication of
failure on the part of
government.”
Another motorist, Mr.
Chukwudi Nwanazie
said: “I w<strong>as</strong> on my way to
visit my eldest brother at
Wilmer Crescent, Olodi
Apapa, only to be trapped
in-between heavy duty
trucks at 1 st Rainbow.
What is government
doing about this? This
crazy situation did not just
start today. Why would
government be insensitive
to our plights? Or are they
waiting for calamity to
occur before they take
action?”
Truck drivers lament
Surprisingly, truck
drivers, who have been
blamed for the gridlock,
lamented that they were
also affected by the
situation.
Some of them lamented
:Vanguard
News
that they spent weeks on
the queue waiting for
their turn to load at the
port, a journey that
ordinarily should have
taken less than 24 hours.
They, however, said that
government should be
held responsible for the
gridlock.
A truck driver, Shehu
Mungeri, said: “We don’t
have government in
Nigeria. If we did, we
won’t be experiencing
such situation. Whose
responsibility is it to fix
the roads, truck drivers?
What is preventing
government from finding
a l<strong>as</strong>ting solution to this
problem? It is really
disturbing. We have
decided not to talk again
because all the time we
have been talking;
nothing h<strong>as</strong> been done to
address the situation.”
Another truck driver,
Lamidi Onabode said:
“With the visit of the Vice-
President here and the
subsequent meetings with
stakeholders, one would
have expected the
situation to be a thing of
the p<strong>as</strong>t. Government
should be bold to tell
Nigerians that its
agencies failed in their
responsibility to address
this menace.
“I have <strong>children</strong> to <strong>feed</strong>
and I have school fees to
pay; but with the
prevailing situation, I
have not been able to meet
that obligation.
Government should rise
to the occ<strong>as</strong>ion by
proffering a l<strong>as</strong>ting
solution.”
It’s affecting our
business — Clearing and
Forwarding agents
Some Clearing and
Forwarding agents, who
spoke with Vanguard
expressed worry that the
traffic situation h<strong>as</strong>
plunged them into
hardship, <strong>as</strong> they can no
longer fend for their
families.
An agent, Mr.
Nwokonye Okechukwu
said: “Before now, we
used to clear between 10
and 20 cars in a month
from the Port. But the
present traffic situation is
affecting us because by
the time you clear
vehicles, it would take
time to get to the owners.
As I speak with you, I
have not cleared a vehicle
since January 2019
because our agents
abroad have resorted to
using ports of
neighboring countries. I
am not the only one in it.
Most of my colleagues
have left because of
hardship.”
Osinbajo’s T<strong>as</strong>k Force
directive flouted
Nine months ago, Vice
:@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058
HELLISH TIMES! Heavy trucks on Apapa-Oshodi expressway, causing severe gridlock. Photo: Kehinde Shonola.
OSHODI - APAPA EXP WAY: FG insensitive
to our plight — MOTORISTS, COMMUTERS
President Yemi Osinbajo
had directed the
commencement of a 72-
hour joint operation to
restore sanity along the
Oshodi/Apapa
expressway and other
routes affected by traffic.
This w<strong>as</strong> after he made
an unscheduled stop at
Apapa Port for an on-thespot
<strong>as</strong>sessment of the
gridlock.
According to the Vice
President’s directive, the
operation would be
carried out by the Police,
Nigerian Navy, Nigerian
Army, the Nigerian Air
Force, Federal Road Safety
Corps, FRSC and the
Nigeria Civil Defence and
Security Corps, NSCDC.
Others included the
Lagos State Traffic
Management Agency,
LASTMA, Lagos State
Emergency Management
Agency, LASEMA,
Container truck drivers,
National Association of
Road Transport Owners,
NURTW, National Union
of Petroleum and
Natural G<strong>as</strong>, NUPENG,
and Road Transport
Employers Association of
Nigeria.
Aside this move,
stakeholders, including
the Nigerian Military and
the Lagos State
Government sometime
ago, gave a 48-hour
ultimatum to all truck
drivers to vacate Lagos
bridges.
The resolution w<strong>as</strong>
reached during a
stakeholders meeting at
the Naval B<strong>as</strong>e in Apapa,
l<strong>as</strong>t year.
Vanguard observed that
the t<strong>as</strong>kforce put in place
h<strong>as</strong> failed to clear the
gridlock <strong>as</strong> trucks are still
•LASG abandons works on truck terminals
•Osinbajo's t<strong>as</strong>k force ineffective
•Lagos/Badagry road now imp<strong>as</strong>sable
parked on the bridges
allegedly in the
connivance with members
of the Federal
Government Joint T<strong>as</strong>k
Force, who collect money
from truck drivers.
LASG abandons works
on truck terminals
Meanwhile, there are
also indications that the
Lagos State Government
may have abandoned
expansion works on the
ongoing Orile truck
terminal and the proposed
5,000 capacity truck
terminal in the Ojo axis,
eight months after the
flag-off ceremony.
Both truck terminals
were conceived <strong>as</strong> shortterm
and long-term
solutions to the gridlock
that had crippled
commercial activities in
Apapa and Tin Can Ports.
The Orile truck terminal,
which is being expanded
to 1000-capacity w<strong>as</strong>
flagged off by Governor
Akinwunmi Ambode, l<strong>as</strong>t
August, with <strong>as</strong>surance
that the project would be
completed eight weeks
after.
But at the moment, the
level of work done is less
than 60 percent.
Also, Vanguard
observed that progress
h<strong>as</strong> not been made on the
5,000 capacity truck
terminal.
Sources close to the
office of the governor
hinted that paucity of
funds w<strong>as</strong> responsible for
the continued delay of the
project.
Sources also stated that
the project would only
receive a boost when the
House of Assembly
p<strong>as</strong>sed the proposed 2019
budget estimated at over
N800 billion.
Lagos govt keeps mum
Efforts to get the
Commissioner for
Transportation, Mr. Ladi
Lawanson and the
Permanent Secretary, Dr.
Taiwo Salaam's reactions
proved abortive, <strong>as</strong> calls
and Short Messages sent
to their lines were not
returned.
Earlier, when our
correspondent visited the
site, it w<strong>as</strong> gathered that
the contractors had redeployed
its staff and
major equipment.
But Salaam, had l<strong>as</strong>t
year countered the
<strong>as</strong>sumption, arguing that
the “contractors are
presently testing the soil.
Once the results of the
tests are out, the work will
continue.”
But despite
commencing the project
behind schedule,
Vanguard gathered that
the contractor spent several
weeks excavating the top
soil from the site but did not
deploy the needed heavy
equipment early.
It w<strong>as</strong> further learned
that after commencement,
persistent rainfall slowed
down the pace of work on
the terminal
According to a staff of
the firm, “the weather w<strong>as</strong>
not friendly. So, the
contractor battled daily
with removal of water
from site.”
Motorists, commuters
lament Lagos/Badagry
expressway
Similarly, motorists and
commuters have frowned
at both the Federal
Government and Lagos
State Government over
their travails on the
Lagos/Badagry
expressway.
Recounting the pains he
goes through daily, a
commercial bus driver,
Peter Oluw<strong>as</strong>eun said the
roads are in a terrible
state.
He said: “The Federal
Government and Lagos
State government are
deliberately subjecting us
to so much suffering with
their nonchalant attitude
towards the construction
of the Lagos/Badagry
expressway. This
government is the most
insincere government I
have ever seen.
But the rains are here
and the road h<strong>as</strong> gone
from bad to worse. Now,
they have gone blind and
become insensitive. So,
they cannot see or feel the
plight of motorists and
commuters who are
gradually dying because
of this road.”

VANGUARD, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019 — 11
ALAAFIN VISITS OYETOLA: From left; Elende of Eko Ende, Oba AbdulRouf Olaniyan; Aragbiji of Iragbiji,
Oba AbdulRosheed Olabomi Odun IV; Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba
Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III; wife of the governor, Alhaja Kafayat Oyetola; Akinrun of Ikirun, Oba
Rauf Olayiwola Adedeji and Olororuwo of Ororuwo, Oba Qomorudeen Adeyanju during a visit by Oba
Adeyemi to the governor at his country home, Iragbiji yesterday.
AKEREDOLU'S SUSPENSION:
Tinubu, gov’s aides trade brickbats
•Oshiomhole, Tinubu have expantionist agenda
•Don't drag Asiwaju into gov's plight
By Dayo Johnson
A Atik<strong>as</strong>e, KURE—OTITO
an aide to
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu
of Ondo State, yesterday,
took a swipe at the National
Chairman of the All
Progressives Congress,
APC, Comrade Adams
Oshiomhole and a leader
of the party, Asiwaju Bola
Tinubu accusing them of
having an expansionist
agenda.
The National Working
Committee, NWC, of the
APC had suspended
Governor Akeredolu for
engaging in anti-party
activities.
Vanguard w<strong>as</strong> reliably
informed that the party’s
NWC would make public
the suspension of the
governor this week.
The committee, according
to sources, w<strong>as</strong> waiting to
brief President
Muhammadu Buhari
before the public
pronouncement.
A letter of suspension w<strong>as</strong>
said to have been sent to
the governor through the
party’s Vice Chairman
(South), Bankole
Oluwajana.
Oshiomhole, Tinubu
behind Akeredolu’s
travails — Atik<strong>as</strong>e
Meanwhile, an aide to the
governor, Mr Atik<strong>as</strong>e had
fingered Oshiomhole and
Tinubu in the travails of his
principal.
Atik<strong>as</strong>e said: “Akeredolu
is a principled man who
does not play politics with
anything goes.
“He will not allow
anything that is not right to
be done. Tinubu and
Oshiomhole should not
rule the party for their
expansionist and narrow
agenda.
“All I can see is the
aftermath of the defeat
Tinubu suffered when he
sponsored Alliance for
Democracy, AD, against
Akeredolu in 2016.
“What disciplinary action
did the party put in place?
Oshiomhole, on the other
hand, wanted his
candidate to be picked after
him in Edo but Akeredolu
supported the man on seat-
Ob<strong>as</strong>eki. Adams w<strong>as</strong> very
angry so he became
Chairman of the party to
witch-hunt our Governor.
“All I know is that Ondo
people will determine who
governs them. The God
who brought Akeredolu to
governance is not dead but
reigns supreme over
them.”
Don’t drag Asiwaju into
governor’s indiscipline
— Tinubu’s loyalist
However, a loyalist of
Tinubu in Ondo state, Tolu
Babaleye said Tinubu
should not be dragged into
the alleged governor’s
indiscipline.
Babaleye also on his
facebook page said: “What
concerns Tinubu with this
suspension? Is Akeredolu
not guilty of anti party
activities? I hate pretenders
and I know they won’t
make heaven.”
Babaleye said: “Let him
answer the query and
explain why he worked for
AA in Ondo State to the
extent that money meant
for APC w<strong>as</strong> hijacked and
used to work for AA. Now
you are p<strong>as</strong>sing the buck
and trading name over
nothing.
“Akeredolu is working no
doubt but this is party
politics where anti-party is
not allowed. The
suspension is long overdue
and it should extend to the
HERDSMEN ATTACK: Ekiti monarch commends
Fayemi over deployment of military JTF
By Rotimi Ojomoyela hunters would curtail the Fayemi for deploying
military joint t<strong>as</strong>k force to
Iyemero,restored peaceful
coexistence among the
A DO-EKITI—THE
traditional ruler of
Iyemero-Ekiti, Oba
Ebenezer Ogungbemi h<strong>as</strong>
commended Governor
Kayode Fayemi for the
deployment of joint t<strong>as</strong>k
force by state government
to tackle herdsmen attack
in the state.
Oba Ogungbemi and
members of his council in
a letter dated April, 20, 2019
and addressed to governor
Fayemi, said the combined
force of military and local
:Vanguard
News
activities of the suspected
killer herders and restore
peace to the beleaguered
community.
Suspected herdsmen l<strong>as</strong>t
Tuesday attacked a
farmstead called Eda, a
village under Iyemero and
shot two persons and also
raided some houses during
the midnight attack.
The attack prompted the
governor to seek military
intervention to save the
border town from further
attacks.
The monarch said: “We
are thankful to Governor
:@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058
residents
of
the community.
“Olu-in-Council and
entire people of Iyemero
Ekiti wish to express our
d e e p e s t
and heartfelt gratitude to
the governor for his
immediate and prompt
response during the l<strong>as</strong>t
week insurgency,
which led to the death,
maiming, displacement,
chaos and disturbance of
public peace in our town.
(Ondo) State (APC)
Chairman
“Akeredolu w<strong>as</strong> issued a
query to explain his role but
he failed to reply the query.
W<strong>as</strong> Buhari the only
candidate of APC? Show
the World the clip of where
he Campaign for Senator
Omojuwa and Senator
Boroffice or any of the
House of Reps candidates.
Governor failed to show
remorse
A member of the NWC
told Vanguard that the
governor failed to show
remorse even <strong>as</strong> he w<strong>as</strong> yet
to respond to the query.
The source said: “You
know we issued him a
query and he went about
telling people that he w<strong>as</strong>
yet to be queried. The worst
is that he refused to be
remorseful and went about
abusing and denigrating
the national leadership of
the party.
“So, we decided that
since he w<strong>as</strong> issuing threats
that the APC would lose
Ondo State if he is
suspended or affected by
any decision of the party,
we felt he cannot be bigger
than the party.
“We have to go the whole
hog to suspend him and it
will be made public
anytime soon. We have
nothing to fear, the fortunes
of our party are dwindling
under him and if we could
lose while he is governor,
it can’t be worse.
“We have read how he h<strong>as</strong>
been denying the
allegations. But we have
evidence of how AA
samples of ballot papers
were given to some
commissioners and
advisers in the state.
“We have evidence of how
he and his cronies have
been threatening cabinet
members who did not do
anti-party <strong>as</strong> he directed,
especially from the North
senatorial district of the
State.”
Akeredolu, had through
his Chief Press Secretary,
Segun Ajiboye, denied
being issued a query.
Oke Ogun Poly Rector, principal
officers axed over alleged fraud
....It’s untrue — Rector
By Ola Ajayi
IBADAN—AS crisis of
alleged financial
mismanagement rocks Oke-
Ogun Polytechnic, Saki, the
Governing Council of the
institution h<strong>as</strong> suspended
all substantive principal
officers of the institution,
including the Rector, Mr.
Matthew Oladeji.
The suspension order w<strong>as</strong>
contained in a memo signed
by the Chairman,
Governing Council of the
institution, Prof. Moshood
Tijani.
According to the letter
which w<strong>as</strong> sent to Governor
Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State
through the Commissioner
for Education, the council
noted that the affected
officers “have been queried
in respect of series of
allegations of fraudulent
practices and gross
misconduct.”
The governing council
also constituted a five-man
investigation panel at one of
its meetings to give the
concerned officers fair
hearing.
The letter reads: “Thus, in
line with the disciplinary
procedure of the Institution
<strong>as</strong> highlighted in the
Institution’s Edict; Part 8,
Sub-section 28 (3 &4), Mr
M. Oladeji led substantive
management (i.e. the
Principal Officers) have
been placed on suspension
pending the final
determination of the
investigation.”
I’ve not been suspended
— Rector
Responding to the
suspension order, the
Rector, Oladeji said: “I
have not received such a
letter. I’m on leave.”
Vanguard further learned
that after series of warnings
by the governing council,
the principal officers
were first <strong>as</strong>ked to
proceed on compulsory
leave before the letter of
suspension w<strong>as</strong> issued.
Yoruba'll produce next president
in 2023 — AFENIFERE
By Rotimi Ojomoyela
AAfenifere DO-EKITI—THE
Renewal
Group, ARG, in Ekiti State,
yesterday, expressed
confidence that the Yoruba
nation would produce the
country’s next president in
2023.
Speaking with newsmen
in Ado-Ekiti, State
Coordinator of ARG, Mr.
Bunmi Awotiku noted
that the body would play
significant role in
rallying the Yoruba
nation for the realisation
of the 2023 agenda.
He said: “The South West
h<strong>as</strong> been supportive of the
policies and programmes of
the present administration
of President Muhammadu
Buhari and we shall
continue to do so. We want
him to succeed and he shall
succeed by God’s grace.
“We would come to the
round table and I can
<strong>as</strong>sure you that Yoruba
would forge a common front
this time around. We have
learned our lessons <strong>as</strong> a
people and we won’t allow
internal fight or
acrimony to deprive us
this great opportunity
like the presidency.”
Alaafin urges Oyetola to boost
Osun's IGR
By Gbenga
Olarinoye
O Alaafin SOGBO—THE
of Oyo, Oba
Lamidi Olayiwola
Adeyemi, weekend, urged
Governor Adegboyega
Oyetola of Osun State to
bring his experience to bear
in order to improve the
Internally Generated
Revenue, IGR, of the state
The monarch spoke
during a visit to the
governor at his country
home in Iragbiji, Boripe
Local Government Area of
the state.
In a statement by the
Chief Press Secretary to the
governor, Adeniyi Adesina,
the Alaafin commended
Governor Oyetola for
building on the good
legacies of his
predecessors, saying a state
like Osun needed a robust
revenue profile to enable its
governor to deliver
democracy dividends.
He said: “You have to use
your wealth of experience
in administrative, financial
and political sectors to
improve on the revenue
b<strong>as</strong>e of the state.
“You might know that I
am fully aware of the
significant role you played
to boost the revenue profile
of Lagos State.
“You were among the few
people that deployed
financial professionalism
and expertise to help Lagos
to raise its revenue status
at a time its local
government allocation w<strong>as</strong>
seized by the Ob<strong>as</strong>anjo
Government during
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s
tenure
“Osun is not a rich state,
so, my advice for you is to
use your ingenuity and the
experience acquired to
advance the economy of
the state.”
Oyetola expressed
delight in the Alaafin’s visit
which he described <strong>as</strong> a
symbol of support for his
administration.
He said he w<strong>as</strong> thrilled
the monarch decided to
come to his country home
adding that “the visit will
occupy a big place in my
diary.”
He lauded the monarch
for supportiing his
administration with prayers
and advice.

12—VANGUARD, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019
Amaechi preaches
inter-party coexistence to
rebuild Rivers
By Egufe
Yafugborhi
PORT HARCOURT—
MINISTER of
Transport, Rotimi Amaechi,
like his arch political rival,
Governor Nyesom Wike,
h<strong>as</strong> challenged Rivers State
people to rise above
partisan acrimony and
unite in rebuilding Rivers.
Amaechi in his first key
public statement after the
heated Rivers elections
noted the state h<strong>as</strong> endured
a “tortuous political se<strong>as</strong>on
which saw political parties
jostle and cajole Rivers
people to make choices.’’
Consequently. he
said:”Our state which w<strong>as</strong>
known and respected <strong>as</strong>
the tre<strong>as</strong>ure b<strong>as</strong>e of the
nation, is now almost
always in the news for the
wrong re<strong>as</strong>ons. This is not
the Rivers State of our
dreams.
“No amount of
provocation or even threats
should challenge the
Rivers spirit of oneness,
unity, and harmony in you.
We must find our way back
to the path of a glorious
future.
:Vanguard
News
“I am one of you,
therefore, <strong>as</strong> your father,
son, and brother, I beseech
you to be of good courage
and join hands to build and
restore the glory of our
state.
“One of the lessons we
can take out of the E<strong>as</strong>ter
experience is that despite
the suffering, shame, and
despair of the apostles,
they were resolute in truth,
bounded by love and
remained a united family
until the morning of the
resurrection.
“As Rivers people, this is
a moment for sober
reflection and forgiveness.
I implore that we all <strong>as</strong>k
God for forgiveness and
mercy for all the things
done or left undone and
from the indigenes for the
pain and anguish they
have brazenly suffered
which most times were
unreported.
“The persistence of gang
violence, kidnappings, and
killings in parts of the state
have dealt a telling blow on
the psyche of the people.
People no longer feel safe
or sleep with their two eyes
closed."
:@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058
Fresh oil spills in Ogoni kill 2, <strong>as</strong> Army
invades community sustained bullet injuries are
receiving treatment.
•Oil thieves set spill site ablaze Speaking, Godswill
•We didn't invade community—Army
By Davies
Iheamnachor
PORT HARCOURT—
AT le<strong>as</strong>t two persons
have been killed in
Kegbara-Dere Community,
Gokana Local Government
Area of Rivers State,
following two fresh oil spills
in the area.
It w<strong>as</strong> gathered that there
w<strong>as</strong> a spill from an oil
facility owned by the Shell
Petroleum Development
Company, SPDC, in B-
Dere and Kpor
communities of the same
LGA.
It w<strong>as</strong> also gathered that
Shell had tried to access the
site and repair the damage
before the incident
occurred.
However, the Chairman
of Kegbara-Dere Town
Council, Dornu Godswill,
disclosed that one Nen-
Elkpege Legbara and one
other person lost their lives,
while, Mr. Friday Komene
and two others who
expressed worries that
their community is under
siege by military men, who
allegedly invaded the area.
He said: “On April 18,
2019, I w<strong>as</strong> returning from
the hospital and I saw Shell
vehicles parked at Kpor
trunk line. I had to find out
what the problem w<strong>as</strong>. I w<strong>as</strong>
informed that there w<strong>as</strong> an
oil spill.
“I w<strong>as</strong> worried that they
did not inform the
community. Immediately,
I called on the president to
stay with them.
“I later heard that some
people obstructed their
IYC decries illegal mining in North,
calls for resource control
By Jimitota
Onoyume
W National ARRI—IJAW
Congress
IYC, h<strong>as</strong> called for the
amendment of the 1999
constitution to allow states
control and harness natural
resources in their are<strong>as</strong>,
noting that with the illegal
mining activities in the
north the Niger Deltans
should also be allowed to
drill their crude oil.
National President of the
body Roland Oweilaemi in
a statement made available
to Vanguard said given the
mining of solid minerals
belonging to the nation, the
body would not hesitate in
its drive for constitutional
reform to allow states in the
Niger Delta exercise control
over resources in their
domain.
His words:”With the
rather surprising news of
illegal mining activities in
the Northern part of the
country where powerful
individuals are allowed to
tap the natural resources in
their domains, IYC is
calling on the Federal
Government to commence
the amendment of the
constitution by allowing
states to harness and
control the resources in
their domains.
“This call is becoming
imperative due to the fact
that Niger Delta people
want to control the
resources in their lands
since solid minerals in the
north are now reduced to
individual ownership in
spite of the enabling laws
in the country vesting
ownership of natural
resources on the federal
government.
“It is either the
government restructures
the country by allowing
states to harness and
control the resources in
their domains or we will
take every step necessary
to exercise control over the
resources in our fatherland.
‘’Despite the fact that
illegal mining activities are
causing a bloody crisis in
the North, the government
h<strong>as</strong> not deemed it
necessary to set up a
military joint t<strong>as</strong>k force to
checkmate the illegal
mining activities because
the solid minerals in the
country are seen <strong>as</strong>
privately owned by
ownership to the feudal
lords.’’
activities. They invited us
to give them access to the
spill site.”
Godswill noted that oil
thieves had set the spill at
Kpor ablaze, adding that
three of the thieves died at
the spot.
He, however, said the
military that escorted Shell
to the area attacked their
community when the spills
were not in their
community.
“On the 18th of April,
around 10 pm, we heard a
sound and we later got
information that the oil spill
at Kpor w<strong>as</strong> on fire. It w<strong>as</strong>
not our boys that did it. We
only heard that some oil
bunkerers that were
cooking products around
that area caused it.”
When contacted the
spokesman of Shell, Mr.
Michael Adande, said the
firm would respond to the
allegations raised against it
at the appropriate time.
Army denies
invading
community
Meanwhile, the 6
Division of the Nigerian
Army, h<strong>as</strong> denied reports
that its men invaded K-
Dere community, saying
the boys in the area attacked
the military personnel.
The spokesman of the
Division, Col. Aminu
Iliy<strong>as</strong>u, in a statement in
Port Harcourt yesterday
said: “The community w<strong>as</strong>
at no time invaded. The bad
boys who set fire on the
TNP and infracting the
lines, attacked the SPDC
technical crew by firing
fiercely for more than three
hours from the evil forest <strong>as</strong>
they call it, which can only
be accessed through the
community from the
direction the firing w<strong>as</strong>
coming from.’’
LOCAL CONTENT: A-Ibom indigenous oil
firm drags NCDMB, others to court
By Chioma
Onuegbu
UYO—AN indigenous
oil servicing firm in
Akwa Ibom State, Pioneer
Divers International
Limited, h<strong>as</strong> dragged
Nigeria Content
Development and
Monitoring Board,
NCDMB, to a state High
Court, Eket Judicial
Division, for alleged breach
of the local content laws.
In the suit number HEK/
96/2019, filed by its lead
counsel, Nwabueze
Onukogu, the indigenous
firm alleged that the
NCDMB breached the
provisions of Nigerian Oil
and G<strong>as</strong> Industry Content
Development Act, 2010.
Joined in the suit <strong>as</strong>
defendants are
International oil firms
ExxonMobil Producing
Nigeria, Boron Oil and G<strong>as</strong>
Ltd of the United States of
America and Subtech
company from South Africa.
Pioneer Divers
International Ltd alleged
that NCDMB conspired
with the International Oil
firms to shortchange
Nigerian oil companies
from benefiting in contract
award which could help
indigenous firms to acquire
the needed skill to take over
operations in oil and g<strong>as</strong>
industry sector <strong>as</strong>
envisaged in the local
content Act, 2010.
The plaintiff claimed that
Mobil producing Nigeria
had awarded a contract
titled “Diving, Topside and
ROV’s in their operations
field in Akwa Ibom to Boron
Oil and G<strong>as</strong> Ltd of United
States of America in
partnership with Subtech in
South Africa at the rate of
$90 million.
The firm argued that the
services would have been
executed by indigenous
companies, but the first
defendant, NCDMB, had
recommended that Boron
oil of United States and
Subtech of South Africa,
third and fourth defendants
respectively to ExxonMobil
producing Nigeria for the
award.
The plaintiff said such
recommendation by
NCDMB w<strong>as</strong> a violation of
local content laws of Nigeria
which they were supposed
to protect, safeguard and
implement for the benefit of
local companies operating
in the oil industry to protect
them against foreign
competitors.
In the writ of summons
made available to
newsmen yesterday in
Uyo, the Pioneer Divers
International Limited is
seeking for the declaration
that the defendants have
breached the provisions of
the Nigerian Oil and G<strong>as</strong>
Industry Content
Development Act , 2010.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22 , 2019 — 13
:Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058
Air strikes in Dumburum killed only
criminals — Gov Yari
Z
A
M F A R A —
GOVERNOR
Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara
State, h<strong>as</strong> said his
government will not
apologize over the alleged
killing of villagers in the
state during bombardment
of suspected bandits camps
in Dumburum village in
Zurmi local government
area of the state.
The governor, who made
the statement when a 7-man
investigation team on the
matter visited him at his
Talata-Mafara private
residence, said Dumburum
village had served <strong>as</strong>
hideout for criminals over
the l<strong>as</strong>t three years.
The state’s Council of
Chiefs had a fortnight ago
alleged that innocent
citizens were recently
bombarded through air
strikes in the area by
personnel of the Nigeria
Air Force, NAF.
“As far <strong>as</strong> I am concerned
and <strong>as</strong> the head of
government in the state, l
haven’t seen anything
wrong done by the air force,
l have not received any brief
on such matter. Dumburum
h<strong>as</strong> been a criminal hideout
for over three years and the
Emir of Zurmi h<strong>as</strong> once
<strong>as</strong>ked me to go and wipe
out the area saying all those
residing there were bandits,
so l am surprised that the
emir will be part of those
saying innocent people
were killed in an encounter
in the area,” he said.
The governor who said
some powers were working
against the state,
maintained that “some
people will stay in Abuja
and fabricate things against
the operations in Zamfara
to distract the operation,
this we must not be
allowed.
“All security agencies
especially the air force
should continue with their
usual constitutional duties
and the state government
will offer all the support to
facilitate your concentration
in trying to restore peace
which h<strong>as</strong> eluded the state
since 2007. You should
continue with fire power to
show the criminals that
there is a government in
place and we won’t
negotiate with them again
because when we did that
in the p<strong>as</strong>t, the leaders
pretended <strong>as</strong> if all w<strong>as</strong> well
while they allowed their boys
to continue to lay siege on the
communities.”
Handing over a letter of
condolence to the governor
from the Chief of Air Staff,
Air Marshall Sadique
Abubakar, the team leader,
AVM Idi Lubo said it w<strong>as</strong>
part of the chief’s concern in c<strong>as</strong>e
the allegations were true.
PRESENTATION: From left—Former Governor Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio, President Campaign
for Democracy (CD) Comrade Raji R<strong>as</strong>heed, Comrade Ol<strong>as</strong>upo Ojo of the Centre for Rule of Law and Executive
Director, Crime Victims Foundation, Comrade Gloria Egbuji, when Akpabio w<strong>as</strong> presented with the “Reach for
the Stars” award by 25 Human Rights Organisations for his uncommon transformation exploits <strong>as</strong> Akwa Ibom
state governor in Abuja.
Election fallout : Aisha Buhari wants Adamawa
people united •Seeks trust fund to fight poverty, devt challenges
By Umar Yusuf
YOLA—WIFE of the
President, Mrs Aisha
Muhammadu Buhari
h<strong>as</strong> called for the
establishment of a trust
fund to curb rising
poverty and other
development challenges
facing Adamawa state.
This came <strong>as</strong> she
pleaded with the people
of the state irrespective
of their political,
religious, ethnic and
other differences to forge
ahead for a rebirth of
new Adamawa
Mrs Buhari spoke
weekend in Yola at a
town hall meeting of
concerned citizens of the
state held at the banquet
hall in government
house.
She said “We are all
aware of the division the
l<strong>as</strong>t general election h<strong>as</strong>
done to our dear state.
We will not close our
eyes and see the division
getting wider and wider,
so the earlier we put our
heads together for a new
Adamawa state the better
for us and generations
yet unborn.I would like
to advocate the
establishment of
Adamawa Development
Trust Fund through
which prioritized
developmental projects
can be financed.
“With the rampant
security challenges,
interethnic conflicts,
poor educational
enrolment of <strong>children</strong> in
schools, poorly
functioning health
system, annual flood
being experienced, and
continued influx of
displaced people, our hope
and solution <strong>as</strong> a people lie
in our ability to join hands
and form a coalition
towards uplifting the state
from its present
predicament.”
Earlier, Secretary to the State
Government, SSG, Dr Umar
Bindir, said poverty level in the
state w<strong>as</strong> high .
Tiv/Jukun attacks: Gov Ishaku sues for peace,
wants end to killings
By Femi Bolaji
J
A L I N G O —
GOVERNOR Darius
Ishaku of Taraba State, h<strong>as</strong>
pleaded with the warring
parties in the Tiv and
Jukun tribes of Benue and
Taraba states to embrace
peace and end the wanton
killing of innocent lives in
border communities.
The governor in an
E<strong>as</strong>ter message to the
people of Taraba State,
lamented that the state had
recorded many conflicts in
recent times and suffered
many loses, insisting that
peace and unity w<strong>as</strong> a
collective responsibility.
The governor in a
statement by his Senior
Special Assistant on Media
and Publicity, Bala Dan Abu
said “we have had too
many crises and conflicts,
and lost too many innocent
lives and valuable
properties in the p<strong>as</strong>t and
these should stop.
“This E<strong>as</strong>ter is an
occ<strong>as</strong>ion for us in Taraba
State to resolve to work
much harder for peace and
unity among our people.
Peace is the greatest need
of the state at this point in
time and we must commit
ourselves to the search for
it.”
Meanwhile, the Tiv Cultural
and Social Association, Taraba
state, h<strong>as</strong> credited renewed
attacks in some border
communities of Taraba and
Benue States <strong>as</strong> the handiwork
of hoodlums, who it said were
bent on causing disaffection
between the Tiv and Jukun tribes
residents in both states.
The group said the latest
attacks by the hoodlums after a
peace meeting w<strong>as</strong> convened by
the government of Taraba and
Benue States l<strong>as</strong>t Monday w<strong>as</strong>
purely an act of criminality, and
stated that those fanning the
embers of war between the two
tribes are enemies of both states.
President General of the
Group, Goodman Dahida who
spoke at a briefing at the weekend
in Jalingo, reiterated that the Tiv
were not at war with the Jukun
tribe, adding that the unprovoked
attacks after a peace meeting
were a ploy by the miscreants to
frustrate the peace effort.
Shut mobile network in Rugu
forest to checkmate banditry
— Village head
By B<strong>as</strong>hir Bello He spoke during an
Kvillage
ATSINA—KATSINA
head,
Muhammed Bello h<strong>as</strong>
called for the shutting down
of mobile network services
in Rugu forest, hideout of
criminals and the affected
villages of Katsina,
Zamfara and Birnin Gwari
in Kaduna neighbouring
forest to dislodge criminals
from the forest.
Bello, the village head of
Guzurawa, Safana local
government area and one
of the front line are<strong>as</strong> of
Katsina State, called on the
government to partner with
the service providers to shut
down the service networks
to
barricade
communication between
the kidnappers, bandits
and their informants in
order to end the ugly trend.
interactive session
programme tagged Katsina
Forum facilitated by the
Umaru Musa Yar’Adua
Capacity and Capability
rehabilitation center held
over the weekend in the
state.
According to him, “Many
people have been killed by
bandits and most of the
survivors don’t sleep in
their houses <strong>as</strong> a result of
banditry activities in their
are<strong>as</strong>.
“There is a village under my
watch with more than 200
households, they have sacked
from the area. The village is now
empty because you won’t find
anybody there. People have
deserted their homes because of
the series of attacks. We are in
the villages, we know what is
happening."
Buhari's refusal over Ajaokuta
Bill disappointing — Ogembe
By Boluwaji
Obahopo
L OKOJA—SENATOR
representing Kogi
central senatorial district,
Ahmed Ogembe h<strong>as</strong>
expressed disappointment
over the refusal of President
Muhammadu Buhari to
<strong>as</strong>sent to the Ajaokuta Iron
and Steel bill.
The bill recommends that
$1billion should be sourced
from excess crude account
to revitalize the Ajaokuta
steel complex.
Senator Ogembe who
spoke while addressing
journalists said the re<strong>as</strong>ons
the president adduced for
rejecting the bill were not
sufficient considering the
importance of the Ajaokuta
Iron and steel complex to
the industrialization,
economic growth and
development of the country.
According to him, “Few
days ago, the Minister of
Transportation said the
Federal Government needs
about $40billion to
interconnect Nigeria rail
system and my position is
that, we will not need anything
close to that if we had invested in
Ajaokuta Steel Company to
produce steel needed for the rail
tracks and coaches. The
advantages of Ajaokuta steel
complex cannot be over
emph<strong>as</strong>ized <strong>as</strong> it is capable
of generating 3 million job
opportunities for our army
of unemployed youths
including over 12 thousand
engineers and generate
foreign exchange for the
country in excess of
$4billion annually thereby
reducing pressure on Naira
value.
“Some of the re<strong>as</strong>ons the
president gave in rejecting
the bill which include the
need for him to consult with
the National Economic
Council since the excess
crude account belongs to
the federating units w<strong>as</strong> not
done but the president
h<strong>as</strong>tily rejected the bill.
Again, I must say that the
inability of the president to
convoke a National
Economic Council meeting
where the Ajaokuta bill will
be discussed cannot be
said to be a legislative error and
hence there w<strong>as</strong> no need to reject
the bill out rightly."
Sweet sensation reopens
Opebi outlet with special
E<strong>as</strong>ter promo
S
W
E E T —
SENSATION
will be reopening its
Opebi outlet this E<strong>as</strong>ter
to continue serving her
esteemed customers in
that axis of Lagos.
The outlet which w<strong>as</strong>
temporarily shut down
h<strong>as</strong> been upgraded to
keep to the company’s
promise of delivering
quality service and live
up to its reputation <strong>as</strong>
one of the top quick
service restaurants in
Nigeria. The Outlet now
features a lounge, a
yippee outlet <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong>
a funsation outlet for
<strong>children</strong>.
The reopening comes
with a special E<strong>as</strong>ter
promo that will
culminate into a a lucky
draw which will take
place on E<strong>as</strong>ter Monday,
April 22, 2019. To qualify,
customers will need to
purch<strong>as</strong>e real deal meal
throughout the E<strong>as</strong>ter
period.

14 — VANGUARD, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019
EASTER CELEBRATIONS IN PICS
Nigerians joined Christians all over the world to celebrate E<strong>as</strong>ter (Sunday) yesterday. VANGUARD photographers; Kehinde Gbadamosi,
Olu Ajayi and Lamidi Bamidele caught the scenes.
From left; Bola Ojofeitimi, Provost, The Cathedral Church of Christ, Lagos;
Adedayo Oyebanji, Chancellor, Diocese of Lagos; Humphrey Bamisebi
Olumakaiye, Bishop, Diocese of Lagos; Olumide Sowofora, Deputy
Chancellor, Diocese of Lagos, and Joy Ebeledike, legal adviser, Diocese of
Lagos, at the E<strong>as</strong>ter Sunday service of the church in Lagos.
From left: Proto-Presbyter, Methodist Church of Nigeria (MCN), Very Rev
Bamidele Osin; Secretary, Conference, MCN, Rt. Rev. Michael Akinwale; Prelate,
MCN, His Eminence Dr. Samuel Chukwuemeka Uche; Bishop of Trinity Church
Council and The Rt. Rev. Omotayo Babalola, during the Service at Tinubu Lagos.
From left; Ven Adegoke Agara, Dean, Archbishop Vining Memorial Church
Cathderal, AVMC, Ikeja, Lagos; Mrs Olutoyin Agara, Dean, AVMC; Rt Rev James
Olusola Odedeji, Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, Church of Nigeria (Anglican
Communion) his wife, Lydia and Justice Bab<strong>as</strong>hola Ogunade, Chancellor, Diocese
of Lagos West, during the 2019 E<strong>as</strong>ter Sunday service of AVMC.
The Bishop of Kaduna Anglican Diocese, Rt. Rev'd Timothy Yahaya
(left) with the Sub Dean of the Cathedral, Ven. Gabriel Sedemogun
and Rev. Canon Akin Olafimihan in a procesion for the E<strong>as</strong>ter Sunday
service at the Cathedral of St. Michael, Kaduna.
President of Jacoo’s Charity International, Jodie Frank distributing food items to
<strong>children</strong> during the organisation’s E<strong>as</strong>ter outreach at Mpape Chief's palace in Abuja.
Nigerian Air Force personnel, during lunch organized by Chief of Air Staff
to mark E<strong>as</strong>ter celebration, at the Yola Air force B<strong>as</strong>e.
(LEFT): P<strong>as</strong>tor Isreal
Akanji; his wife Victoria;
Prof. Andrew Zamani
and Rev. Osaretin Ogbeide
during the E<strong>as</strong>ter
service at First
Baptist Church, at
Area 11, Garki, Abuja.
(RIGHT): Parish Priest,
Sacred Heart Catholic
Church, Rev. Fr.
Clement Igyeseh
(kneeling, centre)
blessing the congregation
during the E<strong>as</strong>ter Vigil at
the Sacred Heart Catholic
Church in Gwagwalada,
Abuja on Saturday night.

9th NASS: Give speakership to S-E<strong>as</strong>t,
Ohanaeze youths tell APC
By Anayo Okoli
U MUAHIA—AHEAD
of the election of the
principal officers of the 9th
National Assembly, the
youth wing of the apex
Igbo socio-cultural
organisation, Ohanaeze
Ndigbo Youths, h<strong>as</strong>
cautioned the ruling All
Progressives Congress,
APC, against sidelining
the Igbo in electing the
leaders, warning that Igbo
people are not second cl<strong>as</strong>s
citizens.
Ohanaeze youths said
that any attempt by APC to
treat Ndigbo <strong>as</strong> second
cl<strong>as</strong>s citizens would be
resisted. They argued that
Ndigbo deserved a better
treatment from the ruling
party to reciprocate the
improved support the party
had gained in Igbo land.
Specifically, the Igbo
youths, in particular
demanded that APC zones
the speakership of the 9th
National Assembly to the
South E<strong>as</strong>t, saying
anything short of that will
be seen <strong>as</strong> the continued
marginalisation of Ndigbo
in the political equation of
Nigeria.
In a statement signed by
the National Deputy Youth
Leader, Ohanaeze Ndigbo,
Dr. Kingsley Dozie,
Ohanaeze youths said that
“it is a big insult and an
affront to the Igbo nation
that the South-E<strong>as</strong>t
geopolitical zone is not
being considered by the
APC for any key principal
position in the 9th National
Assembly leadership”.
Frowning at the party’s
non-inclusion of the South
E<strong>as</strong>t zone on the list of
zones to produce the
presiding officers of the 9th
Assembly, Ohanaeze
youths condemned the
decision of the APC
leadership to endorse
Senator Ahmed Lawan
from North E<strong>as</strong>t for
Senate President and Femi
Gbajabiamila from South
West for the Speaker,
House of Representatives,
saying that South West
which already h<strong>as</strong> the Vice
President should not also
be given the Speaker of the
House of Representatives if
there is equity and fairness
in Nigeria.
“We query the
justification in zoning the
presiding officers of the
National Assembly to
regions that already have
fair shares to the neglect
of are<strong>as</strong> that have nothing
at all.
“We contend that since
the President and Vice
President came from the
North and West
respectively, justice and
equity demand that either
the Senate President or
Speaker of the House of
Representatives should
come from South E<strong>as</strong>t.
“Since the APC h<strong>as</strong>
already zoned the Senate
Presidency to the North
E<strong>as</strong>t and the Deputy to
South South, South E<strong>as</strong>t
should be allowed to
produce the Speaker of the
Anglican Communion disagrees with Anambra
govt on herdsmen killings
By Chimaobi
Nwaiwu
N NEWI—THE
Diocese of Mbamili,
Anglican Communion h<strong>as</strong>
disagreed with Anambra
State government over its
claims of resolving and
ending herdsmen killings
in Anambra West Local
Government Area, saying
that killings by the
herdsmen are still ongoing.
It therefore, called on
Governor Willie Obiano to
address the killings by the
herdsmen, particularly in
Anam communities, to
avoid bloody cl<strong>as</strong>h between
the herdsmen and the
enraged youths.
The Diocese spoke
through its Bishop, Rt. Rev.
Henry Okeke, at Cathedral
Church of St. Michael
Umuikwu Anam, during
the 3rd Session of the 3rd
Synod of the Diocese of
:Vanguard
News
Mbamili, alleging that
secret killings by the
herdsmen are still ongoing.
They however expressed
fear that the extremely
angry youths in the area
are charged to confront the
herdsmen, but are being
calmed down by the church
and the elders, urging the
government to step in with
security me<strong>as</strong>ures to calm
the tensed situation down.
The visibly angry Bishop
Okeke, said: “Secret
killings of farmers in
communities in Anambra
West by arms- bearing
herdsmen are still ongoing
while the government in
the state is claiming to have
resolved it.
“We are therefore, calling
on the Governor Obianoled
government to act f<strong>as</strong>t
in addressing the problem
because it is still there and
there is anger in the land.
Youths are becoming
extremely restive and need
to be calmed down.
"Government should talk
with the Miyetti Allah
Cattle Breeders
Association, MACBAN,
leaders. They have shied
away from this problem of
herdsmen attack for too
long. They must confront
the problem now. There is
a serious need to open up
discussion to address the
problem.
“While people are still
being secretly killed and
driven out of their farm by
arms-wielding herdsmen,
we call on the government
that said the problem h<strong>as</strong>
been resolved to come and
solve the problem once and
for all.
"It is not enough to simply
say we have resolved it.
How have you resolved it
when there are still silent
killings going on?, You have
not resolved anything."
VANGUARD, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019—15
:@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058
WORKSHOP: From left—Mrs Tosin Adefeko, Managing Partner, AT3 Resources Ltd; Austin
Okere, Entrepreneur in Residence, Ausso Leadership Academy; and Aishah Ahmed, Deputy
Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, at the champion session delivered by Ahmed to budding
entrepreneurs in Lagos.
Enugu LG places N5m
bounty on killers of scribe
By Emma
Nnadozie
CHAIRMAN of Uzo-
Uwani Local
Government Area, Enugu
State, Fidelis Ani h<strong>as</strong>
announced the offer of
N5m for any person or
persons that will provide
info about killers of the
Local Government
Secretary, Dr. Nnamdi
Ogueche.
Ogueche w<strong>as</strong> killed by
yet-to-be identified
hoodlums along Olo/
Umulokpa road while on
his way to the state capital,
Enugu after attending a
meeting in his home town,
Adaba, l<strong>as</strong>t month.
Announcing the offer at
the Local Government
headquarters, Umulokpa,
Ani lamented the death of
the secretary and reiterated
the avowed commitment of
the council to fish out those
that perpetrated the evil.
He expressed gratitude to
the governor of the state,
Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for
his benevolence and
concern over the sad
incident and for donating
N10 million to the wife and
<strong>children</strong> of the dece<strong>as</strong>ed.
The local government
boss also <strong>as</strong>sured that the
council is synergising with
security agencies including
the police in ensuring that
those who perpetrated the
heinous crime are made to
pay for their devilish act.
He used the opportunity to
re-<strong>as</strong>sure the people of the
area that efforts are being
made to ensure that such
ugly incident will not
happen again.
Land tussle: Police warn
Anambra community against
disrupting market project
By Chimaobi
Nwaiwu
N NEWI—ANAMBRA
State Police
Command h<strong>as</strong> directed
any indigene of Oba
community, who h<strong>as</strong> any
grievance over alleged
non-payment of
compensation for land
acquired by the state
government for building
Anambra International
Market, to go to court.
Ezegbe community in
Umumpuma Oba, l<strong>as</strong>t week
protested non-payment of
compensation for their land
by the state government.
The community is said to
be one of the kindreds
whose lands were taken by
the state government under
the then Chinwoke
M b a d i n u j u ’ s
administration to build the
market.
Elders and youths of the
community are threatening
that they will not allow
construction work to
continue at the project site,
having repeatedly
embarked on peaceful
demonstration for the
payment of the
compensation and other
entitlements, without
allegedly being paid by the
Anambra State government
and the contractor financier,
Burkham Nigerian
Limited.
The community w<strong>as</strong> also
irked by the involvement of
another company which
they accused of
intimidating and har<strong>as</strong>sing
residents with security
agents and making
payment of their
compensation and other
entitlements difficult.
The manager of the
company however, denied
the allegations.
Chairman of the Ezegbe
community, Evangelist
Benson Anajemba and a
member of Ezegbe
Community Elders
Council, Ogbuefi Daniel
Ibeakuzie, alleged that
"the state government
connived with Burkham
and forcefully took our land
without payment of
compensation to land
owners since 2002."
However, the Anambra
State Police Command
through the Deputy
Commissioner of Police in
charge of Operations on
behalf of the State
Commissioner, Musdafa
Dandaura in a meeting with
all the stakeholders
appealed to them to "take
up the matter in a law court
without posing any threat
to public peace."
Hard times: Cleric urges Nigerians to have hope
By Vincent
Ujumadu
AWKA—THE Catholic
Bishop of Awka
Diocese in Anambra State,
Most Reverend Paulinus
Ezeokafor h<strong>as</strong> urged
Nigerians to have hope in
God despite the hard times
they were experiencing.
Delivering his E<strong>as</strong>ter
message in Awka, the cleric
advised Christians to see
suffering and difficulties <strong>as</strong>
part of the journey to
eternity that would be
beneficial.
According to him, E<strong>as</strong>ter
presented an opportunity
for Christians to thank God
for the opportunity of being
part of Christ’s
resurrection, adding that
the fact that Christ is alive
gives people hope.
He said: “Despite the
stressful times, people
should trust in God by
emulating Christ who,
despite his travails, did not
give up.
“There are difficulties, but
it is only the living that
would come up to tell the
story. So, let us stop living
<strong>as</strong> if we are hopeless.
There is hope and Christ
showed that hope <strong>as</strong> he
went through suffering
and at the end of the day,
his resurrection brought us
life.
“Christ took up that
challenge; so, I challenge
all of us to take up
whatever challenges that
life brings. Suffering is
already part and parcel of
our lives and nobody can
be immune from it."

16—Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019
NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058
HEALTH INITIATIVE: From left — Dr. Edun Om<strong>as</strong>anjuma, State Team Leader, John Hopkins University,
Center for Communications Programme, Ms. Rhoda Robinson, Director, Gender and Development, Hacey Health
initiative, Dr. Omol<strong>as</strong>ho Omosehin, Reproductive Health programme specialist and Mrs. Abiodun Ogunt<strong>as</strong>e,
Midwife, Lagos State General Hospital, during the Maternal Health seminar by Hacey Health Initiative, supported
by Access Bank, in Lagos, yesterday. Photo Kehinde Shonola.
Food security: FG plans rele<strong>as</strong>e of new BT
crops •Mulls devt of National Biotech Communication policy
By Emmanuel
Elebeke
ABUJA—THE Federal
Government is to
rele<strong>as</strong>e new Genetically
Modified rice, BT rice, BT
c<strong>as</strong>sava and other crops
soon.
The Coordinator of Open
Forum for Agricultural
Biotechnology in Nigeria,
OFAB Nigeria, Dr. Rose
Gidado dropped the hint,
weekend, during a capacity
building programme for
editors and correspondents
in Abuja.
She explained that the
plan would be realised
through the ongoing
research findings by
Nigerian scientists at the
National Biotechnology
Development Agency,
NABDA in line with federal
government's plan to
achieve food sufficiency in
the country.
Gidado said NABDA h<strong>as</strong>
demonstrated a lot of
capacity in new GM crops
with the introduction of BT
Cotton and BT Cowpea,
which took about 10 years
of intensive research, adding
that it would amount to
understatement to say that
Nigeria h<strong>as</strong> capacity in
biotechnology.
Similarly, the Permanent
Secretary, Federal Ministry
of Science and Technology,
Mr. Bitrus Nab<strong>as</strong>u h<strong>as</strong> said
federal government is
taking steps to develop
National Biotechnology
Communication policy.
Nab<strong>as</strong>u said the policy
when put in place will
ensure that the Nigerian
Edo group urges Ob<strong>as</strong>eki to open new
hospital for public use
By Alemma Aliu
BENIN
CITY—
ALMOST three years
after President
Muhammadu Buhari
commissioned the rebuilt
part of the Benin Central
Hospital which houses the
trauma centre, bre<strong>as</strong>t cancer
detective centre, executive
wards, various x-ray
sections and others with first
cl<strong>as</strong>s facilities, the Edo Unity
League h<strong>as</strong> joined the
legion of Edo people and
groups calling on Governor
Godwin Ob<strong>as</strong>eki to open
the facility for public use.
A statement yesterday
N-Delta youths back Dogara for Speaker
ASABA—AS the race for
the leadership of the 9th
National Assembly, NASS,
hot up, youth groups,
opinion leaders and
stakeholders in the Niger
signed by the Deputy
National Chairman of the
League, Surveyor Martins
Abdul Abulagba said the
non opening of the fully
furnished hospital w<strong>as</strong> a
disservice to the people
and called on President
Muhammadu Buhari to
prevail on the governor to
open the hospital.
But the state
Commissioner for Health,
Dr David Osifo said the
process of opening the
facility w<strong>as</strong> already on <strong>as</strong>
personnel were being
employed and trained to
work in the facility and
denied that the delay in
Delta region have
resolved to throw their
weight solidly behind the
return of the incumbent,
the Rt. Hon. Yakubu
Dogara <strong>as</strong> Speaker of the
House of Representatives.
The Niger Delta youth
groups and stakeholders
have consequently
unveiled plans for a
systematic lobby of relevant
personalities including
federal lawmakers from
the oil-rich region to work
towards the re-election of
Dogara <strong>as</strong> the House
Speaker.
A prominent leader from
the region, Dr. Ufuoma
Omakara made the
disclosure during a chat
with newsman, saying the
decision w<strong>as</strong> part of
resolutions reached at the
meeting of leaders of
affiliate groups under the
aegis of Coalition of Niger-
public is adequately informed
about the advances
on biotechnology.
The Permanent Secretary,
who harped on strong
collaboration between
media and government
said government h<strong>as</strong>
embraced modern biotechnology,
stating that the
technology is here to stay.
"We plan to develop a
National Biotechnology
Communication policy in
collaboration with relevant
stakeholders."
opening the place w<strong>as</strong>
political.
The statement said “If
the Governor truly mean
well for the State, he will
not be succumbing to
pressure to playing
pedestrian politics with the
health of our people <strong>as</strong> it is
believed in some quarters
that his refusal to open the
hospital is to continually
tarnish the un<strong>as</strong>sailable
political image of his
predecessor (Comrade
Adams Oshiomhole)
ahead of the 2020
gubernatorial contest within
the All Progressives
Congress fold.
Delta Youth Groups and
Stakeholders' Forum,
weekend.
He said the decision to
back and recommend
Speaker Dogara for the
Reps number one seat w<strong>as</strong>
informed by his
outstanding leadership
qualities that saw the
House remaining wellcoordinated
since 2015
when he <strong>as</strong>sumed the
position.
According to him, the
Nigerian House of
Representatives have
neither seen such
tranquility, nor exhibited
the diligence that h<strong>as</strong> been
it's hallmark since the return to
democracy in 1999, until the
coming of the Dogara's
leadership, which gave a sense
of belonging to the Green
Chamber lawmakers <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong>
brought pride to Nigerians.
Aramco to buy Shell’s stake
in Saudi refining JV for $631
million
SAUDI Aramco will ac
quire Royal Dutch
Shell’s 50 percent stake in
their Saudi refining joint
venture SASREF for $631
million, the two companies
said on Sunday.
The purch<strong>as</strong>e, which is
part of Aramco’s strategy to
expand its downstream operations,
will be completed
later this year, they said
in a joint statement.
Saudi Aramco Shell Refinery
Co (SASREF), b<strong>as</strong>ed
in Jubail Industrial City in
Saudi Arabia, h<strong>as</strong> a crude
oil refining capacity of
305,000 barrels per day
(bpd).
“Saudi Aramco will take
full ownership and integrate
the refinery into its
growing downstream
portfolio. SASREF will
continue to be a critical
facility in our refining and
chemicals business,” Abdulaziz
al-Judaimi,
Aramco’s senior vice president
of downstream, said
in the statement.
Aramco aims to become
a global leader in chemicals
and the world’s largest
integrated energy
firm, with plans to expand
its refining operations
and petrochemical output.
Qatar’s sovereign fund, Crown
Acquisitions named <strong>as</strong> investors
in $5.6 billion NY deal
QATAR Investment
Authority (QIA) and
private realty firm Crown
Acquisitions said they
were the unnamed investors
in a deal with Vornado
Realty Trust valued at
$5.56 billion that involves
a portfolio of prime New
York retail properties.
Vornado sold a non-controlling
stake in its portfolio
of properties along Fifth
Avenue and Broadway in
Times Square in a transaction
that provided the firm
c<strong>as</strong>h proceeds of about
$1.2 billion, the firm said
on Thursday.
Neither QIA, Qatar’s
sovereign wealth fund, or
Crown Acquisitions were
named on Thursday <strong>as</strong> the
investors who contributed
$1.31 billion in c<strong>as</strong>h in a
newly created joint venture
with Vornado.
QIA and Crown Acquisitions,
which acted <strong>as</strong> an
advisor to the deal, said
they acquired a 24percent
stake each in a portfolio
of five ground-level
stores along a swath of
Fifth Avenue just north of
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
and two sites in Times
Square.
The deal comprised $950
million of mortgage debt,
$1.83 billion of preferred
equity entirely held by
Vornado and $2.78 billion
of common equity in
which Vornado holds
51percent.
Strong stock and bond markets
at odds over global growth
STOCKS and bonds
around the world
have rallied atypically
together since the start
of the year, rewarding
investors both bullish
and bearish on the direction
of global
growth.
The main catalyst for
the gains w<strong>as</strong> the Federal
Reserve’s surprise
decision in early January
to pause its tightening
policy, after four interest
rate incre<strong>as</strong>es in
2018 raised fears it w<strong>as</strong>
being too aggressive <strong>as</strong>
the economy cooled and
inflation remained
minimal. Those fears
helped send global
markets into a tailspin
in December.
Yet with the U.S.
benchmark S&P 500
near a record level and
corporate junk bonds
notching new highs,
the question stock and
bond investors are <strong>as</strong>king
is whether the
Fed’s next move will
be a rate cut that further
propels risk <strong>as</strong>sets
or a rate hike that cuts
into the stock market’s
momentum.
Toyota establishes research
institute in China to study hydrogen,
green technologies
JAPAN’s Toyota Motor
Toyota’s President and Chief
Corp said on Sunday it w<strong>as</strong> Executive Akio Toyoda in a
setting up a research institute
speech at Tsinghua University,
is part of the Japanese
in Beijing in partnership with
Tsinghua University to study
carmaker’s efforts to share
car technology using hydrogen
power and other green
more technology with China
<strong>as</strong> it seeks to expand its
technologies that could e<strong>as</strong>e business in the country by
environmental problems in
beefing up manufacturing
China.
capacity and distribution
The initiative, outlined by
channels, a source
All stories credited to Reuters

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019 —17

18 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019
BARELY a week after Algerian
dictator, President Abdelaziz
Bouteflika, w<strong>as</strong> forced out by people’s
power, it w<strong>as</strong> the turn of 75-year-old
Sudanese President, Omar H<strong>as</strong>san Al-
B<strong>as</strong>hir, to bite the dust after 30 years
of authoritarian grip. Al-B<strong>as</strong>hir, an
army paratrooper, led an Islamist
junta which ousted Prime Minister
Sadiq al-Mahdi in a bloodless coup in
April 1989.
Al-B<strong>as</strong>hir bestrode Sudan like an
emperor. To strengthen his autocratic
hold on power, he had introduced
policies that sustained corruption and
nepotism. It w<strong>as</strong> a situation that also
triggered off years of conflict and
insecurity in the Darfur, South
Kordofan, and the Blue Nile.
In fact, the International Criminal
Court at The Hague, ICC, had issued
two arrest warrants against him over
the Darfur conflict bordering on
genocide. He w<strong>as</strong> also accused of
murder, rape and torture. He w<strong>as</strong> the
The fall of Sudan’s Omar Al-B<strong>as</strong>hir
first sitting president to be so charged.
Al B<strong>as</strong>hir armed Arab p<strong>as</strong>toralists
(Janjaweed) to attack and seize lands
from non-Arab black ethnic groups,
a scenario that h<strong>as</strong> also unfolded in
Nigeria. He presided over the split of
his country, leading to the
independence of South Sudan.
Over the years he had to contend
with crises arising from sustained
opposition to his autocratic rule. But
relying on the military, he responded
to every opposition with brutal
repression, including frequent arrests
and incarceration of opposition
leaders with some of them forced
into exile.
The main precursor to Al B<strong>as</strong>hir’s
downfall w<strong>as</strong> the recent downturn in
the economy. He responded to it by
removing subsidies on essential
commodities and the price of bread
soared. Apart from the opposition
parties, the Sudan Professional
Association, made up of teachers,
lawyers, doctors and others, quickly
rallied the people to stage nationwide
protests against the regime in
more than 35 cities.
Al-B<strong>as</strong>hir also proposed cosmetic
constitution amendments which would
still enable him seek reelection in 2020.
When that failed, he declared a
nationwide state of emergency with a
one-year duration which prohibited
unauthorised gatherings and
movements. He dissolved the federal
and state governments and replaced
almost all of Sudan’s 18 state governors
with army officers.
The military eventually turned their
backs against him. Emboldened by this,
the protesters who had been baying
loudly for his blood, closed in on him.
The end came on April 11, 2019. He is
expected to keep a date with the ICC
at The Hague for war crimes in the
Darfur and other places.
The Al-B<strong>as</strong>hir rise and fall saga
should serve <strong>as</strong> another lesson to all
sit-tight dictators in Africa. There is
always a day of reckoning when their
autocratic will gives way for the people
to have their way. And it comes when
they le<strong>as</strong>t expect it.
Remembering Gani Fawehinmi
By Emmanuel Umohinyang
APRIL 22, 2019 marks another
posthumous birthday anniversary of
the late legal icon, Chief Ganiyu Oyesola
Fawehinmi, SAN. Gani <strong>as</strong> he w<strong>as</strong> fondly
called w<strong>as</strong> many virtues personified and
positively too. Indeed, his greatest love w<strong>as</strong>
fighting against oppression in any form,
especially on the side of the government and
tackling corruption.
What perhaps sharpened his resolve w<strong>as</strong>
his training <strong>as</strong> a lawyer and his experience
while growing up. Gani abhorred cheating
in any form and w<strong>as</strong> ready to lay down his
life to fight the scourge of corruption. He
meant different things to different people,
depending on where you belong. To
government, he w<strong>as</strong> seen <strong>as</strong> an interloper, a
busy body and trouble maker, but to the
m<strong>as</strong>ses, he w<strong>as</strong> their mouth piece and
defender of the oppressed.
One of the greatest lessons that can be
learnt from his life is that he w<strong>as</strong> a firm
believer in using non violent means in
fighting perceived injustice. He w<strong>as</strong> a
cl<strong>as</strong>sical example of using the law to fight
his many battles, most of which were about
the ordinary people. This should not be
surprising in view of the fact that he lost his
father at a young age, making him come
face to face with poverty and deprivation,
with only his mother left to cater for him.
His conviction that he could achieve so
much <strong>as</strong> a lawyer contributed immensely to
whatever he later became in life. Gani dared
the lion in its den severally, even under the
worst military dictatorships at the expense
of his life. Courage, determination and an
uncommon belief in the instrumentality of
the law saw him swimming successfully
against the tide.
As a man who w<strong>as</strong> steadf<strong>as</strong>t in his beliefs,
Gani took the battle to the enemies’ camp
alongside some of his comrades. These were
friends from different backgrounds who
were of the same school of thought with the
Ondo-born lawyer. These included the late
Alao-Aka B<strong>as</strong>horun, Dr. Olu Onagoruwa,
Chima Ubani, Dr. Tai Solarin, Dr. Beko
Ransome Kuti, Baba Omojola, Femi
Aborishade, Femi Falana, Fela Anikulapo-
Kuti, Prof. Wole Soyinka, etc.
On some occ<strong>as</strong>ions, he fought his battle
all alone, relying on his conviction. In this
connection, he w<strong>as</strong> severally arrested,
detained and even jailed, along with his
colleagues in dehumanizing prisons, but he
w<strong>as</strong> never cowed.
As Prof Bolaji Akinyemi rightly put it, “it
is said that a tree does actually make a forest,
but Gani’s tree actually strove <strong>as</strong>siduously
to make a forest in the struggle for social
justice and freedom.”
Like other humans, the late lawyer had
his weaknesses, but that does not include
not standing up for what he w<strong>as</strong> convinced
about. According to Femi Falana, SAN, who
w<strong>as</strong> his close ally for decades, “He (Gani)
stood up for his conviction by tirelessly
offering the public ide<strong>as</strong> to some socioeconomic
and political problems.
It is to the eternal credit of the late
Fawehinmi that he fought and won the battle
to widen political space by getting more
parties registered to vie for elections using
the instrumentality of the law.
Though the idea might have been abused
by some unscrupulous politicians, there is
no doubt that it h<strong>as</strong> provided a platform for
the likes of Kingsley Moghalu, Omoyele
Sowore, Oby Ezekwesili, Donald Duke, etc.
OPINION
to take a shot at presidency. Gani may not
be alive today; however, his contributions
to legal research will remain indelible. As
a firm believer in documentation, Gani
through his company, Nigerian Law
Publications enriched the practice of law
by printing books on c<strong>as</strong>es regularly for
use by lawyers, judicial officers and
researchers.
Though, it is unfortunate that the
company is not doing well today, it will not
be a bad idea for friends and <strong>as</strong>sociates of
Gani, especially those who learnt under the
feet of the legal icon to rise to the occ<strong>as</strong>ion
by joining his family to restore the
Gani’s death h<strong>as</strong>
created a lacuna in the
fight against
corruption being
prosecuted by the
present
administration
company’s lost glory. Sadly too, Gani’s
death h<strong>as</strong> created a lacuna in the fight
against corruption being prosecuted by the
present administration.
Aside lacking the much-needed support
from lawyers, even some of those close to
Gani are sworn enemies of the war against
corruption. This is rather unfortunate <strong>as</strong>
the Gani we knew would have thrown his
weight behind this great opportunity to rid
our country of a monster that h<strong>as</strong> held us
back for decades.
The good thing, however, is that the
current administration h<strong>as</strong> shown an
uncommon p<strong>as</strong>sion to face head-long a
battle Gani fought with the l<strong>as</strong>t drop of his
blood.
Recall that the late legal icon had after
unsuccessfully realizing his presidential
ambition told Nigerians to back
Muhammadu Buhari for president.
The on-going battle against corruption is
the continuation of a battle to rid this country
of a malaise that h<strong>as</strong> held us down for years.
As we mark another post humous birthday
anniversary of the late legal icon, the greatest
legacy we owe this country is to join hands
with the Buhari Administration to ensure
Gani’s dreams come to fruition for the
betterment of our society.
No doubt this w<strong>as</strong> what Gani’s ally, and
former attorney-general and minister for
justice, Dr. Olu Onagoruwa saw when he said
poverty, corruption and democracy are
strange bed fellows. According to him, the
corruption of our rulers escalated poverty in
Nigeria, adding that there is no moral
edification for the poor.
Who would not be angry that $400 billion
of development <strong>as</strong>sistance that flowed into
Nigeria since independence w<strong>as</strong> squandered?
Surely, it is only in Nigeria that people are
cheated and the same people look the other
way <strong>as</strong> if nothing happened. The beauty of it
all is that Gani h<strong>as</strong> shown the way, but
greatest challenge is for us all not to allow
his struggle to be in vain. We must, therefore,
rise to the challenge by taking up the gauntlet
from where the late legal icon dropped it and
forge ahead.
Though there may never be another Gani,
we must, however, ever rekindle the flame
for social justice by joining forces with the
Buhari Administration towards uprooting
corruption and other social vices which Gani
lived and died for in our interest and that of
our future generation.
•Umohinyang, a social commentator and
political analyst wrote from Lagos

Credit to the economy rises to N30.5trn
•As DMO issues N100bn FGN bond
By Babajide Komolafe that credit to the economy grew by N1.9
C
trillion or 6.35 percent to N30.5 trillion in
REDIT to the economy rose to February from N28.64 trillion in January.
an all time high above the N30 The growth w<strong>as</strong> driven by credit to the
trillion mark in February 2019, driven by private sector which grew by N1.23 trillion
strong growth in credit to the private sector or 2.2 percent to N24.16 trillion in
during the month.
February. The 2.2 percent growth
The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, represents a slight improvement when
disclosed this in its Depository compared to the 1.96 percent growth
Corporation survey report for February recorded in 2018.
rele<strong>as</strong>ed l<strong>as</strong>t week. The report showed The report also revealed that credit to
the government grew by N660 billion or
11.42 percent in February to N6.35 trillion
in February from N5.69 trillion in January.
The report, however, showed that banks
recorded 2.2 percent or N210 billion
decline in current (demand) deposit
which fell to N9.19 trillion in February
from N9.4 trillion in January.
According to the report, “Broad Money
supply recorded 3.22 percent month-onmonth
(m-o-m) incre<strong>as</strong>e to N34.79 trillion
in February 2019, from N33.72 trillion in
Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019 —19
January 2019.
“This resulted from a 11.80 percent m-
o-m rise in Net Domestic Assets (NDA)
to N17.77 trillion accompanied by a
decre<strong>as</strong>e of 4.44 percent m-o-m in Net
Foreign Assets (NFA) to N17.02 trillion.
“On domestic <strong>as</strong>set creation, the incre<strong>as</strong>e
in NDA resulted from a m-o-m rise of 6.57
percent in Net Domestic Credit (NDC)
to N30.52 trillion, but w<strong>as</strong> offset by a 0.04
percent m-o-m rise in Other Liabilities
Continues on page 21
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019
How low yield, high NPL took toll
on tier-1 banks’ performance
By Nkiruka Nnorom Bills, TBs, and other instruments by 24.8
percent to N1.7 trillion from N1.3 trillion
THE high Non-Performing Loans
in 2017.
(NPLs) in the banking industry <strong>as</strong>
Similarly, FBN Holdings Plc, which
well <strong>as</strong> decline in the yield environment
also recorded two percent decline in
in the Federal Government of Nigeria,
gross earnings incre<strong>as</strong>ed its investment
FGN, debt instruments have taken a toll
in financial instruments by 32.6 percent
on financial performance of tier-1 banks
to N1.8 trillion from N1.3 trillion.
operating in the country.
Access Bank with the highest revenue
Financial results of the tier-1 banks for
growth of over 15 percent, incre<strong>as</strong>ed its
the period ended December 31, 2018,
investment in financial securities by 22.8
showed that earnings for the period w<strong>as</strong>
percent to N721.3 billion from N587.4
down, undermined by significant
billion. UBA Plc, which posted seven
decline in Zenith Bank and FBN
percent incre<strong>as</strong>e in its gross earnings,
Holdings Plc’s (First Bank) earnings,
upped its investment in financial
though pre-tax profit witnessed relative
securities by 30.5 percent to N1.7 trillion
incre<strong>as</strong>e at 13.97 percent.
from N1.3 trillion, while GTBank with
The banks, which include Access Bank
marginal incre<strong>as</strong>e of 3.7 percent in gross
Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, United Bank for
earnings, also grew investment in
Africa (UBA) Plc Guaranty Trust Bank
financial securities marginally by 1.8
Plc and FBN Holdings Plc, posted a
percent to N652.5 billion.
combined gross earnings of N2.67
However, their pre-tax profit rose to
trillion, a 0.4 percent decre<strong>as</strong>e over
N722.53 billion from N633.92 billion in
N2.68 trillion recorded in the
the corresponding period in 2017,
corresponding year in 2017 despite
representing 13.97 percent incre<strong>as</strong>e.
huge incre<strong>as</strong>e in the financial resources
Investment bankers, who spoke
they deployed to the government
to Financial Vanguard said that besides
instruments and other securities.
the impact of high non-performing loans
During the year, the banks upped their
and declining yield environment in FGN
investment in financial securities by
debt instruments, tottering economic
N757 billion to N6.1trillion from N5.3
environment also contributed to the
trillion in 2017, representing 14.2
weakness in the banks’ earnings.
percent incre<strong>as</strong>e.
Available data showed that the NPLs
For instance, Zenith Bank Plc, which
of banks operating in the country stood
recorded the highest revenue decline
at 13.22 percent <strong>as</strong> at fourth quarter of
of over 15 percent had raised its
investment in FGN bonds, Tre<strong>as</strong>ury
Continues on page 20
Wema Bank to deepen
retail banking footprint
with new ALAT
22
Equities to rally on
Q1 earning reports
- Analysts
24
Margin lending re-introduction
will lead to another market
depression — Adeleke 26
C
M
Y
K

20 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019
FINANCIAL VANGUARD
COVER
How low yield, high NPL took toll on tier-1 banks’ performance
Continues from page 19
2018 (Q4’18), while average
NPL in 2018 w<strong>as</strong> 15.02 percent.
According to Mr. Johnson
Chukwu, Managing Director/
CEO, Cowry Asset
Management, a Lagos-b<strong>as</strong>ed
investment banking firm,
decline in yield curve led to
loss of major income sources for
the banks during the year.
He, however, said that the
tier-1 banks showed resilience
considering the challenges in
the business environment.
Zenith Bank in mixed
results
Financial Vanguard’s
analysis showed that Zenith
Bank Plc topped the earning
spot in absolute figures though
it recorded a huge 15.4 percent
decline in its earning.
Specifically, the bank’s gross
earnings stood at N630.34
billion, 15.4 percent decline
against N745.19 billion in 2017.
FBN Holdings Plc, which also
recorded decline in its
earnings, ranked second in
absolute figures, posting
N585.95 billion <strong>as</strong> revenue
against N597.76 billion in 2017.
Access Bank placed third in
absolute figures, but topped
others in percentage growth.
The bank recorded N528.7
billion gross earnings, 15.2
percent incre<strong>as</strong>e compared to
N459.08 billion recorded in the
previous year.
UBA Plc w<strong>as</strong> the next with
N494 billion gross earnings,
which represents seven
percent incre<strong>as</strong>e over N461.6
billion recorded in 2017, while
GTBank posted N434.7 billion
gross earnings, representing
3.7 percent incre<strong>as</strong>e against
N419.2 billion in the
corresponding year.
Access leads profit growth
rate
Access Bank Plc with 32
percent incre<strong>as</strong>e in pre-tax
profit topped other tie-1 banks.
It grew its profit before tax to
N103.2 billion from N78.2
billion in 2017. FBN Holdings
placed second with 19.7 percent
growth to N65.29 billion from
N54.52 billion; Zenith Bank Plc
took the third position,
recording 16.2 percent incre<strong>as</strong>e
in its pre-tax profit to N231.7
billion from N199.3 billion.
GTBank ranked fourth with 9.1
percent incre<strong>as</strong>e to N215.6
billion from N197.7 billion,
while UBA achieved 2.4
percent pre-tax growth to
N106.8 billion from N104.2
billion in 2017.
Analysts comment
Commenting on the banks’
performance, Chukwu said:
“Given the environment the
banks operated in 2018, though
their earnings w<strong>as</strong> almost flat,
I believe that tier-1 banks
showed resilience because if
you compare the economic
environment, especially the
yield curve in the environment,
you will observe that yield on
federal government debt
instruments declined
materially in 2018, which led
to loss of major income source
for the banks.
So, for the banks to have been
able to achieve about the same
level of earnings, w<strong>as</strong> a mark of
resilience on their part. The
other factor that worked against
them w<strong>as</strong> the incre<strong>as</strong>e in nonperforming
loan; we saw
incre<strong>as</strong>e in non-performing loan
at about 15 percent in 2018.”
Continuing, he said: “The
reality is that growth in the
economy h<strong>as</strong> remained very
weak and that is why instead of
improvement, we are seeing
deterioration in <strong>as</strong>set quality. Of
course, if you look at the Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) growth
in 2018, it w<strong>as</strong> only 1.92 percent,
which is almost in tandem with
what you saw in the
performance of the banks.
The reality is that the economy
remained sluggish. Therefore,
there w<strong>as</strong> no improvement in
opportunities available to the
banking sector in the economy,
rather the banks experienced
loss in yield and incre<strong>as</strong>e in
non-performing loans.”
Bank MDs explain result
Chief executive officers of the
banks attributed the outcome of
the year’s business to stringent
and tough operating
environment.
Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, Group
Managing Director/CEO, UBA,
pointed to weak economic
growth, but stated that the bank
focused on retail deposit
mobilisation to stay above
board.
“Defying the relatively weak
economic growth in Africa,
earnings were positive and we
grew our balance sheet by 20
percent, driven by the 23 percent
growth in our deposit funding.
In a period of economic
uncertainty, we have focused on
retail deposit mobilisation, with
exciting results,” Uzoka said.
Mr. Segun Agbaje, MD/CEO,
GTBank, speaking on the
financial results, said: “In 2018,
our focus on staying nimble,
strengthening customer
relationships and driving our
digital-first strategy paid off.”
He said that the bank
successfully navigated the
pressures of its challenging and
radically changing business
environment, recorded growth
across key financial indices and
reaffirmed its position <strong>as</strong> one of
the best performing and well
managed financial institutions
in Africa.
Herbert Wigwe, GMD/CEO,
Access Bank, said: “2018
marked a significant year of
progress for the bank amid an
unfavourable macro climate. We
made solid progress throughout
2018 in line with our 2018-2022
five-year strategy and we
remain committed to the
achievement of our strategic
imperatives going forward <strong>as</strong>
we continue to invest in our
people and technology in order
to improve operational
efficiency.”
Peter Amangbo, MD/CEO,
Zenith Bank, said: “Due to a
challenging macroenvironment,
gross earnings
and interest income reduced by
15 percent and seven percent
respectively, driven by declining
trading income, compressed
yields on <strong>as</strong>sets, and a
reduction in the loan book by
10 percent.
“Despite the decline in gross
earnings, the Group mitigated
these knock-on effects through
growth of its net interest income
and operating income by 15
percent and eight percent
respectively <strong>as</strong> it w<strong>as</strong> able to
ensure improved cost
efficiencies across the
business.”
2019 outlook
Analysts at United Capital Plc
in their outlook for the banking
industry in 2019 said that the
elevated yield environment and
potential post-election
uncertainty, suggests that
banks may sustain the recent
deployment of funds to financial
<strong>as</strong>sets amid policy
normalization in the US and
incre<strong>as</strong>ed liquidity mop-up
exercise by the Central Bank of
Nigeria (CBN). “The yield
environment is, however,
expected to retrace in H2-19 in
the event of a successful and
smooth transition. This may hurt
bottom lines,” they said.
Chukwu of Cowry Asset
Management said that 2019
would remain largely the same
for the tier-1 banks. We may see
a marginal improvement in
GDP growth rate, which will not
be sufficient to lead to reversal
in the high level of nonperforming
loans.
“So, the banks will have to
continue to contend with
balance sheet that is weakened
by high level of NPL. The other
factor is that we have seen the
yield environment trending
southwards.
“So, they may come under
further suppression in yield in
the coming months. However,
I think the banks will leverage
some of the on-lending facilities
that the CBN is providing,
including the discretionary c<strong>as</strong>h
reserve policy that the CBN
recently introduced, which
allows them to claw back
amounts in reserve for loans
granted to some specific sectors
of the economy.”

FINANCIAL
Credit to economy rises to N30.5trn
Continues from page 19
(net) to N12.74 trillion.
“Further breakdown of
the NDC showed a 11.42
percent m-o-m incre<strong>as</strong>e in
Credit to the Government
to N6.35 trillion and an
incre<strong>as</strong>e of 5.37 percent in
Credit to the Private sector
to N24.16 trillion.
“On the liabilities side,
3.22 percent m-o-m rise in
Broad Money Supply w<strong>as</strong>
chiefly driven by 18.83
percent m-o-m incre<strong>as</strong>e in
tre<strong>as</strong>ury bills held by
money holding sector to
N8.23 trillion but w<strong>as</strong> offset
by 0.98 percent m-o-m
decre<strong>as</strong>e in Narrow
Money to N11.03 trillion
(<strong>as</strong> Demand Deposits
which fell by 2.22 percent
to N9.19 trillion offset the
effect of currency outside
banks which rose by 5.70
percent to N1.84 trillion)
and a 0.74 percent m-o-m
moderation in Qu<strong>as</strong>i
Money (near maturing
short term financial
instruments) to N15.50
trillion.
“Reserve Money (B<strong>as</strong>e
Money) decre<strong>as</strong>ed m-o-m
by 4.30 percent to N7.17
trillion <strong>as</strong> Bank reserves
declined m-o-m by 8.47
percent to N4.58 trillion
despite a 4.75 percent m-
o-m rise in currency in
circulation to N4.46
trillion.”
DMO to offer
N100bn FGN bond
Annual Inflation rate
Interbank Interest rates
Foreign Exchange rate
Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019 —21
Meanwhile the Debt
Management Office
(DMO) will issue FGN
bonds worth N100 billion
with analysts projecting
oversubscription and
further reduction in the
stop rate.
The bond offer comprises
N40 billion worth of
12.75% FGN APR 2023 (5-
Yr Re-opening), N40
billion worth of FGN APR
2029 (10-Yr New Issue)
and N20 billion worth of
FGN APR 2049 (30-Yr Reopening).
Projecting, analysts at
Lagos b<strong>as</strong>ed investment
firm, Cowry Asset
Management Limited
said, “We expect the bonds
to be issued at lower stop
rates amid demand
pressure.”
Recall the FGN bond
auction held by DMO in
March recorded 67
percent oversubscription.
While the DMO offered
N100 billion worth of
bonds, investors’ demand
or total subscription stood
at N240.6 billion. In
response to the huge
demand, the DMO
reduced the stop rates by
125 b<strong>as</strong>is points (bps) from
its previous auction levels
down to 13.50
percent across all tenors
offered.
Yields on FGN bonds
Consequently, the fiveyear,
seven-year and 10-
year bonds were auctioned
at lower stop rates of 13.50
percent, down from 14.52
percent, 13.50 percent
down from 14.80 percent,
and 13.50 percent down
from14.94 percent
respectively.
Cost of funds
to rise
The FGN bond offer is,
however, expected to
trigger rise in cost funds
in the interbank money
market this week.
L<strong>as</strong>t week cost of funds
dropped sharply following
inflow of N165.91 billion
from matured tre<strong>as</strong>ury bills
(TBs), which cancelled out
the impact of outflow of
N58.49 billion through
primary market TBs sold
by the Central Bank of
Nigeria (CBN).
As a result average short
term cost of funds dropped
by 10.5 bpts,with interest
rate on Collateralised
(Open Buy Back, OBB)
lending falling by 10.43
bpts to 9.86 percent l<strong>as</strong>t
week from 20.29 percent
the previous week.
Similarly, interest rate on
Overnight lending
dropped by 10.57 bpts to
10.57 percent l<strong>as</strong>t week
from 21.57 percent the
previous week.
Analysts at Cowry
Assets, however, project
that this trend will be
reversed this week.
“In the new week, T-bills
worth N46.25 billion will
mature via the secondary
market. However, with the
DMO expected to issue
N100 billion worth of
debts, we expect Nigeria
Interbank Offered Rate
(NIBOR) to trend
upwards”, they said.

22 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019
FINANCIAL VANGUARD
Wema Bank to deepen retail banking
footprint with new ALAT
By Babajide Komolafe
WEMA Bank Plc is set to
unveil an improved
version of its fully digital bank,
ALAT, <strong>as</strong> part of efforts to
deepen its footprint in the
retail banking space.
Managing Director/Chief
Executive, Wema Bank, Mr.
Ademola Adebise disclosed
this at a media parley,
stressing that the improved
ALAT is part of the bank’s
retail strategy to double its key
THE African Export-Import
Bank (Afreximbank) h<strong>as</strong>
announced the disbursement
of EUR100 million revolving
global credit facility to Mota-
Engil Engenharia e Construçáo
África, S.A. (Mota-Engil Africa)
to support the company to
implement key developmental
projects in Africa.
Such projects include the
construction of trade-carrying
and trade-supporting
infr<strong>as</strong>tructure required for the
acceleration of the integration
process in the continent, said
Afreximbank in the
announcement rele<strong>as</strong>ed in
Cairo.
According to the bank, the
facility will strengthen Mota-
Engil Africa’s capacity to carry
out projects critical to reducing
transaction costs for businesses,
growing intra-regional trade,
e<strong>as</strong>ing movement of goods,
services and people, boosting
employment and stimulating
economic activity in Africa.
The transaction is expected to
lead to incre<strong>as</strong>ed activity in a
number of economic sectors,
including petroleum and
petrochemicals, heavy
equipment supplies, spare
parts supplies, architectural
services, and to incre<strong>as</strong>ed public
revenues from an expansion in
economic activity in various
performance indices by 2020.
Adebise said: “We are going
to leverage technology <strong>as</strong>
much <strong>as</strong> possible. You know
about the fully digital bank that
we launched, ALAT, two years
ago, and it is doing very well.
“What we are doing now is
that we are reviewing ALAT to
take it to the next level.
“That is to take it to a
platform where we will be
appealing to lifestyles. This is
because we have a lot of value
creators, value consumers,
buyers and sellers on the
platform.
“At the end of the day, it is to
reduce the cost of doing
business and of course to
improve our top line.”
He added that the bank
would also focus on some key
sector including downstream
oil and g<strong>as</strong>, specific
agriculture value chain, and
the small and medium
enterprises (SMEs) space.
AMCON takes over Micmerah
International over N1bn indebtedness
By Babajide Komolafe
ASSET
Management
Corporation of Nigeria,
AMCON, h<strong>as</strong> taken over the
business and <strong>as</strong>sets of
Micmerah International
Agency Limited due to the
company’s failure to repay
over N1 billion loan.
In a statement announcing
the takeover, AMCON’s Head
of Corporate Communications,
Jude Nwauzor, said: “A
Federal High Court sitting in
Awka, the Anambra State
From left, Comrade Mohammed Danlami, Speaker, Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA), presenting the Honorary Award won by
Mr. Ahmed Lawan Kuru, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON),
received on his behalf by Mr. Usman Abubakar, AMCON Head, Support Services (middle) and Mr. Jude Nwauzor, AMCON
Head, Corporate Communications
Afreximbank disburses EUR100m to Mota-Engil
countries.
Mota-Engil Africa is a
significant player in intra-
African trade <strong>as</strong> evidenced by
AGUSTO & Co. Limited, a
rating agency, h<strong>as</strong> <strong>as</strong>signed
a ‘BBB-’ rating to Nova Merchant
Bank Limited.
The rating agency in a
statement said: “The rating
<strong>as</strong>signed to Nova Merchant Bank
Limited reflects its strong
capitalisation ratios, acceptable
<strong>as</strong>set quality and strong liquidity
profile. The rating takes into
cognisance the Bank’s limited
financial track record, though it
is led by an experienced
management team. The subdued
macroeconomic environment and
its attendant impact on the
banking industry is also a rating
concern.
“The Nigerian banking industry
continues to display resilience
despite various headwinds that
militate against its performance.
To protect margins and remain
profitable, operators are
leveraging technology to boost
electronic banking services,
thereby incre<strong>as</strong>ing inflow of lowcost
liabilities and improving
transactional banking income.
Digitalization is also driving
the volumes of goods and
services it procures from, and
distributes to, African countries
where it executes contracts.
Agusto & Co <strong>as</strong>signs a ‘BBB’ rating to Nova Bank
efficiency by lowering cost of
service and extending banking
services to a wider pool of
Nigerians.
“The merchant banking
segment is not exempted from the
digitalization evolution.
Operators in this space are also
using technology to attract retail
funds through their <strong>as</strong>set
management subsidiaries. This
moderates funding cost which is
typically higher than commercial
banks due to regulatory
restrictions.
“Although merchant banks have
a low market share of the
Industry’s <strong>as</strong>sets at 0.22 percent,
the segment h<strong>as</strong> expanded over
the l<strong>as</strong>t few years, with five
licensed operators <strong>as</strong> at full year
2018 from a nil position in 2012.
“Merchant banks are
competing efficiently by taking
advantage of a wide range of
financial services conferred by the
license. Such services include
investment banking, corporate
finance, <strong>as</strong>set management,
advisory, wealth management,
capital markets and securities &
Some of the infr<strong>as</strong>tructure
developed by the company,
including ports and railways,
serve multiple countries.
trading activities.
“Going forward, <strong>as</strong> the economy
opens up, we see opportunities
for capital raising, mergers &
acquisitions and corporate
financing which merchant banks
can leverage to grow market
share and render good returns to
shareholders.”
By Nkiruka Nnorom
ACCESS Bank Plc h<strong>as</strong> rewarded
the first set of customers who
emerged winners in the monthly draw
of se<strong>as</strong>on 11 of the DiamondXtra
Saving promo. The four more winners,
namely, Mrs Adeniyi Aderayo, Stephen
Uranta, Shokunle Shakiru and
Chukwuemeka Edoziem, were
presented with N1 million cheque each.
Speaking at the prize presentation
ceremony in Lagos, Executive Director,
Retail Banking, Access Bank Plc, Victor
Etuokwu, said following the success of
previous editions of Diamond Xtra
savings promo, the bank h<strong>as</strong> expanded
the scope of the Se<strong>as</strong>on 11 promo, where
4,750 customers will win about N400
million in the reward scheme.
capital, in Suits No. FHC/
AWK/CS/101/2018 and No.
FHC/AWK/CS/102/2018 h<strong>as</strong>
ordered the Asset
Management Corporation of
Nigeria (AMCON) to take over
the business and <strong>as</strong>sets of
Micmerah International
Agency Limited.
“AMCON had appointed
Chief Tagbo Anieto <strong>as</strong>
Receiver/Manager over the
<strong>as</strong>sets of Micmerah
International Agency Limited,
which owe it over N1billion.
The company is located at
Onitsha, the commercial hub
of Anambra State. In
compliance with the court
order, AMCON earlier today
through the Receiver/
Manager took over the
business and <strong>as</strong>sets of
Micmerah International
Agency Limited. Justice I.B.
Gafai, who presided over the
matter granted AMCON the
full possession <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong>
power of sale over the <strong>as</strong>sets
of Micmerah International
Agency Limited now in the
custody of AMCON.
“AMCON had taken over the
Non-Performing Loans (NPLs)
of Micmerah International
Agency Limited from various
banks in line with its mandate
under the AMCON Act. All
efforts to peacefully resolve the
loan were frustrated by Chief
Mike Emerah, the prime
promoter of the company,
which left AMCON with no
other choice than to seek
justice in the court of
competent jurisdiction.
“We saw it coming because
the said debt is long overdue.
As a responsible corporation,
before we get to this stage with
any of our obligors; we must
have patiently tried to resolve
the matter without going to
court.
“Anytime we end up taking
over <strong>as</strong>sets by the order of the
court such <strong>as</strong> in the c<strong>as</strong>e of
Micmerah International
Agency Limited, it means all
efforts by AMCON to get the
obligor to amicably repay the
indebtedness have proved
abortive.”
Access Bank’s DiamondXtra promo
produces more winners
He noted that the reward w<strong>as</strong> in
continuation of what customers have
enjoyed with the former Diamond Bank,
which Access Bank had promised to keep
alive.
He said, “We have kept our promise
to our customer and I am sure they would
reciprocate,” Etuokwu said, noting that
with the merger between Diamond Bank
and Access Bank, the promo would get
bigger <strong>as</strong> Access Bank intends to make
the product a flagship savings product
in the country and beyond.
“People will default to the product that
pays them more, so we have no problem
with our competitors but Access Bank
will keep refining these products giving
our customers bigger winnings and we
might even take these products outside
the shores of Nigeria,” he said.

FINANCIAL VANGUARD
Developing new banking
products to accelerate
CBN’s Financial Inclusion
By Emefu Ibeayoka
OVER the years, the
Central Bank of
Nigeria (CBN), h<strong>as</strong>
introduced several reforms to
create a robust financial
system framework. These
reforms are focussed on
enhancing banking system
stability, sensitizing the gains
in serious governance and
restoring confidence in the
nation’s financial system.
For example, in 2007, it
floated the Payment System
Vision (PSV 2020) initiative
and in 2013, focussed on
providing mechanisms for
making and receiving
payments. With the minimum
risk to the CBN, the payment
service providers and end
users, the operation aimed at
accommodating the banked,
underbanked and the
unbanked. This w<strong>as</strong>
structured to conform to
regulatory, technical and
operational standards across
all economic activities,
geographies and accepted
across all international
boundaries.
Also recently, the CBN
berthed the National
Financial Inclusion Strategy
(NFIS) which seeks to ensure
over 80 percent bankable
adults in Nigeria have access
to financial service by 2020.
In addition to what the
deposit money Banks and
other financial institutions
have been doing, the CBN
h<strong>as</strong> cleared the way to license
a new set of operators
referred to <strong>as</strong> Payment Service
Banks (PSBs). It h<strong>as</strong> also spelt
out the requirements, the
structure, what will be allowed
and what will be considered
illegalities. The key objective
is to accelerate financial
inclusion in rural are<strong>as</strong>. By so
doing, there will be incre<strong>as</strong>ed
access to deposit products,
payments and remittance
services to small businesses,
low income households <strong>as</strong>
well <strong>as</strong> entities through highvolume
low-value transaction
in a secured technologydriven
environment.
Democratising
banking services
Leveraging on these
regulatory agenda, and to
democratise banking services
to every segment of the
society, First City Monument
Bank
(FCMB)
recently introduced
the FCMB E<strong>as</strong>y Account. It
launched the product to give
full translations to the CBN’s
vision of truly taking banking
to the nooks and crannies of
the nation’s towns and
villages, particularly to
everyone who h<strong>as</strong>
never owned
a Bank
account.
Commonly
<strong>as</strong>sociated
with, “Your
P h o n e
Number is
Y o u r
Account
Number”
a n d
“The
L<strong>as</strong>t
T e n
Digits
of Your
Phone
Number
are Your
Account
Number”, investigations
reveal that FCMB h<strong>as</strong>
invested heavily in state-ofthe-art
technology and is
perfecting a world cl<strong>as</strong>s
infr<strong>as</strong>tructure that conforms to
the best practices on data,
storage, security and
integrity, to continue to give
its customers sustainable
positive experience in quality
•Godwin Emefiele, CBN Governor
In Kenya, there
are people in
remote are<strong>as</strong>
carrying out
transactions
through mobile
money and
several agents are
championing
those
transactions, but
in Nigeria, there
are some
locations one
cannot get to
because of
security issues
and satisfactory service.
George Ogudu of the apex
Bank’s Financial Inclusion
and Strategy Secretariat
commended FCMB for taking
the lead in developing the
product. While endorsing
FCMB E<strong>as</strong>y Account, he
stated, “FCMB h<strong>as</strong> taken a
giant stride to prove its
commitment to bringing more
Nigerians into formal
Banking. The fact it targets
those who have never owned
bank accounts and serves <strong>as</strong>
a convenient opportunity for
this category of Nigerians to
do so, is very laudable. We
consider this <strong>as</strong> further
strategic support towards the
full realisation of the CBN’s
financial inclusion initiative.
We appreciate FCMB for
consistently being very
innovative and a partner in
progress”.
FCMB E<strong>as</strong>y Account
FCMB E<strong>as</strong>y Account is said
to have been designed to
make banking accessible to all
Nigerians and help to achieve
the laudable goal of financial
inclusion for most Nigerians
<strong>as</strong> set by the Central Bank of
Nigeria (CBN). The product
h<strong>as</strong> been made open to all,
particularly to meet the needs
of low-income earners and the
unbanked segment of the
society. It allows the account
holders have access to
convenient and secured
financial services, irrespective
of their locations.
The bank stated the selfservice,
stress-free and
secured offering, available on
all the Global System for
Mobile (GSM) networks in
Nigeria, (Globacom, MTN,
9Mobile and Airtel), enables
everyone anywhere in
Nigeria open an account from
his or her location, by dialling
*329# from a mobile phone
and following the instructions.
The development now
enables Nigerians who wish
to open accounts and carry
out banking transactions on
any type of mobile phones do
so from any location-rural,
urban and remote, even if
there are no banks physically
located at the area. Internet
service availability or data is
not required for FCMB E<strong>as</strong>y
Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019 — 23
Features
Account <strong>as</strong> the account
operates on the USSD
platform. Its customers can
send and receive money to
and from friends, families and
business partners across all
banks in Nigeria. Customers
can also deposit funds into
their accounts at more than
100,000 agent and banking
locations of
FCMB and other
banks and mobile
money operators
in Nigeria.
FCMB E<strong>as</strong>y
a c c o u n t
customers can
also use their
accounts for
a i r t i m e
purch<strong>as</strong>e, bill
payments and
other payments.
Digital
Transformation
F C M B ’ s
Managing Director,
Mr. Adam Nuru said
what the bank unveiled in
FCMB E<strong>as</strong>y Account is a part
of its long-term strategic plan
to embark on a digital
transformation initiative
where it <strong>as</strong>pires to scale
business operations, build
capabilities and find the best
way to simplify banking for
customers, using technology.
Nuru said, “Every day we
are developing digital
innovations and ide<strong>as</strong> that
will make our relationship
with our customers seamless
in so many are<strong>as</strong> including
Channels Management
among others. FCMB E<strong>as</strong>y
Account is one of such
innovative offerings that make
Banking services available
across all informal segments,
particularly the unbanked. It
is banking made e<strong>as</strong>y. All you
need is to own any type of
mobile phone, and you do not
even necessarily need to buy
data”.
African Development Bank
(AFDB) h<strong>as</strong> said, for
sustained inclusive
development to thrive, a great
deal of innovation and
thinking are needed to ensure
appropriate financial services
and instruments should be
deliberately put in place for
the benefit of the poor and
other vulnerable groups. The
Bank said there must be
provision of appropriate
service that is both accessible
and affordable to low-income
and vulnerable households.
This is what the Bank h<strong>as</strong>
targeted with the FCMB E<strong>as</strong>y
Account. Its Executive
Director, Retail Banking, Mr.
Olu Akanmu said,
“With the launch of FCMB
E<strong>as</strong>y Account, we make a bold
statement on our commitment
in FCMB to the greater social
purpose of banking, that
banking should be socially
relevant not only to the
privileged but to all people.
That the benefit of financial
intermediation, particularly
the ability to have a bank
account, should be more
inclusive for all Nigerians.
That every Nigerian should be
able to own a bank account no
matter their geographic or
social location, whether they
are in urban or rural are<strong>as</strong>,
whether they are in cities or
villages or whether they are
rich or poor”.
Financial Inclusion
models
Uche Uzoebo who heads
Agency and Merchant
Services in one of the new
generation banks, while
responding to a media inquiry
on the challenges facing
financial inclusion in Nigeria
said, “Bangladesh for
instance h<strong>as</strong> a bank-led model
of financial inclusion, Kenya
h<strong>as</strong> Telco-led; Brazil h<strong>as</strong> a
combination of both bank and
Telcos. I see Nigeria having a
combination of banks and
Telcos. The truth is that
Nigerian government and the
governments of other
countries are not the same, so
we don’t also have the same
b<strong>as</strong>is for judgement”.
She said most of the time,
when people discuss financial
inclusion, they often compare
Nigeria with Kenya. Uzoebo
would not make such a
comparison because they
consistently got a lot of
strategy right in Kenya, a
scenario that is different in
Nigeria. “In Kenya, there
are people in remote are<strong>as</strong>
carrying out transactions
through mobile money and
several agents are
championing those
transactions, but in Nigeria,
there are some locations one
cannot get to because of
security issues”. But the
FCMB’s Executive Director,
Retail Banking, Mr. Olu
Akanmu, said FCMB E<strong>as</strong>y
Account is a part of the Bank’s
core strategy to innovate and
expand its service channels by
promoting and deepening
financial inclusion and the
c<strong>as</strong>hless policies of the
Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN) across regions in
Nigeria. The differentiating
factor Akanmu said is,
“FCMB E<strong>as</strong>y account helps
to achieve the goal of
national, financial and social
inclusion where all Nigerians
have access to formal financial
services and their benefits, no
matter their situation or
location. In FCMB, we are
determined to be a critical part
of the effort to create a more
inclusive society of shared
prosperity, where all
Nigerians, informal traders,
micro SMEs and small holder
farmers in agriculture are
connected to the shared
prosperity that formal
financial services engender”.
Ibeayoka, a financial and
public opinion analyst, writes
in from Abuja.

24 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019
FINANCIAL VANGUARD
Equities to rally on Q1 earning reports — Analysts
By Nkiruka Nnorom
AFTER recording an
impressive outing l<strong>as</strong>t
week following the rele<strong>as</strong>e of
some first quarter 2019 (Q1'19)
earning reports by early filers,
analysts have said that the
market will sustain the upward
trajectory on the back of more
Q1 financial statements.
In the p<strong>as</strong>t week, three tier-1
banks (Access Bank Plc,
GTBank Plc and Zenith Bank
Plc) published their results,
which analysts said incre<strong>as</strong>ed
bargain hunting activity by
investors.
Consequently, the
benchmark All Share Index,
ASI, closed higher at 30,086.31
points, having gained 1.78
percent during the week,
moderating the Month-to-Date
(MtD) and Year-to-Dtae (YtD)
losses to 3.07 percent and 4.27
percent, respectively.
Also, the market capitalisation
rose by 1.78 percent to N11.301
trillion.
In their review for the week,
analysts at Cordros Capital
said: “As with the U.S market,
earnings se<strong>as</strong>on kicked off on
a strong footing in Nigeria, with
most Tier-1 banks reporting
strong numbers across lines.
The impact of the foregoing
drove renewed sentiment for
naira risk <strong>as</strong>sets.”
They reiterated that a blend
of a compelling valuation story,
together with positive macroeconomic
picture leaves scope
for a market recovery in the
medium term, but guided
investors to tread cautiously in
the short term.
Corroborating them, analysts
at Cowry Asset Management,
said: “We expect the Nigerian
equities market to close in
By Nkiruka Nnorom
THE Central Securities
Clearing System, CSCS,
Plc h<strong>as</strong> been upgraded by
Thom<strong>as</strong> Murray, the global
post-trade risk and custody
specialists, from A to A+,
which denotes a ‘Low’ overall
risk.
According to Thom<strong>as</strong>
Murray, the Overall
Assessment of ‘A+’ reflects a
weighted average of seven risk
components. The <strong>as</strong>sessment
for Asset Servicing Risk h<strong>as</strong>
been omitted from the Overall
Risk <strong>as</strong>sessment since CSCS
takes no active part in the
entitlement calculation or
processing of corporate actions
in the market.
“The outlook for the CSCS
risk <strong>as</strong>sessment is ‘positive’
owing to the fact that there are
numerous pending
developments scheduled for
implementation within the
short to medium term. Official
time schedules have not been
announced in all c<strong>as</strong>es, but it
is anticipated that, upon
implementation, these
developments have the
potential to improve the risk
<strong>as</strong>sessment of CSCS,” the firm
said.
According to the report, one
positive territory <strong>as</strong> more
companies rele<strong>as</strong>e their Q1
2019 financial results, which
are expected to be fairly
of such developments include
the organisation becoming a
direct member of the Central
Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Real
Time
Gross
Settlement System, RTGS
system, ensuring that delivery
versus payment, DvP,
settlement would be realised for
both on-exchange and OTC
transactions by linking the
securities leg and c<strong>as</strong>h leg of
settlement. CBN approval
would be required prior to
establishing a link meaning
that the timeframe for this
would be largely dependent on
the CBN.
Commenting on the upgrade,
Lagos commodities exchange
will expand investment opportunities
— Stockbrokers
By Peter Egwuatu
STOCKBROKERS have
commended the
Association of Stockbroking
Houses of Nigeria, ASHON, for
establishing the Lagos
Commodities and Futures
Exchange, LCFE, a
specialized exchange,
describing it <strong>as</strong> an initiative that
would expand investment
opportunities for all
stakeholders in the financial
market.
They, however, urged the
board and management of the
LCFE to put capacity building
on the priority list to ensure
professional dealings by the
commodity traders and other
intermediaries in the capital
market ecosystem.
Commenting at the
stockbrokers’ on - the-spot
<strong>as</strong>sessment of the facilities of
the LCFE at the Exchange’s
corporate office in Lagos, a
financial engineer and chief
executive officer of Wyoming
Capital and Partners, Mr.
Tajudeen Olayinka, described
LCFE <strong>as</strong> a step in the right
CSCS gets A+ rating on post trade risk from
Thom<strong>as</strong> Murray
THE Debt Management
Office, DMO, h<strong>as</strong>
disclosed that the federal
government will, on April 24,
2019, issue the first 30-year
bond.
DMO said in a circular on
its website that the N20 billion
30-year paper would mature
in April 2049.
Other bonds on offer are a
10-year new issue of N40
billion to mature in April 2029
and a five-year re-opening of
positive. Hence, we feel
investors would take advantage
of the low share prices to raise
the local bourse upwards.”
Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri,
Managing Director/CEO,
CSCS, said: “The upgrade
from A to A+ is a significant
milestone towards being a
globally respected and leading
central securities depository in
Africa. The key upgraded are<strong>as</strong>
further indicate that we have
made notable improvements in
managing our market’s overall
risks <strong>as</strong> we incre<strong>as</strong>ingly
continue to align ourselves
with global best practices. I am
extremely proud of the
collective efforts made over the
years by our committed staff to
enable us to make such
progress.”
N40 billion to mature in April
2023, which w<strong>as</strong> offered at
12.75 percent. The circular,
however, did not indicate the
interest rates for the new
issues.
Ms Patience Oniha, the
Director-General, DMO, had,
at a news conference on April
4, 2019, revealed plans by the
federal government to issue
the 30-year paper.
She said that the bonds were
considered, given the
direction in view of the global
developments in the
commodities exchanges.
Corroborating him, chief
executive officer, Highcap
Securities Limited, Mr David
Adonri, also congratulated
ASHON for establishing LCFE
and urged the management to
put in place necessary facilities
for trading in derivatives in
order to boost investment
opportunities <strong>as</strong>sociated with
commodities products.
In his welcome address,
Chief Patrick Ezeagu,
Chairman, LCFE, explained
that <strong>as</strong> a trade group,
ASHON’s decision to float the
commodities exchange is to key
into the federal government’s
drive towards the development
of agriculture and solid
minerals sectors, create wealth
for the stakeholders, put
Nigeria on the global revenue
map and enhance flow of
currency exchange into
Nigeria.
“The stockbrokers are the
major players in this exchange.
Without them, trading will be
very difficult, if not impossible.
We have secured regulatory
approval to commence trading
on four <strong>as</strong>set cl<strong>as</strong>ses:
agricultural commodities,
currencies, solid minerals and
oil and g<strong>as</strong>. The final licence
is expected to be granted by the
Securities and Exchange
Commission, SEC, any
moment from now. We are also
working to finalize on our
technology partnerships with
our vendors”, Ezeagu said.
Chief Executive Officer,
LCFE, Mr. Akin Akeredolu-
Ale, who made an elaborate
presentation on the operations
of the exchange, explained that
availability of dealing members
would enhance operations on
the exchange. Akin said that
LCFE would not re-invent the
wheels but leverage the staff’s
skills and competencies to
position the new exchange <strong>as</strong>
a point of reference.
Responding to some
comments, Akeredolu-Ale
stated that capacity building for
the LCFE’s staff, stockbrokers
and the accredited capital
market correspondents would
be accorded priority to ensure
professionalism.
DMO set to issue its first 30-year bond
relatively low interest rates
compared to 2017 levels of
more than 18 percent. “The
issuance of the bond will meet
the needs of annuity funds
and other long term investors,
while also developing the
domestic capital market and
reducing the re-financing risk
of the federal government.
Another area of focus will be
the management of risks
<strong>as</strong>sociated with the debt stock
to mitigate debt service costs,”
she said.

FINANCIAL VANGUARD
MTN still in the
process of becoming
public liability
company – SEC
Ms Mary Uduk is the Acting Managing Director of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC. In this interview,
she highlighted some of the decisions taken at the l<strong>as</strong>t Capital
Market Committee, CMC, and the initiatives the Commission,
in collaboration with the CMC, is putting in place to move
the market forward. Excerpts:
COULD you let us know
what the quantum of
unclaimed dividends in the
market is <strong>as</strong> at today
Unclaimed dividend in the
market is being tackled in
minimum of two solid
approaches. One of them is e-
dividend. For every account
that is mandated, all accrued
dividends is automatically
paid. Then there is the use of
regularization of multiple
accounts. We discovered that
while dividend is growing so
is unclaimed dividends. Those
people that have multiple
accounts can only lay claim to
dividends in one account, all
the others will keep
warehousing dividends <strong>as</strong>
long <strong>as</strong> they are not
regularized.
We want to see how far the
registrars can go in
regularizing the multiple
accounts so that we can have
a specific figure for the
unclaimed dividends. We have
a provision in CAMA that if
unclaimed dividends stay for
a specified time, those
dividends should be returned
to the paying company and
that is what the Commission
is doing.
Unclaimed
dividends
Now any unclaimed
dividends which is 15 months
and above is returned to the
paying company. That way,
the shareholders also benefit
<strong>as</strong> those money could be
invested by the company and
result is more interest for the
shareholders.
Considering the rate at
which the gambling industry
is gaining ground in Nigeria,
is the SEC looking at
introducing a product that
will allow youths interested
in gambling to invest in the
capital market <strong>as</strong> is done in
some advanced countries?
We presently do not have
any laws on gambling, but we
have mutual funds and it
covers every <strong>as</strong>set in the
capital market whether it is
money market, insurance,
capital market, real estate and
infr<strong>as</strong>tructure among others.
The youths can invest in these.
Rather than leave your money
in savings account, you can
invest in mutual funds. It runs
like savings account and after
three months, you can
withdraw your money same
way you do with the banks.
We don’t have to gamble. You
need to let them know that
there are so many products in
the capital market that they
can invest in rather than
gambling and losing their
money.
We have various products
that are very attractive where
they can invest their money.
We have commenced investor
education and enlightenment
for Nigerians to understand
the benefit of these Funds
which gives more interest
A company cannot
list its shares in
the market unless
it is a public
company and <strong>as</strong>
we speak, MTN
h<strong>as</strong> not yet
completed the
process
than leave your money in bank
account.
What is the update on
MTN’s listing? Is the
company still coming to
the market this year?
We all know that a company
cannot list its shares in the
market unless it is a public
company and <strong>as</strong> we speak, MTN
h<strong>as</strong> not yet completed the
process. There is a process of
coming to the market. First,
you have to be a public
company, and you need to
have your shares registered
with the Commission.
However, I do know that
MTN had issues with the
Nigerian government and they
have been trying to sort it out.
I think they have sorted out one
<strong>as</strong>pect of that. I don’t think the
other part h<strong>as</strong> been sorted out
and because they have
committed to coming to the
market, they have decided to
come through Listing by
Introduction.
I know that the company is
working hard towards that;
they have visited the
Commission to explain that.
They have also <strong>as</strong>sured us that
after the Listing by
•Mary Uduk, Acting DG, SEC
Introduction, once they are
able to sort out the other issues
with the government, the can
now come fully to the market.
Right now, there is no formal
application from them, but
people need to understand that
there are many processes for
coming to the market. It can be
either through Listing by
Introduction or Initial Public
Offering. When they file their
application, we will be able to
give you the right information.
H<strong>as</strong> there been training
for those that will drive
the process and trading in
Derivatives?
Derivatives is a very good
product to be in the market. As
we speak, the rule on
Derivatives will be ready soon
and we have been building
capacity in-house in
partnership with South Korea.
We have a knowledge sharing
programme with them, they
have been to the country twice
now and our staff are scheduled
to travel to their country for
more training. Even their
Amb<strong>as</strong>sador h<strong>as</strong> been to the
Commission and all of that is
part of building capacity and
training the staff.
Even in the market, the
FMDQ OTC Securities
Exchange h<strong>as</strong> hosted the
Nigerian Economics Students
Association of Covenant
University at its business
complex, Exchange Place <strong>as</strong>
part of activities to
commemorate this year’s
Global Money Week.
The capacity building
programme w<strong>as</strong> hosted by
FMDQ Next Generation
Financial Market
Empowerment Programme
(FMDQ-Next). FMDQ-Next
is FMDQ’s flagship corporate
responsibility programme, a
learning and development
initiative aimed at promoting
financial market awareness
and literacy among students
Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019—25
Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE)
is doing a lot in the area <strong>as</strong> well
<strong>as</strong> the FMDQ OTC Securities
Exchange. FMDQ h<strong>as</strong> taken
some people to India for
capacity building. All
stakeholders including, the
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
have been joining hands
together to ensure that we get
it right.
What is the position of
SEC in regulating cryptocurrency?
In the l<strong>as</strong>t CMC, we talked
about it and inaugurated a
committee in respect of
FinTech. The committee w<strong>as</strong>
charged with coming up with a
FinTech Road Map on the
capital market community and
we also have a dedicated
division in the Commission on
that.
The Committee is working
<strong>as</strong>siduously to decide what
regulations we can make in this
area. The commission h<strong>as</strong> the
mandate to protect investors.
We know that crypto <strong>as</strong>sets are
volatile unlike ordinary <strong>as</strong>sets.
Since January 2017, we have
been <strong>as</strong>king investors to be
vigilant when it comes to
investing in crypto-currency.
We don’t want to get in the way
of innovation. Regulators
across the globe are paying
attention to what is happening
in this sphere. On the one hand,
they want to protect investors
and on the other hand, they
want to support innovation. On
all fronts, the SEC is looking at
development in the FinTech
space.
There is also on-going
collaboration led by the CBN.
There is an inter-agency
committee on virtual
currencies which the SEC is
working on with other market
operators. In no distant time,
the SEC will come up with
regulations on crypto
currencies. We are embarking
on investor education so that
investors understand what it’s
all about.
The market h<strong>as</strong> been
down for quite some time.
Does it mean investors do
not have confidence in the
market?
Market depends on several
factors, some are global and
others are domestic. Some are
industrial, while others are also
in terms of the company’s
performance. You can see
sectors that are doing better,
you can also see specific
sectors that are not doing well.
Around election, it is possible
for people to have different
expectations.
Some want to keep their
money, some sell their shares
to vie for political office, but <strong>as</strong>
elections are over, we expect
that some of those people that
withdrew prior to elections will
come back to the market.
Around elections in the history
of Nigeria, we see that there is
usually a lull in the market.
In 2017, the market rose by
42 percent, but in 2018, it fell
by 17 percent. There would
always be varying sentiments.
What is very important about
the market is that in the long
run, even though you have
fluctuations, the market
eventually goes up. The stock
exchange index started in 1984
with 100 points, today we are
at over 30,000 points. There
will definitely be ups and
downs, but the market goes up
at the long run.
FMDQ facilitates capacity training for youths
across all levels (primary,
secondary and tertiary), <strong>as</strong>
well <strong>as</strong> fresh graduates within
the country.
The aim of the excursion,
which had students across
various levels of study, w<strong>as</strong> to
expose the participants to the
operations of the Exchange,
providing them with a history
<strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> the roles played by
FMDQ and other financial
market participants in the
Nigerian financial market.
The day commenced with a
tour around Exchange Place,
where the students where
shown around the FMDQ Q-
Hub – a bespoke trading
simulation room for FMDQ-
Next. Archives - a wellequipped
history room which
tells the story of FMDQ’s
evolution, and Media Room -
a world-cl<strong>as</strong>s media room for
the efficient dissemination of
market-impacting news and
information about FMDQ and
its markets. They also
experienced a Live Market
Trading Session, where they
learnt about securities traded
in FMDQ’s markets, amongst
other things.
They also had an opportunity
to learn about the different
functions carried out within
the Exchange, the different
markets that exist, the market
players, the importance of
savings and investments
amongst others.

26 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019
FINANCIAL VANGUARD
Shareholders speak on re-opening of dividend warrant issuance by SEC
By Nkiruka Nnorom
The Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, recently said it is continuing with issuance of dividend warrant
more than one year after closing the exercise to allow it sort out some outstanding issues. Shareholders who
spoke to Financial Vanguard expressed divergent opinions on the issue.
SEC should be more decisive on
termination of dividend warrant —
Shehu
I
Mallam Mikaili
think SEC is just beating about the
bush. It should take decisive decision
<strong>as</strong> regards compelling all public
companies and shareholders to key into
e-dividend. Going back and forth is not
ideal. The only thing that is going to help
is for SEC to disseminate information to
the gr<strong>as</strong>s-roots and enlighten the people
at the gr<strong>as</strong>s-roots to key into the e-
dividend initiative. Likewise, the SEC
should take be proactive in reducing or
even removing cost of mandating
accounts. In fact, mandating accounts
should be free. More so, instead of
continuing with issuance of dividend
warrant, registration for e-dividend
should be extended possibly to year 2020.
I believe that by 2020 and with enough
enlightenment campaign by both the
SEC, Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, the
stockbrokers, registrars and even the
Central Securities Clearing System,
CSCS, more shareholders would
understand and be aware of the existence
e-dividend. The regulators should also
find out ways of reaching shareholders
with unclaimed dividend.
FINANCIAL VANGUARD
The law does not allow any regulator to
deny investors their dividend
— Alhaji Gbadebo Olatokunbo
SEC came about the directive on
electronic dividend payment and it w<strong>as</strong>
targeted at achieving some purposes such <strong>as</strong>
reduction or elimination of unclaimed
dividend. It is to make it e<strong>as</strong>y for shareholders
to claim their dividend <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> to encourage
investors to make use of the banking system
among others.
However, despite efforts by the stakeholders
to encourage and embrace the policy on e-
dividend, some shareholders are still having
problems with the policy. For instance, many
bank accounts are dormant and owners are not
interested in them due to re<strong>as</strong>ons known to
them. Secondly, many investors have relocated
to their villages either due to retirement or loss
of their jobs and there are no banks at their
locations and they are not also ready to go the
extra miles because it will cost them more than
the amount to be collected <strong>as</strong> dividend.
Therefore, SEC h<strong>as</strong> to be re<strong>as</strong>onable knowing
that there will be bigger problems insisting on
the policy deadline. It is very very important to
note that the law doesn’t allow any regulatory
agency to deny any investor the return on
investment – dividend.
Margin lending re-introduction will
lead to another market depression
— Adeleke
MR. Adebayo Adeleke is the former General Secretary of Independent
Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN). In this interview, he said that reintroduction
of margin lending by the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC,
is an error and will not be in the overall interest of the market. Excerpt:
By Nkiruka Nnorom
WHAT is your take on the plan by
the Securities and Exchange
Commission, SEC, to review rules on
margin lending with a view to reviving
activity in that space?
It sounds good because what they are
trying to do is to stimulate the market,
but at the long run, it is a very defective
plan because you don’t create credit for
capital formation from borrowing. All
over the world and all in the loan books,
you have two types of capital. You have
tier-1 capital and tier-2 capital.
Tier-1 capital being the seeds that
shareholders are providing for the
business, tier-2 being borrowings the
business is leveraging to take up
opportunities. So, now, you are talking
about tier-1, which is the stock exchange
- platform for long term capital formation
and you now want to take tier-2, which
is loan to fund people to go to that
market. What you will be doing in the
short run is using short term money to
play in a market that is meant for long
term capital formation.
So, there is going to be a disconnect;
you are just going to create unnecessary
excitement in the market where you have
so much money running after few shares
and then prices will start going up. Of
course, that is going to be artificial and
it is not going to be sustainable.
At the end of the day, at some point,
people will start pulling out because they
want to profit and they also want to repay
the loans and then there will be another
depression in the market and we will go
back to zero level which is what we
trying to avoid. For, me, it is going to be
a very temporary me<strong>as</strong>ure for a long term
problem. It is not going to be for long
term interest of the market. It is going to
It will allow more investors key into e-
dividend — Patrick Ajudua
Ithink it is a very good thing because of
the existing problems like lack of
enlightenment on the importance adoption
of electronic dividend by some investors. I
think that it will also offer more opportunity
to people in the rural are<strong>as</strong> to key into the
e-dividend registration exercise so that the
aim of reducing unclaimed dividend will be
achieved. This is what we have been saying;
there is need for more awareness on the ongoing
e-dividend before the issuance of
dividend warrant will be finally stopped.
Though I do not think that nine months will
be enough to sort out all outstanding issues
but it will go a long way in allowing more
people to mandate their accounts. That said,
SEC really need to go out and create deeper
awareness; there is the need to communicate
to more people in their local languages on
the need to stop issuance of physical
dividend warrant and embrace e-dividend.
The registrars should also do their own
work. We have to go the way other markets
around the world are going; we need to
embrace technology.
•Adebayo Adeleke, former
General Secretary, ISAN
be a very big error coming from the
SEC.
You know we have tried this in the p<strong>as</strong>t
before the 2008/2009 market cr<strong>as</strong>h...?
Exactly and even when the market
cr<strong>as</strong>hed, how many of the shareholders
who took margin facilities were
compensated, rather the stockbrokers
who had the platform were the ones
who went <strong>as</strong>king for forbearance. A
stockbroker is an agent; he buys for
you, he makes money, he sells for you,
he makes money.
If they had also traded on margin, it
would have been a different ball game
but those were the people who were
<strong>as</strong>king government <strong>as</strong> at that time for
INTERVIEW
It is a good development
— Moses Igbrude
Life is dynamic when one
takes some decisions
thinking it will bring certain
desired results and it didn’t, the
wise thing to do is to revise such
decision and that is exactly what
SEC is trying to do.
SEC at a meeting with
stakeholders two years ago
thought that by eliminating
dividends warrant it will reduce
cost and companies will save
money for the shareholders <strong>as</strong>
well <strong>as</strong> reduce unclaimed
dividend but this rather started
incre<strong>as</strong>ing unclaimed dividend <strong>as</strong>
many Nigeria investors did not
key into it.
So, for me, this is a good
development because the best
thing to do in this situation is to
restart the issuance of dividend
warrant again and gradually
encourage people to key into the
e-dividend initiative.
forbearance. So, the individual
shareholders who also participated in
the margin facility were not given
forbearance. Now, the question is how
can we avoid a repeat of such occurrence
because it w<strong>as</strong> not palatable for the
market and I am not sure that the market
h<strong>as</strong> finally recovered from that incident.
So, it is going to result in re-inventing
the wheels or trying solutions that have
been tried and have failed us in the p<strong>as</strong>t.
It is not going to work out in the long
run. If we want to develop this market
and have a long term solution to this
market, we need to have rules and
regulations that are investors’ friendly.
We need to talk to our government not to
kill the enterprises by over-burdening
them with taxes.
We need to create an environment
where businesses will thrive, and then
we need to embark on sensitisation,
letting people know what the market
stands for in terms of long term capital
formation and of job creation. We need
to find ways of including capital market
studies in school curriculum in
secondary and tertiary level, irrespective
of the course you are studying.
Everybody must come to the market. It
is <strong>as</strong> important <strong>as</strong> learning how to take
care of your health or even your family.
This is much more sustainable than
creating margin facility. We are talking
about creating long term value.
C
M
Y
K

FINANCIAL VANGUARD
Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019 — 27
Features
Commodities exchange trades N773m in Q1’19
By Cynthia Alo
THE Africa Ex
change Holdings
(AFEX) h<strong>as</strong> traded a
total of 7,183 metric
tonnes (MT) of commodities
ranging from
maize, paddy rice and
sorghum valued at
N773.1m in the first
quarter of 2019,
Q1’19.
This w<strong>as</strong> disclosed by
AFEX at a Tweet-chat
organized in partnership
with Proshare Nigeria.
E n g a g i n g
stakeholders via twitter
the focus of the
AFEX-Proshare Tweetchat
w<strong>as</strong> “Agricultural
Commodities a Key
Vehicle for Investments”.
Giving an overview
of the commodities
market in 2019, the exchange
projected a
bullish first half 2019
performance in Nigeria,
with return on
investments on yields
of smallholder farmers
expected to hit 25%.
This w<strong>as</strong> on the backdrop
of the wet se<strong>as</strong>on
experienced in 2018,
which AFEX believes
will boost the yield of
farmers by one and a
half times.
The exchange also
noted that during the
period, with uncertainty
over the just
concluded general
elections gone, several
investors bought
and stored commodities,
which led to an
incre<strong>as</strong>e in demand.
Logistic costs were
also high in the period
contributing to
price incre<strong>as</strong>es and
fluctuations.
In the area of the
regulatory framework
and environment for
the commodities ecosystem,
AFEX in its
response informed the
market and the nation
that it had representation
in the sub-committees
for commodities
set up by the Securities
and Exchange
Commission, and h<strong>as</strong>
been in constant interaction
with policy makers
and regulators on
charting a pathway for
a viable commodities
exchange.
On the outlook for
the commodities market
in 2019, AFEX
expects to see an incre<strong>as</strong>e
in retail participation
<strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> the
introduction of key
products targeted at
incre<strong>as</strong>ing participation
of key
stakeholders.
The exchange also
10 nations brainstorm on financial inclusion
By Olayinka Ajayi
LEADERS in the
banking industry
from 10 nations across
CAMA Bill will reduce cost of doing business,
boost growth of SMEs, says LCCI
By Naomi Uzor
THE Lagos Cham
ber of Commerce
and Industry, LCCI,
weekend, urged the
Federal Government to
expeditiously <strong>as</strong>sent to
the Companies and Allied
Matters [CAM] Bill
so <strong>as</strong> to reduce the cost
of doing business, and
boost the growth of
small and medium enterprises,
SMEs.
A statement by the Director
General of LCCI,
Mr. Muda Yusuf, said
the bill, when signed,
h<strong>as</strong> immense potential
impact in catalyzing the
growth and transformation
of the SMEs in the
Nigerian economy.
“The Bill when signed
into law, will reduce the
cost of doing business,
especially for small
From Left: MR CLEMENT EZEIFEDIKWA, Chief Security Officer, Keystone Bank, Mrs. Omobolanle
Osotule, Divisional Head, Marketing& Corporate Communications, Keystone bank, Mr. Abubakar
Danlami Sule, Ag. MD/CEO, Keystone Bank, Mr. Zubairu Muazu, Lagos state Commissioner of Police,
Ms. Olayemi Sule, Divisional Head,Corporate Services, Keystone Bank during a courtesy visit to the
Commissioner of Police, Lagos state Police Command in Lagos.
businesses; boost the
growth of SMEs; promote
economic inclusion,
boost job creation
by small businesses,
and encourage informal
sector players to relocate
to the formal sector” he
said.
Muda said “In the
light of the huge potential
benefits of this law,
we request that the bill
be expeditiously signed
so that the SMEs in the
economy can begin to
reap the benefits of its
provisions. The Presidents
<strong>as</strong>sent to this bill
would also position the
SMEs in the economy to
contribute to the realization
of the objectives of
the Economic Recovery
& Growth Plan (ERGP)”.
According to him, the
bill makes it possible for
a company promoter to
establish a private company
with only one
shareholder, Review of
the concept of Authorized
Share Capital to be
replaced with Minimum
Share Capital,
thus saving the promoters
the trouble of
having to pay for
shares not needed at a
specific time, Simplification
of the processes
for the registration of
Private Company Limited
by Guarantee and
Broadening the scope
for technology applications
in compliance
processes.
“CAM Bill 2018 h<strong>as</strong>
provisions for electronic
filing; electronic share
transfer and e-meetings
for private companies.
This would make the
processes smarter and
cost effective” he said.
the West African region
are set to converge in
Lagos for a two days
summit tagged: “The
Future Banking Technology
Summit” to
brainstorm on efforts
aimed at incre<strong>as</strong>ing financial
inclusion in the
sub-region by 2020.
In a statement, Director
of the Summit,
Khalila Baldwin, said:
“A key focus of many
new policies being
driven within the region,
is to ensure financial
inclusion is incre<strong>as</strong>ed
across West Africa.
We aim to shine a
light on the leading
strategies incre<strong>as</strong>ing
access to finance with
the top financial
stakeholders in attendance”.
“Late l<strong>as</strong>t year the
Central Bank of Nigeria
announced the
introduction of Payment
Service Banks, and
amidst so much buzz
around Telco’s entering
the financial space in
Nigeria we also wanted
to provide a platform
for both the traditional
and non-traditional financial
entities to converge”
Baldwin added.
The two days summit
will also tackle several
paramount topics including,
innovation in
identified its “outreach
structure” <strong>as</strong> a strategy
to incre<strong>as</strong>e the
commodities traded on
the platform, even <strong>as</strong>
it will remain focused
on farmer engagement;
using the Exchange’s
offerings
from input financing
to storage and grading
services.
regulation- Overcoming
gaps in rural banking
strategies, supporting
innovative financial
institutions to improve
financial inclusion, improving
credit facilities
to underbanked and
Small and Medium Enterprises,
throughout
main panel discussions
and networking breaks.
The Summit which
promised to include
c<strong>as</strong>e studies from nations
that have incre<strong>as</strong>ed
access to finance
through changes
in regulations such <strong>as</strong>
mobile money licenses
for non- banks and
pushing agency banking.
The summit brings together
under one roof
dignitaries from various
industries across West
Africa countries to exchange
visions on ways
of achieving progress
in financial inclusion,
that is becoming highly
sought for recently to
cater the demand of
population, and the
rapid penetration of latest
telecommunication
technologies by customers.
Federal
Mortgage
Bank
disburses
N58bn
By Emma Ujah, Abuja
Bureau Chief
THE Federal Mort
gage Bank of Nigeria
(FMBN) h<strong>as</strong> disbursed the
sum of N58 billion to its customers.
The Group Head, Corporate
Communications, Mr.
Zubaida Umar, disclosed
this in a statement in Abuja,
yesterday.
According to him, the disbursement
which w<strong>as</strong> recorded
in the l<strong>as</strong>t years w<strong>as</strong>
due to “historic improvements
in the speed and
scale of FMBN’s mortgage
loan operations.”
He added that the sum
w<strong>as</strong> disbursed to 23, 600
beneficiaries.
Umar gave details of the
disbursement, “Current
company performance statistics
reveal that between
April 2017 (when the current
Management took office)
and March 2019, the
FMBN posted strong performance
and disbursed
mortgage loans totalling
N58 billion.
The amount covers the
provision of,
“National Housing Fund
(NHF) Mortgage Loans to
3,171 Nigerian workers valued
at N22.3bn, Home
Renovation Loans valued
at N16.9 billion to 20,429
Nigerian workers and Estate
Development Loans
valued at N13.6 billion,
Cooperative Development
Loans totaling N2.7 billion
and Ministerial Pilot
Housing Scheme Project
at N2.5 billion”
The high level of loan disbursements,
averaging
N29 billion per annum, he
said, represented a significant
incre<strong>as</strong>e in performance
in comparison to the
N152 billion, which the
bank had given out over a
24-year period at an average
of N6.3 billion per annum
(1992 – April 2017).
Additionally, the FMBN
he said also posted strong
performance in the processing
of applications for refund
of contributions to the
National Housing Fund
(NHF) by workers who
have retired from service.
The company processed
120,759 NHF refund c<strong>as</strong>es
and paid out a total of
N16.5 billion between April
2017 and March 2019.
The amount, which the
new Management h<strong>as</strong> recorded
in terms of NHF refunds
in about 24 months,
exceeded the total of N10.8
billion recorded between
1992 and April 2017, when
the current Management
took office.
Furthermore, the FMBN
within the period under review,
funded the construction
of 6,538 housing units
across the country.

28 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019
FINANCIAL VANGUARD
Features
*Ike Chioke *Bolaji Baloguna *Kennedy-Uzoka *Segun Agbaje
INVESTING UNDER IFRS 9
Why credit ratings matter
for Asset Managers
By Nkiruka Nnorum
THE global financial
system will remain
vulnerable to human
exuberance, a challenge
in behavioural finance
that seems to be a natural
part of investing. It is
this phenomenon that
underpins many of the
regulations and risk
management practices in
the world of <strong>as</strong>set
management.
Interestingly, risk and
return are positively
correlated, little wonder
the appetite for higher
yield tends to exacerbate
behavioural tendencies
in investment decisions,
<strong>as</strong> portfolio managers
may stretch the scope of
investment policies to
attain higher return,
even whilst recognizing
the incre<strong>as</strong>ed risk
<strong>as</strong>sociated with such
investment.
Thus, regulators in
Nigeria, like their peers
elsewhere in the world,
have strictly codified
rules guiding the
investment practice of
different sub-sectors in
the financial system.
They range from
Nigeria’s Securities and
Exchange Commission
(SEC), the National
Pension Commission
(Pencom), the Central
Bank of Nigeria (CBN),
<strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> the Nigerian
Insurance Commission
(NAICOM), and all
have guidelines for
investments. These
include, but are not
limited to a specific
definition of qualified
investments and <strong>as</strong>set
allocation practices, in
addition to permissible
performance reporting
and disclosure formats.
Beyond the investment
decision and
management practice,
performance reporting is
incre<strong>as</strong>ingly becoming
regulated for effective
standardization and
benchmarking analysis.
It is on this note that
Nigerian pension fund
managers and traditional
<strong>as</strong>set management firms
would have to contend
with the emerging
challenges of IFRS 9, the
proactive accounting
standards on
me<strong>as</strong>urements and
disclosure of Financial
Instruments, which
replaces IAS 39. The new
standard is anchored on
an expected loss model,
a proactive me<strong>as</strong>ure
towards early
recognition and
provisioning for
financial instruments,
compared to hitherto IAS
39, which is b<strong>as</strong>ed on an
incurred loss model, an
after-the-fact approach to
risk management.
Just like Nigerian
banks, pension fund
managers have transited
from IAS 39 to IFRS 9 <strong>as</strong>
at the effective date of 01
January 2018, thereby
reinforcing the need for
pension fund managers
to re-align investment
decisions to these new
performance and
reporting standards.
What Is The
Exposure?
With an average of 90%
of pension funds
invested into fixed
income instruments,
ranging from money
market placements,
tre<strong>as</strong>ury bills,
commercial papers and
bonds – sovereign, subnational
and corporates,
the key source of credit
risk exposure for
pension funds is the risk
that any of the
counterparties or issuers
of the financial
instruments will default,
either in interest
payment or principal
repayment. Whilst
Pencom h<strong>as</strong> proactively
mitigated credit risk
exposures by limiting
investable <strong>as</strong>sets to
those with a minimum of
“BBB” credit ratings,
pension fund managers
may need to set internal
benchmarks and <strong>as</strong>set
allocations thresholds
for investments below
“AAA,” which are
presumed to be “riskfree,”
given the
“sanctity” of the issuers
of such instruments,
designated <strong>as</strong> “AAA”
instruments – mostly
Whilst the credit
spread h<strong>as</strong> been
somewhat
standardized in
more developed
markets, the
Nigerian capital
market is still
evolving, with no
defined pricing
mechanism for
credit spread.
sovereign.
…Are The Mitigants
Enough?
Notwithstanding the
proactive guidelines by
the Pension Commission,
the rationale for fund
managers to limit
exposure to lower-rated
bonds and borderline
investment grade <strong>as</strong>sets
(“BBB”) is reinforced by
the relatively higher
impairment charge that
may be required on such
<strong>as</strong>sets with relatively
weak credit rating,
compared to more quality
<strong>as</strong>sets. Expectedly, all
non-sovereign
instruments, will be
expected to attract
impairment charges,
irrespective of
performance, even so
the required impairment
charge may be
immaterial, particularly
<strong>as</strong> there are theoretically
inherent risks and higher
“probability of default”
for lower-rated corporate
bonds in the Nigerian
capital market, like
anywhere in the world.
Hence, the impairment
charge that would be
expected on lower rated
bonds would be higher,
compared to the higher
rated bonds, even when
both are established to be
duly performing.
According to Deloitte,
<strong>as</strong> a practical expedient,
IFRS 9 allows an entity
to <strong>as</strong>sume that the credit
risk on a financial
instrument h<strong>as</strong> not
incre<strong>as</strong>ed significantly if
it is determined to have
a ‘low’ credit risk at the
reporting date.
Interestingly, the
International Financial
Reporting Standards
considers credit risk to
be ‘low’ if there is a low
risk of default and thus
suggests that an
‘investment grade’
rating might be an
indicator for low credit
risk.
Besides the higher
probability of default on
a lower rated instrument
and the corresponding
higher impairment
charge that may be
required on such
exposure, the
downgrade risk is
empirically higher for
instruments lower down
the rating scale below
the “A” rating. This,
therefore, suggests a
higher probability of a
significant incre<strong>as</strong>e in
credit risk over the life of
the instrument and the
potential for a
recl<strong>as</strong>sification of the
<strong>as</strong>sets from “Stage 1”
bucket into “Stage 2”,
irrespective of the
performance of such debt
instrument. For instance,
if macroeconomic
volatility or industryspecific
challenge leads
to the rating downgrade
of a borderline “BBB”
rated instrument, it will
become a noninvestment
grade <strong>as</strong>set,
thus requiring fund
managers to divest the
<strong>as</strong>set. Such development
may lead to significant
price and liquidity risks,
<strong>as</strong> all pension fund
managers holding the
instrument would seek to
exit in compliance with
regulatory guidelines,
irrespective of the
performance of the <strong>as</strong>set.
An example in India is
that currently, though
corporate bonds rated
‘BBB’ or equivalent are
considered investment
grade, most regulators in
India have set a
minimum of ‘AA’ rating
for bonds to be eligible for
investment. Therefore,
the Indian corporate bond
market is currently
skewed towards highrated
debt instruments
(AA and AAA).
In Nigeria, a total of
N411billion outstanding
corporate bonds are listed
on the FMDQ platform,
out of which N176 billion
or 43% are “BBB” rated.
Interestingly, N44bn of
the corporate bonds are
“AAA” rated, ranking
pari-p<strong>as</strong>u with the FGN
Securities, which are
backed by the full faith
and credit of the Federal
Government of Nigeria.
The “AAA” rating
<strong>as</strong>signed on the bonds of
these corporate bonds:
Mixta, NMRC, Viathan,
and North-South Power,
are reflective of the
respective guarantee s on
the bonds by reputable
“AAA” rated institutions.
Whilst Mixta and
NMRC were backed by
Guarantco and the
Federal Government of
Nigeria respectively;
Viathan and North-
South Power were
guaranteed by
InfraCredit, a
s p e c i a l i z e d
infr<strong>as</strong>tructure guarantee
company, backed by the
NSIA, Africa Finance
Corporation, and
GuarantCo.
Notably, the Guarantee
from these reputable
institutions, are pseudo
Sovereign credit
enhancements and
significantly mitigates the
credit risk exposures on the
bonds, backed by the
institutions, which become
the ultimate obligor to the
bond holders, <strong>as</strong> the
guarantors would fulfill the
obligations, in the
unexpected incidence of a
default from the primary
issuer/obligor.
In between the “AAA” and
“BBB” rated issues are the
bonds of highly rated banks
like United Bank for Africa
and Stanbic IBTC <strong>as</strong> well
<strong>as</strong> non-financial
institutions like Lafarge
and Dufil Prima, which are
<strong>as</strong>signed credit ratings
within the “A” and “AA”
categories.
Under the IFRS 9
dispensation, effective
pricing of a Non-
Sovereign instrument may
become more pertinent
than ever, <strong>as</strong> fund
managers seek adequate
credit spread to
compensate for inherent
differences in credit
quality, <strong>as</strong> may be reflected
in the credit rating
differentials. Whilst the
credit spread h<strong>as</strong> been
somewhat standardized in
more developed markets,
the Nigerian capital market
is still evolving, with no
defined pricing
mechanism for credit
spread.
Given the realities of
IFRS 9, the perceived
pricing inefficiency in the
market will be gradually
corrected, <strong>as</strong> we expect
fund managers, banks,
insurance, and other
investor categories to
incre<strong>as</strong>ingly price-in credit
risks in new issues in the
Nigerian capital market.
Interestingly, the
incre<strong>as</strong>ing depth of credit
rating in Nigeria should
support the pricing
evolution, <strong>as</strong> credit ratings
are a product of rigorous
analysis done by the
rating agencies in
differentiating obligors
and issues, with the
Sovereign serving <strong>as</strong> the
benchmark.

FINANCIAL VANGUARD
Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019 — 29
Stock market loses N528bn in three days— PUNCH, April 4, 2019.
FOR more than seven months, I have refrained from writing about the Nigerian
Loss, sorry, Stock Exchange, NSE, because it had been my experience for nearly
thirty years that most Nigerian investors in the capital market are the closest human
beings who can be cl<strong>as</strong>sified <strong>as</strong>
retarded. It is bad enough when
millions of individuals
presumed to be intelligent act
against their own interests out
of ignorance. It is absolutely
<strong>as</strong>tonishing when Nigerian
investors, like human lemmings,
all rush to their own economic
destruction.
Anybody who had money in the
Stock Exchange since January
2018 needs to have his brain-box
checked. The alarm w<strong>as</strong> sounded
three times l<strong>as</strong>t year warning
people to stay out of the
investment trap called NSE. Few
listened. If enough Nigerians
have adhered to the alert, the
NSE would have started to
undertake the necessary reforms
needed to insulate shareholders
from the terrors of
Buharinomics.
The end is not yet in sight for
all those deciding to hang on to
their shares – now more useless
than tissue paper. WEMA Bank
declared three kobo dividend
after twelve years. The
implications are so serious one
wonders why all the
shareholders don’t just attend the
next annual general meeting just
to throw the shares at the Board.
At this rate, after allowing for
inflation during the l<strong>as</strong>t twelve
years and in the next dozen
years, WEMA shareholders
would have to wait at le<strong>as</strong>t two
centuries to recover the original
investment. If you call that
investment, kindly let me have
your definition of stupidity. The
stock market represents all that
is bad about the economy under
Buhari.
Generals need to be told to
take care of the lives of others
—Pelopid<strong>as</strong>, 403-364 BC. Greek
General and statesman.
What a Greek General, during
the Hellenic Age, already taught
the world almost 2500 years ago
is totally lost on our General and
President. He is certainly not
taking care of the lives of
Nigerians citizens; and that will
result in dire consequences for
the entire nation – especially
those who provided his winning
Buharinomics: The bad, the worse,
and the ugly
majority votes. Northerners are
already the poorest, the le<strong>as</strong>t
educated, worst housed and
most deprived of essential social
services. They will soon discover
that we have not reached the
bottom yet. Worse is coming
under Buhari.
Readers should make no
mistake about it. Among the
things that will eventually ruin
Nigeria, and they include Boko
Haram, herdsmen, bandits and
kidnappers, Buharinomics now
ranks very high. The entire world
is now so concerned about the
impending economic and social
dis<strong>as</strong>ters which four more years
of the APC government will
unle<strong>as</strong>h on Nigeria. We are
already reaping the harvests of
sorrow in many ways. Below is a
review of the alarming reports
about Nigeria trending on all
media. It should not get worse.
But, soon readers will find out
about the ugly side of
Buharinomics. Then, things will
get worse.
“Nigeria’s economy slipping.”
That w<strong>as</strong> the verdict of the World
Bank which used a taxonomy to
determine the performance of
all African countries. The report
provided us with data which
should frighten the living
daylights out of any right
thinking Nigerian. It said “For
instance ..median economic
growth rate decelerated from 5.4
per cent per year in 1995-2008
to 1.2 per cent per year in 2015-
2018.
Meanwhile, growth is projected
to rise from 1.9 per cent in 2018
to 2.1 per cent in 2019…. to 2.2
per cent in 2020 and reach 2.4
in 2021.” With population
growing at 3.2 per cent each
year, it means the average
Nigerian will get progressively
poorer. When added to the tree
years, 2015-2018, it means the
country is expected to experience
FINANCIAL VANGUARD
ABUSINESSMAN, Cajetan
Chike Muonagolu, h<strong>as</strong> been
ordered to be remanded in prison
custody by Justice Saliu Saidu of
the Federal High Court, Ikoyi,
Lagos on a four count charge
bothering on dealing in adulterated
and substandard engine oil. The
court admitted Muonagolu to bail
in the sum of N50 million and two
sureties in the like sum. One of the
sureties must be a civil/public
servant not less than Grade Level
15 in the employment of the Federal
or Lagos State Government while
the other must be the defendant's
relation with landed property within
the jurisdiction of the court.
Other conditions include: That
both sureties must deposit their
p<strong>as</strong>sport photographs with the court
while Muonagolu must deposit his
international p<strong>as</strong>sport with the
court registrar; The prosecution
and the Court Registrar are to verify
the sureties' address. Arguing the
bail application, counsel to the 1st
and 2nd defendant, Mike
Ozekhome, SAN represented by
six straight years of declining
per capita income and
incre<strong>as</strong>ing poverty. What can
government do about it?
Surprisingly, the global answer
to that question is “Nothing”.
The entire world does not
believe that Buhari h<strong>as</strong> the
capacity to reverse our
downward trend into extreme
poverty. It is difficult to imagine
any Nigerian economist who is
Buhari is
deficient in
understanding
economics; he
cannot provide
the leadership
we need in
reversing our
downward
trend into
extreme poverty
order of severity, were: Yemen,
the Democratic Republic of the
Congo, Afghanistan, Ethiopia,
the Syrian Arab Republic, the
Sudan, South Sudan and
Northern Nigeria.” In other
words, those who provided the
winning margin for Buhari’s reelection
went to the polls on
empty stomachs; while the man
for whom they voted had three
meals. How on earth h<strong>as</strong> the
Nigerian General taken care of
the lives of the multitude?
Furthermore, what happened to
all the rice the Ministry of
Agriculture pronounced w<strong>as</strong>
being produced to make Nigeria
self-sufficient in rice?
Liars ought to have good
memories— Algernon Sidney,
1622-1683. Vanguard Book Of
Quotations, VBQ, p 127.
From the lies about rice
harvest we slide into the ugly
<strong>as</strong>pect of Buharinomics. This is
what will eventually give
President Buhari the bad
reputation he is desperate to
avoid. Granted “all governments
are run by liars and nothing they
say should be believed” (I.F.
Stone, VBQ); but, no previous
government h<strong>as</strong> <strong>as</strong>sembled so
many officers who cannot just tell
the truth <strong>as</strong> this one. Just l<strong>as</strong>t
week, the Chairman of the Rice
Processors Association of
Nigeria, RIPAN, told journalists
that 20 million bags of rice were
smuggled into Nigeria from
January to March this year
alone.
Assuming the smugglers work
every day, that volume of rice
translates to 220,000 bags of rice
entering Nigeria illegally daily.
That revelation calls into
question the figures publicised
by the Federal Government
regarding domestic production
of rice. Second, if RIPAN knows
so much, how come Nigeria’s
Custom Services does not? There
is only one obvious conclusion.
We don’t know how much rice is
available for consumption in
Nigeria. But, from the UN report
on hunger, it is clearly not
enough. Certainly, millions are
still serving.
“Fish rots from the head.”
The mother of all falsehoods
regarding economic
performance originates from the
Office of the Vice President,
P<strong>as</strong>tor Yemi Osinbajo. The
Social Intervention Programme,
SIP, which w<strong>as</strong> billed <strong>as</strong> Buhari’s
legacy project w<strong>as</strong> tucked under
the “Man of God” - undoubtedly
to keep the sons of the Devil
from laying their hands on the
funds. Yet, after three full years
of running the programme,
P<strong>as</strong>tor Osinbajo h<strong>as</strong> failed to
render a full account of his
stewardship with respect to SIP.
Nigerians are treated to press
rele<strong>as</strong>es, making spurious
claims about achievements
which cannot be verified. In the
three years, while travelling to
over twenty eight states in all the
zones, I am yet to find a school
providing FG food to kids. If you
think I am the only one doubting
Osinbajo then read this.
Farmers question Osinbajo’s
statistics on school <strong>feed</strong>ing—
Daily Trust, Saturday, April 6,
2019.
The story partly said: “A few
days ago, Vice President Yemi
Osinbajo
rele<strong>as</strong>ed
huge statistics regarding the
Federal Government’s school
<strong>feed</strong>ing programme…This
translates to 2,376 cows every
month..chickens..about 552,000
monthly 27 million eggs…With
these huge figures..farmers
<strong>as</strong>sociation are wondering about
the identities of the farmers FG
is patronising.”
Incidentally, I bought the
paper in the state capital of a
North Central State while
seeking to conclude a deal on
rice in a remote community.
Schools there never got free
Federal Government food.
I rest my c<strong>as</strong>e.
ECONOMY
Bizman remanded in prison custody for suspected adulterated,
substandard engine oil
Goke Olagunlehin holding brief for
D.A. Awosika supported by Heritage
Omoyera and Umeizie
Chukwudimma urged the Court to
grant his client bail.
The SON prosecution team of
Babatunde Alajogun and Adeleke
Olofindare opposed the bail
application on the ground that the
1st defendant, Cajetan Chike
Muonagolu committed another
offence during the pendency of the
c<strong>as</strong>e by: Breaking and removing
the official seal of SON and
evacuated 15, 000 cartons of
suspected adulterated/substandard
engine oil which SON put on hold;
Assaulting and beating up SON
officials in the course of their lawful
duties.
The court ordered counsel for the
prosecution and defence to visit the
warehouse to <strong>as</strong>certain the breaking
of the seal or otherwise. The matter
w<strong>as</strong> adjourned to May 20, 2019 for
not an official of the FG who
does not agree with the global
view. A man, even if he is
President, cannot give what he
does not have. Buhari is deficient
in understanding economics. He
cannot provide the leadership
we need in that regard.
Nigeria, Seven Others Face
Acute Hunger – UN — Daily
Independent.
The report on April 4, 2019
went <strong>as</strong> follows: “No fewer than
113 million people experienced
high levels of food insecurity in
the world’s most severe food
crisis in 2018, the Global Report
on Food Crisis h<strong>as</strong> found….The
worst food crises in 2018, in
commencement of trial. The federal
government had charged the
defendants with four counts of
production, possession, dealing in
and distribution of substandard
engine oil. The defendants had
pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In the charge, the defendants are
accused of committing the offences
at ASPAMDA Trade Fair Complex,
Lagos Badagry Expressway Lagos
State between December 12 and 13
2018. They were accused of being
in possession of 15,000 cartons of
adulterated Prime Pl<strong>as</strong>ma, Prime
ATF and Stanley brand of engine
oil which they present <strong>as</strong> being of
quality.
The prosecutor, Mr Adeleke
Olofindare, said their offences
contravene Section 3 (6) of the
Miscellaneous Offences Act, CAP
M17, Laws of the Federation of
Nigeria 2004 and Section 26 of
Standards Organisation of Nigeria
Act, 2015.
A part of the charge reads: "That
you Cajetan Chike Muonagolu and
Richbon Nigeria Limited of Plot
242, Oshodi Apapa Express Way,
Odolowu Bus Stop, Lagos on or
about 12/13 December 2019, while
at ASPAMDA Trade Fair Complex,
Lagos Badagry Expressway, Lagos
State within the jurisdiction of this
Honourable Court did indulge in
dealing in adulterated/substandard
engine oil to wit: 15,000 Cartons and
60,00 pieces of Prime Pl<strong>as</strong>ma, Prime
ATF and Stanley brand of Engine
oil which is not of quality, substance
nature or efficacy which the seller
represented it to be and thereby
commit an offence punishable
under Section 1 (18)(ii) of the
Miscellaneous Offences Act, CAP
M17, Laws of the Federation of
Nigeria 2004.
"That you Cajetan Chike
Muonagolu and Richbon Nigeria
Limited of Plot 242, Oshodi Apapa
Express Way , Odolowu Bus Stop,
Lagos on or about 12/13 December
2019, while at ASPAMDA Trade
Fair Complex, Lagos Badagry
Expressway, Lagos State within the
jurisdiction of this Honourable
Court did fail to comply with the
Standards Organisation of
Nigeria's Conformity Assessment
Programe (MANCAP) to wit;
dealing in and having in possession
of: 15,000 Cartons of Prime Pl<strong>as</strong>ma,
Prime ATF and Stanley brand of
adulterated/substandard engine
oil".
It will be recalled that the
Standards Organisation of Nigeria
recently undertook a nationwide
raid on suspected adulterated and
substandard lubricants in response
to a myriad of consumer complaints
and failure of engines occ<strong>as</strong>ioned
by suspected substandard engine
oils.

30 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019
(08052201997)
Remove Subsidy and Die Or Keep Subsidy And Die!!
The IMF Managing
Director, Christine
Lagarde, recommended, at
the latest IMF/World Bank,
Annual Spring meeting in
W<strong>as</strong>hington, that the
removal of subsidy from
petrol price would restrain
Nigeria's rapid debt
accretion, so that erstwhile
trillions of Naira, subsidy
allocations could be
deployed, annually, to
improve the quality of health,
education
and
infr<strong>as</strong>tructure.
The above advice,
notwithstanding, IMF
appears to wail more than
the bereaved, <strong>as</strong> Nigeria's
Finance and Budget
Ministers, continue to soothe
public anxiety with sweet
<strong>as</strong>surances that all is well.
Nevertheless, in April
2019, Ibe Kachukwu, the
Minister of State for
Petroleum Resources,
confirmed that despite the
sustenance of a pump price
of N145/litre, the actual
landing cost of petrol, is now
N180/litre, even though,
petrol, presently sells
(without subsidy) for almost
$1.0/litre (i.e. over N300/
litre) at filling stations in
ECOWAS neighbour
countries. The wide price
variance h<strong>as</strong> expectedly
encouraged large scale crossborder
smuggling, and
pushed Nigeria's imports
from the regular volume of
about 30 to over 50 million
litres daily. Indeed, when
storage, transportation, and
other ancillary costs,
including sales margins are
consolidated, Nigeria may
well be flushing out well over
N100/litre <strong>as</strong> subsidy on
alleged 50 million litre/day
present consumption, (i.e.
subsidy of N5bn/day or
N1.8trn annually!!).
Indeed, with the Petrol
Marketers',
long
outstanding, substantial
subsidy claims, which
continue to earn interest
charges, it is no surprise that
NNPC h<strong>as</strong> now become the
sole importer of petrol.
However, Finance Minister,
Zainab Ahmed, obviously
recognises the oppressive
challenge of subsidy to
prudent fiscal management,
and therefore noted, after,
the Federal Executive
Council meeting on 17th
April, 2019, that "we need to
find how we can exit fuel
subsidy, but how do we do
that?" In her words, "we have
not found a way to do it; …
on the subsidy issue: it is
everybody that is benefitting
rather than the vulnerable
that need the help";
(therefore) "we have to find
a formula that will work for
Nigeria, and until then, we
should not contemplate
removing subsidy, because
there will be people that will
suffer."
The critical question,
obviously, is what do we do
now, that Government h<strong>as</strong>
readily admitted their
cluelessness on the solution
to the Albatross of fuel
subsidy?
The following are excerpts
from the title "Fuel Subsidy
<strong>as</strong> a Function of Illegal
Exchange
Rate
Manipulation" which w<strong>as</strong>
first published on 03/04/2013;
a way out of the fuel subsidy
dilemma is explained in that
piece. Ple<strong>as</strong>e read on. (See
www.lesleba.com &
www.betternigerianow.com).
"The above narrative
suggests that there is no
imminent solution to fuel
subsidy imbroglio; however,
such conclusion can only be
correct if, the issue of Naira
exchange
rate
determination, is
deliberately excluded from
the permutations of
solutions. A simple example
will explain this observation;
for example, if petrol (PMS)
sells at the international
commodity price of, say,
about $1/litre, if Naira rate
is N160=$1; this would
translate to domestic price of
about N160/litre, if however,
naira exchanges for N80=$1,
then the price equation will
become 1litre=$1=N80, i.e.
domestic price, that is well
below the current "tolerated"
subsidized price of N97/litre
in 2013! Consequently, N17/
litre can be realized <strong>as</strong> sales
tax, to ultimately generate
well over N20bn surplus, in
place of over N2000bn
frittered subsidy payments,
which will conversely now
become available for positive
infr<strong>as</strong>tructural
enhancement."
"Indeed, if PMS pump
price remains unchanged at
about $1/litre, but if naira
exchange rate falls to
N200=$1, the domestic
pump price will invariably
also rise to N200/litre to
forex market! CBN's
unconstitutional tradition of
capturing distributable
dollar revenue and
deliberately substituting
same with naira allocations,
at a contrived exchange rate,
gives the Apex Bank control
of over 80% of dollar values
traded in the foreign
exchange market, and
creates, therefrom, those
economic distortions
peculiar to monopolistic
markets everywhere. The
weaker Naira rate that also
evolves from the existing
system, ultimately compels
higher fuel prices with the
inevitable, related,
humongous subsidy values."
"Nonetheless, there are
un<strong>as</strong>sailable re<strong>as</strong>ons to
believe that if distributable
dollar revenue is paid to
constitutional beneficiaries,
with the instrument of dollar
certificates (rather than
bloated naira allocations at
contrived rates), the naira
exchange rate will become
stronger and actually drive
domestic fuel price below a
level, which will, ultimately,
eliminate any subsidy and
also thereafter, open the
door, to the establishment of
private refineries." (See also
"The Avoidable Oppressive
Burden of Fuel Subsidy" at
www.lesleba.com &
www.betternigerianow.com).
The following excerpt is
also from another article
titled "Kill Subsidy before it
Kills Us"; that piece w<strong>as</strong>
published on 16/04/2018.
Ple<strong>as</strong>e read on.
"Thus, we may not require
a soothsayer to correctly
predict, <strong>as</strong> I have
consistently maintained, for
almost 2 decades, that
inclusive economic growth or
indeed diversification, with
rapidly enhanced social
infr<strong>as</strong>tructure will clearly
remain unattainable, so long
<strong>as</strong> incre<strong>as</strong>ing debt service
charges and fuel subsidy
payments continue to
account for the lion's share
of budgeted annual national
expenditure!"
"Expectedly, however, a
FINANCIAL VANGUARD
CITN seeks collaboration, more tax professionals
By Providence Emmanuel
The Chartered Institute of
Taxation of Nigeria, h<strong>as</strong> started
collaborations that would incre<strong>as</strong>e
number of practitioners in the tax
professional while beckoning on
University of Lagos, Unilag, to add
taxation into its degree programme
curricular.
Also, the Institute is seeking the
support of the Lagos Internal
Revenue Service, LIRS, to train its
members who are staff of the
service.
As part of its quarterly Joint
District Society Meeting, the
Institute paid a courtesy visit to the
office of the Vice Chancellor, Unilag,
Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, and
Managing Director/CEO, LIRS, Mr.
Ayodele Subair.
In his remarks at Unilag,
President, CITN, Mr. Cyril Ede,
said that the CITN w<strong>as</strong> ready for
collaborations with the university
in the area of joint programmes that
would promote taxation and also
provide an opportunity for
successful candidates to be
admitted <strong>as</strong> members of the
Institute.
He urged the university
management to partner with the
Institute in its role of ensuring the
advancement of Nigerian tax
system, saying: "We want the
university to consider the
commencement of Bachelors'
Degree Programme in taxation. We
A progressive
upward evolution
of Naira exchange
rate to about N80/
$1, will not only
eliminate fuel
subsidy, but will
also enable
Government, just
<strong>as</strong> in the UK and
elsewhere, to
earn a re<strong>as</strong>onable
sales tax of about
10% per litre
deepen subsidy payments
beyond N4tn, i.e. if petrol
price remains unchanged at
N97/litre."
"The obvious question
therefore is, how do we
strengthen Naira rate, so
that domestic fuel prices will
fall and make subsidy
unnecessary? The answer,
h<strong>as</strong> been canv<strong>as</strong>sed in
several articles in this
column. Notably, however,
the Naira exchange rate
mechanism is clearly driven
by the monopolistic
posturing of CBN in the
would welcome collaboration
between your university and the
institute in the area of joint
programmes that would promote
taxation and also provide an
opportunity for successful
candidates to be admitted <strong>as</strong>
members of the institute. We have
signed agreement with a number
of universities in this respect."
He stated further: "CITN <strong>as</strong> a
deliberate policy, encouraged the
formation of Taxation Students'
Association in Tertiary institutions
to awaken their consciousness on
the existence of taxation <strong>as</strong> a
specialised discipline in Nigeria.
The Unilag tax club remains a trail
blazer amongst other tax clubs in
the country."
For LIRS, Ede pointed out that
capacity building is critical to
improving the performance of staff
of the Board, adding that
continuous training is important in
the development of professionals,
especially members.
He said, "We seek for more
opportunities for career
progression by our members who
are staff of the service. It would not
augur well if members of the
institute are stagnated or are not
afforded opportunities to advance
in the service."
On his part, Subair pledged
improved tax administration and
service delivery to all tax payers
and continued collaboration with
CITN and all its organs, saying,
progressive upward
evolution of Naira exchange
rate to about N80/$1, will not
only eliminate fuel subsidy,
but will also enable
Government, just <strong>as</strong> in the
UK and elsewhere, to earn a
re<strong>as</strong>onable sales tax of about
10% per litre; i.e. over
N350m/day, minimum
revenue, in place of N40/litre
subsidy on over 35 million
litres of fuel, allegedly,
locally consumed and
smuggled from Nigeria
daily!"
In conclusion, the next
excerpt is from another title
"Fuel Subsidy Dilemma: The
Sensible Way Out" published
on May 18th 2015 (See
www.lesleba.com &
www.betternigerianow.com).
"Clearly, subsidy values
will rise further if Naira
continues its downward slide
or if "fortuitously" or
"unfortunately", crude oil
prices rebound once again!!
For example, if the Naira is
left to float <strong>as</strong> currently
proposed by the Banker's
Committee, in December
2015, Naira will exchange
for over N300=$1,
particularly if the instigation
of systemic excess Naira
remains an abiding feature
of CBN's monetary strategy."
"Clearly, with such Naira
depreciation, fuel prices will,
inevitably spiral about 50%
above the price on which
subsidy w<strong>as</strong> initially
calculated. Consequently,
unless pump prices are
adjusted upwards,
Government's subsidy
burden will balloon, once
again to bring us back to
square one, where subsidy
values exceed 20% of annual
Federal budgets."
Postscript April 2019:
Nothing h<strong>as</strong> obviously
changed <strong>as</strong> we have
continued our reckless
journey towards economic
Armageddon! Regrettably,
Naira rate is, <strong>as</strong> predicted,
now N305-N360/$1, while
the omens also portend that
another Naira devaluation
may still be imminent.
HAPPY EASTER
CELEBRATION!
ECONOMY
"We in LIRS cherish the relationship
and look forward to strengthening
same. Our focus in 2019 is on
leveraging existing matured
technology to drive tax
administration and continue
twigging our processes and
procedures to e<strong>as</strong>e and encourage
voluntary tax compliance by all
eligible residence of Lagos state.
"We have activated electronic
filing of tax returns for corporate
entities and individuals. We have
launched an integrated tax
administration system and would
be accessible to members of the
public in due course before the end
of this quarter. We are still trying to
fine tune the system. The informal
sector remain a hard nut to crack
with low compliance level. The
sector is characterized by c<strong>as</strong>h b<strong>as</strong>e
operation," he said.

Buhari is right; fuel subsidy is a fraud
PRESIDENT Muhammadu
Buhari w<strong>as</strong> Petroleum
Minister from 1976-78 and
Governor of North-E<strong>as</strong>tern State,
comprising today’s Bauchi,
Gombe, Borno, Yobe, Taraba and
Adamawa states. He w<strong>as</strong> also
Head of State for 20 months from
December 31, 1983. So when <strong>as</strong> a
presidential candidate he told the
country in 2011 that the much
touted fuel subsidy is a fraud, it w<strong>as</strong>
<strong>as</strong>sumed he knew what he w<strong>as</strong>
talking about. He <strong>as</strong>ked the b<strong>as</strong>ic
question: “Who is subsidizing
who?”
He explained the cost process
and told the public that fuel
subsidy in an oil-soaked country
like ours, is nothing but corruption;
a brazen theft of public funds. As
to how we can determine the true
cost of a litre of fuel, he worked it
out brilliantly: “the cost of one
barrel at the wellhead and then the
cost of transportation to the
refinery, the cost of refining it and
its cost at the pump.” B<strong>as</strong>ed on this
b<strong>as</strong>ic economics he concluded: “If
anybody says he is subsidizing
anything, he is a fraud.”
L<strong>as</strong>t Wednesday, April 18, 2019,
President Buhari presided over the
meeting of the Federal Executive
Council, FEC, and allowed himself
to be cowed by the subsidy sharks
into accepting the delusion that
This is Nigeria
By Oludayo Tade
THE cloud of criminality and institutional
impunity which have enveloped Nigeria
are bitter pills being forced down the throat of
Nigerians. In a country where the so-called
activists have collapsed their structures into
the ruling elite; where hitherto feared pressure
groups such <strong>as</strong> the Nigerian Labour Congress,
NLC, Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, and
Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU,
are prioritising the self above the rest and the
country; a state of nature is being birthed in
Nigeria where human life is worthless and there
is uncertainty about who is likely to see
tomorrow. Institutional impunity h<strong>as</strong> led to
the murder of hapless young Nigerians in the
Lagos megacity by those late Fela Anikulapo
Kuti would call ‘animal-in-human skin.’ Were
it not for ‘militarised mentality’, what would
make a ‘professional’ police officer shoot
unarmed suspect? How do you expect citizens’
loyalty when there is widespread injustice? The
objective reality of happenings in Nigeria h<strong>as</strong>
been mirrored by the hip hop artiste, Folarin
Falana also known <strong>as</strong> Falz in his phenomenal
cover song, This is Nigeria. Unlike his cohorts
who glamorise societal ills, Falze the Bahd
Guy, follows from his activism background
signposting societal ills largely domesticated
in Nigeria.
The chaotic situation in Nigeria is visually
represented in the song with one crime or social
problem commanding its own sphere of
strength. Gang fighting, Fulani herdsmen
killings, and other forms of crime occur
simultaneously while Nigerians look on or
continue with their businesses since they are
yet to be victimised. Wondering why
abnormality h<strong>as</strong> become normalised in
Nigeria, Falz x-rays Nigeria’s state of nature
wondering how humanity h<strong>as</strong> become cheap
and no one seems to be troubled. Echoing the
criminal in all of us, Falz invites viewers to
there is high fuel subsidy. He let
himself be conned into believing
the International Monetary Fund,
IMF, claims of fuel subsidy which
must be removed to allow higher
fuel prices. As in the p<strong>as</strong>t, the hike
will hurt the Nigerian people,
negatively affect the economy and
significantly incre<strong>as</strong>e m<strong>as</strong>s
poverty. Already, under the Buhari
Presidency, Nigeria, with 87
million citizens under the poverty
line, h<strong>as</strong> attained the dubious
status of being the poverty capital
of the world.
For the Buhari leadership, it is
no longer a question of whether
fuel prices will be incre<strong>as</strong>ed; it is
when. His Minister of Finance,
Hajia Zainab Ahmed, at a press
briefing said: “We need to find how
we can exit fuel subsidy. But how
do we do that? We do that only when
we have enough buffers to cushion
the effects of the removal for our
people…In some countries, they
provide buses to transport people,
in some countries they provide
subsidies for people that are
directly requiring the subsidies…
We have not found a way to do it.
What we are doing now, the subsidy,
it is everybody that is benefiting,
where<strong>as</strong> it should be the people that
are really vulnerable that need it.”
Her speech contains four main
ingredients. First, that Buhari and
his government accept the
contrived fuel subsidy. Secondly,
that the administration agrees with
the IMF that fuel subsidy is like
cancer which must be removed.
Thirdly, that fuel price would be
hiked. Fourthly, because Buhari
loves poor Nigerians, he wants to
cushion the effects of the price hike.
The issue of ‘cushioning' the
effects, is a fraudulent old trick
repeatedly played on Nigerians.
For instance, when in 1989 and
1991, the Babangida regime
incre<strong>as</strong>ed fuel prices, it introduced
“cushioning” effects by launching
a Bus M<strong>as</strong>s Transit Programme,
MTP, and establishing the
Directorate of Food, Roads and
Rural Infr<strong>as</strong>tructure, DFRRI. In the
Under the Buhari
Presidency, Nigeria,
with 87 million
citizens under the
poverty line, h<strong>as</strong>
attained the dubious
status of being the
poverty capital of the
world
examine the processes leading to what we own,
eat and the environment we inhabit. He
concludes that everyone in Nigeria is a
criminal. Criminality becomes general since
we see evil and fails to condemn it. To Falz, not
speaking and acting against evil emboldens
evil. However, thanks to the relative anonymity
of the social media, people get to report some
crimes.
April 14, 2019 marked the fifth-year evilmemory
of the kidnap of Chibok school girls.
Not even the #BBOG movement could rightly
capture the nightmarish condition of parents
whose <strong>children</strong> are yet to return home. As the
Yoruba saying goes: omo eni kú sàn ju omo eni
sonù lo, which roughly means a dead child is
better than a missing child. When a child dies,
there is finality and total disconnection. When
she goes missing, the mind is perpetually
tortured in expectations. Falz captured the
Chibok episode by representing them with
ladies dancing Shaku shaku in hijab. To him,
we focus on distractions and allow evil to thrive.
Part of the objective realities in Nigeria
includes the process of electing leaders. The
system is skewed to elevate corruption to high
pedestal. This h<strong>as</strong> mostly lowered
accountability and responsible governance. If
the structure that throws up candidates for
elections stand on corruption, it is unlikely that
such a person and the government he or she
heads will be responsive, responsible and
decent. Falz viewed this <strong>as</strong> problematic. To
him, Nigeria is a country of many troubles
and anomalies where looters and killers are still
contesting elections o. Politicians wey steal
billions and billions, e no dey go prison o. The
dangerous dimension to the problem is how
others are joining the pro-corruption movement
while the nation bleeds.
Meanwhile, insecurity is overthrowing calm
and social order with each geopolitical zone
having its own form of this national emergency.
From cult war, armed robbery and kidnapping
c<strong>as</strong>e of the Jonathan
administration, after incre<strong>as</strong>ing
prices on January 1, 2012, it
established the Subsidy
Reinvestment and Empowerment
Programme, SURE-P, <strong>as</strong>
“cushioning” effect.
The fraudulent logic in these
cosmetic cushioning effects, is that
subsidy favours only the rich, there
is, therefore, the need to <strong>as</strong>sist the
poor to bear the pains. While the
Babangida and Jonathan
governments, were more straight
Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019—31
forward on these issues, the Buhari
government engages in
camouflage. It is giving the
impression that it is sorry for the
people that is why it must first put
cushioning effects in place before
incre<strong>as</strong>ing the price. This does not
tally with its previous actions. On
May 11, 2016, it jerked fuel price
from N87 to N145 without any socalled
cushioning effects.
Nigerians would not be unwise if
they believe the Finance Minister
when she said: “We should not be
contemplating removing the
subsidy because, indeed when we
do, there will be people that will
suffer.” In reality, it is like the tiger
stalking its prey.
In fact, while the Buhari
government had claimed that it
w<strong>as</strong> not paying subsidy and that it
had thereby saved the country
N1.4 trillion annually, in truth, it
w<strong>as</strong> paying about that amount <strong>as</strong>
fuel subsidy.
Dr. Agbon Izielen, a Nigerian oil
expert b<strong>as</strong>ed in Tex<strong>as</strong>, United
States in December 2011, put flesh
on Buhari’s informed submission
on fuel pricing: “At the refinery gate
in Port Harcourt, the cost of a
barrel of Qua Iboe crude oil is
made up of the finding/
development cost ($3.5/bbl) and a
production/storage/transportation
cost of $1.50 per barrel. Thus, at
$5 per barrel, we can get Nigerian
Qua Iboe crude to the refining
gates at Port Harcourt and Warri.
One barrel is 42 gallons or 159
litres.
The price of one barrel of petrol
at the depot gate is the sum of the
cost of crude oil, the refining cost
and the pipeline transportation
cost. Refining costs are at $12.6 per
barrel and pipeline distribution
costs are $1.50 per barrel. The
distribution margins (retailers,
transporters, dealers, bridging
funds, administrative charges, etc.)
in South-West Nigeria; ‘bandits m<strong>as</strong>sacre in
Zamfara’; herdsmen killing in North-Central;
ethnic cl<strong>as</strong>hes in Kaduna; insurgency, terrorism
and cattle rustling in North-E<strong>as</strong>t and West;
there is a rise in insurgent citizenship, all
contesting the hitherto state monopoly of
violence in the most daring manner. Worse still,
leadership character does not show any sign
of intent to check the menace. Introducing
humour, Falz depicts the Nigeria police <strong>as</strong> lilylivered
saying police station dey close by 6 (pm),
security re<strong>as</strong>on o. By saying this, Falz shows the
helpless condition in which those who are to
secure Nigerians found themselves. Why
should a police station close by 6.00pm due to
security re<strong>as</strong>on?
While they may not be able to check crimes
This is indeed Nigeria,
where singing about societal
ills receives the ban of the
state; the same state that
allows anti social songs to
continue to air
in the neighbourhood, they are on the road
mounting illegal roadblocks where hapless
citizens become their victims, sometimes in
c<strong>as</strong>h, kind or paying with their lives. Methinks
the trigger-happy police in Lagos should be
deployed to Maiduguri or Zamfara since they
are sharp shooters. With their protruding
ègúnje bellies, these policemen misrepresent
the upright policemen. Worse are the SARS
‘killer’ squad who use crude profiling tactics
to suspect all youth <strong>as</strong> cybercriminal. Their
aim w<strong>as</strong> never to check the menace but to
har<strong>as</strong>s, extort, steal, maim and kill. Youths who
dare to protest have unfortunately paid with
their lives! Hmm...Falz documents this rights
abuse singing: This is Nigeria, SARS stop you
for road, no explanation, you go talk am for
station o.
Falz did not spare the church from
institutional impunity which characterised
Send Opinions & Letters to:
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are N15.49/litre or $16.58 per
barrel. The true cost of one barrel
of petrol at the Mobil filling
station in Port Harcourt or
anywhere else in Nigeria is,
therefore, ($5
+$12.6+$1.5+$16.6) or $35.7 per
barrel. This is equal to N33.36 per
litre compared to the official price
of N65 per litre."
Armed with such scientific
analysis, the Trade Union
Movement that December 2011,
met then President Goodluck
Jonathan. I w<strong>as</strong> the Acting
General Secretary of the Nigeria
Labour Congress, NLC. The
government technical team led by
then Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi
Okonjo-Iweala, tried to
bamboozle us with all sorts of
statistics, slides, videos and subsidy
statements to justify the
administration’s claims that the
landing cost w<strong>as</strong> N141 per litre.
We punctured holes in the
presentation and showed the
statistics to be padded. We went
further to <strong>as</strong>k Dr. Okonjo-Iweala
that since the government claimed
that it had a 60 per cent local
refining capacity, she should tell
us the cost of a litre of locally
refined fuel. She flared up,
protesting that she w<strong>as</strong> not a liar.
At that point, President Jonathan
intervened, <strong>as</strong>king us to come with
our statistics to the next meeting
slated for January 2012. But that
w<strong>as</strong> aborted <strong>as</strong> the government on
January 1, 2012, incre<strong>as</strong>ed a litre
of fuel from N65 to N141. With
that, m<strong>as</strong>s street protests and strikes
swept through the country.
Although the waves did not sweep
away the Jonathan government, it
never recovered from the effects.
Except the Yar’Adua
administration, all governments
since 1987, had fe<strong>as</strong>ted on the fuel
subsidy fraud.
modern day ‘pente-r<strong>as</strong>calism’. Churches and
mosques embrace the corrupt and use
corruption monies to build cathedrals. They
both worship money and convert their
‘brethren’ to mùmú whose life must revolve
around the dictates of ‘our daddy’ and ‘our
mummy’. Falz re-echoes sexual r<strong>as</strong>cality
among demented p<strong>as</strong>tors and so-called alf<strong>as</strong>
who commit the abominable with their
members. In a country where life is almost
meaningless, religion is taking the vulnerable
for a ride. This is why the kingdom of God
suffereth violence and the clergy unrelentingly
lure and dupe their followers by force.
Hmmm....Falz says praise and worship we
singing out, p<strong>as</strong>tor put his hand on the bre<strong>as</strong>t of
his members...pulling the demons out. Chai,
there is God o!
Falz’s This is Nigeria w<strong>as</strong> unsparing of
cybercriminals who are mostly youths. He
wondered why people are no longer <strong>as</strong>king for
the source of personal wealth. Lately, undies of
women were sought after to make money. The
activities of EFCC and successes recorded have
shown the ubiquity of cybercriminals. Falz
calls for decisive action against this ill. As he
sings, Yahoo-yahoo don tear everywhere now and
we dey act <strong>as</strong> if its so cool. In the process of
trying to monitor and do the right things, he
noted that the upright may become victimised.
This is indeed Nigeria, where singing about
societal ills receives the ban of the state. The
same state that allows anti-social songs to
continue to air. Unfortunately, from Change
to Next Level, there h<strong>as</strong> been aggravated
killing, kidnapping, and rising insecurity in
general. While emboldened institutions
become active when handling hapless citizens,
they are beginning to confirm their incapacity
and lack of ingenuous way out of the woods.
For Nigerians and Falz, the desire is to live in
a country where unity, peace and progress
reside and where Nigerians can achieve their
life goals unthreatened.
*Dr Tade, a sociologist, wrote via
dotad2003@yahoo.com
C
M
Y

32—Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019
MALARIA: Why Nigeria is far from
winning despite global progress
ByChioma Obinna
ON this year’s World
Malaria day, with the
theme: “Zero malaria starts
with me”, findings show
that Nigeria needs to
prioritise investment,
improve the environment
and the quality of drugs, if
it must go beyond
recognising the day to
celebrate the reduction of
malaria burden in the
country.
Findings from the
research have shown that
a Nigerian child is likely to
die from malaria, diarrhoea,
water-borne dise<strong>as</strong>es or
malnutrition before his fifth
birthday.
Malaria is a preventable
dise<strong>as</strong>e that costs less than
$1 to treat sadly, according
to the World Health
Organisation in its 2019
message, its latest World
malaria report showed that
no significant gains were
made in reducing malaria
c<strong>as</strong>es in the period 2015 to
2017.
In Nigeria, malaria
control h<strong>as</strong> been stalled by
various factors. According
to the 2015 Malaria
Indicator Survey, MIS, one
in four <strong>children</strong> under five
years tested positive to
malaria.
The number represents a
35 per cent decline since
the previous MIS in 2010
when more than 40 per
cent of <strong>children</strong> tested
positive for the dise<strong>as</strong>e.
Also, the 2017 World
Winning the war against malaria is a t<strong>as</strong>k that must be done in Nigeria.
About 3 out of
10 persons
having
malaria in the
world live in
Nigeria; and 1
out of 4
malaria deaths
globally occur
in Nigeria
Sterling Bank, MACMME launch campaign for destitues
By Chioma Obinna
WORRIED by the
plight of homeless
Nigerian <strong>children</strong>, Sterling
Bank Plc and the Malaria,
Child, Maternal Mortality
Eradication, MACMME,
h<strong>as</strong> produced a movie
entitled, ANAVE. The
movie billed to premiere in
Lagos on Wednesday is
designed to draw attention
on the helplessness of
destitute Nigerian <strong>children</strong>
in the midst of plenty.
Speaking to Vanguard in
Lagos, Producer of the
movie, Ms. Nicole
Ndigwe, explained that
the movie w<strong>as</strong> to mobilise
Nigerians to see a need to
give hope and a better
future to homeless Nigerian
<strong>children</strong>.
“The objectives are to
reduce the rate of child
mortality attributed to
Malaria Report revealed
that 182 million Nigerians
were at risk of infection.
However, the latest report
according to the National
Coordinator, National
malaria Elimination
programme, NMEP, Dr
Audu Mohammed,
quoting the World Malaria
Report of 2017 indicates
that Nigeria contributes 27
per cent of the 216 million
malaria c<strong>as</strong>es and 24 per
cent of the 445,000 malaria
deaths.
About three out of 10
persons having malaria in
the world live in Nigeria; 1
out of 4 deaths from malaria
preventable causes such <strong>as</strong>
malaria & homelessness, to
ensure access to b<strong>as</strong>ic
health-care facility for
underprivileged mothers
during pregnancy and
that the destitute Nigerian
child deserves an
education and
opportunity to acquire a
skill.
Ndigwe said the
MACMME is also
designed to help in the
eradication of malaria
mortality through health
and shelter programme,
adding that “Our hope is
to ensure that no life is lost
to anything that our
resources <strong>as</strong> members of
the society can be brought
together to fix.”
She, therefore, called on
all to join forces to give the
destitute a future. Ndigwe
noted that out of every one
globally occur in Nigeria
and over 54 million malaria
c<strong>as</strong>es recorded annually for
the l<strong>as</strong>t three years.”
million <strong>children</strong> born in
Nigeria; about 300,000 of
them are likely to die before
age five, adding that the
annual child mortality rate
from malaria w<strong>as</strong> 814
<strong>children</strong> while 24 million
Nigerians are homeless.
“Data from UNICEF
further indicates that
each month, Nigeria loses
about 2,300 under-five year
olds and 145 women of
child-bearing age, making
it the second largest
contributor to under-five
and maternal mortality
rates in the world.
Speaking, the Head,
Technology and Digital
Compliance of Sterling
Bank, Mr. Lekan Akintemi
said they decided to
support the production of
the movie because it fits
perfectly into health which
is one their five focus are<strong>as</strong>
But it h<strong>as</strong> not been all
gloomy; Nigeria also
recorded appreciable
success in its fight against
malaria. For instance, the
2015 Nigeria Malaria
Indicator Survey, NMIS,
report showed that there
w<strong>as</strong> a marked reduction in
malaria prevalence among
<strong>children</strong> under five.
That year, Nigeria
recorded a 35 per cent
decline in malaria c<strong>as</strong>es in
five years with only 25 per
cent of <strong>children</strong> under the
age of five testings positive
for the dise<strong>as</strong>e in 2015
compared to 40 per cent in
of investments.
Akintemi who noted that
the Bank w<strong>as</strong> also working
in the are<strong>as</strong> that function
around health which
includes education,
agriculture, renewable
energy and transportation
said about N10 billion
have been earmarked by
the Bank for investments
in the health sector.
“The bank is focused
towards its customers and
supporting them is dear
to our heart. We will
continue to <strong>as</strong>sist in any
way possible to ensure
that health services get to
the doorstep of every
Nigerian.”
Akintemi said the bank
would continuously
develop products that
would serve <strong>as</strong> preventive
health solutions <strong>as</strong> part of
2010. However, despite
some of the successes
recorded, millions of
Nigerians and
communities are still
ravaged by the dise<strong>as</strong>e.
According to the WHO in
2018, sadly, these
appreciable successes are
being eroded.
Nigeria and 10 other
countries accounted for
about 70 per cent of all
malaria c<strong>as</strong>es and deaths.
The report also revealed
that there were 3.5 million
more c<strong>as</strong>es of malaria
reported in these 10
countries compared to the
previous year with Nigeria
its overall strategies
towards making Nigerian
a healthy nation.
On his part, Sterling
Bank’s Health Desk, Mr.
Oluw<strong>as</strong>eunayo Lojede
said the objectives of the
desk w<strong>as</strong> to use finance
and opportunities to
advocate for affordable
health services for the
citizenry.
He added that they have
decided to play in three
major are<strong>as</strong> in the health
sector including provision
of equipment,
infr<strong>as</strong>tructure finance for
hospitals, diagnostic
centres, stock finance for all
value chains in the
pharmaceutical segment of
the health sector and
partnership with state
governments in a bid to
revamp primary health
centres across the country.
substantially contributing to
the dise<strong>as</strong>e burden.
Although, the WHO report
acknowledged that global
reductions in malaria c<strong>as</strong>es,
critical health watchers are
of the view that Nigeria is
far from winning the
malaria war.
In the p<strong>as</strong>t, malari<strong>as</strong>preading
mosquitoes only
attack at night; now they
also operate in the day time.
Mosquitoes are
everywhere because the
environment suits their
existence. Many
drainages are blocked by
heaps of refuse. This
promotes breeding ov
mosquitoes.
While investigations
show that treated nets
remain the most effective
and cheapest tool to
prevent malaria, sadly, the
2015 Malaria Indicator
Survey, MIS, show that
only 69 per cent of
households across the
country own at le<strong>as</strong>t one
ITN. The WHO
recommends100 per cent
universal ownership.
According to the WHO,
fake and substandard antimalarial
drugs contribute to
malaria deaths. It is no
longer news that most of the
ACTs are failing. Many
Nigerians keep
complaining of treating
malaria over and over with
ACTs without result, an
action that h<strong>as</strong> driven many
people back to traditional
medicine <strong>as</strong> remedy for
malaria.
A study w<strong>as</strong> done by the
Nigerian Institute of
Medical Research, NIMR,
not fewer than 20 states of
the country are currently
facing resistant mosquitoes.
In the views of the Deputy
Director, Research and
Head, Malaria Research
Group, NIMR, Dr Sam
Awolola, Nigeria is far from
being malaria free. “We are
not close to elimination. We
are still scaling up our
intervention for malaria
control. We are far from preelimination.
Going by our
slide, that is, the index used
to me<strong>as</strong>ure the progress;
we are still at 27 across the
country.
Before you talk about
elimination, you must be
close to five per cent. It took
us between 12 and 15 years
to move from 40 to 27. You
can do your calculation if it
took us almost 15 years to
get here, how long it will
take us to get to five per
cent?”, Awolola said.
If the message by WHO
is anything to go by, for a
malaria-free Nigeria, the
country must adhere to the
urgent call to action to get
malaria back on track by restrategising
in the
campaign by scaling up of
prevention, treatment and
more investments to protect
its citizens, particularly,
women and <strong>children</strong>.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019 —33
Happy marriage is like roses – sweetsmelling
but thorny – Francis Ewherido
Francis Ewherido is a columnist
of more than six years in
Vanguard Newspaper. He is also a
chartered insurance broker, media
consultant, marriage counsellor
and youth coach. His book, Life
lessons from MUDIPAPA, will be
launched soon. In this interview
with the Arts Editor, OSA MBONU-
AMADI, Ewherido talks about his
life, p<strong>as</strong>sions, marriage and his
new book. Excerpts:
Maybe we should start with this
book you wrote; what is it about?
The question most people <strong>as</strong>k
is: Is this a novel or a book? It is a
book on marriage, not a novel,
even though it is a story. But it
goes beyond marriage. It is about
life generally. It is about a life of
a fictional character; his struggles
<strong>as</strong> a bachelor, marriage, work,
bringing up his <strong>children</strong>, career
– everything.
Are you that fictional
character?
No, it’s a story of probably over
a hundred people put together.
The story of many people I’ve
come across are in the book.
Apart from what you write in
the newspaper, do people come
to you for counselling?
Regularly. I counsel married
people. I work with a lot of youths.
I do a lot of mentorship. In fact, I
do more of mentoring than
counselling these days; it’s
b<strong>as</strong>ically looking at your life, life
of your peers, where you went
wrong, things you have done
right, and putting everything
together to see that people coming
behind you are better human
beings, and that’s something I am
p<strong>as</strong>sionate about.
I don’t believe that you have to
wait for government before you do
things. Somehow, we can make
little impact within our little
environment. Sometimes I invite
youths. If I see that your life is
floundering and you don’t know
what to do, I call you, sit you down,
and talk to you.
What environment gives you
the opportunity to encounter the
people you counsel or mentor; is
it the church, school…?
Across – in the church,
workplace – anywhere I come
across young people or people
who are younger in marriage. I
have been married now for 20
years so when I see younger people
in marriage making mistakes in
little things which I have
overcome in the p<strong>as</strong>t, or things I
never even overcome, I call them
and help straighten their lives out.
And at the end of the day,
mountains will become molehills
for some of them.
Your background is m<strong>as</strong>s
communication, insurance and
you write a column for Vanguard;
why did you choose to be dealing
with the problems of marriage
and relationship instead of your
country’s business environment
which is nothing to write home
about?
I also write on insurance. I have
a weekly column on insurance on
Business A.M, it’s a relatively new
paper published by Philip Isakpa
who worked in Vanguard before
going to BusinessDay Newspaper.
Before I started writing the weekly
column, since 2004, I have been
part of the team
preparing people for
marriage in the
church.
That w<strong>as</strong> how I
took more interest in
marriage. And over
time, I w<strong>as</strong> giving
talks in the church.
They invite me
sometimes outside
the church, and I find
out it made a lot of
impact over time
and I <strong>as</strong>ked myself:
‘why don’t you do it
on a larger scale?’
But I kept dillydallying
until 2013
when my brother,
Senator Pius
Ewherido, died. It
w<strong>as</strong> a terrible
experience. It left a
lot of void and pains.
(So the question
became) how does
one keep busy so <strong>as</strong>
to lock out these pains?
It w<strong>as</strong> in the course of it that I
wrote a few articles and sent them
to Vanguard. Chioma Gabriel
w<strong>as</strong> Saturday Editor then. By
November 16, 2013, they started
publishing the articles. I didn’t
even know. They just called me and
informed me that my column h<strong>as</strong>
started. That w<strong>as</strong> how we started.
Like I said, I also write on
insurance. For someone who h<strong>as</strong>
a regular job that starts from 8.00
a.m. to 6.00 p.m. daily, to keep
two columns is tough. It’s just the
p<strong>as</strong>sion for writing that is driving
one. I’ve had that p<strong>as</strong>sion for
writing for about 35 years now.
My first articles appeared in 1985
<strong>as</strong> letter to the Guardian. Since
then I have been writing
regularly.
When your name is mentioned
today, the first place one’s mind
would go is marriage and
relationship; <strong>as</strong> such it won’t be
wrong to say you are an expert in
that field…
I am scared of that title, ‘expert’.
We jokingly tell people that
marriage is a school where no one
graduates. So we are all students.
It’s just that some of us are PhD
students while some are in their
first degrees, secondary schools,
and primary schools. Some of our
marriages have worked and
therefore we have good stories to
tell. Don’t forget too that my first
degree is in m<strong>as</strong>s communication.
Have you ever taken up a job
<strong>as</strong> a regular journalist?
Yes, I started with journalism,
Ffrom there, I moved to Public
Relations, and then to advertising.
It w<strong>as</strong> through PR that I got
involved in insurance in 1994
when I w<strong>as</strong> employed <strong>as</strong> head of
the Department of Corporate
Affairs of IGI. One day, we were in
a meeting considering a policy
draft, one of my bosses, Bola
Osunsanya, looked at me and
found out that I w<strong>as</strong> lost. So he
<strong>as</strong>ked, “Is the presence of Francis
really necessary in this meeting?”
and another said, “Me too, I
wonder o.” So they <strong>as</strong>ked me to
excuse them. I found the experience
very, very humiliating. That w<strong>as</strong>
the day I vowed that I w<strong>as</strong> going to
get chartered in insurance, even if
it would mean putting the
certificate under my pillow.
So after a few years, I started
•Francis Ewherido, Photo by Osa Mbonu-Amadi
studying insurance. As I studied, I
fell in love with it. It w<strong>as</strong> not
something I planned.
Today you have accomplished
all that, and even risen to be the
MD of an insurance company.
Back to marriage and
relationship: leave all that the
Bible says about the marriage
institution being ordained by
God; do you think that marriage
is compatible with the true nature
of man?
What is the true nature of man?
Look at the animals in the
forests, they don’t get married but
they live just fine without
problems with the opposite sex.
Mudipapa, <strong>as</strong> a child,
wanted to be a Catholic
priest; but to be a priest
meant he w<strong>as</strong> not going
to get married; from the
domestic animals in his
home, he saw how the
males fought amongst
themselves over mating
rights; so Mudipapa
told himself that there
must be good in this
thing these animals
were fighting over
Is marriage not something
society invented believing it will
solve some problems they have
observed in the society?
I am one of those people who
believe that marriage w<strong>as</strong>
instituted by God. We are higher
animals; we are not like the other
animals in the forest. We are
different. Those other animals
don’t have the kind of
responsibilities that humans have.
And even within the animal
kingdom, there are some species
of animals whose partnerships are
for life, though there is no formal
declaration of them <strong>as</strong> husband
and wife.
We need the family for an orderly
society. One of the problems we
have in Nigeria today is the
breaking down of family and
family values; whether it’s youths
who are into drugs, or adults
misbehaving and all that. When
people who were brought up in
good families with good values go
out into the society, you
will see it. Take your time
to read the crime pages
of Vanguard, for
instance, you will find
that many of those
criminals are people
from broken homes.
I believe we need to go
back to the family to
repair the society. We
need to go back to stable
marriages. We may talk
about the economic
situation <strong>as</strong> fuelling
crimes and all that; but
we should <strong>as</strong>k ourselves:
why are many <strong>children</strong>
from poor but good
families not involved in
those crimes?
Breakdown of family
values is responsible for
a larger part of the
problems we have in the
society today.
But sometimes too
you see some <strong>children</strong> from good
homes involved in crimes and
other delinquent behaviours; how
would you explain that?
Every human being is a product
of nature and nurture. Those who
have more than one child will
notice that <strong>children</strong> have some
natural traits they grow up with.
There is nothing you can do about
them. It is what you tell some of
them not to do that they will do.
No two up-bringing should be the
same. You have to study the
character of every child and attend
to that child according to the
character. The problem we have is
that many parents use the generic
approach in bringing up <strong>children</strong>.
In some other c<strong>as</strong>es, the parents are
too busy to even pay attention to
the <strong>children</strong>. Parenting is t<strong>as</strong>king.
It requires enormous sacrifices,
and that is what we are talking
about in this book, MUDIPAPA.
Some <strong>children</strong> start stealing at
the age of two. When you see such
tendencies, don’t say he is too
young, he will outgrow it.
Whenever you notice anything
negative, start correcting it, even
though at very early stages
<strong>children</strong> don’t understand
everything you try to impart into
them, but it registers in their subconsciousness.
As they grow up,
those things you say will begin to
make meaning to them. But you
must say them. Just be piling them
up in their sub-consciousness. One
day, they must understand. That
h<strong>as</strong> been my experience.
Some <strong>children</strong> from good and
wealthy homes go to boarding
houses in schools and start
stealing, what is the problem?
Not all <strong>children</strong> should be taken
to the boarding house, for instance.
You don’t just take a child and dump
that child in the boarding house. If
you have a sickly child, for instance,
keep him at home. If you have a
child who bed-wets and is very
sensitive, keep him at home. You
destroy him when you take him to
the boarding house. If you have a
child who steals, keep him at home
until he is out of it.
Why do we have many broken
homes and marriages today than
before?
It does not mean that marriages
before were better. What happened
is that before, in the home, there w<strong>as</strong>
only one voice – that of the man.
Now, there are two voices.
Feminism?
The woman h<strong>as</strong> gone to school.
Some men have not come to terms
with that. Times have gone when
the man takes decision unilaterally.
Many women in those days simply
suffered in silence. Another problem
is upbringing. The day you start
parenting is the day you start
preparing your <strong>children</strong> for
marriage. Many people going into
marriage today are not prepared
for marriage. Some women cannot
cook (or run the home) and some
men are not responsible. Courtship
is also a factor. It is a period of time
when you <strong>as</strong>sess somebody, do a
fe<strong>as</strong>ibility study and <strong>as</strong>k yourself
some fundamental questions: is this
what I want? Can I spend all my life
with this person? These days, sex is
all they are interested in. The
problem with putting sex on the
front burner is that it blurs your
vision; you will no longer notice
things you are supposed to notice.
People also get into marriages with
different expectations without
sitting down to discuss those things.
The questions should be: What do
you want from this marriage? What
is marriage to you?
Marriage b<strong>as</strong>ically is for
companionship. God said it is not
good for man to be alone. And he
gave him a companion. If one
marries for companionship, then
the issue of childlessness cannot be
a re<strong>as</strong>on for breakup. First, it is for
companionship, then for
procreation, and then for bringing
up the <strong>children</strong> properly. But when
you put procreation before
companionship, there may be a
problem. You must also have core
values. If your core value is Anglican
for instance, marry an Anglican.
First decide what you can live with
and what you cannot live it.
Let’s talk about this book you’ve
written which is about to be
launched; what’s the meaning of
this title, MUDIPAPA?
MUDIPAPA is a nickname (of the
protagonist). His real name is
Mudiaga Orien. His
granddaughter could not
pronounce Mudiaga. The child
<strong>as</strong>ked the grandfather his name.
The grandfather said ‘Mudiaga’
while the mother told her it is ‘Papa.’
“You say your name is Mudiii…but
mummy says you are papa. It means
your name is Mudi-papa. So the
name stuck.
Mudipapa, <strong>as</strong> a child, wanted to
be a Catholic priest, but to be a priest
meant he w<strong>as</strong> not going to get
married. From the domestic
animals in his home, he saw how
the males fought amongst
themselves over mating rights so
Mudipapa told himself that there
must be good in this thing these
animals were fighting over. He
looked forward to experiencing
whatever it may be. Upon discovery
that the priesthood will be an
obstacle to his experiencing what
those animals were fighting over,
he decided to abandon his ambition
of becoming a priest. Instead he
opted to have a happy marriage.
But Mudipapa initially had
courtship problems. Although he
solved the courtship problems and
got married, he w<strong>as</strong> to discover that
happy marriage is like roses – sweetsmelling
but h<strong>as</strong> thorns that will
occ<strong>as</strong>ionally prickle you <strong>as</strong> you
touch the roses.

34 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019
OSA MBONU-AMADI
08070524223
osaamadi@yahoo.com
Terra Kulture vibrates with another
Moremi the musical
Stories by Osa Mbonu-
Amadi, Arts Editor
Moremi the musical is a reenactment
of the
historical valour of Queen
Moremi Aj<strong>as</strong>oro of Ile-Ife who
saved her people from
invaders. It is essentially a
music drama or what is called
opera in professional art music
parlance. Produced by Bolanle
Austin-Peters, it took place l<strong>as</strong>t
Thursday at Terra Kulture,
Victoria Island, Lagos. The Ooni
of Ife’s Foundation, House of
Oduduwa, had l<strong>as</strong>t year
commissioned Bolanle Austin-
Peters to produce Queen
Moremi, The Musical.
In the drama, the Ooni first
appears to celebrate the Aje
Festival. Then the invading
warriors come. After the raid,
Moremi and Ella, her son, come
to stage.
In the next scene, the Ooni
palace returns and the Ifa priest
informs that the gods request
the hunters to capture a live
elephant, lion and leopard for
sacrifice that will facilitate
rele<strong>as</strong>e of the captured Ife
people.
Moremi and her husband
come and we learn through the
husband who just walked in that
the god (Ifa) says only the blood
of a virgin can stop the raids.
Moremi complains that Ife is
losing too many virgins in
sacrifices.
The hunters return from the
forest and come to report to Ooni
that they couldn’t capture any live
animal after journeying for 24
days in the forest.
The scene where the so-called
Ife warriors encountered the
enemies (with one giant) is
more of a comedy. The warrior
who bo<strong>as</strong>ts of his bravery and
“
I
had the unforgettable experience
of travelling all over Nigeria. I
also had the opportunity to be
around, see and photograph some
of the greatest statesmen, leaders,
captains of industry, writers and
artists from Nigeria, Africa and the
entire world. More importantly, this
book is for historical purposes, for
proper documentation of the three
sectors I documented.”
These are the words of Lukman
Olanipekun, the personal photographer
of the Minister of Power,
Works and Housing, speaking on
the publication of another book titled
Infr<strong>as</strong>tructure Renewal in Nigeria:
A Photographic Journey
Through the Power, Works and Housing
Sectors.
According to the photojournalist
and documentary photographer
otherwise called Lukesh, the visual
documents in the 344-page book
will keep a permanent record of the
ongoing projects in what he called
the bold move to effect change in
the sectors.
“In the future, these images will
form a major part of the canon for
this period in the country’s history.
Historians and curators will also
have a fe<strong>as</strong>t sectioning episodes on
how the Buhari Administration
confronted the most important
challenges of our country. There is
of having 15 years fighting
experience chickens out before
the invaders.
The Ooni comes back to stage,
very despondent and
discouraged that he is unable
to protect his people from the
invaders. Moremi tries to
console and encourage him, but
to no avail. The Ooni leaves and
we see Moremi alone on stage
weeping and praying to the
gods (Olodumare) for <strong>as</strong>sistance.
“The priests have no answers,
and warriors hid behind closed
doors,” Moremi comes home to
tell her husband.
In the next scene, Moremi
goes to consult Yeye, priestess of
the goddess, Esimiri, to <strong>as</strong>sure
her of safe journey and victory.
Yeye <strong>as</strong>sures her of victory.
Happily, she matches off. But
then, another raid by the vicious
invaders happens.
accompanying text of facts and figures,”
he adds in an interview.
Although the scores of photographs
collected in the book are
grouped into three major parts,
b<strong>as</strong>ed on the components of the
ministry, Olanipekun ushers the
readers in with several introductory
shots strategic to the theme.
The first is the landscape picture
of the ministry’s office in Abuja,
sprawling through the entire landscape
of the book’s spread. Not
long after that is a grand photograph
of President Muhammadu
Buhari in Aso Villa, followed by the
one in which the President congratulates
F<strong>as</strong>hola after taking the oath
We see the
invaders in their
Ugbo land.
Moremi is
captured, and the
king of the Ugbo
invaders becomes
interested in her
and makes her his
queen. Seduced
by Moremi, the
king of Ugbo
reveals to her the
secret of the
strength and
invincibility of his
warriors. “The
only way to kill the
m<strong>as</strong>querades
(warriors) is fire,”
he reveals to
Moremi. After she
learns the secret,
Moremi escapes
and returns to Ife.
While the scared
warriors of Ife
celebrate their access to the
secret of the strength of the
Ugbo invaders, the invaders
strike and fire w<strong>as</strong> applied to
the dried raffia costume of the
invaders. The invaders run
away, giving victory to the
people of Ife.
After the victory, Yeye of Esimiri
goddess refuses to accept animal
sacrifice. She demands the only
son of Moremi, Ella. “Refuse me
my sacrifice (of the only son of
Moremi) and Ife will suffer,” Yeye
roars over the ple<strong>as</strong> of Moremi.
Moremi finally gives her son
to Esimiri, reconfirming the old
saying that the devil can’t give
one a good gift without taking
something greater from one in
return. This makes the story of
Moremi a tragic-comedy.
Oranmiyan, the Ooni, marries
Moremi and she becomes the
Olori.
In Infr<strong>as</strong>tructure Renewal in Nigeria, F<strong>as</strong>hola’s photographer gives own account
of office in 2015. Another strategic
one is the one capturing the minister’s
first day in office. In the picture,
he spots a whitish shirt with a
red tie.
According to a review, the book
is divided into three major sections:
Power Sector (Pages 37 – 156),
Works Sector (157 to 262) and Housing
Sector (263 to 331). The first
(power) spl<strong>as</strong>hes many photos,
most of which were taken from sites.
It, however, begins with one that
will excite many Nigerians: an electricity
officer installing a meter.
This is one product that many Nigerians
are yearning for now especially
<strong>as</strong> they are tired of being
cheated via estimated bills. Then
we have those featuring various
workers – including engineers and
artisans at construction sites such
<strong>as</strong> the 330KV/132KV/33kV Turn-in-
Turn-out Transmission Substation
along Makurdi Road in Lafia, N<strong>as</strong>arawa
State. There are also those
of others in Abuja, Kowa, Gombe,
Benin, Edo State, Ibuse, Delta State;
Ajaokuta, Kogi State; and Miango,
Plateau State.
There are also those featuring
F<strong>as</strong>hola and other officials inspecting
sites or inaugurating projects,
including the ones in Ikot Ekpene
in Akwa Ibom State; Osogbo, Osun
State; Oji River, Enugu State; and
2019 Kien & Friends cl<strong>as</strong>sical music
concert holds at MUSON Center
Kien & Friends, the yearly
cl<strong>as</strong>sical music concert that
provides <strong>children</strong> the opportunity
and stage to exhibit their musical
skills is scheduled to hold on
Saturday, April 27, 20l9 at the
prestigious Agip Recital Hall,
MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
Cocktail for the concert starts at
3.00 p.m. prompt.
The Kien & Friends cl<strong>as</strong>sical
music concert is a not-for-profit
project held annually <strong>as</strong> music,
especially cl<strong>as</strong>sical music
performances, help <strong>children</strong>’s
brains to develop better.
Science h<strong>as</strong> shown that musical
training can change brain
structure and function for the
better. It can also improve longterm
memory and lead to better
brain development for those who
start at a young age.
In fact, longitudinal studies
show that <strong>children</strong> who do 14
months of musical training
displayed more powerful
Kainji Dam, Niger State.
The photos in the Works Sector are
also built around sites and statistics.
And this is one of the strengths
of Olanipekun’s book: it accommodates
some data that seemed to
have influenced the direction of
work in the ministry. For instance,
it notes about the distribution of
roads among the three tiers of government
in Nigeria: “Statistically,
of about 200,000 kilometres of Nigeria’s
road network, state government
own 18 per cent, local governments,
66 per cent; Federal
Government, 16 per cent. This
means the Federal Government is
responsible for 36,000 kilometres
of roads. However, the FG roads
carry an estimated 70% of Nigeria’s
road traffic because of their
lengths, width and inter-state connectivity.”
Works Sector photos open with
the site of the rather notorious Lagos-Ibadan
Expressway, with
those of Aba-Port Harcourt Road,
Kaduna E<strong>as</strong>tern Byep<strong>as</strong>s, 2nd Niger
Bridge, Nnewi-Duma-Uburu
Road in Ebonyi etc. soon following.
A similar spread presented in the
Housing Sector part of the book.
The publication h<strong>as</strong> been garnering
accolades for Olanipekun. For
instance, in endorsing the work in
the foreword, a former Head of
structural and functional brain
changes.
Studies have also proved that
“learning a musical instrument
incre<strong>as</strong>es gray matter volume in
various brain regions; it also
strengthens the long-range
connections between them.
Additional research shows that
musical training can enhance
verbal memory, spatial re<strong>as</strong>oning,
and literacy skills,” John Rampton
writes in an article in which he
reveals that playing music helps
your brain more than any other
activity.
This year’s edition of Kien &
Friends promises skillful
performances on different
orchestral musical instruments
and on the pianoforte.
Parents are encouraged to
attend the concert and also bring
their <strong>children</strong> to be inspired <strong>as</strong>
they watch their peers perform on
stage. Admission to the concert is
free.
•Kiendigi Doibo
State, General Yakubu Gowon
commends him for documenting
the events he witnessed, saying it
is good for the memory of the nation.
While also saluting the minister,
Gowon writes, “As h<strong>as</strong> become
characteristic of him, he h<strong>as</strong>
done his level best to achieve good
results in the development of infr<strong>as</strong>tructure
in various are<strong>as</strong>, from
road to bridges to housing and improved
electricity generation
and distribution across Nigeria.
These results have justified the
confidence reposed in him <strong>as</strong> a
member of the Federal Executive
by Mr. President, His Excellency
Muhammadu Buhari. Yes,
there is growing demand for
more work to be done.
“Since seeing is believing in
this highly skeptical world and
Nigeria is no exception, this photo
book – Infr<strong>as</strong>tructure Revival
in Nigeria: A Photographic Journey
Through the Power, Works and
Housing Sectors Vol 1 attempts
to capture the strides of F<strong>as</strong>hola
in a professional manner that
aptly reinforces the saying that
a picture is better than several
thousands of words. Like F<strong>as</strong>hola,
the brain behind the book,
Lukman Olanipekun, is a professional
who embodies excellence.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019 — 35
OSA MBONU-AMADI
08070524223
osaamadi@yahoo.com
Collectors go for best of Nigerian, foreign artists’ art at 5th Sogal Art
Auction in Lagos
The yearly Sogal art auction
continues <strong>as</strong> the 2019 edition
is featuring renowned names
from West and North African
countries. Organised by
Signature Beyond Art Gallery,
Ikoyi, Lagos, Sogal Art Auction is
one of the major Lagos market
windows for the best of modern
and contemporary art of Africa.
The 5th edition starts with public
previews on May 3-4 with sales
holding on May 5, 2019, 5 p.m. at
Signature Beyond Art Gallery,
Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. As
the Sogal Art Auction h<strong>as</strong>
established itself <strong>as</strong> one of the
leading secondary market outlets
in Lagos since 2014 when the first
edition w<strong>as</strong> held, the auction h<strong>as</strong>
grown generating new art
enthusi<strong>as</strong>ts every year.
The 2019 Sogal Art Auction will
have on display 100 lots, featuring
works of Gani Odutokun, Amos
Odion, Bona Ezeudu, Shina Yusuf,
Raqib B<strong>as</strong>horun, Duke Asidere
and Alex Nwokolo, among others.
Artists from Ghana whose works
are on sale include Ablade Glover,
Wiz Kuduwor and Ato Delaquis.
From Cameroon comes Djakou
Nathalie, Benin Republic are
Moufouli Bello, Rafiy Okefolahan
and Francis Tchiakpe. The auction
also include work by Egyptian
artist, Mohammed Youssef.
The auction will also feature
new generation of artists such <strong>as</strong>
Dotun Popoola, Dennis Osakue,
Babalola Lawson, Kingsley Ob<strong>as</strong>i,
John Ogbeta, Raji Mohammed,
Seye Morakinyo, Ike Gerald
Chiemezie, Yakubu Abdulkareem
and Kunle Adegorioye among
others.
Among the top estimated
paintings for sale is Ubiquitious
Warriors by Odutokun. Dated
1990, it is one of those rare
paintings of the late artist whose
brush strokes is known more for
abstract contents. Though
figurative in expression, the
painting, however, still h<strong>as</strong> that
Odutokun captivating flow of
colour movement that mostly
energises some of the artist’s
works. Born on August 9, 1946 and
died, February 1995, Odutokun
w<strong>as</strong>, among other achievements,
known for his contributions in
Book titled Political Alignment in Nigerian Politics launched
…<strong>as</strong> Gov. Obiano condemns electoral violence
By Nwabueze Okonkwo
Anambra State governor, Willie
Obiano, h<strong>as</strong> condemned what
he termed high incidences of
political thuggery, killings, votebuying
and other societal ills
<strong>as</strong>sociated with the nation's electoral
process.
Speaking at the launching of a
book entitled: Political Alignment
in Nigerian Politics, written by
Evangelist Anayo Udeogu, a
servant in the Lord's vineyard and
published by Dozzy Concept
Publishers, Obiano who w<strong>as</strong>
represented by P<strong>as</strong>tor Chris Ileku
of the state Ministry of Works and
Urban Planning, also decried the
poor state of the nation's political
exercise.
The Governor therefore urged
politicians to always eschew
intolerance by not seeing politics <strong>as</strong>
a do-or-die affair <strong>as</strong> such conduct
w<strong>as</strong> capable of throwing the nation
into anarchy <strong>as</strong> the poor m<strong>as</strong>ses
would be the worst hit by such
development.
He, however, advised politicians
to always seek redress in the law
•‘Untitled' 2019 by Gerald Chimezie
By Chukwuma Ajakah
Nigerian veteran sculptor,
Roland Ogiemien is
exhibiting some of his latest
sculptures at the prestigious
Resource Place, Ikeja from
Saturday, April 19 to May 4, 2019.
In a Press briefing held at the
scheduled venue on Friday, April
12, 2019, the Benin-b<strong>as</strong>ed artist
revealed that the exhibition
themed: Journey through Time,
will feature about 30 eclectic
pieces, comprising recent and
carefully selected archival works
that portray the underlying
messages in his over four decades
sculpting career. Some of his
courts whenever they feel cheated
rather than taking laws into their
hands by causing mayhem which
is detrimental to both the
democratic process and national
growth.
Earlier in his opening remarks,
the author of the book, Evangelist
Udeogu had explained that the 42-
page book which h<strong>as</strong> 20 inspiring
chapters, is seeking to redress the
political imbalance and quagmire
which have retarded development
in the Nigerian state.
Udeogu further stated that the
book would enhance avenues aimed
pieces at this exhibition include,
Father and Son, Night Romance,
Bini Queen Head, Couples at
Night, and the Dancing Princess.
The show will also feature 84-
year-old celebrated artist,
educationist and administrator, Pa
Timothy F<strong>as</strong>uyi, <strong>as</strong> guest artist. Pa
Timothy.A. F<strong>as</strong>uyi, aka TAFAS, is
the curator of TAFAS Gallery,
Ikeja. A few of his sculptural pieces
in calab<strong>as</strong>h and pl<strong>as</strong>tic designs
will be featured. He majors in
mixed media, including acrylic,
visual print and what he calls,
pl<strong>as</strong>tico-calabrio designed from a
combination of pl<strong>as</strong>tics and local
calab<strong>as</strong>h. Timothy Adebanjo
F<strong>as</strong>uyi is a prolific artist with
nurturing artists in Nigeria from his Zaria,
Kaduna b<strong>as</strong>e. His works include wall
murals, paintings and book cover designs.
Iconic among his works is Dialogue with
Mona Lisa.
Also on the list of expected top sales is
Everyday Woman by Glover. Rendered in
dramatic composition with the central
figure of a woman and her f<strong>as</strong>hion, the
painting seems to lay more emph<strong>as</strong>is on
natural look. Glover celebrates the regular
and natural ‘everyday’ African beauty.
Glover’s art is a familiar kind on the
Nigerian art landscape. In fact, he showed
during Nigeria’s golden jubilee
celebration in 2010 in a group art
exhibition titled An Evening with the
M<strong>as</strong>ters. Born in 1934 in Accra, Ghana,
Glover holds NDD, ATD, Med, PhD and
FRSA. He had his education in Ghana,
Britain and the U.S.
In celebration of young ladies going into
adulthood, one of Odutokun’s exstudents,
Asidere dedicates a painting
titled The 16th to teenage girls. Dated
2018, the painting of about six figures,
perhaps derives its strength from the
innocence look of the combined hues and
shades of colours. Asidere w<strong>as</strong> born in
Lagos on October 7, 1961 and trained at
the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria
from 1985 to 1990, graduating with B.A.
(Fine Arts) First Cl<strong>as</strong>s Honours in
Painting. He also obtained MFA in
Painting from the same school. Asidere
h<strong>as</strong> been a full time studio artist after he
quit his job <strong>as</strong> a lecturer at the Auchi
Polytechnic, Edo State, in 1995.
Adding sculptural contents to the
auction is Royalty, a wood piece in design
Roland Ogiamien exhibits Journey through Time
at mobilising the Nigerian youths
and at the same time, promoting
peaceful campaigns and
encouraging voting by merit.
According to him, the book is
equally seeking a way of mobilising
the youths to register in order to vote
and also to be voted for, <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> to
create a platform for candidates to
interact and monitor the electoral
process, thus partnering or rather
<strong>as</strong>sisting the relevant bodies, in
visiting polling centers during
election times, to ensure a credible
electoral process.
He further noted that the book is
also seeking to reduce youth
indifference to electoral processes,
to discourage vote-buying and
ensure voters' interaction with the
candidates, adding that it further
intends an avenue for creating a
level playing ground for all political
contestants in a particular
dispensation.
Among the dignitaries that graced
the event were the representatives
of Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe,
the Obi of Onitsha, captains of
industry and the clergy.
multi-disciplinary
background.
Besides being an
accomplished
academic that served
at the high echelon
of the Federal
Ministry of
E d u c a t i o n
Inspectorate after
heading some
federal government
colleges, he is a
renowned architect
and curator. He
designed and built
The Resource Place,
an enthralling
architectural edifice
with underground
art gallery and
multi-purpose
showrooms that hold
f<strong>as</strong>cinating
surprises especially
for art enthusi<strong>as</strong>ts.
Most of Roland
Ogiamien’s works
are c<strong>as</strong>t in bronze,
ebony wood and
pl<strong>as</strong>tics. Although
he uses other media,
he h<strong>as</strong> sentimental
and professional
re<strong>as</strong>ons to work with wood.
According to him: “I work with
rare species of wood especially
ebony which is found in Ondo. I
also use naturally treated wood
due to their durability. Some of
them are natural repellants to
termites and l<strong>as</strong>t so long that I still
have works of early 60s and 70s
in good shape.” However, he
laments that his preferred wood
is f<strong>as</strong>t becoming an endangered
species due to deforestation,
“Ebony is now so hard to find that
even the suppliers are closing
shop.” Roland’s p<strong>as</strong>sion for
sculpting spans over five decades.
His dedication in plying the trade
remains unabated despite the
challenges of age and
dispensational changes, affecting
the t<strong>as</strong>te of art lovers and
collectors. One thing that h<strong>as</strong>
helped him to remain relevant is
his avowed resilience and
form dated 2012 by B<strong>as</strong>horun. In Royalty,
B<strong>as</strong>horun makes bold statement with his
m<strong>as</strong>tery of aesthetics depth in wood
sculpture.
Born in 1955, B<strong>as</strong>horun holds an M. Ed.
Art Education and MFA from the
University of Missouri-Columbia, 1998
and 2002, respectively. He joined Yabatech
<strong>as</strong> Lecturer I, in the School of Art, Design
and Printing in 1986.
He w<strong>as</strong> a Visiting Assistant Professor,
Fine Arts Department, University of
Missouri-Columbia, in 2003.
Delaquis’ gathering of faces in satirical
forms titled Genial R<strong>as</strong>cals Kpanlogo
Avenue, dated 1992 brings into the auction
a m<strong>as</strong>ter’s touch. Born in 1945 and
described <strong>as</strong> a prolific artist, Delaquis is
also known to have worked across
medium and styles <strong>as</strong> one of Ghana’s top
m<strong>as</strong>ters. Delaquis is one of Ghana’s
foremost artists. Well known for his iconic
paintings of horsemen, <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong>
landscapes and more abstract work, he is
also a prolific draughtsman, and h<strong>as</strong>
worked in a wide variety of media
including printmaking.
From the 1980s era of Nigerian art
comes Maternity, a 1989 painting by
Yusuff. In eclectic of five forms on one
canv<strong>as</strong>, Yusuff, born in 1943 renders
cl<strong>as</strong>sic abstraction form.
With an emph<strong>as</strong>is on quality, Sogal art
auction entered the Lagos market scene
on October 20, 2014. Since then, the
auction house h<strong>as</strong> continued to contribute
to the growth of the domestic secondary
art market, and consequently an incre<strong>as</strong>ed
appreciation of Nigerian and indeed,
African art internationally.
willingness to move
with the times by
embracing changes
and producing works
that appeal to evolving
t<strong>as</strong>tes. Asked how he
copes with the arduous
t<strong>as</strong>k of carving at 74,
he remarks: “I work
about three times in a
week for two or three
hours a day. The
moment I start
sweating, I stop to
refresh unlike in those
days.”
For Roland, it is
important to identify
the right wood. “Hard
woods are more
difficult to shape but
they have greater
longevity. Soft wood
have less resistance to
damage, even though
they are e<strong>as</strong>ier to
carve”, he enthused.
Ogiamien still handles
cl<strong>as</strong>ses at the popular
Harmattan Workshop.
He h<strong>as</strong> travelled long
distances for art
promotion, including
serving <strong>as</strong> a resource
person on socio-cultural and
economic summits jointly
sponsored by the Nigerian and
Jamaican governments. The
renowned sculptor who honed his
artistic skills under the tutelage
of famous artists like Erhabor
Emokpaeh<strong>as</strong> and Akpamwinda
Omoregie , successfully lived on
commissioned and miscellaneous
studio works for over four decades
in Lagos before he returned to his
Igun Street, home of Bronze in
Benin. Such works include the
carved doors at St Leo Catholic
Church, Ikeja. In 2007, he served
the Federal Government of Nigeri
<strong>as</strong> cultural amb<strong>as</strong>sador to
Jamiaca where he taught
Jamaican wood carvers the Art of
Nigeria Wood Carving across
eight centres including the Edna
Monley College of Art.

36 — VANGUARD, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019
Crime scene officials inspect the site of a bomb bl<strong>as</strong>t inside a church in Negombo, Sri Lanka on E<strong>as</strong>ter
Sunday, the first major attack on the Indian Ocean Island since the end of a civil war 10 years ago.
REUTERS/Stringer
Bombs kill more than 200 in Sri Lankan
churches, hotels
*Buhari, Pope, others mourn
MORE than 200
people were
killed and at le<strong>as</strong>t 450
injured in bomb bl<strong>as</strong>ts
that ripped through
churches and luxury hotels
in Sri Lanka on E<strong>as</strong>ter
Sunday, the first major
attack on the Indian
Ocean island since the
end of a civil war 10
years ago.
The government declared
a curfew in Colombo
and blocked access
to social media and
messaging sites, including
Facebook and WhatsApp.
It w<strong>as</strong> unclear
when the curfew would
be lifted.
But in a sign that the
attacks on three churches
and four hotels could
lead to communal violence,
police reported on
Sunday night that there
had been a petrol bomb
attack on a mosque in
the northwestern district
of Puttalum and arson
attacks on two shops
owned by Muslims in
the western district of
Kalutara.
Local Islamist
The government h<strong>as</strong>
acknowledged that it
had “prior information”
of attacks on churches
involving a little known
local Islamist group but
didn’t do enough about
it
Ȯut of Sri Lanka’s total
population of around
22 million, 70 percent
are Buddhist, 12.6 percent
Hindu, 9.7 percent
Muslim and 7.6 percent
Christian, according to
the country’s 2012 census.
On Sunday afternoon,
three police officers
were killed during a security
forces raid on a
house in the Sri Lankan
capital several hours after
the attacks, many of
which officials said were
suicide bomb explosions.
Police reported an
explosion at the house.
Thirteen arrests have
been made, all of whom
are Sri Lankans, police
said.
“Altogether, we have
information of 207 dead
from all hospitals. According
to the information
<strong>as</strong> of now we have
450 injured people admitted
to hospitals,” police
spokesman Ruwan
Gun<strong>as</strong>ekera told reporters.
Government officials
said that 32 foreigners
were killed and 30 injured
in the explosions
that tore through congregations
and gatherings
in hotels in Colombo,
Negombo and Batticaloa.
They included five
British people, two of
whom had dual U.S. citizenship,
and three Indians,
according to officials
in those countries.
Also among the fatalities
were three people
from Denmark, two from
Turkey, and one from
Portugal, Sri Lankan officials
said. There were
also Chinese and Dutch
among the dead, according
to media reports.
U.S. Secretary of State
Mike Pompeo said U.S.
nationals were among
those killed, but did not
give details.
There were no immediate
claims of responsibility
for the attacks in a
country which w<strong>as</strong> at
war for decades with
Tamil separatists until
2009, a time when bomb
bl<strong>as</strong>ts in the capital were
common.
Prime Minister Ranil
Wickremsinghe acknowledged
that the
government had some
“prior information of the
attack”, though ministers
were not told.
He said there w<strong>as</strong>n’t
an adequate response
and there needed to be
an inquiry into how the
information w<strong>as</strong> used.
He also said the government
needs to look at
the international links of
a local militant group.
Suicide bombers
Agence France Presse
reported that it had seen
documents showing that
Sri Lanka’s police chief
Pujuth Jay<strong>as</strong>undara issued
an intelligence
alert to top officers 10
days ago, warning that
suicide bombers
planned to hit “prominent
churches”. He cited
a foreign intelligence
service <strong>as</strong> reporting that
a little-known Islamist
group w<strong>as</strong> involved.
A Sri Lanka police
spokesman said he w<strong>as</strong>
not aware of the intelligence
report.
Dozens were killed in
one of the bl<strong>as</strong>ts at St.
Seb<strong>as</strong>tian’s Gothic-style
Catholic church in Katuwapitiya,
north of Colombo.
Gun<strong>as</strong>ekera said
the police suspected a
suicide attack there. Pictures
from the site
showed bodies on the
ground, blood on the
church pews and a destroyed
roof.
Local media reported
25 people were also
killed in an attack on an
evangelical church in
Batticaloa in E<strong>as</strong>tern
Province.
The hotels hit in Colombo
were the Shangri-
La, the Kingsbury, the
Cinnamon Grand and
the Tropical Inn near the
national zoo. There w<strong>as</strong>
no word on c<strong>as</strong>ualties in
the hotels, but a witness
told local TV he saw
some body parts, including
a severed head, lying
on the ground beside
the Tropical Inn.
The first six explosions
were all reported within
a short period in the
morning just <strong>as</strong> church
services were starting.
One of the explosions
w<strong>as</strong> at St. Anthony’s
Shrine, a Catholic
church in Kochcikade,
Colombo, a tourist landmark.
The explosion at the
Tropical Inn happened
later and there w<strong>as</strong> an
eighth explosion at the
house that w<strong>as</strong> the subject
of the police raid in
Colombo.
“I strongly condemn
the cowardly attacks on
our people today. I call
upon all Sri Lankans
during this tragic time to
remain united and
strong,” said Sri Lanka’s
prime minister in a
Tweet.
Top Democrats leave open
option of Trump impeachment
after Mueller report
TOP congressional Democrats left the door open on
Sunday to the impeachment of U.S. President Donald
Trump, but said they would first need to complete their
own investigations into whether he obstructed justice in
Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia probe.
Some party leaders have cautioned against impeachment
just 18 months before the 2020 presidential election,
although prominent liberals have demanded the
start of proceedings to remove Trump from office since
the rele<strong>as</strong>e on Thursday of Mueller’s report.
U.S. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold
Nadler, whose panel would spearhead any impeachment
proceedings, said Democrats would press ahead with
investigations of Trump in Congress and “see where the
facts lead us.””Obstruction of justice, if proven, would be
impeachable,” Nadler said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
A redacted version of Mueller’s long-awaited report
on Russian interference in the 2016 election, the product
of a 22-month investigation, outlined multiple instances
where Trump tried to thwart the probe. While it stopped
short of concluding Trump had committed a crime, it did
not exonerate him.
Mueller noted that Congress h<strong>as</strong> the power to address
whether Trump violated the law, and Democrats said it
would be a matter of discussion in the coming weeks.
“That’s going to be a very consequential decision and
one I’m going to reserve judgement on until we have a
chance to fully deliberate on it,” House Intelligence Committee
Chairman Adam Schiff said on “Fox News Sunday.”
Comedian wins Ukrainian
presidential election
U
KRAINIAN comedian Volodymyr Zelensky
h<strong>as</strong> won a run-off election to become the
country’s next president by a landslide, exit polls
suggest.
The polls give him more than 70% support. He
dominated the first round of voting three weeks ago
when 39 candidates were on the ticket.
Mr Zelensky challenged incumbent president Petro
Poroshenko.
Mr Poroshenko h<strong>as</strong> admitted defeat but told supporters
gathered in Kiev that he will not leave politics.
“I will never let you down,” Mr Zelensky told supporters
on Sunday.
He added: “While I am not formally president yet, <strong>as</strong>
a citizen of Ukraine I can tell all post-Soviet countries:
‘Look at us! Everything is possible!’”
If polls are correct, he will be elected for a five-year
term.
Ukraine’s president holds significant powers over the
security, defence and foreign policy of the country.
Polls gave Mr Poroshenko, who h<strong>as</strong> been in power
since 2014, 25% of the vote.
The billionaire w<strong>as</strong> elected after an uprising overthrew
the country’s previous, pro-Russian government.
“The outcome of the election leaves us with uncertainty
and unpredictability,” he said after exit polls were
rele<strong>as</strong>ed.
“I will leave office but I want to firmly stress - I will not
quit politics,” he added.
Mr Zelensky, 41, is best known for starring in a political
satirical drama called Servant of the People in which
his character accidentally becomes Ukrainian president.
He ran under a political party with the same name
<strong>as</strong> his show.
United and strong
“Ple<strong>as</strong>e avoid propagating
unverified reports
and speculation.
The government is taking
immediate steps to
contain this situation.”
President Maithripala
Sirisena said he had ordered
the police special
t<strong>as</strong>k force and military to
investigate who w<strong>as</strong> behind
the attacks and
their agenda.
The military w<strong>as</strong> deployed,
a military
spokesman said, and
security stepped up at
Colombo’s international
airport. Schools, universities
and the Colombo
Stock Exchange will be
closed on Monday <strong>as</strong> the
island state tries to recover
from the attacks.
Meanwhile, President
Muhamadu Buhari, and
Pope Francis were
among the world leaders,
who condoled with
the country over the incident.
In a statement on Sunday
by his Senior Special
Assistant on Media and
Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu,
President Buhari condemned
the attacks,
stressing that the Federal
Government and Nigerians
are standing
with the country during
this trying period.
“We stand with victims
of terrorism all over the
world because we know
and understand this harrowing
inhuman activity”.
The United Nations secretary-general
said he is
“outraged by the terrorist
attacks” in Sri Lanka.
A statement by the
spokesman for Antonio
Guterres noted the
“sanctity of all places
of worship” adding he
hoped the perpetrators
will be quickly
brought to justice.
President Donald
Trump condemned the
“horrible terrorist attacks”
and said the US
offered “heartfelt condolences”
to the Sri
Lankan people and
stood ready to help.
India’s Prime Minister
Narendra Modi condemned
the “horrific
bl<strong>as</strong>ts” and said his
country stands with the
people of Sri Lanka.
“Strongly condemn
the horrific bl<strong>as</strong>ts in Sri
Lanka.''

Sudan: Protesters cut
ties with military council
PROTEST leaders in
Sudan have said
they have broken off contacts
with the ruling military
council that replaced
ousted leader Omar al-
B<strong>as</strong>hir.
They accused it of being
composed of “remnants”
of Mr B<strong>as</strong>hir’s regime.
Thousands of protesters
have gathered outside
army HQ in Khartoum for
a meeting to announce a
civilian council they now
want to take power.
The military says it is
committed to handing
over power and will consider
a joint military-civilian
council.
However, protest movement
spokesman Mohamed
al-Amin said they now
considered the military
council an “extension of
the regime” and vowed to
escalate the protests.
The campaign to remove
Mr B<strong>as</strong>hir had been
spearheaded by the
Sudanese Professionals
Association (SPA).
It is behind the announcement
of the council.
The SPA held talks with
the military on Saturday.
Senior SPA member
Ahmed al-Rabia initially
indicated this might delay
the naming of the council
but on Sunday he confirmed
that the announcement
would go ahead at
the Khartoum protest site.
The protesters want the
council to form a transitional
government, leading
to elections.
On Sunday it said it
would respond to the call
for civilian rule within a
week, and indicated it
might favour a joint council.
It h<strong>as</strong>, however, rele<strong>as</strong>ed
political prisoners
and on Saturday arrested
a number of top members
of Mr B<strong>as</strong>hir’s former ruling
party.
While the military h<strong>as</strong>
promised not to remove
protesters from their sit-in,
it h<strong>as</strong> also called on them
to “let normal life resume”.
*Catholic priests stand inside a church
after a bomb bl<strong>as</strong>t in Negombo, Siri Lanka
yesterday.
At E<strong>as</strong>ter m<strong>as</strong>s, Parisians pray for
Notre-Dame’s swift restoration
WITH no cathedral
to go to, hundreds
of Parisians gathered
for E<strong>as</strong>ter Sunday
m<strong>as</strong>s at the smaller Saint-
Eustache catholic church
on the city’s right bank,
and prayed for the swift
restoration of Notre-
Dame after its dev<strong>as</strong>tating
fire.
The archbishop of Paris,
Michel Aupetit, began
the service by drawing a
parallel between the
planned reconstruction of
Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral
and the resurrection
of Jesus from the
dead, celebrated every
year by Christians at E<strong>as</strong>ter.
“We will rise up again
and our cathedral will
rise up again,” he told the
congregation, which included
the mayor of Paris,
Anne Hidalgo, and the
head of the Paris fire service,
General Jean-
Claude Gallet.
The m<strong>as</strong>s had originally
been scheduled to be
held at Notre-Dame,
whose spire w<strong>as</strong> destroyed
and its roof gutted
in Monday’s blaze <strong>as</strong>
rescuers put their lives at
risk to salvage the rest of
the centuries-old cathedral
and its priceless artifacts.
Half way through the
m<strong>as</strong>s, Gallet received a
minute’s applause from
the congregation in tribute
to the 400 firefighters
who extinguished the
blaze, and w<strong>as</strong> then
handed a bible that survived
the fire.
“We wish to reunite with
the faithful, to pray together,
hoping that
Notre-Dame of Paris is
revived <strong>as</strong> quickly <strong>as</strong> possible,”
said Annie le
Bourvellec, a charity
worker, <strong>as</strong> hundreds of
worshippers queued outside
Saint-Eustache, one
of Paris’s biggest church.
US to clean up toxic Vietnam War air b<strong>as</strong>e
THE US h<strong>as</strong> launched
a multi-million dollar
clean-up operation at an air
b<strong>as</strong>e in Vietnam it used to
store the notorious chemical
Agent Orange.
The ten-year programme,
unveiled more
than four decades after the
end of the Vietnam War, will
cost $183m (£141m).
The site at Bien Hoa airport,
outside Ho Chi Minh
City, is considered the most
contaminated in the country
Ȧgent Orange w<strong>as</strong> a defoliant
sprayed by US forces
to destroy jungles and
uncover the enemy’s hiding
places.
It contained dioxin,
which is one of the most
toxic chemicals known to
man and h<strong>as</strong> been linked
to incre<strong>as</strong>ed rates of cancers
and birth defects.
Vietnam says several
million people have been
affected by Agent Orange,
including 150,000 <strong>children</strong>
born with severe birth defects.
At Bien Hoa the chemical
h<strong>as</strong> contaminated the
soil and seeped into nearby
rivers.
The amount of dioxin in
the area is four times higher
than that found at Danang
airport where a similar
operation w<strong>as</strong> completed
in November.
Egyptians vote for second day on
constitutional changes
EGYPTIANS voted
on Sunday for a
second day on whether
to back constitutional
amendments that could
see President Abdel Fattah
al-Sisi stay in power
until 2030.
The three-day referendum
w<strong>as</strong> called l<strong>as</strong>t
week, a day after
Egypt’s 596-member
parliament endorsed the
draft amendments by
531 to 22.
If approved, the
amendments would extend
Sisi’s current termto
six years from four
and allow him to run
again for a thirdsix-year
term in 2024.
VANGUARD, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019 — 37
The political calculations of
Sudan’s military regime
By Ahmed Adam
*Omar al-B<strong>as</strong>hir
As political
ambitions
cl<strong>as</strong>hed and
outside forces
intervened, General
Ibn Auf took
over with the
intent of securing
al-B<strong>as</strong>hir’s exit
and maintaining
the status quo
within the regime
es attacked the sit-in in
front of the Army High
Command headquarters
in Khartoum, causing
some soldiers to intervene
and protect the protesters.
The Sudanese president
and other loyalists had
planned to disperse the sitin
with force, hoping that
the violence would keep
the protesters away. Fearing
an insurrection within
the lower army rank and
file, the top br<strong>as</strong>s of the
military could not go along
with the plan. More importantly,
there are speculations
that General Gosh,
the head of the NISS, also
ON April 11, after 30
years in power, the
longstanding dictator,
General Omar al-B<strong>as</strong>hir,
w<strong>as</strong> forced out of power by
his right-hand man, defence
minister and vice
president, General
Ahmed Awad Ibn Auf.
Al-B<strong>as</strong>hir’s ouster w<strong>as</strong>
welcomed <strong>as</strong> a major victory
by Sudanese protesters
who had been out in
the streets of Khartoum and
other major cities since
December. However, many
remain wary of the dubious
transition of power that
Sudan’s military leadership
h<strong>as</strong> undertaken.
In his April 11 statement,
with which he declared the
removal of al-B<strong>as</strong>hir, Ibn
Auf also announced the suspension
of the Constitution,
the imposition of a
state of emergency and the
formation of a transitional
military council headed by
him.
But just two days later,
after m<strong>as</strong>s protests continued
to call for the whole
regime to step down, Ibn
Auf resigned along with his
deputy, General Kamal
Abdelmarouf al-Mahi.
General Abdel Fattah al-
Burhan w<strong>as</strong> appointed his
place <strong>as</strong> the head of the
council and General Mohamed
Hamdan Daglo,
also known <strong>as</strong> Hemedti, <strong>as</strong>
the deputy chair. Meanwhile,
General Salah Abdallah
Saleh, also known
<strong>as</strong> Gosh, resigned <strong>as</strong> the
head of the notorious National
Intelligence and Security
Services (NISS).
So what do all these reshuffles
in the Sudanese
regime mean and how will
they affect the Sudanese
struggle for democratic civilian
rule?
Over the p<strong>as</strong>t few years,
it became incre<strong>as</strong>ingly
clear that al-B<strong>as</strong>hir w<strong>as</strong>
doing everything to consolidate
his power and prevent
any possible conspiracy
against his presidency
Ȯn the foreign policy
front, he w<strong>as</strong> trying to
reach out to anyone who
could guarantee the security
of his regime. When
the US e<strong>as</strong>ed the sanctions
in October 2017 but
made it clear that they still
demand that he step down,
al-B<strong>as</strong>hir went on a visit
to Russia to seek the backing
of the Kremlin. He also
continued to deal with the
UAE and Saudi Arabia, on
one side, and Qatar and
Turkey, on the other, hoping
to secure their support.
On the home front, al-
B<strong>as</strong>hir undertook a number
of reshuffles in the p<strong>as</strong>t
few years, plagued by suspicions
of conspiracies
against him. In the process,
he managed to alienate
a number of different
factions within the
Sudanese regime and important
commanders within
the security sector and
the militi<strong>as</strong>. He also angered
members of his ruling
National Congress
Party (NCP) when he declared
he w<strong>as</strong> a national
figure that stood above all
political parties in Sudan.
Most importantly, al-
B<strong>as</strong>hir alienated his own
people. For a long time, he
had been playing the ethnic
card, trying to divide
the Sudanese people and
justify his destructive wars
in Darfur, South Kordofan
and Blue Nile.
Fearing a coup, al-B<strong>as</strong>hir
kept Ibn Auf, who is on a
US sanctions list due to his
involvement in the Darfur
conflict, and former governor
Ahmed Haroun, who
is also indicted by the International
Criminal Court,
close, believing they would
not hand him over to the
international prosecution.
When the Sudanese streets
escalated the pressure, Ibn
Auf w<strong>as</strong> appointed vice
president and Haroun took
over the chairmanship of
the NCP.
Al-B<strong>as</strong>hir’s fate w<strong>as</strong>
sealed once the protesters
managed to win over the
sympathies of mid and lower-ranking
military officers,
<strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> soldiers. This
became apparent when on
April 8, NISS security forcswitched
sides at that critical
juncture and refused
to unle<strong>as</strong>h a bloody crackdown.
Gosh, who is widely despised
by the Sudanese
people, w<strong>as</strong> one of the people
al-B<strong>as</strong>hir had alienated
early on. In 2009, he
w<strong>as</strong> removed from his position
<strong>as</strong> head of the NISS
and made presidential adviser,
only to be sacked in
2011. The following year,
Gosh, who had been a point
of contact in Sudan for US
intelligence agencies, w<strong>as</strong>
accused of plotting a coup
against the president and
imprisoned for a year. Although
he w<strong>as</strong> politically
rehabilitated and reinstated
to his former position in
2018, he surely continued to
bear a grudge against al-
B<strong>as</strong>hir.
He, along with other generals,
saw an opportunity to
get rid of al-B<strong>as</strong>hir and
seized it. Their consensus on
ousting the president, however,
did not mean that they
were willing to give up power
or that they actually
agreed on a clear-cut plan
of succession.
As political ambitions
cl<strong>as</strong>hed and outside forces
intervened, General Ibn Auf
took over with the intent of
securing al-B<strong>as</strong>hir’s exit and
maintaining the status quo
within the regime.
However, the general
lacked charisma and w<strong>as</strong> not
well-respected within the
ranks of the army. He w<strong>as</strong>
also tainted by the role he
played in recruiting Janjaweed
militia in Darfur and
commanding armed forces
that committed war crimes
in 2007.
It w<strong>as</strong> evident that he w<strong>as</strong>
not going to be accepted <strong>as</strong>
a transitional leader neither
by the Sudanese people, nor
by various international
players.
While his resignation
could be seen <strong>as</strong> another
victory for Sudan’s protest
movement, the appointment
of General al-Burhan <strong>as</strong> the
head of the military council
and General Hemedti <strong>as</strong> his
deputy shows that the deep
state and its foreign backers
are by far not ready to give
in to the demands of the protesters
and allow for a
smooth transition to civilian
rule.
No doubt, the overthrow
of al-B<strong>as</strong>hir and his close
corrupt and brutal clique out
of power is a positive development,
but what is currently
going on is not a fullfledged
revolution, like the
ones in October 1964 and
April 1985. There is yet to
be a break with the old regime.
It is true that General al-
Burhan h<strong>as</strong> struck a conciliatory
tone and seemingly
accepted the popular demands
for freedom, peace
and justice. He also made
some promises about moving
away from the old regime
by uprooting it, fighting
corruption and pursuing
justice and accountability.
*Culled from Aljazeera

38 — VANGUARD, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019
KILLINGS: Ohanaeze
Lagos calls for
reorientation of Police
By Clifford Ndujihe
L AGOS—LAGOS
State chapter of the
Ohanaeze Ndigbo h<strong>as</strong>
called for what it termed
“total reorientation of the
Police Force” to curb
extra-judicial killings.
Ohanaeze Lagos made
the call, weekend, when
its leaders paid a
condolence visit to the
family of late Adaobi
Jessica Ojide, who w<strong>as</strong>
shot dead, l<strong>as</strong>t week by
trigger-happy police men
attached to Trinity police
station, Olodi Apapa,
Lagos.
Led by its President,
Chief Solomon Ogbonna,
the Ohanaeze delegation
promised to ensure that
Miss Ojide’s murder is
not swept under the
carpet. They were
received on arrival by the
father of the dece<strong>as</strong>ed,
Mr. Ifeanyi Ojide, and
Umueri Lagos chapter
Chairman, Mr. Sunday
Eluomuno among others.
Expressing deep
sadness over the
untimely death of Miss
Adaobi Ojide in the
hands of the Nigeria
police force, which he
described <strong>as</strong> unfortunate,
Chief Ogbonna also
promised the family that
Ohanaeze will be fully
involved in her burial. He
said that Ohanaeze,
under his watch, will not
allow the matter of Adaobi
Jessica Ojide to be swept
under the carpet by the
authorities.
The secretary of
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos
Chief Everest Ozonweke
commended the Lagos
State police Command
for their proactive action
in handling the recent
ugly incidents involving
police personnels and the
citizens they swore to
protect and called for a
total reorientation of the
rank and file of the Nigeria
police force to curb the
menace of extra judiciary
killings in the country.
Third Mainland Bridge safe — FG
By Ol<strong>as</strong>unkanmi
Akoni
L AGOS—THE
Ministry of Works
and Housing, yesterday,
<strong>as</strong>sured Nigerians that
the structural integrity of
the Third Mainland
Bridge in Lagos is safe
and intact for public use.
The clarification
became necessary
following a trending
story, weekend, on social
media showing a faulty
and weak expansion joint
on the bridge with
warning to motorists to
avoid the bridge due to
imminent collapse.
Mr. Hakeem Bello,
Special Adviser,
Communications, to the
Minister of Power, Works
and Housing, in a
statement, allayed fears
of citizens plying the
bridge, saying there is
no cause for alarm.
The statement read:
“The general Public is
hereby informed that
the expansion joint
shown in a Facebook
video clip, is one of those
slated for change during
repairs to the Third
Mainland Bridge which
will commence soon. It is
still functioning and our
engineers and
consultants have advised
that it does not pose any
structural danger to the
bridge and it is safe to
use.
“Commuters and Lagos
residents will recall that
the Third Mainland
Bridge w<strong>as</strong> shut down for
a three-day Investigative
Maintenance in August
2018. Tests done on the
expansion joints then -
called static and
dynamic load tests -
were to check
functionality. A number
of expansion joints were
identified for
replacement then.
“More recently, in
March this year,
underwater confirmatory
tests preceding the
repair works to be done
on the Bridge, were
carried out on the piles
to determine if there is
further deterioration or
not on the piles from that
done in 2013.
“However, all the tests
done preparatory to
closure of the bridge to
c o m m e n c e
comprehensive
maintenance works
indicate that the integrity
of the bridge is intact.
“Therefore, the Third
Mainland Bridge is safe
for use, and people
should desist from
spreading or sharing
Dettol unveils Funke Akindele
<strong>as</strong> brand amb<strong>as</strong>sador
•Says new campaign to achieve
cleaner Nigeria
LAGOS—DETTOL, an
anti-bacterial brand
from the stable of Rickett
Benckiser (RB) West Africa
said its campaign, ‘Clean
Naija Initiative’ aims to
create awareness, educate
and drive behavioural
change to achieve a cleaner
and healthier Nigeria, <strong>as</strong> it
unveils renowned
Nollywood actress, Funke
Akindele-Bello <strong>as</strong> brand
amb<strong>as</strong>sador.
Speaking about the
launch and partnership in
Lagos, General Manager,
RB West Africa, Mr.
Dayanand Sriram said: “At
RB, we have made it our
responsibility and purpose
to help people live
healthier lives and have
happier homes. It is why
we are launching the Clean
Naija Initiative, which is an
integrated multi-level
campaign with the aim of
creating awareness,
education and driving
behavioural change to
achieve a cleaner and
healthier Nigeria.
''We recognize this is an
enormous t<strong>as</strong>k and we
acknowledge the
partnership of the Federal
Ministry of Water
Resources. It is also my
utmost ple<strong>as</strong>ure to unveil
leading Nollywood actress
false information about
the Bridge on Social
Media platforms.”
F<strong>as</strong>hola explained that
the expansion joints to be
replaced are part of a
regular bridge
maintenance programme
that had been neglected
for decades which the
President Muhammadu
Buhari administration is
now addressing frontally
on many bridges
nationwide.
He added such
maintenance works
included; resurfacing of
the bridge, along with
several others, “which
the
present
administration is also
undertaking <strong>as</strong> the
bridge users will attest to
a better driving surface.”
OLOWO’S DEATH: Ondo lost a great icon
— SARAKI
By Dayo Johnson
A KURE—THE
Senate President,
Dr. Bukola Saraki h<strong>as</strong>
expressed sadness over the
death of the Olowo of Owo,
Oba David Folagbade
Olateru-Olagbegi, saying it
h<strong>as</strong> robbed the state of a
great icon.
He also described the
death <strong>as</strong> a big loss to
Nigeria at a time the
nation’s leadership needs
wise counsel and
experience to solve the
various problems
confronting her.
His Special Adviser,
Media and Publicity
Yusuph Olaniyonu
described late Oba
Olagbegi <strong>as</strong> a humane
monarch, who contributed
immensely to the
development of Owo in
particular, Ondo State and
Nigeria, in general.
Saraki said: “The Olowo
of Owo w<strong>as</strong> one traditional
ruler whose impact
extended far beyond his
domain. His contributions
to the development of
tertiary institutions in the
country <strong>as</strong> Chancellor of the
Universities of Benin,
Abuja and Jos respectively
at various times during his
lifetime speak volume.
“His demise is a colossal
loss to the country in
particular and humanity in
general. He shall be dearly
missed.”
Similarly, Governor
Rotimu Akeredolu of Ondo
State said the death of the
Olowo h<strong>as</strong> robbed the state
of a great icon.
He said this when he
visited the palace of the late
Owo monarch to
commiserate with the
immediate family of the
monarch, the chiefs and the
entire people of Owo
kingdom.
Akeredolu said: “He’s
gone but he lived a good
life. Owo kingdom h<strong>as</strong>
lost an icon. He w<strong>as</strong> a
tower above so many not
only <strong>as</strong> a king but <strong>as</strong> an
intellectual.
“The late Oba Olagbegi
towered above many
people, not only <strong>as</strong> a king
but also <strong>as</strong> an intellectual.”
The governor, who w<strong>as</strong>
received into the palace by
the Olowo-in-Council by
the Ojumu of Owo
Kingdom, said the town h<strong>as</strong>
lost a giant who w<strong>as</strong>
respected for his strides in
education, adding that the
town h<strong>as</strong> lost a great icon.
and award-winning
producer, Funke Akindele-
Bello <strong>as</strong> the Dettol Clean
Naija brand amb<strong>as</strong>sador.
''Mrs. Akindele-Bello h<strong>as</strong>
been a worthy role model
and an inspiration for all
Nigerians. Having also
recorded success in various
selfless activities, we have
deemed her worthy of
leading our Clean Naija
Initiative.
''The initiative comes at a
critical time, <strong>as</strong> Nigeria h<strong>as</strong>
been ranked amongst the
top nations that bear a
significant portion of the
global dise<strong>as</strong>e burden and
high under-5 mortality
rates with over 150,000
<strong>children</strong> dying yearly.
Many of these dise<strong>as</strong>es,
such <strong>as</strong> diarrhea can be
prevented by proper hand
w<strong>as</strong>hing habits and widescale
hygiene education.
This is a major motivation
for the setting up of the
Clean Naija Initiative.''
Expressing delight on the
new partnership, Funke
Akindele said: “As a new
mother, I have come to
appreciate the need for
improved hygiene practices
the more. This campaign
will help sensitise
Nigerians on the health
benefits of adopting simple
but effective hygienic
practices like proper hand
w<strong>as</strong>hing regularly.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019 —39
EKELEGA
I, formerly known <strong>as</strong> Miss
Eviano Vivian Ekelega, now
wish to be known <strong>as</strong> Mrs.
Fadun Eviano Vivian. All
former documents remain
valid. GTBank Plc and general
public ple<strong>as</strong>e take note.
ADELAJA
I, formerly known <strong>as</strong> Adelaja
Oluwakemi Abisola, now
wish to be known <strong>as</strong> Idowu
Oluwakemi Abisola.All
former documents remain
valid and general public take
note.
BICKESTETH
I, formerly known <strong>as</strong> Paulina
Olanrewaju Bickesteth,now
wish to be known <strong>as</strong> Mrs
Paulina Olanrewaju Oni-
Orisan.All former documents
remain valid and general
public take note.
NEHIKHARE
I, formerly known <strong>as</strong> Miss
Izehiese Hannah Nehikhare,
now wish to be known <strong>as</strong>
Mrs. Izehiese Hannah
Obewhere. All former
documents remain valid and
general public take note.
EYUBE
I, formerly known <strong>as</strong> Martins
Ovie Eyube, now wish to be
known <strong>as</strong> Martins King Ovie
Jonathan. All former
documents remain valid.
General public ple<strong>as</strong>e take
note.
NWANNE
I, formerly known <strong>as</strong> Miss
Nwanne Amarachi Jennifer,
now wish to be known <strong>as</strong>
Mrs Harrison Amarachi
Jennifer. All former
documents remain valid.
General public ple<strong>as</strong>e take
note.
AMASIATU
I, formerly known <strong>as</strong> Miss
Am<strong>as</strong>iatu, Oluchi Marylilian,
now wish to be known <strong>as</strong> Mrs
Okechukwu, Oluchi Marylilian.
All former documents remain
valid. Federal Polytechnic
Nekede Owerri and the general
public should ple<strong>as</strong>e take note.
JOHN
I, formerly known <strong>as</strong> Miss
Elizabeth John, now wish to
be known <strong>as</strong> Mrs Elizabeth
Unuafe Joel. All former
documents remain valid.
General public ple<strong>as</strong>e take
note.
MADUBUGINI
I, formerly known <strong>as</strong> Miss
Precious Amaka Madubugini,
now wish to be known <strong>as</strong>
Mrs Nwakobi Amaka
Precious. All former
documents remain valid.
General public ple<strong>as</strong>e take
note.
ADEOYE
I, formerly known <strong>as</strong> Adeoye
Fol<strong>as</strong>ade Bosede, now wish
to be known <strong>as</strong> Fol<strong>as</strong>ade
Bosede Dominion. All former
documents remain valid.
General public ple<strong>as</strong>e take
note.
DOYENI
I, formerly known <strong>as</strong> Doyeni
Racheal Oladiwura, now wish
to be known <strong>as</strong> Oyapidan
Racheal Oladiwura.All
former documents remain
valid and general public take
note.
LAWANI
I, formerly known <strong>as</strong> Miss
Rosemary Lawani, now
wish to be known <strong>as</strong> Mrs
Rosemary Olatokunbo Alabi.
All former documents remain
valid and general public take
note.
PRECIOUS
I, formerly known <strong>as</strong>
Precious Best, now wish to
be known <strong>as</strong> Alexander Best
Precious. All former
documents remain valid and
general public take note.
NNADI
I, formerly known <strong>as</strong> Miss
Obiageli Nnadi, now wish to
be known <strong>as</strong> Mrs Obiageli
Onwuegbuzie. All former
documents remain valid and
general public take note.
MODIBBO
I, formerly known <strong>as</strong> Yarima
Ahmed Modibbo, now wish
to be known <strong>as</strong> Modibbo
Yarima Ahmad. All former
documents remain valid.
General public ple<strong>as</strong>e take
note.
ENDURANCE
I, formerly known <strong>as</strong> Mr.
Unuafe Endurance, now
wish to be known <strong>as</strong> Mr
Unuafe Joel. All former
documents remain valid.
General public ple<strong>as</strong>e take
note.
BASSEY
I, formerly known <strong>as</strong> B<strong>as</strong>sey
Naomi Abraham, now wish
to be known <strong>as</strong> Naomi
Abraham. All former
documents remain valid.
General public ple<strong>as</strong>e take
note.
EL
SPACE
FOR
SALE
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
Onnoghen: Nigerians will soon resort to self
help — Nkanga
NiMet predicts mixed weather
for Monday
NIGERIAN METE
OROLOGICAL
Agency, NiMet, h<strong>as</strong> predicted
cloudy to partly
cloudy, sunny weather
and localised thunderstorms
over most parts of
the country on Monday,
with chances of rainfall
over the southern part.
NiMet’s Weather Outlook,
yesterday in Abuja,
predicted partly
cloudy morning over the
central states with day
and night temperatures
of 30 to 35 and 20 to 27
degrees Celsius.
It also predicted wide-
By Harris-Okon
Emmanuel
U YO—FORMER
Military Administrator
of Akwa Ibom
State, Air Cdr Idongisit
Nkanga (retd), h<strong>as</strong> said
Nigerians may be
forced to resort to selfhelp
over what he described
<strong>as</strong> the way the
Federal Government is
allegedly strangulating
the judiciary.
Nkanga, who spoke
at the weekend, described
Onnoghen’s trial
and conviction <strong>as</strong> not
surprising, adding that
the government had
started to adopt a systematic
way to muscle
the judiciary.
He said with the recent
developments, the
common man who w<strong>as</strong>
not sure of getting justice
in the courts would
have no option than to
resort to self-help.
He said: “If people
are so intimidated that
they cannot tell the
truth and get justice in
the court which is the
l<strong>as</strong>t hope of the common
man when it happens
like this, the immediate
thing that
would happen is that
we will see more people
killing people on
the streets.
“When people fail to
react when things happen
we should be ready
to accept the consequences.
We should react
to issues before the
consequences.
“Actually, it is not Onnoghen
that is the issue
here. Of course, coming
from the Niger Delta,
for us it is a tragedy.
It is not completely
new and not surprising.
Nigerians who believe
they are safe today
when there is a tragedy
should remember
that when the consequence
comes it would
consume everybody.
Nkanga stated that
the president had refused
to confirm him,
<strong>as</strong> such the leaders of
the region had to canv<strong>as</strong>s
for his confirmation
before he w<strong>as</strong> confirmed
by Osibanjo,
then <strong>as</strong> acting president.
Faulting the conviction
of Onnoghen, the
PDP chieftain said:
“People have been
complaining from the
beginning that the
process is wrong. This
started <strong>as</strong> an internal
thing within the judiciary
and we believed
that NJC should have
reacted not to wait for
things to go <strong>as</strong> bad <strong>as</strong>
they are today. We saw
when they were breaking
into the homes of
judges at night.
“For the government
to interfere and destroy
the judiciary, the consequences
will be unbearable.
I am happy
he h<strong>as</strong> appealed. We
hope that there is
something or somebody
still left in the judiciary,
to tell the
truth.
“Nigerians must rise.
Let us not say it is a
South-South thing. Let
us not look at it <strong>as</strong> a
Niger Delta issue. The
judiciary must be restored
to its independence
so that Nigerians
can breath fresh air.’’
One killed, many injured <strong>as</strong> police
officers open fire at Ogun bus-stop
By Daud Olatunji
A BEOKUTA—
PANDEMONI-
UM broke out, yesterday,
<strong>as</strong> a police officer
reportedly
opened fire at a
young man and killed
him.
An eye witness told
Vanguard that the
shooting occurred at
Iyana Coker area of
Ifo, a market community
on the Lagos-
Abeokuta Expressway.
The young man, in
his 30s, identified
simply <strong>as</strong> Akeem, w<strong>as</strong>
reportedly killed while
some sustained injury.
The officers were
said to be of the Zonal
Intervention Squad of
Zone 2 Police Command.
Irate residents have
taken to the streets to
express anger about
the killing.
Police confirm incident
spread thunderstorm activities
over the entire region
<strong>as</strong> the day progresses.
The agency predicted
that northern states
would experience sunny
morning with day and
night temperatures of 35
to 42 and 21 to 30 degrees
Celsius.
It further predicted
partly cloudy to sunny
conditions with prospects
of thundery activities
over Maiduguri and
thunderstorms over Yola
and Gombe axis later in
the day.
When contacted,
the Police Public Relations
Officer in the
state, Abimbola Oyeyemi
confirmed the
incident.
Oyeyemi said he
would get back to Vanguard
after he must
have gathered detailed
information.
Lottery regulatory commission goes tough on
illegal online betting operators
By Ol<strong>as</strong>unkanmi
Akoni
N ATIONAL
LOTTERY Regulatory
Commission
h<strong>as</strong> said it would continue
to clamp down
on illegal lottery, gaming
operators who
hide under state license
to carry out online
operations to defraud
and manipulate
the public.
The Director General,
National Lottery
Regulatory Commission,
Lanre Gbajabiamila,
who stated this
warned that such operators
run the risk of
complete shutdown
should they fail to
comply with the law
governing lotteries
and gaming.
According to Gbajabiamila,
through
Magnus Ekechukwu,
Assistant Director,
Public Affairs, about
six online betting operators
were affected
in the recent enforcement
by the commission.
He said the commission
w<strong>as</strong> not interested
in penalising them
for now, so long <strong>as</strong>
they are ready to regularise
their operations
with the agency.
Gbajabiamila further
stated that the Lottery
Commission would continue
to work with state
lottery regulators to
sanitize the industry
and protect the general
public, in line with
the mandate of the commission.
According to NiMet,
southern states will experience
cloudy morning
with chances of rainfall
activities over Lagos and
Abeokuta axis.
“Widespread thunderstorm
activities are anticipated
over the entire region
in the afternoon
and evening with day
and night temperatures
of 32 to 35 and 23 to 26
degrees Celsius.
“The influx of moisture
into the country is consistent
and so there are chances
of thunderstorm activities in
the country within the next 24
hours,” NiMet predicted.

40 —Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL22, 2019
YOUR LUCK TODAY
By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139
TAURUS; Your concentration level is not perfect and if
you take bad advice from friends you would be misled.
The more practical you are the better for you.
GEMINI; Unnecessary aggressive approach on your
part along your career/business lines will back fire more
than you imagine. Graceful expression is what you will
need.
CANCER; Happenings within your working arena can
bring minor provocation but it is just a p<strong>as</strong>sing trend.
Travelling for love will bring more challenges than expected.
LEO; Male members of this Star sign will need to watch
their libido while female must not ignore their sex life.
Beware of joint ventures with those you don’t know.
VIRGO; It is not compulsory you take to aggressive re
action to those within your b<strong>as</strong>e of operation who are
not <strong>as</strong> perfect <strong>as</strong> you. Protect your spouse.
L E I S U R E
TAKE HEART — ELLA RANDLE
People come into your life for a re<strong>as</strong>on, a se<strong>as</strong>on, or
a lifetime.” Take Heart Quotes-
It is the idea that no matter how good, or how painful a role
they played, they taught us something, that will reveal itself
to us at some point. We all have to learn different lessons in
life. Perhaps this person h<strong>as</strong> come into your life for a re<strong>as</strong>on. At
the same time, this person h<strong>as</strong> to come to their own realizations
on their own time. When we adopt a broader view, we’re
able to get out of our limited thinking. Ella Randle
TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye”
SAYINGS OF
OUR PEOPLE
One spoon of
soup in need h<strong>as</strong>
more value than
a pot of soup
when we have an
abundance of
food. ~Angolan
Proverb
By Kola Fayemi
LIBRA; Watch what you eat and drink today. This is the
wrong time to engage in unnecessary heated argument..
Romance at work may bring disappointment.
SCORPIO; Trying to influence matters of the heart with
money will not give you the desired result. Any way it is
a day you will need to be more careful with money.
SAGITTARIUS; It is important you are more careful
while trying to p<strong>as</strong>s judgement on people within your
b<strong>as</strong>e of operation because you too may be wrong.
CAPRICORN; Taking a ple<strong>as</strong>ure drive or movement may
bring more than anticipated responsibility. Keep away
from whatever can not be placed above board today.
AQUARIUS; If you allow friends to force their ide<strong>as</strong> on
you financially or on matters of the heart, you would be
the loser. Express yourself gracefully.
DUDU in “ROLLING HOT” By A.O. OLAIDE
PISCES; Unless you are more careful matters of the
heart may cause avoidable trouble the way your career/
business can suffer temporarily.
ARIES; It is important you don’t exhibit aggression
unnecessarily. Here is a day when secret love is capable
of bringing serious pressure. Try to be very diplomatic.
ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING
ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING
Send your date e and place of birth th to the Astr
trological
Counselling, P.M.B 100
007, 7, Apapa, Lagos
WHERE WAS MY MOON?
Dear Joshua,
Kindly tell me where the Moon w<strong>as</strong> placed when I w<strong>as</strong>
born and other things I should know about my star.
Austin, Lagos.
Dear Austin,
What space can take will be given here under. Your natal
Moon w<strong>as</strong> in Aries.
ANALYSIS OF YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA
Preponderance of cardinal quality in your chart is an
indication of GREAT LEADERSHIP QUALITY together
with innate ability to attain prominence on one hand,
on the other hand, exaltation of intellectual related
Mercury in Aquarius at positive angle to both lucky
Jupiter and Uranus (the planet of genius) in Libra
pointed to a person with higher pitch of intelligence.
Action loving Mars <strong>as</strong> the final dispositor of your horoscope
( that’s most influential planet at home when you
were born) will most times induce you to strongly desire
importance with likeness for quick results; actually long
promise without concrete action will bore you e<strong>as</strong>ily.
Equally 60 percentage of push full influence in your
chart means that the best for you is to go after your
needs and wants.
Combination of all the placement and <strong>as</strong>pects formed
within the planets when you were born are pointers to
you <strong>as</strong> a person with balanced personality with little
bi<strong>as</strong> for good spiritual life. And you believe in disciplinarian
life style.
Placement of your natal Sun and Moon in comp<strong>as</strong>sionate
Pisces and self conscious Aries respectively are indications
of your being mainly a Piscean and partly an
Arian, however <strong>as</strong> Aries is also your Stellium sign, both
b<strong>as</strong>ic characteristics of Pisces and Aries are highly pronounced
in your inner self.
VIRGINIA
HOME & ABROAD
dadadekola@yahoo.com
By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019—41
Labour accuses Trade
and Investment Minister
of unfair practices
By Victor Young
ASSOCIATION of
Senior Civil
Servants of
Nigeria, ASCSN, h<strong>as</strong>
called on President
Muhammadu Buhari, to
call the Minister of
Minister of Industry,
Trade and Investment, Mr
Okechukwu Enelamah, to
order, accusing him of
impunity high
handedness, and denying
workers of their rights.
The group also claimed
the Minister had
succeeded in duplicating
and w<strong>as</strong>ting resources
through the creation of the
Nigerian Office of Trade
Negotiation, NOTN,
b<strong>as</strong>ed on a memo or advice
to the Federal Executive
Council, FEC.
Speaking with
journalists in Lagos,
weekend, General
Secretary, ASCSN, B<strong>as</strong>hir
Lawal, alleged that the
minister had destroyed
the Trade Department and
rendered Commercial and
Trade officers redundant,
adding, “We are also
demanding that all
outstanding payments
since 2014 till date be
prioritized on first come
first serve b<strong>as</strong>is. The
training and welfare
needs of workers must be
concluded before the end
of December, services of
consultants should be
withdrawn with
immediate effect, timely
conduct of promotion
exercise should be
observed. All c<strong>as</strong>es of
conversion and
upgrading pending in the
ministry and with Head of
Service HOS, and others
should be worked on to
e<strong>as</strong>e off delays.”
On his part, ASCSN
Chairman, Ministry of
Industry, Trade and
Investment branch, Mr
Okonkwo Onwuyah,
alleged a desperate
attempt to privatise
Calabar and Kano Free
Trade Zones under the
management of the
Nigeria Export
Processing Zones
Authority, NEPZA.
Chairman, ASCSN,
NEPZA Unit, Mr Samari
Isah, lamented that the
<strong>as</strong>sociation wrote
President Buhari l<strong>as</strong>t year
on the alleged
unpalatable activities of
the minister in NEPZA,
contending that NEPZA
w<strong>as</strong> established by Decree
No, 63 of 1992 now
NEPZA Act Cap 20, Laws
of Federation of Nigeria
2004 [LN].
According to him,
“Power w<strong>as</strong> granted
NEPZA by section 4 of the
Act, and previous
administrations’ resolved
to give the powers to the
agency to handle the
implementation of the
nation’s drive towards
industrialization. Such
would have been
achieved by accelerating
the
speedy
implementation of the
National Industrial
Revolution Plan, NIRP,
through the Special
Economic Zones, SEZ,
and the attainment of the
Economic Recovering
Growth Plan, ERGP.
“The minister
abandoned the contractors
except DABAJ
Engineering Company
Limited. DABA w<strong>as</strong> paid
upfront and had not
completed the project in
Block H. The minister
created National Trade
Negotiation Office, NOTE
and domiciles it at the
NEPC office despite
protest by management of
the Ministry and he
brought
one
“Amb<strong>as</strong>sador” Osakwe, to
head the office. The new
office h<strong>as</strong> taken away the
duties of technocrats and
professional negotiators
2019 UTME: JAMB says no results rele<strong>as</strong>ed,
warns candidates against fraudsters
The Joint
Admissions and
Matriculation
Board, JAMB, h<strong>as</strong> said
that it would reach out to
candidates through their
telephones <strong>as</strong> soon <strong>as</strong> all
the results of the 2019
Unified Tertiary
Matriculation
Examination, UTME,
were ratified.
The board’s Head,
Media and Information,
Dr Fabian Benjamin
disclosed this in an
interview with NAN,
yesterday in Lagos.
According to him,
candidates should not be
carried away by what he
described <strong>as</strong> rumours
and misleading
information in some
sections of the media,
especially the social
media.
The 2019 UTME w<strong>as</strong>
conducted nationwide
from April 11 to April 18.
Over 1.8 million
candidates registered for
the examination.
“The board want to
distance itself from such
rumours about rele<strong>as</strong>ing
the results of candidates
of the just concluded
UTME and steps to check
these results <strong>as</strong> being
speculated. Candidates
should disregard this
information <strong>as</strong> it is not
true. It is not emanating
from the board.
“No results have been
rele<strong>as</strong>ed yet. Yes the
results are all ready, but
E<strong>as</strong>ter Carnival —Enugu State Governor and Governor-elect, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (2nd right) with the
Chairman of Nsukka Local Government Area, Patrick Omeje jnr (left); popular Nollywood actors,
Chinedu Ikedeze (Aki) and Rachael Okonkwo (Nkoli Nwa Nsukka) during the Children's E<strong>as</strong>ter
Carnival with Nkoli Nwa Nsukka, held at Government Field, Nsukka, yesterday.
we are yet to rele<strong>as</strong>e
them because they are
still being ratified.
“The board is carrying
out all the checks and
balances regarding these
results by way of
viewing the CCTV
camera <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> attend
to all findings brought
before it while the
examination l<strong>as</strong>ted. The
rele<strong>as</strong>e of the result will
be publicised <strong>as</strong> soon <strong>as</strong>
we are through with all
the board h<strong>as</strong> set out to
achieve. We will let the
public know.
“Candidates should
not bother themselves
going to any cyber cafe
to check any result. Our
result check h<strong>as</strong> been
standardised. We will
forward the results to
the respective telephone
numbers of those
candidates who are
deserving of it,” he said.
He said that the board
w<strong>as</strong> intensifying efforts
to ensure that results of
deserving candidates
were rele<strong>as</strong>ed by next
week.
Benjamin further
explained that it w<strong>as</strong> not
also true that the board
w<strong>as</strong> deducting some
marks from candidates
with proven c<strong>as</strong>es of
e x a m i n a t i o n
malpractice.
According to him,
once the board
establishes evidence of
any form of examination
malpractice, it will
cancel outrightly, the
result of such candidate
rather than deduct
marks.
“If we establish any
c<strong>as</strong>e of infraction or
examination malpractice
being carried out in any
centre too, such centre is
shut down and the entire
results of candidates
who wrote in that centre
from the commencement
of the examination,
which is April 11 to the
end will automatically be
cancelled.
“Such affected
candidates are
r e s c h e d u l e d
Continues from Page 5
country, the authorities
are quick to respond and
sometimes rush relief
materials to the affected
nations, but dis<strong>as</strong>ters in
our backyard here are
treated with so much
levity and the victims are
often abandoned for
days.
“It h<strong>as</strong> gotten to the
extent when agencies
have clamped down on
certain electronic media,
warning them to refrain
from showing horrifying
pictures on their
networks.”
Kwankur, however,
appealed to the Federal
immediately for the
examination in another
centre <strong>as</strong> w<strong>as</strong> the c<strong>as</strong>e in
some centres in Abia,”
he said.
He added that the
board made several
arrests of persons
caught trying to
undermine the integrity
of the examination and
process, while it l<strong>as</strong>ted,
just like it shut down
centres that fell short of
standard.
Benjamin said the
Prof. Ishaq Oloyede-led
JAMB h<strong>as</strong> a zero
tolerance for any form of
corruption, which
Government to rise up to
the challenge of
adequately <strong>feed</strong>ing
internally displaced
persons because it’s not
by choice that they find
themselves in such
places.
“It’s indeed
disheartening that there
are <strong>IDP</strong>s in Bauchi. If
they are fall-outs from
crises in other states,
government should
make h<strong>as</strong>te to resettle
them in their places of
abode,” he stated.
ACF on <strong>IDP</strong>
crisis
included examination
malpractice.
“Right now, we have
just read from a major
national daily that an ex-
JAMB staff is about to be
arraigned by the EFCC
over an alleged diversion
of about N100 million
belonging to the board.
“Let me make it clear
that this said c<strong>as</strong>e w<strong>as</strong> not
during the tenure of the
current JAMB Registrar.
Infact, one of the major
guidelines of the current
board is total
transparency and
accountability, coupled
with its open door policy,”
Benjamin said.
<strong>Outrage</strong> <strong>as</strong> <strong>IDP</strong> <strong>children</strong> <strong>feed</strong> on onion leaves
ACF reacting through
Anthony Sani, said: “If
the reports are true that
the <strong>IDP</strong> camp in Bauchi
is being starved of food,
then the media should
investigate and draw the
attention of government
and those in charge to
the situation.
“Because of paucity of
funds, it is hard for
governments to do
enough. What one can
say is to submit that if
they cannot incre<strong>as</strong>e the
resources at their
disposal, they should
incre<strong>as</strong>e the yield
through effective and
efficient management
practices,” he said.

42 — Vanguard, MONDAY APRIL 22, 2019
Why power 'll not shift
to South in 2023
– Senator Ogunlewe
•APC'll crumble without Buhari, must lobby to
produce NASS leaders
Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, former minister of Works, and
a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, w<strong>as</strong> one
of the three senators that represented Lagos on the platform
of the Alliance for Democracy, AD in 1999. In
this interview, he warns the leadership of the All
Progressives Congress, APC, against imposing leaders
on the Ninth National Assembly. He also spoke
on agitation for power shift to the South in 2023,
and why APC will face challenges at the polls without
President Muhammadu Buhari.
By Olayinka Ajayi
On the tussle between
the ruling All Progressive
Congress, APC, and the
main opposition Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP, for the
leadership of the 9th National
Assembly
The tussle is needless. An
election h<strong>as</strong> to be conducted
and the person who is able to
lobby for a position will be
voted for. People that are outside
don't seem to know the
workings. The workings are
simple, you have to negotiate
with people to vote for you. If
you are contesting an election,
you have to promise A, Y, Z
some committees, you have to
promise a group before they
can vote for you. So it is not
rocket science at all, it is about
lobbying, consultation, and
give and take. You cannot just
say this is the endorsed candidate
that is going to lead the
Senate then you go and sitdown,
not negotiating, such
person would surely fail. My
take is, let the person that
have the best leadership qualities
for the 9th Assembly win
the Speakership and the Senate
President. And the best
leader is somebody who can
consult and knows the opposition
is also important in decision
making on the floor.
What do you make of the
allegation by the APC that
the PDP is scheming to repeat
the Saraki scenario of
2015 and produce Ninth National
Assembly leaders?
The PDP should do so because
they have the number.
They are 46 to APC's 62. The
difference is not much and <strong>as</strong>
far <strong>as</strong> I am concerned, it is
simple majority. So if you want
to be Senate President, and
you want to give the opposition
Deputy Senate President,
so be it. It means you just
need nine of your people to
merge with the opposition to
emerge the Senate President.
So you must negotiate <strong>as</strong> the
opposition will not just vote for
you because you are APC.
On the APC leaders' endorsement
of Senator Ahmad
Lawan <strong>as</strong> senate president
<strong>as</strong> they did in the Eight
Assembly...
It is because they are myopic,
and they don't understand
the stand of the constitution.
If you check the content of the
constitution, the part that addresses
the legislative
arm,you would observe that
there is no party interference
either in the Senate or the
House of Representatives,
there is nothing like party interference.
It is a national issue.
So the party h<strong>as</strong> no role
to play on the floor at all. It is
the senators or the House of
Representative members that
would vote on that day.
On the use of secret balloting
for the election
It must be by secret ballot.
Do you expect them to be raising
up hands during voting?
That is primitive. Even if there
is a division, under the rule,
you divide. There is no senator
until after June 6, they are
still senators-elect until they
are sworn-in. So, it is the
Clerk of the National Assembly
that would determine what
would happen that day. For
the period of one hour, it is the
Clerk that would be in charge.
So you cannot even talk. He
just comes and reels out the
rules. It’s not for you to raise
up your hands to question
him, he may walk you out because
he h<strong>as</strong> not inaugurated
you, you are just a senatorelect
or House of the Representatives
member-elect.
•Ogunlewe
What do you make of the
approval granted by the APC
leadership for Lawan to lobby
opposition parties?
I thought the APC chairman
(Oshiohmole) said they
should not lobby, why are they
lobbying? They should just sit
down and <strong>as</strong>sume they are
going to vote for them. They
would be surprised. For instance,
if I am from South-
South, I will want to be a
member of the petroleum
Nigeria h<strong>as</strong>
nowhere to go
unless they restructure;
Let
Buhari get out
from the stage,
APC would crumble;
I can bet you
there would be no
APC; APC is
Buhari, Buhari is
APC. That w<strong>as</strong>
why most of them
lost their constituencies
even the
chairman of the
party lost his
constituency
committee. Those in the
North would want to be in the
agricultural committee or irrigation
or water resources.
Each zones h<strong>as</strong> a special area
where they must be part of the
head of the committee. So, the
persons whot want to occupy
these positions would negotiate
with you and you have to
listen to them, if you don't listen
to them, they will not vote
for you. It is bargaining.
It is too early, we still have
over a month. However, there
is what is called the X factor
in the election, which is unknown
to most people outside
the National Assembly.
What is it about?
It is only on the floor of the
National Assembly they discuss
it <strong>as</strong> they don't discuss it
outside.
It is the interplay in the National
Assembly and it is a
major factor. It is when you
are there that you would know
the factor. The X factor is simply
Money. So, it is the more
you look the less you see. It is
not free at all <strong>as</strong> there is no
free lunch there because they
are going to confront their
governors, and the leadership
of their parties.
Is this factor good for our
democracy?
I don't understand because
when they wanted to contest
for an election, the X factor
w<strong>as</strong> predominant and it is significant
in anything we do in
Nigeria.
How can we eliminate this
X factor from our democracy?
It’s by education, education,
and education. Let people get
jobs; by reducing poverty and
unemployment, the the X factor
would be limited. But in a
predominantly illiterate and
poverty-stricken community,
with area boys forming the majority
of the voters, what do
you expect? Out of school <strong>children</strong>
are about 10 million, so
how will 10 million people vote
for you without being induced?
We are the architect of our
misfortune <strong>as</strong> we don't take
care of our people. In western
countries, they have what
is called social security.
Whether their citizens work or
not they get money so that citizens
can be less influenced.
Their citizens know if the government
did not give them
jobs, it would provide what
would make them survive.
That is the way to make citizens
happy.
Nigerians are not part
of Nigeria <strong>as</strong> a country.
We are just external because
we are just living
in Nigeria. Nigeria does
not understand or take
care of its citizens. Nigeria
does not even know us
<strong>as</strong> they don't have our
identity. We told them that
every Nigerian must have
a national identity card but
it seems impossible and
they spent N245 billion on
elections. If you spend half of
that on National ID card at
le<strong>as</strong>t you would know who Nigerians
are. As it stands, we
don't know who is a Nigerian.
Once there is a national
ID card, you can render social
services through the
local government.
Just imagine
that the vicepresident
is the
one distributing
money in the
market and he
doesn’t know the
identity of those
he is giving the
money to whether
they are from
Togo, Ghana or
Mali. All these
things are prerequisites
to national development
<strong>as</strong> you must have a data
b<strong>as</strong>e of your citizens. That is
when you can take care and
plan for them. Once there is no
b<strong>as</strong>ic statistics, how do you develop
a nation blindly? So we
have not gotten there at all, we
are very far from it.
On Vice President Osinbajo
and some leaders' using
power shift to the South in
2023 <strong>as</strong> campaign during the
2019 elections
If they don't do the needful,
everything they are doing is
just a w<strong>as</strong>te of time. Nigeria
h<strong>as</strong> nowhere to go unless they
restructure. Let Buhari get out
from the stage, APC would
crumble. I can bet you there
would be no APC. APC is Buhari,
Buhari is APC. That w<strong>as</strong>
why most of them lost their
constituencies even the chairman
of the party lost his constituency
but he w<strong>as</strong> bragging
that he w<strong>as</strong> able to help the
President win with four million
votes. Everybody in the
party is bragging that they
made sure President Buhari
returned. That is all the glory
but when the man is not contesting
what are they going to
do or who are they going to
campaign with?
During his campaign, Buhari
said the electorate should vote
for anybody they like after voting
for him. APC struggled to
retain states it had before. Are
they not seeing the danger?
In another two years there
maybe no APC. They will
crumble because they are not
united but just surviving on
money. Apart from Buhari,
every other thing in APC is
money.
In some states they were
fighting among themselves to
the extent that they were excluded
totally from the election.
Members are fighting
and nobody is telling them to
Continues on page

Vanguard, MONDAY APRIL 22, 2019 — 43
Why power 'll not shift to South in 2023 – Senator Ogunlewe
Continued from page
stop, it means there is no leadership.
Is it not strange to
you? APC h<strong>as</strong> over 765 preelection
c<strong>as</strong>es in court unresolved.
With these c<strong>as</strong>es, are
they not going to crumble?
Look at what Dayo Adeyeye
told them recently, w<strong>as</strong> he not
part of us? He is an Afenifere
person from the South-West.
Without restructuring, you
perish <strong>as</strong> a nation. We have
sounded it but they will not
listen.
On the upsurge of banditry,
killings and insecurity in
the country
It is bad governance! Once
the government is not working,
people would subscribe to
self-help. People have no hope
in this government because
the government h<strong>as</strong> superimposed
itself on them, so the
next thing is to start revolting
You mean banditry is a form
of revolt?
What do you want them to
do? Nobody knows they exist.
If they wake up in the
morning there is no food to
eat, they cannot send their
<strong>children</strong> to school, those that
are sick cannot go to the Hospital.
Is that a nation? Other
advanced countries have gone
through this thing, the way to
solve it is to have a datab<strong>as</strong>e.
Secondly, those that are not
working, it is the responsibility
of the government to take
care of them.
Giving our huge debt profile
and poor economy, do
you think we are ripe
enough for this?
We are more than ripe. It’s
because they are stealing
money. We are the best country
in the world to do that for
our people. Many people steal
to survive? How many Nigerians
live on their legitimate
means?When a policeman is
earning N30,000 and his <strong>children</strong>
would go to school and
there is no police housing
scheme and he lives among
the people; how can such policeman
work?
What is the way forward?
The way forward is restructuring.
The state governors
are stealing the money meant
for the local governments.
But the Vice-President once
said restructuring is not the
priority for now <strong>as</strong> corruption
h<strong>as</strong> eaten deep into the
nation's fabric?
He is from the home of restructuring.
He is just saying
that to save his job. His constituency
is restructuring.
How can a Yoruba man say he
doesn't understand restructuring?
It is because the money
is shared at the top. How can
you stop corruption when the
money is shared at the top?
For instance, <strong>as</strong> a civil servant
that retired in Lagos state, you
earn <strong>as</strong> pension N45,000 naira
and the permanent secretary
who retired at the federal lev-
•Ogunlewe
el earn N800,000 <strong>as</strong> a pension.
With this, it shows the money
at the top h<strong>as</strong> no parent; it’s
for sharing while the money
at the local government h<strong>as</strong>
ownership. If a local govern-
By Levinus Nwabughiogu
ABUJA-The
campaign
organization of Hon. Femi
Gbajabiamila h<strong>as</strong> said that the
candidacy of its principal in the
contest for the speakership of the
9th House of Representatives w<strong>as</strong>
a joint t<strong>as</strong>k.
The organization said that the
lawmaker represent all the
geopolitical zones of the country.
This came <strong>as</strong> a coalition of
Niger Delta youths from the
ruling All Progressives Congress,
APC, from the South-South
geopolitical zone declared its
support for Hon. Mohammed
Bago for the speakership.
Reacting to a 'no retreat, no
surrender' stand of Bago's
campaign organization, l<strong>as</strong>t
week, the Gbajabiamila team
said that the incident of 2015
where the House voted for
another candidate outside
Gbajabiamila's endorsement by
the party must not repeat itself.
L<strong>as</strong>t Tuesday, the APC adopted
him <strong>as</strong> its candidate for the office,
a move that rejected by Bago and
some <strong>as</strong>pirants to the office who
raised the issue of equity, fairness
and justice.
The statement by Adaramodu
said: "Hon Femi Gbajabiamila is
actually a candidate for all the
zones. His is a joint t<strong>as</strong>k. We
respect Hon Bago, a respected
Honourable colleague, whose
banner the author of the put-away
press rele<strong>as</strong>e used. We are
convinced that the said author
acted alone, <strong>as</strong> we believe Hon
ment is given N600 million every
month, and the governor
cart away N500 million, some
will <strong>as</strong>k the council chairman
about it. Whose money are
they spending in Abuja? I
Bago is a faithful party man, who
is also a good student of history.
The sordid experience of 2015 w<strong>as</strong>
enough lesson for us, including
him to listen to the voice of re<strong>as</strong>on
and wisdom from the party
leadership.
"There could be no retreat, no
surrender in our war against
corruption and bandits and not
have been part of them, so I
know what I am talking about.
It is nobody's money that they
spend at the federal level, it
is a national cake and the more
you can get for yourself the
better. But money at the local
government level is community-b<strong>as</strong>ed
money. There is no
hope.
But don't you think probably
if power shifts to the
South-West in 2023 restructuring
can reconsidered?
So who is going to shift the
power that is not talking
about restructuring now?
When you want to vote, you
remember restructuring.
Didn't these people talk about
restructuring when they wanted
to contest in 2015? Power
is staying in the North; there
is no way the South can get
it. They have four years to
go.Chief Olusegun Ob<strong>as</strong>anjo
spent eight years, Goodluck
Jonathan spent six, and late
Umaru Musa Yar'Adua spent
two. Buhari is spending eight.
So the North h<strong>as</strong> an unexpired
four years to go. So, they
should allow the North to
spend another four years for
it to balance and then we start
again from the South-E<strong>as</strong>t.
That is the calculation.
NINTH REPS SPEAKER:
Gbajabiamila's ambition, a joint
t<strong>as</strong>k – campaign organisation
Hon Femi
Gbajabiamila is
actually a
candidate for all
the zones; His is a
joint t<strong>as</strong>k; We
respect Hon
Bago, a respected
Honourable
colleague, whose
banner the author
of the put-away
press rele<strong>as</strong>e used
against our party and ourselves.
We shall all surrender to the
party's pathways and directives.
And together we shall take
Nigeria, jointly to lofty heights."
Meanwhile, some APC youths
from the South-South have
thrown their support to Bago.
In a letter to his campaign
headquarters in Abuja, the group
stated that their decision w<strong>as</strong>
hinged on equity and fairness.
Bago hails from North
Central, a zone that h<strong>as</strong> not
produced any presiding
officer of the House since
the return of democracy in
1999.
The letter signed by
Eddie Akaduh, the Coordinator
of the group
called "Niger Delta
Support Group for
Mohammed Bago" read:
"Our group, The Niger
Delta Support Group
For Mohammed Bago
(NDMB), a
coalition of
A l l
Progressives
Congress
Youth in the
South South region wishes to
publicly declare our support for
Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago <strong>as</strong>
Nigeria's most preferred choice
for the office of the Speaker in the
9th National Assembly.
"We wish to state that Hon.
Mohammed Bago <strong>as</strong> a legislator
possesses the prerequisite
qualities required to galvanize
essential legislative functions in
the best interest of all Nigerians.
As Chairman, House of
Representatives Committee on
Maritime Safety Education and
Administration, he patriotically
worked with one of our sons,
Honourable Robinson Uwak in
the repositioning of Maritime
Academy of Nigeria in Oron to
meet international standards.
These and many more have
distinguished him <strong>as</strong> a legislative
According to the calculations,
those in the South anticipating
power shift in 2023
are big jokers. They can never
get it. You know the problem
of the South-West is, If
you are a Muslim, and you
are coming out, who are you
going to pick in the North <strong>as</strong>
a running mate? Where will
you get a Christian that would
carry all the North along with
you? So you have to pick a
Muslim!
So you don't foresee a Muslim-Muslim
ticket working
in Nigeria?
They should not even contemplate
it because what it is
going to cause will be unimaginable.
That w<strong>as</strong> what went
wrong with late Chief
Obafemi Awolowo, it w<strong>as</strong> hard
for Late Awo to find a suitable
Northerner when he vied for
the President. It w<strong>as</strong> impossible
for him. Once the North
does not believe it is your turn,
they will not follow you. They
believe they still have four
more years to go before they
hand it over to you. If you insist
they will go back to PDP
and PDP will bring out a
Kwankw<strong>as</strong>o or a Tambuwal
and a Wike <strong>as</strong> Vice-president.
How can you defeat them?
•Gbajabiamila
leader worthy of the position of
speaker.
"We know Rt. Hon. Bago to be a
creative and hard working
politician, who is naturally loved
by his constituents and now
generally accepted by all
Nigerians. Hence, his diligence,
maturity and intellect <strong>as</strong>
Honourable Speaker at the Green
Chamber will rightfully deliver to
Nigerians excellent legislative
services and benefits...
"To this end, our endorsement of
Rt. Hon. Bago <strong>as</strong> a Speaker from
North Central geopolitical zone
should be received by Nigerians
<strong>as</strong> symbol of equity and justice
which will ultimately cement our
bond of unity <strong>as</strong> a nation,
especially now that we are
moving to the next level."

44 — Vanguard, MONDAY APRIL 22, 2019
NINTH NASS: Why I support APC,
Buhari’s position – Tinubu
* Says he is not positioning himself for 2023 presidential poll
* I pray for your success, Ooni tells Bago
* Doguwa opts for Reps’ majority leader
By Clifford Ndujihe & Levinus
Nwabughiogu
NATIONAL Leader of the All
Progressives Congress,
APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, h<strong>as</strong>
ruled out ulterior motives in his
support of President
Muhammadu Buhari and the
party’s position on the adoption
of candidates for the Ninth
National Assembly leadership.
Insisting that his stand h<strong>as</strong>
nothing to do with positioning
himself for the presidency in 2023,
Tinubu, in a 2,268-word statement
by his media office, said ‘’all his
mind, heart and efforts are
focused on backing the APC and
President Buhari in achieving
their shared vision of a
flourishing economy and a
prosperous people.’’
The APC hierarchy had adopted
Senator Ahmad Lawan (Yobe
North) for Senate Presidency and
Femi Gbajabiamila (Lagos) for the
House of Representatives
speakership.
The adoptions are still raising
dust in the party with Senator Ali
Ndume (Borno South) insisting
that he would not step down for
Lawan and would pursue his
senate presidency <strong>as</strong>piration to a
logical conclusion. Also, some
speakership <strong>as</strong>pirants from the
North-Central zone have insisted
on contesting and urged the party
leadership to ensure equity, and
justice in the zoning of National
Assembly leadership slots.
Meanwhile, the Ooni of Ife,
HRM Oba Enitan Ogunwusi,
Ojaja II, h<strong>as</strong> canv<strong>as</strong>sed youth
inclusiveness in the leadership
structures of the country to avoid
a lacuna while praying for the
success a front line <strong>as</strong>pirant to the
Speakership of the 9 th House of
Representatives, Mohammed
Bago in his palace, over the
weekend.
With the party’s decision,Chief
Whip of the House of
Representatives, Ado Doguwa
(Kano), yesterday, said that he h<strong>as</strong>
sacrificed his speakership and
deputy speakership ambitions for
the APC and would now <strong>as</strong>pire for
the majority leader seat.
Why I’m going for
majority leader – Doguwa
Speaking to Vanguard,
Doguwa, a fifth time lawmaker
from Kano State said that <strong>as</strong> a
loyal party man, he would not go
against the APC which h<strong>as</strong>
respectively zoned the
speakership and deputy
speakership to South West and
North Central geopolitical zones.
He said that it w<strong>as</strong> natural to
drop his ambition and support
whoever the party h<strong>as</strong> endorsed
for the positions.
His words: “The party said the
South-West should produce the
speaker. On that note, we are
supporting the person that is
coming up from that zone. They
now went ahead to say that the
deputy speaker is zoned to the
North-Central. Okay, we are out
of it. Now, the same political party
made a clear-cut declaration that
the majority leader of the House
is going to the North-West. So, on
that note, we don’t have any other
option. I am the only person now
•Tinubu: Assuring President Buhari of his support?
vying for that position. Any other
person is a joker. Of course, we are
consulting with all the
stakeholders, governors, National
Working Committee, NWC
members especially those that
come from our zone because it is
like a zonal thing now.’’
I pray for your success,
Ooni tells Bago
While receiving Bago in his
palace, the Ooni of Ife said to avert
a lacuna in leadership, the youth
must be encouraged to <strong>as</strong>sume
leadership.
“Yes, we now have a Not-Too-
Young to Run law, but to
compliment that we need to
consciously bring the youth into
leadership positions,” Ooni said
and praised Bago for embarking
on the courtesy visit, describing
it <strong>as</strong> a “a demonstration of your
profound respect for the Yoruba
race.”
Oba Ogunwusi also prayed for
the success of Bago’s <strong>as</strong>piration of
becoming the next Speaker of the
House, pointing out that the
positive attributes he exudes
would surely guarantee him
success.
“As the custodian of the tradition
and values of the over 50 million
Yorub<strong>as</strong> worldwide, and by the
grace of sitting on the revered
throne of Oduduwa, I pray for the
success of your endeavour,” the
royal father said.
Earlier, the speakership hopeful
stated that besides the fact that the
Nupe, his ethnic group from
Niger State have historical links
with the Yoruba, he decided to
identify with the Ooni because of
his stance <strong>as</strong> an advocate of youth
inclusion in governance.
No ulterior motive in my
support for APC, Buhari’s
position on NASS
In the statement by Mr. Tunde
Rahman, Asiwaju Tinubu said he
would have committed a terrible
blunder by navigating against the
President’s position, adding that
those who c<strong>as</strong>t <strong>as</strong>persions at him
were in reality bucking against
Buhari’s stated position. He
attacked Senate President Bukola
Saraki and Speaker Yakubu
Dogara for going against the
APC’s position in 2015 and used
their positions to hamper
President Buhari’s projects for the
country.
The statement titled “Tinubu
Focussing on the Issues of Today:
Tomorrow is the M<strong>as</strong>ter of Itself’’
The peddlers of
these rumours
have arrogated to
themselves the
preternatural
ability to read
Asiwaju’s mind
more than he
himself can know
it. They also seem
to have acquired
the unique gift of
bending time so
that 2023 appears
before we even
reach the midway
point of 2019
read in part: “We have monitored,
with rising incredulity,the r<strong>as</strong>h of
news stories claiming Asiwaju
Tinubu is manipulating the APC
nomination process for the
National Assembly leadership.
The stories claim this supposed
manipulation is the first salvo in
Asiwaju’s effort to position
himself for a presidential run
during the 2023 election cycle.
Not only are these reports utterly
false, b<strong>as</strong>ed <strong>as</strong> they are in the
febrile imaginations of those
persons by whom they are being
peddled, they are injurious to
President Buhari’s historic quest
to reform Nigeria. It is for this
latter re<strong>as</strong>on that we find cause to
speak out where otherwise we
would have continued to watch on
in silent amusement.
“Nigeria h<strong>as</strong> barely emerged
from President Buhari and the
APC’s resounding victory in the
l<strong>as</strong>t election. The President, with
the support of an APC majority in
both chambers of our National
Assembly, is now preparing to
lead the nation forward for the
next four years. Instead of
covering the President’s exciting
Next Level agenda and what it
promises in terms of economic
and social growth and
development, these people want
to skip ahead to the next election
<strong>as</strong> if they can c<strong>as</strong>t <strong>as</strong>ide the next
four years.
“However, the Nigerian people
do not elect politicians to office
simply to watch on <strong>as</strong> they
manoeuvre and jostle for position
at the next election. The people
elect those who they believe will
be the best public servants,
committed to the national wellbeing.
This is why they re-elected
President Buhari while rejecting
the horde of political jobbers that
constitute the PDP.
“The peddlers of these rumours
have arrogated to themselves the
preternatural ability to read
Asiwaju’s mind more than he
himself can know it. They also
seem to have acquired the unique
gift of bending time so that 2023
appears before we even reach the
midway point of 2019.
“This attempt to caricature
Asiwaju <strong>as</strong> if his words and
actions are all aimed at grabbing
power will fail because this
portrait distorts the plain truth.
While the headlines are
sensational they are also
senseless because they are not
grounded in fact. Asiwaju h<strong>as</strong> not
run for elected office since 2003.
He l<strong>as</strong>t held office in 2007. He h<strong>as</strong>
never vied to become chairman of
the APC nor h<strong>as</strong> he tried to
insinuate himself into any major
government office.
“If you were <strong>as</strong>ked to name
another political figure who h<strong>as</strong>
exercised such forbearance, you
would be hard pressed to identify
another person with a comparable
record when it comes to restraint
in seeking office. Where others,
upon leaving one office, tend to
set their eyes immediately upon
another, Asiwaju, uniquely in
Nigerian politics, h<strong>as</strong> foregone his
personal ambitions <strong>as</strong> his political
ide<strong>as</strong> and policies have flourished
in the hands of his allies and
mentees...
‘’Since he l<strong>as</strong>t held public office,
Asiwaju h<strong>as</strong>, with unprecedented
success, dedicated himself toward
building a political party that
would furnish a progressive
alternative to the regressive
policies of the PDP. Joining forces
with President Buhari and others,
who shared his progressive
ideology, he helped form the APC.
Since the inception of the APC,
Asiwaju’s focus h<strong>as</strong> been to <strong>as</strong>sist
President Buhari develop, refine
and implement a progressive
agenda that would give every
Nigerian a fair chance to prosper
and provide for his loved ones...
“It is against this backdrop that
Asiwaju’s support of the party
position regarding the National
Assembly leadership must be
interpreted. There is no surprise
in him supporting the party and
the president’s position regarding
the National Assembly positions.
Nor is it wrong that he do so. As a
loyal party member and
progressive leader, he would have
committed a terrible wrong by
navigating against the president
and party in these matters.
“That Asiwaju h<strong>as</strong> actively and
publicly supported the party and
president should not result in
such public back-biting. We all
know how important these
positions are to the fulfilment of
the president’s agenda. One
needs only look to the l<strong>as</strong>t four
years to see how painfully this
lesson h<strong>as</strong> been learned. With the
Senate leadership usurped by
regressive elitists that chamber
constituted a brake on progress
and good governance. The Senate
leadership, and to a lesser degree
the House leadership, stymied
APC legislative initiatives while
attempting to hoist noxious,
reactionary and self-interested
legislation on the nation.
“Just look at the way Saraki,
Dogara and their ilk high-jacked
the budget process these p<strong>as</strong>t four
years. National budgets were
delayed and distorted <strong>as</strong> these
actors repeatedly sought to pad
budgets with pet projects that
would profit them. Even worse,
they cut funds intended to prosper
projects that would have benefited
the average person. After four
years of their antics halting the
progress of government, we
should do all we can to prevent a
repeat of their malign control of
the National Assembly.
“In 2015, Senator Saraki
finagled his way into the senate
presidency. He planted himself at
the apex of legislative power. But
his actions <strong>as</strong> Senate president
showed a man devoid of
comp<strong>as</strong>sion for the average
Nigerian. All he cared for w<strong>as</strong>
power and position. House
Speaker Dogara h<strong>as</strong> fared only
slightly better. Occupying these
positions is not a guarantee of
future success. It is only a
guarantee of present duty.
“Elections are over. Now is the
time for governance to take
primacy. Those who have taken to
intrigue about 2023 reveal
themselves to be lacking in
essential concern for the people
and the substantive issues that
confront us. Our challenges are
steep and multiple. Resolving
them will occupy all of our time
and energy. We do not have the
luxury to embark on fant<strong>as</strong>ies
about the future. Let the future
stay where it is for now.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019—45
Nigeria debutant
sparkles in Budapest
Ajoke Ojomu started her debut at the
2019 World Championships on a
good note after recording a convincing
4-1 win over Luxembourg’s Sarah
Meyer in the group opener in
Budapest.
The 19-year-old w<strong>as</strong> on the winning
side in the explosive encounter and she
w<strong>as</strong> so excited about the feat.
“I could not believe I just recorded
my first game at the World
Championship because I w<strong>as</strong> a bit
confused when the match started. I
could not understand how to return my
opponent service <strong>as</strong> it w<strong>as</strong> a bit odd
playing against a player that used
pimples in her forehand. But after losing
the first game, my coach told me how
to demystify her which I followed and
this really gave me the confidence to
complete the win. This is a major boost
to me personally and I dedicate this
win to my mother, who h<strong>as</strong> been very
supportive and all those who have
always been there for me when I w<strong>as</strong>
not making the senior team,” the
Nigeria national champion said.
•Bale
Bale refuses to leave
Madrid because of wages
Gareth Bale will
refuse to leave
Real Madrid in this
summer’s transfer
window unless his huge
wages - said to be in the
region of £700,000 a
week - are met.
Bale still h<strong>as</strong> three
years left to run on his
contract at the Bernabeu,
but the 29-year-old h<strong>as</strong>
struggled for form this
se<strong>as</strong>on and it is
Coutinho: Covering my ears
w<strong>as</strong> liberating
Philippe Coutinho w<strong>as</strong>
on the receiving end
of whistles from the
Camp Nou crowd on
Saturday against Real
Sociedad, though there
were also some
applause.
The mixed reaction
w<strong>as</strong> nothing to do with
his performance but in
response to his midweek
celebration against
Manchester United.
After scoring from
distance against David
de Gea from distance,
the Brazilian covered his
ears which w<strong>as</strong> seen <strong>as</strong>
a disrespectful gesture
from the fans.
However, the Brazilian
defended the
celebration, saying that
it expressed how he felt
under criticism in recent
months.”I have always
been someone who
respects everybody,”
Coutinho told YouTuber
Koko. “The truth is that
this (celebration) w<strong>as</strong> for
the people to see that I
have to block out the
sound in order to focus
on a match or on my job
so that it won’t affect
me,” he explained,
referring to the press.
Higuain: I took refuge and
w<strong>as</strong> afraid to go out
Chelsea’s
Gonzalo
Higuain h<strong>as</strong> admitted
to suffering during his time
<strong>as</strong> a footballer, even being
fearful of leaving his house.
Higuain h<strong>as</strong> played in
Spain, Italy and now
England, and believes that
the general public should
show some discretion when
giving their thoughts to
footballer’s in the streets
and should remember that,
•Higuain
•Coutinho
•Ajoke
Ghana recorded its
first ever win at the
ITTF
World
Championships <strong>as</strong> the
duo of Derek Abrefa and
Celia Baah-Danso
defeated Mauritius’ duo
of ARNACHELLUM
Allan & RAMASAWMY
Caroline 3-1 in the
preliminary round of the
mixed doubles event.
Playing on centre court
at HungExpo in
Budapest, the Ghanaian
pairs who are combining
for the first time in an
international
tournament toppled their
Mauritian counterpart
with 11-8, 8-11, 11-9, 13-
11 to advance to the next
stage of the competition.
An excited Derek
Abrefa said he hopes to
record more wins but
admitted that it would be
a Herculean t<strong>as</strong>k in
Budapest.
“It w<strong>as</strong> indeed a good
feeling coming back to
the biggest competition
in the world. I w<strong>as</strong> so
excited when I learnt
that we will be playing
on table one and I just
told my partner that we
should go in there and
give our best. We were
familiar with our
understood that
Zinedine Zidane wants
the Welshman to be sold.
According to The
Mirror, though, the
former Tottenham
Hotspur attacker will
refuse to leave the
European champions
unless his current
financial package is met.
Previous reports have
placed Bale on around
£350,000 a week at
Madrid, but The
Mirror h<strong>as</strong> claimed that
the actual figure is closer
to double that amount.
Manchester United,
Tottenham and Bayern
Munich have all been
linked with the Wales
international, who h<strong>as</strong>
managed just eight La
Liga goals during the afael Nadal said he
2018-19 campaign. Rproduced one of the
worst clay-court
performances of his
career after cr<strong>as</strong>hing to
a shock defeat to Fabio
Fognini at the Monte-
Carlo M<strong>as</strong>ters.
above all, they are people
too.”I always regret when I
used to take refuge and
avoid going out in fear of
what people would say to
me,” Higuain said to
ESPN’s Let’s Talk Football.
The 11-times
champion w<strong>as</strong> beaten
6-4 6-2 in the semi-finals
on Saturdayand gave a
blunt <strong>as</strong>sessment of his
Ghana records first win at
ITTF World Championships
in Budapest
opponents but we knew
it w<strong>as</strong> a different platform
and we have to make
ourselves and country
proud by winning the
first match for Ghana in
a World Championship
in recent times. We are
aware that we will be
facing stronger
opponents <strong>as</strong> we
advance but we will
continue to work harder
and play harder,” said
Abrefa.
For Celia Baah-Danso,
it w<strong>as</strong> an experience she
would not want to forget
in a hurry. “I am very
much happy featuring in
Bernardo
Silva
believes the
upcoming derby cl<strong>as</strong>h
with Manchester United
will be crucial in deciding
if Manchester City win
the Premier League title.
Wednesday’s trip to
Old Trafford appears to
my first World
Championship and
specially playing on the
centre court where the
whole world will be
watching me. I am also
happy that we were able
to win the first match and
this is awesome and I
can’t wait to play the next
game. It w<strong>as</strong> a different
feeling for me playing on
table one where all the
camer<strong>as</strong> focused on you.
I hope the experience I
garner will be helpful to
me in all the
competitions I will be
playing this year,” she
said.
Silva: Manchester derby
could decide title
Nadal: I played one of my worst
matches in Monte-Carlo
4-0 defeat away to Everton.
And Solskjaer believes it
w<strong>as</strong> only the supporters who
showed their true colours at
performance after
Fognini wrapped up
victory in one hour and
36 minutes.
Nadal said: “I probably
played one of the worst
matches on clay in 14
years.
“When that happens,
you have to lose. And
today I deserved to lose
because I played against
a player who w<strong>as</strong> better
than me today.”
Solskjaer: We didn’t turn up at Everton
le Gunnar Solskjaer h<strong>as</strong>
Oapologised to the
Manchester United fans
after his side’s humiliating
Goodison Park and could
hold their heads up high.
“Everything went wrong
today, we just didn’t
perform, and we were
beaten all over the pitch on
the b<strong>as</strong>ics,” Solskjaer told
SKY Sports.
“There’s no hiding place
on the pitch in this shirt,
and we weren’t good
enough, it w<strong>as</strong> not worthy of
a Man United team.
“We have to hold our
hands up and apologise on
behalf of the club to the fans
<strong>as</strong> they were the only ones
with the badge who could
hold their heads up and say
they were Manchester
United."
be the biggest hurdle left
facing City they ch<strong>as</strong>e
another Premier League
crown following
Saturday’s tense 1-0 win
over Tottenham.
Much h<strong>as</strong> been made
over whether United
fans might actually
prefer loathed
neighbours City to win
the title rather than archrivals
Liverpool, but
Silva does not expect
that to affect players’
thinking.
United are in a tight
battle themselves for a
top-four spot and Silva
thinks they will be just
<strong>as</strong> hungry for the points.
The Portugal
midfielder said: “We are
so happy with the win
[on Saturday] and now
it’s on to another tough
one against Manchester
United which I think will
be crucial for the title.
“It’s a big game for us,
a big game for them.
They need points to be
in the top four and we
need them to fight for the
title.
“So we expect a very
difficult game against
one of the best sides in
England.
“They will be
motivated to beat us and
we look forward to it. We
know we need the win,
and the pressure is on -
but that’s a good thing.”
•Silva

46 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019
THE wheels have well
and truly come off for
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Everton humiliated
Manchester United 4-0 at
Goodison Park leaving their
top-four hopes in tatters.
Marco Silva’s side were
full value for the three
points.
Goals from Richarlison,
Gylfi Sigurdsson, Luc<strong>as</strong>
Digne and Theo Walcott
embarr<strong>as</strong>sed the visitors,
subjecting down and out
United to their fifth straight
defeat on the road, their
worst run since 1981.
That is six defeats in the
l<strong>as</strong>t eight games and
scratchy wins against
Watford and West Ham
EVERTON 4 MAN UTD 0
Man Utd top 4 hopes
left in tatters <strong>as</strong>
Solskjaer’s dream
turns into nightmare
Real Madrid 3 - 0 Athletic Bilbao
Benzema nets
hat-trick in Real
Madrid win
Karim Benzema scored a
hat-trick to take his
se<strong>as</strong>on tally to 30 <strong>as</strong> Real
Madrid recorded a 3-0 win
over Athletic Bilbao in
yesterday’s La Liga cl<strong>as</strong>h at
the Bernabeu.
The victory h<strong>as</strong> seen
Madrid return to within four
points of second-placed
Atletico Madrid in the table,
while Bilbao remain
seventh, three points off
sixth-placed Valencia, who
now have a game in hand.
Gareth Bale w<strong>as</strong> again left
out of the Madrid XI with
Marco Asensio and Luc<strong>as</strong>
Vazquez chosen to support
Benzema in the final third
of the field.
Marcelo’s energy down
the left w<strong>as</strong> a key feature of
Madrid’s threat inside the
first 10 minutes, but Bilbao
were also having their
moments on the break with
Inaki Williams threatening
to expose Jesus Vallejo.
Marcelo had the game’s
first shot in the 14th minute,
but his effort from inside the
Bilbao box w<strong>as</strong> too high.
Inside a Bernabeu which
w<strong>as</strong> far from at capacity,
chances were few and far
between in the first 25
minutes. It w<strong>as</strong> a decent
game in terms of tempo and
intensity, but both sides
were struggling to carve out
opportunities.
cannot disguise the
alarming dip in form since
that famous Champions
League night in Paris.
The Toffees were far
superior in every
department with Dominic
Calvert-Lewin running the
Reds defence ragged, while
Idrissa Gueye and Gylfi
Sigurdsson dominated Paul
Pogba, Fred and Nemanja
Matic.
The warning signs were
there a minute earlier when
Richarlison’s strike from a
deep cross w<strong>as</strong> well saved
by De Gea, but the Toffees
forward scuffed his follow –
up effort.
But he made for it when
he opened the scoring after
R
•Benzema
MAD MONEY
EAL MADRID have
agreed a whopping
£1.4BILLION kit deal with
Adid<strong>as</strong> that will put Premier
League chairman on edge.
The Spanish giants have
signed up to a 12-year deal
with the sports giant that
will earn them just under
£117m per se<strong>as</strong>on.
United failed to deal with a
Luc<strong>as</strong> Digne long throw.
Chris Smalling w<strong>as</strong> e<strong>as</strong>ily
beaten in the air by Calvert-
Lewin and the Brazilian
sm<strong>as</strong>hed it p<strong>as</strong>t the United
keeper for his 15th goal of
the se<strong>as</strong>on.
Paris
Saint-Germain
wrapped up the Ligue 1
title without having to
kick a ball yesterday.
Second-placed Lille
drew 0-0 away at
Toulouse, leaving them 16
points behind leaders
PSG with just five games
remaining. The result
finally sees the capital
club crowned champions
for a sixth time in seven
se<strong>as</strong>ons.
Thom<strong>as</strong> Tuchel’s men
squandered several earlier
opportunities to retain the
crown, failing to win any of
their previous three
matches <strong>as</strong> they stumbled
Louis van Gaal slams Solskjaer for
‘parking the bus’
Louis van Gaal h<strong>as</strong> taken
aim once again at the
tactical acumen of
Manchester United
manager Ole Gunnar
Solskjaer, insisting he
h<strong>as</strong> been ‘parking the
bus’ since taking over
at Old Trafford.
Former United boss
van Gaal h<strong>as</strong> begun to
speak more openly
and critically about
his
former
employers
in recent
months.
Solskjaer
h<strong>as</strong> found
himself
on the
receiving
end of
criticism
from the
Dutchman
before,
when
If Solskjaer w<strong>as</strong> looking
for a response from his
players, he w<strong>as</strong> sadly
mistaken, the home side
were on the front foot
dominating in every
department with more
energy and intensity.
PSG win Ligue 1 title
without playing a ball
When Christian Benteke
scored, Roy Hodgson
must have realised his luck
w<strong>as</strong> in.
The Crystal Palace striker
hadn’t scored for 358 days
before this cl<strong>as</strong>h at Arsenal.
Real Madrid agree record
£1.4B Adid<strong>as</strong> kit deal
...<strong>as</strong> Zidane lines up Pogba, Hazard transfers
They will be the brand’s
highest-paid sponsors.
The deal blows
Manchester United’s £750m
agreement with the same
company - spread over ten
years - out of the water.
Los Blancos have been
linked with some of the
world’s best players in
recent months.
towards the finish line. But,
in truth, the title h<strong>as</strong> long
been a formality, with
PSG enjoying a
comfortable buffer in yet
another dominant domestic
campaign.
Arsenal 2 - 3 Crystal Palace
Arsenal shocked by Palace
he <strong>as</strong>serted in an interview
with BBC Sport that the only
difference between the
Norwegian and his
predecessor Jose Mourinho
w<strong>as</strong> the fact he w<strong>as</strong>
winning.
And van Gaal h<strong>as</strong> stuck
the knife in once again by
claiming Solskjaer h<strong>as</strong> been
‘parking the bus’ against
the big sides, insisting that
CRISTIANO RONALDO
h<strong>as</strong> helped Juventus to
their eighth consecutive
Serie A title in his first
se<strong>as</strong>on in Italy.
The Portuguese superstar
becomes the first player
ever to win domestic titles
in England, Spain and Italy.
The 34-year-old talisman
h<strong>as</strong> led by example this
se<strong>as</strong>on notching 26 goals
and 12 <strong>as</strong>sists from 38
appearances despite not
scoring against Fiorentina.
Juventus overcame their
European blues when they
fought back to beat
Fiorentina 2-1 at home on
Saturday and claim the
Serie A title for the eighth
se<strong>as</strong>on in a row. Knocked
out of the Champions
he plonks his defensive
shield not on the edge of the
penalty area, but right in
front of David De Gea.
‘United had been playing
anti-football, <strong>as</strong> I call it, but
don’t think that Ole isn’t
afraid to park the bus either
— he is more defensive
than you think,’ van Gaal
w<strong>as</strong> quoted <strong>as</strong> saying by the
Mirror.
Juventus win two Serie A
titles in one day <strong>as</strong> men &
women triumph
se<strong>as</strong>on.
Ronaldo lifted his first
Serie A title since swapping
Real Madrid for Juventus
l<strong>as</strong>t summer and he is
determined to help the
Italian champions in the
Champions League next
year.
A youthful Ajax side
stunned Ronaldo and Co in
Turin l<strong>as</strong>t week to knock
them out of Europe at the
quarter-final stages and the
five-time Ballon d’Or
winner is focused on
righting the wrongs of this
campaign.
‘It w<strong>as</strong> a year of
League by Ajax in the
quarter-finals on Tuesday,
Juventus fell behind to a
Nikola Milenkovic goal in
the sixth minute and saw
Federico Chiesa hit the
frame of their goal twice
before half-time.
But an Alex Sandro header
and a Germán Pezzella own
goal either side of the break
wrapped up a recordextending
35th Scudetto
and allowed Cristiano
Ronaldo to add to the league
titles he won in England and
Spain with Manchester
United and Real Madrid.
Juve’s 28th win in 33 league
games this se<strong>as</strong>on left them
with 87 points, 20 more than
second-placed Napoli who
have six games to play.
I will 1,000 per cent be at Juve next se<strong>as</strong>on
— Ronaldo
Cristiano
Ronaldo
qu<strong>as</strong>hed any
suggestions he could leave
Juventus this summer <strong>as</strong> the
Portuguese striker
confirmed he will ‘1,000 per
cent’ still be in Italy next
Ninety minutes later:
Benteke’s goal drought w<strong>as</strong>
over, Palace were
mathematically safe and
Arsenal’s hopes of
Champions League
qualification, were hanging
in the balance <strong>as</strong> they
suffered a shock home loss
to the Eagles.
Palace rode their luck at
times, particularly during
the closing stages <strong>as</strong> the
Gunners pressed for a
leveller.
But Hodgson’s men were
well worth their three
points here.
As a result, Palace can
start planning for next
se<strong>as</strong>on knowing they’ll be a
Premier League outfit.
•Louis van Gaal
adaptation and it w<strong>as</strong> a very
good one,’ Ronaldo told Sky
Sport Italia after victory
over Fiorentina sealed the
club’s eighth successive
Scudetto.
‘I feel happiness and joy
because this team deserved
to win the title because we
were the best team this
se<strong>as</strong>on.
‘You can’t always win, we
tried everything we could
but only one team can win
the Champions League.
‘Next year is another year
and it is possible. I will
1,000 percent be at Juventus
next se<strong>as</strong>on.’
Liverpool back on top
iverpool looked in to the
Lbright E<strong>as</strong>ter sun in South
Wales and did not blink. If
Manchester City are to win the
Premier League title this
se<strong>as</strong>on, they will have to do it
on the back of their own
excellence.
That City will defend their
title still looks more than likely.
If anybody really expects
Manchester United to do their
old Merseyside rivals a favour
when they host City on
Wednesday night, they clearly
•Solskjaer
Cardiff City 0 - 2 Liverpool
haven’t seen Ole Gunnar
Solskjaer’s team play recently.
So for Liverpool there may
still be disappointment ahead
but if they are going to lose out
then they may <strong>as</strong> well do it like
this. On the front foot, creating
chances, scoring goals, winning
matches.
This w<strong>as</strong> not Liverpool at their
best against a Cardiff side that
played with spirit and courage.
It is hard to play at your very
top level at this stage of the
se<strong>as</strong>on. City themselves are an

Ighalo scores goal
No 6 of se<strong>as</strong>on
•Lifts Shenhua to ninth on CSL table
Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo scored his
sixth goal of the se<strong>as</strong>on <strong>as</strong> Shanghai Shenhua
played out a 1-1 draw with Wuhan Zall in the
Chinese Super League yesterday.
The striker’s left-footed strike from inside the
box restored parity for Shanghai Shenhua on 31
minutes after they had conceded 16 minutes into
the contest.
Ighalo h<strong>as</strong> scored in each of his l<strong>as</strong>t five games
in the Chinese top flight, starting his five-game
scoring run against Hebei CFFC before finding
the net against Henan Jianye, Beijing Renhe,
Guangzhou R&F and Wuhan Zall.
If the Super Eagles striker can extend his scoring
streak next weekend against Tianjin Tianhai, he
Milan ahead in
ch<strong>as</strong>e for Osimhen
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen
is wanted by many European big
clubs ahead of next se<strong>as</strong>on.
’It is believed that Italian side
AC Milan are leading the race
for the striker’s signature
ahead of French giants PSG
, English side Tottenham
Hotspur and Milan city
rival Inter Milan.
Reports in Italian media
h<strong>as</strong> it that Milan aren’t
faraway from signing the
Wolfsburg of Germany
striker and that the
Rosseneri are ready
to loan him to
French modest
outfit club Lille
immediately
to continue
h i s
development.
Victor
Osimhen
who is currently on loan at
RSC Charleroi of Belgium from VFL
Wolfsburg of Germany h<strong>as</strong> scored 12
league goals for the Belgian side this
se<strong>as</strong>on.
will equal a
personal record of
scoring in six
consecutive top
flight matches which •Ighalo
he set back in the 2015-
16 se<strong>as</strong>on during his
time with Watford.
Since moving to China in January 2017, the
former Udinese and Lyn Olso man h<strong>as</strong> scored 42
goals in 61 appearances combined for Changchun
Yatai and Shanghai Shenhua.
Thanks to Ighalo’s goals, Shanghai Shenhua
have moved to ninth on the table with seven points
after a slow start to the se<strong>as</strong>on.
Uganda coach tips Eaglets to win U-17 AFCON
•Eaglets
Head coach of Uganda
U17 National Team,
Samuel Fabin believes fivetime
world champions
Nigeria are favourites for
the 2019 U17 Africa Cup of
Idowu
Nations.
impresses in Loko
Uganda cr<strong>as</strong>hed out of the
tournament following their
1-1 draw with the Golden
Eaglets, and Fabin h<strong>as</strong>
given three re<strong>as</strong>ons why the
West Africans will go on and
win the tournament.
‘’Looking at the
teams, Nigeria are
the favorites. Tactically,
technically they are better
than all the teams I have
seen. That’s my opinion,’’
Fabin said at the post-match
conference.
‘’I am not
complementing them
•Victor
Osimhen
but the boys are f<strong>as</strong>t.’’
Uganda were determined
to make it to the semifinals
and took the lead on 69
minutes, only for Ibraheem
Jabaar to restore parity five
minutes later.
Fabin h<strong>as</strong> blamed his
defenders for the goal
conceded <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> the
tactical and technical
application from the
Nigerians.
‘’I’ll say it’s a combination
of the two. You’ll realize
when we scored the goal,
Nigerian stepped up their
game but we could have
contained them if not for
lack of concentration in the
defense.
‘’It w<strong>as</strong> an e<strong>as</strong>y lob which
the defender could have
e<strong>as</strong>ily directed the flight of
the ball but then he
couldn’t.
‘’All in all it w<strong>as</strong> a very
good game, Nigeria is a
good team, we had to use all
our technical abilities,’’ he
said.
•Oduduru
By Ben Efe
Sprinter Divine Oduduru, l<strong>as</strong>t
weekend gave Nigerian
athletics hope by running
9.95seconds, a world
leading performance at
the Michael Johnson
invitational meet in Waco
Tex<strong>as</strong>, USA.
It w<strong>as</strong> the first time a Nigerian sprinter
is breaking the 10.00 seconds barrier
since 2006, when Olusoji F<strong>as</strong>uba broke
the African record with a 9.85 seconds run
in Doha, Qatar.
Before going under 10.00seconds,
Oduduru ran 19.76 seconds in the 200m
Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019—47
Eaglets to face
Guinea for final ticket
Five-time world champions Nigeria will face Guinea
in the semifinal of the 2019 U17 Africa Cup of
Nations, if the Young Elephants are not disqualified
from the competition.
Guinea set up a meeting with the Golden Eaglets on
Wednesday after beating Morocco 1-0, thanks to Momo
Toure’s game-winner in the 64th minute, but the
question now is if the game will take place.
Senegal, who finished third in Group B, have accused
Guinea of naming two ineligible players, Ahmed
Tidiane Keita and Aboubacar Conte in their squad.
The Senegalese have claimed that Ahmed Keita and
Aboubacar Conte used different p<strong>as</strong>sports during the
International Dream Cup in 2017, indicating their dates
of birth <strong>as</strong> 31/12/2001 and 13 / 11/2001 respectively.
The Confederation of African Football have sent a
letter to the Guinean Football Federation regarding the
complaint by the Senegalese Federation.
Nigeria Curling Federation
unveils secretariat
•By Jacob Ajom conspicuously absent
It w<strong>as</strong> celebration time at
the Adegoke Street,
Surulere, Lagos secretariat
of the newest sport in the
ever-growing Nigeria
sports family, the Nigeria
Curling Federation at the
weekend.
The federation unveiled
the sport, equipment and its
secretariat to Nigerians.
The ceremony w<strong>as</strong>
performed by the President
of the Nigeria B<strong>as</strong>ketball
Federation, Musa Kida,
who w<strong>as</strong> the special guest
of honour and the Minister
of Sports, Barrister Solomon
Dalung who w<strong>as</strong>
represented by Nkana
Mbora.
The president of the
Curling Federation, Daniel
Danmola
w<strong>as</strong>
because he w<strong>as</strong> in far away
Norway with the Nigerian
team participating in the
world championship.
Speaking at the event the
Minister of Sports said it
w<strong>as</strong> historic that the new
sport w<strong>as</strong> being introduced
to Nigerians during his
time and hoped that very
soon, the country’s athletes
would begin to win laurels
for self and country at
international events.
On his part, the NBBF
President, Kida said he w<strong>as</strong>
proud for being part of the
epoch-making event. “I
would do everything in my
capacity to attract Total to the
sport in terms of
sponsorship and backing
your programmes,” he
promised the young
federation.
Idowu impresses in Loko
Super Eagles defender, Brian Idowu silenced his critics
on Saturday with an impressive showing for Lokomotiv
Moscow in his second outing of the 2018/19 Russian
Premier League se<strong>as</strong>on.
The Nigeria international w<strong>as</strong> a second-half substitute
for the Steam Locomotives <strong>as</strong> they drew 1-1 with CSKA
Moscow but his performance when he came on delighted
his fans.
Benedikt Hoewedes’s 13th minute effort w<strong>as</strong> canceled
out by Fedor Chalov.
Idowu took over from Dmitri Tar<strong>as</strong>ov in the 46th minute
and his hardworking performance and p<strong>as</strong>sing ability will
<strong>as</strong>sure coach Yuri Semin of the Nigerian’s potential. He
w<strong>as</strong> booked in the week 24 game played at the RZD Arena.
The Super Eagles star joined on a free transfer from Russian
club Amkar Perm l<strong>as</strong>t summer
Oduduru breaks Nigerian sprint jinx,
sets new national 200m record
to er<strong>as</strong>e (subject to ratification) the 19.84
seconds national record held by Francis
Obikwelu since 1999. Oduduru’s 19.76 is the
third f<strong>as</strong>test African time in the 200m. Frankie
Fredericks h<strong>as</strong> the f<strong>as</strong>test 19.68 seconds, which
is the African record since 1996.
Oduduru who is a student of the Tex<strong>as</strong>
University of Technology h<strong>as</strong> established
himself <strong>as</strong> the athlete to beat at the All Africa
Games and with a little bit more push by him,
he could also be a candidate for the gold at the
World Athletics Championships in Doha.
At the 2018 African Athletics Championships
in Asaba, Delta State, Oduduru w<strong>as</strong> eclipsed
by the likes of Akani Simbine who posted 10.25
seconds, Arthur Cise of Cote d’ Ivoire 10.33 and
Simone Magakwe of South Africa with 10.35.
In the 200m Oduduru took the silver with 20.60
seconds, while South Africa’s Ncincihli Titi
topped with 20.46seconds.
“I’m not surprised by Oduduru’s rise. He h<strong>as</strong>
always had the potentials since his junior
days,” said former sprinter Deji Aliu.
“I knew that it wouldn’t be long before he
break 10.00seconds. He can do better than he
is doing now if the Athletics Federation of
Nigeria and indeed the sports ministry come
to his support.
“This is because he is in school and they can
load him with competitions since they have him
under scholarship. And at the end of the day
wouldn’t have the energy to deliver when it
matters most.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019
TODAY’S PUZZLE
Sudoku
FRIDAY’S ANSWER
TODAY’S CROSSWORD
QUICK CROSSWORD
THURSDAY’S SOLUTION
How to Play Sudoku
ACROSS
7 Suitable (11)
8 Stop speaking (4,2)
9 Robbery at sea (6)
10 Instrumentalist (6)
12 Take for granted (6)
13 Snake (3)
14 In addition (2,4)
16 Interior (6)
18 Bosom (6)
20 Gypsy (6)
22 Futility (11)
DOWN
1 Ready money (4)
2 Indifference (6)
3 Non-commissioned officer (8)
4 Let fall (4)
5 The sign of the bull
(6)
6 Greeted (8)
11 Shiny (8)
12 Beekeeper (8)
15 Rubbed out (6)
17 One of the four
se<strong>as</strong>ons (6)
19 At that time (4)
21 Prying (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.
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